V.I.S.S
by Lilithangel

A/N: My apologies for the delay in updating. My sense of humour went on holiday without me. But I have finally gotten there I hope you all like it. Thanks to everyone who gave me support and suggestions, I have stolen the ones I liked. This will be the last chapter; I think I have taken the story as far as it can go. Enjoy!
 

9. Mail Order Souls?

Spike led Maud and Gladys down the corridor to the training gym. Angel had decided the safest thing they could do was organise a demonstration of Spike's fighting skills for the ladies. Nobody wanted to even imagine what would happen if they were allowed access to Wolfram & Hart clients.

Although Spike was sure he had seen a speculative gleam in Angel's eye when Harmony had informed him of his meeting schedule for the afternoon.

Spike was willing to place money on Maud and Gladys coming out on top of any encounter with even the most deadly of the demons they encountered.

As they walked Spike tried to block the continual conversation the two ladies carried on. At that moment they were discussing the relevant merits of recipes to tempt ghouls and zombies away from human flesh.

He noticed a flash of green out of the corner of his eye and looked just in time to see Lorne throw himself back through a closing lift door.

Turning around a corner they walked straight into Wesley who gave a passable impression of a rabbit caught in the headlights of an oncoming truck.

Maud beamed "Wesley dear, hello again. I see you took my advice and shaved. Such a shame to hide such a lovely face."

Wesley blushed "Ah well...it was most kind of you to take an interest in my well being nurs.... ah Maud" he stuttered reaching for the glasses he no longer wore.

Gladys sighed, "Such a lovely accent, Mavis is going to just adore you."

Wesley blushed even more "about Saturday night..." he began

"I've already texted Mavis" Gladys continued "she cannot wait to meet you so don't be late now."

Wesley could only nod mutely and smile waveringly at Gladys.

Spike felt a certain sympathy for Wesley but could not help himself, "fancy coming down to the training room for some sparring Wes?" he asked with a grin "the ladies want to see what I can do."

If possible Wesley's face went even redder "Ah...quite...sorry but...appointment with...must dash" he stuttered back peddling down the corridor.

Spike smirked and gave him a cheery wave before turning back to Maud and Gladys.

"Onwards ladies" he gestured, beginning to enjoy himself.

At the door to the training room they met up with Illyria.

"You are late" she frowned at Spike ignoring Maud and Gladys.

"Alright pet, had to show the ladies around. Maud, Gladys this is Illyria our resident ex-goddess, she will be my sparring partner today." Spike waited expectantly and the ladies did not disappoint.

"Goodness" Maud reached for her camera "a real live goddess"

"Is that colour natural dear?" Gladys asked, "Not many women could carry off blue as well as you do."

Illyria glared at Spike 'what are these creatures doing here?" she demanded doing her best to ignore them.

"Easy luv, Maud and Gladys are my guests today."

Illyria turned and stalked into the training room. Grinning Spike ushered Maud and Gladys through the door and settled them on a large pile of exercise mats beside the training mat.

"Now Illyria has had most of her powers stripped but she is still stronger than the average vampire. Lucky I am not your average vampire." Spike bragged as he shrugged off his jacket and over shirt, preening at the murmurs of appreciation from Maud and Gladys.

He squared off to Illyria who was waiting impatiently in the centre of the mat...

(A few minutes later)

"Now that is why you cannot allow yourself to be distracted in a fight," Spike explained from his position on the floor under Illyria's foot.

Unable to restrain herself Maud had snapped off a number of photos. Spike had allowed himself to strike a quick pose for the camera, allowing Illyria to knock his feet out from under him and drop him to the floor.

Quickly Spike rolled out from under Illyria's foot and leapt gracefully back upright.

Grabbing staves he tossed one to Illyria while twirling his theatrically.

Watching him Illyria realised Spike was playing for the audience. She did not understand many human emotions but she recognised vanity and pride.

Using that advantage she swept Spike's feet out from under him again, this time dropping him on his backside.

The look on his face almost made her laugh, she a discovered early on that the blonde vampire was very concerned about image.

Maud and Gladys clapped enthusiastically as the fighting continued, obviously enjoying themselves immensely.

When Maud's cell phone went off Spike was upside down sliding down the wall trying desperately to look like he meant to be there.

"Hello" Maud trilled as Spike signalled a break to Illyria. "Reggie dear, how are you? Oh good...yes we are still at Wolfram & Hart, Spike is showing us a marvellous time. Yes, we have met Angel and some of their lovely friends. Just wait until you see the video."

Maud paused obviously listening to a very excited Reggie.

"Oh that is good news!" she exclaimed "three weeks... that is wonderful. Everyone will be so pleased...you'll let everyone know how to register? Wonderful...okay...see you on Wednesday and you can tell us all about it."

Maud beamed at Gladys "Reggie got a reply from the college. The course will take three weeks, we will learn the necessary meditations and rituals."

"That is marvellous" Gladys gushed "the girls have been on to me to join the church quilting circle and I will be able to attend the christening of Marilyn's youngest."

Spike listened to the conversation with growing confusion and concern.

"Good news then ladies?" he asked.

Maud beamed at him "Oh yes. We have been keeping it quiet until Reggie was sure. The College of Magic have just confirmed they are teaching the soul restoration meditation and ritual spell workshop this semester."

"You have got to be bloody joking?" Spike managed to get out.

"Oh no, Reggie has been researching it for a while now" Gladys confirmed "and please mind your language."

"Sorry" Spike apologised automatically "I think Angel needs to hear this."

Picking himself up off the floor Spike ushered the ladies back to Angel's office, all thoughts of sparring forgotten.

"Mail order souls?" Angel's voice cracked in disbelief.

Maud nodded. They were all sitting in Angel's office. Angel had tried to pretend he wasn't there but Spike had burst in before he could get away.

Maud continued her explanation, "Reggie has been chatting online with a lovely wiccan girl. She told him she had performed a spell that restored a vampire's soul twice."

Spike and Angel looked at each other; she could only be talking about Willow.

"And she offered to teach it to you?" Angel's voice rose another octave.

"Oh no, she explained how costly a spell it was, but it was enough to get Reggie on the scent."

"He found the College on the internet when he did a search for the spell" Gladys continued. "The spell is normally taught to third year students at the college but as special cases the College agreed to teach us separately."

"Surely it cannot be that easy?" Spike asked weakly.

"Oh it wont be easy" Maud assured him "there will be three weeks of meditation and group therapy to prepare us for the ritual."

Angel grabbed his phone dialling rapidly "Wesley" he barked "I need to know everything we have on a College of Magic offering a soul restoration meditation and ritual spell...no I am not kidding and I need the info now!"

Spike grasped what Angel was thinking instantly "It must be a con" he said hopefully.

"Oh Reggie checked their credentials first. They are an old and reputable College of Magic that has only recently gone online for advertising purposes."

Angel and Spike sat in Angel's office, neither had said anything for several minutes.

Wesley had confirmed the existence of the College and the legitimacy of the spell they were using. Apparently it was a variant of the one Willow had used but had to be done voluntarily by the recipient, the obvious reason for its obscurity.

They had managed goodbyes to the ladies and Angel had granted Harmony the rest of the afternoon off. She had left with Maud and Gladys, chattering eagerly about the course and planning a big party with the VISS members.

After that they had sat there simply staring at each other, mulling over what they had discovered.

As usual it was Spike who broke the silence.

"A three week bloody meditation course!" he cursed jumping to his feet to pace restlessly around the room.

"No sodding trials, no blood or effort!" he ranted.

"No curse, a voluntary ritual" Angel added bitterly.

"What sort of bloody vampires are they anyway?" Spike kicked Angel's chair sending it spinning across the floor. "Blood substitutes, support groups. It's enough to make me long for the good old days. What ever happened to old fashion mayhem and destruction?"

"Why would any vampire want a soul?" Angel asked plaintively. "It's just not right."

Spike's mood suddenly shifted and he threw himself back onto the sofa, "Wonder what they will call themselves now?" he mused.

"What?" Angel stared at Spike.

"Well, they cant be V.I.S.S anymore, not if they have found their souls. Maybe V.I.R.S, Vampires In Receipt of Souls." He suggested.

Angel's lips twitched "Or V.I.M.S, Vampires In Meditation for Souls."

The two men collapsed into hysterical laughter.

"How about S.V.V.S.S.B.S, Souled Vegetarian Vampires in Search of Suitable Blood Substitutes" Spike gasped.

"Or V.G.Z.C, Vampires Ghouls Zombies Collective" Angel howled.

"The world is not ready for this" Spike grinned, "What do you think the slayer and the Watchers council will do?"

"They'll be invited for blood substitute casserole and be set up with Maud's relatives before they can do anything" Angel's laughter subsided but the grin remained.

"Guess we will no longer be unique" Spike sighed theatrically.

"I think I need several large drinks" Angel got up and went to his liquor cabinet.

"To no longer being unique" he toasted handing Spike a glass of scotch.

"I'll drink to that" Spike lifted the glass and drained it, grinning as Angel followed suit. "To the future, whatever it may bring" Spike added his own toast and the two men sat down to finish the bottle before the end of the day.

FIN.