Part 11
Spike's Mansion
Sunday 9 am
"Having fun, are you?" Spike asked, as Angelus emerged from the room
where he had Xander tied up.
"Tons," Angelus replied with a smile. "Giles was fun, but this one's
even more fun. He hated me already, so it's just more enjoyable."
"Yeah, I can tell by the screams, you certainly didn't have any lack
of inspiration for torture methods," Spike said. "Is it dead yet?"
Angelus laughed, "Now that's the Spike I remember. That's what I
taught you, after all. These humans, they aren't worth a second
thought. If you get caught up in calling them by their names, you get
distracted by what they really are. They're just toys for us to play
with. No, by the way, it's still alive, but probably wishing it was
dead by now."
Angelus looked around then, with a frown on his face, "Where's Riley?"
"How the hell should I know?" Spike muttered. "Turning him _was_ worth
the expression on Buffy's face when she found out. But now I'm
overcome by the incredible urge to kill him. So maybe he knows that
and is staying clear of me."
"Maybe, but I get the feeling you should be keeping a closer eye on
him. It's always the quiet ones, the ones who seem to be completely
loyal, that turn on you. I should know, shouldn't I?" Angelus said,
looking at Spike pointedly.
"When will you get off it, already, Angelus," Spike said with a sigh.
"You were driving Drusilla mad. If I hadn't gotten us away--"
"Oh, now it's time for _you_ to get off it, Will," Angelus said
angrily. "You were jealous. You couldn't stand the fact that Drusilla
preferred me to you. So, like the spoiled childe that you still are,
you dragged her away kicking and screaming. Sent me to hell as a
little treat for yourself.
"But to get back to the real point, I don't think that Riley can be
trusted. So I would prefer it if you would keep a closer eye on him.
Or, if you can't be bothered to keep watch on your own childe, send
one of the others to do it. And that's not a suggestion, that's an
order. Got it?"
"Fine," Spike said sullenly. "I'll send someone to keep an eye on the
idiot. But I think you're being paranoid."
"Maybe, but that's why I've been here for 250 years, Spike. I'm
careful. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm sure I've neglected the kid
for too long," Angelus grinned.
Xander started as Angelus walked back in. *Shit. And I figured he'd
gotten tired of this. So much for that theory.* he thought hopelessly.
"So, where were we?" Angelus asked with a deceptively sweet
smile. "Oh, yeah. I guess you've discovered my obsession with fire by
now. Which goes right along with my obsession with the smell of
burning flesh," he added, as he lit another match.
Xander had blisters on his arms, chest and back, and by now he had
almost convinced himself he didn't feel it when the burning match hit
his flesh.
Almost.
&&&&&&&&&&
Giles' Apartment
Sunday, 9:15 am
"So tell me already!" Buffy said, annoyed at the silence which
followed every time she asked how Willow and Cordelia thought they
could bring Angel back. They had returned to Giles' house, and Buffy
was gathering all available weapons for the Xander and Wesley
retrieval. Oz had left on a mysterious assignment from Willow, saying
he would be back soon.
"Would one of you spill already?" Buffy yelled.
"Oh, fine I will," Cordelia said. "But only because Xander and Wesley
need you like yesterday. If we can locate a Mohra demon, it's the key
to bringing back Angel. It's blood has regenerative properties."
"Okay, A: How the heck do you know this mohair--"
"MOHRA!" Cordelia yelled.
"Whatever," Buffy shrugged. "How would you know that it has
regenerative properties, and B: Just because it has regenerative
properties, that doesn't mean it would bring back Angel's soul."
"I just know, Buffy. Why can't you just accept that someone, other
than you, Giles, or Willow, could have a good idea?" Cordelia
returned. "I do not have time to explain it all now. Please,"
Cordelia pleaded.
"It's worth a shot, isn't it?" Willow pressed.
"Fine," Buffy said. "Giles, where am I going to find that....thing
that Cordy said?"
"Here's someone who might be able to help you with that," Oz said, as
he walked through the door with Willy in front of him, pointing a
crossbow at Willy's back.
"Hey, Willy! Tell me where I can find a...." Buffy shook her head
and looked expectantly at Willow, who filled in, "Mohra
demon." Buffy smiled her thanks and said, "Yeah, one of those to kill.
And don't waste my time, because I have friends being tortured and
that tends to put me in a bad mood. And I think you know by now how
dangerous that can be for you."
"A Mohra demon? What do you want with one of those?" Willy asked
curiously. "They're not too fun to be around---"
"I have no qualms about hurting you badly," Buffy reminded him.
"They live underground mostly. But that's nothing new, right? I think
the only ones I know about have taken up residence in the huge crypt
that's in the middle of the cemetery across from the library," Willy
said.
"And I kill it how?" Buffy asked, since Cordelia was no help on that
detail.
"It's got a jewel-thing in it's forehead," Willy answered.
"Destroy that, it dies."
"Oh," Buffy said in surprise. "That's easy enough. Okay, Oz. He can go
now." As Willy ran off, Buffy said, "All right, but if this doesn't
work, then...I don't want to think about that," she finished.
"You have to, Buffy," Giles insisted. "You need to prepare yourself
for the possibility that you either won't be able to track down a
Mohra, or the blood won't do what Cordelia thinks it will. And if
either of those things happen, you have to kill Angel. The question
is, do you think you can?"
"She will, I will, somebody will," Anya said, walking into the
apartment slowly. Willow helped her to a chair, and Anya added, "I
don't care who does it, as long as we get Xander out of there.
If Xander is.....then I'll kill Angel myself. Believe me, I'm not too
thrilled with him, as it is, for deciding to use me as breakfast. But
if Xander dies, Angel is going to discover that even though I lost my
amulet, I'm still very capable in the revenge department."
"Willow, I'll need you with me when it's time to enter the mansion,"
Buffy said. "I'm betting Tara will be there, and I'll need you to try
to reverse, or at least weaken, the spell keeping me from attacking
Spike. If Spike comes at me, and I can't stop him, well, we already
know how that one ends. Oz, I'll need the backup, if you think you're
feeling up to it?"
"Sure, it's been a while since I've been part of a Sunnydale
adventure. I've missed those," Oz said with a smile.
"Sorry about the arrow in the ribs, by the way," Buffy said
sheepishly.
"No sorry needed. You were protecting Willow," Oz answered. "I
wouldn't expect any less from you."
"Okay, could we please get to the Xander saving now?" Anya said
impatiently. "Cordelia and I left almost two hours ago, and I don't
want to think about what Angelus is doing right now."
"I'm going too!" Cordelia insisted.
"Cordy, I don't think that's a good idea--" Buffy replied.
"Oh, please. You have no idea of this, but Angel and I have been
fighting demons for months now," Cordelia said. "Yes, that's right.
Cordelia Chase fights demons, it's a shocker to me too. But I can
always hold my own.
"So don't play the big tough Slayer with me. You won't be able to
kill him if it comes down to it, but I will. I promised him a long
time ago, that if he ever went all 'Grr' again, I'd deal with
it." She walked out of the door, oblivious to the shocked looks on
every member of the Scooby Gang's faces.
"Am I imagining things, or did Cordelia Chase actually grow up?" Anya
asked.
"Guess Angel managed to get through to her," Buffy said. "He has the
tendency to bring out the good in people, when he has his soul," she
added, as she followed Cordelia to the van.
"Oh, that would be our cue," Willow said, and she Oz and Anya joined
the others.
End of Part 11
Spike's Mansion
Sunday 9 am
"Having fun, are you?" Spike asked, as Angelus emerged from the room
where he had Xander tied up.
"Tons," Angelus replied with a smile. "Giles was fun, but this one's
even more fun. He hated me already, so it's just more enjoyable."
"Yeah, I can tell by the screams, you certainly didn't have any lack
of inspiration for torture methods," Spike said. "Is it dead yet?"
Angelus laughed, "Now that's the Spike I remember. That's what I
taught you, after all. These humans, they aren't worth a second
thought. If you get caught up in calling them by their names, you get
distracted by what they really are. They're just toys for us to play
with. No, by the way, it's still alive, but probably wishing it was
dead by now."
Angelus looked around then, with a frown on his face, "Where's Riley?"
"How the hell should I know?" Spike muttered. "Turning him _was_ worth
the expression on Buffy's face when she found out. But now I'm
overcome by the incredible urge to kill him. So maybe he knows that
and is staying clear of me."
"Maybe, but I get the feeling you should be keeping a closer eye on
him. It's always the quiet ones, the ones who seem to be completely
loyal, that turn on you. I should know, shouldn't I?" Angelus said,
looking at Spike pointedly.
"When will you get off it, already, Angelus," Spike said with a sigh.
"You were driving Drusilla mad. If I hadn't gotten us away--"
"Oh, now it's time for _you_ to get off it, Will," Angelus said
angrily. "You were jealous. You couldn't stand the fact that Drusilla
preferred me to you. So, like the spoiled childe that you still are,
you dragged her away kicking and screaming. Sent me to hell as a
little treat for yourself.
"But to get back to the real point, I don't think that Riley can be
trusted. So I would prefer it if you would keep a closer eye on him.
Or, if you can't be bothered to keep watch on your own childe, send
one of the others to do it. And that's not a suggestion, that's an
order. Got it?"
"Fine," Spike said sullenly. "I'll send someone to keep an eye on the
idiot. But I think you're being paranoid."
"Maybe, but that's why I've been here for 250 years, Spike. I'm
careful. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm sure I've neglected the kid
for too long," Angelus grinned.
Xander started as Angelus walked back in. *Shit. And I figured he'd
gotten tired of this. So much for that theory.* he thought hopelessly.
"So, where were we?" Angelus asked with a deceptively sweet
smile. "Oh, yeah. I guess you've discovered my obsession with fire by
now. Which goes right along with my obsession with the smell of
burning flesh," he added, as he lit another match.
Xander had blisters on his arms, chest and back, and by now he had
almost convinced himself he didn't feel it when the burning match hit
his flesh.
Almost.
&&&&&&&&&&
Giles' Apartment
Sunday, 9:15 am
"So tell me already!" Buffy said, annoyed at the silence which
followed every time she asked how Willow and Cordelia thought they
could bring Angel back. They had returned to Giles' house, and Buffy
was gathering all available weapons for the Xander and Wesley
retrieval. Oz had left on a mysterious assignment from Willow, saying
he would be back soon.
"Would one of you spill already?" Buffy yelled.
"Oh, fine I will," Cordelia said. "But only because Xander and Wesley
need you like yesterday. If we can locate a Mohra demon, it's the key
to bringing back Angel. It's blood has regenerative properties."
"Okay, A: How the heck do you know this mohair--"
"MOHRA!" Cordelia yelled.
"Whatever," Buffy shrugged. "How would you know that it has
regenerative properties, and B: Just because it has regenerative
properties, that doesn't mean it would bring back Angel's soul."
"I just know, Buffy. Why can't you just accept that someone, other
than you, Giles, or Willow, could have a good idea?" Cordelia
returned. "I do not have time to explain it all now. Please,"
Cordelia pleaded.
"It's worth a shot, isn't it?" Willow pressed.
"Fine," Buffy said. "Giles, where am I going to find that....thing
that Cordy said?"
"Here's someone who might be able to help you with that," Oz said, as
he walked through the door with Willy in front of him, pointing a
crossbow at Willy's back.
"Hey, Willy! Tell me where I can find a...." Buffy shook her head
and looked expectantly at Willow, who filled in, "Mohra
demon." Buffy smiled her thanks and said, "Yeah, one of those to kill.
And don't waste my time, because I have friends being tortured and
that tends to put me in a bad mood. And I think you know by now how
dangerous that can be for you."
"A Mohra demon? What do you want with one of those?" Willy asked
curiously. "They're not too fun to be around---"
"I have no qualms about hurting you badly," Buffy reminded him.
"They live underground mostly. But that's nothing new, right? I think
the only ones I know about have taken up residence in the huge crypt
that's in the middle of the cemetery across from the library," Willy
said.
"And I kill it how?" Buffy asked, since Cordelia was no help on that
detail.
"It's got a jewel-thing in it's forehead," Willy answered.
"Destroy that, it dies."
"Oh," Buffy said in surprise. "That's easy enough. Okay, Oz. He can go
now." As Willy ran off, Buffy said, "All right, but if this doesn't
work, then...I don't want to think about that," she finished.
"You have to, Buffy," Giles insisted. "You need to prepare yourself
for the possibility that you either won't be able to track down a
Mohra, or the blood won't do what Cordelia thinks it will. And if
either of those things happen, you have to kill Angel. The question
is, do you think you can?"
"She will, I will, somebody will," Anya said, walking into the
apartment slowly. Willow helped her to a chair, and Anya added, "I
don't care who does it, as long as we get Xander out of there.
If Xander is.....then I'll kill Angel myself. Believe me, I'm not too
thrilled with him, as it is, for deciding to use me as breakfast. But
if Xander dies, Angel is going to discover that even though I lost my
amulet, I'm still very capable in the revenge department."
"Willow, I'll need you with me when it's time to enter the mansion,"
Buffy said. "I'm betting Tara will be there, and I'll need you to try
to reverse, or at least weaken, the spell keeping me from attacking
Spike. If Spike comes at me, and I can't stop him, well, we already
know how that one ends. Oz, I'll need the backup, if you think you're
feeling up to it?"
"Sure, it's been a while since I've been part of a Sunnydale
adventure. I've missed those," Oz said with a smile.
"Sorry about the arrow in the ribs, by the way," Buffy said
sheepishly.
"No sorry needed. You were protecting Willow," Oz answered. "I
wouldn't expect any less from you."
"Okay, could we please get to the Xander saving now?" Anya said
impatiently. "Cordelia and I left almost two hours ago, and I don't
want to think about what Angelus is doing right now."
"I'm going too!" Cordelia insisted.
"Cordy, I don't think that's a good idea--" Buffy replied.
"Oh, please. You have no idea of this, but Angel and I have been
fighting demons for months now," Cordelia said. "Yes, that's right.
Cordelia Chase fights demons, it's a shocker to me too. But I can
always hold my own.
"So don't play the big tough Slayer with me. You won't be able to
kill him if it comes down to it, but I will. I promised him a long
time ago, that if he ever went all 'Grr' again, I'd deal with
it." She walked out of the door, oblivious to the shocked looks on
every member of the Scooby Gang's faces.
"Am I imagining things, or did Cordelia Chase actually grow up?" Anya
asked.
"Guess Angel managed to get through to her," Buffy said. "He has the
tendency to bring out the good in people, when he has his soul," she
added, as she followed Cordelia to the van.
"Oh, that would be our cue," Willow said, and she Oz and Anya joined
the others.
End of Part 11