New Way of Life
NOTE: I do not own these Angel and Buffy characters, but if you see anyone whom you do not recognize, he/she belongs to me.
A/N: This story takes place after Chosen, but before Conviction, meaning it's the summer in between. To put down a recap, Spike burned up, everyone (minus Anya) escaped on the school bus, Buffy and her friends haven't split up yet, and Angel Inc is preparing to move into W&H. On with the story…
CHAPTER 5Over the next few days, Gunn and Angel resided in Rome, almost forgetting their gang back in LA, who they hadn't spoken to for days.
At the Hyperion Fred sat on a couch going over what she had about certain demon women, spells of humanity, and other books that had proven to be less than valuable. She looked over at Lorne, who sat behind the main desk, indulged in his own book. Fred stood up and went over to him, sticking her hands in her back pockets.
"Lorne, maybe we should take a break," Fred suggested. "I mean, it's not like we're helping Angel by going around in circles." Lorne didn't reply, just continued to read. "Lorne? Lorne?" When she still couldn't get a response, Fred put her hand down on the book Lorne was reading to see a Sears catalog. "Lorne!"
"I'm sorry," Lorne apologized, popping his head up. "It's just that we've been at this for days and… can you believe this new summer line? These belts are just adorable."
Before Fred could say anything Wesley came downstairs. Without saying a word to Fred or Lorne his eyes spotted the remote and clicked on the small TV that had been set up in the lobby. Fred and Lorne gathered around Wesley, Fred asking what was up. Wesley turned to a news station where a female reporter stood next to a man.
"We're here live at Packard Street, at the scene of a disaster." The reporter held her microphone out to the man she stood with. "Sir, can you give us a statement?"
"Oh, God. I couldn't believe it," the man started. "I was just heading home from my late shift when I heard all this screaming. Then I ran to this alley and saw this girl, she looked to be fifteen or sixteen, and this guy was harassing her. His face looked… wrong and he was biting her neck. Blood was all over her shirt. I wanted to stop him, but when I saw that face… I couldn't even move."
The reporter asked, "And you say there have been numerous stories of this same man stalking and causing harm to other teenaged girls?"
"Not just girls. We've seen dead bodies around here, too. God, people are even too scared to step outside their homes."
"There we have it," said the reporter, turning back towards the camera. "This man has been classified as the X. Watch where you go because he is out—"
Wesley switched off the TV and turned to Fred and Lorne. "We have a problem," the British man said simply.
"I'm guessing we're going to do some checking and outing," said Lorne.
"Wait," said Fred. "Shouldn't we keep researching?"
"Angel is safe as long as he's with Buffy," Wesley said. "He would want us to keep up the business, plus this X sounds lethal."
"All right," Fred agreed with a sigh. "I could use some time out of the hotel, anyway."
The trio armed themselves then, each taking a weapon. Fred decided on a crossbow, Wesley took an ax, and Lorne got a baseball bat like stake. They filed into Wesley's car outside and drove off. Once at the neighborhood they'd seen on TV, the three of them decided to split up.
Fred headed off towards a nearby alley, the crossbow held close to her. She walked in deeper into the alley, suddenly jumping at the sound of a crash. Fred whirled around, crossbow held high, ready to fire. She watched as a cat sped from out of a garbage can. The petite woman sighed with relief then turned back around and gasped in horror.
"Hey, Fred. Been a while," the figure smirked.
It couldn't be him, it couldn't. He looked exactly the same, though; same angelic face, broad shoulders, too tall for words. But how could it possibly be him? There was no way.
"Angel?" Fred whispered.
"Oh, come on, darling," he said. "You insult me."
Fred shook her head, figuring it out. "No, it's not you. There is no way it could be—"
"If there's one thing you could have learned from Angel Inc, Freddy, it's that all things are possible."
Fred suddenly shot her crossbow. Angelus caught it in between his hands and tossed it back, just missing Fred. Not knowing what to do, she turned around and headed out. Angelus smirked again and simply held a hand up. What looked like some sort of force secreted from his palm. Fred froze in her tracks as she felt Angelus' energy grab her; she fell to her knees, seriously feeling the pain.
"Fred!" Wesley's voice exclaimed as he ran up with Lorne.
Fred gasped as she felt herself get released from the energy's hold.
"Are you all right?" Wesley asked her, helping Fred to her feet.
"I'm OK," Fred said, panting a little. "Oh, my God. Angelus, he's back. He's in the alley."
"What?" Wesley looked beyond astonished as he poked a head into the alley, ax ready. "There's nothing there."
"What?" Fred looked passed him to see that he was right. "No. I saw him. He was right there. Where'd he go?"
"Fred, I understand you're missing Angel, but creating delusions—"
"I'm not creating anything, Wesley," Fred suddenly snapped. "I know who I saw. Angelus is back, but I don't know how. He's…" She couldn't say another word as she let off a moan and tumbled backward a little.
"Easy, Fred kens, I got you," said Lorne, steadying her.
Fred shook her head, trying to get some kind of energy back. "I think Angelus did something to me. It's like… he drained me."
"Don't see any bite marks," said Lorne, examining Fred's neck.
"No," Fred said, trying to think of the best way to explain it. "It's like he took a spark out of me or something."
Wesley stuck his hands into his pockets and formed his usual expression of deep thought. "There is only one way for Angelus to truly be back."
"Hello?" Dawn's ears perked at the familiar voice on the other end. "Giles? Oh, sorry, Wesley. Wait, are you really Wesley? You don't sound like him. You sound all deep and macho. What? Buffy and Angel are over at Xander's room. Yes, I'm sure it's Angel. No, I wouldn't lie to protect him. OK, what's with the paranoia?"
A knock came at the door, which was immediately followed by Willow's voice. "Dawnie, come on. We have something to show you."
"Be right there," Dawn called to Willow before turning back to the phone. "Bye, Wesley."
"Dawn, wait," Wesley nearly exclaimed into the phone on his end. He slammed it down in frustration when he heard the dial tone. What was with that girl? Wesley turned to Fred and Lorne who sat next to each other on a couch in the Hyperion lobby. "Apparently, Angel is fine."
"That can't be right," said Fred. "I know I saw Angelus. How can Angelus be here if Angel's not feeling ultimate happiness?"
"Well, this is one mystery for the Ghost Busters," said Lorne. He quickly added, "Or, you know, us," when he saw the looks Fred and Wesley were giving him.
Fred stood. "Well, if Angelus is back we have to do something. It's just that I don't think we can do this alone. We need Angel."
"No," Wesley said immediately. "If Angel finds out about this he'll rush back here, head first into danger. There is no possible way he can stand a chance against Angelus while human. We're going to have to figure something out."
Lorne thought for a moment then said, "I got it." Fred and Wesley turned to him expectantly. "Tequila, anyone?"
A/N: I am so sorry it took me this long to update. My computer and I were having "problems" with each other, but I'm back. Please review!