Warning: Strong language
Part 5
Anticipation
had them all on edge.
“Did
you see him?” Gunn asked.
“A
glimpse.” Fred answered. “Suit, dark glasses, briefcase. Looked human. Harmony
showed him straight into Angel’s office. He
buzzed through and asked her to set up an office for his use over the next few
days. I’m scheduled for 10 o’clock.”
“We’d
better be getting back.” Wesley said with a quick glance at his watch.
“Yeah.
Let us know how it goes, I’m booked in for his 2 o’ clock.”
Fred
nodded.
“And
good luck, girl.”
“Thanks…d’ya
think I need it?”
“No,
no. Of course not.” Wesley reassured. “I’m sure everything will be fine. Just
routine.”
Fred
returned a weak, uncertain smile, a mere ghost of her normal wide grin.
On
cue, her phone rang.
“Hey
Fred. Angel will see you now.”
She
smoothed down her skirt and wished her nerves could be smoothed away as easily.
She
was met by Harmony, who gave her a friendly smile.
“I’d
tear your throat out to take your place for the next two hours.” She whispered
before opening the door and announcing her to the occupants.
Feeling
a little flustered by this casual remark but determined to be business-like.
She strode forward and thrust her hand out towards the first person she saw. As
she raised her eyes she understood what Harmony had meant, she found herself
looking at the most absurdly beautiful man she had seen, either inside or
outside the pages of the glossies.
“Ah,
Ms Burkle. I’m charmed to meet you.”
His
voice was smooth velvet with the depth and resonance that sent vibrations
through her. She managed a smile, attempting to keep a firm grasp of her last
sense by looking anywhere except him. The only thing that could possibly add to
her confusion was the sudden crashing thought that this man could maybe read
her mind.
“Winifred
this is Mr Mede, he is heading the inspection. He’s anxious to get down to
work, so if you’d like to take him across to the Science Department? Mr Mede,
I’ll leave you in Ms Burkle’s capable hands.”
Fred
hadn’t moved. She’d weakened and looked back at the man and now had the humiliating
experience of seeing her last sense scamper away. Angel noticed her ensnared
rabbit appearance.
“Ms
Burkle?” He prompted, giving a helpless grin to his visitor, whilst still
managing to hiss out of the corner of his mouth “Fred!”
“Uh?
Oh! Of Course. If you’d care to follow me?”
“I’d
be delighted, Fred. May I call you Fred?”
Angel
caught a glimpse of her blush and her wide smile.
“Please,
I insist.”
His
hackles were rising, he could no longer bear to listen to Fred’s puppy-like eagerness
and shut the door firmly.
He’d
disliked the man on sight, with his tawny skin and dark hair, so sure of his
own attractions and so willing to use them. At least, he’d had the grace to
smile in acknowledgement when he realised that Angel was unmoved and unfazed by
his charms.
The
whole encounter had been odd, although Angel found it hard to say why. He’d
clearly been remarkably informed about their cases, which was only to be
expected, but Angel couldn’t help feeling he had been probing for something in
particular.
He’d
wanted to know about the huge outgoings near the beginning of their tenure.
Angel
cross-referenced the dates and pinpointed it as the Pavayne episode. However,
this then turned into one of his main avenues of interest. How they had first
become aware of the matter, why hadn’t it been noticed previously, what had
been the options, had cost been considered, had best value standards been
adhered to?
Angel
could feel a headache coming on as question followed question.
He’d
explained that Pavayne had been killing people and sending them to hell in his
stead and that this had come to light when one of the ghost’s began to
manifest, fought back and asked for their help. Spike had been the ghost. Angel
was reluctant to bring him into it, but inevitably a direct question from the
inspector revealed his name, which had brought on another whole line of
interrogation that Angel had desperately tried to avoid. The interview ended when Mr Mede was finally
satisfied that he’d learnt all he could.
And
now he was with Fred. Poor, innocent, gullible Fred.
At
least she too had an instinct for protecting Spike. Suddenly Angel realised
what it was that had struck him as odd – the man’s reaction when Spike had been
mentioned and the distinct feeling that Spike needed protecting from this
man. For the first time he felt
genuinely grateful that his boy had left.
oooo
Fred
eventually emerged from her interview and joined Gunn, Wesley and Lorne for
lunch.
“So
how did it go? You’re still in one piece, which has to be good.”
“You
know.” She shrugged slightly. “It seemed to go ok. He was very interested in
the science we used on Pavayne and was impressed at the way we worked closely
with your department.” She said with a look to Wesley.
“So
he’s just a normal guy? Not a man-eating ogre at all?”
Wesley
observed a slight blush.
“Well…I
wouldn’t call him normal. He looks…”
“Go
on, girl! Don’t keep us in suspense. Surely it’s nothing we haven’t seen
before? Tails, horns, scales, we’ve seen them all.”
“Let’s
just say his real name is Ganymede and it’s no coincidence.”
Wesley
understood. Gunn searched his upgraded knowledge and found the reference. Only
Lorne looked a little confused.
“A
good looking young man?” Wesley asked.
“Good
looking?” Fred shook her head. “He’s drop dead, knock your eyeballs out, spin
ya head around, stunning!”
“Women!”
Gunn rolled his eyes.
“I’m
telling you! He knocked me absolutely speechless.” She told them earnestly.
“Really?”
Lorne looked mightily impressed. “That takes some doing, Fredikins.”
“Is
it real?” Wesley wondered. “Perhaps that’s part of his magic, maybe he uses it
to get to us, soften us up?”
“It’ll
take more than a pretty man to soften me up.” Gunn declared, thought about the
statement, considered rephrasing it but decided best to leave well alone.
“He
asked a ton of questions about Spike. What sort of work he does, is he on the
payroll, is he a contractor, what is his relationship to everyone here.”
“I
guess he’s looking for irregularities and Spike is a little irregular.” Wesley
replied after some consideration.
“Uh
huh. There was definite dog on a scent feeling.”
“The
boss won’t be too happy about that.”
No
one replied because that was a certainty and as lunch ended it was Gunn’s turn.
Again
a call came through and this time Gunn was shown into Angel’s office. He was
curious to meet the man who had stunned Fred into silence. The man turned and
Gunn’s jaw fell open. Angel rolled his eyes in annoyance.
“Charles,
this is Mr Mede, Mr Mede allow me to introduce you to Charles Gunn.”
“Your
reputation precedes you Mr Gunn, it’s a pleasure to meet you at last.”
“Uh
huh. I mean thanks. It’s a real pleasure
to meet you, too. And Gunn will do just fine.” He replied with a wide smile.
They
retreated from the office and Angel was aware of a deep disappointment in Gunn.
He’d hoped that he, at least, would have managed not to succumb to that too
perfect, totally unmanly beauty. He wished Spike was here to give some
perspective. He was never taken in by surface appearance. Maybe when all this
was over he’d invite Spike back.
Then
it occurred to him that Spike had left of his own free will and maybe wouldn’t
want to come back. It would be too humiliating to ask and be refused. Again. He
buried himself back into work, anything to keep him from the roiling thoughts
that came surfacing.
At
4 o’ clock Mr Mede was shown back in.
He
gave his pleasant, easy smile.
“So
far, I’ve been impressed with the efficiency and dedication of your staff.
Tomorrow I will meet with Mr Wyndham Price and Krevlornswath of the Deathwok
Clan. But I would like my first meeting of the day to be with William the Bloody,
currently known as Spike.”
Angel
froze.
“I’m
sorry that would be impossible.”
The
pleasant smile never faltered.
“I
would be most disappointed and I must say he is crucial to my inspection.”
Angel
tried to match the man’s agreeable demeanour, which was kind of difficult when
he wanted to rip the heart painfully from the guy’s body.
“My
apologies, I would, of course, do anything to avoid disappointing you but he is
not a member of Wolfram & Hart staff.”
“And
yet he frequently works for you?”
“Occasionally
he joins us, but there’s no formal contract and I cannot insist on his
attendance.”
“Yet
he has been involved in some key decisions and I put it to you that it is
therefore of vital importance that I speak to him. If you would request his
attendance, I would be most grateful and will naturally reflect your
co-operation in my report. If you refuse then that too will be fully reflected
in my report. Do you understand me?”
Angel’s
lips tightened in annoyance, he wasn’t used to being bullied in such an obvious
manner.
“I
understand completely.”
“Then
I will schedule Spike for 9 o’ clock.”
“I
can only request his attendance, I can’t guarantee…”
“Nine
o’ clock, Mr Angel.”
With
that he left and Angel was left seething with rage. When he finally felt that
he could say something other than a curse he called a meeting.
He
began by passing on the compliments to Fred and Gunn regarding their efficiency
and dedication before getting to the grist of it, explaining that somehow this
had become about Spike.
“I
guess they’ve met before.” Angel concluded.
“Spike
does have the habit of making some bad enemies.” Wesley commented and Angel
nodded. Spike had been at the back of the queue when they’d been handing out
tact.
“He’s
also got some good friends.” Fred said with some determination. “There’s no
getting him out of this meeting is there?”
“Not
if we want a favourable report.”
“Well,
at least we can do all in our power to ensure their meeting place is secure.”
“I
could get a no violence spell put around a room here.” Lorne suggested.
“I’ll
see about setting up a magic dampening area so that he can’t be affected by
enchantments.”
“That
sounds good. You two get it organised and meanwhile, I’ll call Spike and let
him know the situation.”
Well
he tried to call. Unfortunately there was no reply.
Cursing
Spike for never been there when needed, he ended up visiting his apartment. As
he approached the door he noticed that his stomach had crazy butterflies
trapped inside… and every single one was anticipating the sight of that sharp
face. He took a breath to see if it calmed the inhabitants of his stomach but
it seemed they thrived on oxygen. He ignored them and knocked on the solid,
scruffy door…. No answer. He banged
harder, causing a neighbour to poke out her head.
“If
you’re looking for the young man who lives there, he’s not in, Deary. He left
as soon as it got dark.”
“Oh.
Do you know where he went?”
“No,
but if it’s a repeat of last night, he won’t be in until late and won’t be in a
fit state to see anyone then anyway. He was singing!” She sounded outraged.
Uh
huh. That was the Spike he knew and lov…. He quickly turned to the neighbour
and smiled engagingly.
“Oh,
I see. Thanks.”
So,
Spike had gone out to get pissed. And wasn’t that typical? Just when he was
needed sober…though to be fair he had been told that he wouldn’t be needed and
wouldn’t be welcome. Angel felt a surge of customary guilt and went off to
search the nearby bars.
He
hated walking into bars by himself. As a private investigator he’d accepted the
necessity, but never really got used to the way he was hit upon whenever he
walked in. The annoyance, the hint of desperation when he told them he wasn’t
interested. He felt sorry for them, like him, they just wanted connection and
for some reason they thought they’d find it in their local bar, pouncing
eagerly on any stranger that came in. Maybe not any stranger, after all looks
counted for something in this game.
A
thought occurred to him, spurring him quickly on to the next bar. How would
they react to Spike’s entrance? So beautiful and so lonely, would anyone be
able to resist his sadness and vulnerability?
More to the point would he be able to resist the call of companionship?
He began to wonder who had held Spike last night. Who had been warding off
loneliness whilst he slept? He cursed himself for a fool and hurried on to the
next place.
He
finally spotted a bleached head. His dramatic looks stood out like a beacon in
the crowd. He was standing at the bar talking to a girl.
“Spike?”
“Oh,
it’s you. Piss off, Peaches.” He turned back to his conversation.
“I
really need to speak to you.”
Spike
was swaying slightly and Angel realised he was more drunk than he’d initially
thought.
“Come
on, Spike. I’ll take you home.”
“Leave
me alone. Can’t you see that I’m talking to a lady?”
The
lady in question had clasped his hand and was staring deep into his eyes,
making the sort of offers that he knew Spike couldn’t refuse.
“I’m
sorry, Miss, but he’s already taken.”
“Really?”
She looked around with coolly amused eyes, saying, “Because I don’t see her, so
I think that kinda makes him mine.”
“What
are you talking about, wanker? I ain’t got no-one.”
“Whose
bed were you in two nights ago, Spike?”
“Yours,
of course.” He realised what he’d said and turned to the girl. “But…”
“See.”
Angel explained apologetically. “Already taken.”
The
girl’s eyes narrowed in annoyance.
“Come
on, sweetheart. Let’s get you home.” He said, smiling tenderly at Spike.
The
girl left with a huff of annoyance, she might have guessed with that accent. It
was so not fair.
“What
the fuck?”
“I
need you and I need you sober.”
“Oh
Christ, we’re not back to that again. I told you two nights ago...”
“Hush
childe. This is important. Will you remember what I’m saying in the morning?”
“Of
course I will. There are three stages to drunkenness and I haven’t even reached
the first one.”
“Really?
What… Never mind.” He slung one of Spike’s arms over his shoulder and began to
walk him home.
“I
need you in the office at 9 o’ clock tomorrow.”
“Why?
What do you want with me, Angel? Gonna invite me to drink blood and tell me I’m
diseased?”
“I
didn’t say you were diseased, I said…”
He
had to admit that what he actually said sounded no better and if he wanted
Spike to attend the meeting it was probably best left well alone.
“It’s
work, Spike, and it’s very important that you turn up.”
“Huh.
Now birdie’s singing a different tune. What about all that ‘just stay out of
the way crap’?”
“The
Inspector has noticed how closely you’re involved with the Company and he’d
like to talk to you.”
“Did
you explain that I couldn’t possibly? That Daddy has forbidden me to meet or
talk or…”
“I’m
sorry, ok Spike. I was wrong and I’m sorry. Now please, will you meet him?”
“It’s
a bit early in the morning, mate.”
“Yeah,
I know. That’s why I’m dragging you away from the alcohol.”
“That
was your only reason?”
“Of
course.”
Spike
suddenly began to laugh.
“What’s
so funny?”
“Sweetheart!
Manly endearments don’t exactly roll smoothly from your tongue, luv.”
“No,
I guess they don’t.”
They
finally reached his apartment.
“Christ
I’m tired. What were yer saying again?
Something about a meeting?”
“You
said you’d remember.” Angel said reproachfully.
“I
will. I do. A meeting. See I remember it
all.” He yawned again.
Angel
started picking up his clothes and grabbed a handful of cds putting them all
back into the half unpacked bag.
“Oy.
What yer doing?”
“You’re
coming back to stay with me.”
“No,
I’m bloody not.” His denial was vehement.
“Spike.
Please will you come back and stay with me? At least for tonight? This meeting
is important, you mustn’t miss it.”
Spike
considered him for a second and then shrugged.
“Ok.
But remember, you owe me a big time favour for this. And be damned sure, I will
collect.”
Angel
nodded and hustled him out the door before Spike could renege on their
agreement.
He
drove back to the penthouse, smiling at Spike who was lightly dozing next to
him. That night he slept deeply, dreaming pleasant dreams and awoke to find
they were true. He had his arms wrapped around Spike once more. He closed his
eyes and enjoyed the feeling of peace and contentment.
He’d
fallen back to sleep and awoke with a jolt. Damnation!
“Spike,
get up! Shower! We’ve got fifteen minutes.”
He
flew in and out of the water. Spike hadn’t moved and all feeling of peace and
contentment had evaporated. He pulled the covers away, lifted Spike up and
dumped him underneath the cascade of water.
Spike
began spluttering and swearing.
“Please,
Spike. We don’t have time.”
He
briskly washed him down and held open a towel for him.
“Ok.
I’m awake. I can pissing well dry myself you know. What’s the hurry?”
“You’re
meeting with the inspector in about five minutes.”
“I
am?”
“Damn
you. I knew you wouldn’t remember.”
“Just
teasing. Heat me some blood will you.”
“Done,
just don’t slop it.”
“Why
do I feel like a school kid on the first day of the semester?”
“Here
are your pants. A shirt. A tie.”
“I’m
not wearing a stupid tie, I hate them. What sort of idiot starts the day by
putting a noose around their neck?”
“Ok.
Fair point. Come one, we have to go. Now.”
“My
hair’s wet.”
“Your
hair looks great.”
As
usual, he itched to touch and stroke, but he didn’t want to annoy Spike by
combing his fingers through the damp strands. Instead he guided his childe
firmly towards the elevator. At nine o’ clock they walked in and found Mr Mede
waiting for them. Spike got his view of the inspector as Angel moved around to
sit behind his desk.
He
stopped dead.
The
other man rose and walked towards him. And stopped about a foot away. He
removed his dark glasses to reveal deep brown eyes.
“William?”
He took another step.
“Ghan?”
They
were within an inch of each other.
Angel
stared in shock. It looked like two aggressors eying each other up, entering
each other’s personal space, challenging each other. Except the scent he was
getting had nothing to with aggression.
“How
have you been?” The dark haired man’s breath whispered over his face.
“Good
years, bad years. You?”
“You
know.”
Their
lips, their chests, their hips, were mere millimetres away, the slightest sway
and…
“You’ve
changed. Leaner. More beautiful than I remember, William.”
“It’s
been a long time.”
Angel
could almost see them making-out in front of his eyes, they were oblivious to
all else.
“I
understand you know each other?” His voice sounded loud and unnaturally harsh.
“We’ve
met…”
“A
long time…”
They
shared a smiled as they both tried to reply at once.
“Ok,
enough! Mr Mede I suggest that you get on with your job and Spike…”
“But
you forget, this is my job and I have booked the next two hours with Spike.” He
turned back with a smile. “To thoroughly investigate Spike.”
Spike
looked at his sire in concern. “It’s ok,
this is Ghani.”
“Just
get on with it.” Angel ground out. “I expect you both back here in two hours.”
They
walked out to the office set aside for their visitor’s use. They were so close
their arms were brushing as they moved.
Angel
raced to the security office the hub of the Company’s camera network, where the
whole building was under observation. The uniformed man who attended it flicked
through the cameras until the room appeared on the monitor.
Angel
could only watch in horror as Mede moved towards Spike and then pressed warm
lips to cool.
The
security man carefully avoided looking at his unpredictable boss, choosing to
take the calm expression at face value and pointedly ignoring the desk cracking
beneath the vampire’s grip.
Angel
looked bleak as he turned away
He
sat down at his desk and rested his head in his hands, only moving when he
heard the team gathering as arranged.
“So
how did it go?” Lorne asked. “No violent fireworks I trust. The non-violence,
non-magicky spells held?”
“They
weren’t needed.” Angel replied curtly.
“Well,
that’s good. Isn’t it?” Fred asked.
“They’re
lovers.”
The
room was silent and then they were all speaking at once.
“What?”
“Surely
not?”
“Angel…”
“Personally,
I see it.” Lorne nodded sagely. “Beauty calls to beauty.”
“But
Spike isn’t ga…” Gunn began, but a sharp nudge halted his comment.
“I
mean Ghan is remarkably… and it would be difficult for anyone…” Fred realised
that she wasn’t particularly helping and tailed off uncertainly.
“Well,
I don’t see it!” Angel said angrily. “Spike is a moron and that Mede guy
is…short.”
“Well,
maybe, but he is incredibly, I mean… Wes, back me up here.”
“I
would, Charles, but bear in mind I haven’t actually met him yet. Angel, does
this inspection depend on Spike being…nice to Mr Mede?”
The
deep menacing growl pinned them all to their seats. Each of them had heard so
there was no denying
it. Angel had growled and something primal in them found it deeply disturbing
to the point of terrifying.
“Uh
quite. I suggest that we really can’t do anything until we talk to Spike and
find out what’s happening. Anyway, we mustn’t take up any more of your time.”
They
shifted uneasily, Lorne rose and the others made to follow suit.
“Stay!”
They
immediately dropped back to their chairs like well trained dogs, obedient to
their owner’s whim.
“We
need to approach this professionally. Fred, report on your interview with him
yesterday.”
She
nervously twined her fingers together.
“Uh.
Ok. Well, he began with the Pavayne incident. What happened, how it came to our
attention, where it occurred, why we took that particular action and what other
responses were considered.”
“He
was interested in the science we used and how we meshed it with magic. Then he
asked about Spike specifically, which I thought was kinda weird, as we were
supposed to be talking about the work of the department. He was asking what
happened when he reappeared and what his involvement with the Company is. He
also wanted to know about a large outgoing on our medical budget. It turned out
it was the time Spike’s hands were reattached after the slayer…”
She
pulled a face and made a chopping motion over her wrists.
Angel
nodded and turned to Gunn.
“Gunn,
your professional assessment.”
“From
what Fred says and from the questions he was asking me, I would evaluate our
situation as precarious at best. In my interview, he was interested in employee
contracts and adherence to security protocols, randomly checking employees to
ensure that paperwork was in order and the Statement of Compliance to our
security procedures had been signed.”
“Taking
this information, together with his interest in Spike, I would suggest he is
going to pursue a corruption and gross negligence angle.”
Stunned
silence greeted this evaluation. Gunn’s serious gaze caught each of them in
turn before continuing with an explanation.
“He’ll
have proof that Spike has never signed a contract with the Company, neither has
he signed up to our security protocols.
If Spike were to leak confidential information, the Company would have
no legal redress. This would be direct proof of gross negligence on out part.”
“On
top of that there’s Spike’s relationship to you and the fact that half the
medical budget was spent on someone not directly connected to the Company. It
may smack of nepotism and corruption. You wanted my professional opinion?” He
asked, looking directly at Angel. “He’s gunning for you personally.”
Shocked
silence followed this stark assessment
“Wesley?”
“Given
the facts, I have to concur with Gunn’s evaluation. I’m sorry, Angel.”
“Ok.
Now we know what we’re dealing with. I need you to go through our cases and highlight
Spike’s involvement. I want to know what meetings he’s attended and the
information he’s had access to. Gunn, a couple of days ago I offered Spike a
job here and he said he’d consider it. I
want a contract drawn up, the same terms as you’re all on. I want it made clear
that the medical expenditure was in the form of a sweetener to entice Spike to
take the contract and if there is any other expenditure unaccounted for,
include it.”
“Once
we’ve got the exact details of his involvement in Company activities we’ll go
through them line by line. We can’t afford any nasty surprises.”
Gunn
cleared his throat.
“I’ll
get the contract drawn up, what will his position be?”
“We’re
going to re-open the Special Projects Division with Spike as the Head.”
“Angel,
is that wise? I mean… Spike…?”
Dark
eyes considered them and reached a decision.
“I
want to show you something.”
He
went to the safe, stabbed in the code and pulled out a shiny, new briefcase.
They noticed that the locks on it had been broken.
“Uh.
Isn’t that Spike’s? Are you sure you should be…?” Fred protested.
Angel
ignored her, maybe he shouldn’t have, but it was too late now. He delved into
the case and withdrew some papers, passing a set to each of them.
“These
are the plans that Spike was trying to present that day he got injured.”
Wesley
was skimming though, Gunn was carefully digesting the detail, Lorne wasn’t a
man cut out for war, the words tactics, diversions, infiltration and defection
meant little to him. Fred was frowning slightly.
“You
never said he was a strategist.”
“He
wasn’t when I knew him. Guess you can learn a lot in a hundred years.”
“Are
you sure Spike came up with this?” Gunn asked incredulously.
Angel
nodded.
“Well
then.” Wesley pushed up his glasses, he had read enough. “That answers my
question then. Spike as Head of Special Projects.”
“So
we’re agreed?”
They
all nodded their assent.
“Ok.
Wesley, I believe you have some knowledge of Spike’s past one hundred
years. I want you to help me draw up his
résumé dealing with that period and I’ll work on the twenty years previous. We
need to clearly prove he was the only suitable candidate for this position. The
majority of my actions can be explained as necessary incidentals for the
purpose of head hunting Spike.”
“Wesley,
Lorne? You need to be particularly careful in your interviews with him. You
know where we’re coming from with this. “
He
quickly outlined his plan and his assumed position within it.
“Our
view is that we know Spike is more than capable of doing the job. We believe
him to be the most suitable candidate for the post. That much is true enough.”
Again
they nodded their agreement.
“He
has never wittingly been given access to confidential or sensitive information
but he has been and will be required to sit in on meetings for the purpose of
gaining his independent advice and acclimatising him to the Company culture.
Understand? Remember this Mede guy is a truth reader. If you doubt the truth of
anything I’ve said then I suggest you start your statements with ‘Angel said’.
Is there anything I haven’t covered?”
“Just
clarification. You’ve been expending money on Spike for the purpose of enticing
him to take the job. Is this true?”
“Yes,
it is.” Angel lied.
They
were all bright people. The boss had said it was true and they could now refer
to his words with complete honesty.
“Ok.
Gather the data and we’ll reconvene in an hour.”
They
breathed again once they were outside.
“Wasn’t
that interesting?”
“Shit.
Is that all you have to say? This is going to be bad.”
“No,
I meant Angel and Spike…”
“Ohhh.
Angel is interested in Spike that
way?” Gunn asked incredulously.
“I’m
not sure if he is.” Wesley replied. “But he certainly doesn’t want anyone else to
be. I think the potential is there and he’s just starting to realise it.”
It
was Lorne who finally put his finger on it.
“Angelpie
is an emotional desert, waiting for the rain to make it come to blooming back
to life. Let’s face it. The guy doesn’t understand what he feels. But that
wasn’t sire / childe or any sort of vampire possessiveness. It’s jealousy.”
“Angel
and Spike…?” Gunn still sounded disbelieving. “Man, we’re in for a
rollercoaster ride.”
“Then
we’ll just have to hang on for dear life.” Wesley replied phlegmatically.