Watcher 9 - Angel's Urges
"I'm sorry but I can't allow you to risk your life in such a manner. After all, Angel is for all the assistance he has given us just a vampire. As for Mr. Harris he is -."
Wesley was cut off by the scrape of Faith's chair flying backwards just half a second before she grabbed the Watcher around the throat and lifted him into the air, kicking and choking. "Be very careful Wussley," she growled dangerously. "You're talking about the best guy I've ever met, someone worth ten of ya. I'm wicked pissed and looking for someone to unleash on. And if you keep flapping your gums you'll get yourself nominated."
"Faith!" the Slayer glanced at Giles' determined face. "Don't waste all of your hard work on him. He's not worth it."
After a tension-filled moment, Faith released her grip and dropped the shaken Englishman back in his chair. "Next time you're dissing G, remember he saved you from a long stay at Sunnydale Hospital." She turned to Buffy. "What's the what B? Off to Willy's?"
The blonde Slayer nodded. "Let's go."
* * *
Willy groaned as the bar door crashed open and the two Slayers walked in, he'd only just got the place cleaned up from the last time they'd visited. It just wasn't natural the way his place emptied when they entered, two babes like that should have patrons flocking in not stampeding out. He forced a smile as the two women approached the bar. The grim expressions the two beauties wore couldn't be good news. "Hello ladies, and may I say that as usual it's a pleas-."
His greeting was abruptly cut off by the brunette grabbing him around his collar and throwing over the counter and onto the hard wooden floor. "Shit Slayer," his voice trailed off as he noted the homicidal rage in the girl's eyes.
"We don't have time to mess around," the brunette warned. "Who's taken our boys?"
"Your boys? You, with a steady? I've heard your rep-," his head was nearly knocked clean off by a back-handed slap from the cold-eyed Slayer. Willy swallowed, he quickly realised that while Summers had some restraint about hurting humans, the new Slayer obviously didn't. "I don't know much 'cept a lot of the minor vamps have been real scared, some major players in the vampire world have come to Sunnydale to play."
"Names and numbers Willy, we need names," said the blonde. "Otherwise Faith will have to start hitting you again."
"There's seven, but I don't know all their names - there's your old bud Spike, a black guy by the name of Mr. Trick," he saw the brunette blanch, " a real ugly guy by the name of Dalton, and a Chink by the name of Lee Cheng. That's it, that's all I know I swear."
The blonde dropped a twenty dollar bill on his chest. "Thanks Willy. Next time answer straight away, it's usually less painful that way." The blonde looked up at Faith. "Back to the library. Let's see if G knows who Dalton or Cheng is. Oh and Willy?"
"Yeah?"
"If I find out you've lied, I'll send Faith back on her own to see you."
* * *
"Xander, how are you feeling?"
"Aside from my cracked rib, bruised jaw, and dislocated wrist, never better. You?"
"My injuries have more or less healed already."
"Lucky you," the teen winced, Angel noted with concern the youth looked almost grey with pain. "Who was that Lee Cheng you were fighting with?"
"One of the Council's dirtiest little secrets. He was a Watcher in the 1680s, a superb Martial Artist," Angel grimaced; the beating he'd taken was brutal testament to that. "His potential was called as the Slayer in 1684, and thanks in large part to Cheng's training, Mai-Ling became acknowledged as one of the best Slayers ever. But in 1689, Cheng was diagnosed with cancer and in return for eternal life he betrayed his Slayer to the local vampire lord."
"What a prince, I couldn't see G-Man doing that to Buffy or Faith."
"No, you're right. But then again most Watchers of my acquaintance," Angel raised an eyebrow, acquaintance, what he really meant was tortured and killed, "are more like Wesley than Giles."
"Isn't that reassuring, the fate of the world in their hands. Gets me just jumping up and down for joy."
"How did he get you? I put up quite a fight; you must have a mile away at least."
The youth sighed. "Cheng must have Spike and some guy called Trick working for him 'cause I ran into them just seconds after leaving you."
Angel felt a hollow pit form in the pit of his stomach. He shook his head slowly. "Doesn't make sense. Cheng is muscle, not a leader. There must be somebody else involved."
"As astute as ever Angelus."
"Oh shit," Angel groaned. Their bad night had just got a hell of a lot worse.
* * *
"And who's this Dalton dude?"
Giles glanced up from the books spread across the table to the nervously pacing brunette Slayer. "Dalton is an extremely old vampire turned approximately around 1450 by none other than the Master."
"Oh that name gives me such fuzzy feelings."
Giles chose to ignore Buffy's muttered interruption. "Dalton soon amassed quite a reputation for cruelty and depravity. The Master became very proud of Dalton and when he turned Darla, he shared her with Dalton completely. When Darla ran off with Angelus, the Master was disappointed but Dalton was enraged. Until the gaining of his soul, Dalton and Angelus attempted to kill one another on numerous occasions -."
"Shit B," growled Faith. "What is it with our boy? Every time he gets his cock out everything goes to shit!"
"Yes thank you Faith, the highly disturbing visual your words has conjured up is most helpful," Giles said sarcastically. "The question is how do we proceed?"
"I could do a locater spell," offered Willow. "I'd need something of Xander's, something precious, Angel wouldn't be any use what with him being a vampire and this being the hellmouth."
"I've got something Red," Faith offered. "But I've got to have it back; it's the first thing Xand ever gave to me." At the Wicca's nod, she reached around her neck and pulled a gold cross on a chain over her head. The Slayer glanced self-consciously at him. "He said Ms. Calendar give it him as a good luck charm on his birthday."
Giles forced a smile; just the mention of Jenny sent a stab of pain through his heart. "I'm sure Jenny would approve of its new owner."
The Slayer blushed. "Thanks G, means a lot."
* * *
"You're telling me I'm here because of your urges!"
Angel winced. From the dangerous look in Xander's eyes he should be grateful there wasn't any jagged wood near-by. "Xander, it not quite like that -."
"Darla, Drusilla! And you still hadn't learnt anything by the time you got to Buff! What are you, the vampire world's answer to Homer Simpson?"
"You tell him boy," Dalton chuckled.
Xander glared at the ancient vampire. "Was I talking to you pigface?"
The words had barely left the youth's mouth when the vampire darted across the floor and grabbed the teen around the throat, lifting him off the dusty floor. Angel growled and started forward, only for Spike, Mr. Trick, and Cheng to intercept and hold him back, forcing him to watch helplessly as Dalton slapped the struggling youth across the face, drawing blood from the teen's nose and mouth, before shaking him violently and throwing him to the floor. "Leave him alone!" he bellowed, knowing in his heart of hearts his protests would be in vain. "It's me you want!"
Dalton turned towards him, a cold glint in his merciless eyes. "Leave him alone?" the master vampire grabbed the dazed youth's hair and dragged him off the ground. "But where's the fun in that?"
"If you hurt him there won't be a stone you can hide under. If I don't get you, Buffy or Faith will, and I promise if Faith gets you, you'll wish Angelus caught up with you instead."
Angel saw a flicker in his grand-childe's eyes but Dalton merely laughed. "You really are a strange one Angelus. I could almost understand your attraction to the Slayer. She's strong, capable, dangerous, but this creature," Dalton kicked Xander's crumpled body, the boy groaned. "Is just prey. Why do you waste time with such cattle?"
Angel shook his head. "You couldn't comprehend his worth. And in that I pity you but," the ensoulled vampire looked up, his eyes hard, "that pity won't prevent me from killing you or anybody who hurts him."
"Maybe I can find what's so fascinating about the brat."
Angel's mouth dried with unbidden desire as he stared at the newcomer stood in the cellar's doorway. The interloper was a tall, elegant woman with waist-length silver-blond hair and unfathomable grey eyes set in an almost elfin face. Her curvy frame was clothed in a flimsy dress that somehow managed the amazing feat of fully covering her while hiding nothing.
Dalton smiled coldly. "Ah, Lady de Sade," the vampire turned back to him, his smile widening at the look of horror on his face. "I see you recognise the Lady's name. Even before her turning during the French Revolution she worked as a confessor for the revolution, torturing admissions out of the nobility. It's a skill she's only refined since becoming one of the blessed, technology is such an aid in her calling. I'd hired her to deal with you, but now." The vampire glanced down at the crumpled body at his feet. "I think I'll allow her to have some fun with your friend first. Keep listening," Dalton smirked at him before passing Xander's limp frame to the lady.
Suddenly Xander exploded into action, slamming his head into the lady's face. The vampiress staggered backwards in surprise and Xander followed up with a side-kick to the stomach that sent the female vampire crumpling to the ground.
A smile flickered across Angel's face. If the boy dived for the open door, he might escape. Instead, he twisted and dived towards him. Cheng leapt towards the youth hitting him with a clothesline that sent him crashing to the floor in a heap. Dalton walked over to the body and chuckled. "That was foolish."
"No it wasn't," Angel snarled as Spike and Trick strained to hold him back. "It was brave and loyal, two qualities you have no concept of."
Dalton laughed mockingly. "You really are attached to the boy," the vampire looked down and sneered. "He's just fodder, food at worst, a few hours of entertainment at best. Dalton glanced towards the other vampires. "Take him out, but make sure he's near enough to hear his pet scream."
Angel's shoulders slumped in defeat. Too late he realised that Xander was possibly the best friend he'd ever had. Not one of the gang of drunks he'd hung around with while alive would have risked themselves to try and save him. As for Angelus, well master vampires didn't have friends only enemies and cowering minions. As for Angel, well his love of literature and poetry had found a kindred soul in Giles, but Angelus' return had ruined that. Now though, in the past two months he'd come to admire Xander's loyalty, generosity, and determination, and even enjoy bantering with him.
All of the Scoobies were remarkable, each one of them had a flaw that somehow paradoxically strengthened rather than weakened them. He considered them all his friends; it was a shame he just had to die before he found them. Still, it was better than not finding them at all.
"I'm sorry but I can't allow you to risk your life in such a manner. After all, Angel is for all the assistance he has given us just a vampire. As for Mr. Harris he is -."
Wesley was cut off by the scrape of Faith's chair flying backwards just half a second before she grabbed the Watcher around the throat and lifted him into the air, kicking and choking. "Be very careful Wussley," she growled dangerously. "You're talking about the best guy I've ever met, someone worth ten of ya. I'm wicked pissed and looking for someone to unleash on. And if you keep flapping your gums you'll get yourself nominated."
"Faith!" the Slayer glanced at Giles' determined face. "Don't waste all of your hard work on him. He's not worth it."
After a tension-filled moment, Faith released her grip and dropped the shaken Englishman back in his chair. "Next time you're dissing G, remember he saved you from a long stay at Sunnydale Hospital." She turned to Buffy. "What's the what B? Off to Willy's?"
The blonde Slayer nodded. "Let's go."
* * *
Willy groaned as the bar door crashed open and the two Slayers walked in, he'd only just got the place cleaned up from the last time they'd visited. It just wasn't natural the way his place emptied when they entered, two babes like that should have patrons flocking in not stampeding out. He forced a smile as the two women approached the bar. The grim expressions the two beauties wore couldn't be good news. "Hello ladies, and may I say that as usual it's a pleas-."
His greeting was abruptly cut off by the brunette grabbing him around his collar and throwing over the counter and onto the hard wooden floor. "Shit Slayer," his voice trailed off as he noted the homicidal rage in the girl's eyes.
"We don't have time to mess around," the brunette warned. "Who's taken our boys?"
"Your boys? You, with a steady? I've heard your rep-," his head was nearly knocked clean off by a back-handed slap from the cold-eyed Slayer. Willy swallowed, he quickly realised that while Summers had some restraint about hurting humans, the new Slayer obviously didn't. "I don't know much 'cept a lot of the minor vamps have been real scared, some major players in the vampire world have come to Sunnydale to play."
"Names and numbers Willy, we need names," said the blonde. "Otherwise Faith will have to start hitting you again."
"There's seven, but I don't know all their names - there's your old bud Spike, a black guy by the name of Mr. Trick," he saw the brunette blanch, " a real ugly guy by the name of Dalton, and a Chink by the name of Lee Cheng. That's it, that's all I know I swear."
The blonde dropped a twenty dollar bill on his chest. "Thanks Willy. Next time answer straight away, it's usually less painful that way." The blonde looked up at Faith. "Back to the library. Let's see if G knows who Dalton or Cheng is. Oh and Willy?"
"Yeah?"
"If I find out you've lied, I'll send Faith back on her own to see you."
* * *
"Xander, how are you feeling?"
"Aside from my cracked rib, bruised jaw, and dislocated wrist, never better. You?"
"My injuries have more or less healed already."
"Lucky you," the teen winced, Angel noted with concern the youth looked almost grey with pain. "Who was that Lee Cheng you were fighting with?"
"One of the Council's dirtiest little secrets. He was a Watcher in the 1680s, a superb Martial Artist," Angel grimaced; the beating he'd taken was brutal testament to that. "His potential was called as the Slayer in 1684, and thanks in large part to Cheng's training, Mai-Ling became acknowledged as one of the best Slayers ever. But in 1689, Cheng was diagnosed with cancer and in return for eternal life he betrayed his Slayer to the local vampire lord."
"What a prince, I couldn't see G-Man doing that to Buffy or Faith."
"No, you're right. But then again most Watchers of my acquaintance," Angel raised an eyebrow, acquaintance, what he really meant was tortured and killed, "are more like Wesley than Giles."
"Isn't that reassuring, the fate of the world in their hands. Gets me just jumping up and down for joy."
"How did he get you? I put up quite a fight; you must have a mile away at least."
The youth sighed. "Cheng must have Spike and some guy called Trick working for him 'cause I ran into them just seconds after leaving you."
Angel felt a hollow pit form in the pit of his stomach. He shook his head slowly. "Doesn't make sense. Cheng is muscle, not a leader. There must be somebody else involved."
"As astute as ever Angelus."
"Oh shit," Angel groaned. Their bad night had just got a hell of a lot worse.
* * *
"And who's this Dalton dude?"
Giles glanced up from the books spread across the table to the nervously pacing brunette Slayer. "Dalton is an extremely old vampire turned approximately around 1450 by none other than the Master."
"Oh that name gives me such fuzzy feelings."
Giles chose to ignore Buffy's muttered interruption. "Dalton soon amassed quite a reputation for cruelty and depravity. The Master became very proud of Dalton and when he turned Darla, he shared her with Dalton completely. When Darla ran off with Angelus, the Master was disappointed but Dalton was enraged. Until the gaining of his soul, Dalton and Angelus attempted to kill one another on numerous occasions -."
"Shit B," growled Faith. "What is it with our boy? Every time he gets his cock out everything goes to shit!"
"Yes thank you Faith, the highly disturbing visual your words has conjured up is most helpful," Giles said sarcastically. "The question is how do we proceed?"
"I could do a locater spell," offered Willow. "I'd need something of Xander's, something precious, Angel wouldn't be any use what with him being a vampire and this being the hellmouth."
"I've got something Red," Faith offered. "But I've got to have it back; it's the first thing Xand ever gave to me." At the Wicca's nod, she reached around her neck and pulled a gold cross on a chain over her head. The Slayer glanced self-consciously at him. "He said Ms. Calendar give it him as a good luck charm on his birthday."
Giles forced a smile; just the mention of Jenny sent a stab of pain through his heart. "I'm sure Jenny would approve of its new owner."
The Slayer blushed. "Thanks G, means a lot."
* * *
"You're telling me I'm here because of your urges!"
Angel winced. From the dangerous look in Xander's eyes he should be grateful there wasn't any jagged wood near-by. "Xander, it not quite like that -."
"Darla, Drusilla! And you still hadn't learnt anything by the time you got to Buff! What are you, the vampire world's answer to Homer Simpson?"
"You tell him boy," Dalton chuckled.
Xander glared at the ancient vampire. "Was I talking to you pigface?"
The words had barely left the youth's mouth when the vampire darted across the floor and grabbed the teen around the throat, lifting him off the dusty floor. Angel growled and started forward, only for Spike, Mr. Trick, and Cheng to intercept and hold him back, forcing him to watch helplessly as Dalton slapped the struggling youth across the face, drawing blood from the teen's nose and mouth, before shaking him violently and throwing him to the floor. "Leave him alone!" he bellowed, knowing in his heart of hearts his protests would be in vain. "It's me you want!"
Dalton turned towards him, a cold glint in his merciless eyes. "Leave him alone?" the master vampire grabbed the dazed youth's hair and dragged him off the ground. "But where's the fun in that?"
"If you hurt him there won't be a stone you can hide under. If I don't get you, Buffy or Faith will, and I promise if Faith gets you, you'll wish Angelus caught up with you instead."
Angel saw a flicker in his grand-childe's eyes but Dalton merely laughed. "You really are a strange one Angelus. I could almost understand your attraction to the Slayer. She's strong, capable, dangerous, but this creature," Dalton kicked Xander's crumpled body, the boy groaned. "Is just prey. Why do you waste time with such cattle?"
Angel shook his head. "You couldn't comprehend his worth. And in that I pity you but," the ensoulled vampire looked up, his eyes hard, "that pity won't prevent me from killing you or anybody who hurts him."
"Maybe I can find what's so fascinating about the brat."
Angel's mouth dried with unbidden desire as he stared at the newcomer stood in the cellar's doorway. The interloper was a tall, elegant woman with waist-length silver-blond hair and unfathomable grey eyes set in an almost elfin face. Her curvy frame was clothed in a flimsy dress that somehow managed the amazing feat of fully covering her while hiding nothing.
Dalton smiled coldly. "Ah, Lady de Sade," the vampire turned back to him, his smile widening at the look of horror on his face. "I see you recognise the Lady's name. Even before her turning during the French Revolution she worked as a confessor for the revolution, torturing admissions out of the nobility. It's a skill she's only refined since becoming one of the blessed, technology is such an aid in her calling. I'd hired her to deal with you, but now." The vampire glanced down at the crumpled body at his feet. "I think I'll allow her to have some fun with your friend first. Keep listening," Dalton smirked at him before passing Xander's limp frame to the lady.
Suddenly Xander exploded into action, slamming his head into the lady's face. The vampiress staggered backwards in surprise and Xander followed up with a side-kick to the stomach that sent the female vampire crumpling to the ground.
A smile flickered across Angel's face. If the boy dived for the open door, he might escape. Instead, he twisted and dived towards him. Cheng leapt towards the youth hitting him with a clothesline that sent him crashing to the floor in a heap. Dalton walked over to the body and chuckled. "That was foolish."
"No it wasn't," Angel snarled as Spike and Trick strained to hold him back. "It was brave and loyal, two qualities you have no concept of."
Dalton laughed mockingly. "You really are attached to the boy," the vampire looked down and sneered. "He's just fodder, food at worst, a few hours of entertainment at best. Dalton glanced towards the other vampires. "Take him out, but make sure he's near enough to hear his pet scream."
Angel's shoulders slumped in defeat. Too late he realised that Xander was possibly the best friend he'd ever had. Not one of the gang of drunks he'd hung around with while alive would have risked themselves to try and save him. As for Angelus, well master vampires didn't have friends only enemies and cowering minions. As for Angel, well his love of literature and poetry had found a kindred soul in Giles, but Angelus' return had ruined that. Now though, in the past two months he'd come to admire Xander's loyalty, generosity, and determination, and even enjoy bantering with him.
All of the Scoobies were remarkable, each one of them had a flaw that somehow paradoxically strengthened rather than weakened them. He considered them all his friends; it was a shame he just had to die before he found them. Still, it was better than not finding them at all.