Part 2<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cWhere is she?\u201d Angel demanded.<\/p>\n
\u201cHello Angelus,\u201d Spike greeted. \u201cHow are you?\u201d A sharp uppercut to the belly sent him sprawling to the floor gasping for air that he didn’t need. \u201cStill got a temper when it comes to your women, eh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel!\u201d Buffy shot up from her seat. \u201cWhat the hell is wrong with you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel didn’t even acknowledge her presence. \u201cSimple question, my boy. But then, you never were my brightest childe. Cordelia. You called our office with information. You will tell me where she is, or my bitch slapping hand goes into overdrive on your candy ass.\u201d Angel moved to strike him again when Spike sputtered out his answer.<\/p>\n
\u201cSunnydale General. Intensive Care Unit. Room 583. That’s where she is.\u201d Spike was actually shaking in fear at his grandsire’s presence. This wasn’t the souled Poof, nor was it the Angelus that tried to suck the world into hell.<\/p>\n
This was a demon that was seriously pissed off that someone he cared for might be hurting.<\/p>\n
Angel delivered a vicious kick to Spike’s gut on general principle. He then glanced at the awestruck crowd. \u201cSorry for the outburst,\u201d he apologized. Before another word could be said he turned and left.<\/p>\n
The silence was broken as Xander began to laugh. \u201cSpike got his ass punked out!\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike climbed to his feet as he clutched his chest. \u201cYeah, I did,\u201d he agreed. Xander immediately ceased to laugh. It was no fun insulting a guy when the moron agreed to the insult.<\/p>\n
Buffy strode past all of them and grabbed her coat. She turned back expectantly to Xander. \u201cWell? Get up and come on. You’re the one with a car. Let’s go after him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her tone left no room for argument.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel nearly tore the ICU’s swinging doors off hinge as he busted into the area. He grabbed the first person with an ID tag that he could find. That happened to be a young brunette nurse.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhich way is room 583?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSir,\u201d the nurse shouted. \u201cYou can’t just barge in here.\u201d The look he gave clearly expressed that he didn’t give a fuck. \u201cSir, if you do not calm down I will be forced to call security.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia Chase,\u201d Angel growled. \u201cI am here to see her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you family?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m her boyfriend. Now which way is room 583?\u201d Angel leveled this insolent nurse with his best death glare. The woman easily cracked and gave under the stare.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis way.\u201d Angel followed the nurse around a corner to the room containing his love. He was horrified by what he saw.<\/p>\n
Bruises marred her beautiful face. She had a pair of black eyes and a busted nose. Angry cuts and bruises covered her bare arms. Sensors were attached to her head and chest. An inaudible growl emanated from his chest.<\/p>\n
His baby was hurt. He didn’t like it when his baby was hurt.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n
The nurse could clearly see the pain and anger in the man’s eyes. He wanted to hurt whoever did this.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was beat up pretty bad. She was found in an alley. She’s been in and out of consciousness since coming in. Another body was found, a young man named Peter Marks\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHer cousin,\u201d Angel supplied. \u201cDo the police have any idea who it was?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo sir, they don’t.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel continued to gaze at his baby. \u201cI’m going in there, and I don’t wish to be disturbed unless absolutely necessary.\u201d The nurse wasn’t about to argue with a man who looked like he could literally rip someone’s head off.<\/p>\n
\u201cWould you like a blanket?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel looked down at the nurse and smiled slightly. He truly appreciated the concern. \u201cNo, thank you. And I’m sorry about the door thing. That was inappropriate of me.\u201d<\/p>\n
The nurse smiled back. \u201cIt’s no big deal. Shows that you care. Listen, my name is Deanna. If you need something, come get me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m Angel. Thank you again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deanna excused herself so that she could make rounds. Angel turned his entire focus back on Cordelia. Quietly and carefully he crossed over to the bed and slid in next to her.<\/p>\n
He gently took one of Cordelia’s hands in his own. An IV was stuck in it. Angel began to cry softly as he brushed back the hair from Cordelia’s battered face.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m so sorry, Cor. I don’t like seeing you hurt. It scares me when you get hurt. It makes me feel like I failed you. And I don’t want to ever fail you.\u201d He stroked her cheek. \u201cI’m going to hurt whoever did this to you. Demon, human, or otherwise. They are going to regret ever touching you.\u201d<\/p>\n
He curled his body around Cordelia, mindful not to touch any bruises. He inhaled the soft scent that was distinctly her. It comforted him somewhat. But it didn’t reduce the murderous anger that wrapped around his heart.<\/p>\n
He drifted off into a fitful sleep, clutching Cordelia as if she were his teddy bear.<\/p>\n
Outside the room, Buffy, Xander, Giles, and Willow watched in astonishment.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
A slight jostling of his shoulder roused Angel from his sleep. He hesitantly opened his eyes and found Deanna standing above him.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s morning, Angel,\u201d she greeted. \u201cI need you to get up for a bit. We like to change the patient’s sheets around this time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel groaned as he stretched his taut muscles. He slowly slid from the bed and continued to stretch. A sudden question occurred to him. \u201cI can’t use my cell phone in here, can I?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. We don’t allow electronic devices near the medical equipment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel nodded. He expected that. \u201cAnyplace in the building where I can make a call and get some coffee. Our friends back in LA would love to know how she is.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure. Head out of the ICU and take a right. There will be a lobby with a couple coffeemakers. I wouldn’t suggest drinking it though. Hazardous to the health. But if your car bumper is rusted, then you got yourself a great solvent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel and Deanna both laughed at the joke. \u201cGo make your call. Maybe by the time you get back I’ll be done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deanna began to pull sheets from the closet as Angel left the room chuckling. He followed her instructions and made his way into the thankfully windowless lobby. He was about to pull out his cell phone when he saw Buffy and company asleep in the hard plastic chairs.<\/p>\n
Seeing it was just him and the Scoobies, Angel grinned evilly and silently approached the foursome.<\/p>\n
\u201cBUFFY! VAMPIRES!\u201d<\/p>\n
All four literally jumped a foot into the air and crashed to the floor. It took the tangled heap of bodies a couple minutes to disentangle themselves. They watched dumbfounded as Angel doubled over with laughter. For a fleeting moment, Buffy thought he might actually hurt himself since he was laughing so hard.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince when does talk, dark, and dead laugh?\u201d Xander asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn’t that funny,\u201d Giles murmured, although he was intrigued at Angel’s newfound sense of humor.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was kind of funny,\u201d Willow thought. \u201cTo someone other than us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy, however, wasn’t in such a good mood. \u201cAngel! What the hell do you think you’re doing?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel could barely talk he was laughing so violently. \u201cLaughing\u2026my\u2026ass\u2026off,\u201d he finally gasped. \u201cYou\u2026shoulda\u2026seen\u2026your face! It was like the MasterCard commercials. Priceless!\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy still wasn’t amused. This was not Angel. She whipped a stake from her back pocket and tried to press it to his chest. Angel saw it coming. He grabbed her wrist and chopped at the nerve in her right shoulder.<\/p>\n
The stake dropped to the floor due to the momentary loss of motor function.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow that’s not nice,\u201d Angel admonished.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou’re Angelus,\u201d Buffy insisted. \u201cAngel doesn’t act like this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow would you know?\u201d he asked in an amused voice. \u201cBecause I’m not acting like a whipped pup? Maybe I’ve grown as a person.\u201d He cut Xander off before he could say it.<\/p>\n
\u201cFiguratively speaking of course. Now if you’ll excuse me a moment, I’m going to get some nasty coffee and make a phone call.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel released his grip on Buffy and went over and poured some coffee. He took a sip and cringed. \u201cSugar.\u201d He poured a couple packets of ‘Sweet and Low’ in and tasted again. It was adequate. Angel then pulled out his cell phone and hit speed dial two.<\/p>\n
\u201cCell phone?\u201d Xander asked. \u201cFor an 18th century dude, he’s doing all right in the 21st.\u201d<\/p>\n
The answering machine clicked on. \u201cOkay, I guess you guys are out of the office. I’m at the hospital. Cordelia is pretty banged up. Call me whenever. Oh, I can’t use my cell in her room, so leave a message on voicemail. It’s okay, I finally figured out how to use it. You have to hit the button with the little envelope on it. So call me when you get this. Bye.\u201d<\/p>\n
He flipped his cell phone shut and rejoined the still awestruck group. \u201cI want to know everything about her attack.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cVery well,\u201d Giles answered. \u201cWe have most of the information at the Magic Box.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay. I’ll meet you guys there. I just want to say goodbye to Cordy first.\u201d Angel wheeled around and jogged out of the room. He wanted to make sure his girl would be okay.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was easier when he was broody and Buffy obsessed,\u201d Xander observed. \u201cAt least then he was predictable.\u201d<\/p>\n