67

Discovery

Drusilla stood watching the dark, silent building for some time, as was becoming her habit. Every once in a while her head would cock to one side as though she were listening to, or for, something. This went on for quite a number of hours on this night. At last, though, an unpleasant, but very self-satisfied smile crossed her face. At last there were signs of trouble in paradise.

&&&&&&

Spike woke to find himself twined around Rose as usual. It didn't seem to matter, the hurt and bitterness he'd felt towards her when he'd finally drifted off. His subconscious didn't care bugger all about that. She was his lodestone, and the one place she belonged was in his arms. He pulled her closer, enjoying her nearness.

Rose's eyelids fluttered open, and she was more than somewhat surprised to feel her body cradled against Spike's strong, lithe form. While working her way up to tell him about herself and Angel might be considerably easier if they were at odds with each other, she hadn't liked the way she'd been feeling last night. It wasn't Spike's fault that she and Angel were falling in love, yet innocent of wrongdoing though he was, he was going to suffer for it. She wanted to try and keep his suffering to a minimum.

Spike caught the faint change in respiration that said Rose had passed from sleeping to wakefulness. "Good morning, luv," he murmured in her ear. "Are you still speaking to me?"

Rose turned in his arms so she could face him. Spike thought that she was angry with him? How could he, when the fault had been entirely hers? "I thought you'd be angry with me," she admitted in a small voice. "You have every reason to..,"

"Hush," said Spike softly, laying a finger across her lips. Now that she was facing him, he could see how swollen her eyelids were. She must've cried for quite a while. "I love you," he added. "And I know that something must be bothering you for you to act that way. I just wish you'd talk to me, babe."

Before she could answer, though, he precluded any reply by taking her lips in a long, slow kiss. And for a few moments, it felt like it always had. Rose kissing him back like he was the center of her universe. And then, the cold chill crept back in, and Rose went away. He was kissing warm, willing lips, but Rose wasn't behind them.

&&&&&&&

Angel sat with his sketchpad. He couldn't have Rose, at least not now, so this was something he could have. A poor enough substitute, he had to admit, but it was the best he could do. He sat for long moments, looking like he was just staring into space, but in reality visualizing the portrait of Rose and Spike that hung on their living room wall. He started drawing what his mind's eye saw, minus Spike. And had to suppress yet another surge of jealousy that just a few short weeks ago, Rose could look that happy and that much in love with Spike. She was meant to be with him. One way or another they would find a way. A way they could be together without the risk of bringing forth Angelus.

&&&&&&

The twins were so quiet that Spike was pretty sure they were talking to each other telepathically most of the morning. Once in the company of others, even just the kids, she was acting more herself. But Spike felt like his heart was being cut out a bit at a time. Cheerful, smiling Rose, who wasn't even emotionally accessible to her nearest and dearest. He wished she would just break down and tell him what was bothering her. No doubt she thought he would think her silly or some such, and so she was letting whatever it was eat her alive. And all he could do was watch and wait for the outcome, then help pick up the pieces and hold her and let her know that no matter what, he still loved her and always would.

'Daddy's worried too,' Ariel observed. Spike had been right in that they were carrying on one of their silent conversations.

'I know.' Alaric frowned, but quickly wiped the expression off his face when Rose looked his way. 'I wish we could read some more from the book.'

'We can't while mummy is here, though,' his sister thought back at him. 'I don't like mummy like this. And daddy is so sad.'

'Daddy isn't the only one,' Alaric replied. 'I miss mummy.'

'We all do,' Ariel responded. 'Do you think we're going to find out what is wrong?'

'We have to.' Even telepathically, Alaric's 'voice' was firm with overtones of stubbornness. 'We have to find out so that daddy can fix her.'

For the first time, one of the children expressed a hint of doubt at their father's abilities. 'What if daddy can't fix her?'

&&&&&&

The whole situation with Rose was bothering Oz more than anybody could tell. He couldn't do anything about it over the weekend, though. Or could he? He had a list of names and addresses for the entire fang gang, courtesy of Rose, but with everyone's consent. He might be overstepping his bounds on this, but it was starting to get the feel of an emergency situation. He considered using the phone, but decided that the delicacy of the matter deserved a face to face meeting. He didn't know how much Spike had told the Watcher when he'd requested the loan of the book, but he must know that something was up, and he had a few years of experience, and a Watcher's training to add to the mix. He might be a better bet than a pair of untrained, although highly motivated pair of toddlers. He got into his decrepit van and headed toward Wesley's place.

&&&&&&

Rose gathered up the just delivered mail. She went through the stack slowly, reading aloud as she went. "The cable bill, a flyer for Victoria's Secret." She gave Spike a pointed look.

Spike made a grab for it. "I'll.., er.., just dispose of this, shall I, sweetheart?" he mumbled, eyes downcast.

Rose let him have it. "See that you do," she directed. "I don't want the children to see it. What else have we got here? Two more advertising flyers and a letter." She looked at the envelope closely. The last time she'd received an actual letter, it had been sent by someone up to no good. "Why this isn't ours at all," she exclaimed. "This is for Angel."

"Can we give it to him Monday morning?" Spike suggested hopefully. All right, so he really didn't have much hope on that score.

"It could be important," Rose pointed out. "Why don't I just run over there and give it to him?"

"You're going to insist, I take it?" Spike wasn't too happy about it. He wanted Rose where he could see her. Maybe if he had the time to just watch how she went through her day, he thought, then perhaps he could come a little closer to figuring out what was bothering her.

Rose smiled at him, but the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "It won't take long," she replied. "After all, he does live in the same building."

"Run along then, pet," Spike said. He didn't want to let his suspicions show, that might make it all the harder for her to get to the point where she felt she could tell him what was wrong. But for some reason, it was making his skin crawl, thinking of her going to see Angel.

&&&&&&

Angel was pacing the confines of his living area, in a frenzy of anticipation. How long had it been? When would she get here? And would it be her, or Spike? It had to be her. He had just turned and was striding in the direction of the door when the bell rang, and he practically ran to answer it.

Rose stood there, holding out his letter. "Be glad that Spike didn't pick up the mail," she remarked. "He might have noticed that it didn't have a postmark too." At his unspoken invitation, she entered his domain. "Why did you do it?"

Angel plucked the envelope from her fingers and tossed it aside. There was nothing in it but a blank piece of paper, anyway. "You know why I did it, Rose," he replied softly. "Because I couldn't go another hour without seeing you."

"It was a big risk," Rose pointed out. "What if Spike had been the one who had picked it up?"

"But he didn't," Angel commented. "Don't worry about the what ifs, Rose. I had to see you. Had to have you in my arms." He suited actions to words, and pulled her into his embrace. "Don't tell me that you didn't miss me too."

"You know that I did," Rose answered softly. "I want to be with you as much as you want me. But this is too risky. I should be on my way back by now. Spike and the children will wonder what's happened to me."

"They'd think it strange if you didn't stay to talk for a few minutes," Angel protested. "Don't go yet, Rose. You've barely just gotten here."

Rose was about to argue the point, but she made the mistake of looking into his eyes, and she was lost. Her arms went around his neck, her head tilted back, and her lips parted.

It was an invitation that Angel couldn't resist, any more than he'd been able to resist luring her here with the fake letter. His lips came down on hers.

And met a response that Spike would have envied. So short a time ago, it had been the response that she had given him.

&&&&&

Wesley listened carefully to Oz' narrative, and replied to it with his own, telling him about the change in stories on a case of ruined paperwork. They fell silent for a moment and just looked at each other helplessly.

"The children think the answer might be in the book of spells they asked for?" the researcher asked.

Oz nodded. "I don't know what Spike thinks about it," he admitted. "I may be out of line coming to you with it, but the kids are really worried."

"Rose's mind was the first one they read," Wes mused. "The first person they ever communicated with. I agree that it's damned odd that they suddenly can't read her. Has Spike mentioned anything about seeing a change in her behavior?"

Oz shook his head. "I don't know if he honestly believes it, or if he's just in denial," he replied. "But I can tell that whatever it is, it's starting to worry him. And the kids are so upset they aren't even acting like kids part of the time."

"They have very good instincts," Wesley muttered. "I have a few books along the same lines here. I didn't have any concrete plans for the weekend, maybe I can spend it doing a little research."

"Could you use some help?" Oz asked. He didn't want to just dump the matter in Wes' lap and then walk away.

"With all due respect, Oz," Wesley replied. "I think that you have so little experience in the matter that you could probably miss a crucial clue. Fred and I had an evening out planned. I'll just call her and see if she's interested in coming over and lending me a hand. She has had some experience with magical research."

"If you can use my help for anything," Oz responded. "Don't hesitate to call me."

"You can count on it," the Watcher assured him. "And it goes without saying, of course, that I'll inform you if I come across a promising lead."

&&&&&&

Spike was fidgeting, and trying his best not to show it. Rose had been gone over half an hour now. Even given that she'd probably stopped to talk to the ponce for a bit, she ought to have been home by now. It was starting to worry him to the point where he was getting all kinds of horrible, improbable images in his head. And that wasn't good either. It always seemed that the less you wanted the kids to know something, the more likely they were to pick up on it. He finally gave up on his internal struggle. "Come along, kids," he said. "Let's go find out what your mum has done with herself."

&&&&&&

He'd picked her up and carried her to the sofa. They were just kissing, even though they both wanted to do more. A lot more. But his self-restraint had been honed over the years. And much as he wanted her, he knew he didn't dare. Making love to Rose would definitely be that 'moment of perfect happiness' that he both dreaded and yearned for. So, for the time being, at least, he had to satisfy himself by intoxicating himself on her kisses.

&&&&&&

Spike eschewed use of the doorbell and knocked. He waited for a minute or two, then knocked again. Still no answer. If Angel hadn't been there, Rose would have come straight back home. With a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach, he turned the doorknob and was both surprised and displeased to have it turn easily in his hand.

&&&&&&

"God, I love you, Rose," Angel muttered between kisses. "I feel like I've only been half alive till now."

Rose had forgotten about Spike, the children and the necessity of getting home in a timely manner. All she could seem to think about here and now. And now, Angel, the man she loved had her in his arms and was kissing her breathless.

They were so absorbed in what they were doing that they didn't hear the knocking at the door, didn't hear it open, and certainly didn't hear Spike and the children enter.

&&&&&&&

Spike heard muffled noises coming from the vicinity of the sofa. What now, he thought. The pouf tied hand and foot and someone made off with Rose again.? Moving slower than he would have liked, but hampered by having a tiny hand in each of his, he made his way around the sofa. And saw something that far surpassed his worst nightmares. If someone had told him that Rose was cheating on him, he wouldn't have believed them for a second. But seeing them there, snogging away without a bloody care.., With a choked snarl, he turned and fled the scene, leaving the twins behind. Leaving Rose behind. Leaving his heart behind.

Angel felt a tug at his sleeve that couldn't have been Rose. He reluctantly pulled his lips away from hers to look into two solemn, sad little faces. And felt his heart sink. Spike was one thing, but he deeply cared for his adopted niece and nephew.

Rose looked to see why Angel had stopped kissing her. And went deathly pale. There was only one way the children could have gotten here. But she didn't see Spike. She turned her despairing gaze to Angel, and the moment their eyes locked, the enormity and horror of what they had done came crashing down on them. And suddenly, with an almost audible snap, the spell on them was broken.

&&&&&&

Spike grabbed a bag from the closet and began stuffing his clothes into it. No time to pack neatly, screw it if it all got wrinkled. But he had to hurry. He had no doubt that Rose would be returning soon, probably with some lame excuse for her outrageous behavior. But the thing that really moved him to great speed was the thought that her new boyfriend might accompany her. If he had to face the two of them together he wouldn't be able to contain himself. He didn't know for sure what he'd do, and didn't particularly care to find out. He took off at a dead run, articles of clothing hanging out of the still open bag.

When he got to the parking garage, it didn't even occur to him to nick one of Angel's sporty little cars. He took the one he used to transport the family out of habit. It wasn't until he had actually gotten out onto the street that he realized that he didn't have a sodding clue as to where he was going. Just getting the hell gone. So he didn't have to see his Rose with Angel again. Even though the scene stayed in front of his face as if it were imprinted on his eyes.