Website: http://www.geocities.com/leslie32935
Rating: R
Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters. I am just borrowing them for a bit of fun. Joss owns everything BtVS and AtS.
Pairing: Willow/Angel, Gwen/Wesley
Summary: Willow and Gwen go head to head with the Fang Gang in the protection of an ancient artifact
Distribution: List archives and if you already have my fiction you can have this one if you want it, anyone else just ask and it's yours.
Feedback: Always welcome.
Spoilers: For Buffy and Angel - current season, though this is set in the future with both big bads defeated.
A/N: This is an AU fic set in my own little world. Conner and Cordelia left to raise their family but they still keep in touch. :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~Part: 1~
Two slim black clad figures dart along the rooftops blending with the night. With a final leap they reach their destination and like a well-oiled machine they work in perfect synchronicity. Gwen pulls off her glove as she walks over to the fuse box just inside the rooftop door.
While Gwen is disabling the electronics Willow carefully opens the skylight and sprinkles the ingredients for the spell. Saying the incantation she watches as the magickal barriers dissolve and the lights go out.
Willow smiles over at Gwen as she hands her the harness, "What a team!"
Gwen makes sure she has her inhibitor bracelet on before she lets Willow adjust the harness. Gwen smiles at the memory of Willow's first testing of the inhibitor she developed. Willow hadn't needed a perm for three weeks.
"What's so funny?" Willow asks as she sees Gwen's smile.
"Nothing. Just remembering the first time you tested the inhibitor."
"Oh very nice. Make fun of the frizzy haired girl."
While Willow adjusted the harness she didn't see the smile slip from Gwen's face. "You know I would never hurt you right?"
Willow stopped what she was doing and looked into her friend's concerned face. Willow gently touched Gwen's arm, "I trust you with my life and I know that you would never intentionally hurt me. Now stop being all Angel and let's go make some money."
Gwen rolled her eyes, "God, please tell me I'm not that bad?!"
Willow giggled as she hooked her up to the pulley and anchored the rope. "No comment."
Gwen silently lowered herself down into the room. Their client was a multimillionaire that had a private collection of antiquities. He had hired them to test his security system. If they proved it could be done they were to be paid six hundred thousand but if they were caught they were paid nothing. Gwen hated to do a job for free.
She hit the release switch and stepped out of the harness but onto a chair. Their research showed that there were weight sensors in the floor. Gwen hadn't wanted to cheat by taking those out as well. Her ability to manipulate electricity and Willow's magickal ability gave them the advantage over other security companies but they never used their ability in a way that couldn't have been done by other methods. The weight sensors were too sophisticated to bypass so they dealt with it.
Willow watched from above as Gwen leapt from furniture to furniture and made her way over to the wall safe. When Gwen was ready Willow tossed down a little plastique to blow. Lighting the short fuse she waited impatiently for the door to swing open.
Voila! Worked every time. Taking an object out and replacing it with their bill Gwen leapt back to the harness and gave Willow the signal to start the pulley.
Gwen didn't bother with the harness she just grabbed the rope and let it carry her up. When she was close enough she whistled and tossed the small statue at Willow who grabbed it with a grin.
"Couldn't resist?"
"Well I figured if I just left the bill in there he could claim we somehow put it in there before we ever left BUT if I took something he couldn't say we weren't there."
"Of course the fact that Angel tried and failed before us has nothing to do with it?"
"Oh it does. Makes it all the sweeter." Gwen said with a smirk. "Now let's go meet our other client."
~~~~
The sound of the front door opening brought Angel's head up. An elderly gentleman entered and looked around.
"Can we help you?" Fred asked from behind the counter.
The man looked down at a card in his hand, "I'm looking for Wesley."
Fred noticed that he had one of the older cards from when Angel was dealing with Darla. Wesley stepped out from the office in the back, "I'm Wesley."
"I'm Henri Buckley, the curator at the Los Angeles Museum and recently we had a break in. Something was stolen out of the antiquities room."
"Why come to us? Why not go to the police?"
"We did but there were some things I couldn't tell them. I was told you have experience with the supernatural."
Angel's lips quirked, "You could say that. What was stolen?"
"The Amulet of Hebe"
Wesley stiffened. "You had something like that in your museum?"
"Actually until it was stolen we had no idea what it's real purpose was."
"And for those of us just joining you what does this thing do?" Gunn asked.
Wesley went into lecture mode, a role he had almost forgotten.
"Hebe is the Goddess of Eternal Youth. It is said whoever wears this amulet would never grow old and are granted eternal youth. It's where the legend of the Fountain of Youth came from."
"So you're saying that if someone is old it makes them young again?"
"That's the myth."
"It was found on a dig in Greece and we just thought it was a burial gift. We couldn't figure out why it was stolen. It didn't really have a lot of monetary value. Contrary to popular belief not all antiques are valuable. It wasn't until Jeffrey found a manuscript that described the amulet and the mystical qualities that it is believed to have that I understood why it was stolen."
"I still don't understand why the police can't help you. They have more resources than we do. Even if they think it is just an ordinary antique."
"I believe it was stolen by a private collector. One that is extremely wealthy and has a reputation for not caring where his antiques come from. I can't prove he stole it. The police have to wait for evidence and search warrants whereas you don't have those restrictions."
"Well, if this dude does have it, just wait until he slips it on and he gets young again. I mean it's gotta be obvious that he stole the thing after that." Gunn said.
"He doesn't want it for the eternal youth, though that probably will come into play later. He's a collector of beautiful and unique things. If they have a mystical quality to them all the better. He will keep it for himself to admire and gloat over with the other private collectors."
"And think what would happen if that got into the wrong hands." Wesley pointed out. "Think about if someone like Hitler had an eternal youth amulet? We can't risk it." Wesley turned to the gentleman. "We'll take the job."
He shook Wesley's hand and smiled at the others. "Thank you so much. I'll messenger over all that we have on the amulet and my suspicions in the morning. I can't thank you enough."
They waited until Mr. Buckley left before Gunn turned to Wesley.
"I still don't get why us. There are private investigators all over LA. It's not like we have to travel to a demon realm or kill a Gronsolk demon or anything else mystical. It's just a hunk of jewelry with a reputation."
Angel thought back to when Buffy had sent him the Gem of Amarrah. This was too powerful a temptation to be given to one person.
"I'm with Wesley on this one. It's too much of a temptation for anyone. I think we should get it back but not risk it going to anyone else."
"Are you saying we should destroy it when we get it?"
"Or put it someplace where it won't do any damage."
~~~~~~~
Jeffrey Diemer looked up when the front door opened and the man that had introduced himself as Mr. Buckley entered.
"They fall for it?"
"Yep. Did yours?"
"Yeah. It took a lot of convincing though. Those two ladies don't trust anyone or anything."
"But they'll do it?"
"Yeah, yeah. They'll do it."
"Excellent. If Angel and his team or Gwen and her partner can't find the amulet it can't be found."
Henri Buckley handed Jeffrey a champagne glass.
"Here's to Eternal Youth."
~Part: 2~
Willow sat hunched over her laptop. There was something about that Jeffrey guy that she just didn't trust. Not that he was a demon or evil or anything for his aura hadn't been black but just something about him didn't ring true. So, here she sat prying into his accounts.
Gwen came up to stand behind her. "Anything yet?"
"Nope, everything checks out. So far."
"Well if there's anything to find you'll find it."
Just then there was a buzz on the intercom.
"Got it, you keep digging."
Checking the security cameras first Gwen sees that it's a courier. "Yeah?"
"Is this F&G Enterprises?"
"You got em."
"I have a package that needs your signature. From a Mr. Diemer."
Gwen pushes the buzzer and the door swings open. A few minutes later there is a knock on the door and Gwen goes to answer.
The courier stares at Gwen but doesn't say anything.
She leans against the door and just looks at him. Willow looks over her shoulder to see what the silence was about and starts laughing.
"I think you broke him, Gwen."
That brings the courier out of his haze and he blushes a deep red. He hands over a package and the form for her to sign. Without a backward glance and a mumbled thanks Gwen shuts the door and opens the package.
"Must be the stuff that Jeffrey was going to messenger over."
"So who is the mysterious Mr. Bradstreet that's the multimillionaire and private collector?" Willow asked with a smirk. "I wonder if he lives in a gothic mansion set on a hill overlooking a big metropolitan city with a cool car with all sorts of neat gadgets."
Gwen started laughing, "You watch too many superhero movies."
"Kinda hard not to when most of your life you've been friends with people who have super powers. I mean first there was Buffy and Angel, then along comes ElectraGirl."
"Oh ha ha Sabrina."
Willow just smiled and turned back to the laptop.
Gwen leafed through the information but didn't see anything suspicious. She still spent a lot of time dealing on the black market, both human and demon, so if anything looked out of the ordinary she would be able to spot it.
~~~~~
Fred looked up at the sound the front door opening. "Hi, can I help you?"
"Yeah. I have a package for someone at Angel Investigations. Can you sign for it?"
"Sure." Fred took the package and signed the form. "Thanks."
She eagerly opened the package on the way back to her desk. She was very curious about the man that Mr. Buckley thought had the Hebe amulet.
Wesley came down the stairs and noticed Fred intently reading some papers.
"What's that?"
Fred looked up at the sound of Wesley's voice.
"Oh, hi Wesley. It's the stuff from Mr. Buckley."
"So who's the mystery man that Mr. Buckley believes stole the amulet?"
Fred looked down at the papers, " A Mr. Bradstreet. Have you heard of him?"
Wesley tries to concentrate on why that name sounded familiar. Ah yes. When he was investigating Cordelia's disappearance one of his contacts had just finished a job for a George Bradstreet.
"Is it George Bradstreet?"
Fred looks down, "Yep. So you know him?'
"Know who?" Gunn asks as he joins them.
"Wesley thinks he may have heard of the guy that has the Hebe amulet."
"So who is he?"
"When I was gathering information on Cordelia's disappearance one of my contacts had just finished a job for him. He's fairly reclusive, likes to collect objects with mystical reputations not caring about price or how he gets it and he has a penchant for all things beautiful."
Angel entered the lobby just as Wesley was finishing, "So his security for his objects must be tight."
"One would assume so but I don't know details."
"We'll get details."
"Umm, shouldn't we find out if he has it first?" Fred asked.
"Well if you want to be all logical." Gunn teased.
"Okay, Fred you see what you can find out about George Bradsteet. Gunn and I will find out what we can about his security."
"What am I to do?" Wesley asked.
"You, Mr. Wyndham-Price, are going to be a very exclusive private collector. Since this guy seems to want to brag to other private collectors you get to be the guy he brags to."
"Right."
~~~~
Willow jumped up with excitement. "I found something. Well nothing exciting but something suspicious. Jeff seems to have a hidden account and someone is making large deposits in his account the first of every month. The money is transferred from a Bahamian bank but ultimately it's from Switzerland."
"Blackmail?"
"If so it's a hefty secret. The deposits are six figures. Like something a collector would pay. Why would someone that makes deals for private collectors need money every first of the month? I can't imagine him letting his clients only pay the first of the month or that his jobs are only at that time."
"So you think that Jeff wants us to steal from George only to have it himself. Not that it belonged to him in the first place?"
"Well if not for him than to steal for someone. The person paying him I would guess."
"Well how are we gonna figure out who owns what legally? It's not like Jeff would tell us and if we refuse this job he'd only get someone else."
"Are we even sure that Bradstreet has the amulet?"
"Not sure about the amulet but I have a contact and he said that Bradstreet bragged to him that he had a new acquisition and it was about the right time frame."
Willow began to pace, a plan forming in her mind. "Okay. How about we prove to Mr. Bradstreet that his security needs refurbishing?"
"Like the Lancaster job? That'll probably work."
"Yeah. Find the security flaws, leave a note detailing them and if he wants to hire the best there is to retool it he should hire us."
"We'll decline Jeff's kind offer and guard the amulet from whoever comes to steal it. In the mean time you'll keep digging to see who really owns what and we'll decide from there."
"Sounds like a plan."
~~~~
Jeff slammed down the phone in frustration.
"What?"
"Dammit. Gwen and her partner declined the kind offer and are returning the money with the information."
"Why? I thought you said they fell for it."
"They did but it seems they got a bigger and better job offer. When their job is complete they'll call and if I still need their services they'll do it."
"Not a problem. That will give Angel Investigations time to find it on their own and if they haven't found it by the time Gwen calls we'll just get rid of Angel's team and use Gwen."
~Part: 3~
Willow smiled as she hung up the phone. The mysterious Mr. Bradstreet had taken the bait. He was impressed with F&G Enterprises. If they could get past his new security system they had to be the best.
Willow turned to Gwen, "George was very impressed with the ransom note."
Gwen smirked. She had taken a small statue of a jaguar that had emeralds for eyes. In its place she had left a ransom note detailing how he could get it back.
"I take it we have a new job."
"Yep, Freaks and Geeks Enterprises have been hired to retool his security system. He hinted that if we do it successfully he'll hire us for his more private collection where I'm sure the amulet is."
"Hook, line and sinker." Gwen raised her gloveless hand and slapped Willow's in a high five.
Willow grinned at her friend. The slight tingling she still received tickled. "He's giving a party tonight and we're to meet with him there. He also said don't forget to bring the jaguar."
~~~
"Wes don't you look spiffy." Gunn's lips quirked as he watched Wesley coming down the stairs.
"Actually I was going for bored dilettante."
"Well you look like a spiffy dressed dilettante. Bradstreet's party is tonight?"
Before Wesley could answer, the door to the office opened and Angel stepped out. "Change in plans, I'm going with you tonight."
"What happened?"
"Seems Mr. Bradstreet has hired a new security consultant."
"So? Why would that make you go with Wes tonight?"
"F&G Enterprises have been hired to retool Bradstreet's security system."
"Huh, what are the odds?"
"My thoughts exactly."
Fred joined in the conversation, "You think they're involved?"
"Not they, she. I wouldn't put it passed Gwen to have an ulterior motive and not tell Willow."
"What could be her ulterior motive, Angel? I really don't see Gwen having a desire to live forever young."
"No but what better target for a thief than to steal a rare and mystical amulet from a man that is rumored to be fanatical about his security."
"That sounds like Gwen."
~~~~
The limousine followed a long line of other limousines into the driveway of the mansion. Being with Gwen and their clientele, Willow was getting used to this treatment. She still felt like the ugly duckling in among the swans but she wasn't as uncomfortable as she had been at the beginning.
Gwen watched Willow, fascinated with the change that came over her friend when the valet opened the limousine door. Willow sat straighter and the nervous drumming of her fingers ceased. The nervous Willow was still there, she was just hidden from those that didn't know where to look.
George Bradstreet observed the two women as they walked through his front door. He had heard rumors in both the demon and human communities that there was something extra about them. Word on the street was that Gwen could manipulate electricity and Willow was a witch. George closed his eyes briefly and just felt their power that was crackling in the air around him. He moved silently toward them, toward the latest acquisition of rare and mystical things.
Gwen briefly touched Willow's elbow to get her attention and nod towards the older man that was walking their way. The hazy pictures that Willow could find of the recluse didn't do him justice. Even though he was darkly handsome Willow thought he looked like a gigolo. Pretty on the outside but empty on the inside.
Willow smiled and held out her hand, "I'm Willow and this is Gwen." Gwen nodded and kept her hands to herself.
George reached for Willow's hand but instead of shaking it, he raised it to his lips and lightly kissed her knuckles. It wasn't an unusual greeting but a shiver went down Willow's spine and not a pleasant one. Now that he was closer she could see the hint of madness in his eyes but not anymore than to be expected in a fanatic.
"It is a pleasure to meet with you both." He indicated for them to follow him, "Please follow me. We'll get business out of the way and then you can enjoy the rest of the evening."
He called over his shoulder to Gwen, "I am assuming you brought the jaguar since I paid your ransom."
"It's already back where I took it." Of course it was a beautiful reproduction. She was going to keep the original. It was too good an opportunity to pass up.
George's laughter floated up to the party.
Angel and Wesley entered the foyer just in time to see Willow and Gwen follow who they assumed was George Bradstreet down a hallway. Angel made to follow them when Wesley put a restraining hand on his shoulder.
Angel turned to glare at Wesley who only glared back and indicated the two guards that had stationed themselves at the end of the hallway.
"We already know why Gwen and Willow are here. Just wait until they finish discussing business and return. Make the rounds and see if he's done any bragging yet. We need to take advantage of this time before they blow my cover intentionally or not."
Angel knew Wesley was right but that didn't mean he had to like it. He gave a curt nod and went to work the other side of the room.
Wesley kept looking over at Angel who kept looking over at the hallway. At least his reconnaissance work paid off. After about the fourth boring and banal group he listened to he overheard a jealous collector say that Bradstreet had bragged to him that he had made a recent acquisition that while not the Holy Grail it was just as powerful and rare.
When pressed he admitted it was a necklace but that was all he'd say. People were speculating what it could be and Bradstreet had said they'd know soon enough.
Wesley signaled to Angel to join him outside.
Angel slipped out the patio doors and made sure no one was nearby to overhear their conversation.
"What's up, Wes?"
"Seems our Mr. Bradstreet recently acquired a necklace that is just as powerful and rare as the Holy Grail."
"Well then, I'd say he's got the amulet. We just have to figure out a way to get by Willow and Gwen and steal the amulet back."
"Why not go up to them? I'm sure once Willow knows the story she'll help us."
Angel debated whether he wanted to ask Willow for help or beat Gwen in a game of one-upmanship that they've been playing at for the past couple of years. If he was honest with himself it wasn't until she and Willow had become friends and partners that the one-upmanship started. He couldn't even remember how it had begun.
Angel saw over Wesley's shoulder that Willow and Gwen had rejoined the party.
"They're back, let's go."
Wesley turned to see a circle of admirers had gathered around the two women. "We'd better hurry before they get swept away from us."
Angel narrowed his eyes at the one that was leaning a little too close to Willow.
Willow jumped when she felt a cool hand on her shoulder.
"Geez, Angel. You scared the crap out of me. What are you doing here anyway?"
"Let's dance and I'll explain." Angel looked at the man that had moved ever closer to Willow, "You'll excuse us won't you?"
Angel pulled Willow slightly away from the group.
She turned worried eyes to him, "God, it's not another apocalypse is it?"
Angel mock frowned at her, "Does it always have to be something bad when we get together?"
Willow just gave him a look, "Ninety nine percent of the time, yep."
Angel didn't respond, he just placed his hand at her elbow and escorted her to the dance floor.
Gwen smiled slightly as she watched Angel escort Willow away. She turned toward Wesley, "Divide and conquer? Or wait, I know . . .good cop, bad cop."
"Don't you think Angel could simply want to dance with Willow?"
Gwen started laughing. "Any other creature on this planet . . .yeah I can believe they'd just want to dance with Willow. Angel? Not so much."
Wesley holds out his elbow to Gwen, "Well, shall we join them so mother hen can keep an eye out for her chick?"
"You know, Wes no one likes a smartass."
~Part: 4~
Willow looked up at Angel as they slowly moved to the music. "Okay, Angel. Why did you want me away from Gwen to have this discussion?"
Willow hoped this wasn't yet ANOTHER discussion on how she couldn't really trust Gwen and how Gwen only looked out for Gwen. She wished they would get over whatever competition they were in, it was getting tiring.
Angel heard the weary tone in Willow's voice, "Are you okay?"
"Fine. What did you want to talk to me about if it wasn't an apocalypse?"
Angel sighed, had their relationship come to this? Where Willow thought the only time he sought her out was for help?
"How much do you know about George Bradstreet?"
Willow wrinkled her brow, "Not a lot of course. He's a very private man so there's not a lot of publicity surrounding him." She gave a wry smile, "Not a lot to hack into either. Mr. Bradstreet doesn't leave much of a paper or paperless trail."
"Just...just be very careful, Willow."
"Why? What do you know?"
"Nothing. Just that he likes to collect rare and mystical things and he doesn't really care how he gets them."
"Angel, that describes about ninety percent of the clientele of F&G Enterprises. Don't worry. We know what we're doing."
Angel contemplated telling her about the Hebe amulet but he didn't want her to think the only reason he was concerned was because of his job. Ever since Willow came to LA they had been circling around each other. Neither one quite knowing how to classify the other. They were friends but more. He was attracted to her, he could admit that but he knew Willow didn't see him that way. Sure she had a crush on him in high school but she soon got over that and moved on to Oz and then Tara. There had been a few relationships since Tara both male and female but none lasting long. There was a time that he thought Gwen and Willow were involved but being around them he saw their relationship wasn't sexual.
Willow watched as Angel's emotions played over his features. "Are you all right? I didn't mean to make you brood."
Willow's voice brought him out of his musings, "Sorry, I know you and Gwen can take care of yourselves. It's not that. I just get a feeling from this guy."
Willow's lips quirked, "Vampy sense a tingling?"
Gwen had been listening to the conversation as she and Wesley danced closer, "What are you and Angel up to and don't lie to me Wes. You both should know by now, even if you don't like or trust me, I would never do anything to put Willow in danger. Hell, I like myself too much to put myself in danger."
"It's just that there are rumors about George Bradstreet and his newest acquisition that trouble both Angel and myself."
Gwen wondered how he knew about the amulet. Sure George had been bragging but he was smart enough not to tell too much and he definitely hadn't said anything that should raise their awareness. Time to throw a bone to see if they bite.
"Don't tell me that you believe the rumors about the Hebe amulet, Wes? You know it's a fantasy." With a quirk of her lips she added, "Like the holy grail."
Wes pounced, "So he does have the amulet. You know it's rumored to be stolen from the Los Angeles Museum."
Gwen laughed and Willow turned at the sound, "Wonder what Wes said to make Gwen laugh."
Angel had heard but he wasn't going to tell Willow, "Didn't catch it."
Willow looked at him suspiciously and he put his best innocent look on.
"What are you and Wes doing here?"
"We've recently been hired by an art collector and he wanted us to begin moving in the art circles. So here we are."
"Are Gunn and Fred here too? I didn't see them."
"No, just Wes and me. They're staying in case something comes up." He pat his jacket pocket, "I have my cell phone just in case."
Willow beamed, "Angel! Welcome to the 21st century. I can't even get Giles to carry a cell phone."
Angel smiled down at her. The music stopped and he started to escort her outside. Willow was curious enough to let him lead her away from Gwen and Wes.
Gwen narrowed her eyes as Angel walked Willow away, "What is he up to, Wes?"
Wes was distracted, "Hm? Oh Angel probably wants to spend time with Willow. They used to talk a lot when she first came to LA. I think he feels left out since you two became partners."
Gwen had given him something to think about. She wouldn't say why she laughed at his statement that the LA museum was broken into but Wes thought he would investigate it more.
They had taken Mr. Buckley at face value. They should know better but he seemed genuine and he offered to pay and it wasn't an exorbitant price to alert them.
George watched as Willow walked outside with a dark haired man. He had asked around who he was but no one seemed to know. Turning from Willow he watched Gwen leave another admirer staring into space.
George made his way over to where Gwen was talking to an older gentleman. He place a hand on Gwen's covered elbow and said, "If you'll excuse us Jerome. I need to speak with Gwen a moment."
Gwen stiffened at George's touch but didn't say anything. "Should I get Willow?"
George smiled at her but it didn't quite reach his eyes, "No, my dear. This is a conversation just for us."
Gwen's first thought is that he noticed the fake she placed back in his safe. She'd had a contingency plan in case this happened.
He indicated for her to take a seat.
"Are the rumors about you true?"
Gwen watched him coolly. She didn't like nor trust this man but they were determined to keep Jeffrey from the Hebe amulet. With an inward smirk she thought and it wouldn't hurt to bruise his ego by taking it either. "What rumor would that be?"
"That you can manipulate electricity and Willow is a witch."
"Willow is definitely a very powerful witch." Gwen took off her glove and leaned toward George, "Would you like to find out for yourself whether the other rumor is true?"
George stared at her outstretch hand for a minute before chuckling. "No, I believe I'll leave that one to be a mystery."
Gwen smiled and slipped her long glove back on.
"Why the interest in our abilities? Do you have another job for us?"
"I might if you prove yourselves with this one first. I was just curious as to how you got passed my other security."
Gwen narrowed her eyes at him, "Are you suggesting that F&G Enterprises uses unfair advantages? Is that what your ex-security chief is accusing us of?"
George stared coldly at Gwen, "No, he isn't accusing anyone anymore."
She had heard rumors that the chief and his assistant had disappeared last night but that was just talk on the street. But looking into his mad eyes she wasn't so sure.
"Willow and I never use unfair practices. We use a variety of ways to bypass the systems more so than other companies. If your security hadn't had flaws we wouldn't have been able to get in."
He smiled and this time it did reach his eyes, "I thought as much. I always have the best and now it seems I have."
"I'm glad I could reassure you, but tell me. Why did you want to speak to me alone? This was something you could have easily asked us earlier when we were here before."
"Yes, I could have but then I wouldn't have had time to discover the fake jaguar that you handed me earlier."
Gwen smiled and reached into her pocket and handed him another jaguar. This one almost impossible to tell from the original which she still kept.
"No hard feelings. Just wanted to see if you could tell I switched them."
George took the jaguar from her and held it up to the light. It was flawless and the original. He turned back to Gwen, "Just don't do it again. We've tested each other and passed. No need to do so again. Agreed?"
Gwen smiled but it didn't reach her eyes, "Agreed."
~Part: 5~
Angel escorted Willow into the night and towards the small rose garden with a bench in the middle.
After Willow sat down with Angel next to her she smiled and looked up at the stars. "I miss this."
Angel smiled slightly as he looked over at Willow, "Miss what?"
"Us. Sitting out together, talking and looking up at the stars."
Angel leaned his head back against the top of the bench and looked up. "Me, too."
They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes before Willow turned her head to look at Angel. He truly was a creature of the night. Half his face was hidden in the shadows giving him an air of mystery. God he was handsome. She still suffered from her crush and she feared that it was turning into more. She had taken the job with Gwen instead of the job that Angel offered when she first came to LA because she wanted to keep her distance.
She knew Angel didn't feel that way about her and she didn't want him feel awkward around her if he ever discovered how she felt.
Angel turned his head to find Willow looking at him with a serene look on her face. "What are you thinking about?"
You. "Not much. Just thinking about the twists and turns my life has taken."
Angel smiled, "I think my brooding is rubbing off on you."
Willow laughed, "Please tell me I'm not that bad."
Angel mock frowned, "Hey! I've gotten a lot better since the last time you were here."
Willow laughed.
Angel loved to hear the sound of her laughter. It made him smile just listening to it.
"Yeah, I hear you can go a whole hour without brooding now." Willow turned serious, "Why did you really bring me out here, Angel?"
"I do miss just talking to you, Willow. But I did want to talk to you about this new job."
Willow stiffened, here we go again.
Angel laid a hand on Willow's leg. "Wait, here me out okay?"
Willow relaxed a little and then nodded.
"Wesley and I believe that your George Bradstreet stole an amulet from a museum. We were hired by the museum to steal it back."
Willow closed her eyes briefly. "What makes you think George has it? When Gwen and I got this job we didn't see an amulet."
"No, he would be keeping it in his private collection. This is a special amulet."
Willow wanted to see what all Angel knew and why he thought George stole it from a museum.
"What's so special about the amulet? And if it was stolen from the museum why hasn't it been in the papers? I haven't heard of a recent museum break in."
That last question bothered Angel because that doubt had been niggling in the back of his mind as well. The Los Angeles Museum was a small museum compared to others in the area but if a break in had occurred it would have made the papers.
"The only reason it might not be in the papers is the curator probably didn't want the publicity. Wouldn't look good to the board if it was made public that their security was breached. But the police are on it. The museum just didn't want to wait for the police so they hired us."
"Fair enough. But what makes you think that George has it and you still didn't answer my question as to why it's so special."
"He's been bragging lately about his newest acquisition and how it's not the Holy Grail but it's just as special. The Hebe amulet was stolen from the museum."
Willow laughed. This laugh wasn't as smile inducing as her other one. Wesley said the same thing to Gwen to make her laugh what is it about the Hebe amulet being stolen from the museum to make these two laugh?
"Wanna tell me what's so funny?"
"I'm sorry, Angel. Gwen and I were hired to steal the amulet away from Bradstreet because Bradstreet supposedly stole it from his family. They got it through World War Two and not by legal means so of course they couldn't go to the police."
"So you're saying you're here to steal the amulet, too?"
"Oh we were but now we're here to protect it from whoever comes a calling. We politely turned down Jeffrey's request and until I figure out who really owns what Gwen and I are protecting it."
"I just told you who really owns it. Once you're inside you can steal it and we can decide from there what to do."
Willow just looked at Angel like he was an alien. "No, you told me who you believe owns it not who actually owns it. And why don't you want to return it to the museum?"
"Willow, with the power that amulet holds we can't wait around for you to decide. Wesley and I will get that amulet back and we'll decide what to do. It's like the Ring of Amarah, too much power for one person to hold."
"You haven't been in the game of private collecting all that much so you don't know what they're really like. They wouldn't hesitate to lie, steal or sell their mother to get the next big acquisition. You and Wes won't be the only ones trying to get their hands on the amulet."
"All the more reason to get it out of Bradstreet's hands as soon as possible and get rid of it."
Willow looked at him, really looked at him this time. "This isn't another attempt to one up Gwen is it? You aren't trading in on our friendship just so you can beat her are you?"
Angel took Willow's face in his hands and looked her in the eye, "I would never use our friendship to just beat Gwen at her own game. And I hope she wouldn't do the same."
"I'll think about it. I'll talk to the curator of the museum and see what he has to say. I'll let you know. That's all I'll promise."
"That's all I ask." Angel sat forward again and laid his head back on the bench. He took Willow's hand and softly caressed the top of her hand with his thumb, "Still friends?"
Willow smiled as she looked up at the star, "Always."
~Part: 6~
Gwen noticed Willow's foot tapping, which was the only outward sign that she was upset. Though upset would be a pretty mild word for what Willow was feeling at the moment.
Henri Buckley was insisting that there hadn't been a break in at the Los Angeles museum and he certainly never had a Greek amulet that was stolen.
Gwen smiled at the curator and rose to her feet, "Thank you very much for seeing us and I apologize for the inconvenience. Our friend must have been pulling a prank and I'm sorry he used your museum for it."
Henri smiled in return, "That's quite alright. It was a pleasure to meet you both and I'm sorry you were caught up in your friend's idea of a joke."
Gwen's subtle prod brought Willow out of her thoughts and Willow smiled at Henri as she rose, "Thank you for seeing us on such short notice and again I apologize for taking up your time."
"If you would like, I can print out our Greek inventory from the database to show your friend that we never had an amulet."
Gwen noticed the hopeful look in the curator's eyes as he looked at Willow and smiled inwardly, "Willow, why don't you get that list and I'll go run that errand for our client. I should be back in about an hour." Gwen looked over at Willow and winked, "I'm sure you can find something to occupy you for an hour."
"Oh, I'd be happy to show you through the museum if you would like."
Willow smiled brightly at him, "I'd love it."
Henri turned to his computer and brought up the database.
"I'll just walk out with Gwen for a moment and I'll be right back."
Henri nodded and ran the query.
Gwen laughed softly as she and Willow left the office. "Huh, who would have thought that a hottie would be a curator in a museum? Makes me wish I'd have done some museum thefts instead of strictly private ones."
Willow rolled her eyes, "Not too loud or if something goes missing they'll come looking for you."
"Wouldn't mind if Henri came looking but alas he seems to only have eyes for you."
"Maybe I'll take him to another gathering at George's. Introduce him to Angel. I'd love to see the look on Angel's face when he meets Henri and he has no idea who Angel is." Willow began to fume again, "I can't believe Angel would lie about that. I even asked him if this was another one upmanship with you and he denied it. Even thought it was a good idea if I went to see the curator. Did he not think I'd find out about this?"
"I hate to be on the pro-Angel bandwagon and it probably will never happen again but maybe he was fooled, too. Maybe it wasn't the curator that came to see him but someone posing as an assistant or something. You know they never check anything out before taking a job. They just jump right in."
"Maybe, but until this is over or I find out that Angel was tricked, AI is just another private collector trying to get their hands on the amulet."
Gwen's smile broadened, "Does this mean we get to go head to head with Angel? Oh, we are so going to bury their ass."
"I agree with Angel that the amulet is too powerful to be in any one person's hand but that doesn't mean it has to be in Angel's hand. We can dispose of it just as easily."
"This'll be fun. Now, go back to that Mathew McConaughey look alike and have fun. I'll meet you back here in an hour."
~~~~
"A little help, Wes!" Gunn yelled.
Wesley turned with his gun pointed at the Borshot demon and fired.
"Eewww. I really like the new fire power but gotta say that my cleaning bill has gone way up. Not as much goo when you use a sword."
Wesley's lips quirked, "That may be but it gets the job done and at a distance. Don't know why I didn't use a gun before now. No muss no fuss."
Gunn looked down at the demon guts decorating his shirt, "Maybe for you no muss but definite muss on me. So has Angel heard back from Willow yet about the amulet?"
"Not yet and I think he's getting ready to go ahead anyway. He made some inquiries on George Bradstreet and he hasn't shared what he learned. The rumor in the demon community was that his ex-security chief is missing and Bradstreet killed him."
"Dumped him in the ocean or buried in the desert?"
"Most likely but without anything solid to go on I'm afraid it will only be rumors. But I did a little inquiry into him myself. Seems he was questioned and then released after a Wiccan went missing."
"Why question him? Is he into magick?"
"No but he had been in her company for weeks. But it was proven that he was sailing off of Monaco at the time and not anywhere near her."
"Hired gun?"
"Possibly."
Gunn watched Wesley closely. There was something still on his mind. "What's going on in that brain of yours?"
"I did a little search on the Wiccan that was missing. She was head of her coven and purported to be very powerful and very pretty."
"Her body ever found?"
"No, that's the strange thing. All her affairs are still in order. Money still in the bank. The police suspected kidnapping but no ransom was ever left, no demands, no anything. She just went poof."
"I hate to sound all cynical but was she in debt or running from something. You can disappear if you really want to."
"Police looked into that but I have Fred looking into it to see if they missed anything."
"Why the wiggins over this guy?"
"Just a feeling I have, Angel's noncommunication is kind of adding to it. I just keep hearing the same things from my contacts, 'he likes all things mystical and beautiful'. You don't get much more mystical and beautiful than with Gwen and Willow. I'm just concerned."
"You sure it isn't a jealous thing? Bradstreet is supposed to be handsome, you know for an older guy and Angel said he kept taking Gwen aside for private discussions at the party."
Wesley rolled his eyes, "No it's not a jealous thing. Yes, she's beautiful and only someone dead wouldn't be attracted but we don't have that kind of a relationship. If what we have could be called a relationship. More like a friendly adversary."
"Uh huh."
Wesley just ignored him as he tossed Gunn his motorcycle helmet and got on. Thankful that you couldn't hold a conversation on a motorcycle.
~Part: 7~
Fred looked at Angel and Wesley with concern. She had just shared what she learned about the disappearance of the Wiccan. She hadn't found anything that the police overlooked. Peggy had just disappeared off the face of the Earth. No lead, no trail, no ransom, no motive for running. Her coven had even scryed for her and came up empty. She was either dead or not in this dimension. Fred hoped she wasn't in another dimension. Even after all these years of escaping Pylea she still was uncomfortable with dimension hopping.
Fred watched as the muscle ticked in Angel's jaw.
"You okay?"
Visions of the slow tortuous death that awaited George at his hands if he even thought about harming Willow were dancing in his mind. With Fred's question Angel cleared his mind and concentrated on what Fred had said.
"So there was no trace of Peggy and no reason for her to disappear?"
"I checked her financial records and police reports. No sign of outrageous debt and no reports of abuse."
"What was the coven's impression of Bradstreet?"
"According to Terri, Peggy and George were seeing each other. Terri's impression of the relationship was he treated her like a trophy. She even made the comment that Peggy would be his trophy wife. From Terri's description she was pretty and smart. Not what I would call a 'trophy wife'."
Angel growled and Wesley began to pace. "I think Terri might have meant trophy wife in that she would make a nice addition to his collection. Not that he was old and wanted a pretty young thing for a wife."
"Oh. Oh!" Fred jumped up and went to the computer. She began to quickly type and then waited for the connection.
"What is it?"
"In my research I was going under the assumption that Peggy disappeared voluntarily, double-checking the police leads like you asked. I never thought that Terri meant Peggy would literally be a trophy for George. I'm seeing if there are any other unusual disappearances that might be linked."
Wesley's eyes lit, "Of course. The National Crime Database."
Fred smiled back at him but Angel just looked confused, "How is that going to help?"
"I'm going to see if maybe there might be more unsolved disappearances tied to the occult. Then I'll cross-reference those to see if any match up with George. Peggy might not have been the first mystical being he collected as a trophy."
Wes turned angry eyes to Angel, "Or the last."
~~~
Charles hung up the phone with a smile.
"They still think you're the curator?" Jeffrey asked.
"Yes. I managed to convince Gunn that I hadn't told anyone at the Museum of the break-in for fear of news leaking out which is why I insist on no face-to-face meetings at the museum."
"Brilliant. Have they found anything yet?"
"They have confirmed that George does have the amulet. Gunn wouldn't say how they knew, only that they trusted their sources."
"So are they going after it soon?"
"They're being cautious. It seems that George hired new security when his old chief went missing and they are purported to be the best."
"Let's give them two weeks. After that I'll contact Gwen again. She and Willow should be close to finishing their other job and perhaps would have time to do ours. I could always dangle the fact they would be going up against the best security. I don't think Gwen would pass that up."
"Let's just hope one or the other has better luck than the last few did trying to get that statue from George." Charles said pointing to the small African statue.
Jeffrey just shrugged, "Well at least they gave their lives for a great cause." He looked over at a calendar, "It's about time for our next auction. Have the invitations been sent to all dimensions?"
Charles nodded and an evil glint came into his eyes, "Let the bidding begin."
~~~~~
Fred bit her lip and looked from the monitor to where Angel and Wesley waited. This was bad. Really bad news. Nothing could be proven of course and it was just a theory and conjecture but there were three more mysterious disappearances that could be linked to George Bradstreet. Four total.
All beautiful women, all women that had 'special' abilities.
No one knew whether they were dead or alive. They had just vanished. Peggy was the only one to be linked romantically with him though. Martha was an acquaintance that he met in a chat room, Sophia was a fellow collector and Caroline had been an archaeologist that had gotten to an artifact before him. Fred might have thought the last one was plain murder for messing up his plans or jealousy of getting there first except Caroline was also a powerful Wicca and beautiful.
Angel looked up when he heard Fred's rapid heartbeat.
"Find anything?"
She scrunched up her nose, "Nothing that you want to hear."
She told them about the other women.
Wesley asked, "In all four disappearances George had an airtight alibi. The police could do nothing." He turned to Angel, "Why don't you seem too surprised by this?"
"There were rumors in the demon community about George being a very generous employer but none of the demons would talk. Even the threat of Angelus' torture wouldn't get them speaking. This just confirms what I suspected. He's hiring demons and then they go back to their own dimension when the job is finished. No leads to follow."
Fred looked at them, "Do you think they're dead or just trapped somewhere?"
"Not sure but now we have even more of a motive to get the amulet from them. I'll call Willow and also warn her. They need to be aware that they could become the next target."
Angel waited for Willow to pick up and growled in frustration when he only got their answering machine. This really wasn't something you left in a message.
"Hey Willow, this is Angel. Please call me when you get in, it's in regard to Bradstreet. Have you talked to Buckley yet?"
~~~~
Gwen noticed the message light blinking as soon as they got back from setting up George's system. He had been impressed enough with their work that they had been hired to take care of his 'very private' collection. Tomorrow they were to finally see his collection and probably the amulet.
She pointed to the machine and asked Willow, "Answer it or let it wait til tomorrow?"
"Go ahead and listen."
Gwen hit the play button and Angel's voice filled the silence.
'Have you talked to Buckley yet?' Willow mimicked. With narrowed eyes Willow angrily punched in Angel's number.
Gwen just sat back with a smile and waited for the show.
"Angel Investigations."
"Hey Fred, can I talk to Angel?"
"Sure hold on. Angel it's Willow."
"Willow I'm glad you called . . ."
Willow interrupted him, "I didn't call to hear what you had to say about Bradstreet I called to tell you I don't want to hear it. I talked to Buckley and he said nothing was missing that the Museum never even had that amulet. Don't call, don't talk, don't anything." She slammed down the phone.
Angel growled and threw the phone across the lobby.
Wesley, Gunn and Fred didn't speak and didn't move not wanting to be the target of Angel's anger.
"She doesn't want to listen or talk to me? Fine! She can avoid my messages and my phone calls but she can't avoid me. We're breaking into Bradstreet's place tomorrow night. Let's see her avoid me then. I'll get her out of Bradstreet's vision if I have to tie her up and kidnap her."
~Part: 8~
Willow and Gwen followed behind George as he showed them his special collection. Willow tried to keep the look of surprise off her face when he showed them the Hebe amulet. Gwen didn't bother she knew that George would know she coveted it so she let her emotions show.
"It's beautiful."
George looked at both Gwen and Willow. "Yes, very. Would you like to see it close up?"
"Of course." Gwen was practically rubbing her hands together.
Willow was getting the wiggins off of him. Something wasn't quite the same. His aura was changing and the hint of madness in his eyes was becoming more prominent. Willow took the time to walk around pretending to decide how to protect it but she really just needed to get away from his suffocating aura.
Gwen carefully placed her glove on before taking the amulet. Wouldn't do to turn the gorgeous artwork into a melted metal mess. She looked it over carefully calculating if she could make a forgery or just take it and leave a note for the bastard. Gwen didn't like nor trust Bradstreet and it would be fitting to steal from him when he trusted them. She just hadn't made up her mind what to do with the amulet. Keep it or give it to Willow to destroy.
She could always claim that she kept the forgery and gave the original to Willow. Willow would never know unless the amulet gave off an aura of magick that she could feel. Of course being the amulet to the goddess Hebe it probably did. Damn.
As Willow walked around she was captivated by Bradstreet's collection. She gave a wistful smile as she thought of the excitement Giles would get if he had access to this. There was a door in the back that had an equivalent of a magick lock on it. Willow let her senses just feel it and even she couldn't penetrate it. She wondered what was behind there. Must be something big if George put this much of a lock on it.
George watched as Willow walked around his collection room. She would stop every once in a while and tentatively place her hand on the object. He was fascinated to watch that she picked out all the pieces that were linked to Arthur and Merlin. He wondered if it was conscious or on some unconscious level she felt the magick of Avalon in them.
He watched as Willow approached his inner sanctum. He inwardly smirked at the thought of them being there soon. Yes, they will make a nice addition to his very special collection. He was just waiting on the background check on Willow to be complete. He already knew that Gwen didn't have any family that she kept in touch with. According to his report the only person she was close to was Willow. Oh sure, she had acquaintances but no real friends and no one she was close to besides Willow.
Willow was estranged from her parents but they did still keep in touch. Maybe he would have someone forge a letter to them telling them that she would be going away for a while and not be able to communicate.
He already knew she had friends in Sunnydale but she only kept in constant contact with someone called Giles and he lived in England. Her other friends were drifting apart. Mostly due to real life getting in the way rather than lack of friendship. She would be missed but not for a while and by then it'd be too late.
He had discovered that the dark haired man at his party that he had seen with Willow was the vampire, Angel. Or Angelus depending on whom you asked. He was the famous vampire with a soul. Hmmm, maybe he'd make a fine addition to his collection. He'd never thought about starting to collect the male, beautiful and mystical. He had always concentrated on the female mystical.
He was waiting to see if Angel would come looking for Willow. They seemed close at the party but he knew that looks could be deceiving. Of course it might be exciting to go one on one against the famous Angelus for the life of Willow.
He glanced back over at Gwen. According to the report she had no one in her life that would ride to the rescue. Probably because she held herself aloof due to her 'special talent'. She would be very interesting to go up against.
He was just in the planning stages of his plan to acquire Willow and Gwen. It had to be done more carefully than with the others. Gwen's talent with electricity and Willow's magick power were going to be large obstacles to overcome.
He had some of the greatest minds working on an inhibitor that he could inject into Gwen using a tranquilizer gun. He knew he wouldn't be able to get close. He had watched her fight one night when he had sent a demon to attack her. He wanted to see her fighting style and how she used her abilities. He smiled as he remembered the arc of electricity that she had used to kill the demon.
George took the amulet back from Gwen and placed it back in the case. "So do you think you'll be able to improve on the security here as well?"
Willow turned back from the door determined to check more into George Bradstreet.
"Even though your security here is very tight Gwen and I both feel we can improve on it. Just in our preliminary findings we found small holes that we could plug up."
George smiled at her, "Excellent. When do you think you can begin? You know the world of private collecting almost as much as I do. The others won't waste any time on trying to get their hands on my latest prize."
"We just need to go back to the loft and gather a few things but we can begin this afternoon and we'll stay until complete."
"Excellent." George led them back out of the special area and up the stairs. "I'll have Enrico escort you back when you return. I regret I have a meeting that I need to attend out of town."
He was going to the monthly auction that was held in another dimension. He just knew that Jeffery Diemer and his partner Charles were auctioning off the statue that was stolen from him. He wasn't there to bid he was going there to kill. He was tired of the little gnats buzzing around him. He'd stop them once and for all.
Willow sighed a small sigh of relief when George said he wouldn't be there. His aura was still suffocating her and it was hard to be in his presence.
~~~~
Wesley turned to Gunn and Fred. "You'll be all right on your own tonight?"
Gunn looked up from the grappling hook he was packing for Angel. "When have Fred and I not been all right on our own." Gunn held up his hand before Wesley could tick off all the times they'd gotten in trouble. "Lately, I mean."
Wesley just smiled. They had been through so much and come out of the fire with friendship in tact. It had been a tough road for a while but it had worked out in the end.
"We'll be fine, Wesley. The demon activity is strangely quiet tonight. Almost like they were all invited to a party or something." Fred teased Wesley. "You guys be careful. I know Willow and Gwen won't hurt you but that George Bradstreet wouldn't hesitate."
"Do you have the tranq to knock out Gwen and Willow?" Wesley asked Gunn.
"Yep, right here." He held up a couple of small vials. You do know they're going to be spitting mad when they wake up here right?"
"They'll be mad but at least they won't be Bradstreet's latest victims."
Gunn mumbled to Fred, "I so don't want to be here when they wake up. Wanna go to Vegas for the weekend?"
"Think two days will be enough for them to cool down?"
"You're right, how about for a week. We can stay with Lorne I'm sure he'd be glad to see us."
Fred just smiled at Gunn as Angel and Wesley glared at him.
~Part: 9~
Willow checked their equipment one last time before leaving the apartment. She knew Gwen had her inhibitor with her but she wasn't going to wear it. Neither one trusted George and they wanted all their resources available to them in case it was needed.
Something didn't feel right about that back room that Willow had found and none of her research helped her figure out how to get past the magickal lock. She had her computer doing a run on George and Gwen had heard from the street that he had been questioned in a couple of disappearances.
Willow didn't want to make too much of the police questioning. She and Buffy had been brought in a lot of times for questioning and it really didn't mean anything. But coupled with the mojo feelings Angel had they weren't taking chances.
"Ready?"
"Ready." Gwen held up the duplicate of the amulet for Willow to see.
"Wow, Debbie does great work. Especially on such short notice."
Gwen just smiled. No need to tell her that Debbie had been put on alert and had a base piece just waiting for details.
"Yep, she's the best. Do you think George would notice any magickal auras the original has?" Gwen hoped she was subtle in the question.
"No. Only someone powerful would feel that the magick was gone." Willow smiled inwardly. She had no doubt that Gwen was fishing as to whether Willow would be able to tell. Willow never said anything about the things Gwen kept from their jobs as long as she continued to only take from those like Bradstreet.
There was no way she would allow Gwen to keep the original amulet. It was too powerful even for Gwen to keep and it certainly was too powerful a temptation for either her or Angel.
Damn! Willow WOULD be able to tell the difference. Gwen shrugged philosophically. Win some, lose some. At least she'd have the satisfaction of stealing from Bradstreet.
Gwen put the amulet back in its hiding place and followed Willow out of the car.
~~~~
Angel checked their equipment one last time.
"Ready?"
Wesley REALLY wasn't looking forward to this encounter.
"Ready."
Angel grabbed the backpack and jumped the high fence. He waited until he heard the guard dogs approach and threw out the drugged meat. Worked every time.
Angel signaled to Wes that it was all clear. As soon as he saw Wes' darkened form reach the top of the fence Angel ran toward the house moving from shadow to shadow.
Angel smiled as he saw an open basement window. It was small, just large enough for an adult to slip through. It would be a tight fit but they could do it. He waited for Wesley to join him. The floodlights were on and he could hear some of the guards searching the grounds.
Wesley melted out of the shadows and quickly approached Angel. Angel was once again struck by how much Wes had changed since Sunnydale. Only his preternatural hearing and sight allowed him to pick out Wesley among the shadows.
Wesley saw the open window and inwardly shuddered. He really HATED closed in spaces. Oh well, can't be helped. When this was over he was going to get well and truly drunk.
Angel slipped his backpack through the small opening and then followed it down. With a muttered curse Wesley soon followed. He looked back up at the window.
"Just how are we going to lift two unconscious women through that?"
"We're not. I'm hoping his private collection area has a back door or something to use. Places like that usually have a failsafe exit. If not, we'll go out through a door. I had Gunn pack extra tranqs in case they're needed."
Just perfect, Wesley thought. He and Angel were going to carry two unconscious women through a mad man's mansion. Bloody brilliant.
"Can you feel Willow?"
The supernatural left a trail. It was how a Slayer found vampires and how vampires felt other mystical beings. Angel could also feel Gwen slightly because of her abilities.
"They're here but not close by. I feel them but just barely."
"Do you think Gwen has on her inhibitor?" Wesley really wasn't looking forward to this confrontation. Had he mentioned that to Angel? He had seen first hand what both women were capable of and he dreaded being on the receiving end. His hand slipped to where he was holding the tranq gun.
"I don't think so. Her aura feels like it does when she's not wearing it."
And the adventure just gets better.
Angel held up his hand for Wes to stop. He cocked his head to the side listening intently. He could hear footsteps rapidly approaching. He signaled to Wes to step back into the shadows.
"They have to be here somewhere. The cameras picked them up as they came over the fence. They wouldn't have just disappeared."
"I just don't get it. The dogs are trained not to eat from anyone besides Lou. How did they get them to eat the drugged meat?"
"I don't know but did you see that one guy. It was like he flew over the fence."
"Demon?"
"Could be so be prepared for anything."
Angel came up behind the guards and quickly hit their heads together. They slumped unconscious to the floor.
"Huh. Who would have thought that really works? Come on, Wes help me move them over there."
"You know with Gwen and Willow's system they probably have a silent alarm going."
"I checked. Willow and Gwen only did the security for his art collection. He has his own private security staff for the house. I'm thinking there'll be another missing security chief when this is all over."
Wesley put the guards into a room without bothering to lock the door. The guards already knew there were intruders.
Angel quickly moved down the hallway until he came to Bradstreet's office. He figured Bradstreet spent a lot of time here so his collections were probably near by.
"They're close. I feel their signature strongly through that door."
Wes pulled his gun out prepared to fire from a GREAT distance. He knew they would only get one shot before Willow and Gwen could retaliate.
Angel pulled his gun and checked to make sure it was loaded.
He nodded.
Wes opened the door and quickly moved inside.
It was empty.
Oh there were artifacts in it but no Gwen or Willow.
He turned questioning eyes to Angel who just shrugged. "They're here somewhere I can hear their heartbeats."
Gwen and Willow looked at Willow's laptop. They had placed a small camera in the outer room so if the floor sensors were activated they could see who activated them.
"What the hell? What are they doing here?"
Gwen's eyes narrowed as she saw they carried guns. She pointed it out to Willow, "Since when do they carry weapons to steal amulets?"
Willow looked closer and her eyes narrowed in anger. "They're tranq guns. Wonder who they want to put to sleep."
"Give you three guesses."
"I'll just take care of the lights in there. I know Angel will still be able to see but Wesley won't."
Willow tapped a command into the laptop and smiled as the infrared camera took over. She could see Wesley but of course it didn't pick up Angel. No body heat to register.
"Damn, they know we're here."
"You think?"
"Well, no need to be subtle anymore."
Wes pulled out night vision goggles. "Let's find them."
Angel followed the sound of the heartbeats and came to a panel. He lightly knocked and it sounded hollow. The heartbeats and auras were strong here. He felt around the panel for a release catch.
Bingo. He signaled for Wes. No longer would it be a surprise attack they would have to go in guns blazing as it were.
Angel sprung the release and jumped out of the way.
Gwen sent an arch of electricity that barely missed Wes.
Willow mumbled an incantation but before she could finish it Angel fired.
"Fuck." Willow looked down at the dart in her leg. Her eyes rolled up in her head and she slumped to the floor.
Wes wasted no time in firing at Gwen who was busy attacking Angel and trying to get to Willow at the same time.
Gwen felt a prick in her shoulder but she ignored it in her quest to fry Angel. She suddenly felt like she was moving in molasses. Her face was etched in anger as she slumped to the floor.
"Well that went spectacularly bad." Wes looked around for either Gwen's glove or her inhibitor. Even asleep her body still gave off electricity.
Angel grabbed the amulet and saw Gwen's fake. Not knowing which was which he took both. Spying a camera in the corner he faced it.
"You're not getting the amulet and you're not getting them. Deal with it."
"Do you think that's wise to pull the tale of the tiger?"
"Oh I'm hoping he comes after me."
Angel bent down and put Willow's laptop away and picked up her backpack. Once they were in his larger backpack he threw Willow over his shoulder.
"Come on, Wes."
"Well pardon me for not wanting to get electrocuted while I carry Gwen." Wes muttered as he finally found her inhibitor. "Remind me to thank Willow for figuring out how to make this work."
Wesley picked up Gwen and put her in a fireman's carry. "So where's this failsafe door that all these places have?" He couldn't quite keep the sarcastic bite out of his words, not that he tried all that hard.
Angel saw a door in the back but it seemed to have a force field of some kind around it. He couldn't get any closer than a couple of feet. He'd have to ask Willow about that.
He let his eyes scan the room. Like the entrance to this room the door probably didn't look like a door. Angel noticed an urn off to the side.
"Hey Wes, does that urn look like it belongs here?"
Wesley walked to the urn to get a closer look. "Well, it's from the Mycanian period but it doesn't look like it would have magickal qualities and it certainly wouldn't be what I would describe as beautiful."
"Yeah, that's what I thought too." Angel carefully bent down and felt all around the urn. He couldn't feel anything unusual or see anything unusual. It was just a feeling that it didn't belong. When he carefully tipped it he heard a swoosh behind him.
"Ah, that would be the failsafe door."
"Come on let's go before the guards get here and more importantly before the ladies wake up."
Wesley was beginning to think that Gunn and Fred had the right idea of high tailing it to Vegas to see Lorne.
~Part: 10~
Gwen slowed her breathing and opened her eyes just enough to let the light in. If anyone was watching her it would look like she was still unconscious and with Angel's preternatural hearing her breaths wouldn't give her away.
She heard Willow's even breathing to the left of her and figured she was still out. She glanced to the right and noticed bars.
Damnit. Angel and Wesley had put them in Angelus' cage. Did they really think that would hold someone that could manipulate electricity and a witch as powerful as Willow?
Gwen let her other senses take over. Willow's breathing was the only sound in the room. That meant Wesley wasn't there but Angel could still be.
She smiled in anticipation. She was looking forward to frying Angel. One good thing about going against a vampire she could fry him as much as she wanted and not kill him. She had no doubt that as tempting as that thought was right now Willow would get cranky if Angel were to turn to dust.
Gwen rolled to her feet and took the inhibitor off in one fluid motion. She sighed in regret when she saw the room was empty except for her and Willow.
~~~~
Dickens line, 'it was the worst of times it was the best of times' ran through Wesley's head as he saw Gwen survey the room. He was glad the tranq had finally worn off. He was getting worried when the two women hadn't awoken, but he was wary now that one of the sleeping tigers was awake.
He had no illusions that he and Angel were about to be paid back and that the cell wouldn't keep them for long. It had been built to withstand vampire strength not magickal strength or a blast of electricity.
"Angel, Gwen's up and moving."
Angel came out of the office to stand behind Wesley at the monitor. He watched as Gwen looked around the room and then over at Willow. Angel was concerned that Willow was still out. The tranqs should have worn off by now.
"Do you think we'll be able to explain about Bradstreet before they kick our ass or after?" Wesley asked.
Angel was spoiling for a fight so he was hoping after. He was frustrated in his attempts to locate Bradstreet and he knew that Willow probably wouldn't listen to him without a fight but she WOULD listen even if he had to tie her up and gag her.
~~~~
The sound of Gwen pacing and mumbling was the first thing Willow heard as she slowly woke up.
"Did anyone get the number of the truck that hit me?" Willow rubbed her head as she sat up.
"Not the number but I got the names of the drivers and I'm so looking forward to kicking their ass. How many times do you think I can fry Angel before his vampire healing stops working so fast?"
The thought of seeing Angel writhing in pain as Gwen shoots electricity at him brought a smile to Willow's lips. "Don't know, we could call it a scientific experiment. Maybe get a government grant to study it. How do you think Wesley would look as an animal? I could turn him into a rat but you know been there done that and so clichéd. How about turning him into the jackass that he is?"
Gwen snickered at the thought of Wesley braying out a lecture to them. She noticed the small camera in the ceiling next to the stairs. She nudged Willow's foot with hers and pointed to the camera.
Willow narrowed her eyes and looked directly into it.
"Angel, I know you're watching this and you probably have a mic down here listening too so listen good. Payback's a bitch."
Gwen smiled and aimed an arc of electricity at the camera.
~~~~
Angel smiled in anticipation as he heard Gwen and Willow discussing their retribution. Good, he was going to get the fight he wanted. He knew no matter how mad Willow was she wouldn't seriously hurt either him or Wesley and she wouldn't let Gwen either.
Wesley's eyes widened at Willow's mention of turning him into an animal. He would rather face Gwen's electricity than Willow's magick. At least with Gwen he could fight and avoid. Not much you can do when a spell is aimed at you.
Angel almost laughed out loud in anticipation when he heard Willow's comment about payback's a bitch. Angelus was raring to fight his witch. Angel's snicker turned to shock, literally, when Gwen's arc of electricity blew the camera and threw him out of his chair.
Wesley turned shocked eyes to Angel when he saw him fly out of the chair and the monitor's picture turn to snow. They'd get no advanced warning now.
"Are you all right?" Wesley asked as he helped Angel up.
Angel cracked his neck side to side, "Oh yeah. Get ready Wes. Use what you can against Gwen I'm going after Willow."
Wesley noticed the predatory gleam in Angel's eyes and guessed this just wasn't about the attack in Bradstreet's private room. He hoped this fight would allow Angel and Willow to finally confront their feelings for one another.
Wesley spun around at the sound of the basement door being blown open. It looked like it was time to face the music.
Gwen smiled and aimed electricity at Angel who promptly dove out of the way and leaped toward Willow.
Willow's eyes narrowed as she watched Angel come after her instead of respond to Gwen's attack. As much as she would love to use her magick on Angel and Wesley she wouldn't and they knew that. Ever since her work with the coven she had lived, almost fanatically, by the tenet 'An harm it none'. Her strength was no match for Angel's vampire strength but she could hold her own. Gwen had been teaching her self-defense where you use your opponent's strengths against them. Angel was in for a surprise.
Gwen cursed when she saw that she would have to fight Wesley. She couldn't use her abilities on him. Damnit. Gwen slipped on her inhibitor and prepared to fight.
Wesley breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Gwen slip her inhibitor on and go into battle stance. He knew she wouldn't use her ability to kill but she would to harm. It looked like they were going to fight hand to hand. He wondered what she would do if he just yielded and they let Angel and Willow duke it out.
Gwen swung a leg at Wesley, which he effortlessly avoided.
"Nice move, Wes. I keep forgetting that you were a Watcher once and you had to train with your Slayer. How'd that work out for you?" Gwen smiled at Wesley's wince.
Wesley aimed a well placed punch but it missed its mark, "Very well actually. I learned to win at all costs."
Angel looked up at Willow with surprised eyes. She had just thrown him to the ground. "Well, well, little one. It seems someone's been learning some new moves."
Willow bristled at Angel's condescending tone or should she say Angelus' tone. The look of predatory gleam in his eyes was closer to Angelus than Angel. It was times like this that she sorta regretted merging demon to man. Especially when she was on the receiving end.
Angel smiled at Willow's temper. She was a fiery thing when riled. She also would make mistakes. It was one of the reasons that Angel liked to taunt his victims.
He stayed on the ground but swung his leg around knocking Willow to the ground next to him. Rolling over he pinned her arms above her head. Willow stared defiantly up at him and raised her chin as if daring him to hit it.
"We did it to protect you and Gwen."
Willow rolled her eyes and tried to buck Angel off. "And just how was putting us unconscious and locking us up in that cell for our protection?"
Angel tried to control his demon, he really did. Willow's movements and mutinous looks were only inflaming him to conquer and subdue. He looked down into her stubborn face and she jerked her hips trying to dislodge him. That was the final straw. He did the one of the things all his instincts were screaming to do. He kissed her.
Willow stilled in shock as Angel's lips descended. She told her hands to push against his chest but the stupid things only caressed it and began to wind around his neck on their own volition.
Angel's kiss had begun as a way to conquer quickly turned into a way to seduce.