(A/N): I always wanted to create an ode to Doyle/Glen Quinn. This is
probably the closest thing I'll get to it.
Chapter 7: He has Redemptability!
- Prophecies are like any organized government. There's no getting around them and more often than not they screw you over.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Are you sure you're going to be alright alone with him?" Chloe asked the young woman silently picking at the food in front of her.
Becca had woken up and fixed breakfast, probably trying to ease the tension in the apartment now that Chloe had another unexpected guest. Although she wasn't exactly tickled pink about the whole deal, she definitely enjoyed the adventure that Becca added to her life. She hadn't gotten the chance to play heroine since she left Kansas.
Sure meteor freaks were exciting, but finding out that since the beginning of time there have been demons roaming the world? It was enough to make Chloe want to start a new Wall of Weird, solely based on "Demonic Supernatural Activities." And while Chloe had come a long way from that teenaged reporter to a highly respected, 25-year-old journalist, she still felt a need to know the absolute truth. No matter what kind of demony politics maybe going on.
The loud clatter of Becca dropping her fork on her plate didn't make Chloe feel any better about leaving her with Lindsey. Becca had pushed hard to get her to agree to let him stay, but Chloe still noticed the tension between the two.
Even with the details of what happened last night, Becca seemed to be becoming more withdrawn, her brows perpetually frowned in concentration. Chloe watched as Becca picked up her plate and dumped virtually all the food that she originally had onto Lindsey's plate. Lindsey sat between the two females with the same pensive expression.
Becca looked up and cringed slightly at Chloe's disapproving look. "What? Growing boys need their food. I'll be fine. Someone's gotta bring home the bacon." Becca gave Chloe a tired and grin. Lindsey's eyes shifted from each woman's face.
"I have money. I can help. Pay for my own way." His voice was low and tentative. A far cry from the outraged Texan that Becca untied and had to bob and weave to keep from getting hit. Slowly, Chloe reluctantly agreed and left her two newest roommates. What really troubled Chloe about leaving was not what she had seen but what she hadn't seen. Chloe had the feeling that Lindsey's abrupt change in behavior had to do with the muffled fight she heard between the two. When they thought she was asleep...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
FLASHBACK: Late the Previous Night
Becca slipped out of bed and made her way toward the bathroom farthest from Chloe's bedroom, across the dining rooming. Sleep had never came easy to her, especially during the night. She loved the night and sleeping when the sun' harshness was down and the serene, eerie, purplish city sky was out seemed like a waste. Most nights she could find comfort in the dark, but tonight wasn't one of those nights.
Silently, she made her way to the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror as she flipped the light switch. Her eyes were red and puffy, narrowed at the sting of the light. Her head was pounding and her cheeks flushed the salt of her tears taking their toll. Long ago she had learned to control any loud sobs that could leak out when any emotional turmoil threatened to deter her from her objective so she just watched as the tears rolled down her face and into the sink. When she felt as sated as she thought she was ever going to get, Becca turned on the water and scrubbed her face, wiping away any stray tears that escaped.
As silently as she went into the bathroom she left, making her way back to bed.
"Rebecca Allerdyce. Sometimes even silent tears can quake the earth and create chaos where they fall."
Lindsey was sitting up on the couch. Becca didn't even have to strain to see him. Everything in the pitch-dark room was as clear to her as if it were day.
"Lindsey, please. It's late and..."
"And you have to go save the world in the morning."
Lindsey's voice was harsh and Becca didn't need ubersight to notice Lindsey's sneer. "Of course, even if it does include working with the bastard who cut off my hand." Lindsey's voice was as cold as steel, controlled but with an underlying menacing tone that was bitterly barely below a whisper. He knew Becca could hear ever word.
"I told you everything about me, Becca. About how I lost my two younger sisters. Do you remember what you told me? Do you?!"
Becca sat down on the coffee table in front of him, basked in a stray of moonlight that peaked it's way through the balcony curtains. When she answered, her voice was a mere whisper, filled with regret.
"I told you that I always wanted an older brother and that you could be mine..." Becca averted her teary gaze from Lindsey.
"You are the only family I have left. You know better than anyone why I did what I did. And why I came here..." Lindsey looked Becca up and down, his own eyes becoming glassy.
"You feel something here, don't you? You sense betrayal, somewhere in Wolfram & Hart." It was a statement. Becca slowly nodded.
"I don't have anyone to guide me on my path anymore. He's gone and all I have left is what he taught me. I will make a difference." Becca looked at him with determination.
"Whatever destiny may have my name on it, it does not force my hand. I'm better than that. I like to think you are, too." Lindsey's eyes became hard, the glistening of tears and anger, causing them to shine in the moonlight. "How dare you accuse me of betrayal?! You're forcing me to work with that pompous dick that got everything served to him on a goddamn silver platter! Everything that should be mine!"
Becca leaned forward, anger beginning to take over.
"Why would you want anything from those bastards. Don't you remember why you left in the first place! Hell, finding out what happened to Angel should've made you want to help him more! Don't you remember anything Doy-- , anything he said?" Becca caught herself but couldn't help the fresh tears that began pouring down her face.
"It was weeks before you left! Weeks! Everyday I felt the inevitable coming but I chose to ignore it! Couldn't bare the thought of you betraying me. And he knew, he saw the denial in my eyes everyday. Behind the false smiles and constant witty retorts I felt the increasing dread."
Becca looked Lindsey straight in his eyes.
"You betrayed me. And every time I even got close, you even threw one of your demons on me. You even sent that prick, Sahjahn, on me and he used to be the baddest of the bad."
Lindsey looked away, ashamed. He was hoping against hope that getting rid of Angel would wipe away any remains of a conscious he had left, but know with that left undone and the presence of someone he though of as a little sister to him, he was back to step one. Once again seeking redemption.
"I knew you could take care of him." Becca's surprise registered on her face and Lindsey just shrugged.
Becca stared at Lindsey for a while longer. His face was turned away from hers and Becca got the familiar feeling that he was hiding something from her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Becca sat at the kitchen table with Lindsey, staring into nothing as she absently sipped her coffee.
"You know, caffeine will stunt your growth."
A ghost of a smirk appeared on Becca's face and her glanced at Lindsey.
"You would know, Tiny Texan."
Lindsey grinned and sipped his orange juice but then became serious again. He looked at Becca's taped hands.
"I remember the first time you let me see your hands unwrapped. I felt more connected to you, someone else who could understand my maiming at the hands of Angel. Like you knew what it's like to be violated. But went on to be someone better... You are my inspiration."
Lindsey stared at the top of Becca's head, the teen's head bent down toward her coffee as she stirred it slowly. Without warning, Becca jumped out of her seat and all but ran to her room. When her door slammed, Lindsey put his dishes in the sink and washed them. When he was done he made his way toward Becca's door and knocked softly before finally inching it open.
He found Becca sitting on her bed with her back up against the headboard. Her hands were unwrapped, revealing two, large, black bruises in the middle of each palm. She held a pocket watch in her left hand as she gently traced the picture inside with the index finger of her right.
"I remember a lot." Becca answered.
"I remember my dog, Spike, who used to walk up tome when I was crying and lick the tears away from my face. I remember summer days of watching Invader Zim with you..."
Lindsey moved in and sat on the edge of her bed, his upper body turned to look at her as he recalled her own memories.
"But I mostly remember him. Because if I'm a Champion then he is without a doubt A Champion of Champions..."
Becca smiled at the picture of her with her arms wrapped around her mentor's arms. The picture symbolized utter contentment in a world of chaos. Whenever times were at there worst, Becca could look at the pendent and smile, remembering the serene moment between her and her Champion, Francis Doyle.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Later that night, Becca decided that getting out of the house would do her and Lindsey some good so she told Chloe that they were heading to W&H. Lindsey was reluctant, whining as he asked over and over "Do we have to go?" Chloe also wasn't sure if we should show up so soon after what happened but she just waved off her uncertainty. When Becca said that they don't have anything badder there than her, Lindsey and Chloe laughed, releasing a lot of the tension. The mock hurt expression just caused more laughter causing her to shake her fist menacingly toward the two.
When Lindsey and Becca finally got to the office, they were greeted with the bound and gagged bodies of Gunn, Fred and Wesley as they stood on chairs with nooses around their neck.
Becca and Lindsey's eyebrows shot up. "Hmph." Lindsey mused. "Don't see that everyday." Becca frowned in confusion and looked at the fight on the other side of the office, through the recently broken glass window. Angel and someone else she didn't recognize were struggling for control of a stake but Angel clearly had the upper hand.
"Come on chief. Give me a mission."
Recognizing the makings of a tragic ending coming, Becca ran and grabbed Angel's hand before he could drive it into the younger vampire's chest. They looked at her in shock and the vampire still unknown to her attacked with an enraged growl tears in his brown eyes with a hint of golden yellow as his demon started to come to the surface. Becca easily dodged him and grabbed the back of his head, using his own momentum to help her drive her knee into his face. He slumped into her hands, unconscious.
"Why did you do that?" Angel asked, annoyance clear in his tone.
Becca just frowned at him as she set the prone body down. "I don't know. It just seemed wrong, like suicide." The truth is she didn't know why she did it but she felt compelled to save him. "Who is he?"
Angel made his way over to wear Lindsey was helping Fred out of the noose and untied. He glared at Lindsey and Becca was proud of the indifferent front Lindsey used to reply to Angel's hostility. Angel looked back at Becca as he untied Gunn.
"His name is Lawson."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was still relatively early when they got back home. Only an hour after they left so if Becca planned this right she would be in bed with a pack of Goobers just in time to watch Home Movies. Becca opened the door, preparing to be the wittiest, charismatic, slick little bitch ever known....
"Lucy! I'm home!" Becca yelled. Chloe looked at Becca from the kitchen and smiled. She walked down the two steps that sank into the spacious living room and back up the two steps that lead her over to the front door.
"Wow. You actually made it back at a decent time. I'm shocked."
Becca hugged Chloe and kissed her on each cheek.
"Well, Mom. When the news asked you "Do you know where you're kids are?" I don't want you to have to lie and say "Yes."
She was laying it on thick, Becca knew it, but this was gonna take some serious brown-nosing. Too bad Chloe could see right through her BS.
"What's going on?" Chloe asked, her eyes squinted in suspicion.
"Nothing."
"Yeah right."
"Well... maybe a little something..."
"Here we go..."
"We maybe having one more...tinny, whinny guest...."
"No."
"Pleaseeeee..."
"No."
"Why not."
"Because this isn't a Motel 6."
"Come on. He's someone I think could fight the good fight."
"Give me one good reason why I should let another grouchy..."
Chloe stopped in mid-sentence when Becca pulled out the check.
"Angel gave it to me. Kinda like a babysitting fee, I guess... Chloe? Are you OK?
Chloe's mouth was hanging open and Becca had to manually shut it to get her attention.
"I guess that's a yes."
Lindsey moved in, figuring that the coast was clear and the worst was over.... Boy was he wrong...
Lawson stood at the doorway, pinching his nose to stop the bleeding caused by Becca's knee colliding with his face.
"What's wrong with you're friend? Why isn't he coming in?"
Becca looked around nervously and laughed. "Well. You kinda have to invite him in first..."
Chloe looked at Becca like she just told her that she wanted to become a private dancer...
"YOU WANT TO BRING A VAMPIRE INTO MY HOUSE?!"
"Yeah! But it's different! He has redemptability!!!! They both have redemptability!!!! Grrr!"
And so the fight continued until Becca made a deal with Chloe. They would spend a day together. Shopping, spa... all types of girly things Becca hated to do. Then they'd eat and see a movie. Becca couldn't really see the harm and was pretty sure that the check with so many zeroes on it that it could hardly fit on the paper was the main reason why she agreed. That and the muzzle Becca promised to keep on Lawson. All in all, Becca couldn't see a problem in the deal but just like Lindsey, she was in for an unpleasant surprise....
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
R&R
(A/N): Ahhh screw that 2,000 word rule. That lasted as long as any of my other New Years' Resolutions. Does anybody even remember Sahjahn? He was the demon who kept Holtz in that sort of stasis. That's an important clue. Remember? It was prophesized that the child of the two vampires would kill him....
Chapter 7: He has Redemptability!
- Prophecies are like any organized government. There's no getting around them and more often than not they screw you over.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Are you sure you're going to be alright alone with him?" Chloe asked the young woman silently picking at the food in front of her.
Becca had woken up and fixed breakfast, probably trying to ease the tension in the apartment now that Chloe had another unexpected guest. Although she wasn't exactly tickled pink about the whole deal, she definitely enjoyed the adventure that Becca added to her life. She hadn't gotten the chance to play heroine since she left Kansas.
Sure meteor freaks were exciting, but finding out that since the beginning of time there have been demons roaming the world? It was enough to make Chloe want to start a new Wall of Weird, solely based on "Demonic Supernatural Activities." And while Chloe had come a long way from that teenaged reporter to a highly respected, 25-year-old journalist, she still felt a need to know the absolute truth. No matter what kind of demony politics maybe going on.
The loud clatter of Becca dropping her fork on her plate didn't make Chloe feel any better about leaving her with Lindsey. Becca had pushed hard to get her to agree to let him stay, but Chloe still noticed the tension between the two.
Even with the details of what happened last night, Becca seemed to be becoming more withdrawn, her brows perpetually frowned in concentration. Chloe watched as Becca picked up her plate and dumped virtually all the food that she originally had onto Lindsey's plate. Lindsey sat between the two females with the same pensive expression.
Becca looked up and cringed slightly at Chloe's disapproving look. "What? Growing boys need their food. I'll be fine. Someone's gotta bring home the bacon." Becca gave Chloe a tired and grin. Lindsey's eyes shifted from each woman's face.
"I have money. I can help. Pay for my own way." His voice was low and tentative. A far cry from the outraged Texan that Becca untied and had to bob and weave to keep from getting hit. Slowly, Chloe reluctantly agreed and left her two newest roommates. What really troubled Chloe about leaving was not what she had seen but what she hadn't seen. Chloe had the feeling that Lindsey's abrupt change in behavior had to do with the muffled fight she heard between the two. When they thought she was asleep...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
FLASHBACK: Late the Previous Night
Becca slipped out of bed and made her way toward the bathroom farthest from Chloe's bedroom, across the dining rooming. Sleep had never came easy to her, especially during the night. She loved the night and sleeping when the sun' harshness was down and the serene, eerie, purplish city sky was out seemed like a waste. Most nights she could find comfort in the dark, but tonight wasn't one of those nights.
Silently, she made her way to the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror as she flipped the light switch. Her eyes were red and puffy, narrowed at the sting of the light. Her head was pounding and her cheeks flushed the salt of her tears taking their toll. Long ago she had learned to control any loud sobs that could leak out when any emotional turmoil threatened to deter her from her objective so she just watched as the tears rolled down her face and into the sink. When she felt as sated as she thought she was ever going to get, Becca turned on the water and scrubbed her face, wiping away any stray tears that escaped.
As silently as she went into the bathroom she left, making her way back to bed.
"Rebecca Allerdyce. Sometimes even silent tears can quake the earth and create chaos where they fall."
Lindsey was sitting up on the couch. Becca didn't even have to strain to see him. Everything in the pitch-dark room was as clear to her as if it were day.
"Lindsey, please. It's late and..."
"And you have to go save the world in the morning."
Lindsey's voice was harsh and Becca didn't need ubersight to notice Lindsey's sneer. "Of course, even if it does include working with the bastard who cut off my hand." Lindsey's voice was as cold as steel, controlled but with an underlying menacing tone that was bitterly barely below a whisper. He knew Becca could hear ever word.
"I told you everything about me, Becca. About how I lost my two younger sisters. Do you remember what you told me? Do you?!"
Becca sat down on the coffee table in front of him, basked in a stray of moonlight that peaked it's way through the balcony curtains. When she answered, her voice was a mere whisper, filled with regret.
"I told you that I always wanted an older brother and that you could be mine..." Becca averted her teary gaze from Lindsey.
"You are the only family I have left. You know better than anyone why I did what I did. And why I came here..." Lindsey looked Becca up and down, his own eyes becoming glassy.
"You feel something here, don't you? You sense betrayal, somewhere in Wolfram & Hart." It was a statement. Becca slowly nodded.
"I don't have anyone to guide me on my path anymore. He's gone and all I have left is what he taught me. I will make a difference." Becca looked at him with determination.
"Whatever destiny may have my name on it, it does not force my hand. I'm better than that. I like to think you are, too." Lindsey's eyes became hard, the glistening of tears and anger, causing them to shine in the moonlight. "How dare you accuse me of betrayal?! You're forcing me to work with that pompous dick that got everything served to him on a goddamn silver platter! Everything that should be mine!"
Becca leaned forward, anger beginning to take over.
"Why would you want anything from those bastards. Don't you remember why you left in the first place! Hell, finding out what happened to Angel should've made you want to help him more! Don't you remember anything Doy-- , anything he said?" Becca caught herself but couldn't help the fresh tears that began pouring down her face.
"It was weeks before you left! Weeks! Everyday I felt the inevitable coming but I chose to ignore it! Couldn't bare the thought of you betraying me. And he knew, he saw the denial in my eyes everyday. Behind the false smiles and constant witty retorts I felt the increasing dread."
Becca looked Lindsey straight in his eyes.
"You betrayed me. And every time I even got close, you even threw one of your demons on me. You even sent that prick, Sahjahn, on me and he used to be the baddest of the bad."
Lindsey looked away, ashamed. He was hoping against hope that getting rid of Angel would wipe away any remains of a conscious he had left, but know with that left undone and the presence of someone he though of as a little sister to him, he was back to step one. Once again seeking redemption.
"I knew you could take care of him." Becca's surprise registered on her face and Lindsey just shrugged.
Becca stared at Lindsey for a while longer. His face was turned away from hers and Becca got the familiar feeling that he was hiding something from her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Becca sat at the kitchen table with Lindsey, staring into nothing as she absently sipped her coffee.
"You know, caffeine will stunt your growth."
A ghost of a smirk appeared on Becca's face and her glanced at Lindsey.
"You would know, Tiny Texan."
Lindsey grinned and sipped his orange juice but then became serious again. He looked at Becca's taped hands.
"I remember the first time you let me see your hands unwrapped. I felt more connected to you, someone else who could understand my maiming at the hands of Angel. Like you knew what it's like to be violated. But went on to be someone better... You are my inspiration."
Lindsey stared at the top of Becca's head, the teen's head bent down toward her coffee as she stirred it slowly. Without warning, Becca jumped out of her seat and all but ran to her room. When her door slammed, Lindsey put his dishes in the sink and washed them. When he was done he made his way toward Becca's door and knocked softly before finally inching it open.
He found Becca sitting on her bed with her back up against the headboard. Her hands were unwrapped, revealing two, large, black bruises in the middle of each palm. She held a pocket watch in her left hand as she gently traced the picture inside with the index finger of her right.
"I remember a lot." Becca answered.
"I remember my dog, Spike, who used to walk up tome when I was crying and lick the tears away from my face. I remember summer days of watching Invader Zim with you..."
Lindsey moved in and sat on the edge of her bed, his upper body turned to look at her as he recalled her own memories.
"But I mostly remember him. Because if I'm a Champion then he is without a doubt A Champion of Champions..."
Becca smiled at the picture of her with her arms wrapped around her mentor's arms. The picture symbolized utter contentment in a world of chaos. Whenever times were at there worst, Becca could look at the pendent and smile, remembering the serene moment between her and her Champion, Francis Doyle.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Later that night, Becca decided that getting out of the house would do her and Lindsey some good so she told Chloe that they were heading to W&H. Lindsey was reluctant, whining as he asked over and over "Do we have to go?" Chloe also wasn't sure if we should show up so soon after what happened but she just waved off her uncertainty. When Becca said that they don't have anything badder there than her, Lindsey and Chloe laughed, releasing a lot of the tension. The mock hurt expression just caused more laughter causing her to shake her fist menacingly toward the two.
When Lindsey and Becca finally got to the office, they were greeted with the bound and gagged bodies of Gunn, Fred and Wesley as they stood on chairs with nooses around their neck.
Becca and Lindsey's eyebrows shot up. "Hmph." Lindsey mused. "Don't see that everyday." Becca frowned in confusion and looked at the fight on the other side of the office, through the recently broken glass window. Angel and someone else she didn't recognize were struggling for control of a stake but Angel clearly had the upper hand.
"Come on chief. Give me a mission."
Recognizing the makings of a tragic ending coming, Becca ran and grabbed Angel's hand before he could drive it into the younger vampire's chest. They looked at her in shock and the vampire still unknown to her attacked with an enraged growl tears in his brown eyes with a hint of golden yellow as his demon started to come to the surface. Becca easily dodged him and grabbed the back of his head, using his own momentum to help her drive her knee into his face. He slumped into her hands, unconscious.
"Why did you do that?" Angel asked, annoyance clear in his tone.
Becca just frowned at him as she set the prone body down. "I don't know. It just seemed wrong, like suicide." The truth is she didn't know why she did it but she felt compelled to save him. "Who is he?"
Angel made his way over to wear Lindsey was helping Fred out of the noose and untied. He glared at Lindsey and Becca was proud of the indifferent front Lindsey used to reply to Angel's hostility. Angel looked back at Becca as he untied Gunn.
"His name is Lawson."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was still relatively early when they got back home. Only an hour after they left so if Becca planned this right she would be in bed with a pack of Goobers just in time to watch Home Movies. Becca opened the door, preparing to be the wittiest, charismatic, slick little bitch ever known....
"Lucy! I'm home!" Becca yelled. Chloe looked at Becca from the kitchen and smiled. She walked down the two steps that sank into the spacious living room and back up the two steps that lead her over to the front door.
"Wow. You actually made it back at a decent time. I'm shocked."
Becca hugged Chloe and kissed her on each cheek.
"Well, Mom. When the news asked you "Do you know where you're kids are?" I don't want you to have to lie and say "Yes."
She was laying it on thick, Becca knew it, but this was gonna take some serious brown-nosing. Too bad Chloe could see right through her BS.
"What's going on?" Chloe asked, her eyes squinted in suspicion.
"Nothing."
"Yeah right."
"Well... maybe a little something..."
"Here we go..."
"We maybe having one more...tinny, whinny guest...."
"No."
"Pleaseeeee..."
"No."
"Why not."
"Because this isn't a Motel 6."
"Come on. He's someone I think could fight the good fight."
"Give me one good reason why I should let another grouchy..."
Chloe stopped in mid-sentence when Becca pulled out the check.
"Angel gave it to me. Kinda like a babysitting fee, I guess... Chloe? Are you OK?
Chloe's mouth was hanging open and Becca had to manually shut it to get her attention.
"I guess that's a yes."
Lindsey moved in, figuring that the coast was clear and the worst was over.... Boy was he wrong...
Lawson stood at the doorway, pinching his nose to stop the bleeding caused by Becca's knee colliding with his face.
"What's wrong with you're friend? Why isn't he coming in?"
Becca looked around nervously and laughed. "Well. You kinda have to invite him in first..."
Chloe looked at Becca like she just told her that she wanted to become a private dancer...
"YOU WANT TO BRING A VAMPIRE INTO MY HOUSE?!"
"Yeah! But it's different! He has redemptability!!!! They both have redemptability!!!! Grrr!"
And so the fight continued until Becca made a deal with Chloe. They would spend a day together. Shopping, spa... all types of girly things Becca hated to do. Then they'd eat and see a movie. Becca couldn't really see the harm and was pretty sure that the check with so many zeroes on it that it could hardly fit on the paper was the main reason why she agreed. That and the muzzle Becca promised to keep on Lawson. All in all, Becca couldn't see a problem in the deal but just like Lindsey, she was in for an unpleasant surprise....
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
R&R
(A/N): Ahhh screw that 2,000 word rule. That lasted as long as any of my other New Years' Resolutions. Does anybody even remember Sahjahn? He was the demon who kept Holtz in that sort of stasis. That's an important clue. Remember? It was prophesized that the child of the two vampires would kill him....