Title: CONSEQUENCES
Disclaimer: Nope. Don't own them (regrettably so). Buffy and Angel belong to Joss Whedon, the WB, UPN, and Mutant Enemy etc. Rurouni Kenshin (RK as it's known among anime fans) belongs to Watsuki Nubuhiro, Sony pictures etc.
Rating: R (for now)
Spoilers: up till "Damage" in Angel. Also, Anya didn't die at the end of "Chosen" in Buffy.
Ch#1: BeginningIt was evening in LA. The sun had just dipped below the horizon & most of the hard-working employees of W&H had gone home. Angel was sitting in his office, going through the Eve's files when Gunn walked in with his briefcase. Wesley and Fred followed him. Angel looked up from the file he was reading & asked, "Why is it that we know so very little about Eve's background?"
"I believe Lilah said that files of Special Liaisons of the senior partners are usually not available, even to branch heads." Wesley replied. "Why? Is something wrong?"
"Nah…. just felt curious." Angel replied. He came to the front of his desk & sitting on it, said, "Anyway, the reason I've called you all here is because I've been getting reports about young girls getting killed all over the city."
"Do we have a suspect?" Gunn asked.
"Not yet, but I've ordered an investigation. What I want to know is, why have we stopped helping the helpless? & Why is it that my division heads don't know anything about it? You're supposed to be a lawyer Gunn. You should've known about this." Angel snapped.
"Whoa man! What's gotten into you? Yeah I'm a lawyer but I have my hands full as it is with our regular clients. You can't expect me to bear all the load." Gunn replied.
"Nothing. It's nothing. Just be sure to submit a report to me personally. I want you on this case" Angel ordered.
"I'll look into it but I'm sure that it's some rapist or something. Most probably, it has nothing to do with any dark forces." Gunn looking quite pissed off turned & left without another word. Fred looked at Angel for a few moments before she too left.
"Angel, are you feeling quite alright?" Wesley inquired, "Charles is quite right. This kind of stuff happens all the time. It's probably some mugger or rapist. The police will catch the culprits. There's no need to worry"
"What are we doing Wes? Why are we here? What have we become? We used to help people whatever their plight maybe. Now look at us. We've made helping into a business." Angel sounded disgusted as he went & slouched on the couch.
Wesley sighed & sat down beside Angel "Is it about what Andrew said?" It was said so softly that Angel hardly picked it up.
"What Andrew said?" Angel sounded confused.
"Regarding Buffy. About how she doesn't trust you anymore" Wesley explained.
If you'd ask Angel what was the one word that could make his insides turn to mush & throw his mental state into turmoil, it was that word 'Buffy'. In all his existence he had never met anyone who had possessed & captivated him so completely. She seemed to be the reason behind ALL his actions.
"No…yes… It's just that it hurts that she can't trust me after all we've been through. I mean…what didn't I do for her? What I wouldn't do? I've always placed her above me & she doesn't trust me. Can't even say that to my face? That's love for you… Always & Forever." Angel said, his words thick with cynicism.
"Don't worry about it. She'll come around once she sees the good we're doing through this company" Wesley supplied.
"But see…that's the thing. I'm not too sure we are doing anything other than getting too caught up in the business life of Wolfram & Hart" Angel said bitterly, "What are we doing Wes? Look at what we've become. When was the last time we actually went out & actually saved some poor soul?"
"Sometimes I'm not too sure why we did it either." Wesley said as he gazed out of the necro-tempered windows. "But I'm sure of one thing. We'll make Wolfram & Hart what it should be: a Law Firm whose only purpose is to help people. There will be hitches along the way but we'll make it happen"
Angel looked at his friend and sadly whispered, "Yes we'll make it happen. But at what cost? Look at us Wes. This is the first real talk we've had in months. We are so obsessed about the big picture, that we're ignoring the many small pictures that make that big picture. I mean…. Spike is helping the people but we aren't. That's how wrong things have become."
Wesley raked a hand through his hair & said, "Yes…I believe that's true. So what you're suggesting is that we leave all this & go back to our previous lives?"
Angel sighed, "No. I don't believe that we can ever have that life back now. We can however do our bit while staying here. All we normally do around here is sit on our asses & do bookwork. I'm sure we can use some exercise."
Wesley smiled, "Exercise? Yes… I believe some exercise would be nice."
"So you in?" Angel asked as he got up & fixed himself a drink.
"Yes." Wesley said as he got up to go.
"Good. Oh…& Wesley, I want you to buy the Hyperion for me." Angel said as he sipped his Scotch.
Wesley looked at Angel, nodded & then left the office closing the door behind him.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Darkness…voices all around… sounds of fighting.
Demons and Slayers…blood being spilled, shouting.
Flashes of Steel…shadows coming alive.
Haggard breathing… ember eyes in shadows.
Shadows following them…a voice saying 'Stalk them. Fight them. Tear them apart!'
A lust for the kill…for violence… for blood!
Blood…everywhere.
Cold feral eyes!
Furious Dragons!
Snarling Wolves!
Roaring Tigers!
Rampaging Destroyers!
HONOUR!
TRUST!
SOUL!
POWER!
TERROR!
HORROR!
FIRE!
SCREAMS!
SUFFERING!
PAIN!
BLOOD!
DEATH!!!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
In the W&H special hospital, the VIP ward suddenly erupted with the screams of a Seer!
AN: Ok…this here is my 1st story, so…PLZ REVIEW!!!