Not-So-Secret Admirer

author: Lucinda

rating: pg 13?

#4 in Stolen Hearts.

pairing: Willow/Remy QPC #135

QPC site: http://quickie.moonlightpaths.com

disclaimer: I do not own Willow or anyone else from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I do not own Remy or anyone else from Marvel Comics.

distribution: the archives for any list I send this to, QPC, Twisting the Hellmouth, anyone that asked me for one of my other BtVS/X-Men crossovers that also wants this one.

note: AU from X-Men 350 (the Trial of Gambit) and AU from S5 finale "the Gift" will reference things before those points.

Glancing around her living room, Willow smiled. There was a matching set of flowers in yellow and orange at either end of her couch, and a small arrangement in blue and purple sitting beside her computer. They'd been delivered with cards that read 'lovely flowers for a lovely lady'. Despite the lack of signature, she knew that had come from Remy.

He'd found one of her email addresses as well, and they'd been exchanging cautious emails, friendly getting to know each other things, discussing restaurants and movies, plays and museum exhibits. He'd started by sending her an email about a museum exhibit, and it had just grown. He also seemed to be flirting with her, both through the emails and with the flowers. She'd never expected to have a handsome man like Remy flirting with her. Even if he most likely wasn't serious.

It certainly made living in Boston more interesting. She had a job that if not delightful was interesting, a nice house, a few friends, and now... something with Remy. There was definitely something with Remy, she just didn't know quite what it was. Ever since he'd kissed her, she could feel him, almost like she could feel Angel after she'd restored his soul. She'd had dreams about Remy, not erotic decadences, but more like a scattering of images from his past. New Orleans, in such vivid detail that she'd checked online, correctly locating obscure buildings in a city she'd never visited. She would see faces, events, some of them deeply personal.

She'd started sketching some of the places and people, well on her way to filling a book with things from her Remy-dreams. There were two beautiful women, one called Belle and the other Rogue, both of whom had somehow betrayed him, leaving pain and misery inside Remy. She had seen them so many times that she knew she would recognize them in a crowd, despite never having met them. Other people, his family, a group of people in uniforms... Remy had been with the X-Men.

Everything was showing her glimpses into him, into the most private parts of his past. Surely he would be upset if he knew, but she had no way to make the dreams stop. She wasn't even certain if she wanted to. Had this been her magic running amuck again? Had it been his only semi tamed empathic abilities? Perhaps some interaction of the two... But the fact remained that somehow, a link had been created between them.

The more she learned about him, the more she cared, the more she felt herself tipping towards falling for Remy. The closer she came to loosing her heart to the cajun-raised mutant.

She was afraid and exhilarated and delighted all at once. She'd never wanted to fall in love again, her relationships with Oz and Tara having both ended painfully. She didn't even know what Remy wanted from her, but she was developing feelings for him. Did he feel this pull as well? Was she in his thoughts and dreams like he was in hers? They'd both had so much misfortune, could they try to build a happy future together?

Willow just wished that she knew if he was actually courting her with the flowers and the email flirting, or if it was just Remy being Remy. Did he mean it? Did he mean it when he compared her hair to the setting sun, or her eyes to pale emeralds? Was he serious when he said she had the appeal of a masterpiece of art, with the added delight of movement and charm? Remy had such pretty words... but did they matter to him?

Maybe she should ask him to go with her the next time he let her know about a play, or an art showing. If she was actually with him... maybe it would help her figure out if he was sincere. Maybe he would kiss her again.

Checking her email, she found one from him. Seems there was going to be an exhibit at the museum about feudal Japan, and he'd thought she might be interested. She grinned to herself as she typed in a reply, inviting him to go with her to see it. Offering to have dinner at his choice of restaurant afterwards if he wanted. She sent the message, smiling with the thought that she'd essentially just asked him out. All she had to do now was hope that he accepted.

Another email made her smile as she opened it. Angel had stayed in touch, possibly because she remembered Buffy, possibly out of a desire to keep their tentative friendship alive. Apparently, Faith was being let out of jail. Released due to some complicated legal matters that Angel didn't understand, entirely legally free once more. He hoped that Faith had gotten better, that her time in prison had helped her think through her problems, to turn away from the dark side. But in case, he wanted her to know, to have that warning.

For a few moments, Willow tried to figure out what Faith would do before giving up on the effort. She'd never known enough about Faith to understand her, to predict her behavior, so she had even less of an idea now. Part of her was afraid that Faith would show up here, seeking to ruin Willow's happiness, especially since Boston had once been Faith's home. But surely she hadn't made so much of an impression on Faith that she would cross the country to find revenge?

She would instead focus on Remy. On figuring out how much danger his past would put him in, how to deal with those dangers if they arrived. The most problematic would be either the X-Men or the Guild of Assassins. But, what would attract the attention of either group to this place? Best not to dwell in fear, but wise to have a plan if it was needed. She'd rather plan to get Remy back into her house, to have him stay and chat this time.

She wanted to keep him. Which was a bit awkward, especially if he didn't want to be kept. She would just have to be persistent about it, which she could do.

end Not-So-Secret Admirer.