Title; And There There Was A Time, part 9
Author; Keziah/Greenfae
disclaimer; I own nuffin, JossWhendon, Mutant x and others I have no idea about own all, *sighs* I am only playing round
pairing; Riley/Willow/Angel
time frame; sometime after the 7th season
notes? just finding Willow. and the compitition that ensues hehe
rating; geez I aint sure, PG13 and up?
In The Dark;
Angel got out of his car and walked toward where he had been asked by Eve to meet. He wasn't surprised by the fact that she "lived" in a warehouse at the lower end of town. He was however taken back by the fact that she also kept a club in the same building. Not something most of the undead in Sunnydale would do, since the Slayer live here too.
But then if he remembered this vampire like he thought he did she would be less likely to play quiet and hidden monster. He was pretty sure she was the same one he had met at Willie's the day he couldn't go to Willow right away. If so she had made no bones about knowing more or less who he was, and if his observations were not completely off, she had made a pass at him then. Someone, vamp or not that would come on to Angelus was not shy by any means. Opting to more likely to be out there and waiting for Buffy to find her. Angel found himself wondering just how long she had been in town. What made her think she could live past a few minutes once Buffy found her. He had now doubt that she would be found after this. If he didn't kill her himself then he was sure Buffy or one of the gang would. His first thought was to get to Willow, she would be scared, maybe hurt. Most likely hurt, if Eve's threats had been anywhere near true.
Once inside the building he walked straight up to the double doors leading into the main room. A quick knock and a panel opened in one of the doors. "What ya want." came the gruff voice of some dense minion on the other side. Angel shook his head and answered, " To see the lady red, Widow of the dark", you could almost hear his eyes roll as he repeated the words she had given him to gain entrance. Quickly the door was opened and he entered watching the doorman closely. He didn't look like much of a threat, but there were four more just inside all male all watching him closely. Angel looked them over and shrugged to himself. He hadn't thought this would be easy, but he needed to make an example of someone here and it might as well be the guy in front of him. Eve would be expecting him to react to all the other vamps sizing him up. He knew he should do something fairly impressive. I one swift fluid movement of muscle and practiced skill, Angel reached out to the guy in front of him and snapped his neck, finishing the act by severing his head from his shoulders. The body of the once doorman dropped nearly to the floor before turning to dust. Angel merely look at the rest of the room with a slight grin on his handsome face. Raising the head of the ex minion he watched as it turned to dust as well, his other hand he raised in mock question, "What, he quipped, he looked at me funny". Angel's eyes said that he might think they were looking at him funny too, giving his best Angelus grin as he brushed the excess dust off his hands, and walked by them to sit on a rather large divan. The music became louder and a few more people/vampires came in. All of them seemed to be in a party mood and Angel looked up just in time to see who he was looking for. Eve walked over to him lightly on four inch heels, her smile brightly shone even under the very dark red, very heavy lipstick she was wearing. Angel had to wonder how she could move in the outfit she had on, it was skin tight suede deep red, and looked more like some type of bondage then clothes. When she turned he noticed there was only a very brief part of the dark red cloth covering her behind, otherwise her back was totally open, to his eyes. She seemed to be giving him a show as she spun slowly watching as he let his eyes roam over he petite body.
"Well, well, I see you came Angelus, so nice to have you here, finally." her voice was sensual and she nodded to the rest of the room. A strange look crossed her face and she asked one of the men, "where is Doug?". Before either of them could speak Angel/Angelus answered, "Seems he and I didn't see eye to eye, so I fear he had to go." his smiled never faded and he wondered if he could nominate himself for some kind of award over this performance. As he neatly folded his hands together he stood and smiled down on her, she merely smiled back and he sensed she like what she was seeing so far. He was sure she knew most of how he would react as Angelus, and didn't want to disappoint her until he had Willow safe. Then all the games would end and he would disembowel her, stupid demon that she was. His own demon relished the thought of treating her to some of the same things he was sure she was doing to his Willow. He let his eyes reflect his intent and Eve could think want she wanted to, knowing that she would assume it was glee over Willow's soon to be fate at their hands. He didn't bother to hide the evil grin that worked it's way over his face, and Eve took it to mean she was doing well.
Playing the Game;
Running a cold finger over Angel's taunt cheekbone she smiled up, letting her true face slid over the human guise. She tiptoe to kiss him and he dropped his human mask as well, letting her kiss him, as his inner demon raged at the act. He was so close to ripping her apart he could barely control himself, the taste of her was revolting to him in his anger and he wanted to vomit down her throat. In the act of kissing he became violent, Angel yanked her head back by her perfectly coifed hair. Staring into her eyes he made her feel his hand tighten so that she couldn't move her head anymore. Eve's mind was in awe, he was very powerful, more so than she would have even believed. She was so turned on at this point that she missed the slight glint of fear in him. If she had she would have known he was worried for the witch, she would have known the danger she was in.
Moving his face within an inch of hers he whispered, "Take me to the witch, now" and he released her letting her drop back to her feet. Standing back from her enough so that he could keep a close watch what she was doing. Eve smiled sweetly and straiten her dress, nodding to her minion, she waved a hand to Angel. "Come lover, we have things to do, and I know you don't want to miss on the fun" her words fairly dripped with honey and arsenic. She lead him deeper into the warehouse, swaying her hips in what she thought was a seductive manner. It only further annoyed Angel to have to follow this sashaying whore to where she kept Willow. Just outside the third set of double doors they had come to, Eve stopped and pushed her body up against Angel's. He was a little surprised by this but he got hold on himself quickly, pushing her back,flipping their positions and restraining her arms over her head . He growled a mere breath away from her face and let his face lower to her neck, she purred with inhuman lust. Angel teased her briefly and pulled back from her, fire in his eyes and hate in his dead heart for this vampiric bitch. She arched her body from the wall to his and he knew that if he didn't find Willow soon, he would have this creature dead and lose maybe all chance of finding her. Angel steeled himself against the familiar gorge raising in his throat. He had felt sick since he had laid eyes on her tonight, and was not likely to feel better until he had Willow back. He could imagine putting his hands around her throat and killing her for what she had done.
Eve having no clue to what he was really thinking, she was trying to wiggle closer to him, trying to rub her body to his. Angel backed away enough so she couldn't reach him, but he could still hold her fast to the wall. She sucked in a unneeded breath, the way he was teasing her, she thought she would go mad. "Angelus, she rasped at him, please!". Her plea fell on deaf ears as he smiled wickedly at her freeing one hand and tracing her face. "No playing, he said icily, until I see the witch" Eve muttered a few curses and nodded her agreement. Angel dropped her hands and let her get her keys out. This door was locked and she wasn't letting anyone in but her and her new possible lover. Upon opening the door, Angel heard two heart beats behind the large doors. He went on full alert and pulled Eve into his arms dragging her and him into the room fully. Angel sniffed the air and knew who was in there with them, Riley, he thought, damn him. Angel knew there was no way out now, and Eve would at any second know what he did, that there was someone else in the room with Willow. He choose to play to it instead of ignoring what they would both know in short order. He pushed Eve into a corner pretending to be concealing her from a would be attacker. His voice quiet, dark and dangerous he said, "We have company." She smiled at him, loving his closeness and she wiggled enough to feel his well muscled body tight upon hers. "Hmmm, she purred into his ear, if I would have known that's what it took to get you next to me I would have done it sooner."
Angel ignored the comment, as he pushed her aside and walked around the room looking for who he was sure was there. He could still vaguely hear the heartbeats of Willow and Riley. But they had vacated the large ornate room. Walking over to where he was sure Eve had Willow chained. He could smell the blood and burnt flesh, Willows flesh. Angel's eyes went golden and he turned all his rage on Eve knowing that even though Willow wasn't with him she was safe. Eve for the first time looked scared as he stared her down while she stood still leaning against the wall next to the doors. She almost made it out too, but Angel was faster. He growled at her as he pulled her to him and his demon visage was mere breaths space from her face as he ground out his next words. "I thought you had her, I see you have failed. You understand what that means to me, and for you." His inner demon in such a rage that he couldn't control it, didn't want to control it. Angelus coming to the fore as he tore into the female vampire, in seconds she was dust pieces on the floor and he was no where near satisfied.
So close his inner monster screamed at him, so close to saving her himself. Riley again, why did he have to come back from the dead. He hadn't had any real time to focus on it before, but now it was all he could think about. Riley with his Willow, no, no, no, NO, the words kept running through his mind over and over again. He was in his car and off to Xander's house as fast as he could get there. No way was he letting Riley be the only one with her now. She needed him, he was here while Riley was gone. He glanced at his hands and noticed that they were covered in the blood of the vamp he had just dusted. When he left the warehouse he had gone out that he had tracked Willow and Riley out of. It must have been close, he must have walked in as they were escaping. It angered him more to know that he had to control himself enough to get home to his mansion and clean up. Willow should never know how out of control he had become. His thoughts murderous and confused.
Escape The Night;
Riley leaned Willow up as he pulled away from the curb. He had heard the screams and growls as he sat Willow in the car and didn't want to be there once that was over. Driving down the street at a fairly good clip he pulled in near Xander's place a short time later. Riley trotted around the car and opening the door he hauled Willow out as gently as he could. All her chains still in place around her wrist and ankles made it hard to move her. Riley got her to Xander's door and tapped it with his foot for a knock. Anya answered the door and was surprised to see him standing there with Willow. "Oh, hey is Willow OK" she asked never moving from in front of the doorway. Riley answered, " I am not sure, I don't think she is in danger of dying. But she is hurt pretty bad. Riley had draped his coat over her body that was mostly nude, he gave Anya a nervous look and nodded, "may we come in," his voice shaking enough to tell even Anya he was worried about the redhead. She let him in and walked to the bathroom to get the medical kit. Riley having been in the service knew how to deal with most wounds.
He sat Willow down on the couch and place a pillow over her head so she could be more comfortable. She hadn't woken yet and he was worried she might not wake. He may have to take her to the hospital and he wonder if he should have done that first. A low moan escaped Willow's lips and he brushed a lock of hair from her face. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at him. Immediately she began coughing and sputtering. Her color was starting to look more normal but the burn on her side was looking pretty nasty. Riley look up just as Anya came back with the bandages and he tried to smile a little at the ex demon. She handed him the things to fix Willow up with and walked back to the kitchen, a sad smile on her lips. "Would you like something to drink, we have different beverages to choose from." her voice was tense but that was understandable. Buffy and the others had not returned yet, Riley hoped they were OK, but his need to help Willow out weighed any feelings he had thought he had for Buffy, and her other friends. Willow was hurt, and he meant to make sure she was on the way to getting better. Riley,sent Anya to get a wet cloth so that he could wipe some of the dirt and grit off Willow. Her face was smudged badly and her arms as well.
Something about the burns bother him, he looked over them closely. There were two sets of wounds on each of her sides. The first set of wounds was deep red and brownish looking with blisters. Some of the blisters were broken and weeping. He pulled her over gently to look at the other side and found it was actually worse. The skin was peeling off the side in hunks were the wounds had been inflicted. Willow groan when Anya came back with a wet cloth and Riley gingerly began to wipe away some of the dirt and grim. He touched a spot on her left side that was very sore and Willows eyes flew open. Her mouth turned into a Oh of pain but no sound came out. She sputtered and began to cough, trying to move to her side. Riley helped her roll over without touching her sides anymore than necessary. When he noticed what she was about to do it grab a small trash can and leaned her closer to it. Willow didn't really have anything in her stomach but she managed to relive her body of a small amount of bile fluid. Mostly she coughed and shuttered in Riley's arms. When she settled back down there was a knock at the door, loud and more or less demanding. Anya went to the door and opened it looking as if she was now bored she waved Angel into the room. He looked at Willow and his eyes turned amber in an instant. Riley was holding Willow, who was more than a little nude, close to him as she seemed to be shivering. She is human and needs to be warmer, was his only thought at the moment. Angel strode over to them his inner demon raging at the liberties that he felt Riley was taking. Everything in him made Riley out to be his nemesis. He was the one thing that stood between his and Willow's happiness.
Riley glared at Angel as he walked in the room. He felt that Angel was the reason Willow was hurt like this. Willow started to come more wakeful and mumbled at Riley to let her down. He gently laid her back down and got up to get some water for her. At the same time he watched Angel as he watched Willow. There was no confusion what Angel seemed to feel, what he was feeling himself. Willow needed their help, needed them not to fight with each other right now. She needed them to work together and help her get better. Angel would do anything to stop the pain she was going through. Riley was doing everything he knew to do at the moment. Riley walked to get some of his gear and medicines he was due for them nearly an hour ago, and he figured he better keep up with them if he meant to keep up with Angel. He didn't have Riley's handicaps, nor his benefits. Riley thought it was a pretty even, between the two of them. It made him sad to think that Willow had been with Angel, but he could see no reason why she wouldn't have, with him coming up gone. He had some idea of what Willow had thought. He had talked to both Giles and Xander, they had told him some things. Riley remembered that Xander even kinda blushed as he related some of what had happened. Willow was sure Riley had left her, ran off to be in the jungles again. But that's not what had happened, he had gotten stupid and thought he needed to have it out with Angel. When he fell it was an accident, and partially his own fault. He had fought Angel before and knew he was quicker than himself. So it was as much his fault as Angel's, that didn't make it any easier for him to deal with.
Riley turned back to see what Angel was doing now. Angel had dropped down on one knee and was pushing her hair from her eyes. Murmuring soft words to her that Riley couldn't hear. He wanted to jump Angel and knock him away from Willow. But his logic willed out, he knew it wouldn't do Willow any good and she seemed to derive some comfort from his ministrations. Riley could feel his heart begin to sink, how would he win her back. He had thought of nothing else but her from the minute he became aware of where he was, what was happening to him. He remembered falling and the painful thump his body felt as he hit the grassy part just off the sidewalk. He knew then that his leg had been broken, but that was all he knew before he passed out. His last thought at the time was, Willow's going to be pissed at me". He was right, so pissed she ended up in Angel's arms, oh Riley didn't really know, but he did know. Somehow his being suddenly gone made it a fact, if only because he knew she had no idea what had happen and wasn't sure Angel would tell her. The way Angel looked at her now told him enough of the story, told him that he had made love to Willow.
Angel knelt next to her prone form and looked at her lovingly. He said things to her like, "oh Willow I am so sorry, and when she groaned in pain, It's OK, I am here for you, I will never leave.," Somewhere in her mind she heard him, just like she thought she heard Riley. Willow was sure it was all a dream now, she had some many of them now, her reality being somewhat of a nightmare she wasn't sure what was going on. Angel brushed her hair back gently and leaned forward to give her a light kiss on the forehead.
Her eyes blinked open and she looked up at him, her green depths showing the pain she was feeling both inside and out. Eve had tortured her, and done a very good job of it. Willow wasn't sure if she was seeing things or if Angel really sat there near her. She had thought Riley was there too but she didn't see him, maybe he was her imagination. It seemed right that Angel was here, he would be the one to save her, he was the one that the vampire Eve had wanted all along. Willow was just a tool, and toy for Eve's would be lover. But Willow was sure that by now Eve had found the error in her ways. If nothing else Angel had been able to make her feel that he loved her, and she knew if he loved someone, no one better mess with them. That thought made her smile, if it hadn't hurt so much she would have been happier. Angel just cooed at her and petted her face and hair. Gods, he thought, she is beautiful even in pain. Sleep over took her again as her eyes closed, Angel breathed her name.
Getting Better?
Giles burst into the room from outside and walked over to Willow nearly pushing Angel aside in an abnormal manner. He knelt down to her and layed his hand on her forehead, she was terribly hot. Giles frowned as he picked up one of her hands and checked his watch look enough to know her heart was beating much slower than it should have been. Angel could hear it too, and nearly clubbed himself for missing it in all his confusion. Giles dropped the little bag he was holding and pulled a couple of things from it. Mixing two different vials he placed the shook the mixture together and asked Angel to lift her so he could get her to drink what he had mixed. Angel did as requested and she took a few mild sips. Giles nodded gravely and Angel let her lay down again. Riley walked back out of the bathroom, he saw Giles and Angel both close to Willow. He heard as she began to wake fully this time. Riley could hear her voice softly speaking to Giles, she was asking something. He couldn't quite make out what she was saying so he moved closer. He had taken off his shirt to clean up some, and was holding a towel as he look over Angel shoulder to see Willow's body shaking and her eyes roll back into her head. Then she suddenly went limp, Riley could hear Angel's voice break some as he reached out and touched her hair. Giles waved his hand in a ritual type of fashion and chanted something in a language no one knew.
Riley could feel his heart catch as in a moment Giles had grabbed one of his hands and one of Angel's as well. Placing them together he then took there other hands and laid them on Willow. Giles never asked if it was OK to do this he simply took over the situation and did what he thought needed to be done. Neither Angel or Riley even thought to question him on it. As it was to help Willow they knew that much, and at the moment they were worried about her dying so anything Giles did was OK. Just don't let her die they seem to both be thinking. Giles stood up behind them and cast some type of spell that included dusting all three with some reddish powder and cutting both Angel and Riley with a small knife, on there hands that were joined. He then took that blood and dabbed a small amount from each of the two men placing a smudge of it on Willow breast bone. Chanting again, he tossed some more of the dust and then closed the chat letting the two men let go of each other. The feelings that Riley and Angel were having were nearly enough to make them both insane. There seemed to be quite a bit of glowing going on as a light from each of the men came from their chests and flowed down their arms into Willow's body settling around her heart then it flowed to her wounds. Which when watching were the flow of light was going you could tell there must have been much more damage to her then they had known. The light flowed into her stomach and over her shoulders down her back. Willow had sustained enough hurt to have killed her, but somehow she had lived. Both Riley and Angel felt as if they were being torn apart. The pain was intense and never ending to them both. Where Riley was going red faced and squinting, Angel's held an almost shocked look on his face and blanched even paler. Giles stood back watching carefully for any changes in their movements.
Then it was over, both men fell to the sides of where they were kneeling and Willow's color had returned. Giles looked concerned for both men but his attention was on Willow. She had been more like his own child then even Buffy had been. It was at that moment that Buffy, and Xander showed up. They looked pretty ragged themselves but seemed otherwise to be unhurt. Buffy came over to where Giles was sitting now. He hadn't bother to move Angel or Riley, he only petted Willow's forehead brushing her hair away from her face. The blazing tresses were full color now, unlike the dull shade she had when he had seen her at first.
Buffy pulled a round disk from under her jacket and handed it to Giles never looking away from Willow's prone body. He nodded and said, "ah well yes very good Buffy, now if you don't mind. Could you please destroy this horrid thing." " My pleasure she answer and took it outside. Smashing the disk to bits with her heel, Buffy grin, no more nastiness form you". She walked back inside and looked at the body huge bodies laying on the floor at either side of the place where Willow was laying. "What happened to them Giles" she asked only mild concern in her voice. "Nothing really, I just used their energy to save Willow's life. She was dying, they will be fine. in a day or two." He was speaking as if he had no fear for them but they were kinda in the way so Buffy and Xander moved them to other spots in the living room. Giles had sat back down next to Willow again and was watching her. She was breathing much better and began to open her eyes resting them on Giles who smiled at her and called over Buffy and Xander.
Willow tried to raise up but her head was still pounding. Other than that she seemed fine, but she knew she had been badly wounded. She also knew she had been poisoned, and should at this moment be dead or very close to it. Giles took her hand and rubbed it between his. "You will be fine Willow it will just take some time."he reassured her as best as he could. "Oh my head, willow whispered, Where is ahh," Giles nodded to the floor and there they both were. Riley leaned up against a wall and Angel up against a bookshelf.
Willow carefully raised up on her elbows and looked at them her eyes wide with wonder. "Why are they like that" she asked. Giles stood and began fiddling with his glasses, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Well, ahh I used them to heal you Willow. They both helped so now they are going to be out of things a bit as well." He replaced his glasses and walked back to her a brief smile on his lips. "They did that for me," it was more a statement then a question. "Yes, but Willow I have to tell you something before they wake, his voice now filled with tension, there are always cons to every pro, you know that right?" He didn't wait for her to answer but started again,"this will be some what odd for you I think but you are going to have to understand, I did this to keep you alive". Willow really wished he would get to the point. "You , Angel and Riley are now all, well it's hard to put into words." Willow blinked at him and her face became a mask of confusion "We are what Giles, please" " Well, Willow, you are join, in a spiritual sense."
To be continued..........
Author; Keziah/Greenfae
disclaimer; I own nuffin, JossWhendon, Mutant x and others I have no idea about own all, *sighs* I am only playing round
pairing; Riley/Willow/Angel
time frame; sometime after the 7th season
notes? just finding Willow. and the compitition that ensues hehe
rating; geez I aint sure, PG13 and up?
In The Dark;
Angel got out of his car and walked toward where he had been asked by Eve to meet. He wasn't surprised by the fact that she "lived" in a warehouse at the lower end of town. He was however taken back by the fact that she also kept a club in the same building. Not something most of the undead in Sunnydale would do, since the Slayer live here too.
But then if he remembered this vampire like he thought he did she would be less likely to play quiet and hidden monster. He was pretty sure she was the same one he had met at Willie's the day he couldn't go to Willow right away. If so she had made no bones about knowing more or less who he was, and if his observations were not completely off, she had made a pass at him then. Someone, vamp or not that would come on to Angelus was not shy by any means. Opting to more likely to be out there and waiting for Buffy to find her. Angel found himself wondering just how long she had been in town. What made her think she could live past a few minutes once Buffy found her. He had now doubt that she would be found after this. If he didn't kill her himself then he was sure Buffy or one of the gang would. His first thought was to get to Willow, she would be scared, maybe hurt. Most likely hurt, if Eve's threats had been anywhere near true.
Once inside the building he walked straight up to the double doors leading into the main room. A quick knock and a panel opened in one of the doors. "What ya want." came the gruff voice of some dense minion on the other side. Angel shook his head and answered, " To see the lady red, Widow of the dark", you could almost hear his eyes roll as he repeated the words she had given him to gain entrance. Quickly the door was opened and he entered watching the doorman closely. He didn't look like much of a threat, but there were four more just inside all male all watching him closely. Angel looked them over and shrugged to himself. He hadn't thought this would be easy, but he needed to make an example of someone here and it might as well be the guy in front of him. Eve would be expecting him to react to all the other vamps sizing him up. He knew he should do something fairly impressive. I one swift fluid movement of muscle and practiced skill, Angel reached out to the guy in front of him and snapped his neck, finishing the act by severing his head from his shoulders. The body of the once doorman dropped nearly to the floor before turning to dust. Angel merely look at the rest of the room with a slight grin on his handsome face. Raising the head of the ex minion he watched as it turned to dust as well, his other hand he raised in mock question, "What, he quipped, he looked at me funny". Angel's eyes said that he might think they were looking at him funny too, giving his best Angelus grin as he brushed the excess dust off his hands, and walked by them to sit on a rather large divan. The music became louder and a few more people/vampires came in. All of them seemed to be in a party mood and Angel looked up just in time to see who he was looking for. Eve walked over to him lightly on four inch heels, her smile brightly shone even under the very dark red, very heavy lipstick she was wearing. Angel had to wonder how she could move in the outfit she had on, it was skin tight suede deep red, and looked more like some type of bondage then clothes. When she turned he noticed there was only a very brief part of the dark red cloth covering her behind, otherwise her back was totally open, to his eyes. She seemed to be giving him a show as she spun slowly watching as he let his eyes roam over he petite body.
"Well, well, I see you came Angelus, so nice to have you here, finally." her voice was sensual and she nodded to the rest of the room. A strange look crossed her face and she asked one of the men, "where is Doug?". Before either of them could speak Angel/Angelus answered, "Seems he and I didn't see eye to eye, so I fear he had to go." his smiled never faded and he wondered if he could nominate himself for some kind of award over this performance. As he neatly folded his hands together he stood and smiled down on her, she merely smiled back and he sensed she like what she was seeing so far. He was sure she knew most of how he would react as Angelus, and didn't want to disappoint her until he had Willow safe. Then all the games would end and he would disembowel her, stupid demon that she was. His own demon relished the thought of treating her to some of the same things he was sure she was doing to his Willow. He let his eyes reflect his intent and Eve could think want she wanted to, knowing that she would assume it was glee over Willow's soon to be fate at their hands. He didn't bother to hide the evil grin that worked it's way over his face, and Eve took it to mean she was doing well.
Playing the Game;
Running a cold finger over Angel's taunt cheekbone she smiled up, letting her true face slid over the human guise. She tiptoe to kiss him and he dropped his human mask as well, letting her kiss him, as his inner demon raged at the act. He was so close to ripping her apart he could barely control himself, the taste of her was revolting to him in his anger and he wanted to vomit down her throat. In the act of kissing he became violent, Angel yanked her head back by her perfectly coifed hair. Staring into her eyes he made her feel his hand tighten so that she couldn't move her head anymore. Eve's mind was in awe, he was very powerful, more so than she would have even believed. She was so turned on at this point that she missed the slight glint of fear in him. If she had she would have known he was worried for the witch, she would have known the danger she was in.
Moving his face within an inch of hers he whispered, "Take me to the witch, now" and he released her letting her drop back to her feet. Standing back from her enough so that he could keep a close watch what she was doing. Eve smiled sweetly and straiten her dress, nodding to her minion, she waved a hand to Angel. "Come lover, we have things to do, and I know you don't want to miss on the fun" her words fairly dripped with honey and arsenic. She lead him deeper into the warehouse, swaying her hips in what she thought was a seductive manner. It only further annoyed Angel to have to follow this sashaying whore to where she kept Willow. Just outside the third set of double doors they had come to, Eve stopped and pushed her body up against Angel's. He was a little surprised by this but he got hold on himself quickly, pushing her back,flipping their positions and restraining her arms over her head . He growled a mere breath away from her face and let his face lower to her neck, she purred with inhuman lust. Angel teased her briefly and pulled back from her, fire in his eyes and hate in his dead heart for this vampiric bitch. She arched her body from the wall to his and he knew that if he didn't find Willow soon, he would have this creature dead and lose maybe all chance of finding her. Angel steeled himself against the familiar gorge raising in his throat. He had felt sick since he had laid eyes on her tonight, and was not likely to feel better until he had Willow back. He could imagine putting his hands around her throat and killing her for what she had done.
Eve having no clue to what he was really thinking, she was trying to wiggle closer to him, trying to rub her body to his. Angel backed away enough so she couldn't reach him, but he could still hold her fast to the wall. She sucked in a unneeded breath, the way he was teasing her, she thought she would go mad. "Angelus, she rasped at him, please!". Her plea fell on deaf ears as he smiled wickedly at her freeing one hand and tracing her face. "No playing, he said icily, until I see the witch" Eve muttered a few curses and nodded her agreement. Angel dropped her hands and let her get her keys out. This door was locked and she wasn't letting anyone in but her and her new possible lover. Upon opening the door, Angel heard two heart beats behind the large doors. He went on full alert and pulled Eve into his arms dragging her and him into the room fully. Angel sniffed the air and knew who was in there with them, Riley, he thought, damn him. Angel knew there was no way out now, and Eve would at any second know what he did, that there was someone else in the room with Willow. He choose to play to it instead of ignoring what they would both know in short order. He pushed Eve into a corner pretending to be concealing her from a would be attacker. His voice quiet, dark and dangerous he said, "We have company." She smiled at him, loving his closeness and she wiggled enough to feel his well muscled body tight upon hers. "Hmmm, she purred into his ear, if I would have known that's what it took to get you next to me I would have done it sooner."
Angel ignored the comment, as he pushed her aside and walked around the room looking for who he was sure was there. He could still vaguely hear the heartbeats of Willow and Riley. But they had vacated the large ornate room. Walking over to where he was sure Eve had Willow chained. He could smell the blood and burnt flesh, Willows flesh. Angel's eyes went golden and he turned all his rage on Eve knowing that even though Willow wasn't with him she was safe. Eve for the first time looked scared as he stared her down while she stood still leaning against the wall next to the doors. She almost made it out too, but Angel was faster. He growled at her as he pulled her to him and his demon visage was mere breaths space from her face as he ground out his next words. "I thought you had her, I see you have failed. You understand what that means to me, and for you." His inner demon in such a rage that he couldn't control it, didn't want to control it. Angelus coming to the fore as he tore into the female vampire, in seconds she was dust pieces on the floor and he was no where near satisfied.
So close his inner monster screamed at him, so close to saving her himself. Riley again, why did he have to come back from the dead. He hadn't had any real time to focus on it before, but now it was all he could think about. Riley with his Willow, no, no, no, NO, the words kept running through his mind over and over again. He was in his car and off to Xander's house as fast as he could get there. No way was he letting Riley be the only one with her now. She needed him, he was here while Riley was gone. He glanced at his hands and noticed that they were covered in the blood of the vamp he had just dusted. When he left the warehouse he had gone out that he had tracked Willow and Riley out of. It must have been close, he must have walked in as they were escaping. It angered him more to know that he had to control himself enough to get home to his mansion and clean up. Willow should never know how out of control he had become. His thoughts murderous and confused.
Escape The Night;
Riley leaned Willow up as he pulled away from the curb. He had heard the screams and growls as he sat Willow in the car and didn't want to be there once that was over. Driving down the street at a fairly good clip he pulled in near Xander's place a short time later. Riley trotted around the car and opening the door he hauled Willow out as gently as he could. All her chains still in place around her wrist and ankles made it hard to move her. Riley got her to Xander's door and tapped it with his foot for a knock. Anya answered the door and was surprised to see him standing there with Willow. "Oh, hey is Willow OK" she asked never moving from in front of the doorway. Riley answered, " I am not sure, I don't think she is in danger of dying. But she is hurt pretty bad. Riley had draped his coat over her body that was mostly nude, he gave Anya a nervous look and nodded, "may we come in," his voice shaking enough to tell even Anya he was worried about the redhead. She let him in and walked to the bathroom to get the medical kit. Riley having been in the service knew how to deal with most wounds.
He sat Willow down on the couch and place a pillow over her head so she could be more comfortable. She hadn't woken yet and he was worried she might not wake. He may have to take her to the hospital and he wonder if he should have done that first. A low moan escaped Willow's lips and he brushed a lock of hair from her face. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at him. Immediately she began coughing and sputtering. Her color was starting to look more normal but the burn on her side was looking pretty nasty. Riley look up just as Anya came back with the bandages and he tried to smile a little at the ex demon. She handed him the things to fix Willow up with and walked back to the kitchen, a sad smile on her lips. "Would you like something to drink, we have different beverages to choose from." her voice was tense but that was understandable. Buffy and the others had not returned yet, Riley hoped they were OK, but his need to help Willow out weighed any feelings he had thought he had for Buffy, and her other friends. Willow was hurt, and he meant to make sure she was on the way to getting better. Riley,sent Anya to get a wet cloth so that he could wipe some of the dirt and grit off Willow. Her face was smudged badly and her arms as well.
Something about the burns bother him, he looked over them closely. There were two sets of wounds on each of her sides. The first set of wounds was deep red and brownish looking with blisters. Some of the blisters were broken and weeping. He pulled her over gently to look at the other side and found it was actually worse. The skin was peeling off the side in hunks were the wounds had been inflicted. Willow groan when Anya came back with a wet cloth and Riley gingerly began to wipe away some of the dirt and grim. He touched a spot on her left side that was very sore and Willows eyes flew open. Her mouth turned into a Oh of pain but no sound came out. She sputtered and began to cough, trying to move to her side. Riley helped her roll over without touching her sides anymore than necessary. When he noticed what she was about to do it grab a small trash can and leaned her closer to it. Willow didn't really have anything in her stomach but she managed to relive her body of a small amount of bile fluid. Mostly she coughed and shuttered in Riley's arms. When she settled back down there was a knock at the door, loud and more or less demanding. Anya went to the door and opened it looking as if she was now bored she waved Angel into the room. He looked at Willow and his eyes turned amber in an instant. Riley was holding Willow, who was more than a little nude, close to him as she seemed to be shivering. She is human and needs to be warmer, was his only thought at the moment. Angel strode over to them his inner demon raging at the liberties that he felt Riley was taking. Everything in him made Riley out to be his nemesis. He was the one thing that stood between his and Willow's happiness.
Riley glared at Angel as he walked in the room. He felt that Angel was the reason Willow was hurt like this. Willow started to come more wakeful and mumbled at Riley to let her down. He gently laid her back down and got up to get some water for her. At the same time he watched Angel as he watched Willow. There was no confusion what Angel seemed to feel, what he was feeling himself. Willow needed their help, needed them not to fight with each other right now. She needed them to work together and help her get better. Angel would do anything to stop the pain she was going through. Riley was doing everything he knew to do at the moment. Riley walked to get some of his gear and medicines he was due for them nearly an hour ago, and he figured he better keep up with them if he meant to keep up with Angel. He didn't have Riley's handicaps, nor his benefits. Riley thought it was a pretty even, between the two of them. It made him sad to think that Willow had been with Angel, but he could see no reason why she wouldn't have, with him coming up gone. He had some idea of what Willow had thought. He had talked to both Giles and Xander, they had told him some things. Riley remembered that Xander even kinda blushed as he related some of what had happened. Willow was sure Riley had left her, ran off to be in the jungles again. But that's not what had happened, he had gotten stupid and thought he needed to have it out with Angel. When he fell it was an accident, and partially his own fault. He had fought Angel before and knew he was quicker than himself. So it was as much his fault as Angel's, that didn't make it any easier for him to deal with.
Riley turned back to see what Angel was doing now. Angel had dropped down on one knee and was pushing her hair from her eyes. Murmuring soft words to her that Riley couldn't hear. He wanted to jump Angel and knock him away from Willow. But his logic willed out, he knew it wouldn't do Willow any good and she seemed to derive some comfort from his ministrations. Riley could feel his heart begin to sink, how would he win her back. He had thought of nothing else but her from the minute he became aware of where he was, what was happening to him. He remembered falling and the painful thump his body felt as he hit the grassy part just off the sidewalk. He knew then that his leg had been broken, but that was all he knew before he passed out. His last thought at the time was, Willow's going to be pissed at me". He was right, so pissed she ended up in Angel's arms, oh Riley didn't really know, but he did know. Somehow his being suddenly gone made it a fact, if only because he knew she had no idea what had happen and wasn't sure Angel would tell her. The way Angel looked at her now told him enough of the story, told him that he had made love to Willow.
Angel knelt next to her prone form and looked at her lovingly. He said things to her like, "oh Willow I am so sorry, and when she groaned in pain, It's OK, I am here for you, I will never leave.," Somewhere in her mind she heard him, just like she thought she heard Riley. Willow was sure it was all a dream now, she had some many of them now, her reality being somewhat of a nightmare she wasn't sure what was going on. Angel brushed her hair back gently and leaned forward to give her a light kiss on the forehead.
Her eyes blinked open and she looked up at him, her green depths showing the pain she was feeling both inside and out. Eve had tortured her, and done a very good job of it. Willow wasn't sure if she was seeing things or if Angel really sat there near her. She had thought Riley was there too but she didn't see him, maybe he was her imagination. It seemed right that Angel was here, he would be the one to save her, he was the one that the vampire Eve had wanted all along. Willow was just a tool, and toy for Eve's would be lover. But Willow was sure that by now Eve had found the error in her ways. If nothing else Angel had been able to make her feel that he loved her, and she knew if he loved someone, no one better mess with them. That thought made her smile, if it hadn't hurt so much she would have been happier. Angel just cooed at her and petted her face and hair. Gods, he thought, she is beautiful even in pain. Sleep over took her again as her eyes closed, Angel breathed her name.
Getting Better?
Giles burst into the room from outside and walked over to Willow nearly pushing Angel aside in an abnormal manner. He knelt down to her and layed his hand on her forehead, she was terribly hot. Giles frowned as he picked up one of her hands and checked his watch look enough to know her heart was beating much slower than it should have been. Angel could hear it too, and nearly clubbed himself for missing it in all his confusion. Giles dropped the little bag he was holding and pulled a couple of things from it. Mixing two different vials he placed the shook the mixture together and asked Angel to lift her so he could get her to drink what he had mixed. Angel did as requested and she took a few mild sips. Giles nodded gravely and Angel let her lay down again. Riley walked back out of the bathroom, he saw Giles and Angel both close to Willow. He heard as she began to wake fully this time. Riley could hear her voice softly speaking to Giles, she was asking something. He couldn't quite make out what she was saying so he moved closer. He had taken off his shirt to clean up some, and was holding a towel as he look over Angel shoulder to see Willow's body shaking and her eyes roll back into her head. Then she suddenly went limp, Riley could hear Angel's voice break some as he reached out and touched her hair. Giles waved his hand in a ritual type of fashion and chanted something in a language no one knew.
Riley could feel his heart catch as in a moment Giles had grabbed one of his hands and one of Angel's as well. Placing them together he then took there other hands and laid them on Willow. Giles never asked if it was OK to do this he simply took over the situation and did what he thought needed to be done. Neither Angel or Riley even thought to question him on it. As it was to help Willow they knew that much, and at the moment they were worried about her dying so anything Giles did was OK. Just don't let her die they seem to both be thinking. Giles stood up behind them and cast some type of spell that included dusting all three with some reddish powder and cutting both Angel and Riley with a small knife, on there hands that were joined. He then took that blood and dabbed a small amount from each of the two men placing a smudge of it on Willow breast bone. Chanting again, he tossed some more of the dust and then closed the chat letting the two men let go of each other. The feelings that Riley and Angel were having were nearly enough to make them both insane. There seemed to be quite a bit of glowing going on as a light from each of the men came from their chests and flowed down their arms into Willow's body settling around her heart then it flowed to her wounds. Which when watching were the flow of light was going you could tell there must have been much more damage to her then they had known. The light flowed into her stomach and over her shoulders down her back. Willow had sustained enough hurt to have killed her, but somehow she had lived. Both Riley and Angel felt as if they were being torn apart. The pain was intense and never ending to them both. Where Riley was going red faced and squinting, Angel's held an almost shocked look on his face and blanched even paler. Giles stood back watching carefully for any changes in their movements.
Then it was over, both men fell to the sides of where they were kneeling and Willow's color had returned. Giles looked concerned for both men but his attention was on Willow. She had been more like his own child then even Buffy had been. It was at that moment that Buffy, and Xander showed up. They looked pretty ragged themselves but seemed otherwise to be unhurt. Buffy came over to where Giles was sitting now. He hadn't bother to move Angel or Riley, he only petted Willow's forehead brushing her hair away from her face. The blazing tresses were full color now, unlike the dull shade she had when he had seen her at first.
Buffy pulled a round disk from under her jacket and handed it to Giles never looking away from Willow's prone body. He nodded and said, "ah well yes very good Buffy, now if you don't mind. Could you please destroy this horrid thing." " My pleasure she answer and took it outside. Smashing the disk to bits with her heel, Buffy grin, no more nastiness form you". She walked back inside and looked at the body huge bodies laying on the floor at either side of the place where Willow was laying. "What happened to them Giles" she asked only mild concern in her voice. "Nothing really, I just used their energy to save Willow's life. She was dying, they will be fine. in a day or two." He was speaking as if he had no fear for them but they were kinda in the way so Buffy and Xander moved them to other spots in the living room. Giles had sat back down next to Willow again and was watching her. She was breathing much better and began to open her eyes resting them on Giles who smiled at her and called over Buffy and Xander.
Willow tried to raise up but her head was still pounding. Other than that she seemed fine, but she knew she had been badly wounded. She also knew she had been poisoned, and should at this moment be dead or very close to it. Giles took her hand and rubbed it between his. "You will be fine Willow it will just take some time."he reassured her as best as he could. "Oh my head, willow whispered, Where is ahh," Giles nodded to the floor and there they both were. Riley leaned up against a wall and Angel up against a bookshelf.
Willow carefully raised up on her elbows and looked at them her eyes wide with wonder. "Why are they like that" she asked. Giles stood and began fiddling with his glasses, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Well, ahh I used them to heal you Willow. They both helped so now they are going to be out of things a bit as well." He replaced his glasses and walked back to her a brief smile on his lips. "They did that for me," it was more a statement then a question. "Yes, but Willow I have to tell you something before they wake, his voice now filled with tension, there are always cons to every pro, you know that right?" He didn't wait for her to answer but started again,"this will be some what odd for you I think but you are going to have to understand, I did this to keep you alive". Willow really wished he would get to the point. "You , Angel and Riley are now all, well it's hard to put into words." Willow blinked at him and her face became a mask of confusion "We are what Giles, please" " Well, Willow, you are join, in a spiritual sense."
To be continued..........