Part 34

Genevieve was sprawled comfortably on Willow’s bed with Amerie snuggled next to her. Willow was trying to find an outfit for her upcoming visit with Spike and Drusilla, and Genevieve was advising her and keeping her company. At least, that was supposedly why they were in Willow’s old room. In reality, it had turned into a lazy afternoon talking about whatever popped into their heads, and playing dress-up with Willow’s extensive wardrobe.

Angelus was at his desk in the library going over reports from Service, Inc. Ostensibly. Mostly, he was watching Willow and Genevieve on his monitor. It was hard to concentrate on paperwork while Willow was putting on a fashion show. He also enjoyed being a ‘fly on the wall’ during all the girl talk going on. Finally, he gave up the pretense of getting work done and leaned back in his chair to enjoy the Willow and Genevieve show.

“You have a ton of clothes, chére. Angelus bought you *all* of them since you’ve been with him?”

“Yep, pretty much,” Willow said with a grin. “They take up half of the walk-in closet in our room, the whole walk-in closet in this room, and the armoire and dresser in here are packed to capacity.”

Genevieve laughed and propped herself up on her elbows. “He’s certainly been busy. At least he has great taste. Do you get to have any input?”

Willow smirked. “No, not a heck of a lot.” In response to Genevieve’s eye roll, she said, “In his defense, I dressed like crap before. I just wore what my mom bought me because I didn’t think I looked good in anything anyway.”

Genevieve looked at her skeptically. “It’s hard to imagine you looking bad, chére.”

“Thank you, that’s sweet of you to say, but…wait, I’ll show you.”

Willow went to the entertainment center and rummaged through a cabinet. She pulled out a photo album, flipped to the page she was looking for, and presented Genevieve with the evidence of her former self.

Genevieve sat up and studied the picture. “Hmm. The jumper and tights certainly don’t do anything for you, but you look sweet. Don’t you have a more recent photo?”

Willow laughed and plopped down next to her on the bed. “That picture was taken last fall. It *is* recent.”

Genevieve’s mouth dropped open and she looked back down at the picture. “You’ve made a dramatic metamorphosis, haven’t you? It doesn’t seem possible that that awkward, self-conscious creature was you such a short time ago. Kudos to Angelus for bringing forth the butterfly.”

Willow smiled softly and nodded. “He’s changed my life. Totally.”

Genevieve smiled back at her fondly and kissed her cheek. “I’m so happy for you, chére. You’ve found your place in life and it suits you beautifully.”

Willow’s eyes welled up. “Thank you. Even though there’s a lot to adjust to, I feel really lucky. I love Angelus so much, and you’re…” Her voice caught and she cleared her throat. “You’re a wonderful friend. It means a lot to me that you’re here.”

Genevieve hugged her and patted her back. “There’s no place I’d rather be. Your friendship is a great gift and I cherish it.” After a moment, she pulled back and grinned at Willow. “We better get back to work so that you’re ready for your big debut tonight.”

Willow sighed and stood reluctantly. “Yeah, I guess. It’s…I’m really nervous.”

Genevieve looked at her sympathetically. “I know. You’ll be fine, though. Angelus has prepared Drusilla and Spike, and I’ll be there for moral support.”

Willow went to the closet and said over her shoulder, “It’s weird to switch gears and go from thinking of them as scary vampires to Angelus’…well, *kids*.” She snorted. “Not that ‘meeting the family’ isn’t scary enough. It’s like I’m a new step-mom to *really* old kids.”

Genevieve chuckled. “I guess that’s accurate enough. It’ll be much easier than you think, though. Vampires are family oriented and you hold a very important position in Drusilla and Spike’s. Your position won’t be questioned.”

“I’m trying really hard to take your word for it. But still…weird,” Willow said, coming out of the closet in a deep blue silk shantung dress.

“You look gorgeous, chére!” Genevieve said with delight. “I love deep, rich colors next to your lovely pale skin.”

The dress was knee length and had a full skirt, but the bodice was close fitting with a square neckline and topped off with slightly puffed sleeves. Genevieve scrutinized her for a moment. “It’s not what you want for tonight, but add it to the clothes you’ll wear when we visit your friends in Sunnydale.”

Willow looked at herself critically in the full length mirror and admitted, “It does look nice, huh?”

Genevieve sighed impatiently. “You look smashing. Quit being so modest.”

Willow met her friend’s eyes in the mirror and wrinkled her nose, but allowed herself a small smile. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, I’m supposed to be all confident. You sound like Angelus.”

“God forbid! But, I must admit, his influence has accomplished a lot. That picture you showed me proves that.”

Willow snickered as she went to change again. “Make sure to tell him that, he’ll love it.”

“I try not to inflate his ego any more than it already is,” she scoffed in response. “He doesn’t need any help in that department.”

Willow giggled from the closet. “True. Oh, wait! Gen, you’re going to love this.” Her voice was muffled as she pulled something over her head. A moment later she emerged with a victorious smile on her face.

Genevieve sat up and clapped. “That’s it! You’re perfect.” She hopped off the bed in excitement and dashed to the closet. After rummaging around for a moment, she came out with a pair of black spike-heeled boots. She handed them to Willow with a grin and said, “Put these on and finish off the look.”

Willow did as she was told and then they both stood in front of the mirror and assessed the result. The entire outfit was black. Willow had put on a snug strapless top with fitted black slacks that flared slightly at the bottom. She was wearing a crocheted duster with bell sleeves over the top that buttoned beneath her breasts and fell open to her mid-calf and swirled around her legs. The boots suited it perfectly.

Willow grinned and put her hands on her hips. “This outfit just makes you want to…to strut around and boss people. I *love* it. I’m, like, Fierce Willow. Take No Prisoners Willow. Kick Ass Willow.”

“Exactly!” Genevieve agreed, laughing with delight. “It couldn’t be more perfect for the matriarch of vampire clan.”

“If the saying, ‘the clothes make the woman’ is true, then I guess I’m ready for tonight.”

Genevieve sat on the bed and watched with amusement as Willow walked around the room with a purposeful stride, practicing for her role. “Dressed like that, you even remind me of Angelus, Drusilla and Spike. Angelus and Spike favor dusters that swirl authoritatively around their legs when they walk, and Drusilla likes full, old-fashioned dresses that do the same. You’ll fit right in.”

“Hmmm…I don’t know about fitting in, but I can sure see why they like it. It definitely makes you feel important, for some reason.”

They looked at each other and giggled.

Earlier, James had brought them a cart loaded with sandwiches, platters of cheese and fruit, pastries, cookies and iced tea. Now, Willow looked at it longingly. “Let’s celebrate the awesome outfit and Sunnydale stockpile of clothes with a feast.”

“Good idea--I’m starved. You had better change first, though. You don’t want to risk getting food on your, uh, *superhero* clothes after spending all that time finding them.”

“Ha. You jest, but I’m telling you, this nifty outfit has some serious juju,” Willow said serenely as she went to change.

Once they’d settled themselves comfortably on the bed, heaping plates in front of them, Willow asked, “Gen, how do you do it? I mean, having vampires for friends. You seem so normal, but your life definitely…isn’t.”

After feeding Amerie a tidbit, Genevieve looked at Willow thoughtfully before she answered. “To me, it is normal. Friends are important; I’d feel very lonely and isolated without them. Relationships with humans are complicated. As you know, people go through life completely oblivious to the demons, immortals, and any other preternatural beings in their midst. Friendships with them mean being guarded and watching your step constantly.”

Genevieve popped a grape into her mouth and smiled. “Of course, now I have you. I’ve lived for hundreds of years and have just now finally met someone of my own kind. With you, I can relax and completely be myself. I haven’t been this happy in a long time. Your new beginning is a new beginning for me, too. I feel very…young. It’s exciting to be starting this new adventure. I’m thrilled to be your friend and be a part of all the upcoming events in your life.”

Willow smiled warmly at her friend. “I think I understand. I never had much of a family life, so when Buffy came along…” she paused to collect her thoughts. “Well, sure, vampires, Slayers and stuff were a big shock, but feeling like a part of something felt pretty great. I felt like I belonged and my life had purpose.”

Genevieve nodded. “Yes, that’s it. Everyone needs to feel like they belong. It’s universal.”

“It’s funny to think that…” Willow frowned in thought for a moment. “I’ll be able to be myself, pretty much, when we visit Spike and Drusilla—previously my sworn enemies. But when we visit my friends, I’ll have to be all cautious.”

“Yes. You see, it’s starting already. You have common ground with both groups, but it’s very different.”

Willow nibbled a scone while she sorted it all out. “You know, now that you put it that way, it kind of sounds normal. I mean, I’m different with my parents than I am with my friends. Mom and Dad would keel over if I came home and said that I’d spent my day researching the latest demon threat and my evening patrolling the cemeteries with Buffy.”

Genevieve grinned. “They’d probably rush you to a psychiatric facility.”

Willow snorted. “That’s about right.”

“Even though you’ve already lived somewhat of a dual life, it’ll be different than that with your friends. Keeping parents in the dark becomes a natural impulse after a certain age—it’ll be more difficult to watch what you say to people that you’re used to being more…*unfiltered* with. In fact, while we’re on the subject and have the time, you should work on preparations for visiting Sunnydale. Practice creating a glamour.”

Willow groaned.

Genevieve clucked her tongue. “I know it feels strange, but that’s exactly why you need to practice. Just think, until recently, you didn’t even think you had the power to do it. You’ve come a long way very quickly, chére.”

Willow sighed. “You’re right. I know.” With a resolved look, she closed her eyes and centered herself.

Genevieve nodded approvingly as Willow began to shift and change. It took a moment, but she was successful. “Well done. That’s an interesting choice of forms—it’s very strange to sit here looking at myself.”

Willow smiled. “I know, I kind of cheated.”

“Not really. This exercise is for practicing creating and holding the illusion. You can worry about conjuring original ones in your head later. In fact, this is ideal for showing me how well you’re doing at completely emulating your goal form.” She carefully scrutinized Willow from head to toe. “Excellent! You are me down to every last detail…flaws and all.”

“What flaws?” Willow scoffed. “But, thank you,” she added with a pleased smile.

Genevieve chuckled. “I’m a woman, am I not? Naturally, I look at myself and wish this or that were different.”

“Well, that’s good to hear. It makes me feel better to know that I’m not the only one around here who looks at their reflection and has those thoughts. You and Angelus always seem so sure of yourselves.”

“In his case, that’s true,” she replied with a smirk. “For those of us less egotistical, it’s a matter of liking and accepting ourselves for what we are, not what we’re not.” She smiled at Willow. “Who wants to be perfect, anyway? Such high expectations of ones self would be exhausting.”

Willow thought about it and nodded. “Yeah. I hope that I’ll always be a person who tries to be better. But, it would be nice to relax and not get hung up on worrying about not being good enough. I’m working on it,” she said with a smile.

“That’s all anyone can ask.”

Amerie, who had been napping, woke up and looked back and forth between Willow and Genevieve with her ears perked up. She hurried over to each and examined their scents, cocked her head, grunted, then laid back down to resume her nap.

Both women, who had been watching silently, broke out in laughter.

Genevieve reached over to pet her little dog fondly and said, “I guess she’s more concerned with what her nose tells her than her eyes.”

“I sure didn’t fool her for long,” Willow replied.

“She’s pretty sharp and not easily rattled. She’s seen unusual things her entire life, so she takes them in stride.” Looking back at Willow, she asked, “How about you? How are you feeling as you maintain the glamour?”

“Great! It’s not even a thing. I’m not having any trouble holding it while we eat and talk about other things. It’s hard to believe that I just learned how to do this a few days ago. This time it feels natural and easy.”

Genevieve beamed. “You’re an outstanding pupil, chére.”

Willow flushed, but allowed herself a satisfied smile. “Thank you. It’s pretty cool to be able to look like whatever I want, whenever I want.”

“You’ll find it a handy ability. Plus, sometimes it’s just fun.”

Suddenly Willow’s form shifted and she became herself, but with a few adjustments.

“Good job,” Genevieve said with approval. Her friend was now taller, curvier, had thicker hair, bee-stung lips, and other, harder to pinpoint refinements. “You look like…like, Super Model Willow.”

Willow grinned and posed.

“Best of all, chére, you transformed quickly and effortlessly. Outstanding!”

“Thank you,” Willow replied proudly as she went to study herself in the mirror. She preened at her reflection and checked herself out from different angles. “You’re right, it *is* fun to be whatever you want.” Her eyes narrowed as she met Genevieve’s in the mirror. “Glamours can be kind of addictive. How do you keep from tweaking how you appear constantly?”

Genevieve gave her a sly look. “How do you know that I don’t?”

Willow’s head snapped around and she gasped, “No! Really? You, you…?”

Genevieve chuckled and confessed, “No, not really. But I had you going for a moment, didn’t I?” she added mischievously.

“Yes!” Willow replied with feigned annoyance. “But, seriously, is it tempting?”

“Just at first. You’ll find that glamours are like a new toy. You can’t help but play with the ability until the novelty wears off. When I first started experimenting with them, I created ‘new and improved’ versions of myself too. Nicholai didn’t like it. He let me know in no uncertain terms that he wanted me to look like me.”

Willow nodded in understanding. “I get that. I mean, I wouldn’t want Angelus fiddling with how *he* looks.” She clucked her tongue, “Of course, why would someone who looks like him change anything?”

~~~~~~~~~~~

Angelus chose that moment to turn off the monitor. He couldn’t imagine ending his eavesdropping on a higher note. It was good to hear that Willow thought he was physically perfect just the way he was. Naturally, he agreed completely.

It had been entertaining to watch Willow practice glamours. He was impressed at how adept she’d become. Like Nicholai, he didn’t like his woman changing her appearance, though. If it became necessary, he’d let Willow know he didn’t approve of so-called ‘improvements’.

Recalling how she’d looked in the outfit she’d chosen for tonight’s visit made him smile wolfishly. There was no improving on *that*. She’d looked so sexy and commanding that it was all he could do to stay in his chair and just watch. He’d wanted to charge upstairs and fuck her twelve ways from Sunday. His cock stirred at the memory and he resolved to satisfy it before they left for the evening.

‘Fierce Willow’ was a big turn-on. He’d also been pleased with the effect the outfit had on *her*--he’d laughed aloud at her antics. Of course, he’d make sure to be properly ‘surprised’ at Willow’s clothing choices when she dressed.

Spike and Dru had been prepped, so he was confident that all would go well tonight. They might be unpredictable, but they were anxious to put the new member of the family at ease and were excited about meeting her. Of course, he’d also made it clear that any discomfort they made Willow feel would be nothing compared to the discomfort *they’d* feel as a result. He was pretty sure the threats hadn’t been necessary, but he’d thought he’d play it safe, just in case.

He knew Willow was nervous, but the outfit would go a long way in shoring up her courage. Besides, he and Gen would be there. She’d be fine.

He wished he felt the same assurance about Willow’s upcoming Sunnydale visit.

The more he thought about it, the more he hated like hell that she intended to go to Sunnydale. He hated the idea of them being separated. He hated the idea of her being out of his immediate control. He hated the idea of her being with that pack of losers she called friends. He *really* hated the idea of her being in the company of males that she’d previously harbored ‘crushes’ on. And who knew how many males would cross her path? Fuck! he thought with frustration. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

As was his way, he was already taking steps to see that he was included in all that might go on, despite his physical absence. Preparations had been set in motion. He’d be ready.

At this very moment, John Barrett was improving audio and video surveillance at the locations frequented by Willow’s pathetic little group--and adding it where necessary. Initially, Sunnydale monitoring had been mostly for potential damage control and such. Now, Angelus wanted to see and hear *everything* that happened wherever Willow might go. Some things, like the noisy Bronze, posed problems. The ever efficient John Barrett had assured him that since money was no object, the job would get done, though.

Although Willow’s parents’ house would be covered, Angelus’ hope was to convince her that she and Genevieve would be more comfortable at Sunnydale’s premier hotel. Confident in his ability to influence her, he’d already made the necessary reservations. It would be a lot easier for him to execute his surveillance and to find opportunities to be with her at the hotel. He had no idea exactly when this potential trip would take place, so he’d secured the rooms now so that modifications and wiring could get underway.

He intended to ensconce himself at the hotel, so rooms enough for Willow, Genevieve, himself, and surveillance equipment were required. It was also important to have adjoining rooms and he didn’t want to leave to chance the availability of those when the time came. Another consideration had been the location of the rooms since it was important for him to be able to come and go as he pleased without being detected by…anyone he didn’t want to be detected by.

There was no way he was going to be separated from his woman any more than he had to be.

Another matter that was being addressed was a vehicle for Willow with monitoring equipment. Barrett was in charge of that, as well. He would procure the vehicle and outfit it with the necessary technology. It was important that something be chosen that was large enough for the entire group and reasonably priced enough that everyone would believe that her parents bought it for her.

Angelus chuckled. The surveillance equipment that would be installed would probably cost more than the car itself.

The important thing was that Willow’s movements would be tracked and monitored. Since Willow’s friends didn’t have vehicles, he had no doubt that they’d ride in hers when they went places together, so he had no worries about her being out of earshot while in transit.

While making all the preparations made him feel better—in control of the situation to a certain degree—he was still unhappy about it. He was very content with their life together and was uneasy about being apart from her and what they’d built here.

He tapped his fingers on the desk in concentration; if any stone had been left unturned, it wasn’t coming to him.

He should’ve been looking forward to the extra time he’d have to himself to pursue pleasures that she wouldn’t approve of. But he wasn’t.

Never before, in all of his years and incarnations, had he been content. He hadn’t even been aware of it until he’d experienced the other side of the coin.

As a human he’d been all about the reckless pursuit of drink, women, and any vice that happened into his worthless life.

After Darla changed him it was more of the same except blood and pain had been introduced. Eventually, he *had* become more focused and practical. But still, he’d been greedy for bigger, bloodier entertainments—nothing had ever been enough and he’d get bored.

In retrospect, he saw that he had been unsuccessfully searching for something. Personal fulfillment, he supposed. That indefinable something that wouldn’t just satisfy him for the moment. He’d spent a century and half looking for the ultimate satisfaction and it never came. It never would’ve occurred to him then that that was something that came from inside. Chasing around the world, feeding, fucking, desecrating…hadn’t accomplished shit.

Then the soul abruptly brought that lifestyle to a screeching halt.

With a sneer, he thought about how Angel hadn’t attempted to pursue anything except…downtrodden-ness. The stupid fucker’s priority was misery. Period. Angelus shook off those thoughts—he wasn’t going to waste any time contemplating that wasted century of his life.

He let his mind drift back to more stimulating things. Like how imposing Willow looked in that provocative outfit. With a wicked smile and low growl, he decided it was time to retrieve Willow and have his lusty way with her. It was amazing how much hunger for her accumulated during the course of one afternoon away from her. He rose from his chair and headed upstairs with enthusiasm.

End Part 34