Chapter III
Willow groaned as Cordelia handed her yet another top. "Cordy, how many times? I just want something comfortable I can wear when I do spells, not all this," she indicated the vast pile of designer gear with a wave of her hand, "brand name stuff . My parents will kill me if they find out I'm spending this much money on clothes!" Cordelia ignored her as she pushed a reluctant Willow into the change room. "Just try it on, witch!" she ordered. "But why?" moaned the red head as she dragged her feet sullenly. The ex-cheerleader grinned evilly. "Because I'm sick of Angel moping and brooding all day ever day. It's driving me slowly insane and if he doesn't' snap out of it soon, I'll stake him myself. To avoid this situation, I've organized for the gang to meet at the Bronze tonight and as part of the gang, you're expected to be there. With any luck, Spike and Angel will get along for once and it's Buffy's turn to patrol, so we won't have to worry about that. Maybe Mr. Tall, Dark and Broody will actually enjoy himself." Willow smiled sadly; Yes, Angel did seem to be even more broody than usual. The "I'm-sorry-Buffy-we-can't-be-together" talk hadn't helped matters either. Willow was grateful to Cordelia for trying to help, even if it was for selfish reasons, so she went to try on the clothes.
An hour later, the duo left the shopping complex with a trunk load of shopping. Cordy looked as if her shopping craving was almost satisfied, but she couldn't resist wheedling one more time as Willow maneuvered the car around the parking lot. "Are you absolutely sure you don't want those shoes?" The red-head rolled her eyes. "Cordy, we just maxed out my card for the month! There is no way I am setting foot in that place again until Christmas. Now shut up and let me concentrate or you can walk home." The ex-cheerleader huffed, but was blessedly quiet for the rest of the trip.
After unloading the car, Willow had a shower and got ready, choosing a new green sweater and dark jeans. Not the most revealing or sexy perhaps, but comfy and practical to the max. A quick hair and make up check and she was out the door.
The Bonze, as usual, was packed and loud. Xander waved from a table in the corner and Willow wandered over in time to add her food to the order. Cordy, Anya and Angel were already there and Giles looked up from the bar and nodded. As Willow sat down, the door opened and Spike strode in, black duster billowing. He grinned as he drew closer. "Hullo Pet. Cordy," He nodded to the ex-cheerleader. "Watcher," he nodded to Giles as the librarian returned, drinks in hand. Looking at Xander, he sneered without nodding, "Brat."
The bleached blonde turned his gaze on Angel and, for a moment, Willow thought she spotted something like sadness in his blue eyes, until he covered it with a snide grin. "Peaches," Spike plonked down next to Willow and the Scoobie Gang kept up light conversation until their food arrived.
Much later, when all the human member of the gang were thoroughly toasted, and the Vampires were in a much lighter mood for the amusing antics of the drunken Scoobies, they parted ways. Angel's smile faded as they all stood up and Willow could see the distraction they'd provided had been just that: a distraction. and a minor one at that. She glanced sideways at Spike. Nope, there was no mistaking the sorrow in the chipped vamp's eyes as he watched his brooding sire. Catching Willow looking, he gave her a pained look and gestured outside with a jerk of his thumb and a cock of his head. Willow nodded briefly. As the others left, Willow sidled out the side door into the alley and waited. Spike came strolling out moments later and leaned against the brick, arms crossed. "Spike, what's on Angel's mind?" The blonde vamp grimaced and ran a hand through his bleached locks. "He remembers, Pet. All the stuff he did when he was Angelus; the torture, the mind fuck games, the blood. Most of all, the blood. Living on animal blood just reminds 'im of how much better human blood is. I should know. Bloody hell! This soddin' chip is makin' me a ponce!" He started pacing the tight confines of the alleyway in frustration. "You're a witch, Red, can't ya do something? Some spell or potion to make 'im happy?" Willow thought hard for a moment. "Actually, I think I can." Spike's head jerked up and he stopped pacing like a caged animal. "Really, luv?" The red head nodded, then hesitated. "Spike, would Angel take human blood if it was willingly given?" Spike's blue eyes narrowed on her, then he frowned. "Dunno Pet. Why, you volunteerin'?" Willow smiled calmly, "Yeah I am. But I think we should put it in a blood bag, what dya think?" Spike thought for a moment, then nodded. "I'll get the stuff tonight and we'll do it tomorrow evening, alright luv?" Willow nodded. "I'll look for that spell tonight too." She crossed the distance between them and laid a hand on Spike's shoulder. "You miss the old Angelus, don't you?" The blonde vamp frowned again. "Dunno Red, just know I don't like 'im when he's like this. You serious about the blood?" Willow nodded as she turned away. She drove home, pulled out her collection of magic books and started reading, searching for the elusive half remembered spell.
Angel arrived back at the manor in a black mood. His sins weighed at his soul like lead. Distractions like tonight were brief respites, too few and too far between to be of any use or provide any long term comfort. He sighed heavily as he heated up a bag of blood, then poured it into a mug and went upstairs, throwing the empty bag in the trash as he passed. He drank down half the blood as he climbed the stairs, grimacing at the taste, then set the mug on the bedside table and went to have a shower. By 3am he was settled in the living room reading a book of old Irish poems. The cold cup of pig's blood sat forgotten in his room until 4 hours later when he finally went to bed and even then all he did was tip the congealed mess down the vanity sink in disgust.