Part 4

"Hey, where did the two of you disappear to last night," Willow asked as
she entered Angel's office from the elevator. She noticed Cordelia and
Spike, sitting very close together and grinned at the happiness on her
friends' faces.
"Went and had some dinner," Cordelia replied. Willow could tell that there
was more than just dinner involved.
"And what else?" She prodded. Cordelia blushed while Spike's grin got
impossibly larger.
"None of your business, Red," he told the witch. "And what exactly are you
doing coming up in the middle of the afternoon from Angel's apartment?"
Spike said, enjoying the sudden discomfort on Willow's face.
"None of your business, blondie," repeating Spike's words. "Let's just say
that we did a bit of celebrating last night and didn't get to sleep until
real late."
"I bet," Spike said smugly, glad to see the happiness on her face. He knew
how long she had been in love with his sire, just unwilling to do anything
for fear of ruining their friendship. That and the fact that she thought he
had still been in love with that idiot Slayer. Just the thought of Angel
with Buffy was enough to send shivers down Spike's spine. "So where exactly
is Peaches?"
"Taking a shower."
"Alone?" Spike teased. "Don't you think that you should conserve water and
all. I mean, this is a desert." Willow slapped the blonde vampire
playfully at his continued teasing.
"Spike, behave yourself or I'll have to tell Cordelia some of the things
you were saying you would like to do with her, and I'm not talking in the
bedroom" Willow shot back.
"You wouldn't dare." Willow looked over at him. "Bloody hell, you would.
Fine I'll behave, but no promises as to how I'll behave."
"Hey, wait a minute," Cordelia countered, "you can't leave me hanging like
that. What type of things has he been saying?"
"Can't tell ya Cordy, unless Spike does something he shouldn't," Willow
told her. Cordelia pouted. "Oh, cheer up. Knowing Spike, I'll be able to
tell you by dinner."
"If I didn't have this damn implant I would,"
"You would what?" Angel asked as he came up the stairs. He walked over to
Willow and placed a kiss on her lips. Spike and Cordelia grinned at the
pair. "Spike, are you being a good boy for your new mother?" Willow
giggled at Angel's comment.
"Yes, daddy," Spike grumbled. "Sorry mum." Spike's apology was deflated by
the smile that was on his face.
"Forgiven son," she answered back. The four people in the room started
laughing just as Faith and Wesley entered the office.
"Okay,.so apparently we missed something," Faith commented.
"Nothing really," Willow told them.
"Just introducing Spike to his new mother," Angel added, making everyone
laugh again, including the two new arrivals.
"Works for me," Faith said, before getting down to business. "But, I'll
have you four know that while you were busy playing let's have a
relationship, Wes and I have been trying to get some information on those
murders that Kate has been telling us about."
"What did you find out?" Angel asked, turning serious. "Is it a demon?"
"Yes and no," Wesley answered. The others in the office looked at him for
an explanation. "Apparently the murders are being committed by regular
humans, but the reason for them appears to be because of an emotion demon
called a Wamatta."
"Okay, I'll take strange demon names for a thousand Alec," Cordelia
commented. "What exactly is a Wamatta?"
"It causes people around it to confess and act upon their deepest
emotions," Wesley explained. "It has the ability to make people admit their
desire for someone else, even when they haven't been able to admit them to
themselves. For example. Say there are two people. One has a crush, or is
in love with the other just hasn't been able to say it for one reason or
another. When the Wamatta is around, that person has no choice. It must
tell the other about their feelings."
"And that would be bad because?"
"Well, it isn't only love that someone can admit to. It can also be hate.
Jealousy. Fear. And, remember, that not all parties are willing."
"But how is this thing causing the murders?" Willow asked.
"Well, it appears that in the first murder, the woman had admitted to her
husband that she was in love with another man. Unfortunately for her, her
husband had very violent tendencies. He confronted both his wife and her
would be lover and killed them both. The second case was one of unrequited
love. When the woman turned down numerous advances, the man killed her and
then committed suicide. The other cases are similar in nature.
"So, because this demon is making people say what they are feeling and who
they are feeling them for, it's leading to someone killing one of the
people. But how come it isn't causing more murders," Cordelia questioned.
"Because, not all of the emotions are unfounded," Faith said. "In some
cases, it just makes two people who are in love finally act on those
feelings. Kind of like what has been happening in this office." Faith
grinned at the two couples in the office, who looked away from her.
"You don't think that the demon had something to do with what's been going
on in here, do you?"
"Nope, we tracked it down and found out that it's already left LA." Faith
said. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that finally the murders
may have ended. Then Angel saw Faith and Wesley's worried glances and
figured that there had to be more than what they were saying.
"Do you know where it was heading?" He asked them.
"Where do all things that are demony and in California like to head?" The
brunette slayer answered.
"Bloody hell, Sunnydale," Spike exclaimed.
"Maybe we should call Giles and let him know," Willow suggested. "Give him
a heads up so that he could have Buffy and the Initiative kill it."
"That would be a good idea, but I also think we better head down there
ourselves," Angel told everyone. "They won't know what they are looking
for, and so far, Wes and Faith have the best ideas. I'll understand if some
of you don't want to come with me."
"You know I will come," Willow replied.
"Count me in," Cordelia added.
"Guess that means I'll be joining you," commented Spike.
"I'm in," Wesley chimed. All heads turned to Faith.
"Faith, I'll understand you now wanting to join us," Willow told the girl.
"I mean, Sunnydale, not exactly home to a lot of pleasant memories for you.
And Buffy is not one of your biggest fans."
"Tell me about it," Faith groaned. "But, she'll have to deal with me. I
mean, I can't move on to the future if I don't take care of the past. Isn't
that what Angel is always trying to tell me?"
"It is," Angel said. "And we'll be there with you."
"Thanks," Faith grinned. "Well then, pack your bags. It's gonna be a
bumpy ride. We are Sunnydale bound."
 

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