Title: Music for the Soul (Part III)
Author: Katherine Eve
Characters: Angel, Doyle
Disclaimer: The characters of Angel and Doyle aren't my creation, but Joss Whedon's. I only hope I can do them justice.
Summary: A trip to the Bronze, a pretty and eerily talented girl... and suspicion!!
Note: I'm so excited when I open my e-mail and hear comments from people. I'm so happy!!
Music for the Soul (Part III)
A mournful cry broke from Angel's lips as he shot up from the floor. He blinked a few times and turned his head to find Doyle staring blankly at him. Angel leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling a moment before lying back down.
Only the faint glare of the setting sun remained outside. The tranquil darkness slowly overthrew the light surrounding the mansion. Angel knew it was time to take to the streets of his former city.
"Come on, man. It's hero time." Doyle's voice echoed across the room. He decided quickly not to ask about whatever nightmare had forced Angel to call out.
Angel seemed to ignore Doyle's pep talk as he continued to stare at the ceiling.
Doyle sighed and slid his arms back into his jacket sleeves. He took a few steps toward Angel and tried again.
"Look, man. I know we're in 'Slayertown,' but you can't let that make you more brooding than you normally are. We need to get going." He could tell he was beginning to get through to Angel. Doyle could also tell he had hit on something he shouldn't have and decided to push no further.
Doyle waited until Angel had pulled himself off the floor and smoothed out his clothes. Without saying a word Angel glided passed Doyle and headed for the door. Doyle followed, regretting his "words of motivation." He still needed to learn when to let things be and keep his mouth shut.
Angel's eyes stayed shackled to the road as he maneuvered the car down the streets of Sunnydale. He tried his hardest not to let his attention deviate to any of his surroundings, for each block he passed could spark any number of memories. There was no time to reminisce about the good ones or regret the bad. He was in Sunnydale for one reason and one reason only.
The car pulled into one of the few remaining parking spaces at the Bronze.
"Is it just me or do we seem a little out of place here?" Doyle asked as he stared at all the passing teenagers.
"I'm a 250 year old vampire. I feel out of place wherever I go," Angel answered. He slammed the car door shut. The two demons could all ready hear the muffled bass blasting from inside the building before they reached the doors. Angel grabbed the knob and swung open the door to reveal the densely packed dance club.
"So, who are we looking for?" Angel asked as he forced his way to the bar.
"I'll know her when I see her. I never forget a face," Doyle replied. "Hey. How 'bout a beer?" he shouted to the bartender while flashing an ID. Angel rolled his eyes at the Irishmen who grinned as the frothy liquid overflowed the glass passed to him. "What? I might as well enjoy myself while I'm here."
The youthful crowd whistled and clapped as the mediocre band on stage brought their set to a close. After bowing and waving to the crowd, the musicians began to unplug and clear the stage for the next performer. Angel turned his attention back to Doyle.
"So this is where Cordy and the slayer used to hang, huh? It ain't bad. Pool tables, dance floor. Not that you're really the dancing type," Doyle smiled as he glanced around the place. "I can see why they liked it here. The music leaves something to be desired, though."
Within a few minutes, the tuneless music booming from the sound system died away to welcome the next performer to the stage.
"Oh. I want to apologize for what I said earlier. You know. At the mansion. I didn't mean to push. I know I shouldn't bring up the Slayer anymore. It was hard for you to come here, and I should just..." Doyle broke off as he realized Angel's attention was directed elsewhere. Doyle followed his gaze to the stage across the club. A young redhead bowed slightly to the room and picked up her guitar. She centered herself on stage in front of the microphone and heaved a deep sigh.
"Hey. Hey, Angel, that's her!" Doyle exclaimed. "That's the girl."
Angel paid little heed to Doyle's outburst. The vampire rose slowly from his seat by the bar and took a few steps forward. The girl on stage stretched her head from side to side, cracking her neck. She took a pic in her right hand and let a chord soar from the guitar as she gently swept down the strings.
The girl's lips began to move, but the sound that came out did not seem to come from her. Doyle could not believe the voice he heard spreading through the club belonged to the young singer he saw on stage. She couldn't be more than nineteen, yet her passion and emotion captured the soul of every body standing in the room.
The music she played was not the thumping bass that had been blasting earlier. Instead, the notes she plucked from the acoustic guitar were melodic and soft. Her voice was powerful, but sweet, and had a mournful tone to it.
"I thought you had opened my eyes to the light
Instead you wrapped me in a dark cloak
Away from the rest of the world
And now I can't find my way back..."
It was obvious she was a favorite at the club. The dance floor had emptied, but every eye was fastened on her. Every ear was tuned to the unearthly melody that enveloped the Bronze.
"I've turned to the skies
To calm the crashing of the wave
Yet I still always crave
Crave to be by your side again..."
When the song ended, an eruption of applause came from the crowd of teenagers. Doyle brought himself to his feet and stood by Angel. As the hollering from the crowd continued, the singer bowed and gave her thanks, put down her guitar and situated herself on the piano bench a few yards away. After adjusting the microphone resting on the piano to her desired position, her fingers began to dance across the black and white keys.
She let her head fall back until she was staring at the ceiling. Her eyes closed and her hands seemed to have a mind of their own. The haunting melody that rose from the black box stiffened the hairs of Doyle's back and arms. When she brought her head back to the microphone, Doyle did not understand the meaning of the lyrics but was touched by them nonetheless.
"I always wear the cross
And it weighs heavy on my neck
It's a deep ocean to swim across
I can taste the salt as I sink deeper
And deeper..."
Song after song came, but the audience never let its attention slip. At the end of an hour, she gave one last bow to the crowd and whispered "thank you" graciously into the microphone. The applause upheld until the singer had snapped her guitar case closed and disappeared off stage.
As soon as Doyle regained his senses, he sat back at the bar and pushed aside the now-stale beer. "Well, that was interesting. What would ever want to do harm to a girl like that?"
"We should go," Angel abruptly stated. Without hesitation, Doyle jumped up and headed toward the exit. He didn't know the reason for his bosses' sudden urge to leave, but Doyle had learned not to ask questions. The music had obviously penetrated Angel's secluded emotions. He was feeling something. Doyle couldn't comprehend what he had heard in that club, but he knew there was something enigmatic behind the lamenting lyrics and eerie melodies. Something spiritual.
The night air beat intensely against Doyle's face as Angel's car darted back to the mansion. Threatening clouds converged in the black sky and masked the twinkling of the stars above. Angel's mouth had not moved, but the thoughts were burning underneath his frozen exterior.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Doyle couldn't contain himself any longer. He had to know what the deal was.
Angel did not answer quickly. "Just thinking the same thing you were. Why would anyone want to harm a girl like that?"
"Well, we just won't let them." Doyle vaulted himself over the car door of the convertible as Angel yanked up on the emergency brake. The only sound were the clicks from their shoes echoing off the walls as they reentered the mansion.
Their first night on the case had been a short and rather uninvolved investigation. Doyle was new in the business, but he knew the vamp-detective had to move more rapidly than this. They needed to act quickly and find out who this girl was. A name was never mentioned during her set. She had dashed off stage as quickly and unannounced as she had appeared. Doyle had to follow Angel's methods, however, even if he didn't agree with them. With a mix of the melodies the girl had composed still flooding his mind, Doyle collapsed on the floor.
Moonlight was still streaming in through the crevices of the walls when Doyle's eyes opened. He awoke to find himself *alone* in the drafty place. Of course. Why would Angel have slept during the night, anyway? Well, he was off detecting without his partner again. Doyle snorted to himself. "Just use me as your dog following a scent. Once I lead you to her, good bye Doyle! No need for me to be here anymore," he thought. What was going on? Angel had gone behind his back before, but this was different. Angel was keeping something from him. Something about his past.
To Be Continued...with flashback =)
Author: Katherine Eve
Characters: Angel, Doyle
Disclaimer: The characters of Angel and Doyle aren't my creation, but Joss Whedon's. I only hope I can do them justice.
Summary: A trip to the Bronze, a pretty and eerily talented girl... and suspicion!!
Note: I'm so excited when I open my e-mail and hear comments from people. I'm so happy!!
Music for the Soul (Part III)
A mournful cry broke from Angel's lips as he shot up from the floor. He blinked a few times and turned his head to find Doyle staring blankly at him. Angel leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling a moment before lying back down.
Only the faint glare of the setting sun remained outside. The tranquil darkness slowly overthrew the light surrounding the mansion. Angel knew it was time to take to the streets of his former city.
"Come on, man. It's hero time." Doyle's voice echoed across the room. He decided quickly not to ask about whatever nightmare had forced Angel to call out.
Angel seemed to ignore Doyle's pep talk as he continued to stare at the ceiling.
Doyle sighed and slid his arms back into his jacket sleeves. He took a few steps toward Angel and tried again.
"Look, man. I know we're in 'Slayertown,' but you can't let that make you more brooding than you normally are. We need to get going." He could tell he was beginning to get through to Angel. Doyle could also tell he had hit on something he shouldn't have and decided to push no further.
Doyle waited until Angel had pulled himself off the floor and smoothed out his clothes. Without saying a word Angel glided passed Doyle and headed for the door. Doyle followed, regretting his "words of motivation." He still needed to learn when to let things be and keep his mouth shut.
Angel's eyes stayed shackled to the road as he maneuvered the car down the streets of Sunnydale. He tried his hardest not to let his attention deviate to any of his surroundings, for each block he passed could spark any number of memories. There was no time to reminisce about the good ones or regret the bad. He was in Sunnydale for one reason and one reason only.
The car pulled into one of the few remaining parking spaces at the Bronze.
"Is it just me or do we seem a little out of place here?" Doyle asked as he stared at all the passing teenagers.
"I'm a 250 year old vampire. I feel out of place wherever I go," Angel answered. He slammed the car door shut. The two demons could all ready hear the muffled bass blasting from inside the building before they reached the doors. Angel grabbed the knob and swung open the door to reveal the densely packed dance club.
"So, who are we looking for?" Angel asked as he forced his way to the bar.
"I'll know her when I see her. I never forget a face," Doyle replied. "Hey. How 'bout a beer?" he shouted to the bartender while flashing an ID. Angel rolled his eyes at the Irishmen who grinned as the frothy liquid overflowed the glass passed to him. "What? I might as well enjoy myself while I'm here."
The youthful crowd whistled and clapped as the mediocre band on stage brought their set to a close. After bowing and waving to the crowd, the musicians began to unplug and clear the stage for the next performer. Angel turned his attention back to Doyle.
"So this is where Cordy and the slayer used to hang, huh? It ain't bad. Pool tables, dance floor. Not that you're really the dancing type," Doyle smiled as he glanced around the place. "I can see why they liked it here. The music leaves something to be desired, though."
Within a few minutes, the tuneless music booming from the sound system died away to welcome the next performer to the stage.
"Oh. I want to apologize for what I said earlier. You know. At the mansion. I didn't mean to push. I know I shouldn't bring up the Slayer anymore. It was hard for you to come here, and I should just..." Doyle broke off as he realized Angel's attention was directed elsewhere. Doyle followed his gaze to the stage across the club. A young redhead bowed slightly to the room and picked up her guitar. She centered herself on stage in front of the microphone and heaved a deep sigh.
"Hey. Hey, Angel, that's her!" Doyle exclaimed. "That's the girl."
Angel paid little heed to Doyle's outburst. The vampire rose slowly from his seat by the bar and took a few steps forward. The girl on stage stretched her head from side to side, cracking her neck. She took a pic in her right hand and let a chord soar from the guitar as she gently swept down the strings.
The girl's lips began to move, but the sound that came out did not seem to come from her. Doyle could not believe the voice he heard spreading through the club belonged to the young singer he saw on stage. She couldn't be more than nineteen, yet her passion and emotion captured the soul of every body standing in the room.
The music she played was not the thumping bass that had been blasting earlier. Instead, the notes she plucked from the acoustic guitar were melodic and soft. Her voice was powerful, but sweet, and had a mournful tone to it.
"I thought you had opened my eyes to the light
Instead you wrapped me in a dark cloak
Away from the rest of the world
And now I can't find my way back..."
It was obvious she was a favorite at the club. The dance floor had emptied, but every eye was fastened on her. Every ear was tuned to the unearthly melody that enveloped the Bronze.
"I've turned to the skies
To calm the crashing of the wave
Yet I still always crave
Crave to be by your side again..."
When the song ended, an eruption of applause came from the crowd of teenagers. Doyle brought himself to his feet and stood by Angel. As the hollering from the crowd continued, the singer bowed and gave her thanks, put down her guitar and situated herself on the piano bench a few yards away. After adjusting the microphone resting on the piano to her desired position, her fingers began to dance across the black and white keys.
She let her head fall back until she was staring at the ceiling. Her eyes closed and her hands seemed to have a mind of their own. The haunting melody that rose from the black box stiffened the hairs of Doyle's back and arms. When she brought her head back to the microphone, Doyle did not understand the meaning of the lyrics but was touched by them nonetheless.
"I always wear the cross
And it weighs heavy on my neck
It's a deep ocean to swim across
I can taste the salt as I sink deeper
And deeper..."
Song after song came, but the audience never let its attention slip. At the end of an hour, she gave one last bow to the crowd and whispered "thank you" graciously into the microphone. The applause upheld until the singer had snapped her guitar case closed and disappeared off stage.
As soon as Doyle regained his senses, he sat back at the bar and pushed aside the now-stale beer. "Well, that was interesting. What would ever want to do harm to a girl like that?"
"We should go," Angel abruptly stated. Without hesitation, Doyle jumped up and headed toward the exit. He didn't know the reason for his bosses' sudden urge to leave, but Doyle had learned not to ask questions. The music had obviously penetrated Angel's secluded emotions. He was feeling something. Doyle couldn't comprehend what he had heard in that club, but he knew there was something enigmatic behind the lamenting lyrics and eerie melodies. Something spiritual.
The night air beat intensely against Doyle's face as Angel's car darted back to the mansion. Threatening clouds converged in the black sky and masked the twinkling of the stars above. Angel's mouth had not moved, but the thoughts were burning underneath his frozen exterior.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Doyle couldn't contain himself any longer. He had to know what the deal was.
Angel did not answer quickly. "Just thinking the same thing you were. Why would anyone want to harm a girl like that?"
"Well, we just won't let them." Doyle vaulted himself over the car door of the convertible as Angel yanked up on the emergency brake. The only sound were the clicks from their shoes echoing off the walls as they reentered the mansion.
Their first night on the case had been a short and rather uninvolved investigation. Doyle was new in the business, but he knew the vamp-detective had to move more rapidly than this. They needed to act quickly and find out who this girl was. A name was never mentioned during her set. She had dashed off stage as quickly and unannounced as she had appeared. Doyle had to follow Angel's methods, however, even if he didn't agree with them. With a mix of the melodies the girl had composed still flooding his mind, Doyle collapsed on the floor.
Moonlight was still streaming in through the crevices of the walls when Doyle's eyes opened. He awoke to find himself *alone* in the drafty place. Of course. Why would Angel have slept during the night, anyway? Well, he was off detecting without his partner again. Doyle snorted to himself. "Just use me as your dog following a scent. Once I lead you to her, good bye Doyle! No need for me to be here anymore," he thought. What was going on? Angel had gone behind his back before, but this was different. Angel was keeping something from him. Something about his past.
To Be Continued...with flashback =)