{"id":13396,"date":"2024-04-07T12:37:42","date_gmt":"2024-04-07T11:37:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/?p=13396"},"modified":"2025-06-27T09:26:31","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T08:26:31","slug":"mercenary-hearts-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2024\/04\/07\/mercenary-hearts-10\/","title":{"rendered":"Mercenary Hearts 10"},"content":{"rendered":"

Giles\u2019 Home<\/strong> (Sat Night)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

It was still relatively early after Giles\u2019 unexpected meeting with the vampires, so after dropping Buffy off at the gates of Restfield Cemetery, as she\u2019d wanted to \u2018run off\u2019 excess energy, he continued to Xander\u2019s to drop him off.<\/span><\/p>\n

Giles then considered all the literature he might need that night, so decided to pop back to the library to pick up one of his books. After the information gleaned from tonight\u2019s unexpected meeting, he felt the \u2018Vampyre\u2019 volume could be beneficial to his planned research.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finding Ms. Carling hovering outside his office when he arrived, wasn\u2019t really that big of a surprise. For several weeks now, she\u2019d made apparent her concern over his seeming favoritism of a certain group of students. Giles had managed to fob her off by implying the group had \u2018special needs\u2019. That ploy had worked for a short while.\u00a0 Unfortunately, Ms. Carling had made it her business to check up on Buffy and the rest of their group via the University Administration. And last night, she\u2019d brought up Xander and Oz. How he should have been more than aware that non-students were not allowed in the University Library – stating rather snottily that she was sure there were public community buildings that would suit the \u2018special needs\u2019 the two young men had.<\/span><\/p>\n

After saying that with much thought – and the not-so veiled threat of going over his head, Giles had decided to move the weapons as soon as the woman finished her shift early the next morning.\u00a0 Meanwhile, he intended to find out as much as he could about the newly arrived vampires. That is, if there was<\/em> any information to find.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although he kept a small portion of his own books in the Library Office under lock and key, along with the well-hidden cache of weapons (the office of Head Librarian was most generous), the majority were tucked away at home. Especially his treasured Watcher\u2019s Diaries.<\/span><\/p>\n

With half a dozen books to one side, one open in front of him at the small breakfast bar, and a few dozen stacked on his other side. Above the opened one was a notepad, its pages half covered with his elegant handwriting.<\/span><\/p>\n

The smaller stack had post-it notes sticking out of various pages.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he continued through the books, making notes and adding more sticky notes, his eyes gradually grew wider with wonder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

My Good God. Is it possible?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

By the time he\u2019d closed the last book, He knew exactly who the two vampires were.<\/span><\/p>\n

Leaping to his feet, he headed for the small telephone table near the front door. Rifling through the drawer, he pushed aside the CA Yellow Pages, and grabbed his address book. Within seconds, he\u2019d found the number he was looking for and dialed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood Evening – um Afternoon, sorry. This is Rupert Giles\u2026 Well, not exactly<\/em> former, no. Would it be possible to speak to Wesley Wyndham Pryce if he is about?\u00a0 He is? Excellent. Yes, thank you. I\u2019ll wait.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

*****<\/span><\/p>\n

University\/Giles\u2019 Home.<\/strong> (Sun.)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Shortly after 6am- several journeys and an aching back later, he\u2019d succeeded in moving all the weapons and all of his own books.\u00a0 The empty cupboard space left more than enough room for him to use for the less sensitive books he had that wouldn’t raise eyebrows if found.\u00a0 <\/span>Giles had seen and spoken to Buffy on his lunch break, requesting that she let the others know of the future change in venue. His young charge hadn\u2019t asked why, which was a relief, as he hadn\u2019t quite worked out what to say at that time.<\/span><\/p>\n

But he would be prepared by the time they all arrived.<\/span><\/p>\n

****<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you all for coming.\u201d Giles began. \u201cI realize that my home isn\u2019t exactly spacious enough for group meetings, but after much thought, I\u2019ve come to the conclusion that the University Library is not the best place for our, um, kind of study material.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Reaching deep for a light-hearted smile, he added that all future group meetings would be held at his house.<\/span><\/p>\n

Buffy asked, \u201cWhy the sudden change? We haven\u2019t caused any trouble there, have we?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot yet, no\u201d. Giles let out a tired breath. The vast amount of research he\u2019d accomplished in one night had been more than a little detrimental to his health. Not helped by having to lug heavy weaponry to and from his car. I\u2019m getting too old for this gig.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut unlike Sunnydale High, the University Library, which is a separate building, caters to students literally 24\/7. Remember, they have quite a large on-site campus.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking a breath, Giles carefully made his most valid point. \u201cNot to forget that both Xander and Oz are not students. Sadly, it isn\u2019t a public library.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Realization showed in their expressions. \u201cI bet that Mzzz Carlson snitched on us,\u201d fumed Xander. At the instant shake of Giles\u2019 head, he calmed, but not before adding, \u201cHave you noticed how close together her eyes are? You know what they say about that<\/em>!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do they say?\u201d Buffy asked with a slight frown.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s not waste precious time on perceived slights,\u201d Giles interrupted. \u201cI have quite a few revelations to make tonight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Relieved when they found seats and settled in, Giles prepped his notes and began.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAfter overhearing the name of one of the vampires last night- and the reference to my, um, position,\u201d he stated delicately, \u201cas well the etching found earlier on the broadsword, I spent inordinate amounts of time gathering information.\u201d He glanced up from the notes, ensuring they were listening.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Watcher\u2019s Diaries were, as I hoped, an enormous help\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve found out who they are?\u201d Buffy grinned, pleased, adding: \u201ceven Willie didn\u2019t know their names.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I do.\u201d Giles replied rather smugly. \u201cI\u2019ll begin with the leader.\u201d He cleared his throat in preparation for what was going to be a long dissertation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAccording to the Watchers Council Records, his name is Angelus. The choice of name was given to him by his female sire, which translated as \u2018Face of an Angel\u2019.\u201d Not expecting a response, he expressed mild annoyance when Cordy interrupted with, \u201cCan\u2019t disagree with that.\u201d A slight flush crept along her high cheekbones as Buffy snorted out an instant denial.<\/span><\/p>\n

He continued on doggedly, hoping his irritation was picked up by them all. \u201cIt says he was turned in the mid-eighteenth century – around 1750-\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo me!\u201d Buffy grinned. \u201cI knew<\/em> he was old! \u2026 Oh, please, carry on,\u201d she insisted hastily when seeing her Watcher\u2019s pained expression.<\/span><\/p>\n

Xander, leaning forward in his seat, spoke even as Giles again opened his mouth. \u201cHold on a minute, G-man. I\u2019m confused,\u201d pointedly ignoring Cordy\u2019s snigger, he went on. \u201cYou said 1750. That would be 17th century, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Giles removed his glasses with a resigned sigh and looked over: \u201cThe Eighteenth Century begins on the First of January 1701 \u2013 and ends the thirty-first of December 1800,\u201d he deadpanned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut why? It doesn\u2019t make any sense. Guys?\u201d He glanced towards the others, who shrugged.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan we please leave that particular discussion for another time, Xander? I have a lot of information to wade through at present.\u201d Xander shrugged a shoulder and sat back in his seat. <\/span>\u201cAngelus would have possibly been around his mid to late twenties before the event. I could find no clear record of his exact age,\u201d Giles admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo that makes him about\u2026\u201d Buffy scrunched her face, mentally calculating.<\/span><\/p>\n

Willow jumped in: \u201c235, or pretty close to that.\u201d She thought a bit. \u201cAnd that\u2019s<\/em> just in vampy years! If you added his human age, he\u2019d be nearer to 260 years, or just over. Wowsa!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, not a \u2018Dead boy<\/em>\u2019 then, Xan.\u201d Cordy grinned at him. \u201cMore like a Dead Fossil<\/em>,\u201d adding with an \u2018ewwe\u2019, thinking maybe it was good to think like that, considering her earlier response to his nearness.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNah, The Master was a true<\/em> fossil.\u201d As soon as the words popped out, Xander mentally kicked himself. Way to go, idiot!<\/em> Bringing up the very vamp that had killed Buffy right in front of her. Fair enough, he himself had managed to bring her back to life with CPR\u2026 but still felt the need to glance her way in silent apology. She just shrugged it off with a soft, \u2018I\u2019m okay,\u2019 smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough silence would have been much more appropriate,\u201d a stern look at each of their faces, \u201cXander has inadvertently pointed towards my next revelation.\u201d Xander let out a smug grin, suddenly proud of himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDespite recognizing and being rather appreciative of just how purely evil Angelus was, The Master reportedly had a great dislike of him.\u201d He briefly glanced through the second page of his notes before continuing. <\/span>\u201cAngelus was soon dubbed The Scourge of Europe, earning notoriety for being one of the most sadistic and brutal vampires in history.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t get it,\u201d Buffy frowned.\u00a0 \u201cIf he\u2019s that big of a bad, why are we all still alive?\u201d Not counting herself in the imagined dead list. After all, she was<\/em> the Slayer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get to that presently,\u201d he raised a brow. Buffy pulled an imaginary zip across her mouth. <\/span>\u00a0\u201cWhere was I?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cScourge of Europe,\u201d Oz offered helpfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Oz. We\u2019ll move onto the other vampire shortly, but first a little backstory.\u201d Giles rifled through the Diary in front of him and pulled out a couple of card-like objects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia muttered in a low voice to Tara: \u201cFirst? That\u2019s all he\u2019s been doing, sheesh!<\/em>\u201d Tara stifled a smile. Regardless of the snippy comments made through Mr Giles\u2019 lecture, there was no doubt everyone was enthralled- and more than a little unsettled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBriefly, Angelus soon sired his first childe around 1860. A young woman \u2013 late teens, I\u2019d say. She particularly fascinated him because she purportedly has the \u2018sight\u2019.\u201d He ignored the sudden waving of hands in the air. <\/span>Clarifying, \u201cPrecognition.\u201d Only two of the six pairs of eyes staring at him showed confusion. Not a bad percentage ratio,<\/em> Giles thought, before continuing. \u201cThis ability is not as rare as you\u2019d think, but not something many would want to publicly admit to. Especially up to and including the early nineteenth century; 1800s,\u201d he added for Xander\u2019s benefit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn those days, ignorance was rife, and thus, the mentally afflicted were frequently burned at the stake as either witches, or with the fearful belief that they had been possessed by the devil.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Their faces reflected their horror at his awful revelations. \u201cSo it is easy to imagine the secrecy of anything truly supranatural.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After first stalking, and then ramping up his game by killing her family while she was forced to watch, the girl quickly fled to the nearest convent. Giles briefly explained. Not deterred, Angelus, accompanied by his sire, Darla, breached the holy building.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe pair massacred everyone before committing, um, indecent and brutal acts against her.\u201d The others watched in fascination as Giles\u2019 cheeks pinked. \u201cSuffice to say, he had managed to drive Drusilla to complete madness before turning her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDrusilla?\u201d Another name Buffy recognized. \u201cThat bitch was<\/em> totally whacked.\u201d Was it sick that she felt a little sorry for her now? No matter<\/em>. It wouldn\u2019t stop her from dusting her ass if ever the chance arose. \u201cI mean, look at the guy she brought with her! All slimy antlers and stuff,\u201d she made a gagging noise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh, yes, the Chaos Demon. A rather unpleasant creature, but not that much of a threat as I recall,\u201d Giles reminisced. \u201cIt seemed rather dense, too\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt looked like Vampirella thought so too, at the end. Slashed him from horn to horn right after we blew up The Judge.\u201d Quite a few \u2018ewws\u2019 were heard after Buffy\u2019s graphic comment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Giles deftly slipped into the short silence to continue. \u201cMuch research was done at the time regarding Drusilla and her connections – which will now bring me to my pi\u00e8ce de r\u00e9sistance.\u201d He held up the pair of cards in his hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese were the first publicly available photographic processes. They were widely introduced in 1839 – Daguerreotypes, named after the Inventor Louis-Jacques-Mand\u00e9 Daguerre.\u201d He paused on noting the glazed expressions forming on the group\u2019s faces, and simply handed them over to the nearest person. <\/span>\u201cIf you could, please pass them around. These two particular Daguerreotypes are the only true images of Angelus and Spike,\u201d he explained, \u201cso do be careful handling them\u201d staring under lowered brows at Xander\u2019s too tight grip. With an exaggerated gulp, the young man made a big show of gently holding the edges and passing them on.<\/span><\/p>\n

On looking at the old photo, Cordy had to admit that they didn\u2019t do Angelus justice. Just look at that hair for a start<\/em>.\u00a0 Compared to how he looked now – Can I just say whoa?\u00a0 <\/em><\/span>The image had captured a cold, cruel expression. She shuddered and quickly passed it to Tara. Thinking back to how warm his eyes were when she’d met him soon melted the ice that had briefly formed in her veins.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now, on to his companion, who was turned around 1880 by Drusilla: William the Bloody.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you said his name was Spike?\u201d A confused expression clouded Willows green eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

“He was originally known as William the Bloody, and earned his new nickname later on. He acquired a habit of torturing his victims with railway spikes,”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGross!\u201d Cordy scrunched up her face in disgust. \u201cI\u2019m beginning to wonder if I\u2019ll ever eat again after tonight\u2019s puke-fest.\u201d Both Tara and Willow nodded in agreement. Xander just shrugged. Nothing put him of his food.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought Angelus was the badass,\u201d Oz remarked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat he was\u201d Giles agreed. \u201cReportedly, Spike was more about youthful rebellion \u2013 and most likely, drawn to more heinous acts by his desire to carve out his own reputation. Angelus was, I imagine, an extremely hard act to follow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Everyone wholeheartedly agreed with Giles\u2019 next suggestion of a \u2018little break\u2019 and Xander immediately got up to join Cordy and Tara when they\u2019d suggested popping out to grab pizza and sodas.<\/span><\/p>\n

In response to Cordy\u2019s dubious expression, he explained that he wanted to make sure that not only did they get the right toppings, but that they also brought enough to \u201cfeed an army\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

Giles took advantage of the break to carefully store away his precious Daguerreotypes, and to double check the notes he\u2019d made during his second phone conversation due to Wesley calling back after doing a little research of his own.<\/span><\/p>\n

****<\/span><\/p>\n

Crawford Street Mansion<\/strong> (Sun Afternoon)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Spike half listened to the phone conversation Angel was having with their current employers. He was determined to ignore the self-inflicted hangover pain after another morning of heavy drinking.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Not like there\u2019s anything else to do in this depressing dump,<\/em> he thought morosely. It didn\u2019t affect his ability to kick ass, anyway. That only happened when he had access to a hell of a lot more booze than this place stocked.<\/span><\/p>\n

A grin lifted his lips on hearing Angel\u2019s cold demand of a payment recalculation. Too bloody right. BoGoF wasn\u2019t in the contract. A wider, satisfied smile spread across his lean face on hearing it confirmed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel paced in wide circles as he spoke. It would have been funny to see him try that with a corded phone. Spike was glad when he finally wandered out of the room, still talking away. The noise of their yacking was beginning to bother him. Pain pounded away like a hundred jack hammers had taken up residence in his skull.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a brief moment, self-pity flared, and then dwindled just as fast.\u00a0 Ah, fuck it. Embrace the pain. <\/em>It was worth it when considering it gave him a break from total boredom. And his shitty memories.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stuck in this Godforsaken town didn\u2019t help. In normal circumstances, they\u2019d come in, do the job and leave the same night. Then a call would be made to notify whoever they were working for to update and ensure that the rest of their fee was paid in full. But this job had a toxic feel to it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Something big was going on \u2013 and they deserved to know what it was.\u00a0 Before,<\/em> rather than after, any kind of shit hits the proverbial fan. Everything the fancy Law Firm knew of this now-apparent gathering of the Shousace, for a start.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spike\u2019s thoughts lingered, almost longingly, on just how easy it would be to simply cut and run. To leave the slayer and her human sidekicks to deal with it.\u00a0 Angel reappeared with the phone still stuck on his ear, and the temporary quiet spell was shattered. Sometimes it was a real bitch being unable to tune out of both sides in a phone call.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Coming to a standstill besides the imposing fireplace, Angel absently kicked a loose cinder into the dirty grate as he concentrated on the voice at the other end. From the whiny sound the guy was making, it was hard for Spike to tell who the Boss was: the employers, or Angel.<\/span><\/p>\n

The call ended and Angel dropped gracefully onto the large brocade couch. Long heavily muscled legs stretched out as he leaned into the cushioned back. The epitome of casual. Unless, that is, you took the time to look into his shadowed eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what\u2019s the plan? Do we carry on with the job, or get the hell outta dodge?\u201d The new financial agreement was<\/em> pretty tasty, but Spike wondered if it was worth it if the job turned into a major clusterfuck. What was the use of money when you were dead- or really <\/em>dead, in their case?<\/span><\/p>\n

They\u2019d already accrued enough to live a pretty long unlife. By the time they\u2019d even need to think of working again, those particular employers would hopefully be piles of dust in their graves. And no one would be around to remember they\u2019d jacked this job in.<\/span><\/p>\n

After a drawn-out silence, Angel finally responded. Said it wasn\u2019t going to be easy – far too many variables. But for now, he was still willing to see the job through. Angel unnecessarily pointed out that it wasn\u2019t just his decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

It had always been both or neither when it came to work. Spike asked for all the details.<\/span><\/p>\n

Afterward, with a bit of thought, he\u2019d decide whether they should be in- or out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Back<\/a> \/ Part 11<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Giles\u2019 Home (Sat Night) It was still relatively early after Giles\u2019 unexpected meeting with the vampires, so after dropping Buffy off at the…<\/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-13396","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\/13396","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=13396"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13396\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13455,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13396\/revisions\/13455"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13396"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13396"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13396"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}