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Part 32
He found himself watching her. Watching he closely, if he was going to behonest, and he wasn't entirely sure of whether the reason was that he didn't trust her, or something more. He suspected it wasn't lack of trust, though.
In all honesty, Wesley admitted to himself yet again, Lilah Morgan was fascinating, especially now that she'd turned to helping them. In the month and a half since she'd shown up in the lobby of the Hyperion, she'd been instrumental in turning the tide against Wolfram & Hart, her knowledge of their operations invaluable to the success of the AI team.
He forced his eyes back to the book he was supposed to be studying and sighed. It didn't matter, he told himself. Even if he *did* find himself intrigued by the formerly evil woman, there was no chance there, and he knew it.
Willow chuckled silently and leaned back into her Mate's arms, her eyes flicking back and forth between Wes and their newest co-worker. "It's almost funny, isn't it, baby?" she murmured, smiling more widely as his warm lips closed lightly on the side of her neck. Warm. She still wasn't used to that, but if what Jesse had told them was correct, then it made sense. She'd needed to die, and to bind her soul to his and to his demon. And the fact that he was actually warm sometimes was an indication that she'd done it exactly right, although she'd had no idea of what was happening. And one day, whenever it happened, he'd be warm enough, alive enough for a short time, that they would be able to create a life between them. And ultimately, *that* was why Lilah's former employers had been so fixed on keeping them apart.
He nodded silently against her, his mouth entirely too occupied with tasting her sweet perfection to stop for something as unimportant as speech. Still, she was entirely right. He'd watched his friend and the recently reformed woman eyeing each other when they thought themselves unobserved, and frankly, it really was amusing. To the rest of them, anyway. Of course, came a point when letting things go on as they'd been just became... cruel, and what with everything Wes had been through lately, Angel figured he deserved some joy. He nodded again and forced himself to pull back ever so slightly. "All right, my love. We'll take them to Caritas tonight and get them all liquored up. They'll sing, Lorne'll clue them, and it's up to them after that."
Well, and that was just what she'd wanted to hear. She turned quickly, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist and sighing happily. "Good." It was mere moments later that she was snugged as close to him as she could get while still standing, and she kissed his firm chest lightly through his shirt. "Love you, baby... Just love you."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
He hated to admit it, but he was almost proud of them, even the moron. The little gang had been working very well together ever since he and Amy had returned from LA. Fortunately, Dawn didn't have any problem with the girl. He supposed because she remembered how much her sister and Willow had wanted the witch to be human again.
"Down, love!" he shouted, arm pulling back and flying forward as Amy followed his command. He watched the smallish knife spin through the air, then sink into the throat of the demon with a meaty thunk. He moved quickly to her side and helped her up, eyes scanning the area to ensure that all threats had been dealt with. His arms closed comfortably around her and he leaned down, his forehead touching hers. "You need to be more careful, love. Not willing to lose you, y'know?"
Amy nodded slightly, her eyes locked to his. If anyone had ever told her that she would become a witch, turn herself into a rat, be made human again, and then fall for a vampire, all while voluntarily risking herself on a Hellmouth, well. But she had done all of that, and somehow she had the feeling that she was exactly where she was supposed to be. "Don't want to lose you, either, Spike," she admitted in a whisper, one hand rising to lay against the side of his neck. "Really."
And suddenly he was swallowing hard against the hope welling deep within him. "I... you... I mean. What do you mean?"
She rolled her eyes for amoment, then giggled at the look on his face. "I mean it's time, honey. I appreciate you letting it wait until I was sure, but I am. I want to be your Mate, Spike. Forever."
Well, what could he say to that, then? Basically nothing, he knew. His eyes sparkled wickedly and merrily, even as he snatched her up and darted off towards home. One short glance over his shoulder found Giles's gaze and he winked. "You don't mind if the niblet stays with you tonight, do you, Watcher? Good."
He watched them go, then shook his head slowly and gathered the others around. "Well. And whose turn is it to pick the movies tonight, then?" He laughed quietly when they just stared at him. "It's Friday. We always save the world and then watch movies on Fridays. It's tradition. Now come on."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
She'd finally come into her own, and all it had taken was a side trip to a demon dimension, returning to her own world, and bonding to a demon. Which, when put that way, didn't sound anywhere near as good as it actually was.
And she still had a bond of sorts to the Powers, possibly because she thought she amused them. They didn't scare her, after all, and she told it like she saw it these days, Lorne's steadfast adoration providing her with the stability she'd always missed.
Her eyes followed him as he strolled around the bar doing his usual meet and greet, and she grinned quite happily, fingers toying with the matched rings she wore. They worked with Angel and the others, of course, but it had been decided that their best course of action was to continue with the bar and in fact focus on it. Now that she was there as well, she and her bonded had discovered many a thing that had been of great ise to the AI team.
She forced her mind back to the moment as she felt him approach, and she giggled quietly when his arms wrapped around her.
He had no idea of what he'd done to deserve her, but it didn't matter. She was his, just as he was hers, and that was good enough. Hell, it was more than enough for him. "No traumas tonight, sweetness," he reminded her gently. "We've got plans for later, and they *don't* involve anyone but us, right?"
Fred nodded quickly, her laugh gaining a small bit of volume. "But don't blame me if the Powers have other ideas. I mean, it's not like I can... Oh."
His eyes followed hers to the door and he sighed as Cordelia and Gunn walked in along with Angel and his Mate, then Wesley and Lilah Morgan. Good thing Caritas was a Sanctuary, he reminded himself. Especially if the way some of the other 'guests' were glaring at the human woman. "Oh, indeed, precious... Oh, indeed."
Still, he knew, as it happened, it was meant to be.
"And why," he asked the air rhetorically, "Can I never hold onto a decent bartender?" It was a good question, but he doubted he'd ever get an answer. In fact, he was fairly sure it was just the Powers' way of making sure he didn't get too complacent. Still, he had his bond-mate, and his friends, and he did some good in the world he'd taken as his own. It was enough.
End-- pt 32
End-- Pain & Bliss