[On the Maru -- Locked to Belthazor and Beka, NFB]

[demonbelthazor]

After the phone call from Beka, Belthazor shimmered out of study hall to meet up with her at the Maru, where they'd be able to talk without being monitored by the school cameras.

Angelus was suspected of Kitty's murder. Fuck. Whether he'd done it or not, the town and the school wanted someone to blame, and Angelus was the most convenient target.

No way was he letting this happen without a fight.

Comments

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

"Yes," Beka said, not happily but honestly. "That's exactly what I mean."

[demonbelthazor]

"Then we need to find out what evidence, if any, they think they have against Angelus and do something about it," Belthazor said. "Shit. I gotta cancel the JA meeting. But I want to have a private meeting with the officers about this. Got a computer with email access in here?"

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

"Yeah. Secured too, unless one of the other future-bunnies has figured out a way to jack in. And I doubt anyone cared enough." She sighed, trapped somewhere between anger and resignation. "Before now."

[demonbelthazor]

Bel sat before the computer and quickly sent off a couple emails. "You wanna be there, too?" he asked Beka.

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Beka paced the length of the cargo bay, before coming to stand behind Bel, decision made. "If you think I can help."

[demonbelthazor]

"This is going to be ugly," Bel warned. "You sure you don't want to stay neutral?"

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

"I don't get to stay neutral. Angelus is my friend. If he didn't do this, I want him cleared. If he did, I want to know why." She gave Bel a hard look, then nodded. "If it gets too ugly and you don't trust me to follow through, beat the hell out of me and put me in the clinic 'til it's done."

[demonbelthazor]

"No, it wouldn't be just a beating," Bel said calmly. "If I thought you were going to betray me or Angelus, I'd kill you." His tone wasn't threatening, just matter-of-factly.

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

"Fair," she said quietly, after a minute. "If I'd betray my best friends, then I'd deserve it. Still. You know who and what I am. Don't put me in a position where I have to be someone I'm not."

[demonbelthazor]

"Then you have to swear to do what I tell you," he said. "If I tell you to go, you go, no arguments. And if I'm not telling you something, there's a reason, and don't push for it."

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

"Yeah. I can do that. I will do that, because I trust you to protect me. If push comes to shove, though, I'll do anything you need me to. Remember that, but don't abuse it."

[demonbelthazor]

"Not planning on it," he said. Then he frowned, looking around, a little confused. "I'm going to track people down," he finally said. "I'll let you know when and where the meeting is."

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

"Anything you want me to do before then?" she asked calmly. "I was thinking I'd make a tearful visit to Doc Wilson, because oh, woe, my lover is accused of murder, and get out of jail free. I also want to be able to get the hell off this island, so I'm going to see if I can find some way to convince the Dean that keeping me dirtside if I need to be emo is asking for trouble."

[demonbelthazor]

"Good idea," Bel agreed. "We might need use of your ship at some point. See what you can do."

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

"Done. Anyone you want me not to talk to?"

[demonbelthazor]

"Veronica Mars. Any of her friends. Parker and her cronies," Bel answered. He paused a moment, then added, "Keep Phoebe as far away from his as you can."

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

"Believe me. I'm staying as far away from Parker as possible. I don't see Veronica. Which is good. Because right now, I can't promise I wouldn't hurt her," Beka answered, hands beginning to shake at last.

"Gods, yes. I don't want Phoebe anywhere near this." Her eyes widened. "Buffy."

[demonbelthazor]

"What about her?" Bel said. "She going to jump on the Angelus-is-guilty bandwagon? Can you keep her out of this?"

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

"We haven't really talked about him. I guess we're going to have to." Don't feel. Just do. Don't feel. Beka nodded finally. "Leave her to me. I promise I'll tell you if there's a problem."

[demonbelthazor]

"All right," Bel said. "I'll let you know what's up. I gotta go." He shimmered to his room.