"Meenotuk." Angel spat the name as though the very word was distasteful,
he made for the door closely followed by Wesley and Gunn.
"Hey, Angel, before you go off half cocked as usual, you might want to consider what you're walking into." Lindsey stood beside Wesley's desk, even through the bruises Angel could see the look of smug satisfaction on his face.
"Why don't you enlighten me, Lindsey, since you're feeling so generous with the information today." Angel folded his arms over his chest and waited.
"My guess is you're heading to the hospital, am I right?" He sat down behind Wesley's desk, making himself at home and earning a scowl from the Englishman, a look he chose to ignore.
"So?"
"My next guess is they'll tell you it wasn't that fat freak who took you're little friend. Maybe you're all willing to take people on trust, but hospitals generally want proof before they hand over patients. Especially patients with gun shot wounds, which by law have to be reported to the police, by the way. Would you believe Meenotuk if he told you he was that kid's brother?"
"I hate to admit it, Angel, but he does make sense." Wesley pointed out.
"I had worked that out for myself, Wes." Angel shot the man a frosty stare then returned his attention to Lindsey. "What else do you see in your crystal ball?"
"Meenotuk's in league with Savage so you're going to have to be prepared for practically anything. My contact told me Meenotuk's been gone most of the day so you can pretty much bet they're together. Savage is a slippery son of bitch, Angel, but he's also very clever, don't make the mistake of underestimating him. He's more than just a lawyer." Lindsey's demeanour changed. "For better or worse," he thought, "We're in this together."
Angel seemed to consider all that Lindsey had said then replied, reluctantly. "I don't like this any more than you do Lindsey, and as much as I may hate you personally we'll be stronger if we work together on this." His tone was clipped, as thought just saying the words was a feat of pure willpower.
Spike had heard enough; he couldn't bear to hang around any longer waiting for someone to make a move "I hate to bust up this cosy little male bonding session, but in case you pillocks haven't noticed, Ariane's still out there on her own."
"Wes find out what you can about Mark Savage, Lindsey give him a hand. Gunn, see if you can find out who took Ari from the hospital, take Fred with you. They must have video surveillance, check the tapes." Angel took charge effortlessly, barking orders with his usual lack of diplomacy.
"What are you going to do?" Spike asked, squaring up to Angel.
"I'm going to visit Lord Meenotuk, want to come?" Angel smirked, and Spike joined him in a rye chuckle.
"Can I ask a question, before you guy's run off to rescue the damsel in distress?" Cordy broke in, "Are you sure she 'is' a damsel in distress? I mean no one's given me a good reason for what she did. Other than Spike who, no offence, seems to have a weakness where she's concerned."
Lorne, who had been quiet and glum since his return, stood and left the room without comment. He could not condone Ariane's actions, but he couldn't seem to bring himself to condemn her either, at least not until he knew all the facts. He didn't want to sit around and listen while others blamed her without proof.
Angel's brown eyes followed the sombre demon as he exited and his heart went out to him. Of all of them, Lorne had been closest to Ariane he could understand how difficult this was.
"Oy bint, watch who you're calling weak." Spike scowled. Angel rolled his eyes and wondered, for the millionth time if Spike would ever grow up.
Cordelia ignored him and continued to look around the room for a reaction. "It's a fair question." She stated in her own defence.
"Don't look at me," Lindsey shrugged, "I'm the one who shot her."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She lay still, hoping that if she didn't move the pain would diminish. Her back was a torment and it hurt to breathe. She could hear the slow rhythm of her heart, a pounding drum beating repeatedly in her ears. A pulse continually reminding her of her actions, like an echo of guilt.
It took several moments for her confused senses to comprehend she was not alone in the room, she could hear someone else's low breathing. She listened intently allowing herself to be carried away by it, the act itself a blessed relief from her agony.
The thing had been left there to watch over her, to inform its master when she awoke, if she awoke, or if she died. It was human, but barely so and it seemed fascinated by violence and misery, its name was David. David's every thought was polluted, corrupt and sordid, their contact made her feel dirty. She pulled her mind back before he could sense her presence.
She felt an instant of nausea as she returned to her shattered body and prayed silently for a return to the abandon of unconsciousness.
David approached and stood looming over her like a vulture, she could smell his fetid breath as he leaned close to her face to confirm she was still breathing. There was a sudden, piercing pain as he jabbed her chest with stiff fingers and she felt warm blood trickle down her side. It took all her will not to cry out, she tried to keep her breathing steady. The thing backed away, returning to its previous position on the opposite side of the room, seemingly convinced her condition had not changed. She heard a click then the muffled sound of a television.
Sensing the mans attention was diverted her thoughts turned inward.
"How could I have been so foolish, so careless?" She admonished herself, "To believe after all I have been shown, that people would endure my presence so freely. To believe that I was not influencing them with my own selfish wish to be accepted. I endangered the lives of everyone I have grown to care for, the only people who have shown me any emotion other than loathing. In return for their friendship I gave them violence and bloodshed."
"You have been isolated for many years, Ariane, your contact with receptive beings was unpredicted." She heard the voice of Martin and the pieces of her heart ached for him. She knew his presence was an illusion but she could not bring herself to banish it. Instead she let her imagination return them to her home. To the west meadow under the shade of the willow, the summer sun sparkling on the stream, turning the water into sparkling pools of liquid diamonds.
"That is no excuse, my teacher." She sobbed, she saw him now, as he had been four years ago. His white hair long, wild and unruly. The deep folds in his soft skin silent reminders of the laughter and happiness he had enjoyed in his long life.
"An untrained power is a dangerous weapon." He reminded her, his gentle smile like a precious gift.
"I was forbidden to have contact with others after you.." She could not bring herself to say the word. "I was not aware of this ability, sire, this curse. I should have.."
"Yes?" He asked mildly.
"I should have felt it." She whispered. "I should have controlled it."
"Yes." He nodded.
"You taught me to always question my own motives, to strive to provide the best for my master and to disregard my own desires. I was captivated by a world of new experiences and I turned my back on your teachings. I have committed a grievous transgression and my selfishness may have cost another life my lord."
"May have? That would indicate there was an opportunity for you to redeem yourself. Did you succeed, apprentice?"
"I know not, sire."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When Angel and Spike arrived at Lord Meenotuk's estate, the members of his "household" appeared to be in a frenzy. There were people scuttling hurriedly from one side of the huge reception hall to the other. Several men stood whispering conspiratorially beside a wide, white marble staircase winding its way to the upper floors. The men glared at Angel then mumbled and split up disappearing into a maze of corridors.
The diminutive man who received them in the foyer looked terrified as he asked Angel if he had an appointment.
"No, I was just passing and thought I'd drop in, you know how it is." Angel replied shrugging casually and scanning the scene around him.
"I am afraid Lord Meenotuk is not at home, he was called away early this morning and we do not know if .. when he will be returning." The man corrected himself, but not quickly enough. Angel noted the slip and smiled cynically to himself.
"Really, what a shame. I was looking forward to seeing him again. Listen eh, what's your name?" Angel asked slipping his arm around the mans shoulders and walking him further into the room.
"Thomas, sir." The man replied, looking up anxiously into Angel's eyes.
"Listen Thomas, you're seem a nice guy so I'm going to cut you a break. If you tell me where you're boss went this morning, I won't kill you." Angel stated calmly to the stunned man by his side.
"I, I do not know sir." Thomas uttered, looking warily at Angel and taking a step away from him. "Though I believe the Lord was with Morven in the gathering before he left, perhaps she would know."
"Perfect, Thomas. Now just show me where she is and you can go about your business." Thomas led Angel and the invisible Spike to a corridor and pointed out a door at the far end, indicating that was where Morven could be found, he scurried away as quickly as his stubby legs could carry him.
Angel threw the door open, producing screams of fright from several women as he strode purposefully into the middle of the large room. He looked completely out of place there, in his dark grey sweater and black pants.
The whole room was an explosion of colour. There were seer drapes of every conceivable hue covering the back wall of windows. Several very long, scarlet sofas' were placed at random around the room. Lounging on them were perhaps thirty people. Scattered on the floor there were masses of silk cushions mirroring the colours of the drapes. It was an almost perfect representation of a stereotypical harem, only the presence of young men in the group spoiling the image.
"Jesus, it's like an MGM musical in here." He thought as he searched the faces around him for Morven.
"Over there." Spike appeared and pointed toward a smaller group of four women in a corner.
Morven stood when she saw Angel approach, she was wearing a similar outfit to the one she had worn at the offering in Angel's office. This time the bikini was covered by an azure robe. She raked her gaze over Angel insolently inspecting him. "Have you changed your mind, or have you tired of the little monster?" She asked one hand languidly tracing the contour of his face.
Angel allowed the contact but his jaw was set in a hard line, one muscle jerking as he clenched his teeth. "No, I've come looking for information."
Her hand dropped immediately and she turned away from him, her ego bruised. "You will hear nothing from me." She spat over her shoulder.
"Look luv, I wouldn't piss him off. He's had a shitty day and he has a short temper at the best of times. Just tell him what he wants to hear and we'll leave. Or there's always the other option which means you'll be picking that pretty face off the floor later, you decide." Spike appraised her, his eyes tracing her from head to toe then back again. He could see she was enjoying the attention.
"Spike, keep it in your pants for once." Angel winked at the spectre over the woman's shoulder, noting the good cop, bad cop roles and stepping in effortlessly. "Easy way or hard way?" Angel grabbed Morven by the arm and turned her to face him.
"I'll tell him." She jerked her head toward Spike and Angel released her arm.
He scowled at her while behind her he could see the young man who had also attended the offering at Wolfram and Hart. He was motioning to Angel to follow him. "You deal with her, I'll see what else I can find out." Angel muttered to Spike as he walked in the direction the boy had gone.
He followed him down a narrow corridor, and through a doorway to what appeared to be a dormitory. Angel could see rows of open rooms with four beds in each, stretching down the corridor, there were perhaps ten of them. After the riot of colours in the previous room, the total lack of colour here was startling. There was nothing but white everywhere. White walls, floor, drapes, even the sheets on the beds were plain white.
"Where are you taking me?" Angel called to the boy, who had stopped in front of yet another door.
"I did not know if you would recall me, I am Daniel my Lord." The boy bowed slightly and Angel was reminded of Ariane. "I wished to speak to you away from the others." He whispered.
"Why?" Angel asked his brow furrowing, he stood back from the young man, maintaining distance in case it was a trap.
"There is great trouble here. I over heard one of the council members talking, he said Ariane's mission had failed, is this true?"
Angel's heart sank, "So she did know." He thought to himself before answering the boy. "I'm still standing here so I guess that means it failed, yeah."
"Does she live?" Daniel asked, his tone conveyed concern.
"Last time I heard, yes." Angel answered honestly.
The boy nodded then opened the door and Angel readied himself for a fight, but the room behind was empty. He walked through and Daniel followed him.
The room was tiny, grey and windowless, more a cupboard than a room. A narrow cot stood in the corner, a small chest at its foot the only pieces of furniture. A single bulb hung from the ceiling, the dim light it gave out only succeeded in making the room seem even more miserable. It was a cheerless place and it reminded Angel of some of the squalid hovels he had stayed in following his re-ensoulment.
"Is this your room?" Angel asked, wondering again why the boy had brought him here.
"No, this was Ariane's cell." Daniel walked to the chest and lifted its top looking inside for something. He returned to Angel with a small bundle of papers, Angel noticed they were pencil drawings. "The Lord bid me to burn these, but I could not. I thought perhaps as you are now her master that the right to them was yours. I would be grateful if you could return them to her."
"Why wasn't she in rooms like the others?" Angel asked flicking through the sketches.
"Ariane was not permitted to communicate with the rest of the gathering." He told Angel. "She was only released from here to meet with Lord Meenotuk. We were forbidden to approach her, we were told she was a witch and would steal our souls."
"Did you believe that?" Angel looked at the boy and he smiled grimly.
"No. She and I trained together with a teacher, Martin, for a time." The boy thought for a second before adding, "We were ... friends. Sire, I must return before I am missed." He jumped nervously when a door slammed in another part of the house.
Angel only nodded and looked around the dismal room once more before leaving.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This will probably be my last chapter before Christmas, so I'll take the opportunity to wish all of you a happy festive season.
GidgetGirl: It's nice to see someone else's mind can make the same crazy connections as my own. Is she real? Yeah she is, at least to me.
Imzadi: Thank goodness Lindsey is okay for you, I was worried there would be a lynching if I got him wrong.
MysticWolf1: Still with me, I'm very grateful. Thanks
Samara: I'm glad you enjoyed Ch13, I hope you like this one too.
Celtic Cat: How you can compare my clumsy effort with your elegant work is beyond me, but thanks.
Kinoa: I'm negative by nature, I never think anything I do is good enough.
Tariq: No crossover, not this time.
Oh by the way, I just found out the UK is finally going to see series 5 in January. (Imagine if you can a 5'2" Scottish bird doing a one woman Mexican wave)
"Hey, Angel, before you go off half cocked as usual, you might want to consider what you're walking into." Lindsey stood beside Wesley's desk, even through the bruises Angel could see the look of smug satisfaction on his face.
"Why don't you enlighten me, Lindsey, since you're feeling so generous with the information today." Angel folded his arms over his chest and waited.
"My guess is you're heading to the hospital, am I right?" He sat down behind Wesley's desk, making himself at home and earning a scowl from the Englishman, a look he chose to ignore.
"So?"
"My next guess is they'll tell you it wasn't that fat freak who took you're little friend. Maybe you're all willing to take people on trust, but hospitals generally want proof before they hand over patients. Especially patients with gun shot wounds, which by law have to be reported to the police, by the way. Would you believe Meenotuk if he told you he was that kid's brother?"
"I hate to admit it, Angel, but he does make sense." Wesley pointed out.
"I had worked that out for myself, Wes." Angel shot the man a frosty stare then returned his attention to Lindsey. "What else do you see in your crystal ball?"
"Meenotuk's in league with Savage so you're going to have to be prepared for practically anything. My contact told me Meenotuk's been gone most of the day so you can pretty much bet they're together. Savage is a slippery son of bitch, Angel, but he's also very clever, don't make the mistake of underestimating him. He's more than just a lawyer." Lindsey's demeanour changed. "For better or worse," he thought, "We're in this together."
Angel seemed to consider all that Lindsey had said then replied, reluctantly. "I don't like this any more than you do Lindsey, and as much as I may hate you personally we'll be stronger if we work together on this." His tone was clipped, as thought just saying the words was a feat of pure willpower.
Spike had heard enough; he couldn't bear to hang around any longer waiting for someone to make a move "I hate to bust up this cosy little male bonding session, but in case you pillocks haven't noticed, Ariane's still out there on her own."
"Wes find out what you can about Mark Savage, Lindsey give him a hand. Gunn, see if you can find out who took Ari from the hospital, take Fred with you. They must have video surveillance, check the tapes." Angel took charge effortlessly, barking orders with his usual lack of diplomacy.
"What are you going to do?" Spike asked, squaring up to Angel.
"I'm going to visit Lord Meenotuk, want to come?" Angel smirked, and Spike joined him in a rye chuckle.
"Can I ask a question, before you guy's run off to rescue the damsel in distress?" Cordy broke in, "Are you sure she 'is' a damsel in distress? I mean no one's given me a good reason for what she did. Other than Spike who, no offence, seems to have a weakness where she's concerned."
Lorne, who had been quiet and glum since his return, stood and left the room without comment. He could not condone Ariane's actions, but he couldn't seem to bring himself to condemn her either, at least not until he knew all the facts. He didn't want to sit around and listen while others blamed her without proof.
Angel's brown eyes followed the sombre demon as he exited and his heart went out to him. Of all of them, Lorne had been closest to Ariane he could understand how difficult this was.
"Oy bint, watch who you're calling weak." Spike scowled. Angel rolled his eyes and wondered, for the millionth time if Spike would ever grow up.
Cordelia ignored him and continued to look around the room for a reaction. "It's a fair question." She stated in her own defence.
"Don't look at me," Lindsey shrugged, "I'm the one who shot her."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She lay still, hoping that if she didn't move the pain would diminish. Her back was a torment and it hurt to breathe. She could hear the slow rhythm of her heart, a pounding drum beating repeatedly in her ears. A pulse continually reminding her of her actions, like an echo of guilt.
It took several moments for her confused senses to comprehend she was not alone in the room, she could hear someone else's low breathing. She listened intently allowing herself to be carried away by it, the act itself a blessed relief from her agony.
The thing had been left there to watch over her, to inform its master when she awoke, if she awoke, or if she died. It was human, but barely so and it seemed fascinated by violence and misery, its name was David. David's every thought was polluted, corrupt and sordid, their contact made her feel dirty. She pulled her mind back before he could sense her presence.
She felt an instant of nausea as she returned to her shattered body and prayed silently for a return to the abandon of unconsciousness.
David approached and stood looming over her like a vulture, she could smell his fetid breath as he leaned close to her face to confirm she was still breathing. There was a sudden, piercing pain as he jabbed her chest with stiff fingers and she felt warm blood trickle down her side. It took all her will not to cry out, she tried to keep her breathing steady. The thing backed away, returning to its previous position on the opposite side of the room, seemingly convinced her condition had not changed. She heard a click then the muffled sound of a television.
Sensing the mans attention was diverted her thoughts turned inward.
"How could I have been so foolish, so careless?" She admonished herself, "To believe after all I have been shown, that people would endure my presence so freely. To believe that I was not influencing them with my own selfish wish to be accepted. I endangered the lives of everyone I have grown to care for, the only people who have shown me any emotion other than loathing. In return for their friendship I gave them violence and bloodshed."
"You have been isolated for many years, Ariane, your contact with receptive beings was unpredicted." She heard the voice of Martin and the pieces of her heart ached for him. She knew his presence was an illusion but she could not bring herself to banish it. Instead she let her imagination return them to her home. To the west meadow under the shade of the willow, the summer sun sparkling on the stream, turning the water into sparkling pools of liquid diamonds.
"That is no excuse, my teacher." She sobbed, she saw him now, as he had been four years ago. His white hair long, wild and unruly. The deep folds in his soft skin silent reminders of the laughter and happiness he had enjoyed in his long life.
"An untrained power is a dangerous weapon." He reminded her, his gentle smile like a precious gift.
"I was forbidden to have contact with others after you.." She could not bring herself to say the word. "I was not aware of this ability, sire, this curse. I should have.."
"Yes?" He asked mildly.
"I should have felt it." She whispered. "I should have controlled it."
"Yes." He nodded.
"You taught me to always question my own motives, to strive to provide the best for my master and to disregard my own desires. I was captivated by a world of new experiences and I turned my back on your teachings. I have committed a grievous transgression and my selfishness may have cost another life my lord."
"May have? That would indicate there was an opportunity for you to redeem yourself. Did you succeed, apprentice?"
"I know not, sire."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When Angel and Spike arrived at Lord Meenotuk's estate, the members of his "household" appeared to be in a frenzy. There were people scuttling hurriedly from one side of the huge reception hall to the other. Several men stood whispering conspiratorially beside a wide, white marble staircase winding its way to the upper floors. The men glared at Angel then mumbled and split up disappearing into a maze of corridors.
The diminutive man who received them in the foyer looked terrified as he asked Angel if he had an appointment.
"No, I was just passing and thought I'd drop in, you know how it is." Angel replied shrugging casually and scanning the scene around him.
"I am afraid Lord Meenotuk is not at home, he was called away early this morning and we do not know if .. when he will be returning." The man corrected himself, but not quickly enough. Angel noted the slip and smiled cynically to himself.
"Really, what a shame. I was looking forward to seeing him again. Listen eh, what's your name?" Angel asked slipping his arm around the mans shoulders and walking him further into the room.
"Thomas, sir." The man replied, looking up anxiously into Angel's eyes.
"Listen Thomas, you're seem a nice guy so I'm going to cut you a break. If you tell me where you're boss went this morning, I won't kill you." Angel stated calmly to the stunned man by his side.
"I, I do not know sir." Thomas uttered, looking warily at Angel and taking a step away from him. "Though I believe the Lord was with Morven in the gathering before he left, perhaps she would know."
"Perfect, Thomas. Now just show me where she is and you can go about your business." Thomas led Angel and the invisible Spike to a corridor and pointed out a door at the far end, indicating that was where Morven could be found, he scurried away as quickly as his stubby legs could carry him.
Angel threw the door open, producing screams of fright from several women as he strode purposefully into the middle of the large room. He looked completely out of place there, in his dark grey sweater and black pants.
The whole room was an explosion of colour. There were seer drapes of every conceivable hue covering the back wall of windows. Several very long, scarlet sofas' were placed at random around the room. Lounging on them were perhaps thirty people. Scattered on the floor there were masses of silk cushions mirroring the colours of the drapes. It was an almost perfect representation of a stereotypical harem, only the presence of young men in the group spoiling the image.
"Jesus, it's like an MGM musical in here." He thought as he searched the faces around him for Morven.
"Over there." Spike appeared and pointed toward a smaller group of four women in a corner.
Morven stood when she saw Angel approach, she was wearing a similar outfit to the one she had worn at the offering in Angel's office. This time the bikini was covered by an azure robe. She raked her gaze over Angel insolently inspecting him. "Have you changed your mind, or have you tired of the little monster?" She asked one hand languidly tracing the contour of his face.
Angel allowed the contact but his jaw was set in a hard line, one muscle jerking as he clenched his teeth. "No, I've come looking for information."
Her hand dropped immediately and she turned away from him, her ego bruised. "You will hear nothing from me." She spat over her shoulder.
"Look luv, I wouldn't piss him off. He's had a shitty day and he has a short temper at the best of times. Just tell him what he wants to hear and we'll leave. Or there's always the other option which means you'll be picking that pretty face off the floor later, you decide." Spike appraised her, his eyes tracing her from head to toe then back again. He could see she was enjoying the attention.
"Spike, keep it in your pants for once." Angel winked at the spectre over the woman's shoulder, noting the good cop, bad cop roles and stepping in effortlessly. "Easy way or hard way?" Angel grabbed Morven by the arm and turned her to face him.
"I'll tell him." She jerked her head toward Spike and Angel released her arm.
He scowled at her while behind her he could see the young man who had also attended the offering at Wolfram and Hart. He was motioning to Angel to follow him. "You deal with her, I'll see what else I can find out." Angel muttered to Spike as he walked in the direction the boy had gone.
He followed him down a narrow corridor, and through a doorway to what appeared to be a dormitory. Angel could see rows of open rooms with four beds in each, stretching down the corridor, there were perhaps ten of them. After the riot of colours in the previous room, the total lack of colour here was startling. There was nothing but white everywhere. White walls, floor, drapes, even the sheets on the beds were plain white.
"Where are you taking me?" Angel called to the boy, who had stopped in front of yet another door.
"I did not know if you would recall me, I am Daniel my Lord." The boy bowed slightly and Angel was reminded of Ariane. "I wished to speak to you away from the others." He whispered.
"Why?" Angel asked his brow furrowing, he stood back from the young man, maintaining distance in case it was a trap.
"There is great trouble here. I over heard one of the council members talking, he said Ariane's mission had failed, is this true?"
Angel's heart sank, "So she did know." He thought to himself before answering the boy. "I'm still standing here so I guess that means it failed, yeah."
"Does she live?" Daniel asked, his tone conveyed concern.
"Last time I heard, yes." Angel answered honestly.
The boy nodded then opened the door and Angel readied himself for a fight, but the room behind was empty. He walked through and Daniel followed him.
The room was tiny, grey and windowless, more a cupboard than a room. A narrow cot stood in the corner, a small chest at its foot the only pieces of furniture. A single bulb hung from the ceiling, the dim light it gave out only succeeded in making the room seem even more miserable. It was a cheerless place and it reminded Angel of some of the squalid hovels he had stayed in following his re-ensoulment.
"Is this your room?" Angel asked, wondering again why the boy had brought him here.
"No, this was Ariane's cell." Daniel walked to the chest and lifted its top looking inside for something. He returned to Angel with a small bundle of papers, Angel noticed they were pencil drawings. "The Lord bid me to burn these, but I could not. I thought perhaps as you are now her master that the right to them was yours. I would be grateful if you could return them to her."
"Why wasn't she in rooms like the others?" Angel asked flicking through the sketches.
"Ariane was not permitted to communicate with the rest of the gathering." He told Angel. "She was only released from here to meet with Lord Meenotuk. We were forbidden to approach her, we were told she was a witch and would steal our souls."
"Did you believe that?" Angel looked at the boy and he smiled grimly.
"No. She and I trained together with a teacher, Martin, for a time." The boy thought for a second before adding, "We were ... friends. Sire, I must return before I am missed." He jumped nervously when a door slammed in another part of the house.
Angel only nodded and looked around the dismal room once more before leaving.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This will probably be my last chapter before Christmas, so I'll take the opportunity to wish all of you a happy festive season.
GidgetGirl: It's nice to see someone else's mind can make the same crazy connections as my own. Is she real? Yeah she is, at least to me.
Imzadi: Thank goodness Lindsey is okay for you, I was worried there would be a lynching if I got him wrong.
MysticWolf1: Still with me, I'm very grateful. Thanks
Samara: I'm glad you enjoyed Ch13, I hope you like this one too.
Celtic Cat: How you can compare my clumsy effort with your elegant work is beyond me, but thanks.
Kinoa: I'm negative by nature, I never think anything I do is good enough.
Tariq: No crossover, not this time.
Oh by the way, I just found out the UK is finally going to see series 5 in January. (Imagine if you can a 5'2" Scottish bird doing a one woman Mexican wave)