Title: Slow Whispers
Author: Foxhunt2blue
Summary: It comes to Angel's attention that
the attack on Wes and Crimson Faire's death
are connected. Someone from Angel's past is
stalking him and Wes is their way to revenge
leading to something far more serious than
Angel could ever imagine.
Rating: NC-17 
Pairing: Angel/Wesley
Spoilers: None for the show
Disclaimer: Our wonderful Joss created 
them I had nothing to do with it---wish I 
had. I just play with the boys on occasion. 
I on the other hand claim anyone you don't 
know.
Feedback: Please feed the baby slash ho' it
needs nourishment to grow! ;-)
E-mail: foxhunter2blue@yahoo.com <mailto:foxhunter2blue@yahoo.com>
Author's note: This is the seventh in a series of
stories beginning with 'Deora Ar Mo Chroi'.
If you haven't read the previous six check
them out here: 
<http://www.geocities.com/rose_liz2001/MoChroi.html> 
*** 
This was their third night together and Wes refused
to let it end earlier than necessary. He imagined that
Angel felt the same way. Especially considering the
back rub that he was luxuriating in at the moment. 
God, but Angel had magic fingers. 
Moaning softly Wes rubbed his face into the his 
pillow and sighed loudly. 
"You like that?" 
"Ummm...," 
"Jeez...Wes you are like a big cat after sex." Angel
laughed softly as his fingers trailed over the upper
curve of Wes's ass. 
"How so?" Came the muffled reply. 
"Long loose limbs...sleepy eyes...," Angel's finger
slid down the crease of Wes's ass and he grinned
at the soft noise Wes made. "You purr, too." 
Rolling over Wes kicked at Angel. "I do not purr!" 
"Yes, you do!" Angel ducked the pillow that came
flying at him. 
"I will show you purr you big lumox!" 
Leaping off the bed Wes took off after Angel,
who chose that moment to dive through the 
bedroom door straight into Lorne. Blushing 
Wes ducked back into the bedroom grabbing 
a sheet to cover himself. To his great amusement 
Angel came flying through the bedroom door 
searching for his pants. 
"My...my...boys. Having fun were we?" Lorne
raised a brow as Angel found his pants and
desperately fought to get them on. 
"God dammit Lorne! Don't you know how to
knock?!" Angel roared as he struggled with
his zipper. 
"Oh, please Angelcakes!" Lorne waved a dis-
missive hand at Angel. "It isn't like I've never 
seen a naked man before...I see one everyday 
when I shower. Of course I've never had one 
tackle me before." Lorne winked and headed 
back into the living room. 
Wes finally broke down and fell on his ass in
a tangle of silk sheets. He laughed until he 
couldn't breath, then fell over scrubbing at 
his tear filled eyes. 
"That is not funny Wesley William!" Angel 
yanked him to his feet with a gleam in his 
dark eyes. 
"I will kill Dora. When did she tell you my 
middle name?" 
Angel just grinned and headed to the living 
room leaving Wes standing---butt naked---
in the middle of floor. 
"Get some pants on you seriously disturbed 
English crumpet!" Angel yelled over his 
shoulder with a laugh. 
*** 
"What do you mean dead?" 
Lorne frowned at Angel. "Dead...as in popped
...no more breathing." 
"Who's dead?" Wes questioned as he came in 
buttoning his shirt. 
"Crimson is stud muffin. Seems like he pissed 
off one to many people and ended up with a 
bullet between his eyes. Damn what a waste...
he had some serious talent." Lorne shook his 
head sadly. 
"I am so sorry Lorne," Wes whispered softly, 
"...I know he was a friend and Angel and I 
owe him so much." 
Lorne snapped his head up and looked at 
Wes, then Angel grimly. "That's actually why 
I came." 
Standing he moved over to Angel pulling a fat
envelope from his inside jacket pocket. With a
sigh he held it out to Angel who looked into his
eyes curiously. 
"What is...," 
"I received a package this afternoon. Apparently
Crimson prepared for the eventuality of his death.
This was in the package...addressed to you." 
Angel took the envelope and turned it over in his
hands. In pale violet ink his name was scrawled
and the words 'In case of my untimely death'. 
"What's in it?" Wes stepped close wrapping his 
arms around Angel's waist. 
"I don't know? And I don't want to know. Have
a good night guys." Lorne turned and walked
away disappearing through the penthouse door. 
*** 
Moaning softly Wes tightened his grip on the
headboard as Angel pushed forward slowly and
tantalizingly. His legs tightened around Angel's
waist as Angel nipped at his throat. 
"Angel...faster...harder...," he whimpered. 
When there was no change in Angel's pace
Wes opened his eyes. "What is it?" 
Angel hummed against his throat. 
"Angel get off me...NOW!" He pushed at the
bigger man and began to squirm. 
"What is it Wes?" Angel finally looked up
with wide eyes. 
"Get off me!" Wes choked out as Angel lifted
up. 
"Did I hurt you? God, Wes I didn't mean...," 
"No, you idiot you didn't!" He let out a whimper
as Angel slipped from his body. "I just can't
do it...that's all." 
"Do what?" Angel rolled over. 
Scrubbing at his eyes Wes sat up, pulling the sheets
up around him. "You're not here Angel...not with
me. Your mind is on that damn envelope." 
"Wes...," Angel reached out stroking his bare
shoulder, "...it can wait." 
Pulling back Wes stood and moved across the
room his gaze fixing on the city beyond the
window. "No, it can't Angel. We're both think-
ing the same thing." 
"And what would that be Wes?" Angel's arms
folded around him. 
"That Crimson was killed because of what he
did for us...that maybe...," Wes swallowed
hard as Angel's arms tightened. 
"Don't think like that." 
Wes sighed as Angel nipped at his throat,
his large warm hands sliding down his
stomach. "What if someone knew that
Lorne was going to ask Crimson to help
us? What if they had him do something...,"
his voice began to tremble. 
Turning Wes in his arms Angel cupped
his face and drew him into a deep kiss,
his hands sliding down his back, and
pushing away the sheet. He cupped Wes's
ass---pulling him closer---his mouth
working at Wes's as if he were a starving
man. 
"Angel...," Wes gasped. 
"It can wait." Angel whispered against his
mouth. 
*** 
Morning light washed across the tangled
sheets as Wes watched Angel sleep. His
time was over and it was hard to believe
that the last three nights had happened. 
With trembling fingers Wes reached out
and ran his hand across Angel's now cool 
skin as tears ran down his face. It had 
worked just as Crimson had told them it 
would. 
He was a vampire again. 
Slipping from the bed he gathered his 
clothes thinking it best if he were gone
when Angel woke. He dressed quietly 
trying to push back the pain and anger 
he felt at the way things had to be. If 
you loved someone and they loved you 
back it shouldn't be like this---it shouldn't
hurt so much. 
As his hand curled around the knob to
open the door Angel's hand settled on
his shoulder. 
"Why are you leaving?" 
"I have work to do." 
"Wes...please don't go. We need to talk
about this." 
Laughing Wes shook his head. "About
what?" 
"You know what I mean Wes. This was
my decision and it was a decision that I
didn't make lightly. I need you and you
need me...we love each other...and I'll
be damned if I was going to watch you
kill yourself slowly." 
Wes turned to face Angel a sad smile 
gracing his face. "I know it was your
decision, but it still hurts me to think
of what you must be going through." 
Smiling wide Angel pulled him into a
back breaking embrace. "And that 
Wesley Wyndam-Pryce is exactly why
I can deal with this." He leaned in placing
a soft kiss on Wes's lips. "Because you 
deserve to be happy and so do I no matter
what the world thinks...you make me 
stronger than I thought I could be." 
Wes pulled back with a soft sigh. "I still
have work to do Angel and I'm sure that
you would like to read that letter." 
"Yeah...the letter...," Angel muttered as
he caressed Wes's cheek. "I think we both
need to take a look at that. Can you wait 
for me to get dressed?" 
"Why don't we meet at your office in an
hour...," Wes laughed, "...I really could
use a shower myself." 
"An hour then." Angel brushed a kiss
along his cheek, then headed for the 
bathroom. 
*** 
An hour later both Angel and Wes sat
in his office---on either side of his desk
---the letter sitting between them on thhe 
dark polished wood. Two sets of eyes
lifted as they gazed at one another with
fear. 
"We have to open it Angel." Wes sighed. 
"Why?" 
"Crimson wouldn't have left this letter
if it weren't important. He must have
suspected something." 
Angel reached out picking up the letter
and ripping open the envelope. His fingers
trembled as he pulled the neatly folded 
sheets of paper out, unfolded them, then
began to read out loud. 
**** 
Angel, 
If you are reading this, then I can assume
I am no longer among the living. 
When I was first approached by her I had
no interest in being involved with her plan. 
I have no name. She refused to give one to
me, but insisted I listen to her. She's been
hunting you Angel. For a long time and she's
a dangerously psychotic piece of work. Being 
a bright business man I knew if I listened I 
needed to cover my own ass. 
The spell I did for you is exactly what I
promised, but there is something that I 
added in the mix. Something that I lost 
my life over. When I told you not to take
off the rings I was warning you, even though
you didn't realize it. 
If the ring is removed from either of your
hands the other will suffer. I'm not talking
small suffering, I'm talking about suffering
like neither of you can imagine. 
Forgive me. 
Crimson 
**** 
"Son of a bitch!" Angel stood up slamming his 
fist into the desk. "I should have known...I 
should have known not to trust this!" 
Wes sat quietly staring at the carpet beneath
his feet. This was his fault---all of it. He had 
been the one who had caused Angel to make 
this decision. 
"Angel...," he voice was small and sad. 
"No!" Angel roared. "Don't you dare say it
Wesley...don't you dare fucking say it!" 
"You know it's true Angel...this is my fault.
All of it. If I hadn't...," 
"Dammit no!" 
Wes stood his eyes flashing with fury now. 
"Do not presume to tell me what I should and
should not say! Who gave you the exclusive
right to bear the burdens of the bloody uni-
verse? Who?" He turned storming across the
office only to be halted mid-stride by Angel's
grip. 
"I'm the champion of the powers that be!" 
Shrugging off his hand Wes turned back his
face flushed with anger. "Bullshit! Since 
when does that give you the right to take
the blame for my mistakes?!" 
"Are you saying this is a mistake? We are a
mistake?" 
"Perhaps...," Wes hissed through clenched
teeth. 
"I don't accept that! You love me Wes and I
love you it's that simple and I chose my own
path!" Angel shook him hard---his eyes flick-
ering gold. "I chose...do you understand? I
wasn't forced or seduced, but made my choice!" 
Their eyes met for a split second before Wes
pulled back again---his face pale. "I'm sorry
Angel...I'm so sorry...," he whispered. 
Pulling Wes into his arms Angel stroked his
hair as he shivered with dark thoughts of 
losing what he had just found again. "Don't
be Wes...I'm not." 
**** 
"You shouldn't have killed Crimson." 
The woman turned her pale blue eyes flashing
with anger at her companion. "He had to be
silenced. I couldn't afford to have him get a
conscience and tell Angel." 
"But he left a letter. Angel must know by now
about the change in the spell he performed." 
"That doesn't concern me. What does concern
me is that he doesn't know who I am. I have
far to much to accomplish before that happens." 
The man moved to where she stood staring out
at the dimly lit dock. A mist was rising off the
ocean and moving inland giving the dock a dark
aura. But even that aura couldn't overshadow
the darkness he saw in this woman. 
"So do you want us to proceed as scheduled?" 
"Yes." 
"The assassin failed to succeed...are you sure
this will succeed?" 
Her eyes narrowed. "Remove the ring and the
other shall suffer...oh, yes...this will work. He
has to pay for what he's done." 
**** 
After the day he had Wesley decided he needed
to work off some major stress. His work load 
was getting worse by the minute and the one 
thing he had thought finally fixed was now in
danger of disintegrating. 
If nothing else his life was far from boring.

Dressed in sweats, tee-shirt, and a hooded 
sweat shirt with a zipped front he took off 
on a run. He knew Angel wouldn't have 
approved, but he was a grown man not a 
child and he was armed after all. He'd been
doing the job long enough that he wasn't 
about to go out without weapons. Especially
not after what had happened right before
Christmas. He still bore some nasty scars 
from that slip in judgement. 
By the time he was a mile from the office
he had found a steady pace that gave his 
muscles a nice burn. He was passing an
alley way when he heard the scream. A
muffled scream, but definitely a female
one and he halted in his tracks. Unzipping
his sweat shirt he reached beneath it to
unsnap the double shoulder holster he was
wearing. 
It was still daylight so it wouldn't be vamps,
he thought, or any number of demons. 
Easing his way into the alley---guns drawn---
he moved closer to the sound of crying. His
skin began crawling and for a moment he
considered turning around. Then he heard
his father's voice in his head berating him
as a coward---a worthless coward. 
That was what blinded Wes to the signs. 
His need to push back the voice of the
man who---even after everything that had 
happened to him---haunted him. The man
who still held sway over the terrified little
boy with wide blue eyes locked in the closet
beneath the stairs. 
Cursing beneath his breath Wes moved 
deeper into the alley. He wasn't a coward, 
he thought, he was a warrior and a scholar. 
Wes' gaze settled on a hunched form at the
end of the alley as he crept closer---his heart
pounding in his chest---his eyes moving from
left to right in search of any movement. As
he reached the hunched body he knelt down
to get a better view. 
"Miss? Are you okay miss?" The figure shudder-
ed and a sob reached his ears. "Are you injured?" 
The woman slowly turned and smiled with a 
mouth of razor sharp teeth. "No, but you will
be." 
Jumping to his feet he turned just as a fist hit him
square in the jaw---knocking him to the filthy
ground. Grunting he spit blood and flipped over
aiming a gun at his assailant. 
"Take one more step and I'll blow your bloody
brains all over this alley!" Wes growled. 
"Will you now?" The tall muscle bound man grinned
from ear to ear. "Did you hear that Mika? The little
English fag thinks I'm scared of his big bad gun." 
A soft growl came from behind him sending Wes
rolling to the side. Shit, he thought, the woman or
whatever the hell she was. 
Before he could turn a tentacle shot out wrapping 
around his throat. Dropping his gun Wes' hands
curled around the tentacle---struggling to free him-
self---as his world began to fade. He couldn't
breath and his vision was quickly fading as he 
fought to tear the tentacle from his throat. 
"What's wrong fag-boy? Don't like Mika's embrace
or are you just scared?" The man knelt next to Wes
a smug grin on his face. "Well then I don't think you'll
like this at all...Mika." 
Needle sharp spikes shot out of the tentacle into Wes'
neck piercing his skin and muscle. He jerked in pain,
then made a gurgling sound deep in his throat. His eyes
rolled back in his head as venom poured into his veins
paralyzing him. 
**** 
Sitting at his desk Angel stared at the letter still where
he had dropped it. He'd read it a hundred times over
the course of the day and he still couldn't shake the
feeling that there was more to what Crimson had done
than what he had said. 
With an angry growl he reached for the phone. 
"Harmony!" 
"Yeah boss what do you need? I took care of the
appointment with the Dan' jat...I swear...I'm sorry
that it's on Tuesday, but Monday is a holy day or
some...," 
"Shut up Harmony!" Angel snapped. "Get Wes on
the phone...tell him to report to my off...," 
"Uh...Angel he's not here." The loud pop of Harmony's
gum echoed in his ear. 
"What the hell do you mean he's not here?! Where the
fuck is he?" He ran his hand through his hair as his
frustration level went through the roof. 
"He left about forty-five minutes ago...said something
about going for a run." 
"SHIT!" Angel roared slamming the receiver down. 
**** 
"Oh...Wesley...," a soft slow whisper pierced the
darkness that surrounded Wes' brain. 
Groaning he tried to scrub at his face only to come
to the realization that he couldn't. His arms were
stretched above him and bound with what felt like
metal cuffs. He blinked and shook his head when
the darkness didn't clear. 
"Don't worry Mr. Pryce...you're not blind just a
blindfold that's all." 
He licked his lips trying to work some type of 
moisture up in his dry mouth. "Wh...who are 
you? What...do you want?" It hurt to speak. 
"Now don't be like that. Do you really want me
to spoil the surprise? I can't have you seeing who
I am. I'm not a fool...at least I'm not anymore." 
Wesley craned his neck towards the soft voice,
thinking it sounded vaguely familiar. His thoughts
were cloudy though---likely from whatever type
of venom that bitch demon had shot into him. 
"Mika and Jake say you were a naughty little
boy when they tried to bring you to me. Since
when did you start wearing weapons?" 
Grunting Wes tugged at the cuffs. "Since some
bloody Servalanian assassin demon mistook me 
for a piece of beef and tried to shish-ka-bob
me." He cleared his throat---swallowing hard. 
"Yes...well I should have known better than to
send a demon to do a human's job. For such an
expensive fee the results were less than impressive." 
"Then it was you." Wes sighed trying to relax as
much as he could considering his present situation. 
A slow whisper of a laugh crawled across his skin. 
"Oh...yes it was me. Just a game of cat and mouse
with your little 'friend' Angelus. He should have 
appreciated it more considering his reputation." 
"Don't you mean Angel?" 
"Angel...Angelus...it doesn't matter what name he
chooses to call himself...he's still a blood thirsty 
murdering bastard. A freak who needs to be put
down like the animal he is...," the voice trailed
off calmly. 
"Angel hasn't murdered anyone." Wes licked his
lips tasting the coppery flavor of fresh blood as 
the split in his lip reopened. 
"Are you sure about that Mr. Pryce? Crimson is
dead." 
Twisting his head he strained his ears as his captor
began to pace around him. "Positive. And Angel
did not kill Crimson...but I suspect you did." 
Again that whisper of a laugh came, but this time
near his ear. "I might have pulled the trigger, but
Angelus was the killer. What is it about him that 
inspires such faith?" 
"He's a hero...a champion." 
"Really?" There was the snap of a lighter, then
the smell of burning tobacco. "Mr. Pryce have
you never read about his exploits? I thought 
you were a watcher? No wonder the council
fired you." 
"What do you know of the council?" Wes snapp-
ed. He was already damned tired of the ramblings
of this nutter. 
"Enough." 
Suddenly he felt hands curl in his tee shirt and the
thin cotton was ripped open. He gasped in pain
at the violent pull as he swung in the cuffs. "What
do you want?" 
"I want him to suffer. I want him to know the pain
of losing what he holds dearest." Another soft laugh
echoed in the room. "You wouldn't be missing any-
thing would you Mr. Pryce?" 
"I haven't a clue what your talking about." 
"Silver ring on your left hand." 
Rubbing his numb fingers together Wes felt bile rise
in his throat. "God, no...," he moaned. 
"Trust me Mr. Pryce...there is no such being." 
By the time Wes realized what was happening it was,
too late. His captor stepped closer and pressed the
tip of the lit cigarette to his chest. 
All he could do was scream. 
**** 
Angel was pacing outside Lorne's office rubbing at
his wrists. For some reason they ached something
awful. Probably from all that paper shuffling he had
done over the last eight hours, he thought. 
Lorne's door opened and he stepped out his arm 
around a petite female demon with pale blue skin. 
"Cupcake don't worry about it. Lucas and I are
like this...," he crossed his long green fingers, "...I'll
make sure you have that part in Episode three. Lord
knows he won't complain if I save him a few bucks
in the makeup department." 
"Lorne!" Angel snapped impatiently. 
"Now...now Angelkins there isn't any reason to get
your panties in a bunch. What can I do for you?" He
waved Angel into his office closing the door. 
Dropping into a chair Angel continued rubbing his
wrists. "I need to know who Crimson's business
associates were?" 
Shaking his head Lorne strolled to the bar. "Sugar I
haven't got a clue other than the fact they were Mafia
types. I'm not sure I'd want to know either. Crimson
had a hell of a reputation." He turned back to glance
at Angel. "Cosmo, martini, O-positive?" 
"No, thanks." Angel popped his neck. "Look Lorne
I don't mean to rush you, but Wes is gone." 
"Oh, I know hon. That letter had him so wound up
he decided to go for a run. Told me he'd be back in...,"
Lorne glanced down at his Rolex, "...oh my...he should
have been back by now." 
"I know." Angel's shoulders slumped as he started 
scratching at his wrists now. "Security confirmed he
left almost three hours ago, but he hasn't returned." 
Lorne settled in the chair across from Angel and
raised a brow. "If you don't mind me saying I think
those little games you boys were playing got out of
hand last night." 
Frowning Angel looked up at Lorne. "What the hell
are you talking about?" 
"Your wrists cupcake." 
Looking down Angel's eyes grew wide. His wrists
were bruised dark blue and purple. "What the fuck?" 
"Do you mean you didn't notice that?" Lorne sipped
his Cosmo. "That's some serious bruising bucko. Looks
like Wes had you hanging from the...," 
"Son of a bitch!" Angel yelped---scaring the shit out of
Lorne---as he ripped open his shirt with a hiss. 
Lorne's eyes went wide as he dropped his glass. "This
is not good at all." 
Both of them stared at the smoking burn on Angel's 
pale chest, then their eyes moved up until their gazes
locked. Angel's face went even a paler shade of white
and Lorne was the color of pea soup. 
"The ring...," Angel whispered his throat tightening, "...he
doesn't have the ring. Jesus...what did Crimson say? If 
the ring is removed from either of your hands the other 
will suffer." 
Lorne swallowed hard. "Someone has him." He stood
---the spilled drink forgotten---and graabbed the phone.
"Yes, it's me silly boy. Get Martin Jennings on the phone.
Yes, Martin...Crimson Faire's manager. No...I will not
accept a no for an answer. Just remind him of that little
soiree in Mexico City. He'll talk to me or his career in
Hollywood is over!" 
**** 
Wes moaned softly---his head slumped forward---as
his captors footsteps circled him. 
"Now...now Wesley...," a breath of warm hair tickled
his ear, "...you can't be ready to give in already. Where's
the fun in that?" 
Struggling he lifted his head turning his face towards the
voice. "What makes you think I'm ready to give in...you
sadistic bitch." 
A blow slammed into his kidneys causing him to scream
in agony. That one was going to make him piss blood,
Wes thought, as he tried to catch his breath. 
"Naughty boy. Must you really antagonize me Mr. Pryce?
Isn't it bad enough that you've lowered yourself so far
down the ladder you allow that animal to fuck you?" 
"He isn't...an animal." 
"Oh, but he is Wesley. A rabid one just waiting for the
right moment to escape his cage. Jake give him the in-
jection now." 
Wes twisted trying to escape the rough hands that
grabbed his hips. "Please...bloody Christ what are 
you doing?" The waist of his sweats were yanked 
down and he yelped as the needle sank into his hip. 
"What was in that?" His head began throbbing. 
"Just a little cocktail that Mika came up with. I think
you'll find it quite enlightening." 
**** 
Angel sat on the examine table as Fred prodded the
growing bruise on his back. "Shit! Fred that fucking
hurts! Stop it!" 
"Sorry, but this is fascinating...it's like your body is
reacting to external stimuli, but there is none. Burns,
bruises, even lacerations...," Fred rambled as Angel
rolled his eyes. 
"Lorne tell me again why I can't leave." 
"Because sweetcheeks you're falling apart at the 
seams and there's no telling when the next seam is
going to rip open. Just relax let pumpkin here do her 
scientific kazow kazoom. Martin is on his way as
we speak." Lorne sat down in one of the chairs 
and gave Angel the no argument look. 
"Do you really think this Martin is going to be of
any use at all?" Angel flinched as another burn 
appeared---this one on the back of his arm. 
"Well it's a start, sugar. Whoever's got stud muffin
is doing a nasty little number on him and by default
one on you, too." 
Angel growled at Fred as she poked him in the
ribs again. 
"Anyone order a sniveling weasel for lunch?" 
They all looked up as Spike strode through the lab 
door---pushing a plump, balding man ahead of him. 
"Spike!" Angel growled. 
Spike raised an eyebrow at Angel. "Bloody hell
mate what happened to you? Get in a fight with
Joe Camel did you?" 
"I'm not amused." Angel snorted. 
The bald man scrambled to his knees and hurried
to Lorne's side. "Please...please don't let him bite
me!" He screeched in a high voice. 
Turning at the sound of the man's shriek Spike
snorted. "What makes you think I want to bite
you, nutter? I think maybe you'd leave a nasty 
aftertaste considering what you smell like mate." 
"Calm down Martin. I'm here to tell you Spike's
bark is worse than his bite." Lorne patted the 
shaking man's shoulder. 
"So you say you walking stick of celery and sun-
shine!" Spike snapped. "Man knows a big bad 
when he sees one now don't he?" He flashed his 
game face and growled at Martin sending the man 
into a fit of shrieks. 
"ENOUGH!" Angel roared. 
Suddenly every pair of eyes in the room was
on Angel's face. 
"Fred quit poking me, Lorne shut Martin up, and Spike
so help me God if you don't quit antagonizing that
screaming mimi I will turn you into a flaming shish-
kabob!" Angel hopped off the table yanking his shirt 
on with a deep growl. 
"Look now cupcake don't be like that." 
Angel turned and glared at Lorne. "My office---all of
you---fifteen minutes!" Then he was gone. 
"Now what crawled up his bloody ass?" Spike mused. 
**** 
He was dreaming. 
It had to be a dream---right? 
He was laying in a hammock---beneath the wide spread
fronds of a palm tree. The sunlight was bright and the sky
was the most perfect shade of blue. A slow, soft whisper 
of a breeze drifted off the crystalline waters bringing with 
it the fresh, salty scent of the sea. 
A muscled, smooth, tan arm curled around his bare chest
and he sighed softly. 
"Angel?" He whispered. 
"Yes, Wes?" 
"Is this a dream?" 
"Maybe." Soft laughter teased his ears. 
"Where are we?" Wes shifted so he could look into Angel's
twinkling brown eyes. 
"Aruba." Angel leaned in kissing him softly. 
He melted into the kiss---groaning softly. 
"Don't you remember?" Angel whispered. 
"I...I can't seem to remember...did something happen?" 
"Yes." 
"What?" Wes started to set up---his heart pounding. 
"You died Wes." 
Before he could speak a sudden agonizing pain ripped
through his chest. Looking down he saw a wooden 
stake push through his chest---blood spurting outward. 
"I had to kill you Wes." 
He watched in horror as his flesh disintegrated into
a swirl of grey dust. Screaming he tried to hold onto
Angel, but he was nothing. 
Nothing but dust. 
"I'm sorry Wes...," 
**** 
"How delicious is that? You are a master of torture
Mika!" The woman stood watching through the 
plexi-glass window as Wesley scrambled across the
dirt floor screaming in pure agony. 
"No...Angel please...no!" His voice cracked---as he
begged---tears of pain streaking his face. 
"He is fighting it ma'am." Mika stepped closer her
razor sharp teeth glittering in the dim light. "This 
one is far stronger than you believe." 
"Is that true?" She turned on the demon her blue
eyes flashing. 
Mika straightened to her full height looking down
into those blue eyes. "Yes...it is. The venom is
not strong enough to do what you want it, too." 
"And what exactly do you think I want it to do?" 
"You wish Angel to suffer by experiencing this
man's pain. How perfect would it be for him to
suffer his lover's descent into madness?" Mika
grinned wide. "I will strengthen the venom and
inject him within the hour." 
"Good...," the woman whispered as she turned
back to the window, "...very good indeed." 
**** 
Angel sat staring at the silver band on his ring
finger turning it around and around, feeling it's
cool smoothness. Such a little thing and yet--- 
"So Percy's gone and got himself kidnapped." 
"It's not his fault...," Angel looked up at Spike. 
"Didn't say it was...now did I you great wanker?" 
Spike paced the room finally coming to the window
and staring out at the twilight city. "So Martin...,"
he turned locking his cold stare on the trembling man
who was glued to Lorne's hip, "...what did you have
to do with this?" 
"Nothing...I swear...nothing." Martin's face went paler. 
"Oh, really?" Spike moved across the room---his face
shifting. 
"Please...oh shit I swear...Lorne...tell him...," Martin
stumbled back into a corner. 
Spike growled. "Why is it that I don't believe you?" 
"Spike!" Angel snapped. 
"Oh, come on you great pouf. You want us to find
Percy...I want a bite...perfect solution." 
Lorne sat shaking his head. "He's right Spike. Martin
is an idiot, but he isn't stupid." 
Spike snorted and headed to the bar pouring himself
a whiskey. "So why's he here? What good is he if 
he doesn't know where watcher boy is?" 
"Look...Lorne ask me to come. He said...he said
that you needed to know about Crimson's contacts." 
"We do." Angel's dark gaze fell on Martin's pale face. 
"I brought his...his appointment books for the last...
six months." Martin held up the briefcase he had been
clutching. "If he met with someone...anyone...it's in
here. Crimson was meticulous in his business dealings." 
Angel stood and moved to where Martin was---leaning
into the wall---the briefcase lifted like a shield. "Listen
to me Martin...pray that the answers are here. If I lose
Wesley and I find out you had anything to do with it
there is no power in heaven or earth that will save you." 
**** 
Wes lay curled in a tight ball on the dirt floor, his body
shaking with spasms---trapped in the dark hallucinations
of Mika's venom. 
"Wes? Can you hear me Wesley?" 
With a shudder he lifted his head his eyes growing wide
as they settled on a familiar face. A face as dear to him
as Angel's. 
"Cor...cordelia?" 
"Good guess brain boy." She smiled as she knelt by his 
side, one hand reaching out to caress his bruised and 
filthy face. "What do you think you're doing?" 
He shook his head tears welling in his eyes. "You're
not real...you're dead." 
Cordelia rolled her eyes. "Way to go with the ladies
Wesley. Of course I'm dead, but then I was dead the
last time you saw me, too." 
"Why...why are you doing this to me?!" Wes screamed.
"She was my friend!" 
"I still am...though if you keep acting like that I might
reconsider." She laughed softly and stroked his sweat
matted hair. "Look at me Wes...it's really me. I'm here
to help you. To let you know that Angel is looking. He
would never hurt you...the pain isn't real." 
"Then...how do I know you are?" He took a ragged
breath. "How do I know this isn't another lie?" 
"You don't." Her words were a slow whisper. "But
what have you got to lose Wes?" 
The tears finally fell. 
"Oh, God...it's really you. You're really here." 
"Yes...and I won't leave you Wesley. No matter
what you chose...life or death." 
**** 
Standing up Angel headed to the bathroom his
head swimming. Everything seemed surreal and
twisted like a strange, hellish Picasso. 
He knew this had to be an effect of the spell,
but it scared him. If these images meant what
he thought they did they didn't have much time
left. 
Stumbling into the bathroom stall Angel fell to
his knees vomiting what little he had eaten. 
"Cupcake you okay?" 
Angel groaned, then fell back against the 
cubical wall. "It's bad Lorne...real bad." 
The cubical door swung open and Lorne
looked down at where he sat on the cold tile
floor. "I see that. What's going on? One minute
you're cruising the next you're gone." 
"It's Wes...he's losing...," 
"Losing what?" Lorne helped him to his feet. 
"...his grip on reality. They gave him something.
I don't know what...I can feel it burning in my
veins...his veins." Angel looked up---cold fear
in his eyes---swallowing hard. "He's going mad
Lorne...he's losing his mind." 
**** 
"Got it! I got it!" Fred stood up rushing to the 
computer and typing furiously. 
Spike sauntered over to the desk leaning in
to see what Fred was doing. "What you got 
luv?" 
"Crimson had an appointment with someone
he marked as 'potential job' two days before
Wesley was attacked in December. He has
some notes here, but they're in what I'm guess-
ing is his native language." 
"So what bloody good is that?" 
Fred let out a sigh and rolled her eyes as she
continued typing. "I'm accessing the linguistics
program that Wes had installed on the network.
If I enter the notes, then activate the program,
it should be able to translate the notes fairly
quickly." 
Entering the office leaning on Lorne---with a 
paler face than any vampire had the right to 
have---Angel made his way to his desk where
Fred and Spike were. "So what do you have
Fred?" He lowered himself into a chair wincing
at every movement. 
Fred looked up over her glasses as she hit the 
enter key. "Notes in Crimson's appointment 
book for December. I think this might be the
break we're looking for...if the program can
translate...," 
"Translate?" Angel raised an eyebrow. 
"Yes...it appears that though Crimson kept his
appointments in English he added notes in his
native tongue." She watched the computer 
screen---playing with a stand of loose hair---
as the program scrolled through thousands of
languages. 
"Why would he do that Fred?" Angel leaned
back in the chair closing his eyes. 
She tapped her pen against her lower lip. "Who 
knows...maybe insurance considering the busi-
ness he was in." 
"That would make perfect sense, sugar." Lorne
moved to one of the other chairs. "He wasn't
exactly running with the law abiding crowd, but
then when is Hollywood ever law abiding?" 
**** 
Cordelia was sitting on the crate across the
room from where Wes was huddled against
the wall. They stared at one another for the
longest time---Wes trying to make her dis-
appear and Cordelia raising a brow at Wes'
typical British stubbornness. She sat with her
legs crossed filing her nails. 
"If you're really here...a spirit, then why do
you need to file your nails?" Wes whispered
his eyes wide. 
"See Wes...the thing is I don't need too, but I
want, too. I miss being alive...the clothes, the
hair, and...oh, I don't know? My friends." 
Wes turned his head away, chewing on his lip,
as he contemplated Cordy's words. "I miss
you, too." 
This was insane, Wesley thought, she isn't
really here. It's whatever they had injected
into him. He looked up to ask Cordelia if
she could give him more solid proof that
she was real when the door opened. 
Angel stepped through with a soft smile. 
"Angel? Is it really you?" He began to shake
as Angel knelt next to him his hand lifting to
Wes' pale face. "Have you come to take me 
home?" 
"Yes...it's me." 
**** 
She watched with sharp, heartless eyes as 
Jake entered the room and knelt next to the
trembling man. A smile curled her lips into an
insane rictus. 
"Does he have the venom?" 
"Yes, he does. I have no doubt this one will be
more exquisite than the last." Mika stepped from
the shadows. "It is a more pure version of my 
species' venom." 
**** 
Wes threw himself into Angel's arms on the edge 
of hysteria. "I was so...so afraid that I was going 
to...that you wouldn't...," 
"Shhh...," Angel whispered as he nuzzled Wes'
neck, "...it's okay. I love you...I would never
leave you. You're my childe." 
At those words Wes' throat tightened. 
"You're ch...childe?" He stuttered. 
"Of course...," Angel growled as his face shifted
and his incisors tore into Wes' throat. 
Wes began to convulse in Angel's embrace. His
breath coming in gasping moans as Angel drank
and drank, then drank some more. Somewhere in
the distance he could hear Cordelia's soft voice. 
"...it's not real...Wes...listen...not real...," 
**** 
Angel jerked and cried out clutching at his throat
as his eyes rolled back in his head. "Wes...no...no." 
"Angelkins can you here me?" 
His back bowed and flashes of memories passed
before his eyes. The night Darla had changed him
came back in a flood of agony. 
<Such a darling boy. I'll show you the world.> 
"Look green bean...if anyone can get through to
Angel it's me. The bloody bastard would rise from
the dead if it meant he could kick my ass one more
time." 
"Why is he bleeding? Is he dying...oh, God that's 
not good. Spike let me help him...he can't die...if
he's dying, then Wesley is dying and that can't 
happen." Fred's panicked voice rose. 
"Look precious let Spike deal with this. Angel 
could rip you up in the state he's in and never 
know who you were. At least Spike is strong 
enough to restrain him." Lorne's calming voice
drifted over Angel. 
"Wes...hurts...god dammit!" Angel roared sitting
up to fast and falling forward onto his knees. His
hand still clutched at his throat as he rocked back
and forth---his eyes clenched shut. 
"Look, Angel you're scaring the bollocks out of Fred
and Godzilla boy here. Hell you've got me thinking
about changing my snuggies, mate. Can you hear 
me cause if you can I bloody well suggest you answer
me now." 
Angel stopped rocking and looked up with gold
eyes on the verge of losing control of the demon
inside him. "Spike?" 
"Yeah...that would be me, luv." 
"Call me luv again and I'll rip your useless balls off,"
Angel mumbled as the pain eased in his neck. 
"Well now...that's the bloody vamp I've come to
know and despise. What happened?" Spike reached
out steadying Angel as he stumbled to his feet. 
"I think...Wes...he was bitten by a vampire. It felt
like when Darla changed me, but it didn't too. I
can't explain it." Angel collapsed in the chair still
pressing his hand to his neck---blood seeping 
between his fingers. "We have to find him Spike." 
Just then the computer pinged softly. 
Fred smiled as she ran back to the desk. "This
is it guys...the notes...we're going to find Wes!" 
**** 
He was dying---he could feel it. 
The beat of his heart was slowing, his breath
easing from gasps to whispers that whistled
in his throat. His limbs seemed heavy and cold
with no feeling in them. 
"Wes...look at me." 
Wesley groaned softly---his eyes fluttering---as
he tried to focus on Angel's soft voice. "Why?" 
"Because I love you Wes. I want you with me
forever. Because love is eternal." Angel leaned
over him---his mouth a scarlet slash. "I've drained
you of your human life and now I need to feed 
you a new life." 
"Wesley listen to me...it's Cordelia...this isn't
real. None of this is real." 
Wes' head rolled to the left and through blurry
eyes focused on Cordelia's face. "...not...real?" 
"Yes, it's not real. Angel would never do this." 
He rolled his head again trying to focus on Angel's
face. This wasn't the Angel he knew. It wasn't the
Angel he had loved for so many years. 
"...not real...you...not real...," he moaned. 
"Oh, but I am Wes...more real than you could
ever imagine." 
Wes watched in horror as this imposter---who 
wore Angel's face---sliced open his wrist. He
struggled to get away, but he was so tired. 
"...no...please no...," 
Angel's bleeding wrist pressed to his trembl-
ing lips as he fought to pull his mouth away. 
"Yes...Wes...be with me forever." 
He choked as the coppery thickness filled
his mouth, his throat, flowing thick and 
fast. Drowning him in a raging tide of scarlet. 
**** 
Angel stared at the print out clutched in his
hands as Fred cleaned and bandaged his 
neck his head pounding. Nearby Spike was
pacing---having exchanged his glass of whis-
key for the bottle itself. 
"I know this address. Dammit...why can't
I remember where I've seen this address." 
Having arrived from a court hearing Gunn 
sat at Angel's desk skimming over the copies 
Fred had given him. "This is in a middle class 
neighborhood...nice area, but I don't think it's 
gonna be that easy, Angel. This is just where
Crimson met this woman and we're not even
sure if she's the one." 
Leaning back in the chair he tried to relax
as he closed his eyes. He could feel Wes'
terror, his pain, and it was getting to be to
much. Whatever this bitch was doing to
Wes was in the ranks of Angelus' style of
torture. 
"I want to go to this address." Angel lifted 
his head and looked around the room---his
vision blurring and shifting. 
"Look cupcake we all know how you feel
about Wes, but this isn't a good idea. Take
a look at yourself." Lorne stood and began 
to pace the room. He was fighting his own
guilt at the moment and it wasn't a song he
liked at all. "You're falling apart...not that
strong...," 
"Dammit Lorne I need to do this!" Angel
snapped. 
Gunn spoke up. "Angel he's right. You're 
in no shape to...," 
"I think he's done spoke his mind." Spike
turned from the window. "It's not like Angel
isn't a big boy." 
"Please...guys...this isn't good! Wesley is
out there...in pain, suffering, and we don't
have time for this shit!" Fred yelled over
the loud grumblings of the four men throw-
ing the first aid kit across the room. 
All four turned to stare at Fred as she glared 
at them. "We all love him! He's our friend! 
God, all of you are impossible!" 
Lorne moved to Fred's side as she rubbed
at her eyes, sniffling. "Oh sug...you're right.
You know us men always showering the
testosterone around." He stroked her hair
as she settled against his shoulder. "We'll
all go." 
**** 
An hour later they were standing outside the
apartment that Crimson had entered almost
four months ago. The apartment that he had 
met the mysterious woman---who he describ-
ed as psychotic---in and made a deal. A deal
that had led to Wes' abduction and to the blind-
ing pain Angel was fighting now as he stood in 
the hallway. 
"The landlord says this apartment has been
empty since September." Fred pushed the 
key into the lock turning it until it clicked. "I
got the key by telling him I was a building
inspector and we'd had complaints about
homeless people...you know people without
homes...breaking into apartments. Doing 
damage and well...you know weird stuff...," 
Gunn stood close to Fred his hands shifting
on the handle of the axe nervously. "Maybe
I should go first." 
"She's not here." Angel finally spoke up as
he moved to the door. "She hasn't been here 
since she spoke with Crimson." 
"How...how do you know that?" Fred looked
up from where she was removing the key. 
Angel laughed softly, but there was no humor
in it. "Vampire senses...I can smell him...and
her, too. It's faint...old." He reached out and
removed Fred's hand from the doorknob. "I
know her scent...it's different, but I know it
and she knew I would. The bitch didn't even 
care that I would know." 
Pushing open the door Angel walked into the
empty apartment shaking his head. The others
followed close behind---ready for anything---
yet there was nothing. 
Except a plain envelope waiting like a spirit
in the shadows. 
Angel crouched down his fingertips grazing
the smooth white paper, then he picked it
up. Opening the envelope he pulled out a
stack of polaroids. 
"What is it Angel?" Fred reached out her
hand brushing his shaking shoulder. 
He turned his eyes filled with rage and Fred
found herself backing away. "It's over." Angel
whispered. 
"I don't think so man." Gunn wrapped his arm
around Fred protectively. 
"Yes, it is...for you. She wants me and that's 
what she's going to get." Angel's hand opened
sending the polaroids scattering across the beige
carpet. "This is my fight now." 
Before either of them could speak Angel was
gone. Fred knelt down picking up one of the
polaroids a gasp escaping as she turned her
gaze back to Gunn. 
"Oh, God Charles...," 
Gunn lowered himself to the floor next to
Fred. "What is it baby girl?" 
She held one of the polaroids out to Gunn
her hand trembling. "...they're all of Wes." 

**** 
The dock at this time of the night was a place
that no sane mortal would be unless they had
to be there. Then again even those who had to 
be there were fools. 
Angel moved with a single minded purpose
through the thick fog that rolled off the ocean,
bringing with it the scent of both life and death. 
He knew the others would think he was being 
foolish, but he didn't give a damn. Wes had
become a huge part of his life---first friends,
then lovers---a part he wasn't willing to lose
to that psycho bitch. They didn't understand
what was happening---how could they? 
Even now as he moved through the shadows
he could feel Wes' fear, his anguish, and it
made him sick. Both physically and mentally
to the point of wanting to drop in his tracks. 
At the end of the dock he stopped his gaze
lifting to the wide wooden sign warped with
age and the moist salty air. 
Angel Imports. 
"Real funny...," Angel growled beneath his
breath. 
Silently he crept along the wall of the warehouse
until he reached the front door. Not a soul in
sight and the silence was eerie---making his skin
crawl. Leaning down Angel grabbed the handle
and pulled the door up. Not surprisingly the gears
moved smoothly---after all who knew how long 
she had been hiding out here. 
As he started to walk in a hand settled on his 
shoulder. "Dammit Spike...," he hissed, "...could
you be a little noisier?" 
"Getting sloppy in your old age...are you pouf?" 
Angel turned glaring at Spike. "What are you 
doing here? This has nothing to do with you or
the others." 
"Quit being a ponce. Sure Percy is your boy, but
he's our friend." Spike lit a cigarette inhaling. "Yeah,
I know what you're thinking...what do I care? Well
I do. Can't have you moping about like a lost moppet." 
Rolling his eyes Angel turned back to the door. "Well
just don't get in my way Spike and you'll be fine." 
With a faint snort Spike flipped the glowing butt into
the fog shrouded darkness and followed Angel. 
**** 
Pain is a picky thing. 
Sometimes it can be physical and other times it can
be mental. The physical always heals fairly quickly
though it may leave it's mark on a man's flesh, but the
mental pain---that's another story. 
It never really heals, for the mind once marked is never
the same. Wes knew that to be the ultimate truth for
even now his memories held raw open wounds. 
Moaning he opened his eyes to look into a face he
knew. A face from the past that he had filed away
as one of the good guys, but from the look in her
eyes he knew he had been mistaken. 
"It's nice to see you awake Mr. Pryce. I can assure
you that what you see is not a hallucination. As a 
matter of fact I am surprised you didn't recognize my
voice in the beginning." 
Wes grunted against the gag that filled his mouth and
tried to twist away from her hand. 
"He did exactly what I hoped he would. Your Angel
is here at last...come to rescue his English dandy. So
predictable, even after all these years." Her long slim
fingers stroked Wes' bruised cheek. "He always was
a fool...why else would he trust those bastards at 
Wolfram and Hart?" 
She began to circle Wes her gaze moving over his
body, a smirk curling her lips. "I am truly amazed
at this body. I never imagined you looked this good
beneath those stuffy suits. Perhaps I should...," her
voice trailed off as her arms encircled his waist, 
"...have a look at what you give to that animal." 
Thrashing against the cuffs that held his arms above
his head Wes grunted against the gag. A deep chok-
ing sound escaped him as her hands slid into the waist
band of his sweats. Her laughter was a slow whisper
in his ear as her fingers encircled his cock---stroking 
softly. 
"Quite the package Mr. Pryce." 
Wes kicked his leg back making contact with her
shin. She gasped releasing him and moved around
him looking deep into his eyes. What Wes saw 
terrified him and he began struggling again. 
His struggles were halted by the back of her hand 
making contact with his temple---the ring on her
finger splitting the skin. Blood ran down the side
of his face as he groaned and slumped forward. 
"Don't test me Pryce!" Her eyes flashed with anger
as she backhanded him again. "I've waited to long
to make him suffer and if it takes slitting your throat,
then that's what I will do!" 
Turning she walked away leaving Wes dazed and in
pain---blood dripping into his eyes---his whimpers
muffled and faint. 
**** 
"Shit!" 
Angel stumbled falling against the wall as the skin
along his temple split. The scent of blood filled the
musty air as Spike knelt down next to him. 
"Bloody hell! What was that?" 
"She...shit she's hurting him." Angel clutched at his 
head with one hand as Spike helped him to his feet. 
"Angel who is it? Who in the bloody hell did you
piss off so bad that they would do this?" Spike
turned away studying the shadows. "What did you
do?" 
Shaking his head Angel pushed past Spike. "I made
a mistake...I thought what I did was right. Dammit
we have to find Wes. She'll kill him...," 
"If she hasn't done it, yet." 
"He's alive...I can feel him." 
**** 
"He's here." 
Mika turned as the woman entered the office. "I know.
I just saw him on the security camera. He has a friend 
with him." 
She moved across the room leaning against the desk
watching as Angel and his companion made their way
through the darkened warehouse. "It doesn't matter
who he has with him...he is still going to lose." 
"Perhaps I should call Jake." Mika headed for the phone. 
"Yes...do that." 
**** 
They were about to head for the second floor of the
warehouse when Spike stopped. He moved into the
shadows beneath the rickety wooden stairs---sniff-
ing the air. "Down here." 
"Spike...what is it?" Angel ducked beneath the stairs
hot on Spike's heels. 
"Smell it...do you? That's watcher boy...," 
Angel sniffed the air his face shifting as the scent of
his lover reached him. "Yeah...that's Wes' scent." 
Moving deeper into the shadows Spike knelt his
fingers moving along the wall. "Light. There's some 
kind of opening here." He turned back to face Angel 
and grinned. Seconds later his fist slammed into the 
plaster wall shattering it. 
**** 
"Wes? Jesus...Wes can you hear me?" 
Eyes flickering Wes moaned as fingers tugged the
gag from his mouth. 
"Is he okay?" Spike's eyes darted around the room. 
Angel reached up snapping the chain that held Wes'
cuffed wrists. "It's bad Spike...we have to get him
out of here." Gently he lowered Wes to the ground. 
"Can't be this bloody easy...," Spike growled deep
in his throat, "...I smell trouble." 
"Wes open your eyes. Talk to me." Angel ran his
fingers along Wes' pale bloody face. 
Another groan escaped Wes as his eyes slowly
opened---pupils dilated in pain---and he focused
on Angel's face. The reaction wasn't what Angel 
had expected. 
He started screaming. 
"Shit! What the fuck?" Spike turned around his
face shifting. "Why the bloody hell is he screaming?" 
Wes looked from Angel to Spike his screams raw
and what few words he managed incoherent. 
"It's okay...it's me...Angel." Angel reached out and
Wes flinched. 
"Nononononono....don't...no please...god no...," 
Angel's face paled as Wes scooted across the floor
on his ass. "Oh, god...please...," 
"Look Angel you need to shut him up or we're going
to be in some deep shit, pet." 
Right on cue Jake appeared out of the shadows with
Mika close behind. 
"Bloody fuck all!" Spike snapped. "We got company!" 
Angel was on his feet and drawing the sword at his
waist just as Mika stepped up to him. "Where the fuck
is she?!" Angel demanded. 
Mika grinned her jaw cracking her teeth glittering in 
the dim light. "Don't know what you're talking about
vampire, but I guarantee you aren't leaving here." She
threw back her cloak revealing her body---a mass of
writhing tentacles. 
Her tentacles began whipping and snapping around her
as she launched at Angel. Behind them Spike was in a 
serious fight of his own as Jake's body shifted two foot
long spikes shooting from beneath his skin. 
"Oh, now that's what I call a game. Spikes for Spike." 
Grinning Spike motioned Jake to come closer, then 
launched himself at Jake fists flying. 
**** 
Wes had crawled into a corner behind a box his body
shuddering with spasms of pain. He had thought the pain
was gone, but then he had seen Angel again. 
"Wesley it's okay." 
He looked up with haunted eyes and began giggling. 
"Wesley you have to come back. Come back to reality." 
"Reality? That's funny coming from a bloody ghost." 
Cordelia let out a put upon sigh and squatted down in 
front of Wes. "I swear I'm never going to get 'eternal
rest' at this rate. Dammit Wesley it's really Angel...he's
here with Spike. He came to save you." 
Another shudder tore through his body. "He bit me...he
changed me...," he laughed a raspy sound. 
"Hallucinations Wesley. Remember? You have to help
him...to help yourself. He loves you so much." Her dark
eyes softened. "He lost Buffy...he lost me. Don't you
understand? He can't lose you, too." 
Suddenly it all made sense. 
The hallucinations, the pain he felt---he was scared. 
Even with the spell Crimson had done he was terrified
that he would be Angel's downfall. That he would release
the beast inside Angel. He had seen the true face of the
demon in Pylea and that was when he had decided that
there wasn't the slightest hope he would ever know Angel's
touch. So he had thrown himself into his books, trying to
convince himself that he could love Fred, but Angel had 
finally seen through his act. 
"I love him Cordelia, but I'm scared...actually terrified." 
She smiled---her hand lifting to cup his jaw---as she 
leaned close. Her lips brushed his forehead with a 
gentle kiss. "Tell him Wesley. Tell him you're scared
because you know what...so is he." 
Wes looked down as Cordelia took his hands laying
the weapon in them. "You're stronger than you think
Wesley...you always were." 
**** 
Mika was screeching in pain and anger as her tentacles
tightened around Angel's abdomen. "You fucking prick!
Why won't you die!" 
Angel snarled freeing one arm and swinging his sword
in an arc. "I'm already dead...you dumb ass!" The blade
came down with a woosh and thick purple gore sprayed
across his face. 
The demon's shriek rose in pitch as she flung Angel into
the wall. Angel could hear his ribs crack as he hit, then
slid to the floor. A second later Spike landed on top of 
him forcing his cracked ribs into his lungs. Thank God
he didn't use them, but it still hurt. 
"Get off me Spike!" He pushed Spike off trying to get
to his feet. 
"Piss off!" Spike snapped. "Wasn't like I wanted to snug
up with you!" 
Their argument ceased when the sound of a gun going
off caught their attention. 
Wesley was standing not five feet from them---clutching
at his side---Mika dead at his feet. He swayed as Jake
roared in rage and headed across the room. 
"Wes!" Angel barely made it to his side catching him in
his arms. "Talk to me." 
Looking up into Angel's fear-filled eyes Wes smiled
weakly. "Spiratis...demon...aim for his stomach...," 
"Spike here!" He grabbed the gun tossing it across 
the room. "Aim for his gut!" 
Spike caught the gun grumbling beneath his breath. 
"Bloody guns...what's the fun in that." He fumbled
with the gun, then aimed at Jake who was almost
on top of him. The gun chose to jam. "Bollocks!" 
Jake landed on Spike with a shriek. "You're all
going to die!" 
"Like bloody hell!" Spike roared his fist slamming 
into Jake's stomach. 
His fist tore into skin, muscle, and bone as he shifted 
into game face. Gore poured through his fingers as he 
drove his hand deeper as Jake convulsed and thrashed
against him. One spike ripped through Spike's shoulder
causing him to roar in pain---his fingers digging deeper
and closing around the pulsing muscle beneath. 
"Die you bloody bastard!" Closing his fingers tighter 
around the mass of the demons heart he flexed his
hand crushing the organ as he tore it from Jake's
chest. With a roar of triumph he ripped the crushed
heart from Jake's chest. 
Jake stumbled to his feet staring down at the gapping
hole in his stomach, then his gaze moved up to where
Spike stood with a smirk on his face. The huge demon's
eyes began to glaze over as he back stepped falling
backwards onto the dirt floor with a loud thud. 
"Now that was fun." Spike grinned tossing the crushed
mass of pulp onto the floor. His face shifted back as
he turned to where Angel knelt with Wes in his arms. 
Angel looked up at Spike shaking his head in exasper-
ation. "I said to use the gun." 
Snorting Spike wiped his gore encrusted hand on his 
jeans. "Bloody thing jammed. Besides always preferred
the up close and personal method." He reached into
his coat pocket and pulled out a cigarette out---lighting
it up. "Watcher-boy okay?" He exhaled a cloud of 
smoke rings. 
"He will be, but we have to get him home." Angel pulled
himself to his feet, then lifted Wes' limp body into his
arms. As he turned to ask Spike for help his gaze met
a pair of furious eyes across the room. 
She hadn't changed much, but there was a dark, sharp
edge to her now. He opened his mouth to call out, but
she vanished into the shadows. 
"You okay, mate?" Spike raised a dark brow. 
"Yeah...let's get Wes out of here." 
****
Two Days Later
**** 
Angel slipped into the infirmary room quietly moving
to the bedside with a faint smile. 
The doctor had told him that Wes' body would heal,
but he insisted that Wes would need therapy. Of that
Angel had no doubt. He had felt everything that the
other man had went through and though most of it
was physical he had experienced the images the venom
had planted in Wes' mind. 
"Angel." 
He raised a brow at Wes as his eyes fluttered open. 
"How did...?" 
Wes laughed softly. "Who else would be trying to sneak
in without waking me?" 
Settling on the edge of the bed Angel pulled a single pale
yellow rose from his jacket grinning at Wes' expression. 
"You brought me a flower? Now that's interesting. Does
this mean you're not aggravated with me?" Wes lifted one
hand taking the rose. "I was sure it would be a box of
biscuits or maybe some tea, but not a rose." He brought
the rose to his face inhaling the scent. 
"No, still pissed," Angel's smile faded as his gaze was drawn
to the thick gauze around Wes' wrists. "You should have 
never left on your own...especially after the letter." 
Shifting against the pillows Wes frowned. "I understand 
why you're mad Angel, but I can't let my life be ruled by 
this place. I am a grown man after all." His eyes lowered
to the blanket afraid of what he would see in Angel's eyes. 
"You could have died Wesley...I could have...," 
"Lost me?" 
Angel looked up into Wes' eyes. There was a storm of
emotions swirling in their sapphire depths. 
"She told me you were frightened, too." Wes' voice 
cracked. 
"Did she?" Angel slipped from the bed and began to pace. 
"No, not that crazy strumpet...Cordelia." 
Turning back to the bed Angel frowned. "Cordelia? You
saw Cordelia?" A surge of jealousy rose in his throat. 
"She was there Angel. With me through the worst of it
and she told me in the end that you had the same fears
as I did." Clearing his throat Wes focused on the rose,
his fingers caressing the soft petals. "She said that you
had lost so much and you feared you would lose me
as well." 
Swallowing hard Angel moved back to the bed and
settled next to Wes. One hand moved down to fold
around Wes' and the other reached out lifting Wes'
chin. 
"She's right Wes...I can't imagine my life without
you. But you know she's still out there and as long
as she is you're her number one target." 
Before Wes could answer Angel pulled him close
kissing him deep and hard. Wes moaned---his lips
parting---as Angel's tongue teased it's way into his
mouth dancing with his. This was what he had 
fought for, he thought. Pulling back with a gasp he
smiled at Angel his face flushed. 
"I know Angel...I do, but we can't let her win." 
As he leaned forward to kiss Angel again a 
messenger knocked on the door. 
"Mr. Angel?" 
"Just Angel." Angel stood walking to the door. 
"Mail supervisor said this had to be signed for
by you personally." The young man shifted from
one leg to the other nervously. 
Angel signed the electronic board, excepted the
large brown envelope, and watched as the young
man ran. Shaking his head he wandered back in-
to the room. 
"What was that all about?" Wes questioned. 
"Don't have a clue," Angel ripped open the envelope. 
There was a whisper of metal against paper as some-
thing fell to the floor with a soft ping. Bending down
Angel palmed the ring turning it over in his hand. 
"It's your ring Wes." He stood frowning as he held it
out to Wes. 
Taking the ring Wes looked up at Angel his body
shivering. "Is that all?" 
Angel shook his head. "No...," his voice faded as he
pulled a simple white card out of the envelope. Four
words scrawled in blood red ink greeted his gaze. 
Let the games begin. 
A cold, slow whisper of fear engulfed Angel as he 
turned the card so Wes could read it. Wes' eyes
widened as he looked up from the card. 
"Don't worry Wes...I'll find her. I swear." 
Angel leaned in kissing Wes gently, then turned
and walked out into the hall. Leaning against the 
wall he swallowed back the fear and guilt that was
beginning to rise in his gut. 
"I will find you...Kate." 
He turned and headed to his office crushing the
card in his fist. 
The End