Title: Tangled Web Author: SunnyD_lite Spoilers: Shells Pairing: None- friendship/animosity between all the characters Summary: How long can you keep a secret? And how do you fight your own demons? Rating: PG-13 -language Disclaimer: I claim these characters for the Queen of Sheba, just kidding they are owned by Joss, Mutant Enemy, and other corporate entities - I'm just playing with them. Author's Notes: This chapter brings forward some of the mind wipe..plus a secret is revealled! Hugs and Jelly Doughnuts to my betas PattyAnne, a_r_evett and desoto_hai_873 All spelling and grammar errors are my fault! 9 GATHERING THE STRANDS "Fine Percy, but I'm thinking that secrets are what got you lot into trouble in the first place. This can't be the first time that with- holding information has blown up in your face." He wasn't sure why but Spike's comments evoked a strong sense of deja vu almost overpowered by a wave of guilt and a feeling of failure. When else had he withheld something from the team? Well, there was his affair with Lilah but...they already weren't speaking at that point. He'd played his past close to his chest, hence the warm welcome that his cyber father got earlier this year. But re-inventing yourself was an LA tradition, almost mandatory. So he didn't feel any guilt about hiding his familial relationship. It's not like Cordelia had ever spoken about her parents. In fact, Fred's parents were as close to normal as any set the crew had. He winced. He still hadn't called Fred's parents. He was still hoping for a miracle and that it wouldn't be necessary. He knew that each day that passed meant that possibility kept getting smaller, but despite being able to make hard decisions, he planned to delay this one. Something about Lilah twigged his memory. First, he thought, he should set out when they had started whatever they had had, since the memory wipe started before that. He remembered her giving him a book, Dante's Inferno. Her comment had been about a betrayer. What did she mean? His hand absentmindedly ran over his neck scar. She'd given him another book, the missing pages needed in order to fight the Beast ?a book she had found in another dimension that had survived the Beast's mind wipe. Were they dealing with something similar here? With a sigh he started recording general details about his relationship with Lilah. This document would be edited before the others saw it, but maybe getting it all down would provide a framework to tie these things together. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. ****************** 9b At least the stabbing had missed his stomach and he could eat whatever he wanted. Tacos were, of course, off the menu. As were most breakfast foods. Despite enjoying her gluttonous ways at the time, he now wished that Fred had kept a limited diet. Too many foods hurt to think about, let alone try and consume. And there goes his fancy vocab again. He tried thinking 'street' but it took an effort, like trying on an old pair of shoes that you'd outgrown. That's why Spike found him eating a grilled cheese sandwich when he popped by, one of the few foods without a 'Fred' association. "So mate, how goes the research? If I'm not interrupting your fine dining experience here." "This from someone who thinks a touch of otter in his blood is upscale? Not taking culinary tips from those on the liquid diet. 'though thinking about it, you vamps were onto Aikins way before he was!" "And that's why I've got such a trim figure. Can't speak for the Poof and he never touches human food. Anyway I've got an update for you from the rest of the team.." "Running interference, are you?" Gunn grimaced. He could guess how the others felt, but having solid evidence was another matter. "Well yeah, but only until things get sorted, mind you. I'm thinking all of you are going to have to pow-wow in order to get out of this mess. I'd give you all a gold medal in avoidance but none of you would show up at the same time to accept it. I've half heartedly tried to see Angel a few times since? And he's 'not available'. Normally that wouldn't stop me, but this time Harm meant it ?out of the office. Did you know he could leave that desk? I'd start looking for the chains but he'd never have that much fun." "No chains that I've seen. That's funny about him being out. I'd though he'd be conferencing with the others to sort this through." "And it's not just me, neither Percy nor Lorne's seen him either. Complete Robinson Crusoe with Harm as his man Friday." "Weird. Almost as weird as what I found out. I searched the Library of Demonic Congress ?they list all contracts made in the nether worlds. Started with the crew. Mostly consisted of our employment contracts. Angelus' file is thicker than the latest Potter book ? Don't look at me funny. Fred liked to be read to and she loved hearing about Hermione. Angel's is thinner but his employment contract was sealed beyond what I could access." "Sounds like he got himself in deep. He was never a good one at negotiations." Spike shook his head. "Tell me about it. He still complains how much things costs compared to his human days. No valid basis for comparison. But I cross referenced Darla and came up with something. Did you know that you had a great-uncle?" "What you talking about, Willis?" "Darla had a mystical child....named Connor." "Darla would never have chosen an Irish name for her child. Wait a minute...she gave birth? But that's impossible for vampires. Good thing too or the Slayer would have been...What else do you have? Was it when she was human?" "Nice topic change. I'll just pretend I didn't hear that. So Connor is an Irish name? No, the sources indicate that she'd tracked down a tonne of mystical doctors for an answer. Since she only left their bodies behind, I'm guessing she didn't like their opinions and wasn't giving them a chance for a second one." "That's great-grandmamma for you. Never met a neck she didn't like. What happened to her?" "The records get a bit cloudy. I'm working on that one. Ditto on who the daddy is." "Well, you are certainly cracking the web. I've got one more assignment for you. Can you keep track of these blanks, and see what makes your mind hit a wall? Lorne's aura reader suggested it as a way to sort out when the blanks start. That should help define the what. Percy thinks he's sorted the how. Guess what? There's a spell that can do this. He's going to email you the symptoms so you can check yourself against the model." "Magic. He was right, it always comes down to magic." "Who was right?" "What? Damn, another blank. One more for the log book, which I've already started thank you!" "Right then, sharpest spoon in the drawer. I'll let you know more as I find out. And if you're going to order fried food, go for the 'blooming onion'. It's brilliant!" "Again, not taking gastronomic advice from the eating challenged. Looking forward to the updates. At least I know that you'll visit." He was not feeling sorry for himself. No siree.