Angel's nostrils flared as he followed the scent of smoke. Not surprisingly, the tendrils led him to the room he'd given Spike. Not bothering with knocking, he went in, glaring at the blond vampire, who lounged shirtless on his bed, staring at the TV with a cigarette clamped between his lips.
Spike canted his eyes at Angel. "Doesn't anyone bloody knock around here?
"I told you no smoking in the hotel, Spike. Angel tucked his hands in his pockets and leaned towards the recumbent vampire.
Spike blew rings at him. "It's not like I can go outside in the middle of the afternoon. I'm in my own room. Who's it hurting?
Angel sighed. It was hard to argue that. Spike couldn't go out. Angel wasn't sure if his dead body was addicted or if Spike smoked for effect and out of boredom. He glanced around the room. It hadn't changed much in its Spartan nature since Spike moved in, bringing with him only a few things; most noticeably the TV set and a large trunk that Spike had let no one help him with moving it up the steps. That alone made Angel want to know what Spike was concealing.
"Just keep it in here, Angel said, feeling small hands on his back. He looked down into Dawn's upturned face.
"What are you doing? she asked. "Shouldn't you guys be sleeping or something?
"Passions will be on soon, Spike said, tapping out the butt.
Dawn made an exasperated sound. "You and Mom, talking about that show like it was real. Her face screwed up at the memory. "Wish she were still here to do it.
"We know. Angel stroked her hair. He looked over her head at Spike. "Passions?
"It's a soap opera, Dawn said, crossing her arms.
Angel felt laughter trying to escape despite all the tragedies that swirled around them in the wake of Buffy's death. He clamped a hand over his mouth, not quite in time.
Spike's grey eyes slotted. "What? He sat up challengingly, his muscles bunching.
Angel's shoulders shook as he lost the battle with the laughter. Dawn picked up on it and started giggling, too.
"You watch soap operas? Angel managed to rasp out.
"Don't even try to interrupt. When he was watching over Mom and me, those two would get so into it I could have run off and they'd never know, Dawn said, her face red and streaked with tears of mirth.
Angel leaned back against the doorjamb, letting all the misery he'd been keeping inside dissolve into nervous laughter. "The Big Bad watching soaps?
Spike flipped him a two-fingered salute. "You two do not need to hang around here, laughing at me. Neither of them moved. "Besides, it's good. He lit up another cigarette just to be contrary.
Dawn waved a hand, wrinkling her nose against the smoke. "That's what Mom used to say.
"Giant serpents, witches, satanically possessed teens, people being sent to hell, what more could a guy ask for? Besides, I'm watching it for Sheridan. McKenzie Westmore is hot. Spike leered.
Dawn shrugged. "I guess Luis is kinda cute. Mom thought so.
"People being sent to hell? Angel's eyebrows arched
"I haven't had this much fun with a TV show since Dark Shadows.
"What?
Spike rolled his eyes. "Come on, Peaches, Dark Shadows. The main character, Barnabas Collins, was a vampire.
"Never heard of it, Angel said with an exasperated shrug.
"Me neither.
"You, I can understand, niblet. It was on in the sixties, after all. How could you miss a soap opera about a vampire, Angel? Oh that's right, that was in your living-in-a-dumpster-eating-rats period. Spike curled his lip at the older vampire.
Angel's eyes narrowed. "Spike .
Dawn made a face. "You lived in a dumpster?
"Not exactly.
"Yes exactly. Spike shook his head. "Saw him once or twice back then, reeking and dirty. Even Dru didn't want anything to do with him he was so pathetic.
"Spike. Angel squared his shoulders. "Shut up.
Spike exchanged a glance with Dawn that said 'tell-you-later.' "Don't you have to go put more gel in your hair or something? It's starting to sag a little on the top.
"Oh, look at the pot calling the kettle black. Angel glared. "Could you get more gel in that hair? What's the matter Spike? Afraid of looking like a sheep's backside?
Before they could fall back into their age-old habit of non-stop squabbling, Cordy's voice rang through the hotel.
"Angel! We found Lindsey!
Hope glimmered in Angel's dark eyes. "Come on, Dawn. You, too, Spike.
Spike rolled to his feet. "I'm never going to get to see if Luis and Sheridan defeat Tabitha's spells to keep them apart, he groused, taking a drag on his cigarette.
"Spike, no smoking anywhere else in the hotel, Angel reminded him as Spike headed for the door.
"Bloody hell! He crushed out the cigarette, threw on a shirt and followed Angel and Dawn downstairs.
Cordy and Wesley were ringed around Fred who stared intently at the computer. Wesley craned his head around to watch the trio descend down the stairs. He and Cordy both beamed triumphantly.
"You found him? Angel asked.
Wesley nodded. "Fred found his name with a law firm.
"He even has his own web page, Fred said, tapping the screen with a nail.
"Where is he? Angel meant it as a casual question but it came out as a growl, his need to get in touch with the lawyer adding tension to an already overwhelming situation. He needed Lindsey in order to take legal responsibility for Dawn. It sounded ludicrous even to his ears but when the teen in question was really a powerful mystical entity, regular foster care simply wouldn't do. Angel hadn't ever given much thought about fatherhood, especially when he had been alive and up to no good in Ireland. Once or twice a desperate fantasy about Buffy and he as parents had echoed around his mind but even then it struck him as silly. A pregnant Slayer? Slayers didn't have children. They didn't usually live long enough.
Cordy glanced at the screen and made a face like she had stepped in muck. "Oklahoma? That can't be right. Who leaves L.A. and goes to Oklahoma? I mean, what's in Oklahoma for a high priced lawyer for anyone with an ounce of sense of style?
"A lawyer who wants to work with big money Indian casinos it seems, Wesley said dryly.
"You're serious? Angel asked, moving around to look at the screen.
Wesley nodded. "He's working for the Choctaw Indian Gaming Center in Durant.
"Do I sense a road trip in our future? Spike asked, with a smarmy grin.
"Eww, to Oklahoma? Cordy gave an exaggerated shudder.
"Well, he's not just going to come back to L.A. on my say-so. A phone call won't do it, Angel said, crossing his arms.
"Unfortunately Durant doesn't seem to be close to anything. Wesley said, turning his attention back to the monitor.
Fred brought up a few maps. "It's over four hours from Tulsa, and three from Oklahoma City. Your best bet is to fly into Dallas. It's less than a hundred miles from there.
Angel shook his head. "No flying. We can't guarantee we'll land in the evening.
Dawn tapped his arm. "Can't you take a red eye? We don't have a lot of time. The state might think I'm a runaway by now.
"Runaways can go missing for years, love. Just ask missing persons, Spike said.
"She has a point, Angel. It's not just her I'm concerned about. Wolfram and Hart are threatening to take the hotel. Certainly we can find somewhere else to live and work but they're doing it just to irritate you. Lindsey may know of a way to block them from buying this place, Wesley reminded him
Dawn's eyes turned to Angel, a shiver racing through her. "You could lose the hotel?
"It's okay, Dawn. Wes, you know if something goes wrong, I could be caught in daylight, Angel said.
"Yeah but usually if things go wrong, they make you wait all day in the airport. You could just hang out in the men's room until dark, Dawn said.
Spike wrinkled his nose. "Do you know how bad that smells to noses as sensitive as ours? And if there's trouble landing, the passengers will get treated to vampire flambώ.
"I could check to see if there's one leaving just after dark. That would give you hours in case of trouble. It's not a long flight from here to Dallas, Cordy said, nudging Fred away from the computer, not sure if Fred knew about checking for flights on line. Fred had lost track of how long she had been in Pylea and had gaps in her knowledge of every day life.
"We'd better start thinking of other reasonable alternatives. According to the map, Durant is over thirty hours by car. Giving you eight hours of darkness to drive in, it'll take you over three days to get there, Wesley pointed out.
"What's going on? Angel and Spike glanced up as Gunn walked into the hotel lobby. "Hey, sweetie, he said to Dawn.
"Hey, Gunn. She smiled and flushed a little. "Fred found Lindsey, she said, waving a hand at the computer. "He's in Oklahoma.
Gunn's eyebrows lifted. "Oklahoma? Isn't that where all the cows are?
"Good thing it isn't Iowa, Spike muttered, just loud enough that Angel caught it. Dawn fixed the blond vampire with a glare, letting Angel know she'd heard him as well. Spike slouched against the counter. "Care to tell me why we need this guy? I mean, I see lawyers on the TV all the time. What's wrong with one of them?
"Hello? If we needed an ambulance chaser, they'd be banging on the door to get in, Cordelia said. "We need a real lawyer.
"Besides, Angel said, leaning back against the desk, "we can trust Lindsey.
Wesley glared, obviously not at all sure about that, and then he decided it wasn't worth fighting about. "At the very least, Angel should talk to Lindsey. It's unlikely he would take our phone calls so we have to go to Oklahoma.
"Driving it is, Spike said, fiddling with his pack of cigarettes.
"It does seem the best idea, Wesley said, turning to Angel. "Though it will be an excessively long trip if you can only drive at night.
"He won't be alone. I'm going with him, Dawn said in a tone that brooked no argument.
"I'm not sure that's wise, Wesley said. "Angel doesn't exactly look old enough to be your father and an older man and a teen-aged girl that might attract unwanted attention.
"And you're not old enough to help with the driving, little bit, and the Angel-mobile isn't exactly sun-proof, Spike said.
"Your car is, Dawn argued.
"Spike does have a point, Dawn. You can't help me drive and if we want this done quickly, we'll have to find something I can ride in during the day while someone else drives, Angel said.
"Oh! Cordelia snapped her fingers and pointed at Angel. "How about a Winnebago? They're not cheap to rent but they're comfortable. You could hide out in back.
Wesley fingered his lower lip before nodding decisively. "It is a good idea, he admitted and Angel nodded.
"I can make some calls right now, Cordelia said, reaching into the drawer for the yellow pages.
"Thanks, Cordy, Angel said catching the looks of muted horror that passed between Spike and Dawn. "Are you okay, Dawn?
"Yes! she said a little too quickly. "But who else is going with you to drive?
"I'll do it, Wesley said.
"I'll go with you, too, Dawny, Cordy said and everyone looked at her. "What? You never know when I'll be cast as a cowgirl. Call it research.
"Spike's coming, too, Dawn said, reaching a hand out to him. He took it, giving it a little shake.
"Eww, no Dawn. We don't need him. Cordy shot a hateful look Spike's way.
"He goes! Dawn insisted.
"Cordelia, she's right. After all, I'm not comfortable with William the Bloody having free rein around here while we're on the road, Wesley said.
Spike snorted. "I gave up Passions to take this abuse?
"I'm taping it, Cordelia piped up then frowned as all eyes turned to her. "I mean, can you imagine? Being reincarnated constantly, always falling in love with each other but never being able to be together because of Tabitha? Maybe this time Tabitha loses and Luis and Sheridan can be together in peace.
"Not bloody likely. She's been keeping them apart since Luis was in Caesar's army and Sheridan was a princess in Cleopatra's court, Spike interjected.
Angel, Gunn and Wesley gave mirroring horrified looks. Dawn just rolled her eyes, tossing her hair back.
"Spike, when you're ready to find your manhood again, we still need to discuss our plans for handling Lindsey, Angel said.
Spike's features flashed into vampire mode for a moment of challenge before smoothing back out.
"Someone should stay here. We can't leave Angel Investigations with no one at the helm, Wesley said.
"I got no burning desire to head for Oklahoma. I can take care of things here, Gunn said. "And Fred should probably stay. I'm not sure she's ready for a long trip yet.
Fred nodded her agreement.
"Cordy, see what you can find out about that Winnebago, Angel said. At her nod, he turned to Spike. "We need to stock up on a few things. Come with me.
"I'm never going to see my show, Spike said but followed Angel out of the lobby.
"Damn, either it's too cold or way too bloody hot. I hate microwaves, Spike grumbled, handing Angel one of the mugs of warmed blood.
"At least we're ready for the trip, Angel said, lifting his head toward the ceiling as if to be sure Dawn was up in bed and not somewhere listening in. "I'm just not sure we're doing the right thing.
"You don't want to take care of Dawn? Fred asked, curling her legs up.
Angel didn't answer for a moment. He didn't want to consider the huge responsibility he was taking on. "I was thinking more of should we even be trusting Lindsey. He's helped in the past but he's betrayed us more often than not.
"Now you tell us, Spike grumbled, fishing out his cigarettes. A glare from everyone made him slide them back into his pocket.
"Is this the right decision? Trusting Lindsey to help with Dawn and the hotel? Is it even the right thing for me to take Dawn? She would probably be better off with Giles and the Watchers. At least they're alive, Angel said, shifting the mug between his big hands.
"It's not like you will be raising Dawn alone. You have us, Cordy said with a wave at Wesley, Gunn and herself.
Angel sat back, considering. "Just wish I knew if this was the right path he trailed off then brightened. "There is a way to test it.
Gunn, Cordy and Wesley's eyes grew big.
"Oh no! Cordy gasped.
"I really don't think this is a good idea, Wesley said, shaking his head.
"I'm with English on this one, Gunn said.
"Why not? Angel asked irritated.
"What are you talking about? Spike asked, perplexed.
"He's talking about Lorne, Wesley said.
"I'll bite. What's a Lorne? Spike finished draining the mug of pig's blood.
"Lorne is from another dimension, the one we were in when Buffy died, Cordy said, her gaze dropping. Fred trembled at the mention of Pylea. "He can tell you your future.
"And he could tell me if taking in Dawn is the right thing to do, Angel said, getting more excited about the idea
"So let's go ask, Spike said.
"It's not as simple as that. Lorne doesn't just tell you your future, Wesley said.
"He makes you sing karaoke, man. Gunn shook his head. "Have you ever heard Angel sing?
The three investigators all shuddered.
"Hey! I'm not so bad, Angel protested and they all gave him a look. "I'm not.
"I've heard him sing. Peaches is the only Irishman I've ever met who couldn't carry a tune with both hands. Spike laughed.
"Well, it's not like they're much better, Angel grumbled, waving his hand at his friends.
"I could sing, if you think it'd help. I'm in this, too, Spike said.
"You? Cordy snickered.
"Hey, I sing a bloody sight better than Angel does.
"It's worth a try. If Lorne doesn't see anything relating to Dawn in Spike's future, we'll survive Angel's singing I think, Wesley said, pulling the corners of his mouth down to hide a smile.
They left Fred and Gunn to keep an eye out for Dawn and drove to Caritas only to find a rather long list of names ready to sing. Angel knew the Host would frown on line-jumpers so they added Spike's name to the bottom and took their seats. The smell of fresh paint hung cloyingly in the air . Angel, Wesley and Cordy noticed the damage Angel's car had done to Caritas was well repaired. Business was, as usual, booming but only one lonely demon was to be seen mixed in with the swell of humanity. While an overweight man butchered George Strait's The Fireman, the Host sashayed over to their table.
"How do you tell someone if they don't stop super sizing their fries they won't have a future? he asked in way of introduction. He leveled his red gaze at Spike. "Another of your friends, Angel-cakes?
"Sort of, Angel said, ignoring Spike's gleeful look. He mouthed 'don't-you-dare' to the younger vampire knowing it was hopeless. "He'll be singing later.
"I'll be looking forward to it provided you're any better than he is. Lorne hooked a thumb at Angel.
"I can guarantee it. Spike rocked back in his chair and studied the demon.
"Good. Try some of the AB negative. I hear it's very good, Lorne said.
Spike's eyes lit up. "As in the real thing? Not pig's blood?
"Fresh from the blood bank well, not so fresh really. That's why they threw it out but I've had no complaints about the taste. Lorne waved a waitress over and waited until she took Spike's order before saying, "The vibes at this table I'm glad you're in the back. You'd drag me down if I stuck around here.
"We recently lost a friend, Wesley said, glancing at Angel.
Angel dropped his gaze to his entwined fingers, not speaking.
The Host looked from one to the other of the group, seeing the downcast eyes and uneasy expressions on them all. "This friend must have been very special."She was the Slayer, Spike said, when none of the others spoke up.
Lorne's gaze softened. "I'm sorry. I hadn't heard. He patted Angel's shoulder, then, almost as an afterthought; laid his hand against Spike's back. "I hate to do this, but I have to do my job. I'll be back later. He then headed for the fat man quitting the stage.
A little while later, Spike sat back contentedly with warm human blood in a wine glass in one hand and a cold beer in the other. He gazed around the club. "Not a bad place. It's not the Bronze but some of these guys are better than some of the bands that got booked there. Does it have any blooming onions?
"You eat? Angel doesn't, Cordy said.
Spike rolled his eyes. "That's because he's big into denying himself stuff.
"Nothing has any taste, Angel said wearily, tired of this argument.
"Things have taste well, just a little. It won't keep us alive but I like to eat. Spike lit up. "It's social.
"We're not here for you to find a new hang-out Spike, Angel cautioned.
Spike blew the smoke at him then waved a waitress over to order another round.
"Spike, we need you sober to sing and not overstuffed on blood for that matter, Angel said.
"Takes more than two beers, Spike shot back.
Angel scowled. "I'm not footing your tab, Spike.
"I have money.
"That begs the question of how, Wesley said and Spike shot him the bird.
They settled back into silence until Spike's name was called. He sang a more than passable rendition of Alice Cooper's Poison. Spike rejoined the group after stopping to grab up another beer.
"You're right. You do sing better than Angel, Cordy said. "Not that it takes much.
"Hey!
"Tell me, I really must know, do you two always fight as much as I'm seeing down the road? Lorne asked, coming back over.
"Pretty much, Angel said.
Lorne gave an exaggerated roll of his red eyes. "I am so relieved that your futures are interwoven because I'm in no hurry to hear your less than dulcet tones, Angel-cakes.
"Just tell us, are we doing the right thing, taking Dawn in or would she be better off back in Sunnydale?
"Saddle up, my friend, you're heading to Oklahoma, Lorne replied then sauntered off singing on the top of his voice. "O-o-o-klahoma where the winds go sweeping down the plains!
"That was just disturbing. Spike gazed after the Host.
Angel ran a hand down his face. "Let's go.
"Sure partner. We'll even get you a ten gallon hat while we're there, Spike drawled in a bad Texas accent.
Angel glared as they got up to leave.
"Cheer up. You know you're doing the right thing now Angel-cakes. Spike pounded Angel's back as he sailed past.
"Maybe we should just stake him now.