Permanent Condition

By Angelbach

Willow literally flew down the corridor into the library.

"Giles, Giles, I need the disc. Hi Angel. I met someone in the park. They said that... ANGEL!"

Before he knew what was happening, the vampire found himself holding a rambling redhead.

"She said that your soul was permanent, and something about Buffy not being in the same state. That she was a selfish chit and that she knew all about the Scooby Gang because of Whistler and that we're rare mortals and I was going to find out something about Oz that I wasn't going to like very much and that..." She broke off abruptly,

suddenly aware of what else she was going to say.

A deep blush invaded her pale cheeks as she realised that both Watcher and Vampire were looking at her with amused expressions. With an embarrassed groan, she buried her face in Angel's white shirt.

"Someone shoot me please." She mumbled.

"I don't think so, Will, you're way too important." Angel murmured in her hair, his smile audible in his voice. He suddenly stiffened.

"Permanent!"

Willow drew back, eyes shining. "Yes, that's what she said." Without knowing it, she raised her hand and brushed away a blood red tear from his cheek, then spun round to find the Watcher holding out the restoration disc. "But I want to make sure."

With that, she turned to the computer and switched on. Moments later, she was running the curse through a recently acquired translation programme.

"Willow, I think you better tell us exactly what has happened to you this afternoon." Giles eventually said. "When you left the library earlier you weren't quite this hyperactive. Are you sure you haven't just had an overdose of coffee."

"Giles!" Willow exclaimed indignantly before catching the amused look in the Watcher's eyes. "That was so not funny, Giles."

"Needed to be asked though." He replied, leaning against the counter. "Now sit down and tell us about this person you've met. I'm sure you've time while that blasted machine translates your disc."

Willow promptly jumped on to the table, dragging a still slightly stunned vampire with her. Then with a little bit of editing on her part, she told Watcher and vampire about her conversation with the strange woman in the Park.

"I swear it, Giles, there was something about her that felt familiar and the moment she spoke, I knew I could trust her."

"Which is why you promptly came here, asking for the disc."

"Giles, we still live on the Hellmouth. No harm in double checking is there." The redhead replied, an innocent look playing in her eyes.

"No, my girl, there isn't." he agreed, grinning at her just as the computer beeped. "Your infernal machine appears to have finished."

She grimaced in response but went straight to the computer. Both men followed her and read the screen over her shoulder. Moments later, Angel was swinging a laughing Willow around in the air, a grin on his own face.

"Angel... stop... dizzy." She gasped through her giggles.

"You clever, wonderful, beautiful girl." He replied, lowering her to the ground and enveloping her in a tight bear hug. "How can I ever thank you."

She returned it, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You already have, Angel."

"Who's going to volunteer to tell Xander though." Giles said suddenly. With Willow's help, he had more readily accepted the souled vampire's return than the younger man. Xander continued to treat him with great distrust.

Willow turned to face him, a mischievous look playing in her green eyes. "Who's he annoyed most recently?" She asked.

"Willow Anne Rosenberg!" Giles exclaimed as she burst into giggles again. Giggles that began to grow slightly hysterical. "Willow?"

In response, the small girl suddenly collapsed to the floor, tears falling. "Oh God, Giles, she's never coming back." She cried. "She's never coming home."

Angel was beside her immediately, pulling her into his arms. The redhead buried her face against him as she continued to cry heartbrokenly. Over her head, he shared an understanding look with Giles as he made soothing noises to the redhead.

The older looking man was also looking decidedly shocked as the realisation struck him as well. He sank down into the nearest chair, removed his glasses and buried his face in his hand. Only the sound of the small redhead crying and the vampire's soothing nonsense noises broke the sombre silence.

It was upon this scene that Cordelia and Xander walked in. The young man took one look at the posture of the Watcher and his crying friend and his face blanched. For once in his life though, he did not jump to false conclusions.

"Giles?"

"Xander, Cordelia." The Watcher looked up and replaced his glasses. "I have news."

"Is she...?" he paled even further and his girlfriend wrapped her arms around him. "Please tell me she's not..."

"No, from what Willow was told, she's alive." The Watcher's tone turned slightly bitter. "Just don't expect ever to see her again."

"Good." Cordelia's almost please response managed to shock them all.

Even Willow raised her face from Angel's shoulder. "Cordelia!"

"Oh please Will." She rolled her eyes. "Alright, so things haven't been that brilliant since the selfish bitch walked out on us, but we've survived. If anything, with Angel back, we're doing a whole lot better."

"Is this where I say thank you." The vampire murmured in Willow's ear, before standing up and drawing her with him. It was enough to bring a smile to the still slightly woe-begotten little face.

"I'm just glad to know that she's alive." Xander said suddenly, his own face grim and strangely more mature. "But I don't think I ever want to see her again, not now."

The other four looked at him in stunned shock.

"Alright, who are you and what have you done with our Xander!" Willow exclaimed. To the relief of both vampire and watcher, her eyes were beginning to sparkle again as she crossed over to the computer. "Oh, and while we're in the mood for telling news, Angel's soul is permanent."

"Oh good!" Xander replied absently. He had started to look for his hidden stash of sweets and wasn't really listening.

His girlfriend's unexpected and uncharacteristic squeal of glee had him spinning round.

"It's what!"

"Permanent Xander. As in forever." Giles repeated with a peculiar note of glee, watching the young man.

"You're sure."

"Of course we're sure. I double –checked." Willow moved back to Angel's side and linked her arm in her friend's. She smiled up at him. "Angelus is history."

"In that case..." Xander turned to face the vampire, a strange look on his face. He then stunned them all by holding out his hand to him. "Congratulations, Deadboy."

Angel was stunned enough to take the hand and shake it.

Willow immediately felt her best friend's forehead. "No temperature. Giles, he has to be possessed."

"Very funny, Wills." He punched her shoulder.

"Just one question..." Cordelia inserted sweetly. "How did we find all this out?"

"Willow." Giles answered. "Why don't you fill Cordelia and Xander in on your adventure this afternoon. Angel, may I have a word."

"Of course."

They moved to one side as the other two teenagers converged on the redhead, bombarding her with questions.

Once he was sure they were totally involved in their conversation, Giles turned to the vampire.

"Angel, I'm worried." He said frankly. "This Ven has been right about your curse and I have no doubt about Buffy as well, but..."

"What did she mean by Willow finding out something about Oz she wasn't going to like." Angel finished for him. "It doesn't sound good, does it."

Giles sighed heavily. "Not at all. I know they have been growing apart recently. Willow admitted as much to me earlier today, but he's still her friend."

"We're just going to have to see what happens, but if he hurts..." The vampire broke off, his dark gaze fastened on the redhead. "Giles, she doesn't deserve this."

"I know she doesn't." The former Watcher replied. "None of them do, Angel, but Willow especially doesn't. Just remember she has us."

"Permanently." Angel grinned suddenly, startling the older looking man. "I never knew just how good a word that was till now."

"What word?" Willow inquired as she caught his last statement.

"Permanently." Angel repeated, smiling at her.

"Definitely the bestest." She agreed, moving to his side. "Even better with soul attached."

"I feel the sudden need to be sick." Xander muttered.

"That's what happens when you stuff five Ho-Hos all at once." Cordelia shuddered. "Sheer gross!"

"Then I think it's time we did patrol." Giles put in quickly. "Before

these two need a closet."

"Giles!"

Both Xander and Cordelia blushed as Willow giggled and Angel smiled... again.

The Watcher merely ignored them all, picked up the supply bag and walked away. The others looked at each other, ginned and followed.

End

read the sequal 'Discoveries'