Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Angel, and Buffy the series.
A/N: This is the second story in what I am calling the Soul series. The first story is The Price of a Soul. It's recommended you read them in order, but hey, who am I to dictate your reading schedule?
Chapter Four
They ran down the stairs to the club but were stopped as usual for a weapons check. Cordelia was anxious though, and thankfully it was quite obvious. Especially to the host. Lorne came straight over and waved them through. Drink in hand and a weak smile as he tried to get Cordelia and Wesley to a table.
"Whoa there, cupcake! Your aura is screaming! Now nothing can be that desperate!"
Wesley went to explain but Cordelia jumped in.
"Actually -"
"This council of old guy creepy watchers kidnapped us all and we escaped but they have Angel, Faitha nd Spike and want to put them through some stupid test thing!"
Lorne blinked and Wesley gave a sorry nod. Looking around Lorne gestured to a table.
"Why don't we take a seat while you guys fill me in, huh? Drinks, this way?"
He added with a point to the bartender.
They slipped into the booth and Lorne finished off his drink, handing it off for a fresh one and a nod of dismissal to the bartender.
"Okay kiddies, so you're missing some members of this little chorus line. What can I do?"
Wesley opened his mouth and then closed it. He actually didn't have an idea. Cordelia did though. She took a breath and raised her chin.
"We need to see the Powers."
Wesley's head snapped to the side to look at her hoping she wasn't serious. Lorne almost choked.
"Sorry Princess, that's just not a good idea. Trust me, they know what's going on."
"Of course they do! But they aren't doing anything about it!"
Lorne gave her a sympathetic smile and reached across to pat her hand.
"That's not their job, sweetcheeks."
Cordelia wasn't taking that for an answer and smiled back.
"If they want their champion it is. If they can pour brain killing visions into my head so they don't have to get their hands dirty, it is."
Lorne opened his mouth and she sighed covering his hand with her other one.
"You don't have to come with us. I'll do it all by myself. I'll take full responsibility, just, tell me how to find them."
He made a few noises of discouragement then sighed and looked at her.
"You sure you want to do this? They can be kind of, cranky. Those visions may be nothing compared to what you'll get for intruding."
"Yes, I'm going to do this Lorne. And if you won't tell me how, I'll find another way."
Wesley nodded.
"We are going to do this."
Lorne nodded and leaned forward as if conspiring with them.
"All right kiddies, here's what you do."
AA
Faith had given up staring at the door. It had been over an hour, at least, and still they heard nothing. So she paced, looked around their cell and gave a growl. Angel shook his head, leaned back against the wall he was better at not showing his own worry or frustration.
"He'll be back."
She glared at him.
"He said it's fight to the death, you don't know that."
Angel raised his head and looked at her, letting the worry, and a touch of the guilt, slip into his eyes.
"He'll be back."
Faith nearly flinched, but she stopped glaring and nodded. Slipping to sit down, knees up and back against the opposite wall.
"It's different. I mean, we fight things that are trying to hurt people, kill people. I just, if I have to kill things like that, for entertainment? What's to stop -"
She closed her eyes and let her head fall back. Angel didn't move, he wouldn't crowd her.
"It brings it back. The high you got from fighting, from hurting others. It's like an addiction. You're stronger than you were, Faith."
She gave a derisive snort.
"Doesn't mean it's easy."
"No, it's never easy. The fighting is the hardest part."
She looked at him and he lifted his head to return it.
"The fighting of yourself. Fighting the vampire and demons we do? That's nothing, that's like, taking the edge off. Fighting the urge to do more, to go farther, to just, let go, that fight never ends, but you never give into it Faith."
She tried for a smile and it came out a sad smirk.
"Gee, you've sure got that pep talk thing down."
Angel looked surprised then apologetic.
"Sorry, was going for the, whole, understanding, but tough it out kind of thing."
"It's cool, I get it. Not exactly all fun and games for you either."
They lapsed back into silence again, just watching the door, the ceiling.
"So, do you think they're okay? Wes and Cordy?"
Angel stared at the door again.
"They'd better be."
AA
The alley was nothing special. If anything it gave Cordelia the creeps, but she let Wesley start the little ritual to open things up. It was silly really. At least to her. It was made to sound like a really powerful ritual, but really it was just asking, and bringing gifts. If she admitted it to herself, it was a pretty good gig. She'd be happy with someone having to bring a gift every time they wanted to see her. It worked, a door, well more a gaping glowing hole in the wall, opened and Wesley glanced back to her.
"Are you sure about this?"
She wasn't, she really really wasn't. She just didn't have another plan. So she nodded.
"Yeah, I'm going to do this. You don't have to come Wes. I know this wasn't your idea."
He smiled and put an arm around her shoulders.
"What and miss a meeting with the actual Powers that Be? Come on then. Let's see just who or what we're dealing with here."
With a nod to each other, they stepped through and found themselves, in nothing. It was white, and bright, but that was it. There was no knowing if there was an end in sight, because it all blended together. Floor, sky, walls, if there were any. It was just, white, nothingness. Enough to make Cordelia lean closer to Wesley. If she looked down while walking she'd probably fall, she didn't know what was what, where the floor was though she was on something solid. It was disconcerting and would probably make her head spin if she stopped to think about it. She didn't have time to stop and think about it because they stepped forward. A man and a woman, they looked Wesley and Cordelia over and it was the most thorough appraisal she felt she'd ever gotten.
"Why are you here seer?"
"We did not send for you."
Wesley tightened his arm around her but she stepped forward leaving him behind her.
"No, you didn't. Maybe you aren't aware, but your champion is in trouble."
"He will survive."
"Or he won't."
Wesley went to step next to her and she grabbed his hand quickly. If there was one thing she was good at, it was hitting her target. With a smile she tilted her head.
"Oh, so you are totally aware that the Council is passing judgment on you? Well, if you're fine with that then no big I guess. I just thought it was a little odd, you know, them being just humans and all."
Wesley's face read confusion but then pain as she squeezed his hand as hard as she could.
"No one passes judgment on us."
"They are not here for us."
"No no, you're right, totally. I mean, just because you decided that Angel was your champion and they think you made a mistake doesn't mean they are judging you. They just think they can do better and should test all your decisions that's all."
The twins looked at each other then back at her.
"You simply fear the champion will fail this test."
"We are aware of your reasons for coming seer."
"You're right, I'm scared for him and you should be too! They don't want him to pass, they are going to make sure he fails, they all fail! You have to know how hard they all work for you! All of them, if you don't think they are worthy then you do something! If you want to test them, then come up with something fair! Not set them up to fail!"
It was Wesley's turn to squeeze her hand, he even yanked her back towards him, a bit worried about yelling at the Powers. As the silence stretched he grew more worried.
"The Council oversteps."
"It is not their place."
"What did you have in mind, seer?"
Cordelia relaxed, letting out a long shaky breath. Her eyes widened when she realized they were asking her. She wasn't a planner, her plan was to get them to do something! Not come up with a plan herself! Her mouth opened and closed in confusion, stopping when Wesley cleared his throat.
"I, may have an idea regarding that."
AA
Angel pushed off the wall and Faith lifted her head to watch. Once she realized why he was moving she was pushing up to her own feet. The door was opened and what seemed to be nothing more than a pile of bloody leather was thrown in. The door was closed quickly and she froze. Her mind couldn't comprehend what she was seeing, but Angel was already moving. He rolled the pile over and somehow found Spike's arms to pull him back away from the door. He glanced up to Faith and she finally moved. Bending to help him move Spike.
"Is he?"
She couldn't tell, he didn't breathe, he had no heartbeat. How was that any different? Angel shook his head.
"Just unconscious. Help me get him up, we need to check for the worst injuries."
Faith tried but then dropped his arm and backed up when he made a noise.
"Sorry."
"No, no need t' be sorry, pet."
Angel bent to one knee and put a hand to his shoulder as Spike tried to get up more.
"How bad is it?"
"Bad enough, yeah? Missin' th' cheerleader's fussin' a bit."
Angel pulled the jacket aside, not that he needed to. Spike's face was pummeled. He barely had one eye open, his lip split, as well as cheek, bruised and puffy not to mention his head tilted to the side as if he couldn't straighten it.
"You can't go back in there."
Faith's voice was starting to strain, that panic settling that said she was on the edge of not dealing. Angel looked up at her.
"Faith, sit down, breathe."
"We don' have choices 'ere, luv. We do what we hafta, get outta 'ere, all o' us, yeah?"
She sat down and nodded stiffly. She looked at Spike, trying to make sense out of it, it looked like someone had just beat on him for hours. They probably had. Finally she lifted eyes from his, realizing he was trying to comfort her. She caught Angel's and he gave a short nod. She worked on breathing. She couldn't panic, they'd get through this. Angel slipped out of his jacket and started rolling up his sleeve.
"You aren't going to heal without blood."
"Excuse me? Thought you was th' one all on not bitin'? Been drinkin' from a mug all right an' proper."
"Spike, do you see any mugs or blood bags? You said they starve their fighters, so they aren't going to wait for you to heal, and if we are getting out of this, we need you healed."
"I'll do it."
The vampires froze and turned their heads slowly towards Faith, almost hoping she was talking to someone else, maybe there was someone else now in the cell. Faith was just staring back at them. She shrugged and started removing her jacket.
"Faith -"
"Angel. You guys said we're all getting out right? Can't do that with him in this shape. Besides, my blood would work faster, better. Right?"
"Not th' point pet."
"Okay so what is the point? That we let you die before we can get out of here? Tell you what, pretend I'm Cordy and tell me that's the plan."
She tossed her jacket aside then crossed her arms over her chest. Angel and Spike exchanged looks. Spike shrugged and then winced.
"Don' look at me, figured it was a bad idea t' let them two spend time t'gether."
"You don't have to do this."
She shrugged.
"I know."
Angel nodded then and looked at Spike, the frown, or he thought it was a frown. He didn't move from his position and put a hand on his shoulder. Spike glanced up in an an attempt to glare, but what he saw there wasn't a warning. Faith licked her lips and sat down on the other side of him.
"So uh, how you wanna do this?"
Angel nodded towards her.
"Wrist. It's easier, for everyone."
She wasn't sure what he meant by that but she'd trust that if anyone knew what they were talking about, it was Angel. She held out her wrist then stopped and changed arms. Spike raised his head and looked at her.
"You sure, pet?"
"Yeah, just, you know, not my good arm. Plan on using that one a lot on those council guys. I mean really, they find these things and shove us into the pits?"
Spike paused, his face smoothed and he leaned forward.
"Council, started the fightin' pits. Started as trainin' fo' you slayers. Now it's jus' money."
She blinked, then her hand fisted and eyes narrowed.
"Drink. If we don't get out of this, you guys better kill me, because I am not working for those bastards."
Angel looked at Spike then at Faith.
"No one is killing you, and you aren't going back with them."
"Thought we didn't have a choice."
Spike reached for her wrist and held it in his hand.
"Fightin' pet. Slayers, vampires, we're built fo' it. No choice in th' fight. Gotta choice in who we fight."
She relaxed and closed her eyes a moment. This was most definitely a test for her. Just not the one the Council thought she was going through.
"Yeah okay, well then I choose Council dickheads. Now drink up before I change my mind. You're going to need time to heal up anyway."
He tried for a smirk.
"Well I'm all fo' that. Seein' as I kinda owe 'em a few meself."
He brought her wrist up and bit, not wanting to take his time and draw it out. She hissed out a breath then relaxed. She knew she needed to be careful, not let him take too much. She just didn't have much experience in what was too much. She didn't need to worry about it, she felt him ready to pull back then hesitate. A glance up at Angel and she saw a look of concentration, then he squeezed at Spike's shoulder and he pulled back. Spike's breathing was harder and he licked the wound closed before letting his head fall back and closing his eyes. Angel moved his jacket to the corner and pulled Spike down to lay on them.
"Let him rest. How are you feeling?"
Faith looked over at him then at her wrist.
"Actually, I'm good."
AA
Robertson took the opportunity to speak to his colleagues without Marcus. As far as he was concerned, it didn't matter in the least if any of them survived the pits. What mattered was what Marcus did. He was hoping to show he failed. Marcus was a symbol to Robertson, nothing more. A symbol of the Council. Run my old men stuck in their ways, no experience, always behind the desks, watching, never out getting their hands dirty. Not that Robertson was looking to get his hands dirty, not personally. He was looking to show that it was time for a change, to let the younger men take over, take responsibility and implement some new traditions.
"The vampire has done well. He'll be in the final round."
"He, was careful with his kills, did anyone else notice that?"
Robertson smiled to himself and glanced to Jacobs. That one was starting to have doubts, which worked in his favor.
"Yes, he took injuries he didn't need to in order to make his opponents death easy. Painless. That one has no soul does he?"
Surprisingly, it was Wilkinson that answered. The man hadn't taken a stand in years, only waiting to see the outcomes, a yes man in the most literal sense of the word.
"No. Our reports show he attempted to kill the slayer in Sunnydale, then came here to torture and kill Angel's team and then Angel."
"Hmm, seems he's had a change of, heart? Personally, I would rather watch the final outcome. Instead of behind this glass like some casual observer, down at the arena. After all, this is our test, correct? Shouldn't we be a part of it?"
Muttered agreements were all he got, but all he needed.
"Excellent. I'll make arrangements and let Marcus know. Perhaps even bring up the seer and Pryce to watch. After all, they seem to be a cohesive team. It will be interesting to see how they work as a team, when separated and pitted against each other."
The irony of the statement not lost on him. In the Council there was more politics then work most of the time and he was indeed pitting members against each other. Subtle, careful, because in the end, he wanted to be the one in the winner's circle.
AA
A/N: Yes another one! So, this story will not be as long as the first one. I believe I have a couple of ideas for this series, things for our team to deal with. Most of them will only be a handful of chapters, since the first story did all the set up and background you need to understand the changes in the Angel's Investigations team. Rather than rewrite full seasons with the new crew, it will be smaller plot driven stories of them through out their time together. Open to ideas and suggestions, I totally appreciate all the wonderful feedback! For those of you who might be writing reviews just to egg me on, really, you don't have to! I love that you are reading and enjoying it, and I will not be one of those authors that hold a story hostage for reviews! I write because I have ideas, thoughts and I love it! Sometimes I'll be writing a ton, other times, not as much. If I fall behind it's because I'm stuck! However, never feel I am simply waiting for a pat on the back to write more! I love hearing from everyone but I will continue writing either way! Suggestions and ideas always welcome! Just not demanded.