Coming Together

Author: Angel's Kuuipo

Author’s Note: Here’s a little glossary of the Gaelic phrases that are sometimes used in this story.
Gráim thú= I love you
leannan= sweetheart
mo myrneen= my beloved
mo chroí= my heart
Tá tú go h-álainn= You are beautiful
álainn= beautiful

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~Part: 11~

“I miss them.  I can’t believe I actually miss my poof of a grandsire, but I’ve gotten used to having him around again.  I really miss Lacey though.  There’s just something about your mum.  Don’t get me wrong; I’m happy with Sasha now that she understands that Lacey isn’t a threat.  That was an interesting conversation let me tell you…”

***************
“Alright luv, what’s wrong?”  Will asked as he and Sasha made their way to his car after the party.

“Nothing.”

Will snorted, “Don’t Sasha.  I have no patience for the games women play.  Put up with far too many over the years.  Be honest with me please.”

Sasha sighed.  She wasn’t sure how to put her thoughts into words.  <Oh well here goes> “What’s the deal with you and Lacey?”

“What do you mean?”

“If she’s with Liam then what was with that kiss tonight?  I mean the few times I’ve seen the two of you together you’re both all touchy feely and Liam just sits by with a smirk on his face.  Therefore I repeat my earlier question; what’s the deal with you and Lacey?”  Sasha hated the whine she could hear in her voice, but she couldn’t help it.  She didn’t like the idea of sharing her boyfriends’ affections with anyone.

It was Will’s turn to sigh.  He and Lacey were quite close and being physically affectionate with each other was just natural to them.  They hugged, kissed and played.  The physical closeness also reassured Will that there were no lingering ill effects from Lacey’s ‘meltdown’ as she called it.  The desire that had been between them before was still there, though neither had made any move to do anything about it.  He and Lacey were comfortable with how things were between them.  Angel didn’t mind.  He knew where Lacey’s heart loyalty lay, but they both knew he wouldn’t mind if they pursued their attraction as long as he was there.  Lacey just wasn’t ready for that though and Will understood.  “That’s just the way we are Sasha.  I’m a vampire.  Vampires are physical creatures and Lacey understands and accepts that.  She and I are very close and that’s not going to change no matter who I may be involved with.  As for why she kissed me tonight?  She liked my gift.  I gave her and Liam a suite at the Four Seasons.  She was very much anticipating putting it to use.  Where did this jealousy come from?  I thought you liked Lacey.”  Will thought he could love Sasha, but if she couldn’t accept his relationship with Lacey then there was no point in continuing.

“I don’t like to share.”  Will had stopped and was looking at her like she had lost her mind.  Sasha grimaced knowing she wasn’t handling this very well.  “That didn’t come out right.  I sound like a jealous harpy.”  She sighed again, closing her eyes and running a hand through her shoulder length blond hair.  Opening her eyes again she said, “I guess I just don’t understand the dynamics of the relationships you have with Lacey or your co-workers.”

“That’s because they aren’t my co-workers Sasha, they’re my family.  We work together true, but that’s secondary.  We would lay down our lives for each other.”  Will saw the understanding dawn in her gaze and relaxed a bit.  “There’s nothing illicit going on between Lacey and me.  We love each other and own a part of the other’s heart, but she and Liam belong with and to each other completely.”  <Or they will if Angel has his way on this trip.>  He shook his head smiling slightly at the memory of how giddy Lacey had been when he’d first told her about Sasha.  “Don’t you realize how happy she is that you and I are together?”

Thinking back on the last month Sasha realized that Lacey had been nothing but sweet to her since the day they met, subtly extolling Will’s praises to her.  Lacey wasn’t around them much but when she was she watched her and Will with a satisfied air about her, like some plan of hers had come together the way she wanted it to.  Sasha hung her head feeling like a cast iron bitch.  What were a few touches and kisses between friends…family?  She should be glad that Will had people around him that cared so much.  Raising her brown eyes to his dark blue she said quietly, “I’m sorry Will.  I overreacted.  Forgive me?”

Will looked long and hard into Sasha’s eyes.  He saw her regret and her acceptance of the situation.  Will pulled her into his arms and kissed her softly before saying; “Forgiven ducks.  However, you had better prepare yourself for a chat with Lacey when she returns.  She noted your reaction tonight and won’t let it go without talking to you about it.”

“Oh yay me.  Can’t you just tell her everything’s fine?”  Sasha figured it wouldn’t be pretty, but she would sit down and talk to Lacey if it made Will happy.  It was obvious the other woman meant a lot to him and she was just going to have to get over it or risk losing him.  She frowned slightly at that thought.

“I can and will, but she’s still going to want to talk to you.  Lacey is not one to let things fester.  Best get used to it luv.  If you’re going to be around me and my family you’ll have to get used to being mothered by Lacey.”  He didn’t see the evil glint in her eyes.  <We’ll just see about that Will.>

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

“…It was so much simpler in the days when I would just find a willing woman, shag her then drain her.  I can’t believe I’m talking to cats, but the two of you are good listeners.”  Will was feeding MacGyver and Magonagall who were watching from their perch on top of the refrigerator.

Lacey and Angel had been gone for two weeks and life was dull.  Well dull in the sense that Lacey hadn’t been around to make everyone smile and laugh.  She just had that gift, with just a look or a softly murmured phrase she lit up a room.  The family had been busy with several cases, but was handling things quite well.  There also seemed to be a few more of the not so nice demons plaguing the city.  A couple of times they’d been tempted to call Lacey for some information, but had managed to find it on their own.  All of them wanted Angel and Lacey to have this time together.  Unbeknownst to either of them, Nico had had a vision of Angel and Lacey in very serious trouble sometime in the next month if they had stayed in L.A.  That was one of the main reasons the four of them had cooked up the trip for Lacey’s birthday and made arrangements with the cast for Kassie to take over for her.  Trick had refused to be a part of the mild treachery.  He was of the firm opinion that Lacey and Angel should have been made aware, but he was in the minority.  Only the threat of bodily harm and no sex from Kassie had kept him silent.  Willow had told Angel about the trip, but not the reasoning behind it.  He had been thrilled with the opportunity to have Lacey all to himself for an entire month.

“Well pets you’re all set for the evening.  Time for me to get Nico and Trick and head out for a lovely patrol of the seamier side L.A., nothing like trying to locate the whereabouts of the latest and greatest nasty, hmm?”  Will said as he checked the loft out of habit making sure all was secure.  He left a lamp on for the cats and locked the door behind him.

Going down to the office he heard Nico and Willow in the library.  They were supposed to be researching, but from the not-so-soft moans he could hear coming from the room they had apparently gotten sidetracked.  Will glanced around the rest of the office and saw Trick sitting at his computer with a set of earphones on.  Will could hear the music from where he was standing and knew he had put them on to drown the sounds coming from the library.  Chuckling to himself Will made his way to Trick.  Tapping him on the shoulder Will asked as he removed the earphones, “They been at it long?”  Before Trick could answer Kassie came into the office looking decidedly exhausted.  Her face crinkled into a cute frown as she heard the sounds coming from the library.

“Gods they’re at it again?  I love them both and I’ve known Nico since birth practically, but there are certain things I never wanted to know about my best friend…such as the sounds he makes when he comes.  Way TMI.”  She finished blushing slightly as the sounds of the couples mutual completion reached them.  “So glad we have no clients in here right now.  Can we say embarrassing much?”

Trick had gotten up when his girlfriend had come in and wrapped her in his arms as she verbally summed up his feelings as well.  He had to admit to himself though that listening to his friends had turned him on and he felt Kassie stiffen slightly in his embrace when she felt the evidence of his arousal.  She turned to him and whispered something into his ear.  Tricks bright blue eyes grew wide and with a terse, “We’ll patrol later” to Will he led Kassie upstairs.

Will was doing his best to cover his laughter.  <Well at least they had the decency to…never mind> the thought didn’t finish itself as he heard familiar sounds echoing from the stairwell.  <Really wish I could be with Sasha right about now.  Too bad she had a business trip and won’t be back ‘til Wednesday> Will thought to himself as Nico and Willow came out of the library.  “I really hope the two of you used the couch and not the table this time.  Though it would be better for business if you refrained from shagging in the office period.”

They both started at the sound of his voice and looked a bit guilty.  Willow rallied quickly and said, “You’re just mad because we didn’t invite you to join us Spikey.”

Will snorted, “Been there done that with you already pet.  Don’t care to go there again.”

Nico looked back and forth between his girlfriend and friend.  “Am I missing something here?”  He had thought there was something between the two of them, but nothing had ever been said.

Will looked at Willow and shrugged.  It wasn’t any big deal to him if anyone found out they had been a couple in the past.  Willow looked rather uneasy <Damnit.  I didn’t mean for this to come out now.  Oh well too late now.>

She looked at her love and said, “Spikey and I were together for a while.  It’s been over for a long time.  We struck too many sparks off of each other.  One of the reasons we carp at each other so much now.”

“Don’t worry mate.  She’s all yours.”  Nico searched Will’s eyes for a long moment then searched Willow’s.  He found nothing in either of them that told him they were jonesing for each other and relaxed.

Nico looked around the office, “Where’s Trick?  Isn’t it time to patrol?”

Will smirked, “Let’s just say you’re little soundtrack inspired him and Kassie arrived in time to reap the benefits.  He should be down again soon.”

The couple both blushed.  The three made small talk for a while and soon a satisfied looking Trick and Kassie reentered the office.  Kassie glared at Will when he opened his mouth, “Not a single bloody word Spike.”  He closed his mouth and smiled innocently at her.  She only called him ‘Spike’ when she meant business.  <Picked that up from Lacey I’m sure.>  She turned to Nico and Willow, “And you two.  Must you get all groiny here in the office?  Others have to use that library too you know.”  Trick leaned in and whispered something in her ear.  Will had caught the words “…said about the stairwell” and busted out laughing.  Kassie turned a very interesting shade of red and muttered, “Never mind.”  Nico and Willow just grinned.

In an effort to change the subject Kassie asked as she sat down on the couch, “So what’s on the agenda for tonight?”  She looked at her watch and saw that it was only 10pm.  She’d been up since three that morning and was hoping to just go to bed, but if they needed her she’d help.

“Well Nico, Trick and myself are supposed to meet some informants to get some information on that Monlorca demon that’s been terrorizing the homeless population around Griffith Park.”  Will answered distractedly.

“Do you need my help?”  Kassie asked smothering a yawn.  She looked up at Will when he didn’t answer and saw him frowning at the front door of the office.  A moment later the door opened and a rather tall, pale dark haired woman wearing a vintage wine velvet dress walked in.  She was very pretty with lustrous black hair that fell in loose curls to her waist and soft blue eyes.  Her features were delicate and she had the lithe body of a dancer.  Kassie heard Nico’s sharply indrawn breath and Willow’s gasp.  She looked at Trick and saw he was looking as curious as she was.  Their unasked questions were answered when Will spoke.

“Drusilla.”

Dru smiled softly and twisted her hands nervously in front of her.  She was fairly certain that she hadn’t been spotted by the imbeciles Gabriel had watching the building.  In a softly lilting accented voice she said, “Hello my Spike.”  She looked at her childe then took in the rest of the people in the office.  Seeing Willow she nodded and said, “Little tree.  You’re looking well.”

Willow blinked at Dru’s words.  She looked and sounded almost sane.  “Dru.  It’s been a long time.  I’d say it’s a pleasure to see you again, but since you tried to kill me the last time we met I’d be lying.”

Dru ducked her head at the words.  Taking a deep unnecessary breath she looked again at Will and said,  “I’ve done something horrible.  I need your help.”

Nico spoke for the first time, “I saw you in a vision.  You were responsible for Angel and Lacey being attacked.”

Tears formed in her eyes and she nodded miserably, “I didn’t mean to.  I don’t want Mummy and Daddy hurt.  I wasn’t well when I told him…”Dru stopped as sobs wracked her slender frame.

Long buried feelings and instincts came to the surface in Will at the sight of his sire in tears.  He moved forward and drew her into his arms.  Gently maneuvering her to the couch he sat down and pulled her into his lap.  She huddled there as she had so many times before.  “Hush the tears pet.  Tell Spikey all about it,” he murmured softly in her ear.  She flinched away from his hand softly stroking her back.  Will inhaled and caught the faint scent of his sire’s blood.  <What happened to her?>  He growled softly and Dru shook her head.  She wasn’t ready to tell him about that yet.

Calming slightly Dru raised her head, “Please everyone sit down.  I don’t know how long this bout of sanity will last.  I hope I can tell you everything before I go away again.”  Taking a deep breath she looked at the group of people her childe and sire called family and began, “I told Gabriel where to find Daddy and the walking books.  He’s sent his childe and minions to bring her to him.  I-”

Trick interrupted her, “Who is Gabriel?”

Dru closed her eyes.  She hated the feeling of not being understood, but knew it was her own fault for not giving all the facts.  “Gabriel is a powerful vampire and my consort.  He has had an interest in the wal-”she paused trying to remember the walking books name, ” Lacey for quite some time.  He followed the trial of her ex-husband and friend.  Gabriel admired the brutality of what had been done to her and turned the two responsible.”  Nico did a very impressive version of a vampiric growl at the mention of Lacey’s ex as did Trick and Will.  Dru smiled slightly at the displays of protection and opened her eyes again.  “In one of my less than coherent moments I let it slip to Gabriel that little wal-Lacey would be of great import one day.  He got it in his head that she held the key to untold power, which she does but he’ll never get it.  She neatly avoided capture by disappearing right after the trial was over.  I’ve been trying to keep them away from her since, but…”Dru grimaced as she said the names, “Sean and Jack saw all of you two weeks ago.  At first they didn’t recognize walk-Lacey.  Her name is Lacey.  I’m sorry in my mind she is the walking books or Mummy.”  Shaking her head she continued gesturing to Nico, “Anyway after recognizing the seer and her they reported to Gabriel that she had been found.  He was quite pleased.  Of course she and Daddy left the next day.  Gabriel was in a bit of a rage at losing her again.  He came to me a week ago ‘demanding’ I tell him where she was.  Demanding meaning tortured me.  I held out for as long as I could before I broke and told him where she could be found.  They left two days ago.  Tonight was the first time I’d been able to get away to see you.”  Dru looked warily at the group assembled around her.  The comfort of being in her childe’s arms again was soothing, however, the looks on the others faces were anything but.

Kassie spoke first, “Let me get this straight.  You’ve known about Lacey since the beginning and didn’t bother to let her know that her ex-husband and his best friend were vampires?  That some psycho was trying to find her to play Gods know what kind of games with her?”  She shivered at the thought that all this time Lacey had been in danger.  Thinking back over her words she answered her own questions, “Never mind Dru.  I understand why you didn’t contact her.  She wouldn’t have accepted it.  She didn’t know she had an ex-husband until recently.”  Dru nodded.  Her sight had led her to the conclusion that all she could do was keep an eye on the young woman from a distance until the right time.  The right time had come a little sooner than she anticipated.

Will asked quietly, “Why didn’t you come to us sooner pet?  I know why Lacey is important to us, but why does Gabriel want her?  Come to that why are you with him?”  He was a bit uneasy to know that his sire was involved with that particular vampire.  Gabriel was young, but had a bad reputation even for a vampire.  He was almost more vicious than Angelus had been in his bloody prime and had no sense of honor at all.  The glaring lack of the latter kept him from attaining the positions of power he craved which in turn made him a not fun demon to deal with.

Dru sighed, “I was ashamed my Spike.  Though most are unaware, you and Daddy aren’t like others of our kind anymore.”  Feeling him stiffen she quickly explained, “I meant I was ashamed of me.  I’m still a cold-blooded killer and I know that I don’t belong with either of you.  I didn’t think you would listen to me.  Let’s face it we all know I’m not the most tightly wrapped individual in the mind.  You would be right to question my motives.  I have changed a bit though.  I have spells of lucidness that are becoming more frequent.  Like now, I’m actually carrying on a conversation without Miss Edith or referring to the stars.”  She smiled a little at the feeling of not having to fight through the webs that normally encased her shattered mind.

“You’re family pet.  We may have chained you up but we wouldn’t cast you aside out of turn.  Now about my other questions?”

“Mummy is changing.  Gabriel wants her so he can build an empire greater than Angelus’.  He also wants to play with her.”  Dru shuddered at the memory of the things Gabriel had said he would do to her new mum.  “I sought him out after I first saw Lacey in my vision.  Usually my visions are of a much more immediate situation as you know, but not so with Lacey.  It was odd to want to protect a human, but I knew one day she would make Daddy very happy.  I’ve known about her for almost ten years though I was unaware of how she would become Lacey.  I’ve kept track of her and watched over her all the while trying to steer Gabriel away from her.  What happened between her and her ex even I hadn’t foreseen.  That incident brought her onto Gabriel’s radar and the feeling that I had let her down slipped my hold on my tongue.  I’ve spent the last year and a half scrambling to make sure she would be safe, but I failed.  I couldn’t keep my mouth shut and now she and Daddy are in great danger.”  Tears fell from Dru’s eyes again at the last statement.  She burrowed closer to Will as he held her tighter.  She lifted her head again, “Gabriel doesn’t know she is with Angelus though.  Somehow I managed to keep that much to myself all this time.  I am so sorry.”

Willow sat quietly absorbing what she had just heard.  She was somewhat at a loss to realize that she believed every word the vampiress had said.  She was also a bit miffed that the Powers hadn’t seen fit to impart the knowledge to her that Lacey’s abilities were expanding.  She turned her emerald green gaze to Nico and started at the tears she saw in his amber eyes.  “Nicholas what’s wrong?”

“We sent them away because of what I saw.  We sent them right into this.  We left them open to attack because we wouldn’t listen to Trick and tell them they were in danger.  Drusilla?”  She turned towards the shaking voice of the seer not opening her eyes, “Do you know where Lacey is going to be taken or what they’re planning to do to Angel?”

Dru could feel her sanity slipping away and fought hard to answer the question, “Mummy will be brought back to the mansion here an…” her voice took on a sing-song quality and she began to hum softly to herself “…and Daddy will greet the sun with open arms.  Oh how the stars sing happily at the thought.  Spikey?  Tell princess a story.”  She giggled and looked around with no recognition in her madness glazed blue eyes.  “I’m hungry my Spike.  My tummy is getting all growly.  Which one can I have?  Ohh…may I eat the little tree?  I haven’t seen her in so long.  I’m sure she will taste as sweet…”Dru’s words stopped with a wave of Willow’s hand as the vampiress fell asleep in Spike’s arms.

The family looked at each other.  Will sighed heavily and shifted his sire’s weight in his arms as he stood.  “Thanks pet.  We have a lot of work to do.  I’m going to take her upstairs.  Trick can you bring some chains from the storage room?  I also may need your help to tend to her wounds.”  The demon healer nodded and followed the two vampires out of the office.

Kassie looked at her watch again, her tiredness forgotten, and saw that it was now almost 11pm.  Calculating the time difference she looked at Nico and Willow, “It’s seven in the morning in Galway.  I say we call and warn them.  It may not be too late to avoid all this mess.”

Nico and Willow nodded and Kassie moved to the phone praying they weren’t too late to save a very important part of their family.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Angel waited until he was certain they were gone before opening his eyes.  He had heard Lacey’s thoughts and heeded her warning to not reveal he was awake.  Something about that seemed odd, but he was in no condition to analyze it just yet.  He lay there glaring at the rapidly lightening sky.  With a howl of pure rage Angel tried to get up.  He fell back to the ground as the world tilted wildly.  Growling all the while Angel rolled over and pushed himself to his knees.  He hung his head waiting for the dizziness to pass detachedly noticing the blood dripping profusely from the large gash on his temple.  It felt like the left side of his head had caved in.  Lurching to his feet Angel slowly and painfully made his way back to the cottage.  After a few tries he managed to get the key in the lock and stumbled into the kitchen.  He pulled out several bags of blood and drained two before feeling able to wait long enough for the others to heat.  Angel leaned heavily against the wall as he drank three more bags of blood.  Not noticing the trail of red that now marked the white wall he made his way to the bathroom to try to stop the bleeding.  The blood he had just consumed would do him no good, if the wound didn’t close.  Wishing not for the first time that he had a reflection Angel managed a fairly credible patch job.  Removing his blood soaked shirt and jeans he collapsed on the bed and gave in to the blackness again.  His last thoughts were <I will get you back Lacey.  I love you.>  He was so deep in the healing sleep that he didn’t hear the phones begin ringing every fifteen minutes for the next two hours.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“There’s still no answer in the cottage or from either of their cell phones.  We’re too late.”  Kassie said wearily.  “I need to call Andy.”  Pulling out her cell phone once again she dialed her friend’s number.

He answered on the fourth ring.  “Someone better be dead.”

“I’m sorry Andy.  It’s Kassie.”

“What’s wrong hon?”

“I won’t be in for a few days…”

“You sound like you’re about to have a breakdown.  Is everyone all right?  Are Lacey and Angel okay?”

Kassie’s eyes widened.  “Yo-you know about Angel?”

“Yeah.  Lacey and I got up close and personal with a couple of vamps a while ago.  Don’t worry I haven’t said anything to anyone.  What’s going on Kass?”

“There’s trouble…I need to be here right now.”

“Not a problem.  I’ll take care of the others.  Just do what you need to do and let me know when everything’s copasetic.”

“Thanks Andy.  I’ll talk to you soon.”

It was 1am and she and the rest of the family were in Will’s living room.  Drusilla was securely bound in Will’s bedroom until she became sane once again.  The vampiress had been quite distraught on waking from her impromptu nap to find that she did not have her doll with her.  Kassie had hit upon the rather brilliant notion of letting her borrow the bear that Angel had won for Lacey when she’d dragged him and Will to Magic Mountain.  It was maroon, the size of a small child and sported devil horns, a crooked halo, and wings.  Trick had joked it should be the mascot for the agency.  Lacey had agreed and set it up in a place of honor on the reception desk in the office.  Its name was Mortimer.  Dru had calmed considerably upon receiving the bear.  Will had fed her and now they were trying to figure out what to do next.

Trick looked at his family.  He knew they were feeling guilty about not telling Angel and Lacey that they could be in danger and a couple of hours ago he would have wholeheartedly agreed that they should be.  But now that he thought about it this whole situation reeked of being one of the Powers games.  As Lacey was fond of saying, “Things happen for a reason.”  He thought of Drusilla lying in the bedroom stuck in a constant vicious battle for sanity.  Kassie could help her he knew.  And if what the vampiress had said about Lacey changing was true, then perhaps she and Angel were meant to be away from the rest of them for a while.  With those thoughts in mind he said quietly, “I think we should all get some sleep.  We won’ be any good ta anyone if we’re dead on our feet.”  He pulled a protesting Kassie up from the couch.

“Trick we have to do something!”

“What can we do Kassie?  Until Drusilla is coherent again we won’ know where ta find Lacey and we’re too far away to see if Angel is all right.  I’m not sayin’ we give up darlin’.  I’m sayin’ we need ta rest and regroup.  It’s entirely possible that Lacey and Angel are perfectly fine and jus’ not answerin’ their phones.  They could have taken an overnighter somewhere and kept them turned off.  We jus’ don’ know.  Now all of us are tired and I jus’ think it would be best if we started fresh in the mornin’.”  Kassie dropped her hazel eyes from his blue and nodded in agreement.

Nico and Willow also stood.  Trick turned to Nico and said, “Don’t beat yerself up about this Nico.  I know ya did yer best with the information ya had.  Like Lacey says, ‘Things happen for a reason.’”  Nico just stared at him for a moment and nodded.

Willow moved to Trick and kissed him on the cheek.  She softly whispered, “Thank you” in his ear before she led a silent Nico out the door.

Trick then turned to Will who was sprawled in an easy chair.  “You gonna be alright man?”  Trick was actually worried about the vampire.  Will had been unusually quiet since getting Dru settled.

Will looked up at him and tried to pull one of his patented ‘no worries’ smirks.  It didn’t work.  “Sure mate.  I’ll be just peachy. This is nothing I haven’t handled before.”  Will really didn’t want to admit how thrown he was by the sudden reappearance of his sire.

Kassie let go of Trick’s hand and moved to sit in Will’s lap.  He looked startled for a moment, but soon wrapped his arms loosely around her as she laid her head on his shoulder.  “I’m going to try to help Drusilla Will.  I’ll talk to Willow in the morning and see if she thinks I can do it.  The damage may be too great, but I’ll do what I can.”  Sitting up she placed a hand on his face and turned him to look at her, “Call if you need anything, ‘k?”  At his nod she brushed her lips lightly across his and got up.  Taking Trick’s hand once again she said, “Good night Will” as they headed for the door.

“’Night ducks.  Trick?”  The healer turned at the questioning tone.  “Thanks for your help earlier.  I’ll see you in the morning.”  Trick nodded and followed Kassie out of the loft.

Scrubbing a hand over his face Will said to the empty room, “Bloody buggering hell.  This is quite the cock up idn’t?”  He got up and went into the kitchen.  He stood there staring longingly at the unopened bottles of Jack Daniels that sat on the counter before moving to the refrigerator and removing a bag of blood.  <Wouldn’t do to get pissed right now, no matter how badly I want to.  Trick is right.  We need to be fresh if we’re going to do some good.>  Taking the heated mug back to his chair he sat quietly thinking about the woman currently occupying his bed.

Drusilla.  His sire, his dark goddess.  He had spent over a hundred years loving her and had been rejected and beat down at every turn.  He had eventually washed his hands of her and had been quite pleased to be on his own.  He and Angelus had talked at length about her once they had finally started speaking to each other instead of trying to kill one another.  Will had finally admitted to himself that Angel would always be ahead of him in Dru’s heart and had made peace with the situation.  Now she was back because she had put her Daddy in danger and needed good old Spike to fix it.  He frowned at that thought.  No she wasn’t here because of Angel, she was here because of Lacey.  Will’s mouth quirked at the corner as he took a final sip of his midnight snack.  It seemed everyone in his family, vampire or current, was bound to the little spitfire of a redhead in some way.

Standing he made his way into the bedroom to check on his sire before he tried to get some sleep.  Dru was awake and sitting in the middle of the bed clutching Mortimer tightly.  “How are you poodle?”  Will asked softly using a nickname he hadn’t uttered in a hundred years.

Dru looked at him curiously, “Are you angry with Princess my Spike?”

Will sat down on the edge of the bed facing her, “No luv I’m not angry.  Why do you ask?”

Dru carefully placed Mortimer aside then wiggled her wrists and ankles making the chains rattle.  “You’ve chained Princess up like a naughty little girl.”  A seductive smile spread across her face and she leaned towards Will until she was inches away from his lips, “Does Spikey want to play?  It’s been ever so long since we’ve played.”  She closed the distance between them and pressed her lips to his.

Will inhaled sharply taking in her scent.  He groaned and opened his mouth slowly moving his tongue to play with hers.  He brought a hand up to cradle the back of her head and lowered her back on the bed covering her body with his.  They stayed lost in each other for endless minutes.  Dru moved to unbutton his shirt and the chains binding her rattled again bringing Will back to his senses.  He pulled away, “No Dru.  We’re not going to do this.  I have someone in my life now.  I’m not going to bollocks it up.”  He stood running a slightly shaking hand through his hair.  “If you don’t need anything then I’m going to bed.”

Dru pouted for a moment before her eyes and expression cleared, “I’m sorry William.  I had no right to do that.  We’ve been done too long to pick up like that again so soon, if ever.”  Will looked into her soft blue eyes seeing the veil of madness had been pushed aside once more.  Dru closed her eyes and rocked back and forth humming for a moment before opening them again, “All will be well my Spike.  Mummy and Daddy will be with us soon.  I look forward to talking with the color mender tomorrow.  Goodnight my Prince.”  She lay down again with her back to Will pulling Mortimer to her.  Will pulled a blanket out of the chest at the foot of the bed and draped it over her.

Kissing her temple softly he whispered, “Goodnight Dru.”

Will walked back into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of Jack.  <Sod it.  I’ll recover soon enough.>  Taking a long pull straight from the bottle Will eyed the phone thinking for a long time.  Finally he reached for it and the pad next to it glancing at the number written there before dialing.

“Sasha it’s Will…I know it’s very late or very early depending on how you look at it…I just needed to hear your voice…I’m sorry I shouldn’t have called you…it’s nothing really…wow are you sure you haven’t spent time with Lacey behind my back?  That sounded an awful lot like her…okay all right I’ll tell you, but it’s a long story…Well it started with a girl…”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When Angel awoke the sun was just setting.  As he lay there he carefully took stock of his situation.  Other than a headache he was feeling fine physically.  Emotionally was a different story.  He knew his mate was still alive, but felt her absence keenly.  Racking his brain he recalled one of the minions saying something about the airport.  Angel closed his eyes again and replayed the conversation he had overheard Lacey having.  The prick she had been talking to was named Sean.  She seemed to know him…her ex-husband.  Angel’s eyes popped back open.  <Her ex is a vampire?  Well that’s just bloody lovely now isn’t it?  She was handling him quite well though.>  Putting those thoughts along with the fleeting one that he’d been around William and Lacey too long if he was using the word ‘bloody’ aside for the moment he continued with his mental replay.  Sean had mentioned a Gabriel wanting Lacey.  He shifted into his game face as he realized which Gabriel he had been talking about.  The younger vampire had been garnering quite a brutal reputation, but he was not very good at keeping business relationships in good standing.  His various attempts to gain higher levels of power in the demon world were not working and he had become more volatile and unpredictable.  Now Angel understood Cordy’s advice on Angelus.  He was going to shut Gabriel down and in the process let it be known that The Scourge of Europe was still a force to be reckoned with.

Angel rose from the bed and headed to the shower.  As he let the water pound down on him he recalled being able to hear Lacey’s thoughts earlier.  He had no idea how that had happened.  Though being mated afforded several new levels of awareness, mind reading was not one of them.  <Apparently more happened to her while she was gone than even she knows> he mused.  After dressing Angel picked up his cell phone to call home.  He saw that his mailbox was full and began checking messages.  His scowl grew darker and darker as he listened to the increasingly frantic messages Kassie had left.  Angel pulled Lacey’s laptop out and found a flight leaving Galway in an hour and half but it was full.  As he began packing he tried to call Will but there was no answer.  Next he tried the office, but got voicemail.  Growling he finally called Willow.  She answered on the third ring.

Willow glared at the clock as she answered the phone.  She’d been asleep for maybe four hours.  It had taken her a good two hours to get Nico to talk to her after they’d left Will’s.  Even then he hadn’t said much just sat there drinking tequila straight from the half full bottle she had in the kitchen.  He’d been withdrawn and had shut her out though he had made love to her with a quiet desperation.  Then had gone to his loft.  Unable to be cooped up she had gone to the roof and sat staring at nothing until the sun came up.  Finally going back to her empty loft she’d cried herself to sleep.  She was still hurt and upset that he hadn’t talked to her or stayed with her.  <He wouldn’t be able to hide from me if we lived together instead of across the hall from each other.> “Hello?” she growled.

“Willow.”

All animosity fled at the sound of Angel’s voice, “Angel!  Thank the Goddess.  Are you and Lacey all right?  We’ve been so worried about you.  Did you get our mess-“

“Willow!  I’m in a bit of a hurry here.  Lacey’s been taken and I need to get back to L.A. now.  There’s a flight leaving in an hour and a half that’s full.  Get me on it.  I don’t care how you do it just get it done.  Have William call me as soon as he can all right?”

“No problem Angel.  Listen before you go you should know that we have a guest.  Drusilla showed up last night.  That’s how we knew you were in danger… Angel?”

“I’m here Willow.  Is Dru all right?”

“As well as she can be.  She drifts in and out.  Will had her chained in his bedroom last I checked.  Kassie gave her Mortimer to hold on to since she didn’t have Miss Edith with her.  That seemed to help.”

Angel managed a small smile at that, “Good.  I’m on my way to the airport now.  I’ll see you all soon.”

“Angel are you ready to go right now?  I mean you have your stuff packed and all?”

“Yeah Little One.  Why?”

“You want me to teleport you here?”

“Can you do that?”

“Ppfft…hello uber-witch here.  Give me five minutes and you’ll be home in a flash…literally.”

“Fine Willow.  I’ll be waiting.”  They disconnected and Angel swiftly did one more sweep of the cottage.  Seeing that nothing important remained he made a mental note to have his steward close it up and went to stand by the few bags he and Lacey had.  A few minutes later there was a loud snap and a bright flash of light.  When the light faded the cottage was empty.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kassie couldn’t sleep.  She was thinking about what she was going to try to do with Dru later.  Her healing abilities had become much stronger over the last couple months, but she really didn’t think she was strong enough to do this on her own.  The fact that Drusilla was a soulless demon didn’t help her much either.  Aside from the madness that clung to her like a shroud Dru was darkness personified.  Kassie wasn’t sure it would be possible to heal her, but she had to try.  It had almost broken her heart to watch the insanity creep back into the woman’s eyes earlier.

Trick turned on the bedside lamp and rolled over propping himself up on an elbow and bracing his head in his hand, “Darlin’ you are not a quiet thinker.  What’s goin’ on?”

Kassie turned her head to look at her boyfriend, “I’m sorry Trick.  I was thinking about Drusilla.  I don’t know if I’ll be able to help her.  For one she may be too far-gone and two she’s a demon.  I’m not sure getting into her head is a good idea.”

Trick gathered her into his arms and gently stroked her hair, “I know Bella.  But I also know that yer’re gonna do yer best.”

Kassie smiled against his chest, “I love you Caleb Michael Trixter.  You know that don’t you?”

Trick’s eyes widened.  They’d danced around those three words for months now.  It was also the first time she had used his given name.  He used his grip on her hair to gently pull her head back to look into her hazel eyes.  His blue eyes glowed, “I love you too Kassidy Renee MacKenna.”  He lowered his lips to hers as a low purr started in his chest.  He and Kassie finally fell asleep a satisfyingly long time later.

When they woke up Kassie got herself around while a curious Trick watched from their bed, “Darlin’ what’s the rush?”

“I need to talk to Willow.  I want to get started with Dru.  I know I won’t be able to do this without her.”

“Alright Bella.  Do you want me to be there for you?”

“Yes, if you don’t mind.  I may need your strength.”  Kassie had never tried to use anyone else’s energy but Willow’s before, but a part of her thought she just may need her love by her side to get through the next few hours.

“You go on.  I’ll meet you in Will’s.”  Kassie kissed him and walked out the door.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Nico sat on his couch with a photo album in his lap and a second, rapidly dwindling bottle of Sauza next to him.  He slowly turned the pages looking at the photographs of him, Kassie and Lacey from when they were in high school, then college.  He smiled softly at a shot of Lacey in their senior play.  She may have been a shy bookworm, but on stage she completely came to life.  He wished sometimes that she would pursue acting again and considering the contacts she now had she’d probably do well, but with their new lifestyle it probably wasn’t the best idea.  He wasn’t even sure if anyone other than him and Kassie knew that Lacey had been a part-time stage actress before Sean had gotten a hold of her.  She still didn’t talk a lot about who she had been before she’d become Lacey.  There was a gap of group photos for the time after college, but he had a couple of single shots of his girls.  Then there were the post cards from Lacey.  She had traveled throughout Latin and South America before eventually winding up in San Diego.  Next were the photos of more recent times.  Nico smiled involuntarily at a shot of Angel carrying Lacey piggyback.  His girl had never looked happier.

Sighing he leaned his head back and closed his eyes on the tears that were trying to fall.  <I let you down baby.  By trying to protect you I threw you to the lions.  I am so sorry Lacey.>

<Gods Nico, maudlin much?  Quit being such a baby-man>

Nico’s head snapped up, a move he somewhat regretted after mainlining tequila for several hours, and looked around.  He could have sworn he’d heard…”Lacey?”

<Apparently.  This is really weird.  I mean I know we share thoughts once in a while, but…I’m on a plane heading for somewhere.  Angel and I were ambushed this morning.  Someone named Gabriel is apparently quite eager to make my acquaintance.  Oh and Sean is a vampire.  Can you believe that?  As if he weren’t enough of a bastard human, now he’s a demon.  Can you please enlighten me as to what Sharon ever saw in him?>

Nico couldn’t help but laugh.  <I think it was the blond hair, blue eyed surfer thing he had going.>

<Ick.  We were in the middle of the desert for crying out loud.  I really was pathetic then wasn’t I?>

<No baby you’ve never been pathetic.  Just naïve.  That may have been partly my fault.  I kinda had a habit of intimidating guys who showed an interest in you.>

<You WHAT?!>

Nico clutched his head, <Oww!  No screaming right now.  Tequila and loud voices in my head do not a good combination make.  I didn’t want you to get hurt Lacey.  I cared about you too much.  Hindsight being 20/20 and all that I know now it was a mistake…and I am very drunk because I never meant to tell you that.>

<So that’s why I never had a date.  If I weren’t so happy with my life now, current circumstances notwithstanding, I’d probably be really mad at you, but what you did was done out of love, so I suppose I can forgive you.  ‘Sides I think I made a pretty good choice this time around.  And I know you agree.  I hope Angel is all right.  He took a pretty bad hit.  He’s gonna be wicked pissed when he fully wakes up.  I’m so going to enjoy getting away from these tossers.  Have you heard of this Gabriel?>

<Yeah he’s a badass vamp, very bad news.  And he’s Sean’s sire.>

<He’s really not very bright.  He couldn’t even tell that I’m mated to Angel.>

Now it was Nico’s turn to scream <You’re WHAT?!>

<Bugger.  Okay that was loud.  I see what you mean about the loud voices though I’m dealing with a chloroform hangover rather than tequila.  And you should know better than that Nicholas.  Getting pissed never solves anything though after this latest crisis is over I’m thinking the seven of us do just that.  Anyway, I said that Angel and I are mated.  Claimed.  Belong to each other for eternity.  Pretty bloody fabulous if you ask me.>

Nico closed his eyes <I’m happy for you baby.  Lacey, I messed up big last night.  I hurt Willow and I don’t know if I can fix it.>

<What did you do?>

<Finding out I’d sent you and Angel off into a dangerous situation put me in a bad place.  I used her then crawled away to lick my wounds.>

<Oh Nico…you ass.  Remind me to kick it when we see each other next.>

Nico cocked his head <Lacey how is it that we’re having this conversation?  I mean I’m unendingly relieved to know that you’re okay, but how?>

<I’m not really sure.  I think mama may have left out some things when we talked.>

<Huh?  You talked to your dead mother?  Alright Lacey spill.>

So she did.

~Part: 12~

Angel found himself in Willow’s living room suddenly with arms full of crying redheaded witch.  “Shh Little One.  What’s with the tears?”

“Oh Angel I’m so sorry.  This is all our fault.  I really hope you and Lacey will forgive us eventually.”  Willow said as Angel pulled back to look in her tear stained face.

“What are you talking about Willow?  Unless you guys are the ones who set Lacey’s ex and a bunch of minions on us then how can this be your fault?”

Willow’s eyes widened, “Sean was there?  Oh goddess.  How was Lacey when she saw him?”

Despite his eagerness to form a plan and kill some demons Angel couldn’t help but laugh a little at the disjointed conversation he was having, “Little One!  Calm down please.  I’m sure much has been happening on both sides of the Atlantic.  There is a lot to discuss and plans to be made.  Take a deep breath and relax.”

Willow looked up at him, “You haven’t called me Little One in ages Angel.  I’ve missed hearing that.  You’re right though.  A lot has happened in the last few hours.”  She looked him over and noticed the bite mark at Angel’s throat.  Despite her sadness, Willow broke into a huge grin, “Angel!  You and Lacey claimed each other!  Oh I’m so happy for you both.  That could come in handy for her.”

Angel nodded, “Thanks and I know.  Her newfound immortality among other things is part of the reason I’m so calm right now.”  He took a good look at the witch in front of him, “I woke you up didn’t I?”

Willow flushed having a pretty good idea that she looked scary.  She hadn’t taken off her make-up and what with the crying and lack of sleep she knew she had mascara tracks and her face was probably all red and puffy, “Yeah, but don’t worry about it.  My problems aren’t going anywhere.  I’d much rather know you’re safe than be asleep.  None of us got to bed until a few hours ago.  Dru showing up last night threw us all for a loop.  Sit down and let me tell you about it.”

Willow led Angel over to the couch.  He sat down and pulled her down next to him positioning her so her head was in his lap.  He reached behind him and took the throw off the back of the couch to place over her.  Willow looked up at him; “We haven’t done this in a very long time.  I know we’ve been working together for the last few months, but do you realize this is the first time we’ve been alone as in no one else around but us?”

Angel thought about it and realized that she was right.  Their friendship had been cemented decades ago, but with her duties to the Powers and his they were separated for long stretches at a time.  Since the new family had come together everyone had been pretty busy with other things.  There hadn’t been a whole lot of time for chatting.  “You’re right Little One.  We’ll have to do it again sometime when things are a little less volatile.”

She smiled a mischievous little smile; “You can take me to the zoo dad.”

Angel smirked down at her, “Brat.  It’s a deal.  Now you show me yours I’ll show you mine.  What’s been happening?”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lacey ended her conversation with Nico when the urge to go to the bathroom became overwhelming.  The tequila he had consumed had made itself violently aware about the same time so it had worked out well.  She had come out of her dreamless drug-induced sleep into a more normal sleep at the sound of his voice in her head.  Lacey had thought it was a dream so she had answered him.  Much to her surprise it wasn’t a dream and she and Nico had been able to share their thoughts.  In the past that ability had pretty much belonged just to him and Kassie and even then it wasn’t like they could carry on whole conversations.  She had kept her breathing and heart rate steady, as she slowly woke up so as not to alert Sean.  Now she opened her eyes and looked around the private jet she had been put in.  She was lying across two seats.

“So my little bitch is awake.  Did you enjoy you nap?

Lacey tried to sit up and found her hands bound behind her.  <Oh I am going to be sore> she thought.  Swinging her legs over she awkwardly sat up.  Ignoring Sean’s question she simply said, “I have to go to the bathroom.”  Sean just stared at her.  The other occupants in the cabin studiously avoided looking at her.  She rolled her eyes, “Come on brainiac.  Do you want me to piss on myself and meet this Gabriel unclean?  Somehow I think I’m a little more important than that.  You really should be nice to me.”

Sean looked as though he wanted to refuse, but he eventually got up and pulled Lacey to her feet pushing her towards a door midway down the hall.  “Make it quick.”

Lacey shook her head mumbling under her breath about ‘soddin’ wankers’ and ‘what could I have possibly seen in him?’  “You gonna untie me?  ‘Cause I’m sure as all damn not letting you near my knickers.”

“Like you’d have any choice in the matter if I wanted you.  I really have to say Sharon you’ve gotten mouthy.  I’m sure Jack and I will find something to occupy it better.”  He said as he untied her.  Sean really wanted to put his ex-wife in her place, but he had his orders which he had already bent by striking her in the clearing earlier.  No unnecessary force, keep his hands off of her and be courteous and though Gabriel was not around to see if Sean obeyed him he knew the minions that were with him wouldn’t hesitate to sell him out.  He was going to have to backtrack now and try to be nice to her.  That thought made him growl.

<Jack’s a vampire too?  Well this just keeps getting better and better.>  “Yeah whatever gets you through Thompson.”  Lacey said as she closed and locked the door.  She looked around the rather well appointed bathroom, absently taking note of the shower as she took care of business.  She checked her sleeve and was dismayed to find that her hair stick was gone.  <Oh well.  Guess they aren’t as stupid as I thought.>  Pulling up her sleeve Lacey studied her new tattoo.  The varying shades of green seemed to shimmer and undulate like the flames it created.  <This really is pretty and the whole thing was completely painless.  Mystical tattooing, the wave of the future.>  Surprisingly there was a mirror over the sink and Lacey got her first look at her new appearance as she washed her hands.  There was a slight bruise along her right cheek but upon closer inspection she saw that it was fading rapidly.  If her cheekbone had been broken that was no longer the case.  <Immortality totally rocks.  Vampire healing is way shiny.>  She pulled the high crew neck of her top to the side and looked at the claim mark that graced her neck absently thinking it was a good thing it was covered at the moment.  She smiled in pride at sporting Angel’s mark and wondered if he would still carry hers.  Then she looked at her hair.  It was a nasty tangled mess.  The first drawer she opened produced a brush and funnily enough a hair elastic.  Lacey didn’t want to think too closely about whom this plane belonged to.  After washing her face and rinsing her mouth out she set about working the tangles out of her now long hair.  Studying the color in the mirror she decided she liked it.  The red-gold locks seemed to shift in color depending on how the light hit it, kind of like flickering flames.  It set off her peridot green eyes almost better than the dark reddish brown she had previously dyed it.  Finally finished with the detangling Lacey took another look.  Her hair fell in long layers to the bottom of her ribcage perpetuating the flame analogy.  <This is great.  I love it and I know how Angel feels about.  I don’t know how I’m going to explain it to the cast…and I’m in shock aren’t I?  I’m stuck in a private jet with my ex-husband who is now a vampire and several minions being taken to Gods know where to meet with this mysterious Gabriel and I’m worried about explaining my hair?  Repressing.  That’s what I’m doing; I’m repressing my fear until such a time that I can safely wig the big wig.  Okay.  All right.  I’m good with that.  Repressing right now is of the good.  So back to my hair…>Lacey stumbled on the first couple of attempts, but years of practice came back to her as she French braided her locks.

As she did she decided to see if she could contact Angel via that whole Jedi-mind link thing like she had done with Nico.  <Angel?  Can you hear me?>

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“…I don’t kn-Lacey?” Angel could have sworn he heard his mate.  Willow looked at him curiously and mouthed ‘what?’  “I can hear Lacey in my head.  Lacey are you all right?  Where are you love?”  Willow’s eyes widened.

<I’m fine myrneen.  Who are you talking to?>

“Willow.  She teleported me back to L.A.”

<Well what are we waiting for?  Tell her to get her Wicca ass in gear and beam me out of here>

Angel looked at Willow.  “She wants to know if you can teleport her too.”

“Is she in a stationary location?”

<I heard her.  Currently?  I’ve locked myself in the bathroom of a private jet bound for I don’t know where.>

Angel relayed the info and Willow shook her head.  “She’s in transit.  I won’t be able to get a lock on her location.  I’m sorry.”

Angel stroked her hair, “It’s okay Willow.”

<Yeah tell her not to worry.  Just thought I’d ask.  I don’t think I’m in any immediate danger.  I just have to put up with my ex who by the way is now a vampire sired by this Gabriel bloke I’m being taken to.  He broke my cheekbone earlier, but it’s already healed.  Vampire healing totally rocks.>

“He hit you?  I’m gonna enjoy killing him.”  Angel growled and his features flickered back and forth between human and demon.

<Oh no luv.  He’s mine and so is Jack who is also a vamp but he’s not here.  My demon ex is pounding on the door now.  I’d better go.  I’ll find out what I can and get back to you.>

“All right Lacey.  I’ll talk to you soon.”

Willow spoke up again, “Can she keep the link open?”

<I don’t know but I can try.  Let’s do this.>

“She says she’ll try.”  Angel told her just as there was a knock on the door.  Willow went to answer it and found Kassie on the other side.  Not wanting to disturb Angel Willow slipped into the hall.

“You look like hell.”  Kassie said not unkindly.

“Thanks.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“No.”

“Right then.  Are you up to helping me with Dru?  I’d like to try to put her back together.”

“She’s not Humpty Dumpty.”

“She may as well be.  Will you help me?”

Willow sighed.  “I’m sorry I’m being bitchy Kass.  Nico and I had a…I don’t know what happened last night, but it wasn’t good.  Let me clean up a bit and leave Angel a note.  Come on in.”  She said as she turned to go back in.

“Angel’s here?  Is everything all right?  Where’s Lacey?”

“I’ll fill you in while I get ready.”

“’K.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Enough already!  Jesus Sean where am Ah gonna go?  Ah’m assuming we’re still ovah the Atlantic.  It’s not like Ah can really make a darin’ escape from the bathroom now is it?”  Lacey said as she opened the door and glared at her ex.  She pushed past him and made her way over to the bar in the main cabin where she thankfully found a bottle of water.  She could hear Angel chuckling in her head and fought to contain a smirk <hush.>  She knew she shouldn’t be so confrontational but damned if she could stop herself.  Lacey was royally pissed off and Sean was a very convenient and appropriate target.  She gracefully took a seat and cocked an eyebrow at him.

Sean was fuming.  This little slip of girl was making a fool out of him in front of some of his sire’s most trusted minions.  He just really hated the fact that she wasn’t afraid of him.  He tried to bolster himself with the thought that he had broken her once already; he could do it again.

<Oh it really chaps my ass to say this> Lacey sighed, “Why don’t we call a truce Sean?  I’ll try not to be such a cast iron bitch and you try not to be…well you.  Tell me about this Gabriel I’m supposed to meet.  Why all the drama and trouble of kidnapping me?  Not a really good way to endear me to him ya know?”  Sean just looked at her.  She sighed again, “Okay fine.  Let’s start with a different question.  Where are you taking me?”  Again nothing.  “Oh for Gods sake you pillock it’s not like I’m asking you to divulge the combo to Fort Knox.  I think I have a right to know what I’m dealing with.”  <So much for the not being a bitch part, but I am in a really bad mood.>  <Just breathe love.>  Lacey took a deep calming breath and slowly let it out.

Sean finally relented.  He actually did want to tell her what was in store for her.  “Fine my little bitch.  I’ll tell you.  Gabriel is my sire.  Jack’s too.  He took a liking to us during the trial.  Remind me to thank you for that little experience later Sharon.”

“Hold it.  Before we go any further will you please stop calling me ‘Sharon’?  That is no longer my name.  My name is Lacey.  If you can’t bring yourself to do that then just keep calling me ‘my little bitch’.”  <Stop growling Angel.  You’re distracting me.>

Sean smirked.  His ex really had changed.  There was no trace of the pathetic little mouse she had once been.  If he didn’t hate her so much he’d probably like the new and improved version of her.  Deciding to play the suave business man he once was Sean nodded, “Fine… Lacey.  My sire has been told you possess certain gifts.  He wants you to use those gifts to aid him in expanding his empire.  You’ve eluded him for almost two years so when he finally got a lock on your location he wanted to make sure you didn’t get away again.  I do apologize for the rather rough treatment you received.  Perhaps we were a tad overzealous in our approach.”

Lacey barely restrained herself from rolling her eyes.  <That’s laying it on way thick.  Are you getting any of this Angel?>  <Yes love.  See if you can find out where you’re headed.>  “And what makes him think I’d be willing to help him?”

“Gabriel can be very persuasive.”

“Uh-huh.  Out of curiosity what did you do with the vamp I was with?”

Sean smiled thinly, “I left him to greet the sun; so sorry to take away your plaything.”

Lacey just shrugged, “I was going to kill him anyway.  You saved me the trouble.”

“Yet you seemed concerned about him when he went down.”

She shrugged once again, “Well I had plans for him.  I wasn’t quite done playing yet.”  <Oh you’re good Lace.>  <I try luv.  Gods I hate this.>

Neither saw the appraising look one of the minions was casting their way.

Sean chuckled accepting her explanation.  “I must say I am curious to know how you’ve come to be this way.  You’re much more interesting now.”

“Whatever.  Actually I guess I should thank you and Jack.  You could say that I wouldn’t be the woman I am today if not for the two of you.  Where are you taking me?”  <Please say L.A.>

“Back to Los Angeles well Bel Air to be exact.  Gabriel has a mansion there.  I believe you’ll be quite comfortable there as long as you cooperate and do as you’re told.  You’ll be very well provided for if you behave.”

<In your dreams wanker>  “How much longer till we get there?”  Lacey really wasn’t sure how long she’d been out.  She hadn’t worn a watch the entire time she and Angel had been in Ireland and her internal clock was messed up.

Sean reached for the phone nestled in the arm of his chair, “When will we be arriving?… Thank you.”  He looked back to Lacey, “We’ll be landing at LAX in about six hours.”

Lacey nodded falling silent.  Her ex-husband watched her for a moment then asked, “What happened to your voice Lacey?  Have you taken up smoking?  It never used to be that raspy.”

Lacey controlled the automatic flinch at the memory the question brought forth and smiled instead, “Let’s just say the vamp I was with was very, very good.  I screamed myself hoarse.”  The minions all choked on their laughter as Sean just glared at her.  <What does he mean about your voice?> <I’ll tell you later.>  <Okay.> <Great.  Now what?>  <Have you eaten anything Lacey?>  <Ugh no.  The thought of food right now is somewhat appalling.  The chloroform he dosed me with has left me queasy.  ‘Sides don’t really trust them not to drug me again.>  <Good point>  <Hang on luv>  “Well thanks for the heads up Sean.  If you don’t have anymore to tell me would you mind if I stretch a little?  I’m feeling a bit stiff.”

“By all means Lacey.  Be my guest.”  Sean left his ex-wife to her whatever and went into the other cabin to call his sire privately.  The four minions followed him.  Thankful she was dressed in comfortable clothes Lacey stood up.  She looked around the cabin again.  It was quite spacious.  There was a wide open area in front of the flat screen TV built into the wall so she moved there to loosen up her stiff muscles.  Trying to keep a vigilant eye out for her captors and trying to concentrate on Angel she began her routine.

<Okay now we can talk.>

<What did he mean about your voice?  I’ve always thought it was really sexy.>

<Glad you like it.  I screamed so much when he and Jack hurt me, then after with the nightmares before I suppressed it all that my voice broke.  It hasn’t been the same since.  I refused to speak at the trial so they never heard me.  All of my testimony was read from transcripts.>

<I’m so sorry love.>

<What’s done is done and you’re right it is kind of sexy.  I can still sing fairly well if I want to so I don’t mind too much.  Tell me what’s been going on, on your end.>

<Sure love> She and Angel began catching each other up on what had happened since they were separated.  The strain of her divided attention almost proved a costly mistake.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Will bolted up from the couch at the knock on the door.  The dead phone fell from his lap as he went to answer it.  “Hello pets.  What can I do for you?”  He asked Kassie and Willow.  Taking a closer look at Willow he asked, “Willow, luv, what’s wrong?”

Willow glanced at Kassie who shrugged slightly.  Giving Will a weak smile she said, “You called me Willow, now I know I’m in bad shape.”  Shaking her head when she saw him about to question her again she said, “Bad night.  Can we come in?”

Will stepped back, “Sorry, please.”  Before the two women could tell him why they were there, there was a scream from Drusilla.  All three rushed into his bedroom.  “Dru what’s wrong?”

Dru was thrashing around in her chains.  At the sound of her childe’s voice she calmed.  Opening her eyes she regarded Will wearily, “Mummy is in trouble.”

“Yes pet.  We know.”

“No I mean she’s in trouble right now.  Her attentions are torn and…she’s going to be fine.  Oh my mummy is very powerful now, more so than even she knows.  The Flame of the Keeper burns brightly.  Daddy is so lucky to have her.  She will be such an asset.”  Dru relaxed back onto the bed.  She cocked her head; “Daddy is here now my Spike.  May I see him soon?”

Willow inhaled sharply at Drusilla’s words.  She muttered softly to herself, “And from the Eternal Flame of the Keeper and Warrior...”All eyes turned to her.

“What was that luv?”  Will asked Willow as he eyed his sire once more.  Her voice didn’t have the singsong quality to it that normally indicated her madness, but she wasn’t making any sense.

Willow shook her head, “Nothing…something…I can’t say anything yet.”

Will nodded.  Then he felt it.  Angel was in the building.  <How the bloody hell did he do that?>  “You can see him as soon as I figure out what’s going on luv.  Are you hungry?”

“Yes I am.”  Looking at Willow she said, “I’m sorry for asking if I could eat you little tree.”  She sighed as tears formed in her eyes and slowly rolled down her cheeks.  “I hate this William.  I hate going back and forth.  It’s worse than just being insane all the time.  I have to force myself to kill when I’m lucid.  I’ve been tempted so many times since the saner moments started to just greet the sun, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.  Something has kept me from ending my sad excuse of an existence.”

Somewhat hesitantly, considering what had happened the previous night, Will sat on the bed and gathered her into his arms.  Willow and Kassie withdrew slightly.  “Sounds like you’ve lost the taste for killing luv.  I know what that’s like.  Went through it meself a while back.  Seems like you’re changing too pet.  I’ve thought about the whole not wanting to kill thing.  Could just be age and maturity, but I think it may have something to do with Angelus’ soul.  It’s affected us somehow.  How else could I justify falling for a Slayer?  Maybe your madness has prevented the change from happening sooner.  I don’t know.  But what I can tell you is Kassie is going to try and help you.”  Kassie was watching Will in some surprise.  It was the first she’d heard of Will’s theory, but it kind of made sense.  Willow watched sire and childe with tenderness in her eyes.  No matter what had happened between Dru and William in the past he was always gentle with her.  Will pulled back to see if Dru was listening to him.  She had a very thoughtful look on her face.  “Would you like that pet?  If you didn’t have to battle the madness anymore?”

Dru was quiet for a moment before smiling, “Yes my Spike I would.  I believe my path is about to change.  Kassie is the color mender isn’t she?”

Kassie smiled, “Color mender.  I like that.  Yes Dru I am.  If you’re ready we can get started.”

Will stood up.  “Let me get her something to eat first.”  He placed a chaste kiss on Dru’s forehead and left the room.

He heard Dru say, “I need a promise from my sire before we begin.”

Willow responded, “He’s talking with Lacey right now.”

Will’s eyebrows rose at that as he made his way over to the couch and picked up the phone he had dropped when the girls had knocked.  He and Sasha had talked until the battery died.  He had told her pretty much everything about him.  Sasha now knew that the TV shows weren’t completely works of fiction and that Liam was Angel.  Will hadn’t planned on spilling his secrets the night before, but Jack Daniels had a way of loosening his tongue.  He wasn’t sure now where he and Sasha stood, but he had hope.  He’d be seeing her when she returned in three days.  Placing it back in the charger Will went to the kitchen and heated two mugs of blood.  Sipping on one he gave the other to his sire.

A roar of fear and rage stopped everyone in their tracks.  Not long after the door to Will’s loft slammed open to admit one very angry and scared Angelus.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lacey was grabbed from behind as she straightened from a forward bend.  “What the hell?  Sean what do you think you’re doing?  Let me go.”  <Lacey what’s wrong?>

Lacey shuddered involuntarily as Sean held her pressed tight against him slowly rubbing a hand down her front.  His other pressed against her stomach forcing her lower back into contact with his erection.  He and the minions had returned from their conversation with Gabriel to find Lacey gracefully moving through a series of bends, stretches and contortions.  The sight of his now slender toned and very flexible ex-wife bent over at the waist with her hands flat on the floor proved too much for the fledgling childe and he disregarded his sire’s orders not to lay a hand on her.  Nuzzling her neck he murmured, “My little bitch you have changed so much in appearance and attitude.  You’re beautiful.  I wonder if your responses in bed have changed as well.  Let’s find out shall we?”  While he continued to describe what he was going to do to her one of the minions, the one who had been watching the young woman, mindful of his master’s strict orders not to mention Dru’s wishes, moved to stop what was happening; he was stopped by the other three who were watching with lascivious anticipation.

<LACEY!>  Angel roared as he heard the things his mates’ ex-husband was saying.

<Ow, yelling bad.  Angel I have to concentrate now.  I’ll talk to you soon.>  Before Angel could say anything more Lacey broke the connection.

Lacey was scared but she was determined to stay calm.  She closed her eyes and said, “We’re not going to do this Sean.  I will not let you use me that way.”

Sean chuckled darkly, “As I said earlier my little whore it’s not like you’d really have a choice if I wanted you.  And I do.”  He spun her to face him holding her wrists clasped in one of his hands behind her.  With his other hand he removed the elastic holding her braid and wound it through the thick strands to hold her head still as he crushed her lips to his.  Lacey tried not to gag, as her mouth was forced open and invaded by Sean’s tongue.

<And now I remember why I cut my hair.  Think Lacey.  Don’t give into the panic.  You’re different now.  You can get out of this.  You can fight back.>  Lacey repeated those thoughts like a mantra as she was lowered to the carpeted floor of the plane and held there by the weight of her demon ex’s body.  He released his hold on her wrists only to capture them again and hold them over her head.  His other hand was roughly grabbing at her breasts.  As he ripped her shirt away something in Lacey snapped.  Just as he released her mouth to nip at her neck Lacey twisted sharply and bucked her hips up.  The move caught Sean by surprise loosening his grip on her wrists.  Lacey brought the heel of her hand up sharply connecting with his face.  There was a satisfying crunch and blood sprayed from his now broken nose.  She kneed him in the groin for the second time since their reunion and he howled in rage and pain rolling away from her.  She flipped upright and moved into a fighting stance as Sean, in full game face, pushed himself to his feet.  “I was going to be gentle with you whore, but now I’m going to make it hurt.  Just like the last time.  Do you remember the last time?  I loved the screams.  Jack did too.  He was very disappointed not to have his turn with you.  I really should have let him have you at that party.” He snarled at her.

The door to the cockpit opened at the sounds but was quickly closed again upon the co-pilot seeing the brewing battle.  The minions continued to watch in silence.  Lacey snarled as she threw a wicked right hook sending his head snapping to the side.  Following the momentum of her punch she turned and executed a snap kick to his leg breaking his kneecap.  Sean howled again as he dropped to his knees.  “I. Am. Not. Your. Whore.”  She said through clenched teeth punctuating each word with a blow or a kick.  Then she moved to press her back against the door to the cockpit.  Her position gave her a view of the main cabin and she took in the sight of the four minions watching from the short hallway and her snarling ex-husband who had regained his feet and was slowly advancing on her.

“You’ll be whatever I want you to be bitch.”  Lacey had had enough.  Her hair snapping around her by some unseen wind looking like leaping flames and her eyes burning with clear green fire she threw out her right hand the now visible flames on her wrist leaping with the same fire in her eyes she said, “Rahtu Noroh Goronja Neh!”  Sean went flying back and collided with the minions.  Before any could recover Lacey moved her hand up, “Vitu Shashei Nagawa Leh!”  The five vampires were lifted up and dropped into seats.  Another flick of her wrist, “Mano Fritawei Luto.”  Green bands formed around each of them preventing any chance of escape.  As quickly as it all started it was over.  The fire faded from Lacey’s eyes and tattoo, her hair settled back down around her and she slumped against the door.  <Well that was different.  Guess I know now what the protection incantation can do.>  Shaking her head she looked down at herself.  Her shirt was ripped and torn, hanging in tatters around her making it more of a rag than a shirt and she was covered in Sean’s blood.

Wearily pushing away from the door she headed to the bathroom ignoring Sean’s unending stream of curses.  With an absent wave of her hand a band formed over Sean’s mouth cutting off the flow of insults.  Ensconced once more in the bathroom Lacey removed her ruined shirt, bra and pants and methodically cleaned the blood away with a damp cloth.  She finally looked in the mirror.  That’s when the tears came.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“No!  Lacey!  GODDAMNIT!”  Angel roared again when he felt Lacey break their connection.  He was standing in the middle of Willow’s loft in full game face.  <That bastard!  I’m going to rip him apart limb by limb.  It’s going to take days for him to die.>  His mental tirade continued as he tore up the stairs to Will’s loft.  The door opened with such force that it banged against the wall leaving a hole in it.

Willow, Kassie and Will came out of the bedroom.  Kassie absently noticed Nico and Trick enter behind Angel, but kept her focus on the panting vampire.  “Angel!  What’s wrong?”  Willow asked, warily approaching the growling and obviously enraged vampire.   “Is it Lacey?  Did something happen to her?”  Angel’s head jerked up at the sound of Willow’s voice.  He growled in warning, but Willow continued her approach eventually going so far as to raise a hand to his cheek.  “She’s going to be okay Angel.  Whatever it is, Lacey will get through it.  She’s strong.  Probably stronger than any of us.”

Angel shook his head though he didn’t pull away from the warm hand against his cheek.  “Sean is trying to rape her again.”  There were gasps and growls all around.  A single tear rolled from one golden eye.  “We were talking and then he was there saying all manner of horrible things that he was going to do to her.  She told me she needed to concentrate and broke the connection. I-I don’t know what’s happening.”  Angel collapsed back onto the couch and buried his head in his hands.  Willow sat next to him and wrapped her arms around him the best she could.

“Sire?”  Dru called from the bedroom.  Angels’ head came up and he untangled himself from Willow’s comforting embrace to make his way towards his childe.  Will slipped the key to her shackles into Angels’ hand as he went past.  He stood in the doorway taking in her appearance chained to the bed holding Mortimer to her.

“Hello Dru.”

“Hello my Angel.  Do not be afraid.  Mummy will be fine.  The Flame burns brightly.  All will be well.”  Those words calmed Angel down somewhat.  His childe may be insane, but her visions were never wrong.  Taking several deep, calming breaths he nodded.  A light cough sounded behind him and he turned to look at his hastily assembled family.

“Hi.”  He said wearily.  Kassie launched herself into his arms.

“Gods Angel.  I’m so glad you’re all right.”  She pulled away and he kissed her forehead.

Trick said, “Glad to see ya mate.  Don’ worry we’ll get yer girl back.”  Angel nodded.

Nico held back.  Angel turned to him, “Don’t worry Nico.  None of this is your fault.  Lacey and I were supposed to be in Ireland.  Special things happened there.”

“I know.  Lacey told me.”  Nico looked to Willow but she avoided his gaze.  Angel looked back and forth between them and growled softly.  Something wasn’t right.

“Sire, may I speak with you?”  Dru asked from the bed.  Angel turned back to her.

“Sure Dru.”  With that he closed the bedroom door leaving an uncomfortable silence behind him.

Nico begged quietly, “Willow can we talk, please?”

Willow closed her eyes briefly.  “Yeah, but I don’t have a lot of time.  Kassie and I are going to be busy in little bit.”  She flinched away from him when he tried to take her arm as they walked into the hall.

Kassie looked sadly at the closed door.  “I hope they work this out.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Angel’s gaze caught Mortimer once more and he smiled faintly, “I won that for Lacey at Magic Mountain.”

“I know.  The color mender told me.”

“Color mender?”

Dru frowned slightly, “What is her-Kassie.  Kassie told me.  She’s going to help make me better my Angel.  She’s going to take the madness away.  I hope.”  Dru took hold of Angel’s hand and squeezed.  She held his eyes.  “This is very important sire.  If Kassie cannot help me I want your promise that you will end me.  No let me finish.  I cannot continue wavering back and forth between sanity and madness.  I just can’t so please give me your word that should she be unable to heal me you will put me out of my misery.”

Angel looked at his childe and felt guilt settle over him like a shroud.  Drusilla.  She was Angelus’ greatest achievement and Angel’s greatest regret.  It was his fault Dru was in this situation in the first place.  As Angelus he had taken great pleasure in his ‘courtship’ of the innocent young seer.  She’d had a precarious hold on reality to begin with and Angelus had pushed her over the edge into madness.  Looking at her now with the veil of insanity pushed away for the moment he could do nothing but agree.  If it would bring her peace then he would abide by her wishes.  “I give you my word Dru.  But I don’t think it will prove necessary.  Kassie is very good at what she does.”  Angel leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead.  When he pulled back he saw her wince.  “Are you hurt?”

She nodded embarrassed.  “Gabriel was quite brutal in his attempts to find where Mummy was.”

Angel’s eyes flickered gold.  Undoing the shackles he snarled softly “Let me see.”  Without a word Drusilla unbuttoned the shirt that Will had given her the night before.  Angel averted his eyes as she removed it and held it in front of her as she turned over.

“All right.”  When his gaze returned to her he shifted fully into his game face.

“Even the healer couldn’t do much for me.” Dru said quietly as Angel traced the deep gashes that crossed her back.

“He will pay for this Dru.  Make no mistake about that.”  Angel gathered her into his arms and gently put her shirt back on.  Sitting on the bed he cradled her and brought his wrist to her mouth and said, “Drink childe.  It will help.”  Angel closed his eyes as his childe delicately sank her fangs into his offered wrist.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“I’m sorry about last night.  I was a complete and utter bastard.  I had no right to do what I did.  I was wallowing deep in self-pity and took it out on you.  I made a promise to Lacey that I would always protect her and I failed in that.  She told me this morning what a fool I was.  I’m done kicking myself in the ass now.  Well about the whole putting the sister of my heart and her mate in danger anyway.  Hurting you and the whole mainlining tequila thing I’m sure will be good for a lot more.  If it’s any consolation to you I’ve been worshipping the porcelain god.  Lacey’s already promised to kick my ass on your behalf when she gets home.  I love you Willow.  I’m so sorry I hurt you.  And I’m babbling and repeating myself.  I only do that when I’m drunk.  Do you think you can forgive me?”  Nico asked hopefully.

Willow just stared at him.  <He really does look awful.  Good.  I could get rid of the hangover, but I think I’ll let him suffer.>  After a few more long minutes of silence Nico hung his head in defeat.  Willow finally spoke, “I understand the bond you have with Lacey.  I have a similar one with Angel.  Don’t shut me out like that ever again Nicholas.  That hurt worse than you leaving my bed this morning.  You made me feel cheap and used.  I’m worth more than that and I know you know it.”

Nico raised his head and Willow saw the silent tears coursing down his face.  “I know you are Willow.  I’ll do my best to make it up to you. I prom-” He broke off as another wave of nausea crashed over him setting him to sway on his feet.

Willow grabbed his arm to steady him.  “Somehow I think you’ve punished yourself enough.  Come on before you make a mess all over the hall.”  She said as she led him back into Will’s loft.  She managed to get him to the bathroom before he ruined Will’s floor.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lacey backed herself into a corner, sliding down the wall and let the tears fall.  The crying jag lasted a good while until the fact that she had won finally worked its way into her brain.  She had beaten Sean.  Granted she didn’t know if she’d be able to repeat the whole telekinetic bit, but she had beaten him and secured the minions as well.  <I did good.  Don’t really understand the how, but I did good.>  Lacey got up and washed her face again.  She looked at her tattoo.  The words that had been inscribed there had vanished leaving behind more flames.  Flipping through the knowledge she possessed she was still unable to find an explanation for tattoo’s presence.  <What are you hiding from me mama?>  Looking through the drawers once more she found an unopened toothbrush and some toothpaste.  <Oh joy.  Oh bliss.  Oh bloody happy day.>  Lacey quickly made use of them to remove the taste of Sean from her mouth.  It also helped her to suppress the fact that she was indeed becoming hungry.  She still didn’t trust any of the food that may be on board.  Lacey turned and spied what appeared to be a linen closet.  Inside she found big fluffy towels on the shelves along with an array of bath products.  Hanging on the inside of the door was a robe.  Lacey donned it then headed back to the main cabin.

Coming to stand in front of the bound vampires she asked, “Where can I find some clean clothes?”

The minion who had attempted to stop Sean earlier spoke without any urging, “In the other cabin Mistress.  There are some women’s clothes in the blue bag, bought for you.”

Lacey looked at the minion.  He was old and powerful she could tell, though he looked no more than twenty-five.  <He could be a master.  Why his he serving as a minion?> “What’s your name?”

The minion eyed the smallish woman in front of them with respect as his three companions leered at her.  Sean just sat there glaring daggers at Lacey being able to do nothing else.  “Joshua Mistress.”  He had watched masters rise and fall for more than four centuries and seen many things in his long unlife, but this small flame-haired woman had scared the bejesus out of him and his demon.  He wasn’t about to incur her wrath or that of her mate, whom he had a feeling was still alive knowing what he did about the wily bastard, by not answering her questions.

“If I ask you another question Joshua will you tell me the truth?”  Lacey eyed the vampire.  He looked like if he could he would have pissed all over himself by now.  He was literally shaking in his seat.  <He’s scared of me and I’m being polite.  I’ve managed to terrify an old one.  Huh.  Why is he calling me ‘Mistress’?>

Joshua nodded, “Yes Mistress.  What would you like to know?”

“How old are you?”

He blinked. “Mistress?”

“How old are you?” she repeated.  <I like this guy.  I think I’ll keep him alive for the time being.  Sean is going with me to Angel.  The other three will probably wind up being staked.>

“Ah…I’d really rather not say Mistress.”  He cast a sidelong glance at his companions and Lacey understood.  <Something is definitely up with this guy.  We will have to talk.>

“Fair enough.  Is there any food on this plane that’s safe for me to eat?”  Brushing her teeth really hadn’t helped all that much.  She was getting quite peckish.

The question caught him off guard, but he rallied quickly.  “There’s some cheddar cheese in the refrigerator and some crackers in the cabinet next to it.  That’s all I can think of that’s not laced with anything.  That and the bottles of water in the bar.”

<Cheese and crackers again.  Oh well, good thing I like that.>

“Thank you Joshua.”  He nodded.  “I have two more questions for you for now.  What hangar are we pulling into when we get to LAX and how many will be waiting for us when we get there?”

“Hangar three and only the driver for the limo Mistress.”

“Very good.”  Without a glance at the others she made her way towards the back cabin.  As she went she heard one of the other minions say, “What the hell is wrong with you, you pussy?”

“She scares me Bob.  Something about her is not right.  You see that we’re all tied up mystically at the moment?  She did this or weren’t you paying attention?”  Lacey’s mouth quirked up at the corner.

Bob’s response and the rest of the conversation was lost to her as she entered the other cabin.  Quickly locating the bag Joshua had spoken of she took it with her into the bathroom.  Then she went to the small galley and fixed a small plate of food.  As she ate she dumped the contents of the bag.  All of the clothes were new with the tags still attached.  There were lingerie, shirts, skirts and dresses, but no pants.  Scanning the sizes she pulled out the items that would fit her to try on after her shower.  She also found make-up and several pairs of shoes in various sizes.  Considering her Fila’s wouldn’t go with any of the clothes she picked out a pair of black wedge-heeled mules that were her size.  Taking out some of the bath products from the closet and two fluffy towels Lacey got into the shower.

Sighing in relative contentment as the hot water beat down on her she tried to contact Angel again.  <Angel?>

Angel’s head snapped up and he paused in his conversation with Dru, <Lacey?  Mo chroí are you all right?  He didn’t hurt you did he?>

<I’m fine mo myrneen.  Sean and the others are under control.  I think mama left a few things out when she told me about the ‘mystical tune-up’ I was getting.>

<What do you mean love?>

<My new tattoo came to life, my hair snapped around like in a strong wind, I made Sean fly across the cabin, lifted all five vampires up and floated them over to the seats then secured them with mystical bonds all by using my hand and unconsciously reciting the incantation woven in the tat that has since turned into more flames.>

<You don’t take a breath even in your thoughts do you?  Gods Lacey I am so glad you are okay.  I went a little crazy there when you cut me off earlier.  I’m with Drusilla right now.  She’s looking forward to meeting you finally.  Do you mind if she keeps Mortimer?  She’s grown quite attached to it.>

Lacey smiled as she rinsed her hair.  <Not at all.  Tell her I said hi.  You’ll just have to take me back and win me another one.>

Angel grimaced, but accepted the terms. <Fine.  I’d do just about anything for you.  You know that.>  “Dru, Lacey says hi.”

“Hello mummy.  I can’t wait to meet you.” Dru said quietly as she felt her sire’s blood working at healing her wounds.

<Kassie is going to try to heal her.>

<That’s going to be interesting.  I hope it works, for Dru’s sake and for Kassie’s.  Would you like to meet me at the airport?>

<You know it love.  Where?>

<Hangar three.  I’ve been told the only thing waiting for us will be the limo driver.>

<And you trust this information?>

<I do, but it never hurts to be prepared.  One of the minions is quite willing to answer my questions.  He calls me Mistress.  There’s something about him.  He’s old.  I think he’ll prove useful.>

<We’ll just have to see once we’re together again.  Well I should let Kassie and Willow get started with Dru.>

<I’ll see you in a few hours luv.  What are we going to do with the others?>

<Probably stake them on the spot when you land.>

<I can deal with that.  I want you to bring my car.  Just don’t touch the red button on the steering wheel.  Have whoever else is coming bring the Navigator.>

<Yes ma’am.  Have I told you how much I love it when you get all demanding and authoritative?  It makes me hot.>

<Down boy.  We’ve still got three hours till I land.  But it’s good to know.  I love you Angel.>

<I love you too Lacey.  I’ll see you soon.>

<Yes you will.>  Lacey broke the connection.  She was now standing in front of the mirror in a pair of black lace cheeky pants and a matching demi bra.  She had found some hairpins in the drawer she had found the brush in earlier and was in the process of securing the modified French twist she had wound her damp hair into.  She left a few strands loose around her temples and they brushed her jaw lightly. Her search of the bathroom had not yielded a hair dryer.  <Probably afraid I’d try to use it as a weapon.  They’d be right.>  She thought as she brushed her teeth again.  Next she applied some make-up.  Not because she needed it, but because she wanted to look pretty for Angel when she saw him.  A little bit of powder, some black eyeliner and mascara and a rather lovely shade of red lipstick and she was done.  She turned to the clothes she had picked out earlier and started trying them on.  A theme was quickly established.  It ran along the lines of ‘high class prostitute’.  <This Gabriel is apparently a perv.  What did he think he was going to do, turn me into his pet?…yeah I think that was his plan.  Eww.>  No matter how innocuous the item looked it was revealing when on the body.  Lacey finally settled on a black shirt with bell sleeves that left much of her mid-drift exposed as it ended about three inches below her breasts as was her upper chest by the wide, deep v-neck.  Her claim mark was clearly visible, but Lacey was unconcerned with showing it now.  She paired the shirt with an ankle length dark green skirt that sat low on her hips and was slit on both sides to mid thigh.  <I look like a character from ‘Red Shoes Diaries’, but this also covers the most skin.  I like showing off my figure, but this is a bit much even for me.  I think Angel will like it though.>  Small silver hoop earrings,  and the belly button ring and anklet Angel had made for her were the only other jewelry besides her rings that she wore.  Those were the items she’d had on when she’d been taken.  Looking at her hands she realized her Trinity band was gone.  <How could I not have noticed it missing?>  Lacey quickly folded the other clothes back into the bag along with the shoes and make-up.    Lacey looked at her own clothes and decided there was no hope for them.  She dropped them in the wastebasket, slipped on her heels and left the haven of the bathroom.  She put the bag back where she’d found it then made her way back to the main cabin.

Ignoring the wolf whistles from the minions, save Joshua, Lacey stood in front of Sean.  “Where is it?” she demanded.  Finally noticing the band around his mouth she thought <When did I do that?  Better question is how do I remove it?>  Lacey thought back over what she had done to put them in their current state.  Concentrating on the band over Sean’s mouth she raised her right hand and waved.  The green restraint disappeared.  <Shiny.>  “Answer me damnit.  Where is my ring?”

“Fuck off bitch.”  Lacey drew back her clenched fist and hit him in his already broken nose.

“Where is it?”  Silence.  Another punch.  “I can go on like this till we land Sean then I’ll let my mate and his childer have a go at you.  Where the effin’ hell is my ring?”  The mention of her mate brought all eyes to her neck.

“Whom are you mated to?”  He tried to demand, but it came out more like a whimper.  That crazy bitch his sire was fucking had said nothing about Lacey being a vampire’s mate.  But looking at her now he could clearly see the claim mark.  <Not good.  Not good at all.>

“Huh-uh.  Ring first.”

“Left jacket pocket.”  Lacey fished into said pocket and retrieved her ring.

“Thank you.”  Lacey went back into the bathroom to wash the blood off her hand and make sure she didn’t have any on her anywhere else.  After she was done she went back into the main cabin and sat down.

“Who is your mate?”  Sean mumbled venomously.

Lacey crossed her legs revealing a considerable length of creamy pale flesh and smiled a very Angelus like smile as all five pair of eyes tracked the movement.  “Are you familiar with the name Angelus?”

“Holy fucking shit.”  The one called Bob muttered.  The others repeated the oath.  Joshua smiled in satisfaction, though Lacey missed the small gesture.

Her smile grew.  “Yes.  You see you’ve all made him very, very angry.”  She trained her eyes on Sean.  “I’m surprised none of you recognized him this morning.  If you’d really wanted to get rid of him you should have staked him instead of leaving him to greet the sun.  He doesn’t have the same allergy to sunlight you do.”

“That was Angelus?  But earlier you said you planned to kill him.”

“You really are a wanker Sean.  There was no way I was going to tell you who he was or what he meant to me.  You held most of the advantage then.  You’d have told Gabriel and that would have placed him in danger.  No thanks.”

“Why tell us now?”  Bob asked.

Again Lacey smiled that Angelus smile, “Because I hold the advantage now and you’re going to die anyway.  I just thought you’d like to know how badly you messed up.”

“Mistress?”

Lacey’s smile softened slightly.  “Yes Joshua?”

“What’s going to happen to us when we get to L.A.?”

Lacey looked at the vampire.  “You and Sean will come with me and Angelus.  The others will probably be staked on sight.”  The three minions looked very uneasy.  Joshua looked somewhat intrigued.

“Why are you going to take me with you?”  Joshua asked.

“Because I like you.”

“Oh.”  This human really was interesting.  He could understand now Dru’s need to protect her.  Joshua could only hope he continued his existence when his new Mistress remembered he was the one who’d hit Angelus this morning.  Somehow he figured she’d be the more dangerous of the two.

One of the other minions who’d been silent the whole trip said, “May I ask a favor?”

Lacey cocked her head, “What would that be?”

“Kill me now.  There’s a stake in the drawer below the TV.  I’d rather die quickly now than deal with Angelus’ wrath.”  Bob and the other minion seconded the request.

“I admire your honesty and can’t really say that I blame you.”  Lacey said as she retrieved the stake from it’s hiding place.  <Well that could have come in handy earlier.  Guess I should have snooped.  Oh well.>

Sean was muttering unintelligibly as Lacey staked the three minions.  Finally getting tired of listening to him Lacey said, “Oh shut up you ponce.”  And with a wave of her hand he was gagged again.

“Wanna watch a movie?”  Lacey asked Joshua.

“Anything you want Mistress.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Angel walked back into the living room.  Nico and Willow were absent.  “Where are they?” he asked.

Trick smiled faintly, “Nico’s throwing up in the bathroom.  Willow is holding his hand.”  Just then the door opened and the two in question walked out.

Nico smiled weakly, “Hey.”

Ignoring him for the moment Angel looked at Kassie and Willow.  “She’s ready.”

Willow nodded and kissed Nico on the cheek.  He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly for a moment.  “I love you,” he said softly in her ear.  “I love you too,” she whispered back.

Kassie grabbed Tricks’ hand.  “Bring her back safe.  We’ll see you all later.”

Will stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.  “Thank you for doing this pet.”

Kassie smiled, “No worries Will.”

As the door shut behind the couple Will and Angel turned on Nico, “What the hell did you do to Willow?”  Will snarled.

Nico looked at the angry vampire in surprise.  “I had no idea you cared ‘Spike’.”

Angel growled in warning.  Nico sighed and sat down heavily in a chair.  “I messed up last night.  That’s all I’m going to say.  This is between Willow and me and we’re working it out.”

Angel looked closely at him for a moment then nodded.  “Fair enough, but hear me now boy.  You hurt her again and we’ll have more than a little chat.”

“Lacey’s already gonna kick my ass when she gets home.  But I’m glad the two of you care for Willow almost as much as I do.”  He said tiredly.

Will looked at him, “You’ve talked to her too?”

Nico’s mouth quirked up at the corner, “Yeah.”

“Do tell.”

“We have other things to discuss.  Lacey’s plane will be landing in about three hours.  She’s fairly certain that only the limo driver will be waiting, but I want to check it out and make sure.  We’ll take two vehicles.  Nico are you up for a little recon?”  Angel asked.

“Let me take a shower.  I should be fine.”

“Good.  We’ll meet in the training room in a half an hour.”

~Part: 13~

Gabriel hung up the phone.  The others had arrived for the meeting tomorrow night.  Something was not right but it was too late to stop his plans.  He could not call it off without angering the old ones.  Gabriel knew he had taken a risk setting up this meeting before he actually had the girl in his possession, but he had been so sure that everything would work to his satisfaction.  Then Dru had to go and disappear on him.  He looked up as Jack knocked softly on the open door of the study.  “Yes Jack?  Is there any word on Drusilla?”

“No sire, we’ve not been able to locate her yet.  There’s movement from the bit-Sharon’s building.  Do you want the boys to follow?” Jack asked sullenly.  He was still moping over the fact that he hadn’t been allowed to accompany Sean to get the little bitch.

Gabriel suppressed the urge to stake his unruly childe.  Jack had proven to be very headstrong, more so than Sean and he was quickly working Gabriel’s last nerve.  “Yes Jack.  But no interference.”  Jack nodded and withdrew.

Gabriel sat back and stared unseeing into the flames flickering in the fireplace.  All he had to do was get through tomorrow night.  Then no one would ever be able to touch him again.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kassie balked at the unending darkness that surrounded her in Drusilla’s mind.  The evil that permeated everything around her was suffocating in its intensity.  Kassie could almost feel the demon coming for her.  She broke contact and took several deep breaths.  “I don’t think I can do this.”

Drusilla opened her eyes.  “Please Kassie.  I know it will be difficult, but I have faith in you.  Please don’t give up on me yet.”

Kassie looked into the pleading woman’s eyes for a long moment.  Nodding decisively she said, “All right.  Willow is there any way you can contain her demon?  I feel like it’s going to devour me before I can get close to anything good.”

Willow thought for a moment.  “Yes I believe I can, but I won’t be able to lend you my strength if I do.”

Trick placed a hand on Kassie’s shoulder, “She can use mine.”

Drusilla started to hum and drew Kassie’s gaze back to her, “Look into my eyes little one.  Be in my eyes.  Be in me.”  She said in a hypnotic voice.  Kassie’s eyes started to glaze over as she lost herself in the vampiress’ thrall.

“No!”  Willow said sharply and with a wave of her hand Dru fell asleep.

Kassie blinked a few times.  “Okay.  I would really rather not do that again.  What just happened?”

“Her very existence is being threatened.  Subconsciously she was trying to put you in thrall.  Come on.  Let’s do this.  Trick come sit where I am and join your hands with Kassie over Dru’s forehead and heart.”  Trick did as he was bid while Willow repositioned herself behind Dru and put her head in her lap.  Looking at Kassie she said, “Ready?”

Kassie nodded and Willow began chanting softly under her breath.  Kassie closed her eyes in concentration and once again found herself in the shattered landscape of Dru’s mind.  The predominant colors were grays, reds, and blacks, but there were patches of blue, green, purple, orange and yellow floating about as well.  Taking a deep breath Kassie set about gathering the pieces one color at a time.  After what seemed like forever to her Kassie stood back and observed her work.  The landscape had brightened considerably.  The grays and blacks were still present but they blended now with the other colors into a whole outline of Drusilla that hadn’t been present before.  The mender took the time to remove some of the more horrific strands of emotion that clung to the woman’s aura.  The memories of Angelus’ courtship and Drusilla’s own deeds would still be there, but as with Lacey the memories would not haunt Dru any more.  Kassie looked around and saw the dark sinister shape of Dru’s demon trying to break free of the bonds Willow had placed on it.  Somehow Kassie had to find a way to blend that demon with what she had created.  Concentrating fiercely she began the arduous process of overlaying the aura she had created of Drusilla onto that of the demon.  In her mind the demon howled at the interference but Kassie’s will was stronger and she continued.  Suddenly she faltered and the demon began casting off the layers.  Kassie looked on in despair as Dru’s aura began to crumble again.  From out of nowhere a bright flash of light came and Kassie once again found herself able to blend the two.  A short time later demon and spirit were fully joined permanently.  Kassie looked around and gasped when she saw a strange woman standing next to her.  “Who are you?”

“It’s not important.  You needed help.  Thank you for all that you have done Kassie.  Dru will soon be ready to begin her new path.  Come now, it is time for the four of you to rest.”  With that Cordelia disappeared.

Kassie opened her eyes and found herself staring into the glowing blue eyes of her lover.  Trick had transformed into his demon and was panting heavily with the amount of energy that had been expended.  Turning her head slightly she caught sight of Willow’s black eyes and hair.  As she watched Willow slowly returned to her normal self.  Barely able to keep her own open Kassie asked, “Is everyone okay?”  Both nodded.  “Good.”  Then she gave in to the blackness.

Willow and Trick managed to maneuver Kassie and themselves into the living room.  It was empty, but there was a note on the coffee table letting them know that Angel, Nico and Will had gone to get Lacey.  Collapsing on the couch Trick arranged himself around Kassie and said, “I think we’ll rest a bit here.”

Willow nodded tiredly from the chair she had fallen into.  “I agree.  Sleep now.”  The two followed Kassie into oblivion.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The plane landed with no difficulties and pulled into the hangar.  Angel waited impatiently alongside Nico and Will.  Lacey’s information had been correct.  The only one waiting for the plane was the limo driver.  He had been hired from a rental service and upon a rather large tip from Will had left without protest.  The door opened and the stairs were let down.  All three mouths dropped open at the sight of Lacey descending from the aircraft.  Angel was at the foot of the stairs sweeping her into his arms before Lacey knew what hit her.  A long kiss later Lacey was able to speak.  “Hi.”  She said as she lovingly stroked Angel’s ridges away.

“Hi.”

“You can put me down now.  I can walk.”

“I don’t want to let you go.  Gods Lace I was so scared and I don’t ever want to feel that way again.”  Angel just held her tighter.

Lacey laid her head on his chest.  “I know myrneen.  We can have a breakdown later.  Right now I need to say hi to Nico and Will.  Then we need to decide what to do with our two guests.”

“Two?  I thought there were five.”  Angel said as he reluctantly lowered Lacey to stand on her own.

“There were, but three of them begged me to stake them rather than face Angelus’ wrath.”  She said as she made her way over to Nico and Will.  Nico stood before her with his head bowed.  “Did you apologize, grovel and beg?” she asked.

He nodded silently.  “Come here you ass.  I love you Nico, but please don’t ever do something like that again.  Willow is your partner.  You cock up like that again and I will cause you bodily harm.”  Lacey wrapped her arms around him and breathed a sigh of relief when he returned the embrace.

Kissing her forehead he said, “I’m glad you’re alright baby.  Willow and I are going to be okay.  I’ve learned my lesson.”

“Good.”  Stepping out of Nico’s arms she turned to Will.  “Hey you.  How’s mmph” Lacey’s words were halted by Will’s mouth crashing down on hers.  He wrapped her tight against him and Lacey responded to his kiss.  A warning growl from Angel broke them apart.  Leaning his forehead against hers Will said quietly, “Don’t ever scare us like that again Lace.  I don’t think I could put up with a raving starkers Angelus again.  I’m glad you’re safe luv.”

Lacey pulled back and was immediately wrapped up in Angel’s possessive embrace again.  “It wasn’t my choice to scare you this time Will, but I know what you mean.  Angel quit growling.  It’s not like this is the first time Will’s kissed me and it won’t be the last.”

“You weren’t my mate then Lacey.”  Angel ground out.

“Sorry sire.”  Will grinned unrepentantly.

Lacey huffed impatiently and pulled out of Angel’s arms, ignoring his growl of protest, and moved to face her men, “Enough!  I’m not going to put up with the two of you facing off about who’s got the bigger pair.  I have not had a good day.  I’m tired, hungry and not in an overly good mood.  That makes for fairly brassed off Lacey.  We have things to do.  I’m beginning to rethink my decision to keep Sean alive.  I don’t think he’s going to do us much good.  Joshua on the other hand-“

“Joshua?  That’s the name of the other vampire?”  Will asked.

Lacey nodded.  “That mean anything to you?”

Angel and Will both nodded.  “If it’s who we think it is then this could be a very good thing indeed.”

“Well then, let’s see shall we?”  Lacey said as she turned to head back to the plane.

Nico’s voice stopped her.  “One question Lacey.  What the hell are you wearing?”

Will voiced his question as well, “And what happened to your hair?”

Lacey turned once more, “After my altercation with Sean I found myself in need of new clothes.  Ripped and bloody didn’t really do it for me.  Apparently Gabriel wanted to dress me up as a high-class hooker or his pet.  This little ensemble covers the most skin if you can believe that.  And the hair is mystical so is this.”  Lacey pulled her sleeve back and showed the markings on her wrist before spinning around.  “You like?”

All three men nodded.  Then Angel said in a low voice for her ears only, “I want to see the rest of the choices later.”  She looked at him curiously and nodded.  She hadn’t planned on keeping the clothes, but wasn’t going to argue with her skittish mate.  The four of them made their way onto the plane.

Joshua opened his eyes when he sensed the presence of the vampires.  He smiled faintly at the possessive hold Angelus had about his mate.  “Hello Angelus.  I’m glad to see the head wound didn’t leave any lasting damage.  My apologies for that by the way.”

Lacey’s eyes flashed with fire briefly, “You’re the one that hit him this morning?”  Replaying the scene of when she threw the minion over her shoulder she recalled him standing over Angel with a raised club.  “Yes, I remember now.”

“I’m sorry Mistress.”  Joshua cringed slightly, but held her gaze.

“Joshua.  Is there a reason you are a part of the scheme to steal away my mate?” Angel asked in deceptively lazy tone.

“I was trying to protect her for Dru.  I’ve been serving Gabriel…we’ve become close.  When she realized what she’d done she begged me to go and keep your Lady safe from Sean.  I was to bring the Mistress to her.  Dru didn’t tell me you were her mate Angelus or I wouldn’t have hit you.  I must admit though I rather enjoyed watching her beat the hell out of the little prick.”  Joshua motioned with his head towards the once again mystically gagged vampire.

Nico’s eyes grew wide as he took in the appearance of Lacey’s ex.  His once handsome face was a mangled mess and his leg was bent at an odd angle clearly broken and those were only the most visible injuries  “You did all that baby?”

Lacey didn’t spare a glance at Sean.  “He pissed me off.”

Nico and Will whistled and Joshua laughed, “She really was quite marvelous.  I was also quite impressed with her ability to subdue the rest of us.”  He motioned awkwardly with his hand to indicate the bonds that held him.

Will looked at the older vampire curiously, “Why haven’t you taken over as Master Joshua?  Why serve a wanker like Gabriel?”

“I have no desire to be a Master Spike.  I’m quite content to let others kill themselves for power.  I’ve been around a long time.  I plan to keep being around for a lot longer.”  He dropped his eyes and asked softly, “Did Drusilla find you?  Is she okay?”

Lacey’s eyes widened and she felt Angel stiffen beside her.  Joshua truly cared about Dru.  Angel answered him, “She’s fine.  She may carry a few more scars after what Gabriel did to her, but she’ll be all right.  Why didn’t you stop him from hurting her like that?”

Joshua met Angelus’ golden eyes.  “I tried, but she wouldn’t let me help her.  You of all vampires should know how stubborn she can be.”  Lacey felt rather than saw the resigned nod Angel gave.

Joshua’s eyes wandered over to Nico then back to Angel’s.  “I’m surprised you’ve aligned yourself with humans Angelus, with the exception of your Lady of course.”

“You’d be surprised just how useful I’ve come to find certain humans Joshua.  Now are you intimately familiar with Gabriel’s plans for my mate?”  At the bound vampires’ nod Angel continued, “Is there any reason for me to keep the sniveling one beside you alive?”

“No I believe I can tell you everything you need to know.  I’m more than willing to serve you and your Lady Angelus.”

Angel turned to Lacey.  “Well love do you want the honors or shall I?”

Lacey finally looked at Sean.  He glared hatefully at her.  With a wave of her hand the gag was once again removed from his mouth.  “I want to know something Sean.  Why did you marry Sharon?”

For a moment it looked as though he wouldn’t answer.  Then his swollen lips curved into a parody of a smile.  “I felt sorry for you if want to know the truth.  You were so sweet and innocent even at 25.  You stroked my ego, so willing to please.  The thought of being able to corrupt and break you was too tempting to pass up.  I mmmph” his words were cut off as Lacey replaced the gag.

Turning to Angel she said, “Go ahead.  I’m done with him.”  She moved into the shelter of Nico’s embrace as Angel moved forward.

Angel stopped and turned to look at Lacey.  He said, “I want to have a little chat with him my love.  Would you mind unbinding him so he and I can go outside?”

The cold, feral look in her mates’ eyes made her shiver and she knew that Angelus was very close to the surface, but Lacey calmly said, “No.”

Angel walked back to stand before her, “No?  He hurt you Lacey.”

She nodded, “Yes he did, more than any of you will ever know, but as you can see I also hurt him.  I beat the ever burnin’ hell out of him.  Me, Lacey Raines formerly Sharon Porter did that.  He’ll get to spend an eternity in Hell with the knowledge that even though he broke Sharon I came back better and stronger than ever as Lacey.  I found a real love that’s not twisted and foul and I’ll have that forever while I don’t think he ever knew the meaning of the word, not that he cares about that but it’s true.”  Lacey gently stroked Angel’s face.  “He’s not worth staining your clothes over Angelus.  Just end him please.”

Joshua watched the scene wondering just who this woman was that she could calmly face down the fury of Angelus.  Nico and Will both held their tongues though they held similar opinions to Angels’ that a spot of torture would not go amiss.

Angel searched her eyes for a long time.  He could see that it burned her to show the sad excuse for a demon any mercy, but she had had her vengeance against him and was satisfied.  He sighed.  As much as he wanted to torture the bastard for daring to lay a hand on his mate he would not upset her anymore than she already was.  He leaned down and kissed her.  When he straightened he pulled a stake out his jacket and said, “As you wish.”  He turned and quickly dispatched the vampire.

“Goodbye Sean.”  She said as the dust settled.  As if suddenly remembering they had an audience Lacey said, “Excuse us for a moment Joshua” as she turned and walked off the plane once more.  Without a word Angel, Nico and Will followed her.

Once they were out of earshot she asked, “What are we going to do with Joshua?  I’m pretty sure he’s sincere in his wish to serve us, but I don’t know if I trust him.  Angel, you and Will obviously know him.  What do you think?”  Everyone accepted the fact that there would be no discussion of what had just happened.

Angel and Will looked at each other.  Then Angel loosely wrapped his arms around her and said, “Joshua is a rare one for our kind.  He doesn’t possess the drive to conquer and control everything around him.  You were right Lacey he is old, older than me.  I don’t think we’ll have any trouble with him.”

“What about around the others?  I don’t know that I want an unfamiliar vamp in close proximity to my human family.”

“If he wants to continue his existence he’ll do as he’s told.  Besides I don’t think he’s going to become a permanent member of our clan.  I think he would do more good keeping the myth of Angelus and the Scourge of Europe alive.”  Will said.

Lacey nodded, “Where are we going to put him?”

“He obviously has a thing for Dru.  Since my flat seems to have turned into a haven for wayward vamps he can stay with me.  It’s not like we don’t have enough chains to go around.”  Will answered.

“Speaking of did any of you bring restraints?  I don’t know if the bonds I placed on him will hold from a distance and until I’m sure he’s not gonna try to snack on any of you I’d just as soon keep him bound.”  Lacey said.

Nico was already moving to the Navigator, “Not a problem baby.  We’ve got it covered.”  He removed what he needed.  “We ready to head back to the house?”

Lacey looked around the hangar.  Something was a little off.  “Yeah,” she said distractedly.

“What’s wrong Lace?”  Nico asked.

“I don’t know.  This all just seems a little too easy you know?  Either the other shoe hasn’t dropped or this Gabriel is just a right cocky bastard.  Promise me the two of you will be careful.  Who’s driving?”

“We will luv.  I’m driving ‘cause Vision Boy here is still above the legal limit.”  Will said and Nico threw him a halfhearted glare.

“Just how much did you drink?”  Lacey asked as they started back to the plane.

“A bottle and then some.  I told you I messed up Lace.”

“Bloody hell Nico.”  Lacey looked at her captive, “Alrighty then.  Joshua?  I’m going to undo the bonds.  You can stretch for a bit but then you go into these.”  Lacey gestured to the shackles Nico held.  “Forgive the appearance of me being somewhat paranoid, but I don’t quite trust you yet and my family is important to me.”

“I understand Mistress.”  Joshua said as the bonds disappeared.  He cautiously stood up and stretched, being very careful not to make any threatening moves.  “Okay.  Do with me what you will.”  Angel and Will moved forward and placed the shackles on the seemingly docile vampire.

Nico led the way off the plane while Lacey hung back to get the bag that held the clothes.  As she reached the main cabin the door to the cockpit opened.  Lacey tensed ready to fight then relaxed as she caught sight of the co-pilot, “Is it safe to come out now?”  He asked.

Lacey smiled faintly, “All clear.  We’re done now.  Do what you need to do.  Wonderful flying by the way.”  With a small wave she exited the plane not seeing the looks of disbelief and fear that passed between the shaken and confused pilots.

Lacey saw that Joshua was secured in the third row of the Navigator and gave Will and Nico both quick hugs, “Angel and I will see you at home.  I want food first.  Should we get enough for everyone?”  They nodded.  “Tacos okay?”  Another nod.  “Fine then.”  Then she threw the clothing bag into the backseat of her Camaro and turned to Angel, “I’m driving.”

Angel just looked at her, “Are you sure love?  I don’t mind.”

“I need to feel in control for a little bit alright?  Please Angel give me the keys.”  Without another word Angel gave her the keys and got in on the passenger side.  The comfort and familiarity of her car was a balm to Lacey’s rapidly fraying nerves.  She could feel the reaction to the past day trying to take over, but she resisted.  The rumbling purr of the car’s engine was better than Mozart to her.

Lacey followed the Navigator out of the private hangar and into the streets of L.A.  Shortly after leaving the airport Lacey’s earlier feeling of unease manifested in the form of two cars following them.  “Do you have your phone with you Angel?”  She asked as she checked her mirror again.  He passed it to her.  Using the walkie-talkie function she said to Will, “Spike we’re being followed.  I’ll try to lose them, but if I can’t draw them both off I hope you can handle it.  The ignition switch for the NOS is below the gear shift if you need it.”

“Right luv.  When did you wire this up with nitrous oxide?”

“When you and Angel went to Vegas last month.  I was bored.  Thought it might come in handy sometime.”

“You are full of surprises ducks.  You two be careful.”

“You too.”  Lacey handed the phone back to Angel.  She looked at him and smiled briefly.  “You may want to put your seatbelt on.  This could get a little wild.”  Angel just looked at his mate as he did, wondering what she had planned.

With a last look in the mirror Lacey made a sharp right turn.  One of the two cars that had been pacing them followed haphazardly.  The other stayed on Will.  <Good luck guys.>  “You know whoever is following us really sucks at being subtle.” Lacey led the dark sedan on a merry chase through the streets working her way towards an industrial park.  It was getting late so there wouldn’t be much traffic in that area she hoped.  The car kept up with her staying about two cars lengths behind.  Tiring of the game Lacey made a sharp left then an immediate right.  The squealing of tires from the other car could be heard behind them.  Gunshots rang out and her back window exploded.  Both of them ducked at the spray of glass, but Lacey never lost control of the car.  “Bloody fucking hell.  Sonofabitch shot my car!”  Shifting gears smoothly Lacey quickly put distance between them and wove in and out of the narrow streets that crossed the park.  As she hit a straightaway the car following her gained quickly and actually bumped her hard.  “Bastard.  That’s it,” she muttered as she quickly brought the car under control.  Lacey was approaching a set of railroad tracks and could hear the whistle of an approaching train.  She shifted gears again and the Camaro leapt forward, the car behind her struggling to keep pace.  She could see the train now and gauged the distance.  The warning lights had just started flashing when Lacey said, “hang on” and hit the red button on her steering wheel.  Both she and Angel were thrown back against their seats as the Camaro flew over the tracks in a chemically induced burst of speed as the NOS kicked in just as the arms started to lower.  Lacey let up on the gas and the car slowed to a more reasonable pace.  She pulled over to the side of the road coming to a stop as the sound of brakes screeching, metal impacting with concrete and an explosion drew their attention behind them.  Black smoke was billowing up and flames could be seen on the other side of the speeding train from where the car that had been chasing them had collided with a vacant warehouse in an attempt to avoid the train.

“Well that was a little too ‘Fast and the Furious’ for me, but damn what a rush.  I do love NOS.”  Lacey said as she got out to inspect the damage to her beloved car.  The rear bumper was crumpled, the back window was history and there were a few bullet holes in the trunk and a couple in one of the side panels.  “Fuck you, you fucking fuck.  If you weren’t already dead I’d kill you myself.  Spinner is never going to believe this.  This is going to be a bitch to fix.”  She muttered to herself.  She looked at Angel who was leaning against the side of the car arms crossed over his chest with his eyes closed breathing deeply.  Walking over to him she asked, “Angel are you okay?”

Golden eyes met green when he opened them and locked on her, “Okay Lacey?  Why wouldn’t I be okay?  I’ve just spent a hellish day being forcefully separated from my new mate, almost bleeding to death, being transported mystically half way around the world, having to sit by while my mate was almost raped for the second time by her demon ex-husband who I didn’t even get to torture for daring to touch you, then be a passenger during a high speed car chase conducted by my mate, getting shot at and praying that we would not get crushed by a speeding train just after being reunited.  I’m bloody fucking fabulous Lacey.  How are you?”

Lacey took a step back.  For the first time since she and Angel met she was the teensiest bit afraid of him.  She looked around the deserted street then back at him.  Whatever he saw on her face must have pushed him past some invisible line because the next thing she knew he had her pinned up against the car and her knickers were a distant memory.  Angel groaned deep in his chest as he ravaged her mouth.  Lacey could do nothing but hold on to him while his fingers danced over her slick folds as he undid his belt and quickly freed himself.  The larger part of her knew that this was her Angel and that he would never hurt her.  A smaller but very persistent little voice was telling her to run as he lifted her up and slammed her down on his hard shaft.  Her whimper of pain broke through the red haze that had clouded Angel’s mind and he stopped and stared into light green eyes shiny with unshed tears.  Leaning his forehead against hers he rasped, “Christ I’m sorry love.  This is the last thing you need right now.  Come on let’s get you home.”  He said the last as he tried to ease out of her.

Realizing that reaction had also set in on him and this was his way of reassuring himself that she was there and safe Lacey wrapped her legs about him tightly holding him in her and said huskily against his lips, “No Angel.  I think this is just what I need right now.  This has been one hell of a day.  Fuck me.”  She kissed him harshly then moved the collar of his shirt aside and bit into the mark that was still visible on his neck sucking lightly to taste him.  With a shudder that rocked his whole body Angel set a hard driving pace that pushed Lacey repeatedly into the side of her car.  Moving his lips to her mark as well he sank his fangs in deep pushing her over the edge.  With a cry of completion Lacey threw her head back.  The feel of her walls grasping him tightly sent Angel over as well and he pulled out of her neck to kiss her as he emptied himself deep within.  As they came back to their senses they looked at each other.

Lacey’s mouth quirked at the corner, “Why is it that when I wear a skirt around you I find myself in need of new knickers and we go at it vertically?”

Angel looked at her for a moment before laughing weakly, “You just have that effect on me I guess.  Maybe if you wore skirts more often the thrall would wear off.  On second thought, don’t.”  He kissed her tenderly before easing out of her and making sure she was steady on her feet.  After putting themselves to rights Lacey got her bearings and they set off for home.  After a bit of silence Angel asked above the wind whistling through the car, “When and where did you learn to drive like that?”

Lacey smiled, “I may have been shy and reclusive when I was younger, but I’ve always loved cars.  The Powers saw fit to augment my shade tree mechanic abilities with the know-how to fix anything on two or four wheels.  I told you about my friend that sold this to me.  I’ve known Spinner for years.  He’s one of the few people I’ve kept in touch with since I became me.  Anyway between him and my dad I learned to drive.  Spinner also organizes street races and taught me how to elude our friendly neighborhood law enforcement if they happened to crash an event.  I’ve made a pretty penny in those little competitions.  I get underestimated a lot.”

“Will I ever know everything about you love?”

“Gods I hope not.  Then you’d be bored.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Gabriel sat at his desk with his head in his hands.  Everything was falling apart.  The minions he had sent to follow the cars from the girls’ building had not checked in and he could not reach Sean or the others that had been with the girl.  Gabriel looked at the clock.  The plane should have landed by now.  If he didn’t have the girl by the following night he could kiss his demonic ass goodbye.  His only hope if he didn’t was to bluff his way through the meeting with the old ones and convince them that he could deliver on his promise of untold power at a later date.  The girl was the key to everything.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Where’d you learn to drive like that?”  Nico asked as he surveyed the damage to the Navigator.  The car that had followed them had managed to broadside them, but unfortunately for it Will had sent it careening into a wall.  Both were wondering about Lacey and Angel, but neither wanted to distract them if they were in a similar position.

“I’ve been around for 224 years mate.  Cars are one of the most amazing inventions I’ve seen.  Couldn’t help, but learn how to handle them.  What about Lacey?  Can she handle herself?”

Nico smiled, “Don’t worry about her.  Spinner taught her well.  Whoever it was following them will probably end up in a similar state as our guys or worse.”  He motioned towards the two vampires that were currently tied up on the curb.  “It’s a pretty good bet that if they dinged the Camaro, Lacey will kill them on the spot.  Is there any point in keeping them?”

Will hunkered down in front of the two minions.  Both shrank back slightly at the feral gleam in his eyes.  “Who sent you?” he asked in low voice.

“Gabriel asked us to track any movement from the building.”  The lesser injured of the two answered.

“And did you tell him what you found?”

“No, we didn’t have the chance.”

“Are there any others watching the building?”  When it looked like the minion wasn’t going to answer Will said, “Come now, I’ll make it painless if you cooperate.  If you don’t…” he trailed off letting the minions come to their own conclusions.

“There are two more watching from across the street.”

Pulling a stake out of his back pocket Will said, “Thanks mate” as he plunged it into the two vamps.

As Will stood up Nico gestured to the severely scraped and dented side of the vehicle, “Lacey is not going to be happy when she sees this.  Bodywork is not her favorite thing.  She’d rather work on what’s under the hood.”

From inside the SUV Joshua listened to the conversation.  He shook his head in wonder.  <Who is this woman?>

Will answered Nico as they got back in and he started it up again, “Then it’s a good thing she’s got me.  I’d rather make ‘em look good.”

Nico laughed, “If we weren’t meant to be saving the world, I think the two of you could probably open your own garage.”

From the backseat Joshua said, “Saving the world?”

“Oh damn. Damn. Damn.”  Nico lightly banged his head against the window.

Will gave him a sideways glance.  “What does Drusilla mean to you Joshua?”

Without hesitation he answered, “I would die for her.”

Will smirked.  Weighing the pros and cons he came to a decision, “Well then let me tell you about our family.”

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

Angel opened the door to Will’s loft for Lacey and ushered her inside.  The sight that greeted them gave them both pause.  Nico, Will, Dru and Joshua sat at the kitchen table in quiet conversation.  Trick and Kassie were asleep on the couch and Willow was curled in Will’s favorite chair also sound asleep.  Lacey and Angel both raised their eyebrows at seeing Dru and Joshua unbound, but kept silent.  They trusted Nico and Will.

The four at the table gaped at the sight of a very windblown, bedraggled Lacey and scowling Angel.

Lacey move quietly to the table and set down the bags she was carrying.  “Three dozen tacos and fresh blood.  I’m going to go change into something a little more me.  I’ll be back down in few.”  She turned to Angel, “You coming up?”

He kissed her briefly.  “No I’ll let you have a few minutes to yourself.  I get you naked and I don’t think we’ll be seeing anyone till tomorrow,” he said for her ears only.  The slight blush on her cheeks gave her away to the others and they smiled.

“Horny little monkey.” She muttered as she turned away.  She laughed softly when she heard his affronted, “Hey! Who you callin’ little?”

“What the devil happened to you two?”  Will asked.

“Oh you know, the usual, high speed car chase, bullets flying, outrunning a speeding train.”  Angel answered blandly.  “Just wait for Lacey.” he said when Will opened his mouth again.

Twenty minutes later Lacey returned dressed in jeans and a light blue Happy Bunny baby tee that read, ‘Cute but Psycho.  Things even out.’ and her long hair was pulled back into a ponytail.  Lacey looked at the woman who could only be Drusilla.  “Hello you must be Dru.  Please forgive my lack of manners earlier.  I’m Lacey.”  Dru stood up and moved to take Lacey’s hand.

“Hello Mummy.  I’ve waited for this day for a long time.  I’m sorry I was unable to protect you.”  She said quietly.  Dru was still getting used to the relative feeling of normalcy inside her.  She had awoken feeling a sense of balance within her that hadn’t been present even when she was human.  Her demon was quiet and if she concentrated hard enough she could play back what Kassie had done to and for her.  There had been another presence within her, but it was too brief to grasp.  Dru could hardly wait for the ones responsible for this newfound sense of well being to wake up so she could thank them.

Lacey smiled softly.  “Nothing could have prevented what happened.  The Powers play Their games as They will.  Um…not that I mind really, but it is a little awkward, would you mind terribly not calling me ‘Mummy’?  At least around other people not in this room, Lacey or Lace is fine.”

Dru ducked her head, “Sorry, old habits and all that.”  Raising her blue eyes back to Lacey’s green she said, “Do you mind if I still keep your bear?  It won’t be speaking to me or anything like that, but I have grown rather fond of it.”

Lacey smiled and gave Dru a small hug, “I don’t mind at all.  It gives me an excuse to drag Angel back to win me another one.”  The group laughed softly at Angel’s pained expression.  Dru returned to her seat as Angel pulled Lacey into his lap and handed her a taco.  The six of them sat talking quietly about anything, except the problems at hand.  Movement from the living room halted that.  As one the three sleepers woke and sat up.  They looked at each other then over to the table.  Lacey had stood up and started over to them.  She found herself engulfed in a group hug and was being hit on all sides with questions.

“Calm down!  I’m fine.  We’re all fine.  Grab food.  Take a shower.  Do whatever y’all need to do.  Then we can all sit down and share.  I only want to go over everything once.”  Lacey said once she managed to be heard.

Two hours later everyone was apprised of the more pertinent details of the last 48 hours.

Angel looked at Kassie and Trick.  “Tell me again what the woman that helped you looked like.”

Kassie frowned trying to remember.  “It all happened so fast and I was really tired by then.  Let me think.  She was a little taller than me, long brown hair, hazel eyes.  She was wearing an old fashioned white dress.”

Angel and Willow looked at each other and said in unison, “Cordelia.”

“What game are the Powers playing now?” he asked quietly.

Dru said, “Right now I don’t really care.  I’m just grateful They helped.”  Angel nodded and let it drop for now.

Willow sat in contemplative silence on Nico’s lap on the couch next to Kassie and Trick.  Angel and Lacey were in one of the easy chairs as was Will.  Now it was time to find out what came next.  All eyes turned to Dru and Joshua who were sitting very close together with their hands entwined on the loveseat.  “What exactly did Gabriel want to do with me?  From the clothes I was given I get the idea that ‘vampire’s pet’ fit in there somewhere.”  Lacey asked from Angel’s lap.  She stroked his leg soothingly when he started to growl.

Dru grimaced, “Yes, that was part of his plan.  He wanted me to put you in thrall so that you would be willing to impart your knowledge to him.  He thinks you possess the knowledge that would grant him unending power to control the world.”

Lacey smirked, “I very well may, but that part of my mind is locked up tighter than a Victorian maiden’s virtue.” At the snorts that came from the three male vampires Lacey amended, “Okay considering y’alls reputations for womanizing in the day that may not be very tight, but the point is no amount of prying or coercion could get me to share if I didn’t truly want to of my own free will.”

Joshua smiled, “Be that as it may, Gabriel was quite confident in his powers of persuasion.  So confident in fact that he’s called a meeting of several Masters for tomorrow night.  Knowing him, even if he doesn’t have you he will still hold the meeting and try to bluff his way through it.”

Angel frowned, “Who’s on the guest list?  I’m fairly certain I wasn’t invited.”

Joshua shifted uneasily, “That’s because part of Gabriel’s plan is to take you out.  I believe it’s on the agenda to get the other’s agreement to help.”

“And the other’s would be?”

Joshua closed his eyes, “Aeric, Lucinda, Matthias, Christos, and Patricia.”

Will whistled, “Pillock’s pulled all the stops hasn’t he?  Lacey I think your earlier statement of his character was right.  Gabriel is a right cocky bastard.  How did he manage to convince the old ones to listen to him?  His reputation being what it is and all.”

“I think it’s mostly curiosity on their part.  I think they’re bored and find him somewhat amusing.”  Joshua answered.

Lacey interrupted, “I really don’t think it matters how.  They’re here and expecting to see me work my mojo.”  Smiling wickedly she said, “I’d hate to disappoint them.”

Angel sat up straight, almost dumping Lacey off his lap.  “You aren’t going anywhere near them.”  The others echoed the protest.  He regretted the words as soon they left his mouth.  Lacey was on her feet in an instant facing off against those seated around Will’s living room.  Everyone waited with bated breath to see her reaction.  Her hair began moving gently around her and a faint glow emanated from her tattoo and her eyes, before she took a calming breath and settled down.

“Being that all of this is happening because of me I don’t really see you keeping me away.  I understand your concern and I appreciate it, but I am quite capable of taking care of myself as I have proven on numerous occasions.  Now unless you plan on knocking me out and chaining me up I suggest y’all get over yourselves and we start making plans on how to take Gabriel out.”  Lacey said in a low, even voice that was more frightening than an accented outburst of hers was.

Angel regarded his mate in silence.  Every protective instinct he possessed screamed to keep Lacey locked up safely away from the situation, but he also knew that she needed to make her presence felt.  What better way to introduce Angelus’ mate than for her to take care of an annoyance in front of several of the most powerful vampires still in existence?  Seeing the faint manifestation of whatever power she now held made him cautious as he stood and moved warily towards her.  “I’m sorry love.  You’re right.  Please come sit back down.”  He held a hand out to her and breathed a sigh of relief when she took it.

Everyone regarded the pair in silence.  Joshua was amazed seeing the great Angelus cowed by the smallish woman.  Dru was smiling, happy that her sire had met his match.  Will’s mouth was quirked in amusement.  He hoped one day his grandsire would learn that it was fairly useless to try to dictate to Lacey.  She was far from rash and as she had said was quite able to take care of her self.  Kassie and Nico glanced at one another sharing the same thought, ‘whipped.’  Trick and Willow were a bit more concerned with the changes they’d seen in their friend.  Seeing her eyes and new tattoo start to glow had been somewhat disconcerting.  Willow had a pretty good idea what it meant, but she needed to check some sources before she could be sure.

Angel settled her back onto his lap.  “All right then.  Let’s make some plans.”

~Part: 14~

The following night the family, with the addition of Dru and Joshua, stood in the second floor training area in front of the weapons cabinets.  Lacey was strapping on a wide leather cuff to her left wrist that held her throwing stars when Angel said, “You know it’s not too late to stop this.  Spike and I could just go and kill him now and Joshua could call and cancel.”

Lacey didn’t look up from her task as she replied, “Nice try luv.  You know the old ones need to be made aware that we won’t tolerate any attacks against us.  I’m more than willing to let them do what they’ve been doing and not interfere unless their business comes knocking on our door, but I’ll not put up with threats against my family.”  Raising her eyes to his she said softly, “We’ll be fine my Angel.  If all goes well, we’ll be done in an hour, two tops.  Then you and I will be in my tub and the rest of the night will be spent in bliss.”  Angel pulled her to him and kissed her soundly.

“I like that plan.”

Kassie looked around at the assembled group.  It struck her just how different Will was from Spike.  He had undergone an almost physical transformation.  His features had hardened, his carriage had taken on an insolent swagger, and even his voice had changed.  The same could be said of Angel.  He had become Angelus.  Lacey had told her about the changes, but seeing them for her self was something new.  And the funniest thing was she wasn’t afraid of either of them.

Earlier in the day she and Willow had gone shopping for Dru and Joshua since neither of them could very well walk into Gabriel’s mansion and hope to walk out again.  Everyone was wearing black.  The only spot of color was Angelus’ blood red velvet shirt and Lacey’s red-gold hair.  Angel, Spike, Lacey and Willow were already sporting long black leather dusters.  Kassie couldn’t help it; she started to giggle.  Joshua looked at her curiously, “What’s so funny?”

“We look like something out of ‘The Matrix’.”

Lacey grinned, “Guess we’ve seen just how far down the rabbit hole goes, huh?  Instead of being loaded for bear with guns and explosives, we have wood stakes and sharp pointy metal things.”  That set Kassie off on another round of laughter.  The others just looked at them shaking their heads.

As Lacey slipped her katana into the hidden sheath in her custom made duster she said, “Has anyone ever thought of making wood bullets?  I mean just think, one shot through the heart and voila!  Buh-bye vampire.  You wouldn’t have to get so close and you wouldn’t be covered in vamp dust all the time either.  Just to make it more fun you could fill the bullet with holy water.  That way if you miss the heart you’ll still slow them down enough to stake ‘em.”

Joshua and Dru stared at her in horror.  Angel smiled, thinking that it really wasn’t a bad idea; he’d look into the feasibility of it.  Spike laughed outright and pulled her into a bear hug.  Kissing her on top of her head he said, “Your mind is a truly scary place luv.  Don’t ever change.”

“Not plannin’ to.”  Sobering she looked at her family, “Okay I’m gonna get sappy on y’all now.  Should anything unforeseen happen tonight and someone gets hurt, gods forbid, just know that I love you all beyond comprehension and the last few months have been the most amazing of my life.  Dru?  Joshua?  I appreciate what the two of you are about to do for us and I understand the danger you’re placing yourselves in.  Thank you.”  The couple nodded.  Taking another look around at the assembled group she took Angel and Nico’s hands.  The rest of them followed suit.  Squeezing tightly she said, “Let’s do this.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Gabriel ran a shaking hand through his dark hair.  He was going to die he knew it.  He didn’t have the girl.  Drusilla was gone and so was his childe and some of his most trusted minions.  <You’ve done it this time.  You’re confidence is going to be your downfall> he thought to himself as he tried to calm the fear radiating from him.  It would do him no good to enter the private room at the club stinking of fear.  He would be staked immediately.  The old ones were here because he had made them curious, he meant nothing to them and he knew it.  Sitting in the limousine outside of Exodus with his eyes closed he finally managed to find a sense of peace.  Resigning ones’ self to ones death was freeing in a way.  Opening his eyes he looked at his remaining childe and the five minions he had brought with him.  “Shall we?  The others will be here momentarily.”  Jack and the others followed him out of the car.  Gabriel could feel his childe’s eyes boring a hole into his back and snapped, “Curb the attitude childe or I’ll stake you here and now.”  Jack lowered his eyes thinking <not if I get to you first old man.>

Gabriel opened the door to the private room and stepped inside followed by his entourage.  When the door shut behind them the loud thumping of the bass playing in the main club became muted.  His attention was drawn to the center of the room as the sound of weapons being drawn by his minions came from behind him.  Sitting in an easy chair in the middle of the floor with her leather-encased legs crossed and index fingers steepled under her chin was a very pretty redheaded woman.  Something about her was familiar, but he couldn’t place her.  Gabriel looked around the room and saw that all the furniture had been moved to the shadowed end of the long room save for that single chair.  Motioning for his minions to put away their weapons he glowered at the woman, “This room is for a private meeting.  What business do you have here?”

The woman smiled coldly, “I’m the reason for the meeting Gabriel.  I believe you think you can use me in some way?”

Gabriel gaped at the girl.  <I remember her now.  She doesn’t look the same at all.  This little slip of a girl holds my future in her hands?  How in hell did she get away?  Why is she here?> Before he could say anything Jack stepped forward, “Sharon?”  Though he had seen her two weeks ago the woman sitting in the center of the room bore little resemblance to the happy, laughing girl he’d seen then and even less to the frumpy mouse of an ex-wife to his best friend.  The woman before them looked like some dark heroine out of a comic book.  Long fire-red hair was pulled back on each side and cascaded down her back and around her arms.  Bright, clear green eyes were heavily lined with black and her full lips were painted blood red.  She wore a tight low-cut black top with black leather pants, boots and full-length duster.  There was a belt of what appeared to be small knives about her hips.  What skin was visible glowed translucently in the soft light.  If it weren’t for the steady thump-thump of her heartbeat he would have thought she was a vampire.

Lacey sat unmoving as the seven vampires conducted their perusal.  At Jacks’ incredulous question she cocked her head prepared to face the final shadow of her past, “No Jack.  Sharon doesn’t exist anymore.  I’m much, much different now.  You and Sean made sure of that.  I thanked Sean; I guess I should thank you too.”

“Thank me for what?”  He asked in confusion.

“For helping mold me into the woman I am today.  Though all you did was hold me down and beat on me with words while Sean used his fists and his body.”  Lacey stood up and was slightly gratified when they all moved back a pace.

Having always had more balls than brains Jack leered at her, “Always knew all you needed was a good hard fuck to put some life into you.  It really was a shame your boy Nico interrupted us before I could show you a few things.  Then you had to go and disappear on us.”  He started to move towards her.  Gabriel growled in warning, but Jack ignored him.  When he was about two feet away from Lacey he stopped.  “Maybe now I’ll get the chance.”  He’d just started to close the distance between them when Lacey moved.  In a matter of moments Jack was on his knees, blood streaming from his broken nose, with the finely honed edge of Lacey’s katana pressed against his throat.

Gabriel held his minions at bay.  He really was quite tired of the unruly jackass.  Looking back on it turning him had not been one of his better ideas.  The door opened and the five masters and their minions walked into the room unnoticed by those already present, the loud music pouring in didn’t register.  Their attention was riveted to the sight before them.  The door shut and the new arrivals watched in curiosity as Lacey smiled an evil little smile and said softly, “Not in this life or any other Jack.  Have fun with Sean in Hell.”  With a flick of her wrist Jack turned to ashes.  Lacey sat back down and absently wiped the katana off on the arm of the chair before her attention was drawn to the newcomers.

The masters all looked curiously at the woman with the sword sitting in the middle of the room then at Gabriel.  A rather pretty blond sniffed contemptuously and asked, “Gabriel?  What is the meaning of this?”

Gabriel was reeling.  He had no idea how to spin the situation to his advantage.  Here was the girl he had promised, but he had no control over her whatsoever.  And now he was faced with the precarious humors of five old ones.  “Uh…well…you see Lucinda-“

Lacey studied the new arrivals.  She counted a total of thirty vampires including Gabriel and his crew.  <Nine of us, thirty of them.  If the masters decide to play it cool then the only ones to die tonight will be Gabriel and his flunkies.  Somehow I don’t think we’re going to get that lucky.>  She stood up again and held her katana loosely in one hand.  “I was just introducing myself and taking care of some old business.  I’m Lacey.  It seems Gabriel here made certain assumptions about me and what I’d be willing to do for him.  I’m here to set him and all of you straight.”

Lucinda snorted delicately, “Why would we listen to a pathetic human such as yourself?  You’re nothing but a meal.”  Her hateful blue gaze raked over Lacey and she sneered, “And from the looks of you not a very filling one at that.”  The other four masters rolled their eyes at the feminine posturing.  Aeric, Matthias, Christos and Patricia shared a look that spoke volumes.  There was more to this human than met the eye.  All of them could feel the power radiating from the girl.  Lucinda was just too self-absorbed to notice.

Lacey smirked, the expression eerily similar to that of Angelus.  “Oh you’ll listen all right…and I’m more than you can handle Lucy.”  With a snap of her fingers the cloaking spell Willow had cast fell away and the family moved into position around Lacey.  Angelus came to stand behind her wrapping her in his arms.  Spike and Dru flanked them with Willow, hair and eyes slowly returning to normal, and Joshua.  Behind them stood Trick, Kassie and Nico.  Lacey was the only one of her group with a weapon drawn and she put that away once she was surrounded.

Gabriel’s mouth opened and closed like a fish at the sight of his second in command and consort standing with the girl.  <What is going on?  Why is Joshua…Dru never said anything about Angelus…I was right earlier.  I’m going to die.>

Lucinda’s hard blue eyes softened slightly at the sight of the dark haired vampire.  A seductive smiled curved her lips and she purred, “Angelus.  This is a surprise.”  Gesturing towards Lacey she continued, “You really should see to disciplining your pets.  The little bitch has quite a mouth on her.”

Lacey growled softly, “I am getting sick and tired of being called a bitch.”  Angel leaned down and spoke into her ear all the while keeping eye contact with Lucinda.  “Patience darlin’.  Let me handle this for the moment.”  He kissed the side of her neck and released her to move forward.  Lucinda met him halfway and wrapped herself around him, plastering her cold mouth to his.  Her companions groaned at the display.  The family all growled.  Then the blond vampiress was unceremoniously pulled away by the hair and flung back toward the door.  She looked up in fury at Drusilla who was standing in front of a disgusted Angel.  He was wiping his mouth off and searching his pockets for something.  Finding it he unwrapped a piece of gum and put in his mouth.  Those who saw the gesture laughed softly.  He heard Lacey mutter, “Way to ‘handle’ it Angelus” and turned meeting her glare with a slight shrug as if to say ‘it wasn’t my fault.’

“You will keep your hands to yourself you nasty woman.  You will also keep a civil tongue in your head or I will rip it out and feed it to you.  Leave my Mummy and Daddy alone.”  Angel put a hand on Dru’s arm and drew her back to the fold.

Lacey moved to stand next to Angel.  “Thank you Dru.”  She said quietly.  Then Lacey smirked as she cupped Angel through his leather pants.  He purred at the contact as she said, “You see these Lucy?  They belong to me along with the rest of him.”  The smirk vanished and she growled, “Keep your claws and your mouth off of my mate.”

Angel moved behind Lacey and wrapped her in his arms again.  He murmured in her ear, “Well played love.”

Lucinda stood up and spat, “She can’t be serious Angelus.  You?  Taking a…a…human as a mate?  How could you betray your kind like that?”

Everyone watched the storm clouds gather on Angels’ face and prudently moved away from Lucinda.  “Careful Luce.  I can assure you Lacey is more than capable of holding her own with me and mine.  I have made an excellent choice.  You would do well not to insult her anymore than you already have.  Trust me, you don’t want to make her angry…or me.”

Having grown bored with Lucinda’s antics Aeric moved forward.  “Are we going to spend the rest of the evening standing around throwing insults?  I for one have better things to do with my time.”

Lacey cocked her head slightly and Spike leaned in to whisper, “That’s Aeric.  The other blond is Matthias.  The dark haired one is Christos and the other woman is Patricia.”

Lacey straightened.  “I agree Aeric.  Why don’t we all sit down and we can decide what to do with Gabriel here.  He’s been a very naughty boy, trying to build an empire out of false promises.”  The masters looked at her in bemusement, but quickly motioned for their minions to bring seats.  Things were arranged just so and Gabriel and his minions were effectively cut off from the exits.

Once everyone was settled Aeric asked, “What did you mean, ‘Gabriel is trying to build an empire out of false promises’?”

Lacey looked at Angel and he nodded for her to continue.  It appeared the masters with the exception of Lucinda were willing to listen to his mate.  Angelus had no problem letting Lacey tell the tale.  If things went as smoothly as they were right now they would be done in no time.  That thought was a bit depressing for him.  He had hoped to indulge in a little bit of mayhem and bloodletting.  Turning back to Aeric Lacey smiled faintly and explained, “Gabriel was misinformed that I possessed certain…gifts that would aid him in garnering great power.  To that end he had me kidnapped and contacted all of you to make a deal that would cement his position as an important player.  I also believe part of his plan was to remove Angelus from the equation in an effort to absorb his holdings.”  Lacey smiled warmly and gestured towards the tawny haired vampire, “With Joshua’s help I was able to escape and he has been so kind as to inform us of what Gabriel has been planning.  As you can imagine none of this has sat very well with us.  Though I am more than I seem…even if I did possess the abilities he believes I have I would never consent to using them against my own family.”  Moving her hand to encompass her group she continued, “As a whole we thought it best to apprise the five of you of the situation since he had already set this up.  We have no quarrel with you.”  With a withering glare at Lucinda she amended, “Well with most of you.”  Spike snorted softly and Angel smirked, running his hand soothingly along her thigh.  The other four masters fought to contain their amusement.  “All we ask is to be left alone.” Lucinda glared right back at Lacey surreptitiously fingering a dagger soaked in holy water hidden in her coat, careful to keep her sleeve between her and the hilt.  She would not let the insult done to her by Angelus and his bitch go unpunished.

Gabriel was beginning to panic.  The calm he had managed to achieve earlier was rapidly fading.  Christos looked at the younger vampire, “Well Gabriel is this true?  Have you brought us together under false pretenses?”  He could see the truth written on the man’s face, but wanted to hear it for him self.

“It wasn’t supposed to be this way.  I didn’t know she was Angelus’ mate.  I can assure you she holds the key to untold power.  All we need to do is force her to unlock it.  If we all band together we can take Angelus and his whelps out right now.  Then nothing would stand in our way.”  Gabriel was grasping at straws, but he was desperate.  He could see the calculating gleam in Lucinda’s eyes and felt a spark of hope.  As he waited for the others reactions he nervously played with a vial of holy water in his pocket.

Patricia watched the deceptively relaxed postures of Angelus and Spike with some trepidation.  The two of them weren’t as active as they once were and though they were younger, their reputations were well grounded in truth.  Dru, though insane or perhaps because of her insanity, and Joshua were also forces to be reckoned with.  If a fight began not many in this room would get out unlive.  Her gaze moved to the rest of Angelus’ odd clan.  She counted three more humans aside from his mate and a half demon.  The other redhead was a powerful witch, which had been apparent when she’d shown herself and the others earlier.  Actually now that she concentrated all of them exuded power of one form or another.  Finally her brown eyes rested on Angelus’ mate.  The smallish woman was just as relaxed as her mate.  None of them showed the slightest concern of being killed, but it wasn’t overconfidence.  This was not a group to be taken lightly.  Patricia made her decision.  There would be no bloodshed on her part this evening.

Matthias was intrigued by the proposition of untold power, but really when he thought about it that just meant more responsibility.  Besides he had nothing against Angelus.  In fact the vampire had been keeping a very low profile lately.  And his mate, though human, was quite entertaining.  No it wasn’t worth it.

Aeric and Christos held very similar thoughts as Patricia and Matthias.  This Lacey was correct.  They held no quarrel with Angelus.  Indeed they had been unaware that part of Gabriel’s plan had been to take him out.  No they would not agree to Gabriel’s frantic plea.

Patricia stood followed by Matthias, Aeric and Christos.  The tall brunette vampiress said, “I for one have no wish to shed your blood this evening.  You have my leave to do with Gabriel as you will.”

The three males looked at Patricia then at each other for a moment before nodding.  Matthias spoke for them, “We agree with Patricia.  If you’d like I would be more than happy to take care of Gabriel for you.”

Angel smiled, “Thank you for the offer Matthias, but I think we’ll do it ourselves.  You all are more than welcome to stay and watch.”

Movement from Lucinda’s corner brought Spike’s attention to her, “Well Lucy?  Whaddya say pet?  You gonna help the little pillock try to take us out?  Or are you gonna show some brains for the first time this evenin’ and leave with the rest?”

Chairs scattered as Lucinda and her minions rose up withdrawing weapons.  Gabriel breathed a small sigh of relief and joined her.  Spike chuckled, “Well I guess that answers that.”

Matthias, Aeric, Christos and Patricia moved out of the way with their minions.  Christos was muttering, “How the hell has that woman lasted as long as she has?”

Patricia replied, “She’s spent most of her time flat on her back.”

Aeric looked at Angelus and his crew.  They were all in relaxed fighting stances ready for battle.  He caught the dark haired vampire’s eye and asked, “Would you like me to loan you my minions?”

Throwing him a wolfish grin Angel said, “Nah.  I don’t think we’ll need them.  Thanks for the offer though.”  Returning his attention to Lucinda the smile vanished.  “Think about what you’re doing Lucinda.  I don’t want to start a war with you.  It’s not worth my time.  You stay out of my way and I’ll stay out of yours.  It’s that simple.”

Lucinda snarled at him, “I can’t believe you would choose some pathetic human over me.”

Lacey turned to Angel, “You and the Succubitch have history I take it?”

He winced, but nodded.  “It was a long time ago and not overly memorable.”

Turning back to Lucinda she said, “And you’ve still got your knickers in a twist for him?  Not that I can blame you, but really you need to learn to let go.”  The snickers coming from the other masters just enraged the vampiress more.

A scream from Drusilla drew all eyes to her.  She was on the floor wiping frantically at her face; “It burns!  It burns!” she was babbling over and over again.  Gabriel was standing over her with a stake in his hand; the broken bottle of holy water was in shards at his feet.  Angel moved towards his childe but Joshua got there first.  He punched Gabriel in the face and bent to pick Dru up all in one motion.  Turning with her in his arms he caught Angels’ eye.  “Get her out of here and get that shit off of her,” Angel said.  As if by magick a path appeared for them and Joshua made his way out of the room.

Trick, Nico and Kassie began methodically dispatching the minions.  Willow and Spike were keeping an eye on things making sure the other masters and their minions were indeed staying out of the way.  Willow had dropped her shields again and was doing a very good job of intimidating those near her.  They were ready to leap into action should there be unnecessary trouble.  That left Lacey, Angel, Gabriel and Lucinda to face each other.  As the last of the minions turned to dust the trio moved to stand with Willow and Spike.  Trick had a black eye and several cuts that were quickly healing.  Kassie thought she may have sprained her left wrist and possibly had a couple of cracked ribs.  Nico was pretty sure his right hand was broken and his left ankle was pretty sore too.  But the injuries could wait.

The two women faced each other.  Lucinda vamped out and lunged for Lacey with her talon like nails outstretched.  Lacey laughed as she sidestepped the vampire and kicked her in the bum as she went past.  Lucinda sprawled on the floor.  “Please tell me you’re not going to make me fight like a girl.  You’re what five-six hundred years old?  You have to have learned something in all that time.”  The vampire got to her feet and swung at her again.  Lacey grabbed her arm and dropped to the ground bringing her feet up to Lucinda’s stomach and launching her over her head.  Lacey followed completing the roll and rising gracefully to her feet in a single fluid motion.  The vampire snarled as she regained her feet and charged once again.  Her nails managed to scratch Lacey’s cheek drawing blood.  Hissing at the burning sensation she felt, Lacey moved in and caught her with a jab to the stomach followed by an uppercut to the chin.  “I’m getting bloody tired of vampires trying to put their mark on my face.”  Lacey muttered as she blocked another swipe.  She crouched low and swept out with her right leg catching Lucinda off guard and bringing the vampire to the ground.  As their fight continued Lacey could hear Angel and Gabriel going at it.  Her attention was distracted enough that she didn’t see the well executed left hook Lucinda threw.

Gabriel slammed up against the wall with an audible ‘oof.’  Angel held him there pressing his face in to the wall and repeatedly rained a series of kidney punches on him.  “How dare you think you could take my mate from me.”  Gabriel managed to elbow Angelus in the stomach and move away.  His respite was brief.  Angel backhanded him, spinning around to catch him with the other, “How dare you abuse my childe to the point of scarring her.”  The blows and kicks continued in an endless torrent until Angel was pulled back suddenly and felt a burning pain radiating from his chest and throughout his body.  He dropped to his knees and cried out.

Lacey fell to the ground stunned by the blow.  <Guess she can hit after all.> A sharp burning pain raced through her body causing her to cry out.  Some part of her realized that it was coming from someone else.  Then she heard Angel cry out.  Flipping herself upright she saw her mate on his knees with a dagger protruding from his chest.  Lucinda was gloating in front of him and Gabriel was moving in with a stake.  “Angelus!” she cried.  Angel turned pain-filled eyes to his mate.  Willow and Spike were moving to take care of the two vampires.  The other masters were staring at Lacey in fear.  Lacey had shed her duster and was standing there in glowing fury.  Her hair was billowing around her like a wild blaze, the flames on her wrist were writhing and her eyes were blazing with the same fire.

Cordelia’s words came back to Angel, ‘When the time comes don’t get in Lacey’s way.’  “Get down” he rasped to Willow and Spike before he dropped heavily to the ground.  Spike glanced towards Lacey, “Bloody hell.”  He grabbed Angel by the collar of his duster and Willow by the hand and dove behind an overturned chair.  They made cover just in time.

Lacey raised both hands.  A large green fireball formed between them and she hurled it at the two vampires.  Lucinda dove out of the way, but Gabriel turned to ashes screaming.

The blond vampiress grabbed a fallen sword and made to charge Lacey.  Still in a fury at seeing her mate felled Lacey snarled, “You fucking bitch!”  A wood tipped throwing knife made its way to her hand a-la Yoda and with an almost casual flick of the wrist flew smoothly from her hand embedding itself in Lucinda’s chest.  The old one turned to dust.  Eyes, hair and tattoo still blazing she turned to the remaining masters and their minions.  Another fireball formed in her right hand.  In a dangerously even voice she asked, “Anyone else want to fuck with me tonight?”  Rapid shaking of heads ‘no’ was their only response.  Lacey closed her fist and the fireball disappeared.  “I will tolerate no attacks against my family.  As I said earlier all we want is to be left alone.  Spread the word.  If anyone tries to challenge Angelus I swear what I did here tonight will look like a weak-ass roman sparkler in comparison.  I will light up the perpetrators like the goddamn 4th of July.  Are we clear?”  The remaining old ones nodded.  “You can divide Lucinda and Gabriel’s holdings as you will.”  Lacey motioned to the door and it flew open banging against the wall.  The heavy techno beat from the club poured in as she said, “Now get out.  All of you.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The four masters looked at each other as they made their way from the club.  A slow smile spread across Aeric’s face, “I like her.  Angelus was right.  We don’t want to make her angry.”  He had a feeling he’d be seeing them again in the future.  The flame-haired woman was important.

The others agreed.  The evening may not have turned out how they’d planned, but it had certainly been entertaining.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Joshua and Drusilla returned to the room just after the others had left quietly closing the door to mute the music pouring in from outside.  Lacey growled at the intrusion, but calmed slightly upon seeing whom it was.  The couple checked at seeing Lacey blazing, but hurried to Angel’s side.  The others had maneuvered Angel into the open area while Lacey had delivered her creed.  Spike went to remove the dagger, but quickly withdrew his hand hissing, “Bloody thing’s soaked in holy water.”

Lacey knelt down beside her mate and took several calming breaths.  The flames on her wrist and in her eyes subsided and her hair settled down.  Tears formed in her eyes as she lovingly brushed away the hair that had fallen over his forehead and said, “This is gonna hurt baby.”  He nodded faintly.  Grasping the hilt firmly Lacey pulled it out and threw it behind her.  Angel passed out as blood welled profusely from the wound turning his red velvet shirt black.  It was as though his body was trying to dispel the burning mixture, which most likely it was.  Trick was kneeling on the other side of him and quickly ripped Angel’s shirt open revealing the ugly hole just above his un-beating heart.  Placing his hands over the wound his eyes glowed brightly and the wound closed.  He stayed there for a few more minutes repairing the damage to Angel’s body.  Vampire healing was all well and good, but Trick knew he could speed the process.

Dru, the left side of her face red and blistered from the holy water, hovered worriedly.  “Daddy needs to feed Mummy.  Human blood.  He needs to regain his strength.”

Lacey was already removing the leather cuff on her left wrist.  “I know Dru.”  She said as she removed one of the stars and drew it sharply across her skin, barely wincing at the pain.  She held her dripping arm over Angel’s slack mouth letting the blood trickle in.  “Drink Angel.  That’s right mryneen take what you need.”  Lacey cooed as even unconscious Angel shifted into his demon and latched onto her arm, his fangs sinking into her offered wrist.  She lay down beside him as the blood loss made her light headed.  Gently, but firmly Willow removed Lacey’s wrist from his grasp before he drained her dry.  He growled at the loss and just before Lacey passed out she said, “I love you.”  Trick was there to close the still bleeding wound on her wrist.

Will looked at his grandsire shaking his head, “He needs more.”

Willow was already there.  She too made a gash on her wrist and let her oldest friend feed.  Angel opened his golden eyes and stared into her emerald green ones.  When she began to sway from the loss of blood he removed his fangs and lightly licked at the wounds to close them.  Nico was there to catch his girl as she also lost consciousness.  Angel turned his head and saw Lacey beside him.  She was so still, barely breathing.  “Wha-What have I done?” he asked as he lightly traced her face.

Dru pulled him around to face her, “You did what you needed to do sire.  Mummy and the little tree, I mean Willow offered themselves to you freely.  They will be all right.  Can you stand?”  Angel nodded.  The blood he had consumed was rich, spicy with magick and power and he felt better than before he was stabbed.  That did nothing to assuage the guilt he felt at having almost drained not only one of his oldest friends, but his mate as well.  “Good.  Up with you now.  We need to go home.”  Angel got to his feet.  As he bent to pick Lacey up he realized his shirt was soaked with blood.  He removed his duster then his shirt.  Putting his duster back on he picked up his mate and headed for the door followed closely by Dru and Joshua.

Kassie had gingerly gathered the ruined shirt and all of the weapons still present in the room.  She wrapped it all up in Lacey’s discarded duster, but when she tried to pick it up her ribs screamed in protest.  Trick was there in a heartbeat helping her up and taking the bundle.  The couple headed out the door.  Nico carried Willow somewhat awkwardly.  He was still favoring his left leg and his right hand was throbbing.  Will looked closely at him and said, “Let me have her.  You’ll only do yourself more harm if you keep goin’ like you are.”  Nico hesitated.  “I promise to take good care of her mate.”  Nico nodded and relinquished the redheaded witch to the vampire.  “Come on then.  Let’s get you to the hospital.  I don’t think Trick will be able to fix Kassie and you tonight.”

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

“Lacey is now the Keeper and Angel is the Warrior.  By coming together in that sacred place they have ignited the Eternal Flame.”  Moira said softly.

“When the Darkness threatens to overtake the Light the Keeper and Warrior shall unite lighting the Eternal Flame.  And from the Eternal Flame the Two shall come forth to bring balance back to the world…”Intoned Cordelia.

“But it’s too soon.  The Flame wasn’t to be lit for years.”  Willow cried.  “Is there more?”

The brunette sighed sadly, “The axis has already shifted.  You and yours will feel the effects in the coming months.  It had to be done now.”  Cordy ignored the last question as she stood up and pulled Willow to her feet before the witch could ask more.  She hugged the petite redhead and said, “It’s time to wake up Willow.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Cordelia?”  Willow opened her eyes and met Nico’s.  “Hi.  You’re not Cordy.”

Nico smiled softly and brushed away some ruby red strands from her face, “Not the last time I checked.  How are you feeling?”

She could have sworn she’d just had a long conversation with Cordelia and another woman.  She’d learned what was going on with Lacey, but now she couldn’t remember.  Frowning slightly Willow sat up, “I’m forgetting something important.  I feel pretty good considering.  I don’t think I’ll patrol for a couple of days.”  She looked at her boyfriend and gasped.  Nico was sporting a cast on his right hand and his left foot was heavily wrapped, “Goddess Nico, are you all right?”

“I’m fine Wills.  This was a little more than Trick could handle last night.  It’s no big.”  Willow was running her hands over him checking for herself that he wasn’t hurt anywhere else.  Nico purred, “Mmm…that feels good chere.”

Willow smiled wickedly, “I can make it feel even better.”

Just before her lips met his he said, “Go for it.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Do you think she’ll forgive us for cloaking the memories of what she learned?”  Moira asked.

Cordelia winced, “Eventually, maybe.  You said she would come to us for answers and that we would provide.  You never said we had to let her remember.”

Moira sighed, “I know.  When the time comes she will.  We’ll deal with it then.  Is there more to the tale of the Eternal Flame?”

Cordy frowned, “I don’t know.  What I said earlier is all I know of it.”

Moira nodded, “Very well.  Come along Cordy, we need to get ready for Drusilla.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Angel sat on the roof watching the sun move across the sky.  He’d put Lacey to bed immediately after they’d returned from the club, stolen a few beers from Will’s fridge then had come up to watch the sun rise and think…okay brood.  He was having a hard time wrapping his head around the fact that he’d almost drained not only his mate but one of his oldest friends as well.  His mouth quirked at the corner as he took another swallow from the bottle in his hand, even though he’d been in a considerable amount of pain the night before he remembered how marvelous Lacey was.  The looks on the old ones faces when she’d told them that if anyone threatened them she’d light them up like the 4th of July was priceless.  His mate certainly had made an impression.  Angel was fairly certain no one would be messing with his family any time soon.  All in all Angelus’ latest outing had been very mild.  <Cordy could have told me Spike, Willow and I were only going to be window dressing.>

Lacey’s voice singing in his mind brought him back to the reason he was on the roof in the first place.  <Hello leannan.  I’m on the roof.  I’ll be right down.>

He passed Will and Sasha in the stairwell.  Angel frowned slightly.  His grandchilde did not look happy.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lacey woke up alone in her bed.  She knew Angel was around somewhere.  She sat up cautiously.  When no dizziness assailed her she breathed a sigh of relief and got out of bed.  Slipping on a light robe she went in search of her erstwhile mate.  The living room and kitchen were empty as was the bathroom.  Frowning she thought <Alright Angel.  Come out, come out wherever you are.>

A weak laugh echoed in her mind <Hello leannan.  I’m on the roof.  I’ll be right down.>

<Okay.>  With a smile Lacey headed to the bathroom and started filling the tub.  She’d just finished brushing her teeth when the door to her loft opened.  She moved to stand in the doorway and frowned at the sight before her.  Angel was scruffier than she’d ever seen him, though she had to admit the shadow of his beard was very sexy.  “Angel you look like hell, completely edible, but like hell.  What’s wrong?”  He wouldn’t meet her eyes.  Then it clicked in her brain.  “Please tell me you haven’t spent the last…however many hours I’ve been out brooding and feeling guilty because you fed from me.”  He shuffled his feet slightly.  Lacey moved towards him.  When she was directly in front of him she held his face in her hands and forced him to look at her.  The smell of the Corona he’d been drinking reached her and she wrinkled her nose.  “You have haven’t you?  Angel you needed to feed.  You didn’t do any permanent damage.”  She showed him her left wrist, “See, not even a scar.”

Angel sighed, “It wasn’t just you.  I fed from Willow as well.  I almost drained both of you last night.”

Lacey shook her head, “Hello?  We’re both immortal remember?  We were the only humans available that you could safely feed from and we love you.  Now quit trying to reclaim your King of Brood title and come take a bath with me.”  She kissed him hard then firmly grasping his hand dragged the still somewhat reluctant vampire towards the bathroom.

“I love you Lacey.”

“I love you too you idiot vampire.  Now hurry up and get naked.”

Angel finally smiled, “Yes ma’am.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Knocking on the door woke Will up.  He growled from his position on the couch and got up to answer it grumbling all the way.  He’d let Dru and Joshua have his bed the night before.  <And wasn’t that a lovely gesture.  I’ve turned into such a bloody poof.>  He sensed Dru coming out of the bedroom just as he opened the door.  His sleep-addled brain took a moment to register who was on the other side, “Sasha.”

“Good afternoon Will.”  Sasha’s warm brown eyes roamed appreciatively over Will’s mostly naked form.  All he was wearing was a pair of dark blue boxers.  Her gaze slid past him to rest on Drusilla, who was wearing a robe, standing somewhat hesitantly near the couch.  Her long dark hair hid the burns on the side of her face.  The smile that had been on Sasha’s lips vanished and her eyes hardened, “So sorry for interrupting.  I’ll just be leaving now.”

Will finally woke up as she turned away.  He grabbed her arm, “Oh no you don’t pet.  Get your sweet ass in here now.”  He pulled the angry woman into his flat and turned her to meet Dru.  “Sasha this is my Sire Drusilla.  Dru this is my girlfriend Sasha.”

Dru smiled at the glaring woman.  “Hello.”  She turned her gaze to Will, “I’m hungry William.”

Sasha flushed, “Hello.”  She turned to Will, “Sorry.”  Then she processed Dru’s comment about being hungry.  Sasha turned back to the dark haired vampiress, “You’re not going to eat me are you?”

A look of hurt crossed Dru’s face and Will looked stricken, “No deary I’m not going to eat you.  I’m a guest in my childe’s home.  I didn’t want to be rude.”

Sasha closed her eyes “I’m sorry again.  That was way out of line for me to say.”  She opened her eyes and looked at Will again, “Would you like me to leave?  I seem to suffering a serious case of open-mouth-insert-foot right now.”

Will looked at her for a moment before kissing her lightly and heading into the kitchen, “S’okay pet.  I thought I was picking you up at the airport tomorrow.”  He pulled down two mugs and set about heating breakfast for him and his sire.  Dru had taken a seat at the kitchen table and was studying Sasha intently.  Sasha stood in the doorway somewhat hesitant to get near the vampiress.

“You were, but I was able to get an earlier flight and decided to surprise you.  I hope that was okay.”  Sasha glared at Dru again then looked at the floor.

Will looked at her as he handed his sire a mug.  “That’s fine.”  <This is getting ridiculous.  I thought we had things straightened out between us.  This jealousy thing is really beginning to grate.  I thought after our phone conversation the other night she understood.  This isn’t going to work.>

Sasha met his eyes.  Will said, “We need to talk.”  Dru took that as her cue to leave the room.  Will took a sip from his mug and said, “Let me get dressed pet.  We’ll go somewhere.”  Sasha nodded and he made his way to the bedroom.

Keeping his voice low so as not to wake the still sleeping Joshua he asked, “What did you see Dru?” as he pulled on a pair of jeans.

Dru sighed and played with her hair, “You can’t be with her.  She is unbalanced.  It would be best if you broke it off.  She might be better if you were no longer together.”

Will nodded as he buttoned his shirt, “I was thinking along the same lines.”  Kissing Dru on the cheek he said softly, “Thanks pet.  I’ll be back in a bit.  Don’t leave the flat okay?”

Dru nodded and Will walked out of the room.  She turned and met Joshua’s hazel eyes.  He smiled sleepily and held out his hand, “Come back to bed Dru.”  She smiled in return and crawled in beside him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Drusilla.”

Dru opened her eyes and found herself in a small comfortably furnished sitting room.  There were three chairs in front of the fireplace.  “Hello?” she asked softly.

Two figures stood from the chairs and turned to look at her.  Dru looked closely at the younger of the two women then smiled faintly, “Seer.  I thought you were dead.”

Cordelia smiled, “I am.  Hello Dru.  Please come sit down.”  The vampiress took a seat in front of the fire and looked questioningly at the other woman.  Cordelia made the introductions.  “Dru I’d like you to meet Moira Porter.  Lacey’s mother.”

Moira smiled at her and Dru returned it saying, “It’s a pleasure.  Your daughter is a very special person.”

“Thank you and I know.  It’s good to meet you as well.  We don’t have much time so let’s get down to business shall we?”  At Dru’s curious nod she began.  “Cordelia and I represent the Powers That Be.  We have a proposition for you.”

Dru looked back and forth between the two women.  She knew what they wanted and knew what her answer would be, but she wanted to hear what they had to say.  She smiled, “Tell me what you will.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Will led Sasha up to the roof passing a haggard looking Angel on the way.  The early afternoon sun was making a valiant effort to burn through the smog that blanketed the City of Angels.  Will looked out towards the ocean and said, “You know I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of sunlight.  After living in darkness for more than two hundred years, it’s not something I think I’ll ever take for granted.”  Sasha moved to stand next to him and he said quietly, “It’s not going to work between us.”

“What?  But, William I love you.”  Sasha cried as she clutched his arm.

Will turned and pulled her to him.  He held her as she cried.  “I need to be with someone who doesn’t question my motives at every turn.  For some reason you don’t trust me and I deserve better than that.  So do you.  You’re a good person Sasha Reynolds and I wish you all the best.”

Sasha smiled evilly before she pulled back and looked deep into Will’s midnight blue eyes with a heartbroken expression <Oh this is too easy>, “So that’s it?  You decide what’s best and I don’t get a say?  Fine, have it your way, but just know that I’m probably the best thing that’s happened to you in a long time and you threw that away.  Goodbye Will Cavanaugh.”  She wrenched out of his arms and walked stiffly away.  <Now the fun can begin.>  Before she left the roof she said over her shoulder, “Your secrets are safe with me.”

Will stood alone looking out over the city.

Without turning he asked, “How much did you hear Kassie?”  Kassie, who had come out of the pool enclosure in time to hear most of the conversation, walked up to stand next to him at the low wall.

“Enough.  She wasn’t right for you anyway.  So you told her about you?”

Will sighed and turned to lean on the wall.  Kassie met his gaze.  “Yeah pet the night Drusilla showed up.  It now appears that may not have been one of my more stellar ideas, but I was a bit pissed at the time.  We talked till the battery on the phone went dead.  I really don’t want to see my phone bill for this month.”  Kassie giggled making Will smirk in return.  He shook his head, “I don’t know Kass.  Maybe I’m just not meant to be with anyone.  It never seems to work out.  Love’s bitch, that’s me.”

Kassie laid a hand on his arm, “Stop it.  You want me to tell Lacey you’re feeling sorry for yourself?  I will you know.”  He looked at her in warning and she grinned, “You’ll find someone when the time is right.  If you want to know the truth Sasha kinda scared me.  I was always a little afraid she’d go all ‘Fatal Attraction’ on you.  Not that you have any rabbits for her to cook but still…” Will finally laughed like she’d hoped he would.

Putting his arm around her Will hugged her close to his side as they made their way to the stairwell, “Thanks ducks.  Remind me to change my access code to the garage.  Wanna help me find an original 1967 Camaro rear bumper for Lacey’s car?”

Kassie wrinkled her nose, “No I think I’ll pass.  I need to call Andy and let him know everything’s all right.  I hope things can get back to normal now.”

~Part: 15~

Normal is a relative term.  It had been three and half months since Lacey and Angel had returned from Ireland, the couple having decided to just stay and hole up in Angel’s beach house until it was time for Lacey to return to work, and things had settled down as much as it ever did.  Business for Angel Investigations was quite brisk.  Nico had been receiving more and more visions and he and Lacey had been utilizing their mental bond, she could access the images and see what demon it was so that AI knew what they were dealing with and how to defeat it.  So in addition to paying clients the AI crew was fighting an increasing number of unfamiliar demons.  Events around world were casting a grim light.  It seemed the Darkness was gaining more of a foothold than ever before and the Light was beginning to fade.  Between Lacey’s contacts and Will’s they’d been able to repair the Camaro and Navigator in a relatively short amount of time.  Joshua had proven rather adept at car repair as well and had helped them.

Dru and Joshua had taken temporary residence in the loft across from Will.  The building was now officially full.  Dru had revealed that she had been tapped by the Powers to join her sire and childe in ‘the good fight’.  Only she wouldn’t be staying with the AI crew permanently.  Her path was going to take her to different parts of the world.  Joshua had agreed to help her.  The vampire couple was in the process of learning how to live more like Angel and Will.  They were leaving behind the more bloodthirsty aspects of their beings when it came to humans.  Being surrounded by their new friends was helping immensely.  Both were proving valuable members of the team.

Kassie and Nico were working on Lacey’s wood bullet idea.  Thanks to Lacey’s suggestion everyone was learning how to shoot.  Lacey had been able to pass off her new appearance in the form of hair extensions and a new dye job.  No one questioned it this being L.A. and all a new look was hardly unexpected.  Nico had moved in with Willow and Angel had moved in with Lacey though he’d kept his beach house.  The couple used it as a retreat when they wanted to be away from things for a while.  After the fight with Gabriel both Lacey and Angel had taken a strong liking to sunlight again and along with Will were starting to show some color.  Both of the vampires were even more devastatingly handsome with the golden tans they’d achieved.  Lacey had surprised Angel with a private birthday celebration for just the two of them.  She had learned that he and the other immortals of the family weren’t all that keen to divulge their birthdays so she hadn’t made a big deal out of it, but Angel now wore the necklace she had given him that had their initials entwined on it.

Production was wrapping on the series.  There were only two episodes left to film.  Soon Lacey would be free to concentrate on the agency, but the anticipation she felt was bittersweet.  She had thoroughly enjoyed her time with the cast of ‘Angel’ and would miss coming to work everyday, but she had made some lasting friendships.  All in all life had come back together fairly well after all of the ‘excitement’.

The only dark spot Lacey could see was that Will was still alone, but she was working on that.  As much as she loved the vampire she wanted him to have someone to call his own.  Will hadn’t been forthcoming with the details of why he and Sasha had broken up and Kassie had not told of what she’d overheard either.  Lacey hadn’t pushed.  He’d seen Sasha several times in passing, but things had been strained if not downright hostile.  Sasha had been very catty when she’d seen Will and Lacey having coffee, well Will had coffee Lacey had hot chocolate since she could no longer stomach the taste of coffee, one afternoon and Lacey had had to rethink her good opinion of the bookseller when she’d overheard the rather nasty comments she’d made towards Will.  Only his cool refusal to be baited had kept Lacey from ripping the woman a new one.

Andy was still hovering over her at work after Kassie gave him an abbreviated version of what had happened.  He walked in when she was on the phone one afternoon though she apparently didn’t hear him.  The first thing he noticed was the faint glow coming from the tattoo on her wrist.  The second thing was how pale she looked.  Pale even for her.

“Joss…Joss…JOSS!  I understand what you’re trying to accomplish, but Traelach demons are peaceful.  They don’t go on bloody rampages.  If you want a demon to wreak havoc and mayhem go with a Protar.  They look pretty much the same except for the ridge of spines running from the middle of their forehead to the nape of their neck and they’re extinct…I’ll draw you a bloody picture…Just please don’t insult the Traelach community by portraying them this way…Yes it could have a negative impact…Do you want a contingency of demons showing up at Mutant Enemy?…Thank you…yeah I’ll tell Angel you said hi…I will Joss…bye.”  Lacey hung up the phone and gently banged her head on the table of the trailer she was in.  <Damn stubborn, brilliant man.>

“Problem sweet?”

Lacey jumped at the sound of his voice and Andy suddenly found himself pinned against the far wall of the empty trailer she’d snuck into, “Jesus Andy.  You really don’t want to sneak up on me like that.”  She released him and he carefully straightened his purple suit jacket.

“I can see that.  I’ll be more careful next time.”  He moved to lean on the edge of the table she’d commandeered and gestured to her wrist, “So what’s with the glowing flames and sending me flying?”

Lacey looked at her tattoo and saw that it was indeed faintly alight.  Taking a couple of deep breaths the glow subsided.  She peeked at him from under her lashes, “Uh…new ink technology?”

Andy smirked, “Nice try sweet.”

Lacey sighed, “It’s a mystical thing.  Sorry about pinning you to the wall.  I thought I had it under control, but the last few days…I’m surprised you haven’t seen it before now.  If you happen to notice it again let me know…quietly.”  She absently rubbed her stomach.  She’d lost her breakfast earlier and was feeling nauseous again.  This was the third day in a row though if she were honest with herself she’d admit that she’d not been feeling normal since shortly after she and Angel had returned.  <Maybe I should go see a doctor>

“Sure thing Lace.  Marsters and Boreanaz are looking for you.”  He helped her out of the chair and led her out of the trailer.  “You feelin’ okay?  You’re paler than normal.”

They walked hand in hand towards the set, “I’m feeling like crap actually.  Thanks for asking.  I don’t know if I’m coming down with something or what.  I’m having trouble keeping anything down.”

“Sounds like you should see a doctor.”

“I was just thinking that.”

“You and yours are going to be at the awards benefit tomorrow night right?”

Lacey smiled.  One of the main tasks she’d had working with the cast was coordinating their charitable work and had led her to getting Angel Investigations involved in several charities as well.  The awards benefit the following evening was to honor those who had made considerable contributions in various areas of philanthropy.  She’d become very well acquainted with the organizer, Lilly Meyers. “Wouldn’t miss a chance to hear you sing Andy.”  Her smiled dimmed a bit.  “I can’t miss it.  I’m presenting…with David.  I still have no idea how I got talked into that.”  Sending a half-hearted glare his way she said, “Oh yeah, now I remember.  You and Lilly talked me into it when I was half asleep.”

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

“Tell me again how I let you talk me into this pet?”  Will asked as Lacey adjusted his cravat.  All of the guys had opted for a more old world look.  The coats were all longer, hitting just above the knee and fit them perfectly.  The snowy white shirts and cravats shone brightly against the fine black fabric of the coats and trousers and colorful vests.

Lacey smiled as she fastened the onyx stud at his throat while he straightened the iridescent midnight blue vest he was wearing, “You’re going because this is for our favorite charities.”

He looked at her with a raised brow.  “Okay fine.  You’re going because I asked you to lend me moral support while I risk embarrassing myself in front of L.A. high society and you love me.”

Will smirked, “That’s better.  I can’t believe I’m wearing a monkey suit again.  Thought I’d managed to outlive this particular torture.”

“Quit whining William.  Lacey I can’t get this straight.”  Angel pouted and Lacey laughed.

<Oh my.  He is extraordinary.>  He look scruffy and elegant at the same time with the close-cropped goatee and mustache he’d let grow.  Lacey still marveled at how he was able to shave and not mess it up without a reflection.  When she’d asked him how he did it he’d just smirked at her and said ‘years of practice darlin’, years of practice.’  <Angelus, the one with the angelic face and he’s all mine.  He looks more like Lucifer after the fall now more than ever.  Yum.>  “What was that about whining Angel?” she asked as she moved on to his cravat.  In a rather childish gesture that made her laugh even harder Angel stuck his tongue out at her.

Willow, Kassie and Dru were seeing to their men.  Lacey was still in her robe and slippers.  Dru had done her hair for her in an intricate up ‘do reminiscent of a Victorian Lady.  Little combs studded with green and yellow Austrian crystals held it in place and there were several tendrils curling about her face.  Lacey had done her make-up to subtly play up her eyes.  She’d had to tone it down a little to make up for the unusual paleness that was still plaguing her.  It was a running joke that Lacey was incredibly pale even with the light tan she had acquired and there was usually a hint of color to her skin, the past few days though she’d been vampire pale.  The full-blown dramatic nighttime look had made her look like a clown.  Her lips and nails were painted a soft bronze.  All that was left for her to do was put on her gown, jewelry and shoes.

The thought of her gown made her frown slightly.  It was beautiful, but it was a size larger than she normally wore.  That didn’t sit well with her.  In fact she had noticed that most of her clothes were becoming a bit snugger than she was comfortable with.  This last week had seen her not be able to get into her jeans anymore and she couldn’t figure out how she’d managed to gain that much weight.  Since she’d managed to lose the extra thirty pounds she’d carried for most of her life after her divorce she’d been very careful to keep it off and her routine hadn’t changed.  If anything she was more active now than she’d ever been with the exception of the last three weeks, she’d been tired and hadn’t felt up to doing as much.  She had an appointment for Monday to see a doctor that Trick had referred her to.

She fastened an emerald stud at Angels’ throat and stood back to admire her vampires.  “I am going to be the envy of every woman and quite possibly some of the men there.  The two of you are absolutely gorgeous.  I do love Paul Smith.”  Will and Angel preened under her praise.  “Time for me to finish dressing.  Why don’t the two of you go on downstairs and I’ll be there shortly.”

They both moved to kiss her lightly.  Angel asked, “You sure love?  We don’t mind waiting for you.  Or I could help you.”  Truth to tell he was curious as hell.  Lacey hadn’t let him see her gown and he was anxiously waiting the unveiling.  She’d told him it was green so he’d invested in the deep green vest he was wearing to compliment it.  He looked closer at his mate, “Are you all right love?”  Angel knew she hadn’t been feeling well for the past few days.  Looking at her now he realized that something had been different about her since shortly after they’d returned.  He’d noticed a new roundness to her already curvaceous figure and her scent and taste had changed, becoming richer, sweeter and spicier as had her blood.  Angel had thought the changes, at least her scent and blood, were due to whatever new powers she held, but now he wasn’t so sure.

<Not really no.  I feel like I’m gonna hurl.  Please don’t let me.  I don’t have time to redo my make-up.>  Forcing a smile she said, “I’m fine, just a bit tired.  And I’m sure that I want you and Will to go downstairs.  I want to surprise everyone.”  No one had seen her gown.

Angel sighed, “Fine be that way.  Let’s go William.”

Will kissed her again and looked at her for a moment longer, “Don’t keep Peaches waiting too much longer pet.  I don’t think I can handle much more of his pouting.”  Lacey giggled when Angel glared at his grandchilde.

“Out both of you now.”

The door shut behind them and Lacey collapsed in a chair putting her head between her knees.  Taking slow, deep breaths she willed the nausea away.  When she felt able to stand again she went into the kitchen and grabbed a couple of saltine crackers.  <If I didn’t know better I’d think I was pregnant> she thought to herself as she munched the dry salty goodness.  The crackers seemed to help so she went to finish getting ready for the night.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Are you going to do it tonight?”  Will asked as he and Angel walked down to the office.

Angel fiddled with the little velvet box in his pocket.  “Yeah.  Do you think she’ll say yes?”

Will rolled his eyes, “The two of you are already mated you ponce, why wouldn’t she agree to marry you?”

Angel ducked his head slightly, “I know that.  It’s just this would make everything really legal.”

Will stopped on the second floor landing and laid a hand on his grandsire’s arm, “Angel the two of you made a lasting commitment to each other what almost four months ago.  You’re already married in her eyes.  Lacey wouldn’t care if she ever shared your last name, but if you ask her she will say yes.”

Angel smirked, “Thanks William.  Come on let’s see how Nico and Trick are dealing with the high-necked torture.”

Will snickered, “One good thing about being a vampire.  You, Joshua and I don’t need to breathe.”  He fingered the collar of his shirt, “bloody thing’s still uncomfortable though.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was of the good she’d sent Angel out of the loft Lacey thought.  She knew if he’d seen her in the ivory satin strapless bra, knickers, garter belt, and ivory silk stockings they would never make it to the benefit.  She strapped on the sheath that held a dagger to her left thigh, there was no way she was going anywhere ever again without a weapon, and absently ran her hand over her latest tattoo.  She’d used the gift certificate Trick had given her for her birthday.  Opting not to cover up the scars from her first vampire fight, her left hip now sported the same Celtic Gryphon as Angel.  The only difference was that its talons grasped a stylized ‘L’ instead of Angel’s ‘A’.  The head was visible above the waistband of most of her pants.  She smiled at the memory.  Lacey had taken Dru and Joshua with her and the two vampires had gotten the wings tattoo that was the symbol of their little family.  Dru’s was fuchsia and black below her belly button and Joshua’s was copper and black on his right pec.

Opening the garment bag on the back of her door she removed the gown and carefully put it on.  The silk and chiffon of the gown was a prismatic blend of green and gold.  It shifted colors in the light when she moved.  The style, like her hair, was Victorian.  The neckline was a wide, deep square-cut with little cap sleeves adorned with the same green and yellow Austrian crystals that graced her hair.  From the bust-enhancing empire waist the gown fell in a loose, graceful column to her ankles.  Lacey fastened the illusion choker of green and yellow stones about her throat.  The webbed design wrapped like several strings of Christmas lights about her.  A simple glamour hid her claim mark.  <No sense in inviting questions.>  Next came the matching drop earrings.  Finally Lacey slipped on the fingerless green satin gloves that came to her elbows and matching 3 inch green satin heels.  She went into the bathroom and looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror on the back of the door.  <You look good girl.>  Grabbing a gold satin wrap and matching beaded purse she checked to make sure she had everything she needed.  <Lipstick?  Check.  ID?  Check.  Credit card and money?  Check.  Keys?  Check.  Holy water, cross and stake?  Check.  All of the essentials.>  The cats were fed so she bid them good night and walked out the door locking it behind her.

Not wanting to risk another bout of nausea she took the elevator down to the office.  No one noticed her arrival so she was able to observe her family for a moment without being seen.  The men were all breathtakingly handsome in their evening clothes creating a dark counterpoint to the vividness of the women’s gowns.  All were wearing vests that complimented their ladies gowns.  Willow was wearing a strapless brushed gold satin gown that complimented her coloring beautifully.  Her ruby red hair was done up in a sleek, sophisticated French twist.  Kassie was in an off the shoulder red gown that skimmed her curves.  She’d pulled her dark hair back from her face and let it fall in ringlets down her back.  Dru was wearing a sapphire blue gown similar in style to Willow’s.  She’d also done her hair up in a Victorian style.

The eight of them were laughing and talking with each other.  Dru and Joshua fit in well.  <My family.  I am one lucky woman> Lacey thought to herself as she wiped a tear from her eye.  Angel chose that moment to look towards the elevator, “álainn” he breathed.  Lacey smiled and walked towards him.

Will whistled.  Joshua stood openmouthed until Dru gently closed it.  Trick just smiled.  Nico said, “Damn baby.  You look like a princess.”

Lacey grinned, “Trick doesn’t call me that for nothin’.”  She turned to Angel, “Good evening my Lord.”  She said it in a soft British accent as he took her hand and she sank into a graceful curtsey.

Playing along Angel bowed over her hand and said, “My Lady.  You are an absolute vision this fine evening.”

“Why thank you kind sir.”  Turning to Kassie, Willow and Dru she said, “Are they not the handsomest men you’ve ever seen?  Y’all look absolutely amazing.”

Dru smiled nervously, “So do you Lacey.  Are you sure you want Joshua and I to attend?  I mean I-“

Lacey took Dru’s hand, “You’ll be fine.  You’ve already fed right?”  She and Joshua both nodded.  The couple was still getting used to being around humans in social situations and not using the opportunity for hunting.  It was getting easier, but Dru stilled worried she’d revert.  “Then there’s no worries.  We’ll all go and watch me try not to make a fool out of my self and have a good time. ‘K?”

Dru nodded looking thoughtful.  The front door to the office opened and a woman wearing a black suit walked in.  Angel wrapped an arm around Lacey and said, “Limo’s here.  Shall we?”  As the group made their way to the waiting car Dru pulled Angel aside for a moment.  With a questioning look Lacey continued on.  “What’s wrong Dru?” he asked.

She bit her lip, “Mummy is ill.”  She thought of a way to make more sense, but all she could say was, “The sparks are making her sick.”  She shook her head at Angel’s scowl, “I can’t explain it any better.  I don’t know what it is exactly.  Keep a close eye on her tonight.”  Angel nodded and led his childe out the door, shutting off the lights, setting the security system and locking the door behind him.

Lacey was waiting for him by the limo.  “Everything all right myrneen?” she asked.

Angel smiled and kissed her softly, “Everything’s fine mo chroí.  Come on, we don’t want to be late.”

The limo arrived at the hotel and the family was greeted by numerous flash bulbs going off as they made their way to the ballroom.  The stray thought crossed Lacey’s mind that the paparazzi would take pictures of anyone if they were getting out of a limo.  All of the flashing lights and yelling made Lacey dizzy and her stomach churn.  She held on to Angel and Will’s arms tightly, but her smile never wavered.  <Oscar winning actresses ain’t got nothin’ on me> she thought as she continued to smile through the vertigo.  Her mate looked at her in concern, “Love are you sure you’re okay?”

They’d just made it through the gauntlet of photographers when she gave up the battle.  “No.”  She managed before she broke and ran to the nearest bathroom.  She made it just in time.  <Oh God.  Oh God.  Oh God> she mumbled in her head over and over.  There wasn’t much for her to lose since she’d pretty much quit eating anyway, but it was still a nasty experience.  <Carrots.  Why is it always carrots?  I didn’t even eat carrots.>  She laughed weakly <Way to go Lace.  You’re sick as a dog and still able to quote movie lines.>

“Lacey, honey are you okay?”  Kassie asked from the other side of the door.  She, Willow and Dru were waiting anxiously for a response.

Lacey groaned, “Gods this is awful.  I never get sick like this.  What the hell is going on?”  She flushed the toilet and slowly made her way out of the stall pulling off her gloves.  Washing her mouth out repeatedly she looked at her reflection.  What she saw was not inspiring.  Her face was a wreck.  As she dried her hands she looked at the rest of her in the full-length mirror on the wall and breathed a sigh of relief.  Her gown was no worse for wear.  <I can’t believe I’m being so vain, but thank the Gods for small favors.>

Kassie handed her a small bottle of mouthwash and Lacey looked at her questioningly.  “You know these five-star hotels, you can get anything you need.”  Lacey smiled weakly and gratefully gargled.

“I can’t go back out looking like this.”  She said gesturing to her ruined make-up.  Absently she pulled her gloves back on.

“Dru lock the door.”  Willow said after making sure the bathroom was empty save for them.  The vampire did as requested and Willow smiled at Lacey, “Come ‘ere.”  Lacey obediently stood before the witch.  “Close your eyes.”  She closed her eyes.  A faint warmth moved through her then Willow said, “Okay.  You’re done.”  She turned Lacey to face the mirror.

Lacey opened her eyes and smiled broadly.  Her make-up was once again flawless and she felt almost normal, the nausea temporarily held at bay.  She hugged the redheaded witch, “I love you.  Thanks Wills.”

Willow smiled back, “No prob.  Are you sure you’re up to doing this tonight?  I’m sure the organizers would understand if you begged off.”

Lacey shook her head, “We paid $500.00 a plate to be here tonight.  I gave my word, coerced though it may have been, that I would present the lifetime achievement award tonight with Boreanaz and I don’t want to miss Andy sing.  I may not be able to eat the food, but I’m gonna try to enjoy tonight.  Besides when do you think we’ll ever get the guys into formal wear again, hmmm?”

The three woman shared a look that Lacey missed as she touched up her lipstick, all thinking the same thing, <Sooner than you think if you say yes.>  Taking a deep breath Lacey said, “All right, let’s get this over with.”  She unlocked the door and stepped into the hall.  She burst out laughing at the sight that greeted her.

Angel, Will, Nico and Andy were all pacing back and forth.  Joshua and Trick were leaning against the opposite wall waiting with small smiles of amusement tinged with nervousness.  At the sound of her laughter Angel whirled around and caught her gently by the arms.  “Lacey are you all right?  You scared the hell out of me.”

She ducked her head, “Sorry.  I’m better now.”  She looked at Andy, “Hey there.  I’m not trying to bail honest.”

He grinned and made a ‘pfft’ noise, “I wouldn’t blame you if you did sweet.  Look if you’re really that sick I’ll do the presentation with David and you can go home and get some rest.”

Lacey put her hands on her hips and stamped her foot, “I am not a child damnit.  I want to be here and by gods I’m going to enjoy myself.  So are the rest of you.”  She glared at her assembled group, “Got it?”  They all raised their hands in supplication.  Lacey nodded, “Good.  Now let’s go to our table before I fall down.”  Angel was there immediately to support her.

Lacey got through the presentation of a lifetime achievement award to one of L.A.’s most well known philanthropists without a hitch.  David knew she wasn’t feeling well so for once he didn’t try to fluster her and it was rather comforting being onstage with her co-worker.  It was the last award to be presented then dinner was served.  Lacey managed to eat a few bites of the rich meal, before she gave up and asked a passing waiter for some crackers.  He looked at her oddly for a moment, but being the professional he was returned with several packages of saltines.  After dinner there was a lull in the activities as the walls were moved and the guests made their way to the room set up for the entertainment.

Lacey stood off to the side with Kassie and David’s wife Jaime.  The trio was watching the antics of David, Andy and Angel.  Lacey smirked and asked Jaime, “Do you ever look at David when he’s being a total dork, like now, and think to yourself ‘oh yeah, I’m the envy of millions’?”

Kassie snickered and Jaime laughed outright, “You have no idea.”  The man in question came to claim his wife, as some of the guests started moving towards the dance floor.  As the band finished their first song Lacey spotted a friend of hers and moved to bring her over to her group.  <Oh I was hoping she’d be here.> A mischievous little smile played about her lips.

“Miranda.”

The woman turned.  A bright smile graced her exotic face.  “Lacey!”  She pulled the redhead into a hug.  “It’s good to see you chica.”  They pulled back and Lacey gave Miranda a quick kiss on the lips.

“It’s good to see you too.  Come on, I have someone I want you to meet,” Lace said as she drew the pretty brunette over to Will and said, “Will I’d like to introduce you to a good friend of mine.  William Cavanaugh this is Miranda Dupree.  Miranda this is Will.”  Violet eyes met midnight blue.  Will stood staring openmouthed at the woman Lacey had just introduced him to.  She was a little taller than Lacey, putting her around 5’6” to Lacey’s 5’4” with dark mahogany hair that hung in a straight sleek curtain to the middle of her back.  High cheekbones and full lips complimented her crystalline eyes, as did her bronzed skin.  The sleek backless silver gown she wore gave her an even more exotic look than she normally possessed.  Lacey nudged him lightly with her elbow and he shook his head.

“Miranda?  It’s a pleasure to meet you.”  He smiled as he took her hand and placed a kiss on the back of it.  Lacey couldn’t help but be struck by a sense of déjà vu.  <That’s how Angel introduced him self to me.  Duh, who else taught him how to seduce?>

Miranda smiled back and said in a lightly Spanish flavored voice, “It’s a pleasure to meet you as well.  What part of England are you from?”  <Ay dios.  He is a handsome one isn’t he?  Muy guapo.  And that voice> Miranda thought as she and Will got lost in conversation.

Lacey moved away and slipped her arms around Angel’s waist smiling.  “Shiny” she said softly.

Angel looked over at his grandchilde and smiled.  “You introduced them.  They look good together.”

“Yes they do.  I think she’s the one.”  Came a soft voice from behind them.  As one Angel and Lacey turned to see Dru staring intently at the couple.  She turned smiling eyes on Lacey, “Thank you Mum.  I was beginning to worry about him.”

“I was too Dru.  Miranda is a wonderful woman.  She knows all about us so there won’t be any nasty surprises there.  She’s different like us.”

“How so?”

Lacey’s mouth quirked, “She’s an empath, like Lorne, but human.  She also has other talents.”  <Such as altering or erasing memories> Lacey had met Miranda in Mexico when she’d been traveling.  Miranda had been a bartender in a little cantina Lacey had played guitar and sang at a few times.  They’d hit it off and had a brief relationship that had settled into friendship.  Over the last few months they had revealed to each other their special ‘skills’ and had grown even closer.  Miranda had moved to L.A. just after Lacey and Angel had returned from Ireland.  Miranda was in the process of renovating a building Lacey owned.  The empath was going to open a real version of ‘Caritas.’  The new club was named Haven.

The trio watched the budding romance for a few more minutes.  None of them noticed a very angry Sasha watching the couple from the shadows.  It was announced that Andy was taking the stage.  After listening to a few songs Angel led Lacey to the dance floor.  As if on cue Andy began singing ‘At Last’ when Angel swept Lacey into his arms.  Laying her head on his chest Lacey sighed, “I love this song.”

“I know.”  Midway through the song Angel took a deep breath and stopped in the middle of the floor.  Lacey looked at him, “Liam?”  Her eyes grew wide and she looked around a bit apprehensively as he got down on one knee and took her left hand.  She vaguely noticed that the other dancers had stopped and her family and friends were standing off to one side watching with sappy grins on their faces.

He looked into her clear light green eyes and said, “Meeting you seven months ago made me the happiest man on earth.  I’d found my true soul mate at last.”  He slipped a ring of white gold set with three, square cut emeralds on her ring finger, “We’ve shared our pasts, we’re sharing our present, and I’d like us to share the future.  Would you now do me the honor of becoming my wife Lacey Raines?”

Holding a shaking right hand to her mouth Lacey smiled tremulously, “Yes my Angel.  I’ll marry you.”  The smile on Angels’ face was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen.  He stood up and swept her into his arms swinging her around kissing her all the while.  More flashes went off.  Thunderous applause broke out along with cheering and whistles.  When he finally set her down Lacey’s world was spinning.  Literally.  “Oh bollocks,” she said just before she passed out.

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

Lacey woke up to the smell of a strong disinfectant.  She opened her eyes but quickly shut them again to ward off the glare of the ultra bright lights.  “Angel?” she asked softly.

A strong cool hand gripped hers, “I’m here leannan.”

“Bright.”  She said gesturing weakly towards the ceiling not noticing the IV that was in her hand.  Shadows soon played over her closed lids and Lacey took the chance to open her eyes again.  She turned her head to look at her very disheveled mate.  His cravat and vest were gone and the first three buttons of his shirt were undone though he still wore his coat.  His hair was a disaster like he’d been running his fingers through it repeatedly which most likely he had.  All in all he looked very edible.  “Hi.  Where am I?”

“Cedars.  You passed out.  I got scared.”  Angel lightly brushed away some stray strands of hair from Lacey’s face.  “The family is in the waiting room and I have strict orders to call Andy and the rest of the crew when you woke up.”

Lacey’s mouth quirked at the corner, “Wouldn’t want to disappoint now would we?”  She finally looked around and noticed that she was in a hospital room.  Taking stock of herself she realized that she was no longer in her evening gown, but a hospital issued one, her hair had been taken down as well and there was a large needle stuck in her left hand.  She listened to her body for a moment and breathed a sigh of relief.  Apparently the IV had been able to do what food and deep breathing couldn’t.  She felt pretty much normal for the first time in days.  Then she frowned.  “How long have I been out?  Who undressed me?” she asked somewhat nervous about a stranger finding the dagger she’d strapped to her thigh.

“About two hours and I did.”  He leered playfully at her, “I had no idea you had such fancy knickers on under that beautiful dress.  Now I know why you wouldn’t let me help you get dressed this evening.”  Lacey laughed softly and he kissed her.  He motioned to a duffel bag on the floor.  “Everything’s in that bag along with a change of clothes.  I should let the doctor know you’re awake.  She’s run some tests.”  Lacey nodded and Angel kissed her again before heading to the door.  Lacey closed her eyes again.  <What a mess.  I wish Angel hadn’t brought me to a regular hospital.  Trick should have had me taken somewhere else…I really hope we fly far enough under the radar that this won’t wind up in the papers.  I mean it’s not as though we’re celebrities or anything.  We just know quite a few of them.  I can just see that byline, ‘Local businessman and private investigator proposes.  Fiancée accepts then collapses.’>

Her thoughts were interrupted by the entrance of an energetic gray haired woman, “Hello, I’m Dr. Bower.  Glad to see you’re awake Ms. Raines.”

Lacey shook the petite woman’s hand and said, “So am I.  Can we say embarrassed much?”

Dr. Bower laughed, “Oh I don’t know.  If I had that gorgeous hunk of man proposing to me I’d probably faint dead away too.”

“And you know he did that because?”  Somehow Lacey couldn’t see Angel just proclaiming to the hospital staff that he’d just proposed.

“When he was asked if he was family he said he was your new fiancé.  Despite his nervousness and concern for your condition he couldn’t keep the silly grin off of his face.”

Lacey smiled at that.  Then she sobered, “Liam said you’ve already run some tests on me.  Do you know what’s wrong with me?”

Lacey’s scream of “I’M WHAT!?!?” could be heard all the way in the waiting room at the other end of the hall.

The door to her room burst open seconds later as Angel and Will rushed in, in full game face.  The others weren’t far behind.  Even Miranda was there.  They were all still in their formal wear.  The family ignored the protestations of the hospital staff and Joshua firmly closed the door behind him.  They found a blazing Lacey sitting in the middle of her bed breathing hard and the frightened gray haired doctor pinned to the opposite wall.  Angel shifted back to his human seeming and approached his mate cautiously, “Lacey, mo chroí, what is it?  You need to calm down love.”  He sat on the bed and gingerly reached a hand out to her.  It was the first time he’d tried to touch her when she was like this.  To his surprise she didn’t burn him.  He gathered her into his arms and gently rocked her stroking her still moving hair.  She was muttering something under her breath.  Angel listened closely, “…cruel joke, no one should tease about something like that.  I can’t be.  It’s not possible.”  Angel couldn’t get her to respond to him.

Dru moved to stand in front of the pinned doctor, “What did you say to her to make her do this?”  The doctor swallowed a few times, but didn’t say anything.  Dru shifted into her demon for a moment then shifted back, “Answer me please.”

The doctor blanched and somehow found her voice speaking very softly, “I…I told her she was pregnant.  The test was conclusive.  I thought she would be happy.  What are you people?”

Dru ignored the question.  She went to Lacey and lifted her chin to look into her eyes.  “Look at me mum.”  Lacey numbly raised her clouded green eyes to Dru’s soft blue.  Swaying back and forth slightly she said in a hypnotic voice, “Be in my eyes, be in me.”  Lacey’s eyes glazed over and Dru used the thrall to calm her down.  It was one of the perks Dru had found over the last couple of months.  Things she used to use to harm people she now could use to help them.  The glow faded and the doctor dropped to the floor.  The vampiress released Lacey as Nico and Willow moved to help the doctor up and prevent her from leaving.

Angel softly said, “Thank you Dru.”  Dru nodded and moved to stand with Joshua thinking about what the doctor had said.  Her earlier thoughts this evening made sense now.  The ‘sparks’ were babies.  Dru smiled softly.  Her mum was going to be a real mum.

Dr. Bower observed the careful and loving way the dark haired man handled her softly weeping patient.  Scared though she was she couldn’t help but comment, “He is a keeper.”

Willow’s head shot up at the doctor’s words and she looked at Angel and Lacey speaking softly, “Oh my gods, Keeper and Warrior.  ‘And from the Eternal Flame of the Keeper and Warrior the Two shall come forth to bring balance back to the world...’” She remembered now the conversation she’d had with Cordelia and the other woman, Lacey’s mother, when she’d been recovering from letting Angel feed from her.  Willow’s eyes darkened in anger before she regained her control, “Oh you’ve got a lot of explaining to do Cordy.”  Nico looked at her curiously, but she ignored him for the moment.  She looked at the doctor, “She’s pregnant.”  Willow had spoken in a normal tone and everyone turned to look at her.

The doctor flinched under the weighty stares but answered, “Yes she is.  I’d say about three maybe four months along, but I need to run a couple more tests to be sure.”

Lacey was finally beginning to process what was going on around her.  She felt Angel’s sharp intake of unneeded breath at the doctor’s words and reluctantly raised her head from his chest to meet his dark chocolate eyes.  Instead of the accusation she half-expected to see she saw hope and a little bit of fear.  He said softly, “Three and a half months Lacey.  The night we claimed one another.”  Lacey replayed the memory of that night.  It had been truly magickal.  So much had happened.  Lacey smiled faintly and brought Angel’s lips to hers for a lingering kiss.

When they broke apart Lacey repeated the words they’d heard spoken in that ancient place smiling softly, “Bless-ed is this union.”  Then she scowled forgetting the presence of the doctor for the moment and looked at her family, “What a cock up.  Anyone here know a good OB versed in the mystical?  ‘Cause we all know this is not a normal pregnancy.  Does anyone else feel as though their life has become one great big fan fic fantasy come to life?”  Everyone looked at each other for a moment, but didn’t say anything.  Then a goofy grin spread across Lacey’s face and she laughed, “Holy shit.  I’m pregnant; no wonder my clothes are getting too tight.”  The family laughed still somewhat in shock themselves.

After a moment Trick said, “I do.  He’s not here in L.A., but I’ll call him.”

Angel looked at his friend, “Do you trust him?”

“Absolutely.”

“Get him here, but don’t give him too many details.”  Trick nodded.

Lacey went into a light trance for a few minutes then sighed as she came out of it, “Our lives are never boring are they?  If y’all don’t mind I’d like to go home and rest before tackling this latest curve from the Powers.  We’ve got a butt ton of research ahead of us ‘cause I can’t find anything in the vast library stuck in my noggin.  Either the Powers don’t think it’s important for us to know why Angel and I are lucky enough to be pregnant or it’s there and I just can’t access it for some reason.  I’m leaning towards the latter.”  The family nodded in resignation.

Dr. Bower tried once again to get some answers, “Just what are you people?  How can this not be a normal pregnancy?  What is going on here?”

Lacey turned to the doctor ignoring most of what she’d asked, “I’m sorry for my outburst Dr. Bower.  The news was somewhat shocking.  Liam and I were both under the extremely solid impression that we could not have children.”

The doctor regarded her warily not believing a word.  Miranda moved from her position next to Will and looked at Lacey, “Would you like me to…” she trailed off motioning subtly towards the doctor.

Lacey looked at her hopefully, “If you wouldn’t mind.”

Miranda looked at the room at large, “Everybody out except the doctor lady and Liam.”  No one moved.

Lacey sighed, “It’s okay really.  We’ll be fine.”

With several “we’ll be right outside’s” the family left the room.

Miranda moved to the very nervous doctor and smiled gently, “No need to be afraid.  This won’t hurt a bit.”  Lightly holding the doctor’s head in her hands she said, “Close your eyes.”  When the doctor just stared at her she asked, “por favor?”  The woman closed her eyes.  The pair was quiet for a few moments.  Then Miranda dropped her hands away.  The doctor still stood with her eyes closed.  Miranda walked to the bed and said quietly, “She’ll wake when I close the door.  She knows you’re pregnant, but won’t remember any of the other things that happened.”  Lacey and Angel smiled gratefully.

“Thank you Miranda.  I know you don’t like doing that.”  Lacey said squeezing her friends’ hand.

Miranda shrugged and smiled, “For you Lacey I don’t mind.  Congratulations chica.  I’ll let the two of you talk with the doctor lady now.”  Miranda shut the door hard enough to make a sound and the doctor opened her eyes and Lacey smiled cheerfully.

“So, pregnant?”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Half an hour later Lacey was on her way home.  She sat in the second row backseat of the Navigator with Miranda.  Will was driving and Angel was in the passenger seat.  Lacey looked at her friend and asked quietly, “So what made you decide to come to the hospital Miranda?”

“I was worried about you chica.”  She wouldn’t meet Lacey’s eyes.  At Lacey’s grunted ‘uh huh’ Miranda said, “Seriously.  I followed the limousine back to your home and rode back to the hospital with Will.”

Lacey smirked leaning in to whisper, “It also wouldn’t have anything to do with spending more ‘get to know you time’ with said handsome member of the undead?”

“Ay dios, be quiet.”  Even in the darkness of the vehicle Lacey could see her caramel skin darkening as she blushed.  Miranda glanced at Will then at Lacey, “he is handsome isn’t he?” she asked in Spanish.

Lacey grinned and answered in kind, “That he is Miranda.  That he is.  He’s also one of the sweetest and most protective men…vampires…manpires I know.”  She turned serious still speaking in Spanish, “I love him to death and want him to be happy.  He deserves to be happy.  Look at me Miranda.”  The woman turned her head and met Lacey’s faintly glowing green eyes.  “I don’t really think it’s going to be an issue, but I’m going to say it anyway and please don’t take it the wrong way.”  Miranda motioned for her to continue.  “Don’t play him.  He’s been burned too many times and I don’t want to see him go through it again.  Regardless of what you and I had, you hurt him and I’ll hurt you, comprende?”

Miranda held her gaze for a long moment, “I understand Lacey.  It may be a bit too soon for such warnings, but I understand your concern.  I hope he knows just how much you care for him.”

“He does.  I hope you won’t have any problems with how we are with each other.  He’s a great kisser Miranda and for future reference that whole not needing to breathe aspect of being a vampire?  Oh my gods.”  When the empath laughed quietly the glow faded from Lacey’s eyes and she smiled softly, “I watched the two of you tonight.  You reminded me of when Angel and I met.  How the two of you fell into conversation immediately, the rest of the room fading away.  It was a beautiful thing to watch.  You look good together.”

In the front seat Will stole a glance at Angel, “I speak six human languages, but never learned Spanish for some strange reason.  What do you think they’re talking about?”

Angel smirked, “Us most likely.  We may have to take lessons so they can’t shut us out like that.”

Lacey heard Angel’s comment and switched back to English, “Oh come on Angel.  We have to have some secrets.  Besides the two of you don’t want to listen to all this gushy girl talk.”

Angel nodded, “That’s true.  Thank you again Miranda for helping us with Dr. Bower.”

“You’re welcome Angel.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Trick, Kassie, Nico and Willow sat in the café the family favored sipping tea.  Dru and Joshua had decided to go on home to change and do a quick patrol.

Willow was very quiet.  Nico looked at his love and asked, “What’s going on chere?  What were you talking about in Lacey’s room?”

The witch shook her head.  “I need to talk to some people before I say anything.  I’ll tell you all, just let me get the facts straight first.”  The others nodded reluctantly in agreement.

Trick pulled out his cell phone.  “Guess I’d better call Dr. Callahan.  Knowing Angel he’ll want the good doctor here tomorrow and I don’t know that that’s possible.”

As Trick made his call Nico asked Willow, “Do you want me to go with you to talk to these people?”

She smiled tiredly.  “Actually I’m just going up to the roof after I change clothes.  You can sit with me, but I won’t really be there.”

He brushed a hand over her cheek.  “I’ll watch out for you.”

“I love you Nico.”

He leaned in and kissed her softly.  “Love you too Willow.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dr. Julian Callahan disconnected the call and sat looking out over the ocean from the front porch of his Hawaiian home.  It appeared he would be coming out of retirement.  Young Caleb would have never called him unless it was truly important.  He had to admit he was quite intrigued by the description his protégé had given him of the young woman.  Opening his phone again he dialed a number from memory.  When it was picked up on the other end he said, “Yes this is Dr. Callahan…I need an office and living quarters as soon as possible in Los Angeles…A week should be fine…I’ll leave then…thank you, I’ll call when I arrive.”  The old doctor smiled to himself.  There were benefits to being the leader in mystical medical practices retired or not.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Will smiled somewhat shyly as he walked Miranda to her car.  “This has been an interesting evening Will.  I have enjoyed talking with you.”  Miranda unlocked the door and turned to face the vampire.

“Me too pe-Miranda.  I hadn’t anticipated spending a good portion of the evening at a hospital, but…” Will shrugged making Miranda smile.

“Perhaps we could have an actual date then?  One where no one goes to the hospital or has to wear such elegant clothes?”  She gestured to the eveningwear they were both still in.

Will looked into her deep violet eyes, “I think I’d like that.  May I take you to dinner sometime Miranda Dupree?”

She leaned into him and kissed softly on the lips before opening her car door and slipping inside, “You may Will Cavanaugh.  I’ll call you tomorrow.  Buenas noches.”

Will watched her drive away with a small grin on his face.  <Well this should be interesting> he thought as he went back inside.

He didn’t see the blond watching from across the street.  <You’re mine Will.  Even if I’m not with you you’re still mine.  I’ll show you.>

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