{"id":1483,"date":"2015-06-24T14:44:16","date_gmt":"2015-06-24T13:44:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/?p=1483"},"modified":"2015-06-24T14:49:46","modified_gmt":"2015-06-24T13:49:46","slug":"baywatch-angel-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2015\/06\/24\/baywatch-angel-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Baywatch Angel. 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

Part 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

The heavy mahogany doors swung inwards on their sturdy brass hinges, permitting the entrance of two resolute men. Two men with an invisible thread of combined purpose between them, two men so familiar with the subtle nuances of each other\u2019s work ethic, that they slotted together to form a seamless team.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was there, Wes \u2013 I could feel it,\u201d Angel was saying to his friend. \u201cLurking, waiting for\u2026 something.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wesley nodded, trusting the vampire\u2019s ability to sense the presence of another demon in the vicinity.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we need to do some research into what kind of demon we might be facing, work up a MO, and a battle profile,\u201d he decided. \u201cAnd we ought to keep the pool under surveillance during opening hours. That means finding an excuse for being there without rousing suspicion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlready on that, guys,\u201d Cordelia chipped in from behind them, as the Angel Investigations team descended as one into the Hyperion Lobby.<\/p>\n

A healthy glow had returned to the seer\u2019s cheeks in the intervening hours since her vision. While her cure had not stopped the initial agony of her premonitions, it had mostly eliminated the ghastly after-effects. Consequently, as she circled round to stand in front of her friends, her hazel eyes were filled with the same purpose that imbued them, rather than the habitual dark, lingering pain of a vision headache.<\/p>\n

\u201cTa-da!\u201d she said, brandishing the piece of paper that she held in her hands, enormously pleased with herself for coming up with the solution to their stakeout problem.<\/p>\n

Angel and Wesley exchanged a look of consternation, as they viewed the advertisement that Cordelia had discreetly pilfered from the pool\u2019s notice board:<\/p>\n

LIFEGUARD WANTED<\/b>
\nAPPLY WITHIN<\/b><\/p>\n

Wesley cleared his throat. \u201cErr, Cordelia \u2013 I don\u2019t think that any of us quite\u2026\u201d he trailed off and glanced over at Gunn.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, don\u2019t look at me, buddy,\u201d Gunn said, holding up his hands to ward off any suggestion that he take the assignment. \u201cHave you seen what those guys have to wear? I ain\u2019t squeezing my package into no tiny pair of Lycra Speedos. No frickin\u2019 way, Jos\u00e9!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBesides, I don\u2019t swim,\u201d he lied.<\/p>\n

\u201cRelax bubba \u2013 I didn\u2019t mean you,\u201d Cordelia said, rolling her eyes at the young man\u2019s frantic attempts at avoidance. \u201cI meant Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?! Me?\u201d the vampire sputtered nervously, involuntarily taking a couple of steps backwards. \u201cNo, no way, I can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can swim, can\u2019t ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell yes, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019re big with the saving people, being all hero-y and all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c..\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019ve *definitely* got that manly boob muscle thing going on – especially since you\u2019ve been doing all that training. What\u2019s with that anyway?\u201d she asked curiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou said I was fat,\u201d Angel told his seer the truth without thinking, then shook his head. \u201cIt\u2019s not going to work, Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is the *slight* hitch that the pool area is wall-to-wall with glass windows,\u201d Wesley helpfully pointed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Cordelia said – she\u2019d not though of that. A beat and then, \u201cWe could tell them he\u2019s photosensitive and get them to put up black drapes!\u201d<\/p>\n

The seer\u2019s bright suggestion was greeted with a telling silence from her three male companions.<\/p>\n

\u201cOr maybe not,\u201d she conceded.<\/p>\n

\u201cNecro-tempered glass!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome again?\u201d Wesley asked, swinging round at the excited outburst from their newest recruit.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry \u2013 just thinking out aloud. You know what it\u2019s like when you have all these thoughts whirling about inside your brain and suddenly one leaps out and says \u2018hey, look at me\u2019 cus you know it\u2019s the solution to your problem and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFred!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh right \u2013 I\u2019m doing the babbling thing again, aren\u2019t I?\u201d the young Texan apologised, briefly pausing for a much-needed breath before continuing with her convoluted explanation. \u201cNecro-tempered glass \u2013 it filters out the UVA rays of the sun. Apparently, those are the ones that make vampires go \u2018poof.\u2019 So if we\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFit it into the windows at the pool, Angel won\u2019t be turned into a big ole pile of dust,\u201d Cordelia said, triumphantly finishing off the sentence for her.<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, so why haven\u2019t I heard of it before?\u201d Wesley asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably because it\u2019s new research – only published a week ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShow me,\u201d he instructed, ushering the pretty brunette over to the computer, a guiding hand in the small of her back.<\/p>\n

Fred sat down at the desk and quickly pulled up the relevant article, her dainty fingers flying over the keyboard in a blur of movement. Her eyes skimmed over the report again, stopping at the acknowledgements at the bottom. \u201cOh – I didn\u2019t notice that before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Wesley asked, leaning over her shoulder to read what she was indicating. \u201cResearch funded by Wolfram and Hart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKind of figures,\u201d Angel shrugged, unsurprised by the information.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but it means we\u2019ll struggle to get our hands on what we need. Wolfram and Hart probably own all the suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh well,\u201d the vampire said in an offhand manner, more than a little relieved at the turn of events. \u201cI guess we\u2019ll just have to come up with another way of keeping an eye on things at the pool.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUmm,\u201d Fred said diffidently, timidly raising her hand. \u201cWhy do we have to buy some? Couldn\u2019t we just transmute the glass already there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTransmu-whatta?\u201d Gunn asked, mystified.<\/p>\n

\u201cTransmutation \u2013 to change the form or nature of something,\u201d Wesley absently recited the English Dictionary definition of the word.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you mean like that dude who turned everything to gold with his touch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMidas? Sort of yes – the Greek God of Wine, Dionysus, enchanted him though. Other forms of transmutation are purported to be practised by white witches. They use it so they don\u2019t have to search high and low for every ingredient for their spells – or so I\u2019m told anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs Willow a white witch?\u201d Cordelia asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI imagine she qualifies, yes,\u201d Wesley replied. \u201cWould you happen to have a contact number for her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt *happens* I might have,\u201d the seer replied, playfully mimicking the ex-watcher\u2019s rather stilted way of speech.<\/p>\n

She fished in her bag for her address book, and then scribbled the relevant Sunnydale number down on a yellow post-it note for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Wesley said, taking it from her. \u201cGood work, Fred,\u201d he commended the young woman, patting her lightly on the shoulder as he passed by her chair.<\/p>\n

Fred lit up like a belisha beacon at the praise, a slow smile creeping across her pretty features and the apples of her cheeks flushing pink with bashful self-consciousness. She lifted her head to gaze appreciatively up at her boss, her brown eyes big and puppy-dog round. Wesley returned her shy smile with one of his own, and then turned and retreated into his office to call Willow.<\/p>\n

Cordelia cast a sidelong glance at Gunn and caught him observing the little exchange with interest, a knowing look hovering over his handsome features. He caught her eye and winked, then turned to clap Angel on the shoulder, his face splitting into a wide impudent grin as he did so.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like you\u2019re on stake-out duty, man. Rather you than me on this one, I can tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see why you\u2019re so anti,\u201d Cordelia cut in. \u201cThink of all those bikini-clad hotties you\u2019d get to ogle.\u201d
\nNow why did I mention that? Angel sure better keep his eyes to himself if he knows what\u2019s good for him. I catch him eyeing up some skanky blonde and\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cTempting, but no – I ain\u2019t into publicly displaying my pecs for the ladies.\u201d Gunn\u2019s relaxed drawl interrupted the seer\u2019s train of jealous thought. \u201cGotta maintain that man of mystery image, you know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, of course,\u201d Cordelia replied, with a sardonic nod of her head and a glimmer of a smile.<\/p>\n

She then turned and thrust the job advertisement out at Angel, \u201cYou\u2019d better call and get yourself an interview.\u201d<\/p>\n

The vampire glanced at his watch, \u201cIt\u2019s ten pm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo \u2013 the pool only closed half an hour ago, I bet there\u2019s still a manager around. Go on, it\u2019ll make a great first impression.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust don\u2019t tell them you broke into the premises fifteen minutes ago,\u201d Gunn put in with a grin. \u201cI don\u2019t think that\u2019d go down so well with ya new boss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grumbling to himself under his breath, Angel went over to the counter and dialled the number at the bottom of the piece of paper, his broad forehead creased into a distinctly sulky frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t think the vamp-man\u2019s too happy about stepping into David Hasslehoff\u2019s shorts.\u201d Gunn commented wryly to Cordelia, tongue firmly placed in cheek.<\/p>\n

\u201cToo bad, he\u2019ll just have to get over it,\u201d the seer replied unsympathetically. \u201cHe\u2019s the PTB\u2019s chosen champion. Sometimes, that means going above and beyond the call of duty for the good of mankind.\u201d<\/p>\n

A few minutes later, Angel replaced the receiver in its cradle with a clatter, just as Wesley exited his office and rejoined them in the Lobby, a small note-pad clutched tightly in his right hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got an interview at seven pm tomorrow,\u201d the vampire announced.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood \u2013 that\u2019ll give us just enough time to do some research and gather what we need for the transmutation spell.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt also leaves the pool and its patrons unprotected for another day,\u201d Angel pointed out gravely.<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, I think that might be all right,\u201d Wesley said. \u201cA couple of months ago, the media reported three drownings at that pool, each occurring exactly four days apart. There\u2019s been nothing since then, but I imagine that\u2019s because they started to cover it up. The regularity of the earlier killings does suggest a pattern though. You said you thought this thing was waiting for something?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe it goes through a four-day feeding cycle,\u201d the ex-watcher postulated, \u201cOnly attacking when it needs to nourish itself. Did you get any feeling as to when the last attack occurred?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot too long ago,\u201d the vampire replied. \u201cYou could still smell the fear and violence in the air.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo we\u2019re probably okay for another day then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a slim theory, Wes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but there really isn\u2019t anything else we can do right now. We just have to hope that I\u2019m right.\u201d<\/p>\n

* * * * *<\/p>\n

The Following Morning\u2026<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, big guy. Is that coffee I smell?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I just put on a fresh pot,\u201d Angel replied, looking up as his seer gracefully descended the stairs into the Lobby. \u201cThere are donuts as well \u2013 Fred went out to the bakery a couple of hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the vampire\u2019s eyes avidly followed her every move, Cordelia poured herself some coffee and selected a sugary ring donut from the pink cardboard box on the counter. Like all his friends, the seer had stayed over at the Hyperion last night, but unlike the others, she had slept eight hours straight. Angel had noticed that she had a tendency to do that after a vision nowadays. At first, it had concerned him until Wesley pointed out that it was probably due to the mystical elixir she\u2019d been given to eliminate the harmful effects of her visions.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe human body rejuvenates itself during sleep, Angel,\u201d the ex-watcher had explained to the worried vampire. \u201cI imagine the potion keeps her in a state of slumber while it repairs her damaged brain cells.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, where is everyone?\u201d Cordelia asked, crossing the room towards him, mug of coffee and donut in hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey went out to get supplies for the transmutation spell, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

The seer sat down on the circular sofa opposite him, and folded her legs up underneath her. \u201cYou know, you *have* to be the most sun-worshipping vamp ever!\u201d she commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, what with the Gem of Amarra, that Moaning demon turning you human once, Pylea and now this \u2013 you\u2019re Baywatch Vamp.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMoira Demon,\u201d the vampire corrected absently. \u201cI guess I am at that,\u201d he added with a soft smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell \u2013 yeah! Maybe we can do the transmutant thingy on the windows here at the Hotel, then you can\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the same reason, I smashed the Gem of Amarra. I don\u2019t want to forget who I was, the motivation for my mission. If I could walk in the daylight, I might start to overlook the innocents who are lost in the night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that why you\u2019ve not\u2026,\u201d Cordelia stopped and looked down at her hands, taking a deep breath and preparing herself to broach the subject she dreaded. \u201cWhy you\u2019ve not gone back to Buffy now your soul\u2019s permanent? You\u2019re afraid that being free to love her could tempt you into abandoning your fight for redemption.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Cordy, I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCus that\u2019s kind of dumb, you know,\u201d she rushed on, not giving him the chance to speak. \u201cYou\u2019re just not the kind of guy who jumps ship like that. And if this is because of me, because you feel a duty to remain by my side cus of the visions\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a duty, Cor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever,\u201d the seer brushed that off with an airy wave of her hand. \u201cI would come with you, you know \u2013 to Sunnydale, that is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d hate that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe, but I\u2019d still do it \u2013 for the mission; for you – if being with her made you happy. At the end of the day, the helpless are not just confined to the streets of LA; they exist wherever in the world you go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCordy \u2013 listen to me.\u201d Angel sat up straighter and reached forward to take her hands in his. \u201cThere\u2019s nowhere else I want to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re really kind of pale, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d the vampire snapped sharply, irritated at yet another interruption.<\/p>\n

Cordelia was intently studying their joined hands, comparing their contrasting skin tones, a troubled look on her beautiful face.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lifeguard is supposed to be Mr Bronzed-And-Supremely-Muscular. You\u2019ve got the supremely muscular part down, but the bronzed part\u2026\u201d she trailed off and shook her head in dismay. \u201cYou\u2019re never gonna pull it off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot much I can do about that – the pallid complexion kind of goes with the territory, what with the whole going out in the sun and bursting into flames thing. And it\u2019s not as if I can buy a tan in bottle, now is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia\u2019s face lit up so brightly when the idea struck her, that Angel could almost see the light bulb in captions above her head. \u201cThat\u2019s it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA tan in a bottle!\u201d<\/p>\n

The seer excitedly set her breakfast aside, and then scrambled to her feet. Crossing to stand in front of the bemused vampire, she placed her sandaled foot on his muscular thigh and pulled back her cotton skirt, exposing the entire length of her long, slim leg to his perusal.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook – See?\u201d she said, pointing at her inner thigh with her forefinger.<\/p>\n

Angel\u2019s bodily response to the sight of all that golden flesh on display was instantaneous, and he swiftly dropped both hands into his lap to cover his groin\u2019s rather visible reaction. Swallowing hard and clearing his throat, he blinked owlishly, unable to drag his eyes away from the small mole decorating the dimple on the inside of her knee. \u201cErr \u2013 see what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy skin \u2013 the colour, you dumbass!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSun-kissed honey,\u201d Angel murmured abstractedly, his tone rich and thick like molasses. Absently lifting his hand, he lightly twirled the pad of his forefinger over the soft skin of her inner thigh.<\/p>\n

Cordelia let out a small gasp as the vampire\u2019s cool touch raised goose bumps on her flesh. Her cheeks flushing with embarrassment, she abruptly removed her foot from his thigh and smoothed her skirt down, forcibly tamping down the hot, clenching arousal that had unexpectedly been stirred within her.<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly,\u201d she said, once she\u2019d regained her composure. \u201cAnd when do you think this skin gets time to be kissed? Never – brain churning visions, ugly ass demon attacks, not to mention unseemly working hours – all that doesn\u2019t give a girl much time for the finer things in life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo how?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s fake. Shelley\u2019s tanning salon down the street is the best around. Lorne pointed me in her direction ages ago. She works a little bit of magic mojo after the conventional St Tropez treatment, and it\u2019s well nigh impossible to tell the difference from the real thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSt Tropez treatment?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a cream \u2013 it causes the same reaction in your skin that being exposed to the sun does, just without having to sit out in all those cancer-inducing rays for hours. All the stars are having it done nowadays. It\u2019s voila \u2013 instant tan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia paused and reached out her hand towards him. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo where?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo Shelley\u2019s, dork-face. You need to get a patch test done. We have to make sure that you won\u2019t burn to a crisp before you go for the full-body treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFull body what?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, get yer butt moving,\u201d the seer ordered in a peremptory tone, completely ignoring the vampire\u2019s scandalized protest.<\/p>\n

Against his better judgment, Angel stood up and reluctantly offered Cordelia his car-keys, reaching for the thick woollen blanket draped over the sofa back. Eagerly snatching the keys from him, the seer twirled round with a barely suppressed squeal of delight, and practically skipped towards the Hyperion\u2019s front entrance.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is going to be so cool!\u201d<\/p>\n

Muttering darkly to himself, the vampire wrapped the large blanket around his shoulders and head to protect himself from the sun\u2019s rays, and then grudgingly followed the inappropriately enthusiastic young woman out to the car.<\/p>\n

Part 3<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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