Feathers 3 the Call

author: Lucinda

rating: pg

Third in Feather's 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.





Warren stared at the phone, almost reluctant to pick it up. His mind went through all the ways that this could go bad. Nothing in his training as a superhero or a business manager could be used to change her answer if he didn't like it.

Wouldn't Magneto be surprised that one of the most intimidating things that Warren Worthington, called Archangel, found himself trying to do was call up a delightful computer consultant? The idea of asking her out for a date worried him more than facing a Sentinel. Oh yes, he could imagine the enemies laughing over that one.

He managed to pick up the phone, punching in her number as he took a deep breath in an effort to calm himself. He wasn't calling her business number, but her personal cell phone. It rang a couple times, before he heard her voice, sounding slightly cheerful. :Hello? You've reached Willow.:

"This is Warren. I was wondering if... umm... I couldn't find a good time for dinner, but maybe lunch on Saturday?" He winced, thinking that he hadn't sounded that awkward since he was fifteen and away at boarding school.

There was a few moments of silence. :Lunch on Saturday? Umm... yeah, that works for me. If you'd like, I know this good place, you can sort of relax and be yourself.: She sounded almost hesitant, or maybe that was just the connection.

"By relax and be myself do you mean...?" He wasn't quite certain, but it had sounded like she was saying that he could go without the image inducer, in all his blue skinned feathered reality.

He heard a giggle. :Well, there's no dress code to follow, although naked is sort of frowned upon. But yeah... come as you are, feathers and all. I promise you won't be the strangest looking person there.:

"You aren't worried that people will stare at us?" He could feel himself smiling, wondering where this place that she had in mind actually was. He might have to go there more often, just for the chance to relax and be himself.

:Oh, stop worrying so much. The only reason anyone will stare at you is if they're thinking 'who's that handsome guy?' and you can't possibly convince me that that's never happened before. So... if you'd like, you can meet me at the front of your office, and I can take us to LiKorath's. You'll have fun.: She almost sounded like she was teasing him.

He could feel himself blushing, wondering why she could affect him so easily. "Okay, how's eleven sound? Or is that too early? What sort of food do they serve anyhow?"

She had to be smiling, from the sound of her voice. :Eleven is good. They have all sorts of food, you'll definitely be able to find something to your taste. It's pretty much casual dress, and I'll be waiting at eleven.:

"Wonderful. I'm looking forward to it." He smiled as he considered the idea. "Until Saturday, then?"

:Saturday. And umm... bye until then.: There was a click, and the connection was ended.

Warren found himself smiling. He had made the call, faced down his fear... Now he had a date with Willow. Oh yes, life was good.





end Feathers 3: The Call.