Just finished a move across country, so this is late. My mother is now planning to stay with me for a two week visit, so the next part will probably be late also. Such is life.

Part 14

Returning to the bedroom, Angel was happy to see that both Childer were safe and sleeping soundly. Picking up one of the mugs on top of the dresser, he stared into it, grimacing with distaste at the now cooled, congealing blood. He debated whether he should drink it or call for a minion to bring him fresh, when a tap on the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Come." He called out, hoping it was a minion because then his problem would be solved. But the person who entered was Damon.

"I sent a scouting party out. Their orders are to search the juice bar first and then spread out and search the surrounding area within a ten mile radius." Damon gave his report and then peered over at what Angel was holding in his hand. "You're not going to drink that, are you? It's no good anymore."

"It's still good." Make a decision, Angel took a large mouthful of blood and then resisted the urge to spit it out. "Just a little cold."

Turning away, Damon couldn't bare to watch. "No wonder your Childer have such rotten feeding habits. They get them from you."

Throwing himself down into a chair, Angel suddenly felt tired. The adrenaline rush he had at the discovery that both Djoser and William were still alive was wearing off. His head throbbed and his whole body ached from the fight he had with Damon. "Are you criticizing my parenting skills?" He asked with a small smile.

"Yes." Damon had decided that he was no longer going to hold his tongue. It was time for honesty. "Because up until now, you've mostly been a rotten parent. You remind me of our Sire. And tell me, what exactly happened to your new Blood-Childe?"

Leaning his head against the wall, Angel closed his eyes, as once again he remembered his sorrow at the loss of Connor. "Holtz kidnapped him and fled into the dark dimension of Quortoth. I tried to break through to Quortoth but was un. . . ."

"Holtz!" Damon exclaimed, cutting Angel off. "Holtz died over two hundred years ago." Eying his brother closely, he looked for signs of insanity.

"Blame it on an ethereal time-traveling demon named Sahjhan. He brought Holtz back specifically to get rid of Connor." Looking up at Damon, Angel's expression was grim. "Wesley was in collusion with Holtz. He took Connor, saying he was going to care for him overnight and then take him to the park the next day, but instead he delivered my son to Holtz."

"So the Childe is not dead, just in another dimension?"

"There are no portals to Quortoth." Staring up at Damon, Angel had a sense that there was something more than just idle curiosity to his brother's question. "The only way in is to rip right through the fabric of reality. I tried that, but now, according to Lorne, there are and going to be consequences for my using such dark majiks."

"What, a slug like demon or two?" Damon scoffed with disdain. "This is LA. Another demon or so won't even be noticed."

"Just what are you saying?" Again, a sense that his brother had a point.

"The Childe is your son, a Childe of the Bloodline. It is our responsibility as his Sire and uncle to make every effort to retrieve him. I think Nic has contacts in Mexico. We should investigate more possibilities."

Eyes widening in surprise, Angel couldn't believe his brother's change of heart. "Why are you so interested in saving Connor? I thought you were against him because he's the Childe of Darla?"

"A childe can't be held responsible for his parentage." Damon smiled slightly. "I don't blame. . .Connor for anything. I just don't think he should be given special treatment because he is a Pure Blood. If he is to be named Successor over Djoser, let him prove himself first. Let him prove that he is superior to Djoser."

Standing up, Angel stood toe-to-toe with Damon. "So this is your grievance? A Pure Blood versus a Half Blood. According to our laws, Pure Bloods have always been at the top."

"And that's how you think?" Damon eyed Angel curiously. "So Djoser should be pushed aside just because he happened to have a human mother? With perilous odds against him, he's survived all this time. Survived without his Sire and even managed to take care of William. He's been more of a father to William than you ever were."

Temper automatically beginning to rise, Angel didn't like his brother to speak to him so. "Don't you dare. . . ."

"Dare what? Speak the truth?" Damon stood tall. He had challenged Angel before, and he was more than ready to challenge him again. "Sometimes the truth needs to be said. No one ever had the courage to tell our Sire the truth - that he made grave mistakes in many of the decisions regarding his family and Clan. And look at the results, he's dust, along with many of our people. Follow his example, and you'll just finish what he started - the annihilation of the Tremeren Bloodline."

"No." Lowering his head, Angel's temper immediately abated. "I don't want to be like our Sire. I don't want. . . ." Breaking off, he turned away. "The idea that I would declare Connor my Successor over Djoser was never an issue. When Connor was born, I believed both Djoser and William to be dead."

"These are decisions that need to be made." Eyes narrowing, Damon stared at Angel's back. "And you as High Master have to make them. But I warn you, unless this Connor really is the miracle Childe that everyone says he is, I will continue my support of Djoser as Successor."

"Connor is dead!" Angel spun around to face Damon again. "So why are we even having this conversation?"

"We don't know that for certain, and like I said, Nic knows a lot of people in this part of the world. Surely, he'll be able to find someone who is knowledgeable in the black arts. The Childe entered that dimension, so there has got to be a way in for us as well."

"No." His brother's words were so tempting, but Angel knew now that finding Connor was a lost cause. "Even if Connor is still alive, and even if we were able to find a way into Quortoth, it would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. It's not worth the risk. You're right. I need to start thinking of the Clan and our Bloodline. Our future is lying right here." He motioned first to a sleeping Djoser and then to Spike. "*They* need to be protected, along with your Childe. I'm not going to take any more chances. As soon as Djoser is well enough to travel, we'll go to Germany and our lair. We'll stay there as long as the Ventrues continue to be a threat to us."

"According to the demon grapevine, the Council is now negotiating a treaty with the Ventures. If they come to an agreement, the Ventrues might be a threat to us for quite some time."

"So I guess we learn to live underground for. . . ." Angel sighed deeply. "For perhaps the rest of our existence."

**

The doctor's manner was brusque and professional. He addressed Wesley while reading and making notes in the hospital chart. "How are we feeling today? I know it's been very rough, but I do have some good news. There no longer seems to be any sign of infection or re-bleeding in the wound, and the swelling is going down. We can stop worrying about your airway becoming compromised. I'm going to release you later today. Is there someone that can pick you up? A friend or a family member we can call?"

Staring straight ahead, Wesley had no answer for the doctor. With bitterness he realized that all the people he considered to be his family had abandoned him. Thinking hard, he tried to remember a name or number of an old informer or contact. For the right amount of money, anyone of them could pretend to be a friend, just so the doctor would release him. The former Watcher had no intention of staying any longer in the hospital. "I. . . ." He croaked out. "Let me see who's available to. . . ."

Wesley was interrupted by the entrance of Nic, who wore a confident, smug expression. "Wes, just found out what happened. Why the hell didn't you call and tell me you were in the hospital? Would have stopped by sooner. Hey, doc." The vampire gave the doctor his most disarming smile. "How's the patient doing?"

"He's better." The doctor again briefly scanned Wesley's chart. "In fact, I'm going to discharge him today, but we need to know that he's not going to be left alone for a few days. A precaution, you understand."

"Well, I guess I arrived just in time." Still grinning, Nic looked over at Wesley.

Closing his eyes, a feeling of deja vu passed through Wesley, a nightmarish deja vu. This scene had been played out before, Nic bringing him home from the hospital. Part of him wanted to protest, but his brain told him to accept his fate for now. Getting out of the hospital would be easier because of Nic, so why not take advantage of the vampire?

**

Leaning over an unconscious Djoser, Angel pressed strong fingers alongside his Childe's mouth, getting the lips to relax. Holding his wrist to his son's mouth, he dripped blood from a large gash.

Drops of blood trickled into Djoser's mouth, landing on his tongue and dribbling down his throat. The strength of his Sire's blood began to arouse the vampire out of his deep coma. Coughing, he defensively tried to shove Angel away from him.

"Djoser!" Using a commanding tone, Angel spoke to his eldest. "Wake up, Childe. You've slept long enough."

Still not totally aware of where he was or whom he was with, Djoser continued to flail weakly. "Don't touch me! Leave me. . . ."

"DJOSER." Grabbing his Childe by the shoulders, Angel held him in a firm grip. "You're safe in your Sire's lair. Now, wake up."

Eyes slowly opening, Djoser became fully conscious. "Sire?" He whispered, brow creasing as he had no understanding as to how he came to be with Angel.

"Yes, Childe. It is I." Relaxing his grasp, Angel sat down on the bed next to Djoser. "You need to feed." He once again held a bleeding wrist to his Childe's mouth.

"No." Pushing away Angel's arm, Djoser struggled to sit up. "I'm ok. I don't need your blood."

"But you do, Childe." Pulling Djoser into a tight embrace, Angel rested his face in his son's dark hair. "Just like I need you."

Surprise kept Djoser still for a moment. He had never heard his Sire speak to him so.

"I thought you and William were dead all this time, and it devastated me." Angel continued in a gentle voice. "After you were attacked by Darla's minions, you should have come to me straight away. I would have taken care of everything. I know you don't believe that, but you should have at least given me a chance."

"Why?" Memories of Darla raised up all of Djoser's distrust and resentment. "She always came first with you. Why should I or William think anything different? And where is. . . ?" He once again tried to shove Angel away. "My brother."

"He's right here." Letting his Childe push him away, Angel looked over at a sleeping Spike.

"What happened to him?" Staring over at Spike, Djoser was alarmed at his brother's bruised and swollen face.

"I'm not sure I understand the whole story." Angel sighed as he remembered his younger Childe's incoherent account of what happened. "But something about a trio of nerds who made Buffy lose control, but it wasn't her fault and. . . ."

"The Slayer beat him up?" Anger gave Djoser enough strength to sit up straight.

"Yes, but William kept insisting it wasn't her fault." Angel could only shake his head. "Never thought I would see the day where my William became one of Buffy's staunchest defenders."

"She promised me." Djoser muttered softly. "We saved her sister, and I did countless patrols for her, and this is how she repays me?"

"Tell me." Angel was desperate to finally hear a version that he could understand.

"I had to leave William with her, so I could bring back a couple of Ahji demons for a dealer who. . . ."

"I already know about the Suvolte eggs." Angel interrupted. "Just tell me who these nerds are."

"They're three humans who. . ." Djoser thought back to what Buffy had told him about the nerds. "Seem to possess both majik and scientific knowledge. She indicated to me that she wasn't too worried about them. Said they were more of a pain in her ass than a danger."

"So the Slayer assaulted one of my Blood-Childer without just cause?" Angel's expression turned forbidding.

"We had a deal." Djoser let himself lie back against the bed pillows. "We were to help each other out. She promised to take care of William for me, not beat him up."

"You need to get well then, Childe." Leaning down, Angel again offered Djoser his wrist. "So that you can go to Sunnydale and settle things with the Slayer."

"Me?" Djoser couldn't keep the surprise off his face. "You're the Master here. Won't you be going to go to Sunnydale to deal with her?"

"You're my Successor, and you had the arrangement with the Slayer. If she broke a promise and betrayed you by physically harming your brother, then my decision is to let you and William determine her fate."

"I'm your Successor? What about the new Childe?" Looking around the room, Djoser searched for signs of Darla and the newborn.

"Darla is dead." Angel still held his wrist out. "And Connor was kidnapped and taken into a hell dimension."

"Hell dimension?" Feeling a little foolish, Djoser realized he was parroting everything his Sire was saying. "So, you're in the middle of planning a rescue?"

"No, Childe." Leaning closer, Angel pressed his wrist to Djoser's mouth. "The odds say that he's probably dead by now, and I'm not going to risk you, your brother, and Damon's Childe to wishful thinking. Keeping the three of you safe is my first priority."

This time Djoser took Angel's offer and latched on to the proffered wrist. He had never before been considered a first priority with his Sire.

**

Entering his dark apartment, Wesley fumbled for the light switch. "Just set the box down." He rasped to Nic. Speaking was still painful. "And then get out."

"Jeez, Wes." Nic walked over and set the box down on the table. "Someone's mother was lax in the good manners department."

"I didn't ask for your help." Wesley just wanted the vampire to leave. "You offered, and I took your offer." Walking over to a cabinet, he turned his back to Nic. "And that's all there is to it."

"Is it?" Folding his arms across his chest, Nic stared at Wesley's back. "Before I leave, I just want to know one thing, why did you betray us?"

"Betray you?" Wesley couldn't believe what Nic had just said. "I seem to remember that you were the one who just walked, or should I say, ran away and never looked back."

"Angelus ordered me gone, and he also ordered me to stay away from you. You know my brother. One doesn't ignore an order from him. But tell me, who are you working for, the Ventures, Snow?"

Wesley turned slowly to stare back at the vampire. "You have no faith in me, just like everyone else. I didn't betray anyone. I thought I was saving Connor."

"And what about Djoser and William? Lying to Angelus that they were dead. How do you justify that?"

"What?" Wesley was dumbfounded. "You mean Djoser and Spike are alive?"

"Well." Nic flashed a cheerless smile. "I wouldn't use the word alive, more like undead, but. . . ." His face quickly turned serious again. "You really thought them to be dead?"

"The minion with me. He told me he smelled them, and we searched." Looking down at the floor, Wesley thought hard, trying to remember the scene. "There was no one left, only piles of dust and blood."

"Is that so?" Nic's expression was grim. "I think I should have a talk with that minion."

"Not possible." Wesley shook his head. "I believe he was killed in a skirmish a few months back."

"Really?" Nic raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Are you sure? Because how convenient."

"Well, I. . . ." Racking his brain, Wesley tried to remember the date and specifics of the minion's death. "I don't recall all. . . ."

"Well, try and recall!" Nic snapped out. "This could be important."

The vampire's short tone brought Wesley back to reality, as he remembered Angel's attempt to kill him and his friends' abandonment of him. Better not to trust anyone again. "You don't need to try and help me. I don't need you or anyone else. And I do believe I told you to get out."

"Don't need anyone?" Nic glared coldly at the human. "My brother believes you plotted to have all his Childer killed. You're on his hit list, Wes. My advice to you is get out of LA. Go back to England and your Council. They're in the middle of negotiating a treaty with the Ventrues, so they might be your best and only defense against Angelus."

"Angelus." Wesley turned around, his back again to the vampire. "Already tried to kill me when I was flat on my back in the hospital. But believe me." Pulling a shotgun out of a cabinet, he faced Nic, aiming the weapon at the other man. "The next time I will be ready for him. Now, I will say this for the third and final time. Get Out."

Continuing to stare at Wesley, Nic backed toward the door. "He didn't try to kill you in the hospital. He was playing cat and mouse with you. When he gets a hold of you, he won't be snapping your neck or tearing your heart out. He'll want to dissect you piece by piece. You'll be kept alive as long as possible while parts of your body are cut off, one per day. It's an ugly and painful way to die. I came here as a friend to warn you, but I can see you're not interested in my advice." Reaching the door, he opened it, glancing back at the other man one last time. "Funny thing, I hope I never see you again because if I do, I'm sure it won't be under pleasant circumstances. Good bye, Wesley."

****

Thanks to Mistress Alistra for her help with German.

And thanks to the persons who sent in nominations for Bloodlines.

Part 15

The sound of the shower and the sense of being alone aroused Spike from his troubled sleep. A moment of panic as he looked over at an empty bed across from him. "Djoser!" He exclaimed to himself. Sitting up quickly, the blanket fell away from him, and he looked down at his naked body in puzzlement. Hadn't he fallen asleep with his clothes on?

"Hey, Will." The door from the bathroom opened and Djoser greeted him. "I'm done with the shower, if you want to get in there now."

"Djoser." Spike sighed with relief at the sight of his brother. "Glad to see you awake, mate. Was starting to worry."

"Since when do you worry about anything?" Djoser teased as he sat down on the bed, toweling his body dry.

"I worry plenty." Spike couldn't help the smile that spread over his face. The brotherly squabbling made his world a little more normal again. "And right now I'm worried about you. You look like death warmed over, or. . . ." He frowned, realizing that wasn't an appropriate description for a vampire. "Undeath warmed over." Staring intently at Djoser, he was saddened, seeing his usually fit brother with his ribs sticking out and body covered with black and blue wounds.

"Look who's talking. I heard that the Slayer was the one responsible for. . . ." Djoser waved at hand at Spike's swollen and bruised face.

"Yeah, well it's nothing to get all worked up about. It was just a. . .a misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding, my ass!" Djoser spat out in disgust. "After all the help we gave her, and this is how she repays us. As soon as I'm healed, I'm going to have a *talk* with her."

"Oh for Christ's sake." Flopping back down on the bed, Spike buried his head in the pillows. "Will you just let it go? It wasn't her fault; it was the nerds making her hallucinate."

"Let it go?" Djoser threw his bath towel over on a chair. "She assaulted a Blood-Childe. That's a. . . ."

"Crime against our Clan." Spike interrupted. "Yeah, I've heard that tune before. But after all, she's the Slayer and assaulting vampires is her job. You know, you're making a big deal out of nothing, just like our High Poof."

Taking a shower had used up his energy, so Djoser let himself lie back down. "She beats you up, and yet you defend her?"

Still face down in the pillows, Spike heaved a sigh. "You weren't there, so you don't know what went down. But like I said, the nerds made Buffy believe she had killed someone. She was going to turn herself into the police, but I stopped her. We exchanged a few blows, but because I'm not totally myself, she got the better of me. She eventually realized what she was doing and stopped. She was sorry afterwards."

"A few blows?" Djoser turned his head to look at Spike who still had his face buried in the pillows. "You look like you went twelve rounds with a Pugililis Demon."

"That's because I'm still not right." Lifting his head up, Spike peered over at his brother. "Remember, that's why you've been feeding me your blood for the last eight months."

"So you mean Buffy really didn't beat you that bad? You just look so awful because of. . .of. . . ." Djoser broke off, since he really wasn't sure what was still keeping Spike from being one hundred percent healthy.

"Yeah, mate cause I'm still lurgy." Sitting up again, Spike looked around for his duster. He wanted a cigarette.

Still on his back, Djoser thought out loud. "I didn't mention your health problem to our Sire. Did you say something to him about it?"

"No." Reaching over, Spike pulled his duster off the top of the dresser. "I was too busy explaining about the dealer, the Suvolte eggs, and the nerd herd." He searched through the duster's pockets for his lighter and cigarettes. "So you've talked to our esteemed Master?"

"Yes, it was his blood that revived me." Closing his eyes, Djoser suddenly felt exhausted. Too much to think about. He still wasn't up to it. "Why don't you shower and come to bed with me?" He suggested to Spike.

Lighting up a cigarette, Spike took a puff and then stubbed it out on the bed's headboard. "I've got a better idea. Why don't I just skip the shower and come into bed with you now?" He asked anxious to nestle in with his brother.

"We're here in our Sire's lair, and in his lair, one doesn't skip a shower."

"Oh, bloody hell." Spike swore softly. "Forgot about the High Master of Hygiene. A four shower a day minimum."

Eyes still closed, Djoser gave a small smirk. "It's a real shower Will, with hot water. Something we haven't had for a while, so quit your complaining and just enjoy it while you have it."

**

Sitting in his office on the hotel's first floor, Angel was in conference with Damon and Nic. "So?" He looked over at Damon. "Did the scouting party find the slug demon? And better yet, did they kill it?"

"They found it, but they weren't able to kill it."

"Damon." Angel pushed himself back in his chair with disgust. "How hard can killing one slug demon be?"

"Those demons are tougher than they look. A minion managed to spear one of them, and it just tore itself away from the knife and ran off."

"One of them?" Picking up a sharp letter opener, Angel tested its sharpness with his finger.

"There's more than one." Damon sat himself on the corner of Angel's desk. "And there's more to report."

"Christ!" Angel closed his eyes. He knew he didn't want to hear the rest.

"Seems these demons like to worm into a human body. They go in through the mouth, take control of the body, and then. . .then drink all the moisture out of their host."

Tipping his chair back on two legs, Nic could only roll his eyes. "That's what the minions told you? Are you sure they were chasing that demon and not holed up in the nearest cantina? Cause that report sounds like a drunken delirium."

"Hang on." Damon added. "I haven't gotten to the good part yet."

"It gets better?" Nic asked with disbelief. "Christ, we should be calling up some big Hollywood honcho because this would make a great movie. A cross between Alien and Invasion of the Body Snatchers."

Both Angel and Damon turned to give their younger brother a perplexing look. They had never heard of Alien or Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

Rolling his eyes again, Nic could only sigh. "Never fucking mind. So what else did the minions say?"

"Well, when this slug demon takes over a human, it can communicate through the host's body. So when one of them got into a human, it told our minions that they were fleeing from something called the Destroyer, and here's the good part. The minions asked why this Destroyer was after them, and it replied, and I quote, 'it's not; it's coming after Angelus'."

As both brothers stared hard at him, Angel could only shrug his shoulders defensively. "I've never heard of any demon called the Destroyer."

"Fuck, Angelus." Nic brought his chair back on all four legs with a thump. "You've got demons and humans lined up to kick your ass."

"So what else is new?" Sighing, Angel leaned forward, stabbing the letter opener into the top of his desk. "We need to start making plans to leave for Germany, but when we go I plan to have two, maybe three prisoners to take with us."

"Angelus." Nic knew that Wesley was targeted as one of the prisoners. "Listen, about Wesley. . . ."

"He's not a concern at present." Angel interrupted. "He'll be easy enough to find when I'm ready, but the humans weren't too thrilled when I was smothering him with a pillow in the hospital. And right now, I need their help. Nic." He began to write rapidly on a pad of paper. "Here's a list of contacts I have here in LA. Check them out, and check out any you have. I want to know where Snow is."

"Is it wise to delay our departure to hunt for Snow?" Damon asked.

"He's attacked two of our Blood-Childer. I believe that as long as he lives, he poses a threat to all of them. And as High Master and Sire of two of the Childer . . ." Angel stared into Damon's eyes. "It's my responsibility to remove any threats to them."

"And what about this Destroyer?" Taking the list of contacts from Angel, Nic studied it.

"Damon, I want you to go with the minions and find those slug demons and make sure that this time the job gets done. That should appease the humans, and then I can get their help in researching this Destroyer. What?" The sight of the Clan's healer standing discreetly in the doorway interrupted Angel.

"Master." The healer bowed his head respectfully at Angel and his two brothers. "I just checked on your Childer. Djoser is still weak but improving. But I am a little concerned about William."

"William?" Standing up, Angel frowned at the healer. "I know he's beat up, but his injuries weren't serious."

"His wounds certainly aren't life-threatening, but. . . ." The healer spoke slowly. "They aren't improving either."

**

Wrapped up in his brother's arms, Spike was just beginning to fall into a light sleep, when someone or ones entered the room, bringing him to a semi-conscious state. Eyes blurry, he made out a large form leaning over him. A scent of Sire filled his nose.

"William." Spike heard the whisper right before he felt the sting of the bite. His Sire's essence 'pushed' into him, and he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

**

A few hours later, Spike woke again, but this time he felt rested and refreshed. Looking over at a sleeping Djoser, he disentangled himself, careful not to wake his brother. Running his tongue around his mouth, he tasted the residual of Sire's blood. Angel had fed him while he had been sleeping.

Pulling on his jeans, Spike grabbed his shirt and still barefoot left the room. Sire's blood flowed through him, and some unspoken need compelled him to seek out Angel. The search lasted but an instant, as he found his Sire a few rooms down in the burnt out suite. Pushing the door opening quietly, he looked in. Back to the door, Angel was dismantling the baby crib. Watching for a moment, the scene brought a lump to Spike's throat. Deep sorrow radiated from his Father's body.

"Why don't you just leave it for now? It's not going anywhere." He spoke to Angel's back.

"My William." Angel turned, giving his Childe a sad smile.

"I'm sorry." Taking a few steps into the room, Spike felt his Sire's grief.

"You have nothing to be sorry about, Childe." Turning back, Angel continued to take apart the baby crib. "But I will have my revenge for Connor, just like I will avenge myself against those who have hurt you and Djoser."

"Father." Pure instinct guided him, as Spike went over and embraced Angel from behind. Anger forgotten for a moment, his only thought was that he just wanted to offer his comfort. "What can I do to help?"

Reaching back, Angel wrapped his arms around Spike, while letting himself fall to the floor. Pulling his Childe onto his lap, he hugged him tightly. "Don't leave me again, Will. Don't ever leave again."

**

Sitting at his dining table, Wesley wanted to get up and fall into bed, but his body was so tired, he found he just couldn't move at all. A pad of paper with his scribbles stared up at him. Angel, Djoser, Spike, Connor, Darla, Nic, Damon, Christian. Vampires who had so affected his life and now would be the death of him.

Wesley was no fool. Despite telling Nic to get out, he had heard the vampire's warning. Angel believed him to be responsible for trying to get rid of all three of his sons. The Scourge of Europe, one of the most evil and sadistic vampires in history, had targeted him. He was doomed, unless he ran like Nic suggested or come up with some brilliant defensive plan.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. He ignored it at first, but the knocking only got louder. Assuming it was Nic returning, Wesley grabbed his shotgun again. "I told you to. . . ." He rasped out as he opened the door.

"I would have called, but I figured you'd only tell me to go to hell, so I thought I'd just take a shot and drop by." Lilah Morgan stood outside the door. "Aren't you going to invite me in? And is the shotgun for me? I'm flattered." Pushing past Wesley, Lilah brazenly entered his apartment. Looking around, she couldn't help but comment. "Not what I expected. No flowers, no get well cards. Not even a couple of those balloons with the smiley faces on them."

Giving her a disgusted look, Wesley didn't bother to answer.

"Wow." Lilah turned to face Wesley. "I guess when Justine slit your throat she nicked your sense of humor."

"Not at all." Taking a half of step out in the hallway, Wesley checked to see if Lilah had brought any henchmen with her. "I find you being here extremely funny. Now get out!"

"Tch. Tch." Lilah smiled smugly at Wesley. "Is that a way to talk to a guest in your house? A guest. . . ." She pulled out a gift wrapped book from her purse. "Who brings you a present."

Leaning his shotgun against the wall, Wesley took the proffered book. Unwrapping it, he read the title. "Dante's Divine Comedy."

"Actually it's just part one, the inferno. It's not a first edition, more like the fifteen hundreds, but it's in the original Tuscan. Have you read it?"

Closing the book, Wesley tossed it carelessly on the table. "Several times."

"Then you know it's a guided tour of the underworld, the nine levels of hell."

"Yes. Descending, concentric rings based on the severity of the sin."

"You know. . . ." Lilah feigned ignorance. "I always forget - the very bottom of hell, in the ninth circle, the devil is frozen in ice, right? He's got three heads, three mouths, and those mouths are reserved for the worst sinners. Now, I can't remember - who is in the center mouth? Wh-what was his name? The one person in all of human history deemed the greatest sinner? Who was that?"

A moment of silence before Wesley answered. "Judas Iscariot."

"Right. The worst spot in hell is reserved for those who betray." Lilah's expression changed to dead seriousness. "You betrayed, Wesley. And word on the street is that your future is looking pretty dim."

Keeping his face impassive, Wesley wasn't surprised that Wolfram and Hart already knew his situation. "And what? Are you here to offer me protection?"

"Yeah, kind of. I'm here to offer you a job. And as a valuable member of Wolfram and Hart, part of your benefit package would be access to bodyguards."

"And why would Wolfram and Hart want to offer me a job?" Wesley already knew the answer, but he wanted to hear it from Lilah's lips.

"We could use a man of your talents. . .your intellect."

"You mean my knowledge of Angel and his family."

"The Tremeren Clan has been reunited." Lilah stated this with a falsely nonchalant tone. "Angel is back with his two brothers. That's causing a bit of worry for some."

"By some, do you mean Wolfram and Hart?" Wesley felt some what consoled at the knowledge that the evil law firm was nervously squirming at the thought of Angel, Damon, and Nic together.

"We're not stupid." Lilah told him. "We're talking about three powerful, master vampires. And that's not mentioning Djoser, William, and their newest Childe, the former Council hunter. We hear that the powerful Ventrue Master Judelin is concerned enough that he's planning to briefly suspend his negotiations with the Watcher's Council and come to LA."

"That should prove interesting." Mind racing, Wesley tried to appear indifferent.

"Join with us, Wesley." Lilah's tone became more urgent. She knew that Judelin had already met with Rupert Giles, the other Watcher who had intensive contact and knowledge of Angel and his Clan. There was no doubt that Wesley would be on the Ventrue Master's list too, and Wolfram and Hart wanted him recruited before Judelin got to him. "With your knowledge and our resources, we can finish the Tremeren Clan once and for all."

"I thought that Wolfram and Hart wanted Angel alive. That he is to play an important role in the future apocalypse."

"Who said anything about killing Angel?" Lilah knew that Wesley had taken the bait. "All I said was we wanted to finish the Tremeren Clan. Kill all of Angel's family, and even if Angel still existed, his Clan would be dead. His Bloodline eradicated."

****

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