PART THREE
It was 5:30 and Willow still couldn't believe how fast the day had gone by. As she packed her spellbooks into a small box along with her candles and incense, she resigned herself to the fact that it wasn't working. She wasn't feeling a damn thing. It was as if she had become totally numb to the concept that she was truly leaving Sunnydale for good. By lunchtime, she'd given up mentally poking herself into trying harder to make her few remaining hours 'special'. Therefore, by the end, it had turned out to be a relatively normal day. She hadn't dressed up. She hadn't been overly chatty or overly withdrawn throughout the morning. During study hall, she hadn't hounded her friends for extra attention or buried her nose in a book for the hour or passed an unusually large number of notes. She hadn't even broken down into an emotional heap after the last bell rang signally the end of classes for the day. Essentially, she decided to leave Sunnydale the same way as she'd existed there: as a person true to herself.
Which still doesn't make it any easier to say goodbye… she sighed as she collected her photo album and jewelry case. At least I have Angel to keep me company in L.A. The thought brightened her disposition somewhat. She wasn't really sure how well he was taking the news Most likely, not to well at all… She knew, however, that when all was said and done, he would grudgingly accept her help. Not that he has any choice. She narrowed her eyes at her reflection Not that either of us do.
Surveying her suitcases and boxes packed neatly near the door, Willow realized that she really didn't have anything left to do but sit and wait for Whistler to pick her up.
Mulling over the facts of her predicament, she still felt as if she was being kept in the dark. The specifics of her duty were still somewhat vague to her, but being a resourceful and intelligent young woman, she'd spent a few hours the night before doing a bit of research over the internet. From the little information she'd gathered, it appeared that a Protector was a person, who could be either male or female (unlike slayers who were predominantly girls), who was chosen to defend the life of another individual. The person the Protector would have to defend tended to have either humanitarian and/or religious ties as well as a pivotal role in history.
Evidently, it was an honor to be chosen for such an admirable job. Although she was still somewhat confused as to who chose her or why they did, Willow couldn't help but feel a small twinge of pride over her position someplace deep underneath her constant fear. With all the Evil she had seen throughout her life living on the Hellmouth, she was glad that Goodness had a few more people to call upon for back up.
"Willow?"
Startled, she looked up only to see Whistler standing in front of her, hat in hand, smirking slightly, "I knocked a few times but you didn't respond so I let myself in. Ready to go?"
Swallowing hard, she stood up, "Yeah. Just let me grab my b-," looking around, she gasped, "Where are my bags?"
He shrugged and headed down the stairs, "In the car. Don't worry about it. Let's go."
Picking up her purse, she nodded to no one in particular.
"Okay. Leaving," she whispered softly before closing the door of her room and following him out, never once turning back.
**
It had been about two hours since Whistler had left and twenty minutes since Angel had slammed out of the apartment for some private sulking time in the sewers.
Still slightly in a daze, Cordelia Chase sat alone in her cozy dark living room with the shades pulled and a small fire burning. Angel still didn't suspect that she had, indeed, known more about Whistler's surprise announcement than she had let on before. Thank you seventh grade drama camp. She thought dryly. It was a good thing that he still underestimated her intelligence or else he may have caught on.
In his awe and excitement to have been assigned a Protector, the vampire had fallen head first into the idea of getting to meet her. He'd gotten as far as trying to straighten out living arrangements and training schedules before he finally remembered to ask Whistler when she would be joining them.
"She's not." He responded coolly from his position near the window.
"I don't think I understand…" Angel began cautiously.
"The Council of Elders have decided that the two of you aren't to have any unnecessary contact. You aren't to seek her out or try to uncover her identity. She'll be the one to initiate contact when you need her."
"What?" Angel's voice took on a dangerous edge.
"The decision wasn't made by me, Angel. It was made by C.O.E. on the basis of safety, both hers and yours."
"Safety? What the hell do you mean safety? Isn't the POINT of her being appointed as a Protector SAFETY? Who is this girl? What are you hiding from me? I KNEW there was something wrong with this wh-,"
Cordelia sighed.
In the end, it had turned into a huge fight. She'd never seen Angel so openly upset. Whistler had been as tight-lipped as ever and it was a good thing that the vampire hadn't chosen to direct his questions at her or else she would have been tempted to divulge what she knew.
Luckily however, she hadn't been pressed for information and she hadn't accidentally given anything away either.
Shifting, she pulled closer to the fire, trying to chase away the cold, unsettled feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"I only hope we're doing the right thing…"
**
They were just turning the corner of her street when Willow noticed it, "I thought the highway was that way," she pointed in the opposite direction.
"It is. We have to make a pit stop first."
"Where?"
"Sunnydale High School Library."
"Wh-what? But we can't!" All of a sudden, her numbness flew from her body and she felt like she might be sick, "It's still pretty early. Giles is probably still there. If we try to get in, he'll see us! There's no way we can get past him."
"That's what I'm hoping for."
In shock, she simply looked at him, her green eyes wide in horror, "What do you mean?"
Shaking his head, he stared forward solemnly, "You'll see."
**
Having attuned himself to living on the Hellmouth, Giles was prepared for visitors well before the old wooden doors to the library creaked open. He wasn't, however, prepared for the couple he saw before him.
"Willow?" he asked cautiously.
The redhead looked away.
"Whistler?" He looked at her companion, "What are you doing here?"
Willow's mouth dropped open, "You know him?"
"I am here, Watcher, on official business," Whistler's normally casual demeanor had suddenly become stiffly formal.
"Which is…?" Uneasily, Giles removed his glasses.
"I have come to relieve you of your charge, Willow Rosenberg."
The librarian's eye's widened, horror flooding his normally neutral features, "You're what?"
"She's been marked by the Council Of Elders. She's leaving with me tonight." Whistler's voice remained calm and firm.
To his credit, the Watcher recovered quickly, "Marked for what? Leaving for where? For how long?"
"Our destination can't be shared for safety purposes and the length of her commitment to us has yet to be determined, but I can tell you that she's been marked as a Protector."
Abruptly, Giles sat down,
"A…a Protector?" he mumbled, almost too softly for anyone to hear him. Shaking his head slightly he stared at his desk, "May I ask who she has been assigned to protect?"
Taking a deep breath, Whistler braced himself for the impending blow out.
"Angel." He responded.
The Watcher didn't disappoint.
"Pardon?" Giles shot back up again, a dangerous look in his eyes, "Do you mind repeating that?" Without even bothering for a response he surged forward, "HOW DARE YOU!?" He shouted all of a sudden, startling the demon and causing Willow to jump back at the sudden appearance of Ripper. "Why you tiny, impotent, pathetic excuse for a-,"
Whistler bristled slightly and drew himself back up. "If you have a problem with it, take it before the C.O.E."
Ignoring him, Giles stalked slowly around his desk, "How DARE you use her talents and waste them on the defense of a bloody killer."
"Do you want to start a war over this, Watcher? Our Councils-,"
"I will not stand to see her risking her life to save someone who went to hell once already and damn well should have stayed there."
"Our Councils have been at peace for over 500 years. Are you going to wage a war over a single girl-,"
"A single girl? A SINGLE GIRL? She's the next Immortal Watcher and you damn well know it! You and your entire council of bloody bastards know it!" Giles shouted, his face contorted in fury.
Abruptly, silence reigned over the library.
Judging from the sound of blood rushing past her ears, Willow was fairly certain that she was going to faint very soon. This is some kind of horrible mistake. Some sick twisted nightmare of a mistake…
It was Whistler who finally broke the silence, "I'm sorry. It can't be helped."
His eyes snapping wildly, Giles' voice grew harsh, "Funny, that sounds like the same thing I plan on telling your council of thieves when they find your worthless little carcass out-,"
"She was MARKED." Whistler thundered, louder than his smaller frame should have allowed. "She was rightfully marked by the Council of Elders and if she was this important to the Watchers, you should have marked her years ago."
"So help me GOD, if you even try and leave this library with her, I will kill you myself-,"
"STOP!" Willow finally screamed. "Stop it now or I walk out on both of you."
Both men immediately halted in mid-breath.
"Stop…" she whimpered softly, "Please…just stop…" She was sick of it all. Sick and tired of the whole mess. Half of what she had heard, she still couldn't believe, let alone understand. The other half of what she had heard was still just too much for her to handle. Suddenly she was beginning to feel just how young and inexperienced she really was.
"Willow," Giles began, trying desperately to get her attention, "You can't leave with him…"
Wordlessly, Whistler marched up to the library door, "Willow, let's go."
Tearfully, she lifted her gaze to the exit.
"Willow, look at me. Don't listen to him. Your place is here." Giles demanded again.
She glanced at him, but her timid gaze was pulled yet again back to Whistler, almost as if she couldn't physically get away from him. As if they were reading her thoughts, her feet slowly took a step towards the door, as if through their own accord.
"Willow, no!" the desparation in the librarian's voice was almost painful, "Please…you can't do this. You can't just accept this and run off…I swear, had I known…had I been able to tell you beforehand, I would have, but it wasn't the right time."
Slowly, Willow stepped back into place and faced Giles.
"It still isn't the right time." Whistler responded softly.
"Willow stay with me where you're supposed to." The watcher beckoned to her, "We still have so much to do. We have so much to discuss, so much for us to discover together. If you go with him, you might die before you'll ever reach your full potential."
"Willow, come with me now and you may be able to fulfill your destiny." Whistler countered, "Stay here and Angel dies for certain."
At their words, something deep inside of her flashed.
Slowly, she shook her head, clearing away her pain and fear.
"No." she said quietly but with unwavering strength.
It was in that instant that she made up her mind as to which course she would follow and which destiny she would pursue.
And so, bravely and calmly she made her choice.
No hesitation.
No arguments.
It wasn't until that day that she truly understood the depth of her power and the boundlessness of her abilities.
It wasn't until that brilliant moment of clarity that she took up the reigns of her own life and took complete control of her actions.
It wasn't until 3 hours later when she was safely in L.A. with Whistler that she finally allowed herself to cry.
PART FOUR
She had just finished putting the last of her underwear in her drawer, when she heard a soft knock. "Come in."
"You decent?"
Smirking in spite of herself, she turned to face the door, "As decent as I'm going to get."
Whistler poked his head into the room, "Good. You like the place?"
Glancing around at her spacious bedroom, she noted the old fashioned fireplace, gorgeous cream canopy bed and vibrant pictures covering the walls, "I couldn't love it any more." She smiled at him sincerely. Ever since the episode in the library, an odd calm had settled over her. For the first time in a very long time, Willow felt in control of her life. She decided that, if anything, she may as well make the best of her situation. She was also looking forward to seeing Angel again.
"Well, it's yours. Make yourself at home. Dinner's on the table. Come on down when you finish up here."
"I gotta admit, this isn't really what I expected…" she responded.
"What isn't?" he pushed the door open a bit wider and leaned on the doorframe, regarding her carefully.
"Well…let's see…" she bit her lip, trying to recall all the things she'd seen, "Large screen tv, brand new computer, full internet access, fax machine, my own cell-phone, CD player, the biggest entertainment center I've ever seen, these beautiful bright pictures all over the walls, plush carpeting…should I go on?"
Shrugging, Whistler shook his head, "Well, kid, my sense of style doesn't necessarily have anything to do with how I live. Besides, not everyone can have the terrific sense of color and design that Angel does." He shot her his best broody look, "Black. Old. Depressing."
Giggling, she shut the drawer to her bureau, "So you don't hate technology like all other good demons?"
"I never was one for the bandwagon. Anyway, the computer and all that other stuff is for you. The Council of Elders would consummately pee if I used that much of their money on stuff for myself."
"And the Nintendo 64 in the living room…?" The redhead quirked an eyebrow.
Whistler looked thoughtful, "That was….a gift. For me. To thank me. For putting up with you."
Bouncing playfully, Willow started laughing, "So what'd you have to buy Angel to put up with me? Let me guess-a car. Black. With leather interior."
Slowly, the demon's smile faded, "Yeah. Yeah, a nice car. Look, kid, there's still some stuff we need to talk about. Let's go eat first, though."
"When do I get to see him?" She asked softly, "He isn't really mad, is he?"
"Mad? Well…I wouldn't say that he was mad. More upset-at me, definitely not at you."
"Upset? At you?" She looked puzzled. "Why?"
"Look kid, the chinese is getting cold downstairs and there's nothing worse than cold fried rice."
"Fried rice…." Suddenly, she was a million miles away, "That always reminds me of Xander. He used to eat buckets of chicken fried rice. His parents were never around and it was all he'd ever want for dinner when we'd order take out. God, I miss him, already."
Sighing, Whistler entered her room, pulling the door shut behind him.
"Okay. Screw it. Let's talk now."
**
Stalking around his apartment, Angel fumed in silence. I knew it. I just knew it wasn't possible. There was absolutely no way that I could have a Protector without something being seriously wrong. Somehow, I'm putting this poor girl into danger and Whistler's too much of a cryptic bastard to tell me anything.
He was starting to realize why certain parts of his own personality had infuriated Buffy so many times before.
Buffy… Shaking his head, he refused to contemplate his relationship with the slayer In the past. Gotta push it into the past. Given a few centuries, he was fairly certain he could accomplish his goal.
Staring darkly at the clock, he waited impatiently for the sun to set, "Just fifteen more minutes…" he murmured under his breath.
Tonight, he was going to get some answers.
**
His hand shaking, Giles punched in the number he knew by heart.
"Good evening, Foster Savings and Loan, how can I help you?" A pleasant voice responded.
"Yes, this is Rupert Giles, I'd like to order a large…ahhh…" he tried to remember the code exactly, "A large pineapple pizza with onions and anchovies."
"Just a moment."
After a short pause, a young man answered the phone, "Wesley Wyndham-Price."
"Oh for the love of God…" the obscenties that followed the librarian's complaint were muttered too softly for the man on the other end to hear, "Price, you idiot, where in bloody hell is Patrick?"
"Pardon? And who may I be speaking too?"
"Why you prissy little…Rupert Giles, you ninny! Stop answering calls in Patrick's office and hand him the phone you little brown-noser."
"Well, if someone isn't in a bad mood," the Watcher sniffed.
"You have no idea." Giles growled.
"How do I know if you're really the real Rupert Giles or if you're just someone trying to impersonate Rupert Giles, hmm?" Wesley's voice took on an almost sadistic quality, "Perhaps I should ask for your identification code an-,"
"Give Patrick the phone or else I'll fax him the prom pictures I have of you and Cordelia Chase."
"Patrick, here." A gruff voice responded almost immediately.
"Took damn well long enough, can you get rid of him?"
"Wesley, get out of my office this instant. What have I told you about hanging around here when I'm not in?" After a few moments of shuffling, Patrick cleared his throat, "Alright, Rupert, sorry about that. What's happened?"
"Secure channel?"
"As always."
"Do you have any idea where Willow Rosenberg has taken off to?"
"Willow Rosenberg?" his voice took on a strained quality, "The next Immortal Watcher? That Willow Rosenberg?"
"One and the same."
"N-no…I haven't. Oh dear lord, Rupert, where is she? What's happened?"
Snorting, Giles shook his head, "Well old man, your guess is as good as mine."
**
Breathing slowly, Willow tried to calm the rapid beating of her heart, "So I can't see him…" she whispered.
"I'm sorry." Whistler looked down at the floor, unable to meet her eyes.
"Too dangerous."
"That's what I've been told."
"Can you tell me why?"
"A lot of reasons. One of which is the whole complication with the Watcher's Council."
"You mean the fact that I'm going to be immortal?"
"Well, yes, that."
"How long?"
"What?" he stared at her, confused.
"How long am I out here doing this alone?"
"I don't know yet."
"How long before I'm immortal?"
"Two months, 14 days aaaand…" he glanced at his watch, " About nine hours."
"When I turn eighteen." She looked at him thoughtfully, "And you knew. You and your Council of Elders knew about it all along, just like Giles said."
"Willow, the fact that you were appointed Angel's Protector has nothing to do with you being Immortal Watcher. At the time, we * didn't * know. It wasn't until after you were marked that it became apparent. You're special for a lot of reasons."
"So," she stood up, snapping out of her revelry and putting on her resolve face, "Speaking of special, when do I get my powers?"
"Huh?" he stared at her as she slowly paced in front of him.
"You know, super strength, speed, invincibility. The ability to leap tall buildings in a single bound, be faster than a speeding bullet, make witty jokes while slaying vampires…when do I get all of those?" She glanced at him expectantly.
"Uhm…never?"
"You're kidding." That sickly ache that had been plaguing her all day returned with a fury.
"Willow, you're not the slayer. Your job isn't to protect the innocent, it's to protect one man's life. If we could choose someone to be duped up with super powers, well, then anyone off the street could be a Protector. The point is, that isn't how it works. You already have everything you need. You're brilliant, caring, a powerful witch and damn funny already. If you were under-qualified the way you are, then you wouldn't be here. All we need to do is sharpen the skills you already have."
"How?"
"You dug on school, right?"
"Most of the time…"
"Well, you didn't think that becoming a savior for Good was going to get you out of classes, did you?" He sent her a wry smile.
"Meaning?"
"Tutors. I have a schedule lined up starting bright and early tomorrow. You'll meet with me for basic training, and then individual instructors who specialize in different areas: martial arts, logic and witchcraft. The curriculum has been tailored to your specific talents. At night, I'll have you come with me to trail Angel on his rounds."
"Trail him so he doesn't see me…" she clarified, the sadness apparent in her voice.
"Yeah, something like that."
A knock at the door interrupted their conversation. Swiftly, Whistler stood, relief etched all over his face.
"And there's one of your tutors now."
**
"Okay, I'm driving us back to your house after we get Willow." Buffy stated firmly while walking down the hall.
"Why?" Xander whined.
"I absolutely refuse to be seen in public with you wearing that jacket."
Looking down at the black and purple coat he had on, he shrugged, "What's wrong with it?"
"How much time do you have?"
Rolling his eyes, he followed her into the library, "Seriously, Buffy, I like the jacket."
"Giles!" the blonde slayer called out, ignoring him, "Willow? You guys in here?"
"Buffy!" The Watcher emerged, pulling his coat on with one hand while balancing his briefcase with the other, "Good, I called your house. I've been looking for you."
"Oh no!" She sighed dramatically, "No more evil. Too much evil for one week. I NEED to go out tonight, Giles. The slayage is getting tedious. Just one night to myself. You promised!"
"I'm leaving." He responded.
"Okay, okay, forget the night out. I was just kidding. I can do that later, geez…"
"N-no, Buffy, I'm leaving for a few days. I should be back shortly, but in the interim, I actually WOULD like you to lighten your patrol time."
Briefly, concern clouded her blue eyes, "It isn't serious is it?"
"Serious?" He looked torn, "Ahh…no. Not serious. Not serious at all. Just a-a thing I need to get done that just popped up. You keep up house while I'm gone. Xander, you help her." With that, he pushed open the library doors.
"Wait, G-man, you seen Willow?" the dark-haired boy interrupted.
The librarian started violently, "Willow? Ahh…no. That is to say, she isn't here. She's….ahh…yes. She's going with me. She's in the…at the…waiting for…ahhh….me….elsewhere."
"Oh." Buffy cocked her head to one side, "Uhm. Okay."
"Well, you guys have tweedy fun," Xander nodded, "Tell her I'll see her when she gets back."
"Quite. Goodbye."
"Wait, Giles!" Buffy waved her arms emphatically.
"What, Buffy?" The watcher turned back around, exasperated.
"Look at Xander's jacket. Opinion?"
Sparing the teenager a quick glance, he shrugged, "It makes him look like a pimp." And with that, he was gone.
After a moment of silence, Buffy burst out laughing, "See? Didn't I-?" she began.
"DON'T say it." Xander warned.
"Changing the jacket?" She asked sweetly as they headed out of the library.
"Burning it." He affirmed.
** "Cordelia?" Willow stared at their visitor in shock.
"Hi, sorry I'm late. Traffic was a bitch." The brunette self consciously stepped through the door, "Hi Willow."
"OhmyGod!" In an instant, the redhead threw herself into the other girl's arms, nearly weeping from happiness over seeing a familiar face. She'd been positive that she'd never see anyone from her old life again.
Her own eyes tearing up slightly, Cordelia gently disengaged herself from the other girl after a few minutes, "It's good to see you, too."
"Your timing is brilliant as always," Whistler smiled at her.
"Which reminds me," she threw her keys at the demon, "That scratch on the passenger side door of your car was SO there before I drove it over here."
"Oh geez…" Snarling, he snatched up the silver bundle and took off to inspect the damage.
"Men are so easily distracted," grinning, Cordelia shut the door, "I'm glad you're finally here."
"Me too." Willow smiled back, shy all of a sudden, "Sorry to jump on you like that…"
"Not a problem," she responded graciously, "Look, I'm guessing that Whistler's told you about what's going on, right?"
"Most of it…Cordelia, not that I'm not really happy to see you here, but what are you doing here anyway?"
"Long story. Let's just say that I tried to stay out of the weirdness that abounded in Sunnydale when I first came to L.A. After a few months of avoidance, though, I realized that no matter what I did, it'd keep following me so I just gave up."
"And decided to fight?" The redhead's eyes shone with admiration.
"Attempted to fight is more like it." Standing in the middle of the living room and having a conversation with someone who had once been her mortal enemy should have been the weirdest thing in the world for Cordelia. Oddly enough, though, she felt totally at ease. Her comfort only strengthened her resolve to do what she had decided to.
"Well, either way, I'm glad you're here."
"Yeah, well, with Angel around, I couldn't help myself. After all, I've never been able to resist tall, dark, handsome men."
The smile swiftly vanished from Willow's face as Cordelia internally kicked herself for bringing up such a sore spot so soon into the conversation.
"How is he, Cordelia?"
Licking her lips, the brunette chose her words carefully, "He's holding up."
"I hear he's upset with Whistler."
"Pissed off as all hell is more like it." Cordelia responded dryly, "He hates the fact that he doesn't know who you are. He really wants to get to know you and to work together and he almost thinks this whole idea of 'staying away' is as asinine as I do."
"Well, according to Whistler, there isn't any other way."
Wrinkling her delicate nose, Cordelia made a face, "According to Whistler, those pants he's wearing are still in style."
Trying to hide her grin, Willow turned towards the kitchen, "Do you want something to eat?"
"No, I'm cool. Look, Willow…"
The hacker turned to face her, "Hmm?"
"You want to get in touch with Angel, right?"
Startled, she looked somewhat unsure, "Well, I'd love to but-,"
"No buts." The brunette scrutinized her.
"Yes." Willow straightened out her shoulders, "Yes I would. I want to see him or talk to him, at least. This, what we're doing here with sneaking around and all...it just doesn't feel right. How do we bypass Whistler, though?"
"Sweetie, the man may be an all powerful demon but he isn't quite omniscient."
"He sure seems to be."
"Not against Cordelia Chase he isn't." She stuck her chin out proudly and swallowed her uncertainty before shooting the redhead a conspiratorial smile, "Besides, I have a plan."