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True Colors by TalesofSpike
 
Chapter 2:03
 
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SECTION 2 - ANGEL CITY

I got a buncha boys
We make a lot of noise
Little bit crazy
Playing with chemical toys
We're such bad ass dudes
I almost can't stand it myself
I wanna get the c**bs
In my elegant rags
Make my mom and daddy uptight
I wanna be an intellectual
Heterosexual, Angel City tonight.

(Motorhead, Album 1916)



Chapter 2.03
Tuesday, May 7th, 2002

Tuesday Morning

Cordy could hear the heavy sounds of Angel's hands impacting with the punching bag before she reached the room. She spoke as she went in, trying to distract the champion from his obvious brooding.

"Hey- I guess Fred is working on a way to determine if anything else came out of the portal."

Angel steadied the bag but still didn't turn to face the seer.

"That's good." His reply was terse.

"So maybe if we're very, very lucky, later today we'll be able to kill something. You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

"Sure."

Cordy took a few seconds to debate her options before deciding to continue. "You had a phone call while you were out last night."

"Yeah." Angel's tone implied that he really didn't care.

"Buffy."

Angel continued to work on the punch-bag in silence, so Cordy pressed on.

"She said she wanted to see you." Angel steadied the punch-bag, looking at Cordy for the first time.

"I did say that now might not be the best time, that you were busy dealing with some family business."

"She's coming anyway, isn't she?"

Cordy nodded. "Tonight when she finishes work. She offered to help. Not that it seems like there'll be much for them to help with."

"Them?" asked Angel.

"Yeah, well, you're not going to like this part. Spike is her chauffeur for the night."

The punch-bag swung wildly as Angel's fist connected with enough force to split a knuckle or two.

"Does she know what happened the last time he was here?"

Cordy shrugged. "I don't know and I think that even if she does, she's hoping the two of you can put aside your differences, since she seemed to be volunteering his help as well."

Angel swung several more meaty punches at the bag so that the chains juddered, but still didn't comment.

"Maybe she's right. It seems from what I've heard from Willow that he's made a fresh start this last year or so. He's been helping them out for ages, for nothing, which is more than can be said for any of us. Seems like he played a big part in looking after Dawn when Buffy died. Him and the kid apparently dote on one another. I heard he nearly got himself tortured to death trying to keep her safe."

"Cordy, whatever front he may put on for public consumption, I know what Spike is. Spike is a ruthless killer with no feelings for anyone but himself and Dru and his feelings for Dru are just because it's in his blood."

"I think you may be wrong. From what I've heard not all of the Sunnydale crowd like him. Especially not Xander but then I don't recall Xander liking you either, but I think they would all say he's been useful.

It might be an idea if you spoke to Giles before they come. Get an unbiased opinion.

You either use this as an opportunity to reconnect with him, and give him the same benefit of the doubt that you want Connor to give you - or you start all "the macho vampire dominance crap" as Buffy put it and you'll probably never see him again. He's your family, it's up to you."

"Look, Cordy." Angel tried to spell things out for his colleague. "Spike is not coming here to win friends and influence people. He's a ruthless, psychotic killing machine and I know because I'm the one who moulded him. I beat every last bit of finer feeling out of him. Even if he can't hurt humans that still leaves you, Lorne, me and potentially Connor vulnerable to him. He's planning something. I don't know what, but whatever it is, it won't be a game of Happy Families."

"Angel. I get the message. You don't trust Spike. Buffy does though. She wouldn't be bringing him otherwise. I got the impression that if there's any trouble she thinks you'll be the one to start it. She trusts him not to start anything. Buffy's not a schoolgirl any more. She's a grown woman and she's seen a lot more of him for the last couple of years than you have. If she trusts him enough to put him in charge of her family's safety and she trusts him to bring her here without starting trouble then why shouldn't you."

"You just don't get it, Cordy. Spike and I have a history, very little of it good. I took pleasure in his pain. I forced him to submit to my domination. He's never been his own man. Even when I left, after I got my soul, he was forced to spend the next century trying to live up to the legacy I left behind. Then I come back and humiliate him again while he's stuck in a wheelchair unable to fight back. Spike hates me. I spent years, decades doing everything I could to make sure that he hated me. He hates me for how I treated him when we were all together and he hates me for leaving. He hates me most because he's had to live in my shadow. He loved Dru for over a century. He was the one who nursed her, looked after her, but I just had to look her way once after the best part of a hundred years and she left him for me.

These aren't things that could be forgiven. Even if he had a soul it would be nearly impossible. He hasn't, all he has is a demon thirsting for vengeance.

Tell me now that you think he wouldn't cause trouble, that once he knows Connor exists and what he means to me that he will be safe."

Cordy tried again to pacify him. "You said he hates you for leaving. That tends to imply that he wanted you to stay."

"You couldn't understand. He's family. There's all sorts of things in the mix but the bulk of what he feels is hatred and a need to prove himself."

"Okay, Angel, I say again speak to Giles, but you just said it yourself, he's family, and all this irredeemable crap is exactly what Connor says about you. It seems to me that if you want the benefit of the doubt, you should be prepared to give it to someone else now and again.

When all's said and done you can always hit him back, if he hits you first, not to mention the fact that Gunn and Fred could take him out if they had to and he wouldn't be able to do a thing about it.

Or of course, if you want Buffy to think you're a huge loser who doesn't trust her judgement you could attack him the minute he arrives.

You have till around nine this evening to think about it.

And about Connor, you're doing the right thing."

The thump, thump, thump of Angel's fists on the punch-bag ceased leaving only the sound of the bag swinging on its chains, but Angel refused to look her in the eye. Cordy turned to go.

"What if he doesn't come back?" Angel's voice stalled her on her way out and she turned back to him, their eyes meeting. "He feels further away from me now than when he was first taken. All that time I don't think I ever really believed that I'd lost him - not really. Then he shows up again and I knew I had."

"It's only temporary," the seer assured him.

"Yeah. Everything's temporary. There's just so much I thought we'd be able to do together before he, you know."

"Grew up?"

"Hated me."

"Angel, he doesn't hate you. He doesn't even know you. - But he will. He's gonna come back, Angel."

"How do you know?

"Because - he has to. Because he's family."

 




 

Buffy had spoken to Lorraine that morning on the telephone. She'd taken the easy way out and explained that she was still feeling a bit weak. She was up and about, but didn't feel she would be able to return to work as she was still shaky, emotionally and physically after the attack, so much so that she would prefer to be accompanied when she was out and about. She had promised to drop off her uniform or get "William" to drop it off later in the week. Then the pair of them had dropped by The Magic Box to pick up a set of keys from Anya so that Buffy could get a first hand look round the flat and take some quick curtain measurements before they went shopping.

Spike once again thanked the modern propensity for large malls with few points of egress and a preference for shelf-space over natural light which made vampire shopping far simpler than in the past. Once he had made it through to the dingy multi-storey parking lot attached to the mall he didn't have to worry about sunlight unless he passed near one of the four main entrances.

He had decided on the largest possible quilt size and a deep violet silk quilt cover. He had wanted black sheets and pillowcases to contrast with the cover. Buffy had wanted lilac. When Spike refused to buy "poofy" sheets it had emerged that his previous pink bedding had in fact been left behind by Harmony when she moved out. Buffy had decided that demon eggs aside, letting her unknowingly use Harmony's sheets was reason enough for blowing up his crypt. They finally compromised on a silvery grey.

Spike had insisted they drop off the bulky purchases and have a coffee before they started looking for curtains.

"Pet, have you thought any about where we're going to live when we're married?"

"Well, no. I just assumed you'd move into the house."

"And share your room?"

"Well, yeah- Oh, I see what you mean. It's going to be a bit small isn't it? But Willow's in mom's room."

"Okay, pet. As far as I can see it there are three options assuming the wiccas are back as a unit. Option the first. Red moves out of your place and in with Glinda, which means the easiest thing is for us to take your mum's room.

Option the second. Pixie moves back in to your place. This leaves us a bit short on space, but maybe if the stuff that's in the basement would fit in your room, we could convert the basement into a bedroom. Maybe get someone to put up some drywall to section off the laundry area so the rest of them can use it without disturbing us. We could probably even get them to fit an extra bathroom, maybe some sound-proofing.

Option the third, we look for another place. Either for the three of us or the five of us."

"I thought you were supposed to be quitting with the surprises."

"I did. That's why I didn't mention this yesterday. It's something you and Dawn need to discuss with the witches. Whatever way it goes I'll be happy. We'll either have a bit of extra privacy or we'll have Glinda around which'll make me happier about leavin' Bit when we patrol."

"We don't need to make a decision right this minute though, do we?"

"Well, if you think we're likely to end up in your mum's old room we're going to need a lot more curtains to match the bedding than otherwise."

Buffy just sighed and decided to concentrate on her cappuccino.

The rest of the morning and the early afternoon passed with lots of good-natured bickering and not a few sets of puppy-dog eyes on either side before they finally admitted that they weren't going to be able to fit anything else into the car. Back at the flat Buffy got to unpack all the goodies from the car, stacking them to one side until Anya removed all her stuff and Spike could officially move in, hopefully when they came back from LA.

Spike grabbed a few minutes sleep in the passenger seat on the shady side of the car. He wasn't going to start complaining, but sleeping on a stone sarcophagus after a night in Buffy's arms had resulted in him getting about the same amount of sleep for far less pleasant reasons. He could have gone up with her, but unlike earlier he had been unable to park the car in the early morning shade of the building and reach the entry hall uncovered. He didn't want the occupants of the other flats to see him running around under a blanket before he'd even moved in. Let their suspicions remain unaroused as long as possible. Besides, what's the point in having a girlfriend with super-strength if you don't let her use it now and then?

The sound of a car horn awoke Spike as Buffy cut-up the driver of a large white van, having belatedly realised that she was in the wrong lane.

"Bloody hell, woman. What on earth are you playing at?"

"Just trying to get in the right lane."

"No. Why the hell are you driving? I was supposed to drive. Remember?"

"You looked all cute and sleepy and I didn't want to disturb you."

"How often do I have to tell you not to use the "C" word, bint?" Spike was startled to realise they were almost at their destination. He had obviously been more tired than even he had realised. It wasn't even worth getting her to pull off the freeway at this stage so that he could take over, so he confined himself to giving directions and advising her as to when to change lane.

They had decided it would be better if they booked somewhere other than the Hyperion to stay whilst they were in town since Spike was none too sure of his welcome. Even if his meeting with Angel didn't result in an all-out bloodbath, it was hardly likely that his grand-sire would tolerate the noise from a room they might share. Not to mention the fact that having her ex with whom she'd spent one relatively innocent night listen to her and Spike's antics wasn't Buffy's idea of fun either.

Spike directed her toward a motel he had used before, neither too close nor too far from Angel's hotel. The room doors faced north and parking for each room was directly in front. The rooms were large with separate sitting, sleeping and food prep areas. They were well kept and Spike knew that Buffy would be pleased to find that patio doors on the south side of the room block opened onto a pleasant pool area. He'd got Dawn to fetch a bikini for Buffy when he first came over that morning and it was now sitting in the bottom of one of his duster pockets.

Passing Buffy a bundle of notes from his now almost depleted supply, Spike sent her to book the room. He slid over into the driver's seat. By some miracle they and his car seemed to have survived the two-hour trip, but that didn't mean he trusted Buffy's parallel parking.

Without him having said anything Buffy came back over to the passenger side after her trip to the office.

"Room eight. Check out is ten thirty, assuming we don't need to stay longer."

"See what you feel like tomorrow, pet. Not like you have to go to work, and I dare say LA has more choice in the way of say. expensive white dresses than Sunnydale."

Spike drove over to park in front of the assigned room and climbed out of the car, grabbing their one case and the cooler from the trunk and waiting for Buffy to open the room door. Looking at the small case in his hand, he asked, "did you actually pack anything for me or is this all yours?"

Buffy scowled in return. "You've got the bag of toiletries you left at mine the other night, some socks, a pair of jeans, two spare shirts and a spare T-shirt."

"Bet you didn't pack my trunks."

"You bet right, but since you didn't mention there was a pool so that I knew to bring mine, you've only got yourself to blame. And I bet you don't even own a pair of trunks."

"Okay, so maybe they're really an old pair of jeans that I cut the legs off of when the knees got ripped but they do the job, and it's hardly fair for you to complain." Spike pulled four triangles of material with a few ties from his pocket. "Especially when I got Dawn to find this for you."

Buffy slid her arms around him under the coat, thanking him without words. Spike leant down and kissed her softly on the tip of her nose.

"Go on, love. Go enjoy yourself. We've got a couple of hours yet before sundown. There probably is a nice shady entrance somewhere to Angel's place, but since we're going in the front way I reckon he can wait till dusk. Running in and trying to stamp out the flames from a burning blanket isn't the sort of entrance I want to make. I'll grab another forty winks, or I might just lie here and watch to make sure you don't attract any unwelcome attention. We can order pizza or something when you're done."

"No, it's okay. I'd feel guilty going swimming while you were stuck in here."

"Pet, there's only one of us is a vampire. And if you don't think I'd enjoy watching that gorgeous body of yours swimming up and down, all wet and nubile in that tiny little bikini then you don't know me very well. And I can watch fine from here as long as I stay in the front half of the room." Spike grabbed a couple of pillows and dropped them at the foot of the bed. Buffy realised that lying with his head at that end, he would be able to see the pool, or at least part of it. She remained undecided, her gaze flicking back and forth between the bikini which now lay on the bed, the pool and Spike, as he unhurriedly stripped off his duster, followed by his boots and socks, his shirt and his T-shirt. Finally he loosened the button on his jeans so that they rode on his hips and let himself flop onto the bed.

"Is that as much of a show as I get? I thought the ring would entitle me to the full package."

"You're always entitled to the full package. The bitty people in the pool there aren't."

Buffy pulled shut the curtains screening off the patio doors and then for good measure she closed the ones at the front of the room as well.

"Swimming can wait until later. Till we can go together, when all the sensible people are in bed asleep. For just now why don't we both get a couple of hours sleep. Who knows what we're going to be getting ourselves into later?"

Buffy stripped off layers of clothing until she was left in a camisole top and a thong. She climbed onto the bed alongside him, squeezing her shoulder in between his arm and his body so she could use his chest for a pillow. Her top arm draped over his waist and her leg hooked over his nearest one, her foot resting between his shins. His hand came up unable to resist the urge to stroke the gold streaked hair of the girl beside him and soon the soothing motion caused her to drift off.

 
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