Chapter 7
Randall watched the pretty young woman chatter on and on. Cordelia Chase was a very beautiful young woman. Charming even. This would be better than he hoped.
He had wanted to take Angelus’ true love away, to make him suffer. He assumed from watching them together that they had known their love. But they didn’t, but Angelus would before this was over, he would know in time to suffer the ultimate loss.
Sweet revenge. It was tasting better and better. He smiled as Cordelia asked him about his latest story.
***
Angel sat in his chair. He wasn’t an impulsive or erratic vampire. Even as Angelus he thought things through. Angelus had planned every random terror or torture. So, why was he now ready to fly off the handle just because Cordelia went on a date? Think it through. He wasn’t crazy, he just need to calm down.
Angel glanced at the shreds of paper on the floor. Why had he needed to make sure that Cordelia knew that he cared? Cordelia did know. What had he hoped to accomplish?
It wasn’t as simple as him wanting her safe. She was safe. Angel had sensed Montgomery wasn’t a demon. So he was safe, or as safe as any man. Angel closed his eyes against his panic and rage. Rage because there was no guarantee that anyone was safe and panic because maybe Randall Montgomery was and Cordelia would like him.
Then go on other date and other….finally realizing that she didn’t belong tied to a vampire for the rest of her life.
Angel was over reacting. It was a date, that’s all. But, what if…what if she really did find her happily ever after….what if she left him? Angel clenched his fist. He wanted Cordelia to be happy just as much as he wanted her safe. But why did it scare him? Why did he want Randall to turn out to be a demon or at least a jackass?
Why did he need for Cordelia to walk through that door and tell him that the date was a disaster and she would have to just rely on him, Angel, to protect her, to make sure she was safe and happy, to cook for her and even to do her laundry? If she did find her true love, would he be able to trust that person with Cordelia’s safety. Angel growled. He wouldn’t. Why couldn’t he? Why did he need to be the only one she needed?
Angel’s head fell into his hands as he realized. He wasn’t crazy. He just loved her. He loved Cordelia. He smiled and lay on his bed. That made things easier. He would be happy for her and wish her the best on this date and any other that she went on. Because she would never find happiness with him.
Involuntarily, his body curled into a ball. He never hated being a vampire so much. Angel could growl, stammer and read all the magazines in the world, but he could never give Cordelia what she deserved, the happy ever after. Angel tried to be rational and hopeful.
He was a vampire who fell in love with two extraordinary women. Something he never expected, maybe some day he would find…No. Buffy had been a gift. Cordelia a miracle. A miracle that he couldn’t lose, one that he couldn’t live without, but one that he would have to let go, when it was time. Angel forced him to relax to drift into sleep.
***
“That was a wonderful dinner.” Cordelia beamed. She tried to relax. No vision had embarrassed her. No ringing cell phone, with Angel demanding to know where she was or when she was going to be home. Cordelia scrunched up her face and tried to peer into the darkness of the street outside the restaurant.
Where was he? She was sure by the ‘grr’ act he had put on in the hotel that the vampire would be skulking about watching her, making sure that she was safe. Sure, she was safe. But what if she hadn’t been? Where was he? Cordelia’s stomach started to ache. Didn’t he care if she was safe? That was stupid.
Of course, Angel cared. He was just respecting her desire to go out on a date with a normal guy, to try for a piece of a normal life. Stupid vampire. He knew she didn’t have a normal life. What good did having only a pretend part of one do? Did Angel want her to date? Her stomach started to really hurt. “Oh, Damn.”
“Is something wrong, Cordelia?”
Cordelia bit her lip as she looked at the handsome normal man. Damn’t. He was handsome. But he was normal and….and he wasn’t Angel. Damn’t. How had this happen? Cordelia knew better. Angel- Angelus, Angel-Buffy, Angel-Angelus, Angel- Buffy…Oh why couldn’t she just have a good time with this nice normal good-looking guy. Oh, it just wasn’t her life that wasn’t normal, she wasn’t. She was an idiot. She loved Angel.
Well, at least her stomach stopped hurting, now if she could just get rid of the pain that had just sprung up in her heart.
“Randall, I’m sorry. I suddenly don’t feel well. Can you take me back to the hotel please.”
“Of course, but if you don’t feel well you should go home, not back to work. Especially not this late.”
“No. Um, I…need to go to the hotel. Wesley or Gunn should still be there. They’ll give me a ride home.” Cordelia needed to see Angel. She wasn’t going to tell him of her realization. No way. But she needed to see him, just to make sure. Maybe it was just the sushi that had made her stomach queasy. Cordelia wished she could blame it on the dinner.
She would see Angel and then she would go home and cry herself to sleep.
“Oh, well that will be a problem.” Randall gripped Cordelia by the arm.
“What.” Cordelia tried to yank her arm back, but his grip was too strong. It was way too strong to be normal. Oh. Not again. Angel was going to be so furious and tell her all sorts of I told you so. But, Randall had checked out. It’s a good thing she figured out that she didn’t want to date anyone anymore. Because dating and her sucked.
Cordelia kicked out with her foot. Randall stepped out of the way and bent her arm back.
“You can’t leave. That would just ruin my plan. Now, hush. I really don’t want to hurt you.“ Randall brought a needle up to her neck.
Cordelia’s yell died in her throat as the drug instantly took effect. Randall pulled her to him as she fell unconscious.
***
Angel tossed and turned on his bed. Imagines and memories flashed through his subconscious.
Angelus tugged at Darla, a wicked grin plastered on his face. His brow cocked towards the house. Darla nodded with glee. They had seen the woman and her two children the night before at the town fair. So beautiful, so tasty.
Darla lunged at Angelus. Their kiss was wild and violent. She broke away silently laughing. She straightened his cravat and moved to the lighted door. She knocked. Darla smiled sweetly at the young boy that answered. “Hello, little man. Would it be possible for me and my husband to come in? Our carriage lost a wheel down the road. And we have been walking quite a bit.”
The boy stared at the woman in her high society gown. “Mama, a Lady is at the door.”
“Lady?’ Angelus smirked. Darla growled.
“Benjamin. What are you yelling about? Oh, how do you do?” The red hair woman stammered as she saw the well-dressed couple at the door. She automatically started to press down her old apron.
“We were telling your beautiful son, that our carriage broke down up the road. We’ve been walking for a while. We were hoping for a place to rest a moment.”
“Of course, please do come in.” The woman glanced apologetically around. “We don’t have much to offer, but perhaps some tea.”
“Don’t worry my dear. You have plenty to offer us.” Angel laughed as he lunged. The woman didn’t have time to scream before Angelus had struck her.
Darla grabbed the young boy as he stared in shock. ‘’What a pretty little boy.” She bit into the side of his neck.
“Mama.” A small girl peeked from around the corner. “Oh, little sweetness, come to me.” Angelus laughed and in a flash had the little girl by the neck, his fangs ripping into her throat. “That was good.”
Darla wiped the young boy’s blood from her lips. “Mama?”
“Mama, needs to be tenderized I bit, I think?”
Darla laughed.
Angelus quickly had the woman’s hands and feet bound. His fingers trailing down her body until it reached the hem of her worn gown. He grinned as the woman’s whimpers signaled her return to consciousness.
“Holy Mother of God, Becca.”
Angelus glared at Darla. “The door?”
“Randall, our babies.” The woman screamed.
Darla shrugged and quickly reached the horrified man standing in the doorway. “Daddy, I presume.” She struck him across the face. “Now we don’t have to share.”
Angelus rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to woman on the floor.
Darla leaned into the man on the floor. “Wake up darling. Don’t you want to see wifey enjoy herself. So sorry, you missed the kiddies.”
With a strength born of rage and grief the man leaped up and charged the vampire.
Angelus looked up, one hand under the woman’s skirt the other clamped over her throat. “Could you please finish it? You’re distracting me.”
“My apologizes, my boy.” Darla said. She pulled at the man’s hair yanking his head back. The man fought wildly, Darla stumbled back.
“Angelus.”
“What.”
“Angelus.” Darla yelled.
Angelus looked up. “Darla, dear…the mere mortal is winning.” The man was striking at the blonde vampire, his hits fast and furious, not allowing her a chance to strike.
“Angelus.” Darla demanded.
“Fine. Ruin my fun.” Angelus snapped the woman’s neck and flew into the man knocking him away from Darla.
“About time.”
The man crawled up the wall; his hand moving towards the sideboard.
“Don’t fight it man. Die with your family, you’ll be happier.” Angelus laughed.
“Always Becca you will be in my heart, Always.”
Angelus stopped. “That was sickening. You want her heart. Here take it.” Angelus went over to the dead woman and thrust his hand into her chest. He pulled out her still warm heart. “Here keep it with you when you die.” Angelus stalked to the man, the heart held out.
The man screamed and knocked the burning lantern off the sideboard. The oil and flames spread blocking Angelus’ path. The man turned and ran.
“Darla, I think it’s time to leave.” Angelus bit into the heart like it was a plum, sucking at its juices as the flames spread.
“I think you’re right, my boy.”
***
Angel woke with a gasp. Impossible. That horror had happened over almost two hundred years ago. But the name. Randall. Angel closed his eyes and forced himself to push past his guilt and to remember.
He saw the man up against the wall. His blue eyes raging with tears and anger. His pale blonde hair sticking to his face by tears, blood and sweat. His tall, broad body racked with misery as Angelus held his wife’s heart in the palm of his hand.
It was him. Somehow, it was him. Cordelia.
Angel jumped out of bed. “Wesley.” Angel roared, running down the stairs, punching numbers into his cell phone.
Wesley, Gunn and Fred ran into the middle of the lobby.
“Angel?”
Angel waved Wesley’s question down as Cordelia’s phone rang continuously.
Angel growled and threw the phone. The small plastic instrument shattered as it hit the wall. “Where did she go? What restaurant? Where?” Angel grabbed his coat.
“Angel, this is ridiculous. Let Cordelia be. Let her enjoy herself.’
Angel turned game face towards his friend. “Do you know where she went? Tell me.” He stalked to his friends. “Fred?”
The young woman moved automatically behind Wesley.
“Angel, stop this. What has gotten into you?” Wesley said.
“Tell..” Angel stopped as the phone began to ring. He rushed to the phone. “Cordy?”
“No. But she is alive for now. It was too bad that you didn’t recognize me, but it was too much to expect, rather I did count on it. After all the bitch didn’t, not even when I staked her, after of course some quality time together.”
“1803 Yorkshire. Your wife and two children. I remember. Where’s Cordelia?”
“I’m impressed it must be the soul.”
“Cordelia, where is she?”
“Is she your heart? I think she is. Just like My Becca was mine. Don’t worry I’ll return it, just like you returned mine to me. Fair, don’t you think.”
“If you’ve hurt her in anyway…..”
“You’ll what kill me? You and the bitch did that when you tore my heart from my Becca, when you butchered my children. I’ll give the lovely lady back to you. Dead and heart first, when I‘m ready.”
“NO. This is not about her, but Angelus. It’s not her you want. She’s an innocent.”
“Maybe, probably. But that’s not my concern, that’s yours. Goodbye, I’ll give her your love.”
Wesley had moved closer his expression pale as he heard Angel’s part of the conversation. He said nothing as Angel clutched at the phone the receiver shattering under the pressure.
Chapter 8
“Her heart?” Fred paled as Angel finished telling the others how Angelus and Darla killed Randall’s family.
Angel’s face was expressionless as he nodded.
“How is it possible?” Wesley said.
“How? Because he’s a fuckin crazed bloodsucking vamp, that’s how.”
Fred’s eyes shot towards the men. Gunn’s expression was one of mistrust and disgust.
Wesley’s expression turned from one of questioning to one of anger. “Gunn. We all know what Angelus was capable of. You are not helping. My question was how was it possible that Randall has survived until now. Angel, he checked out. He wasn’t a demon or a vampire, how?”
Wesley didn’t doubt Angel’s conclusion. It was too extraordinary not to be true. He just didn’t understand how. And he had to know, because not to would inhibit their ability to save Cordelia.
Angel shook his head ignoring Gunn’s glare.
Fred stared at the vampire. She had seen his beast or so she thought. But the creature that Angel had become in Plyea was one that reacted violently out of fear, anger or hunger. One that acted purely on instinct. You couldn’t hate that creature no more than you could hate a wild cat for acting out its nature.
But what she had heard was more than that. Fred had heard how Angel’s beast had planned, thought and acted on how to best to create terror and pain. That was beyond instinct that was intellect and consciousness. It was evil.
For the first time since Cordelia had explained Angelus/Angel and the risk to Angel’s soul, Fred understood the undercurrent of fear that Wesley, Cordelia and mostly Angel gave off when ever Angelus was mentioned. She now understood Gunn’s deep seeded distrust, even while he worked side-by-side Angel.
Fred looked again to Wesley. She saw his fear and anger, but those emotions weren’t directed towards Angel, but for Cordelia. Wesley truly knew Angel’s beast but it did not stop him from accepting Angel. The story hadn’t made him react any differently towards Angel. Fred felt ashamed. She had always claimed that Angel was Angel not his beast.
Yet, the story had frightened her. She moved closer to Wesley trying to draw on his courage and surety that Angel was Angel and nothing more.
Wesley nodded at Angel’s shake. “Yes, well first we need to research how a human can live for two hundred years without aging and not be a demon or vampire.”
“We need to find Cordelia.” Angel finally spoke.
“Of course. But how? We know nothing about him except that he is a 197-year-old farmer. No. If we can find out how, then we can find out how to stop him.”
“I know how to stop him.”
“It may not be that easy to kill him. Obviously there is magic involved or something supernatural. We can’t assume that we can just kill in the normal manner. Anyway, we need to find him.”
Fred eye’s widened at Wesley’s tone. She looked again at the vampire then back to Wesley. She saw it. The understanding between them. No matter how this ended, they both had promised that Randall would die. Die because he threatened Cordelia.
“Computer?” Fred said. She shrunk back as all eyes turned towards her.
“Fred?” Wesley said encouragingly.
“Cordy said that he had a passport from all over. That he was a reporter of some kind.”
“Fake credentials, no doubt.” Wesley said.
“Yes, probably, but she said…”
“His name came up on the magazines archives. He has a history that we can find.” Wesley finished. “Well done Fred. Do you think you are familiar enough again with computers to…”
Fred had been getting much better about remembering more of her old skills with the computer, but she still was more comfortable with pen and paper. And this was Cordy they were talking about. “I can try, but I don’t…”
“Wes, David Nabbit.”
“Yes, of course.” Wesley went quickly to Cordelia’s Rolodex to find the phone number of the computer genius who had also been a former client of Angel Investigations.
Both Fred and Gunn looked questioningly at Wesley and Angel. Neither the vampire nor the former watcher responded.
Chapter 9
Angel felt as if he would explode into a thousand pieces. Part of him wanted to just rage and destroy everything in sight. Friends, furniture everything.
The other wanted to die, because even more than before, he truly was to blame for Cordelia being in danger. It was because of one of his thousand vile acts as Angelus that brought Cordelia to this point. Angel would give anything…anything if he had ripped Randall’s crying face from his neck all those years ago, murdered him with his family.
If Angelus had, then so what? What was one more death to feel guilty about compared to the loss of Cordelia, there was no comparison. Ice formed over the guilt that Angel had felt when he first awoken from that memory. At that moment and until Cordelia was safe, guilt had no place within him. There would be nothing to distract him from his goal.
He was Angelus, just with the option to be good because of the soul. And Angel would ignore that option if it got in the way of saving Cordelia.
“How do we know that Cordy isn’t already dead? It’s not like the man doesn’t have a reason to want revenge.”
Angel moved slowly, first his head rose, then his arms unclenched. “She’s not.”
“Gunn, that’s enough. If you still have some residual misgivings about working with Angel, fine. Leave.”
“What? I’m not leaving.”
“Then shut up.” Wesley turned back to the phone.
Chapter 10
Cordelia floated towards the ground. She tried to concentrate but the clouds kept getting in the way. She tried to focus.
Angel. He was down there. If she just concentrated on him. Cordelia blinked and smacked at her lips. Her mouth felt like it was full of cotton. It was so dry. She licked and swirled her swollen tongue around trying to get some moisture to her mouth.
“Here.”
Cordelia felt something wet and cold up against her lips. She eagerly sucked on the ice chips. Cordelia tried to open her eyes but her lids were too heavy. She had to figure out where she was, but she couldn’t move. Her arms and legs felt like they were weighted down with bags of sand.
Cordelia licked again at her lips. She was still thirsty. The ice chips had acted only as a tease.
Once again she felt the coldness. Cordelia savored the moisture, sucking at the chips trying to melt the cotton that seem to coat her tongue. Cordelia tried to speak.
“Shh.”
Cordelia heard someone move and touch her arm at its heaviest part. She tried to move her head towards the touch.
“The effects are only temporarily Cordelia. The drug will wear off soon enough. I suggest you try to go back to sleep.”
Randall’s voice. He had drugged her. Cordelia wanted to yell, scream out questions and threats. She wanted to move but the malaise and fatigue that covered her body made it impossible. Her mind drifted back up into the clouds. She slept.
***
Angel paced angrily glaring at the young man sitting behind the computer. Willing him to work faster, to find something that would lead Angel to Cordelia. He hated the waiting.
David Nabbit hadn’t been able to come, but he immediately sent one of his best employees. David had assured Wesley that the boy was a genius; he could break into any protected system. That’s how David had found him. David was still a child in many respects himself, except when it came to his business and his computers. He was always on the look out for new talent.
And Albert had proven his expertise when he broke into the company’s systems and started playing the games and manipulating the programs. Rather than bringing charges against the young man, David hired him.
Fred sat next to Albert staring at his manipulations of the computer. She was remembering and understanding the young man’s actions. Fred wanted to learn it all; she wanted to be the one that would help her friends the next time the need arose.
“Found him.” Albert leaned back pushing his glasses up. “Randall Montgomery flew into LAX three weeks ago from Nicaragua. He charged the ticket. I’ll check the credit card transactions.” Albert went back to the computer.
Angel started his pacing again. He should have gone with Gunn to check out the restaurant. He felt useless. But Wesley had convinced him that he was not in proper frame of mind to ask questions without killing some one. And reluctantly, Angel had to agree with his friend.
“Angel, I could use some help.” Wesley handed the restless vampire a book. “We will need to know what Randall has become.”
Angel growled and took the book. Sitting and researching wasn’t what he wanted to do. He wanted to go out and find Cordelia. But Wesley was right again and researching was better than pacing and worrying.
Wesley and Angel sat across from each other, each leafing through the books before them.
Wesley looked up. “Gunn is right.”
Angel stared.
Wesley took his glasses off and began to rub them. “Randall does have a right to be angry.”
“He has Cordelia.” Angel refused to think about his guilt over Angelus’ actions.
“I’m not suggesting that we let him have his revenge nor that we hand you over to him. I’m just saying that his feelings of being wronged are legitimate and that makes him very dangerous.”
“He’s insane. Cordelia did nothing to him. It’s me he should be after, not her. And he will die because of that – legitimate reasons be damned.” Angel looked down at the table, his hands spread on the table pressing down.
“Wes, he said he would give me her heart.” Angel’s eyes were clouded as he met Wesley’s. “I…I love her, Wesley.” Angel’s gaze fell back to the table, his hands going to his side in fists.
Wesley put on his glasses. “Yes. Well, then, Randall chose his revenge wisely. We will find Cordelia.”