Chapter 22<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel and Spike were moving swiftly through the sewers to Cordelia\u2019s apartment. Angel knew that Spike was choking the words that he wanted to spill out.<\/p>\n
The unsaid comments were vibrating throughout the air. Angel shook his head. He had forgotten. It had been so long that Spike and he had traveled together with the same goal. But the memories were coming back quickly. Angel, Angelus could be still and silent,<\/p>\n
Spike never could. Even in a motionless state, the younger blonde vampire radiated motion and energy. And now it was ringing in Angel\u2019s ears.<\/p>\n
\u201cRoses. Roses, that\u2019s how it started with Dru.\u201d Spike rushed. \u201cHe knows the cheerleader\u2019s address, so we can assume the stalking has begun. Next, is the teasing, he will contact her, seduce her then\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel stopped swinging around, wondering why even bothered to ask. Spike never said anything anyone wanted to hear. Even if what he said was the truth. \u201cIt won\u2019t happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s re-playing your game with Dru. Once he seduces the cheerleader, he\u2019ll kill her family, you know those humans that we just left, then insanity, then he\u2019ll turn her\u2026Wait, she\u2019s already part demon, can\u2019t be a vampire, she\u2019ll just be insane. And I don\u2019t think the cheerleader will wear it as well as Dru did.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel growled. \u201cIt won\u2019t happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, it won\u2019t, but it will.\u201d Spike rolled his eyes at his grandsire. Spike clutched at the hands that were suddenly around his throat. \u201cHey, I\u2019m not the one that\u2019s poaching.\u201d He knocked Angel\u2019s hands back. \u201cI\u2019m on your side.\u201d Spike struggled up from the ground. \u201cBugger, I can\u2019t believe I just said that.\u201d He shook his head standing straight up.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got some serious issues to work out. Shit. Angel, you are a vampire, soul or not. You can stand there and pretend that you aren\u2019t sniffing your hand trying to taste the chit\u2019s juices. But you are. Face it. You’re a vampire. And as sweet as that taste is, you still want the blood, you want to change that wimpy poof mark on her delectable neck into a real one.\u201d Spike pushed off from the wall past a silent Angel.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re going have to deal with it at some point. Bastard.\u201d Spike turned back towards a silent Angel. \u201cDo you even know how lucky you are\u2026.Angelus, shit\u2026.you had Buffy\u2019s love, now you have the cheerleader\u2019s, a chit that seems to be more than willing to accept the vampire in you. Cinnamon in your blood? And a kid?\u201d Spike shook his head. \u201cOne fucking undeserving lucky bloke.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know.\u201d Angel said quietly from the shadows.<\/p>\n
The vampires that never liked each other, but were connected by a blood bond, only to later be separated by a soul, stared at each other.<\/p>\n
Angelus and William the Bloody were nullified, nothing was left but Angel and Spike, two vampires that could understand one thing about the other \u2013 they were vampires that loved amazing women and were scared as hell about it. Angel lifted his hooded eyes to Spike. \u201cHe can\u2019t touch her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike slapped Angel on the back. \u201cHe won\u2019t. Look on the bright side- we\u2019re the only ones that know that we\u2019re pathetic, everyone else thinks were bad ass demons. So, let\u2019s go be bad asses.\u201d Spike shrugged moving again further into the sewers whistling as he blended into the darkness.<\/p>\n
Chapter 23<\/b><\/p>\n
Spike jumped back as the apartment door immediately opened.<\/p>\n
\u201cCasper the friendly doorman, I presume.\u201d Moving to follow Angel through the opening only to jump again as the door slammed in his face. \u201cRude, invisible sod,\u201d banging with his fist. \u201cI\u2019m with Peaches. Open the frickin door.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike, stop banging and shouting. Dennis, open the door. Yes, I know he\u2019s a vampire, but he\u2019s here to help. No, not good, but he\u2019s on our side for this.\u201d Angel\u2019s voice sounded through the door.<\/p>\n
The door swung back open in an instant. \u201cBugger your dead arse,\u201d mumbling as Spike crossed over the threshold. Spike took an interested glance around the apartment. Attractive and classy, a lot like the chit that lived there. \u201cSo, where\u2019s the threatening floras?\u201d Spike ducked as several large full trash bags flew at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDennis, calm down. Cordy is safe. I won\u2019t let anything happen to her. How did Dracula get in?\u201d Angel asked, ignoring Spike and walking into the kitchen. Angel turned to the sound of the front door opening and closing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat time?\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike glanced around getting ready to duck if the ghost decided to throw a clock in way of an answer. But instead, a magic marker floated towards the refrigerator. The number five<\/i> was scrawled on the erasable memo board attached to the appliance.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid he just walk in?\u201d<\/p>\n
The number five<\/i> was erased and the word magic<\/i> appeared. Then the word smoke<\/i> and under<\/i>.<\/p>\n
\u201cParlor tricks.\u201d Spike said disgustedly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe roses?\u201d<\/p>\n
Again the board cleared. The numeral one <\/i>appeared, magic<\/i>, then lots<\/i>.<\/p>\n
Angel paced the kitchen, his hands shoved in his pockets. He couldn\u2019t think of anything else to ask the ghost.<\/p>\n
\u201cCasper, did he say anything other than mumbling flower spells and nonsense? What?\u201d at Angel\u2019s look. \u201c Drac\u2019s a snooty egocentric that loves the sound of his own voice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel considered and nodded. Spike had a point. The board remained clear. \u201cDennis?\u201d The board was quiet for another minute.<\/p>\n
Just when it looked like the Count hadn\u2019t given any relevant information, words appeared fast and furious, a lot of them. Angel was surprised. Dennis when forced to resort to writing seemed to prefer one-word answers or as close he could get rather than full sentences.<\/p>\n
Angel didn\u2019t know if it was because writing took up too much of his ghostly energy or if he just didn\u2019t like to write, but now the ghost was filling up the small board with words.<\/p>\n
Spike studied the other vampire out of the corner of his eye as Dracula\u2019s monologue came to life. Spike could sense the rage building up in Angel\u2019s body, driving it to a standstill. Spike had always been envious of Angelus ability to just stop.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s what made Angelus one of the best vicious hunters in his heyday. Angelus would still, becoming stone, always alert, but so motionless that the flow of the world\u2019s movement would swallow the vampire, cloaking him, until he disappeared \u2013 until he was ready to strike.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s what made Angelus so good, his victims never saw him coming unless he wanted them to. That his grandsire had maintained the talent didn\u2019t surprise Spike, the fact that rage was what was turning him into stone, was somewhat different, though.<\/p>\n
Rage was not a common emotion of Angelus. His acts of violence and torture were rarely done out of rage, but out of fun. Angelus hadn\u2019t cared about anything enough to get truly angry. The angriest Spike had ever seen him was after he lost his soul for the second time and woke up in Sunnydale and that was primarily because Angelus had wasted all those year when saddled with the damn thing.<\/p>\n
This was different. Shit. The chit wasn\u2019t even in real danger yet, but the mere sight of the words on the board was driving Angel to the edge. Spike wondered if that would help or hinder his grandsire in the inevitable confrontation with Dracula.<\/p>\n
Rage was a funny thing; it could strengthen or weaken one, making the combatant really strong or really reckless.<\/p>\n
\u201cCocky son a bitch, ain\u2019t he?\u201d Spike read the words out loud. \u201cMy lovely lovely Cordelia, I hope you appreciate my gift, you will learn to appreciate all my gifts and you will be getting so many, as many as you can physically stand when you are mine. And you will be mine.\u201d<\/i> That hadn\u2019t helped. Angel was about to disappear in his growing rage.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeaches, your options on what to destroy are limited to me, the ghost and the cheerleader\u2019s furniture. Me, it ain\u2019t happening, Casper- a little difficult and smashing the air isn\u2019t satisfying, so that leaves the cheerleader’s apartment. Somehow, I don\u2019t see her being happy about that, do you? Why don\u2019t we go try to find the bugger you really want to smash?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel blinked. \u201cAnything else?\u201d He growled. The board flipped over quickly. Angel stared then left the kitchen.<\/p>\n
\u201cBleedin blabberghost, that wouldn\u2019t have been fun.\u201d Spike said into the air. A tied trash bag barreled into his chest, Spike automatically caught it, and then dropped it. The bag came flying up into him again. Spike let it fall to the ground.<\/p>\n
The bag flew harder into the vampire. \u201cWhat\u2019s your deal? Peaches,\u201d Spike headed for Angel standing by the door. \u201cWhat\u2019s his deal?\u201d<\/p>\n
A bag floated towards Angel, more settled around his feet. The bag in his hand twisted, squeezed as if it was a neck that could be broken. \u201cHe wants us to get these \u2018gifts\u2019 out of Cordy\u2019s apartment.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re taking out the trash?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
A pillow to the back of his head stopped Angel. He turned back into the living room. \u201cI\u2019ll take care of her, Dennis. She won\u2019t be touched.\u201d The pillow flew back to the couch it came from. \u201cSpike, lets go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike looked back at the empty room. \u201cChit\u2019s got a way with dead things, don\u2019t she. The live guys must be crazy for her. Hey, don\u2019t growl at me,\u201d He followed Angel out of the apartment, bags of trash in hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure she likes the dead ones better.\u201d Spike laughed at Angel\u2019s growl. That was better. Gone was the enveloping rage that threatened to bring out the violence of Angelus or worse.<\/p>\n
Now, Angel was just exuding anxiety and a determination to return back to Cordelia.<\/p>\n
Chapter 24<\/b><\/p>\n
If Spike didn\u2019t understand it, it would sicken him the way Angel\u2019s determination turned into anticipation the closer they got to the hotel. All because of the chit.<\/p>\n
His damn grandsire was smiling. Oh hell \u2013it was sickening. Spike paused. Did he smile with such stupid glee when he knew he was going to see Buffy? Spike kicked the dirt.<\/p>\n
She probably didn\u2019t even know he was gone.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Buffy, Buffy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pretty blonde looked up from her peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Her younger sister was waving a wild hand in front of her face.<\/p>\n
\u201cUh.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI asked if you wanted to go to the movies with Willow and me. And before you get all parental. It\u2019s the Lord of the Rings, no sex, some violence in that action packed harmless fairytale way and it\u2019s over by 11:00 p.m.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMovie.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh. No. I mean sure, but no. Got to sling burgers. Did I tell you they were really vegetables, mashed icky smooshed vegetables? I mean, I had felt sorry for the cow, now it\u2019s the cucumbers you got to worry about. And why does it have to smell? Do, I smell? I took three showers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly a tinge of grease and yes, you told that secret you swore to keep.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy looked at the clock on the counter debating whether she had time to take another shower. Oh, what was the point; she would be knee deep in grease in twenty minutes. Her life sucked.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d Buffy looked up. \u201cYou\u2019ve got school tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I\u2019ll be in bed asleep by 11:00 p.m.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know that\u2019s late for a school night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease.\u201d Dawn smiled and whined at the same time.<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dawn\u2019s smile got bigger. \u201cCool.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUm, is Spike going with you guys?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know he goes to the movies with you sometimes, I was just wondering because, you know he\u2019s a vampire, evil, not good, bad, annoying\u2026.just not good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dawn stared at her sister. \u201cSaved our lives how many times.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMade them miserable just as many.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dawn rolled her eyes. \u201cNo, Spike\u2019s not going. I went to ask him after school, but he wasn\u2019t home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cProbably out creating mayhem and other stuff.\u201d Buffy poked at her sandwich.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever.\u201d Dawn left to run to get ready for the movie.<\/p>\n
Buffy stared at her sandwich, her expression settling into a pout. Spike wasn\u2019t home in the middle of the day. Where could he be? It\u2019s not like he could go play in the park.<\/p>\n
Maybe she should swing by, he could be up to something. Buffy\u2019s head knocked in the table. No. She told Spike to leave her alone; that she was just using him. That meant she had to leave him alone. Spike was gone that was a good thing. Right? Right.<\/p>\n
Wrong. She jerked her head, she should go cuz he may be planning to end the world or something, he was evil. Buffy\u2019s head fell back on the table. Spike hadn\u2019t tried to destroy the world in a really long time. Buffy slapped her face.<\/p>\n
She was being stupid and she had to get ready for her exciting career of fake burger flipping.<\/p>\n
Chapter 25<\/b><\/p>\n
Spike stopped himself from growling. He wasn\u2019t sure what the other\u2019s vampire reaction would be. Angel would either turn all goofy on him,<\/p>\n
\u2018what?\u2019 Angel\u2019s goof mouth would say or the vampire would grab Spike by the throat again and slam him against the wall, just on the off chance Spike was growling at the chit and squirt.<\/p>\n
Spike had to admit they did make a tantalizing picture. If he had seen the dark haired beauty cradling the helpless tyke when he could roam the night-filled streets and hunt, they would\u2019ve made a lovely diversion.<\/p>\n
A hot woman and a helpless baby, very tasty, and very off-limits as he sensed Angel\u2019s glare on him. \u201cJust appreciating the view, Peaches.\u201d He shrugged, his palms facing the ceiling.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike.\u201d Angel\u2019s growl never left his throat, but it vibrated through out the tiny passageway between the basement and the lobby of the hotel.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonest, just appreciating.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike, I\u2019ll tell you a secret, one you may have already figured out, the soul doesn\u2019t cure the demon, just makes the choices of right and wrong available. And killing anyone that threatens Cordy and Connor, well, I just can\u2019t see how that choice is wrong. Just can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGeez, and here I thought we bonded. I ain\u2019t after what\u2019s yours. I want my own. I just can appreciate a lovely sight.\u201d Spike rolled his eyes pushing past the other vampire into the main room.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike?\u2026Angel,\u201d Cordelia\u2019s face lit up as she saw the dark vampire follow the blonde out from the basement door. \u201cConnor, daddy\u2019s home.\u201d She moved quickly towards Angel. \u201cHe woke up. Let\u2019s not talk about D..R..A\u2026C..U\u2026L\u2026A.. in front of him, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay.\u201d Angel didn\u2019t know what do. Who to touch first? So, his palm cupped his son\u2019s head as his fingers brushed the soft skin of Cordelia\u2019s collarbone. He could drown in them.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, he\u2019s tired.\u201d Cordelia giggled at the baby\u2019s yawn. \u201cHe just wanted to wait until Daddy was home. I\u2019m going to take him back upstairs\u2026.Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, can I have a word?\u201d Wesley said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow?\u201d Angel looked at the miracles in front of him and then to his friend.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important, just as it\u2019s important that you tell us what Dennis told you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel nodded, his palm moving to caress the small head. \u201cI\u2019ll be up.\u201d Placing a light kiss on Cordelia\u2019s forehead.<\/p>\n
She beamed. \u201cOkay, hurry though, he\u2019s tired. Oh. I want to know about D..R\u2026A\u2026C..U..L..A, too, no hiding secrets from the potential.\u201d She paused and looked at the child in her arms. \u201cV\u2026.i\u2026c\u2026t\u2026i..m.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat kid is either going to have no vocabulary or the be the best speller on the planet.\u201d Gunn said.<\/p>\n
He scowled moving away as he realized that an undead blonde vampire was the one he was whispering to.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cMagic. Transmutation.\u201d Wesley wiped at his glasses. \u201cFred, please start searching for such spells on that,\u201d Wesley waved at the computer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, Dracula is a vampire with a skill in magic, we find the spells than we find the counterspells.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d The vampire turned from his ascent to the upper floors. \u201cI still need a moment.\u201d Wesley motioned Angel to his office.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd here all the rumors said that the baby watcher had no balls.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn moved away again suddenly realizing that Spike had not only come up next to him again, but that Gunn was actually sharing a knowing nod with vampire.<\/p>\n
Angel turned to the two as Wesley took more than enough time to open his office door. \u201cSpike.\u201d Angel\u2019s head jerked up the stairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, you trust me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly appreciate.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFine. I used to be a terror,\u201d Spike shrugged to Gunn. \u201cNow, I\u2019m a baby sitter. Weird thing life, uh.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn jerked back. How\u2019d the vampire get so close to him again? Spike was like a cat, going to the person that hated him the most and rubbing around his leg. Gunn glared at the blonde vampire going up the stairs.<\/p>\n
Cats had nine lives. When done correctly, vampires only had one.<\/p>\n
Chapter 26<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cWesley.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, I\u2019m quite gratified that you and Cordelia realized finally that you loved each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s leaned back against the closed door his arms crossed against his chest. He hadn\u2019t expected this, he guess he should have. \u201cMy soul is permanent, Wesley.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I understand. See this.\u201d Wesley waved his hand around the room. \u201cThis is my office.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel bit back his first retort. The ex-watcher was nervous enough. But, Angel really did want to make his twitching friend squirm. Like Wesley could tell him when and where he could make love to Cordelia. She was his. Angel leaned up. \u201cYes, it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the future I would appreciate any displays of that love- out of my office.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley, you can sit at your desk with peace of mind.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, oh good.\u201d Wesley brushed at his glasses. \u201cChairs?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley looked around his office. \u201cFloor?\u201d<\/p>\n
A \u2018no\u2019 was voiced again, accompanied by that wicked smile. \u201c You want I start the warm, hot, cold game?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d Not at all liking the grin on the vampire\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
\u201cGuess. Oh, Wesley, this conversation stays away from Cordy, she\u2019d be embarrassed.\u201d Angel left the room.<\/p>\n
Wesley twirled. Where? And like he would discuss this with Cordelia. His own face was burning.<\/p>\n
Wesley backed out of his office, his eyes darting around. Bookcase? His hand jerked from the doorknob. Door? Wall? Wesley left hoping that this would not be a normal thing.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you coming in.\u201d? Cordelia looked up from the bassinet.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight, Fred.\u201d Cordelia stroked at Connor\u2019s soft cheek. \u201cSleep honey, Daddy\u2019s here and even Uncle Spike, you\u2019ll be fine. No one will ever H\u2026.u\u2026.r\u2026t\u2026you, they won\u2019t let it happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike pulled back from the doorway of Fred\u2019s room as if he had been sucker punched. Then again he had been. Uncle? The chit called him the squirt\u2019s uncle. Family? A protector of the squishy human squirt?<\/p>\n
Cordelia rolled her eyes to the vampire. \u201cWhat\u2019s your problem now?\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike stepped even further back. There was just something not right about this scenario. He kept moving only stopping when he bumped into a hard cold chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike.\u201d<\/p>\n
The blonde vampire whirled around. \u201cShe\u2019s not right, just not right. And I\u2019m not the squirt\u2019s uncle, I\u2026I\u2019m not.\u201d The blonde moved quickly, gone in an instant to the safety of his third floor room.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s weird.\u201d Cordelia smiled as Angel sat next to her.<\/p>\n
Angel shrugged.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, what do I need not to hear?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was magic, Wesley is already trying to figure the spells out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDracula got in cuz of magic?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDennis said so.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs he alright? For a ghost, he gets a little frantic at times.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDennis was assured that I would never let anyone hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDead guy to dead guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSomething like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, say goodnight to Connor, I\u2019m going to go figure out how just to make it up you.\u201d Kissing gently on the vampire\u2019s lips.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s eyes followed the young woman leaving the room. \u201cUh, Connor, buddy, guy, I\u2019ve got to go. Your mommy wants to\u2026.talk to me. \u201c Angel gently brushed at the sleeping small child.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry, you\u2019ll understand when you get older.\u201d Kissing the soft down covering the small head.<\/p>\n