The days flowed swiftly, one into another, and two weeks passed as the Scoobies settled into something of a regular pattern. Every night they patrolled for a couple of hours, their strength as a team growing as trust began to develop among the group, even somewhat between Xander and Angel. Their mutual dislike was under an uneasy truce, one that seemed to become less fragile as the two men spent more time together. Xander came to appreciate Angel's contribution to the team, while Angel was highly impressed with the level of maturity that was developing in the young brunette as he patrolled nightly to keep his friends, and Sunnydale, safe from vampires. He still had a knack for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, but when it came to fighting Xander could become as serious as said vampire.
Kat also changed over time, her attitude becoming less wary the more time she spent with Angel and the Scooby gang. While she was still a little reserved and kept some things to herself, her friendship with the group, and Willow in particular, caused the tiny brunette to become more open with her feelings. She smiled more, and her taunts with Angel were less biting than they had been when the two had first met. Even her friendship with the beauty queen Cordelia improved, though it was largely due to the improvement of Cordy's aim in battle. Day by day the bonds of trust grew within each of them, strengthening their friendship on and off patrol.
On the weekends the group swung by the library for a round or two of research, pouring over the books for more references to the Heavenly Scrolls, Curses of Sakhmet, or anything that may shed some light on the prophecy they were trying to find. After telling the group about her mother's journal, Kat had turned it over to Giles for perusal. She had been reluctant to part with it, but it had been worth it when the librarian had discovered a passage in the leather-bound book that mentioned something about a holy triumvirate also being linked to the prophecy. With more information to go on, Willow continued her research on the Internet, while Giles poured through Ahmose Akensakhmet's journal for more references to the prophecy. Thus it was on a Saturday night that six people were sprawled out in the library, quietly trying to piece together yet another ancient prophecy. The quiet was shortly interrupted by an exclamation from Xander, shooting to his feet with a rather dusty book in his hands.
"Guys, I think I found something!" Fairly wiggling in place, the young man proceeded to read a passage from the book he held. "…the holy triumvirate warned of a time when darkness would come to devour the light, a time of great choosing. 'If choice be wrong, Light's hope grows dim. Pain and suffering shall reign again.'" Glancing up, Xander looked over at Giles. "Yo G-Man…think that's what we're looking for?"
Before Giles could correct the clueless young man about his name, Willow stood up as well, her head bobbing up and down in agreement with her childhood friend. "It might be. It certainly seems to fit with the information I just discovered." Pointing to the computer screen, Willow moved aside as Giles came over to peer at the words printed there.
"Hmm, you could be right Willow," Giles murmured as he glanced at the translation she had so far. "Hate which beget love will again beget hate. Be warned! The choosing is at hand." Straightening, the librarian pushed his glasses back up his nose. "Well it certainly seems to fit with what we have so far. Cordelia, would you…" He didn't need to finish his statement, as the tall brunette was already over at the whiteboard they had erected near the cage, writing the latest piece of the puzzle on its surface. Kat watched with something akin to a heavy heart, her eyes roaming over the entire board as she took in the pieces they had so far. Her lips moved silently as she read the words to herself:
"Fang and talon, devil and daemon
Summoned near by witch's power
Shall meet under full moon's light.
Hate and distrust shall abound.
While in the darkness the green-eyed
monster doth loom.
hate which beget love
will again beget hate.
Be warned! The choosing is at hand.
If choice be wrong
Light's hope grows dim
Pain and suffering shall reign again.
And the cursed shall become the gifted."
Angel watched as Kat's eyes grew stormy, a dark green that looked somewhat troubled. Concerned for his friend the vampire came up to stand beside her. When she turned in his direction, her gaze traveling up to his face, he asked her gently, "Are you ok Kitten?"
Sighing, Kat glanced back at the board before shaking her head slowly. "No, I'm not. This whole 'prophecy' thing is creeping the hell out of me Angel." Her lips twisting into a sort of mock smile, she looked back up at him. "I don't exactly feel comforted by something that mentions being devoured by darkness, or anything regarding pain and suffering."
Seeing the vulnerability flash, however briefly, in the kitten's eyes Angel moved closer. Putting a comforting hand on her shoulder, he smiled softly down at her. "But it's not all pain Kitten." Raising his arm, he pointed to the last line they had uncovered so far. "It mentions the curse becoming a gift…doesn't the thought of finding a way around your curse make you happy?"
Kat bit her lip, her thoughts awhirl as she stared at the last line jutting out at her. Truth be told, she had mixed feelings about finding a cure for her curse. She couldn't tell the others, not even Willow who was quickly becoming her best friend, that there were times she loved being the panther. It was part of her, and she couldn't imagine a life where she wasn't part of it either. Sensing that Angel was waiting for an answer however, she shrugged noncommittally. "I guess so." she replied, her voice a soft, husky whisper.
Angel stared down at the trouble young woman for a moment, wondering what to say to her odd comment, when Xander's voice rang out in the library. "G-man it's almost nine already. How about we call it a night?"
Exasperated, Giles sighed, removing his glasses before glaring at the young man. "Giles Xander, Giles…I wish you would desist with this appalling habit of calling me 'G-man.' However, I believe I see your point." he added as he glanced around at the room full of teenagers. While they were holding up ok, they needed an outlet for their frustration over this difficult prophecy. And if he didn't let them escape soon, they would blow a collective fuse. Replacing the glasses on his nose, he waved them off with a hand. "Go. We'll pick this up again next week." Four groans were all the response he got, but he smiled as the group began to pack up for the night.
Warriors they might be, they still behaved like teenagers from time to time. He was glad that the serious nature of their work didn't take away from the last remaining years of their childhood. As they left the library he watched with sad eyes, hoping that they would be able to hold onto it just a little bit longer. He had a feeling bad things were ahead, for all of them. With a heavy heart the Watcher, guardian of them all, sighed and began to pick up the books spread out all over the library by his resilient, if wayward, charges.
Outside the hallowed halls of Sunnydale High, Xander and Cordy seemed anxious to get on with another one of their favorite pastimes for a Saturday night. Kat and her redheaded friend were also ready to release some of their pent-up energy, but first their night had to begin with the usual ritual: Pesky Witch versus Stubborn Vampire!
"Please Angel?" Voice soft and pleading, lip thrust out in a cute pout.
"No," in a firm tone of denial.
"Why not?" Irritation creeping into pouty voice.
"I don't want to."
"But…" and the battle of wills continued, while Kat, Xander, and Cordy watched on in a mixture of boredom and thinly veiled interest. It was the same thing every time: Willow begged and pleaded, and for some unfathomable reason Angel was able to resist the hacker's infamous 'resolve face' time and time again. The vampire continued to defy her every attempt to get him to join them at the Bronze for unwinding, his reasons for not going more than just a deep aversion to dancing teenagers and loud music. He couldn't go there, not while a part of him still felt pain at the thought of Buffy. And he knew that just being there, at the Bronze, would spark memories he wasn't sure he was ready to face.
Her face red with barely suppressed anger, as it usually was when she fought with Angel over this issue; Willow turned and pointed at Kat. "YOU! Talk some sense into this...this...vampire!"
Kat raised her eyebrow slowly, her face neutral as she shook her head. "I don't think so Wills. I'm not about to fight this battle for you." Seeing Angel's shoulders sag in relief triggered something inside of Kat however. A slow smile crept onto her lips as she continued. "If Tall, Dark, and Broody wants to scowl at the walls in his house, so be it. Me, I'm going to…what was it you called it Xander?" she asked, turning her head briefly to glance at him, "shake loose those inner demons through live music and funky dancing?"
Kat wasn't aware of the golden gleam that flickered in Angel's eyes, but Willow saw it. As Kat and Xander talked about dancing, the redhead sidled closer to the vampire and, pitching her voice low for his ears only, whispered, "All the guys stare at her whenever we're there, she hates it so much. Xander tries to help by being protector of us girls, but everyone knows he and Cordy are an item." Willow trailed off, a secret smile touching her lips as a low growl issued from the vampire's throat. The idea of Kat being leered at like a piece of meat didn't sit well him. The redhead cheered inwardly at the display of emotions that flickered over her friend's normally stoic face. 'Willow three, clueless couple zero.' Speaking up for all members present, she repeated her question. "So, you coming or not Angel?"
"All right Little One, you win," his voice, rather than sounding defeated, seemed oddly tense. A shocked silence fell over the group, and the other three stared at the vampire like he had grown a second head. "I'll go."
Cordelia was the first one to speak this time, asking the first question that popped into her head. "Does this mean you're going to start dancing or something?"
Angel's face pulled down into one of Kat's favorite expressions of displeasure: a deep scowl. His voice contained more than a hint of outrage as he ground out slowly between clenched teeth, "I. Do. Not. Dance."
"Sure, Hot Stuff," the ex cheerleader scoffed. "That's what Miss Kitty said, but you should see her now!" Getting in the last word, the ex-cheerleader turned and, grabbing Xander's hand; dragged him in the direction of the Bronze. Kat and Willow followed, with a grumbling vampire trailing behind them.
He wasn't sure he wanted to see Kat dancing, or her doing anything that remotely reminded him of the way Buffy had danced: a seductive siren who enslaved any man with the wave of her hand. He still had nightmares about the time he saw the Slayer dancing with Xander.
'If Kitten dances like that with Xander, I don't know if I could take it," Angel growled to himself, his eyes flashing even more golden as he followed the group of teenagers to their favorite place to relax. 'She better not dance with him…'
* * * * * * * * * *
'Well,' Angel thought dryly to himself fifteen minutes later as he sat at a table in the Bronze, 'I've got to hand it to her…whatever the kitten is doing with Xander, it certainly can NOT be called dancing.' He fought the urge to smirk as he watched the pair do their own version of dancing, if it could be called that. A mismatch of moshing, belly dancing, and contortions, Kat and Xander grooved to the beat of an altogether different drummer as the music in the Bronze throbbed and pulsed around them.
Abandoned by Cordy, who had managed to disappear not five seconds after they entered the room, and Willow, who seemed to be trying out her budding flirting skills on the bartender, the dark-haired vampire was left with nothing better to do than watch as Kat and Xander continued to gyrate on the dance floor. His chocolate eyes sparkled in amusement as they ignored the rude stares of the club's patrons. The music, combined with his attempts not to laugh, managed to change the vampire's opinion about coming out with the group tonight to unwind. Inwardly he chuckled at the choice of song the two brunettes were bouncing to.
'How many people want to kick some ass…how appropriate,' he chuckled silently, his attention so focused on watching the kitten that he missed the presence of another sitting down beside him. "It's hard to imagine something that's so graceful, dancing so," he murmured to himself, searching for the right word.
"…Xander-like?" Whirling around, Angel stiffened, only to relax as Cordy smirked back at him. "Surprised?" The ex-cheerleader smiled, watching the duo on the dance floor without a shred of jealousy marring her features. "Don't be. They do this every time we come here; it's like some kind of ritual with her I think." The song started to wind down, and as it drew to a close and the rhythm-impaired duo headed back to the table Cordelia continued. "She says it helps, but personally I don't think anything could help that poor girl."
Raising his eyebrow, Angel was about to ask Cordy what she meant by that when he spied Kat and Xander out of the corner of his eye, nearing the table. Willow was also fast approaching, the drinks she ordered balanced precariously on a tray as she made her way back. Fighting to keep his smile friendly rather than obnoxious, the vampire greeted them as they approached, his voice betraying the amusement he fought to conceal. "So, did you two have fun?"
Xander just grinned, nodding his head while Kat frowned, her eyes narrowing in defensive suspicion. "What?" she retorted, her arms coming up in classic hellcat posture, folding over her chest as she glared down at the grinning vampire. "Did I miss something?"
"Only a class on dancing tips," Angel quipped, unable to resist taunting the kitten about her abilities on the dance floor. He noticed her eyes darkening in warning, but plunged on ruthlessly, his fangs glinting slightly as he continued to make fun of her abilities. "I can't believe someone as graceful in battle as you could be so…incredibly bad when it comes to dancing." A snort issued from Cordelia, though whether or not it was an attempt to hold laughter back he couldn't be sure. Xander chuckled, apparently unfazed by Angel's opinion of his or Kat's dancing. The petite young woman who had been his partner was not so forgiving, her lips pulling down into a frown as she glared at first Cordy, then the vampire who started all the trouble.
"For your information 'Fangs'," ignoring Angel's own scowl at the nickname she threw at the vampire, "I can dance, very well in fact. I just choose to do otherwise." He didn't look convinced however.
"Sure 'Kitten'," stressing his own pet name for her," whatever you say. Although I've never known a woman to dance badly on purpose before." His voice must have betrayed much of his doubt in her abilities, because the tiny woman bristled in indignation. Beside her Willow wore a similar expression, her desire to see those two together temporarily overridden by her protective nature regarding her friends. Setting the drinks down on the table with a thunk, Willow stepped closer to the surprised vampire. Hands on her hips, she spoke up in her friend's defense.
"Kat is too a good dancer! She even taught Cordy and I a few things. Just because she feels that…" the brunette she was advocating cut her off with a gesture, stepping around the redhead to stand in front of Angel. Shooting a glance back at Willow, she shook her head. "Don't bother explaining Wills," she whispered, turning back to face the curious vampire. Her lips curved upwards as an idea began to form in her mind. Her eyes glinted in malicious glee, an eerie green that caused Angel to grow a little uncomfortable in her prolonged silence. As the brunette tilted her head to the side, she spoke softly. "I guess I'll just have to prove him wrong." And just like that she whirled about, walking away from the stunned group. As she walked away she grabbed Willow's arm, dragging the bewildered redhead through the press of bodies in the Bronze, toward the entrance.
Angel and Xander watched as the pair stalked off, similar expressions of confusion etched on the two men's faces. As they tried to puzzle out Kat's logic, a chuckle jarred both vampire and teenager out of their musings. Turning, they glanced over at Cordy, who couldn't hold back her delight any longer.
"You two have NO idea what she's up to, do you?" Taking almost sadistic delight in their discomfort, Cordy stood, shaking her head at the poor fools. "Oh this is going to be good. I just hope I'm there to see it." Without shedding any light regarding Kat's mysterious words, the beauty queen grabbed her purse, intending to follow the werecat and hacker. Before she could go, however, a cold firm hand clamped down on her wrist. Glancing down in irritation, Cordy's dark eyes met Angel's firm ones. The vampire gritted his teeth as he held her fast, wanting answers.
"What did she mean, that she'll have to prove me wrong?" the vampire ground out slowly, frustrated with women and their unholy secrets. Cordelia struggled to get out of his grasp, glaring at Xander for support. Before he could protest, however, Angel fired another question at the ex-cheerleader. "And just what did you mean when you said that dancing like that helped the kitten hmm?" His eyes glittering, Angel's features pulled into something akin to Willow's resolve face. Cordelia swallowed, knowing she wouldn't get free without offering him some sort of explanation. So the cheerleader did the only thing she could do when faced with a possible threat: she got bitchy.
"Well what do you think I meant," she snapped, the force of her outburst enough to shock the vampire into freeing her wrist. Flipping her hair over her shoulder, she glared down at him, continuing in her rant. "My god, don't tell me your so blind you didn't notice how all the guys stare at her when she comes in here? She keeps to herself, so she has that whole mystery thing going for her, and she refuses to dance with anyone, so she's become something of a challenge around here."
Only a hint of jealousy over sharing the spotlight with her friend was betrayed in Cordy's voice as she spoke. "Plus, if you haven't noticed you obtuse bloodsucker, her clothing isn't exactly concealing now is it? Those tight tops, the hip hugging pants, they may not be all the rage, but they certainly have the male population panting like dogs in heat. And you wonder why she prances about with Xander, purposely making herself look foolish?" Cordy snorted, this time in anger and not amusement. "I'm all for teasing, but at least I know what the truth is. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go help Ms. Claws in her little revenge scheme." With that, the tall beauty queen whirled about; stalking off in the same direction Kat and Willow had gone, leaving a speechless Angel in the not-so-capable hands of Xander.
Angel stared off into space, his mind awhirl as he heard Cordy's voice echo in his mind. Kitten, purposely trying to keep the pawing masses away by scary dance moves? The rational, ruthless part of his mind piped up. 'She did say that she was a good dancer, but that she chose not to be.' A tiny trickle of worry wormed its way inside of Angel, spreading to his eyes as he turned to look at Xander. He tried to keep the worry out of his voice as he asked, "It's not true is it? Can she really dance?"
Shifting uncomfortably in his seat, Xander shrugged. "I don't know man," he answered honestly, shaking his head. "But I do know something."
"What's that?" Angel asked, confusion in his voice.
"We are screwed." Looking back to the entrance of the Bronze, Angel had a feeling that Xander might just be right.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Kat, let go of me!" Willow fairly shrieked, attempting to wrestle her arm away from the smaller, but far stronger, young woman. As the brunette relinquished her arm Willow stood rock still on the sidewalk, trying to figure out what Kat was up to. The green-eyed brunette was certainly up to something…the glint in her eyes and the near malicious grin proved that much. Folding her dainty arms over her chest, the redhead glared at her friend. "Alright, 'fess up! What are you up to?"
Her smile widening, Kat tried her best to pull one of Willow's 'innocent looks.' "I don't know what you mean," she replied smugly, her rage moments before replaced by giddy scheming. Finally noticing the flicker of uncertainty in her companion's eyes, she lowered her enthusiasm. Her smile slipping a notch, the brunette finally answered Willow's question. "He doesn't think I can dance, then fine. I'm going to prove it to him. And you're going to help me."
"What do you mean, what are you…" the green-eyed hacker paused, trailing off as her mind clicked onto what Kat was trying to say. Eyes widening, she looked to the brunette in wonderment. "You don't mean what I think you mean, do you?"
"Sure do!"
Instead of getting angry or looking worried, like Kat expected, Willow clapped her hands together, bouncing up and down in unconcealed delight. "Excellent!" Her eyes shined brightly as she grabbed the werecat's hands, continuing to jump up and down with excitement. "Oh please oh please, I'd love to help! I can't wait to see his face!" A hysterical giggle escaped the hacker's lips as she thought about how much they were going to shock the unsuspecting vampire.
"Neither can I." Both young women turned at the sound of another voice, coming face to face with a grinning Cordy as the taller woman strode up to them. "Angel is so in need of a wake up call. But I want in."
Raising her eyebrow, Kat regarded the ex-cheerleader curiously. "Why?"
"Because that overbearing, demanding vampire needs to learn a few manners when it comes to ladies," flipping her hair over her shoulder as she recalled how he had demanded she answer his questions. A slow smile akin to Kat's malicious one grew on the brunette's lips as she added, "Plus Xander deserves a shock or two, and I want to be the one to give it to him."
Not bothering to ask why Cordy wanted to put Xander through that kind of hell, Kat just grinned and nodded. "Okay girls, what do you say? Operation Dance of Torment underway?" Two heads nodded in emphatic agreement, and Kat's smile grew wider in anticipation. As the girls went off into the night to plot their revenge, her last thought was on the vampire and what they had in store for him.
'Angel it's a good thing you're dead,' she thought evilly, 'because if you weren't, this might just kill you.' She didn't question the tremor of excitement that went through her as she thought about his reaction to her plans…to dance the cynicism right out of him.
Kat also changed over time, her attitude becoming less wary the more time she spent with Angel and the Scooby gang. While she was still a little reserved and kept some things to herself, her friendship with the group, and Willow in particular, caused the tiny brunette to become more open with her feelings. She smiled more, and her taunts with Angel were less biting than they had been when the two had first met. Even her friendship with the beauty queen Cordelia improved, though it was largely due to the improvement of Cordy's aim in battle. Day by day the bonds of trust grew within each of them, strengthening their friendship on and off patrol.
On the weekends the group swung by the library for a round or two of research, pouring over the books for more references to the Heavenly Scrolls, Curses of Sakhmet, or anything that may shed some light on the prophecy they were trying to find. After telling the group about her mother's journal, Kat had turned it over to Giles for perusal. She had been reluctant to part with it, but it had been worth it when the librarian had discovered a passage in the leather-bound book that mentioned something about a holy triumvirate also being linked to the prophecy. With more information to go on, Willow continued her research on the Internet, while Giles poured through Ahmose Akensakhmet's journal for more references to the prophecy. Thus it was on a Saturday night that six people were sprawled out in the library, quietly trying to piece together yet another ancient prophecy. The quiet was shortly interrupted by an exclamation from Xander, shooting to his feet with a rather dusty book in his hands.
"Guys, I think I found something!" Fairly wiggling in place, the young man proceeded to read a passage from the book he held. "…the holy triumvirate warned of a time when darkness would come to devour the light, a time of great choosing. 'If choice be wrong, Light's hope grows dim. Pain and suffering shall reign again.'" Glancing up, Xander looked over at Giles. "Yo G-Man…think that's what we're looking for?"
Before Giles could correct the clueless young man about his name, Willow stood up as well, her head bobbing up and down in agreement with her childhood friend. "It might be. It certainly seems to fit with the information I just discovered." Pointing to the computer screen, Willow moved aside as Giles came over to peer at the words printed there.
"Hmm, you could be right Willow," Giles murmured as he glanced at the translation she had so far. "Hate which beget love will again beget hate. Be warned! The choosing is at hand." Straightening, the librarian pushed his glasses back up his nose. "Well it certainly seems to fit with what we have so far. Cordelia, would you…" He didn't need to finish his statement, as the tall brunette was already over at the whiteboard they had erected near the cage, writing the latest piece of the puzzle on its surface. Kat watched with something akin to a heavy heart, her eyes roaming over the entire board as she took in the pieces they had so far. Her lips moved silently as she read the words to herself:
"Fang and talon, devil and daemon
Summoned near by witch's power
Shall meet under full moon's light.
Hate and distrust shall abound.
While in the darkness the green-eyed
monster doth loom.
hate which beget love
will again beget hate.
Be warned! The choosing is at hand.
If choice be wrong
Light's hope grows dim
Pain and suffering shall reign again.
And the cursed shall become the gifted."
Angel watched as Kat's eyes grew stormy, a dark green that looked somewhat troubled. Concerned for his friend the vampire came up to stand beside her. When she turned in his direction, her gaze traveling up to his face, he asked her gently, "Are you ok Kitten?"
Sighing, Kat glanced back at the board before shaking her head slowly. "No, I'm not. This whole 'prophecy' thing is creeping the hell out of me Angel." Her lips twisting into a sort of mock smile, she looked back up at him. "I don't exactly feel comforted by something that mentions being devoured by darkness, or anything regarding pain and suffering."
Seeing the vulnerability flash, however briefly, in the kitten's eyes Angel moved closer. Putting a comforting hand on her shoulder, he smiled softly down at her. "But it's not all pain Kitten." Raising his arm, he pointed to the last line they had uncovered so far. "It mentions the curse becoming a gift…doesn't the thought of finding a way around your curse make you happy?"
Kat bit her lip, her thoughts awhirl as she stared at the last line jutting out at her. Truth be told, she had mixed feelings about finding a cure for her curse. She couldn't tell the others, not even Willow who was quickly becoming her best friend, that there were times she loved being the panther. It was part of her, and she couldn't imagine a life where she wasn't part of it either. Sensing that Angel was waiting for an answer however, she shrugged noncommittally. "I guess so." she replied, her voice a soft, husky whisper.
Angel stared down at the trouble young woman for a moment, wondering what to say to her odd comment, when Xander's voice rang out in the library. "G-man it's almost nine already. How about we call it a night?"
Exasperated, Giles sighed, removing his glasses before glaring at the young man. "Giles Xander, Giles…I wish you would desist with this appalling habit of calling me 'G-man.' However, I believe I see your point." he added as he glanced around at the room full of teenagers. While they were holding up ok, they needed an outlet for their frustration over this difficult prophecy. And if he didn't let them escape soon, they would blow a collective fuse. Replacing the glasses on his nose, he waved them off with a hand. "Go. We'll pick this up again next week." Four groans were all the response he got, but he smiled as the group began to pack up for the night.
Warriors they might be, they still behaved like teenagers from time to time. He was glad that the serious nature of their work didn't take away from the last remaining years of their childhood. As they left the library he watched with sad eyes, hoping that they would be able to hold onto it just a little bit longer. He had a feeling bad things were ahead, for all of them. With a heavy heart the Watcher, guardian of them all, sighed and began to pick up the books spread out all over the library by his resilient, if wayward, charges.
Outside the hallowed halls of Sunnydale High, Xander and Cordy seemed anxious to get on with another one of their favorite pastimes for a Saturday night. Kat and her redheaded friend were also ready to release some of their pent-up energy, but first their night had to begin with the usual ritual: Pesky Witch versus Stubborn Vampire!
"Please Angel?" Voice soft and pleading, lip thrust out in a cute pout.
"No," in a firm tone of denial.
"Why not?" Irritation creeping into pouty voice.
"I don't want to."
"But…" and the battle of wills continued, while Kat, Xander, and Cordy watched on in a mixture of boredom and thinly veiled interest. It was the same thing every time: Willow begged and pleaded, and for some unfathomable reason Angel was able to resist the hacker's infamous 'resolve face' time and time again. The vampire continued to defy her every attempt to get him to join them at the Bronze for unwinding, his reasons for not going more than just a deep aversion to dancing teenagers and loud music. He couldn't go there, not while a part of him still felt pain at the thought of Buffy. And he knew that just being there, at the Bronze, would spark memories he wasn't sure he was ready to face.
Her face red with barely suppressed anger, as it usually was when she fought with Angel over this issue; Willow turned and pointed at Kat. "YOU! Talk some sense into this...this...vampire!"
Kat raised her eyebrow slowly, her face neutral as she shook her head. "I don't think so Wills. I'm not about to fight this battle for you." Seeing Angel's shoulders sag in relief triggered something inside of Kat however. A slow smile crept onto her lips as she continued. "If Tall, Dark, and Broody wants to scowl at the walls in his house, so be it. Me, I'm going to…what was it you called it Xander?" she asked, turning her head briefly to glance at him, "shake loose those inner demons through live music and funky dancing?"
Kat wasn't aware of the golden gleam that flickered in Angel's eyes, but Willow saw it. As Kat and Xander talked about dancing, the redhead sidled closer to the vampire and, pitching her voice low for his ears only, whispered, "All the guys stare at her whenever we're there, she hates it so much. Xander tries to help by being protector of us girls, but everyone knows he and Cordy are an item." Willow trailed off, a secret smile touching her lips as a low growl issued from the vampire's throat. The idea of Kat being leered at like a piece of meat didn't sit well him. The redhead cheered inwardly at the display of emotions that flickered over her friend's normally stoic face. 'Willow three, clueless couple zero.' Speaking up for all members present, she repeated her question. "So, you coming or not Angel?"
"All right Little One, you win," his voice, rather than sounding defeated, seemed oddly tense. A shocked silence fell over the group, and the other three stared at the vampire like he had grown a second head. "I'll go."
Cordelia was the first one to speak this time, asking the first question that popped into her head. "Does this mean you're going to start dancing or something?"
Angel's face pulled down into one of Kat's favorite expressions of displeasure: a deep scowl. His voice contained more than a hint of outrage as he ground out slowly between clenched teeth, "I. Do. Not. Dance."
"Sure, Hot Stuff," the ex cheerleader scoffed. "That's what Miss Kitty said, but you should see her now!" Getting in the last word, the ex-cheerleader turned and, grabbing Xander's hand; dragged him in the direction of the Bronze. Kat and Willow followed, with a grumbling vampire trailing behind them.
He wasn't sure he wanted to see Kat dancing, or her doing anything that remotely reminded him of the way Buffy had danced: a seductive siren who enslaved any man with the wave of her hand. He still had nightmares about the time he saw the Slayer dancing with Xander.
'If Kitten dances like that with Xander, I don't know if I could take it," Angel growled to himself, his eyes flashing even more golden as he followed the group of teenagers to their favorite place to relax. 'She better not dance with him…'
* * * * * * * * * *
'Well,' Angel thought dryly to himself fifteen minutes later as he sat at a table in the Bronze, 'I've got to hand it to her…whatever the kitten is doing with Xander, it certainly can NOT be called dancing.' He fought the urge to smirk as he watched the pair do their own version of dancing, if it could be called that. A mismatch of moshing, belly dancing, and contortions, Kat and Xander grooved to the beat of an altogether different drummer as the music in the Bronze throbbed and pulsed around them.
Abandoned by Cordy, who had managed to disappear not five seconds after they entered the room, and Willow, who seemed to be trying out her budding flirting skills on the bartender, the dark-haired vampire was left with nothing better to do than watch as Kat and Xander continued to gyrate on the dance floor. His chocolate eyes sparkled in amusement as they ignored the rude stares of the club's patrons. The music, combined with his attempts not to laugh, managed to change the vampire's opinion about coming out with the group tonight to unwind. Inwardly he chuckled at the choice of song the two brunettes were bouncing to.
'How many people want to kick some ass…how appropriate,' he chuckled silently, his attention so focused on watching the kitten that he missed the presence of another sitting down beside him. "It's hard to imagine something that's so graceful, dancing so," he murmured to himself, searching for the right word.
"…Xander-like?" Whirling around, Angel stiffened, only to relax as Cordy smirked back at him. "Surprised?" The ex-cheerleader smiled, watching the duo on the dance floor without a shred of jealousy marring her features. "Don't be. They do this every time we come here; it's like some kind of ritual with her I think." The song started to wind down, and as it drew to a close and the rhythm-impaired duo headed back to the table Cordelia continued. "She says it helps, but personally I don't think anything could help that poor girl."
Raising his eyebrow, Angel was about to ask Cordy what she meant by that when he spied Kat and Xander out of the corner of his eye, nearing the table. Willow was also fast approaching, the drinks she ordered balanced precariously on a tray as she made her way back. Fighting to keep his smile friendly rather than obnoxious, the vampire greeted them as they approached, his voice betraying the amusement he fought to conceal. "So, did you two have fun?"
Xander just grinned, nodding his head while Kat frowned, her eyes narrowing in defensive suspicion. "What?" she retorted, her arms coming up in classic hellcat posture, folding over her chest as she glared down at the grinning vampire. "Did I miss something?"
"Only a class on dancing tips," Angel quipped, unable to resist taunting the kitten about her abilities on the dance floor. He noticed her eyes darkening in warning, but plunged on ruthlessly, his fangs glinting slightly as he continued to make fun of her abilities. "I can't believe someone as graceful in battle as you could be so…incredibly bad when it comes to dancing." A snort issued from Cordelia, though whether or not it was an attempt to hold laughter back he couldn't be sure. Xander chuckled, apparently unfazed by Angel's opinion of his or Kat's dancing. The petite young woman who had been his partner was not so forgiving, her lips pulling down into a frown as she glared at first Cordy, then the vampire who started all the trouble.
"For your information 'Fangs'," ignoring Angel's own scowl at the nickname she threw at the vampire, "I can dance, very well in fact. I just choose to do otherwise." He didn't look convinced however.
"Sure 'Kitten'," stressing his own pet name for her," whatever you say. Although I've never known a woman to dance badly on purpose before." His voice must have betrayed much of his doubt in her abilities, because the tiny woman bristled in indignation. Beside her Willow wore a similar expression, her desire to see those two together temporarily overridden by her protective nature regarding her friends. Setting the drinks down on the table with a thunk, Willow stepped closer to the surprised vampire. Hands on her hips, she spoke up in her friend's defense.
"Kat is too a good dancer! She even taught Cordy and I a few things. Just because she feels that…" the brunette she was advocating cut her off with a gesture, stepping around the redhead to stand in front of Angel. Shooting a glance back at Willow, she shook her head. "Don't bother explaining Wills," she whispered, turning back to face the curious vampire. Her lips curved upwards as an idea began to form in her mind. Her eyes glinted in malicious glee, an eerie green that caused Angel to grow a little uncomfortable in her prolonged silence. As the brunette tilted her head to the side, she spoke softly. "I guess I'll just have to prove him wrong." And just like that she whirled about, walking away from the stunned group. As she walked away she grabbed Willow's arm, dragging the bewildered redhead through the press of bodies in the Bronze, toward the entrance.
Angel and Xander watched as the pair stalked off, similar expressions of confusion etched on the two men's faces. As they tried to puzzle out Kat's logic, a chuckle jarred both vampire and teenager out of their musings. Turning, they glanced over at Cordy, who couldn't hold back her delight any longer.
"You two have NO idea what she's up to, do you?" Taking almost sadistic delight in their discomfort, Cordy stood, shaking her head at the poor fools. "Oh this is going to be good. I just hope I'm there to see it." Without shedding any light regarding Kat's mysterious words, the beauty queen grabbed her purse, intending to follow the werecat and hacker. Before she could go, however, a cold firm hand clamped down on her wrist. Glancing down in irritation, Cordy's dark eyes met Angel's firm ones. The vampire gritted his teeth as he held her fast, wanting answers.
"What did she mean, that she'll have to prove me wrong?" the vampire ground out slowly, frustrated with women and their unholy secrets. Cordelia struggled to get out of his grasp, glaring at Xander for support. Before he could protest, however, Angel fired another question at the ex-cheerleader. "And just what did you mean when you said that dancing like that helped the kitten hmm?" His eyes glittering, Angel's features pulled into something akin to Willow's resolve face. Cordelia swallowed, knowing she wouldn't get free without offering him some sort of explanation. So the cheerleader did the only thing she could do when faced with a possible threat: she got bitchy.
"Well what do you think I meant," she snapped, the force of her outburst enough to shock the vampire into freeing her wrist. Flipping her hair over her shoulder, she glared down at him, continuing in her rant. "My god, don't tell me your so blind you didn't notice how all the guys stare at her when she comes in here? She keeps to herself, so she has that whole mystery thing going for her, and she refuses to dance with anyone, so she's become something of a challenge around here."
Only a hint of jealousy over sharing the spotlight with her friend was betrayed in Cordy's voice as she spoke. "Plus, if you haven't noticed you obtuse bloodsucker, her clothing isn't exactly concealing now is it? Those tight tops, the hip hugging pants, they may not be all the rage, but they certainly have the male population panting like dogs in heat. And you wonder why she prances about with Xander, purposely making herself look foolish?" Cordy snorted, this time in anger and not amusement. "I'm all for teasing, but at least I know what the truth is. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go help Ms. Claws in her little revenge scheme." With that, the tall beauty queen whirled about; stalking off in the same direction Kat and Willow had gone, leaving a speechless Angel in the not-so-capable hands of Xander.
Angel stared off into space, his mind awhirl as he heard Cordy's voice echo in his mind. Kitten, purposely trying to keep the pawing masses away by scary dance moves? The rational, ruthless part of his mind piped up. 'She did say that she was a good dancer, but that she chose not to be.' A tiny trickle of worry wormed its way inside of Angel, spreading to his eyes as he turned to look at Xander. He tried to keep the worry out of his voice as he asked, "It's not true is it? Can she really dance?"
Shifting uncomfortably in his seat, Xander shrugged. "I don't know man," he answered honestly, shaking his head. "But I do know something."
"What's that?" Angel asked, confusion in his voice.
"We are screwed." Looking back to the entrance of the Bronze, Angel had a feeling that Xander might just be right.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Kat, let go of me!" Willow fairly shrieked, attempting to wrestle her arm away from the smaller, but far stronger, young woman. As the brunette relinquished her arm Willow stood rock still on the sidewalk, trying to figure out what Kat was up to. The green-eyed brunette was certainly up to something…the glint in her eyes and the near malicious grin proved that much. Folding her dainty arms over her chest, the redhead glared at her friend. "Alright, 'fess up! What are you up to?"
Her smile widening, Kat tried her best to pull one of Willow's 'innocent looks.' "I don't know what you mean," she replied smugly, her rage moments before replaced by giddy scheming. Finally noticing the flicker of uncertainty in her companion's eyes, she lowered her enthusiasm. Her smile slipping a notch, the brunette finally answered Willow's question. "He doesn't think I can dance, then fine. I'm going to prove it to him. And you're going to help me."
"What do you mean, what are you…" the green-eyed hacker paused, trailing off as her mind clicked onto what Kat was trying to say. Eyes widening, she looked to the brunette in wonderment. "You don't mean what I think you mean, do you?"
"Sure do!"
Instead of getting angry or looking worried, like Kat expected, Willow clapped her hands together, bouncing up and down in unconcealed delight. "Excellent!" Her eyes shined brightly as she grabbed the werecat's hands, continuing to jump up and down with excitement. "Oh please oh please, I'd love to help! I can't wait to see his face!" A hysterical giggle escaped the hacker's lips as she thought about how much they were going to shock the unsuspecting vampire.
"Neither can I." Both young women turned at the sound of another voice, coming face to face with a grinning Cordy as the taller woman strode up to them. "Angel is so in need of a wake up call. But I want in."
Raising her eyebrow, Kat regarded the ex-cheerleader curiously. "Why?"
"Because that overbearing, demanding vampire needs to learn a few manners when it comes to ladies," flipping her hair over her shoulder as she recalled how he had demanded she answer his questions. A slow smile akin to Kat's malicious one grew on the brunette's lips as she added, "Plus Xander deserves a shock or two, and I want to be the one to give it to him."
Not bothering to ask why Cordy wanted to put Xander through that kind of hell, Kat just grinned and nodded. "Okay girls, what do you say? Operation Dance of Torment underway?" Two heads nodded in emphatic agreement, and Kat's smile grew wider in anticipation. As the girls went off into the night to plot their revenge, her last thought was on the vampire and what they had in store for him.
'Angel it's a good thing you're dead,' she thought evilly, 'because if you weren't, this might just kill you.' She didn't question the tremor of excitement that went through her as she thought about his reaction to her plans…to dance the cynicism right out of him.