Turning the Tables

Part 10

MORNING

            Angel's eyes twitched slightly.  Someone was rubbing a cool washcloth on his forehead.  His eyelids fluttered.  He felt very dizzy and a little nauseous.  Through the haze in his eyes, he saw blonde hair.

            "Buffy?" he whispered hopefully.  The rubbing stopped.  Buffy drew back.

            "He's up!" She called, and the sound made Angel wince as his head throbbed.  What was going on?  Where was he?  Why couldn't he move his arms?  He inhaled deeply, trying to catch all the scents in the room.  Vampire.  It stunk of vampire.  He could smell Dru, himself…and at least three others.  He squinted at Buffy.  Yes…what Angelus had thought was impossible was true, she had been turned.  The red head, Willow, she appeared as an auburn smudge in his field of vision.  She was changed too.  Who could have done this?  What sick, twisted creature…

            "Well hallo there grandsire! Fine morning isn't it?  Did widdle Angelkins (A/N: Yeah, I know that's Lorne's thing, but it kind of fit) have a nice nappie?"  Angel tensed immediately.  Of course.  Spike.  He growled and strained unsuccessfully against his bindings.  Spike just laughed.

            "Someone woke up on the wrong side of the curse.  What's wrong Peaches?  All that guilt disagreeing with you?"

            "You're dead, Spike." Angel hissed through clenched teeth.  Spike feigned shock.

            "Am I?" He pretended to take a pulse, "Why, I reckon I am! What a bloody surprise that is!"  Willow and Buffy both giggled appreciatively and Spike grinned back at them.  Angel winced again.  Not only was he dealing with the after-effects of being evil and chained to the ceiling in his own mansion…Spike had turned the woman he loved and one of her closest friends into his tittering call girls.

            "So what's the plan now, Spike?  Keep me here so you can taunt me with my friends' bodies?"

            "Oh, come on Angel…sweetheart," Buffy slunk over coyly and stroked his cheek, pressing herself against his chest, "You know I'm a lot more than just a body…"  He closed his eyes and turned sharply away.  Buffy giggled again and skipped back over to Spike.

CRYPT

            Wesley Wyndam-Pryce was not happy.  That girl…pretending she knew Mr. Giles.  Vampires.  He should have seen that coming.  Ahh, but he did see it coming!  He knew she was a vampire from the very start and was luring her into a false sense of security by allowing her to think she had him.  It was entirely not his fault that the second one jumped him while he was distracted.  Yes, he thought absentmindedly, that will do quite nicely.  He was caught up for a minute in awe of his own cleverness.  Then he remembered he was duct-taped to the wall of a vampire nest.  And he had gotten a sliver from that blasted stake.  Vampires.

MANSION

            "I really hate this place." Spike said from his position on the ornate sofa.  He, in complete disregard for the expensive antique, put his muddy boots up on the coffee table.

            "It's nice enough," Willow said with a shrug.  She was levitating.  Probably just to impress the non-magical members of her family, but no one really minded.

            "It's not about how nice it is…it's just not me."

            "He's got a point Pent," Buffy said before giggling at her joke.

            "Plus, I need to build my own world, with out his shadow looming over me all the time…it's bloody annoying."

            "Speaking of…do you think he's ever gonna wake up?" Buffy asked, pulling a peppermint out of a dish on the table and absentmindedly sucking on it.  She glanced at Angel.  It was really very rude of him to pass out and spoil their fun.  Rising, she walked over and ran her hands up and down his bare chest, feeling the burn marks and crusted blood from some of her more vigorous poker jabs.  Falling gracefully to her knees, she leaned in and ran her tongue in a cool deliberate line just above the waist line of his jeans.  His entire body shuddered and buckled.

            "That's quite enough of that!" Spike snapped, kicking the table backwards where the centuries old wood splintered.  Buffy rose, looking insulted.

            "Cool your jets Spike, I'm just messing with him.  I like to see his body react…even though his mind doesn't want to."

            "Still…" Spike growled low in his throat then grabbed her and pulled her back onto the couch with him.  He held her possessively on his lap, "Don't you dare forget…you're mine now."  Buffy giggled and wriggled until she was turned around, legs wrapped around his waist.

            "Don't worry Spikey…I'd never leave you.  And certainly not for soul-boy over there."  She rotated her hips with a sly smile.  Spike tilted his head back onto the couch and licked his lips.

            "That's the ticket, luv.  That's the ticket."

AFTERNOON (Summer's House)

            Joyce poured Giles a cup of tea and fetched sodas for Xander and Cordelia.  They all murmured their thanks and she got herself a cup before sitting down at the table.

            "So, what's happening on the Hellmouth front?"  She asked.  All three Scoobies glanced at each other.  Since when was Joyce part of the gang?

            "Oh, well, the usual.  Hellmouth business," Giles said, uncomfortably stirring his tea.

            "Rupert, please.  Buffy and Willow are dead.  Let me help.  I can't just go on ignoring the evil here."

            "Very well," the librarian sighed, "Currently we're investigating the murder of a janitor.  For all appearances he was drained by vampires, but he had a peculiar symbol carved into-"  He broke off quickly when he saw Joyce shudder.

            "No, no, go on.  I'm just…not used to it yet.  Please," she took a sip of tea, "continue."

            "Joyce…"

            "I have to do something…I can't just sit here!"
            "I don't expect you to," Giles said calmly, laying a hand on her slightly trembling arm, "But just because you don't want to turn your back on all that Buffy fought for does not mean you need to replace her.  We promise we will call you if we could ever use your services.  But for now, let's just have a nice visit."  Joyce opened her mouth to argue, then nodded, defeated.

That's it for now…sorry it's short, but I don't want to fall behind and not post for a long time. By the by, I just saw Van Helsing, and I loved it. The script wasn't that great, but the characters and action was compelling. Not for those with sensitive ears (it's a LOUD movie). I definitely recommend it!