Title: Paying Respect (A Passion/Military Ficlet)
Author: Lawrence Payne
Rating: PG
Cast: Angel & Riley.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. A whole slew of other people own these characters and concepts.
Comments: Constructive feedback is always appreciated. :)
Archiving: If you want to, sure. Feel free. Just tell me if you do.
Summary: Two old enemies meet on familiar ground.
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September 13th 2001. 9:45 PM EST. USA. New York. New York City.
"What the Hell are you doing here?" Riley asked Angel in a hostile tone as he watched him approach. Both men stood at the base of what was once the World Trade Center.
"Paying my respects." Angel answered. He carried a small bushel of flowers in his right hand.
"Lose some of your vampire buddies on 9/11?" Riley mocked.
Angel did not respond.
"How insensitive of me," Riley stated in a voice of obvious insincerity. "I didn't realize how much the vampire community has suffered because of this. Just think, all of those perfectly good meals, gone. Up in smoke."
Angel charged at Riley with inhuman speed. Riley braced himself for combat. Angel stopped his charge less than an inch away from the Initiative soldier. Both men locked eyes.
"I'm not here to mourn vampires," Angel stated, mirroring Riley's hostile tone. "And I'm not here to listen to you insult me. I'm here to pay my respects to the people who lost their lives here. Why are you here?"
Riley stared at the vampire for a minute before he answered, "Investigating."
"You're some kind of cop now?"
"Investigating my enemy. This was an act of pure evil. I am an American soldier. I fight evil."
"Well, so do I." Angel said.
Angel stepped back from Riley. The souled vampire gently laid the flowers on the rubble-laden ground before turning away from Riley. As he walked away he repeated, "So do I."
END
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