Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters so far. Maddy's mine and so
are a few others. Wish I had Spike, but that's a whole thing all together.
Distribution: If you actually think that it's good enough to go anywhere, but here, then by all means. Just ask first.
Spoilers: None
A/N: beware! Spike and Angel . . . talking. Yes I LOVE Angel and I LOVE Spike and the thought of them as friends makes me happy, so I make them friends. Poof! Just like that. Snap my fingers and there you have it. This is somewhat of a transition chappy, but not that short. Oh I believe there is mild Riley bashing.
Chapter 17:
Giles looked around at the wary group of people. They had all went to bed very late and woken up fairly early. It was a good thing that Fred had gone out and stocked up on coffee. Right now there were currently four people congregating around the coffeepot and four people staring blankly into their coffee cups around the island.
Lorne, Maddy, Buffy and the now de-chipped Spike had not come out of Buffy's room since last night. Sam had stormed out of the place and soon after Riley and his troops filed out as well. None of them had said anything about how Spike was doing so the group waited. Eventually at two- thirty in the morning some of them passed out. It was currently seven in the morning. So that was the explanation for the caffeine IV's. The only sound was the ticking sound coming from the coffeepot.
Faith, Wesley, Gunn and Fred were the four that surrounded the machine like it was a temple. Anya, Xander, Cordelia and Connor were the four people around the island looking at their drinks. Anya, Xander and Cordy had coffee and Connor had a can of soda. Dawn had gone off to school and Angel was downstairs sleeping.
"So what do you think is going to happen next? Do we get an explanation as to why those commandos left in such a hurry?" Anya said being the first one to break the silence that had surrounded the group.
"I don't know. Buffy hasn't come down. It's been a draining few days. She's very tried. Last time I checked she was still asleep." Giles said taking a sip of his coffee.
"Everyone who knows anything about the initiative is in a deep slumber right now." Xander said.
"Well I guess we just sit here and wait. I don't know of anything else to do." Cordy said.
"Yes well when the sleeping beauties wake up we'll drill them." Gunn said.
"Yeah just a matter of time." Fred said.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lorne woke with a piercing pain in his head.
"Sweet Jesus, Joseph and Mary. I fill like someone's playing Babaloo on my head." Lorne ground as he tried to get himself off of the floor. He heard a low groan come from the other side of the bed.
"Oh. . . I don't remember drinking last night." Came the voice from the other side of the bed.
"Maddy is that you?" Lorne asked.
"Yeah more or less. How's your head?"
"The newest site for drilling."
"Yeah I know what you mean. Can you get up?"
"I've been trying without too much success. What the heck kind of spell was that?" Lorne asked with suspicion.
"Sorry about that. It's a pretty hard hitting spell I found in. . ."
"Pylea? Yeah I recognized the power in it and the language. Is there something you're not telling us sweetheart?"
"No I told you that I made a visit there. Found out some stuff." Maddy said trying to avoid the subject.
"Now see I'm not exactly believing that. I think that there is a bit of demon in you." Lorne said.
"Why would you say that?" Maddy said trying to find out just how much Lorne knew.
"Because that spell is specifically designed for Pylea tribe demons only. You need two in order to do it."
"Crap, okay so I have a bit of demon in me."
"Well that doesn't make a difference to me."
"Good now it's everyone else that I'm worried about. Where's Buffy and Spike?" Maddy said making another attempt to get up, but not succeeding.
"I think they're on the bed. Is he ready to get up?" Lorne asked not really sure how long the spell took to work.
"Yeah I think so. Our combined energies are enough to make him a little extra sensory though."
"Should we wake them?"
"Why not."
"Don't bother I'm awake." Came a voice from on top of the bed.
"Buffy?" Maddy asked. She was a little afraid that Buffy heard the conversation that she had with Lorne.
"Yeah, but shh, Spike needs his rest." Buffy said slowly getting out of their bed and avoiding stepping on Lorne.
"Well if you don't mind sweetness could you help us get up and somewhere nice and comfy. Maybe the couch in the living room." Lorne said.
"Yeah okay. Should I just pick you up?"
"Whatever is easiest for you." Lorne said.
"Okay." Buffy said picking up Lorne.
"Do you need help with getting yourself downstairs, Maddy?"
"Why do you ask?" Maddy asked.
"Well maybe you could do that float-y thing." Buffy said.
"I think that I should stay lax with the magic."
"Okay I'll be right back." Buffy said walking out of the room with Lorne over her shoulder. Maddy lay there for a few seconds before Buffy came back and picked her up.
"Oh this feels weird." Maddy commented.
"Yeah well be on the other end of picking up the people." There was a comfortable silence and then Buffy spoke up.
"Don't worry your secret's safe with me."
"What?" Maddy asked.
"Don't play dumb and innocent with me. I heard you talking to Lorne and Spike insinuated that you were different. Look it doesn't make a difference to me if you're part demon or whatnot. Girl dating a vampire here. I can see why you don't want it on the group share time though. Although I don't think that many of them will care much that you're a demon considering that most of them are demons."
"Yeah well most people freak out over it." Maddy said. Buffy made it down the stairs and to the couch without saying anything more. The group had already settled in the living room.
"So what's the deal with the commandos?" Xander asked.
"I told them to take a hike." Buffy said plainly.
"Do we get the details?" Cordy asked.
"Just know that they're probably not gone." Buffy said not wanting to talk much about her big blow up with Riley.
"You mean those wannabe demon hunters are actually gonna stick around and try to help?" Faith asked in incredulous tone.
"Yeah Riley was even trying to tell me my job." Buffy said voicing a little angry that she still held from the night before.
"Well doesn't the government think that they run everything nowadays. So what they're just going to stick around and try and not get killed." Gunn said.
"Great it's enough I have to worry about the group now I have to worry about other people trying to get killed. Stupid demon hating freaks who want nothing more then to be a pain in my ass." Buffy said.
"Right cause you have the whole now killing people thing." Faith said.
"It's a little more extensive then that. Our scared duty is to protect the innocent no matter how uninnocent they are." Buffy said.
"Yeah well hopefully they don't get in the way." Angel said.
"Yeah I could do without the gunshots for awhile. I mean is that so hard to ask for? Just a little time off from the chaos." Lorne said.
"Could we maybe you know relax tonight." Fred said.
"Yeah maybe we can you know rent some movies and eat some popcorn. It is Saturday night." Gunn said.
"Or we could go out and kill a few vampires." Connor said. Everyone looked at him with curious glances.
"What?" Connor said.
"Okay your idea of fun scares me." Maddy said.
"We could go to the Bronze." Cordelia said.
"The what?" Fred asked.
"The Bronze. It's like the only club here in small Sunnydale. God it's been years since I've been there." Cordy said.
"Yeah that sounds like fun. Get some frosty nectar and some well earned dancing might be cool." Buffy said.
"Yeah it's been awhile since we've Bronzed it. We take the L.A gang and they'll have a blast." Xander said.
"Okay it's agreed then. Bronze it is."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Spike was awake. He could here everything that was going on in the living room. It sounded like they were taking the night off. That was great, but days of usually equaled even more badness. There was something else that he was picking up. Thoughts, feelings, it was something he didn't expect.
Spike pushed himself up and looked around. He was in his and Buffy's room. It wasn't weird to call it his room anymore. His clothes and stuff were scattered around the room and so were various magical items. Buffy's smell lingered around with the rotten smell of eggs that was no doubt from some sort of spell.
It was easy to pick himself up and walking around the room. With each step his strength came back to him. It was like every step rejuvenated him, but with each step the thoughts and feelings came in double time. He could almost here them clearly now. He decided, against the better judgement and the pounding in his head to go downstairs and see what was going on. He slowly made his way down the stairs and to the living room.
"So anyone miss me?" Spike asked. The room turned to him and Dawn ran over and hugged him.
"Oi! Be careful now. Still not up to my full strength." Spike said when Dawn squeezed him a little too tight.
"Oh sorry, just so happy that you're okay. Now if we could just get these Initiative guys to go away." Dawn said taking Spike's hand and leading him to a chair.
"Are you sure you're okay to be walking around like this?" Buffy asked.
"Actually I seem to be gettin' better with each step I take. It's weird though 'm pickin' up all these weird vibes. Must be a weird side affect of whatever spell you guys did." Spike said.
"Well that's odd. What kind of weird vibes." Giles asked.
"Jus' like feelin's an' somethin' different." Spike said.
"Oh well that's to be expected you're picking up on some of my powers and some of Lorne's powers. The spell took more then just our physical strength. It also took the strength from our powers. Me being somewhat of an empath and Lorne's power to sense things about the future." Maddy said.
"So what Spike has free reign on those powers." Angel said.
"Little bit, but he won't be draining them from us. They'll be all his own for a little while until he is fully capable of doing things without our strength." Maddy said.
"We should teach him how to get a range on them though. Maybe he should stay home tonight and then we can help him out. Too many loud noises and such could blow his brain to little bits." Lorne said.
"No you guys shouldn't stay home 'cause of me. 'Sides I think it might be good ta get out." Spike said.
"No if they say you should stay in then you should stay in." Buffy said.
"Lorne's power to see into the future could totally paralyze you especially with the soul." Maddy said.
"Yeah, sweetness, and we're on the Hellmouth. People are most likely to have futures of death by someone's dinner." Lorne said.
"'M fine. I can take care 'f myself. My strength is gaining." Spike said.
"Yeah, but we don't know to wait extent yet. It might be wise to sit this one out." Dawn said.
"Not you too bit." Spike said.
"I'm just thinking about what's best." Dawn said.
"Whas' best is for everyone to let off a little steam." Spike said.
"Yeah, but at what price. I'm the first to hate you Spike, but your pride is getting in the way of your judgement. Just sit this one out. We'll all go out and let of some steam if it makes you feel better." Xander said.
"Yes Spike you obviously play a pivotal role in this thing and we don't need you to going out and hurting yourself just because you feel like you should be strong for everyone." Giles said.
"Is this like some sort of intervention. Shouldn't there be posters with quotes on them." Spike said sarcastically.
"All their saying is give staying home a chance. Maybe catch a movie and learn what this transfer of powers means. It could mean a lot of things and we need to learn what that means." Cordy said.
"The first part of recovery is admitting you have a problem. There that sound intervention-y enough for you." Anya said.
"Thanks Anyanaka." Spike said.
"Anytime." Anya said looking rather pleased with herself.
"The mystical energy you're gaining right now could make your head explode." Maddy said.
"Yeah and I don't think Buffy fancies picking Spike brain out of the carpet for all eternity." Angel said.
"Whas' it to you." Spike asked. Angel sighed heavily.
"Look it may seem like I don't care, but you know about the bond. I can't very well just sit back and let you die no matter how much it would bring me a happy." Angel said.
"That bond was gone a long time ago. Master vamp now." Spike said.
"Spike you know it's still there. I had to do everything in my power not to kill those Initiative guys when I found out they put that stupid chip in your head." Angel said.
"Yeah and that had nothing to do with the fact that one of them was with Buffy."
"I found out about the chip long before Buffy was with Riley. Look it really doesn't matter now does it? I'll kick your ass if you try and get out of this house." Angel said.
"Can't. The spell remember. 'Sides you couldn't do it anymore even if you wanted to." Spike said challengingly.
"Is that a challenge, William." Angel said in a dangerously low voice.
"No it's a promise. What wif' the soul and all you 'aven't s'actly tapped into your vampire powers lately. You couldn't do it anymore." Spike said.
"Really, Willie. You should have a little faith in your grandsire." Angel said.
"Right 'cause you had lots of faith in me. Look 'm goin' ta get some blood and then we can finish this lil' talk." Spike said.
Angel looked at Spike as he got up to walk away. He was to the dining room entrance when Angel growled, "Sit."
Spike sat with his back turned to the group on the floor.
"On the couch." Angel said a little irritated. Spike got up and sat on the couch.
"Wha'. . . what the bloody hell did you jus' do ta me." Spike said.
"Lost my touch huh. Now you listen to me William. You're going to go upstairs, take a nap and then you're going to let Lorne and Maddy help with getting used to this new power struggle you have. You're not going to go with us to the Bronze got that." Angel said.
Confusion went over Spike's face for a few minutes before saying, "Yes, grandsire." Spike had a look of disgust and guilt on his face.
"Good now go upstairs." Angel said. Spike got up and went upstairs. And soon as he was out of sight Angel plopped down on the seat that Spike had been occupying.
"Oh god that was hard." Angel said.
"What the hell did you do to him?" Buffy asked a little upset
. "Basic control thing sires have over their childes to keep them under control." Angel said breathing heavily.
"Fascinating. I thought that only worked on fledgings." Wes asked.
"It usually does for sires. The head of the 'family' has the control over all the childer. When the Master died Darla was imbued with the powers. When Darla died I got the power. I was always able to have control over Spike and Dru, well Spike mostly. He sort of looked up to me back then." Angel said.
"Wow that's. . . well that's terrible for Spike. He just had his mind explored into without his consent." Maddy said.
"Well he did issue the challenge." Angel said.
"You could have done something a little simple at first maybe he would have you know listened knowing that he didn't have any power over it." Dawn said.
"No Dawn this is Spike we're talking about. He's going to be mad as hell sure, but this is for the best. If Angel would have giving him a chance to listen then Spike would have still done everything against it." Buffy said.
"You know he's going to be very upset with you Buffy." Xander said.
"Yeah well I have ways of making him forget about it." Buffy said.
"Okay eww, but anyway let's do some quick research and then we can get ready to go out. I mean it's already two in the afternoon." Cordy said.
"Okay to the Bat cave." Xander said. The group looked at him strangely.
"That'll never be a good phrase will it."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Angel sat by Spike's bedside. The group was right about one thing. Spike would be very angry with him for invading his mind like that. He'd also feel guilty. He'd feel guilty for disobeying Angel's orders and that would piss Spike off even more. Angel watched as Spike slowly opened his eyes and looked around.
"Hey." Angel said for lack of a better word.
"Oh 's you. What jus' come back for another round of make Spike your willin' slave." Spike said.
"Spike." Angel said with a little irritation. Spike shut his mouth and looked at Angel with guilty eyes.
"Please don't look at me that way." Angel said
. "It's not my choice. I'd look at you wif' hate right now if I could. You know the consequences of the bond." Spike said.
"Yeah I know. I hated to do it, but it was the only way to keep you safe. You weren't listening." Angel said.
"Oh so let's jus' use the Big man mojo to keep Spike in line." Spike said.
"Yeah I know, but I had to do it." Angel said.
"Yeah sure." Spike said.
"You know I sometimes look back on the days when we were sort of friends. When I would do anything to keep you and Dru safe. I might have been a vicious killer, but you two were my family. You were like my children. Dru couldn't be a good sire and I knew that. I should have forbid her from doing that from the beginning, but I never thought she would. When I found out she did I wanted to yell at her and possibly stake you to keep you from having to go through all of that. It's hard to become a true vampire without a good sire. Then I saw the potential in you. At the time I thought it was only for killing, but then I realized that you were just. . . unique." Angel said.
Spike was staring at him like any wide-eyed child would. Angel forgot just how much Spike had looked up to him back in those days. How much innocence he still held in the beginning even after he killed at least a dozen people. The same wide blue eyes were always gleaming with wonder, but as the years went by the wonder faded and all that was left was cold hard eyes.
"You know I did the best I could with what I had. Sure I was evil and the things I taught you were evil, but they were real. I made your potential grow as far as I could take it. I know you killed that Slayer to impress Dru, but I was proud when you did it. I felt that it wasn't only for Dru. Great listen to me. Talking about how proud I was of you when we were demons. We're different now aren't we?" Angel said. Spike nodded readily.
"I think that the hardest thing for me to do was abandon you and Dru when I got my soul. You two didn't need me but I know that no good sire would abandon their childes. You can imagine how hard it was for me when you and Dru came to Sunnydale. I was in love with Buffy and didn't want her to get hurt, but then I loved you two as well. It's been awhile since I've said that."
"The Angelus now, well since he's repressed, he's a total maniac. I know I wasn't like that before. Sure I was still somewhat of a jackass, but I didn't treat you like total crap. Every once in awhile, yeah, but I did try to protect. Believe me when I said that I wanted to kill every one of those Initiative bastards. A proper sire would have. A proper sire would have made them pay and then protected you and given you human blood. I'm not a proper sire anymore."
Angel looked down at his hands. "What I vaguely remember about being Angelus when you were here in Sunnydale was bad. I knew you loved Dru and that you had hoped that after I left things between you and Dru would have been good. Vampires have that inane ability to love lots of people. Dru was like that, but you weren't. Always so faithful to Dru unless she allowed you not to be. I admired your heart after I had time to think about it. I hated it as Angelus. It made you weak, but now I see that it's great. It was always part of your potential." Angel looked at Spike.
He had been quiet through his whole talk.
"I guess that isn't what you wanted." Angel said watching Spike nod his head silently.
"Okay, Spike you're forgiven." Angel said. Spike let out a very audible sigh.
"You know I should kill you for that. Makin' me 'ear your whole sob story." Spike said with a grin on his face.
It was the first time Spike had grinned at Angel in awhile.
"William what am I going to do with you. You go out and get your soul and don't even tell me. That's the kind of pain I can't shield you from." Angel said.
"Hey now, 'm a grown vampire now. Jus' 'cause you 'ave that special elder vamp power doesn't mean I need you ta 'elp me out." Spike said.
"Always the stubborn one." Angel said shaking his head.
"Where's Buffy?" Spike asked.
"Wow that wasn't as fast as I thought it would be. She's downstairs waiting for me to tell her you're okay. She's going out after many people told her to do so." Angel said.
"Thas' good. She needs to get out an' let off some steam." Spike said.
"See no awkward silences. We can talk about Buffy without wanting to rip each others heads off." Angel said.
"When did you get so mature. Last I heard you were tellin' Buffy that thins' would never be good between me an' her." Spike said.
"I really don't think I did that for her. I don't love her anymore you know. Haven't for awhile. I guess it was just easier to say I was brooding over her then trying to get on with me unlife."
"So why the anger?" Spike said.
"Spike I can't honestly say. Don't ask me why. To protect her to protect you. It's all very blurry." Angel said.
"Well aren't you jus' the over busy granddad. Don't let it bother you too much." Spike said.
"I'm trying not to. I think I'm in love with Cordelia anyway." Angel said.
"With the Prom Queen huh. Thas' new. She does seem like your type." Spike said.
"Thanks for your approval. So you feeling any better?" Angel asked.
"If I say yes will you let me go out wif' all the other lil' boys and girls?" Spike asked.
"No, but I think that maybe we should lie for Buffy's sake."
"Fine I feel awful. Happy?"
"Ecstatic."
"So you know whas' goin' ta happen ta me?"
"Maddy and Lorne explained it as best as they could. Apparently you have their powers until you're strong enough to do without them. You pull the strength from their powers to regenerate and then they go away." Angel said.
"Any idea how long that'll take?" Spike said.
"Depends on the weakness of the person. Could be a couple of days could be a couple of weeks. There's no way to tell for sure." Angel said.
"So how long will it take to get these powers under control?"
"Lorne seems to think it won't take that long if you listen, but I told him that there was no way you were going to do that. You get frustrated too easily. It takes a certain amount of patience."
"Great take me out 'f this fight even longer." Spike said.
"You're a little too gun happy. Calm down a bit. You get back from winning your soul and you're all ready to fight. I thought William was a bit more timid and shy then this." Angel said.
"Tryin' ta be useful. 'Sides 'aven't s'actly seen how skittish William is in battle."
"Well with the Initiative still here maybe we should keep it low key." Angel said.
"The Initiative is still 'ere." Spike asked with an incredulous tone in his voice.
"Yeah I guess Riley got a call from his advisors telling him he had to stay in Sunnydale and bring down the threat. Buffy wasn't really forthcoming with the information." Angel said.
"Stupid wankers. Thinkin' they can take down Willow. Lil' witch is mighty strong. 'S all Captain Cardboard's fault. Wife my ass." Spike said.
"Well supposedly his wife just left in a hurry and took off. Lover's spat I guess." Angel said.
"Serves the bloody idiot right. Innit he a lil' too old ta be playin' hero." Spike said.
"Yeah and a bit dumb. He thinks that he's doing good, but what the government did was inhumane."
"Stupid git."
"Got that right." Angel said.
"We just got along on somethin' didn't we?" Spike asked.
"Yeah it would appear so."
"Well innit that somethin'. Maybe we can be civilized to each other." Spike said.
"Perhaps. It's been awhile though." Angel said.
"Yeah let's not make a habit of it though." Spike said.
"Got that right. I'll just go downstairs and tell the guys they can head out now." Angel said.
"What time is it?"
"Little past seven why?"
"Oh I'm a lil' hungry. Can you bring up some blood?" Spike asked.
"Sure, I'll be right back." Angel said exiting the room.
He bumped right into Buffy as soon as he turned around from closing the door. They looked at each other for a moment before Buffy opened her mouth.
"You didn't kill him did you?" Buffy asked with a skeptical look on her face.
"No. I was just coming down to tell you to go ahead to the Bronze already." Angel said.
"And what just leave you here alone with him. I don't think so Angel." Buffy said.
"Buffy did you forget that I can't hurt him. The spell remember. We all saw what it did to Connor. I really don't feel like getting thrown against a wall anytime soon. I couldn't kill him right now even if I wanted to. He's still my grandchilde you know."
"Yeah and how far does that go?"
"It goes pretty damn far. Now listen Spike's not going to be able to get any better if he thinks he's infringing on everyone's time out. If you want him to get better you'll go out and have a good time." Angel said.
"How am I supposed to have a good time when I'm spending every minute worrying about him?" Buffy asked.
"There's a little thing called alcohol that goes right through people making them loosen up." Angel said.
Buffy looked at him to see if was serious. He was.
"When did we change so much?" Buffy asked quietly.
"I changed a while back. I don't know what it is. We just grew apart Buffy. We decided to become different people then who we were then. People change you know. All that time in L.A around different people then my son, it's changed me."
"So I guess we aren't destined to be together forever. God how silly was I back then. First guy I loved and he was 'the one'." Buffy said laughing at herself.
"Teenage thought. I wanted it to be that way too. You made me feel like more then a vampire, but I knew it wouldn't last. You had to have time to explore things. I was a two hundred plus year old vamp and you were a seventeen-year-old girl. You weren't grown yet." Angel said.
"I guess every teenager goes through that. My experience was just a little different from the norm." Buffy said.
"So you're going out right?" Angel said.
"Yeah I guess. Don't try any mystical mind mojo on me." Buffy said.
"Wouldn't work. Only works on the vampires in your line. You're not a vampire and you're not in my line." Angel said.
"Yeah sure whatever. I'm going to pretend you didn't go all vamp knowledge on me and go out and have somewhat of a good time." Buffy said.
"Tell Lorne and Maddy to go too." Angel said.
"Well Lorne said that since the Bronze isn't a demon joint that he wasn't going to go, but I somehow talked Maddy into going." Buffy said.
"So who's not going except Lorne." Angel asked. Buffy flashed him a smile.
"It's just Lorne." Buffy said.
"What? You mean Wes and Giles are going too. And Connor." Angel said.
"Yup. See I talked Giles into going because of beer. Wes was goaded into coming by Cordelia and Connor, well Connor heard that Dawn was going and decided to tag along." Buffy said.
"Is this going to be a problem. I mean if my son and your sister. . . you know." Angel said.
"Hook up. Spike might not like it, but I don't think it will be. I think it's cute. Cordy thinks it's cute to. I'm okay with it if you are." Buffy said.
"Yeah I'm good. My son's better at the dating thing then I am, but I'm okay with him maybe dating Dawn. He's really confused about everything you know." Angel said.
"He's eighteen. Of course he's confused. Well I guess we're off then. Give Spike a kiss for me will you." Buffy said teasingly.
"Yeah right that'll happen when hell freezes over and little pigs learn how to fly." Angel said.
"Oh look out the window is that a flying pig?"
Distribution: If you actually think that it's good enough to go anywhere, but here, then by all means. Just ask first.
Spoilers: None
A/N: beware! Spike and Angel . . . talking. Yes I LOVE Angel and I LOVE Spike and the thought of them as friends makes me happy, so I make them friends. Poof! Just like that. Snap my fingers and there you have it. This is somewhat of a transition chappy, but not that short. Oh I believe there is mild Riley bashing.
Chapter 17:
Giles looked around at the wary group of people. They had all went to bed very late and woken up fairly early. It was a good thing that Fred had gone out and stocked up on coffee. Right now there were currently four people congregating around the coffeepot and four people staring blankly into their coffee cups around the island.
Lorne, Maddy, Buffy and the now de-chipped Spike had not come out of Buffy's room since last night. Sam had stormed out of the place and soon after Riley and his troops filed out as well. None of them had said anything about how Spike was doing so the group waited. Eventually at two- thirty in the morning some of them passed out. It was currently seven in the morning. So that was the explanation for the caffeine IV's. The only sound was the ticking sound coming from the coffeepot.
Faith, Wesley, Gunn and Fred were the four that surrounded the machine like it was a temple. Anya, Xander, Cordelia and Connor were the four people around the island looking at their drinks. Anya, Xander and Cordy had coffee and Connor had a can of soda. Dawn had gone off to school and Angel was downstairs sleeping.
"So what do you think is going to happen next? Do we get an explanation as to why those commandos left in such a hurry?" Anya said being the first one to break the silence that had surrounded the group.
"I don't know. Buffy hasn't come down. It's been a draining few days. She's very tried. Last time I checked she was still asleep." Giles said taking a sip of his coffee.
"Everyone who knows anything about the initiative is in a deep slumber right now." Xander said.
"Well I guess we just sit here and wait. I don't know of anything else to do." Cordy said.
"Yes well when the sleeping beauties wake up we'll drill them." Gunn said.
"Yeah just a matter of time." Fred said.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lorne woke with a piercing pain in his head.
"Sweet Jesus, Joseph and Mary. I fill like someone's playing Babaloo on my head." Lorne ground as he tried to get himself off of the floor. He heard a low groan come from the other side of the bed.
"Oh. . . I don't remember drinking last night." Came the voice from the other side of the bed.
"Maddy is that you?" Lorne asked.
"Yeah more or less. How's your head?"
"The newest site for drilling."
"Yeah I know what you mean. Can you get up?"
"I've been trying without too much success. What the heck kind of spell was that?" Lorne asked with suspicion.
"Sorry about that. It's a pretty hard hitting spell I found in. . ."
"Pylea? Yeah I recognized the power in it and the language. Is there something you're not telling us sweetheart?"
"No I told you that I made a visit there. Found out some stuff." Maddy said trying to avoid the subject.
"Now see I'm not exactly believing that. I think that there is a bit of demon in you." Lorne said.
"Why would you say that?" Maddy said trying to find out just how much Lorne knew.
"Because that spell is specifically designed for Pylea tribe demons only. You need two in order to do it."
"Crap, okay so I have a bit of demon in me."
"Well that doesn't make a difference to me."
"Good now it's everyone else that I'm worried about. Where's Buffy and Spike?" Maddy said making another attempt to get up, but not succeeding.
"I think they're on the bed. Is he ready to get up?" Lorne asked not really sure how long the spell took to work.
"Yeah I think so. Our combined energies are enough to make him a little extra sensory though."
"Should we wake them?"
"Why not."
"Don't bother I'm awake." Came a voice from on top of the bed.
"Buffy?" Maddy asked. She was a little afraid that Buffy heard the conversation that she had with Lorne.
"Yeah, but shh, Spike needs his rest." Buffy said slowly getting out of their bed and avoiding stepping on Lorne.
"Well if you don't mind sweetness could you help us get up and somewhere nice and comfy. Maybe the couch in the living room." Lorne said.
"Yeah okay. Should I just pick you up?"
"Whatever is easiest for you." Lorne said.
"Okay." Buffy said picking up Lorne.
"Do you need help with getting yourself downstairs, Maddy?"
"Why do you ask?" Maddy asked.
"Well maybe you could do that float-y thing." Buffy said.
"I think that I should stay lax with the magic."
"Okay I'll be right back." Buffy said walking out of the room with Lorne over her shoulder. Maddy lay there for a few seconds before Buffy came back and picked her up.
"Oh this feels weird." Maddy commented.
"Yeah well be on the other end of picking up the people." There was a comfortable silence and then Buffy spoke up.
"Don't worry your secret's safe with me."
"What?" Maddy asked.
"Don't play dumb and innocent with me. I heard you talking to Lorne and Spike insinuated that you were different. Look it doesn't make a difference to me if you're part demon or whatnot. Girl dating a vampire here. I can see why you don't want it on the group share time though. Although I don't think that many of them will care much that you're a demon considering that most of them are demons."
"Yeah well most people freak out over it." Maddy said. Buffy made it down the stairs and to the couch without saying anything more. The group had already settled in the living room.
"So what's the deal with the commandos?" Xander asked.
"I told them to take a hike." Buffy said plainly.
"Do we get the details?" Cordy asked.
"Just know that they're probably not gone." Buffy said not wanting to talk much about her big blow up with Riley.
"You mean those wannabe demon hunters are actually gonna stick around and try to help?" Faith asked in incredulous tone.
"Yeah Riley was even trying to tell me my job." Buffy said voicing a little angry that she still held from the night before.
"Well doesn't the government think that they run everything nowadays. So what they're just going to stick around and try and not get killed." Gunn said.
"Great it's enough I have to worry about the group now I have to worry about other people trying to get killed. Stupid demon hating freaks who want nothing more then to be a pain in my ass." Buffy said.
"Right cause you have the whole now killing people thing." Faith said.
"It's a little more extensive then that. Our scared duty is to protect the innocent no matter how uninnocent they are." Buffy said.
"Yeah well hopefully they don't get in the way." Angel said.
"Yeah I could do without the gunshots for awhile. I mean is that so hard to ask for? Just a little time off from the chaos." Lorne said.
"Could we maybe you know relax tonight." Fred said.
"Yeah maybe we can you know rent some movies and eat some popcorn. It is Saturday night." Gunn said.
"Or we could go out and kill a few vampires." Connor said. Everyone looked at him with curious glances.
"What?" Connor said.
"Okay your idea of fun scares me." Maddy said.
"We could go to the Bronze." Cordelia said.
"The what?" Fred asked.
"The Bronze. It's like the only club here in small Sunnydale. God it's been years since I've been there." Cordy said.
"Yeah that sounds like fun. Get some frosty nectar and some well earned dancing might be cool." Buffy said.
"Yeah it's been awhile since we've Bronzed it. We take the L.A gang and they'll have a blast." Xander said.
"Okay it's agreed then. Bronze it is."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Spike was awake. He could here everything that was going on in the living room. It sounded like they were taking the night off. That was great, but days of usually equaled even more badness. There was something else that he was picking up. Thoughts, feelings, it was something he didn't expect.
Spike pushed himself up and looked around. He was in his and Buffy's room. It wasn't weird to call it his room anymore. His clothes and stuff were scattered around the room and so were various magical items. Buffy's smell lingered around with the rotten smell of eggs that was no doubt from some sort of spell.
It was easy to pick himself up and walking around the room. With each step his strength came back to him. It was like every step rejuvenated him, but with each step the thoughts and feelings came in double time. He could almost here them clearly now. He decided, against the better judgement and the pounding in his head to go downstairs and see what was going on. He slowly made his way down the stairs and to the living room.
"So anyone miss me?" Spike asked. The room turned to him and Dawn ran over and hugged him.
"Oi! Be careful now. Still not up to my full strength." Spike said when Dawn squeezed him a little too tight.
"Oh sorry, just so happy that you're okay. Now if we could just get these Initiative guys to go away." Dawn said taking Spike's hand and leading him to a chair.
"Are you sure you're okay to be walking around like this?" Buffy asked.
"Actually I seem to be gettin' better with each step I take. It's weird though 'm pickin' up all these weird vibes. Must be a weird side affect of whatever spell you guys did." Spike said.
"Well that's odd. What kind of weird vibes." Giles asked.
"Jus' like feelin's an' somethin' different." Spike said.
"Oh well that's to be expected you're picking up on some of my powers and some of Lorne's powers. The spell took more then just our physical strength. It also took the strength from our powers. Me being somewhat of an empath and Lorne's power to sense things about the future." Maddy said.
"So what Spike has free reign on those powers." Angel said.
"Little bit, but he won't be draining them from us. They'll be all his own for a little while until he is fully capable of doing things without our strength." Maddy said.
"We should teach him how to get a range on them though. Maybe he should stay home tonight and then we can help him out. Too many loud noises and such could blow his brain to little bits." Lorne said.
"No you guys shouldn't stay home 'cause of me. 'Sides I think it might be good ta get out." Spike said.
"No if they say you should stay in then you should stay in." Buffy said.
"Lorne's power to see into the future could totally paralyze you especially with the soul." Maddy said.
"Yeah, sweetness, and we're on the Hellmouth. People are most likely to have futures of death by someone's dinner." Lorne said.
"'M fine. I can take care 'f myself. My strength is gaining." Spike said.
"Yeah, but we don't know to wait extent yet. It might be wise to sit this one out." Dawn said.
"Not you too bit." Spike said.
"I'm just thinking about what's best." Dawn said.
"Whas' best is for everyone to let off a little steam." Spike said.
"Yeah, but at what price. I'm the first to hate you Spike, but your pride is getting in the way of your judgement. Just sit this one out. We'll all go out and let of some steam if it makes you feel better." Xander said.
"Yes Spike you obviously play a pivotal role in this thing and we don't need you to going out and hurting yourself just because you feel like you should be strong for everyone." Giles said.
"Is this like some sort of intervention. Shouldn't there be posters with quotes on them." Spike said sarcastically.
"All their saying is give staying home a chance. Maybe catch a movie and learn what this transfer of powers means. It could mean a lot of things and we need to learn what that means." Cordy said.
"The first part of recovery is admitting you have a problem. There that sound intervention-y enough for you." Anya said.
"Thanks Anyanaka." Spike said.
"Anytime." Anya said looking rather pleased with herself.
"The mystical energy you're gaining right now could make your head explode." Maddy said.
"Yeah and I don't think Buffy fancies picking Spike brain out of the carpet for all eternity." Angel said.
"Whas' it to you." Spike asked. Angel sighed heavily.
"Look it may seem like I don't care, but you know about the bond. I can't very well just sit back and let you die no matter how much it would bring me a happy." Angel said.
"That bond was gone a long time ago. Master vamp now." Spike said.
"Spike you know it's still there. I had to do everything in my power not to kill those Initiative guys when I found out they put that stupid chip in your head." Angel said.
"Yeah and that had nothing to do with the fact that one of them was with Buffy."
"I found out about the chip long before Buffy was with Riley. Look it really doesn't matter now does it? I'll kick your ass if you try and get out of this house." Angel said.
"Can't. The spell remember. 'Sides you couldn't do it anymore even if you wanted to." Spike said challengingly.
"Is that a challenge, William." Angel said in a dangerously low voice.
"No it's a promise. What wif' the soul and all you 'aven't s'actly tapped into your vampire powers lately. You couldn't do it anymore." Spike said.
"Really, Willie. You should have a little faith in your grandsire." Angel said.
"Right 'cause you had lots of faith in me. Look 'm goin' ta get some blood and then we can finish this lil' talk." Spike said.
Angel looked at Spike as he got up to walk away. He was to the dining room entrance when Angel growled, "Sit."
Spike sat with his back turned to the group on the floor.
"On the couch." Angel said a little irritated. Spike got up and sat on the couch.
"Wha'. . . what the bloody hell did you jus' do ta me." Spike said.
"Lost my touch huh. Now you listen to me William. You're going to go upstairs, take a nap and then you're going to let Lorne and Maddy help with getting used to this new power struggle you have. You're not going to go with us to the Bronze got that." Angel said.
Confusion went over Spike's face for a few minutes before saying, "Yes, grandsire." Spike had a look of disgust and guilt on his face.
"Good now go upstairs." Angel said. Spike got up and went upstairs. And soon as he was out of sight Angel plopped down on the seat that Spike had been occupying.
"Oh god that was hard." Angel said.
"What the hell did you do to him?" Buffy asked a little upset
. "Basic control thing sires have over their childes to keep them under control." Angel said breathing heavily.
"Fascinating. I thought that only worked on fledgings." Wes asked.
"It usually does for sires. The head of the 'family' has the control over all the childer. When the Master died Darla was imbued with the powers. When Darla died I got the power. I was always able to have control over Spike and Dru, well Spike mostly. He sort of looked up to me back then." Angel said.
"Wow that's. . . well that's terrible for Spike. He just had his mind explored into without his consent." Maddy said.
"Well he did issue the challenge." Angel said.
"You could have done something a little simple at first maybe he would have you know listened knowing that he didn't have any power over it." Dawn said.
"No Dawn this is Spike we're talking about. He's going to be mad as hell sure, but this is for the best. If Angel would have giving him a chance to listen then Spike would have still done everything against it." Buffy said.
"You know he's going to be very upset with you Buffy." Xander said.
"Yeah well I have ways of making him forget about it." Buffy said.
"Okay eww, but anyway let's do some quick research and then we can get ready to go out. I mean it's already two in the afternoon." Cordy said.
"Okay to the Bat cave." Xander said. The group looked at him strangely.
"That'll never be a good phrase will it."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Angel sat by Spike's bedside. The group was right about one thing. Spike would be very angry with him for invading his mind like that. He'd also feel guilty. He'd feel guilty for disobeying Angel's orders and that would piss Spike off even more. Angel watched as Spike slowly opened his eyes and looked around.
"Hey." Angel said for lack of a better word.
"Oh 's you. What jus' come back for another round of make Spike your willin' slave." Spike said.
"Spike." Angel said with a little irritation. Spike shut his mouth and looked at Angel with guilty eyes.
"Please don't look at me that way." Angel said
. "It's not my choice. I'd look at you wif' hate right now if I could. You know the consequences of the bond." Spike said.
"Yeah I know. I hated to do it, but it was the only way to keep you safe. You weren't listening." Angel said.
"Oh so let's jus' use the Big man mojo to keep Spike in line." Spike said.
"Yeah I know, but I had to do it." Angel said.
"Yeah sure." Spike said.
"You know I sometimes look back on the days when we were sort of friends. When I would do anything to keep you and Dru safe. I might have been a vicious killer, but you two were my family. You were like my children. Dru couldn't be a good sire and I knew that. I should have forbid her from doing that from the beginning, but I never thought she would. When I found out she did I wanted to yell at her and possibly stake you to keep you from having to go through all of that. It's hard to become a true vampire without a good sire. Then I saw the potential in you. At the time I thought it was only for killing, but then I realized that you were just. . . unique." Angel said.
Spike was staring at him like any wide-eyed child would. Angel forgot just how much Spike had looked up to him back in those days. How much innocence he still held in the beginning even after he killed at least a dozen people. The same wide blue eyes were always gleaming with wonder, but as the years went by the wonder faded and all that was left was cold hard eyes.
"You know I did the best I could with what I had. Sure I was evil and the things I taught you were evil, but they were real. I made your potential grow as far as I could take it. I know you killed that Slayer to impress Dru, but I was proud when you did it. I felt that it wasn't only for Dru. Great listen to me. Talking about how proud I was of you when we were demons. We're different now aren't we?" Angel said. Spike nodded readily.
"I think that the hardest thing for me to do was abandon you and Dru when I got my soul. You two didn't need me but I know that no good sire would abandon their childes. You can imagine how hard it was for me when you and Dru came to Sunnydale. I was in love with Buffy and didn't want her to get hurt, but then I loved you two as well. It's been awhile since I've said that."
"The Angelus now, well since he's repressed, he's a total maniac. I know I wasn't like that before. Sure I was still somewhat of a jackass, but I didn't treat you like total crap. Every once in awhile, yeah, but I did try to protect. Believe me when I said that I wanted to kill every one of those Initiative bastards. A proper sire would have. A proper sire would have made them pay and then protected you and given you human blood. I'm not a proper sire anymore."
Angel looked down at his hands. "What I vaguely remember about being Angelus when you were here in Sunnydale was bad. I knew you loved Dru and that you had hoped that after I left things between you and Dru would have been good. Vampires have that inane ability to love lots of people. Dru was like that, but you weren't. Always so faithful to Dru unless she allowed you not to be. I admired your heart after I had time to think about it. I hated it as Angelus. It made you weak, but now I see that it's great. It was always part of your potential." Angel looked at Spike.
He had been quiet through his whole talk.
"I guess that isn't what you wanted." Angel said watching Spike nod his head silently.
"Okay, Spike you're forgiven." Angel said. Spike let out a very audible sigh.
"You know I should kill you for that. Makin' me 'ear your whole sob story." Spike said with a grin on his face.
It was the first time Spike had grinned at Angel in awhile.
"William what am I going to do with you. You go out and get your soul and don't even tell me. That's the kind of pain I can't shield you from." Angel said.
"Hey now, 'm a grown vampire now. Jus' 'cause you 'ave that special elder vamp power doesn't mean I need you ta 'elp me out." Spike said.
"Always the stubborn one." Angel said shaking his head.
"Where's Buffy?" Spike asked.
"Wow that wasn't as fast as I thought it would be. She's downstairs waiting for me to tell her you're okay. She's going out after many people told her to do so." Angel said.
"Thas' good. She needs to get out an' let off some steam." Spike said.
"See no awkward silences. We can talk about Buffy without wanting to rip each others heads off." Angel said.
"When did you get so mature. Last I heard you were tellin' Buffy that thins' would never be good between me an' her." Spike said.
"I really don't think I did that for her. I don't love her anymore you know. Haven't for awhile. I guess it was just easier to say I was brooding over her then trying to get on with me unlife."
"So why the anger?" Spike said.
"Spike I can't honestly say. Don't ask me why. To protect her to protect you. It's all very blurry." Angel said.
"Well aren't you jus' the over busy granddad. Don't let it bother you too much." Spike said.
"I'm trying not to. I think I'm in love with Cordelia anyway." Angel said.
"With the Prom Queen huh. Thas' new. She does seem like your type." Spike said.
"Thanks for your approval. So you feeling any better?" Angel asked.
"If I say yes will you let me go out wif' all the other lil' boys and girls?" Spike asked.
"No, but I think that maybe we should lie for Buffy's sake."
"Fine I feel awful. Happy?"
"Ecstatic."
"So you know whas' goin' ta happen ta me?"
"Maddy and Lorne explained it as best as they could. Apparently you have their powers until you're strong enough to do without them. You pull the strength from their powers to regenerate and then they go away." Angel said.
"Any idea how long that'll take?" Spike said.
"Depends on the weakness of the person. Could be a couple of days could be a couple of weeks. There's no way to tell for sure." Angel said.
"So how long will it take to get these powers under control?"
"Lorne seems to think it won't take that long if you listen, but I told him that there was no way you were going to do that. You get frustrated too easily. It takes a certain amount of patience."
"Great take me out 'f this fight even longer." Spike said.
"You're a little too gun happy. Calm down a bit. You get back from winning your soul and you're all ready to fight. I thought William was a bit more timid and shy then this." Angel said.
"Tryin' ta be useful. 'Sides 'aven't s'actly seen how skittish William is in battle."
"Well with the Initiative still here maybe we should keep it low key." Angel said.
"The Initiative is still 'ere." Spike asked with an incredulous tone in his voice.
"Yeah I guess Riley got a call from his advisors telling him he had to stay in Sunnydale and bring down the threat. Buffy wasn't really forthcoming with the information." Angel said.
"Stupid wankers. Thinkin' they can take down Willow. Lil' witch is mighty strong. 'S all Captain Cardboard's fault. Wife my ass." Spike said.
"Well supposedly his wife just left in a hurry and took off. Lover's spat I guess." Angel said.
"Serves the bloody idiot right. Innit he a lil' too old ta be playin' hero." Spike said.
"Yeah and a bit dumb. He thinks that he's doing good, but what the government did was inhumane."
"Stupid git."
"Got that right." Angel said.
"We just got along on somethin' didn't we?" Spike asked.
"Yeah it would appear so."
"Well innit that somethin'. Maybe we can be civilized to each other." Spike said.
"Perhaps. It's been awhile though." Angel said.
"Yeah let's not make a habit of it though." Spike said.
"Got that right. I'll just go downstairs and tell the guys they can head out now." Angel said.
"What time is it?"
"Little past seven why?"
"Oh I'm a lil' hungry. Can you bring up some blood?" Spike asked.
"Sure, I'll be right back." Angel said exiting the room.
He bumped right into Buffy as soon as he turned around from closing the door. They looked at each other for a moment before Buffy opened her mouth.
"You didn't kill him did you?" Buffy asked with a skeptical look on her face.
"No. I was just coming down to tell you to go ahead to the Bronze already." Angel said.
"And what just leave you here alone with him. I don't think so Angel." Buffy said.
"Buffy did you forget that I can't hurt him. The spell remember. We all saw what it did to Connor. I really don't feel like getting thrown against a wall anytime soon. I couldn't kill him right now even if I wanted to. He's still my grandchilde you know."
"Yeah and how far does that go?"
"It goes pretty damn far. Now listen Spike's not going to be able to get any better if he thinks he's infringing on everyone's time out. If you want him to get better you'll go out and have a good time." Angel said.
"How am I supposed to have a good time when I'm spending every minute worrying about him?" Buffy asked.
"There's a little thing called alcohol that goes right through people making them loosen up." Angel said.
Buffy looked at him to see if was serious. He was.
"When did we change so much?" Buffy asked quietly.
"I changed a while back. I don't know what it is. We just grew apart Buffy. We decided to become different people then who we were then. People change you know. All that time in L.A around different people then my son, it's changed me."
"So I guess we aren't destined to be together forever. God how silly was I back then. First guy I loved and he was 'the one'." Buffy said laughing at herself.
"Teenage thought. I wanted it to be that way too. You made me feel like more then a vampire, but I knew it wouldn't last. You had to have time to explore things. I was a two hundred plus year old vamp and you were a seventeen-year-old girl. You weren't grown yet." Angel said.
"I guess every teenager goes through that. My experience was just a little different from the norm." Buffy said.
"So you're going out right?" Angel said.
"Yeah I guess. Don't try any mystical mind mojo on me." Buffy said.
"Wouldn't work. Only works on the vampires in your line. You're not a vampire and you're not in my line." Angel said.
"Yeah sure whatever. I'm going to pretend you didn't go all vamp knowledge on me and go out and have somewhat of a good time." Buffy said.
"Tell Lorne and Maddy to go too." Angel said.
"Well Lorne said that since the Bronze isn't a demon joint that he wasn't going to go, but I somehow talked Maddy into going." Buffy said.
"So who's not going except Lorne." Angel asked. Buffy flashed him a smile.
"It's just Lorne." Buffy said.
"What? You mean Wes and Giles are going too. And Connor." Angel said.
"Yup. See I talked Giles into going because of beer. Wes was goaded into coming by Cordelia and Connor, well Connor heard that Dawn was going and decided to tag along." Buffy said.
"Is this going to be a problem. I mean if my son and your sister. . . you know." Angel said.
"Hook up. Spike might not like it, but I don't think it will be. I think it's cute. Cordy thinks it's cute to. I'm okay with it if you are." Buffy said.
"Yeah I'm good. My son's better at the dating thing then I am, but I'm okay with him maybe dating Dawn. He's really confused about everything you know." Angel said.
"He's eighteen. Of course he's confused. Well I guess we're off then. Give Spike a kiss for me will you." Buffy said teasingly.
"Yeah right that'll happen when hell freezes over and little pigs learn how to fly." Angel said.
"Oh look out the window is that a flying pig?"
