Part 3<\/b><\/p>\n
The deathly, helpless silence in the lobby was suffocating. Spike lit a cigarette, wanting to scream or punch something or just walk away from it all. But then Cordelia\u2019s pretty face flashed before his eyes and he knew couldn\u2019t. He wouldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
He glanced out of the glass doors leading to the courtyard. Angel appeared to be hunched over, still recovering from the horror of Darla\u2019s phone call. Spike closed his eyes and tried to drown out the memory of Cordy\u2019s screams but it wouldn\u2019t work. Bile climbed up his throat but he swallowed it down. It wouldn\u2019t do any good to have them all lose their heads. But, GOD\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m gonna go see if he\u2019s ok.\u201d Buffy\u2019s voice distracted him and he glanced up, his gaze following hers. She was also staring at Angel through the glass doors, concern written all over her features. They were thinking the same thing, not just about Cordelia\u2019s welfare but Angel\u2019s too. Spike cursed under his breath and stood.<\/p>\n
Buffy tore her eyes away from the courtyard doors and looked at him. Spike gestured towards Angel and she nodded in understanding, stepping away from the group and exiting the lobby.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel lifted himself from the floor of the courtyard and struggled into a bench, clutching his stomach, though his heart was in far worse shape. God, Cordelia\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cAngel?\u201d Buffy\u2019s soft voice caught his attention and he jerked his head up. His stomach clenched painfully and then calmed as the nausea slowly began to vanish. She walked over to him, her eyes watery as she took a seat beside him, resting her hand on his trembling arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re killing her.\u201d He choked out.<\/p>\n
Buffy nodded, biting her lip. \u201cI know. But we\u2019re not gonna let them, Angel. We\u2019re gonna get her back, safe and sound and everything\u2019s going to be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel shook his head, dropping it into his hands. \u201cI can\u2019t lose her, Buffy. I don\u2019t know what I\u2019ll do if – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d Buffy said firmly. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to think about what you\u2019d do because it\u2019s not going to happen. She\u2019s going to be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel stayed silent, staring straight ahead. Her determination enabled his own rationality to kick in but he was still afraid to hope. He was still so<\/i> afraid.<\/p>\n
Buffy sighed, awkwardly patting his shoulder. \u201cDo you remember when I first found out about you and Cordy?\u201d Angel paused, then nodded slowly. \u201cDo you remember what I said to you the morning before I left?\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the situation, the corners of Angel\u2019s lips twitched at the memory. \u201cYou look like you slept with a hanger in your mouth.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d Buffy whispered. \u201cI saw how happy she made you Angel. It hurt me at first but I couldn\u2019t deny it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter<\/i> the screaming and the hitting – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, after<\/i> the screaming and the hitting.\u201d Buffy rolled her eyes at him. \u201cBut I saw it. And everyone in there can see it too. And none of them are going to give up until we get her back safely.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel let out a breath, a small sense of reassurance growing in him. Buffy was silent for a few seconds. Then, \u201cAnd hey, do you remember what I said to Cordy?\u201d<\/p>\n
This time, Angel allowed a small smile to grace his lips. \u201cIf she ever hurt me, you\u2019d kick her ass.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYep.\u201d Buffy quipped. \u201cAnd she still remembers that. So believe me when I say, she\u2019ll keep fighting and she *will* make it through this. Ok?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel glanced at her, touched and a little comforted. \u201cOk.\u201d<\/p>\n
*<\/p>\n
Fred sniffled, wiping the tears from her face. \u201c I just wish we had something to go on. We can\u2019t search the whole city, we\u2019d run out of time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley sighed. \u201cWe may just have to take that chance, Fred.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe we could use a spell?\u201d Fred asked.<\/p>\n
Gunn groaned. Xander glanced at Willow, who suddenly looked nervous. \u201cUh, I don\u2019t think that\u2019s such a good idea\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to do something.\u201d Fred said desperately. \u201cThey\u2019re killing her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut what?\u201d Gunn asked.<\/p>\n
Silence followed. Wesley closed his eyes and tried to think. What could they do? Other than searching the city, there were a limited number of options. Angel and Spike could try sniffing out Cordelia but chances were they wouldn\u2019t get too far. Or they could return to the alley and try \u2013<\/p>\n
\u201cHey,\u201d Willow\u2019s voice interrupted his train of thought, \u201cdoesn\u2019t that phone have an answering machine?\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn raised an eyebrow. \u201cYeah, why?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWas it on?\u201d<\/p>\n
The other eyebrow shot up. \u201cAgain, why?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, if we could play back the phone conversation, there might be distinct sounds in the background or something that could help us find out where she is.\u201d Willow shrugged. \u201cIt\u2019s worth a shot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn nodded. \u201cYeah ok, I\u2019ll do that.\u201d He walked around the counter, picking up the receiver just as Angel and Buffy re-entered the lobby.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d Fred called out, walking over to him. \u201cAre you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel nodded, swallowing. \u201cWes?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, well Gunn\u2019s replaying your phone conversation and checking to see if there\u2019s any evidence in it as to where they\u2019re holding Cordelia.\u201d Wesley removed his glasses, wiping them. \u201cOnce that\u2019s done, perhaps we should return to the alley, see if there\u2019s anything you or Spike could sniff out. It might prove to be faster and more useful than searching the entire city.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel nodded, the tremors gone, his resolve back in place. \u201cLet\u2019s do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike grabbed Buffy\u2019s arm as she stepped forward, his voice low. \u201cAre you sure you can handle this, luv?\u201d When her eyes flashed, he hastily added, \u201cThe last time you were in that alley things turned ugly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy sighed, squeezing his hand. \u201cI\u2019ll be fine. I\u2019ve got you with me in any case, haven\u2019t I?\u201d She smiled reassuringly at him. \u201cI have to show you where the alley is anyway.\u201d They headed for the weapons cabinet.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny luck?\u201d Willow asked Gunn, coming up behind him.<\/p>\n
\u201cZilch.\u201d Gunn shook his head, looking a little ill. \u201cAnd to be honest, the less times I listen to that tape, the better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow nodded in understanding. \u201cWell, not to undermine your abilities but I could have a go.\u201d Gunn shrugged and stepped out of the way.<\/p>\n
Angel lifted the weapons he had dropped by the couch earlier, hauling them over his shoulder. \u201cAlright \u2013 Fred? Willow? Stay here in case Darla calls again. And see if you can get anything from that tape. The rest of us are going to that alley.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred nodded. \u201cWe\u2019ll call you if we find anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLikewise.\u201d Angel headed towards the door, Wesley, Gunn, Xander, Buffy and Spike following closely behind him.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Her eyes felt as though they had dried out. She couldn\u2019t cry anymore, she was numb from all the pain. She could barely see straight but her body appeared to be bruised and broken, and she was sure she could feel the wet sting of blood on her neck, her arms, her legs.<\/p>\n
A while earlier she had remarked to a sneering Darla that she had suffered the pain of Vocah\u2019s visions, that this was nothing in comparison, an amateur attempt at torture.<\/p>\n
Darla had retaliated, not by tongue, but by fang, sinking hers deep into Cordelia\u2019s throat until she felt as though she were going to pass out from the blood loss, and then viciously ripping them away, tearing the tender skin.<\/p>\n
She could still feel the agony. In her mind, in her body, in her heart. And she didn\u2019t know how much more of it she could take.<\/p>\n
God Angel, where are you?<\/i><\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cCan you hear anything?\u201d Fred asked, leaning her elbows on the counter. Willow held up a finger, silencing her. Her brow was furrowed in concentration, the receiver pressed to her ear.<\/p>\n
\u201cHmm\u2026\u201d she said finally, looking up, \u201cthere is something \u2013 it\u2019s really distant and pretty unclear but it\u2019s there. I just cant work out what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred took the receiver from Willow, holding it to her own ear. \u201cPlay it for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow pressed rewind and play. \u201cIt\u2019s a vibrating sound.\u201d Fred nodded when she could hear it. \u201cKinda sounds like a drill.\u201d Willow paused for a second. Then her eyes widened. \u201cOr a motor, maybe?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah\u2026\u201d Fred agreed, covering her other ear and playing the tape once again. \u201cI\u2019d say that\u2019s definitely some sort of motor.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOk, so we\u2019re looking for a bike? Or a car?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOr,\u201d Fred said, her eyes squinting as she listened to the tape once again, \u201ca boat.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow switched the message to speakerphone and closed her eyes, trying to focus. The sound was, without a doubt, a motor. And Fred was right, the sound was far too muffled to be a car or bike.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright, let\u2019s assume it\u2019s a boat. So, we\u2019re looking for either a harbour or a pier of some sort.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred nodded. \u201cI\u2019ll call Wesley.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow turned off the machine, contemplating an idea. \u201cOh hey, Fred? Did Cordy by any chance leave any of her stuff here? Like, a t \u2013 shirt or a hair tie or something?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I guess, in Angel\u2019s room or her old room maybe.\u201d Fred shrugged. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, there are a ton of piers in Los Angeles. If I performed a spell to find an exact location, it could save Angel and others a lot of valuable time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred grimaced. \u201cUh\u2026but Xander said – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know.\u201d Willow said, coming around the counter to face the other girl. \u201cBut I can handle myself, I promise. I can do this. I know this spell by heart and it\u2019s really simple, all I need is something of Cordy\u2019s. It can\u2019t go wrong. Honestly!\u201d She added hastily when Fred raised an eyebrow. \u201cLook, every second counts and this would really help them out. I wont screw up, ok?\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred sighed, looking doubtful. Finally, she relented. \u201cI\u2019ll go see if I can find something of Cordelia\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
The vampire rippled over his feature like a wave breaking against the shore, and Angel sniffed the alleyway, closing his eyes in concentration. He could hear Spike doing the same a few feet away from him but his mind was on Cordelia, on the scent that drove him wild with ardour and crazy with concern all at once.<\/p>\n
He caught it a few seconds later, gesturing Spike over with his hand, who nodded and followed. Angel\u2019s eyes flickered over the alley, landing on the wall next to him, where the raw stain of blood could still be seen. A low growl escaped him. Cordy\u2019s scent was strongest there and he could smell it easily now. All he had to do was follow it, see where it lead him. He just didn\u2019t know if it would be strong enough to follow all the way. If he concentrated really hard \u2013<\/p>\n
The shrill ring of a mobile phone made him jump and everyone shot Wesley an irritated look as he pulled it out of his jacket pocket, an apologetic smile on his face. \u201cHello? Ah Fred, yes. A boat? Right, so we\u2019re looking for a pier, you say?\u201d He glanced at Angel, who nodded. \u201cAlright, good work, anything else?\u201d He paused, his eyes widening. \u201cWillow did what?\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy and Xander spun around, staring at him worriedly.<\/p>\n
\u201cUh\u2026yes. I see. Oh right, oh well done.\u201d Wesley was nodding like a mad man, a slightly bewildered expression on his face. \u201cYes, got it. Will do. We\u2019ll keep you posted.\u201d He snapped the phone shut and looked up at the group.<\/p>\n
Xander raised an eyebrow. \u201cWillow did what?\u201d He asked cautiously.<\/p>\n
Wesley cleared his throat. \u201cWell, it seems she performed a location spell – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe did WHAT?\u201d Xander and Buffy yelped at the same time. Spike rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201c- In order to discover Cordelia\u2019s whereabouts.\u201d Wesley finished. \u201cAlso, they heard the sound of a boat motor in the background during the phone conversation. They think that perhaps she\u2019s being held near a pier – \u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn released a breath. \u201cLA has a dozen piers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf not more.\u201d Buffy added.<\/p>\n
\u201cHold on.\u201d Angel kept his eyes on Wesley, who looked a little annoyed at not being able to finish his sentences. \u201cWhat was the outcome of the spell?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, if you\u2019d all let me finish.\u201d A small smile pulled at Wesley\u2019s lips. \u201cThe spell provided them with the exact location. We know which pier.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWow.\u201d Xander said, after a moment\u2019s silence. \u201cI never thought I\u2019d say this but thank God for magic!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI still ain\u2019t sayin\u2019 it.\u201d Gunn muttered.<\/p>\n
\u201cBollocks!\u201d Spike swore suddenly, impatiently, earning himself several curious glances from the group.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, come on! What the bloody hell are we standing around here for? Let\u2019s move!\u201d<\/p>\n