Disclaimers as before on Chap 1
The fog again was clearing around Angel as he found himself leaning on the reception desk of the Hyperion when a hated voice rang out.
"Angel!"
Angel turned to face the person whose voice grated on him like the nails on chalkboard, "Lilah, what vermin dragged you in off the street".
Arrogant voice "There has been some questioned raised to several bank accounts in your name Angelus". Lilah wicked smile beamed at him, "Question in regard to legality of the funds. And also the fact to several holding you have that could be seen as war profiteering."
Just then the door opened Lilah eyes twinkled with delight "Angel please meet my associate "William as in the bloody, Aurelias.
"But you can call me Spike or Mr. Aurelius if you prefer and I suggest you get your self a lawyer a really good lawyer because remember I know where you got your money. " slapping papers in Angels hand, "just so you know mate I volunteered to serve these papers on you."
"If you're William the Bloody then you belong with me, your sire." Angel bellowed
Spike snapped his briefcase closed with flamboyance, "You lost the right to be called sire when you abandoned me a hundred years ago".
The door opens and the soft cultured male voice greets Angel, "Well here we are one big happy family".
"Holland, Holland Manners" angel was stunned this day was going down hill way to fast.
Smiling like the devil himself Holland walked down the stairs and stood at Spike's side, "I just had to stop by, I do so enjoy watching my son work" placing a gentle hand on Spike's shoulder gracing him with a smile, " After all if not for Angel I wouldn't have you." squeezing the shoulder a little harder. "And I do Thank You Angel if you hadn't gotten so self absorbed with your soul you might not have throw your children to the wolves."
"Angel never voluntarily abandoned his family it was the curse. And they were grown you know turned adults."
"Really aren't well informed are you watcher. Let me educate you. By vampire standards William was just a child left to care for his insane Drusilla", bowing to Angel" by the way great work she is an extraordinary creation. Nevertheless, lucky for me I found them what a joy. To be the father of the only vampire to kill not one but two slayers" beaming with pride at Spike "as glorious as those fights were it's nothing compared to the massacres of the innocents he leaves in the court room."
'Shish bet he has the honor student bumper sticker too." Cordelia whispered under her breath.
A sweet smile Holland beams at her "Do you mean the one that says 'bet my honor student can eat yours and the family too."
Lilah laughs and steps up supportively to Holland's side.
"Anyways prepare for a battle you will lose. No one has ever beat my boy," clapping his hands together Holland turned to Lilah and Spike, "How about ice-cream the executive dinning room has a special William your favorite chocolate marshmallow with slayer blood ripple."
Holland put and arm around both Lilah and Spike turning to the door but stopping as he reached the door, "Oh and have a nice day…..while you can," then gave them his best Father knows best smile. "Of course Angelus if you change your mind and want to join our family there will always be a place for you. Personally I can see you as Professor Angelus teaching Pain 101 or perhaps Art class the art of killing."
Holland smiled an icy cold one that rivaled Angelus's worst smile and left them all with a chill that went to the bone.
After the three had gotten in the limousine, Lilah cocked her head at Spike, "Nice bluff councilor".
"Bluff ?" Spike gave her his most innocent look.
With a huff, Lilah answered, "Mister soul vamp doesn't have any ill gotten gains. If he did I…we'd never see him he'd be stuck in deep brood mode."
Spike threw his head back and laughing, "By the time I'm done with him his current broods will seem like a laugh fest".
Lilah slide across the seat and latched on to Spike's arm "Come on turn me on tell me what you have planned." dazzling Spike with her best smile.
"Not a chance you back stabbing witch."
Lilah struck out at Spike but Holland caught her hand", Now, now children behave in the car. Lilah if you want to know ask the right questions and pay the piper."
Lilah titled her head and batted her eyelash at him "Please Spike tell me what you're up to".
Spike turned without answering to stare out the window.
Lilah seething demanded, "tell me and I'll give you? What can I give you? You have everything!"
"Only thing I want Dear Lilah is for you to owe me one" Spike voice was as sweet as honey.
Lilah gasped.
Holland shrugged "Nothing comes free my dear the only question are you willing to pay the price".
"Alright I will owe you one now spit it out." Lilah gave him a look that could kill… if said with the right incantation.
"Well since you asked so nice the big bad will tell you snookums. I left Angel a little present today." Spike eyes twinkled as he looked at Holland and gave him an approving nod.
Wrinkled up her nose, "Present so you send him some traceable money big deal a first year law student could get him out of that one". Lilah snorted, "And I had such high hopes for you".
"Does it have something to do with the little jade statue you left behind" Holland looked at Spike and smiled.
"Familiar with Aitvaras?"
"Aitvaras, Aitvaras I've heard of it some kind of chicken isn't it. So this is your great plan give Angel a chicken" crackling like an old crone Lilah in a angry voice , "Angel doesn't need a chicken that Cordelia creature already has him henpecked, " rolling her eyes she continued "those things bring you luck."
Spike gave her a heated glare and in a tightly controlled voice answered with a "no you stupid bint, Aitvaras does look like a cock when in doors but if your precious Angel tries to throw it outside it shape shifts to a dragon. Further more the luck it brings is a two edged sword. While it grants wealth to the residence of the house it dwells in the wealth is from ill gotten gains."
Lilah stops her cackling and just looking at him cautiously asked, "Is there any way to get rid of it? Believe me if there is a way Angel and his numb nuts will find it"
The grin on Spike's face grew impossible large, "Only one my sweet, the devil can and will take it back….for a price…."
"And that price?" intrigued Lilah asked
"He doesn't ask for much … just the soul such a little thing." Spike looked up at her through his eyelashes and smirked.
Lilah face lit up with a smile to match Spike.
"Brilliant my boy", Holland patted Spike on the back, "I believe this calls for a celebration a night on the towns. You son get to pick. What will it be Paris, Rome, London? In addition, you can go to Lilah since you so kindly paid the price for me to be brought up to date on Spike's plan. I so do love a freebie."
Spike's laughter burst out at stunned look on Lilah face and once he got himself under control reached over and shook Holland's hand. "We got her good on that one Dad and actually Peking is the city, there is another little gift I would like to pick up for our Angel….a little something to keep him warm and entertained."