A Devon adventure

Disclaimer: The characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and the WB, I've just borrowed them for a while.

Authors Notes: This is a continuation of Angie’s challenge posted on the Willow-Xander list. It’s set in the summer between Season Two and Three.

Thursday and Saturday are parts from Angie’s original story I’ve just continued from there.

“Well, it’ll be hard, but you haven’t seen these guys in ages, and I’ll be busy with the Dingoes anyway.”

“I’ll still be here when you get back. You should go, it’s a great opportunity,” Oz grinned back.

“So, Will. What’s the verdict here? Are we holiday bound or what?” Xander’s voice shouted down the stairs as he heard her enter the house.

“Well, I think we might be forced to go. . . and make sure Steve’s still behaving. I-it’s like a responsibility we have.”

“Great!” beamed Xander. “No vamps, no monsters, just me, you Steve and large amounts of sun and tea.”

“Well, it’s so hard to tell. She threatened me with public castration then grabbed me and. . . .”

“I think she’s OK with it though, she said it’d give her time to repair her rep. Patch up those holes of. . . , well it’s really doin’ my ego no good talking about this. Holiday, Will. Visiting Steve!”

“Seems likely, it’s been two years, Will. He’s probably been replaced by some sort of zombie at least twice, vamped, . . .of wait, no. They don’t have a Hellmouth in England, do they?”

Willow turned to look at Oz once more. His face broke out into a small smile as he waved at her. Willow returned his wave, trying to smile confidently that she was making the right decision, leaving him in Sunnydale, whilst she traveled to another continent.

“Yeah. Ready as I’ll ever be.” She replied turning away from Oz and looking at her best friend.

“Yes, but I’m just a little nervous that he’ll forget all about me, find someone else.”

“Hardly Will, he’s crazy about you! Who do you think he’s going to find in a week, we’re only going to be gone for seven days. How much can happen in seven days?”

“On a Hellmouth, probably a great deal!” She returned, still nervous about the trip.

“Come on, I’ll race you to the refreshments!” he teased as he dashed towards the departure lounge.

“It’s good Will. It’s much better than cafeteria food, at least it looks something like what it’s supposed to be!” He replied a smug grin on his face.

“Well, I’m pleased you’re enjoying your meal.” She replied as she pushed the contents of her plate around with her fork. Eating whilst flying made her slightly nervous.

“Just think in a few hours we’ll be on British soil. A country filled with people just like Giles!” He teased.

“I don’t think England is full of people like Giles’ I think that’s more a Watcher thing.”

“Oh. You’ve just shattered my illusions Will.” He said with mock disappointment on his face.

“I think we’re going to find that it’s not too different from home. Well the people hopefully aren’t different, although I hope the nightlife is definitely different.” She babbled.

“I think we’re safe. Giles would have told us if we’d got anything to worry about!”

“I hope so.” Willow replied quietly.

Willow was about to answer when Xander jumped in. “Don’t answer that. Forget I asked that question? Now I wonder what the in-flight movie is?” He changed the subject quickly.

“Oh well at least that will fill in a couple of hours. Wake me when we land.” He smiled, his dark brown eyes glinting with mischief.

“Have you found your bags?” Xander asked as he pulled his suitcase from the rack and placed it on the trolley.

“Yes, all present and accounted for. I suppose we need to find Steve now.” Willow said as she balanced her small bag on top of their suitcases.

“Let’s follow the crowd and hit British soil properly.” He teased as he steered the trolley towards the main terminal.

Xander and Willow scanned the terminal looking for Steve. Finally Xander noticed him in a crowd of people. Steve began to wave furiously when he recognised Willow and Xander.

The young man moved quickly towards them followed by another man who looked remarkably like Steve. They both were tall and had dark blonde hair and piercing blue eyes.

“Xander! Willow!” Steve exclaimed as he approached them. “How was your flight?”

“Pleased that we landed safely.” Willow replied honestly, taking in Steve’s appearance. He hadn’t really changed in two years, except that he’d appeared to have matured and grown even taller than she remembered.

“Fine, I’m pleased both of you could make it. Dave and I have got everything sorted for six fun filled days in Devon. You remember me talking about my younger brother Dave don’t you?” he asked, finally acknowledging his brother.

“Yes. It’s nice to meet you Dave.” Willow smiled warmly at the other man, who seemed a little nervous.

“It’s nice to meet you to” he replied politely in a strong English accent. He took Willow’s hand and shook it gently.

“Ok then, how about we leave the airport and really start this holiday!” Xander exclaimed, dragging the attention away from Dave and Willow. “Where exactly is Devon?” he asked.

“Oh, not that far, two or three hours drive. That’s all.” Steve replied helping Xander with the trolley.

Willow gazed out of the car window in utter boredom. It had been hours and they didn’t seem to have moved an inch. The queue of traffic stretched as far as she could see, and she was pretty sure that Steve and David were arguing over the best route to take in a manner which implied they weren’t entirely sure where they were to begin with.

“We’re nearly there, Wills,” grinned Xander, leaning his arm across the back shelf of the car as he turned to speak to her.

“How do you know?” asked Willow, wondering if perhaps he had seen something which she had missed.

Willow raised a delicate eyebrow in his direction, wondering how his gut feeling was going to get him off the motorway.

Several hours later, still some distance from their destination, the four weary teenagers clambered out of the car at a remote service station, desperate to escape the traffic for a while. It was already dark, and fears that they would have to spend their first night on holiday sleeping in the car were already setting in.

Leaving Steve and David to their latest arguments over the traveling arrangements, Willow and Xander set off over the motorway bridge in search of food.

“I can’t believe Giles never warned us about the traffic here! He didn’t think to mention that it never actually goes anywhere, or that they drive on the wrong side,” moaned Xander. “I didn’t bring nearly enough food to be traveling all week.”

”I think he expected you to know that they drive on the opposite side, Xander” suggested Willow.

“Well, Ok, but look at that! We’re never going to get there, ever. Might as well go on holiday here!” Xander gestured over the bridge wall at the traffic below.

Willow stretched up on tiptoes, trying to get a better view of the horrendous traffic as it flowed beneath them. “I can’t quite see,” she grunted, straining to lift herself high enough with her arms.

“Xander smiled, knowingly. “It’s only the traffic we’ve been looking at for hours, Will.”

“It’s better when you’re not part of it,” she grinned back. “Peaceful” She hurled herself at the wall again, this time getting herself high enough to just barely look over at the slowly flowing holiday traffic.

Xander stepped in behind her, placing his hands at her back to steady her as she gazed down at the tiny cars.

“This is it,” said Steve, unlocking the door to the caravan they had rented for the week.

Willow rushed in enthusiastically. “Wow, it’s great! L-like a little house on wheels”

“That’s what it’s supposed to be,” muttered David, still in a bad mood from his previous argument with Steve.

“So you guys are going to share the double room, right?” asked Willow, glancing nervously at the tiny double bed which was squeezed into the end room. “And we’ll take the two singles?”

“There you go, Will. Now it’s yours,” said Xander, hefting her bag into the room they would share for the week without even glancing into it.

Willow smiled, following her belongings into the room. The room was tiny, barely 4 inches between the two narrow beds, one of which was crushed between a cupboard and the end wall.

“O-oh,” she managed to stammer, trying to work out how on earth she and Xander were ever going to fit.

“What’s up, Will? My company too much for ya after all this excitement?” Xander barged into the room behind her, almost knocking her onto the nearer bed. “Oh!”

“We-we’re never going to fit!” she exclaimed, expressing both their thoughts.

“Nah, it’ll be fine,” encouraged Xander. “I promise not to eat too much. And besides, you’re alternative is sharing the double bed with one of the picky brothers over there, coz there’s no way I’m doing it.”

“But there is now way you’re getting this bed,” he gestured at the longer of the two beds.

“Me! I who am lots taller than you,” objected Xander, smiling broadly as he positioned himself carefully between her and the bed.

“I think we should toss for it. I-it’s only fair. You can’t be heightist.”

“I can’t, huh?” Xander took her arms and pushed her onto the smaller bed, holding her in place as he placed her belongings beside her. “There, see? This is mine.”

“Ooooo, spooky,” said David, waving his arms around as the four of them descended into the nearest village.

“Y-you know it is, a bit, I mean,” stammered Willow. “With the not seeing and everything. Things could be hiding.”

“Or not,” interrupted Xander. “There could be absolutely no things of any kind to be worrying about and , ha ha. Good joke Dave.”

“Will. Absolutely no stuff. Enjoy it. Revel in it. We now declare ourselves entirely stuff free.”

“Oh… Be not afraid of the dark here?” Willow smiled as she compared the vampire count of Devon, England to that of Sunnydale. “Coz, Giles would have told us, otherwise. Right?”

“Yep. Only thing to be afraid of here is good old people. From which us big strong men will protect you,” announced Xander, puffing out his chest.

“Willow and Xander shrugged, following Steve and David as rapidly as possible down the hill.”

“I can’t believe it. An actual English pub,” gasped Willow. “A-and we’re old enough to drink here? Not that I would of course. I’m just satisfying curiosity. Because. . .”

“. . .Will,” interrupted Xander. “I think you’re givin’ the game away.”

“In that case, what’re ya havin?” asked Xander, fishing in his pocket for his wallet.

“Xander! I can’t lie to the barman… What if he guesses? And we get arrested. What would Giles say?” Willow panicked.

Xander grinned. “ I think we can risk it, Will. So long as I can work out what this funny money’s for.”

Moments later, confronted by the barman and a local as he desperately tried to remember who wanted what, Xander found himself almost as panicked as Willow. Suddenly the whole process of drinking seemed alarmingly complicated and a whole lot less fun than he’d originally anticipated. He was about to finally get the order straight in his head for long enough to actually ask for the drinks, when the local propping up the bar turned to him and addressed him in the strangest accent Xander had ever heard.

“It’s terrible when you get loaded down with change like that, in nit,” grinned the man.

“Uh. . . Yeah," agreed Xander, mentally reciting the list of drinks he wanted as the bartender continued to wait impatiently.

“You know, I think they should just devise some way of avoiding it altogether. Make everything back into notes. Bring the prices down so that there aren’t so many fiddly little bits of metal to worry about.” The strange many began to wave a few arbitrary coins in Xander’s face, putting him off even more.

“What’ll it be?” asked the bartender, by now getting upset at the delay. “I’ve got other customers waiting, you know.”

“You know. I think I’ll leave it for today,” said Xander. “Hold on to my notes, instead of trying to deal with any of that small change?” He giggled falsely then ran back to the other before either of the two men could say another word.

“Guys?” Xander addressed his friends. “We’re leaving. Let’s go for a walk round the village. Explore. Enjoy the sea air…”

“Excellent, we could really do with some wet rain, which is always wet, because. . .we’ve sat in the car all day. And it makes us go funny. Very funny. Ha!” Xander reached out and grabbed Willow, pulling her from her chair in the hope that the others would follow.

Still stood at the bar, the local watched them go before turning to the barman. “Americans.”

“Xander! What’s the matter?” Willow asked as Xander pulled her into the rain.

“Just needed to get some fresh air. A little space, it was a little crowded in there.”

“Yeah, that’s all. As soon as Steve and Dave catch up, how about a little exploration of the village. Giles would be so proud that we’re experiencing the English culture.”

"I don’t know how much culture, we’re going to experience out here in the pouring rain at nine o’clock at night.” She retorted, a little confused by Xander’s behaviour.

“Well, let’s just say I’m working up to actually participating in actual English culture, observing for now is fine. Come on lets see what this village is hiding!” he teased, grasping hold of her hand gently.

“Hopefully nothing, other than some beautiful buildings.” Willow replied, suddenly aware that Steve and Dave hadn’t followed, and it was incredibly dark. Obviously there was little need for streetlights in the village.

After exploring the village they returned to the pub. Steve and Dave were waiting patiently in the doorway, waiting for the rain to stop.

“Hey!” Willow exclaimed, relieved that their exploration hadn’t turned up anything out of the ordinary.

“Have you two finished exploring in the rain?” Dave asked, his voice laced with sarcasm.

“We’re explored out. In fact I think the time difference is catching up with me.” Xander yawned as he finished his sentence.

“Well then, I suppose we ought to climb the hill back to the campsite.” Steve smiled as he stepped from the shelter of the pub’s porch.

Steve unlocked the caravan door and allowed Willow, Xander and Dave to enter into the relatively dry shelter.

“Well, I’m going to go and dry out.” Willow explained as she headed for her and Xander’s room. “I’ll let you know when I’ve finished.” She looked directly at Xander as she spoke.

“Goodnight Xander.” Willow said as she curled up in her sleeping bag, her feet touching the cupboard wall.

“Goodnight Will, I think we’re going to have an interesting week here in England.” Xander replied as he shifted on his bed, finally deciding to lay on his side so that he could see Willow.

Willow smiled as she thought about how lucky she was to be in England with Xander. Why wasn’t she feeling guilty about being so far away from Oz? She pushed that question into the far reaches of her mind, allowing herself to relax into the arms of slumber.

Willow felt the warmth of the morning sunlight on her face. She opened her eyes slowly, allowing them to focus on her surroundings. She shifted gently in her sleeping bag and turned to face Xander.

Xander was precariously perched on his bed, his feet hanging over the end, his right arm dangling into the gap between their beds. Willow smiled as she watched him sleep. Mesmerised by the way his eyes and nose twitched gently as he slept.

After watching him sleep for a while, Willow carefully climbed out of her sleeping bag and took her things to the bathroom where she could get changed for the first full day of their holiday.

As she walked into the kitchen area she was greeted by Steve and Dave preparing breakfast.

“Good morning.” She said brightly to the two brothers. They both turned to face her and for the first time since they’d met Dave smiled pleasantly.

“Yes, I did thanks. Although I think I needed to catch up on the time difference.” She smiled warmly.

“He’s still asleep, and I think he’ll be asleep for a while yet. Even without making up for the time difference, shifting Xander in the morning is like trying to move a mountain!” she exclaimed.

“Are you and Xander more than friends?” Dave asked, a little confused as to how Willow knew so much about Xander’s morning habits.

“No, just best friends.” She tried to sound cheerful as she spoke. Her heart however, still hoped that one day Xander might notice that his best buddy Willow was actually a girl, but the chances of that ever happening were becoming more and more remote by the day. At least she had Oz.

As Willow finished her toast a noise behind her caused her to turn from the table. The noise, a rather loud bump came from her room. She jumped up from the stool and dashed to the doorway of their room. Crumpled in a heap on the floor was Xander, his bottom wedged between the two beds, his arms and legs lodged on both of the beds either side of him.

Willow began to laugh, she couldn’t help herself. She wished she had a camera, Cordy would have loved to have seen this.

“Willow!” Xander exclaimed, as he tried desperately not to join in with her laughter.

“I’m sorry Xand, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite so funny!” she said between giggles. “Are you ok?” she asked finally, when her giggling abated.

“No. I think I’m stuck.” He replied as he desperately tried to co-ordinate his movements to release him from his prison.

“Here let me help you.” Willow replied, holding out her hand to Xander, who readily grasped it.

Willow began to pull, using every ounce of her weight to dislodge Xander. As she pulled, Xander tried to wiggle from his prison. Just when he thought he was beginning to move, Willow’s feet slipped from under her and she landed firmly on top of him. Her face inches from his own.

“I don’t think that’s going to help me get out from here.” He said quietly, his voice deeper than he ever remembered it sounding before.

“It wasn’t one of my better ideas.” Willow allowed, as she looked deeply into his eyes.

As they looked into the others eyes, their surroundings dissipated into memories, until the moment was disturbed by the sound of Steve and Dave at the door.

“Er…no…Xander’s stuck and. . . I . . .er. .was trying to help him. . .when. . my feet slipped and I ended up. . . . here.” Willow attempted to explain, her face changing from it’s normal milky white to a deep crimson with embarrassment.

“I sort of fell off my bed and wedged myself here.” Xander added, noticing Willow’s face. He had never noticed how beautiful she looked, even when she was embarrassed. Xander tried to suppress the feelings that being close to her caused his body to feel. He had been trying to deny for a while how he felt whenever he was close to Willow. Ever since, he’d admitted he loved her when she was in a coma, it was as if every time he looked at her he was seeing someone new and different and more beautiful than he’d ever imagined he would be lucky enough to see.

The only problem was, he couldn’t tell her, because she was in love with Oz. Oz who happened to be at this very moment on a different continent. Xander silently admonished himself, he couldn’t do anything to risk his friendship with Willow, she was the most important person in his life and he had a feeling she always would be.

Steve and Dave helped Willow and Xander out of their predicament. When they were both finally released, Willow’s face began to return to normal.

“Xander you’d better hurry and get ready if you had any intention of eating before we go out and explore in daylight.” Willow advised him, with a small smile on her lips.

The area surrounding the campsite was beautiful. The rolling green fields dotted with little white sheep, stretched for as far as Willow could see.

Steve and Dave were looking at the map, trying to decide where to go for the afternoon. Xander and Willow were just in complete awe at their surroundings.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything as beautiful before.” Willow gushed with enthusiasm.

“You definitely don’t have sheep in fields surrounding Sunnydale. It certainly is like a different world over here.” Xander replied.

“Sounds good.” Xander replied, looking at Willow to gauge her thoughts at the idea.

The pebbles on the beach surprised Xander and Willow, they were expecting the beach to be like the beaches at home, with milky white sand and glorious blue seas.

Steve and Dave noticed their puzzled expressions. Finally Steve spoke. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, it’s just different to how I expected.” Willow said, watching a pair of children attempting to build a sandcastle between the pebbles.

“The beaches in England are a little different to the ones in California.” Steve explained. “There are very few sandy beaches, you’ll find some sand closer to the sea, if you want to go and look.” Steve explained.

“I’ll take your word for it.” Xander replied, as he helped Willow down on to the pebbles.

They spent a long time sitting and watching the waves crash gently against the shore. Occasionally a ship or boat would pass along the horizon line.

The sun finally began to set. The wind becoming stronger, gusting and blowing along the shore.

“Well, Steve and I got breakfast,” Dave explained, “I guess it’s up to you and Willow!” Dave smiled.

“Well I hope you’re not expecting a gourmet meal.” Willow teased. “Xander’s experience in the kitchen is limited.”

“Willow, just because I don’t have the need to cook at home very much, doesn’t mean I can’t cook.” Xander retorted.

“Well, let’s just say seeing is believing.” Willow returned, smiling directly at Xander.

Willow and Xander finally finished their masterpiece in the kitchen. They served their sausages and oven chips to Dave and Steve.

“With all of the banging and clattering in the kitchen I was expecting something a little more adventurous than sausages and chips.” Steve teased.

“Well you must remember we’re sort of new at this cooking lark, and all of the utensils over here are completely different to American ones.” Xander tried to explain a serious expression on his face.

“He’s teasing, we thought we’d start simply and work up to a more extravagant meal at the end of the week.” Willow explained.

Xander watched Dave smile at Willow, he was becoming concerned with the way Dave was continually watching Willow. He hoped he wasn’t getting ideas about his Willow. His Willow, he thought. I’ve always considered Willow to be mine, but she isn’t she’s Oz’s. Why does that hurt so much? He asked himself silently. Because you’re in love with her, he replied silently to himself. Just as you’ve been in love with her since the moment you met her, only you’ve always been too scared to admit it though.

The meal passed pleasantly, talking about their lives. Willow and Xander carefully edited their story, avoiding vampires and other demons they’d met since becoming friends with Buffy.

“Buffy?” Steve asked. “I don’t remember Buffy when I came over to Sunnydale.”

“She arrived the fall after you came for your visit.” Willow explained. “We’ve all been good friends ever since.”

“What about Jesse?” Steve asked, remembering the third friend he had made out in Sunnydale.

Willow looked at Xander, who met her gaze, his eyes filled with pain at how their friend had died, not once but twice. The second time, had been caused by Xander’s hands as he’d been forced to stake the vampire that had once been Jesse.

“He died.” Willow said simply, knowing that they’d both avoided telling Steve in their letters.

“Yeah, in a car accident, two years ago.” Xander explained, glancing quickly at Willow.

“Yes a car accident, it’s still hard for us to talk about, isn’t it Xander?” Willow asked. Xander nodded his reply.

“I believe there’s a disco at the Camp club tonight. Why don’t we go?” he asked.

“Oh, that kind of disco.” Xander smiled “Ok, sounds fun. I guess it’s a little like the Bronze at home.” He justified.

“Well I don’t know whether it’s like the Bronze, but it might be worth a look.” Steve responded smiling.

Abba blared around the room, the flashing lights giving the room an eerie feeling to it. The DJ sat behind a table, his microphone in hand. “Thank you for the music was for John and his beautiful wife Jane.” He said as the track ended.

“I don’t think time travel was on our Itinerary.” Willow whispered back, slightly in awe at the view that greeted her.

The room was filled with children, teenagers, parents and grandparents. She didn’t think she’d seen so many different generations in one place before.

“Look there’s a table over there.” Dave exclaimed, gently guiding Willow towards the space.

Xander watched as Dave guided Willow, his hand resting against the small of her back. He felt his body and soul fill with jealousy. He could about handle Oz paying attention to Willow, he had accepted that Oz was right for Willow now. But Dave was another question. He was going to have to keep a careful eye on him.

Steve brought over the drinks. Willow and Xander gingerly tasted their ginger beers.

“Are you sure this is non-alcoholic?” Willow asked nervously before tasting her drink.

The music changed to a Spice Girls number. Dave smiled and asked Willow “Would you like to dance?”

Xander watched in amazement as Willow left the security of the table and began to dance with Dave.

“Are you sure you and Willow are just friends?” Steve asked, as he watched Xander’s reaction to Willow dancing with Dave.

“More than friends would be good, but there’s the added complication of Oz and Cordy.”

“They knowingly let you travel across the world with each other?” Steve asked in amazement.

“Well, they just think we’re best friends, which is right. There is nothing else going on between me and Willow other than friendship.”

“I’ve seen the way you both act with each other, I just assumed you were together, more than friends. Even when I came over and stayed two years ago, I thought you were more than friends. There’s just something special about the way both of you act around each other. The only other time I’ve seen it was with my sister and her boyfriend. They were best friends since primary school and it wasn’t until Anne left for College that Tom actually noticed he was in love with her.”

“Well if that’s what you want to believe.” Steve added solemnly. “But I think one day you’ll surprise yourself with just how much you care for her, and how much she cares for you.”

“See, it’s harder than you think to tell someone how you feel isn’t it?”

The final song of the evening was the Macarena. Xander winced as the DJ announced the song that had been popular the previous summer.

“I want to see everyone on the floor. Come on everyone, lets finish the night!” The DJ exclaimed, waiting for the dance floor to fill up.

Willow glanced at Xander hopefully. He had hardly said a word since she returned from dancing with Dave. It was as if his mind was somewhere else.

“I think the Macarena would suit you Xand. Remember I’ve seen the snoopy dance!” She explained, her green eyes glinting with mischief.

“Ok” Xander relented. “Only because you’re the one asking, and you are definitely not to mention to anyone at home that I danced the Macarena. Ok?”

Willow and Xander danced the Macarena with everyone in the room on the dance floor. Willow smiled as she watched Xander emulate the movements. He glanced over his shoulder and smiled at her.

It was the smile he saved only for her. She had never seen him smile like that at anyone else, not even Cordy. One day she wished, maybe we’ll sort everything out.

When the Macarena ended the four of them decided to leave and return to their caravan.

“Xander are you still awake?” Willow asked as she lay awake that night in bed.

“Of course I miss Jesse. He was a part of our lives for so long, and we couldn’t save him. After saving so many other people since then, I always feel guilty that we never managed to save him.”

“I know Will. I wish things could have been different I really do. I was the one who killed him.”

“No you didn’t kill him Xander. They did. Darla and the Master. You saved him from being like them. You let his body join his soul. Don’t ever blame yourself Xander. You could never willingly hurt anyone.” She met his gaze in the dark.

“When?” she asked, knowing for certain that he wasn’t talking about ignoring her feelings for him.

“The time you found Cordy and me in the stacks.” His voiced filled with pain. “I never meant to hurt you. I just didn’t want to tell you because, you know, we hated her for so long and I didn’t think you’d understand. Heck, I don’t even understand my relationship with her.”

“But you could have tried Xander. I might not have understood it, not that I understand it now, but we’re friends, we’ve been to hell and back literally. I would have tried Xander.” Willow admitted, trying to reassure him.

“I was scared that I would lose you as a friend. Being your friend is the most important thing to me Willow. You’re the one person in the world who understands me. You’ve been there when I’ve needed a friend most, I just didn’t want to risk that.”

“But you kept it a secret. Were you hoping I wouldn’t notice the fact that both of you were dating.”

“It sounds silly doesn’t it. I just couldn’t tell you. I couldn’t face watching your face when I told you.”

“How would you know how I would react?” She asked curiosity and pain in her voice.

“Because I watched you when I used to spend hours talking about Buffy. I’m sorry. I just didn’t consider your feelings. I was too busy trying to understand my raging hormones. Then Cordy and I sort of happened, I wasn’t planning on it happening it just did. I thought it would be over before I would have to tell you. I’m sorry.” He added.

“I know, it’s in the past. We’re rebuilding our friendship. Away from all the distractions Sunnydale has to offer, we’re more like we used to be. Just you and me and the world.” Willow smiled.

“Yes, just as it should be.” Willow smiled, she stretched out her hand and Xander grasped it with his own.

He squeezed her hand gently as he spoke “Goodnight Willow, everything will work out I promise.”

“I know Xander, Buffy will come home, we’ll return to normality on the Hellmouth. We’ll still be friends. Goodnight.”

They fell asleep their hands entwined together, just as their hearts had been since the day they met at Kindergarten.

Willow watched the rain pound on the ground outside the caravan. The puddles danced to the rhythm of the raindrops. The sky was full of dark thunderclouds. The sun hidden from view.

“How about we go into town. I know there’s a cinema there. We could catch a film.” Steve suggested.

“It’s better than listening to the rain.” Dave replied, from behind his newspaper.

“Sure, I was just watching the rain. We don’t tend to get a lot of it at home. So it’s kind of a new experience.” Willow explained.

After half an hour trying to park the car they finally found a space in the multi story car park.

“Typical.” Dave started “When it rains everyone heads into town to shop.”

“Well, at least it’s dry in here.” Xander said as he emerged from the car, into the shelter of the car park.

Steve and Dave led the way to the cinema. It was on the main street, an old brick building between a range of shops. The doors were open into the foyer. It was like travelling back in time, the walls were covered with classic film posters. Gone with the Wind, The Sound of Music and Casablanca to name a few.

Willow wandered to take a closer look at the posters. Her mind recalling the different films she and Xander had watched as children. Films had always been one of their passions, that and ice cream.

“Just thinking about how much time we spent as children watching movies. I guess we wanted to escape. Escape from our lives.”

“Our lives back then were worth escaping, at least watching films we could imagine a future, because without our imaginations our lives would have been pretty bleak.” Xander admitted.

“Yes Cinderella, you know the story where the girl ends up with her handsome prince. The story you read to me every day for about four weeks when we were at Kindergarten.”

“I haven’t seen that movie in ages. Come on I don’t want to miss the beginning.” She said eagerly as she grabbed his hand and followed Steve and Dave into the cinema.

Xander watched her in the darkness, smiling when she smiled. Watching how perfect her every move was. Regretting that they could never be anything more than friends. How he wanted to be her prince, the one to save her, the one who would whisk her off into the horizon to live happily ever after. But unfortunately that didn’t happen in real life, only in fairy tales.

When the movie ended, Willow regretfully stood up. She had enjoyed the film, it brought back pleasant memories of her childhood, when she hoped that Xander would one day be her prince Charming and rescue her. It was a dream she still held close to her heart but one that would probably never be realised.

When the left the cinema the rain had finally stopped and the sun shone brightly in the brilliant blue sky.

“How about we explore the shops for a while?” Willow suggested. “I would really like to find some postcards to send home.”

The others agreed and they began to explore the shops.
Xander found a shop that was filled with strange hats. He tried on several, including a Jester’s hat, with bells attached so as he moved he jingled.

Willow couldn’t help but giggle, he looked ridiculous in the different hats. With every hat he tried on he pulled a different face, entertaining Willow just as he had as a child.

They found another shop selling coloured rock, with Devon written inside the candy. “I’m going to buy some for Giles, Cordy and Oz.” Willow exclaimed selecting a range of candy to take home with her.

Xander picked up a large babies dummy made from the candy. He looked at it curiously.

“It suits you Xander.” Willow teased. “I’ll buy it for you if you like,” she smiled at him.

“No I think I’ve outgrown my dummy phase. Although a plate of bacon and eggs looks good!” He exclaimed picking up a plate with candy shaped eggs and bacon.

Willow paid for her purchases and the checked out the next shop. Steve and Dave went off to explore a camping store, looking for new waterproof jackets, as the weather so far had tested their old ones to the limit.

The shop was filled with items for tourists, postcards, photographs and silly gifts which would be ideal to take home as mementos of their holiday in England.

Willow selected pictures of Exmoor and Dartmoor ponies, grazing on the heath land. She knew they would be perfect to send home to Oz, Cordy and Giles.

Xander selected a picture of Devon at night, all you could see in the picture was the full moon glistening in the dark night sky. “I think this one’s perfect for Oz” he teased.

Willow batted his arm with her own at his comment. “You know perfectly well what a full moon means to Oz” she said seriously.

“I know, I know, I was only kidding. What do you think of this one for Cordy?”

Willow looked at the postcard Xander was holding up. She giggled at the site of a cartoon couple wearing 1920’s bathing costumes standing on the beach with their buckets and spades. “I don’t know whether she’ll appreciate that!” Willow exclaimed.

“It will give her satisfaction that she made the right decision to stay in California where she’s only a hop, skip and a jump from Niemann Marcus!” Xander teased.

They walked up to the older couple who were situated behind the counter. They placed their postcards on the counter and waited for the couple to inform them of the total.

“That’ll be one pound fifteen pence please” the woman smiled pleasantly at the couple.

Xander looked at the coins in his hand. He was still having difficulty understanding the complexities of the English money system.

“You need one of those gold coloured coins, that silver coin and then that really small silver coin there.” Willow gestured to him.

Xander picked up the coins Willow indicated and handed them to the woman. She smiled as she placed the coins in the cash register.

“Well I hope you and your boyfriend have a lovely time. You’ve chosen a lovely place to stay. We think Devon’s one of the prettiest counties in England. Don’t we Bob.” She said nudging her husband gently with her elbow.

When they got outside Xander turned to Willow “She thought we were together, together as in girlfriend and boyfriend.” He exclaimed.

“I know, I don’t know where she got that idea from. We’re just best friends.” Willow repeated the sentence that had become her explanation for their relationship.

Willow finished the scone with jam and fresh Devon clotted cream. She picked up the napkin and wiped her mouth. “That was delicious. I see what Giles’ means about scones.” She smiled.

Xander, was furiously demolishing his last scone. “Do you think we can get scones and clotted cream back home?” he asked eagerly.

“I don’t think so somehow, or I’m sure Giles would have found it by now.” Willow replied.

“Well in that case I’m just going to have to make the most of eating them the rest of my stay!”

The day passed peacefully. Dave insisted on visiting a model village. One filled with accurate buildings. One building even had a fire crew extinguishing a fire. Willow had loved every minute. Sharing her joy with Xander and her friends.

There was a certain magic in England. One that she had never found in Sunnydale, one of hope and happiness.

Xander grimaced as Willow demanded the last of his money as he landed on Park Avenue. “That will be four hundred and fifty pounds please.” She requested with a broad smile on her face.

“That’s it I’m bankrupt. I have no money left, not even a shiny little penny! I warned you guys that playing Monopoly with Willow was dangerous to your bank account. She’d mastered this game in Kindergarten. Chess is another one of the games you don’t play with Willow, unless you don’t mind losing quickly!” Xander teased.

“Well what game is Willow not very good at?” Dave asked, amused by their behaviour.

“As I remember Willow isn’t very good at pin the tail on the donkey!” Xander teased, remembering her fifth birthday party, where she’d refused to pin the tail on the donkey. Wanting to read the book he’d bought her as her Birthday present. Party games had never been one of her favourite pass times.

“Xander! I was five and if I remember you weren’t very good at playing that game either!” Willow retorted indignantly.

Everyone burst out laughing. Dave couldn’t quite understand what was so funny. But they enjoyed their evening of playing snap and for once Willow didn’t win. Although she would never admit that she let them win. That wouldn’t have been honest would it? She thought to herself.

Willow woke up, she felt a weight resting on her legs. She opened her eyes and gently lifted her head from her pillow glancing down at her legs. Xander’s leg was resting on hers. In his sleep he’d managed to bridge the gap and stretch his leg over to her side of the room.

Not wanting to wake him she put her head back down on the pillow and tried to devise a plan about how to get out of bed without waking him.

After thinking hard, she was still nowhere near finding a solution to her problem. She began to try and move her leg from under his, but to no avail.

Slowly she reached out her arm and gently tapped Xander’s shoulder. He stirred, murmuring incoherently about Prince Charming and frogs.

Willow smiled at the thought of Prince Charming being chased by a hoard of frogs.

Willow stopped tapping and laid there in shock, looking at her best friend and trying to comprehend what she’d just heard. No. Her ears didn’t just hear that he loved her. He only loved her as a friend. She was getting her hopes up about nothing. Xander could never love her as anything more than a friend.

She decided to try again. “Xander, wake up.” She spoke a little more forcibly.

“Willow, let me be your prince in shining armour?” he asked in between snores. “I want the happy ending.”

Willow swallowed, she definitely didn’t want to hear this now. She was in love with Oz wasn’t she? Oz loved her just how she always wanted to be loved. She thought she was finally getting over Xander. But now, all of the old feelings were surfacing again. Why was her life always so complicated? Why couldn’t she have a simple life where everything fell into place, just like in the movies? The simple answer was, real life isn’t any thing like movies, it’s always harder and more complex than any story ever written.

She was beginning to get angry. How dare Xander tell her now that he loved her! Just when her life was finally going in a direction she liked. Well, he couldn’t love her. He only thought he loved her because she was with Oz. That was it. Xander was jealous because she’d finally found someone to love her.

She angrily struggled out of her sleeping bag, not caring if she woke Xander up. She needed to go for a walk, think things through. Have some time away from Xander.

As she managed to finally escape from her sleeping bag, Xander’s leg fell unceremoniously to the floor, with a bump. Jolting him from his slumber.

Xander watched as she stormed from the room, completely confused over her behaviour.

When Xander finally made it from the security of his room, Willow was nowhere to be found in the caravan.

Steve and Dave were sitting in the lounge reading their newspapers. They looked up as Xander entered.

“She left a little while ago. She didn’t look very happy.” Steve explained. “What happened? Have you had a fight?”

Xander shook his head. “I don’t know what’s going on. I need to find her. Did she mention where she was going?” he asked hopefully.

“I’m going to see if I can find her.” Xander said as he opened the door, desperately thinking where Willow would go.

Xander wandered around the campsite, desperately looking for any sign of Willow. He walked to the camp shop, the swimming pool, he even tried the putting green. But there was no sign of Willow anywhere.

He decided to follow the footpath, hoping that perhaps she’d walked to the beach. As he walked he desperately tried to think what had upset her. He couldn’t remember saying anything to her to upset her. He’d been asleep. Then his mind wandered back to the dream he’d been having before he woke up. Willow had been Cinderella, standing in the palace great hall wearing a beautiful blue flowing gown. Her red hair piled elegantly on her head, her green eyes glinting in the soft light, and a perfect smiled etched on her beautiful face. She’d been smiling at him. He’d been her Prince Charming. They’d danced just like in the movie, finishing with a kiss. Then everything had turned, she’d run away from his, leaving only her glass slipper behind. His dream had been perfect, just as he wanted his life to be.

Had he mumbled something in his sleep? He was pretty sure he didn’t talk in his sleep. But then he’d never listened to himself whilst he was asleep.

Whilst he’d been thinking he hadn’t noticed he’d wandered from the footpath. He was now standing in a field in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by rather friendly sheep!

As he tried to move through the flock the sheep bleated and followed him, in the hope that he had something for them to eat. As he wandered he tried desperately to find the footpath, the one that had led them to the beach the other day.

“Good sheep, please let me through. I don’t want to argue!” Xander talked to the sheep. He could hear how ridiculous this would sound when he would have to explain himself later.

As he tried to put some distance between himself and the sheep, the more sheep attempted to join the party. Closing in on him from every angle. Now I know where the sheep comment comes from, he thought.

“I think it goes with the job of being you.” A voice retorted from behind him.

He glanced over his shoulder to see Willow standing behind a hedge watching him. He knew he was in trouble because even Willow’s eyes weren’t smiling. Her eyes were usually the last thing to get mad with him. She could pretend to be angry with him, but there would always be a glimmer of happiness in her eyes. But today even the glimmer was gone.

“Not unless they fancy a change in their diet from grass.” Willow replied sarcastically.

“Well, maybe today is the day they decide that grass is off the menu and Xander is on it.”

“In that case I suppose you ought to find a way out of the field hadn’t you?” she spoke with a harsh tone to her voice. A tone that Xander had only heard once before, the time she found him in the stacks with Cordy.

“You got yourself into this situation, I think you can probably get yourself out of the situation. After all you told me that you would protect me the other night from any dangers we might find. I should think a field of sheep should be a walk over.”

“I thought friends were supposed to help each other.” He replied, beginning to worry that something was very wrong with Willow.

“That’s what I always thought Xander. I thought honesty was another important part of friendship, but I know now that you don’t feel the same way!” she almost shouted at him.

The sound of her voice caused the sheep to bleat even louder. They began to push and shove at one another with their heads and move closer to Xander, who was beginning to move backwards rather quickly. Until he felt the prickly leaves of the hedge in his back. His only escape route was to clamber unceremoniously over the hedge.

He turned quickly, looking once more at the sheep who were quickly converging on him and desperately hauled himself over the hedge. The hedge’s sharp leaves tearing at his skin.

When he finally made it to the other side, Willow stood there watching him. Her eyes completely emotionless.

“Willow, I can tell there’s something wrong, you can’t hide it from me.”

“No I can’t hide anything from you! Yes you’re so perceptive, you know everything about me!” she shouted. “Well, I think it’s time you understood that you don’t know everything about me. You never have. If you did you would know that I’ve been in love with you for what seems like forever!” She shouted her lips working faster that her brain. Her mind suddenly realising what she’d admitted, she stopped. Her eyes filling with tears. She turned and began to run as quickly as she could away from him.

Xander stood there, in a state of complete shock. His mind replaying Willow’s words. She was in love with him. No. That can’t be true. She’s in love with Oz. She never felt anything other than friendship for him.

Then the words she’d spoken to him the day she’d found him in the stacks with Cordy “You’d rather be with someone you hate than be with me.” In that moment he understood what she’d meant. He always thought Willow had meant friendship, but the look in her eyes and the pain in her voice finally hit him. She was in love with him then, before he even realised he was in love with her.

“Willow!” he shouted as he hurried after her. Closing the space between them. Finally she was in reach. He caught her shoulder in his grasp. “Willow.” He said again, his voice pleading with her.

She stopped and turned to face him. Her face wet where her tears had fallen from her eyes. She refused to meet his eyes with her own.

“I’m sorry Willow. Sorry for being a complete idiot, for not realising you felt that way about me. I always thought you saw me as your friend and nothing else. I didn’t realise you loved me like that. If I did I would have changed everything. Believe me I would.”

“How do you know how I feel Xander? You’ve never loved anyone. You’ve only ever lusted after people, first Buffy, then Amparta and now Cordy. You don’t know how to love anyone, other than yourself!” she spat at him in anger.

“You’re wrong. You’re the only person I’ve ever loved and I think you’re the only person who I can ever love!” He exclaimed, surprised as the words poured from his lips. “I loved you the day I met you.” He began. “I wanted to protect you and make you happy. I hated the way Cordelia treated you. When you smiled at me for the very first time, I made a promise to myself that I wanted you to smile forever, be happy never feel the pain I knew existed in life. I wanted to be the one to make you happy, but I thought that was what friendship was. I never realised that what I felt for you was more than friendship until you were in a coma. Then I realised that I couldn’t live without you. I love you Willow. I’ve never loved anyone like I love you, you’re like my other half, the sensible half, the one who keeps me out of trouble. I know I can’t make up for the pain I caused, but I never realised you felt the same. I thought you loved Oz, I thought you could never love me as anymore than a friend. And I would rather have your friendship than not have you at all. That’s why I’ve stood back, allowed you to be with Oz, because he’s right for you now. I’m not. One day I hopefully will be, but for now friendship’s all that we can handle. All that we’re ready for.”

“How dare you make that decision for me! How do you know Oz is what I need now? All I’ve ever needed is you Xander. All I’ve ever wanted is you Xander. I never knew you thought of me as anything other that your best buddy Willow, I never thought you could see me as anything else.” Her voice seemed calmer, although it still lacked any emotion. “I thought all you wanted and needed is friendship, well I was happy to give you that in the hope that someday you might understand how I feel. But to know you love me how I want you to love me changes everything. I was happy with Oz because I knew you didn’t love me. Do you think I can be happy now knowing what I do? You’re the only person I’ve ever wanted, ever needed. I don’t think I can go back to the way things were, the way they were before we came here.”

“I don’t want them to go back, but I think we need time to develop slowly. We’ve got our whole lives to work this out, because I think we’re going to be together for a long time Willow. We virtually started our life together and I think we’re going to finish our life together. I don’t want to hurt Cordy or Oz.” He added.

“I don’t want to hurt them either, but I don’t want to hurt anymore Xander. For the first time in my life I want to be happy and the only way I can be happy is with you.” Willow admitted quietly, her eyes finally meeting Xander’s.

“I don’t want to hurt you anymore Willow. All I want to do is love you, be with you, and make you happy. Do you think we can?”

Xander leaned closer to Willow, their lips moving closer until they finally met. Xander was amazed at the sensations and emotions that flowed through him. Kissing Cordy had been like fireworks exploding in his head, but kissing Willow was more. It was more like the fourth of July, Christmas and every other celebration wrapped into one. It was as if for the first time in his life he was complete. No longer alone, but part of something more special than he’d been a part of before.

As Willow kissed Xander, she felt all her hopes and dreams be realised. The kiss was more than she’d ever imagined. Kissing Oz had been sweet, simple. Kissing Xander was like nothing she’d ever felt before. She knew that she could never go back to Oz now. She would belong to Xander forever.

When the kiss ended, they looked into each other’s eyes for what seemed like an eternity. Finally Xander spoke. “What are we going to do Willow?” he asked as he gently played with a strand of her hair.

“Take every day as we find it?” she asked hopefully. “We’ve got one more day in England where we can be completely happy without worrying about home. We’ll worry about that when we get back. If we have to hurt Cordy an Oz so be it, because for the first time in my life I’m going to put myself before anyone else’s feelings. I need you Xander, you’re a part of me, you’ll always have part of my heart and there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“I promise that I’ll never hurt you again Willow. I mean it with every part of my heart and soul.”

“I know you’ll try to keep your promise, you’ve always tried to keep your promises in the past. I trust you. I always have.”

They sealed their promise with another kiss, one of pure and unconditional love. One that connected them more than they ever thought possible.

The sheep in the neighbouring field bleated happily, as they witnessed the moment of true happiness and love.

Their last day in England was built adding new memories. New memories which would remind them of the Summer that they finally found love together.

Steve and Dave were amazed at how Willow and Xander had changed since their walk yesterday. They no longer hid their feelings, it was as if they didn’t mind everyone noticing they were in love. They wanted to share it with the world. Steve was happy for his friends, he knew they were meant to be together, it had just taken them a little longer than he’d expected.

Dave was a little disappointed however, he had hoped he stood a chance with Willow. She was beautiful and intelligent and all he’d ever hoped he’d find in a woman. The only problem was she was in love with Xander. He’d realised it the day he’d met her, but he’d always hoped he’d been mistaken. But he hadn’t. Watching them together as they walked along the sea front answered all of his silent questions. He knew Willow and Xander were meant to be together, just like his sister Anne and her boyfriend Tom. Dave silently hoped that somewhere out there, there was a woman meant for him. If he didn’t have that hope then living life would be daunting, because life is full of wishes and hopes. You can’t avoid them.

As they packed their belongings Willow began to tease Xander. “With all we’ve seen and met I never knew you were scared of sheep!”

“Sheep are mean and fluffy, much more frightening than any vamp or demon I’ve ever met. Even scarier than Angelus.” He added seriously.

“I know, I miss her too. But she needs time Will. Time to sort out her feelings, she loved Angel. I understand what it’s like to think you’re going to lose the one person who means more to you than life itself. She’ll come home when she’s ready.” Xander explained, cupping Willow’s chin in his hand.

“The moment I met you. I just choose not to let everyone know that there’s more to me than my humour.” He smiled.

“But you’re special Willow, you’ve always known me better than anyone else, understood me, recognised that there’s more to me than what’s on the surface. And I recognised that in you a long time ago. Except for me it was the reverse, I knew how special you were on the inside. It just took me a little longer to open my eyes and realise just how special you are on the outside as well. Have I ever told you you’re beautiful?” he asked.

“Well you are Willow. To me you’re the most beautiful woman in the world and you always will be.”

Willow smiled the smile that was reserved for Xander. The smile that made his heart melt and soar with joy. The one smile that never failed to make him happy.

As they lost themselves in their kiss they never noticed Steve and Dave at their doorway.

“Uh, hmm.” Steve coughed from the doorway. “Are you guys nearly ready? We need to make a move if we’re going to make you plane today.”

Willow and Xander broke apart and looked towards their friends in their doorway.

“Ready to return home, to our real world.” Willow smiled, grasping Xander’s hand in her own.

As they drove away from the campsite, Willow and Xander knew that their future together may not always be perfect especially on a Hellmouth, but together they could try to overcome any problem. Because as long as they had each other they would be happy.