Part 4<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s too small.\u201d<\/p>\n
The dreaded voice coming out of nowhere, Merle jumped, his momentum sending him on a collision course with his digging partner. Arms flailing, their loads of stone and mortar went flying, duel yelps echoing through the dank sewer tunnel.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou did that on purpose, you\u2026\u201d Angel\u2019s face expressionless except for an sinisterly arched brow, Merle bit into his tongue, effectively saving his neck in the nick of time.<\/p>\n
Stepping over the debris scattered at his feet, Angel peered into the lopsided opening. \u201cMake it bigger.\u201d And satisfied neither lackey would risk disappointing him, dropped two crisp one hundred dollar bills as he made his way down the tunnel. \u201cDon\u2019t be here when I get back,\u201d resonating behind him as his form faded into the emptiness.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can count on it, Oh Lord of the Dark.\u201d Merle whispered a sarcastic comeback once certain the ornery vampire was beyond hearing range.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that his name this week?\u201d Bert asked as he hurriedly gathered the fallen rubble into a neat pile.<\/p>\n
\u201cBe quiet, the blood sucker has ears like a fox.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWouldn\u2019t he have ears like a bat? Hmmm\u2026 Do bat\u2019s have ears?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up Bert and get the hammer.\u201d<\/p>\n
~~~“~~~<\/p>\n
The first stack of papers analyzed until nothing was left to pick apart, Wesley slid it to the side; a weary sigh escaping as he prepared to tackle the next. Page after page of evidence rehashed until crisp corners curled from the tight pinch of fingers and hushed conversation turned to agitated rebuttal.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re wrong.\u201d Cordelia quietly contradicted, rubbing the pads of her fingers down the paper\u2019s side, as though its secret hid beneath the neatly typed ink. \u201cI can\u2019t explain it, but I know he didn\u2019t do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re reacting to emotion, Cordelia. That\u2019s a rather unscientific approach.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a reason for that. I\u2019m not a scientist.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia took the top sheet from the messy pile, holding it up for Wesley\u2019s perusal. \u201cDetective Spade thinks the man is guilty just because he\u2019s a demon. That\u2019s not very detectivey.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPerhaps the good detective\u2019s judgment is clouded by personal opinion, but his conclusion was drawn by facts. Mickey Kyle had the motive and the means.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPffttt,\u201d Cordelia offered Wesley\u2019s know-it-all assumption. \u201cIs that scientific enough for ya?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, well, I doubt the police will remove Mickey Kyle from their suspect list because you have a feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n
~~~<\/p>\n
Gunn\u2019s whereabouts unknown, Angel listened for signs of his arrival as he watched the Cordelia and Wesley go about their work. Despite the current head butting, they had accomplished quite a bit in their investigation, tracking down leads and informants with very little to go on. His friends were managing better on their own than he\u2019d expected; his pride colored only by his regret of not being a part of it.<\/p>\n
Thoughts turned again to the third member of the group. Gunn was rarely around during his clandestine visits, making him wander if the young man had chosen returning to his roots over the day-to-day grunge work of a detective agency.<\/p>\n
The fight he witnessed a few nights ago could have been a random attack rather than a vision, Wesley and Cordelia simply returning the favor by combining forces. Nevertheless, even with the added numbers, they suffered casualties. And determined that Cordelia would not be a victim because of his mistakes; Angel decided to act before she risked challenging his warning.<\/p>\n
\u201cAm I interrupting?\u201d<\/p>\n
Heads shooting up, their collective attention shot first to the door they assumed was locked then to their unexpected visitor.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d Recalling another time the vampire had forced his way into their office, Wesley motioned for Cordelia to stay put before making his way to the front of the office. \u201cCan I help you with something?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to make you an offer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAn offer?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to handle the visions.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s very generous of you, but we have-\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s a good idea.\u201d Cordelia headed toward the two men, the rough edge of Angel\u2019s recent warning spurring a faster pace.<\/p>\n
Accepting Wesley\u2019s surprised stare for all of fifteen seconds, her hands snapped to her hips, presenting a display of confidence and defiance she neither felt nor deserved.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes sense when you think about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia would have laughed at her flimsy defense if not for the absurdity of their situation. Angel\u2019s offer was a politely delivered order, making it possible for her concession to merely appear as her own. And staring up at the unshakable resolve glaring down at her, she wasn\u2019t foolish enough to believe compliance was an option.<\/p>\n
At the moment, Angel\u2019s motivation was the bigger mystery. Not that she\u2019d ask, or expect an honest answer if she did. It was possible that his refusal to let go was nothing more than a bruised and swollen ego. Angel might leave, but no one leaves Angel. His promised shanshu was just as likely a plausible motive. Although, Cordelia reconsidered, whenever more intimate causes made saving the hopeless unimportant, the mission was forgotten and friendships became disposable.<\/p>\n
With a little luck, the incentive behind Angel\u2019s relentless pursuit soon wouldn\u2019t matter. Despite their unexpected caseload, Wesley was making steady progress in figuring out how to contact the omnipotent beings currently controlling her fate. Admittedly, the ritual coerced from a reluctant Lorne was a scary proposition, but for Cordelia, well worth the risk. No visions meant Angel wouldn\u2019t need her, which meant she could finally move on with her life.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou now want us to work with Angel?\u201d Wesley asked, confused by Cordelia\u2019s sudden change of heart.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t say that,\u201d Cordelia hissed, \u201cI\u2019m just saying if Angel wants to fight demons let him.\u201d<\/p>\n
~~~“~~~<\/p>\n
A long, hot summer came to mind. Not that LA had been unusually warm, or remotely resembled lazy. Lives had been turned inside out\u2026again. Loyalties had shifted, and alliances once trusted, now faced off\u2026again. No, Charles Gunn reconsidered, the clich\u00e9 didn\u2019t fit after all; and whistling his tune a little louder, began to slow his approach. Whatever lay around the corner had picked up his scent at least three blocks ago. It just didn\u2019t know he was ready for an ambush.<\/p>\n
The familiar tingle prickling up his spine, Gunn instinctively shifted his stance. Weapon aimed and ready, he stepped into the dimly lit alley, unprepared for the demon laying in wait.<\/p>\n
Arms crossed and heads cocked, the two men sized each other up in a silent stand off.<\/p>\n
\u201cGunn.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d and without skipping a beat addressed his troop, \u201cSince when do we take prisoners?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWasn\u2019t sure if you wanted this one dust,\u201d Rondell declared begrudgingly.<\/p>\n
Gunn scanned the familiar faces. Boys forced into manhood before they were ready. Loyal friends he trusted with his life, waiting for him to lead, trusting him to make the right choices and keep his people safe.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a vamp; ain\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia might disagree.\u201d Gruff, almost devoid of emotion, Angel held his opponent\u2019s stare, while inwardly grappling with the surge of doubts threatening to burn him from the inside out.<\/p>\n
\u201cTell you what, if she has any free time in the next few weeks, I\u2019ll ask her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rondell\u2019s sight never wavering from the cold, dead eyes staring back, his finger squeezed against the crossbow\u2019s trigger.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs this where I tremble,\u201d Angel scoffed, \u201cOr laugh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Gunn countered moving a step closer, \u201cthis is where you regret a bad decision.\u201d<\/p>\n
The young man instinctively guarding his territory, had understandably designated himself alpha male. It was an attitude Angel admired, but one he would only tolerate to a degree. \u201cI do regret leaving my friends\u2026and the mission.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cActually, I was talking about being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but that too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Relieved the time-wasted conversation was drawing to an end, Rondell shifted, aligning the arrow\u2019s path with the lifeless heart, only to be disappointed by another interruption.<\/p>\n
\u201cSave your arrow for the next one, the vamp\u2019s with us.\u201d With a dull glint of distrust and resentment at calling off his crew, Gun added a deliberate, \u201cfor now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Utter shock taking over, Rondell dropped his guard; George and the others flanking his sides to voice their protest. \u201cYou have got to be kidding me, man.\u201d<\/p>\n
With rumors of vampires setting up a new turf and the demon in Cordelia\u2019s vision needing to be dealt with, Gunn held up his hand, effectively cutting off a debate he didn\u2019t have time for.<\/p>\n
\u201cRondell. George. You need to worry about the vamp nest in the old Clover warehouse.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what will you be doing?\u201d George challenged, stepping to the front of the group.<\/p>\n
\u201cKilling a Nequa\u2019el demon. Now get movin\u2019 and I\u2019ll meet you back at camp.\u201d Gunn tossed a look in Angel\u2019s direction then back at his men, \u201cAlone.\u201d<\/p>\n
One by one the men headed off, grumbles of dissension falling silent beneath the weight of responsibilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo a Nequa\u2019el.\u201d Angel casually mentioned as he strolled past Gunn, making his way deeper into the alley.<\/p>\n
\u201cYea, you know \u2018em?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot really.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn caught up with Angel\u2019s stride, and squaring his shoulders, locked his sight straight ahead.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy are you doing this?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow do you know it\u2019s a Nequa\u2019el?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEnglish looked it up in one of his picture books.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to help.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you\u2019ve said.\u201d<\/p>\n
Regret, forgiveness, trust, just empty words unless promises were fulfilled. With nothing left to say, the two men continued in silence.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause I think I can help.\u201d
\n\u201cHow do we know we can trust you?\u201d
\n\u201cI guess I\u2019ll just have to earn that.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Momentarily lost in memory, innate senses missed the abrupt change, exposing Angel to the blow coming from behind. Gunn automatically flanked right as Angel sprung to his feet, spinning around and blocking the second strike. Knees threatening to buckle under the massive weight, muscles intuitively tensed, a heavy grunt pushing its way past tight-pressed lips as he shoved the demon toward the readied axe.<\/p>\n
Gunn, confident of a swift victory, swung around fast and hard, his axe slicing through the air and landing dead center of its target. He felt an unexpected jolt, the handle vibrating inside his grip; then stumbled back in disbelief when the fine-honed blade practically bounced off the demon\u2019s thick, crusty hide.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the fu-what the hell is this thing; rock?\u201d<\/p>\n
The demon already turning for a counter attack, Angel lunged for its back, locking one arm around its neck in a tight vice. A larger, stronger claw closed around his hand, the pulverizing force threatening to crush bone. Snarling against the pain, human features shifted, teeth elongated into sharp-pointed weapons and sank into a semi-tender patch of flesh underneath the beast\u2019s jaw.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be alone right now.\u201d
\n\u201cMaybe, but I need some time to myself.\u201d
\n\u201cWhen will you be back?\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Gunn brought the axe down again and again. Each strike, harder than the one before it, buried the blade deep into the softer underbelly. The whites of his eyes paled, blending into the dark around them. His heart raced, breaths became wheezing gasps for air, sweat coated his face.<\/p>\n
Angel tore into the demon\u2019s throat, his own feral growls blending with the agonizing howls of his prey.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis isn\u2019t a personal attack, Angel.\u201d
\n\u201cThe visions, battling supernatural elements, requires stability.\u201d
\n\u201cAnd I\u2019m not dependable.\u201d
\n\u201cNo, I\u2019m sorry to say, you\u2019re not.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
The demon beaten down with their combined assault, Angel\u2019s relentless attack continued, undeterred by the smell of impending death.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrust me Cordelia. Invite me in.\u201d
\n\u201cI can\u2019t.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Staggering back, Gunn gave into exhaustion, collapsing to the ground. Blood, thick and black as oil, oozed from the demon, smearing across Angel\u2019s cheek.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s dead, man. You can stop biting it now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nothing\u2026 Angel poured his rage into the lifeless piece of flesh, heavy grunts disrupting the dark silence as teeth gnashed against the leather-tough hide.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t Cordelia. I don\u2019t want to fight with you.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Disgusted by the scene of bloody teeth and mangled flesh, Gunn struck his fist repeatedly against Angel\u2019s shoulder. \u201cLet it go man. It\u2019s dead.\u201d<\/p>\n
Energy spent, rage temporarily appeased, Angel let go, slumping over the dead carcass.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to fight either. I just want this to be over with.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
~~~“~~~<\/p>\n
\u201cGiles? You told Giles?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia looked at Wesley as though he\u2019d grown a second head, although, considering her wide-eyed shock, he might have sprouted a third.<\/p>\n
Yes, Cordelia. I called Giles. Is there a problem?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course there\u2019s a problem. What if he tells someone-what if Angel finds out?\u201d<\/p>\n
Her arms flailed at the absurdity of the man she\u2019d believed to be intelligent, her fingers pointing accusingly at the idiot that had proved her wrong.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiles was most helpful in translating the ritual; besides, who would he possibly tell that would have reason to speak with Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n
Okay, he had her there. No one in Sunnydale cared whether or not she had the visions. And no one in Sunnydale talked to Angel except Buffy and she was gone. Oh God. Buffy is dead and Angel is heart broken. No. No. No. Cordelia silently wailed. No more guilt. Angel didn\u2019t need her then and he doesn\u2019t need her now.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right. I overreacted. So what does this ritual include, a ceremonial hat, live chickens?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood Lord, Cordelia, nothing as grotesque as animal sacrifices. Although, as the bearer of the visions your blood is required – a minimal donation, I assure you,\u201d Wesley quickly added when confronted with her horrified expression.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, a little blood; what else?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI need to procure the tail feather of a dodo bird, and of course, the dodo bird being extinct for more than three hundred years, plumage may prove difficult to come by.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlood, tail feathers. What else?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe remaining ingredients can be readily found in LA, so as soon as I can track down an apothecary that deals in rare antiquities and a shaman, we should be ready to begin.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia had to admit, hearing how close they were to actually performing the ritual, anticipation was definitely overshadowing Lorne\u2019s caution of playing with fire. So what if she got a little burned, the doctor had already told her it was only a matter of time before the migraines became life-threatening.<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat! All that stands between me and a normal life is a dodo. I\u2019ll be free Wesley. Free of the visions. Free of Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
I\u2019ll be free\u2026 I\u2019ll be free\u2026 I\u2019ll be free\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
Excitement waned with each resonation, Cordelia shivered from the cold, desolation crawled over her.<\/p>\n
No more Angel\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
~~~“~~~<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere\u2019s my money?\u201d Merle risked a cheeky attitude. He\u2019d labored all day. He deserved it.<\/p>\n
Angel reached into the drawer, and with a flick of his wrist tossed a fifty across the desk.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you have for me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI followed a pretty girl all day man, whadda ya think I got? You know,\u201d Merle looked around the messy state of their surroundings, \u201cmost people tidy up a little when company\u2019s coming.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hands pressed together, his chin resting on the tips of his fingers, Angel leaned the chair back as far as it\u2019s springs could tolerate and said nothing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell excuse me. Forgot this was a working relationship.\u201d Merl jerked his fingers in front of his face, snapping quotation marks around the phrase. \u201cLast I saw her, your squeeze and the professor were talking about vision rituals and being free of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s spine stiffened, the added clench of his jaw sounding an audible pop. Cordelia thought the visions kept her tied to him. It was time she discovered the ties that bind, and Wesley learned a lesson in boundaries.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it don\u2019t sound like they\u2019ll be doing it anytime soon. The professor said something about needing a dead bird and a shaman.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe sewer tunnel?\u201d Angel asked, abruptly changing the subject.<\/p>\n
\u201cMan you just don\u2019t let up.\u201d<\/p>\n