Title: I Finally Remembered You. Part 25 - Willow

Rating: R/NC-17 for other chapters

Pairing: Xander/Angel

Summary: AU futurefic. Slash. Xander, not Buffy, had gone to see Angel in "I Will Remember You" Years later, he finally keeps his promise.

Spoilers: All of BtVS & Ats

Warnings: M/M, mild language, more in future chapters

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Words in Italics indicate thoughts.

Something was definitely going on. She knew it.

Admittedly, it had taken her a little while to see it, but, something was definitely going on.

So, yes, she had been a bit preoccupied, with hoping that Xander wouldn't notice that she was traveling alone, and would therefore, not ask the question. But, of course, Xander had noticed and so, he had asked the question.

"Where's Kennedy?" Xander asked, looking over Willow's shoulder, to see the door to the jet closing.

"Uhm, well, she decided to head to Cleveland. You know, hellmouthy/slayer stuff." Willow hedged.

"She did? Huh? I didn't hear about anything going down there." Xander said, not convinced.

"Okay, Okay, quite badgering me, you want to know, fine. We had a huge fight in Maui and we broke up on the flight back to the states. She went to visit her family, and then she's going to ask Giles for reassignment to Cleveland." Willow babbled, ending in tears.

"Oh Willow." Xander said quietly, as he gathered his oldest friend in his arms. He didn't know what else to say, so he just held her and comforted her, the only way he knew how, by just being there.

"It's really over this time, not like all the other times." Willow sniffled against his shoulder.

"Every time I would talk to one of you on the phone, if it wasn't about business, she would get all pissed off. Like I shouldn't talk to my friends? What's that about? The possessiveness was cool, at first, then it just got old. She told me that I needed to decide if I wanted to be with her or cling to old, rundown friendships."

Xander just hugged her and didn't comment; obviously, she had chosen the 'old rundown friendships' over the snotty slayer.

"Tara would never have made me choose. She always encouraged me to spend more time with you and Bu…" Willow hesitated, knowing that Buffy was a touchy subject for Xander.

"Willow, honey, Kennedy isn't Tara." Xander said, softly.

"I know, and I guess that's part of the problem." Willow admitted. She hugged Xander tighter, mourning her deceased lover and taking comfort in the familiar cuddliness that was Xander.

After a few moments, she backed away and saw, for the first time, that Xander wasn't alone.

"Angel!" She rushed over and hugged the dark vampire, glad to see that he was safe and sound, here in England.

"What are you doing here? I mean, I know why you're here in England, but, I didn't know you were here already and I really didn't expect to see you at the airport." Willow babbled excitedly.

"Breath, little one." Angel said, with a fond chuckle. "We just got here a couple of days ago and Xander drafted me to come be the muscle on his trip to the airport."

"Muscle?"

"You know, it is dark out," Xander defended.

Willow looked at her friend and then broke out in laughter. "I bet you were afraid you'd have to carry all Kennedy's bags by yourself and drafted Angel to do the dirty work."

"Well, the thought may have crossed my mind." Xander admitted, with a smile.

Willow chuckled some more, then grew quiet.

"At least we don't have to worry about Kennedy's luggage." Willow said, trying to lighten the suddenly somber mood.

"At least there is that." Angel offered, with a smile.

"Come on, let's get going, we are seriously cutting into our staying up all night and eating ice cream and talking time." Xander said, ushering them to the SUV and stowing Willow's bags in the back.

As they drove back to the estate, they talked about her trip and recent slayers she had found. This was when Willow began to notice that something was going on.

Angel had offered to drive, sighting his exceptional night vision. Not mentioning, Xander's lack of depth perception, was worse at night.

Willow noticed that Angel kept glancing back in the rearview mirror at Xander, as if he couldn't keep his eyes off her friend. Xander pretended not to notice and studiously ignored the vampire, until he was sure Angel wasn't looking, and then, peeking at him as subtly as someone with one eye, can peek.

Willow was confused, and intrigued. What was going on?

Willow knew something was going on. She needed to gather more information. Trouble was, not many people paid attention to what was going on with Xander, beyond the surface. Faith might know, but, her loyalty to Xander pretty much meant that she wouldn't spill. Who else was observant and would be willing to tell her details? Who?

Then inspiration struck. Willow had an idea of who could and would, have the goods.

Spike!