The Talisman

By Merzibelle

Rainbow fire amidst silver gilt, it waited. Created by a powerful mage, it had patience. It knew how to wait, wait to be needed again. It would find its way back to him again. Time had no real meaning to those with power. Over the millennia since its creation, it had changed appearance time and again. Once it was a diadem for the priestess who guarded it. Then it became the pommel jewel of a king's sword, dispensing justice and vengeance by turn. Later still it became the central jewel in a doomed queen's elaborate necklace. Now, it was merely a silver-gilt pendant suspended from a finely-wrought gold chain. So it waited and watched.

Soon, its time would come.

~~~

Wesley Wyndham-Pryce wandered aimlessly though the shops of the world-famous Rodeo Drive. Hours he'd spent here. Hours spent shopping with Cordelia and laughing softly at the secrets he'd shared with the managers of many an exclusive store. He wondered if she'd noticed that she wasn't getting those elaborate discounts anymore. If she even knew how much she owed him. Secrets upon secrets, layer upon layer. None of them had ever truly been honest with each other. Angel had kept his liaison with Darla a secret to protect his developing romance with Cordelia. Cordelia herself had hidden her vision pain and the fears that had developed from all of them, supposedly to spare them worry. He himself had kept his feelings for Winifred a secret, not wanting to pressure her with them. So many secrets, so much pain. Even more secrets left unshared, things he was just becoming willing to broach with them.

Shaking his head to clear it of the memories, Wes smiled at the sight of the car that pulled to a slow halt beside him. Uncaring of the traffic jam it caused, the chauffeur parked the car right there in the middle of the road, stepping out to open the rear door. Wesley crossed the space to the door, offering his hand to the occupant before the chauffeur even could. Slim fingers closed around his, a delicate-seeming leg appeared, then the woman herself.

"Hello, Lilah. I'm so pleased that you could you join my little shopping trip."

"Did you think I'd miss this?" Lilah responded with a soft purr. "I've got to see you shop here." She cast a disdainful glance over his current attire, faded jeans and a soft pullover t-shirt. Paired with his scruffy unshaven look, there was no way he'd be allowed into any of these shops.

"Didn't you say I was new all over?" Wes chuckled, offering her his arm. "Let's say I have a few secrets left for you to discover." With that, he headed across the asphalt to the sidewalk. He knew they were getting looks, what with him looking like the gigolo picked up by the rich posh lady. Many probably thought that she was taking him out to 'set him up properly.' Reaching his favorite shop, he smiled, nodding to the doorman, who merely smiled back and opened the door, waving them within. As he entered, he caught Lilah's expression and laughed softly. Leaning over to her, he kissed her cheek, whispering, "I told you that you didn't know me."

"Mr. Wyndham-Pryce, it is a pleasure to see you again," came the called greeting from the store's manager. "Is everything to your satisfaction?"

"It always is." Wes seated Lilah, handing her a glass of red wine. "Jacques, this is Lilah Morgan. Her firm has graciously offered me a position in which I can assert my real talents."

"Ahh, Wolfram and Hart shows its good taste again." Jacques nodded, snapping his fingers to call one of the attendants. "See to it that Ms. Morgan has anything she requires while Mr. Wyndham-Pryce and I are occupied."

Lilah openly stared, at least until she realized that she was staring. Then she shifted her attention to the glass in her hand. "What secrets have you been keeping, Wesley? I know just how exclusive this shop is. Even Linwood doesn't have the power to be able to shop here," Lilah thought, sipping delicately at the wine and watching Wes move about the shop discussing things in low tones with the gentleman who'd greeted them, before disappearing into a back room.

~~~

Wesley tugged one of the cuffs of his new shirt into place, smiling at the reflection in the mirror. Aside from the abortive ballet trip, it had been quite some time since he'd wanted or needed to dress properly. Now, he had the confidence that went with the power suits that he'd worn for his brief career as Watcher. Turning from the mirror, he issued brief but concise instructions to the attendant who'd been waiting for his verdict on the things that had been awaiting his approval.

Exiting the room, he draped the leather overcoat over his arm. It was late enough in the year that after sundown the air cooled and a jacket was almost a necessity. Wes smiled to himself. He'd have to take Lilah shopping so that she'd be appropriately dressed for the evening. He was greatly anticipating her surprise when she saw him.

As he crossed the upper level toward the stairs, a gleam of opal fire caught his attention from the corner of his eye. He paused, focusing his attention on the marble table beside him. Lying there, unattended and in the open, was one of the most powerful amulets in existence. Wes picked it up, draping the chain across his hand to consider the jewel. It seemed to hum in his hand. Noticing that no one else seemed to even see the gem, Wes tucked the jewel into his pocket, continuing on his descent to the lower level, where Lilah was sitting. Somehow he managed to contain his chuckle as she literally did a double-take before rising and setting her glass aside.

"My, you do clean up well."

"Feeling underdressed, my dear?" Wes asked softly, having expected a snide remark from her. "No worries, we'll be shopping for you next. I believe we have a reception to attend tonight."

"How did you..." Lilah didn't even attempt to hide her surprise at Wes' casual mention of the senior partners' reception that was going to happen that night, a celebration of the Los Angeles office's successful completion of its review.

"You left the invitation on my desk this morning before you left." Wes handed back the credit slip he'd just signed, tucking away the pen in an inner jacket pocket. "What was I supposed to think?" He again offered her his arm, leading the way out of the shop and onto Rodeo. "So, my dear. I have set up an appointment for you as well. Then we shall have dinner before the reception. Agreed?"

Lilah shivered again, but nodded. She'd lost control of this relationship somewhere and she didn't know where. Not that she cared. He looked powerful, dangerous, and that appealed to her baser instincts. She wondered exactly how far he'd take things. Wes, when he channeled his rage and anger in a particular manner. was exciting; however, this Wesley had power as well. He made her want to curl up on him like a cat, purring at receiving his attention. She willingly followed him to another shop, listening without a single protest as he dictated what he wished to see her in, even down to the lingerie.

Wesley watched Lilah walk away, accompanied by several fawning attendants. Setting aside the glass of champagne he'd been given, he walked to the counter, gazing down at the jewels displayed inside, seeing just the perfect piece for her, provided she remained this cooperative. He purchased it, tucking the box into a different pocket before wandering to a quiet, somewhat secluded corner to remove the gem he'd picked up earlier from the opposite pocket.

Twining the chain about his fingers, he nestled the pendant in his palm. "I haven't seen you in quite some time," he murmured, barely audible in the crowded shop. Stroking slightly callused fingers over the smooth surface of the opal in the center of the setting, he smiled, half-turning so as to not be seen. He settled the chain around his neck, tucking the jewel beneath his shirt. It was a warm weight against his skin. A soft sound behind him had him turning, then smiling as he saw Lilah. He considered her a moment, making a small motion with his hand to get her to turn. Nodding to the shop attendants, he pulled out a credit card, signing the slip that was offered to him but moments later. Tucking the card away, he turned his full attention to Lilah. "Shall we?"

Lilah didn't trust her voice to speak, instead nodding and taking the arm he once again offered her. She let him lead her to her limo, accepting his assistance in climbing in and trying to listen to the low-voiced orders he gave to the driver. She was unsuccessful in hearing them, but knew that nothing would be the same again, neither her, the company nor all of Los Angeles. Wesley had power and wasn't afraid to use it anymore.

~~~

Finally home after far too many years of separation, the gem hummed at feeling its master's heart beneath it. Separate they were powerful, but together they were unstoppable. Two paths lay before them, one of light and one of dark. Only time would tell which way the mage would go this time around. The last time it was for good, creating a legendary kingdom still talked about today. Perhaps this time it would be the other way, throwing the world into a thousand years of darkness. It mattered not, as long as they were together.

~Fin~