Author's Note: Thanks to Vega, who, without her encouragement (read: kick in the ass) this chapter wouldn't have been what it is now, which is loads better than it was before. Special thanks for the restaurant suggestion. Thanks to tvnergdirl, whose praise and coaxing to get writing helped me open the file again, and to making me squee in delight.
Chapter 8: Explanations
In Angel's office, seven pairs of eyes stared without saying a word. No words were needed, as each one could tell what the other was feeling. Nick was angry. Nat was angry and worried. Angel was angry, worried, and irritated. Spike was smug and trying his best to imitate a peacock. Harmony was vacant; Cassie wondered if she was singing in her head. Illyria was disapproving of everyone and everything in her field of vision. Cassie was wondering if it were possible for the floor to swallow her whole, and praying to whatever deity was laughing at her now that it would.
It was Harmony who broke the awkward silence. "So, Cass, who's the hottie?" she asked, eyeing Nick. Natalie looped an arm around Nick's elbow and pulled him closer. Nick had the good sense to remain stoic.
"I'd like to know myself," said Angel. Spike snorted as a few, including Nick, looked at him sideways. "Not because you're a hottie - I mean, I don't think you are - don't get me wrong, you're a good-looking guy..." Everyone had turned and was staring at him bug-eyed. Angel went back to scowling. "Harmony!" he barked.
"Yes boss?"
"Go and get me those reports." He strode over to his desk and sat heavily in his leather chair.
"Which ones, boss? The Llewellyn reports about the ritual sacrifice laws, or the reports about the Miquot Clan treaty? Or the ones -"
"Just... whichever one you can get first." He looked up to find her nodding slowly. "Now, Harmony."
"On it!" she chirped and rushed out of the room.
"So, Cassie, would you mind telling us who these two are, and how they got into the building?" Angel asked briskly, putting his palms flat on his mahogany desk.
She knew that all eyes were on her again. Where was that hole in the floor already? Her own eyes were busy trying not to focus on anyone, and instead were fixated on Angel's impressive collection of bladed weapons on the wall behind his desk. "Well, this is Nicholas Knight, and Natalie Lambert, from Toronto," Cassie started. "As for how they got in - "
"The doorman waved us in," Nick said, putting on his serious 'cop face.' "Nick Knight, Metro Toronto Police, Homicide. This is Natalie Lambert, Head Coroner." He moved to shake Angel's hand. Angel stood and took it, eyeing Nick carefully.
"I knew it," Spike quipped. "I knew Canada would invade eventually." A raised eyebrow and a pointed look from Cassie kept the smirk at bay.
Harmony had returned, carrying the file folder in question. "Homicide?" she gasped. "Which one of you did what, and to whom? Cause it wasn't me," she added, putting her hands up in defence, nearly dropping the file folder in the process. Everyone else chose to ignore her.
"And what are a Toronto cop and a coroner doing here? A bit out of your jurisdiction, don't you think?" Angel leaned forward in his chair. His tone broached no nonsense.
"Cassie called us," Natalie explained. "She's sort of my niece, and we were concerned when we found out where she was staying." Her jaw jutted out slightly at that last, showing exactly what she thought of Cassie's living conditions.
Angel gave one quick nod. "I see," he replied, not at all convinced. "So, you flew all the way out to California to check on her? With all due respect, she is old enough to take care of herself." He paused, and squinted her eyes at Cassie and Spike. "Though her choice in friends is questionable."
"That's also why we're here." Nick focussed his attention on the pair as well. "Cassie, do you really know who Spike is?"
"Yeah, I do," she said matter-of-factly. Her ire was starting to rise. If they wanted to get accusatory, then she would give them something to accuse. "He's Spike, once called William the Bloody, and he was with this guy for a long time," she jerked a thumb in Angel's direction, "doing all sorts of evil things. Both are reformed." She crossed her arms across her chest, giving him her most exasperated of looks.
"Are you sure?" Nick inquired. Like Angel, he wasn't easily convinced with a quick story. "They could be just pretending. They work in an evil law firm."
"Hey!" both men interjected.
"Standing right here!" Angel added. "We're not evil. Not anymore. We've got souls. Although some of us more legitimately than others..."
"That's not fair!" Spike shouted. "I went through tests and torture to get mine. You just got a lame gypsy curse. You didn't even want yours."
"Nor did you," Angel countered. "You got one to get a girl."
"Yeah, YOUR girl," Spike smirked. "Worked, didn't it?"
"Could we please get back to the matter at hand?" Natalie asked, a slight look of panic in her eyes. "I'm a tad concerned that Cassie is working with lawyers, instead of doing what she came here for, which is what she TOLD us she was doing?" She exhaled, hard. "I'd really like to know what's going on here."
Back to square one. The next proceeded quickly, as the two women exchanged rapid-fire dialogue, with the rest trying to follow. Some managed quite well: Nick, for knowing the women for a long time, and Spike, for having watched much more confusing things spew from Drusilla's mouth. Harmony gave up altogether and pulled a nail file from her pocket to tend her nails. The rest present fell somewhere in between.
"Well," Cassie started, "it's not as complicated as you think. I came to LA, then I went to Sunnydale to see this band – "
"You went to see a BAND instead of doing research for your thesis?"
"Not just any band, Nat, it had vampires in it, and then I went with one of them to a bar and – "
"You went to a bar with a vampire? And you knew he was a vampire! Cass!" Natalie's voice started to raise in decibels.
"Yes, and then he tried to kill me, but he drugged me first – "
"SPIKE tried to kill you!"
"I never said it was Spike!" Cassie's level matched Natalie's. Somewhere, on the street, dogs ears were starting to ring. "Can I PLEASE finish!"
"Yeah, let the girl have a chance!" Spike interjected.
"You don't get a say," Nick said. His voice was low and dangerous, and the accompanying glare was a clear warning to anyone. Anyone, that is, except Spike, who took it as a challenge.
Spike cocked his head to the side slightly and gave his best 'shit-disturber' look. This was similar to the look he wore most of the time. He was probably sired with that look. "What's it to ya, mate? She's a big girl, can handle her own mess, right? You don't need to stroll in here and save her from the big nasties." He paused as a lecherous thought crossed his mind. "Well, ya might –"
"It's not an evil law firm!" Angel's brain had stuck on that one thought, and he wanted to convey that thought vehemently to anyone listening. "We're trying to change that concept from the inside out – "
"Except no one is buying it, boss," Harmony chimed in, emphasizing with her nail file. "I mean, come on! Who's gonna believe the Scourge of Europe is a good guy?"
"Harm, you're not helping," Angel said with a glare.
"You were the Scourge of EUROPE!" Natalie paused in her confrontation of Cassie and whipped around to stare at Angel. "NICK! Why didn't you tell me? CASS! Why didn't you tell me!" Natalie's voice was approaching hysteria.
"Why, so you could yell at me more?" Cassie snapped. "Cause you didn't have enough reason to yell at me in the first place, so I'll just give you more ammunition!" She knew she was being childish. She didn't care. She was beyond aggravated.
Nick took a step towards the women. "Cassie, why don't you calm down?" he tried. He put a hand on her elbow. "Let's just go home –"
"So I can waste my time in a run-down lab with no money and no way of advancing my work?" she snarled, yanking her elbow away. "I don't think so. I've got a shot here to do good."
"The only thing you have a shot at is getting killed!" Nat exclaimed.
"She's a lot safer than you think, ducks," Spike interjected. He started to walk towards the group but was stopped short by the three identical glares. He held up his hands in submission. "I was just saying – "
"I believe I told you that you don't get a say," Nick growled.
Harmony shot Nick a disgusted look. "God! What crawled up your butt and died?"
The room erupted in noise as the vampires and humans each argued their point as loudly and as angrily as possible. Illyria's take on the matter was more decisive than the rest. She had been standing along the window, watching the scene carefully, gauging reactions of those present and coming to a swift conclusion. Her sudden movement to the centre of the room startled the group into quieting down. "These human and half-breed dramas have left a foul taste in my mouth," she sneered. "Is it not obvious what has happened? The girl Cassie has been offered a position working in the laboratories of this meagre company to replace the woman known as Fred. She will continue her research from here. The blonde pet Spike lusts after Cassie; any being with means to see is aware. Why do you continue to be so insipid? I tire of these proceedings." She turned on her heel and stalked out of the room. The remainder of its occupants stared at each other once again, and the silence settled heavily.
As if on cue, Lorne strolled in the door, took note of the tension in the room and paused mid-step. "I was gonna ask about the Little Bluebird's stomping out of here, but now I know. Who's Goldilocks?" Lorne moved to raise Natalie's hand to his lips, but before he could finish the step, Nick was in front of her, nearly hopping with anger.
Once more, the room was all sound and fury. Angel told Nick to back off. Natalie clung to Nick's blazer. Cassie shouted over everyone that Lorne was one of the good guys. Lorne affirmed it, extending a clawed hand to Natalie. Natalie shrieked. Nick yelled. Spike was laughing uncontrollably. Harmony did an odd hopping dance, trying to hold the document files over her ears to block out the noise, and yelling at everyone to stop yelling.
"ALRIGHT!" Angel screamed. He stalked to his desk, feet pounding the floor audibly in the now-silent room. "Everyone out!" he announced. "I've got work to do! Cassie, show your 'parents' the lab and give them a full explanation. Spike, go and fuck off somewhere. Harmony, bring those damn files here."
"Oh, and you have a call on line 666," she said, cringing slightly as she passed Angel the files.
"Tell them I'll take it in a minute," Angel continued. "Lorne, make reservations at El Sanguine for tonight. For eight people."
"For tonight?" Lorne, if it was possible, looked greener. "Angelbear, you know you have to call in two years in advance, and sacrifice at least a goat..."
"Make it happen, Lorne!" Angel sat with a thump in his leather chair and picked up a folder. "Now, everyone OUT!"
The six remaining figures filed out of the office, and Harmony closed the door behind them. Angel breathed a heavy sigh. Nothing, not even hiring a new employee, could ever just be simple with this job.