“So you mean that the girls are trying to win a bet?” Angel asked in disbelief, sitting on the bed.
“Well according to Red though, there’s one flaw.” Spike added.
“What’s that?” Angel asked.
“We’re just too damn irresistible.” He said grinning. Angel smiled.
“Well then it’s time we start our own little game.” Angel said.
“And what’s that mate?”
“It’s called revenge my boy. Pure and simple revenge.”
“Ok, so he wasn’t in Chinatown right?” Willow asked. Angel nodded.
“Right. We searched all the demon joints for about two hours and there was no sign of it.” Angel said. Willow sighed and typed something else in.
“He has to be there somewhere. From what I’ve read these demons are Chinese in origin and they need lotus leaves to energize. He has to be there somewhere because the only place in LA that you can get them is in Chinatown.” She explained.
“They aren’t any other Chinese groceries in town?” Angel asked impatiently.
“None that have lotus leaves. How many times do I have to say it!” She explained. After two hours of research that was all anyone had come up with on the demon. Each night more deaths occurred because of it and Angel’s conscious plagued him. *Last night I was having a grand old time while some poor girl got killed* he thought. He looked at the brunette looking through demonology books next to him. *It could’ve been Delia* he thought. Everyone was showing signs of strain after coming up with nothing.
“There’s nowhere else that could sell these things, red?” Spike asked. “It’s strictly a grocery thing?” Willow looked up at him ready to yell she’d all ready said that but then it hit her.
“Wait, you’re right.” She exclaimed. She quickly typed some things into her comp. “Yes!” She jumped up and threw her arms around Spike’s neck. “I love you! You’re a genius!”
“Really? I’m a genius and you love me? Life can’t get much better.” He said grinning. Willow blushed and looked back at her computer.
“There are five Wiccan stores in the LA area that sells lotus leaves.” She explained to everyone. Cordelia looked impressed.
“Wow, Spike actually said something useful.” She said in shock. Spike glared at her.
“Yeah well I didn’t see you helping with any information Miss May Queen.” He taunted. Cordelia threw him a dirty look. Angel looked out the window.
“Ok we’ve got an hour until dark and then we head out the check on these addresses.” He said. Everyone nodded in agreement and headed off to be alone for as long as they could.
Willow sank into her bed. She pulled a pillow towards her and to her surprise it smelled of Spike. She closed her eyes and remembered how she had felt when he had kissed her. She had gotten light headed and she was pretty sure it didn’t have anything to do with what she had drunk earlier. *Goddess I need to stop this*, she thought as she pulled on a pair of shoes. She looked longingly out the door wishing he were right on the other side waiting for her.
Spike sat on the couch. He looked towards the hall that led to the bedrooms. *To her bedroom* he thought. He shook his head. *She doesn’t like you mate* he thought. *It’s just about the bloody bet.* Her green eyes flashed into his mind. Not right now, she had said, then you might leave. It hit him that she had sounded scared at the thought of him leaving. *Just you’re imagination* he thought. But a part of him was wishing it wasn’t. *Oh yeah. I'm whipped. Pure and simple.*
Cordelia smiled as she watched Spike look down the hall towards Willow door. *They just don’t want to see what they’ve got* she thought. She smiled remembering the feel of Angel’s lips on hers. Damn that stupid bet, she thought angrily. Cordelia Chase was not one to feel guilt but she knew all about fear. She was afraid that if Angel knew about the bet he would think that was the only reason she wanted him. *And boy do I want him*, she thought. Damn this bet* she thought, *I’m done with it.*
Cordelia had been right. Angel was sitting in his room thinking about the bet. *It can’t be just about the bet right?* He wondered this over and over again. He knew that between Willow and Spike it wasn’t. She liked him it was pretty obvious. He was sure his childe was having a little difficulty dealing with such an idea but he’d get over it. But what about Cordy? The look in her eyes the night before had not been his imagination. She had loved being with him. *God I’m in love with her* he realized. Now he just had to show her the bet didn’t matter.
The four walked down the dark streets of LA.
“Ok here’s what we do. Spike, you and Willow take two of the addresses and Cordelia and I will take the other two. We’ll all meet up at the fifth place.” Angel told them. Willow shivered at the thought of being with just Spike.
“All right peaches.” Spike said in agreement. Angel and Cordelia got in Angel’s car and Spike opened the door to his De Soto for Willow. She smiled.
“What a gentlemen.” She said sweetly. Spike shook his head.
“So you think.” He replied. Willow rolled her eyes. He slid into the driver’s side and asked her for the address and Willow read it to him. *Here we go* she thought as they drove into the night.
Cordelia walked out of the first address grumbling.
“Stupid people didn’t even know what we were talking about.” She muttered.
“Not all people in the world are into demons and such.” He said. Cordelia looked at him.
“Oh let us enlighten you. I see a dark spot in your aura. What troubles you my child?” She said in a mock chipper voice. Angel smiled.
“Well let’s just wish for more luck on the next place.” He said. Cordelia sighed. His hand brushed across her back as he opened the car door for her. She shivered and then it occurred to her he hadn’t said one word about the night before. They drove along the expressway and a song came on the radio.
~Please don't say I love you
Those words touch me much to deeply
And they make my core tremble
Don't think you realize the effect you have over me
And please don't come so close
It just makes me want to make you near me always~
They both moved to turn the station at the same time. Their eyes met and they jerked their hands away without touching the radio. Cordelia finally leaned over and switched off the radio. *That’s the last thing I need to here*, she thought.