Disclaimer: They all still belong to Joss, despite my attempts to kidnap them.
Part 17
Finally exhaustion and boredom over took the four friends' minds and they all fell asleep, Willow using Angel's stomach as a pillow, and Buffy and Spike on opposite ends of their cell because Spike swore that the slayer "bloody well almost kicked me to death in 'er sleep". And so it was that they did not here their captor when he silently slipped into the hall where the two cells were housed. The cells themselves were right next to each other, but magically reinforced so that neither couple could hear or see the other, even though they could literally reach out and touch each other through the bars of the cell door. The tall, lean man watched the four as they slept peacefully, unaware that they were being watched. He had debated whether to put the two girls in one cell, and the two vampires in the other, but had finally decided that splitting them into couples would be much more entertaining. Besides, if he got lucky the soon to be vampires would kill the girls thus, eliminating half of his job for him. Truthfully murder wasn't his fortay...magic and mayhem were more to his liking. Murder just had a nasty ring to it, and it always came back to haunt you in the end. But, if the vampires killed the girls he could justify murdering the vampires. Which makes you wonder if killing a vampire can be considered murder since they're already technically dead. Ethan decided that either way they'd cease to exist and he'd still get paid by the mayor. Humming a happy tune to himself he left the hall to prepare the ceremonial room where said mayor would be performing a ritual which would help him on his way towards ascension. The crate of supplies would be arriving anytime now, and there wasn't much time left before the spells wore off.
Part 18
Angel was having a very nice dream. In it he and Willow were back at the beach making sand castles as the waves washed in and around them, but never destroyed or swept away any of the sand. They had just completed the north tower and Willow had placed a perfectly shaped scallop shell upon the top in place of a flag. Suddenly Willow grabbed Angel's hand and they were running along the sand, kicking up the surf as they went. Angel was no longer a child, but he was not yet a vampire.
"That's because you're soul is not a child...nor a vampire"
Willow's voice echoed the words through his head, yet her lips never broke their playful smile as she dragged him towards the pier. Once they reached the tall pilings holding the old wooden structure up, Willow took his hand, and giving him a secretive smile led him through the maze of wooden towers that turned into trees the further they went in. Finally, they reached a clearing in the wood and sunlight streamed down through the golden leaves creating shadows on the earthen floor, telling the story of his existence.
"Your heart is a secret Angel..."
Willow placed her small hand upon his chest, and her touch was like a kiss, warm and powerful.
"I'll share my secret with you."
Angel placed his larger hand over Willow's, and gazed into her hazel eyes. Suddenly, the earth rumbled and lightening streaked across the sky, grounding itself between Willow and himself.
Part 19
Angel sat up with a start as the white light ripped through his body. The sudden movement causing Willow's head to get catapulted from its resting place, onto the cold cement floor.
"Um, owwie." Willow rubbed her cheek from where it had hit the floor. "What's happened An--gel?!"
The last part of Angel's name came out as a squeak as she took in the very luscious and scantily clad vampire before her. Quickly closing her eyes and willing the scarlet blush away from her face and neck Willow sucked in ragged breathes.
*Half naked Angel, well almost naked Angel because those swim trunks don't quite fit anymore and you can really make out the outline of everything, and there sure is a lot of um, things to be outlined, and Willow!! You so should not be thinking about Angel's things. Angel is Buffy's boyfriend, and just your friend. Even though he will share his secret with you, I don't think that Buffy will appreciate you having naughty thoughts about her Angel...and what secret is he sharing with me?*
Willow puzzled over her last thought as Angel quickly grabbed the other towel from the swim bag in the corner and wrapped it around his waist.
"Um, you can open your eyes now Willow, I'm covered...well sort of." Angel sat back down next to Willow and watched a puzzled expression form on her face, but she still didn't open her eyes. "Willow?" Angel placed his hand lightly on her shoulder, only to flinch away when she jumped at his touch.
"Wha-? Oh, sorry Angel you just startled me. Is it safe to open my eyes?"
"Yeah, it's safe."
Willow slowly peaked one eye open and then fully opened both eyes once she saw Angel was no longer sans clothing.
"So are you back to being all grrrrrrrr?"
Angel shrugged and then slipped into his game face. Willow squeaked and blanched, so Angel quickly shifted back to his human planes.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"No, it's okay really, it's just, bad memories and all."
"Willow, I want to apologize for when I-"
"But it wasn't you, it was him, and even though he's inside you, you're still not him. Angelus is evil, you, Angel, are my friend, and I wouldn't have it any other way." Willow smiled and hugged him reassuringly.
"Neither would I." Angel hugged her back and kissed the top of Willow's hair. Just then a huge yawn escaped Willow's mouth. "Sleepy little one?"
"Yeah, just a little."
"Here," Angel laid back down and patted his chest, "Why don't you go back to sleep? I promise not to wake you up so suddenly next time."
It didn't take much to convince her, and soon Willow's small form was cuddled up against Angel's much larger one, his chest pillowing her head, and her arm draped across his stomach, sleeping soundly.
*A vampire could get used to this.* A small smile tugged at the corners of Angel's mouth as he too drifted into a peaceful sleep, holding Willow's warm body close to him.