December - Shhh

[mister_hart]

The Angel ordeal really hadn't worked out as I planned or hoped it would. Somehow, though, I should have known the vampire would have gotten around what I'd set up for him; I just didn't know that help would come in the form of a young girl who looked strangely like my niece and spouted stories of doing research for a project. She apparently knew

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[liliana_baker]

My intention was to ask Aidan for a favor. One that he would probably deny, but it was worth the chance. Maybe he would be willing to make a deal. Right. That was what this law firm was all about, yeah? Let's make a deal.

Tyler needed his sister back. If he couldn't get her back as a human, then he could at least have her back as a vampire with a soul. The problem, of course, was that she had shared her soul with Harry. After speaking with Harry I knew that he now was in possession of the full soul. There had to be a way to work around that right?

Just as I was heading into the office, I heard someone gasp about the snow. Great. I was walking into Evil Inc just as the end of the world was happening. Perfect timing as usual, Liliana.

"I need to see Aidan." I told the secretary who obviously was hanging up with informing him I was here. She just seemed shocked that I addressed him that way. "I'll take it that he's expecting me right?"

I didn't wait for an answer as I headed for the elevator. Tyler needed his sister back and I didn't care if they needed to rip the soul right out of me to help her, so be it. I wanted to make a deal.

[wickedbuff]

I was working on a case for Cordelia, just doing a little recon when it started to snow. At first I was reminded of that Christmas morning that Angel thankfully didn't turn all ashy. But after a few minutes I realized these weren't a few flurries but a full on blizzard. My eyes were starting to tear up as I tried hard to see through the snow. Huh? There's not supposed to be snow like this in California.

And how much did I hate that the closest recognizable building was Wolfram and Hart? I know a lot of people hated the law firm, probably more than I even did but even still. I hated them a lot and that was enough for me.

I was planning on trying to find another building. Either an abandoned one or a store or something to duck into to take cover until the storm passed until I saw a familiar brunette make her way into the building. Squinting a little bit I managed to make out Lily through the snow.

"Oh no, you didn't." I muttered. Why was she still going back there? I mean, that Aidan guy was way older and definitely trying to kill her with those drugs or whatever.

Yeah, I totally couldn't understand that sinister attraction.

Whatever. Understand it or not? I wasn't going to let her do it and I needed to get out of the snow anyways.

Shaking the snow out of my hair I caught up with Lily at the elevator, grabbing onto her elbow before she could even walk inside.

"What are you doing here?" I demanded.

[mister_hart]

It was hard to keep the smile off my face as I got up from my desk and fixed myself a drink. I made one for Lily of course as well, sitting it on the edge of the table as I waited. The last time we'd spoken, she had asked about getting another dose of the enhancers. I had then refused, but now was more than willing to see what she had on her mind today.

Sitting back at my desk, the sight outside my window caught my eye and I raised a curious brow. Snow in Los Angeles? Well, that was interesting. I wonder if my siblings had any idea what had brought this on all of a sudden. Ah well.

There were voices outside my door and the smile left my face as I realized Liliana was not alone. The door opened and I saw two girls bust inside the room. Ah, Buffy. Didn't she know I was looking forward to this meeting with Lily? I didn't need any more idle treats from over zealous superheroes this week.

Holding my hands together, I looked at the two of them calmly and gave Lily a warm smile. "Hello Liliana. Buffy. The weather seems to be acting a bit strange today, doesn't it? What can I do for the both of you?"

[liliana_baker]

"Buffy," I hissed, as she caught me in the office. This was not cool. How did she know I would be here? Ugh, wasn't it bad enough that Angel did the stalking thing?

"I need to see Aidan," I told her, and then looked up to see all the snow. "It's not like we're going anywhere anyway so you can come with me." I liked how I made it seem like I was allowing her to go with me. She was totally going to follow me no matter if I wanted her too or not.

The trip to Aidan's office didn't take long, and then he turned that smile on me when he greeted us. One day that smile would stop working on me right? Right. "I need to talk to you about Lexi." There, see it wasn't totally sneaky if I was saying it in front of Buffy.

"Is the snow thing your doing or is there a new cause of an apocalypse that didn't check in with you first?" What? Like I was the only one thinking it. Taking a seat across from his desk, I noticed he already had a drink waiting for me. I wasn't ready to take a sip though.

"I want you to put a soul in Lexi Osborn. Tell me how we can make that happen."

[wickedbuff]

I frowned when Lily basically gave me permission to follow her. Uh, yeah no. But I wasn't about to let her go in alone either so I followed her in, expecting pretty much everything. Except for...what she actually said. Huh? She wanted a soul for Faith's daughter? It was a nice thing to ask for but this? The wrong place to do it.

"You don't need to come to him for that." I pointed out to Lily. "My best friend is one of the most powerful witches in the world. Like uber powerful. She's the reason you're a slayer. And also? Spike went out and got his own soul. I also have some stuffy British friends who are into books and finding out things."

I glanced over at Aidan uneasily before looking back over at Lily. "And what do all of those people I've just listed off have in common? Definitely not evil." I pointed out as I looked back at Aidan.

"He won't do it. And even if he did, there would be some kind of strings attached to it. Or some side effect. Something real bad. Like RuPaul singing Age of Aquarius bad."

[mister_hart]

She needed to talk to me about Alexia? Well, I suppose there was plenty to talk about there. I would have guessed Faith to come and pay me another visit, though, instead of Lily. Not that I minded at all. As much as I cared for my niece, it was more than nice to see my girl again.

There was a fast change of subject and I turned my head to glance out the window then looked back at Lily. "I'm as surprised as you are that it's decided to snow in Los Angeles even if it is December. And there were no end of the world parties on my calendar this morning either." I smirked a little at her, but in a way I remembered she liked in the past.

But then she got to the real reason she'd stopped by the office. She wanted a soul put in Alexia.

I thought about her question, but was interrupted by the slayer going on and on about how she never needed to come here for that. I wanted to roll my eyes and have her escorted out, but I waited patiently until she was finished talking. She really was starting to be a pain in the ass.

"You'll be surprised what I will and what I won't do, Miss Summers," I said pointedly then looked back to Liliana. "But I'm afraid it's not as simple as putting a soul back into Alexia. Miss Summers is right when she said her friend is able to restore souls or that Spike went after his own. The key is that they were their own souls. The soul may change in some way every time it's restored, that's really impossible to know except to the person it's restored to, but it is still their own."

I leaned forward on my desk and sighed. "As much as we've gained a new asset in some ways, I never wanted or expected my niece to be turned into a vampire. Sophia acted on her own will and obsession there. The soul that was split between father and daughter is now in Harry. The possibility that there is a way to split the soul again is unknown, but unless you wish to rip the soul away completely from him, there is no way to give Alexia a soul. I'm sorry."

[liliana_baker]

"No, don't rip it away from him. That caused Tyler and Faith a lot of problems before. I...you just need a soul to put into her right? The cleaner the better?" I refused to look at Buffy. I knew she wouldn't agree to this, but I had to try. Whatever was going on with Alexia it was imperative that we fixed her as quickly as possible.

"Buffy, I know there is a price. There is always a price," I told her quietly, still unable to look at her. She wouldn't approve, and maybe she wouldn't even understand, but I had to do this. I had to try and give Tyler his family back. This shouldn't have happened to them. Lexi and Tyler were still supposed to be innocent children. And as much as I loved that he wasn't a child...he wasn't whole without his sister.

"They're twins. Closer than siblings or families. Sophia killed both of the Osborn twins that night, and I have to fix them both."

Turning my attention back to Aidan, I took a step toward him and locked my eyes on him. Blue eyes locked with blue eyes and I could feel that familiar tingle that ran up my spine anytime he was near me. Whatever we were to each other, it didn't end even if we were with someone else. I had accepted that.

"Take mine and give it to her. Fix her, and name the terms. Please, she's your niece, and he's your nephew. You said yourself you didn't want this for her, and I really believe you didn't want this for him either. Aidan, I know you can fix this."

[wickedbuff]

I thought what Lily was trying to do was really noble but she was barking up the wrong tree. Why didn't she get this? This was the guy who had nearly killed her with his enhancement drug experiments. How could she just forgive that? It wasn't likely that Aidan was ever going to turn unevil either. It wasn't as simple as shoving a soul into him.

What? Lily wanted to trade up her own soul? Did she have any idea how dangerous a slayer without a soul was? Yeah, okay Alexia was dangerous and the whole thing was really terrible for everyone but there was no way in hell I was going to let Lily do this.

"No. Lily, no. Do you really think it's going to be any better for Tyler to lose his girlfriend instead?" I snagged her by the elbow and pulled her away from Aidan's desk a little as I turned my back to him to face her. "I know you're upset and we can look into a way to save your friend but this is not the answer."

[mister_hart]

"Liliana, it's not your job to fix either of them," I said as gently to her as I possibly could because I actually meant it. I did, however, think about her offer. Take her soul and give it to my niece? James wouldn't be too happy about that would he? Of course not. I had a feeling he enjoyed seeing his granddaughter in her soulless form more so than I did.

"She is my niece and he my nephew. I care for them both in different ways, but I also care a great deal for you as I'm sure you're aware. I can't take your soul and put it into Lexi and maybe even for selfish reasons. Even if it means that you'd come back to stay here. I'm sure you've realized by now the difference a soul makes. What do you think would happen to everyone if someone else lost theirs?"

The truth was, I didn't have a problem with the idea of taking Lily's soul and giving it to Alexia. Not really. In some ways, it would solve so many problems but then again, would cause many more. "I really do wish there was something I could do for you." She had no idea how much.

[liliana_baker]

"Yes, Buffy, I do. She's his sister. His twin sister. He's not going to recover from that loss. He needs her back, and let's face it, Lexi as a vampire is more of a threat than me without a soul."

I really did believe that. Maybe I'd be different without one, but I wouldn't be eating people. The bitch of it was I did believe Aidan when she said he would like to help me. That it was selfish of him to deny my offer.

"Then take it from someone else. Take it from some model or actress who is willing to sign a deal with you for fame and fortune. Take it from someone, Aidan. Get her a soul and help her. You owe her and her brother this. You've helped to rip there family apart, and I can't stand to see him this loss. It's not right. Tyler has already lost so much."

I blinked back tears as I looked at him. Fix this. I knew he had the power to fix it. I'd pay the price. I didn't care about that.

"Buffy, how can I stand by and not do whatever I can to help them? Aidan may not be motivated to do it for his family..." I looked back at Aidan and said quietly, "But if he really loves me like he swears he does then he'll do it for me."

[wickedbuff]

I understood Lily's pain, and watching it was harder than I would have liked. She was still young though, eventually she would have to learn that she couldn't save everyone. She would try though and that was what made her a good slayer.

"You can't, I know." I said sympathetically to her. "We can look into it but coming here? Making a deal? It's not the right answer." It was strange knowing someone who never had a soul at all. It seemed like it might be the order of the universe. If Alexia had never had a soul of her own then it was likely she was never supposed to have one. I knew it wasn't good enough, it just...wasn't. But the thought was crossing everyone's mind I was sure of it.

So far Aidan wasn't agreeing to anything, which suited me just fine. If he even made a move I was going to force feed him his arm. Maybe I wasn't prepared to take on a Senior Partner but I'd sure as hell try. I'd never met anything so big that I couldn't eventually win and I refuse to believe that he was the exception to that rule.

Turning around finally I gave Aidan a hard look. "You don't think there's any way at all to help Lexi?" I asked him curiously. Honestly, I didn't believe anything that came out of his mouth but since we were all stuck here we might as well talk about what was bothering Lily.

[mister_hart]

Couldn't we kill the annoying slayer now? Jesus, she was always getting in the way. We had the small clause about keeping Angel alive (even if I happened to ignore that on occasion) but what about Buffy? But hell, those pesky Powers that Be would just bring her back. They did have that habit.

I ignored her for the most part and stood up from my desk to walk around closer to where Lily was standing. I thought about the second offer, though. Using some faceless person and take their soul away? It was an idea, but what would it really do for Alexia in the long run? It would be a completely different soul shoved into her than that of her own and could possibly damage the girl more so than ever. Although, I could still investigate the idea.

"I never said there was no way at all to help her," I said in Buffy's direction. "Taking away Harry's soul would be the easiest way to solve the issue, but that's obviously not an option. Splitting the soul would be the ideal one, but since no one knows how it was done in the first place, that's much harder than it seems. You know as well I do, that it's not a simple spell that your witch friend can just come up with on a whim."

Turning my attention back to Lily, I took another step forward and really looked at her. So much pain. Did she know I wanted to wipe it all away like I used to? "I can't promise you that I'll be able to find the right answer, but what I can promise you is that I will try." Bringing up a hand, I brushed away one of her tears. "Do you still trust me enough to believe I'll try?"