Begin A New Day
Chapter 7
“So, we’re sitting there having tea. I’m being very mature and civilized.” Angel pantomimed pouring tea. “And all I’m thinking is how much I want to rip your clothes off and fuck your brains out. Not knowing that you’re thinking the same thing. ‘Cos you’re being very mature and civilized, too.”
Buffy giggled, picturing them sitting calmly drinking tea and trying to keep from attacking each other. Angel’s soft laugh blended with hers.
There was a knock at the door, and Lorne peered around the edge. “Angel, sugar pie, what sweet laughter. You should do it more often.”
Go away, sprout, we were almost to the sex part!
“It doesn’t go with the whole broody image.” Angel winked at Buffy. “What’s up?”
“The Sisters are willing to come over and help Willow with the spell workage. More than willing, if you get my meaning.”
Loud and clear. Angelus purred.
“They want paid.” Angel glanced at Buffy and back at Lorne. “I don’t suppose…”
“So?” Buffy looked from one to the other. “We pay them. How much money do they want?”
“Honey bunch, they don’t want money.” Lorne’s skin flushed a deeper green. “They ah… want a pound of flesh… so to speak.”
Oh! Hey, never thought to weigh the big guy!
“They want to – “ She frowned. “They’re going to cut a chunk from Cordy?”
Let’s start with her heart. Not like she ever uses it. Angelus cackled. Ah, God, I’m funny…
Angel couldn’t tell her. His mouth opened and closed a few times before he looked beseechingly at Lorne.
“It’s like this, puddin’, they like Angel. Really, really, really – like Angel.”
Oh, yeah. There was a sexual sigh from Angelus. In many and assorted ways.
It took a moment for what Lorne was saying to sink in. “Oh, no! No, no! They’ll have to take something else. Money or – or – or – something! Something else!” Buffy sputtered.
“I hear you, cookie, and I understand.” Lorne patted her shoulder. “But they want Angel, and that’s all they want.”
And they want me over and over…
“So sex is their fee?”
“Not always.” They were more than happy to take his money to protect Caritas. “But they don’t get out much, you know?”
“Well, Angel is – he’s – “ She poked Lorne in the chest. “He’s mine!”
Angel grinned at her declaration, and Angelus preened smugly in his mental box.
“They’ll have to get it from someone else!” She poked Lorne again. “Like you.”
“Sorry, Slayerkins, I’m not their type. Their loss.” He rubbed his chest. “Easy on the merchandise, I bruise easy. And in a hideous shade of chartreuse.”
“Then Wes. Or Giles.”
“Um… there’s three of them. And they…” Angel backed away from Buffy's glare. “They um…”
Fuck like… well… Furies? Angelus rolled around in the memories of lying snuggled in a pile of satisfied feminine flesh.
“What Angel baby is trying to say – and not very well I might add – is that they have an appetite. And a mere mortal man just isn’t going to ah…” Lorne looked pointedly at Angel’s lap. “Hold up.”
Buffy looked thoughtfully at Angel, who was managing to look both embarrassed and smug at the same time. “So… vamp strength? Then we just get them another vamp.”
Whatever! The mental snap of teeth echoed through Angel’s mind.
“You can’t just get any other vampire. It’s not just stamina. There’s technique and they like certain things… “ Angel trailed off as Buffy's eyes narrowed. “Another vamp would be perfect.”
“And I know just the one.” She smiled.
“Bloody hell! You just expect me to drop everything and come when you crook your finger?”
You’re here, aren’t you? Angelus yawned.
Angel looked up to see Spike standing just inside the front doors. He had his arms crossed and was scowling down at Buffy.
The three Sisters were hanging on to Angel’s arms, and they looked Spike over carefully. They weren’t happy with Buffy for being selfish and not wanting to share Angel, but they had agreed to give Spike a try.
“Ladies, this is Spike.” Angel frowned. “My ah…”
Hellspawn?
“My ah…”
Demon get?
“My ah…”
Thorn in my side?
“Ah… this is Spike.” He finished lamely, not wanting to claim his grandchylde.
Bane of my existence? A mental snap of Angelus’ fingers. No, wait! That’d be you, Soul Boy!
“I was tortured, you know. Not that you care – running off with Angel first chance you got – “ Two of the witches had wandered over to Spike and began touching him. “Well, hello there. Folks are friendly around here, aren’t they?”
“Spike, meet the three Sisters.” Buffy stepped back as they began fondling him. “They’re going to help Willow with a spell and you’re the payment.”
“I have to be their bleedin’ sex slave?” Spike smiled. “All right then. Wait, there’s only two here.”
The youngest of the three was still hanging on to Angel as he walked over to Spike. “She’s the youngest.” He told the blond vampire. “You need to be gentle with her.”
“Gentle’s not my style.” Spike snorted. “Bird gets it my way and likes it.”
Angelus laughed. Quick, then?
Angel growled as the girl ducked behind him to hide. “Consider it a challenge.”
“Oh, all right then. Don’t get all fangy about it.” His own inner demon cowed before his grandsire’s anger. “I’ll play nice. Come here, pet.”
Kissing her cheek, Angel put her hand in Spike’s. “It’s okay. He won’t hurt you. I promise to kill him if he does.”
“I’ll be good to you, lovey, don’t worry.” Spike lifted her hand to his lips. “Treat you like a lady, I will.”
He starts reading poetry to them and you know the deal’s off.
“Now her – “ Angel pointed to the middle Sister, and she blew him a kiss. “Playful, really likes to tease and tickle. Gives great head.”
And then some.
Spike raised his eyebrows at that. “Always a plus.”
“Angel.” Buffy put her hands on her hips.
“And this one – “ Angel smiled slightly as the oldest of the trio licked her lips. “She likes it rough – I usually do her first, to work off my frustration, you know?”
Your frustration? Don’t even talk to me about frustration.
“Hands and knees?” Spike ran a hand over her ample bottom.
“It depends on – “
“Angel!” Buffy poked him in the ribs. Hard.
“Sorry.” He’d forgotten that Buffy was listening.
And that’s why she’d be better off with me. I wouldn’t forget she was here.
Like you weren’t adding your own comments?
She can’t hear me, moron!
“What did you do to your hair, Slayer?” Spike frowned. “Looks like you whacked it off with a butcher knife.”
Who are you? Vidal Sassoon? Angelus snorted.
“Never mind.” Buffy's hand went to her hair self-consciously. Willow had evened out the jagged cut Angelus had made, but she wasn’t quite used to the new length. “Is it a deal?”
“We’ll give it a go, won’t we girls?” He leered down at the three women grouped around him.
“One bruise.” Angel warned Spike.
“Don’t worry, old man. Be on your way. I’m sure someone needs help – or you need to run and buy some hair gel.” Spike led the Sisters to the elevator. “Come on girls, let’s find us a soft spot.”
Hello? Like you’re a natural blond?
The Sisters waved at Angel as they walked away. “Mmm….. Angel…”
“Bye…” Angel said wistfully. He yelped as Buffy poked him in the ribs again. “Sorry, it’s just – you know?”
“Your private little club?” She smirked.
“Well… yeah.” He smiled down at her. “But only because I couldn’t have you.”
And that’s changed, how? Angelus laughed.
His smile faded. “Can’t have you.”
“Um… actually…” Fred came out from behind the counter and handed Angel an envelope. “Wes said to give this to you. There hasn’t been a good time ‘till now.”
Opening the envelope, Angel found two pieces of paper. One was in an ancient language and the other was in Wes’ handwriting.
Angel,
Here is a copy of the spell that Willow used to return your soul; it is not the same one that was used before. I have been searching for this spell for some time off and on as time permitted. More so since I gave Connor to Holtz.
The spell binds the soul to the body until the body is destroyed. It was used as a punishment in ancient Babylon. In your case, however, it would be a reward. I did not want to tell you and risk raising your hopes until I was certain the spell existed.
I’m not asking that this be the price for my forgiveness, Angel. I simply want you to have the happiness you deserve. Someday, I hope you will understand.
There’s no fucking spell like that!
Ignoring Angelus’ mental snarling, Angel looked at the spell. It was in a language he didn’t recognize. Buffy peered at it and shook her head. Folding the papers up, he put them back in the envelope. “I’m going to go show this to Willow.”
“Okay.” She stood on tiptoe and brushed a kiss across his lips. “I’m going to change and go workout.”
You’re in fine shape, lover. Angelus sighed as Angel walked away. Those tight, muscled thighs…
Angel tried not to think about the spell and what it might mean for him. For Buffy. If Wes is right –
And he’s been right so many times before.
He’s been right more times than not. Angel reminded him.
Whatever. Angelus sneered. He’s a loser, just like you are.
So why am I the one on the outside of the mental box?
There was no answer except for a growl of anger.
Willow was in the old ballroom looking through the hole they had chopped in the floor at the pool below. She looked up and smiled as Angel came in. “Angel, hey.”
“Tell me about the spell.”
“Very old.” She sat up and brushed dust off of her shirt. “The Brunali Binding Spell, I’d never even heard of it. Must’ve cost Wes an arm and a leg – not literally though, you know?”
Too bad.
“It’s not like the gypsy spell?”
“Nope.” She smiled. “No loopholes.”
No – no – NO!
“Does Buffy know?”
“No.” He hadn’t wanted to get her hopes up. “Who else knows?”
“Only Wes and Giles. Oh and me – cos, you know – “ Willow bobbed her head. “Had to know what I was getting into.”
I’m going to kill you! You fucking witch!
“Why didn’t you say – “ Angel shook his head; Angelus was roaring and screaming in fury, and the mental noise was deafening.
“You were in such a guilty funk, we just thought – “ Willow grimaced. “Too bad about Connor, now go be happy – mighta made it worse.”
“Not the best timing, no.” Though I wouldn’t have had blue balls this morning if I’d known.
“And we didn’t know – if – you know – “ She looked away. “If you wanna tell Buffy or not. Or if you don’t – or – I should be quiet now.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Well, you’re here, and she’s in Sunnydale.” Her green eyes were troubled as she turned to look at him again.
“We’ll figure it out.” He patted her shoulder. The tingle of power tickled his fingers. “Is that permanent?”
“Dunno. It’s strong – too strong sometimes.” Willow rubbed her shoulder where Angel had touched it. “That’s why it’s better to have someone help on the big spells.”
“Power is hard to resist.”
“Yeah.” She nodded. “Hey, there’s a ghost in your pool.”
“There is?” He peered through the hole. There was nothing there but murky water.
“She was murdered by her lover in 1923.” She paused. “Sorry, 1924.”
“Ah… okay.” Angel looked again, still not seeing or hearing anything.
“She thinks you’re hot.” Willow grinned. “A ‘red hot baby’ to be exact.”
“Um… tell her thank you.” He smiled slightly. “And is there… something we can do? Release her spirit? Bring the guy to justice?”
“Clean water.”
“Clean water?” Looking back down at the old pool, he had to admit the water did look nasty.
“She misses people swimming.” Willow tilted her head to one side as if listening to someone. “She likes it here, but clean water and a little company would be nice.”
“I’ll have someone come fix the pool. And Willow, thank you.” Shrugging, he turned and left the ballroom. Every vampire with a soul running a detective agency should make sure their ghost has a clean pool. Why not?