Chapter 2
Drusilla sat on the porch of the Haliwell home, dressed in a tank top and jeans. It was late morning as she squinted up into the sunlight.
I can feel the sun again, without burning to toast, she thought. She began to breathe in deeply, as another memory overtook her, one of her and Spike feeding off children in an orphanage. She swiped at the tears that threatened to come.
Piper had fixed her a breakfast, but all Dru could eat was toast and tea. It was sitting on the porch next to her on a plate. Her stomach felt odd.
The door opened and Paige stepped outside. That pink tank top that she had given to Drusilla, looked good on her. Her dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail. But then again, Drusilla had been able to see her own reflection again, so she knew how it fit, she guessed.
Paige sat down next to her.
'So, how are you feeling?' she asked.
Drusilla glanced over at her.
'Truthfully?'
Paige nodded.
'Like I've awakened from a long sleep, but was awake...look, thank your sisters for their hospitality, but I really should push off.'
Drusilla tried to stand, but Paige put a hand on her shoulder.
'Dru, come on, where are you going to go? And Leo and Phoebe are bringing someone here to help you.'
'Phoebe...she doesn't care for me much, does she?'
Paige looked down, then up again.
'Look, honey, you might as well know that you killed someone she cared about.'
Drusilla turned and put her face in her hands. She began to weep. Paige gave her a small hug.
'Honey, there is nothing you can do to change the past...but with your gifts, you can help people. Phoebe will get over it. She just needs time, that's all. And we're all going to help you. We have the same exact powers, well, with the exception that you can see the future as well.'
Drusilla nodded, then wiped her eyes again. Piper stepped out onto the porch.
'Uh, Leo and Phoebe are back with our 'help'.' she said, more to Paige than Dru.
'Come on in, Dru. We have someone here you need to see.' Paige said.
Drusilla sniffed.
'Give me a moment, alright?' she asked. Paige nodded, then stood up and walked back inside with Piper. Drusilla sniffed again.
She didn't know how she was going to handle this newfound humanity and these new powers! Back when she had been alive in London, being a seer had almost driven her insane.
But funny how the voices she used to hear around her constantly, had now disappeared. She wiped her face again, and was about to stand up, when a familiar face appeared before her.
'Dru? Holy...what are you doing out here in the sun?'
Drusilla looked up into the handsome face of Cole Turner, or whom she had known as the demonic Belthazor. They had been lovers briefly, during one of her break-ups with Spike.
But before she could answer, he guessed, at least part of it.
'You're human again! Well that's great...uh, what are you doing here though?'
Drusilla noted that he was carrying roses. She was about to answer, when Phoebe came flying out of the house! She hurried down the steps, snatched Cole's roses from him and threw them into the bushes!
'Cole, it is over! Stop sending me gifts, and stop trying to see me!' Phoebe yelled. Drusilla's eyes widened. She could see Angel, a very pink looking Angel, all around Phoebe. He was the reason she was being so adamant about not being with Belth...Cole here!
'Phoebe please! I just knew you were hurting over that guy...you know, the one that died.'
'His name was Jason!'
Drusilla looked away guiltily. Cole caught the movement, but focused in on Phoebe again.
'Sorry for not remembering his name, okay?! But come on! He was weak and he couldn't accept what you really are. I love you Phoebe!'
'I'll say this for the millionth time, Cole: it's over. I don't love you anymore.'
'I don't believe you.' Cole answered. Phoebe turned to Drusilla.
'You're needed in the house.' she said coldly. Drusilla eyed Cole before turning and walking into the house. Cole grinned at Phoebe.
'What the hell is going on here? How did Dru become human again?'
Phoebe shook her head at him.
'Why am I not surprised that you know her?'
'Well, yes, I mean Dru's done some work for me in the past...I usually don't associate with vampires, but she was just so vicious, God, you had to love her! We had a brief fling, after she dumped this loser, Billy Idol wannabee vamp...'
'Goodbye, Cole!' Phoebe hissed. She then turned and walked back up the porch steps. She knew in her gut that Cole was not going to leave this alone! Very bad luck on their part, that Cole knew Drusilla. He couldn't find out that she was now a Charmed One.
Cole, for his part, was not about to go away quietly. Why would the Charmed Ones be interested in a vampire turned human? Something else was going on around here!
Cole decided to wait to catch Drusilla alone. Maybe he could get some info out of her, and together, they could catch up on old times. He turned and walked down the walk and towards his car.
****
Drusilla stopped short when she saw Angel in the living room, though she had known she would see him again soon. She looked over at Piper and Paige, who nodded. She then looked at Leo.
'What is he doing here?' she asked him. Leo was about to answer, but Angel stepped forward.
'Hello, Drusilla.'
Drusilla stared at Angel. Angelus. Her sire.
But, she was no longer a vampire now. So what did that make Angel to her?
'Hello.' she said coolly. Somehow, Angel's being here wasn't helping matters. She felt more uncomfortable than ever!
But somehow, she could feel that Angel knew this. He walked up to her and gently took her hands in his.
'I don't know how this happened and it's not important, Dru. You've been given a second chance. Don't dwell in the past.'
Drusilla squeezed his hands.
'There is so much not to dwell on.' she noted. Angel nodded.
'I know. And even though you can't change any of it, the powers you posses now, they can help do good. We all want to help you, Dru. All of us.'
Piper moved forward.
'Angel's right, Drusilla. You are a witch...not exactly a sister witch, but you're part of our family. We will help you learn your craft, the orbing, healing...'
'And,' Leo said, 'we'll help you manage your visions.'
Angel smiled down at her.
'Dru, I know this would be asking a lot, but I run Wolfram&Hart now.'
Drusilla removed her hands from his!
'You run that place? Why?'
Angel knew why she would be uneasy by this knowledge. Wolfram&Hart had used both her and Darla, a few years back, to further their own agenda. Of course, Drusilla and Darla had eaten half of the company at a party too, thus evening the score. But still...
'Dru, the firm is no longer what it used to be. I have seen to that. We still fight the good fight, or at least try to.'
Dru stood up and walked over to the fireplace. Leo looked at Piper and Paige.
'Let's give them some time alone, okay?' he said. Piper and Paige walked into the kitchen. Angel watched them leave, before speaking again.
'Dru?'
Drusilla turned around. She then spoke.
'I found out from Paige that I was the one that killed Phoebe's boyfriend, in the undercar garage. I can't stay here.'
Angel stood up and walked over to her.
'You can stay with me. We'll work on your orbing so you can come back here and work on your other skills. I will help you with your self-defense...Dru, I want you to work with me. Together we could help one another and other people. Spike does it.'
Dru eyed him.
'What do you mean, 'Spike does it'? Spike does what? He's dead, isn't he?'
'Uh, yeah, that's sort of the prevailing train of thought, but no, he's alive. It's too long a story to get into. He's alive, he works for Wolfram&Hart too and he has a soul.'
Dru looked away again.
'The soul he got because of the Slayer.' she said quietly. She then rubbed her face tiredly, before turning back to Angel.
'I want to be the best witch I can be. And yes I'd be happy to help you whenever I can, but...I can't deal with Spike right now.'
'What do you mean?' Angel asked.
'I mean, I can't deal with him. Angel, I made him. I can't face what I did to him.'
'Dru, I think Spike, for the most part, likes being a vampire. His other life before, it wasn't so hot.'
'That doesn't excuse what I did. I don't want him to know about me, Angel. Promise me you won't say anything.'
Angel began to shake his head.
'Dru, I can't lie about you to him! I'm going to need to work with you in L.A., he'll be able to smell you...sense you...'
Dru shook her head.
'I know you're right. I just need him to not be around while I concentrate on what I have to do. I know he does what he damned well pleases. Always has. But if you could at least try and talk to him....'
Angel nodded, seeing that she was serious about this.
'Okay, Dru, I'll see what I can do. But I can't make any promises. I don't think he wishes you any harm or anything like that. I'm even sure he'd love to help you in anyway.'
'I need this favor, so I can do what needs to be done.' Dru answered. 'I'm going to have a hell of a time trying to just get Phoebe to forgive me.'
Angel took a deep breath. This revelation about Phoebe and Jason Dean, explained her less than enthusiastic response to Drusilla in general.
'I'm going to go into the kitchen and see what everyone wants to do, okay?' Angel asked softly. Drusilla nodded, then watched as he left the room. She walked over to the window and stared out of it blindly.
She didn't want to see Spike. Looking at him brought back painful reminders of the day he offered to kill her, so that he could prove himself to the Slayer. Drusilla just couldn't deal with Spike and work on being a witch, and that was that! Hopefully, Angel would get Spike to understand that.
****
'So, Cole knows Drusilla?' Paige asked. Phoebe was sitting down at the kitchen table, shaking her head.
'Yes! I don't have to tell you how dangerous this could be.' she said. Angel walked in. Everyone looked at him.
'Well?' Leo asked.
'She's wants to learn her craft. But I see one problem.'
'What?' Paige asked.
Angel looked at Phoebe.
'Her powers are tied to her emotions, from what I understand. I don't think living here with you all will be exactly, 'nurturing' for her.'
'You mean because of me, don't you?' Phoebe asked calmly. Angel sat down next to her.
'I don't blame you for how you're feeling, Phoebe. Really, I don't. Dru already blames herself more than you will ever know.'
'I can feel how sorry she is, Angel. But it won't bring Jason back.'
Angel touched her hand.
'No, it won't.'
Phoebe broke off eye contact with him and looked at Leo, Piper and Paige.
'There is the Cole factor to consider. Maybe she might be safer living with Angel.'
'Cole?' Angel asked.
'You might know him better as Belthazor.' Leo said. Angel raised an eyebrow. Belthazor, a high level demon from a now extinct group called the Triad. Angel looked at Phoebe.
'Wasn't he once the Source of all Evil?' he asked her.
'Yes, and my ex husband.' Phoebe answered.
So, Ms. Haliwell was once married to a demon! And not just some common demon off of the street! He remembered going up against Belthazor once, long ago, when he was Angelus. Belthazor had seared Darla's dress with a fireball or something. He couldn't really remember what the row had been about now.
It made Angel think that she might give a brooding vampire a chance.
He shook off those thoughts. Dru was the point of all of this. Angel looked over at Piper, Leo and Paige.
'What do you all think?' he asked.
Piper shook her head.
'It doesn't work. I'm sorry, Phoebe, really I am. I know how much you loved Jason, really, But, we can't be orbing to L.A. to teach her her craft. Everything that she needs to learn spells and potions are here in this house. She will have to work on her orbing here anyway, since she will have to come back here to look at the Book of Shadows. I just think it would be easier if she orbed to L.A. for her self-defense lessons with you, Angel. Phoebe, what do you think?'
Phoebe sighed.
'You're right. Drusilla can't learn what she needs to learn in L.A.. But the Cole thing, we will have to watch him like a hawk. He becomes rather vengeful everytime I shoot down his hopes for a reconciliation.'
'I'll watch out for Dru on that front.' Angel said, remembering that Belthazor was able to shimmer, as a way of travel. So Dru being in L.A. with him, wouldn't have kept her safe from him anyway.
'Okay, then I guess we're set, for now.' Leo concluded. 'I'll orb you back to the office then.' he said to Angel. Angel nodded. He stood up and looked down at Phoebe.
'You're stronger than you think. This will work out, you'll see.' he said. Phoebe smiled and nodded at him. Angel and Leo went back out into the living room to talk to Drusilla.
Paige and Piper walked over to Phoebe and stood beside her, grinning. Phoebe stared back, perplexed.
'What?'
'Angel has a thing for Phoebe!' Paige sang in a sing song voice. Piper kept grinning.
'I have to say, it's interesting how when he's talking to Leo, Paige or me, his eyes are on you.' Piper seconded.
Phoebe rolled her eyes, but she knew she was blushing.
****
Angel and Leo orbed back into his office. They were startled to see Wesley sitting on a couch, with a very displeased Spike, standing over him in vampire face.
Leo backed away a bit. Angel walked towards them.
'What the hell is going on here?'
Wesley spoke up weakly.
'Spike knows all about Drusilla. I was forced to tell him everything.'
Leo raised a brow.
'Angel who is this?' he asked.
Spike shook off his vampire face and glared at Leo.
'Is this the bloody Whitelighter? I want to know what you're doing for my Dru?!'
Oh brother! Angel thought. When Spike got like this...he didn't see how he was going to be able to keep his promise to Dru!
Angel turned back to Leo.
'It's nothing. He's just someone Drusilla used to hang around with.'
''Hang around with?!' Spike repeated, his vampire face returning. 'I don't care about being kept out of the loop on most things around here, but you don't hide things about her from me!'
'Is this going to be a problem?' Leo asked, cleared worried now.
'Sod off, mate, before I give you a problem!' Spike growled. Angel nodded.
'I'll take care of it. Bring Dru by here tomorrow morning. I have a gym here. I'll start training her tomorrow.'
'Will this guy be here?' Leo asked. Spike had had enough of being talked about while he was still in the room! He growled and rushed the Whitelighter! Leo orbed away and Spike fell through him and onto a sofa! Angel shook his head in disgust.
'Spike!'
Wesley walked over to Angel.
'He's been like this ever since you left. Harmony was eavesdropping.'
'Of course!' Angel snapped. He then softened and looked at Wesley.
'I'll catch you up to speed later on this thing. I have to talk to Spike about a couple of things first.'
Wesley nodded, glad to be free of this office! He walked to the door and opened it, glancing back at the vampires briefly, before closing the door behind him.
Angel turned to Spike.
'We have to have a little talk about how things are going to be around here.'
****
It took Angel almost a half an hour to tell Spike all he knew: that Drusilla had killed Jason Dean in a undercar garage, that this Dean had been someone important to Phoebe Haliwell and that that alone was causing some tension between the two, that Dru would be working with them at Wolfram&Hart and most importantly, that she had specifically requested not to have any contact with Spike.
It had taken a half an hour, because Spike kept interrupting!
'Oh bollocks! She isn't feeling guilty about me! She's in a snit because I offered to kill her to prove my love to Buffy!'
Angel's mouth fell open!
'When was this?'
Spike waved a hand dismissively.
'A while back! Dru may not be a vampire any longer, but she'll never fool me! She's angry with me. And I can accept that, for now.'
'Really?' Angel asked, incredulous.
But Spike moved on to another topic.
'How is she?' he asked him.
'She looks fine.'
'No, I mean, how is she...you know, in the head? Is she all there, or still a little daft? Is she on medication?'
'Uh, no. She's...I don't know...I'd say quieter than she used to be. Look, she says she feels guilty about you and you say it's just jealousy over Buffy. Whatever the reasons are, if Dru thinks that you will impede her progress, then I want you to stay away from her. Got it?'
Spike put his hands up in a surrendering motion.
'I'll stay away from her, I swear. She won't see me anywhere around this place.'
'Why don't I believe you?'
'I'm hurt, Angel.'
'Yes, I'm sure you are. Look, I have to give Wesley a progress report on Dru. Don't think that I don't appreciate how much you still care for her. I will look out for her, I promise.'
Angel then turned away and walked out of his office. Spike stared at his back, before sighing.
The Charmed Ones lived in San Francisco. He was going to use the contacts he still had in the demonic community to find someone that could teleport or shimmer him there. Then, he was going to see how Dru was doing for himself. Didn't want to see him? Bollocks!
Drusilla sat on the porch of the Haliwell home, dressed in a tank top and jeans. It was late morning as she squinted up into the sunlight.
I can feel the sun again, without burning to toast, she thought. She began to breathe in deeply, as another memory overtook her, one of her and Spike feeding off children in an orphanage. She swiped at the tears that threatened to come.
Piper had fixed her a breakfast, but all Dru could eat was toast and tea. It was sitting on the porch next to her on a plate. Her stomach felt odd.
The door opened and Paige stepped outside. That pink tank top that she had given to Drusilla, looked good on her. Her dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail. But then again, Drusilla had been able to see her own reflection again, so she knew how it fit, she guessed.
Paige sat down next to her.
'So, how are you feeling?' she asked.
Drusilla glanced over at her.
'Truthfully?'
Paige nodded.
'Like I've awakened from a long sleep, but was awake...look, thank your sisters for their hospitality, but I really should push off.'
Drusilla tried to stand, but Paige put a hand on her shoulder.
'Dru, come on, where are you going to go? And Leo and Phoebe are bringing someone here to help you.'
'Phoebe...she doesn't care for me much, does she?'
Paige looked down, then up again.
'Look, honey, you might as well know that you killed someone she cared about.'
Drusilla turned and put her face in her hands. She began to weep. Paige gave her a small hug.
'Honey, there is nothing you can do to change the past...but with your gifts, you can help people. Phoebe will get over it. She just needs time, that's all. And we're all going to help you. We have the same exact powers, well, with the exception that you can see the future as well.'
Drusilla nodded, then wiped her eyes again. Piper stepped out onto the porch.
'Uh, Leo and Phoebe are back with our 'help'.' she said, more to Paige than Dru.
'Come on in, Dru. We have someone here you need to see.' Paige said.
Drusilla sniffed.
'Give me a moment, alright?' she asked. Paige nodded, then stood up and walked back inside with Piper. Drusilla sniffed again.
She didn't know how she was going to handle this newfound humanity and these new powers! Back when she had been alive in London, being a seer had almost driven her insane.
But funny how the voices she used to hear around her constantly, had now disappeared. She wiped her face again, and was about to stand up, when a familiar face appeared before her.
'Dru? Holy...what are you doing out here in the sun?'
Drusilla looked up into the handsome face of Cole Turner, or whom she had known as the demonic Belthazor. They had been lovers briefly, during one of her break-ups with Spike.
But before she could answer, he guessed, at least part of it.
'You're human again! Well that's great...uh, what are you doing here though?'
Drusilla noted that he was carrying roses. She was about to answer, when Phoebe came flying out of the house! She hurried down the steps, snatched Cole's roses from him and threw them into the bushes!
'Cole, it is over! Stop sending me gifts, and stop trying to see me!' Phoebe yelled. Drusilla's eyes widened. She could see Angel, a very pink looking Angel, all around Phoebe. He was the reason she was being so adamant about not being with Belth...Cole here!
'Phoebe please! I just knew you were hurting over that guy...you know, the one that died.'
'His name was Jason!'
Drusilla looked away guiltily. Cole caught the movement, but focused in on Phoebe again.
'Sorry for not remembering his name, okay?! But come on! He was weak and he couldn't accept what you really are. I love you Phoebe!'
'I'll say this for the millionth time, Cole: it's over. I don't love you anymore.'
'I don't believe you.' Cole answered. Phoebe turned to Drusilla.
'You're needed in the house.' she said coldly. Drusilla eyed Cole before turning and walking into the house. Cole grinned at Phoebe.
'What the hell is going on here? How did Dru become human again?'
Phoebe shook her head at him.
'Why am I not surprised that you know her?'
'Well, yes, I mean Dru's done some work for me in the past...I usually don't associate with vampires, but she was just so vicious, God, you had to love her! We had a brief fling, after she dumped this loser, Billy Idol wannabee vamp...'
'Goodbye, Cole!' Phoebe hissed. She then turned and walked back up the porch steps. She knew in her gut that Cole was not going to leave this alone! Very bad luck on their part, that Cole knew Drusilla. He couldn't find out that she was now a Charmed One.
Cole, for his part, was not about to go away quietly. Why would the Charmed Ones be interested in a vampire turned human? Something else was going on around here!
Cole decided to wait to catch Drusilla alone. Maybe he could get some info out of her, and together, they could catch up on old times. He turned and walked down the walk and towards his car.
****
Drusilla stopped short when she saw Angel in the living room, though she had known she would see him again soon. She looked over at Piper and Paige, who nodded. She then looked at Leo.
'What is he doing here?' she asked him. Leo was about to answer, but Angel stepped forward.
'Hello, Drusilla.'
Drusilla stared at Angel. Angelus. Her sire.
But, she was no longer a vampire now. So what did that make Angel to her?
'Hello.' she said coolly. Somehow, Angel's being here wasn't helping matters. She felt more uncomfortable than ever!
But somehow, she could feel that Angel knew this. He walked up to her and gently took her hands in his.
'I don't know how this happened and it's not important, Dru. You've been given a second chance. Don't dwell in the past.'
Drusilla squeezed his hands.
'There is so much not to dwell on.' she noted. Angel nodded.
'I know. And even though you can't change any of it, the powers you posses now, they can help do good. We all want to help you, Dru. All of us.'
Piper moved forward.
'Angel's right, Drusilla. You are a witch...not exactly a sister witch, but you're part of our family. We will help you learn your craft, the orbing, healing...'
'And,' Leo said, 'we'll help you manage your visions.'
Angel smiled down at her.
'Dru, I know this would be asking a lot, but I run Wolfram&Hart now.'
Drusilla removed her hands from his!
'You run that place? Why?'
Angel knew why she would be uneasy by this knowledge. Wolfram&Hart had used both her and Darla, a few years back, to further their own agenda. Of course, Drusilla and Darla had eaten half of the company at a party too, thus evening the score. But still...
'Dru, the firm is no longer what it used to be. I have seen to that. We still fight the good fight, or at least try to.'
Dru stood up and walked over to the fireplace. Leo looked at Piper and Paige.
'Let's give them some time alone, okay?' he said. Piper and Paige walked into the kitchen. Angel watched them leave, before speaking again.
'Dru?'
Drusilla turned around. She then spoke.
'I found out from Paige that I was the one that killed Phoebe's boyfriend, in the undercar garage. I can't stay here.'
Angel stood up and walked over to her.
'You can stay with me. We'll work on your orbing so you can come back here and work on your other skills. I will help you with your self-defense...Dru, I want you to work with me. Together we could help one another and other people. Spike does it.'
Dru eyed him.
'What do you mean, 'Spike does it'? Spike does what? He's dead, isn't he?'
'Uh, yeah, that's sort of the prevailing train of thought, but no, he's alive. It's too long a story to get into. He's alive, he works for Wolfram&Hart too and he has a soul.'
Dru looked away again.
'The soul he got because of the Slayer.' she said quietly. She then rubbed her face tiredly, before turning back to Angel.
'I want to be the best witch I can be. And yes I'd be happy to help you whenever I can, but...I can't deal with Spike right now.'
'What do you mean?' Angel asked.
'I mean, I can't deal with him. Angel, I made him. I can't face what I did to him.'
'Dru, I think Spike, for the most part, likes being a vampire. His other life before, it wasn't so hot.'
'That doesn't excuse what I did. I don't want him to know about me, Angel. Promise me you won't say anything.'
Angel began to shake his head.
'Dru, I can't lie about you to him! I'm going to need to work with you in L.A., he'll be able to smell you...sense you...'
Dru shook her head.
'I know you're right. I just need him to not be around while I concentrate on what I have to do. I know he does what he damned well pleases. Always has. But if you could at least try and talk to him....'
Angel nodded, seeing that she was serious about this.
'Okay, Dru, I'll see what I can do. But I can't make any promises. I don't think he wishes you any harm or anything like that. I'm even sure he'd love to help you in anyway.'
'I need this favor, so I can do what needs to be done.' Dru answered. 'I'm going to have a hell of a time trying to just get Phoebe to forgive me.'
Angel took a deep breath. This revelation about Phoebe and Jason Dean, explained her less than enthusiastic response to Drusilla in general.
'I'm going to go into the kitchen and see what everyone wants to do, okay?' Angel asked softly. Drusilla nodded, then watched as he left the room. She walked over to the window and stared out of it blindly.
She didn't want to see Spike. Looking at him brought back painful reminders of the day he offered to kill her, so that he could prove himself to the Slayer. Drusilla just couldn't deal with Spike and work on being a witch, and that was that! Hopefully, Angel would get Spike to understand that.
****
'So, Cole knows Drusilla?' Paige asked. Phoebe was sitting down at the kitchen table, shaking her head.
'Yes! I don't have to tell you how dangerous this could be.' she said. Angel walked in. Everyone looked at him.
'Well?' Leo asked.
'She's wants to learn her craft. But I see one problem.'
'What?' Paige asked.
Angel looked at Phoebe.
'Her powers are tied to her emotions, from what I understand. I don't think living here with you all will be exactly, 'nurturing' for her.'
'You mean because of me, don't you?' Phoebe asked calmly. Angel sat down next to her.
'I don't blame you for how you're feeling, Phoebe. Really, I don't. Dru already blames herself more than you will ever know.'
'I can feel how sorry she is, Angel. But it won't bring Jason back.'
Angel touched her hand.
'No, it won't.'
Phoebe broke off eye contact with him and looked at Leo, Piper and Paige.
'There is the Cole factor to consider. Maybe she might be safer living with Angel.'
'Cole?' Angel asked.
'You might know him better as Belthazor.' Leo said. Angel raised an eyebrow. Belthazor, a high level demon from a now extinct group called the Triad. Angel looked at Phoebe.
'Wasn't he once the Source of all Evil?' he asked her.
'Yes, and my ex husband.' Phoebe answered.
So, Ms. Haliwell was once married to a demon! And not just some common demon off of the street! He remembered going up against Belthazor once, long ago, when he was Angelus. Belthazor had seared Darla's dress with a fireball or something. He couldn't really remember what the row had been about now.
It made Angel think that she might give a brooding vampire a chance.
He shook off those thoughts. Dru was the point of all of this. Angel looked over at Piper, Leo and Paige.
'What do you all think?' he asked.
Piper shook her head.
'It doesn't work. I'm sorry, Phoebe, really I am. I know how much you loved Jason, really, But, we can't be orbing to L.A. to teach her her craft. Everything that she needs to learn spells and potions are here in this house. She will have to work on her orbing here anyway, since she will have to come back here to look at the Book of Shadows. I just think it would be easier if she orbed to L.A. for her self-defense lessons with you, Angel. Phoebe, what do you think?'
Phoebe sighed.
'You're right. Drusilla can't learn what she needs to learn in L.A.. But the Cole thing, we will have to watch him like a hawk. He becomes rather vengeful everytime I shoot down his hopes for a reconciliation.'
'I'll watch out for Dru on that front.' Angel said, remembering that Belthazor was able to shimmer, as a way of travel. So Dru being in L.A. with him, wouldn't have kept her safe from him anyway.
'Okay, then I guess we're set, for now.' Leo concluded. 'I'll orb you back to the office then.' he said to Angel. Angel nodded. He stood up and looked down at Phoebe.
'You're stronger than you think. This will work out, you'll see.' he said. Phoebe smiled and nodded at him. Angel and Leo went back out into the living room to talk to Drusilla.
Paige and Piper walked over to Phoebe and stood beside her, grinning. Phoebe stared back, perplexed.
'What?'
'Angel has a thing for Phoebe!' Paige sang in a sing song voice. Piper kept grinning.
'I have to say, it's interesting how when he's talking to Leo, Paige or me, his eyes are on you.' Piper seconded.
Phoebe rolled her eyes, but she knew she was blushing.
****
Angel and Leo orbed back into his office. They were startled to see Wesley sitting on a couch, with a very displeased Spike, standing over him in vampire face.
Leo backed away a bit. Angel walked towards them.
'What the hell is going on here?'
Wesley spoke up weakly.
'Spike knows all about Drusilla. I was forced to tell him everything.'
Leo raised a brow.
'Angel who is this?' he asked.
Spike shook off his vampire face and glared at Leo.
'Is this the bloody Whitelighter? I want to know what you're doing for my Dru?!'
Oh brother! Angel thought. When Spike got like this...he didn't see how he was going to be able to keep his promise to Dru!
Angel turned back to Leo.
'It's nothing. He's just someone Drusilla used to hang around with.'
''Hang around with?!' Spike repeated, his vampire face returning. 'I don't care about being kept out of the loop on most things around here, but you don't hide things about her from me!'
'Is this going to be a problem?' Leo asked, cleared worried now.
'Sod off, mate, before I give you a problem!' Spike growled. Angel nodded.
'I'll take care of it. Bring Dru by here tomorrow morning. I have a gym here. I'll start training her tomorrow.'
'Will this guy be here?' Leo asked. Spike had had enough of being talked about while he was still in the room! He growled and rushed the Whitelighter! Leo orbed away and Spike fell through him and onto a sofa! Angel shook his head in disgust.
'Spike!'
Wesley walked over to Angel.
'He's been like this ever since you left. Harmony was eavesdropping.'
'Of course!' Angel snapped. He then softened and looked at Wesley.
'I'll catch you up to speed later on this thing. I have to talk to Spike about a couple of things first.'
Wesley nodded, glad to be free of this office! He walked to the door and opened it, glancing back at the vampires briefly, before closing the door behind him.
Angel turned to Spike.
'We have to have a little talk about how things are going to be around here.'
****
It took Angel almost a half an hour to tell Spike all he knew: that Drusilla had killed Jason Dean in a undercar garage, that this Dean had been someone important to Phoebe Haliwell and that that alone was causing some tension between the two, that Dru would be working with them at Wolfram&Hart and most importantly, that she had specifically requested not to have any contact with Spike.
It had taken a half an hour, because Spike kept interrupting!
'Oh bollocks! She isn't feeling guilty about me! She's in a snit because I offered to kill her to prove my love to Buffy!'
Angel's mouth fell open!
'When was this?'
Spike waved a hand dismissively.
'A while back! Dru may not be a vampire any longer, but she'll never fool me! She's angry with me. And I can accept that, for now.'
'Really?' Angel asked, incredulous.
But Spike moved on to another topic.
'How is she?' he asked him.
'She looks fine.'
'No, I mean, how is she...you know, in the head? Is she all there, or still a little daft? Is she on medication?'
'Uh, no. She's...I don't know...I'd say quieter than she used to be. Look, she says she feels guilty about you and you say it's just jealousy over Buffy. Whatever the reasons are, if Dru thinks that you will impede her progress, then I want you to stay away from her. Got it?'
Spike put his hands up in a surrendering motion.
'I'll stay away from her, I swear. She won't see me anywhere around this place.'
'Why don't I believe you?'
'I'm hurt, Angel.'
'Yes, I'm sure you are. Look, I have to give Wesley a progress report on Dru. Don't think that I don't appreciate how much you still care for her. I will look out for her, I promise.'
Angel then turned away and walked out of his office. Spike stared at his back, before sighing.
The Charmed Ones lived in San Francisco. He was going to use the contacts he still had in the demonic community to find someone that could teleport or shimmer him there. Then, he was going to see how Dru was doing for himself. Didn't want to see him? Bollocks!