Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters here in. They belong to BVTS and it's creators Joss and WB. Don't hurt me for borrowing them. They needed to come out and play....
(thoughts in Italics)

Pine Valley night:

Angel kept walking trying to make sense of what he'd seen. He known that she had power but what had she done and why. She hadn't acted like she'd known he was their and even though he'd considered it, he somehow knew that if he'd reached to touch the power that had spiked all around that circle he'd have been burnt again.

She'd finished and opened the circle and left the small place she'd stopped to do her magic and headed back around the house. She had only looked up once from her work, her eyes falling on him, and he felt like he'd been thoroughly chastened.

He'd lost track of her and was frantically circling trying to find her. Reluctantly he headed back toward the house. And was relieved when his was overwhelmed the by the sweet scent of her.

Angel turned the corner to find Willow standing at the far railing of the porch. She had gone as far away as she could without really leaving. She had gone as far away as she could without actually leaving him alone. That thought gave Angel a spark of hope, as he moved closer to the red head. The vampire knew the encroaching gloom would not shield his approach from her, but he also knew that she wouldn't have the same vampiric night vision that he did.

He tried to observe her clinically as he approached but found it nearly impossible. The hacker stood with her back to him. She had thrown her purse and his jacket on a nearby rocking chair. Sitting on a table between two of the chairs was a old looking book. He recognized it as the spell book that Cassie had loaned to her, the one she had been studying for several days now.

Willow's hands were braced on the railing, her shoulders hunched, she was gazing out into the overgrown garden. There was an intensity in her still form that Angel had never seen before, making him unable to gauge her emotions right now. His own feelings were in turmoil, he had tied her up. Despite what he had told her, namely doing precisely that if she ever went away from him, he hadn't really consciously intended to...but when he had returned and found her still form lying there. He had snapped, his emotions had run the gambit between fear, anger, and something else. A feeling intense but fleeting, one he couldn't identify. The end result being that he had done something only Angelus would have done, to keep her safe, to keep her close, he had tied her to the bed and him.

He let the anger for his alter ego simmer momentarily, before coming back to reality and Willow. Angel remembered when he was Angelus and had been spying on the Slayerettes at the library. Xander had made one of his stupid statements that had irritated his girlfriend, the cheerleader, what was her name....Cordelia. The young brunette had flounced out, leaving Willow to calmly try to explain to Xander why his girlfriend was angry with him. When he had finally realized what he had done, Xander had the good grace to look sheepish and then said in a pained voice, "Time to grovel..huh?" to which Willow had simply nodded.

Time for me to grovel. Angel thought as he moved closer to the hacker. Not too close though, he had seen what an angry Willow could do and didn't want to experience it first hand. "I think we...I need to tell you something...to explain. I know you probably don't want to listen to me but..." He paused trying to gather his thoughts in some semblance of order, something she would listen to. As he had begun speaking Angel had noted that Willow had stiffened, but had neither moved away or turned to face him. Damn, I wish I could see her face. Angel knew this was going to be difficult, speaking wasn't his strong suit and explaining himself wasn't something he usually did.

"When I was coming home last night, for a moment I felt as though I were losing my soul again. I realized eventually that my soul was intact, but it still felt as though half of it were gone. I finally figured out that it was you, I couldn't feel you anymore and after what had happened earlier I...I." he couldn't put into words the sense of terror he had felt. "I ran back here as fast as I could and when I got here I didn't find you at first. When I finally did find you it didn't help, you looked..." Angel shuddered uncontrollably as he continued.

"Willow you looked dead and I couldn't reach you because of that damned circle. I...I started destroying everything I could get my hands on because I couldn't get my hands on you. I wanted to hold you, to make sure you were still alive, to make sure you couldn't be hurt. When Katia came over and put you in the room. All I could think was, what if you didn't come back?"

He paused and as he did Angel took notice of her posture, it had barely changed since he had begun. I need to make her understand, "Willow, you brought me back from hell, you anchored my soul to me permanently, you gave me your friendship when you shouldn't have. You are like the sunlight to a man who's spent the better part of his life in the darkest part of the dungeon. Me...I'm that man...and you are that light. So bright it hurts your eyes to see it. So warm it soaks through every pore of your body until you never want to be without it again. You'll do anything to keep from losing it. You Willow, you're that light, I was afraid of losing you and for an insane minute I tied you to me to keep that from happening." She still hadn't moved or responded in any way. He moved a step closer and was pleasantly surprised that she didn't turn him to dust. Now for a little more groveling.

"I also need to tell you about Lydia," the petite red head still showed no reaction, "You know this would be a little easier on me if I could see your face." Still no response from the young hacker, "But then I don't deserve easy anymore do I?" he shuddered slightly and could have sworn he felt his unbeating heart crack and start to shatter. Enough, you have to do this, she deserves an apology and she's going to get one.

Heaving a breathless sigh he began speaking more quietly than before, but with no less intensity. "Willow, I said the things I did to Lydia to get rid of her. I wanted her out of my house and away from you. I lied to her so that she would leave us alone. I didn't know you were listening or I wouldn't have said them or at least explained to you why I was saying them." Angel paused, when he realized Willow wasn't reacting to anything he said.

"Lydia and Angelus were involved a long time ago. Lydia has...exotic tastes...Angelus occasionally got into that too. That was a long time before I ever got my soul though Willow. . I don't want her Willow." he said taking a step closer, "*I* never wanted her, after a while even Angelus figured out that Lydia was bad news." Angel took a step closer and tried to think of a way to make her understand. Something Callie had said came to his mind, "Willow, if someone scraped the gum off the bottom of a desk and gave it to you, would you chew it?" Still no response came from the redhead, as he continued, "Of course not, because you don't know where it was before or how it got there, or how long it had been there. Lydia's just like that gum Willow." Willow still hadn't moved since he started and Angel had the sinking feeling that he wasn't reaching her and that if he couldn't reach her he was going to loose something he needed even more desperately than blood...Willow.

Desperately he growled, "I am not Oz, I am not going to run away from you if you make a decision I don't approve of, I am with you Willow, not Lydia. I am not that oblivious idiot Xander, chasing everything in a skirt, not seeing what's right in front of him. I was not pretending you were someone else when I held you in my arms. I had my eyes wide open looking at the most beautiful creature...you were all that was in my mind...not Buffy and certainly not Lydia. I did not tell Lydia that you were in my bed, although to have you there made me feel...so much...I almost wanted to shout it from the rooftops." Angel struggled through the last, because Willow other than straightening up slightly, still hadn't turned to face him.

He had lost. "Willow...I-I need you to let me back in. If you can't trust me...if you don't want me as we were before Lydia came that day...th-then I won't touch you...unless you ask me to. But..." he bit his lip slightly as the pain shuddered through him, "I need you to forgive me, Willow. I need back in your life...anyway you'll have me. Please...please don't shut me out little one, you've always been there for me...even when I didn't deserve it. If I lose you now...please I need your friendship...please little one...please let me back in." As he had begun speaking, she actually turned her head to the side, not looking at him but no longer looking at the gardens either, when his voice cracked, he noticed a slight tremor run through her body.

He watched her eyes, they where glowing with the power he had seen before, She's not going to forgive me. Angel thought as she turned around her eyes darting past him. She gasped visibly paling. She reached out her hand suddenly a staying gesture, Angel heard a strangled gasp from behind him and turned to see Lydia standing there. He had been so engrossed in his one-sided conversation with Willow he hadn't even noticed the other vampire come up behind him on the porch. She held a stake poised ready to strike Angel from behind. Willow's hand was still raised in the staying gesture. Her eyes calmed to a slight glow but it was clear that she hadn't released the vampiress from her hold.

"What the hell are you?" Hissed Lydia as she stared at Willow. Willow tilted her head slightly to one side and smiled.

"In a word, Fae." Willow said staring at the other woman. "I see you have returned for a new hand huh? Oh dear lady, hasn't anyone ever told you not to make bets without knowing your opponent. I know you. I know vampires, but you...what do you know of me?" Willow questioned her voice a deceptively silky tone Angel had never heard. She smiled as she saw the vampiress really look at her for the first time. Then Lydia shook her head staring at Angelus, then back am the little red head.

"You gave him his soul?" She accused softly, Willow smiled in response finding the woman's shock heartening. Angel was hers and she would see him live whether the bitch from hell wanted him to or not. She walked over to said bitch and shocked the hell out of her when she very calmly removed the stake from her numb fingers.

"Little girls shouldn't play with sharp objects." Willow said adopting a motherly tone.

"Now let me see, oh yes, you called me little human. Don't insult me. I am neither fickle or foolish as a human can be, my heart beats fast and free and answers to no one I do not decree." Lydia stared at the woman understanding slowly dawning on the stunned vampiress. She was beaten by this woman, this little flit of a thing that had Angelus wrapped so far around her finger that he didn't know what to do. She watched as Lydia stumbled away from her. "Third times the charm," Willow said menacingly. Angel watched in shock at the retreating vampiress exploded with a scream into a cloud of dust.

He turned to face Willow her eyes glowed with power, he watched as the glow died down and her eyes closed. He stared in shock as her body began to crumple. He caught her to him before she could fall, realizing that she had over-used her energy again.

Fear darkened his gaze as he looked down at her pale, pinched features. Scooping up her sagging form, Angel walked back to the house, closing the door slowly behind him. He fleetingly considered laying her on the couch before deciding against it and walking up the wide stair case.

He pushed open his bedroom door and stared at the room that showed just what her stay in fairy land had done to him and his self control. He found his eyes drawn to the ties that still fell from the head board of the large bed. My God, I still can't believe I really tied her up. He stared down at her peaceful face and found himself wondering at what she did to him. Her very nature seemed to challenge him and he understood now beyond a shadow of a doubt that she could hold her own in this coming battle but that left him with the knowledge that something in the coming days she couldn't do, or face. Or else why would he be involved in all of this in the first place. Damn it why does she have to be so secretive? He laid her gently down on his bed, and stepped back to look at her.

She look so sweetly pure lying there and he felt his hunger for her heat anew. This too was an uncomfortable reminder of that night, he pushed her the other night pushed her because he couldn't accept what she was telling him. It hadn't occurred to him that his own words were what had convinced her that magic was the cause of his desire. He lied to her not intentionally but he had. I've never felt anything like this before, never been so out of control. It never occurred to him that saying that would bring to mind the group of love crazed women that had gone after Xander when the love spell he'd had cast, went wrong. She hadn't understood that while he hadn't felt anything like it before, in truth he had been feeling it for a very long time now, he just hadn't acted on it before.

He sat down next to her as she moaned and began to stir. She looked up at him her eyes clearly blurry. She looked around suddenly then questioningly at him.

"Angel, what happened?" She demanded in a shaky voice. He leaned closer to her his hand reaching to caress the crease from her brow before he remembered his promise not to invade her space unless she invited it. Her eyes narrowed slightly at his hesitation, and she reached out drawing his hand to her face. She turned her face into it and placed a soft kiss to the palm. He drew in a sharp breath surprised.

"Did I kill her?" she asked very quietly.

"I don't know if it was you or someone else but I think so." Willow nodded her head at the vampire distractedly.

"That's one." She said softly.

"What?"

"Remember the note said that they wanted to test me, she was part of it. I killed something using my power. I've never done that. I don't know if it counts though." Willow said thoughtfully sitting up and turning to lean against Angel. He stared down at her not sure what to do. She had been so distant and now she seemed to be seeking his touch. The vampire turned her gently to face him and lifted her into his lap to situate her more comfortably in his arms. Angel heard the soft sounds of her protest when she thought he was going to put her way from him and purred a gentle reassuring sound back to her. He tightened his arms around her, tenderly pushing her hair out of her face. She smiled up at him. The tiny hacker snuggled her head under his chin, enjoying the calming effect he had on her in this instance.

"Why wouldn't it count?" He asked remembering her last words.

"Cause that wasn't conscious." She said sitting up to look at him, wanting to talk now that she had her bearings about her.

"Want to explain what you mean." Angel asked looking down at her, a perplexed expression on his face.

"I am not sure I know how too." Willow tried to explain as she stared into his eyes, "They want to make sure I can do this."

"What exactly is *this* Willow?" Angel asked, his eyes pleaded with her to tell him what was happening. She squirmed around a bit before resting her head on his shoulder.

"The vampire that is trying to open the gate, isn't your normal run of the mill vampire, he's like Tristan." Willow said finally. She breathed out a sad sigh.

"Wait, your telling me that this Galan is fae?" Angel asked his tone incredulous.

"Yeah." Willow said tiredly, he recognized that tone Buffy had used it sometimes when she felt like the weight of the world was on her shoulders.

"Then...they... the fae want you to stop one of their own?" Willow looked up at Angel. Her eyes were bright and she realized, that he too understood and saw the strangeness of the fact.

"Uh huh. It's really complicated." Willow mumbled softly into his chest

"Why don't they stop him?" Angel said angrily. He wasn't angry with Willow but was trying to think of some way to get Willow out of this, to keep her out of danger.

"Fratricide, Angel. The fae all think of each other as family even wayward family. I...you and I...can do what they can't." She leaned away from Angel slightly and smiled.

"Okay now see that's what I don't understand. You have the power, where do I come into this?" He asked.

"Well that's easy. I have all this power, but I can't harm unless harmed." Willow explained thoughtfully.

"Lydia?" Angel pointed out.

"She tried to hurt you, and that would have hurt me." She said reaching up to pull him close. Angel ran fingers through her hair. She snuggled against him. He leaned down and captured her lips gently. She drew back after a moment, and smiled at him.

"I'm sorry, I promised." He said remembering now that he'd promised he would keep his hands to himself. He started to draw away only to be pulled back into her arms.

"Nope. I quit." Willow said smiling. Angel stared down at her not comprehending. She chuckled and pushed him playfully over onto his back.

"Willow, what...?" Angel's voice broke off as the redhead's mouth clamped onto his neck. He moaned, and she chuckled.

"Sorry, I always wondered about that." Willow said huskily as she continued to nuzzle his throat.

"What?" he whispered, pushing her away from him slightly. His hands strayed up to her face, his fingers brushing her hair back while his thumbs strayed across her cheekbones. Then the fingertips of his right hand soothed her flushed skin along her cheeks and then began to caress her petal soft lips.

She laughed softly and nipped at the fingertips that had strayed to her lips. He groaned slightly."Vampires and their throat fetishes. It's a vampire oral fixation type of thing, right...." he stared at her uncertain of her mood. She was acting, well...strange.

"Willow, what's going on?" He asked wondering if maybe she wasn't completely aware of what she was doing.

"I'm sorry." The redhead whispered, assuming that he didn't want her to touch him. "I didn't mean to make you mad." She tried to push herself off of him but he caught her arms not letting her move.

"No Willow, I ...I like it, I just don't want to hurt you." Angel said after a moment.

"Oh." The hacker said softly and smiled at Angel as she pulled herself out of his arms.

"Where are you going?" He queried a little fearfully, watching her walk back over to the door. Fear lanced through him as she walked away, he had frightened her or made her angry or something. Was she leaving him? Then Willow turned and smiled at him, shrugged her shoulders and went over to the dresser, pulled out a pair of his boxer shorts and disappeared into the bath room.

Angel relaxed slightly, she wouldn't leave without telling him something. Why would she smile at him like that if she were angry, afraid, or sad? Besides she took a pair of his boxers, why would she take that if she were leaving?

When she returned a few moments later, he had to chuckle, his stolen boxers were now being worn along with one of his shirts that had somehow found there way onto her form. The shy woman walked back over to him and smiled sheepishly.

"I'm tired, Angel, but I don't want to be alone, so can I..." she didn't even get to finish the request, he held out his arms to her. Willow crawled into his arms, snuggling into his embrace. He chuckled and gently began to rub her back, "Hmm that's nice but you're going to put me to sleep."

"That's the idea little one, we can talk later. Right now you need to sleep." Angel said gently as he continued to stroke her back.

"Yeah but I think I'm a little too...wired. I can't relax. It's like I'm wondering where the next test is going to come from. What's going to jump out of the woodwork next. I.." with his free hand Angel carefully covered her lips with his fingers. As she had spoken, he had felt her muscles tense again.

"No talking, no thinking about it, not right now." Angel said in a commanding tone.

"If I do...are you going to tie me up again." he winced slightly before he noticed the mischievous tone she had in her voice.

"Watch yourself you little vixen," he said sternly giving her bottom a quick smack before continuing, "Or you might just get more than you bargained for."

"Now close your eyes, close your mouth, and open your mind." he said in that same commanding tone.

Willow looked up at him for a moment. Please, trust me, mo cridhe. She closed her eyes and he felt the walls come down and felt as though he could melt into her when it happened. Instead he picked from his mind a memory that he had always enjoyed from his life as a breather in Ireland. Gently he thrust into her mind, then pulled her into the memory with him. It was a picnic, in a sheltered copse of gnarled trees and just a few yards away an overlook of the ocean, with a small path off to the side that led down to the shore. Willow was soon playing with his younger brother and sister, while he and Liam rubbed the horses down.

Angel opened his eyes slightly to look down at the woman curled so trustingly in his arms. With care he flipped the comforter they lay on top of over both of them, he could tell that she had finally dozed off, her heart beat and breathing had slowed and evened out. Before he fell back into the dream he had created, he noticed something odd, he was making a low rumbling noise in his chest. He wasn't hungry, why was he growling, he forcefully tamped down until the rumbling stopped then fell back into the dream with Willow.

Angel paused in rubbing down his horse to look at Willow and his little pixie playing together while Eion gamboled around them, trying to get the redhead's attention. A rag suddenly hit Angelus in the side of his head and Liam laughed at him good-naturedly.

"You are smitten aren't you li'l brother?" he said with amusement, "Tell me about her then."

Angel wasn't really sure what he could say, but decided sticking with the truth as much as possible would be best. "She be a friend of another lass I know...and the best thing that's ever happened to me."

Leaning toward Angel, Liam whispered agitatedly, "She's not one of those doxies from in town is she? She doesn't seem the type, but if da or ma find out..."

"No!" Angel replied angrily, then tempering his voice he continued, "No...nothing like that. She's a lady and an angel...she would never...we never..." Liam looked on in amazement as his womanizing brigand of a brother actually blushed in embarrassment.

"I'll be jiggered." he said in amazement, "You haven't bedded her...you're not just smitten laddy, you're in love with her. Aren't you?" Angel didn't even bother looking at his brother, he simply said, "More than life Liam, more than life." Willow looked up from talking with his younger brother and sister just then and caught his eye. Willow gave him a smile and then lifting Aislinn in one arm she held her other hand out to Eion, who quickly took it and the pair swung their arms as they walked towards the two men.

Angel only nodded his head in agreement. Eion rarely spoke to strangers and never let them come too close. He was always more comfortable with horses than people. As the trio came closer, Angel watched Willow lean her head close to hear something that Aislinn was saying. She laughed softly and gazed up at Angel with a look of pure mischief.

Smiling as she came to a stop in front of the two men, Willow said, "Aislinn and Eion wanted to go down to the beach, and we wanted to know which of you big, strong men wanted to escort us?"

Catching on to her game a trifle faster than his brother Liam opened his mouth and said, "I would be..oof."

Angel's elbow in his ribs cut him off, as he replied sharply, "I'll walk you down to the beach, but first we should ask me ma if we should wait. She might be ready soon...and uhm I don't want to...uh get down there...only to have to come straight back up."

Willow gave a wicked little smile, realizing exactly what her presently human counterpart was trying not to say. He wanted smoochies and he was afraid they would get caught or interrupted.

Picking up his younger brother in a fireman's carry, to the boy's delight, he caught her elbow and pulled her with him over to where the rest of his family was sitting. Willow looked at him and said a little too innocently, "Don't you think we should maybe stay up here and help your mother get things ready?"

Angel looked at her obliquely, and seeing her devilish look of amusement, realized the game she was playing with him and giving her a little smack on the bottom, he said "Behave vixen."

"Me?! I'm not the one who want's smoochies and..." Willow was stunned into silence when Angel leaned down and kissed her thoroughly, in front of his whole family. Blushing furiously she glanced around to find that every one of his family members had stopped what they were doing to watch the couple's passionate embrace. "Angel what are you doing?" she hissed with embarrassment, "Your family will think...

"They'll think that I am very much in love with my betrothed and unable to resist her very powerful charms." he said gently in response, caressing her cheek with the backs of his fingers.

"Your betrothed..what...how?" Willow stuttered in amazement.

"I thought that would best explain what you are doing here, so that's how I'm going to identify you to them." he explained as he took her arm again to lead her over to his family.

"You could just tell them I was a friend." Willow said, a little indignantly.

Stopping again he took her chin in his fingers and said, with heart-tearing honesty. "I never brought any woman home to meet my family before Willow, never before. I didn't have women *friends*, mo cridhe, I had women." he lowered his voice so the children couldn't hear and then continued bluntly, "Some of them I slept with, the others I just...toyed with. My family knows or knew that. I don't want them to think of you as one of those. I do want them to think of you as someone I respect very much and someone I...I care for very much."

Willow's face clearly showed her mixed emotions on the matter as she said, "I don't like lying to your family, Angel."

"This is just a dream Willow," Angel said with wry amusement, "This picnic happened long ago, my family..." he paused and there was a flash of pain on his face. "are long gone. This is something for us, to bring us peace and make us happy for a little while."

That said he took her arm, hauling her along behind him again until he heard her distressed, "Angel..."

He looked back at her, as he slung his brother off his shoulder and onto his feet. Willow was worrying her bottom lip with her teeth as Aislinn played with the fae woman's long red hair. The redhead moved forward trying to avoid looking in the direction of his parents and sister Breanna. The family members in turn were watching the couple and their two young charges with avid interest.

"What's wrong?" Angel said coming back to her side. Willow looked up at him amazed, he was truly concerned about her, there wasn't a hint of impatience or exasperation in that voice.

"What if they don't like me?" she whispered in a sad and somber tone.

"Willow," he said with gentle amusement, "in case you haven't noticed it, my two youngest siblings adore you and think you're the best thing to happen since potatoes. You have my older brother flirting with you." if she hadn't been so miserable she would have giggled at the dark look that accompanied that statement, "That's half of my family right there, and as for me...well I don't get betrothed to just anyone, you know?"

Instead of smiling at his rather off humor joke, Willow moved closer to her dark haired companion and whispered furiously, "What if they think I'm one of those women?" seeing his obliviously, confused expression, she sighed, blushed, and finally said, "What if they think I'm your mistress? If your family thought that, they'd look down their noses at me." her chin came up slightly and she added, "I may be plain but I'm proud...and I guess I have too much pride to take people thinking badly of me especially when I don't deserve it." Angel looked down at the little redhead with something she recognized as pride for a moment before his expression became grim.

"My family will accept you as the *beautiful* person you are, Willow." the dark-eyed man argued determinedly.

"And if they don't?" Willow persisted.

Quietly taking Aislinn out of the young woman's arms, after untangling the toddlers fingers from Willow's hair, Angel set her down by her brother. Giving the children quick instructions in Gaelic, the two ran back toward Liam.

Turning back to Willow, his expression still grim, Angel took her face in both of his hands and said, "Anyone who doesn't treat you with respect would be cut from my acquaintance." Angel said with a quiet ruthlessness that commanded belief and reminded the young woman of Angelus in an eerie way.

It gave Willow pause for thought, "Angel they're your family, are you sure..."

"Yes." he interrupted with grim determination, "now come mo cridhe. I want you to meet my mother." he said taking her arm once again to guide her. Now you can tell her how wonderful you think I am. he thought to her mischievously.

I think what I said was that she did a wonderful job raising you. the girl thought back. Then he chuckled when he heard Willow say under her breath, "Eep, time to meet the in-laws."

After the introductions had been made, and a little polite chit-chat endured, Willow began to breath again. Until Angel announced their betrothal. Breanna squealed with delight, jumping up and giving her brother a huge hug before coming and hugging Willow as well. She then ran off to tell Liam the good news. Angel's mother, Maire, simply held her arms out to her son, and when he came to give her a hug, she whispered in his ear, "I was beginning to wonder if anyone would capture that wayward heart of yours me son."

Angel whispered right back, "She captured more than that ma. I just have to figure a way to convince her of it." His mother chuckled as she released him and held her arms out to Willow. Without thinking Willow moved forward to accept a hug also. Realizing as the older woman pulled her into her arms just how much she missed her own mother. "He's a good boy," whispered his mother in her ear, "I was beginning to wonder if anyone would touch his heart. Do you love him child?" Willow froze for a split-second before responding honestly, "More than he knows." Maire only nodded her head and gave the younger woman an extra squeeze. As Willow drew out of the other woman's arms she heard Angel's father clear his throat and looked over at him expectantly.

Lord Patrick Boyle looked at the petite redhead with a cool expression. Inside however he was seething, he had already made arrangements with two of the wealthiest merchant families in England for the marriage of their oldest son and daughter respectively to marry Angelus and Breanna. Now this pretty bit of muslin was trying to come along and interfere with his plans. Betrothed, indeed! He had no doubts that this little thing was another one of Angel's little chits. Of course his son had shown surprising decorum to introduce the girl to his parents. It didn't matter though, this little thing wasn't going to get any of *his* money. Now how to frighten or shame her away.

"Willow...tis a lovely name. Do we know your parents, my dear?"

"No, I don't believe so sir." Willow said with a nervous smile, as she folded her hands behind her to keep them from shaking.

"Your father what does he do for a living?" the older man said more pointedly. As she looked at him Willow saw the cold gleam in his eye and felt a slight shudder run through her frame as she twisted her fingers behind her. Then she felt warm fingers clasp and link through her own. She didn't need to turn to know who they belonged to, she felt him reach in and embrace her mind. Closest to the truth is best, mo cridhe.

Willow took strength from Angel's touch and with it the confidence she needed to face his father. With a confident smile and a slightly raised chin, Willow replied, "My father is a barrister, Lord Patrick." To Angel she explained, That part is true except that in the 20th century they're called lawyers. "My mother is a writer." Screenwriter, a good one too. "We have only recently arrived from the new world. That is where I was born, but my mother wished to return to her homeland. So here we are." Willow heaved a mental sigh of relief and felt Angel's fingers give her own slightly damp ones a squeeze of support.

"Ah the Americas...yes that would explain your accent then." the redhead could have sworn she could see the gears moving in the older man's brain. "Then your family must do well for itself eh lass?"

Willow opened her mouth to answer when she heard a growl from behind her, to be quickly replaced with Angel's deadly, soft voice. "Willow could be poorer than a church mouse father and it wouldn't matter. I *will* marry her. Now we promised Eion and Aislinn a walk on the beach," then looking to his mother, he added, "but Willow wanted to make sure that you wouldna be needing our help with anything ma."

Maire had fully expected an explosion from her usually volatile son, especially considering the barely veiled rudeness of her husband. She was temporarily shocked speechless by the calm of her son in this situation, then after shaking herself slightly she looked at the couple, "No everything is ready when we are," looking at her husband somewhat irritably, she added, "You all go have fun, but be careful and don't let the bairns to close to the water." Angel grinned at his mother affectionately and leaned down to give her a smacking kiss on the cheek. Maire caught him by the collar for a second and whispered in his ear, "I like your lady much my son especially the effect she has on you, and I'll take care of your father while you're off." With that she pushed him away and said, "Run along then you two." Still holding Willow's fingers wrapped in his own, Angel dragged her back across the clearing to collect the children and with Liam's congratulations and laughter ringing in their ears, the foursome made their way carefully down the path.

When they finally got down to the beach, Eion and Aislinn, began running up and down the shore looking for treasures. As soon as the two children were out of earshot, Willow turned on Angel. Snatching her fingers out of his grasp, she hissed at him, "I hated that. I hated lying to your family about us." she paused and amended. "Well maybe not so much your father...but your mother, Breanna, and Liam..."

"But you made them happy, Willow." Angel said and stepped towards her.

Willow moved away from him quickly as she continued her tirade, "Oh yeah, your dad seemed real happy with the prospect." she said as she maneuvered herself further away from her dream companion. "...and even if I did make your mom and the others happy...it's a false happy...it's based on a lie...it's not real."

Angel thought he saw her eyes become too bright for a moment before she turned and lifted the skirts of the gown she was wearing and ran down the beach to join the children.

Willow could feel his dark eyes on her but she pretended total concentration on the young boy and girl, not wanting to meet his gaze afraid of what he might see. Because in the moment that Willow had been arguing with him she realized that she wanted it to be real. She wanted Angel to really love her, to be her betrothed. She didn't want this to be a dream, a lie, or a side effect of the link between them. The realization stunned Willow and she knew she would have to be careful not to give herself away. Willow began to walk along the beach looking for shells, or other treasures anything to take her mind off her troubled thoughts.

Aislinn ran up to her brother calling his name, "Angewus, Angewus, look what I found!" she cried and carefully the toddler placed a small shell into Angel's outstretched palm. Angel picked up the little redhead child and looked at the treasure she had given him. It was a tiny half-shell but it was perfect. With spiny ridges on it's white outer shell. While on the inside it was a very pale pink going into purple. This wasn't part of the original memory, but it felt good to the vampire to hold his little sister again. Carefully sliding the shell into the pocket of his pants, he wrapped both arms around the little girl.

"Thank you, little imp, it's beautiful." he said into her ear as he nuzzled his nose into her neck just below her ear, he inhaled her scent, that fresh, sweet, scent of a small child. She giggled at the tickling sensation and squeezing her arms around his neck she said softly, "I love ye Angewus, and I missed ye."

Those words hit him in the chest like a sledgehammer, pulling his head back he looked into those solemn dark, blue eyes.

"When did you miss me, pixie?"

She continued to gaze at him solemnly and then tilting her head slightly she said, "Ye went away for a long time." she said very sadly, then perking up she gave him a slight smile and said, "I'm glad your back though and I like Wiwow."

"Aislinn," Angel said fearfully afraid of what he was about to hear, "do you...know where I went?"

Solemnly once again the little girl, shook her head, before saying, "Ye came back the night ye and da got angry with each other and..." a slight shadow of remembered pain and confusion marred the child-like features. "...ye were still angry...and ye hurt..."

Pulling her head into his shoulder, Angel couldn't control the tears that fell from his eyes, or the shudders that racked his body, "I'm sorry pixie...I'm so sorry...I never meant to hurt you..." he managed to whisper in between sobs.

Quickly pushing herself up to look at her brother Aislinn's bottom lip started to tremble and she began to wipe his tears as her own began to fall. "Don't cry Angewus, don't cry. It didn't hurt long and then it was warm and safe but lonely. We could watch ye but I couldn't talk to ye. You're my favoritest brother and I missed ye." then the small child said quietly, " 'Powogy 'cepted."

Angel looked back at those dark blue eyes in shock, "Aislinn..." he said in a stunned voice, "do you...forgive me?"

The little redhead looked at her brother, for a moment trying to understand what he had asked, then a very obvious hint of exasperation entered that young face,

"Cour' I do, I love ye." Then her little brows knit in concentration, she added, "Always forgive the ones ye love, or ....no one...left." Her brows still knit she looked back up at her brother and asked, "Did I say it right?"

Tears still falling from his eyes the dream Angel pulled his little sister into his arms for a fierce hug, "You said it just right, pixie."

Looking over her shoulder Angel noted briefly that the tide was beginning to come in. He spotted Eion immediately, pushing a pile of seaweed about with a stick, but he couldn't see Willow. He didn't panic though, he would get the children up to where the others could keep an eye on them. Carrying Aislinn in his arms he walked toward where Eion was playing.

Shyly his little sister played with the hair at the nape of his neck and then said, quite plainly, "Do ye love Wiwo?" Stunned by the question he looked at the toddler and said quietly, "Very much."

"She love ye?" Aislinn continued her pointed questioning.

Angel got a pained look on his face and replied solemnly, "I don't know pixie."

"Did ye tell her?" at his confused look, she sighed in exasperation and said,

"That ye love her siwy?" He shook his head ans she said solemnly, " Ye should always tell someone ye love them...while ye can..."

"'Cause they won't be around forever." Angel finished one of their mother's favorites sayings as they walked up on Eion. Aislinn only nodded and then looked down to where her brother was trying to show them something. Angel quickly escorted the children back up the path to Liam and Breanna who had noticed the tide coming in and were about to go down to check on the foursome. Angel quickly ran back down the path, fear for Willow growing into panic. The tide came in deceptively slowly here but the currents were treacherous, and deadly. He ran along the shoreline in the direction she had walked, hoping he could find her in time.

After several minutes, Willow realized that she had walked much further than she had initially intended. The redhead could no longer see Angel, the children, or the path back up the side of the cliff, and on top of that the tide seemed to be coming in. Moving closer to the cliff Willow began trudging back in the direction she had come.

So that she wouldn't panic about the tide coming in, Willow kept her eyes on the ground neither looking up or around as she walked. The redhead was still aware of it though, she had begun panting in terror, because even without looking up or around she could see the encroaching water out of the corner of her eye. So when a pair of boots came into her line of sight suddenly, she gave a little shriek. Looking up from the boots she saw a very angry looking Angel who caught her up in his arms and hurried back towards the path. Willow realized by the time they got back to the path that, the water was swirling around Angel's knees. As he started to climb up the path she looked back to see the place where they had been standing only seconds before underwater. A horrible thought occurred to her and she sobbed, "The children."

"Are safe with me ma and the others up top." Angel said his accent heavy and his tone harsh with suppressed terror, after Willow's very shuddery sigh of relief Angel's anger abated somewhat. After climbing a quarter of the way up the path he set her on her feet and turned her to face him a little roughly, and said, "The next time you are angry with me and want to avoid me, ask me to leave." he said harshly. The young redhead's chin dropped to her chest, her hair sliding forward to form a curtain that masked her expression from him.

He knew what that expression would be however, and cursed himself for hurting her again. Tilting her chin up with his forefinger, he was somewhat mollified to note that she wasn't crying, not yet anyway. To try to explain his agitation he said, "Willow, you could have drowned." seeing her open her mouth to object, he continued quickly, Angel came up behind her and taking her arms just below her shoulders, he said, "This may be a dream Willow but that doesn't mean that the things that happen in it aren't real. If you die here...I don't know if you'd wake up." Nodding her head in understanding, Willow turned to face the inundated beach.

"I'm sorry for blowing up at you before," she began, "I'm glad I made your family happy, even if it's not real..."

Pulling her back into his chest, he continued in her ear. "You made them happy. I just wish I could have given them this...or any kind of happiness when they were alive. I just wish they knew...how much..." Angel's throat seemed to close as the emotions became to much for him.

The tears finally filled her eyes and overflowed to make two silvery trails down her cheeks, as she began to shake her head in disbelief at what she was hearing.

He was still blaming himself for what had happened?

Whirling to face him Willow nearly lost her balance, she raged at the man who stood before her, "Don't you understand, yet?! That wasn't you. So you were angry with your father, alright furious with him for marrying you off to someone you didn't even know, much less love. Were you angry enough to come back and kill him?"

Looking at her as if he were afraid the stress of their situation had finally gotten to her, "Willow I did come back and kill him later, and all of the rest of my family as well." he reminded gently, "Remember?"

"Angel we've already had this conversation. Remember?" she mimicked angrily.

"Angelus came back and killed your family. There was nothing you could do to stop it, remember? They know that too and I think they forgive you." With that the redhead patted his arm gently and began to walk up the path again.

Angel's face filled with pain and some frustration and then with a sudden lunging run, he caught up with Willow before she got halfway up the cliff.

Taking her arm he tried to make the young woman turn to face him. The redhead struggled though and considering their precarious position he only held her in place. "What do you mean you think they forgive me? Mo cridhe, I know you saw what I did, but I didn't do it to you. How do you...how could you possibly know if they forgive me or not? What if you're wrong Willow?" he said, as he stepped closer, once again pulling her into his chest.

He knew considering what was going on that he shouldn't get close to her again, but he couldn't help himself. Whenever he felt too emotional or exposed, she was his lifeline his anchor and right now, he needed the security she provided.

Willow leaned back into Angel's embrace and said above the surf, "Haven't you noticed this isn't happening the way you remembered anymore?"

Angel gazed down at the young woman wonderingly, remembering his conversations with Liam, his mother, and then finally Aislinn. Yes it was different, very different. Liam and he had barely been speaking that day, even his mother had been upset because he had come home drunk the night before his father was supposed to arrive home from a long trip. He was hung over the day of the picnic and had growled and grumbled about going, until even his even-tempered mother had shown what they said about a redhead's temper was true. Moving his mouth closer to Willow's ear so that she could hear him, he whispered, "I thought it was another of your gifts to me. That you were making them more real, more...more like they really were. It is a wonderful gift, mo cridhe."

The velvety softness of his voice wrapped itself around Willow, and she wanted to fall into the spell it created, so badly.

The young woman shook her head, trying to clear it and said, "No. Not this time.

I didn't do this." she told him as she turned in his embrace to face him.

"Whatever this is, I'm not doing it." then he noticed her head snap up and her eyes go wide. "I think I have an idea who or what might be though. Oh wow, oh gosh, oh wow, oh gosh." As the hacker's speech disintegrated into gibberish, the now very tan human Angelus pulled her against the cliff facing with him.

Supporting his back against the cliff wall, he pulled her unresisting body between his spread legs and placed his hands on her flushed cheeks and taking advantage of her stuttering tirade he kissed her. The kiss started as a tender caress of lips, but he couldn't resist stroking into her warm mouth with his tongue. Willow struggled briefly to escape this kiss, then sank gratefully into the soothing pressure of the embrace. Angel's mind whirled with the possibilities her response evoked. Then tamped down on them, just as savagely,

We're on a cliff face, 60 feet up in the air, on a path barely wide enough for one person to walk down, we're in the open with the tide coming in. My family is up above us and could look down or walk down here at any moment and I'm thinking about making love to this woman, who I cherish more than anything, right here. I must be touched in the head.

Pushing the hands that were on her cheeks up into her hair and gently pulling her face away from his he looked down at her. Her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment and wind burn, her hair was tousled from that same wind and when she opened her eyes to look at him, they were luminous.

Emerald eyes simmered as they gazed into Angel's own chestnut ones, as he said, "You know who's doing this?" he reminded her gently.

"Oh." the young woman murmured, stunned for a moment. "uhm, yeah, well not who really, more like what. I think the fae, or the powers that be, or whatever..."

"Mo cridhe," he said coaxingly, reminding her gently to stay on track,, looking down at her with a half smile on his face.

"I think they brought back the souls of your family." At his stunned expression, she continued, "They wanted you to feel more at peace and they figured that one of the things you probably feel most guilt about is your family's death. So they brought them back so that they can forgive you and you can forgive yourself. That way you can be all souled and not as guilty about things so that you can fulfill your part as the Western King and protect me. Without guilt or remorse clouding your judgement."

Angel looked down at the young woman standing in front of him incredulously.

"Their souls? That would explain a lot, but how?"

Willow looked into his chocolate eyes and shrugging her shoulders said simply, "Magic."

Seeing the bemused expression on her companions face, the young woman pulled away from him and sat down on the path, pulling her skirts close around her legs, she asked quietly, "So is it working?"

Angel looked down at the young woman and gave her a small grin and replied, "What do you think?"

Tilting her head to the side the redhead stared up at him and said confidently, "I think it helped but I think that you are still...guilt filled and soul filled. But I also think that it's partly your own fault."

Angel looked down at the Willow with hurt and shock plain in his expression. Holding up her hands the witch explained quickly, "What I mean to say is that...well you weren't listening too well before I guess, because I said it would give them the opportunity to forgive you; 'Which they have done I might add or they wouldn't be getting along so well with you right now.' but I also said it would give you the opportunity to forgive yourself. That you haven't done yet, and I can't help you with it and neither can they. That's something you have to do for yourself." With that the fae woman said, "We should get back up there. They'll be worried about us..."

"Why did you bring me out of hell when you knew it would make it harder?" Angel asked suddenly giving her a piercing look. Willow's words stumbled to a halt in shock, she hesitated briefly with her response, and then with an almost sobbing sigh she said, "I wanted to make sure you were back, because I wanted to make sure you were free, in case anything happened to me." drawing in another huge sigh she continued. "I figured this was one good thing that I could do for you. I tried to give you your soul the first time and screwed it up when I got interrupted. I gave you back your soul the second time I tried, but screwed that up, because I didn't finish in time. I screw everything up and...I mean I can't even get it right in this dream. Your father hates me and your brother thinks I'm a...a..uhm, you know." she said feeling the heat of her blush. "I don't even know why you think you care about me, I mean I'm just...and I really wanted you to be happy...content I mean...and stop feeling guilty and...but I was afraid if I didn't do it then...that no one else would...and you didn't deserve that...and I really missed you and...and I don't care what you say...and if I wanted to do it then it's my business...so I don't think..eep!"

Willow was pulled from a sitting position to full contact with Angel's chest, and her mouth which had opened on a gasp of surprise, was plundered by his tongue. The young woman opened her eyes in surprise to find Angel's eyes wide open as he looked at her. Bracing himself against the rocky cliff facing, Angel slowly pulled his mouth from hers, gently stroking his cold hand against Willow's flushed cheek, he gave her a full toothy, non game-faced but very happy grin and said in that same sexy, velvet voice, "Did I ever tell you I love it when you babble?"

Willow looked at him in shock and she wasn't sure which had shocked her more, the kiss, the grin, or the part about his loving her babbling...wait her babbling. Socking him in the shoulder lightly, she tried and failed to keep the grin off of her face as she said, "I don't babble...I just have a lot of thoughts...and they sort of tend...to run all over each other...when they come out..." Seeing a golden opportunity Angel lowered his head and captured her lips again, this time Willow sank her fingers into the dark locks of hair at the back of his head and held on. Tell me this isn't part of the dream. She thought desperately.

If it is I'm not waking up and I'm going to keep you here with me. he whispered back as he deepened the kiss and made it more passionate.

Willow quietly whispered through the link, Slower, please Angel, slower. Understanding the vampire pulled his head back and looked down at the very flushed little red-haired hacker.

Lowering her to the ground he took one of her hands in his and placing it over his now beating heart, he said seriously, "I'll take it at whatever pace you want to set mo cridhe, slow, fast, crawl, but not stop. I can't stop again Willow, not now."

The redhead nodded, never taking her eyes off of his still smiling face, Happy Angel this is going to take some getting used to. Then a mischievous grin slanted across her face and she said, "How about climb? As in if we don't your whole family is going to send a search party after us."

"Climb it is, ionmhuin." With that he carefully pulled her close to his side and they climbed the path to finish the picnic.

Hours Later:

Willow tossed in her sleep. Her mind in turmoil. Something very wrong was happening to her. A sick darkness was creeping inside her mind. Everything in the landscape changed suddenly. Tossing the dreaming Willow into an unfamiliar space. Someone else was in her dreams. She reached out wondering if it was Angel only to be reprimanded by a pained feeling of burning. She struggled briefly and began to realize that not only had they taken over her dreams but she couldn't seem to wake up.

Willow struggled to free herself briefly before cool hands encircled the

bonds that held her. Relief and no little wonder made her relax visibly against the familiar form. She looked up and smiled with relief when she found herself staring into familiar eyes. Her mind greedily excepted Angel as her rescuer.

Angel? She waited patiently for him to respond and was slightly perturbed when the man before her only smiled and began leading her from the strange rooms where she was being held. Oh well, I'm dreaming sheer strangeness this time.

Angel paused and turned to face her as they came to stand in a central court yard. Untie me! She screeched mentally. Nothing.

She took a few stumbling steps back eyeing the man strangely. Something wasn't right, but she couldn't put her finger on it. He moved slowly and closed the distance between them. Angel? Still he didn't answer her, and everything with in Willow stiffened as he drew her closer. Remembering his touch from earlier in the evening. She felt herself react. Warmth sped through her in the wake of his slowly moving hands. They glided gently over her arms up to rest lightly on her neck. What was he doing?

The dark head leaned down to hers, his mouth feathered against hers gently. She trembled slightly as his mouth caught hers, his lips caressing lightly. She gasped as his fingers danced lightly down her arms before moving to the front to brush against her breast. Her nipples pebbled in response to his knowing touch.

Angel?!?! She tried to draw back but instead found herself turned to face away from Angel. Her head fell forward slightly as he nipped at the nape of her neck. She found herself studying the hands that caressed her, and she froze. She stared at those grasping fingers and attempted to figure out what was wrong. Cold Angel's touch never felt cold. No that's not right, Angel's touch is cold, just not malicious.

She didn't feel him anymore. He was there but not. That was what was wrong. Those weren't Angel's strong hands, these hands were to slender and something was missing. The Claddagh, Angel's Claddagh was gone. She looked up and gasped her eyes falling on a form that was watching them. If she wasn't sure before, the form that was walking toward them made her certain, it was her Angel.

She attempted to jerk out of the restraining arms.

"Oh no you don't little Witch." He whispered against her neck, she gasped as she felt sharp fangs brush her neck. Who the hell? She struggled briefly with the man wondering who or what he was. Why the hell he was in her dreams. Angel was watching them. His eyes, were dark and Willow had the worst feeling that he saw who ever this really was. She could feel the anger that was seething off of him, anger and jealousy. She wondered fleetingly if the man holding her was aware of Angel's presence or if he was too engrossed in what he was attempting to do to her.

She fought against the man holding her, trying to get a look at who it

was, knowing full well that with his name she would have some semblance of control.

Her mind, and there was someone other than Angel within it, the thought sickened her. She had never thought to share this space with anyone but him. This intimacy had been theirs and theirs alone, and a part of her wanted to retch violently at the thought of someone else here with her. He jerked her around to face him, Angel's image melting away to reveal her attackers true face. Galan?!?!?

Both his hands took hold of either side of her button down shirt and tore it easily open. No!!!She screamed the word aloud and in her mind, watching as both the man behind her and the one slowly approaching them stiffened, her fear and anger had the desired effect, what ever doubt and hurt Angel had been feeling at the sight of Willow in the others arms had fallen away to reveal the protective fury that had ruled him where she was concerned from the moment he'd seen her.

Angel!?!?! Galan pulled her closer his hands settling on her clad breast roughly caressing her. She could feel Angelus's rage and anger as the fae's action sank into his brain. She's mine!!!

Without looking in his direction she could tell he was charging towards them, relief turned to abject terror as the fae, gripped her painfully by the throat and said, "Tell me little witch, tell me what I want to know and I'll leave you alone. Who is the Western King? Give me his name and I'll let you go." With strength born of desperation and fear, she slammed up her mental shields blocking out that all to intrusive mental presence. So much for the mental now for the physical. Her knee rammed up into the groin area of the vampire in front of her. Willow stumbled backward away from the fae vampire and tripping over something landed on her hands and bottom, hard.

The vampire stood cupping himself gingerly and hissed at her in full game face, "Stupid little bitch I would have made your death quick and painless. If you had just given me his name, but now I'll make you both suffer." With that he stood and lunged toward her, only to meet a forearm across the face. When he opened his eyes, Galan saw a vampire squatting over her protectively, quickly wiping the blood from his broken nose he studied the vampire. Spiky dark hair, coppery eyes, and a face so deeply into the demonic visage that it was barely recognizable as ever having been human, were gazing down at the little redhead. The vampire gazed down at her and gently caressed her cheek, then he lifted her chin slightly to gaze at the bruises that were already forming on her neck.

Galan heard a growl begin deep in the vampires chest, as the girl looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. Maybe I won't have to do anything, this one may take care of her for me. That idea was quickly squashed when the vampire wrapped one arm around the little witch's waist and pulled her to a standing position beside him. That was when Galan realized the other vampire was huge, compared to himself. As he watched the other vampire reach behind the little witches's body and snap the restraints with a flick of his wrist, he estimated his height to be 6'4" or 6'6", his weight over 200 lbs. Good. In Galan's experience most vampires of this size were stupid and usually easily controlled. After all, if the little human was controlling him so easily, Galan should be able to manipulate him like a puppet.

His attention was brought back to the couple standing before him, again he tried to force himself into the young woman's mind, but her shields were surprisingly strong. As he watched though the young woman did seem to wobble slightly under his onslaught. The vampire quickly caught her shoulders and leaned down to look in her eyes. Galan fully expected her to tell the vampire what he was doing, instead he was surprised to hear her whisper, "I thought he was you." The growl which had not changed in modulation since it had started now became louder. Lifting her left hand, the vampire examined her wrist where the bonds had rubbed the tender flesh raw. Small droplets of blood were there and with quiet intensity he lifted the hand to his face. Kissing the palm he then lowered his head to sniff the wrist and then give it a slow lick. MINE!!!

The thought came through his mind so ferociously and with such intensity that Galan reeled from it. When he was able to refocus his attention, the vampire was stalking toward him, the girl being pulled along behind.

As he moved toward the other vampire, Angel's growl had turned into a roar, and in that roar, words were formed. Guttural, barely distinguishable, but words none the less. MINE! In English, Gaelic, Latin, Castillian Spanish, French, Romani, and every other language he had ever learned. The same word repeated over and over in all those different languages as he advanced on the enemy. Galan quickly pushed his way into Angel's mind, trying to gain control, Angel hesitated feeling the cold invasion. Willow though realized instantly what was going on and clasping his hand more firmly, and with a mental shove pushed the fae vampire back out of Angel's mind and extended her mental shielding to protect him as well. The vampire Angelus didn't acknowledge what had just happened instead he continued moving toward the trespasser, the growl had returned and was gaining in intensity and volume to the roar that had been before.

Realizing he had no chance of defeating the larger vampire in a one-on-one confrontation. Galan backed away, but not without threatening his intended victim, "I will find out who he is little Summoner. You will fail to protect him, your world, the Underhill, your friends, your watchdog." Indicating Angel, "I will destroy everything you love, and there is nothing you can do to stop it."

With that he faded into nothingness.

With Galan's disappearance, Angelus felt the tiny woman he held protectively behind him, sag against his back. Spinning quickly he held her up by her shoulders to examine her. Tears were running from her eyes in silver streams. Her face was pale and in her eyes he saw desperate exhaustion. Willow looked at the still demonic visage that faced her and began to cry. Huge wracking sobs shook her body and the vampire pulled her to him fearfully, holding her so tight he was half afraid he would crack her ribs. Still it wasn't enough, as Willow tried to pull herself even closer. "Wake up now Willow." he whispered into her bright hair, "Wake up."

Willow awoke to the sight of a concerned Angel. He was gazing down at the young woman and when her green eyes opened, she looked up at him with soul shattering sadness and fear before turning away from him quickly and curling herself into a tight little ball.

Angel didn't reach for her, somehow he instinctively knew that she would flinch away from him. Who was that? How did he get in their dream world? Why did he go after Willow? Then with sudden insight the vampire thought, How did he get in her dreams? At first she had thought that the stranger was him, but how did he get there in the first place? Why was Willow so upset? After all he himself was in and out of her mind all the time, Amy...had been visiting every once in a while. Then there was Tristan, although she hadn't actually mentioned it, from what he had overheard in their conversations and with what he had gleaned from her mind, he believed that the fae had also been a frequent visitor. Her mind must be something like Grand Central Station, so why was she upset about this particular intrusion?

Then a thought came to him, when he had helped Willow up, after receiving the satisfaction of crushing the nose of the intruder, she had said, "I thought he was you." explaining the caresses he has seen before. It didn't explain the restraints though. Who had tied her up and why?

Angel stopped thinking about what had happened and tried to figure out how to fix it for now. All of his questions could be answered later, right now Willow needed him. The only problem was he still didn't think she was actually ready for him to reach out and touch her, physically or mentally. So instead he crawled over and without touching her with his hands he spooned her, curling himself protectively around her body. The increased contact made him able to detect peripheral emotions, her mind seemed to be concentrating on something else, but her emotions were in turmoil. Fear, sorrow, disgust, anger, and something he recognized on an intimate level self-reproach, all swirled within the tiny hacker's mind. The first emotion's he could understand, she had let the other vampire get to close, leaving herself open to attack, but why would she feel as though she had something to be ashamed of?

Cautiously making the contact more complete, Angel snuggled himself closer still without actually moving his arms to hold her or embrace her. He wanted to make sure that she knew that if she wanted to get away she could. The vampire was inordinately pleased however when the redhead made no move to shrug off the contact or move away from him. Eventually the contact with the warm body, the sound of that particular heartbeat, began to sooth his raging thoughts and he soon began to doze.

Next
Previous
Knightout main
Fanfic