11
10:58 AM
“Mornin’ Bill, Tim.” Jerry, the delivery guy nodded at both men on the other side of the security desk, pulling out a clipboard as Bill got out of his seat. “Ya’ll havin’ a good weekend?”
“Dull is the word you’re looking for.” Bill muttered, signing the sheet of paper. He took the parcel Jerry handed him, shooting him a strange look. “What the hell you doin’ delivering packages on a Sunday anyway?”
“Don’t look at me. You guys are the ones who work every Sunday.” Jerry grimaced. “That’s gotta suck, huh?”
Tim grunted. “Don’t I know it…”
Bill grinned at him. Jerry ripped the under-sheet off his clipboard and handed it to him, making a saluting gesture as he turned on his heel. “I gotta head off. You fellas have fun.”
“See ya, Jerry.” Bill grabbed one of the doughnuts his wife had packed for him from the plastic container and settled in his seat, flipping the newspaper open as Tim stood, picking up the package.
“I’ll take this upstairs.” He muttered. Bill acknowledged him with a nod, never taking his eyes off the paper. He bit into his doughnut and sighed, shifting in his seat.
Just another uneventful day at Wolfram & Hart…
14:47 PM
Cordelia grinned at Buffy from her semi-crouched position, extending her left hand forward, palm up, as her right arm bent at the elbow and stretched back, the hand aligned flat and rigid with her cheekbone. She made a come hither motion with her left hand, resuming her still, fighter’s stance.
Buffy paused, one second, two, three – then charged forward, jumping up on one leg and kicking out with the other, catching Cordy in the shoulder. She stumbled but recovered swiftly, wrapping her hand around Buffy’s ankle. The other girl spun through the air, landing hard on her hands but quickly rolling into a standing position.
Cordelia lunged from behind and Buffy spun promptly, their hands throwing and blocking punches with immeasurable speed. Buffy blocked Cordy’s knee inches from her abdomen, dropping to one knee and kicking Cordy’s legs out from under her with an extended leg.
Cordelia collapsed on the ground, grunting harshly when the wind was knocked out of her. Buffy smirked down at her, panting as she wiped the sweat off her face with her palm. She reacted too late to the sudden, deft kick Cordy delivered, catching her behind the knee. Buffy yelped, falling forward on her hands. She laughed, dropping down on the mat and turning onto her back.
“I still win.” She managed.
“Whatever Summers.” Cordy said breathlessly. “If I was the bad guy, you’d be in shit.”
“If you were the bad guy, we’d *all* be in shit.” Buffy said good-naturedly, pushing herself into a seated position. She stretched her arm across her chest, holding it there with her inner elbow. “We should head up.”
Cordelia’s eyes were closed. “Don’t…wanna…move…”
Buffy laughed, smacking her in the side. Cordelia immediately tackled her, winding her legs around her hips as they rolled over the mat. Buffy screeched, bucking wildly until she felt Cordy’s grip loosen. She scrambled to her feet, watching as Cordy flipped into an upright position.
Buffy pushed both hands forward, one tilted firmly in the air, the other curled into a fist. “I thought you didn’t wanna move, Cor.”
Cordy blew a short strand of hair out of her face. “A girl can change her mind, can’t she?”
“What the hell are you guys doing?” Faith’s voice sounded from the entrance to basement as she jogged down the stairs. One look at their attacking stances and she grinned, stepping eagerly off the last step. “Ooh, fun – ”
“Faith,” Wesley stopped her mid-step, appearing suddenly behind her. Buffy blinked. “We need to get a move on.”
Faith pouted, glancing at her watch before retracing her steps and running back up the stairs to the office. Buffy and Cordelia grabbed their towels, throwing them over their shoulders and strolling leisurely, albeit a little stiffly, towards the staircase.
“My 80 year old grandmother can walk faster than you two.” Wesley quipped with a smirk, crossing his arms. “What does that tell you?”
“Diabolical scheming can wait an hour, Wes.” Cordy said, pushing past him. “I need a damn shower.”
16:06 PM.
Buffy squinted in front of the mirror, inserting the contact lens with the scan into her eye. She blinked several times until her sight was once again comfortable and focused.
“Summers.” Faith’s voice rung out from behind her. “The boss is getting impatient.”
Buffy rolled her eyes, turning on her heel and heading for the computer where Wesley was seated, his face scrunched up in confusion at the screen. “What’s up Wes?”
Wesley blinked. “Run me through this again.”
“Maybe you should stay here,” Cordy said, her mouth pulling into a frown. “If Mr Technically Inept makes a mistake, this entire operation is blown.”
“Not to mention our cover.” Faith added.
“Oh, bite me.” Wesley huffed, giving Buffy an apologetic grin. “I’ll get it this time, I promise.”
Buffy only smiled, running through the security site once again. She’d hacked into the site and programmed the functions to respond to *their* computer. Now they’d need Wesley to access the system, switch certain barriers on and off and guide them to the personal office. Once she’d finished, Wes nodded his head, looking well informed.
Faith smirked. “Eureka.”
Wesley ignored her completely. “Cordy, did you speak to Angel?”
Cordelia nodded, avoiding his eye. “He said he’d come over this after – ”
The ringing of the doorbell interrupted her and Buffy quickly straightened, walking across the room. She opened the door to reveal –
– a blanket.
“Uh…” Buffy stared at it, unsure of what to say or do. “Can we help you?”
“I need to be invited in.” Came the muffled reply. And then Angel peeked out at her from underneath, a small smile curling his lips.
“Oh God, of course, come in!” Buffy took a mortified step back, pulling the door wide open. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah.” Angel coughed once, removing the blanket as though it were a cape and folding it neatly. He placed it on the back of the couch, his eyes landing on Cordelia. “Hey.” He said gently.
“Hey.” She replied, a soft smile passing between them.
Buffy raised an eyebrow, exchanging glances with Faith.
“Angel.” Oblivious, Wesley stepped forward, shaking the other man’s hand vigorously. “I’ve heard so much, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“Yeah.” Angel freed his hand before it came loose. “Wesley, right?”
“Indeed.” Wesley grinned, crossing his arms and leaning against the couch.
Angel crossed his arms. “So, Cor said you needed my help?”
Cor?!
“Oh, yes.” Wesley nodded, gesturing him around the couch. “She can fill you in.”
Angel’s smile seemed to widen as his eyes locked on Cordy. Buffy’s heart did an excited little flip as if it were her he was drinking in. She stared at Cordelia, who’d suddenly gone very pink. Faith was grinning from ear to ear, only to drop her jaw when Angel held out his hand and Cordy slid her fingers into it, allowing him to pull her up.
“Right.” Wesley blinked, clearly a little shocked himself. “Yes, well, the tape’s in the back room.”
“Thanks.” Angel didn’t spare him a glance.
“No problem.” Wesley pushed his glasses up, clearly unable to stop his staring. Angel however, only had eyes for Cordy. Buffy stifled a snort of laughter when he pushed open the bathroom door and began to lead her through it, only to pause when she tugged at his hand and he realised his mistake. He grinned sheepishly and Faith giggled, not one for demonstrating the same courtesy as Buffy.
Cordelia only smiled, brushing an affectionate hand against his jaw before pulling him through the right door and into the back room.
Buffy could only stare wide-eyed as silence settled over the room. She glanced at Faith, who now wore a similar expression. They were both thinking the same thing.
“You think maybe we missed a news bulletin?” Faith asked.
“An episode of what-the-hell-is-going-on, even?” Buffy quipped.
“Angel and Cordelia…” Wesley muttered. He stared at the girls. “When you suggested it, I don’t think I ever acknowledged that you were serious.”
Buffy smirked at him. “That’s what you get.”
“Dammit.” Faith growled, drawing their attention back to her. “I knew I should have bet on it.”
16:23 PM
Cordelia could feel Angel watching her as she led him into the back room. She suppressed a shiver as his finger slid up her hand, tracing cool circles over her wrist. Cordy cleared her throat, dropping his hand and scanning the tall, wooden shelf along the wall.
“We’ll only be able to turn off the cameras for a minute – any longer and they might get suspicious. You’ll have just under 60 seconds to replace the current tape with this one.” Cordelia pulled the tape off the third shelf, handing it to Angel. “Then the rest is up to us.”
“I can manage that.” Angel said, smiling at her. “Did you get my note?”
Cordy’s lips tugged up at the sides and she nodded, blushing. “Yes.”
“Good.” His touch was tender as his hand brushed her cheek and he pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “I didn’t want you thinking I was the wham-bam type.”
Cordy scrunched up her nose. “There was hardly any…whamming.” She smirked. “Or bamming at that.”
“Pity…” Angel murmured, trailing his fingers down her cheek and giving her chin a gentle tug upwards. Electricity crackled in the air between them as he took a step closer, his lips nestling against hers, feasting hungrily on her mouth. A jolt shot through her as his tongue snaked out, urging her to give in. She allowed herself a moment, allowed him to pull her so close she felt his chest against her own, hard and unyielding.
“Angel…” She mumbled. He growled low in his throat, arms tightening around her. “Angel…stop.” Cordelia pulled back, a soft, popping sound hitting the air between them as they separated. For a beat, she simply stared, fascinated by his wet lips. Then she shook her head, curling her fingers around his lapels. “I have work to do.”
“Right. Work.” He nodded, clearing his throat. Silence descended over them as he straightened his collar, seemingly contemplating something. Finally, he spoke. “I don’t really like the thought of you doing this.”
Cordy stiffened slightly, rolling her eyes. “It’s my job, Angel.”
“Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
Her eyes flashed with irritation. “I could care less whether or not *you* like it.” She retorted.
“Cordy…” He frowned when she scowled at him, shaking off his attempt to grab her hand. He paused then, knowing he’d hit a nerve, and looked imploringly at her. “Don’t get mad at me, I…” He sucked in a breath, stared at her. “Just, be careful tonight, okay?”
“Angel…” She warned, never having taken well to being mollycoddled.
“Cordelia…” The pleading facade disappeared and the vampire didn’t back down, instead straightening to his full, intimidating height and pinning her with a firm look.
Cordy stared at him for several seconds, participating in a brief battle of wills before she sighed and her face softened at the pure concern in his eyes. “Okay.” She whispered, pressing a quick, hard kiss to his mouth before taking his hand and leading him back into the front room.
17:12 PM.
“They should pay us for this crap, man…” Xander muttered, untangling his foot from a bush he’d stepped into while getting off the bike.
Riley shot him a look. “Riiight. Cos a guy like you really gets to drive a Harley Davidson on a daily basis.”
“It’s not about the bike.” Xander snapped, though he was staring at the damn thing like it had breasts. “It’s about the human labour.”
Riley rolled his eyes. “Suck it up, Harris.” He adjusted one of the potted plants in front of him, making sure the bikes were completely hidden from view. “You think this is good enough?”
Xander walked around the plants, stopping just in front of them. “Looks fine.” He turned around, looking up at the tall façade of Wolfram and Hart a few yards away. “Man…” He breathed, turning back to face Riley. “It ever bug you that Cordelia’s tougher than you are?”
Riley’s head snapped up, thrown by the unexpected question. “She’s not tougher than me!” He groused, narrowing his eyes when he saw Xander grinning. “I don’t know what *you’re* giggling about Alexandra. Buffy could probably snap you in half.”
“Hey!” Xander yelped, running after Riley when he began to walk off. “There’s no need for name calling. Yeesh,” He mumbled, “That’s the problem with you jocks. No sense of humour – ”
He was cut off when Riley shoved him, sending him sprawling into a rose bush.
18:29 PM.
“The bikes have been parked here.” Wesley pointed to a spot on the map, glancing up every now and then to see the girls were still following. Angel had left a little while ago with his instructions. “I will guide you through the building via earpiece and this camera,” He lifted a small pin from the table, handing it to Buffy, “which will be pinned to one of your shirts. However, you do need to memorise the plan in case there are any technical hitches.”
Cordelia shot him a wary look that he promptly ignored, continuing. “You’ll gain access through this door on the terrace. Once you’re in I’m going to lock it so you must remember you cannot exit from there. Angel will have switched the tapes by then and I’ll de-activate the security systems inside so you can pass freely.”
He pinned each girl with a hard, concerned stare. “You must be cautious in there. There may be obstructions you wont be able to see. Just do as I say and – ”
“No funny business.” Faith finished for him, nodding. “We hear ya.”
“I mean it, ladies.” Wesley said. “None whatsoever.”
“Zip, squap, bupkis, nada.” Cordy said, grinning.
“Alright, then.” Wesley stood, wincing when his knees clicked. “Once you have the required information, get out as quickly and as quietly as you can. Your transportation will be the bikes. The helicopter will have left by then.” He held his fingers out, dangling two sets of keys from it, which he dropped into Cordy’s hand.
He clicked on the remote control and the wall across the room opened, splitting in between to reveal weaponry. The girls each grabbed a gun, sliding it into the holster at their side. Buffy adjusted the contact lens once again and Faith took the miniature camera from her, attempting to pin in to her shirt.
“I see you all went with the black on black ensemble.” Wesley said with a grin. “Deadly.” His grin quickly faded when he noticed Faith jabbing the pin into her outfit, evidently having difficulty with the clasp. “Good God woman, this is ridiculously expensive technology! It’s not a bloody toy!”
Faith smirked when he grabbed it from her, his eyes squinting in concentration as he pushed it through the material. “Any excuse to cop a feel, huh Wes? I could sue for sexual harassment.”
The look he shot her could have cut her in half.
Cordelia rolled her eyes, turning to Buffy. “Can we go now? Before either of them starts up again and my ears bleed.” She grinned cheekily at Wes and Faith when they frowned at her.
Buffy laughed. “Ya know we love ya, Wes.” She kissed him on the cheek and gathered her jacket before following Cordy out the door, Faith right behind her.
“I bet James Bond never had to put up this shit.” Wesley grumbled, turning on his heel and heading for the computer.
20:34 PM
“Evening Bill.”
“Mr Angel!” The security guard scrambled out of his seat, dropping his doughnut back in its plastic container and adopting a more casual stance against the counter. “Uh, Tim’s just doing a check upstairs with the other fellas.” He smiled widely. “What can *I* help you with, sir?”
Angel was careful to keep his expression blank. “Did you do a perimeter check like I asked you to?”
“The boys are on it right now, sir.” Bill leaned forward. “Twelfth floor, right? Secretary told you she saw a cleaner she didn’t recognize hanging around one of the booths just before she left?”
“That’s correct.” Angel’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Why aren’t you with them?” Bill opened his mouth to respond but Angel cut him off tersely. “You’re the head of floor security, Bill. I’d hate to get the impression you of all people weren’t doing a thorough job.”
The security guard swallowed. “Of…of course, right away, sir.” Bill nodded dutifully, his hand locking onto the gun at his hip. “I’ll join the guys.” He muttered something into his walkie-talkie and Angel heard a brief affirmative response under several bars of static.
“I appreciate that.” Angel said, staying perfectly still barring the quick flick of his wrist as Bill moved past him to punch the elevator key. The doors opened with a sharp pinging sound and Bill stepped inside, tipping his hat in Angel’s direction as the doors closed on him.
Swiftly, the vampire pulled his phone out of his pocket flipping it open and punching in a number. He held it to his ear, the voice on the other end filtering through.
“Now.” Angel ordered.
20:37 PM
Wesley typed in the access code, his fingers a blur of movement beneath him. The screen lit up and Wes clicked on the required section, punching in another password. He smiled when the site enabled him access, displaying a variety of different options on either side of the screen, the large space in the centre revealing several different feeds, each from a different location.
A large red button beneath the feeds read, OFF. Wesley clicked on it. Immediately the images disappeared, a triangular warning signal appearing and flashing on the screen. Wesley scrambled for his phone, putting it against his ear.
“Sixty seconds. Go.”
20:38 PM
Angel moved with preternatural speed, stopping behind the security counter. He bent down, scanning the dark storage area beneath the desk. He pulled the keys he’d sneaked off Bill’s belt, flipping them in his fingers until he found one that fit the lock on the locker, tucked away under the desk. It slid in easily and he turned it, yanking the door open.
Several wires obstructed his vision and Angel blinked, pushing them aside as the recorder was revealed to him. He pressed the eject button, grabbing the new tape and replacing it with the old one hidden inside his jacket. Angel looked up quickly at one of the cameras, the one carrying the feed from the twelfth floor. It revealed a dark, empty corridor flanked by over a dozen vacated booths. The time showed 20:38 PM.
The security guards were nowhere in sight.
Satisfied that the tape and the recorder were both working as planned, he swiftly closed the locker, locking it once again. Angel stood, dropping the keys onto the counter and sliding the new tape into the lining of his jacket. He walked leisurely to the elevator, pulling his phone out along the way.
Wesley’s voice sounded through the receiver once again and Angel stepped through the opening doors of the lift with a wicked smile. “It’s done.”
20:41 PM
Wesley replaced the phone in its cradle, glancing at his stopwatch. 39 seconds.
“Impressive.” Wes murmured, swiftly clicking on the red button in the bottom centre of the screen again. The flashing sign disappeared and the video feeds clicked back on, transferring to the site via the main feed.
Wesley smirked. “Very impressive indeed…”
