{"id":7055,"date":"2015-08-01T23:57:36","date_gmt":"2015-08-01T22:57:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/?p=7055"},"modified":"2024-11-11T19:51:41","modified_gmt":"2024-11-11T19:51:41","slug":"to-be-alive-or-to-live-31-32","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2015\/08\/01\/to-be-alive-or-to-live-31-32\/","title":{"rendered":"To be Alive or to Live. 31-32"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter Thirty One<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Damn, Damn, Damn\u2019, Spike\u2019s thoughts raced as he clenched harder on the cigarette between his teeth and mumbled the words on the paper in front of him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe, it\u2019s your pronunciation?\u201d Angelus laughed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFuck\u201d Spike slammed the burning stem to the floor and crumbled the paper in his tight fist.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGive it up. It\u2019s not working. I\u2019m ba…ck\u2026\u2026.. ck. Accept it. And get me out of these chains, like a good little sire.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBugger that,\u201d Spike yelled. He stumbled down to the floor to grab the stake that Angel had dropped earlier.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t kill your only childe, now would you?\u201d Angelus pouted from his bondage. \u201cThat\u2019s just not very loving, now is it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo to hell.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeen there, done that\u2026.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLucky you, you\u2019ll know your way around then, when I dust your bloody arse.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSuch malice, such hatred, you seemed to have developed some issues over the years. Would it help if I said I was sorry for all those tiny, inconsequential, and little. \u2026well not so nice things that I may have perpetrated on you in the past. I didn\u2019t mean them, honest. I really did care about you after all we were family; in fact, we still are- even closer now, you being my sire and all. And I am very very grateful to you for that.<\/span><\/p>\n

I promise I\u2019ll be good. . And you have to admit there were plenty of grand times. And there are more to be had, just let me loose. That chip hasn\u2019t dulled your lust for blood, only made it impossible for you to obtain, what you want. Well, I can help there. Let me hunt for you- service with style. Come on, Spike. You know you want to be a vampire again, not just some lap dog to the goody two shoes humans. And really, do they- can they appreciate your unique talents like I can, one of your kind, your childe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBugger\u2026\u201d Spike mumbled again. The turned again bastard hadn\u2019t lost his talent of persuasion that was for sure. Spike moved closer to the vampire straining on the hard lid of the crypt. He could see the chains weakening against the force of Angelus\u2019s strength. He had to make a decision, soon. Fuck it, childe or not, the gift of gab aside,<\/span><\/p>\n

Spike did not want Angelus wandering around. The grand times, admittedly had been grand, but they were no longer possible, not with the damn chip welded to his brain, not with Buffy around. Spike had realized that when his dark queen had come for a visit and he had been willing to stake her for Buffy. No, those good times were gone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hell, he had loved Dru, Angelus he could only tolerate even in the best of times. No, Angelus undead and kicking, killing, torturing, taunting was not something beneficial to Spike\u2019s future. Nor could he concern himself with Buffy\u2019s possible, probable, okay definite anger towards him at his part in the re emergence of the evil vampire. But, she would have to realize that it would be worse for her and all of her friends if Spike didn\u2019t jab the wooden stake through Angelus. And who knew, maybe she wouldn\u2019t find out. There was always hope.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spike turned his hand raised to strike.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI guess the answer is no then. And you called Angel whipped.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d say givin\u2019 up humanity for a bleedin skirt could be called whipped.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh, but you should see her in a skirt. Makes the mouth water. Fuckin lickin delectable. Come on, Spike, I have no interest in the slayer, you can have her. Let me go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t trust you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWow, not nice. The love really has gone away.\u201d Angelus laughed pulling and breaking the chains. In a fluid swift movement, he was on his feet, the stone tableau between him and Spike. \u201cA duel to the death, then\u201d He laughed merrily, eying the stalled blonde.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFuck.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, then the duel?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou are dust.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOuch.\u201d Angelus exaggerated a wince. \u201cI\u2019m hurt.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Both vampires circled the crypt, their strong bodies tensing in preparation of the battle.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spike moved closer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNO\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Angelus’\u2019s head jerked at the voices. His eyes narrowed as Wesley and Cordelia rushed into the small chamber.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSpike, move away.\u201d Wesley ordered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spike looked around his expression incredulous as a stream of people flowed into the mausoleum.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBack away,\u201d Wesley said, his crossbow pointed directly at the blonde vampire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Angelus,\u201d Spike, his wooden stake still in the air. \u201cBad dead guy, evil dead guy. Should be wasted bad evil dead guy. No bleedin\u2019 soul.\u201d He reminded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, now back away or be dirt devil debris\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Spike\u2019s brows rose as he moved away. \u201cBloody hell\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSaving the day, are you Wes. How kind, how inappropriate, how too late, unless\u2026I know you think that you can bring the soul back. Can\u2019t, sorry, – well not really. It\u2019s gone. \u201d Angelus stood still, smirking and eying the weapon in Wesley\u2019s hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAngel?\u201d Buffy said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHardly.\u201d Angelus eyed the group and the assortment of weapons that had suddenly appeared in their hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t move.\u201d Gunn said to Angelus. \u201cWe haven\u2019t met, not proper like. But I haven\u2019t heard anything quite at all likeable about you.\u201d The young black man held a cross brow towards the dark vampire and a set of shackles.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well I don\u2019t like you either.\u201d Angelus growled as Gunn snapped the iron chains around his hands and feet. \u201cThe whole gang- LA and Sunnyhell. Just for little old me. I\u2019m impressed and very annoyed.\u201d Angelus eye\u2019s targeted Cordelia as he pulled on the cuffs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDreaming of me were you. So, seer what did you see? Did I kill anybody, or was it just some torture and maiming. Or did you see the plans that I have for you? Was it good for you? Because believe me, princess it will be good for me, very good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia blinked. The pounding in her head was becoming unbearable, the medication was no longer working, and she was unable to squeeze and push the pain to the corner of her mind. The sight of Angelus was making that impossible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Groo grumbled from behind. \u201cYou are the beast.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWow, this time you got it right, I am the beast. Maybe you aren\u2019t so dumb. Nay, you are.\u201d Angelus laughed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou will not harm the Princess, I will defeat you this time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Angelus laughed. \u201cNot likely. A challenge, then. Where\u2019s the torch, the ceremony? Ump. I think I\u2019m offended. Oh well, never mind. This time to your death, to your very messy long overdue death. But first, the chains?\u201d Angelus lifted his hands to Wesley and Gunn. \u201cWhat?\u201d He said when neither moved. \u201cThat\u2019s just a little unfair, isn\u2019t it?”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNO,\u201d Cordelia stepped forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo not fear Princess, I will kill it, the beast will not touch you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll touch the Princess in ways that you could only imagine and over your dead mangled body. She belongs to me, realize it.\u201d Angelus growled pulling harder at the iron that bound him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNO.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy edible, delectable Cordy is that all you can say- no. Where\u2019s the pleas, where\u2019s the \u2018don\u2019t hurt him, I love him\u2019 whine.\u201d Angelus mocked. \u201cAngel was a dumb ass.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia winced. Her head was breaking apart. Her internal defenses for containing the pain were failing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDamn, the evil version sure likes to talk.\u201d Gunn said, taking a closer protective stance towards Cordelia\u2019s motionless form. Her eyes clouded with tears as she just stared at Angelus.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe bastard gets off on his own bloody voice.\u201d Spike mumbled. \u201cBugger.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow did this happen?\u201d Buffy said. Her stunned expression turned to Spike. \u201cHow did you let this happen?\u201d Her tone rising in growing anger.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet?\u201d Angelus rolled his eyes to Buffy. \u201cGive the vamp his proper do. He\u2019s my daddy. Don\u2019t you see the family resemblance?\u201d Angelus showed his game face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Buffy shouted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cImpossible\u2026the chip\u2026. You\u2019re dust\u2026\u201d floated up in angry waves toward the blonde vampire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBleedin\u2019 blabber mouth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Angelus smirked at Spike\u2019s discomfort and worry. \u201cOh, enough with him, back to me.\u201d He called as the attention turned towards Spike.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spike backed nervously away from Buffy and the rest of the angry crowd. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t my idea, believe me. It was his. Or Peaches\u2019 rather. A daft idea true, but I took precautions. I got the bleedin spell. But the damn thing wouldn\u2019t work. It\u2019s your fault.\u201d Spike pointed to Giles. \u201cWhy in the hell do you keep a useless soul spell around, in a safe, like it was important or something? It\u2019s not my bloody fault. It\u2019s his and the chits.\u201d Spike spun around waving his finger at Angelus and Cordelia.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCordelia\u2019s?\u201d Wesley said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Peaches wanted to be a vampire again, daft he was, and very insistent, said being a demon would save the tasty bit. I was just trying to help him save her. That\u2019s what I do now help save the good guys. Just trying to help. He was the one that figured out that I could bite if the human was willing. Angel was willing. See.\u201d He pointed to Angelus. \u201cVampire, me- no pain. Now, can we kill him? The curse thing doesn\u2019t work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGive me the spell.\u201d Giles ordered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, you can have the bleedin piece of nonsense.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the hell are you talking about?\u201d Said Buffy. \u201cHow can Angel becoming a vampire again save Cordelia and why does she need saving. She looks perfectly fine to me, just a little tired.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wesley shot a glance towards Angelus.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBloody hell, you wouldn\u2019t\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t. Soul wuss did, though, I have to admit, it was turning out to be a wonderful Idea, that is until you all showed up and put a damper on the things. Party poopers. But hey, I\u2019m ready to let bygones be bygones. Just give me the girl. I\u2019ll take the wus\u2019 place and save the seer. Or at least have fun trying, believe me it wouldn\u2019t be a chore. In fact, it would fit quite nicely in with my wants. How about it? Leave the comshucking to me. Send the ken doll back where he came from, that is if you won\u2019t let me kill him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWesley\u2026?\u201d Cordelia said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCordelia\u2026.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou told Angel.\u201d Her eyes flashing. \u201cAnd he\u2026\u201d Cordelia glowered at Angelus. \u201cDumb ass. Stupid, stupid\u2026.stupid.\u201d She raised her hand, a tranquilizer gun held firmly. \u201cDumb ass,\u201d she repeated as she fired.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

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

Buffy was enraged. She wanted so badly to pummel someone, but everyone she wanted to kill was off-limits.<\/span><\/p>\n

Willow and Giles confirmed that the spell would work and that Angel\u2019s soul could be restored, Spike had just mispronounced the words. So, as much as she wanted to she couldn\u2019t stake Angelus, not if there was a chance of bringing Angel back. Though, Buffy had to admit if what she gathered from Spike\u2019s self-serving accusations and Angelus seemingly confirmations were true, Angel was not far from being on her maim wish list.<\/span><\/p>\n

Buffy glared at Spike. The blonde vampire wasn\u2019t evil just incompetent and dangerously close to testing her limits on allowing him to live. But she couldn\u2019t kill him, either, not if Angel demanded to be turned. But then again, she should do it, if for no other reason than the principle of it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Buffy felt sick to her stomach. How could what Spike said be true, how could Angel give up his humanity all for\u2026Her blue eyes shot to the brunette standing still against the wall of the cave, apart from the group, away from the bound body of Angel. Buffy glared, somehow for some reason it was all Cordelia\u2019s fault.<\/span><\/p>\n

Buffy wanted to yell at her some more, maybe backhand her one more time, something to bring an explanation or at least an expression to the young brunette\u2019s stone face. But, Wesley, the two men she didn\u2019t know threatened her if she lifted her hand once more to Cordelia. It wasn\u2019t them, though that made her retreat, but Giles. His tone of rebuke had been chilling. So, she left Cordelia alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia\u2019s mind was a bundle of confused emotions. The pain of the vision had finally settled haphazardly behind her protective walls. It finally had become bearable, normal almost. But the situation that she found herself in, was not normal and something she wasn\u2019t at all sure that she could live with.<\/span><\/p>\n

A new pain was taking over her body, piercing her heart and soul. And that pain refused to be manipulated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Part of her just wanted to go hide, curl up, and die, to get as far away from the dark crypt, Angel and the angry, confused, accusatory stares that the Sunnydale crowd was flinging at her. Buffy had yelled, threatening and blaming her for what had happened.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia had said nothing; she had let Buffy strike her. She hadn\u2019t felt it. The pain of the blow was nothing compared to that which was weaving and slicing through her being. Cordelia stared at Angel laid out on the stone tomb, his body chained tightly.<\/span><\/p>\n

A burst of anger shot through her. She could kill him for the choice he made. She couldn\u2019t stand the sight of the vampire. Rather than giving her comfort, the vampire\u2019s presence was just exasperating the ache in her being.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia took a deep breath, her eyes never leaving Angel. Damn him. She prayed that the Powers were more forgiving than she was now. They could very well deny Angel his soul and redemption, because of his stupidity. How could he? The pain shot back through her heart, overwhelming her anger. Cordelia watched and waited.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel\u2019s unconscious form jerked as the enchanted words flowed around him. A loud agonizing scream came from Angel\u2019s mouth. Cordelia took out a deep breath when as the last candle flickered and died, she heard him speak.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCordelia\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia resisted the pleading tone of the voice. She straightened. \u201cAngel.\u201d A statement not a question.<\/span><\/p>\n

The voice responded again. \u201cCordy, please.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia said nothing, but nodded. She looked at Wesley. \u201cI\u2019m going home now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGunn,\u201d Wesley ordered.<\/span><\/p>\n

The black young man nodded quickly and ushered Groo and Fred out after the departing figure of Cordelia. \u201cCome on, time to go home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026Angel,\u201d Fred stuttered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEnglish has it covered. Let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe beast needs to die.\u201d Groo stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStop with the heroics okay. Let\u2019s just go with Cordelia.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Pylean eyes shot away from the bound vampire. \u201cThe Princess, she needs me\u2026\u201d he charged out of the cave after the brunette.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m thinking we\u2019re still on square one, shit, fuck it we are so behind being on square one. That\u2019s what I\u2019m knowing,\u201d Gunn grumbled as he pulled Fred towards the exit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCharles, do not curse so, it\u2019s not nice,\u201d Fred said staying close to the black man\u2019s side.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, come on girl.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 33<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter Thirty One \u2018Damn, Damn, Damn\u2019, Spike\u2019s thoughts raced as he clenched harder on the cigarette between his teeth and mumbled the words…<\/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-7055","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-completed-fics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7055","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=7055"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7055\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13521,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7055\/revisions\/13521"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7055"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7055"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7055"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}