Part 9

Watching Angel sleep Willow thought back over her life and how much it had changed since she first met Buffy, Angel and Giles. The shy and timid teenager would scarcely recognize the woman that she had become. She would never have dreamed that she and Angel would have ever become lovers. Partly due to the epic saga of the star crossed love of Buffy and Angel and partly due to never thinking Angel would be attracted to her. She was afraid that she was falling hopelessly in love with Angel. She knew that Angel cared for her deeply but she wasn't sure if it was love. Growing up on the Hellmouth had taught her to grab happiness while you could. She was determined that if what Angel and she had was only for a short time then she would walk away with a smile and wonderful memories of her time with Angel.

Angel opened his eyes and saw Willow watching him. She seemed to be deep in thought and not really seeing him. He marveled at how lucky he had been since Whistler had showed him the path he could take. First to come into his life and show him that he could love and maybe that he might deserve love was Buffy. Though their relationship was doomed from the beginning he was glad for the chance to experience her love. Then when Buffy and he had finally moved on, his life's path had led him to Willow. At first he had been concerned that what he was feeling for Willow was partly due to the bond they shared but last night he had realized that he was falling in love with Willow the woman. He had constantly fought his demon while he was with Buffy but with Willow they were both at peace. It was like he had finally found the other half of himself. Liam and Angelus were both content with the red haired witch that had enchanted them.

Angel reached over to caress Willow's cheek. She blinked as she was brought out of her thoughts.

"Penny for your thoughts."

Willow smiled, "Just thinking how lucky I am."

Angel rolled to his side so they were facing each other. "What a coincidence, I was thinking the same thing."

Angel leaned in for a kiss. It was a gentle and tender meeting of lips as they both tried to convey without words their love for the other. Both were afraid it was too soon to declare their love to each other so this was their unspoken declaration.

Pulling back they said simultaneously, "Wow".

There was a soft knock on the door. With a small growl Angel rose out of bed and began to stalk toward the door. Only Willow's giggles stopped him from opening the door. Turning back he asked, "What?"

With one raised eyebrow and his jeans in her hand she said, "You might want to put this on before opening the door. Not that I mind seeing you walking around naked but I really would rather you didn't show whoever is on the other side of the door all your assets."

Stalking back toward Willow Angel smirked, "My assets, huh?"

Meeting him half way and drawing him into a hug she reached around to squeeze his butt, "definitely, assets."

The knock this time was a little louder and Fred's timid voice, "I'm really sorry but there is someone that insists on speaking to you, Angel."

Fred shifted her weight from foot to foot. She was under no illusion as to why Cordy and Gunn had sent her up to get Angel. She knew that they thought Angel wouldn't bite her head off if she were the one to knock on the door. She just hoped they were right.

Angel yelled, "I'll be right down, Fred."

Cupping Willow and bringing her closer Angel leaned down to nip at her ear and whisper, "You really shouldn't have started something that you can't finish now."

Willow smiled, "Anticipation just makes it sweeter."

Stepping back and slipping into the jeans and pulling on a tee shirt he smirked, "That statement is going to come back and bite you on the butt."

"Promises, promises."

~~~~

When Angel came down the stairs he saw a woman pacing back and forth and biting her lip. It reminded him of Willow when she was deep in thought. With a smile Angel realized he would constantly see aspects of Willow in others.

Cordelia wore a bright smile as she introduced Angel to the woman pacing. "Angel, this is Caroline Quinten." Cordy had been smiling since she had recognized that this woman was from money, which meant she would pay the invoice. This wouldn't be a charity case like most of their other cases were.

"How may I help you?"

"I found this yesterday." Caroline reached into her purse and pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Angel.

While Angel was reading what she had handed him Willow came down the stairs to join the others. "Mrs. Quinten?"

"Willow! Jake didn't tell me that you were here. Why didn't you let me kno9w you were in town?"

Willow went over to give her a welcoming hug. "He didn't know. He just knew that I was taking a leave from school to help friends in the US. I thought you were in Europe."

Everyone was looking at her with curiosity. Willow went to stand by Angel. "I met her son Jake at Oxford."

With a smile Caroline said, "Willow spent a couple of summers with us while she was dating Jake."

Feeling Angel stiffen next to her Willow reached for his hand to give it a squeeze. Before she could explain Caroline continued, "Steve and I were saddened when Jake and Willow decided they made better friends. We are very fond of her."

With a fond smile Willow turned to Caroline, "The feeling is definitely mutual. What brings you to Angel?"

Caroline's smile faltered and indicated the envelope that Angel was holding. "I found that yesterday. My brother Charles left it when he was visiting."

Angel handed the envelope to Willow. It was an invitation to a party in Beverly Hills. With a confused look on her face she turned to Caroline. "Am I missing something? This is just an invitation to a party by someone named Isis."

It was Angel that answered her. "Isis invokes the name of Osiris and promises that if you make a donation you will receive your fondest wish."

"Why is Charles involved in something like that? If I remember correctly he scoffed at all things mystical."

"His views on everything have changed since his wife Helen died. I think he wants Isis to bring her back."

Willow shivered. That was some of the darkest and most powerful magic and shouldn't be performed lightly. "Is this Isis that powerful of a witch?"

"No and that's what has me worried. Charles would have investigated that before trying to get an invitation. There have been rumors in the Wicca community that with the increase of demon activity and signs of the apocalypse that have been happening all over something big is going to be happening soon. It wasn't until I overheard Charles on the phone asking if everything was set up for the sacrifice to Balein that I decided to come here."

"Oh my!" Wesley said before he could stop himself.

Angel turned to Wesley and gave him a look to remain silent. Watching the exchange between Angel and Wesley Willow narrowed her eyes. "Okay guys, what are you keeping from us?"

Wesley looked for a sign from Angel who subtly nodded his head to go ahead.

"Balein was mentioned in the Urok scrolls as a minor player in the apocalypse. When the sacrifices are made to him he'll be able to come forth and begin to bring about the end."

"That's why I came here. With your reputation I thought you would be able to stop this from happening."

"We'll do everything that we can."

Willow walked her to the door and with a hug promised to stay in touch. After closing the door she turned back around, "Okay, now tell me what Balein really does. If he is such a minor player Wesley wouldn't have Oh my'd and you wouldn't have tried to shut him up with a look. What aren't you saying?"

With a slump of his shoulders Angel realized he couldn't keep this from Willow any longer. Wesley put his hand on Angel's shoulder and whispered his apology. Angel told him that it wasn't his fault.

Willow's heart began to inch its way up her throat. It must be something bad concerning her by the reaction between Wesley and Angel. She closed her eyes trying to get her emotions under control. She could handle whatever it was they said.

"Balein does play a minor role in the apocalypse but he plays a major role in your part in the apocalypse."

"I thought all I had to do was fight Astrote. That was my role, right?"

Willow's question was met with silence.

"That's your role yes but one of Angel's roles is that he leads you to the dark lord's fight. The beginning of that path is Balein. When Mrs. Quinten mentioned his name I realized our roles were beginning."

Willow took Angel's hand and tried to get him to look into her eyes. He had been avoiding looking at her while Wesley was speaking. When Angel finally looked at her Willow said, "You wouldn't do anything that would cause me pain, I know that, but we have to play our roles out no matter where it leads us." She raised their clasped hands and kissed his fingers. "I trust you with my life and I have faith that Gaia wouldn't have guided me towards this battle if I was destined to lose."