xaphania
Spike/Buffy
Title: Charlie Foxtrot
Fandoms: Dollhouse, Angel
Rating: PG
Beta: ssddgr
Summary: Kelly Fitzpatrick has been missing for several weeks. When Angel and Wesley take on her case, they're unprepared for what they find. Along the way, they uncover the truth about the fate of Angel's son.
Notes: This was my submission for the first round of the crossover challenge. I'd never written fic in either of these fandoms before, and the word limit severely hampered me--I think this idea was too ambitious for the parameters and as such I feel the ending is quite rushed. That said, I hope you enjoy.
Charlie Foxtrot
"One time offer only, Angel. Walk out that door, deal's off. Stay, and it's all yours."
"People like you, this place, that's what's wrong with the world, Lilah. I will never be a part of this. Not the way you're hoping. Now, let me tell you what the deal's gonna be..."
Lilah only reached for the phone on the desk after Angel had stepped fully into the elevator. After a moment's pause, she lifted the receiver to her ear.
"Get me Adelle DeWitt."
***
"He sounded quite distraught," Wesley said. "Rather unusual for someone of Mr. Fitzpatrick's legacy, but as we don't know the family dynamics, it's perhaps safe to assume that a missing wife ranks highly on his list of priorities."
"Fitzpatrick's a jerk," Gunn said. "Why should we help him?"
"He's a high-profile client, willing to pay generously for the safe return of his wife. Whatever else we do in the employment of evil, I'd say that a missing person's case is well worth our time. Angel?"
"Agreed. Do we have any details?"
"Somewhat odd, actually," Wesley said. "Kelly Fitzpatrick went missing on the day of her mother's funeral. Mr. Fitzpatrick assumed she was upset and needed some time away. When she didn't return after several days, he became concerned."
"What about the police?" Angel asked.
"They found nothing of consequence." Wesley rifled through the sheaf of papers in his hand. "Ah, here it is. Last week Mr. Fitzpatrick received a voicemail message from his wife. He's sent us the transcript: John. John. Help me, please help me. I"”they're keeping me locked up. Everything's so confusing. I'm not myself. John, please. I"”he's coming. I have to go." Wesley paused, looking over the frames of his glasses at Angel. "And here's the interesting bit. At the end of the message, a man's voice cuts in: Lily, it's time for your treatment."
"So we're looking at a kidnapping?" Angel took the transcript from Wesley and read it over. "Lily? Didn't you say her name was Kelly?"
"Yes, and I believe we're looking at something more than a simple kidnapping. It will require some investigation, but"¦" Wesley smiled wryly. "Isn't that what we do best?"
***
"Yeah, I seen her. Comes in here with her fellers every Friday, around nine." The barman looked at the photograph again, eyeing the pretty brunette. "She in trouble or something?"
"Or something," Angel replied. He turned his attention to Wesley. "That gels with our information. Fitzpatrick got the call on a Friday night."
"Right."
"Here's my card." Angel handed the barman a slip of cardboard. "If you see her again before Friday, call us immediately, okay?"
"Sure." The barman pocketed the card and resumed wiping down the surface of the bar, eyeing Wesley and Angel warily. "Don't you want to know about the guys she's always with?"
"We've been away from the frontline for too long," Wesley murmured under his breath. "What can you tell us?"
"Always with the same two men, she is. First one's tall and burly." The barman pointed at Angel. "About your height, I reckon. Big tattoo of a lily on his arm."
Angel exchanged a glance with Wesley, who cleared his throat before speaking. "And the other?"
"Little guy, longish hair. Took me a while to figure if he was a dude or a chick." He chuckled. "Ran into him hitting the head one time; that solved that mystery. Anyway, reckon they've got themselves a little ménage a trois going on, if you know what I mean."
"Anything else?" Angel asked.
"Yeah, and here's the weird bit. End of the night, Burly kisses them both and calls a cab. Your girl and the little guy, they sit at the bar and wait. Around midnight, two suits come in"”you know the type, all smarmy and clean-cut. Well, the suits put their hands on our two lovebirds, say something to them, and off they go, obedient as you like."
"Have you ever heard what they say?"
"Nah. Probably wouldn't have noticed them at all, if it didn't happen same way every week. I get some freaky shit in this bar, man, but the way those two go all blank and follow the suits out of here creeps me something rotten."
Angel stood. "We'll be back on Friday. Thanks for your help."
The barman nodded, and watched the two men leave the club.
***
"Do you think we've missed them?" Wesley shouted over the music raging through the club.
"It's not even close to midnight," Angel replied. "They should still be here. Go have a word with the barman; I'll scout around upstairs."
Wesley nodded and made his way to the bar, dodging several over-zealous girls who tried to get him to dance. He caught the attention of the barman with a wave.
"What'll it be?"
Wesley blinked before realising that the dim-lighting in the club had made him unrecognisable to the other man. He re-introduced himself and got straight to the point. "Have they been here tonight?"
The barman nodded. "They left about an hour ago. The woman started clutching her head and crying out for John. Before you could blink, them suits were whisking her away. Burly wasn't best pleased, I can tell you."
"I see." Frowning, Wesley turned to walk away. "Thanks again."
"Wait! Burly came back for a drink after the others had gone. Could hear him talking on his cell. He kept saying, I'm done with the ****ing Dollhouse. Dunno if that helps."
"The Dollhouse"”that's an urban legend," Wesley said to himself. "Although"¦" Without another word, he rushed away to find Angel.
***
Finding the Dollhouse hadn't been hard once they'd started looking. Not with Wolfram and Hart resources to hand. From the outside, the building had looked innocuous enough: a high-rise office block, all shiny-glass reflecting in the moonlight.
Oddly, there had been only two security personnel at the basement entrance, both of whom had been dispatched with a quick flick of a taser. Wesley's research had revealed that the main operation was located on the top floors, and they'd made their way upstairs through strangely empty hallways.
Now, Angel stood in the doorway of a plush office, staring into the one face he'd never have expected to see.
"Connor?" It was a whisper, barely more than a murmur under his breath, but his son heard him.
Connor turned away from the window, his eyes flicking over the group assembled in the doorway. "Can I help you? Did Lewis send you? The situation has been dealt with."
"I believe these people are from Wolfram and Hart." A clipped British voice came from the corner of the room. "And I'd quite like to know how they got in here." A tall, willowy woman with an angular face walked into the light. She reached for the intercom on the desk. "Taylor, send security in immediately. And have Charlie's handler sent up, please."
"Who the hell are you? What have you done to Connor?" Angel asked, barely repressed anger in his voice.
"Adelle DeWitt. And Connor? He stopped being Connor the moment he set foot in my Dollhouse." Adelle smiled and turned to address the man in question. "Philip's on his way. Would you like a treatment?"
"That would be nice, thank you."
"What have you done to him?" Angel moved towards Adelle, fists clenched.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Adelle said, her voice the epitome of calmness. "One word from me, and Charlie could be triggered to decapitate you where you stand. Besides, you agreed to this."
"Angel, what's going on?" Wesley moved to stand next to Angel. "Who's Connor? We really should try to find Kelly."
"This is not what I agreed to," Angel said through clenched teeth.
"No? Miss Morgan told me that you wanted his memories erased, and for him to become part of a new family." Adelle spread her arms wide. "That's exactly what we've done. His mind is a blank slate, and he's part of our Dollhouse family. We call him Charlie."
"Fix him. Put him right."
"And then?" Adelle smirked. "Have him go back to hating you? Let him remember everything he did? Do you really want that?"
"I didn't want this!" Angel took another step towards Adelle.
"It's a legally binding contract. Five years, and he'll be free. We'll give him a new life, a fresh start."
Angel looked towards Connor helplessly. His son had taken a seat on the sofa, watching the argument quietly. Shaking his head, Angel sighed. His quarrel wasn't with Adelle and the Dollhouse. This was Lilah and the Senior Partners' doing. He fixed Adelle with a hard glare. "We're not done here."
She inclined her head in mimicry of graciousness and then turned to the doorway, where two security guards stood with a man in a suit.
"It's all right," Adelle said, addressing the guards. "Angel and his friends were just leaving. Philip, take Charlie down for his treatment."
"Wait just one moment," Wesley said. "I don't have the slightest idea as to what's happening here, but we can't just leave." He turned his attention to Adelle. "We're looking for Kelly Fitzgerald. She went missing several weeks ago, and our investigations led us here."
"Foxtrot," Adelle replied, with a nod. "She came here willingly. There have been some"¦ issues with her imprint. Most unfortunate. But her contract is watertight. I'm sorry; she won't be leaving with you."
"Wolfram and Hart are very powerful, Miss DeWitt."
"Was that a threat? Well now, I'll just have to counter it with one of my own." False pleasantries forgotten, Adelle's tone turned icy. "Rossum Corporation could wipe the floor with your Wolf, Ram and Hart. Our senior partners would eat yours for breakfast." She smiled. "Now, shall I have my guards escort you out?"
"I don't believe you understand the gravity of the situa"”"
Angel didn't hear the rest; he was in the elevator, doors sliding closed behind him. Wesley could handle DeWitt; Angel needed to see Connor.
He left the elevator on the floor below, exiting onto a viewing platform. In front of him was a large room filled with blank-eyed people. Behind him, a glass-windowed room. His eyes widened when he noticed Connor in it, sitting in a futuristic-looking chair. He too wore that vapid, blank-eyed stare. By the side of the chair stood a sandy-haired young man, and Philip.
"Did I fall asleep?" Connor asked, a trusting smile on his face.
"For a little while."
"Shall I go now?"
"If you like."
nor smiled again at the sandy-haired man, and stood. Angel could barely refrain from bursting through the glass, but he knew he needed to act rationally and demand the answers from Lilah and the Senior Partners. If he wanted to get Connor out of there, he needed to play by the rules.
Still, it hurt to watch his son be led out of the room, docile as a sheep.
Angel turned to go, but couldn't resist one last look back. If he'd had a working heart, it would have skipped a beat when he saw Connor staring at him, a slight quirk to his eyebrow.
The moment passed, and Connor was being led away again.
"Do you see how easy it is for him now?" Adelle said, from behind. "No worries. No troubles. A safe haven."
"It's wrong," Angel said, growling. He faced her, fangs bared. "This isn't over."
"I never doubted that for a moment." Adelle smiled coldly. "Goodbye, Angel."
***
Fandoms: Dollhouse, Angel
Rating: PG
Beta: ssddgr
Summary: Kelly Fitzpatrick has been missing for several weeks. When Angel and Wesley take on her case, they're unprepared for what they find. Along the way, they uncover the truth about the fate of Angel's son.
Notes: This was my submission for the first round of the crossover challenge. I'd never written fic in either of these fandoms before, and the word limit severely hampered me--I think this idea was too ambitious for the parameters and as such I feel the ending is quite rushed. That said, I hope you enjoy.
Charlie Foxtrot
"One time offer only, Angel. Walk out that door, deal's off. Stay, and it's all yours."
"People like you, this place, that's what's wrong with the world, Lilah. I will never be a part of this. Not the way you're hoping. Now, let me tell you what the deal's gonna be..."
Lilah only reached for the phone on the desk after Angel had stepped fully into the elevator. After a moment's pause, she lifted the receiver to her ear.
"Get me Adelle DeWitt."
***
"He sounded quite distraught," Wesley said. "Rather unusual for someone of Mr. Fitzpatrick's legacy, but as we don't know the family dynamics, it's perhaps safe to assume that a missing wife ranks highly on his list of priorities."
"Fitzpatrick's a jerk," Gunn said. "Why should we help him?"
"He's a high-profile client, willing to pay generously for the safe return of his wife. Whatever else we do in the employment of evil, I'd say that a missing person's case is well worth our time. Angel?"
"Agreed. Do we have any details?"
"Somewhat odd, actually," Wesley said. "Kelly Fitzpatrick went missing on the day of her mother's funeral. Mr. Fitzpatrick assumed she was upset and needed some time away. When she didn't return after several days, he became concerned."
"What about the police?" Angel asked.
"They found nothing of consequence." Wesley rifled through the sheaf of papers in his hand. "Ah, here it is. Last week Mr. Fitzpatrick received a voicemail message from his wife. He's sent us the transcript: John. John. Help me, please help me. I"”they're keeping me locked up. Everything's so confusing. I'm not myself. John, please. I"”he's coming. I have to go." Wesley paused, looking over the frames of his glasses at Angel. "And here's the interesting bit. At the end of the message, a man's voice cuts in: Lily, it's time for your treatment."
"So we're looking at a kidnapping?" Angel took the transcript from Wesley and read it over. "Lily? Didn't you say her name was Kelly?"
"Yes, and I believe we're looking at something more than a simple kidnapping. It will require some investigation, but"¦" Wesley smiled wryly. "Isn't that what we do best?"
***
"Yeah, I seen her. Comes in here with her fellers every Friday, around nine." The barman looked at the photograph again, eyeing the pretty brunette. "She in trouble or something?"
"Or something," Angel replied. He turned his attention to Wesley. "That gels with our information. Fitzpatrick got the call on a Friday night."
"Right."
"Here's my card." Angel handed the barman a slip of cardboard. "If you see her again before Friday, call us immediately, okay?"
"Sure." The barman pocketed the card and resumed wiping down the surface of the bar, eyeing Wesley and Angel warily. "Don't you want to know about the guys she's always with?"
"We've been away from the frontline for too long," Wesley murmured under his breath. "What can you tell us?"
"Always with the same two men, she is. First one's tall and burly." The barman pointed at Angel. "About your height, I reckon. Big tattoo of a lily on his arm."
Angel exchanged a glance with Wesley, who cleared his throat before speaking. "And the other?"
"Little guy, longish hair. Took me a while to figure if he was a dude or a chick." He chuckled. "Ran into him hitting the head one time; that solved that mystery. Anyway, reckon they've got themselves a little ménage a trois going on, if you know what I mean."
"Anything else?" Angel asked.
"Yeah, and here's the weird bit. End of the night, Burly kisses them both and calls a cab. Your girl and the little guy, they sit at the bar and wait. Around midnight, two suits come in"”you know the type, all smarmy and clean-cut. Well, the suits put their hands on our two lovebirds, say something to them, and off they go, obedient as you like."
"Have you ever heard what they say?"
"Nah. Probably wouldn't have noticed them at all, if it didn't happen same way every week. I get some freaky shit in this bar, man, but the way those two go all blank and follow the suits out of here creeps me something rotten."
Angel stood. "We'll be back on Friday. Thanks for your help."
The barman nodded, and watched the two men leave the club.
***
"Do you think we've missed them?" Wesley shouted over the music raging through the club.
"It's not even close to midnight," Angel replied. "They should still be here. Go have a word with the barman; I'll scout around upstairs."
Wesley nodded and made his way to the bar, dodging several over-zealous girls who tried to get him to dance. He caught the attention of the barman with a wave.
"What'll it be?"
Wesley blinked before realising that the dim-lighting in the club had made him unrecognisable to the other man. He re-introduced himself and got straight to the point. "Have they been here tonight?"
The barman nodded. "They left about an hour ago. The woman started clutching her head and crying out for John. Before you could blink, them suits were whisking her away. Burly wasn't best pleased, I can tell you."
"I see." Frowning, Wesley turned to walk away. "Thanks again."
"Wait! Burly came back for a drink after the others had gone. Could hear him talking on his cell. He kept saying, I'm done with the ****ing Dollhouse. Dunno if that helps."
"The Dollhouse"”that's an urban legend," Wesley said to himself. "Although"¦" Without another word, he rushed away to find Angel.
***
Finding the Dollhouse hadn't been hard once they'd started looking. Not with Wolfram and Hart resources to hand. From the outside, the building had looked innocuous enough: a high-rise office block, all shiny-glass reflecting in the moonlight.
Oddly, there had been only two security personnel at the basement entrance, both of whom had been dispatched with a quick flick of a taser. Wesley's research had revealed that the main operation was located on the top floors, and they'd made their way upstairs through strangely empty hallways.
Now, Angel stood in the doorway of a plush office, staring into the one face he'd never have expected to see.
"Connor?" It was a whisper, barely more than a murmur under his breath, but his son heard him.
Connor turned away from the window, his eyes flicking over the group assembled in the doorway. "Can I help you? Did Lewis send you? The situation has been dealt with."
"I believe these people are from Wolfram and Hart." A clipped British voice came from the corner of the room. "And I'd quite like to know how they got in here." A tall, willowy woman with an angular face walked into the light. She reached for the intercom on the desk. "Taylor, send security in immediately. And have Charlie's handler sent up, please."
"Who the hell are you? What have you done to Connor?" Angel asked, barely repressed anger in his voice.
"Adelle DeWitt. And Connor? He stopped being Connor the moment he set foot in my Dollhouse." Adelle smiled and turned to address the man in question. "Philip's on his way. Would you like a treatment?"
"That would be nice, thank you."
"What have you done to him?" Angel moved towards Adelle, fists clenched.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Adelle said, her voice the epitome of calmness. "One word from me, and Charlie could be triggered to decapitate you where you stand. Besides, you agreed to this."
"Angel, what's going on?" Wesley moved to stand next to Angel. "Who's Connor? We really should try to find Kelly."
"This is not what I agreed to," Angel said through clenched teeth.
"No? Miss Morgan told me that you wanted his memories erased, and for him to become part of a new family." Adelle spread her arms wide. "That's exactly what we've done. His mind is a blank slate, and he's part of our Dollhouse family. We call him Charlie."
"Fix him. Put him right."
"And then?" Adelle smirked. "Have him go back to hating you? Let him remember everything he did? Do you really want that?"
"I didn't want this!" Angel took another step towards Adelle.
"It's a legally binding contract. Five years, and he'll be free. We'll give him a new life, a fresh start."
Angel looked towards Connor helplessly. His son had taken a seat on the sofa, watching the argument quietly. Shaking his head, Angel sighed. His quarrel wasn't with Adelle and the Dollhouse. This was Lilah and the Senior Partners' doing. He fixed Adelle with a hard glare. "We're not done here."
She inclined her head in mimicry of graciousness and then turned to the doorway, where two security guards stood with a man in a suit.
"It's all right," Adelle said, addressing the guards. "Angel and his friends were just leaving. Philip, take Charlie down for his treatment."
"Wait just one moment," Wesley said. "I don't have the slightest idea as to what's happening here, but we can't just leave." He turned his attention to Adelle. "We're looking for Kelly Fitzgerald. She went missing several weeks ago, and our investigations led us here."
"Foxtrot," Adelle replied, with a nod. "She came here willingly. There have been some"¦ issues with her imprint. Most unfortunate. But her contract is watertight. I'm sorry; she won't be leaving with you."
"Wolfram and Hart are very powerful, Miss DeWitt."
"Was that a threat? Well now, I'll just have to counter it with one of my own." False pleasantries forgotten, Adelle's tone turned icy. "Rossum Corporation could wipe the floor with your Wolf, Ram and Hart. Our senior partners would eat yours for breakfast." She smiled. "Now, shall I have my guards escort you out?"
"I don't believe you understand the gravity of the situa"”"
Angel didn't hear the rest; he was in the elevator, doors sliding closed behind him. Wesley could handle DeWitt; Angel needed to see Connor.
He left the elevator on the floor below, exiting onto a viewing platform. In front of him was a large room filled with blank-eyed people. Behind him, a glass-windowed room. His eyes widened when he noticed Connor in it, sitting in a futuristic-looking chair. He too wore that vapid, blank-eyed stare. By the side of the chair stood a sandy-haired young man, and Philip.
"Did I fall asleep?" Connor asked, a trusting smile on his face.
"For a little while."
"Shall I go now?"
"If you like."
nor smiled again at the sandy-haired man, and stood. Angel could barely refrain from bursting through the glass, but he knew he needed to act rationally and demand the answers from Lilah and the Senior Partners. If he wanted to get Connor out of there, he needed to play by the rules.
Still, it hurt to watch his son be led out of the room, docile as a sheep.
Angel turned to go, but couldn't resist one last look back. If he'd had a working heart, it would have skipped a beat when he saw Connor staring at him, a slight quirk to his eyebrow.
The moment passed, and Connor was being led away again.
"Do you see how easy it is for him now?" Adelle said, from behind. "No worries. No troubles. A safe haven."
"It's wrong," Angel said, growling. He faced her, fangs bared. "This isn't over."
"I never doubted that for a moment." Adelle smiled coldly. "Goodbye, Angel."
***