Worth Saving
Chapter 7
Spike groaned at Wesley's words.
"Why does everyone always want to mess with my noggin?" asked Spike.
"Maybe they're still looking for signs of intelligence and have yet to find any," replied Angel.
"What do you think Lorne?" Asked Gunn.
"Well, I know I can do it, not sure if I want to, disrespect to you Spike, but the subconscious can be a holding place for a whole lot of past bad, and I'm sure your past would be every bit as colourful as Angel's here, " said Lorne.
"Yeah, but without the boring poofy bits," said Spike
"Sorry, idiot here, what do you mean Lorne?" asked Angel.
"I've read a little on this, I think what Lorne means, is that the subconscious mind is the sum total of all our past experiences, how we think, or felt about something is where they are all stored, all these emotions interact with each other, defining the person or character we are," said Fred.
"You hit it right on the button, you been studying?" asked Lorne.
"No just a little light bedside table reading," replied Fred.
" I can think of better things to be doing at bedtime love," Spike said. He turned his attention back to Lorne. "So what do I have to do? Is it gonna be painful?"
"It can be if you like, oh no that would be if I like," replied Angel
"What we have to do is cleanse Spike's subconscious mind," said Lorne.
Angel looked at his watch,
"I have a couple of minutes, shouldn't take any longer than that," said Angel mockingly.
Lorne shook his head.
"No I need quiet and concentration for this, plus a little meditation on my part," said Lorne.
"How about we meet in Angel's apartment around nine, after most of the other staff have gone home for the night?" suggested Wesley.
"Great, that would give me plenty of time to get through some of my workload, which unfortunately does not do it's self," sighed Gunn.
"Can't have everything we want in this world," said Wesley, stealing a glance at Fred.
"And hypnotism comes free right? Wouldn't want to exceed the W&H budget, saving a champion, now would we?" asked Fred
Angel ignored Fred's slightly sarcastic words, turning to the others.
"Do I have any say in all this?" asked Angel.
"Not unless you want to be joined to me for all eternity, or at least until the red guy with the pointy fork comes for me," replied Spike.
"That's not gonna happen," said Fred.
"Good point, see you all at nine, Lorne how's that other thing going?" asked Angel.
"It's a work in progress, I'll get back to you on that later," said Lorne.
Angel nodded and left the room, closely followed by Gunn. Fred got up out of her seat, and looked at the remaining occupants of the room.
"Guess I'd better get back to the lab, can't leave Knox holding the fort all day, Fort, Knox? There's a joke in there somewhere," blushed Fred at her attempt at humour.
Lorne gave a pained smile.
"Yes, er um, see you later then," said Wesley.
Fred stopped at his desk, and gave him a brilliant smile.
"Thanks Wesley, I really appreciate your help on this one," said Fred warmly before leaving.
"What are friends for?" he asked the closed door.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spike trailed alongside Fred as they made their way back to her office.
"You okay Spike? It's just that you went a little quiet in there," said Fred.
Spike sighed.
"Gotta a lot on my mind, maybe a little too much, as it seems that's what got me into this mess in the first place," said Spike.
"Is that really all that's troubling you?" she asked
"Can't hide much from you love," said Spike slightly surprised.
Fred opened the door to her lab, the noisy chatter of the staff ceased as she entered the room. Knox, sensible of her feelings, rushed over and addressed her.
"Miss Burkle, your back, I left those papers you requested in your office in tray," said Knox.
The others seemed to follow Knox's lead and they started up their quiet chatter again while they worked on their assignments. Fred smiled at Knox gratefully as she made her way up the stairs to her office. She closed the door behind her, momentarily forgetting Spike; he walked through the closed door. Fred sat down tiredly; she removed her glasses, and rubbed at her eyes.
Spike looked at her and smiled, it had been a long day for all of them and it wasn't over yet. He came and stood behind her chair and started massaging her neck, Fred closed her eyes as he worked the tense muscles of her neck with his hands.
"That feels good," she sighed
"Had a lot of practise," he grinned.
"I bet you have, but your attempt to distract me won't work, I believe we were talking about you on the way here," she said ironically.
"Bollocks, I was hoping you had forgot all about that," he replied, removing his hands from around her neck and sitting down.
"Come on Spike talk to me, believe me, I am not so easily shockable as I look," encouraged Fred.
"Yeah, I guess so, look the thing is, could you not be there when Lorne does the hypno- thing on me," said Spike.
"You don't want me there?" she asked, the hurt evident on her face.
"That's not what I mean, you must know that I have done things, things that I am ashamed of, I just don't want to see that look in your eyes, your disgust when you realise what kind of man I am," said Spike.
Fred looked at him, her expression turning to one of anger.
"I am willing to go on a lot of trust here, I thought you would do the same for me, I don't care what you did in the past, I know a lot of Angel's past, but it doesn't change the way I feel about him. I told him that I consider you every inch the champion, just as much as he, you are worth saving Spike, don't you forget that," said Fred.
"Okay, okay keep your knickers on love, on the other hand take them off," he grinned at her.
" Can we be serious here for a second, besides I think I have taken them off enough for one day," she replied, her anger melting as she laughed at him.
Spike sobered up.
" Do you think you can really handle what ever might come out about me?" he asked.
"Yes," she said firmly.
Spike smiled at her, rising from his seat, he stood behind her, slipping his arms around her neck again,
"One day soon, I am gonna get that real flesh and blood hug from you," promised Spike.
"I'm counting on it," she replied.
Spikes hands slipped lower to cover her breasts,
"Spike!" Fred exclaimed.
"A guy's gotta try," he whispered in her ear.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lorne came to a halt in front of Harmony's desk. She carried on doing what ever it was she did for several moments, and from the look of it, it wasn't very much at all. Harmony looked up, noticing for the first time that he was there; she gave him a empty-headed smile. Lorne liked her in a strange kind of sympathetic way that one has for a helpless kitten, that's exactly as he viewed her, helpless and clueless.
"Hey sweet cakes, what's cooking, is the boss in?" asked Lorne.
"I think so, didn't come this way, he uses his elevator so I don't always know when he's back, shall I check for you?" asked Harmony.
"No that's okay, don't worry your tiny little mind, er self about it, thanks anyway," said Lorne.
Lorne knocked on the door, receiving no answer, he went in, and Angel was curled up on his black leather sofa. Lorne entered the room, standing next to him.
"Awww, sleeping like a baby, well a large grumpy baby," amended Lorne.
"I am not asleep and I heard that," said Angel, opening his eyes and sitting up.
"You okay, the evil law firm getting you down?" asked Lorne, sitting down next to him.
"I guess, so who were the culprits whose butts I need to drag over the coals?" asked Angel.
Lorne coughed, and looked at Angel awkwardly.
"Er one of them is already getting his butt dragged over the coals, the coals of hell to be exact, and the other person, is a member of our team," said Lorne.
Angel frowned
"Spike and Fred, why am I not surprised, and why is it when there's trouble, Spike's always at the root of it?" asked Angel, shaking his head.
"That's a little unfair don't you think boss and it does take two to tango," replied Lorne.
"You don't know the guy like I do," said Angel.
"Well he recently got back from saving the world, that's progress wouldn't you say?" asked Lorne.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Fred looked at the clock on the wall, she shut the folder on the papers she'd been looking at, Spike had disappeared for awhile, said he was feeling a little restless and needed a walk to clear his head in readiness, that had been nearly an hour ago, she had to admit that she got more work done when he wasn't there, but it didn't stop her from missing him. Spike reappeared before her.
"Good you're on time," she smiled at him.
"My mother taught me never to keep a lady waiting," said Spike.
"Well why are you just standing around then? And by the way, common sense has taught me never to keep Angel waiting too long," Fred said.
"That wanker could wait forever for all I care," Spike smirked as he followed her out of the office.
They arrived at Angel's penthouse apartment in good time; everyone else was already there.
"Glad you could make it, did think about sending someone to come and get you both, but someone told me that might not be such a good idea," said Angel meaningfully.
"Your point, but then again your whole existence has no point?" Spike returned.
"Guys, guys can we at least put the long knives away for a little while, it's not good for my chi," complained Lorne.
"So what do we have to do, sit in a circle and hold hands?" asked Gunn.
"Not for this one honey, just need you here for support, Wesley could you dim the lights, the less distraction we have the better," said Lorne.
"I showed up to be official light dimmer?" asked Wesley, going over to the light panel on the wall.
"Looks like you found your niche mate, are we gonna do this now? Because there's a hell dimension that seems to have my name on it, " said Spike.
Lorne breathed deeply and closed his eyes for a moment.
"Spike sit down here," said Lorne, holding out a chair for him.
Spike sat down, he looked over at Fred.
"Focus on me, every thing is going to be alright, just believe that," said Fred pretending more confidence than she actually felt.
Lorne pulled up a chair opposite Spike.
"Now I need total silence from everyone if it's to work, any one thinks they can't give me that, leave now," said Lorne.
Spike got up out of his seat.
"I didn't mean you, now sit back down so I can begin," said Lorne.
TBC
Chapter 7
Spike groaned at Wesley's words.
"Why does everyone always want to mess with my noggin?" asked Spike.
"Maybe they're still looking for signs of intelligence and have yet to find any," replied Angel.
"What do you think Lorne?" Asked Gunn.
"Well, I know I can do it, not sure if I want to, disrespect to you Spike, but the subconscious can be a holding place for a whole lot of past bad, and I'm sure your past would be every bit as colourful as Angel's here, " said Lorne.
"Yeah, but without the boring poofy bits," said Spike
"Sorry, idiot here, what do you mean Lorne?" asked Angel.
"I've read a little on this, I think what Lorne means, is that the subconscious mind is the sum total of all our past experiences, how we think, or felt about something is where they are all stored, all these emotions interact with each other, defining the person or character we are," said Fred.
"You hit it right on the button, you been studying?" asked Lorne.
"No just a little light bedside table reading," replied Fred.
" I can think of better things to be doing at bedtime love," Spike said. He turned his attention back to Lorne. "So what do I have to do? Is it gonna be painful?"
"It can be if you like, oh no that would be if I like," replied Angel
"What we have to do is cleanse Spike's subconscious mind," said Lorne.
Angel looked at his watch,
"I have a couple of minutes, shouldn't take any longer than that," said Angel mockingly.
Lorne shook his head.
"No I need quiet and concentration for this, plus a little meditation on my part," said Lorne.
"How about we meet in Angel's apartment around nine, after most of the other staff have gone home for the night?" suggested Wesley.
"Great, that would give me plenty of time to get through some of my workload, which unfortunately does not do it's self," sighed Gunn.
"Can't have everything we want in this world," said Wesley, stealing a glance at Fred.
"And hypnotism comes free right? Wouldn't want to exceed the W&H budget, saving a champion, now would we?" asked Fred
Angel ignored Fred's slightly sarcastic words, turning to the others.
"Do I have any say in all this?" asked Angel.
"Not unless you want to be joined to me for all eternity, or at least until the red guy with the pointy fork comes for me," replied Spike.
"That's not gonna happen," said Fred.
"Good point, see you all at nine, Lorne how's that other thing going?" asked Angel.
"It's a work in progress, I'll get back to you on that later," said Lorne.
Angel nodded and left the room, closely followed by Gunn. Fred got up out of her seat, and looked at the remaining occupants of the room.
"Guess I'd better get back to the lab, can't leave Knox holding the fort all day, Fort, Knox? There's a joke in there somewhere," blushed Fred at her attempt at humour.
Lorne gave a pained smile.
"Yes, er um, see you later then," said Wesley.
Fred stopped at his desk, and gave him a brilliant smile.
"Thanks Wesley, I really appreciate your help on this one," said Fred warmly before leaving.
"What are friends for?" he asked the closed door.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spike trailed alongside Fred as they made their way back to her office.
"You okay Spike? It's just that you went a little quiet in there," said Fred.
Spike sighed.
"Gotta a lot on my mind, maybe a little too much, as it seems that's what got me into this mess in the first place," said Spike.
"Is that really all that's troubling you?" she asked
"Can't hide much from you love," said Spike slightly surprised.
Fred opened the door to her lab, the noisy chatter of the staff ceased as she entered the room. Knox, sensible of her feelings, rushed over and addressed her.
"Miss Burkle, your back, I left those papers you requested in your office in tray," said Knox.
The others seemed to follow Knox's lead and they started up their quiet chatter again while they worked on their assignments. Fred smiled at Knox gratefully as she made her way up the stairs to her office. She closed the door behind her, momentarily forgetting Spike; he walked through the closed door. Fred sat down tiredly; she removed her glasses, and rubbed at her eyes.
Spike looked at her and smiled, it had been a long day for all of them and it wasn't over yet. He came and stood behind her chair and started massaging her neck, Fred closed her eyes as he worked the tense muscles of her neck with his hands.
"That feels good," she sighed
"Had a lot of practise," he grinned.
"I bet you have, but your attempt to distract me won't work, I believe we were talking about you on the way here," she said ironically.
"Bollocks, I was hoping you had forgot all about that," he replied, removing his hands from around her neck and sitting down.
"Come on Spike talk to me, believe me, I am not so easily shockable as I look," encouraged Fred.
"Yeah, I guess so, look the thing is, could you not be there when Lorne does the hypno- thing on me," said Spike.
"You don't want me there?" she asked, the hurt evident on her face.
"That's not what I mean, you must know that I have done things, things that I am ashamed of, I just don't want to see that look in your eyes, your disgust when you realise what kind of man I am," said Spike.
Fred looked at him, her expression turning to one of anger.
"I am willing to go on a lot of trust here, I thought you would do the same for me, I don't care what you did in the past, I know a lot of Angel's past, but it doesn't change the way I feel about him. I told him that I consider you every inch the champion, just as much as he, you are worth saving Spike, don't you forget that," said Fred.
"Okay, okay keep your knickers on love, on the other hand take them off," he grinned at her.
" Can we be serious here for a second, besides I think I have taken them off enough for one day," she replied, her anger melting as she laughed at him.
Spike sobered up.
" Do you think you can really handle what ever might come out about me?" he asked.
"Yes," she said firmly.
Spike smiled at her, rising from his seat, he stood behind her, slipping his arms around her neck again,
"One day soon, I am gonna get that real flesh and blood hug from you," promised Spike.
"I'm counting on it," she replied.
Spikes hands slipped lower to cover her breasts,
"Spike!" Fred exclaimed.
"A guy's gotta try," he whispered in her ear.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lorne came to a halt in front of Harmony's desk. She carried on doing what ever it was she did for several moments, and from the look of it, it wasn't very much at all. Harmony looked up, noticing for the first time that he was there; she gave him a empty-headed smile. Lorne liked her in a strange kind of sympathetic way that one has for a helpless kitten, that's exactly as he viewed her, helpless and clueless.
"Hey sweet cakes, what's cooking, is the boss in?" asked Lorne.
"I think so, didn't come this way, he uses his elevator so I don't always know when he's back, shall I check for you?" asked Harmony.
"No that's okay, don't worry your tiny little mind, er self about it, thanks anyway," said Lorne.
Lorne knocked on the door, receiving no answer, he went in, and Angel was curled up on his black leather sofa. Lorne entered the room, standing next to him.
"Awww, sleeping like a baby, well a large grumpy baby," amended Lorne.
"I am not asleep and I heard that," said Angel, opening his eyes and sitting up.
"You okay, the evil law firm getting you down?" asked Lorne, sitting down next to him.
"I guess, so who were the culprits whose butts I need to drag over the coals?" asked Angel.
Lorne coughed, and looked at Angel awkwardly.
"Er one of them is already getting his butt dragged over the coals, the coals of hell to be exact, and the other person, is a member of our team," said Lorne.
Angel frowned
"Spike and Fred, why am I not surprised, and why is it when there's trouble, Spike's always at the root of it?" asked Angel, shaking his head.
"That's a little unfair don't you think boss and it does take two to tango," replied Lorne.
"You don't know the guy like I do," said Angel.
"Well he recently got back from saving the world, that's progress wouldn't you say?" asked Lorne.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Fred looked at the clock on the wall, she shut the folder on the papers she'd been looking at, Spike had disappeared for awhile, said he was feeling a little restless and needed a walk to clear his head in readiness, that had been nearly an hour ago, she had to admit that she got more work done when he wasn't there, but it didn't stop her from missing him. Spike reappeared before her.
"Good you're on time," she smiled at him.
"My mother taught me never to keep a lady waiting," said Spike.
"Well why are you just standing around then? And by the way, common sense has taught me never to keep Angel waiting too long," Fred said.
"That wanker could wait forever for all I care," Spike smirked as he followed her out of the office.
They arrived at Angel's penthouse apartment in good time; everyone else was already there.
"Glad you could make it, did think about sending someone to come and get you both, but someone told me that might not be such a good idea," said Angel meaningfully.
"Your point, but then again your whole existence has no point?" Spike returned.
"Guys, guys can we at least put the long knives away for a little while, it's not good for my chi," complained Lorne.
"So what do we have to do, sit in a circle and hold hands?" asked Gunn.
"Not for this one honey, just need you here for support, Wesley could you dim the lights, the less distraction we have the better," said Lorne.
"I showed up to be official light dimmer?" asked Wesley, going over to the light panel on the wall.
"Looks like you found your niche mate, are we gonna do this now? Because there's a hell dimension that seems to have my name on it, " said Spike.
Lorne breathed deeply and closed his eyes for a moment.
"Spike sit down here," said Lorne, holding out a chair for him.
Spike sat down, he looked over at Fred.
"Focus on me, every thing is going to be alright, just believe that," said Fred pretending more confidence than she actually felt.
Lorne pulled up a chair opposite Spike.
"Now I need total silence from everyone if it's to work, any one thinks they can't give me that, leave now," said Lorne.
Spike got up out of his seat.
"I didn't mean you, now sit back down so I can begin," said Lorne.
TBC