Disclaimer: Willow and Angel don't belong to me, they belong to Joss and his kind. No copyright infringement intended, and all that stuff.
Willow's Challenge
By: Jessica Dubois
Willow stirred her untouched coffee, and sighed as she glanced around the Bronze. Things had been hairy lately, with Ampata and Ford trying to mess up their lives, not to mention that whole thing at Halloween. But things were not so bad now. Almost normal. Willow hoped that they would stay normal.
Willow was bored. Buffy was patrolling, Xander was away for the weekend with his parents, and Giles was up to his neck in books. Willow smiled faintly. <How appropriate, considering...> Her thought trailed off as she glanced up and saw Angel coming towards her. He smiled, and Willow felt happiness bubble inside of her. Angel was a good friend, despite the... vampire thing.
"How are you, Willow?" he asked, as he motioned as to whether he could sit. She quickly nodded her head, and smiled.
"Good. If you're looking for Buffy, she's out patrolling."
Angel smiled. "I know. But vamp activity is pretty low right now. So she'll be fine. I thought that since Xander was away, you might like some company." Willow smiled brightly.
"I could always use company. Especially since I rarely see you, and you rarely talk, and we really..." Willow looked down, embarrassed. "And I really should be quiet now."
Angel gave a small chuckle. "It's alright, Willow. I don't mind if you babble. It almost makes me feel... normal." Angel looked down, as Willow's head shot up.
"You are normal, in a..." Willow frowned. "Ok, you're not normal. But you're special, but you still deserve to feel happy." Angel made a grim rueful sound. "You do," Willow said firmly. "You're a great guy, and a great friend. You help people, and if it weren't for you, Buffy, Xander and I would probably be dead."
"Don't say that," Angel said grimly.
"It's true," Willow said softly. "And I want to thank you for it." Angel looked at her with torture in his eyes.
"I didn't do anything." Angel looked around a little wildly. "I should go." He moved to get up, but Willow put a hand on his arm, and he paused.
"Angel. I'm your friend, and I'm always here for you. Remember that, ok?" Angel nodded, and headed off. Willow sighed again.
Angel was so sad. She really wished she could help him be happy, but it was a real challenge. He refused to accept that he had friends, and that he wasn't alone anymore. But she refused to give up on him. She would wait as long as it took, until he accepted their friendship. And then, she, they all would, teach him how to be truly happy.
Willow smiled, as she continued to stir her still untouched coffee. <Well,> she thought. <I'm not bored anymore.> She smirked lightly, as her mind whirled with ideas on how to bring Angel truly into their fold.
Fin
Author's End Note
I'm thinking of doing a version of this in Angel's point of view. Sound interesting?
