Subject: [BA_Gutter] Fic: Together Again 28/30 Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2004 18:06:17 -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. Won't be posting again for a number of days so here is a long chapter to mull over! C/N: Okay, we've had apologies, but wait, there's more... Feedback: makes me do a happy dance! Chapter 28 "So, are we done with Old Business?" asked Harmony, glancing at her pink watch that was the same tone as her notebook. There was no response. "Well, seeing no objections, let's move on to Correspondence. Have you guys gotten any mail here yet?" she continued. "I was thinking more of the visions when I put that item on the agenda." Gunn turned to Angel and asked, "Any idea why you're vision guy?" Gunn watched Angel try and find a comfortable position as he leaned against the front desk. There wasn't a lot of answering going on. "We figured out that they were passed to him when Cordelia dropped in for a visit. Some sort of Powers That Be thing," Spike piped up. Gunn noticed that Angel seemed taken aback by that answer, as if certain details were missing. Was SPIKE, the one who had harangued them into talking, now going to start keeping secrets? "What I don't know," added Angel, "is why. If I got the visions when Cordy ..." His voice dropped and then recovered, "why did I only start seeing them now?" "Buttercup, I've got the answer to that one." Lorne commented. Everyone turned to pay attention to the Pylean. There were looks of astonishment on a number of faces. Looks like Lorne was right about being under-appreciated, Gunn thought. "The Wolfram & Hart offices didn't only hold the White Room, they were a conduit of power for all the firm's activities in this part of the world. As with any power source, and anyone who's tripped over a fraying cable on stage can attest to this, it was insulated. Power didn't accidentally leak out, and no outside influence could leak in." "Angel, you spent the most time with Cordy. Did she have a vision while in our offices? Our old offices I mean." Damn, that lawyer training was kicking in again,looking for inconsistencies. "No, she talked about the one which woke her up...or which she said woke her up," Angel responded. "Nor did she have one while we were researching those tattoos either," added Wesley. "One could conclude that this mystic insulation prevented any further communications. The Senior Partners would unlikely take kindly to interference from their opponents." "So they wanted to prevent Radio Free France? They played some decent tunes during the war, well, between all the propaganda nonsense." This was Spike's contribution to the discussion. He started humming the old swing classic, 'In the Mood'. Fred gave him a look of disbelief, "You listened to Radio Free France? What were you doing in occupied territory?" "Hey luv, evil then. War was the best place for vamps. Lots of fear to season the blood, and no one noticed a few extra bodies." "So, for the minutes, I should put that Angel's visions were blocked by the old building, but that the Powers can now find him? Anything else under Correspondence?" A mildly perturbed Harmony was now actively hurrying them along. Gunn looked around the room, and seeing the nods, replied, "Ya, that sounds about right. Think we can move on to New Business, now." 28(b) "You've got three items under 'New Business'," Harmony informed the group. "They are: Who Does What; What Do We Do?; and Do Be Do Be Doo?" Her normal upward inflection hit the ceiling as she read that. Gunn swivelled to look at Lorne, "Did you modify my agenda?" The green demon shrugged, "Couldn't help myself. I've been musically deprived for days now, and I thought that was a catchier title than, 'Future Cabaret', so it falls under New Business!" "It IS catchier," agreed Fred. "Sorry, just through me for a loop, that's all." Gunn said with contrition. If he wanted Angel to start listening to all of them, he was going to have to do likewise. "Okay, Who Does What. Spike, why don't you explain what we were talking about?" This startled Spike out of his humming, "What? Me, present?" His eye roll seemed both incongruous for the Slayer of Slayers, and yet well practised. "Right then.. .from what I've been told, you lot have formed certain patterns of behaviour based on old skill sets. That's changed. So the thought is that if everyone knows what each other can do, then new patterns can form, and you know who the back-up is. Hell, you might even be able to take vacations!" "Hmm, THAT'S a good thought," Fred muttered. Gunn noticed an almost predatory gleam in Fred's eyes as she contemplated her Watcher. He'd seen it before; she was plotting something. He hoped that Wes was up for whatever she had up her sleeve, as when she wore THAT look, she wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. "Is this where the chart comes in?" inquired Harmony. "'Cuz, I could add colours, if you have a colour printer that is." She was clearly not impressed by the current level of office automation. "Our budget is a little more modest than you were used to." Wes was trying to smooth the situation over. "Oh, does that mean I can go shopping for equipment? Generally, if I giggle, I can get computer stuff for like 25% cheaper!" "So, we should add supply management to Harmony's skills, along with normal clerical and, you said that you were taking marketing courses?" Gunn queried her. "Uh huh, plus I can still beat up the humans for you," she paused as she saw the looks, "Duh, only if you guys ask. I know the rules." "That's a right handy skill, that is," shrugged Spike, "and I can train with her, any of you, if you like." Gunn's weren't the only eyebrows that were raised at that suggestion. "What? I was training with the Slayer for three years, AND the bleeding potentials for the last year. I can train with humans." "That's settled then." Gunn just shook his head, Wesley was sounding very Masterpiece theatre, all prim and proper. Wesley continued, "and you mentioned that you knew a bit of magic and demon languages for translation and research." Looking a little embarrassed, Spike began pacing the lobby. "Well, was taught Greek and Latin in school. Years in the killing fields got me Fyarl and a few other demon languages. If you want swear words, got a score of languages covered. But for research...probably only about a dozen. Hate magic, too many consequences, but I CAN do it... when necessary." "You? Do magic?" Gunn was amazed at the level of disbelief in Angel's voice. "Watch it, gramps, you remember a certain restoration ritual which went quite well...for Dru that is...don't you?" snapped Spike. Fred giggled at the sight of the two vampires glaring at each other. She looked over at Gunn and he saw her mouth the word 'brothers'. "Down boys!" She continued, "Okay, so the task is to find our hidden talents? I think you all know mine. Hmm...I can speak Pylean, but we have Lorne here too." "That's okay, pet," Spike re-assured her. "The point's to FIND the redundancies, and figure out who's on call as back-up. So, luv, you've got computer research, science research and some book research skills. Decent fighting skills and..." "Planning skills. As well as think out-side, way out-side, the box, problem solving skills," Gunn added, with a smile. He continued, "The rest of us can talk to Harmony so she can create the chart for us to review. Sound good?" Seeing the nods he moved onto the next topic: What do we do? A/N notice who's been quiet. That's about to stop.. but only after I'm back from writercon. Yup, I'm evil!