Inell's Fanfiction Archive

Doyle watched his boss pace back and forth. Smiling, he reached for his beer. "Bout made a whole in the carpet." he observed.

Angel stopped and glanced at him. "Is my pacing bothering you? If it is, there's the door."

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. Grumpy old man." Doyle said dryly, his blue eyes flashing with amusement.

"I'm not grumpy" Angel defended. Seeing the smirk on Doyle's face, he sighed loudly. "I am not getting into this with you. She's late."

"She's driving in rush hour traffic boss. Give the kid a break."

"You're right. I just hope nothing happened to her. If she dies, Buffy will kill me."

"You worry about the stupidest things. You need to get out. Have some fun. Party."

Angel again glared at him. "I think you party enough for all half of LA."

Doyle ignored Angel's harsh words and drank more of his beer. The vampire was in constant brood mode. This was the most he'd spoken in the three weeks that Doyle had been there.

Doyle heard the door and saw Angel smile. A real smile. This girl must be something. He turned, raising his beer to his lips. He froze, the beer hanging in the air. She was a goddess come to life from the stories his mum told him. Red hair cascaded around her face. Green eyes that flashed with joy at seeing her old friend and a bit of irritation, at the traffic perhaps? Her petite body was slim and attractive. He saw the gentle swell of breasts underneath her T-shirt. Blue jeans encased her legs.

"Angel" Willow said, hugging the vampire. He'd only been gone a month, but it seemed much longer with Buffy counting each second. "Traffic sucks" she said, smiling at her friend. She was surprised to see a true smile on his face. His chuckle also surprised her.

"Same old Willow. How is everyone?" he asked nonchalantly.

"Buffy is still whining and crying but she's doing better."

"Will." Angel scolded her softly.

Willow's eyes roamed the room, settling on the man standing near the kitchen. She felt a rush spread through her. He was gorgeous in that bad guy sort of way. Dark hair, blue eyes, a handsome face. Lean build. His eyes were intense. She could sense such power in his form. Leather coat around his shoulder. He had a beer paused in mid-air.

She moved forward. "You must be Doyle. I'm Willow." she shook his hand, wondering if he felt the same wave of heat spread through him at their simple touch.

"Willow. I'm Doyle" he said, his eyes not leaving her face. His voice showed him to be Irish. She smiled.

"We've established that" Angel said crossly. He didn't like the way Doyle was looking at Willow as though she were the all you can eat bar at the corner Chinese restaurant. "You can give her hand back."

Doyle reluctantly let her have her hand go. "I'd better take off. Lots to do. Lots to see. Nice meeting you kid" he said to Willow. She was barely eighteen. He was what, seven..eight years older than her. Besides, he could see the glare that 'Daddy' was giving him.

Willow watched him leave, her eyes taking in everything about the man. She turned to Angel and scolded, "That wasn't very nice."

To her surprise, Angel laughed and hugged her again. "This is going to be a great summer. You just wait and see."

Willow thought of the mysterious Doyle. It did have potential, she decided.

**********

"You bored yet?"

Willow looked up into amused blue eyes. "Getting there."

Doyle nodded. "Want some ice cream? I know this great little place. Has about 35 flavors."

"Really? If I start today, I may get them all tried before I leave." Willow smiled at him.

She had been in LA for three days. So far, she had only left Angel's house/office to go to the store. He wouldn't let her out at night for some silly reason. She didn't want to wander around during the day alone. She had seen Doyle every day, and, while he'd been polite, he had stayed off to himself. She wondered if Angel had said anything to him.

"Well, get Daddy's permission and I'll take you" Doyle said smiling at the girl.

He had tried. He really had. There was just something about her that drew him to her. She had such an innocence, yet her eyes showed such knowledge and maturity. He hoped that Angel wouldn't make a big deal over ice cream. The girl needed to get out.

"I'm an adult. I don't need permission" Willow declared. She went to the phone and rang downstairs, "Angel, Doyle and I are going for ice cream. We'll be back before too late. Got the system ordered. Should be here in the next two days. See you tonight."

She hung up not giving him a chance to say anything. "Let's go."

He smiled crookedly. She really was something. "We'll take Angel's car. He won't be needing it today."

Willow giggled. "He's going to be pissed. Come on. Where is this place?"

Doyle started the car and drove off. "Santa Monica. On the pier. You'll love it."

She smiled softly, "Thank you."

He glanced at her curiously, "For what?"

"Breaking me out of that prison. My hero" she said laughing softly.

Doyle heard the words and felt a rush of pleasure shoot through him. He liked that. Her hero. He turned the radio on and headed for Santa Monica.

**********

Willow watched the waves and licked at her chocolate ice cream. The afternoon had been fantastic. She and Doyle had spent hours wandering around and just having fun. She really liked him. Liked being with him.

"This is great" she said smiling at him.

"One of my favorite places." he said softly. He had let his guard down around the girl. There was something about her that made him want to be honest. She had accepted everything he told her with an easy grin.

"What's it like being a demon?"

"I use to hate it. Still do most the time. Getting use to it though. What's it like sitting here with a demon?"

Willow laughed, "Nice. You look surprised."

"Not many people accept it as easily as you."

"Think about it. My ex-boyfriend is a werewolf. My best friend dated a vampire. My other best friend took a thousand year old demon to the prom. I'd say you were the least of my worries."

"I'd say that town of yours is a bit loony."

"I'd agree" Willow smiled at him.

"You ever wish you could get out? Go somewhere normal and live out your life,"

"No. Knowing what I know, what could normal be? I enjoy fighting the evil with the others. Makes me feel likes I'm making at least a small difference. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Doyle smiled. She was something else. He had enjoyed talking to her. He had opened himself up in a way that he hadn't in years. It scared him.

"Thank you busting me out today. It was nice to spend the day with a new friend."

"My pleasure. If you'd stayed with Angel much longer, you might have taken to wearing all black. Can't have that."

Willow laughed and then sighed, "It's really beautiful here."

Doyle nodded in agreement, "I come here often when I want to think. The waves put me at peace. It's one of my favorite places in the world. Just something about it that is so calming. Makes me happy. It's nice to share it with someone."

Willow turned back to stare at the water as she finished her ice cream. She heard the sadness in his voice and wondered who had hurt him. He was such a nice guy. Sure, he had this image of a gambling, boozing horndog, but today she had seen below the surface. She had seen the real Doyle. He was a good guy.

Doyle watched her, enjoying the way the sun brought out the redness in her hair. He hated for this moment to end. The comfortable silence they had made him happy. He shook his head softly. What the hell was he doing? Damn it man. She wants to be friends. You need to accept that there will be nothing else. He continued to watch the sun slowly set.

**********

"Stay away from her."

Doyle looked up into angry brown eyes. "What?"

Angel sat back, his eyes not moving from the younger man's face. "Willow. Stay away from her."

"We're just friends, boss."

"I see the way you look at her. She's starting to get a crush on you."

"She is?" Doyle asked hopefully, smiling at the thought of the redhead.

Angel sighed in disgust, "Doyle. I mean it. I like Willow. She's one of the only people I've ever been able to call a friend. I don't want her hurt."

Doyle looked outraged, "I would never hurt her."

Angel relented a bit, "I know. Not willingly you wouldn't. She's only 18. She's still a child. She's had one steady boyfriend in her entire life and that just ended last month before graduation. You have the power to really hurt her."

"I like her. A lot."

Angel smiled slightly at Doyle's forlorn expression. He had seen the two get closer over the last week. Willow had become infatuated as had Doyle. He knew the demon would never hurt her physically. Emotionally was a different story. Willow was still rather naive and innocent. If things between progressed too far, she'd be hurt.

"I know you do. She has that ability to get people to like her. I'm not saying don't be a friend. Just, be careful with her."

"Sure thing. I'd better get going. I need to meet some people."

Angel watched him go. He knew that it was none of his business what happened between them, but he felt responsible for his friend.

"Angel, I could kill you" The words were spoken softly from the doorway. He turned and saw Willow standing there, her eyes on fire.

"Why?"

"You warned him off! What if I wanted to be taken advantage of? He's a nice guy. I like him."

"He's older than you"

"Oh, and you and Buffy were so close in age. Don't give me that. I'm an adult. I've taken care of myself since I was ten. I know how to do a good job of it. Now, he probably won't even speak to me again."

"If he's interested, he will."

"He's not."

"Will, I'm a man. I know when someone is interested. Doyle's past that stage and to the wanting to get closer stage. I won't interfere again as long as you promise to be careful."

Willow smiled. She knew how hard it had been for Angel to admit that he might be wrong about her and Doyle. "Thank you, Dad."

"You're as bad as Spike."

Willow's grin deepened, "Really? Wow. That's a compliment. What? I've always had this secret part of my heart that he's occupied. That ass....that voice...the whole 'bottle in my face and threatening to kill me' thing. See, it could be worse. I could be infatuated with him."

"You and Spike?" Angel laughed, surprising her.

"What? I'm not good enough for him?" Willow had only spoken in jest, but Angel's reaction made her mad.

"No. I can actually see you two working out. That's what is scary. Spike wouldn't know what hit him...." he continued to chuckle as he went downstairs.

Willow rolled her eyes. Sometimes she wondered how Buffy could stand that cryptic routine. She thought of Doyle and smiled. Maybe something would happen between them...maybe not. Either way, she'd made a great new friend.

**********

Willow stared at the ocean. She was at Doyle's special place. She had come here with him almost every day since that first time. She had been in LA three weeks. Only two more before she had to go back to Sunnydale.

Angel had lightened up considerably. She had even been able to get him to take her out to eat. Once. He and Doyle were still working on their vision thing. She had stayed home several evenings as they went off to fight some evil or another.

Doyle brought a smile to her face. He had realized that Angel didn't disapprove of them together as much as he didn't want her hurt. He had taken her out every night since then. There were times she would catch him watching her. He'd always turn away and act as though he wasn't.

She admitted to watching him. She knew that she wanted him. She also knew that, if anything, it would be a summer romance. She belonged in Sunnydale. That was her home. Also, he was heavy into gambling and drinking. He told her that he had dealt with the demon issue, but his behaviour indicated that he hadn't.

She had heard from Buffy that day. Her friend demanding to know when she would be back. She had been relieved to hear it would be less than two weeks. Buffy told her that home wasn't home without her, whatever that meant. Willow was in no hurry to get back. She'd miss the ocean. She's miss Doyle. She'd even miss Angel.

"Here you go sweets. Pecan Sundae."

Willow smiled and took her ice cream from Doyle. Every day she had tried a different flavor from the little ice cream shack. "What did you get?"

"Vanilla."

"Again?"

"What can I say? When I find something I like, I stick with it."

She watched as his tongue licked at his dip of ice cream. She felt heat rush down between her legs. What she wouldn't give to be that vanilla ice cream.

Doyle knew she was watching him. Over the last weeks they'd become good friends. He'd seen the desire though. She tried to cover it up, but it was there. He knew she would be leaving in less than two weeks. He had tried to keep things simple. Friends were good. He knew he had to have her before she left. If he didn't, he'd always regret it.

"How is it?" he asked as she licked at her ice cream.

"Good. Want to taste?"

He smiled, his eyes shining. "That would be good."

She offered the cone. He ignored it and moved his mouth to her lips. He heard her gasp as they made contact. He slipped his tongue inside her mouth, deepening the kiss. He heard her moan softly as she moved closer to him. He could feel himself harden as she tasted his mouth. Pulling away, he looked at her, lust in his eyes.

"Delicious" he said huskily.

Willow gulped and looked at her ice cream, which she had dropped to the cement. "Doyle?"

"I want you, Red." he said softly, testing her reaction.

She smiled shyly, "Really?"

"Yeah."

"Can I taste yours?" she asked, looking at him, determination in her green eyes.

He smiled knowing that his cone was on the cement with hers. She had accepted his proclamation. She wanted him too. He wondered what Angel would say as he caught her mouth again. All thought left his mind as his lust reared. He had to feel her. She would be his by the end of the night.

**********

Willow smiled at him softly. "That was wow."

He chuckled and pulled her closer. "I second that."

Willow moved her fingers over his chest. They were laying in his bed in his dingy apartment. She didn't care. What they had shared had been wonderful. She knew she should feel guilty. She'd never even slept with Oz, who she had loved for years. Now, she had just had sex with a man she met less than a month ago. A man that she knew she had no future with.

"You ok?" he asked softly. He had been surprised to find her a virgin. He should have realized by her actions, but lust had blinded him. She had been like a fire that had consumed him.

"Fine. It was perfect."

"That good?"

"Better." she smiled at him. She stretched and yawned. "Angel doesn't expect me back until tomorrow. What can we do to occupy ourselves?"

"Sleep might be nice."

She frowned, "Just sleep? Doyle, I've only got 11 days left. C'mon old man. You can do better than sleep."

"You wore me out, Red."

"Posh. You ain't seen nothing yet."

He laughed as she began to tickle him. He gave in and turned her over. His mouth caught hers as he entered her. "I'll miss you."

"Miss you too" she said as he moved inside her. "You can visit...or not."

"We'll talk later" he said, knowing that there was still time before reality interfered.

"Sounds good. Faster please."

**********

"Thanks for everything Willow."

Willow hugged Angel and kissed his cheek. "You're welcome. Anytime, just call me."

"Give everyone my best. Tell Buffy I asked about her."

"I will. Be safe Angel."

"You too. Well, I'm sure and Doyle want to talk before you leave. I'll try to visit soon."

"When you're ready."

Willow watched him go downstairs. She turned toward Doyle, her lover, and sighed. She wouldn't cry.

"This is it." she said softly.

He smiled, "It's been one hell of a summer."

"It has thanks to you. Just think, I might have ended up brooding like Angel."

He laughed, and caught her hand. "Never. Too full of life. My Willow. Thank you."

"Me? For what?"

"For helping me accept what I am. For giving yourself to me so freely. For making these last weeks the best of my life. I hope Sunnydale knows what it has."

She touched his cheek, "I'll miss you. These times have been the best that I can remember. Thank you for being so patient and gentle. I'm glad you were my first. I'll never forget you that way."

"You're making me blush."

She laughed, "That's my line. Take care of Angel for me, will you?"

"That's my job. That and these damn headaches. Be careful, will you? I can't have my favorite girl getting killed before I get up to see her."

Willow beamed, "You'll come visit?"

"Soon as I can get away. I love you Willow. I know it's not the forever kind of love, but it's still something special. I'm glad we met."

"I love you too Doyle. Always will. There is a place in my heart and my mind that you'll never leave. I hope you come to Sunnydale soon. I'll show you around, slay some demons, stake some vampires."

"Get some sleep?" he wriggled his eyebrows.

She laughed, "And you call me the nympho?"

"Only in the highest of respect. Take care of yourself."

"I will. I'll just say goodnight and not goodbye. I'll be seeing you again." She kissed him softly.

"Good night" he agreed, holding her tightly. He hated to let her go. He watched her leave the office, the door shutting behind her. He had seen tears in her eyes. He wondered if he'd ever see her again. He hoped so. He turned and headed downstairs. He and Angel had some work to do.

**********

Willow stared at the ocean. The waves moved softly, their sound filling the night air. She sat on the bench and smiled. There was a slight breeze coming in from the ocean, causing goosebumps to dot her arms.

She had arrived in LA that morning. She had seen Angel and Cordelia first, surprised that the girl had become such an asset to the agency. She had spent some time getting caught up with them.

She had seen Doyle after that. He still meant so much to her. Over the summer, he had given her confidence and love. He had made her grow up, in a lot of ways. She loved him dearly. Not the forever kind of love he had mentioned, but something as real. She had found the forever kind of love, though.

She had spoken to Doyle for about an hour. Catching him up on everything that had happened since the summer. She had told him about college, about her friends, about Spike. She had almost seen him smile as she had talked about the vampire. Angel had been right.

Together, she and Spike fit. He had been captured by some bad guys and altered. Her and her friends had taken him in and he had reluctantly started helping them. What started out as a crush bloomed to love. She and Spike had been together for a little over two months.

Spike had met Doyle. He knew about her and the half demon. They had no secrets from each other. She wondered if Doyle approved of her lover. She watched the waves as they continued to wash against the sand.

"Here you go Red."

Turning, she smiled, "What flavor?"

"Vanilla."

She laughed softly as she took the cone. Spike sat down beside her, wiping the tears from her face. "You ok?"

She nodded, "I wish you had met him. He was something special."

"He won your heart. I'm sure he was."

She put her head against his chest as his arm went around her shoulders. She had spread Doyle's ashes in the ocean. Angel had known that she had been to Doyle's secret place and asked her to put him at rest where he liked to be. She knew he would be happy being spread here.

She felt sorry for Cordelia. Willow had figured out the brunette was Doyle's forever love. Just when he found her, he had been killed, sacrificing himself for others. She felt Spike kiss her cheek as she licked at her ice cream. She was glad that she had taken that chance this summer. She would never forget Doyle or who he had been. She stood up, throwing the cone away. She took one last look at the water, almost hearing his laughter. "Take me home" she told Spike, smiling through her tears.

Spike moved behind her and walked her to the car. She could almost feel Doyle's lips on hers as she sat in the passenger seat watching the waves. She smiled. She knew he was ok where he was. She laughed softly as memories of that summer went through her mind.

"Love you pet."

She looked at Spike, "I love you too. Now, it's time to go home."

He started the car and drove off, leaving the ocean behind them.

THE END