Chapter 9- Losing patience


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(Angel's office- continued)

Angel leapt out of his chair and took several long strides to where Spike was sitting on the couch. He leaned over putting his hands on Spike's shoulders, pushing him back with the force.

"What are you saying to me Wesley?" he asked, without ever taking his eyes off of Spike's. Suddenly, and unexpectedly, Angel felt something he should have sensed sooner. The thing that was wrong with Spike that he couldn't put his finger on. Now he had his finger on it, literally.

It was a small thing actually, something a person would hardly notice. He let his finger linger there a moment longer, not able to process what it was he was feeling. A small beat really, nothing spectacular- not even racing, still it had Angel practically enthralled. He moved his finger up a little further up spike's shoulder, holding it in place in the sensitive spot where the neck meets the collarbone, not able to let go. He had a pulse. 'Spike' had a fucking pulse. What was up with that?

"Hey!" Spike yelled, pushing Angel off of him and snapping out of his engrossed state. "What's that about?" Spike asked, looking towards Wesley. He stood and walked over to him, whispering to him while glancing over to where Angel had fallen back, leaning against his desk. "I may not know who I am," he stated in a low voice, "but I know what m'not!"

Angel was furious. His vampire hearing caught that little exchange, the very thought of Spike's implication made him angry. He was about to say something when his phone buzzed.

"Yes Grace?"

"I'm sorry to interrupt Mr. Angel…but you really need to begin your preparations for this evening's event. You have to go over your speech, and…you need to change. You haven't even…"

"Grace," he cut her off, "I'll be out in a minute."

"Take him to the hotel, make sure he's watched. We have to get ready for tonight."

"Yes…of course." Wesley responded, when Spike jumped in.

"Hold on. I still need answers, what the hell am I here for. You haven't told me anything!"

Angel raised his voice once more, "You'll find out in due time Spike. Just not now. Go with Wesley and do as you're told, if you want answers you'll get them when I'm ready to talk."

Spike ran across the room and pushed Angel on the desk, forcing him on his back, and holding him down. "Bullocks! You will tell me what I need to know or else!"

"Or else what?" Angel asked, suddenly aware of how strong Spike was, even without his vampire strength, just another great little discovery. "What are you going to do Spike? Anything happens to me and you'll never know. Wouldn't want that to happen, would you?"

Spike contemplated that a moment before letting Angel go. He walked over to pick his bag up off of the floor and looked towards Wesley, "Fine, but I need to be fed. I feel like I haven't eaten a decent meal in years."

Wesley shot a knowing look over to where angel was sitting on his desk, steaming with anger, before following Spike out of the office.

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(Buffy's Hotel Room)

Buffy took a long shower, allowing the water to wash over her. She was tired, and lonely. She hadn't been away from Dawn this long since…well…ever that she could remember, not while she was alive anyway.

She tried to formulate a plan, as the cool water eased away some of the tension that had overwhelmed her for the past few days, but she couldn't think of anything particularly clever.

She didn't even know if it was a good idea, going to this party…she wasn't sure if she should maker herself known. Everything was going so slowly though; at this rate she could be in LA a month without ever finding out anything…not that she even knew what she was looking for.

Buffy turned the water off and stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around herself. She took her hand to wipe down the mirror, which was now foggy despite the fact that the water hadn't been that hot.

She looked at herself a long while, looked at her face carefully and methodically. She hardly recognized the person who stared back at her anymore, this woman who had stepped in and taken over a life that she no longer commanded.

Once she had been The Chosen One, now she was just one of many. A young woman who had no place in the world, not quite human- yet human still. The only thing that kept her going was the fact that Dawn needed her…and soon even that wouldn't be true. Dawn was growing up so quickly…

Engrossed in her thoughts Buffy didn't even realize the tears that had begun falling from her eyes in force. Before long she was weeping openly, having opened a door that had remained closed for so long.

She walked out of the bathroom and into the cold air conditioning, hoping that the cool air would help dry her tears. She sat, wrapped in her towel for a long while and after her face was sufficiently dry, began to apply her make-up.

"Time to put on my game face." She said aloud, as she began getting ready for the big event.

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"Pull over!" Spike yelled to the driver, pointing to the corner drug store.

"What is it now?" Wesley asked, becoming more than annoyed with his visitor duty. He had spent hours with him already. As it was Wesley didn't think he could ever eat another hamburger after seeing what Spike had done to the three that he'd watched him devour. He did look like someone who hadn't eaten in years.

"Need some toiletries is all mate…toothbrush, soap and the like. Spike held out his hand, waiting for Wesley to provide him with some cash. He had money on him, cash he'd been stowing away little by little from his trips to Andy's trailer, but he needed to have his rainy day supply- just in case.

"I'll go with you." Wesley nodded to the driver, instructing him to stand by as he wouldn't be very long.

Once inside spike grabbed items haphazardly, not really sure what he would need. He grabbed a toothbrush and some toothpaste, soap, shaving cream and razors. He was getting ready to walk to the register when he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He was dismayed at the sight of his messy curls atop his head, and the stubble that was forming around his face. He headed to the hair isle and grabbed some super hold gel and without a second thought, threw a box of hair bleach into the basket that Wesley was carrying.

Satisfied, he walked to the front register… "Can you throw in a pack of ciggies too?" He asked the pimply kid who was behind the register. "What kind?"

"Something with Menthol," he answered, and watched as the little twerp threw a pack of Newport in the bag. Spike grabbed a lighter of the counter and tested it quickly, showing it to the kid before putting it in his pocket.

They got back in the car and Spike pulled out his pack of newly purchased fags and lit one, inhaling deeply and savoring in the mentholated flavor.

Wesley rolled down his window and rolled his eyes. This was going to be hell. Aside from that he hadn't begun getting ready for the evening and had no idea what to do with Spike. Looking out the window it dawned on him that he only had one choice.

"Pull over again please…to the men's store," he pointed directing the driver who himself was becoming slightly irritated. "Come on Spike"

"Where now?"

"We need to find you something to wear…looks like you're going to a party tonight."

TBC

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Thank you, thank you, thank you….for all the lovely reviews. I've been drowning in joy. I hope you all had a lovely holiday weekend. As always, please let me know what you think…reviews are my candy reward. Hoping to update Aftermath next, but this one's been calling me. Hope you liked!

-E