Subject: [BA_Gutter] FIC: Together Again 14/25 Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2004 15:54:32 -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. Feedback: Getting lots of lovely feedback, but would like to start a collection, so all comments v. welcomed! CHAPTER 14 Lorne sighed as he entered the lobby. The room was as clouded with dark emotions as his bar used to be with smoke. There needed to be an airing out. Danger was, with this group, when you scratched the surface, things tended to boil over. That's what had happened with the bottle spell he'd done to help Cordelia. But was a semblance of order, order? Or would it all fall to pieces when the pressure was on--- which would be any time now. Strange that the two demon visions were about, well, neutral demons. Ones not out for human blood at any rate. As for their intended target, as Spike said, seniors were not preferred delicacies of any of the demons cultures he knew of, and that meant quite a few. It always surprised him how readily the gang turned to books instead of asking the resident expert. He'd run Caritas for years prior to it becoming target central thanks to Angel's continued patronage. Not that he was complaining – well, not a lot anyway. It had been time for a change, and nurturing a baby had been restorative, at least until Connor 2.0 turned up ready to kill anything in a more colourful skin tone. He didn't approve of Wes hiding the memories from Fred. It was the lack of knowledge that had got them in trouble in the first place. Not that he wanted to play counsellor to this group of grumpies, but straight shooting was called for. The tensions wouldn't go away with a group hug, but at least everyone would know what was causing them. And he'd better get off the stairs before they accused HIM of having visions. He saw the pile of shoes on the floor and did a classic double take. "Okay, who did a raid on Macy's and didn't invite me?" he quipped to the gang. He did a mental headcount, all here but Fred. "Harm dropped them off. She and Fred are talking while Fred builds her bug scanner, should be done soon. As for the shoes, piss poor lot – no Docs anywhere." Spike was lounging on one of the sofas. Dressed in his trademark black, he looked for all the world like a satisfied panther, sunning himself. "Don't think Macy's sells Docs, crumpet," Lorne replied, "but some of these shouldn't be available until next month! There were clients at the firm who would have sacrificed babies, other people's, for this booty." Tearing his eyes away from the mountain of footwear he focused on Spike, "Did you say Harmony?" "Yup, seems like she really WAS Angel's personal assistant. Out with Angel, out with Harm, so she played like little Bo Peep's sheep and followed him here." Lorne tried to digest that information and then looked at Wesley, who had taken up his traditional seat by the desk. "What about the memories for Fred, is she up to speed?" "That spell can only be done at dawn." Lorne noticed that Wes's reply wasn't an answer. "So do you have the ingredients for tomorrow? And would it help to fill in the blanks or should we let the magic take care of it?" It wasn't the brooding Englishman who answered, but Gunn. "I did some reading on the spell, might be best not to prejudice her and let it unfold as it did for us.. . was that just yesterday?" "Yes in-deed-y, yesterday, tartlet. Though it feels like a century ago and I haven't had a cellphone in my hands in days, feels like I lost a limb, no disrespect." The last was aimed at Spike, who had been handless for a bit. "None taken." Spike gave him a nod then continued, "So did you all live here? Or was this just Castle Greyskull? Like the magic shop, without so many supplies?" "Magic shop?" "Sorry, SunnyD reference. They were still hanging out in the library when you were there, weren't they Peaches?" "Yes, we blew it up to stop the Mayor." "Wow, politics is harsh in that 'hood." Lorne saw that Gunn looked uncomfortable falling back into street talk. Guess he'd out grown what he'd been. Wonder how that would change things. Cuz times they were a changing. Lorne reviewed the group, "So what's on the agenda for this evening?" "Fred's tinkertoying that sweeper thing," Spike said. "Regular MacGyver you lot have in her. Never seen a bird so happy with wires that weren't made of precious metal. Hope you appreciate it. Slayer had to make do with second hand stuff." There it was. Spike's quarter hour reference to his lost love. Lorne hadn't caught him singing, but he would love a peek at the bleached vamp's destiny. "Hmm, so we should wait to go over things until everything is code green, and Fred has her memories back. Maybe tomorrow afternoon. That will give her time to mull over what we've got in our brains." This was a statement, not query, from Gunn, who'd kept his eyes on the ax he was polishing during that comment. Looked like second banana wasn't the role for him any more. Lorne began to feel like he was standing beside Humpty Dumpty after the wall excursion. Could all the king's horses help put them together again? "I'm not sure if Fred requires the burden of that spell just yet," was Wesley's reply. "Isn't that bloody like a Watcher, now? Intel on a need to know basis, and generally they figure nobody needs to know. It isn't currency, mate, you can't hoard it away and get interest. They're HER memories. She needs them back." Lorne smiled. Spike always seemed to ride to the defence of the defenceless faster if they had a pretty face. Seemed that helping the helpless was getting into his blood, so to speak. Lorne noticed that one member of the gang had been silent. Not uncharacteristically so, but still... "Angel-kins, what's your vaulted insight? Did the visions feel imminent? Or can we wait 'til tomorrow?" "Not sure. The Barney one was at sunset, so maybe Wes and Gunn can do a look-see tonight. I'd volunteer, but..." "Vamp flambee does not need to be on tonight's menu. No problem, boss." Gunn turned to the Watcher and asked, "Wes, you up for a little recon? We could pick up the herbs at the same time." Lorne was surprised but pleased with Gunn's sneakiness. No way Wes could claim lack of supplies for the spell now. "That sounds fine. I should probably swing by my place for the copy of the text and some other materials. I left the original at the firm." Hmm...a reasonable Wes. Why did that strike Lorne as odd? "I'll keep Fred company as she sweeps. Wonder what gossip Harm was able to snag before leaving? And I must get Fred to model some of those shoes." Lorne had staked his territory for the next while. Guess he would let vamps be vamps. "Peaches, fancy a work out? I mean you've got to have a workout place somewhere in this mausoleum." "They generally worked out in the basement. Oh, and there's a swimming pool. We never really used it." This was from Fredikins herself, who was coming down the stairs carrying something that looked like it belonged on the set of the first Star Trek. "Ready to sweep, my little profiterole?" "Ready, Lorne!" And with that they all disbursed, except for Harmony who decided to guard the shoes, mostly by trying them on. tbc