Midnight and Roses
folder
BtVS AU/AR › Slash - Male/Male › Angel(us)/Spike(William)
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
40
Views:
5,380
Reviews:
2
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
BtVS AU/AR › Slash - Male/Male › Angel(us)/Spike(William)
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
40
Views:
5,380
Reviews:
2
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer (BtVS), nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
The Plan
Title: Midnight and Roses - Chapter 26
Author: Dayrunner
Email: dayrunner145@yahoo.com
Fandom: BtVS-AU
Pairing: Spike/Angel
Rating: FRAO
Warning: Totally AU with vague references to Cannon.
Summary: A plan is formed to rescue Spike. Angel learns
more about Spike’s hidden past.
Disclaimer: Characters depicted herein are not mine and I make no money.
This is for entertainment only.
Feedback is always welcomed.
Previous chapters can be found in my memories at:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/kindredspirit75
MIDNIGHT AND ROSES - CHAPTER 26
Some time after Angel and Mistress Marilyn had rested and recovered from their enchantment, an urgent, informal gathering of key players in Spike’s rescue had assembled in a small, but comfortable suite in the Watcher mansion.
The lush leather seats were extremely comfortable, affording the seven seated at the round, mahogany table a welcome respite from the hard wooden chairs in the larger meeting room. Light refreshments to satisfy both humans and demons sat in the center of the table, but all in attendance were too excited to partake. The room was still humming with the confirmation that Marilyn and Angel had been able to touch Spike when Wesley loudly asked for their attention.
When all were settled, Giles was the first to stand and speak, holding an ancient Book of Prophecy reverently in his hands.
“Umm... before anything else, I would like to thank Mistress Marilyn... and... of course... Angel... for their remarkable effort and success... in finding... Spike.”
After smiles, glances and murmurs of approval toward Angel and Marilyn had ceased, Giles hoisted the heavy book more comfortably into his arms and continued.
“It says here, and I quote... at least as far as I can... translate... ancient Sanscrit,” Giles apologized.
“On the day of the sixes, when all is in turmoil, that which hath been banished... umm... that could also be... vanquished... almost the same meaning, I’m sure... will be revealed and the beast will finally claim its own. Only when mortal and immortal become one, forsaking all that is treasured, will it be defeated and peace will reign once again...”
“And, what exactly does that mean to all us non-believers,” Gunn snorted, not impressed. “All I wanna’ know is, you got a plan to save Angel’s boyfriend or not?”
“Well... erm.. yes. I think we have a plan to rescue Spike in place, but...” Giles stammered, immediately intimidated by the large warrior’s brash attitude.
“Fuck *but*, man! You got a plan or what?!” Gunn raised his voice and jumped to his feet, clearly irritated and impatient for a straight, simple answer. “My home boy Angel here ain’t gettin’ any younger wit’ y’all pussyfootin’ round them prophecies.”
Angel was sitting adjacent to Gunn. He stood up slowly and put his hand on the demon hunter’s shoulder. The vampires Laureano and Gabriel both relaxed their guard a bit and Mistress Marilyn and Wesley finally let out the breath they were holding.
“It’s alright, Gunn...” Angel nodded and put light pressure on the big man’s shoulder, urging him to sit down.
“Ok, man... you callin’ the shots...” A collective sigh of relief could be heard from the others at the table when Gunn took his seat.
“Right, then,” Wesley managed to squeak. “Shall we continue?” He looked pleadingly at Giles, hoping Gunn’s outburst would be the last. “Mr. Giles...?”
“Oh... right...” Giles managed to gain enough composure to adjust his glasses and stop shaking in his shoes.
“Excuse me, everyone... if you don’t mind, Mr. Wyndam-Pryce?” All eyes turned to look at Angel, who was still standing. “I’d like to say something.”
“Certainly, Angel,” Wesley looked at Angel, then at Giles. “If you don’t mind, Rupert?”
“No... no, of course not,” Giles smiled weakly and set the Book of Prophecy on the table in front of him before he slumped down into his chair, trying to make himself as inconspicious as possible.
Angel shifted his weight from one foot to another and coughed shyly before he began. He was a little uncomfortable standing in front of people who were much older and more worldly than he was, but once he started to speak, his confidence grew.
“First of all, I want everyone to know that Spike is not my boyfriend. It's more than that.”
A collective intake of breath heralded the quietest room Angel had ever been in as all eyes were riveted on him questioningly. He raised his hand and pulled aside the neckband on his tee shirt, baring Spike’s claim mark.
“Does everyone see this scar?,” he asked as he leaned slightly over the table so all could see the mark in the web between his neck and shoulder.
“This is William’s claim mark.” Angel’s voice wavered slightly with emotion. “It means that whoever sees it will know that I belong to him... it means that I gave myself willingly to a vampire... my vampire... body and soul. He did the same for me. I’m not ashamed of it. I love him... and he loves me... no matter what you may think. I just want him back....”
Angel’s shoulders slumped and he hung his head as unwanted tears found their way down his cheeks.
Laureano and Gabriel both rose silently from their seats and went over to Angel. In the most intimate gesture that Wesley, Giles, Marilyn and Gunn had ever witnessed, the two vampires opened their wrists, one at a time and offered them to Angel.
Angel gratefully and reverently accepted each vampire’s comfort by first kissing their wrist, then taking a small sip of blood from the wound before it quickly closed.
Laureano and Gabriel both nodded slightly to Angel afterwards, then went back to their seats without a word being spoken. Angel looked at the two vampires and smiled with gratitude, a silent understanding passing between the trio that truly bound them as kindred.
Marilyn wiped tears from her eyes, Wesley and Gunn coughed nervously and Giles polished his glasses furiously, each moved by the beautiful and unexpected scene that they had just witnessed.
Wesley’s chair squeaked harshly against the hardwood floor as he stood, bringing the attention back to why the group had gathered.
“Umm, right, then. To continue, Mistress Marilyn? Would you be so kind?”
High Priestess Marilyn rose gracefully to her feet and smiled softly. A tall, dignified woman with high cheekbones and sparkling dark eyes, the witch of the White Council had pulled back her long, flowing, auburn hair with two elegant tortoiseshell combs that accented her simple gown nicely. No one actually knew how old Marilyn was, but it was a given that she was an extraordinary woman with great power and wisdom.
“Well, gentlemen,” she began quietly but confidently. It seems that a long forgotten prophecy has been made true by Spike’s abductor. According to Mr. Giles’ translation, ‘the day of the sixes’ was this past June 6th... 06-06-06... the day Spike was taken while he was enthralled.
‘When all is in turmoil, that which has been banished will be revealed and the beast will finally claim its own.’ “That can only be the winged beast, his sire, whom we saw ‘claim’ Spike and take him away in that sudden whirlwind.”
“Unfortunately, I cannot assume meaning to the rest of the prophecy and others I have spoken with cannot, in clear conscious, venture a guess as to its intention. I’m truly sorry, Angel. All I am sure of, is the words ‘mortal’ and ‘immortal’ which can mean any of us in this room.”
“I am confident, though,” Marilyn continued, "that I can open a portal that will lead you directly to Spike. Mr. Wyndam-Pryce will be my guide in this dimension and Prince Laureano will have his warriors and minions ready to protect us just in case something that shouldn’t be here rides the rift in the short time I am able to keep the portal open.”
“Your Highness?” Marilyn gestured to Laureano to continue.
When the dark vampire rose gracefully to speak, all eyes looked at him, full of hope. Laureano smiled and acknowledged the table. Then he looked directly at Angel and began to speak.
“What Mistress Marilyn has said is absolute truth. My esteemed consort, Gabriel, will be in command of my warriors here and will fight to the death to protect the integrity of the portal."
“When we find William on the other side, Mr. Giles will evoke the spell to reopen the portal for our return. Mr. Gunn will protect Mr. Giles at all costs and Angel will accompany me.”
The vampire prince looked hard into Angel’s dark eyes. “And you, Angel... you are the key...”
“I’m what?” Angel looked at Laureano in confusion.
Laureano pulled an aged piece of parchment from a folder in front of him and slid it across the table to the young demon hunter. Angel picked up the paper and stared at it intensely, furrows forming across his brow as he tried to wrap his mind around what he was seeing and what the vampire prince had just said.
“This looks like me,” Angel said incredulously.
“Yes, dear boy,” Laureano said gently. “When I first saw you in that cemetery in Sunnydale, I could not believe my eyes. You are the exact likeness of my sire and Arellano’s father, Ambrosius Aurelius reincarnate. You are bound in so many ways to William’s adopted grandsire, but you are completely innocent.”
“Will never talks about the person he used to be,” Angel sighed. “This explains so much...”
“I know this is quite a shock, Angel. I would not fault you if you did not wish to stand by my side,” Laureano said softly, resignation already in his voice.
“Umm... no... it’s not that,” Angel said quietly. “I can’t believe this... don’t know what... I believe right now...”
“Whatever you decide, I will respect it...” Laureano reached across the table and took Angel’s hand in his, giving it a light squeeze.
The vampire prince rose and glanced at the clock on the wall. “It is now almost 8 pm, everyone," he said to the stunned gathering.
“We will all meet at exactly 11:30 in the great hall to prepare for a midnight opening of the portal. There are folders in front of you that outline the duties and support that I need and expect from all of you. If you have questions, I suggest that you ask them as soon as possible. If not, then you have a few hours to prepare yourselves for something that will not be as easy as it sounds.”
“Well, everyone,” Wesley said quietly as he rose from his chair.
“We have a plan...”
~ tbc ~
Author: Dayrunner
Email: dayrunner145@yahoo.com
Fandom: BtVS-AU
Pairing: Spike/Angel
Rating: FRAO
Warning: Totally AU with vague references to Cannon.
Summary: A plan is formed to rescue Spike. Angel learns
more about Spike’s hidden past.
This is for entertainment only.
Feedback is always welcomed.
Previous chapters can be found in my memories at:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/kindredspirit75
MIDNIGHT AND ROSES - CHAPTER 26
Some time after Angel and Mistress Marilyn had rested and recovered from their enchantment, an urgent, informal gathering of key players in Spike’s rescue had assembled in a small, but comfortable suite in the Watcher mansion.
The lush leather seats were extremely comfortable, affording the seven seated at the round, mahogany table a welcome respite from the hard wooden chairs in the larger meeting room. Light refreshments to satisfy both humans and demons sat in the center of the table, but all in attendance were too excited to partake. The room was still humming with the confirmation that Marilyn and Angel had been able to touch Spike when Wesley loudly asked for their attention.
When all were settled, Giles was the first to stand and speak, holding an ancient Book of Prophecy reverently in his hands.
“Umm... before anything else, I would like to thank Mistress Marilyn... and... of course... Angel... for their remarkable effort and success... in finding... Spike.”
After smiles, glances and murmurs of approval toward Angel and Marilyn had ceased, Giles hoisted the heavy book more comfortably into his arms and continued.
“It says here, and I quote... at least as far as I can... translate... ancient Sanscrit,” Giles apologized.
“On the day of the sixes, when all is in turmoil, that which hath been banished... umm... that could also be... vanquished... almost the same meaning, I’m sure... will be revealed and the beast will finally claim its own. Only when mortal and immortal become one, forsaking all that is treasured, will it be defeated and peace will reign once again...”
“And, what exactly does that mean to all us non-believers,” Gunn snorted, not impressed. “All I wanna’ know is, you got a plan to save Angel’s boyfriend or not?”
“Well... erm.. yes. I think we have a plan to rescue Spike in place, but...” Giles stammered, immediately intimidated by the large warrior’s brash attitude.
“Fuck *but*, man! You got a plan or what?!” Gunn raised his voice and jumped to his feet, clearly irritated and impatient for a straight, simple answer. “My home boy Angel here ain’t gettin’ any younger wit’ y’all pussyfootin’ round them prophecies.”
Angel was sitting adjacent to Gunn. He stood up slowly and put his hand on the demon hunter’s shoulder. The vampires Laureano and Gabriel both relaxed their guard a bit and Mistress Marilyn and Wesley finally let out the breath they were holding.
“It’s alright, Gunn...” Angel nodded and put light pressure on the big man’s shoulder, urging him to sit down.
“Ok, man... you callin’ the shots...” A collective sigh of relief could be heard from the others at the table when Gunn took his seat.
“Right, then,” Wesley managed to squeak. “Shall we continue?” He looked pleadingly at Giles, hoping Gunn’s outburst would be the last. “Mr. Giles...?”
“Oh... right...” Giles managed to gain enough composure to adjust his glasses and stop shaking in his shoes.
“Excuse me, everyone... if you don’t mind, Mr. Wyndam-Pryce?” All eyes turned to look at Angel, who was still standing. “I’d like to say something.”
“Certainly, Angel,” Wesley looked at Angel, then at Giles. “If you don’t mind, Rupert?”
“No... no, of course not,” Giles smiled weakly and set the Book of Prophecy on the table in front of him before he slumped down into his chair, trying to make himself as inconspicious as possible.
Angel shifted his weight from one foot to another and coughed shyly before he began. He was a little uncomfortable standing in front of people who were much older and more worldly than he was, but once he started to speak, his confidence grew.
“First of all, I want everyone to know that Spike is not my boyfriend. It's more than that.”
A collective intake of breath heralded the quietest room Angel had ever been in as all eyes were riveted on him questioningly. He raised his hand and pulled aside the neckband on his tee shirt, baring Spike’s claim mark.
“Does everyone see this scar?,” he asked as he leaned slightly over the table so all could see the mark in the web between his neck and shoulder.
“This is William’s claim mark.” Angel’s voice wavered slightly with emotion. “It means that whoever sees it will know that I belong to him... it means that I gave myself willingly to a vampire... my vampire... body and soul. He did the same for me. I’m not ashamed of it. I love him... and he loves me... no matter what you may think. I just want him back....”
Angel’s shoulders slumped and he hung his head as unwanted tears found their way down his cheeks.
Laureano and Gabriel both rose silently from their seats and went over to Angel. In the most intimate gesture that Wesley, Giles, Marilyn and Gunn had ever witnessed, the two vampires opened their wrists, one at a time and offered them to Angel.
Angel gratefully and reverently accepted each vampire’s comfort by first kissing their wrist, then taking a small sip of blood from the wound before it quickly closed.
Laureano and Gabriel both nodded slightly to Angel afterwards, then went back to their seats without a word being spoken. Angel looked at the two vampires and smiled with gratitude, a silent understanding passing between the trio that truly bound them as kindred.
Marilyn wiped tears from her eyes, Wesley and Gunn coughed nervously and Giles polished his glasses furiously, each moved by the beautiful and unexpected scene that they had just witnessed.
Wesley’s chair squeaked harshly against the hardwood floor as he stood, bringing the attention back to why the group had gathered.
“Umm, right, then. To continue, Mistress Marilyn? Would you be so kind?”
High Priestess Marilyn rose gracefully to her feet and smiled softly. A tall, dignified woman with high cheekbones and sparkling dark eyes, the witch of the White Council had pulled back her long, flowing, auburn hair with two elegant tortoiseshell combs that accented her simple gown nicely. No one actually knew how old Marilyn was, but it was a given that she was an extraordinary woman with great power and wisdom.
“Well, gentlemen,” she began quietly but confidently. It seems that a long forgotten prophecy has been made true by Spike’s abductor. According to Mr. Giles’ translation, ‘the day of the sixes’ was this past June 6th... 06-06-06... the day Spike was taken while he was enthralled.
‘When all is in turmoil, that which has been banished will be revealed and the beast will finally claim its own.’ “That can only be the winged beast, his sire, whom we saw ‘claim’ Spike and take him away in that sudden whirlwind.”
“Unfortunately, I cannot assume meaning to the rest of the prophecy and others I have spoken with cannot, in clear conscious, venture a guess as to its intention. I’m truly sorry, Angel. All I am sure of, is the words ‘mortal’ and ‘immortal’ which can mean any of us in this room.”
“I am confident, though,” Marilyn continued, "that I can open a portal that will lead you directly to Spike. Mr. Wyndam-Pryce will be my guide in this dimension and Prince Laureano will have his warriors and minions ready to protect us just in case something that shouldn’t be here rides the rift in the short time I am able to keep the portal open.”
“Your Highness?” Marilyn gestured to Laureano to continue.
When the dark vampire rose gracefully to speak, all eyes looked at him, full of hope. Laureano smiled and acknowledged the table. Then he looked directly at Angel and began to speak.
“What Mistress Marilyn has said is absolute truth. My esteemed consort, Gabriel, will be in command of my warriors here and will fight to the death to protect the integrity of the portal."
“When we find William on the other side, Mr. Giles will evoke the spell to reopen the portal for our return. Mr. Gunn will protect Mr. Giles at all costs and Angel will accompany me.”
The vampire prince looked hard into Angel’s dark eyes. “And you, Angel... you are the key...”
“I’m what?” Angel looked at Laureano in confusion.
Laureano pulled an aged piece of parchment from a folder in front of him and slid it across the table to the young demon hunter. Angel picked up the paper and stared at it intensely, furrows forming across his brow as he tried to wrap his mind around what he was seeing and what the vampire prince had just said.
“This looks like me,” Angel said incredulously.
“Yes, dear boy,” Laureano said gently. “When I first saw you in that cemetery in Sunnydale, I could not believe my eyes. You are the exact likeness of my sire and Arellano’s father, Ambrosius Aurelius reincarnate. You are bound in so many ways to William’s adopted grandsire, but you are completely innocent.”
“Will never talks about the person he used to be,” Angel sighed. “This explains so much...”
“I know this is quite a shock, Angel. I would not fault you if you did not wish to stand by my side,” Laureano said softly, resignation already in his voice.
“Umm... no... it’s not that,” Angel said quietly. “I can’t believe this... don’t know what... I believe right now...”
“Whatever you decide, I will respect it...” Laureano reached across the table and took Angel’s hand in his, giving it a light squeeze.
The vampire prince rose and glanced at the clock on the wall. “It is now almost 8 pm, everyone," he said to the stunned gathering.
“We will all meet at exactly 11:30 in the great hall to prepare for a midnight opening of the portal. There are folders in front of you that outline the duties and support that I need and expect from all of you. If you have questions, I suggest that you ask them as soon as possible. If not, then you have a few hours to prepare yourselves for something that will not be as easy as it sounds.”
“Well, everyone,” Wesley said quietly as he rose from his chair.
“We have a plan...”
~ tbc ~