Picking up the pieces

Pairings: Buffy/Spike and more to come.
Disclaimer: I don't own nor did I create these characters. Writing this makes me happy even without making any money so please don't sue me. That would make me unhappy.

Chapter 11

Angel was sitting at his desk cradling his head in his hands and looking tired when Willow came into the office. "You feeling alright?" she asked sympathetically.

"Yeah. I'll be alright. Scheduling is a real bitch now that Buffy and Spike are constantly running between here, Rome and London and god knows where else you guys are digging up slayers."

"Yeah. That's the downside. But you have to admit that they both look much better now, since they are together."

"Yeah. At least Spike's not passing out in the lobby every night now and Buffy's getting some meat on her bones again. Ready to go to our stake out?"

--

"What is it this time," Willow started asking in the car on the way there. "Another shapeshifting wife, or something else?"

"No. This is actually a friend of that old lady who had the demonic pest problem the other day. She has the strangest feeling that something is always lurking around her house between midnight and four a.m. on Wednesdays. I don't think there's really anything to worry about but she really wanted us to check it out one time."

"So just sitting here and watching if something strange happens?"

"Yep. That's why I brought you along for company. Plus if it's something magicky you might be helpful."

"I like it. Maybe not all nights but it's exciting. My first stakeout."

"Damn. We can't park straight across. Well have to park sideways to the house. I hate that. Having my neck turned all night."

"We could spread out in the back seat."

"It's kinda small. I'm not sure it'll fit us both."

"Oh come on. We can squeeze together. You go first, you're bigger."

Angel gave her a strange look but then proceeded to clumsily get his large body between then suddenly far too small gap between the front seats. Once he had gotten himself fairly comfortable Willow started to go back after him. The back seat bench was indeed very small for the two of them. Angel sat with his back towards one of the doors and one of his legs up on the seat. Willow almost had to sit in his lap.

"Are you alright with this?" He asked. "We can sit up front you know… it's not that bad."

"No, no. This is cosy," she answered leaning her back into his broad chest. "If you don't mind that is."

"No. It's fine by me."

They sat together in silence for a few minutes and just watched the old lady's house. It got boring really soon and Willow was the first one to act against that. "Maybe we could have a talk that I've been planning to have with you."

"Okay. What about?"

"Your soul."

There was no response from Angel.

"You should let me do the spell."

"Willow…" he mumbled sounding tired. Like this was a subject long exhausted between them but Willow would not let this go.

"Yes."

"Willow who ware we to decide… I was cursed… who are we to change that?"

"Actually… I can. Technically you are under the curse I put on you – even if it wasn't my curse. I think I understand what you are talking about, but a hundred years is a long time to suffer. I think even the gypsies would agree to that. Plus you spent another hundred years in Hell… so I say that you deserve to have some happiness in your life now and then. There is no reason that you can't repent for your sins while occasionally enjoying a happy moment. Knowing you I'm certain that you're existence is in no danger of becoming perpetual bliss. Secondly we should bind your soul because that damn happiness clause has caused too much trouble already not to be permanently eliminated and third: I can turn this into a guilt trip on you because all the incidents that have happened since I restored your soul for the first time can be considered my fault. If it weren't for me you would either be dead or maybe still stuck in hell."

"Fine. I'll think about it."

"Ok. You think about it. But think hard mister. I won't give up until I've convinced you that this is the right thing to do… and there's absolutely nothing going to happen around this house we're watching."

After a while of silence watching the quiet house Angel realized that Willow's yawns become more frequent and finally he noticed that she had fallen asleep in his arms. Instinctively he started tightening his grip around her waist but loosening it again when he realized what he was doing. But to his surprise sleeping Willow responded by pushing herself again closer against him so he tightened his grip again.

"Uhmm… nice pillow…" she murmured in her sleep and Angel smiled to himself. Somehow this made him think about what the red haired witch lying in his arms had said before. Maybe it was time to consider her offer for real.