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I know I must have looked crazed, staring at Xander with big alligator tears streaming down my face. I was terrified when I thought he was going to die, I think I might have even told the vampire that I would offer myself in his place. And then Angelus and Spike were a flurry of action. Spike stabbed the vampire over Xander in the back, making him burst into dust. Up to that point, that was the strangest thing I'd ever seen in my entire life. Angelus took out the other vampire, as if it were no problem.

Xander stood up, watching me. "Willow?" he asked softly. "Are you ok?"

I rushed into the safety of his arms. He wrapped them around me, holding me tighter than I think I've ever been held. He kissed the top of my head and rocked me gently, murmuring words of comfort. I could feel my body calming down just a bit. I looked up at him and sighed. He was looking at me with those big brown chocolate eyes that I loved. . .

I shivered. I remembered seeing Angelus' big brown eyes when he first saw me. They were wide with recognition, and. . .something else. Something I'd never seen in another person's eyes before. It was almost as if. . .he knew me. And he knew my name. How did he know my name?

I turned, looking around. I blinked in surprise. "Uh, Xander?"

"Yea, Wills?"

"Angelus and Spike. They are gone."

Xander's eyes widened and he blinked rapidly. "Ok, this is totally giving me the wiggins. I think we should go home now. I'm staying at your house tonight."

"Yea," I said. "That would be of the good."

Neither of us spoke as we walked back to my house. He was still holding my hand, and both of us were glancing around warily. "Wills, they can't come in the house if they aren't invited, can they?" he asked softly.

"I. . .don't think so. At least. . .they can't in the movies."

He tugged on my hand a little. "Come on, there's your house right up there." He was practically dragging me now, more than eager to get into the safety of my home.

I pulled out the key and slipped it into the lock, opening the door. We rushed in, shutting the door behind us. He leaned against the door, breathing hard. "Ok, that was something I don't think I ever want to face again."

I watched him, as the emotions played out on his face. He was angry, scared, worried, and finally, sad. He opened big brown tear filled eyes and looked at me. "I could have lost you," he said, his voice low and hushed.

"But you didn't. An angel and that Spike guy saved us." I sighed, chewing on my bottom lip. There was something about Angelus that made me feel. . .he made my heart flutter, even more so than Xander did. < No, Willow, you love Xander. No one else. >

"Your parents don't care if I stay here?" Xander asked, glancing around the dark house.

"Xander, this is Sheila and Ira. You know they are never here. They won't even know." I looked down, chewing on my bottom lip. "Ok, I have to ask you something. . .this is kinda. . .awkward. . ."

Xander took my hand. "I don't want to sleep alone either," he said softly.

I glanced up at him and smiled. "Thanks."

It was odd. I thought that I would be nervous, but I really wasn't. I mean, I was terrified to the core of my being, and I couldn't stop seeing those vampires in my head. And Angelus. . .I couldn't stop seeing him, the way his hair spiked up, the dark look in his eyes, the way his leather pants molded to his body. . .I swallowed hard. "Come on, Xander, let's go to bed," I said in a husky voice. Kind of shocked me, I never heard my voice so low and. . .sultry.

If Xander noticed, he didn't say anything. For the first time since I realized I was in love with him, it didn't bother me that he didn't notice. This way I could think my thoughts of Angelus in peace, and not have to try to answer him about said thoughts.

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