[A/N]: Sorry it took so long you guys! I had so many plans for this fanfiction, I didn't know which to exitcute. But you will NOT be disappointed (I hope) as I'm planning a series! That's for all the reviews and encouragement! I love you guys! Lots!
Angel groaned. His head was killing him. Those damn fake clients! You had to hate them. A simple waste of time when you had helpless clients who actually required help. So the phrase wasn't exactly... 'cutting edge' did Cordelia say? But it was good enough. It got the point through.
But that wasn't the point. The point of the matter was the fact that those guys had brought him here for some reason. Where ever here was. He inhaled, even though it wasn't needed. The sent was unrecognisable. He had no clue where he was. But what he did know, was that there were demons. And lots of them. Some of the species were recognisable. Other not so much. And there was a human. And they would need his help.
He was getting up. She had been there for a while, watching him sleep, contemplating what her plan of action would be. How she would exit this place, and kill off who had put her here. This made her smile. She had never killed anyone - but the blood she would had seen here was enough. And so was the taste for revenge.
He instantly went into battle mode, keeping carefully infront of her.
"Stay back," he said in a low, deep american voice, "I'll take care of this."
Cribb and the other demons looked up, glaring at the vampire in confusion, then laughing. Laughing hard.
"Look at him! Tryin' to protect the bitch! What an idiot!"
She glared. They had called her a bitch before. But it still didn't stop her from wanting to go on the offence and throw back a few names and quips. Ass wipes.
It was then it dawned on her. He had protected her. Well - he was trying to protect her. He must be good. It was only fair that she return the favour. She got up, tapped his shoulder and whispered, "I'm fine. You should sit down. Before they start to think you really want a fight."
He was confused, his guard still up, but glaring at the demons, then the woman, who had a UCLA hooded sweater on that was a few sizes too big, and worn out jogging trousers that were torn at the bottom. Her brown hair was straggly, hanging limply round her face
"What's going on?" he asked, finally droping his arms, deciding that the welcoming smile the woman held was trust worthy enough.
She shrugged, "All I know is that you were unconscious when you got here." She pointed to the other demons, who by now had lost their interest in him and turned to gossip with each other, discussing their tactic's for getting out of here - who was their main target kills and who should kill the 'new guy'. Like they would be able to, "They told me the rest."
He glared at her, "What do you mean 'the rest'?"
"That you're a vampire. And that you're not evil. And you have a soul, " she shrugged again, "Things like that. But look - if you want to stay alive, or undead here, you have to draw the least amount of attention as possible. As you've just arrived, you'll probably have your first fight tonight. So be ready." She watched him for a while, looking at him take it all in, "I'll explain fully if you sit down."
He looked at her carefully, realising that she was on his side - but she still had a smell on her. The smell off Wolfram and Hart. He sat all the same, having her sit next to him.
"Firstly..."she offered her hand, "I'm Harry."
Hesitating, he notticed the bracelet round her wrist, marked with a XXI, the roman numerals for 21, then shook her hand, noting the fact that he and the other demons wore the same, "Angel."
She missed the interaction with others - the demons here managed to avoid her altogether - especially when she was PMSing. She smiled to him though, relishing the fact that he was wanting to talk to her, "I guess I should tell you 'bout this place. Maybe lay down some general ground rules too."
He nodded, "That would be helpful."
She started talking. Fast. She wasn't used to talking - having had minimal conversation with the others for about a year now - but when the words started to form, the flooded out, leaving Angel stunned as to how a person could speak so fast. Her talent was to speak after all. Validictorian at her graduation. Lawyer at Wolfram and Hart. Ex-lawyer at Wolfram and Hart. She guessed she lost her job since she had a moral standing and they sent her to this place. It was obvious the client she was defending had killed those children. He had told her himself, with a smug smile on his face. And when she told Lindsay, he had said only one thing was important. To win. Cock it up, and she'd be in hell. She had walked out then - in the middle of court. And this is how she's here. They're revenge.
"At all costs, keep away from the red line. I saw one guy try to escape once - he vanished. Disintegrated to be exact. But it's all the same in a way.
"Keep your eyes down, don't talk to anyone - they can and will hurt you. But they won't kill you. Not till it's their time in the ring. The aim of this is - 21 kills, you're free to go. Outsiders place bets on us to see who'll win. We fight and try not to disappoint, " she pointed out a lizzard demon to him, "He's the 'leader' figure of the group. Everyone listens to him. Well...everyone who wants to kiss ass listens to him. So I would tell you to watch what you are doing. They keep it close knit here, less your a newbie. Fights every night and every morning. Fight plays till someone dies."
"Have you killed anyone?"
She looked at him. Then shook her head, looking at her feet and talking mainly to herself, "No. I fought - but didn't kill. I kinda...dodged him alot. I can't fight you see - I don't know how I managed though..."She snorted, "Probably 'cause I was desperate enough you know? Somehow, I dodged. Long enough for the guy to have built momentum. Short enough for to not realise what I've done. I jumped away and he crashed into a wall. Knocked himself out. They threw a knife at me. Shouted 'Killing Blow!' over and over. But I didn't. I couldn't. I sat away from the body and waited. The spectators got pissed, so the guards knocked me out, left me there. But turned out it would be hours before the other guy woke up. So I got to go bac intact as there were other fights to be faught." She looked back at him, her brown eyes staring into his old and wise ones, "But if you want anymore of my help, and you truly are good - do what I done. Don't kill the guys. Any of them. Then you'll gain my trust."
He smiled to her feebly, "I think that that's a pretty fair deal."
