Chapter 13 – Taking Care of Business

 

 

 

Spike put his finger over his lips and pointed at the door. He waited until Angel was beside him and whisked the door open. Cordelia and Doyle jumped apart, guilt flooding their faces as they looked at the two vampires. Spike rubbed his hands together at the turn of events. It looked like he had one less thing he had to worry about because if demon boy was keeping the princess happy then she would have less time to make trouble for him and his mates.

 

“I think Cordy needs a bonus for all the hard work she’s putting in,” Spike said, sitting on her desk. “Did you see how hard she was working just a moment ago?” He leaned closer to the former beauty queen who was now staring at her monitor. “Or were you working it?”

 

“Shut up, Spike,” Cordelia snapped, pushing at his legs. “Can you just ignore me or something?”

 

“’Fraid I can’t,” Spike whispered. “Your scent is quite intoxicating.” To emphasize his point, Spike sniffled and waggled his eyebrows at her.

 

“What are you talking about?” Doyle asked, sniffing the air. “I didn’t think she had any perfume on.”

 

Cordelia stood, grabbed some files and headed for Angel’s office. “Control him or I’m going to use a crossbow on him.” She slammed the door shut behind her.

 

“Why did you upset her, man?” Doyle said. “She was actually being nice to me for a change.”

 

“I wouldn’t worry about it too much.” Angel snickered and patted his seer on the shoulder. “I think she likes you.”

 

Spike nodded to show his support. He was all for encouraging a romance between Doyle and Cordelia. Anything to remove temptation from Angel’s way when he was down here and lonely from his mates was okay with Spike. That was one of the reasons he’d tagged along today. To check things out and remind a certain female that Angel had people who loved him and satisfied him sexually in ways she wouldn’t dream about doing.

 

Angel knocked on the door to his office and rolled his eyes when Cordelia told him to go away.

 

“Cordy, honey, I need to get in there,” Angel coaxed. “Spike promises to behave.”

 

“He won’t.”

 

And Angel thought Buffy was acting immature. At least she wasn’t pulling a prima Donna act and thought the whole world had to revolve her. His Slayer had told him enough about Cordelia to make him dislike her before he ever met her. Since she started to work for Angel the girl hadn’t give him any reason to change his mind. He slid off the desk to squeeze between Angel and the door.

 

“Cordelia’s a chicken,” Spike called and started to cluck. “Hiding away from the big bad vampire instead of…” The door whipped open and Cordelia thrust a stake at his chest. He backed up pushing Angel who was still behind him. “Hey, some people like having me around. Stop that.”

 

“I don’t know why anyone would want your sorry ass for anything.”

 

It was too easy. Spike stepped forward trapping the girl between him and the door frame. He twisted a lock of her hair around his finger and looked her in the eye, “Because I’m a great piece of ass. Satisfaction guaranteed.”      

 

“Leave her alone,” Doyle said, grabbing one of Spike’s shoulders.

 

“Back off demon boy,” Spike said. “Or I’ll…”

 

“Spike, stop now,” Angel ordered. “You’ve proven your point now let it go.”

 

His Sire was right so Spike backed off. He gave them one last grin of triumph before settling in a chair in Angel’s office. Cordelia was flustered and Doyle was angry. It was a good day for the undead, Spike thought tipping his chair back and watching them. Sooner or later Angel would realize these losers weren’t necessary and he would be back in Sunnydale for good. It would be sooner if he had his way.

 

Cordelia was handing Angel some invoices and checks to sign, appearing to be the perfect office assistant. The checks were signed and pushed back across the desk. A folder was tossed on top of them.

 

“I want Buffy put on the payroll,” Angel said, leaning forward with his forearms on the desk. “All the information you’ll need is in there.” He nodded toward the folder.

 

“Excuse me,” Cordelia protested. “You’re kidding right? Like what is she getting paid for? Keeping you warm at night?”

 

Spike’s chair hit the floor with a thud but he remained where he was. Angel looked pissed enough for the both of them. About time he defended his mates.

 

“It’s none of your business what she is getting paid for,” Angel said. “It’s enough that I want her on the payroll.”

 

Cordelia threw her hands up in surrender. “Look, I’m sorry for saying that but we don’t really have a great influx of cash right now. What is the branch office doing anyway to help out with paying the bills?”

 

“Right now they are taking care of Joyce and Dawn. This is a family business and that extends to all members,” Angel said, glancing at Spike. “If any of you are sick or something than the other members help out.”

 

Family? Oh, great, now he was supposed to include Cordelia and Doyle on the Christmas card list. Spike tilted his head as he stared at Angel for a moment. It occurred to him that his Angelus side was gathering his pack together. Spike had seen it when the four of them traveled together when a few times they’d settle somewhere for awhile. Angelus would cultivate select minions to join their family to help tend to business. Whether it was to raise revenue or plan revenge on an enemy, Angelus kept them close. Spike didn’t know whether it that good or bad thing for Angel to be following his lead. On the one hand, Buffy and Spike would be kept at the head of the table but it also meant that Angel would consider them and other members as his toys for his amusement.

 

“How is Joyce doing?” Doyle asked, breaking Spike from his reverie.

 

“We’ll know more after her surgery tomorrow,” Angel answered. “After we finish things up here, Spike and I are heading back.”

 

For once Cordelia didn’t offer an opinion as they returned to work. Nothing had opened up as far as cases were concerned and everyone was hoping it would remain quiet in both cities until after Joyce was out of recovery the next day. Angel gave Cordelia and Doyle instructions and the two promised to keep things together. Spike was surprised and a bit touched when Cordy said she’d pray for Joyce and told them to tell Buffy she was thinking of her. There might be a heart in the ice queen after all but he wasn’t going to hold a breath he didn’t need waiting to find out.

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

It felt good to walk through the hospital corridors and have people move to let them through. Spike walked next to Angel enjoying the looks of admiration cast their way. Maybe it was egotistical but he knew they were both attractive men. The contrast of darkness and light made them a striking pair as they moved together. Their strides were long and sure giving Spike a sense of confidence he thought he’d lost along the way. And if his Sire and mate had his way he’d soon have his power back.

 

They turned the corner and spotted Buffy stepping out of her mother’s room. For the first time since they’d entered the hospital their footsteps faltered. There was a forlorn and lost look on Buffy’s face that tore through both of them and they hurried to her side. Spike stepped aside as Angel embraced her.  She clutched at their mate for a moment and stepped back but her hands remained on his arms.

 

“Has she made a turn for the worse?” Angel asked.

 

Buffy shook her heard and glanced at Dawn. “No, she’s the same,” Buffy said and added in a low whisper, “She knows.”

 

Spike knew his surprise was echoed in Angel. How could Joyce know about Dawn? Neither of them had said anything to anyone. Not until they knew about Joyce and where they stood with Glory. The conversation would have to wait until they were home and the bit was asleep.

 

“Is she coping?” Spike asked.

 

“Yes, we talked and she’s handling it the way she is everything else,” Buffy said, taking his hand. “I’m glad you got here though. She wants to talk to you both.”

 

This was beyond a surprise. Angel met his eyes as they both wondered what Buffy’s mother would tell them. It was probably to stay the hell away from her daughter again. Spike hoped she didn’t have an axe in the room with her. Angel nodded and Spike followed him into the room. Joyce was propped up on pillows and she smiled as they entered.

 

“Sit please,” Joyce said, her hand sweeping the foot of her bed. She drew her feet up and curled them under her bottom. “Who would have thought that the three of us would be sitting down to talk?” She laughed and dropped her gaze to stare at her hands.

 

“What can we do for you?” Angel asked, as they sat on the bed where she indicated.

 

Spike was relieved that Angel wasn’t in his detached mode and seemed to care about the woman before them. Buffy’s mother was clearly upset and he wondered if it was the surgery that bothered her or the fact she knew Dawn wasn’t her daughter.

 

“I need to know,” Joyce said, meeting each of their gazes but maintained contact with Angel. “I need to know that you are going to be there for my daughters if something happens to me.” Her hand rose as they started to protest. “You can keep the empty promises for Buffy and Dawn but I know as well as you do that there is a very good chance I won’t come out of this.”

 

“We’ve already started to make plans to care for Dawn if need be,” Angel said.

 

“And Buffy?”

 

“Why would you be concerned about Buffy?” Spike asked, perplexed that Joyce would even ask unless it was part of the strange behavior she had exhibited over the last couple of days. When he saw that she was coherent, Spike could only assume she knew about Buffy’s problems with Angel.

 

“She’s scared,” Joyce said, “That she is going to lose the two of you. She hasn’t confided in me but I can tell. Little things, comments made here and there; it makes me think that things might not be as well as it can be between the three of you.”

 

Angel stiffened and Spike covered his hand with his to support him. It would be a blow to his pride that outsiders could see the discontent in their relationship. To Angel it would be another sign that he was failing them.

 

“Buffy is…my mate,” Angel said. “I don’t know if you understand exactly what that means but it is forever. She won’t be left alone or without support.”

 

“Will she have your love? I need to know that she is going to be happy.”

 

Surprised, Spike watched as Angel covered Joyce’s hands with his own. “I will do everything in my power to make sure she is happy and loved.”

 

“Thank you,” Joyce said, smiling and squeezing Angel’s hand. “I’d never thought I’d say it but I’m glad that you’re going to be watching out for my girls.”

 

“We love them,” Spike said. “It’s not a hard thing to do.”

 

“I know you do,” she said, holding her arms out.

 

It was an awkward moment as they hugged Buffy’s mother. Neither of them still felt that she totally accepted them. A couple of months ago Spike had been barely tolerated and now she was hugging him. But it was extraordinary circumstances and maybe it had taken Joyce’s illness for her to see the truth about her daughter and her mates. It was love that held them together even if it wasn’t what had brought Spike to them. Hopefully, when she was home Joyce would still feel the same.

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

Buffy knew they up to something and she had every intention of finding out what it was. She took a deep breath and marched into their bedroom. She cast them only a glance before stepping on the bed. Angel and Spike were lying on their sides, heads propped up on their hands and they had been whispering. There wasn’t really room between them even for her but she walked through the space they did leave. She plopped down on the pillows, slid her feet under the covers and wiggled her way down. Spike laughed and Angel stared at her as she separated them.

 

“Are you going to tell me what you two are cooking up or am I going to have to get…” Buffy said, stopping before she said violent. That wasn’t really the impression she wanted to convey especially after Angel’s warning on her birthday.

 

“What makes you think that we are conspiring about something?” Angel asked. “The whole world doesn’t revolve around you.”

 

This wasn’t going good. Already she had upset Angel and her eyes closed as she tried to figure out how to fix it.  Angel pulled her against him and she looked at him in surprise to find his eyes dancing in mirth. Instantly she relaxed as his hand stroked her hip.

 

“Yes it does,” Buffy said, letting her fingers trail across his chest. “And I know because you stop talking when I enter a room.”

 

“Is Dawn doing okay?” Angel asked, changing the subject abruptly.  “She was pretty freaked out about that mental patient.”

 

“It wasn’t the first time that someone has made her feel that something isn’t right.” Spike said.

 

It was something they would need to deal with soon enough but not tonight. Dawn was more focused on their mother than crazy people telling her she didn’t belong. Buffy pushed the thought aside and flicked her fingernail across Angel’s nipple. It beaded up under her attention and unable to resist she bit down on the small brown circle. His hand tangled in her hair and she trailed kisses up his chest.

 

“Are you going to tell me what you two are doing?” Buffy asked, each word punctuated by a kiss against cool flesh. “I’m going to find out soon enough so why don’t you tell me.”

 

“Why should I?” Angel asked, pulling her head back. His lips pressed against her hers with a bruising intensity. “Tell me one good reason.”

 

“Because we’re mates,” Buffy whispered her hand feeling behind her for Spike. His hand caught hers and she heard him snickering. “And because there should always be honesty between us.”

 

Her lower lip was caught between Angel’s teeth and he tugged on it lightly. The whole time his hand continued to skim over her body, sliding on the cool silk of her pajamas. She relaxed hoping this was the beginning of a new start for them. It was then that Angel attacked. His fingers scurried across her rib cage and she giggled uncontrollable. She tried to scoot away from him but ran into the hard body of Spike who held her in place for their mate.

 

“Stop, please, stop,” Buffy said, continuing to laugh as she tried to escape those fingers torturing her.

 

Angel stopped his assault and kissed the tip of her nose. “Why should I tell you the truth when you lie to me without qualm?”

 

“When did I lie to you?” Buffy asked and flushed, remembering her lie about what she was looking forward to. She turned to Spike and swatted him. “I can’t believe a grown vampire such as you running to Daddy to make yourself look better.”

 

“I did not,” Spike protested. “He knew it and asked. I wasn’t going to compound your lie with another lie.”

 

Angel turned her to face him again. His fingers drifted along her hip again, “I wonder what I should do to punish you for your infraction. You do have this tendency for disobedience which needs to be broken.”

 

“It was a teensy lie, Angel and not totally untrue.” Buffy pleaded, draping her leg over his hip and pushing herself against his erection. “I always look forward to seeing you again.”

 

Swat. Her eyes flew open in shock as his hand connected with her bottom. She went to roll on her back to escape his raised hand but Spike was holding her up. Swat.

 

“Ouch,” Buffy protested, trying to escape. “Stop Angel, please.”

 

Her butt stung as he spanked her again. It was only the laughter from both of them that kept her from exploding. She was rolled on top of Angel. He cupped her face so he could place a gentle kiss against her lips.

 

“I love you, Buffy,” Angel said. “Don’t lie to me about little things because each time you do it gets easier to do the next time.” His fingers covered her mouth and he shook his head. “Spike and I have a few plans but we’re saving them until after your mother is feeling better. And anything you don’t like you can veto but I don’t think you will.”

 

She nodded. The lie had slipped out unbidden and it had been playing against her conscious ever since. The truth was important and she wouldn’t want either of her mates to lie to her for any reason, big or little. It was hard enough to keep honesty between two people and three was even harder. It had to be well tended to so that it was never left to become a problem. And without honesty there couldn’t be trust. With that in mind, she decided not to question their plans for the moment. She hated the small voice that reassured her that she could trust them to tell her later because Spike was in on it.

 

“Good,” Buffy said, “Right now I just want to focus on my mom and the operation tomorrow.”

 

“Oh,” Angel whispered in mock seriousness. “Then you don’t want Spike to kiss your ass and make it better.”

 

It was too much and she felt a rush of love for her mates. She yielded to their distractions and reveled in the love they gave her. It would be those moments she’d hold onto when everything grew dark.

 

 

To be continued…

Chapter 14
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