Part 18
(Dedication: This chapter is for
Lovin’ Lorne, you asked for it and you got it. (Read the chapter and you’ll understand. Well you might not remember your suggestion but I sure did.))
“Angel?”
“I’m here, Cor.” His night vision quickly adjusted. He rushed to envelope her in his arms. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t know. What happened? Are we dead?”
“Well you’re still alive.”
“Now is so not the time to be funny. I can’t see anything. Where are we?”
Angel looked around. “We’re in a cave. It must be the one Wesley mentioned.”
“How did we get here?”
“I think we were here the whole time. That guy said he controlled everything around him. It’s just like backstage at the ballet.”
“If we didn’t go anywhere, what happened to Bob and his Master?”
“Bob went flying into that…Sorcerer guy. Whatever he was about to do to me, he ended up doing to them. I think they’re dead.”
Cordelia started to relax. “So what you’re saying is I saved us?”
“What?”
“I’m the one that sent Bob flying. I saved us. You were totally getting your ass kicked.”
“I would’ve had him. You should have kept Bob busy until I got there.”
“Angel, don’t start that again. I did not learn to fight so I could stave.”
“Yes but I…”
“AND it’s not like I knew what would happen when I hit Bob. It was his Master’s magic that killed them. I only hit him with a chair. If you weren’t so busy being tossed around, you would’ve done the same thing.”
“I wasn’t being..I was about to make my move when you interfered.”
“I interfered?”
“I didn’t even get to hit Bob once. It’s not fair.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Can you see anything?”
“Yes.” Angel reached out with his senses. “We’re surrounded by heartbeats. I think we better get out of here.”
“Wait. Bob said there were about three hundred people here, couples from all over the world. His Master linked them into some sort of hive. If the illusion of rooms and furniture vanished with his death, these people should start to wake up soon. We need to get our back-up team here as soon as possible. There’s no way we can avoid police involvement, which will lead to the press showing up. We need to get out of here.”
“Is my Cordy walking away from free publicity?”
“When it keeps my Angel out of a sunny courtroom, absolutely.”
“Someone’s coming.”
Three men with flashlights approached. “What happened? What have you done?”
One man shined his light in Angel’s face. “Demon!”
There was a flurry of movement. Cordelia looked down at the three unconscious men. She barely had enough time to blink. “That manly display was because I saved us, wasn’t it?” She bent down to retrieve a flashlight.
“I don’t know what you mean. It’s not like I’ve been waiting for the chance to tear Bob limb from limb. Who cares about that psycho? He only tried to maneuver you out of my bed, drugged us, ordered my body destroyed and tried to marry my widow while you were unconscious. What’s the big deal? What could I possibly be upset about?”
“I was awake.”
“What?”
“Bob didn’t want me unconscious during our marriage ceremony. I was awake. I just couldn’t move. He did the bad guy thing where he told me what their plan was. Bob wanted me to know what was happening. And just for the record if anyone deserved to do any ass kicking, it’s me. I’m the one he tried to marry. I’m the one he was groping.”
“There was groping?” Angel looked at Cordelia then at the blackened spot where Bob had once stood.
“He’s already dead.”
Angel tried to reign in his demon. Not only had Bob tried to steal his mate, he had put his filthy hands on her. His demon was enraged at being denied retribution and his soul was in total agreement.
“You stay here and pout. I’m going to find a way back to the Center. I need to get to a phone.”
“You shouldn’t go alone.”
“One of us has to stay here in case anyone wakes up and I’m not staying down here by myself. Don’t worry. I’ll be careful.” She kissed his cheek. “I am the one who saved us, remember? I think I’ll be okay.”
“You’re not going to let that go, are you?”
“No way”
“Promise me you’ll be careful.”
“Aren’t I always?”
***
Angel was beginning to panic. Cordelia had been gone for nearly thirty minutes. David Nabbit’s men were supposed to be only minutes away. It shouldn’t take this long to contact them. The people in the cave were showing signs of waking. He had no idea what he would tell them. Cordelia never got around to explaining why the couples had been kidnapped.
“Dammit Cordelia! Where the hell are you?”
“I’m right here. Geez. You know it’s not like I went shopping or something. I’ve been working. Our back-up will be here any second.”
“What’s all that?”
Cordelia glanced at the items she was carrying. “I searched Bob’s office. It looks like this book is what started the whole thing.”
“Huh?”
“It has the info on the apocalypse they were preparing for.”
“What apocalypse?”
“Haven’t you been paying attention? What did you think the hive was for?”
“Well excuse me! While you were being filled in on the plan, I was being disposed of.”
“Oh right. Sorry.” She took a deep breath. “OK. I’ll give you the Reader’s Digest version. In a sick, twisted way, they were trying to do a good thing. They were preparing for the end of the world and this cave is their ark. They kidnapped people from around the world and brought them here.”
“That doesn’t make any sense. As powerful as that guy was, he could have prevented the end from coming. Why do all this instead?”
“Probably a God complex. According to Bob, the Master was going to lead them in recreating the world. No more pretending demons don’t exist. He was going to train everyone in magic so they could wipe demons off the face of the earth. Three hundred humans against a planet full of demons.”
He pointed to the book. “Does this mean you think the apocalypse is real?”
“Bob may have been a wack job but magic guy was for real. I figure it’s better to be safe than sorry. Wesley can do the research thing.”
“That’s probably a good idea. So what’s in the bag?”
“Our greatest hits”
“Our what?”
“The surveillance room was attached to Bob’s office. I took all the videotapes and audio tapes for our room.”
“We were videotaped?”
“You knew about the camera. It never occurred to you they might be recording us?”
“I tried to avoid thinking about it.”
“No kidding. The fact that Bob was watching us is..a whole new level of eww. There is no way I’m letting any investigator or cop see these. I figure we can destroy them once we get back to the hotel.”
“You want to destroy them?”
“Duh. What else would we do with them?”
Angel wrapped his arms around her waist. “It’s us on those tapes. It’s us making love.”
Her eyes widened in shock. “You want to watch them?”
“Why not?”
“It’s so…so..”
“Erotic?”
“Ya think?”
“Don’t you?”
Visions of them making love floated in her mind. She chewed on her bottom lip. “I guess we should check them to make sure we aren’t missing any tapes.”
“That’s an excellent point.”
“Miss Chase! Where are you?”
“We’re over here!” She waved at the approaching men. “Good. Now we can finally go home.”
“Don’t forget. For the next few days at least, you will be naked, in my bed and the word no is strictly forbidden.”
***
“Will you just let it go already!”
“Cor, I…”
“Argh!” Cordelia stomped down the lobby steps, ignoring the vampire trailing behind her. “Here’s the book I told you about on the phone.”
Wesley glanced at the text. “Is there something wrong?”
“Angel is being an ass but other than that, everything’s fine. Have you received an update yet?”
“I am not being an ass,” Angel mumbled to Fred and Gunn.
“Yes. I just got off the phone. Jason and Jennifer were checked out by the paramedics and they are both in excellent health. It’s truly extraordinary. They were kept in stasis for weeks and there are no signs of malnutrition, dehydration or muscle deterioration. Some of the couples had been there for nearly six months. The amount of power to sustain that many people for that length of time is considerable. It was fortunate that you were able to use his power against him. I seriously doubt you would have been able to overpower him.”
“What luck? I’m just that good. I couldn’t stand around and watch while he beat the crap out of Angel.”
“I was lulling him into a false sense of security before I made my move.” Angel bristled at the sound of Cordelia’s laughter. “And if I hadn’t showed up when I did, you would be married to that wacko!”
“I will concede that your arrival did buy me the time I needed for the drug to wear off.”
“Exactly so if anybody did the saving, it was me.”
“Pfft. You barely got your foot in the door when he started tossing you around the room. I kicked ass while YOUR ass got kicked.” She directed a smile at Wesley and Gunn, who were both failing to hide their amusement. “Not only did I save us, I solved the case.”
“What?! How do you figure that?”
“I’m the one who first suspected Bob.”
“Hey! I didn’t trust the guy from the very beginning.”
“That’s because you didn’t like him.” She arched a brow. “I was suspicious for a reason which I relayed to Wesley for further investigation.”
“Big deal”
Her eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. “Who’s the one who found out what they were up to and why?”
“What found? All you did was lie there while Bob confessed.”
Cordelia placed her hands on her hips, her foot tapping on the floor. “Who’s the one who found the prophesy book, huh? Who’s the one who found the surveillance room and took the tapes?”
“Tapes? What tapes?”
She blushed. “They’re from our room, Wes. Nothing for you to be concerned about. The important thing is I solved the case. I saved us, but will Mr.-Macho-Vamp admit it? No! All he’s done since we left the Center is bitch and moan because I denied him the opportunity to put a hurt on Bob. Is that fair? I give him credit when he saves me. There have been hugs and thank yous, but what do I get? I get lectured about staving!” She threw her hands in the air and started pacing. “He thinks I should apologize! I guess I forgot my place. I forgot I’m supposed to be the damsel-in-distress. I’m supposed to wait until the big strong manpire rescues me.” She grabbed the bag of tapes and her smaller suitcase before storming up the stairs toward Angel’s suite.
“You guys don’t think I’m being unreasonable, right? I deserved to have the chance to hit him at least once. I never said she shouldn’t defend herself. I’m the one who trained her dammit!” He grabbed the remaining suitcases and followed her. “It’s just not fair. One punch is all I asked for.”
Angel was too busy muttering to notice Wesley, Gunn and Fred nodding and smiling at each other.
***
His angry words died on his lips as he opened the door to his suite. He silently watched Cordelia strip. He hardened at the sight of her beautiful flesh.
Cordelia threw her clothes in the trash.
“What’s the matter? There wasn’t any demon slime this time.”
“No but there was slime of a different sort.”
Angel dropped their bags and went over to her. “Talk to me.”
“I just…Bob touched those clothes. I don’t want them anymore.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’m sorry I didn’t get there sooner.”
She rubbed her cheek on his chest. “It’s not your fault. You stopped the ceremony and for that I am eternally grateful.”
Angel was about to speak when the door slammed shut. He forgot he’d left it open.
“Angel, when did you get a ghost?”
He rushed over and tried opening it. “It won’t budge.”
“There must be something in the hotel. I’ll call downstairs.” Cordelia walked over to the phone. There was an envelope addressed to them resting on the table. “What’s this?”
Dear Cordelia and Angel,
If you’re reading this letter, it is as we feared. We hoped the two of you would confront your feelings for each other. Since you failed to take advantage of the opportunity the case provided, we’ve decided to supply you with another.
I’m sure you’ve tried to open the door. There is no need to panic. There is no evil presence in the hotel. We have sealed you in Angel’s suite. We will release you once you have been open and honest with each other.
There is plenty of food and blood in the kitchenette. We had Dennis pack a bag for Cordelia. You should have everything you need.
We will of course release you should Cordelia have a vision. The phone still works.
Don’t bother trying to fake a vision. Since you are both so fond of half-truths and white lies, we have performed a truth spell on the room. It will not compel you to answer a question but it will prevent you from lying should you choose to answer it.
We will call daily to check on you. Take care and try not to kill each other.
Yours sincerely,
Wesley, Gunn and Fred