Part 16
Angel slowly woke up from the peaceful sleep he had been enjoying and glanced over at Willow. She was still sleeping which Angel was glad about. (Watching Willow will sleep will surely become one of the great pleasures of my life now). At the moment that Angel was marveling over how serene Willow looked sleeping, she opened her eyes.
“Hi,” Willow whispered.
Angel smiled at her, (She’s so shy). “Hi, back. How are you feeling?”
“Wonderful,” Willow answered Angel with a huge grin on her face.
Angel wrapped an arm around Willow and asked, “What would you like to do for the rest of the day?”
A playful smile appeared on Willow’s face as she thought about what she and Angel could do for the rest of the day. “Well, Angel, I can think of a few things I’d like to do.....”
******
Willow stretched her body out and sighed, “That was truly wonderful, Angel. I feel like I can’t get enough of you.”
“I hope you never do, Willow.”
Willow moved on her side to face Angel. “I love you. I have never said that to anyone before and I’m glad you were the first to hear it.”
“So am I. You’ve given me so much, Willow. I hope, one day, I can make you feel as much joy as I am feeling now.”
“Just love me. That’s all I want from you. It’s all I ever will want.”
“That’s a request that I will have no problem fulfilling.” Angel drew his body closer to Willow’s and placed a kiss on her head. “I do love you, Willow. I hope you know that.”
“I have no doubts anymore about your feelings for me, Angel.”
“Good. Now, let’s get dressed.”
“Dressed???!!! Why?” Willow asked with a pout on her face.
“As much as that look on your face makes me want to keep you in bed for the next week, there’s important things that we need to do. Have you forgotten about Giles and Ethan?”
“Oh, alright,” Willow replied with a grumpy look on her face.
“Don’t be like that, Willow. We’ll still be together, you know.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Willow jumped out of the bed and raced towards the bathroom. “I’m using the shower first, Angel.”
(Not if I can help it). Angel got up from the bed and walked to the bathroom. He could already hear the water running and knew Willow must have felt in desperate need of a shower. Angel opened the shower door and stepped in.
Willow turned around with a surprised look on her face. “Didn’t I tell you I got to use the shower first?”
“Yes, but I figured you would need help washing your back.”
“Oh, yes. I didn’t think of that. But, now, I see that you’re right.”
Angel laughed, “Stick with me, kid, and you’ll never go wrong.”
“I’m beginning to see that, Angel.”
********
Scene: Library
Buffy hesitantly walked into the library and looked around to see if anyone was in the room. (It’s strange how nervous I feel to come in here, especially when I think about how I once considered this to be the only place where I could be myself. I hope that this uneasiness will go away soon. It’s weird that I didn’t feel like this yesterday. In fact, it was only this morning that I started to have this feeling. I wonder if another prophecy is going to be found soon. Oh well, no sense in worrying about something that hasn’t even happened yet). Buffy set aside her anxious feelings, but could not get rid of the troubling belief that something major was going to occur.
Buffy walked further into the library and called out Giles’ name. (Hmm, no one’s here. Strange). Just then she noticed Giles’ office door was open. (Maybe he didn’t hear me). Buffy went through the door and saw that Giles was asleep on his desk. (Poor Giles. He was probably up all night researching something. It must have been something big if he stayed at the library overnight). Buffy bent over Giles to see what he had been reading before he fell asleep. (Does that paragraph say what I think it does?). Buffy slid the book out from under Giles’ arm and checked it to see if it said what she had thought it did. (Oh my God, this book is all about getting someone out of hell. Is Giles planning to get Angel out of hell?).
Tears appeared in Buffy’s eyes at the thought of having Angel in her arms once more. (I never imagined that I would see Angel again. What would I do if he came back? Could I forgive him for all the terrible things he’s done to me and to my friends?). Even with all the misery Angelus had caused her, Buffy knew that she could never stop loving Angel. (He could do anything to me and I would still end up loving him till the day I died. But I don’t know if I can handle again all the desperation and sorrow that loving Angel brought. I used to believe he was the best thing that had ever happened to me, but I don’t feel like that anymore. Losing him once almost killed me, I doubt I would survive it a second time). With the realization that Angel entering her life again would only mean pain and sadness, Buffy made the hardest decision of her life. (When Giles wakes up, I’m going to beg him to not bring Angel back. I just won’t think about what it’s like in hell or how much I still love him. Everyone will be better off if Angel never comes back, even me).
Buffy heard the sound of the library door opening and immediately ran out to tell whoever had entered to be quiet because Giles was sleeping. Buffy saw a flash of red hair and knew it was Willow.
“Willow!! Buffy called out in an excited voice.
Willow turned around, “Buffy??? she asked in a shocked voice.
“I came back, Willow. I just missed everyone so much and I knew it had been wrong for me to leave. I’m so sorry for hurting everyone. Did you get the note I sent?”
“Yes, Buffy. I did.”
“Willow, why do you have such a strange look on your face?”
Willow slid her hand through her hair, “No reason, Buffy.”
Buffy saw a flash of silver on Willow’s hand. (Was that the ring Angel had given her? It couldn’t be, could it?). Buffy moved closer to see if Willow was wearing the Claddagh ring and found that her suspicions had been correct. “Willow, why are you wearing the ring that Angel gave me?”
“I....uh...”
“Willow, what is going on?”
The door opened behind Willow and the last person Buffy had expected to see entered.
“Angel?”
Part 17
“Angel?” Buffy asked in a trembling voice.
“Buffy,” Angel replied.
“But, how can this be? I sent you to hell.”
“Well, I came back.”
“How?”
Angel stepped closer to Willow and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Buffy, Willow came into hell and rescued me. While you had run away, she stayed and dealt with the mess that you had left.”
Buffy looked at the two of them standing so close to each other and she whispered, “No. Tell me this isn’t happening. Please tell me that you two are not together.”
Willow immediately felt guilty for causing Buffy so much pain. “Buffy, I am so sorry. It just kind of happened. As soon as I entered hell, Angel’s soul and mine became intertwined. Once that occurred, it was inevitable that we would begin to love each other.”
“Love? You two love each other? Willow, do you even know what love is? The love that Angel and I felt for each other can never compare to whatever you feel for him. For the longest time, Angel was the only thing that made me look forward to living and I know he felt the same way about me. We were keeping each other alive. You knew all of these things and, yet, you now tell me you love him. You were my best friend and you knew how much Angel mattered to me. How could you do this?”
Both Willow and Buffy were crying at that point and Willow whispered, “Buffy, if I could prevent the pain you’re feeling, I would. But, it’s too late now. I hope, one day, you’ll be able to forgive me.”
Angel began to comfort Willow, which hurt Buffy even more. “Forgive you? You have the only man I ever loved and you want me to forgive you. I can’t do that.” Buffy looked up at Angel and asked, “Angel, did you even love me at all or were you lying the entire time?”
“No, Buffy. Part of me will always love you. You were the first person in a long time that brought joy into my world. Before I met you, I believed my future would only be filled with darkness and pain. You changed that and I will always love you for doing that. But, it’s time we both moved on. You know that we are not good for each other. The one time that I was able to express how much I loved you almost ended in the destruction of the world. Your first time making love should have been special and beautiful. Instead, it became something to be regretted. You deserve someone who won’t turn into a monster every time you love him too much. Buffy, if you ever need anything from me, I will help you as much as I can. We meant too much to each other for me to cut you out of my life. But, we just cannot be together like we were before. I’m sorry.”
“I can’t hear this. It just hurts too much right now for me to accept what you’re saying, Angel. I have to leave. Tell Giles I’m sorry.” As soon as Buffy finished speaking, she ran out of the library.
********
Angel and Willow looked at each other again and another tear rolled down Willow’s cheek. Angel immediately took Willow in his arms and gave her a big hug. “She’ll be alright. She’s strong and I have no doubt she’ll survive this.”
“I know. Buffy’s the strongest person I’ve ever known. I just wish we weren’t causing her so much pain. If I lost you, I know I would never get over it. I can imagine all the sadness she feels right now.”
“You are never going to lose me, Willow. I won’t let you. Buffy just needs time. She’ll be fine, you’ll see.”
“I hope you’re right.”
The door opened behind Willow and Angel, causing them to turn around to see Giles gazing sadly at them. “She knows, doesn’t she?”
“Yes,” Willow answered. “I had no idea she would be here. Why didn’t you tell me Buffy came back?”
“She reappeared when you were still in hell, Willow. And, I didn’t believe that having to face the realization that Buffy was back was the best thing for you to hear once you and Angel were back from hell.”
“She’s in so much pain, Giles. Do you think she’ll ever forgive Angel and I for hurting her so much?”
“She loves both of you so much. Once Buffy loves someone, she’ll never stop. She just needs time to get over her hurt and she’ll be back to her normal self. I read the letter Buffy sent you, Willow, and it sounded like she was trying to get on with her life. I believe that it will only be a matter of time before she accepts the idea of you and Angel as a couple.”
“Good. I don’t know what I would do if Buffy stopped being my friend.”
At that moment, a humming Ethan entered the library. He stopped when he saw the somber looks on the three people standing before him. “Wonderful. There’s another prophecy where the world will be sucked into hell, right?”
“No. Why do you ask that, Ethan?” Giles asked.
“Well, all three of you had such depressed looks on your faces that I figured there was some deadly prophecy about to occur.”
“No, Buffy just found out that Angel and I are together and we were discussing how she would handle it.”
“Found out you and Angel are together? Am I missing something here?”
Giles took a deep breath before replying to Ethan’s question. “Last night, when you were getting coffee.....Wait a minute, I just realized you never did come back. Ethan, why did you lie and say you were getting coffee when you obviously never intended to come back here last night?”
“I didn’t lie, Ripper. I just never said where I was getting the coffee from. I went over to the house of one of the women who had helped us cast the spell and, well, let’s just say that the coffee was excellent.”
Angel snickered at Ethan’s comment, causing Willow and Giles to give him a dirty look. “I thought it was funny. Sorrrry,” Angel drawled.
Willow and Giles both rolled their eyes, “Well, to get back to the matter at hand. When you were gone for “coffee,” Ethan, I was rereading the book that helped us to get Angel out of hell and...Here, let me get it, so you can read it yourself.” Giles walked into his office and grabbed the book off his desk. He set it on the table and Ethan sauntered over to read it.
“Hmm, here’s the paragraph. Blah, blah, blah...get someone out of hell..Blah, blah...Oh damn.”
“Exactly,” Giles answered.
“Rupert, did you read this part about the two soul-mates making love.”
“No, I fear I may have fallen asleep before I was able to read the whole page. What does it say?”
“Once the rescuer and rescuee exit hell, they will not become true soul-mates until they make love. If either of them has sex with someone else after getting out of hell, then they will not be complete soul-mates. Their souls will still be joined, but not as much as if they had made love. And, there is no chance of either of them losing their soul.”
“Good news for once. I am so glad that part was written in there. I am so relieved----”
“Giles,” Willow interrupted.
“Yes?”
“It’s too late.”
“What do you mean, it’s too late? Too late for what?”
“Angel and I already..well, we..”
“Willow, what are you trying to say?” Giles glanced from Willow to Angel, who had a sheepish look on his face. It was only at that moment that Giles figured out what Willow had been trying to say.
“Oh.”
“Oh, indeed,” Ethan said. “It’s probably for the best that they have already had sex. This way, they can always protect each other.”
“I guess, but it would have been a lot easier for everyone if they had not slept together. Now, neither of them can ever be with anyone else or they will lose their souls. And, I doubt that the spell used to restore Angel’s soul will work in this case.”
“Giles, stop talking about us like we are not here. I know you feel like you have to protect me, but I can make my own decisions, you know. I’m not a child anymore and I’m fully capable of dealing with the results of Angel and I making love. And, it was love. It wasn’t just sex or sleeping together. We made love and I would appreciate if you kept that in mind the next time you feel like you have to denigrate my relationship with Angel. We’ve wasted half of my patrolling time talking so can we go kill vampires already?”
Giles was surprised by the way Willow was talking to him. (It’s very clear now that she does have part of Angel’s soul in her. Or, maybe this is just a sign that she is growing up. I have always wished that I could protect, Buffy, Willow, Xander, and, even Cordelia, from all the horrors that they have witnessed. They deserved to grow up in a world where their biggest problem was who would ask them to the prom. At least, there’s one good thing about all the terrible things they’ve lived through: They will all grow up to be incredible human beings who will be able to withstand any hardship). Giles’ reflections came to a halt when he heard Willow’s voice. “Willow, I want you to take Angel and Ethan with you while you go patrolling. You haven’t had enough experience to be on your own yet.”
“Okay, Giles. Where will you be?”
“I don’t believe Buffy should be alone right now. And, I think that I would be the best person to talk to her about all of this.”
“I agree, Giles. Ethan, Angel, let’s get ready to go kill some vampires.”
“Alright, Willow. Just be sure to not include me in your killing.”
“Very funny.”
Part 18
Angel, Willow, and Ethan quickly armed themselves with all the items that would kill vampires and drove to a graveyard. They did not have long to wait before a vampire rose. He sensed that Willow was the slayer immediately and attacked her first. Before Willow could even defend herself, Angel thrust his fist straight through the vampire’s body and ripped his heart out. The vampire crumpled into dust, leaving a wide-eyed Willow staring at Angel, who was covered in blood.
Angel’s eyes moved down to meet Willow’s and he saw the shocked look on her face. “I guess I was a bit too excessive in killing him, but he was trying to hurt you, Willow. When he dared to put his hands on you, all I could think of was causing him as much pain as possible. No one is ever going to hurt you again, Willow. That’s a promise. And, if I have to kill every person and vampire on this earth to keep that promise, then I will do it.
Willow laughed, “Angel, that was quite a display of your devotion, but I can assure you that there will be no need for you to kill anyone but vampires.” Willow stepped into Angel’s arms and placed a kiss on his lips.
“Enough of this making out. We have vampires to kill, you two.” Ethan loudly said.
“Gee, could you talk a bit quieter, Ethan. I mean, these people are dead, but I’m pretty sure they could hear you,” Angel said.
Willow drew away from Angel and muttered, “Anymore of this rudeness and vampires won’t be the only thing I kill.”
Angel chuckled at Willow’s words, which caused Ethan to give them suspicious looks. “You two aren’t going to feed me to a vampire now, are you?”
“No, of course not, Ethan.” Willow gave her watcher a wicked grin which didn’t ease his worry over being eaten by a vampire.
“You have changed so much from the shy girl I first met, Willow,” Ethan said.
“People change, Ethan. I had to deal with many problems that you have no idea about. I guess it helped me to grow up a bit.” Willow couldn’t help looking up at Angel as she said that, remembering all the terrible things Angelus had done.
While Willow was recalling Angelus’ actions, Angel was reflecting on the same things. (At one time, losing my soul would have been the worst thing I could ever imagine, but it brought Willow to me. And, I can never regret that).
Angel’s mind flashed back to the hurt look on Buffy’s face when he had been telling her he was with Willow. He thought about all the love he had felt for Buffy once and it seemed strange to Angel to remember how, at one time, his every waking thought had been filled with Buffy. (Looking back now, it seems like a different lifetime when I loved Buffy. And, in some ways, it really was. A hundred years of torture erased all the feelings I had for Buffy and I am not the same man who loved her so long ago. I can honestly say that I don’t feel the all-encompassing passion that I used to for her. But, I know the despair I would have felt if she had ended the relationship before I lost my soul and, I am going to make sure that Buffy understands that I will do everything in my power to ease her pain).
“Angel?” a voice asked, drawing Angel out of his thoughts.
Angel glanced down to see Willow looking worriedly at him.
“Yes, Willow?”
“I think we’ve seen pretty much all of the vampires that we’re going to see tonight. It’s pretty late and Ethan said we could go home if we wanted to. Do you want to go home now?”
Angel pondered Willow’s description of the hotel as home. He found it slightly sad that she had never referred to the house she grew up in as home. “Willow, you know I’d follow you anywhere, but why do you refer to the hotel as home, when it’s just a temporary place to live?”
“Do I? I didn’t realize it. I guess I view the hotel as a home because it’s been the first place, in a long time, where I felt completely safe. I had absolutely no fear that anything bad would happen to me while I was there. And, that feeling of being protected was entirely because of you. I knew, as long as you were around, no harm would come to me.
Angel stared at Willow in amazement. She had described the feelings he had been having perfectly. Angel had not realized that he also considered the hotel his home. (But, it really doesn’t matter where I’m living, as long as Willow is with me. When I’m in her arms, I finally know the true meaning of home).
Angel took Willow’s hand in his own and softly said, “Yes, Willow. Let’s go home.”
A few feet away, Ethan rolled his eyes at the couple who had been wasting precious minutes of his time. (From now on, we go in separate cars). “Willow, Angel, as much as I enjoy watching you two be sappy towards each other, I’d like to get to my house before three a.m.
At hearing Ethan’s words, Angel growled.
“Uhhh, just kidding, Angel. Take as much time as you need. I’ll just be waiting in the car.” Ethan hurriedly opened the door and slid in the driver’s seat, making sure he could hold his cross out, at a moment’s notice.
Willow couldn’t help laughing at how easily Ethan gave in when faced with Angel’s animalistic nature. “Well, now we know how to get Ethan to shut up. Just show him your grrr face and Ethan will be begging for mercy.” Willow giggled again at the thought of the great and almighty Ethan on his knees, cowering in fear. (Hmmm, having so much control over my Watcher would definitely be a power trip. I wonder how much Ethan could take before he snapped. Maybe I’ll have to test it one day). A predatory smile crossed Willow’s face as she thought about all the torture she could inflict on Ethan for all the trouble he had caused in the past. (Someday, soon, he’ll get what’s coming to him. I only hope that I am there to witness it).
Angel watched the different expressions cross Willow’s face and knew that the innocent, pure girl that Willow had been was gone for good.
Part 19
Buffy had been wandering around Sunnydale since she had left the library. Thoughts of Angel and Willow kissing and touching each other were going constantly through her mind. The fact that they were together was devastating to Buffy. Out of all the people in Buffy’s life, Angel and Willow were the closest to her and knowing that they were involved was very painful. Buffy sat down on a bench and wondered how the two people she loved most in the world could have betrayed her so easily. (How could they do that? How could Angel fall in love with Willow? He used to tell me I was the only one he had ever loved. How could his feelings change when mine haven’t?). Buffy dropped her head in her hands and began to cry. (I don’t understand why this is happening. Why can’t I ever be happy? Why is it when I finally do find some happiness, it gets taken away? All I ever wanted in this world is Angel and he doesn’t even want me anymore. He’s with Willow, the girl who used to be my best friend. Out of this whole situation, the knowledge that Willow is the person with Angel hurts the most. She knew everything. She knew how I felt about Angel and how much I loved him. If she had cared about me at all, she never would have gotten involved with Angel). As Buffy wiped the tears away from her eyes, she realized that there was nothing to live for anymore. (I have nothing. Everything I have ever cared about is gone. I might as well just stop fighting).
“Buffy?”
At hearing her name, Buffy glanced up to see Giles studying her with a concerned expression on his face.
“Oh, Giles,” Buffy sobbed, then threw herself into his arms. “It hurts so much.”
“I know, Buffy. I know,” Giles softly said as he rubbed her back.
Buffy burrowed closer to Giles and wished she could always feel this safe. Being in Giles’ arms never failed to make her believe that everything would be all right.
Giles drew away and said, “Buffy, there’s some things we need to talk about.”
“Alright, Giles.” Giles put his arm around Buffy as they walked to his car.
************
“Alone, at last,” Willow said to Angel, with a sly smile.
“Hmmm, that smile on your face tells me I’m going to have a long night ahead of me.”
“Aww. You read my mind.” Willow took Angel’s hand in hers and led him towards his bedroom. She then pushed him on the bed and pounced on him. Willow quickly ripped his shirt open and slowly moved her tongue down his chest. When she reached his nipple, she bit it.
“Willow!” Angel exclaimed.
Willow smiled at Angel, “Don’t pretend like you didn’t like it.”
“I did enjoy it, I was just surprised. That won’t happen again.”
“Good.”
Angel stretched out on the bed as Willow continued to lick and nibble at his chest. He wondered if she knew how arousing her actions were. Just as that thought was going through Angel’s mind, Willow’s hand brushed against his erection, causing it to jump a bit.
“Oooh. I must be doing something right to cause that reaction...” Willow said. She then placed her hand on the front of Angel’s pants and slowly moved it back and forth.
“Oh, Willow. Please don’t stop.”
“Anything you wish, Angel.” Willow unbuttoned Angel’s pants, releasing his throbbing penis from its confinement. She then slid her hand up his erection a few times and marveled at its softness. Willow glanced at Angel to see him studying her with an intense expression on his face. The look in his eyes caused Willow to break out in a flush. (He looks like he wants to devour me....). Sensing the rise in Willow’s body temperature, a knowing smile appeared on Angel’s face. (Oooh. Look at him. He knows exactly what I’m feeling. I am just going to have to show him that I am not always so predictable).
Willow moved her head closer to Angel’s erection and, with the tip of her tongue, slowly licked it from the base to the head. Angel’s hips arched upwards, silently begging for more. Sensing how close Angel was to the edge, Willow decided to push him over it. She drew the head of Angel’s erection into her mouth and began sucking, causing a moan to erupt from Angel.
Angel placed his hands in Willow’s hair and began guiding her mouth. All he could think of was how fantastic this feeling was. Having Willow make love to him was truly one of the greatest pleasures he had ever experienced. But, he didn’t want to come in her mouth. Angel drew Willow’s mouth away from his penis and said, “Not like this. I want to be inside you.”
Angel helped Willow undress then quickly penetrated her. (She’s so warm. It’s almost like being in the sun again when I’m inside Willow. I never want this feeling to end). “I love you, Willow.”
Willow smiled at Angel with her heart in her eyes. “I love you, too.” As Willow and Angel exchanged their words of love, they both climaxed at the same time. Angel smoothed Willow’s hair back and whispered his love for her again. He knew that if he lost Willow his world would cease to have meaning. (I only hope I will never have to experience that).
