Title: May the Best Woman Win
Author: Jinni
Email: druscilla@cox.net
Summary: Willow and Angel are getting closer but someone is jealous...

* * *

"I'm starting to think you break it on purpose, Angel." Willow smirked at the dark haired vampire looking over her shoulder. This was her second trip to LA for the month and both times had been to fix Angel Investigation's computer.

"Would I do a thing like that?" His dark eyes were shining with laughter. The computer had honestly broken both times that month, but Angel wasn't really complaining. His friendship with Willow was a joy to him that he often felt he didn't deserve, and he enjoyed every moment she spent visiting. "So you gonna stay the weekend?"

The red head grinned up at him. "I was actually hoping you could put up with me a little linger than that. Say...for the week?" Willow had no desire to go back to Sunnydale any sooner than she had to. Demonic activity was at an all time low, leaving her with little to do while her friends went on dates.

Angel's face broke into a genuine smile. "Little one, you are welcome here as long as you like."

"Good. My bag is in the car, " She returned his smile.

"Bag?" Cordelia asked, walking in the door. "Staying for a while this time?" She took in the cozy sight in front of her - Angel's hands resting lightly on the hacker's shoulders, smiling and content. {They're so cute together its almost sickening.} The brunette smiled inside.

"Just a week. I need some time away from the gang." {Not that they will even notice I am gone...} Willow pushed the sad thought from her head.

"I don't blame you. If I had to see them on a regular basis I'd want to get away too." The ex-cheerleader smiled, displaying her usual lack of tact.

Willow found herself laughing and talking with the brunette, still aware of the closeness of Angel's body behind her. She leaned into his hands unconsciously, enjoying the cool pressure they provided. Her mind flashed quickly on other places those hands would feel good. {Bad Willow! This is Angel. Your *friend*!}

"Angel?" Willow was pulled from her embarrassing thoughts by the arrival of a woman stepping into the offices.

"Kate." He glanced at the blond haired woman with a mixture of worry and concern on his face. "Is something wrong?"

Kate looked at the vampire in front of her. He seemed to be pretty comfortable with the tiny red head in front of him. She felt a wave of jealousy wash over her. "Can we go in your office?"

"Sure." He motioned her towards the door, finally removing himself from Willow. Turning at the doorway he called back to her. "Go get dressed - I'll take you to dinner when I'm done with Kate."

Willow smiled weakly. Was that Angel's new love interest? Probably. The woman had been beautiful. {How can I compete with that?} She stopped in mid thought. {Compete? I'm acting like I want Angel for myself.} She paused to consider the thought. {Well don't I?} Aloud she asked Cordelia, "Who's that?"

"Who? Oh, *her*," the words was laced with scorn. "Just some cop that comes to Angel for help. She doesn't seem to be able to do her job on her own." Cordelia smirked. "Either that or she enjoys spending time in the company of everyone's favorite vampire."

Willow smiled. So the woman wasn't Angel's girlfriend - yet. Still plenty of time to make a move. "You don't like her?" Willow raised her eyebrows with fake sincerity.

"Is it that obvious?" The brunette rolled her eyes. "He could do so much better." {C'mon Wills, admit you want him.}

"Hmmm. Like me maybe?" The hesitant words were almost whispered. She braced herself for Cordelia's taunting. It never came.

"You'd be very good for him." Cordelia smiled at her friend. She was glad she had taken the time to get to know the girl after high school. She was a good friend and Cordelia meant it when she said she thought she'd be good for her brooding boss.

"You mean it?" Cordelia nodded. "Oh...but he wont want me. I'm just his friend. I'm..."

"Willow, stop. The two of you are already close. You just need to work on making it more."

"Will you help me?" The red head's voice was soft. She hoped Angel couldn't hear them. Stupid vampiric hearing and all.

"Of course. We'll start operation 'Get That Vamp' tonight." The brunette smiled. {I hope Kate doesn't make too much trouble when Willow starts moving in on her 'territory'.}

* * *

Angel sat behind his desk listening to Kate ramble on about some case she was working on. He had yet to hear any good reason why she needed his help on it. "So..." He cut her off in mid sentence. "You think the culprit is something supernatural?"

Kate nodded, her blond hair falling from behind her ears to frame her face. {Actually, I'm 99% sure its just a normal sick human being.} She thought to herself. She felt absolutely no guilt in telling this one small lie to the vampire. After all, it meant she could spend more time with him.

"Ok. I'll see what I can do. Come back tomorrow afternoon?" {I wonder how she got this far without my help.}

"Oh. Tomorrow." Kate's voice held a small tinge of disappointment. {He's going out with the girl tonight. Isn't that was he said to her before we came in here?} "I was sort of hoping we could start tonight. Before he kills anyone else." She watched with grim satisfaction as he considered her words, knowing he would never go to dinner when someone innocent could be getting hurt.

Angel steepled his fingers in front of his face, briefly closing his eyes and praying silently that Willow would forgive him. "Fine. Let me tell my friends and we can go to the station." {Hopefully this wont take that long.}

The object of his recent thoughts looked up as he entered the room, her green eyes sparkling and a small secret smile on her lips. {Wonder what they were talking about...} "Willow, I'm going to need to reschedule dinner. Kate needs some help down at the station." He saw her face fall and his annoyance with the woman behind him deepened. "I'm sorry."

"Its ok." Willow gave him a fake smile. "We can go tomorrow." She smiled at the dark haired man. {Why does Kate seem so smug?} The blond haired woman was watching her with a look that could only be attributed to gloating. {She doesn't need his help tonight.} The thought hit her like a ton of bricks. {She's just doing it to spoil our plans.} Willow felt like growling. {She wants to play? Fine.}

Angel stared in shock Willow walked towards him, embracing him in a warm hug. He returned it with enthusiasm, enjoying the feel of her warm body in his arms, and never noticing the smirk she gave to Kate.

"We can talk when you get home tonight?" A look of jealousy passed over Kate's features. {She didn't know I was staying with him. Too perfect.}

"Of course." The dark haired vampire felt slightly lost, as if something was going on he wasn't aware of. He gave her another smile, brushing a chaste kiss across her forehead. "I'll see you when I get home."

Willow smiled with satisfaction at the look of anger that clouded the normally pretty woman's face. {I bet she has never gotten a kiss from him. Forehead or not.} As the cop moved past her to follow Angel Willow once again found her voice, purring, "It was a pleasure to meet you, Kate."

Cordelia grinned as the door slammed shut. "Willow. I didn't know you had it in you." She was pleased that her friend wasn't going to let Kate's interference get in her way. "She's acting like its a game to her - 'see who gets Angel's attention'." Cordelia smirked.

"Well..." The red head turned to her friend. "If this is a game then I'd just say I won the first round."

***

"So...?" Cordelia whispered to Willow. She raised her eyebrows questioningly.

"So....what?" Willow smirked. She knew exactly what Cordelia was asking. "Oh. How did things go with Angel last night?" She had waited in Angel's study, reading through one of his many old texts, for him to return from the station the night before. When he had returned they had talked for hours, about anything and everything. Getting to know each other further.

"Of course!" Cordelia could barely contain her curiousity.

"Well..." Willow deliberately drew out the word, enjoying the torment Cordelia's nosy mind was going through. "We talked."

"You...talked? You're practically glowing this morning, and all the two of you did was *talk*?" Cordelia groaned. She had been hoping for something more interesting.

"Sheesh Cordy, you act like you thought we'd end up in bed!" Willow laughed. Then she noticed the look on her friend's face. "You did?!?" Willow blushed.

"Just trying to live vicariously through my friends." Cordelia laughed. "So...you two talked...any plans for a date?"

Willow couldnt help but smile. "Yep! We're going to dinner and the movies tomorrow night. He wanted to go tonight but he already had plans."

"Plans?" The brunette echoed curiously. "What kind of plans? Brood all night?" Cordelia laughed. The idea of Angel having plans was just too absurd.

"I didnt ask." The witch smiled at her friend. "Doesnt matter. Tomorrow night I make my move. I just hope I dont end up embarassing myself." During their conversation the night before she had thought she saw more than just friendship in his eyes, but she wasnt sure. Her heart hoped for it, but her traitorous mind whispered that it was just wishful thinking.

"I have the perfect thing for you to wear!" Cordelia jumped up. "Watch the office while I run to my apartment?" In her mind the brunette was picturing the slinky green slip dress she had bought and never worn. It hadn't looked right on her but would be stunning on Willow she was sure.

"Sure. Hurry back though. I dont know what I'd do if an actual customer came in." Willow snickered, shooing the brunette out of the office. She was happy Cordelia was helping her try to win Angel. If anyone knew how to get what she wanted it was Cordelia. She turned back to the computer in front of her, looking to finish what she had started the day before.

The hacker had just managed to restore all of Angel's backup files when she heard the door open. "Welcome to Angel Investi-" She snapped her mouth shut as she saw who was standing in the doorway. "Nice to see you again, Kate."

"Willow." The blond replied cooly. She had finally learned the red head's name after she got to the station with Angel the night before. {What a pretty name for such a plain girl.} She thought. "Angel around?"

"Sorry. Hes not up yet. He had a long night." The witch congratulated herself on the catty tone of voice she used, hoping that Kate would assume the worst about the statement.

"Really?" Kate glanced around the office, noting that it was only her and the girl. "Listen to me, little girl. I have worked too hard getting on Angel's soft side to have some little college girl ruin it for me!" The blond's face twisted into an ugly sneer and Willow wondered briefly if she had been possessed. Green eyes rolled sarcastically as the woman continued. "So why dont you crawl back to whatever hell you came from and leave him to a real woman?"

" *Hell Mouth* " Willow emphasized, glaring at the woman. {What a BITCH!} Her mind roared.

"Excuse me?"

"You told me to go back to whatever Hell I had come from." Willow smiled sweetly. "I come from the *Mouth* of Hell...not hell itself. Really should get it straight." She stood, getting eye level with the jealousy enraged woman in front of her. "Now *you* listen to me." The red head kept her voice calm and cool, making her words seem that much more powerful. "I have known Angel alot longer than you. I owe him my life and he owes me his. We have been through more together than you could ever even *dream* of. So why dont *you* go back to whatever *hole* you crawled out of." With another smile she resumed her seat.

{You little...} If looks could kill Kate was pretty sure Willow would be dead by now. Matching the smile on the red head's face she said aloud, "Fine. Have it your way. I will win though." She turned to leave, calling over her shoulder. "Tell Angel I'll be by at seven to get him for dinner." Then she was gone, leaving the red head stunned.

* * *

Angel was bored. He couldnt believe he had agreed to go to the charity dinner with Kate. {Its for the kids.} He reminded himself. He listened to her ramble on for the thousandth time about one of her cases, barely stopping himself from yawning. He tuned the sound of her voice out as he lost himself in his thoughts, nodding occaisionally to make her think he was still with her. Those thoughts, like many of the past few days, turned to the red head who was waiting at his apartment for him.

Willow. He was definitely starting to feel something for the girl he was proud to call his best friend. And if the looks he had caught her giving him were anything he was pretty sure she felt the same way. She had seemed sad when he left for the night, though. And he was anxious to get home and make sure she was okay. If only Kate would shut up and eat.

"Angel." Kate shook his arm lightly. "Are you okay? You've barely touched your food." He gave her a long look, raising his eyebrows at her obvious lapse in better judgement. She blanched. "Oh. I forgot."

Angel sighed. That was one of many reasons he had never considered the blond haired woman as anything other than a friend. She was either unable or unwilling to accept him for what he was. {Unlike Willow...} His mind offered. {Argh! Shes talking again!} Forcing his face into his trademark blank look he tried his best not to fall asleep.

* * *

"I had a lovely time tonight, Angel." Kate cooed, walking with the man up to the entrance to his apartment building. She was wearing him down, she could tell. Something moved in front of one of the windows, a small female silhouette looking down on them. {Willow.} She could tell Angel hadn't noticed his little friend yet. "Well. I guess this is goodnight." Reaching up, Kate pressed her lips to his, forcing him into a kiss. Through half shut eyes she saw the girl back away from the window, disappearing back into the apartment. {Take that, little girl.}

Angel pulled back suddenly, looking at the woman in front of him as though she'd lost her mind. "Kate... what was that for?" He choked out.

"Just saying thank you..." She mistook his choked voice for one of passion, leaning up to kiss him again before returning to her car. "Thanks again Angel..."

* * *

Willow fought back tears of rage. Kate had kissed Angel. {But did he want it?} Her mind whispered rationally. It didnt matter. The older woman had stepped up the game to a new level. {He's just a prize to be won to that skank} Willow thought venomously. {She doesnt deserve him.} Willow looked in the bathroom mirror, splashing some cool water over her face. Angel would be up any minute and she didn't want him to suspect anything. No need for him to know that the blond he thought was his friend was just a coniving little tramp. Smiling at her reflection the red head whispered fiercely. "Round two - Kate. Tomorrow night I break our 'tie' and claim what is mine."

***

"Willow?" Angel called, stepping from his room, shirt unbuttoned. He could sense her up and moving around and hoped she was still looking forward to going out with him for the night. After the previous night's fiasco with Kate he needed to have a little fun. His lips softened into a smile as thoughts of spending the night with Willow went through his head. She had quickly found a place in his heart over the past few days, a place no one had touched in ages, not even Buffy.

"Willow?" Where was she? He buttoned the grey cotton shirt he was wearing, moving towards the living room area. "Will-" The words stopped in his throat as he saw the scene laid before him. A table big enough for two had been covered in a white tablecloth, a vase of pale pink roses sitting in the center. He could smell the aroma of freshly baked bread and his eyes took in the basket of beradsticks on the table. What was going on?

He heard her door shut and her heartbeat draw closer. "Will-" For the second time that night he found himself speechless, his mind focused solely on the goddess in front of him. The silky green sundress she was wearing complimented her skin perfectly, making her eyes seem to sparkle in the dim light of the room. "I thought we were going to dinner and a movie..." He managed to say.

"Oh well." Willow smiled, mischief in her eyes. She hadnt missed his reaction to the dress. "I thought I'd cook for you and we could watch some videos at home." She stepped closer, looking up at him through lowered lashes. "I hope thats ok?"

Angel shivered unconsciously at the husky tone of her voice. Could it be that she actually desired him as he did her? "Thats fine with me." Good, at least he had said that without trembling. He didnt know what was wrong with him, he was acting like a nervous teenager - something he thought he had outgrown a few hundred years ago.

Willow smiled. "Sit down and let me serve you then." Where had that come from? She certainly hadn't meant the one statement to sound so inviting and sexual. But it did and she couldnt take it back, might as well go with it. She arched her eyebrow in what she hoped was a playful way and walked to the kitchen, trying to calm her racing heart. {So far, so good...} Balancing a bowl of salad in one hand and two full wine glasses in the other, she made her way back to the table. Setting the bowl in the center of the table she held first one glass up to the light, then the other, trying to remember which was which. Hoping she was right, she handed one to her dinner partner.

Angel was floored as he realized what was in the glass. Blood. Not human, but still relatively fresh and slightly warm, just the perfect temperature. He would have to ask her sometime how she knew how to heat it *just* enough, until that time though, he simply marvelled at her calm acceptance of all he was.

"Want some of this?" She pointed to the bowl of salad with the tongs. He shook his head slightly. "K." The red head helped herself to a small serving of the salad, spearing a cherry tomato with her fork and bringing it slowly to her mouth, her green eyes never leaving his chocolate ones as she took the round orb into her mouth.

Angel couldn't help but stare. Everything she did was so alluring tonight. He wondered briefly if she meant for it to be that way or if it was just unconscious on her part. Then decided he didnt care. He sipped at his drink, hoping she couldnt see just how much she was affecting him.

"So how was your..date..last night?" Willow stumbled over the words, feeling for the first time since the night before the sad rage in her heart at what she had seen. She continued her assault on the salad in front of her though, making each bite as sensual as she possibly could.

"I wouldnt exactly have called it a date." Angel snickered. The change in her tone had not slipped unnoticed. She was jealous? Of Kate? He couldnt understand why. He hoped it was obvious to the world that he only felt friendship for the blond woman.

"Really?" Willow forced herself to sound aloof and inquisitive. "I thought only dates got a kiss at the end of the night."

{She saw that? Yep. Thats jealousy.} Angel reasoned. {I think.} He laughed softly. "Kate is nothing but a friend, Willow. At least thats all I want her to be." {Unlike what I want from you...} "She seemed nice enough at first. But...then she got all clingy and dependent. And thats not attractive at all." He smiled at her. "Plus she can't accept the whole vampire thing. Like if she ignores it it will go away." {While you embrace it, little one.}

Willow felt her heart lift at his words. He didnt want Kate. But could he want her? Did she have a chance. She watched his eyes darken with lust as she licked the dressing off of one of her cherry tomatoes. She blushed, realizing that action might have been a little too brazen even for the state of mind she was in tonight. She hurriedly popped it in her mouth, wiping her hands on the napkin. "Do you want me to bring out the main course? Or do you want to go watch the movies?" {Movies. Please. Movies.} She silently pleaded, leaving the choice up to him.

"Well if you're not still hungry, movies sound great." He pushed back his chair, grabbing their glasses from the table and leading her out to the plush leather couch in front of his television. He watched her move to the vcr, admiring the shape of her pale slender legs, the way her... He shook himself of the less than honerable thoughts skittering through his mind as she turned and walked back to the couch. On impulse he pulled her down, cuddling her next to him as the movie started.

{Oh goddess. I'm in his arms. I'm in Angel's arms.} Willow settled into his embrace when it was obvious he wasnt letting go, laying her head gently upon his chest. It was almost too much to be this close to him. She wanted nothing more than turn her head up just enuogh to look in his eyes. {OH!} Willow's mind shrieked as she realized she had done just that. And he was staring back. She held his gaze, wondering if he could see all the things she longed to say to him and didn't have the nerve.

"Willow..." He breathed. Their lips were so close together. All he would need to do would be lean forward just a little..

{He's kissing me! Angel kissage! Smoochies!} Willow's brain went on hyper mode before finally switching off, leaving her to enjoy the feel of his cool lips on hers. They pulled back at the same time, their faces mirror expressions of shock and lust. And love? {Maybe not love. Not yet. Definitely caring...} Willow's brain was back, rationalizing. "Kiss me again?"

"Gladly." He caught her lips with his own, kissing her gently. He teased her lips with his tongue, sighing with pleasure when she opened them, allowing his tongue access to the depths of her small mouth. He pulled away first this time, watching her with a mixture of pride and amusement. Her pale lips were rosy from his kisses and there was a faint flush across her pale skin. {Absolutely beautiful.}

"Regrets?" She asked softly, mistaking his quiet contemplation for soemthing negative. {Please no regrets. Please.}

"Huh? No! I want this." He brushed another gentle kiss across her lips. "I want *you*."

Willow smiled, murmuring, "And I want you," before letting his lips capture hers again. Neither of them noticed when the end credits of the movie began rolling. Neither of them cared.

* * *

Kate smoothed down the skirt she was wearing before stepping into the offices of Angel Investigations. Tonight was the night she would let Angel know how she felt about him once and for all. She was sure that after his little 'date' the night before with the red head he would see that he needed a real woman, and not some little girl.

"Kate." Cordelia didn't try to hide the distaste she felt for the woman. "Angel's busy at the moment." {Busy making out with Willow in his office...}

"This is sort of important." Kate said cooly. The receptionist didnt care for her. It was mutual. She looked at the closed door to Angel's office and debated just walking in. Better not to. "Please?" She forced herself to say the word, trying to sound as though she actually needed Angel's help for seomthing.

Cordelia rolled her eyes and picked up the phone, dialing her boss's extension. {Wonder what tonight's crisis is? Flat tire and she thinks it might be a tire demon?} "Angel. Kate's here....Yeah...I told her that....Shes says its *important*....K.." She hung up. "He says to sit down. He'll be out in a minute." {Has to put his clothes back on.} Cordelia snickered.

"Kate?" The dark haired vampire entered the room, absently fastening the button on the cuff of his sleeve. "Problems?"

Smiling, the blond stood up and wrapped her arms around the man before her, hugging him tightly. "Not really. Just wanted to see you. See if you wanted to go out and do something tonight."

"He already has plans." Kate released her hold on Angel, turning to look at the figure in the doorway. She took in the red head disheveled appearance and the way her skin seemed to be glowing. Kate felt Angel move away from her, wrapping the red head in his embrace.

{No! I did *not* lose to some...college student!} Kate's mind screamed.

Willow smirked at the look of shock on the older woman's face and uttered the words she'd been dying to say, "And please. I dont know how they do things where *you* come from, but in polite company we dont faun over someone else's boyfriend." Green eyes grew steely. "So keep your hands off of *mine*."

Kate watched, still in shock, as the red head led the vampire back into his office, shutting the door firmly behind them and leaving her alone with the receptionist. She met the brunette's laughing eyes. "Game over, Kate."

**End Fic**

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