Chapter 14
When Drusilla orbed into the Haliwell living room, the first thing she noticed, was the sheepish looks on Piper's and Phoebe's faces.
Drusilla looked around.
'Are you two ready?'
Piper and Phoebe looked at one another.
Drusilla stared at them.
'What's wrong?' she asked.
Piper nudged Phoebe.
'This is your show. I'll be in the kitchen with Wyatt.'
Piper turned and walked out of the room. Drusilla looked at Phoebe.
'What's going on here?'
Phoebe cleared her throat.
'We kind of exaggerated a bit....to get you here.'
'Exaggerated? You mean the demon doesn't need to be vanquished right away?'
'No. I mean there is no demon.' Phoebe said in a small sounding voice.
'Oh. Well, I need to get back then.' Drusilla said, as she began to orb away. But Phoebe put a hand on her arm to stop her. Drusilla looked at her with surprise.
'What is this all about, Phoebe? I don't mean to be rude, but I've recently made a decision that I have to live with, literally! I don't have time for games.'
Phoebe blinked.
'Look, I know we've been at cross purposes...'
'No, you hate me. I don't blame you.'
'Dru, I understand that you're not the demon you were when you killed Jason. I mean, if you can stand to look at Angel, after all he did to you, and your family, the least I can do is try and show you some understanding.'
Drusilla did not know what to say to this. It was the last thing she had been expecting. Maybe Angel had softened her up.
'What is it you want?' Drusilla asked warily.
Phoebe rubbed her hands together nervously.
'I know you've been intimate with Angel before.'
Drusilla didn't like the sound of this!
'It was Angelus actually.'
'Yes, but it's the same man...sort of.'
'Try making love to him and you'll probably find there's quite a difference. Angelus is quite the biter! Now, I really have to get going...'
'Dru! I would not be asking you this if I wasn't desperate! Angel won't talk to me and I can feel that there is something else he needs to tell me. Something he won't tell me because he's afraid! Please! If you know of anything at all, please, please tell me!'
Drusilla just stared at Phoebe, before sighing. This was none of her business! But, if it would bring Phoebe some peace of mind...
'Alright, alright.' Drusilla said wearily. 'You do know that Angel was cursed, right? I mean, the curse is the reason he has a soul.'
Phoebe nodded.
'Leo and Angel, to some extent, have explained that. But Dru, everytime I've wanted to take that last step with him, he pulls away from me. He wants me, I can feel it. But something is holding him back. I just want to know so I can help him.'
'There is no help for it, Phoebe. It's part of the curse.'
Phoebe shook her head slightly.
'I don't understand.'
Drusilla shook her head wearily.
'Angel's soul was restored, but with a price: if he ever experiences a moment of true happiness, he will lose his soul and revert back to Angelus.'
Phoebe began to back away slightly.
'A moment of true happiness? I don't understand.'
Drusilla looked at her carefully.
'I think you do. Let me ask you something: has Angel ever spoken about Buffy?'
'Who?'
Drusilla had her answer to that question!
'Buffy Summers. She's a vampire slayer.'
Phoebe rolled her eyes.
'Is she blonde?'
Drusilla looked at Phoebe with surprise.
'Yes...how did you know that?'
'Honey, with a name like that, what else could she be? No, I mean now that I think about it, Wesley mentioned a slayer that Spike was in love with.'
'Spike AND Angel were in love with her. Spike still is sort of.'
Phoebe stared at her.
'Is she why it's so hard for you to give Spike a chance?'
Drusilla turned away from her.
'It's complicated. My point is, Angel slept with Buffy, right after, he turned back into Angelus.'
Drusilla turned back to face Phoebe and instantly regretted it. Phoebe looked stricken.
'So, making love to this Buffy, was a moment of happiness. Not just any bit of happiness, but true happiness. He must've loved her very much.'
'Phoebe, it kept them apart and they both moved on. I can see that Angel wants to be with you. I can see you all around him. Just as I can see him all around you.'
Phoebe looked confused.
'What do you mean, 'you can see me all around him'?'
Drusilla gave her a wry smile.
'That's part of my gift or 'curse'. It's how I knew Spike loved the slayer. Her aura, her presence was all around him. I thought I could make her go away, but she never did. You're all around Angel, so I know he's moved on. You're also all around Cole.'
'Oh.' Phoebe said, looking down.
'It doesn't bother me. I knew that going in with Cole.'
'Yes, but it must be hard for you with Spike. You know, he's not my favorite person in the world, but I do think he truly cares for you. Maybe what you're seeing around him is wrong?'
Drusilla shrugged.
'Maybe. Well, that's all I can tell you about Angel. Talk to him, maybe you can work this out.'
Phoebe smiled.
'I'm a witch. I can fix this, no problem.'
Drusilla's mouth dropped open!
'You're planning on reversing the curse? Phoebe, I don't know, I mean if he reverts back to Angelus...'
'I'll fix it without that setback Don't worry, it will be fine. I think I'll see if I can get Piper to help me. Thanks, Dru. It really meant a lot ot me that you would tell me this. It explains a lot.'
Phoebe then moved forward and hugged Dru. Dru was more than startled, but slowly put her arms around Phoebe as well. Phoebe then let go of her and walked out of the room.
Drusilla took a deep breath. She wondered if making a spell so that one could have sex with one's boyfriend, fell under the 'personal gain' rule? Shrugging, she orbed back to Spike's apartment.
****
Utha shimmered back to the Wolfram&Hart offices. She was carrying a box full of candles and a flask. She peeked into Angel's office. It looked as if he were just getting ready to leave for the night. She would have to work fast!
Utha opened his door. Angel, who had picked his jacket up off of the back of his chair, looked at her with surprise.
'Beth? I thought you had left for the night?' he asked. It had not been a good night. Willow was out of the country as well, and could not be reached. It was beginning to look like he would have to tell Phoebe the truth after all. The thought depressed him.
Utha set the box down and walked up to him.
'Mr. Angel, I have a confession to make.'
Angel eyed her.
'Okay, what is it?'
Utha cleared her throat and struggled to adopt a sincere tone.
'One of the reasons I wanted to come here was because of you.'
Angel raised a brow.
'Me? I don't understand...'
'I know how that sounds, considering that in order to become a Wolfram & Hart employee, you practically have to sign a blood oath. But I needed the work, and I just told myself it didn't matter what type of company it was, as long as I got a paycheck. But then, we all started hearing about you...and you've really done good things with the company and....and...you saved my sister's life one night.' Utha lied.
'I did?'
'Yes....two vamps were about to attack her, when she said you swooped in and saved her. You probably wouldn't remember her, since you save people all of the time.'
'Well maybe I would. What's her name? Does she look like you?'
Utha stepped forward with the box.
'Her name is...is...Cissy and no she doesn't look like me. I look like my father and she looks like my mother. Listen, Mr. Angel, I'm just going to tell you straight out: I would like to repay you for saving my sister's life.'
'Uh really Beth, that's not necessary. I mean, just keep doing good work and that will be payment enough.'
'Don't you think you deserve a little happiness? You have more than made up for your past. Now it's time to let go and be happy.'
'I can't make up for centuries of murder and mayhem, Beth, although I do try. Listen, you don't have to do anything for me....'
Utha dropped the box on the table. Angel noticed it for the first time.
'What is that stuff?'
'Things I'll need for the spell.'
'Spell?' Angel asked, now a bit uneasy.
'Mr. Angel, I can lift that curse. You can keep your soul, without living in fear of losing it, everytime you meet someone that could bring you real happiness.'
Angel was stunned! It just seemed too good to be true! This replacement secretary just drops into his lap, offering to provide the very solution he had been seeking.
Something didn't fit.
'Beth, you weren't listening in on the intercom today, were you?'
Utha looked down, doing her best impression of how people looked when they were 'ashamed'.
'I'm sorry, Mr. Angel. I know it was wrong, but I sensed something in you today. You love Phoebe Haliwell, don't you?'
Angel was a little thrown by the question. And not only because it was inappropriate, coming from someone he had just met that day. But because he had never thought about it in his mind. Yes, Phoebe was all that he thought about these days. But in his mind, he hadn't actually said to himself that he loved her. It was odd to hear those words out loud. The last time he had heard the word love attributed to him, it came out of Buffy's mouth.
'Beth, I...'
'Mr. Angel, I know this curse is keeping your from being happy with her! Look, I brought some things here to perform a spell. If you feel it going wrong, this will reverse it.'
Utha picked up the flask and handed it to Angel. Angel looked at it.
'What is this?'
'It's a reversal potion. Frankly, I doubt you'll need it. But it will work like this: I will perform a spell that will allow you to keep your soul, if or when Ms. Haliwell and yourself are intimate. If after, you feel the change coming on, you will drink this quickly, and all will be restored to normal. But, I doubt you will need it.'
Angel stared at the potion, then at 'Beth'. No one had ever offered to help him in this way. He had already decided that asking Phoebe or her sisters was out of the question. Willow was not available...
Angel wanted Phoebe. He wanted a chance. And he did not think their relationship could survive unless they were together in everyway. He didn't want his affliction to cost him another woman, like it had cost him Buffy.
He was ready to take a chance. Besides, if things did go wrong on his night with Phoebe, he could always drink the potion. Still, this was a hell of a chance to take, especially with someone he did not know. But, he believed Beth was sincere in wanting to help him. After all, he had saved her sister once.
Angel nodded his assent.
'Okay, Beth. We'll try it. But if anything goes wrong at all...anything, you get the hell out of here, do you understand? When I'm Angelus, I'm capable of anything.'
'Don't worry, Mr. Angel. I am not afraid.' Utha said, removing candles from the box. Angel's phone rang just then. Utha spoke up.
'Please, we can't be disturbed.'
Angel looked at the number on the phone. It was Spike's number. He probably had upset Dru again and needed advice or something. He could wait. Angel turned his phone off.
****
Drusilla orbed back to Spike's place and looked around.
'Spike?' she called out. She then picked up the note that Spike had left for her. It said that he had an errand to run, but that he'd be right back. Drusilla tossed the note back onto the table and sat down.
She then saw the bags of food. Spike had to have been in a real hurry, if he couldn't even put the food in the refrigerator, Drusilla mused. She stood up again and walked over to the bags. She then walked to the kitchen.
Once in there, she set the food on the counter, then opened up the fridge. Spike had quiet an interesting array of things inside. Human food, mixed with containers of pig blood. Drusilla turned back towards the bags and was about to put them in the refrigerator, when a noise from down the back hallway, stopped her.
Drusilla put the food in the refrigerator, closed the door, then eased out of the kitchen and to her right....where the bedrooms were.
Had Spike come back and just fallen asleep or something? That had to be it. That would explain why he hadn't heard her before when she called for him before.
Drusilla walked towards the bedroom that actually had a bed in it. The door was partially closed. She eased the door open, then gasped!
Buffy Summers was in the bed, with a sheet draped around her. She appeared to be sleeping and came awake when Drusilla showed up at the door.
'Spike? Oh, it's you. Have you come to get your things?'
Drusilla walked into the room.
'What is this?' Drusilla asked in a calm voice. She didn't need to really know the answer to that question. For some unspeakable reason, Spike had lied to her. Buffy was not out of his life and Drusilla would bet her newly restored soul, that Ms. Summers didn't have a stitch of clothing on underneath those covers!
Cole/Buffy, was thrilled! He has shimmered in, not knowing what he would find. Luck have it, he saw Spike's note and realized that neither Dru or him were there. He then figured that that ditz secretary called Spike, which meant he'd be gone for awhile. If Spike had come in, he would've shimmered away. And luckily, when Dru called out for Spike just now, Cole/Buffy, had known just which person had entered the apartment.
Cole/Buffy, tossed some hair.
'What does it look like? Look, Spike said he was going to find you...'
'Spike knew I was in San Francisco.'
'Really? Well, then I guess he wasn't coming back anytime soon. I made a mistake, Drusilla, Spike is my soulmate. I know that now. How could I not love a man who gave his very life for me? Who had his soul restored so he could win my love?'
'Get out! Get out of this apartment! I don't know what's going on here, but something isn't right! And why the hell Spike would suddenly leave you...if he even knows you're here...'
Cole/Buffy got out of the bed and walked up to Drusilla, naked.
'Oh, he knows I'm here, dear. He went to look for you. He said he knew some demons that could shimmer him to where you were. So this is the end of the road for you. Take your stuff and go. Spike and I are back together. You know, he was telling me, as we were making love, that being with me is like the first time for him...'
Drusilla didn't know where the rage came from. It was probably still there, deep down inside herself, from when it became crystal clear to her, that Spike loved Buffy, all those years ago. Or maybe it was the idea of being lied to. Buffy didn't look pregnant worth a damn! Maybe she wasn't even married, maybe Spike had lied about that too! She turned to walk away, then turned back around to face off with the loathsome slayer. She may have lost Spike, but Buffy wasn't going to have him without getting a proper ass kicking!
Drusilla waved her hand, to indicate her suitcase, which had been dumped onto the floor. But instead, Dru's hand motion sent Buffy went flying against a wall so hard, that when she crumpled to the ground, the wall had a big crack in it!
Drusilla looked at her hand. She had moved Buffy by just waving her hand! Paige couldn't do that! What the hell was happening to her?!
Drusilla turned and ran out of the room. She began to sob, as she orbed away and back to Cole's apartment. She never saw Cole morphing in and out of his Buffy facade, to his true demonic form of Belthazor.
Cole managed to morph back into his human form, and gingerly stood up. Drusilla's powers were growing for some reason. She had just thrown him into that wall, as the deceased Prue Haliwell would have.
****
Spike and Harmony stepped off the elevator at Wolfram & Hart. Spike touched Harmony's arm.
'Don't worry, luv. He works late most nights. Angel will tell us how to proceed next.'
'I just don't understand what I have to do with anything?! Why kidnap me?' Harmony whined.
Spike did not answer, as they approached Angel's office door. Harmony had said that she did not recognize any of her captors, and that no one said a word to her, except to give her blood. It was almost as if they were holding her until something happened. Spike now agreed.
He opened the door to Angel's office and stopped short. 'Beth' was inside, putting candles in a box. Harmony gasped and put on her vamp face!
'Who the hell are you, bitch?!' she snarled. Spike out a hand on Harmony to hold her back, but he stepped forward.
'Better tell us what's really going on here, luv, because we've already figured out that you're no secretary.'
Utha smiled.
'You're too late.' she said, and shimmered off. Harmony snorted!
'What the hell kind of comeback was that? And how convenient it was for her to disappear like that! It kept her from having to fight us!'
The 'secretary' has shimmered away, like Belthazor does, Spike thought. And 'too late' for what? Spike looked at Harmony.
'We'd better find everyone. I think this has to with Angel. He's who that git was talking about!'
****
Leo orbed into the Haliwell house with Angel. Angel smiled at him.
'Thanks, Leo. I know it's late, but I really needed to talk to Phoebe.'
'No, it's okay. Piper and I sensed that the two of you needed to talk...but Phoebe really wasn't saying anything. She's in her room. I'll show you up.'
Angel shook his head.
'I'll find it on my own. Thanks.' he said, hurrying towards the steps and running up. Piper saw him going up the stairs and hurried over to Leo.
'He's who called? What's going on?' she asked her hubby.
Leo shook his head.
'He didn't say. But I think he's here to put an end to Phoebe's moping.' Leo answered.
'Well, hopefully he's going to tell her the truth about that curse. I wonder if there is anyway we can help Angel with that.' Piper mused.
'Well Phoebe certainly seems to think so.' Leo answered.
Meanwhile, Angel walked down a hallway, when he passed by Phoebe's open door. She was writing something on a sketchpad, lying on her bed in a pretty silk, pink nightgown. She looked up with surprise when she saw him and tossed aside the pad. It landed on a desk in her room. She had been writing a spell to help Angel.
Angel walked into her room and shut the door. He then walked over to her bed and gingerly sat down. Phoebe reached up and touched his face.
'What brings you by? What couldn't wait until tomorrow night?' she asked. Angel removed her hand from his face and kissed it.
'You. Phoebe, I...'
'Angel, before you say anything, I have to tell you, I know about the curse.'
Angel's eyes widened.
'You do? But how?'
'It doesn't matter. You should've told me.'
'I couldn't Phoebe. It's such a burden for any woman to...'
Phoebe put a finger on his lips.
'I'm not just any woman. I'm a witch. I could've helped you...I still can.'
Angel shook his head.
'Phoebe, I don't need your help. I found a witch that did what I needed to do. Although, I won't know for sure until we...'
'Make love.' Phoebe finished. 'What witch?'
'It doesn't matter. I have a fail-safe with me...a potion I can drink, if the spell did fail.' he said, removing the flask from his jacket pocket.
'The point is,' he said, 'we are never going to know unless I try....we try.'
At that point, Phoebe became lost in his eyes. She had been since the first day she had set eyes upon him. And she had wanted him from that moment on too.
She nodded and Angel began to take off his jacket. But Phoebe nearly ripped it off of him! Angel, caught up in the moment, began to pull at her nightgown, as he began to make love to a woman, that wasn't Buffy, that he could indeed lose his soul too.
When Drusilla orbed into the Haliwell living room, the first thing she noticed, was the sheepish looks on Piper's and Phoebe's faces.
Drusilla looked around.
'Are you two ready?'
Piper and Phoebe looked at one another.
Drusilla stared at them.
'What's wrong?' she asked.
Piper nudged Phoebe.
'This is your show. I'll be in the kitchen with Wyatt.'
Piper turned and walked out of the room. Drusilla looked at Phoebe.
'What's going on here?'
Phoebe cleared her throat.
'We kind of exaggerated a bit....to get you here.'
'Exaggerated? You mean the demon doesn't need to be vanquished right away?'
'No. I mean there is no demon.' Phoebe said in a small sounding voice.
'Oh. Well, I need to get back then.' Drusilla said, as she began to orb away. But Phoebe put a hand on her arm to stop her. Drusilla looked at her with surprise.
'What is this all about, Phoebe? I don't mean to be rude, but I've recently made a decision that I have to live with, literally! I don't have time for games.'
Phoebe blinked.
'Look, I know we've been at cross purposes...'
'No, you hate me. I don't blame you.'
'Dru, I understand that you're not the demon you were when you killed Jason. I mean, if you can stand to look at Angel, after all he did to you, and your family, the least I can do is try and show you some understanding.'
Drusilla did not know what to say to this. It was the last thing she had been expecting. Maybe Angel had softened her up.
'What is it you want?' Drusilla asked warily.
Phoebe rubbed her hands together nervously.
'I know you've been intimate with Angel before.'
Drusilla didn't like the sound of this!
'It was Angelus actually.'
'Yes, but it's the same man...sort of.'
'Try making love to him and you'll probably find there's quite a difference. Angelus is quite the biter! Now, I really have to get going...'
'Dru! I would not be asking you this if I wasn't desperate! Angel won't talk to me and I can feel that there is something else he needs to tell me. Something he won't tell me because he's afraid! Please! If you know of anything at all, please, please tell me!'
Drusilla just stared at Phoebe, before sighing. This was none of her business! But, if it would bring Phoebe some peace of mind...
'Alright, alright.' Drusilla said wearily. 'You do know that Angel was cursed, right? I mean, the curse is the reason he has a soul.'
Phoebe nodded.
'Leo and Angel, to some extent, have explained that. But Dru, everytime I've wanted to take that last step with him, he pulls away from me. He wants me, I can feel it. But something is holding him back. I just want to know so I can help him.'
'There is no help for it, Phoebe. It's part of the curse.'
Phoebe shook her head slightly.
'I don't understand.'
Drusilla shook her head wearily.
'Angel's soul was restored, but with a price: if he ever experiences a moment of true happiness, he will lose his soul and revert back to Angelus.'
Phoebe began to back away slightly.
'A moment of true happiness? I don't understand.'
Drusilla looked at her carefully.
'I think you do. Let me ask you something: has Angel ever spoken about Buffy?'
'Who?'
Drusilla had her answer to that question!
'Buffy Summers. She's a vampire slayer.'
Phoebe rolled her eyes.
'Is she blonde?'
Drusilla looked at Phoebe with surprise.
'Yes...how did you know that?'
'Honey, with a name like that, what else could she be? No, I mean now that I think about it, Wesley mentioned a slayer that Spike was in love with.'
'Spike AND Angel were in love with her. Spike still is sort of.'
Phoebe stared at her.
'Is she why it's so hard for you to give Spike a chance?'
Drusilla turned away from her.
'It's complicated. My point is, Angel slept with Buffy, right after, he turned back into Angelus.'
Drusilla turned back to face Phoebe and instantly regretted it. Phoebe looked stricken.
'So, making love to this Buffy, was a moment of happiness. Not just any bit of happiness, but true happiness. He must've loved her very much.'
'Phoebe, it kept them apart and they both moved on. I can see that Angel wants to be with you. I can see you all around him. Just as I can see him all around you.'
Phoebe looked confused.
'What do you mean, 'you can see me all around him'?'
Drusilla gave her a wry smile.
'That's part of my gift or 'curse'. It's how I knew Spike loved the slayer. Her aura, her presence was all around him. I thought I could make her go away, but she never did. You're all around Angel, so I know he's moved on. You're also all around Cole.'
'Oh.' Phoebe said, looking down.
'It doesn't bother me. I knew that going in with Cole.'
'Yes, but it must be hard for you with Spike. You know, he's not my favorite person in the world, but I do think he truly cares for you. Maybe what you're seeing around him is wrong?'
Drusilla shrugged.
'Maybe. Well, that's all I can tell you about Angel. Talk to him, maybe you can work this out.'
Phoebe smiled.
'I'm a witch. I can fix this, no problem.'
Drusilla's mouth dropped open!
'You're planning on reversing the curse? Phoebe, I don't know, I mean if he reverts back to Angelus...'
'I'll fix it without that setback Don't worry, it will be fine. I think I'll see if I can get Piper to help me. Thanks, Dru. It really meant a lot ot me that you would tell me this. It explains a lot.'
Phoebe then moved forward and hugged Dru. Dru was more than startled, but slowly put her arms around Phoebe as well. Phoebe then let go of her and walked out of the room.
Drusilla took a deep breath. She wondered if making a spell so that one could have sex with one's boyfriend, fell under the 'personal gain' rule? Shrugging, she orbed back to Spike's apartment.
****
Utha shimmered back to the Wolfram&Hart offices. She was carrying a box full of candles and a flask. She peeked into Angel's office. It looked as if he were just getting ready to leave for the night. She would have to work fast!
Utha opened his door. Angel, who had picked his jacket up off of the back of his chair, looked at her with surprise.
'Beth? I thought you had left for the night?' he asked. It had not been a good night. Willow was out of the country as well, and could not be reached. It was beginning to look like he would have to tell Phoebe the truth after all. The thought depressed him.
Utha set the box down and walked up to him.
'Mr. Angel, I have a confession to make.'
Angel eyed her.
'Okay, what is it?'
Utha cleared her throat and struggled to adopt a sincere tone.
'One of the reasons I wanted to come here was because of you.'
Angel raised a brow.
'Me? I don't understand...'
'I know how that sounds, considering that in order to become a Wolfram & Hart employee, you practically have to sign a blood oath. But I needed the work, and I just told myself it didn't matter what type of company it was, as long as I got a paycheck. But then, we all started hearing about you...and you've really done good things with the company and....and...you saved my sister's life one night.' Utha lied.
'I did?'
'Yes....two vamps were about to attack her, when she said you swooped in and saved her. You probably wouldn't remember her, since you save people all of the time.'
'Well maybe I would. What's her name? Does she look like you?'
Utha stepped forward with the box.
'Her name is...is...Cissy and no she doesn't look like me. I look like my father and she looks like my mother. Listen, Mr. Angel, I'm just going to tell you straight out: I would like to repay you for saving my sister's life.'
'Uh really Beth, that's not necessary. I mean, just keep doing good work and that will be payment enough.'
'Don't you think you deserve a little happiness? You have more than made up for your past. Now it's time to let go and be happy.'
'I can't make up for centuries of murder and mayhem, Beth, although I do try. Listen, you don't have to do anything for me....'
Utha dropped the box on the table. Angel noticed it for the first time.
'What is that stuff?'
'Things I'll need for the spell.'
'Spell?' Angel asked, now a bit uneasy.
'Mr. Angel, I can lift that curse. You can keep your soul, without living in fear of losing it, everytime you meet someone that could bring you real happiness.'
Angel was stunned! It just seemed too good to be true! This replacement secretary just drops into his lap, offering to provide the very solution he had been seeking.
Something didn't fit.
'Beth, you weren't listening in on the intercom today, were you?'
Utha looked down, doing her best impression of how people looked when they were 'ashamed'.
'I'm sorry, Mr. Angel. I know it was wrong, but I sensed something in you today. You love Phoebe Haliwell, don't you?'
Angel was a little thrown by the question. And not only because it was inappropriate, coming from someone he had just met that day. But because he had never thought about it in his mind. Yes, Phoebe was all that he thought about these days. But in his mind, he hadn't actually said to himself that he loved her. It was odd to hear those words out loud. The last time he had heard the word love attributed to him, it came out of Buffy's mouth.
'Beth, I...'
'Mr. Angel, I know this curse is keeping your from being happy with her! Look, I brought some things here to perform a spell. If you feel it going wrong, this will reverse it.'
Utha picked up the flask and handed it to Angel. Angel looked at it.
'What is this?'
'It's a reversal potion. Frankly, I doubt you'll need it. But it will work like this: I will perform a spell that will allow you to keep your soul, if or when Ms. Haliwell and yourself are intimate. If after, you feel the change coming on, you will drink this quickly, and all will be restored to normal. But, I doubt you will need it.'
Angel stared at the potion, then at 'Beth'. No one had ever offered to help him in this way. He had already decided that asking Phoebe or her sisters was out of the question. Willow was not available...
Angel wanted Phoebe. He wanted a chance. And he did not think their relationship could survive unless they were together in everyway. He didn't want his affliction to cost him another woman, like it had cost him Buffy.
He was ready to take a chance. Besides, if things did go wrong on his night with Phoebe, he could always drink the potion. Still, this was a hell of a chance to take, especially with someone he did not know. But, he believed Beth was sincere in wanting to help him. After all, he had saved her sister once.
Angel nodded his assent.
'Okay, Beth. We'll try it. But if anything goes wrong at all...anything, you get the hell out of here, do you understand? When I'm Angelus, I'm capable of anything.'
'Don't worry, Mr. Angel. I am not afraid.' Utha said, removing candles from the box. Angel's phone rang just then. Utha spoke up.
'Please, we can't be disturbed.'
Angel looked at the number on the phone. It was Spike's number. He probably had upset Dru again and needed advice or something. He could wait. Angel turned his phone off.
****
Drusilla orbed back to Spike's place and looked around.
'Spike?' she called out. She then picked up the note that Spike had left for her. It said that he had an errand to run, but that he'd be right back. Drusilla tossed the note back onto the table and sat down.
She then saw the bags of food. Spike had to have been in a real hurry, if he couldn't even put the food in the refrigerator, Drusilla mused. She stood up again and walked over to the bags. She then walked to the kitchen.
Once in there, she set the food on the counter, then opened up the fridge. Spike had quiet an interesting array of things inside. Human food, mixed with containers of pig blood. Drusilla turned back towards the bags and was about to put them in the refrigerator, when a noise from down the back hallway, stopped her.
Drusilla put the food in the refrigerator, closed the door, then eased out of the kitchen and to her right....where the bedrooms were.
Had Spike come back and just fallen asleep or something? That had to be it. That would explain why he hadn't heard her before when she called for him before.
Drusilla walked towards the bedroom that actually had a bed in it. The door was partially closed. She eased the door open, then gasped!
Buffy Summers was in the bed, with a sheet draped around her. She appeared to be sleeping and came awake when Drusilla showed up at the door.
'Spike? Oh, it's you. Have you come to get your things?'
Drusilla walked into the room.
'What is this?' Drusilla asked in a calm voice. She didn't need to really know the answer to that question. For some unspeakable reason, Spike had lied to her. Buffy was not out of his life and Drusilla would bet her newly restored soul, that Ms. Summers didn't have a stitch of clothing on underneath those covers!
Cole/Buffy, was thrilled! He has shimmered in, not knowing what he would find. Luck have it, he saw Spike's note and realized that neither Dru or him were there. He then figured that that ditz secretary called Spike, which meant he'd be gone for awhile. If Spike had come in, he would've shimmered away. And luckily, when Dru called out for Spike just now, Cole/Buffy, had known just which person had entered the apartment.
Cole/Buffy, tossed some hair.
'What does it look like? Look, Spike said he was going to find you...'
'Spike knew I was in San Francisco.'
'Really? Well, then I guess he wasn't coming back anytime soon. I made a mistake, Drusilla, Spike is my soulmate. I know that now. How could I not love a man who gave his very life for me? Who had his soul restored so he could win my love?'
'Get out! Get out of this apartment! I don't know what's going on here, but something isn't right! And why the hell Spike would suddenly leave you...if he even knows you're here...'
Cole/Buffy got out of the bed and walked up to Drusilla, naked.
'Oh, he knows I'm here, dear. He went to look for you. He said he knew some demons that could shimmer him to where you were. So this is the end of the road for you. Take your stuff and go. Spike and I are back together. You know, he was telling me, as we were making love, that being with me is like the first time for him...'
Drusilla didn't know where the rage came from. It was probably still there, deep down inside herself, from when it became crystal clear to her, that Spike loved Buffy, all those years ago. Or maybe it was the idea of being lied to. Buffy didn't look pregnant worth a damn! Maybe she wasn't even married, maybe Spike had lied about that too! She turned to walk away, then turned back around to face off with the loathsome slayer. She may have lost Spike, but Buffy wasn't going to have him without getting a proper ass kicking!
Drusilla waved her hand, to indicate her suitcase, which had been dumped onto the floor. But instead, Dru's hand motion sent Buffy went flying against a wall so hard, that when she crumpled to the ground, the wall had a big crack in it!
Drusilla looked at her hand. She had moved Buffy by just waving her hand! Paige couldn't do that! What the hell was happening to her?!
Drusilla turned and ran out of the room. She began to sob, as she orbed away and back to Cole's apartment. She never saw Cole morphing in and out of his Buffy facade, to his true demonic form of Belthazor.
Cole managed to morph back into his human form, and gingerly stood up. Drusilla's powers were growing for some reason. She had just thrown him into that wall, as the deceased Prue Haliwell would have.
****
Spike and Harmony stepped off the elevator at Wolfram & Hart. Spike touched Harmony's arm.
'Don't worry, luv. He works late most nights. Angel will tell us how to proceed next.'
'I just don't understand what I have to do with anything?! Why kidnap me?' Harmony whined.
Spike did not answer, as they approached Angel's office door. Harmony had said that she did not recognize any of her captors, and that no one said a word to her, except to give her blood. It was almost as if they were holding her until something happened. Spike now agreed.
He opened the door to Angel's office and stopped short. 'Beth' was inside, putting candles in a box. Harmony gasped and put on her vamp face!
'Who the hell are you, bitch?!' she snarled. Spike out a hand on Harmony to hold her back, but he stepped forward.
'Better tell us what's really going on here, luv, because we've already figured out that you're no secretary.'
Utha smiled.
'You're too late.' she said, and shimmered off. Harmony snorted!
'What the hell kind of comeback was that? And how convenient it was for her to disappear like that! It kept her from having to fight us!'
The 'secretary' has shimmered away, like Belthazor does, Spike thought. And 'too late' for what? Spike looked at Harmony.
'We'd better find everyone. I think this has to with Angel. He's who that git was talking about!'
****
Leo orbed into the Haliwell house with Angel. Angel smiled at him.
'Thanks, Leo. I know it's late, but I really needed to talk to Phoebe.'
'No, it's okay. Piper and I sensed that the two of you needed to talk...but Phoebe really wasn't saying anything. She's in her room. I'll show you up.'
Angel shook his head.
'I'll find it on my own. Thanks.' he said, hurrying towards the steps and running up. Piper saw him going up the stairs and hurried over to Leo.
'He's who called? What's going on?' she asked her hubby.
Leo shook his head.
'He didn't say. But I think he's here to put an end to Phoebe's moping.' Leo answered.
'Well, hopefully he's going to tell her the truth about that curse. I wonder if there is anyway we can help Angel with that.' Piper mused.
'Well Phoebe certainly seems to think so.' Leo answered.
Meanwhile, Angel walked down a hallway, when he passed by Phoebe's open door. She was writing something on a sketchpad, lying on her bed in a pretty silk, pink nightgown. She looked up with surprise when she saw him and tossed aside the pad. It landed on a desk in her room. She had been writing a spell to help Angel.
Angel walked into her room and shut the door. He then walked over to her bed and gingerly sat down. Phoebe reached up and touched his face.
'What brings you by? What couldn't wait until tomorrow night?' she asked. Angel removed her hand from his face and kissed it.
'You. Phoebe, I...'
'Angel, before you say anything, I have to tell you, I know about the curse.'
Angel's eyes widened.
'You do? But how?'
'It doesn't matter. You should've told me.'
'I couldn't Phoebe. It's such a burden for any woman to...'
Phoebe put a finger on his lips.
'I'm not just any woman. I'm a witch. I could've helped you...I still can.'
Angel shook his head.
'Phoebe, I don't need your help. I found a witch that did what I needed to do. Although, I won't know for sure until we...'
'Make love.' Phoebe finished. 'What witch?'
'It doesn't matter. I have a fail-safe with me...a potion I can drink, if the spell did fail.' he said, removing the flask from his jacket pocket.
'The point is,' he said, 'we are never going to know unless I try....we try.'
At that point, Phoebe became lost in his eyes. She had been since the first day she had set eyes upon him. And she had wanted him from that moment on too.
She nodded and Angel began to take off his jacket. But Phoebe nearly ripped it off of him! Angel, caught up in the moment, began to pull at her nightgown, as he began to make love to a woman, that wasn't Buffy, that he could indeed lose his soul too.