To Friendship
by A. Price

Angel was brooding, something he had truly mastered
in his 250 years on earth. He was naturally thinking
of Buffy, the love of his very long life. When he got
this way it helped to talk to Willow. She always
listened, didn't judge and offered good advice.

He walked to Willows door and knocked. It took a little
while for her to answer and when she did she looked
awful. "Hey, Angel" she sniffled "i've got the flu, you
might not want to get too close." She thought a moment
"I guess that doesn't matter, come on in."

Angel had planned to tell Willow his problems tonight.
But she looked like she was the one with bigger problems.
So he changed his mind. "I was just walking by and thought
I would say hi. Do you need some help tonight?" he asked
as Willows four year old daughter Angelia ran down the
stairs in her jammies.

Willow was running a fever and it had taken all her energy
to bathe Angelia. "That would be nice, Jesse is staying at
a friends and Oz is out of town."

"Just sit down and tell me what needs to be done" said
Angel with a smile.

Angelia spoke "Can you comb hair? My hair needs combed."

Angel looked at his namesake "Well, I can try" and he took
the comb from her.

Willow had to smile as she watched Angel combing out her
daughters auburn hair. He's good with children. It's too
bad that he won't ever have any of his own." she thought
to herself.

"Willow, just lie on the couch and Angelia and I will go
and get you some jucie." said Angel as he finished the
little girls hair.

Angel and Angelia tucked Willow in on the couch and went
into the kitchen. "The juice is in there" the little girl
pointed at the fridge. Angel got out the juice out pouring
a glass for Willow and a smaller one for Angelia.

Willow was trying to get up when they entered the living
room. "Don't get up, just rest Willow" said Angel in a
caring voice.

"Its Angelias bedtime, I need to tuck her in" said Willow
weakly.

"I'll do it" said Angel. Angelia kissed her Mom on the cheek.
she took Angel by the hand, "We have to tuck the dolls in first"
she said. The bedroom was covered in dolls, Angel helped tuck
all of them in, then he tucked the covers around his namesake.
He turned the nightlight on, turned off the big light off and
said "Goodnight, Angelia" softly, she was already almost asleep.

Angel entered the livingroom to find Willow asleep. The phone rang
he answered it quickly so it wouldn't wake her. "Hello" he answered
it was Oz. "Angel is that you?" he asked.

"Yes, its me" Angel said and he explained about Willow being sick.

"Angel if you aren't doing anything, could you please stick around
and keep an eye on Willow for me. Make sure she is okay." asked Oz.

Angel was touched by the love in his voice. "Sure, I'll stay awhile."

"Thanks, alot" said Oz as he hung up the phone.

Angel wasn't exactly sure what to do with himself. Willow was
sleeping soundly now. He took the dirty juice glasses to the
kitchen. While he was there he decided to do the dishes for
her.

Angel ran the dishwater and began washing the dishes, he was
humming to himself. As the dishes sat in the drainboard. he
decided to sweep the floor. The trash looked full so he took
it out too. There was a basket of clean laundry on the washer,
so he began to fold it into neat little piles. Willow entered
the kitchen "Angel, what have you done?" she asked laughing
at the domestic Angel.

"I'm sorry if I intruded. I just wanted to help" he said shyly.

"Thank you, you did a wonderful job, how much do you charge an hour?"
she asked with a smile.

"You look better, how do you feel?" he asked smiling now.

"I feel alot better, I think my fever broke." she said cheerfully.

"I'm glad, Oz called. He asked me to stay, thats why I am still
here." he said "He really loves you Willow. Do you know how
lucky you are?"

"Yes, I do know!" she said with meaning.

Angel looked at this friend. She looked more like herself now
the Willow he knew and loved. Angel did love Willow, not the
same way he loved Buffy, but she had become one of his closest
friends.

"How about a nice glass of juice?" he asked her.

"That sounds good" said Willow as she sat down at the table.
Angel poured hers and then a small glass for himself. He held
up his glass, "Lets make a toast!"

"To what?" laughed Willow as she raised her glass.

"To friendship" said Angel as his glass clinked with
hers.

"To friendship" agreed Willow with a smile.

The two friends sat at the table laughing until almost
dawn. Angel got up to leave. Willow walked him to the
door. She surprised him by kissing him on the cheek.
"What was that for?" he asked.

"Thats for being my friend" she said sweetly.

The end
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