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 barrowing them. They needed to come out and play....
(thoughts in Italics)

Pine Valley Angel's:

He watched her open the door and disappear into the room. He smiled allowing some of his fear and doubt subside, it was okay he hoped. He allowed his thoughts to wander. What the hell was happening here, and what the hell was I thinking? He silently berated himself for his trespass last night. He should have known that she wouldn't think anything of it. She most likely knew what had caused his reaction or thought she did. He wasn't entirely sure that the blood exchange was the only cause of his lapse of control. Angel if you're going to sit there and blame yourself for something that didn't hurt anyone, then do you mind keeping your voice down, it's too loud in my head

He barked a laugh in surprise then. He'd forgotten about that. He was thinking to her. How do I stop you from hearing? he wondered. You put your thoughts in a house, a box, anything that must be opened in order to see within. that will close the link for you.

Anything that is... Pandora much. Angel carefully constructed a house for his thoughts, as she had instructed. Then was surprised for a moment by the sudden silence in his head. She had been there since the circle, he'd gotten used to her presence. To think.

He closed his eyes and allowed his mind to dance over images of the past. He'd almost lost her. Too many times to count, since the Slayer had come to Sunnydale. He smiled slightly at the memory of Willow and Xander at the costume ball over the summer before the Slayer showed up. He'd never forget the way she looked. Too young, but, oh...so beautiful. Unsure and sad, because even then she'd loved Xander completely.

Watching her through the window, seeing her at the Bronze. He'd been Willow's shadow for a long time. Longer than she knew. He wondered fleetingly if somehow she knew he was there. He'd picked up on the fact that she didn't fear him when he'd had her look up Ford, and her quietly spoken *Don't growl at me. It's not my fault that he seems fine.* She had a way of putting him in his place. Of making him feel welcome even when Xander was there. Of making him feel normal.

That first night that Buffy was in Sunnydale, Angel had thought he'd lost Willow. That had scared him. He'd been distracted by the blond Slayer, and for it Willow had almost become the Masters sacrifice. He shuddered at the thought of his little angel becoming the Master's meal. With the power that would have lay sleeping in her blood even then, the Master would have been able to break free without the Harvest.

Then there was the mess with Buffy. How many times had she almost caught him staring at Willow? How many times had he gone in search of Willow only to be sidetracked by Buffy? Buffy had been like a lightning strike. Something that burned him. He supposed he'd wanted her to tell him that he was okay, good enough. He hadn't meant to love her. He had loved her and it was past tense. The man he was now, only felt a twinge of remembered longing, when he thought of her. A part of him wondered if it wasn't some other twist to the gypsy curse, his falling for a mortal enemy, was indeed a form of torture.

He trembled inwardly remembering the past few months through the eyes of Angelus. He could remember holding Willow's small form against him. Intending to kill her. He still wasn't sure what had made the demon hesitate long enough for her to be rescued. He did notice though that after that, he seemed to only toy with them. Angelus had killed Jenny, because she had intended to recurse him with his soul. But had only played at hunting the rest of them. He watched Willow. In fact if Angel's memory served him well, Willow was Angelus' other obsession. He'd watched her. Watched when Angel would have left. Memories burned Angel's mind, memories of a very clear plan.

Angel shuddered, his mind filled with the vivid images. Angelus had wanted to turn her, not kill her. He'd wanted to take that red haired innocent, and embrace her. Claim her as his own and then throw what he'd done in the Slayer's face. That way, he'd never have to admit that he had wanted her, simply for herself. That was something Willow definitely didn't need to know. Some secrets are best kept he thought, standing up and pulling on the last bit of his clothing.

Willow stared in awe at the room. Angel has impeccable taste. She thought, stepping further into the room. She had seen the shower earlier, but she'd missed the door that led into the rest of the room.

She stared shocked at the tub. oh yeah. She thought, smiling. a bath. She looked around, hoping to find a towel and some other soap. He'd said everything she needed would be here. She walked over to the cabinet and opened it.

jackpot. She pulled one huge black towel from the pile and smiled at the thick luxurious feel of the cotton. She put it on the counter and smiled, A mirror. Angel did have a mirror after all.

She walked back over to the tub and picked up the round bottle that sat on the edge. She stared at the tub. Large round and sunken it could easily have passed as a Turkish bath. The tub was easily three feet in depth and five or so feet in diameter. Huge and luxurious. She leaned over the tub and turned on the water, letting it run over her hand until it became nearly too hot to touch. She liked baths like that. She opened the bottle after reading the label. Rose normally smelled way to...on the girlie side, she was surprised when a curious sniff revealed a spicy, musky scent rather then the normal tea rose smell she was used to. It was nice and herbal. She smiled once again Angel had proved more than a little insightful into her likes and dislikes.

A quick rummage through her suitcase had revealed that he had managed to pack all of the necessities. She blushed slightly. He'd gone through her dresser. That must have been an interesting experience for him. She liked satin and lace, which didn't reflect her seemingly innocent personality. oh well. can't be an angel all the time. She poured a large amount of the bubble bath into the tub and watched as the small white bubbles began to form. She laughed delightedly as the tub started to fill. She started to remove the night gown that Angel had put her in, when a knock made her jump.

"Hey, " she managed as she turned to face Angel. He stood in the doorway looking incredibly sleep tousled and adorable. He smiled at her holding up a CD player. He smiled as she moved about the room seeming really calm about the fact that he was watching her.

"Gonna stay and keep me company Angel?" She asked smiling as she heard him flounder mentally for a response. ha got'cha. She turned and smiled sweetly at him.

"I don't think so, people would talk. Tempting as it is, I wouldn't want to embarrass myself. So I thought since I can't keep you company, maybe Mozart could enjoy the view."

"Mozart's dead." Willow said drolly.

"So am I. Kind of one dead guy to another." he responded deadpan.

"Angel, that was bad. Really bad." She said looking him directly in the eye, a fleeting thought of Xander's sense of humor running through her mind again.. "But you know, I have a thing for dead musicians. So Mozart will do, I hear he was quite the ladies man. What am I listening to?"

"He was, and the Magic Flute." replied Angel putting the player in her hand. She set it on the counter and turned back to face him.

"Cool." She said reaching for the hem of the night gown.

"Willow?" She dropped the hem, and looked at him questioningly.

"You're very calm about all this." She smiled at his bewilderment.

"Don't ask Angel. I can't explain it. I don't know what it is, but I don't feel shy and awkward with you. I like it...and I don't know what this is, but I like it. Sort of a say anything do anything day. For the moment I just want to soak."

"You do that. I see you found the towels and everything. Uhh... I am gon'na leave, to let you soak, let Wolfgang keep you company. You'll call me if he gets too amorous, won't you?"

"Of course, I wouldn't dream of depriving you of playing my knight in shining armor." He chuckled and hurried out the door. She shut the door leaving it open a crack and pulled the gown over her head and allowed it to fall to the floor. Sticking an experimental toe into the water, Willow felt the goose bumps of pleasure raise on her flesh as she climbed into the tub.

"Oh heaven." She said to herself and slid down into the suds and hot water. It eased the muscle aches she hadn't been aware of. Closing her eyes, she relaxed. Her mind wandered to no place in particular. The only seeming given was Angel. He was everywhere. Okay willow. remember he's Buffy's. She smiled as another thought occurred to her...He was following her...she knew it was him now. Time had taught her to recognize feelings.

Angel was rather unique. He didn't feel like other vampires, but she knew it was him. Having met Angel and sensed him, she realized she had felt that energy before. A lot of times, long before the Slayer came to Sunnydale. my god he was watching me. The realization and the shock that went with it, stunned Willow. Her mind had turned so far into itself that she didn't hear the door open.

Angel stood there watching her. His eyes trained on her face. Her own eyes flew open and met his, accusation clear in there depths. He stared back not understanding the look in her eyes. What had he done now?

"It was you." She said softly, shock clear in her tone. "How long were you watching me before I sensed you?" She demanded not really angry just shocked. He cocked his head to one side in a gesture that she had come to know. He looked confused for a moment and Willow wondered if she had been mistaken. Perhaps it was merely wishful thinking.

Then as realization hit, a sheepish expression came over his face, he briefly considered lying but knew he owed her the truth. "A long time, long before Buffy."

"What?!" she whispered in shocked surprise.

"You needed it. I had never seen someone draw them like you do. Hell...even I was drawn." he whispered reluctantly. She looked at him not sure what to make of that statement.

"Drawn?" she asked curiously. He looked down at his hands, quieting the part of himself that wanted to deny her the knowledge she was seeking. How did he explain this to her? What was he to say? oh, well you glow with this inner light that absolutely makes all creatures that live in the dark of the night, take notice of you. you're more alluring than anyone or anything I have ever seen. Somehow he didn't think that was such a safe topic.

"Angel?" He looked up, she was staring at him. Angel wanted to be anywhere but this room, with this woman. She was still well hidden by the mountain of bubbles but her movement had dislodged some of the white blanket, revealing her shoulders and neck to him. He noticed the marks had completely faded from her neck, only a small bluish bruise remained to remind him of what he had done. She seemed to be looking into him, into his soul, her eyes were bright but not glowing. He stepped closer, unaware.

She moved again. Dislodging more of the bubbles. "Willow?" he started to warn her that she was...well starting to lose her rather unique coverings. Her eyes met his and she blushed, but laughed softly. The music was still playing, forgotten in the back ground.

"Well...what did you mean drawn? Like can't help it. Like moth to a flame. Like you know you should stay away but can't, or merely wanting to have whatever it is they see when they look at me?"

"You...your bright, brilliant. Like silver moon glow, like fire that doesn't burn us, and you make us crave...I crave your light. I did even then. You don't understand what it's like to be this close to you even now." Forcing the answers that she sought to the surface, his voice trailing off into silence near the end.

She stared into his slightly glowing gaze for a long moment. A horrible thought suddenly occurred to Willow. "It doesn't cause you pain, does it?" She asked seriously worried. Her eyes conveyed her worry even as through the link he felt her concern. He smiled, nearly laughing in pain. Hurt? oh it hurt. but it was a sweet pain, like nothing he'd ever known. Her eyes sought his worriedly.

"No Willow nothing so terrible....have you turned into a prune yet?" he asked trying to change the subject. something safer mo cridhe.

"I don't know. What do you think?" She asked holding out her hand for his inspection. He stared at her for a moment, his mouth going dry. She had no idea what she'd just done, Angel warned himself, trying to force himself to ignore the sight of the bubbles slowly slipping down her wet skin. He found himself having decidedly dangerous thoughts. His hands clinched for a moment as a wash of shocked desire rampaged through him like fire. She's Willow.

"Angel?" She asked softly, his head came up to meet her eyes, she caught her breath silently. His eyes were burning with an expression she didn't recognize. He shook himself and spoke in a decidedly tight voice. "I'd say you were well pruned and I'll leave you to get dressed." That said he walked stiffly out of the room.

Willow hurriedly got up and rinsed herself off. Taking the huge towel she began to dry off.

Sunnydale: Galan's lair

Galan paced he hated being surrounded by fools. They were incompetent and stupid. They were vampires then. He chuckled it was rather ironic that his first race found his second to be the lowest of the god's creations. His fae family looked at vampires as being lower than the low. He was of course exalted, due to his nature as a fae. He turned as Spike entered the room. <now this one has some brains in his head. He nodded to the other vampire who responded clearly distracted, he was about to ask what was the matter with him, when he saw his problem.

Drusilla was standing in the shadows dancing in and out of the light. She was, Galan supposed, beautiful when her face wasn't marred by her demon. She favored long clinging garments, that flowed with the line of her figure. She looked every inch the enchantress. He waited for the others to enter. Three well-dressed and well-built individuals who had been warriors in their mortal lives. Strong powerful warriors. They would take the Slayer.

At least distract her long enough to take the Summoner. Without her protector. The Summoner would be susceptible to his enchantment. He need only work the right spell and he could own her if he wished.

One of the warrior vampires asked, "Well how do we know this girl. We have seen the Slayer but what of this girl that you seek." Galan stared at the men. He smiled slowly his eyes glowing.

"She is beautiful and quiet and has eyes to color of darkest green and hair like blood drenched earth." He paused a moment. "And if that is not enough the sheer power that waifs off of her should be..." The three warriors looked at their sire, uncertainly. They as a whole, understood that this girl was important, but they thought that it was a fools gamble to go after her, not to mention that she was a woman. To be seeking a female like this seemed foolish.

"I don't expect that you will have an easy time. A vampire has been keeping her company. I don't know if she is aware of his nature, but kill him. He's in the way. The Slayer I want but if you must kill her, so be it. I want the girl. No mistakes." He stared at them willing them to succeed.

The three men moved out of the room hurrying to do his bidding. Spike circled slowly around him to stand in front of him, "So that cute little red head is your Summoner?"

Galan looked up at the other vampire and nodded his head yes.

"Who would have thought it, but then I've seen her fire, and believe me you're right, she won't come easily. The Slayer will risk everything to defend her, and the boy as well, and if a vampire has befriended her you may find even more trouble in that." Spike said, making idle chatter. He didn't trust this man. Didn't think he had all of the plan formulated, then there was Dru's insistent rambling that Angel not Angelus had returned from the other-side. My angel's back, but he'll never be mine, no she saw to that.

"Yes, well I need her soul to pull this off, and I need the Western King, as well. She is the only one who can draw him, so our first meeting has been moved up. The only thing I know for sure of the Western King is that he's human." Galan said with the utmost certainty. Spike shook his head wondering how he drew that conclusion and what he would do if it turned out to be another untruth and mistake. Spike looked strangely at the other man, wondering what in hell he was implying.

"Her soul?" Spike asked clearly intrigued by what was going on.

"I need her to open the way, only she can."

"That makes no sense she's human."

"No she's not, your Slayer is more human then that red haired lass."

"What are you talking about?" Spike asked his voice showing his curiosity.

"She's part Fae, in a very special way, and it's only now started to manifest itself. I do wonder though, what brought about the change?"

Pine Valley: Angel's

Willow hurriedly got up and rinsed herself off. Unplugging the tub she stepped out and began drying herself with the huge towel. What just happened? She thought to herself as she went to the suitcase to get out some clean clothes. One minute we were talking and then...maybe Angel was protecting me when he said it didn't hurt to be around me...or maybe I hurt him when I got so defensive about him following me.

Quickly she pulled out a deep navy blouse with long sleeves and a mini-skirt to put on as she continued to think. At first as she was getting dressed she tried to pick up on his thoughts, Damn, maybe I shouldn't have told him how to block me out after all. She thought to herself as she ran into the proverbial stone wall while pulling on the blouse. Then as she began to pull on her skirt, her ever logical mind kicked in. It's still daylight outside so I can be pretty sure that he didn't leave the house. She continued her line of thinking as she pulled on her shoes. I wonder if he'll try and avoid me?

So I just keep my mind closed too and try to be extra quiet. So this shouldn't be too hard. I mean how big could this house be? She thought as she left the bathroom and went out to the staircase landing. Big! Real big!! was the depressing response to her own question. And old. This place could have secret passages and rooms and heaven knows what else. Oh man, if he is hiding from me I may kick his...What's that noise?

Then the soft sound came again, tapping noises. Willow quietly followed the sound down the long staircase. Scarlett O'Hara much. She thought as she reached the bottom of the stairs and paused. Then she heard it again...was it from off to the right. Yes, there it was again, she walked into the living area of the house. While there was a lot of gloom just right for vampires, there were also two large windows that let in a great deal of noonday sun. The rooms furnishings appeared to be mostly covered in drop cloths, but from what she could see it was lavishly decorated. Real antiques, a beautiful marble fireplace, and to Willows utter amazement...color. Everywhere splashes of color, a sharp contrast to what she remembered of Angels apartment. Then the noise came again, now that she was closer she could tell the noise was more clacking than tapping. She went out a door at the other end of the living area and found herself in a hallway. Across from the living room was what appeared to be a smaller sitting area, from what Willow could tell from the slip covers, this room was decorated more femininely, a ladies sitting room perhaps. It was also decorated with rich antiques and artwork.

Then the clacking noises came from down the hall. Quietly Willow moved down the hall glancing in the rooms to find more drop covered furniture in every room she passed. Willow was nearly at the end of the hall, when she heard the noise again and then something spoken in Gaelic. From the tone and emphasis she would say that it had probably been a curse of some sort.

Got'cha. With surprising stealth she tiptoed to the door, that the sound and the curse had come from and peered inside. The room had no windows and was somewhat more dimly lit. Two hanging Tiffany lamps were centered in the room with wall sconces giving off the rest of the light. Taking up the far wall were two bookcases full of leather bound books. A leather overstuffed chair with ottoman stood in front of those cases, with a freestanding lamp just beside it, perfect for reading.

The wall on the left was almost completely consumed by a large brown marble fireplace, in front of it was a comfortable looking overstuffed sofa, and on the floor in front of that, her eyes widened was an actual polar bear rug. For a moment Willows imagination ran wild. She wondered how many women Angel had made love to on that rug, with a fire blazing in the fireplace.

Quickly she shook her head and said to herself, That's none of your business girl. ignoring the twinge she felt in her gut. Willows eyes focused on the walls, covered in hunting prints, no...probably originals, knowing Angels tastes. The lower portion of the walls was done in dark cherry wood paneling. While the top was done in a deep green, that matched the felt on the pool table in the middle of the room. The clacking noise that she had heard were the billiard balls clacking together as Angel had hit them with his cue. She watched as he continued to attack the balls, he continued to grumble in Gaelic under his breath. Willow had a feeling that Angel was more involved in his thoughts than the game.

He was wearing black dress pants, a white button up shirt only partially buttoned and he was barefoot. Willow could see his mouth was set in grim lines, his hair looked as though it had, had fingers run through it many times. Indeed as she stood there, he roughed his fingers through his hair and sighed in frustration. Then even though she knew he had barely looked at the pool table, he leaned forward and took a shot, missed the ball entirely and scratched at the same time. This time his curse was much more fluent and volatile. He raised the cue and appeared as though he would throw it into the rack of cues on the right hand wall.

"So you do play." said Willow in a calm voice. Angel whirled to face her, his game face sliding partially into place in surprise. Willow gazed at the stunned vampire for a moment without fear, then walked over to the rack on the far wall. She continued in the same conversational tone, "Just not very well I guess. Is that why you didn't want to play with Xander and me that night?" She picked a cue and checked it to see how it felt, then put it back to choose another. As she examined it's weight she glanced back up at Angel pinning him with her gaze.

"Or maybe you're like some kind of pool sharp and you were just practicing your 'I'm an idiot at this game and anyone can take me look. Hmm?" Satisfied with the cue she looked up at him expectantly. In that instant she knew the exact expression that a vampire had on its face when it faced the Slayer in one of her brassed off moods. Because she was certain it was the same expression that Angel had on his face, right then.

His face was half transformed, the eyes yellow, the ridges barely showing, but there. His entire body posture was tense..ready for anything. He didn't have fear in his eyes, no they were...wary...on edge. Willow walked toward Angel and the pool table with confidence, she could tell he was fighting the urge to back away with every fibre of his being. Shock him and see if he snaps out of it. an evil yet resourceful part of her brain said. With full force she slammed the link open and thought sardonically to him, It's a pool cue Angel, not a stake.

Angels head snapped back in surprise and she watched in fascination as he completed the transformation from the shock. She was quite certain now that Angel had no idea that he was in game face. Willow continued talking as though nothing had happened. "I'll take stripes, you do solids." That said she moved around the pool table toward him and then maneuvering in front of him she said quietly, "S'cuse me." Collecting the previously scratched cue ball she placed it in the appropriate position on the table. She tilted her head examining the table to see what the best shot would be. While also examining Angel out of the corner of her eye. He was still in game face and yet she realized that some of his tension seemed to be ebbing. What had put him so on edge? She didn't know but she did know that she was about to put him even more on edge.

"So what happened between you and Buffy?" She said and leaned forward to angle a shot at one of her balls, sinking it handily in the far corner pocket. As she stood back up she sensed his discomfort return in a flash.

"We fought, she won." suddenly perhaps hearing his own words, and how they lisped through his fangs, he morphed back to his human face.

"Gee Angel, and here I thought we were making great strides on your communication skills?" Willow said from the end of the pool table. She gave him a sardonic little smile and raised her eyebrow slightly. "Care to try again?" She continued as she leaned over the table, she deliberately missed the next ball, and said "Your turn." Willow walked over to sit on the back of the couch as he looked down at the table.

Angel continued to look down at the table, not meeting her gaze as he started quietly. "I took a shower when I came out I heard someone behind me. I thought it was you, but it was Buffy. She got the wrong impression...." He looked up at Willow then, who was nodding distractedly.

"Were you still uhm...you know naked?" She said with slight embarrassment.

"No, I was wearing what you saw me wearing. Well except the shirt I put that on after I realized she was there." Angel explained a little embarrassed himself to be talking about this. He looked at the table again and noticed a perfect shot. He leaned forward and sank the ball in the side pocket then began looking for his next shot. Hoping, futilely he knew, that Willow would let it go.

"So... then what happened." He looked up at Willow she was smiling at him in that way that said she would be accepting of anything that he said. How could he tell her all of it though?

"She said...she seemed to think...she thought..." Now he remembered why he did 'the cryptic guy thing'. When he was around certain people and talking about certain things he had the annoying habit of stuttering and stumbling over the words. To distract himself he leaned over to take the next shot.

"She thinks we're sleeping together?" Willow offered helpfully. Angel watched helplessly as he scratched again and then looked up at Willow...speechless.

"My turn." she said ignoring his stunned expression. She quickly retrieved the cue ball again and set it up once more. Examining the table and not daring to look at Angel she explained, "Xander told me that's what she was thinking." Willow saw a perfect shot and took it. Sinking one of her balls in a side pocket, she immediately began looking for another shot as she continued, "I swear, I don't know about Buffy sometimes. I mean..." leaning down she pretended to examine the table more closely, when she was actually trying to check Angels face. He was watching her, his dark gaze intent on her, not the game. Gee, I should have made a bet on this game. Willow stood back up and continued around the pool table, choosing and discarding possible shots, as she also considered how best to let Angel off the hook in this discussion.

"I mean, " she continued, "Buffy's smart, she knows you, she should know your tastes. She should know by this time that you have better taste than that. After all..." Spotting another shot she leaned down and quickly sank another shot in the near corner pocket. Standing up again she continued, "After all, you have Buffy already, why would anyone in their right mind even think you'd want me."

Trying to avoid looking at him, she leaned back over and took another shot, missing this time. Waving her hand in a grandiose way, she said, "Your turn sir." and backed toward the couch again as Angel moved forward toward where she had been standing. "Anyway, she said that, you denied it of course, she didn't believe you and did the pointy stick thing and I came in and found you. Right?" Willow said quickly glossing over the more painful parts.

Angel had his back to her. She hadn't seen his face. So when he slammed the cue down on the table with another curse, she jumped. When he stalked to where she was sitting on the back of the couch, the cue dropped from her nerveless fingers, as he placed a hand on either side of her on the couch. Ahk, angry vampire ten o'clock.

His eyes pinned Willows, not letting her look away. Speaking quietly but no less intently he said, "Why do you always do that? Why do you always knock yourself down, while building someone else up? Don't you know how special *you* are? "

Please don't do this to me. Willow looked at him, shocked, and began to shake her head automatically and stuttered out. "No...I'm not...not special...I'm just Willow....not like Buffy."

"No you are not Buffy and yes she is beautiful, but so are you. You have an inner glow that Buffy doesn't. When you get older that glow is still going to be there. Oz will know just how lucky he really is, Harris will kick himself for being a blind fool and..." and I'll be wishing that I was mortal. he thought painfully to himself as he continued, "and I'll be there to say I told you so. Don't ever live in Buffy's shadow. You're beautiful, kind, generous, loyal, brave, and a hundred other adjectives that I can't think of right now. So don't ever let me hear you put yourself down again. Willow sat there stunned as Angel backed off a little but still kept her trapped between his arms on the couch. Gee put me on a pedestal.

He had to back off, Angel thought to himself, he'd probably scared her half to death. Humor he thought. "So...if I have such great taste...how do you explain Darla and Drusilla?" he questioned with grim amusement.

Breathing her own inward sigh of relief at the change of subject, Willow gave a slight smile as she answered the question. "One, " She said holding up her index finger, "Both of those were Angelus, not Angel, and let's not get into that conversation again." She added with an exasperated sigh that actually made Angel smile. "Two, they were both very beautiful. True they were both psychopathic killers, and Dru was nuttier than a fruitcake, but they were both very beautiful, and Dru wasn't always insane, and Darla went looking for you not the other way around. Besides demons aren't exactly known for their careful consideration of mates. Kay." She continued ticking off on her fingers, "Three I know that vampires are extremely sexual creatures, " she blushed as he continued to watch her intently, "so it's understandable why you would be with them. Four...four, I don't even know why we are having a conversation about your ex's...unless you have more stashed around here." she said trying desperately to change the subject again.

Quickly she ducked under his arm and continued, "So is someone hiding in the basement or going to pop out of the grandfather clock or something?" Willow said while silently begging, Please let it drop, please, please, let it drop. Willow moved over to lean against the pool table before turning back to face Angel.

She felt it when he finally relaxed and almost sighed in relief when she heard him chuckle. "No, no female skeletons in the closet here." He said, leaning down to pick up her pool cue from the floor. Angel stood back up and turned to face her, his expression more relaxed, not so intense.

"Thank goodness." Willow said smiling as she leaned against the pool table. Then another thought occurred to her and she asked, "Angel? Uhm where is here?"

He nodded his head as though he had fully expected the question. Walking forward he placed her cue on the table and then taking her arm he pulled her back toward the couch. He pulled her around to the front of the couch and sitting her down he sat on the polar bear rug in front of her. That in itself would have started her over active imagination even if he hadn't still been holding her hand.

"This place is called Pine Valley. It's like a safe haven...a sanctuary of sorts for the un-dead, creatures of the night, witches, and anyone else the world would consider different and therefore dangerous. Most of them are on the side of good, some aren't, but we all abide by the rules." Seeing the question in her eyes, he smiled again and continued, "Well it's sort of hard to explain them but basically you don't go out and find a donor shall we say unless said person is willing to be the donor. No malicious magic allowed. If you do then you are caught and punished in whatever way is deemed appropriate and necessary." He said it all in a matter of fact manner and she said, "You kind of make it sound like a Utopia for creatures of the night."

"I guess it is in a way. If you're like me and don't want to feed from humans, or you don't feel like other vampires, it's a great place to be." he conceded.

"Ohh damned day breakers and I thought that was just a story. Are there a lot of vampires like you? You know who have...their souls?" she asked gently, amazed at all she was learning about Angel.

"No...not like me. Some somehow managed to keep their soul dominant when the demon took them." he shrugged slightly, deep in thought, "I don't know, maybe their demon was just too weak to take them over completely, or maybe their soul was just too strong to be taken over completely. Some are just so old that they got their feelings back and don't want to feed like that anymore. A few were different, like Dawson, you remember him?" At her nod that she did remember the bookish vampire he continued, "So their Master would throw them out, or they would just want to stay away from most other vampires. They would come here. It's the same with the werewolves and witches." He concluded and then looking back up at her he said, "But no...most of them aren't like me. They weren't cursed with their soul, by the Rom."

She nodded her head and then said, "I don't remember Buffy ever mentioning this place or Giles...Could you imagine if all of the vampires here..." then she looked down at Angels face and read his expression with surprise.

"You didn't tell Buffy about this place?"

"No. Nobody outside of this place knows about it...except former residents maybe." he looked a bit defensive when he looked at her and said, "I couldn't tell Buffy about this place. Not all of these people have souls, some of them aren't good, but how would she be able to tell who the good guys were?"

Willow nodded in understanding and said quietly, "She would just come in stakes flying and ask questions later. Because she is the Slayer...first, last, and always. Even before being my friend or your...lover. So you couldn't trust her not to come here and go dust happy. Right?" her voice had gotten quieter as she spoke. She was watching his face trying to understand what it was like for him not to be able to trust his own girlfriend with some of his secrets, because of what he was and what she was.

He looked up at her and smiled in that self deprecating way of his and said with sardonic humor, "Hit the stake right on the head, mo cridhe." Then as though realizing what he had said he looked stunned for a second. Then continued, "There are mountains, streams, lots of shops in town. You could explore if you like. During the day I mean, at night you shouldn't go out alone. Giles would probably stake me himself if anything happened to you." then slapping his forehead he said, "Giles, I told him we would call when we got here, he really is going to stake me." He said, fluidly rising to his feet in front of her.

She laughed lightly as she took his outstretched hand and said warmly, "Don't worry. I'll protect you from Giles." He pulled he up quickly and then caught her too his chest when her face suddenly drained of all color. "What's wrong?" he queried softly. He felt her body slump and quickly scooped her up in his arms, holding her close.

"Willow...answer me?!" he cried out in growing concern. Angel don't yell. the link opened again. I think I just stood up to fast. All my blood went to my feet. Angel looked into her still glazed eyes and said, "Are you alright? What can I do?"

I'll be fine in a few minutes. I know what a brownout feels like now. Do you have any o.j.? the voice through the link was quiet but growing in strength.

O.J.? not understanding the reference. Is that some kind of medicine?

A weak chuckle, Orange juice, Angel. Do you have any?

"Yes, " he said sighing in gratitude that he had thought to get some last night. "Hold on." Then walking with her through the house as though she weighed nothing, he went to the back of the house through a solarium of sorts, skirting the pools of bright sunlight that streamed through the windows and walked directly into the kitchen.

He was loathe to set his precious burden down but knew it would be too awkward to hold her and do what she needed. With infinite care he placed her in one of the dining room chairs, gratified to see she could sit up on her own. He quickly went to one of the cabinets and pulled out a large glass and then walked to the refrigerator. For a moment he struggled with the unfamiliar top of the jug of orange juice. Cursing fluently in Gaelic, English, Latin, and a smattering of other languages he knew, before he heard a soft voice through the link again. Angel come here. Bringing the glass and still unopened jug of orange juice to set on the table he knelt beside Willow.

He could feel her struggle to focus and heard her say Like this. as she reached for the jug. She pulled the blue tab around the lid and then flipped the lid off to reveal another seal under it. Angel heard her grunt in exhaustion and growling in frustration took the jug and shoved one of his claws through the seal. Quickly he poured the orange juice in the tall glass and helped Willow hold it as she drank. When she was halfway through the glass she came up for air and said, "Oh that's good."

Willow looked down at Angels eyes, so full of concern. Using the table for leverage she pulled herself more upright in the chair. He was there beside her to support her, offering the glass again. She took it, placing her hand over his, and drank the remaining contents greedily. When she was done she gasped for breath slightly and said, "We better make that phone call to Giles now...and my parents too I guess. Cause I think afterwards I'm going to need another nap."

Angel nodded his head slightly and quickly reached for the phone sitting on the counter top. It was an old rotary style phone and he knelt beside her again as he quickly dialed the number for Sunnydale High School. Willow dropped her head to his shoulder as he spoke to the office secretary who transferred him to the library.

SUNNYDALE HIGHSCHOOL:

Buffy looked over at Giles, who had been reading over a volume that Xander had given him to peruse. Strangely with each passing moment Giles kept getting paler.

"Giles, " she gasped out finally, "What has you appearing on the next episode of British Blood donors?" Giles looked up at Buffy his expression grim. He turned to Xander, "I hope that I am wrong, I hope that this is just a terrible mistake and misunderstanding." Xander looked up offering Giles a go ahead look and waited wondering what Willow's book had told the Watcher.

"Xander, did Willow's birthday fall on Lammas the year she was born?" Xander stared at Giles confused by the reference. What the hell was Lammas?

"I don't know G-man. I haven't studied whatever that was."

"Lammas, is the day of strongest power in the summer months. Here look in this book check the moon tables, for Lammas and tell me the date and the moon phase." Giles said looking at Buffy for the first time.

"What does the moon have to do with any of this and what is Lammas?"

"It has to do with the date the Summoner was born. You Buffy were not born on Lammas and therefore are not the Summoner." said Giles in explanation.

"You sound relieved Giles." Buffy said suspiciously.

"You tried to kill the only person that can help you if you were the Summoner. So 'yeah I was wiggin' as you're so fond of saying." Giles said with a slight stiffness at the use of the unfamiliar words.

Buffy stared at him. She wasn't the Summoner. What the hell? "If it's not me Giles then who is it?" Giles looked over at Xander who was smiling sadly.

"Willow." Giles said simply. Then he continued to look over the volume.

"The fate of the world is resting on those weak shoulders. This has got to be some kind of a joke. She's Willow." Buffy said the shock clear in her voice.

Xander walked over to the table and leaned on the edge looking down at the Slayer, "Yeah and she's capable of doing this. She got the vampire back.

She's been learning. I mean she has a Watcher like Giles here. Except he's a real hottie or so she says." Xander offered smiling at Buffy sweetly. Then looking up at Giles suddenly he added, "No offense Giles." He liked being able to say that Willow was just this once more important then the Slayer. He was well aware that his foolish infatuation with Buffy had hurt his best friend deeply. He hadn't at the time really understood her feelings on the subject, now he did.

"No..uhm of course none taken." Giles responded absently.

"Xander I believe your enjoying this." Buffy said in a put upon tone.

"Yeah, well considering the times that the world has revolved around you, it was only a matter of time before it circled around someone else. I only wish it wasn't Willow. She's always been here, and if something happens to her, I don't know what I am going to do." Xander looked up to see Giles pacing, looking at the book and seeming to beg it not to say whatever it appeared to. He looked over at Xander, his gaze deeply concerned.

"Xander who told you to give me this volume? I would never have thought to look here."

"Willow." Xander said simply.

"When?" the Watcher asked incredulously.

"Last night. In a dream. I thought I was losing my mind, but I had to find out." He trailed off looking at Giles, wondering what was happening.

"Well it seems this has everything. From start to finish. According to this, Willow...er Willow's soul is needed to open the veil. If the veil is opened, it will destroy this realm. Nothing here could survive that. The vampires might, given their nature as demons. But human life, normal human life will cease to exist."

"What do you mean *normal* Giles?" Buffy demanded not understanding her mentors word choice.

"I mean that everything that is not magic, made of it or using it, will no longer be." Giles said. Xander was watching them worriedly. Willow had said it was going to be okay, so there was a way out, there had to be. He turned back to the computer, ignoring the ongoing conversation between Buffy and Giles.

He scanned the screen, looking for what he sought. He wanted to believe there was a way. The soul was needed, so she couldn't be changed into a vampire. She had to die in order to release the soul. The Western King was for all intents and purposes her knight in shining armor. He was what would stand between her and death. As long as he was on this plane she couldn't leave it. Meaning that in order to make this work Angel needed to die.

"Oh my god, that's it." Xander said his voice startling the other two in the room.

"That's it, what's it?" Buffy said with increasing exasperation.

"Angel had to be here, because if he was where ever he was before he came back, she would have no anchor. Of course. That's what she meant." Xander said cryptically.

"Xander...sense...as in you're not making any." Buffy said angrily.

"Yeah I am . It's simple. Willow needs Angel alive and here meaning on this plane in order to defeat the baddies. Kay that's all. No big, and if he loves her all the better. His hold will be stronger." Xander finished looking over at the Watcher.

He was still reading and from the look that continued to hang on his face. Willow and Angel, Giles couldn't help but worry about what was happening where they were. Angel was safe as long as he could get blood, the thing that had him really worried was Willow. What was she going to do hold them off? How could she protect Angel?

The library doors burst open and Giles, Xander and Buffy all looked up.

"She's going to call in a few minutes. Mr Giles. She's fine I heard from her just a little bit ago..."Amy said as she came to sit at the table. Giles studied the young witch.

"Okay Amy how do you fit in all this and what do you know that I don't?" Amy smiled, chuckled softly looking at the teacher.

"A whole lot I think." Amy said looking at the Slayer.

"What's going on with them?"

"With them. I don't know what you mean, them as in Willow and Angel?"

"Well yeah."

"Nothing. Nothing right now anyway." She looked down not wanting to tell the Slayer about her visions or the fact that she had sensed that Willow had very strong feelings for Angel. Feelings that Willow hadn't even touched on yet. That and the cording, nope the Slayer definitely didn't need to know that.

"Now? what does that mean that she's going to move in on my boyfriend later."

"Buffy will you listen to yourself. This is Willow who is the kindest person we've ever encountered, she would never willingly harm you, but you have to understand that things are setting themselves right." Amy trailed off and looked over to the phone sitting on Giles's desk and waited for it to ring. It didn't disappoint her either. The ringing made the Slayer jump. Giles moved to answer it.

"Giles office."

"Willow!?!?.....where are you? What do you mean you can't say. Are you alright? Oh yes, Xander gave it to me. No why Oh oh yes, No Yes, Yes...Buffy's fine. No no need to feel that way. Why didn't you tell me? We could have helped."

"Giles where are they?" demanded Buffy. Xander watched as Giles shook his head quieting the Slayer.

"When will you return? What happens then? Oh No I haven't. Okay. Yes, yes, of course. Yes good bye." Giles set down the phone and looked over at the group in the library his gaze falling back to Amy. "Amy, I believe that you have some information I need to know."

Amy looked down wondering what she could possible tell the Watcher that he didn't already know. She shuffled her feet. She trembled a little when she realized that the Slayer was watching her.

"Okay: Things you need to know: One Willow is more then capable of handling this. She has been being trained by someone for this since the moment that Angel became Angelus and she started to manifest." Amy began to explain.

"To what?" demanded Buffy.

"Angel becoming Angelus made Willow's fae nature come to the fore." Amy explained simply.

"Oh..."

"So Willow is fae then?" Giles demanded looking at Amy.

"Yeah, among other things like Irish. She has been trained by a member of the fae court and she is going to do this. She is set on doing this.

Nothing can stop it from happening. Angel is the only one who can help her. I don't think I have anything more for you." Amy walked around the table in a circle as she explained.

"Wait, " said Buffy, " Willow started changing when Angel did? Why?" She was staring at Amy wondering what Angel had to do with Willow.

"Angel, meaning his soul, was how shall I say, connected to Willow, by the prophecy. His absence caused the change." Amy explained calmly.

"But that makes no sense. Angel was with me." Buffy said petulantly.

"Yes, but what was Angel doing before you came to Sunnydale, who was he watching. If there is one thing that is true. Willow would be dead right now if she didn't have a guardian Angel of sorts. I'm going with the idea that Angel was protecting her." Amy continued her theory.

"You don't know that though." Buffy said sarcastically.

"No I don't know. All I am sure of is that no harm will come to her when he is here." Amy replied confidently.

Buffy watched as Amy stood and shook herself. The young witch smiled and promptly disappeared in a shower of gold sparks.

Sunnydale:

Why was it always the crazy ones? Spike wondered as he paced around the new lair. I seem to be a loon magnet. He despised Galan, not only was the vampire crazy, arrogant and dangerous; there was also all his talk of the fae, the Underhill, sidhe and the Summoner. Which Spike was quite sure was intended to drive him bonkers as well.

As a matter of fact, if it hadn't been for his princess, Spike wouldn't even be here. They'd both be winging there way to Europe. He wanted to be as far away from Sunnyhell as he could get. Unfortunately his princess had insisted that they help this fool Galan. Spike didn't trust the little weasel as far as he could throw him though....no, not even that far. As if dealing with Angelus hadn't been bad enough. Having that bugger around again had been a bloody nightmare, but this loon made Angelus look sane, rational, even staid in comparison.

Spike looked over at Dru as she lay sleeping. His Dark Goddess, her long raven hair framed her normally pale features, now flushed with stolen blood. Dru, against his better judgement, had fed from a charming young couple she had come across necking near the Bronze.

The bleached blond vampire chuckled to himself, he on the other hand, had started acting like the Slayers little lap dog, Angel. Spikes dinner had come from a blood bank not a human happy meal. It was better that way. He didn't want to take the chance of being captured or killed by the Slayer.

If she found out that he hadn't left the country as per their agreement there was no telling what she would do to him. Outside of staking him of course.

In some ways he wished that Angelus had killed the Slayer, instead of the other way around. Spike grimaced, but then Angelus would have freed Acathala, bringing hell on earth and destroying all of his lovely little happy meals with legs.

Galan was too dangerous to stay in contact with for too long. Spike had no doubts that if Galan considered he or Dru a nuisance he would try to destroy them without thinking twice. The mere thought of anyone hurting his Dru made his features morph, let the fae freak try, the minions were loyal to Spike not Galan. At least Angelus had been fairly loyal to his Childer, this little weasel wasn't loyal to anyone or anything but himself. Spike calmed himself and morphed back into human form. When this was over and Galan failed, because fail he must. Spike would get Dru out of this hellhole and take her back to Europe. But before that Spike promised himself he'd have a gourmet meal.

Slayer a la carte.

Pine Valley later that day:

Angel watched her from where he was standing. Willow was looking off into the distance. Her eyes caught by something he couldn't see from where he was standing. He moved wanting to know what had caught her attention and found himself having to avoid the sunlight that streamed into the room. She had moved slightly and a large shadow crossed hers. Angel stared, as a cat, a very large cat nuzzled Willow's out stretched hand.

She smiled and said something to the animal, something Angel was sure he misunderstood. No, he hadn't. Willow moved, allowing the large beast to enter the house. Angel took a couple of steps back eying the animal with some trepidation. His eyes came up when he heard Willow giggle. "Who would have thought it, Angel who could face the demons of hell, is afraid of a little pussy cat." She laughed at the scathing look she received from the vampire.

What is it about her? Why do her thoughts of you matter so much. The cat for his part, spared the vampire little more then a glance, before returning his attention to the reason he was there. He sent the hacker, as she called herself, a mental smiling, assuring her that all was well in sunnyhell as the vampire Spike had called it. He waited until Willow was outside of the circle, he hoped that fool vampire knew enough to stay back when he changed.

Willow smiled and moved to do as he bid. She gazed with affection at the creature before her. He swished his giant tail in greeting, purring deep in his throat in welcome. She grinned again. So much for normal human conversation.

We need to get you some place safe.

I am safe. she answered looking at the cat questioningly.

You most certainly are not safe. There is a vampire in this house, and from the marks on your throat he's using you for dinner.

No it's complicated. That's Angel, our Angel.

Tristan growled low in his throat at the mention of their traitor. He didn't like the light that entered his charges eyes at the mention of the vampires name. He studied the young woman. The past months had wrought many a change in this woman. The clearest was the way she dealt with the power that was hers by destiny. Willow wore it now with all the confidence of one used to it and comfortable in the possession of it. She owned it now.

The shape shifter had worried in the beginning that she would break from the pressure of what had to be done. She knew well, how dangerous her abilities were and she had taken the time to learn them. She learned them well light and dark, for like anything one could not be with out the other. She understood the balance of it. Tristan saw her stiffen, then he noticed the vampire in question walk up behind her. She allowed him to place a protective arm around her.

"A friend of yours?" He asked, as he eyed Tristan curiously. That was one huge cat. Angel watched Willow, saw the slight warm smile that played across her lips. So it was a friend, at least it appeared to be.

"Yes. Angel, this is Tristan, Tristan this is Angel, now make nice you guys. Come in Tristan." Angel turned sharply looking from Willow to the large cat. No panther. What the hell is Willow doing keeping company with a panther? Black no less.

He watched in awe as this Tristan began to shake and shiver, the edges about his form began to blur and move. They became soft and hazy. He watched as sliver fire trailed along the animals massive back and in his place stood an equally impressive man, with the cats same expressive silver eyes.

Willow gaped a little at Tristan, she couldn't help it, no matter how many times she saw him do that he simply took her breath away. He was beautiful in human or cat form. She chuckled at the look of shock on Angel's face.

"What Angel? There *is* more, in heaven and earth, than demons."

"I know that, it's just that...."Every time I think I know you, you show me just how unexpected and glorious you are. He shook his head, not even trying to make sense of this. Angel watched the other man... er shape-shifter take her hand. He led her over to the center of the room. With a wave of his hand she was dressed in robes, like the ones from the night in the clearing, only clean and crimson. Willow moved easily as if this was common practice. He was sure that once again, he was encountering someone with more power then himself.

He wondered then for a moment, not paying the two in the center of the room much mind, just what he was now in the middle of. In Sunnydale a brassed off Slayer wanted to kill him for sleeping with a woman he hadn't touched, well hadn't touched until last night. Even that if he wanted to be blunt about it wasn't true. He had known Willow long before then. Her unique combination of weakness and strength, her fierce intelligence, her capacity for giving had always drawn him. That night he had investigated Ford, she'd invited him into her room with only a slight hesitation. Based on the fact that her parents didn't allow boys in her room, had won her a place in his heart. He hadn't dwelled on the feelings that he had toward her. He was too overwhelmed by his feelings for the Slayer to really look too closely at the ones he had for Willow.

Angel wondered now, if he had stored them away, and her nearness and warmth, were making them come to the fore. He knew he loved her. Who wouldn't? That powerful mysterious creature that wore the guise of pure innocence, yet had a passionate fiery streak that would burn anyone foolish enough to stand in the fire. Suddenly Angel felt as if he should be the fool in the pack of seventy-eight.

The vampire headed into the other room, something about watching Willow with the other man bothered him. He wasn't sure what. The man was clearly a friend of hers, and yet...You always were the jealous type. He smiled self mockingly and reached to open the fridge door. He pulled a bottle of the blood that he'd managed to pick up late last night, out of the fridge. He grimaced slightly at the taste, surprised. Shit. He hadn't thought about the taste of Willow's blood, had schooled himself against it. Blood, her blood, was far to heady and powerful to think on. Just remembering the taste of her on his tongue was enough to send the sentient demon that lay within him over the edge.

Damn it. He had known how dangerous drinking from her truly was. To create a blood bond on top of the mental one that they had. He hadn't the know how, or strength, to stop himself from taking more of it. If she offered herself to him again, even if he held this bottle in his hand, he wouldn't be able to stop himself from taking it. He prayed that was a test he wouldn't have the chance to fail.

"Angel?" He stiffened at the sound of her voice, looking guiltily down at the bottle in his hand. He quickly put it back in the fridge, and traipsed into the living room. He looked around. No sign of the man or the cat. He looked over at Willow questioningly.

"Oh, he had to go. People to see, places to go. Humans to annoy." Willow said, her voice catching slightly, she couldn't tell him the truth. That would mean telling him that she, not Buffy, was the Summoner. She turned away from him, afraid that if she continued to look at him he would know.

"What aren't you telling me Willow?" Angel questioned softly.

"Nothing." she cried angrily. She hated this link. It gave him this unfair insight into her. He reached out, catching the side of the back of the robe. He grabbed at it with such force, that when she attempted to draw away, the fragile material gave with only a token protest.

Angel stared at the smooth, white expanse of her shoulders and back. Her hair was pulled forward, leaving her shoulders completely bare. He stared, his eyes caught by the small birthmark that marred the skin of her right shoulder blade. A fairy kiss. Willow is fae. The knowledge settled on Angel and somehow he wasn't surprised. He reached out to touch it, unable to stop himself.

Willows skin was satiny smooth and warm beneath his fingertips. Angels thumb and forefinger began to idly trace the small mark. She shivered slightly and whether it was from cold, fear, or something else entirely she didn't know. She been so stunned by the fabric giving and hurriedly catching up the front, that the feel of his fingers on her flesh had shocked her into silence and uncertainty.

"Willow?" Angel questioned in a raspy voice. She turned slowly to look at him, her hands holding the red material to her chest.

"What?" Willows response was husky.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean..." She reached up and quieted him with a gentle touch.

"Don't... really... I wish you wouldn't do that. You're not evil or dangerous, it's not always your fault. You aren't going to ever turn back into Angelus, Angel." she said in a soothing tone.

"Unless, I find happiness." He said warily. He *was* happy and it frightened him. This woman made him happy. Willow smiled softly, then touched his cheek.

"You must think me, very cruel." She said reproachfully, looking into his eyes. She saw the shocked look cross his face.

"What?!! Noo... never, you're the warmest, most selfless person I know." he said quickly, trying to erase any harm his previous words may have caused.

"Then how could you believe that I would put a stipulation like that, on the possession of your soul." Willow used the same reproachful tone as before.

"But you said, that you used the same gypsy curse that was used the first time." His confusion was becoming increasingly apparent along with something new, hope.

"I did." She smiled understandingly at his furrowed expression. "Magic is sort of like baking. What you put into it, you get out. I didn't cast in anger or hate or with any of the emotions that they would have used. I cast it with caring, compassion, and love." Willow paused for a moment and then continued, "I gave you a gift, not a curse." He smiled softly as he realized what she was saying. Then asked hesitantly but for the first time with hope, "Forever?"

"Yes, as in always." She responded lightly, giving him the hope he had been so afraid to feel.

Angel stared at her shocked, he wasn't prepared for that. This wasn't punishment anymore. He smiled softly once more shocked beyond words by the sheer generosity of the woman before him.

"You are an angel, you are. I mean you gave my soul and you pulled me from hell and it seems as though you are slowly healing wounds that I didn't even know I had." The awe coloring his gaze embarrassed her greatly but she smiled, leaned up and brushed his cheek in a gentle kiss.

"That's what friends are for Angel. And we are friends." She smiled motioned swiftly to her robe and hurried up to the bed room. She rifled through her clothing. Once more surprised by the care he had taken. Hell, they even matched. She hurriedly pulled out a pair of beige colored slacks and a black sweater.

Willow sensed someone behind her as she began to remove the damaged robe and change.

"Tristan quit with the sneaking up on me already. It's not working. I can feel you a mile away."

"Oh are you sure, you've been rather preoccupied with that creature." he said sarcasm lacing his Irish brogue.

"Don't start, this is your fault. I didn't ask for the link."

"It's not the link that the spell created that is causing your ...er problems. Willow you need to focus." She turned around then not at all surprised to see a tall, good looking man staring at her. To the untrained eye he appeared human. An extraordinarily beautiful human, but a human, never the less. Her eyes picked up on that, which most eyes couldn't see. The things that were toned down by fairy glamour. She smiled softly at her teacher. Accepting his reprimand for what it was. He was worried, and right now perceived Angel as a threat. Angel was a threat in some ways. A threat to her heart, her emotional balance.

Fleetingly she wondered if she should have told Angel everything up front.

"No Fledgling he couldn't know everything. You must keep the identity of the Summoner secret a bit longer." She looked down. Lying to Angel even by omission bothered her. "I know, but it is for the best. At this point I doubt he would deal well with it." Willow nodded her head in understanding but felt compelled to add in defense of her friend.

"Angel would never hurt me Tristan." Angel was still on the first floor, wondering at her most recent revelations, she could feel his consciousness just outside her own."Oh really, " replied the shape shifter, "Then this was caused by what a whirlwind?" Concluded the fae Watcher, indicating the torn robe.

The hacker blushed but refused to acknowledge the question, instead changing the subject."So what now, I mean you can't teach me what else I need in dreams can you?" Willow queried hopefully.

"No, which means I will come to you later today alright. Be sure that he isn't around, at least at first. I want you to myself for a bit." Willow swore she had heard a bit of possessiveness in his voice. She chuckled, Yeah she had.

"Yeah right and how am I supposed to do that? The sun will still be up." she said as she tossed the robe onto the bed and reached for the beige pants to pull them on.

"Your point would be, lass?" said the annoying fae, cynically.

"Don't even think about it Tristan." said the hacker as she finished fastening the pants and pulled on the dark top.

"What shouldn't I be thinking about, lassie?" Tristan asked with mock innocence.

Willow whirled to face her mentor and he wisely stepped back. Willows eye's glowed green and the very room crackled with energy, and she said with quiet intensity, "Angel would never knowingly hurt me, Tristan." She continued her voice rife with anger, "But if you cause him to be hurt in any way, shape, or form, I guarantee you that I will make you regret it." With each word the young redhead advanced on her teacher, who backed into the corner, and raised his hands in a placating manner.

"Now lass...don't do anything rash." said Tristan.

"If anything, I mean anything, happens to him, I'll hold you personally responsible." each word was accented with a finger jab to the fae's chest. "Do you understand me Tristan?!" Without waiting for his response, the fiery young woman whirled on her heel and flounced back out of the room.

Yes, I definitely need to get the lass away from that creature. Thought the shape shifter to himself. He's obviously a bad influence on her. She never had such a temper before.

Ignoring his own antagonistic behavior, of course, the fae disappeared in a shower of sparks.

Pine valley: After dark that evening:

She stared over at Angel. He hadn't said anything else about Tristan, though she could see the question in his eyes. She wanted to tell him, but this wasn't the right time. She wondered if there would be a right time. Sooner or later he would have to know. He already knew that she was fae that she had power. Well he knew the power anyway, perhaps he had missed the fae part of it. She smiled softly at him. He looked down at the ground, refusing to hold her gaze for more then a few minutes. Catching his hand in her own she smiled when his head came up and he looked curiously at her.

She smiled, and dragged him into a restaurant.

"I don't know about you, but I am hungry. Oh that's the other side effect. I eat all the time." She said laughing. He looked at her strangely, over the past few days she hadn't eaten. She hadn't been lying to him when she insisted that he hadn't hurt her.

He realized then, that a lot of the things that he had noticed that had given him pause, were also symptoms of simply not eating and low blood sugar. Willow had low blood sugar. Now her requesting a glass of orange juice but nothing more, made more sense, as did her fainting. She was weak and her body had done what any intelligent creatures would have, it shut down in order to heal.

He looked up as the waitress, a witch Angel recognized seated them near the back of the restaurant. She smiled at him and a memory tugged at him. Cassie?

"Hi Angelus." The young woman said her voice warm with familiarity."Nanna will be glad to see that you are still in one piece. It's been a while. I take it something interesting brings you back to us. Who's this?" She asked motioning to Willow. "This is Willow Rosenberg." Angel said. Then continued after hesitating for a moment, "She's a friend of mine. We ran into some trouble back where she is from so I thought this would be a safe place to come." Cassie smiled picking up on the fact that the vampire really didn't know what to call the girl. Whether she was just a friend or something more. Cassie was leaning toward the more. She thought she could see it in his eyes.

"I know what I can get you, assuming that you'll drink in front of her."

She saw the look in Angel's face and wondered if she had just made a terrible blunder.

"That's fine, " Willow said speaking for the first time. Her eyes were bright and intensely green. She smiled at Cassie. "If he wants it. The whole blood thing doesn't bother me." Willow finished. Her eyes told Cassie that Angel still didn't trust the fact that she didn't mind.

"Okay. What can I get you Willow?"

"Salad and a glass of orange juice."

"That's it?!" Cassie asked incredulously.

Willow laughed. She smiled broadly at the other woman."To start with. Okay."

"All right but with the power that I can feel emanating from you, you're going to want to stoke up on the calories. That's a heavy change happening." Cassie said sympathetically.

"Tell me about it." Willow agreed readily.

"Okay I'll be right out with your stuff Angelus and some orange juice for the lady." Cassie said as she walked toward the kitchen area.

"Willow... I just wanted to say I was sorry." Angel said suddenly when Cassie was out of earshot.

"Why?" Willow asked curiously.

"This whole thing with Buffy about us." Willow smiled softly at him. He couldn't understand why she was so calm about the whole thing. Buffy thought they were lovers. He hadn't corrected the Slayer he'd merely said that she was jealous and left it at that. You didn't get a chance to tell her the truth. She didn't give you a chance.

"It's not your fault she drew conclusions on her own." Willow said gently.

"I didn't help matters much." Angel explained darkly.

"How's that?"

"Well I didn't say she was wrong I told her she was acting like a child."

"Oh" She whispered wondering suddenly why she found this whole thing so humorous. Your best friend thinks you and her boyfriend are up close and personal, and your laughing inside? She chuckled softly and looked back at Angel.

"I am sorry. I was angry. I didn't think about what it would mean to you."

He sounds so remorseful.

"There are far worse things Angel." She offered giving him a mysterious smile.

"Oh?" he said doubtfully.

"Yeah, like frogs." He stared at her for a moment, certain he had heard wrong, then the chuckle he'd been holding in broke free.

"What an odd creature you are." he said. And delightful and wonderful...And vampire you need to get a grip.

" Yeah and you're so normal." She responded smiling brightly.

"As a vampire can be." he amended.

"So Angel is that all you're having? Can you eat? I mean I know you can drink...other than blood things...but what about like real food? Like chocolate."

"Well yeah I can. I usually don't but sometimes... It's a good thing for blending in, you know."

"Yeah, so what can we get you Angel and no the waitress isn't on the menu." She laughed at the look on his face.

"Oh but come on, I haven't had a good..." he said doing a perfect imitation of a begging child.

"Angel." She said with mock reprimand.

"Sorry." He offered with mock hurt.

"Aha likely story." Willow said disbelievingly.

"Really. I'll never do it again."

"That's right if you do I'll devise all sorts of ways of torturing you." Willow said threatening with a smile.

"Promises, promises." huffed the vampire.

"Careful there old man. I might make good on them."

"I hope so." Angel said watching her face during the banter he realized that Willow seemed to be in control of this thing between them what ever it was. She was making jokes, and flirting with him if he wasn't mistaken. He smiled and chuckled inwardly. He'd never pictured Willow flirting with him like this.

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