Title: Loose Ends
Author: Jane McCartney
Disclaimer: All the characters you recognize belong to Joss & co. (all hail the crackhead). I'm just fooling around with his universe, with no intention of making money or anything.
Classification: Buffy-Angel crossover
Rating: PG13
Feedback: Yes, please! Doesn't everyone want it?
Email: janemccartney@bol.com.br
Distribution: Anywhere, I don't mind, just credit me and inform me where it's at.
Acknowledgements: Thanks to Theo, who actually made this project a viable one with his amazing and wonderful work â€" I'm truly grateful for your help with the English grammar and all the necessary adaptations. You're my savior.
Note: This is my very first attempt at fan fiction, and English is definitely not my native language, so I'd be happy if you guys didn't go too hard on me â€" please. I'm just doing the best I can here.
Summary: [Buffy-Angel Crossover] Xander shows up in Los Angeles, and brings with him a secret that'll lead him into dangerous territory. Can he cope with that? And his friends, will they be there for him?
***
Fred was interlacing her delicate fingers nervously, a large mug of chamomile tea in place between her skinny hands.
Her attention was completely focused on the suddenly spectacular show that the cubes of ice inside her mug had become, when the unforeseen sound of a phone ringing started to fill the Hyperion's lounge with its usual strident noise.
Jumping out of her chair in fright on account of the sudden disturbance, the Texan girl dropped the mug, and a considerable amount of tea splattered onto the desk. Drenching check payments, client's files and some dusty books that were on the top of the wooden surface, very much to Fred's horror.
"Oh no, Wesley's so gonna kill me," the brunette girl sighed in frustration, trying futilely to dry the liquid from the desk with her jacket sleeve.
But there was just too much spilled tea, and the soaked cloth wasn't enough to cut it. Muttering irked complaints at her clumsy incident, Fred then noticed the phone still ringing insistently and promptly made her way to it.
Picking up the telephone and bringing it to her ear, Fred was about to talk â€" but then an ice cube popped out of the empty mug and fell directly into Cordelia's new makeup kit, which the brunette young woman had bought only three days before.
Fred found herself suddenly absorbed with brief memories of her seer friend, sighing in worry and preoccupation. It had already been a couple of hours since Cordelia might have been abducted by Xander, and they still hadn't heard anything.
Wesley had called Sunnydale while Angel and Gunn had gone out onto the nighttime streets of L.A., trying vainly to locate the former Sunnydale couple â€" or, at least, any clues as to their whereabouts.
But they'd returned empty-handed, and with an utterly unanticipated situation to handle. So Fred's nervousness and agitation had only increased more and more, during those clueless hours.
~ Uh, hello? Is anyone there? ~ a female voice asked tentatively from the other end of the line, when the utter silence since Fred had first picked up the phone didn't exactly leave her any other choice.
The brunette Texan girl finally snapped out of her own thoughts, grabbing an old piece of fabric and cleaning the last vestiges of her disaster with the mug of tea.
~ Yeah, there's me. I mean... ~ Fred sighed, trying to reorganize her words, when her soaked sleeve encountered another pile of papers on the desk.
~ Oh man, he's so totally gonna kill me, ~ the Texan girl automatically rebuked herself nervously, finding the disaster that she had created growing more and more with every passing minute.
~ What? ~ the confused voice replied, with a puzzled and uncertain tone.
~ Oh, sorry! It wasn't you who I was talking to, it's just this whole thing with tea and ice that I was drinking, and they've just splashed all over... uh, we're Angel Investigations, we help the helpless! ~ Fred tried futilely to stop her incoherent babbling, but muffled chuckles could be heard from the unknown voice on the other end of the line.
A long silence then followed, and the bewildered voice finally asked with a little too much bafflement, ~ You drink tea with ice? ~
~ Well, yes, I do! ~ Fred replied defensively, but lowering her voice immediately. ~ What can we do to help you? ~
~ I wanna talk to Angel. Uh, please, ~ the female voice replied uncertainly.
~ Oh, Angel, well, I'm not so sure if he's available now. Perhaps you'd like to leave him a message, or... ~
Fred then risked tentatively saying, ~ ...perhaps you could tell me what it's about, and I'll see what I can do for you? ~
After all, Fred Burkle knew that what with Cordelia's recent disappearance and Xander's unique circumstances, the centuries-older vampire would certainly not be in the best mood to pick up any new clients. And she couldn't allow him to get into this, without at least giving herself a shot at helping this probable prospective customer.
And also, it'd be a good chance to prove to herself that she could actually do something right without some sort of constant vigilance on the part of the others, dogging her steps.
The unknown voice sighed, sounding half-impatient, half-tired. ~ Look, it's really, really important... ~
Another silence took place for a few brief instants, muffled static being the only noise heard while the voice's owner seemed to have paused thoughtfully. ~ Tell him it's Buffy on the phone. ~
Fred's jaw fell in pure astonishment and incredulity, and the slim brunette had to make a strong effort to recover her ability to speak. ~ Buffy? You mean, dead Buffy? The girl who came back and... oh, I'm so sorry! I'm always saying things I'm not supposed to... ~
The blonde Slayer chuckled smoothly on her cell phone at the Texan girl's words. ~ That's OK, I didn't know I had a nickname, ~ she replied lightly. ~ So, can I talk to Angel now? ~
"Who is it, Fred?" Gunn asked demandingly, and the Texan girl just then noticed the recently arrived faces in the Hyperion's lounge â€" the young vampire hunter, Wesley and Angel.
"Angel, it's for you," Fred declared cautiously, almost shyly.
Even knowing that Angel knew that his former girlfriend was probably on her way to Los Angeles, the brunette girl really didn't know how he would react to seeing the blonde Slayer once again after their last encounter, when she'd just come back to life and they'd met in a neutral location.
Though Fred did know that anything related to Buffy, was already an utterly delicate subject.
"Whoever it is, I'm not available," Angel snapped, winning a knowing glance from Wesley.
"But I really think you should-" the brunette Texan fruitlessly tried to begin.
"Fred, I must say that Angel's quite right. We should be concentrating on Cordelia and Xander right now â€" we, we do not have time for any other considerations at the moment," the English man completed his little speech, moving closer to Fred.
"But-" once again, the Texan brunette's words were promptly interrupted with determined gazes from the trio, and Fred finally sighed in defeat.
"Okay then," the young woman whispered in annoyance.
~ Hello, Buffy? I'm so sorry, but I believe Angel's not here right now. Should I give him a message or-? ~ the brunette girl asked, in her best impersonation of a professional secretary.
The dark-haired vampire practically flew to the phone, and snatched it from Fred's grasp.
Fred and Gunn exchanged low chuckles and Wesley offered a weak grin, though the former Watcher's focus of attention wasn't currently on Angel's semi- clumsy dash to the telephone.
Rather, he was more concerned about Buffy's reasons to call.
Would it be more bad news?
It had been what, three or four hours since he'd called Sunnydale? And, during all those unreal hours, every attempt on their part to locate either Cordelia or Xander had been just one dead end after another.
Surreal uncertainty had unquestionably surrounded this whole night, and the Englishman honestly didn't know what to do anymore, but to simply wait.
Wait for the best, wait for the worst, or simply wait to wake up and escape from this absurd and hallucinatory dream he'd possibly been having.
After all â€" could it honestly be reality?
Part of Wesley's mind didn't want to believe that, in fact, it could. Not knowing your enemy could be a suffocating, terrifying situation; but when your concept of an acceptable antagonist mutated into an actually familiar face, things actually got a lot worse.
But there was another part of his mind that simply knew, no matter how hard Destiny would play with them, that the harsh possibility of such a thing would always be there. Following them in the dark with every new step, just waiting to make its enraged appearance and transform their lives a living hell once again.
The Englishman's thoughts were promptly interrupted when Angel started to talk to the Slayer, and the former Watcher sighed heavily.
They'd been sailing through dangerous territory, and that was an irrefutable fact which Wesley was simply sure of, much to his own consternation and apprehension.
~ Buffy, ~ the dark-haired vampire greeted her, with his usual deadpan tone of voice.
~ Angel, ~ the petite Slayer replied, with a futile attempt at sounding indifferent.
The truth was, neither one of them knew exactly how they should react after such long time apart from each other's once-comforting presence. The moments they had passed together and fallen asleep in each other's arms as lovers were far, far in the past now.
The love that had once been a precious and plentiful bounty, a dangerous bonfire of true fondness and burning passion, was now a painful and sad memory in a torturous game of what-ifs and unresolved possibilities for the unknown future ahead.
And it was also fair to say that when Buffy had met with Angel after her resurrection, and told him about Spike's new situation with his chip â€" his becoming a practically legit member of the Scooby Gang â€" the former couple's latest dialogue hadn't exactly been a serene and mellow one.
Buffy's dry words were just the perfect demonstration of the currently awkward ambience created, after their previously mutual trust and easily- found comfort in each other had been lost.
~ We're in town already, we'll probably been arriving within the next half- hour, ~ the girl then said.
~ Oh. Did you have a good trip? ~
~ Yeah. ~
~ Good. ~
~ I think. ~
~ Buffy? ~
~ Yeah? ~
~ This is ridiculous. ~
The blonde Slayer sighed in amused defeat, and chuckled weakly. ~ I know. We're just that pathetic, aren't we? ~
~ I'm afraid we are, ~ Angel replied, partially amused and partially nostalgic.
Her voice took on a serious tone then. ~ Do you guys have any news? ~
Angel knew exactly what she was asking about; but, despite all their continuous efforts, they'd not gotten even a vague clue about Xander and Cordelia's whereabouts.
All he was able to say was a weak 'no', and the souled vamp then apologized immediately with an equally weak, ~ I'm sorry. ~
Buffy knew that it wasn't his fault at all, but she didn't have the strength to tell him that at this moment. The whole situation was just too crazy, and to think straight was too great a challenge just then.
~ Angel... I don't know what this is leading up to, but I think I'm afraid, ~ Buffy's voice took on a suddenly darkened tone.
~ We'll find them, Buffy. We *will*, OK? ~ the vampire tried his best to sound confident, but it turned out to be a useless attempt â€" as his former girlfriend could easily detect his own unease.
~ Giles found something, researching... you know, in those dusty old books of his. I think we found out about why Xander's acting so... ~ Buffy's sentence trailed off.
~ Not him, ~ Angel completed softly.
~ Yeah, not him, ~ the blonde Slayer acknowledged sadly, something that didn't pass unnoticed to her former boyfriend's ears.
~ Are you OK? ~ his soft words questioned her carefully.
There was a brief silence, and then Buffy's lightly amused retort came down the phone line. ~ That's a really dumb question, you know? ~
~ I know, ~ Angel replied meekly.
~ It's just that... he was going to marry Anya today, Angel. Sometimes I just don't understand why everything has to be so unjust, so hard... it's just not fair, ~ the Slayer finally blurted out words which were laced with great revulsion and, at the same time, abysmal sorrow.
Angel had multiple answers to that statement â€" unfortunately, few of them were hopeful and embraced with uprightness and fairness.
Life isn't fair? Angel thought to himself.
Indeed it wasn't.
It never would be either, and that was the greatest truth of all.
And with that harsh reality, the eternal fight between good and evil could be almost unfeasible sometimes.
Ambiguous shades of gray would always surround the light and the darkness with their bleak shadows, and the highest challenge wasn't the biggest enemy, or the worst prophecy.
It was the fight against their own fears and weaknesses.
In any case, it was something that Buffy had learned years ago, and Angel was aware that she knew it but was just too afraid to voice it aloud.
~ Look, Buffy, why don't we talk when you get here? ~ he offered carefully.
The blonde Slayer sighed thoughtfully. ~ Maybe. Yeah, that's a good idea. ~
~ OK then, we'll talk, ~ Angel said.
And then, a familiar British accent was noticed by his supernatural vampire hearing, instantly freezing every muscle of Angel's undead physique.
The souled vampire was pretty much certain that if his body had actually been alive, his heart would have instantly stopped dead â€" as soon as his 249-year-old brain recognized a certain annoying British voice.
~ Buffy? ~ Angel demanded, with an undeniable spark of dismay and horror in his suddenly rougher voice.
~ Yeah? ~ the blonde girl replied with a faked innocence, as if she was a little child who'd gotten caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
Wesley's, Fred's and Gunn's attention were completely dragged onto their vampire friend's tensed features, and the trio could swear that he was preparing himself for the worst news ever.
~ Was that voice the voice of who I think that voice was? ~ Angel asked timorously, even though he already knew the harrowing answer to that pointless question.
"That's a lot of voices for a single sentence," Fred commented worriedly.
Wesley just gazed knowingly at the Texan girl, as she sent him an equally fretful glance with her wide brown eyes.
~ I, I can explain! We needed a driver! ~ Buffy offered nervously.
~ You could have taken the bus! ~ Angel practically yelled at her.
~ Yeah, 'cause time's really on our side right now, ~ she replied, with glimpses of annoyance and guilt.
The dark-haired vampire then overheard Spike's voice asking Buffy if 'the big poof was complaining about him'. And that moment, he would have gladly staked Spike if he could have.
But the blonde Slayer seemed to either not hear Spike or ignore him, 'cause no answer was made on her part and the bleached-hair vampire just muttered a 'bloody hell', or something similar, in the background.
~ Giles could have driven you, ~ Angel pointed out, mental exhaustion making its abrupt way into his whole being and seeming to overtake all his strength to fight that subject any longer.
~ He's English, ~ Buffy replied pointedly.
~ What? ~ the puzzled vampire asked in confusion.
~ You know, ~ Buffy began lamely, whispering so that her former Watcher wouldn't hear her. ~ English guys are all careful and everything, and we were kinda in a hurry... ~
~ That doesn't make any sense! Spike's English too! ~ Angel exploded, an unusually craggy tone overtaking his voice.
Buffy paused for an instant and continued apologetically, ~ We really should talk, Angel. Things have been different for a while, with Spike. If it's that serious, this thing with Xander, I don't want to regret not using all the assets we've got, and... I won't hesitate about trusting him to save my best friend. ~
~ OK, ~ the vampire sighed in defeat. ~ We've got more important things on our plate right now, so we'll talk later then. ~
***
"Spike?" Fred shuddered nervously.
"Who the hell's Spike?" Gunn demanded.
"A nightmare, actually," Wesley sighed excruciatingly, staring intensely at Angel.
"You mean, another one," the Texan girl replied fatiguedly, letting her petite body to fall onto a nearby chair.
"Yeah, 'cause that's just what we're needing right now," Gunn whispered sarcastically, resting his back on a wall of the Hyperion's lounge.
The dark-haired vampire returned the former Watcher's gaze, and stood up. "Well, it seems that Spike's... different now," Angel offered dazedly.
"Once again, who the hell's Spike? And what's up with that name, anyway?" Gunn said, walking into the center of the room.
Angel opened his mouth, but Wesley's prompt words interrupted him. "He's a Master vampire," the English guy's features became a shadowy version of themselves. "He's a pitiless killer, a relentless assassin, he's..."
"Inoffensive," Angel completed in a timely manner.
"Yes, inoffensive, a merciless murderer, and... what?" Wesley paused suddenly, gazing confusedly at Angel's dull expression.
Gunn and Fred also exchanged a brief stare of utter confusion. "I don't know about you guys, but I think I'm lost," the brunette girl blurted out.
"And he's my grandchilde too," Angel stated.
"Now, I'm definitely lost," Fred acknowledged with a tense smile.
Wesley briefly returned her smile with one of his own, but his attention was quickly diverted back to Angel again, a demanding expression settling onto the Englishman's features.
"So... Pointy..." Gunn started, but was promptly corrected with regards to Spike's correct name in unison, by both Angel and Wesley.
"Whatever. So, OK, he's a badass vampire, understood. Plan is, we'll kill him, he becomes dust. Ya know, same old routine procedure, right?" the young vampire hunter asked uncertainly, expecting someone to reassure him and confirm his words.
He was due for a little disappointment, though.
"Quite right," Wesley exclaimed.
"No," Angel replied automatically.
"No?" the ex-Watcher questioned skeptically.
"This scene's becoming old," Fred sighed in puzzlement at her friends' insane discussion.
"Yeah, man, this is like Darla all over again," Gunn stated blankly.
"What? No, there's no Darla! It's a long story, but apparently Spike's now neutered with a chip in his brain, and he can't hurt human beings anymore," Angel tried to explain, but the unconvinced tone at his own words didn't convince them at all.
"Really," Wesley snorted incredulously. "And it was all an evil conspiracy on the U.S. government's behalf as well, am I correct?"
"Well, something like that," Angel whispered, and the former Watcher's eyes widened considerably.
"I gotta tell ya, this is getting weirder and weirder," Gunn shivered strongly, and headed back to his spot on one of the Hyperion's lounge walls.
The vampire tensely locked eyes with Wesley's. "Believe me, I was just as thrilled as you are when Buffy first told me."
The former Watcher sighed tiredly, and started to viciously rub his temples in circular movements, trying futilely to get some relief from a marvelous upcoming headache. "Oh, well, I can imagine. But, good Lord, why didn't you tell us anything sooner?"
"I don't know, there was always something more important to deal with, and... it's not like my meeting with Buffy is a subject I really want to talk about," Angel finished abruptly, quickly diverting his gaze from Wesley's one.
"I see," Wesley rapidly stepped back, not wanting to push it any further.
After all, he knew quite well how any topic in which Buffy Summers was involved would always turn out to be an utterly hazardous one to everyone's health.
And there was a whole new world to analyze now, and Wesley was really hoping that the blonde Slayer's arrival wouldn't bring any other disastrous news.
The truth was, their life was already full of them.
First the thing with Cordelia and Xander, and now William the Bloody apparently couldn't even hurt a little five-year-old girl?
Had he been dreaming, and the dream's chaotic scenario become one of Salvador Dali's surreal portraits? Or one of Rene Magritte's, perhaps?
That would certainly explain a lot for Wesley's many-hours-dazed mind.
"So... what are we gonna do now?" Fred asked tentatively, her fumbling voice easily showing her own agitation.
"Call for pizza?" Gunn risked saying.
Angel and Wesley gazed instantly at him, incredulous glances hanging on their uneasy faces.
"Hey, I'm just kiddin', ya know," the young vampire hunter replied quickly, in a defensive tone.
The truth was, Gunn really didn't wanna let his own nervousness become transparent to the others; and he wouldn't risk his butt making any other lame jokes, fearing a cruel and imminent death given his two friends' murderous glares.
Fred smiled reassuringly at him, and Gunn did the same at the Texan girl's comfortable grin.
At least they weren't all going crazy at the same time, or it really could mean a true Armageddon.
At that exact instant, the strident noise of the ringing phone started to once again fill the Hyperion's lounge. The Fang Gang exchanged shocked stares for long seconds, till Wesley finally picked up the telephone.
~ Hi, it's Kate here, ~ the female voice announced pointedly.
~ Ms. Lockley, ~ Wesley replied loudly, so the others could know who he was talking with.
The former cop's statement was prompt and direct. ~ Look, here's the deal: I have a situation. And I was wondering if you guys know one Alexander... hmm, lemme see, Harris. Alexander Harris. Do you know him, by any chance? ~
Wesley felt a freezing cold passing freely through his shivering body and, strangely enough, no words were being capable of leaving his mouth right then; it didn't matter his continuous efforts to say something, his inner and stubborn confusion was winning the fight to stay silent.
They were definitely in for more trouble.
And, once again, Xander Harris's name was written all over it.
***
Review , review, review, review, review, review, review, review, review!
Oh, can I say just one more thing?
Review!
Pleeease?
Author: Jane McCartney
Disclaimer: All the characters you recognize belong to Joss & co. (all hail the crackhead). I'm just fooling around with his universe, with no intention of making money or anything.
Classification: Buffy-Angel crossover
Rating: PG13
Feedback: Yes, please! Doesn't everyone want it?
Email: janemccartney@bol.com.br
Distribution: Anywhere, I don't mind, just credit me and inform me where it's at.
Acknowledgements: Thanks to Theo, who actually made this project a viable one with his amazing and wonderful work â€" I'm truly grateful for your help with the English grammar and all the necessary adaptations. You're my savior.
Note: This is my very first attempt at fan fiction, and English is definitely not my native language, so I'd be happy if you guys didn't go too hard on me â€" please. I'm just doing the best I can here.
Summary: [Buffy-Angel Crossover] Xander shows up in Los Angeles, and brings with him a secret that'll lead him into dangerous territory. Can he cope with that? And his friends, will they be there for him?
***
Fred was interlacing her delicate fingers nervously, a large mug of chamomile tea in place between her skinny hands.
Her attention was completely focused on the suddenly spectacular show that the cubes of ice inside her mug had become, when the unforeseen sound of a phone ringing started to fill the Hyperion's lounge with its usual strident noise.
Jumping out of her chair in fright on account of the sudden disturbance, the Texan girl dropped the mug, and a considerable amount of tea splattered onto the desk. Drenching check payments, client's files and some dusty books that were on the top of the wooden surface, very much to Fred's horror.
"Oh no, Wesley's so gonna kill me," the brunette girl sighed in frustration, trying futilely to dry the liquid from the desk with her jacket sleeve.
But there was just too much spilled tea, and the soaked cloth wasn't enough to cut it. Muttering irked complaints at her clumsy incident, Fred then noticed the phone still ringing insistently and promptly made her way to it.
Picking up the telephone and bringing it to her ear, Fred was about to talk â€" but then an ice cube popped out of the empty mug and fell directly into Cordelia's new makeup kit, which the brunette young woman had bought only three days before.
Fred found herself suddenly absorbed with brief memories of her seer friend, sighing in worry and preoccupation. It had already been a couple of hours since Cordelia might have been abducted by Xander, and they still hadn't heard anything.
Wesley had called Sunnydale while Angel and Gunn had gone out onto the nighttime streets of L.A., trying vainly to locate the former Sunnydale couple â€" or, at least, any clues as to their whereabouts.
But they'd returned empty-handed, and with an utterly unanticipated situation to handle. So Fred's nervousness and agitation had only increased more and more, during those clueless hours.
~ Uh, hello? Is anyone there? ~ a female voice asked tentatively from the other end of the line, when the utter silence since Fred had first picked up the phone didn't exactly leave her any other choice.
The brunette Texan girl finally snapped out of her own thoughts, grabbing an old piece of fabric and cleaning the last vestiges of her disaster with the mug of tea.
~ Yeah, there's me. I mean... ~ Fred sighed, trying to reorganize her words, when her soaked sleeve encountered another pile of papers on the desk.
~ Oh man, he's so totally gonna kill me, ~ the Texan girl automatically rebuked herself nervously, finding the disaster that she had created growing more and more with every passing minute.
~ What? ~ the confused voice replied, with a puzzled and uncertain tone.
~ Oh, sorry! It wasn't you who I was talking to, it's just this whole thing with tea and ice that I was drinking, and they've just splashed all over... uh, we're Angel Investigations, we help the helpless! ~ Fred tried futilely to stop her incoherent babbling, but muffled chuckles could be heard from the unknown voice on the other end of the line.
A long silence then followed, and the bewildered voice finally asked with a little too much bafflement, ~ You drink tea with ice? ~
~ Well, yes, I do! ~ Fred replied defensively, but lowering her voice immediately. ~ What can we do to help you? ~
~ I wanna talk to Angel. Uh, please, ~ the female voice replied uncertainly.
~ Oh, Angel, well, I'm not so sure if he's available now. Perhaps you'd like to leave him a message, or... ~
Fred then risked tentatively saying, ~ ...perhaps you could tell me what it's about, and I'll see what I can do for you? ~
After all, Fred Burkle knew that what with Cordelia's recent disappearance and Xander's unique circumstances, the centuries-older vampire would certainly not be in the best mood to pick up any new clients. And she couldn't allow him to get into this, without at least giving herself a shot at helping this probable prospective customer.
And also, it'd be a good chance to prove to herself that she could actually do something right without some sort of constant vigilance on the part of the others, dogging her steps.
The unknown voice sighed, sounding half-impatient, half-tired. ~ Look, it's really, really important... ~
Another silence took place for a few brief instants, muffled static being the only noise heard while the voice's owner seemed to have paused thoughtfully. ~ Tell him it's Buffy on the phone. ~
Fred's jaw fell in pure astonishment and incredulity, and the slim brunette had to make a strong effort to recover her ability to speak. ~ Buffy? You mean, dead Buffy? The girl who came back and... oh, I'm so sorry! I'm always saying things I'm not supposed to... ~
The blonde Slayer chuckled smoothly on her cell phone at the Texan girl's words. ~ That's OK, I didn't know I had a nickname, ~ she replied lightly. ~ So, can I talk to Angel now? ~
"Who is it, Fred?" Gunn asked demandingly, and the Texan girl just then noticed the recently arrived faces in the Hyperion's lounge â€" the young vampire hunter, Wesley and Angel.
"Angel, it's for you," Fred declared cautiously, almost shyly.
Even knowing that Angel knew that his former girlfriend was probably on her way to Los Angeles, the brunette girl really didn't know how he would react to seeing the blonde Slayer once again after their last encounter, when she'd just come back to life and they'd met in a neutral location.
Though Fred did know that anything related to Buffy, was already an utterly delicate subject.
"Whoever it is, I'm not available," Angel snapped, winning a knowing glance from Wesley.
"But I really think you should-" the brunette Texan fruitlessly tried to begin.
"Fred, I must say that Angel's quite right. We should be concentrating on Cordelia and Xander right now â€" we, we do not have time for any other considerations at the moment," the English man completed his little speech, moving closer to Fred.
"But-" once again, the Texan brunette's words were promptly interrupted with determined gazes from the trio, and Fred finally sighed in defeat.
"Okay then," the young woman whispered in annoyance.
~ Hello, Buffy? I'm so sorry, but I believe Angel's not here right now. Should I give him a message or-? ~ the brunette girl asked, in her best impersonation of a professional secretary.
The dark-haired vampire practically flew to the phone, and snatched it from Fred's grasp.
Fred and Gunn exchanged low chuckles and Wesley offered a weak grin, though the former Watcher's focus of attention wasn't currently on Angel's semi- clumsy dash to the telephone.
Rather, he was more concerned about Buffy's reasons to call.
Would it be more bad news?
It had been what, three or four hours since he'd called Sunnydale? And, during all those unreal hours, every attempt on their part to locate either Cordelia or Xander had been just one dead end after another.
Surreal uncertainty had unquestionably surrounded this whole night, and the Englishman honestly didn't know what to do anymore, but to simply wait.
Wait for the best, wait for the worst, or simply wait to wake up and escape from this absurd and hallucinatory dream he'd possibly been having.
After all â€" could it honestly be reality?
Part of Wesley's mind didn't want to believe that, in fact, it could. Not knowing your enemy could be a suffocating, terrifying situation; but when your concept of an acceptable antagonist mutated into an actually familiar face, things actually got a lot worse.
But there was another part of his mind that simply knew, no matter how hard Destiny would play with them, that the harsh possibility of such a thing would always be there. Following them in the dark with every new step, just waiting to make its enraged appearance and transform their lives a living hell once again.
The Englishman's thoughts were promptly interrupted when Angel started to talk to the Slayer, and the former Watcher sighed heavily.
They'd been sailing through dangerous territory, and that was an irrefutable fact which Wesley was simply sure of, much to his own consternation and apprehension.
~ Buffy, ~ the dark-haired vampire greeted her, with his usual deadpan tone of voice.
~ Angel, ~ the petite Slayer replied, with a futile attempt at sounding indifferent.
The truth was, neither one of them knew exactly how they should react after such long time apart from each other's once-comforting presence. The moments they had passed together and fallen asleep in each other's arms as lovers were far, far in the past now.
The love that had once been a precious and plentiful bounty, a dangerous bonfire of true fondness and burning passion, was now a painful and sad memory in a torturous game of what-ifs and unresolved possibilities for the unknown future ahead.
And it was also fair to say that when Buffy had met with Angel after her resurrection, and told him about Spike's new situation with his chip â€" his becoming a practically legit member of the Scooby Gang â€" the former couple's latest dialogue hadn't exactly been a serene and mellow one.
Buffy's dry words were just the perfect demonstration of the currently awkward ambience created, after their previously mutual trust and easily- found comfort in each other had been lost.
~ We're in town already, we'll probably been arriving within the next half- hour, ~ the girl then said.
~ Oh. Did you have a good trip? ~
~ Yeah. ~
~ Good. ~
~ I think. ~
~ Buffy? ~
~ Yeah? ~
~ This is ridiculous. ~
The blonde Slayer sighed in amused defeat, and chuckled weakly. ~ I know. We're just that pathetic, aren't we? ~
~ I'm afraid we are, ~ Angel replied, partially amused and partially nostalgic.
Her voice took on a serious tone then. ~ Do you guys have any news? ~
Angel knew exactly what she was asking about; but, despite all their continuous efforts, they'd not gotten even a vague clue about Xander and Cordelia's whereabouts.
All he was able to say was a weak 'no', and the souled vamp then apologized immediately with an equally weak, ~ I'm sorry. ~
Buffy knew that it wasn't his fault at all, but she didn't have the strength to tell him that at this moment. The whole situation was just too crazy, and to think straight was too great a challenge just then.
~ Angel... I don't know what this is leading up to, but I think I'm afraid, ~ Buffy's voice took on a suddenly darkened tone.
~ We'll find them, Buffy. We *will*, OK? ~ the vampire tried his best to sound confident, but it turned out to be a useless attempt â€" as his former girlfriend could easily detect his own unease.
~ Giles found something, researching... you know, in those dusty old books of his. I think we found out about why Xander's acting so... ~ Buffy's sentence trailed off.
~ Not him, ~ Angel completed softly.
~ Yeah, not him, ~ the blonde Slayer acknowledged sadly, something that didn't pass unnoticed to her former boyfriend's ears.
~ Are you OK? ~ his soft words questioned her carefully.
There was a brief silence, and then Buffy's lightly amused retort came down the phone line. ~ That's a really dumb question, you know? ~
~ I know, ~ Angel replied meekly.
~ It's just that... he was going to marry Anya today, Angel. Sometimes I just don't understand why everything has to be so unjust, so hard... it's just not fair, ~ the Slayer finally blurted out words which were laced with great revulsion and, at the same time, abysmal sorrow.
Angel had multiple answers to that statement â€" unfortunately, few of them were hopeful and embraced with uprightness and fairness.
Life isn't fair? Angel thought to himself.
Indeed it wasn't.
It never would be either, and that was the greatest truth of all.
And with that harsh reality, the eternal fight between good and evil could be almost unfeasible sometimes.
Ambiguous shades of gray would always surround the light and the darkness with their bleak shadows, and the highest challenge wasn't the biggest enemy, or the worst prophecy.
It was the fight against their own fears and weaknesses.
In any case, it was something that Buffy had learned years ago, and Angel was aware that she knew it but was just too afraid to voice it aloud.
~ Look, Buffy, why don't we talk when you get here? ~ he offered carefully.
The blonde Slayer sighed thoughtfully. ~ Maybe. Yeah, that's a good idea. ~
~ OK then, we'll talk, ~ Angel said.
And then, a familiar British accent was noticed by his supernatural vampire hearing, instantly freezing every muscle of Angel's undead physique.
The souled vampire was pretty much certain that if his body had actually been alive, his heart would have instantly stopped dead â€" as soon as his 249-year-old brain recognized a certain annoying British voice.
~ Buffy? ~ Angel demanded, with an undeniable spark of dismay and horror in his suddenly rougher voice.
~ Yeah? ~ the blonde girl replied with a faked innocence, as if she was a little child who'd gotten caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
Wesley's, Fred's and Gunn's attention were completely dragged onto their vampire friend's tensed features, and the trio could swear that he was preparing himself for the worst news ever.
~ Was that voice the voice of who I think that voice was? ~ Angel asked timorously, even though he already knew the harrowing answer to that pointless question.
"That's a lot of voices for a single sentence," Fred commented worriedly.
Wesley just gazed knowingly at the Texan girl, as she sent him an equally fretful glance with her wide brown eyes.
~ I, I can explain! We needed a driver! ~ Buffy offered nervously.
~ You could have taken the bus! ~ Angel practically yelled at her.
~ Yeah, 'cause time's really on our side right now, ~ she replied, with glimpses of annoyance and guilt.
The dark-haired vampire then overheard Spike's voice asking Buffy if 'the big poof was complaining about him'. And that moment, he would have gladly staked Spike if he could have.
But the blonde Slayer seemed to either not hear Spike or ignore him, 'cause no answer was made on her part and the bleached-hair vampire just muttered a 'bloody hell', or something similar, in the background.
~ Giles could have driven you, ~ Angel pointed out, mental exhaustion making its abrupt way into his whole being and seeming to overtake all his strength to fight that subject any longer.
~ He's English, ~ Buffy replied pointedly.
~ What? ~ the puzzled vampire asked in confusion.
~ You know, ~ Buffy began lamely, whispering so that her former Watcher wouldn't hear her. ~ English guys are all careful and everything, and we were kinda in a hurry... ~
~ That doesn't make any sense! Spike's English too! ~ Angel exploded, an unusually craggy tone overtaking his voice.
Buffy paused for an instant and continued apologetically, ~ We really should talk, Angel. Things have been different for a while, with Spike. If it's that serious, this thing with Xander, I don't want to regret not using all the assets we've got, and... I won't hesitate about trusting him to save my best friend. ~
~ OK, ~ the vampire sighed in defeat. ~ We've got more important things on our plate right now, so we'll talk later then. ~
***
"Spike?" Fred shuddered nervously.
"Who the hell's Spike?" Gunn demanded.
"A nightmare, actually," Wesley sighed excruciatingly, staring intensely at Angel.
"You mean, another one," the Texan girl replied fatiguedly, letting her petite body to fall onto a nearby chair.
"Yeah, 'cause that's just what we're needing right now," Gunn whispered sarcastically, resting his back on a wall of the Hyperion's lounge.
The dark-haired vampire returned the former Watcher's gaze, and stood up. "Well, it seems that Spike's... different now," Angel offered dazedly.
"Once again, who the hell's Spike? And what's up with that name, anyway?" Gunn said, walking into the center of the room.
Angel opened his mouth, but Wesley's prompt words interrupted him. "He's a Master vampire," the English guy's features became a shadowy version of themselves. "He's a pitiless killer, a relentless assassin, he's..."
"Inoffensive," Angel completed in a timely manner.
"Yes, inoffensive, a merciless murderer, and... what?" Wesley paused suddenly, gazing confusedly at Angel's dull expression.
Gunn and Fred also exchanged a brief stare of utter confusion. "I don't know about you guys, but I think I'm lost," the brunette girl blurted out.
"And he's my grandchilde too," Angel stated.
"Now, I'm definitely lost," Fred acknowledged with a tense smile.
Wesley briefly returned her smile with one of his own, but his attention was quickly diverted back to Angel again, a demanding expression settling onto the Englishman's features.
"So... Pointy..." Gunn started, but was promptly corrected with regards to Spike's correct name in unison, by both Angel and Wesley.
"Whatever. So, OK, he's a badass vampire, understood. Plan is, we'll kill him, he becomes dust. Ya know, same old routine procedure, right?" the young vampire hunter asked uncertainly, expecting someone to reassure him and confirm his words.
He was due for a little disappointment, though.
"Quite right," Wesley exclaimed.
"No," Angel replied automatically.
"No?" the ex-Watcher questioned skeptically.
"This scene's becoming old," Fred sighed in puzzlement at her friends' insane discussion.
"Yeah, man, this is like Darla all over again," Gunn stated blankly.
"What? No, there's no Darla! It's a long story, but apparently Spike's now neutered with a chip in his brain, and he can't hurt human beings anymore," Angel tried to explain, but the unconvinced tone at his own words didn't convince them at all.
"Really," Wesley snorted incredulously. "And it was all an evil conspiracy on the U.S. government's behalf as well, am I correct?"
"Well, something like that," Angel whispered, and the former Watcher's eyes widened considerably.
"I gotta tell ya, this is getting weirder and weirder," Gunn shivered strongly, and headed back to his spot on one of the Hyperion's lounge walls.
The vampire tensely locked eyes with Wesley's. "Believe me, I was just as thrilled as you are when Buffy first told me."
The former Watcher sighed tiredly, and started to viciously rub his temples in circular movements, trying futilely to get some relief from a marvelous upcoming headache. "Oh, well, I can imagine. But, good Lord, why didn't you tell us anything sooner?"
"I don't know, there was always something more important to deal with, and... it's not like my meeting with Buffy is a subject I really want to talk about," Angel finished abruptly, quickly diverting his gaze from Wesley's one.
"I see," Wesley rapidly stepped back, not wanting to push it any further.
After all, he knew quite well how any topic in which Buffy Summers was involved would always turn out to be an utterly hazardous one to everyone's health.
And there was a whole new world to analyze now, and Wesley was really hoping that the blonde Slayer's arrival wouldn't bring any other disastrous news.
The truth was, their life was already full of them.
First the thing with Cordelia and Xander, and now William the Bloody apparently couldn't even hurt a little five-year-old girl?
Had he been dreaming, and the dream's chaotic scenario become one of Salvador Dali's surreal portraits? Or one of Rene Magritte's, perhaps?
That would certainly explain a lot for Wesley's many-hours-dazed mind.
"So... what are we gonna do now?" Fred asked tentatively, her fumbling voice easily showing her own agitation.
"Call for pizza?" Gunn risked saying.
Angel and Wesley gazed instantly at him, incredulous glances hanging on their uneasy faces.
"Hey, I'm just kiddin', ya know," the young vampire hunter replied quickly, in a defensive tone.
The truth was, Gunn really didn't wanna let his own nervousness become transparent to the others; and he wouldn't risk his butt making any other lame jokes, fearing a cruel and imminent death given his two friends' murderous glares.
Fred smiled reassuringly at him, and Gunn did the same at the Texan girl's comfortable grin.
At least they weren't all going crazy at the same time, or it really could mean a true Armageddon.
At that exact instant, the strident noise of the ringing phone started to once again fill the Hyperion's lounge. The Fang Gang exchanged shocked stares for long seconds, till Wesley finally picked up the telephone.
~ Hi, it's Kate here, ~ the female voice announced pointedly.
~ Ms. Lockley, ~ Wesley replied loudly, so the others could know who he was talking with.
The former cop's statement was prompt and direct. ~ Look, here's the deal: I have a situation. And I was wondering if you guys know one Alexander... hmm, lemme see, Harris. Alexander Harris. Do you know him, by any chance? ~
Wesley felt a freezing cold passing freely through his shivering body and, strangely enough, no words were being capable of leaving his mouth right then; it didn't matter his continuous efforts to say something, his inner and stubborn confusion was winning the fight to stay silent.
They were definitely in for more trouble.
And, once again, Xander Harris's name was written all over it.
***
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