Chapter Three; Green Butterfly.
The new-founded couple were having a picnic on a grassy, lime-green lawn near a mysterious forest. The sun was shining gloriously over them. "Okay. If you were like anything out here. . .you'd be a deer. With that cute little nose and those big puppy dog eyes" Lorne said, having the tone of chuckle in his voice. Margarita smiled "And if you were like anything out here, you'd be a. . ." she glanced at the scenery around them. Looking for something that could describe Lorne. Something cute. And something green. As Lorne pasted hopeful eyes at her, she suddenly spotted something flying beside the lake. It was something green, with wings, and horns. Small, thin black horns with a round thing on top. "You'd be something like that" she said, pointing at the creature. Lorne made his sight fall over at the flying, green thing.
"A green Papilio Lorquinianus butterfly?" he questioned. Margarita nodded, and then quickly turned to him with shock and happiness in her eyes "I didn't think you knew that much about butterflies" she said, looking at his smiling face. "How did you know that it was exactly the Papil-whatever butterfly?". Lorne looked at the clouds that floated above them. He held his hand out, and rapidly, the butterfly flew into his hands. Margarita looked at it in amaze. "I have no idea" he replied. Margarita set questionable eyes at him "What do you mean?" she asked. Lorne started to pet the butterfly and then let it fly away. "I don't know anything about butterflies, cupcake. But, the moment I looked at that green little creature, it was like it's name flashed through my head. And, I just knew".
"I'm comparing you to that butterfly, anyway. You're just like one, Lorne. A butterfly that is yet to spread it's wings" Margarita said. "You mean that I have goals in my life I want to achieve? . . .I guess you were right" Lorne replied. Margarita gave him a kiss "Do you want me to help?". He nodded, and then looked up at the floating clouds once again. "Do that and I'll love you forever". Margarita casted him a worried kind of glance "You want to flee Wolfram & Hart?". Lorne made a sigh and nodded. "To Canada, perhaps?". He said. Margarita nodded in agreement and then looked at her green boyfriend, with somewhat worry in her eyes. "Are you sure you want to do this?". Lorne gave her a smile "Yeah. This isn't the place for me. Besides, I have to stop making trouble for angelcakes". Margarita turned her face from him, gazing up at the clear blue sky. "You never make any trouble for Angel. You help him, Lorne. It's that kind of person you are. You help people. Are you really sure you want to give that up?".
A moment of silence fell over the scenery. And the only sounds to hear, were the birds singing in the trees. "Sing for me". Margarita made a worryful glance at him. "What?". Lorne looked at her with a meaningful glare "Sing for me. I need to know if the words that are coming out your mouth is true. 'Cause I don't believe any of it". Margarita sighed and started to sing. Too The Moon and Back was her song of choice, apparently. She quickly finished her song, and Lorne stood up, walking away from her. "What's wrong?". Lorne stopped walking and turned to her "You. You're not Margarita" he replied, in slight anger. Margarita blinked her eyes with innocence. "What are you talking about?". Lorne sighed. "If you were her, you'd be wanting to flee Wolfram & Hart faster than I would say 'Sea Breeze', honey. You see, I've known that from the moment Margarita stepped into the buildings of Wolfram & Hart, she wanted to leave right away. But, after meeting me. She couldn't and because I belong to the firm now, I've been keeping here there. But, now that she's got the opportunity to leave, she wouldn't question it a second. Which you did. Several times". Margarita swallowed a lump in her throat. The clear sign of insecurity. She then smiled an evil smile "You got me".
Lorne looked at her in disgust "What did you do to her, and when?" he asked. Margarita walked slowly towards him, becoming the shape of Eve. "I took over her body mentally when she was done talking about fleeing from Wolfram & Hart. Only a slight moment before you noticed something was wrong, and wanted me to sing. Is that clear enough for you?" she asked. Lorne gave her a glare. "I don't understand you, Eve. And I don't want to either". Suddenly Eve's body fell back to it's original. Margarita's. Collapsing in Lorne's arms. "Oh, peanut. Are you alright?" he asked, shaking her body gently. She opened her eyes "Oh. Hi, darling. What happened? I was talking and then, the next moment, I was. . .gone" she said. Lorne patted her head "Hush. It's alright now. We'll leave Wolfram & Hart, first thing in the morning" he said. Margarita made a faint smile and closed her eyes. Lorne carried her away from the picnic place, and out of the forest. As both Lorne and his girl woke up the next day. They silently left the building without any trace. They went to where Angel's cars where parked took one of the cars, driving away from L.A. Heading towards Canada.
- - -
Driving for hours, Margarita finally came to sense. "Can we take a break now? I think I saw a bar a couple of minutes back" she said. Lorne nodded "That's the best idea I've ever heard today" he replied, as he turned the car around. Back at Wolfram & Hart, Angel walked rapidly through the hallway. His footsteps made a heavy sound. Which clearly meant that he was angry. He opened the doors to his office in slight frustration. "What's the matter, Angel?" Wesley asked, putting down one of his books. Angel turned to him "Have you seen Lorne? Or Margarita?" he asked. Fred came into the office, with a slight nervous glare at her boss "Not since yesterday, why?" she replied, slowly walking inside. "I don't think they're here" Angel said, sitting down on his desk. "What do you mean?" Wesley asked. Angel shook his head "I don't think they're in the building anymore. Not in the state either" he told. Fred added a slight chuckle to the conversation "How can that be? Do you think Lorne would just leave without saying goodbye?" she questioned. "I don't know, Fred. I really don't know" Angel replied in worry, as he made a glance at Wesley.
- - -
The couple entered a bar. Thick smoke filled the air, and it was almost like a fog. Only, more toxic than usual. They walked up to the bar desk. "What do you want, peanut?" Lorne asked, turning Margarita's way. She smiled at him "A sea breeze. Being with you has made me curious about that drink, you know" she stated, starting to look for something her purse. Lorne smiled "That's my girl! Two Sea Breeze's, thanks" he said, smiling at the bartender. He just shrugged, walking away. "That was rude" Lorne said. Margarita chuckled at him "Calm down. I guess he just went to get us the drinks. . .". The sound of breaking glass appeared behind them. And as they turned around they spotted three men standing in the bar's opening. "What an entré. Are you three the band? This place need some music, for sure" Lorne said, looking suspiciously at the three men. They threw a glass his way, making both him and Margarita duck. If not. They would probably be hit by the glass. "I guess you're not the band, then" Lorne said, nervously.
The three men walked towards them. With a threatening glare. "Can't we just settle this with a couple of drinks, huh, boys?". The men made an evil smile "We already killed the bartender" they replied. Margarita looked behind the bar desk and spotted the bartender, covered in blood. She got chills down her spine, and quickly removed her sight from there. One of the men grabbed Margarita's wrist. "Hey! Let go of me!" she shouted. "Let her go. You're after me, aren't you?" Lorne said, making an angry glare their way. The leader nodded "Of course we're after you, Krevlornswath of the Deathwok Clan. But, we're taking your woman instead. Seems more interesting" he said, with an evil laugh. "I won't allow that" Lorne said, as he knocked out the one holding Margarita.
She grabbed her boyfriend's arm in a rapid manner, as she was highly scared. Lorne knocked out the two others. But knew that they weren't going to stay on the ground for too long. "Margarita. I want you to run". Margarita glanced at him, in confusion "What?". Lorne looked at her. The seriousness in his eyes where practically glowing. "Heaven is out that door, peanut. Now, go!" He said, throwing her towards the door, noticing that the three men was slowly standing up. Margarita shook her head in silence, and flashed a faint smile "Heaven is where you are" she replied. Lorne looked at her with a surprised glance, with turned into a smile. Suddenly the three where standing, Lorne turned to them with a smile of seriousness "I get cranky when I don't get what I ordered" he said, ready for combat. Though, as he was about to punch one of them. A fourth man appeared behind Margarita and grabbed her, running out the door. "Margarita!" Lorne ran after them, but didn't come long, as the three others got to him and began to hurt him.
After the gang of three had left, Lorne managed to crawl his way back to the bar. He sat down and made himself a glass of sea breeze. "What can I do? How can I get you back, Margarita?". No one was there to answer him. No one. This time, the little green was all by himself. He was at the near end of giving up finding Margarita. But, just as the small sense of will was about to drain itself away from him, a green Papilio Lorquinianus butterfly flew by him, and he realized that his goals would have to wait a little bit longer that expected.
- - -
Ring. Ring.Angel picked up the phone in his office. "Hello? Lorne. Where the hell are you guys? What? Kidnapped?! Yeah, we're on our way". Wesley made questioning eyes at his boss "What happened?". Angel grabbed his leather jacket and was on his way out. "Margarita is kidnapped. Lorne can't find her". Wesley made a slight look that seemed as if he wasn't convinced. "Are you sure we can trust him? I mean, he did leave without saying anything. That's not very trustworthy, is it?" Wesley questioned. Angel shook his head "He needs help, Wesley. The woman he loves just got kidnapped. If anything happened to Fred, wouldn't you. . .". Wesley rapidly nodded "Sure. Let's go". Spike walked towards them "What's up, mateys?" he asked, with a slight smirk on his face. Angel pushed him out of the way "Lorne needs help. Margarita is kidnapped". Spike ran after them, into the elevator. "Kidnapped? Well, then, I'm coming with you. No one lays a hand at my little kitten". Angel & Wesley gave him a look. "Lorne's little kitten" Spike corrected.
- - -
Lorne sipped the last of his sea breeze, and sighed in slight worry. Angel, Wesley & Spike came through the bar door. "Oh, Angelcakes. Thank god, you're here. I don't know what to do" Lorne said, walking towards them. Angel patted his shoulder "We do. We're gonna get her back, Lorne. I promise". Wesley cleared his throat "I believe the people that kidnapped her are the Troth's. A brotherhood of some sort. They kidnap people. Mostly females, and sacrifice them to summon their God and achieve eternal immortality" he explained. Spike shrugged, and walked behind the bar desk, spotting the dead bartender. "I don't think this ones immortal, nor mortal anymore" he said. "They killed him" he said, and paused, before asking in slight worry "Do any of you have a clue where this brotherhood may be?". Angel nodded "I do". He walked out the door, swinging his leather jacket in the pale light, shining through the door.
- - -
Inside a dark, dark forest the four men walked. Their facial expressions were as serious as never before. Stomping their feet hardly to the ground with a sound of confidence to it. "We're here. The Brotherhood of Troth should be right inside" Angel remarked, looking up and down at a three, which had a door entrance carved into it. "You sure, Angel?" Spike turned to him with slight concern. Angel nodded, and kicked in the door. Three men sat at a table, playing poker, apparently. They glanced up at the four heroes with surprise. "Is something wrong?" one of them asked. Spike walked towards him and lifted him up "Damn right something's wrong, chubby" he told. Threatening him. The one that looked like the leader of the three stood up and took a few steps forward. Wesley pointed his gun at him. "May I ask what you are here for?". Angel moved his sight towards Spike "Spike. Put him down". Spike put the man down and walked back to his 'gang'.
"A friend of ours got kidnapped by the brotherhood. We want her back" Wesley said. "Oh really? We'll let you in, but, the vampires have to stay behind" the leader explained. Angel crossed his arms "Why?". Wesley made a glance at him. "Ok. The vampires stay behind". Spike looked at Wesley in both anger and slight surprise "Well, then go. Turn your back. Me and Angel will just sit here and. . .oh, bugger this". Spike started to attack the two other men, while Angel attacked the leader. He made a slight sign towards Wesley, which made him walk into the brotherhood's gate. Lorne followed.
- - -
They entered a room filled with cages. But only one cage contained a human. The others were empty. Both Wes and Lorne spotted Margarita, she stood up from a dark corner of the cage and faintly smiled, grabbing the fence wall before her "Lorne! Wesley!" she said. Lorne walked up to her cage "Hi. Pumpkin" he said, as Margarita reached out for his hand through the steel bars. "We're gonna get you out, shortcake" Lorne smiled. Wesley looked around the room for any danger. Though, none seemed to be approaching them at all. Wesley walked up to the two "I can't seem to find any people nor danger here. There must be a trap somewhere" he explained, putting down his guns. Lorne turned to him "Trap or no trap, we're getting her out now, Wes". Wesley nodded and picked up a rock from the floor. He stepped back "Lorne. Could you go out of the way for a moment?" he asked. Lorne nodded and stepped away. "You too, Margarita" Wesley said. The golden haired took a few steps back in the cage. Wesley threw the rock at the lock and suddenly the door swinged open.
Silence were filling the room, and Margarita tripped out of the shadows of the cage. She couldn't seem to stand up straight, and was about to fall to the ground. Wesley caught her right before she hit the ground. She smiled weakly at him and placed her hand on his cheek "My hero. . ." she whispered. Lorne looked at them in shock and despair. "You know what?" Lorne started. Wesley turned to him in confusion. Lorne had a faint smile on his face "This seems like that typical fairytale moment. The guy gets the girl and, they kiss. I suppose you should do that right about now, or what, kids?". "Lorne. What are you talking about? If anyone where to kiss her, then, that should be her boyfriend. Right?" Wesley added, still in confusion. Lorne shook his head "No. I've put Margarita in more danger than any of you compared. I don't want to bring her more pain or sorrow. I suggest she finds a boyfriend that's of the same breed as her" Lorne started, slowly fading back into the shadows of the room. "And, Wes. You're the perfect alternative for her" he said, sighing. Wesley looked at Margarita's pale, weak face. He wrapped his arms around her a little tighter, then he looked at Lorne. "Lorne, I-". "Wes. I know how she feels about you". Wesley's eyes widened, and a cold breeze flew by. Wesley looked at Margarita, before turning his sight to were Lorne stood. Only, he wasn't there anymore.
Spike and Angel came into the room. They looked quite tired. Both bloody and beaten. They saw Wesley and Margarita on the ground, and rushed to them. "What happened?" Angel asked. Wesley made a blank glare at them both "I think they've drained life out of her. She's not able to stand" he replied. Spike sighed in slight madness, and looked around the room. "Hey. Where's Lorne?" he questioned. ". . .Lorne. He, left" Wesley said with a low voice. "What do you mean, 'left?' " Angel said, slowly patting Margarita's forhead. "I don't know how. But, he kept rambling about a fairytale and not letting Margarita get hurt anymore. He also suggested she'd be with a human. Like me" Wesley explained. Angel sighed "We gotta find him. He's been acting strange ever since Margarita got kidnapped". Spike shrugged "Well. . .if not Percy here have something else to tell us. Like, why Margarita is acting like a little child" he said, pointing at the golden haired. She was making baby sounds, looking at a blue ball on the ground.
"I think her memory has been erased. Tough, that's not possible since she recognized both me and Lorne when we arrived. But, after she fell out of the cage she's been acting very strange. She also called me her hero. Which, I think, was the trigger Lorne needed to be pulling away from her" Wesley explained. Angel looked at the cage "There's something about this cage. It's like I've seen it before. . ." Angel started. Suddenly, he and Spike turned to each other. "1860. The Carnival" they said in union. Wesley lifted Margarita up from the ground. Carrying her. "What happened in 1860?" he asked the two vampires. Angel looked at Spike. The platinum blond nodded. Angel took a step forward "It was Venice, 1860. Me, Darla, Spike & Drusilla were attending, or should I say, crashing a masquerade ball. It was all for the kill for us. Like always. Bloodthirsty vampires without souls. We were just taking a snack when they arrived. . ." Angel started. Wesley raised his head "They?".
Spike smirked. "They. Circus people. And, their manager, Smith. Poncy old' bugger. He had cast a spell on his people. Made them able to forget everything bad, and remember all good to make them become more talented than they really were. He hated people. All people. Even creatures of the night, like us. Everyone, except himself" Spike said, brushing some dust of his leather coat. Angel patted his shoulder "Smith cast Darla and Drusilla under a love spell. We were powerless and they were his slaves. But, not for long. When we found him we managed took get our girls back. Except, we didn't know that we'd get tortured for it. All of this seems similar. Even this room" Angel said. "But, didn't you say that Smith was in Venice?" Wesley asked. "That's true. But, after he'd been torturing us, he ran to hide here. It took us decades to find him, and when we did. . .Spike, do you remember that?" Angel questioned, looking all pal-like at his former enemy. Spike smirked. "1885. Yeah. Like it was yesterday. So, we found Smith, beat him into a pulp and ripped out his soul. Literally. It was the most disgusting thing. And, hell, I'mtelling you this. But, after that we thought he was dead" Spike ended. Angel shrugged "Yeah. He looked very dead from were I was standing. Didn't he seem dead to you?" Angel looked at Spike. He nodded in reply. "Totally finito". They silently let out a faint giggle.
Wesley watched them in slight confusion. For most, he'd seen them fight like an old married couple, but, when they were recalling the older, evil vampire days, they became friends for a short amount of time. Wesley thought it was amusing to see them like this, but wanted to keep his mouth shut since they were in such a serious situation. "I'm guessing Smith isn't dead, and he's back for revenge. But, why Margarita?". Angel and Spike gave each other an ignorant look. It was clear that they had no clue why Smith would've choose Margarita to become his slave. They did indeed know that she was a good-looking girl, and in their eyes, hot as hell, but she didn't have the best surviving skills of the group. So, was it Smith's intention to kill her? But, why now?.
Suddenly, the door slammed open, and a dark haired man walked in. "I have guests already? I must be popular" the man said, and laughed an evil laugh. Spike and Angel gave each other glances "Smith" they said in union. "What do you want, Smith? Why did you want to hurt Margarita? She's of no importance for you. Am I right?" Wesley asked. Smith nodded "That's true. That woman is of no importance. Neither are you" he said, and then recognized Spike and Angel. "Spikey? Angie? Damn, it's been such a long time. I almost can't remember the time you both ripped my soul out!" he said in anger. Angel walked up to him, with a threatening glare "Oh. We did that? I sure would've remembered such a poncy face, but. . .nothing seem to cross my mind". Smith took a few step backwards. "Now, now. No hard feelings. That's such a long time ago, fellas" he said in fright. "Then, why hurt Margarita if she's not important?" Wesley quetioned.
Smith cleared his throat "I'm after her boyfriend. Krevlornswath of the Deathwok Clan". Spike made an awkward look at his former enemy "Why? Did the little green make you bleed from the ears? No wait. That was me" he laughed. "When you two ripped out my soul, I was desperate to get it back. So, one day I went to this bar. A karaoke bar-". Angel had a serious sight at him "Caritas. We know" he said in a hurry. Smith nodded "I met this guy. Lorne. Or, he told me that it was just his 'human' name. I thought he had a perfect soul. So, I told him that if he gave up his soul I'd make sure he'd get fame and everything he wished for. I managed to get his soul and left, telling him that I had lied about everything. From that day on he hated me and wanted to get his soul back. He did. And, well, now I'm on the lookout for him. I need that soul. It's so poweful. I could take ove the world with it" Smith explained. Wesley placed Margarita on the ground. "That is why you kidnapped Margarita. To lead Lorne into your trap. Taking his soul once again" Wesley started.
Smith nodded. "Exactly. But, you three are aware that all the time we use by talking, the girl's brain is limited minute by minute into a baby and soon her mind will turn into foster-state. Which makes her a vegetable for the rest of her life". Angel smirked "Thanks for the heads up. But, I've got a slight newsflash for you. Both me and Spike know how to bring her back. So, I'm guessing you have about five minutes to leave this place or Spike will smash your head in. Capiche?". Smith started to run towards the exit door, but Spike caught him just in time. "I guess it's just you and me then. Wanna dance?" he said, and broke Smith's neck by the blink of an eye. He smiled, lit a cigarette and walked over to the others. Angel got shivers down his spine "Damn, Spike. Couldn't you just bite him?" Angel asked in disgust. Spike gave him a look. "Ew. I'm not sticking my teeth into that" Spike replied. Angel gave him an irritated look "Well, couldn't you just rip his heart out or something?". Spike slightly smirked "How dumb do you think I am?". Angel smiled "Very".
Margarita's body was white as snow, and her eyes looked blank. "Angel. You said you knew how to bring her back?" Wesley said, holding Margarita's hand. Angel nodded "Yeah. But we need Lorne". Angel turned to Spike "Spike. We're gonna find Lorne. You wanna join?". Spike threw his cigarette out, and nodded "Sure". They walked out the door.
- - -
Lorne was sipping a sea breeze on a bar as always. Spike and Angel came up to him "Lorne. You have to come with us" Angel said. Lorne turned to him "Why? She has Wesley to help her, doesn't she?" he replied, in despair and sharpness. Spike grabbed his arm "Listen! You've got to follow us, little miss green queen". Lorne pulled his arm away. "No. Sorry, blondie bear, angelcakes, but, I'm staying right here. The only thing I'll ever love now is Sea Breeze". Angel slammed his hand into the bar desk before him. "If you don't come with us, Margarita will die!" he shouted. Lorne's eyes widened. Silence filled the room, and Lorne turned to them. He silently nodded.
- - -
The three came into the cage room and Spike walked up to Wesley, while Angel and Lorne was standing a bit back, talking. "Is she alright?" Spike asked. Wesley nodded "But not for long. We have to help her now". "The only way that Margarita is going to come back is if she's sung to by someone who loves her. That's you, Lorne. Not Wesley, nor me, nor Spike. All of us care deeply for her and wouldn't let anyone hurt her, but you're the one that loves her the most" Angel explained, patting his back. Lorne nodded, and made his sight hit Margarita's weak body. "I don't know If I can do this, Angelwings". Angel smiled "I know you can". Lorne sat down beside Margarita, and placed his hand under her head. He started to sing. The love-inspired lyrics of Slow Dancing in a Burning Room filled the air.
Spike, Angel and Wesley looked at the loved ones. They wondered if Margarita would ever become herself again and if Lorne would ever accept that she loves him for who he is. Lorne finished the song, but nothing happened. He made his sight turn back at the other three, and then he turned his sight to Margarita. A tear fell down his eye, and hit Margarita's lips. Her usual skin colour came back to her and she opened her eyes. Lorne's eyes widened as he felt Margarita's warmth come back to her hands. She placed his hand on his cheek "Your voice is everything". Lorne started to cry, and let his head rest on her stomach. She smiled, and patted his head gently. In the background Spike, Angel and Wesley was standing. Watching the couple. The three were slightly crying as well. Each one of them had a little tear in the corner of their eye. They smiled. "I'll never let you go. Ever again" Lorne said, as she lifted her up. She had troubles standing at right, but quickly regained balance. She hugged her boyfriend and smiled "I love you". Lorne smiled and they kissed. Then, all five walked out of the room, talking about all kinds of things, to keep the rest of the day happy.
Chapter Three. End.