bbb15

Chapter fifteen

�Bloody Hell.� Wesley yelped as he ended up on his backside again. Looking up at the gloating blonde he couldn�t help but feel a little bit of pride at her quick ability to learn the self-defensive moves he had been teaching her. Douglass had been training hard for the last month and a half. After only two weeks she had surpassed Willow and Cordelia. Douglass was a wildcat when it came to fighting, and her use of the light weapons Wesley was instructing her with was impressive as well.

When it became apparent that Douglass needed more attention, it was decided that the watcher would train her alone. While Spike and Angel trained Willow, Cordelia and Gunn. Wesley knew the group had doubts on his ability to actually train the young woman, even if he had once been a watcher to a slayer. He never really pointed that out, seeing that he had been fired from his job. Plus the royal mess his last charge had found herself in. But when push came to shove, he wanted this, and wouldn�t take no for an answer. He had trained for years to be a watcher, and he had really felt that what happened in Sunnydale really wasn�t his entire fault. This was a way for him to redeem himself.

He reflected over the last month over how strong the group had become. Cordelia�s visions were still helping them find the innocents in need, but the agency's reputation was getting around, and the workload was at times overwhelming. Not to mention that they still hadn�t fulfilled Lindsey�s request. They knew that Lilah had to be getting help from Darla and Dru, they just couldn�t prove it. The lawyer wouldn�t allow them to dust the two vampires. Needing the method that Lilah was extracting information.

Douglass was still being forced to accompany Lindsey to his social outings, so far most without incident. It was mostly the young lawyer�s behavior that had Douglass stomping through the lobby after one of their dates. Talking under her breath, about what she�d do to him if she had her powers. They had another outing that night at Aria�s Gallagher father�s dinner party. No had seen Aria since she disappeared the night she drove Douglass home.

That night still hung over the group. Angel intent that the two girls have supervision when it came to spells. Not like Douglass could cast much to her dismay. That next morning when she had awoken she had meditated for an hour. Reporting that she still couldn�t feel her power source, but there was something new inside of her. She just hadn�t been able to tap into it. Which was probably for the best. Tapping into the unknown usually had dire results.

Adding to this, they were at a dead end when it came to the book of Ansuz. Douglass claimed that her Mother�s name was Nessa MacArthur, but her mother had never gone to England. In fact the elder MacArthur had despised anything English. Douglass had never heard of Rupert Giles, besides from what the group had talked about. Wesley still thought there was a connection, but if Douglass didn�t have any information, there would be no answers forthcoming.

�Willow if you try to hit someone like that you�re only going to hurt yourself.� Angel walked over to his charge, and repositioned her body. Letting his hands linger a little longer than needed on her waist. Willow�s face was already flushed from her rigorous workout, and no one noticed the blush that came from his contact. She tried to concentrate on what he was saying, really she was. But just his voice had her all tied up in knots. Not to mention the tight black tank top he wore with black drawstring pants. If it wasn�t his words hypnotizing her, it was his body. Noticing her mind had wondered yet again, she made herself snap out of it.

Angel watched as Willow tried to follow through with her earlier movements with her new positioning. She�d never make a great fighter, but with the defensive magic he had deemed safe enough for her to use, she would be safer than she had been in Sunnydale. Willow�s face was glowing with perspiration, and she looked ready to drop from exhaustion. She never complained about the strenuous workouts he and Spike put them through. He really enjoyed this time of day with Willow, even if he had to share her with the others.

He found the young redhead intriguing. She had grown up over the year they had been apart, and the subtle changes had only enhanced her all around beauty. Her purity and genuine concern for others still intact, after all the horror she had witnessed, humbled Angel. Bold and daring one second, then shy and stuttering the next. He loved just sitting back and taking in all the different reactions that came from the girl.

Leaving Sunnydale, and befriending Douglass was probably the best thing that could�ve happened to her. By getting out of Sunnydale she was able to be her true self, not living in the mold she had been cast in while in high school. She was no longer the awkward, mousy girl who hid behind the slayer. She had fought hard to show her friends that, only to be shoved back in her role again, �for her own protection�. Though Angel knew he was a little bit of a hypocrite there, protecting her from her spells, he didn�t blink an eye when she behaved as to what other�s would call un-Willow like. Douglass only knowing Willow as a strong willed, funny, and faithful friend, never treating her like a weak link. Or as the research girl, net girl, or any other odd names the Sunnydale gang deemed appropriate for her. The blonde witch treated her as an equal, if not more, giving the redhead the confidence she needed.

�I say we call it a day.� Douglass announced, dropping to the mat. �These holiday parties are really going to make me go postal. I swear the next time Lindsey introduces me as the love of his life I will puke all over him.� Douglass closed her eyes and fought the need to sleep. This was getting to be too much. Too many outings that were hosted by sick and demented clients of Lindsey. Too many forced smiles at people she would never would have subjected herself to. Too many damn dreams about Lindsey in that damned black towel. The group needed to figure out who the hell was behind the sabotage so she could get on with her life, Lindsey free.

�I say let�s close up shop, and hibernate for a few hours.� Cordelia suggested as she collapsed next to Douglass. �I can�t remember the last time I got a full night sleep. What I�d do for a demon to cause havoc during daylight hours.�

�Where would the fun be in that?� Spike sauntered over to the two girls lying on the mat. �Off your lazy butts, we still have twenty minutes to go. Cordelia you need all the training you can get.�

Cordelia snaked out her foot, catching the blonde vamp by surprise. Sweeping his feet from under him, Spike tripped to the floor in a heap. �See she has the move down pat.� Douglass chuckled. �Couldn�t have done it any better.�

Spike glared at Douglass�s taunt and dove at her, not intent in hurting her, but knowing that a good tickle was each of the girl�s undoing. Going for Douglass first, before she could escape, Spike straddled her attacking her sides.

Coming to their friends rescue Cordelia and Willow tackled Spike off Douglass and the three girls retaliated, who knew that a vampire had a ticklish spot? Spike knew he could throw the girls off, like swatting a fly, but what damn male would want to get three beautiful women off of him?

Angel leaned against the wall, in indecision. Half of him wanted to join the tickle war; the other half felt embarrassed that he wanted to. Gunn and Wesley felt it was beneath their mucho status to join in a tickle war with Spike being the target.

�Still think you�re the big bad?� Douglass teased. Allowing Willow to move in and deliver her punishment.

With a growl Spike was off the floor and stalking down Douglass, who had scrambled up and dashed away. Seeing that Cordelia would be an easier catch, Spike changed directions and stalked the brunette instead.

The former May Queen�s eyes popped open, knowing she hadn�t a chance from escaping Spike. Grabbing her head, and feigning a headache, Cordelia cried out. �Oh my head.�

Spike rolled his eyes, while laughter erupted around him. �Please. You really need to work on that acting stuff.�

�Those are fighting words.� Willow smiled as the girls circled the vampire.

Spike loved these games. Even as juvenile as they were, they still gave him a slight stalking sense. Just if the girls could feel some fear, it would be perfect. Douglass attacked first, as the blonde vampire anticipated. His attention on her, he didn�t see Angel come in for the kill.

Angel had battled on whether or not to join in, but seeing the cocky grin on Spike�s face was his undoing. It was time to take his ego down a few notches. When Douglass gained the blondes� attention, he decided on a sneak attack.

�What the...humph.� Being caught off guard, Spike stared at the blue exercise mat his face was smashed into. Judging by the heavy weight on his back he guessed that either all the junk food the girls craved finally caught up with them, or the damned poof joined in the festivities.

Angel chuckled at his Grand-childes fruitless struggles, and almost laughed at the shocked expressions on the rest of the faces in the room. No one ever thought he would join into these games, much less want to. The shared looks between the girls sent shivers down Angel�s spine.

�Get him.� Willow shouted as the girls closed in, going for Angel instead of Spike. Angel was thrown back for only a moment, understanding that the girls gave up on Spike and found a new target.

�Hey I was helping you.� Angel withered from their hands, biting back the chuckle that desperately wanted to escape.

Getting Angel to the floor had been a challenge. But never having had him join in on their games, they weren�t going to let him out of it too easily. It looked like a lost cause until Willow climbed up on his chest, trying to pin him with her slight frame.

Angel stilled when he realized Willow was on top of him. Did she know the effect she was having on him? Or was she carried away with the game? Finally giving into the torturous tickling Angel couldn�t help but start laughing.

�This isn�t doesn�t count as total happiness does it?� Douglass stopped and questioned at the sound of the unfamiliar laughter coming from the vampire.

�Three of LA�s beauty�s are crawling all over him, what do you think?� Spike was a little taken aback that the girls were sharing the game with Angel, and ignoring him now.

�No, it�s the other kind of happiness that makes him all grr.� Cordelia continued on, she had never seen this side of Angel, and it was a nice change.

Willow blushed at Spikes words, realizing were she was, and tried to slip off Angel. Placing his hands on her waist he wouldn�t let her budge. He wouldn�t allow Spike�s words ruin the fun.

�Does Spiky feel a little left out?� Douglass sang to him. �No need to pout you know.�

�I don�t do pout. I sulk. Two very different things I�ll have you know.� Spike growled threateningly, for all the good that it did.

�Is this what you do all day?� A voice questioned from the doorway. �No wonder none of you can find anything on Lilah. You�re too busy playing around.�

Everyone jumped at the sound of Lindsey�s sarcastic voice. He had been watching for a few minutes, and he couldn�t help but be a little jealous. This group shared a closeness he had never experienced before. Even when he was young he had been the outcast; no one wanted to be friends with the little boy whose father wasn�t enough of a man to take care of his family. It had taken years to thicken his skin to the rejection he had felt After that he purposely distanced himself from other people, that way there was no pain from being treated like nothing.

He hated picking Douglass up for their dates. She was never ready on time, and he was stuck sitting to the side as the rest of her group pretended that he wasn�t there. Just having to watch them all huddle together and watch rented movies was getting to him. Bringing back the once long dead need to have that kind of closeness. He blamed part of his weakness on Douglass. Just being with her on the regular basis was to close to having someone in his life. Even if it was a farce. When they were alone they tried their hardest not to talk to one another. But after awhile the silence gets deafening and one of them would start talking. Even if it was just about the weather. They were spending so much time together he was even dreaming about her or that�s the reason he came up with.

Spike walked over to Douglass and slung an arm around her waist. He enjoyed the screwed up face the lawyer made whenever he touched the witch. Lindsey was still not one hundred percent sure if there was something going on between Douglass and Spike, and the vampire loved to play mind games

�Well if I had my way I�d have the girls to myself, and I wouldn�t have any observers. If you know what I mean.� Spike wiggled his eyebrows at the other man.

�Eww. As much fun it is to get a rise out of born again, that just reaches new bounds of grossdom.� Cordelia wrinkled her nose. Lindsey finally got the answer he had been searching for; Spike had been just messing with him.

Willow was still straddling Angel and wished he would let go of her waist so she could get up. Angel taking the hint let go, and she quickly darted up, embarrassed that Lindsey had walked in on them.

�Really don�t get up on my account.� Lindsey winked at the redhead; Spike wasn�t the only one who liked to play games. By teasing the redhead, he was also getting to Angel. Two birds one stone.

�Wow Lindsey think of that all on your own. I�m impressed.� The look of boredom covered the seer�s face.

�Why are you here Lindsey. Aren�t you a few hours early?� Douglass hated the effect the guy had on her body. It�s purely physical; it�s purely physical. She chanted in her mind.

Spike turned to Douglass, smelling her arousal. �That�s just sick Luv.� Getting a blush out of her when she realized that he knew, Douglass wished for the earth to open up and swallow her whole.

�Shut up Spike. You dated Harmony.� Not knowing who the girl was, she had a felling she won his silence for a good ten minutes. Just enough time to get Lindsey out of there. Spike may be helping, and he may be her friend, but he still got off on making others suffer.

Feeling lost again, Lindsey decided that he�d never understand any of these people. �Lilah has been asking a lot of questions about Douglass. Enough that I know it�s not just curiosity. I don�t think she�s buying us as a couple.�

�Really. Here I thought she was terminally stupid.� Douglass replied. � Anyone could have relayed to her our great communicational skills when we don�t think anyone is listening. So I really am not surprised if she is having doubts.�

�Well we need to figure out a way that she�ll stop asking questions about us.�

�I say we break up.� Douglass beamed at him. �We could do a really messy one. You know yelling and screaming. I could even slap you to make it look real.�

Angel started warming to the thought of Lindsey being forced to be with Douglass. If she was like this to him all the time, the lawyer never had a second of rest. Douglass was living up to her nickname, Brat.

�Nothing so drastic. We just need to watch what we say. Plus stay out of Lilah�s way for awhile. It doesn�t mean however that the rest of you stop trying to find out what she�s up to.�

�Are you sure? Maybe just one fight?�

�No fights.� Lindsey growled, as he turned and disappeared out the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

�Lilah, I have a present for you.� Darla sang as she entered Lilah�s apartment.

Lilah had been getting ready for the Gallagher�s dinner party, and was surprised to hear Darla�s voice. �I�m in the bathroom; I�ll be right out.� Grabbing a towel she wrapped it around her body. Not like Darla hadn�t seen it all already.

�So what�s the present? Lindsey�s head on the stick?� Lilah purred at the thought.

�No silly. I told you, it�s the game that matters. Not just the kill.� Darla was draped over Lilah�s black leather couch, �What I brought you is this.� Pulling a vial from her jacket pocket, she held it out for Lilah to inspect. Taking the vial of clear liquid from the blonde vampire, Lilah looked at it in confusion.

�What is it?�

�It�s an Aphrodisiac. Angelus and I came across it in Greece. We truly had some wonderful times with it. The way I could make him scream.� A far away look drifted through her eyes as she remembered the days of torturous love she and the dark vampire had once shared. Snapping back to the present, Darla sighed; knowing it was just a matter of time before she had her boy back. The games they would play.

�What am I supposed to do with this?� Lilah spun the vial between her fingers.

�I was thinking of a little Christmas present for Lindsey and Douglass. As much time those two have to spend together pretending to be lovers, the least we could do is give them one night of unbelievable sex, and pain.� A seductively evil smile spread across her lips. �I can�t believe he really thought that group of do gooders could actually help him. With my soulful boy or not. Still I don�t relish the thought that they�ve been spying on us. We�re too close to finding out where that damned book is. After a night of sex Lindsey and Douglass wont be able to stay in the same room together, and Angel�s group will be ready to shred him to pieces.�

�So I slip it in their drinks?�

�No. Just his. You need to time it just right. Right before dinner would be best. He�ll be stuck at the dinner table when it starts to take effect. It starts out slow, but it builds to painful heights. He�ll first feel aroused, and then his clothing will start to become constraining. The pressure builds until a person can barely think of anything but a release. My plan is he�ll leave with Douglass early, not feeling quite himself. By the time they�re in the car on their way to drop her off, he�ll end up forcing himself on her. The beauty of the drug is that even after release, the drug takes effect all over again. When Angelus and I played with it, it usually lasted for three to four hours. Seeing that he�s human I�m thinking about six or seven.�

�Oh this is good. What happens if he has too much will power?�

�Impossible. I used to chain Angelus up when I gave it to him. After thirty minutes he�d break his chains. There�s no denying the drugee.�

�I wish I could be there to see the smug expression wiped off that bitch�s face.� Lilah laughed. Life was good, and it just kept getting better.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

�Now remember behave yourself.� Lindsey looked over at the young woman who was again trying to ignore him. She looked like the perfect example of the young woman that fit in so perfectly at these functions. The types who had perm-a-grins stuck to their faces. Smiling at the right times, laughing at the lame jokes, and never really saying what was on their minds. But Lindsey knew the bite she could deliver. To be honest it was the real Douglass he preferred to the person she pretended to be at these functions. �No I don�t prefer her at all.� He chided himself.

�I always do.� She tried to plaster the smile on her face she knew would be stuck there the rest of the night. �But if Mr. Hamilton grabs my ass one more time he�s toast.�

�When has he grabbed your ass?�

�When doesn�t he, the old pervert?�

Walking up the walkway to the Gallagher�s mansion, they joined the other couples that were showing up for the night. Aria was at the door greeting the guests. When she saw Lindsey and Douglass approaching, she had excused herself, not ready to confront the couple yet. She really wished she had stuck around that night perhaps finding some people that could help her escape her mentally disturbed father. But she had taken the cowards way out, and took off the second everyone had their backs turned. What would they all think if she showed up now, offering to help, for help in return? �They�ll think I�m a damn spy.� She answered herself.

When she had shown up at home, after her flight from the old bank, her father had interrogated her. When she wouldn�t give him the answers he wanted he beat her...again. The beatings weren�t so bad, after years of abuse at her father�s hands; she was used to it. It was the broken bones she couldn�t get used to. It had been years since he had actually broken any, but just the fear that one of his beatings might go to far scared the hell out of her.

She knew her father was holding this dinner party to give her a chance to find out something on Lindsey or Douglass. Anything her father could use as leverage at work. She had made up her mind that she wouldn�t tell him anything. Giving Douglass and her friends a chance to maybe do something to Wolfram and Hart. Where Lindsey fell into the mess she had no idea, and she really didn�t care anymore. So she had another beating ahead of her again tonight.

�We should really talk to Aria you know.� Douglass whispered to Lindsey.

�Why-,� Lindsey watched as Lilah approached them, a catty smile plastered across her face.

�Well look who�s under the mistletoe.� She sang out. Drawing the attention of the other couples around the entryway. �You know its tradition to kiss when you�re under it.�

Douglass would�ve given anything for a baseball bat and five minutes alone with Lilah. The woman didn�t know when to back off. She had probably been waiting for them to show up, just to be able to embarrass them. Oh Goddess, Lindsey was going to have to kiss her...on the lips, with his lips. �Please make it quick.� She pleaded to any one of the Gods that might be listening at that very moment.

Lindsey ground his teeth together and turned towards the girl who was standing ridged at his side. She looked like she was being sentenced to death, instead of kissing someone she supposedly had been dating for a few months. Leaning toward her he whispered low enough, so only she could hear, �That please kill me look isn�t gaining us any points as a couple. Please pretend that this isn�t a fate worse than death.� He placed his lips on hers just giving her a chaste kiss. He was stunned by the sensations that ran through his body, with such a basic and innocent kiss. Pulling away quickly, he noticed the blush that conquered the witch�s face.

�Oh come on Linds, we know that you�re not that much of a wet noodle.� Lilah cackled.

Seeing that the other couples wanted a show as well. He leaned into Douglass again; his arms encircling her back prevented her from backing away. Brushing his lips up against her gently at first, only deepening the kiss until the couples around them started clapping in appreciation.

When the kiss ended it left three very confused and irritated people. Douglass and Lindsey both were unsettled by the disturbing feelings that had coursed through their bodies by the kiss, and pissed they had each enjoyed it. Lilah on the other hand was miffed that for just a brief moment she could see the attraction the two shared. No matter how much they denied it. �Just wait until later tonight.� She thought, biding her time. �No matter what kind of attraction they have for one another, it wont be enough to patch things up in the morning.�

When the couples had cleared from the front entryway, Lindsey and Douglass practically jumped away from one another. �That will *never* happen again.� Douglass hissed.

Wiping his mouth with the back of his right hand Lindsey nodded in agreement. �I�ll go for that public break-up you so dearly wanted before I kiss you again.� Both feeling better that they were somewhat back on common ground, the you-make-me-sick kind of ground, they joined the party in the formal sitting room.

~~~~~~~~~~

Aria held her breath when Douglass and Lindsey joined the rest of the guests. She had witnessed the kiss Lindsey had planted on Douglass, and knew that it had to have been an act. She wondered if Spike was spying on the young woman, and how.

The hired staff for the party entered the room, carrying trays of Champaign. Her Father always purposed a toast before dinner at all his parties. Mostly because he enjoyed hearing himself talk. Guests picked up a glass, waiting for their host to start his toast. Lindsey picked up the last two glasses on the offered tray, handing one to Douglass.

Lilah stood to the side of the couple, with a cat that ate the canary look on her face as Lindsey took the two last glasses. Everything was going as planned. Having pulled one of the staff aside earlier, she had slipped the under paid girl a hundred dollar bill to have her deliver the drugged drink into Lindsey�s hands. Paling a little when he reached for not one but two of the glasses, Lilah watched in horror when he handed the glass intended for him to Douglass. �No!� Her mind screamed. Before she could do anything, Adam Gallagher started his winded speech. When he ended by holding his glass up in salute to his guests, everyone raised theirs back in answer. Then Lilah watched as if slow motion as Douglass drank from her glass. �Shit...Shit.� This wasn�t how it was supposed to happen.

�If you will all join me in the dinning room, dinner is being served.� Adam Gallagher finished, offering his arm to his daughter, who helped him play at host since her Mother�s untimely death three years before.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spike hated lurking in the shadows. He was the in your face kind of guy. True to his word, he always followed Douglass when she was with Lindsey. Some of the places the couple went were easier access for the vampire, but the private dinner parties meant he was stuck outside, spying through windows.

Unfortunately he had to witness the disgusting kiss Lindsey and Douglass had to share. He knew that the witch was attracted to the lawyer, but would never instigate any kind of kissing. But he�d have to be blind not to see the effect it had on them. Under any other circumstances the two would�ve jumped into the sack weeks ago.

Spike also noticed Aria, who was trying hard to pretend that she didn�t see Douglass or Lindsey. Playing the good little hostess, smiling at the right times. Laughing when one of the balding pompous windbags would say something they thought was funny. It was the Auburn head�s expressions when no one was looking that enthralled the blonde vampire. Such hatred and disgust at the people around her. The little girl was one heck of an actress.

Watching as her father called her over to the group he was talking to, Spike saw the instant change in her features. She plastered on a demure facade, and headed to her father. Spike clucked his tongue; at least there was something else to watch instead of Douglass and Lindsey pretending to be the happy little couple.

Everyone was in a sitting room, taking long stemmed glass from woman dressed in tacky black and white uniforms. Lilah was standing near Douglass and Lindsey, looking proud of herself, until Lindsey handed Douglass a glass of Champaign. Her face had turned a deathly gray, and she couldn�t help but stare at the glass that the blonde witch was bringing to her lips. He didn�t need to be over a hundred to know that there was something *bad* in her drink. He watched in dread as she finished the glass and put it on the empty tray the young woman was bringing around. Spike knew if he could get his hands on Lilah, she had the answer of what was in the drink. What he needed was an invite in.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Douglass stared down at the fish that was staring back at her. No matter what anyone else said, this gourmet food sucked. In the big kind of way. Kind of like the dinner party she was being forced to endure. Lindsey was acting strange since the kiss, and wasn�t really talking to her, not like he ever said anything all that pleasant anyhow. Lilah had been staring at her since the beginning of the first course. Like she expected her to sprout horns or something.

An odd feeling between her thighs, made Douglass squirm in her seat. She wondered when it had gotten so warm in the room. Concentrating on the dead fish looking at her, Douglass tried to calm down her rapid heat beat. Her palms were getting sweaty, and she crumpled her napkin in her fists.

�Will you stop fidgeting!� Lindsey whispered in her ear. The feel of his breath on her neck sent shivers down her body to her core. Stopping the groan before it came out; Douglass squeezed her eyes shut, demanding her body to stop acting so treacherously.

Lindsey knew something was up the second Douglass started rubbing her thighs together. Shifting back and forth in her chair. Her face was flushed, and perspiration was glistening on her forehead. �Are you feeling okay?� Lindsey tried whispering to her again. Her only reply was to jump out of her chair and race out of the room. The diners looked shocked by her behavior, and Lindsey excused himself from the table to check on her.

Lilah had started to think she hadn�t put enough of the drug into the drink, but seeing the way Douglass was reacting before she raced from the room she knew the night ahead for the young girl was going to be a wild one.

Adam had also noticed Lindsey�s date�s odd behavior, and nodded to the door at the retreating Douglass, letting his Daughter know he wanted her to follow the blonde.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~