Not Forgotten by inell

Not Forgotten

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Angel started at the wall, lost in his thoughts. It had been almost four weeks since he had held Willow in his arms. He could still smell her. Her scent covered his sheets. He had refused to wash them until her scent completely faded away. He sighed, wondering what she was doing at that moment.

He hadn't heard from her. Not a phone call. Not an email. Not even a postcard. She had forgotten him completely. He knew it was his fault. He had handled it all so badly. He had had four weeks to rethink every detail of that night. He knew she must hate him. She had given him her heart and he had refused to even go to Sunnydale to see her. He was a bastard.

He heard a knocking on his door and frowned. Standing, he wondered where the hell Cordelia was. She was suppose to answer the door. He didn't want to talk to anyone. She had asked him about his mood, but he had declined answering her. He knew she was growing worried about him. The two of them had built a rather strong friendship over the last few months. He didn't want her to worry, but he couldn't talk about Willow.

"What?" he asked, opening the door. His mouth dropped open as he looked at the girl facing him.

"You bastard!" she said, hitting him across the face. She shoved him into the office, her eyes glinting with anger. "You stupid, stubborn, undead, unfeeling bastard. Get out of my way, I need some space."

"That hurt" he said, holding his nose. He looked at her, shocked to feel nothing. Nothing but a nostalgic past love and loyalty. He watched her pacing as he played with his nose. It felt broken. He cursed softly, seeing the blood on his sweater. He saw her glaring at him and had to ask, "Why exactly are you here, Buffy?"

"Why am I here?" Buffy asked, staring at him. "That's rich. I can really feel the love Angel."

"Buffy. Stop." Angel glared at her. "What do you want?"

Buffy sighed, knowing in her heart that she had lost him long ago. It just hurt to be face to face with him and not feel that stirring. She did love him though and wanted him to be happy. Right now, he looked miserable. "Willow."

Angel looked at her sharply. "Sorry. I don't have her."

"That's the point you stubborn ass. You had her and let her go. Men!" Buffy griped, sitting down and glaring at him.

"You know" Angel said simply, sitting down. He looked at her, waiting for her to yell more.

"Yeah" Buffy said softly. "I knew something was wrong with her when she got back....It took a few guesses but I finally figured it out."

"She told you."

Buffy snorted. "Not likely. I had a hunch so I decided to play it. So, here I am. Glad I was right or otherwise I might feel guilty about that nose."

"You came to LA, hit me, and verbally attacked me based on a 'hunch'?"

Buffy smiled, "Yep. See, I'm not completely self involved. I saw the pain she was in and connected the dots."

"She's in pain?" Angel asked, trying to conceal his worry.

"Duh. Would I be here if she wasn't?" Buffy rolled her eyes wondering what she had ever seen in him. She smiled, looking him over. She knew that they had loved each other. She also knew that he had fallen for Willow sometime during Senior year. She'd just been to selfish to notice it. That was changing. Willow needed him. She needed Willow. So, he'd better sure as hell get his ass to Sunnydale and make Willow happy.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to happen."

"Wait! Oh my god!.....You two had sex. That's the missing piece of the puzzle!" Buffy said, laughing. Suddenly, irritation crossed her face. "Damn...you took her virginity and then dumped her?"

Angel shook his head, fearing for his other body parts by the look in her eyes. "NO. I just made a huge mistake."

"And what was that?" Buffy asked, her eyes blazing at him.

"I let her go" Angel said softly, his eyes betraying his sadness.

Buffy stared at him, her expression softening slightly as she saw the obvious pain in his eyes. "Damn right that was a mistake. Willow was the best thing that could ever happen to you."

Angel looked at her, a small smile crossing his face as he thought over her words.

"Uh, I mean, besides me that is. I was the best thing but that was then. Now, she's the best. And I completely messed that one up, didn't I?" She sighed, making a face.

He nodded, "Yeah, you did. But, I knew what you meant. We are in the past...have been since that night last May."

Buffy looked at him and knew he believed what he was saying. "Then, why?"

"Why what?" Angel asked, sitting down. "Why fall in love with her? Why let her walk away? Why let the one person that has meant more to me in my entire existence walk out the door? No offense, by the way." he added.

Buffy smiled, "None taken. Must be a bit weird to discuss this with a former lover. BUT, she's my best friend. I want to know why you made her unhappy."

"I don't know....it happened so fast....I mean, I think I fell in love with her slowly last year and it all just hit me after I left. That night...I couldn't control it. She even tried to get us to wait and see what was happening...it was just bigger than us both. Does that make any sense or am I rambling like an idiot?"

"A bit of both." Buffy said, smiling. She had never seen him so, in a word, alive. Feeling a twinge of remorse, she realized that they had not been meant to be. It had been wonderful and she would always love him, but she wasn't in love with him. She knew then that she wouldn't rest until he and Willow were together. She had to let them both know she approved. She knew they belonged together. If she didn't, she'd never have driven to LA to convinced him of it. "Things happened and you didn't know how to deal. Been there, done that."

Angel shook his head slowly, "That isn't the truth. I knew I should agree to go visit her too. Until we could figure this all out. I just pushed her away....I said as little as I needed to, knowing her mind would fill in the blanks incorrectly."

Buffy nodded, finally getting it. "You were scared to death, weren't you?"

He looked up in surprise. She really had changed. He smiled sheepishly, "In a word? Yes."

"Well, you'd better over that fear" Buffy said.

Angel looked at her closely, "I don't know if I can. You know my track record with women. I think she'd be better off without me."

"Hey, I resent that. We may not have been perfect, but I loved you. I knew you loved me. We just weren't meant to be. You and Willow? You two belong together. It will be different." Buffy paused, "Now about the whole Drusilla and Darla past? No comment on those two nutty bitches."

Angel just shook his head, "Buffy. Think about it. All I ever bring to those I love is pain and heartache. I couldn't do that to Willow. I never want to hurt her."

"You are hurting her Angel. By denying that it was anything other than sex. By letting her go. Do you think she isn't sitting in the dorm this minute hurting? She's in pain, Angel. You can change that. Only you."

"She's better off without me" Angel protested.

Buffy gave up, "Fine. I'll talk to Spike. He'll do something."

Angel narrowed his eyes, "What does Spike have to do with this?"

"Duh. He's the one that noticed first. Made the connection between you and her. Guess now he smelled you on her. Makes more sense. Anyway, he's the only one she's letting in at all."

"Spike noticed?" Angel said, frowning. He felt jealous that his childe was the one consoling Willow.

"Yep. I was worried she was getting too close to him....wonder if it's the connection."

"Connection?" Angel asked.

"He's your childe. She can't have you so maybe he's the next best thing." Buffy said.

"I'll stake the bastard if he's touched her!" Angel said, his voice low.

Buffy laughed, "How if you're in LA and he's in Sunnydale? Just let it go, Angel. Remember? You're the one that is bad for her. Spike's just being a friend. He's still hung up on looney tunes. He's not after Willow...not in that way. Of course, the longer he goes without Nutsy, who's to say..."

Angel glared at her, "You love this don't you? Knowing that I have no way of knowing if you're even telling the truth. Having to sit here and wonder if she'd ever actually be interested in Spike...knowing he might do something to her just to hurt me...."

"He wouldn't hurt her" Buffy said with conviction. "What? I don't like the asshole, but he cares about Willow. They've been friends for months. And, as I said, he's the only one she'll talk to about this."

"Fuck" Angel cursed softly. "I know. Spike isn't that bad, most of the time. Just, the thought of him with her...."

"Makes your blood boil? Makes you so jealous you can't see straight? Makes you want to pack a bag and come back to Sunnydale with me right now and claim what is yours?"

Angel looked at her, a slow smile spreading over his handsome face. "I think I'll choose the third option. She's mine. I just hope it isn't too late...."

"I'll help you pack, Angel" Buffy said, smiling. She only hoped Willow knew how much she owed her for this one. Actually, Angel owed her too when she thought about it. Who knew how long those two would have suffered rather than making a move. Silly twits, she decided. Oh well, that's what they had her for. To force them into action. She smiled as she imagined Willow's reaction to seeing Angel again. She had done good.

**********

Willow laid her head against the cushions of the sofa, her eyes counting the places the paint was peeling on the ceiling. "Spike, you really need to touch up that paint."

Spike smiled, glancing up, "Not that bad, pet. But, if you're volunterring..."

Willow turned her head, her eyes lit with amusement, "You're the strong manly man. You paint."

Spike smirked, "Ah, you're getting closer to sucumbing to my charms. Aren't you?"

"Oh baby...oh baby..oh baby...hold me back" Willow said dryly.

Spike smiled, glad to see her joking. If he had his sire here, he'd beat the bastard for what he had put Red through. Bloody idiot never realized what he had, always giving it away. "How you holding up, luv?"

Willow looked at him, her face losing some of the laughter, "I'll be fine. Just takes time. I mean, it was like I'd always wanted him. I finally get him only to lose him again right after. Just hard to deal with. I am getting better. Thanks to you."

"What can I say? I have to clean up Peaches mess but I get you out of it" Spike said modestly.

"His mess?" Willow asked, arching an eyebrow. A few weeks before, just the thought of what Spike was saying would have sent her into tears. Now, she was able to think about it without getting sad.

"Eh, you know what I mean" Spike said. He licked his lips, wondering if he should say something. Frowning, he knew he had no choice. Willow was his only friend. He owed it to her. "Got something to tell you, luv."

"What?" Willow asked, a curious look on her face.

"He's coming back to Sunnydale" Spike said simply.

"What?" Willow said. Hope, anger, disappointment and lust all flared in her eyes.

"I can feel him. He's close. Just thought you should know."

"Why? It's been weeks. No phone call. Nothing. Now, he thinks he can waltz into town and just pick up where he left off? Oh, god. What if he's coming for Buffy and not me?"

Spike almost smiled. The damn slayer was the one bringing his sire back. That he knew. The silly twit had actually figured out what had happened between her ex lover and her best friend. "I'd choose you over that bitch anyday, luv."

"Thank you Spike" Willow said weakly. "Goddess...how can I face him? What should I do? What should I say?"

Spike smiled as she continued babbling. Maybe Peaches wasn't so bad after all. He wasn't going to let Willow go, so he at least had good taste. He wouldn't say anything about Willow's taste though. "Just no big teary scenes please. I just ate. Sappy romance makes me ill."

"Tears? No...I mean, he let me go. In fact, he pushed me away. Why is he coming? He realized he made a mistake? Well, too fucking bad. I've moved on. I don't need him." Willow said, trying to sound convincing.

Spike suddenly smiled, "You know, pet. You're on to something with that. Why take him back right off? He wouldn't accept things when you were there. Why now?"

Willow smiled as she caught his drift, "You know...we could make him sweat. Make him regret ever letting me walk out...make sure he won't ever do it again."

Spike laughed, "I love the way you think, Mum."

"I'm going to make sure he never lets me go again" Willow decided, a plan forming in her mind. "You in?"

"Fuck yeah. I want Dad to suffer for putting you through hell these last weeks." He leaned forward eagerly, "What do we get to do?"

**********

"Let me do the talking" Buffy said to Angel before knocking.

"Why are we here? Where is here?" Angel asked, looking at the apartment complex with a frown.

"This is Spike's place. She's always here lately." Buffy explained.

Angel stiffened, feeling childish at the jealousy he felt for his childe. Willow would never get involved with Spike, so he didn't know why he was worried. He heard the door opening and froze, his eyes flashing.

"Willow. What the hell are you wearing?" Buffy asked, glancing at Angel and then back to Willow.

"Buffy. Angel. How nice of you two to drop by. This? Well, I couldn't very well put on my old clothes could I?" she asked innocently as she invited them inside. "Snookums, we have company."

Spike wanted to burst out laughing at the anger in his sire's face and body. If looks could kill, he'd be ash at that very moment. "Dad. Slayer. How lovely. You can leave now. Red and I were in the middle of some things...."

"Spikey, be nice. We have all night and day..." Willow said suggestively, her long legs displayed well in his shirt she was wearing. She made sure to flash Angel as much as she could without being obvious as she sat down very close to Spike.

"Teasing wench" Spike said, burying his face in her neck. She felt him chuckle and almost gave in to her giggles. She swatted him away playfully.

"What can we do for you?" she asked sweetly, giving Angel a cold look.

"I came to see you" Angel said, his voice taut with anger. He couldn't believe she was carousing around half nude with Spike. Damn fool girl was going to get hurt.

Buffy looked between Willow and Angel and then cast a glance at Spike. He was grinning completely, his hand running along Willow's legs. Those two were up to something, she decided, seeing Willow smile at him and wink. She looked again at the anger that was going through Angel. She finally understood. Well, personally, she thought Angel deserved everything they dished out to him. "I've got to go guys. Riley's waiting for me. Y'all behave!"

Willow chuckled at her friend's message. Buffy knew and condoned it. Good. Even Buffy thought Angel deserved a bit of suffering before she took him back. Well, not back because he was never hers anyway. Before she took him at all, she ammended. "Angel. What brings you to Sunnydale?"

"You" Angel said, his voice low as his hands were clenched at his sides. His dark brown eyes burned into hers as he watched her lick her lips. He hardened instantly and glared at a smiling Spike. Was he too late? Was this all some game? He knew she hadn't been with Spike. He would have smelled it. But, they looked too comfortable around each other. He didn't like it. Not at all.

"Me? Why would you come here for me? You didn't want me, remember?" she asked, her eyes flashing with anger.

Spike remained silent, knowing that the game was about over. Oh well, it had been fun to see his sire pissed off. Too bad it hadn't lasted a wee bit longer. But, then again, beggars can't be choosers.

Angel studied her for several minutes before answering, "I never not wanted you."

Spike snickered, "What the hell was that, Peaches? Thought you were the eloquent one. The poetic heartthrob. Ha. What a bunch of baloney. You never not wanted her? Puh-leez."

Angel heard Willow giggle and glared at Spike, "Leave. This doesn't concern you."

"It's my place, mate. My girl. It concerns me." Spike said grinning triumphantly.

Angel counted to ten, wanting nothing more than to dust his stubborn childe. "Fine. Shut up then."

"You can't tell me what to do anymore, Dad." Spike said, his words harsh.

Willow cleared her throat diverting their attention before they killed each other. "Uh, I really don't want to have to vacuum one of you off of the floor tonight."

Spike softened, smiling at her. "I'll be quiet, luv."

"Ha. That's a laugh" Angel said under his breath. He received a glare from Willow. "Sorry. I meant to say that I never wanted you to leave. I love you so much...I couldn't accept what you had to offer."

"Spike's right. You suck at this don't you?" Willow observed. She smiled slightly at his pained expression.

"I'm trying damn it" Angel said, running a hand through his dark hair. "I love you Willow. Losing you was the worst thing that has ever happened to me...beside siring that wanker beside you that is."

"Boys...no fighting" Willow said, her hand on Spike's arm. "If it was so awful, why did it take you this long to come for me?"

Angel shuffled on his feet, feeling very much like a scolded child. "I didn't think you wanted me."

Spike snorted, "That would show good taste on her part."

"That is a terrible excuse!" she said.

"What? You left. No one made you get in the car" Angel said, adding softly, "You never even rang."

"You were waiting for me to crawl back to you" Willow said simply. "It ain't gonna happen mister. I love your stubborn non-eloquent ass, but I will not beg."

"I think I may be sick" Spike observed dryly.

"Shut up" Willow and Angel both yelled at him. They faced each other, each angry in their own way.

"No one said anything about begging. I would like to have known that you didn't think it was a mistake..." Angel said, his eyes burning into hers.

"Me? You're the one that refused to set foot in Sunnydale again. I thought you were thinking about Buffy."

"He'd be an idiot to choose that bimbo over you, pet." Spike offered helpfully. Remembering they were talking about Angel, he frowned, "Oh wait. He is an idiot."

"Spike" Angel threated softly, his eyes flashing yellow.

"What? I'm trying to help" Spike insisted.

"You love me" Angel said, turning his attention back to Willow.

"And you love me." She said, slightly amazed.

They stood close, simply looking into each other's eyes for several moments. Spike finally let out a groan, "Bloody hell. Why don't you just kiss the girl for pete's sake!"

Angel smiled, "That's the first smart thing he's said...well, in forever."

Willow smiled as she leaned up, her lips touching his. She was finally back home, in his arms. The kiss was deepened as Spike made gagging noises.

The blonde vampire smiled, chuckling knowingly as he went into his room giving them privacy. Maybe Peaches wasn't as senile as he acted. He hadn't let Willow go a second time. Maybe there was something to learn from the old man after all. He thought about it a moment. Nah.

THE END