Part 4

"Hey Wills, what are the plans for tonight?" Nikita asked the red head sitting at the computer at Ops. Willow looked up and smiled at her friend.

"My place, pasta and movies," she replied. "How’s that sound?"

"Excellent. We’ll be there around sevenish."

"Okay, see ya then." Nikita left and Willow returned to the data in front of her. She had made it through training in record time, excelling at everything that had been given to her. Even Madeline could not hide her surprise at the teenager’s ability to figure out the most complex machines. The fact that she was also a talented fighter helped in her evaluation.

Willow had been with Section for a little over 3 months and, while she still did not like the idea of killing humans, had learned to care for the people that she worked with. Nikita had taken Buffy’s place as her best friend, Willow even began dressing a bit like the blonde woman. Michael had taken on the role as her big brother, trying to make sure that she was okay and protecting her from some of Section’s nastier elements. Walter was like that black sheep uncle in every family. Willow couldn’t help but smile every time she saw the flirtatious old man. Operations had turned into a semi-father figure, helping her adjust to her new surroundings. And then there was Birkhoff.

Birkhoff. Just his name could make Willow go all dreamy. The two of them had gotten together within a week of her joining Section and it was a relationship that Willow was glad for. There was something about the young man that grew up knowing Section that made Willow fall for him. He had a shyness about him, but it wasn’t due to his personality, just the fact that he didn’t know anything other than Section. Willow had made it her goal to expose him to things outside of Section. The two of them often went for coffee or a movie and she soon found herself knowing more about the life that he had lead. He was completely the opposite of Oz, who she had been dating back in Sunnydale.

Willow found her thoughts often leading her back to the group of friends that she had left. She missed them and wondered if they were still all right. At night, she found herself searching for information on what was happening in her home town, sorry to see that the vampires were still wrecking havoc in force. She wished that she was there helping her friends, making sure they were okay. She knew that with Section’s resources, Sunnydale could be cleansed of it’s demon population, but she also knew that if she told Operations or Madeline any of her past as a Slayerette, odds are she would be canceled. The whole concept of vampires and things that go bump in the night being real was to foreign even to Section. So Willow did what she could, sending things to Oz or Giles via the computer, hiding any trace as to who was the provider of such information.

And Willow was still practicing her magick. Madeline had discovered her talent for the black arts Willow’s first week and decided to allow the girl to continue. Willow’s abilities had greatly approved and she often cast protection spells over Michael and Nikita whenever they went out on an Op. She wanted to do what she could to make sure that her friends would return to her unharmed. And she was always researching. In fact, that’s what she was doing right now.

She had already finished the sim that had been assigned to her and was taking advantage of the computer database to do some more background research on the Rom curse. Even though she knew the distance would hampen the effects, Willow still hoped to be able to give Angel back his soul. She knew that Buffy had still been unable to kill her ex-love, she had gleamed that information from the Watcher’s Council database when she hacked into it and was worried about her friend’s safety and mental stability. Finally, just as she was about to shut down the computer, she found it. (Oh great Goddess, it’s the spell. It’s the spell) Willow quickly wrote down the address and finished closing down the program. Just as she did so, she felt two arms encircle her.

"Hey there," She smiled, looking up to see Birkhoff. He gave her a quick kiss, knowing that affection between agents was frowned upon but unable to help himself. Actually, Operations and Madeline allowed the two of them leeway, knowing that they were increasing the other’s numbers.

"Hey there yourself. What have you been up to?" Willow asked as she stood and stretched out her sore muscles.

"Just talking to Michael about the Rio mission," Birkhoff explained. "Thought you might like to get some lunch."

"Sounds good. I’m starved," Willow grabbed the piece of paper that held the web address, quickly shoving it into the pocket of her coat. Birkhoff knew that Willow practiced witchcraft, but she had never told him about Angel or what her plans were in regards to helping him. Birkhoff, Nikita and Michael had all asked about her life in Sunnydale and her friends and Willow told them edited versions of her life, especially the last two years. She told them about Xander and her Barbie, Buffy coming to town and being her friend, Giles who had become a mentor to her. She didn’t tell them about Angel though. She couldn’t. It hurt too much. The pain of the loss of her friend.

"What’s going on in that head of yours?" Birkhoff asked when he noticed that Willow’s thoughts weren’t in the present. Willow took Birkhoff’s hand and smiled over at the man who had found a way into her heart.

"Just thinking of a friend," she answered cryptically. (Man, I’m turning into Angel, doing the whole cryptic thing.)

"Which one this time?" Birkhoff and the others had become used to Willow losing herself in her memories and felt sorry for the girl who apparently had a lot more going on in her life than the Section had known about. He knew that she was keeping things from him and was somewhat hurt that she didn’t trust him fully, but he hoped that she would given time. "Buffy? Xander? Oz?" Birkhoff hoped it wasn’t Oz, jealousy was a thing that he wasn’t used to.

Willow shook her head, "None of the above. His name was Angel and he was a good friend of mine." Her voice was tinged with a sadness that Birkhoff detected immediately.

"What happened?" He inquired gently. Willow shook her head, not wanting to tell Birkhoff about Angel. Wanting to keep him a secret for some reason. A part of her that Section didn’t know about. "Willow, sweetie, can’t you tell me about Angel?"

"It’s not that Birky, it’s just tough talking about him," Willow tried to explain. "He was someone that helped me a lot and now he’s gone. I just miss him, that’s all." Willow hoped that would be enough for the man beside her. Birkhoff looked at the red headed witch and realized that for some reason, he wouldn’t get any information about this Angel person that was making her so melancholy. He decided not to push her for it.

"I understand, I do."

Willow smiled at him, "Thanks." Birkhoff decided to change the topic to something more upbeat.

"So what are we watching tonight?" Willow had taken it upon herself to catch Birkhoff and the others up on pop culture. To that extent, she often had them over to watch movies all night.

"I was thinking we could do a Star Wars thing. You know the whole trilogy." Willow and Birkhoff continued to the cafeteria, happily chatting about the plans for the evening.

As soon as Willow got back to her place, she instantly went to her computer, switching it on. She removed the address from her coat before hanging it up and quickly typed it in.. She grabbed a soda while waiting for it to load and then went to check over the spell. (Goddess, it needs to be done tonight)

Willow looked over the list of ingredients that she would need to complete the ritual. Luckily, she found that she had them all on hand. She started running around, preparing her work space and gathering her supplies. (I have to start this soon or else I won’t have the time to.) She knew that there was no way to explain to her new friends about what she was attempting to do without sounding completely insane.

Willow glanced around her living room, making sure that she hadn’t forgotten anything before going to take a shower in order to cleanse herself. Once that was done, she put on the clothing she had made just for such a major working. She stood in the middle her working area and started calling the powers that would be needed for the spell. She could feel the power as it went through her, surprised at the strength of it. She had never felt anything like it before and she lost herself in the feeling, letting the power take over control, somehow knowing that it was there to help her. She quickly lost herself, not even realizing that her friends were gathering outside the door for their get together.

Michael, Nikita and Birkhoff all arrived at the same time. Michael held a bottle of wine in his hand, while Nikita had brought over desert from Willow’s favorite bakery. They both smiled at the young man who was holding a bouquet of flowers for the girl who had finally made him so happy.

"Roses, very nice Birkhoff," Nikita commented. She was happy for the young man that was like a brother to her. He deserved whatever Willow could give him and then some. She was glad to see the changes that had taken place in him since the girl had come to Section.

"Do you think she’ll like them," he asked the blonde woman nervously.

"She’ll love them," Nikita replied, giving him a small kiss on the cheek.

"Flowers always are a good thing," Michael joined in, looking over at Nikita. Willow had even effected Michael in a way that was unexpected. While he was still the same enigmatic person while at Section, he was much more easy going when he was with the others. "So shall we?" Michael knocked on the door and waited for a response. When there wasn’t one, he tried again.

"Where is she?" Birkhoff asked, worried about his girlfriend. "She left Section hours ago."

"I don’t know. Maybe she had to step out for a minute," Nikita reassured the boy.

Michael was just about to knock again when suddenly they heard something in the apartment. There was a chanting that was growing louder with each passing second.

"What the hell is that?" Nikita asked, suddenly frightened for Willow.

"It’s Latin," Michael stated, "but I can’t understand what’s being said." The chanting had suddenly grown to a loud yell. Michael pounded on the door, trying the knob to see if maybe it was unlocked. "Willow, open the door. Willow," he shouted. Finally when it was obvious that there would be no answer from the teenager inside, he pushed a worried Nikita and Birkhoff aside and kicked the door open. The three operatives stop in their tracks at the sight that greeted them.

Willow was sitting in the middle of the floor, seemingly in a trance. Around her, they could see a circle of blue light. Birkhoff tried to run to the girl only to be forced back by the energy shield that had erected itself around her. Willow’s eyes snapped open, looking but not seeing her friends. With one final shout, they watched as something they couldn’t describe seemed to pass through Willow. Just as quickly as it came it left her. The energy in the room seemed to decrease, as did the shield around her. Nikita, Michael and Birkhoff raced to their friend, concerned at what had just happened. Birkhoff was the first to reach her as she suddenly slumped forward, completely drained.

"Angel, I did it for you. I’m sorry I was too late," she whispered, not loud enough for the trio to hear her, before she passed out.