Part 6<\/b><\/p>\n
In a dark corner of the Hyperion Hotel\u2019s lobby, a shadow lurked. It was ethereal, less even than the faintest mist, its presence seemingly undetected by the occupants of the hotel. He hovered, watching, his excitement growing as the people he observed went about their lives.<\/p>\n
The little scene Sebastian had just witnessed had been by far the most precious, the most entertaining. The look of pain on Angelus\u2019 face had had Sebastian, in his misty form, rubbing his non-corporeal hands together in glee. Everything was falling into a perfect pattern, almost as if he\u2019d orchestrated it himself.<\/p>\n
As his lovely young prey dragged the beefy new young man out the door, Sebastian let himself sigh with satisfaction. This young warrior was no threat. No real threat, anyway. Not like Angelus.<\/p>\n
His satisfaction was short-lived as he remembered the menace the younger vampire had been over the past week. Angelus had been within hearing or seeing distance of Cordelia practically every hour of that time. And when she\u2019d been alone, at night, in her apartment, her resident ghost had prevented any breach of her threshold. Sebastian had had quite a nasty run-in with the young ghost. Even now, he squirmed at the memory. That route had definitely proven to be more trouble than it was worth.<\/p>\n
No, his best course was to wait patiently until Cordelia was separated from Angel for a period long enough for Sebastian to make his move. None of them knew that he\u2019d survived Angelus\u2019 assassination attempt, so no one was even looking out for him.<\/p>\n
Soon, he would strike. Cordelia would feel secure in the arms of her simple-minded young man. Angel would believe her safe, if not happy, at the young man\u2019s side. It was obvious that the new man was a warrior, adept at protecting Cordelia from simpler demons. But he was no match for Sebastian.<\/p>\n
Sebastian needed just a little more time for them to get comfortable, for Cordelia and Angel\u2019s estrangement to be at its most painful. He needed to wait for Cordelia\u2019s vulnerability to peak. It would happen soon, in a matter of days, no doubt.<\/p>\n
Soon, Angelus would finally pay the ultimate price for destroying his lovely Brianna. Then Cordelia would be his. Forever.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s strange,\u201d Angel said, staring down into Connor\u2019s crib absentmindedly.<\/p>\n
Lorne walked up next to him. \u201cHmmm?\u201d he said, looking down at the baby as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember him being taller.\u201d Angel said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a trick of the light,\u201d Lorne answered. \u201cThey don\u2019t actually get taller until they\u2019re very, very old.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel frowned. That wasn\u2019t exactly what he\u2019d meant. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean the baby.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know you didn\u2019t,\u201d Lorne said quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI meant the Groosalugg.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know you did.\u201d<\/p>\n
Silence reigned for a moment as Angel tried to tamp down the rage inside him. Right now, at this very second, Cordelia was dragging that big beefy lump of brainlessness off to her apartment. To her bed, probably. His demon was not a happy camper. Being here in the soothing presence of his son was the only thing keeping him from running downstairs and dragging her, caveman style, back to his side.<\/p>\n
He also realized that it was important to maintain appearances for Lorne. Wouldn\u2019t do for the anagogic demon to want to read him, or anything. One angry glitter from Angel\u2019s aura would send Lorne into a nervous tailspin, and that wasn\u2019t at all what he had in mind. Lorne might want to play matchmaker, but Angel knew he wanted it to happen naturally. He wouldn\u2019t like Angel\u2019s plans. And he\u2019d tell Wesley, and that would be really, really bad. Low-key was definitely the order of the day.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid he seem, uh, I don\u2019t know, short?\u201d Angel said casually.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, absolutely,\u201d Lorne reassured him. \u201cClearly the guy shrank. All over, probably,\u201d he added, helping Angel off with his coat. \u201cWhy, he\u2019s nothing but a muscley midget. I\u2019m sure once Cordelia gets him home, she\u2019ll pop him in a smallish drawer and that\u2019ll be that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel bristled as Lorne confirmed his worst fears. \u201cShe took him home,\u201d he said bitterly. \u201cWell. That\u2019s good. At least we won\u2019t have to put him up here. The place was starting to turn into a hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n
His sarcasm seemed to be lost on Lorne.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you don\u2019t have a problem with that then.\u201d It was a statement, not a question.<\/p>\n
A problem with that? Yeah,<\/i> his demon scoffed sarcastically inside his head. No problems here. So few problems that I\u2019m going to rip that cow-eyed Ken doll\u2019s arms off and beat him with them!<\/i> Patiently, Angel soothed his demon with a promise of retribution later. Groo wouldn\u2019t win. Angel felt confident of that. And as much as it bothered him right now to let Cordelia take him home, he knew she wouldn\u2019t go that far with him. Not yet.<\/p>\n
At least he hoped she wouldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course not,\u201d he said in answer to Lorne\u2019s question. \u201cWhy would I?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I don\u2019t know,\u201d Lorne said, sniffing Angel\u2019s tuxedo jacket. \u201cMaybe because I don\u2019t remember you wearing this perfume when you left this evening.\u201d<\/p>\n
Damned nosy demon,<\/i> Angelus groused. Lorne was always too observant for his own good.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, there may have been some magic,\u201d Angel answered.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere, you see?\u201d Lorne said.<\/p>\n
\u201cActual magic<\/i>, Lorne,\u201d Angel said. \u201cWhatever happened was a spell. It\u2019s worn off now. There\u2019s nothing between Cordelia and me.\u201d At least nothing he was willing to let Lorne know about yet. Not until he\u2019d finished his claim on Cordy. Thank god no one had noticed the fresh bite marks on her tonight.<\/p>\n
\u201cSure there is,\u201d Lorne said. \u201cAnd it\u2019s got arms like steel cables and a deeply ironic sense of timing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel turned away and tried to figure out a way to get Lorne off his back. If he wanted no interference on this, Lorne had to be completely clueless.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, it\u2019s good that the Groosalugg showed up when he did,\u201d he said, Angelus growling in his mind as he spun the lie. \u201cYou were right. Cordelia deserves a champion, and now she\u2019s got one.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, what about you?\u201d Lorne asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Angel said, hanging up his jacket. \u201cI\u2019ve been a solo act most of my 240 plus years and when I wasn\u2019t, it never turned out well. I like being alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFine, Miss Garbo,\u201d Lorne said patronizingly. \u201cHave it your way. Be alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Finally,<\/i> Angel sighed, closing the closet door as Lorne walked away. Free at last. Free to set his plan in motion.<\/p>\n
Free to get Cordelia back.<\/p>\n
He stopped abruptly, and turned back toward the closet. Opening the door, he brought out his jacket again, bringing it up to his nose and inhaling deeply. His senses were assaulted with the scent of Cordelia, and it strengthened his resolve.<\/p>\n
Cordelia was his, and no one was going to stand in the way of his claim on her.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia opened the door to her closet, trying to find the hanger for her expensive ballet dress. Groo was waiting patiently out in the living room, the gentlemen that he was, so she tried to find something to talk about to keep him occupied.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, um, you got deposed, huh?\u201d She started taking off her dress.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat sucks,\u201d she answered, frowning.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe people turned against me,\u201d he said, pacing her living room.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, well, they\u2019ll do that,\u201d she called from the bedroom, removing the last of her elegant eveningwear and finding a comfy pair of jeans and a t-shirt.<\/p>\n
Groo was explaining the evolution of his downfall. \u201cEndless committees were formed. Committees splintered into factions. The factions into coalitions. The coalitions turned into subcommittees, until finally the more radical elements, spurred by a charismatic leader, did the dance of revolution.\u201d<\/p>\n
By that point, she was walking out into the living room. She looked at him, leaning against a pillar, and pondered the mess that was her life. Tonight, she\u2019d been possessed, bitten, and loved until every cell in her body sang, all by her vampire best friend. And here she was, planning to get it on with another man. She tamped down the squickiness of her abrupt turnabout and forced herself to feel pleasure at Groo\u2019s presence. Groo loved her. That had to count for something.<\/p>\n
She put on a soft smile for him. \u201cAnd here you are.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d he answered, smiling back at her.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo\u2026you don\u2019t miss it?\u201d she asked, looking at him questioningly. Maybe if he didn\u2019t want to be here, she wouldn\u2019t feel so guilty about using him like this.<\/p>\n
He looked at her, a question in his blue eyes, and she explained. \u201cYou know, the power, the castle, the concubines, and the royal chippies.\u201d<\/p>\n
The naked worship in his eyes drew her to him like a magnet. God, there was something so sexy about a man who was so in love with her. The way he worshiped her with his eyes. Almost like Angel had done tonight when\u2014<\/p>\n
Oh, god, not going there! Get your mind back to the here and now, Cor!<\/i> she yelled at herself silently. Not going to think about Angel. Not going to think about Angel! I\u2019m not. I\u2019m not!!<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cThere was never anyone else,\u201d Groo reassured her, unaware of the tug-of-war going on in her brain.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d Well, at least she wouldn\u2019t have to deal with any blonde bimbos in his<\/i> past.<\/p>\n
\u201cI welcomed the overthrow. The tedium of government was too much to bear after life on the battlefield.\u201d He drew closer, looking down into her face, the longing in it clearly displayed for her.<\/p>\n
In that moment, she wanted to love him. She wanted to give him what he needed. She needed<\/i> to give him that. It was the only course of action that made sense. So she offered him the opening that he\u2019d been looking for.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut your heart wasn\u2019t really in it.\u201d<\/p>\n
He smiled briefly at her. \u201cNo. That left when you did.\u201d<\/p>\n
She stared up into his eyes and came to a crossroads. It would be so easy to reach up, cup his face in her hands, and tell him gently that while she cared for him, she didn\u2019t love him and would never love him. He would smile sadly but he would understand. Then she could turn tail and run right back into Angel\u2019s arms and pick up where they\u2019d left off tonight.<\/p>\n
She could, but she wouldn\u2019t. Doing so would mean admitting something to herself that was too painful. It would mean admitting that she was in love with her best friend, and she just couldn\u2019t do that.<\/p>\n
So, in the heat of the moment, Cordelia took the easy way out. She took the wide, well-travelled path and reached up for Groo\u2019s face, cupping his jaw in her hand, and drawing his mouth down to hers. He took over the kiss, gently possessing her, trailing his tongue inside of her mouth, in a kiss that was so, so sweet. It was pure, and good, and almost innocent.<\/p>\n
But that was all it was.<\/p>\n
There was no fire, no passion, no desperation. There was nothing in it that made her cry with undisguised need. There was nothing in it that made her feel like she\u2019d die if he didn\u2019t touch her, didn\u2019t hold her closer, didn\u2019t come inside her.<\/p>\n
It felt like goodbye, rather than hello.<\/p>\n
She pulled away reluctantly, filled with frustration at the lack of fire. Opening her eyes, she looked up at him, only to gasp and stagger away from him, her mouth open in shock.<\/p>\n
Groo was no longer standing in front of her. Instead, she was faced with strong, aristocratically cold features, and a piercing blue gaze. His mouth turned up into a cruel smile, his hand reaching out for her.<\/p>\n
\u201cSebastian!\u201d she breathed, her eyes wide. He closed the distance between them, her panic growing as she realized her feet were planted to the ground in her paralyzing fear.<\/p>\n
Just as his cold fingers encircled her upper arm, she found her voice, a bloodcurdling scream that echoed out the opened window and reverberated against the stillness of the night.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
Part 7<\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia felt as though she\u2019d swallowed ten gallons of water and was unable to throw it back up. She was completely panicked, every sense, every emotion, stalled and sputtering. Her lungs burned from lack of oxygen and her eyes and throat were dry. All she could do was stare at the evil, cold face of her enemy. Sebastian\u2019s blue eyes seemed to burn into her soul like lasers, turning her into ash.<\/p>\n
He opened his mouth, and she swallowed, jerking back another step.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrincess?\u201d<\/p>\n
Air rushed into her lungs again and she gasped, swaying, as she heard Groo\u2019s troubled voice coming from Sebastian\u2019s well-shaped mouth.<\/p>\n
\u201cGroo?\u201d she asked, breathless. She blinked rapidly in succession, and on the third blink, Sebastian was gone, Groo standing in his place, looking puzzled and concerned.<\/p>\n
He closed the distance between them and raised a hand to her shoulder. \u201cWhat troubles you, Princess? Were my kisses not satisfying to you?\u201d<\/p>\n
She was taken aback by his question. Funny how that had been her biggest concern about two minutes ago, and now it was all she could do to keep her heart from beating right out of her chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2014\u201d she closed her mouth abruptly, frowned, and huffed. \u201cYou were\u2014then he was\u2014and I was\u2014\u201d She stopped abruptly, a fierce frown wrinkling her brow.<\/p>\n
Damn it, one little vision was turning her into Rain Man.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrincess, you are not well,\u201d Groo said, putting his remaining hand on her other shoulder, then pulling her against his chest and wrapping his strong arms around her. He brought a palm up to stroke her hair, and she sighed into his chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cWill you tell me what has made your smile go away? What I have done to cause you such distress?\u201d<\/p>\n
She closed her eyes and let the steady rhythm of his heart calm her ruffled nerves. After a brief moment, she pulled back, looking up into his face.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou didn\u2019t do anything, Groo. I had a vision.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA vision?\u201d he looked perplexed. \u201cBut are they not painful?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey used to be,\u201d she said honestly. \u201cBut then there was this demon, Skip, who came and\u2014\u201d She stopped when she saw the confusion in his expression grow. She was fond of him, that much was not in question, but sometimes it irritated her that he couldn\u2019t hold on to a complex sentence if his life depended on it.<\/p>\n
\u201cNever mind,\u201d she said, sighing. \u201cI didn\u2019t want to lose the visions. Trust me in that total badness would\u2019ve happened if I\u2019d lost them. But to keep them from killing me, I had to become part demon.\u201d<\/p>\n
He frowned. \u201cPart demon? But you are pure. The one chosen to be blessed with the visions. \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Groo,\u201d she said, exasperated. \u201cI didn\u2019t get the visions because I was \u2018chosen\u2019. It was a fluke.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is a fluke?\u201d He said the word with the hint of a Norwegian accent, heavy on the \u201cu.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAn accident,\u201d she explained, trying to be patient. \u201cDoyle, a half-demon, was Angel\u2019s first seer. He died saving the helpless, and just before he did, he passed the visions on to me. He had to give them to someone, and I was the closest one. But humans can\u2019t survive the visions, so I had to be made half demon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut your purity,\u201d he said, and Cordelia caught the unhappy bent to his tone.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, purity schmurity,\u201d she said lightly, waving her hand breezily. \u201cGet over it, Groo! I\u2019m half demon now. There\u2019s no going back on that. And right now, other things are more important. Like this vision, for one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Groo frowned, tamping down his self-righteous feelings to help Cordelia. He knew that he should leave, immediately, but he still had feelings for this woman, despite her unworthiness.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat was in your vision, Princess?\u201d he asked resignedly.<\/p>\n
She forged on, relieved that she\u2019d safely detoured the purity parade. \u201cAwhile back, there was a master vampire who bit me, tried to claim me. He\u2019s messing with Angel\u2019s head. But Angel dusted him. I\u2019m sure of it. Why would the PTB\u2019s send me this vision unless\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2014he isn\u2019t really dead.\u201d Groo said, finishing her sentence for her.<\/p>\n
Her eyes widened. \u201cOh, god. That\u2019s bad, bad news. A vampire who can\u2019t be staked? How the hell are we supposed to kill him? And this guy is totally psycho. He wants to make Angel suffer by claiming me as his own, stealing me away from Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis vampire, he believes that you belong to Angel,\u201d Groo said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, yeah, he does. But he\u2019s got it all wrong. I mean, I guess I belong to Angel, like family, sorta, but I don\u2019t belong<\/i> belong. You know?\u201d<\/p>\n
Groo frowned, remembering how attached she was to the vampire. It was true that Angel was a champion in his own right, but he was not worthy of his Princess. Now, though, now that Groo couldn\u2019t have her, maybe\u2014<\/p>\n
But, no. Despite her impurity, he still burned for her. Ached for her. She was his Princess, after all. And he needed to help her in whatever way he could.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must go to him,\u201d he said, taking her arm and heading for the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cSebastian?\u201d she gasped. \u201cYou can\u2019t fight him! He\u2019s too dangerous. He\u2019ll kill you! He\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPrincess,\u201d he said, his tone soothing. \u201cI meant Angel. We must go to him and tell him of your vision. The vampire\u2019s wrath is turned on him, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d she agreed, sighing. \u201cWe have to tell Angel. Sebastian is going to come after us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Groo stopped, seeing the fear reflected in the deep hazel of her eyes as she continued. \u201cHe\u2019s going to come after me<\/i>.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel, his coat billowing purposefully behind him, stormed down the stairs into the lobby. Striding over to the weapons cabinet, he yanked the doors open and began to arm himself, sticking two stakes up his sleeves, fastening his favorite broadsword to his waist, and grabbing a crossbow and a quiver full of arrows to sling on his shouders.<\/p>\n
What little conversation there\u2019d been when he\u2019d descended had dried up quickly, all eyes turning curiously to the dark vampire.<\/p>\n
Finally, when he was armed to the teeth, he turned, resolutely meeting Wesley\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going out,\u201d he said resolutely.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can see that,\u201d Wesley said, dryly.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou need back-up, Angel?\u201d Gunn offered, cradling Fred\u2019s hand in his own, reluctant to leave her but knowing that he might not have a choice.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Angel answered tersely. \u201cCordelia\u2019s in trouble, and I need to go alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
They gaped at him, Wesley finding his voice first. \u201cWhat? How do you know?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cit\u2019s the connection,\u201d Lorne offered, coming in from the kitchen with a stiff drink in his hand. \u201cThe claim. He bit her tonight, you know,\u201d he said conversationally.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou claimed<\/i> Cordelia?\u201d Wesley stammered, stunned.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot exactly,\u201d Angel said, frowning. \u201cIt was those damned spirits that possessed us. Kinda brought out the worst in me. Sebastian\u2019s marks were too much of a temptation and I\u2014\u201d He stopped.<\/p>\n
Turning abruptly, he strode toward the door. \u201cI don\u2019t have time for this. Cordy needs me. She\u2019s worried, upset. She needs help. I can feel it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes it really work that way?\u201d Fred asked in a stage whisper to Lorne.<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t have time to answer because just as Angel reached the door, Cordelia and Groo came bursting through it, out of breath and wide-eyed.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel!\u201d Cordelia gasped. \u201cSebastian! He\u2019s not dead!\u201d<\/p>\n
Everyone gaped at her as she ran straight to Angel, then stopped abruptly just before she touched him. Every fiber of her being ached to jump into his arms, but her pride was holding her back. She needed him, really badly right now, but the thought of what they\u2019d done together tonight had her ashamed. Ashamed and scared. Scared that Angel would shove her away and pretend like nothing had happened, when her whole world felt like it had been turned upside down.<\/p>\n
Her fears were short-lived as Angel dropped the weapons he was holding and reached out, gathering her into his arms and cradling her to his chest. He kissed the top of her head, rubbing her back gently. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, Cor, I won\u2019t let him get to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s mind was racing. Somehow, her news hadn\u2019t been a surprise. It had just made sense. It was as if he\u2019d already known about it, just not consciously. The bond between them must be stronger than he\u2019d thought. Even now, it was hard for him to keep from burying his mouth in her neck and tasting her, finishing his claim and his bond to her. He steeled himself, and focused on comforting her.<\/p>\n
Across the room, the rest of the staff watched as the vampire and seer comforted each other. Wesley looked apprehensive, and Gunn and Lorne were grinning as they witnessed the obvious bond between them. Fred felt happy, too, until she noticed the forlorn look on Groo\u2019s face as he watched his Princess being comforted by another man.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know you won\u2019t let him hurt me,\u201d Cordelia said, sniffling. \u201cBut he\u2019s so determined. I could feel it. He\u2019s so evil, Angel,\u201d she said, pulling back, her teary eyes searching his. \u201cI don\u2019t know if we\u2019ll be able to stop him. We can\u2019t even stake him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will.\u201d Angel\u2019s voice was determined.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou had a vision, Cordelia?\u201d Wesley\u2019s voice broke into the haze surrounding Angel and Cordelia.<\/p>\n
She nodded. \u201cAs usual, the PTB were high on the visual, low on the important details. I got nothing except his face in front of me, his hands reaching out for me, and a totally wiggy sense of the ultimate evil. It gave me the heeby jeebies.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel rubbed her upper arms as she shivered again. \u201cYou didn\u2019t get any more details?\u201d he asked, disappointed.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d she said, disgusted. \u201cOf course, when my<\/i> life is at stake, they have to go big with the cryptic. Geez, don\u2019t I get an employee privilege, or something? I have no idea when he\u2019ll strike, just that he will. He\u2019s alive, Angel, and that\u2019s what\u2019s so scary. You tried to kill him once already.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel looked deeply, meaningfully into her eyes, and peace stole over her. It was funny how she could feel him, feel his determination, his concern, and most of all, his love for her. It was that last one that both floored her and gave her peace. She didn\u2019t have time to contemplate it, though.<\/p>\n
Whirling around to face his crack staff, Angel began to fire off orders.<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley, look in your books and see if there\u2019s any way we can kill a vampire who can\u2019t be staked, a vampire who has the magicks to defeat regular tactics. Find some way to neutralize his power or to trap him. I don\u2019t want him coming back again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley nodded. \u201cOf course. I\u2019ll get right on it.\u201d Immediately, he disappeared into his office.<\/p>\n
\u201cFred,\u201d Angel addressed her, \u201cYou help Wesley. Work on the trapping end of it. Try to figure out a way to contain an incorporeal vampire.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou got it, Angel,\u201d she said, jumping from her perch beside Gunn on the counter and disappearing into the office with Wesley.<\/p>\n
\u201cGunn, go canvass Sebastian\u2019s mansion. Look for any signs of activity. Look through the windows to see if there are any objects that look mystical, look like they could be connected to his power.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou got it. I\u2019m flyin\u2019 solo?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
Angel turned to Groo. \u201cWould you go with him?\u201d he asked reluctantly. He didn\u2019t want Groo\u2019s help at all, but the man was a decent fighter. \u201cIf something happens, I don\u2019t want Gunn to fight alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
With a longing glance at Cordelia, Groo sighed and nodded. \u201cOf course, Angel. I will do anything to help the Princess.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, Groo,\u201d Cordy said, her eyes tired but thankful as she half-smiled at him. He looked searchingly into her eyes for a long moment, then turned back to follow Gunn out of the room.<\/p>\n
Cordy watched as he disappeared, feeling only relief at Groo\u2019s departure. She didn\u2019t belong with him, despite his love for her. She didn\u2019t know where she belonged, but it wasn\u2019t with him.<\/p>\n
Finally, she turned back to Angel, who stood staring at her.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat now, big guy?\u201d she asked, a small smile turning up the corners of her mouth.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow,\u201d he said, walking over to her, placing his hands on her shoulders. \u201cWe finish what we started.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFinish what?\u201d she asked, puzzled.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis,\u201d he said, then grabbed her, covering her lips with his own.<\/p>\n
\n
Part 8<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Part 6 In a dark corner of the Hyperion Hotel\u2019s lobby, a shadow lurked. It was ethereal, less even than the faintest mist,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1452","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-completed-fics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1452","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1452"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1452\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1452"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1452"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1452"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}