(Untitled)

[got_the_spark]

Bloody ‘ell just what I needed. Well, more of what I needed. I go though hell and back again to get the spark for her but still it wasn’t enough. Well, not until the final moment then it was and then she loved me. Doubt she even loved me then, I know she was just saying it out of pity for me. Come on now I was ‘bout to die a champion fighting the

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[watcher_pryce]

I smiled a little when he said he didn't want to share a room with Gunn. Personally? I think one of them would be seriously injured before the end of the week. And my office is not bigger then Gunn's. In face with the way I have it cluttered with books, as Fred calls it, it looks even smaller. Or so Lorne told me. During one of his many decorating lectures. For some reason he always seems to have this need to decorate my office. Make it more homey.

You'd think if you heard him and the rest go on and on, I'd spend more time at the office then at my own flat.

"Robots," I say softly. Clearing my throat, I sit back up in my chair and start to fuss with my papers. I keep glancing down because I can feel a flush rising on my face again. I'm not sure at this point if that's anger, disappointment or shame. Nor do I even know at whom. Him ...or myself.

"Well then," I start, quickly changing the subject. "If you need any books, you can find those..." Frowning, I glance around to see where I kept those particular books. "Ah! Over there on that stack." There, subject changed. Flashing him a small smile, I start to sort through my files and see what is important and what not. Or rather, what is more important then the other.

[got_the_spark]

"Robots...Never liked the bleedin' things much myself"

That's it, it was that thing with his father that was still bugging him to death. Shouldn't let it get to him so much, at least it wasn't actually his father. I actually killed my mother, the only one who ever showed real love to me for the real me and I bloody killed her. Shows how good of a person I must've been.

What the bloody ‘ell was that, all of a sudden out of nowhere he went on ‘bout books. “I won’t be needing any books” I raised a brow at him giving him this look. I glanced over at the stack of book “There really was no point to that was there” I said turning to look him in the face once more.

I let out a light laugh “I get it.” I shake my head.

“Really figure me to be a fool don’t you. I know those little games of changing the subject. Look” My voice changes into a more serious tone “You can continue to sit here running from your feelings until they build up so much your ‘bout to explode and go off and do some stupid thing or you can let them out. Let them out to someone who doesn’t give a damn ‘bout that sort of stuff so won’t use anything against you.”

I stopped for a second just looking at him, then finally I continued “Now the choice is all yours, I’m just warning you mate, I know how these things can get. Also you don’t feel your friends need to know, so tell someone who isn’t your friend”

[_wes_pryce_]

I nodded at him when he said he wouldn't need any books. Well, alright, fine. If he can do it from the top of his head, he's obviously better versed at this language then I am. Remarkable feat that.

I started to straighten my papers and picked up the folder again. Sirk really had left a great big pile of...It was just a big mess. And I could work it all out again. Great. Bloody marvelous. I wonder if I still have that bottle vicodin in my cupboard, I'm getting a headache. Actually, I already had one, it's just getting worse.

"I've no idea what you mean," I said to Spike. I'd heard him, but I didn't want talk about it. Years of training and being told to 'act like a man' and 'suck it up boy' and 'don't be such a disappointing nancy,' and...I could go on for hours. I wish I could let it out, but I had no idea how to do that.

And talking about it certainly wasn't going to help. If anyone might understand that, it might be Spike. Or Cordelia. Not that she ever listened. She just kept on prodding until she got *something* she could work with. Gunn and Fred had no idea how to do that, Angel never tried. Lorne... Well, Lorne probably knew better.

I wonder what road Spike will take.

"Thank you for the warning." Clenching my jaw, I look up at him and pinch the bridge of my nose. "But I've not the time. Sirk left me rather a mess to clean up." I'll be busy all night again. Ah, as though I've never left.

[got_the_spark]

“Your lost” I sighed as he wouldn’t give in to talking ‘bout the stuff bottled up inside of him. Always all this work, with everyone here. Sure as hell glad I’m not on some blody contract here.

“You know what” I leaned in towards him “I got a idea, how ‘bout you and I got for a drink. Yea, spare me with the work speech your ‘bout to give me. I can bloody well tell your in no condition for that work load in front of you, would probably end up messin’ up on all of it anyways. Your mind is in other places so you have about how many little lackeys running about this place, and how many of them are just dying to get their hands on something more important then their meaningless little earnings. Most of them would love to do what the guys on top do. So give it to a group of them, let them translate all this mumble jumble and you go ahead and fix yourself.”

I gave him a smile. Ok, so knowing him, which I really don’t but from what I do know he will probably go ahead and say he can’t do that. Not that I give up so easily but still this one could be a tough one.

[watcher_pryce]

Managing to keep in a relieved sigh when he decided to drop the matter, I nodded again. Then I dove into the paper work on my desk. Which, really, was quite a mess. It's the last time I'll go away and leave my office unsupervised. You'd think at least Gunn or Fred would've kept an eye on thing. Perhaps they were avoiding the office just as much as they seem to be avoiding me.

I'm surprised Gunn's office is still next door. Come to think of it, I'm not sure if it still is am I?

From the corner of my eyes, I noticed Spike suddenly leaning forward. I blinked and looked up at him, wondering what he was up to now. He had that look in his eyes I'd noticed before. The look that said he had a brilliant plan and we'd better agree with it. Because, well, because it was brilliant.

And it was a good plan. Except for one flaw.

"Just like I trusted Rutherfort Sirk to take care of things while I was gone?" I raised an eyebrow and gave the load of work on my desk a pointed look. Seriously, if you want it done correctly here, you have to do it yourself. Or oversee things as much as you can.

"But thank you for the offer. I might take you up on that later." I smiled back at him automatically. The man...pire, had one of those smiles you couldn't *not* return. Except when you're called Angel of course. But then again, he'd' had a century of practise.

[got_the_spark]

Of course, just what I expected. He wasn’t going to go for the bloody plan. Human’s these days, never want to go out and just live a little. It’s all ‘bout these jobs of theirs, ok I get it that they need money to live and all that good stuff but the time put into it.

“You do know, you could get a little team of them together. Ones you know will do the work or you could always let me have at them. I could knock them around a few times till their beggin’ to do the work so they can go back home to their picture perfect little lives they live.”

I mean come on, being boss had to have some sort of benefits didn’t it? ‘sdies once I had my mind set on something I was going to get it. Not let some pile of papers stand in my way.

“And hey if things don’t go good again you could always tell Angel and company that I beat you to a bloody pulp and forced you to leave your work behind and have a drink with me.” I smiled “I know Angel would buy that one, doesn’t think too highly of me as it is and it would be just me to come all up in here ruining your little work load.”

[watcher_pryce]

I doubt anyone working for Wolfram and Hart had a picture pretty life. Though, now that we took over, they might. Where before they had to be afraid to get sacrificed at will, or even their children? Now they had to be afraid not to pass our test of figuring out what they were all up to. Call me paranoid, but I'm not really trusting anyone who used to work here previously to us taking over. I tried that and look where it got me.

I sighed and kept shuffling through the papers. I should've know Spike wasn't one to give up so easily. Look at how he annoys Angel at regular basis, never giving up, always coming up with new idea's to catch him of guard. And that after a hundred years. I paused at that, blinking down at my hands. Alright, that was possibly not the best of examples, but still.

"What?" I blinked again and looked up at Spike. A small smile played at the corners of my mouth as I shook my head at him. "I could tell him that. But he's not *that* un-observant, Spike. He'd see and smell that I've not actually been beaten into a bloody pulp." I paused at that, and raised an eyebrow at him.

"Unless you're planning on doing that. In which case I have to point out that I'm quite capable of defending myself." I couldn't help it. There was just something about Spike which made me feel perhaps a little more comfortable around him then I should.

[got_the_spark]

“Right, maybe Angel would realize that. But if it came down to it I could just do what you said. Let me smack your around a few times, couldn’t be that bad now could it? We could just say I knocked you out, so I’ll just give you one hard hit over the head, cause a bit of bleeding and that will be it.”

I gave him a look like my idea was the best idea in the world. “And hey wait a minute? You really think you could defend yourself against me? I mean come on mate, I’m a bloody vampire. And not just any bleedin’ vampire I’m William the Bloody” I raised my head high like I was some almightily god.

“What? You want to give it ago? I can tell you don’t believe me. Come on let’s go.” I stood up looking him in the eyes. “We could do it wrestling style or something of that. That way we won’t actually hurt each other or should I say that way I won’t actually hurt you.” I smiled at him once again but this time it was more of a playful smile.

“First man down.”

I was all ready to go at it to but with the looks he was giving me he didn’t seem like he was. Don’t see why not, unless he was scared to loss against me. Yep, that was it. He bloody well knew I could beat him. I mean come on, some stuffy bookworm Brit against me. Hell, if I was him I would be scared of me.

[watcher_pryce]

My, my. Someone seems to be rather full of himself. Either that or he's making a joke. I don't know him well enough to see the difference. But if this is the way he can be, I can see why someone like Angel might get overly annoyed. Or even Gunn. I, on the other hand, are very much amused.

Crossing my arms in front of my chest, I raised an eyebrow and looked him up and down. He'd actually taken on a semi fighting stance complete with a trade mark cocky grin. Which...seemed a bit playful. Maybe he was trying to joke around.

He probably thought I was just the research of the team. I don't think he realized that I've actually had my own team for a little while. Things about that time are rather foggy, but I'd learned how to fight. Of course I had to when Angel fired us and then afterward when I was the boss. I knew how to fight vampires, even when they are big bads. Or those who think they are big bads. Underestimating me was an advantage I used fully.

"Spike," I said, trying not to sound to amused. Wouldn't want to hurt the fellow's pride. "Not in front of the books." I paused and frowned at how that might sound. Shaking my head at myself I quickly moved on. "There might be damage to some very expensive and irriplacable document and books. We do have a perfectly good training room for..." I waved my hand vaguely, "sparring matches."

I frowned at myself. Wait a minute. That little bugger. He was actually talking around myself so much that I was considering this. Of course, it didn't do much good that he thought I was easy to beat and I felt the need to prove him wrong.

[got_the_spark]

Just as I figured he would make up some lame ass excuse like the books. What the hell was that, not in front of the bloody books. They where books, but then he went on ‘bout them being important and all that other mumble jumble stuff I’d much rather not pay attention to. Didn’t really strike my fancy you might say.

The next part came as some of a shock to me. He said there was a training room. Did that mean he was open to it. And he also said it was perfect for sparing matches. Seems my old tricks have worked again. Not that they were tricks or anything of that matter, I was just being myself telling him as it would, which always seemed to work somehow.

“Ah, so you want to challenge me?” I smirked “You so sure ‘bout that one?” I took a few steps towards him sizing him down. “You know, this won’t end too pretty, and” I looked him down once more “I would really hate to mess up that nice outfit of yours.” My eyes returned to his with a evil smirk placed upon my face. The type I used to get when I would go and mess with the slayer.

[watcher_pryce]

That pompous, cocky little bastard. He really does think I'm that easy to take down. Either that or he's playing me. Either way, this was a challenge I couldn't just let slide off me. Usually I had no problem doing as such. Something you learned fast withing Wolfram and Hart, where practically everyone seemed to be out to 'get you'.

And it wasn't really in my nature to be like this. But I guess the reality of shooting what I'd thought was my father, and then visiting my parents, still clung to me. It felt like eternal ice on my skin, chilling me to the bone. It didn't help that most of my friends seemed to avoid me like the plague. Afraid of me, of what I'd done, of what I was capable of. I didn't really know. But it hurt. All that made me itch for a fight, and Spike was one of the few people I knew who could take it.

"I believe you're the one who was challenging me," I pointed out dryly, putting away the folders. "And I've plenty more outfits at home." What, with the pay I got here, I could easily afford them. I remember a time where it had been very different and I could barely afford food. Raising both eyebrows at his look, I shook my head and snorted.

Grabbing the keys to my office, I got up and walked over to the door. I bowed a little and then waved toward the door. "After you," I grinned back at him, returning the evil glint in his eyes with one of my own. Or well, trying to. I wasn't a formerly evil vampire of course.

[got_the_spark]

I could tell I irritated him. I loved to see that look on people’s faces. Stupid sod thought he could take me. This sure would be one interesting match. Although I do have to admit, I was bluffing a bit, I have seen him in some action and he wasn’t that bad, still not as good as me but not bad. But you had to drive them to it to get it all out of them. And he sure was ready. Not that I could complain.

"I believe you're the one who was challenging me, And I've plenty more outfits at home."

“I do believe I am.” I smirked “Your going to need those other outfits when I get done with you.” Never pictured myself doing this here with Wesley, but had to admit it was fun. Brought some old rivalry back in me, bugging Angel was starting to get old. Wait a minute, bugging Angel could never get old. But someone new was always exciting none the less.

He picked up the keys to the office and headed over towards the door. For a moment I was going to mention something ‘bout the files but I figured I probably shouldn’t. Then he might get the whole idea back in his head that he had to finish them up. The sod even bowed, oh how I was loving this.

"After you,"

He even returned the same look I had in my eyes. I grinned back at him and headed towards the door. My shoulder brushed up against him as I started to walk pass him. I stopped with my face with in front of him, only a few inches away. “Have to say, I like this side of you watcher-boy.” I smiled and headed out the door.

[watcher_pryce]

"Would that be the left side, or the right side," I asked dryly, proceeding him toward the lift. It was, apparently, quite late by now. "And I'm not a watcher." Most everyone had already left and it was with a small pang of...something, that I realized that non of my friends had even come by. Except for Spike then that is.

Anger welled up inside me, and the urge to pummel something, or someone suddenly grew with bounds and leaps. Of course I did feel guilty and wondered if perhaps I was using Spike. I didn't like using people. They've been using me far to much for me to return the favor. So to speak. It wasn't fair either.

Then again. Spike is a vampire, and he was the one who started this. Not to mention that we had a small challenge going. And he seemed to enjoy this as much as I probably shouldn't. Not even Angel had looked in on me, welcomed me back, said hello, asked how I was. Goddamn bastard. Probably off brooding about this cup of whatever the hell it was Spike mentioned.

The lift pinged, signaling our arrival at the floor where the training room was. I stepped out of it, and walked over to the place. Pushing my hands into my pockets, I glanced around, noticing that there really wasn't anyone around here at all. Good, probably for the best. Opening the door, I held it open for Spike and gave him a lopsided grin. "Let's hope you're still fond of that side of me after we're done."

[got_the_spark]

Trying to make jokes now wasn’t he, with the whole left or right side thing. Really thought he was something. And of course I knew he wasn’t no bloody watcher anymore. Just figured that would get to him, calling him something that he wasn’t, something he wasn’t good enough at to do. This was getting a bit more intense then I pictured. Here I am already thinking bad comebacks towards him when I had nothing against the guy, never did any harm to me so why should I care. Guess it was the whole getting myself prepaid for this little battle so to say we were about to have.

We finally made it to the training room. Strange but no one was around, in fact no one was around the building itself. Sure someone was lurking about somewhere, someone always was in this place but that made no difference now.

“How nice of you.” I said in a that sarcastic tone of mine as he held the door open for me. I stepped in and glanced around the place. Had to remember to work with the environment around you, if you were able to do that you had an advantage.

"Let's hope you're still fond of that side of me after we're done."

“Of course I’ll still be fond of that side of you. Tell me” I leaned in close to him “Why wouldn’t I? Especially when you’ll be the one laying on the ground when we are finished with this little game.”

That’s what I was always good at, the talking before the actual event. Got beneath the others skin, made them all fired up inside until they wanted to take it all out on me. Anger could change the outcome of a fight, sometimes for the best but most of the time for the worst. Had to keep it cool and claim. Must admit though, I don’t always use my brains with that. Many times I’ve just rushed into battle out of rage, mainly against the slayer, or well the one of many slayers Buffy.

“When are we going to get this started.” I glanced at him. I wanted to give him the go at it, let him have some chance.

[watcher_pryce]

I never understood this pre-battle banter that everyone seems to have adopted. Angel does it. Gunn, they did it in Sunnydale and now apparently Spike is doing it as well. I'm certain there is a purpose to it, I just don't see it. It seems like a tremendous waste of breath to me. And energy. Now, granted, Spike doesn't have any breath, but still.

I glanced around the room and slid off my jacket. I had no idea why I was wearing that thing again. Or that tie for that matter. Well, no. I guess it had something to do with my visit to the mother-country. One remark about my appearance from my father, and I was back to wearing suits with ties. I hated those things.

Putting both my jacket and my tie on something that... I chose to see as a training apparatus and not something else, I turned back to face him. "You're awfully confident in yourself aren't you?" I smiled at him, tilting my head to the side. I took in the way he was standing there, all tense and waiting for that opening to pounce. I contemplated getting a weapon. Since he was a vampire and I a mere human, but I decided against it for now.

"You're the one who issued the challenge," I shot back, narrowing my eyes at him. And with that, I dropped to the floor, used my feet to swipe his legs out from under him and quickly bounced back up again. Ready when he would get up himself.

[got_the_spark]

He asked me if I was confident in myself. Of course I was bloody confident in myself. Why wouldn’t I be, only been fighting for how long now. Which of course I’m still alive so couldn’t have done that bad. And now it was time to show that to him.

Before I had any time to comment to his remark ‘bout me being the one changeling him I saw him drop to the ground then felt something hit against my legs send me to the ground. I just shook my head. Thought that was one really sly didn’t he. He stood up just looking down at me.

“Bloody wanker”

I stood up, keeping my eyes on him at all times. Never knew when he would throw in another one of his surprise attacks. Now there would be the hard way or the easy way to do this, what am I saying there only would be the hard way. Never was an easy way with this sort of thing unless whoever was just willing for you to beat them. Not that I was going to actually beat up on him, a bit yes but will try not to actually cause any serious damage. Have to remember he’s only human.

I extended my arm back and flung it forward towards him, just as I though he lifted his arm up to block the punch which allowed me to deliver a swift blow to the side with my other fist.

“Have to remember, I’m faster then you mate.”

I gave him a so called cute little smile as he took a few steps back. Of course I didn’t do anything too hard, didn’t want to hurt the poor git.

“Come on. “

I placed my hands in front of me as if telling him to come and get me.

“Let’s see what you really got.”