Disclaimer: Joss and WB own BTVS; I'm only borrowing. I hope you enjoy it or at least laugh. I love feedback. This is dedicated to Darlene, my sister and best friend, who inspires me always.

Consequences
By: Arlene Barbin

Buffy kicked open the door. "What was that all about?" Angel turned to look at the woman he loved. "What do you mean?"

"You know damn well what I mean!" Angel sank to the sofa. "Buffy, I don't want to talk about this." She crossed the room and knelt at his feet. "We were just dancing Angel, nothing more." He shot up from the sofa nearly knocking her over. "Just dancing like last time."

"Xander is just a friend!" He turned his back to her. "Just go. I can't look at you right now." Buffy walked over and reached out a hand. He took a step forward out of her reach. "Fine I'll go, I can't talk when you're like this." She crossed to the door. "Tell me how could someone who survived two centuries be so IMMATURE!" The pictures on the wall shook from the violent slamming of the door. "DAMMIT Buffy!" An antique vase lay in pieces at Angel's feet.

Xander walked in silence beside Willow. He tried in vain to begin a conversation. "So, what's on tap tomorrow?" Willow remained quiet. "Hey, earth to Willow." He snapped his fingers to get her attention. Willow shook herself from her thoughts. "Did you say something?"

"Well yeah, what's wrong with you tonight?"

"Nothing is wrong." Xander reached a hand out to her. "Something is wrong, you've been quiet the whole way home." She jerked his hand away and yelled at him. "There's nothing wrong with me. What about you?"

"Willow, What do you mean?"

"You know damn well what I mean."

"Look apparently you have a problem with me so I'm just going to go home."

"Fine you do just that." He started walking away and stopped. "Goodnight Willow." She turned her back to him and he left. She turned back and watched him walk away. "What have I done?"

The following night Willow walked alone to the Bronze. She stepped into the club and spotted Xander and Buffy talking at a table. Willow turned to leave and a hand enclosed her shoulder. "Hello, Willow."

"Angel, What are you doing?"

"Nothing, Where were you going?"

"I don't really know, I just have to get out of here."

"Allow me to escort you." He offered her his hand. Willow looked back at her friends who didn't seem to notice she hadn't shown up. She quickly took Angel's hand and let him steer her out of the club. They crossed the parking lot. Angel turned to Willow. "Get on." Willow climbed on the back of Angel's black Ninja motorcycle. The wind kicked up and Angel handed Willow his leather jacket and helmet. "What about you?"

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." He started the bike and Willow wrapped her arms around his waist. They drove silently throught the dark night. Willow pressed her face against Angel's back to block the wind. He parked the bike outside an abandon building. Willow got off and unstrapped the helmet. "Where are we?"

"My home, I didn't think you should be alone." He took her hand and they entered the building. Willow stood behind Angel as he unlocked the door. She looked around in awe at all the beautiful works of art that lined his home. "Angel it's beautiful." She crossed to the Buddha and pressed her hand against the glass case. "Some of these things must be hundreds of years old." He smiled at her shocked expression. "That should be about right." She turned her head and noticed the broken pieces on the floor. Willow stooped down and began picking them up. "What happened?"

"I had a small argument and got clumsy." She placed the pieces on the end table. "Was it about last night?" He turned his head away. "Angel don't. Buffy loves you, that dance meant nothing."

"Are you so sure?"

"Buffy knows I..."

"That you care for Xander."

"Does it show?" He walked over to her and placed his hand against her cheek. "You are a beautiful, caring and compassionate woman and Xander is a damn fool for not seeing that."

"You don't have to say that."

"I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it." He dropped the jacket to the floor and pulled her close to him.

Xander walked back to the table. "There's no answer at her house. I'm worried, last night she was acting really weird."

"Yeah, Angel totally wigged about us dancing together. We had a huge fight."

"Is that why Willow was so quiet last night?"

"Probably, lets go see Angel maybe he can help us find Willow." They left the Bronze and headed toward Angel's apartment.

Willow pulled her lips away from Angel. "What are we doing?"

"Kissing."

"I know that but why are we doing it?"

"Because you're so beautiful, I can't help myself." He lowered one side of her V-neck sweater exposing her neck to his eyes and mouth. He rained kisses from her neck to her shoulder and back again. His name escaped her lips as he grabbed her and kissed her hard. Willow knew she had to stopped him but at that moment all she cared about was the wonderful pleasure his lips brought her. He lowered his mouth to her neck. The tiny prick of his teeth didn't register until it was too late. Warmth invaded Willow's body and the sound of her heartbeat filled her ears. Angel felt her body relax against his and he pulled his mouth away. He bit his wrist and let the drops of blood fall on Willow's mouth. "Willow drink this and no one will ever hurt you again." He gasped as Willow's mouth clamped unto his wrist and began sucking the precious blood from him.

Xander and Buffy walked into the building and headed for Angel's front door. Xander raised his hand to knock but Buffy grabbed the knob and opened the door. They stood in shock at the site that greeted them. Willow lay curled in Angel's lap feeding from his wrist. Xander shouted Willow's name. She lowered Angel's wrist and looked up at Xander with her vampiric features. "Hello Xander, guess what."

Buffy woke with a start. "I'm never watching horror movies again." Two blocks down Xander sprung up in bed, sweat dripping down his face. "Man, I'm never eating left over pizza before bed again." He flopped down on his bed and pulled the covers over his head.

The End