Soulless Redux
by Minion

SUMMARY: What if that scene in "Soulless" had gone a different direction?

RATED: FRC [AU]

SPOILERS: Up to "Soulless" in Season 4

DISCLAIMER: Don't own anything Angel related and don't make any money off of it.

She stepped back and immediately he felt his heart constrict in pain. She would leave and he would spend the rest of his years reliving the all too brief caress of her lips. Calling to mind the sweet taste of her favorite lip gloss before his eyes closed allowing him a restless sleep.

Of course he should have known better than to initiate a kiss with Fred. She was after all in love with someone who used to be his friend. Was she in love with Gunn? It was all rather confusing to try and piece out what was going on ever since the night she came to him for help with the Professor.

Maybe she isn't in love with him after all. Certainly a valid thought as the ex-watcher gazed into her startled brown eyes. Fred made a move to turn her back to him, his head lowered in defeat expecting her graceful feet to carry her out of the office and back to the lobby to overlook the security camera, to Gunn's side.

A shaky breath and then to his surprise a nervous hand settled upon his cheek. Her thumb was moving across his jaw slowly. Slowly he lifted his gaze from the floorboards. She did not look as rattled as she had a second ago. In fact that nervous smile started to grow ever wider as his eyes locked with hers. Lorne could be heard in the background singing in his native tongue while shuffling papers about.

Fred took a step closer to Wesley effectively bringing her back to where she had stood moments before her almost desperate retreat. She was afraid of Wesley, of what she felt for him and what could happen if they were allowed to explore what was obviously their mutual feelings for each other. The silence seemed to stretch onward, each holding silent conversations with themselves.

Tired of being afraid, tired of being treated like a neglected possession Fred made up her own mind. It was she who was in love with Wesley, had known for some time that it was true. No longer playing it safe her fingers slipped back to the nape of his neck giving him every opportunity to back off. When their lips met tentatively a small victory was won. As his arm came about her waist she leaned into his chest.

The rain of fire, the blotting out of the sun, Angelus downstairs in his little steel cage were all forgotten as the two kindred souls in the study embraced for the first time since their fateful meeting in Pylea not so long ago. Gentle explorations with hands as well as ardent tongues gave way to sounds of pleasure as things quickly grew out of either of their control.

Wesley tapered off the string of never ending kisses as Fred gazed up at him curiously and with a bit of trepidation. "No," he answered her unasked question as his head tilted to the side, lips pressing to her cheek. "I do not wish to have Angelus a party to this." Unable to find the right word to use at the moment considering it was brand new to both of them and the thought of blazing taunts from the soulless beast downstairs were not on the menu. Slowly the hand resting against the small of her back trailed up along her side, brushing across her breast as she gasped against the stubbly covered cheek in front of her parted lips.

He kissed her cheek again as his fingers rested against her neck kneading the muscles there. Wesley brought his index finger up to travel along the underside of her jaw. "Will you come with me?" He could sense her hesitance. "You have nothing to fear from me, Winifred." Pulling back enough to find her eyes glazed over with desire and a brief hint of the underlying nervousness.

"I have missed you," Reaching for her hand to place against his heart. Covering her hand with his own, drawing the side of his thumb across the back of her hand he continued. "Winifred, what Angelus said was true." She opened her mouth to speak and summarily stopped as his eyebrow rose. "He did not speak of all of it. I want to tell you the entire story. I ask only that."

Pulling their hands away from his chest he lifted them in front of his chin turning her hand over to place a kiss to the inside of her wrist. "Allow me to tell you everything Winfred and if it is too much or you do not wish to continue this I will understand." Bringing his lips to the center of her palm he dropped a soft kiss before releasing her hand back to her side.

She stood speechless hearing the others move about as Gunn asked who was watching the monitor. Reaching up she brought her fingertips to rest against Wesley's lips. "I want to hear it all, Wesley; we don't have the time now though." At his nod she knew he understood. "After this is over, we'll go have lunch at that Chinese place you like." Grinning happily Fred rose on her tip toes to replace her fingers with a brief kiss.

"I have missed you more than you know, Wesley. When this is all over I know one thing," Fred turned around and looked out toward the lobby before slowly pivoting on one foot to face Wesley again. "I feel the same way that you do. Well minus the kitchen counter thing." Giggling with a slight snort noticing that Wesley had grinned for the first time in a long while she briefly held his hand again before heading toward the door, "Though that has promise." Fred tossed back at him before leaving him alone in what used to be his office.

"That it does, love. That it does." Wesley smiled deliriously happy as his focus shifted back to the file folder he had cast aside when Fred entered the office. Knowing that if they all survived this that Fred would know his heart and he hers.

© July 2003

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