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Part 31
She stood outside the doorway in the sewers beneath the old post office, and asked herself again if she was sure she even wanted to know the answer to her question. But of course she did. Her Mate was everything to her, and the odd warmth he was exhibiting was disturbing, to say the least. It was also somewhat... intriguing, if she was going to be honest. Still, as much as she found it arousing, she truly needed to know. What if it was dangerous, after all?
She struck the match and tossed it atop the small pile of herbs and sacred sand, her eyes narrowing at the resulting flash. The last time she'd visited had been both easier and harder, what with the bleeding, and the way Angel had reacted, but... this was probably better. Her eyes opened fully again as the stone arch began glowing, and she smiled softly at her Mate. "I'll be back soon, baby," she murmured, one hand stretching out to brush his cool cheek.
Angel nodded slowly, although he hated the fact that she was going without him. And why was she?, he suddenly wondered. Her questions had to do with *him*, after all, so... shouldn't he at least be there? That decided, he nodded again, sharply this time. "I'm coming with you," he stated, even as he stepped forward, lightly pushing her through the glowing light. He stared around him, somehow surprised that the place looked more or less the same as it had the last time he'd visited. Of course, the Oracles from that time were long gone, but still. He frowned as his woman-- his Mate-- ran to the once-human young man and flung her arms around him. Still, she'd known the boy years earlier, so he forced himself not to growl out loud, and tried to be content with dragging his girl back against him once she'd released the younger man. "So I'm guessing you're Jesse."
It was the barely restrained violence in the vampire's voice that had the newest Oracle grinning even more widely. Still, he only nodded and waved a couch and chair into existence. "I'm guessing you have questions?" he said, heartily amused.
Willow sat down first, still holding Angel's hand, and she grinned as she dug into her jacket pocket. "First, I have to give you a gift, right?" She giggled quietly as Jesse's eyes lit up when he saw what she was handing him. "I remember you couldn't find Chewbacca," she told him simply.
He frowned slightly, even as he sat down beside his redhead. After all, what the hell kind of gift was a Pez dispenser? Still, the boy seemed to like it, so... whatever. Angel almost laughed while Jesse shifted the plastic head back and forth, but decided against it and pulled his woman into his lap instead. "The questions." he insisted.
Well, and he'd have time to visit with Willow later, Jesse knew, so he nodded swiftly and dissolved the small present into the sphere he actually lived in, as opposed to the greeting hall he currently sat within. "Right. You want to know why he's warm, right? Well, it's a long story, so I hope you're both comfortable." He waited for then to nod, then began to speak.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spike groaned, even as he pulled away from the blonde girl sleeping beside him. He'd already known that he liked the girl, but apparently, his body liked her even more than he'd thought, because every single small movement she'd made through the night had made him more tense and hungry. Not blood-hungry, though; just *hungry*. Hungry to touch her, to taste her soft skin, to hold her tightly to him. Hungry to whisper in her small ear and feel her shiver. Hungry to explore every inch of her sweet young flesh, and finally, hungry to bury himself deeply within her and never, never come back out. It was a disturbing sensation, and one he'd never expected to feel again. After all, he'd thought Dru was the only one who could have that effect on him. Hell, he'd never even wanted the Slayer this badly.
Still, Amy was newly-human again, and she barely knew him. Of course, he didn't rightly know *her*, either, and... he didn't love her. Not yet, anyway. Nonetheless, there was something about her. Something that called to him, that made the demon he was entirely tense, and hard, and wanting. But he wouldn't have her, he decided. Not now, and maybe not ever. It was complicated, he thought, because yeah, they were gonna have to go back to Sunnyhell, and he had an entire life there that he didn't know how she'd fit into.
What if he got too attached, and then the Nibblet didn't like the girl? How could he deal with that? Because even with Buffy gone, and apparently starting to slip from the place she occupied in his heart, the young girl was still a priority. He'd started looking after her because her sister had asked it of him, but... that was then. The girl was like his *own* sister now, and...
He sighed, one arm rising to cover his eyes. How had he become someone who actually *cared*? It wasn't fair. He was a *demon*! He shouldn't be worrying about one little teenaged girl, *or* about the feelings of the former-rat-girl. And yet he was.
It was William's fault, he figured. His human-self had been far too sensitive and kind. Far too wrapped up in emotions. *That* was the reason.
He'd heard Angelus say, many a time, that when the demon took up residence, it had all the memories and feelings of the body hosting it, and without the soul, his Sire had been something of a bastard. And the way Darla had told it, back in the day, Liam hadn't been too much a treat whilst human.
Yeah. It was all the fault of the little pissant bitch he'd been when human. Too bad the knowledge didn't change anything.
He sighed once more and tried to go back to sleep, but it was useless, especially when Amy turned in her sleep and flung one slender arm across his stomach, her head coming to rest on his shoulder. A small groan sprung from his lips as she snuggled closer, and he couldn't quite keep himself from wrapping his arm around her and reveling in the sensation of her warm, sweet breath gusting against his chest.
No question about it, he realized. He was in Hell.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
She pushed herself slowly from the couch, her eyes wandering confusedly through the living room she recognized as her own. Yet something was different, and it took her a long moment to realize what it was.
It was herself. She searched within her, tested her memories, and found that she was cringing at the knowledge of the things she had done-- at how far she'd gone to advance herself.
But she hadn't advanced, she now understood. She'd dug herself into a deep, ugly pit, and she would have to pay for that for the rest of her life, however long *that* might turn out to be.
A deep sorrow shone in her eyes, even as she surveyed her surroundings. This apartment had been her home. She had struggled, and fought, and ultimately come incredibly close to damning herself forever in order to acquire it. And she couldn't stay there anymore-- not with the knowledge of how many people she'd damaged in her quest for self-aggrandizement. She remembered who she'd been mere hours earlier, and shuddered roughly, even as she moved to her bedroom and began packing herself a small bag.
The trappings of her profession she left where they were, selecting only the clothes she'd had since before her long slide into evil. Her faded and torn pairs of jeans would come with her, as would the t-shirts and blouses she'd loved so much in the early days. The lace-up boots with the worn heels, the leather jacket she'd bought during her first year of law school. She hesitated for a moment over her jewelry box, then pawed through it for the silver items she'd kept as a reminder of how far she'd come. They were still a reminder, she told herself, only this time... they would remind her of how far she had yet to go. It would be a long, difficult road, but she would do everything she could to reclaim the purity of purpose she'd possessed before she'd allowed herself to become willingly corrupted.
She stood just inside the front door of her apartment, her hair up in a loose ponytail, and gazed around her one more time. She might have sold herself out to evil, but she'd had damned good taste, and maybe, someday, she would achieve this seemingly effortless blending of antique and modern. Of course, if she never did, that would be all right, too. A nice home and pretty things didn't matter so much. Not when compared to having herself back. Her *self*. The idealistic girl she'd once been, before she'd started looking for the easy way.
And evil had been easy. She had no illusions about just how difficult being good would be, especially since the best, most shining example of that sort of fight was the one being she'd spent so much time and energy on destroying.
No, she thought, even as she stepped out the door and started down the stairs, Angel wasn't likely to trust her. Still, she had to try. And maybe he would at least hear her out... let her tell him some of the things she knew her former law firm was up to.
Lilah Morgan nodded decisively and walked out into the sunlight. She would go to the Hyperion, and with any luck, the Warrior for the Powers would be willing to listen, even if he didn't believe her at first. It was a good plan.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Cordelia was almost skipping as she entered the lobby of the hotel, mostly because she'd finally shown Gunn how she felt. Or she thought she had, anyway. He'd driven her home, and they'd talked in front of her building, and finally-- when she could no longer keep herself from yawning-- she'd said good night, and then... she'd kissed him.
And not some little peck on the cheek, she reminded herself, blushing slightly. No, she'd leaned in, and she'd driven her lips hard against his, and after a moment, he'd responded ardently to her small attack. His mouth had moved roughly against hers, then softened, and... there had been some definite tongue-action. Hell, he'd been glassy-eyed and gasping by the time she'd pulled away.
She couldn't keep the broad smile from her lips as she sat down at her usual desk and began shuffling through the papers in her in-box.
She wondered how the others would feel about this new development, but she figured they'd be all right with it. After all, they accepted Fred and Lorne, so... why *not* her and Gunn?
Her smile only grew larger when the tall, handsome black man strolled into the lobby a few minutes later, and a small part of her that she hadn't even known existed relaxed at his answering grin. "Good morning," she greeted him, giggling softly when he moved closer and rested one hand on her shoulder.
He could barely manage to breathe, but he did it somehow. His fingers flexed lightly on her cotton-covered skin, and he laughed silently at her swiftly indrawn breath. "It is now," he murmured. He'd wondered for a while if that kiss had been due to exhaustion, but just the way she was looking at him made it clear that that wasn't the case, so he leaned down, his eyes closing gently as their lips met once again. Oh, yeah, he told himself, gently exploring her mouth, it was *definitely* a good morning.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
She crept gingerly from their bed, trying not to wake her bond-mate, only to yelp softly when his hand suddenly closed on her wrist and dragged her against him.
"Where are you going, Freddie?" Lorne asked softly. "I know it's *somewhere*... you're never that careful getting up."
Fred smiled sheepishly, even as she stroked his softly-scaled skin. "I have to go to work, Lorne, and..." she shrugged, "I thought you could use some sleep, because you've been helping us out at the hotel, and running the club, and we've been, um... busy... a lot, and I just worry is all. I don't want you getting sick or tired or anything, because this isn't your world, and who could make you better if you did, and..."
Well, much as he enjoyed letting her go off on one of her rambling, purely Fred monologues, he couldn't let her misunderstand. Not if it meant being apart from her for long. So he sat up, taking her with him, and cupped her soft little cheek in his palm as he met her eyes. "The only thing that's ever gonna make me sick, sweets, is being away from you." He nodded quickly, one side of his mouth hitching up in a crooked smile. "I don't want to sleep without you, Freddie. I don't want to *breathe* without you, okay? And if that means working with Angel-cakes, then so be it. I've tried to stay neutral, but... You're my bonded. I can't sit back and be Switzerland. Not anymore. If you're gonna fight for the Powers, then... so am I."
She hadn't expected that, really. Not that he hadn't helped them out, because he had, and she *knew* he was on the side of light, but... That he was willing to take a more active role in things, and all because of *her*? It was yet another indication that she was right where she should be. A few tiny tears gathered at the corners of her eyes, and she smiled again, a bit shakily this time, as she met his deep red gaze. "I really, really love you, you know? And I..."
It was that one sentence that had him pulling her hard against him, his lips stopping her softly spoken words. He fell back against their bed, his hands roaming slowly but surely over the sweet curve of her spine, and "I think we're gonna be getting there a little late today, precious..."
Fred could only nod her understanding, mostly because there was no way she was going to pull away from his soft, spearing tongue just to say 'uh-huh'.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Wesley sighed, even as he closed the latest book he'd been reading. He could hear the voices out in the main lobby, although he hadn't realized how much time had passed since Lorne and Fred had left.
More time than he'd thought, he saw, glancing at the clock. Apparently, he'd been researching all night, which would explain the gritty feel of his eyes.
He closed the book slowly, and forced himself to stand. Maybe he would just rest for a few hours in one of the less dusty rooms, rather than go all the way across town to his apartment. Yes, that was what he'd do.
He stepped from his office, somehow unsurprised to see how closely Cordelia and Gunn were sitting. He'd seen that one coming, after all.
Gunn looked up, frowning slightly at the fatigue on his friend's face. "Yo, English. You been here all night, man?"
Wes smiled a bit, comforted by the concern in the other man's voice. "I was reading. Lost track of time. You know how it is, Gunn."
His frown grew for just an instant before he smiled and shook his head. "Sorry, man. I'm the 'action-guy'. Can't say I've ever been up all night, uh... reading. But whatever. You need to get some sleep, Wes."
He was actually in the process of answering when the lobby doors opened, and the brunette woman stepped through. His brows drew together, and he tried desperately to place her, but... while she looked familiar, he didn't quite...
"What in the hell do *you* want?" Cordelia demanded, standing up quickly as she glared, "Haven't you done *enough*?"
Lilah swallowed hard, then nodded. She placed her suitcase carefully on the floor, even as she felt the first tear slip from her eye. Still, the Seer's questions were good ones, and ones she needed to answer. "Yes," she admitted, after another tense, silent moment, "I *have* done enough. More than you know. And I want..." She swallowed hard and tried to let them hear her sincerity. "I *want* to help you."