She looked around surreptitiously, noting the Watchers and the Witches in full research mode. Xander had left to go for food as she'd suggested and Anya was picking out materials for a spell she never intended to do. The girls all knew exactly what was wrong with Angel, and none of them were going to let Giles or Wesley find out in the midst of a spell.
No one had noticed that Spike, too, was gone, she noted. She tapped her fingers on the counter, trying vainly to concentrate on the research she was supposed to be doing. She looked in Willow's direction again and felt the witch sliding into her head.
'Cordy, it's okay. Spike had the cell phone. He promised he'd call if anything happened. He had a plan.' Willow projected to the brunette.
"I know, but I'm still worried," Cordelia replied, putting her hand to her mouth when she realized she'd said it out loud.
Wesley looked up from the trunk he was rummaging through. "Of course you are, Cordy. None of us want to see anything bad happen to Buffy or Angel. And the events of the past few days have been quite mysterious and worrisome." He came up behind her and put his hand on her shoulder. "But I'm sure we'll find something. Giles is working on a spell out back that will tell us the magickal signature of the spellcaster who did something to Angel. I'm not sure how the details work but it's another one of the spells the Council no longer teaches. I had no idea Rupert was so well versed in the darker side of the Arts," he continued, walking back to his task.
Willow turned pale. "Well, he was a disciple of Eyeghon for awhile. Learning some of the darker aspects of Watcher training doesn't seem much of a leap. But you don't think this spell would hurt the caster right? Like he said the spell we used on Angel would make a human kind of…explode?"
Wesley cocked his head to the side. "Well, I don't really know, Willow. But I assume that he's not assuming the caster is a demon, and I'd hope he wouldn't use anything that would harm a human once enacted…"
Willow paled even more, and got up from her chair shakily. "I think-I think I'll just lay down. I must not have gotten enough sleep last night. I feel kinda queasy," she said, her eyes shooting daggers at Cordelia.
Tara walked from the back yard, her eyes immediately finding Willow. "What's wrong, honey?" she asked.
Cordy smiled a huge fake grin. "Oh, she's just tired. I guess you guys were up late last night, right? By the way, how's that spell you were helping Giles with going? Going to be marking any sorcerers anytime soon?"
Tara's eyes widened and she looked at Willow in panic. "Is that what it was for? Giles said we were invoking to… he said we were just getting some information on the possible demons in town with spell casting ability. N-not humans…like witches or sorcerers," she stuttered nervously.
Wesley gave the three of them an odd look. "So it went off without a hitch, I assume?"
"Well, yes, it did. When the demon who bespelled Angel comes in contact with him, their flesh will…." Tara looked at her girlfriend, trying to cover up her horrified expression.
"Will what?" Wesley asked, his voice hollow and echoed as he continued his search for the amulet Giles had been looking for.
"Their flesh will turn a brilliant blue, and we'll be able to tell whom the caster was. So we can ask what's going on," Tara whispered, her hands coming up to cover her mouth in shock.
Willow's eyes rolled back in her head, and Tara gasped. "I think she fainted."
Wesley got up immediately, banging his head on the trunk lid as he stood. "Yes, well, perhaps you should take her home for awhile, Tara. If she's that tired, she won't be of any use to Buffy or Angel later on, and we may need her."
Cordy let out a breath of relief. "I'll drive Willow and Tara home, and then come back here. Can Anya help out while I'm gone?"
Wesley raised his eyebrow at her. "Anya has been helping. Who do you think was the third in Giles magick circle for that spell? Go ahead and go, and see if you can find Xander on your way back. I could have sworn he was supposed to bring us food…"
Cordelia groaned. "And yet again, I become the Scooby who drives everyone
everywhere."
************************************************************************
Buffy flopped back onto the bed, gasping for air. Her eyes sought out the two
vampires lounging on her tummy, shooting her satisfied smiles. Glaring, she
managed to pant, "Don't you two ever tire out? Or at least chafe or something?"
Angel looked at Spike, who merely grinned back at him. Together they looked up at Buffy, their eyes sparkling. Spike ran his fingers up Buffy's tummy, tickling her lightly. "Now who let their ass over load their mouth?" he asked, trying not to chuckle at the murderous look she gave him.
Angel snickered, his hand reaching out to Spike's to high five him. He groaned as Buffy's knee dug into his stomach. "Buffy, there's no need to be…"
"Yes, there is! You two have just outsexed me for life. And I'm only 20. I never be able to get up slay demons again, much less lay them," she said, a delectable pout forming on her lips.
Even Angel laughed as she said this, his large hands twining with one of Buffy's and one of Spike's. Spike was unable to keep himself from smiling at him, but quickly rolled his eyes at the display. "Good God, mate, we've turned into some bizarre Kodak moment."
Buffy giggled. "Somehow, I think this moment is one that's unprintable."
"Unless you're name's Larry Flynt," Angel quipped. Spike's eyes met his, dancing with amusement. "What? I can't make a joke?"
"No, I just wondered how you kept yourself sane all these years of repression," Spike replied, chuckling.
Buffy let out a throaty laugh and both men looked at her. "What? I'm not that innocent! I've seen porn mags!"
Spike raised an eyebrow at her, and she relented.
"Okay, I've seen one. And it happened to be a Hustler. Sheesh. Spoilsport," she grumbled.
Angel laughed, and Spike joined him. Buffy sighed, and poked Spike in the arm. He glared at her, cradling his arm with the opposite hand. "Anyone ever tell you that you're rather shrewish, Slayer?" he asked peevishly.
"Not anyone who's still alive," she answered in a singsong. "When did you tell Cordy we'd be back? I can't see what time it cause of the curtains, but we've been here an awful long time."
Spike looked at her as if she was a very stupid child. "Luv, you talked to the others. You and the Poof. You told them where you were going and when you'd be back."
Buffy scratched her head, trying to remember what she'd told the gang about her and Angel's departure. She looked at Angel, who looked like wise puzzled. Suddenly it hit her. They'd told them they were going to beat info out of Willy, even if it took all day. She got up slowly, shrugging off the vampires who'd been using her as a pillow, and made her way to the window. Lifting the corner a tiny bit, she gasped. "Um, you guys, it's like pitch black out. It's late. Like after nine pm late."
Spike frowned. "Who cares?"
"Well, for one, I do. Cause we've been here since one in the afternoon and they have to be wondering where we are. Hell they might have even gone to ask Willy if we've been there."
Angel groaned. "Do we have to go back?" Spike and Buffy chuckled, and he glared at them. "What?"
"Someone has definitely spent four years without getting laid if he's as sore as you have to be and still wanting more," Buffy commented, still laughing.
Angel frowned. "So you're saying we have to go then?"
Buffy nodded, giving Spike a look that sent the younger vampire off in search of their clothes. Angel pouted for a moment, then began sorting out his garments as well. Within a few minutes, they were fully clothed, and extinguishing all the candles.
Buffy glanced around the room wistfully. "You think we'll be able to hide what's going on?"
Spike shrugged nonchalantly. "You never know, Buffy. Sometimes people find things out without your consent. Look at how we got outed."
"But we haven't extended the claim yet," she said softly.
"We'll get to it later tonight, luv. Our hours are really just starting, and your friends will be asleep soon. We have all night to finish this."
"Yeah…we do, don't we?" she replied, following him and Angel out the door.
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On to Chapter Twenty-six
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