Title: Unexpected Fate, part 8
Author: Faith, Faith_Dru@lycos.com
Disclaimer: It doesn't belong to me. It all belongs to Joss Whedon and Company.
Distribution: Ask and you shall receive...but if you already have it feel free.
Summary: Time has gone by since the big night out. Nothing really new to report.
Pairing: Spike/Faith, Angel/Willow, Cordy/Gunn
Rating: PG
Season/Spoilers: Nothing that I haven't already told you.
Feedback: Please! It keeps me writing. Plus Spike and the gang really like the responses. Also special thanks to those that have continued to read my story and kept me writing. :)
Author's Notes: The usual. Thoughts, (Author's Notes), ^ Time Notes ^, [Places/Actions]


Over the next couple of days Angel and Spike took turn training each of the girls. For Willow's magic training, Wesley took on that responsibility and took her under his wing. Also during those couple of days the PtB's were also keeping them busy. Each person put in their own talents and with that they were victorious each time.

"Angel can I talk to you for a minute?" Willow asked poking her head into his office.

"Do you even have to ask? Come in, sit, talk." Angel said smiling. He'd noticed that he did that a lot more than he used to, and for once he didn't worry about losing his soul.

"I guess not." Willow said smiling closing the door behind her.

"What's on your mind?" He asked signaling for her to take a seat.

"Your soul." She said simply. "Is Cordelia your only link to the PtB's?"

"Yes, why?" He asked beginning to get curious.

"I want to talk to the oracles." She simply stated.

"You do know they don't see people, humans." When she nodded he continued, "If you're sure get Wesley in here. We'll all talk about this," at her look he said, "he knows what to say when you get there."

"Okay." Was all she said until she opened the door and asked, "Wesley would you come in here for a moment?"

Wesley walked in and closed the door behind him and asked, "What can I do for you?"

"Willow wants to see the oracles." Angel reinstated.

"Wesley plopped into the chair closest to him and said, "Why? Hardly anyone sees the oracles. Only warriors and such."

"For Angel's welfare." Was all she needed to say.

"Alright, I'll take you there but there are two things you need to remember. Get in, ask your question and get out." Wesley said standing up.

"Don't forget a gift." Angel said remembering his first visit.

"A gift? What kind of gift?" Willow asked.

"Anything you think they'll like." Angel said.

With that Willow and Wesley left the office and went to see the oracles. Wesley performed the entrance spell and the gates to the oracles opened.

"Good luck, Willow. I'll be right here." Wesley said cautiously.

"Thanks." Willow said before stepping into the entrance.

Being forced in as the door closed Willow found herself in a tunnel like room. In front of her she saw the two oracles.

"Lower being, what have you brought as an offering?" The male oracle said.

Before Willow could say anything the other oracle said, "She's not a lower being, she restored the vampire's soul. What have you brought in token for answers?"

Standing up she reacted into her pocket for an ancient relic that was thought to posses all the powers of the oracles. "I've brought this, in hopes that you will help me understand the thing that's needed to release the clause of Angel's soul." She said holding out her hand only to have it pulled from her hands.

"What a rare find this is, you must care deeply for the vampire that you are choosing to save." The female said already knowing the answer.

"Yes, I care very deeply for him and he wishes for me to help him with a spell so that he can permanently have his soul." She said then remembering what Wesley said. "I've read the spell over and over but I feel that I'm missing something."

"You're missing the confidence that you can help him anchor his soul. Has your training meant so little to you that you don't realize the power that you posses?" The man asked.

"I'm not sure what you're asking, my training has only taught me the ground work of the mystical world." She said thinking about what he was meaning. "Unless you mean the confidence that it took to restore his soul in the first place."

"You need to trust your magic and your abilities and only then will you be able to anchor the vampire's soul." The women replied.

"How do I reach that point? Is there some test that I should complete, or will I just know?" Willow asked knowing that her time with the oracles was growing short.

"You'll know it, deep inside yourself. As for your other concerns look inside yourself for the answers you seek. We are done here." The man said waving his arm.

She found herself standing next to Wesley on the streets of L.A. "How did it go?" Wesley asked concerned.

"Went well, I now know what I need to do. Could you drop me off at Cordelia's?" Willow said walking away from the building towards the car.

"That's great. Are you sure that you don't want to go back to see Angel?" Wesley said getting in and driving back towards Cordelia's apartment.

"Thank you Wesley, for taking me to see the oracles. I'm sure, I need to get started on something's, but I'll be in the office tomorrow." Willow said looking from the street to Wesley and back to the street.

"Your welcome, I'm glad they were able to help you." Wesley said pulling up to Cordelia's apartment.

^ Few Weeks Later ^

"Angel!" Willow excitably yelled.

"What?!?!? Willow are you okay?" Angel asked worried as he ran into the down stairs room.

"Yes, silly. I think I've done it." Willow said standing up from her seat on the floor.

"What do you mean you've done it?" Angel asked, relieved that she wasn't hurt or something.

"I think I've come up with the confidence needed to anchor your soul." Willow said rolling her eyes only to be engulfed into a hug. "You can thank me after it's completed." She laughed.

"I'll thank you now and when it's done. I'm so proud of you." Angel said stepping back to look at her excitement.

TBC