AGAIN WARNING NOT BETA AND MY GRAMMAR BITES BIG TIME'
Also disclaimer I do not own the characters close as I come are the figures sitting on a shelf. However, as a wise man said in fan fiction they will never die.
A BIG Thank You to all of you who take the time to review.
It was not long before the trio arrived at the Peking branch of Wolfram and Hart guest of the CEO, Hao.
Holland and Spike engaged their host in lively debate in the necessity of virginal blood ceremonial sacrifice.
Lilah grew board with the debate almost wishing the spell casters had left her with out the knowledge and ability to speak Chinese. An unintentional sigh escaped her lips.
Holland looked at her with the gentle blue eyes and corporate smile in place. Reaching over he tenderly placed his hand over hers, "I'm sorry Ms. Morgan are we boring you". His smile warmed ever so much more and exponentially so did the crushing pressure on her hand.
Gritting her teeth and smiling Lilah addressed them all, "I must admit I have tuned out a bit. I consider the point resolute when Spike explained the difference in taste. After all whom here can dispute a connoisseur of blood."
Holland did not remove his hand or the pressure he placed on her hand, "Disregarding the loyalty of my children she does have a point" turning to address his host.
"And I would like to discuss the possibility of you having a Chinese fox I may purchase." Spike smiled politely at their host.
Expressionless the host bowed to his guest "I have such a creature I think will suit your purpose master Spike".
"What is your asking price Master Hao?"
Standing he turned to Spike, "The price would be a challenge. A challenge that's out come would extend my knowledge."
"Believe me Spike can taste a virgin," Lilah snorted "but a good way to check out to see who's chaste". Lilah eyed Hao's young daughter who had not spoken a word during the dinner.
Gasping after she had spoken those words the pressure on her hand being increase to bone crushing agony.
Quickly Spike spoke, "Forgive Lilah she's a little out of sorts PMS they call it in the states" Spike nodding to Hao and gave Lilah a condescending look.
Lilah huffed started to open her mouth but feeling the pressure on her hand she looks to Holland and only smiled.
He was smiling his warm reassuring smile with a fatherly twinkle in his eyes.
Lilah bit her tongue under her breathe she gave an 'Hells bells she was going to pay for this faux pas Holland would see to the warmer the smile the worse the out come for her.
Hao continued, "Your fighting skills are renowned slayer of slayers."
Spike smirks "It would be an honor. Though I must at admit most of my fighting the last couple of years have been in the courtroom."
"I'm afraid I must forbid this encounter as entertaining as it maybe. Spike is too valuable an asset to risk" Holland protests.
Raising his hand Hao continued "only a friendly fight not one to the death, we are among friends are we not."
"Well even though that takes all the fun out of it lets have at it", Spike rises pushing his chair back to stand and rolls his neck sending out an audible crack.
Hao smiles "It is not I but my daughter who wishes to challenge you. We all believe that she is as strong as a slayer and what better way to find out then to best the slayer of slayers."
"Then let's have at it. Hmm now I'll have to figure out a new name", sneer he tilts his head looking at girl. Maybe slayer of slayers…..and want to be's"
The young woman raised a turned bowing she headed for the ring.
Grinning s Spike strolled long behind her and with a leer, "Now then at least this time I'll bloody well understand what she saying".
On the plane back to California,
Spike gloated over his prize sitting in the cage on the seat next to him. He could not stop the thoughts racing through his head. The fox cost him only a fight, a few bruises easily
Besting the little woman. Shame though if I knew her father was going to kill her for losing least he could have made it a fight to the death and let her died in the ring my fangs in her throat. Sigh and tapping the cage beside him, Spike smiled looking down at the cage, now to get this little beauty to Angel.
Upon landing, Spike grabbed the fox and quickly left not waiting for Lilah or Holland.
Standing outside the Hyperion in the shadows Spike kept watch.
Hours passed before he saw his opportunity a wicked twinkle in his eye he sat his plan in motion.
Fred stepped out into the enclosed garden with a sigh she sat on the bench to gather her thoughts. Wrinkling her forehead Fred caught a flash of red out of the corner of her eye. She turned to look at the plant at the corner of the terrace and spotted the flash again.
On her knees, she crawled over to the terracotta plant holder, "Well now what have we here? Come on little fella' I'm not going to hurt you." Fred reached in pulling out the little puppy. "Aren't you just the most precious little fellow?"
Cuddling her new friend close she return to the reception desk to introduce her new found friend to the rest of the gang.
Cordelia and Fred cooed over their furry friend.
Angel sighed, "Fred the way things have been going around here we can't afford another dependent and besides with our luck lately he probably an illegal alien and wanted too."
Wesley walked in with his head down and his nose stuck in a book. "Has anyone seen a peculiar looking fowl around here? If so perhaps our problem is…" Wesley looked to his friends standing at the counter and yelled as saw what Fred was holding, "NO!"
Fred oblivious to Wesley, she sat her little friend down on the reception desk, as it tail thumped the desk sparks started to fly.
Chaos shortly ensued, Fred trying to grab the 'puppy', Wesley raced for the fire extinguishers as Cordelia pulled the highly flammable Angel away from the ruckus.
After a few short intense minutes, Wesley had the fire out on the halfway-consumed reception desk.
Fred who now held the creature out away from her body so there would be no thumping of tail could occur.
Wesley continued in a soft gentle voice, "Fred your puppy as you call it is really a mystical Chinese fox. Every part of his body products a magical effect. We just had a demonstration of this one's tail causing fire."
"This one you mean each is different?" Angel frowned
"Oh yes each one is different and these creatures are rare and never found outside of China." Wesley inched closer to Fred.
"Well someone better give puppy a map because he's…" Cordelia rattled away.
Angel rubbed his eyes and sighed, "Unless someone meant for Fred to find it" His face lit up as it dawned on him", Spike!"
Clapping of hands drew all their attention to the blonde-haired person who was coming down the stairs smirking "Well done Peaches didn't think you had it in you. Thought watcher jr. would be the one to put the pieces together for you."
"Listen you Bleached menace why the harassment." Cordelia snapped.
"I have abandonment issues cheerleader." Spike iciness in his eyes and voice.
"You evil, viscous, conniving, underhanded, backstabbing brutal murderer" Cordelia spat out at him.
Spike blew her a kiss, "keep it up with the flattery Cheerleader, and you might earn a real kiss."
Cordelia furiously marched towards him but stopped as Angel placed his hand on her arm.
Spike glared at Angel and in hatred filled voice, "Yes I'm all that you made me Angelus your mirror image. Like a good son, I tried to be all that daddy was. Though according to you, Angelus I was never good enough. Just didn't have the knack for torturing nuns like you. Then you go all soul having…"
Angel launched himself at Spike but received a surprise. This was a different Spike this was a focused, determined Spike. A creature he had never fought before.
Only moments later Angel stood battered and bruised blood running down his face. His friends who had tried to help lay in a heaps around the lobby. Angle's knuckles were raw from repeated hitting Spike.
Spike stood before him only slightly bruised.
"Remember the ring of Amarrah well Wolfram and Hart have the market cornered on them",
Angel stammered out looking up at Spike from his position on the floor, "But I destroyed it".
Spike threw his head back and barking out an evil laugh, "A ring that makes you invincible can not be easily destroyed Peaches. With the dark magic the law firm has available, you really think it was that hard for them to recreate a couple dozen. "
"This has to stop." Angel slowly raised his self off the floor.
Laughing Spike "Might be hard considering "daddy" Holland didn't want me in danger so he had several implanted in my body
"I'm really getting sick of this", Angel caught a whiff of something.
Spike sniffed the air, "Ah seems foxy has been busy. If you hurry Angel," pointing to his friends", you might be able to save a couple of them." with that, Spike turned on his heels and was gone.
Moments later out on the far sidewalk, Angel watched the Hyperion burn his friends lying at his feet.
Furiously Angel yelled towards the heavens "Ethan you are the devils right hand and…"
His word interrupted Angel found himself in the mist again, the beast mist was what Angel was quickly coming to consider it. Spotting a shining light Angel raced towards it livid.
He quickly entered the light and spotted Ethan he raced to get his hand around his neck.
Slamming into an invisible wall Angel picked his self up and started pounding on it. "You little weasel."
Ethan stood with his hands on his hips frustration pouring off him, "What now he has a family. I might add a family who adores him, supports him unconditionally he is loved."
"But they're evil" Angel screamed with frustration
Incredulous and with distain Ethan shouted back "No family is perfect!"
Angel looked up at Ethan weighing his words he took a deep unneeded breath calming himself " I think I deserve a chance to raise Spike."
"You had your chance now it's someone else's turn." Ethan turned walking away from Angel.
Desperate Angel pleaded, "No that was Angelus. I am Angel the person I am now. I deserve a chance."
"This isn't about you Angel it's about Spike what he deserves." Ethan stopped his back still towards Angel.
Angel slammed his fist against the invisible wall "If you'd let me finish, I think I understand Spike better then anyone. This time he would not be raised by a sadistic sire, like Angelus or spend a hundred years taking care of Drusilla something that has to have an effect on anyone."
Ethan turned and studied Angel for a moment, softly he answered, "Intriguing I'll think about it but perhaps we should try another until I decide if you deserve a chance".