Part 5
“Spike, don’t you have someone else you could annoy?”
“Who’s more fun to annoy than you?”
“I thought you were going to be nice to Spike.”
“I’ve been nice. I’ve been downfuckingright pleasant and now I want to be alone with you.”
“You’re such a sweet talker.”
“C’mon Cor. Make Spike go away.”
“Well you have been awfully good.”
Angelus watched as her eyes glazed over. “Cor?”
Spike approached the bed. “Luv?”
Angelus growled. “Back off Spike. She isn’t your ‘Luv’.”
“What the hell’s wrong with her?”
“She’s having a vision.”
“But she’s not floating.”
“She doesn’t usually float. The one you saw was the last floaty one she’s had.”
“She can hear you. You could just ask me your questions.”
“We tried Luv but you zoned out.”
“What did you see?”
“Gee Peaches for a second there I almost thought you cared.”
“Shut up Spike! The vision?”
“A slimey demon was attacking a horny couple in the park.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow night. Spike can you hand me that notepad on the table. I need to draw a picture of Mr. Slimy.”
“Sure” He tossed her the pad. “So what’s the plan?”
“Unless Wes says otherwise, you and I will go kill it.”
“Cordy, Gunn can go with Spike. You should stay here with me.”
“Pfft. I’ll be fine. I want Gunn to stay with Fred and Wes’ll be here if you need anything.”
“Why does Gunn need to stay with Fred? At least take him with you.”
“We don’t know if Wolfram and Hart is going to try anything else. I want him to protect Fred.”
“Why can’t Wes protect her? He finally grew a pair once he got in touch with his dark side.”
Cordelia hesitated. She didn’t want to lie. “Umm..I didn’t…I thought it..”
“You can say it. You didn’t want her anywhere near me.”
“Well you have been known to enjoy taunting people. I didn’t want her to get hurt. You’re her hero.”
“It’s okay. You’re right. I wouldn’t ‘ve resisted the opportunity.” He looked at her arched brow. “What? I think I should get credit for being honest.”
“Yeah Yeah” She kissed his cheek.
“If it’s just one demon, I can take care of it alone.”
“I’m sure you could but I think it’s best if we go together.”
Angelus shifted on the bed. He didn’t like the way Spike looked at his Cordelia. “Wolfram and Hart went after you. Lilah’s still out there. You should stay here. Impotent boy can’t protect you.”
“Hey!”
“Actually Angelus has a point.”
“That hurts Pet.”
“I just meant that the evil lawyers are technically human. With your chip, you’ll be defenseless against them. I’d like to cleanse you of it, unless you have any objections.”
“Cleanse me?”
“Yes. You have a soul now. You don’t need to rely on your chip anymore.”
“Cor, maybe you shouldn’t. What would the Powers say about this?”
“Actually they wanted me to do it the last time he was here.”
“They did?”
“Yes. Working toward redemption is a choice you make every day. It’s not something you can let technology decide for you.”
Spike was speechless. He had given up on getting rid of his chip. He’d actually grown to be grateful for it. Without it, would it be more difficult to remain good. Angel had struggled with his demon. What would Buffy and the scoobies say? Would they trust him?
“Spike, you’re a good man. You don’t need the chip to curb your instincts. You’re a champion now.”
Spike took an unnecessary breath. “OK”
“Come here”
Angelus watched Cordelia cup Spike’s face. He forced his eyes to remain open as she began to glow. The light spread until it enveloped both of them. After a few moments, the light faded. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Not you dumbass. I was asking Cordelia.”
Cordy laid down and snuggled into Angelus’ chest. “I’m okay.”
“Go away Spike.” Spike rolled his eyes. “Go bite Wesley.” Cordy smacked his chest. “What? He needs to test the chip.”
“It worked but if he wants to double check, you can ask Wes to help you.” She scrunched up her nose. “I better go with you. Wes will probably freak out.”
“No. The point was for Spike to leave US alone.”
She gave him a quick kiss. “I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay but come back alone.”
Spike pouted. “Grandpappy Angelus, don’t you love me anymore?”
“No”
Cordelia hooked an arm with Spike. “C’mon. Let’s go beat up Wesley.”
Angelus watched his love leave with his annoying grandchilde. He hated to admit it, even to himself but he was worried. He knew Cordelia and Spike were fond of each other. He’d been serious about Spike’s habit of falling for his women. He couldn’t lose Cordelia.
For the first time, he was afraid Spike might have the advantage. Spike had a soul. He didn’t. She trusted Spike to handle her vision. She chained him to his bed. She called Spike a champion. He was a monster. She might not have called him one but she knew it to be true.
She had Spike’s memories. How he’d quickly lost interest in Dru after he turned her until he saw how smitten Spike was. He enjoyed taking her just to torment the fledgling. He’d done it again in Sunnydale.
Spike had been loyal to Dru for over a hundred years. This was the first time his soulless self ever wanted to be with just one woman. She had no reason to trust him. How could he prove himself if he was chained up? He said he’d do anything for her but could he give control of his unlife to his soul..permanently?
***
“You did what?!”
“I deactivated his chip.”
“Why?”
“Well Wolfram and Hart is run by humans. The Powers wanted me too. He has a soul now. The road to redemption is a rocky path but it must be traveled without the aid of behavioral modification devices if it’s to have any meaning. Take your pick.”
“Very well. What do you need me to do?”
“Umm..let Spike hit you.”
Wesley gritted his teeth. “Fine”
Spike moved to punch him but opened his hand at the last moment. The slap connected. It brought a smile to Spike’s face. “Thanks mate. I can’t wait to see the whelp.”
“Spike”
“Oh c’mon. I won’t hurt him..much. He’s taken way too much pleasure in taunting me. You gotta let me scare him a little.”
“How is Xander?”
“He and Anya are giving it another go now that she’s human again. I still can’t believe she accepted his sorry ass apology. He had to be lying. He may be a moron but even he had to know he’d never turn into a complete tosser like his dad.”
“Unfortunately he is that kind of moron.” She glanced at Wesley. “Bad parenting has lead a lot of smart people to make very stupid decisions. They can make us doubt our self worth. They can make us feel weak.”
Wesley began cleaning his glasses. “Fathers especially.”
Spike cleared his throat. It was obvious that he was missing some backstory. “I’m feeling a little peckish. Could I have one of your special concoctions, Pet?”
“Sure”
“What about Angelus? I don’t think it would be a good idea to starve him. After being denied blood during his stay in the ocean, he is likely to become extremely violent. The chains should hold but he hasn’t really tried to free himself yet.”
“The watcher’s right. Although he might not take too kindly to drinking pig’s blood.”
Cordelia braced herself. “I already fed him.”
“The old sire must be in love if he didn’t spit it in your face.”
“Actually he liked it.”
Spike was about to laugh until he detected her elevated heart rate. “Tell me you didn’t.”
Cordelia carefully studied the floor. “Umm..didn’t what?”
“Don’t play dumb with me Pet.”
“I gave him some of my blood. It’s my blood so it’s my decision.”
“You did what?!”
“Calm down Wes.”
“Cordelia why would you let him feed off you? It wasn’t necessary.”
“I didn’t..exactly.”
Spike lifted her chin and examined her neck. “Was it when..”
Cordy smacked his hand away. “That’s none of your business.”
Wesley decided he didn’t want to know the details. “He obviously didn’t take very much so he should still be hungry. Perhaps we should..”
“It’s okay Wes. Apparently a little of my blood goes a long way.”
“Really? But you’re not even completely human.”
“I guess the blood of a higher being packs a bigger punch.”
“Luv, he may have been lying so you’d continue to…feed him.” He scratched his head searching for the right words. “Fear isn’t the only thing that makes blood taste better.”
“Guys it’s late. I haven’t slept in..forever. Angelus told me a little bit of my blood was enough. I think he was being honest. You don’t. There IS a solution.” She picked up the ceremonial dagger she used as a letter opener and sliced her finger open. Before Spike could utter a protest, she stuck her finger in his mouth. “Well?”
Spike grabbed her wrist to yank her hand away but the taste of her blood stopped him. His eyes closed as he savored her taste. It was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. Normally his demon would be thrashing for control desperate to drain the source but it wasn’t.
For once his demon felt content. Almost sated. The cut was small but deep. His mouth filled with blood before it stopped flowing. He pulled her hand away. “He’s not lying.”
Wesley looked skeptical. “Really?”
“Yeah. I only had a mouthful but I feel like I could go days without feeding again.”
“That’s what Angelus said. Plus, it didn’t make him especially violent.”
“My demon feels rather calm.”
“Extraordinary!”
“My blood’s like vampire chocolate.”
Spike snorted. “I’ve seen Buffy and Niblet eat chocolate and they never stop after one bite.”
“Neither does Cordelia.”
“Hey!” She rolled her eyes. “Whatever. So we’re agreed. Angelus will be fine with my blood.”
“Cordelia..”
“I said we’re agreed. Now I’m going to sleep. We can discuss my vision in the morning..or afternoon.”
“Vision?”
“It’ll keep. Spike, you remember where your room is, don’t you?”
“You mean the one I stayed in last time?”
“Yes. I fixed it up for you. I had hoped your next visit would be entirely social.”
“You fixed a room up for me?”
“Of course. You’re family. I told you you’re always welcome here.” Spike was speechless. “Wes, you should get some sleep too. It’s almost sunrise.”
“I was just about to call it a night. Fred and Gunn are sleeping at your apartment. Lorne called. One of his contacts agreed to make some calls in exchange…let’s just say he won’t be coming home tonight.”
“Now that’s what I call takin’ one for the team. How come nobody asks me for a sacrifice like that?”
“His friend is a Lemadro Demon.”
“Forget I said anything.” Spike held onto Cordelia’s arm. They watched Wesley head upstairs. “I wanted to give you a small piece of advice.”
“What?”
“I don’t want to tell you what to do but..”
“Stop. Angelus isn’t going to drain me.”
“I agree.”
“You do?”
“Yes. I know he loves you.”
“Angelus told you that?”
“Yes and so did Angel.”
Tears gathered in her eyes. “Angel told you?”
Spike directed her to the red couch. “I’m not sure if I should tell you this but the last time I was here Angel told me his demon was in love with you.”
“Why didn’t he ever tell me that?”
“Because he was afraid.” He held up his hand to stop her from interrupting. “He was afraid of what he might do without his soul there to stop him.”
“But Angelus hasn’t..”
“Luv this may be hard to hear but he wasn’t wrong to be afraid.”
“What?”
“He never expected you to love him so completely. He barely believed himself worthy of your love with a soul. You loving his demon as well never occurred to him. It’s not something..you are a unique woman.”
She blushed.
“Having said that, I want to ask you a question. What do you think Angelus would have done if you’d said no?”
“I did say no.” She shrugged. “At first anyway. He was aggressive. Do you know why I wasn’t afraid?”
“Your super glowy powers?”
“Well yeah but also because he gave me the opportunity to say no.”
Spike arched a brow. “You mean he was gonna let you go?”
“No. Probably not but after he rescued me from the lawyers, he had me alone in a hotel room unconscious..”
“Not that I want to bring up unpleasant memories but we..”
“I know. You didn’t let me finish. I woke up fully dressed. Sex was the first thing on his mind but he still answered my questions. He let me call the hotel to check on our family. He ordered me a pizza.”
“He what?”
“He ordered me a pizza and a pint of ice cream. Like I said before, I’m not delusional. I am being cautious..mostly. You know Angelus better than most but even you don’t know how an Angelus in love will behave.”
“It was something I thought I’d never see.”
“Me neither but I’m willing to find out.”
“Then so am I, Luv. But if he tries to hurt you, I’ll stake him.”
“Good night Spike”
“Good night”
“One last thing. Don’t tell him you let me taste your blood.”
“Why?”
“Just trust me on this.”
She shrugged. “OK”
***
“Where have you been?”
“Downstairs”
“What took so long?”
“We were talking.”
“We as in you and Spike? Alone?”
“No. Wes was there too.”
“Is his chip really gone?”
“Yup”
“Where are you going?”
“To the bathroom if that’s okay with you?”
“Sorry.”
“I’ll be right back.”
Cordelia returned a few minutes later dressed for bed.
“What are you wearing?”
“You know I don’t remember you being this slow before. Oh wait. That’s right. You were pretty gullible. I tricked you with nothing but a cup of water.” She laughed at his growl. “I’m wearing my pajamas and before you ask it’s because I’m going to sleep.” She crawled onto the bed.
“I was hoping we..”
“No way. I haven’t slept for ages. I’m tired. Now go to sleep unless you’d rather I slept somewhere else.”
“No” He felt her snuggle closer. “I don’t suppose you’d consider unchaining me. It is a little uncomfortable to sleep like this.”
“You’ll survive. Good night.” She gave him a quick kiss before turning off the lights.
“Good night”