"That was so much fun." Willow giggled as they headed into the mansion.
"Yup. Wonder how long it'll be before they realise that they've been chasing after projections of us, and not actually us." Amy laughed as they all traipsed into the living room, collapsing on various sofa's.
"Well, I'd say they'll be figuring it out, oh........right about now." Faith chuckled evilly then looked over at the door. "Hey."
"Hey." Oz replied, as he ventured into the room, wary due to the fact that there were five drunken teens, a drunken watcher, and an inebriated vamp who'd passed the telegram-from-the-queen age and then some. "Fun?"
"You could say that." Red replied, smirking.
"If you did you'd be correct." Christine continued, staring at her fingers in wonder.
"Very correct." Cordelia finished, then the whole group began to giggle as they relived their little prank.
"Fun is good." Oz said as he backed slowly out of the room.
"Hey! Wanna kick some vamp ass, stake some vampy booty, etc." Faith asked as she stood up, looking at Oz expectantly.
"Sure." He replied, then followed her out of the mansion. A minute later Faith ran back in. "Forgot this." She said, brandishing a stake at the questioning looks.
"Freudian slip I think." Amy said as Faith ran back out. Willow giggled, and everyone else looked at her, extremelt puzzled.
"Faith and Oz, sitting in a tree, S-H-A-G-G-I-N-G!" Willow collapsed, holding her sides, which caused everyone else to start laughing again.
"The Slayer and the Wolf?" Red asked Willow, trying to wrap her mind around the new idea.
"Yup. It's so sweet." Amy replied for her manically giggling friend, when it was obvious that Willow couldn't speak. Cordelia smiled thoughtfully.
"Have they........" She trailed off, and Amy shook her head. "Well then, I think we should give them a little push. What do you think?" Cordelia asked Druscilla, who was at that point trying to get the tv to turn on, unsuccessfully I might add.
The brunette looked up, and smiled thoughtfully. "They would bond well." She said.
"Euwwwwww, scary visual place." Willow said, then went back to giggling. "How long before our big, strapping men return to us?" Amy asked just as the front door crashed open. "Speak of the devil." She quipped.
They all groaned at the bad pun, then straightened up, ready for the fun to begin. "Maybe this should be a personal thing." Amy suggested, waggling her eyebrows to indicate her mischievous thoughts.
Cordelia smiled. "Great idea." They all stubled to a vaguely upright position and stalked out of the room, each heading in different directions just as the guys came into sight.
"What do we do?" Giles asked worriedly.
"Exactly what they tell us." Xander sighed, and followed Cordelia into the kitchen.
Angelus watched his retreating back, then sighed, heading out into the garden after Amy. Puppy and Angel looked each other, then headed in opposite directions, leaving Giles and Spike standing in the hall. "Buggar this for a lark." Spike said, as he headed for the library. Giles sighed, and headed upstairs.
In The Kitchen...........
"Hey Cordy. You look wonderful. Have you lost weight?" Xander slinked over to his girlfriend and kissed her lightly on the cheek. She batted him away, glaring whilst she did so.
"Alexander LaVelle Harris. You followed us. How could you?" Cordelia crossed her arms, and tapped her foot expectantly.
"I'm sorry....they made me, honest." He crossed his heart, then pulled the puppy-dog-eyes out. Cordelia frowned at him, and he gulped, knowing the I'm-innocent tack wasn't going to work he tried another approach. "Okay. I admit it. I was insanely jealous. It's just you're so wonderful, and all the guys like you, and I was scared that something might happen."
Cordelia's face softened slightly, then she caught herself. "You should have trusted me, Xander." He pouted, and looked sad.
"I know, I'm real real real real real sorry. This is all my fault, I should have trusted you. Forgive me?" He tried the puppy-dog-eyes again, and this time it worked.
Cordelia sighed exasperatedly. "Okay. I forgive you. But you owe me some serious groveling." Xander nodded. "Well. Come here and grovel." She smiled wickedly, letting him know exactly what form this grovelling would take.
Meanwhile............
"I shouldn't have gone out? Are you serious? You stalk me, then have the audacity to lecture me on what I should or shouln't do." Amy was fuming mad. "All I was trying to say was that there are dangerous people in the world who'd take advantage of you." Amy looked pointedly at him.
"People like you, you mean." Angelus frowned.
"No. Other people. Look, you don't wear my mark, no other vampires know that you belong to me which means that you're in danger if I'm not there to protect you."
"Danger? Protect me? Hang on there buddy, I can protect myself thankyou very much. As for being yours well thats a load of crap. I'm mine, understand, you don't own me, I don't belong to you, and I am sure as hell not gonna wear your mark, whatever that means." Amy turned on her heel and stalked into the mansion, leaving a fuming Angelus behind her.
He growled and kicked the bench, breaking one of the legs causing it to fall over onto his foot. He grunted in pain, then limped after Amy, muttering as he went.
Upstairs At That Very Moment................
"You bought them alcohol?" Giles' voice went high-pitched, and Christine stared at him blankly.
"Yes." She slurred, as she collapsed onto the bed. Giles frowned.
"You were the adult. You should have said no." Christine sat up angrily.
"I did, but they were gonna get it anyway." She finished on a whining note.
"You should have called me, I could have come and....what are you.....Christine, C-Christine?" The person in question was at that moment pulling her blouse off.
"Gonna go bed. Tired." She murmered, then smiled sleepily at Giles' shell-shocked look. "Wanna join me?" She asked in a childish voice. Giles gulped, and slowly shook his head.
"I don't think that would be entirely appropriate." He said, with a trace of disappointment.
"Shame." She replied,
then held out her arms. He looked at her questioningly. "Tuck me in." Giles
smiled nervously, and hesitantly moved towards her. As he was pulling the
sheets from underneath her Christine grinned evilly, grabbed his tie and
pulled him on top
of her.
"Knew you'd join me." She said happily before he could protest.
In The Library............
"Come on pet, you know that I trust you." Spike said imploringly to the object of his eternal affection. He was met by silence, and he sighed. "Forgive me ducks, you know I love you." Dru glared at him.
"Without trust there is no love." She said, before returning her attention to a book entitled "Gurkalis Demons: How To Enslave Them".
"Bloody hell!" Spike exclaimed, and collapsed onto a chair. "Look. I'm sorry. Me, the big bad, is apologising to you, my dark goddess, light of my night, my eternal companion, do I have to go on?" Spike exclaimed exasperatedly.
Druscilla smiled indulgently at him. "No. I think you're been cloyingly sweet enough for one night. I forgive you." Spike let out a sigh of relief, and was about to speak when the door burst open.
Angelus flew in, and then collapsed into the other chair. "She won't speak to me." He said with a scowl.
"Who won't mate?" Spike asked him, after a quick glance at Dru who was smiling slightly.
"Who do you think? Amy." Angelus replied scathingly, then shook his head in wonder. "I don't know what it was that got her so upset."
"You said she was weak and claimed you owned her." Druscilla said after a moments pause. Angelus looked at her quizzically.
"How do you know what I said?" Dru smiled, and tapped the side of her head. "Right. Psychic." She smiled at him.
"Sounds to me like she had every right to say up your's mate." Angelus glared at him, then sighed.
"I didn't mean it like that. It just came out wrong." Spike frowned.
"Did you tell her that?" Angelus rolled his eyes in exasperation.
"I didn't get a chance, she stormed off and locked herself in the bathroom." Spike sighed.
"You're a vampire. Break down the door." Druscilla frowned at him.
"I don't really think that would help. You have to apologise." She said to Angelus, who looked terrorised at the very idea. "You want her, you are going to have to beg."
"Fine." Angelus said. "I'll apologise. I can apologise. Only men who aren't afraid can apologise." Spike smiled.
"You're a big man alright. Now, why don't you go crawling to your girlfriend before she dumps you." Angelus growled at him, then limped out of the room, mentally going through what he could say to Amy that would make her take him back.
Meanwhile.............
"Willow?" Angel said as he entered the room, looking around for a certain red-head.
"Down here." She replied, giggling slightly. He looked around the room, not seeing anyone.
"Willow?" He asked more urgently, slightly worried.
"I'm over here, here here here. This is me, I'm over here." Angel followed the sing-song voice back to it's source. Willow was lying behing the sofa, legs propped up against its back, arms flailing. She looked up at him.
"I'm stuck. I can't get up. I'll die here and nobody'll find me ever." She began to cry as she envisaged her terrible fate, to die along behing the couch. Angel smiled slightly, then bent down and picked her up.
As he put her down on both of her very unsteady feet she stopped crying and looked at him in awe. "You've shrunk." She said.
"You've grown." He replied with humour in his voice. Willow giggled.
"Really? This is so great. It's good to be tall." Angel nodded and began to slowly herd her towards her room.
"You are drunk." He stated, finally giving up and swinging her into his arms.
"Am not." She pouted. "I'm in-inebri-ebriated, theres a difference." He smiled, and she started giggling again. "You smiled. Angel smiled. For me. I got an Angel smile. Yay me! I love it when you smile, you look real nice. Choclate nice. Strawberry nice. But not frog nice, `cos frogs are uck, and not nice. Frogs are bad, evil, bad." Angel pushed open her bedroom door.
"I know. Bad, evil frogs. Well, no frogs in here so you're safe." He placed her gently on the bed, tucking the covers around her after he removed her shoes. When he looked up Willow was already asleep, and he smiled slightly. As he headed out of the room he stopped, turned round and headed back to the bed.
He leaned over a sleeping Willow, and brushed a stray lock of hair from her face. Gently he leaned down and kissed her on the forehead, which caused Willow to murmer something in her sleep and smile slightly.
As Angel turned out the light he took a moment to study her sleeping face. "Love you." He said quietly, then he closed the door slowly so as not to wake her.
"Love you too." Willow replied as she rolled over and fell asleep, smiling slightly.
End Part 30
"Sorry." Red looked up at Puppy, who was standing in the doorway, eyes downcast. She rolled her eyes.
"Bad Puppy followed his mistress where he shouldn't have. Mistress is going to have to punish him. Now then, how shall I punish you. Hmmmmmmmm." She cocked her head on one side thoughtfully. "I have an idea." She exclaimed triumphantly, beckoning him over to her.
Puppy slouched accross the room and Red stood up and motioned him to sit. When he did she climbed onto his lap and began swinging her legs. "What's Puppys real name?" She asked him after a few moments.
"Liam." Came the hesitant reply. Red smiled and repeated it softly. "Like it. From now on no more Puppy. No more scraping, bowing, or licking my boots.......although I don't mind you licking me in other places." She added naughtily, with an evil chuckle. Liam looked up and gave a half smile, then started to purr as Red gently stroked the side of his face.
"Nice." He murmered. Red smiled.
"If you like this wait until we get to the next base." She whispered, making Liam smile.
Meanwhile.............
"I missed you." Amy said, each word punctuated with a passionate kiss.
"I can see that." Angelus growled playfully. He glanced around, then looked down at Amy. "Hungry?" She nodded enthusiastically, before wincing slightly. "Headache already?" He asked curiously as they headed to the kitchen.
"Nope. Just the anticipation of one." Amy laughed. "At least I won't be alone in my suffering." She joked as they headed into the kitchen, Angelus a step behind her. "Ouch!" She exclaimed as Angelus ran into the back of her.
"You stopped." He said quickly, to exonerate himself as quickly as possible. Amy nodded and looked pointedly at Xander and Cordelia, who were making out, passionately I might add, on the work bench.
"Take out?" Angelus asked. Amy nodded enthusiastically.
"Definately."
Half An Hour Later..........
"Ya sure know how to show a girl a good time." Faith said as she beat up her second vampire of the night, the first was at that point blowing in the wind, as the song goes.
"Yup." Oz replied,
taking a sip of his latte. "Behind you." He
indicated with her
americano, and Faith kicked back with her left leg whilst staking the vamp
in front of her.
"Gee, thanks." She quipped, turning on the third vampire.
"No problem." Oz replied. After a few minutes Faith staked the last vampire and headed back to Oz. He looked at her quizzically.
"Coffee was gettin' cold." She said, as she reached for the caffeiney goodness he was protecting for her. Their hands touched and Oz looked up.
"Dost mine eyes decieve me? Blushing?" He said jokingly, which caused Faith to bluster.
"I don't blush. In fact, nothin' you could do'd ever make me blush." She threw out the challange and waited for his response. After sitting for a moment or two, he stood up thoughtfully and put the coffees down on a nearby headstone.
"Is that a challenge?" He asked softly, staring into her eyes. Faith grinned and slowly nodded, daring him to take her up on it. Oz smiled slowly, the picked his coffee back up. He took the lid off, and stuck a finger in the cream on top. Then he slowly dragged it down the side of her face, ending the sticky white trail at the corner of her mouth.
Faiths eyes got wide, and she swallowed nervously. Oz leaned in closer and Faith held her breathe in anticipation. "You're blushing." He said, after a moment. Faith blinked.
"What?" She asked, bemusedly. Oz smiled, then backed off.
"By the way, you have cream on your face." He picked up his coffee and headed out of the cemetary, leaving a dumbfounded Faith standing alone, her cheeks red and covered with cream.
After several moments Faith started after him. "I'll get ya for that." She promised.
"I hope so." He replied casually. "Don't forget your coffee." He added, before turning the corner.
"Damn!" Was the only reply.
Meanwhile..........
"That was so sweet!" Amy squeaked enthusiastically as she watched Faith hurry after Oz. Angelus snorted. "Hey. I think it was cute." She said angrily, stalking back towards the mansion.
"I can't wait to tell Willow." Amy continued as Angelus caught up with her, apparently he was forgiven. He frowned in thought.
"You're going to tell Willow that her ex and the Slayer are engaging in sexual banter." Amy glared at him.
"They were being really sweet, and Willow will be ecstatic. She was worried about Oz, now she doesn't have to be. Plus it may make Faith a little easier to live with." She finished.
"You mean she'll get rid of all her sexual frustration." Angelus replied as they headed into the mansion.
Amy turned and scowled at him. "Why exactly are you noticing Faiths sexual frustration?" The last part was punctuated by air quotes, and Angelus knew he was in serious trouble.
"Cordelia told Dru, who told Spike, who then told me." He replied quickly, following up with an innocent smile. Amy frowned slightly, but let the matter drop.
"Come on, I'm starving." They headed towards the kitchen. "Everyone who's still awake and wants Chinese get your butt in the kitchen asap." She shouted as they dumped the bags on the counter, which Xander and Cordelia had thankfully vacated.
As they began to unload the bags Xander rushed in, dragging Cordelia by the arm. "Great! I'm starving." He said, reaching for the fried rice.
"Hold it Harris." Angelus growled. "We get first pick." Xander nodded, eyebrows somewhere above his hairline. After a few minutes everyone headed into the living-room.
"Hey." Spike wandered in and picked up a carton of sweet and sour chicken.
"Why do you even bother?" Xander asked.
"What?" Spike asked, digging into the carton.
"Eating. You can't taste it." Xander explained, looking at Angelus then back at Spike.
"Amyuf-ssphfelld-ickt." Xander looked bemusedly at Angelus, who had answered with a mouthful of house special fried rice.
"He said, I spelled it. It intensifies the taste." She looked over at Spike. "Want me to do yours?" Spike nodded enthusiastically and headed over to where Amy was sitting, curled up on the couch with Angelus.
She waved her hand over his food, muttering a few words of latin, there was a glittering effect over the sweet and sour then Amy nodded that she had finished. Spike hesitantly took a bite, his eyes going wide almost immediately.
"Cor pet, this stuff's bloody good." He dug into the box, heading back over to his chair, all his attention focused on the chicken. After a fewmoments he looked up and spoke to Angelus. "She's good to have around. Can we keep her?" Angelus smiled.
"You think I'd let her go?" He said, kissing the top of Amys head. She smiled at Cordelia, who was grinning at the scene unfolding before her.
"I'm tired. Bed?" She said to Amy a few minutes later. Amy nodded her assent, and slowly stood up.
"Night sweetie." She said, kissing Angelus on the cheek before bouncing out the room.
"Sweetie?" Angelus called out after her, and she turned round and blew him a kiss.
"Cordy! Stop sucking face and get over here." Cordelia stood up quickly and hurried out the room, her face bright red.
"I can see why you like her." Spike said when he was sure Amy was out of range. Angelus nodded. "She'll certainly make life interesting. Pass me yours." Angelus sighed and threw his carton at Spike. "Hey mate. Watch the shirt." He dusted himself off, then dug into Angelus' food.
"Finally. Someone who eats more than I do." Xander said causing Spike to growl at him, and Angelus to laugh at them both.
"Where's everyone else?" Spike asked after a few moments.
"Christine and Giles are upstairs." Xander waggled his eyebrows suggestively and the two vampires grinned. "Willow's asleep." He continued. "Red and Puppy are on the other side of the mansion, making a lot of noise. Angel is I don't know where, and Faith and Oz went to bed."
"Seperately?" Angelus asked with a leer.
""Euwwww. Yes." Xander replied. "And with that scary mental image I'm calling it a night." He stood up, and headed out the room.
"Might as well do the same." Angelus said, standing up. He looked towards Spike.
"I'm gonna finish this lot off mate. Then I'll hit the sack." The dark haired vampire nodded, then followed Xander out of the room.
Spike looked around the empty room gleefully. "All the more for me."
End Part 31
“I’ll join you.” Amy said as she worked at the computer.
“From this moment on it is no longer my duty to save the world from general evilness in, oh, two days four hours and roughly 25 minutes.” Faith looked up and smiled.
“It’s good that you two aren’t stressin’ about this.” Amy and Willow glared at her, then smiled secretly.
“So, Faith, what’s happening with you and wolf-boy?” Amy said, pressing the tips of her fingers together and leaning back in her chair.
Faith’s eyes went wide. “Nothin’s going on.” She said vehemently.
“Ha!” Willow said and Faith narrowed her eyes.
“What do you mean, ‘ha’?”
Willow gave her an innocent look. “What do you mean what do I mean?”
“I mean,” Faith glared at Willow and continued, “what do you mean?”
Amy broke in. “Ha!
Signifies scorn and disbelief at your flimsy untruth.”
Faith stared at
her.
“Well, as long as we’re all clear.” Amy and Willow barely repressed their grins at Faiths riposte.
“Yup, it’s good to be clear.” Amy said.
“Definitely, clear is much better than unclear.” Willow added, glancing her grinning friend.
“Hey, I was telling the truth.” Faith said after a few moments, remembering why the whole conversation had started.
“Ha!” Willow and Amy said synchronously. Faith just glared.
Meanwhile……
“Checkmate.” Liam smiled as he knocked over Angel’s king.
Angel brooded at the board, willing his king to suddenly become un-toppled-over. He finally gave in with a sigh. Red smirked at him, and went over to the board.
“Hmmmm, let me just count up these little marks. Oh look Liam, that’s fifteen games to you, and six to Angel.” She turned round and smirked at the glaring vampire. “Even Xander is doing better than you.”
Angelus laughed and took his souled/broody/losing twins chair. “You up for a game?” Liam looked over at Red, who nodded indulgently.
“Make it quick, I wanna play later.” She headed out the room and Liam smiled at her retreating back. After she was out of sight he turned back to Angelus, an evil glint in his eye.
“You can be white, I figure you’ll need the advantage, but no more freebies.” Angelus growled as they began to set the board up.
“Sometimes we’re so alike I want to kill you.” Angelus moved one of his pawns.
“Ditto.” They glanced at each other and laughed slightly. “So, what’s up with Angel?”
“To make a long story short he’s being all noble and waiting until after the big battle to get with Willow.” Liam made a move then looked up at his double.
“Idiot.” Angelus frowned, and moved another pawn.
“As Cordelia likes to say, well duh!” Liam smiled and moved his knight.
“Do you want to, maybe, interfere?” Angelus grinned and moved his knight.
“Of course, meddling is what vampiric doubles do best, didn’t you know that?” His voice was dripping with scorn, Liam smiled and moved his bishop.
“Of course, doesn’t everyone?”
Four Hours Later……
“Angel?” Willow exclaimed as the vampire fell into her room, the door slamming shut behind him. She rushed over only to hear a faint murmuring of what sounded like Latin, then there was silence.
Angel dragged himself to his feet and growled, turning to open the door. He gave a big heave expecting it to be locked. He flew backwards as the door opened, knocking into Willow. They teetered for a moment, but holding onto each other they managed to stay upright.
Where the doorway should have been there was a wall of blue light. Willow gulped and ran over to the window, yet more blue light.
“I think we’re stuck.” She said timidly to Angel who was glowering at the door, muttering something about ripping a certain someone’s into tiny little pieces.
(Euw, is that even possible?) Willow thought as she managed to pick out a sentence from the mouth of the now pacing vampire.
“Angel. Angel? Angel!” Willow gave up on trying to quietly gain his attention.
“Sorry, my mind was elsewhere.” Willow rolled her eyes at the obvious statement. There was silence for a few minutes.
“So.” Angel said, clearing his throat lightly.
“So.” Willow replied, biting her lip.
They both looked around the room, both gazes ended up on the beds. Willow blushed furiously and Angel paled slightly.
(Eeep! This is going
to be a very, very, verrrrry long night.)
Two Hours Later……
“Aren’t you worried someone’ll bloody well notice they’re missin’ you poofter.” Angelus glared at his childe.
“The only one who would have anything against my wonderful….” Angelus broke in as Liam cleared his throat. “…our wonderfully evil plan would be the watchers.” Spike smiled.
“Who are at this very moment shagging each others brains out.” He finished Angelus’ train of thought. He frowned slightly. “How’s you get the witch to help?”
Liam smiled. “We were going to lock them in the cellar, she suggested a place with beds would be more…suitable.” Angelus grinned.
“I really like her pops, can we keep her?” Angelus smirked at him.
“Of course you can keep me, Spike.” Amy said as she entered the room, putting her arms around the bleached blond vamp. Angelus frowned and Amy grinned. “You certainly can keep me, but from now on you’ll address me as either Amy, or Moms. Comprende?” She grabbed hold of one ear and twisted slightly.
“Yes luv, pet, Amy.” She smiled and relented. Spike straightened up and grimaced, rubbing his ear gingerly. “That bloody well hurt.” He said, pouting slightly.
“Go and get Dru to kiss it better then.” Was Amy’s reply as she headed over to Angelus. Spike’s eyes lit up as he pondered the idea, then he headed out the room just as Red came in.
“Amy?” The red-head said quietly, causing the blonde to turn around, just as Angelus leaned in to kiss her. He frowned and Liam smiled slightly. “I need to talk to you.” Amy frowned then nodded slowly.
“Later.” She said faintly, following the vampiress out of the room.
Angelus frowned at Liam who was still smiling. “I don’t know what you’re laughing at, it’s your girlfriend who wanted the heart to heart.” Angelus grinned at Liam’s worried look, then he left his souled counterpart to ponder what the hell was going on.
Fifteen Minutes Later……
“Let me get this straight. You, evil demon vampiress want me, human witch who is dating an evil demon vampire, to curse your souled vampire boyfriend who is the double of my un-souled vampire boyfriend, so that you can, to quote Faith, ‘get sweaty and do the horizontal thang’.” Red nodded and widened her eyes, almost but not quite managing to attain an expression of innocence.
Amy sighed. “You’re in luck. Willow and I already re-worded the curse so that happiness is no longer a problem.” Red smiled.
“I hope you’ve performed it on Angel then, because if I’m hearing what I think I’m hearing then they are, ‘getting sweaty and doing the horizontal thang’.” Amy’s mouth dropped open.
“You can hear that from three rooms away?” Red smiled.
“Hello! Vampire much.” She said in an imitation of Cordelia voice. Amy laughed and nodded.
“When do you want me to do it?” She asked the vampiress.
“I think that’s between you and Angelus.” Red smirked and Amy glared at her. “As soon as possible.” Her voice went low, and she swallowed slowly.
“Desperate much.” Amy smiled, then nodded. “Okay, you go get Dru and I’ll set up in the library. I’m taking it this is a surprise?” Red nodded and headed out the room. Amy sighed indulgently, and headed to the library to get everything together.
End Part 32
“It’s done.” Amy said, leaning back slightly, her shoulders drooped and her head fell forward. “Whoah, that spell’s a real drainer.” Red paused for a moment then got up.
“Thankyou.” She said as she headed out the door. Druscilla and Amy smiled after her hastily retreating back.
“So, how long before she jumps his bones?” Amy asked her friend as she clambered to her feet. Druscilla frowned in though.
“Five minutes, tops.” Amy laughed along with the vampiress as they packed everything away. Just as they were finishing Angelus and Spike walked in.
“’Ello pet.” He walked over to Druscilla and caught her roughly about the waist. “How’s about you and me go scare us up some delicious thief, murderer, and general scoundrel for dinner, ducks.” Druscilla smiled and raised her eyebrows.
“Do you really think we should, it wouldn’t be…..wrong of us?” Spike laughed at her mischievous expression.
“Naw pet.” He grabbed her hand and they headed out the door.
“Aren’t you going to stop them?” Angelus asked Amy as she went back to tidying up the desk. She turned to him, cocking her head to one side.
“Why? They’re hunting the nasty guys right. I say go team.” She smiled at his doubtful look. “Look, I’ve seen some really icky people, and some of them deserve to die. I figure, as long as no innocents are hurt then no harm no foul.”
Angelus thought it over. “Have I told you in the last two hours how much I love you?” Amy smiled.
“Nope, why don’t you…tell me. Right now.” She grinned at him wickedly, and patted the desk behind her with one hand.
“It would be my pleasure.” He replied, stalking over the remaining floor between the two.
“I’ll just bet it would be.” She smirked, then looked over at the door, she frowned slightly and moments later it swung shut, then a clicking noise, then silence.
“So.” Amy said softly.
“So.” Angelus murmured.
“You wanna play some chess?” Amy giggled at his reaction to her innocuous comment.
“I’ll show you chess.” He growled at her.
The Next Day:-
“So, Amy’s released the spell then?” Oz nodded and handed Faith the maple syrup. “Anyone seen Wills and Fang yet?” Oz shook his head and passed her the stack of pancakes.
He watched as she drizzled about quarter of the maple syrup onto her plate, then took a pancake and dipped it into the sauce, biting into it slowly and with extreme delight.
“Slayer metabolism is a good thing I see.” He said innocuously, cutting into his pancakes. Faith frowned and licked the syrup off her fingers, intently watching Oz’s reaction.
“I dunno, what do you think?” She moved back from the table and stood up, she twirled around once then sat back down.
“It’s a good thing.” She smiled at his reaction.
“Aw honey, you say the sweetest things.” They laughed, just then Giles and Christine came into the kitchen.
“Pancakes? Oh goody, I’m starving.” Christine bounded over to the table and piled up her plate. The three looked on in amazement at what the woman packed away in five minutes.
“I’ve never seen anything like it.” Faith murmured. “How come she doesn’t choke?”
“Magick.” Oz offered half-heartedly.
“No other explanation.” Oz frowned and nodded slowly.
“Yeah, no other explanation.”
Half An Hour Later:-
“Christine, can I talk to you?” Oz caught up with the watcher just before she went upstairs.
“Of course, is something troubling you, about Faith?” Oz smiled slightly and shook his head.
“I wondered if you knew, about your condition.” Christine shook her head and frowned in bemusement.
“My condition?”
Oz sighed, and nodded out at the garden. “We need to talk, in private.” They headed outside and sat in the sun.
Five Minutes Later:-
“How can you know that?” Christine asked, her voice filled with wonder.
“It’s the wolf, it senses it.” Oz explained, and Christine nodded.
“I guess it would, animal instinct, protection of young.” She mumbled then trailed off. “Don’t tell Giles.” Oz frowned but nodded his head. “It would only worry him, he doesn’t need to be worried right now.”
She straightened her shoulders and stood up, breathing deeply for a moment or so. “Thank you for telling me, I’m glad you did.” Oz nodded, his face neutral.
“Congratulations.” He said, causing her to smile slightly.
“Thankyou.” She headed inside and Oz followed slowly behind, lost in thought as he walked into the mansion.
End Part 33
“Is everyone ready?” Giles asked the assorted teens and vampires, several heads were nodded vigorously. “Very well then, pick your straw.” He moved his fist around the group, each person taking a straw.
Damn’s could be heard from Angelus, Red, and Xander.
“How about best out of three?” Xander suggested. Giles shook his head.
“You’re in my car, and that is final, now stop complaining. We have bigger things to worry about.” Faith nodded vigorously.
“Yeah, like where the hell the black hats have run off to.” She looked around at the group. “’Cos what you can’t find you can’t kick the ass of.”
“True.” Oz said, smiling faintly at her choice of words.
“I believe I can help you with that one.” They all turned to look at the man who had just sauntered in.
“Who the hell are you?” Spike said, moving forward slightly. The garishly dressed man put his hands up and laughed.
“Whistler?” Angel said, moving forwards, the man nodded and the smile was replaced by an intent look.
“We need to talk.” Was all he said. Angel nodded slowly and Whistler moved further into the room.
“This is Whistler.” Angel said as the group watched them talk in low voices.
“We’d guessed that brood-boy.” Xander rolled his eyes. “Okay, who wants pizza?” Spikes eyes lit up.
“Me.” Xander looked over at him.
“Okay, but you’re buying.” Spike frowned. “I’ll get some of Amy’s food taste enhancer stuff for you.” Xander said to win him over.
“Deal.” Spike headed out to the car. “Anyone want to join me? Best to leave the two fashion victims alone.”
“Hey! This is a nifty little combo I’ll have you know.” Whistler said in an outraged tone.
“Yeah, maybe in the 70’s, barely.” Cordelia said as she stalked past the two.
“Cordy’s right, it just screams ‘I got dressed in the dark today’.” Amy said as she followed her friend out of the room.
“I think you look…..brave.” Willow said as she hurried out of the room.
“Brave? I think that remark was the most insulting.” Whistler mused, then he shook his head and turned back to Angel.
“I have a message from my superiors.” Whistler glanced up at the ceiling, and drew in a deep breath. Angel readied himself for a longwinded speech.
“The bad guys are three miles out of town, at an abandoned mineshaft.” He paused, and Angel frowned.
“Is that it?” Whistler smiled at the bemused vampire.
“Nope. The mineshaft is a trap, you go there and you’ll be ambushed. The real baddies are at the Hellmouth.” Angel glared at him.
“Why couldn’t you have said that to start with?” Whistler looked shocked at the suggestion.
“What, miss an opportunity to heighten the dramatic atmosphere? I think not buddy of mine.” The two men smiled at each other. “Well, good luck. I’ll be rooting for you.”
“You’re not coming?” Whistler smiled patiently at him.
“I’ll give it a miss if you don’t mind. Besides, I think I left my oven on, I’d best go check.” Angel rolled his eyes and Whistler grinned then headed out.
“Good luck, and remember, don’t get killed.” With that last remark he was gone. Angel thought for a few moments, then headed out the room to find everyone and inform them that the plan was good to go.
Outside Sunnydale High……
“This is it.” Amy said to Willow, who was gazing worriedly at the large building in front of them.
“Yup.” She replied. Xander sighed, and the two turned to him.
“You know how I always said that knowing my luck I’d die on school grounds and be forced to haunt the place for the rest of my pathetically miserable existence?” Willow and Amy smiled, and Cordelia rolled her eyes.
“You won’t have to die to be stuck here forever Xander, you’ll just never graduate.” She smiled sweetly at him and he got that kicked puppy look. Everyone smiled slightly, the tension easing a little.
“There’s the Cordy we know and love….to hate.” He replied after no-one made a move to defend him.
“Well, come on. No use putting it off is there? Strike while the metal’s hot, and therefore infinitely more painful.” Spike started forward enthusiastically, the rest of the gang groaned and started after him. As the gang walked up the main steps they split into two groups.
Angel, Angelus, Faith, Amy, Willow, Dru and Spike turned left and headed towards the gym. Red, Liam, Giles, Christine, Oz, Xander and Cordelia headed right.
Angelus turned to Angel. “Well, I’d say our package should be arriving around about now.” He grinned evilly, a smirk which was returned by his souled counter-part.
“Will you two poof’s stop grinning idiotically, we’re nearly there.” Spike said to his sires, who frowned at him.
“We’ll set up here.”
Willow said as she looked around the Gym. Everyone went about their assigned
tasks silently, not wanting to think of or speak of the battle about to
commence.
End Part 34
Meanwhile……
“Are they here yet? They should be here by now. Do you think they know it’s a trap?” The short man looked around nervously at the men around him.
“Shut up, I can here something.” The mercenary’s leader glared at the pathetic man who was cowering in the corner of the shack. He spoke into his walkie-talkie. “On my signal.” He waited for a minute. “GO GO GO!”
Men surged from numerous hiding places and charged at the incoming force. The incoming force that was comprised of more than thirty vampires.
For the next few minutes all that could be heard was screaming, swearing, and bones snapping. Soon the only one’s left were the leader of the soldiers and the sniveling man.
“You aren’t who you were supposed to be.” The soldier said, back ramrod straight, facing down the vampire leader.
“No. We’re not. I have a message from Angelus though, who I believe you were waiting for.” The soldier nodded, and glanced at the crying man in the corner.
“Pathetic.” He said, then he turned back, staring calmly in the face of death.
Meanwhile……
“How long before we go?” Xander whispered to Giles, who glanced at his watch.
“Five minutes.” Was the reply.
Giles glanced around at his team, who were calmly lolling about in the corridor, waiting to move.
“Well, see you on the flip side.” Xander said as Liam and Red silently stalked past them and around the corner. Red smiled at him, then followed her mate.
They stood, backs against the wall, one on each side of the library doors. They exchanged a glance, and Red nodded. As one they charged into the library, Liam went ahead, taking on three of the men who came at them. Red threw herself over the brawling group and headed towards the portal that was just opening.
Something began to emerge, and before it could step through completely Red stabbed it with a small dagger. The thing screamed in pain, but Red was already heading back out at full speed. Liam punched the man he was sparring with then wheeled around, following the vampiress out of the room.
The red haired man came out of Giles’ office. “Follow them, get the dagger. Blood controls you idiots.” He explained at their uncomprehending looks. They headed out of the library and turned, at the top of the corridor a group of seven people stood, smiling at them.
Suddenly the group split up and took off in different directions. “Which one has the dagger?” A blonde man said.
Another shrugged and said, “Follow them all.” They ran after the fleeing people, splitting up when they came to the end of the corridor.
Three Minutes Later……
“Catch.” Oz shouted as he flung the dagger at the waiting group. Amy slowed it down and floated it into the middle of the circle.
Faith raised her crossbow. “Duck!” She shouted at the werewolf, who lurched forward into a roll as she released the trigger.
The man behind Oz toppled backwards, his arm still raised with a knife clenched in his hand. Oz looked at the dead man, an arrow sticking out of his chest directly above his heart.
“Good shot.” He said to Faith, who shrugged.
“Reflex.” She smiled at him, then turned back to Willow and nodded. Willow raised her arms and began to chant.
Oz picked up a crossbow from the pile, a handful of arrows and a wicked looking sword. He climbed the bleachers and aimed the crossbow at the door, waiting.
As Willow and the others chanted Xander barreled through the door, closely followed by Red and Christine. “Incoming!” He yelled as the two humans headed for the weaponry.
Oz picked off one that came through the door, and Red kicked one back into the third whilst he reloaded. Xander joined Red in the fray with a heavy club, and Christine shot one with the tranquilizer gun.
A few moments later saw Red and Xander pulling the inert bodies to one side of the gym, whilst Christine joined Oz with a crossbow of her very own. Suddenly a group of ten men hurtled through the gym doors, Red and Xander leapt at them. Just then Giles and Liam ran into the gym, and flung themselves into the battle.
At the middle of the brawl the red haired man looked up and saw the chanting group, led by Willow.
“NO!” He screamed, then ran forward, gun in hand. Willow glanced up and saw him heading straight for her, gun at the ready, Red close behind him.
Suddenly he veered left and the chasing vampiress, unable to slowdown, barreled straight into Spike. The man brought the gun up and pointed it at Amy.
“I promised you a death.” He said, and squeezed the trigger. Amy’s eyes went wide, and she glanced down at the blood streaming down her shirt.
Angelus roared in anguish and dove at the triumphant man, without any ceremony he broke his hand, then snapped his neck. He turned around slowly, in time to see Amy crumple to the ground.
He ran over and crouched by her side.
“Amy, Amy, no, don’t leave me. AMY!” She gasped and shuddered, her eyes closing slowly. She took one last breath, then silence.
“Amy.” Angelus whispered quietly, and gathered her small body into his arms, rocking her back and forth, a single blood tear trickling slowly down his face.
End Part 35
At the other end of the gym the fight was over. Xander, Liam and Giles walked over to the group, everyone was silent. Just then Cordelia came running in.
“I lost them, finally. Sheesh, that was worse than trying to avoid freshman who think they’re god’s gift, I mean come on, do they really think I’ll actually…..” She trailed off. “Badness.” She said, taking a deep breath.
“Alright, out of the way people, nothing to see.” She barreled through to Angelus, who was holding Amy’s rapidly cooling body.
“Dru?” She looked over at the vampiress who was quickly rooting through one of the weapons bags. The vampiress threw a plastic bag over and Cordelia for once showed some hand eye co-ordination and actually managed to catch it.
She glanced down at Angelus. “Fang face.” She said, and he looked up, startled. “You wanna get out of the way?” He growled at her and she rolled her eyes. “Trust me, if you love Amy then trust me.”
Angelus glanced down at the body he held in his arms, then he nodded slowly. Placing Amy’s body on the floor gently he backed away, watching the brunette as she sprinkled some foul smelling herbs on Amy’s chest wound. Dru made her way over and crouched down on the other side of Amy, and the two women clasped hands over their fallen friends body.
Slowly, and as one they began to chant in Latin, gradually increasing speed until a white light began to emanate from their clasped hands. Suddenly, a bolt of light shot from their hands to Amy’s chest, and the blonde witch arched upwards, gasped and then collapsed back to the floor.
Everyone was silent, straining their ears. Amy drew in a deep breath, and exhaled slowly, her eyes opened and she swallowed.
“Now that’s what I call an experience.” She smiled slightly, Dru and Cordy smiled in relief and sat back. Angelus rushed forward and Dru moved back quickly before he could stand on her.
“You’re alive, you’re alright, you’re alive, he killed you, but you’re okay now….you are okay now?” He moved back slightly and moved his hand to where the wound had been.
“Not in public honey.” Amy said, blushing slightly whilst grabbing his hand as it wandered around her top, trying to find the bullet hole.
“How’d you know?” Oz asked as Angelus pulled Amy into another relieved bear hug.
Cordelia turned around. “Vision Vamp over there had a feeling that someone was going to be killed dead, so Amy, Dru and I worked out a little spell in case she was right.” She smiled at Amy, whose circulation was about to be cut off by an overenthusiastic boyfriend. “Which she was.” She finished.
Angelus looked over at Dru, who had moved around to help Cordelia up. “Thank you.” He said, before glancing back at the top of Amy’s head which was all he could see. Amy closed her eye’s and took a deep breath, then pulled back.
“Okay, let’s get this NC-17 show on the road.” Angelus helped her to her feet, and they made their way back to the circle. Willow hurried over and closed the circle, stopping by Amy she gave her a quick hug.
“You scared me.” She said, smiling. Amy grinned.
“I scared myself.” They smiled at each other, then Willow headed back to her place.
“Alright. Good. Everyone’s good. We can go now.” She took a deep breath and began to chant.
“So, what do we do now?” Xander asked Giles, who was talking to Christine. The librarian looked over at him.
“Well, I guess we should wait to pick off any stragglers.” Xander nodded.
“Do we have to pick off any large, slimy, evil things?” Giles frowned and looked over at Cordelia, who had a worried look on her face.
“Twelve O’clock.” She continued, Giles turned and faced the wall. Cordelia rolled her eyes, and sighed. “Idiot, your other twelve.” Giles spun round 180 degrees, and his worried look then matched Cordy’s.
“Oh dear.” Christine sighed at his typical British understatement.
“That’s one way of putting it.” She said exasperatedly, forgetting that she too was prone to the same understatement at times.
“Kay, whadda we do?” Xander asked gesturing with his hands in a very Italian manner, Giles had no response.
“Stall it.” Liam said after a moments hesitation.
“Good plan, Cordy, go talk at it about moisturizers like you do with me sometimes.” He turned to the rest of the group and stage whispered. “Always makes me run away.” Cordelia glared at him, then whacked him on the arm.
“Now now, little birds in their nests agree.” Red smirked at the two, and Liam looked over at her in surprise. She blushed slightly, which in vampiric terms would equate to acute embarrassment. “I read it when I was human, alright. Stop pushing!” Liam smiled at her very obvious discomfort.
“Whatever we’re going to do we should do quickly.” Oz said after nobody made a move. The creature was nearly at the gym doors.
“How the hell are we supposed to stall that thing?” Xander asked the group in general as they picked up the last of the weaponry.
“Carefully.” Oz replied, hefting a rather nifty looking battle axe.
“Watch it!” Red exclaimed, leaning backwards. Oz smiled at her apologetically, then they all started forward.
“Just for the record, our lives slash un-lives suck.” Cordelia said, picking up a short sword, and then brandishing it clumsily in the creatures general direction. Liam jumped back out of the way and exchanged an understanding glance with Red. Then he went over and joined her, keeping well away from Cordelia, and in general the humans with the pointy/swipey instruments of death.
“Hey there, ugly guy, yeah I’m talking to you.” Xander glared at the creature that had now turned in his direction. “Yeah, I’m talking to you, who else in here is that butt ugly?” The creature glared at him disdainfully then resumed it’s slow walk towards Willow and the others.
“Well, I guess that means any insults from Cordy’s corner would result in a fat load of nada also.” Xander said under his breath.
“We could stab it a few times.” Oz contributed.
“Works for me.” Red replied, and the two of them circled around behind the creature. “Now!” The two of them rushed it, suddenly they were flying backwards. They finally came to a complete stop after skidding along the floor for about ten feet.
“Can we do it again?” Red said, her voice filled with a sort of childish glee.
Oz looked at her funny, then got to his feet and glanced at the remaining members of the Scooby gang who were trying desperately to slow the creature down yet not become killed by it in the process. “Help them. Back soon.”
He said to the vampire clambering to her feet beside him as he rushed out of the gym. She looked in the direction he had gone, a frown on her face.
“Easy for you to say.” She sighed, then ran towards the others.
Meanwhile……
Oz hurtled down the corridor, heading for the library, passing the library, continuing down the hallway, turning, skidding to a stop.
He smashed his hand through the glass and grabbed the fire axe. Then he continued running, finally he came to a stop outside the principals office. A few minutes later he’d hacked through the door and was into the desk.
After a few moments he was triumphant [although his facial expression did not express this triumphantness], and he headed out of the office with the keys. He then headed back to the gym, stopping at the lost and found closet on the way.
“I hope Jimmy’s parents forgot to pick up his bag.” He said as he rummaged around. After a moment or two he found what he was looking for. He then headed back to the gym, bag in hand, rummaging through it as he ran, throwing stuff out that was un-needed, and leaving a breadcrumb trail for anyone to follow.
Fortunately at this point there wasn’t anybody left in the bad guy camp to follow it.
End Part 36
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