{"id":7049,"date":"2015-08-01T23:30:25","date_gmt":"2015-08-01T22:30:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/?p=7049"},"modified":"2024-11-11T19:32:56","modified_gmt":"2024-11-11T19:32:56","slug":"to-be-alive-or-to-live-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2015\/08\/01\/to-be-alive-or-to-live-22\/","title":{"rendered":"To be Alive or to Live. 22-25"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter twenty-two<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCordy,\u201d Angel cried hopefully, with a bit of anger influencing his tone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUm\u2026Angel\u2026Hi,\u201d The other voice stuttered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFred? Why? Where\u2019s Cordelia?\u201d The hope and anger replaced by sudden uncontrollable unease.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAngel? So how are you?\u201d Fred struggled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you answering Cordelia\u2019s phone?\u201d Angel shouted. \u201cWhy is the Hyperion\u2019s phone disconnected?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWow, Angel, great to hear from you, here\u2019s Wesley,\u201d Fred stumbled over her words quickly handing the cell phone to Wesley. Even over long distance, Angel\u2019s tone made her nervous.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel\u2019s hand jerked, his brown eyes turning black as he stared at the phone. He slowly brought it back to his ear as Wesley\u2019s hesitant greeting echoed through the line.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAngel,\u201d Wesley inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Cordelia?\u201d Angel shouted. \u201cWhy\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wesley\u2019s deep sigh interrupted Angel\u2019s question.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWes?\u201d Angel asked again, trying to calm his stomach\u2019s unrest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAngel\u2026um, Cordelia seems to be alright.\u201d Wesley paused.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWesley,\u201d Angel demanded, oblivious to the inquisitive looks directed towards his raised voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wesley gave a deep sigh, \u201cCordelia is fine. She had a particularly bad episode earlier this evening. It started out normally, but it\u2026well it just didn\u2019t go away, in fact, it got worse. She was in no condition to object to us taking her to the hospital. But\u2026she is okay, now,\u201d Wesley reassured.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHospital?\u201d Angel choked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe doctor has released her. We were about to take her home. They diagnosed it as a migraine. Wrong, but the medication does seem to help\u2026to relieve her headache. She is fine\u2026No need to worry. She wouldn\u2019t want you to worry. We\u2019re fine. Get on with your life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel said nothing at first, listening, and trying to comprehend Wesley\u2019s words. \u201cThe Hotel\u2019s phone is disconnected?\u201d He asked. Angel\u2019s mind was in a whorl he couldn\u2019t think about Cordelia in the hospital, she hated hospitals\u2026he should be there\u2026Angel\u2019s mind veered back to his question.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d Angel repeated into the tense silence that forced its way through the telephone line.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel could picture Wesley pushing at his glasses, rubbing his nose, weighing his answer, judging, and exploring all options. Angel didn\u2019t give him the time to finish his analytical ritual. \u201cWhy?\u201d Angel ordered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wesley grunted, \u201cCordelia didn\u2019t want the office to remain at the hotel\u2026.\u2019Hope, Inc.\u2019 is now located at another location.\u201d Wesley admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHope, what?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cInc. We,\u201d Wesley emphasized, unsuccessfully trying to indicate that the decision had been unanimous. \u201cThought, it was for the best to change the location and name.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe did it? Why?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou would have to ask Cordelia,\u201d Wesley conceded with a sigh, \u201cbut it will have to wait until tomorrow or the next day. The medication, the big horse pills and shots that she has been subjected to, will\u2026hopefully, allow her to get some sleep.\u201d Anger and concern oozed through Wesley\u2019s words.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAngel was there something specific you wanted.\u201d Wesley asked. \u201cCordelia needs me.\u201d The former watcher was tired. He already had to keep Groo from barging into Cordelia\u2019s room and forcibly ending the visions, he really didn\u2019t have the energy to deal with whatever guilt feelings Angel was starting to conjured up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wesley had to go back to Cordelia and make sure she was comfortable and to take her home. As far as he was concerned both the new warrior and the old one could go to hell, both of them were just increasing Cordelia\u2019s stress and taxing his equilibrium.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWes, don\u2019t hang up,\u201d Angel pleaded, trying to ignore the pit taking over his stomach at Wesley\u2019s words.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want to know,\u201d Wesley roughly sighed, giving in to Angel\u2019s appeal.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe visions, they\u2019re getting worse.\u201d Angel begged for both clarification and a refusal to his question.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you could say that.\u201d The anger, frustration, and exhaustion were apparent in Wesley\u2019s short understatement.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGroosalugg can end them\u2026\u201d Angel struggled, trying to understand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wesley sighed. \u201cMaybe, the prophecy was directed to the Princess and her warrior- but that was in Pylea. There is no guarantee that the com-shuk would work in this dimension.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCom\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSex, Angel\u2026The prophecy calls for the Princess to have sex with her warrior, to com-shuk with the champion- In Plyea that was Groosalugg, now it also happens to be true here in LA. You are no longer the warrior, no longer Cordelia\u2019s or anyone\u2019s champion, no longer a demon.\u201d Wesley added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBy the prophecy, Groo could relieve the burden of the sight from the princess.\u201d Wesley was tired- he didn\u2019t care anymore about hiding the prophecy from Angel. Anyway, it only seemed important when Angel was present in LA, when he was still a part of Cordelia\u2019s life. That was before Angel ran off to Sunnydale.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSex with Groo. Why didn\u2019t anyone tell me? Does Cordelia know?\u201d Angel demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReally, Angel,\u201d Wesley said exasperation. \u201cThis isn\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWes,\u201d Angel demanded harshly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course Cordelia knows. She knew in Pylea. Gunn and I didn\u2019t say anything, because well there was no point. Cordelia didn\u2019t want to stay in Plyea. So no consummating of the prophecy- so no reason to tell. Why Cordelia didn\u2019t tell, you will have to ask her, but like I said, it will have to wait. Really Angel, I have to go. Cordelia needs me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStop saying that,\u201d Angel yelled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, she does, who else does she have.\u201d Wesley shouted back. \u201cOr would you have me leave her to that prophesized buffoon. That\u2026possible only hope for Cordelia can\u2019t seem to get it through his long-double- thick haired skull that before any attempts at the prophesy- Cordelia has to be one- willing and second- awake.\u201d Wesley added in disgust.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Angel glared at the phone as if it grown two demon heads. \u201cHe\u2019s what?\u201d Angel tone got decidedly quiet, the rage erupting in his body, froze the words as they left his mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAngel, I\u2019ve to go. Cordelia is fine, for now. The next time\u2026. who knows\u2026. This is unbearable and ridiculous,\u201d Wesley said either ignoring or not catching the change in Angel\u2019s tone. \u201cCordy, she can\u2019t survive much more of this. I just can\u2019t believe that he\u2019s her only hope. I have to research more,\u201d Wesley grunted contemptuously more to himself rather to Angel.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGoodbye, I hope everything is going well,\u201d Wesley said perfunctorily as he hung up the phone, his mind on getting back to Cordelia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel stared at the phone as the dial tone beeped continuously through. Cordelia was in the hospital, her visions getting worse, sex with a demonic moron would be rapist may be her only hope, Angel Investigations was no longer in existence, and Wesley hung up on him. Angel\u2019s world was completely rocked to its core.<\/span><\/p>\n

If he had still been a vampire, his demon would have devastated the landscape between Sunnydale and LA, and then it would have unleashed it\u2019s true beast on that\u2026that, Angel\u2019s mind colored red with flames not even able to say the hero demon\u2019s name. As it was, Angel was very willing to kill someone.<\/span><\/p>\n

He took several deep breaths; he wasn\u2019t a vampire anymore, not a demon. Angel was human; he had reached his dream, so why was it turning into a nightmare. Even if he left Sunnydale this very minute, he couldn\u2019t save Cordelia, he was human.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel pushed more numbers into the phone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, this had better be earth shattering, mind-blowing important,\u201d a tired voice answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLorne,\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGees, don\u2019t you ever sleep. I thought humans needed the whole eight hours thing at least. What\u2019s up\u2026 cakes, having trouble adjusting to the whole blood pumping, air breathing thing. My only advice is to keep on breathing deeply and count a bunch of fluffy, happy go lucky sheep. If that doesn\u2019t fit the bill there has to be a 900 phone\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCordy\u2026.\u201d Angel broke into the host\u2019s ramblings.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, unsavory news travels fast. That\u2019s technology for you. Save it, human cute one\u2026She\u2019s not your problem. Groo, may be a bit dim, okay, he\u2019s more than a few hundred watts short of a dim bulb, but he is her warrior. They know what they need to do. It just a matter of time. Or we can hope. I\u2019d hate for the princess to say bye, bye, just because she has an aversion to longhaired, brawn kiss ass types. Though, I have to agree with the English muffin, the tan guy is going about it all wrong. The kitten needs to be petted and wooed, not pounced at. Eww. But don\u2019t worry, between Muffin\u2019s lectures, Macho guy\u2019s threats, and my excellent singing repertoire, will get this whole thing settled satisfactorily. Kitten will be fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy? Princess is a hottie, there are so few true\u2026. oh my god, light my fire, lay down the red carpet, bow and scrape for types out there, I\u2019d hate to see one leave. Anyway, I like her; I don\u2019t want to see her die or well, be taken in her sleep, if you know what I mean. Roofys were designed for this Neanderthal. But hey, he can get rid of the visions, so us protectors of the Princess will just have to make sure it\u2019s done the right way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel stumbled against the table. Die, Cordelia could die. And Wesley, Gunn, and Lorne seemed to cheerleading the com-shooking with the warrior rapist, as long as they could orchestrate it. Angel\u2019s mind went momentarily blank, the blaze of his rage burnt away all thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy? Why\u2026Groosalugg.\u201d Angel spit out the name. Angel\u2019s knuckles whitened as the clutched the receiver.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI could care less about luggapoo, he could leave anytime\u2026Oh, you mean why is Rambo boob the one that can save her\u2026Easy, really\u2026. Humans weren\u2019t meant to handle visions. So, princess just needs to connect or Pylean \u2018com-shuk\u2019 with a demon and viola trauma and death averted, visions erased. Something about the blood. Pretty easy, well, it could be, if you ask me, sure Groo is dumb and a tad persistent, but hey, he has the Power\u2019s blessing and he works out. He just needs a little advice, okay a lot. But the ken doll is definitely gaga over the princess.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t get all broody, between us guys, not you, obviously\u2026you are com-suking with your gaga vision\u2026Me, the English muffin and tasty macho man, we will handle this, we will teach Groo the finer points of seduction and convince Cordelia to ignore Groo\u2019s more blaring defects and to concentrate on his life saving attributes. Hell, kitten doesn\u2019t want to meet the powers just yet. She is just being stubborn. Well, now that I have laid your human brain to rest, goodnight or is it morning\u2026One never knows in those sterile white walls of a hospital. Colors and music are needed\u2026I think I\u2019ll write a letter.\u201d Lorne trailed off hanging up the phone.<\/span><\/p>\n

The green demon went to bed happy. Things were in motion, screw the Powers, Groo may be cute, but he was an asshole and not who the beautiful seer needed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Chapter twenty-three<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Angel hung up the phone, his dark eyes staring at the phone. Lorne hung up on him, too. They were shutting him out as if he wasn\u2019t a part of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

As if he didn\u2019t have a right to be concerned about Cordelia. It was wrong. This was not how it was suppose to be. Angel was no longer sure how it was suppose to be, he just knew that this wasn\u2019t it. He needed to be in LA, he needed to be the one to save Cordelia, not that self bloated mid season replacement.<\/span><\/p>\n

But if Groo being a demon and his having\u2026Angel\u2019s mind refused to finish that thought. Angel needed\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUmhm,\u201d Giles cleared his throat. \u201cHospital?\u201d Giles asked, trying in some way to understand the sudden change in Angel.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel stared at the watcher, his eyes unseeing. His blank gaze narrowed as it landed on Spike. A solution to his anger, his confusion, and need began to form. Spike was a demon, more importantly he was a vampire. \u201cI\u2019m tired. Spike?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh, what?\u201d Spike raised his brows at Angel. The blonde vampire didn\u2019t like Angel\u2019s tone or expression. It was all too familiar.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you stay here or do you still have a cave somewhere?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh, what?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA cave, a crypt?\u201d A place to sleep? Or do you curl up on a rug outside the slayer\u2019s room,\u201d Angel taunted, rolling his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBugger this,\u201d Spike exclaimed as Buffy shouted \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, that\u2019s not cool. And why would you want to sleep with blonde dead boy, you\u2019re human, not a blood sucker type, right?\u201d Xander said suspiciously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you suggest we bunk up,\u201d Angel said coldly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHell no.\u201d Xander eyes widened in disgust.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t think so, Spike?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no bloody way,\u201d Spike shook his head. \u201cYou, bleedin breather are on your own.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSpike,\u201d Angel didn\u2019t ask, but ordered.<\/span><\/p>\n

The blonde vampire shot a look to Buffy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoes she tell you when and where to sleep,\u201d Angel chuckled silkily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAng\u2026\u201d Buffy gasped.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSpike, now,\u201d Angel demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spike narrowed his eyes at the dark human\u2019s tone. If Spike wasn\u2019t sensing the blood flow and the heart beat within the human, Spike would swear that it was Angelus he was listening to.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSpike,\u201d Buffy called, she was totally confused. What had just happened, what was going on? Why did she not like Angel right now? And what was with the condescending crude insults?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGoodnight,\u201d Angel said to the room. He raised his brows to the blonde vampire.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spike shuffled and growled. \u201cFine, then, come on\u201d Spike nodded, with over 100 years of ingrained obedience to his grandsire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Chapter twenty-four<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, peaches what gives, why here? You can\u2019t tell me you miss vampire lodgings. Isn\u2019t your warm-blooded carcass more suited to soft cushions and cotton, now? You ain\u2019t getting that here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel had been silent as he followed Spike to the crypt. Finally, he spoke once they were inside. \u201cThe chip, it keeps you from harming human\u2019s?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, what about it?\u201d Spike said defensively.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what if a human wants to be harmed?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUH?\u201d Spike was speechless. \u201cWants to be bit, strangled and killed, gee I don\u2019t know\u2026\u2026\u2026I haven\u2019t had many volunteers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo you haven\u2019t tried?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy head blew a hole the last time I tried to whack moron boy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo you haven\u2019t fed, then.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Spike stared at Angel. The face was Angel. Spike smelled the human blood, but the breathing mortal before him was more like Angelus.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s considered harmful,\u201d Spike bitterly answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if they consent?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cConsent? Hell, I hate those blood brothels. I always have, you know that. They’re boring, no challenge. OR as your memory gone with your teeth?\u201d Spike quipped trying to control the situation. Angel wasn\u2019t Angelus; he was a human, not a problem.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel just nodded and pulled out a stake. He plunged into his bare wrist. Blood spurted out from the wound, dripping along his wrist. \u201cDrink,\u201d He ordered forcing his bloody forearm towards Spike.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spike involuntarily stepped back. Along with all of his vamp abilities, Angel had lost his wits. Any attempt at controlling the situation fled from Spike\u2019s mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDrink,\u201d Angel repeated, moving closer, waving his wrist in front of the blonde vampire. \u201cWhen\u2019s the last time you tasted human, drink.\u201d His voice teased and commanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spike\u2019s feet jerked back as his hand shot forward. The dark liquid trailing down Angel\u2019s arm and dripping to the floor beckoned and taunted at Spike. \u201cDrop the pointy stick,\u201d Spike whispered as his gaze locked on to the crimson fluid.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel let the wooden stake fall to the ground. As soon as the object hit the floor, Spike\u2019s fierce grip latched onto Angel\u2019s arm. With initial hesitation and a final jerk, Spike\u2019s mouth surrounded the bleeding wound. A low growl formed in Spike\u2019s throat as the hot liquid pooled in his mouth. His fangs plunged into the skin as he sucked harder at the puncture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel winced and let Spike feed for a moment. Then he pushed at Spike\u2019s face. \u201cEnough,\u201d Angel pushed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spike ignored Angel and rejoiced as the warm spicy nectar slipped down his throat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI said enough,\u201d Angel winced, shoving harder at the vampire.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spike cried out as the pain burst in his brain, his throat constricting. The blonde vampire gasped and choked at the onslaught. He staggered away from Angel.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel just nodded as he wrapped his shirttail around the still bleeding cut.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMiss it?\u201d Angel said coldly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d Spike struggled to retort, wiping the blood from his mouth and licking the substance from his fingers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou seem pretty familiar with the Magic Shop, so familiar in fact, I bet you know where Jenny Calendar\u2019s spell is located.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Soul spell?\u201d Why\u2026what the hell would you want with that piece of gypsy garbage.\u201d Spike mumbled against the fingers he still had in his mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel contemplated the blonde vampire, Angel\u2019s course of action firmly settled in his mind. Angel couldn\u2019t trust Spike, but the blonde vampire could be bullied, enticed, and bargained with. It seemed that being human hadn’t completely nullified the familial pull Angel had over his grand-childe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spike\u2019s acquiesce to his earlier demands proved that.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Chapter twenty-five<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d Angel said. The dark human waited, his stillness urging the vampire to answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spike slammed his jaws shut. \u201cWell\u2026What? You weren\u2019t expecting a response, were you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUhuh,\u201d Spike nodded. \u201cA response\u2026a response.\u201d Spike\u2019s hands fumbled around his duster for his cigarettes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m waiting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBloody hell, I\u2019m waiting too\u2026waiting for the men in white coats to drag your cracker ass back down the rabbit hole. You\u2019re whacked, seriously, completely mad as a hatter.\u201d Spike\u2019s hand shook a he flicked continuously at his Zippo.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSpike, I\u2019m serious.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Spike just stared. Angel did mean it. Spike paced back and forth in taking deep drags from his cigarette. He stopped. \u201cNo. I won\u2019t do it.\u201d Spike shook his head; he brought another cigarette up to his lips. He looked at it, and then at the one already lit in his hand. \u201cNO.\u201d Spike tossed the unnecessary cigarette.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Spike,\u201d Angel said. His tone cajoling. \u201cThink about it, all that human blood.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s not enough blood on the friggin planet.\u201d Spike answered. \u201cNo way in hell, am I turning you. I\u2019m not hankering for the return of granddad dearest. No fuckin way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt wouldn\u2019t be the same, the spell\u2026you would be my sire.\u201d Angel pointed out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour sire? You say that as if that should make me all warm and fuzzy\u2026you dusted your last sire, twice. The idea of being your sire, brings no warm fuzzies to my dead heart.\u201d Spike jerkily lit another cigarette. Again, he looked at the one he had lit already in his hand. \u201cDamn it to hell.\u201d Spike threw both burning cigarettes to the ground. \u201cYou, Peaches are not known for your family loyalty.\u201d Spike said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere were extenuating circumstances, Darla\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWas your bloody sire, we all know what that honor got her. NO.\u201d Spike pulled another cigarette out of his quickly dwindling pack.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSpike,\u201d Angel ordered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t use that bossyboots voice with me, you\u2019re nothing but a pansy ass crazy human, you aren\u2019t Angelus and it will be cold day in hell before that bastard walks the earth again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReally,\u201d Angel said. \u201cSeen Dru lately.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFuck me,\u201d The cigarette fell out of Spike\u2019s gapping jaws.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI find her, I\u2019m sure that fucking you won\u2019t be a problem,\u201d Angel said. Angel had to convince Spike to turn him and do the spell.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t.\u201d Spike gaped at Angel\u2019s silky smile. \u201cYou want your soul, go to Dru and you won\u2019t get it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would prefer to have my soul. But, I can accomplish want I need to without it. Just as long as I\u2019m a demon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just what in the bloody hell do you need to accomplish?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not your concern. Your only concern is do you want me to accomplish it as a vampire with a soul or your favorite long lost nightmare.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBullshit,\u201d Spike said with more confidence than he felt. The blonde vampire studied the human. Angel\u2019s heartbeat was steady; Spike sensed no hesitation, no fear, just determination. Shit, Spike thought, the wanker would do it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angelus, shit. Angelus was not a vampire Spike wanted back. Angelus would hunt Spike down and torture him with taunts and ridicule about his chipped impotent state, flaunting Dru in his face. Hell on earth, that\u2019s what it would be. Then the bastard would go after Buffy. Buffy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe slayer would stake you so fast.\u201d Spike said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOr I would kill her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBullshit, you couldn\u2019t kill her, you wouldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo soul remember.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Spike\u2019s eyes widened at Angel\u2019s relaxed posture. \u201cGames, you would play games. You would Mind fuck her, but you wouldn\u2019t kill her. Remember Angelus inability to avoid playing with his obsessions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat time has come and gone. I\u2019d just kill her, I\u2019d mind fuck you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou love her. That\u2019s why you came back to Sunnyhell to be with her, that\u2019s why\u2026\u201d Spike stopped and tried again, that reasoning just didn\u2019t make any sense. \u201cIf you go back vamp, even with a soul, you lose Buffy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel shrugged again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spike\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cWhat\u2019s more important than Buffy.\u201d?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy life.\u201d Angel spoke with force and true belief. The realization flashed brightly in his mind, all of those hidden unexplained areas that he had studiously, rapidly fled away from, ignited, and showed him the truth. Cordelia\u2019s life was his life. If she died, then there would be no point in his reaching his redemption.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour what?\u201d Spike stopped his pacing. \u201cYou are alive, heart pumping, body breathing alive. This,\u201d Spike frantically waved towards Angel,\u201d is what you got all pouty face for ever since you got that bloody soul. Why would you give it up? And don\u2019t even try to tell me it\u2019s because you miss the blood, aversion to daylight or the whole deadness thing of being undead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t. Spike, I don\u2019t\u2019 have all day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re daft. What makes you so sure that I won\u2019t just turn you then kill you? After all, there would be no pain. You would be a demon, a dead un-dead free shot.” I could kill you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d kill your only childe. I don\u2019t think so. You do have family loyalty.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want you as my childe. I want you dead, just not undead.\u201d Spike wasn\u2019t sure if he ever could kill a childe of his, but then again he never had one before- so maybe he could, and it was Angel. Spike really did want Peaches far far away from Sunnydale. And death would be pretty permanently far away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s not very nice. What would Buffy say.\u201d?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe wouldn\u2019t know\u2026. Or I\u2019d tell her that you, in your weak, useless human state got turned and I had to stake you to keep the world safe from Angelus. She\u2019d believe me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReally, she trusts you that much?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDamn you.\u201d Buffy didn\u2019t completely trust Spike and she would be pissed. All of the progress that Spike had made with her would be shot to hell. \u201cBut, she won\u2019t be happy if I turn you soul or no soul.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe will understand why I had to do it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s my problem.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy problem too, if she\u2019s mad enough to go all slayer like on me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t let her. After all, you would be my sire.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve done that dance around the rose bush already. It doesn\u2019t hold much weight with me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLook Spike, I stay human, I stay in Sunnydale with Buffy. I turn with my soul; I go back home. Forever.\u201d Obviously, Spike\u2019s reluctance was stronger than any influence that Angel had over the blonde vampire. So, Angel tried another tactic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spike was overly concerned with Buffy\u2019s possible reaction, which to Angel, indicated that the blonde vampire had fallen for the slayer. How or why, Angel didn\u2019t really understand, nor for that matter did he really care. Angel just had to get Spike to comply.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHome, you mean LA.\u201d Spike studied Angel. \u201cYou\u2019re full of shit. You need your soul. You need me. What\u2019s in LA?\u201d Spike thought back to when he first came across Buffy and Angel in the graveyard. He had been gratified to see that they weren\u2019t rolling around on the ground like human rabbits, but rather they were arguing.<\/span><\/p>\n

What had they been arguing about? Cordelia Chase? The cheerleader? The tasty brunette that supposedly was working with Angel in LA.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCordy? The cheerleader.\u201d Spike\u2019s eyes lit as his question hit home. Angel\u2019s heart started to speed up. Spike could smell the perspiration forming on Angel\u2019s skin. Spike remembered how Angel\u2019s heart had raced when he was making his phone calls, trying to reach the chit. \u201cThat\u2019s it, isn\u2019t it? But\u2026you\u2019re human, that bit of alright is human. Why are you here, why do you want to be a vampire again? A vampire with a curse. No shagging.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have all day.\u201d Angel struggled to maintain his calm, ignoring Spike\u2019s jab about the curse. Angel had figured away around that stipulation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou said that already. But I do have all day, all night; all day\u2026I could go on\u2026and you need me. So, start explaining.\u201d Spike leaned back and sucked happily on his cigarette. This was fun. Angel was beginning to squirm. It made a blonde vampire feel good.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be so sure of that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Spike shook his head and laughed at Angel\u2019s threatening tone. \u201cYou\u2019re in love with the tasty piece in LA, you won\u2019t risk Angelus going after her, because he would wouldn\u2019t he. Buffy\u2019s time may be long gone, but the cheerleader\u2019s is now. And no other vampire will turn you and give you back your soul. Not nice threatening me with granddad.\u201d Spike said. \u201cYou had me going there for a minute.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSpike.\u201d Angel\u2019s command was tainted with his feelings of urgency and need.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAngel,\u201d Spike shot back. \u201cTalk\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Spike took a long drag off his cigarette. He had been right the first time; the poof was daft or maybe not so much as daft as stupid. There were so many holes in Angel\u2019s plan you could drain the friggin ocean.<\/span><\/p>\n

But, hey, Spike didn\u2019t see why he had to rain on Angel\u2019s little dimwitted parade. And this way, Spike could have a long overdue human dinner and the souled poof would finally be out of the slayer\u2019s life once and for all.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel goes through with his plan; Buffy will never want the poof back. And when the crazy impulsive plan blew up, the explosion would be in LA, far, far away. And who knew, maybe having Angel as\u00a0his childe would be fun. \u201cOkay, I\u2019ll do it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Spell?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWouldn\u2019t take a drop without it handy,\u201d Spike reassured. \u201cI want you, your love sick obsessions, and the possibility of Angelus gone. Gee, the human doesn\u2019t fall far from the vamp does it or is it the other way around? Still quite the obsessive bloke, aren\u2019t you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou tell me William, the bloody\u2026poet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Peaches, I\u2019m doing you the favor, no reason to get insulting.\u201d Spike grinned, leaping off the stone tomb he had been resting on. \u201cTime for me go and get this little whacked show on the road.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 26<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter twenty-two \u201cCordy,\u201d Angel cried hopefully, with a bit of anger influencing his tone. \u201cUm\u2026Angel\u2026Hi,\u201d The other voice stuttered. \u201cFred? Why? Where\u2019s Cordelia?\u201d…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7049","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-completed-fics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7049","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=7049"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7049\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13519,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7049\/revisions\/13519"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7049"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7049"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7049"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}