Remembrance: 3
by Selene

The bottle of whiskey flew through the air barely missing the incredibly expensive antique maps that adorned the far wall of Wesley’s apartment. Followed by a string of curses that made Angel blush. “Angel, I can’t bloody well believe that you actually believe that you are Shanshu-boy of prophecy when you can’t make up your mind. First you tell me that you need me and that you...” Angel gave him a warning look that made him break off from what he was about to say. “Well I won’t do it. I’m not getting any rotten jet so sod off! Italy just doesn’t happen to agree with my palate! It seems I’m now a California man. I stay here with you.” He gave a meaningful look to Angel. “Don’t even think of trying to get rid of me.”

Angel shot him his most broody look before answering, “Why do you always insist on being such an...”

“Don’t say it...”

“Obstinate... argumentative.... pugnacious-ssh...” Wesley supplied trying to be helpful. The alcohol that they had been drinking all night had certainly caught up with him if not the vampires he was drinking with. The room had a pleasant hum and a slight tilt to it that was rather soothing. The only thing that was keeping it from being a perfect boy’s night was the yelling and sniping the two had been exchanging all night. The vampires ignored his attempt to solve this quarrel. Perfect. More yelling was about to commence. Wesley grasped the table and mumbled something about going to the kitchen to try to find another bottle. Hopefully there was something left from the stash that Lilah had sent for his birthday... He suddenly felt the need for a drink.

There was a reason that they had chosen to come over to his apartment. One of the benefits that came from his liaison with Lilah was the expensive investment in charms and hexes that she had put on his place so the Senior Partners couldn’t get a glimpse of what went on in here. Lilah had taken a certain amount of pleasure in being able to pull one over on the Senior Partners. It also allowed Wesley a measure of freedom. Still... they were trying to allude to their upcoming plan just in case. They really didn’t want to put into words what they have planned.

“Ass.” There it was out. A challenge. Added to the forbidding forehead it was almost an irresistible invitation to fight.

Spike smiled evilly... “You aren’t pissin’ me off so I go stormin’ out, Peaches. You are stuck with me. I’m gonna see this to the end.”

Angel sighed and tried another tactic. One he never tried before with Spike. Reason. “Listen, if we don’t make it. I need you to keep her safe. This is going to be big. I’m not talking about what we usually face here. She can’t be left with neither one of us to be there for her. Especially if she’s with him...” There wasn’t any need to elaborate on who he was. Just thinking about him stirred up old memories of mutual hatred. For once not for each other. “I need to know that you will be there to let her know what has been done and to make her ready for what is about to come next. This could be the event that sparks it off. She could easily be lead in to a trap by The Immortal if it explodes like we think it is going to.” The deliberate use of the dreaded name was just to make Spike not think straight. All the thoughts of Buffy being left alone with him was enough to make Angel want to weep. He saw the yellow glint in Spike’s eyes and thought, ‘I’ve got him.’

Spike stamped down on his immediate reaction to pummel anything within his reach. “I don’t like the thought of leaving her with him anymore that you do. Unlike you though I do have faith in her. I know that when it comes down to making the right decision she’ll do it. She doesn’t need me there lookin’ over her shoulder doubting her every move. I’m no vampiric Jiminy Cricket you prat! It’s funny that you didn’t want me marching off when I first turned solid. You seemed to think that she was way better off without me then! Are you going to tell me now that I am the better of us?” Spike smirked. He leaned back in his chair and took a swig of his drink. Locked eyes with Angel and said each word deliberately, “Like I told you before, Daddy, I’m not goin’ anywhere.”

“Spike why do you always have to do things the hard way. If you won’t go willingly I’ll make you go.” There was and angry growl before the two of them clashed. Angel easily outweighed him by 50 pounds and at least 3 inches but Spike was faster and slipped out of his reach.

“You don’t want to do this again, Peaches. I’ll easily clean up like last time. You’ve been lookin’ for a scrap all night. If you look for it with me you’ll lose.”

Wesley heard the sound of breaking furniture and thoroughly disgusted with the both of them he snatched up the last bottle of his special reserve and grabbed Angel’s cell phone from off the counter. He stumbled off to the bathroom and slammed the door behind him. Flipping open the phone he scrolled through the remarkably short list smirking as he went by Nina’s number until he found the one he was looking for and pressed send. The tumbler he was holding was obscenely filled with the amber liquid. He tossed back the drink as he waited for someone to answer. The phone rang and rang until he heard a strange voice intone flatly, “Rome. The final frontier. We have boldly gone forth and are unable to answer the phone. If you wish to reach Buffy, Dawn or I, Captain Andrew Archer please leave a message.” Beep. Wesley held the phone away from his ear and looked at it disgustedly for a second until another loud crash from his living room regained his attention. “Buffy... It’sssh Wessshley Windham Prisshe. I don’t have time to explain everything but Angel is going up againssht The Shircle of the Black Thorn. The fighting hasn’t started yet but it’ssh going to be another apocalypse. Angel is going to need help. Sshlayer help. Giles must know, of course.” The fighting grew louder and seemed to be outside the door. The sound only fueled Wesley’s resolve. “For sshome unknown reason Angel wouldn’t let us tell you, but, I think it’s time for you to know that Sshhpike has been back amoungsssht ussh for quite some time. Andrew will fill you in. Buffy hurry there’s not much time.” Wesley smiled to himself strangley unconcerned with the wrath he knew he was going to face from Angel. He might not be able to be with Fred anymore but he hated to see the fighting that went on between the two of them over Buffy. It reminded him uncomfortably of his relationship with Gunn. Things had to be resolved and now was the time to ask for help. His conscience absolved he slid down the back of the door grasping the bottle by its neck. All attempts at the niceties of manners forgotten as he swigged from the bottle. The sound of fighting out in the other room sealed the fact that this is where he was going to spend the rest of the night.

A/N: TBC. Please review.

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