Wesley woke up with his hand in the toilet. Unfortunately for Angel in that hand was the now defunct cell phone. His head was pounding and to say that he felt horrible would be the understatement of the year. He felt like he had been turned inside out and if the pounding in his head didn’t abate he might actually be sick. ‘A Price never drank more than he could hold,’ his father’s disapproving voice echoed in his head. Only making him feel sicker. What the hell did he drink? Lighter fluid? Why was he holding Angel’s cell phone anyways? He lay down on the blessedly cool tile floor and swore to God that this would be the last time he ever drank. The thought of moving to get the bottle of aspirin from the medicine cabinet was sending warning messages to his stomach. He was much better off just lying here...
Angel winced as he tried to move his arm to grab the unbroken mug down from the cabinet. He could see Spike out of the corner of his eye sitting on the countertop smirking at him and it made him see red. Stifling a groan Angel grabbed a pint of blood from the fridge and poured it into the one remaining mug. The remembrance of Spike making him ‘cry uncle’ was almost too much to bear. The fighting had gone on almost all night until the two of them were exhausted. Brute force didn’t get him anywhere. Spike was just too quick and gave far more that he got. To have had to concede to Spike a second time was the ultimate humiliation. One that Spike would never let him forget. For an eternity. He groaned out loud.
Spike knew what was going on in Angel’s head. Could a bloke with a stone cold expression be more obvious? Somewhere in the middle of the fight Spike realized that they were really tearing up the ex-Watcher’s place. As much as he loved sparring with Angel it would destroy what little that had already escaped destruction. Wesley was an alright guy he didn’t deserve to have this done to his stuff. The fight needed to be wrapped up quick. Decision made he felt the tingling start at the base of his spine coursing up through him till it it expanded behind his eyes. Angel saw the bright blue glow coming from Spike’s eyes and was unable to look away. ‘Shit it’s true that he has thrall,’ was his last independent thought. Spike hated doing this. It took a lot out of him and would leave him feeling hollow inside for the rest of the day. Dealing with Dru for a century had forced him to learn different ways to calm her down and this way was always the very last resort. He always felt like he cheated after he used it because of the unfair advantage it gave him.
“Peaches you and me are going to have a talk. Well, I talk, you listen and obey. You will not ask me to leave again. I am staying and there is no need to argue. You agree? Say yes.” Angel slowly nodded his head. “‘Right then. Fights over.” He released him from the thrall the strain being too much to handle. He couldn’t have lasted much more, another reason to keep this trick as an ace-in-the-hole. It was too hard to keep up control over someone else’s mind for any long period of time. And at best, what was said was a very strong suggestion. The only thing that might work in his favor is that Angel, the stupid git, bought into this crap. Angel’s wide puppy dog eyes blinked twice and then narrowed menacingly at Spike.
“Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Peaches. I said no more fighting. I would hate to have to force you to bleach your hair to be just like mine. It might improve your love life though!”
Angel looked horrified before backing down saying, “Who wants to fight? I really think Buffy is better off with you here anyways. I’ve rethought my position on this matter.”
Leave it to Angel to take the suggestion and turn it into his idea. As long as he buggers off... that’s all that mattered. The thought of having to go back to Italy and see Buffy terrified him worse than the upcoming war that was heading their way. She had been with the Immortal when he saw her last and he was sure that he couldn’t stand it if her saw her with him again. He had thought that maybe something had been growing between them right before the final fight with the First. He replayed the last moments in his head of Buffy’s final words. She had finally told that she loved him. He had desperately wanted to believe that they were true. He didn’t know what to believe now and it hurt to think that she moved on. His uncertainty about his reception wasn’t the only thing that was keeping him from going though. He had been accepted here. Well everyone but Angel liked or at least tolerated him. Much more so than the Scoobies had ever come close to. He would do just about anything to hold Buffy in his arms again but leaving them now felt so wrong. He was needed and somewhat respected. Wesley and Gunn were good mates. The tragedy that happened to Fred and to Wesley... He needed to see this thing through. It was about respect.
There would be time for Buffy after the fight was over. He told himself that he wasn’t making excuses... Alright, maybe just a little but it was because it was so important that he got it right this time. He just wasn’t sure what to do to make it right. He needed more time... He broke off staring at Angel as he loitered around the kitchen. Just to annoy him he put his tongue behind his front teeth and smiled tauntingly at him.
Angel turned to glare at him while his blood was heating up in the microwave and was rewarded by Spike laughing out loud as he pushed off the countertop. He swaggered past him and turn to face him from the doorway, “Are you gonna brood all day ya ponce? I beat you. I stay. That’s the end of it.”
That’s all it took... Angel vamped out.
Spike was more than ready, “You want more of this?” he pointed to his head then at Angel. Then made voo-doo claw like motions with his hands toward Angel.
Angel blanched. Spike didn’t know that a vampire could even do that but here was proof. Angel dropped the game face immediately and put a shaking hand to his perfectly gelled head. Giving it a reassuring pat that he would never let anything happen to it. Spike laughed evilly. This was going to be sooo much fun.
Just then he heard a deathlike groan coming from the bathroom. All laughter gone he turned and ran toward the bathroom and flung open the door. Peaches right behind him. Wesley lay on the floor. The scent of alcohol was overpowering in this tiny room. The empty bottle laying on it’s side a testament to Wesley’s drinking prowess. It looked like he was truly paying the price for it now.
“Aspirin...” was all that Wesley could croak out.
Spike stepped over him to the medicine cabinet and filled the tumbler that was on the counter with cold water. Squatting down he leaned over and handed him the aspirin and water. “You alright?”
“I’ll be fine. Just need a moment.” He scooted up against the wall and downed the aspirin with one swig. “You two done fighting?”
“We came to an understanding.” Angel was quick to say.
“I’m staying...” Spike answered smirking.
“Right. We’re going to need you in the upcoming events. I’m glad.” Wesley managed a weak smile. Spike gave him a hand up.
Angel broke in, “Wes, what is my phone doing in the toilet?”
A/N: Please take the time and review. I’d appreciate it.
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