(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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[_wes_pryce_]

I looked up startled at the sudden voice. Not that it was an unfamiliar voice, after all one of Spike's many hobbies was frequenting our offices to have his little fun. In the expense of us of course. "The...talk with my fa-, the vacation went well," I murmured softly, ducking my head to pretend to look into the papers. They weren't really watching, not taking anything in. My thoughts were still with the home country and my parents.

I hadn't told anyone where I'd been going though. If they needed me they could call my cell phone. No point in getting them all worried. Which was a moot point as it turned out to be, no one called me for anything, not even to ask how I was doing. I choose to believe they wanted me to have my peace and quiet, but it hurt just a little bit.

And I think I've just gone into shock. Did Spike just offer to help me with all this? I gave the papers a dubious glance. Not that I didn't doubt that he could. Well, a little bit, he may have been a scholar while alive, but a lot of time had past since then. And I doubt he used all those hundreds of years to stay up to par with the paper world as it were.

"Wont it be to difficult to concentrate on holding those papers?" I asked curiously. He being a ghost that sounds rather difficult, though I am aware he can hold things *occasionally*.

[_fool_for_love]

“That’s good that the vacation went well” I nodded at him. He seemed to be a bit surprised that I was in there especially when I offered to help. What, not like I had anything better to do right now.

At first when he mentioned it being hard for me to concentrate on holding the papers I gave him a confused look but then I remembered how all that being made corporal and going on that wild goose chase happened while he was gone.

“Right, forgot you weren’t here when all that bullshit went done.” I sighed “you see, got some package in the mail. A shiny little light came out and there I was, corporal again. Only to find out that the universe was in turmoil ‘cuase there was both Angel and I, two vampires with a soul and there should’ve been only one. And of course you weren’t here when we needed you so that bloody bastard Sirk told us ‘bout some cup the true champion is ‘uppose to drink the one who the Shanshu prophecy is for.” I sighed thinking ‘bout that Sirk guy and how he set us up. Funny how the guy disappears once we get back.

“Make a long story short Angel and I battled it out and beat the living hell out of each other. Have to admit I didn’t mind doing that much. I beat him and drank the cup which you know what the bloody ‘ell was in there? Mountain Dew. Can you believe that, all of that just for a bloody drink of Mountain Dew. Then we come back to find Sirk gone.”

If I could get my hands on that sod right now he wouldn’t know what hit him. Got my hopes all up that I would’ve had the whole Shanshu thing, maybe then I could’ve went and been with Buffy. I’m really starting to believe that whole prophecy is a fake.

[_wes_pryce_]

Sinking down behind my desk, I was well aware that I was gaping at Spike. Bloody hell, I couldn't even leave here for a few days and the whole place fell apart? What was wrong with that picture? And why would the shan-shu prophecy be about Spike? Then again, he did have a soul and he did die saving the world. But...it had always been about Angel hadn't it? That was confusing. I stored it in the back of my mind to look at later.

"Sirk?" I said, thoughtfully. So that's where the little bugger went. I cannot trust anyone here it seemed. Not that I should be all surprised by that of course. But it wasn't as though I had much choice when it came to leaving the department in someone's hands. Fred was the only one who could handle it, but she was to busy with her own department. And Knox of course, let's not forget that git.

"Well, I'm sure it must've been enjoyable for both of you to beat each other to a bloody pulp," I said a bit absentminded. An envelope came and that made him corporeal again? That simple? Sounded rather strange to me. Very strange even. And I was going to put some men on finding Sirk. I wasn't going to let him make a fool of me like that, he was going to know I wasn't an idiot he could just toy with. Like he had apparently with the rest of them while I was gone.

"Who-who send this envelope? I find it rather strange that's all it would have taken. Not, mind you," I quickly added, "That I wouldn't want you to remain incorporeal."

I really can't leave here for one bloody second can I? Good lord, I'm getting tired all over again. Didn't really get all that much rest during my 'vacation' as it was anyway. I kept seeing what happened on the roof everytime I closed my eyes. Still do.

[_fool_for_love]

“Of course it was enjoyable watching Angel lose to me. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s doubting that he’s the one anymore. Did I love that look on his face when I drank from the cup. Poor sod didn’t know what hit him.” Yep, that’s right. I was bloody proud of myself for beating Angel. He’s the one that sold his soul to this place. Now if he was truly this champion he wouldn’t have done it. Nope not at all.

“Not too sure who sent the envelope. Harmony came in giving it to me. Have a bloody feeling that whoever sent the envelope set up this whole little goose chase. What else would explain it?”

Strange things always did seem to come in packages lately. Next time I get a package I probably shouldn’t open it. Even me inside that amulet came in a package to Angel. “What is it with them and packages?” I shook my head.

“You haven’t heard from Sirk either I take it? Wouldn’t be surprised if it was him, he’s the one who at least set us up. I just don’t picture the git doing it himself, had to of had some boss don’t you think?”

[watcher_pryce]

I frowned when he, rather gleefully, told me about him getting one over on Angel. I made a mental note to get the story from Angel later as well, I'm sure there's more to it. Though, I doubt Angel will be very forthcoming. The ways I have to get him to talk however, are numerous. As it is, I'm still not convinced it's Spike the shan-shu prophecy is telling about.

And I don't think that Sirk is behind all this either. I had to give him that much. Spike did have a brain, contrary to popular believe. He's just hiding the fact that he does. I've seen through that little charade from the start. Of course it doesn't help that Angel keeps telling everyone that Spike is nothing. Much like he didn't find it necessary to tell us Spike had a soul. Makes me wonder what else he's...conviniently forgot to mention.

"No, I've not heard from Sirk at all. I've been wondering where he'd gone to, since I was expecting a full report when I got back." Which I guess I won't be getting now either. That does explain the enormous amount of work left here on my desk though.

"I'll be sending out some of my men," who do not work for Wolfram and Hart, "out to find him. And once we get ahold of him we can figure out who's behind it. Sirk always struck me as more of a puppet to me." Getting up from my chair, I walk around it and lean against the desk, crossing my arms infront of my chest.

[got_the_spark]

“Well, don’t think you’ll be getting that full report from the sod anytime soon” I sighed. Thought I could’ve done that little thing in the prophecy and gone out to find Buffy. Never works out the way you want it to does it?

“Couldn’t picture him as a leader either, only a lackey.”

I watched as Wesley stood up, was wonderin’ if it was some type of clue for me to leave. Bugger that if it was I wouldn’t take up on it. ‘sides this chair was of the nice and comfy side of Wolfram and Hart. Can’t beat that in my office, or should I say lack of office.

“ ’bout those papers?” I glanced over at the papers that were still on his desk “Need something to do, believe Angel is out and about brooding over the fact I beat his Nancy ass.” I smirked at the thought of that.

[watcher_pryce]

"No, I don't think I will," I agreed with his sentiment that I wouldn't be getting any report from Sirk anytime. And barely resisted rolling my eyes. Because as Cordelia would say, obvious much? It's times like these I really miss Cordelia. She'd probably be the only one I could've talked to about what had happened with my...father. With the...cyborg.

I frowned as he started to gleefully announce once again that he got one over Angel. It didn't sit quite well. Now, I know Angel is quite capable of making mistakes, but he is my friend. A good friend at that. And my boss, he's also my boss. Which, I'll have to admit, is rather odd after I've been to boss for so long. I'm still not quite sure how that happened, but everything I think about it, my mind gets distracted with something else.

Like Spike for example.

"Could you perhaps be a little less gleefully, Spike," I sighed, bringing up my hand to rub my eyes. God, I wish I could get at least one night of sleep. But everytime I close my eyes, I see the rooftop again, hear the gun, smell the powder. Dropping my hand, I reach behind me and grab some of the file. I glance between them and Spike rather dubiously.

"What do you know about the Tralai'kto language?" I ask hopefully. "Or any other demon language for that matter."

[_fool_for_love]

Didn’t seem Wesley was too happy hearing me brag ’bout my defeat over Angel. Don’t see why, not like Angel was that great and wonderful anyways. Of course everyone here thought that didn’t they, well not me of course.

I watched as he brought his hand to his eyes and rubbed them. I could tell he was tired and warn out. “Aren’t you suppose to get some bleedin’ rest with a vacation” I glanced him over carefully “Sure doesn’t look like you got once bit of rest.”

Wesley probably thought I couldn’t handle whatever it was in those papers. I was able to handle anything, look I sat though those bloody Scooby meetings helping them out. Stupid sods would never just go at whatever it was, had to do the whole talk and research thing.

“Tralai'kto language, I know a bit, here and there.” Stupid git acted like he thought I didn’t know any other language. I’ve been around some time might I say, so of course I bloody damn well know something. I remember that time I had to help out Giles, only one who could understand the Fyarl demon’s language. Have to admit that was bloody amusing seeing Giles run about as a Fyal Demon.

[watcher_pryce]

A sharp look flashed through my eyes when he mentioned that I didn't look as though I'd gotten some rest on my vacation. Well, at least someone noticed that. Though, I'm not certain if I should be happy about that. At least Spike won't bother me about it. Or so I think. Unlike Gunn or Fred who would nearly force me to home. Or Lorne and his blatant coaxing. Or Angel and his non to subtle hints.

"I...found myself rather occupied," I said softly, sighing again. Watching my father, and wondering if I could do it again. If I'd really wanted that cyborg on the roof to have been him. Of course it didn't help that I'd gotten belittled, berated and ridiculed the entire time I was there. But what frightens me most, is that I've not reached any kind of conclusion about whether or not I wanted it to be him. Or if I could do it again.

"Oh? You do. Splendid," I said, quickly diverting the subject away from my vacation that wasn't. "I've a legal document here from Gunn's department that needs to be translated by the day after tomorrow. I'm sure I don't to explain to you that it'll probably be full of little tricks and illegal boobytraps."

I dearly hope he knows some other languages as well. Sirk was supposed to do this all. One can't even leave here one bloody week and the whole place falls apart. Christ, I'll never be able to catch up. And most people in my department, competent as they are, will not be most trustworthy.

Sighing, I handed the file over to Spike and reached for one of my own. Flipping it open, I started to shuffle through it while I walked around my desk again. "Feel free to use my desk of course, Spike," I said absentminded, "I doubt Angel has given you an office space." Sinking down on my chair, I blinked at him and gave him a small smile.

[got_the_spark]

So I say I’ll help the git out but what does he do then, starts shoving all this bleedin’ work at me. Not that I didn’t need something to do and I ‘uppose I could become more useful around here, only to drive Angel mad of course. Just picture that, him hearing that I’m helping everyone out and what a good job I’m doing. Never could get old bugging the ‘ell out of him.

“Sure you really trust me enough to do all this mate?” I raised a brow glancing over the paperwork. Sure was a lot to translate. Would much rather be out there fighting the good fight so to speak, but as all of these hero’s always said, every step counted even the smallest. Not that I would give into that type of bullshit but ‘uppose it was true, and I do want to be the one to do that whole Shanshu gig.

"Feel free to use my desk of course, Spike,"

OF course I was going to use his desk, what else did he expect me to use. And then he mentioned the part ‘bout me not having an office. Thank you, that’s what I needed. Maybe he would realized that, especially if I help him get these papers all done and nice, then maybe he would fancy talking to Angel ‘bout me getting a bleeding office of my own. If I was going to start doing work here I have the right to one, don’t I.

“Nope, no office space for me. Of course Angel doesn’t think I’m good enough for that, I’m just the same as him. Don’t see why I can’t get some office space, ‘sides what does he do anyways. He doesn’t need that whole bloody office to himself. Have you seen the size of that thing.” I shook my head. “I’m the one doing actual work now”

[_wes_pryce_]

"Hmmm?" I glanced up from my work to look at him with a frown. Why wouldn't I trust him to do at all that? Or did he mean that perhaps it's too much work? It's only one file of the... God only know how many I've laying here. "If it's to much, you only need to tell me," I say honestly.

I understand that not everyone finds joy in doing research and translations as much as I do. Hell, sometimes even I get tired from doing all that research and the translations. But apparently Spike isn't done yet. I think he just nealy scowled when I said he could use my desk. Seriously, is it a family trade to just go automatically bristle at nearly everything? I suppose I should count my lucky stars that he's not in a corner brooding.

"Angel is the CEO of Wolfram and Hart." Sighing, I reach up to rub my temples. I'm getting a headache and I've not even really started yet. Christ. And I still need to get my contacts to work on finding Rutherford Sirk. Blasted man. "And he does do work. He has meeting, he had to go through paperwork, makes decisions, and you don't really care do you?"

I give him a tired look and shake my head. "Look, unless you signed a contract stating that you now work for Wolfram and Hart? You're not likely to get an office pace." And really, one shouldn't sign any contracts for Wolfram and Hart. I wonder why I did it in the first place, but everytime I try to think about it, my mind goes blank.

"The way you're going on about it, you'd think you don't like sharing my office with me." I try to keep my tone light, but I can't help but wonder if that may be the problem. Who'd want to share their office with a murdering grouch. Though, in Spike's case I suppose it's the 'Grouch' part that might be bothering him.

[_fool_for_love]

Great had to hear the little ‘Angel is this, Angel is that he does this and that’ what ever the bloody hell all that means. He’s still the same stupid sod I once knew. Oh yea sure got himself a soul and some big high hot shot job, but deep down the same guy, only now he doesn’t do the whole killing thing. But being in this place wouldn’t be surprised if he starts sometime soon. ‘sides may not be directly killing some helpless but still being a indirect cause for it. Just sign the paper, give the go for some important demon client to get the go ahead and boom there you go. All those that could’ve been saved with that one demon’s death, but by the rules of this law firm he can’t do a damn thing ‘bout it. Doesn’t sound to pleasing or so much of the path of redemption to me now does it.

“and you don't really care do you?"

“Not that I don’t care mate, just I don’t need to sit here listening to this high horse you got Angel put on when in reality his soul is slowly getting eaten away. Look you don’t just work for some big evil cooperation and end up saving the world. Doesn’t work that way. Sure he may be thinking, along with the rest of you of course, that you can work from the inside and use it to your advantage but trust me, I’ve been evil before and it doesn’t work that way. That evil part, whatever it is always has something up its sleeve, something you don’t expect.”

Which was true, they were getting in way over their heads. Which might I say I can’t wait to see Angel fail and realize I was right, I’ll be first in line for that, right along there point and saying I told you so.

“And ‘bout the whole signing a contract here.” I shook my head “if that’s the only way I can get an office then I’d rather not have one. Worked too hard getting this soul of mine, not gonna throw it all away for some damn office space, well the space would be nice but I didn’t go though all this for nothing.”

Then he said the thing ‘bout sharing an office, I knew I was using it right now with him to help him out but was he meaning sharing it? More of a long term thing. “Sharing an office with you? Is that what I’m doing? Or is it just a when you help me out you can use my office sort of deal?”

Of course if I was sharing this office with him we would make a few changes.

[_wes_pryce_]

Sighing, I lean back I lean back in my chair and listen to him rattle on about Angel's soul getting eaten away. He doesn't have to be working for Wolfram and Hart to have that happen. As we learned only a few years back when he locked up all those lawyers in the cellar with Drusilla and Darla. Then he turned around and just walked away.

I'm well aware of how close to the surface Angelus is. Perhaps even more aware then Angel himself.

"You're a dead man, Pryce! Do you hear me! Dead!"

I frown and try to capture the flash. But it's gone just as fast as it was there. Just a flash, just a second and gone. I keep getting those, but I've no idea what they are. I've no memory of any of that happening. Odd.

My mouth quirked and I looked back at him when he said he worked to hard on getting his soul. Of course it was very unique. A vampire who voluntarily gotten himself a soul, unheard off. I'm still not certain why Angel never thought it was a good thing to mention.

Sod that, I know exactly why. He's jealous, that's why.

"Hmmm?" Startled I look up and quickly gathered my thoughts. I glanced around my office and shrugged. As long as he kept away from my books and didn't disorder them, I didn't really care.

"Unless you want to share with Gunn. But I hear he's very peculiar about his..." Robots. I winced at that, and sighed. Will I ever be able to even remotely forget that?

[got_the_spark]

Right then, if I wasn’t just imagining things I could’ve sworn Wesley was going off into his own little world. I could tell something was up with him, better then I could smell it on him. The whole vampire thing did me good with reading people, most people didn’t think of it but I always noticed the little things. Stuff they didn’t want to notice themselves.

“Bugger that, wouldn’t want to be sharing up a place with Gunn.” what was it that made me want to share a office with Wesley? Not like it bloody mattered but I had to have some reason, still couldn’t seem too soft for them, had an image to keep. “Your office has more room, like the look of it better.” There good enough reason for wanting to share an office with Wesley. More of the he’s the only one who offered that. At least he wasn’t cutting into all that bullshit Angel likes to feed ‘bout me. Which actually surprised me. Guess he had other things on his mind.

“He’s very peculiar about his what?" Don’t just stop a sentence like that unless something’s up. “Something’s up with you?” Why I gave a bloody care beat me. Had no reason to care for Wesley, yet here I was asking him what was wrong. Guess its that whole soul thing working into effect and the love I had for Buffy. She made me a better man. The kind that actually gives a damn, although I’ve always been a bit like that just was too high up on the being bad thing for so long. That was the only way I ever got anyone to notice me before. Felt like I was actually wroth a damn for once, only person who cared was mother. Then their were all those other bloody bastards, but what did they know. Throwing around my poetry like it was some sort of joke when I poured my heart out into it. Buffy made me feel like a man even when I wasn’t. Guess she didn’t treat me to good either. Push me back and forth never making up her mind, though I did get that I love you before I went out.

So now here I was being all soft, guess a part of him reminded me of myself. Being the underdog, not being that noticed. I could sense it him, he felt like the others didn’t take too much notice to him.