A Friend in Need

author: Lucinda
rating: pg
Second story in the Feathers series.
main characters: Warren Worthington, Willow Rosenberg
disclaimer: I do not own anyone from Buffy the Vampire Slayer or the Marvel Comics X-Men titles.
distribution: WLS, NHA, Bite Me, QPC, Twisting, Paula, Cat, anyone else please ask first.
note: AU post season 5 for Willow, less certain where for Warren. Umm.. before Zero Tolerance, and he's not dating Betsy.
note2: :words inside colons: are the other person on a telephone.

His computer screen was filled with fireworks. Displayed over the Disney Cinderella castle. This was NOT what was supposed to be there. Someone had to have tampered with it, and considering the images, he had a suspicion who it had been. Jubilation Lee, once the youngest member of the X-Men team, now attending the Frost Academy, supposedly under the guidance and supervision of Emma Frost and Sean Cassidy. It had to have been her, who else could have got inside, and if they could, a thief would have taken something, not filled his computer with Disney images.

Yes, he definitely was angry, and as soon as he gave Emma a call to do something about Jubilee... Well, what could he do but have someone come in and fix this? He certainly couldn't use it like this.

Slowly, he began to smile. He knew exactly who he could call to fix this. The talented Ms Willow Rosenberg, whom he'd been just itching for an excuse to see again. This was perfect, and he hadn't even had anything to do with the problem coming into existence. Trying not to smile, he searched through the drawer until he found her card.

He punched the number into his phone, listening as it rang. The moment it picked up, he spoke. "Hello, I have a problem with my computer."

:Can you tell me if it's a hardware difficulty or a software problem, sir?: The voice on the other end had a slight accent that he couldn't place, but the woman seemed polite enough.

"I'm fairly positive that my computer has a virus. It isn't usable at all right now, and I really need it fixed. Willow Rosenberg set up the system, and she said if there were any problems..." Warren hoped that she could get in soon.

:Depending on the virus, some of them can cause problems with your memory. This could cost you.: The woman sounded as if she was rushing through a mandatory safety warning.

"Money isn't a problem for me. I just want Willow to come here and fix this."

He wasn't sure, but he thought he could hear a delighted shriek of 'YES!' on the other end of the phone. "She should be... umm, where are you located?"

"Worthington Industries."

:Can you hold on for a moment please?: The woman's voice sounded like a thin layer of polite over excitement. In the background, he could hear her talking to someone. :Money isn't a problem he said! Not a problem! Can we charge him more? Can you take your time at this one?: There was a pause, followed by :Well, that's no fun. I want... oh, all right.: Then, slightly more clear, and with proper volume, the woman continued. :She said that she can be there in thirty minutes if there are no traffic delays. At the same billing rate as her previous work for your company.:

"Thank you, I look forward to her arrival." He had no idea quite what to think of the woman on the other end of the phone. But she certainly wasn't Willow.

Warren found himself pacing and internally debating a few points on one of his company projects as he waited for Willow. He couldn't get the precise numbers, but he did want to go over what he wanted to look for, and what sort of new projects he wanted to allow and what sort of things to look for in projects to squash. The half hour stretched into forty minutes before there was a tap at his door.

"Who is it?" He was hoping that it was Willow.

There was a faint rattling noise. "Willow the person who makes computers all better. Can you open the door? Please?"

He was over there in a mere instant, opening the door with a smile. "Please... fix it. There's nothing on the screen but fireworks and Disney characters."

She giggled, her voice like bells and tiny waterfalls. "Disney characters and fireworks? Well, that's different at least. Maybe even non-destructive. Hopefully, I won't need all this new memory and chips that I brought. Some viruses are nasty evil things... So, while I take a look at this, why don't you tell me what happened, and how you discovered it was flooey, hopefully that should give me an idea what happened."

So, he started to explain, mentioning how everything was normal friday, but this morning when he came in to work... Disney and fireworks. He didn't mention that he'd immediately decided to call her. But he concluded with "The receptionist at your office seemed a bit... ahhh..."

"You don't have the words for her, do you?" Willow was smiling again, the expression soothing his ruffled nerves. "That's Anya for you. She's... not easy to classify, and we've pretty much given up trying."

"So, it's not just me?" Warren felt a bit amused, and a bit relieved. "Is there hope for my poor computer?"

Willow hmmm'd and typed some on the keyboard, and somehow, the screen cleared. "Actually, this is a very neatly done virus. Once I get it off, there shouldn't be any harmful effects to your system. Very considerate of the person... oh, it's got an annoyance factor, but it didn't destroy anything."

"I think your computer will be just fine, Mister Worthington. This was relatively simple to fix, and no damage, so... all better now." She was still smiling, and she looked... just adorable.

"Please, call me Warren. Do you think I'll end up seeing you again? Or... will the computer behave?" He wasn't sure how she'd answer.

Her eyes sparkled at she looked at him, dancing with mischief. "Your computer behaves quite well when nobody's giving it extra instructions. As for will you need me again... I did set you up with some solid anti virus protection, nobody casual will mess up your system from the outside, and it should be idiot proofed from employee exposure. But as far as that goes... you have a pretty successful company, and you're a mutant. There's a good chance that someone will try to go after your computers again. Maybe it isn't fair, but that's the situation."

"So, if I have another problem, I just give you a ring? Even... weird things with the computer?" He was flirting a little, but would she notice?

Willow looked at him, her cheeks turning pink. "Well... if your computer has problems, call me. I don't think we're at a stage in our relationship where we're ready for rings."

Oh yes, she'd noticed. He smiled, having the feeling that he definitely wanted to cultivate a better relationship with Willow. "So, when do you think we'd be ready for rings?"

"Definitely not until we've gone out to dinner, which you hadn't asked." Her voice was teasing, and her eyes sparkled with silent laughter.

"Fair enough. Maybe some time, I'll get the courage to ask you out." He was definitely flirting now.

She laughed this time. "Like that would take a lot of courage... Yeah, I'm the scary Willow, grown men cower before me. Tell you what, if you gather the courage to ask, I'll probably say yes."

Before he could figure out a good day and time, she'd gathered her tools, packing everything away, and slipped out the door. She had vanished, like a wisp of smoke, a note of laughter, a hint of perfume in the hallway. She was definitely different from the sort of women he normally spent much time with.
end Friend in Need (feathers 2)