Disclaimer: As always, Buffy and Angel characters don't belong to me (I keep rubbing this lamp but so far nothing) They belong to joss Whedon and Co.. But the original ones are mine.
The song is a traditional Irish carol. The version I have is performed by Aengus.
To all my fabulous reviewers, I love you all.
To Imzadi: I am not Mary Ann Evans but she was fabulous so I thought I'd borrow her pen name. I didn't think she'd mind. I will consider your suggestion for a bit of crossover. It has possiblilities.
When Buffy got back to the hotel she found everyone waiting for her.
"Where did you go Buffy?" asked Angel.
"To that bar. Did you know it's called Gracie's? Strange."
"That was not smart Buffy."
She waved it away. "It was no biggie. I just thought I might learn something if I went alone."
"And did you?" asked Wesley.
"I learned that the demons in the bar are friends with The Three. Morgan was there. He didn't tell me anything really. How about you?"
Wesley picked up a legal pad from the dresser. "I called Fred and asked her to do some research on the internet. It seems Lindsey is still practicing law. He passed the New York State bar exam a year ago. Apparently he does quite a bit of pro bono work. He is also part owner of a house in the Village. The other two owners are Morgan Fletcher and William Sanguis. Morgan Fletcher, it turns out, is an associate professor of history at Columbia University. According to Fred he is a favorite of the students; his classes are always filled. She didn't turn up anything on William. It's all very interesting but doesn't really help us with our current problem.
"I did manage to turn up some information about the swords. They are medieval in origin and were on loan to The Cloisters Museum here in New York City. 18 months ago they disappeared from the museum. No evidence of illegal entry was discovered and the swords never surfaced. There was a legend attached to the swords. Supposedly a sorcerer made them for three champions who would battle the forces of evil. Each sword bore an inscription in Latin: The Three Shall Be As One. They Shall Be the Line Against the Darkness."
"That's something," said Angel. "Now we just have to figure out what The Coming is. Did you find anything on that?"
Wesley shook his head. "Not so much as a glimmer. We may just have to wait and see. Or we can try to persuade the Three to tell us what they know."
Buffy stood up and moved toward the door. "I say that tonight we relax a bit. Go somewhere fun. What do you say? It may be the only holiday we get."
"Sounds good to me," said Cordelia. "You guys have been in research mode all day so it's time for some fun."
Angel sighed. But he didn't disagree. He knew he couldn't win. "Okay. Fine. There's a bar on the Lower East Side that will be okay. It's not a demon bar but the crowd is funky enough so Lorne here won't stand out. It's called The Ether."
The Ether was only half full that night. Buffy and her friends found a table in a very dark corner and ordered a round of drinks. The room had red walls covered with strange objects. There were also long swags of fabric hanging from the ceiling and more candles than you could shake a stick at. A slow sultry song was playing while a few couples swayed on the dance floor.
Buffy was just beginning to relax when something caught her attention. A man with platinum blonde hair was out on the dance floor. Sure enough, it was Spike. He was dancing with a petite blonde woman. They turned and Buffy saw the woman's face.
"Anya?!"
Angel grabbed Buffy's arm to keep her in her seat. "What did you say?"
"That's Anya, dancing with Spike."
The group turned to the dance floor. As the couples on the floor parted a little they saw that Spike and Anya were not alone. Morgan sat at the bar watching the two dance, an affectionate smile on his face. A moment later Lindsey came in. He sat down next to Morgan and whispered in his ear. The two looked at Spike and even though he had his back to the bar Spike stopped dancing and joined his friends at the bar. They had what seemed to be an intense conversation until the bartender interrupted. Buffy couldn't hear what he was saying but he seemed to be asking for something. The Three seemed to agree to the request. Then the bartender handed Lindsey a guitar from behind the bar. The music stopped and the room was silent. Lindsey sat on the stool and began to play.
Then the Three started to sing. They sang a Christmas carol but it wasn't one Buffy had heard before.
All hail to the days that merit more praise
Than all of the rest of the year.
And welcome the nights that double delights
As well for the poor as the peer.
Good fortune attend each merry man's friend
Who doth the best that he may
Forgetting old wrongs with carols and songs
To drive the cold winter away
People got up and began to dance forming a large circle, a few clapping their hands in time to the music.
Tis ill for a mind to anger inclined
To think of small injuries now
If wrath be to seek do not lend her thy cheek
Nor let her inherit thy brow
Cross out of thy books malevolent looks
Both beauty and youth's decay
And wholly consort with mirth and with sport
To drive the cold winter away
This time of the year is spent in good cheer
When neighbors together do meet
To sit by the fire in friendly desire
Each other in love to greet
Old grudges forgot are put in the pot
All sorrows aside they lay
The old and the young doth carol this song
To drive the cold winter away.
When Christmastide comes like a bride
In holly and ivy clad
Twelve days in the year much mirth and good cheer
In every household is had
The country guise is then to devise
Some gambols of Christmas play
Whereat the young men do the best that they can
To drive the cold winter away.
When the final note died away the room filled with applause and the Three bowed their heads in acknowledgement. Conversations restarted and the recorded music filled the room once again.
Angel turned to Lorne who had sat transfixed through the performance.
"Well, what did you get? I know they all sang at once but..."
"Didn't matter sweets. Those guys are connected. I bet each one knows where the others are even when they're across town from each other. And they've got some serious power happening."
"Are they really on our side?"
"They're on the side of the light. They're on the side of the powerless and the voiceless. And they've got enough compassion to fill this city. It's a wonder they haven't got an army following them around."
The Three were putting on their coats and preparing to leave. Anya hooked her arms through Spike and Morgan's and the four left the bar together. Several heads, all female, turned to watch them leave.
"Whew," said Lorne. "Did you see that kitty action? If looks could kill that Anya would be toast."
"Do you blame them?" said Cordelia. "She's leaving with three hot men who didn't pay any attention to the other women in the room." She got up. "Wait here. I'll get the dirt."
Cordelia crossed the room and sat down at the bar. She leaned toward the bartender. "Hey, who were those guys?"
The bartender grinned at her. "That's what all the women want to know. I can only tell you their names. Lindsey, Morgan, and Will. Actually I can tell you one more thing. Will bartends here three nights a week. Come tomorrow night if you want to try your luck but I have to warn you, you probably won't get anywhere."
"Was that his girlfriend? The blonde?"
"No. She's just their friend. Apparently she and Morgan go way back."
"Thanks. Maybe I'll be back."
Cordelia returned to the table and took a sip of her drink. "So, it turns out Spike is going by the name Will here. He works as a bartender and he'll be working tomorrow night. Anya isn't dating any of them but she and Morgan go way back, probably from her demon days. The bartender told me that women ask about our Three boys all the time but no one gets lucky." She paused for a moment. "Do you feel it? The room is different now that they're gone. It's like someone turned the lights off or stopped the music. Whatever they are, it's serious."
Buffy turned to Wesley. "Did Fred give you the address of their house?"
"Of course."
"Let's go then."
"I thought you wanted to have fun?" asked Angel.
"I'm just yielding to the inevitable."
The house was on a tree-lined street in the West Village. It looked well maintained with shiny brass fixtures and window boxes. Buffy wondered what sort of flowers they kept.
She couldn't find a doorbell so she used the doorknocker. It had the shape of a dragon's head.
From inside a voice called, "Come in."
Buffy and company entered and found themselves facing a large living room. A card table had been set up in the middle and The Three plus Anya and Clem were seated around it playing cards. A small pile of chips occupied the center of the table.
Morgan beckoned them in. "Come in then. We've been expecting you."
Buffy decided not to waste time. She strode up to the table and demanded, "What is going on? What is the Coming?"
Morgan raised an eyebrow. "I thought we covered this." Turning to Spike he asked, "Is she always like this?"
"Usually."
"Didn't you find it annoying?"
Spike considered for a moment. "When you're love's bitch you see things differently."
"I'd heard that," said Morgan.
"Of course," continued Spike. "I'm over it now so I agree with you, it's annoying."
"Why don't you go home Buffy?" said Anya.
Buffy glared at her. "Why are you here Anya? Trying to relive your demon days?"
"I put up with you before Buffy, for Xander's sake. But I don't have to do it anymore because I too am no longer love's bitch."
"I'd heard that," said Lindsey.
"Buffy, why don't you just relax for a bit. When the Coming happens we'll call you, scout's honor," said Morgan raising three fingers in a salute.
"You were never a scout," said Spike.
"Of course I was. In the French Indian War. Or maybe it was the Crimean War. They all blend together."
"It's the thirteenth century that blends together for me," said Anya.
Morgan nodded his head. "I'm not surprised. The thirteenth century was boring, start to finish."
"I have had enough of you three." Buffy was practically yelling. "Don't you understand that we're here to help? Some end-of-the-world thing is going to happen and you guys are playing poker. At least it's not for kittens."
Morgan threw down his cards. "For the love of some old woman! That is enough. This is not your town Slayer. When something happens we will deal with it. At the moment we have no real information. So we can run around like chickens with our heads cut off or we can get on with life until we do have something. If you can be civilized you are welcome to join us. Otherwise go back to your hotel. I do realize that waiting is not your forte but you'll have to manage somehow."
He turned back to the table. "Whose bet is it?"
"Yours," said Clem. He looked up at Buffy. "It's good to see you Buffy. I was happy to hear you came through that First Evil thing okay."
Buffy smiled at him. "Thanks. I'm glad you're okay too."
"Oh yeah, couldn't be better. Nothing like being with your friends. Hey, you guys want some egg nog? It's the real thing, not store bought."
Buffy shook her head. "No thanks. I think we'll be going. Maybe we'll see you later."
As Buffy and her companions left the group around the table called out, "Bye."
Just before the door shut she heard Morgan say, "Now we can get back to business. I bet five."