Unacceptable Losses

Research carried on with a working lunch ordered in for the humans. Spike and Angel both made an appearance in the early afternoon only to have books shoved into their hands before they had a chance to heat up their own meal. Spike grumbled at doing research, more for appearance’s sake than because he minded reading. For appearance and for the gratification of getting a low warning growl from Angel that he could roll his eyes at.

Head held in both hands, Xander struggled to stay awake as he stared at the page in front of him. Dusk fell outside the hotel, and only a single passing reference to Riveda had been found. Dawn had seen Riveda mentioned in a list of demon gods, and the thought of another Glory, or even another Illyria, cast a pall over the group.

“Damn!” Dawn slammed her text closed.

“Huh?” Faith woke suddenly in response to the bang.

“Ya know, Slayer, you could show a tad more interest in this beastie we’re gonna be going up against,” Spike drawled from his comfortable spot lounging on the reception area’s couch.

“Kick, punch, stab. Plan works for me.” She ran her hands through her long hair and stood to stretch.

Xander pointedly ignored their verbal sparring and turned to Dawn. “You alright, Dawn?”

“I can’t find anything on this ritual for Riveda.” She frowned. “Maybe we’re not spelling it right.”

“We took the only scroll they had, and that’s how it was spelled,” Angel grumbled.

“Ok, so maybe they’re not spelling it right.” Dawn argued. “I mean, vamps aren’t exactly known for their spelling.”

Spike thumped down his own book. “Doubt it was something they wrote up, ‘Bit.”

Angel nodded. “They were muscle for hire. Probably promised some kind of power hold in the city if they gathered the required sacrifices.”

“So the question is who are they working for and can that guy spell?”

“Somehow, I doubt his spelling is the part we should be focusing on, mate.” Spike leaned over and playfully smacked Xander across the back of the head.

Dawn stood and announced, “I need some kinda energy. What d’ya guys want? Coffee, hot chocolate? Tea for the British vamp?”

Faith wandered to the weapons cabinet and pulled out a broadsword. “Sun’s down. Time for all good slayers…” at Spike’s derisive snort, “Shut it vamp-boy. All slayers, anyway, to run a quick patrol.”

“Take your cell phone,” Dawn called automatically.

Waving the cell, Faith stalked out into the night. Despite the training earlier, she hadn’t been able to avoid getting pulled into research mode, and now she desperately needed to get out and move.

********************

Angel continued to scowl as he grabbed another text from the shelf, ignoring Spike rummaging through the piles of books on the table.

“You know this would go much faster if we had a couple of those shady contacts that detectives are supposed to have on retainer.” Spike grumbled.

Angel ignored him.

“Or maybe somebody with a link to the powers,” he mused pointedly. “’Cause if this Riveda’s bad as all that, ya think they’d take an interest. Get a message through…somehow.”

Angel growled and focused on reading and listening to the clank of mugs and spoons in the kitchen where Dawn prepared their fortifications.

Xander looked back and forth between the two vampires in confusion. Spike’s studied nonchalance and Angel’s determination not to respond clearly indicated a conversation beyond what he heard.

Suddenly Spike stood and grabbed the book from Angel, tossing it onto the table where it tumbled against the others.

“No. We will not bring him into this.” Angel snarled before Spike could speak.

“Why the sodding hell not?”

“Uh, guys? Him who?” Xander cautiously.

“We’re not discussing this.” Angel stood to stalk from the lobby only to be blocked by his determined grand-childe.

“Yes we bloody well are. He’s back in LA. One quick verse of Manilow and we know what to hit and when.”

“We’ll find another way.” Angel glared down at the gold-rimmed blue eyes. “And how is it you know that he’s back in LA?”

“Because I care to know.” Spike spoke snidely.

Xander had time only to rise from his seat before Angel’s fist collided with Spike’s nose. The smaller vampire’s head flew back and blood flowed. He retained his human visage, however, as he turned back to face his Sire.

“Bring Lorne into this again, mention his name once more in my hotel, and I will throw you into the sun.” Angel walked into his office and closed the door firmly.

“Spike? Wanna tell me what the hell that was about? Who is Lorne?”

“Stupid pillock.” The epitaph held more resignation than anger.

“Lorne?”

“Captain Forehead.” Spike pulled several tissues from the box on the reception desk and wiped the blood from his face. “Fucking git. We all knew what we were getting into.”

“Needing some back story here.” Xander began to get irritated.

“Big battle, Senior Partners taking us out, Angel asked Lorne to kill a guy. A guy who used to be a friend. In cold blood.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. Part he can’t get through that thick skull is that we all knew the score going in. Not his fault the way things went down.” Spike slumped onto the couch.

“Ok, so I couldn’t find a coffee grinder, and Angel only has Lipton teabags in the cupboard,” Dawn glared at Spike over the mugs balanced on her tray, “and I so am not having the lecture on American tea practices again, so it’s hot chocolate all around.”

She set the tray down on the reception counter and then handed a mug to Spike.

“Ta, pet.” He couldn’t suppress a grin when he saw that she had put in enough mini-marshmallows to cover the surface, hiding the chocolate entirely.

“And one for you,” she held the mug towards Xander. “Hey, space-boy, yummy chocolate.”

“Huh, oh. Thanks” Xander reached out automatically to take the mug, still processing Spike’s evident concern for the brooding vampire, despite the violence of his outburst.

Dawn took her own mug, leaving the fourth mug sitting alone on the tray, and settled on the couch next to Spike.

“I take it Angel needed some quality alone time?”

“Yeah, Nibblet. Let him sulk in his office for a bit.” Spike sipped. “Maybe he’ll pull his poofy head out of his arse,” he muttered.

“You okay, Xan?” Dawn watched him over the rim of her mug.

“Huh?” Xander blinked. “Oh yeah. Much research. Brain tired.” His grin was off, but she pretended not to notice.

Not gonna worry about vampire family issues, Xander scolded himself. He glanced down at the warm mug in his hand. Mini-marshmallows bobbed in the hot chocolate. Unbidden, the image recalled pieces of bone raining down on petals and dirt. Bits of Buffy bone. His hand shook, and he set the mug on the counter sharply, hot chocolate slopping over the sides.

Spike looked up at the noise and registered the sudden increase and heart rate. Fear, shame, grief rolled off Xander in waves.

Xander stumbled backward as he struggled for control. But the image burned across his mind, and he couldn’t stop the memories that rose one after the other, memories that had been brought to the surface in last night’s session.

Spike and Dawn watched in startled concern as their friend sped up the stairs and away from the lobby.