Title; And Then There Was a Time
author's name; Greenfae/Keziah
disclaimer: All the rights belong to Joss W. or someone else I have no idea of. Lucky sons of, anyway I am just a poor starving wanna be writer so please don't sue me. I don't even know sue!
email: Greenfae2@cs.com
rating: PG to R later in the series
pairing: Willow, Angel, and Riley, can't help it he was such a babe
time frame: kinda after this season of Buffy.
Notes: Willow is on her own now still doing her best not to use her magic for the most part. I hope everyone likes tug of wars as much as I do. ;-)
Feedback; well only if you want more. hehe.. I hate to never know if anyone is reading this. =-{
And Then There Was a Time
( 1 )
A cool fall breeze caressed her skin making her tingle a little as she watched the sky go a deeper blue. Night was falling and she was getting ready for her date. She wasn't sure how she had gotten herself into this one, but when Riley asked her to go out with him on his birthday she didn't feel like she could turn him down. " It's just one night, one date." She seemed to comfort herself with that thought. He was really a very kind and sweet person. Willow had always liked the way he would get confused and not be sure what to say. All that Iowa farm boy in him really showed when he had made this date with her. Thinking about it now she suppressed a smile. Sometimes she would wonder why Buffy ever let him get away. "Where was the bad?" she had thought more than once. Tall, blonde, green eyes, well built. "Oops, I really need to reign in those thoughts about Buffy's ex-lover." A mild blush crossed her cheeks and she remembered the accidental kiss she received from him just last night.
They were at a local club. Something not to far from the idea and look of the Bronze. She had gone there to cut loose some and allow her mind to think about other things aside from Tara's demise. The pain of that death and the things she had done in Tara's name still caused her a ton of guilt. So on that night she made her face up, put on her naughty cloths, picked out a pair of dancing pumps, and headed out to make heads turn. I need this break she thought. Once there she filtered in thru the crowd and found a dark spot. After an hour she shook her head and thought .."Some party animal I am." She moved to pick up her purse and take her last sip of the fruity beverage she thought she had to have. As she stood to make her way out, she felt a hand on her shoulder and a small yelp type of noise escaped her mauve shaded lips. "Oh gosh, I am sorry", came the not so certain voice in its mild tones from behind her.
She turned her head to see who it was and was surprised by a pair of searching green eyes. For a moment she had no idea what to say. "Hello Willow", his voice no steadier now than before. She smiled openly and hugged him, letting him know without words that she still thought of him as a friend. Riley seemed to hold on to that hug a little longer than necessary, but she didn't read much into it. After all it had been a very long time since they had last seen each other, and the last time he left to her, had been so sudden. Her own green eyes shone with happiness at seeing him. Questions filled her mind and she started to ask some of them in one long string of words. "How have you been? What brings you here? What have you been doing all this time? Are you living around here now?" The only problem with her asking was that the music was so loud Riley could only hear about half of what she was asking. He smiled in his own shy way and shuffled his feet somewhat. "Umm, Do you think we could go somewhere that we could hear each other." "Oh yeah" she nearly shouted back. Willow slipped her small hand in his and lead him out of the din of noise. Once outside she asked him where he would like to go. There were a few coffee shops. But he didn't want to sit in a public place so they decided on her apartment.
It was only 9:30 or so, Willow knew she didn't have to be in to work early the next day and he looked like he needed a friend. Which to her way of thinking meant she didn't have to think. That would be a bright blessing to her. The short walk to her place seem just to flash by as they talked about everything. Seems Riley had gotten out of the military and was now doing some work as a detective for the locals. He had gotten quite good at finding people and things as he put it. Willow had to smile. Riley would always want to be in the thick of things.
As the night wore on she noticed Riley's hands begin to quake and her eyes filled with concern. " What is it Willow?" then he glanced at what she was looking at. "Oh that. I just need to take my meds is all." With that he popped open a small bottle he had tucked in one of the many pockets on his jacket. With a toss of his head and a quick swallow he downed the small pill. "It's the one thing about what happened at S.U. that I will never lose Willow." I had thought I would be OK with out any of those drugs and devices they put in me." His eyes clouded and he looked at the little brown bottle. " They were able to help me with most of it, to fix some of it anyway. But I still have some of the wiring in me and that will never change" He looked to Willow, his eyes carrying their own concern over what he had just revealed to her. "I will always have to take these pills and there are other problems as well." Willow reached out and touched his hand. Smoothing over his wrist to his hand and laced her fingers in a comforting way with his. "What type of problems Riley?" Her eyes colored with her heart felt concern for this friend. He dragged in a deep breath as if he was about to announce the world was coming to an end. "I still have most of the benefits from my days in the Initiative, the strength, endurance, heighten senses. They aren't total, but enough to make my work a lot easier." With that last statement he smiled. It seemed as if a weight had been taken off his shoulders only to be placed right back as he looked up at Willow.
She was stunned to silence. Her large luminous eyes staring at him as if he had grown a second head. "Ahem, she cleared her throat, that must be awful for you" her caring nature willed out again. Even mild shock was wiped away as she let him know she was the same ole Willow. She reached out to give him another hug. That was when it had happened. His eyes smiled at her and he patted her head gently. He could smell her soft sent and the tiny form in his arms seemed to reassure him that it would be OK. Willow closed her eyes and let her arms rap him tightly. He was warm and smelled of spice and wood. She was somewhat tired and just a touch tipsy since they had been drinking her red wine. How many glasses had she had, she really wasn't sure, did it really matter. This was Riley after all, he was more than likely still in love with Buffy. "Don't think about that anymore Riley. Let's just enjoy our chat and relax"
Willow gave him one more squeeze before she ended her hug. As she was pulling away she felt his grip tighten around her and she tipped her head back in a question, searching him closely. Her eyes shining up at him, her lips ever so slightly parted. He looked her face over and was touched by her sweetness and her loveliness. Somehow he felt as if someone had a strangle hold on his heart. Riley dipped his head and brushed her lips with his. Lighting flashed in her at the touch. It was if she had been burnt from the inside out and he had barely kissed her. He let her go quickly and stood up. shuffling his feet again as he made sounds without meaning at first. Then she could hear him saying. "Oh, I am sorry Willow, I didn't mean for that to happen." She was blushing and so was he, soon they were both kind of giggling, which turned into full on laughter. He was still standing above her and for all the world he looked happier than she had ever remembered him being in a very long time.
She too felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted off her and she was able to let go with this man. His Irish eyes laughing and she could see that the song was right. Her smiled lingered most of the rest of the evening which was maybe another hour. Sometime around 1:00 Am. he gave his good evenings hugging her as he went to the door. Willow let her arms drape around him loosely this time. Not daring to get to close at this moment. He too seemed a little more distant. But as he went to leave, standing in her door. He stopped and looked at Willow. "Would you go with me? Out to dinner and maybe some dancing tomorrow night. It's my birthday and I don't really know anyone here. I would love to spend it with you." Willow looked kinda stunned. "Oh,, Ummm OK yes fine then. Umm 7 p.m. OK?"
The Birthday Dare
Looking at the clock on the wall she knew she needed to get dressed quickly. Riley would be here at any moment and she didn't want him to catch her only half ready. Ever the punctual Willow she mused to herself. The knock on the door told her that Riley was early and she cringed. Pulling the sleeves up on her blouse she finished with the one or two buttons on the front of it as she headed to the door. Fumbling with the green silk until each button was in place. Willow brushed her fingers through her hair a couple of times and opened the door. Riley was smiling down at her and she suddenly noticed that she didn't have her shoes on yet. "Come in Riley", she turned and walked back into her living room and sat down to pull on her black leather boots so that the black jeans she wore could be pulled over the top of them. Feeling comfy and still like a girl she was happy with what she had picked to wear. The look on Riley's face told her maybe she did do good a job. The green silk of the blouse made her eyes really jump out and her jeans fit perfectly.
Riley couldn't seem to form words when he first came in. But Willow simply took his quiet behavior as meaning that he was ready to go. She picked up her light coat and headed back to Riley and the door. He smiled at her and she noticed for the first time the flowers he was carrying. They were mixed flowers carnations ,daises ,and violets. So very pretty together that she shot him a look and giggled. " Those for me?" she questioned. " Um yes they are," he seemed to squirm under her fond gaze. But handed her the flowers showing all the boyish charm that made Riley who he was. Willow took the flowers and ran back to the sink where she found a nice vase and she put the flowers in it filling it with water. Setting the vase down on the counter she inhaled deeply and padded back to Riley as quickly as she could. After she locked her door she took Riley's arm. "What do you want to do tonight birthday person?' she smiled. "You mean it's up to me to pick?" She nodded to him a yes and he suddenly got a strange look on his face and she wondered what that had meant. But thought better than to ask.
Once they had eaten Riley wanted to go for a walk. But Willow wasn't sure if they should since there were a lot of vampires and such around. It seemed almost the moment she thought it one jumped out at them and tried to pull her into an ally. But before the thing actually had her she was being set aside as Riley landed a powerful punch to the vamps head, then kicked it in the shin. When the vamp started to go down on that knee Riley pulled a stake from the folds of his jacket and plunged it into the heart letting its fall finish the job. Willow watched as the vamp dusted not 2 feet from her. Her eyes widen with awe and she began to smile. "Wow, you dusted it fast" she nearly sighed. "Why it was nuttin ma'am," Riley said with a southern drawl that would rival any good western. Willow giggled and he smiled.
Something about making her smile and laugh helped make his inner pain go away. He wasn't sure what was going on with him at the moment but he knew he wasn't going to let it go. Or let her go, not just yet anyway. She made him feel good about himself and that hadn't happened since his wife was killed by a lurker demon. He didn't like to think of that and he was sure that Willow was only going with him tonight because she felt sorry for him. Losing Buffy then a couple of years later losing his wife. That was when he had decided to get out of the military altogether.
Riley glanced down at the perky redhead next to him and felt something prickle in his mind. Why hadn't he ever noticed it before. The way light played with her hair. The cute way her eyes would light up as if she were a child on Christmas getting her fondest wish. How her hands would fold together when she was nervous about something. He felt himself staring at the shape of her face and noticed how her chin jutted out demurely. He didn't want to think about why he was feeling this way. Or even try to decide what it was he was feeling. He only wanted to talk with her and hear her soft voice sounding in her giggly little laugh. That always seemed to make him laugh as well. He didn't want to label it, somewhere deep in his mind he knew if he did he would have to deal with it. Just leave it alone his confused mind told him. Its nothing really, you just never really noticed her as much. You were much to busy at the time, but he wasn't so busy now.
Willow noticed how he had almost stopped talking and had been watching every little move she made. She felt as if she had walked into a room of strangers and was expected to sing. Like when she and the gang had been stuck in nightmare land because a little boy was in a coma. She would glance up at him and still his eyes were on her. What is he doing, her mind screamed at her. She wanted to ask but didn't know how to say what she was thinking. What was she thinking, is he attracted to me? No way, was the first thought that came to mind. She glanced up to him again this time he had looked away ,but she didn't, she began to look at him carefully. He had a handsome face, his eyes crinkled at the corners when he laughed. Little thoughts ran through her head like. His hands are so big, and I feel like a child standing next to him.
In her mind there was only one other person that made her feel so helpless and small. Willow shook her head and laughed at herself. "What's so funny Will?" Riley asked again looking at her with those very green very intense eyes. "Oh nothing really, just um, thinking strange thoughts. You know, sometimes my head it just gets silly, and I think funny kinds of things, in my head ." Willows rambling made Riley smile his eyes lighting up watching her be flustered. " You can tell me what it is Willow I would love to know what seemed that funny. "Oh no, no, that would be bad, well maybe not bad bad. But bad enough." She was still grinning. Riley was not going to let her get away with that so he said. "I dare you Will, I double dog dare you even" His grin was even wider now. She passed an evil look his way and said. "Hey double dares go first so you have to tell me what you were thinking before I tell you what I was thinking." Now the game had begun and he was already on the losing side.
They were both laughing lightly when they reached her apartment door. "That's not fair Willow, What if I wasn't even thinking anything important? I could have been thinking about my laundry or something." Chuckling as he said this she answered it with, "Well then tell me what's been on your mind most of the night, you haven't been with me all the time." Her eyes shone brightly up at him as they were leaned up against the doorway. Willow had been fumbling for her keys so she turned back to what she was doing. She could hear him take a deep sigh as she turned the lock and open the door. "Well?" she asked. "Are you going to tell me what you have been thinking about all night?" She stepped inside and he followed her in, letting her close the door behind him.
As she turned toward him again he answered. "I have been thinking about you all night Willow, just you." His eyes seemed to try to tell her something. But she wasn't sure she wanted to know what it was. She felt her limbs turn soft and unsteady as she stood in front of him. His eyes seemed to take in hers and she could have been buried in their light. Her breath seem to hardly come to her and she felt him move closer to her one, two steps. Then his arms went around her. She looked up at him not knowing what he was doing really. Not wanting to let her mind just jump to conclusions yet. She let her head rest against his broad chest and listen to his heart beating, it sounded a little fast but then so was hers. She let her arms come up almost of their own and push their way up under his jacket to lay on his back gently. He smelled of woods and spices again, it was soothing to her. She let the scent and the feel of him this close , warm the part of her that had gone cold since Tara.
She could feel him gently stroking her hair and she smiled ever so slightly as he let his other hand reach for her chin and pull her face up to his. "Willow?" He beckon her with her name and she opened her eyes looking up at him in the still and dark of her living room. "Yes Riley?" "Your turn, what were you thinking about when I asked" Her smile dimmed some and she tried to turn her head away, but he wouldn't let her. "I really want to know, Willow. " Please tell me what you were thinking. "She looked back at him and let a low sigh escape her pouty lips. "Well, I um, you Riley I was thinking of you." They could feel the air tingle around them as Riley touched her lips with a light kiss. He drew back and smiled that she hadn't turned away from him.
His arms suddenly dropped back to his sides and he looked long and hard at her. "I think I need to go Willow. I really need to just think" His eyes took a dark green cast to them and his voice deepened sending a quick thrill down Willows spine. She only nodded to him and he opened the door to leave. Her heart grew panicked and she had to take a step toward him. He smiled at her almost sadly as he went through the door. Her fear increased and she didn't know why. He stood just outside her door now and was watching her carefully. His eyes covered every inch of her in the doorway. She watched him visibly take control of himself. Her eyes wandered his form as well, she felt like she was taking inventory on his body, this by itself made her blush deep red. He caught the look in her eyes and the red in her cheeks. This seemed to make it even harder for him to leave.
He gave her a questioning look. Willow said nothing, but the need in her eyes left him weak and wanting. With a deep sigh he covered the three steps it took for him to reach her. His tone was almost harsh and thoughtless. " Do you know what you are doing, Willow, do you?" The last part was where he pulled her again into his arms. " I don't want to hurt you, and I don't want to be hurt Willow please tell me to go away" She couldn't and she knew it. Instead she just looked at him straining up with her soft lips reaching for his. Her hands holding him close. he grunted his submission and gave her the kiss she was reaching for. Soft, so softly at first his lips slanted over hers. One of his massive hands reached up and tangled in her velvet waves of hair. She parted her lips and allowed him entrance into her sweet mouth. He snaked his tongue over her lips and tentatively traced the lines there before entering. She moaned to him and wrapped both arms around him tightly. His touch was almost reverent and his kiss felt like a knife sharp and almost painful. It stabbed her senses as her mind clouded and her world darkened to only the touch and taste of him. Still he broke from her, standing looking at her, his eyes full of fire showing her the passion she felt he had felt too.
His voice husky and dark from the power of their brief connection he said. " I will see you tomorrow Willow," Such was the meaning heavy in his words that she felt as if the bottom dropped out on her. "Yes, she answered, see You tomorrow Riley." He nodded at that and turned on his heel to go. Taking four or five steps he glanced back at her still standing in the doorway. And gave a brief smile. She smiled back then watched him as he retreated down the hall. Her eyes seeing clearly again. She looked at her watch. 1:30 am. Ugh, she thought I must be crazy. Just as she started to close the door she heard a sound, "Hey Willow" came another very familiar voice. She looked down the other side of her hall way and there stood Angel. Willow gasped softly. Her eyes wide as she watched him walk up to her.
Waiting Angel
Her mouth gaped open and she blinked back her disbelief. "Oh Angel, it's so good to see you." She squealed and nearly tackled him hugging him tight to her. "Great to see you too Will," He smiled down at her and held her loosely letting her cling to him instead. His eyes roamed over her slight features and he knew coming had been a good choice. Despite the warning signals going off in his head. Willow released him and stood back smiling at him in her same old Willow way. He could feel the strings of his heart being tugged at and he lowered his head. "Had to stop by and see you, hoped you might be up. His eyes darkened a little and he finished with. "Were you on a, date?" The carefully chosen words he was going to use just fled his mind at the thought of Willow with another man. "Come on inside."
She smiled at him and lead him into her small apartment. Her green blouse skimming her gently Angel could tell by both sight and smell that she was aroused. But the chance that he was the reason was very small. She made chit chat to him while his mind raced with the thought that someone might beat him to Willow's heart. He had waited a long time before he made his move to see her. He wanted to be with her if she would have him. He noticed that she was walking over to the couch so he took the other side of it and sat down his eyes watching her animated face. She seemed to go through many emotions all at once. He didn't really hear a word till she stopped and looked at him curiously. "Angel?" She said questioningly, he didn't answer, he only seemed to look at her strangely. Her voice a bit flustered now she said his name again. This time he blinked and smiled looking at her intently. "I am sorry Willow I have a lot on my mind lately," His voice was quiet but intense. She could feel the nerves in her body tingle lightly as she wondered what he was thinking.
Willow mentally shook herself and let such silly thoughts drop from her like water off a duck. When she looked up his eyes seemed to watch her every movement. She let a small laugh escape her lips, feeling somewhat nervous she stumbled through her words. "I met Riley at the Docks Lounge last night." Angel looked startled but didn't let himself over react more than that. "Oh that's nice, did you two have a good visit?" She nodded and looked back up at him a faint smile on her lips. "He asked me out for his birthday, I guess he doesn't really know anyone here anymore. I mean besides Buffy, and well Dawn, Anya, of course there is Xander. But I don't think he wanted to go with another guy I mean..." Her voice trailed off as she noticed the look in the vampire's eyes. It was as if he could burn a hole into her. Dark as they were she could have sworn there was a fire in them as he peered at her face. Raw emotions barely controlled were trying desperately to surface. Her heart raced along, and her hands began to sweat. "What is it Angel? Something .. wrong?" Her voice became very small. He could tell he was beginning to frighten her. So he cleared his throat and let a smile cross his lips that never made it to his eyes.
He spent the next hour listening to her ask advice on what to do since it seemed that Riley was interested in her. Should she let it ride or would it be better to tell him nicely that she wasn't interested in him that way. That would be a lie, but it would keep her from the madness that might ensue. Angel tried very hard to control his need to grab her and kiss Riley right out of her mind. He had to be careful here or he would lose her. If he allowed himself to react the way he wanted to she would be scared off. But if he didn't do something soon the budding romance between her and Riley would stop him from having her at all.
As Angelus he would have just left and followed Riley's sent. Then once he found him he would rip out his throat. But as Angel he only thought about it, never hurts to think. He flashed her a look that disturbed her when she was telling him about the 'goodnight kiss'. The last thing Angel wanted to know was that his lovely redhead was kissing some other man, any other man. He sat upright on the couch now and looked searchingly at Willow. She was smiling lightly and making comments on what a good friend Angel was to listen to her rant on like this, you have no idea, he thought. Somewhere around 3:00 am she yawned and stretched like a cat. Making a small noise in the back of her throat she blinked her sleepy eyes and he had to smile. Beautiful when she is exhausted too, he thought to himself.
"Where are you staying in town tonight?" The words slashed through his mind and his wandering thoughts came to a halt. " Well I can always go stay with Spike while I am here." He had to laugh when he caught sight of the way her nose wrinkled as if something had crawled in her lap and died. "Oh, Angel I don't think so, don't you have another place?" Her eyes looked at him in earnest. "No I don't really, but no harm I can get a motel room for the day." He knew exactly what he was doing. Or rather what she would do. In fact he had counted on it in a small way. "You know you are welcomed to stay here for the day, Angel. You would have to pay for two nights in order to get the one day." Her face all bright and smiles. She went to her bedroom and brought out a couple of blankets. One to cover the window in the living room.
The other she tossed at him. "As long as you don't mind the couch, you should do fine here." He only smiled and answered with a thanks. " If you want to take a shower you will have to wait until I am done first." The smile in her voice told him that she planned on using all the hot water. He only nodded and looked around a smile playing on his lips. Her apartment was small but well furnished, with a large book case full of books of course. He walked over and took note of a few of them. Witches Almanac, Herbal Spells, To Kill A Mocking Bird, Romeo And Juliet, Wiccan,Yesterday, and Today. His eyes caught sight of her through the door of her bedroom that she hadn't closed completely. Her scent came to him like a drug and he was compelled to walk to the door. It took everything he had to turn back to the couch and sit down. His eyes twitched as he heard the water running and her voice in song. A smile tugged at his lips. She sings in the shower, cute he thought. Like everything else about her, adorable.
Stepping into her shower Willow thought about what had happened today. She was so very tired but still her mind raced with wonder at the two men that just showed up over the past twenty-four hours. Riley of course seemed to want to start something with her, something she wasn't sure she could handle. No matter how wonderful the feeling had been to be kissed by him, to be in his arms. Angel on the other hand was here for some reason too. Maybe he was wanting to get back with Buffy. His soul was anchored now so he was more than safe from losing it if he got a happy.
That thought pleased her so much she began to sing as she lathered her hair and rinse. The water running over her face making her sounds as if she was drowning. Bubbles floated down her slim body and puddled at her feet in the shower. She rinsed then picked her favorite scented soap and her loofah. She made soapy circles over her thighs and belly up to her breast. The soap was wonderful, it had a light flora scent with a hint of spice. Very female stuff, it always made her feel soft and warm. Once she finished her shower, she grabbed a towel and patted herself off. Then rapped her head up and stepped into her bedroom.
Throwing on her robe, large and pink, she seemed swallowed up. Grabbing her hair brush and walked softly into the living room. Angel was still sitting on the couch with his hands folded in his lap like he was praying. His eyes looked up at her as she dropped her head towel and draped it over the back of a chair. "Your turn," she said cheerfully. Angel stood but didn't move for a minute his eyes roving over her robe -hidden form. Willow looked up and noticed him watching her. A question in her eyes, his head raised to see those green eyes surveying him. " Willow," he started, "I have a confession to make." The look on her face seemed to be shadowed by uncertain thoughts. " Yes Angel?" Her voice almost a whisper.
His mind raced, all thoughts lead to actions not words. But he almost feared what would happen if he gave into any of them. Her eyes still holding his, he seemed to move without moving. She found herself in his arms and his large sculpted hand touching her cheek so slightly, brushing damp strands from her forehead. His eyes glowing at her, she nearly gasped as he bent toward her. Taking her lips in a plundering kiss. Fire blazed a way into her mind making it impossible to think. When he released her she was breathing heavily her eyes wide with passion. He stood back and surveyed what she seemed to be feeling and a smile made his mouth go a little crooked." I think I better get that shower now," he breathed the words at her. Then suddenly she was alone. "Oh my, oh my goddess help me".
To be continued
author's name; Greenfae/Keziah
disclaimer: All the rights belong to Joss W. or someone else I have no idea of. Lucky sons of, anyway I am just a poor starving wanna be writer so please don't sue me. I don't even know sue!
email: Greenfae2@cs.com
rating: PG to R later in the series
pairing: Willow, Angel, and Riley, can't help it he was such a babe
time frame: kinda after this season of Buffy.
Notes: Willow is on her own now still doing her best not to use her magic for the most part. I hope everyone likes tug of wars as much as I do. ;-)
Feedback; well only if you want more. hehe.. I hate to never know if anyone is reading this. =-{
And Then There Was a Time
( 1 )
A cool fall breeze caressed her skin making her tingle a little as she watched the sky go a deeper blue. Night was falling and she was getting ready for her date. She wasn't sure how she had gotten herself into this one, but when Riley asked her to go out with him on his birthday she didn't feel like she could turn him down. " It's just one night, one date." She seemed to comfort herself with that thought. He was really a very kind and sweet person. Willow had always liked the way he would get confused and not be sure what to say. All that Iowa farm boy in him really showed when he had made this date with her. Thinking about it now she suppressed a smile. Sometimes she would wonder why Buffy ever let him get away. "Where was the bad?" she had thought more than once. Tall, blonde, green eyes, well built. "Oops, I really need to reign in those thoughts about Buffy's ex-lover." A mild blush crossed her cheeks and she remembered the accidental kiss she received from him just last night.
They were at a local club. Something not to far from the idea and look of the Bronze. She had gone there to cut loose some and allow her mind to think about other things aside from Tara's demise. The pain of that death and the things she had done in Tara's name still caused her a ton of guilt. So on that night she made her face up, put on her naughty cloths, picked out a pair of dancing pumps, and headed out to make heads turn. I need this break she thought. Once there she filtered in thru the crowd and found a dark spot. After an hour she shook her head and thought .."Some party animal I am." She moved to pick up her purse and take her last sip of the fruity beverage she thought she had to have. As she stood to make her way out, she felt a hand on her shoulder and a small yelp type of noise escaped her mauve shaded lips. "Oh gosh, I am sorry", came the not so certain voice in its mild tones from behind her.
She turned her head to see who it was and was surprised by a pair of searching green eyes. For a moment she had no idea what to say. "Hello Willow", his voice no steadier now than before. She smiled openly and hugged him, letting him know without words that she still thought of him as a friend. Riley seemed to hold on to that hug a little longer than necessary, but she didn't read much into it. After all it had been a very long time since they had last seen each other, and the last time he left to her, had been so sudden. Her own green eyes shone with happiness at seeing him. Questions filled her mind and she started to ask some of them in one long string of words. "How have you been? What brings you here? What have you been doing all this time? Are you living around here now?" The only problem with her asking was that the music was so loud Riley could only hear about half of what she was asking. He smiled in his own shy way and shuffled his feet somewhat. "Umm, Do you think we could go somewhere that we could hear each other." "Oh yeah" she nearly shouted back. Willow slipped her small hand in his and lead him out of the din of noise. Once outside she asked him where he would like to go. There were a few coffee shops. But he didn't want to sit in a public place so they decided on her apartment.
It was only 9:30 or so, Willow knew she didn't have to be in to work early the next day and he looked like he needed a friend. Which to her way of thinking meant she didn't have to think. That would be a bright blessing to her. The short walk to her place seem just to flash by as they talked about everything. Seems Riley had gotten out of the military and was now doing some work as a detective for the locals. He had gotten quite good at finding people and things as he put it. Willow had to smile. Riley would always want to be in the thick of things.
As the night wore on she noticed Riley's hands begin to quake and her eyes filled with concern. " What is it Willow?" then he glanced at what she was looking at. "Oh that. I just need to take my meds is all." With that he popped open a small bottle he had tucked in one of the many pockets on his jacket. With a toss of his head and a quick swallow he downed the small pill. "It's the one thing about what happened at S.U. that I will never lose Willow." I had thought I would be OK with out any of those drugs and devices they put in me." His eyes clouded and he looked at the little brown bottle. " They were able to help me with most of it, to fix some of it anyway. But I still have some of the wiring in me and that will never change" He looked to Willow, his eyes carrying their own concern over what he had just revealed to her. "I will always have to take these pills and there are other problems as well." Willow reached out and touched his hand. Smoothing over his wrist to his hand and laced her fingers in a comforting way with his. "What type of problems Riley?" Her eyes colored with her heart felt concern for this friend. He dragged in a deep breath as if he was about to announce the world was coming to an end. "I still have most of the benefits from my days in the Initiative, the strength, endurance, heighten senses. They aren't total, but enough to make my work a lot easier." With that last statement he smiled. It seemed as if a weight had been taken off his shoulders only to be placed right back as he looked up at Willow.
She was stunned to silence. Her large luminous eyes staring at him as if he had grown a second head. "Ahem, she cleared her throat, that must be awful for you" her caring nature willed out again. Even mild shock was wiped away as she let him know she was the same ole Willow. She reached out to give him another hug. That was when it had happened. His eyes smiled at her and he patted her head gently. He could smell her soft sent and the tiny form in his arms seemed to reassure him that it would be OK. Willow closed her eyes and let her arms rap him tightly. He was warm and smelled of spice and wood. She was somewhat tired and just a touch tipsy since they had been drinking her red wine. How many glasses had she had, she really wasn't sure, did it really matter. This was Riley after all, he was more than likely still in love with Buffy. "Don't think about that anymore Riley. Let's just enjoy our chat and relax"
Willow gave him one more squeeze before she ended her hug. As she was pulling away she felt his grip tighten around her and she tipped her head back in a question, searching him closely. Her eyes shining up at him, her lips ever so slightly parted. He looked her face over and was touched by her sweetness and her loveliness. Somehow he felt as if someone had a strangle hold on his heart. Riley dipped his head and brushed her lips with his. Lighting flashed in her at the touch. It was if she had been burnt from the inside out and he had barely kissed her. He let her go quickly and stood up. shuffling his feet again as he made sounds without meaning at first. Then she could hear him saying. "Oh, I am sorry Willow, I didn't mean for that to happen." She was blushing and so was he, soon they were both kind of giggling, which turned into full on laughter. He was still standing above her and for all the world he looked happier than she had ever remembered him being in a very long time.
She too felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted off her and she was able to let go with this man. His Irish eyes laughing and she could see that the song was right. Her smiled lingered most of the rest of the evening which was maybe another hour. Sometime around 1:00 Am. he gave his good evenings hugging her as he went to the door. Willow let her arms drape around him loosely this time. Not daring to get to close at this moment. He too seemed a little more distant. But as he went to leave, standing in her door. He stopped and looked at Willow. "Would you go with me? Out to dinner and maybe some dancing tomorrow night. It's my birthday and I don't really know anyone here. I would love to spend it with you." Willow looked kinda stunned. "Oh,, Ummm OK yes fine then. Umm 7 p.m. OK?"
The Birthday Dare
Looking at the clock on the wall she knew she needed to get dressed quickly. Riley would be here at any moment and she didn't want him to catch her only half ready. Ever the punctual Willow she mused to herself. The knock on the door told her that Riley was early and she cringed. Pulling the sleeves up on her blouse she finished with the one or two buttons on the front of it as she headed to the door. Fumbling with the green silk until each button was in place. Willow brushed her fingers through her hair a couple of times and opened the door. Riley was smiling down at her and she suddenly noticed that she didn't have her shoes on yet. "Come in Riley", she turned and walked back into her living room and sat down to pull on her black leather boots so that the black jeans she wore could be pulled over the top of them. Feeling comfy and still like a girl she was happy with what she had picked to wear. The look on Riley's face told her maybe she did do good a job. The green silk of the blouse made her eyes really jump out and her jeans fit perfectly.
Riley couldn't seem to form words when he first came in. But Willow simply took his quiet behavior as meaning that he was ready to go. She picked up her light coat and headed back to Riley and the door. He smiled at her and she noticed for the first time the flowers he was carrying. They were mixed flowers carnations ,daises ,and violets. So very pretty together that she shot him a look and giggled. " Those for me?" she questioned. " Um yes they are," he seemed to squirm under her fond gaze. But handed her the flowers showing all the boyish charm that made Riley who he was. Willow took the flowers and ran back to the sink where she found a nice vase and she put the flowers in it filling it with water. Setting the vase down on the counter she inhaled deeply and padded back to Riley as quickly as she could. After she locked her door she took Riley's arm. "What do you want to do tonight birthday person?' she smiled. "You mean it's up to me to pick?" She nodded to him a yes and he suddenly got a strange look on his face and she wondered what that had meant. But thought better than to ask.
Once they had eaten Riley wanted to go for a walk. But Willow wasn't sure if they should since there were a lot of vampires and such around. It seemed almost the moment she thought it one jumped out at them and tried to pull her into an ally. But before the thing actually had her she was being set aside as Riley landed a powerful punch to the vamps head, then kicked it in the shin. When the vamp started to go down on that knee Riley pulled a stake from the folds of his jacket and plunged it into the heart letting its fall finish the job. Willow watched as the vamp dusted not 2 feet from her. Her eyes widen with awe and she began to smile. "Wow, you dusted it fast" she nearly sighed. "Why it was nuttin ma'am," Riley said with a southern drawl that would rival any good western. Willow giggled and he smiled.
Something about making her smile and laugh helped make his inner pain go away. He wasn't sure what was going on with him at the moment but he knew he wasn't going to let it go. Or let her go, not just yet anyway. She made him feel good about himself and that hadn't happened since his wife was killed by a lurker demon. He didn't like to think of that and he was sure that Willow was only going with him tonight because she felt sorry for him. Losing Buffy then a couple of years later losing his wife. That was when he had decided to get out of the military altogether.
Riley glanced down at the perky redhead next to him and felt something prickle in his mind. Why hadn't he ever noticed it before. The way light played with her hair. The cute way her eyes would light up as if she were a child on Christmas getting her fondest wish. How her hands would fold together when she was nervous about something. He felt himself staring at the shape of her face and noticed how her chin jutted out demurely. He didn't want to think about why he was feeling this way. Or even try to decide what it was he was feeling. He only wanted to talk with her and hear her soft voice sounding in her giggly little laugh. That always seemed to make him laugh as well. He didn't want to label it, somewhere deep in his mind he knew if he did he would have to deal with it. Just leave it alone his confused mind told him. Its nothing really, you just never really noticed her as much. You were much to busy at the time, but he wasn't so busy now.
Willow noticed how he had almost stopped talking and had been watching every little move she made. She felt as if she had walked into a room of strangers and was expected to sing. Like when she and the gang had been stuck in nightmare land because a little boy was in a coma. She would glance up at him and still his eyes were on her. What is he doing, her mind screamed at her. She wanted to ask but didn't know how to say what she was thinking. What was she thinking, is he attracted to me? No way, was the first thought that came to mind. She glanced up to him again this time he had looked away ,but she didn't, she began to look at him carefully. He had a handsome face, his eyes crinkled at the corners when he laughed. Little thoughts ran through her head like. His hands are so big, and I feel like a child standing next to him.
In her mind there was only one other person that made her feel so helpless and small. Willow shook her head and laughed at herself. "What's so funny Will?" Riley asked again looking at her with those very green very intense eyes. "Oh nothing really, just um, thinking strange thoughts. You know, sometimes my head it just gets silly, and I think funny kinds of things, in my head ." Willows rambling made Riley smile his eyes lighting up watching her be flustered. " You can tell me what it is Willow I would love to know what seemed that funny. "Oh no, no, that would be bad, well maybe not bad bad. But bad enough." She was still grinning. Riley was not going to let her get away with that so he said. "I dare you Will, I double dog dare you even" His grin was even wider now. She passed an evil look his way and said. "Hey double dares go first so you have to tell me what you were thinking before I tell you what I was thinking." Now the game had begun and he was already on the losing side.
They were both laughing lightly when they reached her apartment door. "That's not fair Willow, What if I wasn't even thinking anything important? I could have been thinking about my laundry or something." Chuckling as he said this she answered it with, "Well then tell me what's been on your mind most of the night, you haven't been with me all the time." Her eyes shone brightly up at him as they were leaned up against the doorway. Willow had been fumbling for her keys so she turned back to what she was doing. She could hear him take a deep sigh as she turned the lock and open the door. "Well?" she asked. "Are you going to tell me what you have been thinking about all night?" She stepped inside and he followed her in, letting her close the door behind him.
As she turned toward him again he answered. "I have been thinking about you all night Willow, just you." His eyes seemed to try to tell her something. But she wasn't sure she wanted to know what it was. She felt her limbs turn soft and unsteady as she stood in front of him. His eyes seemed to take in hers and she could have been buried in their light. Her breath seem to hardly come to her and she felt him move closer to her one, two steps. Then his arms went around her. She looked up at him not knowing what he was doing really. Not wanting to let her mind just jump to conclusions yet. She let her head rest against his broad chest and listen to his heart beating, it sounded a little fast but then so was hers. She let her arms come up almost of their own and push their way up under his jacket to lay on his back gently. He smelled of woods and spices again, it was soothing to her. She let the scent and the feel of him this close , warm the part of her that had gone cold since Tara.
She could feel him gently stroking her hair and she smiled ever so slightly as he let his other hand reach for her chin and pull her face up to his. "Willow?" He beckon her with her name and she opened her eyes looking up at him in the still and dark of her living room. "Yes Riley?" "Your turn, what were you thinking about when I asked" Her smile dimmed some and she tried to turn her head away, but he wouldn't let her. "I really want to know, Willow. " Please tell me what you were thinking. "She looked back at him and let a low sigh escape her pouty lips. "Well, I um, you Riley I was thinking of you." They could feel the air tingle around them as Riley touched her lips with a light kiss. He drew back and smiled that she hadn't turned away from him.
His arms suddenly dropped back to his sides and he looked long and hard at her. "I think I need to go Willow. I really need to just think" His eyes took a dark green cast to them and his voice deepened sending a quick thrill down Willows spine. She only nodded to him and he opened the door to leave. Her heart grew panicked and she had to take a step toward him. He smiled at her almost sadly as he went through the door. Her fear increased and she didn't know why. He stood just outside her door now and was watching her carefully. His eyes covered every inch of her in the doorway. She watched him visibly take control of himself. Her eyes wandered his form as well, she felt like she was taking inventory on his body, this by itself made her blush deep red. He caught the look in her eyes and the red in her cheeks. This seemed to make it even harder for him to leave.
He gave her a questioning look. Willow said nothing, but the need in her eyes left him weak and wanting. With a deep sigh he covered the three steps it took for him to reach her. His tone was almost harsh and thoughtless. " Do you know what you are doing, Willow, do you?" The last part was where he pulled her again into his arms. " I don't want to hurt you, and I don't want to be hurt Willow please tell me to go away" She couldn't and she knew it. Instead she just looked at him straining up with her soft lips reaching for his. Her hands holding him close. he grunted his submission and gave her the kiss she was reaching for. Soft, so softly at first his lips slanted over hers. One of his massive hands reached up and tangled in her velvet waves of hair. She parted her lips and allowed him entrance into her sweet mouth. He snaked his tongue over her lips and tentatively traced the lines there before entering. She moaned to him and wrapped both arms around him tightly. His touch was almost reverent and his kiss felt like a knife sharp and almost painful. It stabbed her senses as her mind clouded and her world darkened to only the touch and taste of him. Still he broke from her, standing looking at her, his eyes full of fire showing her the passion she felt he had felt too.
His voice husky and dark from the power of their brief connection he said. " I will see you tomorrow Willow," Such was the meaning heavy in his words that she felt as if the bottom dropped out on her. "Yes, she answered, see You tomorrow Riley." He nodded at that and turned on his heel to go. Taking four or five steps he glanced back at her still standing in the doorway. And gave a brief smile. She smiled back then watched him as he retreated down the hall. Her eyes seeing clearly again. She looked at her watch. 1:30 am. Ugh, she thought I must be crazy. Just as she started to close the door she heard a sound, "Hey Willow" came another very familiar voice. She looked down the other side of her hall way and there stood Angel. Willow gasped softly. Her eyes wide as she watched him walk up to her.
Waiting Angel
Her mouth gaped open and she blinked back her disbelief. "Oh Angel, it's so good to see you." She squealed and nearly tackled him hugging him tight to her. "Great to see you too Will," He smiled down at her and held her loosely letting her cling to him instead. His eyes roamed over her slight features and he knew coming had been a good choice. Despite the warning signals going off in his head. Willow released him and stood back smiling at him in her same old Willow way. He could feel the strings of his heart being tugged at and he lowered his head. "Had to stop by and see you, hoped you might be up. His eyes darkened a little and he finished with. "Were you on a, date?" The carefully chosen words he was going to use just fled his mind at the thought of Willow with another man. "Come on inside."
She smiled at him and lead him into her small apartment. Her green blouse skimming her gently Angel could tell by both sight and smell that she was aroused. But the chance that he was the reason was very small. She made chit chat to him while his mind raced with the thought that someone might beat him to Willow's heart. He had waited a long time before he made his move to see her. He wanted to be with her if she would have him. He noticed that she was walking over to the couch so he took the other side of it and sat down his eyes watching her animated face. She seemed to go through many emotions all at once. He didn't really hear a word till she stopped and looked at him curiously. "Angel?" She said questioningly, he didn't answer, he only seemed to look at her strangely. Her voice a bit flustered now she said his name again. This time he blinked and smiled looking at her intently. "I am sorry Willow I have a lot on my mind lately," His voice was quiet but intense. She could feel the nerves in her body tingle lightly as she wondered what he was thinking.
Willow mentally shook herself and let such silly thoughts drop from her like water off a duck. When she looked up his eyes seemed to watch her every movement. She let a small laugh escape her lips, feeling somewhat nervous she stumbled through her words. "I met Riley at the Docks Lounge last night." Angel looked startled but didn't let himself over react more than that. "Oh that's nice, did you two have a good visit?" She nodded and looked back up at him a faint smile on her lips. "He asked me out for his birthday, I guess he doesn't really know anyone here anymore. I mean besides Buffy, and well Dawn, Anya, of course there is Xander. But I don't think he wanted to go with another guy I mean..." Her voice trailed off as she noticed the look in the vampire's eyes. It was as if he could burn a hole into her. Dark as they were she could have sworn there was a fire in them as he peered at her face. Raw emotions barely controlled were trying desperately to surface. Her heart raced along, and her hands began to sweat. "What is it Angel? Something .. wrong?" Her voice became very small. He could tell he was beginning to frighten her. So he cleared his throat and let a smile cross his lips that never made it to his eyes.
He spent the next hour listening to her ask advice on what to do since it seemed that Riley was interested in her. Should she let it ride or would it be better to tell him nicely that she wasn't interested in him that way. That would be a lie, but it would keep her from the madness that might ensue. Angel tried very hard to control his need to grab her and kiss Riley right out of her mind. He had to be careful here or he would lose her. If he allowed himself to react the way he wanted to she would be scared off. But if he didn't do something soon the budding romance between her and Riley would stop him from having her at all.
As Angelus he would have just left and followed Riley's sent. Then once he found him he would rip out his throat. But as Angel he only thought about it, never hurts to think. He flashed her a look that disturbed her when she was telling him about the 'goodnight kiss'. The last thing Angel wanted to know was that his lovely redhead was kissing some other man, any other man. He sat upright on the couch now and looked searchingly at Willow. She was smiling lightly and making comments on what a good friend Angel was to listen to her rant on like this, you have no idea, he thought. Somewhere around 3:00 am she yawned and stretched like a cat. Making a small noise in the back of her throat she blinked her sleepy eyes and he had to smile. Beautiful when she is exhausted too, he thought to himself.
"Where are you staying in town tonight?" The words slashed through his mind and his wandering thoughts came to a halt. " Well I can always go stay with Spike while I am here." He had to laugh when he caught sight of the way her nose wrinkled as if something had crawled in her lap and died. "Oh, Angel I don't think so, don't you have another place?" Her eyes looked at him in earnest. "No I don't really, but no harm I can get a motel room for the day." He knew exactly what he was doing. Or rather what she would do. In fact he had counted on it in a small way. "You know you are welcomed to stay here for the day, Angel. You would have to pay for two nights in order to get the one day." Her face all bright and smiles. She went to her bedroom and brought out a couple of blankets. One to cover the window in the living room.
The other she tossed at him. "As long as you don't mind the couch, you should do fine here." He only smiled and answered with a thanks. " If you want to take a shower you will have to wait until I am done first." The smile in her voice told him that she planned on using all the hot water. He only nodded and looked around a smile playing on his lips. Her apartment was small but well furnished, with a large book case full of books of course. He walked over and took note of a few of them. Witches Almanac, Herbal Spells, To Kill A Mocking Bird, Romeo And Juliet, Wiccan,Yesterday, and Today. His eyes caught sight of her through the door of her bedroom that she hadn't closed completely. Her scent came to him like a drug and he was compelled to walk to the door. It took everything he had to turn back to the couch and sit down. His eyes twitched as he heard the water running and her voice in song. A smile tugged at his lips. She sings in the shower, cute he thought. Like everything else about her, adorable.
Stepping into her shower Willow thought about what had happened today. She was so very tired but still her mind raced with wonder at the two men that just showed up over the past twenty-four hours. Riley of course seemed to want to start something with her, something she wasn't sure she could handle. No matter how wonderful the feeling had been to be kissed by him, to be in his arms. Angel on the other hand was here for some reason too. Maybe he was wanting to get back with Buffy. His soul was anchored now so he was more than safe from losing it if he got a happy.
That thought pleased her so much she began to sing as she lathered her hair and rinse. The water running over her face making her sounds as if she was drowning. Bubbles floated down her slim body and puddled at her feet in the shower. She rinsed then picked her favorite scented soap and her loofah. She made soapy circles over her thighs and belly up to her breast. The soap was wonderful, it had a light flora scent with a hint of spice. Very female stuff, it always made her feel soft and warm. Once she finished her shower, she grabbed a towel and patted herself off. Then rapped her head up and stepped into her bedroom.
Throwing on her robe, large and pink, she seemed swallowed up. Grabbing her hair brush and walked softly into the living room. Angel was still sitting on the couch with his hands folded in his lap like he was praying. His eyes looked up at her as she dropped her head towel and draped it over the back of a chair. "Your turn," she said cheerfully. Angel stood but didn't move for a minute his eyes roving over her robe -hidden form. Willow looked up and noticed him watching her. A question in her eyes, his head raised to see those green eyes surveying him. " Willow," he started, "I have a confession to make." The look on her face seemed to be shadowed by uncertain thoughts. " Yes Angel?" Her voice almost a whisper.
His mind raced, all thoughts lead to actions not words. But he almost feared what would happen if he gave into any of them. Her eyes still holding his, he seemed to move without moving. She found herself in his arms and his large sculpted hand touching her cheek so slightly, brushing damp strands from her forehead. His eyes glowing at her, she nearly gasped as he bent toward her. Taking her lips in a plundering kiss. Fire blazed a way into her mind making it impossible to think. When he released her she was breathing heavily her eyes wide with passion. He stood back and surveyed what she seemed to be feeling and a smile made his mouth go a little crooked." I think I better get that shower now," he breathed the words at her. Then suddenly she was alone. "Oh my, oh my goddess help me".
To be continued