{"id":10481,"date":"2016-11-14T14:01:27","date_gmt":"2016-11-14T14:01:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/?p=10481"},"modified":"2016-11-14T15:03:12","modified_gmt":"2016-11-14T15:03:12","slug":"season-of-solace-138","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2016\/11\/14\/season-of-solace-138\/","title":{"rendered":"Season of Solace. 138"},"content":{"rendered":"
138: \u00a0The Basement, Crawford Street Mansion, Central Sunnydale<\/strong><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n

\u00a0\u201cSo what are you saying?\u201d Cordelia tried to sound nonchalant about it. \u201cThat I\u2019ll end up like her?\u201d<\/p>\n

They had no choice but to bring Karla Brewer back to the mansion. Until they found a way to return her to normal, neither the police nor her parents could offer suitable protection. Right now the girl was shackled with a pair of iron cuffs and the matching link chain that Buffy had used to secure Angel when he returned from hell.<\/p>\n

Angel put his arm around Cordy\u2019s shoulder squeezing her close as she leaned in. \u201cIt won\u2019t happen. They\u2019re never going to get their hands on you. I won\u2019t let it happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

He rubbed his cheek against her hair and kissed the top of her head, uncertain if he was comforting her or trying to convince himself. No matter how many times he said it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is actually a rather hopeful sign.\u201d Wesley crouched down to examine the bound girl more closely. She was huddled against the stone wall, legs pulled up close to her chest, and her arms wrapped around them. A low hum sounded from her throat that was interspersed by bouts of unfamiliar words and quite distinguishable phrases that predicted the coming of Amolon.<\/p>\n

Giles raised his glasses up a notch to pinch the bridge of his nose. \u201cHopeful in what way?\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaving the cleanup job for later they worked together to get Karla Brewer back to the mansion. Oz volunteered the use of his van. The demented girl struggled against Buffy\u2019s hold and it took Xander\u2019s help to keep her from kicking free. Willow rode up front with her boyfriend while Giles had followed behind them in his own car.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s alive,\u201d Wes pointed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing dead is a whole lot more fun than what that girl\u2019s going through,\u201d Spike put in his two cents. Having heard the commotion as the slayer and her watcher dragged the girl through the front door, he decided to head downstairs and join the others.<\/p>\n

Drusilla wasn\u2019t so keen on him leaving their bed, but he needed a stretch of the legs. He had stepped into his jeans and headed downstairs barefoot and shirtless pausing only long enough to confirm that his sire would follow shortly.<\/p>\n

Ignoring Spike\u2019s comment, Wesley explained his rationale. \u201cThis may be reversible. If we keep both her and Cordelia out of their hands before the requisite ritual, they will be unable to perform it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cScore 2 points for the Scoobies.\u201d Xander and Willow exchanged high fives.<\/p>\n

Giles glanced toward the front entrance and then checked his watch. \u201cWe have six hours before the signs of the prophecy recommence. According to the scroll the next sacrifice will be revealed tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother virgin sacrifice?\u201d sniggered Xander whose amusement was cut short when Buffy nudged him a little too hard with her elbow.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorried you\u2019re on the list, monkey boy?\u201d Spike asked snorted and pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his back pocket.<\/p>\n

Groaning, Buffy muttered into Xander\u2019s ear, \u201cIxnay on the irginvay.\u201d The last thing she wanted was to get into the whole Cordelia-doesn\u2019t-qualify thing again.<\/p>\n

Heavy with doubt, Giles told them, \u201cThe scroll was rather vague on the matter of the sacrifice\u2019s identity.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s not.\u201d Cordelia snapped out of her temporary gloom to tell them of Wesley\u2019s discovery. His eureka moment had come after she\u2019d gone upstairs with Angel, but he had been eager enough to knock on their door.<\/p>\n

Angel wasn\u2019t exactly pleasant about the interruption of their little afternoon \u2018nap\u2019 and Cordy had spent most of the time hiding under the covers. It was one thing for Wes to know she slept with Angel, but quite another for him to see proof of it.<\/p>\n

She walked across the foyer in the direction of the study. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to see this.\u201d If not for the commotion of bringing Karla Brewer back to the mansion, Wes would\u2019ve pounced on Giles and Buffy the moment they arrived. \u201cIt\u2019s the scrolls. Wes says we owe it all to Drusilla, dontcha Wes?\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking a little miffed that she had gotten to the story before him, Wesley rose to his feet again. \u201cPrecisely.\u201d<\/p>\n

As if on cue, the vampiress descended the stairs dressed in one of her lace gowns. A knowing smirk tilted the corners of her mouth. She held out her hand for Spike who led her back to the group. Her eyes were focused solely on her sire. \u201cDoes it please you, my Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n

Spike scowled and dropped Drusilla\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt helps,\u201d Angel answered and maneuvered around before she could nuzzle his shoulder. He squeezed her hand instead which made Dru\u2019s little pout disappear.<\/p>\n

She turned back to Spike when Angel released her. \u201cDaddy says I did good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still scowling, Spike took a deep drag and blew the smoke in her face. \u201cWell, maybe he\u2019ll give you a little treat and let you tie him up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia stopped on her way down the hall and turned back to glare at Spike. \u201cThat\u2019s my vampire. I\u2019m the only one who gets to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

She spun around again so that her hair whipped around nearly catching Wes in the face. Drusilla tittered as she followed behind Cordelia leaving the others gaping in Angel\u2019s direction. Buffy\u2019s eyes were round saucers. Xander looked like he might be sick. The hue of Willow\u2019s face nearly matched her hair and Oz\u2019 ears were a bright shade of pink. Even the two watchers tried to look like they hadn\u2019t heard a thing.<\/p>\n

\u201cHypothetically speaking,\u201d Angel said as he wished for the hundredth time that this was all over and these people would get the hell out of his house. He walked over to Wesley who was standing in the middle of the hall staring into space. \u201cYou planned to show us your discovery.\u201d<\/p>\n

Blinking back from the naughty corner of his mind where Cordelia had him tied up to a bed, Wesley hurried to the study. When everyone was settled, he asked Cordelia to help him with the scroll. She held one end and he the other. The firelight blazed with a yellow glow behind it.<\/p>\n

Slowly, the blank spaces of the parchment began to fill. First came random symbols, and then words that became whole paragraphs of hidden text revealed by the light.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrusilla\u2019s vision was spot on even if her action of burning the books,\u201d Wes paused to send her a stern glance, \u201cwas uncalled for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDark secrets cast long shadows when they come into the light.\u201d Giles repeated what Drusilla had revealed to them before. \u201cThe light brings truth and darkness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what does it say?\u201d asked Buffy anxious for news that would let them put a stop to this prophecy once and for all.<\/p>\n

Wesley explained that he was still translating the whole of the text. \u201cHowever, I was able to find a reference to the next sacrifice. Just here,\u201d he pointed to the glowing text for Giles\u2019 benefit. Translating: \u201cBound by law, granted freedom\u2019s breath, and a momentary respite bringing him into the waiting arms at the maw of Hell.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that mean?\u201d Willow whispered and snuggled closer to Oz on the couch.<\/p>\n

Having remained quiet until now, Oz made a guess. \u201cIt\u2019s a prisoner. Someone bound by law. A man with temporary freedom from jail. Coming here to Sunnydale. Back to the Hellmouth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that right?\u201d Xander looked to Wes for answers, to Giles, to Drusilla, to anybody. \u201cThat can\u2019t be right. Karla and Cordy\u2026they\u2019re the virg\u2014pure-ish types. Some convict can\u2019t be considered pure, can he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel had been thinking about that issue from the moment Wesley told him about it earlier that afternoon. They had all made the assumption that deflowering Cordelia might disqualify her for the ritual. The truth was that the prophecy never mentioned virgin sacrifices. It only referred to the Pure Ones, they who would be used to bring the demon god to Earth by sacrificing their purity.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe may have to rethink that.\u201d Angel hated to admit it because it meant Cordy was not exempt. He\u2019d never truly believed it, but he had wanted to.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess this means we have to talk strategies for tonight.\u201d Buffy was all set. She was ready to kick some demon butt tonight even if it meant saving some ex-con.<\/p>\n

The interpretation of the translation seemed sound. The nearest prison was quite a distance away and there were many routes a traveler could take to get to town. \u201cWe need to watch the highways, the Bus Depot, the railroad and the marina.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia foresaw another night of being locked up for her own safety. \u201cThat\u2019s a lot of territory to cover. You\u2019ll need help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got my van,\u201d Oz reminded them. \u201cWillow and I can cruise the highway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, but I was thinking about\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Spike cut in just because she was looking in his general direction. \u201cMe? Bloody hell. Why should I go traipsing all over town looking for some wanker?\u201d<\/p>\n

It was Drusilla who answered, lifting a long finger to his lips. \u201cBecause Cordy wants you to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel\u2019s brow furrowed at the thought of having Spike on the job, but Cordelia was definitely right about them having a lot of town to cover.<\/p>\n

Against his better judgment, he consented. \u201cOkay, Spike can help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, doofus,\u201d Cordelia smacked his arm. \u201cI\u2019m going with you tonight. Team Chase is back in business.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before World War III could break out, Xander asked, \u201cHow do we recognize this guy when he shows up? The first time a guy went up in flames and then a meteor shower came down on Cor\u2019s head.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust watch for something out of place,\u201d suggested Wes thinking that the boy was not far off the mark. The prophecy remained rather vague. \u201cWe have a better idea what to expect than we did this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s nice to know, Pollyanna,\u201d Spike puffed on his cigarette as he spoke. \u201cNow tell us what qualifies as out of place in this ruddy town?\u201d<\/p>\n

They bantered back and forth while Cordelia and Angel took their own argument into a corner. \u201cThis isn\u2019t what I had in mind when I promised to take you out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel was treading softly and Cordy knew she had him where she wanted him. There was no way she was letting him renege on the promises he\u2019d made just a couple of hours ago. \u201cSo what? As dates go, I can think of worse things than a moonlight walk along the marina. At least it\u2019s not Old Sunnydale Cemetery this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

The inner battle Angel fought against an outright refusal was settled with a gruff, \u201cI don\u2019t want you hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe we\u2019ll get lucky and Team Chase will miss out on all of the excitement tonight. Wanna make me happy?\u201d Cordelia slid her arms around his neck and smiled when he pulled her close.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlways.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake me to dinner. There\u2019s a restaurant by the marina. It\u2019s open late.\u201d Cordelia was more interested in spending a romantic evening away from the Scoobies than the ex con they were supposed to save from certain sacrifice. \u201cPlenty of time to ourselves before Cinderella\u2019s clock goes off at midnight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Across the room, Buffy noticed Giles checking his watch for the third time in as many minutes. \u201cGot somewhere else you need to be?\u201d<\/p>\n

It took a second for him to notice she was addressing her question to him. \u201cAh, no. I was concerned about Faith.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the first time since they returned to the mansion with Karla, she noticed that the other slayer was nowhere to be seen. Cocking her head, she stared at Giles\u2019 worried expression. \u201cWhy worry? Faith\u2019s a big girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

Talking about Faith brought Wesley into the discussion. He knew about Giles\u2019 plans to send Faith to City Hall. Whist he had not fully approved of them, he saw no other choice. \u201cShe should have returned hours ago. You mean to tell me that she hasn\u2019t been with you at the school library?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFaith doesn\u2019t exactly hang out there by choice,\u201d Xander explained suddenly feeling kinda worried, too. Ever since he learned that she was acting as a double agent of sorts he decided that he really didn\u2019t like the idea of her sneaking around with the mayor. He was not quite sure if that was because he did not fully trust Faith like he did Buffy or if it was because the mayor did. \u201cSome people are lucky and aren\u2019t forced to live a life of suffering anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wesley could not imagine what he meant.<\/p>\n

\u201cSchool.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI like school,\u201d Willow defended the institution and smiled over at Oz who was far too wise to say anything one way or another.<\/p>\n

Having overheard that Faith was overdue from her little secret mission, Cordelia was not about to let the news slip by. \u201cWas she supposed to check in? You don\u2019t think the mayor figured it out she was two-timing him with us, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Buffy crossed her arms and repeated what she had said to Giles. \u201cFaith knows how to handle herself. She\u2019s not a total idiot. She probably got bored. If I find out she\u2019s at the Bronze\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Behind them, Faith suddenly stepped out of the shadows of the open door. \u201cYou\u2019ll do what, Buff, spank me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about bloody time.\u201d Giles did not give Buffy a chance to respond. He walked up to her prepared to give her a lecture and was stunned into silence when she planted a quick kiss on his cheek.<\/p>\n

\u201cNice to see someone missed me,\u201d she teased him as he fled back behind the desk to wipe away the red lipstick. \u201cAnyone else want a kiss?\u201d<\/p>\n

Spike started to move forward when her stare stopped him cold. \u201cNot you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing with her hands behind her back, Faith grinned until her dimples deepened. \u201cGuess what I\u2019ve been doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I have a go at that one?\u201d Spike raised his scarred brow in a teasing query.<\/p>\n

Buffy pulled him back to sit beside her on the couch, closer than she liked, but where she could keep an eye on him. \u201cShut up, Spike.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou gonna let the slayer talk to me like that when I\u2019m a guest in your house?\u201d Spike asked Angel, gesturing widely with one hand while slipping an arm on the back of the couch behind Buffy\u2019s shoulders with the other.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d Angel answered curtly and gave him a look that told the other vampire that he saw exactly what he was doing. \u201cIf you consider yourself a guest, then you\u2019ll keep to the house rules.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spike sighed dramatically. \u201cNo toying with the slayers.\u201d He let his fingertips trace a strand of silky blond hair only to feel the sharp jab of an elbow. Grunting, he added, \u201cWhatever you say, Grandpops. Mummy taught me to respect my elders.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Spike and Drusilla shared a little laugh, Angel looked over at Cordy who was not doing a very good job of hiding her own amusement. \u201cYou and me. Nine o\u2019clock. The marina.\u201d<\/p>\n

He finally understood Cordelia\u2019s need to get away from everyone for a while.<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore you make plans for that big date,\u201d Faith took another step into the room, \u201cI have something to show you.\u201d<\/p>\n

She took something from behind her back and held it out to them: a porcelain doll dressed in red velvet and lace with ribbons decorating her dark curly hair.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Edith,\u201d Drusilla squealed and made a run for the doll. Snatching her out of the slayer\u2019s hand, she hugged her tight to her chest, and rocked her back and forth. \u201cMiss Edith, you\u2019re home. Naughty girl letting the bad man take you away. You\u2019ll have to be punished.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wesley walked cautiously around the twirling vampiress as she continued to dance around the room in celebration of her beloved doll\u2019s return. \u201cWhere in the world did you get her?\u201d he asked Faith.<\/p>\n

\u201cNicolau\u2019s lair is at the Avalon. Or it was until today. Looks like our vamp has moved somewhere else.\u201d Faith described what she found and ignored the general grumbling that she should have waited for back up. \u201cI was just checking it out. Recon. Nothing dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ticked off that Faith would go off on her own like that, Cordelia was not planning to let it drop. Neither was Angel. \u201cWhat if you were walking into a trap? Or a full lair? Nico would love to get his hands on you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFeeling\u2019s mutual,\u201d she shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not what he meant,\u201d Cordelia snapped impatiently, \u201cand you know it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSave the lecture, Cor. I do not need it. There is something else. It came with the doll. They were the only things left in the place when I got there.\u201d Reaching into her back pocket, she pulled out a long envelope and handed it to Angel. \u201cThat\u2019s for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel took a long look at the old-fashioned script that spelled out his name: Angelus.<\/p>\n

Scene 139<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

138: \u00a0The Basement, Crawford Street Mansion, Central Sunnydale \u00a0\u201cSo what are you saying?\u201d Cordelia tried to sound nonchalant about it. \u201cThat I\u2019ll end…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10481","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-to-be-continued-fic"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10481","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10481"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10481\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10481"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10481"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10481"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}