SERIES: Passing Time (#14)

AUTHOR: Tisienne Blue

E-MAIL: tisatko@msn.com

DISCLAIMER: I am not Joss... I own nobody you know from TV.

RATING: R-ish.

PAIRING: A/W/Liam

DISTRIBUTION: Charity, Jen:), anyone else I've said yes to... otherwise, ask.

FEEDBACK: please.

DEDICATIONS: to Di, for the challenge... also to:Eva, Susi, Nutty, and Ali... thanks for the feedback, luvs...

NOTES: It's 2007, Willow's been in LA since Slutty died... Liam (alternate time-line Angel) was sent by the Powers in his world when the evil won... he, Angel, and sweet Willow are together... * *= emphasis.

MORE NOTES: Are we getting bored with this one??? If so, I can move on, so let me know, okay??? (Yes, that IS a shameless plea for more feedback... sad, but true. I crave it, and I like knowing that someone is actually READING this... :: sigh:: ) Oh, and more porn real soon... promise!!! The smut-monster's been on vacation for a little bit, but he'll be back some time this week!!! ::giggle::

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Cordelia Chase was bored. There was no other possible word to describe the way she was feeling at that moment, because... She'd dragged Wes and Gunn off the night before to explain about the 'two Angels' situation, and while it had been fun seeing their expressions, and hearing their responses to her suspicions of what was going on with the three people living at the Hotel, well... They'd eventually gone off home, as she had, and now...? Well, now she was just... sitting at her desk, wondering where everyone was!

She'd already checked upstairs, carefully-- because she *really* didn't want to walk in on anything... *personal*-- but Willow and her two men were nowhere to be found, and her alleged co-workers hadn't shown up yet, or even called! All of which left her wondering what, exactly, she was supposed to do.

She'd tried heroically to get some work done, but... it was just too *quiet*, even with her radio on. There was no tapping of the keyboard, coming from Willow's desk... no deep, wrenching sighs coming from from Angel's office... no confused, yet strangely pertinent questions from the human version of her boss. It was almost eerie, she decided, sighing. And where could Angel be at this time of day, anyway? It was brighter out than she'd seen it for a long time, yet the vampire was strangely absent!

She wasn't sure of whether to be nervous or just pissed off. What if she got a vision? How would she... Her eyes lit up, and she reached for the phone, dialing his cell number and scowling at the recording she heard. "Out of the service area, my *ass*! Broodboy had *better* not have the damned thing turned off!" She settled back against her chair and started flipping through the files on her desk once again, half-heartedly. She didn't notice it when the hatch to the sewers opened, mostly because it was in the basement of the Hotel and she wasn't. She also didn't hear the almost silent footsteps climbing the stairs from below. She *did*, however, react swiftly when she felt the cool, smooth hand on her shoulder.

She pushed back-- hard-- from the desk, her chair sliding on its wheels, and leapt to her feet as the intruder was flung to the ground by her unexpected actions. One hand snatched the stake from her always-open top drawer, and she spun quickly, intending to stake whatever bastard had thought to make a meal of her there, in Angel's home. She stopped suddenly, though, her motion arrested by the sight of just who it was she had knocked down with her chair.

"Spike?!" she cried out, still holding her weapon at the ready, "What are *you* doing here?"
 

The blonde stared up at her from his unplanned position on the rug, and smirked slightly as he struggled to his feet. "Cordelia," he almost purred, his eyes raking swiftly over her tight, lush body, "Still working out, I see. You look... smashing as always, pet." He grinned that little-boy grin that he hoped she wouldn't be able to resist, and reached one long arm out, pulling her chair from where it had stopped. "Peaches didn't tell you? I must've talked to him a dozen times..." His brow furrowed for a moment, because... even if he and his Sire didn't always get along well, they'd at least begun talking since the Slayer had died. "I *told* the Poof I was coming to see him and the little witch... of course, he kept hanging up on me, so maybe he thought I was kidding?" He shrugged and sat himself down in the chair that was still warm from her presence. "So, pet... got any blood? I might as well eat something while I wait for Broody to wake up..." He watched appreciatively as she jumped up on her desk-- finally putting down that bloody stake-- and his eyes grew wide when she told him that the Mighty Poof was not only *awake*, but *out*, as well. He glanced quickly at the glass doors across the lobby, making sure that it actually *was* day time, before sighing. "Well, where the bloody hell *is* he?"

Cordelia smiled slightly, trying to ignore the fact that he was just as attractive as he'd always been. "I have no idea, Spike, but I'm glad to see you." She laughed out loud at the shocked surprise on his face, and clarified. "Wes isn't here yet, and neither is Gunn! I'm *bored*, Spike, so... talk to me? I'll heat you up some of Angel's 'private stash'..." she added, as enticement, giggling when he finally nodded. "Good," she said, sliding from the desktop, "I'll be right back!" She pretended that she didn't know he was watching her walk away, and told herself that she *hadn't* put an extra little wiggle into her hips, but... she knew the truth. She only hoped that Angel returned soon... before she did something stupid, like deciding that she liked *Spike*, of all people!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Liam tried hard to restrain his impulse to laugh at the nervous glances his Mates were exchanging, finally managing to hold himself to just a smile, because... He'd never even imagined that either of them would be *anxious* about going to see the Oracles. Of course, he never would have thought to enter Mathry and Sionelle's realm through this dank, dusty tunnel, either, but then again, *he* wasn't a vampire, so he supposed that actually made sense! Being Mated to a vampire and a human would take some getting used to, he knew, but... fortunately, he would have plenty of time to do so, once he let the Oracles know that he was taking them up on the Powers' offer, and he smiled again before pulling both his loves into a tight hug. "Stop worrying," he ordered them, stepping back, "It'll be *fine*!"

Willow was the first to relax, smiling brightly up into his twinkling brown eyes. "I'm gonna hold you to that," she said silkily before striking a match and tossing it into the stone bowl. "We seek access..." she began, only to find her eyes wide when the white, shining portal appeared before she'd even finished.

"Guess they're ready to see us, then," Angel mumbled, taking her hand, then one of Liam's, and stepping into the light.

"Why have you come, lower beings," the voice began, only to stop suddenly. "Oh... the *Warriors* and the little *witch*. Brother!" the female cried, demandingly, and immediately, the male was *there*.

He glanced around the chamber, wide eyed for a moment, but when he saw the trio he'd been called for, he smiled, stepping towards them. "I see you've made your decision," he said, looking only at Liam, "Are you sure it's the right one?"

Liam rolled his eyes, a small chuckle escaping him. "Save the 'all-seeing, cryptic-Oracle' act for the *tourists*, Mathry! Your Bosses made me an offer; I'm here to accept it." His lips stretched into a sly smirk, and he pulled his hand from Angel's, gesturing at his demonic-self and the redhead he loved so much while he stepped towards this version of his old friend. "And can you really *blame* me?" he asked smoothly, "I mean, *look* at them!" He raised one sleek eyebrow, and glanced over the male Oracle's shoulder, his gaze piercing the female's. "Good to see you again, Sionelle..."

"No," Mathry answered slowly, his eyes raking over the vampire and the witch, even as he ignored his sister's almost scandalized gasp, "I don't blame you in the slightest. You're a good match." He returned his eyes to the human's then, moving closer. "Be careful with the witch," he said very quietly, "She's more vulnerable than you might think. And she has a part to play in what's coming..." He chuckled slightly and backed away, the growl he heard coming from the vampire giving him a good idea that his words had been overheard.

Willow was smiling at seeing Liam so relaxed and comfortable in this place that just made her skin crawl. Or she was until she heard Angel growling. Her fingers tightened around his, and she pulled him closer to her side. "What's wrong, Angel?" she asked, her concern driving all else from her mind. "What is it, love?"

Angel barely heard her, mostly because he was busy remembering the words he'd overheard the *last* time he'd been there. He'd almost forgotten about that. The Oracles knew who she was... had some sort of a *plan* for her. She'd been supposed to choose, but... if they hadn't known about Liam, then... who-- or *what*-- was she supposed to choose *between*? What were the hot and cold flames, and how could he... protect her, if he didn't know what was going on? He growled again, pulling her into his arms and glaring dangerously at the Oracles just as Liam spoke again.

"What *witch*? You said that before, too, about Angel... 'He was supposed to have the witch,' you said..." His eyes followed the direction of Mathry's eyes, coming to rest on his redhead. "Oh, no..." he said quietly, sounding dazed, "Willow?... In *this* world, my Willow's a *witch*?" His head was almost spinning from the very thought, but... "But she's not *evil*!" He narrowed his eyes, glaring at the silver and blue skinned man. "She's sweet... and kind..." he grated, through gritted teeth. "She's everything good, and pure! No, I don't *believe* you, Mathry! My Willow is *not* a *witch*!" He barely noticed it when both his Mates were suddenly at his side, their arms around his back. "She's my *Mate*! They *both* are! I suppose you're gonna tell me that *Angel's* a witch now, too!" His breath was coming fast and harsh, so he completely missed the beginning of what the female was saying.

"... necessarily true! Or at least, not *here*! Not anymore! It's entirely possible for her to be a witch, and still be *good*! Especially when you consider that the whole 'Witches are evil' line was pure propaganda, started by those mono-theistic, hide-bound, Patriarchal bastards back before I was even born! I don't know what it was like in *your* world, Liam, but *here*... *Witch* isn't the same as *bad*!" Her eyes were blazing, and she was actually *angry*! And while she tried to, Sionelle honestly couldn't remember the last time she'd felt *any* strong emotion. Oddly enough, she hadn't really noticed it before; hadn't *missed* it. But she did *now*. Unfortunately, that didn't seem to be helping, so she stared deep into the human Warrior's eyes, and approached him and his Mates slowly, ignoring the warning growl from the vampire. "In *this* world, Liam," she elaborated, speaking directly into his eyes, "The word 'witch' generally refers to anyone who believes in a deity, or deities, other than that 'God' of the Christians... anyone who believes in the Powers-- of nature, or otherwise... anyone who has found their own way, without organized religion. And if that person possesses extraordinary abilities of their own, and the strength and will to *focus* those abilities, well! All the better!"

Liam could feel himself calming as she spoke, and his arm slid around his girl's waist, holding her tightly to his side. "And you're saying that *Willow*..."

Mathry moved up beside his sister. "Willow is strong in the power, although largely untrained still. She is *not* evil, or even remotely bad... regardless of what one might think, what with her being Mated to a vampire and a two-hundred forty-seven year old human," he teased, glad to feel some of the tension dissipating. "She has much still to learn, and some of it won't be easy for her-- or you two, either-- but she's not evil." He rolled his eyes when Liam turned away and kissed the girl, then rolled them again when the vampire decided that the human shouldn't have all the fun. "Ahem!"

Willow forced herself to pull away from her lovers, heart pounding, and face bright red as she sheepishly glanced up at the Oracles from beneath her lashes. "Sorry," she said, unrepentantly, "But..." She shrugged. "We're Mates." She could see the male-- Mathry, Liam'd called him-- struggling to hold in his laughter, and she smiled. "But we're here for *Liam*," she continued, "For you to make him *Eternal* again."

Mathry turned smiling eyes to his sister before they both fastened their gazes on the smallish redhead. "He's told you about the... no children part?"

Willow nodded, her hands once again engulfed by each of her Mates' large fingers. "Yes. And it's fine. With what we have to do out there in the world, it just wouldn't be... *right*."

Sionelle could see the slight regret in the girl's eyes, and could read the same emotion in both of the Warriors' faces. But maybe, when their jobs were done, she could do something about that... assuming they all lived, anyway. None the less, she admired the Ember's decision, so she reached out to her brother, joining her hand with his. "The Warriors have chosen *well*," she said quietly, nodding her respect to the little witch before them; then she and Mathry extended their clasped hands, pressing them firmly against the skin just over Liam's heart as they uttered the words in concert, and when it was all over, they stepped back, smiling at the surprise in the three faces before them.

"What?" Mathry said, amused, "You were expecting fireworks...? A brass band...? It's done. Now go." He gestured lazily, and another white, glowing portal opened behind them. "Later, Liam," he said softly, as they turned towards it.

Angel still wasn't happy, even as he lightly pushed his Mates through the shimmering patch of air. "Mathry," he said swiftly, turning back to the Oracles, "I'm immortal; Liam's Eternal now..." he stopped, unsure of how to ask what he wanted to. Fortunately, the Oracle understood.

"Ah... what about Willow, then?" Mathry asked rhetorically. He sighed at the vampire's slow nod. "I don't exactly know," he said softly. "But she's bound to the Warriors, so I wouldn't worry *too* much if I were you... As it happens, it was meant to be!" He chuckled to himself, even as his sharp gesture flung the vampire through the shrinking portal-- mostly at the look of outraged annoyance that had been on the Warrior's face. "So..." he finally said, turning towards his sister, "Why the heart? It was *supposed* to be the *head*."

Sionelle smiled, and walked away from him. "Think about it, brother-dear," she threw over her shoulder, smiling.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Spike was surprised that he was actually having a good time talking with the former cheerleader. Of course, it didn't hurt that she was damned easy on the eyes, but mostly, it was that she seemed to enjoy telling him about all the embarrassing things Peaches had done over the years. It also didn't hurt that when he spoke, she listened with rapt attention, and that when she asked a question, it was always to clarify something he'd left just a bit blurry. He'd always done that, just to see if whoever he was talking to was actually listening, or cared enough about his words to want to know more, and Cordelia was the first person-- demon *or* human-- who'd passed that little test in quite a while. "I'm sorry, pet," he said smoothly, "But I'm still trying to wrap my brain around this. *Peaches*... *sings*. On *purpose*!"

Cordelia laughed again, just as she had the first few times he'd asked that question, and nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, yeah. And not just on purpose, but in *public*, too!" She shuddered dramatically, her eyes dancing wickedly. "You should have heard his rousing rendition of 'Hit Me Baby, One More Time'... and when I say 'rousing', I *do* mean *rousing*! As in he *roused* just about everyone *in* the place into getting up and *leaving*, and not just because of the crappy *song*! I think the only people left were us, a *very* drunk Gorgon, and a Tralach demon, and you know they can't hear, anyway! I mean, Gods! Even the *Host* left!" She was so caught up in her own amusement that she didn't notice his laughter dying a sudden death. No, it was the completely serious look in his pale blue eyes when she glanced at him that caught her attention. "What?" she said, hoping she hadn't offended him. After all, for all *she* knew, he might be a Britney Spears fan, although he didn't seem the type. "What did I say?"

He almost couldn't believe what he'd just heard. This was Cordelia Chase, after all! The luscious chit had *grown* *up* on the *Hellmouth*, and yet she'd just said... "You called them *people*, pet... A monster and a demon, and you called them *people*!" His eyes were wide, he knew, but... this girl had done nothing but surprise him since he'd first walked in!

She smiled sweetly, and took a sip of the *very* good coffee he'd made once he'd tasted *her* efforts. "Of *course* I did, Spike," she explained patiently, "They're relatively harmless, after all... At least, they are if you use your common sense, and don't piss them off! And just because they're not *human*, that doesn't mean they're any less worthwhile, does it?" She put her mug back on the desk, and frowned slightly as she thought for a moment. "I mean, I've met *plenty* of 'humans' who wouldn't go out of their way to tell you the time... and plenty of demons who were... decent, kind, generous people..."

He almost wanted to slap himself for causing the sorrow he could hear in her tone. He hadn't meant to upset her, but... just the idea that someone like *her*, someone who*knew* what was out there, could... see a *demon* as something other than a... *thing*, and an *evil* thing, at that? It was... "Sorry, luv," he said gruffly, "Didn't mean to bring you down..."

Cordelia smiled again, shaking off her sad mood. "It wasn't you, Spike," she told him sincerely, "It's just... Angel and I had a friend once, and.. He was a good man, regardless of the fact that he was half demon." She shook her head, smiling a bit more. "Hell, for all *I* know, it was *because* of his demon blood! But he was brave, and smart, and, okay-- a lousy dresser, but... He died, saving twenty or thirty *other* people from the Horde, so..." She shrugged, meeting his blue eyes again. "After something like that, it's just... impossible to say that demons and monsters aren't *people*. Oh, not *all* of them are, but then again, neither are all *humans*, you know?"

Spike found himself admiring the woman the girl he'd known had become; more with each passing moment. And although she hadn't said it, he had a sneaking suspicion that she'd loved this half-demon she'd mentioned, but... It wasn't his business, he told himself, and besides-- the bloke was dead. "Yeah, luv," he said quietly, "I know *just* what you mean..." And the funny part was that he *did*. He would have liked to continue their little talk, but that was when his sensitive ears picked up the sounds of footsteps in the basement, and he turned towards the doorway he'd entered through. It was strange, though, because... he didn't remember the stairwell as being large enough to cause an echo, but his Sire's voice was doing just that. Confusion flowed through him then, when he heard the witch's voice, and *it* sounded entirely normal. He pushed himself to his feet, his eyes trained on the closed door.

Cordelia was almost offended for a moment when he stood and turned away from her without a word, but when he didn't do anything other than just stand there and... *stare* towards the basement stairs, she understood, and a moment later, she cursed herself. She'd intended to tell Spike about Angel's new twin, but somehow, time had gotten away from her, and now... She jumped up herself, hoping to at least warn him, but it was too late. She could only watch in horror as the blonde ran towards Liam.

He hadn't realized how much he'd missed his Sire until he saw him walking in through the stairway door, and he made it almost halfway across the lobby before the... *wrongness* registered. When it did, though, he stopped as quickly as he'd started, his eyes wide and frantic. "Peaches!" he almost yelled, "What the *Hell* happened!" He was completely unprepared for the human form of his Sire to run straight at him and knock him to the floor-- and it wasn't until he saw the tall, still *vampiric* form of that same Sire over the first one's shoulder that he knew what was happening. It was obvious to him, then... after one-hundred and thirty-some-odd years, William the Bloody had finally lost his mind!

End.
 

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