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menomegirlChapter 24
Jealousies
Charles Gunn sat behind his desk and looked at the file open before him without actually looking at it. He was replaying bits and pieces of the meeting in Wesley's office not even an hour ago, wondering what Lindsey's return meant for him. Two days ago, he would have been happy to return to his old self and lose some of this added responsibility, but now, he wasn't so sure. He kinda liked being the smart one for a change. Fred and Wesley were demon smart and that was fine, but here at Wolfram & Hart, Charles Gunn was in the know and he wanted to keep it that way.
"Charles?"
Gunn jumped and looked to where Fred was standing, just inside the door. Smiling, he waved her in. "Hey Fred, what's up?"
"I was going to ask you that.You were looking at that file like you'd rather be shredding it than reading it," Fred said.
"Actually, not a bad idea." Gunn looked at her, grimacing. "But wouldn't do any good. Besides, it's Lindsey McDonald's file. Angel asked me to look into his……damn, what do we call Lindsey now? Boyfriend?"
"How about Lindsey? That is his name, right?" Fred said, a little put off by Gunn's attitude
"Well, whatever Lindsey is, Angel asked me to look into his file and see what we can do about the contract that Lindsey signed as he as moving up the ladder here," Gunn said sarcastically.
"You don't like Lindsey much, do you?" Fred said, overwhelmingly curious why she had never heard this man mentioned before, if everyone else had known Angel had been....infatuated with him.
"Fred, you weren't here when the Lindsey game was in play. What that man did to Angel was evil and unforgivable, and Angel was right to see him out of town," Gunn replied.
"That may be, Charles, but obviously Lindsey's changed, otherwise Angel wouldn't have made such a finite move. I mean, they are bound to each other forever," Fred said.
"That's what I don't understand! Why? Why did Angel make such a permanent move? Wasn't everyone happy with the way things were," Gunn asked.
"Evidently not. Besides, according to Angel, you all expected a reunion of sorts between him and Lindsey, anyways.
So.....why should any of this be surprising?" Fred said.
"We expected Angel to follow up on Lindsey," Gunn hastily explained. "You know, make sure that Wolfram & Hart left him alone, that he was okay. A phone call would've worked. I don't think any of us expected this! He's practically married to the guy! How did that happen? They were sworn enemies!"
"He loves Lindsey," Fred softly said.
"How would you know, Fred? You've never seen them together!," Gunn said.
"Angel wouldn't have made such a huge move, if there weren't intense feelings involved, Charles. And the way Angel talks about Lindsey......there's definitely intense feelings involved."
"Yeah-horniness. Angel wanted to get laid. That I can almost hang with, but this whole claiming thing......that bothers me," Gunn replied.
"Bothers you, huh? You sound like you're jealous, Charles," Fred said.
"Jealous? Hell, no! But in no way am I gonna let some redneck lawyer come in here, and start changing things!" Gunn stated.
"Okay - so not jealous, but definitely threatened. Look, Charles, that redneck lawyer probably knows more about this place than you, me, Wes, and Angel do - combined. Not to mentioned that he's the
only one we know of who managed to escape from here alive." She smiled reassuringly to Gunn. "But if you're worried about your job - don't. Angel said that Lindsey came back here for him, not the firm. And even if Lindsey does decide to work here - there's always room
for another lawyer for the good guys - right?"
"I guess, but can I just say for the record…I don't trust him or his reason for being here," Charles stated.
"You're entitled, I guess. But keep in mind - Angel claimed
Lindsey - he can't send him away again. We're all going to have to get used to Lindsey being around for a LONG time. I suggest we make the most of it." Fred gave Gunn a long look and turned and walked out the door.
Gunn watched the young woman's retreating figure until she was out of sight, then turned back to Lindsey's file. Nope. No way am I gonna make the most of this. And NO WAY am I gonna just sit here while Lindsey McDonald makes himself comfortable on my turf. Picking up the file in front of him, Gunn gave it a cursory glance, then threw it in the trash. Sorry, Angel. I couldn't find a loophole in Lindsey's perpetuity contract. Seems that if the Senior
Partners want to kill him then....they can.....and hopefully will.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wesley looked at his friend, tired of discussing Eve, the Senior Partners, everything Angel had thrown up for a topic, as if he were desperate to avoid the questions the former Watcher needed the answers to. Unfortunately for the vampire, Wesley had no intention of backing off until he knew Angel's true emotions for Lindsey.
"Angel, please! I'm heartily sick of you beating around the bush," Wesley said, exasperation creeping into his voice. "I know you believe I'm prying where I have no business, but.....if you were me, what would you do?"
Momentary resentment for Wesley welled up within Angel, but he
pushed it away. He doesn't remember Conner. All he knows is I was once close to becoming Angelus, and Lindsey was part of the reason why. Angel sighed for effect. Fuck it......either he'll understand or he won't. I need him to understand......I think he can....no, I hope he can.
"Wesley, I've known you longer than anyone else here. You've seen me at my worst, you've seen me at my best, you've fought by my side. You're one of my closest....if not the closest....friend I've got. God knows, we've been at cross-purposes before, and damn it, I don't want to do that again. I want you to understand, really I
do, but I'm not going to beg you to understand. Either you do or you don't, but no matter what, I want you to know......there's not one damn thing you can do to change my mind. This has gone way past that point now," Angel said.
"I'm aware of that, Angel," Wesley said. "Don't you think I've seen how lonely you are? Don't you know I've wished a million times you could have someone? Do you think I'm that insensitive?"
"No, I don't," Angel said. "Alright, Wes. The truth is I'm in love with Lindsey. I have been for a long time. I know you.....wonder how that could be, because all you know is the anger and resentment I displayed towards him."
Wesley thought about that. "No, I knew you
felt something for Lindsey other than that, Angel. You've always said his name with a softness that I've only heard you use for one other person. And deep down, I always suspected most of the anger was a mask you showed to cover up the hurt you felt every time Lindsey did something wrong."
"Yes, that's true," Angel said. "But now....I've got him back.
Lindsey's here....he came back....he came back for me. Do you have any idea what that means to me, Wesley? I can't lose him again. I can't. I let him walk away twice, and I can't do it again, not after everything I've been through."
Wesley thought how best to word his next question. It wasn't a
question of Angel's sexuality, because as a former Watcher, he was well aware of the proclivities of vampires. No, he was so concerned because it was Lindsey McDonald Angel had chosen, and while Wesley could see the physical attraction in the man, he couldn't understand the depth of emotional attachment to a man who was so morally ambiguous.
There was something he was missing in all of this, and it was why he thought Lilah's gesture in trying to save her ex-colleague was behind it. They had both been the recipients of dreams, as per the curse, spell or whatever it was. But even with that, it shouldn't have been the reason Lindsey had reached out to Angel, not after having been apart for so long. Both men were too strong for that. No, there was something else going on, something else that had
prompted that phone call......something that made them both feel incomplete without the other. Whatever it was, Lilah's casting wasn't part of it, because the casting had only cloaked the former lawyer from the Beast's attention.
Now Angel had bound himself for eternity with a man who was very mortal, who had willingly returned the gesture. Wesley had read several accounts of vampire claiming, enough to know how truly rare such a happening was. Did either Angel or Lindsey know what they had done to themselves? Did they know that the death of one of them would leave the other so devastated, only death would ease the pain? Why would Angel or Lindsey have done that? Had they done it only
to thwart the Senior Partners, who clearly didn't want Lindsey here?
Before Wesley could ask any of his questions, however, they were answered for him. Angel's face got an expression on it Wesley had never seen there before. He shut his eyes and whispered, "Lindsey." And the emotion in his face deepened. He looked.....he looked at peace. Seconds later, when Lindsey walked in, with Spike in tow, Angel opened his eyes. Their eyes met, and it took Wesley's breath away. The emotions they felt sang in the air. It was a physical presence, intelligible to anyone near them. It was
the most stunning thing Wesley had ever seen.
The former Watcher caught Angel's gaze, nodded once, and he left the room a man with a mission. He had to try and find a way to prevent Angelus from emerging, or from inflicting damage to Lindsey if he did. Wesley knew he didn't have much time to work with, either.
Chapter 25
Family
Stepping aside to let Wesley by, Lindsey stood just inside the door
of the ex-Watcher's office and let his eyes slowly wander up the
vampire's body, until he caught Angel's amused look. "Liking what
you see, Lins?" Angel asked, his voice a little rougher than he
expected.
"You know I do," Lindsey said, his voice husky, as he walked over,
leaned down, and placed a soft kiss on the vampire's lips. "Hey.
Missed you. I needed someone to scrub my back."
Growling softly, Angel pulled Lindsey back for a more thorough
kiss. "Oh yeah? Promise me another shower like that one, and I'll
definitely stay and scrub your back."
Lindsey slid his hands up Angel's silk covered chest, letting his
fingers graze gently over the vampire's nipples. Hearing Angel's
growl getting a little louder, Lindsey smiled and nipped gently on
Angel's bottom lip. "That's an easy promise to make."
"You two need a room? Or maybe you'd like to just have at it on that
big table there." Spike stood by the door and motioned to the
conference table behind the lovers. "Either way –– can I watch?"
"Spike," Angel said, glancing at the blond menace. "I thought you
were gone."
"Hell, Angel, I was gone for about 3 months. What? You didn't miss
me?" Spike said, feigning hurt feelings. "I'm crushed!"
"Not really, no." Angel said. "Didn't find what you were looking for?"
Spike snorted. "Found it, alright. Don't care to talk about it,
either."
"So you came back here for what? To hear me say I told you so?"
Angel asked, amused at Spike's refusal to admit Angel had been right
about Buffy.
Spike looked over to Angel expecting to hear just those words and
was surprised at what he saw. Yes, the I told you so look was
there but it was the compassion in the vampire's eyes that shocked
Spike the most. It was also what hurt the most. And that just irritated the hell out of him, so he decided to irritate back.
"I was driving around, and I got to wondering if your boy toy came
to town," Spike replied, unwilling to say his grandsire had been
right, or that he'd felt without purpose and that he'd come back
because he'd felt the need to help Angel.
"Boy toy, my ass," Lindsey said, chuckling, then standing up, he leaned against the desk, crossing his arms. "Do I look like a toy to you?"
"You really want me to answer that, Gingersnap?" Spike said. Lindsey
thought about it, then shook his head no, and Spike smiled. "I
couldn't get a picture in my head of you with a guy, Peaches.....so
I came back. Bloody hell, mate...how the hell do you always pick the
nummiest ones? Holy shit, Angel.....he's hot. Damn hot."
Angel growled. Lindsey grinned. "Thank you," he said.
"Gingersnap looks even better without those clothes on," Spike said,
really teasing the other vampire now.
Angel moved so fast, it startled both men. He was out of the chair,
had Spike pinned to the wall before they could even blink. "What did
you say?" Angel snarled.
Spike laughed. "He has a really gorgeous ass, Peaches."
Angel pulled Spike forward a little, then slammed him back again.
Spike laughed again, but before Angel could do anything else, he
felt Lindsey's hand on his arm. "Nothing happened, Angel," Lindsey
softly said. "Spike was just there when I got dressed, that's all.
Let him go."
"Yeah, let me go," Spike cockily said. "Besides, I wasn't the only
one there with him. Seems little Miss Evie has a thing for your
boyfriend, too."
Angel scowled, but he released the other vampire. "Eve was there? In
the penthouse? Why?"
Spike said, "Besides wanting to boff your boy here, not really sure,
but I daresay she begs watching."
Lindsey rolled his eyes at Spike's remark and said, "She wanted to
cause trouble. It's her forte in life, or at least in mine, anyway.
But Spike's right –– she needs watching. She was pissed off when she found out about last night." Lindsey found himself
subconsciously rubbing the mark in his neck.
Angel, watching Lindsey's hand, reached out and gently traced his
fingers over the mark he left on the young man's neck. "She upset
about this? Or the fact that we had sex?," he softly said.
Lindsey softly moaned and shivered at the feel of Angel touching the
bite. His eyes met Angel's, the need in them more than clear to the
vampire. Angel made Lindsey burn, made him want, made him want Angel
inside of him right now, and he really didn't care if Spike was
watching or not. He grinned at Angel, who had raised an eyebrow,
and he softly answered, "Probably both –– but I think the claiming was what really got her going."
Spike grinned at the smell of Lindsey's arousal. He was
oddly....satisfied....to see the young man so enamored with Angel, for some reason he couldn't fathom. He said, "Got her going good, too. She was about to give Gingersnap here a nice little shiner as a goodbye gift, but I stopped her. Told the bint you didn't like your family fucked with. So......see now, you owe me one."
"I don't owe you a damn thing," Angel said. "And why are you
calling Lindsey Gingersnap, for God's sake?"
"Cause he smells all sweet, hot and spicy, Peaches. His voice sounds
like honey and pears, smooth and gritty.....ummmm.....he's yummy all over," Spike taunted Angel.
"You need to work on that food fetish you have, Spike," Angel
grumbled. "You're the only vampire I know who eats food."
"Ho! That's funny coming from someone who ate Lindsey up last
night!," Spike stated. "But Christ......you two are so sweet, you
give me a fangache. It's sexy as hell, though."
Lindsey started laughing, he couldn't help it- the look Angel got on his face was priceless. "Oh my god..." he wheezed. "Spike, you.....you're gonna piss him off again."
"Nah," Spike said. "Why would I do that?"
"To annoy me, why else?," Angel said, glowering at the other
vampire. "Just how close did you get to Lindsey, Spike?"
Spike grinned. "This close," he said, showing Angel his burned
palm. "Can you touch the tattoo, Peaches?"
Angel took Spike's hand, looking at the light burn. "I couldn't at
first, but I can now. I assumed Lindsey had tainted his blood with
mine, but if it burned you....." Angel paused. "Lindsey, do you have
any idea why it still burned Spike?"
"No, not really," Lindsey said. "I'd pretty much assumed the same as
you. And before you accuse Spike of trying to seduce me or
something, he didn't do anything every other vampire I've come into
contact with has. I always get smelled up, it doesn't bother me.
Right off hand, I'd say you were the only one who didn't do it
when we first met. Oh yeah.....and Drusilla didn't either, for some
odd reason."
"Dru? You met Dru?" Spike said, and in the back of his mind, he felt
a little tingle.
"Yeah, a couple of years ago, why?" Lindsey replied.
"I told you that before you left, Spike," Angel said. "Don't you remember?"
The tingle became a dull nagging sensation in Spike's head. "Was
this when Dru re-vamped Darla ?"
Lindsey's face paled a little, but he didn't look away from
Spike. "Yes, it was," he answered.
Spike was silent, his mind racing, trying to recall everything
Drusilla had said when she'd come to Sunnydale. He now knew exactly
who Lindsey was, he was kind of embarrassed he hadn't realized this
when Angel had discussed the young lawyer with him months ago. But
he had this sinking feeling Dru had said something important about Gingersnap back then......and fuck, he couldn't recall what it was. "Dammit!" He muttered.
"What is it, Spike?" Angel said. He hated seeing that look on his grandchilde's face. It didn't bode well, whenever Spike thought
about Dru like that. It meant Spike was remembering something, and
Angel had a feeling he wasn't going to care much for anything coming
from Drusilla's insane mind.
Spike shook his head. "Can't recall what Dru said. Could be
important, though. I'm gonna have to go think about it," he said.
Moving to where Lindsey was, catching him totally off-guard, the
vampire reached out and pulled Lindsey to him, swiftly kissing the
young man. "Welcome to the family, pet. And don't worry about it.
Darla's death wasn't your fault." Then Spike turned and left without
a backward glance at his grandsire.
"Uh! I can't believe he did that!" Lindsey said. "Ewww!"
Angel was the one who laughed this time. He gently pulled Lindsey
into an embrace. "What's the matter, Lin? Spike doesn't turn you on?"
Lindsey looked into Angel's eyes. He grinned. "Hell, no. He's too
crass for my tastes. Besides, you're the only one I want. Thought I
made that clear last night. But, if you're in doubt, I'd be more
than willing to show you again, lover."
Angel leaned down and took Lindsey's lips in a kiss that left no
doubts in the young man's mind about what the vampire wanted. It set
Lindsey on fire, and he didn't try and battle for control, he just
kissed Angel back, softly whimpering. Angel responded by holding him
closer, drawing him in, and Lindsey didn't know why he found
desire in someone stronger than him, he only knew it was.
"Excuse me?" They both turned to see Lorne standing in the doorway.
Chapter 26
Intrigue
"Sorry to break up your little snugglefest, Angel-cakes but you're
needed in the lab, something about a something, something or other."
Lorne stepped in the office and grinned at Lindsey. "Lindsey, look
at you –been living at the gym, Cupcakes? Tell me," nodding to
Angel, "what are you doing with this big lug? Thought you had better
taste."
Lindsey smiled as he looked at his long time friend. Hearing Angel's
low growl of possessiveness, Lindsey slipped his hand into the
vampire's and squeezed. "Careful, Lorne. Angel's kinda cranky today.
I think he got up on the wrong side of the bed."
"Well, if someone hadn't been hogging the bed, then maybe I would
have gotten up in a better mood." Angel said, squeezing Lindsey's
hand in response. Lifting Lindsey's hand to his mouth, Angel kissed
the back of it, then moved in to place a soft kiss on the young
man's lips. "I gotta run, but I'll be back as soon as I can. You can
wait for me either in my office or the penthouse –– it's up to you."
"I'll make sure he gets to one or the other, Sweet cheeks, you just
go and see what Fred needs." Lorne took Lindsey's free hand in his
and winked at Angel.
Angel frowned but didn't say anything, he just gently removed
Lindsey's hand from Lorne's. Now holding both of his lover's hands
in his own, Angel smiled and said, "When I get back, we need to talk
about moving you in, ok?"
Lindsey tensed, "Yeah, we'll talk about that, but you need to go.
I'll be here –– don't worry."
Angel felt Lindsey's tension and knew that he would have to proceed
carefully. He didn't want to scare Lindsey now that they were
finally together. He was going to make this trip to the lab as short
as possible. Giving Lindsey a short, yet very possessive kiss, Angel
turned and headed to the lab.
Lindsey turned to Lorne and smiled. "So Lorne, how have you been
doin'?"
Lorne turned Lindsey toward the door with a big grin, "Funny you
should ask, Sweetpea. Let's take a walk and I'll fill you in."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eve walked into Gunn's office and looked around. Finding herself
alone she decided to take a look around, maybe find out what their
Mr. Gunn was up to these days. She walked straight to the desk and
thumbed through the files on the corner. Finding nothing of
interest, she nosed around a few drawers until a red file in the
trash can caught her eye. Pulling it out, she walked over to a
chair located in front of the desk and sat down. To anybody passing
by - or even Charles himself - she looked like someone waiting
patiently for the young lawyer to return.
Smiling she looked down at the file. Lindsey McDonald "Well,
well…" Talking to the file, "Tell me - did you fall into the trash
by accident or did someone put you there, like say - Charles?"
Since no answer would be forthcoming, Eve opened the file and let
the excitement surge through her when she noticed Charles's notes
were still inside the file.
Look into perpetuity contract. Can it be broken? Lindsey
bound to Angel for life.
So this is what you're looking for, Angel? A way to keep your
precious Lindsey safe? Eve felt that feeling of excitement turn to
seething anger. She was still furious about what had happened in
the penthouse. Lindsey's rejection of her still smarted, but the real
kicker was what Lindsey had said took place last night between him
and Angel.
She had wanted to be the one to seduce Lindsey. She needed him
to side with her. She was tired of being the Senior Partner's Girl
Friday and she damn sure didn't want anything to do with that
hypocritical vampire. Nope, she wanted more and Lindsey was going to be her means of getting it. But now......
Just recalling the look of happy contentment on Lindsey's face
tinged with amusement –– which she was sure was at her expense ––
made the anger turn into hatred. And that hatred gave her clarity.
Taking a few calming breaths, Eve closed the file, slid it around to
her back and tucked it in the waistband of her skirt –– covering it
with her blouse. And waited...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lindsey walked into Angel's office fully expecting to be on his own
for a while. He was a little upset that Angel hadn't asked if he
wanted to come along to the lab, but he also knew that he was going
to have to start over with the rest of Angel's team. However, there
was one member of the gang that seemed to be okay with his and
Angel's relationship and he was standing at the window staring
outside, letting the late afternoon sun wash over his pale features.
"Kinda weird seeing you in the sunlight. Does Angel enjoy it like
you do?" Lindsey asked, walking over to stand beside Spike.
"More, I think. Makes him feel more normal." Spike turned, walked over to the desk and sat on the corner. "Where is the big pouf
anyways? I can't imagine him leaving you alone for anything."
"He was needed in the lab and why wouldn't he leave me alone for a
little while? We're lovers, it's not like we're married." Lindsey
said.
"Is that what you think, Lindsey? That you can play this little love
game you got goin' and then walk away? Do you even know what you've
gotten yourself into here?" Spike gave a small laugh and shook his
head, "Tell me, Pet, did you like it when Angel swallowed you whole?
Did you get off on the rush?" Spike asked, a faint smile dancing
around his mouth.
Lindsey looked over at the vampire and upon seeing the expression on
Spike's face –knew that Spike knew what Angel had done to him.
Feeling jealous rage start to move through him, Lindsey said, "You
know I did. Didn't you, Spike? Didn't you like it when he did it to you?"
Spike grinned. "Gingersnap, I could have all kinds of fun with you.
Look at you. You who –– not too long ago, wanted Angel dead- now is upset and jealous because others have shared his bed, and a fine bed it is, but as for-"
"You know what, Spike? I don't want to know. Forget I asked."
Lindsey said interrupting, not even wanting to go there. He didn't
ever want to try to explain the whole I was pissed cause Darla
slept with Angel, but I was even MORE pissed because Angel slept
with her, cause it was just too freaky to understand.
"As I was saying –– BUT as for a true claiming –– no. Angelus
never claimed me –– or anyone else for that matter. Trust me when I
say, NO ONE- and I mean NO ONE has gotten under Peaches' skin
like you have," Spike said, wondering at the fleeting expression
that crossed Lindsey's face.
Lindsey thought about that, then he said, "You mean Angel. Angel's
never claimed anybody else."
"What?" Spike said.
"You said Angelus," Lindsey replied.
Spike shrugged. "Angelus, Angel, Peaches –– all one and the same ––
although I doubt I'd call Angelus Peaches to his face."
"So you don't believe that Angelus is a separate personality. That he and Angel are the same?" Lindsey said. "I thought I was the only one who believed that."
Spike looked at Lindsey in complete amazement."What are you -
DAFT? Angel doesn't suffer from Multiple Personality Disorder,
Lindsey, - well, maybe he does - but not in the way you're talking
about. Angelus is very real." Spike paused and watched as Lindsey
paced the room. "Are you saying that you don't believe in
Angelus?" Spike finally asked.
"I believe that Angel has a dark side ––yes. I've seen it, up close
and personal. And I'm not afraid of him, Spike. I never fucking
was," Lindsey said. "Don't you realize that he was in game face
almost the entire time we were together last night? I didn't freak
out, I didn't shy away from him, and I damn sure wasn't scared! But
to think that he has an entirely different person inside him – I don't buy it. And I damn sure don't believe in that fucking gypsy
curse!"
"Not person, love, demon. Angel is first and foremost a demon. Never
forget that. Angel just happens to be the more human one, due to the soul. Remove that and you'll have one very mean son-of-a-bitch
licking at your neck. And the first thing that Angelus will do is kill everyone who is/was dear to Angel, beginning with……you. Holy shit! That's why he did it. That's why Angel claimed you……so Angelus couldn't touch you. I'll have to give him points for that
one." Spike said, hopping off the desk.
Lindsey just stared and the vampire. "What are you saying? That
Angel claimed me to keep me safe?"
"I'm not saying anything, pet. I'm just telling you what it looks
like to me, is all." Spike replied.
"Bullshit! Angel and I claimed each other because we love each
other." Lindsey was damn near yelling now.
Spike walked over and shut the door before they attracted any
unwanted eavesdroppers. "Look, Lins. I don't doubt that Angel cares
about you –a lot even. And you're right – he does love you, as much
as he can, but he didn't have to bind you to him like that." Spike
walked over and stood in front of Lindsey. "Do you really understand
what he did, Lindsey? You're right when you say you're not married –
married people can divorce and walk away if things go south. You and
Angel are-"
"Mated," Lindsey interrupted. "Yeah, I know, Spike. I know
everything about it. It was what I wanted. Angel wanted to claim me,
but I needed more. I knew what I was getting into. I don't want to
be apart from him –– ever." Lindsey stated vehemently.
"Look, mate. I'm glad you promised Angel forever. He deserves it. I
just wanted to know that you knew the deal. But this denial you
have for Angelus…be careful with it. If Angelus dies because someone
was protecting you - then Angel dies, too." Spike rubbed his
fingers lightly over the mark on Lindsey's neck, "And where will
that leave you, pet?"
"Take your fucking hand off him, Spike," Angel growled, standing in
the doorway. "What part of that mark do you not get? The part that
he's mine or THE PART WHERE HE'S MINE!"
Lindsey and Spike had turned at the sound of Angel's voice. The
young man had known Angel was quite possessive of him, but was
surprised when Angel vamped out at the end of that short tirade,
which sounded about as confusing as his Angel/Darla issues. That
last sentence didn't add up, it sounded off somehow.
Spike was even more shocked than Lindsey. Because the being who
was stalking toward him in a towering rage, who yanked his head to
the side, and buried his fangs in his neck was not Peaches. This was
one hundred percent Angelus.
"Hey!" Lindsey growled, reaching out and pulling his lover off
Spike. "Leave Spike the fuck alone!" He moved to stand between the two vampires. "He didn't do anything!"
"Yes, he did," the vampire growled. "He touched you. No one is
allowed to touch you but me, Lindsey. No one!"
"Oh, so it's wrong for Spike to touch me, but it's okay for you to bury your face in his neck?" Lindsey snarled. "I don't fucking think so! If you wanna suck neck, you suck mine. Are we clear on that?"
"Lin, you don't understand-"
"Oh, I understand just fucking fine," Lindsey raged. "You think
because you're his grandsire, you can do what the hell you want to
Spike. Well, I didn't like seeing that. I don't want you doing it
again, Angel. You're mine, MINE, and I'm not sharing you with
anyone, even if it's only through a blood link."
The vampire looked down into the face of his lover. He'd seen
Lindsey pissed off about Darla, but damn. He hadn't realized the young man was this possessive over him. He liked it. He began making a soft purring noise, reaching out to touch the bite himself. Lindsey sucked in his breath. The vampire rubbed it with a bit more pressure. Lindsey whimpered, and the heady smell of his arousal scented the air like perfume. Omitting a soft growl, Angelus morphed back into human features, bending down to lick at Lindsey's lips.
Spike was now more shocked than he'd ever been in his life. He
couldn't believe what he'd just witnessed. No fucking wonder
Lindsey didn't believe in Angelus. He'd undoubtedly been dealing
with the bastard unknowingly on and off, all this time. And Spike
now had to wonder if Lin was even a threat to Angel's soul. He'd
just seen the boy take the great Angelus down. Bloody hell, he'd
done it with a whimper, for pity's sake. Spike grinned. That's
the coolest damn thing I've ever seen!
~TBC~
Jealousies
Charles Gunn sat behind his desk and looked at the file open before him without actually looking at it. He was replaying bits and pieces of the meeting in Wesley's office not even an hour ago, wondering what Lindsey's return meant for him. Two days ago, he would have been happy to return to his old self and lose some of this added responsibility, but now, he wasn't so sure. He kinda liked being the smart one for a change. Fred and Wesley were demon smart and that was fine, but here at Wolfram & Hart, Charles Gunn was in the know and he wanted to keep it that way.
"Charles?"
Gunn jumped and looked to where Fred was standing, just inside the door. Smiling, he waved her in. "Hey Fred, what's up?"
"I was going to ask you that.You were looking at that file like you'd rather be shredding it than reading it," Fred said.
"Actually, not a bad idea." Gunn looked at her, grimacing. "But wouldn't do any good. Besides, it's Lindsey McDonald's file. Angel asked me to look into his……damn, what do we call Lindsey now? Boyfriend?"
"How about Lindsey? That is his name, right?" Fred said, a little put off by Gunn's attitude
"Well, whatever Lindsey is, Angel asked me to look into his file and see what we can do about the contract that Lindsey signed as he as moving up the ladder here," Gunn said sarcastically.
"You don't like Lindsey much, do you?" Fred said, overwhelmingly curious why she had never heard this man mentioned before, if everyone else had known Angel had been....infatuated with him.
"Fred, you weren't here when the Lindsey game was in play. What that man did to Angel was evil and unforgivable, and Angel was right to see him out of town," Gunn replied.
"That may be, Charles, but obviously Lindsey's changed, otherwise Angel wouldn't have made such a finite move. I mean, they are bound to each other forever," Fred said.
"That's what I don't understand! Why? Why did Angel make such a permanent move? Wasn't everyone happy with the way things were," Gunn asked.
"Evidently not. Besides, according to Angel, you all expected a reunion of sorts between him and Lindsey, anyways.
So.....why should any of this be surprising?" Fred said.
"We expected Angel to follow up on Lindsey," Gunn hastily explained. "You know, make sure that Wolfram & Hart left him alone, that he was okay. A phone call would've worked. I don't think any of us expected this! He's practically married to the guy! How did that happen? They were sworn enemies!"
"He loves Lindsey," Fred softly said.
"How would you know, Fred? You've never seen them together!," Gunn said.
"Angel wouldn't have made such a huge move, if there weren't intense feelings involved, Charles. And the way Angel talks about Lindsey......there's definitely intense feelings involved."
"Yeah-horniness. Angel wanted to get laid. That I can almost hang with, but this whole claiming thing......that bothers me," Gunn replied.
"Bothers you, huh? You sound like you're jealous, Charles," Fred said.
"Jealous? Hell, no! But in no way am I gonna let some redneck lawyer come in here, and start changing things!" Gunn stated.
"Okay - so not jealous, but definitely threatened. Look, Charles, that redneck lawyer probably knows more about this place than you, me, Wes, and Angel do - combined. Not to mentioned that he's the
only one we know of who managed to escape from here alive." She smiled reassuringly to Gunn. "But if you're worried about your job - don't. Angel said that Lindsey came back here for him, not the firm. And even if Lindsey does decide to work here - there's always room
for another lawyer for the good guys - right?"
"I guess, but can I just say for the record…I don't trust him or his reason for being here," Charles stated.
"You're entitled, I guess. But keep in mind - Angel claimed
Lindsey - he can't send him away again. We're all going to have to get used to Lindsey being around for a LONG time. I suggest we make the most of it." Fred gave Gunn a long look and turned and walked out the door.
Gunn watched the young woman's retreating figure until she was out of sight, then turned back to Lindsey's file. Nope. No way am I gonna make the most of this. And NO WAY am I gonna just sit here while Lindsey McDonald makes himself comfortable on my turf. Picking up the file in front of him, Gunn gave it a cursory glance, then threw it in the trash. Sorry, Angel. I couldn't find a loophole in Lindsey's perpetuity contract. Seems that if the Senior
Partners want to kill him then....they can.....and hopefully will.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wesley looked at his friend, tired of discussing Eve, the Senior Partners, everything Angel had thrown up for a topic, as if he were desperate to avoid the questions the former Watcher needed the answers to. Unfortunately for the vampire, Wesley had no intention of backing off until he knew Angel's true emotions for Lindsey.
"Angel, please! I'm heartily sick of you beating around the bush," Wesley said, exasperation creeping into his voice. "I know you believe I'm prying where I have no business, but.....if you were me, what would you do?"
Momentary resentment for Wesley welled up within Angel, but he
pushed it away. He doesn't remember Conner. All he knows is I was once close to becoming Angelus, and Lindsey was part of the reason why. Angel sighed for effect. Fuck it......either he'll understand or he won't. I need him to understand......I think he can....no, I hope he can.
"Wesley, I've known you longer than anyone else here. You've seen me at my worst, you've seen me at my best, you've fought by my side. You're one of my closest....if not the closest....friend I've got. God knows, we've been at cross-purposes before, and damn it, I don't want to do that again. I want you to understand, really I
do, but I'm not going to beg you to understand. Either you do or you don't, but no matter what, I want you to know......there's not one damn thing you can do to change my mind. This has gone way past that point now," Angel said.
"I'm aware of that, Angel," Wesley said. "Don't you think I've seen how lonely you are? Don't you know I've wished a million times you could have someone? Do you think I'm that insensitive?"
"No, I don't," Angel said. "Alright, Wes. The truth is I'm in love with Lindsey. I have been for a long time. I know you.....wonder how that could be, because all you know is the anger and resentment I displayed towards him."
Wesley thought about that. "No, I knew you
felt something for Lindsey other than that, Angel. You've always said his name with a softness that I've only heard you use for one other person. And deep down, I always suspected most of the anger was a mask you showed to cover up the hurt you felt every time Lindsey did something wrong."
"Yes, that's true," Angel said. "But now....I've got him back.
Lindsey's here....he came back....he came back for me. Do you have any idea what that means to me, Wesley? I can't lose him again. I can't. I let him walk away twice, and I can't do it again, not after everything I've been through."
Wesley thought how best to word his next question. It wasn't a
question of Angel's sexuality, because as a former Watcher, he was well aware of the proclivities of vampires. No, he was so concerned because it was Lindsey McDonald Angel had chosen, and while Wesley could see the physical attraction in the man, he couldn't understand the depth of emotional attachment to a man who was so morally ambiguous.
There was something he was missing in all of this, and it was why he thought Lilah's gesture in trying to save her ex-colleague was behind it. They had both been the recipients of dreams, as per the curse, spell or whatever it was. But even with that, it shouldn't have been the reason Lindsey had reached out to Angel, not after having been apart for so long. Both men were too strong for that. No, there was something else going on, something else that had
prompted that phone call......something that made them both feel incomplete without the other. Whatever it was, Lilah's casting wasn't part of it, because the casting had only cloaked the former lawyer from the Beast's attention.
Now Angel had bound himself for eternity with a man who was very mortal, who had willingly returned the gesture. Wesley had read several accounts of vampire claiming, enough to know how truly rare such a happening was. Did either Angel or Lindsey know what they had done to themselves? Did they know that the death of one of them would leave the other so devastated, only death would ease the pain? Why would Angel or Lindsey have done that? Had they done it only
to thwart the Senior Partners, who clearly didn't want Lindsey here?
Before Wesley could ask any of his questions, however, they were answered for him. Angel's face got an expression on it Wesley had never seen there before. He shut his eyes and whispered, "Lindsey." And the emotion in his face deepened. He looked.....he looked at peace. Seconds later, when Lindsey walked in, with Spike in tow, Angel opened his eyes. Their eyes met, and it took Wesley's breath away. The emotions they felt sang in the air. It was a physical presence, intelligible to anyone near them. It was
the most stunning thing Wesley had ever seen.
The former Watcher caught Angel's gaze, nodded once, and he left the room a man with a mission. He had to try and find a way to prevent Angelus from emerging, or from inflicting damage to Lindsey if he did. Wesley knew he didn't have much time to work with, either.
Chapter 25
Family
Stepping aside to let Wesley by, Lindsey stood just inside the door
of the ex-Watcher's office and let his eyes slowly wander up the
vampire's body, until he caught Angel's amused look. "Liking what
you see, Lins?" Angel asked, his voice a little rougher than he
expected.
"You know I do," Lindsey said, his voice husky, as he walked over,
leaned down, and placed a soft kiss on the vampire's lips. "Hey.
Missed you. I needed someone to scrub my back."
Growling softly, Angel pulled Lindsey back for a more thorough
kiss. "Oh yeah? Promise me another shower like that one, and I'll
definitely stay and scrub your back."
Lindsey slid his hands up Angel's silk covered chest, letting his
fingers graze gently over the vampire's nipples. Hearing Angel's
growl getting a little louder, Lindsey smiled and nipped gently on
Angel's bottom lip. "That's an easy promise to make."
"You two need a room? Or maybe you'd like to just have at it on that
big table there." Spike stood by the door and motioned to the
conference table behind the lovers. "Either way –– can I watch?"
"Spike," Angel said, glancing at the blond menace. "I thought you
were gone."
"Hell, Angel, I was gone for about 3 months. What? You didn't miss
me?" Spike said, feigning hurt feelings. "I'm crushed!"
"Not really, no." Angel said. "Didn't find what you were looking for?"
Spike snorted. "Found it, alright. Don't care to talk about it,
either."
"So you came back here for what? To hear me say I told you so?"
Angel asked, amused at Spike's refusal to admit Angel had been right
about Buffy.
Spike looked over to Angel expecting to hear just those words and
was surprised at what he saw. Yes, the I told you so look was
there but it was the compassion in the vampire's eyes that shocked
Spike the most. It was also what hurt the most. And that just irritated the hell out of him, so he decided to irritate back.
"I was driving around, and I got to wondering if your boy toy came
to town," Spike replied, unwilling to say his grandsire had been
right, or that he'd felt without purpose and that he'd come back
because he'd felt the need to help Angel.
"Boy toy, my ass," Lindsey said, chuckling, then standing up, he leaned against the desk, crossing his arms. "Do I look like a toy to you?"
"You really want me to answer that, Gingersnap?" Spike said. Lindsey
thought about it, then shook his head no, and Spike smiled. "I
couldn't get a picture in my head of you with a guy, Peaches.....so
I came back. Bloody hell, mate...how the hell do you always pick the
nummiest ones? Holy shit, Angel.....he's hot. Damn hot."
Angel growled. Lindsey grinned. "Thank you," he said.
"Gingersnap looks even better without those clothes on," Spike said,
really teasing the other vampire now.
Angel moved so fast, it startled both men. He was out of the chair,
had Spike pinned to the wall before they could even blink. "What did
you say?" Angel snarled.
Spike laughed. "He has a really gorgeous ass, Peaches."
Angel pulled Spike forward a little, then slammed him back again.
Spike laughed again, but before Angel could do anything else, he
felt Lindsey's hand on his arm. "Nothing happened, Angel," Lindsey
softly said. "Spike was just there when I got dressed, that's all.
Let him go."
"Yeah, let me go," Spike cockily said. "Besides, I wasn't the only
one there with him. Seems little Miss Evie has a thing for your
boyfriend, too."
Angel scowled, but he released the other vampire. "Eve was there? In
the penthouse? Why?"
Spike said, "Besides wanting to boff your boy here, not really sure,
but I daresay she begs watching."
Lindsey rolled his eyes at Spike's remark and said, "She wanted to
cause trouble. It's her forte in life, or at least in mine, anyway.
But Spike's right –– she needs watching. She was pissed off when she found out about last night." Lindsey found himself
subconsciously rubbing the mark in his neck.
Angel, watching Lindsey's hand, reached out and gently traced his
fingers over the mark he left on the young man's neck. "She upset
about this? Or the fact that we had sex?," he softly said.
Lindsey softly moaned and shivered at the feel of Angel touching the
bite. His eyes met Angel's, the need in them more than clear to the
vampire. Angel made Lindsey burn, made him want, made him want Angel
inside of him right now, and he really didn't care if Spike was
watching or not. He grinned at Angel, who had raised an eyebrow,
and he softly answered, "Probably both –– but I think the claiming was what really got her going."
Spike grinned at the smell of Lindsey's arousal. He was
oddly....satisfied....to see the young man so enamored with Angel, for some reason he couldn't fathom. He said, "Got her going good, too. She was about to give Gingersnap here a nice little shiner as a goodbye gift, but I stopped her. Told the bint you didn't like your family fucked with. So......see now, you owe me one."
"I don't owe you a damn thing," Angel said. "And why are you
calling Lindsey Gingersnap, for God's sake?"
"Cause he smells all sweet, hot and spicy, Peaches. His voice sounds
like honey and pears, smooth and gritty.....ummmm.....he's yummy all over," Spike taunted Angel.
"You need to work on that food fetish you have, Spike," Angel
grumbled. "You're the only vampire I know who eats food."
"Ho! That's funny coming from someone who ate Lindsey up last
night!," Spike stated. "But Christ......you two are so sweet, you
give me a fangache. It's sexy as hell, though."
Lindsey started laughing, he couldn't help it- the look Angel got on his face was priceless. "Oh my god..." he wheezed. "Spike, you.....you're gonna piss him off again."
"Nah," Spike said. "Why would I do that?"
"To annoy me, why else?," Angel said, glowering at the other
vampire. "Just how close did you get to Lindsey, Spike?"
Spike grinned. "This close," he said, showing Angel his burned
palm. "Can you touch the tattoo, Peaches?"
Angel took Spike's hand, looking at the light burn. "I couldn't at
first, but I can now. I assumed Lindsey had tainted his blood with
mine, but if it burned you....." Angel paused. "Lindsey, do you have
any idea why it still burned Spike?"
"No, not really," Lindsey said. "I'd pretty much assumed the same as
you. And before you accuse Spike of trying to seduce me or
something, he didn't do anything every other vampire I've come into
contact with has. I always get smelled up, it doesn't bother me.
Right off hand, I'd say you were the only one who didn't do it
when we first met. Oh yeah.....and Drusilla didn't either, for some
odd reason."
"Dru? You met Dru?" Spike said, and in the back of his mind, he felt
a little tingle.
"Yeah, a couple of years ago, why?" Lindsey replied.
"I told you that before you left, Spike," Angel said. "Don't you remember?"
The tingle became a dull nagging sensation in Spike's head. "Was
this when Dru re-vamped Darla ?"
Lindsey's face paled a little, but he didn't look away from
Spike. "Yes, it was," he answered.
Spike was silent, his mind racing, trying to recall everything
Drusilla had said when she'd come to Sunnydale. He now knew exactly
who Lindsey was, he was kind of embarrassed he hadn't realized this
when Angel had discussed the young lawyer with him months ago. But
he had this sinking feeling Dru had said something important about Gingersnap back then......and fuck, he couldn't recall what it was. "Dammit!" He muttered.
"What is it, Spike?" Angel said. He hated seeing that look on his grandchilde's face. It didn't bode well, whenever Spike thought
about Dru like that. It meant Spike was remembering something, and
Angel had a feeling he wasn't going to care much for anything coming
from Drusilla's insane mind.
Spike shook his head. "Can't recall what Dru said. Could be
important, though. I'm gonna have to go think about it," he said.
Moving to where Lindsey was, catching him totally off-guard, the
vampire reached out and pulled Lindsey to him, swiftly kissing the
young man. "Welcome to the family, pet. And don't worry about it.
Darla's death wasn't your fault." Then Spike turned and left without
a backward glance at his grandsire.
"Uh! I can't believe he did that!" Lindsey said. "Ewww!"
Angel was the one who laughed this time. He gently pulled Lindsey
into an embrace. "What's the matter, Lin? Spike doesn't turn you on?"
Lindsey looked into Angel's eyes. He grinned. "Hell, no. He's too
crass for my tastes. Besides, you're the only one I want. Thought I
made that clear last night. But, if you're in doubt, I'd be more
than willing to show you again, lover."
Angel leaned down and took Lindsey's lips in a kiss that left no
doubts in the young man's mind about what the vampire wanted. It set
Lindsey on fire, and he didn't try and battle for control, he just
kissed Angel back, softly whimpering. Angel responded by holding him
closer, drawing him in, and Lindsey didn't know why he found
desire in someone stronger than him, he only knew it was.
"Excuse me?" They both turned to see Lorne standing in the doorway.
Chapter 26
Intrigue
"Sorry to break up your little snugglefest, Angel-cakes but you're
needed in the lab, something about a something, something or other."
Lorne stepped in the office and grinned at Lindsey. "Lindsey, look
at you –been living at the gym, Cupcakes? Tell me," nodding to
Angel, "what are you doing with this big lug? Thought you had better
taste."
Lindsey smiled as he looked at his long time friend. Hearing Angel's
low growl of possessiveness, Lindsey slipped his hand into the
vampire's and squeezed. "Careful, Lorne. Angel's kinda cranky today.
I think he got up on the wrong side of the bed."
"Well, if someone hadn't been hogging the bed, then maybe I would
have gotten up in a better mood." Angel said, squeezing Lindsey's
hand in response. Lifting Lindsey's hand to his mouth, Angel kissed
the back of it, then moved in to place a soft kiss on the young
man's lips. "I gotta run, but I'll be back as soon as I can. You can
wait for me either in my office or the penthouse –– it's up to you."
"I'll make sure he gets to one or the other, Sweet cheeks, you just
go and see what Fred needs." Lorne took Lindsey's free hand in his
and winked at Angel.
Angel frowned but didn't say anything, he just gently removed
Lindsey's hand from Lorne's. Now holding both of his lover's hands
in his own, Angel smiled and said, "When I get back, we need to talk
about moving you in, ok?"
Lindsey tensed, "Yeah, we'll talk about that, but you need to go.
I'll be here –– don't worry."
Angel felt Lindsey's tension and knew that he would have to proceed
carefully. He didn't want to scare Lindsey now that they were
finally together. He was going to make this trip to the lab as short
as possible. Giving Lindsey a short, yet very possessive kiss, Angel
turned and headed to the lab.
Lindsey turned to Lorne and smiled. "So Lorne, how have you been
doin'?"
Lorne turned Lindsey toward the door with a big grin, "Funny you
should ask, Sweetpea. Let's take a walk and I'll fill you in."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eve walked into Gunn's office and looked around. Finding herself
alone she decided to take a look around, maybe find out what their
Mr. Gunn was up to these days. She walked straight to the desk and
thumbed through the files on the corner. Finding nothing of
interest, she nosed around a few drawers until a red file in the
trash can caught her eye. Pulling it out, she walked over to a
chair located in front of the desk and sat down. To anybody passing
by - or even Charles himself - she looked like someone waiting
patiently for the young lawyer to return.
Smiling she looked down at the file. Lindsey McDonald "Well,
well…" Talking to the file, "Tell me - did you fall into the trash
by accident or did someone put you there, like say - Charles?"
Since no answer would be forthcoming, Eve opened the file and let
the excitement surge through her when she noticed Charles's notes
were still inside the file.
Look into perpetuity contract. Can it be broken? Lindsey
bound to Angel for life.
So this is what you're looking for, Angel? A way to keep your
precious Lindsey safe? Eve felt that feeling of excitement turn to
seething anger. She was still furious about what had happened in
the penthouse. Lindsey's rejection of her still smarted, but the real
kicker was what Lindsey had said took place last night between him
and Angel.
She had wanted to be the one to seduce Lindsey. She needed him
to side with her. She was tired of being the Senior Partner's Girl
Friday and she damn sure didn't want anything to do with that
hypocritical vampire. Nope, she wanted more and Lindsey was going to be her means of getting it. But now......
Just recalling the look of happy contentment on Lindsey's face
tinged with amusement –– which she was sure was at her expense ––
made the anger turn into hatred. And that hatred gave her clarity.
Taking a few calming breaths, Eve closed the file, slid it around to
her back and tucked it in the waistband of her skirt –– covering it
with her blouse. And waited...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lindsey walked into Angel's office fully expecting to be on his own
for a while. He was a little upset that Angel hadn't asked if he
wanted to come along to the lab, but he also knew that he was going
to have to start over with the rest of Angel's team. However, there
was one member of the gang that seemed to be okay with his and
Angel's relationship and he was standing at the window staring
outside, letting the late afternoon sun wash over his pale features.
"Kinda weird seeing you in the sunlight. Does Angel enjoy it like
you do?" Lindsey asked, walking over to stand beside Spike.
"More, I think. Makes him feel more normal." Spike turned, walked over to the desk and sat on the corner. "Where is the big pouf
anyways? I can't imagine him leaving you alone for anything."
"He was needed in the lab and why wouldn't he leave me alone for a
little while? We're lovers, it's not like we're married." Lindsey
said.
"Is that what you think, Lindsey? That you can play this little love
game you got goin' and then walk away? Do you even know what you've
gotten yourself into here?" Spike gave a small laugh and shook his
head, "Tell me, Pet, did you like it when Angel swallowed you whole?
Did you get off on the rush?" Spike asked, a faint smile dancing
around his mouth.
Lindsey looked over at the vampire and upon seeing the expression on
Spike's face –knew that Spike knew what Angel had done to him.
Feeling jealous rage start to move through him, Lindsey said, "You
know I did. Didn't you, Spike? Didn't you like it when he did it to you?"
Spike grinned. "Gingersnap, I could have all kinds of fun with you.
Look at you. You who –– not too long ago, wanted Angel dead- now is upset and jealous because others have shared his bed, and a fine bed it is, but as for-"
"You know what, Spike? I don't want to know. Forget I asked."
Lindsey said interrupting, not even wanting to go there. He didn't
ever want to try to explain the whole I was pissed cause Darla
slept with Angel, but I was even MORE pissed because Angel slept
with her, cause it was just too freaky to understand.
"As I was saying –– BUT as for a true claiming –– no. Angelus
never claimed me –– or anyone else for that matter. Trust me when I
say, NO ONE- and I mean NO ONE has gotten under Peaches' skin
like you have," Spike said, wondering at the fleeting expression
that crossed Lindsey's face.
Lindsey thought about that, then he said, "You mean Angel. Angel's
never claimed anybody else."
"What?" Spike said.
"You said Angelus," Lindsey replied.
Spike shrugged. "Angelus, Angel, Peaches –– all one and the same ––
although I doubt I'd call Angelus Peaches to his face."
"So you don't believe that Angelus is a separate personality. That he and Angel are the same?" Lindsey said. "I thought I was the only one who believed that."
Spike looked at Lindsey in complete amazement."What are you -
DAFT? Angel doesn't suffer from Multiple Personality Disorder,
Lindsey, - well, maybe he does - but not in the way you're talking
about. Angelus is very real." Spike paused and watched as Lindsey
paced the room. "Are you saying that you don't believe in
Angelus?" Spike finally asked.
"I believe that Angel has a dark side ––yes. I've seen it, up close
and personal. And I'm not afraid of him, Spike. I never fucking
was," Lindsey said. "Don't you realize that he was in game face
almost the entire time we were together last night? I didn't freak
out, I didn't shy away from him, and I damn sure wasn't scared! But
to think that he has an entirely different person inside him – I don't buy it. And I damn sure don't believe in that fucking gypsy
curse!"
"Not person, love, demon. Angel is first and foremost a demon. Never
forget that. Angel just happens to be the more human one, due to the soul. Remove that and you'll have one very mean son-of-a-bitch
licking at your neck. And the first thing that Angelus will do is kill everyone who is/was dear to Angel, beginning with……you. Holy shit! That's why he did it. That's why Angel claimed you……so Angelus couldn't touch you. I'll have to give him points for that
one." Spike said, hopping off the desk.
Lindsey just stared and the vampire. "What are you saying? That
Angel claimed me to keep me safe?"
"I'm not saying anything, pet. I'm just telling you what it looks
like to me, is all." Spike replied.
"Bullshit! Angel and I claimed each other because we love each
other." Lindsey was damn near yelling now.
Spike walked over and shut the door before they attracted any
unwanted eavesdroppers. "Look, Lins. I don't doubt that Angel cares
about you –a lot even. And you're right – he does love you, as much
as he can, but he didn't have to bind you to him like that." Spike
walked over and stood in front of Lindsey. "Do you really understand
what he did, Lindsey? You're right when you say you're not married –
married people can divorce and walk away if things go south. You and
Angel are-"
"Mated," Lindsey interrupted. "Yeah, I know, Spike. I know
everything about it. It was what I wanted. Angel wanted to claim me,
but I needed more. I knew what I was getting into. I don't want to
be apart from him –– ever." Lindsey stated vehemently.
"Look, mate. I'm glad you promised Angel forever. He deserves it. I
just wanted to know that you knew the deal. But this denial you
have for Angelus…be careful with it. If Angelus dies because someone
was protecting you - then Angel dies, too." Spike rubbed his
fingers lightly over the mark on Lindsey's neck, "And where will
that leave you, pet?"
"Take your fucking hand off him, Spike," Angel growled, standing in
the doorway. "What part of that mark do you not get? The part that
he's mine or THE PART WHERE HE'S MINE!"
Lindsey and Spike had turned at the sound of Angel's voice. The
young man had known Angel was quite possessive of him, but was
surprised when Angel vamped out at the end of that short tirade,
which sounded about as confusing as his Angel/Darla issues. That
last sentence didn't add up, it sounded off somehow.
Spike was even more shocked than Lindsey. Because the being who
was stalking toward him in a towering rage, who yanked his head to
the side, and buried his fangs in his neck was not Peaches. This was
one hundred percent Angelus.
"Hey!" Lindsey growled, reaching out and pulling his lover off
Spike. "Leave Spike the fuck alone!" He moved to stand between the two vampires. "He didn't do anything!"
"Yes, he did," the vampire growled. "He touched you. No one is
allowed to touch you but me, Lindsey. No one!"
"Oh, so it's wrong for Spike to touch me, but it's okay for you to bury your face in his neck?" Lindsey snarled. "I don't fucking think so! If you wanna suck neck, you suck mine. Are we clear on that?"
"Lin, you don't understand-"
"Oh, I understand just fucking fine," Lindsey raged. "You think
because you're his grandsire, you can do what the hell you want to
Spike. Well, I didn't like seeing that. I don't want you doing it
again, Angel. You're mine, MINE, and I'm not sharing you with
anyone, even if it's only through a blood link."
The vampire looked down into the face of his lover. He'd seen
Lindsey pissed off about Darla, but damn. He hadn't realized the young man was this possessive over him. He liked it. He began making a soft purring noise, reaching out to touch the bite himself. Lindsey sucked in his breath. The vampire rubbed it with a bit more pressure. Lindsey whimpered, and the heady smell of his arousal scented the air like perfume. Omitting a soft growl, Angelus morphed back into human features, bending down to lick at Lindsey's lips.
Spike was now more shocked than he'd ever been in his life. He
couldn't believe what he'd just witnessed. No fucking wonder
Lindsey didn't believe in Angelus. He'd undoubtedly been dealing
with the bastard unknowingly on and off, all this time. And Spike
now had to wonder if Lin was even a threat to Angel's soul. He'd
just seen the boy take the great Angelus down. Bloody hell, he'd
done it with a whimper, for pity's sake. Spike grinned. That's
the coolest damn thing I've ever seen!
~TBC~
