Lady Faire

14

A Typical Day at the Office

Angel just barely made it to the elevator to the senior partner's suite as the door began to close. He held it as he spotted Wesley hurrying towards it as well, even though it earned him a glare from Spike.

"Okay, what's going on?" he inquired, once the elevator had begun its ascent.

"Ask the Watcher," Spike grated, glaring at Wesley. "I didn't even know Rose was at home."

"She took a personal day." Wes fought to keep from sounding defensive. After all, he hadn't done anything wrong.

"Calm down, Spike," Angel said firmly. "Right now we need to know what happened."

Spike looked in frustration at the slowly passing numbers above the doors, hating that this was still the quickest way to get to his beloved. He frowned, both in consternation and concentration as he dredged up the phone call that had sent him up here, giving orders to one of his men to call Angel and strongly suggest he do likewise. "Couldn't make much out of it 'cept that she was terrified, poor pet. I think I caught something about someone else being there too."

"I hope it doesn't turn out to be just another spider," Wesley commented. He thought about it and changed his mind. "On second thought, I hope that is all it is."

Spike shook his head. "I can tell when it's a spider," he stated in decidedly long-suffering tones. "Had enough practice at it, haven't I? Besides, it right threw me for a loop finding out she was at home 'stead of at work."

Even though the tension level, which had been climbing with each floor didn't noticeably dissipate, there was a collective sigh as a bell dinged and the door opened.

Rose, still dripping, swathed in a towel adequate for two or three people observed their entry just long enough to ascertain that they were friends and not foes.

Then, she flung herself into Spike's arms.

&

"Hey, Powers." The person addressing Alaric was nearly the stereotypical jock. It was the first time he'd even spoken to Alaric. "You get pretty good grades, don't you?"

"Enough to keep the 'rents off my back," Alaric answered cautiously. In his and Ariel's case, grades good enough to keep their parents off their backs were straight A's. But Alaric was being wary until he knew which way the wind blew.

The other nodded in a pretence of understanding. "That's what I thought," he commented. "Look, I forgot to study for today's test." Alaric didn't even have to read his mind to tell that was a lie. "So I need to copy off you."

"Nothing doing." Alaric edged away cautiously, trying to put space between himself and the hulk without the appearance of fear.

"It wasn't a request, moron," the jock stated. "I'm copying off your paper, and you're getting me a passing grade. It's that simple."

"It would have to be," Alaric rejoined thoughtfully. "What passes for your brain certainly wouldn't be able to handle anything complex."

A few of the gathering spectators snickered appreciatively. They liked someone with a little personal style, and Alaric certainly had that. But the way he was acting suggested to the audience that he also had a death wish. "Harmful" Harmon Bates was the star of the junior varsity football team, and used to getting what he wanted. And of showing his displeasure in the most painful way imaginable if he didn't get it.

"Was that a shot?" Bates demanded, starting to lose his temper. The fact that some of the people sniggering at him were girls did not help the situation.

"Are you really that stupid?" Alaric blurted out in disbelief. "'Cause if you are, you wouldn't be able to copy off my paper anyway. You have to be able to read."

"Powers, you are dogmeat," Bates hissed, shucking off his jacket as the onlookers backed off to give them some room.

For the record, Alaric was not the slightest bit afraid of Harmon Bates. He might be big and strong, but he wasn't vampire strong. And he wasn't particularly fast, even for a human. Not to mention that it had already been well established that he wasn't particularly bright. Alaric's dilemma lay in the fact that if he did kick this git's ass as easily as he thought he could, it would draw attention of an unwelcome nature to him. And being his father's son, he just couldn't bear the thought of dodging the fight and being considered a wuss. And while he had let his mouth lead a life of its own, he didn't think that was the main cause of his current problem. But be damned if he was going to let that waste of space get his good grade. He sized up his opponent, both physically and mentally, and came to a decision. He stepped up to "Harmful" until he was right up in his halitosis. For a long moment, nothing happened.

"Thought I was dogmeat," Alaric taunted. He really didn't want this, but he couldn't see any other way out. "It shouldn't be that hard, you're twice my size, (a slight exaggeration, but only a slight one). As an extra sting, he added, "That ought to really impress the girls, beating the crap out of a little guy."

Harmon blinked. Such thought processes as he had being exceedingly slow. He finally arrived at the conclusion that while beating up someone Alaric's size wouldn't exactly cover him in glory, backing down would be far, far worse. He gave Alaric a little shove, just testing the waters, as it were.

Alaric didn't budge.

The bully paused. Even that little love tap, in his experience, should have sent someone Alaric's size staggering back a few paces. The fact that it didn't bothered him. It also pissed him off. He'd show the sawed-off brainiac who was wearing a smirk that was just begging to be punched. Before he could make his muscles act on the thought, he was doubled up and on his knees, gasping for breath, while Alaric and his giggling entourage strolled away.

&

"I was just letting the water out of the tub," Rose was explaining. She was slightly more decent now, just, attired in a robe with her hair up in a towel. "Something just seemed.., not right, so I just stood there for a moment, listening." She paused to take a sip of her warmed-up coffee. "Then," she returned to her narrative, trying to keep a quaver out of her voice. "Just when I had about decided I was imagining things, I felt someone touch my face." A face which was, by now, milk-white from the horrified memory. "But there was no one there." Her voice departed altogether, and Spike, who had been hovering over the back of her chair like a sympathetic vulture, leaned down to hold her.

"I thought this place was warded for everything from spells to athlete's foot," Angel stated, getting upset on Rose's behalf. "So, what the hell happened to them?"

"Some types of wards have to be renewed periodically," Wesley explained, a little shame-facedly. "Since there's never been any real trouble in this apartment, we just never put priority on renewing the wards."

"Put those wards on priority now," Angel ordered. "Top priority. And while you're doing that, see if you can find out who or what was in here scaring the hell out of Rose."

&

As Alaric walked out of the building at the end of the day, three people converged on him. One, of course, was his friend and bandmate, Derek, with whom he was going home. The second was a guy named Justin from his science class, a member in good standing of the geek squad. The third, also of course, was his twin.

Ariel reached him first. "Are you terminally stupid?" she demanded. Before she could warm to her subject, she was interrupted.

Justin hadn't even heard Ariel, and was looking at Alaric almost as if he were in the presence of a deity. "I heard that you dropped "Harmful" Harmon," he crowed. "Man, you are freakin' awesome."

"I just sucker-punched him," Alaric admitted sheepishly. "The guy's seriously slow. Did you think I was just going to stand there and let him pound on me?" The last was said in defiant tones, and was pointedly aimed at his sister.

Ariel wavered between the desire to hit him and the desire to hug him. Finally deciding that neither would be cool, she settled for giving him a look that said they'd talk later. "I won't tell Mummy," she promised. "She'd probably have a stroke."

"Are you ready to go, or what?" asked Derek impatiently, totally unmoved by the drama of it all.

&

"You're late," Ariel observed, not showing the slightest bit of surprise at who had been delegated to pick her up. "Something come up at the office?"

Lindsey looked, and felt, somewhat less than comfortable. At first he'd been pleasantly surprised at being the twin's designated driver. At least, until all the bad news had been dumped on him. "Uh, where's your brother?" he stammered, stalling for time.

Ariel gave him a strange look. "He's gone to Derek's house, as usual," she informed him, and seeing from his expression it wasn't enough to produce enlightenment, added, "They're in a band together. They practice almost every day."

"Are they any good?" Somehow it seemed more difficult, having to tell Ariel without Alaric's thinly, or sometimes not so thinly, veiled hostility to shore up his spine.

Ariel shrugged. "I don't know," she admitted. "I haven't heard them yet." She looked at him quizzically. "You're not the usual driver, and you're awfully fidgety. So, what gives, Lindsey?"

&

"You going to be all right now, babe?" Spike inquired softly. "Or should I chuck it in for the rest of the day and stay with you?"

Rose found the notion extremely appealing, and seriously entertained it for one brief moment. Then, more than a little ruefully, she shook her head.

"I think I'd better get decent," she replied, rising to her feet. "This is starting to have the feel of an all hands on deck situation."

Wesley looked apologetic. "I hate to break into your personal day, Rose, but you're right. I could really use your help."

"Besides," Rose added. "I'd really like to find out just who it was that came in here and scared the bejesus out of me." With that remark, she left the room, presumably to get dressed, while Spike stared after her with his mouth open.

Despite the gravity of the situation, Angel and Wesley couldn't suppress a snicker.

&

"Have we given any thought as to what we're going to call ourselves?" Alaric asked of his band mates. "A band needs a name."

"How about 'Registered Sex Offenders'?" suggested the bass player.

Alaric buried his face in his hands.

&

"Well," Ariel remarked with a crooked little smile when Lindsey finished filling her in on the latest crisis. "I guess I wouldn't know what a quiet, normal life is anyway." It had taken considerable prompting to get the full story out of the tiny Texan. "So, why aren't we going home yet?"

"I'm under orders not to take you there until they let me know that all the wards are reinstated," the lawyer replied. "They must have thought it would take a while, because I've even been given company funds to take you guys out to dinner." He peered at the house in front of which they were parked. "At least, I'll take you guys to dinner if your brother ever decides to join us."

"He'll be out shortly," Ariel announced, having just received the news telepathically. "They were arguing over a name for a band, and he figured he'd better stick around if he wanted it to be something he could live with." Her face lit up. "Besides, there's a nice little Italian place not far from here that has the best fettuccine Alfredo."

"Did I hear someone mention food?" The rear door slammed shut as Alaric got in. "'Cause I'm starving."

&

"So, where would you like to go for dinner, pet?" Spike asked, as he relieved Rose of her briefcase.

"I don't know," Rose mumbled, looking perplexed. "In case it has escaped your attention, darling, I really don't have much experience with dining out. The children would probably have a better idea of a good place to eat than I do."

Spike was stymied as well. Rose was right. The kids, courtesy of assorted adopted aunts and uncles had gotten about more than their mother. But he wanted to take her somewhere better than a pre-packaged, fast-food joint. He glanced around in desperation, and found what he hoped was his salvation on this score. "Here, Lorne," he called out, catching the Pylean's attention as he was making his way to the door. "Know of any decent restaurants hereabouts?"

"Are you kidding?" Lorne joined them. "Spikester, you just hit the mother lode. There's hardly a place within a five mile radius that I haven't gotten indigestion at."

Rose beamed at him, and Spike hoped he was just kidding about the indigestion.

&

Lindsey sipped his glass of Chablis and watched his future brother-in-law in disbelief. "Where does he put it all?" he asked, in something akin to awe.

Ariel grinned. "We think there may be a portal in there somewhere," she replied. "The main thing to remember is keep well clear of his mouth when he's eating."

"I'm still a growing boy," Alaric mumbled through a mouthful of lasagna.

"Who are you planning to be when you grow up?" Lindsey queried. "King Kong? Besides, you're a vampire. You don't really need to eat at all, do you?"

"We still do, some," Ariel answered, seeing as her brother had just shoveled more lasagna into his mouth. "The doctors at Wolfram and Hart think it's because we're still growing, which is, after all, something most vampires don't do."

"True," Lindsey acknowledged. "But you don't eat like that."

"Of course not." Ariel got a haughty look on her face. "I have a girlish figure to maintain." Then, the facade dropped, and she laughed merrily. "I think it's just a gender thing, Lindsey."

&

Wesley dragged himself into Angel's office well past dark, and flopped unceremoniously into the nearest chair. "It's done," he announced. "The overtime for all those witches is going to cost quite a bit."

"And well worth the cost if it works," Angel pointed out. "You know I've never counted the cost where Rose and the kids were concerned, Wes."

"Just Spike, eh?" Wesley jibed, grinning.

Angel sighed, but otherwise ignored the question, which was probably rhetorical, anyway. "You're absolutely certain that all the wards that are supposed to be there are there?"

Wyndham-Pryce nodded wearily. "Nothing corporeal or incorporeal can enter the place uninvited without setting off dozens of alarms."

"Good." Angel picked up his cell phone. "I'll just call everybody and give them the all clear. He glanced at his head of research. "Why don't you pack it in for home and get some rest, Wes?"

"Thank you." Wesley yawned hugely. "I think I shall."

&

"Your parents would completely flip out if they heard about that," Lindsey remarked. Ariel had been moved to give him the embellished version of Alaric's fight, that being the only one she had heard. "Why didn't you just walk away?"

"And wear a sign saying wimp here, kick my ass, for the rest of high school?"

"You aren't going to tell them, are you, Lindsey?"

Lindsey got it from both directions at once. He held up his hands in mock surrender. "No, I'm not going to tell them." He figured the reassurance had better come first, not to mention, it might send his stock up a bit where Alaric was concerned. "But you've got a thin line to tread there, Tiger. If you seriously injured him, or just plain kicked his ass as easily as you probably can, well, people are almost certainly going to start asking questions. And most definitely not questions with easy answers."

"I know," Alaric retorted, scraping up the last of the sauce with a piece of garlic bread, (proving once again just what unusual vampires the Powers twins were). "That's why I sucker-punched him, and held back big time. Anyone could have done it. Hell, Mum could have done it."

Lindsey nodded thoughtfully. "Can't say I'd have done it any differently," he conceded. "I never did like being a doormat." He glanced at his watch. "The call hasn't come yet. Anyone up for ice cream?"

&

"You enjoy your dinner, babe?" Spike inquired, looking at the light of his unlife fondly.

"Very much, darling, thank you," Rose replied, wiping her mouth daintily. "But there's nothing really appealing on the desert menu. Do you think we have time to go get some ice cream?"