(A/N): Thanks for the reviews! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, and if
you do pleaseeeee Review. It's the only way I can get my lazy butt up to
write.
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Chapter 2: A Champion Reprised
THE NEXT MORNING:
Angel sat at his desk and reflected on the events of the past two weeks. 'Spike had saved him. How bad a shape was he in when Spike, William the Bloody, Captain Peroxide himself, came out on top and as the "Shining Beacon of Morality"?' Angel mused darkly. 'And after last night's encounter with Dana, seeing Spike sitting there with his arms amputated. It was enough to make me physically ill. Regardless of the endless barbs we throw back at each other, he's still my grandchilde. But witnessing him in that state made me realize something I've been trying to deny ever since his little blond head materialized in my office. He's a champion of the people. Not for redemption but because it's the right thing to do. The image of Spike raising his newly acquired nubs is forever burned into my brain.' Angel leaned back and began massaging his temples, trying to prepare himself for the dark road his thoughts had led him on.
'Staring down at him, I was almost felt jealous. Jealous that he was given this chance to redeem himself for his past sins against slayers. His head full of platinum blonde hair had that unnatural glow to it, like he uses nuclear waste or something to keep it down. But at first sight, it seemed like a halo, his face taking on an ethereal glow. In hindsight I think it was the drugs he was hopped up on, but those few moments before Dana appeared I felt both jealousy and sadness for Spike. He seemed so. Sincere. Especially in the hospital.' Angel combed a hand through his hair and turned around to look outside his office window.
'Our talk still didn't help me feel any better, though. Even the "Sunnydale Alumni" knew that me running this place was a bad idea. They didn't trust me anymore. None of them did. And to hear it come out of Andrew's mouth? That only is a slap to the face. I wonder if she.THEY.' Angel rolled his eyes, still not ready to think about the implications of what Buffy thinks about him. Truthfully, a part of him didn't care, trying to leave her in the past. With all the other people he loved. 'Would THEY trust Spike more that they do me. Spike seemed so...tired in the hospital. Almost human. No, Dana was the victim, but what does that make Spike? This is the first time I've seen what the search for redemption can do to someone as the third person. It seems so surreal. I think I'd rather be in that bed with my arms held together by stitches. Would that be me if I hadn't taken W&H's offer?'
Sighing, he turned around and pressed the intercom button. "Harmony, get me a cup of blood." He gritted his teeth at the curt manner he greeted his secretary. "Please?" Angel could sense the shock in Harmony that he had asked her nicely. "Sure thing boss." Harmony slightly stuttered in reply. Angel let go of the button and leaned back, trying to pin point when exactly he had become so unfeeling. Sure he wasn't anywhere near reverting back to Angelus but he was a monster in his own right.
"Angel. We need to talk." Wesley announced, busting through Angel's office door, followed buy Gunn. "There's been an incident with one of our clients." Wesley explained. "A very important client whose family has been represented by Wolfram & Hart since it's opening." Gunn interrupted while staring down Wesley's questioning glance.
"What happened?" Angel asked darkly, sick of the two at each other's throats. His soul longed for a time they weren't constantly fighting, or more appropriately squabbling. 'Something bad rolled into town, we killed it then we exchanged good-natured witticisms. I miss that.' Angel thought, nostalgic. Wesley and Gunn looked at each other reluctantly, both seemingly unwilling to tell Angel what happened. Angel sighed impatiently, annoyed that now neither wanted to tell him what was going on.
"It seems that our client is a Pshylocke demon, whose son has just gone through it's species form of puberty." Wesley explained. "When this happens it goes through sudden and unexplained bouts of rage." Wesley paused as Angel listened, completely uninterested. " Usually they keep slaughter down to remote places but yesterday, while you were indisposed, his son was able to escape and went on a. Slight rampage."
Angel didn't look up until Harmony came in and handed Angel his mug of blood. "How 'slight'?" Angel asked, still undazed. Wesley opened his mouth to continue and looked over at Gunn. They exchanged a look and Gunn continued, hoping to explain just how important this client is. "Before we tell you Angel, you have to understand. This family has been around longer tan any other clients. We can't go cutting their heads off like they are some common employees." A squeak was heard from Harmony as she mumbled a quick "Sorry" and ran out of the office.
"Anyway, we have to tread carefully with them." Angel held his mug up to his face, scared to ask what happened that would make Gunn plead the client's case so desperately. "Gunn. Tell me what happened." Angel said slowly. "The Pshylocke demon went on a rampage at UCLA. Hundreds of students were injured. At least a dozen are dead." Gunn told the vampire quietly.
Angel stared at Gunn, his eyes wide in shock. 'Oh my God. That's Connor college.' Wesley and Gunn looked at the vampire quizzically as they watched the pure and unadulterated rage come over his features. In an instant, his human masked vanished, causing the confused pair to back away from their boss. "Angel! What are you doing? Surely this is an unfortunate incident but it's no reason to jeopardize this firm!" Angel looked at Wesley. Anger and shock at what his friend just said clear on his face.
"Of course! I wouldn't want to do anything that would upset those bastards, the senior partners!" Angel picked up his mug and threw across the room, between Gunn and Wesley. The mug crashing on the wall leaving a streak of blood as it flowed down the wall. "It's my fucking job to piss them off! I'm supposed to fight for the good of mankind! Not fight to keep demons on the streets on technicalities!" Angel roared as he flipped over his desk. Angel grabbed an axe out of the shattered remains of his desk and strode out of his office walking towards the elevator. Gunn and Wesley followed behind him as Harmony stepped out behind her desk to join them. Behind her were Lorne and Fred, concerned over the loud noises they heard in Angel's office.
"Gunn. Get me a list of all the student casualties who were there when the Pshylocke demon attacked. Dead or alive. And Harmony could you scrap up some resignation papers? Because I'm quitting the law firm." Angel entered the elevator and looked at the shocked expressions of his friends.
"When I come back with the heads of each member of the Psyhlocke family, consider that my two weeks notice." Angel declared with axe in hand as the elevator doors closed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
IN A HOSPITAL ACROSS TOWN:
An older, female nurse comes in to check on her patient. She's a young woman with dark brown curly hair. "Good evening, Cordelia. Just like every day before, I'm sorry you haven't woken up yet. Everyday you stay like this it becomes less likely you'll ever wake up." The older woman sighed and reached over her patient to place her chart on the small table stand next to Cordelia's bed when her hand shots up and grabs the nurse's wrist.
As the nurse tries to comprehend, what has just happened, Cordelia looks at the nurse questioningly. "Where's Angel?" she asks, before letting go of the woman's wrist and sinking back into bed, leaving the woman to sputter nonsensical gibberish. "I don't believe it! It's a miracle!" The nurse cries out. Cordelia looked at the woman and smiled. "Yes. That's exactly what it is."
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R&R Please:
Chapter 3: A Champion Reluctant. We visit Spike who has a little talk with Lindsey.
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Chapter 2: A Champion Reprised
THE NEXT MORNING:
Angel sat at his desk and reflected on the events of the past two weeks. 'Spike had saved him. How bad a shape was he in when Spike, William the Bloody, Captain Peroxide himself, came out on top and as the "Shining Beacon of Morality"?' Angel mused darkly. 'And after last night's encounter with Dana, seeing Spike sitting there with his arms amputated. It was enough to make me physically ill. Regardless of the endless barbs we throw back at each other, he's still my grandchilde. But witnessing him in that state made me realize something I've been trying to deny ever since his little blond head materialized in my office. He's a champion of the people. Not for redemption but because it's the right thing to do. The image of Spike raising his newly acquired nubs is forever burned into my brain.' Angel leaned back and began massaging his temples, trying to prepare himself for the dark road his thoughts had led him on.
'Staring down at him, I was almost felt jealous. Jealous that he was given this chance to redeem himself for his past sins against slayers. His head full of platinum blonde hair had that unnatural glow to it, like he uses nuclear waste or something to keep it down. But at first sight, it seemed like a halo, his face taking on an ethereal glow. In hindsight I think it was the drugs he was hopped up on, but those few moments before Dana appeared I felt both jealousy and sadness for Spike. He seemed so. Sincere. Especially in the hospital.' Angel combed a hand through his hair and turned around to look outside his office window.
'Our talk still didn't help me feel any better, though. Even the "Sunnydale Alumni" knew that me running this place was a bad idea. They didn't trust me anymore. None of them did. And to hear it come out of Andrew's mouth? That only is a slap to the face. I wonder if she.THEY.' Angel rolled his eyes, still not ready to think about the implications of what Buffy thinks about him. Truthfully, a part of him didn't care, trying to leave her in the past. With all the other people he loved. 'Would THEY trust Spike more that they do me. Spike seemed so...tired in the hospital. Almost human. No, Dana was the victim, but what does that make Spike? This is the first time I've seen what the search for redemption can do to someone as the third person. It seems so surreal. I think I'd rather be in that bed with my arms held together by stitches. Would that be me if I hadn't taken W&H's offer?'
Sighing, he turned around and pressed the intercom button. "Harmony, get me a cup of blood." He gritted his teeth at the curt manner he greeted his secretary. "Please?" Angel could sense the shock in Harmony that he had asked her nicely. "Sure thing boss." Harmony slightly stuttered in reply. Angel let go of the button and leaned back, trying to pin point when exactly he had become so unfeeling. Sure he wasn't anywhere near reverting back to Angelus but he was a monster in his own right.
"Angel. We need to talk." Wesley announced, busting through Angel's office door, followed buy Gunn. "There's been an incident with one of our clients." Wesley explained. "A very important client whose family has been represented by Wolfram & Hart since it's opening." Gunn interrupted while staring down Wesley's questioning glance.
"What happened?" Angel asked darkly, sick of the two at each other's throats. His soul longed for a time they weren't constantly fighting, or more appropriately squabbling. 'Something bad rolled into town, we killed it then we exchanged good-natured witticisms. I miss that.' Angel thought, nostalgic. Wesley and Gunn looked at each other reluctantly, both seemingly unwilling to tell Angel what happened. Angel sighed impatiently, annoyed that now neither wanted to tell him what was going on.
"It seems that our client is a Pshylocke demon, whose son has just gone through it's species form of puberty." Wesley explained. "When this happens it goes through sudden and unexplained bouts of rage." Wesley paused as Angel listened, completely uninterested. " Usually they keep slaughter down to remote places but yesterday, while you were indisposed, his son was able to escape and went on a. Slight rampage."
Angel didn't look up until Harmony came in and handed Angel his mug of blood. "How 'slight'?" Angel asked, still undazed. Wesley opened his mouth to continue and looked over at Gunn. They exchanged a look and Gunn continued, hoping to explain just how important this client is. "Before we tell you Angel, you have to understand. This family has been around longer tan any other clients. We can't go cutting their heads off like they are some common employees." A squeak was heard from Harmony as she mumbled a quick "Sorry" and ran out of the office.
"Anyway, we have to tread carefully with them." Angel held his mug up to his face, scared to ask what happened that would make Gunn plead the client's case so desperately. "Gunn. Tell me what happened." Angel said slowly. "The Pshylocke demon went on a rampage at UCLA. Hundreds of students were injured. At least a dozen are dead." Gunn told the vampire quietly.
Angel stared at Gunn, his eyes wide in shock. 'Oh my God. That's Connor college.' Wesley and Gunn looked at the vampire quizzically as they watched the pure and unadulterated rage come over his features. In an instant, his human masked vanished, causing the confused pair to back away from their boss. "Angel! What are you doing? Surely this is an unfortunate incident but it's no reason to jeopardize this firm!" Angel looked at Wesley. Anger and shock at what his friend just said clear on his face.
"Of course! I wouldn't want to do anything that would upset those bastards, the senior partners!" Angel picked up his mug and threw across the room, between Gunn and Wesley. The mug crashing on the wall leaving a streak of blood as it flowed down the wall. "It's my fucking job to piss them off! I'm supposed to fight for the good of mankind! Not fight to keep demons on the streets on technicalities!" Angel roared as he flipped over his desk. Angel grabbed an axe out of the shattered remains of his desk and strode out of his office walking towards the elevator. Gunn and Wesley followed behind him as Harmony stepped out behind her desk to join them. Behind her were Lorne and Fred, concerned over the loud noises they heard in Angel's office.
"Gunn. Get me a list of all the student casualties who were there when the Pshylocke demon attacked. Dead or alive. And Harmony could you scrap up some resignation papers? Because I'm quitting the law firm." Angel entered the elevator and looked at the shocked expressions of his friends.
"When I come back with the heads of each member of the Psyhlocke family, consider that my two weeks notice." Angel declared with axe in hand as the elevator doors closed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
IN A HOSPITAL ACROSS TOWN:
An older, female nurse comes in to check on her patient. She's a young woman with dark brown curly hair. "Good evening, Cordelia. Just like every day before, I'm sorry you haven't woken up yet. Everyday you stay like this it becomes less likely you'll ever wake up." The older woman sighed and reached over her patient to place her chart on the small table stand next to Cordelia's bed when her hand shots up and grabs the nurse's wrist.
As the nurse tries to comprehend, what has just happened, Cordelia looks at the nurse questioningly. "Where's Angel?" she asks, before letting go of the woman's wrist and sinking back into bed, leaving the woman to sputter nonsensical gibberish. "I don't believe it! It's a miracle!" The nurse cries out. Cordelia looked at the woman and smiled. "Yes. That's exactly what it is."
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R&R Please:
Chapter 3: A Champion Reluctant. We visit Spike who has a little talk with Lindsey.