A Very Ordinary Evil

Part 12 – Riposte, Counterthrust and Lunge


2 am, the following morning.


All of the Scoobies heard the car pull in to the driveway. Spike looked cautiously out of the window. “Yeah, it’s the Angelmobile.”

Angel, Cordelia, Wesley and Gunn all got out and headed into Willow’s house. As they piled into the lounge, they came to a halt as they saw six strangers roped together. “Ummm … what’s going on?” Angel asked, curiously.

“Why don’t you all sit down,” Willow suggested, “and I’ll explain all about it.” Waiting until the new arrivals had taken seats, she began. “These people are from the Council of Watchers. They came here to kill us all, including Buffy.” She waited until the eruption died down. “There is also a team scheduled to attack your offices in the morning. Now Angel, don’t panic. After all, you’re here, not there.”

“I can’t believe that the council would do something like that.” Angel looked astonished as he absorbed the information.

“Well, actually, it’s not the whole council. Just a small group, including a couple of the leaders.” Willow explained.

“That’s bad enough.” Angel sighed.

“Perhaps not. We’ve neutralised both council teams, and Giles has a line into the ‘safe’ section of the council. We can find out from them how to deal with the disposition of our guests.”

Willow grinned as she added, “They wouldn’t let me turn them all into cockroaches.”

Angel looked askance, and he realised that Buffy was missing. “Where’s Buffy?”

Willow looked down and shuffled. Giles interjected, saying “She’s in hospital; she had a breakdown. That’s why, ostensibly, the council came. They were meant to assess her and if she was permanently incapacitated, remove her powers so the next slayer could be called.”

“Was it Riley’s leaving?” Angel asked.

“Pardon?” Giles looked rather confused.

“Was that the cause of the breakdown. Giles leaving.”

“Er, no. Why don’t we wait until we solve the more pressing problem before we bring you up to date. It’s all happened very quickly.”

“All right Rupert, but I don’t like being kept in the dark.”

“All right mate, we’ll keep you in the sun then.” Spike interjected.

Several people looked at Spike. He shrugged, unconcerned. “Just an idea.”

Angel looked over at Giles. “Why don’t makemake that call now, it’s two-thirty here, which means it’ll be ten-thirty in London.”

“Ah, good point, excuse me a moment. I’m sure that between you, you’ll be able to keep our … guests quiet.”

Giles was away from the lounge for over thirty minutes. On his return, he looked at the suddenly enlarged group on his hands and sighed. “Well, the council want everyone back. I did explain that four of this happy band were loose in Los Angeles, but they insist on having all of them back as soon as possible. Intact. They said that they would arrange for the California State Police to transfer these people back to Los Angeles and thence to London. We just have to wait until the Police arrive. The council will take care of the four in Los Angeles.”

“So that’s settled. By the way, Willow, you were right about Cordy’s vision.” Angel volunteered after a moment. “She saw four men bursting in and killing at least some of us.”

Willow nodded. “I still think I should have turned them into cockroaches though, it would be so much easier.”

“Willow,” Cordelia put in, “What is it with you and cockroaches? Gross much?”

“I have frog fear,” Willow answered quietly, “So the traditional witchy thing is real bad for me. And for some reason, rats seem beyond me, so I sort of had to … find an alternative.” Willow’s crooked grin was precisely as Cordelia remembered it from high school.

“That makes a weird kind of sense,” acknowledged Cordelia. “So, how effective are you at turning people into ‘roaches?”

Willow chuckled. “Ask them.” She stated bluntly, pointing at the detainees.

Cordelia looked over at the six dejected faces. “Well, what happened?” Her tone was utterly imperious, and it shocked the council members.

Featherstonehaugh looked up and shuddered, while Geraldson went a ghastly pale green. Eventually, Maugham stated the facts. “She turned Featherstonehaugh into a cockroach, and later turned him back.”

Cordelia looked stunned. “She really did it?” Maugham nodded unhappily in response. “Oh boy, did you pick the wrong witch to piss off!” she chuckled.

Willow grinned. To hear someone openly praising her magical abilities was still uncommon enough for her to enjoy it. “I’ve used a truth spell on them too. Although I think that’s worn off now,” she volunteered happily.

Angel looked over at her. “So you really could have come good on that threat?”

Willow nodded. “I’m pretty sure I could, if I had to, although I can’t actually see a reason for doing it. Who would actually want Angelus back?”

Cordelia, Wesley, Giles and Gunn all looked over at Willow, shocked. She blushed and looked down as she answered their unspoken question in a small voice. “Well, I needed to find out something about the chip. And Angel was a necessary test subject.” As she finished, she fled into Spike’s arms, suddenly ashamed of what she had done.

Spike held her, stroking her hair as she began to sob. “I’m here pet, I’m here.” He murmured. Then he looked up as he heard the gasps and Angel’s growl.

Spike looked up. “Yes, we’ve got some news for you, but let’s at least wait until this lot are safely on a plane back to the old country.”

* * * *

Once the police had collected six very chastened and humbled members of the Watcher’s Council, Angel looked over at Spike and Willow. “Right, what’s going on?”

Willow looked at Angel. “We’re lovers.”

“You’re what?”

“Lovers, Angel. That’s when two people decide they like each…”

“I know what it means Willow. But, but that’s Spike!”

Willow looked at the blond vampire in feigned horror “But you told me your name was George!”

Spike looked from her to Angel and back, and then began to laugh.

“Spike,” Angel growled, “Can you give me one good reason not to leave you out for sunrise?”

“I can give you a bloody list, grandpa, but the best one is Willow. You hurt me and she’ll make your life a living hell. Or possibly turn you into something really interesting, like a butterfly. That’d suit your personality. Bloody ponce.”

Gunn looked up, and asked Spike, “You’re a vampire?” Spike nodded. “No soul?” Spike shook his head. “Good enough,” responded Gunn and flicked up his pistol crossbow and fired. The bolt thudded home and lodged in the armour plating.

Spike grinned, and kissed Willow on the top of her head. “Thanks, luv. This has kept me intact twice already.”

Willow glared at Gunn, and hissed, “The only reason I don’t curse your sad ass right now is that you’re Angel’s friend. Try to hurt my man again and nothing will get in my way. Do you understand?”

Angel moved quickly over to Spike and Willow, and tried to pull the bolt out. Failing, he looked at Willow and asked, “What’ve you done?”

Willow smiled as she answered, “I made him a flak jacket. After all, when we told Buffy I didn’t want her staking him either.”

“But Willow, Spike’s a monster. He’s got no soul, he can’t love.”

Willow looked Angel in the eye and said a single word. “Drusilla.”

“But she’s a vampire.”

“And that makes her somehow better, different, more deserving of Spike’s love than me?”

“That’s not what I meant Willow, and you know it.”

“Listen Angel. I’m a big girl now, and I can make my own decisions. I’m fully aware of what Spike was, what he is and what he has the potential to be. I’m not stupid or naïve; whatever some people here may think. I thank the Goddess daily for that chip. It’s allowed me to learn about the man behind the vampire façade. He’s worth a dozen of you; he gives because he wants to, not from a sense of guilt. He loves because that’s who he is.”

“Willow. I understand how you’re thinking, but Spike is still selfish, demonic, evil…”

“And who precisely made him like that, Angelus?”

“That’s unfair Willow.”

“So is your insistence that you know what I want better than I do. I would like my friends to accept my lover. As I see it, that’s what genuine friends do, accept that people make their own choices.”

Angel sighed. He loved Willow, but hated the fact she could argue him into a corner whenever she wanted. It just didn’t seem right, somehow.

“Willow, I’m sorry, but I really can’t accept this.”

“Angel, you don’t have any choice. If you do anything to try and disrupt my relationship with Spike, I’ll make you regret it. That’s a promise.”

“Why won’t you listen to me, Willow?”

“How about because you’re acting like the world’s worst parents all rolled into one, Brood Boy.” Cordelia interjected herself into the conversation. “You don’t like what she’s doing. Tough. This ‘tude of yours is only going to make matters worse, so leave it and go sulk elsewhere.”

Angel looked at Cordelia, unable to believe his ears. “He’s a monster, Cordelia. Don’t you want what’s best for Willow?”

“And how precisely would you know what’s best for her?” Anya demanded. “Your track record of relationships isn’t very good, is it. Let’s see now. Darla … your sire. You killed her, and then when she came back you were willing to let her die a second time. Drusilla … your childe. You made her insane and then left her with only Spike. Spike … your grandchilde. He was created for nothing more than your pleasure. Finally … there was Buffy. One night with her and you misplaced your soul somehow.” Anya spoke evenly, analytically. Every word was true and ungilded. “I really don’t think you should be giving out advice to others. Just let them screw. If they aren’t in love it’ll get it out of their system. If they are in love, there’s nothing you can do anyway.”

Angel began to think. The discussion faded away from his ears as he tried to devise a way to stop what was happening. He was sure he knew what was best for Willow; but he realised he had time, The chip stopped Spike from doing anything impetuous with her, and that was a blessing.

Eventually, weariness took its toll and all of them fell asleep. Spike remained awake longest, and he carried Willow up to her room, lay her on the bed and joined her in sleep.

* * * *

Willow woke the early the following afternoon with Spike still asleep next to her. Downstairs she could hear the whispering hiss of many voices speaking in the distance. Carefully, she got up and realised that she was still dressed as she was the previous night. Quickly changing she went downstairs to greet her guests.

“Morning, all. By the Goddess there are a lot of us here!” Willow had never seen the kitchen so crowded. Angel was heating blood, while Wesley was making coffee. Cordelia and Gunn were talking, leaning against the breakfast bar while Giles, Anya and Xander sat at the kitchen table. Willow manoeuvered around the others to reach the refrigerator and extract some orange juice.

She looked around at all her guests. “Why did everyone stop talking when I came in?”

They all looked at her, rather as if they had been caught like children being naughty. No one had expected her to be so brazen about the issue. Willow sighed as she looked at them. “I don’t expect all of you to understand. But can you at least try and accept the fact that I can and will make my own decisions.” So saying, she stalked back upstairs.”

As she re-entered her bedroom, Spike shot straight up in bed. “What is it pet?”

“Those … those … BASTARDS!” Willow shrieked. “They can’t leave well enough alone. They were all talking about me when I walked in, and when I called them on it they sat there like dummies.”

“Sod the lot of ‘em. Come on Red.” Spike stopped momentarily to shrug on the flak jacket.

Spike stormed down the stairs, fuming about the treatment Willow had just received. He burst into the kitchen, and looked everyone over. “Right. Hands up everyone willing to accept that Willow and I love each other.” He watched as Xander, Anya, Giles, and Cordelia all raised their hands. Gunn looked uncertain, while Wesley and Angel remained stone-faced. “Right. You two. Out. I’ll get you a bloody blanket, poof, but I want you and the other wanker gone. Is that clear? I will not allow you to hurt Red.”

“And if we don’t go, Spikey-boy?” Angel’s voice carried the contempt that Spike always felt come from his sire.

“Simple, Willow said, “I’ll call the police to remove the trespassers. And they won’t worry about blankets for the sunlight. Or would you hurt me to stop the call being placed?”

Angel looked at her, stunned. “You wn’t,n’t, couldn’t.”

Willow stared levelly at him and said nothing. She continued the look, waiting. Angel stared back. He refused to be broken by this girl who didn’t know what was best for her.

“Spike, get a blanket. Now.” The tone of command in her voice shocked everyone. “Angel,” Willow said flatly, “you have thirty seconds or I make that call.”

Angel sighed. “Okay, I’m leaving. This isn’t over though Spike.”

“Peaches, get lost. Take this, you worthless scrote.” Spike threw him the blanket.

“Gunn, are you with us or against us?” Willow’s voice was still emotionless.

“I really don’t know. I guess I better go.”

The three turned and left the house; Angel waiting until the convertible’s hood had been assembled. Then he sprinted for the safety of the car.

Spike looked at Willow. “You know this isn’t over, don’t you.”

Willow nodded and sighed again