A/N: Faithful was written right around two years ago and there are eight.
It takes place fifteen years into the future of 2001.so 2016. This means
Dawn is all grown up, and Faith has just been released from jail. This
story will eventually be a Faith/Angel story.but it doesn't quite start out
that way.
I'm rating the whole series as rated R, but some parts are more R than others.lol. I'll warn you ahead of time. As always, these characters belong to Joss Whedon and all the fine folks who bring us Angel.
If you want to put this story on your website, please email me and let me know. I never say no, but I want to know who's supporting my work. Thanks!
*~*~*
Moving back into the hotel hadn't been as easy as Faith thought it was going to be. Somehow she had thought things would return to normal. //Glutton for punishment.//
There was a short time of relative peace, interrupted only by those uncomfortable moments when her and Angel were in the room together. The scene where he left the room with his tail between his legs kept playing in her mind. She wished with everything that he had stayed and talked to her about what he was feeling, thinking, anything. She knew about the curse. True, it had slipped her mind for a moment, but she still knew.
Wesley was being extra nice to her. He apparently felt bad for using her as a decoy. Truthfully, she couldn't get mad at him for that. He did what he had to for his crew. It was as simple as that. After the event, they swept the entire hotel. There were so many bugs placed around that it was no wonder Lilah was always a step ahead of them in the past. If it weren't for Wesley finding one by accident while looking through his desk he might have slipped and told her what he had planned. Couldn't have that.
Faith sighed and sat down in the cemetery, stake in hand. She had finished her sweep a while ago. It was so awkward in the hotel right now, though, she just didn't feel like going back. Maybe she'd wait for the sun to come up out here...in case there were any vampires waiting to strike.
**~**
He watched her. So this was Angelus' new toy. Or Angel's new love. The thought made him sick. The Angelus he knew would never stoop so low. The Angelus he knew was quick, brutal, and dangerous to any human. In comparison he was now weak, pitiful, and a friend to mankind. It was enough to make a vampire sick.
Well, he was here for a purpose. He always thought he knew what that purpose was, but he was wrong. Just when he realized how wrong he was and what his true purpose was he was.delayed. But it was a minor delay.
**~**
"Faith?"
Faith turned around onto her back from her spot on the floor. Angel looked down at her and resisted the urge to look her up and down. It was almost more than he could handle.
"Can we talk?"
Faith stood up, still not saying a word; she looked at him in caution.
Angel looked down and then met her eyes. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"I know this is.awkward."
"This?"
"Staying here. With me."
"Awkward is not the only word I'd use to describe it."
Angel looked at her curiously.
"Torturous."
Angel sighed and looked down again.
"You know, you are making the same mistake I made." She looked at him.
"What's that?"
"You're mistaking sex for love and vise versa. Just because we don't have sex doesn't mean we can't." The word died on her lips as she just realized she was about to confess love to him. Scratch that, she did confess love to him.
"You.love me?"
Faith took a deep breath and locked eyes with him. "Doesn't take Einstein, Angel. Of course I love you. Why else do you think my heart does this stupid flutter thing when you're near? Why else do I giggle when you're around? Have you EVER heard me giggle in the past? I mean, come on!" She turned her back to him, her emotions too clear to show to him.
Angel's mouth turned into a little smile.
"But we can't go on as if the other is a leper. We can love each other and not have sex, you know. You aren't forbidden to love." Faith paused for a moment, the next words sounding oddly calm. "Unless you aren't in danger of loving me."
"I do love you."
Faith turned towards him, her heart in her eyes. Angel closed the distance between them and covered her mouth with his, pulling her into a gentle kiss.
"Hello. Hotel. Room." Cordelia stood in the doorway, her hands on her hips.
Faith gently pulled away from Angel's lips and turned her head to look at Cordelia, but her arms were still around Angel's neck and her body close to his.
"Eyes. Close. Good-bye." Faith smiled sweetly to her before pulling Angel into a deeper, more passionate kiss. Angel's hands slid down and around her lower back, pressing her against him.
"Augh." Cordelia walked to her desk but found it occupied by David. "David, what are you doing?"
David looked up from his paper. "Reading the paper, dear. Why?"
"You're in my seat."
"Yes, I know."
"So move." Cordelia leaned forward, looking as intimidating as she could.
David calmly folded his paper and nodded, standing. But before she knew it he grabbed her by the waist and quickly guided her to his lap as he sat back down. "That's better."
Cordelia smiled and laid her head on his shoulder. "You always make me better."
"Maybe a room wouldn't be such a bad idea."
Cordelia looked up to see Angel and Faith, side by side leaning over the counter, watching them.
Cordelia narrowed her eyes and stuck her tongue out at the pair but didn't try to stand. Instead she put her head back on his shoulder and David smiled triumphantly.
**~**
"Well I'm sure that if we were going to have trouble like you describe I would have seen it." Cordelia said, frustrated.
"We cannot be too careful, Cordelia. According to my calculations tonight is the night for the Feast of Faratna."
"What the hell is a Faratna?" Gunn frowned, walking beside them.
"Faratna are demons who animate the dead." Fred spoke up. Wesley smiled at her.
"Yes, quite right. How did you know that?"
"Justy sleeps. I read." She smiled shyly, ducking her head down.
"Animate the dead? Isn't that was vampires do?" Faith walked along side Angel, keeping in step with the others.
"Not exactly. Faratna are more like zombies. They animate dead people and then feed off of other life forms."
Cordelia stopped in her tracks. "Whoa. So WE are the feast?"
"Now Cordelia, of course not. No one would let that happen to you." Wesley shook his head.
"But there is a possibility, right?" Cordelia started to sound panicked.
"Cordy, I won't let the damn things eat you, now calm down."
"And focus."
The group stopped as one. That wasn't one of them. Slowly they all turned, some anxious to catch their first glimpse of a Faratna. Instead they all saw Darla. Cordelia rolled her eyes.
"Been there, done that." Cordelia quipped.
Faith looked her up and down.
"Who hasn't?" Faith took a step up directly beside Angel.
Angel looked at Faith and then back at Darla. "I think there are still a few left."
"What's the matter, Angelus? Did you find the bottom of the barrel?" Darla looked at Faith and tsked. "And not even 300 yet."
Faith narrowed her eyes. "You and me, bitch. Right here. Right now."
"Ooo. Feisty. Is she this feisty in bed? Oh wait, you wouldn't know would you?"
Faith shot out after Darla but Gunn kept her back. "What are you waiting for, you bitch?!" She was reaching, still trying frantically to get to her. Wesley was stunned. She was suddenly transformed into her old self. Hostile and ready to go. An uneasy feeling spread over him to watch her like this.
"Must be very frustrating, Angelus. To look, but not be able to touch." Darla ran her hands suggestively down her hips. "Ah, but you can touch me. Show your girl what she's missing, Angelus."
Angel, who had been standing stoically through this whole show, turned to Faith and pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply and passionately. Faith was stunned into submission, but only for a moment. She shoved him back hard and gave him a resound slap that echoed through the cemetery. Faith turned before the tears could show through her anger and nearly bumped into a waiting Drusilla. She was past her limit. She attacked.
A few other vampires seemed to materialize from nowhere joining in the attack. Throughout the fight Darla's laughter could be heard. Angel vamped and looked at Darla. His entire demeanor spoke of anger. He resembled Angelus more than Angel with his body movement. It was something Darla would recognize easily. But when his anger was turned towards her, it wasn't something she relished seeing.
Darla took a few steps backwards. Angel lunged at her and she turned to run, crashing into someone, causing them to roll on the ground. Darla found herself pinned by the person and she looked up into the eyes of someone that would appear mortal if they hadn't looked like they'd been decomposing for a few years. Darla watched in horror as the thing looked like it was going to take a bite out of her. She flung it off of her and into Angel. Angel dodged the creature and continued in his pursuit of Darla. Darla scrambled to her feet and took off, just as Angel stopped beside her. Angel was about to pursue again until he felt strong hands on the back of his arm, turning him. It was that decomposing woman Darla had thrown into him. Angel knew this was the Faratna.
Cordelia screamed as she held her head and fell to the ground, giving the vampire she was struggling with the upper hand as it covered her, readying to bite. Cordelia was in so much pain she didn't even feel the dust rain on her as Fred staked the vampire, saving Cordelia.
Angel threw the Faratna aside and ran toward Cordelia when he heard her scream. He stopped when he saw that Fred had her covered and he looked around. There were about twenty of them coming out of the woodwork. They were attacking his crew and vampire alike. They were completely non- discriminatory. He saw Drusilla wrestling with one. He saw another vampire being eaten by two others. They were closing in fast.
Just then, Angel heard the thing approach him again and he turned, readying to fight. This was going to be a long night. He knew they couldn't leave while these things were here, ready to kill anyone. They had to see this one through to the end.
**~**
Near dawn saw the whole group, exhausted but alive, arriving at the hotel. Gunn let his axe drop onto the floor for later pick up. Faith looked like she'd like to curl up and sleep all day. Cordelia's head still hurt a little, but it was calming. All in all the entire group looked like hell. But all of them were happy about their victory. All but Angel. He looked deep in thought.
"What's your problem, Angel?" Faith looked at him. She'd been noticing his inverted attitude since they began the trip home. He just seemed deep in thought. Like he was trying to work something out.
Angel looked at her. "It was too easy."
Gunn scoffed. "You call THAT easy?" He gave Angel a disgusted look.
"Angel, I'm sorry but I'm going to have to agree with Charles. The Faratna were tough customers to deal with."
"Thank you, English." Gunn looked satisfied, which made Fred giggle a little.
"Yeah, and gross customers too. I'm going to go stand under my shower for half the day and sleep the other half. See ya!" Cordelia waved as she left the hotel.
"That isn't what I mean. The Faratna were hard, but Darla wasn't expecting them."
Faith frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Just that Darla and Drusilla couldn't have thought that the two of them were going to defeat us. And the other vampires seemed more like distraction than anything."
"But distraction for what?" Wesley mused, now onto what Angel was thinking.
"Exactly." Angel agreed.
"Yeah, but Angel, those vampires weren't exactly fresh from the grave. Some seemed pretty experienced."
"Maybe they weren't there to distract us as much as narrow down the numbers a bit," Lindsey added. Angel looked at him and nodded.
"That's a good point. If it hadn't of been for those Faratna, perhaps more of you would have been hurt, or killed."
Gunn put an arm around Fred, pulling her close to him.
"Darla and Drusilla weren't trying to kill us. They were trying to hold us there," Angel said.
"Hold us there for what, though?" Faith asked.
"If the vampires really were just there to hopefully take out a few of you, then Darla and Drusilla must have had quite a card up their sleeve to take care of the rest of us." Angel looked at the others.
"I'll go check it out." Faith started for the door.
"I'll come with you." Lindsey followed.
"Wait up!" Gunn jogged after them.
"Be careful!" Angel called after the three.
**~**
Faith, Gunn, and Lindsey searched the graveyard until Faith yelled, "Here!"
Gunn and Lindsey followed her voice to the spot by a tree that she was kneeling next too.
"What did you find?" Lindsey leaned over her.
Faith picked up a few cigarette butts and some fresh foot prints made by a heavy boot.
**~**
"Are you sure?"
"Pretty sure. There were cigarettes littering the place and heavy boot prints. He was watching and waiting. Probably part of the ambush you were talking about." Faith watched him think this piece of information over.
"It makes sense that Spike would be working with Drusilla again. I'm sure he'd put up with Darla for Drusilla if necessary, but he's been so.good lately. The past many years he's been working for the good side rather than against it. Something must have gone terribly wrong. I should call Sunnydale and find out."
Faith nodded.
"But my question is, why Spike?" Lindsey asked. "I mean I've seen him a few times and I don't know him extremely well, but could he win in a fight between the two of you?" Lindsey looked doubtful.
Angel rubbed his eyes. "It is possible. He's a strong vampire. But for the most part, I know all of his tricks. But you're right it doesn't make sense that their big reservist would be Spike. It isn't as if I haven't faced off with Spike before, many times. I don't know that Darla has that much faith in Spike's abilities."
"Maybe he wasn't there to kill you." Faith spoke up.
"What?" Angel looked confused.
"I don't think Darla wants you dead, Angel. She wants Angelus back. That's what she's always wanted. Maybe they brought Spike in to convince you that it would be the whole family, together again. Or maybe they had him there to ward off the rest of us in case her other's didn't work."
"So why didn't he attack?"
Faith shrugged. Angel walked over to the phone and dialed it.
"Dawn, hi. It's Angel." He listened and smiled a little. "Yeah I know, been busy. Anyway, I have a question for you, and it might sound weird. Are you alone?" He paused and then rolled his eyes. "No that wasn't the weird question. Are you?" He nodded. "Good. Was Spike with you tonight?" He waited. "He was? All night? There wasn't a time when he could maybe have slipped off for a few hours?" Angel's expression darkened. "I didn't need to know that, Dawn. I'm fully aware of your.thing with Spike. I didn't need details. Saying you were with him all night would have sufficed." He smiled a little. "Well you keep him that way." Angel nodded. "Well we are having Darla and Dru problems again and we had reason to think that.." Angel scowled. "Spike give the phone back to Dawn." Angel's expression remained stoic and dark. "Yes well that was an over share. Hand her back the phone. No, I don't want to talk about your sex life. Spike, damnit, GIVE BACK THE PHONE!" Angel was losing his temper. It was a well-known fact among his crew about his feelings concerning Dawn and Spike's relationship. He found out about it about 10 years ago and nearly killed the blonde vampire. He was willing to let the couple do as they wished as long as he was left out of it. "Hi again. Anyway, I was saying, we had reason to believe Spike was in on it." Angel frowned. "Are you giggling? What's he doing, now?" Angel closed his eyes and put a hand over his face in a way that made Faith have to stifle a laugh. "I didn't need to know that!" He looked exasperated. "Yes I know I asked! Ok, well I gotta go. Bye Dawn." Angel hung up and took a moment to compose himself before turning back to the group.
"Wasn't him."
Faith burst out laughing. Soon the others were joining her. Angel just scowled at them all.
**~**
"What happened?" Darla glared at the man. "You were supposed to be backing us up! Instead you left us to be eaten by some zombies? Drusilla nearly got eaten!" Darla pointed at Drusilla who was nursing her arm. A Faratna had gotten in a lucky shot and tried to take a bite out of her. Luckily she was a very accomplished and brutal fighter.
The man smiled at Drusilla and winked at her. "Drusilla could use a good eating." Drusilla giggled, Darla scowled.
"I'm not joking around, here. Don't forget who you work for!" Darla had her hands on her hips and glared at him.
He stood up and walked to Darla. "Of course I know who I'm working for. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here. You and Wolfram and Hart really have ability there being able to bring back dusted vampires. Just think of the legions we could create." He neared Darla as she glared at him suspiciously.
"The next time I give you an order, obey it."
"Ah, but darling, I don't obey." His easy smile unnerved her.
"When I give you an order.OBEY IT!" She yelled into his face.
A split second later he grabbed her neck and yanked her forward, holding her in a precarious position.
"I said I know who I'm working for. Me." He threw her hard against the floor and pounced on her. Drusilla flew into action, defending her Grandmummy. He hadn't been counting on that. The way the chit was giggling and flirting with him all night made him think she'd love to be out from under the tyrannical rule of Darla. Guess not.
It was harder than he had expected, but in the end Penn was surrounded by the dust of two very old, very unwise vampires.
"You're next, Angelus."
I'm rating the whole series as rated R, but some parts are more R than others.lol. I'll warn you ahead of time. As always, these characters belong to Joss Whedon and all the fine folks who bring us Angel.
If you want to put this story on your website, please email me and let me know. I never say no, but I want to know who's supporting my work. Thanks!
*~*~*
Moving back into the hotel hadn't been as easy as Faith thought it was going to be. Somehow she had thought things would return to normal. //Glutton for punishment.//
There was a short time of relative peace, interrupted only by those uncomfortable moments when her and Angel were in the room together. The scene where he left the room with his tail between his legs kept playing in her mind. She wished with everything that he had stayed and talked to her about what he was feeling, thinking, anything. She knew about the curse. True, it had slipped her mind for a moment, but she still knew.
Wesley was being extra nice to her. He apparently felt bad for using her as a decoy. Truthfully, she couldn't get mad at him for that. He did what he had to for his crew. It was as simple as that. After the event, they swept the entire hotel. There were so many bugs placed around that it was no wonder Lilah was always a step ahead of them in the past. If it weren't for Wesley finding one by accident while looking through his desk he might have slipped and told her what he had planned. Couldn't have that.
Faith sighed and sat down in the cemetery, stake in hand. She had finished her sweep a while ago. It was so awkward in the hotel right now, though, she just didn't feel like going back. Maybe she'd wait for the sun to come up out here...in case there were any vampires waiting to strike.
**~**
He watched her. So this was Angelus' new toy. Or Angel's new love. The thought made him sick. The Angelus he knew would never stoop so low. The Angelus he knew was quick, brutal, and dangerous to any human. In comparison he was now weak, pitiful, and a friend to mankind. It was enough to make a vampire sick.
Well, he was here for a purpose. He always thought he knew what that purpose was, but he was wrong. Just when he realized how wrong he was and what his true purpose was he was.delayed. But it was a minor delay.
**~**
"Faith?"
Faith turned around onto her back from her spot on the floor. Angel looked down at her and resisted the urge to look her up and down. It was almost more than he could handle.
"Can we talk?"
Faith stood up, still not saying a word; she looked at him in caution.
Angel looked down and then met her eyes. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"I know this is.awkward."
"This?"
"Staying here. With me."
"Awkward is not the only word I'd use to describe it."
Angel looked at her curiously.
"Torturous."
Angel sighed and looked down again.
"You know, you are making the same mistake I made." She looked at him.
"What's that?"
"You're mistaking sex for love and vise versa. Just because we don't have sex doesn't mean we can't." The word died on her lips as she just realized she was about to confess love to him. Scratch that, she did confess love to him.
"You.love me?"
Faith took a deep breath and locked eyes with him. "Doesn't take Einstein, Angel. Of course I love you. Why else do you think my heart does this stupid flutter thing when you're near? Why else do I giggle when you're around? Have you EVER heard me giggle in the past? I mean, come on!" She turned her back to him, her emotions too clear to show to him.
Angel's mouth turned into a little smile.
"But we can't go on as if the other is a leper. We can love each other and not have sex, you know. You aren't forbidden to love." Faith paused for a moment, the next words sounding oddly calm. "Unless you aren't in danger of loving me."
"I do love you."
Faith turned towards him, her heart in her eyes. Angel closed the distance between them and covered her mouth with his, pulling her into a gentle kiss.
"Hello. Hotel. Room." Cordelia stood in the doorway, her hands on her hips.
Faith gently pulled away from Angel's lips and turned her head to look at Cordelia, but her arms were still around Angel's neck and her body close to his.
"Eyes. Close. Good-bye." Faith smiled sweetly to her before pulling Angel into a deeper, more passionate kiss. Angel's hands slid down and around her lower back, pressing her against him.
"Augh." Cordelia walked to her desk but found it occupied by David. "David, what are you doing?"
David looked up from his paper. "Reading the paper, dear. Why?"
"You're in my seat."
"Yes, I know."
"So move." Cordelia leaned forward, looking as intimidating as she could.
David calmly folded his paper and nodded, standing. But before she knew it he grabbed her by the waist and quickly guided her to his lap as he sat back down. "That's better."
Cordelia smiled and laid her head on his shoulder. "You always make me better."
"Maybe a room wouldn't be such a bad idea."
Cordelia looked up to see Angel and Faith, side by side leaning over the counter, watching them.
Cordelia narrowed her eyes and stuck her tongue out at the pair but didn't try to stand. Instead she put her head back on his shoulder and David smiled triumphantly.
**~**
"Well I'm sure that if we were going to have trouble like you describe I would have seen it." Cordelia said, frustrated.
"We cannot be too careful, Cordelia. According to my calculations tonight is the night for the Feast of Faratna."
"What the hell is a Faratna?" Gunn frowned, walking beside them.
"Faratna are demons who animate the dead." Fred spoke up. Wesley smiled at her.
"Yes, quite right. How did you know that?"
"Justy sleeps. I read." She smiled shyly, ducking her head down.
"Animate the dead? Isn't that was vampires do?" Faith walked along side Angel, keeping in step with the others.
"Not exactly. Faratna are more like zombies. They animate dead people and then feed off of other life forms."
Cordelia stopped in her tracks. "Whoa. So WE are the feast?"
"Now Cordelia, of course not. No one would let that happen to you." Wesley shook his head.
"But there is a possibility, right?" Cordelia started to sound panicked.
"Cordy, I won't let the damn things eat you, now calm down."
"And focus."
The group stopped as one. That wasn't one of them. Slowly they all turned, some anxious to catch their first glimpse of a Faratna. Instead they all saw Darla. Cordelia rolled her eyes.
"Been there, done that." Cordelia quipped.
Faith looked her up and down.
"Who hasn't?" Faith took a step up directly beside Angel.
Angel looked at Faith and then back at Darla. "I think there are still a few left."
"What's the matter, Angelus? Did you find the bottom of the barrel?" Darla looked at Faith and tsked. "And not even 300 yet."
Faith narrowed her eyes. "You and me, bitch. Right here. Right now."
"Ooo. Feisty. Is she this feisty in bed? Oh wait, you wouldn't know would you?"
Faith shot out after Darla but Gunn kept her back. "What are you waiting for, you bitch?!" She was reaching, still trying frantically to get to her. Wesley was stunned. She was suddenly transformed into her old self. Hostile and ready to go. An uneasy feeling spread over him to watch her like this.
"Must be very frustrating, Angelus. To look, but not be able to touch." Darla ran her hands suggestively down her hips. "Ah, but you can touch me. Show your girl what she's missing, Angelus."
Angel, who had been standing stoically through this whole show, turned to Faith and pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply and passionately. Faith was stunned into submission, but only for a moment. She shoved him back hard and gave him a resound slap that echoed through the cemetery. Faith turned before the tears could show through her anger and nearly bumped into a waiting Drusilla. She was past her limit. She attacked.
A few other vampires seemed to materialize from nowhere joining in the attack. Throughout the fight Darla's laughter could be heard. Angel vamped and looked at Darla. His entire demeanor spoke of anger. He resembled Angelus more than Angel with his body movement. It was something Darla would recognize easily. But when his anger was turned towards her, it wasn't something she relished seeing.
Darla took a few steps backwards. Angel lunged at her and she turned to run, crashing into someone, causing them to roll on the ground. Darla found herself pinned by the person and she looked up into the eyes of someone that would appear mortal if they hadn't looked like they'd been decomposing for a few years. Darla watched in horror as the thing looked like it was going to take a bite out of her. She flung it off of her and into Angel. Angel dodged the creature and continued in his pursuit of Darla. Darla scrambled to her feet and took off, just as Angel stopped beside her. Angel was about to pursue again until he felt strong hands on the back of his arm, turning him. It was that decomposing woman Darla had thrown into him. Angel knew this was the Faratna.
Cordelia screamed as she held her head and fell to the ground, giving the vampire she was struggling with the upper hand as it covered her, readying to bite. Cordelia was in so much pain she didn't even feel the dust rain on her as Fred staked the vampire, saving Cordelia.
Angel threw the Faratna aside and ran toward Cordelia when he heard her scream. He stopped when he saw that Fred had her covered and he looked around. There were about twenty of them coming out of the woodwork. They were attacking his crew and vampire alike. They were completely non- discriminatory. He saw Drusilla wrestling with one. He saw another vampire being eaten by two others. They were closing in fast.
Just then, Angel heard the thing approach him again and he turned, readying to fight. This was going to be a long night. He knew they couldn't leave while these things were here, ready to kill anyone. They had to see this one through to the end.
**~**
Near dawn saw the whole group, exhausted but alive, arriving at the hotel. Gunn let his axe drop onto the floor for later pick up. Faith looked like she'd like to curl up and sleep all day. Cordelia's head still hurt a little, but it was calming. All in all the entire group looked like hell. But all of them were happy about their victory. All but Angel. He looked deep in thought.
"What's your problem, Angel?" Faith looked at him. She'd been noticing his inverted attitude since they began the trip home. He just seemed deep in thought. Like he was trying to work something out.
Angel looked at her. "It was too easy."
Gunn scoffed. "You call THAT easy?" He gave Angel a disgusted look.
"Angel, I'm sorry but I'm going to have to agree with Charles. The Faratna were tough customers to deal with."
"Thank you, English." Gunn looked satisfied, which made Fred giggle a little.
"Yeah, and gross customers too. I'm going to go stand under my shower for half the day and sleep the other half. See ya!" Cordelia waved as she left the hotel.
"That isn't what I mean. The Faratna were hard, but Darla wasn't expecting them."
Faith frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Just that Darla and Drusilla couldn't have thought that the two of them were going to defeat us. And the other vampires seemed more like distraction than anything."
"But distraction for what?" Wesley mused, now onto what Angel was thinking.
"Exactly." Angel agreed.
"Yeah, but Angel, those vampires weren't exactly fresh from the grave. Some seemed pretty experienced."
"Maybe they weren't there to distract us as much as narrow down the numbers a bit," Lindsey added. Angel looked at him and nodded.
"That's a good point. If it hadn't of been for those Faratna, perhaps more of you would have been hurt, or killed."
Gunn put an arm around Fred, pulling her close to him.
"Darla and Drusilla weren't trying to kill us. They were trying to hold us there," Angel said.
"Hold us there for what, though?" Faith asked.
"If the vampires really were just there to hopefully take out a few of you, then Darla and Drusilla must have had quite a card up their sleeve to take care of the rest of us." Angel looked at the others.
"I'll go check it out." Faith started for the door.
"I'll come with you." Lindsey followed.
"Wait up!" Gunn jogged after them.
"Be careful!" Angel called after the three.
**~**
Faith, Gunn, and Lindsey searched the graveyard until Faith yelled, "Here!"
Gunn and Lindsey followed her voice to the spot by a tree that she was kneeling next too.
"What did you find?" Lindsey leaned over her.
Faith picked up a few cigarette butts and some fresh foot prints made by a heavy boot.
**~**
"Are you sure?"
"Pretty sure. There were cigarettes littering the place and heavy boot prints. He was watching and waiting. Probably part of the ambush you were talking about." Faith watched him think this piece of information over.
"It makes sense that Spike would be working with Drusilla again. I'm sure he'd put up with Darla for Drusilla if necessary, but he's been so.good lately. The past many years he's been working for the good side rather than against it. Something must have gone terribly wrong. I should call Sunnydale and find out."
Faith nodded.
"But my question is, why Spike?" Lindsey asked. "I mean I've seen him a few times and I don't know him extremely well, but could he win in a fight between the two of you?" Lindsey looked doubtful.
Angel rubbed his eyes. "It is possible. He's a strong vampire. But for the most part, I know all of his tricks. But you're right it doesn't make sense that their big reservist would be Spike. It isn't as if I haven't faced off with Spike before, many times. I don't know that Darla has that much faith in Spike's abilities."
"Maybe he wasn't there to kill you." Faith spoke up.
"What?" Angel looked confused.
"I don't think Darla wants you dead, Angel. She wants Angelus back. That's what she's always wanted. Maybe they brought Spike in to convince you that it would be the whole family, together again. Or maybe they had him there to ward off the rest of us in case her other's didn't work."
"So why didn't he attack?"
Faith shrugged. Angel walked over to the phone and dialed it.
"Dawn, hi. It's Angel." He listened and smiled a little. "Yeah I know, been busy. Anyway, I have a question for you, and it might sound weird. Are you alone?" He paused and then rolled his eyes. "No that wasn't the weird question. Are you?" He nodded. "Good. Was Spike with you tonight?" He waited. "He was? All night? There wasn't a time when he could maybe have slipped off for a few hours?" Angel's expression darkened. "I didn't need to know that, Dawn. I'm fully aware of your.thing with Spike. I didn't need details. Saying you were with him all night would have sufficed." He smiled a little. "Well you keep him that way." Angel nodded. "Well we are having Darla and Dru problems again and we had reason to think that.." Angel scowled. "Spike give the phone back to Dawn." Angel's expression remained stoic and dark. "Yes well that was an over share. Hand her back the phone. No, I don't want to talk about your sex life. Spike, damnit, GIVE BACK THE PHONE!" Angel was losing his temper. It was a well-known fact among his crew about his feelings concerning Dawn and Spike's relationship. He found out about it about 10 years ago and nearly killed the blonde vampire. He was willing to let the couple do as they wished as long as he was left out of it. "Hi again. Anyway, I was saying, we had reason to believe Spike was in on it." Angel frowned. "Are you giggling? What's he doing, now?" Angel closed his eyes and put a hand over his face in a way that made Faith have to stifle a laugh. "I didn't need to know that!" He looked exasperated. "Yes I know I asked! Ok, well I gotta go. Bye Dawn." Angel hung up and took a moment to compose himself before turning back to the group.
"Wasn't him."
Faith burst out laughing. Soon the others were joining her. Angel just scowled at them all.
**~**
"What happened?" Darla glared at the man. "You were supposed to be backing us up! Instead you left us to be eaten by some zombies? Drusilla nearly got eaten!" Darla pointed at Drusilla who was nursing her arm. A Faratna had gotten in a lucky shot and tried to take a bite out of her. Luckily she was a very accomplished and brutal fighter.
The man smiled at Drusilla and winked at her. "Drusilla could use a good eating." Drusilla giggled, Darla scowled.
"I'm not joking around, here. Don't forget who you work for!" Darla had her hands on her hips and glared at him.
He stood up and walked to Darla. "Of course I know who I'm working for. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here. You and Wolfram and Hart really have ability there being able to bring back dusted vampires. Just think of the legions we could create." He neared Darla as she glared at him suspiciously.
"The next time I give you an order, obey it."
"Ah, but darling, I don't obey." His easy smile unnerved her.
"When I give you an order.OBEY IT!" She yelled into his face.
A split second later he grabbed her neck and yanked her forward, holding her in a precarious position.
"I said I know who I'm working for. Me." He threw her hard against the floor and pounced on her. Drusilla flew into action, defending her Grandmummy. He hadn't been counting on that. The way the chit was giggling and flirting with him all night made him think she'd love to be out from under the tyrannical rule of Darla. Guess not.
It was harder than he had expected, but in the end Penn was surrounded by the dust of two very old, very unwise vampires.
"You're next, Angelus."