Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer belongs to Joss Wheldon and Willard belongs to the wickedly amazing James Wong and Glen Morgan (of X-Files fame). The songs in this story belong to the songwriters who wrote these amazing songs. Please don't sue me, I'm completely and utterly broke and it's for entertainment purposes only.

Timeline: post season 6, Buffy, during the movie Willard.

Rating: PG-13 for violence, swearing and some sexual content (some chapters will be rated R)

Categories: Romance/Mystery/Horror

Main Character(s): Willow, Willard

Pairing(s): Willow/Tara, Willow/Willard, Buffy/Spike, Xander/Anya

Summary: Willow had just gotten a job at a shipping company as a secretary and meets one of the employees, Willard Stiles after she was found sitting at his desk despite the fact that she was told to sit there by her new boss. The next day, she came to Willard's aid after he was locked out of work by his boss.

Despite the weariness she was feeling all from her day at work, Willow couldn't sleep. All she could think of was Willard. For some reason, she couldn't get him out of her mind. For the whole day, he hadn't said a word to her except to wish her good night as he left work hours later. Despite the uneasiness she was feeling, she was very sympathic and pitiful toward Willard because he was what she was during high school. A social misfit whose life seemed hopeless. He was trapped in a dead-end job with no friends or future and what happened today proved it to Willow. As she closed her eyes to try to sleep, she made a silent vow.

I'm going to try to be friends with Willard. Be his rock when he needs support. Because right now, he needs someone whose willing to listen to him and whose willing to be a shoulder for him to cry on. That's my silent vow.

The following morning ...

Willow sat at her desk writing down a message that she had just taken for Mr. Martin. For the second time in an hour, she glanced up at the clock. It read 9:15 am.

Where the hell is Willard? Is he always this late for work? She thought worriedly. Her question was answered ten minutes later when she saw Willard enter the office. Unfortunately for him, Martin had come out of his office and again began shouting at him.

"One week!" Martin bellowed. "You were late for so many hours that it equals an entire week!"

"Mr. Martin, I-I'm sorry." Willard said quietly.

"I want my week back!" Martin continued. "I've discussed it with council. I may not be able to fire you, Willard but by God, I have the rights to administer a physical discipmenary reprimand!!"

Poor Willard! Willow thought as she listened to the conversation. Again, her temper began to flare.

"Mr. Martin, I know that you tired of this excuse." Willard said in a long-suffering voice. "But what can I do? My mother is sick ..."

"You don't give a shit about your mother!!" Martin shouted. "If you did, you would be at work on time!"

Before she knew what she was doing, Willow stood up angrily. "Hey!!" she shouted. "You don't have to be such an asshole to Willard just because he was late for work!"

Willard stared wide-eyed at Willow. Out of all the employees, no one had stood up to Martin because they were afraid to. But upon meeting her, Willard knew that Willow was different from the other employees. She was sweet, kind, caring, honest and had an attitude that could be mean trouble if someone made her angry.

Martin was furious. "You listen to me ..."

"No, you listen to me, you son of bitch!" Willow shouted louder this time. "For the three days, I've worked here, I've seen how you've been treating Willard and I have just one word to say about it. Disgusting! It's disgusting how you treat him and everyone else here. Willard is a sweet, gentle man and you have been treating him like a piece of shit. That's wrong, totally wrong!"

Martin, now angrier, was about to say something but Willow cut him off. "Don't even think about firing me over this. You do and I'll go to the press. I'm pretty sure they will be very happy to know about this and get your ass fired. Now, if you would excuse me, I have a job to do."

Willow went back to her place at her desk and continued her work. She didn't dare to look up at Martin who went to his office and slammed the door in a rage. Everyone in the office including Willard continued to stare at her in shock and amazement. No one had dared to challenge Martin especially when it concerned Willard. It was oblivious now to everyone to watch out or she would tell off anyone who made her mad. Wanting to thank her, Willard went to Willow's desk and tapped her on the shoulder. She looked around and smiled when she saw that it was him.

"Hey, Willard." Willow said. "What's up?"

Willard hesitated before he spoke. "I-I wanted to say thank you." he said.

"You're welcome." Willow replied. "I figured you needed someone to stand up for you and to come to your defense. Especially when you're dealing with an asshole like Martin."

"And you looked like that you needed some help." She added.

Willard smiled at her briefly. "No one here would've dared to challenge Mr. Martin," he said. "Nor would they would've come to my defense like you did."

"If this was back in high school," Willow said. "I would've been like everyone else and be too scared of getting my ass kicked to say anything."

"I don't think so." Willard said. "I think you would've done the same thing if you were still in school."

Willow laughed. "I was a shy, bookish geek when I was in high school." She said. "I was too shy to even make speeches in my English class."

The conversation between Willard and Willow continued throughout the whole day and to Willard, it made his day better. He had only known her for only three days but already he was starting to like her a lot. She was beautiful, kind, gentle and caring. She was becoming another friend. His first human friend in his entire life.

Just like Socrates. He thought thinking of his rat friend. He would like her if I show her to him.

For the entire day, Willard waited for day to turn to night and for Mr. Martin and everyone else to head on home. After everyone else except he and Willow had gone home, Willard glanced at her.

"There's someone I want you to meet." He said to her.

Willow fought to hide her confusion. "Yeah?" she said. Willard nodded, opened the drawer and took something out of it. On his hand was a small white rat. Willow almost recoiled in shock but controlled herself.

"Willow, I would like you to meet Socrates." Willard said. "Socrates, meet Willow."

Willard went to place Socrates on Willow's shoulder but she backed away uncomfortably.

"It's okay, he won't hurt you." he said.

Hesitant, Willow stepped forward and allowed Willard to place the rat on her shoulder. Socrates crawled down her arm tickling her. Willow laughed and tried to grab him but she was having trouble because the rat was tickling her so much that it was making her laugh.

Willard laughed briefly. "I think he likes you." he said.

Willow was laughing so hard that she couldn't speak. "I-I-I th-think so." She said. Finally, she managed to grab Socrates and held him in her hands gently.

"Usually, I'm not fond of rats." Willow said. "But in this case, I think I'll become fond of this one. Cute little thing. How do you find him, Willard?"

Willard went on to explain to her about how he was trying to get rid of the rats in his basement and how he found the little white rat caught on one of the traps he put down. When he finished, Willow smiled at him.

"I think this will be our little secret, Willard." She said.

At that point, Socrates gave Willow an affectionate nip on her nose. Willow couldn't help but laugh and she stroked the little rat's fur with one finger. Willard went to her side and did the same gesture. Then Willow glanced at the clock. It read 10:30 pm.

"Oh, no!" she groaned. "I have to go. I have to get up very early tomorrow." She handed Socrates back to Willard and went to grab her bag.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Willard." Willow said.

"See you tomorrow, Willow." Willard shouted after her as she rushed to get back home.

One month later ...

When you love someone

You'd do anything

You'd do all the crazy things

That you can't explain

You'd shoot the moon, put out the sun

When you love someone

"Willow! You're going to be late for work!" Giles shouted from the bottom of the stairs.

Willow groaned for the fifth time in a row. She had slept in and now was rushing to get to work on time. She tied her hair in a tight bun at the back of her head and checked her outfit for any tears and stains. Once she found none, she put some makeup on and then ran down the stairs to the kitchen to grab her lunch. Once she had her lunch, she was out the door after a rather hasty goodbye to Giles. Within an hour, she got to the office. Once she was inside, she glanced at the clock and groaned. It read 9:20 am. Martin stood in her way looking not too happy.

"You're late, Miss Rosenburg." He said pointing at the clock.

"I know, Mr. Martin. I'm sorry, I overslept." Willow explained. "It won't happen again."

Martin stared at her. "All right, good. Make sure it doesn't happen again." He said and went back to his office. Willow went to her desk, took a few calls, then turned around to face Willard's desk and to her surprise, she saw that he hadn't arrived yet.

Willard's usually here by 9:20 am, something must've happened.

Willow went to the desk in front of her and tapped on her co-worker's shoulder. The woman sitting at the desk turned to Willow.

"Hey, Cathryn, have you heard anything from Willard?" Willow asked.

Cathryn shook her head. "No, I haven't." She said. "I'm sorry, Willow."

Willow now looked worried. "Do you happen to have his address?" she asked. Cathryn nodded and gave Willow a piece of paper with Willard's address on it.

"Listen, Cat, can you cover for me for a couple of hours?" Willow asked.

"If it's concerning Willard, sure I'll cover for you." Cathryn replied.

Willow grinned at her. "Thanks, Cat." She said. Then before Martin could catch her, she took off to her car. Once there, she drove all the way to the Stiles house. Her heart gave a horrible jolt when she saw a coroner's van parked outside of the house. She parked her car across the street and then ran toward the house not caring who saw her.

"Willard!" Willow shouted. Her voice filled with worry. She stopped at the doorway to see two paramedics push a stretcher toward the door. Then she peeked in to see Willard standing at the stairs filling out paperwork. He looked and saw her with a surprised and slightly shocked look on his face. Relieved, Willow went inside and stood before him.

"Willow." He said. "What are you doing here? How did you ...?"

"You weren't at work and I got worried because no-one hadn't heard from you." Willow explained. "I got your address from Cat at work." She then began to put voice to her question.

"Who was ...?

"It was my mother." Willard said quietly.

So that's why Willard didn't come to work today. Willow thought feeling sorry for him.

"Willard, I'm so sorry." She said.

Willard nodded his thanks and went to sit at the stairs. Willow joined him and laid a hand on his shoulder. Then she felt something crawl onto her lap and she looked down to see that it was Socrates.

"Hey, Socrates." She whispered and stroked the rat's fur gently. The small rat gave her an affectionate nip on her fingertip before crawling over to Willard. He held him in his hands.

"She was my mother." He said softly. "I love her. I will miss her."

Willard glanced at Willow as he said his next words. "I already miss her." She glanced at him with sympathy and took his hand.

"Socrates, Willow." He said. "If one of you ever died ..."

"I know, Willard." Willow said and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held him close. His head resting against her chest.

"You are the only friends I ever have." Willard said close to tears.

Willow, for a moment, couldn't speak then she said. "Thank you for thinking of me as a friend, Willard. Because you earned it and you deserved a friend even if that someone is me or Socrates."

Then she lowered her head slightly and planted a gentle kiss on Willard's forehead. At her gentle touch, he began to cry softly and buried his face into her chest. Willow held him tightly in her arms and finally allowed the tears she had fighting back to run down her cheeks.

Oh, Willard.

Five days later ...

You'll deny the truth, believe a lie

There will be times that you believe

You could really fly

But your lonely nights have just begun

When you love someone

Willow entered the small chapel where the funeral for Willard's mother had taken place earlier. After the funeral, she had to call Giles to let him know that she was going to stay with Willard for a while before returning back to the house. As she entered, she saw Willard bent forward toward the casket that held the body of his mother and planted a kiss on the forehead. Then she heard him speak.

"Well, at least you're with Father again."

Suddenly wanting to be at his side, Willow went to stand beside him and laid a hand on his shoulder. She saw that one of the pockets of his suit looked stuffed which indicated to her that he must've brought Socrates with him.

Willard spoke again this time in a voice filled with emotion. "I-I have a couple of friends." Willow's suspicions were confirmed when he reached into his pocket and took out the little white rat.

"See?" He said. "They want to say goodbye to you."

Willow whispered some words in prayer before moving closer to the casket. She saw that Willard held Socrates closer to his mother's face and whispered. "Say goodbye, Socrates."

Be at peace. Willow prayed silently as she moved to put an arm around Willard's shoulders as they shook with sobs. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she realized that she had feelings for Willard. For a month, she knew that her feelings for him had grown beyond friendship and into love. She knew that ever since she came to work at Martin/Stiles, she had always kept an eye on Willard and maintained both a personal and professional relationship. Now she knew that her respect and liking to Willard had grown from what began as a simple silent vow to be his friend. As she guided Willard to a chair to sit down, Willow felt her soul growing heavy with sympathy and love. She kept her arm around his shoulders and looked at him.

"Willard," she said. "I just wanted to let you know that you can always come to me if you need a shoulder to cry on."

Willard couldn't say anything and he could only nod. Then Willow did something that she had never done since their first meeting a month ago, she placed a hand on his cheek in a way that was foreign to him. Willard didn't pull away but rather he placed his hand over hers. Then she leaned forward as if she was going to kiss him. Again, Willard didn't pull away but he didn't lean forward either. He sat still and closed his eyes and then he felt the pressure of her lips making contact with his in a kiss. As soon as it happened, Willard felt the pressure cease and he opened his eyes to see that Willow had a small smile and a glint of love lit up in her eyes. Then, she leaned forward and kissed him again with more passion than with the first kiss. This time, Willard kissed her back and didn't stop. The world around them crawled to a stop as they kissed with feverish passion and love.

For the first time, Willow and Willard both felt their passions going over them never noticing that Cathryn had arrived and was standing at the entrance of the chapel watching the whole scene with a smile on her face. She had always known that Willard liked Willow but suspected that he liked her more than as a friend. Now by watching them kiss, she knew that her suspicions had been realized.

So the romance begins.

Well, what do you think so far? The song in this chapter is When You Love Someone by Bryan Adams. Chapter 3 will be posted soon!