Chapter 5: Surprises and Singing

Bloody hell, why do I always get stuck with these sorts of things? Suppose it's a Watcher's duty...' Giles thought to himself as he left the Magic Box.

Finally, late evening, Giles arrived at the Hyperion. Walking in, he was surprised to see an unfamiliar face. A young girl, glasses, brunette, was behind the front desk, engrossed in reading something. Humph. Probably their secretary, reading Cosmo,' Giles thought, annoyed.

Giles cleared his throat.

The girl jumped, nearly shrieking. Oh! Oh, gosh, I'm so sorry, I didn't see you... or hear you, I was kind of caught up in my reading she said, gesturing to the magazine she'd been reading- a very advanced scientific magazine, much to Giles' surprise.

The mysterious girl continued Um, so, this is Angel Investigations, we help the helpless, what can we do for you? she said rapidly, clearly having memorized the cliché line.

I'm an old... acquaintance... of Angel's, I was hoping to speak with him. Is he here?

Um, no, I'm afraid he's out on a mission with some of the others... he should be back, well, some time, it's a tad difficult to estimate exactly when...

Very well, I suppose I'll wait here for him, if that's all right.

Oh, sure, that's just fine. You're British, right? Would you like some tea? I could get Wesley - he's British, too - to make some for you.

Wesley? Not Wesley Wyndham-Pryce?

Yeah, that's him! You know him? Huh, small world I guess, she giggled, a tad nervously.

We were fellow Watchers, he informed the girl. Please pardon my lack of manners - my name is Rupert Giles.

He paused, waiting for the girl to provide her name. It took her a moment, but when she realized he was waiting for her to speak, she exclaimed, Oh! Oh, sorry, my name's Fred. Well, Winifred, but everyone calls me Fred. Would you like me to go get Wesley?

Certainly, uh, Fred, I'd appreciate that.

Ok, wait just a minute then, I think he's... her voice trailed off as she disappeared into an office behind her.

Well well well, what have we here? came a voice from behind Giles.

He spun around to see a green demon entering the building, and immediately dropped into a defensive stance, drawing out a stake. Admittedly, the demon didn't look very threatening in his bright orange and yellow suit, but Giles had learned not to take chances.

Oh, come on, muffin, I'm not gonna hurt you! the green demon protested, looking hurt.

You'll excuse me if I choose not to believe you.

Um, Rupert... came Wesley's voice from behind them.

Giles turned, carefully keeping one eye on the demon. Is he safe, Wesley?

What? Oh, yes, certainly. Lorne, this is Rupert Giles, and Rupert Giles, Lorne.

With Wesley's assurance, Giles relaxed and tentatively shook the green demon's hand.

So, Lorne, what are you doing here today? Wesley asked.

Lorne had just begun to explain when another voice said, Hey, Giles!

he turned and stared at her in amazement. What on earth was that girl doing here?



I think I need to sit down, Giles muttered faintly.

Just as he was doing so, the front door burst open, and in tumbled Angel and a black man whom Giles did not recognize. Both of them were covered in green demon goo.

The stranger whooped. Oh man, we had a wild fight out there tonight! Shoulda been there, Wes, much more fun than research.

Giles looked at Wesley, startled at the idea that someone actually wanted him with them in a battle. Wesley noticed Giles skeptical expression, and gave a shrug and a small smile. I've changed.

Yes, so I see, Giles murmured, observing his former acquaintance's altered appearance.

The two new arrivals now noticed the stranger in their midst.

Giles! Uh, this is a surprise... Oh no, is something wrong in Sunnydale? Buffy? Angel asked worriedly.

Buffy's fine, Angel. There is something we could use your help with, but the matter's not urgent. Perhaps you should go get cleaned up before we talk, Giles suggested, starting to feel nauseous at the fumes coming from the goo.

Yeah, we'll go do that, Angel replied, and turned towards the stairs.

Hey now! Someone gonna introduce me?

Oh, yes, sorry Gunn, Wesley stepped in. Gunn, this is Rupert Giles, Buffy's Watcher. Giles, this is Charles Gunn. He works with us.

Kicks some demon butt with you, you mean! Gunn laughed.

Ugh, Gunn! Go clean up, you smell, Cordelia commanded with all her usual tact.

Yes, ma'am! he mocked as he headed to do just that.

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Several hours later, Giles had tried to explain the situation to Angel and his friends. First, Angel didn't see a reason why Spike shouldn't just be staked. Cordelia was with him on that point, remembering how badly Spike had tortured Angel for the Gem of Amara a few years back.

Giles tried to explain it as Buffy had, but neither seemed to want to hear it. Also, Angel refused to believe that Spike would voluntarily give up his ability to kill humans. He insisted Giles must be under some sort of thrall or spell. The Watcher was getting quite fed up with Angel's attitude, and was starting to lose his temper. Ripper was going to burst out any second now, he just knew it.

Lorne, ever the peacemaker, stepped in. Hey now, kiddies, there's a real easy way to solve this lil' problem of yours. He turned to Giles.

I-I beg your pardon? Giles stuttered, confused.

Wesley explained about Lorne's unusual capabilities, and added, Just a few bars will do, in case Giles sounded anything like Angel.

I see, Giles said. Umm... what should I sing?

Anything you like, my dumpling, anything you like.

Um, all right then...

No one knows what it's like
To be the bad man
To be the sad man
Behind blue eyes
No one knows what it's like
To be hated...
To be fated...
But my dreams, they are as empty, as my conscience seems to be...
(...Sung by Giles in Where the Wild Things Are...)

 Was that enough? Giles asked Lorne. He'd been looking off into the distance as he sang, but he now noticed the whole group was looking at him, surprised.

Listen, pumpkin nut, you ever wanna take up singing for real, lemme know,

Uh, thank you, Giles murmured, embarrassed, as he cleaned his glasses. Clearing his throat, he continued. Well, what did you see? he asked Lorne.

Let's go talk in here. Lorne dragged Giles into the nearby office.

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Lorne and Giles reappeared several minutes later, Giles looking rather thoughtful.

Angel demanded impatiently.

Hm? Oh, he's on the up-and-up, all right, Lorne assured him. Can't wait to get that Spike to sing for me.

Very well. Shall we leave tonight, or wait till tomorrow night? Wesley asked.

I was only expecting Angel... Giles trailed off. But I suppose anyone who wishes to come is welcome, he finished.

Sunrise is coming. We should probably get some sleep, and head to Sunnydale this evening, Angel suggested. He still didn't believe Giles, but wanted to go to Sunnydale and see matters for himself.

The group agreed, and Giles went to let the Scoobies know when to expect them.

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A/N: Please review! Thanks bunches to those of you who have.