Live The Question

[sevendeadlyfun]

Pairing: Various (Spike/Angel this chapter)

Rating: NC-17 overall (PG-13 this chapter)

Warnings: bit of language

A/N: Sorry this took so long! I got sucked into school and Photoshop. But, we're coming near the end. Things should be wrapped up in about three or four more chapters. Enjoy!

“Sodding Slayers,” Spike cursed, rubbing his nose. “Why? Tell me that, eh? Why?”

“Umm,” Willow wiggled a finger hesitantly, “you told her she couldn’t come with us?”

Spike sighed heavily, turning to face her. “Know that part, Red. Your little Wonder Girl don’t like you too far from her. Not what I’m asking.”

“Oh,” Willow frowned. “Than what?”

“I want to know why every damn Slayer I run across takes a shot at my nose,” Spike howled.

Angel, who had kept walking, backtracked and rejoined the other two. Yanking Spike close, he dropped a soft kiss on the injury. Spike froze, and Angel gave him a sultry smile. The blonde blinked once, twice, and frowned thoughtfully.

“It’s such a beautiful nose,” Angel told him gravely. “They’re jealous because you have a prettier nose, that’s all.”

A ghost of a kiss and Angel turned around, strolling off. Willow’s giggles echoed across the still darkness, a light fillip that mixed in with Angel’s whistling. Spike stood there, stunned.

That fucking bastard, Spike thought. M’nose is not pretty.

Willow tugged Spike forward, trying to catch up with Angel. The whole agency knew about Spike and Angel’s feelings. They were all firmly agreed that if the two vampires didn’t make any progress and soon, locking them in a room until they did was an okay idea.

“Here we are,” Angel said warily. “Wonder if they still have the same welcoming committee?”

“Hope so,” Spike replied, stretching. “Been ages since I had a good dust up.”

“Spike, you went out a case last night,” Willow reminded him.

“Yeah,” Spike nodded. “ Ages and ages.”

The door opened and a lone figure stalked towards them. Angel and Spike positioned themselves in front of Willow, loose-limbed and dangerous. Willow rolled her eyes, and squeezed between them.

“Witch here,” she reminded them lightly. “Not exactly in need of undead bodyguards.”

“A wise thing, m’lady. Often those you think your allies will turn on you,” the figure said coolly, stepping out of the shadows.

“Drogyn,” Angel croaked. “B-but, y-you’re…”

“Reports of my death were greatly exaggerated,” Drogyn whispered. “Yours, Angel, will be no exaggeration.”

“Oh bloody hell,” Spike burst in. “Not this again.”

Drogyn smiled grimly at the blonde, his gaze still focused on Angel.

“It is not you I quarrel with, vampire. Angel owes me a death, though.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Willow waved a hand. “Look, Mister, nobody’s killing anyone. I’m not exactly sure why you want Angel dead, but I’m not going to let you…Eep!”
Willow screamed as Drogyn grabbed her by the shoulders. He stared at her, his eyes a swirl of confusion. Spike growled, preparing to tackle the Battlebrand, but Angel restrained him.

“What the hell, Angel? Lemme go! He’s got Red,” Spike struggled.

“Wait,” Angel whispered in his ear. “He’s not hurting her. That’s always been your problem, William. Not enough patience.”

“Yeah well, look who’s talking,” Spike hissed. “Wanna tell me why Drogyn wants you dead? He holdin’ a grudge over the assassin or did you sing for him?”

“Neither, little one,” Angel chuckled ruefully. “You really think someone would kill me for singing? ‘Cause really, I don’t think I’m that bad…”

“You are, Angel. You really are,” Spike muttered. “ Now tell me why I’m about to have to destroy Drogyn.”

“I killed him, “ Angel said simply. “Price of admission to the Black Thorn, another stain on my soul, and I did it.”

“You…” Spike closed his eyes in disbelief. “You killed another Champion? Angel…”

Drogyn released Willow, and she heaved a deep sigh. She opened her mouth and Drogyn shook his head. Motioning towards the two vampires lost in conversation, he just stood there silently. Willow, standing next to him, furrowed her brow and looked at Drogyn. When Angel spoke again, she understood that Drogyn wanted her to hear what they said. Or maybe, she reflected, he wanted to hear it himself.

“You were right, Spike,” Angel told him. “I was getting eaten alive in there. I took on the Black Thorn not because I expected it to do any good, but because I wanted to die. I’d lost so much and it hurt so bad, little one. I wasn’t a Champion anymore. My son was ruined, my friends dead or dying by inches beside me. I figured I could go out in a blaze of glory, a little light show to usher me back into Hell. So I killed Drogyn. Drained him dry and told myself it was for the cause. A righteous fight and I lied to myself. I lied to myself, and my lies killed Wes and Gunn.”

“Angel,” Spike shivered, suddenly feeling small and lost. “Angel, I…”

“Can’t get out this, baby,” Angel told him, placing his lips on Spike’s temple. “Drogyn’s earned his vengeance. I killed him, or at least tried to and worse, I…I got lost. Soul’s no good if you don’t listen to it, and I wasn’t listening, Spike.”

“Not gonna let you die, tosser,” Spike answered him gruffly. “You die and I end up with all the work.”

“I love you too, Spike,” Angel kissed his way down Spike’s face, turning the smaller man slightly. “I never was good with words. Not like you, my little poet. But I owe it to you to tell you the truth. I love you, always have. I may have hated myself for loving you, but I never stopped loving you.”

“Aww,” Willow sighed. “It’s about time.”

Angel and Spike heard her and broke apart, shuffling awkwardly and not quite looking at each other. Willow groaned theatrically and turned to Drogyn. He looked confused, and a bit uncomfortable.

“So, now you know why Angel killed you. And,” she continued, raising a finger to stop him from speaking, “since you didn’t stay dead, I don’t see why Angel should have to die. Now, you want to tell me why you were so grabby?”

Drogyn shook his head, saying, “I don’t want to tell you, but I will. You bear the mark of Illyria.”

“What? Oh the hair,” Willow laughed. “Yeah, she and I had a chance to get acquainted. Let me tell you, the next time someone asks me to be their conduit, I’m getting references first.”

“Conduit,” Drogyn repeated. “You acted as Illyria’s conduit and you still live?”

“Very much of the living, “ Willow confirmed. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Illyria is The Devourer. She should have consumed your soul,” he explained. “That she did not is…inexplicable.”

“Lovely little chat, but can we get to the point,” Spike complained. “Need something from you Drogyn. Got ourselves another mission from the Wankers That Be.”

“Oh, yeah, “ Willow bounced on her toes. “We’re supposed to fix the Slayer line, since I set it loose and all. So I was thinking…”

“You loosed the essence of the Slayer,” Drogyn interrupted. “That was…ill-considered.”

Willow blushed, but replied evenly, “I didn’t know that at the time. I was told it was necessary in order to avert an apocalypse.”

“Ending the line of Slayers is not quite the best method of averting destruction,” Drogyn observed dryly.

“I got it, I got it! Geez, you make one mistake and it’s nothing but lectures,” Willow grumbled.

“One,” Spike raised his eyebrow. “I lost my memory, proposed to Buffy, and got smashed by a troll. Also heard about some little witch lookin’ just like you who tried to end the w…OW!”

“The nose,” Angel sighed. “You had to hit him in the nose?”

“Well, he was just…being difficult,” Willow said defensively. “You know, I always thought Buffy was being mean when she did that, but I think I get it now. It’s the only way to shut him up. Now, I think I need to deal with this Slayer issue. Drogyn?”

Willow and Drogyn sauntered towards the tree, leaving Angel and Spike behind. Angel, with a quick glance heavenward, crouched down next to Spike. The blonde was sitting on the ground holding his nose and cursing.

“Bloody hell, I think the damn witch broke my nose,” Spike complained.

“It’ll heal,” Angel offered quietly. “Might heal better with a little blood.”

Spike took his hand away from his nose, and murmured, “That an offer, mate?”

“Sounds like one, “ Angel smiled.

“Let me get this straight,” Spike stood up, dusting himself off. “I sat in a wheelchair for months and you weren’t a bit inclined to shed blood for me. But I get a pop in the nose and suddenly you feel all needy and bleedy?”

“Uh, well, that is, I just,” Angel stammered. “Shit, Spike! Are you ever going to stop hating me?”

“Hate you?” Spike tilted his head, puzzled. “Don’t hate you, Angel. Never did. Well, ‘cept when you took Dru from me. Hated you good and proper for that. But other than that, I haven’t ever hated you.”

“If you don’t hate me, why are you constantly sniping at me? Throwing things in my face? Generally being a pain in my eternal ass,” Angel’s voice rose, reaching a hoarse shout.

“If I don’t, who will, “ Spike told him. “All these bloody humans are either afraid of you or damn near worship you. I know you, Angel. Seen you good, bad, and bugfuck nuts. Loved you since you made me, missed you since you left us. And I know, without a doubt, that for all your brooding, you don’t know a damn thing about yourself. So I gotta remind you.”

“Remind me,” Angel shrieked. “Remind me of what? That nothing I do is good enough? That I’m always screwing up, and I can never ever make it right? Huh? Tell me, Spike. TELL ME!”

“Remind you that you don’t gotta be perfect, you prat. So you made mistakes? So what? I made twice as many as you. Your problem is you don’t look inside. You took on the Senior Partners without knowing why you were doin’ it. Offered me your blood now just the same. You’ve always been one for the grand schemes, Angel. Time you started thinking instead of scheming.”

“Hey, you crazy undead kids,” Willow chirped, coming to stand next to them. “I think I’ve got what I need. You ready to go home?”

“Yeah,” Spike told her, eyes watching Angel. “I think I’m ready.”