Pairing: Multiple
Rating: Up to R
Summary: Tears have fallen to only be replaced by smiles…and a few drinks…
Spoilers: All of the Seasons ever aired.
Disclaimer: All characters and excerpts belong to Joss Whedon, FOX, Mutant Enemy, WB, and UPN. We make no profit from these stories and only write for pleasure. Please don't sue! We have nothing!
Author(s) Note(s): This can also be found at Spikes Red Queen's site http://angels6.tk/
Distribution: Redssoulmates, WillowsLilSecret, NearHerAlways, ShadesOfGrey, TheBatPack2, FanFiction.net, Poetry-in-Motion, and SpikesRedFanFic.
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Spike held Willow’s elbow as he guided her into the dark hotel.
“Peaches, you need to get these lights on in here mate.” Spike said over his shoulder as Angel placed his sword against the wall. Faith followed behind him with her crossbow as she scanned the room. She at least had an advantage that Willow didn’t.
“Hey Red?” Faith said looking in the direction of Willow and Spike.
“Yeah Faith.” Willow said as she let Spike guide her over to a couch and plopped down as dust puffed up around her.
“Wasn’t the place lit when we came in here earlier?” Faith asked raising her crossbow up in defense. Willow’s brow creased in confusion.
“Yeah it was. That’s strange because...” Willow started to say just as she heard Faith release an arrow from her crossbow. Spike and Angel slipped into their game faces and looked around for an intruder. Slowly from a corner something emerged with glowing eyes coming towards Faith and Angel.
“The lights shouldn’t have been on.” The darkened figure answered holding Faith’s arrow. Angel backed up towards Faith shielding her from whatever was approaching. Spike slowly rounded behind the figure with his presence unknown. Willow couldn’t see much all she could do was hear. She felt Spike’s presence leave her and stood up. She reached down and felt a small coffee table right at her shins. Slowly she rounded it coming in front of it. As she was doing this Angel backed completely into Faith and she stayed pressed into his back. Slowly Spike reached around and grabbed the mysterious stranger dragging him to his chest by the neck. Willow extended her hands out to her sides.
“Accendo.” She whispered as the lights came on. Everyone stood in awe as all eyes fell onto the intruder.
“Connor?” Angel asked as his vampire visage slipped away revealing his human face.
“Yeah.” Connor squeaked through the grip Spike had on his neck. Spike lessened his grip and lightly pushed Connor from him as his game face slipped away.
“Bloody hell kid. You’re gonna get your ass staked stalking around here like that.” Spike said.
“Look what we have here.” Faith said as she came from behind Angel. “Hello Junior.”
Connor’s eyes narrowed as Faith stood in front of Angel. Spike watched in amusement as Connor and Faith came up to one another toe to toe.
“Guys?” Willow said. Everyone stilled their movements and looked over at her. Quietly Illyria came from Willow’s left walking slowly up to her. Willow looked over at her as she felt the lingering power from the ex-demon.
“This one needs rest.” Illyria said just as Willow fell into her arms.
Everyone rushed over to Willow as Illyria cradled her in her arms.
“This one’s power is very low. She’ll need someone to watch over her until she awakens.” Illyria said looking over at the four.
“I’ll stay with her.” Faith said walking towards Illyria. Illyria’s eyes narrowed as Faith neared her and Willow.
“No. This one’s power is far greater than yours.” Illyria said as she turned to look into Willow’s face.
“Look here Blue…” Faith started to say as Angel grabbed her arm. Faith looked back at Angel as he shook his head at her.
“Let her take care of it Faith.” Angel said quietly as he gently pulled Faith back towards him.
“But Angel…” Faith countered as she let Angel pull her back.
“I’ll stay with the chit.” Spike said quietly. All eyes flew over to him in surprise.
“I don’t think so Spike.” Angel said.
“And why the hell not Peaches?” Spike asked looking Angel directly in the eyes.
“Because...” Angel began before he was cut off.
“He will do.” Illyria said laying Willow down on the couch. Spike smirked at Angel as Faith shook her head. Connor just stood and watched.
As soon as Illyria thought that Willow was settled on the couch, she moved away from her. Spike came and sat on the coffee table in front of her. He took in her tired and pale appearance and sighed.
“I must prepare the fallen to lay to rest.” Illyria said stoically. Everyone nodded as Illyria walked around the corner. Faith crossed her arms and walked over to a dirt covered window and pretended to look out of it. Connor watched the slayer from the corner of his eyes. He watched as her body began to tremble slightly. Angel looked in Connor’s direction and followed his gaze over to Faith.
“Connor?” Angel said in his son’s direction. Connor looked back at Angel raising his eyebrows in acknowledgement. “Can you make some calls and see if we can get the actual power and water running in here again?”
“Sure. Where are the numbers?” Connor asked as he pulled his cell phone from his pocket.
“They’re in my old office in the rolodex.” Angel said as he started towards Faith. Connor looked at Angel’s back as he moved towards Faith. He shrugged.
“Guess I’ll just find the office myself.” Connor mumbled to himself as he went in search of Angel’s office.
Down in Angel’s old apartment…
Illyria stood in front of the old bed looking at Gunn’s body. She closed her eyes and extended out her arms with palms face up. Small balls of crackling light appeared in the center of her palms. Her fingers wiggled slightly as the small balls of energy grew brighter. Opening her eyes and extending her hands towards the bed, a bright flash appeared next to Gunn’s body. Illyria dropped her arms slowly to her sides and tilted her head to the side. A small tear rolled down her cheek as she saw Wesley’s broken and bloody body appear next to Gunn. She walked over and sat on the edge of the bed beside him.
“My love.” She said as she reached out and touched his face.
Meanwhile back in the lobby…
Angel walked up behind Faith and placed his hand on her shoulder trembling shoulder. Faith immediately tensed up and looked over her shoulder at Angel. Angel looked hurt at the mere action.
“Faith…” Angel started to say as Faith moved from his touch. “It’s okay to grieve.” Faith laughed a little with her back towards Angel.
“No one’s grieving here Fang. It’s five by five.” Faith said as she started towards the kitchen. Angel watched as she walked away. He started after her.
“Hey.” Connor said coming up behind Angel stopping him in his tracks. Angel turned towards Connor.
“Connor? Did you get a hold of the power companies?” Angel asked as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. Connor nodded.
“They’ll be out at around 10 o’ clock. Is there anything else I can do?” Connor asked trying to be helpful.
“No I think you’ve covered the basics. Thank you.” Angel said looking at his son, and then again towards the kitchen. Connor smiled.
“You know I can go and get some blood and some food for everyone. Maybe some blankets and pillows too.” Angel smiled at his son. Pulling a hand from a pocket he stuck it in the inside of his coat and pulled out a wad of cash. Connor’s eyes widened.
“Here, get enough for a couple of days.” Angel said as he handed Connor four one hundred dollar bills. Connor took the money from him and stuffed it into his pocket.
“I’ll be back in a couple of hours. I put my cell phone number on your desk. Call me if you need me.” Connor said as Angel looked at his watch as saw that it read 3:47am.
“Be careful.” Angel said patting Connor on his back.
“I will.” Connor responded as he walked out the door into the dark night.
Faith pulled out a chair and sat down placing her crossbow on the table away from her. She tried to control her breathing by closing her eyes and was unsuccessful. A few more tears escaped from the confines of her eyes. She wiped them with the back of her hand as she folded her arms in front of her and laid her head down onto her arms. She was finally letting the exhaustion catch up to her. Angel walked in and stood in the doorway. He smelled the tears when she was by the window and while she was in the kitchen but didn’t make a fuss. He listened as her heartbeat slowed down to steady thump to signal she was asleep. Angel watched her for a few more minutes before going back into the lobby with Spike and Willow. Angel ran a hand through his hair while coming back into the lobby. He looked up and saw Spike pacing with an unlit cigarette hanging from his lips. Spike looked over at Angel as he walked back into the room. Willow’s face was twisted up in a grimace as if she were in pain.
“Any changes?” Angel asked as he stood on the other side of the coffee table.
“Not yet.” Spike said flatly. “She has this place lit up for us so she won’t let her body rest.”
“That’s just like Willow. She’s always thinking about others before herself.” Angel said as he walked around and stood in Spike’s path. Spike looked over at him in agitation since he stopped him mid-pace. Angel kneeled down in front of Willow and placed his hand on her forehead. Leaning closer he spoke to her.
“Little One.” Angel said to Willow. Willow’s closed eyes flickered but didn’t open. “Let it go. You need to rest.” Spike watched Angel. He wasn’t sure he liked his grandsire that close to her but he held back as he saw Willow lean into Angel’s touch. “We’ll be fine Willow.” Willow breathed in heavily and the lights began to dim slowly until they were finally all out. Angel placed a chaste kiss on her forehead where his hand once had been. Angel stood up in the darkness. He looked over in the dark at Spike. “You need to get some rest too.” Spike shrugged.
“I told Smurfette that I’d watch over Red here and intend to do just that.” Spike said fishing around in his duster pockets for a lighter.
“It’ll be dawn soon Spike. I need you to be functional. Get some rest.” Angel said as he began to walk away.
“Look, Peaches. I told you…” Spike started. Angel turned back around.
“I said get some rest Spike. No discussion about it.” Angel said through clenched teeth cutting Spike off. Spike stared back at Angel. Angel was hoping Spike would say something else. But he didn’t. Spike broke the stare and went and sat in the chair that was beside the couch closest to Willow. Angel sighed and pulled a lighter from his pocket and went to light Spike’s cigarette. Spike took the offered light and sat back with a nod. After lighting Spike’s cigarette, Angel placed the lighter on the coffee table. He walked back to the kitchen. Faith was still lying on her arms. Angel walked up behind the chair and put his hand on Faith’s shoulder and lightly shook her.
“Faith.” Angel said quietly.
Faith stirred slightly but didn’t awaken. Angel shook a little more and called her name once again.
“Faith.”
Faith was in a much needed sleep and wasn’t about to wake up anytime soon. Angel stopped shaking her and walked around to the side of the table, pushing the crossbow to the other end. He looked at Faith’s content expression and smiled before walking up to her. He put his arm underneath of her and picked her up slowly enough not to awaken her. Faith stirred a little more but just wrapped her arm tighter around Angel’s neck as he carried her. Angel walked out of the kitchen with Faith in his arms and towards his old office. Angel pushed the slightly ajar door open with his foot and saw his office was how he left it. Everything was exactly the same except for the bright pink post it and pen on top of the desk. Angel stopped beside the small sofa and placed Faith down softly. Faith stretched out on the sofa and sighed. Angel smiled down at her before going to his desk. He rounded the desk and brushed some of the dust off the leather chair before sitting down in it. He picked up the post it and saw that Connor had in fact left his number. He smiled at the post it. Cordelia had picked them out. Even though he preferred the regular yellow ones, she insisted on the pink because they would stand out. He had kept them regardless. Not because she liked the pink but because she hid all of the yellow ones from him.
“Oh come on Angel.”
“Cordelia, they’re pink. Bright pink at that.”
“But Angel, yellow is so blah. Pink will stand out more than those yucky yellow ones.”
“No Cordelia. Just leave me the yellow ones on the desk.”
He smiled at the memory. Angel leaned back in his chair some and swung his feet up on the desk. Leaning back a little more he closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep.
Back in the lobby…
Spike lit another cigarette after hearing Angel take Faith into his office. Sighing as he watched over Willow, he studied her features through the piercing darkness and could see dark circles that had formed under her eyes. God only knew how well she had been sleeping since the fight with the First. All of the magic she used to help save the world and activate the world’s Potentials must have taken a lot out of her. Poor girl probably has been too worried about gathering the new slayers and getting them all trained to fight rather than worry about her own needs. Stuffing out his cigarette on the floor he got up and began to pace again. Waiting had never been his strong suit. That's what his problem was when it came to killing Buffy. He always had to be the one to jump the gun before the trigger was pulled.
‘God, Buffy. Does she know Willow and Faith are here in L.A. helping my grand-sire? If she doesn't, will she come looking for her if she finds out?’ Spike ran his hands through his blond locks and softly growled in frustration at his thoughts.
Turning his head slightly towards Willow's sleeping form he noticed that her arms where close to her chest and her legs were pulled up a little more towards her body as she shivered a bit.
"Tad poles...save the kids...." she whispered as she dreamed.
‘Even in her sleep the chit tries to save people. Does she ever take a break?’ Spike thought.
Shaking his head he quickly took off upstairs in search of a blanket to keep her warm. A few minutes later he headed back down with a light throw that was lying in the bed where, he assumed, the cheerleader had stayed. He assumed so because there were nice drapes covering the windows and a nice fluffy comforter covering the bed. There was also perfume and jewelry lying about on the dresser collecting mounds of dust. He began to unfold the throw as he neared the bottom of the stairs and flicked it around a few times to rid it of any dust bunnies making themselves at home. He froze in place when he glanced at the woman he was to look after, noticing that she was sitting upright looking around groggily.
Willow's eyes were half open as she tried to feel the room for a presence of some kind. Spike walked around the couch and kneeled in front of Willow. Smiling as Spike kneeled in front of her, Willow let out a little sigh.
"Red? Everything alright, Luv?" The vampire inquired with concern clearly written on his face.
"Alone, no good. Stay with me?” Willow asked. Spike smiled and smoothed out her hair by her temple gently with the tips of his fingers.
"Promise pet, now get some rest." Spike said quietly.
"Mmmkay." Willow breathed, falling back on the couch. Spike chuckled a little as he spread the blanket over her still form.
Later that morning…
Willow yawned softly and stretched as she awoke feeling more rested than she had in a long while. The light rustling and mumbles of a few people entering the hotel startled her to full awakening. Darting up in a flash, almost in vampire speed, she was sitting up frantically looking around as if she didn’t realize where she was. Seeing the blond vampire, who had nodded off, sitting in the chair next to her the memories of last night came flooding back. The memories of Tara, her friends in danger, the horde of demons, and Spike hit her all at once.
Connor finished letting the electrician and plumber into the hotel, each taking their leave to do their various jobs.
"G’morning." Connor said to Willow with a chipper smile. Willow could only smile just as chipper, seeing as how she had a great night’s sleep.
"Morning, Connor." she replied. "What time is it?"
Connor took a quick glance at his watch.
"It’s just after ten." He responded as he took a seat on the coffee table in front her as he watched as Faith entered from the hall.
"Well, well Red’s finally up." Faith chirped as she came up from behind, jumping over the back of the couch landing next to Willow.
"Shhh. You’ll wake him." Willow whispered playfully slapping the slayer’s arm and pointing to Spike.
"Nah, Sleeping Beauty there is zonked. I don't think he ever left your side, wouldn’t even let him self sleep ‘til Fang and I got up." Willow’s eyes traveled from Faith’s to Spike’s face as she took in what her best friend confirmed. Spike did keep his promise to her. She didn’t remember why she woke up last night; just vague bits and pieces came to mind one of which was his promise to stay. She took in his pale face with dry blood from his temple that traveled down his neck, and the deep gash on his upper right arm was still oozing out a small amount of the borrowed blood.
"Um, where’s Angel?" Willow asked still keeping her eyes on Spike.
"Right here, Little One," his voice came from the hall. "How are you feeling?" Angel asked as he found his way in front of her. Willow looked up at him thankfully for the use of his couch and smiled.
"I feel better than ever. More rested anyway." Willow said. Angel nodded and smiled at her and Faith.
"You guys hungry?" Connor asked standing up.
"I’m starved, Junior. Whatcha get last night?" Faith asked looking over at Connor.
"I got some pancake mix, bacon, eggs, blood, you know, the necessities." Connor said with a shrug.
"If it’s food, then it’s always necessary." Faith said as she clapped her hands and rubbed them together following Connor to the kitchen. Angel felt a slight tug on the sleeve of his shirt when he turned to leave for his breakfast.
"A-Angel, do you have a bowl for some warm water and a clean wash cloth?" Willow asked looking from Spike to Angel. Angel’s brows furrowed as tried to think of why she may need such items but one quick shot of her eyes from him to Spike gave him all the answers he needed. With a single nod he left to fetch the items that she requested.
Willow unraveled the blanket from around her waist and slowly made her way to the sleeping vampire. Kneeling beside him she carefully brushed away a few stray curls off of his forehead admiring his chiseled jaw and cheekbones. She couldn’t help but wonder how he came back, after he sacrificed himself to save Buffy, and the world. She still remembered looking down upon him when his essence burst through the floor she was on like rays of sunlight blessing her with its warmth and presence. A single tear fell from the corner of her eye as the moment re-played in her mind.
"Here you are." Angel stated quietly as to not disturb his stubborn childe while handing a clean cloth and the bowl of warm water to Willow.
"Thanks." Willow responded.
"No problem, you want something to eat?" Angel asked as he tucked his hands into his pocket. Willow shook her head.
"No, not right now." Willow said as she began to clean up Spike. Angel nodded respectfully and headed towards the kitchen.
Connor stood at the counter, stirring the pancake mix. Faith sat on the counter beside him swinging her legs.
“Soooo…” Connor started to say. Faith looked at him with her eyebrow raised.
“What’s on your mind, Junior?” Faith asked jumping off of the counter and grabbing the bacon and opening it at the corner. Connor shrugged.
“Why are you here?” Connor asked as he turned towards Faith clutching the bowl of pancake mix closer to him. “I mean you just show up here with Willow, and everyone starts acting weird.”
Faith put the open bacon down on the counter and sighed heavily. “Look, we came here to help. If you’re gonna give us a hard time then maybe you need to be taught some manners.”
“Like what?” Connor asked putting the pancake bowl down with a clatter. “You think I need another whipping?” Faith looked at Connor and smiled.
“You think you have what it takes to take me Junior?” Faith asked lowly.
Connor rushed Faith quickly catching her off guard and taking her to the floor. Faith hit the floor hard and had the wind knocked out of her. Connor pushed himself up off of her and looked down with a smirk.
“I think I have what it takes.” Connor said turning back to the counter and began to stir the pancake mix again. Faith pushed herself up from the ground and snatched the bacon from the counter and taking her place next to Connor again.
Angel rushed into the kitchen as he heard the ruckus. He stopped in his tracks to find Connor and Faith with their backs to him. Connor was stirring the pancake mix and Faith was putting the bacon into a skillet.
“Everything okay in here?” Angel asked feeling the tension in the room. Faith replied without turning around.
“Yeah, Fang everything’s alright in here. You check on Blue lately?” Faith asked. Angel looked at the both of their backs and knew that they were hiding something.
“No. I’ll go check on her.” Angel said quietly. Connor turned slightly and looked over his shoulder.
“Ask her if she wants to eat.” Connor said as Angel backed out of the room, nodding.
Connor turned back around and placed the bowl on the counter and went to the refrigerator. He opened the door and looked inside. Faith watched him like a predator. She turned on the burner to medium before leaving the bacon unattended. Slowly she walked up to the refrigerator door and waited. Connor reached in and went to grab some eggs. Faith became impatient and slammed the door into him.
“Ummpphh.” Connor said from the inside of the refrigerator. Faith opened the door again and grabbed Connor on the underneath of his arm and pulled him out. The refrigerator closed quietly.
“You rush me again like that, Junior, I’ll give you more than a whipping. I’ll kick your ass all over Daddy’s hotel.” Faith said looking into his eyes. “You got it!”
Connor flinched at the venom in her voice and just nodded. Faith shoved him back and walked back to the bacon and went to flip the slices. Connor just looked at her and went back into the refrigerator to get the almost forgotten eggs. He placed them on the counter closest to Faith and went around her to get the pancake mix stirring it one last time. Faith watched Connor from the corner of her eyes waiting for an impending attack. But it never came. She and Connor finished making breakfast in silence.
Dipping the soft fabric into the balmy liquid, Willow gently squeezed the excess back into the bowl and carefully began to dab the cuts and bruises on Spike’s façade. Following the flow of dried blood to the crook of his neck, she took the damp material and dipped it once again rinsing out the vital fluid. Once she finished with his head and face she wiped around the still open wound on his arm. Thankfully he had taken his duster off before he fell asleep and placed it in back of the chair to give her better access to the cut.
After setting the cloth into the bowl of water on the floor next to her, Willow balled her right hand into a small fist then released it a few times forming a pinkish red light around her hand. Hovering her hand just inches from the lesion it began to heal it self. It would have healed eventually from his preternatural healing abilities but she felt as if she owed him a little something for keeping his promise to stay with her.
Once she finished, she reached for the bowl of blood stained water and began to stand up when a cool hand clasped with hers.
"Thanks, Luv." Spike whispered gratefully as he opened his eyes and made contact with her emerald green ones. "It’s been a long while since anyone’s done somethin’ like that for me."
"You’re welcome, Spike. It’s the least I could do after what you did in Sunnydale." Willow smiled as he let go of her hand and took care of her mess.
Later on that evening…
Willow and Faith were sitting on the bottom steps in utter silence as Angel explained through out the day about what had happened in the last year or so. About an hour into the story Connor had to leave and take care of some school related business. He had been tutoring high school students when he had time during his freshman classes in order to earn some community service hours. Illyria went on her way to lay Wesley and Gunn to finally be at peace. Angel offered to help out but the shell that was formally his friend, insisted that she did it alone for ritualistic purposes and he wouldn’t understand. About an hour of his persistence she threatened to rip out his spinal cord through his mouth if he didn’t let her be. Seeing as how he still wanted to fight the good fight, spine still in tact, he backed off. Though he did have to intimidate Spike a bit, so he would stop laughing and calling him a ‘Nancy boy’ for getting a little scared of the blue haired demon.
"So, long story short, we decided to go up against Wolfram and Hart and that’s when you two arrived." Angel finished.
"Wow." Willow sat letting it all settle in her mind. "I mean you and Cordy and two demon-y possessions that killed your friends. That’s has gotta be some kind of record." Willow babbled aloud, taking a breath she finally glanced up at Angel’s forlorn expression for loosing his friends who were the closest to family he had. His grief-stricken eyes alone made her heart shatter into a million pieces. Here he was hurting from loosing the second love of his life and she was jabbering away like it was nothing.
"Oh, Goddess, Angel. I am so sorry. I didn’t…” she swallowed the lump in her throat as tears formed at the corner of her eyes. She thought about it a little more then it finally got to her. Wesley, Fred, Cordelia, and even Gunn were gone, and they were never coming back. Slowly tears began to flow down her cheeks until she was trembling as she grieved for those who had fallen. Faith scooted closer to her on the stairs and wrapped her arms around her in a comforting hug, whispering small words to comfort her. Faith had some time to grieve last night, and now it was Willow’s turn. The powerful Wicca had done so much for the slayer after the fight with the First. Willow was her only friend and she would be damned if she let anything happen to her.
When Willow had come to L.A. to restore Angelus’ soul, Willow had welcomed Faith with open arms, wary at first but open arms none the less. She was the only one of the Scooby’s who still had confidence in her to not go all evil serial killer on them again. Buffy really didn’t care if Faith was there or not. Every time she got in speech mode, she always kept saying that once she died another would rise in her place, which wasn’t true. Willow had to keep reminding Faith and Buffy of the fact that Buffy had died once already, and that called Kendra, then Faith after the second slayer’s death. So, it was only fitting when Buffy died after defeating Glory that no one was called to take her place, since Faith was still alive and kicking ass. Faith was still a slayer regardless of her mistakes.
When the fight in Sunnydale came to an end, the gang went on with their lives. When they got to Italy Willow helped Faith cope with her past with the mayor. With those little things to help push along their friendship it wasn’t until three months ago that they really trusted each other with their lives.
Flashback…
Faith, Willow, Kennedy and Dawn were on their ritual nightly patrol around the town. They were discussing clothes, basic stealth and blocking stances, and what they were going to eat for dinner when they got back home, when three vamps stepped before them.
"Mmmm, I like red meat." one of the vampires purred at Willow, making her cringe.
"Hmph. And I suppose that was supposed to be scary." Kennedy baited rolling her eyes.
The vampire to the left of the one who spoke growled and lunged at Dawn. Stepping in front of Dawn protectively the vampire ran into Willow instead knocking her on to ground, causing her to hit her head with a sickening crack on the asphalt.
"Willow!" Dawn yelped with worry. Faith stepped around the teen bent over the witch frantically trying to get the redhead to wake with no luck. Looking up at Kennedy kicking a vamp in the chest, Dawn shook her head with dismay then looked back at the fallen witch.
Faith knelt beside Dawn and very carefully lifted Willow in her arms.
"Yo, Ken! We gotta get her to a hospital!" Faith yelled over to the overzealous slayer.
"Yeah, sure." The new slayer answered casually, while she flipped one of the three vamps on the ground and staked it. Kicking out from behind she tripped the one attempting to sneak up behind her and staked it as well, but the last of the trio ran off in to the dark.
"Yeah, you go do that and I’ll go get this guy. She’ll be alright, she’s super witch and all that." Showing no care about her lover’s well being, Kennedy took off in the direction the stray had ran.
"She is such selfish bitch." Dawn whispered under her breath as the slayer disappeared in the night and continued behind Faith and Willow.
The next morning when Kennedy never came by the hospital to visit, Faith went in search of her. She left Xander, Buffy and Dawn sitting with Willow. When Faith went back to the street they had been patrolling the night before, she came across the drained and mutilated body of one Kennedy Snyder.
Back to the present…
Angel knelt in front of the woman crying in Faith’s arms and gently placed a calming hand on her shoulder and softly pulled her back.
"Willow, it’s ok. Really." Angel said as he reached up and brushed away a single tear trailing down her flushed cheek.
"I know, it’s just…I’ve lost so much so fast, I don’t know how you can handle it Angel. I know it took me awhile to get over loosing Tara, Spike, and even Anya. Just recently I lost Kennedy. How do you do it Angel?" Willow asked as she sniffed and her tears started to dry.
"It takes time." Angel said solidly.
Spike’s had eyes flown directly over to Willow when she mentioned his name in her grievances. ‘Why would she grieve for me? I tried to kill her and her friends on more than one occasion and the things I did to hurt the slayer.’ Flashes of the attempted rape of Buffy flashed like jolts of electricity shocking his brain, sort of bringing back sour memories of the blasted chip that damn solider boy and his merry men had placed in his head.
"Oh, and Spike!" Willow suddenly said, getting his attention. "How you must’ve felt when you had to go through all the ghost-y aspects of coming back the way you did. It had to be hell, no sitting or-or being able to touch anything." Willow had that sympathetic look in her eyes as she waited for him to say something.
"Actually, pet, it wasn’t all that bad. I could sit and move things about if I really wanted to. I miss being able to walk through walls though. That was a nifty little trick. It bugged the hell out of Peaches here." Spike said chuckling. "But I’ll tell you one thing, it was hell. And I mean that literally."
"Yeah, for some more than others." Angel muttered looking innocent.
“I heard that!" Spike growled, pointing accusingly at his grand-sire. Angel shrugged and smiled at the two women on the stairs. Spike stood up from the chair he had been sleeping in earlier and stretched. "What say we all go out and get pissed? I think we deserve a damn night off after the time we’ve had."
"Pissed? Vampires are not capable of the function of expelling human waste." Illyria spouted out from the door way cocking her head to the side.
"Bloody hell, Blue. I wanna get drunk off my ass! So how bout it?" he arched his scarred brow at the group before him waiting for their answer.
"We’re in." Faith piped in, hoping up from her seat on the steps dragging Willow with her. Willow was having some second thoughts about drinking alcohol. ‘Beer plus Willow equals big no-no.’ Willow thought.
"I don’t that’s such a great idea." Willow voiced.
"Oh, come on Will, you really need to get out and party!" Faith intervened.
"Yeah, c’mon Red " Spike grinned.
"Uh, you do remember the ‘my will be done’ spell a few years ago?" Willow asked. At Spike’s nod she continued. "Well, I was kind of drunk when I came up with that brilliant plan."
Spike shrugged and grabbed her hand, "Could’ve been worse. You could’ve had me snoggin’ the moron instead of the slayer and that would’ve been your death bed. But no worries now, ‘sides if you’re a bad lil’ witch I think I can take you now that the chip is out ‘n all." he winked and lead her past Illyria through the door into the night.
"I guess that means we follow the blonde and red head." Faith said as she followed their lead.
"Guess so." Angel sighed as he and Illyria tagged along.
______________________________________________________
Angel put his car in park as they pulled in front of the local bar/club, 'Silver'.
"Hey, I betcha Oz would've loved this place." Faith joked, spotting the name above the door.
"Faith!" Willow reprimanded playfully as they all got out of the car. She was over the whole Oz leaving her thing. He was a bastard, Faith had once told her on one of their patrols of reminiscing. She hated him for putting her through hell, then coming back expecting everything to be all peachy-keen like it was before. Willow agreed with her for the most part.
"What?" Faith teased. "I'm just sayin'."
"Yeah, uh-huh. I know what you were sayin'." Willow smiled.
"Right kiddies, let's see who can hold their own, shall we?" Spike lit up a cigarette as he ushered them all through the door.
Illyria stepped in to the large area carefully examining her environment.
"Things are...different, since my reign." She commented as a demon and woman walked wistfully past her to the dance floor.
After finding a table they all gathered together to give their orders to Angel and Spike.
"Hmm, let's see. How about a Sex on the Beach?" Willow said, pointing at the list of beverages they had got from the book on the table to Faith, thus preventing her from seeing Spike smirk at Angel and waggle his brow.
"Mmm. Yeah, I could go for a Sex on the Beach too." Faith agreed.
"These customs are unfamiliar to me. My guide to this world ingested a liquid labeled 'Whiskey'." Illyria stated.
"Good call, Blue. We’ll get you something new then.” Spike said with a wink. Spike and Angel went up to the bar to order leaving the women at the table. “I’ll have a bottle of Jack Old No. 7, two Sex on the Beaches, 1 Long Island Iced Tea, and…what 'bout you, Peaches?"
"I think I'll have some ale. Haven't had any since my human days." Angel answered as he and Spike watched the bartender gather their order.
A bottle and a half of whiskey, a pitcher of ale, four Sex on the Beaches, and four Long Island Iced Teas later…
"So, this is intoxication?" Illyria laughed as transformed into Fred. "I think I'm kinda...drunk." she hiccupped back into Illyria then back again, giggling all the while.
"That it you are, pet." Spike chuckled. "So, Slayer, how goes the hun' for new slayers? Any new nasties you show 'em how to slay?" he slurred a little, slouching further in his chair.
"Could be better." she shrugged. "At least we haven't run into anyone as bad as vamp Willow yet." Faith quickly clapped her hand over mouth and mumbled a quick "oops". Angel started to laugh at Willow as she smacked Faith on the arm and at Spike's confused look while Illyria was in her own little world looking at her feet.
"Faith! I told you that was a secret!" Willow attempted to whisper but it came out more like a mother scolding her child for bad behavior.
"What? It's not like everyone here doesn't know that it happened." the slayer said.
"Oh! I knew! I knew!" Angel raised his hand smiling like a school boy waiting for the teacher to pick him for show and tell.
"Uh, anyone mind explaining to those who have no idea in hell what is going on?" Spike asked casually, with his interest fully peaked. Illyria looked up suddenly as a new song began to play then back down at her feet.
"Seems our Willow here was a vampire back in the day." Faith declared as Angel smiled wider as Willow giggled.
"Wait, your tellin' me that you actually got to see her as a vampire?" Spike looked between Angel and Willow, not really sure if he liked his grand-sire's giddiness towards the redhead.
"It was back in high school, Spike. Just after you left." Willow explained. "It was another spell gone horribly wrong. Anya...she um, she needed help with a spell and it kinda brought me from another dimension, the vamp me."
"Yeah, Red here was quite the dominatrix from what I hear." Faith smirked. "Wish I had been there to see shy little Willow all big and mean and in leather."
"You’re tellin' me." Spike said.
"She was glorious," Angel smiled proudly. "She had most of the demon community bowing down to in less than an hour after she arrived." When Willow noticed his mischievous smile, she wondered if drinking brought out some of the Angelus-y side of Angel. "And, oh God, that leather number...” He started to say but got lost in his thoughts.
'Definitely some of Angelus there.' Willow thought as she sipped up the last of her drink. A slow smile of her own crept up on her as she thought about the little talk she had with her doppelganger.
“Now, now. No naughty thoughts about your mistress.” Willow playfully scolded. Faith and Willow giggled when Angel sat up quickly and hung his head a little embarrassed. If vampires could blush he would have.
“What’s that all about? His mistress?” Spike’s brows furrowed as he processed this information then his eyes widened in realization. “You were her bitch!”
“Moving on.” Angel said clearing his throat as he looked over at Illyria.
"Illyria, you ok?" Angel chuckled. The ex-demon-god was struggling to stand on her own two feet as she switched into Fred wearing a jean mini skirt, an over sized New Kids On The Block t-shirt, heavy pink and purple make up, complete with big poof-y feathered hair that was in style back in the eighties and high top sneakers.
When she finally got her balance a little she turned to Angel and pinched his cheeks.
"I'm fine Mr. Puppet man." She replied in baby-talk. "The room is just-a spinnin' lil bit."
"Uh, that's great, but do you mind not pinching my cheeks so hard?" Angel asked.
"Oh, sorry." Illyria/Fred apologized sheepishly as she released his now deep red skin. "Guess I don't know my own strength. Think I'll go for a walk." she sighed.
"Ok, you go do that, Blue." Spike said as he took another swig of his whiskey trying not to spit it all over the place from laughing along with Faith.
"Will she be ok?" Willow asked as Illyria walked off.
"I think she can hold her own." Angel replied as he rubbed his sore cheeks.
Spike snickered as he seen Willow's and Faith's confused and curious eyes, "Would you like to hear the tale of Mr. Puppet man?" With their excited nods he went on.
"Here we go." Angel sighed. He knew Spike couldn't be silenced from this oh-so-shining moment as a puppet.
"There were these evil puppet things, ugly buggers, that enslaved kids. Taking their energy to become immortal or something along those lines." Spike sat up in his chair as he got into the story. "Anyway somehow Peaches here got turned into one of 'em. Funniest damn thing I’d ever seen." Spike said with a laugh.
"Oh I wish I could see Angel as a puppet!" Willow chuckled when an impish thought hit her. She pointed her finger at Angel and a light red swirl of sparkling magic floated from her fingertips over to him.
"Will, whatcha doin?" Faith whispered to Willow curiously.
"Playing." she answered innocently. By the time Angel realized what was going on he couldn't see over the table any more and all hysterics broke loose.
"Uh, guys? What's goin' on?" Angel asked trying to peer over the table.
"Look it's return of the wee 'lil puppet man!" Spike laughed even harder.
"Aw, he's so cute." Faith smiled as she tried pushing down his hair.
"The last time I checked, Spike, this little puppet could still kick your ass!" Puppet Angel vamped out and kicked Spike in the shin.
"Hey!" Spike growled and snatched Puppet Angel's nose off his face and stood up holding it in the air.
"Damn it, Spike!" Puppet Angel snarled at that same moment Willow fell from her chair and onto the floor from laughing, while he tried to get his nose back from Spike. Faith chuckled at her friend and helped her off the floor noting the tears from laughing rolling out of her own eyes.
"Ok. You've had your fun, turn me back please?" Puppet Angel begged.
"Oh, alright." Willow said between giggles and reversed the spell.
"Thank you." Angel said sighing in relief as he put his hand to his face feeling his nose in tact which was a disappointment to Spike.
A moment of silence after they settled down a bit Angel just had to ask. "Willow, since when did you become the 'Puppet Master'?" Faith and Spike chuckled at his question. A few more drinks later Angel called Connor to come and pick them up.
Willow leaned against Faith as they headed out the door to find Illyria looking like her old self again. When they found her she was getting sick on a demon who was trying to hit on her. Willow scrunched up her nose and felt a little queasy herself.
Spike looked at the car Angel drove them in and started to chuckle as a couple vamps were trying to hot wire his car.
"Peaches, looks like someone's tryin' to steal the Angel-mobile!" Spike said laughing as Angel chased the demons down the street as they sped off in his car.
"Damn it!" Angel yelled kicking his hubcap lying in the road. Just as he kicked the hub cap, Connor came pulling up in his black Pontiac Grand Prix that he had got from his other parents for a graduation present last year.
"What was that all about?" Connor asked as he got out of his car.
"Nothing. Let's just go home." Angel sighed.
Angel climbed into the backseat and sat behind the front passenger seat. Illyria followed as did Spike putting Illyria between the two vampires. Connor climbed into the drivers seat and closed the door.
“I’m calling shotgun, Red.” Faith said just before Willow did.
“Crap.” Willow said.
“Willow, you can sit on my lap.” Angel said sticking his head between the seatbelt and the seat.
“If you’re sure.” Willow said as she shifted from one foot to the other.
“It’s no problem.” Angel answered with a smile. Willow shrugged. She
was too tired to argue about the improperness of his proposal at this point.
Climbing in, she made herself comfortable on Angel's lap, facing away from
Spike and laid her head against Angel's cool chest. Sighing contentedly,
moments after taking off from ‘Silver’, Willow was sound asleep, cuddling
closer to the friendly vampire. Angel smiled down at her and kissed the
top of her head never noticing the steely stare from his grand-childe.
Fade to black…
Next on Angel:
"I'm not happy here."
"Buffy you can't mean that?!" Willow asked.
"Why do you think you can take my sister from me?!" Buffy demanded.
"Buffy, I'm leaving and you can't stop me!" Dawn yelled as she grabbed
her bag.