~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Willow stared down the man who wore the body of her friend. She was so tired of the revolving door on Angel’s soul. She had made him a promise the last time she’d restored it, just before the fall of Sunnydale. Now she had to decide whether or not to keep it.
“What’s the matter, Little One? Did you lose something?” Angelus taunted.
She rolled her eyes. “Almost three hundred years on this earth and that’s the best you can do? I’m disappointed, Angelus. I thought you had a silver tongue.”
He scowled then smiled maliciously. “Your boy doesn’t seem to mind. He bent over for me, pretty as you please.” He looked her over and licked his lips. “Maybe we could share.”
Willow’s eyes narrowed and her last nerve snapped. “I made a promise to your alter ego, Angelus. Do you remember?”
He took a step back before he could stop himself. The witch was even stronger than he remembered. He could feel her power throbbing in the air. Angelus tilted his chin up and said, “You don’t have the balls to kill me, little girl. Angel means too much to you.”
She nodded. “Yep. I love him like a brother, which is why I’m going to follow his wishes. I’ll miss him, but at least I know he’ll finally be at peace.”
He snarled and was on her before she could blink. Hand wrapped around her throat, he whispered, “He’ll rot in hell, same as me. I don’t think I’ll let you kill me today.”
“I don’t think you have a choice.” Willow gathered her strength and centered herself as she felt his fangs tease along her neck. She could feel a tingle in her scalp and hands and knew her hair and eyes were changing colour. She turned her head in Angelus’ grip and kissed his cheek. “Goodbye, old friend.”
He reared back and looked at her in surprise then started to scream as flames licked along his body. Willow watched with tears blurring her vision as the body of her friend turned to ash. She conjured an urn to hold the remains. She’d scatter them like Angel had asked her to after she and Lindsey got things settled.
Willow wiped away her tears and headed for the room her fiancé was in. Her first look at Lindsey made her wish Angelus was still around so she hurt him a whole lot more than she had. Lindsey was a mess and not entirely with it. She started talking to cover up just how scared she had been and still was.
Well, this had been just about the worst day ever.
-30-
Post Chosen/NFA. AU for AtS as Lindsey didn’t make his power play. Character death. Gabrielle wanted to know what happened to Angelus and I can deny her nothing. Unbetaed. Any and all mistakes are mine.