{"id":13404,"date":"2024-04-07T12:51:49","date_gmt":"2024-04-07T11:51:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/?p=13404"},"modified":"2025-06-27T09:25:49","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T08:25:49","slug":"mercenary-hearts-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2024\/04\/07\/mercenary-hearts-14\/","title":{"rendered":"Mercenary Hearts 14"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scene 1: Giles\u2019 house.<\/strong> (Mon night)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Following his evening at the Chase estate, Giles decided to make a phone call to Wesley and update him on the latest, truly incredible revelation acquired from the horse\u2019s mouth, so to speak.<\/span><\/p>\n

His decision to reveal their findings had been in part made with the hope that a future door would be open if ever there was a need for assistance. After all, he was no longer in a position to freely access the Watcher\u2019s Counsel\u2019s vast resources.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wesley had gasped aloud when Giles had told him, and then, after a stunned pause, had asked if he could call him back. He hurriedly explained that the revelation had set off a few bells that he now needed to sound out, as it were.\u00a0 Giles naturally agreed, instantly curious.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sitting back in his seat after the second call ended, Giles went over the new information with a fine tooth comb. Wesley had once come across a thick file full of information about an unnamed vampire duo known to be involved in mercenary work. Guns for hire; or as he weakly joked: \u2018fangs for hire\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Listening with rapt interest as Wesley went on to read out the entries that had been infrequently updated over the past 80 or so years, Giles was inclined to agree. \u201cI have come to the conclusion that these vampires are most definitely Angelus and Spike,\u201d Wesley confided. \u201cIt makes sense to me that they would have to consider their options after such an event. I imagine that they would have quickly become pariahs to their own kind.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Stuck between two worlds. Hated by their own kind and feared by humans. It would explain much, especially the vampires\u2019 overt disinterest in becoming involved in the wider picture.\u00a0 The current contract they\u2019d obviously accepted had just happened to lead them to Sunnydale.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He mulled over Wesley\u2019s final remark: \u201cAs far as I can see, going by the data collected, all contracts taken on only involved the eradication of troublesome demons; including, I might add, vampires\u201d. This information gave him some hope.<\/span><\/p>\n

The slight possibility that there might still be a chance of them agreeing to form a temporary alliance, as frankly, Buffy had so far come up empty regarding the Shousace\u2019 purpose and whereabouts, and all he\u2019d succeeded in doing was to find out the species of demons they were dealing with.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Giles\u2019 House<\/strong> (Tues evening).<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

After yet another late night, Giles had woken up feeling tired and rather irritable.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t helped by the constant thorn in his side, waylaying him within seconds of arriving at the Library a few hours later than his usual start. It was beginning to feel like he was being stalked by the damned woman!<\/span><\/p>\n

Furthermore, it had taken all of his willpower to keep his expression neutral when Ms Carling smugly told him how pleased she was that he\u2019d taken heed of her \u2018instructions\u2019 regarding Xander and Oz. She then went on to comment on the fact that he no longer seemed to be around much in the evenings.<\/span><\/p>\n

As she blathered on, Giles noticed Buffy had come in at some point and was hovering in the background with a humorous grin on her face as she openly eavesdropped. Using her appearance as an opportunity to end the one-sided conversation, he couldn\u2019t help but breathe a sigh of relief as the librarian, with obvious reluctance, walked away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Buffy\u2019s giggling comment of \u2018somebody\u2019s got a crush\u2019 had made Giles blanch with horror at the thought and had him swiftly replying with, “well it certainly isn\u2019t me!”\u00a0 He then changed the subject, taking the opportunity to arrange a group meeting for that evening and directing her to kindly inform the others.<\/span><\/p>\n

He then went on to ask her how patrol had gone the night before. Buffy had shrugged, looking disappointed. Besides a couple of vamps and a demon – not Shousace, it had been mostly the same old. Wherever they were hiding out so far still remained a mystery.<\/span><\/p>\n

The evening couldn\u2019t come soon enough for Giles, spending most of the day avoiding Ms Carling- even at one point locking his office door and pretending he wasn\u2019t in when she\u2019d knocked on it shortly after lunch. Promptly at 5pm, he\u2019d snuck out, relieved to see the woman talking to a small group of students with her back conveniently turned towards him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although not unattractive, there was something about her nature that Giles found deeply unpleasant. As he pulled out his car key and pushed it in the lock, he seriously considered the idea of following a different career path. The Magic Box had lain empty for well over a year now, since the previous owner had been killed by a vampire as she\u2019d exited the building. Hmm, <\/em>Maybe he\u2019d look into it when things had quietened down.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Buffy promptly arrived with the others at around 6pm, informing him that Cordelia and Tara would be coming a little later, saying something about one of them having to make a quick stop at her dorm first.\u00a0 Giles took the opportunity to share the details of the events related by both girls the previous night.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia and Tara arrived as the others were still digesting the news with varying degrees of amazement, cutting short Xander\u2019s opening response.\u00a0 Giles quickly informed that he\u2019d related the news, and that they were just in time to hear the new information he\u2019d been made aware of after talking it over with Wesley.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Cordy and Tara squeezed into a gap left on the sofa, Xander spoke. \u201cAs I was saying – until you came in and interrupted\u2014\u201d he got a Pfft<\/em> from Cordy\u2014 \u201cthat if Dead Bat and Robin have souls, why won\u2019t they agree to help out?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Buffy scoffed, \u201cJust ’cause they have souls doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re gonna be all sweetness and light.\u201d Shrugging; \u201clook at Charles Manson. He has a soul.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs far as we know,\u201d Willow piped up, then blushed a bit as she suddenly became the center of attention. \u201cHow else can you explain all his evil deeds?\u201d she asked in her defense.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately, having a soul does not automatically mean you\u2019re a good person, Willow,\u201d Giles responded. The others sat back with a touch of resignation: Giles was in lecture mode. \u201cWhile it is true they give us the ability to experience emotions; to basically have a conscience, thus be able to feel remorse and such, there are anomalies – certain psychological imbalances – some very extreme.\u00a0 Sociopathy, for instance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia found herself leaning forward, actually finding his explanation interesting for once.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMost of what we think we know is ecclesiastical – based on religious teachings and esoteric studies\u201d he elucidated when noting that Xander\u2019s eyes had begun to glaze.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBasically, what would be unconscionable to one may be acceptable to another. I could go on,\u201d pointedly ignoring the muttered, \u201cI just bet you could<\/em>,\u201d from the young man in question, he continued; \u201cbut no one really knows enough about it to truly answer all the questions pertaining to the soul\u2019s purpose.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cIf that\u2019s the case, Giles, how can we state that monsters don\u2019t have souls?\u201d Oz asked, with a trace of edginess in his voice that most in the room instantly picked up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Giles considered his reply carefully, as he would have been blind not to realize why Oz, of all people, had asked that question. Since his affliction meant that once every full moon phase his physical body and mind were taken over in the form of a werewolf, he sensed his answer had to be as specific as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe throw around the word \u2018soul\u2019 so easily – omitting to add \u2018human\u2019,\u201d Giles pointed out. \u201cBecause that in essence is what it is- a human soul. Specific \u2013 normally<\/em>,\u201d he added, on thinking of the two vampires, \u201conly to human<\/em> beings.\u201d He leaned forward in his seat before continuing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs for demons – monsters, what do we really know?\u201d he asked. “When we call them soulless beings, maybe we are doing a disservice along the line. What we probably should be saying is that, Demons do not possess human<\/em> souls.” <\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, this explanation didn\u2019t seem to impress Oz much. <\/span>\u201cSo, what happens to mine when I change? Does it just disappear? Oz asked, adding, \u201cI have no memory of being the wolf, but I realize after that I’m dangerous – evil even.\u201d Taut silence settled over the room like a cloying blanket.<\/span><\/p>\n

Willow reached out to clasp his hand. \u201cHey, you\u2019re not <\/em>evil either way, don\u2019t say that.\u201d she squeezed his fingers softly with her own as the others murmured agreement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Giles felt a twinge of relief that he\u2019d actually taken the time to read whatever was available about werewolves, and was thankful to be able to put the young man\u2019s mind at ease. <\/span>\u201cWillow is right,\u201d he began. \u201cYou\u2019re not evil- or soulless, I might add.\u201d All eyes now turned to him, with hopeful anticipation in their eyes. \u201cJust remember, it isn\u2019t just<\/em> a physical change. Your mind is also overtaken by the primitive urges of a-a rather extreme version of a feral wolf.\u201d He sat back, relaxing gradually as Oz\u2019 tense expression began to soften with dawning understanding.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA feral wolf has but a single purpose: to hunt for sustenance. Wolves aren\u2019t capable of human rationale, although there is no doubt they are skilled when it comes to the hunt. There are some extremely well-researched essays at the watcher\u2019s council that point to an idea that the human brain temporarily reduces in both size and capability to that of the animal you become.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Staring directly into the young man\u2019s eyes, he strongly assured, \u201cThat is why you do not retain the memory of your brief interlude as a werewolf. Naturally, you have a human <\/em>soul, Oz.\u00a0 \u2018Monster\u2019 is an ambiguous descriptor used for both demons and humans alike, and Lycanthropes are not <\/em>demons.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Once certain that Oz understood and was thankfully reassured, Giles went on to reveal the content of his phone conversation with Wesley regarding Angelus and Spike- \u201cOr \u2018Angel\u2019, as Cordelia has informed me, is the moniker the vampire now uses,\u201d Giles corrected.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo difference either way in my opinion,\u201d Buffy declared with a frown.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordy noted the unknowingly part-repeated words. Almost the same ones she herself had said the night before.\u00a0 Although, Cordy reminded herself, it had been before<\/em> she\u2019d found out about them having souls.\u00a0 She still wasn\u2019t sure how she felt about it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, well,\u201d Giles cleared his throat. \u201cThis slight change of moniker was most likely seen as a way for Angelus to partly distance himself from his pre-soul activities,\u201d he said. \u201cIt actually makes some sense, I suppose.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSpike didn\u2019t,\u201d Xander reminded him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe he didn\u2019t feel as much, you know, remorse as Angelus did?\u201d Willow considered. Buffy shot her a brief look, her mind going back to the moment she\u2019d seen that odd look in his eyes. Thinking on it now, she felt positive it had been such an emotion, but was unwilling to mention it. At the end of the day, a vampire was still dangerous, regardless of whether it had a soul.<\/span><\/p>\n

Giles removed and polished his glasses as he responded. \u201cAs I earlier mentioned, he was known for quite a while as William the Bloody, whereas the name, \u2018Spike\u2019, surfaced not long before his last exploits in Romania.\u201d\u00a0 Everyone cringed on recalling just why he\u2019d obtained that nickname.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStill, you\u2019d think he\u2019d want to change it to something less…railroad-y,\u201d Cordelia said, grimacing. The rest agreed, even as Giles reminded them that the Billy Idol lookalike was also known to be \u2018rather rebellious\u2019.\u00a0 Xander piped up that maybe they should call Billy Idol a Spike lookalike, since the vampire was a lot older.\u00a0 The others briefly thought about it before unanimously aggreeing.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe Spike didn\u2019t want to forget the worst things he\u2019d done?\u201d Tara quietly suggested. The surprise of her unexpected input didn\u2019t last, as the girl\u2019s insight gave everyone pause for thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

After another thirty minutes of discussion, Giles wrapped it up by stating his earlier consideration of broaching the subject of an alliance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Buffy instantly balked at that. \u201cThey\u2019re still vampires, Giles. I don\u2019t trust them,\u201d she stated, her lips thinning as she added, \u201cespecially Angelus!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordy pffted and rolled her eyes. \u201cIf I recall rightly, a certain slayer had the alliance idea first,\u201d she said with a disdainful curl of her full lips. \u201cYou\u2019re only saying that now \u2018cause you didn’t like him pointing out how we’d have ended up as chump meat if they hadn’t turned up.\u201d She pointed a slender finger at her before folding her arms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt sounds to me like you’re defending him\u201d Buffy angrily retorted. “And why do you<\/em> care what I<\/em> think, anyway?\u201d A single dark brow rose at the sudden soft flare of color that emphasized the brunette\u2019s cheekbones.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shrugging casually, Cordy glanced away. \u201cI don\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Giles regarded her with a flicker of concern darkening his eyes as he recalled the softening of Cordelia\u2019s face, and mostly averted gaze as she related their unexpected meeting with Angelus.<\/span><\/p>\n

As far as he was concerned, the sooner the Shousace were dealt with the better, as right now, all he could envision was possible future pain and heartbreak for Cordelia when the vampires eventually left Sunnydale.<\/span><\/p>\n

Back<\/a> \/ Part 15<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Scene 1: Giles\u2019 house. (Mon night) Following his evening at the Chase estate, Giles decided to make a phone call to Wesley and…<\/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-13404","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\/13404","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=13404"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13404\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13460,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13404\/revisions\/13460"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13404"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13404"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13404"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}