Souls Standing By.

A/N: I promise to add at least a hot make out scene in chapter five. It just didn't make its way here sadly.

Warnings and disclaimers: see prologue.


Wesley was finally able to pick himself off the ground and get his laughter under control. Oh, god, Angel and Spike both looked utterly rediculous under all the slobber. Both would have to go back to their apartments or where every they were staying to shower and change. He doubted either would feel up to patrolling until they did.

" Angel, Spike, you two might want to go home and shower before you venture out on patrol. Xander and I will pair up, " Wesley said.

" But... "

" Can it, Peaches, you'll have plenty of time to play catch up with rouge man later. I'm going home and washing this shit off of me and out of me duster. Whelp, I'm sending you the dry cleaners' bill, " Spike growled. He leaned in closer to the boy, " You and me are gonna have us a bit of talk as well, pet, " he whispered.

Xander swallowed, saying nothing, but nodded. No sense with arguing with the blond vampire once his mind was made up. Something they both had in common was one hell of a stubborn streak.

Spike made his way down the street, muttering curses to himself, Angel by his side glancing back towards Wesley. The older rouge demon hunter watched Angel leave before turning around and found the slayer peering at him with sharp eyes.

' God, almost ten years has passed between them and you would think she would do herself a favor and move on, ' Wes thought to himself. ' But I remember what she had said when she found out what Faith had almost done back before I had left, what she had said to Angel, she can't stand the thought of him moving on! '

" Is there a problem, Ms. Summers? " He asked.

" Just what happened between you two five years ago that made you leave? " Buffy asked, " I've been watching Angel all night and he hasn't stopped looking at you since you and Xander arrived. "

' And nothing pisses you ff more then Angel not brooding over you, huh, Buffy? ' Dawn frowned to herself.

" Buffy, I do believe that is none of your business, " Giles said to his charge.

" Are you asking as a concerned friend or because you suspect that we might have gotten involved intimatley? And that we had a rather bad falling out and I had to leave because staying would have just made things awkward between us? " Wesley asked, crossing his arms. Thinking about what he had just said, he almost laughed since it sounded just like what had happened between the dark vampire and the slayer in front of him.

" Angel isn't gay, " Buffy insisted, not sure what Wesley was smiling to himself about. She could just bet he was laughing at her! Ha-ha, Slayer, I have your vampire right where I want him, where he won't ever think of you again with the hold I have over him.

" Rarely there hasn't been a vampire who isn't bisexual and I can guarrante that Angel is, " the man replied.

" WHAT?! " Buffy shrieked. She couldn't believe that her perfect, wonderful Angel would even look at a man the way he had looked at her! And Wesley? Of all people? So she was right! How dare this-this man do this to her and her poor confused Angel.

" I do believe you heard me correctly, Ms. Summers. But that really isn't your business unless Angel himself decided to tell you, " Wesley added.

" B-but... "

" I dunno, I think the two of you getting together is cool. Especially if Angel gets the whole curse thing fixed- " Dawn was saying until Wesley shushed her by putting his finger to her lips.

" Little one, Xander wasn't the only one who had to leave because something went wrong between someone he loved, " he told her quietly.

" Buffy, are you okay? " Willow asked the shocked blonde.

" H-how can Angel be gay? He loved me! " Buffy gapped to her friend, trying to make at least Willow understand how wrong it was. Wesley and Angel? She shook her head.

" Well, it's true. I mean if you've ever read any o Giles' journals on Angel's past, he had quite a few male lovers along said his female sire, " Willow said.

" But that was Angelus, " Buffy argued.

" Something like that isnt something you can just shut off because you have a soul, Buffy. Angel's attracted to both sexes so he never did lie to you about his tastes, " Willow said hotly. Why was her friend acting this way, after all the years she had stuck up for Tara and her? THe red head then sucked in a breath as understandng dawned on her. ' Because it had neve effected her personally before. '

" You of all people, knowing Angel and his past, should have known how difficult that would have been to tell you. If a growne up Buffy can't understand and accept it, I can't imagine what a teenage Buffy would ahve said or done, " Willow replied. She didn't want to sound cruel, but it was the truth. Plain and simple, but not the plain and simple Buffy was looking for.

" Okay, because I don't want to have a screaming match between Wes and Buffy over Angel, and that we need to get a move on before our demon friends open the hell mouth, Wes and I are gonna head over to Madam Kitty's and see if she's heard anything on the demon grape vine, " Xander spoke up. He could sense Buffy's additude towards Angel's sexual tastes weren't just hurting Wesley alone.

" Should be come with you? "Willow offered.

" Well... " Xander hesisated, " Wills, think about it. The place is run by a Madam Kitty. 'Madam?' Get what I'm saying? "

Realization dawned in that emeral gaze and Willow quickly turned as red as her hair. " N-n-no! That's quite alright. Not really into the whole S&M scene, " she studdered, flabergasted.

" Madam Kitty offers much more then a little bondage, Wills, " Xander explained, " you might be exposed to some things you aren't ready for. "

Willow's mouth dropped. " H-how do you know all of that?! " Her eyes flashed, " And I'll have you know that I can handle anything, Xander Harris! "

" Okay, okay, truce, truce, Ms. Witch. Through a friend of mine, " the young man replied, " Anyway, we should head over. Duke's gonna get antsy. " Then he and Wesley quickly headed in the direction of the establisment in question. Mostly 'cause Buffy looked like he was about to pop and needed take it out on some poor, dumb fledglings that would get in her way, instead of taking it out on either Welsey or himself, and Xander didn't feel like dwelling into his interesting past with Willow right now.

" I can't believe Angel's gay! And with Wesley! " Buffy gapped still.

" Buffy, I'm not gonna say anything about how stupid and pathetic you sound, pissing and moaning about Angel, and how he doesn't share every bloody fact of his past that was really personal and probably couldn't talk about it for whatever his reasons were, and how you won't get over yourself because the guy can't have a life after you! " Dawn shouted, her voice rising in steady anger, " Nope, not gonna say a damn thing! "

" Don't make me ground you, Dawn Summers, " Buffy snapped.

" Oh, I'd like to see you try it since I'm in college now and I'm old enough to give my opinion! " Her sister shot back. She crossed her arms and Dawn cast a look at Willow and Tara, " besides, you weren't the only one who raised me! "

" Please, let's not fight. Let's just do our rounds and try to met up with eveyone else peacefully, okay? " Tara offered.

" Okay, but I'm coming with you and Wills, " Dawn replied.

* - * - *

The establishment of Madam Kitty was usually overlooked by the general human public of Sunnydale. On the outside and in the daylight, it looked like your ordinary abandoned warehouse. Xander and Wesley only knew of the place and the Madam herself by rumor and mostly through D'Lark who was rather fond of the demoness. And not just because of the service she could provide for him during his inbetween visits or business and general socialzation. She was a sherwd businesswoman, crafty even and sometimes down right malicious, in going after what or whom she wanted. But Madam Kitty only stepped on those she thought deserved it, especially if they happened to get her goat or were stepping on the underdog when there was no need for it.

On one occasion when one of her girls had brought to her attention that a bookstore that she a few of her fellow employees enjoyed shopping at was being bullied by a realistate agency, trying to force the elder couple into selling their plot so the agency could sell it along with the surrounding land for a new mini mall. The couple had retired early from their coorpurate jobs to open a little place of their own, where they could spend more time with each other and family. Business was a little rocky at times, but loyal customers kept it from going under.

Madam Kitty got together with some of her favorite non human lawfirm associates and by the time she was done teaching that agency a lesson on mannors, several individual members responsible for any damage to the couple's store had gone missing and the surviving members learned well enough to leave the bookstore alone if they wished to live. To this day any employee who bought a book or two from the couple's bookstoe got a nice little discount and Madam Kitty always sent a bottle of wine every major holiday.

The walk to Madam Kitty's and from where Xander and Wesley had left the other was only a fifteen minute drive. They had only just turned around the corner when a limo pulled up along side them and the driver stepped out.

" Master Harris and Master Wyndam-Pryce, I presum? " The drive asked. At their nods, he walked around and opened the door, " Madam Kitty sent me with her compliments. "

" Well, I was never one to turn down a lady, " Xander grinned and the two entered the fully loaded limo, anything and everyone you could want was at their disposal. Even two of the Madam's finest to escort the gentlemen inside once they had arrived.

" Gentlemen, m'lady Kitty told us to apologize for her to your for not meeting you herself as she was busy with some sudden business, " the human of the two females explained. She was a pretty little creature with long dark hair, peaches and creme complextion, and baby soft skin with huge dark amber eyes.

" We completly understand, Miss. We're grateful for any time your lady could spare us, " Wesley replied with a relaxed air about him, totally opposite of how he used to be around members of the fair sex.

" You don't have to worry 'bout that, sugar, " the non human female chuckled, " Madam Kitty coulda had a meeting with the President himself, but she'd still rahter met you two sweet, fine things instead. " Her features were humanish, no extra limbs, smooth soft complextion the color of sunset hues, fresh snow white hair that grew like a mane down her back, and eyes are dark as mahogany with a twinkle of mischief. Fangs and longer then normal nails were further tell tale signs of her un human nature.

" Dibs on the Brit, " she purred and it was a good thing Angel wasn't around when she made herself comfortable in the former watcher's lap.

Wesley look it in good humor or course, even engaging in trival conversation til the limo finally reached Madam Kitty's establishment. On the outside it looked to be a rather poor, run down, three story warehourse. Totally run of the mill concrete and metal building that so day to day that suited well to the town of Sunnydale. That is, until you drove around to the side not facing the town an both rouge demon hunters could hear the laughter, the music faintly through the cleverly cast sound proof spell Madam Kitty had placed over her little business of pleasure. When the limo pulled up and the door opened, both of the girlsl escorted Xander and Wesley through a door that suddenly appeared where there shouldn't be a door. The door demon gave them a quick read over with is gift of inner sight and allowed the party of four to enter his mistress' abode.

" You should be able to find your way to m'lady's office, gentlemen, " the demoness smiled and gave Wesley a peek on the cheek. " You can come and look me up if ya want once m'lady is done with ya, " she added before the two vanished into the crowd of dancing bodies taking up most of the space on the floor that had been set up as a dance club.

" You stud, " Xander teased before they pressed onward into the sea of dancing bodies. As they moved forward it wasn't hard not to be accidentally pressed against or into another body; a quick apology followed by a charming smile had either man, woman, or demon swooning just a little inside. There was the occassional wandering hand or a hot offer to dance or something more whispered into either hunters' ears before they finally broke through and climbed up the metal stairway that led to Madam Kitty's back office.

A striking petite, dark female with cultured, feral green eyes broke into a bright toothed, fanged grin as she stepped towards the two heading her way.

" Gentlemen, I was afraid you wouldn't make it through the crowd with all the attention you were drawing to yourselves, " she spoke in a warm, teasing voice; her slight deep purring undertone accent not of this earth. " But I suppose I'll have to forgive you since you've finally dropped by my little club. "

" Your humbleness proceeds you, Madam Kitty, " Wesley smiled.

" Oh, just call me Kitty, my darlings, " she smiled. Looping her arms through each of theirs she led them to her back office, all fun aside -mores the pity- now that it was time to get down to business first. Her office was a dream of warm, inviting colors, the room furnished casual, but sensual all the same when the lady of the house decided to entertain her more favorite clientle. If she recalled D'Lark was fond of indigo lately. Madam Kitty led Xander and Wesley to sit in a plush indigo velvet couch, perched herself in the matching love seat across from them, and began serving them tea from an already present loaded teat set and tray.

" Tea? " She offered. Wesley accepted a cup an Xander munched on a small, delicous looking tea sandwich.

" I hope you won't find us rude, Ms. Kitty, since this isn't just a social call and we'd like to get down to things, " Wesley started.

The dark otherworldly woman nodded as she handed Xander his cup of tea. " Oh, I'm not so naive not to have noticed that a bad crowd is making its way to the hell mouth. " As she spoke her voice deeped to a growl an her striking looks started to take on the cat like features that of her kind. " Some of those bores dared to try and force their way into my club, wanting to subject my poor guests and employees to heavens knows what they view as fun! "

" We were hopping that you had any imfornation as this borish lot, " Wesley said.

" Probably as much as you so, but I know ways to get more, " Madam Kitty said with a collected malicous twinkle in her eyes.

' I think she could easily give Angelus a rund for his money, ' Wesley thought. He chuckled to himself behind his bone white china cup.

" Oh, darling, please do tell us what you're thinking. By that grin, it has to be something juicy, " Madam Kitty smiled, eager, but knowing all about the winter eyed man's past she could guess as to what he was thinking aobut. It woud just be more fun to get the man to admit it.

" It would be interesting to see what would happen if you and Angelus were locked in the same room together, " he admitted.

" Dude, I don't really know Madam Kitty other then her reputation, but I'd have to feel sorry for Angelus. " Xander shook his head. " Just a little, " he added, holding up his index and thumb finger with barely an inch of air between them to show how much he meant.

Madam Kitty let out a pearl of laugther, falling back into her love seat. " Hmmm, it probably would be an entertaining evening with the handsome Scrouge of Europe, " she smiled. ' But I think he would enjoy someone else's company; both the soul and demon, ' she thought, running her eyes meaningfully over the British man.

" So... " Madam Kitty began, sitting up again in her seat, " shall I send out someone to round up a member of our enemies' party for interigation? And may I offer you two a room for the night on my hotel floor? THe best suite in the house. I am anxoius to show you off to all of my boys and girls, and drive my other guests to swooen with your presense on the dance floor. "

" We would be delighted, but as for myself I really need to do a little catching up with my friends, Madam Kitty, " Xander said. " Wes? "

" I too, have to a matter I must tend so before I turn in. And as to that other matter, Ms. Kitty, be sure that whom ever you snag is someone high enough on the chain that they'll have the information we're looking for, but that they won't be missed, " Wesley said.

The woman nodded. " I know just the one and I shall do my best. and I do expect to see you two gentlemen tomorrow evening when you're free, " she said with a smile.

TBC