The Den - Monday Evening [Neptune, California]
Veronica had finished wrapping presents and was now making address labels so she could mail out her holiday cards. Piper was working and the apartment was quiet except for the tapping of her fingers on the keys.
Bel
After his encounter with Angel, Bel had shimmered to a random bar and gotten himself thoroughly drunk. Then he decided it would be a good idea to confront Veronica about what Angel had told him, so he shimmered back to Neptune and into Veronica and Piper's apartment. "What the hell did you tell him?" he demanded in a slurry growl.
Veronica
"What did I tell who?" Veronica asked, glancing up from her computer screen.
Bel
"Angel!" Bel snapped.
Veronica
"I haven't talked to Angel since Thanksgiving," Veronica said. "And I'm pretty sure your name didn't come up in our conversations then."
Bel
"That's not what he told me," Bel said, pacing agitatedly.
Veronica
Veronica frowned. "When did you talk to him? And what did he say?"
Bel
"A couple hours ago, in Fandom," Bel said. "He told me how you convinced him to do that stupid Fandom Invasions class thing. He was upset after it and called me."
Veronica
"The thing where he pretended to be Angelus?" Veronica said, her blood running cold. "Are you sure he wasn't just still pretending and messing with you?"
Not that that sounded like Angel, but she hadn't talked to him lately and she didn't understand why he would tell Bel they had.
Bel
"He wouldn't do that to me," Bel said. "He was upset after having to do the class. He needed me because he knew I'd understand."
Veronica
Veronica nodded. "And what exactly did he say that I said that upset you?"
Bel
"That he did it because you convinced him," Bel accused. "You told him it would help me somehow. And then he told me about you and Anders but I said he had to be wrong about that because you hate each other and Anders wouldn't."
Veronica
"What about me and Anders?" Veronica asked, because she totally had her priorities in order.
Bel
"That he smelled you on each other," Bel said. "And that you were unhappy with him because of me." Some small corner of his brain was trying to tell him he sounded ridiculous, but the alcohol drowned it out.
Veronica
"Bel, I don't know what the hell Angel was talking about, but I can promise you that I wouldn't do anything with Anders if he was the last guy on the planet."
She paused. "Or any planet, for that matter."
Bel
"That's what I said," Bel said sourly. "Doesn't make sense."
Veronica
"It really doesn't," Veronica agreed. "Why would Angel tell you something that was completely untrue?"
Bel
"He wouldn't," Bel said sullenly. "He's my friend. And he. . . ." He didn't finish that thought.
Veronica
"He what?" Veronica asked.
Bel
Bel hesitated, but Veronica knew all about how he felt anyway. "He knows how I feel," he said. "And . . . he feels the same but thinks it's too late."
Veronica
That got Veronica's eyebrows to raise. "Wait, what? Angel told you that he knew you had a thing for him and that he reciprocated? What about Logan?"
Bel
"He dumped him," Bel said smugly.
Veronica
"... what?" Veronica said. "When did that happen? Why?"
Something seemed very wrong about this whole thing, she just couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.
Bel
Bel shrugged. "Didn't ask for details," he said. "Guess it was recent though."
Veronica
Veronica frowned. "Something doesn't seem right about any of this," she said.
Bel
"What?" Bel said, somewhat defensive. "You didn't think they were gonna end up happily ever after, did you? Angel's a demon, like me. We understand each other."
Veronica
"I guess," Veronica said. "But... you've both overcome your demon halves. And you're happy with Phoebe and Anders and he was happy with Logan. Besides, I still don't understand why he lied to you about me and Anders having something going on."
Bel
"I don't know," Bel said, rubbing his temples. "Maybe he thought that if I thought that Anders was cheating on me I would. . . . No, no, very happy with Anders. Very happy with Phoebe. I'm over that." He didn't sound entirely convincing, though.
Veronica
Veronica eyed him, but didn't comment. "Do you want me to make some coffee?" she offered.
Bel
"Yeah, sure," Bel said, still trying to sort things out in his head and not having much luck.
Veronica
A few minutes later, Veronica returned with two large mugs of coffee. She handed one to Bel and sat down with the other one. "So, you said that Angel called you after the Fandom Invasions class?"
Bel
Bel took the mug and nodded. "Yeah. He was upset. He said he needed me."
Veronica
Veronica nodded. "And what did he say when you got there?"
Bel
Bel finally sat, sinking heavily into a comfy chair. "He said he knew I would understand and be there for him. He had to pretend to be Angelus for the Fandom Invasions class so they learn that evil could have a friendly face. He felt wrong inside because of it."
Veronica
"Yeah, he was really antsy about the whole idea when he first told me about it," Veronica said. "But I told him it would be a good thing for the kids there to learn about. I didn't realize it was going to totally mess with his head."
Bel
"He said you convinced him," Bel accused Veronica. "You told him it would help me. How the hell would it help me?"
Veronica
Veronica was quiet for a moment. "I honestly don't remember saying that," she said.
Bel
"He said he was having trouble dealing with his feelings," Bel said, staring at his coffee cup.
Veronica
"When doesn't Angel have trouble dealing with his feelings?" Veronica asked. "I'm just... surprised he was so willing to talk about them."
Bel
"Me too," Bel admitted. More staring at the coffee, then he said, "He said the only reason he went for Logan was because I was taken."
Veronica
That pinged Veronica's 'something is definitely not right' radar because she remembered the conversation she and Angel had had long ago when she thought he had a thing for Bel and he fessed up about his crush on Logan.
"I think I'm going to call Logan and see if he can shed any light on this," she decided. "Something seems very off about this whole thing."
Bel
"Can I tell him?" Bel said hopefully.
Veronica
"No," Veronica said, rolling her eyes and grabbing her phone. She hit the speed dial button for Logan and waited for him to answer.
Logan
The phone was answered on the first ring. "Logan," he said.
Veronica
"Hey, it's Veronica," she said. "Where are you?"
Logan
"Fandom," Logan said. "At the hotel. What's going on?"
Veronica
"Is Angel around?" Veronica asked, not wanting to alarm him in case Bel was just drunk and confused.
Logan
"No," Logan said. If he kept his answers short, maybe she wouldn't be able to tell how freaking worried he was.
Veronica
Veronica sighed. "Bel's with me," she said. "Angel called him earlier. I think something's wrong."
Logan
"Where was he?" Logan asked, giving up any pretense of nonchalance. "What happened?"
Veronica
"He was in Fandom," Veronica said. "And... he said a lot of weird stuff. Hang on, I'll put Bel on."
Bel
"He dumped you," Bel said as he took the phone. No sense in breaking it to Logan gently, after all.
Logan
"You wish," Logan said.
Bel
"That's what he told me," Bel said. "Didn't realize there was trouble in paradise until he called me and asked me to come to Fandom to see him." Logan would hear the distinctive sound of Veronica thwapping Bel.
Logan
Logan sighed. "Put Veronica back on," he said.
Veronica
"You idiot," Veronica hissed at Bel as he handed her the phone.
"Sorry, Logan," she apologized. "But, apparently Angel did tell Bel that you guys weren't together anymore. He also tried to convince him that Anders and I had something going on."
Logan
"That's... fairly bizarre," Logan said slowly. "Though I don't exactly count Bel as a reliable source."
Veronica
"Be that as it may, it sounds like there is definitely something strange going on," Veronica said. "Bel said that Angel called him because he was upset about pretending to be Angelus in class earlier today. How's he seemed to you?"
Logan
"I haven't talked to him since the class," Logan admitted.
Veronica
Veronica frowned. "So you haven't seen him since the class and you're there with him, which means that he hasn't broken up with you. When did you guys get to the island?"
Logan
"Just today," Logan said. Long pause. Logan added in a quiet voice, "Do you think he's really upset or is Bel full of shit?"
Veronica
There was a moment of silence before Veronica replied. "I think something is really wrong," she finally said. "Why would Angel lie to Bel about breaking up with you or about me having an affair with Anders? For that matter, if he was upset, why would he call Bel and not talk to you?"
Logan
"See, yeah, exactly!" Logan said. "I think Bel's fucking with you."
Veronica
Veronica considered that. She couldn't figure out why Bel would do that.
"I'll be right back," she said to Bel, walking out of the living room and towards Piper's bedroom.
"I'm going to check and see if Bel is possessed again," she said quietly in to the phone. "Because that's the only reason I could see him doing something like that."
Logan
"How about 'cause he's a prick?" Logan suggested.
Veronica
"He wouldn't do that to me," Veronica insisted. "Hold on a sec."
She put the phone down and climbed up on Piper's desk to get out the Book of Shadows.
When she picked up the phone again, she explained her plan to Logan. "I'm going to make him touch the Book of Shadows to prove he's not," she said. "The Book protects itself from evil, so if he is possessed, he won't be able to. If anything goes wrong, can you call in the cavalry?"
Logan
"I think you should get out of there," Logan said. "He's not going to be happy about being exposed."
Veronica
"I want to check," Veronica insisted. "I'm not going to sound an alarm if he's not. But, listen, Piper's kids can teleport from Fandom. Call her cell if anything goes wrong."
Logan
"Be careful!"
Veronica
"I'm always careful, Logan."
Veronica walked back into the living room.
"Bel, can you do me a favor?"
Bel
"What?" Bel said. He'd gotten up to pace again.
Veronica
Veronica held out the Book of Shadows. "Can you look something up in the Book for me? I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking for."
Bel
"I'm a demon, Veronica," Bel said. "I can't touch the Book."
Veronica
"You're not evil anymore," Veronica pointed out. "So you shouldn't have any trouble touching it."
Bel
"You know that, and I know that, but does the Book know that?" Bel said dubiously, remembering being shocked by it before. "It hurts, you know," he added petulantly.
Veronica
"Please?" Veronica said, tilting her head and giving him her best hopeful eyes. "This might be the only way to figure out what's going on with Angel."
Bel
"Fine," Bel sighed. "But you're explaining to Phoebe if the Book vanquishes me." He hesitantly reached out and touched the top edge of the Book.
There was no earth-shattering kaboom.
Veronica
Veronica sighed. Partly with relief, because she really didn't want to be alone with Bel if he was evil. And partly with frustration because that was her best explanation for this whole weird situation.
"Logan, Bel's not possessed," she said into the phone. "So there's something else going on."
Bel
"Hey!" Bel said loudly. "I'm not possessed! And I'm not lying! Angel said he was having these urges and feelings and he knew that I would do anything to help him."
Logan
Logan had a very, very bad feeling about this. "Was he wearing leather pants?" he asked.
Veronica
"Oh, god," Veronica said, feeling sick to her stomach. She swallowed hard. "Logan wants to know if he was wearing leather pants," she said quietly.
Bel
"What does that matter?" Bel said sulkily. Then he blinked and said, "Umm . . . no? I'm sure I'd notice if he was."
Veronica
There was no doubt a joke to be made there, but Veronica was a little too concerned to make it.
"He says no," she said into the phone. "But... do you really think?... I mean... he was just pretending, right?"
Logan
"I don't know," Logan said, a cold feeling in the pit of his stomach. "He might not come back here for a while if he was freaked out over playing Angelus. God, I should've known that was a bad idea! I just don't know why he'd say that stuff to Bel."
Veronica
"I don't either," Veronica said. "I think... maybe Bel and I should come out there. Just in case."
Bel
"Yeah," Bel agreed. "Just in case." He paused for a moment, searching his memories for any other clues, then added quietly, "He said he couldn't remember the last time we spent time together . . . knowing that I'd do whatever he wanted."
Logan
"No!" Logan exclaimed. "Are you insane? No way should either of you come anywhere near here. It's not safe for you to be here and it's not safe for anyone for Bel to be near Angelus."
Veronica
"You're the one that almost got turned last time!" Veronica reminded him. "If he's really back, you need us. Let me throw some clothes in a bag and Bel and I will shimmer out there."
Logan
"That's another thing," Logan said quietly. Nightmare images came rushing back at him. "If something happens to me, you're in even more danger. Don't trust me. Don't trust anyone. Don't invite anyone in."
Veronica
"I know," Veronica said, equally quiet. "We'll be there soon. Why don't you see if you can move to a different room in the hotel? One that he hasn't been in?"
Logan
Break Glass In Case Of Evil Vampire. Logan had gone over the emergency procedures for this situation in his head many times. God, he really hoped this was an extreme overreaction and Angelus wasn't actually back. "It won't work," he said. "He can get into hotel rooms if they haven't been established as someone's home, and that takes time." That was the unspoken reason that Logan kept his own rooms at the Hyperion, even though he rarely slept there any more.
"I'll call Xander," Logan decided. "Maybe he'll know someplace safe to stay."
Veronica
"Okay. Bel and I will meet you at Xander's then. Fifteen minutes. And, Logan? Be careful. Please."
Logan
"You too," Logan said.
Veronica
Veronica hung up the phone and sighed. "You up for a trip to Fandom?" she asked Bel. "Let me throw a bag together and leave a note for Piper."
Bel
"Yeah, sure," Bel said. "You think . . . you think he's really. . . ?"
Veronica
"... I don't know," she said, her voice catching. "But I think we need to find out."
Bel
"Yeah," Bel said dully. He cursed himself for being a fool. He should've known something was wrong. Angel had been completely un-Angel-like.
Veronica
"I'll be ready in a couple minutes," Veronica said, heading for her bedroom to pack a bag.
Bel
For a moment, Bel debating shimmering back to Fandom and confronting Angel -- or Angelus -- himself. If it was Angelus, he had to stop him before he hurt Phoebe or Piper or Willow or another witch. But going after him alone would be foolish, for more reasons than one. So he waited for Veronica to return.
Veronica
Veronica returned a few minutes later with a bag slung over her shoulder. She dashed off a quick note to Piper and hung it in a prominent place so her roommate wouldn't miss it.
"All right," she said grimly. "Let's go."
Bel
Bel nodded and put his arm around her shoulders, not even having the heart to make any sort of sordid comment. His healing ability had made short work of the alcohol he'd drunk earlier, so he was sober now at least. He shimmered them back to Fandom.
[ooc: preplayed with marsheadtilt, demonbelthazor and psycho_jackass. No IC interaction, but OOC comments welcome.]
Bel
After his encounter with Angel, Bel had shimmered to a random bar and gotten himself thoroughly drunk. Then he decided it would be a good idea to confront Veronica about what Angel had told him, so he shimmered back to Neptune and into Veronica and Piper's apartment. "What the hell did you tell him?" he demanded in a slurry growl.
Veronica
"What did I tell who?" Veronica asked, glancing up from her computer screen.
Bel
"Angel!" Bel snapped.
Veronica
"I haven't talked to Angel since Thanksgiving," Veronica said. "And I'm pretty sure your name didn't come up in our conversations then."
Bel
"That's not what he told me," Bel said, pacing agitatedly.
Veronica
Veronica frowned. "When did you talk to him? And what did he say?"
Bel
"A couple hours ago, in Fandom," Bel said. "He told me how you convinced him to do that stupid Fandom Invasions class thing. He was upset after it and called me."
Veronica
"The thing where he pretended to be Angelus?" Veronica said, her blood running cold. "Are you sure he wasn't just still pretending and messing with you?"
Not that that sounded like Angel, but she hadn't talked to him lately and she didn't understand why he would tell Bel they had.
Bel
"He wouldn't do that to me," Bel said. "He was upset after having to do the class. He needed me because he knew I'd understand."
Veronica
Veronica nodded. "And what exactly did he say that I said that upset you?"
Bel
"That he did it because you convinced him," Bel accused. "You told him it would help me somehow. And then he told me about you and Anders but I said he had to be wrong about that because you hate each other and Anders wouldn't."
Veronica
"What about me and Anders?" Veronica asked, because she totally had her priorities in order.
Bel
"That he smelled you on each other," Bel said. "And that you were unhappy with him because of me." Some small corner of his brain was trying to tell him he sounded ridiculous, but the alcohol drowned it out.
Veronica
"Bel, I don't know what the hell Angel was talking about, but I can promise you that I wouldn't do anything with Anders if he was the last guy on the planet."
She paused. "Or any planet, for that matter."
Bel
"That's what I said," Bel said sourly. "Doesn't make sense."
Veronica
"It really doesn't," Veronica agreed. "Why would Angel tell you something that was completely untrue?"
Bel
"He wouldn't," Bel said sullenly. "He's my friend. And he. . . ." He didn't finish that thought.
Veronica
"He what?" Veronica asked.
Bel
Bel hesitated, but Veronica knew all about how he felt anyway. "He knows how I feel," he said. "And . . . he feels the same but thinks it's too late."
Veronica
That got Veronica's eyebrows to raise. "Wait, what? Angel told you that he knew you had a thing for him and that he reciprocated? What about Logan?"
Bel
"He dumped him," Bel said smugly.
Veronica
"... what?" Veronica said. "When did that happen? Why?"
Something seemed very wrong about this whole thing, she just couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.
Bel
Bel shrugged. "Didn't ask for details," he said. "Guess it was recent though."
Veronica
Veronica frowned. "Something doesn't seem right about any of this," she said.
Bel
"What?" Bel said, somewhat defensive. "You didn't think they were gonna end up happily ever after, did you? Angel's a demon, like me. We understand each other."
Veronica
"I guess," Veronica said. "But... you've both overcome your demon halves. And you're happy with Phoebe and Anders and he was happy with Logan. Besides, I still don't understand why he lied to you about me and Anders having something going on."
Bel
"I don't know," Bel said, rubbing his temples. "Maybe he thought that if I thought that Anders was cheating on me I would. . . . No, no, very happy with Anders. Very happy with Phoebe. I'm over that." He didn't sound entirely convincing, though.
Veronica
Veronica eyed him, but didn't comment. "Do you want me to make some coffee?" she offered.
Bel
"Yeah, sure," Bel said, still trying to sort things out in his head and not having much luck.
Veronica
A few minutes later, Veronica returned with two large mugs of coffee. She handed one to Bel and sat down with the other one. "So, you said that Angel called you after the Fandom Invasions class?"
Bel
Bel took the mug and nodded. "Yeah. He was upset. He said he needed me."
Veronica
Veronica nodded. "And what did he say when you got there?"
Bel
Bel finally sat, sinking heavily into a comfy chair. "He said he knew I would understand and be there for him. He had to pretend to be Angelus for the Fandom Invasions class so they learn that evil could have a friendly face. He felt wrong inside because of it."
Veronica
"Yeah, he was really antsy about the whole idea when he first told me about it," Veronica said. "But I told him it would be a good thing for the kids there to learn about. I didn't realize it was going to totally mess with his head."
Bel
"He said you convinced him," Bel accused Veronica. "You told him it would help me. How the hell would it help me?"
Veronica
Veronica was quiet for a moment. "I honestly don't remember saying that," she said.
Bel
"He said he was having trouble dealing with his feelings," Bel said, staring at his coffee cup.
Veronica
"When doesn't Angel have trouble dealing with his feelings?" Veronica asked. "I'm just... surprised he was so willing to talk about them."
Bel
"Me too," Bel admitted. More staring at the coffee, then he said, "He said the only reason he went for Logan was because I was taken."
Veronica
That pinged Veronica's 'something is definitely not right' radar because she remembered the conversation she and Angel had had long ago when she thought he had a thing for Bel and he fessed up about his crush on Logan.
"I think I'm going to call Logan and see if he can shed any light on this," she decided. "Something seems very off about this whole thing."
Bel
"Can I tell him?" Bel said hopefully.
Veronica
"No," Veronica said, rolling her eyes and grabbing her phone. She hit the speed dial button for Logan and waited for him to answer.
Logan
The phone was answered on the first ring. "Logan," he said.
Veronica
"Hey, it's Veronica," she said. "Where are you?"
Logan
"Fandom," Logan said. "At the hotel. What's going on?"
Veronica
"Is Angel around?" Veronica asked, not wanting to alarm him in case Bel was just drunk and confused.
Logan
"No," Logan said. If he kept his answers short, maybe she wouldn't be able to tell how freaking worried he was.
Veronica
Veronica sighed. "Bel's with me," she said. "Angel called him earlier. I think something's wrong."
Logan
"Where was he?" Logan asked, giving up any pretense of nonchalance. "What happened?"
Veronica
"He was in Fandom," Veronica said. "And... he said a lot of weird stuff. Hang on, I'll put Bel on."
Bel
"He dumped you," Bel said as he took the phone. No sense in breaking it to Logan gently, after all.
Logan
"You wish," Logan said.
Bel
"That's what he told me," Bel said. "Didn't realize there was trouble in paradise until he called me and asked me to come to Fandom to see him." Logan would hear the distinctive sound of Veronica thwapping Bel.
Logan
Logan sighed. "Put Veronica back on," he said.
Veronica
"You idiot," Veronica hissed at Bel as he handed her the phone.
"Sorry, Logan," she apologized. "But, apparently Angel did tell Bel that you guys weren't together anymore. He also tried to convince him that Anders and I had something going on."
Logan
"That's... fairly bizarre," Logan said slowly. "Though I don't exactly count Bel as a reliable source."
Veronica
"Be that as it may, it sounds like there is definitely something strange going on," Veronica said. "Bel said that Angel called him because he was upset about pretending to be Angelus in class earlier today. How's he seemed to you?"
Logan
"I haven't talked to him since the class," Logan admitted.
Veronica
Veronica frowned. "So you haven't seen him since the class and you're there with him, which means that he hasn't broken up with you. When did you guys get to the island?"
Logan
"Just today," Logan said. Long pause. Logan added in a quiet voice, "Do you think he's really upset or is Bel full of shit?"
Veronica
There was a moment of silence before Veronica replied. "I think something is really wrong," she finally said. "Why would Angel lie to Bel about breaking up with you or about me having an affair with Anders? For that matter, if he was upset, why would he call Bel and not talk to you?"
Logan
"See, yeah, exactly!" Logan said. "I think Bel's fucking with you."
Veronica
Veronica considered that. She couldn't figure out why Bel would do that.
"I'll be right back," she said to Bel, walking out of the living room and towards Piper's bedroom.
"I'm going to check and see if Bel is possessed again," she said quietly in to the phone. "Because that's the only reason I could see him doing something like that."
Logan
"How about 'cause he's a prick?" Logan suggested.
Veronica
"He wouldn't do that to me," Veronica insisted. "Hold on a sec."
She put the phone down and climbed up on Piper's desk to get out the Book of Shadows.
When she picked up the phone again, she explained her plan to Logan. "I'm going to make him touch the Book of Shadows to prove he's not," she said. "The Book protects itself from evil, so if he is possessed, he won't be able to. If anything goes wrong, can you call in the cavalry?"
Logan
"I think you should get out of there," Logan said. "He's not going to be happy about being exposed."
Veronica
"I want to check," Veronica insisted. "I'm not going to sound an alarm if he's not. But, listen, Piper's kids can teleport from Fandom. Call her cell if anything goes wrong."
Logan
"Be careful!"
Veronica
"I'm always careful, Logan."
Veronica walked back into the living room.
"Bel, can you do me a favor?"
Bel
"What?" Bel said. He'd gotten up to pace again.
Veronica
Veronica held out the Book of Shadows. "Can you look something up in the Book for me? I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking for."
Bel
"I'm a demon, Veronica," Bel said. "I can't touch the Book."
Veronica
"You're not evil anymore," Veronica pointed out. "So you shouldn't have any trouble touching it."
Bel
"You know that, and I know that, but does the Book know that?" Bel said dubiously, remembering being shocked by it before. "It hurts, you know," he added petulantly.
Veronica
"Please?" Veronica said, tilting her head and giving him her best hopeful eyes. "This might be the only way to figure out what's going on with Angel."
Bel
"Fine," Bel sighed. "But you're explaining to Phoebe if the Book vanquishes me." He hesitantly reached out and touched the top edge of the Book.
There was no earth-shattering kaboom.
Veronica
Veronica sighed. Partly with relief, because she really didn't want to be alone with Bel if he was evil. And partly with frustration because that was her best explanation for this whole weird situation.
"Logan, Bel's not possessed," she said into the phone. "So there's something else going on."
Bel
"Hey!" Bel said loudly. "I'm not possessed! And I'm not lying! Angel said he was having these urges and feelings and he knew that I would do anything to help him."
Logan
Logan had a very, very bad feeling about this. "Was he wearing leather pants?" he asked.
Veronica
"Oh, god," Veronica said, feeling sick to her stomach. She swallowed hard. "Logan wants to know if he was wearing leather pants," she said quietly.
Bel
"What does that matter?" Bel said sulkily. Then he blinked and said, "Umm . . . no? I'm sure I'd notice if he was."
Veronica
There was no doubt a joke to be made there, but Veronica was a little too concerned to make it.
"He says no," she said into the phone. "But... do you really think?... I mean... he was just pretending, right?"
Logan
"I don't know," Logan said, a cold feeling in the pit of his stomach. "He might not come back here for a while if he was freaked out over playing Angelus. God, I should've known that was a bad idea! I just don't know why he'd say that stuff to Bel."
Veronica
"I don't either," Veronica said. "I think... maybe Bel and I should come out there. Just in case."
Bel
"Yeah," Bel agreed. "Just in case." He paused for a moment, searching his memories for any other clues, then added quietly, "He said he couldn't remember the last time we spent time together . . . knowing that I'd do whatever he wanted."
Logan
"No!" Logan exclaimed. "Are you insane? No way should either of you come anywhere near here. It's not safe for you to be here and it's not safe for anyone for Bel to be near Angelus."
Veronica
"You're the one that almost got turned last time!" Veronica reminded him. "If he's really back, you need us. Let me throw some clothes in a bag and Bel and I will shimmer out there."
Logan
"That's another thing," Logan said quietly. Nightmare images came rushing back at him. "If something happens to me, you're in even more danger. Don't trust me. Don't trust anyone. Don't invite anyone in."
Veronica
"I know," Veronica said, equally quiet. "We'll be there soon. Why don't you see if you can move to a different room in the hotel? One that he hasn't been in?"
Logan
Break Glass In Case Of Evil Vampire. Logan had gone over the emergency procedures for this situation in his head many times. God, he really hoped this was an extreme overreaction and Angelus wasn't actually back. "It won't work," he said. "He can get into hotel rooms if they haven't been established as someone's home, and that takes time." That was the unspoken reason that Logan kept his own rooms at the Hyperion, even though he rarely slept there any more.
"I'll call Xander," Logan decided. "Maybe he'll know someplace safe to stay."
Veronica
"Okay. Bel and I will meet you at Xander's then. Fifteen minutes. And, Logan? Be careful. Please."
Logan
"You too," Logan said.
Veronica
Veronica hung up the phone and sighed. "You up for a trip to Fandom?" she asked Bel. "Let me throw a bag together and leave a note for Piper."
Bel
"Yeah, sure," Bel said. "You think . . . you think he's really. . . ?"
Veronica
"... I don't know," she said, her voice catching. "But I think we need to find out."
Bel
"Yeah," Bel said dully. He cursed himself for being a fool. He should've known something was wrong. Angel had been completely un-Angel-like.
Veronica
"I'll be ready in a couple minutes," Veronica said, heading for her bedroom to pack a bag.
Bel
For a moment, Bel debating shimmering back to Fandom and confronting Angel -- or Angelus -- himself. If it was Angelus, he had to stop him before he hurt Phoebe or Piper or Willow or another witch. But going after him alone would be foolish, for more reasons than one. So he waited for Veronica to return.
Veronica
Veronica returned a few minutes later with a bag slung over her shoulder. She dashed off a quick note to Piper and hung it in a prominent place so her roommate wouldn't miss it.
"All right," she said grimly. "Let's go."
Bel
Bel nodded and put his arm around her shoulders, not even having the heart to make any sort of sordid comment. His healing ability had made short work of the alcohol he'd drunk earlier, so he was sober now at least. He shimmered them back to Fandom.
[ooc: preplayed with marsheadtilt, demonbelthazor and psycho_jackass. No IC interaction, but OOC comments welcome.]