Inell's Fanfiction Archive

Willow took a deep breath as she looked at the school. It was the first day back from summer vacation, and she honestly wasn't looking forward to the beginning of classes. It wasn't that she didn't love school. She did. Well, she loved to learn. Unfortunately, everything else she had to deal with daily was also included in the package. Things were a bit better now that she had Buffy and research. Of course, Buffy was becoming more and more involved with Angel and Xander had started spending time with Amy over the summer. That sort of left Willow alone, as usual. Thankfully, Angel didn't go to school with them or else she would have really felt left out. As it was, she and Buffy could chat at lunch and in between classes while Xander explored whatever it was that was happening between him and the blonde witch.

Willow moved away from the doors, deciding to postpone the inevitable as long as she could. Besides, the others still weren't there. She usually met Xander and Buffy on the corner of Meadow Lane and Parke Avenue. Today, though, since it was the first day back in class, Buffy's mom was driving her and Xander had met Amy for breakfast. So, Willow had walked to school alone. It had been a nice, quiet walk and she had spent the time thinking about the joys that were high school. She really did hate school. Speaking up in class, having the reputation of knowing it all, being a teacher's pet, having the completely wrong look and pretty much being an overall nerd. She was definitely socially challenged. She knew that without a doubt. She would never be able to say the right thing or be cool. It just wasn't her nature.

Today, though, she was rather proud of how she looked. She and Amy had gone shopping the month before and she had splurged and bought several things that she normally never would have worn. Amy had insisted that they looked good on her and she had been persuaded to take a chance. Today, she was wearing a very pretty dark orange colored shirt that fit a bit tighter than she had realized and a pair of brown jeans that were just her style, baggy but not completely swallowing. She had seen herself this morning and thought she actually looked almost pretty. Her red hair fell to her shoulders in layered waves after a trip to the salon last week with Buffy. It was the shortest her hair had ever been, but she liked it. Buffy said it made her look spunky. She honestly did not know if that was a compliment or not, but she had decided to Buffy it must be. Willow just knew that she would no longer have the hair to hide behind, a trait she had picked up in elementary school when she had realized that if she leaned forward just a bit, she could conceal herself behind the curtain of red. She had decided that this was her junior year. She had spent sixteen years hiding herself away. Well, no more.

"Hello Willow," a falsely sweet voice said from behind her.

Willow closed her eyes briefly, the familiar wave of self-consciousness overtaking her as she turned to face Cordelia Chase and her harpies. "Cordy. Did you have a nice summer?"

"Of course," Cordelia said, her eyes running over Willow's form. "I am so surprised to see you standing here alone. What happened to your little hoodlum friends? Did they realize that you are a geek and decide to disassociate themselves from you finally?"

Willow listened to the girls laugh as Cordelia looked at her with that smug smile. "They aren't here yet."

"Some friends," Cordelia remarked, an edge of anger in her tone before she lightened it. "Leaving you all alone the first day of school. Guess they know you'll always be waiting for them. Good old reliable Willow."

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Willow asked, her tone a bit sharper than she had wished. She saw Cordelia straighten as the brunette's eyes narrowed.

"Actually, yes. Just about anything would be more important than wasting my time talking to a social reject like you," Cordelia said sweetly.

"Good one, Cordy," Harmony said, looking at Willow and rolling her eyes. "We have better people to see and be seen with. Leave the nerd alone."

Cordelia smiled, "Very true, Harm. Oh, Willow, by the way?"

"What?" Willow asked, her tone resigned.

"Love the pants. Did you have to rob a homeless man?" she asked, laughing as she walked away with her friends. She glanced back over her shoulder, watching as Willow looked at the ground, the redhead's arms going around herself as she shuffled to sit down on one of the empty benches. Cordelia's smile faded slightly before she raised her chin and turned back to her friends, the smile firmly planted back in its place.

********************

"You sure told her," Harmony said, laughing as they entered the school.

"Yeah, who does she think she is? Being snappy to you like that," Aurora echoed in her breathless tone that irritated Cordy to no end.

"Hey, watch it," Cordelia said, giving the four girls her special stare.

Carly sighed, "Sorry, Cordelia. We forgot."

"Can I just ask again why we can't pick on that geek?" Harmony asked, her tone disgusted.

"Because, I said so," Cordelia said, her tone giving no room for arguments.

"Yeah, Harm....cause she said so," Erica said, her dislike for Harmony evident in her tone before she smiled. "We all know that Cordelia is the only one allowed to pick on Willow. It's been like that forever."

"Well, excuse me," Harmony said, glaring at Erica. "I just asked. I know that Cordy enjoys picking on her. I just wondered why we couldn't do it too."

"You know," Aurora said, looking away from the mirror in her locker and frowning. "She actually looked almost pretty today. I like her hair like that."

Cordelia frowned as she looked into her locker. "Oh please. What was she wearing? Those jeans could have fit two of her. And that shirt? While it did bring out the color in her eyes, it did nothing with her hair color. She was just playing dress up."

"Yeah, I mean, Willow pretty?" Harmony said, giving Aurora a disbelieving look. "She isn't anywhere close to pretty."

"She could be," Cordelia said sharply, giving the blonde a look.

Harmony snorted, "Oh yeah, I can really see that. Good one, Cor. Like she could ever get a date."

"She is real sweet," Erica mentioned, "I mean, she is the *only* reason I was able to pass Bio last year. If she hadn't tutored me, well, I'd have flunked."

"That's all she is good for though," Harmony said. "Homework and tutoring. Other than that, she's complete bore."

"Harmony, that's enough," Cordelia said, rolling her eyes. "Willow may be the biggest nerd this school has ever seen, but she isn't nearly that bad."

"Oh please, this coming from you?" Harmony said, looking at Cordelia. "You can't stand her. I can't remember a single day for years that you haven't found some way to belittle her. Don't be acting all holier than thou now just because you think you might need help in computer lab or something. She's a loser!"

"Just drop it," Cordelia said, not wanting to be drawn into some stupid argument. Besides, Harmony was right. She did pick on Willow. Had since they had met in elementary school. She was being pretty hypocritical at the moment by defending Willow when Harmony was just repeating things she had said previously herself.

Harmony suddenly smiled, "Wait a minute."

"What?" Cordelia asked, her tone irritated. She really hated school. She'd rather be home alone with only the television for company than to have to keep up the act constantly.

"You seem to think Willow has some sort of potential or something," Harmony said, a thoughtful look on her face.

"I never said that," Cordelia said, glancing at the others and seeing them watching with interest.

"She didn't," Erica echoed.

"Yeah, but she did say that Willow could be pretty," Carly remembered.

Harmony smiled, "You really think so, Cordy?"

"What is this about?" Cordelia asked again.

"I was just wondering if you were willing to back up your thoughts," Harmony said, watching as Cordelia realized what she was doing. This would be perfect. Cordelia could either back down in front of the others or she could accept Harmony's idea. Either way, Harmony couldn't see how she would lose. Cordelia Chase would finally be taken down a step or two.

"You want to bet? What? That Willow could be pretty?" Cordelia asked, watching as the smirk crossed Harmony's face. God how she hated that blonde bitch.

"I bet that, even with your help, she couldn't get a date to the Fall Formal," Harmony said, watching as Cordelia frowned.

"A date? You want to bet that Willow couldn't get a date?" Cordelia said, rolling her eyes. "Is your life so pathetic, Harm?"

Harmony frowned, "Scared Cordy?"

"I could easily get her a date," Cordelia said, her competitive streak surfacing.

"No, she has to get the date. I don't want you bribing some guy into taking the little nobody just so you'd win," Harmony said. She wasn't that stupid. "If you think she has such potential to be pretty, help her. You're the expert at looking good, after all. If anyone could help the nerd, you could."

"What do I get when I win?" Cordelia asked, wondering if it would be worth making Willow over just to save face.

"I don't know," Harmony said, having not farther ahead than forcing Cordelia to either spend time with the one person she seemed to hate more than any others or force the girl into admitting defeat before it began.

"What about that red suede coat you just got?" Aurora suggested, smiling slightly. "I know that Cordy loves it."

"My jacket?" Harmony squeaked, "I haven't even worn it yet."

"Scared, Harm?" Cordelia said, smiling. "I do love that jacket."

"What about when I win?" Harmony said. "I can't think of anything Cordelia has that I would wear."

"If you win, I'll resign as head cheerleader," Cordelia said simply. She heard the gasps from the other girls and saw Harmony's eyes widen. "But, know this, I have no intention of losing."

"Transforming that geek into a date able girl? You haven't got a chance," Harmony said. "Besides, she hates you as much as you hate her. Do you really think she's going to let you close enough to make her over?"

"She's right, Cor," Erica said, hating to admit that Harmony was right. "Maybe you should think about this. I don't want you to quit the squad over this."

"I am a Chase," Cordelia said, smiling slightly. "We never lose. Harmony, you've got yourself a bet."

********************

Cordelia entered the library, her eyes scanning the empty tables before settling on the quiet redhead in the corner, typing away at the computer. It was the fourth day of school and Cordy had noticed Xander sitting outside with Amy and Buffy flirting with some guy from their English class. She had assumed then that Willow had been left to her own devices, again. She hated the way the girl's friends treated her. They always wanted to say that she was the callous cruel one, yet they seemed to forget about Willow as soon as something else came along. She didn't know why anyone that would be lucky enough to have the redhead's friendship would risk it all so often. She knew she would do whatever needed to never lose Willow if she had her. Friendship that was, she amended mentally.

Cordelia straightened her back and lifted her head as she walked into the library. It wouldn't do to get caught ogling Willow. Wouldn't do at all. "There you are."

Willow heard the voice and tensed. She sighed, her plans for a silent lunch completely changing when she heard Cordelia's voice. Willow glanced at the cheerleader, "Yes, here I am."

"I've been looking everywhere for you," Cordelia said, not wanting Willow to know that she had actually known automatically to search for her at the library when it was evident she wasn't in the cafeteria.

"I hadn't realized I was lost," Willow said, irritated that the moping she had planned to do alone had been interrupted.

"Oooh, someone's touchy today," Cordelia said. She smiled sweetly, "Is it that time of the month, Willow darling?"

"What do you want, Cordelia?" Willow asked, not giving Cordy the satisfaction of arguing with her.

"You," Cordelia replied, her face flushing as Willow's eyes widened. "I um I meant....that is..."

Willow sighed, knowing that no one wanted her, especially not someone like Cordelia Chase. Not that she wanted Cordelia to want her, she thought. Because, that would be wrong. Yet, she couldn't deny that Cordelia's matter of fact tone had caused butterflies in places Willow had never felt anything. What was wrong with her? This was Cordy of all people. They hated each other. "You need help on homework. What subject?"

"Actually, none," Cordelia said, frowning. "I may not be near as smart as you are, Willow Rosenberg, but I can hold my own."

Willow frowned at Cordelia's snappy tone, "Then what do you want?"

Cordelia smiled, "Why don't we discuss this elsewhere? Every time I am in this place, I just can't think. The smell of books or something."

"I'm in the middle of something," Willow protested, resisting the urge to ask when Cordelia ever thought.

"Well, get out of it. We have," Cordelia glanced at her watch, "forty three minutes left until lunch is over. We can go grab some fast food and talk. My treat."

"I can buy my own food," Willow grumbled, wondering what was so vastly important that Cordelia would not only seek her out but also offer to buy her lunch. She considered protesting again, but her curiosity got the better of her. She turned her computer off, glad she really hadn't started anything. She had intended to sit in the silence of the library and reflect on the poor state of life. School had not even been in session a week and already she was feeling alone. Buffy, whom she honestly thought was so enamored of Angel that she'd spend more time with Willow during school, had spent four days flirting with some good looking transfer student. Amy and Xander were falling in love, which was nice, but it left Willow out anytime she was with them. Actually, spending lunch with Cordelia wouldn't be all that bad, not that she'd ever admit it. Being alone was not fun.

"Good, then it's a date," Cordelia said, closing her eyes briefly as she mentally kicked herself. Damn this was great. Just fucking great. With Willow alone less than ten minutes and she had already embarrassed herself twice. Did no one understand the reason she picked on the redhead so much? When she tried to be nice to her, her attraction and these weird mixed up feelings for the girl came out to play. She had already said that she wanted Willow and now she was talking about dates. This was so not good. Maybe not being a cheerleader wouldn't be too bad. Remembering Harmony's smug face, she frowned. No. She was going to do this. If it was the last thing she did, she'd win this bet.

"Let's go," Willow said turning to face the girl. She didn't say anything out loud, but Cordelia's use of the word date almost amused her. It would be the first date she had ever gone on, if this was a true date. As it was, she knew from hearing Cordy and her friends, they referred to any outing as a date. She again chose to ignore why the idea of having a real date with Cordelia didn't bother her the way it should. She knew she had been attracted to girls before. She had accepted that part of herself, knowing that she wasn't a lesbian because she liked guys too. There was just something special about women that struck her fancy in a way that looking at guys did not. She could also confess that quite a few of her squidgy feelings for females centered upon the bane of her existence, Cordelia Chase. But, it was better to forget such thoughts and not mention them out loud. Speaking of those sort of things was not smart and could lead to even more humiliation at school than she already faced every day. "Let's get some lunch and then you can tell me what it is you need from me."

Cordelia's mind flashed with delicious images to answer Willow's question. She sighed loudly, knowing this would the most difficult forty minutes of her life. "Come on then. My car's outside. Let's get out of here."

********************

Willow sat down and watched Cordelia sit in the booth opposite her. She took the menu from the waitress, knowing what she was going to order without looking. She loved Charlie's, an old fashioned fifties diner that had greasy burgers and milk shakes. She was rather surprised that Cordelia knew about it. Charlie's was not in Sunnydale exactly, instead being downtown in Marshdale, a small town almost thirty minutes from Sunnydale. "So, I guess this means I'm missing my next class."

Cordelia nodded, not sure what had prompted her to come all the way to Marshdale. It was rather a long drive for a simple lunch. Yet, after getting in the car with Willow, they had begun discussing music. It seemed they actually liked many of the same artists. She had found herself driving past McDonalds and heading towards the highway without even thinking about it. In fact, it had only been about ten minutes away that she had realized there was no way they could come here, eat and then make it back to school. "Do you mind?"

Willow frowned, thinking about her schedule. "Not really."

Cordelia smiled, "Good. So, what are you ordering?"

"A cheeseburger and a chocolate milk shake," Willow said, noticing that Cordelia had also not opened her menu. "You?"

"The same, except strawberry instead of chocolate," Cordelia said, smiling at the waitress. "Hi Gracie."

"Delia, why aren't you in class?" the waitress teased, smiling at the pretty girl.

"School is so pointless," Cordelia said with a smile.

"She already knows everything so why attend?" Willow said dryly, a slight smile playing across her lips.

Grace laughed, looking at the pretty redhead. "I like you. What's your name?"

"Willow," she said, wondering why it was that Cordelia seemed so familiar with the waitress.

"Pretty name for a pretty girl," Grace said, watching the girl blush. She glanced at Cordelia, seeing the way the brunette's eyes were watching Willow. She knew that look, often looking at her husband the same way. Times were changing, she realized. And the funny thing was that she was adapting. She may be fifty-four years old, but the idea that these two girls were in love didn't seem unnatural to her. If anything, she was thrilled that Cordelia had finally found someone to love, regardless of sex. The poor thing was so lonely and spent way too much time at the diner just talking. Maybe Willow would finally make the girl smile a true smile, something Grace had seen very rarely. "What will it be, sweetheart?"

Willow and Cordelia placed their orders and watched as Grace left. A silence overtook their table as they both looked at the table. Willow began to run her fingernail over a crack on the surface, picking at the small strip of plastic. Finally, she looked up to find Cordelia watching her. The look in the girl's eyes made her blush as she shifted on the booth. "Um, Cordy...what did you want to talk about?"

Cordelia smiled slightly, having seen the flash of awareness in Willow's eyes. Maybe her redhead wouldn't turn away from her in disgust. "Harmony and I made a bet. I thought you should know."

"A bet?" Willow repeated, frowning. "And you drove me all the way to Marshdale to tell me this why?"

"It was about you," Cordelia said simply.

"What?" Willow squeaked, feeling like an idiot suddenly. Cordelia didn't like her, as a friend or anything else. This was all about some stupid bet. She couldn't believe that she had even begun to think that she and Cordelia might be friends. What a joke. "What bet?"

"Harmony bet me that you couldn't find a date to the Fall Formal, with or without my help," Cordelia said, knowing that she had to be completely honest.

"Good God!" Willow said, feeling embarrassed and stupid and hopeless. The cheerleaders had had a bet about her love life, or lack thereof.

Cordelia frowned, "I didn't want to make the bet. It was just, Harmony was being such a bitch. I can stand her sometimes, but that day she was annoying me and I had to respond when she started insulting you. It soon turned into the bet, and I couldn't refuse without losing face."

"So you made a bet that I would attend the Fall Formal and you now want my help. You want me to find someone to take me just so you don't lose. Do I have it pretty well thought up?" Willow asked, her tone harsh. It suddenly made sense why they had driven to Marshdale. It was too far for Willow to walk home. She was stuck.

"Sort of," Cordelia said, keeping her eyes on Willow's face. "I intended to try to make you over, to make it where you attracted attention and some guy would ask you to the dance."

"Intended? Past tense?" Willow said, a puzzled look crossing her face. Before Cordelia could reply, their food was placed in front of them. She smiled at Grace before sipping her milk shake.

"Yeah, past tense," Cordelia said before taking a bite from her fry. "I've had four days to think about it since the bet. I don't want to make you over into some copy of those sheep. Sure, with the right clothes and make up and hair, you'd attract a lot of guys and probably get a choice of invitations to the dance."

"And that would be bad why?" Willow asked, taking a bite of her burger.

"Because, they wouldn't want you. Not the real you, that is," Cordelia said, her tone sharp. "They'd want the designer version that would be nothing like you really are."

"You don't think they'd want that?" Willow asked, trying to understand Cordelia's strange ramblings.

"Oh, they'd want it. You're beautiful, Willow. With the right look, everyone would see what I do," Cordelia said, "you'd get a date and I'd win. But, I'd really be losing."

"You're confusing me," Willow said, deciding not to mention the feelings that spread over her as Cordelia called her beautiful.

"I'm confusing myself," Cordelia said, smiling sheepishly. "I don't have to make you over for you to get a date, Willow. You're beautiful, intelligent, witty and caring. New clothes and make up will not do anything except conceal the natural beauty that is already there."

"So your brought me to here to tell me that you made a bet that you don't plan on trying to win?" Willow asked, not able to move her eyes from Cordelia's. The girl's words washed over her and she found herself basking in the praise. Someone thought she was beautiful.

"Oh, I plan on winning," Cordelia said, her voice determined. "The bet was just that you'd get a date to the formal."

Willow snorted, "Like that one is ever going to happen."

"Quit it!" Cordelia said, "I don't want to hear anything negative coming from those pretty lips."

"Why?" Willow asked, knowing the question was rather broad.

"Why what?" Cordelia asked. "Why did I make the bet? Why do I pick on you? Why do I act the way I do? Why did I fall in love with you?"

"Huh?" Willow asked, her eyes widening as she heard the last words. She must have mistaken. "What did you say?"

Cordelia grinned wryly, "Why did I fall in love with you?"

"Love? You? Me?" Willow said, not sure what to say. This had to be a joke. "Funny, Cordy. Ha, ha."

"Trust me, it isn't," Cordelia said, sighing. "I have been fighting it for years. Hell, I've wanted you for almost as long as I can remember. It wasn't until last year though, when you became such good friends with Buffy...well, I was jealous. She had you and I didn't. I broke down and started to hang around whenever I could without being obvious. I couldn't let anyone know the truth. My God...I can't believe I'm telling you all of this."

"Are you serious?" Willow asked, leaning back in the booth in shock.

"Very much so," Cordelia admitted. "I've had four days to decide if I could actually set you up with some guy, knowing that his hands would caressing what I wanted to caress....that his lips would be kissing the lips that have haunted me for years....or if I could really find the courage to finally tell you how I really felt. You're disgusted aren't you? You hate me and never want to see me again...."

"I don't hate you," Willow said softly, almost too softly for Cordelia to hear. "I am just surprised. I mean, just Monday you were raking me over the coals and now you want me to believe that you want me. With the bet and everything, it seems a bit unreal."

"The bet has nothing to do with this," Cordelia insisted. "I could care less about winning or losing, really. I mean, I hate the idea that Harmony would win, but I somehow think if my true feelings become known that I'd lose the friends I had anyway. That's not important. You are. You don't have to feel the same way....I know this is probably freaking you out, me being a girl and feeling this way towards you. I just really needed to tell you."

"It isn't freaking me out," Willow said, smiling slightly as Cordelia looked at her with hope. "I just don't really know you. You don't know me either. I mean, you're talking about love which to me is very serious yet this is the longest time we've spent together ever. You can't love me if you don't know me, just as I can't love you if I don't know you."

"I love you, Willow," Cordelia said softly, understanding Willow's logic but knowing her true feelings were sincere.

"Cordelia, shhh," Willow said, holding up her hand. She took a deep breath before continuing, knowing that after this, she could not go back and erase the words or thoughts behind them. "I might could love you, though. If I knew you, the true you. The Cordelia that knows the waitress at Charlie's by her first name. You could get to know me too, and if you still wanted me, well, who knows? We'd have to wait and see."

"Wait....you want to get to know me to see if you could love me?" Cordelia asked, a large smile crossing her face. "Really? Like dating and stuff?"

"Really," Willow said quietly, wondering how she was going to explain this to her friends. Dating Cordelia Chase? She must be crazy.

********************

Willow entered the library with a smile on her face. It had been a wonderful weekend and she was the happiest she had been in weeks. After their lunch together, she and Cordelia had decided to get know each other. It had been so much fun. They had spent all day Saturday shopping, of all things. She had enjoyed it though. Delia had bought clothes and she had bought some new books and a couple of new programs for her computer. Being with Cordelia was far better than she ever would have imagined. Underneath it all, they actually had quite a bit in common. Of course, they had still had their differences. Just enough to makes things a bit interesting.

She sat down at the table, realizing that she was the first one there. Like that was unusual lately. She'd probably be the only one there. She let herself drift back over the weekend, remembering every detail. It was so silly, she decided. It had just been two days. Two days with someone she had considered her greatest enemy until Friday. Two of the most exhilarating days she had ever spent. She could easily find herself falling in love with Cordelia Chase before she knew it. Hell, she was already half in love with her. They had spent Sunday at the Chase mansion, watching old movies and just talking. Willow had heard things from Cordelia that she knew the cheerleader had never told anyone. She had found herself telling the other girl her own secrets and dreams before she had even realized it. If anyone had told her she'd count Cordy as a friend, much less a potential love interest, she knew she would have thought they were nuts. Yet, with Delia, it seemed so right somehow. Like the animosity that had been between them had been to conceal this spark that existed. Remembering the soft feel of Cordelia's lips on hers before she had left the girl's car the previous night, Willow moved slightly in the chair. A definite spark.

"Yo, Will. What's up?" Xander asked as he and Amy entered the library. "Where were you this weekend?"

She looked at them and smiled, "Hi Xan. Amy. This weekend? You called?"

"Yeah," he sat down and opened the box of doughnuts, "I needed some help with chemistry, but you weren't there."

"Oh," she said softly, sighing. Of course. He hadn't want to just talk to her. He'd needed something. Somehow that didn't surprise her. As much as she hated it, she and Xander were drifting apart and had been almost since Jesse had died.

"So, did you have a good weekend?" Amy asked as she playfully wrestled Xander for the only chocolate doughnut.

"It was great," Willow said, smiling slightly.

"What was great?" Buffy asked as she wandered in. She smiled as she leaned over and pulled the chocolate doughnut from Xander's hand. Winking at Amy and Xander, she said, "Pays to have slayer speed."

"Not fair!" Xander said, laughing. "That was the only chocolate one."

Buffy shrugged, "Oh well. There are eleven more to choose from."

"There are still a couple of jellies," Amy pointed out, taking a simply glaze for herself. "Want one, Will?"

"No thanks," Willow said, "I got breakfast this morning."

"You did?" Xander asked, frowning. "So that's where you were."

"Where I was?" she asked.

"I waited for you this morning at the corner. Thought we were walking to school together," Xander said, taking a bite.

"Sorry. I figured since we didn't all last week, that we weren't this year," she said, watching him grin sheepishly.

"That was just the first week of school, Willow. We always walk together," he reminded her.

"I got a ride," she said, shrugging. "In fact, I have a lift to school indefinitely so I don't figure I'll be walking for awhile."

"A lift? Who do you know that has a car?" Buffy asked, licking the chocolate from her fingers. She had stayed quiet during the conversation, feeling slightly guilty that she had been getting a lift from her Mom rather than meeting them to walk as they had done the previous year.

"Yeah," Xander echoed. "And can they give me a lift too? I so hate walking."

Willow laughed, "I'm not sure if you'd want to ride with her. Her driving is a bit dangerous."

"I heard that Willow Rosenberg!" Cordelia said, having walked into the library shortly before. She had been curious to see what Willow would say to answer Buffy's question. She smiled at the redhead, having just left her not thirty minutes before but feeling like it had been an eternity. She saw Willow's eyes light up and felt positively giddy knowing that she had caused that reaction. Willow liked her. Really liked her. The secret private her that no one really knew. It was fantastic. That acceptance just made her love Willow all the more. Like, Cordelia. Not love. Just like. This is all new to both of you and you'd better remember that before you fuck up the best thing that ever happened to you.

"Oh hush, Delia. You know you're an awful driver," Willow said, deciding not to overanalyze the feelings that rushed through her at seeing Cordelia. It was better to take it slow and see what happened.

"You ready?" Cordelia asked, raising an eyebrow at the pretty redhead. "You notice that I am pointedly ignoring that driving comment?"

"Just cause you know it's true," Willow teased, standing as she gathered her stuff.

"Argh!" Cordelia groaned, laughing as she rolled her eyes. "Why are we friends again?"

"Cause I'm so irresistible you have to love me?" Willow asked, smiling as she moved to join the cheerleader.

"Hmm...that must be it," Cordelia said, glancing at Buffy and the others who were watching with confused statements. "Hello gang. Excuse me if I don't sit. I'd say I'm sorry for not staying, but I'm not." She looked back at Willow who was doing her best not to laugh at her blatant honesty. "What? Should I lie and say that I'm happy to see them?"

"No. That would be the nice thing to do," Willow said, pulling her backpack on her shoulder. "And we know that you're rarely nice."

"Thank you!" Cordelia said, beaming. "Come on Red. Let's blow this joint."

"Where are we going again?" Willow asked as they started for the door. She had been so excited to see Cordelia that she hadn't even asked.

"Anywhere that Harmony is not," Cordelia said, shuddering. "I so am not in the mood for that bitch today."

"We should have just stayed here then," Willow said, laughing.

"Nah...too smelly," Cordelia said. "Somewhere quiet, though. I have to finish my journal entry for English."

"I know....we can go hang in the computer lab. Jenny always lets me in early," Willow said, pushing the library doors open. She and Cordelia left the library, deciding that they'd crash in the lab until school started.

"Did I miss something?" Buffy asked, slightly stunned by what had just happened.

"She didn't even say goodbye," Xander muttered, looking at Amy and Buffy. "And since when did they become friends? I mean, just last week Cordelia was belittling Wills in Chemistry. Now they're bosom buddies?"

"Maybe it's a project?" Amy said, confused herself. For as long as she had known them, Cordelia Chase and Willow Rosenberg had been enemies. True, Willow had never done anything to provoke the girl or really fight back, but it was one of the known truths in school. They did not get along. "Homework help or something?"

"Yeah," Buffy nodded, feeling slightly jealous of the easy friendship that had seemed to exist between the girls. She and Willow hadn't really had a chance to do much talking since she had gotten back from LA. Maybe she'd see if her best friend wanted to get together for a girl's night in or a movie or something. "It has to be something like that. I mean, Willow hates Cordelia and Cordy hates Willow. There has to be some assignment or something."

"That must be it," Xander agreed. Satisfied that all had been explained, he took another doughnut before chatting with Buffy and Amy about their night out at the Bronze Friday.

********************

Willow smiled at Cordelia across the floor of the Bronze. They had spent every day together since the weekend before, meeting in the morning at her house, hanging out at lunch whenever possible and then doing homework and watching movies after school until it was time to go to bed. It was nice, just being with someone that seemed to want to be with her. Cordy had been neglecting her other friends, though, just as Willow had been. They had decided to take a break for a night, spending Friday night with their respective social groups. Willow was bored out of her mind. She missed the shared jokes with Cordelia that only the two of them seemed to understand. She couldn't explain how they had clicked so well in such a short time. She just knew it was nice, dating someone, even if no one knew they were dating.

Both girls had decided after a long talk that it would be better to keep their growing involvement to themselves, at least until they were sure there was actually something between them. Willow knew that there was, catching Cordy's eyes on her again as she glanced up. She didn't know how her friends could miss it, miss this attraction that seemed to consume her whenever she was around her former enemy. Not even two weeks before, Willow had been cursing the popular girl with everything nasty word she knew. Now, she could only think about what her lips tasted like. She knew that was weird, but she also had to admit that she had felt similar thoughts before. She was just good at ignoring them. She had never believed Cordelia could ever feel the same, so it was easier to forget any slight squidgy feelings. But, now, seeing the desire in Cordelia's eyes as they watched movies or just sat outside talking, she knew they had both been putting off the inevitable. They wanted each other. Not only that, they liked each other. She didn't know it was love, having never really experienced that elusive emotion, her crush on Xander being the only brush she had had. But, it felt like it could be love.

She listened to Xander tell the group about his adventures in gym class, the knee he had skinned and the way the coach had annoyed him. She rolled her eyes as he went into Coach Morrie's voice, catching it exactly. She had missed her friends, but now she missed Cordelia. If it was really love, she knew they would need to tell people soon. She couldn't continue to hide something this big from the people she cared about. She knew how Cordelia's friends would react. She was in fact a bit worried how people in school would treat them if it became public knowledge. But, in a way, she didn't care. What should it matter the sex of who they loved if it was the person they were in love with? She personally didn't see what was so important about girls dating boys, boys dating girls. You should love the inside, not the outside. But, she wasn't stupid. People in this town were small-minded, Harmony leading the pack. That was why they both had to be sure that whatever was between them was worth the risk. It would be complete upheaval for both their lives. If she continued feeling like this about Cordy, she knew it would be worth it to her. She found her eyes drifting back to Cordelia's table where she was leading a discussing with Harmony and the others. She was frowning, and she didn't look happy. She glanced over at Willow, her frown fading as she smiled softly.

"Oh, eew," Buffy whispered, drawing Willow's attention away from Cordelia.

"Huh?" Willow frowned, looking at her friend. "What's gross?"

"Look over there," Buffy said, "Don't look."

"You just told me to look," Willow said, laughing softly.

"I think those two girls are together," Buffy said, making a face. "Good God, they're holding hands."

"What?" Willow said, her face whitening as she glanced behind her. She saw two girls, both very pretty, sitting at a table alone. "Why do you think they're together?"

"Duh, Will. They're looking into each other's eyes and holding hands," the slayer said, shuddering. "They need to just quit that. I mean, how disgusting? To make kissy faces out in public like that."

"Two women kissing?" Xander asked suddenly, turning to look at the girls. "They are not!"

"Who cares if they are?" Amy asked, not looking at the girls in questions.

"Because, it's just gross. It's just not normal," Buffy said.

"Not normal?" Willow repeated softly, her eyes looking at the table.

"Yeah, I mean why would two hot babes like that want each other when there are so many good guys out here?" Xander asked, adding, "Not that I wouldn't want to watch them."

"You're awful," Amy said, rolling her eyes. "Buffy, quit looking at them."

"What? I just want to see if they are dykes," Buffy said.

"I need to get home," Willow said, getting to her feet. She was getting upset, thinking it was rather ironic that she'd just been thinking of telling her friends that she was falling in love with Cordelia and found herself faced with their obvious distaste at such a relationship. If they knew about her, would they still be so close-minded or would they try to accept her? Did she want to even take the risk of losing them if they knew the truth? She was just so confused, so much happening the past week.

"Already? It's early," Xander said, glancing at his watch.

"I'll walk you home," Buffy said, starting to get to her feet.

"NO!" Willow said, looking up, her eyes wide. "No thanks, Buffy. I need some air. I'm not feeling very well. I'll call you tomorrow, ok?"

"Are you sure?" Buffy asked, wondering why Willow seemed so upset suddenly.

"I'm sure," Willow said, giving them a smile. "You guys have fun."

Cordelia noticed Willow getting to her feet, watching as the redhead shook her head and smiled at Buffy and the others. She glanced at Harmony and the girls at her table, wondering how she had ever spent hours with them. They were so boring, talking only about clothes and boys. Nothing like the conversations she had with Willow, talking about future and past and hopes and dreams. She sighed, missing the redhead she had been falling in love with. She continued to listen to Harmony babble, her thoughts on a certain girl and wondering what sort of future they could ever have together.

Willow made it outside without Buffy following her. She let out a deep breath, her mind whirling. She wished she had someone to talk to. If it was someone other than Cordelia, she could talk to any of her friends about these growing feelings. But, none of them could understand. They'd think she was crazy or try to convince her that her feelings weren't normal. Giles would act flustered and be no help at all. And she couldn't really go to Cordelia and discuss these strange feelings. She sighed, deciding she'd just go home and write her thoughts in her journal. Maybe writing them out would help them make sense. She smiled suddenly, knowing exactly what to do.

********************

Angel took a sip of the blood, setting the mug on the table as he opened his book. He listened to the soft sounds of Mozart and smiled softly, his dark eyes moving across the pages. There was very little he enjoyed more than a good book and Mozart. He read several pages, sipping the blood as he became engrossed in the popular novel. He became aware of a soft knock on his door, surprising him. He shut the book, getting to his feet and sniffing the air. It wasn't Buffy, which was startling. She was the only person who ever visited him, though lately he had hardly seen her. He couldn't protest, knowing that their relationship would never work. She was a slayer and he was a vampire. It was better to stop that mistake before it happened, but he did rather miss the occasional visits. It was the only time he wasn't alone.

He opened the door cautiously, hearing the heartbeat but not recognizing the vaguely familiar scent. His eyes widened slightly before his face went blank. "Willow? Did something happen to Buffy?"

"No," she said, looking at the handsome vampire and feeling the doubts creep into her mind. "This is stupid. I'm sorry I bothered you."

Angel almost smiled at her confused look. He didn't know the redhead very well, having spent very little time with her unless they were patrolling. He had to wonder what would prompt her to come to him. He reached for her before he realized it, touching her upper arm, "Wait. You aren't a bother. Would you like to come in?"

She chewed on her bottom lip, "Are you sure? I mean, I bet you're real busy doing something important. Aren't you?"

"Actually, I was just reading," he said, moving to the side. "Please come in?"

She smiled slightly, "I bet you're wondering why I'm here aren't you?"

He closed the door, his dark eyes looking at the pretty little redhead, "No, I was thinking how nice it was to have company."

She glanced at him, surprise in her eyes, "Really?" She smiled, "I'd never have thought you were lonely."

"You've thought about it before?" he asked, watching her pale skin flush with color. He smiled, watching her in amusement.

"No, of course not," she said hastily, standing beside the couch. She didn't understand why she was there, having somehow found herself at the vampire's apartment instead of her own house. She had barely spoken two-dozen words to the man, yet she was now standing in his living room about to confess something she had barely come to terms with herself.

"Sit Willow," he said, moving to sit in the chair opposite the couch. "I promise I won't buy," he continued, smiling as she again blushed, "unless you want me to."

"What?" she looked at him, laughing softly when she saw the teasing glint in his eyes. "Quit that."

"But it's such fun," he remarked, not knowing exactly why she was there, but finding himself enjoying the visit.

"I have something I need to talk about, and I really need to talk to someone," she began, frowning as she realized how stupid she sounded. "And I was hoping you'd listen and maybe help me."

"What is it?" he asked quietly.

"I wouldn't come to you with this, but I need to talk to someone or I fear I may burst. So much is happening and I can't talk to anyone. I thought you might understand better than anyone else. I've read the watcher diaries and know that you are um well open minded and all that vampire sort of stuff," she took a breath, about to start again.

"Willow," he spoke softly, causing her to look at him. "What is it?"

"I think I'm in love and I'm so confused," she said, frowning.

"And you can't tell anyone except for me?" he asked, slightly confused. Usually her babbling to Buffy or Xander made him smile. Tonight, he was just trying to understand what she was talking about. How did his being a vampire help him understand her being in love? And what did open minds have to do with it?

"No," she said, her tone serious. "You can't tell anyone. Promise me what I tell you will stay between us. Please?"

"I won't talk to anyone," he said, watching her face. He hadn't realized how pretty she was, so innocent. He could sense her purity, being around her tempting his demon.

"The person I love, or think I love," she continued, "is Cordelia."

He raised an eyebrow, trying to keep the surprise off his face, "Cordelia Chase?"

She nodded, sighing as she sank back against the sofa, "You see my dilemma?"

********************

Willow sat back, looking at Angel with an anxious look in her eyes. "And that's it. I think I might love her. She might love me. And I have no idea what we're supposed to do about it."

"I must say, this is not what I expected," Angel admitted, still trying to rid his mind of the images of Cordelia and Willow from his mind. Since her softly spoken words, and then her entire recounting of the story to him, he had been trying to pay the attention to her that she needed while vivid visions of the two beautiful girls flashed through his mind. His pants had grown tight while he had listened. He could imagine the red hair spread out on a pillow and the dark haired beauty with her face buried between those thighs. This must be part of his torture, he decided. Being trusted enough to hear her secret, yet not able to witness what his mind so desperately wanted to see. He again pushed those thoughts away, knowing that he should not even be thinking them much less wanting them to happen. His demon struggled with his soul, both wanting the same thing for the first time in more years than he could remember. God, he needed to get out more.

"Yeah, well, my life is never quite the norm," she said, making a face. "You know, it feels good to have talked to someone about it. I've been keeping it inside for so long I thought I might go crazy."

"Willow, you can talk to me anytime you want," Angel said softly, pushing any attraction he felt for the girl away as his need for friendship overpowered that lust. "I'm always here for you."

"You know, the one good thing about all this so far is getting to know you better," Willow said, having listened to his own history with William during her talk with him. He had loved his childe, that evident in his voice as eyes when he spoke of the man. "It's nice having a friend that knows what this is like."

"I'm sure that the others will accept it, if it does turn out to be something more than attraction," Angel said.

"I used to think that," Willow said softly, remembering their reaction to those two girls at the Bronze earlier that night. "Now, I don't know. I'm past the point of really caring. I mean, if they care about me, they should accept that I love her. It shouldn't matter if she was a woman or a man. Right?"

"It shouldn't," Angel agreed, "but things in the real world don't always work the right way."

"I know that," Willow said, sighing. "That's one reason I'd rather not tell them until I know for sure. That way, if I lose them, I know it will be worth it."

"If she makes you happy, that in itself will be worth it," Angel said, trying to reassure her but not wanting her to believe it will be all roses. "And you do have me."

"Thanks, Angel," she said, glad that she had the man's friendship to count on. He had been wonderful, accepting what she had said without flinching. Of course, his vampire nature made him rather open to sexuality which helped. She didn't fool herself into believing that he would react the same way if human, though she almost believed he might. He had turned out to be not as quiet and brooding as she had always suspected, having a rather dark sarcastic sense of humor that she enjoyed. "It's getting late. I really should be going."

"Are you sure?" he asked, glancing at the clock and seeing that it was way past midnight. He smiled sheepishly, "Sorry, I hadn't realized it was so late. Would you like me to walk you home?"

"That's ok. I think I can make it. I have my trusty stake and cross if someone does bother me," she said, showing him her cross.

"It wouldn't be a problem," he said, not liking the idea of her wandering around at night alone.

"I walk alone all the time," she said, "No need to worry."

"I'll see you out then," he said, getting to his feet, adjusting the front of his pants to conceal the slow softening of his cock.

They went to his door, Willow walking outside and onto the stoop. She breathed in the night air before turning to face him. "Thank you again, Angel. It means so much, having someone listen without judging."

"It isn't a problem, Willow. Don't keep acting as if it was some horrid task. I enjoyed it, actually. It was nice having someone to spend the evening with," he said, lifting his hand and brushing a lock of red hair back over her ear.

"Well, I enjoyed it too," she said quietly, smiling at him.

"You can come back anytime you want, you know," he offered, "even bring Cordelia if you both need a place to be yourselves, so to speak. My door is always open for you."

"I may just take you up on that," she said, leaning up and brushing her lips against his cheek in a friendly kiss. She was determined to ignore the faint flutterings his casual touch had brought, knowing it was just some silly lust. Nothing like what she felt for Cordelia, well, not all of it at least. "Enjoy the rest of your night, Angel."

Angel smiled, watching her walk down the stairs. He reached inside his door, grabbing his keys and a coat before following after her, intending to make sure she got home safely.

Across the street, a soda bottle dropped to the pavement with a soft clang. Xander's mouth hung open, his eyes disbelieving. He watched Angel walking behind Willow, knowing he hadn't been mistaken. His friend had been with the vampire since leaving the Bronze. She had kissed Angel, knowing that he had sort of been dating Buffy even if they had decided to be just friends. He felt betrayed that she had not told them she was seeing Angel. She had lied to them, gone behind their backs. He shook his head in disgust, wondering how he was supposed to face her at school on Monday knowing that she was lying to them all.

********************

"You're kidding!"

Willow laughed, "Nope. He said we were both welcome anytime we needed to let the act go."

"Wow," Cordelia said, shaking her head. "I can't believe Angel was so cool. Hell, girl, I can't believe you went to Angel of all people. What were you thinking?"

"Well, I had read the books about him and knew he had had a relationship with a childe, William. I figured being a vampire that he might understand and I really needed to talk to someone," Willow said.

"Yeah, I can understand that," Cordelia said, sighing.

"I was able to tell him things that I couldn't tell you," Willow confessed sheepishly. "You know, about how I'm feeling and all."

"Really? Feelings?" Cordelia smiled, liking that idea. "You have feelings for me?"

"Maybe," Willow said with a smile.

"Well, I might have feelings for you too," Cordelia teased, chewing on her bottom lip.

"I hope you don't mind my telling Angel," Willow said suddenly, realizing that she might have overstepped the bounds of their tentative relationship.

"Of course not," Cordelia said, taking Willow's hand. "I'm glad that he was cool with it all. And I'm glad that whatever he told you has made you less stressed."

"Actually, he didn't tell me all that much," Willow confessed, "he just listened which meant so much more than any lectures or speeches."

"Remind me to thank him," Cordelia said, standing after she looked at her watch. "Ugh, I have to go. Meeting Harm and the girls to look for dresses for the dance."

"Sounds like fun," Willow said, rolling her eyes. "I'm supposed to meet Buffy and the gang at the library. She saw some slimy demon the other night and we're researching."

"And I thought dress shopping with Harm was bad," Cordelia said, making a face. "I'd rather just sit here with you."

"Me too," Willow said. "But, we have to go."

"Yeah, keep up appearances and all that," Cordelia said, making a face. "Why aren't we just telling them all to mind their own business and let us love who we want?"

"Because we're chicken?" Willow volunteered.

Cordelia had to laugh, "Yeah, that sounds about right." She turned serious as she looked at the redhead she was falling in love with, "You do know that we're gonna have to tell them eventually, don't you?"

"Yeah, I know," Willow said. She shrugged, "Honestly, I never had any doubts that they'd be cool with it until last night. Now, I have no idea how they're going to react. It's weird you know? Being scared of your best friends."

"I don't have any real friends, so it isn't as bad for me," Cordelia admitted. "I mean, Harm hates me no matter who I'm in love with. She'll use this as ammunition, but I don't care. Being popular isn't as important as being with you. Come on, sweets. I'll drop you off at school on my way to the mall."

"Sounds good," Willow said, grabbing her backpack from Delia's sofa. "Pick me up after you get done shopping? Knowing you, that will probably be late this evening anyway."

"Hey now!" Cordelia said defensively then she started to laugh. "You're right. Even with Harm and the girls, I could stay until the mall closed down."

"That should give us enough time to research. I know that I'll be done by nine cause Buffy will have to go on patrol. If we finish earlier, I can wait," Willow said, getting into Cordelia's car.

"Just call me on the cell when you get finished," Cordelia said, smiling. "I don't want you to wait at the library alone if Buffy goes to patrol. You know Xander and Amy will go out and Giles will retreat into that office. I can be at the school in fifteen minutes from the mall."

"The mall is at least twenty minutes away IF you happen to be in your car when I call," Willow said, smiling as they drove towards the school.

"Trust me. Fifteen minutes or less," Cordelia said, smiling.

Willow laughed, seeing the school come into view. "Damn, we're here already? You drive too fast!"

"It's a curse," Cordelia said, laughing. Impulsively, she leaned over and brushed her lips against Willow's in a soft caress. She pulled back, her face tinged with red. "I'll see you soon."

"Yeah, see you soon," Willow said, getting out of the car. She raised her fingers to her lips, watching as Cordelia drove away.

********************

Willow walked into the library, a small smile still on her face. She couldn't believe that Cordelia had kissed her. She felt like doing cartwheels or just simply jumping up and down and screaming. It was silly in a way. It had been a brief touch, just the gentle touching of lips, yet it had felt so right. She greeted the others without really paying attention to them. She was lost in thought as she put her bag on the table and sat down.

She shook her head, knowing now was not the time to be thinking about Cordelia. She had research to do. She glanced up, frowning when she saw Xander glaring at her. Buffy was looking off to her left, staring at something behind Willow. Willow glanced back, seeing nothing except bookcases. Amy was looking at her with an apologetic look before looking back at the book in front of her. Confused, Willow said, "Hey guys. What's up?"

"How could you?" Xander demanded, anger in his voice. Since he had seen Willow leaving Angel's apartment, he had gone from confused to worried to just plain angry. Willow had betrayed them all, gone behind their backs to have an affair with Buffy's ex of all people. She had lied to them. Well, actually she just hadn't told them the truth. He honestly could care less that she was involved with Angel, it was the idea that she hadn't told them about the affair that bothered him the most. Of course, he hated Angel and didn't like the idea of his best friend getting involved with the vampire, but he could have dealt with it if she had just trusted them enough to be honest.

"How could I what?" she asked, looking at Buffy, "Buffy? What happened?"

"I can't talk to you right now," Buffy said softly, closing her eyes briefly. She knew she was acting like a selfish brat. After all, she had been the one that had decided that she and Angel never would have worked out. Why should she care that he seemed to have found happiness with Willow? Because, she had just now found out. She knew it was unreasonable to think that they would have asked her permission or even considered that it might hurt her for her best friend to start dating the guy she had had such deep feelings for for over a year. If it had been her, she knew she wouldn't have thought about those things. In a way, though, she had expected more from Willow. Was it foolish to expect something from someone else that she didn't even expect from herself? OK, so she was a bit jealous that Angel had found it so easy to forget her and move on. That was common. And she felt that Willow should have told her. She could understand why the redhead had been acting so weird the past few weeks. Buffy had to wonder how long the two had been involved. Had it started when she had still been in LA? Could it have been going on even before she had told Angel that they needed to see other people? Xander had said the two had looked very comfortable together the night before. Buffy stood, not wanting to think that she had been played by her best friend and a man that she still loved in her own way.

"What happened?" Willow asked again, hurt in her voice at Buffy's attitude.

"As if you don't know," Xander said, disgust in his voice.

"Xander, talk to me," Willow said, not knowing what was happening. She looked at Buffy as the blonde paced back and forth, looking everywhere except at her.

"Why? You sure as hell haven't been talking to us," Xander said.

"Damn it, Xander. What happened?!" Willow demanded, annoyance in her voice.

"I saw you two," Xander said, frowning. "All lovey dovey and kissy kissy."

"Oh my God," Willow whispered, her face turning white. Xander had seen Cordelia kiss her. "It's not...it's not what you think."

"How do you know what we think?" Buffy asked suddenly, turning to face her friend. "You didn't trust us enough to even tell us the truth!"

"I didn't really know what to say," Willow said softly, flinching at Buffy's look.

"You should have tried the truth," Buffy said, looking away again before she said something she didn't really mean.

"Are you in love?" Amy asked softly, not really agreeing with Xander and Buffy's decision to confront Willow.

"I don't know," Willow said honestly. "We just started sort of dating. I don't really know where it's going, if it's even going anywhere."

"I can't stand here and listen to this," Buffy said, running her hand through her hair.

"Buffy's right," Xander said, feeling a slight prickle of guilt as he saw the tears glimmering in Willow's eyes. He knew he was being a bit rough, but hell, she'd gone behind their backs and started dating Angel without any thoughts to them. "I can't be around you right now, Will."

"You're kicking me out?" she said, stunned that they were acting so betrayed. All she had done was kiss Cordelia. "Isn't that a bit extreme?"

"Extreme? You don't call going behind our backs and starting an affair without even thinking about us extreme?" Buffy asked. "Lying to keep us in the dark!"

"I never lied," Willow defended. "I may not have been completely truthful, but I never lied."

"It doesn't matter," Xander said, sighing. "You didn't trust us enough to be honest. What does that say about our friendship?"

"Yeah, I mean, you're too scared to tell us you're falling in love," Buffy said. "You really trust us that little?"

"I didn't know how you'd react," Willow said, hoping that this was a nightmare and that she'd wake up.

"Well, now you know," Xander said, looking at her. "Why don't you just go home, Wills?"

"You're right. Now I know," she said, blinking back tears as she stood and grabbed her bag. "And you wonder why I never mentioned anything before."

Buffy sat down as the door shut behind the redhead. She sighed, looking at Xander, "Do you think we were too hard?"

"I can rather see her point," Amy said softly, looking at them both. "Would her having been honest from the beginning changed your reactions to the news that she was involved with Angel? I somehow doubt it."

"She lied to us, honey," Xander explained. "This has nothing to do with Angel."

"Who's lying now, Xander?" Amy asked, getting to her feet. "I think you both need to deal with the idea that Willow is with Angel before you start these long speeches about trust and being honest."

"Where are you going?" Xander asked his girlfriend.

"I'm going home. You see, I like Willow. I consider her a dear friend and as long as she's happy, well, I don't care who she loves," Amy said, leaning over and kissing him. "Be honest with yourself before you condemn her for being dishonest."

"You know what?" Buffy asked as Amy left.

"What?" Xander looked at the blonde slayer.

Buffy sighed, grimacing, "I think we really fucked this one up."

********************

Willow left the school still dazed from shock. They had really turned on her. Only in her worst nightmares had her friends been so uncaring and stubborn. She just couldn't understand why they were so upset that she was dating Cordelia. It wasn't their life, it was hers. She felt a soft breeze and glanced around, not really seeing anything except darkness and shadows. She pulled her arms tight around herself as she debated what she should do. In a way she wanted to storm back into the library and make them listen to her. In another, she realized it really wasn't her time. They didn't want to listen to her anyway. If they were really her friends they'd be happy that she was falling in love and not care that it happened to be a woman. Sighing, she decided she should probably just go home. She'd hardly been home except to sleep the past couple of weeks.

She considered the two ways she could get to her house, knowing that the quickest was through the park which also happened to be the most dangerous. She didn't have any specific deadlines so she decided that the longer, safer route was the way to go. She headed away from the park, heading down a street that went rather close to Angel's apartment. She considered stopping by and letting him know what had happened, just feel his supportive arms around her as he listened to her, something her friends didn't seem to want to do. But, this wasn't his problem. It was hers. She knew she should call Cordelia, but it had hardly been an hour since she had been dropped off so the brunette was probably just starting on the second store. Willow had no intention of ruining that fun.

Willow turned down Maple, pausing in front of a familiar two-story house. She realized that it had honestly been over a year since she had been on this street. She moved beside the large tree that stood on the sidewalk opposite the house, leaning her head against the bark. Memories flashed in her mind, memories of two laughing boys having water gun fights, memories of hiding behind this very tree to avoid the spray. She sighed as she saw the now silent house, the For Sale sign in the front yard, faded from over a year of sunlight. After Jesse's death, his parents had moved away from Sunnydale. His mother had not been able to deal with daily reminders of losing her only son. Willow closed her eyes, knowing in her heart that Jesse would have accepted her feelings for Cordelia with a smile and maybe a bit of jealousy. After all, he had had a huge crush on the cheerleader. Jesse may have been goofier than Xander in many ways, but he had always been there for her, helping her deal with her feelings for Xander and so many other things. Having him die not once, but twice had been horrible. Unknown to the others, she had had trouble sleeping for weeks after his death, wondering if she should have died that night with him. Only later did she realize that if she had been supposed to die, she would have. Now, she visited Jesse's grave a few times a month and pretty much moved on with life. That was all she could. She heard a tree branch breaking and opened her eyes, turning her head to the side.

"Oh, you startled me!" she said, shaking her head to clear it. She couldn't believe she had stupidly become lost in memory on a street in Sunnydale at night. She definitely did not have a death wish, but this made her seem like she did.

"You weren't here."

Willow smiled slightly at the pretty woman. "I was thinking. I'm sorry, is that your house?"

The woman glanced at the house behind them and then looked back at Willow. She shook her head, "No. I was just out for a walk. You looked lost."

"Do I know you?" Willow asked, frowning a bit. At closer look, the girl appeared to be her age or a bit older. She thought she knew everyone that went to Sunnydale High.

"Not yet," the girl said with a whisper of a smile. "But you will."

"Um, ok. I have to go now," Willow said, moving away from the tree. "It was nice meeting you and all. Be careful around here at night."

"Careful?" a soft laugh. "I'm always careful."

"All righty then," Willow said, thinking that while the park may have been dangerous she might not have had to confront some strange girl. "Bye now."

"Do you ever listen to the stars?" the girl asked, slowly following Willow. Willow watched the girl's graceful movements, envying that ease and confidence. "They say such lovely things yet no one ever listens to them."

"The stars talk to you?" Willow asked, backing away from the approaching girl while casting glances behind her. She felt no threat from the woman but there was a sense of unease. Maybe it was just that she was not used to being followed by a beautiful yet slightly bizarre woman.

There was no answer, just a slight narrowing of dark eyes. "You're trying to leave me."

Willow was startled by the sound of hurt in the woman's voice and the flash of pain in those hypnotic eyes. "I really need to go home. I'm expected."

A small smile crossed full lips, "You're lying to me, lovey. No one is waiting for you."

"No, I'm not lying. My friend is expecting me. She's going to be at my house anytime and when I'm not there she'll worry," Willow said, trying to sound sincere.

"I suppose that means she shall worry then," the girl said, her eyes clouding slightly as she smiled.

"Leave me alone," Willow said, feeling a slight rush of fear at the woman's tone and look. She turned to run, colliding instead with something hard. She smelled leather and smoke surround her as her face hit cotton fabric. She glanced up, her eyes widening as she looked into cold blue eyes and a sneering face. She started to scream but his hand covered her mouth before she could even finish the thought. She felt strong arms hold her roughly as she struggled against him. He easily turned her around, her back against his chest.

"This the one, pet?" a bored voice asked in a decidedly British accent. His accent was more pronounced than the woman's soft lilting one had been, but she knew they must both be English.

"Yes, she's the one," the girl said coming forward, her eyes pinning Willow in place. "Daddy wants her. More than even he realizes."

"This little chit?" a snort then a curse as Willow's foot hit his leg, "Damn wanker likes to pick the spitfires, that's for sure."

"For her, he'll make me all better," she said, moving her hand up and trailing it along Willow's cheek softly. She leaned in, brushing her lips along Willow's chin before pulling back. Her lower lip thrust out and she said, "I want to keep her. She tastes so sweet. So warm and alive. I can hear her heartbeat, thump thump thump."

"That's not the plan, luv," he said, his tone annoyed.

"Can't we change the plan?" she asked, fingers still brushing against Willow's face. Willow was petrified with fear, having no idea who these people were, who Daddy was and why he would want her. She also didn't want to be kept by this woman. Something told her she would not like that.

"Bloody hell," he cursed, still easily keeping Willow subdued even though he was getting more irritated. "No, pet, we can't change the plan. We get Daddy dearest to give you his blood, you heal, he gets his little trollop back and we leave this damn town without a stake in our hearts. Got it?"

"She's not his," the girl said, a knowing smile crossing her face. "He wants her, but she isn't his. Not yet."

"I know he hasn't had her, but we saw her with him last night," an impatient groan. "You saw her and said she was the way to get him to cooperate. Remember?"

"So pretty," the girl said in response, whispering to Willow. "You like girls better don't you, lovey? So soft..."

"Damn it, Dru. Is this definitely the one?"

Drusilla. Willow thought the name fitting to the beautiful but strange woman. She found herself mesmerized by the woman's eyes, drowning in pools of darkness. For a few moments, she forgot everything: who she was, where she was. The only thing that existed was Drusilla.

"Yes, she's the one," Drusilla said, looking into the blue coldness of her childe's eyes. She smiled at him, her eyes softening when she recognized the worry in their depths. She had been so weak, so ill. He was trying to make her better, to give her her strength back. He had promised her he would fix her and she knew he intended to keep that promise. This girl, this pretty little slip of a human, would give them the bargaining power that they needed when facing her sire. For this girl, her Daddy would listen to them. There would be no fighting. She had seen so much fighting of late. So much blood and death. Not here. Not in this town. Seeing Spike's determined eyes, she knew that it would take what strength she did still possess to prevent that, but she would do it. Her Daddy would help her, then she and Spike could leave this nasty smelling place. "We shall take her with us."

Spike smiled as Drusilla shared a small smile with him. He could see that she was tired, this night having been the most activity she had had since Prague. He looked down at the top of the redhead, rolling his eyes at the entire plan. He didn't know why they couldn't simply take that miserable poof and perform the ritual without his consent. Force the bastard to do something for them for once. But, his Princess wanted consent so damn it he'd get that bastard's consent. He leaned down, smelling the scent of apples and vanilla. He felt her struggle intensify at his sire's words and smiled, inhaling the pleasant aroma of fear. "Nighty night, Red," he whispered in her ear before applying pressure to her throat until she passed out. He slung her body over his shoulder easily, holding out his hand to his Princess. "Shall we, m'dear?"

Drusilla took his hand, leaning slightly against him for support as they walked slowly back to the warehouse, Willow balanced on Spike's shoulder as they merged with the shadows.

********************

"Why do you keep looking at your watch? Are we boring you?" Harmony demanded.

Cordelia looked at the blonde and frowned, "Of course not. I was just expecting a call."

"Ooooh, do tell," Aurora said. "I didn't know you were dating anyone right now, Cor."

"Who is he?" Carly asked eagerly.

"It's no one," Cordelia said, rolling her eyes. "Why does everything have to be about boys to you guys?"

"It's not," Erica said, "but you were expecting a call and you've been looking at your watch non stop for the past hour and a half."

"I have?" Cordelia frowned. "It's nothing. Why don't we finish shopping?"

"Fine, you keep your secrets Cordelia Chase. Just know that eventually we'll find out who he is," Harmony said.

"There isn't a he to find out about now," Cordelia said, "much less later."

Luckily for her, the girls seemed content to drop the subject. She was pretty sure they did not believe her even though she was telling the truth. There wasn't a 'he'. Willow was most decidedly a she. Cordelia managed to get the girls finished with their shopping within another hour. Willow was supposed to call her for a lift after researching. Maybe she was still researching. Cordelia left the other girls in the parking lot at their cars before heading towards the school. She could think of some excuse to be at the library then she could whisk Willow away for some dinner.

She entered the library, an annoyed expression on her face. "Well, this is such a surprise. Finding you all here at night."

"Cordelia Chase. Just what we need," Buffy said, groaning.

"To what do we owe this honor?" Xander asked, rolling his eyes.

"Willow. Where is she? I need help with my chemistry homework," Cordelia said.

"Who knows? Why don't you go ask her boyfriend?" Buffy said, making a face.

"Boyfriend?" Cordelia said, frowning.

"Angel," Xander spat out the name.

Cordelia started to laugh, "What-ever. Not in this lifetime."

"I saw them together just last night. All huggy buggy and lovey dovey," Xander said, making a face.

Cordelia remembered what Willow had told her about Angel hugging her and almost spilled the beans. Instead, she caught herself, "And Willow confessed her dirty little secret?"

"Yep. Well, she never said his name but she didn't deny it," Buffy said. "I'd rather not talk about this right now, and especially not with you."

"You people are so stupid. I bet you didn't even listen," Cordelia said, shaking her head in disgust. "I'll try her at home."

She left the library, angry at them for most likely putting Willow through the wringer without hearing her side. She wondered why Willow hadn't called her but figured the redhead hadn't wanted to bother her shopping. As if shopping was more important to her than Willow. She shook her head, knowing that she and Willow really needed to talk. To clear up a few things. She was in love with Willow and the redhead needed to accept that. She got in her car, heading towards Willow's house. She'd try there first then she knew she'd head to Angel's, the only other place she could think of that Willow might go. Either way, she'd find Willow and find out what Buffy the Bitch had said to her then she'd do her best to make it all better.

********************

Cordelia Chase turned off her car, leaning forward until her forehead touched the steering wheel. She sighed, the soft sound echoing in the empty car. She looked up, staring at the darkness in front of her, unaware of the worry that her eyes held. She had been searching for Willow for more than two hours. Still, she had found nothing. The redhead's house had been empty, no lights turned on. She had dropped by the Bronze, thinking that maybe the girl had gone there to wait for her. She had even gone back to the mall on the off chance that Willow had gone there to search for her. Again, nothing. She couldn't call Buffy or Xander, knowing that neither knew where Willow had gone. In fact, it was their fault that Willow was now missing.

She got out of her car, moving quickly to a front door that she had never stood in front of before. She knocked three times, the sound brisk and business like. She was praying with every breath that Willow would open the door with a smile and a hug. Or at the very least that she would walk into the apartment and see Willow sitting on the sofa. She was doing her best to ignore the voice that was telling her that she lost everything she loved, that she had lost Willow. She counted to twenty three before the door opened. "Angel."

"Cordelia," Angel said quietly, looking at the teen-ager with a puzzled glance.

"You seem very surprised to see me," she said with a sigh. "I guess that means that Willow isn't here."

"No, I'm afraid that I haven't seen her since last night," Angel said. "Why? Did she say she would be here?"

"I don't know where she is," Cordelia admitted with a wry smile. "I've seemed to have lost her."

"Come in," he invited, opening the door to the cheerleader.

"Thanks," she walked in, sitting on the sofa primly as she thought again if she had checked everywhere.

"Now," Angel sat down in his armchair, "you say that you've lost Willow?"

Cordelia nodded, looking up at him with worry in her eyes, "Yeah. She met the gang today at the library. You know, Saturday research session or something. It appears that they pretty much attacked her for something she didn't do. I went shopping and she was supposed to call me when she left. By the time I got there, the idiots were gloating that they had shown Willow the error of her ways and she was gone. She's not at home, she's not at the Bronze, she's not anywhere that I've looked."

"Buffy and Xander attacked her?" Angel asked, slightly confused from trying to follow Cordelia's ramblings.

"Xander saw her leave here last night. They decided that she must be fucking you and told her off," Cordelia said with a sharp tone. "Great friends there. You know, believe what you want and never listen to the people you're supposed to care about."

"You're right. They're idiots that don't realize what they're losing," Angel said quietly. The night before had been nice for him. It had been so long since he'd been comfortable with someone. Willow was special. Of course, his dreams of that afternoon had been rather vivid, the stars being Willow and the girl now sitting on his sofa looking so hopeless.

"She's OK, right?" Cordelia asked. "I probably just missed her?"

"Why don't you phone her again? See if she's arrived at home yet. She might have taken a walk to clear her head," Angel suggested.

"Yeah, that sounds like Willow," Cordelia reluctantly smiled.

"Here," he handed her his phone, watching as she dialed. He hoped with everything that Willow answered the phone. If she didn't, he had no idea what to do. Sunnydale was not a place one got lost in unless there was danger involved. His eyes narrowed as he thought of someone harming his Willow. They'd regret the day they ever touched her, he decided.

"No answer," Cordelia said, placing the phone back in its cradle.

"You up for a bit of hunting?" Angel asked, seeing the fear that entered her eyes at his words. "I'm sure she's fine. Knowing Willow, she probably went for a walk and got sidetracked. But, I'd rather go look just to make sure."

"You don't think she's dead? That some evil nasty Sunnydale thing took her away from me?" Cordelia asked.

"I don't think so," he said, "but I can't promise."

Cordelia let out a breath, gathering her courage. She stood, "OK, let's go. I need to make sure she's OK."

"Cordelia," Angel said quietly, catching her eyes as he pulled his leather coat on. "If anyone has hurt her, they will pay. I promise you that."

"You'd have to get in line," she said with a brave smile as she brushed past him.

He watched her go and almost smiled, suddenly seeing what Willow loved about the cheerleader. He grew serious as he shut the door, walking out to join her. He was going to find Willow, and she was going to be fine.

********************

Willow slowly opened her eyes, sitting up suddenly when she realized that she had no idea where she was. She looked around the room as memories of the night before came to her in flashes. She remembered Xander and Buffy and their horrible words. They had pushed her away. She had lost her friends because she had fallen in love with someone that they did not approve of. She couldn't even feel too bad about losing them. If they couldn't accept Cordelia's place in her life, they could all go to hell. She didn't need them. She had Delia and Angel. Other bits of that night came to her. Flashes of a beautiful woman with dark hair and a lilting accent. Of bleached hair and a sneering smile. Voices speaking of things she did not understand. Why had they taken her and why was she still alive?

"Are you hungry, my pretty?"

Willow looked up, her eyes wide as she looked at the woman standing in the doorway. She wasn't sure what to say so she said nothing.

"Did you sleep well?" the woman came closer, a small frown crossing her pretty face. Her hand came up and she brushed her fingers along Willow's throat. "Spikey was very naughty. He bruised your pretty neck."

"It doesn't hurt," Willow said softly, the coolness of the woman's fingers moving along her throat.

"Such a brave little flower," she said with a smile. "My name is Drusilla, pretty one. Do you remember me? You are going to be my guest for a little while. Until Daddy comes and fixes me up. Then, I'll have to go." Her statement grew wistful as she continued, "Spikey says we can't stay here and play. We have to leave this place when I feel strong."

"Why me?" she asked quietly, not having any idea who this Daddy was or why it would matter that Drusilla had her.

"Don't you know, lovey?" Drusilla looked at her and smiled. "Daddy wants you. He'll help me to save you."

Willow watched the woman sit down, a look of soft pain covering her face for a moment. She asked, "Are you O.K.?"

"I'm fine, my pretty. Just tired. It's been such a long day," Drusilla sighed softly. She brightened, "Are you hungry? You must eat or you will be sick. Daddy wouldn't want me to make you sick. He'd be very unhappy. He's gonna be upset with Spikey for hurting your pretty throat as it is."

"I'm not very hungry," Willow said, feeling an urge to protect this woman that was holding her hostage. She shook her head slightly, not understanding anything that had happened to her.

"You aren't hungry?" Drusilla's face fell. "I sent Spike to get you something to eat. I thought we'd have a tea party."

"I guess I could eat something," Willow said as she watched Drusilla smile brightly. "A tea party sounds nice."

Before Drusilla could respond, the door opened and the blonde guy entered. Willow decided that this must be Spike since he was carrying a bag of food. She saw the top of a bag of potato chips and had to wonder what else the bag contained. He looked at her, his blue eyes cold. They moved over her, seeing Drusilla's hand laying on her arm. His eyes narrowed at that before moving to Drusilla's face and softening. "I got her some food."

"It's not hot," Drusilla said, her tone scolding. "I told you to get her something warm to eat."

"Damn it, Dru. It's four in the bloody morning. Nothing was open but the store," he cursed, tossing the bag to the floor and searching his pockets. Willow almost smiled when she saw him pull out a cigarette and light it. He looked at Dru again and said, "I got her chips and some crackers and a bunch of other healthy things. Daft chit can't eat that much."

"I like chips," Willow said softly, earning her a glare from Spike and a smile from Drusilla.

"Goodie. She likes chips. You're forgiven, Spikey. There shall be some tea for you," Drusilla said, smiling at him.

"Aren't I the lucky one?" he muttered before moving to pick up the discarded bag. He tossed it on the bed beside Willow and sneered, "There you are, pet."

"Thanks," she said softly, watching him carefully. While Drusilla seemed harmless, Spike was an entirely different creature. He scared her.

"Have you spoken to Daddy yet?" Drusilla asked as she began to brush Willow's hair with her fingers.

"No," Spike said shortly. "Don't want to talk to that miserable bastard anymore than I have to."

"He must be worried," Drusilla said softly, looking at Willow then back at Spike. "His pretty pet is missing. You should have phoned and let him know she was playing with me."

"That wasn't the plan, Dru," he said tightly. "We'll call him tomorrow, after he realizes his little harlot is missing."

Willow listened to them with confusion. She still didn't understand who this Daddy was or what he had to do with her being taken. She studied Spike as he and Dru continued to talk of some plan, his face vaguely familiar to her. She frowned, running through her memory. Suddenly, she sat up as it hit her. She looked more closely, knowing she must be imagining things. She wasn't. The same scar, the slight sneer, the cheekbones. She had commented that it was a lovely face less than forty eight hours before. "William."

********************

Spike froze at the redhead's whispered word, his eyes narrowing as they looked at her. "What?"

"You're Angel's William," she said quietly.

"I'm not that wanker's anything," Spike said in disgust. He tossed the cigarette to the carpet, grinding it out with his boot as he lit another. He waited a minute before saying, "He told you about me?"

"He told me a bit. Showed me a sketch," Willow said.

"The poof still has his sketches, ey? Wonder if they keep him warm at night," Spike said. "Wait, guess he's got you for that now, right?"

Willow frowned, "What? Angel? And me?" She started to laugh, "That's insane."

"The stars never lie," Drusilla said, her eyes watching her childe as he kept his eyes on Willow. "They say that you are the key. Daddy will help me to save you. He wants you, pretty pet."

"Angel is your Daddy?" Willow asked, wondering what he was supposed to help Drusilla with.

"Yeah, he's her bloody Daddy," Spike said, spitting out the last word in disgust.

"He's her sire?" Willow asked, wanting to make sure she understood.

"Yes, he's her sire," Spike said. "Curious little mouse aren't you?"

"I'm just trying to understand," Willow defended.

"You know what they say, Red," Spike smiled slightly. "Curiosity killed the cat."

"But satisfaction brought him back," she shot back at him, smirking slightly.

"Children," Drusilla's calm voice suddenly interrupted, "play nice or there shan't be tea for anyone."

"I always play nice, Mum," Spike said, winking at his sire and lover. His smile faded as he saw how tired she looked. He stood, moving towards her. "You need to rest, pet. You're pushing yourself."

"Not that weak, Spikey," she said with a smile. "But I am tired. Are you tired, lovey?"

Willow nodded, finding it amazing that Spike could practically kill her with one look and then treat Drusilla as if she were a porcelain doll. It made him seem a bit more like Angel's William and contradicted the image of him that she had seen. She looked at Drusilla, ignoring the blonde vampire that was kneeling at the dark haired vampire's feet, "I'm actually quite tired. It's been a hectic day."

"Then we shall sleep now and have tea when we awaken," Drusilla said as she stood. She cupped Spike's cheek and smiled, "Are you tired, Spikey?"

"I wouldn't mind getting you into bed, Princess," he said with a leer as he stood.

"Naughty, naughty, Spike," Drusilla said, laughing softly. She pushed the sleeves of her dress off her shoulder, causing the dress to fall to the floor. Standing nude, she looked at Willow, "Are you sleeping in that, lovey?"

"Damn it, Dru. The little wench is not sleeping with us!" Spike said, annoyance in his voice.

"I'm cold," Drusilla said softly, watching Willow's eyes move over the scars that were slowly fading from her body. "It doesn't hurt, pretty pet."

Willow tore her eyes away from Drusilla's pale skin and looked into concerned brown eyes. She glanced at Spike and saw him tapping his foot, the lit cigarette still dangling from his lips. "It doesn't?"

"Happened months ago," Drusilla said. "All the pain is gone. Just makes me tired."

"We need the wanker's blood for a ceremony," Spike said, catching the human's green eyes. "To fix my Princess, we have to have him."

"Why couldn't you just ask him?" Willow had to ask.

"Daddy doesn't like to think of us," Drusilla said softly, her eyes haunted. "We remind him of the past, of things he can't change. Bad memories. For you, he will help. For good memories that are not yet made."

"I don't understand," Willow said.

"That's a shock," Spike snorted. "Dru, honey, can we go to bed? I'm tired."

"Of course," Drusilla said, her eyes clearing as she smiled. She moved back onto the bed, her hand taking Willow's. "We shall sleep, pretty pet."

"Not here!" Spike cursed, kicking the chair. He froze when Dru looked at him, her eyebrow raising. He reluctantly pulled his T-shirt off, hearing a soft gasp. He looked up, his lips smiling when he saw the girl staring at him wide eyed. He knew she was innocent, that much was obvious. But, he'd assumed she must have seen a man nude before. Hell, she hadn't batted an eye when Dru had disrobed. Speaking of, he tossed his shirt to Drusilla, "Put this on, Princess. Don't want to upset your little pet, do we?"

"Willow doesn't mind if I'm uncovered," Drusilla said in a matter of fact tone. She glanced at Willow and saw the girl's red face and the way she was looking at her hands. Frowning, she sighed. "Maybe you're right, Spikey."

Spike smiled as he kicked his boots off, leaving his jeans on but unbuttoning the top few buttons. He watched as Drusilla put his T-shirt on and the redhead seemed to relax. Trust Angelus to fall for some prissy little virgin. And a human at that. Only thing worse he could think of would be falling for a slayer. His lip curling in disgust, he shuddered at that nightmare image. He crawled onto the bed beside Drusilla, his arm snaking around her waist. He felt the human stiffen as his hand brushed against her back. He smiled, deciding he could have a bit of fun with this after all.

********************

It was nearly dawn before Angel and Cordelia entered his apartment. The cheerleader looked haggard, her hair limp around her flushed face. She collapsed on Angel's couch, her hand going to her face as she simply breathed in and out. Angel shut the door, removing his coat and tossing it on the table before taking a seat. He leaned forward, his hands going to either side of his forehead as he rubbed his temples.

Cordelia moved her hand, staring at the white of Angel's ceiling without speaking. She couldn't speak. There wasn't anything she could say. They had spent hours searching for Willow. They had found nothing. Not a single sign of the redhead. They had retraced every possible route that Willow could have taken from the school to her house and hadn't even seen a footprint. Cordelia's voice mail was empty so the girl hadn't even tried to call. With each dead end, Cordelia had grown more and more worried. She knew that Angel was concerned. It wasn't anything he had said, him having only spoken maybe a dozen words since leaving his apartment, but it was what he wasn't saying. He wouldn't meet her eyes anymore when she asked if he thought Willow was all right.

Angel heard Cordelia sigh and he looked at the cheerleader. He wished he could say something to cheer her up, but there was nothing he could say. They had traced and retraced several paths with no signs of the diminutive redhead. He had thought once or twice that he had felt her, but he couldn't swear. It had been a slight prickle of familiarity on his flesh, but nothing more. He hadn't even been around her enough to get a good trace on her. Had he simply claimed her when he had first had the inclination, there would have been no need for an exhaustive search. Now, he felt foolish for waiting. Of course, he had only been slightly interested in the girl for the past few months with no true hint that he wanted more than a passing friendship. He didn't even deserve that really. It was only within the past forty eight hours that he'd realized just how deep his feelings for her ran.

"Is she alive?" Cordelia finally asked, just wanting to hear him say yes.

"I don't know," Angel replied honestly.

She flinched at his honesty, wishing for once that he was the type to lie to make girls feel better. But, no, she was stuck with the only truthful vampire in the free world. She moved against the couch, pushing one of the cushions under her back as she sat up slightly. She looked at him, studied him as he looked at nothing. "You care about her, don't you?"

"What?" Angel looked at Cordelia and frowned.

"I can't believe I didn't see it," Cordelia shook her head and laughed. "Here I thought you were helping me because she was your friend."

"She is my friend," Angel clarified with a puzzled look.

"Angel, I look in the mirror all the time. Since Willow came into my life, there's been this light in my eyes that she caused. I can't believe no one has noticed that I've been glowing," she said with a soft smile. "She's special, isn't she?"

"Yes," he admitted.

"I knew it the first time I saw her," Cordelia said, leaning her head back and talking to try to forget that Willow was missing, "We were like six I guess. She had this bright red hair back then. It's darkened as the years have past but back then she looked like Strawberry Shortcake. You probably don't know who that is, being the whole secluded vampire guy. Anyway, that's not important. She had the cutest little smile and the biggest eyes and even then she was so smart. Always knew the answers. It was like the second week of school that I knocked her down on the playground. I just wanted her to look at me and smile. She was so quiet and she never smiled hardly. But, when she did, it was just...special."

Angel sat up and listened to Cordelia talk, watching the statements flash on her pretty face. He knew he wasn't meant to say anything. This was her way of not dealing with Willow's disappearance, getting lost in her memories. Of course, he was also very curious as to how this pairing had come about. He knew Willow's side from her babbling the night before. Cordelia seemed to have spent a lot more time feeling for the girl than Willow probably even knew.

"Unfortunately," Cordelia sighed and smiled wryly, "that wasn't exactly the way to introduce myself to Willow. She ended up being helped up by Xander and a friendship was born. I guess that was the day that she and I became enemies. I never realized just how much I'd regret that push." Cordelia paused as she got lost in thought. "I was thirteen before I realized what I felt for Willow exactly. It took me months of inner debate to realize that it was OK. That I wasn't weird or that I wasn't alone. Of course, I also knew that she hated me. I couldn't really do things that one would normally do if they had a crush on a guy. So, I just continued the same routine. The only way I could get her attention was to pick on her, so I perfected that art. Now, I can't believe that she'd even think of me as a friend much less anything else. Some of the things I said to her, must have made her feel...I'd probably hate me."

"Willow doesn't hold ones past against them," Angel said quietly.

"Anyway," Cordelia moved her head and looked at Angel, "I can see it in your eyes. That same look that are in mine every morning. You're in love with Willow."

"I'm not in love," Angel protested weakly. "She's special, you're right about that. I won't lie and say that I don't have feelings for her. I find recently that I do. But it isn't love."

"Yet," Cordelia whispered softly, not sure she liked the idea of Angel having feelings for her girlfriend. Of course, that was if they found Willow. Her face fell as she brought her legs up, balancing her chin on her knees as she felt a tear slide down her face. "She's got to be OK. I don't think I could...."

Angel moved without thinking. Soon, he was on the couch, holding Cordelia as she began to sob, soaking his shirt as she continued to insist that Willow was fine and that they would find her. He brushed her hair with his hand, whispering that everything would be all right. He just hoped that he was telling the truth.

********************

Willow woke slowly, bringing herself from a pleasant dream about her and Cordelia and a sunny picnic. She whimpered softly as she felt a gentle squeezing around her breast. Her eyes suddenly flashed open as she looked down and saw a large hand holding her breast. She felt a coolness behind her and the feel of a woman's breasts pressing against her back. It took her several moments to remember where she was and who was lying naked behind her. She felt Drusilla move, the woman's leg entwined with hers. The hand around her breast continued to hold her though it no longer squeezed. Her eyes followed the path of the hand up a muscular arm to a point in the shadows that she could not see. Drusilla was not the one holding her. The hand belonged to Spike. She looked back down and resisted the urge to jump from the bed.

She was lying in the bed of two vampires that had kidnapped her and were now fondling her as they slept. It was like something out of a twisted nightmare. While she believed both Spike and Drusilla to be very attractive people, she didn't want to be put in this position. She loved Cordelia. Loved with a capital L. If anyone should be laying pressed naked behind her and caressing her breasts, it should have been her girlfriend, not a duo of vampires that were only using her to trade for Angel's blood. Oh, she knew that Drusilla seemed to be fascinated with her. That much had been made obvious throughout their talking before they had slept. Spike didn't seem to care about her at all as anything other than a way to heal Dru. In a way, his loyalty and love for Dru were refreshing. She felt no fear at him holding her unknowingly in his sleep. She assumed that he believed her to be Dru, or was using this as a way to make her blush, something he had taken great pleasure in doing since they had met.

Thinking of Spike and Dru brought her thoughts around to Angel, the reason she was there now instead of watching a movie with Cordelia. She still didn't understand Drusilla's ramblings about her being anything important to Angel. They had just actually become friends over the past week. Less than that actually. How did such a tentative friendship prove to be something worth him risking his own life over? Of course, Spike also seemed to believe without a doubt that Angel would perform the spell to save her. Spike was a bit biased, though, believing anything that Drusilla said. It was silly, but it gave her a bit of a thrill to think that she meant that much to Angel, even if she knew it was probably exaggerated.

Her mind began to wander again, moving from Angel to Cordelia. She smiled softly, her body warming as it always did when she thought of the cheerleader. She still couldn't believe that she, Willow Rosenberg, was dating Cordelia Chase. She knew that dating was the only word to describe their relationship. What had started off as friendship had drifted into something far more serious. She was in love with Cordelia. Even now, kidnapped and held for the ransom of Angel's co-operation in the spell, she could only wonder if Delia had realized she was gone and, if so, hope that the brunette wasn't too worried. She hated the idea of Cordelia being upset. Especially considering that she, herself, wasn't. While the situation was a bit terrifying, she felt none of the fear that she knew she should feel. Spike normally would have had her scared to death, but she knew he would never do anything against Dru's wishes. And Dru wished for Willow to survive.

Willow's eyes suddenly widened when she felt the hand leave her breast and begin a slow sensual journey down her stomach. She caught her breath, feeling the cool flesh against her own heated skin. This was not happening, she cursed mentally. What was she supposed to do? There was no way in hell she was going to simply lay there meekly as Spike did who knew what to her body in his sleep. Of course, she was talking about an obviously strong Master vampire. Not someone who usually got turned down, she suspected. But, while he was very handsome, he wasn't Cordelia. Her mind suddenly flashed to a particularly delicious vision of Cordelia and Angel joining her in bed with the naked vampires behind her. She felt a blush spread over her face as she pushed that particular vision away as cool fingertips brushed against the soft swell of her stomach. If he ventured just a little bit lower, she knew exactly what he would be touching. She gasped as she moved quickly off the bed, knowing that, despite her lust addled mind, she wanted Cordelia to be the first person who touched her like that, not some vampire who was acting in his sleep.

Willow's eyes narrowed as she looked at the bed, hearing the low sexy chuckle rumpled by sleep. She crossed her arms across her chest as she glared at Spike. The room was cast in the soft glow from a lamp as Spike moved into a sitting position, pushing a pillow behind his back. His lips curled into a lazy smile as he looked at her, his eyes lit with amusement. She saw Drusilla move against the place that she had been laying, her arms reaching out as if for her warmth. A small frown formed on the brunette's face as she was met with empty space. Willow looked at Spike, angry at him for teasing her.

"C'mon, luv. It was all in fun," he said with a wink. "Honestly didn't think you'd let me get that far...."

"I didn't!" she whispered harshly, not wanting to wake Dru. "I was dreaming."

"Tsk, tsk," he shook his finger at her as if scolding a child, "I know you were awake, pet. I heard the change in breathing and heartbeat. You've been awake for nearly half an hour, I'd reason."

"You're impossible," she said, not able to deny his words.

"I do wonder what aroused you so," he said thoughtfully. "The scent is heavenly, luv, but I don't think I was the only cause. Next time I touch you, I'm going to be the only thing you're thinking about."

"There won't be a next time," she said primly. "I was thinking about someone else."

"Your little girly friend?" he said lazily. "The brunette? She definitely is a looker."

"You've seen Cordelia?" she squeaked, suddenly worried for her girlfriend.

"We've been watching you, pet. Drusilla saw you in the park and the stars told her that you were the one," he shrugged as if planning his life by the stars was a commonplace act. For all she knew, it was for him and Dru. "We started following you then. It wasn't till we saw you with him that I realized that the damn stars were right yet again."

"You'd been following me?" she looked at the bed, surprised by his words. "How long?"

"Just a few days. We haven't been in Sunnydale for a week," he said, his hand moving over Drusilla's side as he spoke, a soft smile on his face as he looked at her.

"She was really hurt, wasn't she?" Willow said quietly, seeing the marks still blemishing Drusilla's beautiful body.

"They almost took her from me," he said, looking up at her, "Do you know how that feels? To almost lose someone that is a part of you? Of course you don't. You're still a child. Trust me when I tell you that you never want to feel that pain."

Willow sighed as she heard the emotion in his voice. Seeing them, her entire belief about vampires was lost. They did not fit in with her idea of monsters that killed for food and fun. There was love between them. She hadn't been aware that vampires that could love. Sure, she assumed that Angel had cared for Buffy, but he had a soul. She had thought he was the exception. It seemed that she was wrong. In Spike, she saw a devotion and love that had grown over a hundred years or more. "I'll do everything that I can to help her."

He looked at her, studying her closely before he smiled, the first true smile that she had seen from him. There was no arrogance or amusement, just truth. He said, "I somehow think you will."

Willow watched as he gestured to the empty space beside Drusilla, moving slowly back towards the bed. She paused a moment and looked at him, smiling slightly, "No touching?"

He sighed a dramatic sigh, "If you insist, I'll be good.....for now."

She laughed softly as she moved onto the bed, seeing Drusilla smile as she moved against Willow's warmth. She made herself comfortable again and said, "I guess that will have to do....for now."

********************

Angel woke slowly from his sleep, frowning when he heard the sound of breaking glass. He got out of bed, pulling on a pair of pants and grabbing a shirt that he slid on, leaving it unbuttoned as he wandered into his living room. His dark eyes swept over the rumbled couch until they settled on the brunette girl that was sitting on his kitchen floor with her head resting on her knees and tears silently falling down her cheeks. A broken mug was beside her, coffee covering his white tile. Resisting the impulse to clean up the mess, he moved into the kitchen. He knelt beside the crying girl, gently touching her hair, "Shh, Delia."

Cordelia looked up when she felt him touch her hair, her hand self consciously moving over her face. She laughed weakly, "I'm sorry. It slipped and it broke. I'll buy you another."

"It was just a mug," he said, using his thumb to wipe a tear from her cheek. "Besides, haven't you heard that there's no use crying over spilled coffee."

She sniffled, "That's milk, you idiot."

"Is it? I prefer coffee myself," he said, smiling at her.

"She isn't home yet," Cordelia whispered, "I called her house this morning and there was no answer. I even drove over there but it's all dark. She's gone, Angel."

"No, she isn't," he said, "we just have to find her."

"It's been more than thirteen hours," Cordelia pointed out. "I know Willow. There is no way that she would just up and leave for that long and not tell me. She knows that I'd worry."

"Do you trust me?" Angel asked.

Cordelia nodded, "Yes."

"She's going to be fine," he repeated again. "We'll go out when it get dark and we will find her."

"OK," Cordelia nodded, feeling a little bit better but still missing Willow. She hadn't realized just how important Willow was to her until she couldn't find her. Now, it felt like part of her was missing. They had to find her.

Angel started to speak when he heard his phone. Reaching over, he picked it up and said, "Hello."

"I love my new friend, Daddy. She's so pretty and smart and she likes tea."

Angel froze, his eyes closing as the familiar voice washed over him. No, it couldn't be. "Drusilla?"

Cordelia sat up when she heard Angel's voice, looking at him and seeing his closed eyes.

"Daddy remembers me," she said with glee. Turning serious, she said, "I need your help, Daddy. I'm so very tired. My new friend promised me that you would help me. Will you help me for her?"

"Your new friend?" he repeated, his eyes opening. "Do you have Willow?"

Drusilla giggled, "She's special, isn't she Daddy? Spike is playing with her right now or I'd let you talk to her. Will you help me?"

"Drusilla, do not hurt her."

"I'm not going to hurt her!" Drusilla said, annoyance in her voice. "Daddy doesn't trust me anymore. She's my friend, silly. I would never hurt my friend. Will you help me?"

Angel looked over to see Cordelia watching him with wide, worried eyes. Sighing, he made a deal with his own personal devil, "I'll help you. What do I have to do?"

********************

Cordelia looked around the dark warehouse, trying to ignore the fear she felt. She moved closer to Angel, asking, "Is this the right place?"

He nodded, his dark eyes searching the shadows and finding nothing. He glanced down at Cordelia, seeing the fear in the girl. "It's going to be fine, Delia. I won't let them hurt Willow."

"What if we're too late? What if they already hurt her?" Cordelia asked.

"They didn't," Angel said. "I trust Drusilla."

"I'm glad someone does," Cordelia muttered, not trusting anyone until she had Willow back in her arms.

Angel was about to respond when the door opened and he found himself staring, old memories washing over him as he looked at his beautiful daughter. "Drusilla."

"Daddy, you're here," she smiled, her dark eyes moving to look at the girl beside her. "You're my lovey's pretty pet. She'll be happy to see you."

"Pretty pet?" Cordelia whispered, looking from the pretty vampire to Angel.

"Where's Willow?" Angel asked, not forgetting the reason he was there.

"She's playing with Spike," Drusilla said, her eyes moving over Angel's face in a gentle caress. "I missed you, Daddy."

Angel's face softened as he looked at Drusilla. "What's wrong, Princess? Why are you here?"

She frowned, "I'm so tired, Daddy. It hurts, but you can help me."

"I want to see Willow!" Cordelia said, annoyed that they were still standing outside.

"Feisty one, isn't she?" Drusilla said, smiling slightly. "You'll be good for my lovey."

"Drusilla, can we see Willow?" Angel asked, knowing that Cordelia's patience was near the end.

"Of course, come in," Drusilla moved allowing them to enter the warehouse.

Angel and Cordelia followed Drusilla deep into the warehouse, both stopping in surprise when they heard familiar giggling.

"You're cheating!" Willow said, glaring at Spike.

"Eh, pet, you injure me," he said, holding his heart. "I'd never cheat."

"Willow?" Cordelia whispered, angry and relieved at seeing the redhead who was laying on a rug playing Clue with a guy that had bleached blonde hair.

"Cordelia?" Willow smiled, getting up and rushing her girlfriend. She hugged her tight, breathing in the scent of shampoo and lotion. She pulled back, turning back to look at Spike, "Don't touch that!"

"Who? Me?" Spike said innocently, chuckling as his blue eyes moved to Angel. The smile faded as he sat up, his face shutting down as he simply stared at his grandsire.

********************

Willow looked at Cordelia, not sure what to say. She had so many things on the tip of her tongue that nothing would come out. Instead, she hugged her girlfriend, hoping that somehow Cordelia could hear her thoughts through the hug. She felt Cordelia's hands on her back and smiled, feeling at peace.

Cordelia couldn't believe it. She had been worried for more than a day. Concerned that Willow was dead, being tortured or one of a dozen other horrible images. She hadn't even been able to sleep. Now, she walked in to find the redhead playing Clue of all things. Clue! She was so mad she could spit, but she was also so relieved that Willow was all right that she said nothing. It wasn't Willow's fault that her mind had brought forth such nasty thoughts. Of course, who would believe that the girl would be kidnapped by two evil vampires and end up on the floor playing Clue. Only Willow.

Angel studied the bleached blonde vampire, fighting the whispers of his demon at the sight of the boy. He reluctantly moved his eyes from the beauty of his grandchilde and looked at Cordelia and Willow. Another kind of beauty that made his demon whisper like a madman. Both girls were hugging, not saying a word. But, they didn't have to speak. Their words were coming through in their embrace. He finally settled his eyes on his childe, his beautiful daughter that looked so weak. "Drusilla, why?"

"That's all you have to say?" Spike said as he gracefully got to his feet. "Why?" he imitated in a whiny voice. "Still a bleeding poofster I see."

"William, I was not speaking to you," Angel said in a tight tone, his demon moving forward for a second.

"The name is Spike, Peaches. Course, you'd know that if you'd been around the last eighty years or so," Spike said in a hiss.

"You had earned that horrible nickname when I was still there, WILLIAM," Angel reminded, "and I hated it even then."

Spike snorted, "Yeah, course you did. Not good enough for Angelus only cause you didn't create it."

"It wasn't good enough for you," Angel amended in a quiet voice, studying the blue eyed devil that even now haunted his dreams and memories. He saw Spike's eyes soften slightly before hardening once again into that cold icy blue.

"Let's get this done. I want to get away from this place," Spike said, moving past Angel and deliberately bumping into him. He growled when he felt a hand around his throat, yellow eyes glaring at him.

"Do you not have something to say, William?" Angel demanded, finding himself falling too easily into the pattern of the past. His cock was throbbing after just a few sparring words with Spike. Even now, it was taking every ounce of control not to push the blonde to the floor and fuck him into exhaustion. His eyes softened to their normal brown as he saw the emotions in Spike's eyes, before the younger vampire could hide them. He loosened his hold.

"Sorry, sire," Spike hissed, ignoring his body's reaction to Angel. It had been too long. He had loved his grandsire, would have done anything the dark haired vampire had told him to do, yet, Angel had still left them. As if having a soul would make them want him any less. Stupid ignorant damn bastard.

"No, I'm sorry," Angel said quietly, letting go of Spike and facing Drusilla again. He saw Willow and Cordelia watching him with curious faces. Of course, Willow knew of his past with William. Knew of the love that Angelus had felt, that he too felt. He had forgotten for a moment that he had the soul, that he was not part of Spike's life any longer. Unfortunately, reality quickly reminded him of the facts. "Drusilla, what do you need from me?"

"My Daddy back," Drusilla said in a soft voice, looking at her lovely sire. Her eyes moved to caress Spike's face before looking back at Angel. "My family back. I missed you, Daddy."

Angel felt her arms go around him and he sighed, hugging her against him. He looked at Willow and Cordelia and said, "You girls, go on home. I'll take care of Drusilla."

"I'll walk you, brat," Spike said suddenly, looking at Willow. "Need some air."

"Spike," Angel looked at him, seeing the stubborn look and rolling his eyes, "Smoke when you're out. I still hate the smell of tobacco."

"Come on chits," Spike said, grabbing his duster from the floor. "You two can show me the sights of Sunnydale."

"Won't take very long," Cordelia said with a snort as she followed the blonde, her hand holding Willow's tightly.

Spike shot her a cocky smile, having forgotten she was there, "Name's Spike. You're Red's girl, right?"

"This is Cordelia," Willow said as her face flushed.

"Red's girl," Cordelia added with a large smile.

********************

Willow and Cordelia held hands as they walked along the darkened streets with Spike. Willow couldn't even explain how comforting it was to simply touch Delia after their days apart. Even now, her green eyes were watching Spike with caution but her senses were concentrated on the feel of warm fingers dancing fleetingly across her palm. She watched as Spike stopped walking, having already moved nearly half a block ahead of them. Smoke surrounded him as he tossed the remainder of what had to be his fifth cigarette on the pavement. Blue eyes looked back at them, irritation, annoyance, curiosity and confusion moving across the brilliant depths as his eyes searched his pockets for what Willow supposed would be his sixth cigarette. Strange to find someone undead that was addicted to tobacco, she realized. She had never really thought much about vampires before, not beyond the entire they're evil and must be killed before they kill me train of thought that was. Of course, Angel had been an exception. His soul had made her see him in a different light. Now, though, she was even more confused. Drusilla and Spike did not have a soul, yet Willow had been with them for more than a day and seen things that made the evil image not fit. She knew they were evil, had heard stories that made her nose wrinkle in disgust, but she could also see the love that they obviously had for each other. And they had treated her well, becoming unlikely friends in a very short time. Willow had decided that vampires must be like humans. Some were good, some were bad and some were just what they were. She could accept them as being friends as long as they decided not to kill or torture any of her friends. Reluctantly she let go of Cordelia's hand, smiling a reassuring smile at her girlfriend as she walked towards Spike, her new friend. She knew what he must be dealing with at the moment. Angel had shared things with her about his relationship with William that gave her a bit of insight into the arrogant blonde and his attitude. Looking into his eyes, she sighed, wondering if Angel had any idea what he had inadvertently done to the children he had left behind. She wordlessly held out her hand, giving him a small smile. She was relieved when he smiled a crooked smile back and took her hand. The feel of his cool fingers was a change from Cordelia's warmth but it was a nice difference. She wasn't sure what to say, knowing that the wrong words would send him away. It was also obvious to her that Spike was not the type to really talk about his feelings, probably used to relying on violence as a way of expressing himself. She felt no fear though as she faced him, waiting for whatever he might say.

Spike took a drag from his Marlboro, blowing the smoke behind him so that it did not go into Willow's face. Looking back at her, he saw the same friendly green eyes tempting him to collapse into her arms and spill all of his secrets. Damn cheeky brat, that redhead. Known him less than forty-eight hours yet she seemed to think he'd just tell her things he'd never spoken aloud. He laughed sharply, moving his hand from hers to put his arm around her shoulders. He drew her against him, hearing her soft gasp of surprise. Good, he wanted to keep her guessing. Couldn't let her figure him out that easily. He looked back, seeing the perky brunette narrow her dark eyes at his arm touching Willow and laughed, leaning down and saying, "I still love him, pet, stupid bastard that I am."

"I know," she said with an impish smile as she leaned her head against his leather-clad shoulder, "just as he still loves you."

"Ya think?" he asked, flashing a sheepish grin that was betrayed by the gleam in his eyes.

"You know he does," Willow rolled her eyes, smacking him lightly as they turned down her street. "Seriously, Spike, he's a good friend of mine. If you hurt him, I'll have Drusilla hurt you."

Spike's eyes grew serious as he looked at her for several moments before speaking, "I would never hurt him, luv. He's the one that did the hurting last time, remember?"

"Well, I'll give him the same threat when I see him next time," she said softly, moving her hand up to touch his cheek. "It's gonna work out. Trust me."

"And what about you and the princess?" he asked, nodding his head towards where Cordelia was silently following them. He leaned over and brushed his lips against her ear as he whispered in a gleeful tone, "she's all jealous, pet. I can hear her heart racing from here. You think she's the one?"

Willow smiled at the idea of Cordelia being jealous of Spike of all people. She shook her head, "You're bad. Do you know that? Is that what this entire thing has been? The touching and whispering? Just some little game to make her annoyed?"

"Damn skippy," he said with a smirk. "And it worked."

"Is she really jealous?" Willow asked with a small smile. "You think she might love me?"

"Yeah," he then smiled, "maybe."

"This is my house," Willow said with a laugh as she gestured to the two story they were standing in front of. "Thanks for walking us here."

"Yeah, thanks a lot," Cordelia said, her voice as cold as Willow had ever heard it.

"My pleasure, luvs," Spike said with a smirk. "What we were talking about? I'd say definitely."

It took Willow a minute to figure out what he meant but when she did, she felt a slight blush spread over her face as she looked at Cordelia then back at him. She just smiled, "Go home, Spike. Just don't be too hard on him, OK?"

"The things I do for you, Princess," he said with a twinkle in his eyes as he sighed dramatically, "I'll try," he finally said with a wink as he gave an elaborate bow before turning and heading away from the girls.

"He's quite a character isn't he?" Cordelia said tightly.

Willow just smiled at her girlfriend as she opened her front door, "Come on, Delia. Let's go inside."

********************

Willow walked into her living room, hearing Cordelia shut the door behind them. She sighed, saying, "It's nice to be home."

Cordelia came up behind her, the brunette's arm snaking around her waist as she said, "It's nice to have you home."

Willow turned her head, impulsively catching Cordelia's lips in a sweet kiss. She moaned as her lips opened and she ran her tongue over Delia's lips, seeking entrance. She was rewarded as the mouth opened and tongues met. She reluctantly pulled away as an annoying beep broke through to her. Green eyes swept over Cordelia's pretty face, seeing the reddened lips and eyes dazed with love and passion. Willow smiled, a wave of possession spreading over her as she moved her hand up, her fingers tangling in brown hair. "You're mine, Delia."

"I am?" Cordelia asked, feeling Willow's fingers tighten in her hair as the redhead swept forward and claimed her lips in a kiss that far surpassed the other. It was rough and possessive yet tender and gentle at the same time. She moved her hands behind Willow, one moving along the curve of the redhead's ass and the other simply resting on the small of her back. When Willow pulled away, Cordelia smiled a winning smile and whispered, "I am."

Willow looked at her answering machine, an annoyed look on her face as she moved towards it. "This beeping is getting on my nerves. Let me check my messages and I think we need to talk."

Cordelia nodded as she moved to sit down. Her eyes followed Willow as the redhead hit the message button. She rolled her eyes as she heard the first voice speak.

'Willow, it's Buffy. I came by but you weren't home. Are you there now? If so, pick up. Please? Damn. OK. I fucked up. I...I'm so not going to apologize to a machine. Call me when you get home, 'kay? Thanks'

'Willow, it's me again. Are you still mad? I'm sorry. I overreacted. I just didn't like thinking you had lied to us. It hurt. I'm your friend. You should have trusted me. You and Angel, well, if he makes you happy, it's cool. Call me, 'kay? I'm starting to get worried.'

"Me and Angel what?" Willow asked as she looked at Cordelia with a confused frown.

"Xander saw you and the prince of brood the other night and his idiotic mind jumped to the wrong conclusions. They thought you and Angel were involved," Cordelia explained with an amused smile.

"Me and Angel?" Willow had to laugh, "and suddenly things make so much more sense. So they don't know about you and me?"

"Nope," Cordelia shook her head.

Willow smiled as she hit the button again. "Damn, how many messages did Buffy leave?"

"She must really be worried that she ticked you off," Cordelia observed.

"And she would be right," Willow said with a frown as she began deleting the messages when she heard Buffy's apologetic voice. "There were seven."

"You gonna call her?" Cordelia asked, stretching back on the sofa.

Willow thought about it and shook her head as her green eyes moved over Cordelia. "Nope. She can wait until tomorrow. I have more important things to do tonight."

"You do?" Cordelia smiled a lazy smile as she saw the green eyes moving over her.

"Yep," Willow smiled as she moved towards the couch, the message beep quiet now.

"Like what?" Cordelia asked, hoping that her own intentions weren't completely obvious. She wanted nothing more than to kiss Willow and let things happen that had only happened in her dreams.

Willow sat on the edge of the sofa and looked down at Cordelia. With a giggle, she let herself fall onto Cordelia. She straddled the laughing brunette and leaned down, running her tongue over Cordelia's lips. "Like you?"

Cordelia beamed before she grew serious, "I was so scared Willow. When we couldn't find you, I was so sure that I might have lost you before I had even had you."

"I'm sorry. I tried to get Drusilla to let me call you. I knew you'd be thinking the worst," Willow said softly. "She wouldn't let me ruin her Daddy's surprise though. But, you know, it made me realize a few things, being away from you. What I've been feeling for you, this relationship we've begun, it's right. I love you, Cordelia Chase. I don't want to ever be away from you like that again."

"You do?" Cordelia whispered, knowing that they had said the words in the past but never as serious as now. "Really and truly?"

Willow nodded, "With all my heart. More than I ever imagined loving anyone."

"Me too," Cordelia said, laughing softly. "I mean, I love you too. I think I always did. I don't want to ever lose you."

"You won't," Willow promised with a large smile. Her heart was racing as she heard the words that Cordelia spoke, the seriousness in the brunette's eyes giving her no doubts to their sincerity. "You know, you didn't have to worry about Spike. He's so in love with Drusilla and Angelus that I'm merely some human annoyance."

"It sure as hell didn't look like it," Cordelia said with a frown. "He was watching your ass and I also saw him cop a feel. He was flirting too."

"He's just a harmless flirt," Willow said, laughing. "He's right. You were jealous. He was intentionally trying to get you riled, Delia. He likes to play games with people."

"Well, it worked. And what kind of games exactly?" Cordelia asked, her eyes narrowing as Willow's face grew pink.

"Nothing important," Willow hastened to assure the brunette. "Do you want to stay over tonight?"

Cordelia slowly smiled, petty jealousy of Spike leaving her as she saw that Willow wanted only her. Take that you bleached blonde moron, she thought with a triumphant smile. She was going to get the girl. "Yeah, I'd like that."

********************

Willow fell back on her bed, laughter breaking the silence. She looked into the face of her girlfriend, lover she amended with a large smile. She pushed her hair away from her sweaty face and sighed. "That was...wow."

Cordelia nodded, "Wow doesn't even describe it."

"I never knew it could be like that," Willow said with wide eyes. "Do you think it's always that good?"

"I don't know. I doubt it," Cordelia said with a smile. "I love you, Willow."

"I love you too," she responded easily, thinking how funny it was that three words could make her so happy.

Cordelia laid on the bed beside Willow, her own hair falling across her face. She moved her hand to rest against Willow's flat stomach, feeling the mixture of sweat and her own saliva. She moved her eyes down the redhead, smiling in satisfaction as she saw the rosy nipples begin to harden just from that simple touch and the caress of her eyes. Willow's reaction to her was fascinating. She had never imagined such passion and desire in the shy little redhead. Showed what she knew. Willow had been an amazing lover, tender and sweet but also needy and lusty. Together, they had been unstoppable. They hadn't intended for things to go as far as they had, planning on simply laying together and kissing with maybe a few stray touches. And they had been good for the first hour or so, just laying with their limbs entwined as they had spoken in soft voices, soft kisses breaking their conversation randomly. After one such kiss, they hadn't pulled away. Clothes had soon been laying on the floor as both girls got carried away by passions long ignored. Cordelia smiled as her stomach began to tighten as she watched Willow squirm from her steady caressing of her stomach. She moved her hand lower, her fingers brushing against the coarse red hair wet from release and saliva. She chuckled as she looked at Willow with a wicked smile, "I think we deserve to miss school today. What do you think?" Willow moaned as she felt Cordelia's fingers against her clit, "You expect me to think when you're teasing me like that?"

"Want to stay home today? Play hooky?" Cordelia asked as she leaned forward, tugging the flesh of Willow's stomach into her mouth. "Stay in bed all day," she continued before taking another nip. "Order pizza and veg out." Another nip. "Fuck me six ways from Sunday."

Willow had to laugh, the husky sound doing strange things to Cordelia as the redhead said, "Put that way, how could I possibly refuse?"

"I was hoping you'd say that," Cordelia said with a large smile.

"Let me up for a second," Willow said, groaning as she reached for her phone, glad that it was beside her bed. She dialed a number that was familiar, thankfully getting the machine. "Buffy, it's Willow. I'm not going to class today but would like for you and Xander to come by this afternoon. We need to talk," she hung up, looking at Cordelia with a smile, "I do hope your ready to come out, so to speak. I will not hide our relationship from my friends any longer. You're too important to me."

"I don't mind telling Buffy and Xander and those guys. I mean, I so will not have them thinking that Angel has you when you're mine," Cordelia said. "But, I'm not so sure about school. I mean, can you imagine what that would be like?"

Willow nodded, "Yeah, I'm not that eager to face all that, not yet at least. The gang will probably be bad enough. It's our business, so it should stay that way."

"Good," Cordelia nodded, not really wanting to share her relationship with Willow with everyone just yet. It might be selfish, but she rather liked having the redhead to herself. "But, if it does come out, I don't care. I love you so to hell with people at school and what they think."

"Yeah, that's what I was just thinking," Willow said with a laugh. "Let's just not worry about all that yet. We've got a long time ahead to deal with all that. Right now, I believe someone promised me a day of sex and fun...."

"Did they? And who was that?" Cordelia asked with a smile as she leaned forward and kissed Willow as her fingers dipped lower between the redhead's legs.

********************

"I'm so sorry," Buffy said as she entered Willow's house.

"Save it," Willow said, holding up her hand. She shut the door behind Xander, not looking at either of her friends as she entered the living room. "I don't want to hear whatever you've cooked up as a way to apologize for being a stupid, ignorant bitch and all around bad friend."

"Ouch," Buffy said with a frown as she studied Willow. Something was different, what she wasn't sure. "I deserve that, though." "Yeah, you do," Willow said, facing them both as she sat down. "Sit. We need to talk."

"Before you start, I just want to say that I'm cool with you and Angel," Xander said.

"Yeah, we both are fine with it if it makes you happy," Buffy said.

Willow looked at them with a withering look before she started to laugh, "I'm sorry. It's just, me and Angel? What the hell were you both thinking?"

"What?" Buffy asked, looking at the laughing redhead then at Xander.

"Buffy, Angel is a very good friend but he and I aren't together. Not in the way you two seem to want to believe. In fact, he's actually starting to get involved with someone from his past," Willow said with a smile. She had spent nearly an hour on the phone with the dark haired vampire earlier that day, thinking how wonderful it was that they had become such good friends and especially in such a short time. She was thankful for that friendship as she told him about the newest step in her and Cordelia's relationship and as she had listened to him haltingly mention spending hours talking to Spike. She didn't have to hear the details to know that those two were slowly working out the past.

"He is? With who?" the slayer asked, knowing that she had never really had Angel but still feeling a bit lost knowing he had moved on.

"His name is Spike, and you will not slay him," Willow warned. "He and Angel's daughter Drusilla arrived in town a week ago or so. From what Angel said earlier, I think they will be staying awhile."

"Daughter?" Xander said with a confused frown. "I don't get this. I saw you two together and you hugged. He kissed you. And Spike? A guy? I always knew Angel was...."

"Xander," Willow warned, causing the dark haired teen to smile sheepishly. "This is your fault, you know. You and your overactive mind. Why didn't you both just ask? Instead of attacking me without even asking the truth."

"Well, I'm sorry. I saw you with him and reacted," Xander said, sighing. "I learned my lesson, trust me. Next time, I'll just shut up and not say a word."

"So, we're cool? You forgive us?" Buffy asked, chewing on her bottom lip as she nervously waited for an answer.

"Well, I'm not sure yet," Willow said, her bravado faltering as she looked towards the stairs where Cordelia was standing, waiting. They had decided the best way to tell the others was to just act as if it was nothing special. Let Buffy and Xander deal with it. If they really were her friends, they'd accept it and move on.

"What do we need to do?" Buffy asked, "This weekend was hell, knowing that I had been so stupid and that I might have lost your friendship....I didn't like that."

"Here you are, honey," Cordelia said in a brave voice as she entered the living room. She handed Willow a glass of soda, thankful that the redhead took the cup before her trembling hand spilled anything. She hated to admit it, but she was scared. Sure, Willow loved her and said that it didn't matter what her friends thought. But, Cordelia was still frightened. This was all new to her and she knew how hard it was to be brave against your friends.

"Thanks, lover," Willow said, pulling Cordelia beside her, her hand clasping the cheerleader's tightly. She took a drink of soda and then put it on the table in front of her. She leaned back and rested her head against Cordelia's shoulder as she saw the disbelieving looks on her friends' faces. Disbelief that turned to surprise as Cordelia spoke.

"Willow and Angel? Reeeeally," Cordelia rolled her eyes as she smiled softly at her lover and then looked back at Buffy and Xander, "guess you both feel pretty silly right now."

********************

"She was really speechless?" Angel repeated again before breaking into laughter again.

"Yep. And I thought Xander was going to faint," Cordelia said with a smile. "Before he started to look at us both and began to drool, that is."

"Xander did not drool," Willow said with a wink at her lover, "maybe a little frothing at the mouth but no drool."

"Couldn't blame the bloke, could you?" Spike asked from his position of laying on the couch with his head on Angel's lap. "Two beauties like you shagging like crazy. Can smell sex lingering on you both like some intoxicating perfume. And you make fun of the poor chap. Tsk tsk, princesses."

"You just keep your smelling away from my girl," Cordelia warned the blonde that she had actually started to consider a friend.

"Aw, pet, why can't I play with Red?" Spike asked, giving Willow a playful leer as he winked at the giggling redhead. "She wants to play, don't ya luv?"

"Maybe one day," Willow said with a laugh. "Right now I'm having such fun playing with Delia that I can't even contemplate anyone else. Besides, I fear having you too might just be too much."

"Ever the diplomat," Angel said with a smile at the redhead that still held a piece of his heart.

He was glad that she and Cordelia had seemed so happy, even telling the others the truth about their relationship. He had William, no Spike, back in his life and Drusilla too. He was finally beginning to see that even with the soul he could be happy. In a way, Willow was the one that had forced him into that realization. And he couldn't lie and say that he had stopped wondering what the two girls looked like together. Especially now that, as Spike had said, the scent of sex lingered on them so thick he could smell it in the other room. He also couldn't deny not imagining that same scenario with him and even Spike joining the beautiful girls. Not that that would be happening anytime soon. Their relationship was still in the early phases as was his and Spike's. No, anything more happening between them besides friendship would have to wait awhile. Not that he minded. In the past week since he and Spike and Drusilla had been reunited, he had purchased a lovely mansion with a garden that Drusilla loved and so much space that they could live comfortably. The ritual had been performed to restore her strength, and his favorite childe was now resting upstairs for the few days it would take for her to regain the power and strength that she had lost in Prague. Willow and Cordelia had already become favorite guests, having been over every night since they had moved into the mansion. While they had spent most evenings talking amongst the four of them, five when Drusilla felt well enough to join them, for some reason, their conversation with Buffy had never come up until tonight.

"I try," Willow said with a small smile. "Seriously, though, they handled it better than I thought. I think Buffy was so relieved that I wasn't in love with you that she would have accepted just about anyone, even Delia."

"Hey now!" Cordelia said, glaring at her lover, "I could find that offensive. Besides, she did hand me that standard hurt our Willow and I'll kick your ass warning."

"Wow, you actually earned one of those?" Angel whistled.

"Yep. I was rather proud," Cordelia said with a dazzling smile. "Not often I warrant a threat from the slayer."

"I don't need the slayer to protect me. I think I can handle you myself," Willow said with a confident smile.

"Yeah, I'd put my money on Red," Spike said with a smile. "Doubt the cheerleader would stand a chance against my Red."

"Your what?" Cordelia challenged.

"Stop now," Angel and Willow both said before looking at each other and laughing.

"I feel like we need a time out for both of them," Willow said with a smile as she began to massage the back of Cordelia's neck.

"Cheeky brat," Spike said, his words affectionate as he blew the redhead a kiss.

"So, have you given our offer any thought?" Angel asked the girls as Spike squirmed in his lap, finally resting his blonde head on his upper thigh.

Willow nodded, sharing a smile with Cordelia. "Yeah, we've talked about it. Do you have any idea what you'd be getting into?"

"I think we're prepared for whatever happens," Angel said with a small smile.

Cordelia snorted, "Out of the mouth of babes."

"Ah, luv, nice to know you think we're babes, but my heart belongs to Peaches and Dru with a small bit reserved for Red when she realizes that she wants me," Spike said with a smirk.

"I think I change my vote," Cordelia said with a narrowed glare at Spike before she giggled. "Is he always so insufferable?"

"He was worse in the beginning," Angel said with a stoic nod. "Horribly arrogant and conceited."

"And you loved me anyway," Spike reminded with a smile. "And what do you mean worse?"

"Boys, not arguing," Willow said. "As I was saying, if you're absolutely sure you know what it all means, I'm talking slayer visits in the middle of the night, being nice to Xander, study sessions in the living room and all that, then yes, Cordelia and I would be honored to move in here with your family."

"Really?" Spike sat up, a dopey smile crossing his face. "I was sure Pollyanna there would say no."

"My name is Cordelia," Cordelia said, rolling her eyes. "Why can't he call us by our given names? If it isn't luv or pet, it's some horrible nickname."

"Gets under your skin, doesn't it?" Spike said with a sinister grin. "See, my work is done."

"I think Delia and I should have a room on the opposite side of the mansion," Willow said with a laugh. "And Cordy, be glad he isn't calling you many of the names that he could be."

"Always being logical," Cordelia said with a smile at her lover before she leaned over and caught the redhead's lips in a soft kiss. Pulling back, she looked at Angel and smiled, "So, when do we move in?"

********************

"I can't believe we're really doing this," Willow said with a shy smile at Cordelia.

"Me either, honestly," Cordelia admitted with a giggle. "I can't believe Buffy is the one that pushed us into this."

"She has been wonderful, hasn't she?" Willow said, shaking her head. "I never would have imagined her being so supportive."

"She almost lost you. That scared her into being almost annoyingly supportive," Cordelia said with a roll of her eyes.

"Now, now," Willow scolded. "Just think, after this we get to go home to Angel and Spike and Drusilla. Angel promised to cook us dinner and Spike was even nice before we left today."

"He just wants to get into your panties," Cordelia said with a smile. "Of course, after hearing of your night with him, it sounds as if he already did."

"Would you please quit bringing that up? It was weeks ago and it meant nothing. I was out of bed before he could do anything but touch," Willow reminded.

"I know," Cordelia said, kissing Willow lightly. "You chose me over that bleached blonde moron. Have I told you today just how smart you are?"

"No, but you've called me beautiful and told me you loved me about a dozen times," Willow said with a laugh. "You look wonderful."

"Not as good as you do," Cordelia said, glancing down at her red dress then at Willow's green dress. "Are we really ready for this? I mean, once we go in there is no turning back."

"I love you," Willow said simply.

"OK then. Let's get this nightmare over," Cordelia said, taking Willow's arm and moving from the shadows beside the Sunnydale High gym. The girls walked up the stairs, under the banner that said, Welcome to the Fall Formal, and into the gym where their friends were waiting.

********************

"You both look gorgeous," Buffy said with a smile as she came up to Willow and Cordelia.

"Wow, that's a great dress," Willow said, looking at the dark blue dress the slayer was wearing.

"Isn't it great?" Buffy turned, letting them see the backless dress before facing them again. She leaned forward and whispered, "And the skirt has slits so if any baddies show up, I'm ready for battle."

"It's very becoming," Cordelia said with a smile at the blonde.

"Who are you and what did you do to Cordelia Chase?" Buffy asked, looking at the brunette in shock.

"Am I really that bad," Cordelia asked with a laugh.

"You were," Buffy and Willow both said then laughed. Buffy continued, "Willow seems to mellow you out a bit. I like it."

"Are Xander and Amy here yet?" Willow asked, her hand entwined with Cordelia's.

"Yeah. They've gotten us a table. Last time I saw them, they were dancing," Buffy said. "Talk about feeling like an odd man out. You and Cordelia are the prettiest couple here and Xander and Amy look great too. And I'm alone."

"No you're not. You're with us," Willow said with a smile as she put her arm around the slayer's shoulders. "Chin up, slayer. One day you'll be lucky enough to find someone as perfect for you as Cordy is for me."

"I'd settle for less than perfect," Buffy said before laughing, "Nah, I wouldn't."

"Well, well, well," Harmony said as she moved towards the three girls. "Seems Willow cleans up rather well, but I don't see a date."

"Harmony, girls, so nice to see you," Cordelia said with a smile. "I've been meaning to find you all week."

"You've been quite a stranger lately, haven't you?" Harmony said with a fake smile.

"Better things to do," Cordelia said with a sincere smile. "Anyway, the reason I wanted to see you was to officially resign my spot on the squad. I used to love cheerleading, but it just hasn't been any fun lately."

"You can't," Aurora protested.

"She just knows she's going to lose that bet," Harmony said with a triumphant smile.

"Actually, Harm," Willow spoke up as she smiled at the girls, "I do have a date so guess you lost. Are you ready, lover?"

Cordelia smiled and nodded, "More than ready."

Cordelia put her arm around Willow's waist and kissed her lightly, listening in satisfaction as Harmony gasped. She looked up and winked at an amused Buffy before looking back at the girls, "If you'll excuse me, I have a redhead waiting for me."

With that, Willow, Cordelia and Buffy moved away from the others and towards the table that Xander and Amy were sitting at waiting for them. Oblivious to the stares of surprise, appreciation or disgust, Willow and Cordelia sat down, their hands clasped, their love obvious.



THE END