Title: Hidden Depths Author: Inell Email: Inell@aol.com Disclaimer: Joss owns them all Distribution: Kiss or Kill Rating: R Pairing: Cordelia/Willow 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