Part 1

Two slim black clad figures dart along the rooftops blending with the night. With a final leap they reach their destination and like a well-oiled machine they work in perfect synchronicity. Gwen pulls off her glove as she walks over to the fuse box just inside the rooftop door.

While Gwen is disabling the electronics Willow carefully opens the skylight and sprinkles the ingredients for the spell. Saying the incantation she watches as the magickal barriers dissolve and the lights go out.

Willow smiles over at Gwen as she hands her the harness, “What a team!”

Gwen makes sure she has her inhibitor bracelet on before she lets Willow adjust the harness. Gwen smiles at the memory of Willow’s first testing of the inhibitor she developed. Willow hadn’t needed a perm for three weeks.

“What’s so funny?” Willow asks as she sees Gwen’s smile.

“Nothing. Just remembering the first time you tested the inhibitor.”

“Oh very nice. Make fun of the frizzy haired girl.”

While Willow adjusted the harness she didn’t see the smile slip from Gwen’s face. “You know I would never hurt you right?”

Willow stopped what she was doing and looked into her friend’s concerned face. Willow gently touched Gwen’s arm, “I trust you with my life and I know that you would never intentionally hurt me. Now stop being all Angel and let’s go make some money.”

Gwen rolled her eyes, “God, please tell me I’m not that bad?!”

Willow giggled as she hooked her up to the pulley and anchored the rope. “No comment.”

Gwen silently lowered herself down into the room. Their client was a multimillionaire that had a private collection of antiquities. He had hired them to test his security system. If they proved it could be done they were to be paid six hundred thousand but if they were caught they were paid nothing. Gwen hated to do a job for free.

She hit the release switch and stepped out of the harness but onto a chair. Their research showed that there were weight sensors in the floor. Gwen hadn’t wanted to cheat by taking those out as well. Her ability to manipulate electricity and Willow’s magickal ability gave them the advantage over other security companies but they never used their ability in a way that couldn’t have been done by other methods. The weight sensors were too sophisticated to bypass so they dealt with it.

Willow watched from above as Gwen leapt from furniture to furniture and made her way over to the wall safe. When Gwen was ready Willow tossed down a little plastique to blow. Lighting the short fuse she waited impatiently for the door to swing open.

Voila! Worked every time. Taking an object out and replacing it with their bill Gwen leapt back to the harness and gave Willow the signal to start the pulley.

Gwen didn’t bother with the harness she just grabbed the rope and let it carry her up. When she was close enough she whistled and tossed the small statue at Willow who grabbed it with a grin.

“Couldn’t resist?”

“Well I figured if I just left the bill in there he could claim we somehow put it in there before we ever left BUT if I took something he couldn’t say we weren’t there.”

“Of course the fact that Angel tried and failed before us has nothing to do with it?”

“Oh it does. Makes it all the sweeter.” Gwen said with a smirk. “Now let’s go meet our other client.”

~~~~

The sound of the front door opening brought Angel’s head up. An elderly gentleman entered and looked around.

“Can we help you?” Fred asked from behind the counter.

The man looked down at a card in his hand, “I’m looking for Wesley.”

Fred noticed that he had one of the older cards from when Angel was dealing with Darla. Wesley stepped out from the office in the back, “I’m Wesley.”

“I’m Henri Buckley, the curator at the Los Angeles Museum and recently we had a break in. Something was stolen out of the antiquities room.”

“Why come to us? Why not go to the police?”

“We did but there were some things I couldn’t tell them. I was told you have experience with the supernatural.”

Angel’s lips quirked, “You could say that. What was stolen?”

“The Amulet of Hebe”

Wesley stiffened. “You had something like that in your museum?”

“Actually until it was stolen we had no idea what it’s real purpose was.”

“And for those of us just joining you what does this thing do?” Gunn asked.

Wesley went into lecture mode, a role he had almost forgotten.

“Hebe is the Goddess of Eternal Youth. It is said whoever wears this amulet would never grow old and are granted eternal youth. It’s where the legend of the Fountain of Youth came from.”

“So you’re saying that if someone is old it makes them young again?”

“That’s the myth.”

“It was found on a dig in Greece and we just thought it was a burial gift. We couldn’t figure out why it was stolen. It didn’t really have a lot of monetary value. Contrary to popular belief not all antiques are valuable. It wasn’t until Jeffrey found a manuscript that described the amulet and the mystical qualities that it is believed to have that I understood why it was stolen.”

“I still don’t understand why the police can’t help you. They have more resources than we do. Even if they think it is just an ordinary antique.”

“I believe it was stolen by a private collector. One that is extremely wealthy and has a reputation for not caring where his antiques come from. I can’t prove he stole it. The police have to wait for evidence and search warrants whereas you don’t have those restrictions.”

“Well, if this dude does have it, just wait until he slips it on and he gets young again. I mean it’s gotta be obvious that he stole the thing after that.” Gunn said.

“He doesn’t want it for the eternal youth, though that probably will come into play later. He’s a collector of beautiful and unique things. If they have a mystical quality to them all the better. He will keep it for himself to admire and gloat over with the other private collectors.”

“And think what would happen if that got into the wrong hands.” Wesley pointed out. “Think about if someone like Hitler had an eternal youth amulet? We can’t risk it.” Wesley turned to the gentleman. “We’ll take the job.”

He shook Wesley’s hand and smiled at the others. “Thank you so much. I’ll messenger over all that we have on the amulet and my suspicions in the morning. I can’t thank you enough.”

They waited until Mr. Buckley left before Gunn turned to Wesley.

“I still don’t get why us. There are private investigators all over LA. It’s not like we have to travel to a demon realm or kill a Gronsolk demon or anything else mystical. It’s just a hunk of jewelry with a reputation.”

Angel thought back to when Buffy had sent him the Gem of Amarrah. This was too powerful a temptation to be given to one person.

“I’m with Wesley on this one. It’s too much of a temptation for anyone. I think we should get it back but not risk it going to anyone else.”

“Are you saying we should destroy it when we get it?”

“Or put it someplace where it won’t do any damage.”

~~~~~~~

Jeffrey Diemer looked up when the front door opened and the man that had introduced himself as Mr. Buckley entered.

“They fall for it?”

“Yep. Did yours?”

“Yeah. It took a lot of convincing though. Those two ladies don’t trust anyone or anything.”

“But they’ll do it?”

“Yeah, yeah. They’ll do it.”

“Excellent. If Angel and his team or Gwen and her partner can’t find the amulet it can’t be found.”

Henri Buckley handed Jeffrey a champagne glass.

“Here’s to Eternal Youth.”

Part 2

Willow sat hunched over her laptop. There was something about that Jeffrey guy that she just didn’t trust. Not that he was a demon or evil or anything for his aura hadn’t been black but just something about him didn’t ring true. So, here she sat prying into his accounts.

Gwen came up to stand behind her. “Anything yet?”

“Nope, everything checks out. So far.”

“Well if there’s anything to find you’ll find it.”

Just then there was a buzz on the intercom.

“Got it, you keep digging.”

Checking the security cameras first, Gwen sees that it’s a courier. “Yeah?”

“Is this F&G Enterprises?”

“You got em.”

“I have a package that needs your signature. From a Mr. Diemer.”

Gwen pushes the buzzer and the door swings open. A few minutes later there is a knock on the door and Gwen goes to answer.

The courier stares at Gwen but doesn’t say anything.

She leans against the door and just looks at him. Willow looks over her shoulder to see what the silence was about and starts laughing.

“I think you broke him, Gwen.”

That brings the courier out of his haze and he blushes a deep red. He hands over a package and the form for her to sign. Without a backward glance and a mumbled thanks Gwen shuts the door and opens the package.

“Must be the stuff that Jeffrey was going to messenger over.”

“So who is the mysterious Mr. Bradstreet that’s the multimillionaire and private collector?” Willow asked with a smirk. “I wonder if he lives in a gothic mansion set on a hill overlooking a big metropolitan city with a cool car with all sorts of neat gadgets.”

Gwen started laughing, “You watch too many superhero movies.”

“Kinda hard not to when most of your life you’ve been friends with people who have super powers. I mean first there was Buffy and Angel, then along comes ElectraGirl.”

“Oh ha ha Sabrina.”

Willow just smiled and turned back to the laptop.

Gwen leafed through the information but didn’t see anything suspicious. She still spent a lot of time dealing on the black market, both human and demon, so if anything looked out of the ordinary she would be able to spot it.

~~~~~

Fred looked up at the sound the front door opening. “Hi, can I help you?”

“Yeah. I have a package for someone at Angel Investigations. Can you sign for it?”

“Sure.” Fred took the package and signed the form. “Thanks.”

She eagerly opened the package on the way back to her desk. She was very curious about the man that Mr. Buckley thought had the Hebe amulet.

Wesley came down the stairs and noticed Fred intently reading some papers.

“What’s that?”

Fred looked up at the sound of Wesley’s voice.

“Oh, hi Wesley. It’s the stuff from Mr. Buckley.”

“So who’s the mystery man that Mr. Buckley believes stole the amulet?”

Fred looked down at the papers, “ A Mr. Bradstreet. Have you heard of him?”

Wesley tries to concentrate on why that name sounded familiar. Ah yes. When he was investigating Cordelia’s disappearance one of his contacts had just finished a job for a George Bradstreet.

“Is it George Bradstreet?”

Fred looks down, “Yep. So you know him?’

“Know who?” Gunn asks as he joins them.

“Wesley thinks he may have heard of the guy that has the Hebe amulet.”

“So who is he?”

“When I was gathering information on Cordelia’s disappearance one of my contacts had just finished a job for him. He’s fairly reclusive, likes to collect objects with mystical reputations not caring about price or how he gets it and he has a penchant for all things beautiful.”

Angel entered the lobby just as Wesley was finishing, “So his security for his objects must be tight.”

“One would assume so but I don’t know details.”

“We’ll get details.”

“Umm, shouldn’t we find out if he has it first?” Fred asked.

“Well if you want to be all logical.” Gunn teased.

“Okay, Fred you see what you can find out about George Bradsteet. Gunn and I will find out what we can about his security.”

“What am I to do?” Wesley asked.

“You, Mr. Wyndham-Price, are going to be a very exclusive private collector. Since this guy seems to want to brag to other private collectors you get to be the guy he brags to.”

“Right.”

~~~~

Willow jumped up with excitement. “I found something. Well nothing exciting but something suspicious. Jeff seems to have a hidden account and someone is making large deposits in his account the first of every month. The money is transferred from a Bahamian bank but ultimately it’s from Switzerland.”

“Blackmail?”

“If so it’s a hefty secret. The deposits are six figures. Like something a collector would pay. Why would someone that makes deals for private collectors need money every first of the month? I can’t imagine him letting his clients only pay the first of the month or that his jobs are only at that time.”

“So you think that Jeff wants us to steal from George only to have it himself. Not that it belonged to him in the first place?”

“Well if not for him than to steal for someone. The person paying him I would guess.”

“Well how are we gonna figure out who owns what legally? It’s not like Jeff would tell us and if we refuse this job he’d only get someone else.”

“Are we even sure that Bradstreet has the amulet?”

“Not sure about the amulet but I have a contact and he said that Bradstreet bragged to him that he had a new acquisition and it was about the right time frame.”

Willow began to pace, a plan forming in her mind. “Okay. How about we prove to Mr. Bradstreet that his security needs refurbishing?”

“Like the Lancaster job? That’ll probably work.”

“Yeah. Find the security flaws, leave a note detailing them and if he wants to hire the best there is to retool it he should hire us.”

“We’ll decline Jeff’s kind offer and guard the amulet from whoever comes to steal it. In the mean time you’ll keep digging to see who really owns what and we’ll decide from there.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

~~~~

Jeff slammed down the phone in frustration.

“What?”

“Dammit. Gwen and her partner declined the kind offer and are returning the money with the information.”

“Why? I thought you said they fell for it.”

“They did but it seems they got a bigger and better job offer. When their job is complete they’ll call and if I still need their services they’ll do it.”

“Not a problem. That will give Angel Investigations time to find it on their own and if they haven’t found it by the time Gwen calls we’ll just get rid of Angel’s team and use Gwen.”

Part 3

Willow smiled as she hung up the phone. The mysterious Mr. Bradstreet had taken the bait. He was impressed with F&G Enterprises. If they could get past his new security system they had to be the best.

Willow turned to Gwen, “George was very impressed with the ransom note.”

Gwen smirked. She had taken a small statue of a jaguar that had emeralds for eyes. In its place she had left a ransom note detailing how he could get it back.

“I take it we have a new job.”

“Yep, Freaks and Geeks Enterprises have been hired to retool his security system. He hinted that if we do it successfully he’ll hire us for his more private collection where I’m sure the amulet is.”

“Hook, line and sinker.” Gwen raised her gloveless hand and slapped Willow’s in a high five.

Willow grinned at her friend. The slight tingling she still received tickled. “He’s giving a party tonight and we’re to meet with him there. He also said don’t forget to bring the jaguar.”

~~~

“Wes don’t you look spiffy.” Gunn’s lips quirked as he watched Wesley coming down the stairs.

“Actually I was going for bored dilettante.”

“Well you look like a spiffy dressed dilettante. Bradstreet’s party is tonight?”

Before Wesley could answer, the door to the office opened and Angel stepped out. “Change in plans, I’m going with you tonight.”

“What happened?”

“Seems Mr. Bradstreet has hired a new security consultant.”

“So? Why would that make you go with Wes tonight?”

“F&G Enterprises have been hired to retool Bradstreet’s security system.”

“Huh, what are the odds?”

“My thoughts exactly.”

Fred joined in the conversation, “You think they’re involved?”

“Not they, she. I wouldn’t put it passed Gwen to have an ulterior motive and not tell Willow.”

“What could be her ulterior motive, Angel? I really don’t see Gwen having a desire to live forever young.”

“No but what better target for a thief than to steal a rare and mystical amulet from a man that is rumored to be fanatical about his security.”

“That sounds like Gwen.”

~~~~

The limousine followed a long line of other limousines into the driveway of the mansion. Being with Gwen and their clientele, Willow was getting used to this treatment. She still felt like the ugly duckling in among the swans but she wasn’t as uncomfortable as she had been at the beginning.

Gwen watched Willow, fascinated with the change that came over her friend when the valet opened the limousine door. Willow sat straighter and the nervous drumming of her fingers ceased. The nervous Willow was still there, she was just hidden from those that didn’t know where to look.

George Bradstreet observed the two women as they walked through his front door. He had heard rumors in both the demon and human communities that there was something extra about them. Word on the street was that Gwen could manipulate electricity and Willow was a witch. George closed his eyes briefly and just felt their power that was crackling in the air around him. He moved silently toward them, toward the latest acquisition of rare and mystical things.

Gwen briefly touched Willow’s elbow to get her attention and nod towards the older man that was walking their way. The hazy pictures that Willow could find of the recluse didn’t do him justice. Even though he was darkly handsome Willow thought he looked like a gigolo. Pretty on the outside but empty on the inside.

Willow smiled and held out her hand, “I’m Willow and this is Gwen.” Gwen nodded and kept her hands to herself.

George reached for Willow’s hand but instead of shaking it, he raised it to his lips and lightly kissed her knuckles. It wasn’t an unusual greeting but a shiver went down Willow’s spine and not a pleasant one. Now that he was closer she could see the hint of madness in his eyes but not anymore than to be expected in a fanatic.

“It is a pleasure to meet with you both.” He indicated for them to follow him, “Please follow me. We’ll get business out of the way and then you can enjoy the rest of the evening.”

He called over his shoulder to Gwen, “I am assuming you brought the jaguar since I paid your ransom.”

“It’s already back where I took it.” Of course it was a beautiful reproduction. She was going to keep the original. It was too good an opportunity to pass up.

George’s laughter floated up to the party.

Angel and Wesley entered the foyer just in time to see Willow and Gwen follow who they assumed was George Bradstreet down a hallway. Angel made to follow them when Wesley put a restraining hand on his shoulder.

Angel turned to glare at Wesley who only glared back and indicated the two guards that had stationed themselves at the end of the hallway.

“We already know why Gwen and Willow are here. Just wait until they finish discussing business and return. Make the rounds and see if he’s done any bragging yet. We need to take advantage of this time before they blow my cover intentionally or not.”

Angel knew Wesley was right but that didn’t mean he had to like it. He gave a curt nod and went to work the other side of the room.

Wesley kept looking over at Angel who kept looking over at the hallway. At least his reconnaissance work paid off. After about the fourth boring and banal group he listened to he overheard a jealous collector say that Bradstreet had bragged to him that he had made a recent acquisition that while not the Holy Grail it was just as powerful and rare.

When pressed he admitted it was a necklace but that was all he’d say. People were speculating what it could be and Bradstreet had said they’d know soon enough.

Wesley signaled to Angel to join him outside.

Angel slipped out the patio doors and made sure no one was nearby to overhear their conversation.

“What’s up, Wes?”

“Seems our Mr. Bradstreet recently acquired a necklace that is just as powerful and rare as the Holy Grail.”

“Well then, I’d say he’s got the amulet. We just have to figure out a way to get by Willow and Gwen and steal the amulet back.”

“Why not go up to them? I’m sure once Willow knows the story she’ll help us.”

Angel debated whether he wanted to ask Willow for help or beat Gwen in a game of one-upmanship that they’ve been playing at for the past couple of years. If he was honest with himself it wasn’t until she and Willow had become friends and partners that the one-upmanship started. He couldn’t even remember how it had begun.

Angel saw over Wesley’s shoulder that Willow and Gwen had rejoined the party.

“They’re back, let’s go.”

Wesley turned to see a circle of admirers had gathered around the two women. “We’d better hurry before they get swept away from us.”

Angel narrowed his eyes at the one that was leaning a little too close to Willow.

Willow jumped when she felt a cool hand on her shoulder.

“Geez, Angel. You scared the crap out of me. What are you doing here anyway?”

“Let’s dance and I’ll explain.” Angel looked at the man that had moved ever closer to Willow, “You’ll excuse us won’t you?”


Angel pulled Willow slightly away from the group.

She turned worried eyes to him, “God, it’s not another apocalypse is it?”

Angel mock frowned at her, “Does it always have to be something bad when we get together?”

Willow just gave him a look, “Ninety nine percent of the time, yep.”

Angel didn’t respond, he just placed his hand at her elbow and escorted her to the dance floor.

Gwen smiled slightly as she watched Angel escort Willow away. She turned toward Wesley, “Divide and conquer? Or wait, I know . . .good cop, bad cop.”

“Don’t you think Angel could simply want to dance with Willow?”

Gwen started laughing. “Any other creature on this planet . . .yeah I can believe they’d just want to dance with Willow. Angel? Not so much.”

Wesley holds out his elbow to Gwen, “Well, shall we join them so mother hen can keep an eye out for her chick?”

“You know, Wes no one likes a smartass.”

Part 4

Willow looked up at Angel as they slowly moved to the music. “Okay, Angel. Why did you want me away from Gwen to have this discussion?”

Willow hoped this wasn’t yet ANOTHER discussion on how she couldn’t really trust Gwen and how Gwen only looked out for Gwen. She wished they would get over whatever competition they were in, it was getting tiring.

Angel heard the weary tone in Willow’s voice, “Are you okay?”

“Fine. What did you want to talk to me about if it wasn’t an apocalypse?”

Angel sighed, had their relationship come to this? Where Willow thought the only time he sought her out was for help?

“How much do you know about George Bradstreet?”

Willow wrinkled her brow, “Not a lot of course. He’s a very private man so there’s not a lot of publicity surrounding him.” She gave a wry smile, “Not a lot to hack into either. Mr. Bradstreet doesn’t leave much of a paper or paperless trail.”

“Just...just be very careful, Willow.”

“Why? What do you know?”

“Nothing. Just that he likes to collect rare and mystical things and he doesn’t really care how he gets them.”

“Angel, that describes about ninety percent of the clientele of F&G Enterprises. Don’t worry. We know what we’re doing.”

Angel contemplated telling her about the Hebe amulet but he didn’t want her to think the only reason he was concerned was because of his job. Ever since Willow came to LA they had been circling around each other. Neither one quite knowing how to classify the other. They were friends but more. He was attracted to her, he could admit that but he knew Willow didn’t see him that way. Sure she had a crush on him in high school but she soon got over that and moved on to Oz and then Tara. There had been a few relationships since Tara both male and female but none lasting long. There was a time that he thought Gwen and Willow were involved but being around them he saw their relationship wasn’t sexual.

Willow watched as Angel’s emotions played over his features. “Are you all right? I didn’t mean to make you brood.”

Willow’s voice brought him out of his musings, “Sorry, I know you and Gwen can take care of yourselves. It’s not that. I just get a feeling from this guy.”

Willow’s lips quirked, “Vampy sense a tingling?”

Gwen had been listening to the conversation as she and Wesley danced closer, “What are you and Angel up to and don’t lie to me Wes. You both should know by now, even if you don’t like or trust me, I would never do anything to put Willow in danger. Hell, I like myself too much to put myself in danger.”

“It’s just that there are rumors about George Bradstreet and his newest acquisition that trouble both Angel and myself.”

Gwen wondered how he knew about the amulet. Sure George had been bragging but he was smart enough not to tell too much and he definitely hadn’t said anything that should raise their awareness. Time to throw a bone to see if they bite.

“Don’t tell me that you believe the rumors about the Hebe amulet, Wes? You know it’s a fantasy.” With a quirk of her lips she added, “Like the holy grail.”

Wes pounced, “So he does have the amulet. You know it’s rumored to be stolen from the Los Angeles Museum.”

Gwen laughed and Willow turned at the sound, “Wonder what Wes said to make Gwen laugh.”

Angel had heard but he wasn’t going to tell Willow, “Didn’t catch it.”

Willow looked at him suspiciously and he put his best innocent look on.

“What are you and Wes doing here?”

“We’ve recently been hired by an art collector and he wanted us to begin moving in the art circles. So here we are.”

“Are Gunn and Fred here too? I didn’t see them.”

“No, just Wes and me. They’re staying in case something comes up.” He pat his jacket pocket, “I have my cell phone just in case.”

Willow beamed, “Angel! Welcome to the 21st century. I can’t even get Giles to carry a cell phone.”

Angel smiled down at her. The music stopped and he started to escort her outside. Willow was curious enough to let him lead her away from Gwen and Wes.

Gwen narrowed her eyes as Angel walked Willow away, “What is he up to, Wes?”

Wes was distracted, “Hm? Oh Angel probably wants to spend time with Willow. They used to talk a lot when she first came to LA. I think he feels left out since you two became partners.”

Gwen had given him something to think about. She wouldn’t say why she laughed at his statement that the LA museum was broken into but Wes thought he would investigate it more.

They had taken Mr. Buckley at face value. They should know better but he seemed genuine and he offered to pay and it wasn’t an exorbitant price to alert them.

George watched as Willow walked outside with a dark haired man. He had asked around who he was but no one seemed to know. Turning from Willow he watched Gwen leave another admirer staring into space.

George made his way over to where Gwen was talking to an older gentleman. He place a hand on Gwen’s covered elbow and said, “If you’ll excuse us Jerome. I need to speak with Gwen a moment.”

Gwen stiffened at George’s touch but didn’t say anything. “Should I get Willow?”

George smiled at her but it didn’t quite reach his eyes, “No, my dear. This is a conversation just for us.”

Gwen’s first thought is that he noticed the fake she placed back in his safe. She’d had a contingency plan in case this happened.

He indicated for her to take a seat.

“Are the rumors about you true?”

Gwen watched him coolly. She didn’t like nor trust this man but they were determined to keep Jeffrey from the Hebe amulet. With an inward smirk she thought and it wouldn’t hurt to bruise his ego by taking it either. “What rumor would that be?”

“That you can manipulate electricity and Willow is a witch.”

“Willow is definitely a very powerful witch.” Gwen took off her glove and leaned toward George, “Would you like to find out for yourself whether the other rumor is true?”

George stared at her outstretch hand for a minute before chuckling. “No, I believe I’ll leave that one to be a mystery.”

Gwen smiled and slipped her long glove back on.

“Why the interest in our abilities? Do you have another job for us?”

“I might if you prove yourselves with this one first. I was just curious as to how you got passed my other security.”

Gwen narrowed her eyes at him, “Are you suggesting that F&G Enterprises uses unfair advantages? Is that what your ex-security chief is accusing us of?”

George stared coldly at Gwen, “No, he isn’t accusing anyone anymore.”

She had heard rumors that the chief and his assistant had disappeared last night but that was just talk on the street. But looking into his mad eyes she wasn’t so sure.

“Willow and I never use unfair practices. We use a variety of ways to bypass the systems more so than other companies. If your security hadn’t had flaws we wouldn’t have been able to get in.”

He smiled and this time it did reach his eyes, “I thought as much. I always have the best and now it seems I have.”

“I’m glad I could reassure you, but tell me. Why did you want to speak to me alone? This was something you could have easily asked us earlier when we were here before.”

“Yes, I could have but then I wouldn’t have had time to discover the fake jaguar that you handed me earlier.”

Gwen smiled and reached into her pocket and handed him another jaguar. This one almost impossible to tell from the original which she still kept.

“No hard feelings. Just wanted to see if you could tell I switched them.”

George took the jaguar from her and held it up to the light. It was flawless and the original. He turned back to Gwen, “Just don’t do it again. We’ve tested each other and passed. No need to do so again. Agreed?”

Gwen smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes, “Agreed.”

4/5

Part 5

Angel escorted Willow into the night and towards the small rose garden with a bench in the middle.

After Willow sat down with Angel next to her she smiled and looked up at the stars. “I miss this.”

Angel smiled slightly as he looked over at Willow, “Miss what?”

“Us. Sitting out together, talking and looking up at the stars.”

Angel leaned his head back against the top of the bench and looked up. “Me, too.”

They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes before Willow turned her head to look at Angel. He truly was a creature of the night. Half his face was hidden in the shadows giving him an air of mystery. God he was handsome. She still suffered from her crush and she feared that it was turning into more. She had taken the job with Gwen instead of the job that Angel offered when she first came to LA because she wanted to keep her distance.

She knew Angel didn’t feel that way about her and she didn’t want him feel awkward around her if he ever discovered how she felt.

Angel turned his head to find Willow looking at him with a serene look on her face. “What are you thinking about?”

You. “Not much. Just thinking about the twists and turns my life has taken.”

Angel smiled, “I think my brooding is rubbing off on you.”

Willow laughed, “Please tell me I’m not that bad.”

Angel mock frowned, “Hey! I’ve gotten a lot better since the last time you were here.”

Willow laughed.

Angel loved to hear the sound of her laughter. It made him smile just listening to it.

“Yeah, I hear you can go a whole hour without brooding now.” Willow turned serious, “Why did you really bring me out here, Angel?”

“I do miss just talking to you, Willow. But I did want to talk to you about this new job.”

Willow stiffened, here we go again.

Angel laid a hand on Willow’s leg. “Wait, here me out okay?”

Willow relaxed a little and then nodded.

“Wesley and I believe that your George Bradstreet stole an amulet from a museum. We were hired by the museum to steal it back.”

Willow closed her eyes briefly. “What makes you think George has it? When Gwen and I got this job we didn’t see an amulet.”

“No, he would be keeping it in his private collection. This is a special amulet.”

Willow wanted to see what all Angel knew and why he thought George stole it from a museum.

“What’s so special about the amulet? And if it was stolen from the museum why hasn’t it been in the papers? I haven’t heard of a recent museum break in.”

That last question bothered Angel because that doubt had been niggling in the back of his mind as well. The Los Angeles Museum was a small museum compared to others in the area but if a break in had occurred it would have made the papers.

“The only reason it might not be in the papers is the curator probably didn’t want the publicity. Wouldn’t look good to the board if it was made public that their security was breached. But the police are on it. The museum just didn’t want to wait for the police so they hired us.”

“Fair enough. But what makes you think that George has it and you still didn’t answer my question as to why it’s so special.”

“He’s been bragging lately about his newest acquisition and how it’s not the Holy Grail but it’s just as special. The Hebe amulet was stolen from the museum.”

Willow laughed. This laugh wasn’t as smile inducing as her other one. Wesley said the same thing to Gwen to make her laugh what is it about the Hebe amulet being stolen from the museum to make these two laugh?

“Wanna tell me what’s so funny?”

“I’m sorry, Angel. Gwen and I were hired to steal the amulet away from Bradstreet because Bradstreet supposedly stole it from his family. They got it through World War Two and not by legal means so of course they couldn’t go to the police.”

“So you’re saying you’re here to steal the amulet, too?”

“Oh we were but now we’re here to protect it from whoever comes a calling. We politely turned down Jeffrey’s request and until I figure out who really owns what Gwen and I are protecting it.”

“I just told you who really owns it. Once you’re inside you can steal it and we can decide from there what to do.”

Willow just looked at Angel like he was an alien. “No, you told me who you believe owns it not who actually owns it. And why don’t you want to return it to the museum?”

“Willow, with the power that amulet holds we can’t wait around for you to decide. Wesley and I will get that amulet back and we’ll decide what to do. It’s like the Ring of Amarah, too much power for one person to hold.”

“You haven’t been in the game of private collecting all that much so you don’t know what they’re really like. They wouldn’t hesitate to lie, steal or sell their mother to get the next big acquisition. You and Wes won’t be the only ones trying to get their hands on the amulet.”

“All the more reason to get it out of Bradstreet’s hands as soon as possible and get rid of it.”

Willow looked at him, really looked at him this time. “This isn’t another attempt to one up Gwen is it? You aren’t trading in on our friendship just so you can beat her are you?”

Angel took Willow’s face in his hands and looked her in the eye, “I would never use our friendship to just beat Gwen at her own game. And I hope she wouldn’t do the same.”

“I’ll think about it. I’ll talk to the curator of the museum and see what he has to say. I’ll let you know. That’s all I’ll promise.”

“That’s all I ask.” Angel sat forward again and laid his head back on the bench. He took Willow’s hand and softly caressed the top of her hand with his thumb, “Still friends?”

Willow smiled as she looked up at the stars, “Always.”

Part 6

Gwen noticed Willow’s foot tapping, which was the only outward sign that she was upset. Though upset would be a pretty mild word for what Willow was feeling at the moment.

Henri Buckley was insisting that there hadn’t been a break in at the Los Angeles museum and he certainly never had a Greek amulet that was stolen.

Gwen smiled at the curator and rose to her feet, “Thank you very much for seeing us and I apologize for the inconvenience. Our friend must have been pulling a prank and I’m sorry he used your museum for it.”

Henri smiled in return, “That’s quite alright. It was a pleasure to meet you both and I’m sorry you were caught up in your friend’s idea of a joke.”

Gwen’s subtle prod brought Willow out of her thoughts and Willow smiled at Henri as she rose, “Thank you for seeing us on such short notice and again I apologize for taking up your time.”

“If you would like, I can print out our Greek inventory from the database to show your friend that we never had an amulet.”

Gwen noticed the hopeful look in the curator’s eyes as he looked at Willow and smiled inwardly, “Willow, why don’t you get that list and I’ll go run that errand for our client. I should be back in about an hour.” Gwen looked over at Willow and winked, “I’m sure you can find something to occupy you for an hour.”

“Oh, I’d be happy to show you through the museum if you would like.”

Willow smiled brightly at him, “I’d love it.”

Henri turned to his computer and brought up the database.

“I’ll just walk out with Gwen for a moment and I’ll be right back.”

Henri nodded and ran the query.

Gwen laughed softly as she and Willow left the office. “Huh, who would have thought that a hottie would be a curator in a museum? Makes me wish I’d have done some museum thefts instead of strictly private ones.”

Willow rolled her eyes, “Not too loud or if something goes missing they’ll come looking for you.”

“Wouldn’t mind if Henri came looking but alas he seems to only have eyes for you.”

“Maybe I’ll take him to another gathering at George’s. Introduce him to Angel. I’d love to see the look on Angel’s face when he meets Henri and he has no idea who Angel is.” Willow began to fume again, “I can’t believe Angel would lie about that. I even asked him if this was another one upmanship with you and he denied it. Even thought it was a good idea if I went to see the curator. Did he not think I’d find out about this?”

“I hate to be on the pro-Angel bandwagon and it probably will never happen again but maybe he was fooled, too. Maybe it wasn’t the curator that came to see him but someone posing as an assistant or something. You know they never check anything out before taking a job. They just jump right in.”

“Maybe, but until this is over or I find out that Angel was tricked, AI is just another private collector trying to get their hands on the amulet.”

Gwen’s smile broadened, “Does this mean we get to go head to head with Angel? Oh, we are so going to bury their ass.”

“I agree with Angel that the amulet is too powerful to be in any one person’s hand but that doesn’t mean it has to be in Angel’s hand. We can dispose of it just as easily.”

“This’ll be fun. Now, go back to that Mathew McConaughey look alike and have fun. I’ll meet you back here in an hour.”

~~~~

“A little help, Wes!” Gunn yelled.

Wesley turned with his gun pointed at the Borshot demon and fired.

“Eewww. I really like the new fire power but gotta say that my cleaning bill has gone way up. Not as much goo when you use a sword.”

Wesley’s lips quirked, “That may be but it gets the job done and at a distance. Don’t know why I didn’t use a gun before now. No muss no fuss.”

Gunn looked down at the demon guts decorating his shirt, “Maybe for you no muss but definite muss on me. So has Angel heard back from Willow yet about the amulet?”

“Not yet and I think he’s getting ready to go ahead anyway. He made some inquiries on George Bradstreet and he hasn’t shared what he learned. The rumor in the demon community was that his ex-security chief is missing and Bradstreet killed him.”

“Dumped him in the ocean or buried in the desert?”

“Most likely but without anything solid to go on I’m afraid it will only be rumors. But I did a little inquiry into him myself. Seems he was questioned and then released after a Wiccan went missing.”

“Why question him? Is he into magick?”

“No but he had been in her company for weeks. But it was proven that he was sailing off of Monaco at the time and not anywhere near her.”

“Hired gun?”

“Possibly.”

Gunn watched Wesley closely. There was something still on his mind. “What’s going on in that brain of yours?”

“I did a little search on the Wiccan that was missing. She was head of her coven and purported to be very powerful and very pretty.”

“Her body ever found?”

“No, that’s the strange thing. All her affairs are still in order. Money still in the bank. The police suspected kidnapping but no ransom was ever left, no demands, no anything. She just went poof.”

“I hate to sound all cynical but was she in debt or running from something. You can disappear if you really want to.”

“Police looked into that but I have Fred looking into it to see if they missed anything.”

“Why the wiggins over this guy?”

“Just a feeling I have, Angel’s noncommunication is kind of adding to it. I just keep hearing the same things from my contacts, ‘he likes all things mystical and beautiful’. You don’t get much more mystical and beautiful than with Gwen and Willow. I’m just concerned.”

“You sure it isn’t a jealous thing? Bradstreet is supposed to be handsome, you know for an older guy and Angel said he kept taking Gwen aside for private discussions at the party.”

Wesley rolled his eyes, “No it’s not a jealous thing. Yes, she’s beautiful and only someone dead wouldn’t be attracted but we don’t have that kind of a relationship. If what we have could be called a relationship. More like a friendly adversary.”

“Uh huh.”

Wesley just ignored him as he tossed Gunn his motorcycle helmet and got on. Thankful that you couldn’t hold a conversation on a motorcycle.

Part 7

Fred looked at Angel and Wesley with concern. She had just shared what she learned about the disappearance of the Wiccan. She hadn’t found anything that the police overlooked. Peggy had just disappeared off the face of the Earth. No lead, no trail, no ransom, no motive for running. Her coven had even scryed for her and came up empty. She was either dead or not in this dimension. Fred hoped she wasn’t in another dimension. Even after all these years of escaping Pylea she still was uncomfortable with dimension hopping.

Fred watched as the muscle ticked in Angel’s jaw.

“You okay?”

Visions of the slow tortuous death that awaited George at his hands if he even thought about harming Willow were dancing in his mind. With Fred’s question Angel cleared his mind and concentrated on what Fred had said.

“So there was no trace of Peggy and no reason for her to disappear?”

“I checked her financial records and police reports. No sign of outrageous debt and no reports of abuse.”

“What was the coven’s impression of Bradstreet?”

“According to Terri, Peggy and George were seeing each other. Terri’s impression of the relationship was he treated her like a trophy. She even made the comment that Peggy would be his trophy wife. From Terri’s description she was pretty and smart. Not what I would call a ‘trophy wife’.”

Angel growled and Wesley began to pace. “I think Terri might have meant trophy wife in that she would make a nice addition to his collection. Not that he was old and wanted a pretty young thing for a wife.”

“Oh. Oh!” Fred jumped up and went to the computer. She began to quickly type and then waited for the connection.

“What is it?”

“In my research I was going under the assumption that Peggy disappeared voluntarily, double-checking the police leads like you asked. I never thought that Terri meant Peggy would literally be a trophy for George. I’m seeing if there are any other unusual disappearances that might be linked.”

Wesley’s eyes lit, “Of course. The National Crime Database.”

Fred smiled back at him but Angel just looked confused, “How is that going to help?”

“I’m going to see if maybe there might be more unsolved disappearances tied to the occult. Then I’ll cross-reference those to see if any match up with George. Peggy might not have been the first mystical being he collected as a trophy.”

Wes turned angry eyes to Angel, “Or the last.”

~~~

Charles hung up the phone with a smile.

“They still think you’re the curator?” Jeffrey asked.

“Yes. I managed to convince Gunn that I hadn’t told anyone at the Museum of the break-in for fear of news leaking out which is why I insist on no face-to-face meetings at the museum.”

“Brilliant. Have they found anything yet?”

“They have confirmed that George does have the amulet. Gunn wouldn’t say how they knew, only that they trusted their sources.”

“So are they going after it soon?”

“They’re being cautious. It seems that George hired new security when his old chief went missing and they are purported to be the best.”

“Let’s give them two weeks. After that I’ll contact Gwen again. She and Willow should be close to finishing their other job and perhaps would have time to do ours. I could always dangle the fact they would be going up against the best security. I don’t think Gwen would pass that up.”

“Let’s just hope one or the other has better luck than the last few did trying to get that statue from George.” Charles said pointing to the small African statue.

Jeffrey just shrugged, “Well at least they gave their lives for a great cause.” He looked over at a calendar, “It’s about time for our next auction. Have the invitations been sent to all dimensions?”

Charles nodded and an evil glint came into his eyes, “Let the bidding begin.”

~~~~~

Fred bit her lip and looked from the monitor to where Angel and Wesley waited. This was bad. Really bad news. Nothing could be proven of course and it was just a theory and conjecture but there were three more mysterious disappearances that could be linked to George Bradstreet. Four total.

All beautiful women, all women that had ‘special’ abilities.

No one knew whether they were dead or alive. They had just vanished. Peggy was the only one to be linked romantically with him though. Martha was an acquaintance that he met in a chat room, Sophia was a fellow collector and Caroline had been an archaeologist that had gotten to an artifact before him. Fred might have thought the last one was plain murder for messing up his plans or jealousy of getting there first except Caroline was also a powerful Wicca and beautiful.

Angel looked up when he heard Fred’s rapid heartbeat.

“Find anything?”

She scrunched up her nose, “Nothing that you want to hear.”

She told them about the other women.

Wesley asked, “In all four disappearances George had an airtight alibi. The police could do nothing.” He turned to Angel, “Why don’t you seem too surprised by this?”

“There were rumors in the demon community about George being a very generous employer but none of the demons would talk. Even the threat of Angelus’ torture wouldn’t get them speaking. This just confirms what I suspected. He’s hiring demons and then they go back to their own dimension when the job is finished. No leads to follow.”

Fred looked at them, “Do you think they’re dead or just trapped somewhere?”

“Not sure but now we have even more of a motive to get the amulet from them. I’ll call Willow and also warn her. They need to be aware that they could become the next target.”

Angel waited for Willow to pick up and growled in frustration when he only got their answering machine. This really wasn’t something you left in a message.

“Hey Willow, this is Angel. Please call me when you get in, it’s in regard to Bradstreet. Have you talked to Buckley yet?”

~~~~

Gwen noticed the message light blinking as soon as they got back from setting up George’s system. He had been impressed enough with their work that they had been hired to take care of his ‘very private’ collection. Tomorrow they were to finally see his collection and probably the amulet.

She pointed to the machine and asked Willow, “Answer it or let it wait til tomorrow?”

“Go ahead and listen.”

Gwen hit the play button and Angel’s voice filled the silence.

‘Have you talked to Buckley yet?’ Willow mimicked. With narrowed eyes Willow angrily punched in Angel’s number.

Gwen just sat back with a smile and waited for the show.

“Angel Investigations.”

“Hey Fred, can I talk to Angel?”

“Sure hold on. Angel it’s Willow.”

“Willow I’m glad you called . . .”

Willow interrupted him, “I didn’t call to hear what you had to say about Bradstreet I called to tell you I don’t want to hear it. I talked to Buckley and he said nothing was missing that the Museum never even had that amulet. Don’t call, don’t talk, don’t anything.” She slammed down the phone.

Angel growled and threw the phone across the lobby.

Wesley, Gunn and Fred didn’t speak and didn’t move not wanting to be the target of Angel’s anger.

“She doesn’t want to listen or talk to me? Fine! She can avoid my messages and my phone calls but she can’t avoid me. We’re breaking into Bradstreet’s place tomorrow night. Let’s see her avoid me then. I’ll get her out of Bradstreet’s vision if I have to tie her up and kidnap her.”

Part 8

Willow and Gwen followed behind George as he showed them his special collection. Willow tried to keep the look of surprise off her face when he showed them the Hebe amulet. Gwen didn’t bother she knew that George would know she coveted it so she let her emotions show.

“It’s beautiful.”

George looked at both Gwen and Willow. “Yes, very. Would you like to see it close up?”

“Of course.” Gwen was practically rubbing her hands together.

Willow was getting the wiggins off of him. Something wasn’t quite the same. His aura was changing and the hint of madness in his eyes was becoming more prominent. Willow took the time to walk around pretending to decide how to protect it but she really just needed to get away from his suffocating aura.

Gwen carefully placed her glove on before taking the amulet. Wouldn’t do to turn the gorgeous artwork into a melted metal mess. She looked it over carefully calculating if she could make a forgery or just take it and leave a note for the bastard. Gwen didn’t like nor trust Bradstreet and it would be fitting to steal from him when he trusted them. She just hadn’t made up her mind what to do with the amulet. Keep it or give it to Willow to destroy.

She could always claim that she kept the forgery and gave the original to Willow. Willow would never know unless the amulet gave off an aura of magick that she could feel. Of course being the amulet to the goddess Hebe it probably did. Damn.

As Willow walked around she was captivated by Bradstreet’s collection. She gave a wistful smile as she thought of the excitement Giles would get if he had access to this. There was a door in the back that had an equivalent of a magick lock on it. Willow let her senses just feel it and even she couldn’t penetrate it. She wondered what was behind there. Must be something big if George put this much of a lock on it.

George watched as Willow walked around his collection room. She would stop every once in a while and tentatively place her hand on the object. He was fascinated to watch that she picked out all the pieces that were linked to Arthur and Merlin. He wondered if it was conscious or on some unconscious level she felt the magick of Avalon in them.

He watched as Willow approached his inner sanctum. He inwardly smirked at the thought of them being there soon. Yes, they will make a nice addition to his very special collection. He was just waiting on the background check on Willow to be complete. He already knew that Gwen didn’t have any family that she kept in touch with. According to his report the only person she was close to was Willow. Oh sure, she had acquaintances but no real friends and no one she was close to besides Willow.

Willow was estranged from her parents but they did still keep in touch. Maybe he would have someone forge a letter to them telling them that she would be going away for a while and not be able to communicate.

He already knew she had friends in Sunnydale but she only kept in constant contact with someone called Giles and he lived in England. Her other friends were drifting apart. Mostly due to real life getting in the way rather than lack of friendship. She would be missed but not for a while and by then it’d be too late.

He had discovered that the dark haired man at his party that he had seen with Willow was the vampire, Angel. Or Angelus depending on whom you asked. He was the famous vampire with a soul. Hmmm, maybe he’d make a fine addition to his collection. He’d never thought about starting to collect the male, beautiful and mystical. He had always concentrated on the female mystical.

He was waiting to see if Angel would come looking for Willow. They seemed close at the party but he knew that looks could be deceiving. Of course it might be exciting to go one on one against the famous Angelus for the life of Willow.

He glanced back over at Gwen. According to the report she had no one in her life that would ride to the rescue. Probably because she held herself aloof due to her ‘special talent’. She would be very interesting to go up against.

He was just in the planning stages of his plan to acquire Willow and Gwen. It had to be done more carefully than with the others. Gwen’s talent with electricity and Willow’s magick power were going to be large obstacles to overcome.

He had some of the greatest minds working on an inhibitor that he could inject into Gwen using a tranquilizer gun. He knew he wouldn’t be able to get close. He had watched her fight one night when he had sent a demon to attack her. He wanted to see her fighting style and how she used her abilities. He smiled as he remembered the arc of electricity that she had used to kill the demon.

George took the amulet back from Gwen and placed it back in the case. “So do you think you’ll be able to improve on the security here as well?”

Willow turned back from the door determined to check more into George Bradstreet.

“Even though your security here is very tight Gwen and I both feel we can improve on it. Just in our preliminary findings we found small holes that we could plug up.”

George smiled at her, “Excellent. When do you think you can begin? You know the world of private collecting almost as much as I do. The others won’t waste any time on trying to get their hands on my latest prize.”

“We just need to go back to the loft and gather a few things but we can begin this afternoon and we’ll stay until complete.”

“Excellent.” George led them back out of the special area and up the stairs. “I’ll have Enrico escort you back when you return. I regret I have a meeting that I need to attend out of town.”

He was going to the monthly auction that was held in another dimension. He just knew that Jeffery Diemer and his partner Charles were auctioning off the statue that was stolen from him. He wasn’t there to bid he was going there to kill. He was tired of the little gnats buzzing around him. He’d stop them once and for all.

Willow sighed a small sigh of relief when George said he wouldn’t be there. His aura was still suffocating her and it was hard to be in his presence.

~~~~

Wesley turned to Gunn and Fred. “You’ll be all right on your own tonight?”

Gunn looked up from the grappling hook he was packing for Angel. “When have Fred and I not been all right on our own.” Gunn held up his hand before Wesley could tick off all the times they’d gotten in trouble. “Lately, I mean.”

Wesley just smiled. They had been through so much and come out of the fire with friendship in tact. It had been a tough road for a while but it had worked out in the end.

“We’ll be fine, Wesley. The demon activity is strangely quiet tonight. Almost like they were all invited to a party or something.” Fred teased Wesley. “You guys be careful. I know Willow and Gwen won’t hurt you but that George Bradstreet wouldn’t hesitate.”

“Do you have the tranq to knock out Gwen and Willow?” Wesley asked Gunn.

“Yep, right here.” He held up a couple of small vials. You do know they’re going to be spitting mad when they wake up here right?”

“They’ll be mad but at least they won’t be Bradstreet’s latest victims.”

Gunn mumbled to Fred, “I so don’t want to be here when they wake up. Wanna go to Vegas for the weekend?”

“Think two days will be enough for them to cool down?”

“You’re right, how about for a week. We can stay with Lorne I’m sure he’d be glad to see us.”

Fred just smiled at Gunn as Angel and Wesley glared at him.

Part 9

Willow checked their equipment one last time before leaving the apartment. She knew Gwen had her inhibitor with her but she wasn’t going to wear it. Neither one trusted George and they wanted all their resources available to them in case it was needed.

Something didn’t feel right about that back room that Willow had found and none of her research helped her figure out how to get past the magickal lock. She had her computer doing a run on George and Gwen had heard from the street that he had been questioned in a couple of disappearances.

Willow didn’t want to make too much of the police questioning. She and Buffy had been brought in a lot of times for questioning and it really didn’t mean anything. But coupled with the mojo feelings Angel had they weren’t taking chances.

“Ready?”

“Ready.” Gwen held up the duplicate of the amulet for Willow to see.

“Wow, Debbie does great work. Especially on such short notice.”

Gwen just smiled. No need to tell her that Debbie had been put on alert and had a base piece just waiting for details.

“Yep, she’s the best. Do you think George would notice any magickal auras the original has?” Gwen hoped she was subtle in the question.

“No. Only someone powerful would feel that the magick was gone.” Willow smiled inwardly. She had no doubt that Gwen was fishing as to whether Willow would be able to tell. Willow never said anything about the things Gwen kept from their jobs as long as she continued to only take from those like Bradstreet.

There was no way she would allow Gwen to keep the original amulet. It was too powerful even for Gwen to keep and it certainly was too powerful a temptation for either her or Angel.

Damn! Willow WOULD be able to tell the difference. Gwen shrugged philosophically. Win some lose some. At least she’d have the satisfaction of stealing from Bradstreet.

Gwen put the amulet back in its hiding place and followed Willow out of the car.

~~~~

Angel checked their equipment one last time.

“Ready?”

Wesley REALLY wasn’t looking forward to this encounter.

“Ready.”

Angel grabbed the backpack and jumped the high fence. He waited until he heard the guard dogs approach and threw out the drugged meat. Worked every time.

Angel signaled to Wes that it was all clear. As soon as he saw Wes’ darkened form reach the top of the fence Angel ran toward the house moving from shadow to shadow.

Angel smiled as he saw an open basement window. It was small, just large enough for an adult to slip through. It would be a tight fit but they could do it. He waited for Wesley to join him. The floodlights were on and he could hear some of the guards searching the grounds.

Wesley melted out of the shadows and quickly approached Angel. Angel was once again struck by how much Wes had changed since Sunnydale. Only his preternatural hearing and sight allowed him to pick out Wesley among the shadows.

Wesley saw the open window and inwardly shuddered. He really HATED closed in spaces. Oh well, can’t be helped. When this was over he was going to get well and truly drunk.

Angel slipped his backpack through the small opening and then followed it down. With a muttered curse Wesley soon followed. He looked back up at the window.

“Just how are we going to lift two unconscious women through that?”

“We’re not. I’m hoping his private collection area has a back door or something to use. Places like that usually have a failsafe exit. If not, we’ll go out through a door. I had Gunn pack extra tranqs in case they’re needed.”

Just perfect, Wesley thought. He and Angel were going to carry two unconscious women through a mad man’s mansion. Bloody brilliant.

“Can you feel Willow?”

The supernatural left a trail. It was how a Slayer found vampires and how vampires felt other mystical beings. Angel could also feel Gwen slightly because of her abilities.

“They’re here but not close by. I feel them but just barely.”

“Do you think Gwen has on her inhibitor?” Wesley really wasn’t looking forward to this confrontation. Had he mentioned that to Angel? He had seen first hand what both women were capable of and he dreaded being on the receiving end. His hand slipped to where he was holding the tranq gun.

“I don’t think so. Her aura feels like it does when she’s not wearing it.”

And the adventure just gets better.

Angel held up his hand for Wes to stop. He cocked his head to the side listening intently. He could hear footsteps rapidly approaching. He signaled to Wes to step back into the shadows.

“They have to be here somewhere. The cameras picked them up as they came over the fence. They wouldn’t have just disappeared.”

“I just don’t get it. The dogs are trained not to eat from anyone besides Lou. How did they get them to eat the drugged meat?”

“I don’t know but did you see that one guy. It was like he flew over the fence.”

“Demon?”

“Could be so be prepared for anything.”

Angel came up behind the guards and quickly hit their heads together. They slumped unconscious to the floor.

“Huh. Who would have thought that really works? Come on, Wes help me move them over there.”

“You know with Gwen and Willow’s system they probably have a silent alarm going.”

“I checked. Willow and Gwen only did the security for his art collection. He has his own private security staff for the house. I’m thinking there’ll be another missing security chief when this is all over.”

Wesley put the guards into a room without bothering to lock the door. The guards already knew there were intruders.

Angel quickly moved down the hallway until he came to Bradstreet’s office. He figured Bradstreet spent a lot of time here so his collections were probably near by.

“They’re close. I feel their signature strongly through that door.”

Wes pulled his gun out prepared to fire from a GREAT distance. He knew they would only get one shot before Willow and Gwen could retaliate.

Angel pulled his gun and checked to make sure it was loaded.

He nodded.

Wes opened the door and quickly moved inside.

It was empty.

Oh there were artifacts in it but no Gwen or Willow.

He turned questioning eyes to Angel who just shrugged. “They’re here somewhere I can hear their heartbeats.”

Gwen and Willow looked at Willow’s laptop. They had placed a small camera in the outer room so if the floor sensors were activated they could see who activated them.

“What the hell? What are they doing here?”

Gwen’s eyes narrowed as she saw they carried guns. She pointed it out to Willow, “Since when do they carry weapons to steal amulets?”

Willow looked closer and her eyes narrowed in anger. “They’re tranq guns. Wonder who they want to put to sleep.”

“Give you three guesses.”

“I’ll just take care of the lights in there. I know Angel will still be able to see but Wesley won’t.”

Willow tapped a command into the laptop and smiled as the infrared camera took over. She could see Wesley but of course it didn’t pick up Angel. No body heat to register.

“Damn, they know we’re here.”

“You think?”

“Well, no need to be subtle anymore.”

Wes pulled out night vision goggles. “Let’s find them.”

Angel followed the sound of the heartbeats and came to a panel. He lightly knocked and it sounded hollow. The heartbeats and auras were strong here. He felt around the panel for a release catch.

Bingo. He signaled for Wes. No longer would it be a surprise attack they would have to go in guns blazing as it were.

Angel sprung the release and jumped out of the way.

Gwen sent an arch of electricity that barely missed Wes.

Willow mumbled an incantation but before she could finish it Angel fired.

“Fuck.” Willow looked down at the dart in her leg. Her eyes rolled up in her head and she slumped to the floor.

Wes wasted no time in firing at Gwen who was busy attacking Angel and trying to get to Willow at the same time.

Gwen felt a prick in her shoulder but she ignored it in her quest to fry Angel. She suddenly felt like she was moving in molasses. Her face was etched in anger as she slumped to the floor.

“Well that went spectacularly bad.” Wes looked around for either Gwen’s glove or her inhibitor. Even asleep her body still gave off electricity.

Angel grabbed the amulet and saw Gwen’s fake. Not knowing which was which he took both. Spying a camera in the corner he faced it.

“You’re not getting the amulet and you’re not getting them. Deal with it.”

“Do you think that’s wise to pull the tale of the tiger?”

“Oh I’m hoping he comes after me.”

Angel bent down and put Willow’s laptop away and picked up her backpack. Once they were in his larger backpack he threw Willow over his shoulder.

“Come on, Wes.”

“Well pardon me for not wanting to get electrocuted while I carry Gwen.” Wes muttered as he finally found her inhibitor. “Remind me to thank Willow for figuring out how to make this work.”

Wesley picked up Gwen and put her in a fireman’s carry. “So where’s this failsafe door that all these places have?” He couldn’t quite keep the sarcastic bite out of his words, not that he tried all that hard.

Angel saw a door in the back but it seemed to have a force field of some kind around it. He couldn’t get any closer than a couple of feet. He’d have to ask Willow about that.

He let his eyes scan the room. Like the entrance to this room the door probably didn’t look like a door. Angel noticed an urn off to the side.

“Hey Wes, does that urn look like it belongs here?”

Wesley walked to the urn to get a closer look. “Well, it’s from the Mycenaean period but it doesn’t look like it would have magickal qualities and it certainly wouldn’t be what I would describe as beautiful.”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought too.” Angel carefully bent down and felt all around the urn. He couldn’t feel anything unusual or see anything unusual. It was just a feeling that it didn’t belong. When he carefully tipped it he heard a swoosh behind him.

“Ah, that would be the failsafe door.”

“Come on let’s go before the guards get here and more importantly before the ladies wake up.”

Wesley was beginning to think that Gunn and Fred had the right idea of high tailing it to Vegas to see Lorne.

Part 10

Gwen slowed her breathing and opened her eyes just enough to let the light in. If anyone was watching her it would look like she was still unconscious and with Angel’s preternatural hearing her breaths wouldn’t give her away.

She heard Willow’s even breathing to the left of her and figured she was still out. She glanced to the right and noticed bars.

Damnit. Angel and Wesley had put them in Angelus’ cage. Did they really think that would hold someone that could manipulate electricity and a witch as powerful as Willow?

Gwen let her other senses take over. Willow’s breathing was the only sound in the room. That meant Wesley wasn’t there but Angel could still be.

She smiled in anticipation. She was looking forward to frying Angel. One good thing about going against a vampire she could fry him as much as she wanted and not kill him. She had no doubt that as tempting as that thought was right now Willow would get cranky if Angel were to turn to dust.

Gwen rolled to her feet and took the inhibitor off in one fluid motion. She sighed in regret when she saw the room was empty except for her and Willow.

~~~~

Dickens line, ‘it was the worst of times it was the best of times’ ran through Wesley’s head as he saw Gwen survey the room. He was glad the tranq had finally worn off. He was getting worried when the two women hadn’t awoken, but he was wary now that one of the sleeping tigers was awake.

He had no illusions that he and Angel were about to be paid back and that the cell wouldn’t keep them for long. It had been built to withstand vampire strength not magickal strength or a blast of electricity.

“Angel, Gwen’s up and moving.”

Angel came out of the office to stand behind Wesley at the monitor. He watched as Gwen looked around the room and then over at Willow. Angel was concerned that Willow was still out. The tranqs should have worn off by now.

“Do you think we’ll be able to explain about Bradstreet before they kick our ass or after?” Wesley asked.

Angel was spoiling for a fight so he was hoping after. He was frustrated in his attempts to locate Bradstreet and he knew that Willow probably wouldn’t listen to him without a fight but she WOULD listen even if he had to tie her up and gag her.

~~~~

The sound of Gwen pacing and mumbling was the first thing Willow heard as she slowly woke up.

“Did anyone get the number of the truck that hit me?” Willow rubbed her head as she sat up.

“Not the number but I got the names of the drivers and I’m so looking forward to kicking their ass. How many times do you think I can fry Angel before his vampire healing stops working so fast?”

The thought of seeing Angel writhing in pain as Gwen shoots electricity at him brought a smile to Willow’s lips. “Don’t know, we could call it a scientific experiment. Maybe get a government grant to study it. How do you think Wesley would look as an animal? I could turn him into a rat but you know been there done that and so clichéd. How about turning him into the jackass that he is?”

Gwen snickered at the thought of Wesley braying out a lecture to them. She noticed the small camera in the ceiling next to the stairs. She nudged Willow’s foot with hers and pointed to the camera.

Willow narrowed her eyes and looked directly into it.

“Angel, I know you’re watching this and you probably have a mic down here listening too so listen good. Payback’s a bitch.”

Gwen smiled and aimed an arc of electricity at the camera.

~~~~

Angel smiled in anticipation as he heard Gwen and Willow discussing their retribution. Good, he was going to get the fight he wanted. He knew no matter how mad Willow was she wouldn’t seriously hurt either him or Wesley and she wouldn’t let Gwen either.

Wesley’s eyes widened at Willow’s mention of turning him into an animal. He would rather face Gwen’s electricity than Willow’s magick. At least with Gwen he could fight and avoid. Not much you can do when a spell is aimed at you.

Angel almost laughed out loud in anticipation when he heard Willow’s comment about payback’s a bitch. Angelus was raring to fight his witch. Angel’s snicker turned to shock, literally, when Gwen’s arc of electricity blew the camera and threw him out of his chair.

Wesley turned shocked eyes to Angel when he saw him fly out of the chair and the monitor’s picture turn to snow. They’d get no advanced warning now.

“Are you all right?” Wesley asked as he helped Angel up.

Angel cracked his neck side to side, “Oh yeah. Get ready Wes. Use what you can against Gwen I’m going after Willow.”

Wesley noticed the predatory gleam in Angel’s eyes and guessed this just wasn’t about the attack in Bradstreet’s private room. He hoped this fight would allow Angel and Willow to finally confront their feelings for one another.

Wesley spun around at the sound of the basement door being blown open. It looked like it was time to face the music.

Gwen smiled and aimed electricity at Angel who promptly dove out of the way and leaped toward Willow.

Willow’s eyes narrowed as she watched Angel come after her instead of respond to Gwen’s attack. As much as she would love to use her magick on Angel and Wesley she wouldn’t and they knew that. Ever since her work with the coven she had lived, almost fanatically, by the tenet ‘An harm it none’. Her strength was no match for Angel’s vampire strength but she could hold her own. Gwen had been teaching her self-defense where you use your opponent’s strengths against them. Angel was in for a surprise.

Gwen cursed when she saw that she would have to fight Wesley. She couldn’t use her abilities on him. Damnit. Gwen slipped on her inhibitor and prepared to fight.

Wesley breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Gwen slip her inhibitor on and go into battle stance. He knew she wouldn’t use her ability to kill but she would to harm. It looked like they were going to fight hand to hand. He wondered what she would do if he just yielded and they let Angel and Willow duke it out.

Gwen swung a leg at Wesley, which he effortlessly avoided.

“Nice move, Wes. I keep forgetting that you were a Watcher once and you had to train with your Slayer. How’d that work out for you?” Gwen smiled at Wesley’s wince.

Wesley aimed a well placed punch but it missed its mark, “Very well actually. I learned to win at all costs.”

Angel looked up at Willow with surprised eyes. She had just thrown him to the ground. “Well, well, little one. It seems someone’s been learning some new moves.”

Willow bristled at Angel’s condescending tone or should she say Angelus’ tone. The look of predatory gleam in his eyes was closer to Angelus than Angel. It was times like this that she sorta regretted merging demon to man. Especially when she was on the receiving end.

Angel smiled at Willow’s temper. She was a fiery thing when riled. She also would make mistakes. It was one of the reasons that Angel liked to taunt his victims.

He stayed on the ground but swung his leg around knocking Willow to the ground next to him. Rolling over he pinned her arms above her head. Willow stared defiantly up at him and raised her chin as if daring him to hit it.

“We did it to protect you and Gwen.”

Willow rolled her eyes and tried to buck Angel off. “And just how was putting us unconscious and locking us up in that cell for our protection?”

Angel tried to control his demon, he really did. Willow’s movements and mutinous looks were only inflaming him to conquer and subdue. He looked down into her stubborn face and she jerked her hips trying to dislodge him. That was the final straw. He did the one of the things all his instincts were screaming to do. He kissed her.

Willow stilled in shock as Angel’s lips descended. She told her hands to push against his chest but the stupid things only caressed it and began to wind around his neck on their own volition.

Angel’s kiss had begun as a way to conquer quickly turned into a way to seduce.

Part 11

Gwen shook off the kick that Wesley just hit her with. Damn, he’s better than she thought he was. Time to up it a notch.

Gwen brought her hand up and blocked Wesley’s last move. Without taking her eyes off of his she turned her wrist to grab his and shifted her weight allowing her to pull his wrist back at an unnatural angle.

Wesley’s eyes widened when Gwen shifted her weight and he was able to see past her shoulder. Gwen cocked her head to the side as she saw Wesley’s eyes widen. It wasn’t that unusual of a move and she doubted she was causing him much pain. Sure some but not enough for his eyes to widen like that.

“What?”

Wesley began to smile.

Okay that was just weird. What the hell was he smiling at?

“Behind you.”

Gwen rolled her eyes. “Do you really think I’m that stupid, Wes?”

Wesley was having conflicting emotions. He was in pain from Gwen’s pressure on his wrist but he was having a hard time not laughing at Angel and Willow’s behavior in the middle of their fight.

Gwen finally noticed the quiet. There should be sounds of fighting coming from Willow and Angel but it was suspiciously quiet. She knew that Willow wouldn’t hurt Angel to unconsciousness no matter the temptation and she really didn’t think Angel would either. He was usually very aware of his vampiric strength.

Gwen didn’t release Wes’ wrist but took a quick look over her shoulder. She blinked a few times not sure she was really seeing what she was seeing.

She quickly released Wes’ wrist and stomped over to Angel and Willow. Not wanting to hurt Willow, even a little, she left her inhibitor on . . . for now. She angrily grabs Angel by the shoulder and roughly pulls him away from Willow.

“What the HELL do you think you’re doing?”

Angel glanced over to Willow’s dazed expression and then back to Gwen.

“Well I thought even someone with your limited intelligence would know what I was doing.”

Gwen narrowed her eyes and took off her inhibitor. “You son of a bitch.”

Wesley couldn’t understand why Gwen was this upset. She must know that Willow had feelings for Angel and that Angel cared for Willow. He didn’t think she was jealous but he never did understand the feminine mind.

Before Willow or Wesley could interfere Gwen sent an arc of electricity at Angel who stumbled back.

“GWEN!”

Gwen turned angry eyes to Willow. “He used the same technique when he was after the axis of Pythea. While we were fighting I used an electrical charge on him and then he reaches up and kisses me.” She turns sad eyes to Willow, “I don’t want him screwin’ around with your emotions like that.”

Turning her angry eyes back at Angel. “You KNOW how sensitive she is.”

Willow had had enough, “HELLO Right here.”

She looked over at Gwen, “I appreciate you trying to protect me but I can fight my own battles and I’m well aware that Angel doesn’t feel that way about me.”

“But he DOES, Willow.” Wesley piped in. He was not going to have this opportunity go to waste. They had been circling each other since Willow came to LA.

Angel looked over at Willow trying to gauge how she felt about Wesley’s declaration but it seemed she was better at hiding her emotions than she had been in Sunnydale. “While this wasn’t how I pictured us having this conversation I think it’s time we talked. Really talked, Willow.”

Willow’s heart shattered into a million pieces. Angel was going to give her the ‘I like you as a friend’ speech that she had received so many times before from so many others. Wesley didn’t know what he was talking about. Sure Angel had kissed her and sure her toes curled but she was sure to him it was just another tactic to win the battle. She was under no illusions to her appeal to the opposite sex or the same sex for that matter. There had only been two lovers in her life that really got her. Oz and Tara.

Gwen looked at her friend and wanted to fry Angel . . . to dust this time. Damn! Does he not see the pain she’s in? If he makes her close off her emotions anymore she was going to keep him on the brink of eternal death for as long as she could. He didn’t deserve to die quickly. No, his was going to be a very slow and painful eternal death.

Angel held out his hand to Willow avoiding Gwen’s death glares and Wesley’s sympathetic ones. He sighed when she ignored it and turned on her heel.

Gwen watched the two leave to go upstairs and talk privately. She whirled on Wesley. “You are going to tell me everything starting now. I want to know what the hell you and Angel were thinking the other night and what you know on Bradstreet or so help me god even Willow won’t be able to save you.”

Wesley inwardly winced as he indicated Gwen follow him into the office. Angel was SO going to owe him for this.

~~~~

Angel swiped his hand through his hair nervously as he saw Willow sit stiffly in a chair. God he hoped he hadn’t ruined the best thing that was in his life.

“Willow.” She glanced up at him and waited. Shit this was going to be harder than he thought. Why couldn’t he have ignored his instinct and just fought her? NO, he had to give in to the temptation of her temper lighting her eyes and making her skin flush. He had to let the demon take control and subdue his potential mate. Not that Willow saw it that way. SHIT.

He cleared his throat and started again. “Willow, Wesley was right. I hadn’t planned on ever ruining our friendship by letting you know how I feel about you but . . .” He trailed off as he saw her expression. Just fucking great. She didn’t believe him.

“Please, just stay here a minute. I need to get something. I’ll be right back.”

Angel’s shoulders slumped as he left the room. He hoped this worked. If she didn’t believe him after reading his journal he would beg her to at least still let him be in her life, even peripherally.

Willow closed her eyes and finally let her emotions come to the surface. God she hoped she could hold it together until she and Gwen left. When this job was over she was going to see if Gwen wanted to leave LA. She didn’t have ties so Gwen was pretty open to going anywhere. Maybe they’d open an office in Vegas and stay with Lorne for a while.

Willow heard Angel approach and she masked her feelings again.

Angel looked pleadingly into her eyes. “Just read it.” He handed her his journal.

With trembling hands that she couldn’t quite control she took the book from Angel.

Angel debated about leaving her alone while she read but he thought to himself, ‘screw it’. He wanted to see her emotions as she read it.

Willow flipped open the journal to a few days before Angel called and asked her to come to visit him, Wes, Gunn, and Fred in LA.

She couldn’t believe the depth of his feelings for her as time went on. He wrote everything that he was feeling and thinking. She came to the visit of Henri Buckley and realized that Angel Investigations had been tricked. But by who and why?

A tear trickled down her cheek as she read about him wanting to kiss her in the rose garden the night of Bradstreet’s party. He hadn’t been lying when he said he cared about her. A soft smile lit her face, here was someone else that got her.

Angel closed his eyes in resignation, her face was a blank mask. He didn’t see the tear and he didn’t notice when she set the journal down. He was mentally berating himself that he didn’t notice anything until a soft weight sat on his lap and soft hands cradled his face.

His eyes popped open to see Willow tearfully smiling into his surprised brown eyes. He reached his hands out and placed them gently on the curve of her hip. Yep, this wasn’t a pain induced hallucination but Willow really sitting on his lap.

Taking a chance that she saw how deep his feelings ran he gently leaned down slowly giving her time to pull away if she wanted. Willow didn’t wait for Angel to finish his downward descent but pulled him closer.

Angel poured all his emotions into the kiss. He softly growled and shifted his hands lower and pulled her fully onto his lap. When Willow didn’t protest he moved one hand to under her knees and lifted her up as he moved to the bed.

Willow didn’t notice anything except the feeling of Angel’s lips on hers and her hands in his hair. It wasn’t until she felt the mattress under her that she pulled away.

“I just want to hold you, Willow.” He didn’t want to scare her with what else he wanted to do. Time enough for that. If she were still unsure he would take a cold shower for hours. He was not about to ruin this chance with her. Besides before Willow merged man and demon he had plenty of practice ignoring his body’s urges.

Willow softly smiled, “If that’s all you want to do than I seriously misread your journal.”

Hope flared in Angel’s soul. His eyes turned seductive and his voice grew husky, “That’s not all I want to do, little one but it’s a start.”

Part 12

Wesley watched nervously as Gwen processed everything he told her. She had started pacing and mumbling half way through his explanation. At least she hadn’t turned on him. It was mostly threats against the intelligence of Angel and his lineage.

Ever since the split with Angel a few years ago Wesley had learned a lot about the darkness in him but even he was shocked at some of the mumblings coming from Gwen.

She was absolutely beautiful to watch. Not just her looks, though those were spectacular, but also the grace that she moved. Also her intelligence as plans began to form behind her eyes. He could see her famous thinking on the fly kicking in.

Wesley was glad Gunn wasn’t here to see him glazing over as he watched Gwen. He’d never live it down.

“What was Angel thinking? Okay I get he thought Willow and I were Bradstreet’s next victim. But did any of you morons think to maybe warn us and not go all Rambo on us?”

Wesley cleared his throat, “Well, actually Angel DID try to warn Willow but she wouldn’t listen. He left a message for her to return.”

Gwen narrowed her eyes. “Shit. Are you telling me all this could have been avoided if any of you had used a drop of intelligence and checked your Henri Buckley’s story? Christ, Wesley. You should know better than to take the word of a client at face value. Angel’s ‘message’ came just after we had met with the REAL Henri Buckley. Do you really blame Willow for not wanting to hear any more bullshit?”

Before Wesley could answer the shrill ringing of the phone interrupted them. Deciding he should take the interruption and let Gwen hopefully calm down he picked it up. “Wesley-Wyndham Price.”

“Hey Wes. Good to hear you’re still alive and Gwen and Willow didn’t fry you or turn you into something. They are awake right?”

“Yes, Gunn they’re awake.”

Gunn interrupted him, “Good cause Fred and I have some not so good news.”

Wesley straightened. “What is it, Gunn?”

“Is Angel, Gwen, and Willow with you?”

Wesley wasn’t sure he liked where this might be going. “Gwen is here.”

Gwen moved closer to hear what was going on. They were no longer going to be out of the loop if she could help it.

Gunn smiled slyly on his end of the phone. So Angel and Willow weren’t with the other two. He hoped they were finally doing the nasty so everyone could move on but knowing his broody boss they probably weren’t.

“Wes put me on speaker phone. I’m guessin’ you already told them about Bradstreet.”

Wes hit the speaker button, “Go ahead Gunn.”

“Hey Gwen. Just want you to know that Fred and I were against the whole idea.”

Gwen smirked over at Wesley who was fidgeting uncomfortably. “Willow and I both know you and Fred are the brains of this operation.”

“What did you call to tell us, Gunn?” Wesley bit out between clenched teeth. Angel definitely owed him BIG for this.

“Right.” Gunn hit the speaker button on his end. “Lorne has something to tell you guys.”

“Listen something big went down in a different dimension. The demons are all agog about it. It seems there’s this monthly auction.” Wes wondered why Gwen sat up straight and began to listen intently when Lorne mentioned a monthly auction.

“This wouldn’t have happened the first of every month would it, Lorne?”

Well, well. It seemed that Gwen was keeping some secrets of her own.

“Right you are sunshine and the latest was a few days ago. Coincidently the same day as your little escapade, Wesley.”

Wes could see Gwen’s mind working a mile a minute.

Gwen jumped up and began to pace. “Bradstreet was out of town that day. Said he had an appointment he was probably at the auction.”

Gunn added his two cents, “Yeah that’s what Fred and I figured especially since there was another murder. This one open and public. He didn’t bother making the bodies disappear since it all happened in another demon dimension and not here with the police to follow up.”

“My contacts tell me that your George Bradstreet tortured and killed the two men that were holding the auction. It seems that the object up for sale was a priceless statue stolen from Mr. Bradstreet. He doesn’t like double crosses kids. Their mutilated bodies were strung up with a sign to that effect.”

“That’s all very interesting, Lorne but we already knew that he was unstable and a killer.”

“Yes, but here’s the interesting part.” Gunn answered for Lorne. “When Lorne told us what the two gentlemen looked like Fred and I recognized one of them.”

“Buckley?”

“Ding, ding, ding, ding. Correct answer, Wes. Tell him what he’s won, Lorne.”

“An extremely pissed off madman. Sorry, cupcake but word on the street is that Bradstreet was notified about your and Angel’s little Rambo escapade. Oh, not to worry, Gwen. You and Willow are out of danger in that regard. He doesn’t think you double-crossed him at all. All his anger is at Angel and Wesley. Though you and Willow are his latest obsession. And getting the amulet back of course.”

“Damn it! I told Angel this was a bad idea and not to pull the tale of the tiger but did he listen to me. NO! Now look where we are. We have a manipulative, evil, self-absorbed mad man on the hunt for not only his latest collectible but us as well.”

Fred smiled faintly on the other end. “Sounds like a job for Angelus.”

Gunn laughed, “FRED!”

“What? I’m just saying that it takes a manipulative, evil, self-absorbed mad man to defeat another one.”

Gwen laughed, “I knew I liked you, Fred.”

“How soon can the two of you return?”

“Fred and I’ll be there within a few hours. Be careful, Wes. This guy means business.”

Wesley hit the off button.

“Flip you for who goes upstairs and tells Angel and Willow.”

“Only if I can flip you, Wes.”

“Fine, I’ll go.” Wesley just hoped Angel wouldn’t knock his head off when he answered the door.

As Wesley reached the top of the stairs he turned to go to Angel’s room. Just outside Angel’s door he heard muffled laughter and then a moan.

NO WAY was he going to interrupt now. It could wait until Gunn and Fred got back from Vegas.

Wesley turned on his heels and went back downstairs.

Gwen looked up from the lobby and wrinkled her brow, “Couldn’t find them? If Angel hurt Willow in any way and she took off I’ll string him up and not by his neck!”

Wesley winced at that mental picture.

He blushed as he tried to reassure her, “I-I believe they’ve overcome their differences.”

Taking in Wesley’s faint blush and the fact that if Willow had been upset she wouldn’t have left without at least telling Gwen.

Gwen wasn’t sure how she felt about that latest development. Not that she begrudged her friend this time with Angel. God knows she deserved it but Angel had the ability to hurt Willow deeply and a tiny part of her was jealous that Willow found someone.

It wasn’t until recently that with the help of the inhibitor Gwen had been able to physically touch someone without fear of hurting them. The wall around her emotions was thick and vine covered. Too many years of closing off her emotions and wearing a mask made it very difficult for anyone to get close to her.

Willow has often joked that it would take someone like a gallant warrior from a fairy tale to breech her defenses. She deeply sighed wondering if she would ever find someone brave enough to fight her dragons to find the Gwen inside.

Wesley wondered at Gwen’s deep sigh. She often reminded him of the fairy tale princesses that his mother used to tell him as a child. Of course she would be a modern day fairy tale princess that could kick the evil queen’s ass.

Part 13

Gwen anxiously waited as Willow came down the stairs alone. God, if Angel hurt her in any way she would make his life a living hell. Willow still had her insecurities of her high school years she was just better at hiding them now. It was only very close friends that she let get close enough to see the vulnerabilities. That’s why Gwen was so worried about Angel. Angel could hurt Willow deeply without even realizing it.

Willow tried to smile reassuringly at Gwen. She knew how much Gwen worried about her. She was still mad at Wes and Angel for what they did. It was stupid and could have been avoided if they had talked. If they had ALL talked. So Willow had informed Angel that from this point forward it would be open communication . . .from everyone.

“Hey.”

“Hey. You all right?”

Willow put her arm through Gwen’s and led her back to Angel’s office, “Yeah. Angel and I had a nice long discussion.”

Gwen smirked over at her friend, “Oh, is that what you call it.”

Willow rolled her eyes and smiled. It was good to see the sarcastic wit of Gwen instead of the worried frown. “Well, we did talk. As soon as Gunn and Fred get here we’re going to be one team on this. I know you have a problem with Angel and Wes but we need to be a team on this one. I think Bradstreet is very dangerous. More dangerous than Angel thinks he is. That room in the back of his private collection . . .” Willow took a deep breath before telling Gwen her suspicions. “I think that’s where he keeps his human trophies.”

Gwen slowly nodded. She had suspected that as well after Wesley told her of the missing women. Added to the heebies that Willow had gotten from that room and that it was protected magickally, Gwen had no doubt that room was George’s ‘very special’ collection.

“Do you think the women are alive in there or do you think it’s a sociopath’s dead trophy room?”

Willow shivered at the thought of the women staring sightlessly out of their dead eyes and being kept in a trophy case. Shaking the picture out of her head, “I honestly don’t know. I think he would keep them alive because it’s their power that is so special and without life there is no power.”

Gwen wasn’t sure which was creepier the thought of the women dead in a trophy case or women screaming for their lives and no one able to hear their pleas.

The sound of the front door opening brought them out of the office.

Willow smiled at Fred and Gunn. “Wes give you the all clear?”

“Something like that. I figured if Wes could still talk and not make little mouse noises it was safe to come back.”

Willow laughed. Angel smiled from the stairs. He loved to hear her laugh.

“Welcome back.”

‘Well, well’ Gunn thought. ‘It looked like Angel finally did something about it.’ He slyly looked over at Wes, ‘now to get Wes to do something about Gwen.’

Fred smiled up at Angel. It had been a very long time since she’d seen him genuinely smile. When Willow had merged man to demon that had been the last time she thought.

Angel went over to Willow and gently lay a hand on her waist and placed a soft kiss on the top of her head. He saw Gwen’s scowl but ignored it and turned to see Gunn smirking at him.

“Wes told us about Buckley or whoever and his partner. Did Lorne get anymore details?”

“Yeah, it seems that our Henri Buckley was a Charles Meyer and his partner was Jeffrey Diemer . . .” Gunn trailed off when Gwen and Willow both reacted to that name.

“I knew it! I knew it. He just didn’t feel right. Damn, I should have known that he was the one that was part of it. I just thought he received the money.” Willow mumbled as she paced.

“Who?”

“Our first client Jeffrey Diemer.” Gwen answered for Willow.

Wes’ lips twitched, “I thought any moron should check their client’s story.”

Gwen’s eyes narrowed at Wesley and if looks could kill he’d have died on the spot.

Willow smiled at Wes but it didn’t reach her eyes, “Actually that’s correct which is why we DID check his story. Once I found the bank account with the mysterious deposits we quit and worked on our own for the amulet. What’s your excuse for Buckley?”

Wes winced and Gwen just smiled at him. She loved when Willow shot back.

“So, Jeffery and Charles were in it from the beginning. Why come to us? Gunn wondered why a curator would come to Angel Investigations.”

“Well while Lorne and Gunn were looking into the two deaths I looked into the statue. They had gone through three teams of burglars before they successfully stole the statue from Bradstreet. I think they were going to pit Gwen and Willow against us. That’s why they chose us. We knew about supernatural so we wouldn’t scoff at the powers of the amulet and F&G Enterprises are the best at what they do.”

Gwen and Willow both smiled at Fred who returned it.

“Their last incident was to have a team go in, when they failed send the next and so one. This time I think they were thinking to send two of the best at once with the knowledge that at least one of them would succeed.”

“Makes sense. So what are we going to do now? We have the amulet to destroy. It goes without saying that Bradstreet is coming for it and we have to destroy him along with the amulet.”

The Fang Gang turned shocked eyes at Willow and Gwen just marveled at how little they actually knew her.

“What? If we don’t destroy him he’ll just do it again somewhere else. I’m not saying kill him but a bit of his own medicine wouldn’t hurt.”

Angelus loved the way his mate was thinking. “Do you think you’ll be able to figure out the room in the back?”

Gunn and Fred were confused. “What room?”

“The room that has a magickal field around it and the room we suspect he keeps his ‘very special’ trophies.”

“Eeew, do you mean where he keeps his victims?”

Willow looked over at Gwen, Wes, Gunn, Fred and then back at Angel. “The gloves are off. He won’t play by the rules and neither should we. I think with Fred’s help I can get through the lock but the rest of you will have to take care of Bradstreet and the amulet.”

“I can bring the fake amulet to Bradstreet. What better way to get inside than with that? He doesn’t suspect us in fact he thinks we’re the victims.”

“You’re not going in alone.”

“I won’t be alone. Fred and Willow will be there.”

“No, they’ll be busy with the room in the back. Gunn will be there to watch their backs and Wes will be there to watch yours.”

“And just how are we going to get everyone inside the mansion?”

“Angelus is going after the man that wants to collect his mate.”

Fred stared at Angel, “You know I was kidding about who better than Angelus. Right?”

Angel let Angelus come to the surface. Actually he hadn’t been far from the surface ever since the fight with Willow.

“Bradstreet sealed his fate when he decided to include Willow and Gwen in his collection. I was just going to go in, get the amulet and destroy it. It’s personal now.”

Fred shivered, this was Darla all over again. She just hoped that Angel wasn’t walking a path he couldn’t come back from.

Willow saw the change in Angel but she also saw the soul firmly in place. They had all walked the fine line between their light and dark and they’d all slipped into the dark. Some more than others. They would do what it took to get the job done.

Fred watched as Willow gently pulled Angel into her embrace and place a soft kiss on his lips. Maybe Willow could pull Angel back before he got too far down the dark path. She certainly hoped so cause now was not the time to be thinking about Willow all dark haired, veiney and standing next to her mate Angelus.

Part 14

Gwen turned off her cell phone and looked over at Wesley. “It’s set. I’m bringing Bradstreet the amulet tomorrow night. I told him I would get it tonight from Angel Investigations and then bring it to him tomorrow night. That should give Willow and Fred enough time to get the supplies that they need.”

“He wasn’t suspicious that you were waiting until tomorrow night to bring him the amulet? I mean why not during the day tomorrow?”

Gwen just smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Gives him more time to get the trophy room ready for Willow and me. He’s going after two this time. Needs more room, so he didn’t really think about it. Now if he was just after the amulet he would have insisted on tomorrow during the day.”

“So you were testing to see if he’d baulk? I don’t like it.”

“Didn’t ask you to like it, Wesley. You just have to be there as my backup.”

“Look, Gwen. I know you’re still mad at Angel and me. Not that I blame you but we have to work together.”

Gwen sighed. She knew Wes was right and she really wasn’t mad at him or Angel any longer. Not that she would ever be buddy buddy with Angel but for Willow’s sake she’d try to get along.

Wes on the other hand was a different story. She liked Wes, maybe more than she was willing to admit to herself.

If they had to work as a team she had to see how far she could push him. A slow smile crept across her face.

“Come on, Wes.” Gwen grabbed his arm.

“Where are we going?”

“Well if you’re gonna be my backup I’ll have to see what you’re made of. You and I are gonna have a practice session.”

Wes wasn’t sure he wanted to know but he couldn’t help asking, “Practice session?”

“Yep, gotta see if you can think on your feet and how well you can run a scam. Willow and I were to meet a client today but it’s gonna be you and me pal. Let’s go.”

“Right. I need to make a quick stop I’ll meet you out front.”

Gwen shrugged, grabbed her toolkit and backpack and went in search of Willow to tell her the plan.

Wesley waited until Gwen left and then went to his office where he kept his private collection. He put his portable grappling hook in the sheath us his sleeve. He took various aluminum knives that weren’t detected in a metal detector and hid them in his clothes. Gwen wanted to see how well he would do? Well, he’d show her the Wesley that turned dark after getting his throat slit.

Gwen paced by the front door of the hotel waiting for Wesley. The sound of a motorcycle turned her head. The driver stopped and indicated for Gwen to get on. She raised an eyebrow at him and just stood there.

Wes smiled behind his darkened helmet. He took the extra helmet tossed it to Gwen and then raised his visor. “You getting on or what?”

“Wicked.” Gwen reached down for her backpack, slung it over her shoulders, put on the helmet and got behind Wes. “Let’s go, partner.”

Showing off a little, Wesley let the front tire rise a little before taking off. He smiled when he heard Gwen’s laugh.

~~~~

Angel leaned on the doorframe and watched Willow as she sat on their bed and read through the spell book. Mine, he thought and marveled that he had been able to come this far to let himself be happy, truly happy. He silently thanked Buffy for showing him that he could love and that he deserved it. He thanked Cordelia for showing him that it was possible to be a best friend and still have love.

Willow looked up at him and softly smiled.

Angel pushed off the doorframe and silently thanked Tara and Oz for showing Willow that she was special and worth loving. All the others brought the two of them to where they were now and Angel wouldn’t have traded this for the world.

Willow self-consciously rubbed her nose, “What? Have I got ink on my nose or something?”

Angel just shook his head no and kept walking toward her. Without saying a word he took the book from her, marked her spot before closing and set it aside.

He reached and softly caressed her cheek. “It still feels like a dream.”

“What does?”

“This. So many times I would fantasize that you would see me more than just Buffy’s Angel or your friend Angel.” Angel took an unneeded breath and sat beside Willow on the bed. He leaned back against the headboard and pulled her into his embrace. “I don’t want to mess up our friendship. I couldn’t stand not having you in my life, Willow. I don’t have the best track record when it comes to relationships and I have too few friends to mess that up . . .”

Willow put her fingers over his lips stopping him. “I’ll always be your friend, Angel. If this, whatever it is, doesn’t last I’ll always be there for you. No matter what.” She silently added, it might be at a distance but I’d be there.

Angel smiled when he felt Willow’s butterfly kiss where his heart would have been beating.

Angel raised Willow’s chin until her eyes met his and he slowly lowered his lips to hers. It was a soft kiss filled with promise and the hope of love.

He pulled Willow closer and turned them so she was cocooned beneath him. She arched her neck up to give him better access when he began to softly kiss and nip at her neck.

Her fingers were busy lifting his shirt so that she could feel his cool flesh beneath her fingertips. Angel shuddered when he felt her touch against him.

Willow whimpered when Angel stopped kissing her neck and sat back. He quickly shoved his shirt off and didn’t even look to see where it landed. Willow slowly opened her eyes and stared. Mine, she thought as she lifted her hands to caress Angel. She marveled at how her life had twisted and turned since she had first met Angel. Tara and Oz would always have a piece of her heart just like Buffy and Cordelia would always have a place in Angel’s heart.

Angel reached down and pulled Willow up. When she was sitting in front of him he slowly raised her shirt and drank in the sight before him. As his eyes rose to Willow’s face he saw that she wore the secret smile that Mona Lisa made famous and men have been trying to decipher ever since.

Willow thought that after Tara died she would never see such a look of love in other person’s face as they looked at her. Willow drew in a shaky breath and opened her heart to Angel. She felt a soft caress across her mind and knew that Tara was giving her blessings to Willow’s new love.

Angel reluctantly released Willow and stood next to the bed. He began to lower his sweatpants when Willow’s hands stopped him.

“Let me.”

Angel’s head fell back and he closed his eyes as he felt Willow’s hands slip inside the waistband of his pants and slowly, tortuously lower them. He couldn’t help the groan that escaped between his lips as she kissed and nipped her way back up his body.

Not waiting for her to complete the journey he gently stepped back and softly tossed her on the bed.

Willow gave a surprised eep when she felt the mattress beneath her and she bounced.

“Hey, mister I wasn’t finished.”

Angel moved his knee between hers and whispered, “Neither was I.”

Willow softly moaned as Angel began to show her how happy he was that she was in his life.


Part 15

Gwen was impressed. It took a lot to impress her but she was definitely impressed. There was more to Wesley than she knew and that he showed. He had thought quickly on his feet, he had blended into the shadows where it was difficult for even her to pick him out.

He handled himself very well and as an added bonus he had lots of cool gadgets.

“If you ever think about leaving Angel I think I could probably find a place for you at F&G.” Gwen said with a smile as they entered the lobby of the Hyperion.

Willow looked up from sorting her supplies when she heard Gwen, “So I take it Wesley passed the test? And I have to agree with Gwen you ever think about leaving Angel Investigations you’ll have a place with F&G.”

Angel mock growled, “No head hunting for employees while we’re working together.”

Gwen smirked over at Angel, “Just letting them know that if you piss them off and they want to leave your broody ass they have a place to come to.”

Angel leaned back in his chair and looked at Gwen, “Now why would they want to leave one broody ass for another?”

Willow caught the laugh just in time and but not before Gwen narrowed her eyes at Willow.

Willow threw up her hands in defense, “I keep telling you that sometimes you brood like Angel.”

Gwen and Angel both growled, “HEY!” at Willow.

Willow and Wesley just smiled at each other in understanding.

“How are you and Fred coming on the spell?” Gwen asked hoping to change the subject.

Willow just smiled and let Gwen change it. “Fred’s gotten better at it since last time we did a spell together.” Willow turned to Angel, “Has she been practicing?”

Angel nodded. “Ever since the first spell you did together she’s been very fascinated with it. She sees it as another extension of chemistry and physics.”

Willow smiled in remembering her first forays into magick. As soon as she noticed the similarities she began much more proficient in the craft.

Willow looked up as Fred came down the stairs with Gunn. “Well, I think you have a fine witch on your payroll, Angel.” Willow winked at Fred, “And like Wes, if she ever thinks about branching away from Angel Investigations she always has a home with F&G.”

“What? Fred and Wes get invites to join but not me?” Gunn frowned with a twinkle in his eye.

“Gunn, you know you always have an open invitation to join. I told you that a few years ago.”

Wesley, Fred and Angel turned surprised eyes to Gwen and then back to Gunn who was grinning sheepishly. He’d never told anyone about that night he spent with Gwen.

Gwen smiled as she watched Gunn twist on the knife and try to get himself out of the situation. She finally took pity on him.

“Remember? The night Gunn helped me on a case before Willow came to LA? He was very good”, Gwen winked at Gunn before continuing, “and I offered him a job then and when he refused I told him he always had an open invitation.”

Gunn mouthed thanks before sitting down next to Angel, “So what’s the plan to get to Bradstreet? I mean Angelus isn’t going to just call up Bradstreet and say, ‘since you’re going after Willow I’m coming for you, meet at midnight on the docks’.”

Fred started laughing. She couldn’t help it. She was visualizing Angel in a trench coat calling from a payphone hissing instructions to Bradstreet.

They all looked over at Fred and wondered what was so funny.

“S-sorry. Just picturing Angel as some bad B-movie spy.”

Angel rolled his eyes, “No, Gunn. I’m not calling Bradstreet. I’m keeping him occupied in the mansion while the rest of you do your jobs. We’re going to strike simultaneously. I’ll go in first while Gwen and Wesley are pulling into the front drive. You, Fred and Willow will make your way to his private collection when I go in search of Bradstreet. Gwen and Wesley are just decoys so Bradstreet doesn’t suspect a trap.”

Willow thought about Angel’s plan, “I think Bradstreet might already be preparing for a trap so everyone be very careful. He’s not stupid and I’m sure he might already suspect that we’re working together now. He knows about my past with Angel and he might have people watching us so he might know more than we think he knows. Just go in with the assumption that he knows we’re coming as a team.”

~~~~

Bradstreet set down his report and glared. Well this just upped the ante a bit. He was looking forward to going against Angel. No longer interested in having him join the others in his collection he’d just kill him. Of course only after hours of torture.

A knock interrupted his thoughts.

“Come in.”

Bradstreet’s aide tentatively came in his boss’ office. He finally had good news for him but he really didn’t want to be the one to deliver it. He was afraid that Bradstreet would take his bad mood out on him before he could tell him of the success.

Bradstreet watched as his aide came in and just looked at him.

“Well? What do you want?”

The aide swallowed, “There’s been a breakthrough in the science lab.”

A slow smile crossed Bradstreet’s face, “Has it been tested?”

“W-well since we don’t have a human with Gwen’s unique talent we could only test it on a Moray Eel and it did work.”

“Excellent. I’ll be down to see the test.”

The aide sighed in relief and turned to go.

“Oh and Mark?”

Mark closed his eyes and hoped he wasn’t about to be killed. He turned back to face Bradstreet, “Yes?”

“Tell the boys, Congratulations.”

A smile broke out over Mark’s face, “I will, Mr. Bradstreet.”

George waited until Mark left his office before turning his chair and looking out his picture window. He steepled his fingers under his chin, “Well, well. If the test is a true success the inhibitor would go into Gwen’s blood stream and effectively stop her at a distance.”

He wanted the inhibitor to eventually wear off like drugs in the body’s system. After all what good is a trophy if the reason for collecting it disappears. He had high hopes with this latest test.

He’d be prepared for their trap tomorrow night. He had no doubt that Angel, Gwen and Willow were working together. At first he didn’t suspect Gwen and Willow but after the latest report that showed Gwen and Angel’s man Wesley pulling a job added to what he knew about the history of Willow and Angel his suspicions grew. If it turned out he was wrong then it would be easier to get Gwen and Willow but it was always best to prepare for the worst.

Part 16

Gwen stopped the car to let Angel, Fred, Gunn and Willow out. “You got everything?”

Willow nodded as she grabbed her backpack. “See ya inside.” She reached over and squeezed Gwen’s gloved hand, “Be careful.”

Gwen smiled and returned the squeeze. “Right back at ya.” She then turned to Wes, “Okay you’re turn.”

“Did I mention how much I hate this plan?” Wes mumbled as he followed Angel out of the car.

“Yes, I think you may have once or twice. Now get in the trunk.”

Angel held the trunk open for Wes and then handed him the equipment bag. “You comfortable?”

“Quite.” Wes said sarcastically.

“Okay then.” Angel smirked and closed the lid but not shut.

Willow waved as Gwen turned the corner toward the mansion.

Angel reached for Willow’s hand and indicated for Gunn and Fred to follow as they silently made their way to Bradstreet’s mansion.

~~~~

Gwen spoke into the headset that she had rigged for her and Wes to use. She didn’t want him leaving the trunk blind and there was no way she could wear a wire.

“You okay back there? I’m just now pulling into the drive.”

“Just peachy.” Wes muttered. But he was able to hear Gwen speak into the intercom and he felt the car move forward through the gates. At least they were inside.

Gwen noticed a couple of no-neck rent-a-cops coming toward her. “Well, it seems that George has beefed up his security since last time I was here. Let’s hope their IQ matches their looks.”

“Hi, I’m Gwen I have a meeting with Mr. Bradstreet.”

One of the guards checked his sheet, “I thought a Willow Rosenberg was going to accompany you.”

Gwen smiled and got out of the car. Turning her back on them she leaned over so they got a nice view of her tight leather clad butt as she reached in for the amulet. Turning back around she grinned as she saw their eyes snap back up to her face. “She’s meeting me later.”

Gwen never saw the hint of silver as the moon caught the gun pointed at her from the shadows. The only indication that anything was off was when she felt twin pinpricks just before her world went black.

Wes glanced at his watch. He knew Gwen had taken off the headset as soon as they stopped. She hadn’t wanted anyone to notice it in her ear. They had prearranged for Wes to leave the trunk ten minutes after he heard her shut the car door and that was five minutes ago. He hoped all was going according to plan.

~~~~

Angel pulled Willow into a kiss just before he left to go after Bradstreet. Willow leaned back so she could look into Angel’s eyes, “Be safe. He probably knows you’re coming and I doubt he’ll fight fair.”

Angel smiled down at Willow, “Even better.” Angel raised his hand to cup her cheek, “Just be careful. He’s had his eye on you and Gwen from the beginning and I wouldn’t put it passed him to booby trap the back room. Either physically or mystically. If it looks too dangerous get out and we’ll fight another day.”

There was no WAY she was leaving those women in there longer than she had to.

Angel saw her determination, “Willow, they’ve been in there for months one more day won’t make a difference and I WON’T lose you.”

Willow sighed and compromised, “If I can’t get passed the trap we’ll retreat.”

Angel leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips, “See you inside.”

Willow turned back to Gunn and Fred, “Ready?”

“Let’s do it.”

Angel had told them how he and Wes had gotten in the last time but Willow doubted that the dogs would eat drugged meat again. So she would use a sleeping spell. Willow tossed a grappling hook over the edge of the fence and climbed up.

She nervously looked down as the dogs rapidly approached. “God they look huge.” She was sure her fear was multiplying their size but still they were big angry dogs and they were even more menacing because they weren’t barking just growling deep in their throats.

She mumbled her incantation and prayed it worked on animals like it did on humans. Willow sighed in relief when she saw the dogs shake their heads and then slowly drop to the ground. She turned back to Fred and Gunn and signaled for them to follow her.

Fred picked up Willow’s backpack and followed her up the rope. Gunn looked down either side of the fence and didn’t see security coming. Seeing that Fred had made it over he climbed to the top.

Gunn nimbly jumped down and took the hook and rope with him. He slowly rolled it back up and put it in his equipment bag. He looked down at the sleeping dogs, “So how long are they going to be out?”

“Until I release them or six hours whichever comes first.”

“Man it’s a good thing you’re on the side of good, Red.”

Fred elbowed Gunn when she saw Willow’s brief look of pain, “NO! I meant that bank robbers and other thieves would just love that little spell.”

“Actually they’d probably also like the memory wiping spell. That way if anyone did see them they’d just erase their memory and they’d get away with no one the wiser.”

“Like I said, Red. It’s a good thing you’re one of the good guys.”

Willow melted into the shadows with Fred on her heels. Gunn checked the area behind them as he followed the two into the trees.

Willow carefully opened the window that Angel and Wesley used the last t