Part 39
Wesley grimaced, pinching the bridge of his nose. It was a headache that wouldn’t go away, one borne of stress, anxiousness and fear- fear of failure.
He glanced at the all the books strewn before him wanting to yell and throw them up against he wall, they told him nothing. He leaned back in his chair looking at all the remaining thousands of books lining the walls and the multiple number of file cabinets in the room.
How did he ever think that he had the knowledge to do this, how did he ever think he had the ability, his father was right. He was useless.
Wesley leaned down pressing the heels of his palms to his forehead. The only thought that kept him going was that if he gave up he would have to die; to live with out trying was unacceptable. Wesley lifted his head and read again the ancient passage before him.
“Lunch?”
Wesley looked perplexed at the woman draped over his desk. He shook his head as he remembered. Stress relief in its most evil and seductive form.
“I’m not hungry.”
“Are you sure,” Lilah reached down and cupped his jaw.
Wesley pushed her hand away. “Leave me alone.”
Lilah leaned back a little puzzled, not that she really expected Wesley to jump on the table and grab her. But she did expect little more than a brush off or at least one with a little more wit and style. Wesley sounded almost desperate.
Wesley turned a page, thinking forcing himself to believe in his abilities.
“Don’t they have rules here, I’m sure they do, I’m working here, you of all people should understand that ethic. Work before pleasure unless of course you can combine the two in an evil frenzy. Not possible here unless you want to read Odoacer’s Death Wish- chapter five, very informative It’s just over there-it has pictures and everything,” Wesley pointed at the bookshelves.
Lilah slid off the top of the table into a chair, more secure at Wesley’s response. That sounded much more like the man she had been sleeping with for the past few months. “Still holding out. When will you give it up?”
“There is nothing to give up. I know what I want.”
“And what exactly is that Wesley?”
Wesley leaned up cradling Lilah’s chin. “What I deserve. Go.” He pushed her away,” I can’t concentrate on doing what I need to do with you here.”
“My god that was flattery.” Lilah stood. “I’ll check on you later.”
“Please don’t.”
“Ooh, I think I’ve figured out your code,” she reached down capturing Wesley ‘s lips. “I’ll see you later,” getting up and leaving the room.
“Goodbye, Lilah.” Wesley said with every fiber of his being.
Wesley looked at the corners of the room, knowing those were the most obvious spot for hidden cameras that probably meant they were somewhere else. It didn’t really matter, he just needed to get out of the room tonight alive and with some answers, tomorrow, he could care less about what showed up on the tapes.
Wesley got up and moved toward the row of books aligned against the wall. He didn’t know which to choose next. Every thing on the Tro-clan he had found- he already knew- which was almost nothing. The little girl- incorporeal demon or power entity that can take human form and kill. Not much there or rather millions there to choose from. Wesley looked at his watch. It was getting late. He had already pulled and torn out every page of any book that he thought at least reassembled importance.
He looked at his watch again. Wesley went to the largest file cabinet in the room and opened the first drawer. He was impressed by the thoroughness but it wasn’t anything he already didn’t know. The next. Interesting for it ‘s blood, guts and drama but still it was old history. He pulled the third drawer, knew it too. The council had all this, Wesley wondered if Wolfram & Hart had stolen it from them or if the council had stolen it from the law firm.
He’s brow scrunched, pulling out a small file amidst the larger one. He leafed through the papers inside. It had nothing to do with the situation at hand but it was something he didn’t know. He grabbed the paper that drew his attention and shoved it in his pant leg with the others. Wesley looked at his watch again.
He took a deep breath. It was time to see Connor.
He just hoped that the security spells that he saw embedded on every volume of text and file weren’t put on each individual piece of paper or page. He took a deep breath and shoved the file cabinet labeled Angel closed. Wesley would rely on the bureaucratic train of thought; reciting spells on every page would be way too much work. He left the bowels of Wolfram & Hart’s real library, nodding to the demon at the desk.
***
“I didn’t call you.” Connor paced.
Wesley wondered if the young man ever stayed still. So, unlike his father in that regards, Angel had the ability and seemed the desire at times to lurk motionlessly until he disappeared, but not his son. Connor was a buddle of energy. But, then he was in a cage. Again, Wesley was reminded of a trapped wild animal.
“I know but it was necessary.” Wesley looked again at his watch- 7:45 p.m. His original thought had been to come earlier -to try and prepare the boy more. But, now he was glad he decided differently. There would’ve never been enough time in the 24 hours he had been allotted. Surprise was the best way.
“Connor, a vampire can exist indefinitely without feeding, the damage to higher brain functions under prolonged starvation however be catastrophic. The degree to which the vampire is affected is determined by many things, the primary being of course how soon the vampire feeds.”
“Why are you telling me this? What do I care?”
“You should care because Angel has been confined without feeding for over a month. I’ve spoken to him on several occasions since his release…” Wesley paused at the boy’s sudden stillness and readjusted his earlier thoughts.
Connor could turn to stone just like his father. “Yes, Connor, Angel has been released. And as I was saying, he seems to be in relatively good shape considering his ordeal, both mentally and physically. But you must, recognize that it was an ordeal he went through.”
Wesley turned from the boy, glancing at his watch again. He went to a small paneled device by the door, manipulating the wires within.
“I don’t care about him. He killed…”
Wesley turned back to the boy. “Justine lied to you, Connor, and we have the proof and soon so will you,” picking up a chair and smashing it into the camera on the wall. “I just hope it makes a difference.”
“What’s happening?” Connor tensed ready to spring.
“You’re going home.” Wesley reached up behind the boy pushing a tazer into his back. Blue and white lights of electricity charged into the boy’s body. Wesley pressed in again until the boy was unconscious. “I just hope that you will want to stay.” Wesley looked up as Gunn and Fred barged in.
“That’s one way to get his cooperation,” Gunn looked at Connor’s body on the floor.
“It seemed for the best. Take him. I need to get to Angel before he goes to the top floor.”
“Wesley,” Fred questioned.
“He’s going after the entity that had Cordy. I couldn’t find out what it was. It would be best if he didn’t challenge it at this time.”
“That wasn’t part of the plan we discussed,” Gunn grunted.
“Cordy’s with him.” Fred said worriedly.
“Then I better hurry.” Wesley took off in the opposite direction.
“You ready, girl?” Gunn said settling an unconscious Connor over his shoulder.
Fred raised her crossbow and tazer. “We made it in okay.”
“Yeah, but I imagine Angel’s putting a whole lot of hurtin on some lawyers about now, the quiet ain’t going to last. Come on.”
Part 40
The conference room was filled with suited lawyers sitting neatly in a row around the rectangular table. Lilah, like the rest, waited quietly for Linwood to start the meeting. Mute security personnel stood unobtrusively but alert at the four corners of the room.
The quiet of the room was smashed as the door was kicked in. “Did I miss anything,” Angel asked cheerfully, tossing his sharp weapons, both leaving his hands with speed and force, plunging into the shoulders of the nearest guards on his left and right.
“Doesn’t look like it,” he added as the guards fell to the ground their weapons never raised. “So, Linwood, I think its time for another little heart to heart between the two of us, don’t you,” Angel growled swinging the stunned man in his chair trapping him with his arms.
“Please, remind any one foolish enough to interrupt that your life is dependent on no interruptions. I truly hate interruptions. Was anyone planning to say anything,” Angel questioned, looking up at the other startled lawyers and the standing guards.
“Lilah, come on, you’re always good for a few laughs. Anything?”
“Um, the sea air seems to have agreed with you and I see, your seer doesn’t die that easily. Neat trick. Like the hair.” Lilah stayed perfectly still, staring at Cordelia.
“Boxed,” Cordelia shrugged. “Didn’t have time for an appointment with being dead and all, next week, any recommendations.” Cordy moved towards the two far guards.
“Alexander’s on Rodeo, but it just maybe be out of your price range, maybe I can put in a good word.”
“Favors, nay, I think that boat sailed, I don’t think Wolfram & Hart will be footing anymore of my bills, Oh, I’m keeping the clothes when they come. Can I have that,” Cordelia said as she stuck her sword into one of the guard’s neck and took his gun. “Thank you. Better be quiet, I believe Angel has a lot to get off his chest.” She shrugged.
“I’d suggest a course in Anger & Management.” Lilah said.
Cordelia nodded, moving to the next guard. “I suggested it, he thought killing all lawyers would be a sufficient treatment plan. I kinda of have to agree with him on that one, getting kidnapped and tortured sucks.” She turned and smiled at the other woman.
“Let him go.” The guard shouted as he grabbed out and jerked Cordelia to his chest, his gun resting at her temple.
“Crap.” Cordelia cursed, her hand shooting up to clutch the hand and weapon that threatened her.
Angel started to move, but then stopped readjusting his hold on Linwood. “Honey, the glowly thing.”
“Ya think, Honey” Cordelia rolled her eyes, as her hand started to glow encompassing the guard’s weapon. The gun brightened, the metal vibrated, melting like hot rubber until it disappeared. Once the weapon was gone, Cordelia elbowed the guard hastening his slump to the floor. Cordelia stood over him, her tazer in hand and pressing it into the guard’s stomach. “Don’t do that again.”
“Back to the meeting at hand.” Angel leaned into Linwood, a dagger now in his hand pressing against Linwood’s cheek. “What exactly is on the top floor? Been there, of course. But never was properly introduced to it. Just who is that sweet little girl?”
“Something you can’t handle.” Linwood squirmed underneath the sharp blade.
“You better hope not or then I’ll just have to kill you and everyone in this room, my anger issues and all.”
“Do you really think that thing actually came with ‘how to destroy’ instructions.” Lilah commented. “Linwood doesn’t know. If it was me, I’d ask your girlfriend,” she nodded to Cordelia, “They seem to glow alike.”
Cordelia narrowed her eyes at the other woman. “What do you mean?”
“That cute as button little girl, glowed and pulsated right into your head, sort of like you just glowed but she was able to short-circuited your brain, how did you survive it, it looked quite painful.”
“You wanta see.” Cordelia moved towards the woman, her fingers flexing in the air.
Lilah squeezed back in her chair. “Just trying to help.”
“Well you haven’t, I’m sorry to say. If you don’t have the answers I need then, I don’t need you, any of you.” Angel growled, his hands reaching around and snapping Linwood’s neck. Angel didn’t even glance at Cordelia as he ran out of the room.
Cordelia swung her fist in Lilah’s face. “You just better be glad he’s so stubborn and you’re all just evil-weenies with law degrees.” Cordelia took off running after the vampire.
Cordelia barely squeezed her body through the closing elevator doors. She took a deep breath, glaring at Angel, starting to slap at him. “Some protector you are leaving me in room full of evil lawyers.”
Angel held up his hands warding off Cordelia’s harmless blows. “Spineless lawyers, you could’ve handled it, aren’t you the one that is always saying that you can take care of yourself. You have a sword and glowy powers.” Angel shot back.
“Geez, take me for granted, I remember a time when you wouldn’t have let me cross the street by myself, when you cared about my safety.” She pouted and crossed her arms.
“Cordy, you would’ve been fine and you know it. They would’ve gone after me, now they’re going to be after both of us.”
Cordelia slapped the vampire again on the side of the head. “I know, you idiot. Did you really think that you could just leave me and go after little evil Pollyanna alone, we settled this already- together.”
“Actually, I never agreed.”
Cordelia narrowed her eyes. “You are so in for it when we get home, buster.”
“Then you just better stay alive. Cordy, I mean it.” Angel growled.
“Well, then you just better too, uh. Hey, how do you know which buttons to push and when were you up there?”
“Later, Cordy, okay.”
“Hmmph. Angel, we have no idea how to kill that thing.”
“Decapitation kills almost everything.”
“That’s a plan, if you can get close enough to her. She’s got power. Angel, lets just go home. Please. She’s not worth it, don’t you want to go home and argue. We can make up afterwards.” She raised her brows encouragingly.
“NO.” Angel growled. “But, you will.” suddenly pushing the emergency stop button, and grabbing at Cordelia. “You will get out of this elevator and get the hell out of here. Go back to the hotel and wait.”
Cordelia didn’t struggle. “You go, I go- you push me out, I stay to be captured and I’m sure I’ll see Polly then.”
“Cordelia.”
“Angel, we don’t have time for this now, yell at me when we get home, but let me tell you the making up won’t be nearly as fun as it could’ve been.” Cordelia leaned up against the wall, her arms crossed again.
“Stubborn girl.” Angel growled.
“Stubborn dumbass,” Cordelia stuck her tongue out at the vampire.
Part 41
“Ah, Cordelia, you will continue to surprise me,” Pollyanna said from her little white chair. “And here, I thought I had removed you. Stop.” She swung pointing at the approaching vampire, his sword in mid swing.
Angel froze as white pulsating lights chained his entire body, the sword falling uselessly to the floor. “I don’t believe I wished you here.” The little girl glared at the struggling bound vampire.
“Foolish girl,” Pollyanna addressed Cordelia getting up from the chair. “You could’ve had it all, remember.” Polly raised her hand.
Cordelia stumbled, but didn’t fall, her feet rising in the air. She gasped as images of finery and fame passed through her in pleasurable bursts.
“But, you chose incorrectly.” The little girl’s tone hardened as Cordelia screamed. The images disappearing only pain replaced them.
Angel howled trying to break the energy barriers.
Cordelia strained trying to push aside the pain like the Power’s visions had shown her before. Concentrate on the power not the pain, she repeated, concentrate on the strength not the fear. She gasped landing on the ground, the pain still etched on her face but the feelings were gone.
“You’ve gotten better.” Polly wrenched up her hand as the energy straps appeared and tightened around Cordelia. “But still not good enough, they’ll never tell you all the secrets, they want you to learn and suffer while you do it. So, now you’ll suffer and maybe you’ll learn something before you die.”
Cordelia concentrated on the disjointed power flowing through her body triggered by the threat of the little girl. She had to find the strength to manage it to control it. She swung around trying to find Angel. Angel the best example of someone controlling violent power how did he do it. Will.okay, Cordy had enough will power, except when it came to ice cream and lately it seemed Angel, but on other things, she could do it.
“You little bitch,” Cordelia cried lunging from her restraints, grabbing at the little girl’s neck. The brightness that surrounded her was now coming from her own being.
“Taking me on one on one? You can’t. You don’t have the Power. You can only purge hatred and anger. I’ve neither just – nothing.” Pollyanna grasped at Cordelia’s arm, her body beginning to glow, pulsating with a violent power. “I can destroy you with a blink.”
“I don’t know, I’m sensing some aggression here,” Cordelia pushed concentrating harder the little girl stumbling back.
“You don’t have the lust to kill necessary for you to utilize the Power as a true weapon.” The little girl strained and pushed back, her light getting brighter as Cordelia’s dimmed.
“Don’t worry, I do.” Angel grabbed into the light, swinging the little girl to face him as his sword cut through her neck. Her scream vibrated off the white walls as gold and white sparks flew from her headless body dissipating in the air above.
“Cordy?” Angel ran to her crumpled body, the glowing had stopped as soon as Angel came between her and the little girl.
“Angel?”
Angel picked her up putting on her feet. “Are you all right?” searching for any signs of injury on the young woman.
“I think so. Angel, how’d you get loose?”
“Guess she couldn’t concentrate on both of us, uh. You were right- together- so, does that mean we can skip the fighting and concentrate on the making up part when we get home.” Reaching to kiss the young woman.
Cordelia pushed at the vampire. “Angel, something’s not right,” her eyes widening as she pointed to the white walls. The walls were vibrating, shaking on the foundations and sparking cracks appeared over the headless body of the little girl. “Can we say self destruct girl. We got to get out of here.” Cordelia blinked at the vampire.
Angel jerked Cordelia to him as he ran to the elevator.
“Angel,” Cordy pulled at him slamming her feet still, pointing.
The elevator doors were blinking into empty black space.
Angel surveyed the room in a glance, “Come on,” he swept Cordelia up in his arms, tucking her head in his shoulders and jumped.
Cordelia squeezed her eyes shut, gripped tighter, and screamed into the leather of his coat as they dropped down the elevator shaft.
Angel braced his fall, as his feet slammed on metal, curling his body protectively around Cordy’s. He staggered and pulled both of them upright his hand tight around a metal cable.
“We made it.” Angel said looking down at the dark hair buried into his chest.
“Made it where?” Cordelia squeaked.
“Top of the elevator. We’re safe.”
Cordy peeked one open eye up at the vampire. “Uhuh, right.” Her leg tentatively loosened its death grip on Angel’s waist to tap the metal surface that Angel was standing on. She moved her other leg when the first was satisfied with the solidity of the ground. She squinted and looked down- it looked like an elevator shaft; she looked up- it looked like a black hole, except with bright flashing explosions popping in and out of the emptiness.
“I’m not sure this is the best place to be actually safe in. See,” she jerked as Angel caught on to her and the metal surface dropped in an unfeasible speed.
Angel didn’t bother to answer he just grabbed the young woman in his arms again, pushing her onto his back,” Hang on.”
Cordelia didn’t question just grabbed pressing her body once again around Angel. She squeezed her head into the back of his shoulders as she felt them flying again through the air, only this time upwards.
She landed with a thud as Angel caught hold of a ladder attached to the wall about twenty feet from where they once were. Cordelia opened her eyes too see the metal box of the elevator plummeting down in the depths. “How do you do that?” she whispered into his ear.
“Cordy,” Angel sighed. “Just hold on, okay.” He started to ascend quickly up the ladder.
“Have I ever told you t hat you are really hot when you become superhero vamp guy, really hot,” she nuzzled into his neck, her grip becoming even tighter, rubbing her body against his back.
Angel stopped. “Stop, don’t, cease, later, not then either, just stop, okay.”
“Okay,” She nuzzled again, hugging the vampire close.
“Cordy, we are climbing up an elevator shaft in a building that could very well sink or explode into the pits of hell, stop kissing me.”
“Hmmph, okay,” she leaned her chin over his shoulder. “Love you,” she whispered.
“And shut up.”
“Okay,” Cordy sighed. “Hey, Angel,”
“WHAT,” Angel growled.
“Are those legs swinging above us? Look, hey I recognize those shoes-it’s Lilah, do we have to catch her?”
Angel glanced up. “Looks like she’s being pulled up. So, no moral dilemma needing to be contemplated and ignored.”
Cordy blew out a breath of air. “Good, but I do like her shoes.”
“Shut up.”
“Hmmph.”
Part 42
Gunn hoisted Connor more securely over his shoulders and followed Fred into the elevator.
“So far so good,” Fred said encouragingly, pushing the button for the lobby.
***
Lilah walked over to Linwood’s dead body speculating on her chances for promotion. She probably should go back to her office and make sure her files were complete. Lilah paused.
Maybe, she better check on Connor first. She started to hurry. If Angel was in the building it might not be just revenge he was after.
Lilah ran pulling out her cell phone ordering security guards to meet her on the 52nd floor.
***
Wesley ran to the elevator discreetly placed at the end of the hall. He jabbed at the numbered button that he told Angel that the board meeting was being held on. Wesley got out on the 65th floor, scanning the area.
He ran pushing open every door he passed- all were empty just rooms filled with big desks and chairs, he kept running stopping to finally to enter one of the rooms.
Linwood’s dead body sat at the head of a large rectangular table and guards were struggling up against the wall. The right room obviously, and just as obviously Angel had came and went.
Where were all the other lawyers? Wesley looked around on the floor, seeing no other bodies. Wesley wouldn’t question why he was relieved that an auburn haired bitch wasn’t lying dead in the room. He ran. Wesley skidded to a stop as he heard dinging and doors swooshing. Wesley headed for the sounds and found another set of elevators.
Jesus, how many did the building have. The area was empty and all the buttons were lighted for down. Running lawyers he assumed. Wesley stabbed at the up button, praying just this once that a rapidly pushed button responded faster. Wesley sighed as the doors swished open; he jumped in prepared to hit the top button.
His hand wavered in the air; the top button was labeled 65. Wesley scanned and quickly counted all the buttons. 66. That was good enough for him, he pushed the only unmarked knob. Wesley cocked his crossbow and opened his jacket for easy access to his dagger.
He jumped out as the doors opened and was in the same hall as he just left. Wesley shook his head and went back in the elevator; his eyes and his fingers this time counting by touch each button. 66. He tried again. The doors opened and again he was back on the 65th floor.
He was on the top floor, but he wasn’t. Wesley scanned the hall for any other elevators or possible stairway opening. He jerked as he heard a slam. He ran only to skid to a stop as he ran straight into Lilah and a team of security guards.
***
“Aw, man, this just ain’t happening,” Gunn stared from across the street.
“Charles, it is,” Fred bit at her thumbnail. “It really is and Angel, Cordy or Wesley haven’t come out of there, maybe we didn’t see them, they’re a lot of people running out. Charles, I don’t like this- we have to do something,” Fred went from worried, to optimistic, to worried again in the span of a second.
“Okay, how would suggest stopping a 70 floor building from twitching and shaking, that thing falls we ain’t finding the pieces.”
“Actually, the building plans only showed, 66, but you could be right, who knows, it looks like that sparking black hole just ate couple of floors. Charles.” Fred looked to her boyfriend, her teeth gnawing at her lip.
“I know. I’m going in, stay with superbrat, if he fights again, zap him.”
Fred looked back at the unconscious boy in the back seat of the Plymouth. “He wasn’t real happy to see us was he? How could he do that to Angel? Just seeing him brings it all real and stuff, he hurt his own father.” Fred shook her head.
“Jerry Springer for another day, if it starts tumbling down- Go”
Fred grabbed on to her boyfriend. “You be careful, save them, but Charles, if that sparky black cloud starts eating away more, run, please, it isn’t natural. Buildings aren’t supposed to do it.”
Gunn nodded and ran back towards the high-rise of Wolfram & Hart, dodging in between the evacuating people, demons and the rescue workers who were starting to trickle onto the scene. Gunn didn’t know how long that would last as he saw a paramedic run away from a scary ass-wheezing demon that started to hang on to him.
Gunn ran in not worried about any guards as the guards tumbled over their feet to get out. He started to the elevators, but jolted to a stop a he heard a loud crash and saw the doors vibrate and buckle. Stairs. God, Angel, Wesley and Cordy had been going to the top floor that was now an abyss of blackness. Please, Gunn prayed as he ran.
Gunn pounded the steps, stopping at every door on the stairwell, pushing against the people trying to get through, trying to see any familiar face. He kept running taking the steps two, then three at a time.