Trust
by Rob Sorenson
Chapter Twenty-one
*******East Los Angeles, CA, 1:30 AM*******
“Looks like Faith had it right.”
Angel responded without turning his head. “Pretty much assumed that.”
East LA wasn’t entirely new territory to Angel – there had been an investigation or two in the past here – but he’d only passed through this particular area. Now, as he and Spike trudged through a light rain that had begun to fall, he looked more closely.
Street lights that had seen better days struggled in vain to cast illumination on the neighborhood, unwittingly providing a shadowy ambiance that served the purposes of those who came here. People from all walks of life gravitated to this area…most of whom were perfectly satisfied with the lack of proper lighting. They weren’t here to see or (perish the thought) be seen anyway.
No…they simply wanted to feel. For in this neon-dimmed darkness, things lay in wait that respectable people didn’t speak of in the light of day. Many of the regulars had disposable incomes that could buy and sell the dilapidated buildings they used for a couple of hours at a time. Powerful men with beautiful wives and the obligatory two point four children…even the spouse-tolerated office mistress on the side. Still, they came here to fulfill dark pleasures that filled unexplainable needs. Risking everything – physically and legally - for the sake of a sordid thrill.
Luxury vehicles cruised by, occasionally slowing enough for the occupants to share quiet conversations. Powerful men - who had spent their day negotiating million-dollar deals over chemically enhanced lunches at the latest eatery of the month - were now doing what they did best though the slits of tinted windows. The monetary stakes were much less…but the reward was every bit as satisfying.
For Spike and Angel, the territory was all too familiar. They had quite literally fed on such urges once upon a time.
“Faith would never have wanted Buffy to see this.”
Spike quirked an eyebrow. “I’d wager Buffy’s probably seen things like this before.”
“Yes, but…” Angel’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Faith was actually here.”
“Yeah, and she figured we could handle it. Which we can. Not the time to go all-“
“It makes me sick to my stomach.”
Spike stopped walking. Rolling his eyes, he turned to Angel with a slightly tilted head.
“Hey, news flash, mate: I don’t like thinkin’ about it any better than you do.”
“Dammit, Spike you don’t under-“
“Hell I don’t.“
“I put her through it again! You saw how she looked…” Angel broke off, staring at the sidewalk.
Spike lowered his voice. “Wasn’t anything to be done about that.”
There was a moment of silence.
“Back in Sunnydale, she asked if I’d like to go back to Ireland and show everyone where I killed my parents. At the time, that pissed me off, but…”
The blonde vampire hesitated, appearing to search for words.
“We all have places like that, don’t we? Dark corners in our lives. Move along, we say. Nothin’ to see here. Hell, this soul made every bloody corner I turned over the last century somethin’ I’d rather leave behind. Can’t do that though, can we? Hell of it is, we spend most of our time these days tryin’ to shed a little light on stuff that hides in those same dark corners we came from. If we’re gonna do that, we have to dwell on ourselves a little. Not as if we have a choice.”
Spike surprised Angel by stepping toward him to place a hand on his shoulder.
“Faith is a smart girl. Knew exactly who she wanted to revisit this part of her life. If any of us can truly understand-“
Angel gently shook him off. “I know that.”
“Then stop feelin’ sorry for yourself and make this little trip worth something. If you don’t, puttin’ her through it was pointless.”
They began to walk again. “When did you get perceptive?” Angel asked grumpily.
“Always was, mate. You never took the time to listen.”
“Oh God, here we go. Why is it whenever I try to compliment you, it has to be twisted into some kind of-“
“Compliment,” Spike snorted derisively. “You always make it sound like I was nothin’ but a stupid git back in the old days.”
“If the shoe fits.”
Spike’s eyes widened. “Really? Funny, just got a Hell of an idea of another place to put my shoe.”
“Back in your mouth where it usually is?”
They faced each other. Spike opened his arms.
“Come on, then. Let’s work off that tension.”
“Thought you’d never ask,” Angel snarled.
Just before they moved toward each other again, Angel shot out his hand, catching a pedestrian by the throat as she walked by. Wheeling, he slammed her roughly into the brick wall of the hotel she’d exited from.
“Going somewhere? We were hoping you’d stick around and play referee.”
The teenager’s eyes watered. “Please…don’t hurt me.”
Spike stood next to Angel. “No one’s going to hurt you, luv. Might need some information, though.”
“But…but he’s hurting me!”
Angel smiled slightly. “No I’m not.” He squeezed. “Am now, though.”
The girl morphed into her vamp face in reaction to the pain. She attempted to swing a punch, but Spike caught it as he moved in to pin her shoulders to the wall.
“Nice outfit you have there.” Spike changed into his own demonic visage. “My friend and I brought the same ones.”
***********************************
Dawn rolled her eyes. “Ok, lay it on me.”
Wes glanced at her. “I’m sorry?”
“The ‘Dawn, this is too dangerous’ speech.”
There was a momentary silence.
“I think you already know my feelings on this.”
“Enlighten me again.”
“Dawn-“
“It’s just you and me here. Skip the group meeting protocol and share.”
Wesley sighed heavily. “All right. I’ll share by asking a question. Why did you volunteer to break into Wolfram and Hart? Other than the fact that Riley’s plan made sense?”
“I’m the most qualified to do it under the circumstances. We went over this.”
“I’m quite aware of that. You’re the one who wanted to do it again.”
Dawn’s lips pursed. “Ok. Your point is?”
“I want to hear all your reasoning.”
“Hello? I just told you.”
He pulled into an abandoned lot, two blocks from Wolfram and Hart’s building. After putting the car in park, he half turned with an annoyed look.
“I believe you understood the nature of my question.”
Dawn folded her arms. “Fine. You tell me, Wesley. Who else could do this?”
Wesley had already gone over the “normal human” roster in his head several times. Therefore he answered quickly, “Xander.”
“Xander?” Dawn asked with disbelief. Wesley held up his hand.
“From what I recall, he has certain skills in this area.”
Dawn looked at him like he had grown an extra head. “None of which he can use. He couldn’t even get to the roof of the hotel! Come on.”
“All right. What about me?”
Dawn turned away. “You have a prior engagement.”
Wes simply stared straight ahead. Dawn reached for the door handle.
“Dawn-“
She whipped around to face him. “Are you going out? Or will you stay in and cook for her? That thing you do with the pork chops and rice pilaf should work. Candlelight, soft music…”
“Dawn-“
“Although she might want wine instead of ice water like I got. Might have to splurge a little, but hey! We all make sacrifices when we want to seduce adults of legal age, right?”
Wesley followed her out of the car. “Now we’re getting somewhere.”
Dawn began to move away. “Yeah, like pissed. Let’s just do this.”
Wesley caught her arm. “Not yet.”
Dawn’s spoke slowly. “Let…go of me.”
“You’re putting yourself in danger for the wrong reasons! Can’t you see that?”
“I see that you’re going to get all couply with your ex, and you’re making it sound like it’s just another part of the mission!”
“It is.”
“Oh, please.”
“Do you honestly believe I would do anything-“
“You already did when you suggested this in the first place!”
That caused him to let go of her arm. He took a step back, shaking his head with a frown, but Dawn spoke before he could respond.
“Don’t. Don’t even try to make it sound any different. We’re just getting started, Wesley. It’s finally out in the open. No one got killed or broke out in hives because we’re seeing each other. How do you celebrate our newfound freedom?”
Dawn began to speak in a faux-British accent. “Wait, I know. I’ll make time with the woman who’s been conspiring to destroy us. Brilliant!”
“Enough!” Wesley’s eyes glimmered. Now it was Dawn’s turn to step back, having never seen that expression on his face before.
“It turns my stomach to even talk to Lilah at this point. I should think you would understand that, but apparently you think it’s easy for me to talk to someone who would dare threaten you. I’d much rather kill her with my own hands. Unfortunately, there are more important things going on. I’ve no choice.”
Dawn looked at the ground as Wesley tried to calm himself.
Now…I believe what you’re doing now IS unnecessarily dangerous. I have dealt with Lilah before.”
She raised her chin in defiance. “So have I.”
“Dammit, Dawn, tell me that you’re not doing this because you’re angry with me! Convince me this is necessary for the mission and NOT some way of getting at Lilah and I’ll withdraw any objection to your crawling on the outside of buildings!”
Neither spoke for a moment. Wes raised an eyebrow. “Well?”
Dawn’s voice was barely above a whisper. “It’s both.”
Wesley leaned against the car, exhaling heavily. “As I thought. Dawn-“
“Either way, I’m still the best person to do this. You know that.”
“I can find a way to get Lilah to share information. It isn’t necessary for you to put yourself at such risk. Why don’t we go back to the hotel and-“
“I killed a man.”
There was a long silence before Dawn continued.
“Just after that, I practically fought a commando twice my size to the death in a hurricane - while my leg felt like it was going to fall off. You know all this…yet you don’t think I can handle breaking into an office building?”
“It isn’t just any-“
“Wesley, do you not trust me?”
He stared at her. “I could ask you the same question.”
Dawn turned away. “I have to go.”
“I’ll be here when you get back.”
She stopped, speaking softly without turning around..
“I know you will.”
Dawn resumed walking toward Wolfram and Hart’s building. Wesley jogged after her.
“Dawn?”
She sighed and turned back around. “Wes, can we not do this-“
“One thing. Something you said…in the meeting.”
Dawn merely raised an eyebrow. Wesley stared hard into her eyes.
“Lilah is indeed every bit as smart as she thinks she is.”
************************************
Buffy slowly came closer to the light. “Giles,” she whispered again.
He smiled.
“Buffy. You look well.”
She reached for him, but he shook his head. “You won’t be…able to feel anything. I’m sorry.”
Willow and Xander joined her, momentarily
speechless. Giles’s body was barely
discernable, enveloped in light…the purest white light that any of them had
seen since…
Xander found his voice.
“This light…”
“Yes,” Giles confirmed. “You’ve seen it once before, Xander.” He looked at them. “You
all have.” His gaze held on Buffy’s. “You for a bit longer than the others.”
“Why?” was all
Buffy said. Giles tilted his head.
“That is a very good question. One I am here to answer. However,
please understand there are limits to precisely how much I can share with you.”
“Limits?” Xander
said. Giles nodded.
“I am to be your Spirit Guide. I was chosen…for rather obvious reasons. However, as you know, I was not chosen
exclusively.”
“Mom,” Buffy whispered.
“Yes. And Anya,
and Tara.” His eyes fell on
Willow. “I’m permitted to share that
she loves the flowers, by the way.”
Willow said nothing, too full to speak as Giles
continued.
“It was decided that I would guide you collectively once
initial contact was made individually.
We wanted you to understand that everyone you love is here…it seemed
only right that you knew for certain.”
Buffy shook her head.
“I don’t understand. What’s
going on?”
Giles opened his mouth to respond, but Buffy continued
before he could speak.
“And before you make with the mysterious ‘something
majorly important’ speech, can we skip that part and just move on to
specifics?”
Her Watcher – now and for always – smiled. “As you wish. My purpose here is not to provide answers to everything – that
too is part of the test – but to reveal the goal for which you are fighting.”
“Test?” Xander piped up.
“Come on, Giles, me and tests…you know better, right?”
“Tested.” Buffy said.
“That’s what I said to-“
“Spike. Yes, and
your instincts were, as usual, on the mark.”
“So everything that has happened recently has just been-“
“Not recently to you, Buffy. Forgive my interruption, but this is of far greater import than
you can possibly understand. The events
of the past several years – at least in your dimension – have all been observed
carefully.”
“In our dimension?”
Willow spoke for the first time.
“Time moves differently in every dimension. Buffy, when you spent your time in the
presence of the Great Light, how long did it feel as if you were there?”
She blinked.
“Minutes…I guess. It went by
fast.”
“In this Earthly dimension, it was months before Willow
brought you back. Follow?”
All three nodded.
Giles smiled.
“This is starting to feel familiar. If only we had a small library setting
rather than here.”
“Giles,” Buffy urged.
“This may be milliseconds to you, but the rest of us don’t have all
night.”
“The decision to test you was made moments after Xander
brought you back to life.”
No one spoke for a moment. Xander sighed. “How did I
know this was somehow going to be my fault?”
“Xander, your actions have started an unprecedented chain
of events. Events that haven’t been
seen for millions of years in this dimension, when the Old Ones were cast out.”
Willow’s eyes widened.
“The Old Ones? The demons that
ruled the earth?”
“Yes. It required
great sacrifice of human life – along with powerful magics – to wrest control
from them. Ever since, they’ve
attempted to re-enter this dimension and destroy every living creature. On every planet in this galaxy,
actually…though the Hellmouth is exclusively here.”
Xander blinked.
“Did you just say-“
“Yes, there is life in other places in this dimension
aside from Earth. However, we aren’t
here to discuss that. We’re here to
discuss your roles in preserving their existence as we know it.”
“So we’re protecting aliens, too?”
Giles’s image moved slightly as he sighed patiently. “You’re protecting everyone. May I continue?”
“Please,” Buffy interjected with a brief wide-eyed stare
at Xander. He shrugged an apology as
Giles continued.
“The tests that you have been presented with up to now
were to determine your suitability.”
“Suitability for what?”
Buffy said. Giles frowned.
“Do please allow me to finish. I’m coming to that.”
Xander gave Buffy a caricature of the big-eyed stare
she’d given him, causing the Slayer to growl at him menacingly. Willow sighed.
“Guys…focus?”
They turned back to Giles, who had been waiting
patiently.
“The Slayer has always been unique, of course…and those
who were Chosen over the centuries have invariably been extraordinarily brave
and capable. Some were certainly better
than others with regard to their fighting skills and knowledge of the
arcane…but their heroism was never in question. Those who drifted from their calling – as Faith did to a degree,
though there were extenuating circumstances – were dealt with in their time.
However, none have been as successful as you, Buffy. You are officially the longest living
Slayer, even when your…absences are taken into account.”
Buffy smiled slightly at his choice of words. Giles shrugged slightly as he continued.
“In time, the decision was made that the system under
which Slayers operate must evolve; it was further determined, however, that the
right girl had yet to come along. Then
came you.“
Giles smiled at them all.
“Or, to be more precise, then came us. The Slayer had never operated with friends
and family assisting her. Such things
were simply not done. However, it is
without question the reason for your success.
Still, certain trials had to occur before a final determination could be
made-“
“Sorry. I know
you don’t want to be interrupted, but I have to ask this.” Buffy shifted from one foot to the other. “This final determination is by whom,
exactly? Who are we supposed to be
working for?”
There was a slight pause.
“I cannot answer that.”
Buffy blinked.
“You can’t tell us-“
“There are certain things that are not to be revealed.”
“Wait a minute.
You’re just going to expect us to-“
“Yes. This final
Trial cannot commence without your freely given consent. Therefore it is deemed that certain things
must not be known. However, there is
much more I CAN tell you…if you wish.
If not…well, that is your decision to make.”
Willow shook her head.
“No. Stay.” She turned to Buffy, who was looking at
Giles strangely. “We have to know
what’s going on.”
“I know, Will. I
just don’t like the selective answer thing, that’s all.”
“I’m sorry, Buffy.”
Giles appeared genuinely apologetic.
“This is how it must be done.”
The Slayer sighed.
“Fine. Go on.”
“Right. Where was
I?”
“Trials.” Xander
said dully.
“Right. Certain
events were set in motion to test your capabilities – both individually and as
a group.”
“Are we allowed to ask for examples?” Buffy tried not to sound sarcastic.
“Virtually everything that has occurred since defeating
Adam has been carefully observed. Some were orchestrated by us, some were
not…but your reactions were the most important thing. The decisions you made, and why.”
“Since Adam?”
Buffy frowned. “Why him?”
“It wasn’t simply that you defeated him, Buffy. It was how you did it, specifically…or
perhaps I should say collectively. As
powerful as you are on your own, when the entire group focuses its energies as
one unit, there has never been anything in this dimension quite like it.”
Giles paused a moment, again looking at each of them one
by one before returning his gaze to Buffy.
“Tell me, Buffy…after you defeated Adam, what was the
very next thing that occurred? Almost
immediately?”
Buffy blinked.
“The dreams?”
“Yes. The
dreams. Most importantly, for the first
time the dreams were not experienced by you alone.”
Xander turned to Buffy.
“The ones we saw-“
“Together.” She
finished, looking back at him. “So…the
emotional connection Xander and I shared came from that spell?”
“Not directly,” Giles responded, “though your ability to
join in that way was the impetus for your next preliminary trials to start.”
He leaned toward Buffy; the brilliant oval of light that
surrounded him seemed to move with him.
“You thought you knew.
What was to come? What you
were?”
“I hadn’t even begun,” Buffy whispered.
“Very soon, however, you did. All of you did. The most
difficult challenges of your lives awaited over the next two years.”
Giles looked at each of them in turn, starting with
Buffy.
“The appearance of Dawn.
Your subsequent willingness to sacrifice your life for her…for the
world.”
Next came Willow.
“Your decision to bring Buffy back was precisely what we
wished. Buffy was only destined to view
the rewards…not to enjoy them as yet.
Not long after that, Tara’s death was your greatest challenge. Through your reactions, everyone learned
just how much power you could obtain.”
Then to Xander.
“However, she was willing and able to destroy the world,
despite my efforts. You, Xander – with
a bit of help from me - saved it…and her.
You stood in front of the most powerful force on Earth at that moment
and found a way.”
He paused again, satisfied that he had everyone’s
complete attention.
“Subsequently, efforts were made by the First to destroy
that which you had created. Your bond
was, is, and always will be your greatest asset. Again, though the group splintered toward the end, you came
through the battle together. You
survived, and the unit remained.”
At that time, the
emotional link between the two of you-“ Giles looked from Buffy to
Xander–“became obvious to you both.
When the Watcher’s Council saw fit to destroy you once and for all, that
link was critical…then your bond was no longer needed. As you said to Spike, Buffy…you had passed
the test. You believed in Xander, and
he in you.”
Giles paused to take a breath before he went on.
“And that is what this is all about. Your absolute faith in one another. It has inspired heroism in everyone…from
demons to Slayers who had lost their way.
The leadership rests among you three.
You have been there from the beginning.
You’ve even shared the experience of the afterlife as one. Now, you must stand together again.”
He looked at Willow.
“The child will change everything.”
******************************
“Might be a good time to start sharing, little one.”
Spike and Angel had dragged the vampire into an alleyway. She looked from one to the other, shaking her head.
“Sharing what, exactly?”
Angel spoke calmly. “What you know about these killings.”
“Umm…ok, we ARE all vampires, right? ‘Cause killing is sort of what we do. Maybe I missed someth-“
She was cut off when Angel applied a squeeze to her windpipe. “I meant the ones happening to pimps. The ones that are accompanied with disappearances of girls like you.”
The girl spoke with a gurgle. “Like…me? What do you mean like me?”
Spike rolled his eyes. “Hookers. Whores. Prostitutes. Putas. Ladies of the sodding night. Ring any bells?”
Her eyes widened. “I’m not one of those!”
Spike and Angel glanced down. She was clad in a mini-skirt, with fishnet stockings that had long ago seen better days. A tube top that was a few sizes too small completed the ensemble. Together, they glanced up. She blinked.
“Well…not any more at least. I’m on a sacred mission.”
Spike tilted his head. “Really now? Enlighten us on what that might be.”
“I can’t tell you-mmmmmf!”
Her sentence had been interrupted by Spike placing his hand over her mouth and nostrils.
“We don’t really want this to be painful. Just tell us what you know, and everything’ll be all right.”
Angel held up a stake, causing her to whimper with fear. “Start talking.”
She mumbled incoherently beneath Spike’s palm.
“Spike, she can’t exactly talk with your hand-“
“I know that! Don’t talk to me like a child.” He again focused on the girl. “I’m going to take my hand away. You make any noise we don’t like, the last noise you’ll hear is a piece of wood penetratin’ your chest. You with me?”
She nodded. Slowly, Spike removed his hand. The girl’s eyes welled with tears.
“Please…I’m not supposed to be here. She ordered us to stay in until the day comes.”
Angel didn’t have to ask, but he did anyway. “She being…”
“Drusilla. Our queen.”
That got the two men to share a glance. Spike looked back to the frightened vampire.
“What did Her Royal Madness say about this day you speak of? What’s gonna happen?”
“She didn’t say.”
The stake penetrated the skin just above her breast, causing her eyes to bug out in terror.
“I’m telling you the truth! I’m only back here because I left something here after we killed Jelly!”
Angel snarled in response.
“You’re holding back in fear of your queen, right? Look at it this way – you’ll either die now or be tortured later. You choose.”
“She…she was speaking on the telephone to someone. I didn’t get much…but I heard a few words. She saw me…and threatened to claw my eyes out if I repeated a word!”
Angel spoke softly. “Ok…just settle down. Tell us the truth and Dru won’t hear a word about this. If you don’t…”
Spike, abandoning his “good cop” routine, leaned close to her.
“Then it’s death or blindness now, init? What’ll it be, pet?”
“I only remember her saying something about staples.”
There was a long silence. Angel spoke tonelessly.
“Staples.”
“Yes. That’s all I remember. I swear.”
Spike tilted his head.
“We’re supposed to believe Dru was orderin’ bloody office supplies?”
She closed her eyes. “You may as well kill me now. I’ve failed through my foolishness.”
Angel shook his head. “Anything else?”
She began to shake her head, but he pushed the stake in further, partially penetrating bone.
“Two days! It happens in two days!!”
“What happens? Where?”
She spoke through sobs.
“I don’t know! She said it was an extra special treat for anyone who cleans their plate and does Mommy’s washing! That’s it, I mean it this time!! Please…”
The vampires shared a look, silently agreeing that she’d told them all she knew. Angel glanced back at her, shaking his head.
“I have to know…why would you come back here, of all places? You had to know someone might be looking.”
The girl sniffed. “My teddy bear.”
Again there was a long moment of quiet.
“Did you say-“
“I can’t get to sleep until I talk to Mr. Matt! I’ve had him forever. Our queen has these-”
“Dollies.” Spike interrupted. “We know.” He looked at Angel with a shake of his head. “Criteria for siring’s gone all to hell.”
“I thought she would understand.” The girl’s eyes were pleading.
Angel nodded. “She might.”
He shoved the stake all the way in, turning the vampire to dust.
“We’ll never know.”
**************************************
Dawn’s lip curled into a snarl as she entered the front door of Wolfram and Hart. Even though it was three in the morning, Lilah’s office light was on. Dawn knew the schematics of the building well enough to recognize it from the outside.
Ok, showtime.
She was surprised – and more than a little wary – when security made no move to stop her as she boarded the elevator. Still, she’d come this far. Hitting the button for the 10th floor, she looked nervously from the floor to the ceiling, looking for some kind of gas to come seeping out.
Someone’s been watching too many Bond movies, Dawn. Chill out, already.
The doors slid open without incident. Before she had time to convince herself to turn around, Dawn opened the door to the outer office of Lilah’s suite. A woman, presumably her private secretary, stood in surprise.
“Do you have an appointment?”
Dawn didn’t break stride. “Just dropping by.”
The woman moved to intercept her. “I’m sorry, but you can’t just walk in-“
The punch came from nowhere; the back of Nicki’s head hit the floor hard, causing her eyes to roll back before losing consciousness. Dawn spared her a brief glance before moving into Lilah’s private office.
“Lilah.”
The lawyer looked up with a bright smile. “Hey there, Dawn. Golly, if I’d known you were coming, I would’ve ordered a Happy Meal.”
Dawn stood in front of Lilah’s desk, opening and closing her fists.
“You had to know I was coming after the stunt you pulled.”
Lilah’s smile didn’t waver. “Well, you could have just called. Oh wait…did the phone break down at the Undead Plaza again?”
“Some things require the personal touch.”
If it was possible, Lilah’s smile grew even wider. “Oooh…that sounded ominous. Now I’m all tingly. Please…have a seat.”
“I’ll stand.” Dawn swallowed hard, finding it hard to keep her mind on her purpose. Every instinct she had screamed for her to leap across the desk. “What gives you the right-“
“Hold on, now.” Lilah held up a hand. “Obviously you’ve learned about our operations over the last year or so.”
“Spying on Wes and me at the beach? That’s an operation? I’d call it stalking.”
Lilah raised an eyebrow. “Ok, clearly someone hasn’t been filling you in on how this whole deal works. Angel’s people watch us; we watch them.”
“Bullshit.”
“Whoa now! Does the blonde avenger know you use words like that?”
“She doesn’t know I’m here. This is between you and me. Or at least I thought it was.”
“Meaning?”
“You weren’t able to take him from me on your own. So you did a little end-run, right?”
Lilah’s smile flew away as Dawn continued.
“You decided to get my family involved in things that were nobody’s business but Wesley’s and mine. You always tell me how young and inexperienced I am…so please enlighten me, Lilah: is this what a woman has to do when she can’t keep a man?”
The lawyer spoke slowly. “The last time we spoke I believe I gave you fair warning: you’re playing in the wrong league. That was in neutral territory. Take a look around you, Dawn. Then ask yourself if you should mind your manners.”
Now Dawn chose to sit, crossing her legs as she surveyed the room.
“It’s not as if I had a hard time getting in here.”
“Getting in is the easy part.”
“That’s not how I hear it. Angel says there are these neat little supernatural filter thingies. Guess they don’t work so well.”
Lilah’s face was the picture of confusion. “Supernatural…oh!” She began to laugh. “You actually think your little ‘Key’ thing is important enough to be factored in? Come on, Dawnie, we’ve been over this. You have no real power.”
“Go see what your secretary has to say about that…when she wakes up.”
Lilah leaned back in her chair. “Is that what that was? I thought she broke another coffee pot. Huh. I didn’t even hear a struggle.”
“Good reason for that. Want a demonstration?”
“If you even think of laying a hand on me you won’t see daylight. Trust me when I tell you that.”
Dawn smiled coldly.
“What you did with those pictures? It isn’t going to work. Not forever.”
Lilah tilted her head. “It never had to work forever. Dawn…even you’re perceptive enough to see the look in his eyes when we’re in the same room. We had our issues…but never where it really mattered. Thing is, he’s very noble, my Wes. Once he commits to something, that’s the ball game…no matter who he really wants.”
“You don’t know him at all.”
“I know men, honey. The smartest man in the world can be the simplest damn person you’ll ever meet…under the right circumstances. Take that as free advice. So…I take it Buffy put the kibosh on you crazy kids?”
Dawn stiffened. “She doesn’t run my-“
“See, that just shows how naïve you are. Buffy will do anything to protect her little sister…and Wesley knows it. I’ll bet every dime I have he was scared to death she’d find out. Tell me I’m wrong.”
There was silence. Lilah nodded.
“There you go. Dawn, all I did was help him find his way. I appreciate your coming all the way down here to let me know, though. I’ll see if I can convince Nicki not to press charges-”
Lilah started slightly when Dawn abruptly rose to her feet. She raised her eyebrow.
“Little jumpy, aren’t we?”
“I thought you were considering trying something stupid.”
Lilah reached for her phone and pressed a button.
(Yes, Miss Morgan?)
“Come into my office.”
(Yes, ma’am.)
Within seconds two beefy men entered the room. Lilah nodded her head toward Dawn.
“Please escort Lolita out of the building.”
Dawn placed her hands flat on Lilah’s desk and leaned toward her with burning eyes.
“This isn’t over.”
Lilah rolled her eyes. “Spare me the dramatic exit. This was over before it started.”
One of the men took Dawn’s arm, but the look he received caused him to instinctively pull away. Dawn spoke with a distinct edge in her voice.
“I know my way out.”
She kept her eyes on Lilah as they left the office. After a moment, Lilah called through the door.
“Oh, and send custodial to peel Nicki off the floor!”
*********************************
“What the bloody Hell does Dru want with staples?”
Angel shrugged. “Torture device?”
Spike just looked at him.
“Well, I don’t hear a fountain of ideas coming from you.”
They’d spent a few more minutes in the neighborhood, but outside of a few whispered suggestions – one of which would’ve made Angel blush, if such a thing was possible – they’d heard nothing more of use.
“We go left here?”
Angel nodded. They walked past the shelter Faith had taken them to hours earlier; Spike stared at the iron bars that covered the windows as he spoke softly.
“Gonna have to kill her.”
There was a beat of silence. “I know.”
They passed the murals.
“It’s what I do now.”
Angel looked at him. “Yeah.”
“I mean, when it comes down to it, just another vampire, right?”
They turned another corner, approaching the car.
“No.”
Spike stopped walking. “No?”
“She’s my responsibility. One I should have dealt with a long time ago.”
“Wasn’t a simple matter though, was it? Up until a coupla years ago, you’d have had to go through me.”
“Right.”
They got into the car.
“Wrong.”
Spike frowned. “Wrong?”
“That’s a convenient reason, but it isn’t the real one. I let Dru slide.” He looked at Spike. “WE let her slide.”
Spike said nothing for a long time as Angel pulled out of the parking garage.
“Could’ve done her in Sunnydale when I saw her last. Had her right there next to me. Buffy knew it. Had the grace not to make a point of it, but…”
“Why can’t we? Just do it?”
Spike sighed. “’Cause she’s not just another vampire. She’s ours.”
That created another long silence.
“I didn’t even know she was in LA,” Angel said. “I…used to just know.”
Spike picked at his duster. “Used to think Dru’d never come back to these parts. Find her niche somewhere else. Fresh start, and all.” He chuckled. “Should’ve known she couldn’t stay away forever.”
“She’s far more dangerous than the average vampire, because…” Angel cleared his throat. “…because I made her that way.”
Spike looked out the window, watching East LA slowly fade into the distance as they crossed the river.
“We couldn’t be everywhere. Can’t chase down every single vampire in the world.”
“We should have chased this one.”
Spike looked down. “Yeah.”
They came to a stop. Angel looked at his old partner, the traffic light dimly painting his pale skin with a reddish hue. A mural in itself.
“It ends here.”
Spike met Angel’s stare. As the light turned green, he nodded.
“Our mess. We clean it up.”
***********************************
Wesley’s brow furrowed with concern when he saw Dawn walking quickly toward him with her head down.
“Dawn? Are you all-“
She cut him off by raising her hand, speaking softly as she brushed past.
“I don’t show up on the mojo radar.”
He followed her to the car. “Are you certain?”
Dawn paused as she reached for the handle. She turned to face him with determined eyes.
“The mission is a go. For both of us.”
*********************************
Giles smiled softly.
“Your child, Willow.”
The witch’s eyes shone.
“Tell me. It isn’t evil, is it?”
“Certainly not.
Your instincts were correct. In
time, this child will change the world as we know it. A child blessed with power far greater than any human has
possessed before.”
Tears fell from Willow’s eyes. “The child is human?”
Giles looked upon her kindly.
“Of course.
Human…and so much more.”
Buffy put her hand on Willow’s shoulder before speaking.
“I have to ask.
How?”
Giles opened his mouth to speak, then hesitated. Buffy shook her head.
“Don’t give me that ‘not allowed to share’ routine. She has a right to know how this happened.”
“You misunderstand me, Buffy. I will explain…but first, there is something I must ask of you.”
He looked from Buffy to Xander. “Touch Willow’s stomach.”
Xander frowned.
“Huh?”
Giles nodded toward Willow. “Both of you. Please.”
Buffy and Xander exchanged looks, then looked to Willow,
who simply shook her head in confusion.
After giving Giles another questioning glance, Buffy gave Xander a nod. Together, they placed their hands over her
belly…
And were thrown backward. Willow gasped, looking down at her own stomach in fear. Giles spoke quickly.
“It’s all right.
Don’t be alarmed, Willow.”
“Why…why did that…”
“Wait.”
Buffy lay ten feet away, breathing heavily. Propping herself up by her elbows, she
stared at Willow…then at Giles. Tears
sprang from her widened eyes; her voice was merely a hoarse whisper.
“Giles, what…what did you do?”
He responded just as softly.
“What did you feel?”
Buffy tried to blink away her tears, but they couldn’t
seem to stop. She looked at Willow,
shaking her head.
“It…it felt like…”
“Mine,” Xander finished, his own eyes glazed over. He stared at Willow and Buffy.
“Ours?” he asked in disbelief.
Giles smiled. “So
it is.”
He turned to Willow. “Willow, I’m honored to introduce your child’s other parents.”
- End Chapter Twenty-one -