A Trio Of Four: Part 6
by R A S
I don't own anything but the story. Joss and the WB own everything else. Remember, this episode takes place in between the episodes "Halloween" and "Lie to Me." So Angel is good and nothing even remotely sad has happened yet. For most of you, and if you're me, that's good news.
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Part Six
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That night Willow Rosenberg sat in her bedroom, the ancient lamp directly across from her, its golden hues reflecting the light. It wasn't very big. She assumed it had been carried down through the decades, probably an item that fit the antique list to the T. It was the inscription upon it, that appeared out of the ordinary. The letters were extremely tiny, making it hard for her to make out what it said. Reaching behind her, she gently retrieved a magnifying glass off her nightstand and took a closer look. Aloud, she read: "It is you who sets me free. Danger awaits itself at every corner. Beware. Not everything is as it seems. Make a wish and-"
She then noticed that the rest of it had been somehow erased to her disadvantage. "What does it do, if I make a wish?" she said to no one in particular. But, even Xander doesn't believe in this stuff. Maybe I was just fooling myself. All I ever wanted to do was impress him. Show that I was.....interested in....his interests. Frowning, she set the treasure on the table that held her PC.
"Willow!!!! Are you in bed?" Mrs. Rosenberg's voice could be heard down the hall, kind but urgent.
"Right now, Mom!!! I was just....um....responding to an email."
"Okay, honey. But Xander's on the phone. He said something about it being the bat signal-"
"I'll get it in here, Mom!!!" Willow's expression was giddy with happiness as she picked up her cordless. "Xander?"
"Will. Giles needs you down at the library. Right this minute, I guess. He just phoned me and he says it's really important. That prophecy.....may be happening sooner than we think."
"But...my mom," she told him. "Wh...what do I tell her?"
"Just say you're coming over to my house to study-"
"Xander. It's five minutes after eleven. Studying would have happened like three hours ago."
"Can't you sneak out that door-"
"Oh. Well. That never-okay. Where's Buffy?"
"She's with Angel," Xander mulled over. "But hey. Cordelia's here. Yay! I'm sure jumping out of pure joy. Giles, as it so happens, got her up from giving herself a leg wax. It's really funny-"
"Tell me when I get there," she told him as she laughed.
"Why do I have to read this? It's a book."
"Precisely, Cordelia. We must look for answers to our present problem," Giles explained quite sternly.
"Geez. Using too many words much? No wonder I don't tell my friends I hang with you."
"Rupert?" Ms. Calendar walked over to where he sat and put a hand upon his shoulder. "I don't think we're ever going to find anything. We don't even know-"
"It's probably right under our noses," he managed. "It's good that we're keeping your account open. That second message you just received now.....it said it would happen in only a matter of hours. That this thing....wouldn't waste any time to destroy. Buffy may be in extreme danger."
Xander emerged around a tall shelf in the stacks. "Do you have any food in here?"
"If it would aid in your search, by in turn making it go faster, then yes. Go into my office and look on my desk."
"Giles, you are under way too much stress," Xander pointed out.
"Yeah. Chill," Cordelia told him. "Buffy's with Angel. Oh. Ugh." she made a face then, putting a hand over her mouth. "I hate saying those two names together. In my opinion, they just don't mesh. Why does Buffy get all the guys anyway? And make me feel so underachieved? Like earlier in the mall. She acted like I'd never seen him before. Why is it-"
"Cordelia!" Giles shouted. "Pay attention. We have no time to dawdle."
Xander laughed and came out of Giles' office, holding an apple. "Have you ever heard of something called cookies? They come in all shapes and sizes. But I prefer the small, round ones. You can buy them at any nearby thrift store-"
"I'd hold that thought, Xander," Ms. Calendar offered lightly.
"Oh, right. I abandon all hope of humor and tell the sadness, moping and anger to move in. Or possibly annoy Cordy over here."
"Xander Harris, you are so immature," came the reply, as Cordelia observed one of her perfectly manicured nails. "How long have I been-"
"Only about twenty minutes, and much to my dismay, you are of no assistance," Giles mumbled thoughtfully.
"Did you like memorize the entire dictionary as a little tiny Giles?' Xander asked.
"Both of you...leave right this second. And don't bother coming back until you are ready to be of some help. Please. It's the least you can do." Frowning, the librarian quickly buried his nose on a book.
Bufyf knocked on the door to Angel's apartment. After a few minutes, the large object was pulled open. "Hey," he said softly, and urged her to come in.
"I know I shouldn't be here this late. But I had to talk to you-"
"Did Giles find out-"
"No. That's not the point. The point is, everytime I want to have a conversation with you, you literally run away. Now, I've been thinking, is it me or you? Sure, I mean, if you-"
"Buffy, I just didn't want to put you in-"
"I can handle myself," she said softly.
"It was going to come for me first. I couldn't-"
"Look. I'm sorry. It's just that...it's so unfair-"
"Life's unfair, Buffy. But we learn how to deal. It may take awhile, but soon we learn to accept who we are."
"I didn't exactly have a choice," she told him. "In case you haven't noticed."
"How many vampires can say they're in love with the slayer?" he returned.
"Well...." she started, and smiled. Looking up at him, their lips met slowly, and his arms went carefully around her petite frame. After some time, she gently pulled away. "Just one."
Willow had just gotten dressed and was ready to head over to the library. Just to be safe, she pulled out a stake Buffy had given her and hid it beneath her clothing. She'd never be like Buffy, but she could on the other hand, pick up her habits.
"Willlooow," a soft whisper rang out among the stillness of the room.
"Is....someone there?" she questioned, her expression confused. "Mom?"
"Willlooow......set me free. Only you can."
"What? Who....who are you?"
"Set me free, Willow. Set me free, and you shall see..."
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