Chapter Fourteen

Kick Off

She couldn’t sleep. She tried. She would lie down, close her eyes, and then Parker’s mocking face would float across her mind. Her eyes would pop open and her heart would be pounding out of her chest. She’d curse herself for even thinking about him and then she would try it again, only to have the same thing happen. After about two hours of that crap she decided to take a hot bath.

She settled in the tub, leaned her head back against the cool porcelain, and closed her eyes. A small smile played across her lips. This was heaven. The hot water seeped into her tired and weary body, and relaxed her taut muscles and her mind. Now when she closed her eyes she saw nothing and that made her smile.

But that didn’t last long either. She couldn’t help but wonder about Kate and what kind of history she and Angel actually had. She knew that it was an intimate one, but there were many different levels of intimacy. So the question was which one did they share?

Personally, she liked to separate them into tiers, three to be precise.

Tier One was a one night stand; one night of hot sex with a complete stranger, someone that you would never see again. She’d had a lot of those since living in LA. They were empty and meant nothing. No threat there.

Tier Two was the fuck buddy tier; usually a close friend or an acquaintance. It could be someone that you were close with and saw on a daily basis or someone that you were friends with but maybe didn’t hang out with too much. Those usually were not as empty as the One Night Stand Tier. These relations normally were based on a friendship of some sort, two people that didn’t have a significant other but needed to feel closeness with someone. Technically not really a threat either. Because the two people involved normally didn’t hold any expectations of the relationship going any further. It was just something to pass the time with, so to speak.

Now Tier Three was much more complicated. It was the Ex-Tier. Someone that you had a close and intimate relationship with but for whatever reason things didn’t work out and you were no longer an item. This tier usually came with many issues and hang-ups. There was a history of love, passion and pain between the two people. Sometimes it was easy to overlook that history and sometimes it wasn’t.

So the question was which tier did Angel and Kate fit into? She was torn between Tier Two and Tier Three. She didn’t know which one was worse, if there was a worse case scenario. Not that it really mattered to her at this point in time. She was secure in the knowledge that Angel loved her and was true to her. But she also knew from personal experience that sometimes the Ex couldn’t let go. Like her pig of a husband.

She had seen Kate’s predatory gaze on Angel. She thought he was hers and that Buffy was the intruder. Well she would just have to keep an eye on that one. And if need be, tell her that Angel was no longer on the market.

Now that that was clear in her mind she was finally able to relax. She stayed in the tub for about another half hour before she got restless again.

The reason for her restlessness was simple. She was excited about tonight. It had been a long time since she had felt the thrill of doing something she wasn’t supposed to do, and she was really looking forward to it. She almost felt like a kid on Christmas Eve, giddy with excitement to open her presents.

Stepping out of the tub, she dried herself off and got dressed. She pulled on a pair of black yoga pants, a black shirt, and then put her hair up in a twist. All of her clothing was tight and form fitting, meant to give her plenty of freedom to be fluid and agile.

After grabbing her black mask and bag she decided that there was no better time than now to explore the tunnels. So she made her way to the hidden door by the front door of the loft. Opening it she stepped inside and walked down the winding staircase.

**********************

Peaking around the corner of the building he saw Grant just sitting on his bike looking bored and pissed off and with no clue that the occupants of the building had been going in and out the entire time he had been ‘watching’ them.

“Idiot.” Turning away he unlocked the door to the tunnels and walked inside heading down the dark path. Nearing the recon room, he saw a light on and he slowed his pace as he pressed himself against the wall and peaked inside the room.

Buffy stood facing the safe, her arms were crossed over her chest, her head was tilted to the left and her right foot was tapping. He could see the side of her face, she had that ‘should I or shouldn’t I’ expression and it made him chuckle.

She turned around at the warm amused sound, “Angel.” She smiled at him, “you’re early.”

Quietly he dropped the bag that he carried and with his foot pushed it behind him and into the darkened shadows of the tunnel. He walked into the room and over to her, wrapping his arms around her waist he drew her closer into his body, as his hands roamed down her tight clothed body.

He kissed her on the lips. “Now I know I have never seen this outfit before.” He commented as his hands grabbed her perfect round globes and squeezed bringing her further against him.

Buffy chuckled, wrapping her arms around his neck. “You like?”

“Mmmm, I do.” Taking her chin, he brought her mouth to his.

Smiling, she opened for him and kissed him back, letting her tongue wrap around his.

When they pulled apart Angel looked at the safe and then back at her. “Tempting isn’t it. It’s like it calls out to you.”

She nodded, “it is. I’d forgotten how strong that lure can be.”

Smiling he turned her around so her back was against his chest, his hands settled on her belly as he walked them over to the safe. He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “So, how good are you Buffy Summers?”

His hands started to slowly rub her stomach, inching up just below her breasts.

“I wonder, how well can you perform under pressure.” His fingers slowly moved back and forth under her breasts. She felt her nipples tighten from those slow mind-blowing movements and her breath hitched.

“Pressure?” She asked gruffly, her mind almost unable to concentrate on anything but the titillating movements of his very talented fingers.

His hands moved up, skimming her breasts and he rubbed them in a circular motion with his palms, as he blew hot air in her ear right before he spoke again.

“Yeah…pressure…”

He squeezed her breasts and her eyes closed as she groaned

“You know when you’re in someone else’s house, its pitch dark, and the mark is sleeping two feet away from you. You have one minute to…”

His hands reached under her tight shirt, touching heated flesh, “…open the safe, grab your booty...”

His hands wrapped around naked breasts and he held back the moan that erupted in this throat. The realization that she was butt naked under this outfit was like a match to paper. His desire for her was enflamed and the Beast immediately sprung to life, hard and pressing deep into her tight ass.

“…and get out.” He barely got the words.

This was supposed to be a test of sorts for her. He wanted to see how well she handled herself under pressure. But that notion quickly went out the door, the second she pushed back and let lose a moan that was so sexy, so needy that it turned his insides into molten fire and his mouth as dry as the Sahara Desert.

“I can get the job…done.” She said as she languidly rotated against him.

He rolled her hard nipples in between his fingers. “Show me.”

Buffy’s breathing was loud and irregular as her hands reached up to the safe. She was quite proud that her hands were as steady as they were considering that Angel’s hands were causing immense havoc to her senses. But she knew what he was about and she meant to pass this test with flying colors.

Angel watched her as she leaned against the safe, her delicate hands touching the lock, and readying herself to unlock it.

With his eyes on her, his hands roamed lower to the waistband of her pants, they were elastic and he smiled to himself as he slipped a hand down the front. He heard her breath quicken, he heard how it got just a little bit louder and then watched as in response to that she pressed her ear closer against the safe.

Slipping lower he felt only smooth hot skin and no panties. He didn’t even try to stop himself from groaning this time. He pressed himself against her even more and did it loudly in her ear, hitting her with the full force of his hot breath. He felt her shiver against him, and he watched as her hand faltered slightly.

“Concentrate.” He reminded her.

Buffy was concentrating, very hard, on the safe and on his finger that just moved lower and slid across her wet slit. The noise she made as he slipped his finger inside of her was a mix between a moan and a grunt of frustration as she saw her hand begin to shake. Oh he was so going to get his.

“You’re not being fair.” She said, as she took a deep breath and tried with all her might to concentrate on her fingers instead of his.

He slipped another finger inside and started to move them in and out of her wet hot sheath. “Job’s aren’t always cut and dried.”

His fingers were now thoroughly coated in her juices and he added a third finger, increasing his pace, easily gliding them in and out of her heat. “You should know that…considering how…wet you are.” He heatedly whispered in her ear.

Her eyes closed, her hips moved with his fingers, she moaned loudly, just as she heard the click of the safe opening and felt her orgasm rushing through her body.

She leaned her head against the cool metal safe, panting heavily with her release. Angel’s eyes closed on their own accord, as he felt her muscles squeeze his fingers and he felt the warmth of her juices.

Feeling her hand on his wrist he opened his eyes to see her pulling him out of her pants. He watched as he she lifted his fingers up to her lips. They glistened with her juices and his eyes blackened with pure raw hot lust as she slid his finger across her bottom lip.

“You think you’re clever don’t you?” She asked.

At the moment he was feeling anything but clever. His eyes were riveted to her mouth as she wrapped her lips around all three of his fingers and sucked them into the warm recesses of her mouth. So intent on her sensual actions that he didn’t see the promised retribution in her dark green eyes.

She moaned with him as she tasted herself on his fingers. She released his fingers with a soft wet pop and then turned around and placing her hand on his chest she pushed him back until he hit the table.

Angel grabbed the edge of the table to brace himself just as she reached for his pants and unzipped them. Reaching inside she grabbed his hard member and pulled him out, stroking him with long confident movements.

Angel was speechless as he stared into her eyes. He couldn’t think of anything except her hand and the way it wrapped so perfectly around his cock.

“You think I don’t know what you’re up too?” She increased the pressure around his cock as she stilled her hand and squeezed him.

His breath came out as short hot pants but no words followed.

“Well I can play that game to Angel.”

She dropped to her knees. His big beautiful cock twitched eagerly toward her mouth and he watched, anxiously waiting the moment when she would take him inside.

But Buffy just knelt in front of him, her hand was still and she stared at him.

The tension was hot, almost too hot for Angel…this waiting game she played, and his hands gripped the wood of the table, his fingers digging into it waiting for her to make her next move

“Who is Kate?” She asked something he was not expecting so he didn’t answer right away.

“Angel?” Finally her hand moved down his shaft and she ran a fingernail gently down the underneath of his right nut.

He shivered, “W…what?”

“Kate. Who is she to you?”

“No…nobody.” He answered her.

She pulled away from his testicle and once more stilled her hand. “Somehow I don’t believe you.” She said as she removed her hand from his cock and went to move completely away from him.

Like a bullet his hand shot out and grabbed hers, wrapping it once more around his member. “She’s an FBI Agent.” He answered, his eyes closing as Buffy smiled with his answer and once more started to stroke his cock.

“That’s it? You never slept with her?” She leaned in and licked the head of his cock with her tongue then pulled away when she felt him push closer to her. “Think before you answer.” She warned him, her hand once more stilling its movements.

God she was killing him, torturing him by giving him a little and then taking it away. He had no choice but to answer her honestly because he needed her, the Beast needed her.

“Yes…I…did.” He answered and he was rewarded as she took his head in her mouth and gently sucked.

“Oh God…” His hand automatically reached for her head, his fingers massaging her scalp as her hot mouth sucked.

Pure rapture filled him and his eyes squeezed shut as desire pounded in his body. When he felt her trying to release him and pull back, he got a little forceful. His hand gripped her head harder desperately trying to keep her where she was.

But Buffy wouldn’t have any of that and she reached up and pinched his testicle.

He hissed from the sharp sting on his sensitive appendage and quickly released her head. Bloodthirsty tease.

She pulled back and looked up at him smiling evilly as she saw the look of pain and pleasure cross his masculine features.

“Was she you’re girlfriend?” She asked.

He had no idea what she had just said. His mind was mush, his body was taut with unreleased desire and he could feel his cock pounding.

Leaning forward she flattened her tongue and licked his shaft down to his testis. Angel groaned, his hand once more resting on her head unable to stop touching her but he didn’t answer her.

“Concentrate Angel.” She threw back at him. Gently she toke the testicle she previously pinched inside her mouth and lightly sucked, soothing it.

His heart jumped and he felt like it was stuck in his throat but he finally answered her, croaking out a sharp. “No.”

Buffy smiled liking that answer. She released his sack and her hand once more began to stroke his length. “So she was just a fuck buddy?”

She squeezed him harder and increased her pace as she watched his face contort with pleasure. “Angel?”

“Mmm…?”

“If you don’t want me to stop you better answer me.” She sternly said as she moved faster and harder.

With one hand gripping the table and the other stroking her head he let loose with a rush of words. “Yes…no, I don’t know…what…oh god…that means. We slept together…a few…times. But that was…it. I swear. I…don’t…even…like…her.”

He was going to have a heart attack there was no doubt about it.

“Good.” Buffy smiled then completely engulfed his cock inside of her mouth. She sucked him as she started to bob her head, moving her mouth up and down his shaft. His hand gripped her head painfully, as he felt his balls tighten. His hips lifted away from the table and he pushed himself into her mouth as he came. Buffy moaned joyfully as he filled her mouth. She gripped his thighs, her own fingers clawing into his flesh.

Angel had never before experienced the orgasm he just did. He didn’t know what made it more powerful than the other times she had given him head. Maybe it was the mix of pleasure and pain, or the domineering way she took control and demanded honest answers. Either way, it didn’t matter to him. It was the best blow job he had ever had. It was so good that he actually felt somewhat sated.

He smiled as Buffy released him and sat back. Without opening his eyes he leisurely pulled himself up onto the table and lay down. Throwing a hand over his eyes he tried to catch his breath and calm his beating heart.

With warm eyes and a pleased smile Buffy watched him as she licked her lips clean. She was happy with his answers about Kate. It was as she suspected. Fuck buddies. And she had a feeling that at some point she was going to have to have a little talk with Kate.

Placing her hands on the table, she pushed herself up and draped herself across Angel’s body. His arms automatically reached around her form and hugged her closer. She sighed contently as she snuggled into his neck and closed her eyes. “So are you satisfied?” she asked

Angel smirked, “for now.”

Buffy giggled, “I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about how I am under pressure.”

“Oh well, you’re very… talented.” His hands roamed down her back and cupped her ass, squeezing them gently.

“Angel will you be serious. I want to know if I passed the test, do you believe in me.”

“Of course I believe in you baby, I know you can get the job done. That was just a brazen excuse to get down your pants.” He kissed her head and she chuckled against his chest. Her warm breath heated his flesh and he hugged her harder.

“Angel you never need an excuse to get down my pants.” She looked up at him, her eyes twinkling with love and appreciation. “All you need to do is ask.” Leaning forward she lightly kissed his waiting lips.

“Mmm…my sex slave.” He said as his hands wandered up to the elastic of her pants, and worked their way underneath. His fingers glided over smooth skin and he purred contently.

Buffy chuckled with mirth as she pulled away from him and scooted off the table.

“Where are you going?”

Grabbing his hands, she pulled him up so he was standing, then very deftly leaned down and pulled his pants up, tucking The Beast securely away. “Play time is over, we’re going to have visitors soon and the toys must be put back in their proper place.”

He smiled at her, his eyes on her golden head as she looked down and put her toy away. When she was done, she looked back up at him. “I love you Angel, so much.”

He grabbed her fiercely in a big bear hug. “And I love you Ioniun.”

“Spike, Angel’s not going to like this.”

“Oh please pet, why do you think the poof had the bedroom installed so he could sleep in it by himself?”

The door swung open and Buffy and Angel’s gazes lifted up to the entrance.

Seeing that the room was not as empty as he thought it would be Spike scowled, “damn, you’re here.”

The couple just smiled at him as they continued to hug each other, Faith nudged Spike backing the shoulder as she walked around him. “See I told you they’d be down here.”

Spike shut the door as Faith walked in and started to walk around the room. Noticing the opened safe, she couldn’t stop herself from peering inside.

Spike took her by the shoulders and steered her away from the safe, pulling a chair out for her he sat her down. “Don’t be nosey.”

“Don’t leave safes unlocked.” She flippantly replied.

Angel and Buffy finally pulled away from each other, “Are you guys ready?” Angel asked as he walked over to the safe and closed it up.

Turning around he faced them as they all sat at the table. “Okay so let’s go over it one more time.”

Faith and Buffy started to gripe but Spike, use to the way Angel worked, just sat back and listened, his eyes never once leaving Angel’s face. Angel ignored the girls, his face stern and his eyes hard as he started to talk.

“You girls will take Faith’s car and drive to the mansion. Buffy…” His gaze turned to her, “you get out at the back of the house, while Faith drives around to the front to keep the guards occupied while you scale the wall and make your way to the house.”

Buffy nodded.

He turned back to Faith, “Faith once Buffy gets out, disengage the alternator, and start pushing.” Scowling he looked down at her feet. “Are you going to be able to push the car with those heels on?” he asked skeptically.

Faith chuckled, as she crossed her legs. “Angel, you expect me to wear combat boots with this outfit?”

Angel grunted, of course she was right. She was dressed to entice and the heels were just part of the package. Dismissing her, he turned his attention to Buffy. “Buffy you know the security system, you went over it with Oz the other night any questions? “

Buffy shook her head. “Nope.”

“Don’t’ forget to disengage the motion sensors If you don’t then it’s all over.”

Buffy nodded, silently listening to ‘the boss’, but inside she was getting a little jumpy. Did he think she was an idiot? She knew what to do and when to do it. This wasn’t her first job. Taking a deep breath calming breath, she kept her mouth shut and let Angel take the reins. It seemed to make him very happy.

“After that, get to the study. Don’t spend any time dillydallying around the house Buffy. Just get in and get the diamonds then get out. No wandering. Do you understand me?” He said it a little bit more harshly than he intended to but he wanted to make that part very clear to her.

“Don’t worry Angel. I’m not shopping for god’s sake.” She looked over at Faith, “although maybe I am…for pretty sparkling baubles.” She smirked and Faith chuckled.

Spike and Angel did not.

“Get serious you two. This is a job not fun time.” That crisp no nonsense voice came from Spike, and both of them turned surprised eyes to the normally joke riddled Brit.

“Be sure to turn the alarms back on before you leave Buffy, we don’t want to alert the mark that anyone’s been there.”

Buffy nodded.

“We all know what to do next, right?”

Faith answered, “Buffy and I come back here, while you guys go and get the diamonds back”

Buffy’s face crinkled with annoyance. This was what she didn’t like. “And why is that again?”

“Because at that point you’re job is done and ours begins.” Angel answered her as Spike nodded.

Buffy sat forward in her chair. “Why can’t we just do it together?”

Angel sighed he knew exactly what she was thinking. “Buffy, I already told you. We’re only going there to get the diamonds back and nothing more.”

She sat back in her chair her eyes studying him hard. It was her one problem with this plan, she was afraid that he was trying to keep her away from doing what she had to do, and that would not make her very happy. “I hope so Angel.”

He looked back at her, “Buffy you can trust me.”

After a few seconds of staring into his insistent gaze, she nodded.

Angel smiled at her and then slapped his hands together. “Good. Showtime people. Let’s be quick and invisible.”

Spike and Faith walked out of the tunnels and up into the club leaving Buffy and Angel to follow them. “Buffy when you get to the compound, I want you to give the diamonds to Adam and then leave, do you understand me?”

She wanted to smack him, but instead she gave him a grating smile. “I’m not deaf Angel. Besides, I don’t want to stay there any longer than I have too.”

‘Just enough time to stick my knife in Parker’s gut.’ She thought.

He grabbed her arm, “Buffy I’m serious. I know you have unfinished business with Parker but it can wait. Let’s get tonight over and done with. There will be plenty of time to take care of Parker later.”

Her eyes were turbulent as she looked back at him and after a few tense seconds she answered him. “Fine.”

She turned and walked away and out of the loft. Angel’s eyes crinkled in exasperation, instinctively knowing that she wasn’t going to listen to him. Sighing deeply he followed her out. Good thing he planned for this.

Buffy walked out and up into the club toward Faith. She was a little annoyed that Angel thought she was just going to walk away from Parker tonight without dishing out justice. Some things could not wait and this was one of them. She’ll deal with Angel’s wrath later.

“Ready?”

“5 by 5”

“Let’s go.”

“Buffy?” Angel called out and she turned around. “Be careful.”

She smiled at him and then blew him a kiss. “I always am baby. See you later.”

They left the club, and Angel and Spike watched from the door’s window as they waved to Grant and then drove away. The second they left Angel turned away only to be stopped by Spike’s grip on his shoulder. “Hold on Mate.”

Looking back outside he was surprised to see Grant making his way over to the front door of the club.

“What’s this about then?”

Angel’s eyes hardened; perhaps Grant wasn’t such an idiot after all. “I don’t know, but let’s see what he’s got to say. Bubba?”

“Yeah?”

“Let him in and show him to the corner table.” Bubba nodded. He watched as Spike and Angel made their way to the table and sat down, when the door was opened.

He turned around to look at Grant, his eyes hard as steel, “this way.”

When they reached the table, Bubba faded back and Grant stood there staring into the shadows. Their faces were hidden but it didn’t matter. “I know who you are. There’s no reason for secrecy.”

Spike leaned forward his face coming out of the shadows and into the light. “Do you now? I don’t know if I’d be so proud in saying that mate, better men than you have died for saying those exact words.”

Grant snickered, “I don’t think you want to kill me.”

Spike snorted, looking back over his shoulder, “I wouldn’t be too sure of that.”

“I can help you.”

“Help us?” Spike’s arm started to rise under the table, his finger just hovering over the trigger of his gun. “I think he just insulted us.” But he was stopped.

He looked back at Angel and saw him shake his head. Disappointed, Spike pulled his arm back.

“What do you want Grant?” Angel leaned forward, his own face now visible in the light of the room.

Grant was surprised by the face that stared back at him. He never imagined the Scourge of Europe to be so…good looking. He always thought that a man with the reputation of a cold blooded killer would look the part. This man did not. But it was deceiving because while he had the face of an angel, the hard glinted eyes that intently watched him told his true nature. “I can help you get rid of Adam and Parker.”

“I don’t need your help to do that.”

“Yeah we’re quite capable of killing ‘em ourselves.” Spike said. He didn’t like this and he didn’t trust Grant.

They both stared at him coldly and Grant swallowed. He knew he was taking a big risk by just walking in here but it was a risk he was willing to take. “I’m not saying you can’t. I can help you with the after effects.”

“After effects?”

“You don’t seriously think that an organization like the Brotherhood is going to let you just walk in and kill their President and Vice President without any retaliation, do you?”

“Who says we’re going to do that?” Spike asked.

“I would expect nothing less from the Scourge of Europe.”

Silently studying Grant Angel realized that he had seriously misjudged the man. His eyes crinkled with annoyance. Once more he let his emotions regarding Buffy control his brain. He was really going to have to get a grip on that.

“Actually Grant, that’s exactly what I expect.”

“You see Mate, that’s where a common killer like yourself and your…organization differ from professionals like us, see there’s an art form to killing, one that can be extremely…intimidating.”

“I know your methods. I’m not an idiot. In fact I respect what you do and how you do it, it’s why I’m here instead of just slitting Buffy’s throat and throwing her dead body on your door step.”

Grant waited for the blow to come. He waited for the explosion of indignation. Instead he got no reaction. Just two sets of eyes staring at him impassionedly then a violent jolt to his back. He fell forward, his palms landing on the table as he looked back at the hulking and pissed off man that let him in.

“You have to excuse Bubba he has a very strong attachment to Buffy and doesn’t take kindly to people threatening her.” Angel softly said, as he held on to his own anger.

“Yeah he’s like your kind – runs on pure emotion.”

Bubba growled angrily and Spike tipped his head at him, “sorry mate no offense.”

Bubba nodded then stood there with his arms crossed against his chest. Grant stared at him furiously. He hated the Angels.

Turning back to Angel and Spike he said, “Look I’m sure you don’t want the Brotherhood following your every move.”

Spike chuckled, “you think they’re that good do ya?” Once more he drew his gun out. “I’ve had enough of this bloody nonsense.” But once more Angel stopped him.

Spike turned to him silently questioning him and Angel just shook his head. “What do you have in mind Grant?”

“It’s simple. You kill Adam and Parker and I take over as President of The Brotherhood. With me in charge you don’t have to worry about anyone coming after you. I can smooth things over. They’ll listen to me.”

Angel sat back his eyes studying the other man. “Why would you do that? What’s in it for you?”

“Leadership and the respect I deserve.” He stood tall and proud and Angel smirked in the shadows. Buffy was right, he was hungry for power and his anger at being duped by Adam was greater than she even realized. It was all quite nice actually, the way Grant just walked right into Angel’s plan.

“Why should I trust you?”

“I’ve known about you since day one. I’ve known that Buffy’s been working with you all along and I’ve kept it too myself. I have nothing else to offer you but my word.”

“The word of a Brother? Not much to go on there.” Bubba commented and Grant turned around. “Oh and the Angel’s are truer?”

They stepped up to each other ready to battle it out but Angel stood up, slamming his hands on the table. Bubba’s eyes immediately rose to his and then he backed away from Grant. “I hope we meet again one day.”

“So do I.” Grant sneered back. Bubba turned and walked away, and Grant turned his attention back to Angel.

“Angelus, I have no beef with you or Buffy. I always knew that Adam’s involvement with the Mayor would be his downfall and I don’t want to see a good organization like The Brotherhood go down with him.”

There was no doubt in Angel’s mind that Grant was telling the truth. The problem now was that he was actually thinking about not killing him and that wouldn’t do because he couldn’t let Grant get away with hurting Buffy. He sat back down, “what’s your plan?”

Grant relaxed slightly, “simple really, I’ll tell them that the Mayor killed them. They’ll never even know that Buffy or you were involved. You get what you want and I get what I want.”

After a few seconds of silence, Angel finally answered him.

“Alright you have an agreement.” He held is hand out and Grant took it.

“She’ll be at the compound later. Since we’re…allies now, I expect you to watch over her and make sure she leaves safely. If she doesn’t the Brotherhood will be looking for another President to fill Adam’s shoes.”

Grant nodded at him. “Like I said, I would expect nothing less.”

“Good. Then we’re finished here.” Angel left and walked over to the bar where Bubba poured him a drink.

Grant looked at Spike who stared at him blankly. He nodded at him and then left the club.

“Are you serious? You’re actually going along with him?” Spike asked as he walked over to Angel.

“The Brotherhood is not too be trusted Angel, they’d kill their own mothers if they looked at them funny.” Bubba said.

Angel shrugged. “It doesn’t matter if I trust him or not…he’s still going to die.”

Spike sat down, “Now that’s more like it.” Bubba grunted his agreement.

“But for now he’ll be useful, at least until Buffy and Faith can get out of there and we retrieve the diamonds.”

A beep went off and Spike checked his watch. “It’s time to call Uncle.”

Angel stood up, “The last call I’ll ever make.” He looked at Spike and they shared a knowing smile.

“Call Kate, tell her she better not fuck this up.” Turning away he walked into the office and closed the door.

Spike looked at Bubba, “Why do I always get stuck with the dirty work?”

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