The threatened WIP
Feb. 17th, 2004 11:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lonelybrit**yawns**
God I'm knackered and I still haven't done this report. Oh well. Sleep's overrated. Apparently.
Anyway. This idea came to me during the last summer, after the Season 4 finale, 'Home'. I knew that Angel and Co. were going to relocate to W&H next season, but beyond that I had no clue what was going to actually happen.
So, me being the niave person that I am, I thought: 'Hey, I'll have the whole summer to while away, I could try writing something!'
Did I have free time?
Did I hell.
This is as far as I got. **sadsigh**
Full Circle – draft.
Epilogue:
I see the moon.
The moon sees me.
God bless the moon.
And God bless me.
He knew he was dreaming. The way events seemed to flow and jerk along with no order made it pretty clear that this was no reality.
Why was it always the sea?
Something had drawn him here but he couldn’t remember why. Whatever it was, it must have been pretty unimportant for him to forget it so easily. In which case, why couldn’t he stand here a while and look out?
It was endless. The water moving with great sighs and thousands of tiny hisses drawn through the stones. Everything dark, he could imagine it stretching on and on forever until it merged with the sky.
And then there was another one of those jumps and somehow he was somewhere else. A silent corridor with so many doors, warmly lit as if someone lived here.
Another jump. Another dark sky with clouds swirling angrily high above him.
And then again, back to the sea. The moon was dancing over thousands of waves, its light splintering and flowing like it were alive.
Only this time he wasn’t alone. Someone was watching him, someone a long way away.
Amber eyes glinting faintly from the shadows.
Connor jerked awake, half sitting up. He let out a short sigh as his moonlit room came back into focus, posters, books, the normal world.
With a soft laugh he flopped back down, determined to get a few more hours sleep before he was dragged into another ‘excitement’ filled day courtesy of his hyperactive sister. Why couldn’t the schools have kept going just a little bit longer?
“Gotta lay off the sci-fi movies,” he mumbled, pulling up the covers.
As sleep gently began to seep through his veins, he again heard that distant howl from deep in the woods. His rapidly fading senses reassured him it was simply coyotes crying to the moon.
Chapter 1:
The whole city felt drugged with heat. The people moved through the streets, feet heavy, eyes glazed. Everywhere the air was filled with the moist, smothering smell of rotting food, warm bodies, damp drains and overheated stone. The scent of summer.
Inside the offices of Wolfram and Hart the air-conditioning units thundered away non-stop, throwing out the heat and moisture constantly threatening to overpower the employees. The cold, dryness left behind however only served to make the world outside seem even more harsh and alien than before. Windows and doors offering glimpses of people trudging through unfelt heat under an unseen but apparently unforgiving sun.
“Good morning Mr. Angel.”
Angel nodded in polite acknowledgement, making a beeline for the small group standing by the main lift. The swirling mass of staff parted before him with numerous nods and respectful greetings that mostly went unheeded.
“What about Mr Suni’s store?” one of the group was saying to a slight, neatly dressed woman. “He was abroad collecting more old world material when I last heard. Is he back yet?”
“I don’t know, Mr Pryce. I’ll find out for you.”
The man looked up as Angel approached and smiled. He quickly gestured to his secretary that they were done and broke away from the main group.
“Angel,” said Wesley brightly, ignoring the positively thunderous look on the vampire’s face. “How are things?”
He was rewarded with a noncommittal grunt and sighed. Behind him the other employees exchanged worried looks and decided to take the stairs.
“What’s this about you taking paid leave?” Angel demanded once their audience had retreated.
The lift doors pinged open and Wesley thankfully darted in, delaying over his answer.
“It’s part of the contract,” he said mildly, avoiding meeting Angel’s gaze. “Five days every three months, I checked. There’s a dig in Peru up near Huasi-Huasi that sounds fascinating…”
“What am I supposed to do in the meantime?!”
Wesley tried not to laugh.
“Angel,” he said seriously, “I’ll only be a fortnight. It’s not as if I’m leaving you in the middle of a crisis. Besides, I’m sure Fred and Gunn will hold your hand if you ask them nicely.”
He ducked the instant blow aimed at his head.
The pair of them continued to bicker their way out of the lift, along the corridor and into Angel’s office. It was their by now well established daily routine. The rest of the Wolfram and Hart staff had learnt to accept that the constant name-calling and snide comments were, apparently, all signs of a healthy and strong friendship.
“It’s Cordelia’s birthday tomorrow,” Angel continued as the black blinds hummed open. Sunlight at once streamed in, drenching the office with brilliant rays. “You can’t miss that.”
Wesley’s smile faded a little.
“I hadn’t forgotten,” he muttered quietly. “I’ll be there don’t worry. What about…?”
“Fred, Gunn and Lorne?” Angel sat down at his desk. The good mood had suddenly evaporated in spite of the sun. “I left messages for Gunn and Lorne. I think Fred said she’d be there, but she had to go before I could say anything properly…there was an explosion or something.” He fiddled awkwardly with a paperweight.
“I hear they’re at the crucial stage right now,” Wesley explained apologetically. “She has to give it her full attention I suppose. I’ve hardly seen hide or hair of her at all these past few months.”
Silence answered him.
“I’ll drop by the lab later on if you want.”
Angel smiled briefly. “Thanks.”
The quiet of the office was shattered by the harsh ring of the telephone. Angel wearily reached over.
“Angel…No, that’s fine, put him through.” He glanced up at Wesley and silently mouthed ‘Mr Dawkins.’ Wesley nodded and quietly got to his feet.
“Mr Dawkins,” Angel began with a wide grin that was unnerving to those that knew him. “I hope everything…good. Well that’s…Thank you. That’s very kind of you…No, it was no problem at all. We’re glad to have been able to…Thank you…Really? Umm…Thanks?…You did? They agreed?…Oh thank you…”
Wesley felt his spirits lift a little as he left Angel struggling to accept the gushing thanks of yet another satisfied client.
The light exploded outwards, filling the room, fiery tendrils snaking along the walls, burning, consuming. Sheets of dazzling brilliance surrounded the core as it blazed with unbearable intensity.
Almost as quickly, darkness began swimming over the light. Sunspots grew, encircling and containing. Shadows pooled amongst the rays, glowing red and angry as the light tried to break through.
Then it was over.
Gunn unshielded his eyes, blinking as dark spots danced across his vision.
On the other side of the room the black jaguar padded softly forwards towards all that remained of the explosion.
The man crouching in the centre of the room took his first, gasping, breath. His skin was so pale it seemed luminous, porcelain fine, fragile.
There was a soft rush as the amulet round his neck finally crumbled to ashes, its job done.
“Fine, I take it back,” said Gunn quietly as the jaguar raised a knowing gaze to his. “That was impressive.” He stopped as the new shell, his new family, tried to stumble to its feet.
“I’d get your breath back first,” he advised.
A pair of sky-blue eyes glared up at him.
“And who,” a faint voice rasped out, “the bloody hell are you?”
Gunn smiled as the jaguar growled softly.
“Oh come on,” he laughed, “you know that by now, don’t you?”
The pale man’s eyes widened in shock.
She felt the surge of power. Only an echo, a shadow thrown across and through her, but still unmistakable.
So, he had succeeded. Again.
A strange sensation swept over her. She knew that had she been human and here longer, then this might have passed for emotion. Possibly frustration. Or envy.
There was so much in the strange yet fascinating world trembling just beyond her. Through his existence she had felt the faint tug of time, glimpsed space and light such as she thought impossible to exist. Maybe, if she could have, she might have been afraid of facing such newness. But emotions were something to be observed and not experienced. Not yet.
She returned her attention the mass of energy now softly throbbing and pulsing before her. It was so old and powerful, yet she could sense its fragility.
Why such a delicate shell for something so immense?
She made a few more attempts, reaching outwards, trying to make any kind of contact.
It had to be this one.
Her timid advances grew more fierce as each one failed. Might as well try to hold one’s own shadow.
How did he do it?
And then, finally, as she felt her first stab of true emotion, something cold and silvery bright suddenly pierced her world.
There it was.
For her, time was new and yet to be fully recognised. Consequently her patience was as boundless as where she came from.
She settled to wait, carefully letting the connection become familiar before trying any more. Sensations flashed before her as her first window to her new home continued to open.
With no time to guide her she had no way of knowing that in reality, this reality, she was a quick learner. Barely a few seconds had passed before she stirred again and, finally, began in earnest.
Angel idly scrolled down his screen, checking for any emails from anyone important. It was something he did to pass the time rather than through any real hope. The people he cared about were either lost to him or would generally speak to him face to face.
For a moment he considered pressing the little button on the toolbar that would launch him onto the Internet. From all he heard, he could simply enter a name and within seconds he could have every detail of that person’s life printed out in glorious Technicolor.
He could.
Slowly and deliberately he lifted his hands off the keyboard.
A few more seconds and he pressed the button connecting him to his PA.
“Elaine. What’s planned for this morning?”
Her answer was swift.
“Meeting at eleven to discuss the Sinclair case. Otherwise…”
“Can you reschedule for after lunch?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks. I’ll be out for the rest of the morning.”
Angel promptly turned off his computer. Before he left the office he sent the blinds humming down again, plunging the office back into the gloom he was more accustomed too. Habits of centuries proved harder to break than he had expected.
He had barely made two steps towards the door when it opened for him.
“Angel,” Gunn began lightly as if they had spoken only minutes rather than days ago. “Hey, you busy? Got an idea to run past you.”
The vampire merely blinked and the other man quickly brushed past him.
“Great.”
Gunn leant back against the desk, facing Angel, and gave him one those new smiles he had picked up since working here. It made Angel grateful that the blinds were sliding open again, sunlight once more bathing them all in golden warmth.
“It’s Cordy’s birthday tomorrow, right?” Gunn continued, crossing his arms across his chest. “I think I got the perfect gift.”
The door opened a second time as another person entered the room. Suddenly Angel understood why Gunn was smiling.
“Look who I found this morning.”
The man was marble pale, hair white as sun-bleached bone. He stared levelly back at Angel, his eyes a startlingly splash of colour in an otherwise blank face. The sunlight softened his appearance a little, warming his skin and pale clothes so he looked a little less like a walking alabaster statue.
Angel stared back, barely able to understand his eyes or his own ears.
“Spike?” he whispered. The change in appearance was one thing, and when he regained his composure he intended on making a remark about the lack of black and leather. But, whatever change had taken place, it went far more than skin deep. “You’re…he’s…”
“He’s not a vampire,” Gunn agreed, watching him closely. “He’s not human either come to that. But he’s alive I guess.”
“But…what…how…who…”
Spike looked tired and uneasy.
“If it’s any comfort,” he said in a low voice, “the one person more pissed off than you about this whole situation is me. I feel as happy as you look.”
Angel shook his head in confusion. Where was Wesley? He needed Wesley. He would know what to do. He’d hit the books and somehow explain this. Or at least, he’d say ‘don’t know’ and really mean it.
With a start he realised Gunn had been saying something.
“What?”
Gunn sighed and tried again. “I said, anyone feel like waking Sleeping Beauty?”
For some reason Angel understood instantly, but he still failed to find anything to say.
“Yeah,” said Spike quietly, “he’s talking about Cordelia.”
Chapter 2:
Wesley hesitated by the glass doors, staring at the bustling scene beyond with some awe.
The huge room was covered floor to ceiling with charts, boards and diagrams. People stood in groups, all wearing pristine white coats, all comparing notes or listening to a main speaker. Tables ran the length of the room, each surface unnaturally tidy, wires neatly coiled, jars of dull LEDS, piles of paper and notebooks.
This was Fred’s world.
“You looking for Miss Burkle?”
Wesley turned sharply to find a young, white-coated, male looking at him politely. The technician had clearly been sent out on the coffee run judging by the steaming tray he held. The young man smiled a little nervously and Wesley realised he was blocking the way into the labs.
“Oh,” he mumbled, hurriedly pushing through the glass doors and holding them open. “Sorry, yes. Is she around?”
The technician nodded. The small badge on his front announced to anyone who cared that his name was Philip Lyle.
“She’s with Knox,” said Philip, nodding towards a door leading off from the main room. “They’re trying to write up this mornings incident.” He headed off towards the table with a loud cry of “Caffeine!”
Wesley stood back as a veritable mass of scientists swarmed out from doorways and corners and within seconds Philip and the tray were lost to view.
There had been only one door that remained closed, the one Philip had nodded to. Above the entrance was a sign that, when lit, read ‘X-Rays in Use. DO NOT ENTER.’ It was hardly a welcoming doorway and Wesley hesitated before knocking.
“Fred?” he called awkwardly, trying not to notice how several people were now looking his way. “Fred, can I come in?”
The door was flung open as Fred positively burst from the room.
“WESLEY!!”
Wesley stumbled back a bit as she threw her arms around his neck in a quick and breathless hug.
“Hey you,” she grinned, stepping back still bouncing with energy. “Where’ve you been? Haven’t seen you down here in weeks!”
Behind her the lanky figure of Knox emerged from the red lit room. He smiled politely at Wesley but made no other attempt at a greeting. Fred was now hopping from foot to foot, her eyes bright with excitement.
“Did you see our latest WIP from the Pearson group?” she continued, not waiting for an answer. “They’re really onto something, I mean if this latest run goes ahead then…”
She finally faltered at the rather tight smile she got in response.
“Angel and I have been leaving messages,” said Wesley. He was still smiling but no one could not hear the reproach in his voice.
Knox shuffled uncomfortably.
“I’ll…um…I’ll go check those figures we were discussing,” he muttered and hastily left.
Fred bit her lip.
“I’ve been kinda busy, Wesley,” she said apologetically. “I keep meaning to call back but…I guess time goes so fast when you’re busy.” She glanced over at the teeming mass of scientific talent currently fighting for the last doughnut. “These guys are really great you know.”
“They certainly look enthusiastic.”
“Sorry.”
Wesley shook his head and finally gave her a genuine smile.
“You’ve been busy,” he said. “Must be pretty overwhelming to have all of this at your disposal.”
Fred beamed at him in reply. She gave him a gentle push and the two of them started walking towards the exit.
“So, what’s going on for Cordy’s birthday?” she asked as they left the hive of activity behind them. “Angel was starting to say something but I had to hang up, the dodo exploded.”
“The what?!”
As soon as the lift doors pinged open Fred and Wesley knew something was wrong. The staff were all quiet and the air felt as thick as snow, shadows creeping round every corner.
“Is Angel really that upset?” asked Fred in a small voice.
Wesley shook his head, frowning.
By the time they reached the office doorway they were expecting nothing short of a major death or other disaster. Silence oozed under the door making both of them feel they were breathing too loud. They exchanged an anxious look and Wesley raised his hand to knock.
This time the door flew open before he even touched the wood.
“Hey, English! I was just thinking of you.”
For the second time that day Wesley found himself snatched up in a rib-bruising hug and then released so abruptly he almost fell backwards.
“Fred! Girl, are you a sight for sore eyes!”
Fred vanished from view as Gunn swamped her in a rather more gentle bear hug. Her delighted laugh sounded muffled and when she pulled away her eyes were again shining.
“Where on earth have you been, Charles? Did you hear about our last talk…”
Wesley edged round the chatty pair and entered the office.
The blinds were down again and the lighting seemed rather dim compared to the bright halogen lights of the corridor. Even so, he realised pretty quickly that there were two people standing in the shadows rather than just the expected one. He was guessing, both from the atmosphere and the way Angel was standing as far away from the other as possible, that the new guest was the reason for the gloomy mood he and Fred had sensed earlier.
“This your treacherous former-Watcher, then?”
“Shut up, Spike.”
Spike?
“Hey, I’m just stating the well known, mate. I mean, just look at the eyes, anyone could tell you that…”
“Keep going and I’ll snap your neck.”
The other speaker sighed and muttered something under his breath. His pale hair and skin caught what light there was, giving him an unnatural glow. He was staring at Wesley, his eyes two black pools that gave away nothing.
Wesley’s skin prickled.
“Um, Angel, who is this?”
He could tell that the man, or creature, was British but at the moment it was not an observation that brought him any comfort. That stare was unnerving.
Angel came forward, carefully putting himself between the former vampire and Watcher.
“His name’s Spike,” he said quietly. “He’s another part of my history I hoped I’d seen the back of.”
Spike waved as Wesley peered round Angel’s shoulder.
“Spike,” Wesley repeated. His eyes were getting used to the light by now and he could make out some of the stranger’s face. “You don’t mean… William the Bloody? The one who fought two Slayers?”
“And won,” Spike reminded him coldly. “And no. Not William the Bloody. I’m not him, not any more. Technically I shouldn’t hang on to Spike either except I can’t bloody pronounce the alternative.”
“Gunn brought him here,” continued Angel, ignoring both Englishmen. “Apparently he can help us wake Cordy.”
Wesley was still trying to understand what Spike was saying.
“What do you mean you’re not…” He blinked. “He can wake Cordy?”
**another sigh**
And thus was the fic that never was...
God I'm knackered and I still haven't done this report. Oh well. Sleep's overrated. Apparently.
Anyway. This idea came to me during the last summer, after the Season 4 finale, 'Home'. I knew that Angel and Co. were going to relocate to W&H next season, but beyond that I had no clue what was going to actually happen.
So, me being the niave person that I am, I thought: 'Hey, I'll have the whole summer to while away, I could try writing something!'
Did I have free time?
Did I hell.
This is as far as I got. **sadsigh**
Full Circle – draft.
Epilogue:
I see the moon.
The moon sees me.
God bless the moon.
And God bless me.
He knew he was dreaming. The way events seemed to flow and jerk along with no order made it pretty clear that this was no reality.
Why was it always the sea?
Something had drawn him here but he couldn’t remember why. Whatever it was, it must have been pretty unimportant for him to forget it so easily. In which case, why couldn’t he stand here a while and look out?
It was endless. The water moving with great sighs and thousands of tiny hisses drawn through the stones. Everything dark, he could imagine it stretching on and on forever until it merged with the sky.
And then there was another one of those jumps and somehow he was somewhere else. A silent corridor with so many doors, warmly lit as if someone lived here.
Another jump. Another dark sky with clouds swirling angrily high above him.
And then again, back to the sea. The moon was dancing over thousands of waves, its light splintering and flowing like it were alive.
Only this time he wasn’t alone. Someone was watching him, someone a long way away.
Amber eyes glinting faintly from the shadows.
Connor jerked awake, half sitting up. He let out a short sigh as his moonlit room came back into focus, posters, books, the normal world.
With a soft laugh he flopped back down, determined to get a few more hours sleep before he was dragged into another ‘excitement’ filled day courtesy of his hyperactive sister. Why couldn’t the schools have kept going just a little bit longer?
“Gotta lay off the sci-fi movies,” he mumbled, pulling up the covers.
As sleep gently began to seep through his veins, he again heard that distant howl from deep in the woods. His rapidly fading senses reassured him it was simply coyotes crying to the moon.
Chapter 1:
The whole city felt drugged with heat. The people moved through the streets, feet heavy, eyes glazed. Everywhere the air was filled with the moist, smothering smell of rotting food, warm bodies, damp drains and overheated stone. The scent of summer.
Inside the offices of Wolfram and Hart the air-conditioning units thundered away non-stop, throwing out the heat and moisture constantly threatening to overpower the employees. The cold, dryness left behind however only served to make the world outside seem even more harsh and alien than before. Windows and doors offering glimpses of people trudging through unfelt heat under an unseen but apparently unforgiving sun.
“Good morning Mr. Angel.”
Angel nodded in polite acknowledgement, making a beeline for the small group standing by the main lift. The swirling mass of staff parted before him with numerous nods and respectful greetings that mostly went unheeded.
“What about Mr Suni’s store?” one of the group was saying to a slight, neatly dressed woman. “He was abroad collecting more old world material when I last heard. Is he back yet?”
“I don’t know, Mr Pryce. I’ll find out for you.”
The man looked up as Angel approached and smiled. He quickly gestured to his secretary that they were done and broke away from the main group.
“Angel,” said Wesley brightly, ignoring the positively thunderous look on the vampire’s face. “How are things?”
He was rewarded with a noncommittal grunt and sighed. Behind him the other employees exchanged worried looks and decided to take the stairs.
“What’s this about you taking paid leave?” Angel demanded once their audience had retreated.
The lift doors pinged open and Wesley thankfully darted in, delaying over his answer.
“It’s part of the contract,” he said mildly, avoiding meeting Angel’s gaze. “Five days every three months, I checked. There’s a dig in Peru up near Huasi-Huasi that sounds fascinating…”
“What am I supposed to do in the meantime?!”
Wesley tried not to laugh.
“Angel,” he said seriously, “I’ll only be a fortnight. It’s not as if I’m leaving you in the middle of a crisis. Besides, I’m sure Fred and Gunn will hold your hand if you ask them nicely.”
He ducked the instant blow aimed at his head.
The pair of them continued to bicker their way out of the lift, along the corridor and into Angel’s office. It was their by now well established daily routine. The rest of the Wolfram and Hart staff had learnt to accept that the constant name-calling and snide comments were, apparently, all signs of a healthy and strong friendship.
“It’s Cordelia’s birthday tomorrow,” Angel continued as the black blinds hummed open. Sunlight at once streamed in, drenching the office with brilliant rays. “You can’t miss that.”
Wesley’s smile faded a little.
“I hadn’t forgotten,” he muttered quietly. “I’ll be there don’t worry. What about…?”
“Fred, Gunn and Lorne?” Angel sat down at his desk. The good mood had suddenly evaporated in spite of the sun. “I left messages for Gunn and Lorne. I think Fred said she’d be there, but she had to go before I could say anything properly…there was an explosion or something.” He fiddled awkwardly with a paperweight.
“I hear they’re at the crucial stage right now,” Wesley explained apologetically. “She has to give it her full attention I suppose. I’ve hardly seen hide or hair of her at all these past few months.”
Silence answered him.
“I’ll drop by the lab later on if you want.”
Angel smiled briefly. “Thanks.”
The quiet of the office was shattered by the harsh ring of the telephone. Angel wearily reached over.
“Angel…No, that’s fine, put him through.” He glanced up at Wesley and silently mouthed ‘Mr Dawkins.’ Wesley nodded and quietly got to his feet.
“Mr Dawkins,” Angel began with a wide grin that was unnerving to those that knew him. “I hope everything…good. Well that’s…Thank you. That’s very kind of you…No, it was no problem at all. We’re glad to have been able to…Thank you…Really? Umm…Thanks?…You did? They agreed?…Oh thank you…”
Wesley felt his spirits lift a little as he left Angel struggling to accept the gushing thanks of yet another satisfied client.
The light exploded outwards, filling the room, fiery tendrils snaking along the walls, burning, consuming. Sheets of dazzling brilliance surrounded the core as it blazed with unbearable intensity.
Almost as quickly, darkness began swimming over the light. Sunspots grew, encircling and containing. Shadows pooled amongst the rays, glowing red and angry as the light tried to break through.
Then it was over.
Gunn unshielded his eyes, blinking as dark spots danced across his vision.
On the other side of the room the black jaguar padded softly forwards towards all that remained of the explosion.
The man crouching in the centre of the room took his first, gasping, breath. His skin was so pale it seemed luminous, porcelain fine, fragile.
There was a soft rush as the amulet round his neck finally crumbled to ashes, its job done.
“Fine, I take it back,” said Gunn quietly as the jaguar raised a knowing gaze to his. “That was impressive.” He stopped as the new shell, his new family, tried to stumble to its feet.
“I’d get your breath back first,” he advised.
A pair of sky-blue eyes glared up at him.
“And who,” a faint voice rasped out, “the bloody hell are you?”
Gunn smiled as the jaguar growled softly.
“Oh come on,” he laughed, “you know that by now, don’t you?”
The pale man’s eyes widened in shock.
She felt the surge of power. Only an echo, a shadow thrown across and through her, but still unmistakable.
So, he had succeeded. Again.
A strange sensation swept over her. She knew that had she been human and here longer, then this might have passed for emotion. Possibly frustration. Or envy.
There was so much in the strange yet fascinating world trembling just beyond her. Through his existence she had felt the faint tug of time, glimpsed space and light such as she thought impossible to exist. Maybe, if she could have, she might have been afraid of facing such newness. But emotions were something to be observed and not experienced. Not yet.
She returned her attention the mass of energy now softly throbbing and pulsing before her. It was so old and powerful, yet she could sense its fragility.
Why such a delicate shell for something so immense?
She made a few more attempts, reaching outwards, trying to make any kind of contact.
It had to be this one.
Her timid advances grew more fierce as each one failed. Might as well try to hold one’s own shadow.
How did he do it?
And then, finally, as she felt her first stab of true emotion, something cold and silvery bright suddenly pierced her world.
There it was.
For her, time was new and yet to be fully recognised. Consequently her patience was as boundless as where she came from.
She settled to wait, carefully letting the connection become familiar before trying any more. Sensations flashed before her as her first window to her new home continued to open.
With no time to guide her she had no way of knowing that in reality, this reality, she was a quick learner. Barely a few seconds had passed before she stirred again and, finally, began in earnest.
Angel idly scrolled down his screen, checking for any emails from anyone important. It was something he did to pass the time rather than through any real hope. The people he cared about were either lost to him or would generally speak to him face to face.
For a moment he considered pressing the little button on the toolbar that would launch him onto the Internet. From all he heard, he could simply enter a name and within seconds he could have every detail of that person’s life printed out in glorious Technicolor.
He could.
Slowly and deliberately he lifted his hands off the keyboard.
A few more seconds and he pressed the button connecting him to his PA.
“Elaine. What’s planned for this morning?”
Her answer was swift.
“Meeting at eleven to discuss the Sinclair case. Otherwise…”
“Can you reschedule for after lunch?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks. I’ll be out for the rest of the morning.”
Angel promptly turned off his computer. Before he left the office he sent the blinds humming down again, plunging the office back into the gloom he was more accustomed too. Habits of centuries proved harder to break than he had expected.
He had barely made two steps towards the door when it opened for him.
“Angel,” Gunn began lightly as if they had spoken only minutes rather than days ago. “Hey, you busy? Got an idea to run past you.”
The vampire merely blinked and the other man quickly brushed past him.
“Great.”
Gunn leant back against the desk, facing Angel, and gave him one those new smiles he had picked up since working here. It made Angel grateful that the blinds were sliding open again, sunlight once more bathing them all in golden warmth.
“It’s Cordy’s birthday tomorrow, right?” Gunn continued, crossing his arms across his chest. “I think I got the perfect gift.”
The door opened a second time as another person entered the room. Suddenly Angel understood why Gunn was smiling.
“Look who I found this morning.”
The man was marble pale, hair white as sun-bleached bone. He stared levelly back at Angel, his eyes a startlingly splash of colour in an otherwise blank face. The sunlight softened his appearance a little, warming his skin and pale clothes so he looked a little less like a walking alabaster statue.
Angel stared back, barely able to understand his eyes or his own ears.
“Spike?” he whispered. The change in appearance was one thing, and when he regained his composure he intended on making a remark about the lack of black and leather. But, whatever change had taken place, it went far more than skin deep. “You’re…he’s…”
“He’s not a vampire,” Gunn agreed, watching him closely. “He’s not human either come to that. But he’s alive I guess.”
“But…what…how…who…”
Spike looked tired and uneasy.
“If it’s any comfort,” he said in a low voice, “the one person more pissed off than you about this whole situation is me. I feel as happy as you look.”
Angel shook his head in confusion. Where was Wesley? He needed Wesley. He would know what to do. He’d hit the books and somehow explain this. Or at least, he’d say ‘don’t know’ and really mean it.
With a start he realised Gunn had been saying something.
“What?”
Gunn sighed and tried again. “I said, anyone feel like waking Sleeping Beauty?”
For some reason Angel understood instantly, but he still failed to find anything to say.
“Yeah,” said Spike quietly, “he’s talking about Cordelia.”
Chapter 2:
Wesley hesitated by the glass doors, staring at the bustling scene beyond with some awe.
The huge room was covered floor to ceiling with charts, boards and diagrams. People stood in groups, all wearing pristine white coats, all comparing notes or listening to a main speaker. Tables ran the length of the room, each surface unnaturally tidy, wires neatly coiled, jars of dull LEDS, piles of paper and notebooks.
This was Fred’s world.
“You looking for Miss Burkle?”
Wesley turned sharply to find a young, white-coated, male looking at him politely. The technician had clearly been sent out on the coffee run judging by the steaming tray he held. The young man smiled a little nervously and Wesley realised he was blocking the way into the labs.
“Oh,” he mumbled, hurriedly pushing through the glass doors and holding them open. “Sorry, yes. Is she around?”
The technician nodded. The small badge on his front announced to anyone who cared that his name was Philip Lyle.
“She’s with Knox,” said Philip, nodding towards a door leading off from the main room. “They’re trying to write up this mornings incident.” He headed off towards the table with a loud cry of “Caffeine!”
Wesley stood back as a veritable mass of scientists swarmed out from doorways and corners and within seconds Philip and the tray were lost to view.
There had been only one door that remained closed, the one Philip had nodded to. Above the entrance was a sign that, when lit, read ‘X-Rays in Use. DO NOT ENTER.’ It was hardly a welcoming doorway and Wesley hesitated before knocking.
“Fred?” he called awkwardly, trying not to notice how several people were now looking his way. “Fred, can I come in?”
The door was flung open as Fred positively burst from the room.
“WESLEY!!”
Wesley stumbled back a bit as she threw her arms around his neck in a quick and breathless hug.
“Hey you,” she grinned, stepping back still bouncing with energy. “Where’ve you been? Haven’t seen you down here in weeks!”
Behind her the lanky figure of Knox emerged from the red lit room. He smiled politely at Wesley but made no other attempt at a greeting. Fred was now hopping from foot to foot, her eyes bright with excitement.
“Did you see our latest WIP from the Pearson group?” she continued, not waiting for an answer. “They’re really onto something, I mean if this latest run goes ahead then…”
She finally faltered at the rather tight smile she got in response.
“Angel and I have been leaving messages,” said Wesley. He was still smiling but no one could not hear the reproach in his voice.
Knox shuffled uncomfortably.
“I’ll…um…I’ll go check those figures we were discussing,” he muttered and hastily left.
Fred bit her lip.
“I’ve been kinda busy, Wesley,” she said apologetically. “I keep meaning to call back but…I guess time goes so fast when you’re busy.” She glanced over at the teeming mass of scientific talent currently fighting for the last doughnut. “These guys are really great you know.”
“They certainly look enthusiastic.”
“Sorry.”
Wesley shook his head and finally gave her a genuine smile.
“You’ve been busy,” he said. “Must be pretty overwhelming to have all of this at your disposal.”
Fred beamed at him in reply. She gave him a gentle push and the two of them started walking towards the exit.
“So, what’s going on for Cordy’s birthday?” she asked as they left the hive of activity behind them. “Angel was starting to say something but I had to hang up, the dodo exploded.”
“The what?!”
As soon as the lift doors pinged open Fred and Wesley knew something was wrong. The staff were all quiet and the air felt as thick as snow, shadows creeping round every corner.
“Is Angel really that upset?” asked Fred in a small voice.
Wesley shook his head, frowning.
By the time they reached the office doorway they were expecting nothing short of a major death or other disaster. Silence oozed under the door making both of them feel they were breathing too loud. They exchanged an anxious look and Wesley raised his hand to knock.
This time the door flew open before he even touched the wood.
“Hey, English! I was just thinking of you.”
For the second time that day Wesley found himself snatched up in a rib-bruising hug and then released so abruptly he almost fell backwards.
“Fred! Girl, are you a sight for sore eyes!”
Fred vanished from view as Gunn swamped her in a rather more gentle bear hug. Her delighted laugh sounded muffled and when she pulled away her eyes were again shining.
“Where on earth have you been, Charles? Did you hear about our last talk…”
Wesley edged round the chatty pair and entered the office.
The blinds were down again and the lighting seemed rather dim compared to the bright halogen lights of the corridor. Even so, he realised pretty quickly that there were two people standing in the shadows rather than just the expected one. He was guessing, both from the atmosphere and the way Angel was standing as far away from the other as possible, that the new guest was the reason for the gloomy mood he and Fred had sensed earlier.
“This your treacherous former-Watcher, then?”
“Shut up, Spike.”
Spike?
“Hey, I’m just stating the well known, mate. I mean, just look at the eyes, anyone could tell you that…”
“Keep going and I’ll snap your neck.”
The other speaker sighed and muttered something under his breath. His pale hair and skin caught what light there was, giving him an unnatural glow. He was staring at Wesley, his eyes two black pools that gave away nothing.
Wesley’s skin prickled.
“Um, Angel, who is this?”
He could tell that the man, or creature, was British but at the moment it was not an observation that brought him any comfort. That stare was unnerving.
Angel came forward, carefully putting himself between the former vampire and Watcher.
“His name’s Spike,” he said quietly. “He’s another part of my history I hoped I’d seen the back of.”
Spike waved as Wesley peered round Angel’s shoulder.
“Spike,” Wesley repeated. His eyes were getting used to the light by now and he could make out some of the stranger’s face. “You don’t mean… William the Bloody? The one who fought two Slayers?”
“And won,” Spike reminded him coldly. “And no. Not William the Bloody. I’m not him, not any more. Technically I shouldn’t hang on to Spike either except I can’t bloody pronounce the alternative.”
“Gunn brought him here,” continued Angel, ignoring both Englishmen. “Apparently he can help us wake Cordy.”
Wesley was still trying to understand what Spike was saying.
“What do you mean you’re not…” He blinked. “He can wake Cordy?”
**another sigh**
And thus was the fic that never was...
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2004-02-17 03:37 pm (UTC)Re:
Date: 2004-02-22 01:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-02-17 03:38 pm (UTC)Here! Have an Evil!Plot!Ferret!
Re:
Date: 2004-02-17 03:39 pm (UTC)Re:
Date: 2004-02-22 01:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-02-17 04:39 pm (UTC)You are in my power - now go write the rest of this fic! You can't do this - post such a lovely set up and then abandon it. It's against the laws of God and man...
Okay, maybe I went over the top a bit, but with the news this weekend we need all the fics we can get, and this one was shaping up so well. *sighs* - please continue? pretty please? (I'm currently writing Wes/Baby Connor snuggly bonding stuff, which I will dedicate to you if you go on with this.)
Re:
Date: 2004-02-22 01:59 pm (UTC)And you did as well. Now what am I supposed to do unless I accept this horribly feeling of guilt creeping over me?!
Ooo...
Date: 2004-02-17 09:11 pm (UTC)And my inner geologist just loved the exploding dodo. Thank you for the much needed laugh. :)
Oh, and I taped Alexis' episode of Highlander if you wanted me to make you a copy. Just let me know.
Re: Ooo...
Date: 2004-02-22 02:01 pm (UTC)Re: Ooo...
Date: 2004-02-22 10:31 pm (UTC)A little bit of both actually. Reminded me of the Dodo/Watermelon scene from Ice Age that never fails to crack me up. Plus, I'm just a science geek. :)
Re: Ooo...
Date: 2004-02-23 12:39 pm (UTC)LOL! Ah, I loved those guys too :)
aww
Date: 2004-02-17 10:59 pm (UTC)Do you have a fanfiction.net account? If so, under what name, and do you ahve a link?
Thanks!
Re: aww
Date: 2004-02-22 02:02 pm (UTC)And thank you for the feedback :)
no subject
Date: 2004-02-18 02:49 am (UTC)Re:
Date: 2004-02-22 02:03 pm (UTC)**hugs** hope the back's better!
no subject
Date: 2004-02-18 11:43 am (UTC)Long live dodo birds! ;)
Re:
Date: 2004-02-22 02:03 pm (UTC)Hear hear!! :)
Thank you so much for commenting!
no subject
Date: 2004-02-18 04:43 pm (UTC)Re:
Date: 2004-02-22 02:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-02-18 06:14 pm (UTC)http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3501313.stm