Part 4
“How goes the research Wes?”
“Nothing so far I’m afraid. There seem to be a number of ways to remove one’s soul but only two to get one. There just isn’t a demand for something like this. Let’s hope the curse works.”
“We have to do better than that. There must be some way besides a curse or by trial.”
“I just spoke with Fred. She’s come up empty so far.” He watched her frown deepen. “We’ll keep looking.”
“Thanks”
“Did somebody order a witch?”
“Spike!”
Spike swept Cordelia in a hug. “How are you, Pet?”
She clung to him. “I’m…okay. I knew you’d come.”
“Of course.” He pulled back. “Let’s talk in private, Luv” Spike lead her into the office and closed the door. “Did he hurt you?”
“No”
“Don’t lie to me. I can smell him on you.”
“What is it with you vampires and your sense of smell?”
“Don’t avoid the subject. Do the others know he raped you?”
“Woah! Back up. There was no rape. He was chained to the bed but I gave him the chance to say no.”
“What?”
“Spike, I love him.”
“You love Angelus?”
“Out of everybody here, I expected you to understand. Angelus is a part of Angel and I love Angel completely.”
Spike was stunned. “Believe me I know all about reconciling the man with the monster but..”
“But nothing. I love Angel completely and by extension I love Angelus. I’m not delusional. I don’t plan to unchain him and give him the run of the place. I’m not planning our future together. I am going to do whatever it takes to get his soul back which brings me to my question. Where is Willow’s friend?”
“She’s in my car with the engine running.” At her raised brow he continued. “When we left Sunnydale, Angelus was still on the loose. She’s waiting outside ’til she’s sure he’s secure. Don’t blame her. The Whelp told her about what happened when the computer teacher planned to curse him.”
“Oh” She opened the door. “Go get her. He’s chained to his bed and the chains are enchanted so he’s secure. She and Wes can go over the spell together.”
“Red sent a few different spells along. She even wrote two herself. Hopefully one will work.”
“I hope. You go get her. I want to call to check on Lorne.”
***
“Chains are a good look for you.”
“What are you doing here Spike?”
“Did you think I wouldn’t come? I’ve been waitin’ to have a nice chat with you ever since you tried to suck the world into hell. Besides you asked me to come if your soul went bye bye.”
Angelus rolled his eyes. “Where’s Cordelia?”
“Said she needed to call Lorne. She’ll be up soon. I thought we should talk alone. Now that the soul’s gone, I don’t need to pull any punches.”
“As if you could ever beat me boy. You had to hide behind the slayer before. Couldn’t be man enough to take Dru back yourself. No. You had to make a deal with our mortal enemy.”
“It’s not my fault you were insane. One nut vampire I can handle but two is too much even for an amazing vamp like me.”
“Whatever”
“Damn. Even you are starting to sound like the cheerleader. What is it about that girl?”
“Go away boy. Don’t you have a slayer’s boots to lick?”
“Sorry. I don’t take orders from you anymore.”
“Taking orders is all you’ve ever been good for. You’re the slayer’s lap dog now. Kinda ironic considering how eager you were for me to kill her.”
“That was before.”
“Before you fell in love or before the soul? You always were a fool Spike. Love’s admitted bitch. Look at yourself. You’re pathetic. You got a soul for a girl who will never love you.”
“Shut up!”
“Truth hurts, doesn’t it boy? Poor Spike. Always after my scraps. First Druscilla and now Slutty.”
“Shut your fuckin’ mouth!”
“C’mon boy. You wanted to talk. Admit it. I can smell her on you but not like you can smell Cordy. Even with a soul, she won’t love you. It’s sad really. You’ll never measure up to me.”
“She loved Angel not you.”
“I know. Dumb bitch never did understand.”
“It’s not an easy concept for human’s to get. Especially a slayer.”
“Cordy understands.”
“Well she ain’t exactly normal.”
“She’s special.”
“That she is but you know this can’t work, don’t you? It’s just a matter of time.”
“Shut the fuck up Spike!”
“Did I strike a nerve Angelus?”
“You’re just jealous. You’ve never had anyone love you like she loves me.”
Spike doubled over in laughter. “Never thought I’d live to see the day Grandpappy spouted off the virtues of love.”
“Laugh all you want Spike. I’ve found love and acceptance from an amazing woman. I’m not gonna let my past stop me from taking what’s mine to have. I don’t feel any shame about loving her.”
“What about your soul?”
“What about it? The spell won’t work and we both know there’s only one other way.”
“So do it.”
“Why should I? I’m gonna play nice.”
“Nice?”
“Yeah. I can cooperate. I’m willing to..help. Killing evil things is still killing. I could adjust. If you could do it without a soul, I can.”
“Angelus, you’ve made pain your art. You’re just gonna stop. Is that it?”
“I have Cordy. I’m gonna do whatever it takes to keep her. She loves me and in time she’ll learn to trust me. We’ll be together. I don’t need a soul to get the girl.”
“Now who’s delusional? She can’t trust you. We may be old enough to control our instincts. We don’t have to be ruled by our hunger but you can’t stay in control all the time. You don’t have a chip to reinforce your control. Hell even with a soul, we’ve both wanted to kill the Whelp.”
“I can do it for Cordy.”
“What about the rest of your family? Answer me this. What will you do the next time the scoobies pay a visit? You remember Rupert, Cordy’s ex-lover. What will you do when he gives her a nice kiss hello? A man who’s touched her, tasted her, buried himself in her tight young body.”
Angelus vamped out. “Shut the fuck up boy!”
“Yeah. You’re the picture of control. You’re such an unbelievably lucky bastard. That amazing woman loves you completely. Do you have any idea what I’d give to have what you have?”
“Stay away from her. She’s mine.”
“Then be the man she needs. She doesn’t need a vampire. She needs a champion. You know what you have to do.”
“It’s eating you up, isn’t it? I’ll tell you what I’ll do for you. You can have Dru and Buffy all to yourself. I’m done with both.”
“They aren’t yours to give Angelus.”
“Aren’t they? We both know the only thing I had to do was snap my fingers and Dru would come running. You play the jilted lover so well that you forget she was mine first. I’ll always be her first choice. Buffy too. She may let you in her life. She may even let you fuck her but she’ll never love you. She’ll never accept what you are. You’ll never have what I have with Cordy.”
“Angelus!”
Both vampires turned to see the furious brunette standing in the doorway. “Cor, I..”
“Save it.” She walked over to Spike and grabbed both his hands. “You know Buffy’s issues aren’t really about you. Thanks to Mr-I’m-chained-to-my-bed she’s terrified to let anyone in. She’s faced so much loss in her life. She even keeps Dawn at arm’s length. You’ve become a good man. Don’t doubt that.”
“Thanks Pet.” Spike placed a soft kiss on her lips before pulling her into a hug. He gave a growling Angelus a wink over her shoulder. “I’ll go check on Melina.”
“Thanks”
Angelus waited until the door closed. He wouldn’t give Spike the satisfaction. “How dare you let him kiss you!”
Cordelia straddled his waist. “You totally deserved that. You were being mean to him.”
“He’s used to it. I think he enjoys being a whipping boy. Why else would he stay with Slutty, the vampire layer?”
“Don’t call her that.”
“You don’t like her either.”
“We made peace. We’re..sorta friends.”
“The only people she calls friends are those who consider her the center of the universe and you know it. Her problems and opinions are the only ones that matter.”
She tried to stifle a laugh but it came out as a snort. “Let’s change the subject.”
“I have a better idea. Let’s not talk at all. Kiss me.”
“Pfft. Not when you’re being an asshole.”
“C’mon Cordy. The last time I was around Spike he hit me with a crow bar.”
“You totally deserved that too.”
“Hey! You’re my girlfriend. You’re supposed to be on my side.”
“Tough. I’m on the side that isn’t trying to suck the world into hell.”
“OK. I’ll give you that one. It was a stupid plan. The soul may have been in control but I was in hell too. Let me just say it was nothing like the brochures.” He twisted beneath the chains. “Kiss me.”
“Will you be nice to Spike?”
“He’s my childe. I don’t have to show him respect.”
“I thought Druscilla turned him?”
“She did but she was too insane to train him. That fell to me.”
“I remember.”
“What?”
“Umm..nothing.”
“Cordy”
She huffed. “I told you the powers gave me some of his memories so I could help him.”
His horrified eyes locked with hers. “You never said I was in any of those memories.”
“I didn’t want you to get all broody.”
“Those fucking Powers should stay out of our business. They had no right!”
“Knowing what he went through when he was first turned helped me to understand him. Plus we work for the powers. We are their business.”
“I’m sorry for..what you saw.”
“Don’t apologize to me. He’s the one whose girlfriend you used to screw loud enough for him to hear. While we’re on the subject if you ever think about touching another woman alive or undead, you truly will be a eunuch right before you’re dust.”
“This from the woman who let Spike kiss her.”
She leaned down to capture his lips. “You deserved it.”
“You deserve…” Angelus tensed up.
“What’s wrong?”
“I can’t give you what you deserve.”
“I’m gonna find a way to get your soul back.”
“What if you can’t?”
“I don’t..I can’t…We will.”
“I could…face the trial. I mean if that’s what you truly want.”
“No. The reward isn’t about what you ask for.”
“It isn’t?”
“It grants you your heart’s desire.”
“I want to have a life with you as I am.”
“I know.” She rested her head on his chest. “We’ll find a way.”
“Can’t we give it a try?” He could feel her tears soak his shirt. “Don’t cry. I love you.”
“I love you too but you’re asking me to give up half the man I fell in love with. You may love me but do you love Wesley, Gunn or Fred? What about the mission? Your shanshu? I could never accept happiness at the expense of others.”
He closed his eyes in anguish. “So where’s the witch?”
***
“Hey Engish, where’s the witch?”
“She went home.”
“It worked? Thanks for callin’. We been..”
“It didn’t work.”
“What?”
“I’m afraid all the spells were unsuccessful.”
“Then why did she leave? We gotta keep tryin’.”
“I’m glad to see you’ve come around.”
“That ain’t fair. I want Angel back too. Just not at the expense of human lives.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’m just a little on edge. Melina tried several different spells and nothing. She attempted the original curse first. Willow wrote two spells and her coven provided one as well. The fifth was faxed to us by Mr Giles. He consulted a coven in England.”
“Five spells and no winner?”
“Exactly. It’s quite disheartening. Wolfram and Hart knew what they were doing. I don’t believe we’ll be able to curse him again.”
“You’re not givin’ up, are you?”
“Of course not. We will keep researching. There must be another way.”
“How’s Barbie?”
“She’s upset which is to be expected. She’s trying to remain positive.”
“Where is she?”
“Upstairs”
“Wes…what game is the evil vamp playin’?”
“What do you mean?”
“He left you alive. He rescued Cordy from the evil lawyers. He ordered her pizza and ice cream. I didn’t see any bite marks or bruises on her. You don’t think he might actually love her, do you?”
“If you had asked me that a couple of hours ago, I would have said no.”
“What changed?”
Wesley ran his fingers through his hair. “He didn’t make a single hateful remark while we attempted the curses. The only person he really spoke to was Cordelia and he was…nice. It was a little unnerving to say the least.”
“Weird. So where’s blondie vamp? Did he show?”
“Yes. He’s upstairs as well.”
“Good. Nice or not, I don’t like the idea of Cordy bein’ alone with Angelus. Tell me I did NOT just say I was relieved Barbie’s with two vamps instead of one.”
“Spike is..colorful but he has a soul.”
“I know. He was pretty cool the last time he was here. Plus those chains are secure. I locked ’em myself.” Gunn sank into the nearest chair. “So now what?”
“I’m going to continue researching here. I’d like you to check on Fred. She doesn’t know the spells failed. I didn’t have the heart to tell her on the phone.”
“Sure. Lorne’s still workin’ his way through his contacts. He sent me back ’cause some of them don’t really like humans and some just don’t like me.”
“Why you?”
He shrugged. “Some of them still blame me for what happened at Caritas. Well I’m gonna head out.”
“Keep in touch.”
“Back at ya.”