Genre M/M

Pairings/Characters Angel/Spike

Rating NC17 (just to be safe, might not be)

Warnings M/M relationship, eventually, nothing graphic, some fighting of Demons.  If you want graphic sex, violence, rape etc its Not here.

Notes this is my first fanfic, and I hope you like it.  Nothing graphic as although I do read graphic stories my imagination does not go that may.  Would not come naturally to me.

Acknowledgements For great beta-ing and support mandarin226 and stakeaclaim who heard the bare minimum of plot, and encouraged me to get on with it, but told me to give it a try.  Wonderful story banner by krazzy_cee, thank you all so much

Archive The Crypt, thank you to the lovely Luba http://home.att.net/~lubakmetyk/crypt.htm

Summary.  Don't want to give too much away but Angel has a plan and Spike is the centre of it!

 

 

 

Angel looked at the scene in front of him; it looked like a Mexican standoff.  This could be his chance to show goodwill.  It would also be a good time to take any spell that Delilah had in mind.

 

"I agree, if you do it straight away." Angel looked round smiling his most beguiling smile.

 

"Hold on, you agree?  Then you'll not mind answering a few questions first, before we do the spell, will you?"  Winslow asked, wondering how to word the questions to fit the limits of the spell.

 

"I said I will do it now,"  Angel replied, looking at Winslow in an intimidating manner, "Take it or leave it."

 

"The timing of the spell is crucial," Delilah said. "We do not have time to argue about it, if he will only do it now, then we must hurry or we will find out nothing."

 

"Winslow, think fast for ways to ask the questions to get the most information," Spike interjected hurriedly, "I know the ponce, and once he has made up his mind nothing will shift it!   Delilah, what do you need to do this?"

 

"I have everything in the kitchen, it is a simple spell, but very limited."  Delilah got up and headed towards the kitchen, followed by Giles.

 

"Where do you think you are going, Giles?"  Winslow asked, raising an eyebrow.

 

"Limited as it might be, this could be a useful spell, and I want to see what Delilah has to do."  Giles did not like his motives being questioned, and looked daggers at Winslow.

 

"Private business Giles.  If you want something we have proper channels, I'm sure we could fix a price!"  Spike retorted, smiling, but his eyes were cold.  This was a distraction they could do without, and he was sure Angel would be able to manipulate the situation somehow.  He did not spend centuries as Angelus without learning a few tricks and had been too quick to agree.

 

"Ye ken that Winslow is trying to put together questions for the Mick here, no distractions,"  Layla growled at Giles.

 

Both Buffy and Faith sat down; they also would like to know about whatever talent or gift Spike might have.  For Buffy it was just curiosity, but Faith had a glint in her eye, as she looked at Spike.  She would wait her chance; however at the first opportunity she was going to have a word with Winslow, but it seemed not now.  She was even more determined having seen the interaction between the Mavericks, and their behaviour towards Angel.

 

Delilah returned carrying a bowl, which smelt of herbs, she smiled and said, "I suppose I should have said, but you could have taken off those charms as soon as you entered the building."

 

Angel, Buffy and Faith removed the charms with relief, but Angel still looked at the bowl, the steam rising from it smelt of rosemary, which was not much better.

 

"What do I do?"  Angel asked.

 

"Just inhale the vapour from the bowl for about a minute, and then you will be ready to answer the questions.  The spell will only last about 15 minutes at the most; I am not sure how long you will be affected, being a vampire."  Delilah answered.

 

Concentration furrowed Winslow's brow, Spike ignored it and slapped his back.  "Come on Winslow, get that enormous brain of yours into gear, we need the questions pretty damned smartish before the Poof changes his mind."

 

Winslow frowned his annoyance.  He needed this extra harassment like he needed fanges in his neck, Spike caught his irritation and raised an eyebrow.

 

"Have I pissed you off, old chap?" he asked, voice dripping with injured innocence.  "I don't know why, but I always seem to affect people that way." 

 

Winslow looked away, he knew Spike acted like this when he was nervous and was unsure what the problem was, but he had a job to do, and was not going to be distracted.

 

Angel bent over the bowl, and Delilah put a towel over his head, "Hey you never said I had to cover my head as well."  Angel was annoyed and it showed in his voice.

 

"Worried it will ruin your hairstyle?  Not with the products you use on that mop."  Spike retorted.

 

Angel bent over the bowl, with the towel over his head.  Vampires didn't need to breath, but they could inhale, and this was how they used their enhanced sense of smell.  Inhaling deeply, whatever Delilah had used in the spell took effect.  He felt slightly dizzy, as if bounds had been lifted in his head.

 

"That should be enough," Delilah said.  "It is quick acting, but just as quickly overcome.  You will have to be fast Winslow."

 

Winslow took a deep calming breath; may as well ask the obvious he decided.

 

"Have you told the truth about Spike and this talent?"  he questioned.

 

"Yes."  Angel looked dazed, and remained silent after this one word.

 

"He cannot say anymore even if he wants to,"  Delilah stated.

 

"Can you train Spike?"

 

This was going to be slow Winslow thought.

 

"Yes."  Angel replied.

 

Spike leaned forward; Angel knew of this talent, and it looked as if they would have Angel's company for a while if he was offering to train him.  The others would wish to use a talent such as this, and it might be useful in their line of work.  The spell was limited, but if Angel was to train him maybe he could find out more.

 

Have you researched the talent?"  Winslow was thinking about what Angel had already said, and what information he could gather.  He was also trying to trip him up, get him to admit that they did not need him.  One souled vampire champion was enough with the other activities Delilah, Layla and himself had to do.

 

"Yes,"  Angel replied then shook his head.  He looked around the room, "Is that it?"

 

"The spell has worn off,"  Delilah stated.

 

"Limited is right, ye ken," Layla snorted unimpressed, "are we any further forward?"

 

"We know that Angel was telling the truth about the talent and his ability to train Spike,"  retorted Winslow.

 

"But what about the danger!  Are we in danger, and if so how much?"  Layla was not happy that Angel seemed to infer that the danger was so bad that Spike and she could not cope.  That they needed him.

 

"We knew the spell was limited, and were not able to ask the most informative questions before Angel agreed to take it,"  Winslow replied exasperated.

 

"Right, now what do we do?  The poof can stay here.  I have a spare room, but he will have to move the stuff I have stored there before he can use it,"  Spike stated with unaccustomed generosity towards Angel; which made Angel look at him in surprise.

 

"What?  You have just told us that I have a talent which could be a danger to me, and so a danger to Mavericks as whole.  What if something happened to Layla?  Or even if a gang of demon's attacked the office?  Delilah's spell is good, but enough numbers and who knows what would happen."  Spike shrugged and moved away towards the door.  "You coming?"  He called to Angel.

 

Angel got up and followed Spike.  "Looks like I have somewhere to stay, I'll phone and have my things delivered tomorrow.  Goodnight everyone."  He followed Spike looking forward to the training when Spike would have to do what he said.

 

Winslow looked round, and yawned unnaturally.

 

"Well it has been a long day, if everyone has finished, I would like to retire. I'm sure you have families to get back to."  He looked pointedly at Buffy and Faith.

 

Without a backward glance Delilah and Layla left the room.  Winslow made a point of showing Giles and the slayers the way, and ushering them towards the front door.  With an indignant snort Giles left, Buffy and Faith following.  While Buffy was angry, Faith had a thoughtful look in her eye.

 

The next morning Angel had left instructions for Delilah to phone a hotel 'The Grand' and have his belongings sent to the office.  The vampires were sleeping and the humans were getting on with various activities when the doorbell rang.

 

"Mavericks, can I help you?"  Delilah answered the push-button door entry system.

 

"Hey, its me Faith, can I come in?  Would like to have a word with Winslow" Faith replied.

 

"One moment please."  Delilah got up and made her way into the main office, "Winslow, Layla,"  she called, "Faith is here."

 

"What's she want?" Layla asked.

 

"Don't know, asked to have a word with Winslow."  Delilah looked as Winslow standing up from behind his desk.

 

"Let her in, better to find out what these slayers are up to,"  Winslow said.

 

"I don't trust her," Layla stated. "You will find me in the training room."  She took up a crossbow and left the room.

 

Delilah brought Faith into the office with the charm round her neck, and Winslow motioned towards a seat.  "What can I do for you, Faith?"

 

"More what can I do for you,"  Faith replied. "Sounds like Spike will be busy training with Angel and you might need another pair of hands."

 

"What about your children?  I thought you had retired to look after them?"  Winslow asked.

 

"I'm sure I can get baby sitters in London, and I can train with Layla."

 

"We are a 24/7 operation Faith.  Don't know that it would suit a single mother, no matter how good a slayer she might be."

 

"Looks like a well run operation, safest place to start."  Faith challenged.

 

"Yes, but why are you asking me?  We all work together, not only my decision if you work here,"  Winslow replied calmly.

 

"Haveta start somewhere," Faith said.

 

Winslow cocked a head to one side, and smiled his cruel smile, Faith had faced many people who would harm you in her life, but his smile lacked any warmth.

 

"Delilah, Layla," Winslow called. "Come here please."

 

Delilah and Layla entered the room from different doors; both looked at Faith, then Winslow, noting his expression.

 

"What's up Winslow?"  Layla asked.

 

"Faith wants to join our little operation.  Any comments."

 

"Why?" questioned Delilah.

 

"Another pair of hands, while Angel is training Spike," Faith tried calmly.

 

"You see, it's not that easy, Faith. While our souled vampire champion sleeps through the day, we humans may do things that a redemption seeking slayer may find distasteful," Winslow commented.

 

"What sort of things could you be doing?  I'm an open minded sort."  Faith was determined to find out what Angel had got himself into now.  She knew that Spike and Angel's relationship was not wholesome and had been surprised that Angel wanted to help Spike; that the humans also seemed to have something to hide it worried her more.  It looked like she was right and Angel needed help.

 

"Well, not everyone wants to give us the information we require: well not easily."  Delilah looked cold, while Layla gave a secretive smile. 

 

"Not only demons are reluctant to give information.  Some humans fall in with the wrong crowd as well,"  Layla almost purred.

 

Faith felt the hairs on the back of her head stand up,  These people seemed to be saying they would go to any lengths to get information when they needed it.  She looked around, a slayer, a witch and a watcher, could be a formidable combination, if they were bad, they could be very bad.

 

"We do whatever we have to do for the greater good,"  Layla stated, but still sounded cold.

 

"Where does Spike fit into this?"  Faith asked.

 

"Spike is very straightforward Faith,  He uses his fists.  We may use more devious methods."  Winslow raised an eyebrow.  "Angel may appreciate our methods more than Spike, or maybe Angelus would."

 

"How bad are we talking here; you mean torture?"  Faith asked, hardly able to believe her ears.

 

"Calm down Faith.  No hot pokers or flaying people.  Don't worry.   We're not Angelus, and we have never killed anyone.  Just that our methods ar'nt always truthful or legal."  Delilah reassured. "Maybe some breaking and entering, a few threats, or some magic.  Just to speed a case up."

 

"I don't see a problem, so why do you keep Spike in the dark about it then?"  Faith questioned.  "Angel would be fine with that, and Spike would be as well I'm sure."

 

"What he doesn't know won't hurt him,"  Winslow said, with a secretive smile.

 

Layla hopped up on a desk.  "You still in?"

 

"I don't have a problem, just need somewhere for the kids and myself."  Faith smiled, this was easier than she though it might be.

 

"Got a spare room till you find something,"  Layla stated. "But you and the kids will have to share."

 

"Fine by me."  Faith got up to leave.

 

"I will contact the head of my coven and have the spell made so that you and Angel can move in and out freely," Delilah headed towards the phone on Winslow's desk.