Ensouled18

Summary: Spike comes to LA looking for Angel, together they try and figure out what it means to be Ensouled.

It had taken Wesley most of the day to read through the Moralia. There was a vast expanse of knowledge, and Plutarch’s attempts to reconcile the mystical side of his job in the Delphic Oracle with science was fascinating. There were not only accounts of the oracle’s calling and ceremony, but many references to possession by demons and the chants and rituals required to rid humans of the ill effects of the possession. Wesley had taken careful notes and made a list of items he would need to perform the ritual.

He had then thrown the list in the trash, the notebook across the room and shot-gunned a rather tall glass of brandy. Once calmed by the sweet liquor, he picked up his notes and retrieved the list from the trash. He would not let the recent strains of his relationship with Angel sacrifice Cordelia’s life. He would not be responsible for that. He would help, and once he knew she was safe Wesley knew he would be free to leave the group behind forever. He would be free of them. He would be ready to make that last sacrifice.

Wesley picked up the phone sitting on his desk and dialed Fred’s cell phone number. When she didn't pick up on the fourth ring, the phone went into her answering service.

"Fred, it's Wesley. I've found more about the ritual with the oracle. It’ll be up to you to get one there, you’ll have to try the Knights of Pythias. I haven’t found anymore about the location of the axis so hopefully you’ve gotten some more useful information in that regard. I'll be at home the rest of the evening if you have questions. I'll be here. If you want to call, me here, tonight." He hung up the receiver, after hitting himself in the head with it a few times.

"Sure, I’m alone on a Thursday night, just me here reading two thousand year old texts about Delphic oracles and the strange eating habits of their head priest. If you're as sad and pathetic as I am feel free to call. Oh and if you happen to be in the mood for a shag please stop by, you see my regular bit is a little too knackered from our escapades this afternoon." Wesley closed the book that lay open on his desk and went into the bedroom, hoping to find a quick release and fall asleep, when the phone rang.

Wesley ran back across the small apartment and caught the phone on the third ring. "Hello." He said, slightly out of breath.

"Hey Wes. It's Fred. I was at the campus and didn't hear my phone." Wesley cradled the phone against his ear and sat down at his desk with his notes in front of him. "That’s great news about the Plutarch thing. I was actually here trying to get in touch with some of the Knight’s of Pythia order. Did you know there is a group called the Pythian sisters? We may be able to bypass the fraternal organization altogether."

"That’s possible, but according to the rituals I've seen it takes five men of the Pythian council as well as two priests to perform the ritual and put the oracle into a trance." Wesley said flipping through the pages of the book.

"They may be more inclined to talk to Angel, or even Spike for that matter." Wesley wasn't sure they would open the door for a black man, let alone a big, bald black man with a south central attitude. Wesley set his notebook aside and stood up.

"Wesley, the Order of Pythias was one of the first fraternal organizations in the country to welcome black members. I’m sure Charles can handle it."

"Very well, just trying to help." Wesley paced for a second, then sat down on the couch. "I'll call you tomorrow if I find anything more."

Gunn had managed to not only get into the large house that was the Knights of Pythias’s home on the UCLA campus, they had offered to make him a member. It had taken him a few moments of polite conversation before he broached the subject of oracles. His hosts said they didn't have much need for actual oracles anymore, but that they still performed some of the rituals as a strictly symbolic act. The looks the men shared between themselves was not lost on Gunn though. He was sure there was a little more ritual in their symbolism than they were letting on.

He stayed for about twenty minutes chatting them up, asking about the history and myth behind the order, and was satisfied that they were telling the truth about the founding, if not the present incarnations. He decided to ask about the Axis of Pythia another time, not wanting to spook them right away. As he was being shown out Gunn thought he noticed a door behind the stairway that was made to look like part of the wall. He made a mental note to check it out later.

"We have a social dinner for new pledges tomorrow night at Hilgard House. Dinner’s at Eight if you’d like to come and meet some of the other brothers of the order." Answered Bill Warner, one of the more eager-to-recruit guys he'd met that day.

"Yeah, I'll see if I can make it. Does everyone go to these things or just the guys who can't get a date on a Friday night?" Gunn laughed.

Spike and Angel had woken up just before dark, feeling much more refreshed. They had gone down to the office and found Connor looking through the books piled on Fred’s desk.

"Sorry about that." Angel said. "You know you can go over to the juice bar across the street anytime you want. Other than that there's not a whole lot on this block, unless you have insurance needs or want to buy wholesale socks."

"There’s a telly too." Spike added. "We could watch Passions if you want." Angel flashed Spike an annoyed look.

"You are not getting my son hooked on that dribble." Angel said over his shoulder as he went into the small kitchenette area in the next room.

"It's great, don't listen to him." Spike gave the younger man a conspiratorial glance. "So what’s on the schedule for today?"

"Gunn and Fred went to the university again to find out more on the Knights of Pythias. Fred said Wesley was looking into the ritual to help the oracle contact Cordelia and I’m still looking for more on the Axis." Connor smiled, glad to have a purpose, and a few answers.

"Guess we’ll help you out then." Angel said as he returned from the other room with two glasses of blood. He handed one to Spike and leaned against the wall. "I think I have another avenue I'll look into today. Might have a few blanks to fill in."

"Think I'll do better on my own tonight. My contact isn’t really into group meetings." Angel finished his glass and took his own coat from the rack and gave Spike a quick kiss on the forehead. "You two will be fine, I shouldn’t be long." He left the room before the other two men had time to protest.

"Right then, let’s hit the books, little brother." Spike growled. They each grabbed a text from the pile and read in silence.

The neon in this bar always hurt Angel's eyes. There was too much of it, and too many large mirrors to reflect the light, making it even harsher. But he knew she would be here, she was always here after work, almost always anyway. True to form, Lilah was sitting at the bar running her fingers in circles over the rim of the glass that sat in front of her.

"I’m hurt." She said before he had even sat down. "You’ve been above ground for more than a week and haven’t come to see me." She turned to face him and gave a little pout, which quickly turned into a grin.

"It's not you I missed, you idiot. It's the smell of leather, it's just so...mmm." Lilah took a sip from her gin and set it back down. "So, did you just come in for a drink, or is this a covert meeting?"

"I need it for a special project and you're going to help me get it." Angel leaned in closer and put a soft hand over hers.

"Let me think. Could it be because you have been trying to make me crazy for the last three years, or maybe because you helped a demon steal my only child?" He moved his face close to hers and took in her scent. "Or maybe because I can still smell Wesley’s cock on you? And if you don't feel like helping there's no one on earth I'd rather drain than your new boy toy." He flashed her a menacing grin.

"I'll see what I can find out." Lilah said looking away. "But don't think you can get to me through Wesley. He and I..." She turned to see he was gone.


	The Adventures of Captain Peroxide and Deadboy The Angel/Spike Zone of the BtVS Writer's Guild Home Updates Stories Resources Extras News Music Forum Contact Guestbook Links Full Version Fiction by: Title Author Pairing Rating Ensouled Chapter XVIII - Research Author: Tania Summary: Spike comes to LA looking for Angel, together they try and figure out what it means to be Ensouled. Rating: Mainly R/NC-17 Pairings: Angel/Spike, Angelus/William, Lilah/Wesley, Buffy/Spike implied, Angel(us)/Darla Implied Timeline: Runs the gamut Disclaimer: Joss created my darling boys, I just let them run around in my head until they must come out. Distribution: Please ask, although why you would want to house a 41,674 word long story is beyond me. Feedback: Please, by all means, Email Tania It had taken Wesley most of the day to read through the Moralia. There was a vast expanse of knowledge, and Plutarch’s attempts to reconcile the mystical side of his job in the Delphic Oracle with science was fascinating. There were not only accounts of the oracle’s calling and ceremony, but many references to possession by demons and the chants and rituals required to rid humans of the ill effects of the possession. Wesley had taken careful notes and made a list of items he would need to perform the ritual. He had then thrown the list in the trash, the notebook across the room and shot-gunned a rather tall glass of brandy. Once calmed by the sweet liquor, he picked up his notes and retrieved the list from the trash. He would not let the recent strains of his relationship with Angel sacrifice Cordelia’s life. He would not be responsible for that. He would help, and once he knew she was safe Wesley knew he would be free to leave the group behind forever. He would be free of them. He would be ready to make that last sacrifice. Wesley picked up the phone sitting on his desk and dialed Fred’s cell phone number. When she didn't pick up on the fourth ring, the phone went into her answering service. "Fred, it's Wesley. I've found more about the ritual with the oracle. It’ll be up to you to get one there, you’ll have to try the Knights of Pythias. I haven’t found anymore about the location of the axis so hopefully you’ve gotten some more useful information in that regard. I'll be at home the rest of the evening if you have questions. I'll be here. If you want to call, me here, tonight." He hung up the receiver, after hitting himself in the head with it a few times. "Sure, I’m alone on a Thursday night, just me here reading two thousand year old texts about Delphic oracles and the strange eating habits of their head priest. If you're as sad and pathetic as I am feel free to call. Oh and if you happen to be in the mood for a shag please stop by, you see my regular bit is a little too knackered from our escapades this afternoon." Wesley closed the book that lay open on his desk and went into the bedroom, hoping to find a quick release and fall asleep, when the phone rang. Wesley ran back across the small apartment and caught the phone on the third ring. "Hello." He said, slightly out of breath. "Hey Wes. It's Fred. I was at the campus and didn't hear my phone." Wesley cradled the phone against his ear and sat down at his desk with his notes in front of him. "That’s great news about the Plutarch thing. I was actually here trying to get in touch with some of the Knight’s of Pythia order. Did you know there is a group called the Pythian sisters? We may be able to bypass the fraternal organization altogether." "That’s possible, but according to the rituals I've seen it takes five men of the Pythian council as well as two priests to perform the ritual and put the oracle into a trance." Wesley said flipping through the pages of the book. "Oh, so we need the men huh. I'll let Charles deal with them then." "They may be more inclined to talk to Angel, or even Spike for that matter." Wesley wasn't sure they would open the door for a black man, let alone a big, bald black man with a south central attitude. Wesley set his notebook aside and stood up. "Wesley, the Order of Pythias was one of the first fraternal organizations in the country to welcome black members. I’m sure Charles can handle it." "Very well, just trying to help." Wesley paced for a second, then sat down on the couch. "I'll call you tomorrow if I find anything more." "Or I'll call you." Fred replied. "Okay, just call on my cell phone. I may be away from my flat." Wesley lied. "Thanks Wes, I'll do that. Bye." "Goodnight Fred." ***** Gunn had managed to not only get into the large house that was the Knights of Pythias’s home on the UCLA campus, they had offered to make him a member. It had taken him a few moments of polite conversation before he broached the subject of oracles. His hosts said they didn't have much need for actual oracles anymore, but that they still performed some of the rituals as a strictly symbolic act. The looks the men shared between themselves was not lost on Gunn though. He was sure there was a little more ritual in their symbolism than they were letting on. He stayed for about twenty minutes chatting them up, asking about the history and myth behind the order, and was satisfied that they were telling the truth about the founding, if not the present incarnations. He decided to ask about the Axis of Pythia another time, not wanting to spook them right away. As he was being shown out Gunn thought he noticed a door behind the stairway that was made to look like part of the wall. He made a mental note to check it out later. "So y’all have any like pledge dinners coming up I could maybe check out?" He asked once outside. "We have a social dinner for new pledges tomorrow night at Hilgard House. Dinner’s at Eight if you’d like to come and meet some of the other brothers of the order." Answered Bill Warner, one of the more eager-to-recruit guys he'd met that day. "Yeah, I'll see if I can make it. Does everyone go to these things or just the guys who can't get a date on a Friday night?" Gunn laughed. "No, everyone is there, even those of us with dates." Bill said, only half smiling. "Cool." Gunn said as he waved his goodbye. ** Spike and Angel had woken up just before dark, feeling much more refreshed. They had gone down to the office and found Connor looking through the books piled on Fred’s desk. "I got bored." Connor said as soon as they walked through the door. "There’s not a lot to do here." "Sorry about that." Angel said. "You know you can go over to the juice bar across the street anytime you want. Other than that there's not a whole lot on this block, unless you have insurance needs or want to buy wholesale socks." "Oh well, at least you have lots of books." "There’s a telly too." Spike added. "We could watch Passions if you want." Angel flashed Spike an annoyed look. "You are not getting my son hooked on that dribble." Angel said over his shoulder as he went into the small kitchenette area in the next room. "It's great, don't listen to him." Spike gave the younger man a conspiratorial glance. "So what’s on the schedule for today?" "Gunn and Fred went to the university again to find out more on the Knights of Pythias. Fred said Wesley was looking into the ritual to help the oracle contact Cordelia and I’m still looking for more on the Axis." Connor smiled, glad to have a purpose, and a few answers. "Guess we’ll help you out then." Angel said as he returned from the other room with two glasses of blood. He handed one to Spike and leaned against the wall. "I think I have another avenue I'll look into today. Might have a few blanks to fill in." "Okay, so let’s go." Spike said, grabbing his coat from the rack. Angel gave him a little shake of his head. "Think I'll do better on my own tonight. My contact isn’t really into group meetings." Angel finished his glass and took his own coat from the rack and gave Spike a quick kiss on the forehead. "You two will be fine, I shouldn’t be long." He left the room before the other two men had time to protest. "Right then, let’s hit the books, little brother." Spike growled. They each grabbed a text from the pile and read in silence. ** The neon in this bar always hurt Angel's eyes. There was too much of it, and too many large mirrors to reflect the light, making it even harsher. But he knew she would be here, she was always here after work, almost always anyway. True to form, Lilah was sitting at the bar running her fingers in circles over the rim of the glass that sat in front of her. "I’m hurt." She said before he had even sat down. "You’ve been above ground for more than a week and haven’t come to see me." She turned to face him and gave a little pout, which quickly turned into a grin. "I missed you too Lilah." Angel sat down and ordered a whiskey from the bartender. "It's not you I missed, you idiot. It's the smell of leather, it's just so...mmm." Lilah took a sip from her gin and set it back down. "So, did you just come in for a drink, or is this a covert meeting?" "Axis of Pythia. I think you know how I can get it." Angel watched her face for recognition, but saw none. "Never heard of it." She said. "What’s it for?" "I need it for a special project and you're going to help me get it." Angel leaned in closer and put a soft hand over hers. "Why would I help you?" She was acutely aware of the steady pressure of his cool hand on her skin. "Let me think. Could it be because you have been trying to make me crazy for the last three years, or maybe because you helped a demon steal my only child?" He moved his face close to hers and took in her scent. "Or maybe because I can still smell Wesley’s cock on you? And if you don't feel like helping there's no one on earth I'd rather drain than your new boy toy." He flashed her a menacing grin. "I'll see what I can find out." Lilah said looking away. "But don't think you can get to me through Wesley. He and I..." She turned to see he was gone. **** Chapter Nineteen Have wondered how it would all end. Copyright 2002 - Tania Violators will be beaten to death with a shovel (A vague disclaimer is nobody's friend)