Hey everyone! Thank god the exams are over!! Now I just have to wait till
August when my results come. . . Anyway, computer probs have meant that I
couldn't get the chapter up before now, so I'm really sorry about the wait,
but I couldn't do anything about it!
It's great to be back! Enjoy!
All disclaimers apply
Battling Past Demons chapter 9: Host
Jesse Travis stared at his watch for what seemed like the millionth time. Waiting for Angel to surface was like waiting for paint to dry. Nightfall wasn't for a few hours yet, and everyone was sitting around the hotel reception twiddling their thumbs. Cordelia was reading a magazine, Gunn was staring at a can of beer, Wes had his nose in a dusty volume containing god knew what, and Doyle was absent mindedly gazing in Cordelia's general direction, his eyes glassy.
All this was so far away from life at Community General for Jesse. There, there was never a dull moment, well. . .usually, but here? It was hard, he barely knew these people, and he missed his friends. He thought about phoning Kealy, and reached for his mobile phone. His finger hovered over the speed dial, and he was just about to press it when the phone rang suddenly. Jesse almost dropped the phone in surprise. It was Kealy.
"Hey Jess! It's me"
"It's great to hear from you! How'd it go?"
"Well, I got them to believe it -"
"That's great!"
"But. . .they're all a little shocked, and Steve's walked out, we don't know where he's gone" There was silence on Jesse's end of the phone. He didn't quite know how to respond to this news.
"Jesse?"
"Yeah I'm still here, just. . .a little freaked out. Steve never usually reacts like this unless something's really affected him"
"So, what are you gonna do now?"
"Well we're all waiting for Angel to wake up, but until then we can't do anything, and the waiting is really killing me!" Jesse tried to lighten the mood.
"Okay, well I just wanted to let you know. Jesse, don't worry about Steve, he'll be fine! Love you!"
"Love you too" Jesse said softly, and sighed as he hung up the phone. Everyone was watching him as if he might break into pieces; he tried to ignore them and settled back into the couch to wait until nightfall.
* * * *
After what seemed like a lifetime, Angel finally emerged from his room and descended the hotel staircase. He went immediately to the fridge and took a large swig of blood from the glass in the fridge. Wiping the blood from his lips, he made his way into the center of the reception area. "Okay guys, I've been thinking, the only way to find out the extent of what's really going on, is to go to the Host" The eyes of everyone in the room except for Jesse, glittered in understanding.
"The Host?" Jesse said nervously, it sounded a little foreboding.
"Jesse the Host is harmless, he runs a demon bar downtown, we're just gonna go there and see him!" Cordelia laughed at the scared expression on Jesse's face.
"Oh" Jesse said, relieved. His features lightened and he became more enthusiastic about the idea. "So what exactly does this Host guy do, apart from running some bar?"
"The Host can tell you the future, sort of like a fortune teller" Doyle explained, deliberately leaving out the most important part. He had a slight smirk on his face, which made Jesse think that there was something that they weren't telling him, but he didn't know what.
The Caritas's Bar looked just like any other bar, Jesse was thinking as Angel's black convertible pulled up outside. But as he went inside, he began to get more apprehensive. The room was filled with demons. Some sitting in groups at tables, some sitting at the bar. The music was pretty awful, and that was when he realized that there was a demon on the stage, singing.
It was repulsive, and looked as if it's skin had melted like candle wax all over it's body. It was murdering a classic karaoke song, and Jesse cringed when it tried to hit some of the high notes. When the song was finally over, all the other demons applauded appreciatively, and Jesse saw a bright green demon stride over to the stage. His dress sense was a little camp and he had two little horns protruding from his forehead.
"That's the Host!" Cordelia whispered in his ear.
That was the Host? Jesse felt stupid for actually having been scared. "What's he doing?"
"He's telling her what will happen to her" Doyle stepped in.
"You can tell that that thing is female?" Jesse snorted in disbelief.
"Jesse! That's not the point!" Cordelia scolded.
"Okay, Okay! So what do I have to do to have my fortune told?"
"Hmmm! I'm still not sure if you're taking this seriously. . .but I'll tell you anyway. You have to sing!"
"Whoa, Whoa! Wait a sec! Sing? I don't' sing!" Jesse backed away slightly.
"You will if you want to find out what's going on!" Angel piped up.
"Yeah Jesse! We've all done it! You shoulda seen Angel!" Gunn laughed.
"Hey!" Angel said indignantly, but with a smile on his face.
"You sang?" Jesse burst out laughing, much to the pleasure of the others. He cleared his throat sheepishly as Angel gave him a hard stare, "Sorry, It's just that. . .it's hard to imagine you - "
"Yeah okay! But the question is, my friend, what are you going to sing?" Angel expertly turned the joke towards the young doctor, which duly wiped the smile off his face. He was about to retort when the green Host stepped up to greet them.
"Angel!" He said enthusiastically, "And friends! Who are you helping this time?" He added, looking at Jesse, who shrank back a little, suddenly feeling very shy. The Host reminded him of one of his Aunts, embarrassing and patronizing.
"This is Dr. Jesse Travis" Angel announced.
"Hey" Jesse responded.
"Hi there. So what's the story?" The Host enquired.
Angel thought it best that he should answer, so he began to tell Jesse's story, while Jesse frantically tried to think of what song he could sing. He hated singing, and he just didn't want to do it. . .yet if this was ever going to be resolved. . .
"So what are you going to sing?" The Host asked the million dollar question.
"I, uh, don't know" Jesse answered truthfully.
"Well if you don't choose one yourself then I'll have to pick one for you!"
"Uh No! Uh that won't be necessary!" Jesse jumped in quickly, "I know what to do" The Host smiled at him and then guided him towards the stage.
The Host picked up the microphone, "Okay ladies and gentlemen! Next up we have a young doctor singing for us! Put your hands together for Jesse Travis!" He then handed the microphone to Jesse, who stood rigid with fear beside him. How the hell was he going to do this?
Then the music began.
* * * *
Boy was he glad that was over! He didn't think he'd been that bad either! He stood on the stage, the applause was blinding. The Host bounded up to him and gently took the mike from him and guided him off stage.
"Well! Quite a voice!"
"Uh, thanks!" Jesse breathed, relieved that the ordeal was over.
Angel, Cordelia, Gunn, Wes and Doyle joined them over by the stage. "Hey Jesse that was great!" Cordelia squealed as she hugged him, while Doyle looked on jealously. Jesse grinned at the reception he was receiving.
"Guys, this goes nowhere okay? I don't want anyone finding out about this" Jesse pleaded, knowing exactly how Steve would react if he heard that Jesse had had to sing!
"Okay, Okay! Now let's get on with this!" Angel put an end to the discussion. "Host? What did you find out?" Everyone's attention turned to the green demon as he began to relay his findings.
"Right, this is a complicated one. This man James Seville, has hooked up with your favorite law firm Angel, Wolfram and Hart. They've been summoning the demons, for him and setting them on Jesse. But it appears that the arrangement has changed. Before, it had been that Wolfram and Hart were basically controlling the whole operation, but now I can see that Seville seems to be in charge, and he's doing things a little differently."
"What do you mean?" Angel asked.
"Seville has ordered that one of your friends be brought in Jesse"
"What?" Jesse exploded, "Who? Why?"
"He wants your friend Steve Sloan to be brought to him, by force. It appears that he wishes to lure you to him by using Steve as bait"
"We have to get to Steve" Jesse said at once, "Kealy told me that he went off by himself, we have to find him!"
"Jesse you must be careful. I sense a lot of danger here, and you may already be too late" The Host warned.
The Angel Investigations team sprang into action. With a shouted thank you to the Host they raced out of the bar and leapt into the black convertible.
"Go to Barbecue Bobs Now!" Jesse shouted, "That's where he'll be, I'm sure!"
* * * *
Steve Sloan sat in BBQ Bob's holding his third beer. He felt dreadful. The beers were doing nothing to drown his sorrows that he'd failed his friend. Years of friendship, countless times Jesse had saved his life, as a doctor, and friend. And how had he repaid him? He drained the last of the beer and set it down on the surface with a thud.
He thought of his father. He felt guilty for walking out, but he hadn't been able to cope with what he was feeling about Jesse. How had things gone so badly wrong? Had it started way back in Rome? Or had it started when Jack had returned? Steve was pleased to see his old friend, but only now realized how he had ignored Jesse, and believed him to be jealous. . .
He was about to pour himself another beer when the door to BBQ Bob's opened sharply. "We're closed!" Steve yelled automatically.
"Oh I don't think so!" said a sinister voice that made Steve turn towards the door immediately. The sight that met him almost made his beer befuddled body fall right off his stool.
Two large men stood in the doorway, each carrying a gun pointing towards Steve. "Who are you?" Steve asked shakily. "What do you want?"
"We need you to come with us, now" Said the one on the right, stepping forward menacingly.
"Or you'll what?" Steve played for time, knowing what the answer would be.
The man raised his gun, "Or We'll kill you"
Steve thought about this, he felt almost suicidal with guilt, but he also knew that his father and Jesse would be devastated without him. He couldn't die.
"Okay, I'm coming" he said as he slowly stood up and put his hands behind his head. The two men came forward, one of them grabbing Steve and handcuffing him while the other kept his gun trained at Steve's head.
He was shoved outside and then thrown roughly into a waiting car with darkened windows. The last thing he saw before the door closed was the blazing sign of BBQ Bob's. Would anyone know what had happened to him?
He felt the engine of the car purr into life before the butt of a gun was brought down on his head.
To Be Continued. . .
Please review!! Pretty please!! Okay, I know it was a bit of a cop out not saying what song Jesse was singing. . .but I thought it was better to let you guys imagine it for yourselves. . .that, and I didn't have a clue anyway! It doesn't say anywhere what music Jesse likes! I hope it doesn't spoil the story!!
It's great to be back! Enjoy!
All disclaimers apply
Battling Past Demons chapter 9: Host
Jesse Travis stared at his watch for what seemed like the millionth time. Waiting for Angel to surface was like waiting for paint to dry. Nightfall wasn't for a few hours yet, and everyone was sitting around the hotel reception twiddling their thumbs. Cordelia was reading a magazine, Gunn was staring at a can of beer, Wes had his nose in a dusty volume containing god knew what, and Doyle was absent mindedly gazing in Cordelia's general direction, his eyes glassy.
All this was so far away from life at Community General for Jesse. There, there was never a dull moment, well. . .usually, but here? It was hard, he barely knew these people, and he missed his friends. He thought about phoning Kealy, and reached for his mobile phone. His finger hovered over the speed dial, and he was just about to press it when the phone rang suddenly. Jesse almost dropped the phone in surprise. It was Kealy.
"Hey Jess! It's me"
"It's great to hear from you! How'd it go?"
"Well, I got them to believe it -"
"That's great!"
"But. . .they're all a little shocked, and Steve's walked out, we don't know where he's gone" There was silence on Jesse's end of the phone. He didn't quite know how to respond to this news.
"Jesse?"
"Yeah I'm still here, just. . .a little freaked out. Steve never usually reacts like this unless something's really affected him"
"So, what are you gonna do now?"
"Well we're all waiting for Angel to wake up, but until then we can't do anything, and the waiting is really killing me!" Jesse tried to lighten the mood.
"Okay, well I just wanted to let you know. Jesse, don't worry about Steve, he'll be fine! Love you!"
"Love you too" Jesse said softly, and sighed as he hung up the phone. Everyone was watching him as if he might break into pieces; he tried to ignore them and settled back into the couch to wait until nightfall.
* * * *
After what seemed like a lifetime, Angel finally emerged from his room and descended the hotel staircase. He went immediately to the fridge and took a large swig of blood from the glass in the fridge. Wiping the blood from his lips, he made his way into the center of the reception area. "Okay guys, I've been thinking, the only way to find out the extent of what's really going on, is to go to the Host" The eyes of everyone in the room except for Jesse, glittered in understanding.
"The Host?" Jesse said nervously, it sounded a little foreboding.
"Jesse the Host is harmless, he runs a demon bar downtown, we're just gonna go there and see him!" Cordelia laughed at the scared expression on Jesse's face.
"Oh" Jesse said, relieved. His features lightened and he became more enthusiastic about the idea. "So what exactly does this Host guy do, apart from running some bar?"
"The Host can tell you the future, sort of like a fortune teller" Doyle explained, deliberately leaving out the most important part. He had a slight smirk on his face, which made Jesse think that there was something that they weren't telling him, but he didn't know what.
The Caritas's Bar looked just like any other bar, Jesse was thinking as Angel's black convertible pulled up outside. But as he went inside, he began to get more apprehensive. The room was filled with demons. Some sitting in groups at tables, some sitting at the bar. The music was pretty awful, and that was when he realized that there was a demon on the stage, singing.
It was repulsive, and looked as if it's skin had melted like candle wax all over it's body. It was murdering a classic karaoke song, and Jesse cringed when it tried to hit some of the high notes. When the song was finally over, all the other demons applauded appreciatively, and Jesse saw a bright green demon stride over to the stage. His dress sense was a little camp and he had two little horns protruding from his forehead.
"That's the Host!" Cordelia whispered in his ear.
That was the Host? Jesse felt stupid for actually having been scared. "What's he doing?"
"He's telling her what will happen to her" Doyle stepped in.
"You can tell that that thing is female?" Jesse snorted in disbelief.
"Jesse! That's not the point!" Cordelia scolded.
"Okay, Okay! So what do I have to do to have my fortune told?"
"Hmmm! I'm still not sure if you're taking this seriously. . .but I'll tell you anyway. You have to sing!"
"Whoa, Whoa! Wait a sec! Sing? I don't' sing!" Jesse backed away slightly.
"You will if you want to find out what's going on!" Angel piped up.
"Yeah Jesse! We've all done it! You shoulda seen Angel!" Gunn laughed.
"Hey!" Angel said indignantly, but with a smile on his face.
"You sang?" Jesse burst out laughing, much to the pleasure of the others. He cleared his throat sheepishly as Angel gave him a hard stare, "Sorry, It's just that. . .it's hard to imagine you - "
"Yeah okay! But the question is, my friend, what are you going to sing?" Angel expertly turned the joke towards the young doctor, which duly wiped the smile off his face. He was about to retort when the green Host stepped up to greet them.
"Angel!" He said enthusiastically, "And friends! Who are you helping this time?" He added, looking at Jesse, who shrank back a little, suddenly feeling very shy. The Host reminded him of one of his Aunts, embarrassing and patronizing.
"This is Dr. Jesse Travis" Angel announced.
"Hey" Jesse responded.
"Hi there. So what's the story?" The Host enquired.
Angel thought it best that he should answer, so he began to tell Jesse's story, while Jesse frantically tried to think of what song he could sing. He hated singing, and he just didn't want to do it. . .yet if this was ever going to be resolved. . .
"So what are you going to sing?" The Host asked the million dollar question.
"I, uh, don't know" Jesse answered truthfully.
"Well if you don't choose one yourself then I'll have to pick one for you!"
"Uh No! Uh that won't be necessary!" Jesse jumped in quickly, "I know what to do" The Host smiled at him and then guided him towards the stage.
The Host picked up the microphone, "Okay ladies and gentlemen! Next up we have a young doctor singing for us! Put your hands together for Jesse Travis!" He then handed the microphone to Jesse, who stood rigid with fear beside him. How the hell was he going to do this?
Then the music began.
* * * *
Boy was he glad that was over! He didn't think he'd been that bad either! He stood on the stage, the applause was blinding. The Host bounded up to him and gently took the mike from him and guided him off stage.
"Well! Quite a voice!"
"Uh, thanks!" Jesse breathed, relieved that the ordeal was over.
Angel, Cordelia, Gunn, Wes and Doyle joined them over by the stage. "Hey Jesse that was great!" Cordelia squealed as she hugged him, while Doyle looked on jealously. Jesse grinned at the reception he was receiving.
"Guys, this goes nowhere okay? I don't want anyone finding out about this" Jesse pleaded, knowing exactly how Steve would react if he heard that Jesse had had to sing!
"Okay, Okay! Now let's get on with this!" Angel put an end to the discussion. "Host? What did you find out?" Everyone's attention turned to the green demon as he began to relay his findings.
"Right, this is a complicated one. This man James Seville, has hooked up with your favorite law firm Angel, Wolfram and Hart. They've been summoning the demons, for him and setting them on Jesse. But it appears that the arrangement has changed. Before, it had been that Wolfram and Hart were basically controlling the whole operation, but now I can see that Seville seems to be in charge, and he's doing things a little differently."
"What do you mean?" Angel asked.
"Seville has ordered that one of your friends be brought in Jesse"
"What?" Jesse exploded, "Who? Why?"
"He wants your friend Steve Sloan to be brought to him, by force. It appears that he wishes to lure you to him by using Steve as bait"
"We have to get to Steve" Jesse said at once, "Kealy told me that he went off by himself, we have to find him!"
"Jesse you must be careful. I sense a lot of danger here, and you may already be too late" The Host warned.
The Angel Investigations team sprang into action. With a shouted thank you to the Host they raced out of the bar and leapt into the black convertible.
"Go to Barbecue Bobs Now!" Jesse shouted, "That's where he'll be, I'm sure!"
* * * *
Steve Sloan sat in BBQ Bob's holding his third beer. He felt dreadful. The beers were doing nothing to drown his sorrows that he'd failed his friend. Years of friendship, countless times Jesse had saved his life, as a doctor, and friend. And how had he repaid him? He drained the last of the beer and set it down on the surface with a thud.
He thought of his father. He felt guilty for walking out, but he hadn't been able to cope with what he was feeling about Jesse. How had things gone so badly wrong? Had it started way back in Rome? Or had it started when Jack had returned? Steve was pleased to see his old friend, but only now realized how he had ignored Jesse, and believed him to be jealous. . .
He was about to pour himself another beer when the door to BBQ Bob's opened sharply. "We're closed!" Steve yelled automatically.
"Oh I don't think so!" said a sinister voice that made Steve turn towards the door immediately. The sight that met him almost made his beer befuddled body fall right off his stool.
Two large men stood in the doorway, each carrying a gun pointing towards Steve. "Who are you?" Steve asked shakily. "What do you want?"
"We need you to come with us, now" Said the one on the right, stepping forward menacingly.
"Or you'll what?" Steve played for time, knowing what the answer would be.
The man raised his gun, "Or We'll kill you"
Steve thought about this, he felt almost suicidal with guilt, but he also knew that his father and Jesse would be devastated without him. He couldn't die.
"Okay, I'm coming" he said as he slowly stood up and put his hands behind his head. The two men came forward, one of them grabbing Steve and handcuffing him while the other kept his gun trained at Steve's head.
He was shoved outside and then thrown roughly into a waiting car with darkened windows. The last thing he saw before the door closed was the blazing sign of BBQ Bob's. Would anyone know what had happened to him?
He felt the engine of the car purr into life before the butt of a gun was brought down on his head.
To Be Continued. . .
Please review!! Pretty please!! Okay, I know it was a bit of a cop out not saying what song Jesse was singing. . .but I thought it was better to let you guys imagine it for yourselves. . .that, and I didn't have a clue anyway! It doesn't say anywhere what music Jesse likes! I hope it doesn't spoil the story!!
