There's a whole big plot waiting to get out. However, V!Giles is tapping his foot, and you know how he gets.

slumber --

However, V!Giles is tapping his foot, and you know how he gets.

Nekkid?

--nut!

hee

Plei!!! I was slumbernutting! No nekked V!Giles for you!

Very slightly spoilery AtS ficcage of a sorts up in the LJ.

Fanwank or Fanfic? You be the judge!

Well, original!guy got stuck in his dream, and Oz/Angel started yelling at me. So here we go again- just a few bits of dialogue at the moment, Angel POV, and possibly more to come.

“Hey, man, you got an answer phone message.”

“It’s not important.” But he’s already rewinding it.

The machine squeals. He twists up the volume, and it speaks. Kate’s voice.

“You did it, didn't you? You bastard.. You made me trust you. - You made me believe. - No, it wasn't you. It was me, right? I couldn't take the heat.. That's what they're gonna say. Then you're gonna feel all bad - or you won't care. But then, then I won't care either. I won't feel a thing.”

“Who is she? She’s killing herself.” There’s genuine anguish in his eyes. “We’ve got to go and help her.”

“You’re welcome to try.”

“Angel?” He looks at me again and realisation dawns. “Angelus?”

“No. I’m still Angel. I just can’t help her.”

“Why not?”

“If I tried… we’d go together.”

“Angel- what’s wrong with you?”

“I want what I can’t have. You know what that’s like.”

“How do you know about Willow?”

“She left you?”

“For a girl. We’re wasting time- that woman on the answer machine!”

“Is dead by now. The message is half an hour old.”

“I don’t believe that. Let’s go.”

He starts towards the door but I block him, the speed of his movements only increasing my desire for him. “You aren’t leaving.”

“Angel, you have to help me. Help me to help her.”

“We can’t.”

“Yes, we can. We’re going to.”

“It’s impossible.”

“Look, just pull yourself out of this despair you’re in, will you? We’ll save her. Where does she live?”

“It doesn’t matter- I don’t have an invitation.”

“I don’t need one. Where?”

“I can give you directions.”

“Good- my van’s just outside.”

~~~

An hour’s passed since I bullied Angel into saving this woman. I never thought I’d have to do that. I’m still a little pleased that I could. “Kate, do you need us any more?”

“No, thanks. You can go, both of you.”

Angel seems pleased by that. “Good. We’ll leave you alone, then.” We walk down to the van in silence, until he asks, “Will you stay at the hotel tonight, Oz?”

“If you don’t mind.” I’d been hoping he would ask, though my motive is divided between wanting to be with him and thinking that he shouldn’t be left alone.

“Mind? Why should I mind?”

“I don’t want to be an unwelcome guest.”

“Would you ever be, Oz?” He turns those deep brown eyes on me, and- crazily- I wonder if he feels the same way about me. “You saved me tonight. Twice.”

My breath catches a little in my throat. Mentally, I thank Willow for teaching me not to show my nerves at times like this. “Guess I did. No big.”

The hotel looms in the darkness, and I carefully park the van outside again. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” I fake a yawn. “Shall we go inside?”

“Okay.” Every word he speaks is making me harder. Slowly but surely, it’s getting painful.

He holds the door open for me as I was a lady. The silent hall is chilly, and coupled with what happened last time I came, it makes me shiver a little- most people wouldn’t notice.

“Are you cold?”

“Not really.”

“Then what is it?” His voice is deep, soft, and he stands closer to me than most people feel they can. “What can I do?”

He’s worried about me. I hesitate- then decide to take the chance. “Kiss me.”

It pays off. Cool lips on mine, arm around me, hand in my hair. Huh. Vampire fancies me.

Vampire fancies me.

snerk. Oh, you think?

I felt it was a reasonable Oz line.

Okay, Am, say what you mean. I'm so pleased with it I'm still grinning, several hours later.

I felt it was a reasonable Oz line.

Oh, yes, perfect laconic Oz.