"Willow?" Gunn asked. "But she said that her name was Angela."
Angel was shaking violently. He was in shock; nothing could prepare him for this, nothing. "And we were told that she was dead."
"Dead? She looks and feels very alive to me." Gunn added sympathetically.
"Wesley, call Sunnydale, tell them to get here now! No excuses don't tell them why just tell them to be here – all of them. Gunn, take her up stairs and put her somewhere safe. Cordelia, Fred, Lorne look up everything you can for the names Willow Rosenberg and Angela Jennifer Giles." Angel ordered gently before following Gunn's path upstairs.
Gunn met Angel at the top of the stairs. "I hope that you don't mind Angel but I put her in your room, I thought that you might like to keep an eye on her."
Angel smiled faintly. "Thanks Gunn, I really appreciate it." He continued walking until he was in front of his door.
Taking an unneeded breath to steady himself Angel opened the door and stepped inside. There was Willow, no Angela, placed gently underneath the covers of his bed. Red hair fanned around her head on his pillow like a halo. Angel sat on the bed beside her, just looking. This women, this Angela didn't smell like Willow, or dress like her but did look like her if she were a year older and a little sadder. But Willow was just a girl when he last saw her, how could she have changed so much? Where could she have been? All this time everyone had believed that she was dead and now here she was, with a new name and a new look lying in his bed. Angel lost track of time as he sat and watched her, tracing patterns over the back of her hand.
Suddenly he was snapped out of his trance by her stirring beneath the covers. Eyelids rose sleepily to reveal sparkling green eyes. There was a moment of connection between them that was quickly dashed as she snatched her hand away from him and scrambled towards the other side of the bed towards the door.
"Don't worry Angela, you're safe, I won't hurt you. My name is Angel. You were attacked last night but one of my employees rescued you and brought you back here for safety reasons until you awoke."
"W-where is he, the man who saved me?"
"He should still be downstairs, we can go check no if you'd like?"
"What is this place?"
"Well it used to be a hotel but then I bought it and turned it into a detective agency, a couple of my employees and I also live here."
She nodded mutely as she slid off of the remainder of the bed and stood. Angel walked to the door, held it open for her, and guided her down the stairs. As they reached the bottom of the stairs four people came into view.
"Gunn," Angel stated simply, motioning him to come forward.
"I just wanted to thank you for saving me last night and for taking care of me, it was very sweet of you. If there is anything I can do to repay your kindness don't hesitate to ask." Angela said softly.
"I'm just happy to see you up and about, ya kinda scared me last night. Anyway I was thinking you could stay for at least a few more minutes, have a cup of coffee, a little conversation with us. Our work keeps us pretty busy, always fun to meet somebody new. What do you say?"
"I wouldn't want to impose..."
"You wouldn't be imposing, really." Cordelia jumped in. "Please stay." She chewed her bottom lip softly and looked thoughtfully at the group for a moment. They looked so eager and hopefully, and a bit sad. They were probably craving some outside contact. Staying for a little while wouldn't hurt, plus she hadn't made a single friend in LA yet, let alone met anyone, this could be a great opportunity seeing as they looked like they could be trusted. She made her decision.
"I'd love to stay for a chat. I haven't met a soul here yet but then again I only moved to LA four days ago."
"Great," beamed Cordelia. "Let's start with the introductions. I'm Cordelia Chase, the guy you were just talking to is Charles Gunn. Over here is Winifred Burkle, and Wesley Wyndam-Pryce and the tall broody guy who brought you down here is Angel."
"Angel? I hope you don't mind my asking but that's kind of an odd name. Does it stand for anything?"
"Yes, but that was from a different part of my life, everyone just calls me Angel. I don't think that I caught your full name..."
"It's Angela Jennifer Giles."
"What are the origins of your name Miss. Giles" Wesley asked softly.
"The origins aren't very special. I was named by my mother, and my father had no say."
"Where are you from originally? She must miss you very much since you moved to LA."
"I'm from New York, third generation of only children, my grandfather was from England. That's where you're from isn't it? The accent?" Wesley nodded. "And as for my mother, well she died a couple of years ago, father went at the same time too, car accident. I don't remember them at all, perhaps it's all for the better."
"I'm very sorry for your loss Angela," Fred spoke up. "Myself, I haven't seen my parents in six years, they're all the way back in Texas somewhere."
"You should consider finding them."
"I want to, I just need a bit more time that's all." She smiled lightly at Fred who returned it eagerly.
"So where are the rest of you from?"
"Ireland", replied Angel. "LA" followed Gunn. "Sunnydale." Said Cordelia lastly.
"Sunnydale? I've never heard of it. Where is it? It sounds really pretty."
Cordelia felt her heart plunge slightly, "It's North of LA a bit. It's not very big really, and it can be pretty sometimes when you have the right people around to show you the good stuff. Actually I have some friends from there arriving soon if you'd like to stick around. Actually I'd love it if you could."
"They're your friends, and you probably have lots of catching up to do. Besides it's been a long night and I'd just like to go back to my hotel now. Although I'd like to come back to visit soon if none of you mind?"
"Come anytime day or night." Angel spoke quickly as he reached into his pocket and fished out a business card. "Please come back soon, and don't hesitate to call us if you need anything."
She looked at the card thoughtfully before placing it carefully in her evening bag. "You've all been so kind, generous and helpful already. Thank you all very much, especially you Charles."
"You can just call me Gunn, everyone does," he said with a smile. She matched it with one of her own. "Gunn." Stepping lightly up the stairs, stopping in the growing pool of sunlight in front of the doors she turned back and said, "Oh look, the sun is up and already it's a bright tomorrow, I think that I am really going to like it here." And then she slipped into the daylight, out of reach of the evils of the night.
Angel was basking in the emotions that ran through him as he watched her stand in the sunlight, smiling, blissful, and most importantly alive. "Gunn," he said without turning to face the younger man.
"Yeah Dawg?"
"Remind me to thank you every day for bringing her back. Just seeing her in the sunlight like that – well," he paused. "I never thought that I could ever be this happy again."
And with that he slowly turned and faced the entire group. "What did you find about Angela/Willow?"
Wesley reached for his notepad on the counter. "Well it appears as though Willow was pronounced dead on the date Miss. Summers and the others told us of her death. There was no cause of death listed, no investigation, no time of death. Also there was no record of burial and no living relatives."
"What about her parents," Angel interjected quickly. "I don't think that her or Xander's or yours Cordelia were ever around much but they should still be around somewhere."
"Let's see," said Wesley searching his notes. "Ah yes, here we are, her parents: Ira and Sheila Rosenberg. They were killed in an auto accident in Atlanta three months before Willow's death. There is a record of their remains and estate being taken care of by their lawyer, but no mention of their daughter."
"All right, what about Angela Jennifer Giles then?"
Cordelia relieved Wesley of his notepad and handed him another one. "Angela Jennifer Giles, born in New York City, same year as Miss. Rosenberg but no day or month given, also no mention of hospital where she was born. Her parents were a Mr. R. Giles and a Mrs. J. Giles, no first names or other information is available except for a year of death, no specific dates."
"Nearly two years ago right?"
"Correct. Also there is no record of schools for Angela, no trails except that she was release from a private medical hospital one year ago, she lived in an apartment, address unknown and has no job history. She bought a plane ticket two weeks four days ago and landed here four days ago and booked a room at a hotel 5 blocks from here under the name Ms. A. J. Giles. She sold self-written computer programs to the Los Angeles Police Department, Wolfram and Hart, and two other private companies. "
"This just keeps getting stranger and stranger Angelcakes." Lorne cut in as he strolled over to the group from his spot by the counter.
"Lorne I didn't even notice you. Where were you hiding?" Angel asked annoyed with himself for being so off guard.
"I figured it would be a good idea to stay out of the way a bit so as not to scare the girl, but I've been listening. Angel, it is her and if what I've gathered from a couple past readings she's important. I want to read your friends from Sunnydale as well as everyone here. My head may kill for the next 10 years but I believe that it's worth it."
"Are you sure Lorne?"
"Positive, besides I still need to read this little sweetie over here," he said winking at Fred.
She blushed, "I can wait until after Angel's friends arrive, I just want to make sure everything goes all right with your new friend first."
Angel smiled sweetly at Fred as the doors to the Hyperion burst open and a slightly smoking Spike ran into safety followed by a worried Giles, Anya, Xander and Buffy.
"Angel," Buffy spoke out worried. "What's the matter? What's wrong?"
Angel looked back at Lorne and smirked. "You have to sing a little song."
Buffy was taken aback, "sing? Angel you're not making any sense."
"My friend Lorne over here can learn many truths and futures when people sing and I need each of you to sing."
He was met by the rise of protests but rose his hands to silence them and continued. "Gunn, Fred, Cordelia, Wesley and I are doing it too. I'll explain everything afterwards, trust me it's worth it."
Feebly they joined a now seated Lorne and took their turns starting with Fred to sing to the empathetic demon and await the big news Angel had promised to let them in on.
-------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- - -----------------------------------------
Lorne gratefully accepted the water and aspirin that Cordelia handed him. Knocking them back he closed his eyes. He had seen more then he had wanted to, perhaps they should chain Angel up first because once he learned the truth heads were going to roll.
"Well sweetie pie," said Lorne looking at Fred. "I'm going to start with you, you had the best reading, there is nothing wrong. Congratulations." Fred beamed as the rest of the LA Fang Gang looked on fondly. "Now here comes the hard part, I'm very sorry to announce but it looks like you two have been lying to everyone," he said carefully while pointing at Xander and Buffy. Angel's brow darkened, fear swelled in Buffy.
"It seems a little strawberry by the name of Willow isn't blowing in the wind like everyone believes but is in fact amongst the living, breathing, heart beating peoples of America."
Spike startled everyone present by hitting the floor with an audible thud; he sat up but did not move any farther.
Giles sat up straighter and looked at Buffy and Xander. "Tell them the truth, Willow is gone. Buffy, Xander, tell them, both of you were there, Buffy you said that she landed on your own stake. What he's saying isn't true, tell them." They could only lower their eyes in response, tears fell from Giles's eyes as he realised the truth: they had lied. "Why did you two lie? To me? To them? To all of us?"
The room was silent as Buffy stood up. "I'll tell you guys everything as long as you wait to pass judgement, and keep in mind that this was more my doing then Xander's."
They nodded gravely as Buffy let out a little sigh and paced for a moment and began.
"The night that Willow 'died' we were all supposed to meet at Giles's place to see if there was any new evils brewing. I had a late class and Willow said that she was going to head out before sunset so she could get there before any vamps or anything were out." Taking a deep breath she continued on. "After class I stopped by the dorm quick to grab a couple stakes before I headed over to join everyone. The phone rang and it was the police telling me to come to the hospital immediately, there was an emergency and that Xander had been called and was on his way. I thought that something had maybe happened to Giles and that Willow had gotten them to call so I ran all the way there."
Stopping to look at the downcast faces she kept talking. "I met him at the front entrance talking to a police detective, he led us to a private room with an officer posted outside. Then we talked to an FBI agent, and we got to see Willow." Her breath hitched at this point. "She was hooked up to a bunch of monitors and stuff, in a coma, bruises everywhere. He told us that she had been grabbed near campus, shoved into a car and taken somewhere else. She – she was raped and beaten and before he could kill her someone came along and scared him off. The guy was a serial rapist/killer that the FBI was trying to catch and they were afraid that he would come back to kill Willow because this guy, his pattern never changed and he never let his victims live."
The tears began to roll down Buffy's face freely now. "They wanted to place Willow in their protection program, take her far away from Sunnydale, give her counciling, medical treatment, people to watch out for her safety. They figured that she would have long term memory damage, and even if she didn't the trama from the attack alone would leave us with a girl who wouldn't be the same Willow anymore. So they wanted to give her a new life. They told us about how her parents died; they suspected that even she didn't know. We didn't want Willow to die or to suffer with hurtful memories. So we decided to let her go, give her a new life, away from the dangers and evils of the hellmouth."
Buffy smiled wistfully for a second. "They let me name her, only I know her new name, not even Xander knows. I named her after you Angel. You, Ms. Calendar, and Giles. I thought that she would like that you know?" her smile dropped. "I don't know where she is, or how she is, or what she's doing. I wish I did. I regret what I did all the time, I wanted to tell Giles so many times, tell the rest of you."
Wiping some more tears away she finished her story. "Xander and I had to make up a story about how she died, the FBI said that they would take care of her records, so we came up with the story and went over to Giles's. But he was there packing weapons and supplies with Anya and Spike telling us that we had to help here in LA. So we told them on the way, and then told everyone here. We didn't want to lie, or to hurt anyone, especially not Willow. They found the bastard who ruined her life though. He was lurking around campus a week later looking for her, and was shot to death when he tried to escape FBI custody. But we couldn't find Willow by then, besides she had a chance for a new life."
No one said anything for a full minute while they were rapidly trying to let it all sink in. Finally Angel, in a soft voice broke the silence.
"I always suspected that you and Xander were lying about something when it came to Willow's 'death', but I never knew why or about what exactly." Letting out an unneeded breath he continued on. "Angela Jennifer Giles moved to Los Angeles four days ago from New York City, she was saved from a vamp attack last night by Gunn and brought back here. She's all right Buffy, I don't think that she remembers who she used to be but she's healthy, and safe, and in so many ways the Willow she was."
Buffy choked on a fresh sob. Angel looked around at everyone scattered around the lobby. Even Fred who had just met 'Angela' and had never met Willow was in relieved tears. Now it was time to ask the million-dollar question.
"What do we do now? Do we tell her the truth? Do we let her go again? How will she deal with everything?"
Giles spoke up first. "I hate to sound selfish but I truly loved Willow as a daughter and I don't want her to be lost to me again, I'll even get to know her as Angela if I have to, I just don't want her to leave again."
Angel nodded mutely and was surprised as Lorne stood and spoke out to the group. "From what I've seen and heard and gathered this is what I believe we should do. We find a spell to unlock her memories, all of you go back to Sunnydale and Gunn can invite her over seeing as the little strawberry has taken a shine to her saviour. We cast the spell and it unlocks her memories in the safety of the hotel. We guide her through the pain and such until it become time. And she is ready to see the rest of you. She can reacquaint herself with everyone old, get close to everyone new. It's a very intense plan but if you want her back with the smallest risk of rejection this is it kiddo's."
The Sunnydale Gang looked defeated but picked themselves up quietly and headed towards the door. Giles and Buffy turned back and Giles spoke first. "I have a spell that would work, I'll send it to you as soon as I get back."
"You'll let us know the moment she's ready to see us right?" Buffy asked with a slight quiver in her voice.
Angel nodded silently as he watched the two of them turn around and hold the door open while Spike pulled his duster over his head and raced outside followed by the others in a more sedated manner.
Angel was shaking violently. He was in shock; nothing could prepare him for this, nothing. "And we were told that she was dead."
"Dead? She looks and feels very alive to me." Gunn added sympathetically.
"Wesley, call Sunnydale, tell them to get here now! No excuses don't tell them why just tell them to be here – all of them. Gunn, take her up stairs and put her somewhere safe. Cordelia, Fred, Lorne look up everything you can for the names Willow Rosenberg and Angela Jennifer Giles." Angel ordered gently before following Gunn's path upstairs.
Gunn met Angel at the top of the stairs. "I hope that you don't mind Angel but I put her in your room, I thought that you might like to keep an eye on her."
Angel smiled faintly. "Thanks Gunn, I really appreciate it." He continued walking until he was in front of his door.
Taking an unneeded breath to steady himself Angel opened the door and stepped inside. There was Willow, no Angela, placed gently underneath the covers of his bed. Red hair fanned around her head on his pillow like a halo. Angel sat on the bed beside her, just looking. This women, this Angela didn't smell like Willow, or dress like her but did look like her if she were a year older and a little sadder. But Willow was just a girl when he last saw her, how could she have changed so much? Where could she have been? All this time everyone had believed that she was dead and now here she was, with a new name and a new look lying in his bed. Angel lost track of time as he sat and watched her, tracing patterns over the back of her hand.
Suddenly he was snapped out of his trance by her stirring beneath the covers. Eyelids rose sleepily to reveal sparkling green eyes. There was a moment of connection between them that was quickly dashed as she snatched her hand away from him and scrambled towards the other side of the bed towards the door.
"Don't worry Angela, you're safe, I won't hurt you. My name is Angel. You were attacked last night but one of my employees rescued you and brought you back here for safety reasons until you awoke."
"W-where is he, the man who saved me?"
"He should still be downstairs, we can go check no if you'd like?"
"What is this place?"
"Well it used to be a hotel but then I bought it and turned it into a detective agency, a couple of my employees and I also live here."
She nodded mutely as she slid off of the remainder of the bed and stood. Angel walked to the door, held it open for her, and guided her down the stairs. As they reached the bottom of the stairs four people came into view.
"Gunn," Angel stated simply, motioning him to come forward.
"I just wanted to thank you for saving me last night and for taking care of me, it was very sweet of you. If there is anything I can do to repay your kindness don't hesitate to ask." Angela said softly.
"I'm just happy to see you up and about, ya kinda scared me last night. Anyway I was thinking you could stay for at least a few more minutes, have a cup of coffee, a little conversation with us. Our work keeps us pretty busy, always fun to meet somebody new. What do you say?"
"I wouldn't want to impose..."
"You wouldn't be imposing, really." Cordelia jumped in. "Please stay." She chewed her bottom lip softly and looked thoughtfully at the group for a moment. They looked so eager and hopefully, and a bit sad. They were probably craving some outside contact. Staying for a little while wouldn't hurt, plus she hadn't made a single friend in LA yet, let alone met anyone, this could be a great opportunity seeing as they looked like they could be trusted. She made her decision.
"I'd love to stay for a chat. I haven't met a soul here yet but then again I only moved to LA four days ago."
"Great," beamed Cordelia. "Let's start with the introductions. I'm Cordelia Chase, the guy you were just talking to is Charles Gunn. Over here is Winifred Burkle, and Wesley Wyndam-Pryce and the tall broody guy who brought you down here is Angel."
"Angel? I hope you don't mind my asking but that's kind of an odd name. Does it stand for anything?"
"Yes, but that was from a different part of my life, everyone just calls me Angel. I don't think that I caught your full name..."
"It's Angela Jennifer Giles."
"What are the origins of your name Miss. Giles" Wesley asked softly.
"The origins aren't very special. I was named by my mother, and my father had no say."
"Where are you from originally? She must miss you very much since you moved to LA."
"I'm from New York, third generation of only children, my grandfather was from England. That's where you're from isn't it? The accent?" Wesley nodded. "And as for my mother, well she died a couple of years ago, father went at the same time too, car accident. I don't remember them at all, perhaps it's all for the better."
"I'm very sorry for your loss Angela," Fred spoke up. "Myself, I haven't seen my parents in six years, they're all the way back in Texas somewhere."
"You should consider finding them."
"I want to, I just need a bit more time that's all." She smiled lightly at Fred who returned it eagerly.
"So where are the rest of you from?"
"Ireland", replied Angel. "LA" followed Gunn. "Sunnydale." Said Cordelia lastly.
"Sunnydale? I've never heard of it. Where is it? It sounds really pretty."
Cordelia felt her heart plunge slightly, "It's North of LA a bit. It's not very big really, and it can be pretty sometimes when you have the right people around to show you the good stuff. Actually I have some friends from there arriving soon if you'd like to stick around. Actually I'd love it if you could."
"They're your friends, and you probably have lots of catching up to do. Besides it's been a long night and I'd just like to go back to my hotel now. Although I'd like to come back to visit soon if none of you mind?"
"Come anytime day or night." Angel spoke quickly as he reached into his pocket and fished out a business card. "Please come back soon, and don't hesitate to call us if you need anything."
She looked at the card thoughtfully before placing it carefully in her evening bag. "You've all been so kind, generous and helpful already. Thank you all very much, especially you Charles."
"You can just call me Gunn, everyone does," he said with a smile. She matched it with one of her own. "Gunn." Stepping lightly up the stairs, stopping in the growing pool of sunlight in front of the doors she turned back and said, "Oh look, the sun is up and already it's a bright tomorrow, I think that I am really going to like it here." And then she slipped into the daylight, out of reach of the evils of the night.
Angel was basking in the emotions that ran through him as he watched her stand in the sunlight, smiling, blissful, and most importantly alive. "Gunn," he said without turning to face the younger man.
"Yeah Dawg?"
"Remind me to thank you every day for bringing her back. Just seeing her in the sunlight like that – well," he paused. "I never thought that I could ever be this happy again."
And with that he slowly turned and faced the entire group. "What did you find about Angela/Willow?"
Wesley reached for his notepad on the counter. "Well it appears as though Willow was pronounced dead on the date Miss. Summers and the others told us of her death. There was no cause of death listed, no investigation, no time of death. Also there was no record of burial and no living relatives."
"What about her parents," Angel interjected quickly. "I don't think that her or Xander's or yours Cordelia were ever around much but they should still be around somewhere."
"Let's see," said Wesley searching his notes. "Ah yes, here we are, her parents: Ira and Sheila Rosenberg. They were killed in an auto accident in Atlanta three months before Willow's death. There is a record of their remains and estate being taken care of by their lawyer, but no mention of their daughter."
"All right, what about Angela Jennifer Giles then?"
Cordelia relieved Wesley of his notepad and handed him another one. "Angela Jennifer Giles, born in New York City, same year as Miss. Rosenberg but no day or month given, also no mention of hospital where she was born. Her parents were a Mr. R. Giles and a Mrs. J. Giles, no first names or other information is available except for a year of death, no specific dates."
"Nearly two years ago right?"
"Correct. Also there is no record of schools for Angela, no trails except that she was release from a private medical hospital one year ago, she lived in an apartment, address unknown and has no job history. She bought a plane ticket two weeks four days ago and landed here four days ago and booked a room at a hotel 5 blocks from here under the name Ms. A. J. Giles. She sold self-written computer programs to the Los Angeles Police Department, Wolfram and Hart, and two other private companies. "
"This just keeps getting stranger and stranger Angelcakes." Lorne cut in as he strolled over to the group from his spot by the counter.
"Lorne I didn't even notice you. Where were you hiding?" Angel asked annoyed with himself for being so off guard.
"I figured it would be a good idea to stay out of the way a bit so as not to scare the girl, but I've been listening. Angel, it is her and if what I've gathered from a couple past readings she's important. I want to read your friends from Sunnydale as well as everyone here. My head may kill for the next 10 years but I believe that it's worth it."
"Are you sure Lorne?"
"Positive, besides I still need to read this little sweetie over here," he said winking at Fred.
She blushed, "I can wait until after Angel's friends arrive, I just want to make sure everything goes all right with your new friend first."
Angel smiled sweetly at Fred as the doors to the Hyperion burst open and a slightly smoking Spike ran into safety followed by a worried Giles, Anya, Xander and Buffy.
"Angel," Buffy spoke out worried. "What's the matter? What's wrong?"
Angel looked back at Lorne and smirked. "You have to sing a little song."
Buffy was taken aback, "sing? Angel you're not making any sense."
"My friend Lorne over here can learn many truths and futures when people sing and I need each of you to sing."
He was met by the rise of protests but rose his hands to silence them and continued. "Gunn, Fred, Cordelia, Wesley and I are doing it too. I'll explain everything afterwards, trust me it's worth it."
Feebly they joined a now seated Lorne and took their turns starting with Fred to sing to the empathetic demon and await the big news Angel had promised to let them in on.
-------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- - -----------------------------------------
Lorne gratefully accepted the water and aspirin that Cordelia handed him. Knocking them back he closed his eyes. He had seen more then he had wanted to, perhaps they should chain Angel up first because once he learned the truth heads were going to roll.
"Well sweetie pie," said Lorne looking at Fred. "I'm going to start with you, you had the best reading, there is nothing wrong. Congratulations." Fred beamed as the rest of the LA Fang Gang looked on fondly. "Now here comes the hard part, I'm very sorry to announce but it looks like you two have been lying to everyone," he said carefully while pointing at Xander and Buffy. Angel's brow darkened, fear swelled in Buffy.
"It seems a little strawberry by the name of Willow isn't blowing in the wind like everyone believes but is in fact amongst the living, breathing, heart beating peoples of America."
Spike startled everyone present by hitting the floor with an audible thud; he sat up but did not move any farther.
Giles sat up straighter and looked at Buffy and Xander. "Tell them the truth, Willow is gone. Buffy, Xander, tell them, both of you were there, Buffy you said that she landed on your own stake. What he's saying isn't true, tell them." They could only lower their eyes in response, tears fell from Giles's eyes as he realised the truth: they had lied. "Why did you two lie? To me? To them? To all of us?"
The room was silent as Buffy stood up. "I'll tell you guys everything as long as you wait to pass judgement, and keep in mind that this was more my doing then Xander's."
They nodded gravely as Buffy let out a little sigh and paced for a moment and began.
"The night that Willow 'died' we were all supposed to meet at Giles's place to see if there was any new evils brewing. I had a late class and Willow said that she was going to head out before sunset so she could get there before any vamps or anything were out." Taking a deep breath she continued on. "After class I stopped by the dorm quick to grab a couple stakes before I headed over to join everyone. The phone rang and it was the police telling me to come to the hospital immediately, there was an emergency and that Xander had been called and was on his way. I thought that something had maybe happened to Giles and that Willow had gotten them to call so I ran all the way there."
Stopping to look at the downcast faces she kept talking. "I met him at the front entrance talking to a police detective, he led us to a private room with an officer posted outside. Then we talked to an FBI agent, and we got to see Willow." Her breath hitched at this point. "She was hooked up to a bunch of monitors and stuff, in a coma, bruises everywhere. He told us that she had been grabbed near campus, shoved into a car and taken somewhere else. She – she was raped and beaten and before he could kill her someone came along and scared him off. The guy was a serial rapist/killer that the FBI was trying to catch and they were afraid that he would come back to kill Willow because this guy, his pattern never changed and he never let his victims live."
The tears began to roll down Buffy's face freely now. "They wanted to place Willow in their protection program, take her far away from Sunnydale, give her counciling, medical treatment, people to watch out for her safety. They figured that she would have long term memory damage, and even if she didn't the trama from the attack alone would leave us with a girl who wouldn't be the same Willow anymore. So they wanted to give her a new life. They told us about how her parents died; they suspected that even she didn't know. We didn't want Willow to die or to suffer with hurtful memories. So we decided to let her go, give her a new life, away from the dangers and evils of the hellmouth."
Buffy smiled wistfully for a second. "They let me name her, only I know her new name, not even Xander knows. I named her after you Angel. You, Ms. Calendar, and Giles. I thought that she would like that you know?" her smile dropped. "I don't know where she is, or how she is, or what she's doing. I wish I did. I regret what I did all the time, I wanted to tell Giles so many times, tell the rest of you."
Wiping some more tears away she finished her story. "Xander and I had to make up a story about how she died, the FBI said that they would take care of her records, so we came up with the story and went over to Giles's. But he was there packing weapons and supplies with Anya and Spike telling us that we had to help here in LA. So we told them on the way, and then told everyone here. We didn't want to lie, or to hurt anyone, especially not Willow. They found the bastard who ruined her life though. He was lurking around campus a week later looking for her, and was shot to death when he tried to escape FBI custody. But we couldn't find Willow by then, besides she had a chance for a new life."
No one said anything for a full minute while they were rapidly trying to let it all sink in. Finally Angel, in a soft voice broke the silence.
"I always suspected that you and Xander were lying about something when it came to Willow's 'death', but I never knew why or about what exactly." Letting out an unneeded breath he continued on. "Angela Jennifer Giles moved to Los Angeles four days ago from New York City, she was saved from a vamp attack last night by Gunn and brought back here. She's all right Buffy, I don't think that she remembers who she used to be but she's healthy, and safe, and in so many ways the Willow she was."
Buffy choked on a fresh sob. Angel looked around at everyone scattered around the lobby. Even Fred who had just met 'Angela' and had never met Willow was in relieved tears. Now it was time to ask the million-dollar question.
"What do we do now? Do we tell her the truth? Do we let her go again? How will she deal with everything?"
Giles spoke up first. "I hate to sound selfish but I truly loved Willow as a daughter and I don't want her to be lost to me again, I'll even get to know her as Angela if I have to, I just don't want her to leave again."
Angel nodded mutely and was surprised as Lorne stood and spoke out to the group. "From what I've seen and heard and gathered this is what I believe we should do. We find a spell to unlock her memories, all of you go back to Sunnydale and Gunn can invite her over seeing as the little strawberry has taken a shine to her saviour. We cast the spell and it unlocks her memories in the safety of the hotel. We guide her through the pain and such until it become time. And she is ready to see the rest of you. She can reacquaint herself with everyone old, get close to everyone new. It's a very intense plan but if you want her back with the smallest risk of rejection this is it kiddo's."
The Sunnydale Gang looked defeated but picked themselves up quietly and headed towards the door. Giles and Buffy turned back and Giles spoke first. "I have a spell that would work, I'll send it to you as soon as I get back."
"You'll let us know the moment she's ready to see us right?" Buffy asked with a slight quiver in her voice.
Angel nodded silently as he watched the two of them turn around and hold the door open while Spike pulled his duster over his head and raced outside followed by the others in a more sedated manner.