Chapter Five - Trusting
Wesley Wyndham Pryce entered the Hyperion Hotel later than he had intentionally planned. The previous evening's events has caused him much worry over the future of both himself and his co workers who he now considered his friends, and more importantly, his family.
After he had returned home last night, he had returned to the 'watcher research mode' he had left behind after his discharge from the council, and discovered that there was much more to 'William the Bloody' than he had originally thought. Spike was not only a dangerous vampire, but unpredictable. The blonde's actions in the past had proved that - his conquest over two Slayers, his quest for the Gem of Amara, and more much disturbing accounts of his violent nature - all had shown his strength and power as a Master Vampire, and almost equalled the terror of Angelus' past.
However, Wesley was more concerned over the affection that Fred had shown for the vampire. When she had taken Spikes arm and led him upstairs with such gentle persuasion, Wesley couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy, but his primary concern was for the safety of the petite Texan. He was determined to ensure that she had little to no more contact with the monster that was currently in the room next to hers. Such a task was certain to prove difficult. His thoughts were disrupted as he heard Fred's voice.
"I really need to stop thinking so much!"
"Well, coming out of your room is certainly the first step on the road to recovery." Wes replied, as Fred's eyes shot up in surprise of company. "I'm sure that you will address the "thinking too much" issue in due time." He smirked.
The frown the Texan wore slowly faded and was replaced with a shy smile, as she dismissed his sarcastic tone. "Mornin' Wesley." She sighed. "Did you have a nice evening?"
Wes returned her smile and walked round the desk until he stood by her side. "It was, different, but on the whole not overly amazing. Disconcerting, tiring and worrying would probably be more accurate descriptions."
"Oh!"
"Oh.? Is that all you have to say? I would have thought that the fact you openly took responsibility for a ruthless, cold-blooded killer last night, would have constituted more than a simple oh."
"That's harsh Wes."
"Maybe so, but necessary, don't you think, Angel?" He continued as the souled vampire walked slowly down the stairs.
"Look Wes, I know you have all this supposed knowledge from your watcher days about what my Childer and I are, but don't you think that Fred is capable of making her own judgement and decisions?"
Wesley looked at Fred, and then turned and walked to the sofas in the lobby, intent n meeting Angel as he reached the foot of the staircase.
"I do believe that Winifred is extraordinary, and more than capable of decision making, especially having survived Pylea for so long. But perhaps her isolation has caused that judgement to falter. She knows little of the world in which we live now. Maybe a spell. something Spike arranged before hand, to create the vision, to create Fred's compassion. I *cannot* believe that she would willingly take Spike in her arms, knowing what."
"How *dare* you!" Fred shouted.
Wes was so engulfed in his ranting, he hadn't realised that Fred had moved from her seat and stalked across the room to him. He turned to face her only to find that she was right behind him. His gaze dropped to the floor.
"How dare you tale about me as if I'm not here!" She continued. "I've had enough of being seen as the innocent, frail girl who needs protecting! I've had enough of being treated like I don't exist!" The tone of her voice raised as her emotions took over, and tears began falling from her face. "I survived *five* years of being treated worthless in that Hellhole; you all got me out, and now you're saying it's affected my judgement?"
Wesley raised his hand and opened his mouth to speak, but Fred stopped him.
"I'll tell you something Mister." She continued, "Maybe my judgement was affected by thinking I could. Maybe I am insane. But I didn't live through five years of pain, to not be able to recognise it when it walks through the door." She waved her arms in the air, and pointed to the first floor. "That evil, soulless vampire up there is in pain, and he's dying because of it. The Powers That Be sent Cordelia a vision to show her he was. To show *us* he needed help. Now you let your narrow mindedness and your own warped judgement stop you from doing your job if ya want. All I know is he needs help."
She looked at Wesley with a tear stained face, awash with confusion, and determination, and then turned and walked to Angel, who was stood by the patio doors.
"I know you don't trust him." She said, addressing them both, her tone calming. "I know I'm not part of your 'superhero save the world" gang." She wiped her eyes with her jumper. "But I trust him, I don't know why, but I do. and I'm gonna help him. Because maybe, just maybe, that trust will save him. Make him feel like he's worth something. Make him want to keep goin' and not give up."
She looked at Angel, and then back to Wesley. "It was a 'monster' who saved me 'member?" Her tone softened as she returned her look to Angel and saw the pain etched on his features. "I don't know what history there is between you and Spike, and honestly, I don't wanna know. You didn't know anything 'bout me either - still don't - not really. But you helped me." Her eyes pleaded with Angel to understand what she was saying. "If you look into yourself, really look. You'll see what he needs."
She looked back at Wesley.
"Everyone deserves a second chance." She said in a near whisper, before running past Angel up the stairs and heading to her room.
The door to the Hyperion flung open, revealing Gunn and Cordelia, looking completely shocked.
"Looks like little miss polite and invisible came out of her shell huh?" Gunn stated with a smirk.
"Well?" Asked Cordelia. "Are you two going to explain, or do we have to guess what that was all about?"
---
Angel sighed as he stalked across the lobby and into his office. His three co workers followed suit, and were soon standing in front of him, their faces displaying their emotional discontent.
"Look Wes," he said, his tone stern, "you were out of order. Fred was right. Spike hasn't cast a spell, the vision Cordy was sent from the powers wasn't false, and you had no right to judge Fred like that. She has been through a lot. She cared for me when we were in Pylea, and I saw my true form in their world. She wasn't under a spell then, but, we can't rule out the fact that she might be now, as much as I want to." He looked at Cordy. "Did the Powers show you anything else? Anything that could help us figure this out? Something's off...I saw Spike earlier. He's dying, just wasting away to dust. There must be something more."
"I told you already Angel, they just showed me the blond wonder, and I just felt him dying. He's in pain. Hell! What am I some Goddamn psychic? Don't answer that. So., Fred's on the help Spike mission huh? Take it you're not too happy about that Wes. And oh crap!" She stated, picking her foot off the floor. "I *hate* people who drop gum. These shoes cost me over $50!" She hobbled out of the room with one shoe on, cursing.
"So, English. What's up man? I mean, I thought you got on with Fred. She just knocked you down to the ground. Man if looks could kill you'd be dead twice over."
"It's about Spike, Gunn." Angel answered, taking in Wesley's defensive posture. "Wes just thinks there's more to this than meets the eye, and not in a good way, he just doesn't want Fred hurt. Isn't that right, Wes?"
The last words were a statement, spoken with brute force. Wes nodded.
"I just think we need to use caution. Obviously Fred has become, attached, to Spike somehow. I just don't think it's a natural. attachment, I mean, she doesn't know him from Adam, and all of a sudden it's like. I just think we need to be careful. And we need to find out why he's here. I don't think he's in half as much danger as you do Angel, but I suppose I could give him the benefit of the doubt until we find out what exactly it is he's doing here."
"That's all I ask Wes. Gunn, I need you to find out if there're any new players in town, old demons, magicians, sorcerers, anything that may be putting the nasty on us."
Gunn nodded, "I'm on it." He said as he left the office.
"Wes, you research any spells that may have bound Fred to Spike somehow, I doubt there are any, but anything's possible, I want the magic option ruled out." Wes looked up at Angel. "I'll keep an eye on them Wes, I just don't think it's magic that's involved here, at least, I'm hoping. Until we find out for sure what's going on, nothing is to happen to Spike. If the Powers sent him for a reason, we'll need him alive."
Wesley Wyndham Pryce entered the Hyperion Hotel later than he had intentionally planned. The previous evening's events has caused him much worry over the future of both himself and his co workers who he now considered his friends, and more importantly, his family.
After he had returned home last night, he had returned to the 'watcher research mode' he had left behind after his discharge from the council, and discovered that there was much more to 'William the Bloody' than he had originally thought. Spike was not only a dangerous vampire, but unpredictable. The blonde's actions in the past had proved that - his conquest over two Slayers, his quest for the Gem of Amara, and more much disturbing accounts of his violent nature - all had shown his strength and power as a Master Vampire, and almost equalled the terror of Angelus' past.
However, Wesley was more concerned over the affection that Fred had shown for the vampire. When she had taken Spikes arm and led him upstairs with such gentle persuasion, Wesley couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy, but his primary concern was for the safety of the petite Texan. He was determined to ensure that she had little to no more contact with the monster that was currently in the room next to hers. Such a task was certain to prove difficult. His thoughts were disrupted as he heard Fred's voice.
"I really need to stop thinking so much!"
"Well, coming out of your room is certainly the first step on the road to recovery." Wes replied, as Fred's eyes shot up in surprise of company. "I'm sure that you will address the "thinking too much" issue in due time." He smirked.
The frown the Texan wore slowly faded and was replaced with a shy smile, as she dismissed his sarcastic tone. "Mornin' Wesley." She sighed. "Did you have a nice evening?"
Wes returned her smile and walked round the desk until he stood by her side. "It was, different, but on the whole not overly amazing. Disconcerting, tiring and worrying would probably be more accurate descriptions."
"Oh!"
"Oh.? Is that all you have to say? I would have thought that the fact you openly took responsibility for a ruthless, cold-blooded killer last night, would have constituted more than a simple oh."
"That's harsh Wes."
"Maybe so, but necessary, don't you think, Angel?" He continued as the souled vampire walked slowly down the stairs.
"Look Wes, I know you have all this supposed knowledge from your watcher days about what my Childer and I are, but don't you think that Fred is capable of making her own judgement and decisions?"
Wesley looked at Fred, and then turned and walked to the sofas in the lobby, intent n meeting Angel as he reached the foot of the staircase.
"I do believe that Winifred is extraordinary, and more than capable of decision making, especially having survived Pylea for so long. But perhaps her isolation has caused that judgement to falter. She knows little of the world in which we live now. Maybe a spell. something Spike arranged before hand, to create the vision, to create Fred's compassion. I *cannot* believe that she would willingly take Spike in her arms, knowing what."
"How *dare* you!" Fred shouted.
Wes was so engulfed in his ranting, he hadn't realised that Fred had moved from her seat and stalked across the room to him. He turned to face her only to find that she was right behind him. His gaze dropped to the floor.
"How dare you tale about me as if I'm not here!" She continued. "I've had enough of being seen as the innocent, frail girl who needs protecting! I've had enough of being treated like I don't exist!" The tone of her voice raised as her emotions took over, and tears began falling from her face. "I survived *five* years of being treated worthless in that Hellhole; you all got me out, and now you're saying it's affected my judgement?"
Wesley raised his hand and opened his mouth to speak, but Fred stopped him.
"I'll tell you something Mister." She continued, "Maybe my judgement was affected by thinking I could. Maybe I am insane. But I didn't live through five years of pain, to not be able to recognise it when it walks through the door." She waved her arms in the air, and pointed to the first floor. "That evil, soulless vampire up there is in pain, and he's dying because of it. The Powers That Be sent Cordelia a vision to show her he was. To show *us* he needed help. Now you let your narrow mindedness and your own warped judgement stop you from doing your job if ya want. All I know is he needs help."
She looked at Wesley with a tear stained face, awash with confusion, and determination, and then turned and walked to Angel, who was stood by the patio doors.
"I know you don't trust him." She said, addressing them both, her tone calming. "I know I'm not part of your 'superhero save the world" gang." She wiped her eyes with her jumper. "But I trust him, I don't know why, but I do. and I'm gonna help him. Because maybe, just maybe, that trust will save him. Make him feel like he's worth something. Make him want to keep goin' and not give up."
She looked at Angel, and then back to Wesley. "It was a 'monster' who saved me 'member?" Her tone softened as she returned her look to Angel and saw the pain etched on his features. "I don't know what history there is between you and Spike, and honestly, I don't wanna know. You didn't know anything 'bout me either - still don't - not really. But you helped me." Her eyes pleaded with Angel to understand what she was saying. "If you look into yourself, really look. You'll see what he needs."
She looked back at Wesley.
"Everyone deserves a second chance." She said in a near whisper, before running past Angel up the stairs and heading to her room.
The door to the Hyperion flung open, revealing Gunn and Cordelia, looking completely shocked.
"Looks like little miss polite and invisible came out of her shell huh?" Gunn stated with a smirk.
"Well?" Asked Cordelia. "Are you two going to explain, or do we have to guess what that was all about?"
---
Angel sighed as he stalked across the lobby and into his office. His three co workers followed suit, and were soon standing in front of him, their faces displaying their emotional discontent.
"Look Wes," he said, his tone stern, "you were out of order. Fred was right. Spike hasn't cast a spell, the vision Cordy was sent from the powers wasn't false, and you had no right to judge Fred like that. She has been through a lot. She cared for me when we were in Pylea, and I saw my true form in their world. She wasn't under a spell then, but, we can't rule out the fact that she might be now, as much as I want to." He looked at Cordy. "Did the Powers show you anything else? Anything that could help us figure this out? Something's off...I saw Spike earlier. He's dying, just wasting away to dust. There must be something more."
"I told you already Angel, they just showed me the blond wonder, and I just felt him dying. He's in pain. Hell! What am I some Goddamn psychic? Don't answer that. So., Fred's on the help Spike mission huh? Take it you're not too happy about that Wes. And oh crap!" She stated, picking her foot off the floor. "I *hate* people who drop gum. These shoes cost me over $50!" She hobbled out of the room with one shoe on, cursing.
"So, English. What's up man? I mean, I thought you got on with Fred. She just knocked you down to the ground. Man if looks could kill you'd be dead twice over."
"It's about Spike, Gunn." Angel answered, taking in Wesley's defensive posture. "Wes just thinks there's more to this than meets the eye, and not in a good way, he just doesn't want Fred hurt. Isn't that right, Wes?"
The last words were a statement, spoken with brute force. Wes nodded.
"I just think we need to use caution. Obviously Fred has become, attached, to Spike somehow. I just don't think it's a natural. attachment, I mean, she doesn't know him from Adam, and all of a sudden it's like. I just think we need to be careful. And we need to find out why he's here. I don't think he's in half as much danger as you do Angel, but I suppose I could give him the benefit of the doubt until we find out what exactly it is he's doing here."
"That's all I ask Wes. Gunn, I need you to find out if there're any new players in town, old demons, magicians, sorcerers, anything that may be putting the nasty on us."
Gunn nodded, "I'm on it." He said as he left the office.
"Wes, you research any spells that may have bound Fred to Spike somehow, I doubt there are any, but anything's possible, I want the magic option ruled out." Wes looked up at Angel. "I'll keep an eye on them Wes, I just don't think it's magic that's involved here, at least, I'm hoping. Until we find out for sure what's going on, nothing is to happen to Spike. If the Powers sent him for a reason, we'll need him alive."
