Angel shook his head in disgust. Was it a coincidence that an uncle of someone Willow used to date was the target or was he giving Wolfram and Hart more credit than they deserved?
Willow asked Charles, "How did Lilah tell you about Isis and Balein?"
"Oh one day the subject came up. You know, I can't really remember how we got started on the subject. But, when I mentioned how desperate I've become lately she recommended Balein and how my worries would soon be over."
"She never mentioned anything about Willow or Angel did she?"
"She didn't mention Angel at all but I do remember bringing up Willow in the conversation. I told her how my nephew used to date someone who was into mystical things."
Angel looked very intently into Charles' eyes, "This is important. Did you mention Willow's name?"
Charles closed his eyes in concentration and thought back over the conversations he held with Lilah. "Not at first but I think I may have in our later conversations." He turned to Willow and took her hands, "Oh my dear, I hope I haven't caused you any trouble."
Willow smiled reassuringly and gave his hands a squeeze, "You didn't."
"I think this has cured me of all things mystical." He said with a half smile.
"Can we give you a ride home or will you be okay?"
"I'll be fine, Willow. Thanks for everything you've done."
As Charles said his goodbye, Angel took Willow's hand and she followed him and the others back to his car.
~~~~
Sitting in the lobby, the Fang Gang went over the night's activities.
"That can't be a good thing that Lilah knew about Red beforehand, right?" Gunn asked.
"I don't think Lilah knows about Willow's connection to us since she hasn't really kept in contact with any of us except occasionally. You didn't tell Jake that you were coming to see me did you?"
Willow smiled at Angel, "No, actually I only ran into him as I was leaving my apartment. I told him a friend was in trouble and I was taking a leave of absence from school. I didn't even tell him where in the States I was going."
"Okay, I hate to be the one that brings this up but . . .we came, we saw, we kicked some demon ass so now what. The monkeyman said that while we were fighting him, others came here to do Doc's bidding. So, now what? Wes, what do the scrolls say about that witch that is next on the agenda?"
"Not much I'm afraid, Cordelia. Just that she has the capability of making Myth become Reality. It doesn't even say where she'll strike or what she looks like."
"Does it say how to defeat her? Do we throw a bucket of water on her and take her broom to the wizard?"
Cordelia smirked at Gunn. "Well, we did have Hansel and Gretel visit us in high school. Maybe we can try to put the witch in a big oven." As soon as the words left Cordy's mouth she wished that she could take them back.
She quickly turned to Willow, "Oh god, Willow. I am so sorry. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."
Willow half smiled, "I know you didn't. I haven't had a nightmare in a couple of years so I AM getting better."
Willow saw that Angel and the others were looking at her curiously. She figured that Angel had been so wrapped up in Buffy in those days he probably didn't even remember she was also tied to a stake.
"What Cordy is referring to is that a demon took the form of Hansel and Gretel. The demon stirred up the parents in Sunnydale and they went on a witch hunt. Literally. Buffy, Amy and I were tied to the stake while Joyce and my mom both lit the fire. Of course we were rescued but for a long time after I had nightmares of burning to death."
Angel closed his eyes in sorrow. How could he have forgotten that Willow had been there as well? God, what else of her high school years had he forgotten or not known about in his Buffy obsessed haze?
Seeing that Angel was falling into a full blown brood, Willow walked up to him and slipped her arms around his waist. Giving him a slight squeeze she said, "On that happy note, how about we take a pie break. Anyone else want a slice?"
Opening cupboards in the kitchen in search of plates Willow didn't hear Angel come up behind her. She jumped when she felt cool arms slip around her waist. She smiled and leaned back into his arms, "hey you."
"What else don't I remember about you in high school?"
Hoping to get him out of his broodiness Willow teased, "Well, let's see… I earned extra money by stripping at night."
"WHAT!?!"
She turned in his arms and returned his embrace. "KIDDING! Angel, I knew then and I know now that during the Sunnydale years you were mostly concentrating on Buffy and your relationship. Just think of this as a great opportunity to learn all sorts of new things about me."
Angel softly kissed the top of her head. "I'm looking forward to spending eternity learning all your secrets."
"Well maybe not all."
Angel leaned down for a kiss and just before their lips met said, "You wouldn't want to give me a demonstration of the routine you might have performed would you?"
With a laugh Willow returned Angel's kiss.
~~~
Doc heard a sound behind him and a small smile crept across his lips as he turned. "I wondered when you were arriving."
"I had to wait until the Keeper of the Mirror got careless. As luck would have it he strayed too close to my mirror and I was able to kill him and escape."
"Have you decided who you are going after first? Who is the weakest link in the group?"
"Right after I escaped from the mirror I killed a quail and read its entrails. The signs pointed for me to go after the Seer first. I think I will use the Cinderella story on her. She is still in search of her Prince and soon it will control her life."
Doc smiled. "Excellent. Get the pawn of the PTB out of the way first. Have you decided on the Fairy tales that you will use on the others?"
"For the one that came from the different reality I will use Sleeping Beauty. She has been gone from this reality for a while so I thought it fitting. That one will take two out of the fight. The former watcher gets Red Riding Hood. I like the idea of a wolf dressed as grandma for the Watcher. Someone he least expects will turn deadly on him."
Astrote entered the room and saw the witch. "Gwenelda, you always did use the right tale with the right victim. That just leaves the witch and the vampire for me."
Gwen smiled, "It's always a pleasure working along side of you, Astrote." She turned to Doc, "How long do I have before another Keeper is called and I'm sent back to the mirror?"
"Don't worry about that, my dear. You'll have plenty of time to employ your plans before a new Keeper is called."