SERIES: Passing Time (#16)

AUTHOR: Tisienne Blue

E-MAIL: tisatko@msn.com

DISCLAIMER: I own no-one and nothing that you know from television. That honour belongs to Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt.

RATING: NC-17 for the series... Maybe R-ish for this part.

PAIRING: A/W/Liam; S/C

DISTRIBUTION: the usual suspects (love you guys!!!). Otherwise, ask.

FEEDBACK: is a good thing, I think!!!

DEDICATIONS: to Di (for the challenge), and to: Nutmeg, Ali, Vampie, Eleanor, and Caroline (for the lovely feedback!!!*VBG*)

NOTES: 2007; Slutty's dead; Willow lives at the Hyperion. Liam (alternate time-line Angel) is also there, and he, Willow and Angel are mated (ALL of them). * *= emphasis.

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He'd been *right*, he realized, as he slammed the make-shift stake into the chest of the wiry vampire... This *was* fun! Of course, he hadn't really planned on doing any fighting when he'd asked the cheerleader to show him the town, but... he was willing to take whatever the fates threw his way, and if Angel's mysterious 'Powers' chose to toss a nice bit of violence in his path, then who was *he* to say them nay? He spun quickly, an enormous grin on his face as he kicked the already-dusted vampire's companion into the wall of the alley, and laughed loud and hard when his lovely brunette companion suddenly jumped in with her own bit of broken box. "Nice form, pet," he smirked, as the blonde vampire crumbled to dust.

Cordelia smiled, breathing only slightly faster than usual as she dropped the piece of wood and brushed off her hands. "Thanks, Spike," she said, turning towards him. She gazed at him for a moment before moving closer, one hand rising almost tentatively towards the ridges of his forehead. "Can I...?" she asked, almost as an afterthought, and she smiled again when he nodded slowly and leaned into her fingers.

Spike almost couldn't believe that she actually wanted to touch his demon-face, but then again... the girl insisted upon seeing him as a person, so maybe he shouldn't have been too surprised, but... His eyes slid shut, and he sighed softly in pure delight, as her fingers trailed slowly across his forehead. "Cordelia..." he almost moaned, when he felt the slim, elegant fingers of her other hand tracing his jaw.

She'd never touched anyone-- not even Angel-- when they were all vamped out, and she was a bit shocked at herself that she was doing it now, and with *Spike*, but... it wasn't *bad*! Somehow, she'd been expecting his skin to feel... rough, maybe, or at least... bumpy and gross, but it *wasn't*! No, she realized, her eyes wide, his skin was just as soft as the rest of him was hard, and she couldn't help it when her fingers began to rub gently at his ridges while her other hand caressed his defined jaw lightly. A small, purely feminine smile crossed her lips when he growled softly and leaned even more into her touch. She wasn't sure of exactly what she was doing-- or why-- but... it felt *right*, somehow, and when her fingers traced lightly at his full, cool lips, and his tongue slipped out to tentatively lick at them, she barely kept herself from moaning.

He wasn't really thinking right at the moment, mostly because her soft warm hands had driven all thought from his mind, and her soft, gentle touches were just a moment or two away from making him... He forced himself to pull away from her, his eyes opening wide as he did. "That... uh, that may not be such a good idea, luv," he said breathlessly, stepping back when she would have moved closer. He shook his head, the human features slipping back out. His hands slid into the pockets of his coat, and he held it closed in front of him, almost ashamed of his body's reaction to those simple, innocent touches she'd graced him with. He almost wanted to take her right then and there, but... he hadn't talked to his Sire yet, and... Assuming the great poof was all right with him wooing the girl...? When he actually *did* have her, it wasn't going to be in some dank, dirty alley!

She was almost ready to curse herself for being such a fool. After all, he was *Spike*! There was no reason to think that he'd be interested in her, and that made the fact that she'd actually thought he *was* that much worse! He was her *friend*, the whole blood-sucking thing aside, and... She sighed, her eyes fixed on a loose plastic bag being blown down the alley. "Sorry," she said unhappily, not sure of what else to say. She turned slowly and started back toward the street, only to be stopped by his cool hand on her shoulder.

His eyes flew wide yet again when he turned her to face him, and he saw the swiftly-hidden look on her face. Oh, sure, he'd known that she was *attracted*, but... she was also *interested* in him? He'd allowed himself to hope that maybe she might be-- after he spent some time showing her that he could be a good enough sort of chap, but... she already *was*? He searched her suddenly expressionless face, and almost laughed when he detected just a slight bit of sorrow. But she would undoubtedly take any chuckling on his part as some kind of rejection, and that was the *last* thing he wanted to risk. "Cordelia..." he said softly, almost sighing the name as his hand slid down her arm to her elbow. His other hand reached out, twining his fingers through hers as he spoke directly into her eyes. "Look, luv, I... I like you." He could see the clouds gathering on her face, and rushed on. "I mean, I really... *like* you! And I liked the way you were touching me just then... maybe *too* much..."

She was confused for just a moment, until she was actually able to process what he'd just said, but then... *Then*, a brilliant smile pasted itself to her lips, and her free hand rose to settle lightly on his waist. "Really? It felt... *good*?" A slightly wicked gleam started in her eyes, and she scraped her nails gently against his cotton shirt. "You *mean* it?"

His head tilted back, and he groaned deep in his throat. "*Yes*," he hissed, his fingers tightening around hers, "It felt *good*, all right?" He wanted nothing more than to pull her tightly against him and then devour her mouth with his own, but... He forced himself to pull away from her again, although this time he wasn't worried about whether she saw what she did to him or not. Hell, a part of him hoped she *did*! He wouldn't want the girl to have any illusions about what being involved with him would be like, after all. "Now, luv," he said quickly, taking her hand once more, "Why don't you show me that club you were talking about?"

Cordelia sighed silently, trying to keep the perplexed expression from her face as she led him from the alley. He liked her, and she'd certainly noticed the evidence of his words, and she thought she'd made it clear that she was... interested. So why, she wondered, was he trying to keep his distance right now? Why hadn't he at least *kissed* her? It was a question that she just *knew* was going to plague her until she found out the answer. Her eyes scanned the street in front of them, and when she saw the fluttering green and red ribbons hanging in front of some store for its 'grand opening', she smiled almost evilly. She was going to get her answers, and without Spike even knowing it! "Slight change of plans," she announced, pulling him down the next cross-street, "Do you *sing*?"

Spike groaned softly, but allowed her to lead him, none the less. He didn't know what the girl was getting him in to, but she was entirely too amused about it for his liking. Still... "I've been known to belt out a tune or two..."
 

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The redhead sighed happily, her body still pleasantly aching from her Mates' attentions. They'd had every intention of napping when they'd first gotten to their room, but... then they were all naked, and in bed, and... things had happened, as they usually did. Not that she was complaining, because she really *wasn't*, but... she was so *tired* these days! And she also felt like she was coming down with something, although she didn't want to tell Angel or Liam. They'd just fuss over her and treat her like a child, and while she knew she'd enjoy the attention, she didn't think that she'd be able to stand it for long! Hell, they'd almost driven her crazy the other day, when she'd been foolish enough to let them find out that she had a headache! A small, tender smile crossed her lips then, and she pulled the covers tighter under her chin, deciding that that was small price to pay for having them with her.

Angel sighed softly as he listened to his witch's heartbeat slowing into sleep. He wasn't entirely sure that he even deserved to be this happy, but he was, and he'd be damned if he was going to do anything to mess things up. She would have been enough for him, he knew... if Liam had never been sent to his world, he would have been perfectly happy with just Willow in his life; in his bed. Of course, if his other Mate had never shown up, he'd probably still be dancing around, pretending that he was just the girl's 'friend', so... He had a lot to thank his other-self for, and he didn't have any idea of how he could ever repay him. It was entirely due to the human version of himself that he had this kind of love in his life, and the fact that he also loved him, in addition to his witch, was just... amazing to him. It wasn't the kind of an existence he'd ever dreamed of having, but... it was so much *more*! He didn't know how he was going to do it, but one way or another, someday he would find a way to show them both just how much they meant to him. His eyes opened, and he smiled across the redhead's sleeping form, when he heard Liam's voice.

"You're not supposed to be brooding, Angel," Liam said quietly, one corner of his mouth twitching slightly in amusement. "In fact, I'm almost sure that Will and I declared this bedroom a 'no-brooding zone'."

Angel's smile only grew wider, and he reached out one hand, lightly stroking his other-self's cheek. "You did. And I wasn't *brooding*, I was just... *thinking*."

Liam pressed his face into the cool caress, his eyes closing for just a moment. "About?" he demanded gently, his own hand rising to cover his Mate's on his cheek.

"Everything," the vampire said slowly, resting his head on his other hand. "How things would be if there was no *Liam* here, for one... And how I can thank you and Willow, both, for loving me... for making my life complete..."

The human sighed softly, turning his head to press a light kiss in the vampire's cool palm. "You don't have to *thank* us, Angel," he said seriously, "We're a *part* of each other-- a part of *you*! You make our lives just as full as we make yours, you know." He watched, surprised, as slow tears began welling up in his Mate's eyes, and he reached out, catching one on his fingertip. "Angel...?"

The vampire just shook his head at the question in Liam's voice. "No," he finally said after a few moments, "I'm *fine*; I just..." He shook his head again, slowly. "I don't think I deserve you... *either* of you..."

Liam smiled then, gathering one more slow tear before bringing his finger to his mouth and gently licking the salty liquid away. "Of course you don't deserve us! And we don't deserve *you*! That doesn't mean that we don't get to *have* each other, though, and..." He took the large hand that was still resting against his cheek in his own warm one. "We're your *Mates*, Angel. And you're *ours*. We're *right* together, the three of us, and if I have to fight this out with you every single night, until you accept it...? Then prepare to do *battle*, because I'm for *damned* sure not gonna let you go! Not *ever*!" His gaze dropped from the vampire's, and he focused on the smallish redhead still sleeping between them. "And neither is *Willow*." He almost gasped aloud as the gray cloud lifted from the vampire's expression, and he *did* gasp at the look of sheer bliss that settled over his Mate's features. "Now go to *sleep*," he ordered shakily, placing their still-entwined hands lightly on their girl's stomach as Angel relaxed against the bed.

He would *still* find some way to show his Mates how much he appreciated them, he promised himself. Of course, he had plenty of time for that, so he closed his eyes, and concentrated on just listening to them breathe, and he didn't even notice it when he slipped into slumber himself.

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"So?" Cordelia demanded of the green-skinned demon, "What's his *problem*?"

Lorne sighed deeply, draining his Sea Breeze in one extended gulp. "Let me get this straight, Princess," he said, annoyed, "You drag that... *vampire* in here," he gestured broadly at the stage, "You tell me it's *important* that I read him *immediately*, and as soon as I bump the *six* *demons* ahead of him, you want to know why he hasn't made a move on you yet?" He groaned softly, waving at the bartender for another drink. "That's just... priceless, sweet cheeks!"

The brunette narrowed her eyes momentarily, glaring affectionately at the Host. "Priceless or not," she told him sweetly, "*I* figure you *owe* me one. Or do the words 'Pylea', and 'mutilation chamber' mean *nothing* to you?" She nodded once, shortly, when he dropped his eyes. "That's what I *thought*. Now, get with the *reading* already!" She watched him in curiosity as the bass line began over the club's sound system, almost laughing when she realized just which song Spike had chosen to sing... she hadn't even known that he *liked* Nine Inch Nails.

The demon Host groaned at the images the vampire's mind was assailing him with, and groaned again when the blond got to the chorus. He didn't need this kind of torment, not right at the moment, what with being single again himself and all. "He doesn't *have* a problem, Seer," he said quickly, moving away from her and humming under his breath to block out the feelings rolling from the singing vamp. "He's just... waiting for the right moment, that's all."

Cordelia snorted once at the obvious lie. "Oh, *please*!" she cried, following him. "This is *Spike* we're talking about; he doesn't *believe* in waiting. *Or* 'right moments', for that matter!" She reached towards the demon, snatching the fresh drink from his hand. "So, tell me... what's *really* going on here?"

Lorne sighed again, feeling particularly put-upon, but finally responded when his hang-dog, abused look had no effect on the girl. "Oh, all right, you wicked little minx, but you didn't hear this from *me*, okay?" He grabbed his drink back from her and led her to a nearby table, motioning her to join him. "You work for Angel. You're his Seer. Spike's his childe. From the *vampire* point of view, you both belong to the King of Brood. And whatever else Spike may or may not be, he is *definitely* a *vampire*..." He paused for a moment, taking a large sip of his drink as he waited for her to understand.

She stared at him for a bit, completely nonplused. She actually thought that she saw what he was getting at, and the very notion was making her blood boil. "You mean that..." she shook her head, unable to voice the thought without yelling.

The Host nodded, his red eyes closing for just a second. "He has to ask his Sire for permission to court you first, Princess. If he *doesn't*... Well, let's just say that things could get very *ugly* for your would-be paramour." His eyes returned to the stage, and he smiled slightly. "Not a bad voice at all," he mused, "And an appropriate choice of songs, too." He drank a bit more, feeling the weight of her eyes bearing down on his skin. "What?" he almost whined, "He *does* 'got no soul to sell'..."

The Seer almost laughed at his tone, but... she was actually too angry right at the moment, and she pushed away from the table, standing up. "thanks a lot!" she muttered, before stalking towards the stage to re-claim the vampire who was in *so* much trouble.

Spike was surprised that he'd actually enjoyed his little foray into the world of karaoke. Of course, that might have been because they'd actually had a song that covered what he was feeling right then, but... it could just as easily have been because he was out with the girl who was making him feel those things in the first place. He groaned almost inaudibly when he saw her striding purposefully towards him, her hair lashing about her shoulders. Obviously, something had happened while he'd been performing, and for just an instant, he pitied whoever it was that had angered her so. It was only seconds later, though, that he realized that that person was *him*, and as he let her drag him from the small, demon-friendly bar, he wondered. Maybe he should have chosen a different song?

She was positively *seething*! He needed to ask *Angel's* permission to *date* her? That was just so... She dragged him into the first alley she saw, and slammed him against the wall, glaring at him. "This is *two-thousand* and one, not *nineteen-hundred* and one! And Angel is *not* my *father*! If you want to *see* me," she hissed angrily, poking one finger hard into his chest, "Then you ask *me*! I may be his *Seer*, but I'm *nobody's* *possession*! The only person who can give you the right to *date* me is *me*! You got that, blondie?"

He almost laughed in sheer relief, but he figured that might be a bad idea, what with the way she was still glaring daggers at him. So he raised his hand quickly, trapping her poking finger against his chest. "Got it, luv," he said silkily, his other hand snaking around her body to the small of her back. He pulled her hard against him, taking her lips with his, and driving his tongue deep into her hot, wet mouth.

She moaned deeply against his lips, her tongue dancing feverishly with his, and when she pulled away, she was breathing hard, her anger almost completely forgotten. "So..." she said, suddenly uncomfortably aware of the fact that she' just attacked him in the dark, filthy alley.

He reluctantly released her, wishing that things were as simple as she'd like them to be... But they weren't, and *he* knew it, even if she chose to ignore the fact. "So..." he echoed, vowing to himself that he'd speak with his Sire first thing in the morning... sooner, if the poof wasn't already holed up with his Mates. "So, who's Dennis, luv?" he asked, repeating his question of earlier that afternoon.

Cordelia forced herself not to laugh at the question, deciding to keep him on the ropes for just a little bit longer. "Oh, *Dennis*," she said easily, as they walked from the alley, "Dennis is just... the guy I *live* *with*." A sly smirk crossed her lips before quickly vanishing. After all, she didn't want him to know just how... *good* his angry growl had made her feel. "Come on," she said lightly, taking his hand, "I'll walk you home."

He could smell her amusement; feel it in the blood rushing beneath her smooth, soft skin, and he knew there was something she wasn't telling him about this Dennis bloke. Maybe he was gay, or ancient, or... whatever! It didn't really matter, though, he told himself. He'd find out from the poof, or from the little witch, if Peaches wasn't feeling cooperative. But the girl had liked it when he'd acted all possessive, her angry words earlier not withstanding. He filed that knowledge away in his skull, and followed her through the night, his very presence warning all other predators that *this* girl was *his*! And she *would* be, he swore, just as soon as he'd had it out with Angel.

End.

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