Here is Chapter 11. The story about Spike's family is here. Nat and Will's relationship changes. Hope you like it. Thanks for the reviews and for reading. Please R&R. FYI: Natalie is a little based off of me. I won't say where she is, but she is.


Chapter 11

The room was filled with the warm glow of the roaring fire in the early spring night. Natalie sat on one of the green sofas reading a book with Spike curled up in her lap. The cat purred as she petted him. William was at the desk checking up on his New York club, but of course every once in a while he would look up at Natalie. She hasn't asked about shape shifters at all. I've been waiting for her to ask me about them. He sighed. I wish she would make up her mind about us. I can't take this for much longer.

Natalie glanced up from her book. "Will?"

The vampire looked around his laptop. "What, Natalie?"

She smiled. "You know you can call me Nat right?"

He returned the smile. "All right. What, Nat?"

"Why haven't you explained shape shifters to me yet?"

"I was waiting for you to ask."

"I'm asking now."

He glanced at his screen. "I'm finished with this. Do want this conversation now or later?"

"Now please. And I want more explanation about what you said last week."

"All right." He shut down his laptop and joined her on the sofa. Spike stood up and jumped into his lap. He began to make himself comfortable. "Crazy cat."

Natalie hid her smile behind her hand. "You know he doesn't get near any man except for you."

William picked Spike out of his lap and put him beside him. "I know. The cat hasn't forgotten me."

"Hasn't forgotten you? What are you talking about?"

"I rescued him from demons who ate kittens"

"Like Clem?"

"You know?"

"Yeah, he promised never to eat Spiky though."

"Please don't call him that in front of me."

"K. Sorry you can finish."

"Then I snuck him into the house on Christmas Eve for you. I knew you wanted a pet, but Dawn wouldn't get you one."

"Thanks. Can we get on to shape shifters?"

"I tell you a story I didn't find out until a few years ago."


There was once a man who all believed to be normal except he had a secret. At will he could take the form of a wolf. He was careful when in London, but at his family's home in the country he was carefree.

Now when it came time for him to marry. He went to all the parties and balls held during the season. No lady caught his eyes for three years. Until she walked into the grand ball. With hair of gold she walked by. He couldn't take his eyes off of her. He knew by her smell she was his mate. For the rest of the season, the man courted her and won her.

She knew his secret and kept it close to her heart. Knowing he wasn't a demon, but only a man with a gift. While carrying their only child, she was haunted down by a demon. Her husband saved her in his wolf form. The townspeople attacked him not knowing who he was. She watched as he limped off. She found him an hour later. Dead. No one save her knew how he died.

When their child was born she hid his father's gift from him. He didn't know what he was until he had become a demon with a soul. So ends the story of my parents.


"That's just sad. But I can understand why she hid it."

"As can I." He smirked. "Natalie, I can't shift as a vampire. I've tried."

"So in other words your like a werewolf who keeps his human mind and can change at will."

"Yes."

"K. Now about that stuff you were talking about last week about me."

William shook his head. "I really think Giles should tell you that."

"You mean Gramps."

"Yes. I can tell you what I know if you want?"

"Thank you."

"All I know for sure is because of Angel being a vampire somehow that makes you immune to becoming one no matter what. A lot of vampires and other demons were after you. That's what the big fight that took you parents away from you was about. A lot of people died to protect you. Only a few made it out alive."

"Were you there?"

He hung his head. "Yes. But after your parents were gone I fled to protect you. There were others still fighting. But all I could think about was getting to you and protecting you from everything."

She placed her hand on his thigh. "Will, they would be happy you left to come to me. I know it."

He raised his head. "I wanted to be with you the whole time. If I had paid more attention your parents would be here now."

"Things happen because they are meant to. No one can change that."

William smiled. "You parents would be proud of you."

"I know." She looked at the clock on the side table. "It's late and I have class tomorrow."

Natalie and William stood up. Natalie turned to leave.

William grabbed her forearm. "Wait a minute."

Natalie hung her head. "I still haven't decided yet."

"I know." He leaned and kissed her on her forehead. "Night, Angel. Your wolf will always watch over you no matter what."

Natalie left him alone in the library. William sat back down on the sofa and covered his face with his hand. Spike jumped back into his lap and only purred.

He looked down at the cat. "What do you want?"

Spike meowed at him and jumped to the floor. Then the feline followed his mistress to her room.

William stood up and made his way to his room. He turned on the water to his shower and undressed. How much longer to I have to wait? I thought I might get an answer tonight. She hasn't run away from me. No she stays by my side as long as she is at home. He quickly cleaned his skin and got out. After drying himself off, for the first time he put on a pair of pyjama bottoms. Then he climbed into his bed.

Lying on his back looking up at the ceiling, he sighed. "I'm waiting, Angel. Don't let me down."

Natalie laid in her bed, but she couldn't fall asleep. Spike was curled on the pillow beside her. I'm afraid to go to sleep. I don't want to be alone. She turned to her back and glanced at the cat. "You want me to go to him don't you?" Spike looked like a regal cat lying down. He swung his tail and glanced at her door. "You're no help." The cat meowed and stood up.

Natalie turned away from him, but heard him jump to the floor. Stupid cat wants me to go sleep with him. No not that. I mean in the same bed. Not that stuff. Shesh my mind needs to get out of the gutter. I haven't even decided about us yet. Natalie sighed. Who am I kidding? I know I love him. I knew it even before I met him. I don't know what to do.


William woke up in the early morning light. He heard breathing beside him. Turning to his side a smile appeared on his face. Natalie was curled up beside him. Wait a minute is this a dream or reality? Natalie moved and rowed over on her back. He turned away from her and opened the drapes a bit. The early morning sun burned his skin. It's real. She's really beside me. Suddenly an alarm clock went off.

Natalie woke up and turned the clock off. She groaned as she sat up. "Morning, Angel."

Natalie turned to face William sitting against the headboard with a smile on his face. "Don't getting any ideas."

"Why shouldn't I? I wake to find you in my bed."

Natalie stood up. "Please don't make this in to something. I have to get to campus early. One of my professor needs my help."

William crawled closer to her. "I just want to know why?"

"Because I was scared o.k."

His face fell. "I shouldn't have told you."

"No. I'm glad you told me. I'm not some little girl. I can take care of myself."

"Even the greatest women had someone to turn to, Angel. If you'll let me I'll be that person for you."

"Fine. Sorry."

"Natalie, I didn't mind. I just didn't expect to wake up and find you." He sat at the edge of the bed.

Natalie walked toward the door. "I made up my mind."

He stood up and faced her. "I figured that was another reason you were here."

"Let's take it slow at least for now."

"I understand. Thanks, Angel."


Natalie sat in the dining room looking over her English Literature books. Class was getting a bit difficult. Finals were coming up in a few weeks. Trying to finish all of her class work and study at the same time was hard. Also knowing that your new boyfriend's crazy insane ex was probably after you wasn't good either.

Natalie smiled. Changing from friends to boyfriend and girlfriend for them wasn't a big change. Of course her big problem was he still hadn't kissed her. I wonder if he knows I've never been kissed. She glanced over her shoulder as Clem walked into the foyer from outside.

Clem carried a new supply of blood for the house's resident vampire. He took off his coat and hurried upstairs.

Natalie turned back to her work. She knew what Clem was doing. I'm willing to do it, but no he says. "I don't want you to do it. Dru might be looking for you there." (AN: The quotes are William.)

Now she rarely went out except for classes. Giles did the shopping now. Natalie wondered why he had reacted the way he did when he had brought the first trip to the house.

OXO

Giles opened the door. He was tried, but he knew he had to protect her. She isn't by blood my granddaughter, but she is never the less. He carried his bags to the kitchen as he entered the doorway he stopped.

Natalie was standing in front of the stove. A large pot sat on the stove. William stood behind her. "Is it ready yet?"

"Almost. Give it a few more minutes."

"I've waited years to have one of these."

"I'm making the darn thing aren't I. Now stop or I'll burn myself."

William backed away from her. "All right. Sorry, Angel."

"What the hell is going on?!"

Natalie and William turned to the elder man in the doorway. William smiled at him. "Hello, Giles. Let me help you with that."

He walked toward Giles and took a few of the bags from him while Natalie quickly got the bloomin' onion out of the oil and placed it on a layer of newspaper to drain. She moved it out of the way so her grandfather and William could put the groceries away.

Giles watched the two interact with each other. They are almost acting the way Buffy and him did when Willow had that spell on them. Except they aren't snogging each other.

William and Giles put away the groceries. Natalie quickly made up a dipping sauce to go along with the onion. She placed both on the island after the two were finished.

OXO

Natalie shook her head and returned to her work. I have to finish this last paper so I can study up for my final. I don't have the time to think about why my grandfather reacted that way.

William stood in the doorway watching Natalie using his laptop in the library. Poor thing hasn't had much sleep in the last few night trying to finish all these papers before her finals. There has to be something I can do for her.

He walked in and she looked up at him. "What? I'm almost done and this is the last one. Then I have to print them all out."

"Nothing is wrong, Angel. I was just wondering what you wanted to do to celebrate getting finished with your finals."

"As of right now. I don't care. I just want to finish these papers and get them turned in. Then I'll worry about after finals when it happens."

"I'll come up with something. You just study."

Natalie returned to the laptop and continued her work. He walked over to the green sofas and took a seat on one.

Natalie finished her final paper and printed them out and placed them in the folders that her professors required. Finally finished with the evil things she sighed. "I so need a vacation."

"I was offering."

"Ha ha. I need one, but …"

"Take it, Angel. I have enough money to go where ever you want."

"I'll think about it."

William watched as the gathered her school things and left the library. I don't care if I have been there before I'd go because you want to.


Where will Natalie want to go? FYI-their vaction will not be the next book. It takes place about a year after this.