Spike entered the flat and found Angel talking on the phone, by the sound of it, his grandsire was speaking with Andrew. The blond vampire tried to sneak past to avoid any conversation with the older vampire, but Angel signaled him to stay; Spike rolled his eyes, grabbed a beer from the fridge and sat on the couch opposite to Angel's. "Yes, Andrew, I understand. Sure we can wait 'til your contact is back in England. And, Andrew, tell Buffy I said 'hi', ok? Bye."
Spike drank his beer and asked, "so what news he has?" Angel shrugged, "he has a contact, as you already know, that has a small office, pretty much like the one I used to have in LA before moving to the Hyperion-", Spike interrupted him, "oh yeah, I remember the place." Angel continued, raising an eyebrow, "of course you remember, you trashed my personal space there trying to find the Gem of Amarra." Spike chuckled. "Anyways, this person is currently out of the country and will be returning next week or so. From what Andrew says, he may be able to get us a deal," Angel said while looking at some papers, then added, "why are you even asking? I thought you didn't want to have anything to do with the agency?" Spike picked his words carefully before replying, he didn't want to tip his hand, "getting out in the streets and do some good, kick some demon arse doesn't sound so bloody awful, but please do us all a favor and don't call it 'Angel Investigations' or I'm bloody out."
Angel crossed his arms and leaned back, "really? I thought your reason was a red-haired ensouled vampire we just met." Bollocks, the sod caught her scent. "Yeah, so what? Is none of your bloody business what or who I do," Spike replied slightly angry. "True, except you may screw up any chance for Scarlett to work with us," the older vampire replied, then added, "and I am to assume that you forgot to mention the agency to her."
Spike got up and headed to his bedroom, he wasn't in the mood to argue anymore. He took out his clothes, turned on the TV and laid down. The mention of the Gem of Amarra reminded Spike of the jewelry that protected Scarlett from the harmful sunlight. If only I had one of those, I could be out there instead of being trapped here with this sod 'til bloody sunset.
Angel decided it was time to try an approach with Scarlett regarding the agency, it was clear that Spike didn't mention it, nor he was planning to, and it was obvious that Captain Peroxide had another agenda with her. Angel only hoped that Spike's impulses wouldn't ruin any chance at having this girl as an asset to the agency. He picked up his cell phone and dialed her number, and after a couple of rings, she picked up. "Hello Scarlett, this is Angel speaking... Fine, thanks for asking, what about yourself?... The reason I'm calling is, I wanted to see if we could meet, got a business proposition and wanted to see if you were interested, today or tomorrow is ok with you?... Oh I see, well, I can explain briefly now and then we can talk further once you return... I'm trying to establish an agency here, pretty much like the one I had back in LA, remember I mentioned it, right?... Anyways the idea is basically the same, get clients, help them with supernatural incidents for a small fee depending on the case, the money we'd making, to be honest is not much but... You're interested? That's great, thank you very much. I'll give all the details once you are back in London... Ok, we'll talk later to arrange. Thanks for your time, bye," he ended the call and sighed in relief, so far Spike didn't upset her or anything. That's good.
Angel sat down and stared at his cell phone, he was so tempted to call Buffy, he wanted to hear her voice. Despite being hurt after their last conversation, he still wanted to let her know once more what he felt for her. He didn't know what she really felt, between leading Slayers, fighting evil and trying to live a normal life when she could, Buffy didn't have the chance to sit down and analyze her feelings for Angel and Spike. When a year and a half ago Spike mentioned he was over her, Angel didn't believe him; but the last times Angel mentioned Buffy, he noticed that the younger vampire didn't react or anything. Maybe he's really over her. I hope so, but still it doesn't solve anything, not if there's a chance she still feels something for him, and even if she doesn't, there's still my curse keeping us apart. Angel dismissed his thoughts of Buffy, it hurt him big time.
He was serving himself a glass of pig's blood when something that Scarlett said on the phone caught his attention. She said she was driving to Devon, but it's the middle of the day. How is it even possible? He walked to Spike's bedroom and knocked on his door, "you still awake?" "Sod off!" replied Spike. "Can you answer me how does a vampire drive in the middle of the day?" Angel asked, and it wasn't really a question, more like a way to test Spike's reaction. "I don't know, mate, black painted glass, or necro-tempered glass, like the cars you had in Wolfram and Hart," Spike replied. Angel almost accepted that answer but then he remembered something else, "ok, then how do you explain another vampire showing up two days in a row in the middle of the day?" I'm fairly certain she brought him home, so he knows what's going on, Angel thought while waiting for Spike's answer. "Just sod off already, I'm watching the telly," was all that Spike had to say, and Angel decided to leave the subject for another moment.
Spike sat on the bed and lit a cigarette, when the realization sank in. Hold on. How does he know she was driving in the day? He got up, put on his jeans and stormed out of the room. "How do you know she was driving in the middle of the day?" he asked Angel. "Seeing that every time you manage to run into her you forget" - Angel mimicked air quotes - "to mention the agency, I decided to call her and arrange a meeting for tonight, and she said she was driving to Devon." Spike remained silent. "So, Spike, I ask again, how is it possible that she's out in the sun and not turn into dust?" Angel insisted. "Yes, she can go out in the day, ok? How is it possible? Sorry, mate, I can't tell you," the younger vampire replied. "Aren't you a little curious? Don't you want to be able to do the same?" Angel asked and Spike scoffed, "no, you don't understand, Angel, I do know how, but I'm not going to tell you." The older vampire was surprised and asked, "wait, you are protecting a secret? Or just being an asshole?" Spike shrugged, "bit of both," he remained silent for a moment before adding, "did she say anything?" Angel considered omitting the conversation but decided not to, "I briefly mentioned the agency and she's interested." Perfect, I'll be working with Ms Bombshell then, Spike smirked to himself and headed to his bedroom once more.
He laid down and made plans for the night, maybe I should go out, dust some vamps and go for a drink. Too bad I won't have the bird's company. Although last night he didn't taste her blood, he could still remember it. He had wanted it so badly, but since she didn't take the initiative to bite him, he decided not to bite her. Scarlett was volatile, unpredictable; and Spike didn't know what to make out of her, he didn't know if she'd flip if had bitten her without her permission. All he knew was that she was a mystery even when she opened up and shared with him her darkest secrets. It seemed like she had two completely different personalities, one being this inexperienced almost human girl and the other being this self-possessed, know-it-all, voracious demon. He couldn't decide which one of the two he liked most, but he knew he could relate with both of them.
One week later
Angel was glad when Andrew's contact called him and they settled the rent, which thanks to Andrew's intervention it would be half the normal rate. And if this man was back in town, so would Scarlett. He arranged a meeting with her and was surprised when she asked him not to tell Spike. What the hell did I miss?, he thought, and decided to abide.
When Angel got to the club, Scarlett was sitting at a table near the bar. "Sorry for the delay, was sorting some papers," he said, and he noticed she looked somber. "Don't worry about it. Listen, Angel, I'm deeply sorry, but I won't be working with you guys," she said. Angel was surprised by this, "what made you change you mind, if I may ask. Was it the money? I know it's not much-." She interrupted him, "no, it's not the money. I wasn't doing this for the money anyways." Angel had a slight idea what was the cause, "is it Spike?" he asked and when she shot her look at him defensively, he knew it was because of Spike. "I can't work with you if he's working there too," she said. "What did he do to you?" Angel asked her, now feeling concerned. "He didn't do anything," Scarlett replied. "Then why? I'd rather have you working with me than him, he didn't really wanted to work in the agency anyways," he said. Scarlett shot a look at him and said, "no, don't do that. He needs whatever little money can come his way." Angel was completely lost. Ok, she first says she doesn't want to work with him and now she's defending him. "Ok, help me out here because I'm not following your logic," he told her. "I'm just protecting myself," she replied sheepishly, and Angel realized what really was going on, "you have feelings for him, right?" he asked her, and the way she avoided eye contact confirmed his suspicion. And here I thought Spike wasn't going to ruin anything this time.
"Yes, some time during my trip I reached that conclusion," she replied. Angel took a deep breath, "what are you going to do?" he asked her. "I don't know. I can't tell him, and you cannot tell him either, promise me, ok? I don't want any complications," she concluded. "But I have to tell him something, not that, of course, if you don't want, because he's going to ask to no end why you don't want to work with us," Angel explained. Scarlett took a drink, "ok, but I'll do it. I know you two don't exactly get along and the least I want is to screw up your future business," she said, and added, "thank you, Angel. I'll still help if you guys run into something heavy, but working on a daily basis? I can't. We'll be in touch." She left some money on the table and left.
Spike was surprised to find himself alone in the flat, since Angel was always in there reading and brooding. The silence cheered him up, but what had him in a better mood was that Scarlett was back in London and called to see him. Bird must be feeling needy, much like I am, he thought while walking to the café they've arrange to meet. He was surprised she didn't pick the bar but he assumed she must have had one of those chocolate cravings she mentioned a week ago.
"Beg pardon?" Spike asked in disbelief. Scarlett held her stare, "I said I'm not gonna be working with you guys, and you and I are not sleeping again."