Title: Angel's Enchantment

Author: Leslie

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters, I am just borrowing them for a bit of fun. Joss owns everything in the Buffyverse.

Pairing: Willow/Angel

Summary: Angel needs Willow's magical help.

Feedback: Always welcome

A/N: Spoilers for Buffy/Angel – Season 3 for Buffy but AU after that. There was no Willow/Xander fluking in high school. Season 3 for Angel except there isn't a Connor and Cordy is just friends with Angel.

Part 1

Willow waited for all the other passengers on the airplane to disembark before she rose from her seat. She had been dreading this trip ever since she received the phone call from Giles. It had been three years since she had seen any of the Scoobys. They exchanged occasional emails and phone calls but as the months had turned to years the emails and calls had become less frequent. The only one Willow kept in constant contact with had been Giles. That was mainly due to his frequent trips to England.

She had felt guilty about leaving Sunnydale after high school, but the opportunities that the Rhodes scholarship had given her were just too great to pass up. She would have given it up if any one had asked her to stay but they hadn't. They had encouraged her to go instead.

Buffy had said how happy she was for her and since she couldn't leave Sunnydale she wanted Willow to go have a life for both of them. Xander would miss his bud but knew that she had dreamed of studying in England and he was happy for her. Giles of course had recommended her and helped her fill out the application. Cordelia thought she was crazy if she didn't leave Sunnydale while she had the chance.

She and Oz had spent hours talking about it when she had told him she was thinking of applying. He knew her dreams and encouraged her to fulfill them like she had encouraged him to fulfill his. They had tried the long distance relationship thing for the first few months of college but when Willow came home Winter break it was obvious that they were drifting apart. They parted as friends and still kept in touch. Dingoes Ate My Baby even had some tour dates in Europe and Willow had met Oz's new girlfriend Veruca on their last visit.

Sighing heavily and putting the memories of the past behind her, Willow grabbed her carry on and left the plane. The phone call from Giles hadn't been too specific. Just that a big evil was in Los Angeles and Angel would need her magical assistance.

Recognizing that Willow needed help in her magical training Giles had gotten in contact with a coven not too far from where Willow was staying in Oxford.  Under their guidance her talent grew tremendously. She was now considered a very powerful witch and had even eclipsed the leader of her coven.  Willow smiled remembering what Sue had said when she had recognized Willow's talent, "To quote Uncle Ben from Spiderman, 'with great talent comes great responsibility'."

"Willow!"

The sound of someone calling her name brought her out of her memories. Looking around the terminal she noticed Cordelia waving at her. Next to her stood a handsome African-American.

"Hey Cordy."

Willow was surprised as she was swept into a hug from Cordelia. They had been friendly when Willow had left for England but she figured when Xander and Cordelia broke up it would be a return to Queen C. Working with Angel must agree with her.

"Willow, you look great. England must agree with you."

Gunn cleared his throat and looked pointedly at Cordelia.

"Oh sorry, Gunn this is Willow."

Willow turned to Gunn with a smile, "Nice to meet you."

"You too, Red. Come on Cordelia. Angel's probably driving Wesley nuts by now."

"Yeah, he wanted to be here to meet your plane but you know the whole sensitive to sunlight thing kind of got in the way."

Actually Willow had planned her flight that way. It was seeing Angel that she had been dreading. Ever since she restored his soul Willow had felt a connection with him.  She had felt drawn to him even when she was with Oz. She couldn't explain it. Willow had always thought Angel was handsome and okay maybe crushed on him a little. But since the soul restoration spell it went deeper. Like their souls were connected. Two halves finally made whole.

She thought that time and distance would lighten the connection but it hadn't. It was still just as strong.  The only person she ever told about it was Sue.

She had wondered if something had gone wrong with the spell. Sue reassured her that wasn't the case. Her best guess was that when Angel's soul passed through Willow's body it recognized its mate and made the connection. She even theorized that his soul was permanent and bonded to Willow's.

Willow had just rolled her eyes at that idea. Sue was a hopeless romantic and saw soul mates everywhere.

~~~~

Gunn pulled up outside the Hyperion. "Go ahead inside. Angel's waiting to see you. Cordy can help me with your bags."

Willow got out of the car and Cordelia turned to Gunn, "What am I a pack mule? You can bring in Willow's bags. Besides I want to see Angel's reaction to Willow. When she left she was still a little shy and just starting to be her own person and out of Buffy's shadow. England has been great for her."

Gunn rolled his eyes. "You're not trying to push those two together are you?"

"I may nudge a little but I won't push."

Willow entered the Hyperion and a slender dark haired woman turned to her, "Hi, welcome to Angel Investigations. Can I help you?"

Angel heard Fred ask her question and stepped out of the office. There was a very attractive red head standing in the middle of the lobby. Willow? No, Cordy and Gunn were supposed to pick her up so this must be a client. Besides the Willow he remembered was a little shy and cute. This striking young woman would never be called cute.

Willow noticed Angel and smiled. Angel would recognize that smile anywhere. "Willow?" Angel was surprised.

"Hi Angel."

"Where's Gunn and Cordy? I thought they were supposed to pick you up."

Just then Cordy came in the door. Damn, she had missed Angel's first look at Willow.

"We did. Gunn's parking your car."

Angel crossed the lobby and pulled Willow into a hug.

Willow enjoyed the feel of being in Angel's arms just for a moment but the connection was pulling on her now. It never used to be that strong. She wondered if it was because of her growing power as a witch or just that she hadn't been anywhere physically near Angel in three years.

"Need air, Angel."

"Sorry. I'm just very glad you came."

"Giles said you needed my help and I never could say no to you."

Angel smiled at Willow. A genuine smile. Willow may look all grown up and no longer the babbling shy girl but underneath it all she was still Willow. Always willing to help a friend in need.

Fred came over and joined Angel, Cordelia and Willow. Angel noticed Fred approach, "Willow, this is Fred."

"It's very nice to meet you."

Just then the door to the hotel opened and Gunn came in carrying Willow's luggage. "Here I can carry those. You don't need to carry them. Just show me where you want me and I'll put my things away."

"That's okay, Red. I got 'em. What room did you put her in and I'll take them up."

"The one diagonal from Fred's."

Hmm, the one right next to Angel's. How convenient, Cordelia thought.

"You guys mind if I follow Gunn up and take a shower? Long flight from England and I feel kind of sticky."

"Sure thing. Come on Willow I'll show you your room."     

Willow turned to Fred, "It was really nice meeting you."

Angel watched Willow follow Gunn up the stairs. The connection he felt with her was still as strong. He didn't remember ever feeling this when they were in Sunnydale. He hadn't noticed it until he moved to LA. Could have been he didn't notice much of anything except Buffy in those days. He was just always happy to see Willow. She had the innate ability to make him smile.

Cordelia watched Angel watching Willow. She might not need to nudge all that hard.

"I like your friend, Angel. She seems nice."

Without taking his eyes off Willow, "yeah she is."