::You have something you wanted to discuss with me, Angel?:: Giles was
studying him. And it was unnerving the Vampire. He was so damned suggestive
of Will, that Angel wouldnt be surprised if the Watcher suddenly --
Lighting up a smoke, he offered one to the taller man,. ::No..,:: Angel
stuttered.
((No more surprises....))
::No, you have nothing to say? I suppose I should be going then....:: And
the
mortal turned as if to leave....
((to...where?))
The vampire grabbed his arm. ::No..I meant no to the cigarette. Yes, I
have
something to say to you. Is that why you came?::
The man turned to look at him, and Angel took in the crooked smirk toying
on
his upper lip. ::I told you why Im here. Ive come to take you home. Angelus.::
Angel swallowed. :: Im not Angelus, Rupert. Im not him. I havent been him
in
--::
::Since you killed Jenny?:: the man accused. No malice in his calm, eerie
tone, just
stating the facts....
((The sins of the fathers daddy))
::Giles. Do you have the stone?::
The Watcher ignored the question, and calmly took a drag on his cigarette.
::Time is
wasting, Angelus. Do you have something to say to me? I have miles to go,
old
friend.::
::I want to ask you to forigve me.:: The vampires voice was soft,
shaky. He
knew the
man heard it, although he gave no sign. He stood, serenely inhaling the
white
puffs of
smoke, and blowing them out again into the breath of early dawn.
When he turned to face Angel, his face was smooth and untroubled. ::You
care
about my forgiveness?::
Angels gaze wavered for an instant. ::Yes. I do.::
::Then why didnt you ask it before? Its been a long time, mate.::
There it was again. A term of endearment. The complete lack of emotion
with
which
Ripper spoke made the small hairs on Angels arms stand up.
This scenario had played itself out in the dark vampires mind numberless
times. Of all the torments earth and Hell had visited upon the souled
vampire, in the end, it was his own musings which always tortured him most
efficently. What he had done, what he should have done, what he had been
too
cowardly to do....
Never in his wildest imaganings did he picture himself needing to ask
forgiveness from Ripper for the death of Jenny. If Giles had harbored even
the slightest bit of begrudging respect for the Vampire, at least with
regards to what he once meant to Buffy, this man most certainly did not
share
that sentiment. This man was regarding Angel with all the concern of a
small
bug trapped under a microscope. Interesting specimen. Squash when done.
::I couldnt. I didnt feel I deserved it.:: Angel answered finally.
The smooth mask lifted momentarily as the mortal man blinked, twice. Then
he
pulled off his glasses and began to polish them absently on the cuff of
his
shirt. ::I see.::
Angel cocked his head, as if listening to something off in the distance,
and
frowned.
::Rupert...We have to get out of here. Its not safe...::
::Really? I feel perfectly content. Right here. I rather like where you
are.:: The Watcher put his glasses back in the bridge of his nose and
regarded the Vampire thoughtfully. The message was clear. Ripper was enjoying
this.
Angel listened to the low pitched rumbling.... ::Giles!:: his voice raised,
and he took a single step closer to the smaller man.
Who promptly leveled a strong fist into the right side of his jaw.
*************************************************************************
::All right then, whats the plan?:: Spike addressed the Watcher directly.
::And youre welcome for our efforts thusfar, blondie.:: Xander snapped.
The vampire turned, raised one scarred brow in the boys direction. ::Ill
thank ya when Ive got me Sire back in one piece. Til then, do us all a
favor,
and shut yer gob.::
::Or what, O impotent one?:: Xander was tired, and angry at so many things,
he couldnt even begin to sort them at the moment.
Then again, so was the vampire.
::Ya know what, Harris? Ripping yer throat out and pissing down yer neck
would be
worth the mother of all sodding headaches.:: He took a menacing step closer
to the teen.
Cordelia stepped between them. ::Angel:: was all she said.
Spike blinked. He felt the wave emenating from the girl; it hit him square
in
the chest, where his heart didnt beat. He looked at the young Watcher,
standing across the room. The vibe was the same. It was so pure and simple
he
could almost taste it.
It was love for his Sire.
These two loved him and they were not about to let any harm come to him
on
their
watch.
The Prom Queen bitch and the still-in-the-closet Englishman. His Sires
human
family.
((Well. If that dont top imaginary castles in the air and Druscilla coming
back from the dead, I dunno what the hell does.))
************************************************************************
Angels head snapped back with the ferocity of the blow. The familiar taste
of
his own
blood rested on his tongue.
::We dont have time for this:: the Vampire growled. He sprang forward,
effortlessly
pinning the smaller mans arms at his sides. The gold gaze, aroused by the
blood, softened when he looked into the startled brown eyes of....his old
friend.
He smiled a bit. ::You can beat me up when we get home. Although
Im sure
Spike will want to be first in line....Youll have to settle for sloppy
seconds....::
The Watcher blinked. ::Angel?:: he asked, staring at the mans bruised jaw
and
bloody lip. ::Oh dear. Did I---? I did:: Giles looked away, puzzled
and
obviously slightly embarassed. ::And I came here fully intending to rescue
you. Ive no idea what happened.::
Angel released the mans arms and shrugged. The marks were already fading.
He
swallowed the blood without thinking, licking his lips clean. ::I know
what
happened.
You have the stone::
::I dont --,:: Giles stopped, and padded his pockets. The pack of cigarettes
were gone. Replaced by a small, green gem. He sighed.
Angel raised his brows. ::Suppose it could have been worse. You have a
mean
right hook, Giles.:: The vampire rubbed his jaw and gave a worried glance
to
the sky.
Stormclouds gathered.
The Watcher smiled. ::Im terribly sorry about that, really.::
The apology had not yet fallen from his lips when the whirlwind began again.
************************************************************************
::Willow, if we cast another spell of opening, we should at least create
another portal, yes?:: Wesley addressed the young Witch.
::Yes...but then it would be up to Giles and Angel to find it...and Angel
would have to get him through it....or Giles would be stuck...::, her head
bowed a bit on the last.
::Yes, but at least it would be a chance.::, the Watcher pressed.
::Do it.:: Spike said.
************************************************************************
The vampire and the Watcher now stood before what a appeared to be endless
spires...huge, gleaming white spires which reached farther into the night
sky
than even Angels preternatural vision could follow. The metal spokes
were
connected together by intricate ironworks, and the entire structure stretched
outward into the horizon like...
::Its some sort of gate.:: Angel murmured, reaching out his hand.
Giles stopped him before he could touch the luminescent spikes. They seemed
to block the very stars....Angel turned to look at him. ::What is--?::
The Englishman was mouthing the words to something....and as Angel peered
closer, he could make out words etched into the metal....
::Can you read that?::
The Watcher nodded. ::Yes...although even if I couldnt I - I would recognize
it...::
The vampire shivered. ::Why? What is it? Where are we?::
::It says ~O Salutaris Hostia, Quae caeli pandis ostium~..... Angel, these
are the gates of Heaven.::
************************************************************************
End Part 18a