"How do I look?" Willow spun around. She was wearing a pair of comfortable leather pants and a dark green silk poet's shirt. A pair of black Doc Martins and a black leather vest completed her outfit.

"Gorgeous. You will find a man tonight," Cordelia proclaimed.

"I don't need a man!" Willow giggled. "I have plenty around here. Sex is bad, remember?"

"If you say so," Cordelia smiled. "I'm not convinced yet, I might have to look around and see if I can learn that lesson myself." She winked.

"Well, when there are demon babies in the morning, don't come crying to me."

Cordelia's laughter rang through the office. "Fine. Come on, let's go see if Gunn and Wesley are ready."

The elevator ride down to the first floor where the two men lived was short. Willow opened the door and looked up, a small smile gracing her features unconsciously. "Hey, Angel," she said softly. She hadn't seen him all day, and had been somewhat worried about him, but being in his presence calmed her. She could already feel her frazzled nerves dissipating.

He turned around and smiled warmly. "Little One." He hugged her. "You look. . .you look wonderful."

"Thanks," she blushed. "Are you going with us?"

"Yea," Angel said. "I am looking forward to having a good time."

Cordelia looked at Angel in disbelief. "You? Going out? Having a good time? Where is the Angel I know, and can you keep him there?"

Angel smiled. "I don't know if I should be complimented or offended."

"Complimented," Cordelia smiled.

"Ok," Gunn said into the phone. "I'll see you there. . .yea, we are coming. . .I promise! We aren't like that. . .telling you to show up somewhere, and then not showing up. . .ok, see you in a few. . .bye." He hung up the phone. "I called David, he's gonna meet us there."

"You are inviting David?" Cordelia asked.

Gunn shrugged. "It was our illustrious boss' idea."

Cordelia turned to Angel. "I thought he annoyed you."

"He does, but he helped us with the spell. And besides, everyone needs to get out and have a good time every once in a while. If I can do it, David Nabbit can do it. So come on," Angel said.

The group gathered their things, Wesley taking the quiet moment to compliment Cordelia on her outfit. She threw him a smile.

"Are you ok, Little One?" Angel said softly, allowing himself to drop back with Willow. They followed the group at a leisurely pace.

"I am worried about Spike."

Angel closed his eyes. "He's ok, kitten. I would know if something were wrong."

"I just wish you didn't have to hate each other so much," Willow scowled.

"I don't hate my childe," Angel said, glancing at the redhead. She looked at him in surprise. He continued, "Most of what I do is a reaction to the anger he feels for me. And his anger is more that I left him, not because he really *hates* me, per say. Plus, I'm not that good of a vampire. . ."

"Oh, don't say that!" Willow said, putting her hand on his arm. "You are a great vampire! You have the whole stealth thing going for you, and you look really cool with the game face, and you are strong, and I'm sure that if you applied yourself more, you could be an even better vampire."

"Willow, when vampirism constitutes as killing innocents, drinking their blood, and causing general mayhem, I don't really mind that I'm a bad vampire. However, it does put a strain on the whole sire/childe relationship."

She interlocked her fingers with his, marveling at how much bigger his hand was than hers. "Do you regret changing him?"

"Not for one second. Willow, William was the most beautiful man I'd ever laid eyes on. From the second I saw his soft brown hair and those blue eyes, I knew he would be mine." Angel ran his thumb across her palm. "I never let him go. I held him the entire time he was going through the change." He smiled softly. "He was a bastard from the beginning, always defying me, standing up to me. . .my first childe, Penn, hated him. Penn would disobey me and I would hurt him. Badly. William would disobey me, and I would laugh with joy. I don't know what it was about him that amused me so, but he did. I loved every minute of it. He was the closest thing to an equal that I've ever known."

"Will he come back?" Willow asked softly.

"He loves you, Willow. He will be back. He won't allow himself to leave you here with me."

Willow sighed. "Yea, I guess so."

"I know my boy too well. He will be back. Now stop worrying, Little One, we are supposed to be having a good time tonight."