Chapter 8
The Choice
“They were here. I can feel
them.”
“We’ve got something a bit more
tangible than feelings, Ladies.”
The baby was well wrapped and
sleeping peacefully. Andrew picked him up, with a certain wonder.
“Spike’s baby.”
Giles came over and also peered
at it.
“Thank god! Buffy’s child.” He
breathed softly and then cleared his throat as emotion threatened to rise
within him. He didn't know how he could have broken the news to Buffy, how he
could have lived with himself... he blinked a couple of times.
It was the first time that
Andrew had really looked at the baby properly.
“It looks just like…” Andrew’s
honesty won out “Well actually, nothing like Spike. Chubby cheeks, a squashed
nose.” The baby awoke and squinted at him. “Blue eyes though.”
“All babies have blue eyes.”
“He’s quite cute. For a baby.”
“Indeed, I believe he is a
remarkably handsome chap.”
“Would you like…” Andrew offered
the baby to Giles and was rewarded with an engaging smile.
“Why thank you. I believe I
would.”
The slayers left the boys to coo
over the baby.
“There’s been a fight.” Chris
toed the splintered remains of a stake.
“So they fought and ran this
way…” Erica tracked them, finding the odd foot print in the dirt.
“They went outside.”
The skid marks were plain.
“And drove off at high speed.”
“Spike wasn’t being dragged or
carried. That’s his boot print, which indicates that he was running for the car
as well. I haven’t a clue what’s happening but at least he’s still alive and
he’s in a fit state to run.”
“Thank God. When we found those
instruments at the last place, it turned my blood to ice.”
“Kirst was sick.”
“Just gotta remember he heals.
Whatever happens he heals. Wonder why he’s running with Angelus now?”
The slayers considered this.
“Maybe he negotiated for the
baby?”
“Seems that way. But what did he
compromise on?”
“Do you think he agreed to join
Angelus?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Then what?”
“I’ve no idea, I guess we just
have to trust that Spike knows what he’s doing and can handle it.”
“I don’t like that he ran from
us.”
They were silent. Neither of
them liked it. Chris finally broke the silence.
“My guess is that Angelus struck
a bargain with Spike but didn’t trust us to honour it.”
“Maybe not us personally.” She
nodded her head towards Andrew and Giles.
“There were just too many
variables so he left.”
“Ok. I can buy that, but now
what?”
“I don’t think he’d willingly go
to Buffy, Spike wouldn’t agree to that. But two of us should stay with her and
the baby just in case there’s some sort of double-cross in the air.”
“We’ll talk to Kirsty and
Neesha, they may as well return to
Erica nodded her agreement
before remembering something else.
“Did you notice the symbols on
the walls of this warehouse?”
“Yeah. Weird. Magical maybe?”
“I’ll phone Wesley and send him
photos. It might be important.”
“Ok. Let’s head back.”
Erica went inside and took a few
photographs with her camera-phone, immediately sending them through to Wesley.
Chris made the call and reported
back to Erica.
“We’re on standby. Wesley has
seen these markings before and said he’d be able to get a position on Angelus
and Spike.”
“Some good news at last.”
“Yeah. You gotta admit we were
due some.”
They walked back to the two men.
“Ok, Fair Ladies. This is a
setback. However, if the two of you would take the baby back to Buffy and
remain on guard there, the rest of us will return to
“Yes, Andrew.” They replied
obediently, as though that plan of action had never occurred to them.
“These symbols…”
“We’ve got Wes working on them.
He thinks he knows how Angelus has been shielding and is hoping to get their
position shortly.”
“Oh. Very good. Uh, Giles would
you care to return to
“I rather think I should go to
Buffy. She may need me.”
oooo
Dawn was beginning to brighten the
sky and Spike had managed to maintain a stony silence thus far. There was
nothing he wished to say to the other vampire. Angelus merely waited. He knew
Spike couldn’t keep up a silence for the whole trip. He hid a small smile as he
his boy finally cracked.
“How far is it, anyway?”
“We’ll be there by dusk. Sleep
if you want.”
“You must be kidding! “
I’ve had plenty of opportunities
to kill you and you’re still here.”
“Not tired.”
Spike turned the radio on and
tried to keep his eyes open.
“And watch your bleedin’ speed.”
“Yeah? Like you do. Not.”
“Wasn’t talking about me. Angel
wouldn’t speed.”
Angelus started to think about
the insane decision he’d made.
“What will it be like? Living
like you do? If I want to speed will I be able to? Or does it go for an internal
vote or what?”
“Hell, I don’t know. You just
make an informed decision. Sometimes a particular action disgusts you more than
it attracts you, other times you release the bad side.”
Spike cocked his head to one
side and looked at him with curiosity.
“Angel used to go into demon
face, wasn’t that you at all?”
“No. Well a little. But just a
dog on a leash. Barking when I was told to bark and then muzzled and kennelled
again.”
“I’m not divided in half that
way. It’s a wonder you’re as sane as you are.”
“Jeez, watch yourself Childe.
That was almost a compliment.”
“Was it? I’ll be more careful
from now on.”
“Here.” Angelus tossed over some
shades and put on a pair himself. The sun was beginning to rise and streaming
through the necrotempered glass. They were not made for such blinding light and
it was almost painful to their sensitive eyes.
Spike looked at them carefully
before pushing them on. The world immediately dimmed and became more comfortable but he missed the stunning vibrancy
of sunlit colours and wondered why anyone would want to dull the brightness. He
nearly removed them and then decided that he probably looked damned cool.
“I wish I could see myself?”
“”You look…” A pink tongue
appeared as Angelus licked moistened his lips, “… shaggable.”
Spike pouted slightly.
“Ok. You look like you’ve
stepped off the front of a magazine cover, is that better? How about me?” He
gave a wide smile.
“You look cheesy and smooth,
like you’re about to sell me a car.”
“Yeah? Cool.”
“Didn’t mean it as a
compliment.”
Silence fell again and once more
it was Spike who broke it, as his thoughts skittered around, like Bambi on ice.
“The last time we were on the road
together we were in a horse drawn carriage.”
“Yeah. How weird is that? Hey,
this is our first road trip, shouldn’t we be arguing about what music to listen
to or something?”
Spike didn’t really want to get
into a conversation but he couldn’t restrain himself.
“Well you’re not insisting on
Bach, which is always a bonus.”
Angelus was pleased with himself
as familiar views settled upon the unfamiliar situation.
“And you haven’t gone hunting
through the airwaves for the Sex Pistols. It’s not even music. It has no tune,
no sense of order.”
“Yeah, bloody great, isn’t it?
Total chaos, mindless violence and snarling anger.”
“At least Manilow…”
“Don’t even go there.”
“Yeah, but…”
“I’m not listening to you cus,
well I don’t know how to break this to you, Mate, but you have absolutely no
taste in music.”
Angelus scowled.
“Yeah? Well, what’s this we’re
listening too at the moment? Frigging maudlin crap.”
He reached over to the radio and
tore it loose, slinging it into the back.
“Country music. And you’re right
it is. Always thought you liked it, though.”
“That was Angel. Music to brood
to. So you hated it too?”
“Yeah… but I would’ve just
changed the station.” Spike rolled his eyes. “How many times do I have to say
it? Such a bleeding’ drama queen.”
“Ah well. Conversation is far
more sociable than listening to the radio.”
“Funny enough I’m not feeling
particularly sociable. How long did you torture me for?”
“Obviously not long enough.” Angelus
muttered.
“Tell me, what the hell was all
that torture crap about anyway?”
“Well you know, partly I just
enjoy hurting you. I guess it’s the same as how you enjoy stabbing Angel, oh
no, sorry, blunt instruments is your preference, isn’t it?”
“He knew I was kidding… sort of
kidding.”
“Partly because I wanted days
like this.”
“You wanted road trips?”
“Companionship. Family.
Connection. Do all the things that vampire families do. Back one another up,
hunt, have sex.”
“Argue, fight , brawl.”
“Well, yeah. That’s part of it
to. You’ll do those things with me because you’re not afraid of me. Everything
I did to you and you gave me anger, sorrow and contempt. Never cowardice and
never fear, gotta respect that. You’re my equal, you beat me to that cup and,
sheesh, I still can’t believe you did that. Must have had an off day. Uh, what
was my point again?”
“I’m your equal.”
“Yeah. That’s why Dru would
never have been enough to hold me here. A companion has to be an equal and you’re
the only one I have. So I tried to win you around.”
“Could have tried flowers and
chocolates first. Well not flowers cus obviously, if you brought me flowers,
I’d have to kill you. But chocolate’s good. I like chocolate.”
Angelus pulled a face.
“Jeez, Spike, that is so
unnatural. You’re a frigging vampire!”
“All the things you’ve done in
your unlife and you complain cus eating chocolate is unnatural!”
“You just smiled at me.”
“What? No I didn’t!”
“You did. You like me. You
luurve me.” Angelus chuckled and cast a wicked glance from beneath his lowered lashes.
Despite everything, Spike could
hardly resist when Angelus was in such a playful mood, desperately he tried to
hold back an answering grin.
“Sod you. I said that under
duress and anything spoken under duress can’t be held against a bloke.”
“Got other things I could hold
against you…”
Spike fell silent.
“What? Are you turning womanish
on me Spike?”
“You wish.” It was a
half-hearted riposte. His thoughts were turned to other matters. “So when you
ask for a soul, this’ll mean no more curse then?”
Angelus nodded.
“And Angel can be happy or shag…
you know if he wanted to?”
Another nod.
“Oh.”
“If I’m gonna be a co-driver you
can hardly expect me to be celibate can you?”
“So you can go off and find
yourself another little blonde bint.”
“Aye, I guess I will. Have to be
someone who can match me in strength and stamina.
“Plenty of slayers to choose
from now.”
“Oh come on. They’re children.”
“Not for long. Time goes so
quickly for us. Blink once and they’re beautiful sirens.”
“Blink again and they’re middle
aged.”
“You were never ageist.”
“I’m not and I’ve already got a
little blonde in mind.”
“You’re gonna take Buffy aren’t
you? Like you took Dru?”
Angelus shook his head in
amusement.
“Have you heard the homosocial theory?”
Spike stared at him.
“I guess that deer in the
headlights look means ‘yes’. Don’t be coy, Childe, you know which blonde I’m
talking of.”
oooo
Wesley was worried. He’d spent
the morning going through Council reports and pushed them away with a sigh.
“Do you remember Giles saying
that he’d put out the word for slayers to question vampires before staking
them? He’s asked me to look through the results and I’m getting some very odd
information in.”
“Odd? In what way?” Gunn asked.
“A decrease in supernatural
activity. The most powerful beings appear to be leaving this dimension.”
“Uh oh. Not good.”
“Is there any additional data?”
Fred asked.
“Just the normal ‘something bad
is coming’ talk.”
“Where are these reports
originating from?”
“All over.
“The poles.” Gunn said.
“No nothing from
“Oh.” Fred said with dawning
understanding. “No, the reports are coming from the far North and the far
South.”
“Oh, those poles. Oh Christ! The
World Eater.”
“How can it be?” Gunn asked. “The
White Witch has located it and is working on it. That is why she’s been away so
long, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but surely this is too
much of a coincidence?”
“Is there anything you can do to
make it visible?
“I’ll do my best. Damnation, I’m
supposed to be taking away Angelus’ protective runes and getting a position on
him, as well. I can’t do every bloody thing!”
He took a deep breath, he must be tired for his temper to escape him like
that.
“Don’t stress, man. Tell us what
you need and we’ll get everything in place whilst you research this.” Gunn
offered.
“Right. Yes.” Wesley ran a hand
through his hair distractedly. “I’ll make out a list but it’s basically the
same as when we de-cloaked Lindsey.”
“Yeah, I remember. Don’t worry.
I’ll deal with this part of it.”
Wesley nodded his thanks and
began to pull books out and leaf through them, whilst Fred and Gunn set up the
other spell. They worked quietly, not daring to badger Wesley but casting
anxious looks in his directions.
oooo
The drive continued, the sun
rose and began to fall. The trip had been almost companionable with Angelus at
his charming best and Spike already journeying away from the dark, bleak
places, where he’d never been more than a tourist. The wanderer returned and
like all travellers the memories of the places he visited were dimmed with each
step he made towards home.
Angelus squinted into the sky
and opened demon eyes to examine it more closely.
“Why you doing that?” Spike
asked, curiosity finally getting the bettor of him.
“I guess we’re nearly there, so you
may as well know what’s happening. Use your demon eyes, Childe, and look at the
sky.”
Spike did as he was told and saw
a glowing mesh of lines criss-crossing the sky.
“What in hell is that?”
“The thing I released. One of
the minions felt something icy graze past him when he was standing in front of
the portal.”
“When you cut that man’s
throat?”
“Just how did you get so well
informed?”
“Got a vision. Saw it all.”
“Oh. Anyway, I never meant it to
get here. Thought it would move on and the witch would stop it before it got
this far, but it slipped through somehow.”
“Jesus, Angelus! It’s been here
all this time? I’ve gotta let
“Here.” Angelus tossed him a
cellphone. “Call.”
“You’re letting me call?”
“I told you it was a mistake.
Get the witch to stop it.”
“I thought all this was to keep
Red out of the way?”
“Things have changed now. I’m
going for a soul, and do you know how it burns my mouth to say those words?” He
licked around the inside of his mouth with distaste, as if the words still
lingered and he could wipe them away.
“We’re nearly there and even if
she wanted to stop me there isn’t enough time.”
Spike picked up the phone with
trembling hands and made the first contact he’d had with the outside world
since his capture.
oooo
Andrew and the slayers returned,
already gloomy and dissatisfied, they added to the oppressive atmosphere. Fred
and Gunn escaped on to the roof. The day was passing quickly and they watched
the fading sunlight, filtered through the haze of smog and pollution. Even that
shimmering light held a strange, ethereal beauty. Fred squinted into the sky.
“Do you think it’s there,
Charles? Writhing above us, waiting to strike?”
The beautiful light suddenly
took on a sinister aspect. Gunn shrugged.
“We’ll find out soon.”
She looked down on the city, all
the shiny people in their shiny cars, ignorant of the danger that threatened.
Charles had been brought up with vampires and demons, but she used to be like
those folk once. Then there was Pylea and that being insane period. Now she was
here, fighting demons, gods and apocalypse.
“What you thinking about?” Gunn
asked.
“All those people living their
lives. Ignorance is bliss, isn’t it?”
“You’d rather be like that?”
“Oh no! I think I was born for
this. If ever you see a blissful smile on my face give me a slap and a dose of
reality.”
Gunn laughed. “I can do that.”
He stood up and reached out a
helping hand.
“Come on. Guess we’d better see
how English is doing.”
They met Wesley as he emerged,
waving a bit of paper.
“Ok. I think this may work.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a spell to reveal lines of
power, Intended for leylines, magnetic fields and suchlike.”
They followed him outside. The
sky was dark, the normal
“Reveal!” He commanded.
Before their eyes a shimmering
net appeared, cast upon the sky and the world was caught within its toils, like
a whale awaiting the strike of a harpoon. It was magnificent and dreadful in
the same instance, gleaming strands of raw power, pulsating against a sullen,
molten sky.
“Oh dear God.” Wesley muttered.
“There’s no end in sight. Its been here for some time.”
“How far is
“I’m not sure, but it runs through
“And how far do you think our
horizon stretches?”
“Again, I’ve no idea but one
thing I’m sure of. This is too damned close.”
“You know, I think this must
have come here at the same time the last world was destroyed.” Fred said.
Gunn frowned in confusion.
“But it moved on to
“You forget we’re not dealing
with a single entity.
“So what’s different this time?”
Gunn wondered.
“Do you remember when Spike had
that vision? It wasn’t exactly a vision. Angelus left the portal open and the
sorcerer was pushing images into Spike’s head as they happened.”
Gunn was nodding.
“So you’re saying as the world
was destroyed the World Eater had access to an open door?”
Wesley nodded, wrinkling his
brow and continuing with his line of reasoning.
“So it opened one portal and had
access to another. Perhaps this thing makes numerous replicates of itself but
because it only has enough strength to open one portal then normally only one
pair can move on…”
“But this time, thanks to
Angelus, the things had access to two dimensions.”
“All this happened over three
weeks ago. You realise that’s approximately how long a world lasts before it’s
drained of life and power?”
Andrew appeared and waited for a
second listening to their conversation.
“I can confirm your conclusions.
Angelus has allowed Spike to call and warn us. The World Eater came through
when Angelus set it loose, over three weeks ago.”
“Is Spike alright?”
“I don’t really know. He gave me
the information and then the connection was cut.”
There was no room for doubt and
no need for further speculation. If Angelus was helping, then it was serious.
“We need Willow back here immediately
and let’s hope she’s made some progress solving the problem. Fred, you set up
an emergency communication channel, didn’t you?”
“Yes. Uh. We never got a chance
to test it, but in theory…”
“Time to test it.” Wesley gave
her a reassuring smile. “It’ll be fine.”
Fred nodded uncertainly.
oooo
“
“Fred? I’m at a critical point.
Please, this world hasn’t got long. I either fix it in the next ten minutes or
I lose it.”
“It’s an emergency. Angelus
unwittingly released the virus to our world. It’s been here as long as it’s
been where you are.”
“But… I’m so close here and
timing is critical. I can see it moving across, when it meets at the equator
then it will feed and the world will be lost.” Even through the link her anxiety
was plain.
“Then you need to make a choice.
It’s happening on our world too. We can see it spread out in the skies above
us. If that world has only minutes then in minutes we’ll be gone.”
She didn’t really believe it,
until she opened a portal above the Earth and looked down with horror. She
prayed to her goddess as she realised that the two halves were about to meet.
As they collided, the world shuddered. The wind fell, an unearthly silence
filled the heavens and time itself appeared to stop.
Darkness fell like a droplet and
rippled slowly through the air, sucking out warmth and life, leaving behind the
deafening silence and the hollow creaking of a dying world.
Angelus had opened a gate just
as the virus was at its most powerful, when it had devoured a world and was
seeking a new victim. One part of it had spent its energy opening a portal to
the next dimension. Another part had seized the opportunity of an easy exit to
a new source of power. It had arrived, fully fledged with the full force of a
voracious predator. It was stronger here than in that other dimension where she
had spent her time working so diligently. Overconfidence and arrogance were
often failings in clever people and she recognised she had these failings in
spades. She’d been so sure that she was about to beat it, yet here it was, in
the heart of her home world.
She cried out her warning across
the world and all who had the power to hear turned their eyes fearfully to the
sky, as the lattice work of power exploded into a rolling flash of white light.
In seconds all her attempts to save another world were challenged into saving
her own. All the preparations she had carefully made were utilised to this end.
The parasite could sense power
unlike anything it had ever felt before, pouring forth from the opened gate.
The darkness stopped in its tracks, the destruction came to a halt and veered
and spun through the gate, tempted away by the pulse of raw energy and
overflowing life. It greedily flew into Chi’lustra, glorying in the radiance of
the power.
In a blink,
She was home.
Everyone was staring at the sky,
holding their breath and blinking in astonishment as the web of power withdrew
in an instant. They turned, noticing her return. Her mouth was set in a thin
angry line, her hair was still flying in all directions and her eyes were
black. Gunn automatically took a step backwards.
“
She shook her head and her mouth
trembled.
“No, I… I…”
Her eyes returned to their
normal colour as the blackness drained away. Wracking sobs convulsed her body.
“
Slowly her tears eased.
“It’ll have moved on again by
now. I left the other world to die and now it’s in the next one. I killed that
world as surely as…”
“No, you didn’t. You tried to
save it. Not a man or power could blame you for putting your own world first.”
She straightened up.
“No. You’re right, I’m not to
blame.”
Suddenly she had an Orb of
Thesulah in her hand. She muttered an incantation and it began to glow with a
soft golden light.
“But I know who is. He’s killed
two worlds and injured ours.”
“Injured… it had begun here?”
Wesley asked.
“I had no time to think, the
darkness had begun to drain the world. Everything froze to its touch. It was
over the oceans. Maybe the seas will melt again and living things will
repopulate the deeps but it drew power from our world and that can never be
returned. We live in a damaged world, Wes, with a new, partly formed ice sheet.
I don’t know what the consequences of that will be. I don’t know whether
humanity will survive it.”
“Angelus did all that, just to
keep you out of the way? I’m not sure if it’s a kindness to bring Angel back to
this sort of destruction and treachery. He mourns the lives that he has taken.
But two worlds? I don’t know if he will survive it.”
“You know what? He’ll have to
try. I’m not having Angelus in this world a moment longer. Wesley you’ve been
working on getting a fix on them?”
“Yes. We’ve been following his
progress.”
Andrew had been obsessively
tracking them and made his report.
“He reached the outskirts of
“Give me their last known
co-ordinates.”
“That’s where they disappeared.”
Suddenly she was gone. The only
sign of her leaving was the sonic boom that echoed through the skies like a
physical outpouring of her anger.
She stepped out and found
herself overlooking an empty pool. Her eyes narrowed , she could see the
tell-tale sign of a portal at the base of the pool. Without another thought she
jumped through.
oooo
Spike had recognised the
hieroglyphics painted on the inside of the car.
“That’s why we couldn’t find
you. Weird. I thought Wesley had tested for them.”
“Adapted from Lindsey not just a
straight copy. He’d actually have to see them before he could counteract them.”
“Well I think someone has caught
a glimpse of them then, Mate.”
Angelus glanced across and saw
that the symbols were gradually melting away.
“They found the warehouse, I had
them painted on the walls there. It changes nothing. We’re where we need to
be.”
“Seems a bit suburb-ish for the
home of a powerful demon.”
Angelus stopped the car and
together they walked towards an empty and abandoned pool.
“Not very impressive, is it? It
lacks atmosphere. Now
They stood on the edge of the
pool and both of them looked down.
“Ok. What we looking at?”
“It’s down there. We have to
jump through.”
“Uh. Hold up. That looks like a
concrete base to me…”
“Leap of faith, Spike.” Angelus
called as he plunged through the air, his coat billowing out around him.
“Angelus!” Spike watched him
disappear. “Oh bleedin hell.”
On those inspiring words he
followed his sire down.
He landed heavily, stumbled and
rolled. Muttering under his breath he got to his feet, brushed himself down and
took stock of his surroundings.
Angelus was confronting a… butler.
And wasn’t that frigging typical. He got Lurky, the creature that frightened
the crap out of hell spawned demons and Angelus got a goddamned butler!
“You didn’t give me Darla. I
completed the trials and you couldn’t complete your side of the bargain.”
“We gave you a son instead. You
have been given a life in return and the bargain was complete”
“Oh come on, don't give me that
crap! Connor? You know and I know that he was here because Jasmine wanted it. I
never asked for a son, never wanted a son and certainly don’t see having one
foisted on me as sealing the deal. You still owe me.”
“Foisted on you? Very p.c.”
“Shut up, Spike.”
“It took a great deal of power
to raise a human son from two vampires. We consider our side was fulfilled and
the whole matter dealt with.”
“Really? I’ll take this one to
the judges themselves! Being denied the life I asked for and then trying to fob
me off with that poor substitute is not acceptable. If your master wished to
face the judges and lose his head that’s up to him.”
The butler’s face went blank for
a second.
“Ah. My master takes your point,
Sir. Perhaps there are some small points outstanding between us. So you wish to
complete the bargain now?”
“Yes. I do. I wish….”
Suddenly
Angelus immediately realised
what was happening.
“No! Don’t curse me, witch!
There’s no need. Spike, stop her…”
“Why? What’s the panic? You said
that Angel wanted to make his soul permanent? Even if she curses you, Angel can
still make the same request.”
“No, you don’t understand! He
wants you, Spike. But he won’t choose you. He’ll abandon you! He won’t ask for
a permanent soul, which means he won’t allow you to stay. He won’t choose you!”
But Spike had blind faith in
Angel.
“I trust him to do what’s
right.” He said confidently.
“Spike! My Childe…”
Angel looked around.
“What is your wish?” The butler
intoned, as though nothing had occurred.
Spike stared at
“Angelus was about to ask for
the demon to coexist with the soul. Making the soul permanent, like mine.”
He gave a slight smile,
welcoming Angel back.
Angel looked at him, frowned and
blinked.
Spike dropped his head, as he
understood that Angelus was right. Angel wouldn’t choose it. Wouldn’t choose
him. Never had and never would.
“I’m sorry. Forgive me.”
“Angel…” Spike pleaded.
“You have to understand!”
“Understand? Sure, I understand
completely. Oy? Jeeves? I want out.”
The butler waved a hand and
Spike was standing next to the Viper. He took out a cigarette and conjured up
another defensive screen.
“What is your wish, vampire?”
The butler intoned again. “You want your soul returned and made permanent?”
“No. I want a life returned as
though it had never been taken. The life I wish to have returned is the
sorcerer of Chi’lustra, whose throat I cut.”
The butler nodded his head.
“It is done, the death never
occurred and our business is complete. The master wishes that you leave now and
do not return.”
Angel found himself standing
next to Spike. He didn’t know what to say. He’d put to rights one of the wrongs
that Angelus had done. He’d had no choice in the matter, couldn’t have lived
with that destruction. But in front of him was the other wrong, the one Angelus
had promised to fix and that he, Angel, had betrayed.
“Spike…”
“S’ok.”
“I had no choice.”
“I understand. You saved the
sorcerer, yeah?”
Angel nodded.
“So all the worlds have been set
aright, you’re back and all’s well.”
Again Angel nodded.
“Where’s Red?”
“She left.”
Spike shrugged and ground out
his cigarette.
“Ok then. Get in. I’ll drive us
home.”
Angel did as he was told, his
head bowed.
They travelled in silence.