A/N: So much for a week, huh? I'd been looking forward to this chapter, and writing it was as much fun as I'd hoped. Hope it's just as much fun to read!
Xander pointed out the windscreen. "That's the one."
"Mm-hmm," Ziva agreed as they drove past. "No obvious activity, but there are lights on. That is unusual for an abandoned building, is it not?"
She continued down the block, then turned and approached the warehouse from a narrow alley, stopping the car as soon as the building was in view. This meant the car was in the shadows of the other buildings around it, set back from the street and not easily visible. There were no streetlights in the alley.
Xander grabbed the binoculars and looked at the building, which was a few hundred feet away. He checked out the windows, before handing the binoculars over to Ziva.
"The lights just went out, but I didn't see any movement. Those windows are too far from the ground. Anyone could walk past and be completely below window level," he said.
"I agree. Plus, now that the lights are off, we won't be able to see much anyway," Ziva replied. "Perhaps if we get closer."
They quietly left the car and crossed the street, keeping a careful eye on the building and the surrounding area. It was deserted. They made it to the fence between the building and the next property. Ziva peered around it.
"No security cameras outside."
She disappeared a moment later, and Xander swore under his breath as he hurried to follow. He pressed himself against the outer wall beside her. Ziva turned to face him.
"Give me a toe up," she whispered, putting her hands on his shoulders.
"It's a 'leg up'," Xander corrected. He obediently cupped his hands.
"Whatever." Ziva was focussed on the window above their heads. "Ready? On three. One, two, three."
It was only as Xander lifted her that he wondered what would happen if Ziva saw some ugly demon inside. Possibly with lots of tentacles. The thought nearly made him drop her.
"Xander!" she hissed. "Stay still!" She peered into the window intently, trying to make out shapes in the darkness.
"What is it?" asked Xander, unable to wait.
She shook her head. "Nothing. This room's empty. Okay, put me down in three, two, one-"
Xander misjudged the drop and Ziva landed on him heavily with an 'oof!'. They both crashed to the ground, Ziva sprawled awkwardly across him.
"You guys don't get much practice at this, huh? Seriously, you're louder than elephants," came an amused English accent.
Ziva was off the ground in an instant, weapon drawn and pointed at the newcomer. Xander was right behind her -until he saw who it was. He relaxed.
"Ziva, you can put it away. Spike, what are you doing here?"
"Same as you, I assume. Seriously sweetheart, put that thing away."
Ziva lowered her gun but didn't put it back in her holster. She stared distrustfully at Spike.
"Xander? Who is this?"
"Spike, an old friend. He works for Angel."
"I work with Angel, thank you very much," Spike corrected.
"Really? Because the card he gave me the other day still said 'Angel' Investigations, not-"
"Oh please," Spike interrupted. "Fancypants didn't want to have new business cards made up, so he refused to change the name, but that doesn't mean anything."
"No," came Angel's objection from the darkness. He and Illyria walked up to join them. "It's because it always was and still is my business. You are unreliable and sometimes disappear for days at a time. Why should I consider you an equal business partner?"
"Well maybe if you did treat me as an equal.." Spike started.
"Excuse me!" hissed Ziva angrily. "This is not the time or place for an argument!"
Both vampires looked suitably chastened.
"We should retire from this position and regroup," stated Illyria. Ziva agreed and motioned for the others to follow her back to the car. Xander, bringing up the rear of the group, saw Spike remove his leather duster and give it to Illyria. She wrapped it around herself and Xander was relieved that Ziva wouldn't get a close look at Illyria's odd 'clothing'.
Back at the car they didn't have to worry about being overheard quite as much, though they still kept their voices down. They stood in a loose group behind the NCIS vehicle.
"So what are you all doing here?" asked Ziva. "Did you get the same intelligence Xander did?"
"Uh, yeah," Angel answered, with a brief glance at Xander. "Our sources must have found the same information."
Ziva looked at the building in question. "That makes it more likely to be the right place then. But I didn't see any signs of life through that window. Not even anything to indicate recent activity."
"Oh, there's been recent activity, no question about that," Spike replied.
"How do you know? We'll have to verify that for ourselves."
"Err.. we don't have proof," Angel conceded.
"Then we'll have to go back, and find some," Ziva concluded.
"Won't find any outside the warehouse," Spike assured her.
Angel nodded in agreement. "They've been careful. Not a thing out of place."
"Then we'll go in," she said.
"Which Gibbs ordered us not to do," said Xander.
"There's an easy solution to that," said Spike cheerfully. "We'll go in."
"We cannot allow that," said Ziva, shaking her head. "You are civilians, and this is an NCIS matter. Whoever we are dealing with, they are taking down young, strong marines." She looked Spike up and down. "No offence, but I doubt you would be a challenge for them."
"What, little ol' me?" Spike asked, grinning. "Reckon I could give them a go."
"Spike," Angel warned. Spike shrugged. Angel turned to Xander. "You need this information -this way, you won't be disobeying orders to get it. And you know we are the best at this."
"We won't even breathe loudly," Spike added cheekily.
Xander considered it for a moment, then sighed. "Gibbs is going to kill me," he muttered. "Alright. Observe only. Don't let them know you're there. We need confirmation that the marines are there, and what else we're up against to get them back."
Ziva made a noise of protest but the others ignored her. Angel turned to Illyria.
"You stay here. Spike and I are better at this." Illyria opened her mouth but Angel interrupted before she spoke. "There won't be any fighting."
She paused. "Fine. I will wait here."
"Right then. Let's be off." Spike turned back towards the warehouse.
"Spike," Xander called. Spike turned. "Don't make me regret this."
Spike just grinned and waved as he and Angel disappeared into the shadows.
"Are you insane! Gibbs is going to kill us!" Ziva exploded, somehow managing to keep her volume down despite everything.
Xander shrugged. "Angel was telling the truth, Ziva. I've known them both a long time. They are better at this than we ever could be, and this way we can find out what's inside without going against Gibbs' orders."
"You had better back me up when I tell Gibbs I was against this idea," she fumed. "If your friends screw up..." she pointed a finger at him threateningly.
"I know, I know," Xander held his hands out in a placating gesture.
"A female warrior," said Illyria. Xander and Ziva both turned, having forgotten she was there for a moment. She was observing Ziva, head cocked to one side with interest. "I had begun to wonder if there were any, or if it were the sole domain of men now."
"What?" Ziva asked, confused.
"Nothing," said Xander quickly, trying to cut off the conversation before Illyria said something he couldn't cover for. But Illyria wasn't done.
"You are a warrior, are you not?"
Ziva seemed to consider the question. 'Warrior' wasn't the term people usually used.
"Yes," she replied. "I have had many years of training, and believe I am an accomplished fighter."
"We should spar. I should like to test myself against you."
"Uh, sure," Ziva said, surprised.
"Wait," said Xander. "Your comment to me is that you would snap me like a twig, but Ziva you want to test yourself against?"
"In all my time here, I have fought only men. Unless you count Angel's secretary when I first arrived -but she did not put up much of a fight. Perhaps this one will be different."
"Fine, whatever. But not right now," Xander quickly added. "Maybe later."
Ziva nodded, turning to look back towards the warehouse. After a moment, Illyria gave a brief nod also, and Xander sighed in relief.
Ten long, silent minutes later, Xander spotted movement.
"Here they come," he breathed. Ziva frowned, studying the darkness until she saw them a minute later. She glanced at Xander.
"How is it that you could make them out with only one eye, when I couldn't with both of mine?"
Xander shrugged. Angel hurried over to join them, Spike just behind.
"It's definitely the place," Angel said. "Marines, and guards."
Four people exited the lift into the bullpen. Ziva had insisted that Spike and Angel accompany them back to NCIS, refusing to pass on their eyewitness accounts second-hand. To the relief of the three men, she'd agreed that since Illyria hadn't entered the warehouse herself, she was free to return to their hotel.
"Whoa, an entourage," Tony commented as they entered the MCRT's area. Gibbs looked up, an eyebrow raised.
"I would like you to know, I was totally against it," Ziva stated, dropping her gear at her desk.
"Against what?" Gibbs asked, frowning at the newcomers.
"Angel and Spike helped us out," Xander answered.
Gibbs' eyes narrowed. "Explain."
Xander stepped up to Gibbs' desk, leaning over so he could speak quietly.
"We can speak much more plainly if we could go somewhere private."
Gibbs looked at him a moment, then glanced at Spike and Angel.
"Fine. Conference room."
For once, Gibbs meant the actual conference room, rather than the lift. Xander led Angel and Spike in, Gibbs following and shutting the door behind them. He remained near the door whilst the other three stood around the table.
"Right. What's going on, Harris?"
"If you don't mind," Spike interrupted, "I'd be much happier if you weren't blocking the doorway."
"And you are?" Gibbs asked, irritated.
"Boss, this is Spike, he works with Angel. Spike, as you've probably guessed this is my boss, Special Agent Gibbs," Xander interjected.
"Planning on going somewhere, Spike?"
"No, but I don't like having the exits blocked all the same."
"Spike..." Xander started, but Spike turned to glare at him.
"He's military, Harris!"
Xander sighed. Spike did have pretty good reason to be wary of the military, after all.
"Boss, could you move to this side of the table? Spike won't be leaving the room until we're done here."
"My patience is wearing thin, Harris," Gibbs muttered, but he moved away from the door anyway.
Xander nodded. "Spike and Angel managed to get inside the warehouse," he explained.
Gibbs glared at the two men on the other side of the table. "If you have endangered the lives of those marines by your reckless snooping-"
"Hey!" Spike interrupted. "We went in with your boy's permission, because he knew we could get in and out without detection."
Gibbs turned on Xander. "With your permission?" he asked incredulously. "Did you not listen to what I said earlier? The part about working as a team and not going off on your own?"
Xander tried to stay steady in the face of Gibbs' raw anger, and mostly succeeded. "Boss, there's more going on here than you know," he said tiredly. "Can you please just hear what they have to say?"
Gibbs glared at him a moment longer before turning back to the two vampires. "Make this the best damn report you've ever given to anyone," he growled. Angel stepped up to the table.
"Four marines, with six guards," he reported. "In the basement. We managed to get right in without being noticed. Looks like they're more focussed on keeping the prisoners in, than watching for any attack from outside, which will work to our advantage."
"'Our'?" Gibbs questioned, leaning forward, hands on the conference table. "There is no 'us'. You will not have anything further to do with this investigation, understood?"
Angel met his glare. "With all due respect, you need us. And you can't stop us from being there."
"Watch me," Gibbs growled.
"Angel," Xander interrupted, wanting to break the stand-off that was developing between them. Spike, he noticed, had made himself comfortable in the chair closest to the door and was watching the scene with amusement.
"What?" Angel answered with clenched teeth, still glaring back at Gibbs.
"What were the guards?"
"What?" Angel turned to Xander in surprise.
"What were the guards?" Xander repeated. "If you think NCIS can't handle them, then they weren't human, right?"
Angel glanced at Gibbs briefly. "Felkor."
"Felkor demons," said Xander thoughtfully. "Don't think I've run into those before."
"Oh, you probably have," corrected Spike. "They're everywhere. The thing about Felkor: they looked completely human. No way to tell them apart."
"Then how do you know they aren't human?" asked Gibbs.
"Their bl-" Spike began, but Angel cut him off.
"They smell different," he said quickly.
Gibbs looked between them in anger and astonishment. "They smell different? You really expect me to take your word for it that these people aren't really humans, because you think they smell funny?"
There was a brief silence.
"Er, Xander? Care to take this one?" Angel asked.
Xander knew why he was asking. Obviously by now it was clear that Gibbs knew something about demons, but they wouldn't have any idea how much he knew. Angel didn't want to risk putting his foot in it.
Gibbs was now looking impatiently at Xander.
"Come on Harris! So far, I've not seen any evidence that there's anything unusual about this case, except what you and your friends here have told me. I'm starting to wonder if this is just some big joke," he barked.
"That's not true," Xander protested. "What about Frank?"
"Another friend of yours I'd never heard of before this case. Albeit one with a serious skin problem," he added. Spike snorted.
"That accountant we interviewed this morning. He was a demon."
"So you say! I still don't know what you said to that guy to make him so scared, Harris, but him feeling threatened doesn't make him a demon!"
"Alright," Xander conceded. "You want to know why we should trust Angel and Spike to judge things with their noses? It goes back to what I said the other day, about how some demons can pass for human."
"And?"
"And..." There was no easy way to say it, was there? "There's only two humans in this room right now, Boss."
Gibbs stopped, then turned to stare at Angel and Spike. Angel stood tall, arms crossed and face serious. Spike, on the other hand, leaned back lazily in his chair, giving Gibbs a grin and brief wave.
"You're demons," he stated eventually.
"Yes," confirmed Angel.
"Though, if you asked Illyria she'd sniff and say we're only half-breeds," commented Spike. Angel glared at him.
"Prove it," Gibbs ordered.
"Ooh, I'll do it!" said Spike, suddenly excited. He sat up. "I'll show him my game face!"
"No!" Xander pounced before Spike could act. Telling Gibbs they were demons was one thing, but telling him they were vampires? That could be a whole different thing. Xander wanted to keep it at step one if they could. "Just... pick up something heavy, or something like that."
Spike pouted. "Can't I at least hit something? The wall? The table? What about Angel, can I hit Angel?"
"Spike, there's no need for violence," said Angel in exasperation. Spike slumped back into his chair, muttering about never being allowed to have any fun. Angel turned back to Gibbs. "Compared to humans, we have enhanced senses. Sight, hearing, smell. We're also stronger and have faster reflexes. So, you and Xander go into that corner," he motioned to the one furthest from him, "And I'll stand over here. One of you whisper something to the other that I shouldn't be able to hear."
Xander was surprised and grateful at Angel's sensible handling of the matter. He couldn't help but wonder how much a vampire could mature emotionally when they were already well into their third century of life -or unlife, or whatever they called it. But Angel certainly appeared to have matured since they'd known each other in Sunnydale.
"This has to be the most elaborate and infuriating practical joke anyone has ever set up, Harris," Gibbs muttered softly, right into Xander's ear. Spike burst out laughing and even Angel had trouble keeping a straight face as he repeated the sentence back from across the room. Angel then had Gibbs hold his business card up, and he read it out word-for-word from the opposite wall.
"Not sure there's any way to prove that our sense of smell is strong and accurate, I'm afraid," said Angel.
"Well, we could mention that he reeks of coffee and sawdust, but I think even the humans could pick that up," Spike grinned. "Can we show off our strength now?"
"Have you worked out a non-violent method?" Xander asked.
"He can arm wrestle me," Spike said smugly. "It's not a real demonstration of what we can do, but it's better than nothing. If he's game."
Gibbs silently took the seat next to Spike and held out his hand, elbow resting on the table.
"Right then." Spike sat up and gripped Gibbs' hand. Xander hovered nervously, but Spike seemed happy to behave appropriately now. He slowly pushed the other man's arm back until his hand touched the table, making it look easy whilst also giving Gibbs plenty of opportunity to fight back.
"That's hardly a comprehensive show, but it'll do for now," Spike shrugged.
"Do you believe us?" asked Angel.
Gibbs stood up, shaking his arm out a little. "I believe you have extremely good senses, and I believe what you say you saw in the warehouse. But you're still going not going to have anything further to do with this investigation."
Angel shook his head. "I don't think you understand. This is not something you can handle with a couple of people armed with guns."
"This is my investigation, and these are our marines! I will not be told by just anyone who walks in off the street, how I should go about securing their release!"
"You will get your men killed!" Angel retorted.
"Just you watch and see if that happens," Gibbs said with finality. Angel threw up his hands and paced away in exasperation.
"Xander, maybe you need to have a word with your boss," Spike suggested.
"Actually, I agree with him," Xander replied.
"What!" cried Angel.
"You can't be serious!" Spike exclaimed.
"I mean it. Think about it. We still don't know who's behind this. If you two go in there, and get caught, they could use you in the Badinok Spell. You can't tell me that won't be worse," Xander reasoned.
"You don't think we could take on six Felkor?" asked Spike, offended. "I mean, yeah, they're strong and mean buggers, but Angel and I have won against much worse odds!"
"Look," said Xander, trying to be patient. "If this was a bar brawl, my money would be on you, sure. But it's not. We can't risk you getting caught."
"He's right," Angel admitted.
"What, so you take a team of sodding humans in, and all of you get taken or killed," said Spike bitterly. "Yeah, that sounds better."
"Of course not. There's another way."
Gibbs looked at Xander expectantly. "Which is?"
"I call the Council."
"No way!" cried Spike.
"That is so not fair," Angel muttered.
"Once a Scooby, always a Scooby," Spike moaned. "Bloody typical."
"What's to stop them from getting captured as easily as me or Spike?" Angel demanded.
"Numbers," Xander replied. "They can bring a team out."
"I still say we can do it without them," Spike argued.
"Someone planning to explain who or what the Council is?" Gibbs interrupted.
"Sorry Boss," Xander replied. "The Council-"
"Wait, someone's coming," Angel interrupted, turning his head towards the door. He sniffed. "It's Ziva."
They all paused, and a moment later there was a polite knock at the door.
"Yeah?" Gibbs called.
The door opened, and Ziva stuck her head in. "Sorry to interrupt."
Gibbs waved it away. "What's up?"
"There's some people here looking for Xander. Said they were from the ISWC."
"The what?" asked Gibbs.
"The Council," answered Xander.