Buffy paced back and forth, worried to death. She had no idea where Willow was, only knew that Mark came over, sporting a cut in the back of his head, claiming that Xander went crazy and kidnapped his wife. Riley immediately flew into a rage, telling Buffy that he was tired of her friend's moping, and that he needed to get over her. He called Sunnydale Police, but Buffy knew *that* wouldn't go anywhere, so she wasn't too terribly worried about the force finding them.

She called Angel, to see if he had any clue where the two went, but he said he didn't know. He did, however, sound concerned, and said he would have one of them contact them if he heard from them. "Angel," she said softly, glancing around to make sure Riley wasn't listening. "I just don't believe Mark. I don't think Xander is capable of taking Willow against her will."

"I know I don't believe him. I don't like him, Buffy. Evil can sense evil, you know."

"So do you think they ran away together?" the Slayer asked. "Why wouldn't she have called me? She's been gone for three days, Angel."

"Maybe Mark isn't telling you the whole truth, and she has to deal with some things first," Angel murmured softly, watching as the redhead in question walked across the lobby, slipping her arms around Xander. The young man had his back to her, hunched over a book, helping Wesley and Cordelia research the new demon the Seer saw in her most recent vision. He turned his head, smiling at Willow. The redhead leaned down, kissing him softly on the lips. She pulled away quickly, a blush covering her face. She offered a small smile, then glanced at Cordelia. The two women rushed off to the other side of the lobby to *talk* about the accidental kiss she'd bestowed on her best friend.

Xander smiled, touching his lips briefly. He shook his head and turned back to the book.

"Huh?" Angel asked, Buffy's pause jerking him away from watching his family.

"Angel, are you paying attention to me?"

Angel shook his head, trying to think of a good excuse. "Sorry. Naked Spike. You know how he tries to get my attention when I'm talking to someone else."

Buffy chuckled. "How is the Bleached Wonder?"

"Fine. Threatening people left and right, but fine."

"Anyway, please, please, I know you and Xander are close. He isn't answering his cell phone. . .I need to just know that Willow is ok." Buffy was mildly hysterical, worried to death about her friends.

"I'll make sure to tell him if he calls. I promise."

"Thanks, Angel. So. . .I'm going to go. Give Blondie a punch in the nose for me."

Angel chuckled. "Bye, Buffy." He hung up the phone, then moved silently towards Willow and Cordelia.

"So. . .do you like him?" Cordelia asked.

Willow pulled her legs to her chest, hugging her knees. "I dunno. I mean, yea, I do, but. . .I mean. . .I liked him before Mark came around, and everything. . ."

"So kiss him," Cordelia urged.

"What?" the redhead shrieked. "I can't just *kiss* him!"

"Do it! When you kiss him, you'll know," Cordelia said knowingly. "You'll know if it's right. I mean, when I kissed Charles for the first time, I knew it was right. I knew that he belonged to me, and I belonged to him. Wills, you and Xander have been together since. . .since like, the dawn of time. Every memory I have of Xander before we started dating, you are right there beside him. Every memory I have of *you* before you and Oz got together. . .Xander was right there. Hell, I went to another stupid universe, and the two of you were together. You *belong* together. I knew it then, and I know it now."

Willow ran her hand through her hair. "But we've kissed before. . .I didn't feel it then," she said softly. "I mean. . .it was a lot of fun, and he's a great kisser, but. . ."

"But you loved Oz, and Xander loved me. You were cheating on two people. There's no way it could feel *right*. Not as right as it was."

"I'd be cheating on Mark," Willow whispered, looking down.

"You know," Cordelia said knowingly, "I'm thinking that the second that the bastard raised a hand to you, he lost all rights and privileges as a husband. Just *do* it! Kiss him! If you don't feel. . .if you don't feel the sparks, then tell him you slipped and fell."

Willow chuckled. "Oh, god, sorry, Xander, I accidentally slipped and my tongue went *right* into your mouth."

Angel smirked, leaning down to whisper in Willow's ear. "You never know. He may believe it."

Willow jumped up and spun around, a scream of fear escaping her lips. She put her hand on her chest, breathing hard.

Xander jumped up, the book crashing to the floor. He turned and ran across the lobby, skidding to a stop in front of Willow. "Are you ok?" he asked, out of breath. He reached out, touching her elbow, looking over her body for any glaring wounds.

She started giggling, wiping her face tiredly. "I'm fine, Xand. Angel just scared me."

Xander closed his eyes, his hand on his heart. He tilted his head down and breathed a sigh of relief. "Deadboy, please, refrain from scaring her. I'm going to have a heart attack."

Willow blinked suddenly, realizing that Xander had been on the other side of the room. She glanced around her best friend, seeing Wesley on the floor picking up all the stuff Xander knocked over. Her heart fluttered, realizing that he'd jumped up and ran to rescue her as soon as she screamed. She looked up at Xander, her eyes filled with tears.

He opened worried brown eyes. "You hurt, baby?" he asked softly.

She threw her arms around his neck and attacked his lips with her own, her tongue teasing his shocked mouth. He was motionless for a whole three seconds before he realized what was going on. He wrapped his arms around her, slipping his hands under her shirt, idly playing with her back. Their kiss deepened, their hearts soaring. Both of them forgot everything around them, focusing only on the feeling of their bodies pressed against each other, their lips joining in a passionate embrace. Cordelia sniffed, wiping away a few tears that sprang up in her eye.

"Bloody hell," Spike said, walking up to stand next to his Sire. "I was wondering how long it was going to take for Red to make her move."

Angel chuckled, wrapping his arm around Spike's shoulders. He leaned down, dropping a quick kiss on the blonde's lips.

Willow finally pulled away, panting for breath. Xander was motionless, his eyes closed, still leaning forward. "Xander?" she asked softly, knowing that he was the one. She just worried. What if he didn't feel the same way?

He opened one eye. "Damn. . .the kiss is over. I was trying to replay it my head over and over and over. I want to live in that moment, Willow, surrounded by you, thinking of only you, feeling you against my body. I honestly think I could do nothing but kiss you for the rest of my natural life."

She smiled, tears coming to her eyes. "Oh, Xander!" she exclaimed, attacking his lips again.

Spike rolled his eyes. "Sappy romantic crap. Makes me wanna go bloody kill something. A fluffy bunny or something." He walked away.

Angel snickered. "Come on, Cor, let's go help Wesley."

Continue