{"id":3686,"date":"2015-07-05T13:01:00","date_gmt":"2015-07-05T12:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/?p=3686"},"modified":"2015-07-05T13:12:32","modified_gmt":"2015-07-05T12:12:32","slug":"taken-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2015\/07\/05\/taken-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Taken. 1"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a><b>Title: Taken<\/b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/taken.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-166\" src=\"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/taken-300x250.jpg\" alt=\"taken ficpic\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/taken-300x250.jpg 300w, https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/taken.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><a><br \/>\n<b>Author: <\/b>Gabriella<br \/>\n<b>Posted: <\/b><br \/>\n<\/a><a href=\"mailto:browneyedgirl186@gmail.com\"><b>Email<\/b><\/a><br \/>\n<b>Rating: <\/b>R for language and sexual situations<br \/>\n<b>Category: <\/b>AU<br \/>\n<b>Content: <\/b>C\/A, B\/S. A\/Dar, A\/Dru and S\/Dru implied<br \/>\n<b>Summary: <\/b>\u201cLook, the bottom line is, Darla and Drusilla are together, and they\u2019re planning on Angel and Spike joining them. At any cost.\u201d Darla and Drusilla kidnap Cordelia and hold her hostage in an attempt to win back Angel[us] and Spike. \u2026<br \/>\n<b>Spoilers: <\/b>None really \u2013 if anything, based around early S3.<br \/>\n<b>Disclaimer: <\/b>The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon &amp; David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.<br \/>\n<b>Distribution: <\/b>Just Fic, GT. Anyone else, just ask.<br \/>\n<b>Notes: <\/b>Okay, important stuff you need to know \u2013 C\/A are together, as are B\/S. They know about each other and everyone\u2019s mature and ok about it all, because they\u2019ve known prior to this story and discussed it, yada, yada, yada. ;o) Use ATS Season 3 as a base, except no Buffy dying, no Spike hate-sex, and no pregnant Darla. It\u2019s my own little AU Universe and it may be a little confusing at first but things should get clearer as they go along. :o) Bear with me. Oh yeah, and the lyrics on the fanart are from <i>\u201cTorture\u201d<\/i> by The Cure.<br \/>\n<b>Thanks\/Dedication:<\/b>To <b>Daisy<\/b>, for the beta, and <b>Amz<\/b>, for the wonderful art. I love you ladies!<br \/>\n<b>Feedback:<\/b>Yes please!<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Part 1<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was making her head hurt.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Buffy sighed as she watched Angel pace a groove into the floor of the hotel. His body was tense and fear radiated off him in waves. It was making her head spin, and his panic was doing nothing to quell the growing dread in her own heart. Spike\u2019s hand on her shoulder was reassuring but she still felt sick to her stomach, and her head still hurt from the blow she had taken.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The atmosphere in the lobby of the hotel was morose, and each of her friends wore an anxious expression \u2013 which also, incidentally, did nothing to calm her apprehension. Everyone was staring worriedly at the vampire in the centre of the foyer as he walked backwards and forwards, his body rigid, his face sullen.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Buffy finally stood, rubbing the back of her neck. \u201cAngel, I\u2019m so sor &#8211; \u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cIt\u2019s not your fault,\u201d Angel said quietly, running a hand through his hair, \u201cyou tried to protect her.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Buffy felt her eyes sting, and she blinked quickly, taking comfort in Spike\u2019s presence when he took a step closer to her, pressing his palm against the small of her back. His voice was low when he spoke, his tone serious.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cWe\u2019ll find her, Peaches.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Angel glanced at him. \u201cShe\u2019s still alive. I know she is,\u201d his voice was soft, as though he were reassuring himself, \u201cShe has to be.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Buffy nodded. \u201cShe is. And we\u2019ll find her, Angel. I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cYou *promised* to take care of her too,\u201d Gunn snapped, rising from his seat, anger and helplessness getting the better of him. \u201cThat bit the damn dust &#8211; \u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Buffy\u2019s heart sank.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cGunn.\u201d Wesley warned, his voice firm, \u201cCalm down. Fighting with each other is going to get us nowhere. The situation is grave. Cordelia is in danger and we are not going to let anything happen to her but arguing and pacing a groove into the floor &#8211; \u201d he shot a pointed look at Angel who immediately stopped, \u201cis not going to return her safely to us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gunn stared at him for a few seconds. Then he huffed, and glanced at Buffy, sinking back into his seat. \u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">She waved him off. \u201cNo, I\u2019m sorry, I should\u2019ve\u2026\u201d she trailed off, biting her lip. \u201cDrusilla just came out of nowhere.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cYou couldn\u2019t have known, luv.\u201d Spike wrapped his arm around her shoulders and she accepted the embrace gratefully, her tired body sinking into his. He felt wonderful, like a strong and steady wall when everything around her was falling apart.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">They had only just arrived.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">How had it all gone so wrong?<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">*<i><u>Earlier<\/u><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cHello?\u201d Xander said, hopefully glancing around the empty lobby. \u201cAnybody home?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cThis is what you get when you barge in uninvited.\u201d Spike muttered, lighting a cigarette and leaning against the doorway.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Willow glared at him. \u201cYou would know\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cGuys,\u201d Buffy chided, dropping her bag on the ground. It had been a while since she\u2019d been at the Hyperion. It looked nice, cosier than the last time. She raised her voice a little. \u201cAngel? Cordy?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Xander frowned when the office door opened, and Angel and Wesley filed out of the small room. \u201cNow how is that any different to what I said?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cBuffy?\u201d Angel smiled widely, \u201cHey!\u201d He quickly walked over and wrapped her in a hug. He pulled away, grabbing her shoulders, \u201cYou look great!\u201d He moved away from her and gave Willow a quick hug. \u201cWhat are you guys doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cUh, surprise,\u201d Buffy smiled weakly, shrugging, \u201cI know it\u2019s out of the blue, but we come bearing gifts and bags and &#8211; \u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cBad news.\u201d Spike finished gravely, staring at Angel. Angel returned the look, a little thrown by Spike\u2019s sombre expression.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cDrusilla.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The very name caused a chill to run down Angel\u2019s spine. He blinked. \u201cWhat about her?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cShe\u2019s back,\u201d Spike strolled around the lobby, taking a drag from his cigarette, \u201cand she\u2019s behavin\u2019 badly.\u201d He turned around and raised an eyebrow. \u201cAin\u2019t it funny that a couple of years ago, that thought would have made me all hot and bothered?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Xander and Angel shot him repulsed looks, while Buffy simple glared.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Spike coughed. \u201cNot any more, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wesley crossed his arms. \u201cHave you seen her?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Spike nodded. \u201cCame to see me a few days ago. Said she was coming here,\u201d He pointed at Angel, \u201cto bug you. And guess who she\u2019s plannin\u2019 to do it with?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cDarla.\u201d Angel said quietly, the feeling of unease growing inside him.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cYup,\u201d Spike sighed, \u201cShe asked me to come with her.\u201d He glanced at Buffy, then back at Angel, \u201cThey\u2019re back, Peaches. And they want us back with \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cWell, why the bloody hell didn\u2019t you stake Drusilla?\u201d Wesley said, shooting Spike an annoyed look.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Spike narrowed his eyes. \u201cBecause I never could.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Buffy ignored the pang of jealousy that bolted through her. Spike loved her, she knew that. But it still bothered her that there was that foreign part of him, his past, buried deep inside him, deep where she couldn\u2019t reach it. \u201cLook, the bottom line is, Darla and Drusilla are together, and they\u2019re planning on Angel and Spike joining them. At any cost.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Xander groaned. \u201cDon\u2019t they have anything better to do?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cApparently not.\u201d Buffy replied. A thought suddenly hit her, and she spun around, staring wide-eyed at Angel. \u201cWhere\u2019s Cordelia?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Angel frowned, glancing at Wesley. \u201cI don\u2019t know. Maybe she\u2019s with Fred and Gunn?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Buffy gaped. \u201cMaybe? Or maybe she\u2019s out by herself! Soon it&#8217;ll be night time!\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Angel ignored the jolt of worry in his stomach, \u201cCordy can take of herself &#8211; \u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Buffy was on a roll. \u201cWhat if she\u2019s attacked? Or\u2026or hurt? Or kidnapped? Or &#8211; \u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cImpregnated by demon spawn?\u201d Buffy turned at the voice, sighing with relief when she saw Cordelia smiling at her from the bottom of the stairs. \u201cIt wouldn\u2019t be the first time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cYeah, well, you know what they say,\u201d Buffy quipped, \u201cthird time lucky?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordy smirked, sauntering down the last few stairs. \u201cWhat are you doing here, slayer?\u201d she winked, \u201cSunnyhell not thrilling enough for you?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cHell no,\u201d Buffy grinned, \u201cI just came to see your newest monstrosity \u2013 I mean, haircut.\u201d She laughed when Cordelia punched her arm, quickly stepping forward and embracing her. \u201cHi Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cHey,\u201d Cordelia smiled, touching her hair lightly, \u201cand you\u2019re just jealous, Blondie. My hair looks fabulous.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cAs always,\u201d Xander grinned from behind Buffy. \u201cDo I get a hug too?\u201d Cordelia quickly wrapped her arms around him, squeezing lightly. Xander pulled away with a pout. \u201cAngel didn\u2019t give me a hug.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia laughed. Angel rolled his eyes, growling when Spike quickly said, \u201cI didn\u2019t get one either.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cAngel\u2019s a crappy host,\u201d Cordy winked at him, hugging Spike, then Willow and linking her arm through the redhead\u2019s. \u201cAt least I\u2019m here now.\u201d She brushed her brown, shoulder length hair away from her face. \u201cSo, either we all suddenly had a case of the slumber party blues or something\u2019s up.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Angel chuckled at her analysis, putting his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. He kissed her forehead, breathing in the comforting scent of her hair, allowing it to calm the fear that had sparked at the mention of his sire and childe. \u201cLong story, Cor\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">***<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cSo\u2026let me get this right \u2013 Drusilla came to Sunnydale to get you,\u201d Cordelia pointed at Spike, who nodded. \u201cAnd you said no. So she came here for Angel, who Darla also wants?\u201d She snorted when Spike nodded again. \u201cWell, they can\u2019t have him!\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Angel squeezed her hand, smiling slightly. \u201cRelax, Cor.\u201d He looked around the room. Willow was battling for the phone with Xander, who was presumably talking to Sunnydale. Gunn and Fred had returned from the movies and were talking to Buffy. Wesley was in his office, collecting files on Darla and Drusilla. \u201cAt least we\u2019re all together.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cWhich reminds me,\u201d Willow said, releasing her grip on Xander, who immediately shot Angel a thumbs up. \u201cShould we take our bags up?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cI\u2019ll get \u2018em,\u201d Gunn said quickly, heading for the duffel bags. \u201cBetter than hangin\u2019 around here and talkin\u2019 about who bit who &#8211; \u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cBut you\u2019re so tiny!\u201d Fred exclaimed, examining Buffy\u2019s wrist with clinical interest. \u201cIt\u2019s amazing!\u201d Buffy shot Cordy a fearful look. Cordelia could only smile. She stood, almost taking Angel with her, his hand still firmly gripping hers.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cWhere are you going?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cTo the bathroom,\u201d Cordelia raised an eyebrow. \u201cWould you like to join me?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Angel grinned, waggling his eyebrows, \u201cYou offering?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cPerv,\u201d she smacked the back of his head, walking off. Buffy watched her go, glancing at Angel.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cMaybe you should get Cordelia and everyone to stay here? At the hotel?\u201d She said, shrugging, \u201cjust in case. It\u2019s safer if we\u2019re all together.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Angel nodded, \u201cGood idea.\u201d He stood quickly, wincing when his knees clicked.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Opposite him, Spike sniggered. \u201cOld man.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cBite me.\u201d Angel walked around the counter and towards the bathroom door, waiting silently outside. When Cordelia emerged a few seconds later, he pounced. She squealed, and Angel clasped a hand over her mouth, pulling her back into the bathroom. He closed the door quickly and set her down, cupping her face.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d She laughed breathlessly, palming his waist and pulling him close.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Angel raised an eyebrow. \u201cWhat are *you* doing?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cYou\u2019re a bad influence.\u201d She grinned, kissing him hard. He slid his hands into her hair and allowed her to devour his mouth, smiling when she pushed him against the wall. She pulled away to breathe and he smirked at her, keeping her hips close.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cI was thinking &#8211; \u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cOh no,\u201d she peppered his face with kisses, nipping his neck, licking his jaw, \u201cit\u2019s trying to think!\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Angel stared at her for a second. Then he palmed her butt and hauled her up, wrapping her legs around his waist. She squealed and let out a shriek of laughter when he began to tickle her ribs, collapsing against him.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">***<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Outside, Willow shot Buffy a strange look when a squeal sounded from across the lobby. \u201cWhat are they doing in there?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Spike smirked. Xander grimaced.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">***<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cOkay, okay, stop!\u201d Cordelia yelped, grabbing one of Angel\u2019s hands. Angel stopped, settling his hands on her hips. He sat down on the loo seat so that she was straddling him, smiling when she wrapped her arms around his neck.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cAre you going to let me talk?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordy rolled her eyes. \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cGood,\u201d he kissed her mouth, \u201cI was thinking &#8211; \u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia smirked.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cMaybe you should come and stay here for a little while,\u201d Angel said, running his finger down the bare curve of her shoulder. \u201cJust\u2026until this whole thing blows over.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordy frowned. \u201cAre you worried?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cNo,\u201d Angel lied, kissing her fingers, \u201cbut I want you near me. Just in case.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Warm butterflies fluttered in her tummy. \u201cYou\u2019re just trying to get a hottie into your bed, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Angel grinned. \u201cYeah, that too.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia laughed, twirling the hair at the nape of his neck between her fingers. \u201cAlright.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cAlright?\u201d Angel\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cAlright?\u201d He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. \u201cWho are you and what have you done with my girlfriend?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordy smiled, kissing his temple and trailing her tongue down over the shell of his ear. He shivered. \u201cYou\u2019re not the only one who likes the idea of a hottie in your bed\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">***<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">It was a whole ten minutes after Angel first got up that he emerged from the opposite end of the lobby with Cordy. Willow found she could not stop staring at them. Cordelia had a deep, beautiful blush across her cheeks and Angel \u2013 well, he was positively glowing. Willow remembered that it had shocked her at how quickly Buffy was able to accept their relationship. But evidently, Cordelia was great for him. She could see that now.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cI\u2019m taking Cordy to pick up her clothes,\u201d Angel grabbed his car keys, glancing at the group still sprawled on the couches. \u201cWill you be alright?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cUh\u2026do you not wonder why I\u2019m smelling like a bloody sewer?\u201d Spike raised an eyebrow, gesturing at himself.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cWhat?\u201d Angel looked confused. \u201cDo you want a shower?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Spike only rolled his eyes and pointed towards the glass doors. \u201cIt\u2019s daytime, Peaches. As in sunshine. As in crispy fried vampire.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Angel frowned and Cordy laughed, squeezing his hand. \u201cI\u2019ll be fine, Angel, it\u2019s broad daylight.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cYeah but,\u201d Angel shook his head, \u201cI don\u2019t really want you going alone &#8211; \u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cI\u2019ll go with her.\u201d Buffy stood up, brushing the imaginary dust off her trousers. \u201cWe need to catch up,\u201d she winked at Cordy, \u201cPlus, I wanna know where you got those boots.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia rolled her eyes. \u201cYa know, I really hate this whole being babysat thing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Angel pulled her into his embrace and kissed her forehead, sighing when she stiffened up. Buffy quickly turned her head away, feeling slightly uncomfortable.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cCordy,\u201d Angel tried, \u201clook, I just want to make sure you\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cI can take care of myself, Angel,\u201d Cordy snapped. \u201cOr do you have no faith in me?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cOf course I do, but &#8211; \u201d Angel palmed her cheeks, resting his forehead against hers, \u201cI just \u2013 this is Darla and Drusilla, okay? I\u2019m not willing to risk it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia sighed, closing her eyes when he rubbed his nose against hers in an Eskimo kiss. She hated the way he was so difficult to stay mad at. \u201cFine.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">He kissed her mouth softly, waiting until she opened her eyes. \u201cI love you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cGood, because otherwise you\u2019re sleeping on the couch.\u201d She sighed and pulled away, ignoring Angel\u2019s pained look and turning towards Buffy, who smiled at her almost apologetically. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">***<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cAre you mad?\u201d Buffy asked softly, glancing over at her silent companion. Cordelia hadn\u2019t said a word since they\u2019d left the hotel, and they\u2019d been walking for over five minutes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cDo you want me to be honest?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Buffy almost smiled, \u201cAren\u2019t you always?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordy glanced at her, then stopped abruptly, sighing, \u201cI hate the way he doesn\u2019t trust me to handle myself.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Buffy crossed her arms, \u201cCordy &#8211; \u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cI get that he worries,\u201d Cordelia shrugged, \u201cI mean, it\u2019s kinda adorable and wonderful to have someone care about you that way but &#8211; \u201d she ran a hand through her hair, \u201cI just feel as though he doesn\u2019t believe in me, ya know? Like he thinks that someone can blow on me and I\u2019ll fall over.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Buffy grinned. \u201cI really doubt that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cBut then why does he insist on everything I do being monitored?\u201d Cordy threw her arms up, \u201cAngel and I have been training for the last\u2026EVER. And I\u2019ve gotten really good.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Buffy shrugged, \u201cCordelia, he just worries about you. Angel\u2019s always been like that. When he loves someone or something that much, it\u2019s his first instinct to protect.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordy frowned at her, then kicked a stone with her foot. \u201cI know that, I just &#8211; I wish he would give me a chance to prove that I can defend myself.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cCordy,\u201d Buffy said, her voice soft, understanding. \u201cI\u2019ve seen the way he looks at you. It doesn\u2019t have anything to do with him believing in you because, my GOD, he does.\u201d She punched Cordelia\u2019s arm lightly. \u201cAnd he knows you can take care of yourself, I\u2019ve heard him say so. He just\u2026loves you. And he doesn\u2019t ever want to lose you. And yes, I get that sometimes he can be overbearing and overprotective but he only does it because he cares. He cares so much.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordy let out a breath, the tiniest of smiles fluttering onto her face. \u201cDammit Buff. Why do you have to be so damn rational when I\u2019m trying to be irrational?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Buffy laughed, rolling her eyes, \u201cHey, I am a counsellor, aren\u2019t I?\u201d She paused when Cordelia turned right into an alleyway. \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cHow\u2019s that counsellor thing going, by the way?\u201d Cordy avoided the question. She stopped and turned around, rolling her eyes when she saw Buffy wasn\u2019t following her. \u201cIt\u2019s a shortcut.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Buffy crossed her arms. \u201cIt\u2019s a <i>dark<\/i> alleyway. I vote we stick to open street and sunlight.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordy smirked. \u201cYou scared?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cPfft!\u201d Buffy snorted. \u201cWhatever.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cThen come on,\u201d Cordy winked at her, walking further into the alley. \u201cWhat can go wrong? Angel sent a slayer with me after all,\u201d she smile was wicked, cocky. \u201cI\u2019m like, invincible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Something wasn\u2019t right. Buffy ignored the strange feeling in her stomach and shook her head. \u201cLet\u2019s just go this way.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia smiled mischievously. Then she took a step backwards. Then another. Buffy\u2019s eyes widened a little, growing slightly alarmed as her unease increased.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cCordy, don\u2019t play arou &#8211; \u201d Buffy felt a sharp, strange pain slice through her arm, and then her skull, as her head was slammed into the wall. Hard. Again and again and again, she couldn\u2019t stop it, her muscles felt limp &#8211; the world spun and she spat out blood, the panic in her growing as the sound of Cordelia kicking and screaming rung in her ears.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">A somewhat familiar maniacal cackle sounded close to her. She caught a glimpse of blonde hair through blurred, watery eyes, before her head collided with the wall again.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Then everything went black.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2015\/07\/05\/taken-2\/\">Part 2<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Title: Taken\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Author: Gabriella Posted: Email Rating: R for language&#8230;<\/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-3686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-completed-fics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3686","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=3686"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3686\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3686"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3686"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3686"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}