Truthful Angel Chapter One
Oct. 20th, 2005 11:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lady_windermereI am sorry for those of you who have read the un-beta-ed version of this, but I am going to post the fic now, and thought I should post it bete-ed and put in memories.
If all goes according to plan chapter two on Sat.
Title: - Truthful Angel
Author donnaredmasters
Email jd009b9028@blueyonder.co.uk
Genre M/M
Pairings/Characters Angel/Spike
Rating NC17 (just to be safe, might not be)
Warnings M/M relationship, eventually, nothing graphic, some fighting of Demons. If you want graphic sex, violence, rape etc its Not here.
Notes this is my first fanfic, and I hope you like it. Nothing graphic as although I do read graphic stories my imagination does not go that may. Would not come naturally to me.
Acknowledgements For great beta-ing and support mandarin226 and stakeaclaim who heard the bare minimum of plot, and encouraged me to get on with it, but told me to give it a try.
Summary. Don’t want to give too much away but Angel has a plan and Spike is the centre of it!
Truthful Angel
Illyira gave a disdainful look around Gunn was dying; Angel wanted to slay a dragon, while Spike was looking back to where a portal had opened behind them. It glowed with rainbow light, that simmered as many well armed beings swarmed forward.
Leaving Angel and Illyira to fight the masses of demons emerging from the portals in front of them Spike readied himself to face this new threat. The figures were difficult to distinguish that was the first problem. Slash and tear. Out with fist and fang. Was that not how he had always wanted to go? And no brash ugly amulet round his neck this time, this was it.
The beings Spike faced gave a joyous whoop and cried, “Illyira we have come to help! You belong with us. Let us have a bonding battle like no-one on this puny world has ever witnessed before and tell tales of heroics when we return.”
Gold and silver arrows flew through the air with deadly accuracy. The night air glowed as a wall of arrows flew past them, striking demons sent by the Senior Partners. Portals closed behind them, killing many more. The new beings seemed to wade through the hoards like a hot knife through butter. In a very short time the Senior Partners armies were destroyed, Illyira glowed like the new beings, and then she laughed. “The legendary Tainnimar beings, with strength and abilities equal to my own! They were spoken times as gods; in a time before telling they have come for me, and this will be my new home.” High on the killing spree they had enjoyed they retuned to the portal, taking Illyira with them.
Angel and Spike watched, unable to believe what had happened. Even to the two vampires, the battle was beyond them. It was supposed to be a battle they could not win in the end. Neither seemed to move, or do much more than stand, mesmerized by what these arrivals had done. They were still in shock as they moved away, Angel to the Hyperion, Spike to his apartment.
♦
Ten years later:-
Giles sat behind his desk at the new Watcher Council. The last eleven years had not been easy for him and he looked twenty years older. He pushed the report he had been reading and walked over to a map of Britain taking out a black pin he went to the London map and placed it there, hovering his hand over it. The door opened and Buffy stood there, an unhappy look on her face.
“Well Giles I’m here, but it seems not only me. What is Faith doing here?” From the tone in Buffy’s voice it was not a meeting of minds.
“Ah, delighted to see you, Buffy, and I can explain. Please sit down.” Giles motioned to a comfortable seat and sighed. Faith stood behind Buffy, looking as unhappy as Buffy.
“Well, this is the Watchers Council. Never thought I would be invited here. So what is going on that you need both B and myself? Gotta tell you Giles, been retired bringing up the kids, especially since Robin died four years ago,” Faith all but growled, “Not that the Council was any help!”
“Yes, yes Faith I know that you have been busy with your family, as have you Buffy,” Giles said hastily watching the only two slayers to have lived long enough to acquire husbands and children. He could hardly believe they had reached their thirties.
“What I want to know is, how do you, both of you, feel about Angel?”
“Whoa! That is a blast from the past, Angel?” Faith questioned, “What is up with him? You haven’t brought B and me here to stake him have you? Cos it’s not gonna happen. He was the only one who held faith with me, and visited me in prison. If he needs help I’m right there, but no staking, beheading or setting on fire.”
Buffy looked at Giles, remembering his actions at Sunnydale. He was always sure he knew best, but she was confident that she had shown her independence and ability to make her own decisions.
Giles sat back, observing the two slayers. He was not sure how the meeting would progress, but he might need them. Angel had feelings for both women, it may help.
“Yes well, Angel has kept a low profile for ten years, but now he has begun to get involved again. He recently tracked down Drusilla. Now he is looking for Spike.” Giles stated, watching the two women.
“Spike? Did no-one tell him he’s dead. The whole hero bit at the Hellmouth!’ Faith exclaimed, ‘He was his grandsire or something might have made him proud.”
Buffy sat looking at Giles; she could tell there was something wrong. Sure there was something he hadn’t told her.
“Ah well, Spike was resurrected over ten years ago in L.A. Wolfram and Hart headquarters, while Angel was C.E.O. They fought at the battle together.” Giles stated, looking at Buffy.
Buffy stood, her eyes fixed on Giles, “How do you know this and why didn’t you tell me?”
“Buffy please sit down. I don’t know much, but Spike did not want you to know, we thought it best.”
“Since when do you listen to Spike, or do my thinking for me.” Buffy fumed.
The door opened and Angel stood there, surveying the scene. “A welcome committee. Nice to see all of you, although I was only expecting you Giles.”
“Angel, come in, make yourself comfortable. A 12 year old malt perhaps?” Giles offered, wishing he had the nice 12 year old malt in his hand already.
Buffy and Faith looked at Angel. There was no point in exclaiming he didn’t look a year older, he never would.
Angel nodded and took the malt Giles handed to him. Buffy looked well, mature. It had been ten years since he had last seen her, what could he expect.
He sat down and addressed Giles.” You have information for me? That’s why you have brought me here. You know I’m looking for Spike and you also know where he is.”
Giles sipped his malt, looking calmly at Angel, who growled at him. “Yes Angel, I have that information, but first I want to know why you are looking for Spike.”
“Why would you care Giles? I wasn’t aware you had any interest in him.” Angel looked over his glass watching Giles.
Buffy was angry. Angel had not said one word to her. They had not seen each other for so long. She expected a stronger reaction to herself. “Angel, not even a hello for your first love? Remember me? Sitting right here you know.”
“Buffy, sorry. Hello. You’re looking well; married life suits you. How are the children and your husband?” Angel asked quirking am eyebrow at Buffy. “I was surprised to see you here, that’s all.”
“Well , since finally asked Angel all are well, children fit and strong. You? Not much information on your whereabouts and actions since like forever.” Buffy snarked.
Giles coughed to bring the attention of the others to himself, and held Buffy’s gaze when it turned to him. “Yes, lots of time to catch up, but Angel you went looking for Drusilla. We heard you found her, and now she has disappeared. Drusilla is of no concern to the Watchers Council, apart from a wish that she be destroyed, but Spike is.”
“Why would that be? What concern would the Watcher Council have for Spike? He is a vampire; surely your agenda would be to destroy him?” Faith asked, both Buffy and Angel nodded in agreement, interest in both pairs of eyes.
“I am now the head of the Watcher Council, a watcher with many years experience of working with souled vampires, namely Angel and Spike. No-one else has the experience I have, therefore working with a souled vampire is not outside my field.” Giles fumed.
“Working with? Spike works for the Watcher Council, and I didn’t know?” Buffy looked even angrier than before. The evening was going rapidly downhill. Giles had hoped that it would be smoother, but with the volatile personalities involved, he guessed it was better than it could have been.
Angel looked impatient, he turned to Giles again, “I see that you have some explaining to do. Just tell me were to find Spike and I’ll be out of your hair.”
“Certainly not! I want answers from you before I divulge sensitive information to you!” Exclaimed Giles.
“Sensitive information. Look Giles I know Angel arrived earlier than you expected, but I have a head full of questions. Now I want to know what Spike is doing that you consider sensitive information.” Buffy demanded, crossing her arms across her chest, a determined look on her face.
Faith watched everyone as the atmosphere in the office seemed to be about to reach boiling point. She was not known for patience herself, but watching Buffy be-coming increasingly angry at her ex beau and watcher, she felt a perverse feeling of amusement. She also had questions, but Buffy looked like she was about to start knocking heads together if she didn’t get answers soon, and that might be fun.
Angel got up and started to pace the floor. He was a patient man, and had spent the last ten years planning and researching for his prize. It was close now, and he was ready. He would not stumble at this hurdle, but felt unsure how to handle himself. He had spent so much time on planning and researching he was unaccustomed to dealing with people. If he was honest he never had been. People were drawn by his magnetism, and he had got his way previously with threats and a glint of Angelus in his eye that meant, even with his soul, Angelus was bubbling under the surface, just waiting to get out.
After the battle when he had recovered enough from his shock to recall that they had left Gunn’s body. Angel made whatever arrangements he could to locate it. Only to discover his old crew had found him and brought him home, cremating his corpse as was their custom. Better to be safe than sorry.
Angel then noticed a difference in himself he seemed more at home in his skin. Almost as if he no-longer warred within himself. Demon and soul were still there he could feel them, could shift into game face, but he still had the revulsion to killing the soul gave him. He had found a witch who could read auras. She told him he was no longer cursed. A curse dampened the aura, and his was bright. She thought he was completely whole that he could be as happy as he liked.
Angel had felt like killing her when she said that. Happy after he had lost everyone and everything? How could he ever be happy again?
Giles sighed. Looking at Buffy he answered her, “I will explain everything to you Buffy; take you to Spike if you wish, but not now. Now I have explanations I need from Angel before I can proceed.”
Angel stopped pacing and stood still as only a vampire, or perhaps a feline stalking it prey, could.
“Questions Giles? Ask away then you can tell me what I want to know and go back to answering Buffy’s questions.”
“Yes Angel. We observed you track down Drusilla, we did not interfere; we were only concerned if you went hunting again with her. You always were unstable with your demon, and we waited to find out if Drusilla and yourself would go hunting together. “
“Then you also know that I did not. Now what is your concern around helping, or hindering me to find Spike?” Angel took another sip of malt, waiting for Giles to answer.
“We heard nothing from Drusilla after that. You tracked her down then she disappeared. If you dusted her that is your concern, but if you plan to dust Spike that is ours. He works freelance for us, and is considered a major asset.”
“Freelance!” Faith said, raising an eyebrow, “he always was a loose cannon, wasn’t he?”
“He has done good work protecting the young slayers-in-training Faith. After the spell to activate all the potentials we lost a great many young girls. We did not have the man-power to assign every slayer a watcher. Indeed we did not even know who all the potentials were. It was a time of great upheaval and strife for all.”
“Yes Giles, I am sure it was a time of grieving to lose so many young girls. The fight against evil always has its cost,” Angel sympathised, “but if you could keep to the point. Spike’s whereabouts.”
Giles turned abruptly to Angel, “Yes of course Angel, we also sympathise with your loss, but the point is what do you want with Spike?”
Angel gave a sigh, “Alright, I tracked down Drusilla because I heard she had become dangerous to others and herself. She always had strong companions, she needed them with her insanity, but she was alone now without anyone.”
“Drusilla was always dangerous to others; why did you take action now?” Buffy asked, slightly outraged that he had waited so long to do something about the mad bitch.
“I finally had a way to control her, and she was in a condition to co-operate. I had found a human family who would take care of her if she would bleed them a little. They had strong magic to protect them from Drusilla if she tried to kill them, but needed her help.” Angel explained.
“Why would they want her to bleed them? That is yuck.” Buffy never liked the idea of humans allowing vampires to bleed them, not after Riley.
“They need her to. They produce too much blood and if it is not drained in some way, it will kill them. It passes over the brain and I guess you could say drowns the brain. It’s a rare genetic condition.” Angel explained.
“Could they not just donate blood, help people who have had an accident or something?” Buffy was still not happy with the idea of people donating blood to a vampire, especially the psychopath she know Drusilla to be.
“I don’t know how it works Buffy, but the blood is not suitable to be a donation for humans. They had a weak vampire, but it turned to dust. It was unstable and had attached itself emotionally to the daughter. She got married and it went out into the sun one morning, so they needed a new vampire.” Angel explained.
“That explains why you tracked down Drusilla, but still does not explain why you are looking for Spike.” Giles asked, looking stonily at Angel.
“Well I enjoyed helping others, and also enjoyed meeting a member of my vampire family. Felt a sense of connection. I could not get Drusilla to help me if I wanted to help the hopeless again, but Spike has a soul, I thought I could track him down and see if we could work together.” Angel finished his malt as he explained his reasoning to Giles.
“I see. Well, Angel, if Spike is agreeable then I don’t see any problems with you working together. He runs an Agency called ‘Mavericks’. He is working with a slayer, a watcher and a witch who does reception. They are interesting people, I am not sure if you will enjoy their company though as they are all mavericks in their own right. Neither the slayer, Layla nor the watcher Winslow, could conform to the Watcher Councils regulations and decided to join Spike. Delilah the receptionist is sweet, she is not a powerful witch like Willow, but able. The coven she belongs to is powerful and has helped out occasionally.” Giles said, “If everyone is ready I shall take you to meet them. I think any other information should be given to the others involved.”
“Giles, why did you want Faith and me here?” Buffy asked.
“In case I didn’t like Angel’s answer. I thought that you would protect me without harming Angel, as we were sure he still had his soul. We wanted to see if he would be willing to take up the good fight again,” Giles answered.
{ }
Buffy, Faith, Giles and Angel looked up at an imposing piece of architecture. It was a three story Georgian townhouse, with a basement in a fashionable West End area of London. The basement and ground floor had necrotempered glass which filtered the sun’s rays from the interior, Angel realised it was vampire friendly. Giles pressed the security door and Delilah’s voice could be heard, “Mavericks Investigations, how can I help you?”
“Delilah it’s Giles, could you let me in.”
“Yes Mr Giles.” A buzzer sound was heard and the door opened automatically. Giles entered but when Buffy and Faith tried to they could not, neither could Angel.
“Delilah if you would help us out. Your protection spell appears to be keeping my companions at the door,” Giles said but seemed quite amused.
“I am sorry Giles, but my spell keeps out demons and I am not letting anyone in that is affected unless you can assure me that they are not demons.” Delilah looked determined, and had pressed a button under her desk.
Delilah was a small young woman of around 5’ 2”, about 25 years old with mid-length light brown hair and soft smooth features. She was medium build and had on a robust blouse and trousers. She seemed almost not to catch the eye deliberately, but still did not look mousy. The door behind her opened and a thirty year old man walked out, he had a range of weapons peeking from a canvas bag, and was looking suspiciously at Giles.
“Who have you brought along with you Giles that they can not get through Delilah’s protection spell?” Winslow questioned, looking unhappy at Giles being there at all.
“Winslow I would like you to meet the slayers Buffy and Faith, and Angel the other vampire with a soul. We have come to talk to Spike. That is a strong protection spell if it detects the demon in a slayer Delilah. Your magic must be improving,” Giles complimented.
“Can’t be too careful in this line of business, I shall get the charms that will allow your friends to enter, but there is an anti aggression spell in operation, so if you have any ideas along those lines you should dismiss them, you will only hurt yourself,” Delilah stated bringing out three lavender scented necklaces, which she motioned the three should put on. The overpowering scent of lavender was almost too much for the enhanced senses of Angel and the slayers but they wore them and entered the reception.
“I thought you had a slayer working for you? And Spike, how do they enter?” Questioned Angel.
“They have a protection spell around them that allows them to enter freely,” Delilah answered.
“Spike and Layla are out on a case at present, they should be back soon. A Nest of vampires at the cemetery should not take long. Have a seat.” Winslow motioned to some comfortable seats scattered around the reception area.
Winslow was about 5’ 10” tall with short dark brown hair and brown eyes, which sparkled with intelligence. He wore a business suit, which fitted his slender body. Muscles gave definition to his lean frame. But his face was quite unremarkable, apart from thin tight lips which somehow made him look cruel.
Angel looked around him with a look of surprise, a look which was echoed in Buffy and Faiths faces as well. “Where did the money come from to fund this operation?” Angel’s voice sounded annoyed, and he glared at Giles.
“Spike made a fortune in the demon fighting circuit before moving back to Britain. Demons were queuing up to fight the vampire with a soul who had fought along side the slayer. He managed to maim and kill quite a few. Luckily he is a strong fighter. When he got back he had ten million pounds sterling,” Winslow replied proudly. “He took a rest then set up this operation. We do quite well. I was the first to join him in 2006, Layla joined a year later.”
The door opened to the sound of laughter, a welcome relief after everything that had happened that night, but soon destroyed by Spikes exclaimed “Peaches! What brings you here, and with the head of the Watchers Council and two slayers?”
Vastly improved.
If all goes according to plan chapter two on Sat.
Title: - Truthful Angel
Author donnaredmasters
Email jd009b9028@blueyonder.co.uk
Genre M/M
Pairings/Characters Angel/Spike
Rating NC17 (just to be safe, might not be)
Warnings M/M relationship, eventually, nothing graphic, some fighting of Demons. If you want graphic sex, violence, rape etc its Not here.
Notes this is my first fanfic, and I hope you like it. Nothing graphic as although I do read graphic stories my imagination does not go that may. Would not come naturally to me.
Acknowledgements For great beta-ing and support mandarin226 and stakeaclaim who heard the bare minimum of plot, and encouraged me to get on with it, but told me to give it a try.
Summary. Don’t want to give too much away but Angel has a plan and Spike is the centre of it!
Truthful Angel
Illyira gave a disdainful look around Gunn was dying; Angel wanted to slay a dragon, while Spike was looking back to where a portal had opened behind them. It glowed with rainbow light, that simmered as many well armed beings swarmed forward.
Leaving Angel and Illyira to fight the masses of demons emerging from the portals in front of them Spike readied himself to face this new threat. The figures were difficult to distinguish that was the first problem. Slash and tear. Out with fist and fang. Was that not how he had always wanted to go? And no brash ugly amulet round his neck this time, this was it.
The beings Spike faced gave a joyous whoop and cried, “Illyira we have come to help! You belong with us. Let us have a bonding battle like no-one on this puny world has ever witnessed before and tell tales of heroics when we return.”
Gold and silver arrows flew through the air with deadly accuracy. The night air glowed as a wall of arrows flew past them, striking demons sent by the Senior Partners. Portals closed behind them, killing many more. The new beings seemed to wade through the hoards like a hot knife through butter. In a very short time the Senior Partners armies were destroyed, Illyira glowed like the new beings, and then she laughed. “The legendary Tainnimar beings, with strength and abilities equal to my own! They were spoken times as gods; in a time before telling they have come for me, and this will be my new home.” High on the killing spree they had enjoyed they retuned to the portal, taking Illyira with them.
Angel and Spike watched, unable to believe what had happened. Even to the two vampires, the battle was beyond them. It was supposed to be a battle they could not win in the end. Neither seemed to move, or do much more than stand, mesmerized by what these arrivals had done. They were still in shock as they moved away, Angel to the Hyperion, Spike to his apartment.
♦
Ten years later:-
Giles sat behind his desk at the new Watcher Council. The last eleven years had not been easy for him and he looked twenty years older. He pushed the report he had been reading and walked over to a map of Britain taking out a black pin he went to the London map and placed it there, hovering his hand over it. The door opened and Buffy stood there, an unhappy look on her face.
“Well Giles I’m here, but it seems not only me. What is Faith doing here?” From the tone in Buffy’s voice it was not a meeting of minds.
“Ah, delighted to see you, Buffy, and I can explain. Please sit down.” Giles motioned to a comfortable seat and sighed. Faith stood behind Buffy, looking as unhappy as Buffy.
“Well, this is the Watchers Council. Never thought I would be invited here. So what is going on that you need both B and myself? Gotta tell you Giles, been retired bringing up the kids, especially since Robin died four years ago,” Faith all but growled, “Not that the Council was any help!”
“Yes, yes Faith I know that you have been busy with your family, as have you Buffy,” Giles said hastily watching the only two slayers to have lived long enough to acquire husbands and children. He could hardly believe they had reached their thirties.
“What I want to know is, how do you, both of you, feel about Angel?”
“Whoa! That is a blast from the past, Angel?” Faith questioned, “What is up with him? You haven’t brought B and me here to stake him have you? Cos it’s not gonna happen. He was the only one who held faith with me, and visited me in prison. If he needs help I’m right there, but no staking, beheading or setting on fire.”
Buffy looked at Giles, remembering his actions at Sunnydale. He was always sure he knew best, but she was confident that she had shown her independence and ability to make her own decisions.
Giles sat back, observing the two slayers. He was not sure how the meeting would progress, but he might need them. Angel had feelings for both women, it may help.
“Yes well, Angel has kept a low profile for ten years, but now he has begun to get involved again. He recently tracked down Drusilla. Now he is looking for Spike.” Giles stated, watching the two women.
“Spike? Did no-one tell him he’s dead. The whole hero bit at the Hellmouth!’ Faith exclaimed, ‘He was his grandsire or something might have made him proud.”
Buffy sat looking at Giles; she could tell there was something wrong. Sure there was something he hadn’t told her.
“Ah well, Spike was resurrected over ten years ago in L.A. Wolfram and Hart headquarters, while Angel was C.E.O. They fought at the battle together.” Giles stated, looking at Buffy.
Buffy stood, her eyes fixed on Giles, “How do you know this and why didn’t you tell me?”
“Buffy please sit down. I don’t know much, but Spike did not want you to know, we thought it best.”
“Since when do you listen to Spike, or do my thinking for me.” Buffy fumed.
The door opened and Angel stood there, surveying the scene. “A welcome committee. Nice to see all of you, although I was only expecting you Giles.”
“Angel, come in, make yourself comfortable. A 12 year old malt perhaps?” Giles offered, wishing he had the nice 12 year old malt in his hand already.
Buffy and Faith looked at Angel. There was no point in exclaiming he didn’t look a year older, he never would.
Angel nodded and took the malt Giles handed to him. Buffy looked well, mature. It had been ten years since he had last seen her, what could he expect.
He sat down and addressed Giles.” You have information for me? That’s why you have brought me here. You know I’m looking for Spike and you also know where he is.”
Giles sipped his malt, looking calmly at Angel, who growled at him. “Yes Angel, I have that information, but first I want to know why you are looking for Spike.”
“Why would you care Giles? I wasn’t aware you had any interest in him.” Angel looked over his glass watching Giles.
Buffy was angry. Angel had not said one word to her. They had not seen each other for so long. She expected a stronger reaction to herself. “Angel, not even a hello for your first love? Remember me? Sitting right here you know.”
“Buffy, sorry. Hello. You’re looking well; married life suits you. How are the children and your husband?” Angel asked quirking am eyebrow at Buffy. “I was surprised to see you here, that’s all.”
“Well , since finally asked Angel all are well, children fit and strong. You? Not much information on your whereabouts and actions since like forever.” Buffy snarked.
Giles coughed to bring the attention of the others to himself, and held Buffy’s gaze when it turned to him. “Yes, lots of time to catch up, but Angel you went looking for Drusilla. We heard you found her, and now she has disappeared. Drusilla is of no concern to the Watchers Council, apart from a wish that she be destroyed, but Spike is.”
“Why would that be? What concern would the Watcher Council have for Spike? He is a vampire; surely your agenda would be to destroy him?” Faith asked, both Buffy and Angel nodded in agreement, interest in both pairs of eyes.
“I am now the head of the Watcher Council, a watcher with many years experience of working with souled vampires, namely Angel and Spike. No-one else has the experience I have, therefore working with a souled vampire is not outside my field.” Giles fumed.
“Working with? Spike works for the Watcher Council, and I didn’t know?” Buffy looked even angrier than before. The evening was going rapidly downhill. Giles had hoped that it would be smoother, but with the volatile personalities involved, he guessed it was better than it could have been.
Angel looked impatient, he turned to Giles again, “I see that you have some explaining to do. Just tell me were to find Spike and I’ll be out of your hair.”
“Certainly not! I want answers from you before I divulge sensitive information to you!” Exclaimed Giles.
“Sensitive information. Look Giles I know Angel arrived earlier than you expected, but I have a head full of questions. Now I want to know what Spike is doing that you consider sensitive information.” Buffy demanded, crossing her arms across her chest, a determined look on her face.
Faith watched everyone as the atmosphere in the office seemed to be about to reach boiling point. She was not known for patience herself, but watching Buffy be-coming increasingly angry at her ex beau and watcher, she felt a perverse feeling of amusement. She also had questions, but Buffy looked like she was about to start knocking heads together if she didn’t get answers soon, and that might be fun.
Angel got up and started to pace the floor. He was a patient man, and had spent the last ten years planning and researching for his prize. It was close now, and he was ready. He would not stumble at this hurdle, but felt unsure how to handle himself. He had spent so much time on planning and researching he was unaccustomed to dealing with people. If he was honest he never had been. People were drawn by his magnetism, and he had got his way previously with threats and a glint of Angelus in his eye that meant, even with his soul, Angelus was bubbling under the surface, just waiting to get out.
After the battle when he had recovered enough from his shock to recall that they had left Gunn’s body. Angel made whatever arrangements he could to locate it. Only to discover his old crew had found him and brought him home, cremating his corpse as was their custom. Better to be safe than sorry.
Angel then noticed a difference in himself he seemed more at home in his skin. Almost as if he no-longer warred within himself. Demon and soul were still there he could feel them, could shift into game face, but he still had the revulsion to killing the soul gave him. He had found a witch who could read auras. She told him he was no longer cursed. A curse dampened the aura, and his was bright. She thought he was completely whole that he could be as happy as he liked.
Angel had felt like killing her when she said that. Happy after he had lost everyone and everything? How could he ever be happy again?
Giles sighed. Looking at Buffy he answered her, “I will explain everything to you Buffy; take you to Spike if you wish, but not now. Now I have explanations I need from Angel before I can proceed.”
Angel stopped pacing and stood still as only a vampire, or perhaps a feline stalking it prey, could.
“Questions Giles? Ask away then you can tell me what I want to know and go back to answering Buffy’s questions.”
“Yes Angel. We observed you track down Drusilla, we did not interfere; we were only concerned if you went hunting again with her. You always were unstable with your demon, and we waited to find out if Drusilla and yourself would go hunting together. “
“Then you also know that I did not. Now what is your concern around helping, or hindering me to find Spike?” Angel took another sip of malt, waiting for Giles to answer.
“We heard nothing from Drusilla after that. You tracked her down then she disappeared. If you dusted her that is your concern, but if you plan to dust Spike that is ours. He works freelance for us, and is considered a major asset.”
“Freelance!” Faith said, raising an eyebrow, “he always was a loose cannon, wasn’t he?”
“He has done good work protecting the young slayers-in-training Faith. After the spell to activate all the potentials we lost a great many young girls. We did not have the man-power to assign every slayer a watcher. Indeed we did not even know who all the potentials were. It was a time of great upheaval and strife for all.”
“Yes Giles, I am sure it was a time of grieving to lose so many young girls. The fight against evil always has its cost,” Angel sympathised, “but if you could keep to the point. Spike’s whereabouts.”
Giles turned abruptly to Angel, “Yes of course Angel, we also sympathise with your loss, but the point is what do you want with Spike?”
Angel gave a sigh, “Alright, I tracked down Drusilla because I heard she had become dangerous to others and herself. She always had strong companions, she needed them with her insanity, but she was alone now without anyone.”
“Drusilla was always dangerous to others; why did you take action now?” Buffy asked, slightly outraged that he had waited so long to do something about the mad bitch.
“I finally had a way to control her, and she was in a condition to co-operate. I had found a human family who would take care of her if she would bleed them a little. They had strong magic to protect them from Drusilla if she tried to kill them, but needed her help.” Angel explained.
“Why would they want her to bleed them? That is yuck.” Buffy never liked the idea of humans allowing vampires to bleed them, not after Riley.
“They need her to. They produce too much blood and if it is not drained in some way, it will kill them. It passes over the brain and I guess you could say drowns the brain. It’s a rare genetic condition.” Angel explained.
“Could they not just donate blood, help people who have had an accident or something?” Buffy was still not happy with the idea of people donating blood to a vampire, especially the psychopath she know Drusilla to be.
“I don’t know how it works Buffy, but the blood is not suitable to be a donation for humans. They had a weak vampire, but it turned to dust. It was unstable and had attached itself emotionally to the daughter. She got married and it went out into the sun one morning, so they needed a new vampire.” Angel explained.
“That explains why you tracked down Drusilla, but still does not explain why you are looking for Spike.” Giles asked, looking stonily at Angel.
“Well I enjoyed helping others, and also enjoyed meeting a member of my vampire family. Felt a sense of connection. I could not get Drusilla to help me if I wanted to help the hopeless again, but Spike has a soul, I thought I could track him down and see if we could work together.” Angel finished his malt as he explained his reasoning to Giles.
“I see. Well, Angel, if Spike is agreeable then I don’t see any problems with you working together. He runs an Agency called ‘Mavericks’. He is working with a slayer, a watcher and a witch who does reception. They are interesting people, I am not sure if you will enjoy their company though as they are all mavericks in their own right. Neither the slayer, Layla nor the watcher Winslow, could conform to the Watcher Councils regulations and decided to join Spike. Delilah the receptionist is sweet, she is not a powerful witch like Willow, but able. The coven she belongs to is powerful and has helped out occasionally.” Giles said, “If everyone is ready I shall take you to meet them. I think any other information should be given to the others involved.”
“Giles, why did you want Faith and me here?” Buffy asked.
“In case I didn’t like Angel’s answer. I thought that you would protect me without harming Angel, as we were sure he still had his soul. We wanted to see if he would be willing to take up the good fight again,” Giles answered.
{ }
Buffy, Faith, Giles and Angel looked up at an imposing piece of architecture. It was a three story Georgian townhouse, with a basement in a fashionable West End area of London. The basement and ground floor had necrotempered glass which filtered the sun’s rays from the interior, Angel realised it was vampire friendly. Giles pressed the security door and Delilah’s voice could be heard, “Mavericks Investigations, how can I help you?”
“Delilah it’s Giles, could you let me in.”
“Yes Mr Giles.” A buzzer sound was heard and the door opened automatically. Giles entered but when Buffy and Faith tried to they could not, neither could Angel.
“Delilah if you would help us out. Your protection spell appears to be keeping my companions at the door,” Giles said but seemed quite amused.
“I am sorry Giles, but my spell keeps out demons and I am not letting anyone in that is affected unless you can assure me that they are not demons.” Delilah looked determined, and had pressed a button under her desk.
Delilah was a small young woman of around 5’ 2”, about 25 years old with mid-length light brown hair and soft smooth features. She was medium build and had on a robust blouse and trousers. She seemed almost not to catch the eye deliberately, but still did not look mousy. The door behind her opened and a thirty year old man walked out, he had a range of weapons peeking from a canvas bag, and was looking suspiciously at Giles.
“Who have you brought along with you Giles that they can not get through Delilah’s protection spell?” Winslow questioned, looking unhappy at Giles being there at all.
“Winslow I would like you to meet the slayers Buffy and Faith, and Angel the other vampire with a soul. We have come to talk to Spike. That is a strong protection spell if it detects the demon in a slayer Delilah. Your magic must be improving,” Giles complimented.
“Can’t be too careful in this line of business, I shall get the charms that will allow your friends to enter, but there is an anti aggression spell in operation, so if you have any ideas along those lines you should dismiss them, you will only hurt yourself,” Delilah stated bringing out three lavender scented necklaces, which she motioned the three should put on. The overpowering scent of lavender was almost too much for the enhanced senses of Angel and the slayers but they wore them and entered the reception.
“I thought you had a slayer working for you? And Spike, how do they enter?” Questioned Angel.
“They have a protection spell around them that allows them to enter freely,” Delilah answered.
“Spike and Layla are out on a case at present, they should be back soon. A Nest of vampires at the cemetery should not take long. Have a seat.” Winslow motioned to some comfortable seats scattered around the reception area.
Winslow was about 5’ 10” tall with short dark brown hair and brown eyes, which sparkled with intelligence. He wore a business suit, which fitted his slender body. Muscles gave definition to his lean frame. But his face was quite unremarkable, apart from thin tight lips which somehow made him look cruel.
Angel looked around him with a look of surprise, a look which was echoed in Buffy and Faiths faces as well. “Where did the money come from to fund this operation?” Angel’s voice sounded annoyed, and he glared at Giles.
“Spike made a fortune in the demon fighting circuit before moving back to Britain. Demons were queuing up to fight the vampire with a soul who had fought along side the slayer. He managed to maim and kill quite a few. Luckily he is a strong fighter. When he got back he had ten million pounds sterling,” Winslow replied proudly. “He took a rest then set up this operation. We do quite well. I was the first to join him in 2006, Layla joined a year later.”
The door opened to the sound of laughter, a welcome relief after everything that had happened that night, but soon destroyed by Spikes exclaimed “Peaches! What brings you here, and with the head of the Watchers Council and two slayers?”
Vastly improved.
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The next update
Date: 2005-11-14 09:00 pm (UTC)Re: The next update
Date: 2005-11-14 10:03 pm (UTC)Glad You are enjoying it, Thank you :-)
(no subject)
Date: 2005-11-14 09:41 pm (UTC)I wonder what Angel has planned for Spike.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-11-14 10:05 pm (UTC)Thank you for commenting :-) Hope you continue to enjoy
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Date: 2005-11-16 08:47 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-11-16 12:17 pm (UTC)I was looking for your A Spandery Fairy tale to rec on