Title: I Finally Remembered You. Part 32 – Mysteries and Greetings
Rating: R/NC-17 for other chapters
Pairing: Xander/Angel
Summary: AU futurefic. Slash. Xander, not Buffy, had gone to see Angel in “I Will Remember You” Years
later, he finally keeps his promise.
Spoilers: All of BtVS & Ats
Warnings: M/M, mild language, more in future chapters
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The
original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the
owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Words in Italics indicate thoughts.
______________________________
Xander watched Angel with amusement. The vampire was pacing nervously back and forth, waiting for his
friend to arrive.
Xander took pity on his….not-boyfriend and tried to distract him.
“So, did Faith tell you how it went with Willow and Spike?”
Angel stopped pacing and looked over at his love, recognizing the ploy for what it was. He decided to go with it
anyway.
“We had a chat about it, yes,” Angel replied.
Xander huffed in frustration. “Well?”
“She told them you and I were inexplicably drawn to each other..”
“Inexplicably?” Xander said with a hint of offended pride.
Angel ignored the outburst. “We, apparently, are pretty sure we’re not under a spell, but are bringing Lorne in
to see if he can find out why we are suddenly attracted to each other.”
“Suddenly?”
Angel smiled at his young almost-lover. “Her story, not mine.”
“Do you think they bought it?” Xander asked.
“Not completely, but I think that was the point,” Angel replied.
“Can I say…huh?” Xander said in confusion.
“The way Faith explained it, she’s not trying to make them back off, just throw them off balance, distract them
while we try to find out what is really going on,” Angel explained.
“Are you sure she’s not just messing with their heads?”
“Just messing with their heads? No, it’s more of a side benefit. I think she enjoys the intrigue,” Angel admitted.
“Aren’t you glad she’s on our side?” Xander asked in amusement and just a little fear.
*******************
“So, do you buy the load of crap Faith laid on us?” Willow asked her partner in crime as they sat next to each
other on the steps in the front hall, where they would be sure not to miss the arrival of their much anticipated
guest.
Spike snorted in derision. “Slayer’s just blowin’ smoke up our arses.”
“I agree. The question is why?”
“Best I can suss, she either knows more than she’s tellin’ and is tryin’ to throw us off the scent or she don’t
know a thing and is just messin’ with our heads.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why would she do either of those things?”
Spike raised a scarred eyebrow at his red-headed friend, “Why does that little minx do anything?”
Willow giggled a little at that.
“So, why is that Lorne guy coming here?” Willow asked.
“That’s the question, ain’t it? Lorne’s a good bloke, broke off with Peaches after the Black Thorn. Gotta be big
for him to come here and help,” Spike replied.
The two super-sleuths lapsed into silence as they tried to figure out what could be big enough for Lorne to set
aside his differences with Angel.
Spike sat up straight when he heard a car approaching outside.
Willow sat up straight when she noticed Spike sit up straight.
They both watched the front door in anticipation.
They didn’t have to wait long before it was opened by Gunn, who was followed by the big green demon
dressed in a purple suit. They were both followed by Faith, who was loaded down with luggage.
“Why do I get stuck carryin’ all this shit? Faith grumbled.
Gunn responded, “Because Lorne is a guest and I’m still recovering…” He ignored Faith and Spike’s twin
snorts as he continued, “Besides, you’re a slayer; what good is knowing a slayer if you can’t use her as a pack
mule?”
Gunn narrowly avoided being hit with a flying garment bag.
“Hey, Sugarplum, careful with my possessions,” Lorne said with a smile.
Faith mouth opened to reply in what were sure to be vulgar terms, but was interrupted by a babbling witch.
“Wow, I forgot how green you are. I only saw you that one time when I came down to L.A. for the re-souling
thing. It’s a good color green, not frog-like at all, which is good, ‘cause I don’t like frogs. They’re scary and
slimy and they jump out at you and….”
Willow was cut off when a certain bleached vampire slapped a hand over her mouth.
“Take a breath, ducks.”
Willow nodded in relief at having her babblefest averted.
Lorne smiled at the cute little firecracker. He remembered her vaguely from L.A. but her little speech reminded
him of his Fred. He sighed sadly at the memory of his lost friend.
Faith and Gunn smiled at each other in amusement.
Spike slowly removed his hand from Willow’s mouth and wiped it on his pants leg before offering the hand to
Lorne in way of greeting. He wasn’t really surprised when Lorne used the offered hand to pull Spike in for a
hug.
“Good to see you too, Lorne,” Spike said with a smirk.
“So, can we take you to see Angel and Xander? That’s who you’re here to see, right? They’re usually hanging
out in Xander’s room, or Angel’s room, or Xander’s workshop, but I think they’re in the study waiting for you, so
I’ll just show you where that is,” Willow said in a rush.
“Real smooth, Red. But you ain’t getting’ any more information out of me or Big Green here. Angel and Xander
will tell you what’s goin’ on when they tell you what’s goin’ on. They just need to figure it out for themselves
first,” Faith said abruptly but not unkindly.
Willow looked a little deflated but nodded her understanding. She was bolstered by a kind smile from Lorne
and Spike’s hand on her back.
As Faith led Lorne into the study and closed the door behind them, Gunn turned to Spike and Willow and said,
“Don’t worry, they ain’t told me shit either.”
Part 33
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