(Untitled)

[lornegreen]

White knuckling the armrest of my first-class cushy airplane seat, I refused to sit by the window, let alone look in it's direction. This was my first trip via airplane, and to be perfectly honest, it would more than likely be my last. I wondered to myself how long it would honestly take for me to you know, walk to Cleveland from LA. The only thing

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[freddles]

First class. Now this I could get used to I think. Sure we'd been living in the first class of Los Angeles for the past couple of months, but on a plane? I hadn't been on a plane much less in first class in.. well, ever. I'd lived in two cities my entire life. Well, three if the not so nice stay in Pylea counted. I'd lived in Texas for the majority of my life. Same town, same house, same room even. Then I'd moved to LA for school. Didn't take a plane of course, but drove the entire way.

From the way everyone else acted I think I was one of the only ones willing to sit next to the window. What? Lorne acted like he was going to be sick just at the mention of the window seat and as for Wesley and Charles? Well, they seemed happy to give the seat over to me. For the first part of the ride, I leaned on the arm of my seat and stared out the window down at the ground. Once we got over the clouds it got less interesting and I turned back to the nervous green demon sitting next to me.

Raising a playful brow, I elbowed him in the arm. "I think you'll be fine, mister. Just relax." Noticing that the flight attendant was starting to walk by again, I waved her down and asked for another bag of peanuts and a ginger ale. Smiling at her when she brought them, I opened one of the bags of peanuts and popped open the can of ginger ale. I think she brought me a couple bags so I wouldn't ask her for more the next time she walked by. What? They were free and we didn't have the luxary of paying for these things once we got off this plane. Those days are now over.

"I wonder if Angel's alright down..," I looked around and lowered my voice. "In the luggage thing." I felt kind of bad for him being all alone down there. We all knew exactly what he was doing. Nothing to do but think? Please.

The thought made me wonder if we were actually doing the right thing by going to Cleveland. We left Wolfram and Hart and not to mention Cordelia. The thought of having left here there alone made me feel terrible. How could we have just left like that? There was no telling how much Angel was questioning himself down there if I was doing some of it myself.

[_gunn_charles_]

I was not happy with this. Okay, it had been a team discion and all that crap. Still, I was kinda startin’ to feel at home there. Never though I’d see the day that Charles Gunn would feel at home at the evil mecca for white folk or whatever. Got me a brain now. Was gonna use it to. Loved doin’ law work. Love takin’ them bastards out with them own big words.

Now?

On jet plane leaven' toward Cleveland. Leaven’ fame and glory and lotsa money behind. Not that I cared. Mean, not like I ever been poor as dirt to ‘preciate the luxury now. Still not too clear on what’s the what. Side some big, evil bad, Slayer needing help yadda, yadda, yadda. The rest jumped, so ‘course I jumped with them. They’re my friends, not just gonna up and leave them be. Like I would do such a thing. Nope, not Charles Gunn.

Still, it kinda sucked like a big suckin’ thing. Mean, what was I gonna do? We got two big brains here already. And I aint feel like goin’ back to becoming’ the muscle again. Then there was Barbie. Aint right to just leave her behind like that. Don’t feel good, didn’t wanna do that either. What if she wakes up and we aint there? Not right, I’m telling ya.

Sighin’, I opened the package of complimentary nuts and glanced over at Lorne. Man, looked even greener then green. Poor guy, didn’t like to fly. Hey, that rymes. Reminds me of a Gilbert and Sulivan song. And just what the hell s'up with *that*? Yo.

[_wes_pryce_]

I was glad we had left that firm. From all of us here Angel and I had fought against them the longest. Angel, I and Cordelia. We had to leave her behind. I had a very uneasy feeling about that. I was pretty sure Angel had as well. I felt as though we had left a family member behind. Alone in some war zone. And those images really weren’t helping. She’ll be fine. Angel and I took are of that. We did the best we could, there wasn’t much else we could do for her.

There’s little comfort in the thought that she’d understand though. That we had to come here to help Mister Giles and Miss Summers and their Slayers with the fight. A new hell mouth. Right on Cleveland. I have to admit, I don’t know much about Cleveland. Other then that it can get very cold and, apparently, there’s a hell mouth now. And something is coming.

Why is everything always so vague when it comes to that?

I looked up when I heard Fred and Lorne. Poor fellow looked as though he didn’t like to fly. I can most certainly relate. If I’d not taken that very heavy medication, I’d be in the same position as he was in now. I *hate* flying. In fact, I’m rather afraid of it. Which is probably why I’m having such a death grip on the armrests of the seats. Though, I don’t think anyone has noticed yet. I’m much better at hiding this, and Lorne, even though he has my sympathy, is a very good distraction.

“I’m sure Angel is fine, Fred,” I said, mustering up a small smile and wondering if there really was just a tiny bit of a tremble in my voice. No, probably not. I was fine. There was nothing wrong with flying. Is. Is nothing wrong with flying. “He has more experience with this then we have,” I lie, since I know for a fact that Angel hadn’t ever been on a plane. They didn’t even have planes when he came to the Stated.

Ah, the good old days.

[lornegreen]

Wistfully, I sighed to myself, using whatever shred of self-control I had left to keep my eyes away from the window. But if they weren't on the window, they were fixated on the door. I couldn't shake the mental imagery of the door suddenly flying off the hinges and every single person in this plane being sucked out faster than I was from my cushy office.

I forced myself to look away, at other, more comforting things. Things like the over-priced white leather shoes I wore on my feet, probably the last pair of designer shoes I'll ever be able to buy. I'll thank Angel for the one, later. Really, could he not see how much I was going to suffer without my lap of luxury? I'll even be forced to wear the same thing twice. Shudder to think. Can I even buy designer labels in a place as un-chic as Cleveland? Probably not. Sometimes that man thinks only about himself.

No, honestly, I knew we were going to help out with some greater good, a cause worth fighting for, doing more than we could sitting behind desks in a lawfirm. But when it all boiled down to it, I really had to wonder what my own part would be. They all knew I couldn't fight my way out of a wet paper bag, and that all that dreadful research put me to sleep. Sure, I could work my anagogic mojo, but I hardly doubted anyone would feel like singing if there were beasts to slay.

The only advantage I had with coming along was my being a demon. I was charming and personable enough to make connections with just about anything that crawled it's way into the underground. Although, in a new city, i'd have to start from scratch - a task that proved to be overly daunting.

There had been silence between our foursome awhile after Wesley reassured us that our flight would be fine and dandy (though his aura was screaming with terror, to which I knew he was lying), and I felt it was my duty to break it.

"So..... Cleveland," I said, slowly, unassured. "Sounds like a fun-tastic place to be, hey Swingers?"

My statement was met with perked eyebrows. I sighed and sunk into my chair. "Okay, okay, just trying to sound optimisitic," I muttered. "What the hell are we supposed to do in Cleveland anyways?"

[freddles]

I quirked a brow up at Wesley when he said Angel was fine. I'm sure Angel really was fine. Bored, but fine. Though I'm not sure how fine Wesley was. What was it with everybody here? Scared of a little plane? Okay, it was a large plane, but still. Charles was the only one of them who seemed to be alright, but for all I knew he was 'playin' it cool'.

Sighing, I leaned back in my seat. Cleveland? I had no idea what we were supposed to be doing there. Fighting against evil was of course part of the plan, but I was still confused why they needed us to do that. Well, me. Angel? Sure, he was Mr. Hero who saved the day. Me? I'd been stuck up in a lab over the past weeks. It wasn't as if there weren't any brains in Cleveland. Willow? Mr. Giles? I just wasn't sure where'd I'd fit in once we got there.

I looked over at Lorne then glanced between Wesley and Charles at his question. I sighed and shrugged. "Good question. I mean, fighting evil? Sure, but I'm just a little unsure where we.. okay, I'm going to fit in." It wasn't that I didn't want to go to Cleveland at all, but I was just.. unsure about what I'd be doing. I could fight when necesary, but that wasn't exactly my strong point.

[_gunn_charles_]

Glanced next to me at Wes, my eye tickin' to the hands grippin' the armrests. If he gripped any harder, they were gonna come off. Or he might break a finger or somethin'. Didn't he come over here on the plane from England? Makes me wonder how that went, 'cause from my point of view, he's barely keepin' it together.

I looked up at Lorne's question and nodded. Fred was also noddin' in agreement, Wes was to busy not freakin' out. Looks like we all had the same question and no answers. "Guess we do what we do best," I shrugged, givin' them both a grin. "Work as a team. Cause we know what we're good at and we know how to use it. Maybe the need two teams."

Not like I know. I was just the damn muscle right? Got me a brand spanken new brain, sure as hell am gonna use it too. Runnin' a hand over my head, I wondered if Angel and C3PO there had even thought of a plan. Of if we was just answering the Slayer's callin'. Mean, Angel's obviously Slayer whipped. And Wes used to be a watcher, might be second nature or something.

"What'd think Wes?"

[_wes_pryce_]

I need to let go of these armrests or I’m going to break something. Either the armrests of my fingers, whichever comes first. Darting my eyes around nervously, I try not to look at anyone in particular, not wanting to draw attention to me. Or my nervous state. Even though I thought I was hiding it pretty well.

Did the plane just make a funny sound? I think it made a rather funny sound. And it’s moving up and down rather oddly. My stomach is starting to turn and my hand tighten their grip on armrests. Dear god, I hate flying. It’s a small miracle I ever got to the United States in the first place. I very much doubt stories of how I fainted on that trip would be great entertainment. Well, I suppose it would, but not for me. I’d never hear the bloody end of it.

The plane just did make a funny sound, didn’t it? Bloody hell, what if it’s broken? Or-or on fire! It’s not as though we can see that from here. Would we notice it if one of those wings would break off? Frowning, I shift a little and try to look past Fred out the window. That wing looks strange. I just know it does. The plane makes another strange jumping sound and I swallow hard. Which is when I notice everyone is looking at me.

“What?” And I did not just squeak. What I think? I think I need to use the bathroom. Yes, I think that’s what I think. But if I move, the plane will crash. I just know it!

[lornegreen]

"Wesley, strudel-buns," I groaned, "I don't know what's making me more nauseous: the plane ride itself, or the swirling psychedelia of your paranoia induced aura." I mean, I was nervous, but Wesley's flown before.

I tried to turn my attention on Gunn. "I think working as a team is great and all, Slick, but only really when said members of said team can actually benefit the group as a whole," I said, a trifle of disappointment in my voice. "Unless you guys need a soundtrack to accompany your axe weilding, I think I'll just be sitting on the sidelines doing what *I* do best, and that's well, not doing anything."

Okay, okay. So I was a big chicken, they all knew it. Going into the firm was somewhat of a relief to me knowing I wouldn't have to ever pick up another weapon again. And now that I've left all that behind, I didn't quite know how ready I was to make amends with Mr. Crossbow. Because you know, we had a bit of a falling out after I abandoned him for Mrs. Cellphone. You see where this is going?

[freddles]

I couldn't help but smile a little at Charles when he whipped out the 'team' comment. I knew he was right. We'd do what we always did. Fight against whatever we had to no matter what it asked of us. I guess my nerves were just getting the better of me. For the past few months I'd.. we all had been used to having schedules, set agendas of what we'd worked on. We had our cases, files, and big snazzy departments to manage. It just had been a while since we'd had to figure things out on our own.

Wesley then practically jumped out of his seat when Charles spoke to him. Raising a brow, I held a hand over my mouth to hide a small laugh that I feared might grow into a larger one. First Lorne, now Wes. What was such a big deal about riding in planes anyhow? Despite the fact that we were now above the clouds and without a decent view, I was rather enjoying myself.

Frowning, I glanced at Lorne again. Touching his shoulder softly with my hand, I shook my head. "Lorne, you're not going to be doing nothing. You helped us out before we ever took over that firm - and not just with the readings. I'm the first one to admit that I'd just as soon leave the heavy fighing to someone else. Doesn't mean I won't I guess, but there's always something we can do, hm? If not? Well, hell. I'll find something for the both of us to do," I said with a grin.

[_gunn_charles_]

Least Lorne was taking this whole flyin' thing with more dignity, then English over here. In a Lorne like kinda way that is. Nearly started to yell 'go team!' at his words though. Cause hell, we make a good team, Lorne included. Need him more then just readin' people when they sing. He's got the communication skills we lack. Even Wes here with his multiple lingo doodah. Or Fred even when lotsa demons would help her out. And Angel of course got his rep.

"With all them Slayer I'm guessin' they got enough fighters," I shrugged at their worry. "Doubt they's looken for that." Which would leave me where? Exactly? Cause, now I got me a brain too. I aint gonna be just the muscle no more. Do need to go out and hit some nasty now and again of course. Maybe we can the brain behind the operations. Cause from the looks of it, it's gonna be a big one. Bit operation, big brain.

"You're both needed. Cause Fred knows science and shit. And you Lorne know how to communicate and shit. And Wes here..." I glanced over at Wes who was lookin' white as a sheet. Whats up with that? What the fuck? How *did* he ever get here from England? Mean, that's an even longer flight.

"Wes here is 'bout to freak out," I snort, and then blink as he jumps up and mutters an excuse.

[_wes_pryce_]

I glance over at Lorne with wide eyes. Who’s being paranoid? I’m not paranoid! I don’t care what that Thesulac demon said all those years ago. This plane just isn’t safe. I know it. How can they all sit there as though nothing is wrong? That wing isn’t right. And this plane going up and down all the bloody time, that’s not right either.

“Team effort,” I nod at Gunn’s words, perhaps nodding a bit too much. Holding on tighter to the armrests, I let my eyes dart around the plane. It would seem no one is panicking, when they should Not even Lorne, though he looks far from relaxed. He knows! Did the plane sing? Can planes sing? Or maybe he saw the pilot but isn’t going to tell us?

“What?” I ask again when Gunn mentions my name. At the same time the plane seems to go down and then up a bit. My stomach once again tried to get out via my throat and cold sweat is breaking out. Oh, not good. Not good at all. We’re all going to die, I just know it. I need to throw up. Oh god.

“Excuse me,” I mutter, fumbling a bit with the seatbelt. Why the hell do I still have that thing on? Because it made me feel safe, right. Quickly making my way past everyone, apologizing when I nearly run over flight attendant, I rush over to the loo.

[lornegreen]

"Something tells me Wesley's not leaving to join the Mile High Club," I remarked with a smirk as I watched him hurry off towards the bathroom. I sunk low in my chair and began to fidget with a bag of peanuts that the flight attendant passed around earlier (albeit with a curious expression on her face as she handed them to yours green and truly).

"Well kids," I said with a sigh, tearing open the peanut bag with my teeth. "I'm personally hoping that the underbelly of Cleveland will be easy enough for me to infiltrate. I got along fine in Los Angeles, and that's a much bigger city. I guess I can thank my all-over charming demeanor for that one."

Hey, I couldn't help it if I was just so darn likeable, you know?

"I figure once I get settled, I can start to put my feelers out," I noted, popping a few peanuts into my mouth. "Once I've started to make some contacts, it might be beneficial to us. I guess it's the least I can do. I've entertained the idea of starting another nightclub, but I don't think I could get back into it."

I looked at Fred and smiled, all the while simultaneously avoiding a glance out the window. "So what about you, Cupcake? What kinds of ideas do you have for yourself once we get there?"

[freddles]

I had to admit that I was a little surprised at how well Charles was taking the move. It wasn't that I was questioning his wanting to fight evil, but he'd gotten a lot of our being at Wolfram and Hart. After all, none of the rest of us had gotten a brain boost our first week there. Raising a brow in his direction, I smiled.

Wesley on the other hand.. he might be handling the move alright, but the literal move? Not so good. Surpressing a laugh, I almost felt bad for the guy when he stood up quickly and headed back to the bathroom. "Well, um.. you think he's alright?" I said trying to hold back my amusement. Not that I took pleasure in Wesley being sick or anything, but.. well.

Leaning forward in my seat, I watched the direction Wesley had disappeared off to and waited for him to come back. He would come back before the plane landed right? Before I could answer myself and before Wesley returned, I looked over at Lorne.

Shrugging a bit, I sat back in my seat. "Me? Well, other than lending a hand where I can.. helping Willow and Wesley with the smarts and fighting I guess.. I'm not so sure. But- I was hoping the other two things might take up most of my time?" I half smiled. Looking over at Charles, I raised a brow. "What about you? Fighting, sure, but you can't let that new big brain of your's go to waste you know."

[_gunn_charles_]

Leanin’ to the side of my chair, I watch as Wes seems to run of toward the toilet. Poor guys don’t seem to take to flyin’ very well. If we go back? I vote we knock him out. Or hey, put him in the cargo bay with Angel. Sure would give him someone to talk to and for once he aint talkin’ back. That should be to Angel’s likin’.

Shakin’ my head, I lean back and glance from Lorne to Fred as they discus they options in the city of Cleveland. “I’m sure you over-all charm will come in handy again, Lorne,” I grin at him. “And if that don’t work you can always start a casino or whatever you want. I’m sure you’ll find something that’ll come in useful.”

I glance over to the toilet, noticing’ Wes aint coming out yet. Wonder if they got some Dramamine handy here. Sure looks like he can use it. “And I’m sure Willow and Wes can use your help, Fred. Mean, with all them Slayers ‘round they might be busy with other stuff.” Shruggin’ , I run my hand over my had and sigh.

What am I gonna do there? Good question, I dunno yet. Raisin’ my eyebrow at Fred at the brain going to waste remark, I bite my cheek. Know damn well they didn’t trust me after that. Not fully. Can’t really blame them but yeah it hurt.

“I think I’m gonna see if there’s a little side job I can take. Bookkeeping , or better yet a law firm that might use me. Or doing the legal things for this operation. I dunno.”