I am so sorry about how long this took, but I finally got around to it and could put this up ... you might want to re-read the previous chapter - it's been a long time.

"ANGEL!"

"Yes?" Willow was looking as scary as she had done all those months ago when he and Buffy first got back together, and that look promised a large plate of stake with a side order of holy water and sunlight. It wasn't so much that he was scared of a little girl, because really that's what she was, but that said little girl was quite a powerful witch and was loved by a lot of people who could and would kick his arse. He didn't know what he had done wrong, but whatever it was, he really needed to fix it before he next went to Sunnydale.

"You know how I said if you ever hurt Buffy, I would hurt you?" It got worse, she speaking in a really friendly voice, her 'resolve' face on, a hard look in her eyes and her hand drifting to the lid of a water bottle she had with her.

"Yes?" That was probably the safest answer. He still didn't really know what was wrong, but it was better safe than sorry and dust. He hadn't done anything wrong in any event. When had he had time to do anything wrong?!

"Well, Buffy's hurting, and you aren't. Yet."

"What's wrong with Buffy? What happened? Is she OK? CORDY, HOW LONG 'TILL SUNSET?"

"ABOUT AN HOUR!" Tina yelled back down the stairs. When they were working up there and he was awake downstairs, they kept the doors open so Angel and mostly Cordy could yell at each other. It was quite easy, because Angel could shout at the right pitch to carry, and Cordy (or anyone else) didn't have to shout loudly for his vampire hearing to pick up.

"Right, I can be in Sunnydale in less than three hours, will she be alright until then? Willow?"

"You honestly don't know, do you! You don't know what's wrong or why!"

"NO! And I don't really care, if she needs me, I'll be as quick as I can. If it weren't rush hour, I would be there faster, but as it is …"

"Angel, she's hurting because you're ignoring her, she thought … she thought you might have changed your mind and be leaving for good … again."

"What? How could she ever think that? I love her, and as long as there's breath in her body and even longer I will love her."

"Well, you haven't been around much, and then with the not answering of phones, and being short with her … what was she supposed to think, mister? So if there's any funny business going on, you tell me right now, and I'll let you get to know my holy water very well."

"I cannot believe you carry holy water around with you. In the daylight."

"Well, it's not like I have super strength like either of you two, and well, better safe than sorry. Stop avoiding the issue. You've been distant, and it's hurting my friend, and now I get to hurt you."

"Willow! How can you event think such a thing? I have not been ignoring her, I could never ignore Buffy even if I wanted to – she is everything to me."

"Then where have you been for the last goodness knows how long? Every time she tries to ring you, Cordelia says you can't talk – you're busy or out or asleep or doing heaven only knows what else."

"Willow! I run a 'detective agency', I fight demons same as Buffy and I'm trying to do the right thing and follow my destiny, whatever that may be! For the last few weeks, it's been difficult to see each other, yes, but that does not mean I could ever stop loving her, or EVER, EVER see someone else while dating her. Even as a drunk lie about 200 years ago I never saw two people at the same time."

"Fine. You get one more chance.

"Now, I'm going shopping with Oz, and you're going to see your girlfriend as soon as possible. You got it?"

"I got it. Say hi to Oz, and tell him 'good', too. He'll know what I mean."

"Will do. I will see you in Sunnydale this week end, wont I."

"As far as I'm concerned, yes. If Doyle has a vision, though… I'm sorry but I can't make that promise. I will do my best, though."

"For now, that's good enough for me."