Little more than 2 hours, we had a T-storm. FUN bike riding in that! ha. Anyhoo, I hope you enjoy. I wound up writing 1,000 more words than intended. oops. :)
"/" are memory scenes.
/
"What did you learn?" Angelus asked coming in from the banquet.
"Well, her name is Buffy Anne Summers. She's an Azilot."
"Buffy…"
"Yes, sir. Her parents were Joyce and Hank Summers, both retired Assassins for the Azilot Union. They retired once they learned of Joyce's pregnancy and devoted their lives to training her." He handed a manila envelope to Angelus.
"Of course. Where are they now?"
"Buffy goes to school at Sunnydale University. Her mother owns an art dealership and her father owns his own construction business. Strangely enough, sir, there's a hellmouth in that town."
"Good work. You'll be well rewarded for your quickness." Angelus turned intent on checking on his captive.
"Sir?" Angelus stopped and the fledgling continued, "Are you planning an attack on the Azilots?"
"No. There's been enough blood shed."
/
Willow entered Angelus' office with a light knock. "Are you ready for the meeting, Angelus?"
Angelus snapped out of his memory. He answered with grunt and he shoved away the short file on Buffy Summers. He stood and adjusted his clothing, "How is she?"
"Other than terrified, confused, and vulnerable, she's perfectly fine. She actually ate something today, which was a nice surprise."
The thought of Buffy being vulnerable and on her knees before him flashed through his mind. He quickly shook the image from his mind, knowing he would not be able to concentrate otherwise. "Where is she now?"
"I told her of our exercise facilities and she went with the guards to see the training room. She is absolutely incredible, Angelus." She said with a knowing look.
He met her eyes, not amused by her tone, "I know."
"Hey, hey!" Xander leaned in the doorway, "We ready to do this thing?"
Willow smiled at her friend, "As we'll ever be."
Angelus was still glowering, said nothing and moved past his two advisors.
"Hey, big guy, smile!" He leaned over to Willow as they followed their leader to the meeting hall, "It's not as if we're about to start a war."
They paused, shared a look of unease, and kept going.
Buffy had never seen so many weapons and machinery in one place in her life! Nunchuks, crossbows, broadswords, daggers, throwing stars, chains, clubs… it was incredible. The room had been cleared out for her use, but now she felt she had no idea where to start. She wasn't going to ask the guard to spar with her, he hadn't uttered one word in her direction since they had met.
She grabbed the nunchucks, extremely curious about their design. She gave a swing. She put a little too much force into and had to jump back as one handle snapped back toward her. A slow smirk slid across her face, "Cool."
Looking up she noticed a test bag on the other side of the room. She grabbed the other set of nunchucks and, this time carefully, tested the weight and feel of them. She slowly made her way across the room toward the dummy.
*SMACK*
She hit the dummy with the nunchuck in her right hand. It bounced off, hitting her in the shoulder.
"Ow! Darn it…!" She growled softly at the weapons and got in a defensive stance. "Let's try that again."
She hit it once on the right and swayed left. Then she did the opposite side. Again. Again. After a while she became a blur of motion, a dance. Sweat trickled down her face as she abused the dummy. She changed her style intermittently, mixing in punches and kicks. With every hit, she viewed her invisible enemy. The person responsible for destroying her family.
She tried to picture Angelus, but somehow, she knew it wasn't right.
She did a slap to the left side, jumped up, and with a final crushing blow, knocked the head right off the dummy.
She stood there in shock, wondering how it was possible for her to be able to maneuver such a weapon. She looked at the broken head of the dummy and picked it up quickly. Tears ran down her face as she tried to fix the training tool. Her quiet tears quickly turned to sobs and she crumpled down on the floor of the empty training room.
She cried for her parents and for herself. Most of all she cried so hard, because she knew this may just be the last time that she would be able to do so. As soon as she was able she wiped her face free of tears and stood. She had probably been in the training room for much longer than she had liked. All she wanted was to sleep.
She walked outside and had the guard take her back to her room.
The Meeting Room was plain. White walls with thick, black tables all organized to face toward the ornate podium at the front of the room. Each Elder was seated in a plush chair according to rank in the Order of Aurelius.
Xander stood from his position in the front to address the members. Each meeting, they opened with their creed, "We are gathered here to meet under the great Aurelius, our most powerful creator, the blood that runs in our veins. Each in this room has been ordained as an Elder. As to that ordainment, we each have a say for our tribe. We each have a responsibility to our Order. This meeting is in session."
Willow stood next. "Master Angelus, as you know, has expressed a desire for change. The first of those changes starts today." She looked around the room and noticed there was someone missing. Travers. "We will begin with an open floor. Ask and express what you would like."
The Elders were not used to such open conversation. Usually Master Nest would speak for an hour or so, asked a couple of questions and close the Meeting. There was silence.
"I'll start." A woman with long, thick brown hair stood up. Cordelia, Xander's mate. "My respect and honor to my Master Angelus; I would like to address the conduct at The Gathering."
Xander smiled proudly and Angelus nodded, telling her to continue.
"Though Master Angelus wasn't around, the complete lack of respect shown to him at The Gathering was disturbing. It was a shameful night. I feel as if our people, the strongest and most virile of any clan, should have more esteem than that. Especially among Elders."
She sat down gracefully and looked expectantly around the room. One by one the Elders stood and gave their opinion on the clan and made their grievances.
After everyone was satisfied with their announcements, Angelus stood and made his way to the podium. "All of your grievances that you have expressed have been taken into consideration. Now, it is time to solve the problems. For that, we'll need your answers."
The door shot open to reveal a hasty Quentin Travers making his way into the forum and taking his seat at the middle of the room.
Angelus gave him a dark look, but continued with his point, "It is time for us to take accountability for our actions and stop relying on archaic traditions to think for us. It is time to take our clan to new heights. Think on what you've heard your brethren say at this Meeting. When we meet again, we will have solutions."
Slightly surprised and satisfied murmurs made their way through the crowd.
"Does anyone have any other items that we need to address? …alright then, this meeting is con-"
Travers interrupted him, "It's come to my attention that there is an Azilot being held in your camp."
A few gasps were heard in the crowd as Angelus eyes flickered towards the older looking man, "Your point?"
"It just seems to me that you're trying to make war instead of peace among our peoples. You speak of a new era, yet you challenge the Azilot people by taking one of their own?" Travers stood in blatant defiance.
"*I'm* trying to make war? They are the ones that killed our High Elders. If anything I'm trying to establish a common ground and get beyond this petty war."
"A common ground? By kidnapping one of their women?" Travers gave a condescending laugh.
Angelus stood in front of him in a flash, "Kidnapping isn't my style, Travers. You'd do best to stay out of affairs you know nothing about."
Travers growled lightly, but backed down. He sat back down in his chair, not daring to have a physical conflict with his Master.
"Now, if we can conclude this meeting…" Everyone stayed silent, not wanting to anger their leader any further. Without another word, Angelus left the meeting hall.
"Why the hell is he so sensitive today?" A vampire saddled up next to Travers, while others made a show of avoiding the confrontational vampire.
"I do not know." He mused, "But, believe me, I intend to find out."
Buffy woke the next morning with more human food next to her. Sadly, it wasn't sushi, just a regular breakfast of eggs and toast. A very large canister was next to it. Judging by the smell, it was full of fresh human blood. She hesitated for a moment, but thought of Willow's words. For some reason… she really trusted her.
She stretched a bit and pulled the tray next to her. She hadn't seen Angelus at all the previous day. It wasn't as if she had missed his presence. No, of course not. It was just…unusual.
Finishing her food, she pushed the tray back and got out of bed. She took a moment to look around the room. So much space for one person. She went to her drawers and began looking for a set of not too appealing clothes.
"Well, I'll be damned."
Buffy spun around toward the masculine voice. She eyed the man standing there, cockily against the frame of her door. "Who the hell are you?"
"And a bold tongue to boot! Angelus was right. You are a vampire's wet dream." His hand trailed suggestively down his waist. "And so deliciously tan… now how could that be possible for a vampire…"
She snarled and immediately took a fighting stance, "Where is Angelus?"
Spike laughed and straightened himself, "Don't worry, pet. Your precious virtue is safe…at least with me it is."
She watched him move, carefully, her defensive posture unchanging, "I would like to see you try and still have all of your limbs."
He dismissed her threat, though he knew she would try her damnedest to make true on it, and took a seat on her resting chair. "I'm not here to fight. I'm Spike. Angelus' childe."
She slowly let down her arms, though her body was still tense, "Where is Willow?"
"Pleased to meet you, too." He scoffed and reclined into the chair, "There was an impromptu meeting this morning. A member of Aurelius decided he couldn't overcome the Beast and went on a killing spree right in front of humans last night. He has to be judged."
She nodded her understanding, "So, he sent you here? What, to make sure I didn't run away?"
"Pretty much. So, what do you do for fun 'round here?" He took a glance around the room, "What this? No telly? How are you surviving?"
Despite herself she cracked a small smile at the strange British man, "Yeah… aside from the training rooms, it definitely lacks in the fun factor."
Spike feigned a grim look and looked at her, "Believe me, I understand. I think that I may be able to… ease this situation."
Angelus walked into his area of the compound and hung up his coat. Unfortunately, the vampire on trial had too many offences and the price was execution. While he had no qualms with taking human life, it was hard to give the order to fellow brethren.
He took to the stairs intent on checking on his girl… his captive. His captive. He hadn't seen her the previous day and found himself in need of his presence, even for a moment. As he got close to the second floor he began to hear her excited voice.
"Oh, my God!" He heard her squeal.
Concerned he rushed faster towards her room.
"You have to do it harder. Harder!"
"I've never done this before, Spike! I'm trying to keep up!"
Angelus growled with anger as he recognized the male voice as his childe's.
"I know, luv. Here, let me show you how to move your fingers."
Blind rage entered his eyes as he pictured Spike on top of Buffy's body. His imagination went wild as he thought of what his deviant childe was doing with his girl. Without bothering to knock, he kicked down the door and entered the room. Letting his demon to the surface he roared, "What the fuck is going on here?"
Buffy jumped up, startled by his sudden, and loud, entrance. "Angelus!"
"Hey, Peaches!" Spike smiled at him and reclined on the bed, knowing that he would be irritated being this close to his territory.
He ignored Spike and honed in on Buffy, still in her sushi pajamas, "What the fuck are you doing in here with him?"
She wasn't sure why he was so upset or why she felt the need to explain herself, "Nothing! There was no 'doing' of any kind! He was teaching me how to play a video game!"
Angelus looked toward the TV now placed in the room and the game controllers in their hands, "…a game?"
"You old bloke! You thought I was shagging your girl!" Spike laughed and began playing the game again.
Buffy was wide eyed once again and shook her head quickly, "Nu-uh. There was no shagging either!"
Angelus didn't respond to her and looked to Spike, "Get the hell out."
The blonde smiled knowingly and stood, "You two have fun, now." He winked at Buffy, causing Angelus to give a small growl, and left the room.
They stood in silence for a moment, till Buffy lifted the game controller still in her hands, "Wanna play?"
Angelus, still irritated by the situation, gave her a small snarl, "No, I do not want to play a child's game."
She lowered the gaming device with a huff, "I don't know why you're so upset with me. We weren't doing anything. And even if we were, I do not belong to you!"
Angelus growled, "That's where you're wrong. You are mine, little assassin."
She didn't back down and glared back at him, "So, I'm yours, but you aren't mine?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
She crossed her arms, defiantly, "You and your, your… harem! Darla and god knows how many other woman you… frequent."
A look flashed in his eyes, but was gone before she could decipher it. He gave a sardonic chuckle, "If it pleases me… I'll fuck every woman on this planet."
Her brow furrowed in irritation and jealousy, "So, I've been told." She tossed the controller onto the bed with a huff and walked towards the window.
He watched her body language carefully, "What are you talking about?"
"Your skank of a "lover" paid me a little visit." Her eyes narrowed angrily at the memory.
Angelus kept his face perfectly calm, though there was a sea of tumultuous emotions going through him. His sister was no fool. She knew what he felt for the blonde in front of him and she was as unpredictable as he was. "And what words of wisdom did she impart on you?"
She scoffed, "She said, in no uncertain terms, that I was to stay away from you. No matter how many times you may let me…" She slowed her words, blushing slightly, "…do things to you, that you'd never actually want me."
"I told her not to come back here until she was invited." He mumbled under his breath then focused his words on her, "When was she here?"
"Yesterday. Why?"
His gaze narrowed on her face, "You are not to speak to her, do you understand? She's poison."
She scoffed, "Yeah. Sure. You're just upset because she told me the truth about your little games."
"This is no game, Buffy! She's pissed at me and she knows the best way to get to me is to go through you."
Buffy looked at him confused, "…why?"
He attempted to say something, but stopped himself short. Unable to say anything else, he grabbed her roughly and kissed her.
She gripped his shoulders in an attempt to push him off. He just pulled her closer, tighter. She managed to pull a part for a moment, "Y-you can't…"
"I can." He knocked all the accessories off of her vanity and sat her on top. He grabbed her hips and stood in between her opened legs. He pushed himself tightly against here. "Do you feel that? Hm?"
The Awakener blushed wildly. She attempted to close her legs, but his thick body prevented her from doing so. She tried again to push him away, but he grabbed her wrists and pinned them behind her.
"I asked you a question." He pressed his growing erection further against her willing body.
An involuntary moan slipped from her lips. She looked at him; his eyes were dark and intensely focused on her, his lips caught halfway into a snarl…he was making her feel things she had never felt before. She didn't respond to him in words, she leaned in and took his lips with her own.
He growled loudly in approval and lifted her legs higher, moving his hands from her wrists to roam all over her body. His fingertips dodged under her pajamas, teasing her soft skin. He moved his mouth to her neck and began suckling lightly, still grinding his now hard erection into her.
Buffy was overcome with sensation. She had never had anyone come so close to her neck, let alone her body. She felt him and she wanted more. She didn't care about anything, but having him closer. "An…Ang…Angel!"
Angelus froze. He hadn't been called that in many, many years. He lowered her legs and stepped back.
Buffy reached for him slightly, "What… where are you going?" Had she done something wrong?
"This can't happen."
Her eyes widened in shock. She turned from him and began straightening her clothes. Trying to keep all emotion from her voice, she asked, "Why?"
"There are plenty of reasons. You're not of my kind. You're a child compared to me. I-"
"No, Angelus." She turned to him, her face completely cold, "Why would doing something to me be the best way to get to you?"
She knew he wouldn't be able to answer that question. He knew it as well.
"I will see you tonight." He turned on his heel and headed toward the door.
"Tonight? What's tonight?"
"We're having a dinner. I'll have some evening dresses sent for you."
She stared at his back until she could no longer see him. She was done being a pawn in other people's games. She may not have much to live for, but if her parents taught her anything, it was to fight.
Thanks so much for reading! :) Review, PLEASE? Next part *soon*.