Summary: Set about a year after Not Fade Away. Angel's not happy, neither is Buffy. But she comes to town and needs his help and he just needs her. Not a great summary, but let me know if I should finish it up.
Disclaimers: Mutant Enemy and Joss Whedon own it all.
Feedback: Appreciated
Angel pulled out onto the avenue, his mind ticking like a bomb. He didn't have much time to put his plan into action, but he could do it, he had to do it for the both of them.
First things first. He had to get Spike and Illyria out of the hotel for a few weeks. Shouldn't be a problem, the two of them had bonded after the big battle. Illyria had been a bit lost after both Wes and Gunn had died. She clung to Spike, as much as her god-like self would allow. She referred to him as her pet. As for Spike, for all the complaining and fighting, he needed to be needed by her. His soul needed it.
When he walked through the doors of the Hyperion the two of them were in the lobby, arguing. Actually, Spike was arguing, Illyria was taking a dismissive attitude.
"Listen Blue, you can't just walk up to someone and take their baby. They tend to get a little distressed. You don't own all the people in the world anymore, you stupid git!"
Spike looked up as Angel entered the room. "Thank god you're back. Could you please talk to her royal pain in the ass? She's having god flashbacks and she's gonna get us all buat the stake."
Angel sighed. He did not need this right now. "So, what happened now?"
Illyria rose from her seat and approached Angel. She cocked her head to right side and spoke. "The humans show much disrespect for their superiors. I was merely curious as to the strength of an infant human and the female breeder behaved in a most inappropriate manner. In my day…"
Spike interrupted her. "Well, it ain't your day, pet. Your day is long gone, along with all your god-like power, so you better get used to it or get your sodden head shot off."
Angel took a deep breath and looked at his two charges. Well, no time like the present.
"How would you two like to take a vacation? It might be a good idea to get Illyria out of town for awhile, show her a bit of the country. Maybe Vegas? The city never sleeps. Or New York? Open all night. Even New Orleans might be the spot. Or better yet, all three. Take a few weeks; help her to acclimate to this new world. She's been here over a year and she really hasn't seen all that much."
Spike eyed him suspiciously and took a long drag off his cigarette. "Okay Peaches, what's up? Why you tryin' to get rid of us?"
"This appears to be an excellent idea. I would like to see more of my domain, what has become of my people, my lands. See how far the humans have fallen since they no longer have me to worship, to lead them. Yes, Spike, we shall leave now. The sun has still not risen so we can make a start now. I shall go and gather a few needed supplies, blood, Weetabix." Looking at Spike, "You, gather whatever else we may need." With that, Illyria left.
Once she was gone, Spike turned to Angel.
"Okay Angel, what's the deal. 'Fess up."
Buffy braced herself against the onslaught of the hot shower spray, set to super lethal, it would appear. She was too exhausted to fiddle with the controls, besides the stinging heat was helping her sore muscles. Was this really happening to her? She wasn't even on a hellmouth and insanity was still following her around. Was her life always going to be shrouded in drama?
She got out of the shower and wiped the stream off the mirror, taking a good look at herself.
The bruises were already starting to fade, but her lips were still swollen, a reminder of Angel's passionate and brutal onslaught. She touched them and closed her eyes, remembering how it felt. Her fingers slid down her throat, running over the now healed scar, the place where Angel marked her for the second time. She shivered as she relived that moment.
Buffy's eye's snapped open. "I have to call Giles. What if there really is a loophole, what if we really can be together?" It was almost 3 am, so it would be 11:00 in England …
Just let it go Buffy, she thought. You and Angel are a lethal combination and I will not be responsible for releasing Angelus on the world again. She was already packed, now if she could just get a few hours sleep she'd be up to pretending everything was right with the world when she saw Angel tomorrow.
Angel gave Spike a look of impatience and turned his back to him. "Look Spike, I don't have the time to feed your paranoia and suspicions. I just would like to be alone for awhile. I need space."
Angel didn't want to go into all this with him. After Spike's soul-filled confession about his so-called relationship with Buffy, Angel couldn't handle the jealousy, Spike's or his own.
"So, I take it things didn't go well with the slayer then?"
Angel turned around to face his grandchilde. "What?"
"You stupid poncer. Did you think I wouldn't know she was in town? I can feel when a slayer is about and it sure wasn't one of the newbies and certainly not Faith. Her vibe is so different from Buffy. No one can be like Buffy. But you already know that. Besides, I can smell her all over you."
Angel ran his hand through his hair. "I just cannot get into this with you right now Spike." He did not want to have a whose-dick-is-bigger contest regarding Buffy. He had too much to do.
"No worries Peaches." Spike looked right into Angel's eyes. "I'm only ever going to say this once, so listen real good. She was never mine or anybody else's for that matter. She's been yours since day one. You'd have to be a blind, soulless fool not to see that. You might've been able to walk away from her Angel, but you took her heart and her soul with you. As for the rest of us mate? We never had a chance. We were all generic replacement parts, never the right fit." A flash of sadness swept over his face, quickly to be replaced by a sideways grin. "Gotta go pack. Wouldn't do to keep Blue waiting too long, she does bodily damage."
He had made his peace regarding Buffy long ago. She didn't love him, never would, and he needed love. Real love, not beat-me-to-a-pulp kind of lust. At this point in his life he felt that he deserved it. Spike started up the stairs then stopped and turned around. "Good luck, man. I hope the two of you find what you need."
Angel just stared after him, in disbelief.
He may have a soul, but he still loved to keep the old man guessing. And leaving him speechless was just an added bonus. He couldn't hide the familiar smirk as he made his way up to his room.
