SERIES: Passing Time #27

AUTHOR: Tisienne Blue

DISCLAIMER: I own no one you recognize from TV. I am not Joss Whedon.

RATING: NC-17 for the series.

PAIRINGS: A/W/Liam; S/C

DISTRIBUTION: anyone I've said yes to, and my own site.

FEEDBACK: would be nice.

DEDICATIONS: to my site-Goddess Jeannette, as always. To anyone who remembers and likes this series. Thanks!!!*VBG*

NOTES: Okay, this is kinda future, and pretty AU, as well. It's 2007 (which is apparently a favourite year of mine for some reason), and Willow's been living at the Hyperion with Angel for a long time. There's also another version of Angel there named Liam. He's from an alternate timeline, and is human, but Eternal. Angel, Willow, and Liam are together, as are Spike and Cordy. The threesome have been tested repeatedly by the Powers, and have passed with flying colours, and things are about to get distinctly... interesting. Soon. But first, there are a few things that need to be wrapped up. As usual, * * within the body of the fic= emphasis.

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A small smile crossed Liam's lips as he taped his note firmly to the bedroom door. He'd told his Mates that he would never leave them again, after all, and he wanted to be sure they knew he hadn't. Or not in the *permanent* sense, anyway. If they'd been awake, he would have just told them where he was going, but they weren't; hell, he was surprised that *he* was. Still, once the initial urgency of being with them again had receded slightly, he'd found himself overtaken by a sense of... uncomfortable irritation with himself. The feeling had been so strong, it had woken him from a sound sleep.

He was still smiling just that little bit as he strolled quickly down the hallway and jogged down the stairs. He had to see Mathry; had to explain what he needed and why, and... he only hoped the Oracle would help him. Of course, if Mathry wouldn't, he was fairly certain that Sionelle would.

He slipped open the hatch in the basement and swiftly clambered down the ladder before stalking through the sewers towards the old post office.

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

Her Mate obviously thought she was a moron, Cordelia figured. How else could he possibly think that she wouldn't notice the fact that he was hiding something from her?

Of course, the fact that that same 'something' had entered the apartment in a bag made her feel fairly certain that it was some sort of gift.

She'd spent a strange two days, trying to search out wherever he'd hidden it without having him notice, but all her stealth had finally paid off. Her nose crinkled slightly, and she smiled as she pulled the small bag from beneath the pile of 'cool weather' jackets and sweaters at the back of the hall closet. Not that it ever got really *cold* in Los Angeles, but... She'd learned her lesson when it had snowed in Sunnydale that time. Oh, yeah, she smirked, Cordelia Chase was ready for *anything*. Except what she found when she opened that bag and peered inside.

A large lump formed in her throat, and she actually had to fight to keep herself from crying, because... Spike had gotten her a corset to replace the one he'd shredded. And the receipt was in the bag, so she knew he'd actually *paid* for it, too! Her lips trembled into a tremulous smile, even as she closed the bag and put it back where she'd found it.

He'd actually listened to her, she realized. When she'd complained about the ripping and tearing he'd done, he'd been *listening*, and... no one had ever really done that before. Nobody she was sleeping with, anyway.

The knowledge sent a large burst of pure love shooting through her, and while she was certain he'd never understand just how much what he'd done meant to her, she vowed silently to make sure to show him just how much she appreciated him. The only question was... how?

She pondered that puzzle as she moved down the hall to her bedroom, and she paused in the doorway, just staring at his relaxed form against the wine-coloured sheets. He was so pale, and so... perfect. Strong, and cool, and wickedly pleasurable. Seductive, and sinful, and entirely hers. She could stare at him for hours, she thought, and never become even slightly bored.

Her smile became a good bit more tender as she stepped into the room and closed the door behind her, and it took barely a moment to shed her robe and curl her naked body against his equally un-clothed side. "Love you, Spike," she murmured as she dragged the blanket from the foot of the bed and covered them with it; "Love you..."

Spike smirked softly as he listened to her heartbeat and breathing assume the regular, even cadence of sleep. His arm shifted, sliding beneath her and wrapping around her waist. "Love you, too, baby," he purred, pulling her even closer. It was true, too. She was his Mate, and... he'd never known it was even possible to love anyone the way he did her. It was a bloody blissful sensation, knowing she shared that feeling.

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

Angel awoke with a growl, his eyes golden and darting wildly about the room as he tried to figure out what had him so disturbed. It was the one, lonely heartbeat that alerted him, though. He forced himself to calm, his eyes finally coming to rest on Willow's face where she lay beside him, and he wasn't at all surprised to see that her eyes were wide open. "Where is he?" he demanded, fear and anger racing through him as he sat up. He'd *thought* Liam understood; he thought he'd been very clear that his human-self wasn't allowed to leave them ever again, but... "Where is he?" he asked again, unaware of the shattered, begging tone in his voice.

Well, Willow told herself, even as she reached out, her hand drawing her upright to caress her vampire's brow soothingly, she'd known he would have *some* sort of a reaction. Still, "He's a grown man, love," she said simply. "We can't expect him to just... sit around, right?" A small smile graced her lips, even as his arms closed desperately on her and pulled her close. "Besides, she murmured breathlessly, "He left us a note..." She was truly glad that she'd woken a few minutes earlier and found that out, though, because in all honesty, she'd been just as frantic as Angel was to find Liam gone. "He had to see the Oracles, and there was something about him giving his word, and you giving yours. It was kind of vague, but he should be back soon." She groaned slightly, happily, when his strong, cool hands moved to the small of her back, and she leaned into his touch, a louder groan springing from her when his fingers rubbed small, firm circles at the base of her spine. "Gods..."

And the sense of relief flooding him, now that he knew where his male Mate was didn't quite keep him from wondering at the sounds his witch was making. Still, they were *good* sounds, so he increased the pressure, his hands moving just a bit faster and harder. "You okay, baby?" he muttered, because he'd touched her that way many a time since the beginning, and... this particular reaction was new.

"Uh-huh," Willow moaned, her forehead falling forward to rest against his broad chest. "Oh, yeah. I'm good. Just... don't stop..."

Well, and he could manage that, he was sure. He laid his cheek on the top of her head, and smiled softly as her moans grew louder. He wasn't sure of what was going on, but... A very familiar smell burst over him, and "Ohhhh..." he purred, suddenly understanding. His eyes flickered wickedly from brown to gold and back again. Blood smell. And more to the point, his *woman's* blood-smell. He couldn't keep himself from pulling her into his lap, and when she was situated comfortably, her hip hot and pressed tightly to his hardening shaft, he growled softly. Still, he could tell she felt kind of ache-y, so he forced himself to loosen his hold and gazed down into her bright green eyes. "You want some aspirin or something, sweetheart?" he murmured softly, his fingers still rubbing at her back, "Maybe some coffee or hot chocolate?"

It wasn't until that moment that she realized exactly why she was feeling so daggy and worn, but when she did, she struggled against him. "Angel,' she begged, "Let me up!"

Angel's eyes narrowed just a bit, even as he shook his head and held her closer. "Sorry, can't do that, Will," he said smoothly. "Not when you smell so... delicious..."

And he was a vampire, after all, so she supposed she shouldn't be overly surprised. Still, "The sheets!" she exclaimed, although she stopped wriggling.

Angel shrugged, placing his cheek atop her head once more. "They're dark," he reminded her, "And it's not like we can't wash them later..." He found that he was suddenly glad Liam had gone out; he wasn't sure of how well his human-self would have dealt with what was about to happen in their bed. Oh, he'd have to learn to deal with it eventually, but... first, Angel figured, Willow had to understand that it was all right, herself. Maybe not normal for anyone but them, but... "Trust me, baby?" he murmured against her thick red hair.

Willow's heart was thudding wildly, but she nodded, nonetheless. Vampire, she reminded herself. Angel is a vampire, and he's my Mate, and he loves me, and... I can handle this. I *can*! "Always, love," she finally said.

His smile was enormous, even as one hand slid slowly from her back and delved gently between her legs. "I'll stop if you want me to," he promised, hoping it was true, "But let me..." He sighed in wonder as she spread her thighs for him, and when he slid one thick finger inside her and felt the difference in the slickness coating her passage he groaned, his true face coming firmly to the fore. "Love you, baby," he growled, even as he lay back, pulling her with him. "Love you..." as he rolled them and stared down into her eyes, and "Love you," again, as his lips began the slow trek down her soft, warm skin.

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

"C'mon, Mathry," Liam cajoled, bouncing slightly with impatience, "I *had* to, to save my Will. You know that. Now, will you *please* cut me a break, here?"

The male Oracle shook his head wonderingly. "I really can't believe you," he said loudly, amusement warring with anger in his voice. "You made a promise to a demon-- a promise that you had no *right* to make, by the way-- and now..." He shook his head despairingly. "And *now* you want *me* to help you fulfill it? Are you out of your mind?" He rolled his eyes when the human simply nodded. "And why, exactly, would I even consider it?"

The human shrugged and forced himself to sound playful, although there was a bare edge of intent truth in his words. "Maybe because you work for the Powers, and the promise would have been unnecessary if they hadn't mucked about with my Mate in the first place? Maybe because you keep *testing* us, regardless of the fact that you *know* we're all committed to the fight. And maybe," he went on, the teasing tone completely gone, "Because you still need us for something, and whatever it is, I doubt it'd be good for us to go into it being forsworn." Liam nodded decisively, his eyes locked on Mathry's. "I think it would reduce our chances and limit our usefulness. And I think you're just... fucking around with me. If you won't help, just say so, and if you *will*? Then stop with the fucking *games* already."

And that little speech was yet another example of why his other-self had become friends with the Eternal Warrior, the Oracle knew. He sighed softly, well aware of the fact that he was going to give in. As if he wasn't in enough trouble with the Powers for going after Liam in the first place, and sending him back to his Mates. Still, he'd been human himself once, and...

Sionelle rolled her eyes slightly as she phased in to the mist-shrouded marble palace, her hands cupped gently before her. She cleared her throat softly, a mysterious little smile blossoming on her lips when the two men stared at her in surprise. "The Warrior is correct, brother," she said calmly, although she was going to have some problems with the Powers, herself, she knew. "For the three to be effective, they must not bear the stain of unfulfilled oaths upon their spirits. They must be clean of such things, and secure in that knowledge." She nodded once, determination clear in her expression as she moved to Liam's side. "Take this to the little demon," she told him, passing him one small, flowering sprig. Her fingers paused for a moment, before returning to the palm of her other hand once more. "And this," she added, "As payment for his patience. He has waited more than twice the agreed upon time."

That was something Liam hadn't even considered, but the female was right, he realized. His eyes grew wide, even as he accepted the small stone from her, and a tiny tear glittered at the corner of his eye. "I... I don't know how to thank you," he admitted quietly. "I should get you something, shouldn't I... but what?" He barely even realized that he'd spoken the last out loud; at least not until she responded.

"All debts are paid, Warrior. You and your Mates have given us both the most precious thing anyone ever could, and without even knowing it." Her tiny smile became a little bit bigger when his brows drew together in confusion. "Don't you know, Liam?" she asked, calling him by name for the first time, "You've given us *hope*." She nodded swiftly, aware of her brother doing the same. "Now, be gone, Warrior!" she ordered, her sharp gesture flinging him across the room and through the glowing portal she'd called into being.

Mathry stared at his counterpart, stunned nearly silent by her words and actions. "I hope you know what you're doing," he finally murmured.

"About as well as you do," she admitted as she faded swiftly away.

The male sighed softly, still staring at the spot she'd just occupied. "That's what I was afraid of," he whispered. "That's exactly what I was afraid of."

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

"Well, yes," Wesley said, annoyance colouring his tone, "But there's really nothing I can do about it, is there? I mean, I'm hardly the type to trawl the bars, and even if I did? How likely is it that I would find 'Miss Right' in that sort of a place?"

Gunn rolled his eyes at the man. He was actually kind of relieved that Wes wasn't willing to settle for the kind of slut he'd find out cruising, but "If you don't put yourself out there, you'll spend the rest of your life alone, man," he observed. "And yeah, can't really see you looking for a girlfriend at a club, English, but..." His eyes narrowed thoughtfully for a moment, and he suddenly brightened. "Y'know, my Granny used to say the best place to find a good woman was in church..."

And Wes couldn't help rolling his eyes right back at the other man. "Yes, and that sounds just... brilliant. Go to church! Why didn't *I* think of that!? Because that's exactly the place for me to find a smart, funny, pretty girl who can handle the truth of what, exactly, exists alongside humanity. I'll find a girl, and take her to the hotel. I'll say 'Sweetheart, I'd like you to meet Angel. He's a vampire, by the way, but don't worry, he's a *good* vampire. And that bloke who looks just like him, only tan, is Liam. He's human, but he's eternal, and he's from another world. The redhead is Willow, and she's a bloody powerful witch. Oh, and they all sleep together. They're Mated by blood, as a matter of fact.'; Yes, Gunn, I'm sure that would go over really well." Still, he couldn't keep himself from chuckling slightly. "On the bright side, she'd run away so fast, I'd never have to explain about Spike and Cordy, now would I?" He nodded once, decisively. "Yes. Church. Sounds like a plan."

The tall black man finished cleaning under his fingernails and glanced back at his friend, exaggerated shock on his face. "Oh. You're done? 'Cause I could listen to you bitching and moaning for hours." He couldn't quite figure out what Wesley's problem was. Okay, sure it wasn't easy to find someone who would understand about what they all faced on a daily basis. It was damned hard, in fact. Angel had lucked out, he admitted silently, in that Willow was from a Hellmouth. She'd known the truth long before she'd gotten involved with him and Liam. Hell, Cordelia was from there, too, and she'd gone and hooked herself up with a demon, as well. And maybe that was the answer, Gunn thought suddenly. "Sunnydale," he said loudly.

The former watcher frowned, not sure of what the connection was between the small town he'd once lived in, and what they'd been discussing. "I'm sorry?" he demanded; "What *about* Sunnydale?"

"Oh, c'mon, English," Gunn said, smirking just a bit, "We need to go to Sunnydale. It's a Hellmouth, right? So all the chicks there pretty much *know* what's what, even if they don't want to admit it. Right?" His mind raced, and his expression became just a bit dreamy. "Yeah. We'll go to Sunnydale and find us some women... and if they're the *right* ones, we bring 'em back here and..." He turned laughing eyes to his closest friend. "What do you say, English? I mean, just think about it. All those honeys, and a serious lack of non-demon-y men. Could be good, right?"

Wesley couldn't help laughing; he really couldn't. "You're insane," he chuckled. Still, a small part of him thought it was actually a very good idea. He was tired of being alone, after all, and... apparently, so was Gunn. He'd think about it, he decided.

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

Angel's entire body was singing with the sensation of the power-rich blood he'd drawn from his witch. He could still taste her, although she'd gotten into the shower almost half an hour earlier. He glanced at the clock by the bed, his brow furrowing. Make that almost an *hour*, he realized.

That was somehow worrying to him; especially since she'd never spent more than twenty-five minutes unless she was either taking a bath or had some company, and... He focused his hearing. No, she was definitely showering. He frowned slightly and rose from the bed, moving quickly to the bathroom door.

"Will?" he said softly, opening the door and stepping inside, "You okay?" His frown became deeper when he heard her muffled sobs, and he didn't even notice that he was crossing the tiled floor and sliding past the shower curtain until he was holding her to him, the hot water pounding down over both of them. "Will... Will..." he murmured against her cheek, small tears slipping from his own eyes, "Baby, please... what is it... what's wrong, love?"

She truly couldn't bear to tell him, so she just shook her head, her arms wrapping tightly around his solid waist as she shook harder than she'd been doing before.

It felt like his heart was frozen in his chest, and he couldn't help feeling like whatever was making her cry was his fault. But of course it was, he realized. Even with everything she'd experienced with him, it had probably disgusted her that he'd... "Is it that I tasted you?" he nearly whispered, "That I made you let me... touch you like that? I'm so sorry, baby... I didn't want to make you feel bad..."

Willow could actually *feel* his heart breaking, and she couldn't keep herself from sobbing even harder. "No..." she said, when she finally found her voice; "No, Angel... it's that... I liked it. I really, really liked it, and I wanted to..." She swallowed hard, but he was her Mate, wasn't he? And maybe he'd understand. "I just... I felt you doing those things to me, and I really wanted you to be in me, and you didn't *want* to!" she wailed, even more tears streaming down her face, although they were lost amongst the trails of water from the shower head.

He felt the broad smile spreading across his lips, but that was just fine, he knew, because "Oh, baby," he moaned softly, his head dipping until his lips were pressed gently to her ear, "I wanted to; *believe* me, I wanted to. I just didn't want to push you, you know?" He pulled back just a bit, his eyes meeting hers anxiously, and he tried to put every bit of longing he'd felt then-- and *still* felt-- into his expression. "I thought you'd be freaked enough that I was..." His eyes darkened, just a tinge of gold entering them. "Well, I didn't think you'd want me that way. Not when my mouth was making you so tense, anyway." He pulled her even closer, letting her feel the rampant proof of just how much he *did* want to be inside her sweet, perfect heat, and he groaned deeply when her eyes grew bright and yearning. "I guess I was wrong," he purred, lifting her against him.

"Yeah," Willow sighed softly as her hands moved to his shoulders and her legs rose to lock at the small of his back. Granted, she'd been a little bit.... disturbed... when he'd first set his lips to her, but the sensations he'd created had quelled that inner turmoil almost immediately, and then she'd just... *wanted* him. She should have known that he shared that desire, though, but she knew it now. "Yeah," she said again, the word sliding out as a moan, "You were wrong, all right." Her eyes closed then, in a reaction to the sheer perfection of her vampiric Mate sliding deep into her as he pressed her hard against the tiled wall, and she couldn't help arching her neck for him, offering still more of her hot, thick blood. She also couldn't help groaning loudly and happily when he took her up on it.

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

It wasn't that he was afraid of Somcre. He wasn't, and that wasn't why he wanted company on his trek to give the demon what he'd been promised. He just wanted witnesses to the fact that not only had he done what he'd said, but had also brought an 'interest payment'. That Liam was entirely unsure of exactly what the little gem was didn't matter. It had been given him by one of the Oracles, so he was fairly certain it was something impressive.

He smiled widely as he approached the building Charles Gunn had acquired an apartment in, and even more broadly as he slipped inside and started up the stairs. He hadn't spent anything like enough time with the vampire-hunter, but he had a feeling the much younger man was one of the good ones. His smile was still in place as he heard the small sounds of arguing from inside, although it dimmed a bit when he recognized the second voice as belonging to Wesley Wyndham-Price. He still hadn't quite forgiven the man for trying to kill Willow, after all. Still, he knocked loudly, and raised one brow when the door was flung open. "Got a little mission," he said to the tall black man; "Want in?"

And that was just one of the stupidest questions ever, Gunn decided, even as he snatched his jacket from the hook by the door. "Oh, yeah," he stated definitively, because... if he had to listen to Wes whine and complain for even five more minutes, he might just have to kill him. "What about Wes?" he asked quietly, well aware of the fact that Liam didn't trust him.

Liam shrugged as if he didn't care, but... His Mates trusted the Englishman, now that the Thobian Imps were gone, and... if he never gave him a chance, he'd never be able to interact with him, after all. "It's up to you," he said after a minute; "I don't really care either way."

Gunn nodded slowly, somehow following the other man's thoughts. Still, in the interests of peace... "Yo, English! Mount up!"

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

He truly enjoyed watching her sleep. It was a concept that still astounded him. Didn't stop him from imagining her in the leather corset he'd bought her, though.

Of course, now that he'd actually *paid* for one, he understood why she'd been so upset about his tearing the other from her toned, warm skin. The bloody devices were sodding expensive! Still, that was why he'd laid in a good number of replacement leather ties. If he couldn't rip the thing to shreds, he was at least going to cut the laces off. He'd even gotten himself a sweet little knife to do it with.

The hand that wasn't holding her tight to his side slid slowly down his chest and over his belly, and he moaned quietly when he wrapped his fingers around his hardening shaft. He smirked just a bit as he began stroking himself, because... even if Cordelia wasn't awake, he could still rake his eyes over her perfect form whist he had himself a bit of a wank. Hell, touching himself while looking at her was still better than actually fucking anyone else. That might make him more like the ponce than he cared to admit, but so fucking what? His Mate was the best sodding thing in the world, and he couldn't deny it, even if he'd wanted to, which he didn't. "Love you, pet," he whispered softly.

Well, if there were ever any words designed to pull her from a deep slumber, those were they-- especially when spoken in Spike's wonderful voice. Her eyes stayed closed, even as her hand traveled slowly over his skin, finally finding his wrapped around that long, perfect tube of flesh and muscle. Her fingers entwined with his, and she moaned very softly against his skin. "You, too, Spike," she mumbled, still not entirely awake. Then he growled, and everything within her perked up. Her eyes opened, and her hand gripped him more tightly, and she couldn't quite manage to resist the small male nipple just inches from her lips.

A wicked gasp flew from him as his woman's mouth closed over his peaked flesh, and he arched wildly against the bed as she stroked him faster... harder. But he wasn't in the mood for a hand-job, if he was going to be honest. It was one thing to get himself off while she slept, but a completely bloody different thing when she was not only awake, but touching him. He released his grip on his now straining cock, and lifted his fingers to the bite-mark on her neck, growling once more when she arched into his touch. "Love," he moaned, "Want to. Can I?"

And somehow, she wanted that even more than she had the first time. She didn't even bother to answer him; she just pulled away and flung one leg over his tense form, her already seeping core resting on his lower belly. Her hot brown eyes locked on his gold-tinged blue ones, and she thought-- once again-- that she'd never seen anything so beautiful. "Can you...?!" she finally asked incredulously, "You'd better!" A small laugh made its way past her lips at the look of desperate need on his face, but it didn't slow her even slightly as she lowered herself to him. Her lips brushed his for an instant, and as she slid back, taking the entirety of his thick, throbbing manhood deep inside her, she turned her head, presenting his mark to him.

He honestly didn't know which sensation was more enticing-- the way his throbbing cock filled her tight, wet center, or the feel of his fangs deep in her neck, pulling her essential essence from her. Still, he figured, while he could still think-- the combination of both was just bloody amazing! He couldn't drink too much, though, he reminded himself. They hadn't figured out the soul-ing thing yet. Thus it was that he pulled his teeth slowly from her after a few swallows, and licked at the wound as she rode him smoothly, and wantonly, and perfectly. His eyes closed, and he focused on the way she felt on him-- around him-- and when his head ground back against the pillow, he howled, because...

That was what she'd been waiting for. She stared down at him, a deep, wicked look in her eyes, and when she knew he wasn't looking-- wasn't paying any attention to anything other than the way he was feeling, she struck. Her hands tightened on his shoulders, and she darted down, taking the soft, pale skin at the side of his neck between her teeth and biting down *hard*. Her eyes slammed closed, then flew wide as the taste of him burst over her, and it was so much the same-- and yet so different-- from when he'd opened his skin for her. She shifted herself roughly against him, even as she drank him down, and as she felt him swelling wildly within her, her heart raced and she released his skin. "Spike!" she screamed, her voice echoed by his shouting her name.

And he'd never even wondered about what it would feel like to have his sweet, perfect Cordy biting him that way, but... one hand gripped tightly at her hair, and he pulled her lips roughly to the bloody wound on his throat again. "Hell, pet," he groaned, "Don't stop now..." He wouldn't let her drink too much, since he wasn't ready to turn her yet, but... it was a bloody erotic sensation, it was. He moaned quietly as she lapped at his neck, then growled as the tip of her tongue probed delicately at the edges of her mark on him. His other hand slid to rest at the small of her back, and he held her there as he began growing hard within her yet again. "Love you, baby," he murmured, just before losing the ability to speak.

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

Mathry sighed softly, his eyes locked on the images in the scrying pool. He was happy for the Seer and her Mate; truly, he was. They were good together, although they'd not been expected. Still, the harder things became for the Warriors and the Witch, the worse they would *also* become for those two. He didn't envy them, especially with the fact that it would be starting soon, and... when it did, it would make the things Liam, Angel, and Willow had already gone through seem like a stroll through the park.

The Oracle sighed again and cleared the images with a thought. "I don't envy them," he whispered softly into the still air of the pocket-dimension. "I don't envy them *at* *all*."

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

The surprising thing to Liam wasn't that Somcre had been so very agreeable and understanding over the delay. In fact, the little demon had been positively glowing when he'd held his orchid for the first time. No, the thing that had shocked him was...

Somcre had taken one look at the small gem Liam was offering him, and had smiled and shook his head. "Oh, no," the little creature had said, backing away, "That's *definitely* not something to have in my collection. It's rare, yes, but... Not really something I need." A broad smile had appeared on his tight little face, showing every one of his teeth. "Give it to your Mate, why don't you?"

Liam's mind was *still* reeling over that one, although he'd felt honour-bound to let the collector keep the Eye of Romas. It was only fair, after all, and Somcre'd been quite happy with that arrangement.

He glanced swiftly at Gunn and Wes, silently admitting that maybe he was holding a grudge against the Englishman. No; he *knew* he was, and... it might actually be time to let it go. "Thanks, Gunn. Wes," he told them as they approached Gunn's building. "I appreciate the company, and the back-up. It could have gotten kind of nasty."

Gunn simply shrugged and opened the front door. "Didn't though, so good job, there, Liam."

Wesley tried to smile, although he still felt horrible about what he'd done whilst infected with those imps. He cleared his throat quietly. "Yes, well. Fortunately, Somcre seems happy, so..." He shrugged and turned to follow Gunn inside.

"Wes," Liam said, stopping the other man. "Look, I. I know it wasn't you, exactly, but..." He shook his head, not sure of how to explain it.

"It's going to take some time. I know that, Liam." Wesley frowned slightly, meeting the much older man's eyes. "And none of this is helped by the fact that those imps were already in residence when you arrived. Everything I remember about that time is coloured by their presence, and everything *you* recall-- about me, I mean... well, let's just say we never really met until after Willow removed them." He nodded slowly, relieved at finally having put his thoughts into words. "I'm not saying we'll ever be great friends, you know, but... I think you might learn to tolerate me someday, and after what I did? That's really all I can ask for, isn't it?" He turned then, and trotted up the stairs after Gunn, leaving a shocked and astonished Eternal Warrior standing on the street.

His eyes were still wide, even as he started for home, because... Everything Wesley had just said was true, and... he supposed he never *had* really met the other man. And maybe he was right, and they'd never be friends, but somehow, he doubted it.

It was actually something of a load off his mind, what with the fact that his Mates were so close to the man. He'd been feeling kind of bad about his own reluctance and dislike. But maybe things would work out. There was a very good chance now, after all.

A large smile crossed his lips at the thought of his Mates, and his steps became faster, until he was almost sprinting. He'd left them in bed, and he couldn't help hoping that that would be exactly where he'd find them again. Or in the shower, he realized, after running into the hotel and up to their room.

He could see the steam billowing through the open bathroom door, and hear the unmistakable sounds coming from within, and it took less than a minute to peel the clothing from his suddenly aching flesh. He only hoped they weren't *too* mad at him for running off.

So caught up was he in anticipation of their glorious caresses, he forgot completely about Sionelle's gift-- the one Somcre had passed on having. "I'm back," he murmured, stepping into the shower behind his vampire-self.

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