AUTHORS: Salustra and Cathelin

"Up here!" Darla calls back from one of the bedrooms. She's spent a rather delightful afternoon with sweet little Miela, the first of the minions Spike made the other night. After slowly introducing the girl to the wonders of another woman's touch, she now has her writhing desperately beneath her hands.

Lindsey heads up the stairs, and into the bedroom, only to see Darla with a naked and very pretty woman who is moaning and arching on the bed. He stops, arousal and jealousy rushing through him.

"Good afternoon Pet." Darla says, smiling over at him as she curls her fingers inside Miela's channel, making the poor girl cum again with a small cry. She's lost count of how many times she's made the pretty little thing come.

"Good afternoon Mistress," Lindsey says obediently. The sight in front of him is blatantly erotic. He has to shake himself to remember what he came to say. "I have good news. A possible way to make Angelus sane."

"Really?" Darla smiles hopefully, pulling her fingers free. Miela mewls quietly as she collapses down on the mattress.

"Yes. Spent the afternoon poking around in records, came up with a name. And a way to contact the person behind the name."

"And this person is?"

Lindsey settles in a chair. "Her name is Arielle. Legendary figure. One of a very rare breed of vampire, maybe less than a dozen in the whole world, and she's the oldest. So they say. Feeds on emotions, not blood, so they never kill. But among her gifts is the ability to cure insanity and other emotional problems."

Staring off to the side thoughtfully, Darla brushes a lock of hair behind her ear. "She certainly sounds like the kind of help we're looking for..."

"Yes. I thought you'd say that. I can call and set up a meeting, so we can size her up, if you like."

"That would be good. Though we should make sure that Spike can be there too."

"Mmm. In which case it should probably be tomorrow, before they head back to Sunnydale, don't you think?"

Darla nods, "We'll have to ask Spike if he can get away. Otherwise it will have to wait until things are a little further along in our plans against the slayer."

Lindsey nods. "Yeah." He grins. "If he visits, should we show him the surprise in the basement?"

"Hmm not yet. We don't want to spoil his reactions." Darla grins. Stroking Miela's cheek, she smirks at the young minion, "And don't think I don't know that you've been sneaking in to peek at your Master's surprise."

The girl blushes brightly, ducking her head. "Sorry mistress." She whispers.

Lindsey smiles. "He'll be so pleased when he finds out, though."

"He will. I can't wait to see his face." Darla giggles.

"So is the other plan in place for tonight?"

"It is. Both parts." Darla grins.

"You want me to drive you there?"

"Yes." Darla nods. "And as a reward for being a good pet and finding that information out..."

"Yes?" Lindsey asks, eagerly.

"When you get back, you may remove your cage for the night." Darla says with a smile for his eagerness.

"Thank you, Mistress." Lindsey says with a moaned sigh. God, to have the cage off for a night.

"Perhaps, if you're a very good boy before I go, I might give you permission to make use of one of the minions. Not Miela of course." Darla cocks her head at him, smiling with glittering eyes.

"Thank you Mistress." Lindsey ducks his head. He's all too aware of the fact that Miela is off limits. Just as Darla is aware of how attractive Lindsey finds her.

"Your very welcome." Darla smiles graciously. "Now, strip." Lindsey moans and starts quickly and neatly removing his clothing.

Stretching out on the bed beside Miela, Darla smirks to herself, wondering what she'll do to Lindsey today. No doubt that whatever she decides, it'll be fun for her, and pleasurable torment for him.

*****

Darla lay frowning at the ceiling, her thoughts circling and churning but not coming up with a whole lot of any use. She can hear Lindsey's quiet snores from the large body cushion that Spike bought for him to sleep on, on the floor.

The poor man hadn't been best pleased when confronted by that, but he'd given in soon enough. He really was suited for the life of a Pet, not to mention secretly incredible eager.

Sighing she returns her thoughts to Angel, or rather what their next move should be regarding Angel. They had the tape and dvd ready, but it was not quite time for them. The dvd especially, or rather the end of the dvd. No. She had to think of something else.

Though inordinately pleased over how well things were going with their plan to torment Angel and drive him back into the bosom of his family, she had no intention of easing up now.

A loud *tap-tap* on the bedroom window distracts Darla from her thoughts and she slowly sits up, wondering what it is. A second *tap-tap* prompts her to get out of bed and reach for her robe.

Coming out onto the balcony she looks around at the ground in confusion. It's only at the sound of girlish laughter that she looks up.

"Hello grandmummy." Drusilla calls gaily. She's perched on the branch of a tree, legs crossed and hands in her lap, looking for all the world like a demure schoolgirl.

"Don't call me that." Darla replies automatically, prompting more laughter from the brunette woman.

"Oh grandmummy, I've missed you so much!"

Darla sighs and rolls her eyes. "I've missed you too dear. What are you doing here?"

Pouting, Drusilla blinks big brown eyes. "Aren't you glad so see me?"

"That all depends on what you want dearest."

Covering her mouth, Drusilla giggles and starts to sway, her eyes flickering closed. "The fairies have been talking to Drusilla grandmummy."

"Oh, and what did they say?" Is the tired and oft-repeated question.

"They say that Spikey and grandmummy are playing the most delightful game with Daddy."

"They do, do they." Darla looks warily at Drusilla. "And what are they telling you to do about these games?"

"Oh don't worry. The fairies say that Daddy mustn't know. That I must be a good girl and not tell."

"That's right dear. It will spoil the game if Daddy knows."

Drusilla nods eagerly, her curls bouncing. "Oh yes. We mustn't spoil the game. Not when the prizes will be *so* wonderful." She hugs herself and hums quietly.

After a few moments of watching her hum and sway, Darla draws her attention back to the matter at hand. "Why are you here Drusilla?"

"I wanted to ask you..."

"Yes?"

"I wanted to ask...Can Drusilla play?"

Tilting her head, Darla gives Drusilla a considerate look. "Well Drusilla, it depends on what you have in mind."

Clapping her hands excitedly, Drusilla giggles again. "Oh Princess has some lovely ideas."

"Oh?" Darla raises one finely shaped eyebrow. "Do tell."

*****

Angel stands by the counter in the lobby, idly doodling on the phone message pad. It's quiet and he's enjoying the peace after the...stress of the last few days.

Suddenly the doors to the hotel slam open, making Angel jump and turn quickly, dropping into a defensive stance.

"DAD-DY!!!"

Suddenly a red and black blur moves across the room, landing against Angel's chest. He blinks confused.

It takes a few seconds for his mind to realize that the red and black blur is Drusilla. Drusilla who's arms are currently hanging around his neck as she sobs into his chest. Automatically he wraps his own arms around her.

"Dru?" He asks, confused. His answer is a few garbled words and Drusilla sobbing harder. Angel strokes a hand soothingly over her back. He should stake her, he knows, really he should, but his little girl is crying and all he can think is to hold her.

Spike is waiting. He hears Drusilla's entrance, and he's primed for it. He gives a few moments for Angel to hold her before strolling in. "Dru?" He says with shock, and a little flash of anger.

Angel looks over at Spike, the look on his face showing his obvious confusion. His confusion turns to mute appeal as he gestures for Spike to come closer. "Drusilla what's wrong? What is it?" He tries to coax her away from him slightly so he can see her face, but it doesn't work and she just clings tighter. Spike steps forward. It's not hard to show tension, he's still never quite resolved things with Drusilla. He touches her, a hand on the nape of her neck.

"What is it, Princess?" Moving one arm from around Angel's neck, Drusilla wraps its around Spike's neck, dragging him closer without moving away from Angel for more than a split second - or a break in her sobs.

Still utterly baffled by Drusilla's behavior, Angel is completely lost as to what to do. How can they fix whatever it is unless she stops crying and tells them?

Spike wraps one arm around Dru and the other around Angel. "Shh, Princess. You must stop crying and tell Daddy and your Prince what's happening."

Wesley, drawn by the noise, comes into the lobby. He's talking before he can see the trio. "What on this *earth* is causing that caterwauling...oh."

'Thank god Spike knows how to deal with her'. Angel sighs a little in relief as she loosens her hold a little and raises her tear-streaked face. He glances over at Wesley briefly, but returns his attention to Drusilla now her sobs have turned to a much quieter weeping.

"He was all nasty to Princess." Drusilla whimpers.

"Who was, Princess?" Spike asks.

"Harold." She sniffles. "He said he didn't want to be with Princess any more."

Angel makes a sound of sympathy in his throat, stroking his hand down her hair. "There, there Dru. It's ok. You'll soon feel better."

"No it's not ok!" She cries. "He said I was *boring* and now he was going to cut off Princess' head and feed it to his nasty mommy!" She wails, burying her face back in Angel's chest.

Spike looks at Angel. "We won't let that happen, Princess. Will we, Daddy?"

Wesley calls out, despite himself. "Daddy?!"

"Of course we won't." Angel replies with a little growl. At Wesley's question, his eyes flicker up to meet Wesley's and he blushes.

Appearing at the top of the stairs, Cordy takes in the three vampires standing so close together and shrieks a little. "What the hell is going on? What's *she* doing here?" Gunn doesn't say anything, just heads towards the weapons cabinet.

"Er..." Angel looks up at Cordy as she starts to stomp down the stairs. "She's a little upset." He tries to explain.

"I can see that." Cordy snaps, "What I want to know is why she's being upset in *our* lobby?"

"I don't care." Gunn growls. "I can take care of it with a little stake and holy water action. Why isn't anyone else coming for weapons?"

"Because our dear boss, the champion for the PTB, doesn't want to kill his loony-tunes daughter, the *vampire*." Cordelia explains derisively.

"That right, boss?" Gunn looks over at Angel.

"Er...yeah." Angel shifts uncomfortably, which looks silly as he's still got Drusilla pressed against him.

Gunn sighs. "Ok, sure." He crosses his arms and leans back. The uncomfortable wiggle assures him it's Angel and not Angelus.

Snorting with irritation, Cordy speaks up, "So, I say again. What is *she* doing *here*?"

Spike sighs. "Her ex is threatening to cut her head off."

"Can't say as I blame him." Cordy replies, with a sunny smile.

Drusilla lets out another wail, pressing closer to Angel, who gives Cordy an unamused look. "You're not helping Cordelia." She just shrugs and snorts again, turning her back and waltzing over to her desk.

"So....you're going to *stop* him cutting her head off?" Wesley asks confused.

Angel looks at Wesley in shock. "Of course I am."

Cordelia rolls her eyes. Sometimes Wesley could be so dense. If Angel wasn't going to let Gunn kill her, or kill her himself, why on earth would Wesley think he's let somebody *else* do it?

Spike strokes the back of Drusilla's neck again. "Princess, where is Harold? What kind of demon is he?"

"Ch...chaos demon." Drusilla sniffles against Angel's silk shirt.

Lifting her chin, Angel smiles gently, "Do you want us to kill... Harold?" He asks, not that he really needs the excuse to kill a chaos demon. And what kind of chaos demon is called 'Harold' anyway?

"Yes please Daddy." She nods, giving him a sweet smile.

"Chaos demon? The one you left me for?" Spike's eyes glow, and there's anger in them. "Yeah, kill him gladly."

"I'm sorry Spikey." Drusilla turns to him, her lower lip trembling, big brown eyes still teary.

Spike makes himself take and let out a slow breath. "It's ok, Princess. All in the past. And dead and buried after we kill Harold."

Like the little girl she's always been stuck as, Drusilla brightens immeasurably, almost seeming to forget her upset. "Oh thank you Spikey!" She throws herself into his arms. Spike oofs and then wraps his arms around her, petting her hair. Angel can't help a snicker at them. But then he catches sight of Wesley's disapproving frown and schools his face back to its normal brooding expression.

"So where is Harold, my Princess?" Spike coaxes as soon as he can pull in breath again.

"In the smelly dark under the stars where Princess danced among them." Drusilla tells him, swaying in his arms.

Almost hearing Cordelia rolling her eyes again, Angel shrugs at Spike. They'll probably just follow her scent back to wherever it is Dru left Harold.

"That's good, Princess. We'll take care of it." He looks at Angel and mouths, 'where do we put her?'

Eyes widening, Angel just stares back flummoxed. "Here?" He suggests hesitantly, totally sure that's not at all wise, but he can't think of anywhere else.

"Princess," Spike says, soft and low. "If we leave you in my room, will you be good and not leave it, not try to eat anyone?"

She pouts prettily at him, blinking slowly. "Must I?"

"Yes, sweetie. Angel's humans get upset when people try to eat them, and they're armed."

"And we'll bring you back a present." Angel adds persuasively.

"Ooo really?" Drusilla grins, clapping excitedly. "I like presents."

Spike smiles at her. "Yes, sweetie, a present. Come on, I'll take you up there." He takes her hand and leads her upstairs.

After they're out of sight, Wesley sighs and heads to the weapons locker. "We'll keep watch, of course. With Joyce and Dawn upstairs..."

"Oh she'll leave them alone." Angel hurries to assure them. "She's always been willing to do anything if it means she'll get a present out of it."

"Yeah right." Cordelia snorts. "She's nuts."

"You're willing to wager Joyce and Dawn's life on that?"

"It's true." Angel says defensively.

"I'll keep watch anyway." Wesley pulls out a crossbow and some holy water, while Gunn grabs an axe. Cordelia pulls a huge crucifix and a water pistol full of holy water out of her desk drawer.

"Fine." Angel huffs, offended. Shouldn't his friends believe his word?

He grabs a sword and wicked looking dagger for himself, fully intending to take out his annoyance on Harold when he finds him.

The three humans head upstairs, passing Spike as he comes back down. He raises an eyebrow but says nothing, heading to the weapons cabinet to get an axe.

Slipping on his coat, Angel is obviously still put out as he watches Spike get ready. Spike pulls on his duster and hefts the axe. "We ready?"

"Yeah." Angel nods, adrenaline starting to pump at the thought of hunting, especially with Spike and even more especially over something sort of personal. "Let's go."

The two of them head out onto the street. Dru's scent is obvious to the two of them. Familiar, fresh, and easy to follow. Spike's eyes glow amber as he extends his senses and drops into hunting mode.

Flashing Spike a grin, Angel starts off at a swift pace, feeling his canines tingle. Hunting is the only time that Angel lets himself go, truly giving in to his vampire senses. Though of course, it's not really hunting in the vampire sense. Spike follows along, a pace behind, automatically settling into old, long-remembered patterns.

It seems almost no time at all until they've followed her scent to one of the warehouse districts of LA and they slip seamlessly into the shadows as they close in on the location of their prey. They're in full communion, able to convey meaning with a flick of the eyes or a small near-inaudible noise. They can see the Chaos demon, sharpening a blade, muttering to himself.

From where he is in the shadows behind the demon, Angel nods at Spike to reveal himself first, grinning a little maliciously. Spike steps out, axe raised. "Hey, Harold. Heard you threatened my Princess." The chaos demon looks up, startled, and raises his blade, moving towards Spike.

"Ah Spike." The demon grins toothily, and far too arrogantly. "You're here a lot sooner than I expected. I thought she would have to sober and clean you up a bit after dragging you out of some dive somewhere."

"Stupid git. Come here, and I'll show you what you get for messing with my baby."

Chuckling, the demon shakes his head, splattering slime in a around him. "This is going to be fun. I've been looking forward to this for months."

"Hmmm. Well I've been contemplating taking your slimy head for about two years now, so I have you beat."

"Ah but I'm going to enjoy *beat*ing you." Harold smirks. "Maybe for a good while."

"Gods that's terrible. Does it always talk this much?" Angel asks Spike, still in the shadows.

Spike chuckles. "Pretty much so."

The demon spins around in surprise, stupidly forgetting about Spike as it glares into the shadows at the back of the room. "Who's there?"

Spike swoops in and swings his blade, catching the demon across the back of its knees. It's a vulnerable spot in the armor, and he's hamstrung now, unable to move his legs. Bellowing, Harold attempts swing at Spike where he stands behind him, toppling himself in the process. Bursting out in laughter, Angel steps out of the shadows. "Oh that was far too easy."

Spike joined in the laughter. "Oh, I agree. So...who takes his head now?"

"Hmm I don't know..." Angel smirks. "Which do you think'll cut cleaner, axe or sword?"

"Well the axe is heavier. But the sword is shaper. Shall we flip for it?"

"Nah, you do it, the axe should make it take longer." Angel gives Harold a sadistic grin. Harold wriggles and screams as Spike starts chopping with the axe. Angel watches with a smirk. "Try not to get slime on yourself." He suggests helpfully.

Spike laughs. "Yeah, I'd hate to get messy. That's why I got one with a nice long handle."

Unable to help himself Angel leers at the younger vampire. "You always did like playing with a nice long handle." Slapping a hand over his mouth, Angel thinks to himself, 'Shit. I did not just say that.'

Spike grins back, his adrenaline up as he knows Angel's is. "Yes, well, you seemed to like it well enough when I did." Reminded of exactly how much he did like it, Angel groans quietly.

The screams fade and Spike ends it with one last vicious chop. "All done." His voice holds a ring of satisfaction.

"Good. Shame it was over so quick though."

"Yeah well...chaos demons seem tough, but they're mostly bluster. Not like, say, a Fyarl demon. He would've lasted an hour or so."

"Hmm." Angel sighs. "Fancy hunting for something a bit more challenging?"

Spike nods, eyes yellow, already roused. "Yeah."

"Come on then. There's got to be something else around here." Angel grins and heads for the doors. Spike chuckles and follows, ready to hunt.

****

Gunn and Wesley have taken up their positions on either side of Spike's door, Cordy a little further down the corridor. All three have dropped their weapons out of ready positions in their boredom.

Looking over at Wesley, Gunn rolls his eyes as Cordelia sighs her irritation for what feels like the fiftieth time. Both men jump at a quiet knock from the other side of the door between them.

Perplexed Wesley turns to look at it. After a moment there's another small knock. After looking at Gunn, Wesley calls out quietly, "Yes?"

The door opens and he suddenly finds himself staring into Drusilla's dark eyes.

"Hello." She smiles at him serenely, her hands folded in front of her.

"Er… Hello." Wesley replies.

"You're clever aren't you?" Drusilla asks him, the question not at all what Wesley expected.

"W…well, I, um…" Wesley stutters and pushed his glasses up his nose.

"Yes he is." Gunn's voice answers her, just out of her view.

"Oh goodie." Drusilla lifts her hands, clapping them together happily. "Do you know how many animals live in the stars?"

Staring at her for a moment, Wesley has to think what she means. "How many constellations are named after animals you mean?"

Blinking, the vampiress frowns at him, "Isn't that what I asked?"

"Um, not quite." Wesley glares briefly at Cordelia's snort of derision. Honestly, it doesn't help when she keeps doing that. Drusilla shrugs and just looks at him, waiting. "Well, now, I think well over half of the modern constellations are named after animals. Let me see…there's… well the zodiac animals of course - Aries, Cancer, Capricornus, Scorpio, Taurus, Leo and Pisces. There's also a Leo Minor and a Piscis Austrinus. There's the birds - Aquila, Corvus, Cygnus and the newer Apus, Grus, Pavo, Tucana and Columba."

Watching, Wesley with amusement, Gunn shakes his head at how quickly the other man slipped into lecture mode, even when talking to an insane female vampire like Drusilla. He couldn't help be impressed yet again though by the way that Wesley seems to retain such vast amounts of knowledge, even when its not obvious *why* he should have memorised it.

"Then there is Camelopardalis; the canines - Canes Venatici, Canis Major, Canis Minor and Lupus; Cetus, Delphinus, Dorado and Volans; Draco and Serpens; Equuleus; Chamaeleon and Lacerta; Lepus and Vulpecula; The rather unfortunate Musca; and finally Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. So that's…." Wesley trails off for a moment as he counts in his head. "Thirty-six."

Pushing up his glasses again, Wesley finds himself smiling at the rapt Drusilla. "And that's not counting the mythological creatures - Centaurus, Hydra and Hydrus, Monoceros, Pegasus and Phoenix. Which would take the number up to fourty-two."

Clapping her hands and, Drusilla spins around. "Ooh so many. No wonder they all make so much noise." Giggling she spins a second time before giving Wesley a huge smile and blowing him a kiss.

He stutters and flushes a little. "Ah, well, I suppose it is."

Folding her hands demurely in front of her waist again, Drusilla curtseys prettily. "Thank you." She says politely.

"You're welcome," Wesley answers, surprised.

Smiling again, Drusilla closes the door. Wesley shakes his head a little and turns to Gunn who smirks at him.

"Geez Wesley." Cordelia snips. "What did you have to go through all that for? You should have just told her to go back in the room."

Frowning at her, Wesley shrugs. "No harm in answering her question." Cordelia sneers and turns away to lean against the wall.

A little bemused by Cordelia's behavior, Wesley turns his attention back to Gunn. "I'm quite surprised I could still remember them all actually." Rolling his eyes, the younger man pats him good-naturedly on his shoulder, muttering about Wes' huge brain.

Inside the room, Drusilla dances, her eyes closed as she watches all the animals chase each other in her mind, grinning wickedly as the fox catches tears apart the hare, and the strange pack of three dogs and a wolf pounce on the goat. Strangely, the goat has long bottle blonde hair.