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Chapter 27
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The club was crowded with dancing couples packed like colorful sardines in a tin and tables packed with groups of people laughing or deep in conversation. The band was not currently on stage, but the distinctive sound of "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell was coming from an old-fashioned jukebox at the end of the bar.

Spike and Willow paid the small cover charge and made their way to the long, highly polished oasis with a few empty stools lining it. Spike held up two fingers and pointed to the tap behind the bartender. "That okay with you, luv? Figure you’ve been livin’ here long enough to appreciate the best thing ever to immigrate from Ireland."

"That’s fine. I like the creamy goodness that is Guinness. You won’t mind if I ditch you to cruise a bit, will you?" Willow was already feeling more relaxed than she had been in what felt like forever.

"Sweetheart, that’s why we’re here. Course I don’t mind. I’ll just stay here and keep the barkeep happy with orders and tips. You need anything, you know where to find me, right? Looks like lots of fish in the sea tonight, so go make someone happy." Spike smiled encouragement to the witch and privately hoped she would get lucky in her choice this time. The girl had as much bad luck with love as Spike had. Time to change the luck of the lot of them, himself included. Once he got Buffy back, Spike wasn’t going to just stand back. It was time to find out, once and for all, if she meant those words she’d said in the Hellmouth.

The music stopped as the pianist headed for the stage to begin the live music again. Spike didn’t look but assumed the entertainment would be worth listening to, judging from the reaction of the crowd. The cover charge had been small, but that only meant the paid entertainment wasn’t all that well known, not that the quality would be off. Spike offered a silent prayer that it wouldn’t be some Barry Manilow wannabe.

The voice was powerful and mesmerizing, Spike gave him that. There was a vague sense of familiarity as well.


"At first I was afraid I was petrified
Kept thinkin' I could never live without you
by my side;
But then I spent so many nights
Thinkin' how you did me wrong
And I grew strong

And so you're back from outer space
I just walked in to find you here with that sad look
upon your face
I should have changed that stupid lock
I should have made you leave your key
If I'd've known for just one second you'd back to
bother me

Go on now, go, walk out the door
Just turn around now
you're not welcome anymore
Weren't you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye
Did I crumble
Did you think I'd lay down and die?
Oh no, not.I. I will survive
Oh as long as I know how to love I know I'll stay
alive"

The vocalist continued to belt out the old Gloria Gaynor anthem to getting on with life. It was one of the better covers Spike had heard of "I Will Survive" and he’d heard quite a few over the years. Spike twirled his seat to get a better look at the talented singer and nearly choked on his brew.

"Lorne! Damn, what is this, a family reunion?" The green-skinned, red-horned demon had the crowd in the palm of his hand. He hadn’t seen Spike, obviously,
and was throwing himself completely into the defiant song of survival.

For a peace-loving demon, Lorne had grown quite a pair in that last battle. He had even allowed Angel to turn him into a hit man, taking out the future threat of
Lindsey McDonald. Lorne had managed to survive, at that, and Spike was glad to see him looking so well.

Lorne had just shifted into his version of "I Love The Night Life" when he spotted Spike’s platinum hair across the stage lights. To give him credit, he barely faltered. Only a slight nod towards Spike gave any indication that the demon had seen him at all.

Spike raised his glass in a toast to him and turned back to the bar. He didn’t want Lorne to think he had hunted him down to drag him back into the life of warfare that the Pylean hated so very much. Better to be casual and not frighten the bugger too badly.

Willow sidled up to Spike with a cute, shy-looking girl with shoulder-length, medium brown hair and spectacular green eyes standing just behind her. "How you doin’, Spike? Anybody try a pick up line on you yet? I’ve seen a few guys lookin’ you over", Willow teased the vampire.

"This is Ciara, she’s a grad student in the biomedicine program at King’s College London. She’s going to get a Nobel Prize one day for her stem cell work!" Willow smiled sweetly at her companion.

"Nice to meet you. So, guy’s campus then?" Spike looked the girl over and thought she reminded him of a cross between Tara and Fred Burkle. She was a definite improvement over the brash Kennedy.

"Mostly. Willow says you’re an old friend and you were the one to bring her here. I don’t remember ever seeing you here before, but I’m glad you came in tonight. Willow has a quick mind and wit. Not too hard on the eyes either." The girl spoke quietly but without any hesitation. She had a slight Northern Irish lilt to her voice that put Spike in mind of Belfast.

"Nice to find Willow lives in London. I heard her American accent when she asked me to dance and thought she’d be just another blow-in. She’s got some lively crack for certain! She’s told me this tale of you being some sort of
Pishogues. Divil a much if I believe her, of course. Too hansdome by far for that, I said."

Spike grinned at the girl and laughed. "Oh, you can believe our Willow. Vampire here, unbeating heart and all the rest. Do I scare you?"

Ciara looked at Spike as if sizing him up to be sure he wasn’t pulling her leg. Finally she laughed and put out her hand to shake his. "You’re not lookin’ over hungry…so, no, not afraid. Sure then if Willow finds you worthy, you must be a fine fella. Not lookin’ to have a wee nip at my neck or anything?" She asked the question playfully, clearly not worried a bit.

"You don’t seem as surprised that vampires exist as you are that I AM one. What’re they teachin’ the next generation of lab coats over there?" Spike was amused at her easy acceptance and manner.

"I’m a regular here. And look who’s singing! " Ciara pointed to Lorne and Willow finally noticed the singer. "Vampire’s not much of a stretch."

"Oooh, I know him! That’s Lorne! I met him at Angel’s old hotel when I went to put his soul back--Angel’s, not Lorne’s … I don’t even know if Lorne has a soul. I didn’t know he could sing! He’s really good." Willow was excited at the prospect of getting a chance to actually talk to the loudly dressed demon when he got a break.

Ciara was still gazing at Spike, who was looking a bit suspicious, and more than a bit concerned, of her easy acceptance. "You’d have to be daft as a camel to not know there’s more than humans on this wee planet. I’m no eejit, I know what I’ve seen. Besides, I’m Irish. We have an easy time accepting the supernatural. We even redesigned the main runway at Shannon so as to not disturb a faerie hill--
you know, an entrance to the land of the wee folk. Vampires are rare ones though. Don’t see too many of your kind about."

"We’re around. Lots more older vamps in London than most other places. We keep quiet here, not all fangs and frenzy. You know, blend in for the most part. Lots of night jobs in this century, add to that the sunlight shortage and the whole goth thing with the pale faces and no one pays any attention."

"True! Lots of soft days to keep away the tan issues, eh? Don’t be takin’ this the wrong way, but I’d love a chance to study you a bit some day. It’s the doctor in me you’re appealin’ to, by the way. Interested in the physiology part of what makes you tick. Think it over and let Willow know if you feel up for it." Her offer didn’t make Spike feel like the lab rat the Initiative had tried to make him into.

Spike tapped Willow on her shoulder and drew her attention back from the disco demon on stage. "Willow, love, mind if I have a word … private like? I’m sure Irish won’t mind, will you Mo croi?"

"Sure, you two go on. I’ll just listen to Green a wee while", Ciara said.

Willow was puzzled by Spike’s intense look. "What’s up?"

Spike looked back at the table where Ciara was tapping the beat of the song Lorne was singing. "Any particular reason you’re trusting the little scientist with a peek at all our frilly unmentionables?"

"Huh?", Willow looked completely confused.

"All the information on vampires, demons, witchcraft … the whole bloody Council of wankers! Please tell me you haven’t mentioned our current mission to the arm candy." Spike was horrified at the lack of secrecy on Willow’s part.

Willow was hurt that Spike would think her indiscreet. "Of course not! I haven’t lost my mind, Spike. When I first met Ciara, she was in a group talking about demons because she said the singer wasn’t human. It’s not like demons are some big Government secret anymore. After we activated all the Potential slayers and all these young girls turned into Wonder Woman overnight the cat was kinda out of the bag, you know? Most people eventually catch on. As far as the Council stuff, it was YOUR idea to bring a new girlfriend there to meet Kennnedy, remember? I figured I’d have to explain where I work a little bit at least. I didn’t give her any details, just that we work against evil, fighting the bad demons of the world. Besides, I kinda’ peeked into her head to check her out a little before I said a word, but PLEASE, please don’t tell her, okay? She’s really nice, a lot like Tara without the magic and all. She might be a keeper."

"Calm down Red. I trust your judgement. After all you like me! Let’s get back to your cutie before someone else snaps her up, eh?" Spike had been mollified by Willow's explanation for her candor with the new girl.

Ciara smiled warmly at Willow when she and Spike returned to the table. She had been enjoying the live music but was happy to have the winsome redhead and her vampire friend return. Willow could turn out to be the most interesting girlfriend Ciara had ever had. In fact, Willow’s circle of friend might just be the most fascinating Ciara could imagine. Not much room for boredom in her immediate future!


"So, my one night to dance my cares away and I fall into the company of a vampire and a wiccan while some green demon sings the soundtrack. Sure that would get
my da in a dither if I mobiled him with that news." The girl smiled at the idea of her rather parochial father’s reaction to the world his youngest belonged
to. "He’s not dealin’ that well with my datin’ choices already. Sure the big city over here is corruptin’ his baby. I should have Willow introduce me to that lovely singer and introduce him as my boyfriend next time the old ones come over for a visit. That’d give ‘em a bit of a start."

They all laughed at that picture as Spike bought another round of drinks for the girls. "Lorne’s a decent sort. He’d likely join in the joke, but I don’t think your father’d believe for long that Lorne was your boyfriend. All he has to do is say a few words and your da would be draggin’ you back to hearth and home so fast your head would spin." Spike was chuckling at the visual play of that scene.

The singer in question had just completed a rousing rendition of "Hot Stuff" that even Donna Summer would have applauded. He had glanced over from time to time and was relieved to see that only Spike, of all the old gang, appeared to be there. Maybe Angel wasn’t seeking him out again and this meeting was just chance after all.

Lorne had meant what he had said back in the Wolfram and Hart offices: he wanted out and had gotten out. He planned to stay well out in the future, too. Still, Lorne was nothing if not a social being and had liked Spike well enough to be horrified at the thought of snubbing the vampire. When his set was done, he strolled towards bar and the two girls drinking with the undead.

"Slim! About the last thing I expected was to see your luscious self sitting in a gay bar in London. Might have dreamed it but never expected it! Please tell me you’re just here for the firewater and tunes and not on some kind of Angelic mission." Lorne looked squarely at Spike, never letting his eye contact falter.

"Just out for some R & R, Kermit. Not gonna tell Peaches a thing about your gig here, unless you want me to", Spike reassured the green demon.

"No offense, Sweetcheeks, but I’d just as soon let that Auld Lang stay Syne, if you don’t mind. Still love Angelcakes, all you guys really, but it’s not my scene. I left Pylea because I wanted music and beauty. I was happy and then I met Angel. Just not diggin’ that vibe, you know." Lorne looked sad as he spoke.

"Yeah, me, too, except the Pylea part. Angel has a way of suckin’ the joy out of things and not just ‘cause he’s a vampire either. Your secret’s safe with me. You sounded really good up there. Looks like London’s bein’ good to ya." Spike could see the demon had found his place in life again and he had no intention of dragging Lorne back to the never-ending battle between good and evil that surrounded everyone he knew.

"Oh, it is!

‘My Kind of town, London is…,’

Lorne sang, substituting London for Chicago. "The only place better for a singing demon is Vegas, but that didn’t go down well the last time. Besides, it’s too close to L.A. and everything I left behind. They love me here. It’s not my own club, but soon, soon." Lorne looked wistfully around him.

"Good on you then, mate." Spike was pleased for him. They hadn’t particularly bonded in Los Angelus, but he rather liked the bloke.

"Say, I’m not sure I really want to know, but how’d that whole plan of Angel’s wind up? I know how my mission went and so do not want to revisit that little episode. How’d everyone else do? I can see you managed to make it out alive, or undead anyway. Anyone else?" Lorne looked almost afraid to ask.

"Percy didn’t make it, died in Blue’s arms. She was right pissed off ‘bout that. Charlie Boy nearly didn’t make it, but he pulled through. He retired, too, so you’re not the only one to move on to better things. He’s in L.A. usin’ all that legal know-how to help the hopeless. Gonna come over for a visit in time. I know this hot little Italian lawyer and I’m plannin’ on playin’ Cupid for him. Let me introduce the ladies and buy you somethin’ in a tall glass and I’ll fill you in on the rest. This here’s Ciara, Willow’s new friend, so all this’ll be TMI for her, but what the hell." Spike called the bartender over and ordered a SeaBreeze for his green friend.

By the time Spike finished his tale, Willow had long since taken her new friend back to the dance floor. No point in scaring off the bint all at once. Spike understood completely.

"So, you finally going to let your long lost love know how you feel? You’re going to a lot of trouble to just walk off into the sunset, my color-challenged friend. You kids need to finally talk to each other! I mean your being here doesn’t mean you’ve decided to change teams, does it?" Lorne looked a bit hopeful as he asked. He shrugged at Spike’s head shake.

"No. Buffy’s the only one for me. Not likely to be noticin’ anybody else long as she’s in this world. I’m strictly here to get the witch a nice night out and have a pint or two." Spike ordered another round and was struck with an idea. "Hey, you bein’ Mr. Entertainment and all, maybe you could help me with somethin’. Don’t panic, not gonna ask you to get any more involved than a phone call‘s all." Spike had seen the shuttered look come down on the demon’s face at the prospect of being pulled into the current mission.

"This Lilah bird said somethin’ about us not payin’ attention to our client list at the old law firm from hell. Figure it would’ve been your department. You still able to pick up a phone and chat up someone like Don Henley? Seems the Senior Partners actually live at the real Hotel California. What a joke, huh? I was wonderin’ if you could ask how he came to write that ditty and what some of the words might mean. You’d save us a month of research if you could do that and I wouldn’t tell a soul…or even any souless being…‘bout you bein’ involved. What d’you say?" Spike looked earnestly at Lorne.

"I suppose I could make a couple of calls. Hotel California, huh? Yeah, that fits. No guarantees, Sweetcakes, but I’ll give it a go. You got a number I can moby you at with the 411?" Lorne squirmed a bit but trusted Spike to keep his involvement quiet.

Spike gave him the cell phone number where he could be reached and thanked him as the girls came back to the table.

"You get all caught up finally?" Willow smiled at the two guys with the glum faces.

"Sure did, my little magical Robin. I remember you coming in like the cavalry and saving our bacon with the whole ‘let’s bring back Angelus for the good of the world’ fiasco. Good to see you again. I hear you went all Gandalf at the Hellmouth going-out-of-business party in SunnyD. Must have been quite the showstopper."

"Stopped my show, that’s for sure," Spike mumbled and took a deep drink from his glass.

"It was! I have lots more control over the magic now. Not a loose cannon on deck, if you know what I mean. Black and veiny, so not the fashion statement I’m after," Willow said with a shudder.

Lorne excused himself to return to the stage for his final set and promised to be in touch with Spike very soon.

"So, you guys friends?" Willow was surprised to feel a bit of jealousy over the idea of any other group having an emotional claim on their vampire.

"Never got close, but he’s a right one. Glad he’s doin’ what makes him happy now. ‘Preciate it if you don’t say anything to the Poof about seeing him here. They said their goodbyes before that battle and Lorne’s not looking to say ‘hello’ again any time soon."

Willow agreed that mum would be the word and turned her attention back to the girl she was starting to get to know. "Ciara wants the grand tour of the Council.
I was thinking maybe tomorrow afternoon would be cool. Maybe you’ll be training with, you know, the group? I think it would be neato for her to see the Big Bad in action, if that’s okay with you?"

""S fine, pet." Spike looked at the young scientist-in-training and smiled in welcome. "Gonna be quite an eye opener. You sure you’re up for it?"

"I’m Irish, I adapt." She was smiling broadly as she said it.

"So’s the Poof, but for the love of whatever god you believe in, don’t get him to pull out the old accent! He hurts your ears and proves the meaning of brogue, if you get my meaning." Spike grimaced at the thought.

"I don’t get it?" Willow looked from one to the other of her tablemates.

"’Brogue’ means shoe in Irish … Gaelic. ‘Twas meant as an insult, meanin’ we sound like we’ve got a shoe in our mouths when speaking the Queen’s English. Course, now it just gets used to mean the accent‘s all," Ciara explained to her new friend. "Your friend is saying that this fella is a pain on the ears when he slips into his accent, right?"

"Damn straight he does. Don’t sound natural at all, much less musical like you, kitten." Spike often wondered if the history of his sire that he’d been told was embellished because the accent just had never sounded right at all.

The trio spent another couple of hours engaged in small talk interspersed with dancing before Spike and a tired but happy Willow headed back to Council Central.

"Reckon they noticed we went AWOL?" Spike asked Willow as they walked toward the entrance, arm in arm.

"Don’t know, don’t care. Just floating on the happy right now. Thanks, Spike. I feel like a new woman. I needed that."

"You’re welcome, Red, anytime." Spike felt refreshed as well. Maybe Lorne could come up with something to make the night a profitable one on the Buffy rescue front, too. It would be nice to know they had done some good at the same time as they’d unwound a bit.