Part 24
Gunn had never been one to judge on appearances or social standing, mostly because-- according to the rules of 'society'-- he'd have had to judge himself lacking, and he knew for a fact that he wasn't. It was an ingrained belief for him that people were to be judged only according to what they did. The things they proved belief in with their actions. That was why he didn't believe word one coming from the mouth of the pretty lawyer sitting across from him. She was evil, he knew. Or as evil as she *could* be while still being human. He knew all about the plans she'd made for Angel Investigations; knew most of the despicable things she'd either done or caused in the time he'd been with the firm, and... He didn't trust her as far as he could throw a rhino. Still, he forced himself to maintain the carefully neutral expression he'd been wearing ever since she'd arrived for their meeting at the small coffee shop he'd chosen. "Yeah," he finally said after a moment of pure silence, "And why would I want to do that, Lilah?"
"It would prove your loyalty to the senior partners," she said winningly, "And that would definitely be a good thing. I mean, you've already proven your value, just by being a... double agent?... for these past months, but..." Lilah shrugged, pretending disinterest. "But it's up to you. I'm just trying to do you a favor, Charles." She carefully held herself loosely, trying to look relaxed, but... Damn it, if he didn't help her, she was dead, and she knew it! Her superiors at the firm would have no qualms about snuffing her life out; hell, they'd give more thought to blowing out an actual candle! And that was if she was lucky, because they could do so much worse. She'd seen it before. She barely suppressed a shudder at the recollection, and wondered once again why she hadn't followed Lindsey into obscurity. In obscurity lay safety; she'd just been too power-mad to see it before. "So what do you say?"
No fucking way, lady, he thought, but "Okay, I'll do it," he said out loud. He almost felt bad about what he knew was going to happen to Lilah Morgan, but... he'd made his choice years earlier, when he'd decided to fight the darkness. His time with Wolfram & Hart had been a purely personal reconnaisance mission, and it was time he ended it and put the information he'd acquired to good use. "I'll plant it tonight," he added, sliding from his seat to stand beside the table.
The sense of relief flooding her was almost overwhelming, but she made herself stand and passed him the briefcase as though nothing of any great moment had just occurred. "You won't regret it, Charles," she said, shaking his hand and swiftly leaving the building.
He watched her go, not moving until she was in her car and on her way. "You're right, Lilah," he said softly to himself, "I *won't*." He sighed, and hefted the leather satchel she'd given him, smiling slightly as he started for the door. He had to see Angel and the others, and tell them about what had happened. They'd probably want to kill him for the risks he'd taken, but... they wouldn't actually *do* it. He was almost sure of it.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Cordelia still wasn't used to seeing Angel with a tan. Granted it wasn't a *dark* tan, but he actually had some colour. It was definitely odd. But not as odd as what she had to tell the gang. "Oh, my God. You guys'll never believe what's happened!" she cried, even as she flung her purse on her desk.
Spike smirked wickedly from his spot on his usual couch. "The math geek's moved in with lizard-boy?" he offered, and "Yeah, we know that, May Queen." He chuckled darkly, getting a jolt of pleasure out of spoiling her fun. "Probably knew it before *you* did. It's been over twelve hours, after all."
The Seer's eyes narrowed, and she glared at the bleached blond. "Oh, bite me, Spike! Oh, wait, you *can't*!" Her own evil little smirk spread across her lips when he growled. She glanced around the lobby for a moment, her gaze finally coming to rest on Angel's long form, leaning in the doorway. "Where's Willow?"
The tall, dark vampire grinned, his eyes losing focus dreamily. "Still in bed. Poor little witch is all tired out..."
"Oh... and can I just say ewwww?" She rolled her eyes at the responding chuckle, and sat down at her desk. "Okay, so what's the plan for today? Demon-slayage? Mayhem? Lawyers to kill? What?"
Spike couldn't help bursting out laughing, his eyes sparkling slightly. He'd never admit it, but he'd actually come to like the former cheerleader. Getting out of Sunnydale had been good for him, he realized. It had reminded him that there were more things in the world than the dead Slayer he'd loved so much. He still missed the Niblet, though, and she apparently missed him, too, if her nightly phone calls were anything to go by. He'd have to go back soon, he knew, but... he was going to miss his Sire's new family. "Just thinking, pet," he purred, in response to Cordy's last question. "You've changed a lot, working here with the Pouf. I think you might actually make a good vampire one of these days."
Cordelia paled, and swallowed hard, glad yet again for the chip in Spike's head. Still, it wouldn't do to let him see that he was getting to her. "And again with the 'ewwww', Fangless," she sneered.
Angel grinned, thoroughly amused by the way his childe and his Seer played off of each other. They were becoming more and more like siblings every day. Not that he'd ever turn the girl, but... Spike was right. Cordelia-- the new Cordelia-- *would* make one hell of a vampire. But she made an even better human. He stood up straight, his gaze flying to the staircase.
Spike rolled his eyes at the brunette girl. "And we can just forget about getting anything done today, can't we?" He laughed quietly. "Morning, Red," he said, sure she was there just from his Sire's posture and expression. He didn't even have to look.
"Spike, Cordy," Willow greeted as she moved from the bottom stair and crossed to her Mate. "Angel..." she added, her voice a thick, rich purr. She lifted her face to accept his soft, passion-filled kiss, but forced herself to pull away, laughing quietly at his disappointed growl. "Honey, stop that," she ordered sweetly, taking his hand and pulling him to the couch opposite Spike's. "Your childe is right. We *do* need to work; maybe see if we can come up with something to help poor Amy." Her slight smile grew just a touch deeper at the suddenly more-interested look in Spike's eyes. "Where's Wes?"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
He'd found plenty of interesting things during the course of his research of the Amy-rat's state, but none of them were likely to be of any use, unfortunately. Had the girl turned herself into an enormous zucchini, he would have had a chance.
It was the missing matter that had him stumped, but it was the traffic that was delaying him on his way to the hotel.
Finally, after almost an entire hour, he made it the three miles from his apartment to his destination, and he walked slowly into the lobby, smiling slightly at the increasingly frequent bantering taking place between Cordelia and Spike.
It would almost be a shame when they did manage to change the rat back into her human form; he had a feeling the brunette Seer would miss the bleached annoyance.
His smile grew broader as he moved to his own usual spot behind the front desk.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lorne couldn't help chuckling to himself as he gazed swiftly about his room. Anyone seeing it, who knew its usually immaculate state, would think a tornado had blown through. Of course, that would be because of the sheets and blankets, and even pillows strewn wildly about, as well as the haphazard placement of jewelry. He'd managed to pull each item from his Freddie's pale skin, and toss it in whatever location seemed handiest. That the ghretschnad had ended up hanging from the fixture in the ceiling was nothing but amusing to him.
She still wore the rings, of course, just as he still wore his. They weren't meant to ever come off. Even in her sleep, she had one of the simple bands pressed to her lips, as though she couldn't bear not to feel the cool reminder of what they'd become to each other.
He supposed he should feel bad about tricking her the way he had, but he really didn't. He'd never truly belonged anywhere before. Not in Pylea; not really in LA, even, regardless of the comfortable little niche he'd carved out for himself. He was the Host, the proprietor of the only truly *safe* demon bar in all of Southern California, and he'd never truly *belonged*. Not until his Fred had put those rings on. But now...?
Now he had a place, and a purpose, and something tying him to the world he'd chosen to accept as his own, and... all of it was the sweet, soft young woman beside him. He'd never known what it was to feel 'love' until she'd walked into his life-- bound as she was, and ready for his people's equivalent of the headsman's ax. Hell, he hadn't even really known it then; he'd just... wanted to see her survive.
That that desire had become a different need altogether was just... the best thing that had ever happened to him. That she cared for him equally pushed it past 'best' and directly into 'perfect'. And she was. She was exactly what he'd never known he was looking for, and if he'd had to trick her into binding to him? Then so be it.
He'd make sure she never had any cause to regret it; that much he was *sure* of. He would spend the rest of his life loving her to the best of his ability, and doing his damnedest to see that she never had cause to regret accepting a being like himself as her own.
His head propped on his hand, his other hand slowly slid up and down the long curve of her spine, claw-like nails scratching lightly at her so-smooth skin. His lips twitched into that crooked smile as she mumbled softly and opened her eyes. "Hi, sweetness," he said softly.
Fred's brow creased for an instant, before smoothing as she remembered the last day, and she smiled in return, rolling onto her side. Her fingers rose wonderingly to stroke his softly scaled cheek, and she sighed happily when his eyes closed and he swallowed hard. She loved the fact that she could affect him so much with just a simple touch. She loved seeing him when she woke, and loved knowing that when she slept, he would be there beside her still. In fact... "I..." she began before stopping, finding herself suddenly afraid of what his reaction might be. Yet, he'd gone out of his way to manipulate her into being joined to him, and that had to mean something, she told herself. Her eyes closed tightly, and she forced the fear away. "I love you, Lorne." She swallowed hard herself at the pervasive silence, and rushed on. "I mean, you probably knew that already, 'cause I'm here and all, and didn't make a fuss too much about the whole 'ring' thing, but I just thought I should actually *say* it because I didn't before, and..."
He'd truly believed, deep down inside, that she would say it someday; preferably sometime before her fascination with him ended. That the binding of the rings would ensure that she gave him the chance to prove that he was worthy of her. He'd hoped that she cared for him a little-- well, okay, he told himself, he'd *known* that she cared. But hearing her actually say those words-- knowing what they meant to humans like his Freddie-- now that he understood what love truly was, was just... staggering. He froze like a gorgon caught in her own reflection, his mind whirring at a million miles an hour, even while his hearts beat a pulsing stacatto in his ass. Still, her rambling commentary made him smile, but it was the ever-so-slight undertone of fear in her voice that truly spurred him to action. His hand slid swiftly up her side and over her shoulder before tangling gently in her long, dark hair, and he pulled her hard against him, his lips finding hers almost desperately. He didn't notice that he was pressing her back against the bed until he pulled back and found himself staring down into her wide brown eyes. "I am so incredibly in love with you, Freddie," he told her quietly but intently, his voice shaking just a bit. "I think I have been from the day we met."
Her small tears weren't from any pain or sorrow. No, they were from an amazing surfeit of joy, and even as her own hands on his head pulled his mouth to hers once again, she couldn't help but wonder... What had she ever done that was good enough for her to deserve having this man's love? Whatever it was, she wanted to keep doing it forever.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Gunn's expression was stern as he burst into the lobby, interrupting what appeared to be an entirely pointless argument. "Hey! Listen up, people. And Spike." He couldn't help singling out the blond vampire, even though they got along pretty well. It was a game for them; one he understood. It had been played constantly, back when he'd had a group of his own. Still, "Those evil lawyers are up to something, and they know Blondie's here, too. They want me to plant whatever's in *here*," he said, holding up the briefcase Lilah'd given him, "Somewhere in the Hotel. All those who think that might be a *bad* idea, raise your hands." He was gratified by the stunned silence that greeted his announcement, although he was fairly certain the silence would end when he told them the full story. He was right.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It was only his Mate's soft, warm hand on his arm that kept Angel from beating the shit out of Gunn. That one of his people had gone undercover was bad enough, but that the young man had done so without even *telling* him not only frightened him, it made him *furious*! The soul entwined with the demon agreed, oddly enough. Gunn could have died, and he wouldn't have known until it was much too late, and...He bared his fangs at the young man, snarling as he threw off his witch's restraining hand. He had to get out of there before he did something he might regret someday.
Willow sighed softly as her Mate stalked across the lobby and up the stairs without a word. Her eyes slowly moved to the tense form of Charles Gunn, and she frowned at the surprise etched on his face. "Well, what did you expect?" she said ascerbically, "That he'd just... be fine with all this?" She shook her head slowly. "You took an incredible risk, Gunn, and you didn't even *tell* us! *Anything* could have happened to you! Hell, if we'd found out you were working for *them*, we might have hurt you ourselves!"
His eyes were wide, even as she stopped speaking, and he couldn't seem to remember why he'd kept his recon a secret. It hadn't been the smartest thing he'd ever done; that was for damned sure. He was just opening his mouth to apologize when he found himself the sudden subject of a truly ferocious hug from the redhead.
"I'm so glad you're not dead," Willow said after releasing him. "And if you're smart, you'll spend an awful lot of time thanking whichever Gods protected you during your little 'my life isn't worth anything, I'm expendable' game." She nodded definitively before turning away. "Okay, and that said, fill the guys in. I have to go find my vampire."
It was with a sense of relief that Gunn turned his mind to doing just that. He didn't notice the look of sudden realization on Cordelia's face, mostly because he wasn't looking for it.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
She found him on the roof, which was where she'd expected him to be, after all. It was the one place he always went to think, since the day he'd first experienced sunlight again. He always said the was something cathartic about the heat of day on his skin; that it helped him focus. And maybe it did, she told herself. He always seemed to figure things out after a nice sunbathing session. "Angel?" she said softly, moving towards his long form.
He'd felt her coming closer, as soon as she'd left the lobby. He didn't mind, though; in fact, he welcomed her company. His entire body was still vibrating with anger and fear, and he couldn't seem to stop it. "Will..." he began, his voice catching. He shook his head, eyelids dropping down over his golden gaze. "Willow," he started again, only to find himself silenced by her touch. His arms wrapped around her as she dropped to her knees beside him, and he sucked in great gulps of air, the taste of Los Angeles filtered through her hair.
Her hands stroked his spine soothingly, and she just held him, letting him shudder and shake against her. She understood, after all; she could feel everything *he* felt, with as wide open as their link was. Her lips rested against his collarbone, and she rocked him ever so slightly, crooning nonsense syllables against his skin.
"I don't... I don't have so many friends that..." His voice rasped with unspent emotion, and he buried his face in the crook of her neck.
"That you can afford to lose one. I know, baby," she murmured. Her eyes teared slightly at the knowledge that that was exactly what could have happened, although she'd been aware of that when she'd left the lobby. Still, it was different to feel that understanding through the link she bore with her Mate. Her hands continued their slow movements over his tense back, and she relaxed a bit as the strong, wracking shudders flowing through him eased. "We'll just have to make sure he knows that we won't let him risk himself like that again."
His definitive nod was lost against her skin, and he sighed softly. "I guess we should go find out what he learned, though," he finally said.
Willow chuckled softly at the wistfulness of his tone, and tightened her hold on his solid form. "Maybe," she answered, "But... it seems a shame to be up here already, in the sunshine, and just go right back down..."
Hard as he tried, Angel couldn't manage to keep from smiling, and he pulled his face from her neck, meeting her sly, dancing eyes. "One track mind, Will?" he teased, even as his own hands slid under the back of her shirt. Somehow, she'd managed to eradicate most of the righteous fury he'd been feeling with just a few small words and gentle touches. It never ceased to amaze him that she could rule him so easily. He was a vampire-- a demon!-- and he was entirely at the mercy of this small redheaded witch who'd chosen, for whatever reason, to be with him. And okay, he hadn't really given her much of a choice in the matter, but... "I really do love you, you know," he murmured, forcing his true face away.
She never grew tired of hearing those words, and she somehow knew she never would. It was more than she'd ever dared to hope for, back in the days of Buffy and Angel, or even later, when he'd left to save the world on his own. She'd only allowed herself to imagine it in her dreams. Of course, her dreams were what had led them to this moment in time. Her lips curved into a small, thrilled smile. "I know, baby," she purred back at him, "Me, too. You, I mean." She pressed herself closer to him, a small moan slipping from her when she felt his hardness against her belly. "Love you so much, my Angel... Angelus. My Mate."
"Mate," he echoed, falling back against the blankets they kept spread there in the sun. His fingers danced lightly over her sweetly curved spine, and much as he wanted to look human for her, he just couldn't. Not when her soft lips closed over one tight male nipple through the silk of his shirt, and not when she was on him, the heat of her skin scalding him through the fabric between them. "Willow..." he growled, his back arching against the wool-covered roof.
Her breath was already coming faster and deeper, but then again, he'd always affected her that way, even before he'd known it. That she caused a similar state within him was not only comforting, but more satisfying than she would even have dreamed just a few short months earlier. She nipped softly at his chest, her fingers sliding his shirt up his sides, only removing her mouth from him to lift the fabric from him completely. "Behave," she demanded when he would have rolled them both over in the sun.
Angel groaned deeply, but forced himself to hold mostly still, although his own hands were busily removing her soft cotton top. It was nowhere near as soft as her skin was. He threw the bit of material to the side, pulling her down against him once more, just to kiss her needily and release her. His hands left her perfect flesh, fingers gripping hard at the blanket beneath them. "Whatever you say, Will," he moaned, gasping wildly as she continued licking and biting at him. He actually didn't know how long he could hold back, though. He'd never been a terribly patient creature; not even when he was human. His eyes clenched shut and he growled again when her legs moved to straddle him, and when he felt her stunning heat against his slacks-encased shaft, he'd had enough.
A small shriek of delighted laughter flew from her lips, and she chuckled into his golden eyes. "Impatient much?" she teased lightly, tightening her legs around him. She laughed even more when his next growl sounded more like a whimper. Their wide-open bond showed her the straining, desperate need within him, and she was slightly surprised to find it met by her own. "I won't break, you know," she told him quickly, all amusement suddenly gone.
Fortunately, her skirt was easy enough to push up around her waist. His pants were a bit more difficult to shed, but her soft little hands helped, and he soon had them down around his knees. "Oh, Gods!" His eyes rolled back in his head as he sank deeply and fully into the perfect sheath of his perfect Mate.
Gods, she loved it when he was like this! When he was consumed by the all-encompassing need flowing back and forth between them! Her mouth opened wide in a soundless scream of completeness, even as her legs clamped tightly around him once more. "Angelussss...." she hissed, raising her hips into his desperate thrusts. His long, thick cock inside her, his big, hard body practically burying her under it's mass... "Gods!"
It was her hands on his ass that almost did him in, but it was the sudden sensation of her soft, full lips sucking hard at his collarbone that finished him. He held back just long enough to slam into her twice more, and when she cried out against his skin, her tight, silken walls grasping tightly at him, his eyes flew open, and he roared loudly, fangs bared. That she cotinued pulsing rhythmically beneath him was what had those jagged teeth deep in her throat a moment later, and she filled him just as he filled her.
Willow moaned contentedly, even as his sun-warmed seed flowed deep into her tender center, her hands sliding languidly up his back as her legs relaxed their hold on him. Her fingers tangled softly in his short dark hair and she held his lips to her as she shuddered again. There was no-one in the entire world like her Mate, and there never would be again.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
He'd grown bored of watching the May Queen trying to clue the Thug to her 'sudden' attraction. He'd grown even *more* bored with Wussy's rambling monologue about how he couldn't figure out the deal with the rat. Honestly, he'd told himself, if he had to sit there for even another minute, he would have had to kill something, throbbing pain in his head notwithstanding. So he'd gone after Red. It had been quite a show, too.
Spike smiled sadly, turning away from the open roof door, and started back down the stairs. Willow was exactly right for his Sire, what with that carefully banked fire she had within her. It wasn't fair, though. Hell, if he'd known what the little witch would be like, he'd have taken her himself. He'd have loved her, too; so much that the Slayer wouldn't have created even a blip on his radar.
"Ah, well," he mumbled to himself as he strolled down the hall to his room, "Too late now."
Still, she was hardly the only witch in the world, was she? And he'd have to go back to Sunnyhell eventually. What better place to find himself a nice young witch of his own? One who could accept him for what he was-- a demon. A *chipped* demon, but... a demon nonetheless.
"Yeah," he told himself, laying carelessly across the bed and reaching for the remote, "I'll just have to find myself a witch." Only question was... who? Oh, well, he decided, maybe he'd just have to go see Fred's little green bloke. Maybe *he* could tell him something. The sodding git had helped the pouf and Red, after all. Sort of.