A Deeper Shade of Green
usual disclaimers apply
Cordelia slammed the book shut causing a huge cloud of ancient dust to billow into her face. She sneezed. Angel and Wesley started but she regained her composure and smiled at them, "Sneeze. No visions attached."
The two men sunk back into their seats and Angel stirred uneasily,
"Bless you."
"Thanks."
Wesley cleared his throat for attention and returned to the matter at hand,"Angel, there are plenty of couples in Los Angeles who are evry much in love, you can't stop this thing before it hurts or even kills one of them."
"No. I can. We'll just open a portal for it someplace else."
"And where do you propose this place should be?"
"Somewhere closer to this demon's origin. Sunnydale."
The ex-watcher doubted his friend's sense in choosing the home of the Hellmouth for their next day trip - all expenses paid. Angel saw the look on his face,
"It'll rise faster, giving me the chance to vanquish it before anyone is hurt."
Cordy's brow furrowed in confusion,
"So, you're gonna kiss Buffy infront of this Lurve Demon, kill it then try and pretend nothing happened? Somehow I think that won't work."
"No. And it's not a Lurve Dem - "
Wesley cut him off,
"He can't use tha Slayer as bait. It would...open old wounds, would it not?"
"Yeah."
Cordy was no more enlightened than before,
"But there's no way Willow would do it, she's not that kinda girl!"
The vampire again shifted uneasliy in his chair,
"Actually, I..er..*we* were thinking you could do it."
"Ohhh....What?! Ohhh no, you're not sending me to Sunnyhell with a label on my back saying "eat me". Okay?"
"I'm only gonna kiss you."
Sighing inwardly, Wesley left Angel and Cordelia to battle it out and returned 10 minutes to see the results. Cordy was pacing the room,
"Okay. Fine. I'll do it." Then she pointed a warning finger at Angel, "You may have won the battle, Deadboy, but you have so totally *not* won the war!"
Both men watched as she swept upstairs to pack her essentials for the trip to Sunnydale. As soon as he was sure she was out of earshot, Angel snorted indignantly,
"As if I'd be so desperate to kiss *her*."
Wesley raised an eyebrow in accusation but the vampire cut him off,
"I do *not* like her! At least......not in that way."
Wesley looked through the car window as he watched Angel and Cordelia approach the park. He bit his lip in concern then began to chant, calling forth the "Lurve Demon". He continued his chant as he saw the "couple" kissing and the demon seemed to materialise before them.
Throwing Cordy out of the way, the vampire drew out a long sacrificial blade and plunged it into the demon's throat. It died. Just like that. No big.
Buffy turned away. She'd seen them kissing but her instant jealousy had blinded her to the appearance of the "Lurve Demon". Blinking back the tears of heartbreak and rage that threatened to fall, she gathered herself together and made her way home. Patrol was over for tonight.
"He *what*?!"
The Wiccan simply could not believe what her friend was telling her.
"No way would he do that...but..."
Buffy nodded, her face deadly serious. Willow shook her head slowly in utter disbelief,
"But she's *her*. She's...she's...*Cordelia*!"
"I know."
"And he's Angel."
"I know."
"And they *so* don't go!"
"But they do, I saw it."
The red-head suddenly turned very serious,
"What're you gonna do? I mean you can't just walk right up to him and say 'Guess what, I saw you and Cordelia making out.'...can you?"
"No. Nevermind, I can deal."
"Sure?"
"Sure. Nothing but bouncy happies for the Buffster. I can deal."
Willow watched as her friend marched out of the magic shop, an air of determination and purpose about her. This was bad.
Spike leant against a tree, smoking. You could tell by the growing pile of cigarettes that he'd ben there a while. He took one last drag from his current cigarette and put it out with his heel,
"I know I chip-free but you don't need to keep a tag on me." He turned to face her, "If you're that desperate, you can g me a bleeper."
Buffy ignored his torments and smiled sweetly,
"Just wanted to ask a favour."
"And I'm s'posed to do what? Fall on my knees and shout every wish is my command? I think not."
He turned and began to walk away. She pressed further, following him,
"Angel's in town."
"Means nothing to me except maybe there'll be another demon on my list for a while - a personal vendetta if you will."
"I need your help. I have...an issue."
"Astonish me."
"I need you to be my boyfriend."
The vampire froze and swivelled round to face her,
"Come again?"
"My boyfriend. You."
"Ohhh no, never!"
"Just till he goes back to LA!"
The desperation in her voice made him smile,
"You're pleading with me aren't you?"
She tensed and glared at him,
"The Slayer? Plead?" He raised an eyebrow and she relented, "Fine! I am! Look!" She got down on her knees, much to Spike's amusement.
"See? On my knees. Now oh *mighty* Spike will you be my boyfriend till Angel leaves town?"
He made a show of pacing infront of her and rubbing his chin as if deep in thought,
"Let me think.......that would have to be a.......I'd have to saaaay...no."
He began to walk away again. She scrambled to her feet and ran after him,
"Please? I'll pay you!"
He paused,
"Money's good. Keep talking."
"You have a *flat*?"
"Yes. A flat. Why do you find that so hard to comprehend?"
Buffy was astonished,
"A flat? Like what normal guys have?"
"Uh, yes. Anyway, enough with the dumb blonde routine. Why me?"
They stood in the escalator, waiting to get to Spike's floor,
"You lie better. Besides, I remember you saying you were good with that sorta thing, y'know the women and carnage thing?"
"I..um..didn't mean with the whole *dating* process...more like my...er...bed routine."
Buffy blushed,
"Ohhh, yeah. I get it now. So the rest of it was about...?"
Spike nodded slightly embarrassed,
"Yes. It was."
"So you....Ewwww!"
"Do you mind?"
"Oh, sorry."
There was a *ping* and Spike stepped up towards the door,
"That's our cue, c'm on."
They waited a couple of seconds as the recorded message carried out its task,
"The door is opening."
Stepping out, the human looked up and down the corridor,
"Which one is yours?"
"The most expensive. This way."
He led her down the corridor till they came to the very end. Buffy smiled, looking at the room number,
"Room 101. Your choice or pure coincidence?"
"Neither, it was just there."
"Which would make it a coincidence."
"Whatever."
Shifting his brown paper grocery bag to the other arm, the vampire fumbled around in his back jean pocket for his keys,
"Bugger, can't reach them."
He looked at her imploringly, and she shook her head violently,
"No way am I going anywhere near your ass!"
Spike huffed indignantly,
"Fine then, hold this."
He dumped the bag in her arms and fished in his pocket for the keys. Pulling them out, he sorted through them for the right one and fitted it into the lock.
"What would a vampire want with so many keys?"
"One for the flat, one for the car, and the others are for the back door to Willy's Place - s'where I get my lunch, the key to Giles' place - don't ask how I got that one and the keys to every set of handcuffs the Sunnyhell coppers own."
The door creaked open and they stepped inside, Buffy was astonished. The walls of the main room were painted a warm orangey-red and the carpet was cream. The furniture went with the color scheme and the window looked out overthe landscaped section of Sunnydale park. It was nice. Very nice. Spike felt a tinge of pride as he saw her gaze around in approval,
"You like it?"
"Hell, yeah! It's great!....but so....not vamp-like."
He shrugged,
"Well if I'm gonna stay it might aswell be how I like it." He indicated to the 3 seat sofa which was positioned right infront of the brand new TV, "Make yourself at home. I've just got to put this stuff away."
Buffy sat on the sofa - also new and turned on the telly,
"What channels you got?"
Spike's voice called from the kitchen,
"Most, I think. But no Disney or Cartoon Network, they always play the same stuff."
She smiled,
"I couldn't agree with you more."
"Want a drink? I've got Coke, Lemonade, beer and uh...blood."
"Can I have a Cola?"
He came back in carrying two drinks, a cola for her, and a blood for him. Gratefully taking the glass from him, she watched as he sat at the opposite end of the sofa then whistled,
"Phew, this is *so* wierd."
"Does your mother know you're here?"
"Oh purleez! I'm nearly 20!"
"Okay, fine. Does your *Watcher* know you're here?"
"No. He thinks I'm at Willow's."
"Tut tut. Naughty girl. 'Ere, change over, ER's on in a minute."
Buffy changed the channel then turned to who used to be her arch nemesis,
"So how's this supposed to help me get back at Angel?"
"Funny you should ask that, I was going to ask the same question."
"Oh."
"Ditto."
"Ooh, I know. We can practice."
"Practice what, exactly?"
"Y'know, things couples do."
"I won't sleep with you on the first date...depending on who you are."
"That's *not* what I meant...I meant...like...holding hands...and stuff."
"Stuff...what? You want me to kiss you? Ugh!"
"Uh, not on the first date."
"Okay. And about the holding hands thing..."
Buffy looked at him and grabbed his hand. Shifting her grip to the traditional holding of the hands tecnique, she looked at him. He was clearly distressed. She frowned,
"What's the matter?...is it me?"
"No, Pet. Not at all...it's your hand."
The sun had risen in LA and Wesley clambered out of bed and picked the phone on hs bedside table. Dialling the oh-so familiar number of Angel's flat. It was no use, the vampire had left the phone off the hook, evidently wanting to get some sleep. So the ex-watcher dialled Cordy's number. He heard the click as the phne was picked up, but when the person at the other end answered in morse-code by means of tapping a spoon handle on the mouth-piece, he knew it was only Dennis and that Cordy wasn't home. Getting fed up, Wesley got washed and dressed and went to see if Angel really was asleep. If he was, his answer machine would have been on and it wasn't.
Rounding the corner, Wesley stopped as he saw Angel's front door. It was wide open and hanging off it's hinges. An alarm went off in Wesley's head as he moved closer, seeing the pool of blood on the carpet. As he stepped through the doorway, he thought he was going to be sick. The pool of blood led from the doorway to the bed, where Cordelia lay peaceful and still. Fearing her to be dead, Wesley went to check her pulse, but quickly drew back as he saw her slashed neck, the work of fangs.
Tears rolling down his cheeks, he looked around him, his gze falling on a peace of folded parchment on the desk. Unfolding it, Wesley read it out.
** Many thanks for the invitation to dinner. Sorry I couldn't stay for breakfast. By the way, Cordelia's a great girl but nextime someone really must remind her of the whole ultimate-happiness gig before she jumps into bed with me.
Eternally grateful in more ways than one,
Angel**
Willow smiled at her friend,
"So, how'd things go with Spike?"
"Well, since Angel left last night, we decided it was a one of - never to be repeated. But we had a great time watching ER."
"Quality time watching the well reputed ER. Sounds like great fun."
Buffy nodded cheerily,
"It does. But not when you've got Mr. I've-dismembered-too-many-people-in-my-lifetime-to-know-that-that-would'nt-happen is sitting in the same room ananlysing every procedure."
"Well, I guess it would help if it was more realistic."
Buffy shook her head,
"No, I get realistic every night in my life, I want TV to be blissfully make-believe....which...it is."
Willow watched her friend as she babbled on about her night with Spike. She knew what was coming next - the Slayer had a crush on this guy, and the crush was getting bigger.
Angelus stepped off the train and breathed in the fresh air. The air tinged with the scent of dinner. He strolled through Sunnydale train-station, inhaling the tantalysing smell of so much blood from so many humans, and all in one room. He could hardly control himself. Sauntering through the two-way swinging doors and out onto the streets. Again he breathed in deeply, this time the air was laced with fear. Fear and passion. He glanced around as he saw the predator seducing his prey and as a young couple strolled past and stopped behind a tree for a quick makeout session. This was all very amusing but he wanted some real action. He watched as a pack of high-school kids made they way to the only feature of Sunnyhell's night life that wasn't lethal. The Bronze. He grinned maliciously,
"Time for lunch."
Angelus stood on the balcony and gazed down on the cattle below him. The sensual rhythm of the music stirred seductive motions and the candles scattered around displayed the warmth and passion on their faces. Giving his beer one last, laid back sip he slowly made his way down the staircase, all his vampiric senses reaching out to her, willing her to sense his prescence. She was here, he'd seen her come in with her wiccan friend and her girlfriend, whatsisname...Tara.He could see the red-headed witch in the corner, but no Buffy. He reverted his attention back to the dance floor...someone else was here too.
Spike had caught sight of his old adversary and stared intently at him as his eyes made their way across the room to him. A wicked smile played across Angel's lips and and he turned his eyes to the petite blonde who'd just returned to her friends after persuing one of his kindred. She did not see either vampires as she sat beside her friends, and began to talk enthusiastically about guys. Lip-reading across the room, Angelus realised who they were talking about. Spike.
usual disclaimers apply
Cordelia slammed the book shut causing a huge cloud of ancient dust to billow into her face. She sneezed. Angel and Wesley started but she regained her composure and smiled at them, "Sneeze. No visions attached."
The two men sunk back into their seats and Angel stirred uneasily,
"Bless you."
"Thanks."
Wesley cleared his throat for attention and returned to the matter at hand,"Angel, there are plenty of couples in Los Angeles who are evry much in love, you can't stop this thing before it hurts or even kills one of them."
"No. I can. We'll just open a portal for it someplace else."
"And where do you propose this place should be?"
"Somewhere closer to this demon's origin. Sunnydale."
The ex-watcher doubted his friend's sense in choosing the home of the Hellmouth for their next day trip - all expenses paid. Angel saw the look on his face,
"It'll rise faster, giving me the chance to vanquish it before anyone is hurt."
Cordy's brow furrowed in confusion,
"So, you're gonna kiss Buffy infront of this Lurve Demon, kill it then try and pretend nothing happened? Somehow I think that won't work."
"No. And it's not a Lurve Dem - "
Wesley cut him off,
"He can't use tha Slayer as bait. It would...open old wounds, would it not?"
"Yeah."
Cordy was no more enlightened than before,
"But there's no way Willow would do it, she's not that kinda girl!"
The vampire again shifted uneasliy in his chair,
"Actually, I..er..*we* were thinking you could do it."
"Ohhh....What?! Ohhh no, you're not sending me to Sunnyhell with a label on my back saying "eat me". Okay?"
"I'm only gonna kiss you."
Sighing inwardly, Wesley left Angel and Cordelia to battle it out and returned 10 minutes to see the results. Cordy was pacing the room,
"Okay. Fine. I'll do it." Then she pointed a warning finger at Angel, "You may have won the battle, Deadboy, but you have so totally *not* won the war!"
Both men watched as she swept upstairs to pack her essentials for the trip to Sunnydale. As soon as he was sure she was out of earshot, Angel snorted indignantly,
"As if I'd be so desperate to kiss *her*."
Wesley raised an eyebrow in accusation but the vampire cut him off,
"I do *not* like her! At least......not in that way."
Wesley looked through the car window as he watched Angel and Cordelia approach the park. He bit his lip in concern then began to chant, calling forth the "Lurve Demon". He continued his chant as he saw the "couple" kissing and the demon seemed to materialise before them.
Throwing Cordy out of the way, the vampire drew out a long sacrificial blade and plunged it into the demon's throat. It died. Just like that. No big.
Buffy turned away. She'd seen them kissing but her instant jealousy had blinded her to the appearance of the "Lurve Demon". Blinking back the tears of heartbreak and rage that threatened to fall, she gathered herself together and made her way home. Patrol was over for tonight.
"He *what*?!"
The Wiccan simply could not believe what her friend was telling her.
"No way would he do that...but..."
Buffy nodded, her face deadly serious. Willow shook her head slowly in utter disbelief,
"But she's *her*. She's...she's...*Cordelia*!"
"I know."
"And he's Angel."
"I know."
"And they *so* don't go!"
"But they do, I saw it."
The red-head suddenly turned very serious,
"What're you gonna do? I mean you can't just walk right up to him and say 'Guess what, I saw you and Cordelia making out.'...can you?"
"No. Nevermind, I can deal."
"Sure?"
"Sure. Nothing but bouncy happies for the Buffster. I can deal."
Willow watched as her friend marched out of the magic shop, an air of determination and purpose about her. This was bad.
Spike leant against a tree, smoking. You could tell by the growing pile of cigarettes that he'd ben there a while. He took one last drag from his current cigarette and put it out with his heel,
"I know I chip-free but you don't need to keep a tag on me." He turned to face her, "If you're that desperate, you can g me a bleeper."
Buffy ignored his torments and smiled sweetly,
"Just wanted to ask a favour."
"And I'm s'posed to do what? Fall on my knees and shout every wish is my command? I think not."
He turned and began to walk away. She pressed further, following him,
"Angel's in town."
"Means nothing to me except maybe there'll be another demon on my list for a while - a personal vendetta if you will."
"I need your help. I have...an issue."
"Astonish me."
"I need you to be my boyfriend."
The vampire froze and swivelled round to face her,
"Come again?"
"My boyfriend. You."
"Ohhh no, never!"
"Just till he goes back to LA!"
The desperation in her voice made him smile,
"You're pleading with me aren't you?"
She tensed and glared at him,
"The Slayer? Plead?" He raised an eyebrow and she relented, "Fine! I am! Look!" She got down on her knees, much to Spike's amusement.
"See? On my knees. Now oh *mighty* Spike will you be my boyfriend till Angel leaves town?"
He made a show of pacing infront of her and rubbing his chin as if deep in thought,
"Let me think.......that would have to be a.......I'd have to saaaay...no."
He began to walk away again. She scrambled to her feet and ran after him,
"Please? I'll pay you!"
He paused,
"Money's good. Keep talking."
"You have a *flat*?"
"Yes. A flat. Why do you find that so hard to comprehend?"
Buffy was astonished,
"A flat? Like what normal guys have?"
"Uh, yes. Anyway, enough with the dumb blonde routine. Why me?"
They stood in the escalator, waiting to get to Spike's floor,
"You lie better. Besides, I remember you saying you were good with that sorta thing, y'know the women and carnage thing?"
"I..um..didn't mean with the whole *dating* process...more like my...er...bed routine."
Buffy blushed,
"Ohhh, yeah. I get it now. So the rest of it was about...?"
Spike nodded slightly embarrassed,
"Yes. It was."
"So you....Ewwww!"
"Do you mind?"
"Oh, sorry."
There was a *ping* and Spike stepped up towards the door,
"That's our cue, c'm on."
They waited a couple of seconds as the recorded message carried out its task,
"The door is opening."
Stepping out, the human looked up and down the corridor,
"Which one is yours?"
"The most expensive. This way."
He led her down the corridor till they came to the very end. Buffy smiled, looking at the room number,
"Room 101. Your choice or pure coincidence?"
"Neither, it was just there."
"Which would make it a coincidence."
"Whatever."
Shifting his brown paper grocery bag to the other arm, the vampire fumbled around in his back jean pocket for his keys,
"Bugger, can't reach them."
He looked at her imploringly, and she shook her head violently,
"No way am I going anywhere near your ass!"
Spike huffed indignantly,
"Fine then, hold this."
He dumped the bag in her arms and fished in his pocket for the keys. Pulling them out, he sorted through them for the right one and fitted it into the lock.
"What would a vampire want with so many keys?"
"One for the flat, one for the car, and the others are for the back door to Willy's Place - s'where I get my lunch, the key to Giles' place - don't ask how I got that one and the keys to every set of handcuffs the Sunnyhell coppers own."
The door creaked open and they stepped inside, Buffy was astonished. The walls of the main room were painted a warm orangey-red and the carpet was cream. The furniture went with the color scheme and the window looked out overthe landscaped section of Sunnydale park. It was nice. Very nice. Spike felt a tinge of pride as he saw her gaze around in approval,
"You like it?"
"Hell, yeah! It's great!....but so....not vamp-like."
He shrugged,
"Well if I'm gonna stay it might aswell be how I like it." He indicated to the 3 seat sofa which was positioned right infront of the brand new TV, "Make yourself at home. I've just got to put this stuff away."
Buffy sat on the sofa - also new and turned on the telly,
"What channels you got?"
Spike's voice called from the kitchen,
"Most, I think. But no Disney or Cartoon Network, they always play the same stuff."
She smiled,
"I couldn't agree with you more."
"Want a drink? I've got Coke, Lemonade, beer and uh...blood."
"Can I have a Cola?"
He came back in carrying two drinks, a cola for her, and a blood for him. Gratefully taking the glass from him, she watched as he sat at the opposite end of the sofa then whistled,
"Phew, this is *so* wierd."
"Does your mother know you're here?"
"Oh purleez! I'm nearly 20!"
"Okay, fine. Does your *Watcher* know you're here?"
"No. He thinks I'm at Willow's."
"Tut tut. Naughty girl. 'Ere, change over, ER's on in a minute."
Buffy changed the channel then turned to who used to be her arch nemesis,
"So how's this supposed to help me get back at Angel?"
"Funny you should ask that, I was going to ask the same question."
"Oh."
"Ditto."
"Ooh, I know. We can practice."
"Practice what, exactly?"
"Y'know, things couples do."
"I won't sleep with you on the first date...depending on who you are."
"That's *not* what I meant...I meant...like...holding hands...and stuff."
"Stuff...what? You want me to kiss you? Ugh!"
"Uh, not on the first date."
"Okay. And about the holding hands thing..."
Buffy looked at him and grabbed his hand. Shifting her grip to the traditional holding of the hands tecnique, she looked at him. He was clearly distressed. She frowned,
"What's the matter?...is it me?"
"No, Pet. Not at all...it's your hand."
The sun had risen in LA and Wesley clambered out of bed and picked the phone on hs bedside table. Dialling the oh-so familiar number of Angel's flat. It was no use, the vampire had left the phone off the hook, evidently wanting to get some sleep. So the ex-watcher dialled Cordy's number. He heard the click as the phne was picked up, but when the person at the other end answered in morse-code by means of tapping a spoon handle on the mouth-piece, he knew it was only Dennis and that Cordy wasn't home. Getting fed up, Wesley got washed and dressed and went to see if Angel really was asleep. If he was, his answer machine would have been on and it wasn't.
Rounding the corner, Wesley stopped as he saw Angel's front door. It was wide open and hanging off it's hinges. An alarm went off in Wesley's head as he moved closer, seeing the pool of blood on the carpet. As he stepped through the doorway, he thought he was going to be sick. The pool of blood led from the doorway to the bed, where Cordelia lay peaceful and still. Fearing her to be dead, Wesley went to check her pulse, but quickly drew back as he saw her slashed neck, the work of fangs.
Tears rolling down his cheeks, he looked around him, his gze falling on a peace of folded parchment on the desk. Unfolding it, Wesley read it out.
** Many thanks for the invitation to dinner. Sorry I couldn't stay for breakfast. By the way, Cordelia's a great girl but nextime someone really must remind her of the whole ultimate-happiness gig before she jumps into bed with me.
Eternally grateful in more ways than one,
Angel**
Willow smiled at her friend,
"So, how'd things go with Spike?"
"Well, since Angel left last night, we decided it was a one of - never to be repeated. But we had a great time watching ER."
"Quality time watching the well reputed ER. Sounds like great fun."
Buffy nodded cheerily,
"It does. But not when you've got Mr. I've-dismembered-too-many-people-in-my-lifetime-to-know-that-that-would'nt-happen is sitting in the same room ananlysing every procedure."
"Well, I guess it would help if it was more realistic."
Buffy shook her head,
"No, I get realistic every night in my life, I want TV to be blissfully make-believe....which...it is."
Willow watched her friend as she babbled on about her night with Spike. She knew what was coming next - the Slayer had a crush on this guy, and the crush was getting bigger.
Angelus stepped off the train and breathed in the fresh air. The air tinged with the scent of dinner. He strolled through Sunnydale train-station, inhaling the tantalysing smell of so much blood from so many humans, and all in one room. He could hardly control himself. Sauntering through the two-way swinging doors and out onto the streets. Again he breathed in deeply, this time the air was laced with fear. Fear and passion. He glanced around as he saw the predator seducing his prey and as a young couple strolled past and stopped behind a tree for a quick makeout session. This was all very amusing but he wanted some real action. He watched as a pack of high-school kids made they way to the only feature of Sunnyhell's night life that wasn't lethal. The Bronze. He grinned maliciously,
"Time for lunch."
Angelus stood on the balcony and gazed down on the cattle below him. The sensual rhythm of the music stirred seductive motions and the candles scattered around displayed the warmth and passion on their faces. Giving his beer one last, laid back sip he slowly made his way down the staircase, all his vampiric senses reaching out to her, willing her to sense his prescence. She was here, he'd seen her come in with her wiccan friend and her girlfriend, whatsisname...Tara.He could see the red-headed witch in the corner, but no Buffy. He reverted his attention back to the dance floor...someone else was here too.
Spike had caught sight of his old adversary and stared intently at him as his eyes made their way across the room to him. A wicked smile played across Angel's lips and and he turned his eyes to the petite blonde who'd just returned to her friends after persuing one of his kindred. She did not see either vampires as she sat beside her friends, and began to talk enthusiastically about guys. Lip-reading across the room, Angelus realised who they were talking about. Spike.