Subject: [BA_Gutter] FIC: Together Again 12/25 Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2004 13:55:32 -0000 From: "sunnyd_lite7" Title: Together Again Author: SunnyD_Lite Spoilers: Follows 'Tangled Webs' which has spoilers to Shells, then goes on its merry way. Rating: PG but there is Spike language – you have been warned. Disclaimer: Joss, ME, Sanddollar, and other corporate types own every conceivable copyright and interest in the characters. They stopped playing with them, so I thought I would. No profit, no foul, right guys? A/N: First off, hugs and doughnuts to my betas Pattyanne and Desota_hia_873. They made sure my ideas resembled sense. This piece will make more sense if you've read Tangled Webs, now on the sandlot And a shout out to Sara J and Andrea P and Speaksto Customers for great feed back. Speaking of feedback.... love the stuff! CHAPTER 12 Fred stared at the telephone. It had only been a week since she last spoke to her parents. There was no rush. Maybe she should talk with Spike and Harmony, just to find out what she HAD been up to, it couldn't have all been as innocuous as watching Gladiator. Once she knew what had happened, then she could call her parents and let them know she was fine. They always worried a little. They were parents. She stared at the phone, then her eyes fell on her sketches from last night for a 'sweeper'. Spike was right, the firm probably did bug the hotel. That made things easier. She could go to her place, pack some stuff up, head to an electronics place she knew and begin working on the de-bugger. She hadn't realized how empty days could be without a lab to run. She remembered Wesley joking about Jenga nights. She loved it when he was in a good mood. Now and then he had a tendency to brood like Angel. That was one of the reason's she'd been attracted to Gunn when she'd first got back from Pylea. Living in a cave had caused enough intense emotions for a while; she'd wanted some lightness, happiness, fun, security. Now that she was more settled in the world, she was able to manage a little broody, but she still loved seeing Wes's playful side. That's one of the reasons she was worried about the 'memory retrieval' issue that the boys kept dodging. Wes had, well, hardened might be the best way to describe it. Harsh edges and cutting politeness. He always retreated into formality when he was uncomfortable. What did those memories contain? And when was she going to find out? Another thing to consider was whether she should move back to the hotel. 'Helping the helpless' was rewarding, as long as you didn't want money. She didn't think her landlord would accept demon de jour as a substitute for cold hard cash. But part of her was thinking about moving in with Wesley. The practical side of her brain knew it was too soon, that things had happened, that baby steps were the way to go. The more passionate side of her brain listened, nodded and schemed how to kidnap Wes for a weekend away. The way too Disney-fied part of her kept trying to picture a home for two with decorating and throw cushions and, well, she couldn't really imagine it. She needed a girl friend to talk this stuff through, someone to keep her grounded. Someone like-- "Harmony, what are you doing here? And how did you get here without burning?" She was amazed at the secretary's, oops, personal assistant's, presence. "Duh, the tunnels to this hotel are pretty well marked. And, well, I brought your shoes." It was at this point Fred noticed the large sack in Harmony's hand. "Shoes?" Some memories were dancing through her head, but without context she couldn't believe them. She looked at Harmony again and asked, "Was this when I was..." "All blue, it was a good look for you by the way. So, since the company paid for them I thought I'd bring them by. Is Angel around?" She interrupted her chatter with an eye roll. "Well, I know he's around, but is he available? 'Cuz the firm didn't seem so keen on keeping me on and I was wondering if maybe..." "Harmony, what are you doing here?" growled Angel as he descended into the lobby. "Hey, boss. Well, you weren't at work today and the gossip was you weren't going to be and the Personnel, non-human, Department called and, well, they fired me with one week's pay... so do you need an Assistant, or could you give me a recommendation? Someone who's vamp friendly and doesn't mind a slow typing speed?" Fred could barely hold back a giggle as she watched the questions swirl around Angel's head. He looked like he wanted to swat them like flies. She saw him take a deep breath and could almost hear him count to ten before he answered. "Are you asking for a job? You do know that we're the good guys, right?" "Yup, so no human blood and no threatening people without a direct order. I get the drill, boss. Truth is...I wasn't that good at being evil so I thought I might be better at being good, even without a soul. It worked for Blondie Bear so..." "Harmony, what in the blazes are you doing here?" This time Fred had to laugh. Spike and his impeccable timing walked in on the 'Blondie Bear' comment. Given vamp hearing, she was sure that he knew the moment his ex had walked into the place, but she'd noticed that calling him Blondie Bear always got a rise out of him. "Hi there, like I was telling Angel, I came to join. I saw how Cordy used to run the office and I know I'm way better than that." The look of disbelief, which passed between the two souled vampires, luckily went over Harmony's head. "So when do I start boss, and do you have dental?" She looked very content and oblivious to the confusion on Angel's face. Fred took pity on her and said, "I'm going to need some help moving things this evening, do you think you could give me a hand with that, Harm? Maybe we could grab a drink, but THIS time I'm not letting you pick up any astronauts!" "Sounds great, so where do you want these?" Harmony somehow managed to let go of the top of the bag and an avalanche of shoes and boots tumbled out of the sack. They were in a rainbow of colours and the heels... "I bought THOSE? These blue boots have sixteen holes!" "And they aren't even Docs. What were you thinking, pet?" Spike looked bemused by the pile. "Slayer would have been in heaven with this selection." Another eyeroll from Harm. "It's always about the Slayer isn't it? Illy bought these." Turning to Fred she said, "and they do look great on you. Maybe better with the leather look, but boy it was fun!" "Leather look? Harm, I think we have to talk." Dragging the vampire up to the room she'd been in Fred left the boys.. . and the pile of shoes.. . in the lobby. A/N: In Tangled Web Illyria and Harmony go shopping. Couldn't leave those shoes abandoned and homeless, could I?