The AI team left without noticing the blonde that sat a few tables away, listening intently to their conversation. She smiled as they left, flipped open her phone and waited.
"Hello," a sultry voice answered.
"You were right. They came out to talk about you. Well, except for the show that hussy Buffy Summers put on with some gorgeous guy. I mean you should so see what she's done to her hair. It's just so, I have no words."
"Thank the Partners. Harmony, tell me about Angel," Lilah asked calmly, knowing she had to play the ditzy blonde carefully to get what she wanted.
"Okay, let me close my eyes it helps me remember better." The sophisticated lawyer fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Angel tried to drag Buffy off the floor. She wouldn't go and he came back to the table to pout while she put on a show, which was just so second class," she whined shrilly, forcing Lilah to pull the phone away from her ear. "Him and his little gang talked some more, and can I just say boring? The nerdy one, Wesley, right? Yeah, him, anyway, he told them about you visiting, which upset that skinny girl, Fred." The blonde vampire giggled. "I think that she sees you as competition, isn't that funny? She's all bones, hair and glasses. He'd be crazy to look at her when you're around. You could give Cordelia a run for her money. Well, if she still had any and she was, you know, awake, ooh and her hair wasn't died that really yucky color."
Lilah lost all patience and growled into the phone. "Harmony."
"Oh, uh, yeah, then Skinny Minnie said that she didn't see why they couldn't spy on you since they knew that you spied on them. Then, they all went to eat Mexican food. Did I do good, boss?" She waited for her new idol's approval.
"Yes, you did very well. In fact, you did so well that you deserve a special reward. How about a spa day? I can get you in at Herve's."
'Eeeck' the insipid blonde squealed, causing Lilah to cringe and heads to turn. She glared at the onlookers. "Don't you people have anything better to do than listen in on other people's conversations? Sheesh, talk about rude." She turned her back to them and happily returned to her conversation. "Thank you so much, Lilah. Remember, anything you need, I'm your go to girl. Bye now, I'm going to catch a snack before going home. Oh, I almost forgot. Thanks for the charm. Angel insisting that everyone drink only pig's blood was ruining my figure. Do you know that I gained five pounds on that stuff? No wonder he beefed up since coming to LA. How come men can gain weight and still look handsome, but women just look fat?"
Lilah heard a pause and jumped at it. "Good night, Harmony." She quickly disconnected, wondering just how long the ditz could have kept talking. Probably until she had told her about every man that she'd ever kissed or bit. The elegant lawyer shuddered at the thought. Leaning back in her chair, she pondered over the new information, before deciding the most strategic path to take and punched in a W&H extension.
"Yes…I need your special skills…My office…That's fine, I'll wait as long as it takes."
Buffy didn't go to the garage the next day. She needed to tie up some loose ends before they left for Race Wars. Her first errand put an evil grin on her pretty face. She parked the powerful car and strode into the shop. The proprietor glanced up from the customer he was helping. He frowned before waving her toward the back office. Strolling in that direction, she grabbed what she knew was an expensive bauble, tossing it in the air and catching as she went.
Ethan felt his heart drop when the door opened to admit the Slayer. He knew he must have angered Janus in some way. Nothing else explained why this blonde whirlwind had created the chaos he worshiped in his carefully created life. That she could pick out one of his most expensive baubles as a play toy only confirmed it. He quickly finished with his customer, then turned the sign to 'Closed'. Taking a deep breath, he started toward the back to face the intrepid Slayer, knowing that he would do whatever she had planned for him. He found her sitting in his chair with her feet on his desk.
"How's it going, Ethan? Are you being a good little wizard?" Buffy grinned at the older man.
"Slayer, to what do I owe this displeasure?"
She pouted prettily. "You're gonna hurt my feelings if you act like you don't want to see me." Pushing off with her boot, she spun around in the chair. She stopped it by slapping her hand down with a loud bang on the desk. "Need a little something special from you. Think that you'll enjoy this one, Mr. Wizard. You'll get to rattle your chicken bones and stir in some eye of newt."
His dark eyes lit up just thinking about performing magic. Magic always gave him a high, no matter the cause. "What do you need the spell to do and who's it intended for?"
Her eyes darkened to an emerald green as she dissected the chaos mage. She knew that he wasn't trustworthy and would run if given the chance. The only thing that kept him here was the captive Janus' idol. "Here's what I want you to do for me…"
Ethan listened, fascinated at the way her mind worked. He understood why Ripper wouldn't allow him to play with her. Her idea and the reasons behind it thrilled him. It challenged him magically and created its own chaos when completed. She smiled at him as she watched him work things through in his mind. He saw the smile and returned it as he put out his hand, which Buffy took.
She left the shop with a happy step ready to proceed to her next errand. This one would take a more delicate hand than her negotiations with Ethan. Although, she grinned, it could get interesting to see if they would react as well as the chaos mage. She wondered exactly what she'd have to threaten in exchange for the Council's good behavior. A picture flashed through her mind with thousands of books with their pages glued shut, locked away in rooms with Watchers banging on the doors.
Throwing her keys on the table, she kicked her boots off then picked up the phone. She called Giles' at home. His face the last time they'd seen each other flashed in her mind. He told her that she needed to stand on her own, without him. The idea sent fear followed by anger racing through her mind and heart. She lost the peace earned by her blood, only to lose the remaining stability she knew. Giles had remained the one consistent person in her life, the one she could always depend upon. His leaving had pulled the rug out from under her and had thrown her world into total disarray. The ability to speak with him as an equal felt good. Her love for him remained, but his place in her life had changed.
"Hello," a cultured British voice came over the line.
"Hi, Giles, this isn't too late for you is it?"
"Buffy, the hour is fine. It's good to hear from you, my dear. You're doing well I take it?" He sat down heavily, pulling off his glasses. Surprisingly, he didn't rub them instead he set them aside.
She curled her legs up underneath her, settling in for a nice long chat. "I'm fine, watcher-man. Did you talk to the bobbling heads? There's a warehouse filled with dusty, old stuff that would seem at home in Jolly Ole."
Giles smiled at the confidence evident in her voice. "Several older members didn't want to negotiate with such heathens for properties, which no doubt should already reside within their own vaults. I'm paraphrasing you understand." A soft laugh echoed through the phone. "A majority vote overruled their objections. The vote included all your demands, including agreeing to pay unofficial Watchers, who perform the same functions in the field for direct support of the Slayer." He paused, waiting for her response. When the line remained silent, he started to worry. "Buffy, are you still there? Have we lost the connection?"
"Sorry, lost in thought. At least Faith won't have to worry about taking a stupid job, then going out every night to patrol. It's too much for anyone to face, along with trying to scrap together grocery money. Bet Quentin squealed the loudest. Since that's settled, let's move on to some business."
"Yes, dear, what do you have to fill our coffers?"
She giggled, thinking about Quentin reluctantly accepting the new agreement. He would try to cheat her, no doubt. She wished she could see his face when she named her price, a very hefty price.
"How about two truckloads filled with rare books, weapons and various other things that would make any tweed wearing man's heart flutter?"
He tried to imagine where W&H found two truckloads worth of such precious cargo. There was no doubt that they had obtained the items by illegal means. It seemed only just that the Council funded the operation to take them back.
"I must say that the thought is rather exciting, especially if the articles are as rare as you say."
She snorted into the phone. "As if I wouldn't know the difference, Giles. Promise you that there's enough old dust there for every little Watcher to play."
Giles couldn't stop himself from grinning at her response. "What price are you asking for this treasure trove?"
Buffy closed her eyes, took a silent, deep breath and announced her price. "Nothing less than one million per truck." The line went silent. She wasn't sure if Giles had fainted or set down the phone.
When she thought she'd have to hang up and wait for him to call back, he spoke. "Erm, well, I can see that you've done your homework. It's more than I'm authorized to offer you, but," he hurried on, "getting the additional funds necessary shouldn't be difficult. I must say, my dear, I'm quite looking forward to seeing Quentin's expression when he hears about this. It's too bad that the Council has already gone over his head on this matter."
They laughed at his insincerity. She gave him the banking information and agreed to meet the Council team later tonight. After exchanging small talk regarding their daily lives, they ended the call.
Buffy smiled, putting her feet up as the stretched luxuriously. "Not bad if I do say so myself, which I have to because there isn't anyone else here to say it. So, good job, Buffy, consider this a mental back slap."
Dark figures surrounded a warehouse close to the docks. Shadows wavered, appearing to dance under the dull streetlights. One shadow separated, scaling an outer wall and quickly scrambling onto the roof. A skylight provided a clear vantage point to determine what lay within the metal walls. Green eyes narrowed as they searched for hidden dangers. A soft whistle alerted the others to get ready.
Glass shattered when a small body jumped through the skylight to land on an unsuspecting guard. Seconds later, the outside doors burst open as the shadows rushed inside to help. They needn't have bothered. One guard lay down fast while the other raised his hands to plead for his life. A small fist shut him up by effectively knocking him unconscious. Pulling off a mask, the small figure fluffed multi-colored hair before dragging the men from the room. Buffy joined the Council team, who had already started checking the trucks.
"Miss Summers, everything seems to be in order," a large man, obviously in charge, announced. "The lack of security is a bit troubling, though."
"That's what happens when lawyers get involved. One back bites the other and doesn't watch the goods, because they don't think anyone else will bother with it. Plus, ooh, they're the big bad in LA, so no one's supposed even think about stealing from them." She gave the men a feral grin that reminded them who they were working with. "Do you know where you're taking the trucks?"
"Yes, Miss Summers, we can take it from here." He bowed to her, before motioning the other men to start the trucks. "Mr. Giles asked me to give this to you," he said, handing over a large envelope.
"Thanks, I'll close up, so you guys can head on out." Buffy watched the large trucks drive toward the pier. She knew that the Council must have a boat already waiting for them. It made sense for the men and trucks simply to disappear from LA. As far as crime goes, she thought this was a job well done.
The warehouse doors slammed shut, leaving the guards to explain what had happened. Oh, to be a fly on that wall.
Lindsey lounged beside Eve, watching her sleep. She snuggled next to him and he smiled as he brushed auburn hair from her face. A deep sigh escaped his lips while the past twenty-four hours played through his mind. He knew that she reciprocated his feelings. What he didn't know, was could she play the dangerous game that Lilah wanted her to? If he could help his former partner succeed with Angel, he stood a chance to return with the Seniors' approval. The former lawyer knew that the Partners either already knew about his escape, or soon would.
The phone rang, startling him from his thoughts. A slender hand reached out blindly to answer it. "Hello," Eve said, still half-asleep.
Lindsey heard a male voice come across the line. He watched his lover's face pale. His blue eyes searched her face for any hint at what could have happened.
"Remove any evidence that they were ever there…I don't care, do it…You and your partner should leave LA…It wouldn't do for anyone from the firm to find you…Oh, no, I'm the last person you want to see, believe me…Forget it, and don't ever call here again." She slammed receiver down, before curling into Lindsey's side.
He wrapped muscular arms around her slender body. After pressing a tender kiss to her forehead, he asked, "What's going on, Evie?"
She took a shaky breath, then let it out as she tried to think how to explain her situation. "I organized the thefts that have Lilah worried. W&H didn't lose the cargo, per say, it simple moved to another location until needed. That was the guard watching the trucks. Someone broke in and stole them last night. What am I going to do, Lindsey? If anyone ever finds out that I'm involved, the Partners will bury me, literally."
He remained silent, causing her to squirm against him. His arms tightened around her to calm her. "Then, we make sure that they don't find out, right? Evie, we're in this together, don't forget that. I know that you aren't used to having someone around to watch your back, but that's why I'm here." He gave her a devilish smile as he leaned down to capture a bare nipple. "While I'm at it, I'll watch your delectable front too."
Race Wars was the only topic anyone wanted to talk about these days. Everywhere you went people excitedly spoke about it. Brian's car, the newly red Toyota Supra with Jesse's design work emblazoned along the side, stood primed and ready for a test drive.
Buffy parked her car and got out, unsure how to approach Dom. She needed to talk with him about the Wars, stealing back the cargo, the money and the next job. Ethan had feelers out, listening for any last minute news. She didn't expect anything to come of it, but had learned to take what she could get. Stepping into the garage, she saw that Dom and Brian were heading out with the new car. She casually waved to them as she walked by.
Dom watched her walk straight through the garage and into the diner. He sighed, wondering where she had hidden herself the last few days. Mia was barely speaking to him, and he knew that if Buffy didn't show soon, she would start cooking hash. He wasn't sure what to think about the situation between him and Buffy.
"Let's take this baby out and see what she can do," he said.
Brian turned the high-powered motor over and listened to it purr to life. He exchanged an evil grin with Dom, before peeling away from the garage.
Mia gave Buffy a welcoming smile. "It's about time you showed up, girl. Where have you been and why haven't you called me?"
"Had some stuff to take care of, Mi. Need to talk to you about it; can you close shop for a little while?"
Mia stared at her best friend, wondering what had her so uptight. "Let me turn off the grill and put out the sign." She quickly did so, before sitting down with Buffy. "Okay, spit it out."
Buffy laughed, then put up her hands when Mia's eyes narrowed. "Whoa, I give up. Promise to spill my guts. One question first, do you have a place picked out for the restaurant you want?"
"Yeah, but it's not like I could ever afford it," she sighed.
Buffy pulled some papers from her purse. She slid them across the table for Mia to read. "Talked to my friends that I told you about, and it just so happened that they wanted a chance at the cargo." She saw Mia about to interrupt and shook her head. "Let me explain. Found out where it was and just made a better deal. So, I kinda stole it again. That's what Ethan ripped off from you guys. I know that it's a lot of money, but you earned it."
Mia flipped through the paperwork until she reached the last page. Her dark eyes widened at the amount listed. "This is way too much money, Buffy. There's no way that we can take this money."
"Yes, you can. That's what Ethan should've paid you from the beginning. It's your money. Believe me, I came out with a nice bundle of my own, which I've already put to good use."
"Are you sure?" She saw her friend's eyes roll. "Okay, I'm being stupid, I know. You've won me over. I'm not sure that Dom will be so easy."
Buffy stood up, going over to look out the window. She stared at the busy street in silence. "Mi, I need your help. This is a good opportunity for everyone and I don't want what's going on between Dom and me to keep it from happening. Will you back me up, if he decides to back out on our deal?"
"Dom's a hard case, but he's not stupid. The only reason he got into this was to take care of me. He won't do anything stupid. What about the truck you're supposed to go for during Race Wars, is that still on?"
"Far as I know, everything's a go. I'll call my guys, soon as I see what we get this time. Should come away with a good haul, even if we decide to give Ethan a cut and I take mine for working the deal." They heard Brian's car return to the garage. "Here goes nothing."
Angel sat waiting for his next appointment. He shuffled through the paperwork littering his desk, wondering when his life had changed so much. It was a stupid question. He knew exactly when it changed, when Cordelia stopped being part of his daily life. The seer was his lifeline and he wasn't sure that he could make it without her. In fact, he knew that he couldn't. A knock at his door startled him from his musings.
"Enter."
"What's the matter, Angel, can't even work up a good daydream?" A sophisticated figure posed in the doorway.
"Lilah, either come in and tell me what this meeting's about, or go bother someone else."
She sauntered across the room in her standard four-inch pumps, then settled on the couch with queenly airs. "We can proceed as soon as our other party arrives. Ah, here he is. Lorne, please come in, you're just who we need to help us."
The green-hued demon turned questioning red eyes to his friend. "Uh, Angelkins, what does the evil one mean by us?"
"Not really sure myself, Lorne. You want to start explaining, Lilah?" He stood up and walked around to lean against his desk.
Lilah smiled charmingly at their confused faces. She did so enjoy these little cat and mouse games. "I have some information for you and knew that you wouldn't believe me without Lorne backing me up, so I asked him to join us. A shipment for Cordelia is due in three days. The security that I've used lost the two prior cargoes. I don't want that to happen again. Angel, if we lose this truck, then Cordelia's chances of ever waking, well you get the picture."
The souled vampire pushed away from the desk to pace the large office. Lorne sat down heavily, watching the scene unfold. He watched his friend's eyes flame amber bright as the steady pacing continued. The barely suppressed anger humming under the pale skin was enough to start the Host's head to pounding. His eyes widened in horror as Angel stalked across the room to haul Lilah up from the couch. Fangs slid into the lawyer's pale neck, taking the barest sip.
Angel spit out the blood, throwing her away from him. "Yuk!" (spit, spit, tooey) "Lilah, gotta say Hell soured you." He snickered at the frown she quickly hid. "I didn't taste drugs or magic in your blood. Sing for Lorne, and if he clears you, then I'll make sure the truck gets through."
She stood, straightening her hair and clothes, before taking a deep breath. "Hold on there, cookie." Lorne held up a hand. "I need a second before I tiptoe through the darkness with you."
He went over to stare into the souled vampire's face, searching for an answer. He must have found what he needed, because he turned around and went back over to Lilah and nodded. W&H's head legal council warbled out the first stanzas of 'Fly Me To The Moon'. She stopped to wait for the verdict. Red eyes bore into dark brown, deciphering what they saw behind the words. A hesitant smile spread across the anagogic demon's face.
"Guess it was bound to happen sometime, she's telling the truth, Angel Lips."
Angel sat back at his desk. "Thanks, Lorne. I can handle it from here."
Lorne started to protest, then decided against it. He quietly left the office, making his way toward Wesley's office. A nagging voice screamed at him that something wasn't right in Evil Town tonight.
"I want to know exactly what is supposed to help Cordelia, and why have you waited this long to get it," Angel asked in a deceptively quiet voice.
Lilah adjusted her skirt to show her legs to a better advantage. She knew that the new CEO didn't utilize her attributes, but habits were hard to break. "My dear Angel, haven't you been listening to me? This is the third cargo I've had shipped. If the first two hadn't been hijacked, then I dare say your lady love, Ms. Chase, would be awake by now."
She jumped when Angel slammed down his fist. "No one will take this cargo; I'll stop whoever I have to this time," he growled as his eyes flashed amber.
"I'd hoped you'd say that," she said. "We have two days to come up with a plan to ensure that our truck gets through."
"Give me the truck route and the driver's name, and I'll get back to you when I decide how we're going to handle this."
"Yes sir, Mr. Angel, sir," Lilah said giving him a jaunty salute. "I'll send Eve up with the information within the hour. It's a pleasure to working with you." She bowed her head to him, before sauntering from the room. As the door clicked shut behind her, Lilah whispered happily. "I'm so good."
>
Buffy couldn't believe everything that had happened in last few days. She combed a hand through her wild hair as she drove. Negotiating with the Council seemed easy compared to working things out with Dom. He stubbornly refused to take any money from her. Mia argued with him, which didn't help the situation. Finally, between the two of them, they got him to see reason and agree to take the money, if not for himself, for the others. She hesitated to bring up the other truck, then decided to jump in feet first. She explained how the Council agreed to purchase the truck directly from them. They wouldn't have to lose any money to a middleman. He agreed, once she explained the cargo's actual worth and the numerous places around LA where they could obtain similar items.
The conversation turned to Race Wars, which was only three days away. He didn't like the idea that she planned to race. She thought they were going to start punching when Mia pulled him from the room. He came back, somewhat calmer, and told her that he couldn't stop her from racing. Buffy guessed it was his attempt at an apology. He laid out the job without once looking at her. She understood what he was doing, but it still hurt. With everything settled, she headed for her car. A large hand stopped her from opening the door. She turned around and found herself surrounded by a warm, muscular body.
"We need to talk," he whispered softly.
"Get in." He stepped back, walked around to the passenger side and slid into the seat. She followed suit, starting the powerful motor. It never failed to bring a smile. "I'll take us somewhere that we can talk freely."
She backed out, swerved the car around, then punched the gas, sending them speeding down the street. Twin smiles spread across their faces at the car's quick response time. She drove them to the condo. He didn't say a word as he followed her inside the chrome palace. He took a seat on the couch while she went to grab them a few beers. She handed him one as she sat down facing him. They stared at each other for several moments.
"About the other night, uh, day," he said, "I was out of line. It caught me off guard and when I realized that it had gone too far, damn it, I didn't want to be with you like that."
She searched his face, trying to decide if these were his words or Mia's. He rubbed his baldhead in frustration as a growl escaped his lips. She smiled to see Mr. Cool and Collected Toretto so worked up.
"How did you want it to be? You didn't act like you wanted me at all." Her eyes held the memory clear for him to see.
"That's just it. I don't," he saw her stiffen; "I mean I do. Oh, hell, I'm screwed. You're not supposed to be this way. You're Mia's best friend from when you were kids. Plus, you're from the Valley with all this." His arm waved to encompass the room. "Why are you still hanging around with the poor people?"
(Smack) They stared at each other in shock.
"You're an idiot. I don't know why I ever thought you were different. Men are stupid. They only see what they want to see and nothing more." She leapt up from the couch, putting the coffee table between them as she started pacing. "I know you had a hard time when your mom died and you and Pops had to raise Mia. Then, when Pops died, that left only you to do everything, and that's a lot of responsibility, but I know that your parents taught you better. Do you really think that your Pops would've taught me to drive if he didn't see more than a Valley girl in me? What about your mom? She was the best woman I've ever known. Do you think she'd bring me to her home, let me near her precious babies if she didn't think I was worth caring about?"
"Buffy," he started.
"Shut up, Dom," she growled. "I've had enough of your bullshit. Mia called me and I came, no questions asked. That's what friends and family do. Mia and your parents were my family, and I thought you were my friend. I found a way to help you guys out and I took it. I'm sorry that I didn't get your approval first. There wasn't a lot of time. I didn't know how long the trucks would stay where they were, and didn't want to chance that the Council would back out. Yes, I made money on the deal, but I didn't cheat you or your team. That's what Ethan should've paid you. I told you from the beginning that he ripped you off, and I didn't lie about that either. I've met Ethan before and dealt with him. It's just his way. There was no way that you could know how much that stuff was worth and it's not a reflection on you leadership. I'm not trying to take over your place. This is me, helping you, and finding a way to help myself too. As for the personal stuff, you made it clear that you aren't interested, so consider my offer off the table."
Dom slowly rose from the couch, approaching her the way one would a dangerous animal. She backed away as he put his hand out to touch her. His hand slid back to his side and she stopped. He moved closer until he stood mere inches away from her. She tilted her head to peer up into his face, her own an emotionless mask.
"Fraid I can't let you do that, babe. See, I haven't stopped thinking about you since that night, well, that day to be honest. Believe me when I say I know that you aren't a kid. It was safer when I still thought about you that way. Safer for me. You raced into my life and turned it upside down. Letty was the only one that ever challenged me the way that you do. After the Race Wars and this job, I'd like to see where this takes us. Until then." He leaned forward tenderly kissing her. "Take this as an apology."
She stepped closer, bringing their bodies together. "Fine, but you're gonna have to say sorry a lot."
"Think I can handle that, babe."
Now, here she was on her way to go all out, no rules racing in the desert. And, oh yeah, during the night they were going to hijack a truck full of stolen occult goodies and drop it off with some Council goons. She had to say it sure beat going out slaying every night. Her foot hit the accelerator as she sped up to drive along side Dom's truck. She flashed him a smile as she sped around him and on down the road.
Dom glanced at Jesse with a smile. "That girl sure can drive."
"Yep, and she's pretty too."
"We have to make Angel believe that Lilah the stole those trucks," Lindsey said to his pacing lover.
"How? He doesn't like me any more than he likes her. Why would he believe me over her, especially after she had that mage put the whammy on Angel's office? I can't believe she thought of that, it's absolutely brilliant. If I didn't hate her so much, I'd admire her."
"Evie, she is brilliant; that's what makes her so dangerous. She's also scared, which makes her unreliable. There's no telling what she might do to save her own hide, and that includes feeding us to the hungry vampire, who, did I mention, hates me with an all consuming passion?"
The Partners' liaison stopped pacing. She turned to her lover with a beatific smile. "Lindsey, I have an idea, but it's very risky. Would you risk Angel's wrath if it meant we could rid ourselves of Lilah, for good?"
"You know that I'd do anything for you, Evie. What do you have in mind?"
"Come with me and just follow my lead."
She grabbed his hand, practically pulling him down the hallway. Eve knew that she was taking a great risk and that this was it, all or nothing. She slowed down when they reached Angel's office. Leaning over, she placed a soft kiss on his lips before opening the door, unannounced.
Angel looked up, startled that someone would walk into his office without permission. His expression turned to anger when he saw who stood beside Eve. Slowly rising to his feet, he brought his vamp face forward as he smirked at Lindsey.
"Ah, dear Eve, have you brought me dinner?"
He slowly walked around his desk, approaching them with silent predatory steps. She stepped further into the office, pushing Lindsey ahead of her then closing the door, happy to see that Harmony was nowhere in sight.
"You might want to hear what he has to say before you eat him. It's your choice. Although, Lilah did go to a lot of trouble to have him brought from W&H's own special hell dimension." She left the information dangling in the air, waiting for the vampire to take the bait.
Angel stepped closer, invading Lindsey's space, sniffing him to verify Eve's words. "He does have that special sulfur smell about him. Why would Lilah bring him here? She knows how I feel about Mr. McDonald." Eve didn't say anything. Angel grabbed her arm, pulling her flush against his body. He buried his face in her neck as his fangs scraped along the creamy skin. From the corner of his eye, he saw Lindsey stiffen and his hands fist. "Dear Eve, you simply need to get a better partner in crime. Your boy can't keep it together to pull your little charade off convincingly. Tsk, tsk, now," he shoved her away from him, "how about telling me the real reason you're here."
She shot her lover a look when he started toward her. "Yes, Lindsey and I know each other, rather intimately in fact, which I'm sure you already know." She winked at the souled vampire as she touched her nose. "I wasn't trying to fool you, Angel. In fact, I wanted you to test me exactly the way that you did. Can you get Lorne to come in here without raising any suspicions?"
"Why should I? Is this some set up to hurt him?" His eyes narrowed at the lovers who sat at opposite ends of the couch.
She shook her head. "No, it's the only way I can prove to you what's happening. I brought this so Lilah shouldn't be able to track us." She laid a red ball on the table.
Angel approached the table, eyeing the ball as if it would bite him. "Is that what I think it is?"
"It's a Draconian Tear. The owner's untraceable to magic. I've expanded the spell to encompass Lindsey, along with our surroundings. Lilah likes to spy and I didn't want her watching our more intimate moments."
She gave Lindsey an apologetic smile. He wrapped his arm around her in understanding. Angel walked over to his desk and called Lorne.
"He'll be here in a minute."
Lorne knocked, then walked inside, stopping short at the door when he saw Angel's guests. He stepped inside quietly shutting the door before turning to his friend. "Angel Lips, you are aware that Evil Lawyer #2 is sitting over there with Evil Liaison #2?" He shrugged his large canary yellow covered shoulders.
"Yeah, Lorne, I know. Eve says that she needs to tell us something about #1, but needs your help. I say if they lie to us or you get any bad vibes, we kill 'em," he said in an Angelus-like way.
Lorne stared at his friend, gap-mouthed. He turned to Eve with blazing red eyes. "What did you do to him? Did you give him something? Some happy inducing drink, or throw some mojo on his ass?"
She threw her hands up to ward off the angry Host. "No, wait please. Angel, could you stop with the Angelus routine. You're making your friend nervous." She glared at him, clearly seeing that he was enjoying himself at her and Lindsey's expense. "I know that you read Lilah the other day to prove to Angel that she wasn't lying, right?" Lorne continued to glare at her, but nodded in answer. "She did, lie, that is."
"That's impossible, I read her myself," he practically shouted. "Angel tasted her and she wasn't drugged or bespelled."
The two on the couch stared at the vampire, who shrugged. "Quickest way to tell. Get on with it, Eve; I'm growing tired of this. Angelus and I don't agree on much, but we do agree on what to do with your boy toy, and you, for that matter. One less W&H employee wouldn't break my heart."
"She didn't bespell herself, she bespelled your office."
"What!" Angel jumped from his seat, ready to find Lilah and pull her head off, again.
"Wait, Angelkins, we only have her word for it. I know what I read and I don't trust this one anymore than I do Lilah. I trust what I read. So, how are you going to prove this to ole Lorne?"
"Easy, I'm going to sing for you, then tell you something that Angel knows the truth about. If the room's bespelled, you'll believe me, if it's not, you tell me I'm lying. I brought Lindsey here for Angel to kill him, stopping Lilah's plans to use him against Angel."
Without waiting for them to agree, she burst into song. Lorne watched her aura closely, half-afraid of what he'd see inside someone created by the Partners. She stopped singing and waited for the verdict.
"She's telling the truth." Angel swiped everything from his desk in an angry outburst. "I'm guessing from the souled one's actions that I'm wrong. I need a drink, a really large drink." He walked over to the bar and proceeded to mix a very stiff pitcher of martinis.
Angel went to the window, taking several deep breaths he started to calm down. "What do you want from this, Eve?"
"Lilah took those shipments to keep Cordelia in a coma. She's trying to get Angelus to come out and play. That'd be great, except for the part where she feeds you my lover. If Linds and I help you, will you leave him alone? I can smooth things over with the Partners, but only if you say the word. She'll be the one hung out to dry. There's more than just Cordelia's cure in those shipments. I got word through the grapevine that a certain chalice meant for you was included. W&H have been searching for that chalice for eons, every time that they've almost obtained it; it slips through their fingers. When the Partners find out that Lilah lost it, she'll be assigned to the lowest regions of Hell."
"You have a deal, now get out."
She pulled Lindsey up from the couch. "Happily. Oh, Angel, the deal goes down tomorrow night. Don't know if she told you that or not, just thought you should know. You might want to alert your little gang. You're gonna need back up on this one. She has some demons working for her and they don't play around." She grabbed the Draconian Tear as she left the office.
"Lorne, call the others, tell them to meet us at Fred's favorite restaurant. We have things to talk over."
"Aye, aye, mon cream puff." He raised his martini glass in salute.
Dom parked the trailer and unhitched his truck. He searched for Buffy's car and didn't see it anywhere. Leon drove up with the flatbed, carrying the cars. He backed it next to the trailer and got out looking over the campgrounds.
"Nice spot, you can see anyone coming from any direction."
Dom nodded, still busy trying to find one wild haired woman. "Did you see Buffy when you drove in? She passed us up about an hour back and I don't see her car anywhere."
Leon grinned at the worry on the big man's face. "Man, you got it bad."
He glared at him, before a smile crossed his lips. "Yeah, just don't tell the others. There she is, see ya later, bro."
"As if everyone don't already know, bro."
Buffy loved the atmosphere. She could practically taste it on her tongue. Powerful engines revved, filling the air with their low guttural roars as each driver showed off their babies. She walked over to the straight-aways, eyeing them for distance and traction. Her body tingled just thinking about racing out here under the desert sun.
Strong arms wrapped around her waist as a deep voice whispered in her ear. "Think you can tear up this strip?"
She slid around to face him. "Know I can. They have a nice setup here. Should be fun to take their money as I leave them eating my dust. Think you owe me an apology for keeping me waiting so long." She grinned at him, pushing up on her tiptoes to meet him halfway.
"My pleasure." His lips captured hers in a slow kiss that seemed to last forever.
The crowd hooped and hollered when they finally pulled apart. "You're gonna owe me another one for causing a scene. Think I'll take it somewhere a little more private." She turned to walk away when she felt him lift her off her feet. "Dom, what are you doing? Put me down, right now." She swatted at his back, careful not to hit too hard.
"I feel a powerful urge to apologize, babe. You wouldn't want that on my conscious now would you?"
He laughed when she swatted him again. His pace quickened to a light jog, which had them back at the camper in no time. He sat her on her feet, and then pulled her into his arms. Her lower lip fell into that pout that drove him crazy. He leaned forward, nipping the plump lip she unwittingly offered. Her reaction was exactly what he wanted. His tongue swept inside to duel with hers. They moved closer, pressing against each other as if they could crawl inside the other's skin.
"Wow, Dom, you sure do apologize a lot," Mia said.
The couple reluctantly pulled apart giving his sister twin glares. "Why aren't you wrapped around surfer boy, doing your own apologizing?" Buffy stuck her tongue out at her best friend.
"Hey now, no need to go that far." The girls turned to glare at him. He put his hands up in surrender. "Just saying…"
"Come on, Mia, I'll help you get dinner ready. I think that Dom needs to check on the cars." She turned up her nose and walked into the trailer.
"Ooh, you're in trouble," Mia teased before she followed Buffy.
"Sisters," he complained under his breath.