Forever, Always, and Then Some

Chapter 93

 

Spike is watching TV when the door opens.

Spike: About time you showed up.

Faith: I ain’t here for what you think. I just wanted to watch some TV and I don’t have one.

Spike: Okay, whatever you want to tell yourself.

Faith: I went by the house first. The place looks deserted.

Spike: That is because Anya went and got herself kidnapped by Riley and Harmony. They are in LA trying to find her.

Faith: How do you know?

Spike: They left us a note.

Faith: And they didn’t need me?

Spike: Guess not. Guess they left you here with me. Not that I am minding.

Faith: You best get over it. What happened the other night was a one time deal.

Spike: Then you will never know what a vampire can do with his hands.

Faith: What?

Spike: I don’t tell. But I am willing to demonstrate.

Faith: Yeah right.

Spike: Just sit down and watch the telly and quit getting your dander in an uproar.

Faith: Fine.

She sits down.

Spike: Want some bourbon?

Faith: No can do. I am on parole. No alcohol.

Spike: That’s all I have except blood.

Faith: Ewww.

Spike: Hey I am trying to be sociable.

Faith: Stop trying. It don’t work for you.

Spike: Well is there anything you do want?

Faith: Nope.

Spike: Just let me know.

 

 

In LA

 

Cordy: Is he asleep?

Gunn: Yes.

Cordy: Good then we can get to bed.

Gunn: Does he still wake up at night?

Cordy: No but he is an early riser.

Gunn: Oh. Well you can take him then.

Cordy: Not alone I don’t.

Gunn: Dennis can help you. I plan to sleep in.

Cordy: It feels funny having a baby here.

Gunn: I know what you mean.

Cordy: I am just getting use to you here all the time.

Gunn: Well he is temporary but I’m not.

They snuggle down.

Gunn: Hey watch your hand.

Cordy: Why?

Gunn: Cordy.

Cordy: What? Are you getting tired of me already?

Gunn: No but there is someone else in here.

Cordy: Dennis is not in here.

Gunn: Not him. Conner.

Cordy: Conner? You are not serious.

Gunn: I am not having sex with a baby in the room.

Cordy: Huh?

Gunn: It is just not right.

Cordy: So Angel and Buffy don’t do anything when Conner is in the room.

Gunn: They don’t do anything period, remember.

Cordy: Sure they don’t.

Gunn: They can’t.

Cordy: They can’t have sex but I know for a fact they do things.

Gunn: What are you talking about?

Cordy: The day of the accident, I ran into tell them and he had his hand where it could give her the most pleasure.

Gunn: Are you saying he was fingering her?

Cordy: Oh yeah. And Conner was in the crib sleeping.

Gunn: I thought they couldn’t do that because of the curse.

Cordy: I guess the curse only means he can’t get happy. She can be as happy as can be.

Gunn: Oh, never thought about that. Good for them.

Cordy: Well what about us. Can’t we be happy.

Gunn: I am happy.

Cordy: You know what I mean.

Gunn: I am still not comfortable doing it with a baby in the room.

Cordy: Then stay under the covers. Actually you can go way under the covers.

Gunn laughs.

 

 

In Vegas

 

Angel: Okay here is what I think. We need to split up into groups and fan out and see what we can turn up. Our best bet is to find the vehicle. It will probably be parked near wherever they are staying. Now Since Dawn, Willow, and Xander knew Riley the best, I thinks they should each be in a different group.

Buffy: Uh I knew him better than anyone.

Angel; But you my dear are staying here and going to bed.

Buffy: No way.

Angel: Buffy, please don’t argue. You need to remember that you are pregnant and your body needs it rest. And we are only going on a search mission. Nothing else.

Buffy: But.

Willow: Buffy, he is right. We may need you later.

Buffy: Fine. Gang up on Buffy.

Xander: Buffy, no one is ganging up on you we just can handle this without you overdoing.

Buffy: I said fine already. I will go to bed. You all wake me after it’s over.

She storms off.

Angel: That was pleasant.

Willow: Hormones.

Angel: I know. I keep reminding myself.

Oz: Do all pregnant women get that emotional?

Angel; From what I am told. Now lets get back to the plan. What I was saying, is that we split into three groups. This is going to be a lot of foot work but I think they are probably right in the heart of the city. Lots of action

Willow: Lots of potential meals.

Angel: That too. Xander, if you and Ox can head north. Then Willow, Fred and Wesley can head south. Just check all the parking garages. The Range Rover is our only big clue right now.

Dawn: What about me? Do I get Buffy sitting duty?

Angel: No, you are going with me. You know Riley better than I do. You may recognize him easier.

Dawn: So which way are we going?

Angel; We, little sister are going to check out the backrooms of the clubs.

Dawn: Backrooms?

Angel: The rooms that cater to the demon clientele.

Dawn: Oh the Willies of Las Vegas.

Angel: Sorta. So any questions, complaints, suggestions?

Willow: Handcuffing Buffy to the bed?

Angel: Willow.

Willow: I was kidding. She may stay put.

Angel: Well you all go on, I will check on her before I leave.

Xander: Hope there is no wooden furniture in there.

 

Angel walks into the bedroom.

Angel: Buffy?

He sits on the edge of the bed.

Angel: Buffy? Are you not talking to me?

Buffy: Just go. I will do what you want.

Angel: Hey look at me.

She rolls over and looks at him.

Angel: I hope you know how much I love you.

Buffy: I know. But I am not a child.

Angel: Never said you were. Well not lately at least.

Buffy: Then don’t treat me like one.

Angel: I just want you safe. And I don’t want anything to happen to you or to our baby.

Buffy: Okay, I am sorry that I keep forgetting that you know what I need more than me.

Angel: There is no talking to you when your like this.

Buffy: Like what?

Angel: Forget it.

He goes to stand up and she grabs his arm and jerks him over her and onto the other side of the bed.

Angel: Was that necessary?

Buffy: It was.

Angel: Not sure why, but I do know it wasn’t smart.

Buffy: Because I am tired of you always walking off when I am trying to talk to you.

Angel: I was trying to avoid an argument.

Buffy: I am too. I need you to tell me why you think I am not able to decide for myself what I need.

Angel: Buffy.

Buffy: Angel.

Angel: It is not that you don’t know what you need. It is that you put everything and everyone in front of your own needs. Which normally is something I admire in you. But now that you have another life depending on your every move, you just can’t do it. No matter how much you want to and no matter how much they need you to. Right now Caitlin needs you more than anyone. And you seem to keep forgetting that.

Buffy: Like I could forget about her for one second. You, Conner, and Caitlin are my life. And I have tried to do everything to ensure nothing happens to her.

Angel: I see. Like throwing me just now.

Buffy: You made me mad.

Angel: So for a mere moment, you forgot about Caitlin, and reacted to your own needs.

Buffy: Well, uh, yes.

Angel: That is my point. What would have happened if I had resisted you just a little, or if I had slipped. I may have landed on you and not beside you. And that would have been bad.

Buffy: But you didn’t.

He rolls toward her and looks down into her eyes.

Angel: Buffy, I can’t force you to stay here and get some sleep but I really hope you will. I need you to be well rested because tomorrow I will not be able to go outside and you may have to lead things. Besides I would hate to be worrying about you while I am out searching for them.

Buffy: I am not leaving here. And I may even get some rest but it is not because you told me to.

Angel: Thank you. Now I am going to go see what we can find. If you hear from Kate just call us. I have my phone. Wes has his. And Xander and Oz have yours.

Buffy: Where is Dawn?

Angel: She is going with me. I will keep her safe.

Buffy: You take care of Dawn and I guess I will take care of Caitlin.

Angel: Now can I go or will you stop me.

Buffy: Stop you.

Angel: Oh, uh why.

Buffy: Because I can’t get to sleep until you kiss me good night.

Angel: Oh something I want to do.

He gently touches his mouth to hers.

Angel: You get to bed and I will see you later.

Buffy: Good night.

 

Angel leaves the room.

Dawn: Well how is she?

Angel: Calmer.

Dawn: Then are we leaving?

Angel: Yes. Ready to explore the seedier side of life.

Dawn: Nothing can shock me anymore.

Angel: I wouldn’t say that. Life can always throw you a curve.

Dawn: Like Riley and Harmony?

Angel: Very good example.

 

 

Later

Vegas Casino.

Dawn: So there is a backroom at this club?

Angel: There was last time I was here. We will see.

Dawn: Are humans welcome?

Angel: Yes.

Dawn: Not that I am really human.

Angel: You are nothing but human. My nose never lies.

Dawn: Oh.

They enter the back room and begin wandering around. Angel pauses at a few of the tables and Dawn looks around at the various creatures.

Dawn: I think there is one in every color under the rainbow.

Angel: I guess there is. But I don’t see our couple.

Dawn: Me either.

Angel: Well lets try the next club.

As they head for the door, Dawn bumps into a female demon.

Leena: Watch it.

Dawn: Sorry. I didn’t see you.

Leena: Then you need to open your damn eyes.

Angel turns around and realizes that Dawn is no longer behind him. He walks back

Angel: Dawn, you need to stay with me.

Dawn: I know.

Leena: You. Its you.

Angel: What is me?

Leena: You are him. The vampire who ruined my life.

Angel: Not sure who you are.

Leena: You caused me to lose the best job I ever had. And look at me. I am selling trinkets and souvenirs to drunks and gamblers.

Dawn: You know her?

Angel: I don’t think so.

Leena: Oh ruin a girl’s life and don’t even bother to remember her.

Angel: Want to clue me in.

Leena: Madam Dorian’s

Angel: The brothel?

Leena: We preferred gentleman’s club.

Dawn: You went to a brothel? Oh this is good.

Angel: Dawn, I did not.

Leena: No they don’t service his kind there. He just came in there to cost me my job.

Angel: Oh, now I know who you are. The girl with the tail.

Leena: I still have that. Not that you will ever get to experience the pleasures.

Angel: Dawn: Let’s go.

Leena: Isn’t she a little young for you. But I guess you like your meals fresh.

Angel morphs and growls.

Angel: She is not my meal, she is my little sister. (he morphs back) Lets go Dawn.

They head out.

Dawn: Good thing Buffy didn’t hear that.

Angel: Hear what?

Dawn: You were at a brothel, oh excuse me, a gentleman’s club.

Angel: I was on a case. Nothing else.

Dawn: Okay, I believe you. (giggles)

Angel: I was.

Dawn: Okay, what ever you say.

Angel: Lets go.

© 2005 Tara