author: Lucinda with considerable help from my Beta Rose

rating: pg 13.

Main characters: Willow, Cordelia, Alex Dane

pairings: hints of Cordelia/Jason Nesmith, Willow/Alex Dane, Gwen DeMarco/Angel

disclaimer; I own nobody from Buffy/Angel or from Galaxy Quest. There may be a few minor original characters.

Distribution: Bite Me, WLS, NHA, Twisting the Hellmouth, anyone else please ask, I'll probably say yes.

Dedicated to Rose, who I blame for the idea.

note: AU post season 6ish for BtVS timeline, AU season 2 for Angel. Tara split with Willow and left town. Willow resurrected Buffy who was rather cold and doing naughty things with Spike. Willow felt left out, unappreciated and very hurt by Buffy's reaction to her resurrection, so she moved to LA. Darla stayed dead. Post Galaxy Quest the movie.

Angel wasn't happy about the set and areas for this show that Cordelia was working at. There was something... several somethings wrong. One of the women, pale skinned dark haired, moved a bit wrong, as if her muscles and joints weren't quite the same, and she didn't smell right. She smelled almost like she'd been in the ocean, but that wasn't quite right. Maybe she was some sort of water demon? Then there were the other scents... there had been two demons on the set. Demons that smelled leathery, one smelling almost like leather, dog and rotting meat, the other a lighter sort of leathery, with anger and frustration mixed in. The whole thing could only be trouble. Trouble that could get people hurt, like Cordelia, or Willow. Or Gwen.

He leaned back in his chair, knowing that Willow had seen him at the set, knowing that she would want to know why he'd been there. How would he explain? 'Oh, I just happened to be eavesdropping and heard you mention a vision with a demon on the set...' No. Or 'I wanted to make sure Gwen was safe...' Oh, double no on that one... Gwen... safety... the curse. Angel put his hand on his face, growling at the idea of those evil gypsies and their idea of a 'good clause' to put on a soul anchoring spell.

Gwen was beautiful, confident, charming... and mortal. Mortal with no awareness of what he was, that there were even vampires or demons. But he liked her, and wanted to get to know her better. He was just afraid that if he did, he could fall for her, find himself in a relationship... Unleash Angelus. Gwen wouldn't have a chance... his evil self would slaughter her... or turn her. He'd start a rampage of destruction and death...

"Damn those Kalderash Gypsies." He was definitely growling.

"Umm... I think the original ones are already dead, Angel. I brought you some blood..." Willow stood in the doorway, although hovered might have been a better word. She looked as if she could be gone in a moment.

A quick brush of his fingers over his brow revealed that he'd slipped into his vampire face, a possible explanation for Willow's nervousness. "Thanks... and I'm not evil again. It's just..."

She walked over, handing him the mug of warmed blood. Her smile made her look almost like a pixie or one of the lesser elves... she'd be the perfect subject of a drawing. "So... drink up, and then I'd like you to explain why you were on the set. I think I can guess why you're heaping curses on the gypsies."

He sipped the blood, feeling it settle his nerves, sooth his temper. "Why is that?"

She perched on the edge of his desk, her whole pose casual and unafraid. "I saw you talking to Gwen DeMarco. You seem to have this thing for blonds, you know? They're definitely your type. But you were smiling, and... not brooding at all. So, I think you sort of like her and would like to spend more time with her, but then you remembered that evil clause, and how it caused very bad things in Sunnydale, and nobody wants that to happen again. So I figured that it might be good to try to find out if that clause is even still there, because when I did the restoration.... the time it worked, not the time it got interrupted, everything's sort of fuzzy, and I can't remember all the words that I said, so... umm..."

"You... can't remember all of it?" Angel frowned, trying to remember if he'd even known that Willow had cast the spell. "But... that's a very complicated spell. It took the whole clan the first time."

She gave a small grin, almost teasing. "And you completely didn't mention the blond comment. Cordy was there, she said it looked like I was possessed for the second half of it. That's the part that's all fuzzy. I wanted to check the translation, to find out... to find out if something may have been changed, or if there are any other clauses, you know? Before we learn the hard way..."

Willow had such a way of making things seem lighter, less ominous. "You aren't telling me to stay away from Gwen? Or that I shouldn't try to have a relationship?"

She tilted her head slightly, looking very thoughtful. "I'd say hold off on any sex until we know you'll wake up you." Angel choked, sputtering into his blood. "But if Gwen DeMarco doesn't want you talking to her, she's more than capable of telling you to back off. And you would, right? But there's nothing to say that you can't talk to her, to make friends... and why were you there anyhow?"

He knew she'd get to that question eventually. He'd probably be best sticking with the truth. "I overheard you and Cordelia. Her vision." Angel paused, trying to find a way to phrase the rest so that it wouldn't sound insulting.

Apparently, he took too long. Willow frowned at him, shaking one finger in a faintly scolding motion. "You thought that maybe we couldn't handle it ourselves? Or that we'd get hurt? That's sort of sweet in an over-protective big brother sort of way. But Cordy figured that we could handle it... as long as I don't pass out from being on stage."

Willow... passing out? On stage? But why would Willow be on stage? He didn't think that she harbored any dreams of being an actress... "Willow? Why... on stage?"

"I got drafted. I'm the handmaiden to her royal highness, the princess Mirabanna, as played by Cordy. All I have to do is stand in the background, look decorative, and sort of emphasis that her character is important. I don't even have any lines, which is good because I'd never remember them. I only agreed because... well, it was a scene with Alex Dane. Blackmail and temptation... I totally fell to the... acting side?" Willow's short babble explained a few things and left others a bit murky.

Angel couldn't help it, he laughed. The way she'd described it sounded so amusing... "Drafted into being a royal handmaiden... Willow, you're one of a kind. So, who's Alex Dane?"

She gave him this look, one that said he'd missed an element of current culture. "I suppose you either know or gathered that he's an actor... He plays Dr Lazarus, the one with the head ridge thingies. You spoke to him earlier... He's got this voice... you could build a career with a voice like that."

Ahhhh... Willow had an infatuation for this actor. That was how she'd been 'drafted' into being on screen. "So... are you sure that he's human? Safe? And what's this about a demon anyhow, which one did she see?"

"Which one? You mean there's more than one at the set? Umm... she saw a big orangey brown leathery thing about the size of a pony. With teeth. As for Alex Dane... I think he's as safe as any other guy would be... and is human that big of a deal? Although I think he is." Willow sounded a bit worried.

Angel tried to sort out everything to explain clearly. "There were lingering scents of two different demons, both sort of leathery smelling. And one of the actresses? The shortish one with dark hair and pale skin? She's... I don't know what she is, but it's not human."

"Hmm... I guess we'll just have to be careful. I've got a sword to keep with me for when the demon attacks, and I have magic in case things get ugly. As for her, umm... I'm not sure what her name is either, but she doesn't seem like she's out to cause trouble." Willow had that thoughtful look.

"That sounds good. I still want to go back to the set. In case that other demon causes problems." Angel looked down at his half finished mug, certain that Willow would see through his flimsy explanation. He wanted to go back so that he could talk to Gwen.

She looked at him a small smile on her face, eyes sparkling with merriment. "Sure. In case of the demon... I'll see you in the morning. Early."

End part 12.

Cordelia wasn't at all amused by Angel going to the set. Granted, she could understand that he was worried about a demon, but... she should be able to handle one demon by herself! Okay, herself and Willow, but still, why did Angel have to go? She was definitely fuming... and how much of that was because she figured Angel and Jason Nesmith wouldn't get along?

"Why is he coming with us any how?" She was definitely exasperated.

Willow looked over, a small smirk on her face as she looked over a stack of papers. "He wants us to think it's because there's traces of a second but different demon on the set. I think it's because he's sort of interested in Gwen DeMarco."

"What? Angel... is thinking about dating? Oh, that should get him to stop brooding... and what about his soul?" The possibilities flew through her mind.

Willow smothered a giggle. "That's why I'm looking at this. It's the ritual... from Jenny's disk. Angel's a bit worried about that possibility too, but just talking to her shouldn't hurt anything."

Cordelia fussed with her hair, hoping that it would look alright when they got there. Although the make up people would take over, doing whatever they felt best for the style of an alien princess. "I though this was sort of an adventure show, not some sort of dating connection for the actors. I mean, you and Alex Dane, and I so want details after that, and now Angel and Gwen?"

"You're forgetting you and Nesmith. It sort of reminds me of you and Xander... glares, sniping comments, and then... boom, your kissing."

"I am not... I am NOT dating Jason Nesmith! It's just... just a part... we're practicing." She really wasn't dating him, even if he was a great kisser. It took two people to date, and he wasn't looking for a girlfriend... not that she was interested, really. Really. She could almost make a convincing case.

Willow looked at her, something shadowing her eyes. "And do you expect me to believe that you wouldn't want to be more involved with Nesmith? That there isn't something there, a potential, a spark?"

"Well... maybe there is a spark… but Friday's the last bit of filming, some of the scenes that you aren't in. After that, when would I ever see him again?" There was sorrow in her voice. "He's... I don't know, but it's sort of exciting. But I don't think he sees me as girlfriend material."

Willow nodded, her eyes darkening with thought, and she nibbled a bit on her lip. "After Friday... yeah, things will be different after Friday. But let's go get ready, we have to go to the set, be ready for the demon attacking, for whatever technical crisis hits today... and I'm being filmed today... oh dear..."

There was just something too amusing about Willow being more nervous about being filmed than fighting a demon. But she was right, they did have things to worry about that would come before 'how are things different after Friday?', like would anyone be attacked by some demon on the set? Would they have to explain away something strange and freaky and... Wait, could she try to convince people that it was a weird special effect?

And the chance to tease Angel about his crush on Gwen would just be too fun. He spent so much time brooding that it was almost weird on the level of the Twilight Zone to think of Angel having a crush. Even more bizarre was the idea that they had all met someone at the same place.

Oh, their lives were just so bizarre sometimes. "If this is going to be the last day, we might as well make the best of it. Carpe Diem and all..." Cordelia tried to inspire confidence in herself, to ignore the little corner that was pouting and insisting that she was having fun. But she noticed Willow shiver a bit at her suggestion. "What's wrong?"

Willow glanced away, her fingers twisting at her hair, and apparently missed Angel approaching. "It's just... Buffy suggested... back when she first came to Sunnydale, that I should Carpe Diem, because life's short. I almost got eaten by a vampire. It left me a bit twitchy over carpe Diem and seizing moments. It generally tends to bring me trouble."

"Nobody's going to try to turn you into dinner on the set, Willow. And if they try..." Cordelia paused, trying to think of something to reassure her friend with.

Angel offered a few words, something that oddly worked. "If anyone tries, we'll kill them."

Willow gave a small smile, and looked thoughtful. "It should seem really odd to me that threatening to kill someone works as a tactic for reassurance. But... if it works, let's go."

End part 13.

She knew that she was far too nervous about this. Her breathing was fast, her pulse racing... and she'd only just walked onto the set. Willow shook her head, trying to remind herself of all the reasons why she didn't have to be worried. Of all the reasons why she would be just fine. They could kill the demony thing from Cordy's vision. She had no lines to flub. There were expert make up and wardrobe people to make sure that she looked okay. Angel had promised dismemberment and suffering on anyone who deliberately tried to cause them problems. She could do this. Right, breathe in, breathe out...

Angel started prowling around the set, his expression grim and serious, making it clear that he felt there was something wrong. Cordelia went right over to a chair, sitting down to go over her lines one last time. Willow felt restless, unsettled, and entirely awkward. She began a meandering inspection, seeking any indication of something damaged, or cursed. Maybe the tedious inspection would calm her nerves?

Frustratingly, the only change that her meandering inspection resulted in was a slight lightening of worry that the show could go on. That in no way lessened her worry caused by her going on the show. And now her feet hurt. She couldn't seem to settle her nerves. Worse, she had no idea where the costuming department was from here.

Glaring at a section of floor, the words tumbled from her lips. "How am I supposed to get ready for my single little scene before they need to do the make up for the speaking roles if I can't even find the costume people?!?"

"Perhaps I can help you find it?" Alex's voice curled around her, bearing a hint of amusement, and something else, something that she couldn't put a name to.

Willow could feel herself blushing. Bad enough that she was lost, but to have Alex see that... "Thanks... I know it has to be here somewhere. It's not like they just... digitize you somewhere else, change your clothing and pop you back."

He seemed to find that far more amusing than its feeble humor merited. "No... there's a large room of clothing and a couple little cubicles to change in. They just tucked it underneath the sets. I'll show you over to the elevator."

Ohh, an elevator trip with Alex Dane... that brought some interesting images to her mind. "Lead on. So... dinner tonight, after the shooting? And for some reason that sounded wrong... I meant filming, not shooting with guns and... I'm babbling again. Sorry"

"You seem a bit nervous, Willow. Is it... can I be of any help?" Alex reached out, his hand resting on her back as he led her down the hall.

Part of her just wanted to melt back into his hand and purr... "It's silly..." Well, if she left out the parts about a demon thing that was supposed to attack her and a potential saboteur, it seemed a bit silly. "I umm... I get stage fright. And I'm going to be in front of the cameras, the direction that gets the picture taken, and it's got me a bit nervous. I know there isn't much that I need to do, no lines, no demanding moving around, but..."

Gently, he smiled at her, his eyes warm and lovely, even in the dim hallway. "It's perfectly natural to be nervous. Even if there isn't anything demanding that you're expected to do. I used to have problems with that myself... Once in a while, it's still there, a bit. Not that I'd mention it to the directors... Or Jason. The man would mock me about it well into the next millennium. And here is the elevator to take us below the sets."

They got into the elevator, something smallish and bound to inspire feelings of claustrophobia. Firmly, he pushed a button, and the elevator rattled, beginning its slow descent. They hadn't made it yet when there was a horrible rattling, almost like something scurrying over metal, and a loud 'pwanggg' noise, and the elevator lurched roughly, halting. And the doors wouldn't open.

"This... could get awkward." Alex sounded almost... almost as if he was trying to contain something, to not think about the elevator, or how long it might take before they could leave.

Willow smiled at him, just a little bit. She was trapped in an elevator with Alex Dane. "Any ideas how we could pass the time?"

Alex smiled slightly in response, then asked in a slightly strained voice. "I suppose it's too much to hope that you have a cell phone...?

"Um...no. But hey, look, there's a phone here. Let's try it." Willow replied.

She felt the need to reassure him for some reason, although she didn't know why. This was *Alex Dane* after all.

"Oh right, of course, how silly of me." He said, smiling, as he stepped over to the panel that housed the emergency phone.

The relieved smile melted from his face, however, when he placed the phone to his ear. Silence. Even though he knew it was useless, Alex tapped the handset repeatedly anyway. Finally accepting defeat, he placed the receiver back into its cradle. At the look on his handsome face Willow knew the phone was dead. Trying to remain calm, she glanced at her watch.

Noting that it was nearly lunch time, Willow said, "Hey Alex, you know, it's just about 12 so, um, someone is bound to come along soon. We'll be out of here before you know it."

Despite her cheerful delivery, Willow's reassurances fell on deaf ears, due to Alex's quickly rising exasperations. He could feel the anxiety beginning to build, creeping up from the base of his spine and flowing throughout the rest of his body. Clinching his eyes closed he began the inner mantra that he had developed in case of such a situation.

*Deep breath in....slow breath out. Deep breath in...slow breath out.*

After a few seconds of this Alex got the feeling that this technique was definitely NOT working. So, he did the next logical thing, in his opinion.... he panicked.

Willow watched as her companion's complexion paled slightly. Alex closed his eyes and his lips silently began mouthing words that she couldn't quite make out. Beads of sweat were slowly becoming apparent on his forehead. Suddenly, without warning, Alex practically threw himself against the elevator's doors and began pounding on them.

"Come on lift....LIFT!!" He urged the elevator, mentally willing it to begin working.

The sound of his voice cracking prompted Willow into action. Reaching out her hand, Willow rested it on Alex's shoulder to draw his attention back to her.

"Alex....hey, it's gonna be all right."

"No, you don't understand!" Alex exclaimed as he moved back from the doors. "I've got to get out!" Looking up he wondered aloud, "I wonder if we could climb out the top..."

Realizing his panic attack was worsening, Willow did the only thing she could think of. Concentrating hard, she closed her eyes and cast a calming spell over the agitated man beside her. Once she was through, Willow opened her eyes and glanced over at Alex. He seemed better and the wildness had left his eyes. His breathing had returned to normal and she heaved a sigh of relief as she watched him lean against the back wall of the elevator, slowly sliding down the length of it to sit on the floor and bury his face in his hands. Walking over, Willow slid down to sit beside Alex.

End part 14.

Cordelia sighed, wondering what could be taking Willow so long. She'd gone away with Alex Dane to find the wardrobe people so that she could put on her dress. But that was at least... well, okay, maybe it had only been ten minutes. Perhaps she was being a bit impatient. She sighed, looking at her nails, painted a shimmering gold.

"Can't wait for our dramatic scene, Princess?" The voice of Jason Nesmith jarred her from her fretting.

She glared at him, noticing that he was already in his carefully fitted uniform, not a wrinkle on the fabric, and lacking even a speck of lint on the dark pants. With a small huff, she made a dismissive gesture. "More like I can't wait to be away from your enormous ego. Really, you'd think from listening to you that you really were some sort of big shot space captain, not an actor."

"Right, we both know that you just can't wait to plant another one right here." He made a gesture towards his lips, his eyes sparkling.

"The only reason that I kissed you at all is because it's in the script!" She was aware of her voice verging on shrill, probably carrying farther than she wanted.

He glared right back, his expression nowhere near as angry as his voice sounded. "The only reason it's in the script is because women can't get enough of me!"

"It's in the script because that's the only way you can get some action!" She was standing very close to him now, feeling his breath touching her as he screamed, seeing how the little vein on his forehead pulsed as she taunted him.

The next thing she knew, his arms were around her, and their lips had crashed together, a kiss more intense, more passionate than anything else recently. He tasted like... like adventure. She felt herself relaxing against him, one hand resting against his muscular chest as the other reached up, touching his hair.

Finally, they broke apart, Cordelia pushing herself back, looking at him in what was supposed to be an angry glare. She had the suspicion that it turned out more like dazed confusion. She also had the sneaking suspicion that she had what a romance novel would describe as a 'heaving bosom' at the moment as she tried to regain her sense of calm. That had been... intense.

"What was that about?" He sounded just as unsettled as she felt. "What was that?"

"You kissed me! If you didn't know what that was... You kissed me!" Cordelia wondered if she could possibly make things fit back into their calm and orderly pattern... oh, who was she kidding? She was a seer for an ensouled vampire that fought for redemption. Her life wasn't anywhere near calm and orderly.

Coming to the conclusion that nothing would be accomplished here, Cordelia turned away, deciding that she would go have a cup of coffee. Maybe she would be able to think more clearly away from Jason.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Feel better?" Willow asked, as she placed a comforting hand on the clearly still upset man.

Nodding, Alex finally lifted his head from his hands to look at her. "I'm very sorry about this. It's...extremely embarrassing."

Willow scoffed lightly, "Nah, believe me, when it comes time for my part in the show, you'll see ALOT worse."

This reply coaxed a soft chuckle from Alex, then he noticed that Willow had not yet removed her hand from his shoulder. Her hand was, in fact, massaging said shoulder, causing the tense muscles there to relax. He wondered if she realized what she was doing, and decided that she did when he saw the blush beginning to creep up her neck and onto her face. She was so adorable when she blushed.

Willow was mortified when she realized what her hand was doing. She was even more so when she saw that Alex had noticed it too. But he didn't protest, had actually leaned into her touch, really. Willow's breathed hitched and suddenly she felt herself becoming aware of their situation.

They were alone. Stranded in an elevator. A broken elevator.

When he moved, it was as if in slow motion. He leaned over toward her, causing her hand to slide across the width of his shoulders until her arm was around his neck. His hand came up, catching her chin with his fingers and tilted her head to the side a tad, just as his lips brushed across her own.

*Oh, Goddess, his lips are soft.* Was the only thought she could acknowledge as she melted against him and gave in to the moment.

Wrapping his arm around Willow's waist, Alex shifted slightly and drew the red head to him until she was practically sitting in his lap. This brought a gasp from Willow's lips, which allowed Alex to deepen their kiss. Willow's hands clenched as desire ran down her spine, causing the shirt to bunch up in them. Alex's hands were making their way up and down her back, causing Willow to shiver, but in a good way. They would never really recall who initiated it, but soon buttons were being unbuttoned, articles of clothing pushed aside to allow hands and mouths a chance to explore.

They were so engrossed in their activity that they didn't feel the slight jolt of the elevator as it slowly began to function again. They didn't even hear the ding signaling that they had reached their floor or the doors sliding open.

They did hear the gasp, however, that rang out at the sight of the two entangled bodies on the elevator floor.

"Oh. My..." Angel was nearly speechless.

"Uh, would you two like some privacy? Cause, you know, we could always take the next one." Gwen was trying to keep her smile contained, rather decisively failing.

End part 15.

Angel was lurking, and trying to hide the internal debate he was having. He'd insisted on coming here, not because he didn't think Willow and Cordelia capable of handling things, but... Well, maybe that was why he'd come the first time, out of worry for them. Especially since he knew that Willow had only had whatever instruction she might have been able to pick up in Sunnydale as physical defense.

But then, he'd bumped almost literally into Gwen. She was beautiful, which was nice, but not enough to explain the fascination that she held for him. After all, he'd seen hundreds, thousands of beautiful women, including a century with Darla and his decades with Dru, both of whom were beautiful. No, there was something more than simply the fact that she was beautiful, and charming. There was also something in her eyes, the sort of depth that only comes from seeing things, experiencing things that force your view of life and reality to shift. He didn't know what had put that look in her eyes, but he wanted to know.

They'd talked some, and he'd learned a bit about this series that she was in, the one that Cordelia had a part in. Except that Gwen's part was permanent and Cordelia's was only for a single episode. Gwen seemed to have something, a confidence and contentment that so many people were lacking. As if she was entirely pleased with where she was in her life. He wasn't certain that he'd ever met anyone else that was entirely happy with their life.

"Hey Angel. Why the somber expression?" Gwen's cheerful voice was like music to his ears.

He looked up, offering her a hesitant smile. "I hadn't realized that I looked somber. You could say that I was considering the past, and the present."

"What's wrong with the present then? Jealous because of Cordelia and Jason?" She had this teasing sparkle in her eyes that gave him a funny lightening feeling in his stomach.

"No, not of those two. They'll have sparks, intense emotions, and things between them will probably burn out quickly. No, if there's one of my friends to be jealous of it's Willow and that whatever she has with Alex." Angel shook his head slightly, wondering if Alex Dane had any idea how Willow felt, and if he would turn out to be good enough for her.

"Oh..." Gwen glanced down, not quite looking at him. "Are you wishing that it was you that she had a... something with? Instead of Alex?"

He couldn't help it, Angel laughed. "No, no, I don't... it's not like that. She's my friend. A better friend than I deserve. And she's loyal, a wonderful friend that will go... far beyond reason. I wouldn't be the man I am today if not for her. I just hope he's good enough... loyal enough for her. She needs someone that will appreciate her, and someone that will stay."

"Well... it's good to have friends you can count on." She looked oddly relieved for some reason. "You aren't going to try to warn them off from actors? Not convinced that everyone in the acting field is bad for you?"

Images flashed through his mind, theatres he'd attended, the vampiress in Vienna running a troupe to ensure a steady supply of meals, of Cordelia's ambitions, of Rebecca the not quite as young actress that had seen him as an opportunity for immortality... "Acting is a job, and the people aren't any more or less dangerous than any other professionals. I've met a few bad apples, but there are also some very good people. And Willow and Cordelia are capable of dealing with things on their own."

He found himself chatting with Gwen, smiling, feeling happier and more optimistic than he could remember feeling in a long time. Gwen was a delight. And if it weren't for that damned clause... or perhaps damning clause would be more accurate. He began to desperately hope that it was gone, or that Willow could find a way to get rid of it. Angel was starting to hope that he could have a life, maybe even be happy with someone that he could become very... maybe even try to find love.

They chatted about the vast improvement of the props and special effects that the show used now as compared to the ones used in the original series, which Angel had caught occasionally. They continued, meandering around the set as they chatted, watching a few of the scenes get filmed.

The other one, the woman who wasn't human was there, watching him. She had this odd quality to her movements, as if she wasn't very practiced at having limbs and joints that moved quite like they did. And her scent was wrong, a bit saltier, and not at all human. But she didn't seem to be trying any trouble. Not unless it was something to do with the man with the part of chief engineer. He had the definite impression that she was worried about him.

Everything that he'd seen hinted at Gwen, Alex, and those two being in on some sort of big secret. Some strange thing that had bound them together, much like the group that had formed around Buffy had been bound together by their trials. He hoped that it hadn't been something so traumatic, or so dangerous.

"Gwen? Have you seen Alex? We need him for the Departure reception scene, and he's not here." Jason Nesmith looked as if he was annoyed, but there was a barely detectable scent of worry to him. As if he suspected that perhaps something was wrong.

Gwen frowned, suddenly worried. "No... not since earlier this morning. I thought... He should be here somewhere."

Angel frowned, suspecting trouble. "I think... I think he was talking to Willow. Has anyone seen her? She needed to get her costume..."

"This can't be good. You two go make sure they made it to wardrobe, I'll start checking the break rooms and closets." Nesmith sounded as if he was trying to take charge of the whole situation.

The search was on. Angel just hoped it didn't take him near any sunny spaces. He had a suspicion that something was keeping them from being found, and he didn't think it was all some plot for a romantic interlude.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Angel was really beginning to worry when he met up with Gwen again in front of the elevator. From the look on her face he could tell she'd had no better luck finding Willow and Alex than he had.

"Well, they're not here. Perhaps they're still in the costume department." Gwen suggested.

"Where is that?" Angel asked.

"Next floor up, we can take the elevator and go check." Gwen replied as she pushed the button.

For a few seconds nothing happened, prompting Gwen to push the button a few more times. Finally, the light flashed indicating that the elevator was on its way down. It didn't take long for the elevator to ding to a stop and the doors to slide open. However, Gwen and Angel were completely unprepared for the sight that met them when they did.

"Oh. My..." Angel's voice sounded curiously stunned, and he struggled to resist the urge to grab Alex and yank him away from Willow. This didn't look like something Willow needed,

"Uh, would you too like some privacy? Cause, you know, we could always take the next one." Gwen's eyes widened comically at the sight of her cast mate entangled somewhat intimately with the red head on the elevator floor.

The four of them walked to the wardrobe department in an awkward silence.

Gwen smiled in relief, running a hand through her hair as Angel lurked in the background, scowling at the pale gown. "The elevator got stuck? That's... better than a few of the things that crossed my mind. Explains why it didn't come up when I punched the button."

Angel looked up, one finger barely touching the fabric of a pale gown. "You're supposed to wear this?"

Willow could feel herself blushing. "Maybe... probably. And I do not need you to help me get into it. So, umm..." Willow licked her lips, considering all the things that could have happened. "It's great that you care enough to worry, but I need to get changed. I can do that without your help, Angel."

She breathed a sigh of relief when they left the room, Gwen and Angel and Alex all slipping out with wary eyes. "Now, about this handmaiden outfit..."

Closing her eyes, she reminded herself why she was doing this as she slipped into the pale gown, the hem falling to her ankles, cool fabric brushing her skin in a lightly tickling sensation. The glittering appliqués on the collar sparkled, looking almost like too much. She closed her eyes as the make up artist powdered her face, painting her eyes. Willow was almost afraid to look, certain that this felt like far more make up than she would ever wear on her own. Her hair was twisted into an elaborate style, secured by pins with gleaming false crystals.

She felt better when she slid the sword out of the bag, the weight comforting in her hand. To her bemusement, the wardrobe lady even found a sheath and sword-belt for it that went with the outfit. She felt much better as she left the dressing cubicle, discovering Alex waiting for her.

"To the stairs, my lady?" Alex had a small smile, one hand outstretched towards her.

Smiling, she rested her hand on his. "I'd be delighted, kind sir."

end part 17.