Part 1

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Willow was out in the yard rough housing with her older brother Patrick, when she was supposed to be inside helping her mother.

"Willow?!" Her mother called distracting her long enough to give Patrick to chance to pin her.

"Pined ya!" Patrick cried triumphantly.

"Only cause mother distracted me!"

" I pined ya because your only five and I'm seven, which means I'm bigger and stronger."

"Yeah well…….. so! I still would have won!" Willow said in her defense. She had learned, having five older brothers to show no weakness.

Just when Patrick was about to respond their mother came out into the yard.

"Patrick, get off your sister this instant! Willow get in the house and clean up we’re going to see the family that moved into the house closest to us. Patrick you and the others will stay and help your father."

"Mother I don’t wanna go! Can’t I stay and-"

"Willow go get ready!"

"Yes mother." Defeated Willow went in to clean up.

Meanwhile a ten year old Angelus was helping his father and brothers bring the furniture in.

"Father, are we here to stay?" Angelus asked. This was the only time they had moved.

"Yes son we are here to stay."

Just then Angelus saw a little girl running down the road and her mother calling after her.

"Excuse me father?"

"Of course son."

Angelus walked toward the little girl that had caught his attention. She was a beautiful child, with glorious red hair and wild green eyes. She was quite the little spitfire. He walked across the field and she came running up to meet him.

"Hello, I’m Willow."

"Pleasure to meet you Willow. I’m Angelus." He took her hand and kissed it gently, as he had been taught to with all the ladies, the response he got made him smile, she giggled then shook his hand like men do.

"You wanna go explore? Maybe even have an adventure?"

Angelus was baffled by this little girl. In all his ten years he had never meet a girl, young or old, that was like Willow. She was actually fun, full of life, and completely opposite to the standards of a lady.

"I would be honored to escort you on your adventure."

"Okay, hurry let’s go before my mother gets here."

Willow grabbed Angelus by the hand and took off running. From that day on Willow and Angelus were inseparable.
 

 Twelve years later

Willow was now seventeen and Angelus was twenty two. They were closer to each other than to anyone else they knew. They had a special connection that no one could ever break. The bond between them was about to be tested, with a chain of events that would change the course of their lives.

Willow was getting ready for her daily ride with Angelus. She had just finished binding her hair when he knocked on her window, as he had for years. She smiled as she opened the window and started to climb out. Angelus offered her his hand but she refused it and jumped down.

"Where we off to today M’lady?"

"Well my lord, are you up for an adventure?"

 " With you my lady I am ready for anything."

Angelus smiled and took her hand. He helped her up on her horse, even though she didn’t need it, then mounted his own horse. Willow took off while yelling " I hope you can keep up with me!" Angelus chuckled and followed his redheaded companion.

They had stopped to rest at their cliff, they had played there as children, and now just went there to be alone together. Willow was looking out at the ocean just enjoying the afternoon breeze. Angelus on the other hand was just looking at Willow. (God she’s beautiful, her hair, her eyes, her soul, it’s all so beautiful. What would I do without her? She’s the best friend I’ll ever have, without her my life would be desperately empty.  She made me the man I am today, I was taught that women were possessions, every man is taught that, but Willow showed me that women are people, and interesting people at that. She’s everything to me. I-I love her. Oh god I do, I love her.)

Willow had caught Angelus staring at her and started to stare back, her thoughts matching his, they both came back to earth at the same time.

"It’s getting late, I best get you home before your father has my head."

"Can’t we go back to your house? I don’t want to hear how I have to start acting like a lady, or how ugly I look with leaves in my hair and dirt on my dress. I just-"

"Willow, first of all you look beautiful with leaves in your hair and dirt on your dress. Second, of course we can go back to my house if you don’t want to go home."

"You think I’m beautiful?" Willow asked with disbelief  in her voice.

Angelus stepped towards her and took her hand in his. "I think you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. When you walk into a room you take my breath away. I was captured by your beauty the first time I saw you running towards me and away from your mother. You have the most extraordinary hair and eyes I’ve ever seen. Your so full of life, most women, if not all, are so very dull. You on the other hand live life to the fullest and in the
processes showed me there was more to life than what I had been shown. Yes Willow, I think you are beautiful…."

Willow was speechless, she looked into his eyes and dared to hope the emotion she saw reflected there was love.

Angelus pulled Willow closer to him, there were mere centimeters separating their bodies. He was about to take the biggest risk of his life.

"…. How could I not be in love with you."

Willow felt tears running down her cheeks. She loved him so much, and he loved her too.

"I love you Willow"

"I love you too. I love you so much it hurts."

As soon as those words left her mouth Angelus closed the gap between them and captured her lips in a whisper of a kiss. Willow pulled him closer, deepening the kiss. They both pulled apart breathless.

Angelus was not ready to let her go, he held her and stroked her hair. They eventually turned to leave, and get on their horses. Willow was about to mount hers when Angleus picked her up and lifted her on his horse.

"What are you doing?" Willow asked.

"Well my darling, I want to hold you, and I can’t do that while your on another horse, so you’re riding with me." Angelus tied Willow’s horse to his and climbed behind her sliding her against him "That’s not a problem is it?"

"No my Angel, no problem at all." Willow leaned into him and sighed in contentment.

When Willow had arrived home later that evening her parents had been angry, but let it go as they always had. Angelus had stayed to make sure everything went smoothly and then promised to return the next day. She was
now awaiting his arrival.

Willow heard a light tapping at her window and smiled brightly knowing who it was. She went to her window and opened it to let her Angel in.

"Hello darling," Angelus greeted her as he climbed in her room.

Willow blushed at his greeting, but didn’t have time to respond, Angelus grabbed her and kissed her hard on the lips.

"I’ve been dying to do that since I brought you home."

"Well I’m glad you did," Willow said slightly breathless.

Angelus looked at her suddenly very serious. "Willow I need to ask you something?"

"You can ask me anything, you know that."  Willow replied slightly nervous by his serious attitude.

Angelus sat Willow down, then kneeled down in front of her. "I know it’s custom to ask your father first, but I wanted to make sure that you would want this." He pulled out his families claddah ring. " Willow, will you do me
the honor of becoming my wife?"

Willow stared at him in shock, then threw herself in his arms, "Yes! Yes I’ll marry you!"

Angelus pulled Willow closer and kissed the top of her head, silently thanking god for the woman in his arms.

Part 2

Willow was bubbling with joy, she could hardly contain herself. (I'm going to marry Angelus! I never thought I would marry for love, not many do, but I get too!) Angelus was going to ask her father for her hand in marriage
that night. (He'll say yes he can't wait to get rid of me.)

Angelus was walking up to Willow's house suddenly very nervous. It was no secret that Willow's father hated him, but he also couldn't wait to marry off his only daughter. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

"What are you doing here?" Willow's father asked harshly.

"Mr. MacAlester, I would like to ask you something. May I come in?"

"I suppose so," they walked into the sitting room, "What is it you want?"

"Sir, I've come to ask for your daughters hand in marriage.'

"Your to late Angelus, she's already betrothed to another. Lord Boyle in fact, I haven't even told her yet."

Angelus wasn't listening he didn't care what her father said Willow would marry no one but him, let alone Lord Boyle. Angelus had, had many encounters with Lord Boyle not only was he 28 years older than Willow he was also a drunken, whoring, good for nothing son of a bitch. He would die before he let her marry him. Angelus held back his anger and stood to leave.

"Thank you for your time Mr. MacAlester. Tell Willow that I'll see her tomorrow."

"Goodbye Angelus." The last bit of the sentence was cut off by the door slamming in his face. He was about to mount his horse and head home when he changed direction.

Willow was sitting in to read, actually trying to get her mind off the man she loves. Just as she was about to give up and go to bed there was knock on her window. Smiling brightly she went to let Angelus in, when she saw his
face she knew something was wrong.

"What is it Angelus? What's wrong?" His answer was to pull her in her arms as if he'd never let go. "What's wrong my Angel? What's got you so upset?"

"Do you know a man by the name of Kiern Boyle?" Angelus asked pulling back to look in her eyes.

"You mean the drunken Lord? I know him, he's been coming around lately, doing business with my father. Why do you ask?"

"Darling, this morning your father betrothed you to him."

"What!!" Willow screamed while pulling herself away from  Angelus and storming around her room. "He's 45! I'm 17! Why would my father do this? Wait I know why he can't wait to get rid of me! Am I really that horrible to have
around?"

Angelus walked over and pulled her into his arms. "Never think that again, you are the most wonderful person I've ever known."

"What are we going to do?" Willow whispered in his shoulder.

Angelus closed his eyes just letting himself enjoy holding her. "Whatever you want to do sweetheart, that's what we'll do."

"I want to leave, marry you, I want to become your wife."

"Are you sure that's what you want?"

"I love you, I would die to be with you. I am more than sure, I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

Angelus looked into her eyes and saw her love shining there and knew she wanted this as much as he did. "I'll come and get you in four hours, be ready."

"I'll be ready, I love you."

"I love you." Angelus gave Willow a quick kiss full of promise then turned to leave.

Angelus had returned home, packed his clothes, got some money, and was about ready to leave when he was struck with guilt. He sat down and wrote a letter to his family telling them what he and Willow planned to do and why.  Once he was finished he walked out  and headed towards Willow's.

Willow had just finished packing the last of her things when her father , her very drunk father, came bursting into her room.

"Come here daughter. Your leaving tonight, you're to be married tomorrow, and he's come for you." He looked around and saw all of her things packed and ready to go, of course in his drunken state he didn't find this out of the ordinary. "Oh good you're ready, come then."

"Willow was nearly panicked. She knew she had to stall, Angelus would be there any minute.  "Give me a minute father, I want to look my best when I meet my future husband."

"Yes, we don't want you scaring him away now do we. We'll be waiting in the sitting room." He slurred and stumbled out of her room.

"Come on Angelus, hurry." Willow whispered desperately to her empty room. As soon as those words left her lips there was a knock on her window. She ran over and threw it open to let Angelus in. ‘Thank the lord you're here. My father and Kiern are in the sitting room, I'm supposed to leave with him tonight and be married by tomorrow!"

"I know he's here, I saw his carriage out front. We need to hurry get your things." Angelus helped Willow with her bags and they both climbed out the window. Just as they were about to mount their horses they heard her
father, "Get the hell away from daughter! She belongs to Lord Boyle!"

"I don't belong to anyone! I never will!" Willow screamed in anger. Angelus moved in front of her to protect her if need be.

The figure that had been watching the exchange steeped forward. "Where do you think your going with my future wife Angelus?"

Angelus looked away from Willow's father too see Kiern slowly walking towards them.

"She doesn't want to be your wife Lord Boyle, do the honorable thing and let her out of this betrothal."

"Angelus when was the last time I did something honorable? I do what I want, I get what I want, and I want Willow."

Willow was getting scared, Lord Boyle never traveled alone, he had bodyguards.

"Well this is one time you won't get what you want." Angelus growled, as much as a human could.

Willow saw three men walk out of her house, three very large men.

"Angelus you need to get out of here." Willow said with fear laced in her voice.

Angelus turned to look at Willow. "I won't leave you, I can't." The despair in his voice tore at her heart.

"Please Angelus, please you have to get out here. I'm begging you, I don't want you to get hurt."

"Listen to her Angelus, she's a smart girl." Kiern added smugly.

"Willow stop acting like a child! I am your father and I order you to come over here!"

Willow looked into Angelus eyes, and hers filled with tears at the raw emotion she saw there. "No matter what happens, I love you. Always remember that." She kissed him gently on the lips, pulled away, and started walking
towards Kiern and her father.

"Willow no! Don't do this!"

"There's no other way, we don't have a choice."

"Leave with me now, walk to me and we'll leave together."

"We can't Angelus," Willow gestured to the three bodyguards.

During their conversation Kiern had snuck behind Willow, he saw his chance and grabbed her. Willow let out a squeal of surprise, "Put me down!"

"Let her go! Put her down now!"

"Come and get her Angelus, if you can."

He didn't need anymore urging, he ran straight towards Kiern, intent on getting Willow away from him. Before he could he could get within five feet of them, the three bodyguards grabbed him. One held him while the other two
delivered punch's to his face and stomach. He went down doubled over in pain.

Willow broke free and ran to Angelus, she knelt beside him. "Oh god Angelus are you alright?"

"I'm fine sweetheart, I'll be fine." He reached up and lightly cupped her face in his hand, only to have her ripped away from him by Kiern. "Let her go!" Angelus yelled while trying to stand.

"Poor Angelus trying to fight for Willow's honor, well this is one fight you won't win." He picked Willow up and threw her in the carriage, then exchanged a look with his bodyguards, and they jumped Angelus beating him.
The last thing Angelus heard before he fell unconscience was the sound of the carriage moving away and Willow hysterically yelling after him.

Part 3

Light. All he could see was blinding light. He was about to welcome the comfort of darkness again when one thought stopped him... "Willow."

"She's been taken, too get married."

"Patrick, is that you?" Angelus asked opening his eyes further and trying to focus.

"Yes Angelus, it's me. You need to rest."

"No. I need to find Willow." Angelus started to get up, only to have Patrick gently push him back down.

"No one but my father knows where she is and he won't tell any of us, I'm so tempted to beat it out of him. I don't want my baby sister marrying that horrible monster! Everyone is furious about it, everyone expect my father
that is. There is nothing we can do."

"I have to try. Do you have any idea how I feel about her? She is everything to me, my whole world........ I love her, I love her so much........ I couldn't imagine a life with out her." Angelus' voice held such pain and despair, it tore at Patrick's heart.

"Get dressed. I think we should go pay my father a visit."

Angelus didn't need to be told twice. He got up, with some help from Patrick, and got dressed. The only thing keeping him going was the thought of having Willow safely in his arms.

Patrick and Angelus sat in a pub thinking of ways to get Willow back, they had gotten nothing but snide comments from her father.

"I don't know what to do. I'm out of ideas." Patrick slurred.

" I plan to get so drunk that I can't see straight. Then I'm going to pass out and start new tomorrow." They exchanged glances, agreeing with his statement and headed towards the door. Patrick staggered a little and Angelus had to hold him up. Once they reached the street Patrick had passed out and fallen to the ground. "All right you just rest here." Angelus looked up from Patrick and saw a beautiful woman alone in the alley. Granted she paled in comparison to Willow, but he knew that he would never get Willow back, that added to the alcohol made his thoughts all fuzzy. Before he knew what he was doing he approached the woman.

"What's a lady of your station doing alone in an alley with the reputation this one has?"

The woman turned to look at him. "Maybe she's lonely?"

"Well in that case allow me to offer myself as escort, to protect ya from harm and while away the dull hours."

"You're very gracious."

"It's often been said.'

"Are you sure you're up to the challenge?"

"My lady you'll find that with the exception of an honest days work, there's no challenge I'm not prepared to face..... Oh but you're a pretty thing. Where you from?"

"Around...everywhere."

"I've never been anywhere myself. I've always wanted to see the world but–"

"I could show you."

"Could ya then?'

"Things you've never seen, never even heard of."

"Sounds exciting."

"It is.... and freighting"

"I'm not afraid, show me...show me you're world."

"Close your eyes."

Angelus did so with out hesitation. What happened next would change his life forever, she bit him, slid her fangs in his neck and began to feed. The world came into sharp focus only to have it blur and spin around him once again. Before his world faded to darkness he felt something warm enter his mouth and he began to drink it, his last thoughts were of Willow.  He saw her looking at him with a gaze full of love and sadness, then nothing.

Darla pulled the young man away from her breast and smiled. She couldn't wait for this one to rise, they would have such fun. She turned ad walked away, visions of her new childe and death in her head.

Part 4

Light.

All he could see was blinding light. He was about to welcome the comfort of darkness again when one thought stopped him... "Willow."

"She's been taken, too get married."

"Patrick, is that you?" Angelus asked opening his eyes further and trying to focus.

"Yes Angelus, it's me. You need to rest."

"No. I need to find Willow." Angelus started to get up, only to have Patrick gently push him back down.  "No one but my father knows where she is and he won't tell any of us, I'm so tempted to beat it out of him. I don't want my baby sister marrying that horrible monster! Everyone is furious about it, everyone expect my father that is. There is nothing we can do."?

"I have to try. Do you have any idea how I feel about her? She is everything to me, my whole world........ I love her, I love her so much........ I couldn't imagine a life with out her."? Angelus' voice held such pain and despair, it tore at Patrick's heart.

"Get dressed. I think we should go pay my father a visit."?

Angelus didn’t need to be told twice. He got up, with some help from Patrick, and got dressed. The only thing keeping him going was the thought of having Willow safely in his arms.

Patrick and Angelus sat in a pub thinking of ways to get Willow back, they had gotten nothing but snide comments from her father.

"I don’t know what to do. I'm out of ideas."? Patrick slurred.

" I plan to get so drunk that I can’t see straight. Then I'm going to pass out and start new tomorrow."? They exchanged glances, agreeing with his statement and headed towards the door.

Patrick staggered a little and Angelus had to hold him up. Once they reached the street Patrick had passed out and fallen to the ground. "All
right you just rest here."? Angelus looked up from Patrick and saw a beautiful woman alone in the alley. Granted she paled in comparison to Willow, but he knew that he would never get Willow back, that added to the alcohol made his thoughts all fuzzy.  Before he knew what he was doing he approached the woman.

"What" a lady of your station doing alone in an alley with the reputation this one has?"

The woman turned to look at him. "Maybe she’s lonely?"

"Well in that case allow me to offer myself as escort, to protect ya from harm and while away the dull hours."

"You're very gracious."

"It's often been said."

"Are you sure you’re up to the challenge?"

"My lady you'll find that with the exception of an honest days work, there's no challenge I'm not prepared to face..... Oh but you’re a pretty thing. Where you from?"

"Around...everywhere."

"I've never been anywhere myself. I’ve always wanted to see the world but..."

"I'll could show you."

"Could ya then?"

"Things you've never seen, never even heard of."

"Sounds exciting."

"It is.... and freighting"

"I'm not afraid, show me...show me you’re world."

"Close your eyes."

Angelus did so with out hesitation. What happened next would change his life forever, she bit him, slid her fangs in his neck and began to feed. The world came into sharp focus only to have it blur and spin around him once again. Before his world faded to darkness he felt something warm enter his mouth and he began to drink it, his last thoughts were of Willow. He saw her looking at him with a gaze full of love and sadness, then nothing.

Darla pulled the young man away from her breast and smiled. She couldn't wait for this one to rise, they would have such fun. She turned ad walked away, visions of her new childe and death in her head.

Willow was sitting in the parlor of her new home. She had fought so hard to get away from Kiern, but when he threatened Angelus' life she relented. She wasn't sure if he was alive after the beating he had received, she just couldn't take that chance. She would gladly give her life for him.

"What are you thinking about my love?"  Kiern had walked in undetected and it surprised Willow.

"I'm not you’re love, I never will be!"

"A temper to match your hair, very arousing. Would you like to take this upstairs love?"

"All I want if for you to leave me alone! I will be at your services later, I have no choice in the matter."

"That’s right you don’t. I’ll wait, but I won't wait long."  He turned as if leaving then turned back and took a step towards Willow. "By the sweet, was it by chance your lost love Angelus that was filling your thoughts"

"Does it matter if it was. You've made it quite clear I’ll never see him again. Why can’t you just leave it at that"

"Well darling you won't have to worry you’re pretty little head about me killing Angelus."

"What? Why?"

"Some one already beat me to it. So sorry to give you the horrible news love, but you'll soon forget him, I'll make you."

Kiern walked out leaving a very stunned Willow behind. He paused on the stairs and waited for what he knew would follow. Then he heard it and it brought a small smile to his face, the sound was Willow's cry of horror and anguish, music to his ears.

She waited until Kiern left for a night of drinking, then gave the servants the night off, sending them to their quarters. She sat in the parlor and stared out the window. She was numb, having  cried all the tears she had, now she just felt dead inside. She was just about to go upstairs when there was a knock on the door. As she neared the entryway the knocks became frantic pounding.

"Alright! Who on God green earth could that be?!"  She threw the door open and stopped dead in her tracks, Angelus was standing on her porch very much alive.
 

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