DISCLAIMER: BtVS and its character's belong to Joss Whedon, the WB, Fox, and Mutant Enemy. No infringements intended!
Author's Note: text enclosed in < > represent thoughts and feelings.

Torn Between Two Lovers
By: Dreamscape205

Part one


BUDAPEST, HUNGARY 1799

< How long has it been since she was taken from me so tragically? > He turned from the portrait of his beloved that he had been staring at to gaze out into the darkness of a nearby window. He reflected on the wife he had adored, and glanced back at the painting. Her beauty had been immeasurable, as if she had been sculpted by an artist. The auburn hair, those eyes that held nothing but love, her soft skin, the hands that reached out to him to save her life. He had failed her. And he had never loved again. < Someday... >



SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA 1998

Willow Rosenberg woke with anticipation. < Ooh, the first day of school! > She loved school and could not understand why everyone didn't share her enthusiasm. She recalled her conversation with Buffy on the phone the previous night as she busied herself getting ready for school.

The phone rang, as she was about to arrange all her new supplies into her book bag. She dropped it onto her bed and hopped over to her desk to grab the phone.

"Hey, Will! Whatcha doin'?" Came Buffy's voice as Willow held the receiver to her ear.

"Just getting my school supplies ready for tomorrow. And you?"

"Talking to you!" Buffy quipped.

Willow smiled and let out a laugh, "Ooh, funny!"

She heard Buffy sigh on the other end of the line. "I'm not really looking forward to tomorrow, but I'll deal."

A voice telling her breakfast was ready brought Willow back to the present day. Willow descended the stairs and headed for the kitchen, where breakfast waited for her. "Thanks, mom," she said, sitting at the table.

Mrs. Rosenberg kissed the top of her daughter's head. "You have a great day, dear. I'm off to work. 'Bye, now."

"'Bye, mom!" Willow turned her thoughts back to Buffy. < I guess she gets tired of the way the faculty rides her about grades and attendance. Honestly, if they all knew just what she did for all of them, every day of her life... > "They should graduate her with honors!" She finished out loud. It really bothered her that her friend was always under so much pressure from all sides.

Willow cleared the table and headed to school. The walk to Sunnydale High School wasn't too long, but she had time to ponder over the events of the summer.

Willow had stayed in Sunnydale to attend a summer course in advanced computer programming, while Buffy and Xander went on a two-month vacation. Buffy's father had overseas business that took him to France. Since summer vacation was the time Buffy's father had custody, it was a given that Buffy would accompany him. Buffy originally had asked her to go, but her parents had already paid for the course, and the money was non-refundable. So, Buffy asked Xander. His immediate reaction was jumping up and down; doing some kind of odd "monkey dance" that had both girls laughing until they cried. Xander's mother offered no protest, so the plans were made.

It bothered Willow that Xander would be spending so much time with Buffy, knowing how he felt about her, but there really wasn't anything she could do about it. Buffy wanted a companion with her; she didn't want to "do France" alone.

A smile appeared on her face as she remembered Giles' reaction to Buffy's trip. "Bloody hell! It's bad enough when you just spend the summer in Los Angeles. France is a lot further away than that!" His concern was clearly written all over his face. "What am I supposed to do if some crisis erupts?"

Buffy just flashed him her patented smile, "Oh, Giles! You know the summer's always so dull in Sunnydale! The vampires can't handle the heat!" Buffy giggled a little, "and besides, you'll be fine! You've always got Angel, Ms. Calendar and Willow to help you! Oh, and there's always Cordelia...I heard her vacation plans were cancelled due to family sickage."

Giles rolled his eyes, "Oh, what a comfort!" He didn't bother protesting further. It was a moot point, the Slayer was leaving. < It's not like I can tell Mr. Summers that his daughter is the Vampire Slayer and needs to be where the vampires are! >

A week later Willow was without her two constant companions. Odd that the person she spent the most time with was Angel. Her course had been at night. When Giles heard that, he immediately picked up the phone and contacted Angel. "Uh...hello. This is Giles...Rupert Giles. I need your assistance."

There was a brief pause, then Giles spoke into the receiver again, "It appears Willow is taking a night class at a local community college. I was hoping you would be free to escort her. If you wouldn't mind?"

Giles" concern touched Willow deeply, but she was far too timorous to impose on Angel in such a way. "Oh, no, Giles! Please tell Angel you made a mistake. Ill be just fine!"

"Just a moment, Angel." Giles held the phone to his chest. "Don't be foolish. It is far too unwise to walk alone at night in Sunnydale. You, for one, should understand that." He shook his head when he noticed she was about to offer further protest. He resumed his conversation on the phone. "I'm sorry, what were you saying?" It wasn't long before the receiver was once again in its cradle. He turned to Willow with a smile, "Angel said he would be more than happy to help you out. He said he would not be able to live with himself if something happened to you."

Willow recalled the surprise she felt when Giles told her of Angel's sentiment. It gave her a warm feeling all over. It was nice to have someone care about you. Although why Angel cared, she wasn't sure. He was always "Buffy's friend". He rarely spoke to anyone else, except in time of need. Although, lately, she recalled catching Angel staring at her. But, she was too shy to ask him why he was doing it.

So, for two nights a week, Angel was her personal bodyguard. She hated to admit it, but she enjoyed the attention. Although she wasn't comfortable with the situation, the looks of envy she received from her classmates were treasured. She was not used to being in the position of someone else's envy. It was usually the other way around. That was the extent of Angel's presence in her life for the first two weeks.

By the third week, she and Angel were arranging get-togethers. He had a newly found interest in computers, and asked her for help with some new contraption he had acquired. She remembered laughing to herself when he showed her this "contraption", which turned out to be the latest, top-of-the-line model.

By the fourth week, they spend almost every evening together. They had told each other things they told no one else.

Angel had asked her what her relationship was with Xander. She wrinkled her nose, "We've been best friends since we were small children. I'm afraid it's never become more than that. Xander can't see past Buffy, and he considers me like a sister." She shrugged, "What can you do? I've been holding on to a dream that he'll wake up and notice me, but I'm tired of waiting." She hung her head, her hair falling forward, covering her face.

Angel reached out, placing his fingertips under her chin. "He is a fool. Any man, who can not see the beauty in you, is blind!" He gently lifted her head, until they were looking into each other's eyes. She was taken aback by the brilliance in his. < Gorgeous > His sincerity was heartwarming. She offered him a small smile.

In an effort to offer her some comfort, and let her know he knew how she felt, Angel told her of his last conversation with Buffy. Buffy had told him that she had decided that she could only see him as a friend. She had a duty to perform, and she didn't want her feelings for him to get in the way. They would always be friends, but that was all it could be. The ultimate brush-off. He said he had known it was coming. She had been cool towards him for quite awhile.

Poor Angel...so alone. < Except for me. > They had become fast friends. She was amazed at how easily he fit into her world. She found herself looking forward to hearing from him in any form...be it in person, by phone or computer.

Reality drifted among her thoughts, and she noticed she was near the school. She looked forward to seeing Buffy and Xander. She, however, was not expecting to see them locked in a passionate embrace!

Part two


< Such an important thing for both of them to forget to mention. > Willow had talked to Buffy and Xander a few times since they arrived back in Sunnydale just two days prior. Both had been too busy to meet with her in person, having to prepare for the "back to school" rush. Mr. Summer's business took longer than expected, and the teenagers returned home almost a month later than expected. She was shocked and surprised at the lack of jealousy she felt, considering the fact that she had been in love with Xander for years. < hmmm...guess I've moved on without knowing it. >

Willow walked towards her friends with renewed vigor. Buffy was the first to notice her and quickly pulled away from Xander. Willow smiled to herself, noticing her friend's attempt to spare her feelings. "Hey, Buffy! Hey, Xander! Seems like a lifetime since we've seen each other!" Willow hugged each of her friends in turn. She sensed their anxiety in her reaction to their new status, which had yet to be discussed. She vowed to make it as easy on them as possible, in light of her recent revelation. < Why torment them with feelings of hostility, when I can honestly be happy for them. They are my dearest friends, and that won't change. >

"How's my Willow?" Xander asked anxiously. He wasn't quite ready to answer to the "what happened with you two this summer" questions.

"We missed you," Buffy added. Buffy shifted on her feet nervously, and Willow could see she was a bit uncomfortable.

"Not too much, I see!" Willow teased and smiled sweetly. Noticing the flushed expressions on their faces, Willow added, "Hey guys, I think it's great...you two together, I mean. You don't have to be embarrassed...really!"

Buffy noted the sincerity of Willow's words, and was immediately relieved. She had been so worried about Willow's reaction, ever since she discovered her true feelings for Xander. < Now, to deal with Angel. That's going to be a tough one. >

Buffy expressed her concern to Willow during Phys. Ed., while changing in the girl's locker room.

"I wouldn't worry about Angel, Buffy," Willow confidently reassured her friend. "He knows full well you are no longer in love with him. He'll be fine." < He knows, but has he come to terms with it? >

Buffy was taken aback by Willow's confident attitude on such a touchy subject. "How can you be so sure?"

"Well, I've spent a lot of time with him over the past couple of months. He told me that you only wanted to be friends. He knows the score, he'll be fine." Turning away from Buffy, she muttered to herself, "I'll guarantee it," suddenly aware of how much she wanted to spare Angel of any pain. < It's so unfair! He's spent the last eighty years or so in agony over his past. Just when he thought he was in the position to receive a little happiness, the rug was pulled out from under him. >

"You and Angel?" Buffy said, and immediately realized she sounded jealous. < No, I'm not jealous! I love Xander. I'm just surprised that Angel would be interested in Willow. She and I are so different. That's all it is! I'm not jealous! >

"Is that a problem?" Willow couldn't believe her ears. < How could she be jealous? She's the one that dumped Angel! Does she still want him fawning over her? > Willow slammed the locker door, perhaps harder than intended. Regaining her composure, she continued her explanation, "Angel was escorting me to class in the evenings. Giles was afraid for my safety. Angel was a good friend over the summer, that's all."

Willow chided herself. < How could I think so badly of my best friend? > She shook her head, glancing at Buffy, who looked deep in thought. < No, Buffy isn't petty. I'm sure she still loves Angel in some way. It's hard letting go. >

Pretending to be engrossed with something in her locker, to avoid looking at Willow, Buffy dejectedly started to explain, "No, no problem. I just..." Buffy trailed off. Her 'spider sense" was tingling. < Perfect timing...I'm not as ready for this conversation as I thought. > Her voice turned to a whisper. "Will, someone's here...watching us."

"Are you sure?" Willow's query was barely audible.

Buffy nodded and motioned for Willow to follow her into the gym. As the door closed behind them, the Slayer leaned close to Willow, "Let's meet in the library after school. We can discuss what was lurking in the locker room then."

Willow nodded in agreement, and the two friends headed towards the rest of the class, where they met up with Xander and told him about the meeting after school.

Part three

The Slayer and her Slayerettes met up in the library after last bell.

"Giles?!" Buffy called to the seemingly empty room.

The Watcher/Librarian stepped out from the stacks and leaned over the railing. "Hello, you three. How was your first day back, hmm?"

Xander rolled his eyes. "The only thing better than the first day of school is having a tooth pulled!"

Buffy nodded in agreement, but changed the subject, "Any new adventures at hand, Giles?"

"None that I'm aware of."

Buffy hopped up to sit on a nearby table, "Well, the weirdest thing happened today. Willow and I were being spied upon in the girl's locker room."

Giles raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure? Perhaps it was just another student." He dismissed it without another thought.

"No, I'm sure it was something unnatural. I could just *feel* it. I would say it was a vampire, but a vampire during the day?" Buffy shook her head.

Giles frowned, "Well...in that case, we better do some digging. There may be some sort of supernatural event occurring soon."

Xander joined the conversation, "If it was one of the fang gang, why didn't it attack?"

"Good question." came the reply from within the stacks. They all looked up and saw Angel emerge.

"Admit it, Angel!" Xander's voice was laced with sarcasm. "It was you lurking in the locker room...wanting to sneak a peek!"

"Xander!" Willow slapped him on the arm.

"Joking," he said, as he gave Willow a pained expression and reached up with his other hand to rub his arm.

"Angel," was all Buffy could manage to say.

"Buffy." Angel's brow quirked. He glanced at Willow. < She looks uncomfortable. What's happening here? > "I came in through the basement. There's an entrance into the sewer system from there."

Buffy hopped down from the table and turned to face Angel, "We already know that." She smiled, teasingly.

Willow glanced at Buffy to register any emotions that might show on her face. She noticed the playful smile Buffy's face held. < How could Angel see past her to me? Her beauty outshines mine by a long shot. >

Crestfallen, Willow turned her attention to Angel, who wasn't looking at Buffy. < He's staring at me, again. Like I've caught him doing so many times...even before summer vacation. It's almost like he's studying me. >

He shook his head and turned his attention back to Buffy, "My point is, that's how a vampire could be in the school during the day. It's just a matter of avoiding rooms with direct sunlight." He realized he had been staring at Willow, trying to gauge her feelings, and was slightly embarrassed by his actions.

"Good point," Willow smiled. < It is nice to see him during the day, even if it isn't in direct sunlight. >

"What can we do for you, Angel?" Giles was still uncomfortable with the thoughts of a vampire befriending his Slayer, in spite of having proved to be an invaluable ally.

"There's a new player in town. I overheard some young punk vampires talking about him. Apparently, he's very powerful. They took off before I could get any details." He walked over to stand by Willow and smiled down at her.

Buffy noticed the looks exchanged between Angel and Willow, but chose not to comment. Instead, she asked, "Could it have anything to do with the locker room?"

Giles shrugged, "I must consult my books. Perhaps there is a prophecy mentioning a new arrival." Giles moved off towards his office, giving the vampire his dismissal, "Good to see you, Angel."

Angel ignored him, turning to Willow. "Tonight, then?" Receiving a smile and a nod from Willow, he departed the way he arrived.

It was Xander's turn to register surprise, "What's going on?"

Buffy hooked her arm through his, smiling up at him, "Apparently, our shy, little Willow has captured the attention of a certain vampire we know."

Xander made a move to follow Angel, but Buffy held him back. "We'll just see about..."

"Knock it off you two!" Willow felt her cheeks grow hot as she cut him off, but not from anger. < Great! I'm blushing! >





THE OUTSKIRTS OF SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA

"I saw her today." Judson reported. A newly made vampire, he had only joined the Sunnydale family of undead the previous week.

"Where?!" demanded his Master.

"At the Sunnydale High School. I was hiding in the locker room. I saw her. She's just a student." Judson regretted the comment as soon as it left his lips.

"And your point?" The Master said angrily. < The imbecile has no idea how long I've waited for my beloved's return. >

"What use could she be to you?" Judson could not understand his leader. He had watched this young girl, and saw nothing special about her...except her neck. "Other than a meal?"

"You fool! It is of no concern to you! Just find out everything you can about her!" Annoyed when the fool just stood there, he shouted, "Now!" Judson raced out of the room. The Master turned his attention to the portrait of his beloved.

"Soon, my darling..." He spoke aloud, as if his love would hear him. < I cannot wait to meet you...again. >

Part 4

ROSENBERG RESIDENCE



"I WILL HAVE YOU!" A voice louder than thunder woke Willow from her nightmare with a start, her eyes open wide with fright. She sat up, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

"Who was that?" she asked herself. Laying back on the pillow again, she tried to recall the dream. She couldn't remember a thing. < Whatever it was, it felt real. >

Suddenly she felt as if someone was watching her, and she looked toward the window. She wasn't surprised to see Angel sitting on the sill. < He's never been here this late, though. > "Hi. Fancy meeting you here." Her voice dripped with sarcasm.

"Yeah, well, I just happened to be in the neighborhood." Angel's smile was brief, and his somber tone of voice suggested something serious. "We need to talk."

She envisioned the visitations he paid Buffy whenever something was wrong. "Don't you have the wrong house? Isn't it the Slayer you'd want to visit with your tale of doom and gloom?" Willow was tired and cranky, having just wakened from her nightmare.

"Wrong house? I don't think so." Angel quirked an eyebrow. Wanting to make her feel more at ease, he tried teasing her. "Because, if you're not her, you really need to give Willow her body back...she may need it!"

"Ha, ha! Very funny. Just tell me what you came here to tell me. I need to get some sleep. I do have to go to school tomorrow, you know." She could not mask her annoyance. He had called her earlier that evening and cancelled their plans.

"Someone was following you home tonight. He kept his distance, so you wouldn't notice him. I tried to catch him, to...uh...ask a few questions..." Angel smirked.

Willow knew his intentions were not to merely question her stalker. To rid him from this earth, was more like it. "But you lost him?"

"Uh-huh. Sorry," he shrugged. Not being in the mood to answer many questions, he played light of the situation trying to distract her.

Realization sank in, "Wait! Why were *you* following me?" Willow had a "don't you dare try to worm out of this one" look on her face.

Angel stood and walked to Willow's desk. He pulled out the chair and sat facing the bed. He seemed to be searching for the right words. Finally he said, "I was worried about you. Buffy had said someone was spying on you in the locker room. I just happened to be near the school when you left. Now...may I ask why you dared walk home alone. You, of all people, are aware of what could happen in Sunnydale at night."

Willow sighed, "Buffy needed to go on patrol. She had more important things to do. I was fine." She saw a shadow pass over Angel's face...and it frightened her just a little.

"Are you crazy? There is nothing more important than your safety! Buffy would have made time to see you home. Why she let you go, I'll never understand!" Angel wasn't about to mask his anger and irritation. < How could they be so foolish? To risk Willow's life like that...why, if anything ever happened to her... >

"Please," Willow begged. "Don't blame Buffy. I get so tired of being a burden to her. My dad was supposed to pick me up outside the library at eight o'clock. When he wasn't there, I decided to go it alone. I know it was stupid, and I'll never do it again."

"Willow, you're her friend, not her burden. Remember that." He admonished.

< Back to the subject at hand. > "Why do you suppose someone was following me?" Willow was getting worried. This on top of her nightmare gave her chills of trepidation.

"I have no idea. Maybe he wanted to ask you for a date?" < Ugh, that was lame. > Angel saw that look of exasperation reappear on her face.

"Well, I would have been available. It seems my plans had been changed." < By you! What gives? > She had been looking forward to his visit. She realized how much she needed to talk about her feelings regarding Xander and Buffy. And, how it was only Angel she wanted to talk to.

Angel moved to sit next to her on the bed. She looked so young and vulnerable, tired from lack of sleep. "Don't be angry, little one." he lightly brushed the hair from her face. "Believe me, I would rather have been with you. There was just something I had to do."

Willow leaned towards the touch of his hand. "I understand," she sighed.

Angel's hand slid under her hair to the base of her neck. He gently pulled her closer to him. "No, you don't," he teased, and kissed the tip of her nose.

Willow drew in a surprised breath and looked into Angel's dark eyes. < How beautiful they are. I could die in those eyes. > She tilted her head slightly and pressed her lips against his. < Am I being too forward? > At her gesture, Angel increased the pressure and intensity of the kiss. Willow felt his hand travel down her back and hook under her arm. His free hand slid under her legs. Without his lips leaving hers, he picked her up and placed her on his lap.

< Her lips taste like sweet, fresh wine. I need to stop this...but I don't want to. It isn't fair to her, she doesn't know what she's getting into. > He pulled her even closer, betraying his thoughts. All that mattered, at that moment in time, was the taste of her mouth and the feel of her body against his.

With a groan, Angel reluctantly broke the impassioned embrace. Willow let out a small, "No." Which was no more than a whisper. Her arms remained where they were, encircling his neck. She wasn't ready to put distance between them yet. She laid her head against his chest, and could feel the firm muscles beneath his T-shirt. She felt content to stay in his arms, safe, secure. In all the years she thought she had been in love with Xander, she had never felt what she was feeling at this moment.

Worried by her silence, Angel looked down at her. "Are you all right, little one?"

"Mmmm...yes." She snuggled closer, "I just don't understand what is happening here...between us, I mean." Willow wasn't sure she wanted to hear his answer. < Am I just a poor substitute for Buffy? >

Angel stroked her hair < mmm...silk >, "That is up to us, isn't it?"

"I suppose." She felt him rest his chin on top of her head. < Could he get any more ambiguous? > "Angel? Why did you call me "little one"?"

He chuckled at her quick change in subject. < She does have unique thoughts. > He remembered the time she asked him how he shaved, and had to keep from laughing. "It's a term of endearment from long ago. I'm sure it isn't used any more. Does it bother you?"

She pulled away to look him in the face, "No, I was just making sure you weren't referring to me as a child. I know I'm not quite 18 yet, but I'm not a kid any more."

"No, you are not a child...that's one thing I never thought of you. >From the first day we met, you have appeared more mature than most adults I know. " He repositioned her back on the bed, "No, you are definitely not a child."

"Good. Just making sure." She smiled, teasingly. "And just so you know, I don't think of you as old, either!"

He took her hand in his, bringing it up to his lips, "It's time for me to go. You need your rest." He turned her hand over, and placed a kiss on her palm. "Sweet dreams, little one." He let go of her hand, and was gone.

Willow laid her head back on the pillow. < Like I'm going to get back to sleep tonight. > She replayed the evening in her mind over and over again. No, Willow Rosenberg did not get back to sleep that night!





Across the street from the Rosenberg's, Judson was finally able to leave his hiding place among the bushes. < It's about time that guy left! > Judson began his journey back to the mansion where his master was residing. He had thought his last report went badly. How was he going to explain this little scenario?

He stopped off at the Bronze, the local nightclub, to ask a few questions about Ms. Rosenberg's visitor. He asked several patrons, but didn't get any answers. It seemed her "friend" was quite mysterious.

Being the ever-faithful servant, Judson reported to his master immediately upon his arrival. He knocked lightly on the office door and peeked inside. "I have some information regarding Ms. Rosenberg."

"Well?" he demanded, drumming his fingers on the desktop.

Judson quickly scrambled in and stood in front of the handcrafted mahogany desk. He tried valiantly to hide his nervousness. "She's an overachiever scholastically. Although she is not in the popular crowd, she has many friends. Of those friends, two are inseparable from her. I did a little checking and found out their names. Buffy Summers and Alexander Harris. And there is one more thing..." Judson trailed off.

"Do I have to beat it out of you?" the Master threatened as he got up from his desk. He walked menacingly towards Judson, and stopped directly in from of him. An evil glint appeared in his eye as he ran his forefinger along the collar of Judson's shirt, "Because, I will."

"Okay. There isn't an easy way to say this...but she has a boyfriend or something. He caught me following her home. I guess he was following me. Anyway, he chased me for a few blocks, but I lost him. Since I lost track of Ms. Rosenberg, I decided to follow him. He led me right back to her." He paused, taking note of his Master's mental state. < He seems calm enough...I guess I can go on. > "Her room was dark, and I assume she was sleeping. He entered through her bedroom window. He stayed with her for quite some time...I didn't think he would ever leave her."

"Yes, I'm sure it was awful for you." Without warning, the Master backhanded Judson across the face and sent him reeling. "Get out of my sight. I'll call you when I need you."

After the subject left the room, he found himself standing in front of his beloved's portrait. "Finally, you have risen in a young maiden. Will you remember me?" < I will make you remember. >

Part 5

SUNNYDALE HIGH SCHOOL

Buffy entered the cafeteria looking for her friends. < Ew, what's that smell? No lunch for this girl! > She scanned the tables and noticed Willow sitting at a nearby table, her back towards Buffy.

As she walked towards Willow, Buffy noticed her friend was propping her head up in her hand, her elbow on the table. Just as she reached Willow, her head slipped off her hand and was about to fall into her lunch. Luckily, Buffy grabbed her shoulder just before she hit the "spaghetti surprise".

"Will, are you okay?" Buffy sat in the chair next to her friend. She looked into Willow's tired eyes, "Girl, look at those bags under your eyes. Did you sleep?"

Willow shook her head, "No. Angel stopped by last night." She was too tired to go into a lengthy explanation, "I think our locker room lurker was following me last night." Placing her hand over her mouth, she attempted to suppress a yawn.

Buffy scowled, "You really shouldn't let Angel stay so late. Look at you, you can't keep your eyes open."

Willow offered a tired smile, "He didn't stay late, really. He barely stayed for twenty minutes." < Too bad, because it was just getting interesting. >

A book bag suddenly crashed on the table. Buffy and Willow looked up quickly to see Xander towering over them. "How are my two favorite women doing?" He plopped in the chair next to Buffy, and put his arm around her shoulder.

Buffy smiled and kissed his cheek, "One of us is sleep walking. The other is scolding her."

"Hey, Will, at least you remembered to change out of your nightie!" Xander laughed at his own joke.

"Ha, ha, Xander. You really should go on the road with that act." Willow said, and wrinkled her nose at him.

"So, are we Bronzing it tonight?" he asked, enthusiastically.

Willow shook her head, "Uh-uh...not me. I'm sleeping."

"Come on, Will!" Xander pleaded. "Thursday night...no cover!"

Buffy nodded and nudged Willow, "Yeah, no cover. You can take a nap after school...you'll be fine by seven!"

Willow sighed. Although her body craved unending sleep, she just couldn't disappoint her friends. "Okay, just promise me you won't let my head hit the table if I pass out. It leaves a bump." She laughed as they all rose from their chairs to share in a group hug.



ROSENBERG RESIDENCE

Willow tossed fitfully in her sleep. A strange, unidentifiable presence was invading her dreams. She was aware of danger, excitement, rage and death. The pieces to the puzzle were small, and too vague to put together. She welcomed the sound of the ringing telephone that invaded her sleep to bring her back to reality.

"Hello," Willow yawned into the handset of her telephone. < Must be Buffy with my wakeup call to get ready to go to the Bronze. >

"Willow? Were you sleeping?"

"Angel," she said, sighing. His voice brought back the memories of the previous night, and she melted inside. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yawn in your ear. I didn't get much sleep last night."

"That was my fault. I shouldn't have stopped by so late," he said, silently chastising himself for being so thoughtless.

"It's okay, Angel, I'm not sorry you stopped by," she said, then wished she could take it back. "I mean, it's always nice to see you." Willow shook her head at her sad attempt to cover up the excitement she still felt from the previous evening.

Angel chuckled, "Okay, Willow. Are you going out tonight?"

Willow nodded absentmindedly, "yes."

"I wish you would stay in tonight. There is always the chance that whoever has been following you will be out there looking for an opportunity to try something." < And I couldn't bear that. > "I'll try to come by and see you later," he said, almost pleading.

"Sorry, I promised Buffy and Xander," she explained. "Besides, you know how I feel about waiting around for someone."

A long period of silence passed, Angel finally responded. "Okay, little one, have it your way. But remember...I may not show up on time, but I do show up eventually. And I'm not Xander, I know you exist."

Angel's voice had become a soft whisper, and Willow felt a warmth grow from within the core of her being. Just listening to his voice could excite her. She was also amazed that he knew she was referring to waiting for Xander all those years, only to be passed up time and time again. "Thank you. And, Angel..."

"Yes?"

"You could always check up on me at the Bronze," Willow suggested, hopefully.

"No promises, but I'll try," Angel replied. "If I don't see you there, have a good time."

She said her good-byes to Angel. Willow then called Buffy and told her she was getting ready, and would meet her and Xander at the Bronze in an hour.



THE BRONZE

Willow thanked her father for dropping her off at the Bronze on the way to his office to pick up some paperwork he'd forgotten. She hopped out of the car, and made her way to the entrance.

The Bronze was crowded for a weeknight, with no cover being charged. It took her a few minutes to find Buffy and Xander, who had claimed a table close to the dance floor.

"Hi, guys," Willow said, cheerfully.

"Willow," Xander smiled crookedly, "it's about time you show up. What? Oversleep?"

Willow shook her head, "No, just got distracted." Willow glanced quickly around the Bronze. < No, I'm *not* looking for Angel! > "No band tonight?" she questioned, trying to mask the fact that she *was* looking for Angel.



After questioning Judson, the Master learned of Willow's favorite hangouts. Having already gone by her house and finding no one home, he decided to try The Bronze. It was supposed to be the happening place for the younger generation. He entered from a rear entrance, and spotted Willow almost immediately. She was sitting at a table near the front, close to the dance floor.

His gaze was more than appreciative, for he knew she would be beautiful. She resembled his beloved Catherine almost exactly as he remembered her. Her auburn hair flowed naturally, freely to her shoulders. He was awed by her beautiful complexion, the essence that glowed from her being was almost debilitating.

He took a deliberate step forward. He knew what he had come for, and it was time to make his beloved remember who she truly was. He would not stop until he got what he wanted. The one thing he had learned during his time in Sunnydale, was that the residents were oblivious to what went on around them, so he had no fear of encountering his beloved in this public place.

Willow felt a strange chill come over her, and she had an odd feeling. < I'm being watched. > She also sensed a feeling of familiarity that she could not explain. Swiveling in her chair to peruse the Bronze, she noticed a stranger standing in the shadows near the rear of the Bronze. Willow was overwhelmed by a strange sense of deja vu. Her eyes fixed on this handsome stranger, and she could not tear herself away. He was gorgeous. Tall, fair, sandy brown hair, muscular build and piercing blue eyes. She had never seen him before in her life, and yet she could not shake the feeling that she had.

Buffy and Xander looked from Willow to each other, both noticing the fixed stare Willow had on the stranger in the back of the Bronze.

"Willow, you okay?" Buffy asked. "You..." her voice trailed off as she noticed Willow's movement to leave her chair.

Willow's eyes locked with his, and in just one look, all else seemed to disappear. An all consuming urge to go to him filled her being. She half rose from her chair when she felt someone's hand grasp onto her forearm. Without a thought or word, she brushed the hand off of her that was trying to hold her back. In a graceful motion, she moved away from her two friends towards the mysterious stranger. He was calling to her, it was a force she could not resist, and she went to him willingly.

Willow walked towards him slowly, deliberately, as if it was a walk destined from birth. And although the Bronze was crowded, the people parted like the Red Sea parted for Moses. As she walked towards someone, an unforeseen force moved him or her out of the way. A path was cleared so that her walk was not disturbed in any way.

Willow was now face to face with the stranger. He reached for her hand, and she placed it into his without hesitation. He looked her up and down, finally he spoke, "Remember." Simultaneously he placed the index and middle fingers of his right hand to her left temple, pressing with minimal force.

What seemed like an electric current charged through her brain. She opened her mouth to speak, closing it quickly. Her mind was flooded with memories from a past that she never lived. She watched the two strangers in her mind's eye. The two lovers that looked exactly like her and the stranger before her. "Chase," she whispered aloud as she collapsed into his arms. The influx of memories drained most of her energy, leaving her slightly off balance and dizzy.

>From the shadows of the Bronze, a presence lurked. Angel watched as she strode into the arms of another man, unaware of the transpiring events. His attention was focused on Willow as he watched the stranger support her effortlessly. < If he's harmed her, so help me... His thought ended abruptly as he watched two figures approached Willow and her companion.

Buffy and Xander, having witnessed Willow's apparent collapse, rushed to her side. Buffy reached for Willow, but Willow shrugged out of her grasp, choosing the comfort of Chase's arms instead. "Willow, what's wrong?" she pleaded.

Willow turned, gazing at Buffy through baneful eyes, "Leave me," she commanded. She took Chase's arm and began walking with him towards the exit.

Angel, who was standing in the doorway, hindered their departure. "You aren't going anywhere with her," he spat. His eyes were pools of hatred as he looked upon the man who was trying to spirit Willow away. As Angel watched a wry smile form on the lips of the stranger, recognition of this man came to him. < Now I understand Willow's importance to him...and whom she has reminded me of all this time. > A low rumble emitted from Angel as he realized what Chase had done to Willow's mind and he fought the temptation to morph into his vampire state.

Chase, however, needed no time to remember who was standing in his way. "My, my, Angelus. You do have a way of interrupting at the most inopportune moments. A huge character flaw you exhibit. But, no bother, I finally have Catherine back, and there's nothing you can do to stop it." He held Willow close, placing a kiss on the top of her head. Willow smiled up at him, eyes showing nothing but love.

Angel growled, "You have no right to take Willow. Catherine is dead. Don't you think it's about time you deal with that!" He reached for and grabbed Willow by her shoulders, "Willow, I know you're in there! You have to fight it, you have to fight through the curtain of memories he's unleashed in your mind." Willow made no response. "Please...his voice pleaded.

Buffy took matters into her own hands, and smashed a table down upon Chase's back. The force drove both Chase and Willow to the floor, knocking both unconscious. She checked Willow's pulse quickly, and was relieved to find it quite strong. She glanced up at Angel. "Get her out of here."

Angel scooped up Willow, leaving Buffy and Xander to deal with the mess left behind. He started off in the direction of the Rosenberg's, but thought better of it. His apartment would be safer for Willow. He had a feeling Chase knew where Willow lived, and that would be the first place he would go, provided he lived through whatever Buffy had in store for him.

Back at the Bronze, Xander was helping Buffy move Chase's prone form out of the club. Each of them picked him up by an arm, dragging him face down between them. "He's dead weight," Xander complained. "Why don't you just stake him."

Buffy shook her head, "don't know Xander. It's just a feeling I have. If I kill him, Willow will never be free."

Unbeknownst to the teenagers Chase had regained consciousness. As soon as he was drug out of the Bronze, he struggled to free himself. Supporting himself by holding on to Buffy and Xander's arms, he swung his legs up underneath him to stand upright. Caught off guard, Xander let go of Chase, which freed one arm. He sent Xander reeling with a forceful lunge to the chest. Less than a second had passed when he turned his attention to Buffy, who still had a hold on him by his right arm. He noticed her reaching around her back, and he used that minuscule distraction to punch Buffy square in the jaw, causing her to back peddle, effectively releasing him. Composure regained, Chase was too much of a match for Xander, and knocked him out cold effortlessly.

He picked Xander up like a ragdoll, holding him under one arm, carrying him like he weighed next to nothing. "If you want your friend back, bring Catherine to me tonight." Then he was gone, leaving Buffy speechless, rubbing her aching jaw.

End Part 5