Ok its explanation time... Enjoy!
Chapter 6: All Butterflies should be shot at Birth.
Somewhere around Kuala Lumpur, Angel imagines, a butterfly has just alighted from its perch on a beautiful bloom. The effects of that primary flap are currently being experienced in the lobby of the Hyperion hotel. Or they will be once every one remembers how to breathe.
As Darla made her way down the stairs, small smile on her lips, she studied each person in turn. She had been listening to the battle of wills between the Seer and the Slayer and had to admire Cordelia. She was not intimidated by anything. Darla recalled with a shudder the chilling way in which a girl, only a fraction of her age, had not only stood up to her but had faced her down. Angel had a true friend in that girl, and in the Watcher. She had to give them all credit for the way they had stuck by Angel, and so far had accepted her. She also made a note to herself that should it ever occur that she became a vampire again, to have those two turned. They would be more impressive than Drusilla and Spike. They'd be downright terrifying.
She'd also been watching her Boy very closely and she had to smile at what she saw. He had been right. He was a curious mix of Soul and Demon. He was quiet and introverted yet at the same time she could tell that he was having the time of his life watching the erupting chaos around him. Her Boy had always loved the whirlwind. He loved to create it, but he wasn't one to pass up on a pre-prepared one. She also found confirmation of his earlier words. He wasn't running after the little Slayer and he definitely wasn't viewing her as the centre of creation. He seemed to be doing exactly what she was – watching, waiting and assessing. She would bet her soul that Angel knew far more about everyone in that room than they could imagine. Even those he had only just met.
It was an ability of Angelus' that had proved useful on more than one occasion and had threatened Darla immensely. Angelus, and quite obviously Angel, had a god given talent for reading people. He immediately knew how to break them or bend them to his will. It had seemed that Dru wasn't the only psychic in the family on more than one occasion. Yet that was not what Darla had found disquieting. It was the spider web that he led people into that unsettled her. She had watched as he fumbled with the computer or a mobile, pretended that he didn't see sly glances or telling expressions, yet she knew that that was all an act. If he needed to, he had already learnt enough about each person and whatever equipment to keep himself alive. Not only alive but with his opponent at a disadvantage. Liam, Angelus and now Angel walked through existence as if life were a game, a chess board as opposed to a stage. She guessed that it worked well for him.
Buffy was weak. Cordelia was right. She saw her calling as a job and it was eating away at her soul. She isn't the girl Angel fell in love with, that much is obvious. What is also obvious is that her taste in men – which Darla couldn't have faulted – had taken a sharp nose dive. Darla refused to believe that the Slayer was naïve enough to think that the homely farm boy was anywhere near being a decent replacement for Angel. She actually pitied the girl. She also knew that Buffy hadn't released her hold on Angel's leash. What Buffy hadn't realised was that her puppy had already chewed through it, and was in the process of leaving the garden. If that little dye-job thought that Angel would be running back to her at the first snap of her fingers, she was going to be sorely disappointed. Not only that, but she was in for a fight if she thought that Darla was going to be evicted from Angel's life. That was Angel's choice and he'd already confirmed that she was going nowhere.
None of the other occupants interested her that much. She was curious as to why Spike was there though. Perhaps curious wasn't the best way to describe it, vexed beyond all reason was more like it. That little menace had been a thorn in her side since he'd been turned. He'd usurped her as Angelus' preferred hunting partner to the stage that she had had to actually had to demand his presence by her side on a hunt. She also knew that given the opportunity he would've usurped her place in Angelus' bed. Ever since that night Angelus had welcomed 'Will' into the family, creating a blood bond between the two, the little brat had been obsessed with earning his adopted Sire's admiration, in the hopes of earning another night with the dark demon. She knew that Angelus was a fantastic lover, but she had never panted after him in that way. Will had practically fallen in love with her Childe, and that was unacceptable. Spike had returned her animosity full force. Neither had ever done anything, Spike had been in no position to challenge Darla in any way. He had neither the status nor the strength. He was also smarter than she was willing to give him credit for. She was under no illusion that had Angelus not been cursed, William would have made it back into his bed. That was deplorable and it better not become an issue in the here and now. There was only room for one slight blonde in Angel's life and that spot was taken.
The lack of oxygen didn't affect everyone, however, and before it had time to return, the one occupant that no longer needed it decided that actions were worth more than words. Angel suddenly realised the fatal flaw in his plan. Spike and Darla detested each other, Angelus had always played dumb to the root of this problem, but he was very aware of why they hated each other. Darla was now human and Spike had no defence from that. Acting on an instinct that he refused to examine Angel moved to intercept Spike. He ended up tackling Spike to the ground and landing heavily on top of him. Angel was under no illusions. It had been his velocity, superior weight and sheer luck that had stopped the attack.
Now Spike knew. Angel had hoped to be able to tell Spike before the others, being one of the only members of his family left he felt he owed him that much. Trust Darla to insist on playing her games. Why hadn't she just waited until he'd spoken to everyone like she'd promised to before he came downstairs. Now Spike's beguiling blue eyes were staring up at him in both amazement and horror, and Angel found himself unable to pull away. He froze, utterly trapped by the powerful creature pinned below him. Swiftly and with no intent to harm Spike flipped their positions. He was now straddling Angel's thighs and holding Angel's hands down on either side of his head. His grip was loose, Angel was staying where he was put out of a sense of duty to Spike and because he was utterly powerless to do anything else. Until that point Angel had never truly realised how foreign a vampire's flesh felt. It wasn't cold or clammy it was room temperature and silky smooth. It felt so odd – as soft as down whist at the same time it was as hard as marble. Spike's fingers felt like velvet iron vices holding him but putting no effort into it – they were naturally that strong. Angel was also perturbed by the fact that he wasn't disturbed by Spike's growing arousal. He could feel it pressing down on his groin and see it in his dilated pupils but at the same time he was acutely aware and more affected by the pheromones Spike was giving out. It appeared as though the part of the vampire that became aroused by another's arousal and by the vulnerability and danger of the situation was still a part of him. What's more, Angel found he liked it.
Spike for his part was just as spellbound. Sure he was in the dominant position but he held no power here, worst of all he wasn't sure who did. He couldn't get over what he was feeling. Angel's hard body was now soft and warm, it was like a goose feather mattress and Spike wanted nothing more than to sink into it and stay there forever. The skin beneath his fingertips felt as so hot that it was like touching the sun – forbidden and Spike imagined that for him this could be just as fatal. Angel's warm breath caressed his face and Spike felt as though he was being touched by God. The sensations that shot through his body were as welcomed as they were terrifying. He felt as though his life had been destroyed and renewed all at once. His god had fallen and in his place stood a mortal, all the more beautiful for his fragile status. The steady thrum of the human's blood pulsing through his veins, the slight scent of salty skin and the unmistakable aroma of arousal was like a siren's call echoing through Spike's head deafening him to the real world.
Unable to contain himself he leant his head down and inhaled a deep whiff of Angel. He grinned into the warm flesh as he felt Angel shudder and he heard the breathy moan that escaped Angel's lips. He couldn't help but think that this visit to LA was going to be well worth every minute he'd ever spent in the Whelp's company. Just as his tongue darted out to taste the ambrosia of Angel's skin, a heavy hand camped on his shoulder and he was pulled viciously away from the Adonis beneath him. A dark hand closed round his throat and a stake was pressed firmly against his chest. Gunn's eyes were blazing with an unholy fire and Spike realised that he may very well meet his end here. Demons were not meant to try to touch Heaven – they were inevitably destroyed for their blasphemy.
The world crashed back into focus with as Spike was torn from him. For a minute he lay there, dazed, shaking and panting from whatever the hell had just happened to him. He had been round Spike for years, and yet he had never felt anything like that. The heat threatened to burn him alive. Snapping back into focus he became aware of everyone yelling and Gunn pressing a stake into Spike's chest. He jumped to his feet and clamped an unforgiving hand on Gunn's wrist. Anger and fear raced through his veins and he couldn't help the hissed "Let him go", that escaped his lips. Gunn glanced warily at Angel. He was well aware of the fact that Angel was no longer a vampire but that voice scared him more than he'd been scared in a long time. Seeing the very devil in the look Angel was giving him he released his grip on Spike and dropped the stake. It hit the floor and seemed to suck all the noise out of the room.
For an indefinite amount of time no one moved. No one dared utter a word. Time stopped.
"Would someone tell me what the HELL IS GOING ON HERE?"
Buffy's voice ripped through the hotel, bouncing off the vaulted ceilings and down the empty corridors. 'Oh yes' thought Angel, 'that butterfly has an awful lot to answer for.' He shook himself out of his revery and offered an apologetic smile to Gunn. He shot Darla a vicious yet amused glare and turned to Buffy. Seeing her in full on pissed Slayer mode, he switched tactics. He turned to Spike and asked softly, "You ok?" the sardonic smile and reply of "Just Peachy Peaches", did little to ease his fears. He knew that this would screw Spike up as much as it had done him. He couldn't help but feel a tad guilty. He offered a small smile and wink at the blonde before turning to the rest of the group. Taking a deep breath he addressed them all.
"I had hoped to do this differently. But some people," he looked pointedly at Darla, "Just have to make an entrance rather than wait for a few moments. Perhaps we should sit down? Wes, I think that the Glenfiddich in the cabinet behind my desk may come in handy. Oh and grab the Jack Daniels, I think that Spike could use a drink."
"Man I'll say. Blondie was about to turn you into his own personal liquid lunch. Bro' how'd ya let him get so close to your neck?"
"Gunn, it's cool. Really. It's not like we haven't done that before."
"Yeah but man…"
"Its ok – let it go. Spike won't hurt me, don't worry. And you! You just have to make an entrance don't you Darla?"
"What can I say? You used to like my entrances as I recall. I believe you found them… inspiring. Besides, this party needed a little life putting into it." The smirk on Darla's face was infectious and Angel found a bubble of laughter forced its way out of his body. The situation was just too unreal. Everything he had felt and repressed since Darla had shown up in LA was expelled from his body in the form of hysterical giggles. Tears welled up in his eyes and coursed down his cheeks. He sank to the floor, leaning heavily against the counter and felt that his sides might rip open. He laughed even harder as he became aware of the stares that the Scoobies were giving him and harder still when Spike sank down next to him also shaking with laughter. He gained control of himself and looked up. Bad idea. He caught Darla's eye and was set off again.
Wesley wandered into the office to get the alcohol knowing that if no one else wanted one he was in dire need of a drink, and so too was Angel, if the look on Buffy's face was anything to go by. Whilst he raided Angel's extensive alcohol supply, grabbing some vodka for good measure, Cordelia went to the kitchen to grab a tray and enough glasses for everyone. Both returned to the lobby at the same time and wondered whether or not someone had released nitrous oxide into the lobby. The sight of the former Scourge of Europe and his apprentice rolling around on the floor like schoolboys was disquieting to say the least. Cordy couldn't hep but join in the laughter when she saw Buffy's face. She was doing a remarkable impression of a fish – eyes bulging, mouth opening and closing but saying nothing.
"I think that Deadboy and Jnr. are possessed. And since when do vampires become un-dusty?"
"ANGEL! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON? Is this some sick joke – flaunt your ex in front of me to make me jealous? Or is it the annual Scourge of Europe reunion? Stop laughing!"
If anything, Buffy's tantrum made Angel laugh harder and Buffy felt like punching him back into sanity. Wesley saw the Slayer's eye begin to twitch and her fists start to ball at her sides. He decided to take control of the situation. Ignoring the pack of hyena's that had appeared in the lobby he set the drinks down and put the tray that Cordelia had brought next to them.
"Would anyone care for a drink? Please hep yourselves. Buffy do calm down and take a seat and I will try to explain what is going on as best I can. Or at least until Angel comes back from his little trip." He paused, not sure how to carry on and resist the urge to throttle Angel for putting him in this situation. Well at least he wasn't the one who they were all going to be bombarding with questions and poking like a science experiment later on. Summoning ever ounce of courage he possessed he decided to begin in the most simple way. There were times when he hated being a watcher – you were always expected give the explanations.
"Right. Darla, I'm sure you remember Buffy, Mr Giles, Willow and Xander from Sunnydale. The blond seated with Willow is Tara, the other girl is Anya and that is Buffy's boyfriend Riley. Everyone this is Darla. She turned Angel 250 years ago." He waited as strained greetings were exchanged and couldn't help but wince at the predatory smile that Darla was wearing. Perched next to Gunn on the central seating she looked like a polite society lady, not the devil that she was.
"I'm not sure of how much knowledge you have of what's been going on here in LA this past year with us. Through Angel's work for the Power's That Be we have helped countless families and slain numerous fiends. In doing so we have come into contact with a law firm called Wolfram and Hart. They are not your average law firm, in fact their main goal we have ascertained is to bring about the Apocalypse. They represent the most unsavoury factions of both the human and demon worlds. Angel, in his mission, has crossed swords with them on various occasions and…"
"Wes? I'll take it from here. Thanks though." He smiled at his friend. It was unfair of him to expect Wesley to have to do this. He also guessed that they would be there for a good few hours if Wes was left to explain. "Long story short? I began to piss them off. Killed too many clients. On top of that it seems that there was a prophecy that the Apocalypse would be affected by the vampire with a soul. And we're talking the End of Days here, the real deal. Anyway, they have thrown a lot of crap at us since we started but they decided that that wasn't enough. They wanted Angelus back, but in such a way that my soul couldn't ever be restored. So they dragged Darla back from hell.
The guessed, quite rightly that she was the best person to pull this off. The amount of . control she has over Angelus practically guaranteed them victory. Thing is they brought her back human."
All eyes shot to Darla. Spike growled softly in his throat, suddenly more concerned about the Angel/Darla rather than the Angel/Buffy relationship. Buffy couldn't help the flair of jealousy that was starting to build. Riley was relieved at the idea that there was another woman to distract Angel's attention from Buffy. Angel elbowed Spike gently and carried on talking before anyone could ask any questions. As he continued he kept eye-contact with Darla, grinning at the memories and challenging her to defend her actions.
"Darla started to work her magic on me and I thought that I was going insane. She invaded my dreams and I was so exhausted by them that I was sleeping up to 20 hours a day just to recover. I was off my game and slipping. Anyway Darla kicks off the real game by pretending to be another person, accused me of killing her husband and she makes my friends doubt me. All I have is my sense of smell to tell me that it's really her. Eventually she comes clean and then scuttles off back to Hell Inc.
Turns out that I wasn't playing the game that they wanted me to play. I refused to turn Darla and the situation was getting out of hand. They had royally fucked up for want of a better term. Her soul was starting to weigh heavy on her, 400years of killing had to catch up with her. They wanted me to try to save Darla's soul, and destroy myself trying to succeed in an impossible task. See they had brought Darla back human, just as she was before the Master turned her. She was dying. Syphilis." He turned from Darla and studied his hands. Despite the 'positive' outcome this was still remarkably difficult.
"It was the perfect plan. The only way to save her would be to turn her. Either way I was screwed. I didn't help her – she'd die from either the syphilis or another vampire – or I helped her and damned my soul. Foolish little lawyers. They thought they knew me so well. They underestimated me seriously. We have a friend, an anagogic demon known as the Host. He can read destinies and he has a lot of contacts. Anyway he told me about these trials. Basically, you pass the three trials you get your wish granted. I took the trails. Saved Darla."
Before he could continue Giles interrupted him. "Angel, I don't understand how that is possible. The amount of energy that would be required to do such a thing, well quite frankly there are very few beings in this dimension that could wield such power. Aside from that, there is the cosmic balance to consider."
"What type of cosmic balance are we talking about G-Man? A huge set of weighing scales?"
"Pretty much. What he means Xand is that when you do magicks that conjure or create from scratch you sorta ask the universe for a lot of energy and it has to be taken from somewhere. Usually this type of spell would require a sacrifice… It didn't require a sacrifice right Angel?"
"You've been studying I see. Actually it did require a sacrifice, I …"
"My God! Buffy have you heard this? He's admitting that he sacrificed someone to save that thing's life! How can you just sit there? Never mind I'll sort it myself."
"Riley, I think that it would be prudent to hear what Angel has to say before we pass judgement."
That was the last straw for Angel. "Oh don't be so sanctimonious Giles. Don't pretend that you trust me either, it insults my intelligence. And you? If you insult Darla once more, a human being like yourself then I will introduce you to a pal of mine. Trepkos would love to meet an ex-Initiative soldier I'm sure. You tortured demons and you had a soul. In my book? Darla rates higher. Yes I sacrificed someone, there wasn't much choice. To get Darla back someone had to die."
He looked at each of them in turn suddenly realising that they were not friends. They just viewed him as extra muscle in the fight against evil and it grieved him to the very core. He found himself no longer caring what they thought of him. Tiring of their company he decided to wrap things up.
"Do you really think that little of me? I sacrificed myself. I faced a wall of spring loaded stakes and I died. They took the vampire's immortality and left the human soul. I'm human now. And I'm off to Caritas. Feel free to take any room on the second floor but not 312, 221, 216 or 219, they're ours. Fancy a drink Spike? Guys? See you later."
With that, Angel and his team, Darla and Spike exited the hotel leaving a stunned group of Scoobies in their wake.
