Disclaimer: If I owned these characters Angel would still be on the air, and Buffy would be on it.

Author's notes: Sorry I'm slow in updating but a writer's block slowed it down for me. Thanks for being patient

2. COS: Change of Scenery

3. ""= Dialogue, ''= thoughts

Chapter #20:

Buffy sat back comfortably in her seat. She had let go of Angel's arm and taken his hand instead, for some reason never wanting to break physical contact. She did not feel like she normally did just before an impending battle: nerves with the usual sense of doom that always seemed to follow her. Instead she was calm, as if at last after this one battle she would get what she always wanted. Angel made one last turn down a laneway, and came upon Hotlz's mansion, looming in the distance. Angel eyed a spot well-hidden spot underneath the trees, and pulled the van over.

"Alright everybody know what they're doing?" Angel asked after the crowd had climbed out of the van. The question was greeted by nods from everyone.

"Fine, everyone spread out and meet back here in 2 hours. Willow, you're with me." Angel instructed everyone, it having just occurred to him that he might like some more supernatural help.

Spike looked up at the latest development in shock. He stopped and glared at Angel:

"If you get her killed I'll kill you Nancy-boy." Spike told him.

"Don't worry if he gets her killed, you'll have to get in line." Xander said coming over to the pair.

"Aww, I feel so loved, my two guys fighting over me." Willow said as she walked over and grasped Spike's hand, and looked him straight in the eyes:

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Remember: I have big power inside me." She assured him; placing the hand she had hold of on top of her heart. "And I can kick butt- see I'm a double threat." Spike's hand moved up to stroke her cheek.

"Alright, I just don't want to see you hurt. Not after..." Spike started.

"I know. Now go. And I'll see you in a couple of hours." Willow said. Spike finally left and went to his post with Buffy.

Angel and Willow started across the lawn in silence, Willow gazing about her in wonder. 'This would be a beautiful spot in daylight; I can just imagine Angel and Buffy having their wedding here, in the rose garden...' She thought to herself, and then a question finally occurred to her:

"Why didn't you bring Buffy, I mean she can kick butt way better than I can. I'm just new at this. Willow finally asked.

"Because it is you I needed not her. I may need more than Buffy's 'butt-kicking' abilities. I need someone that can do the magic that you can do." Angel told her.

"Okay." Willow thought his answer over for a few minutes. As she thought about it more, she suspected that there was more to it than that. One thing occurred to her: The brainwashing.

"Oh, I see." Willow said out loud.

"I see what?" Angel questioned.

"Why you wouldn't bring Buffy with you as back up. You're still afraid that she hasn't beaten that whole brain-washing mind-control thing. And you brought me because you think I could work my magic mojo on him and get past whatever he's put on Buffy." Willow answered. She was greeted by silence. It grew, and became deafening. Finally Willow broke it :

"I'll take your silence as a yes. And if it is a yes, I want to tell you a thing or two about my friend Mister. You crushed her heart when you left after graduation. She spent weeks angry and upset with you. And when other guys did come along, she would constantly be measuring them up to you. When none of them would, she broke with them.

When she died, I am positive one of the last things she thought of was you. Then that monster brought her back, and where did she turn to? Not us in Sunnydale, but you. That tells me that despite all the nights spent crying over you, she still loves you. You are her soul-mate, and that type of love demands trust. And if you don't trust her, you should just walk out of her life Angel, and never come back, because coming in and out of her life as if you're just using a revolving door is no good. She is worth much more than that. And if you do something like you did on graduation night you will have much more to worry about than just Spike and Xander coming after you." Willow finished.

They were still only halfway up the lane from the van. They continued walking in silence. They were approaching the front door when Angel finally spoke:

"You're right." He replied dejectedly. He opened the door and stepped into the house. The silence that ensued between the pair grew even creepier.

The light in the foyer was dim, the chandelier that hung there barely providing enough light to see where they were walking. They continued upstairs and opened the first door.

Inside they saw a mere child tied to the head of the bed. Around him was scattered the paraphernalia of an exorcism, or at least the attempt at one. On the boy's chest lay a bible, and around his neck a crucifix. Angel approached one side of the bed, and began working the knots on the rope. He soon had the rope untied, and moved around the other side. After Angel finished the child's arms immediately went around his neck as relief flooded the small body. Angel grimaced as the crucifix made contact with his skin. He gave the child to Willow, telling her to make sure the boy was safe.

"Hey Mister, what about the others?" the child asked.

Author's note: yes, my last chapter was called the beginning of the end. I had hoped this would be the total end. The muses had a different idea... So until next time:

Peace out and happy reading.

A.B.