Prompt 85 - Desperate measures - BtVS

[thismaz]

 Title: Desperate measures
 Fandom: BtVS
 Prompt: 85 - Topaz
 At: tamingthemuse
 Rating: Older Teen
 Summary: Part 24 of my pre-season one story.
 Word Count: 2,110
 Comments: Are greatly appreciated, loved and cherished.
 Previous parts:
 In reverse order, in tags here
 In my memories.
 Or, starting here with links to the next, at the end of each chapter.
 Disclaimer: here.
Now beta'd by the wonderful laazikaat

Warning (highlight the white area to see the warning text):

Demon Spike/Vamp Xander story

24. Desperate measures

Friday night to Saturday

Angel rolled his head to the side, against the rock wall, so he could study Liam. He was slight, but tall and it looked like, although he'd reached his full height, he hadn't yet finished bulking out. There was some muscle there, showing the potential, but he had a wiry strength. And he was so very young, probably twenty-one, or maybe a year either side of that. Angel found it difficult to judge human ages. It was the times they lived in. In Angel's human youth a boy became a man, to all intents and purposes, at fourteen when he was sworn to his master as apprentice. Assuming he came from a family that could afford to set him to a trade in the first place. Nowadays humans remained children for so much longer, but they also lived longer. He thought about the even more extended childehood of a young vampire. Looked at in terms of the eventual lifespan he supposed it made sense.

Liam had remained remarkably calm too, his first instincts had been to help Angel, by binding up his broken hands and arms. He'd flinched from the task, but hadn't really hesitated and he'd managed to withstand any urge to panic. At least, he had until he'd been hit by the shock of seeing his fellow captives carried in and thrown away like so much garbage.

Once he'd finished throwing up, he'd turned to Angel. "What was that?" he'd asked. "What's wrong with their faces?"

Angel didn't know how break it gently. "They're vampires," he said flatly. "Didn't the others look like that?"

Liam shook his head but Angel suspected it wasn't in answer to his question. "Oh no! No, no, no, man. That's not possible," he said, huddling back into the wall, as far from Angel as he could get.

"You saw them! What do you think they are?" Angel snapped back.

Liam just buried his face in his raised knees and hugged his legs.

He'd stayed like that for a long while. But he was tough and he was practical. Once his initial panic was over, he'd busied himself tearing a strip from the hem of his tee shirt and tying it around his face like a surgical mask to protect him from the worst of the stench. Then, still not looking at Angel, he'd spent more than half an hour inspecting the lock of the cell door, fruitlessly searching for some flaw in the castings or the welds. Failing in that plan, he'd turned his attention to the main cave, avoiding the charnel heap in the corner. Lying on his side, he'd managed to snag a loose rock and had spent a further hour hammering at the hinges, until it was the rock that crumbled, while the hinges held firm. Angel had just been relieved that no one came to investigate the noise.

After that Liam had returned to where Angel was still sitting and it seemed that in his exhaustion he'd lost some of his incredulity. Sitting cross-legged, his pale blue eyes gleaming like topaz above the slash of white across the lower half of his face, as they caught the occasional flare from the torch, like those of a siamese cat, he began to ask questions.

Angel had been as honest as he could be, explaining that the faces of the minions were neither masks nor some form of inbred hillbilly deformity, that there really were vampires and that Angel and Liam were being held by creatures who were certainly not interested in monetary gain. Under Liam's continued probing he went on to tell what he knew of the habits of gangs such as this, what he knew of Sunnydale in particular and to recount what he'd overheard of Luke's plans to raise the Master from where ever he was trapped. He told Liam about his night time patrols, his efforts to dispose of new born vampires as they rose and his belief that if he could just hold out, someone would come to help the town rid itself of the scourge they represented. He explained about the Council of Watchers and the Slayer and the eternal fight against the powers of darkness. He even told Liam about Xander and his regret and self-blame that he hadn't been able to save him, going so far as to admit the shameful attraction he'd felt for the boy. Liam had argued then, saying that although he didn't personally tend that way, he could understand how, if it had been a girl he liked who he knew was too young for him, he'd have hesitated too. He probed until he had the whole story of Angel's attempts to guard Xander as he walked home each night, congratulating Angel on killing the vampire that attacked Xander and sympathising with him on the interpretation Xander had placed on that rescue. And while he agreed that Xander probably couldn't be blamed, having not seen his attacker, he also asserted that Angel had done all he could; he'd told Xander the truth and if Xander didn't believe him, well, it wasn't surprising, but it was hardly Angel's fault. Slowly Angel had allowed himself to be persuaded.

The hours passed and for all their talk they were no closer to finding an escape. As dawn approached, Liam grew quieter, until eventually he fell silent, the horror of all he had heard and seen taking its toll and he'd fallen into a light sleep, propped up against the wall at Angel's side.

Angel stayed awake longer, resolutely ignoring the hunger that constricted his throat with its raw need and claws like hot pokers to his chest, ignoring the lure of the pulse he was almost certain he could hear in the stillness of their cell. He kept his vigil, determined that this human, who had shown such trust in him, would not die in the dark like the poor unfortunates whose husks were now piled rotting in the corner.

Beside him, Liam gave a soft, snuffling sigh and shifted, so he was leaning against Angel. His body gave out a welcome warmth and Angel moved subtly, encouraging him to slump closer until his head rested on Angel's shoulder. With a sigh of his own and a growing certainty that Liam was right about Xander, Angel relaxed into the human heat, allowing his own cheek to rest against Liam's dirty fair hair which curled at his forehead and neck, like that of Michelangelo's David. The pain in his arms wouldn't allow him to sleep, but he could relish the momentary peace that this child gave him.

*****

Angel started awake from a dream of Xander and blood, some sound alerting him, moments before he sank his fangs into Xander's neck while Spike stood beside him saying, 'You know you always wanted him.' Momentarily disorientated he took a deep breath and immediately choked as his senses were swamped by the stench of putrefaction. He looked down and just as he realised that Liam was still asleep, he also realised that it was totally dark but he could still see. He shook his head to shift himself back to his human face as Liam began to stir, lifting one hand to rest on Angel's chest and beginning to push himself upright.

From the entrance to the cavern a light approached, getting brighter when a female entered, carrying a new torch. She removed the dead one from its bracket and tossed it aside, slotting the new one into its place. Then she unhooked the keys and walked past their cell and out of sight.

Beside him Liam gave a weak laugh. "Hey man, sorry for falling asleep on you. Don't take it the wrong way, yeah?"

Angel ignored him, concentrating on the sound of a key turning in a heavy lock. That was followed by a whimper and some scrabbling, then a crunch and silence. The sound of a cage door clanging shut was followed by the reappearance of the minion, with a body-shaped bundle over her shoulder. She replaced the keys and Angel thought she was just going to leave, but instead she approached their cage.

Stopping a foot from the bars, she snarled. "Not hungry?" she asked. "Shall I take it away?"

Angel sat up straight. "No!" he said. "I'll eat. Leave him." He didn't dare even glance at Liam, concentrating on the threat before them. "Luke knows the protocol. He wants me healthy. He's old enough to have learnt some sense." He looked at the creature up and down with a sneer. "I doubt you'll last long enough to do the same."

Ignoring his taunt, the vampire turned her attention to Liam. "It's comfortable in the corner," she said, her words mangled by her fangs but still clearly understandable. "You'll be there soon enough. You're not destined for the zoo." And with that she turned on her heel, the head of the man dangling over her shoulder swinging slightly with the movement, and marched back out of the cave.

"What does she mean, zoo?" Liam asked, a slight quaver in his voice.

Angel shrugged. "You saw the bodies. You're supposed to be one of them." He turned his head and caught Liam's eye, trying to communicate reassurance. "I'll try and help shield you. But..."

"How?" Liam interrupted. "What can you do? You're in here with me."

Crunch time, Angel realised with resignation. "No," he said. "Actually, you're in here with me." He hesitated, but he knew he couldn't put it off any longer. "When I get hungry enough, you're supposed to be my supper."

Eyes widening with shock, Liam began to scramble backwards. "You're one of those?" he asked, aghast.

"Not one of those," Angel said. "But I am a vampire." He held Liam's gaze. "But I won't hurt you," he promised.

"Are, are... Um... and are you hungry yet?" Angel shook his head, but Liam wasn't satisfied. "When will you be?" he asked.

Closing his eyes, Angel considered his possible answers. Eventually he decided that only the truth would do the job, if it could be done. "I'm starving," he admitted. "I need to eat, to heal. But I won't feed from you. I'm not evil. I have a soul."

He could hear the pride in his own voice as he announced that last phrase, but Liam apparently couldn't because he was shaking his head. "But, but, no! You can't be," he asserted.

Realising the fact that Liam was doing his best to deny, Angel allowed his face to relax and shifted.

Liam gave a gasp, which turned into a strangled scream and crab crawled further back until he hit the wall and could retreat no further.

"I won't kill you," Angel repeated calmly, sliding back into his human face. "I'm not a monster. I'm old, I can survive for days without feeding."

"Days?" Liam asked weakly. "And... And what happens after that?"

"I'll get hungrier," Angel replied. "But I can control my needs. Just because I get hungry, doesn't mean I have to eat. It's a choice. I told you, I have a soul."

"And those other ones don't?"

"No. When a vampire's created, the human dies. A demon comes and takes over the body and the demon has no soul."

"So how come you have one?"

"I was cursed by gypsies. They conjured a soul out of the ether and gave it to me. Since then I've lived off pigs' blood, cows, rats, anything, except humans."

"So, you're not going to kill me?"

"No."

"But," and Angel could see his brain ticking over and coming to the only logical conclusion, "if you don't, they'll take me away and they'll kill me. I can't find a way out of here." He looked around the cell, as if some new weakness in the security of their prison would suddenly manifest. "You've watched me, I've tried." He turned back to Angel and his shoulders slumped. "I'm going to die either way, aren't I?"

Angel allowed his head to roll back against the wall behind him and sighed. He looked back over at Liam. "There is one way," he suggested cautiously. "I feed, but don't take enough to kill you." He spoke slowly, determined to convince Liam that this was the only possible plan. "They won't be surprised. They'll just think I'm rationing. You'll have the marks, so they'll know I've fed, but you won't be dead and it'll buy us some time."

Liam didn't look convinced. "Time for what," he asked.

"Time for my godforsaken childe to come and rescue me," Angel replied.

Continued here.

Comments

[lit-gal.livejournal.com]

I like Liam; he seems eminently practical, so I can see him freaking but coming to grips with what is the only practical solution. And I adore that Angel is putting his faith in Spike. Spike would be so proud.... he really would.

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I like Liam too. He's in a totally weird and scary place, but he doesn't lose his ability to think. And Angel has to hold on to the idea that Spike will rescue him, otherwise he'll turn into the puppy (not that he knows about the puppy).
Looking back, I think I would rearrange some of these chapters, if I wasn't writing this story a week at a time. There's no suspense attached to Angel's faith now. *g*
Thank you.

[blue-icy-rose.livejournal.com]

Wow, did I ever fall behind on this. But I'm all caught up now and I love what you've done with this - Dru likes Xander and Xander turned Jesse but made him a minion (and somehow, with Xander still being so new to the whole vamp thing, I didn't think that was going to turn out the way he thought). And I felt so sorry for Xander when Jesse was just all "Woo, Cordelia!" and took off. Though now Willow is all alone. :(

And I really like the way this part of the story with Angel and Liam is playing out. Angel's got his willpower working for him when it comes to feeding - though a part of me wonders if he'll have that willpower when he's getting human blood straight from the source - and how he seems to know that Spike will show up for him, he just doesn't know how long it'll take.

I'm enjoying the way you write the characters - especially Spike and Dru. That entire conversation between them where she seemed to be talking in riddles but he responded as if she were just saying "The sky is blue." and knew exactly what she meant was one of my favorites because it really shows the history between them. I'm so glad I caught up with this and I can't wait to read the next part. ^_^

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Thank you.
with Xander still being so new to the whole vamp thing, I didn't think that was going to turn out the way he thought
I really couldn't could it? I think that was the point where I realised that this was not going to end up as a X/J story. In an earlier chapter, Spike notes that the difference between a minion and a childe has something to do with consent at the point of turning. That came from me noticing that in the series, with Darla, Angelus and Spike, there was consent of sorts before the act, in each case.
if he'll have that willpower when he's getting human blood straight from the source
Ah, now there's a question I'm not going to answer... yet. *g*
And I'm so pleased you enjoyed Spike's conversation with Dru. I was worried I had been too obscure, but if you enjoyed it, I guess it must have worked.
Thanks again for your lovely, detailed comment.

[sparrow2000.livejournal.com]

As everyone else has said, I really like Liam's practicality in the face of having his world shifted about 3 feet to the left. Also him being able to reason with Angel that Xander's turning wasn't his fault. With him being called Liam, it's like Angel's human side manifesting and giving the broodiness a kick in the butt.

Now he's got to put his faith in Spike - oh my god, they're doomed!!! *g*

Very nicely done, love.
s x

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

*g* I wonder if I had that in mind when I decided to name him. I'm not sure why I wanted to call him Liam, I just knew it was the right name.

You should have more faith in Spike. He's an experienced, intelligent, oh, okay, he's impatient and impulsive. But this is Dru's plan, so maybe she's a better planner than him? After all, she managed to look after Spike when he was in the wheelchair, before Angelus came back.

Thank you.

[texanfan.livejournal.com]

Knowing that Liam is quite probably dead meat I have attempted not to get attached. And I have failed. I really hope Angel's scheme works because it's going to hurt big time if he dies now.

Lovely description of the evolution of a freak out. :)

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Knowing that Liam is quite probably dead meat
I can't blame you for assuming that, I do have track record of killing off my OCs.
Thank you very much indeed.

[laazikaat.livejournal.com]

I wish I could write you a long detailed feedback full of itemised comments for all the parts I enjoyed reading so much, but I'm really pretty hopeless, usually hoping you realise how much I love the story as I read each installment and keep telling you: Great! Loved it! Want more please!

It's all good. I loved the scene with Spike and Dru, I love your take on Childe as opposed to Minion, I have a fear for Liam's survival chances, I adore that it all rests on Spike now to save the day. I'm soooo glad it became a Spander.

I hope this makes up a bit for my usual one line comments. My writing skills suck. So......I'll just leave you with.....

Great! Loved it! Want more please!

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Bless you, you leave a comment, you tell me you are enjoying reading my story, that is wonderful, in and of itself. So while I strongly suspect you are doing yourself less than justice, I am more than happy to hear just that.

I knew you would be pleased when I declared it as Spander. *g* I remember saying to you months ago that I wasn't sure it would be, but even then I did wonder if I'd be strong enough to carry through on anything else *g*

Great! Loved it! Want more please!
Thank you so much. That is a lovely thing to hear. I am so pleased. And I am very happy that the things I have enjoyed writing are the things you enjoy reading in this one. There will be more in a couple of days, promise.

ETA this week's special icon, instead of my default one *g*

[laazikaat.livejournal.com]

I read such incredibly insightful comments from some of the readers sometimes and I wish I could write such good review style comments too.

All I can do is keep saying like it, want more and I get impatient with myself.

But I do like it, and I'm glad that is coming thru and you don't mind my inarticulate praise. (which is pretty articulate today, but I have my moments sometimes,lol)

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Hon, you can't fool me any more. I have proof now *g*
However, I am just grateful for the fact you not only enjoy, but you stop and tell me so.
I wish I could write
If it's not fun, it's not worth doing. You go with what is comfortable for you. I'm just happy to see you here.

[smwright.livejournal.com]

Oh, great last line!

I can well imagine the lengthy conversational give and take between them to convince Liam there really are vampires, etc... all without showing the boy his own face, reserving that for the moment he needs do it most.

This was absolutely lovely. Angel's hunger, Liam's fear, the almost present sound of a ticking clock. Loads of tension in a space where nothing actually happened. I loved it!

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Hee, Angel knows Spike needs him, so he knows Spike will try and get him out, even if he's refused to help Dru, so far.
Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the tension. I worry sometimes that nothing really happens in my stories, but then I look back and realise that it does really, just not all that fast *g*

[smwright.livejournal.com]

Low action, high tension is very hard to pull off, but you did so well. I really did enjoy this!

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Thank you.