Pearl moved through the underbrush, looking for a nice little place where she could relax and enjoy the candied treats she'd taken from the ranger's station. It was a wonder the ranger still bought the things, between Pearl and her son, they didn't last long. She finally found the tree she was looking for and settled in a comfortable little niche between two above-ground roots, her back nestled against the tree's trunk. She loved spending time with Spike and her children when they came by, but every so often she needed some time to herself.

"Ah, sweet treats. You go straight to my thighs," she said with an amused sigh before taking a few from the small box and popping them into her mouth.

Angelus was rather amused, far beyond amused truly, he slunk through the darkness his yellow eyes gleaming. Ahhh there she was...he slipped quietly below the tree behind her with a wicked grin. He had some delightful news to share with dear sweet Pearl, and while he was tempted to simply snap her neck he knew better then to draw excessive ire. Pearl was well loved by more then just Spike and he never bit off more then he could chew. Still this delicious torture he was about to inflict on her...and Spike...his eyes narrowed. He was still furious with spike for rejecting them, for turning his back on their family for...love. It turned his stomach but he was settled as he thought of the NEW family. Yes...they hardly needed Spike when they would have his pups to replace him. Dru would certainly be happy and he would...well Spike's misery would serve to content him.

He smirked and slid around into Pearls view before sitting down with a grin. "Ahh it seems I've found the lovely Pearl..."

Ire rose in Pearl with a strength she hadn't imagined when the most hated being she could think of came into view, though she hid it well. Always the quiet, calm one of her siblings, she merely glanced up at the vampire for a moment, a bored expression on her face, then returned to her treats.

"What do you want?" she asked in a tone to match her look. Inside she was on edge, ready to leap up and flee should he make any more to attack. She had no idea what was coming and she wished neither to die nor bring pain upon her mate by being harmed by their enemy. Though, she had to wonder, if he wanted to kill her, he could have done it before she had noticed him, rather than come out into the open like this. What was his game?

"I can't stop by for a little friendly conversation? Why we're practically family...I sired spike, Spikes screwing you...I feel bad really for not giving you more...attention." He grinned and leaned casually against the tree. He wanted to draw the moment out, savor it, but not too long...after all it wouldn't do for Spike to come back and spoil his dramatic announcement.

"Your very pretty Pearl...do you know that? such fiery red hair...very passionate, like your daughter..." He mused happily glad she hadn't run away, the chase could be fun but the knowledge that you could inflict pain on a victim without so much as a single touch was glorious.

"Oh my, would that make you my father-in-law? Huh, never really thought of it that way," Pearl replied, looking thoughtful before hiding a yawn behind the back of her paw.
"Now I think I understand the meaning of 'hating your in-laws'," she added, ignoring his casual attitude and the possible implication.

When he mentioned her daughter, it took every ounce of strength she had not to lose her temper and show him just how righteous a mother's wrath could be. All that might have been noticeable was a flare of fire in her bright blue eyes.
"Do you always tip-toe so? It's really very boring. Funny Spike never mentioned that. In fact, he doesn't really mention you at all. Hmm, maybe he doesn't think you're really that interesting. I'm certainly not impressed. Nor am I very charmed."

He chuckled and gave her an amused grin, she was good...it was almost forgivable that Spike left them for this one...almost but not quite. He flicked his claws and gave then a casual glance before looking up at her. "Well you've cause enough to hate me. Not that I didn't wish it could be different, pity we can't all live together, we were such a close family. I guess Spike misses that...hmm odd that he wouldn't mention me...or Dru."

Angelus let his eyes widen a bit and then sat up as if realizing something. "Oh of course! That must be why he never talks about us...he wouldn't want you to know...to realize how much we mean to him. Pity, if you weren't holding him back..." He sighed and shook his head.

Pearl looked to her box of treats and sighed before closing it up and standing. She brushed a bit of dirt from her skirt.
"And it was such a pretty evening, too," she grumbled a bit and turned a glance back on him.

"Much as I'm sure your enjoying your childish little games, Angelus, I'm bored of this ring-around-the-rosie," she all but spat our and turned, starting to walk away. She wanted Spike, no, she needed him. Even from just the hateful banter she could feel Angelus' sick oil on her fur. She needed a good bath and Spike's arms around her.

He waited a moment watching her with a calm smile as she stood and waited until her back was turned before calling after her. "Dru will be so sad when Spike doesn't come to see his babies Pearl...but don't worry...I'll tell her that you wouldn't let him. That will make her feel better to hate you as much as you hate us." He waited patiently grinning for a beat before slowly starting to turn away.

"I guess Spike prefers brunettes to red heads...pity she's pretty enough for me...but then again I'm not as picky..." He chuckled and murmured under his breath.

Pearl stopped in her tracks at his words, her heart skipping a beat. Babies? What did he mean, babies? Spike hadn't... No, no, he wouldn't. He loved her, honest and truly. He'd given her three beautiful pups and they were grandparents now and he loved her damn it!
She looked over her shoulder at Angelus, eyes narrowed.

"You think I'd fall for that dumb of a lie?" she asked, more than a little of her hatred for him finally sneaking into her voice. Yes, that was it. Angelus was a b*****d who delighted in tormenting others. He was just lying to try and spoil what she had with Spike. Her mate would never do that to her, not in a million lifetimes.

He paused and slowly turned back to her then tipped his head and eyed her. "Of course not, I doubt your at all dumb, your smart enough to know when I'm lying too. I wouldn't have come to find you and tell you if it wasn't true, I'm just surprised you hadn't already suspected. I mean spike was out all that night and then all day in the den with us...it's no wonder Dru's knocked up he was quite...vigorous." He chuckled and glanced up as if lost in the memory.

Just as quickly he looked back at Pearl and shrugged. "Don't fret though he still came back to you, so your claws are still good and deep in him, enough even to drag him from his family."

He was right, Spike had been- No! No, she couldn't start thinking that way... But he had been gone and when he finally came back he wasn't well at all. Could he really have... No, he would tell her, wouldn't he? Spike... He loved her, didn't he?
Angelus was messing with her mind, trying to tear it apart, trying to break her from Spike. And she couldn't let go of him.
Her eyes narrowed on him, turning full around to face him.

"What did you do to Spike?" she asked, trying to ignore the doubts in her mind that everything he was saying might be true.

Angelus could see the battle in her eyes, she knew it was true, but her emotions were tangling trying to tell her it wasn't so. He had to fight a more wicked grin keeping only a half smirk until she turned around completely. His expression became suddenly predatory, seductive almost as he took a step towards her.
"Oh Pearl...you wouldn't want me to describe the kinds of things we did...my dear little Dru and my wicked wicked Spike. I was worried he might have lost his touch you know...with you it must be so...well I doubt your as carnal as we are." He chuckled.

"But I was happily proven wrong, Spike still remembers all his old tricks...such a good boy. I'm surprised you couldn't hear Dru's scream all the way over here...of course..." He tilted his head as if thinking. "Her mouth was full..."

Pearl did her best to ignore what he said, to not picture the scene he described, but it was difficult. It chilled her and caused spider-cracks to form all over her heart. But she couldn't believe Spike had done it of his own free will. He just couldn't have! Angelus must have done something. Drugged him or threatened the family or something. He wouldn't have left her for that demented little tramp.

"What. Did. You. Do. To. Him." She growled out the words, her anger unleashed as stalked towards him with each carefully pronunciated syllable. Her eyes flared as she stopped a few steps from him, looking very much like she wanted to strike him down with everything she had.

"Pearl, pearl what makes you think I had to do anything? Didn't he come back to you hale and healthy? Untouched and unharmed? Wasn't he lucid? Poor Spike was so miserable...oh don't worry I doubt it was because of you...but he was just drinking as if he had nothing but troubles. When he saw Dru...well he was so excited...and I thought...poor Spike that little red head of his probably just can't..." He cut off and looked at her with false pity. "But don't worry Pearl, I'm sure you're quite satisfying and well if Spike ever needs Dru or me again he'll come pay us a visit and we'll have a good time and send him back to you safe and sound...of course next time I'll have to make sure Dru's more careful, can't over-run the den with the pitter patter of little paws after all."

Drinking. That was it, Spike had been drunk. But why would he drink that much. Sure, they both did from time to time, it was really one of the few things she could really share with him at the moment, but she didn't think he overdid it. What other secrets did he have from her?

Without another word, not even a sound to give him any more satisfaction, Pearl turned from Angelus, running as fast and as hard as she could to get back to the den. She had to know the truth, from Spike's mouth. And she didn't want to risk Angelus causing her any more hurt.

Angelus saw it then the sudden look on her face, she knew it was true. He was hardly surprised that she didn't answer him of course but he cheerfully lifted a paw to wave at her back anyway. "Goodnight Pearl! Sweet Dreams!" He chuckled darkly and then his eyes fell on the box she had left behind.

He moved over to investigate it and grinned. "Ahh these will make a lovely gift from Pearl to Dru...after all mothers share one of those close bonds..." He laughed wickedly and closed the box before moving to carry it back into the darkness quite content with himself.