Time to catch up

[dark_wesley]

As I started up the Triumph outside of Willie's, I cursed myself for a fool. I had left the office tonight intending to confront whatever evil was behind the Caritas portal, or to at least ascertain its identity. And now, I had effectively alienated my much stronger and tougher backup. I had pushed my luck, I know, but it had seemed like a

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[big_pile_o_dust]

I walked 'round the place a bit, lookin' for...I dunno. Anythin'. It was busy, lotsa kids dancin' and what-not...a perfect place for some baddie t'eat 'em.

Couple years ago, it would've been me doin' the eatin', but...I'm good now, see?

Too bad the Slayer won't see.

Speakin' of seein'...I turned t'Buffy and pointed at Watcher Jr.

"Hey!" I yelled across the room, hopin' he'd hear. "Ponce! Over here!"

I waved him in our direction, figurin' he was there for the same reason the Slayer and I were there. The damn portal at Caritas.

I realized too late I'd gotten everyone's attention with my yellin'.

Eh, sod them. I had work t'do. It's hard bein' a hero, y'know.

[dark_wesley]

I heard Spike yell. Of course, most of Sunnydale, let alone everyone in the Bronze heard Spike yell. As if the tall, rail-thin would-be Sex Pistol didn't attract enough attention. I'd never had the dubious honor of making William the Bloody's acquaintance personally, but no Watcher (or even former Watcher) worth his salt would mistake him for anyone else. A few conversations with Giles filled in the particulars-- Spike was a loud-mouthed swaggering ass, but still a dangerous one, even with that chip I'd been informed about.

Curiously enough, Buffy was with him. Giles had mentioned something about Spike almost inadvertently becoming something of a loose ally of Buffy's group, but I was loathe to believe it. Now, it seemed I was wrong. Of course, I would still be cautious.

I crossed enough of the room to reach the two and ignored the vampire as best I could.

"Buffy. You're here investigating the portal, I assume? Any leads?"

[cookiedoughgirl]

Spike tugged on my sleeve and pointed over the crowd. I followed his finger and winced. Wesley, the last person I wanted to speak with at the moment. I began pulling Spike forward, hoping that we could sneak out the door, but obviously Spike thought I was going for Wesley. He shouted, causing everyone to turn and stare at us.

Wesley looked up and I let go of Spike's shirt, in what I was sure looked in a guilty way.

"Hi Wesley," I said, giving him a small smile. "We went to Caritas, whatever came through is already here. We figured we'd go to the biggest fast food place for demons in town. What about you? Any...leads?"

[dark_wesley]

I raised an eyebrow, but suppressed the thoughtful frown. Buffy was acting... oddly, even for a person as unique as herself. I had to admit that I still wasn't comfortable with the idea of a vampire-- sans soul, that is-- having a hand in fighting the good fight, but he was with Buffy at the moment, so the Slayer must trust him in some capacity.

So much so that she was gripping his shirt. Old Spike must've been just about to be re-introduced to Buffy's fist, no doubt.

"A small lead, at best. The most I've uncovered is that opening and maintaining this portal requires the influence of at least two individuals, one of whom would need to be a magic user of exceptional power."

Now it was time for the thoughtful frown.

"You said that the portal's already had something pass through it tonight. Any idea what or who it might be? That could narrow our search a bit."

[big_pile_o_dust]

"Demon," I replied to him, noddin' my head. "We found...the Slayer found a footprint. At the bar."

I paused, lookin' at old Wes. He didn't seem that impressed, even though I had fessed up and told the truth that it was Buffy who'd found the clue. Real Scoobie-like and all.

But he was frownin' at me, like.....wait. Like bloody Angel. He must be hangin' 'round Mr. Forehead far too much if the broodiness is rubbin' off.

"Any idea what or who it might be? That could narrow our search a bit."

"Look, it's a mean old bugger. Big. Nasty. So, we go, find it, and kill it. Simple as that."

[cookiedoughgirl]

"Well, that's great," I said, giving Wesley a little frown. "So we've got someone with super magic mojo on our hands."

No one was really coming to mind. I thought about Ethan momentarily, maybe I should give Giles a call and see if his old...is it chum or mate? If his old psychotic friend is in town.

"Actually," I said, giving Spike a sideways glance. "The footprint looked normal enough, like a human's...or a vamp's. Considering the selection of bads the portal's given so far, I'm going to go with vamp."

[dark_wesley]

I rolled my eyes at Spike's continuing nattering. On an intellectual level, I could imagine how having the physical abilities of a vampire at hand would be helplful since Angel and she had parted ways, but it seemed to me that Spike actually thought he was a contributing member of the group. Preposterous.

"So, we go, find it, and kill it. Simple as that."

Simple was certainly the word for Spike. I turned my attention back to Buffy and the important matter.

"Vampire. With the track record like Sunnydale's, I would certainly agree with assuming the more dangerous possbility."

I tilted my head towards Spike.

"Using him as a bloodhound, so to speak?"

[big_pile_o_dust]

"Using him as a bloodhound, so to speak?"

Right then. The Slayer was ignorin' me, and now Percy here thought it was high-time t'show me just how intellectually superior he was t'me.

"Yeah. I'm off t'find that Slayer of yours you messed up. See if I can get her t'try and kill ya again."

I saluted Buffy once. "Ta."

God, I wanted t'punch him. Soddin' chip wouldn't let me. So I left.

All's I could do, right?

I walked out The Bronze and went home.

[cookiedoughgirl]

I frowned at Spike as he slunk off. I was still feeling kind of...confused about what he'd said earlier. You know...the whole loving me part.

Not that it would change anything. He was still Spike.

I turned to Wesley. We needed to go after this thing, whatever it was. We could split up, I'll take upstairs and he can take down and...

"Where's Angel?"

I freeze, my eyes shooting up to his. I hadn't meant to ask that. Well...not outloud anyway.

[dark_wesley]

There really was no point in trying not to frown at that question. My faith in Angel's inentions and motives was, as ever, unshakeable. My faith in his ability or willingness to do what needs doing is sometimes a little bit more cautious

[cookiedoughgirl]

I gave a sigh of relief.

"You're right, Wesley. You stay here, I'll go see if I can round up some of the Scoob-- my associates and we'll go from there. You're sure you'll be alright on your own?"

The look he gave me clearly meant he wasn't pleased by my lack of fatih. I'm sorry, but the last time I saw him he was moaning on the ground at Graduation.

"Sorry," I said, "of course you'll be fine. You work with Angel now. I'm sure you can handle anything."

I gave him a weak smile and made my way to the door. Thankful for an excuse to get away. At least for a little bit. I'd see if I couldn't round up Xander or Wills to lend a hand.

((Sorry I've been dragging this out for so long! Welcome back!))

[dark_wesley]

((No prob, thanks. Seemed like a good time to move on. *L*))