The Vampire, the Seer and the Protecter

Title: The Vampire, the Seer and the Protector
Author: AddictedtoBuffy
Rating: NC17
Pairing: Eventually Angel/Gunn/Doyle
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Angel the Series. They belong to Joss. I do not make money from the writing of this, it is purely entertainment. I do not mean any disrespect to the actors who have portrayed these characters. This fic contains explicit Male/Male relationships if you are adverse to this or are under the age of eighteen then please do not read. Thankyou to all the online writers who help keep the Buffyverse alive.
Series: This is part of my Belonging series. First was The Watcher and the Wolf, then The Rocky Road to Belonging, DeSoto Sex and a Canadian Interlude.
Summary: What happens in the lives of Angel and co in LA while Spike and group are escaping initiative soldiers and are out of the picture.
Beta: The wonderful Bubbysbub as always has betaed this.
Feedback: Please, please, please. I crave it
Part: 4/8
Distrubution: Ask and you will receive
A/N: Thankyou to LadyVirgo who came up with this name sometime last year. Sorry its taken me so long to write this.

Chapter Four - From Shanshu in LA

Gunn’s POV

I look out at the city. LA. The only home I’ve ever known. I’ve stared out at this view countless times. But this time I don’t see it. What I do see is my sister. She’s not here but she’s all I can see All I can think about. I keep replaying the same five minutes over and over, punishing myself. Fuck! This is all so messed up. I can’t believe I staked my sister. The only family I have. I vowed to keep her safe but I screwed up.

“We were on the right track, just on the wrong team. All that rage and hatred we got? We get to keep all that, only on this side there is no guilt, no grief - just the hunt and the kill - and the fun! And come on, how often did we go out in the daylight anyway?” That’s all I keep hearing, some of Alonna’s last words but are they really her last words or was she dead already? Was she dead when her cold lips were pried open and vampire blood was forced down her throat? Was what I killed just a demon in my sisters body? Or did some part of Alonna still exist? Did I kill my sister or do her a favour? I continue to stare out unseeing even though I can feel Angel’s presence beside me. I wouldn’t care if there was a gang of vampires behind me right now. I have to talk to this bloodsucker though.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, hoping he gets the hint and leaves.

"Skulking professionally."

"Look, I'm glad for what you did, okay? But I don't need no Guardian Angel, and I don't need no talking to. It's not gonna change the way things are down here, man. They're gonna keep coming, and we're gonna keep fighting." I tell him cos it’s the truth. I’ll keep fighting but I also might try and find the truth. Who did I kill?

"I know." His attitude is starting to piss me off.

"That's it? You ain't gonna talk at me, be all daddy-figure?" I ask sarcastically because I’ve had that before and I’ve dealt with it before.

"What am I gonna tell you that you haven't already learned?" He could tell me the truth?

"I killed her." He already knew but is he going to tell the truth or lie to me?

"You didn't." So no part of her was in there? Maybe I need to believe that just for my own sanity.

"Near enough. She was the reason, man. How come you do it? How come you're out here?"

"What else are we gonna do? I'll be around."

"I don't need no help." I tell him straight up. I don’t need a Guardian Angel.

"I might." That stops me. I look over at him but he’s not there, gone. Maybe I will help him. He might be the only way I can come to the truth about this shit.

*****

Angel’s POV

I watch Doyle try to read the ancient scroll. It’s very slow going and we could really do with a proper researcher. He’s bent over the page, his dark hair falling in front of his face that he ignores, a look of concentration on his face. I would like nothing more than to take him into my arms, to wipe that frown away. I can’t. The demon has been so close to the surface lately. I’m scared that if I hugged Doyle, it would be too much happiness for me and Angelus would be free to torment him and the rest of the world. Another face has been intruding on my dreams of late. A face I met two weeks ago. Someone who is quite a physical opposite to Doyle. I have had dreams of the two of them together and they would be magnificent. Dark and light.

I’ve checked up on Gunn a couple of times and called on his help once when Lee decided that corporate evil was just a little too evil for him. Though he’s jumped back into bed with it so the perks of selling his soul must have improved. I am wrenched out of my thoughts by Doyle’s moan. I grab him before he falls to the floor and hold him tight. This is the only time I can hold him and I shouldn’t take any enjoyment out of this when he is going through so much pain, but he is so firm and luscious in my arms I just can’t help it. I wish I could always hold him like this.

"Pain - killer." Doyle grounds out and I can’t grab them while holding him and as he’s still in the middle of the vision I won’t risk it.

"A woman, judging by the plastic bag on her head I'm guessing homeless, versus a slime demon."

"Where?" I ask trying to get my mind back to my work.

"I smelled something awful that would be the slime demon Yuck! who lives behind a waste treatment plant in Elscando."

"Got it! Are you going to be okay here?” I ask him. I really wish I had someone else around the office. Someone who could look after him while I went and did my job.

“Go! I’m just gonna curl up on the couch.” I don’t want to leave him but I must. I don’t say anything else, words just make it harder. I look at him one last time and turn and go.

*****

Doyle’s POV

I lay on the couch for a long time waiting for the world to stop spinning. Eventually I sit up. I need my painkillers and they’re downstairs on the kitchen table. Or at least I think they are. Slowly I make my way downstairs clutching my head. Why do the Powers have to make it hurt so much? I finally step off the stairs and move past the cabinet where the scroll is being kept. Wait a minute. I turn and stare. The lock is broken on the weapons cabinet. I know Angel didn’t do that. I slowly approach the door and open the door. Holy Shit! I stare at the contents for a moment before starting to back away. Crap I’m not going to get out of here in time.

*****

Angel’s POV

I pull in across the street to the office and slowly get out of my car. Its been a long night and I need to check on Doyle. I need him to be okay. The demon is taken care of and the homeless woman is still alive so I’ve done my job. Hero to the rescue. Suddenly I find myself flying through the air at the force of a blast. I look up to find the office building in flames. The office building where Doyle is! I’m up and running before I even think about it. Doyle! Shit Doyle! Please let him be okay. I can’t deal with someone else I’m attached to dieing. I run into the burning building ignoring how very flammable I am. I can only think of one thing. Doyle.

“Doyle! Doyle! Doyle!” I call using my vampire senses to find the faint heartbeat and move towards it. I find him on the stairs leading up to our office.

“Doyle! Doyle!” I call hoping he’ll wake up as I check him over for any spinal injuries. I know I’m not supposed to move him but if I don’t we will both burn in a minute. I sling him over my shoulder and head back outside. Whoever did this is going to pay!

*****

Gunn’s POV

I load the boxes of leftover food into the back of my truck. I just don’t get how rich people in LA can waste so much when there are poor starving homeless people only a couple of blocks down the road. It supports my ‘all rich people are selfish’ theory.

"This is good. A lot of hungry people are going to appreciate this. You are doing god's work here. If god was a busboy he'd look just like you Jesus. Toss it up, brother. Alright!" I keep packing the boxes when I hear car tires screeching. Well that can’t be good.

"Yo, yo, heads up!" I yell as I grab my axe knowing that the rest of my gang are grabbing their weapons as well. I relax as I take in Angel’s form at the wheel. I haven’t seen him for a few days. I wonder what’s up. He’s not usually this on edge.

"Put them down. I know this fool.” I jump down off the truck all swagger for the benefit of my crew as I go to meet Angel. “That was entertaining. What you got under that hood."

"I need your help." I shake my head, never with the small talk.

"Yeah, well, I figured you didn't roar in here to ask me after my health. It's pretty good, by the way. You getting enough iron? You look a little pale. Okay, it's traditional in the human world to humour people who've done favours for you in the past." I take in how tense he is and I know its serious.

"You’re about to do me another one."

"Yeah, well, if it's tossing a vampire in with them lawyers, I'm in. Because that was my idea of a good time." I smile remembering sticking it to the evil white lawyers. That had been really fun.

"My team, or one person now actually.” He frowns and I know there is a heartbreaking story behind that. “ St. Matthews. He's in ICU. He needs protection while I hunt down the guy who put him there."

"He's gonna come after him himself, or is he gonna send someone?" I ask all business, repressing the part of myself that wants to demand if there’s something going on between Angel and this injured male, that he obviously cares a lot about.

"However he comes, he's not gonna get through. He mean a lot to me." That seems to be an understatement.

"I'm getting that." I reply and with that he turns and goes. Looks like I have a job to do.

*****

Angel’s POV

I want to rip the city apart to find who has hurt Doyle. My demon is roaring and this time I’m letting it take over. Going with my rage. I do the spell that will let me gain entrance to The Powers. If anyone knows who’s responsible, they do. I don’t care if they tell me its none of their business. If they want me to continue to work for them, they will tell me. I will have my vengeance.

"I come before the Oracles for guidance and direction. I beseech access to the knowing ones." I intone the ancient words hoping that they’ll let me gain access. I need answers. The doorway opens with its typical blinding flash of light. They do seem to like their dramatics. I stumble into the chamber, blinking for my eyes to adjust to the bright light. I stare at the scene in front of me. The Oracles are dead, lying in their own blood. A scythe is buried in the woman’s body. I try not to jump as a ghostly image of the woman appears beside me.

"It's unfortunate.” I’ve never heard anyone refer to their own death as unfortunate before. It seems a bit glib to me. “Things are unravelling. The dark ones broach our temples now."

"Can you help me?" I ask, if they can’t, I’m just wasting time. I need to find out whose responsible.

"I can't stay long. I've been dead a while. So far I don't like it."

"My friend who gets the visions..." I start, ignoring her remark.

"Is in trouble. It's the one who did this." She tells me straight up. I was expecting her to be much more cryptic.

"Who? Who did this?"

"Voca. A warrior of the underworld. He wants you weak."

"Tell me where to find him. I'll repay him for what he did here." I vow as she starts to fade. I stop the forces of darkness, its what I do.

"He is here for the raising."

"The raising?" I ask, I’ve never heard of that.

"Like so many of them he hides behind man's law. Stop him." She fades and I am left alone. ‘Hides behind man’s law?’ Hmm. I know where he is.

"I will." I grab the scythe and leave, knowing that I will never come back here.

*****

Angel’s POV

I watch the front doors to the Wolfram and Hart building. If they’re involved, which I know they are, they’ll lead me straight to Voca. I don’t have to wait long before Lilah, Lee and Holland come sauntering out the front doors. I watch them get into a car after ordering security to follow them. I quickly slip into my own car knowing that they’ll take me to Voca. Then they will all pay.

We stop outside a crypt in one of LA’s more secluded cemeteries. No one will notice the lights are on or the sounds of screaming once I start my payback. I hope Doyle will be okay. All I want to do is stay by his side at the hospital but I can’t. At least I know he’s well protected.

I can hear them chanting from inside, I pick up my scythe and charge letting my demon have free rein. I see him in the middle of the crypt. I ignore everyone else, whatever ritual they’re doing. All I want is Voca, right now. He is going to die. He comes at me with a scythe but I fight him off. He’s strong and I’ve been living off pigs blood which makes me weak but I know I’m going to kill him. I feel myself change into my true face and I let it happen. Nobody messes with what’s mine and gets away with it. I’m vaguely aware that Lee is chanting behind me but I don’t care. Voca is going to die. I kick him away from me but he soon recovers and gets in a couple of good punches before I can block him again. I feel the wind move behind me as their ritual is completed but I don’t care. I can only see one thing. Voca. He will pay. Then I will move onto Lee and Lilah. I finally manage to knock the scythe away from Voca and pin him to the wall. He struggles but I manage to hold him there. I knock his mask off and immediately wish I hadn’t. There is a maggot filled hole where his nose should be. Yuck!

"Nice." I quip before driving the blade of my scythe into Voca’s chest, killing him. I turn around to find Lee standing there brandishing a cross in my direction. Like that is going to slow me down much at the moment? He has the scroll of Abejeran in his hand. The one they stole from my office. I need it back if I’m ever going to figure out what they raised in that box. I slowly walk towards him the bloody scythe held loosely in my hand. I know I shouldn’t kill humans but if he pushes me, I’ll make an exception for him.

“Lee, give me the scroll." I demand.

"That's not gonna happen. It belongs to us." It’s almost a whine and I know he’s going to give it up. I don’t know how he’s gotten so far up the ladder at Wolfram and Hart. He doesn’t have a backbone. Lilah, on the other hand, does and so did that other lawyer, I’d only seen him once but he made an impression. Lindsey something. I stroll towards him looking my most menacing which isn’t hard with all the blood around.

“Hand it over now. Or I’ll pry it out of your cooling dead hands.” I menace and he knows I’m not joking. I smile at his whimper. His beady eyes dart round the room before he comes to a decision and throws the scroll at me. He then makes a run for it and I let him go. He’s not worth it.