{"id":4324,"date":"2015-07-07T16:36:43","date_gmt":"2015-07-07T15:36:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/?p=4324"},"modified":"2015-07-07T18:12:04","modified_gmt":"2015-07-07T17:12:04","slug":"sojourn-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2015\/07\/07\/sojourn-6\/","title":{"rendered":"Sojourn. 6"},"content":{"rendered":"

Part 6<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

SATURDAY AFTERNOON<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSo who is she?\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel\u2019s head snapped up from the picture of Cordelia to see Hannah leaning against the doorframe to his bedroom. He looked away quickly in embarrassment at having been caught off guard. He snapped his wallet shut and tossed it aside.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat makes you think it\u2019s a she?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hannah smiled slightly as she moved into the room. \u201cLucky guess. Actually, I\u2019d be fairly disturbed if that pensive face was over a photograph of a guy.\u201d She was pleased when he laughed out loud. \u201cI have a feeling you haven\u2019t been doing that much lately.\u201d Off his questioning look she clarified. \u201cLaugh. And I\u2019m going to guess it\u2019s the girl that\u2019s to blame for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel scooted over slightly to give Hannah more room to sit down. He sighed slightly as he tried to formulate a response. \u201cShe is somebody that used to be really important to me. Some things have happened and now I\u2019m trying to figure out what she is to me at this point.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWas she a lover?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot using the historically defined meaning of the word, no.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA friend?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best.\u201d The two fell silent for several moments. Angel was surprised by how comfortable he felt just sitting here with this girl. \u201cSo, how are things going downstairs?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThings are\u2026interesting,\u201d Hannah smiled. \u201cThat Xander fellow and Spike are macking up a storm on Kayla and Emma. They don\u2019t pay Xander any mind, but I think both are intrigued by the fact that Spike doesn\u2019t require oxygen, if you understand what I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n

A twisted visual image entered Angel\u2019s mind. \u201cYeah, I catch the meaning. That definitely sounds like Spike.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA chip off the old block?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood Lord, no. I\u2019ve been known to exercise more tact than my boy downstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019ve never been known to, uh, hold your breath on occasion?\u201d she teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Angel grinned, \u201cperhaps on occasion. But unlike Spike, I pride myself on being multi-faceted.\u201d Good God, was he flirting with her?<\/p>\n

\u201cInteresting.\u201d Was she flirting with him? Angel suddenly felt the need to divert the conversation in a business direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is the research coming along?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPitifully. Willow is turning up diddly-squat on the Internet. And despite Mister Giles\u2019 impressive collection of antique demonology volumes, we seem to be hitting a brick wall. And so it all comes back to you. The most definitive source on Necklar demons and of Merrick is sitting here before me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd was I ever afraid to hear that.\u201d The tone of the conversation lost the playful edge. Angel suddenly found himself missing it.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeriously Angel. This all comes down to you. As much as I appreciate the aid and hospitality that your friends have offered, I didn\u2019t come here for them. I came here for you. You were our clan\u2019s savior all those years ago. And now, as our clan is on the brink of annihilation, it\u2019s clear to see that you must be our savior again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not a savior, Hannah,\u201d Angel said softly. \u201cI\u2019m a demon. To put your faith in me might be the last mistake you make. I tend to disappoint mightily when people count on me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy great-grandmother wasn\u2019t disappointed,\u201d Hannah answered. \u201cYou may not hold yourself in high esteem, Angel, but the past three generations of my family have been taught that you were nothing short of a Godsend. My grandmother, my mother, and myself grew up hearing tales of your heroism and kindness. That you were a dark knight that rode into town and quickly established yourself as the greatest Champion our clan has ever known.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a lie.\u201d Angel\u2019s tone turned dark. \u201cI came into town, broken, confused, and hungry. I had just arrived to America and spent a month feeding on rats on the boat ride to New York. By the time I came across your village, I was desperate for food. And then I saw a beautiful young woman with lovely red hair and piercing green eyes, and I couldn\u2019t control my hunger any more. If Sarah hadn\u2019t been who she was, I would have feasted on her and left the body in a ditch. But being the Keeper, she was able to fight me away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel tried to look away. He was sure that hearing that bit of information would ensure Hannah\u2019s eternal hatred towards him. Angel was surprised by the soft touch of a hand turning his head so that he was forced to look into all too familiar eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know about that,\u201d she whispered. \u201cNotice how I referred to you as a dark knight. I fully realize that you are not the epitome of purity. Although Sarah gave an edited version of the story to the general clan, the immediate bloodline received the whole truth. Did that stop me from seeking your help? Did that stop Sarah from entrusting you with the power to defend the clan? It didn\u2019t. Because when I first looked into your eyes, I saw that spark that my great-grandmother always said was in your eyes. I saw the love and caring that lurks in your soul. It was the same thing that she saw all those years ago. It\u2019s what made her fall in love with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel didn\u2019t cry often, but at the present time he couldn\u2019t stop the tears from trailing down his cheek. And maybe it was the emotion of the moment, or perhaps it was from a temporary lack of reason, but Angel didn\u2019t shy away when Hannah leaned in closely and gently pressed her lips to his. She tasted sweet and smooth, like a fresh strawberry. Angel vividly remembered the taste. Sarah had the\u2026Shit!<\/p>\n

Angel broke the contact to the disappointment of Hannah. \u201cWhat? Is something wrong?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Angel breathed heavily. \u201cThis is wrong. I\u2019m sorry Hannah, this is tempting, incredibly tempting actually. But this isn\u2019t right. I\u2019ve got so many thoughts running through my head right now, and I cannot get a hold of them all. I need time to sort things out, get the clutter out of my mind, and generally un-fuck up my life before I can, well, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hannah smiled in understanding. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I think I took advantage of the situation. Forgive me for that, please. But I want you to know that I meant everything I said to you. You were the savior of this clan once, and in my heart, I know that you will be again.\u201d Hannah stood up. She stroked Angel\u2019s cheek lightly before turning and leaving the room.<\/p>\n

After she left, Angel fell backward onto the bed. Covering his face in shock, Angel spoke to the room. \u201cWhat the hell was that?\u201d Angel had come to Sunnydale in hopes to solve his problems and end the confusion. But every hour seemed to produce yet another situation that he had to come to terms with.<\/p>\n

He looked up at the ceiling in confusion and wondered vaguely if he should retrieve his bottle of whiskey.<\/p>\n

\u201cI so do not need this shit right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/em><\/p>\n

The group wound their way through the tunnels beneath the Los Angeles streets. A small amount of light found it\u2019s way through cracks and manholes. It wasn\u2019t much, but it was enough for them to see the way in which to go.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe going to right way?\u201d Gunn questioned.<\/em><\/p>\n

Fred flipped on her Mag-lite and flashed it against the wall. \u201cFrom the warehouse, go forward, take the second right. Go forward and find the ladder located just past the third tunnel to the left,\u201d she recited. The flashlight crossed the rungs to the desired ladder. \u201cWe\u2019re going the right way.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Gunn stepped past her and moved to the ladder. \u201cI\u2019ll go up first to make sure it\u2019s clear. Fred comes up next, followed by Cordelia and then Connor.\u201d Gunn quickly climbed up and removed the heavy grating blocking the way. Hoisting himself up, he noticed the building they had entered appeared to be clear. He motioned down for the others to follow.<\/em><\/p>\n

Fred poked her head up moments later, and with Connor supporting her, Cordelia made her way up as well. When Connor crawled up, Gunn was ready to give the order to move. But the look on Cordelia\u2019s face delayed that action.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cCordy? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d Cordelia began to stare at the floor between her feet in fascination. When Gunn saw what held her attention, his jaw dropped in shock. \u201cYou have got to be fucking kidding me!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Fred gazed down to the floor. She echoed Gunn\u2019s sentiments. \u201cNow?!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Connor was in the dark. \u201cWhat? What did I miss?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cMy water just broke.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

A vague sense of understanding crossed Connor\u2019s face. \u201cOh. That\u2019s\u2026untimely.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou think?\u201d Cordelia snapped. \u201cGiving birth during the apocalypse was not on my list of things to do!\u201d Her face contorted in pain. \u201cOw! Contraction! Will somebody get off their ass and give me a hand here!\u201d Connor and Fred immediately jumped to aid her, but Gunn\u2019s attention was drawn to the hole from which they immerged minutes earlier. Gunn was prepared to strike when he heard a familiar voice cursing.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cDammit, Watcher-boy! I\u2019m going as fast as I can!\u201d Faith emerged from the hole. The Urn of Lordoth was safely contained in a duffle bag slung over her shoulder. Reaching down, she offered a hand down to Wesley.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe hell you are! Now stop lollygagging! We must meet up with\u2026\u201d Wesley\u2019s voice trailed off as he poked his head from the hole and noticed that the gang was still in the building. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong? Why are you still here?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe ran into a problem,\u201d Gunn stated.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cMy water broke.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Wesley pulled himself up to his feet and stared at her blankly. \u201cBloody hell, woman! Of all the times in the world to go into labor, you decide on now?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNever let it be said I don\u2019t have a flair for the dramatic.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cDramatic? Add the prefix melo to that, Cordelia, and it may be a more accurate description.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Wesley. Next time I go into labor at a less than optimal time, I\u2019ll try to remember the best descriptive phrase. Moving beyond the grammatical lesson, what do you propose we do about the impending birth thing?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHospital,\u201d Fred insisted.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Wesley refuted. \u201cLos Angeles is experiencing city wide blackouts, mass hysteria, and hundreds of other symptoms synonymous with an apocalypse. A leading symptom being an influx of patients at the hospitals.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSo what do you propose?\u201d Gunn asked. \u201cAsk her nicely not to push?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNot fucking happening!\u201d Cordelia grunted. The increasing labor pains forced Cordelia to her knees. \u201cCan we reach a solution, please?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought first children took a while to be born,\u201d Fred said worriedly.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cLeave it to Cordelia to break tradition.\u201d Wesley crossed over and scooped Cordelia up into his arms. \u201cWe go upstairs to a main floor. Find someplace clean and gather whatever supplies we can.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Gunn wasn\u2019t sure he liked where this was going. \u201cNumber one: shouldn\u2019t we be moving somewhere else? Big, bad, and ugly is fighting the Scourge of Europe just a couple blocks away. Shouldn\u2019t we clear out?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cFaith?\u201d Wesley questioned. Faith removed the remote viewer from her jacket and observed the battle. \u201cHow\u2019s Angelus doing?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Faith smiled hesitantly. \u201cIt\u2019s still early,\u201d she assured.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cGreat,\u201d Gunn moaned. Turning to Wesley, he asked his second question. \u201cYou\u2019re not planning on delivering this baby yourself, are you?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt crossed my mind.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?!\u201d Cordelia exploded. She began to squirm fiercely within Wesley grasp. \u201cWhat the hell makes you think I would let you?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Wesley gazed down at the woman in his arms. \u201cWhat makes you think there are any other viable options available?\u201d Cordelia grunted occasionally at the labor pain, but she didn\u2019t put up any further fight. Gunn, however, didn\u2019t want to drop this.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou turned over Connor when he was a baby! What the hell makes you think I\u2019ll let you near enough to Cordelia\u2019s child?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cGunn!\u201d Cordelia snapped. \u201cBack off!\u201d She cast a quick glance up at Wesley. Softening her voice she said, \u201cThis is his call. We\u2019re going to have to trust him.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Gunn nodded obediently, but the harsh look he sent Wesley plainly informed the ex-Watcher what would happen if he fucked up. Wesley took it all in stride, merely gazing around the basement for a moment and asking, \u201cNow, where are the stairs?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

***<\/em><\/p>\n

Wesley decided not to comment when Hannah reappeared downstairs looking upset. He supposed he probably should, but decided that Angel would need to deal with the situation himself. Of course, if Angel didn\u2019t come to the correct choice, Wesley would beat the hell out of him. He didn\u2019t come to Sunnydale just so Angel could get his rocks off with some witch he didn\u2019t know.<\/p>\n

Emma and Kayla seemed to notice their friend\u2019s distress and broke away from the conversation with Spike to be with her. Wesley took one of the vacated chairs and pulled up next to Willow and observed her working on the laptop. They were both startled by the sound of his cell phone ringing.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello? Oh Diana. Have you anything? Really? Not even in McCollum\u2019s unabridged version? How about the Gustafson Manifests? How about the\u2026Not there either, huh? Isn\u2019t that the proverbial bitch? No, that\u2019s quite all right. I appreciate the effort. What? Oh, I\u2019m away on business at the moment. Only a few days hopefully. I\u2019m sure after this ordeal is concluded I can swing by. I\u2019d be delighted to assist you with your studies. I\u2019m sure after a few hours with me that you\u2019ll get the thrust of it. Until then. Goodbye.\u201d<\/p>\n

Willow looked at him strangely for a moment. She was fairly sure the last half on the conversation wasn\u2019t business related. \u201cWho was that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor Diana Barton,\u201d Wesley answered as he snapped the phone shut. \u201cShe is a professor of Medieval History at USC. However, her interests range into several areas. I asked her to look into several volumes I know she owns for information regarding Necklar demons. She turned up nothing we don\u2019t already know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWonderful,\u201d Willow mused. She clicked on the Favorites bar on her laptop and pulled up the online Sunnydale Gazette. Even though she wanted a reprieve from her vigorous research, Willow knew that oftentimes the newspaper was a valid resource in finding potential demonic activity. As it often did upon peering at the web page, Willow\u2019s brows rose at a headline.<\/p>\n

\u201cKamy Taylor was killed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wesley glanced offhandedly at the young brunette girl on the monitor. \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKamy Taylor,\u201d Willow stated. \u201cI knew her. She was a local Wicca. I always thought she was cute.\u201d Wesley raised an eyebrow. \u201cWhat? Gay, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n

Willow turned her focus back to the screen. She clicked on the Favorites bar again and entered the Sunnydale Police Department\u2019s website. \u201cYou may want to look away. What I\u2019m about to do isn\u2019t entirely legal.\u201d She turned to find Wesley skimming her copy of Victoria Secret\u2019s spring catalogue. Willow blushed mightily. \u201cI have it because I think the lingerie is pretty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure you do.\u201d Wesley\u2019s voice conveyed his disbelief. Willow snatched the magazine away.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have to justify myself to you,\u201d she defended. Willow carefully placed the magazine aside and resumed her hacking.<\/p>\n

\u201cJudging from what pages I saw dog-eared, you and I have the same tastes in women. I find that disturbing somehow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Willow would have retorted if she hadn\u2019t been engrossed by Kamy Taylor\u2019s autopsy report. That was very strange. \u201cElectrolytes were down,\u201d she whispered to herself. \u201cSo are glucocorticoids.\u201d Willow paused as she contemplated that information. Wesley occupied himself with a Playboy that had Willow\u2019s name as the addressee. \u201cHey Hannah!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hannah looked up from her spot on the couch at the redhead. \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCould you precisely remember the route you took to get to Sunnydale?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hannah furrowed her brow in confusion and curiosity. Sharing a look with Emma and Kayla, Hannah answered, \u201cYeah. I think we could tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. Xander?\u201d Xander looked up from his demonology book. \u201cIn the cabinet beneath the bookshelf is a road atlas. Could you get it?\u201d He nodded that he could and went to retrieve it.<\/p>\n

Wesley turned his focus away from Miss April and onto the computer screen. \u201cWillow? What did you find?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe nothing,\u201d she shrugged. \u201cI just want to do a little more digging before I say anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wesley was about to argue when his cell phone rang again. Tossing the Playboy aside, he pulled the phone from his pocket and answered. \u201cHello? Oh, it\u2019s you. Hold on a moment.\u201d He stood up and moved into the kitchen.<\/p>\n

Buffy and Dawn sat at the counter eating from plastic cups of pudding and studying some papers. They paid him no mind as he opened the door to the basement and went downstairs. Now alone, Wesley put the phone back to his ear.<\/p>\n

\u201cGunn, I\u2019m here. Is something wrong with Cordelia?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn, for a Brit you tend to display lousy manners. Didn\u2019t anyone ever instruct you about proper telephone etiquette at Watcher school?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Between courses in being a pompous wanker and Bad Teeth 101, there simply wasn\u2019t time for such instruction. Why are you calling?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pause. \u201cCordelia is getting antsy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAntsy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got straight A\u2019s in Pompous Wanker, didn\u2019t you? She\u2019s getting antsy. Agitated. Whatever. Point is, she\u2019s looking for action.<\/p>\n

\u201cAction?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot that kind. Pull your head out of the gutter. She wants to get out and find Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you explain to her that there is nothing she can do until I call with information?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but that is barely holding her back. She\u2019s really jonesing for Angel, Wes. If you don\u2019t bring her boy back soon, I\u2019m worried what may happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wesley sighed. \u201cTell her I called with a progress report. Say I\u2019m following a lead in Northern California. Tell her there have been stories of a dark cloaked man rescuing damsels in distress. That should pacify her for the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if it doesn\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDrug her food. You still have the Valium I gave you, correct?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMix it with her drink or food at supper. If the Valium doesn\u2019t calm her down enough, look up Doctor Olivia Tate in the phonebook. Tell her I sent you. Ask her for a prescription for Clorazepate. Better yet, ask her for Triavil. It\u2019s a good anti-depressant as well as a tranquilizer.\u201d<\/p>\n

He heard Gunn\u2019s grunt of frustration. \u201cNo matter how comfortable you are with it, I don\u2019t like lying to Cordelia. I also don\u2019t like the idea of drugging her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand that, Gunn, but I don\u2019t want her in Sunnydale. The best thing for her is to be kept safe in Los Angeles.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething bad is happening up there, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt could get ugly,\u201d Wesley admitted. \u201cA bad ass demon is looking to cause trouble by tapping into a power source.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Hellmouth?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA girl. I made a deal with Angel. I help him stop this demon, he comes back to LA without a fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it isn\u2019t. Just keep Cordelia there. I promised her that I would bring Angel back to her and I intend to follow through. I\u2019ll call later.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine. And Wes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake care of yourself. And make sure you bring Angel back in one piece.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will. Goodbye.\u201d Wesley disconnected the phone. The last thing he needed was Cordelia to get over anxious and start becoming a hassle. She certainly didn\u2019t need to be in Sunnydale. Not with this trouble brewing. Wesley only hoped this problem was resolved quickly. Somehow, with the luck this group historically had, Wesley doubted that would happen.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Gunn tapped lightly on the bedroom door. Listening closely, he heard Cordelia\u2019s voice call him in. Entering the room, Gunn was surprised to not find Cordelia in her customary perch by the window. Instead she sat at the corner desk typing away at her laptop. The baby was in its crib snoring softly.<\/p>\n

By the desk was an old phonograph. It had recently been stowed away in the Hyperion basement. Angel used to go downstairs and listen to his old records on it. Cordelia had always made a point to tease him about his \u2018old fogy\u2019 music. She used to say that it was the twenty-first century, so stop listening to the antiquated crap and crank up some Chili Peppers.<\/p>\n

Those days seemed long gone. Cordelia had insisted that the phonograph be hauled up to her room. Gunn had obliged because it seemed that having Angel\u2019s belongings near had a calming effect on her. So now, as Gunn tentatively crept towards her, the sound of Classical music invaded his ears. While he certainly wasn\u2019t an aficionado, Gunn was starting to distinguish between composers.<\/p>\n

\u201cBach?\u201d Cordelia never diverted her focus from the computer, but she did nod her head and confirm his guess. \u201cThe Goldberg Variations?\u201d Another nod. \u201cYou seem to like this one. Any reason why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt soothes me,\u201d Cordelia answered. She felt Gunn\u2019s presence grow near. She shut the laptop before Gunn could see what she was doing. \u201cIt\u2019s predictable, but at the same time, each variation has its own subtle differences to make it unique. There is a controlled randomness to it. But inside the randomness is a familiarity the listener always keeps in sight.\u201d Her lips quirked in a slight smile. \u201cI know it was one of Angel\u2019s favorites, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course it was.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia propped her elbow on the desk and rested her chin in her hand. She turned that cool analytical glare she had developed on him. Gunn called it her \u2018Eye of God\u2019 because it was her all-seeing look.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sometimes sound like him, you know that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike who?\u201d Gunn asked curiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cWesley.\u201d She genuinely laughed at his grimace. \u201cI actually intended for that to be a compliment. You like to pretend you\u2019re a bad ass. Someone who kills first and asks questions later. The same attitude that Wesley has developed. Same notes but a subtle variance. Wesley has gone from brains to brawn. You\u2019ve gone from brawn to brains. Different avenues but the same meeting point.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gunn just stared at her blankly for a moment. \u201cYou sure there was a compliment in all that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia laughed again. \u201cI\u2019m saying that you\u2019ve become more than the one dimensional demon ass kicker that I first met. During the battles with the Beast you displayed some amazing insight. And your questioning of why I prefer the Goldberg Variations demonstrates analytic ability. You\u2019re a well rounded man, Charles Gunn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gunn\u2019s expression turned from confused to amused. \u201cAre you coming on to me?\u201d he teased lightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah,\u201d Cordelia responded in the same manner. \u201cNow, I\u2019m sure you didn\u2019t come up here to discuss Bach with me, or to be compared with Wesley. So spill.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWesley called.\u201d Cordelia slight smile grew into a high wattage grin. Gunn was disappointed to know the smile wouldn\u2019t last long. \u201cBefore you pack your bags, he just called to say he was following a lead upstate somewhere. Supposedly someone matching your boy\u2019s description has been seen doing the whole dark knight shtick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere upstate?\u201d Cordelia asked excitedly. She mentally calculated the moves she would need to knock Gunn out and steal his car.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t say.\u201d Gunn raised his hands in surrender at Cordelia\u2019s death glare. \u201cI swear to God. He didn\u2019t say the name of the town. I wouldn\u2019t lie to you, Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia fought to regain control of her emotions. Taking several deep breaths, Cordelia calmed herself enough to give Gunn a disarming smile. \u201cI know you wouldn\u2019t, Gunn. I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m just overanxious. Forgive me?\u201d She batted her eyelashes for extra effect.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Gunn smiled. \u201cNow that I can be sure you won\u2019t go off half-cocked, what do you want for dinner? There still some stir fry veggies left from last night. Do you want those?\u201d Cordelia nodded that was fine.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay. I\u2019ll be back in a few. Just make sure you\u2019re not playing any of that damn Wagner when I come back, okay? I don\u2019t like him.\u201d Cordelia laughed softly and watched him leave. As soon as Gunn was gone, her jovial expression and mode melted away.<\/p>\n

Gunn was lying to her. Cordelia was sure of that. Wesley did call. He wouldn\u2019t lie about something that simple. But her soul said that Wesley had found her vampire. And although she knew that they both only sought to protect her, Cordelia certainly didn\u2019t appreciate being lied to.<\/p>\n

Cordelia lifted the lid of the laptop up. She glanced at some of the responses to her Internet bulletin. Dozens were claiming to have seen the infamous vampire with a soul. Looking at the locations from which the responses were sent from, Cordelia was able to eliminate several of the claims quickly.<\/p>\n

She knew that Angel wasn\u2019t a big fan of the Deep South. While he appreciated the Victorian architecture many of the finer buildings tended to possess, he didn\u2019t care for the humidity and high temperatures.<\/p>\n

Mexico, however, was a possibility. Angel had on several occasions told her of his adventures south of the border. He liked the fact that a good fight was never further than a saloon away. He also had expressed his appreciation for the local women. While Cordelia shuddered that Angel might take solace with another woman, she couldn\u2019t afford to disavow the possibility. Angel liked Mexico, despite the fact it was full of Catholics.<\/p>\n

The reports from the Pacific Northwest and Canada were also possibilities. He had spent a good portion of the thirties and forties in the area. Angel had loved the peace and quiet and wide-open spaces. If he wanted a place to meditate and recuperate, then it was a far more feasible alternative than Tibet.<\/p>\n

But then a sudden thought occurred to her. All of this might be a moot point. Everything she might need to find Angel would be accessible to her downstairs. She\u2019d have to be sneaky, but that wasn\u2019t a problem. You don\u2019t hang around a vampire for the better part of seven years without learning something about stealth. But then a whole new set of problems would arise.<\/p>\n

Once she had acquired the vital information, she would need to escape Los Angeles quickly and quietly. Gunn would certainly try to stop her. His main way of accomplishing that would be to drug her food. So that would increase the need to switch out the Valium that Wesley had given him with something else. That would require finding something that appeared similar to Valium and sneaking into Gunn\u2019s room and rooting through his sock drawer. Neither should be incredibly difficult. After all, where there was a will, there was a way. And Cordelia had an iron will to be with Angel.<\/p>\n

She would have to plan this, but Cordelia was confident she could pull it off. If all went well, she would be face to face with Angel. And whether he liked it or not, they were going to have a little talk. She was bringing him home no matter how much groveling had to be done.<\/p>\n

Walking quietly so not to disturb the baby, Cordelia went to her closet and found her duffle bag. First thing to do would be to prepare a bag so she could leave at a moments notice. Then Cordelia could focus on what she would need to do to make her exit.<\/p>\n

***<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOh bloody hell I want some drugs!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The company CEO would certainly not appreciate the current situation. Cordelia Chase, her skirt pulled up past her waist, laid flat against the cleared off oak desk, her knees bent and legs open. Her fingers were wrapped so tightly around the edges of the desk that her nails were imbedded in the wood.<\/em><\/p>\n

Wesley, to put it bluntly, was on the receiving end. His sleeves rolled up past his elbows, he barked out orders to the others to retrieve clean linens, water, and rubber gloves.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cGunn,\u201d he shouted. \u201cGet a pair of scissors and sterilize them.\u201d Wesley reached into his pocket and tossed him a lighter. \u201cI\u2019ll need them to cut the cord.\u201d Gunn set about sterilizing when Fred rushed back into the office.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t find any rubber gloves!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a janitor\u2019s closet down the hall. Check there.\u201d Wesley turned his focus back on Cordelia. \u201cHow are you holding up?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWant\u2026drugs,\u201d she gritted.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t have any drugs. Now be a good girl and when this is all over I\u2019ll hook you up with some LSD. It will help matters considerably if you remember your breathing exercises.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cScrew my breathing!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Wesley sighed. \u201cCharming. Faith? How is the fight going?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Faith held onto the remote viewer like a child watching Saturday morning cartoons. She visibly cringed at some of the action. \u201cBetter,\u201d was all she offered.<\/em><\/p>\n

Wesley shook his head at the situation. Glancing out the window he was able to see a portion of the building that Angelus and the Beast fought in. The streets were filled with burning cars and people rioting.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cMuch like a London soccer riot,\u201d Wesley mused. \u201cBeen a while since I\u2019ve seen one of those.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Part 7<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Part 6 SATURDAY AFTERNOON \u201cSo who is she?\u201d Angel\u2019s head snapped up from the picture of Cordelia to see Hannah leaning against the…<\/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-4324","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-completed-fics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4324","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=4324"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4324\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4324"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4324"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4324"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}