{"id":1607,"date":"2015-06-24T20:20:35","date_gmt":"2015-06-24T19:20:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/?p=1607"},"modified":"2015-06-24T21:00:37","modified_gmt":"2015-06-24T20:00:37","slug":"displaced-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2015\/06\/24\/displaced-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Displaced. 3"},"content":{"rendered":"

Part 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s your poison?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cScotch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got a pretty good show tonight. I think you\u2019ll like it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCounting on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel tossed a twenty and leaned back, resting his elbows on the bar. He couldn\u2019t care less about listening to the ear-splitting screeches of demons in search of the right path or Lorne living out his fantasy of a flashy Las Vegas megastar. The only show Angel was interested in had just walked through the door.<\/p>\n

As if on cue, a soft melody began to play against a backdrop of muffled conversations. The tragic ballad befitting his predicament, a man lost without his woman and edging on the brink of desolation; Angel suspected Lorne was having a little fun at his expense.<\/p>\n

Drowning out the melodic cries of the lovelorn, Angel perused his way up spike-heeled boots and tight pants, following a trail of leather wrapped curves to the clingy silk blouse showcasing the perfect glimpse of cleavage. Shades of charcoal dusted around her eyes, brown and hazel muted into the background of dark-hue cobalt.<\/p>\n

It had been a long time since Cordelia dressed this way; and knowing this attention to detail hadn\u2019t been for him, a guttural growl rumbled through Angel\u2019s chest that had patrons scurrying to the far ends of the bar.<\/p>\n

To those without intimate knowledge, Cordelia exuded confidence. The slight quiver of her bottom lip, her eyes nervously darting around the room, expertly camouflaged from every admirer except one. A slow sweep, her muscles tensing just a little more as she passed over each unrecognizable face, until finally spying her target. Still oblivious to the dark, penetrating eyes following her every move, Cordelia made her way to a small table in the far corner.<\/p>\n

His concentration narrowed on his unsuspecting prey, Angel absently nursed his drink, a whiff of a grin tugging at one corner of his mouth. Although as uncomfortable as her informant, Cordelia covered her nervousness with a graceful yet unwavering determination. Other than a sharp wit, and a tongue known to make grown men cry, she had no real defensive skills; and Angel had to admit the woman\u2019s savvy was impressive.<\/p>\n

Cordelia slipping a photograph from the envelope clutched in her hand, Angel stretched forward for a better view; but even keen eyesight couldn\u2019t pierce the murky illumination before she quickly snatched the picture away.<\/p>\n

The informant shook his head, and Cordelia waved another fifty with one hand while jabbing a finger at his face with the other. A warning that he not play her, Angel suspected; and another grin tugged at his mouth until\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cI hear Crumb Cake\u2019s Honey Bun found a new glaze.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo away.\u201d It was hardly more than a grunt, his intentness never wavering.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust offering a shoulder, Growly Bear.\u201d Lorne grumbled back while motioning his order for another Seabreeze. \u201cNo need to get grizzly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCordelia was in here a few days ago; did you read her?\u201d<\/p>\n

The man was looking at the photograph again, and by Cordelia\u2019s reaction, she was finally getting the right answers.<\/p>\n

\u201cHard not to read an aura that\u2019s screaming in your face. Kind of like yours is now, not that you\u2019re actually looking at my face.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did she want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo can do big guy. Not unless you want me sharing your secrets-and stop snarling. The place is practically empty and it\u2019s not even ten o\u2019clock.\u201d<\/p>\n

Talk of secrets he couldn\u2019t blame on his alter ego caused Angel to miss the last exchange between Cordelia and her informant. He pushed back the damning memory and refocused his attention on the present to find Cordelia already standing with the envelope securely tucked under her arm.<\/p>\n

Swallowing the growl in his throat, he pushed from the bar, then stilled when Cordelia turned back and snatched the extra fifty from the table, raising an indignant brow at the man\u2019s protest. And flashing a glint of amusement at the bold move, Angel took advantage of the delay, intent on greeting Cordelia outside the protection of Caritas.<\/p>\n

~~~ ~~~~<\/p>\n

Hoping to limit her exposure to LA\u2019s less friendly nightlife, Cordelia had purposely parked near the entrance; but not in a million years did she expect to find Angel leaning against the hood of David Nabbit\u2019s Ferrari.<\/p>\n

Before she even knew it was happening, a soothing warmth washed over her; like a long hot soak when the bubbles last for hours. Angel and fizzy bubbles, the image brought a smile, for the brief second before her body stiffened and her expression cooled.<\/p>\n

\u201cComfortable?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNice car. It matches your blouse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caught off guard by the comparison, her eyes zipped from the shiny red car to her shimmering red blouse. Although the odd coincidence was more than a little distressing, Cordelia wasn\u2019t about to let Angel know just how much it perturbed her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like them both. Now move so I can leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich has the curfew?\u201d Angel grabbed the keys before Cordelia could unlock the door, hungrily taking in the heat from her angry glare and the warm breath swishing from her lungs. \u201cYou or the wheels?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNeither. Not that it\u2019s any of your business-and why are you here? You haven\u2019t come near us for weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been near, Cordelia. Just keeping my word and giving you time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why now? Tonight of all nights?\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel\u2019s timing couldn\u2019t be worse if he\u2019d planned it; which Cordelia suspected he did. They had put a lot of time and effort into tracking this informant, then convincing him the demon-killing vampire was no longer working with them. If Mickey saw her with Angel, he\u2019d think they lied, and she could kiss goodbye any further help from the skittish half demon.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you\u2019ve had time.\u201d Angel stepped closer, wedging Cordelia between his body and the car before propping his arms on either side of her. \u201cAnd I miss you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Attempting to maneuver from the constricted space, her face blushed at the rush of memories from their last encounter, bodies rubbing, breaths heaving. So instead, Cordelia stilled, turned her head away and waited for Angel to back off. Time seemed to crawl, and it was getting harder to breathe. The air becoming hot and sticky again, much like it had that night on her balcony. And worse, the large frame holding her in place refused to budge. She hated that his closeness had this affect on her. It was just another indisputable proof that Angel was still a part of her.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve missed you too. Actually, we missed you for months.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you did.\u201d Angel trailed his finger across her jaw line. \u201cI shouldn\u2019t have left.\u201d He whispered, enjoying the slight quiver when his finger slid up her cheek and brushed the strands of hair from her face. \u201cAnd I\u2019m never leaving you again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStop it!\u201d Cordelia shoved against his chest, the unexpected momentum causing him to almost stumble back before regaining his footing. \u201cWe\u2019re not doing this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoing what, Cordelia?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis, you idiot.\u201d Cordelia waved her arms between them. \u201cYou, with the hair touching and cooing like a lovebird.\u201d Face red, nerves raw and tense, she clenched her fists as her body shook with a rage that threatened to consume her.<\/p>\n

This\u2026 For them, the tiny pronoun spoke volumes of unspoken truths. As friends, he had abandoned her; but Angel knew that with each allusion to the lovers they would become, abandonment became betrayal.<\/p>\n

Cordelia had betrayed him too, Angel reasoned. She promised her friendship and loyalty even as he warned her of the consequences, pledged her trust over and over again, even when he didn\u2019t deserve it. But now, Cordelia not only wanted to abandon their future, she expected him to stand back and let it happen. And that was a mistake he wasn\u2019t prepared to let either of them make.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know I hurt you.\u201d Cordelia drawing back from his touch, Angel eased closer, all the while, gently maneuvering her against the car. \u201cBut you hurt me too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia didn\u2019t know what to believe anymore. Except for bits and pieces nagged out of him, Angel had never willingly shared his feelings. Now, she couldn\u2019t make him stop, and as ironic as it sounded, Cordelia almost wished things could to go back to how they used to be; her talking and Angel pretending to listen.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean to-I didn\u2019t\u2026\u201d And not finding the words, she simply shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay. We just need to stop hurting each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia looked into his eyes hoping to find some proof that Angel wasn\u2019t just saying what she needed to hear. Whether he was or not, there was fear in his eyes, and Cordelia had never seen Angel afraid of anything.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right.\u201d Her hand brushed across his chest, stilling when he tensed thinking she would push him away again. \u201cBut I need to go. The guys will worry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be out alone. I\u2019ll drive you back to your\u2026office.\u201d Angel almost choked on the word, but it was something Cordelia needed, and as hard as it was, he intended to support her. That is, unless she took too long to realize leaving him was a mistake.<\/p>\n

\u201cAngel,\u201d Cordelia stepped back, blowing a loud huff and rolling her eyes. \u201cWe just called a truce. Don\u2019t ruin it by causing another argument.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not the reason we argue. Now get in the car.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGive me the keys first. I don\u2019t think you should be driving David\u2019s car without permission.\u201d<\/p>\n

Too perfectly delivered for a slip of the tongue, her words stung with more force than any slap could. Cordelia driving another man\u2019s car, wearing clothes that were probably purchased with his money. Angel folded his arms across his chest, letting the keys dangle from a crooked finger.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou<\/i> shouldn\u2019t be driving that car, Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell that\u2019s rather narrow minded. You have a car. You have a freakin\u2019 convertible. And you\u2019re<\/i> allergic to sunlight!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly,\u201d Angel hissed. \u201cI have a car, which means you have a car. We<\/i>,\u201d Angel jerked his finger back and forth between them, pointing from one to the other, \u201chave a car.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh there\u2019s just no talking to you.\u201d Cordelia scoffed, rolling her eyes and waving him off with her hands. And deciding to let him argue with himself, she stepped around the arrogant vampire.<\/p>\n

Angel\u2019s arm looping around her waist, Cordelia\u2019s feet left the ground as she let loose a scream that could wake the dead. But no one came rushing to her aid. Because there wasn\u2019t a man or beast within hearing range willing to challenge her abductor.<\/p>\n

Her trip ending almost as quickly as it began, she felt the hard jolt of her butt landing in the passenger seat. Angel following her halfway in, his nose brushing against hers as he strapped the seatbelt across her; Cordelia squeezed her eyes shut when a cool breathy, \u201cSee how easy it is, when we work as a team,\u201d blew against her face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho the hell do you think you are?\u201d She screamed back, but composure regained too late, her answer came in the form of a slamming door. Anger undeterred, her tirade continued full force as Angel settled into the driver\u2019s seat with Cordelia jerking around to meet him head-on. \u201cYou\u2019re in big trouble buster. Things have changed, you can\u2019t be bossing me around anytime you like.\u201d<\/p>\n

Having ridden this emotional roller coaster as long as he could stand for one night, Angel stretched across the narrow space of the sports car. Eyes glazed, his jaw was so tight with tension an audible crack sounded when he opened his mouth. \u201cYou\u2019re right, Cordelia. Things have changed. And unless you want me to show you just how much\u2026shut up.\u201d Control little more than a brittle twig, he clenched his hands to keep from touching her. And his message obviously received, Angel quickly pulled away before he changed his mind.<\/p>\n

Cordelia\u2019s mouth opened and closed, the mousy squeak that managed to escape grating her last nerve. With the tattered remnants of common sense convincing her not to talk back, she jerked her head toward the passenger window, and accepted that Angel would have the last word \u2014 this time.<\/p>\n

~~~ ~~~<\/p>\n

\u201cWesley, I\u2019m back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank heavens. I was beginning to worry. What took you so-oomph!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLong?\u201d Finishing Wesley\u2019s question, Cordelia threw an annoyed nod at their unexpected guest.<\/p>\n

It was bad enough that Angel didn\u2019t think they could run the agency without him. With Wesley practically stumbling over his own feet, she wasn\u2019t about to follow through on her earlier threat. Besides, what was Wesley going to do? Explain to the crazed vampire that accosting former coworkers was against company policy?<\/p>\n

\u201cAngel?\u201d Clearing the unmanly squawk from his throat, Wesley half addressed half questioned. \u201cThis is\u2026unexpected.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWesley.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel took an inconspicuous check of his surroundings, relieved when he didn\u2019t detect Gunn\u2019s presence. Whether estranged friends or sworn enemies, divide and conquer was an effective strategy. And as palpable as their discomfort was, putting Wesley at ease would be as simple as tapping into his elemental instincts\u2014work.<\/p>\n

\u201cCordelia tells me you guys have a case.\u201d<\/p>\n

She hadn\u2019t mentioned the case; but Angel simply asking about their work, Cordelia felt the tug again. How easy it would be to slip back into the familiar routine and believe they could go back. Research, followed by discussion that Angel listened to as a perfunctory courtesy before going off to handle the threat on his own. For a long time their method of fighting evil worked, and made her feel safe. But as reality often does, it shattered her imperfect world, and with it, her imperfect safety net. With another notch of guilt, Cordelia belatedly remembered there were others to consider too. She couldn\u2019t ask Wesley and Gunn to jump through hoops every time a confrontation with Angel had her reassessing the future.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m gonna take off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel didn\u2019t try to pretend he wasn\u2019t irritated by her leaving, and Cordelia didn\u2019t pretend to care. Snatching her purse from the drawer, she turned from his angry scowl and bid Wesley a quiet goodnight before closing the door behind her. Tomorrow, she would feel guilty over leaving her friend behind; tonight she needed to escape.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Wesley wrung his hands uncomfortably. \u201cThis is\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUncomfortable?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cQuite.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo the case?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh yes, the case.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unsure of divulging confidential information with someone no longer a part of the team, Wesley was stalling. But unlike Cordelia, his resistance wasn\u2019t fueled by personal motivation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just curious Wes, don\u2019t plan on getting involved with whatever you have going on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell then,\u201d He relented, naively taking Angel at his word. \u201cChristine Stevens, early twenties, discovered in an alley two weeks ago. Coroner determined cause of death to be a miscarriage. A rather violent one actually.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow so?\u201d Angel questioned casually, as if feigning his interest out of courtesy.<\/p>\n

\u201cHer stomach exploded, and as a result she bled to death.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy aren\u2019t the police handling it?\u201d Angel eased further into the perimeter, pulling a random book from the shelf and flipping through the pages.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey did, as much as their limited resources allowed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLimited resources? The police?\u201d The book\u2019s spine cradled in his hands, Angel snapped it shut and slid it back onto the shelf.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only identifiable DNA belongs to the mother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIdentifiable meaning human?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPrecisely.\u201d Wesley lifted his coveted research, displaying the overstuffed folder with a distinct air of pride. \u201cWe were contacted by the detective in charge of the case.\u201d<\/p>\n

Detective? Angel was unaware of any detective, an oversight he wouldn\u2019t allow again. But as Cordelia took great satisfaction in pointing out, the building\u2019s original sewer outlets were concreted over during reconstruction; which meant, around the clock surveillance would require the assistance of someone less restricted by daylight.<\/p>\n

Angel caught the slight rise in Wesley\u2019s heart rate, his lungs working a little harder. He was elated sharing the rewards of his investigative hunt, but more important, only minutes from revealing the trespasser that put Cordelia in danger.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd this detective,\u201d Angel quirked a brow wanting Wesley to fill in the blank, \u201ccame to you because?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSpade.\u201d Wesley conveniently took the bait. \u201cHe needed someone knowledgeable with the preternatural aspects of the case.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs in Sam Spade?\u201d Angel asked disbelievingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, strange as it is. However, he seemed rather ill at ease discussing the demonic parameters of the investigation, so I felt it best not to pry with personal queries.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on.\u201d Angel encouraged, taking advantage of Wesley\u2019s concentration to give their new accommodations a closer scrutiny.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe tracked down a social acquaintance of the victim; but when we arrived, she was gone. According to the apartment manager, Miss Fleming left without giving notice or a forwarding address.\u201d<\/p>\n

His head slightly cocked, he took in the surroundings. The architecture was modern, with clean lines; nothing alluded to the old space they had shared.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you suspect someone or something<\/i> didn\u2019t want you talking to this woman?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt stands to reason.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel eased into Cordelia\u2019s chair, pressing his palms flat against the desktop. The surface was uncharacteristically free of clutter with only a few neatly stacked files, and what appeared to be a recent photo of the three in their new office.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what does this Detective Spade,\u201d Angel rolled his eyes at the ridiculous clich\u00e9, \u201chave to do with Cordelia meeting an informant at Caritas. Alone?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were able to ascertain that Miss Fleming spent a good bit time with a Mickey Kyle. But as he was rather leery of meeting with us, Cordelia thought he might be more cooperative if she met with him alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Something was off, and though he couldn\u2019t quite put his finger on it, the missing piece was unsettling. Keeping his ears primed for any usable information, Angel gave the room an intensive scan, until his eyes fell on the back wall. An expensive looking landscape of the city, no doubt purchased secondhand, Wesley\u2019s various degrees and diplomas, and their brand new registered detective license\u2026but not the squiggly sketch of Van Gieson\u2019s statue. Cordelia had drawn it to help him find the demon in her first vision, then later framed it as a tribute to their fallen friend. She had taken it from the hotel, leaving only a shadowed outline in its place. Could Cordelia be so desperate to escape their past that she would destroy the precious memento, Angel wandered, and worried that his search of self-discovery had caused more damage than he realized.<\/p>\n

\u201cAngel?\u201d Wesley called out, not getting a response; then stiffened when dark angry eyes turned on him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you accepted that as a reason for Cordelia to be at Caritas, alone with a demon?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTechnically, he\u2019s half-demon.\u201d Wesley contradicted with a touch of a challenge in his tone. \u201cIf you would like to explain the dangers associated with her decision, you\u2019re welcome to take a stab at it. But word to the wise, Cordelia stabs back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight. You said no, and Cordelia-\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe her response was bite me bossy pants.\u201d<\/p>\n

~~~ ~~~<\/p>\n

\u201cYea, like I\u2019m gonna believe anything you say.\u201d Draining the last of his beer, Merl slammed the empty mug onto the bar and headed for the exit. \u201cI\u2019m outta here man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOut there,\u201d Angel motioned with a nod toward the exit, \u201cdoesn\u2019t have a protection spell.\u201d<\/p>\n

Merl looked at the door just a few feet away then back to the ornery vampire. If he wasn\u2019t afraid of getting his head ripped off he\u2019d suggest the blood sucker get help for his identity crisis. But as the pair of menacing gold rimmed eyes glared down on him, Merle figured there were worse gigs than playing Renfield to Angel\u2019s Dracula.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo rules. One, I get paid.\u201d Merle took off again, this time putting a little more haste in his step. Scaly fingers securely gripping the doorjamb, he turned back just long enough to deliver the final condition of his employment. \u201cAnd two, you hang me upside down again, I tell that hot little number you\u2019re payin\u2019 me to spy on her.\u201d Having no intention of waiting for the vampire\u2019s retaliation, Merle dashed outside hitting the pavement at a full run.<\/p>\n

~~~ ~~~<\/p>\n

From his perch on the adjacent roof, Angel peered into the building\u2019s only exposed window. The frantic hustle a few minutes earlier beginning to calm as the last of their wounds were accessed and bandaged.<\/p>\n

Her small but loyal army tended to, Cordelia gave into her need for fresh air and stepped outside, providing a better view to inquisitive eyes. Hair mussed, clothes dirty, she had obviously joined the foray; the thought of her possible harm making Angel\u2019s blood boil.<\/p>\n

A blanket of bright, twinkling stars, the night sky was beautiful. Too bad she smelled like a week\u2019s worth of unwashed hard labor. Nothing a good soak and scrub wouldn\u2019t fix, Cordelia mused, and turning to find her ride, instead bounded into an Angel-shaped brick wall.<\/p>\n

Her breath swooshed as strong hands gripped her arms jerking Cordelia against the hard, unbending frame. Two ebony orbs rimmed by flecks of gold flaring with rage; their encounter a few days ago paled in comparison. Overcome with fear, Cordelia stood frozen, the only movement inside her snug prison, uncontrollable trembling.<\/p>\n

\u201cI catch you fighting again, I\u2019ll be paying Wes and Gunn a visit.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the span of a blink, she was free; the heavy clamp on her arms disappearing a split second before Angel. Face ashen, and knees a mush of flesh and bone, Cordelia slumped against the building, taking in deep calming breaths of cool air. Blood finally circulating through her veins and her head beginning to clear, she pushed up straight only to be startled again as Gunn rounded the corner.<\/p>\n

\u201cGirl you look like you just saw a-\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDemon?\u201d Cordelia finished. \u201cYea, they\u2019re pretty hard to miss when there\u2019s so many of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou okay, Barbie?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on. Let\u2019s get you home so you can wash the stink off ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh like you smell all downy fresh.\u201d Cordelia joked in an attempt to ease Gunn\u2019s concern as well as her own apprehension. Following Gunn back inside to find Wesley, an eerie tingle bristled up her spine, and twisting her head around, she nervously glanced over her shoulder.<\/p>\n

Gunn\u2019s truck, a few of his crew heading out for a final patrol before calling it a night; everything she could see contradicted her fears. But Cordelia knew that beyond the illumination of a clear night sky and full moon, somewhere amidst the indistinguishable shadows, Angel was watching.<\/p>\n

~~~ ~~~<\/p>\n

Bert swung the sledgehammer, any additional leverage created by his extra limbs only managing to chip off a few fragments at best.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis wall is over three inches thick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen put another tentacle into it. And keep your voice down. If we get caught\u2026\u201d Merl shook just thinking about the horrors the vampire could unleash when angry.<\/p>\n

\u201cI only got the four, and they\u2019re arms not tentacles.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Octopus boy is sensitive. Well get over it, we have work to do.\u201d Merle shot back his agitation as best he could with a hushed tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe I should desensitize your head, lizard breath.\u201d Bert snarled displaying two jagged rows of short, razor-sharp choppers. Although he didn\u2019t cotton to the slur on his appearance or lack of oral hygiene, Merl was no match for that suction cup of a mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook man, we gotta work together. Drac wants that wall down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bert was already taking another swing, his tenacity more likely rant-driven than a result of Merl\u2019s encouragement. But whatever the compellent, this time a fairly large chunk of wall broke loose and crumbled to floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cHit it again-Hit it again-Hit it again.\u201d Merle chanted excitedly as Bert repeatedly rammed the heavy hammer, each swing harder than the one before it, until the surface collapsed under the relentless bombardment.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought Dracula was a myth.\u201d Bert questioned, staring up over one shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is\u2026I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you said-\u201d<\/p>\n

Merl dropped to his knees, joining his cohort in the heap of crumbled mortar. \u201cDracula is just the psycho vamp\u2019s personality this week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike that Sybil chick?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYea, only scarier. Like the stepmother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOoh, that old crow scared me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly.\u201d Merl broke off one of the smaller chunks still clinging to the makeshift passage. \u201cDig Bert. Dig.\u201d<\/p>\n

Part 4<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Part 3 \u201cWhat\u2019s your poison?\u201d \u201cScotch.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019ve got a pretty good show tonight. I think you\u2019ll like it.\u201d \u201cCounting on it.\u201d Angel tossed…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1607","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-to-be-continued-fic"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1607","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=1607"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1607\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1607"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1607"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1607"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}