Disclaimer: see prologue
Chapter 2
The four vampires stood around the boxes. Luc said, "Really, it's the easiest way."
"I long for the old ships," Darla muttered.
"Ships are too slow," Angelus said. "I still think we could chance the comfortable part of a plane - delicious stewardesses, I've heard."
"But none of us have passports," Luc pointed out, repeating an old argument. "We line these with some blankets, a pillow, et voilà. Quick, comfortable, no papers."
"Who bleedin' cares?" Spike asked, grinding a cigarette beneath his heel. "So long as Luc's people won't open the boxes and fry us."
"They won't," Luc reassured him. "They never have before."
"Obviously," Darla said. "Or you wouldn't be here now."
* * *
Luc spent the long journey dozing and reading a particularly bloody crime novel, a torch providing most of the illumination and his night-vision supplying the rest. The hum of the aeroplane's engines was soothing, and when he put the book down to relax he dreamed of plans for the Council and their agent Fletcher.
When the plane landed there were minutes of silence until Luc's box was lifted, and he felt it being put on a trolley. A few bumps, and then stillness.
"These are yours." A man's voice, bored. "Just sign here. Need help putting them in that van?"
A pen scratched. "No, we'll manage." Luc recognised the voice, belonging to one of his British contacts. His box was lifted and put down again: a few thuds indicated the safe delivery of the others, and the van set off.
It was about an hour before they arrived at their destination - more lifting, some grunts as Luc's box was manoeuvred through a door - and then clattering as the lid was levered off. Fluorescent light shone down and Luc blinked before sitting up.
"Welcome to London, Mr Tarpeau." Luc's contact, a young vampire of about fifty, was smiling nervously. "I hope the journey was all right?"
"Ça va." Luc got to his feet and climbed out of the box, stretching. "No problems with the papers, Charlie?"
Charlie shook his head. "No, sir. Trevor here helped." He indicated a young man in a suit who looked distinctly nervous. Luc shot him his most charming smile.
"Then my thanks goes to you, Trevor," he said. Trevor nodded, his face pale.
"Human," Charlie confided softly.
Luc grinned. "Let's get the others out," he said.
They got the lids off quickly. Spike was yawning as he got up; Darla and Angelus seemed more alert. Darla breathed in and smiled. "England."
"Home sweet home," Spike said, pulling out his cigarettes and throwing himself into a chair.
"Charlie," said Luc. "Darla, Angelus, Spike."
Charlie grinned nervously. "Honoured," he said. "I've heard all about you."
"But of course you have," Darla said condescendingly. Angelus smiled his lopsided smile and turned to Trevor.
"And you are?" he asked, stepping close to the human.
"Trevor McGowan," said Trevor, taking a step back. "I, erm, do stuff for Charlie. Daytime stuff, you know. He knew my dad."
Charlie nodded. "I ate his dad," he explained. Angelus laughed.
"And there was what, an agreement he'd not eat you?" he questioned. Trevor backed away even more and came up against the wall. Angelus glanced at Charlie. "Find a new daylight help, I'm hungry."
The man opened his mouth to scream but Angelus already had him pinned and had bitten down. The others watched, Luc leaning against the wall smiling slightly. Charlie turned to him, aghast, but Luc shrugged dispassionately.
"But, sir ." Charlie stammered.
Luc patted the English vampire on the back. "Don't argue, Charlie, mon ami. I don't want to have to find a new contact also."
Charlie stuck his hands in his pockets.
"Get used to it," said Spike languidly. Angelus dropped the drained body on the floor.
"Spike's right. Get used to it, and get rid of that. Is this the place we're staying in?"
"Y . yes," Charlie said. "We're in Belgrave Square, close to Victoria. It's handy for the Tube, you know."
Angelus nodded, satisfied. "Belgrave Square. Good. And the staff? If we're planning on staying here we should do it in style. Sunnydale is one thing, London is quite another."
"Staff?" Charlie blinked.
"It's the old way," Luc explained. "If it comes to a dispute, over territory or the like, someone to do the fighting for us. To hunt, if we can't be bothered. I know you know some people, Charlie. Bring them here."
Charlie looked from Luc to Angelus and then to Darla, who was sitting picking at her nails idly. "But . things don't really work that way here," he said, evidently bemused. "I mean, some of us do odd jobs for those such as yourself, sir. If the money's good. Otherwise we all just - get along, like."
Angelus laughed. "What a crazy world. In Sunnydale, even LA, the traditions are still respected. Minions and all. But back in the old world they're all forgotten. Well, there'll be no more getting along. Spread the word. It's get along with me and mine or discover that immortality can be ended, like that." He snapped his fingers in Charlie's face. "Clear?"
Charlie nodded quickly. "Absolutely. Sir."
Darla looked up from her nails. "Where's the best place to publicise these days?"
"Bar in Soho," said Charlie. "Under the Golden Lotus, a Chinese restaurant. The only really safe place, I reckon. Council have got wind of all the others, ma'am."
"Then," said Darla in satisfaction, "we shall go there tonight, shan't we, my darling?"
Angelus smiled back at her and kissed the side of her neck. "Why not?" He turned back to Charlie. "Now get rid of this thing," he kicked the body of Trevor, "and give us some peace."
"I'll call you when we need you," Luc added.
Charlie managed a brief bow before heaving Trevor on to his shoulders and hurrying out.
"Idiot," remarked Spike.
"He is discreet and I trust him," Luc said mildly. "Who ever chose a minion for their intelligence?"
"You could say I did," Angelus pointed out, gazing out of the window, "when I chose you, mon garcon."
"I was human then," Luc returned. "I wasn't a minion, was I, Sire?"
Shaking his head, Angelus turned away from the window. "No. Now, first impressions count, tonight. Where are the clothes?"
An hour later the four of them exited the underground at Piccadilly Circus, only Spike still in jeans and a t-shirt. Down a dark and relatively secluded side-street in Soho they found a group of drunks, and drank themselves, before finding the Golden Lotus restaurant and the discreet entrance to the cellar bar beneath.
It turned out that the bar was busy, full of assorted demons of the obvious and not-so-obvious sort. Spike went straight to the bar, his platinum hair shining amongst the different skin and hair colours of the demons around him. Luc found an empty table for himself, Darla and Angelus, and went to fetch whisky and champagne for Darla, who said she felt like celebrating. The bartender, a round, mild-looking Kaati demon, served and said nothing. But another vampire looked hard at Luc and his gaze followed the Breton back to the table.
Luc slid into his seat with the drinks. "Santé. A Londres."
"To crushing the Council and that Fletcher," Angelus added. "What sort of publicity were you planning, love?"
Darla ran a finger round the edge of her glass. "Let's wait and see what happens."
"It's good to be back here with you," Luc observed. "I've been back once or twice since I left ."
". after that argument?" Angelus said.
Luc nodded. "Whatever happened to that woman - the one you kept? Caroline, or Catherine, or some-such name."
"The whore? Oh, I killed her," Angelus said. "She got boring. I had a last evening of fun, eviscerated her, I think, and left her." Darla raised her eyebrows.
"She wasted your time."
Angelus picked up Darla's hand and kissed it. "Jealous?"
"Of her? Hardly." She seemed about to say something else, but a commotion broke out near the bar just then and they heard a loud, "No you bleedin' don't!" followed by a yelp.
Angelus was on his feet and across the room in a moment, parting the crowd of demons and reaching its centre where Spike had a small, wiry demon in baggy trousers by its scrawny neck.
"You tried to pick my pocket!" Spike snarled.
"I did not!" the demon spat back.
"Will," said Angelus dangerously.
"He tried to take my wallet," Spike repeated. Angelus pulled him off the demon and deftly caught the skinny creature before it ran.
"Oy! Let go! Bloodsucker!" the demon hissed.
"Nobody steals from me or mine," growled Angelus, very low, and twisted the demon's head off. It fell to the ground amid a spurt of black blood, and then it seemed as if all the customers in the bar were shouting at once. Darla and Luc worked their way through the crowd and stood watching with interest.
"And you are?" said the burly vampire which Luc had noticed earlier, pushing his way closer. "New in town?"
"I've been away a while," Angelus agreed.
The bar-demon raised a pair of bushy eyebrows which threatened to obscure his red eyes. "Obviously somewhere where common courtesy doesn't happen. Usually we don't kill each other, and definitely never inside. Any complaints go on the street. Right?"
There was an assenting murmur from the customers.
"But you still haven't answered my question," the burly vampire said. "We don't have territories in London, but we do prefer knowing who else is in town."
Angelus hauled Spike to his feet. "The name's Angelus. From now on, this city belongs to me."
Darla moved to his side, but Luc stayed amongst the crowd. He caught Angelus' eye and grinned.
"I hope nobody's . unhappy . with this situation," Darla added smoothly, glancing around. "Good. There is work for those who want it. 12 Belgrave Square, tomorrow at midnight."
"Work?" the burly vampire snarled. "Why should we want work? Who are you to swan in and take over? I've been here a long time, and I don't remember nothing about an Angelus."
"Then you've not been here long enough," Angelus responded.
"I've lived here all my death!" the other said, stepping closer. Getting on for a century now. And what about these others? Who are they?"
"William the Bloody," Angelus said, indicating Spike.
"With two Slayers to me name," Spike said, grinning.
"And this is Darla, who I believe is four times your age, fledgling."
"I lost count," Darla agreed, smiling sweetly. "Midnight tomorrow. It's in your favour to be there." She linked arms with Angelus and, followed by Spike, they went out. The crowd parted to let them pass as the bar-demon began, resigned, to clean up the mess; and the burly vampire stood with fists clenched and an expression of hatred on his face.
Luc smiled, and slipped out after his family.
--
Author's note: some references back to 'The Breton' in this chapter.
For the geographically inclined, Belgrave Square is a rather nice bit of London close to Hyde Park, about equidistant from Hyde Park Corner and Victoria tube stations. Therefore they took the Piccadilly Line from Hyde Park Corner to Piccadilly Circus to get to the bar. Soho is tucked between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, a bustling and fun part of London famed for liberality and fantastic Chinese restaurants and shops.
Chapter 2
The four vampires stood around the boxes. Luc said, "Really, it's the easiest way."
"I long for the old ships," Darla muttered.
"Ships are too slow," Angelus said. "I still think we could chance the comfortable part of a plane - delicious stewardesses, I've heard."
"But none of us have passports," Luc pointed out, repeating an old argument. "We line these with some blankets, a pillow, et voilà. Quick, comfortable, no papers."
"Who bleedin' cares?" Spike asked, grinding a cigarette beneath his heel. "So long as Luc's people won't open the boxes and fry us."
"They won't," Luc reassured him. "They never have before."
"Obviously," Darla said. "Or you wouldn't be here now."
* * *
Luc spent the long journey dozing and reading a particularly bloody crime novel, a torch providing most of the illumination and his night-vision supplying the rest. The hum of the aeroplane's engines was soothing, and when he put the book down to relax he dreamed of plans for the Council and their agent Fletcher.
When the plane landed there were minutes of silence until Luc's box was lifted, and he felt it being put on a trolley. A few bumps, and then stillness.
"These are yours." A man's voice, bored. "Just sign here. Need help putting them in that van?"
A pen scratched. "No, we'll manage." Luc recognised the voice, belonging to one of his British contacts. His box was lifted and put down again: a few thuds indicated the safe delivery of the others, and the van set off.
It was about an hour before they arrived at their destination - more lifting, some grunts as Luc's box was manoeuvred through a door - and then clattering as the lid was levered off. Fluorescent light shone down and Luc blinked before sitting up.
"Welcome to London, Mr Tarpeau." Luc's contact, a young vampire of about fifty, was smiling nervously. "I hope the journey was all right?"
"Ça va." Luc got to his feet and climbed out of the box, stretching. "No problems with the papers, Charlie?"
Charlie shook his head. "No, sir. Trevor here helped." He indicated a young man in a suit who looked distinctly nervous. Luc shot him his most charming smile.
"Then my thanks goes to you, Trevor," he said. Trevor nodded, his face pale.
"Human," Charlie confided softly.
Luc grinned. "Let's get the others out," he said.
They got the lids off quickly. Spike was yawning as he got up; Darla and Angelus seemed more alert. Darla breathed in and smiled. "England."
"Home sweet home," Spike said, pulling out his cigarettes and throwing himself into a chair.
"Charlie," said Luc. "Darla, Angelus, Spike."
Charlie grinned nervously. "Honoured," he said. "I've heard all about you."
"But of course you have," Darla said condescendingly. Angelus smiled his lopsided smile and turned to Trevor.
"And you are?" he asked, stepping close to the human.
"Trevor McGowan," said Trevor, taking a step back. "I, erm, do stuff for Charlie. Daytime stuff, you know. He knew my dad."
Charlie nodded. "I ate his dad," he explained. Angelus laughed.
"And there was what, an agreement he'd not eat you?" he questioned. Trevor backed away even more and came up against the wall. Angelus glanced at Charlie. "Find a new daylight help, I'm hungry."
The man opened his mouth to scream but Angelus already had him pinned and had bitten down. The others watched, Luc leaning against the wall smiling slightly. Charlie turned to him, aghast, but Luc shrugged dispassionately.
"But, sir ." Charlie stammered.
Luc patted the English vampire on the back. "Don't argue, Charlie, mon ami. I don't want to have to find a new contact also."
Charlie stuck his hands in his pockets.
"Get used to it," said Spike languidly. Angelus dropped the drained body on the floor.
"Spike's right. Get used to it, and get rid of that. Is this the place we're staying in?"
"Y . yes," Charlie said. "We're in Belgrave Square, close to Victoria. It's handy for the Tube, you know."
Angelus nodded, satisfied. "Belgrave Square. Good. And the staff? If we're planning on staying here we should do it in style. Sunnydale is one thing, London is quite another."
"Staff?" Charlie blinked.
"It's the old way," Luc explained. "If it comes to a dispute, over territory or the like, someone to do the fighting for us. To hunt, if we can't be bothered. I know you know some people, Charlie. Bring them here."
Charlie looked from Luc to Angelus and then to Darla, who was sitting picking at her nails idly. "But . things don't really work that way here," he said, evidently bemused. "I mean, some of us do odd jobs for those such as yourself, sir. If the money's good. Otherwise we all just - get along, like."
Angelus laughed. "What a crazy world. In Sunnydale, even LA, the traditions are still respected. Minions and all. But back in the old world they're all forgotten. Well, there'll be no more getting along. Spread the word. It's get along with me and mine or discover that immortality can be ended, like that." He snapped his fingers in Charlie's face. "Clear?"
Charlie nodded quickly. "Absolutely. Sir."
Darla looked up from her nails. "Where's the best place to publicise these days?"
"Bar in Soho," said Charlie. "Under the Golden Lotus, a Chinese restaurant. The only really safe place, I reckon. Council have got wind of all the others, ma'am."
"Then," said Darla in satisfaction, "we shall go there tonight, shan't we, my darling?"
Angelus smiled back at her and kissed the side of her neck. "Why not?" He turned back to Charlie. "Now get rid of this thing," he kicked the body of Trevor, "and give us some peace."
"I'll call you when we need you," Luc added.
Charlie managed a brief bow before heaving Trevor on to his shoulders and hurrying out.
"Idiot," remarked Spike.
"He is discreet and I trust him," Luc said mildly. "Who ever chose a minion for their intelligence?"
"You could say I did," Angelus pointed out, gazing out of the window, "when I chose you, mon garcon."
"I was human then," Luc returned. "I wasn't a minion, was I, Sire?"
Shaking his head, Angelus turned away from the window. "No. Now, first impressions count, tonight. Where are the clothes?"
An hour later the four of them exited the underground at Piccadilly Circus, only Spike still in jeans and a t-shirt. Down a dark and relatively secluded side-street in Soho they found a group of drunks, and drank themselves, before finding the Golden Lotus restaurant and the discreet entrance to the cellar bar beneath.
It turned out that the bar was busy, full of assorted demons of the obvious and not-so-obvious sort. Spike went straight to the bar, his platinum hair shining amongst the different skin and hair colours of the demons around him. Luc found an empty table for himself, Darla and Angelus, and went to fetch whisky and champagne for Darla, who said she felt like celebrating. The bartender, a round, mild-looking Kaati demon, served and said nothing. But another vampire looked hard at Luc and his gaze followed the Breton back to the table.
Luc slid into his seat with the drinks. "Santé. A Londres."
"To crushing the Council and that Fletcher," Angelus added. "What sort of publicity were you planning, love?"
Darla ran a finger round the edge of her glass. "Let's wait and see what happens."
"It's good to be back here with you," Luc observed. "I've been back once or twice since I left ."
". after that argument?" Angelus said.
Luc nodded. "Whatever happened to that woman - the one you kept? Caroline, or Catherine, or some-such name."
"The whore? Oh, I killed her," Angelus said. "She got boring. I had a last evening of fun, eviscerated her, I think, and left her." Darla raised her eyebrows.
"She wasted your time."
Angelus picked up Darla's hand and kissed it. "Jealous?"
"Of her? Hardly." She seemed about to say something else, but a commotion broke out near the bar just then and they heard a loud, "No you bleedin' don't!" followed by a yelp.
Angelus was on his feet and across the room in a moment, parting the crowd of demons and reaching its centre where Spike had a small, wiry demon in baggy trousers by its scrawny neck.
"You tried to pick my pocket!" Spike snarled.
"I did not!" the demon spat back.
"Will," said Angelus dangerously.
"He tried to take my wallet," Spike repeated. Angelus pulled him off the demon and deftly caught the skinny creature before it ran.
"Oy! Let go! Bloodsucker!" the demon hissed.
"Nobody steals from me or mine," growled Angelus, very low, and twisted the demon's head off. It fell to the ground amid a spurt of black blood, and then it seemed as if all the customers in the bar were shouting at once. Darla and Luc worked their way through the crowd and stood watching with interest.
"And you are?" said the burly vampire which Luc had noticed earlier, pushing his way closer. "New in town?"
"I've been away a while," Angelus agreed.
The bar-demon raised a pair of bushy eyebrows which threatened to obscure his red eyes. "Obviously somewhere where common courtesy doesn't happen. Usually we don't kill each other, and definitely never inside. Any complaints go on the street. Right?"
There was an assenting murmur from the customers.
"But you still haven't answered my question," the burly vampire said. "We don't have territories in London, but we do prefer knowing who else is in town."
Angelus hauled Spike to his feet. "The name's Angelus. From now on, this city belongs to me."
Darla moved to his side, but Luc stayed amongst the crowd. He caught Angelus' eye and grinned.
"I hope nobody's . unhappy . with this situation," Darla added smoothly, glancing around. "Good. There is work for those who want it. 12 Belgrave Square, tomorrow at midnight."
"Work?" the burly vampire snarled. "Why should we want work? Who are you to swan in and take over? I've been here a long time, and I don't remember nothing about an Angelus."
"Then you've not been here long enough," Angelus responded.
"I've lived here all my death!" the other said, stepping closer. Getting on for a century now. And what about these others? Who are they?"
"William the Bloody," Angelus said, indicating Spike.
"With two Slayers to me name," Spike said, grinning.
"And this is Darla, who I believe is four times your age, fledgling."
"I lost count," Darla agreed, smiling sweetly. "Midnight tomorrow. It's in your favour to be there." She linked arms with Angelus and, followed by Spike, they went out. The crowd parted to let them pass as the bar-demon began, resigned, to clean up the mess; and the burly vampire stood with fists clenched and an expression of hatred on his face.
Luc smiled, and slipped out after his family.
--
Author's note: some references back to 'The Breton' in this chapter.
For the geographically inclined, Belgrave Square is a rather nice bit of London close to Hyde Park, about equidistant from Hyde Park Corner and Victoria tube stations. Therefore they took the Piccadilly Line from Hyde Park Corner to Piccadilly Circus to get to the bar. Soho is tucked between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, a bustling and fun part of London famed for liberality and fantastic Chinese restaurants and shops.