"We've got Chinese." Spike called as he and Ian entered the hotel suite. They had rented the penthouse for two evenings. After the meeting with Wolfram and Hart tomorrow they planned to return home. Ian scanned the room but couldn't find Dawn or Faith.
"Where are the girls?"
Xander raised his head from his Mongolian beef. "In your room." he said with a grin.
Confused by the grin, Ian opened the door to find Dawn and Faith asleep. Sometime during their slumber they had moved so that they were touching, almost in each others arms. For a second jealousy ran through Ian before he realized that it really didn't bother him. He thought they looked cute. Both were in their pajamas; Faith in a t-shirt and his flannel pants, Dawn in a set that featured little bunnies. Closing the door, Ian walked into the main room. He sat with his two friends, eating his sweet and sour pork. He knew Spike and Xander were throwing glances his way.
"What is it guys? Why do you keep looking at me?"
"Your taking this pretty well."
"Doesn't seem to be bothering you. Why should it bother me?"
"You sure, man?"
"Look guys, far as I know they're not doing anything. Although you seem to know more than I do."
Xander and Spike looked at each other, silently communicating on whether or not to tell Ian.
"Guys, if you think there is something I should know, then tell me. If not, don't sweat it."
Xander took a deep breath. "Promise me that you won't get upset."
"When have I ever gotten mad?"
"How bout that time the senior grabbed Faiths ass at Parent/Teacher night."
"Or the time the dog catcher was going to shoot the pooch for eating that ladies poodle." Spike added.
"Or the time..."
"Alright, I get the point. I'm not the poster child for calm and rational thought. Just tell me already."
"When Faith got to Sunnyhell, her and Nibs became friends. Dawn was 13 and Faith was 16. As time went on they grew closer. That's one of the reasons Buffy hates Faith so much."
Ian swallowed. "You don't mean those two...." Ian made hand motions.
"No, no, no.Just flirting and the occasional grope. No...." Xander made similar hand motions.
"So what should I care? If Faith and Dawn are picking up, then good for them. As long as she still loves me she can do whatever she wants. Why, does it bother you?"
"That's the thing, I know it probably should but it doesn't. Isn't that strange?"
"Two healthy men, not pissed off by the fact that their girlfriends are sleeping together? Are you two listening to yourselves?"
"Blondies got a point. They do make an interesting picture.
All three men just pictured that. Smiles broke out on their faces.
Ending the moment Spike turned to Ian. "Mate, what's in the cases?"
"Insurance. Those two are for Faith and Xander. The other case is mostly odds and ends. You and Dawn will be accompanying me into the boardroom."
"Do you think we'll have any problems?" Xander asked.
"None that I cans see. I predict we'll go in, I'll tell them to leave us alone, we go get ice cream. Maximum time, maybe seven minutes."
"You make it sound simple."
"I can be quite persuasive when I want to be."
"You going in armed?"
"No, that's why I want to bring Spike and Dawn in with me." Ian popped his pinky claw, using it to pick something out of his teeth. "Between the two of them I think we can get the job done. We've got to make them know that even if they take me out somehow, the rest of you will still be able to get the job done."
Anything else that might have been said stopped as dawn and Faith entered. All the men thought they looked so adorable, sleep tousled in their jammies. Neither gave any evidence that anything had gone on in the bedroom. they went directly to the food, nearly inhaling it.
"So what are you guys talking about out here?" Faith asked through a mouth of moo shu.
"Lesbians." Spike answered.
"We're pro-lesbian. But only the hot ones." Xander added.
Both girls just looked at the two males. "Men" they said at the same time, grinning. They then looked to see what Ian's opinion was, or where he had been. The seat was empty. They heard a laugh come from the balcony, just as the sliding glass door closed.
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Ian, Spike, and Dawn stood outside the doors to Wolfram and Hart. The day had been spent leisurely. Spike, Ian , and Faith had watched pay per view while Xander and Dawn had decided to go to a local mall. Ian was currently making sure everything was in place.
"Are you sure you two are in position?"
"Yes, Teddy bear. Me and 'Nighthawk' ("Hey" Xander could be heard over the phone) are in position. Just call when you need us."
"Will do, kitty." Hanging up, he turned to see Dawn grinning and Spike making gagging noises.
"You two are so sweet my fangs hurt."
"Shut up, overbite. Your just jealous."
"As if." Dawn said.
"Exactly how old are you two?"
Both stuck their tongues out at him.
"So how do we get in?" Spike asked.
"I was thinking we go through the lobby and up the elevator."
"Aren't we trying to be sneaky?" Dawn asked.
"Why? They already know we're here." Ian motioned upwards, where a security camera was watching them.
Opening the door the trio walked towards the elevator. Right before them was the guard station, which contained an actual guard.
"Wolfram and Hart is closed."
"I know. I'm just paying a visit to some old acquaintances."
"i don't think you under stood. Get the fuck out." The guard stood up, trying to intimidate Ian with his large size. It wasn't working. The guard was a typical lackey, hired for his brawn, not his brains. He was probably used to bullying his way through life. "Now you take your little tramp and fuck off."
Ian turned to Dawn. "You never told me you were a tramp."
Dawn looked mock offended. "I'm not!"
"So why did he say you were?"
"He's lying."
Ian turned to the guard. "Tisk, tisk. Spreading rumors about a little girl. For shame." Ian wagged his finger at the guard. Dawn started giggling. Even Spike, who had snuck up behind the guard to offer a diversion if needed, was hard pressed to stifle a laugh.
The guard pulled his sidearm and fired, not at Ian but at Dawn. No little girl laughed at him. What he saw in the last moments of his life astounded him. Ian's hand shot out, catching the bullet before it could hit Dawn. A small splash of blood shot from the hand.
Even Spike was a little amazed. Shaking it off he grabbed the guard, spinning him around. The guard was just brining his gun to bear when he felt a coil of rope loop around his throat. Drawing back, Ian began strangling him. It was a bloodless death, the rope too thick to cut into the throat. The guard took three minutes to die.
Letting the guards body fall, Ian pried the bullet from where it was embedded in his hand. Turning to Dawn he asked, "Are you okay?"
"You caught a bullet. And he's dead."
"Yes. Is that a problem?" he asked worriedly.
"He was going to kill me. And he called me a tramp." Dawn pouted. "I'm not a tramp."
"Of course your not, luv."
"I'm not." She stomped her foot.
"No ones saying you are, honey." Ian raised his hands. "Pure as fresh snow."
"Darn tooten." Dawn answered.
"I hate to break up this love fest, but aren't we here for a reason?"
"Quite right, old chap." Ian answered in a bad British accent, causing his companions to groan.
The three walked to the elevator. Entering, Ian pushed the button for the top floor, where the board room was located. As the elevator rose Spike asked the question both he and Dawn were wondering.
"How'd you learn to do that?"
"What, catch a bullet?"
"No, talk with a British accent. Yeah, catch a bullet."
"Saw an old friend of mine do it. He taught me how. Hurts like hell, let me tell you."
Before they could continue the conversation the elevator doors opened. The three walked down the hall. At the end was the door to the boardroom. Standing outside the door were two men, a bald African American and a slender man in glasses. What gave Ian a moment of pause was the fact that both men were carrying axes.
"Gentlemen." Ian nodded towards the men.
"What is your business here?" the man in the glasses asked.
"My business, brit, is my own. Who are you?'
"Hey man." The black man injected. "We ain't letting you play with your lawyer buddies. Just wait in line."
Spike looked around. "What bloody line?"
"Our friend is in there now." the brit said. "I'm afraid you'll have to wait to do your ill business until he is done."
"Who said my business is ill?"
"Anyone who works for Wolfram and Hart is into evil business."
"I agree. Which is why I'm going in. Your buddies business 'ill' business will have to wait."
"Our man's not on their side."
"Well, neither are we."
"Then what are you here for?"
"they have a contact out on my girlfriend. I'm going to have them cancel it."
"And you expect them to do this merely because you ask them to?"
"Pretty much." At this point Ian's cell phone rang. "Hello. Hey Kitty Kat. What do you mean? Alright, we're going in. No, don't do anything. Wait for my signal." Hanging up the phone he turned to the men. "Your buddies in trouble.'
All four men tried opening the door, to no avail. The door was solid oak and was locked from the inside. Ian pulled everyone away, then turned to Dawn. "Dawn, can you blow it?"
Dawn's eyes glowed blue. The glow spread to her hands as she said "Incindre.". A ball of blue fire shot from her hands, flying into the door. A smoking hole was all that remained of the door.
As the smoke cleared the scene came into view. Seated around a long table were some twenty men and women in suits. At the head of said table sat Holland, whose jaw was almost in his lap. On the left side of the room a halted struggle stood. A tall, built vampire looked to be struggling with a large furry shape that looked familiar. Before the vampire's friends could run to his aid Ian's voice boomed.
"Creed, what the fuck are you doing?"