Chapter Ten – Fundamental Things
Disclaimer: All Angel and Buffy properties belong to Joss Whedon and his associates. No infringement upon their rights is intended. This story is set in an alternate Season Five of Angel. Details from the canon run may appear from time to time. Italics indicate thoughts, and bold indicates emphasis. The chapter title comes from "As Time Goes By," (music and words by Herman Hupfeld). The song will appear later. Also included in this chapter are the lyrics to "I Could Have Danced All Night" by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe and "Shall We Dance?" by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein III. Many thanks for the positive reviews!
Rating: M; Language, innuendo, drug use.
The utter lack of fanfare that met Lily's return to work on Friday was at once both appreciated and terribly disappointing. Sigh. Lily sat down to a stack of papers and listlessly began to sort through them. Just a little "Welcome back. Glad you didn't die." would have been nice. Soon she lost herself in translating yet another apocalyptic prophecy. Doesn't anyone ever record positive prophecies? Hours passed rapidly as Lily continued to work alone.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite songbird. Glad to see you're feeling better, sweetling." Lily looked up to see a grinning Lorne reclining comfortably in the armchair across from her desk. She smiled; her path didn't cross Lorne's often, but this was one demon that left joy in his wake. She could definitely use some joy or even moderate amusement. "So," he asked. "Ready for your big date?"
'Wha--?" Lily looked up at the clock and groaned. 4:30. Yikes! I've got three and a half hours to get ready, and I have absolutely no idea what to wear. "Umm, no?"
"Gotcha covered." Lorne laughed and pulled a large dress box up from next to his chair. "This should go a long way to knocking Angelcakes' socks off. Now, scoot, Toots. You've got an appointment with Armand in 20. You wouldn't believe what I had to promise to get you in on short notice. Still, you should be ready for love in no time." Lorne made a shooing motion toward the elevator doors. "After all, it's not polite to keep a champion waiting."
"Again, I say, wha--?" Lily asked.
Lorne moved behind the desk and gently lifted Lily from her chair. "Let's just say, I want you to put your best foot forward and leave it at that," he explained as he guided her towards the elevator. He placed the dress box in her hands and sighed. Poor kid certainly could do with a little pampering. Wonder if I can convince her to take a day for a full body treatment? He plastered a smile on his face as the doors to the elevator slid open, and he ushered her inside. Wes better come up with the goods soon, or she's not going to be around to enjoy the fruits of her choice. "Things will be just fine, sweetie."
Lily nodded, not entirely sure of what she'd gotten herself into.
Good as his word, Lorne had her in Armand's chair within the required twenty minutes. A young woman named Chloe massaged her hands while Armand himself toyed with her hair. "I think we'll leave it down. It'll soften your features, hon," gushed Armand. "Wait until you see what Freddie has in mind for your make-up."
"Actually, I was thinking of wearing it up. The guy in question has a thing for necks." Lily cut her eyes to where Lorne was choking into his half-caff mocha latte with extra cream. Her own eyes widened. I said that out loud. Oh boy.
A chuckle from behind her caused Lily to look up into the mirror. "Don't we all, sugar." For a moment, Lily was confused. She saw herself in the mirror and a pair of scissors hanging in mid-air. Then it hit her. She turned to Lorne and mouthed "That Armand?"
Lorne nodded as he checked his watch. "Got to run, kiddo. Take care," Lorne paused to look at her intently. "Try not to overanalyze what's going on. You'll know when you know."
Lily tried to nod, but at that moment Armand had a handful of her hair. Lorne laughed lightly and left.
"Now, let's see about doing something about those terrible bags," Freddie said to her an hour later. "Geez, you look like the living dead, if you'll pardon the expression."
Lily chuckled. "You have no idea."
With an hour to go, Lily was appropriately coiffed, powdered, and painted. Armand had convinced her to book a full day's treatment with him the following week after promising that he did not really give his special customers the Elizabeth Bathory treatment. Clutching the dress box to her chest, she tapped a neatly pedicured foot as she waited for the company car to take her home so that she could change. The butterflies in her stomach were rapidly becoming very angry wasps. Idly, she wondered how she was going to survive the night.
Meanwhile, Angel stepped out of the elevator to check the progress of the heli-pad's transformation. Some days it's good to be the CEO of a powerful, but mostly evil, law firm. Things get done so quickly. As he scanned the scene before him, he gave a small satisfied smile. Lorne had really come through for him. Warner Brothers had only been too happy to loan them the vintage sets, particularly since W&H had been able to clear up a small matter involving an undead starlet. With Spike safely out of the way on a hunt for a non-existent mystical artifact, the evening should proceed smoothly. A quick glance at his watch told Angel he should head downstairs to pick up Lily. Instead of driving himself, Angel had requested the company limo to pick Lily up. After the trauma of the last few days, he felt she should be treated with care.
As she waited, Lily fidgeted with her dress. She couldn't believe how lovely it was – pink rose cotton voile, a heart shaped bodice with a gathered bust and no straps. She felt oddly self-conscious showing off that much skin and chose an old-fashioned lace shawl her grandmother had given her to conceal as much as she could. She twirled to watch the full skirt with the double layer of crinolines spread out under her. A soft giggle escaped her lips as she did so. I don't think I could feel any more like Cinderella if I tried. Lost in the sensation of her own twirling, and the rustle of the crinoline, Lily failed to hear the knock at her door announcing the arrival of her Prince Charming. A slightly louder thunking on her door pulled her from her reverie. A bit dizzy, she opened the door.
There stood Angel. He had chosen to forego his omni-present black and wore colors to match his lady fair. His deep rose silk shirt coordinated nicely with her dress. Lily stood mute while Angel watched her intently. He held an arm out to her. "Shall we, my dear?"
"Hmm?" Lily blinked trying desperately to make sense of what she saw before her. Angel. Not in black. With his shirt open more than one button. Oh MY! The butterflies in her stomach gave a contented little flutter. "Oh. Right." Lily grabbed her tiny handbag and draped her shawl about her shoulders. "Lead the way." She linked her arm through Angel's and stifled a sigh. There was strength there, and she was tempted to just relax into him and never come back.
The ride to Wolfram and Hart was a quiet one. Lily played with the tassels of her shawl and tried to think of something to say. Angel studied her. Lorne had mentioned taking her to a salon, and he detected a touch more make-up than he was accustomed to seeing on her. Underneath the carefully applied powder, he could see the dark circles under her eyes, even in the dim light of the limo. His jaw clenched as he thought of the hell the spell was putting her through.
Lily chose that moment to look over at him and started. "Is something the matter? Why are we headed back to the office? Is everyone alright?"
"Everyone's fine." Angel allowed his features to relax. "I have a surprise for you." He reached over and pulled her close. "There's nothing to worry about, Lily. I'll take care of you."
"Hmmm," Lily sighed. "That sounds like a lovely idea."
The driver interrupted what might have been a tender moment with a tap at the glass. "We've arrived, sir."
Angel restrained himself and chose not to bite the chauffeur's head off. Instead, he smoothly exited the vehicle and opened Lily's door, ushering her into the darkened parking garage. Angel watched as Lily tensed upon exiting the limo. She worries too much. Fortunately, tonight should make clear to her at whose feet she should lay her heart. Then she'll have no more worries.
Angel bowed dramatically and with a slight smile beckoned Lily into the elevator, "Trust me?"
"Always."
Her response to the heli-pad was just what he had wanted. From the moment they stepped from his private elevator until the dessert course, she wore a dazzled expression on her face, eyes shining brightly and lips slightly parted. She truly is perfect. The plan's working nicely. Angel pulled a bottle of rose Chablis out of its stand. Now for phase two. He watched Lily reverently wander through the set of Rick's Cafe Americain, periodically running her hand down the smooth wood. He could hear her humming softly to herself. He crept up next to her and offered her a glass of wine.
"Of all the gin joints…"
Lily laughed softly as she sipped the sweet wine. "Your Bogey impression is awful you know."
"Probably," he said with a slow smile, "but I dance much better than I talk." He held out a hand as from somewhere within the maze of the set a piano began to softly play. Lily stared into his eyes for a long moment before she slipped into his arms leaving her glass, on the bar beside her. She felt a little off-balance even though she had drunk only a single glass of wine. She could hear her heart pounding against Angel's chest, echoing the tempo of the music back to her as their bodies swayed in the moonlight. She felt so calm, so safe. Maybe she had made the right choice when she impulsively gave Angel's name when the spell first activated. Tonight will be the best way to tell, I guess. Angel's hand slipped under her wrap and began to make lazy circles on her back. The coolness of his hand coupled with the gentle strength of his grasp made her even weaker in the knees. Unconsciously, she began to sing.
"Moonlight and love songs
Never out of date.
Hearts full of passion
Jealousy and hate.
Woman needs man
And man must have his mate
That no one can deny.
It's still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die.
The world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by.
Oh yes, the world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by."
As the final words of the song died on her lips, she looked up at Angel. He was staring at her with those deeply mysterious eyes, which looked golden in the light of the café. He bent low to place the softest of kisses on her lips, but before she could even begin to register what was happening, a brusque coughing from behind caused Angel to pull back with a growl.
Lily staggered back, confused as Angel pushed her away. I've heard people growl in frustration, but that was an animal. Retrieving her glass, she shook her head in a vain attempt to clear her thinking. Absently, she walked back to the table where the remains of their meal sat and refilled her glass.
Angel stood scowling at Hamilton, the Senior Partners' liaison after the departure of Eve. "I thought I made it clear that I wasn't to be disturbed for any reason this evening," he said through clenched teeth. I need to get back to Lily. I'm just too close this time.
"Yes. Well." Hamilton flashed his lower incisors and adjusted his tie, "That little problem you handled in order to set up this evening has been causing complications. The clients request that you take care of it personally."
Angel stood very still for a moment, and Hamilton wondered if perhaps he was going to take yet another punch to the jaw. "Fine, give me a minute. This had better not take long."
Angel walked to where Lily had dropped into one of the many chairs. He turned her face to him. Her eyes were a bit out of focus, and she smelled vaguely of flowers. "I have ta go, darlin' one. Wait for me?"
Lily reached up to touch his face. "For as long as it takes, fair prince." Angel smiled and kissed her a bit more strongly before leaving. This really is too easy, the voice in his head chuckled. But well worth it.
An hour passed, and then another. Lily felt deliciously numb, but she was bored. She bent to gather her shoes and shawl, as well as the bottle of wine, nearly falling in the process. She took the elevator to Angel's office, not feeling brave enough to stop at his penthouse. She stumbled into the office and took a swig of the rapidly disappearing bottle of wine. Stupid vampire. Gets my hopes up and wanders off. Leaves me all misty-eyed and romantic with only a bottle of wine for company. Not gonna choose him for my happily-ever-after. Nope. Served him right if I chose Spike, or, better still, Wes! Lily's brow furrowed at that thought, which made her head hurt, so she took another swig of the wine. Hmm. Nice little bottle of fermenty goodness. Lonely. Wanna see somebody. Want smoochies! Lily stomped her foot and went in search of someone male, available, and willing.
The lobby was empty, which wasn't particularly surprising as it was one in the morning. Lily carefully placed the bottle on Harmony's desk. The smooth floor felt cool under her stockinged feet, and she began to sway as she thought about how nice it had felt to dance with Angel.
She sang to herself as she twirled around the lobby, imagining Angel's arms around her. So engrossed was she in her little fantasy that she didn't hear the chiming of the elevator behind her.
Ding
Spike was not happy. He was covered in dust from the road and without any pretty little mystical trinket to show for it. He'd come back to W&H in hopes that Gunn had left word of something to slay so that he could salvage his evening. He was determined not to think about the fact that Lily was with the Grand Poof tonight. Luck was not with him again as he exited the elevator and saw Lily swaying to the sounds of an invisible orchestra, singing Lerner and Lowe off key. She looks delicious.
Unaware of Spike's scrutiny, Lily continued to twirl and sing:
"I'll never know what made it so exciting Why all at once my heart took flight I only know when he Began to dance with me I could have danced, danced, danced all night" Just as she finished the last line, her spinning brought her around to face Spike. She tried to stop abruptly, but between the freshly waxed floor and her impaired reflexes, Lily found herself slipping. And then, just as suddenly, a leather-clad arm snagged her and prevented her fall. Spike attempted to straighten the teetering girl in his arms, but Lily had become boneless. She swayed and swooned for a moment before pushing away from Spike. She held herself tantalizingly out of his reach and began humming a new tune. Her voice was low as she spun in front of him. Her soft scent was driving him just a little mad. When she grabbed his hands to pull him along with her dance, Spike began to listen to the lyrics in earnest."We've just been introduced,
I do not know you well,
But when the music started
Something drew me to your side.
So many men and girls,
Are in each other's arms.
It made me think we might be
Similarly occupied.
Shall we dance?
On a bright cloud of music shall we fly?
Shall we dance?
Shall we then say 'Goodnight' and mean 'Goodbye'?
Or perchance,
When the last little star has left the sky,
Shall we still be together
With our arms around each other?"
At that line, Lily drew herself into Spike's embrace. The warmth of her body flooded him, and as he tightened his grip on her waist, he brought his lips down to nuzzle her neck. Her voice caught for a moment as she turned to sing the final lines.
"And shall you be my new romance?
On the clear understanding
That this kind of thing can happen,
Shall we dance?
Shall we dance?
Shall we dance?"
With the final words of the song, Lily stopped swaying and looked intently at the man before her. She was confused to see blue eyes instead of brown, blond instead of brunette. And then she remembered why she had come downstairs. Spike is male and available and, from the look on his face, willing. Yay me! Smoochies! Lily leaned forward to kiss her erstwhile suitor.
Spike stifled a chuckle as Lily attempted to kiss him. On her current course, she would end up with a mouth full of leather. He reached for her chin to guide her mouth to his own when suddenly he paused. Something about her breath was off. I know that scent, but why? The last time I remember that smell was when Mother… Spike let the thought trail off. He grabbed Lily by the wrist and began to pull her to the elevators. Lily let out a startled squeak as she went slipping across the floor.
"Sorry, pet. Just remembered that Percy and Fred wanted to see you. Somethin' about blood work. No time like the present, right?" Spike said as he jammed the elevator button.
"But I wanted smoochies!" Lily protested and promptly clamped her hand over her mouth as she foggily realized that she had spoken aloud.
Spike grinned and pulled her into the waiting elevator car. "Maybe later, luv."