A Word

With Giles

Disclaimer: A little something I thought of after watching season 5's 'Shells' episode for 'Angel'.

Summary: Wesley has a word with Giles regarding his lack of help where Fred's concerned.

At the new location for the main headquarters of the New Council in England, chaotic would be a good term to describe things there. As bodies were everywhere, inside and outside of the building. Thankfully, none were dead but quite a few were wishing they were due to how much pain they were in courtesy of a woman with blue patches of skin and hair who just couldn't be Human. Not knowing just how lucky they were to be alive considering they had been brought down by an Old One by the name of Illyria and still be alive to tell the tale. Primarily on account of Wesley having told her to only injure anyone who tried to stop them before things got underway. Now you might find it strange that the two were there but considering he'd reluctantly become her Qwa'ha Xahn so that he could guide her in the Modern World she's now part of, it might not be all that strange in the end. Wesley had chosen to take some time off to deal with things, though considering the situation, it wasn't all that easy all things considered.

And one thing Wes had thought would be a good idea as he showed Illyria the world would be to come to the new location of the New Council for a strong word with one Rupert 'Ripper' Giles. Of course, the trip there had proven to be informative and nearly disastrous considering they had gotten there on a plane. For Illyria had proven to be somewhat… Claustraphobic, given the enclosed space and Wesley reasoned it might have had to do with the fact her essence had been in that sarcophagus for as long as it had been. Her situation being a stark contrast to Fred's initial fear of the outside world after her return from Pylea and he wondered how long it would take the Old One to deal with and get past it. "What the Devil has gotten into you, boy!? Or has this Demonic thing addled your mind!?" Asked one Roger Wyndam-Pryce unhappily as he tried to make sense of the whole damned scene before him.

Said scene being Rupert pinned against a wall by Illyria as Wesley pointed a gun at him. Wesley briefly turned his attention towards his father with an expression on his face that made the much older man back up a bit as he'd never seen such a look from his own flesh! "Illyria may be a lot of things, an Old One among them, but she has done nothing to me since that is not a skill of her's, father. However, I am nonetheless addled, but with grief and rage." Declared the former Watcher coldly and causing his father's eyes to widen in alarm and fear.

Truth was, and it had taken Wesley a bit of time to realize this, it wasn't even truly Illyria's fault that Fred was gone. It hadn't been her choice anymore than it had been Fred's considering it'd been Knox who thought it would be a grand idea for Fred to be the host of Illyria. Good thing for all that the bloody bastard was dead now by his hand. He then gave his focus back to Giles. "And its all this bastard's fault."

Giles tried to speak but it wasn't easy considering the grip Illyria had on him. "Had you allowed Angel time to actually explain the situation instead of essentially telling him to 'sod off', you'd have known that the woman I love was being over taken by an Old One and we were desperately trying to stop it. Coincidentally, said Old One is the one keeping you against that wall, Rupert."

"My God." Murmured Roger in shock and horror.

"But no, your distrust in him and by default, the rest of us, doomed an innocent woman. Her soul forever gone and you are party to that, Rupert. However indirect that may be."

Wesley gave a nod and Illyria released her hold on Giles, who slumped to the floor, coughing and glaring up at Wesley as he did so. And before anyone could stop him, Wesley slammed his fist into the man's face. "WESLEY!"

"If you do not wish to see what I am doing to Rupert, father, then leave the room. I'm sure those in the building and even outside of it could use some medical attention." Coldly declared the grieving and rage filled man.

"I… I did what I thought was best." Coughed out Giles, preventing Roger from saying anything.

But Giles' words did nothing to sway Wesley and only actually served to anger him even more. Causing him to strike Giles again as Illyria watched on in silence. "No, you did what you did because of the past. Something you allowed to color your decisions when Angel made that call to you a desperate man in order to get Willow's help."

Kneeling down to be closer to the downed man, Wesley spoke again. "I wonder what everyone else would think and feel if they were to discover what you wouldn't, what you refused to do when we called for help."

Roger grimaced, knowing full well that it'd be anarchy on their hands should all this get out to everyone else. "He would lose his position of power amongst these Humans. Never to be trusted again." Illyria stated with utter certainty.

Essentially voicing Roger's own thoughts in the process as his son nodded in agreement. "Quite right, Illyria, quite right."

"You… You wouldn't dare." Gasped out Giles and got struck again much to his immense disliking.

"I think you'll fine there's a lot I wouldn't dare. After all, I ended up cutting a previous girlfriend's head off. Why, I even kept a girl chained up in my closet."

"You… You've changed, son." Murmured Roger and getting a look from his son.

"Yes, life in the City of Angels tends to change one. I've been blown up, tortured, and even shot but through it all, I found a measure of self respect within myself."

Giving his attention back to Giles, the former Watcher went on. "Tell you what though, I'll make a deal with you." Began the man and getting quite the glare in return.

"Re-instate me as a Watcher, retroactively paid from the moment I was sacked and a word of this whole affair will never be spoken of. Oh! And I'll even happily take on a team of Slayers. Ten ought to do it and if possible, I'd like Faith to be part of it."

"Given what you have told me where the Slayers are concerned, we could begin to amass an army with them as the foundation of it."

Horrified looks were had by a pair of old men while Wesley just chuckled. "It is something to take into consideration but not quite what I had in mind at the moment." He told the Old One, who frowned at the response but said nothing else.

Especially as Giles had started to speak up, declaring that there was no bloody way in Hell he'd go along with the former Watcher's requests. Earning himself another strike from the former Watcher. "I'm afraid you've no choice, Rupert. Because otherwise, you will be out of a job once I've informed everyone of what you did. Of course if you need further incentive, I could request to Illyria to break your arm."

"Why break the arm when I can break everything?"

"C-Call Willow!"

"Rupert, even you know she can not teleport from another country. And even if she could, I doubt she would be able to do much against an Old One." Pointed out Roger grimly while continuing to ensure he didn't appear to be a threat and have something unfortunate happen.

He watched as his son struck Rupert several more times and part of him wanted to do something to end all this but alas, there wasn't much he could do and he hated it. "A-ALRIGHT! I'LL DO AS YOU ASK!" Yelled out the pained Giles much to Wesley's satisfaction.

"Excellent and I wouldn't be thinking of retribution if I were you, old man. The outcome wouldn't be pretty. And once you're recovered enough, we'll get down to ensuring everything is taken care of and how I'll spin this to Angel and the others back in LA." Wesley told the man with a smile on his face.

Though even this won't be enough to even the scales where Fred is concerned. Nothing ever will be. Thought the man darkly to himself.

Author's Notes: Hadn't meant for this to get about 3 pages long but I think it and how things played out works out regardless.