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How to Treat Your
Lover
by Tami
Chapter 25
Chapter 25-B: Step 2 – Understanding (Part
8)
Los Angeles, Hyperion Hotel
Darla was outside in the courtyard of the Hyperion while Cordelia and Wesley were in the lobby, drinking tea and discussing Angel’s latest Darla-related obsession.
“I mean, not only is she putting his life at stake, but ours!” Cordelia was saying. “I’m sorry, but after 400 years of death and destruction, seems to me, you get voted off the island. Am I right?”
Before Wesley could answer, they noticed Angel standing in the lobby with his hands buried in his pockets as he stared at the courtyard thoughtfully.
What am I going to do? What can I say? Angel went to Lindsey’s apartment and the lawyer actually invited him in, which was a real shock. Then Lindsey produced the medical files that Angel assumed Wolfram & Hart showed to Darla. She was indeed dying of the same disease that would have initially killed her if the Master hadn’t have stepped in and turned her.
God, his life was turning into a nightmare. Angel imagined that he was dreaming one of those scenes that Darla teased him with and in reality he was still in bed with Spike back in Sunnydale. He honestly didn’t know how to help her. From the cold greeting he received an hour ago, it didn’t seem like Cordy and Wes were going to help with this one. He needed Spike’s help. Spike knew her. If only he could make his childe see reason . . . .
“You’re back,” Cordelia sounded surprised. Her voice cut into his thoughts and he looked at her.
“Was it . . . good news?” Wesley asked tentatively.
When Angel didn’t move or speak, only looked out the window again, they followed his line of sight. Darla was outside in the courtyard, sniffing a flower. They looked back at Angel to find him staring at them.
“Just give me a minute, will you, guys?” Angel asked softly.
He slowly walked out into the courtyard and watched her from afar.
“Hmm, jasmine. It blooms at night,” she mused. “I remember what that was like.” She looked over at Angel and saw his sad expression. She stood up and defiantly said, “I told you. I told you it was the truth.”
“Darla . . .,” he said plaintively.
“No! I have to go,” she said adamantly. She tried to walk past him, but Angel blocked her path.
“We’ll find a cure. We’ll do something.”
“You’ll do something!?” she shrieked. “I’ve been around long enough to know when something is a lost cause, Angelus, unless . . .”
“That’s exactly what they want us to do, Darla. We’d be playing right into their hands,” he explained.
Darla shook her head and tearfully said, “I don’t care. I don’t want to die.”
“I can’t give you what you want,” Angel stressed.
“It’s what I need,” she stated flatly.
“No, it’s not what you need, Darla. Really it’s not. I don’t know what you need. I wish I did.”
She turned away from him. “I don’t know either.”
Angel watched her for a moment, before a thought it hit him. “No. You do. You’re the only one that could. You just can’t see it that’s all. You need a little help.”
**************************
Sunnydale, Crawford Street Mansion
Damn, he took her to Caritas and she’s singing, Angelus’ voice came out of nowhere.
Fuck! Would you stop sneaking up on people like that! You could give a vamp a heart attack! Spike grumbled.
Newsflash, Baby Boy: You’re heart doesn’t beat, Angelus said humorously.
May as well be if you keep popping up in my head like this, Spike griped. Why aren’t you in Angel’s head? You’re his demon.
It’s boring over there what with rescue strategies to save people I should be eating, Angelus said, agitated.
I bet that sounds like a bullhorn, Spike commented on Darla’s singing.
Angelus shrugged. Sounds rather nice.
Spike started choking at that. Why are you here?
Come on, Spike. Angel feels like he has to save her soul or something. He even told her in an argument that he wouldn’t choose her over you and threatened to stake her if she became a vampire. Does that sound like Angel wants her?
Fine, I’m coming, but if he so much as makes a move on her, I’m leaving again, Spike warned him.
Yippee, Angelus said seriously.
**************************
Los Angeles
Angel and Darla walked up to an empty pool. They both looked it over. It was just like Lorne to send him to some place like this. It’s where we find out if you’re really ready to take the plunge. Yeah, right. Should have known it’d have to do with actual water . . . or the lack of it.
“Well, here we are.” Angel chuckled.
Darla shook her head. “I don’t think this is right.”
“Well, he said I had to take the plunge,” Angel commented. Should have known there’d be a catch.
“Into an empty pool?” Darla asked skeptically.
“Sure. ’Cause if you had water, you’d get all wet and miss out on all that skull crushing,” Angel quipped.
“Maybe he meant another pool,” Darla said doubtfully. She looked from the pool to Angel.
“Maybe something in a Koi pond; they’re very Zen,” Angel mused and shook his head. “Nah, he’s testing me. It’s that whole leap of faith thing.”
Angel walked over to the diving board and stepped up on it. Darla looked at him in disbelief. He was really going to do what Lorne said. She never took Angelus for being crazy before.
“Then don’t do it,” she begged. “Angel, some green, horned lounge singer asks you to do something and you just do it? Why?”
Angel just looked at her. In his mind, she deserved to have a second chance, full of opportunities. With the way Wolfram & Hart brought her back, she didn’t have much of a chance at all or a choice for that matter. Angel hoped Spike understood what he was doing. He may not feel anything romantic toward her, but she was still family and he felt obligated to help her.
Angel took a deep breath and glanced between the barren pool and Darla. “I’m either coming back with a cure or you’re about to see something kind of funny.”
He took a running step, jumped off the end of the diving board and into the empty pool. But, instead of hitting the bottom, he disappeared through it, and then tucked and rolled back to his feet in a dungeon chamber.
“Well, we certainly have faith. Now we’ll test your valor,” a voice said behind him.
Angel turned to see a guy dressed as a butler in a black suit and tie standing a few feet away.
“I shall be assisting you with the trials, sir,” the man said in an emotionless voice.
A shimmer to his left caught Angel’s attention and he looked to see Darla standing in the archway.
“Darla.” Angel turned back to the man and angrily asked, “Why is she here?”
“You wish to save her life?” the man asked.
“Yes, what’s this got to do with --” Angel started to say.
“She is your collateral then,” the man cut in. “Should you complete all three trials, she will be made . . . whole.”
Angel looked at him suspiciously. “What happens if I don’t complete the trials?”
“Oh, she dies instantly,” the man said nonchalantly. Then he turned to Darla. “In the meantime, Darla, you can relax with an iced beverage in our antechamber.”
With that, Darla suddenly disappeared.
Angel looked from the space where she used to be to the majordomo. “No.”
Misunderstanding him, the man said, “It’s better this way, sir. In a few moments no living thing will be safe in here.”
Angel growled. “You can’t! Nobody said that she would . . .”
“Oh, I’m sorry if there was a misunderstanding, but life is the bargain here, you have placed hers in the balance,” he stopped talking when they both heard a growl from beyond the gate. Then, he continued, “Along with your own, of course. Anyway, you best get ready now, sir. This is no time to be dwelling on the negative. Your trials will consist of three separate challenges. I’ll need your shirt and shoes.”
Angel complied, removing his coat and shirt and throwing them at the man as he asked, “Unarmed combat?”
The man smirked, “Well – you’ll be unarmed, yes.”
“Okay. Three challenges. What are they?” Angel demanded.
“That’s for you to discover, sir. Uhm, shoes and socks, please.” The man insisted.
Angel angrily removed them and tossed them to the majordomo. “I’m thinking you’ve seen this play before. Give me something I can work with.”
“I’ve never given information to a challenger before,” the man said, surprised at the request.
“How many of them have asked?” Angel growled.
“Well, in theory, the first test is child’s play. Once that gate opens, all you have to do is walk through it,” the man said simply.
“That’s it?” Angel asked doubtfully. “What’s the catch?”
The man snickered. “Yes, well, uhm, that would be telling, wouldn’t it?”
“Fine, that’s one. What’s two and three?” Angel pressed on.
“Oh, I really wouldn’t know about the last two tests, sir. I’ve never seen anyone survive the first one. Best of luck.” The man said drolly.
With that the majordomo disappeared the way Darla had. After the room was cleared of anything but him, the gate rose and an ugly yellow demon armed with a sword and two chains with sharp hooks at the ends walked in.
“You must be the catch,” Angel surmised.
**************************
Pacific Coast Highway
Spike was driving his faithful Desoto with the music turned up and singing along to Used To Love Her by Guns N’ Roses. Angelus had become quiet since he started heading toward L.A. He was probably checking Angel’s progress to give Spike an update.
He made the turn-off onto the 405 and ground his teeth. The last time he was on the 405 there was a multi-car pile up after another slow car chase. Fucking L.A. drivers didn’t know how to drive. It’s any wonder how they got a license. Mind you, Spike himself didn’t have a license. But then, what self-respecting vampire allowed himself to be caught by the authorities and thrown behind bars. He thought about it. Well, there was that one time that the Immortal had him thrown into the Tower for tax evasion. Poncy bastard.
“I used to love her . . . mmmmmmm, yeah . . . but, I had to kill her . . . . She meant so much, she drove me nuts and now I’m better off this way,” Spike sang loudly.
Spike drove passed the Hyperion and went straight to Caritas. It was the last location Angelus gave for Angel and Darla, so he’d check there first. He pulled over and drove over the curb onto the sidewalk before he aligned the car with the edge and the front tire bounced off the curb again and onto the pavement.
Spike got out of the car, went into Caritas and scanned the room for his Sire. There was a faint scent of him but he was long gone. Up on stage, the green demon, Lorne was introducing a demon that could have been a descendant of E.T. When Lorne got off the stage, Spike caught him and pulled him aside.
“Where is he?” Spike asked.
“Where’s who, sweetie?” Lorne asked.
“Angel, that’s who, where did your little mojo premonitions send him and Darla?” Spike was in no mood to play games.
“Easy, James Dean, I sent them on a little quest,” Lorne said evenly. “Now, how about you get up on that stage, sing your little undead heart out and let Uncle Lorne read you?”
“Maybe later mate. I have a poncy souled Sire to find,” Spike said. He turned on his heel, his duster billowing around him, and walked out.
Lorne watched the blonde vampire leave and sipped his Sea Breeze. “He’s a drop dead cutie. I can see why Angel wants to keep him under wraps.” Then he turned back to the stage to watch the E.T. look-alike sing.
**************************
Dungeon Antechamber
Darla was watching the majordomo in disbelief. Angel was being tested for something the powers needed of him to save her and this man was acting like it was of no concern to him. It didn’t matter than Angel could very well be fighting for his life. The majordomo pulled out his pocket watched and glanced at the time.
“Seventeen seconds. Already twice the time most others have lasted,” the man commented nonchalantly.
“Call this off,” Darla pleaded.
The man looked over his shoulder as if he had forgotten she was there. “Impossible. Once the tests have started they can’t be stopped.”
“I need to see what’s happening. Now,” Darla said adamantly.
He turned around and looked at her curiously. “If you insist, but please remember: You did ask.”
The man touched her forehead and with a small flash of light, she was able to see through Angel’s eyes what was going on.
At that moment, Angel’s head rocked back as the demon hit him and Darla reacted as well, flinching. The more Angel was hit, the more Darla reacted, either from physical manifestation or phantom pains. The demon hit Angel a few more times, and then kicked him in the side.
The demon let go of the chain hooked into Angel’s thigh and pulled out his sword. Angel pulled the hook out and caught the sword with the chain, and then scrambled to his feet. He ran through one of the archways and into the narrow corridor circling the chamber. The demon ran after him, but Angel disappeared. As the demon stopped, Angel dropped down behind him and hit him with a hard right, and then turned and ran back into the chamber.
The demon ran through another archway, but Angel was waiting for him just inside the chamber and ripped the sword from his grip. With one swing, he sliced the demon in half at the waist. The two separate body parts fell to the ground. Angel sighed in relief and Darla did the same. She shook her head and smiled at the man who only quirked an eyebrow at her.
Angel limped over to the gate, but it remained closed. He strained against it, yelling, “Hey! I defeated him! Open up!”
Just then, he heard a growl and turned to see the top half of the demon hand-walk over to his legs and pull them against his middle as if he were putting on a pair of pants. Angel, Darla and Angelus watched as the two halves merged.
Darla flinched as the Demon went after Angel swinging both hooks, but Angel quickly chops him in half again. He caught the bottom half on a hook and dragged it to the wall and looped the chain over a light fixture. Then, he caught the top off and dragged it to the opposite wall, wrapping the chain around another light fixture.
The demon growled and squirmed but couldn’t break free. With him effectively incapacitated, the gate rose and Angel limped through it.
In the antechamber, Darla was breathing heavily as the majordomo checked his watch again.
“Is this how a guy like you gets his rocks off?” Darla asked angrily.
“Oh, I have no feelings about this contest one way or another, miss,” he said casually. “Do you?”
Yeah, do you? Angelus asked snidely.
Angelus? Darla inquired.
Who else were you expecting? I’m trapped in here, Angelus replied.
My dear boy, I knew you were in here somewhere,” she said, smiling.
Darla, so nice to see you, Angelus said pleasantly, before adding, dying, that is.
So, you know about what’s going on?
You seem surprised that I do. I am Angel’s better half, Angelus smirked. Nothing gets past me with him. Although, I’m still puzzled as to why he would help you.
What do you mean? Darla asked.
I remember everything you did when I was cursed with this soul. Something that wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t brought me that Gypsy girl, Angelus gritted out.
A century goes by and you still can’t forgive and forget? Darla asked coyly.
Forgive and Forget? Are you insane? You handed that whining, gypsy slut over to me like she was a Christmas goose and hung me out to dry! ‘Oh, Angelus, isn’t she marvelous? I brought her for us to share. Oh, isn’t it grand?’ You’re the reason I’m stuck in here you selfish bitch, Angelus yelled at her.
I’m selfish? I’d have to own the crown jewels to become more self-centered than you, Darla shot back. It’s all about the mighty Angelus and what his royal ass wanted! You were a spoilt, rich, brawling, womanizing drunk when I found you!
You’re no better honey. You were a whore in the new world, baby! Tell me, how’d that work out for you? I hear you’re still dying from the disease that would have killed you had the Master not shown up when he did. Who knew that old bat-faced crone was such a Mother Theresa? Angelus said angrily.
I would prefer being a vampire again; it has a lot of advantages, none of which include dying in a disease-riddled body. Only Angel won’t turn me and he follows me with the intent to dust anyone who tries, Darla complained.
I’m starting to really love this darker version of him. He’s beginning to wise up, Angelus commented.
Why wouldn’t you want him to turn me? Darla asked.
I can think of a million reasons why not, starting with you being the self-righteous bitch that we all know you are.
We all? What are you talking about, there’s only you, me and Angel in here, Darla said, confused.
Okay, damn it. It’s taking me forever to track you down. Where are you, Angelus? Spike asked. In his frustration, he didn’t realize that Angelus had company.
Ah, and there he is now, Angelus commented dreamily.
Spike? Darla called out.
What? When Spike realized who said his name, he groaned. Oh, bloody hell, what are you doing here?
Angel’s helping her, remember? Angelus said.
Yeah, but who gave her the key to clubhouse? Spike asked petulantly.
Nice to see you again as well, William, Darla said. Her voice void of emotion as it was back in the day.
Could have done without seeing you for another hundred years, myself, Spike said sarcastically. Why are you here?
That law firm brought me back, she replied.
I don’t mean that, you bloody bint. I meant here in Angel’s mind, Spike clarified.
Oh, well, I asked to see what was going on with the trials and the guy allowed it, Darla answered.
Oh that’s just great! Now they’re giving away free memberships! Spike scoffed. I don’t think I like this club anymore.
Buck up, Spike, it’s only for the duration of the trials, Angelus said as if that would help matters.
Um, guys . . . kind of busy here, either help me or shut up! Angel’s voice entered the conversation as he ran across the floor of crosses, the holy symbol burning his bare feet.
Your boy doesn’t like the lay of the land anymore, Angelus told him.
What? Angel sounded confused as he fell on the floor and cried out in pain as the crosses started to burn his flesh.
He scrambled to his feet and ran to the door only to find it locked. He looked back at the basin he ran past and limped back to it. It was filled with water; a key was at the bottom of it.
Darla’s playing in his sandbox! Angelus clarified.
It’s funny how he’s my boy when you aren’t trying to fuck him, Angel mused.
You might want to concentrate on what’s going on out there, mate, Spike said nonchalantly.
I could if the three of you would shut the hell up, Angel yelled.
Just then, Angel plunged his right hand into the water and screamed as the water boiled around his arm while he fished the key out. After he grabbed the key and pulled his hand out, the skin was blistered and raw. With the key in hand, he limped back to the door and unlocked it. He couldn’t get out of the hall of crosses and holy water fast enough for his liking.
Angel limped into the next chamber, grimacing with the pain with each step. Just as he entered the room, chains came out of nowhere and the manacles clamped around his wrists and ankles then pull tight leaving him spread-eagled.
The majordomo appeared out of nowhere as he had before. He clapped his hands as he stepped closer. “Well played! You fielded our strokes from end to end. My hat’s off to you, sir. Of course . . . there is one final challenge.”
The man turned to look at the wall opposite them as row after row of stakes slide out of the wall.
“What is this?” Angel demanded.
“I think you know, sir,” the man replied calmly.
Angel stared at the stakes as he started breathing heavy. Inside his mind, all three occupants were silent now as they watched and waited to see what was going to happen. Darla closed her eyes; she couldn’t watch Angel die like this as he tried to save her. Angelus was shaking his head and growling. There was no way he could believe Angel would seek his own death after the century of torture he put himself and Angelus through with the self-flagellating angst. Spike was grinding his teeth so hard that it made his jaw tick.
“Stakes?” Angel asked with a raised brow. “You call this,” he coughed in pain as he spoke. “A test? The only way this can work is you kill me, huh?”
“Exactly,” the man replied. “You do understand . . . this third test has no catch, as you call it. Death is the final challenge. We can’t restore one life without taking another. You see? In order for Darla to live, you must die.” The man looked at Angel’s restraints and said apathetically, “I apologize for any discomfort this may be causing. I really can’t imagine the pain.”
“How about we switch places and we won’t have to, huh?” Angel growled, sounding more like Angelus in his anger and pain.
“Oh, my death wouldn’t balance a thing, sir. Yours on the other hand . . .” the man said nonchalantly.
“I die, Darla lives,” Angel stated flatly. “I get it.”
“Yes, well, I’m unaware of any deities the vampire worships, but if you’d like to pray,” the man suggested as he pulled a lever causing the springboard of stakes to move back into the wall again. “Now would be the time.”
Any ideas on how I can get past this one would be good about now, Angel said in irritation.
My advice? Duck, Angelus replied.
Are you bloody well insane? What were you thinking when you agreed to this? Darla isn’t worth this, Spike ranted.
Don’t do this, Darla pleaded.
Okay, so you guys are not helping the situation. It doesn’t matter what I thought when I agreed to this. And, in my currently position, I can’t duck! If I don’t do this, Darla dies anyway; it doesn’t matter if she only had two months to live. Didn’t you hear anything he said? Angel pointed out.
You’re going to give up everything that we’ve been building for the last year and sacrifice yourself for a woman even you couldn’t stand, just so she can have a life as a human which she clearly does not want? Spike asked as he tried to make sense of what Angel was doing.
Spike, please understand. I’m not doing it because it’s Darla. I’m doing this so that a woman can have a chance at a new life. Something she never had before, Angel explained.
Oh, I get it. I probably understand it better than you do. But, you’re about to stake yourself and end our relationship permanently. Granted, it hasn’t been the best relationship. Why don’t you admit that you’re a selfish bastard? You only want to do this to win points with the Powers That Fuck With Your Destiny towards your soddin’ redemption, Spike grumbled.
Angelus, talk to him! Angel stressed.
What do you want me to say? I never signed on for the redemption show and Darla was a good fuck sometimes, but when times were tough, she abandoned me a lot of the time to survive whatever she got us into in the first place, Angelus said. He’s not wrong.
Angel rolled his eyes and looked between the majordomo and the wall of stakes. “What are you waiting for?”
“For you, sir,” the man replied. “I can’t proceed without your permission. You’ve earned a choice. Accept your death so she may live or . . .”
“Or what?!” Angel yelled. He was pissed at the guy for stalling and upset by the arguments going on inside his head.
“Leave,” the majordomo said. “Refuse the challenge and walk away. No one will stop you. Our doors are all open to you. You’ve done that yourself.”
“What about Darla?” Angel asked.
“Oh, she dies,” the man said nonchalantly.
“No deal,” Angel shouted. Please understand Spike.
“I expected as much. It’s a pity. I’m beginning to like you,” the majordomo said.
“Spare me,” Angel said flippantly.
The majordomo became serious then and stepped closer. “I’d very much like to. Do you mind if I ask you a question?” When Angel didn’t object, he went on. “Isn’t the world a better place with you in it? You can save so many people. It seems that she can barely save herself.” When Angel didn’t answer, the man continued. “You know better than anyone that the world can be a very bad place. Take yourself out; put her in, how long will it be before she stumbles, before she falls?”
“I don't know,” Angel replied honestly.
“No, you don’t,” the man agreed. “Are you still ready to give her life when she can promise you nothing?”
Angel looked him straight in the eye and replied with an unwavering, “Yes.”
Spike was dumbfounded, Darla was worried and nervous and Angelus was starting to feel uneasy about this. It was one thing to play up the idea that he could care less, but Angel was making irresponsible decisions with his body.
“As you wish,” the majordomo conceded.
No, Darla whispered as she shook her head.
Angel, think about what you’re doing here. You go through with this and Angelus and I will be gone . . . forever. Once those stakes are released, you’re dust, Spike pointed out.
I know, but I have to try, Angel said. Outwardly, he told the majordomo, “Do it.”
The man released the stakes with a nod. As they hurtled towards Angel, Darla screamed, Angelus growled and Spike ducked and covered fearing the worst, expecting to be thrown out of Angel’s mind the second his Sire was no longer in existence.
**************************
In the Antechamber
Darla flinched and squeezed her eyes shut, unable to watch anymore. When she opened them again, she gasped in shock. Angel was standing in front of her, once again fully dressed. He was hunched over, panting and looked ready to collapse.
“Angel!” she cried in relief.
“Congratulations,” the majordomo complimented him as he suddenly appeared in the chamber. “You’ve past the third test by accepting death. I’m told no one’s ever gone that far before – in terms of sacrifice. Kudos!”
“Pay up!” Angel growled in anger.
“Of course.” The man cleared his throat apprehensively and turned to Darla. “You’re a lucky woman, and soon you’ll have your whole life ahead. Use it wisely.”
“Hey, Jeeves, unless this fortune cookie crap is some new kind of torture, what you say we get on with it, huh?” Angel demanded.
The man nodded and motioned for Darla to come closer. When she does, he put his hands on her forehead. They both closed their eyes as Angel tried to stand straight so he could get a better view. As he watched, he noticed that it was oddly silent inside his mind. Angelus and Spike were gone. Angel sighed, he’d have to wait until after this to figure out what to do and say to Spike.
After a moment, the majordomo’s eyes opened and he let his hands drop. “Oh.”
Darla opened her eyes and looked at him. “What?”
“What is it?” Angel asked gruffly.
“This is . . . very embarrassing,” the man said.
“What is?” It wasn’t a question.
“Not to mention unprecedented,” the man finished. “She’s – she’s been given new life once before, by supernatural means, yes?”
Darla nodded slightly. “They brought me back.”
Angel’s brows furrowed in irritation. “What are you saying?”
The majordomo looked over at the dark vampire and said simply, “I can’t help you.”
“We had a bargain. She’s earned a second chance,” Angel stressed.
“She’s living her second chance.” Behind the majordomo, the wall shuddered and a staircase appeared. “But, you played the game magnificently.” Angel gave him a dark look as the man adjusted his cuffs. “Perhaps you should have told us that she was brought to life before this all started. I truly am sorry, sir. The fact of the matter is,” he stepped back and dissolved, saying, “There is nothing I can do.”
Angel didn’t move a muscle as he glared at the empty space. Darla looked up with a sad expression and called his name.
Suddenly, Angel flipped the hors d'oeuvres table over. A demon guard tried to stop him, but Angel hit him hard enough to send him flying into a wall, another guard stepped up and Angel hit him, the punch throwing him back onto the steps. Then Angel picked the guard up and threw him across the room.
Angel picked up an urn and smashed it. He rushed over to an altar and swept all the candles off, and then started to punch his repeatedly against a stone pillar. The impact cracked the pillar and he slowed down as he lost momentum. Behind him, Darla slowly walked towards him as stone dust settled in the air as he cracked the stone even more. Angel’s knees gave out and he slid down the pillar, resting his head against it.
************************
Los Angeles, Royal Viking Motel
As Angel and Darla got out of the car and walked up to her door, Spike appeared out of the shadows. Angel sighed in relief when he saw his boy. He and Angelus must have retreated back into Spike’s mind when they saw the stakes. When he made it to the sidewalk, he was met with Spike fist. The blow took him by surprise even as it knocked him down.
“Spike!” Darla yelled in surprise.
“Stay out of this. It’s your fault he did something so foolish,” Spike told her and then watched as Angel picked himself up off the ground. “I can’t believe you did that! I could kill you for being so bloody stupid! You are a bloody rotten pillock! Do you want me out of your life so bad that you resort to taking such thoughtless risks? If that’s the case, then I’ll happily leave you alone. I’ll get out of L.A., get out of California and get out of your life. All the things you said about the connection between us, the claims and what they meant. Either it’s a bunch of shit or you really don’t care anymore! And, if that’s the case, then why the bloody hell did you claim me!”
Angel stood there silently and took Spike’s angry outburst. He deserved it. Ever since he got back it was all about finding Darla and saving her. Outside of hoping Spike would understand his actions, Angel didn’t think about how Spike would feel. And, really, what could he say now? ‘I tried and failed and nearly got us all killed’? Spike would most likely hit him again on principle.
Darla saw the anguish in Angel’s expression. She had spent so much time trying to weaken his resolve and he in turn tried to help her out of obligation. She had mocked him for his connection with Spike, and yet, it seems as though he defied Spike to complete the trials for her sake. She knew that if it was her in Angel’s place, she couldn’t have been so selfless. Angelus was right, she was a self-righteous bitch, but that’s what kept her alive for nearly 400 years.
“Spike, you can’t blame him for this,” Darla pleaded.
In his anger, Spike’s eyes had turned yellow. He whipped around to glare at her. “I don’t blame him. He was only saving the hopeless. I blame you, you cold-hearted slut.”
“Spike, leave her alone! She’s dying! She had no say in this!” Angel cut in.
“Oh, I know she’s dying. Angelus told me as much. I probably knew long before you did. But, you were so gung-ho about saving her soul that you went behind my back to help her and then left me in Sunnydale to baby-sit your Slayer while you dallied with her,” Spike seethed.
“She’s not completely to blame for this. Wolfram & Hart is. They are the ones that brought her back,” Angel explained.
“Then, you won’t mind if I finish the job, she is dying after all,” Spike said sarcastically as he moved towards Darla.
Before Spike could get any closer, Angel stepped between him and Darla.
“No,” Angel said simply. “I have to find another way to help her and killing her isn’t the answer.”
“If it wasn’t for her --” Spike started to say.
“If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have sired you and we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” Angel filled in.
Spike scowled at that and then glared at Darla over Angel’s shoulder. What was it about small blonde women and his Sire? The dark vampire stopped him from going after Buffy and now Angel was an obstacle between him and Darla.
Spike glared at his Sire. “Fine, but I don’t like it.”
“I never said you did,” Angel replied as he put an arm around Spike’s shoulders and lead him to the motel door where Darla waited.
Once inside, Spike went from pacing the floor to leaning against the dressing table as Angel sat in a chair by the door and Darla sat on the bed.
After twenty minutes of silence, Angel said thoughtfully, “Maybe it would be different. We don’t know. Maybe, uh . . . because, you know, I have a soul, if-if I did bite you . . .”
Spike ground his teeth upon hearing Angel’s idea, and then he was shocked when he heard Darla say, “No.”
Both vampires turned to her with surprised looks. After all they argued about in Angel’s mind and out in the parking lot, Darla had changed her mind.
“We don’t know what it would do to you,” he finished.
“I don’t think it matters much if you have a soul or not, Ange,” Spike said quietly. “It’s still going to be the same outcome. Her soul will leave her body and we’re back to the same demon, only slightly weaker than she was.”
Angel looked up at Spike, both remembering the German submarine and Lawson. Although, they never stuck around to see what being turned by souled vampire would do.
“Angel,” Darla said his name softly, but it got his attention. “I’ve seen it now – everything you’re going through, everything you’ve gone through. I felt it. I felt how you care. The way no one's ever cared before – not for me.” She gave him a small smile. “That’s all I need from you.”
Angel had known her for nearly two centuries and the Darla he was familiar with did not give up so easily. This couldn’t be the same woman who, not four hours ago, had pleaded with him that she didn’t want to die. Now she was resigned to her fate? Darla did not resign herself to anything!
“It is,” she said softly.
The torment on Angel’s face was chipping away at the wall Spike had put up around his own emotions. He was supposed to be upset, livid even, that his Sire would be so irrational when it came to his own existence. As immortal as vampires were, they weren’t entirely immune! Angel had faced a wall of stakes and accepted death so that a human version of his former Sire could live? Spike wondered vaguely if he would be the reason for such a sacrifice. Throwing yourself in front of a stake was one thing, but to purposely agree to do die to save someone you barely tolerated? What was Angel thinking?
“How could the powers allow you to be brought back and dangle a second chance, just to take it away like this?” Angel’s voice was shaky at best. He didn’t know how he managed to get the words out.
“Maybe this is my second chance,” Darla replied tearfully.
“To die?” Angel asked in disbelief.
“Yes. To die,” Darla responded softly. “The way I was supposed to die in the first place.”
They looked at each other for a moment; Darla’s grief and Angel’s torment were like tragedy masks, before she looked up at Spike. She drew a shaky breath when she saw the hurt in his eyes. She had never seen a mating connection so strong before. Well, she’d never seen a mate claim at all. Darla turned Angelus to be a possible mate, but then she enjoyed wielding power over him too much to go through with it. However, Angel was Spike’s Sire and Spike was always a masochist, so this situation most likely worked well for the two of them.
Angel got to his feet and swayed. Spike rushed over and caught him before he could fall. With his help, the dark vampire limped over to the bed to sit next to Darla.
“I’m – we’re not going to leave you,” Angel said as he glanced up at Spike standing beside him and then back at Darla who looked as if she was trying not to cry. “Every moment you have left, we’ll be with you. You’re not going to be alone again.”
Spike backed away into the shadows of the room behind his Sire and watched as Angel comforted Darla while she cried. He didn’t know what to make of this version of the woman he knew. He had seen her cry angry tears before, but never like this.
Suddenly, the door burst open, nearly hitting Spike in the face and a dark clad guy pressed a sparking tazer against Angel’s side, dropping him to the floor, while two other men grab a hold of Darla. The first guy continued to use the tazer on Angel, while a fourth taped his hands behind his back. Lindsey strutted in, grabbed a hold of Angel’s hair and pulled his head up.
Spike was stunned for a moment, but when he saw Lindsey enter the room, he inched up behind the lawyer. He hung back as Drusilla glided into the room wearing a low cut, red velvet dress.
“How did you think this would end?” Lindsey sneered at Angel as Drusilla swayed closer to Darla.
Spike immediately attacked. He wrapped an arm around Lindsey’s throat and yanked back. “You tell me, counselor.”
One of the men tried to rescue their boss by coming up behind Spike, but the blonde vampire’s enhanced senses tracked him and when he got close enough, Spike used his free hand to throw a punch behind him, knocking the guy down.
“Now, you’re going to let Angel go or I’ll rip out your throat,” Spike growled.
Drusilla turned when she heard Spike’s voice and her eyes lit up at the sight of him. She clapped her hands and giggled. “My Spike you’re here! I thought you were gone from us forever!”
“Hello, lamb-chop,” Spike greeted her over Lindsey’s shoulder. “It’s nice seeing you again. You’re looking very well.”
“Spike, can we save the family reunion for later?” Darla asked.
If anyone saw the scene from the outside, it looked like: Darla was being held by two men, Drusilla was standing in the middle of the room, Angel was on his knees, with his wrists bound behind his back and his head forced back with Lindsey’s grip, and Lindsey was being choked by Spike while the blonde vampire talked with Drusilla.
“If you don’t let me go, any one of these men will kill you. They have stake guns,” Lindsey choked.
Spike tightened his hold on the lawyer. “I’ll let go when you release Angel. Until then, we’re staying like this. Also, if you try anything other than releasing him, I can suck you dry faster than the time it takes for them to draw on me.”
Lindsey slowly loosened his hold on Angel’s hair and the dark vampire stretched the kinks out of his neck.
“Are you all right, Angel?” Spike asked.
“Yeah,” Angel said tiredly. He climbed to his feet and worked at the bonds until they loosened enough to pull apart.
Spike tightened his hold even more until Lindsey started wheezing. “Now, call your henchmen off.”
When the blonde vampire gave him enough air, Lindsey said, “You heard him. Get out.”
The two men slowly released Darla and walked towards the door. Spike turned himself and Lindsey to the side to watch the dozen or so men file out of the room. When they were gone, Spike walked Lindsey to the door and then threw him outside, slamming the door shut.
A moment later, there was a knock and Spike reached over, yanking the door open to find Lindsey on the other side. All three vampires were in demon face and looked annoyed at him.
“This isn’t over, Angel!” Lindsey yelled.
“Piss off!” Spike growled and slammed the door in his face. “Bloody lawyers!”
Spike glared at the door as though it was the enemy and then turned towards his three companions. “Okay, so now what do we do?”
Angel moved around Drusilla and helped Darla to sit down on the bed again, before he sat down heavily beside her. Drusilla looked confused. Spike saw her expression and walked up beside her.
“Dru, why are you here? What did they tell you?” Spike asked her.
Drusilla slowly turned from Angel and Darla to look up at Spike through her lashes. Spike took her hand and led her to the chair that Angel used earlier. He sat down and pulled her onto his lap, intending to find out what was going on while Angel handled Darla.
“Tell me, princess,” Spike urged gently.
“I was in South America where you left me to go to the pesky Slayer. Miss Edith said that Daddy found you and that I shouldn’t worry anymore. One day, while I was sleeping four tin soldiers showed up in my room and stole me away. But, before they could do anything to me, three more men in black suits offered to take me off their hands for money as they needed me more,” Drusilla explained.
Angel had half an ear to what Spike was doing and when he heard Drusilla, he looked over at them. “Drusilla? Who was the first group of men?”
Drusilla turned her dark blue eyes on Angel and shook her head indicating that she didn’t know. Spike tapped on her shoulder and she turned to face him again.
“Who was the second group of men? What did they want from you?” He asked.
“They said that they’ve been looking for me since they couldn’t use you as you were too close to Daddy. They needed me to turn someone who wanted to be turned because they were dying,” Drusilla answered.
“Did you know that it was Darla they wanted you to turn?” Angel asked.
“No. Not until tonight. They’d kept me locked away until they felt the time was right,” she replied.
“Pet, you know that you can’t turn Darla?” Spike inquired.
“Why not? Miss Edith said that I would be her mummy someday,” she pouted.
“Remember the last time you tried to turn someone? They were only minion material because you didn’t have the patience to teach them how to be a proper vampire,” Spike reminded her.
“But, Miss Edith said I would be a mummy!” Drusilla insisted.
“And, you can be. You just can’t turn Darla. She’s sick and has come to terms with her fate. You can help take care of her, but you can’t turn her,” Spike warned.
Drusilla’s delicate brow furrowed as she considered this. She wasn’t happy that Spike wouldn’t let her be a mummy in the real sense. But, she always took care of Miss Edith and she could take care of Darla too.
“Okay,” she said nodding.
With one worry out of the way, Angel stood on unsteady feet and looked around for another suitcase. All three watched him for a moment before he spoke. “Darla, get your things together, you’re coming back to the hotel with us.”
“I am?” Darla sounded surprised.
“I know Lindsey, he won’t stop until he either pisses me off to the point of killing him or accomplishes whatever task that law firm gives him. I can protect you better at the hotel. Between Spike and me . . . and Dru, you should be okay.”
“What about your chums?” Spike asked as he thought about what Cordy and Wesley’s reaction to seeing Drusilla would possibly be, let alone to Darla.
“I’ll deal with them,” Angel said anxiously as he turned around to face Spike. “I can’t leave her here. I can’t leave Drusilla here. No one is safe here now that Lindsey knows where it is.”
“Not arguing with you there, Sire,” Spike said. “But, I don’t think that little gang of yours will be too pleased with the extra bodies.”
“They’ll just have to deal with it or leave. I refuse to let Lindsey get his hands on Darla again and use Dru as a pawn,” Angel stressed.
With that, Angel helped Darla pack the rest of her things that she hadn’t taken with her the first time he brought her to the hotel before the Trials. After which, he and Spike herded the girls out of the room. They put Darla in Angel’s car, Drusilla went with Spike in the Desoto and they left the hotel behind. |
