Chapter 2
“Morning grumpy.”
“Stop calling me that.”
“Stop being grumpy in the morning and I will. Gees Wesley sometimes you’re even worse than Dennis.”
“How can one’s morning disposition possibly be worse than a ghost’s?”
“I told you not to call him that. “Dennis is very sensitive and he thinks of himself as a person not a g-h-o-s-t.”
“Good Lord Cordelia the man is dead not illiterate, he can spell you know.”
“Oh, right; but apologize anyway, he can’t help he’s dead. Speaking of dead, where’s Angel?”
“Hummm, I don’t believe I know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know? Weren’t you even a little curious? If the sun’s up and Angel’s not out here just where did you think he would be? Cordelia asked lifting a questioning brow and pressing her hands against her hips.
“Well… well certainly not in there.” Wesley pointed to her closed door with the jerk of an arm indicating he would not assume Angel’s current whereabouts to be in her private sleeping quarters.
“Oh, well good,” Cordelia responded spinning on her toes and heading towards the kitchen before twirling back to Wesley, “and just why not? Is it totally inconceivable that Angel would be in my bed-” The click of the door cut her off. Abruptly spinning about face Cordelia scurried into the kitchen hiding her blushing cheeks and wishing she had finished her sentence. Bedroom would have sounded so much better than bed, but too late now.
“Ah Angel there you are, we were becoming a bit concerned.” Though grateful for the interruption, Wesley hoped Angel had not overhead their odd discussion and that his cheeks were not as rosy as Cordelia’s.
“Were you and Cordelia discussing me being in her bed?”
False hope is always such a futile yearning. “We most certainly were not. We were discussing you *not* being in her bed, uh…bedroom. Now if you will excuse me I’m making Cordelia’s breakfast this morning as a thank you her for her hospitality before I return to my own apartment.” Wesley had persevered with what he had to work with and now defensive maneuver over he followed Cordelia’s escape to the kitchen. Bloody hell, now I’m stuck with making breakfast.
The room began to spin under the momentum of Wesley’s revelation. Wes couldn’t leave, Angel didn’t have a place yet and being there with Cordelia…alone, was not an option. For an intelligent person Wes isn’t very bright.
“Cordelia I was just telling Angel I’d like to make your breakfast this morning. Consider it my thank you for taking me in.”
“Thanks Wes but we have plenty of time for that, it’s not like you’re leaving now and if you are thinking about leaving now maybe you should rethink that ’cause you wouldn’t want to have a relapse or something.” Cordelia was rambling, rambling and ignoring Wesley’s threat of departure leaving her and Angel alone. She already had thoughts where the vampire was concerned. The kind of thoughts that had to be shooed away like, damn Angel looks hot in that tank. Cordelia wanted Angel to stay with her but she wanted Wesley with them while Angel stayed.
“Wes maybe Cordelia’s right about you staying a while longer. You don’t want to rush things; you were pretty banged up in the explosion.”
Thank God the scarecrow picked now to ask for a brain. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts didn’t work. Angel’s suggestion they join a gym flooded her brain’s empty space. Like me wearing spandex and sweating while Angel pumps things is a good idea. “Well you two work it out. I’m sure after Angel gulps down his breakfast he’s gonna be ready for bed-e-bye. I’ll just go shower and dress so I won’t be in his way.”
***
Angel awoke with a jolt. Sitting up his hand wiped through the slight moisture on his bare chest. “Sweat, since when do I sweat?” It was the dream he slowly accepted lying back. After three hours of tossing and turning and pounding his fist into the pillow, he had finally slept. Finally succumbing to the escape sleep was suppose to offer, he had dreamed of things long ago. Things better left in the past.
More tired than when he went to bed but wide-awake Angel decided to join the others. Maybe if he spent the afternoon reading he would sleep and more important be too exhausted to dream of evil things.
The hard spray of hot water pulsed against his flesh kneading tense muscles. Angel had learned a trick or two over the years; if the water was scalding hot, he could temporarily hold the body temperature of a human. At times, he could forget it was only an illusion and enjoy the warmth of his body, for a little while.
***
Cordelia released a long, breathy sigh. Boredom, lately every day was the same; they’d sit at the table in her apartment pouring over page after page, chapter after chapter, book after book. Where were the carefree days, where were the parties crammed with happy, shiny people? She looked across the table at her study partner releasing another slow sigh. A girl can be certain her life sucks when the liveliest person in the room is a ghost.
His upper torso slouched over the table; Wesley’s face hovered only a few inches above the text he was reading. “I’m sure your breath is minty fresh but blowing it on the book won’t get the text read any faster.”
“How did we ever get by without you oh wise one?”
“Perseverance and a little luck I suppose.”
“Well Mr. Smarty Pants, have you found out anything useful?” Cordelia lifted from her chair stretching her body across the table closer to Wesley, “like where was Angel this morning?”
“I have a few conjectures.”
Cordelia snapped back to her seat, the impact of her jean covered bottom to wood creating an audible plop. “Well?”
“He returned to the old office to retrieve anything salvageable.”
Her eyes crossed at the man still hunched over his book barely acknowledging her presence. “So he told you where he was?”
“No, it didn’t come up.”
“Then you know this how?” This was worse than her non-conversations with Angel and with an exasperated roll of her eyes Cordelia gave up returning to her own boring book.
“He probably saw the books and weapons airing on the balcony.”
“Arrrrrggg!” The cool breath against the side of her neck warned her of his presence less than an instant before his whisper jolted her from the chair. “Gees Angel there’s two of us in this apartment that still has a heartbeat, let’s keep it that way. And what do you mean airing on the balcony? Do you have your big, demon-butcher weapons on my balcony, in plain view…for everyone to see?”
“I didn’t think you’d want them smelling up the apartment. The books need to air out and I thought while Wes researched you and I could clean the weapons.” Angel studied the ‘I don’t think so’ look on Cordelia’s face. “Or I can do it. I just thought you’d rather clean weapons than research all day.”
Hands still shaky from the vampire’s sneak attack slapped against her hips, “How about I do neither.”
“Neither, what are you planning on doing all day?”
“I have a dress rehearsal tonight so I need to get into character and research or nasty weapon cleaning is not what I had in mind.”
“Rehearsal tonight, that won’t work. Wes and I are going to that demon bar tonight.”
The right brow raised as the left eye squinted; she was ready, “and that affects me how?”
“Cordelia, we’ve talked about this already. It isn’t safe for you to be out alone at night.” Angel gave her the look, the one that said I have made my decision end of discussion; but just in case, “so it’s settled.”
Well so much for the ‘who the heck do you think you are’ brow lift. “Excuse me?”
The knock on the door offered a reprieve. Angel was saved from the death glare that could reduce him to a pile of dust. Cordelia stood on her toes stretching to the peephole but saw no one. “Who is it?”
“Gunn.”
All thoughts abandoning his studies, Wesley’s head whipped up at the single word muffled through the barrier of the locked door. “What was that?”
“Something about a gun, what if it’s a demon with a gun? Why would a demon need a gun? First the gym and now guns. What are demons coming to today?”
Wesley quickly made his way to the door standing beside Cordelia. “Listen up, whoever you are, we are well armed and we know how to do battle, so if you know what’s good for you-“
“My name is Gunn with two ns; I’m here to see Angel.”
Cordelia glared at Angel. “You couldn’t shut me up?” Another glare when Angel’s answer was a scrunch of his shoulders.
Pushing Wesley out of the way, Cordelia slid the locks back and whipped the door open. “Well, this is a little embarrassing. Please come in. Wesley, you’ve heard Angel talk about Gunn. It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Cordelia Chase and this is-“
“I’ve seen you before.”
“Really the Tan-n-Screen commercials,” her voice held a squeal of excitement. Gunn being a nobody didn’t matter, Cordelia Chase had been recognized. “Did you hear that guys I’ve been recognized from a commercial.”
“I saw you in bed.” Her visitor deadpanned or maybe he was an intruder after all.
“What? I don’t think so.” Cordelia backed away nudging up against Angel.
“Ah, I can see this is none of my business. Angel perhaps you would like to-“
“You, too.”
“Now, just a moment,” Wesley ordered straightening his back and squaring his shoulders at the brass young man.
“In the hospital…after Angel’s building blew? He sent me there to keep an eye on you two.”
“Right, you saw us in bed in the hospital. Well then have a seat you’re practically family.” Cordelia gave Angel an angry shake of her head. “You will be punished.”
Ah, Wesley now understood why Angel stood passively silent grinning like a fool. No, actually, he didn’t.
“Well Gunn with two n’s you just stopped by for a visit?” Cordelia asked joining Gunn on the couch.
“Got the word Angel wanted to see me.”
“Took you long enough the word was last night,” Angel responded settling on the couch arm next to Cordelia.
“Sorry man had my own demons to fight; got here quick as I could.”
“So you fight demons; do you belong to a gym?” Cordelia asked, her face glowing with what Angel had labeled as the flirting smile.
“Vamps mostly and nawh, my muscles get a hefty workout with the vamp dustin’.” Gunn crowed enjoying the girl’s playful attention. Angel figured the boy would have to move off the couch if he wanted to strut anymore than he was already strutting.
“It shows,” and there was ‘that’ smile again. Angel’s hand circled her arm ignoring the surprised look as he pulled Cordelia from the couch.
“Uh Cordelia don’t you need to be rehearsing or getting into character…or something? I need to discuss the demon you saw in your vision with Gunn.”
“Oh yea you get the visions, that’s cool. What’s that like, being a psychic?” Gunn asked forgetting Angel’s mention of demon discussions.
“Well I’m not psychic. I’m more like a faulty outlet and when I hit the floor babbling and drooling, it’s not of the cool.”
“Hey I catch you.” Angel defended feeling slighted that Cordelia would overlook his swift reaction skills.
“That you do big guy and don’t think I don’t appreciate it.” Cordelia acknowledged Angel’s effort with an approving pat to his arm.
“Thanks,” Angel grumbled feeling he had received the praise of a well trained pet. “Now about Cordy’s vision, Wes and I are meeting an informant at this demon bar tonight and I was thinking you might tag along in case we need extra muscle.”
“Demon bar, huh didn’t know demon’s had their own clubs; makes sense though.”
“And while you studs are bar hoping with demons I’ll be at rehearsal.” Cordelia piped in leaning around Angel’s broad form to look at Gunn.
Angel huffed but refused to look at her. Why couldn’t Cordelia just go away and leave them in peace to discuss the case? Sometimes the girl was more annoying than a gnat that refused to be swatted. “You want to go to rehearsal, fine go to rehearsal. Wes will take you.”
“Angel,” Wesley whined, “I don’t want to go to Cordelia’s rehearsal. Need I remind you of the last play we attended? Good God man I’ve been injured. Haven’t I suffered enough?”
“Well excuse me Mr. Snooty Butt. Is it my fault you can’t enjoy anything unless it was written by the dead and buried?”
“Enough,” the scowl that followed more than sufficient evidence Angel’s command was not a request.
“OK lets get organized, that’s all good strategy is…organization.” Gunn announced to the small group, his arms draped across the back of the couch. “Hey Julie Roberts, what time is your rehearsal?”
Angel watched Cordelia answer seven, that annoying flirty smile lighting up on her face.
“And you man, what time you meetin’ up with your snitch?”
“Ten o’clock,” Angel reluctantly disclosed.
“Then we’re good,” Gunn declared ending the debate with a slap to his knee. “I’ll take doll face to her rehearsal and meet you guys at the demon place at ten.”
So they now had a plan; Wesley was relieved, Angel was dumbfounded, Cordelia was excited and Gunn really didn’t care. He had driven across town and all he had to show for his effort was chauffeuring an unknown starlet and a possible date with a vampire. Gunn figured he had definitely drawn the short stake.
Gunn stood from the couch, his jacket falling into place with a quick body shake before heading for the exit. “What time should I pick you up?”
“Now’s good,” Cordelia suggested crossing her fingers that Gunn would agree. The world outside her apartment was within reach and getting to it didn’t require a vision of something slimy or smelly.
“Now,” Angel spouted; “Cordelia it’s only four o’clock!”
“Yea now,” Cordelia countered absent her flirty smile Angel noticed, “It’s either out there with him or in here with you two and your boring books and weapons that need to be scrubbed. You do the math and you,” she added pointing at Gunn, “don’t leave without me. I’ll just grab my purse.”
Angel was stunned, stunned and speechless. What could he say? Why couldn’t Cordelia spend the afternoon with Gunn? No reason other than Angel didn’t actually know him that well and Cordelia didn’t know him at all.
She had bounced to her bedroom for her purse and strap swung over her shoulder Cordelia bounced back to her escort. “Ready when you are.”
“Angel man, catch you later and English, nice meetin’ you.”
“Yes, nice meeting you Mr. …uh, Gunn.”
And it was over; they had left, the door closing behind them. Where was Dennis’ attitude when a sun avoiding vampire needed it?
Thankful he had been rescued from the depths of hell better known as Cordelia’s acting Wesley decided to celebrate with a cup of tea. Preparations underway he leaned against the counter looking forward to the quite afternoon, researching with Angel and no one talking.
“I’m going out!” A slam of the door trailed the announcement then silence fell.
Well quiet is quiet Wesley figured as he waited for the kettle to whistle.
***
“Angel I don’t think pacing is going to get your friend here any faster.”
“It’s ten fifteen Wes.”
“Yes but you were pacing at nine forty-five.” Wesley rolled his eyes as Angel paced across his path again, “and where did you run off to this afternoon?”
“I had to get out for a while, felt cramped. I’ve got to find a place and with you moving back to your apartment I really need to find a place.”
“Well you know you’re always welcome to stay with me but I’m afraid my flat is even smaller than Cordelia’s.”
“Thanks but I think it’s best if I live alone. I’m not used to having people around all the time, no offense.”
“None taken – good Lord what is that?” Gunn’s truck rolled up to the curb, it was big and loud, had all kinds of things mounted on it, and Wesley could only speculate their use.
“Yoa dudes,” Gunn greeted jumping from his truck.
“You’re late any trouble; is Cordelia all right?” Angel snatched another look at Wesley’s watch shaking his head as the big hand slid onto the five.
“Relax man she’s fine; her gig took a little longer than expected that’s all.”
“I called the apartment she’s not answering.”
“Probably ’cause she’s in the tub. So we going in or not?” Gunn yelled back as he sauntered toward the entrance acting a lot calmer than he felt.
Angel looked up and down the backside of the young man strolling casually away, as casually as he had mentioned Cordelia and her tub.
Eyes now fixed on Wesley, “tub, I don’t like the sound of that.” Angel expected the proper gentleman to be offended. The almost stranger had knowledge of their friend’s bathing habits.
“Angel we have more important things to attend to and besides they’re both mature adults, well sort of. There is nothing inappropriate about Cordelia wanting to spend time with the young man.”
“She hardly knows the guy.”
“She met him through you Angel. If you question his character, perhaps you should not have invited him to Cordelia’s home. Now can we go inside, please?”
Gunn stood at the entrance waiting for Angel and Wesley to catch up. “It’s a karaoke bar. Your snitch feels safe meeting you in a karaoke bar?”
“In this one he does. It’s a sanctuary.” Wesley answered taking the lead.
Angel walked on through ignoring the bouncer as the weapon detector beeped. “Gunn weapons aren’t allowed in a sanctuary; that’s why it’s called a sanctuary. It’s a safe haven for its patrons.” Wesley stared at their companion surprised Gunn would try to sneak in a weapon.
“I know what a sanctuary is and you,” Gunn poked at the demon bouncer attempting to search him, “there’ll be no touching of my person.” Gunn reluctantly pulled the stakes from his jacket handing them to the bouncer, “here that’s all I got. Man this place is packed with demons. Come on English lets find ours.”
Wesley and Gunn found Angel scanning the room. “There,” Wesley indicated with an obscure point.
“Yep,” Gunn added, “ugly, gray and bald to top it off, that’s a demon alright.”
“Hello Merl,” Wesley greeted joining his informant at the bar. The small demon only offered a grunt to the three men encircling him.
“What’s the matter; cat got your tongue?” Gunn asked working hard to ignore his jittering insides. He had never seen so many demons in one place before and was waiting for the command to lock and load.
“I don’t have a tongue.” The small and ugly demon finally acknowledged his visitors as Angel leaned down next to him. “And keep the bloodsucker away from me. I know his rep, he eats his own kind.”
“Especially when they waste my time,” Angel threatened leaning a little closer to their supposed informant.
Wesley slid an envelope in front of Merl hoping Angel’s threat of violence, his answer to every situation, would not lose them their information. “We’re looking for a Prio Motu.”
Merl sneaked a peek inside the envelope and pushed it back to Wesley. “You’ve obviously never seen one up close. Prios are stone-cold killers and they got teeth bigger than your mosquito here. You gotta sweeten the pot…a lot and keep my name out of it.”
Wesley added to the envelope and slid it back to his informant. “This Prio you’re looking for, he don’t like it above ground. He’ll be travelin’ in one of those sub-tunnels of the Rodondo line.”
Having a starting place Angel headed for the exit without a word, Wesley and Gunn following his lead. “Prios are nasty,” Merl yelled out. “Not like your big stake and dust there, best of luck, though.”
Gunn was ready to hit the more familiar territory of the streets. He eyed the exit concentrating on their imminent escape from the demon-infested club until…
The well-dressed demon blocked their path. He was tall and lanky and green. To Gunn he looked like the wicked witch of the west…if she had red horns.
“Love the coat; it’s all about the coat, welcome to Caritas. Do you know what that means?” The green-faced demon asked sending Angel a leer that left him more than a little uncomfortable with the possible subtext.
“It’s Latin for mercy.” Angel answered his voice a copy of his dry expression.
“Smart and cute. How about gracing us with a number?”
“I don’t sing.”
“Neither does Mordar the Bentback! That cat’s a foghorn on two legs.”
“Who is this guy?” Gunn whispered to Wesley. He had finally relaxed a little, freedom only a few feet away and now the witch demon had high jacked their speedy exit.
“He’s called The Host, he owns this place; he’s anagogic.”
“Really,” Gunn sounded doubtful. “He looks like he’s eatin’ enough to me.”
“Not anorexic,” Wesley corrected, “he’s psychic, connected to the mystic. When you sing you bare your soul and he sees into it.”
“This isn’t about your pipes, bro. It’s about your spirit. I can’t read you unless you sing.”
“I don’t sing.” Angel tried again to make his point without violence; the club’s protection spell would prevent it anyway.
“Come on Angel; give the guy a quick tune so we can get out of here.” Gunn was practically begging.
“No.” His answer an erupting spew, Angel sent Gunn a threatening glare.
“It would be for a good cause,” Wesley suggested; “we might learn something.”
“Who’s the boss here?”
“I know you’re feeling smooth, in the groove. Isn’t that the thing that comes before a fall?” The green demon asked ignoring the vampire’s anger and the bald, dark-skinned man’s jumpiness.
“There are three things I don’t do…tan, date and sing in public!” Angel was finished, he stepped around the annoying song-demanding demon making a final attempt at a peaceful departure.
“See you around…big guy.” Angel froze at the familiar reference, the hairs on his neck prickling his skin. It had to be a coincidence, Cordelia was the only one that called him that. The simple intimacy of that private nickname sounded intrusive coming from a stranger.
Angel rubbed his palm across his neck turning back to demon. “Trust your instincts, the past can’t visit unless you invite it in.” Angel shook his head and headed through the exit. He didn’t like this guy. He wanted to know too much, already knew too much it seemed. Angel didn’t plan to return, ever.
“How fabulous would I look in that coat? He’ll be back.”
***
“Whew, freedom and fresh air and a whole lot of space,” Gunn proclaimed when his feet hit the sidewalk; “so what’s the plan man?”
“Wes you head back to the apartment, we still need to determine what this Prio might be doing in LA.” Angel instructed taking an axe from the trunk. “I can find it and kill it but if someone else is calling the shots, it’s only a matter of time before another one shows up. Gunn you’re with me,” Angel finished handing the axe to his hopefully short-term partner.
“Thanks but I carry my own.” Gunn declined the offered weapon yanking his own custom-made axe from his truck, “and since you asked so nice, I’m in.”
Angel had already crossed the street and Gunn hurried to catch up as Wesley pulled from the curb. Gunn watched Angel flip the cover from the manhole tossing it aside like a frisbee and stared into the dark nothing below. “Uh, looking for something, did you lose your keys?”
Angel only grunted much like the little weasel-snitch in the club and Gunn figured it was just something demons do, like growling.
“The Prio, if Merl can be trusted this is where we’ll find it.” Angel’s voice took on a slight echo as he descended into the sewer tunnel, Gunn reluctantly following him down.
“Whoa talk about your dark,” Gunn whispered fishing the flashlight from inside his jacket.
“If the Prio sees your light you’ll lead him right to us.”
“Well if it does we might find him quicker and besides if this Prio can see in the dark like you do, chances are he can sniff us out too.”
Another grunt emanated from the vampire’s barely visible backside. “OK man, spill it.”
“Hummm.”
“We already got trust issues and your tude ain’t helping our hunting a demon with big teeth in a dark hole situation.”
Silence was almost the only thing Gunn heard. His breathing a little louder than he would have liked practically blocked out the sound of his own footsteps and the sound of slow dripping water that lay just ahead.
“That’s just great the vampire’s got a problem with the human. Look man, you asked me. I’ve got more than my share of demons in my own neighborhood. I don’t need to be comin’ to yours. If you don’t need me here just say so.”
“I don’t want Cordelia to be hurt.” Angel’s words rang out as though he had stated the obvious to the world.
Gunn looked around the dark tunnel then eyed the weird behaving vampire. “She ain’t here. I left her safe and sound with that hyped up ghost but he’s lookin’ pretty laid back compared to you right now. Man you’re knotted tighter than a tightrope.”
“How do you know Cordy was taking a bath when I called?”
“Cause the girl was yellin’ for her personal assistant to get Mr. Bubbles ready the minute we walked through the door. You know I didn’t have to spend the better part of my night at some gawd awful play. I was doing you a favor, another one; not that I’m keeping track.”
I know…sorry…and thanks. She was pretty bad, huh?”
“Nah, Barbie was actually good, but the play sucks and good acting ain’t gonna change that.”
“So what did you and Cordy do all afternoon?”
“Man you are a piece of work; you know that?”
“I’ve been told.”
“Well some things can be taken at face value and in case you’re not getting it, that’s one of ’em. Now can we do the chop and dice thing and get back to where there’s street lights?”
Angel put his hand out halting Gunn. “Any minute now, he’s just around the corner.”
“How’d you-” Angel tapped his nose easing into the turn of their path.
The Prio charged the intruders releasing a beastly growl. “You take the lead, I’m the back up so I’ll just be watchin’ your back,” Gunn yelled ducking a hard swing of the demon’s arm with a heavy grunt.
The demon was strong, maybe one of the strongest Angel had ever fought. Its large hands closed around Angel’s throat cutting off the air supply he thankfully didn’t need. He beat against the Prio’s outstretched arms as his feet lifted from the ground. The grip tightened then quickly weakened when Gunn’s axe chopped into the demon’s shoulder blade.
Angel grabbed the small opportunity slipping behind his opponent as he shifted into his demon form. His hands seemingly larger and stronger took the demon in a chokehold breaking its neck with a swift snap, his heavy mass hitting the tunnel floor with a loud thud.
Angel jerked around at the feminine gasp. “Hey, it’s okay. I won’t hurt you. Are you alright?”
The woman stared at him for a moment then gazed down at the slain demon, her hands resting on her obviously pregnant stomach.
“It’s all right, he’s dead,” Angel announced glancing a questing look at Gunn who shrugged his shoulders unsure why a pregnant woman would be in the sewer tunnels.
She walked slowing to the demon kneeling down as much as her large stomach would allow. “Oh my God, what did you do?” She caressed his face with tender strokes then closed his eyes, sobbing quietly. “What have you done?”
“I didn’t… I thought he was gonna hurt you.”
“He was my protector!” She yelled trying to get up. Angel reached out to help her. “Stay away from me!”
“I’m sorry. I was sent here to… I’m not exactly sure, but…”
“You were sent here?”
“By the Powers That – it’s a long story…I help people.”
“You’re joking, right?” The chuckle she had intended was muffled under another jerky sob. “God, I hate this town!”
“Follow her man, you just killed the wrong dude.” Gunn whispered when the woman turned to leave.
“Hey wait, I’m really…what was he protecting you from?”
“Things you couldn’t handle!”
“Like what?”
“Like the Tribunal. Look, I don’t know who you are or what your deal is and I don’t care, he was my protector. I had one friend in this world and you killed him! Now, you stay the hell away from me.”
Angel stood helpless watching the sobbing, pregnant woman walk into the dark of the tunnel.
“Let’s look around, see if we can find where the woman and Prio were staying, then we’ll head back to Cordelia’s and regroup.”
***
Angel stumbled into Cordelia’s apartment, his body battered and beaten. They had been ambushed by two demons and Angel had stayed behind while Gunn took the woman to the safety of Cordelia’s apartment.
“God Angel, are you alright; what happened?”
“The woman, is she here?” Angel anxiously asked ignoring Cordelia’s concern.
“No, Gunn brought us the talisman but the woman, she refused to come with him…and she took off.”
The talisman, so worried about failing the woman again Angel had forgotten to ask about it. He sent a questioning look to Wesley too tired and sore to even ask.
“Working on it,” Wesley responded understanding the heavy glance.
“I told her to come here. She doesn’t trust us…me. Why should she?” Angel asked of no one, his fist smacking against the whiteboard almost sending it toppling over.
“You can’t see everything.” Cordelia offered choosing to ignore her knee-jerk reaction to Angel’s anger. “You’re just a vampire like everyone else…that didn’t come out right.”
“I thought I was out of the tunnel.” Angel confessed slumping onto the sofa, his face buried inside his palms.
Cordelia joined Angel not quite sure what to do. If this were Wesley, a few witty words followed by a few finger strokes through his hair would be her choice of comfort strategy, but this was Angel. Who knew what he wanted or needed?
Angel had stayed after finding out the woman had ditched him because of his fumbling attempt to help. He had plopped down on her sofa instead of storming off to brood alone so he must want something.
“Sure you did… because the tunnel is you know it’s something we all… Are we talking real tunnel or symbolic? Just give me that much.”
“I-I saw the light at the end of the tunnel…that some day I might become human. That light was so bright, I thought I was already out.”
“Yeah, we all got a little cocky, didn’t we? It’s gonna be a long while until you work your way out but I know you well enough to know you will. And I’ll be with you until you do.”
Getting no response from her brooding vampire after her heartfelt encouragement Cordelia laid her hand on his thigh, the heavy fabric of his coat and pants separating the hopefully not too personal contact.
Her touch was soothing. Angel could make the slight touch of warmth last for days if he had to; carry him through the drought until the next morsel found its way to him. Leaning back, his head lobbed against the back of the sofa, his eyes remaining closed. His hand slid down his thigh landing to rest atop hers; so large it covered hers completely embedding the warmth even further into his densely covered flesh.
“Uh-hum,” Wesley cleared his throat hoping to garner attention from the couple on the sofa seemingly lost in another place. “I think we have something. It’s medieval, a small badge or coat of arms, to be presented when going before the Cahair Binse. Roughly translated that’s chair of judgment.”
“The Tribunal,” Angel whispered giving a quick squeeze to the small hand still trapped beneath his.
“Right, an ancient court to settle grievances.”
“You mean with like lawyers and stuff.” Cordelia asked sending Wesley a surprised look.
“This is a little more primitive. It’s a fight to the death.”
“That’s why she needed a champion. Where would this Tribunal take place?”
“There is no way to tell Angel. They’re mystical events, they could rise up in our reality whenever they please.”
“Look, we have to find her right away, whatever it takes.” Angel had vowed never to return to the weird karaoke bar with its even weirder owner but there was really no alternative. “Do you have another rehearsal tonight?” Angel asked finally releasing Cordelia’s hand.
“Yea, but I can blow it off if you need me.”
“Want to watch me make a fool of myself?”
“Always.”