New Girl

Part 4: Story

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, except for Brittney.

Thoughts are designated by **

The drive back to the hotel was made in silence. Wes and Gunn seemed more than angry at Angel, and even more scared and confused by Brittney. Brittney was curious about these humans that Angel had surrounded himself with. They were good fighters, that she realized, but they seemed very untrusting towards Angel. Angel was just hoping to get back to the hotel in one piece.

When they arrived, Cordy and Fred were sitting on the main couch with a slew of Chinese food scattered about the table.

"Well, I am glad you all made it back in one piece." Cordy said.

Angel understood the meaning behind her statement. She was glad that Brittney had made it back in one piece. **If only she knew.**

"We ordered food while you guys were out. I hope you like Chinese Brittney." Fred said.

"Yes, I love Chinese." She responded.

"Is it the food the Chinese make or the Chinese themselves you like better?" Gunn asked, the venom obvious in his voice.

"Gunn please." Angel implored.

"What is he talking about Angel?" Cordy asked.

"Why don't we all sit down and I will explain what's going on." Angel said.

"Might be a good idea to take the sharp, pointy weapons away from them first." Brittney said hopping up on the counter. Angel glared at her once more and Brittney dropped her eyes in response. She knew that Angel was very close to losing it with her if she continued to antagonize his friends.

"I would actually feel much better with my sharp, pointy weapons actually." Gunn said glaring at Brittney.

"Enough!" Angel yelled. "Just sit down." Angel rubbed his eyes for a second feeling the beginnings of a headache beginning to form.

Everyone did as Angel asked. There was silence for a few moments while Angel tried to figure out how to explain this to everyone without bloodshed.

"Well, it's kind of a long story but I will try to explain it as best as I can. First off, Brittney is…a vampire." Angel said.

"WHAT!!!!" Cordy screamed. "What do you mean she is a vampire? Angel, how could you knowingly bring a dangerous vampire in here? And you said that she was staying! She is most certainly not staying…"

"She has a soul." Angel interrupted.

Everyone looked at him as if he had just grown another head and a few spines.

Angel sighed and continued on. "A little over 50 years ago a warlock tried to make her human in order to kill her. She had been given orders by the master to hunt this particular guy down and kill him. She used to be an assassin of sorts for the master and one of the strongest in our clan; much stronger than Spike and Darla. Well, when this warlock tried his spell he messed up somehow. She wasn't made human, but she was given a soul. And she has the ability to walk in the sunlight without getting hurt. After that, Darla, as well as the master, kicked her out of the clan, especially after what had happened to me. She wandered around Europe for a bit and then came to find me. We stayed together for a while but then we split up. I hadn't seen or heard from her in 50 years. Last night, she showed up after you all had already left for the night and Fred was asleep. She had no other place to go, so I asked her to stay. She hasn't killed a human since she got her soul back and she won't hurt any of you. She wants to stay and help. She is a good fighter and knows a lot about demons; she will definitely be an asset to us all."

There was another long silence after Angel's little speech. No one knew what to say.

"Angel," Wes began sounding very confused but trying to also keep his British calm, "how is it that she was an assassin for the master and I never knew about. I would think that she would be in the watcher diaries somewhere?" Wes glanced over at Brittney emanating his obvious confusion and fear.

"She is in a very select few. Brittney kind of had a thing for killing watchers…and their slayers. Can't write about someone after they have killed you. Never killed them the same way twice and she left little evidence behind that it was her." Angel explained.

"Exactly how many slayer/watcher teams has she killed?" Cordy asked. **I am not sure if I even want to know.**

Angel sighed again and looked over at Brittney, who simply grinned back at him. **She isn't going to help at all is she?** "Six."

Everyone gasped and turned to look at Brittney who was still grinning like the Cheshire Cat. Brittney hopped off the counter and started slowly walking around the room.

**I guess I should help him out a little bit** "That was a long time ago. I was soulless then and most of those were orders from the Master." Brittney said trying to help but laughing slightly on the inside. **If only they knew how many Angel has really killed as well** "Since we are all asking questions here, I have one for all of you. If you guys make a big deal about making sure everyone knows the differences between Angel and Angelus, then why is it that everyone still blames him, and I guess since the situation fits, me as well, for the acts that our soulless counterparts committed?" Brittney asked in a very accusatory tone.

No one knew what to say to that. Angel sat in shock at her question. Not even he had thought of it that way. Even as self-flagellating as he was, he had also always made a distinction between the two.

"She does make a good point." Fred said quietly, being the first one even brave enough to speak.

"Thanks Fred. I knew I would like you." Brittney said propping herself up against the wall.

Fred just smiled and put her head down a little.

"Alright!" Cordy said standing up. "I will agree with your decision to let her stay and help us Angel. But the first time she tries to hurt anyone of us, or any other human in this city, I will be the first one to stake her. And possibly you as well. Got it?!"

"Got it."

"Good, now I am going to go home, where you are not invited," Cordy said looking pointedly at Brittney. "I will see you all bright and early tomorrow morning. Goodnight."

Brittney scoffed and shook her head as Cordelia walked out the door without a second glance behind her. **What a drama queen.**

"Yes, I think it best if we all went to home for the evening so we can collect our thoughts. Goodnight everyone." Wes said following Cordelia out.

Gunn stood, grabbed a box of general tso's chicken, said goodnights to Angel and Fred, and also walked out the door.

Fred was left feeling a little lonely but decided it be best if she, too, went to her room.

"I guess you two have a lot to talk about." Fred said in her southern accent. "I will be in my room if anyone needs me. Goodnight."

"Night Fred!" Brittney said giving her a curt nod before Fred walked up the stairs and out of site.

Brittney walked over and sat on the couch next to Angel. She grabbed a box of noodles, sat back, and looked over at Angel.

"Well, that went better than I expected." She said as she put a forkful into her mouth and smiled.