Willow and Angel walked alone, holding hands, with Cordelia walking
several steps in front of them. They were on the way to Giles's
apartment,
ready for the reunion. Angel tensed as he sensed a presence in
front of
them.
"Well, well, if it isn't the poof and his harem," Spike said,
sauntering
out from behind some bushes. "Spike." Angel's voice held a masked
warning for him to watch his tone.
"Peaches." Spike cast an appreciative glance over Cordelia before
returning
his gaze to Angel and Willow. "What do you want?" Angel pulled
Willow closer to him, then motioned for
Cordelia to get behind him.
"Very protective," Spike replied, smirking. "You forget about
my
little... problem?"
"The chip? No." Angel kept the girls behind him. "Remember
that I know
you well, Spike. That means I don't trust you."
"I'm hurt. My own sire, and he doesn't trust me." Spike
spoke around Angel
to both Willow and Cordelia. "That's harsh, don't you think?"
He appealed.
"Well..." Willow began, before seeing the looks she got from both
Angel and
Cordelia. "I was only going to say that he's neutered."
Willow protested.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that." Spike grinned at her, lasciviously.
"How about you two leave ol' peaches here and experience a real vampire?"
"Spike." Angel growled this time.
"Can't blame a man for trying." Spike shrugged.
"What do you want?" Angel repeated his earlier question.
"I was just getting away from the Slayer, mate. "
"Why? She finally gonna stake you?" Willow emerged from behind Angel.
"Not likely. All she does these days is sigh and moan, and bitch
about you
two." Spike pointed to Willow and Angel.
"Where are you escaping from?" Cordelia decided that Spike was
no longer a
threat, so she shrugged off Angel's protection as well.
"The watcher's place." The four of them resumed walking once again.
"She's at Giles'?" Willow looked at Angel, and he gave her a sad half smile.
"She was going to patrol, but the moron let slip about you two coming."
He
turned to Cordelia. "Didn't say anything about you, though,"
He gave her a
secretive smile.
"Xander told her? He promised he wouldn't." Willow felt
disheartened.
Nothing was going right.
"I don't think it was intentional." Spike replied, returning his
attention
to Willow and Angel. "His girlfriend was asking why they couldn't
go have
sex. I suppose he had to tell her something."
"Well, that does sound like Anya." Willow conceded, feeling a
bit more
charitable towards Xander.
"Well, thanks for the warning, Spike, you can go now." Angel's tone was cold.
"Not bloody likely." Spike continued walking with them.
"I want to see
this."
"That's what I said." Cordelia informed him.
"Got to get my jollies somehow." Spike gave her a smile.
"What better than
seeing the Slayer all upset?"
"You're evil." Cordelia giggled.
"I'm glad someone recognizes that." Spike and Cordelia increased
their pace
slightly, drawing away from Willow and Angel.
"What's all that about?" Willow looked up at Angel.
"I have no idea." Angel sped up slightly as they neared Giles's
apartment.
"I'm not sure I want to know, either."