Splinter

Previously: Raven drove to the hotel and Spike met with Willow, Faith and Xander and told them all about the proposed Treaty that if applied could saved a lot of innocent lives. Willow and Faith seemed really interested and Willow commented on meeting with Wesley for full details before reporting the matter to Giles once they return to England with their new recruit. The girls left to check on the young slayer. Xander, on the other hand, stayed, letting Spike know that he knew that the vamp was hiding something from him. At that same moment, Harmony woke Angel up from an erotic dream, to remind him of an appointment he had. Angel was still in shock.

*~*~*~*~*~*


“What’re you going for here, Harris?”

“The truth.”

Spike frowned.

“I’m no expert, seeing as the only credit I got is from a demented priest who was the First Evil’s right hand, and Dawn. But I am the one who sees,” Xander said in elaborate monotones. “It’s my super power minus the embarrassing primarily colors and tights, and yeah, the whole super deal. And my spidey senses tell me that Tweetie is holding out on me.”

Spike had a sickly look on his face. “Do me a favor, Boy Wonder. Spare me the mixed references; I’ve had a rough week as it is.”

Xander actually looked hurt at that. He instantly regained composure. “You said the Treaty’s a survival attempt from a Line Master in face of the recent slayer boom, I could see that, but me thinks there is more to the tale.”

Spike shrugged, crossing his arms over his chest as he got himself more comfortable in his position. “What if there were more to it? It's none of yours.”

“See, Billy Wanna-be, there’s your mistake. It is my business.” Xander grinned mischievously. “I can go back to Giles, and not mention any of this. Or even better! Tell him all about it being a big no-no, and that it’s a way for this new big bad to weasel into the slayer ranks and cut down on the competition. Literally,” he finished, mimicking Spike’s pose.

Spike, on the other hand, looked taken by surprise at Xander’s seriousness amidst the sardonic tones. Yet, he didn’t have a chance to reply for the young man continued, still on a roll, “But, here’s the thing. I know you. You might be a fool but you’re a clever fool.”

“Oxymoron,” was murmured.

"You're the moron. I was giving you a compliment here! Be vamp enough to take it." Xander shook his finger right in front of Spike's face. The vampire had enough dignity not to cross his eyes.

"As I was saying, there's something you know, that we don't. Something you don't want us to know. I'm going on a limb here and say that you haven't switched sides -again- and know what you're getting into. But here's the catch, to get me to go along with this, you have to know that this little vague detail is of the Scooby business."

“My business is mine alone,” Spike said roughly. All he needed now was for Xander Harris to mock his current predicament.

Xander made a sound reminiscent to that of a buzzer going off when a contestant provided a wrong answer on a TV show. “Once a Scooby, your business is our business. Even extended-Scoobs know that,” he said matter of factually.

“Meaning I have no bloody privacy,” Spike replied incredulously as he sneered.

Xander chuckled. “You’ve met Cordelia Chase, right? Now that’s a gal who takes her gang duties to heart.” His face turned extremely interested all of a sudden. “You know, I can easily sponge the info out of Cordy since most of it will probably come out with much enthusiasm.” He smirked. “Heck, there might even be diagrams!”

Xander tapped a finger on his mouth as Spike looked on with clear horror.

“I’m sure that I’d be getting the non-abridged version you gave me and the girls, but that’s a burden I must take.” Xander sighed dramatically.

Spike deflated. He already knew coming in that there was a chance that he needed to come out with the whole truth to one of the three arrivals. He rather hoped it would have been Willow; she had always been the smart one. She knew about sacrifices and loss. She understood what he went through better than anyone, even Buffy. It might be on a different level, but it was there. They might have never had a meeting of souls the prior year, but he knew she would understand.

It was just his luck that fate demanded that he be even more humiliated. It was true that Xander was being very pleasant to him –considering- after he sacrificed his life, but that didn’t mean that Spike wasn’t expecting the blow at any given time. When Wesley had informed him that several young slayers had died in the final battle, it hit a chord. Spike hated the feeling of guilt that had befallen him with the notion that he could have trained them better. But it was all washed away when he heard about Anya.

To say he had shared something with Willow was nothing compared to the ex-demon. They had a connection of comrade early on, joined in state against their will. Not to mention the mollifying lovemaking they had and shared unbeknown to them with various viewers. It was good, really good while it lasted, before the bouts of humiliation and reigning wounds transpired. However, when he saw Xander another wave of unexpected guilt hit. He anticipated the boy lashing out at the unfairness of how he, the blood sucker who almost raped his friend, came back when his ex-girlfriend, ex-fiancée didn’t.

That had yet to happen.

With a defiant exhale, Spike sat up in his seat and looked straight at the eager brown eyes. “Sorry about the de--- Anya.”

Xander blinked at that unexpected grave declaration but, nonetheless, took it in stride and nodded. “Yeah, me too. Andrew said she saved him.” He tilted his head to the back, suddenly really tired.

Spike snorted. “Crafty shrimp.”

Xander grinned with a touch of sadness, straightening his pose. “It was a nice gesture though.” He clapped his hand loudly, the crack echoing in the large room. “Story time?”

Spike pursed his lips, but his eyes held a touch of mirth. “A hundred plus years ago in Paris, the Scourge of Europe procured a villa…”

Nearly an hour later, Xander scrunched his nose when Spike finished his story. Spike waited expectantly for the reaction.

“Man, that’s… whoa, so that’s how you got your new leather coat?”

It took only a second, but Spike burst into loud laugher, so much so his sides actually hurt.

Yes, he sure missed the not-so-old days.

*~*~*~*~*~*



Was he actually… wet? Angel narrowed his eyes angrily at the sheets as if to place blame on them for this incident.

~ So much for sleeping peacefully until the morning. ~

More like until nightfall.

He glared at the clock offended and pretended to ignore the sheets rapidly sticking to his skin. He also ignored Harmony’s voice as it continued to drone on in the background.

Angel shook the twist of wet sheet away from his legs and swung his shaky feet to the floor. He couldn’t believe he was still coming down from a… wet-dream. Him... a renowned, feared and respected Master vampire!

He never felt more grateful for choosing to sleep in the nude.

Angel pulled away the sticky sheet from his skin with a groan of disgust. He then let the material drop to rub his forehead when he caught how his room smelt.

It was sad really. He finally christened his room. Alone.

No wonder when Cordelia came down from the Jasmine thing, she had put a stop to ‘them’. He was a pathetic excuse for a vampire.

Instead of moving towards the bathroom his gaze moved to the expanse of his window. He didn’t look at it for long because soon enough he was snapping away his gaze when it recreated a familiar shape in the moonlight.

Angel rubbed his eyes. Why the dream? Why now?

But it wasn’t a dream, was it?

No. It was a memory. He grinded his teeth. This wasn’t the first time that this had happened. But usually when the demon had more sway whilst Angel’s body rested, it recreated his murders, invoking his pleasure so that when the soul awoke the next day, it would be filled of guilt, making him suffer for his vampiric tendencies.

Now this, he looked back at the bed, didn't make much sense, other than the tormenting part.

Angel started walking towards the bathroom; the only sound filling the room was Harmony’s insistent droning. He took no more than five steps before he stopped once more.

First time he had really slept since all of this had happened, and now this? What had brought that about? It had been years since those particular dreams had haunted him. Not like the thought of them recurring was even feasible… it was a one time thing, a fluke. It wasn’t like those dreams about Darla, especially if one took into mind that there was some kind of spell cast on him that year.

But this memory, it was special.

It was right when he had made Claim to William. It wasn’t up to Lore. But then again, Aurelius wasn’t big on following the laws much. But it was done in full moon, they had exchanged blood, and he had already been William’s Master and Sire by default.

The following week, when Darla caught whiff of them after they had rejoined them and returned from Paris, she dragged them to Heinrich, perhaps hoping for the Master to punish them for doing something so grave without fortifying it with their Clan. The Master merely looked between the two, smirked, and asked for William to come closer. He had scratched the youngling with his long nail, on the still visible claim bite. Angelus hadn’t bothered restraining the growl that came out of him instinctively. He even matched Darla’s glare with his own. The Master had laughed, pleased, and directed the newly claimed vampire to stand next to Angelus. He had promptly told his grand-childe that he was now responsible for the “impertinent boy” then asked a flabbergasted Darla to his chambers. It seemed that the old bat had thought that with the little new Claimed fledgling, Angelus would be too distracted from Heinrich’s most favorite childe- Darla, and vice versa.

He was right.

The Claim was acknowledged by the Elder of the Line with that simple encounter, and that was enough. It held. And it would hold from then on for more than two centuries, plus one or two in Hell.

And then there was the now.

Angel punched the wall, but not hard enough to crack it. “Damn you, Angelus.”

Harmony squeaked at the sound, stopping her breathless jabber about his meeting. “Uh, boss-y? Angel? …”

“Where’s Cordelia?” he snapped.

“She’s in Lorne’s office, but,” she sounded confused.

He interrupted her, “Cancel the meeting, or reschedule it, I don’t care.” Angel reached towards the phone and cut the connection. With a sigh, he entered the bathroom.

Down at her desk, Harmony pouted at the phone. “He’s becoming really mean. I don’t care anymore. He can have Blondie Bear if it means he’ll get some and be happy. Spike’s really good at that.”

She sighed heartbroken. She pulled out her plum notepad and wrote down, “Get a new boyfriend---” She frowned for a second then scribbled some more. “---who isn’t lusting after your boss or a skanky slayer.”

*~*~*~*~*~*

“Bloody buggering Hell! Slayer, is with who?!”

Xander looked sympathetic and repeated, “The Immortal.” He shook his head exasperated. “I mean what’s his nickname? Morty?” he spat the word as if it tasted bad.

Spike ran his fingers through his hair. “Slayer’s going all out for her rebound.”

Xander tilted head to look at Spike incredulously then roughly shook it. “Nah, it’s not even worth it!”

Spike ignored the crack. “Better keep the Niblet away from the wanker.”

Xander chuckled. “You and me both. But not to worry, Dawn’s interning in London. It seems that she’s pushing for watcher spot.”

“She’d be the best,” Spike said with confidence as his eyes softened.

Xander became contemplative. He had chosen not to address what Spike had informed him of the evidently forced Claim and Angel as well as this new player’s part in it. It was filled with too much Vamp Lore for his liking. Even so, it didn’t seem right to have some big assed soulless vampire come into town and snap a collar on one of the good guys. Even if it were Spike!

Xander could sense underlying emotions when Spike had mentioned Angel’s complacent part in it, or not. Even if Spike had told him that this Raven was an old good friend of his, Xander’s mind zeroed on the ‘old’ part and stopped his mind from wondering too much onto how ‘old Spike’ had been. And even though Spike had said that he should recognize it as good agreement for everyone involved, Xander couldn’t help but sense that there were some issues that Spike glossed over.

The vampire had instead focused on their plans for the gathering the night after and how Xander must behave accordingly. He mentioned that Xander should probably best come to his apartment, it was game night with Gunn, and they would finish up on Harris’ etiquette around powerful beings while the vampire kicked both their human asses.

Xander couldn’t lie; he was looking forward to it. It could scarcely remember just hanging out with other guys and letting it all out in a fast acting video game, fast cars and regenerative life-force.

~ Man, I wonder if they have the new PSP… ~ Xander refocused. That could wait. However, he now intended to find out what those glossy parts hid.

Xander was already forming an opening sentence in his head. He needed to put a stop to Spike's incessant yammering about how Xander's lack of decorum the following night would cost the human his life, and demand that Spike tell him what he was still leaving out. True to his luck, a nock sounded on the door, putting an end to his efforts,

As if sensing Xander’s annoyance at the interrupting and knowing a save when he was presented one, Spike jumped up from his perch and was opening the door before Xander could insist that the visitor come another time.

Spike swung the door open as if knowing who was behind the door. Xander stood up and took a few steps to better view the figure at the apartment entrance.

“I’m not inviting you in,” Xander said crossing his arms now facing the open door.

Spike clicked his tongue, looking at Xander over his shoulder. “You’ve gotten good.”

“Only way is up.” Xander shrugged.

The two shared an understanding look.

“I hope I am not interrupting,” Raven said with faint amusement. The two powerful women, one he knew to be a slayer and the other a witch, had exited the building for sometime now. When the sun had set and Spike had yet to appear, Raven decided to see what was keeping him.

“Yes.”

“No.”

Spike and Xander glared at each other.

Xander blinked first. Spike smirked.

Xander grumbled, “I’ll have you know, that if I had two functioning eyes, I’d be the one looking smug.”

"Have you ever looked smug?" Spike actually sounded interested.

Xander opened his mouth and closed it. “I’m not inviting him in.” He pointed at the vampire beyond the threshold.

Spike rolled his eyes. He looked back at a now fully amused Raven.

“Ray. This is Xander Harris. Harris this is Raven.”

Xander snorted. “A vamp who’s named after a bird?” He pulled on a full smug expression. “Do you also squeak ‘never more’ ‘never more’?” He briefly looked at Spike who was lightly shaking his head with pity.

“It’s actually Hrafen. Names signify elements of their carrier. I take your shortening comes from Alexander? So many references to choose from,” Raven said, conversantly calm.

“Yeah, and ravens are known to be cuddly and loyal...” Xander snapped.

“More like cunning and …”

“Okay, before you two hags pull down your slacks, to prove you have willies to grip---” Spike literally stepped between the two. “Raven is the Master of the Order of Hravolen and Harris here is a representative from the Council of Tweed.” He crossed his arms. “Won’t expect any hearty hand shakes but remember what we’re here for?” A more pointed glare was shot at Raven.

Xander's smug look started to grow before Spike turned to look at him continuing his speech to Raven, “He is coming to the bash tomorrow, he’ll be swinging at my pad before you pick us up in one of your rides.”

“I don’t like him,” Raven stated to Spike's benefit.

“Well, feeling’s mutual.” Xander appeared peeved when the vampire ignored him.

Raven assessed Xander from up to down and up again, like he was on display in a museum. “He seems lowly to accompany us.”

“Hey, speaks the soulless bloodsucker who wants OUR help to cover his ass from staking!”

Raven scrunched his nose. This one was cruder than Angel if that was possible. “You have Miss Chase’s scent on you. You’re unworthy to receive attention from an exquisite and talented woman such as her.” Of course, Raven didn't mention that the young actress' attempt to push Angelus and Spike together didn't go past him, and it was less than pleasing.

Xander scoffed and reverted to a ten-year-old. “You better be nice to me—or I’ll send my slayer to kick your pale ass back to Viking land!”

Spike choked on the cigarette smoke he had lit while he was playing invisible vampire. It had been awhile but the blond could still pull it off.

Raven turned his incredulous eyes towards Spike, who was coughing. “He---” A long finger pointed at Xander. “Is a watcher emissary of the slayers?” He looked stunned. “I thought you were jesting.”

Spike bit back a snicker. “Yeah, well, they were pressed for time, sad buggers – it was an on the spot decision, he was the closest one. It’d be hurtful to throw ‘em back,” he said simply.

“Hey! Whose side are you on?” Xander ground out. “And there's no smoking here.”

Spike pointed at Raven. “He’s givin' us his Ferrari for the big evening or was it the Jag?” He raised an eyebrow in anticipation as he put out the flame with his fingers.

Xander turned abruptly to Raven. “Is it black? Can I drive?!” He grinned all friendly like at Raven, who was taken aback at the loud onslaught. “I’m a good driver, really! I have great depth perception!!”

*~*~*~*~*~*

“And I told him, ‘Bloom, hon. Just don’t go to those websites any more if you can’t take the lovin’’.”

Cordelia sighed. “I wonder when fans will do that to one of the characters I play. Or even me!”

Lorne patted her knee. “Give ‘em time. Soon they’d be clicking away to Cordy-lisious.”

“Lorne, you think…” Cordelia trailed off when she saw the red eyes widen. “What’s…?” She turned around to see what he was staring at.

“Lorne,” Angel said pleasantly.

Lorne smiled widely. “Angel-cakes, how's… um, whoa. Foggy aura. Oh.” He stood up a little too quickly and almost knocked Cordelia off his lavender striped couch. “I’ll just… you might want to… talk alone… I'll just…” he stammered and walked around Angel.

Cordelia watched confused as her friend rushed out of the office. She knew he was still jittery around Angel after the last party blowout, but they all noticed Angel cool down after it. She liked to describe his state as deflated. Yet, that also didn’t make sense of what she heard of Lorne’s last rushed remarks as he closed himself out of his own office.

~ Something about flashes from the steamy past? Huh? ~

The actress shook her head. She would weasel it out of the green seer later. Right now, she focused on Angel who seemed to be ready to ask something important. Maybe her good friend was finally getting a clue.

“What happened with us?”

~ Or maybe not. ~ Cordelia sighed. She had expected that question months ago when she had come out of her coma, helped take down the evil W&H before, tacitly, she told Angel that them ‘not gonna happen’. Hence, her answer had been prepared for a while now.

“You need someone who can accept you, all of you.” The unspoken Angelus was as clear as a pink elephant dancing in a tutu around the office.

“Meaning, you don’t.” Angel crossed his arms but didn’t move any closer.

“I thought I did. But...” Cordelia spread her hands. “No, Angel. I can’t. Not him. And you know it won’t be fair, he’s part of you. A reviled part…”

Cordelia could read Angel like an open book with bold lettering, which screamed ‘read me’. So when Angel lightly blanched and lowered his head, she merely rolled her eyes.

“Aw, c’mon, don’t look like someone killed your only puppy and pinned it to the wall. By the way, what’s the first thing that pops into your mind for a unique Valentine gift?” Cordelia tilted her head. It had done well to listen to Giles babble on about one of his dusty history books, even after all these years. If you regard the matter as gossip, it was easy to remember. She had excellent marks in History.

Angel didn’t react. He was too busy remembering what Angelus had done to the puppy Drusilla had given Spike back when he was in a wheelchair. Angelus had waited until Spike formed a bond with the pup, as he knew the pathetic vampire would. Then he left him a present on his bed's headboard.

He didn’t bother to sign it. Spike giving him a wider berth than usual the following day, relayed that the message had been received.

“Angelus…” Angel started tiredly.

Cordelia clicked her fingers as if Angel just got the punch line. She stood up with flair mastered from years of practice. “And that, Angel, I can’t accept. They only bond I ever had with Angelus was one born out of fear and disgusting innuendo.”

Angel nodded.

She twisted her nose. “And that’s another reason why Spike and I never worked.”

Angel’s eyes widened. “You and Spike…” He couldn’t finish the sentence. Had Spike left no one?!

Cordelia’s face looked saddened she even let out a little sniff. “It was hard, but I couldn’t be with someone who has better snappy remarks than me!” A dreamy look appeared on her face. “Oh, but when I got him in bed, he was…” She sighed blissfully and waved a hand at her heated face.

Angel could literally feel the room spin. A large weight was perched on his chest. He couldn’t breathe. Thankfully, that split second of fright was only in his mind and he was spared the humiliation resulting from the shock that caused him to overlook the plain fact of him being a vampire. He couldn't bear it if Cordelia laughed at him after all…

~ Why is Cordy laughing? ~ Angel frowned. Did he speak his fears out loud? He honestly could not recall. Vampires might be immune to a lot of things, but they too have trouble operating their brain motors when they were running on close to no sleep.

Cordelia watched Angel’s face twist from one expression to another. She finally reached him in her fit of laugher and laid her hands on his shoulders, tugging him down and giving him a tight hug. Little snickers still breaking out.

“If you ever, ever say I’m a bad actress again.” She nudged him with her foot. She continued to whisper even when Angel’s body turned rigid at the late realization. “Take a moment to think about who you were jealous of just now.”

Cordelia pulled back to look at Angel’s stunned face.

“You look awful. Go get some sleep, Angel.” She gave him her patent wide grin as she patted him away. “You have a party tomorrow you need to look pretty for.”


A/N: Man, it's been a while huh? I rushed through this coz I was begged, nagged, and threatened to do it. So please let me know if this is a good lead to what will happen next. I'm already working on the pre-party. Let's give Angel a chance, shall we? *smirk*