Okay... I've had a revolt in the ranks of my faithful betas! *gasp* I'm so... oh... *sniff*

Kidding... hee hee... but the negative feedback I have gotten on A:S has really been startling... You've always been so nice, before.  Just so no one is confused:

This is not my declaration of W/A Ship.  Not the point of the story.  No matter what, B/A are at the core of it... listen to the thoughts of both Angel and Willow very carefully, and I think this will be clear.

This is just another attempt on my part to get into Angel's head, and explore the many and varied depths of the B/A Ship.  The difference between this and a genuine W/A story is:  B/A end up together.  *grin* So...

Open your mind just a little bit, and I think you'll find another genuine B/A story.

So, anyhoo...

Rating: R, for some adult themes and bad language.

Dedication: To Pia, for making me think hard about this, and for Anja, who gave me just the exact finishing touches I was looking for.

Legal Horse Hooey: I don't get anything from this but jollies.  They're not mine.

Notes:  The timeline might feel a little hard to follow... it speeds up and slows down a lot.  Just bear with.  Any important time changes are pointed out in the story.

My life closed twice before its close;
It yet remains to see
If Immortality unveil
A third event, to me,

So huge, so hopeless to conceive,
As these that twice befell.
Parting is all we know of heaven,
And all we need of Hell

- Emily Dickenson