Previous Part
Return to Willow Index
Nikita looked back at Willow, who was sitting in the back of the van, seeming lost in a trance. Willow had refused to answer any of Michael and Nikita’s question about what had happened on the mission, including what exactly they had just fought and what had happened to them. Not to mention, how Willow knew that blonde man or how to defeat them, only saying that she would explain when she got back to Section. Even going so far as putting on her resolve face, informing Michael that she would not be moved.
"Michael, what do you think will happen?"
"I don’t Kita," Michael admitted. "I’ve never seen anything like that. If I didn’t know any better, I would swear that those things were vampires."
"Vampires," Nikita exclaimed. "There are no such things as vampires. They’re just myths."
"That’s what I always thought too, but how else do you explain what we just saw."
"I can’t," Nikita replied. "But, what about Willow. She seemed to know exactly what she was dealing with. Even knowing the leader."
"I know and that worries me." Michael glanced in the rearview mirror at the young hacker that had found a place in his heart. "Ops and Madeline are not going to be happy about the fact that she has apparently kept more hidden about her past then we had thought."
"What do you think they will do to her?" Nikita was worried. While, if the creatures that they had just seen were truly vampire, she understood Willow not telling Section about them, she also knew that Ops and Madeline would not be as understanding about the secrecy.
"I just don’t know, Kita. I don’t know." Nikita turned again to watch Willow, noticing that the girl was saying something.
"Michael," Nikita whispered, "what’s happening to her?"
"Angel, come on, you have to hear me," Willow said as she entered the dreamscape. She needed to talk to the vampire about what had just taken place on the mission, knowing that he would be able to fill in the blanks about what Spike had told her.
"Willow, what’s wrong?" Angel asked, worriedly as he finally joined her. He had not been expecting to feel her presence and knew that something must have happened to make her contact him before they had arranged to.
"Something happened on that mission I told you about," Willow replied. "Something that I think you need to know about."
"What is it?"
"Spike."
"What did my childe do now?"
"He was working for Red Cell." Willow watched as Angel’s face showed his shock at finding out about his childe’s association with the terrorist group. "Hi and a bunch of other vamps were holding some kids hostages. We had gone in to rescue them, not knowing about the vamps. We lost three from Abeyance before I realized what was going on and went in to help Michael and Nikita."
"Are they okay?"
"They’re fine. Slightly confused about what happened," Willow reassured the vampire. She knew how much he still cared about the people that he had befriended during his time in Section. "Luckily, my slayerette days are still ingrained in me and I had some supplies to help out."
"What about Spike?"
"I’m sorry Angel. Spike and Drusilla are both gone." Willow felt genuine remorse for her friend’s pain. While he might not have liked what his childre were doing and would often fight against them, she knew that he still had feelings for the vampire couple.
"You did it?" It wasn’t an accusation, more of a statement. Willow nodded her head.
"Yeah. I broke through a window and Dru got instantly dusted. Then Spike and I fought. He didn’t make it though. Surprised him when I told him you weren’t in hell."
"I bet," Angel said as he thought about the blonde man he had once loved. "Do you know why he was helping Red Cell? Not exactly his style."
"Yeah, he made a point of telling me, figuring there was nothing I would be able to do to stop it," Willow explained. "Angel, what’s happening at graduation?"
Angel sighed, "The mayor is supposed to be ascending. Becoming a full demon. According to Anya, it isn’t going to be pretty."
"Anya’s that vengeance demon you told me about," Willow inquired. "The one that Cordelia brought over when she found out about Faith and Xander."
"Yeah, that’s her," Angel confirmed. "Apparently she has seen this before and it wasn’t a pleasant memory for her. We’re not sure if we’re going to be able to stop it."
"Okay, then that explains Red Cell’s involvement," Willow said more to herself than anyone else.
"What do you mean?" Angel asked.
"Red Cell is helping the mayor, I guess that’s who they are helping. Going to try and take out Buffy and the others so that they can’t interfere."
"Damn it," Angel swore. ‘I can’t protect them against Red Cell. Not anymore."
"I know." Willow seemed to think for a moment, before deciding on her course of action. "But Section can."
"Willow no," Angel protested. "You can’t tell them. You’ll be canceled."
"Angel, Michael and Nikita saw Spike and the others and they know I knew him before. Besides that, Ops, Madeline and Birky were all listening in. I don’t think I have much of a choice here. Besides, I mean, hello evil demon bad news for everyone."
"I know. I just don’t like the idea of you being hurt."
"Angel, look at what I do for a living," Willow countered, already knowing that the vampire understood why she had to do what she was considering. "Besides, you need my help. I might not be in Sunnydale anymore, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about what happens there. It’s where I grew up."
"I know," Angel conceeded, knowing that Willow was right. "But, make sure that if Section agrees to help, that they know you have to be one of the people that comes here."
"Angel, you know they won’t by that. They won’t like me going back to where people know me," Willow reminded him.
"Doesn’t matter. Besides, Buffy and the others already know about Section. They won’t be too willing to help unless you are a part of the group. If only so they know that you are all right."
"Point taken," Willow said. "But, what about you. If I go, odds are so will Michael and Nikita. They’ll recognize you. It’s not like you’ve changed all that much in the past three years."
"I know," Angel sighed again. "Tell Section. Tell them everything."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Okay." Willow felt the van slowly down and realized that they had arrived back at headquarters. "Angel, I have to go. We’ve arrived."
"Be careful little one," he told her.
"I will."
Willow and Angel broke off their connection and Willow opened her eyes to see Nikita and Michael looking at her from the front of the van. She smiled weakly at her friends, knowing that what was about to be said was going to change that relationship, whether it be good or bad, she wasn’t sure. Suddenly the side door opened, startling Willow out of her thoughts. She turned and saw an irate Ops and Madeline staring at her.
"What the hell happened?" Ops said, his usual composure nowhere in sight.
"Long story, so how about we go somewhere so I can tell it." Willow said, hopping out of the van and walking past the stunned operatives. She saw Birkhoff waiting for her and smiled, going over to him and giving him a kiss. He looked at her, hurt in his eyes. She felt bad knowing that she was the reason it was there.
"Willow?"
"I know, Birky. Come on and let me tell you about my hometown."