Part Three: <\/b>Vinco Vici Victum<\/p>\n
The gang was really starting to worry about her.<\/p>\n
That morning she made a telephone call, to whom they didn\u2019t know. On her face was a mixture of sadness and resolve. She then sat on a couch in the lobby and didn\u2019t move for three hours. Then it happened again.<\/p>\n
She gave a long cry of anguish, or at least Fred thought it was, Lorne wasn\u2019t so sure. Her body went limp once more, but this time she was able to stay conscience. She refused any attempts of aid, a fact that discouraged Groo mightily. He didn\u2019t like it when his princess wasn\u2019t happy and healthy, and right now, she was neither.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do we do?\u201d Gunn asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we just give her time,\u201d Fred said. \u201cI still think she trying to comprehend that Angel isn\u2019t Angel anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we\u2019re all trying to come to terms with that one, Cupcake,\u201d Lorne added. \u201cBut I\u2019m getting some strange readings from the Princess. I think she may be hiding something.\u201d<\/p>\n
The three turned at the sound of the front door opening. The small form of Willow Rosenburg appeared in the doorway, followed by a dark blonde form that they didn\u2019t recognized.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia?\u201d Willow called. The Wicca spotted the brunette on the couch, but was confused when she didn\u2019t respond. She jumped in surprise when a green hand touched her arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cHello there,\u201d the green demon greeted. Both girls looked at him with a tinge of fear in their eyes. \u201cWow, a couple Wiccans,\u201d the demon noted. \u201cStrong ones, too.\u201d He held out his hand in greeting. \u201cI\u2019m Lorne. The bald fellow over there is Gunn and the cutie beside him is Fred.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow took his hand tentatively. \u201cI\u2019m Willow,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd this is Tara.\u201d The blonde behind her shyly smiled and waved. \u201cCordelia called me and said she needed help.\u201d She saw that Cordelia was still staring out into space. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on? Is Cordelia ok?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe didn\u2019t tell you what\u2019s happened?\u201d Lorne asked surprised. Willow shook her head. \u201cWell then, sit down. I\u2019ll fix us a couple Sea Breezes and tell this twisted tale. But a long story short: things couldn\u2019t be worse.\u201d<\/p>\n
*************
\nAngelus stalked silently along the rooftop of the old warehouse. His demon eyesight allowed him to see through the windows and the darkness of the neighboring building. He motioned to the minions on the street across from the building.<\/p>\n
It was nearly time to attack.<\/p>\n
With ease, Angelus leapt the twenty feet and landed on the opposite rooftop. Followed by a pair of minions, he crept to the glass sky roof in the middle. Peering down, he saw nearly two-dozen vampires.<\/p>\n
The Steiner Clan.<\/p>\n
William Steiner was a relatively young vampire, just over a century old. But he was a good businessman. William ran a racketeering organization in Buffalo during Prohibition.<\/p>\n
During the Cold War he had gained a reputation for developing the best fake identification money could buy. Vampires, as well as Russian defectors, paid good money for him to create birth certificates and Social Security papers for them.<\/p>\n
Starting in the mid 1980\u2019s, Steiner moved to Los Angeles and became a major player in drug trafficking. His main claim to fame was helping turn Metamphetamine from a local drug of choice into a pipeline stretching into the Midwest. He also ran Crack and LSD, as well as some guns, but Metamphetamine continued to be his main crop.<\/p>\n
But Angelus didn\u2019t care about drugs, although a few of his minions might. What he cared about was the fact that William Steiner had power. With power, there could be resistance, and with resistance, Angelus\u2019 hope for creating his own empire could be shattered.<\/p>\n
So William Steiner had to be destroyed.<\/p>\n
The vampires inside were stunned when the front and rear doors were shattered. His minions rushed in and immediately began to drive back the enemy. Angelus decided to make his grand entrance.<\/p>\n
All looked up as Angelus dropped in a shower of glass. Leather duster flowing, Angelus was a menacing sight. Drawing a stake from his pocket, he dusted the first awestruck vampire he saw. Two more quickly followed before Steiner\u2019s minions remembered to fight back.<\/p>\n
Angelus then drew the sword strapped to his belt. Leaving the fight to his minions, he went in search of Steiner. Kicking open a door, the smell of steam told him it lead to a boiler room below. Throwing caution aside, Angelus rushed down the steps, his demon senses trying to pick up the scent of a vampire he\u2019d met only once before. Thinking he found it, Angelus allowed his nose to lead him.<\/p>\n
A hatchet whizzed by his head and opened a steam valve. The hot gas momentarily blinded Angelus. Steiner quickly used the opportunity to attack.<\/p>\n
The small vampire used his speed to beat a reeling Angelus back against a boiler. The elder vampire managed to deflect the blows of his opponent\u2019s sword, but just barely. He was still hurting from the steam.<\/p>\n
Steiner swung his sword in a quick arc towards Angelus\u2019 head. The elder managed to duck as the sword punctured another pipe and blasted the younger in the face. It was all Angelus needed. Quickly turning, Angelus delivered a vicious cut to the younger vampire\u2019s side.<\/p>\n
Steiner tried to turn and counter, but a quick slice severed the hand that held the sword. Steiner\u2019s scream of pain echoed throughout the basement. Angelus\u2019 grin grew wider at the sound.<\/p>\n
\u201cVeni, Vidi, Vici, William,\u201d Angelus taunted in his Irish accent. \u201cI came, I saw, I conquered.\u201d<\/p>\n
One cut was all it took to end William Steiner\u2019s existence. His head didn\u2019t even hit the floor before his body turned to ash.<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry Billy,\u201d Angelus said. \u201cIt\u2019s just business.\u201d<\/p>\n
*************
\n\u201cIs she okay?\u201d Tara asked as she sat next to Cordelia. The young brunette seemed to be in a trance of sorts. Her vacant eyes were dilated and her breath was coming in short pants.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe seems to be doing that often,\u201d Fred observed.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia?\u201d Willow asked. The redhead gently laid her hand on the other girl\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n
Cordy gave a short shout of surprise and nearly fell of the couch. It took a few moments before she was able to remember where she was. Finally, she looked up and saw that Willow had arrived.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi,\u201d she said with a small smile. \u201cI didn\u2019t hear you come in. This must be Tara?\u201d The blond next to her smiled and nodded. \u201cNow that you guys are here, let\u2019s go to Wesley\u2019s office and talk shop.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia slowly stood up and led the way to the office. A confused Tara and Willow followed. The rest of the gang looked on. Maybe these two would be able to help get their friend back.<\/p>\n
**************
\n\u201cKelemoke!\u201d Angelus called out triumphantly. The vampire led his minions through the halls of Kelemoke\u2019s palace. In his right hand Angelus held a leash, the collar around the neck of a young girl. The brunette didn\u2019t look a day over 16. The frightened child stayed as far behind the vampire as she possibly could. When she reached the end of her leash, Angelus would jerk the cord, making the girl whimper in fear all the more.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngelus!\u201d the tribesman greeted. \u201cDid all go well?\u201d Kelemoke took Angelus in a quick embrace that the other returned.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndeed it did,\u201d Angelus replied happily. \u201cWilliam Steiner is no more.\u201d He then motioned to the girl behind him. \u201cFor the use of your men, I bring you a gift. How rare it is to find a girl her age still a virgin.\u201d<\/p>\n
The vampires laughed as Kelemoke happily took the girl\u2019s leash. \u201cThank you for the consideration, Angelus. But I have a gift for you as well. I hope you find her suitable.\u201d Kelemoke motioned to a minion who brought out a petite blonde girl. This girl looked to be a teenager as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure I can find a purpose for her,\u201d Angelus said. Angelus turned to one of the minions behind him. \u201cTake her to my quarters. And I better not find any marks on her when I arrive,\u201d he warned his minion. Turning back to Kelemoke he said, \u201cShall we go to your office and discuss business?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCertainly Angelus.\u201d Kelemoke turned his prize over to a minion that dutifully took the child to his master\u2019s chamber. Leading Angelus towards his office he inquired, \u201cSo William Steiner\u2019s clan has been defeated?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIndeed they have,\u201d Angelus answered. \u201cThere were perhaps six who offered their services to me. They will replace the three that we lost. Now that Steiner has been destroyed, it shouldn\u2019t be difficult to take the rest of north Los Angeles.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTrue,\u201d Kelemoke said. \u201cAlexander of Yorkshire has a small clan in the north. Thomas Hobbes is in control of the Hoffman Clan since Jacob was killed two years ago by yourself I believe.\u201d Kelemoke grinned at Angelus\u2019 smirk.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was Soulboy that buried a stake through his undead heart,\u201d Angelus said with some disdain. \u201cBut Alexander is an idiot and Thomas is little better. Neither is capable of handling leadership of a clan.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is true as well,\u201d Kelemoke admitted. \u201cThe Hoffman Clan had been a major rival of mine until Jacob\u2019s demise. How do Americans say it? Thomas isn\u2019t the sharpest knife in the drawer?\u201d Angelus laughed heartily at his friend\u2019s use of the saying.<\/p>\n
Reaching the office, Kelemoke threw open the doors and walked to his liquor cabinet. \u201cSo when do you plan on making your next move?\u201d Kelemoke inquired.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn two nights,\u201d Angelus answered. \u201cI have \u2018other\u2019 business I must attend to tomorrow night,\u201d Angelus answered vaguely.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell,\u201d Kelemoke smiled. \u201cTry not to cause too much trouble.\u201d He handed Angelus a glass of brandy.<\/p>\n
Angelus accepted the offering and smiled. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t dream of it,\u201d he smirked.<\/p>\n
*************
\n\u201cSo you\u2019ve been having X-Rated visions of you and Angel\u2026?\u201d Tara started.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoing the nasty?\u201d Cordelia finished for the shy Wicca. Tara blushed at Cordelia\u2019s frank verbiage. \u201cEver since I\u2019ve woken I\u2019ve seen flashes of Angel and I doing things I wouldn\u2019t allow myself to dream of.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you sure it isn\u2019t just your imagination?\u201d Willow began. \u201cBecause I know back in Sunnydale, you kinda had the hots for Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo!\u201d Cordelia shouted. \u201cAngel is my best friend. I don\u2019t think of him that way.\u201d Cordelia sighed and amended her statement. \u201cOkay, occasionally I do, but I remember just as well as anyone what happened the last time this guy got a really good lay. No matter my feelings for him, I wouldn\u2019t risk that if it meant there was even the slightest chance Angelus could return.\u201d The brunette plopped down in Wesley\u2019s chair.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut still, you think that somehow you and Angel had sex and that he lost his soul?\u201d Willow asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell,\u201d Cordy said, \u201cI\u2019m having sweaty sex fantasies about my best friend who just happens to be currently soulless. You think there might be a connection?\u201d she asked sarcastically. Cordelia sighed and rubbed her temples. \u201cI\u2019m sorry Willow,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s just that things are so bad right now, and I have no idea what to do.\u201d She looked at the Wiccans with tear filled eyes. \u201cI just need to figure out how to get Angel back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cW-w-well,\u201d Tara stuttered, \u201cthere might be something that we can do. Something that might help unlocking your memories.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at her with a determined look. \u201cHow soon can we do it?\u201d<\/p>\n