Part 5<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, so Cordelia got called up for a meeting with some universal big shots?\u201d Xander began. \u201cThey tell her she\u2019s outgrown this plane, and she\u2019s got work elsewhere. But some shape shifting assassin that they just fired is on the loose killing off everyone that double crossed him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cApparently,\u201d Angel answered.<\/p>\n
\u201cWow, that\u2019s\u2026impressive,\u201d Dawn said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo he\u2019s going after this Congressman Doyle? Why?\u201d Gunn asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoyle was a member of the operation. The funds he received from selling the drugs went a long way to finance re-election campaigns,\u201d Angel explained.<\/p>\n
Fred continued with the story. \u201cBut without the drug money coming in, he has to get contributions the old fashioned way. That\u2019s why he\u2019s coming back to LA. The California Democratic Party is having a fundraiser for all its congressmen up for election this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d Buffy said. \u201cThis dude is getting revenge on those who screwed him. Fred looked online and found that Doyle is the only one still alive. Ramius is a major bad ass and a shapeshifter, so that brings us to the important point. How the hell do we recognize him? If he can take on any appearance, then how do we stop him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHecate\u2019s Essence,\u201d Angel said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a powder consisting of various herbs. From what Cordelia tells me, it\u2019s supposed to reveal a being\u2019s true face. For a short time, Ramius would lose the ability to shape shift. About five minutes, Cordelia said.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you can\u2019t just go around spraying everyone with some powder,\u201d Dawn pointed out. \u201cNot without making people angry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTrue,\u201d Angel said. \u201cSo we\u2019ll just have to use our instincts and senses to try and home in on the right man.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut how do we get close enough to even sense him?\u201d Gunn asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to the fundraiser.\u201d Angel made the answer seem like it was obvious.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, call me crazy,\u201d Xander said, \u201cbut don\u2019t we need tickets or passes to get into an event like this?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do,\u201d Angel agreed. \u201cWhich is why I have a source wrangling up tickets for all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEven me?\u201d a surprised Dawn asked. \u201cI get to go and help out?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis guy could be tough to stop,\u201d Angel told her. \u201cWe might need all the help we can get.\u201d Dawn grinned widely at the chance to finally be included in a mission, although she wondered if Buffy would object.<\/p>\n
But the reassuring look her sister gave made Dawn\u2019s confidence grow.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about Cordelia?\u201d Buffy asked. \u201cWhen will she be released?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe doctors want to run some tests on her. So basically, if she acts like a good girl and behaves, she should be released tomorrow,\u201d Angel said.<\/p>\n
Gunn, Fred, and Angel all grinned at what the vampire just said. It was Gunn that asked the question. \u201cSo, uh, what you\u2019re saying is that Cordelia\u2019s freedom all depends on her cooperating and doing as she\u2019s told?\u201d<\/p>\n
The three of them broke out in laughter. \u201cWe\u2019re not holding our breath on that, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNow Charles,\u201d Fred giggled. \u201cCordelia is more than capable of acting like a mature adult when need be.\u201d That comment only renewed the laughter.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe missed something very important,\u201d Xander stated.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d Buffy agreed. \u201cLike the last three years.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Purple Crackle Bar<\/em> Hannah Morse took a long sip of her red wine, hoping the liquor would loosen her up after a long day. She reached up and unbuttoned the top button of her business suit, glad to have the material off her neck.<\/p>\n \u201cHey Ralph,\u201d she called out. The bartender turned around and smiled at Hannah. She waved her nearly empty glass. Ralph grabbed the bottle of red and filled her back up. \u201cYou\u2019re a God, Ralph,\u201d Hannah declared.<\/p>\n \u201cJust remember that when it comes time to tip,\u201d Ralph joked. A call from another patron sent him scurrying to take the order.<\/p>\n Hannah immediately took another sip from her drink, and then she removed a clip from her long blonde hair. \u201cNeed to loosen up,\u201d she mumbled to herself.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know,\u201d a voice said behind her, \u201cstudies have proven that alcohol is a poor way to relax. Most researchers agree that aerobic exercise is a far more effective stress remover.\u201d The man sat next to the obviously amused Hannah.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that right?\u201d Hannah asked. The man nodded in confirmation. \u201cWell, it\u2019s a little late to be doing jumping jacks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe so,\u201d the man commented as he ordered a beer. \u201cBut there are other activities that are great stress relief, activities that are much more engaging and enjoyable.\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah grinned slyly at the man. \u201cAre there now? How come I\u2019ve never heard of these activities?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe you\u2019ve not joined the right gym,\u201d he suggested. \u201cPerhaps if you give me your name, I might be able to refer you to someone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d appreciate that. My name is Hannah Morse.\u201d<\/p>\n The man smiled at the name. \u201cHannah. Quite a lovely name.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you plan on telling me yours?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRamius. John Ramius.\u201d<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n The Hyperion\u2019s offices had basically been converted into a laboratory. Bunsen burners warmed glass beakers on metal stands. Various colored herbs were chopped up on the counters, and different powders in plastic bottles were littered about.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay now,\u201d Fred read. She was turned to chapter 17 of Fredrick Cooper\u2019s book \u201cMystical Herbs: Effects on Demon Physiology\u201d. \u201cAccording to this, when we mix the Flava Weed and the Sumetran dust, it must be done slowly. If done improperly, it could result in\u2026oh.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh?\u201d Xander\u2019s head shot up at that. He was currently chopping up some Flava Weed. \u201cWhat oh? I don\u2019t like oh. What happens with oh?\u201d<\/p>\n Fred shrugged off the questions and set the book aside onto the counter. \u201cDon\u2019t worry. You wouldn\u2019t even know you did something wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n Dawn reached over the counter and peered at the book. Her eyes widen in surprise at the diagram presented. \u201cOh,\u201d she said. \u201cWell, she\u2019s right. You wouldn\u2019t know.\u201d The drawing certainly was\u2026graphic.<\/p>\n \u201cLadies and Gentlemen,\u201d Xander warned, \u201cmy confidence isn\u2019t exactly being boosted here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cXander, just cut the damn weed,\u201d Buffy ordered.<\/p>\n \u201cFine,\u201d Xander huffed. \u201cBut if I end up growing tentacles or something, there will be hell to pay.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cActually,\u201d Dawn pointed out. \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t have to worry about growing anything.\u201d<\/p>\n The basement door swung open, and Angel appeared carrying an envelope. \u201cI got them,\u201d he said proudly. \u201cSeven tickets to the Democratic Fundraiser. Hey Gunn, you remember Benny?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBenny?\u201d Gunn thought for a moment. \u201cYou mean that Rhoner demon with the skin problem and the flippers?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. Turns out he has a cousin that lives underneath city hall. He was able to confiscate them for us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean stole them?\u201d an amused Buffy asked.<\/p>\n Angel cast a mock annoyed glance at her and sighed. \u201cStole is such a harsh word. Think of it as commandeering for a greater good.\u201d He tossed the envelope to Fred. \u201cHow are we doing on making the stuff?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt looks like we have most of what we need,\u201d Buffy said. \u201cThere are a few ingredients you didn\u2019t have here. Stryner wine, Vogner root, and Peacock dust.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s no problem,\u201d Angel said. \u201cWe can make a run to an herbalist shop later. There is still two days before the event, so there\u2019s still time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow can we be sure that Ramius will try to kill him at the fundraiser?\u201d Dawn asked.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom what Cordy said, Ramius is an arrogant man. The Powers think he will try to make a statement by killing him in full view of the public.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell,\u201d Buffy said. \u201cLet\u2019s finish this powder and make sure he doesn\u2019t get the chance.\u201d Everyone voiced their agreement and went back to work at preparing the ingredients.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Hannah stepped from her shower blindly, her wet blonde hair covering her eyes. She gasped in surprise as another nude form pressed against her and began to towel her down. \u201cYou surprised me,\u201d she said as she took the towel.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d Ramius grinned. \u201cBecause I\u2019m in the bathroom with you, or because I didn\u2019t leave as soon as we finished?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBoth, actually,\u201d Hannah smiled back. She dried her hair and then tossed the towel aside. She pulled Ramius close and the pair kissed passionately. \u201cMother would be so disappointed if she knew I brought a strange man home. She was pissed when I brought home that beagle pup when I was twelve.\u201d<\/p>\n Ramius pulled back from Hannah\u2019s embrace. The blonde woman gasped in surprise as the man before her morphed into\u2026her.<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps I should go then,\u201d Hannah\u2019s voice spoke to her. The figure that used to be a man grabbed Hannah\u2019s head and jerked, snapping her neck instantly. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t want you to get in trouble,\u201d the feminine voice said.<\/p>\n Ramius, still in Hannah\u2019s form, dropped the body in a heap and turned back into the bedroom. Searching around, he found Hannah\u2019s purse. He grabbed it and rooted around until he found what he wanted. It was an ID badge.<\/p>\n HANNAH MORSE \u201cSweetie,\u201d the still feminine voice spoke. \u201cYou gave me the two things I needed. A good lay, and an invite to the party.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nLos Angeles, California<\/em><\/p>\n
\nPRESS SECRETARY
\nDEMOCRATIC PARTY
\nLOS ANGELES BRANCH<\/p>\n