Healing

Part 27

The rest of the group carried Angel and Ethan back to Giles apartment. They deposited the wizard in a chair and carried Angel upstairs to the bathroom. After securing him in the tub with the chains they had kept in case Spike ever needed restraining again, Giles and Wesley joined the others in the front room.

"Are we certain that that is Angelus in the bath and not Angel?"

"I'm sorry Wes, but I'm going to have take Spike on his word. He wouldn't lie, not about this."

"If you say so."

Willow and Tara made their excuses and headed out. They needed to get back to the dorms so that Tara could try to reverse the spell that Dru had cast.

Buffy sat dejectedly on the sofa. Ever since finding out that she was the slayer she had dreamed of having a normal life, of being just a regular girl. Now that she was, she hated it. She wasn't used to standing by and letting other people fight. It didn't sit well with her. She wanted answers as to why Ethan and Dru brought back Angelus, she wanted to know how to break the spell that had rendered them all weak. If she had her slayer powers she would beat the answers out of him. Sure she still knew how to fight and could kick his ass but without the added threat of her super strength, she knew Ethan wouldn't talk. And Dru couldn't.

Cordelia made Wesley some tea and sat with him while he drank. He was miserable and it showed. He couldn't understand how Angelus could be back, the Powers had granted Angel a permanent soul. Cordelia put her arms around her friend and held him.

"Are you okay?"

"No. Do you know the last time we spoke I told him that I wasn't sure that we should be together? That if he didn't love me enough to be open about our relationship that we should end it?"

"Oh, Wes. I'm so sorry."

"I didn't mean it, I just wanted him to stand up to his past, to stand up for us."

"I know, he does love you. You just have to remember that until we can fix this. We will fix this."

"Thank you Cordelia. You are a good friend."

"Of course I am. Now come on, we have research to do. I'm going to start with that miserable wizard over there!"

Buffy motioned for Giles to meet her in the kitchen. Once they were seated and were sure they wouldn't be disturbed she spoke.

"Giles? What happens if I never get my power back? Will another slayer be called?"

"I assume not. As far as I know this is unprecedented. A slayer is only called when her predecessor dies."

"What about you, Wesley, Willow and Tara? Is there some way to get your magic back?"

"Perhaps, but it won't be easy. And right now we have other concerns so that will have to wait."

"I know. I just can't believe that Angelus is back. And Spike, he actually staked Dru for us."

"Not for us Buffy. For Xander. I don't know exactly what is between them but it goes far deeper than what we know about them. He really cares for Xander, I'd go so far as to say he loves him by what we witnessed tonight."

"I know he does, he told me. I just want to know how they got together, and how long they've been a couple."

"I would guess before the Zhurk'thang demon. There was a... Situation that night. I'm still not sure what happened but Xander killed that demon to save Spike, and then he... Held him afterwards. You should probably keep this to yourself. Xander was quite adamant that I not ask questions. I gather it is a private thing."

"Okay. But if you ever figure it out, I want to know. Xander is my friend, and I guess Spike has proven himself as well. If there's something that needs to done, I want to help."

"Of course. Meanwhile, I suggest we interrogate Ethan and then check on Angelus."

"I think Cordy and Wes are already talking to Ethan, but I'll go check on our newest resident of the Rupert Giles bath-tub hotel."

Buffy couldn't help but snicker at Ethan as she strode through the living room on her way to check on Angelus. Cordelia and Wesley were certainly working him over well. Giles took one look in their direction and sighed loudly as he began polishing his glasses.

"I really don't think he's going to be able to tell you anything with that... Thing in his mouth. And please, for the sake of my sanity, never tell me which one of you it belongs to."

Cordelia shrugged and removed the ball gag from Ethan’s mouth.

"It was just to keep him quiet while we attached the alligator clips. Wes? Do you have the charge set up?"

Wes looked up from the lamp he had rewired to meet Cordelia’s eyes.

"Just about, I just want to make sure I don't accidentally set fire to Rupert’s flat when I turn it on."

Giles looked from Wes, to Cordelia and then to a terrified Ethan.

"Dare I even ask where you attached the clips?"

Cordy smirked.

"You probably don't want to know. In fact, you might want to go back in the kitchen. You know it's amazing the torture techniques you pick up on working for a vampire."

"Well then, I shall retire to the kitchen. Ethan? I suggest you talk. She may look like a nice young woman, but I wouldn't underestimate her ability to hurt you. Oh, and Cordelia? Please gag him again before you begin, I do have neighbours."

Buffy stood in the doorway looking at the vampire in the bathtub. It was hard for her to look at him like this, Angel was always so strong and powerful, even Angelus - as much as she hated him - was a worthy advisary. To see such a powerful creature in this state was horrid. She smiled as she remembered the way Spike would curse and yell at them when he was the one in the tub. Even after everything he'd been put through at the hands of the Initiative he was still the same cocky arrogant pain in the ass. She wondered if he was going to be okay, she had never understood the ramifications of staking your own sire until he had explained it to her once, when they were engaged. She hadn't realized how difficult it must have been for Angel, but at least he had a soul to reassure him he had done the right thing. Spike was all demon and yet he still staked Dru.

Buffy shook her head and walked away from Angel - Angelus - and went back down stairs. On her way through the living room she stopped to see how things were going with their guest. Cordelia and Wesley had him tied to a chair and were attaching wires to clips on his nipples.

"Kinky. Cordelia, I never knew you had it in you."

"You should have asked Xander."

Buffy gaped at the former cheerleader before bursting out laughing. Cordy flashed her one of her hundred watt smiles and went back to work on the chaos wizard.

"I'll be in the kitchen with Giles if you need any help."

"I'm sure we'll be fine. Won't we chaos-boy? Now you just let me know if this hurts and I'll be sure to do it again."

Buffy heard a muffled scream behind her as she entered the kitchen. She saw Giles sitting at the table, cup of tea in hand, and staring off into space. She knew this was hard for him, Ethan and him had been friends at one time, and now he was sitting in here ignoring the fact that his former friend was being electrocuted in his living room.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Yes, fine. Well, no not really. This isn't easy."

"I know, but it has to be done. We can't just let him go, he's the only one who can tell us what she did to us."

"I know, it's just, we were very close. It's hard to see him reduced to this."

"Well, he doesn't seem to have any trouble seeing you rendered powerless. Giles he helped Drusilla take our powers, all of us."

"I know, and for that reason alone I am allowing this to continue."

"Don't worry, I'm sure Cordy will have him talking in no time. She's kinda scary now, you know?"

"Yes I see your point. I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I'm glad Xander is with Spike and no longer dating her. I would fear for his safety."

"I know what you mean. Speaking of, should we call them?"

"Let's give them some time shall we? I'm sure they'll call when they are up to it."