Part 60
“You have two choices, Cordelia. Run or fight. In case you miss my point, you’re being challenged. “
Cordelia scrambled up the metal staircase.
“You can’t play hide and seek with me.”
Duh. The buzzing in her brain was getting louder. Cordelia searched the area trying to see the other woman in the hazy mixture of sunbeams and shadows. She quickened her pace as she got a glimpse of brown hair and glint of steel through blurry dim light.
Cordelia jumped off the ladder, landing on her knees on a metal platform. She ran dodging rusted holes. Stupid. Never run up. She read that somewhere, she should’ve paid attention to the advice. Cordelia scanned the area.
How in the hell was she going to get out now? Cordelia looked longingly at the windows. She shook her head, jumping didn’t guarantee safety, if she landed wrong and broke something or god forbid died Cassandra would have time to take her eyes and her head. Cordelia had no clue why the Immortal wanted her eyes or the spell and really she didn’t care to know the specifics, it was bad enough knowing what she did know.
Cordelia needed a weapon.
“Should’ve run down.” Cassandra took a step on the platform.
“Duh, Geez, talking about saying the obvious.” Cordelia backed up, looking as her boot kicked at a metal pipe. Not a sword, but it would have to do.
“Pipe against sword?” Cassandra swung her blade. Cordelia jerked the pipe up to meet the swing.
***
Angel wrapped his leather coat around his hand and arm and then punched open the manhole cover. He squished his body against the ladder, placing his boots on the outside of the rails and smoothly dropped to the ground mindful of keeping his body out of the stream of daylight that beamed straight down into the cavern of the sewer.
Angel took his coat and covered his head and hands, leaping straight upwards into the daylight, once his feet it the ground, he ran diving into the glass window of the warehouse. Angel kept rolling instinctively searching for shade.
***
“I told him to wait.” Gunn threw the blanket back in the car. “Let’s go.” He held up his axe.
Duncan grabbed at the black man’s arm. “Cassandra’s in there so is Cordelia. We can rescue Cordelia, but if she and Cassandra are fighting you can’t interfere, no one can, not even the vampire.”
“Yeah, like hell. That bitch ain’t taking Cordy’s head,” Gunn ran into the warehouse.
“Methos.”
Methos shrugged. “Cass is bending the rules, Mac, gun toting humans, vampires, spells.”
“But, she hasn’t broken any yet. So we can’t, Cordelia can’t.”
“Cordelia doesn’t have her sword, possibly not her eyes, if you don’t want ‘a by the rules massacre’, I suggest we go in there and challenge as Gunn correctly stated ‘that bitch’. Don’t worry, I’ll do it.”
“You can’t kill her, you didn’t.”
“She’s already had her one shot at my head. And don’t be so sure that I would’ve let her take it then, she’s your friend never mine.” Methos followed Gunn into the warehouse.
Part 61
Angel stood in the shadows, his eyes searching for the source of the heartbeat that seemed too resonant in his chest, calling to his every need and thought.
His gaze locked up on the fighting women twenty feet above. Angel took only a moment to recognize that Cordelia was managing to fight off the other Immortal with a pipe. With a growl, Angel leapt into the air, his boots smacking on the metal platform as he landed several feet behind Cassandra.
“Angel.” Cordelia’s call of surprise turned into one of a plea. “You can’t.” She yelled as she saw the vampire prepare to tackle Cassandra.
Cassandra swirled her sword slicing into the approaching vampire as she kicked out.
“Angel.” Cordelia screamed.
Cassandra turned. “Thanks for the warning. And you thought I was a cheater, getting your boyfriend to try to interfere.”
Cordelia watched in horror as Angel’s body fell through the spattering of sunlight causing his body to smoke as it tumbled to the ground.
“Uhuh,” Cassandra held up her sword to Cordelia’s neck stopping the young woman’s movement to the edge of the platform. “You aren’t going anywhere.”
Cordelia swung out with her fist, her anger and fear for Angel directing her blow. Cassandra staggered back. Cordelia followed through with a kick pushing the Immortal and her sword further away. Cordelia twirled, kicking high knocking Cassandra’s sword from her grasp.
***
“Shit. Angel.” Gunn ran towards the prone smoking vampire. Gunn yanked at Angel’s jacket pulling him into more shaded area.
Stunned, Angel groaned, slowly moving his head.
“Man.” Gunn tried to keep the vampire down as Angel started to sit up.
“I’m fine.” Angel shook off Gunn’s hands and stood.
Duncan grabbed at the vampire. “You can’t go back up there.”
Angel growled, seeing red. The Immortal was the embodiment of all that made up Angel’s fear and rage about the change in Cordelia’s life. The vampire seized Duncan’s jacket throwing the Immortal far, Duncan’s body slammed into a steel beam.
“Great.” Methos blew out a frustrated loud breath and ran to his friend.
***
Cassandra jerked up her empty hand blocking Cordelia’s next punch, swinging her left fist.
The metal platform swayed under the violence of the Immortal’s fight, the rusted surface straining under the pressure.
***
“NO.” Angel growled as the platform broke. His body was blur-catching Cordelia before she hit the ground. He rolled with her clutching her tight to his chest. Cordelia blinked, looking down at the vampire underneath her. “Saving me again,” she said softly.
“It’s something I just like to do.” He whispered cupping her chin.
Cordelia closed her eyes, burying her head into his chest for a moment. Her head jerked up and she scrambled off him, her hands going to his jacket. “You were cut and you fell.” She pulled at Angel’s shirt.
“I’m fine.”
“Angel,” her finger lightly traced the thin line of blood showing through his shirt.
“It’s not deep.”
Cordelia bit her lip, her eyes tearing up. “I yelled, it’s my fault,” her finger going back to the wound.
“Shh,” Angel lifted her chin. “Come on.” Angel stood, pulling Cordelia to her feet.
“Angel?”
“I want you to go with Gunn.” Angel beckoned their friend over. “Take Cordy home.” Angel’s eyes remained fixed on Cassandra struggling to get to her feet.
“Gottcha ya.” Gunn held out his hand.
“Angel, no.” Cordelia shook her head, moving to stand in between the vampire and the Immortal.
“Cordy, go home.” Angel said forcibly.
“And leave you here, no, I can’t.” Cordelia clutched on to his arm.
“She’s still a danger to you, Cordy.”
“I know that’s why I have to finish it, you can’t save me from this, not this way.”
***
“That hurt.” Cassandra brushed off her clothes and scanned the floor for her sword. “Ah, there it is.”
“Cass, don’t do this.” Duncan pleaded.
“Little late.”
“You can leave. Just go.”
Cassandra laughed. “Oh Mac, look around. I just can’t go.”
“I won’t let the vampire touch you.”
“And Methos.” Cassandra waved her sword towards the other Immortal.
“He won’t…”
“Don’t speak for me Duncan.” Interrupted Methos. “But, I do agree, drop your challenge against Cordy. She’s useless to you now. The spell won’t work. She has her eyes. You don’t need her quickening. Come on, Cass, you know you always wanted to have another go at my head.”
“Tempting, but no. But, maybe after I finish what I started with Cordelia.”
“You aren’t doing anything to Cordy,” Angel stepped forward. “You want a fight, you’ll get one.” Angel moved swiftly snatching the sword from Methos’ hand.
“Didn’t anyone tell the vampire that’s not how we play?” Cassandra tsked.
“I don’t play your game and neither does Cordelia.”
“NO.” Cordelia ran up to the vampire grabbing at the sword. “You can’t do this, Angel. This is the one time you can’t save me. Please.”
“Cordy.”
“No, Angel, I mean it, you can’t interfere anymore.” Cordelia’s eyes begged the vampire to understand.
“Listen, to your girlfriend.” Cassandra mocked. “It’ll be over soon.”
“Shut up, Cassandra.” Duncan shook his head, finally his feelings of friendship for the old Immortal died, realizing what Methos had been trying to tell him. “Cordy,” Duncan pulled out Cordy’s sword, tossing it to her.
Cordelia nodded her thanks, catching the blade confidently in the air.
“Are you fuckin nuts?” Gunn yelled.
“Cordy.” Angel grabbed at her arm.
“I love you, now stay put. I have to do this. Don’t make me take this outside, please, Angel.”
Part 62
Cordelia faced Cassandra. She tried not to think about Angel or her fear. She raised her sword as she had done everyday since she became an Immortal, swinging with the skill Duncan taught her.
The blades clashed echoing in the silence of the warehouse. The women danced gracefully around each other dodging and parrying, the violence of the opposing weapons a direct contrast to the beauty of their movements.
Angel stood motionless, his clenched fists the only outward evidence of the brutal battle waging inside. Every muscle, every blind instinct screamed for him to protect Cordelia, to tear apart the woman that was threatening her. One and only one thing was keeping him still and that was the plea in Cordelia’s eyes, begging him not to interfere.
Cordelia had implored him not to save her. For her, Angel would have to accept that the Immortal’s game was real. That knowledge galled him and made him need to react in violence to give his rage and fear an outlet.
Angel remained still. He would do what Cordelia wanted, but he vowed if she died, then he had no reason to abide by the Immortals’ rules, they all would die.
Cordelia circled her opponent trying to pinpoint her weakness. Unfortunately, all Cordy was figuring out was the woman’s strengths. Cassandra was good, very good. Which wasn’t surprising, the Immortal had almost five thousands years to hone her craft. But, she had to have a weakness; both Angel and Duncan said everyone had them and if the vampire and the Immortal agreed on anything, they did agree on that and Cordelia believed them.
Cordelia just couldn’t see it. Cassandra’s techniques were flawless. Cordy thought about it -that was her weakness. Cassandra relied too much on her skill with a sword. On the platform, unarmed Cordelia had the advantage.
Cordelia lowered her guard, dropping to her left hand, kicking out with her feet. Cassandra jumped back avoiding the blow. “I saw that.”
“But, have you seen this.” Cordelia pushed up from ground punching Cassandra straight in the face, blooding her nose.
Cordelia let her sword fall to the ground, as she punched again with her left fist.
“What the hell is she doing? She dropped her sword. She needs that, right?” Gunn looked around frantically for some one to answer him.
Cordelia jabbed again, knocking Cassandra’s sword from her hand. Cordelia kicked the blade causing it to skitter across the floor away from the Immortals.
“Now, let’s see what you can do.” Cordelia yanked at Cassandra’s hair, preventing the other woman from going to her sword. She swirled the Immortal around again, back handing Cassandra with a harsh blow.
Cordelia was always a fast learner and had a talent for mimicking any routine she ever saw and she utilized every dirty trick, punch, kick that she ever saw Angel use in his unarmed battles.
Angel’s rage was being replaced by pride and amazement as he watched Cordelia execute a perfect copy of one of his more unorthodox vicious moves. “I never taught her that.” Angel grinned as Cordelia plummeted Cassandra to the ground.
“I didn’t, either.” Duncan smiled.
Angel shot a look over to the Immortal. Fuck, he was standing again. “I know. That’s my move.”
Duncan ignored Angel’s glare and looked back to the fight. “Cordy’s going to do it.”
“What’s with you? She doesn’t have her sword.” Gunn yelled.
“She doesn’t need it yet, she just needs to remember where it is. Cass always did rely too much on her blade.” Duncan nodded in admiration.
Cordelia swung one more time landing a sharp blow to Cassandra’s neck. The Immortal fell to ground, choking.
Cordelia moved quickly, picking up her sword.
Cordelia stood over Cassandra as the woman got to her knees.
“There can only be one.” Cassandra coughed.
Cordelia gulped in a tired heavy breath. “Not you.” She swung.
Cordelia staggered back, her sword falling to the ground as her hands dropped to her knees. She looked at the headless body and wanted to throw up.
Duncan held Angel back as the vampire moved towards Cordelia. “The Quickening.”
Angel didn’t have the time to shove the Immortal again as the air vibrated with static, blue streaks of electric charges swirled from the headless body up and around Cordelia’s slumped form. The young woman screamed out as the energy pierced through her lifting her off the ground.
“It’s okay.” Duncan pulled at a stunned Angel. “It will be over in a minute, she’ll be fine.”
Angel shot a look at the Immortal, shaking off his hand. He’s eyes targeted Cordelia as her body sparked and small spasms shook her body.
The phenomenon suddenly stopped. Cordelia dropped to the ground, slowly trying to stand. “Wow.” She blinked giving a shaky smile to Angel. “I’m….” she screamed clutching at her head, her body jerking on the floor, writhing in agony.
“Is that normal, for the quick whatever jazz?” Gunn looked at the Immortals.
“No.” both Duncan and Methos shook their head.
Angel stared as he recognized the symptoms. “A vision,” Angel ran to Cordelia, gathering her shaking body his arms. Angel struggled to restrain Cordelia’s flailing arms. “Shush, baby, shush,” he whispered trying to calm her strangled cries.
“Yep, that’s a vision.” Gunn blinked.
“That’s what a vision did to her.” Duncan and Methos stared at the black man.
Gunn nodded, his eyes staying on Cordelia and Angel. “She doesn’t have them anymore. This one is really bad. How?”
“Cordy,” Angel yelled as the young woman froze in his arms. “Gunn.”
The black man scrambled to the other side of the still woman. “Now what’s going on? That never happened before.”
Angel stared at the sightless hazel eyes, twitching at some hidden horror, silent tears streaming from the blank eyes.
“Yes it did,” real fear creeping into Angel’s voice. “Once before, Vocah’s curse. For forty-eight hours, she stayed, strapped in the hospital sedated seeing, experiencing endless visions, they were driving her insane, killing her.” Angel cradled Cordelia’s body closer. “What did that woman do to her?” He yelled to the Immortals.
“We got to get her to a hospital.” Gunn urged.
“No. They can’t do anything.” Angel brushed at Cordelia’s face. “Baby, come on.”
As in answer to Angel’s prayers, Cordelia blinked once showing glistening beautiful seeing eyes. “Angel,” she whispered.
“Shush, baby, you had a vision…”
Cordelia struggled, pushing his arms off of her. “We have to go the hotel now.”
“Cordy, the vision.”
“Now.” She jumped to her feet, anger replacing her previous weakened state.
“Okay, now what the hell is happening?” Gunn shook his head and ran after Cordy and Angel.
***
“Okay, now what the hell is happening.”? Lilah paced back and forth in front of the prone body lying on her couch.
“Looks like his brain short-circuited.” Lindsay pointed to the stain seeping into the leather that cushioned the demon’s overly large head. “It’s leaking. You’re going to need to get a new couch I think that’s one ruined.”
“He’s still breathing.”
“He’s not moving.”
“Well, some one needs MOVE his spattered brain off my sofa and tell me what the hell is going on.” Lilah picked up the phone.
***
“Go faster.” Cordelia called from the back seat.
“Cordy, talk to me.” Angel reached for the woman. Cordelia shook her head and scrunched further into the side of the door. Angel dropped his hand and stared out at the horizon, the glow of the dangerous sun disappearing.
***
Cordelia could feel the tension in Angel at her silence. She wanted to reassure him, but she couldn’t. How could she? She couldn’t reassure herself. She couldn’t tell him what the Quickening had done. If she tried to explain she would break down, the memory of the visions too close, the pain still vibrating in her head. Cordelia couldn’t indulge her self in self-pity or seek out Angel’s comfort. She needed to be directed not by her despair but by her rage. She closed her eyes and pushed away the visions and the countless past terrors and screams of the victims she hadn’t saved.
Angel stole a look at the young woman, grudgingly grateful that the other Immortals chose not to crowd her. They left her to him. Finally, they realized where she belonged. But, Angel didn’t understand. Cordelia kept moving, disappearing into the other side of car to get away from him. He looked again and calmed enough to use his other senses.
The heartbeat that he loved was frantic with fear or anger, or was it something else? Angel closed his eyes concentrating on his other senses. Anger, definitely, he smelled her blood spike with the emotional additive, fear, though was also present. He stole another glance. The tears had started to silently trail down her smooth cheeks again.
Angel ignored his vampire instincts and concentrated on what he knew about Cordelia. Tears did not run down her cheeks, not willing, not without cause. Anger, fear, yes, he sensed them from Cordelia before but those emotions were usually accompanied by loud yelling, talking or babbling, but true pain, sadness, they were never volunteered they were hidden in silence. His Cordy was truly hurting.
“Cordy, tell me,” Angel turned.
Cordelia brushed at her face and stared at Angel. “Not now, Angel, not now,” she bit her lips giving a small smile grabbing at the vampire’s hand. “Don’t make me, not yet, please,” She rubbed her lips together trying to smile. “Please.”
Angel’s first reaction was to kill, kill what ever made Cordelia so helpless and pleading, unfortunately, luckily there was no one to kill, so Angel concentrated on the young woman’s tears. Angel slowly nodded.
Cordelia gasped and scooted quickly up against Angel’s body, “Hold me, please.”
Angel jerked trying to be gentle but at Cordy’s gasp, he was sure he failed, but otherwise she wasn’t complaining and she was now securely against his body, Angel wouldn’t worry too much about the rest until he had to.
