Chapter Twenty Five

Angel walked out of her office leaving Chris and Paul to talk after asking Chris not to leave Paul alone and getting his promise that Paul could hang out with him when they were done. Seeing Sean and Scotty waiting for her she crossed the hall and walked into Scotty's arms getting a big hug and a kiss resting her cheek on his chest as she thought about what he next course of action needed to be. "So what's next boss?" Sean asked and Angel wrinkled her nose at him.

"Well I need to talk to Bane and Dave and I also need to talk to Glen and find out why he's wiggin'." Sean frowned thinking about Glen's strange actions lately. Scotty snorted and shook his head. "I think that he has played Kane too long." Angel pulled back slightly and looked up at Scotty. "Why do you say that?" Scotty made a face and waved a hand in the air. "I spoke with him and Seany this morning. Glen believes that there is a demon watching him."

Angel blinked at Scotty unsure of how to respond to that. Unlike Scotty and Sean who were laughing at the idea, Angel frowned unsure that she was willing to so easily dismiss ideas of such things. She had always believed that there was more than just humans that resided on earth. Although she wasn't sure why she had such a belief, however she had held such beliefs as long as she had been alive.

Sean noticed first that Angel was not laughing at the idea and quickly quieted understanding that she was not discounting such ideas. Over the years they had many talks about their beliefs and he had to admit that she had almost convinced him a time or two. There was something about her that just led you to believe that there was something more out there. If so he would not be surprised to find out that his gentle friend was a descendant of such creatures.

Scotty noticed Angel's quietness and sighed. He should have known that she would not discount Glen's fears. He also was aware of her beliefs and had never understood how such a bright young woman could believe in such things, but it was almost as if they were… ingrained into her. "Might I suggest that you start with Dave and Tyson then?" Angel thought about it then nodded slowly. "I will need to consult some books if what Glen is saying is true and they are not here with me. We'll need to go to my home." Scotty opened his mouth to reply, but then just closed it unsure of what to say while Sean on the other hand smirked at him as he was well aware of her books.

Pulling away Angel kissed Scotty then headed down the hallway not noticing the look on his face or the slap he got from Sean. After wandering around the hallways Angel finally found Dave and Tyson standing Randy, CJ, and Jay discussing what CJ and Benoit had seen in Benoit's dressing room between Adam and Hunter. Jay wrinkled his nose. "Figures that Adam would latch onto that bastard. He's such a fucking spoiled little bitch." Angel cocked her head intrigued that Jay of all people seemed to be so unsurprised that Adam had hooked up with Hunter. "Was he always like that?" She asked quietly announcing her presence and Randy, CJ and Jay turned quickly looking at her guiltily.

Patiently Angel looked at Jay waiting for her answer and finally he shrugged slightly. "Yes and no. I mean he's always been a spoiled brat. Adam's always had to have his own way in everything. His needs come first. His wants are more pressing. His career and future are more important." Angel nodded slowly studying the blond weighting her words carefully. "And yet you call yourself his best friend." Quickly Jay shook his head and when CJ opened his mouth to defend his friend a shake of the head from Sean closed it as Angel watched Jay waiting for his response.

Sighing Jay ran a hand through his hair. "When we were kids Adam was like… the light at the end of a dark tunnel. Suddenly I wasn't alone any more. I had a best friend who was a lot of fun to be with most of the time. And yeah sure there were times he hit me and called me names, but… I mean all boys to that right? Then by the time we got into high school I guess I was just used to it. It wasn't really 'til we got here and I made other friends that… I guess I started to stick up for myself. So, yeah once he was my best friend, but he isn't now." Angel noticed that CJ had taken Jay's hand and smiled softly nodding. "Good, I just wanted to make sure that I would not have to adjust my plans for you when Adam's career suddenly takes a… nosedive." Jay grinned big and quickly shook his head. "Not at all!"

Angel nodded smiling satisfied then turned her eyes to look at Dave. The big man was watching her as if he was trying to dissect her. Angel softened her smile as her heart began to hurt for the big man. "And we meet again," she said softly and watched Dave nod slightly. Turning slightly she looked at Sean and Scotty. "I need to talk to Dave and Bane alone. Can you wait here please?" After Scotty and Sean nodded their agreement Angel turned back to Dave holding out her hand to him. Once he had taken it she asked Tyson to follow and led the two off to a secluded area where they could talk uninterrupted.

After pulling herself up onto a crate Angel sat crossing her legs Indian style and looked at Dave. Holding out her hands she waited for the big man to take them before pulling him closer to her. "Tell me what they hold over you." She could see the struggle going on inside his head. Years of shame and pain battling with the need to be accepted and forgiven. Slowly she ran her thumb over the back of his hands as she waited understanding that the battle going on inside of his head was no small one. "I killed a man," he said finally and slowly she nodded. When he didn't continue she again smiled pulling his arms around behind her so that she might rub his arms. "Please tell me the story, Leviathan."

Dave took a deep breath and nodded his head then let it drop unable to watch this woman's acceptance of him turn to disgust when she found out what he had done. "It was while I was working as a bouncer on a Friday night, our busiest of the week. There was this group of young punks that always came in. Rich, spoiled, thought they owned the world. Every time they came in they caused trouble starting fights and drinking too much, but the owner would never bar them because he was afraid that with all the money and power that their parents had that they would get the place closed."

"The night went like normal. They danced awhile, drank awhile, and started hassling girls on the dance floor and pissing off their boyfriends. Unfortunately that night they picked a girl who was dating someone that wasn't afraid of them. They started arguing and eventually it became physical. By the time I got there the crowd had formed a small circle around them like some makeshift ring. Suddenly the rich punk pulled a knife on the other kid. He'd… he'd never done that before. I didn't even know he had one. I rushed forward to get it from him bending in his wrist, but when I did that he moved his body trying to get away from me and at the same time the crowd surged. Another fight had broken out and the crowd got bumped. When I got things straightened out I realized that I had blood on my hands and looked down to see the knife sticking out of the kid's side. The place went nuts kids were screaming and pushing and… by the time the EMS got there he had bled to death. I killed him."

Angel sighed heavily then placing her hand under Dave's chin lifted his face to look at her. "How could you have done that? Did you make the crowd surge? Did you make him bring in the knife? Did you make him start a fight? If you had been responsible Leviathan you would be in jail. I can't imagine that if his parents truly were that powerful they would have just let it go." Dave shrugged looking past her. "The cops said that it was an accident. There was no way that I could have prevented it." Angel nodded. "They are right Leviathan. It is time that you stop drowning in your shame and forgive yourself." Dave shook his head stubbornly. "How could anyone forgive me for that?"

Angel looked at Tyson then back to Dave. "I forgive you Leviathan. You saved a life that night. If you hadn't stepped in the knife would have been used and an innocent man who was trying to do nothing more than protect his girlfriend would have been killed. That my friend would have been a tragedy as I am quite looking forward to getting to know Bane." Dave blinked shocked that she had made the connection. "How did you….?" Turning his head he looked at Tyson seeing a similar shocked expression on his face. "Did you…?" but Tyson quickly shook his head and Angel just laughed softly at them. "It is an easy deduction. I had heard that you two met while you were a bouncer and Bane here defends you with an exuberance that could only come from someone who was not only there, but gained something big in the event. I would say the gift of the rest of your life could be considered something big."

Tyson nodded fast. "I would be a dead man if it wasn't for Dave. I'll never be able to repay him for that." Angel just shook her head looking now at Tyson. "You have stuck by him when he didn't even believe in himself Bane. You followed him into hell and refused to abandon him there and you have fought fiercely for his release and resurrection. I would say that is a bigger payment than anyone could ever ask." Tyson blushed and Dave wiped the tears off his face grinning. "Damn lady you're good." Angel laughed smiling and if the two men had not been enchanted before they certainly were now. Leaning forward she kissed Dave's cheek and it was then Tyson's turn to laugh as his friend blushed. Holding onto Dave's arms Angel hopped down then still holding onto one hand led him and Tyson back to the group noticing how Scotty's eyes checked Dave immediately after her. Humming to herself happily Angel thought that just maybe her private life was going to shape up nicely even if her career was turning into a nightmare.

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