Part 7<\/b><\/p>\n
SATURDAY EVENING<\/em><\/p>\n Angel was confused. Sitting in an old wooden chair at the small corner desk in the guest bedroom, his fingers lightly wrapped around a glass of whiskey, Angel contemplated the hell that was his life.<\/p>\n He brought the glass up to his lips, but as happened the past four times, Angel couldn\u2019t bring himself to drink. He set the cup down and continued to stare at the horrendous wallpaper.<\/p>\n His thoughts were on Hannah, mainly, but Cordelia was also a prominent fixture. Angel couldn\u2019t help but marvel at his recent history with women. One of them was supposedly his arch-nemesis, but that didn\u2019t stop him from falling in love with her and getting sent to Hell.<\/p>\n Another was a centuries old sociopath that gave birth to a child that hated his guts. Then there was a formerly feisty cheerleader but now manic-depressive seer with occasional fits of less than lucid behavior.<\/p>\n And now Hannah.<\/p>\n To say she was a hottie was to put it lightly. Beautiful green eyes, gorgeous red head, smooth porcelain skin, and a killer body. But there was more to the girl than Hollywood looks. He could plainly see a keen intelligence, and despite the situation, flashes of a charming sense of humor.<\/p>\n She was the complete package. It was obvious why Angel would be attracted to her. Any heterosexual male would be. Hannah was perfect.<\/p>\n But then so was Cordelia.<\/p>\n Or at least she had been. Angel couldn\u2019t deny that she was still the most beautiful woman he\u2019d ever met. But that spark was gone. The intangible that made Cordelia, Cordelia. It was what made her more than a hollow shell wearing the face of the woman he had fallen in love with.<\/p>\n When Cordelia had first returned to this plane, Angel had assumed that if she were to regain her memory that the spark would return. He was witness to flashes of that old flame, but the Night of Fire ironically enough seemed to extinguish that spark. Cordelia, and their relationship in general, was unrecognizable.<\/p>\n But should he give up on her? Should he give up on them? Could he really be blamed for being interested in another woman? Could he be blamed for moving on? And what of his relationship with Hannah? Not that there was a relationship, but could there be? Was he projecting his unresolved and whimsical feelings for Cordelia onto Hannah? Angel didn\u2019t think so.<\/p>\n What worried Angel was that he might be mistaking Hannah for Sarah. They did have nearly identical looks and mannerisms. And that feeling he had in his stomach when he kissed Hannah was the same feeling he had with Sarah. It was the feeling that made him leave all those years ago. But still, Angel was tempted to say to Hell with Cordelia. There was no reason why he shouldn\u2019t try to move on and find a bit of happiness elsewhere.<\/p>\n Angel sighed heavily. Finally breaking down, he took a long swill from the cup of whiskey. But when it came down to it, Angel wasn\u2019t quite ready to give up on Cordelia. His soul still held onto the fleeting hope that he could help regain that missing spark. She would never again be the woman that he had fallen in love with. Their relationship would never be the thing it once was.<\/p>\n But that didn\u2019t mean Cordelia or their relationship couldn’t move in another, but at the same time, wonderful direction.<\/p>\n Angel turned towards the door at the knocking. Buffy poked her head in moments later. \u201cYou being all broody in here?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n Angel shot her a wry smile. \u201cDarling, I have not yet begun to brood. I have only scratched the surface of my brooding depths.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLovely. Doing some heavy thinking I take it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCare to talk about it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure. Life sucks and women are a pain in the ass. That about sums it up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour boundless optimism is an inspiration to us all. Since you don\u2019t want to talk, how about you come downstairs? Willow had a moment of inspiration or something. Says she\u2019s discovered something big.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel was immediately curious. \u201cThen I guess we better go then. And Buffy? Thanks for offering to talk with me.\u201d<\/p>\n Buffy smiled. \u201cNo problem. What are friends for? Now if you\u2019re ready, how about we go hear about Will\u2019s Eureka moment?\u201d<\/p>\n Angel was all for that. Buffy flicked off the light switch and the pair disappeared downstairs for the meeting.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Technology certainly was a marvelous thing. Spike and Angel had been around a long time. Both were born and raised in an era where electricity wasn\u2019t in common usage. Automobiles and aircraft were unheard of. The world was only just becoming industrialized.<\/p>\n It never ceased to amaze them how much the world had changed. People hustled about in cars. Man had actually flown to the moon. Satellites were able to broadcast all Formula One and English League Soccer matches to televisions across the globe, a fact that both vampires enjoyed immensely. The computer age was in full swing.<\/p>\n That being said, Angel and Spike were about to experience a first.<\/p>\n \u201cTruly amazing, isn\u2019t it mate?\u201d Spike asked.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is indeed,\u201d Angel agreed. \u201cThe world has come a long way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes it has.\u201d The vampires sat front row as they gazed at the laptop on the desk. In their combined 370 years of existence, Angel and Spike were about to experience their first PowerPoint lecture.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd to think,\u201d Angel mused, \u201cthat this type of technology is commonplace in modern classrooms.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt certainly is more appealing than those Bartlett Readers we had when I was a schoolboy,\u201d Spike acknowledged. \u201cIf we had this back in my day, I\u2019d have spent more time on my studies and not wondering what Miss Crenshaw had under her dresses.\u201d<\/p>\n Buffy and Xander just stared at them. \u201cYou two are deeply sad,\u201d Xander said. Spike and Angel would have defended their honor, but Willow entered the room. Everyone straightened up in their seats and prepared to listen.<\/p>\n In the corner, Giles felt a slight whimsical feeling overtake him. He missed the days where he was the one giving the lectures.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay everyone,\u201d Willow began. \u201cI believe I\u2019ve discovered something very important about our friend Merrick.\u201d She clicked the mouse and an article from the Sunnydale Gazette appeared.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is Kamy Taylor. She\u2019s a local Wicca that was murdered yesterday.\u201d Another click brought up an autopsy report. \u201cOut of curiosity I visited the SPD website. I was able to hack into the coroner report. Upon reading the file, I noticed that Kamy\u2019s body displayed abnormally low levels of electrolytes and glucocorticoids. Now, if you\u2019re an NASA person or an X-Files buff like myself, you know that such symptoms are correlated with prolonged weightlessness. But they are also symptoms of something else.\u201d<\/p>\n Willow clicked again. A map of the United States appeared. But this map had several red dots on it, including one right where Sunnydale would be. A second click connected the dots with a black line.<\/p>\n \u201cHannah, Emma, and Kayla were able to precisely recount the route they took to arrive in Sunnydale. I represent it with the black line. Seeing Kamy\u2019s autopsy reports got me to thinking. Using the data they gave me, and the information from Kamy\u2019s report, I was able to search for more victims.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMore victims with those symptoms?\u201d Hannah asked.<\/p>\n \u201cMore accurately, victims with these symptoms that just happen to be Wiccans.\u201d Giles immediately understood what Willow was driving at. Angel and Spike had a good idea, too.<\/p>\n \u201cCross referencing murders in towns along the route with similar symptoms and Wicca affiliations, I came up with seven hits.\u201d A click of the mouse brought up seven photographs. \u201cSeven women have been murdered that display similar electrolyte and glucocorticoid imbalance. Talking with Hannah, I can say with 95 percent that these murders would correlate with Merrick\u2019s presence in town. The dates match up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo he\u2019s killing Wiccans. Why?\u201d Buffy asked.<\/p>\n \u201cIs he trying to build up more power?\u201d Xander added.<\/p>\n \u201cNot exactly,\u201d Willow answered.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s maintaining power,\u201d Giles spoke. Willow nodded in agreement.<\/p>\n \u201cMaintaining power?\u201d Hannah was confused. \u201cWhat do you mean by that?\u201d<\/p>\n Willow paused a moment as she tried to formulate an answer that would be easy to understand. \u201cThis power that Merrick absorbed to break free from his prison. It really isn\u2019t his power.\u201d Confused looks greeted her. \u201cIt\u2019s a kind of superficial power. It isn\u2019t his, but Merrick still has access to it.\u201d The people she needed to explain to were still confused. Angel decided to try and help out.<\/p>\n \u201cThe energy he took only increases his maximum power potential.\u201d<\/p>\n Spike helped with the explanation. \u201cThink of the energy like a battery that he can carry around. But the battery loses its charge quickly. Taking magicks from these women restores that stored energy.\u201d<\/p>\n Willow nodded in confirmation. \u201cIf he doesn\u2019t recharge the battery every so often, Merrick is essentially reduced to the power he held before absorbing the clan magicks. By taking the power directly from Hannah, Merrick will ensure that that maximum power potential will be a permanent fixture.\u201d<\/p>\n Xander clapped his hands together as he had a thought. \u201cSo. We just keep this guy from killin\u2019 any witches for a while and we just wait until he becomes weak.\u201d Some of the room groaned at the statement. Spike was the only one to vocalize his thoughts.<\/p>\n \u201cBoy, you might be legally retarded.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe has a point,\u201d Giles mused to no one.<\/p>\n Willow spoke up before Xander had a chance to snap back. \u201cWhile Xander\u2019s heart is in the right place, I\u2019m afraid it isn\u2019t that simple. We have to remember that Merrick is a molder. Which means he can convert any form of energy into a power that he can use. He could literally absorb usable power from a car battery, a solar panel, or a portable generator.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen why go to the trouble of killing a person?\u201d Buffy questioned.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the fun in that?\u201d Spike answered rhetorically. A few members of the group looked at him strangely. Spike didn\u2019t seem to mind. He merely elaborated on his thoughts. \u201cThis guy is a soulless monster. What could be better than getting the power you need than doing it while taking the life of another creature? That\u2019s power in and of itself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat,\u201d Wesley continued, \u201cand a car battery, or a solar panel, or a portable generator wouldn\u2019t be able to provide near as much energy as one human could.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019d have to drain every battery at Pep Boys to equal the power of one Wicca,\u201d Angel concluded. \u201cOf course he\u2019ll go after a human.\u201d<\/p>\n The room was silent as the group attempted to wrap their minds around the new information. Hannah finally vocalized the question on her mind.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m still not sure how this helps us. So this excess energy is only temporary. Besides waiting for the power to drain, I don\u2019t see how else we can act upon it. Unless, of course, you have some tidbit of information that proves otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n Willow reached across the table and grabbed a thick tome. \u201cI think Spike said it best. Think of this power like a battery.\u201d Said vampire beamed in pride at having had the best explanation. He was pleased that Buffy looked proud of him, too. \u201cBatteries can be drained of their power,\u201d Willow continued. \u201cI\u2019m fairly sure that I can find some sort of extraction spell that might assist in draining off the excess energy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd presto,\u201d Spike said. \u201cNo more uber-demon. Just plain old demon.\u201d<\/p>\n Buffy smiled widely. \u201cAnd with a Slayer, a super witch, and two bad ass vampires, it shouldn\u2019t be a problem to bring him down.\u201d<\/p>\n Smiles began to slowly appear on everyone\u2019s faces. If all went well, then this conflict could be over quickly. For a moment, everyone forgot that they were in Sunnydale, a town where things never went well.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n \u201cFocus!\u201d Wesley shouted. \u201cCome on, Cordelia! Give me three more good pushes! That should do it!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Cordelia, however, was too fucking tired to push anymore. She vocalized that thought. \u201cI can\u2019t, Wesley,\u201d she panted. \u201cToo tired.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI know you are, Cordelia. But this isn\u2019t the sort of job that you can stop in the middle of. Now man up, take a deep breath, and give me a couple good pushes! That\u2019s an order, Cordelia!\u201d Wesley could clearly see she didn\u2019t have the motivation. He decided on a different tactic.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cOr are you too pussy to do it?\u201d He ignored her scathing look. \u201cFigures that you would simply roll over and give up. Seems that is all you\u2019ve been doing lately. The Cordelia I knew didn\u2019t know the meaning of the word quit. Evidently, this new version does.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n A seemingly rare occurrence happened. A fire began to burn in Cordelia\u2019s eyes. For the first time in weeks, a sense of determination filled her. She did the one thing to prove to Wesley that she wasn\u2019t a quitter. She pushed.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cGood!\u201d Wesley encouraged. \u201cThat\u2019s a good girl! Now come on! Give me another!\u201d She did. \u201cGreat! Bare down, Cordelia! You\u2019re almost done!\u201d One final push did it. The sounds of a baby\u2019s screaming filled the office. \u201cYou did it, Cordelia!\u201d Cordelia gave a relieved smile before collapsing back on the desk.<\/em><\/p>\n Fred quickly came up and wrapped the baby in a towel. She cooed softly at the child as Wesley took the sterilized scissors and cut the umbilical cord. Fred\u2019s limited medical knowledge then took over. Grabbing a few Q-tips she had found in an executive\u2019s washroom, she gently swabbed the inside of the baby\u2019s nose to clean out the nasal passages. Fred took another towel and delicately wiped the baby clean. Satisfied with her work, Fred decided it was time for baby to say hello to mother.<\/em><\/p>\n Cordelia smiled softly as Fred handed the bundled over. \u201cHi there,\u201d Cordelia breathed. The baby went silent as it gazed into Cordelia\u2019s hazel eyes for the first time. \u201cSo you\u2019re the little bugger that did all that gymnastics in my belly.\u201d The baby gurgled softly. Cordelia\u2019s heart melted. \u201cWon\u2019t it be cool to tell all your friends in school you were born during an apocalypse?\u201d She continued to marvel at the child and said, \u201cI can\u2019t wait for Angel to meet you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Connor looked on sadly. Of course it was Angel that she would mention. It was in that singular moment that Connor understood his role. Even despite their night together, he would never be the man in her life. It would always be about Angel. Nobody noticed when he quietly slipped from the room.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cHot damn!\u201d Faith shouted gleefully. \u201cAngelus just stuck that primordial son of a bitch like a hog!\u201d They all watched as Faith whipped the duffle bag off her shoulder and removed the Urn of Lordoth. When she uncapped the urn, a bright blue streak shot out and disappeared. \u201cGo little soul! Find your home!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Gunn and Wesley shouted their approval. They even did a little jig to the chorus of \u201cAngel won! Angel won!\u201d The three were so caught up in their celebration that they nearly missed Cordelia\u2019s soft-spoken question.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhere is Connor?\u201d The group looked around. It was Wesley who would speak for the group.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cAw, bloody hell.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Never let it be said that Cordelia lacked innovation. Even she had to marvel at some of the things her mind came up with. She was certainly never this imaginative in high school. But then again, Cordelia never had any reason to be imaginative.<\/p>\n That certainly wasn\u2019t the case now. Cordelia needed to find the man that she loved and bring him home. That\u2019s why she was in Gunn\u2019s bedroom preparing to switch out the Triavil prescription he had recently required with the placebo she had created.<\/p>\n A little sugar, some egg whites, and blue food coloring was all she had needed. Having scouted his room on several previous occasions, Cordelia was able to quickly find Gunn\u2019s sock drawer and the desired bottle.<\/p>\n \u201cWon\u2019t be needing these anymore,\u201d she said aloud. Cordelia emptied the bottle contents and stuffed the pills into her left sweatpants pocket. From her right pocket she produced a Ziploc bag with twenty samples of her placebo. She made quite sure the bottle was full before replacing it.<\/p>\n Cordelia glanced at her watch. Gunn would be up to check on her in a few minutes. Satisfied Phase One was complete, Cordelia retreated back to her own room. Flushing the Triavil down the toilet, Cordelia would have to wait patiently until Gunn and Fred were occupied before she could begin Phase Two. After that, Cordelia would be able to put her plan into action.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n The microwave bell sounded and Angel popped open the door to retrieve his blood packet. He momentarily vamped out and used a fang to tear through the plastic. Angel switched back to human face and poured the blood in a novelty mugged labeled \u2018Vampires Suck\u2019.<\/p>\n In the kitchen he could hear the sound of laughter. The general tone of the group was considerably lighter. Most were feeling confident that they would win the upcoming battle. Angel concentrated for a moment and zeroed in on Hannah. He was surprised that she knew a joke that lewd. He then heard the sound of the doorbell sound. The pizzas they had ordered were here.<\/p>\n Angel wasn\u2019t quite so lighthearted. He was the only one who knew Merrick. Even if Willow did find a way to suck the excess energies from him, Angel knew the fight would be difficult even with the aid of Spike and Buffy.<\/p>\n Merrick would be difficult to kill. As Angel had mentioned when the girls first arrived, the only way it could be done is if his heart was destroyed. Short of ripping it from his body and stomping it with his foot, Angel wasn\u2019t quite sure how that could be accomplished. Angel was so wrapped up in the possibilities that he missed the sound of footsteps in the kitchen.<\/p>\n \u201cNot going to join the group?\u201d<\/p>\n Angel startled at Wesley\u2019s voice. \u201cFuck, Wes, yodel when you enter a room.\u201d Wesley smirked at for having once caught Angel off guard. \u201cDid you come in here just to see me get pissed or do you have a greater purpose?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell,\u201d Wesley drawled. \u201cI did have a note of business that I felt needed to be discussed, but I think I should bring up a personal note first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhich would be?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat the hell do you think you are doing with Hannah?\u201d Angel quirked his brows in confusion. \u201cI know you two were up to something this morning. I know that in the end I can\u2019t do shit, but all I can say is that I hope you don\u2019t throw away your relationship with Cordelia to go after this girl.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWesley,\u201d Angel warned, \u201cdon\u2019t even start it. I have no clue as to what my relationship to either of them is. Right now I can\u2019t worry about it. Right now I have to worry about how I\u2019m going to kill Merrick.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery well. We won\u2019t talk about Cordelia or Hannah. Easy to do since you brought up the business note I wanted to discuss. I\u2019ve been hearing that the only way to kill a Necklar is to destroy the heart. Is that true?\u201d Angel nodded that it was. \u201cAny suggestions or ideas on that?\u201d<\/p>\n Angel shrugged. \u201cYou, Buffy, and Spike could hold him down while I cut it out.\u201d Off Wesley\u2019s look he said, \u201cNot the greatest of ideas, I know, but it\u2019s all I got.\u201d Angel let out a frustrated grunt. \u201cI know there must be some weapon out there that can kill Necklars. All of the badass demon breeds have some mystical weapon that can destroy them quick and easy. Hell, the Beast did with that Blade of Hefler or Hefnar of whatever. It\u2019s like Goopta\u2019s Law of the Paranormal or something. We just need to find it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell,\u201d Wesley drawled. \u201cYou are certainly right about finding a specific weapon. Many breeds do have specific items that were forged to combat them. While our own research seems to be turning up little in such regards, I do have a suggestion on a means of acquiring the information we need. I\u2019m sure you wouldn\u2019t approve of it, and knowing so, I already took the liberty of looking into it.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel stared at him blankly a moment as he shifted through Wesley\u2019s doublespeak. Understanding suddenly hit him and Wesley was more than slightly surprised by how well Angel took it.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose we don\u2019t have enough options to be picky about who we consult. But how do we know we\u2019re not going to get screwed?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t,\u201d Wesley answered bluntly. \u201cAll we can do is hope for the best.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd expect the worst,\u201d Angel finished. \u201cI\u2019m beginning to wonder if I should put that phrase on my family crest.\u201d<\/p>\n Wesley chuckled lightly. \u201cDoes seem fitting,\u201d he admitted. \u201cNow come on. We can help Willow research her spell while we watch a soccer match on the television.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel perked considerably. \u201cSoccer? Is it the good stuff or this American MLS crap?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe MLS crap.\u201d Angel looked disappointed. \u201cI know, I know, but they don\u2019t have a satellite dish so we must settle for Fox Sports West.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel continued to grumble about shitty American soccer as the pair went into the living room. However, he couldn\u2019t help the slight smile from crossing his face as Hannah made room on the couch for him. She returned the smile as she handed him a slice of pepperoni pizza.<\/p>\n And Wesley watched them interact with a disappointed and resigned expression in his face.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Dumont demons were a strange breed. Their physical structure was remarkably similar to humans. The only major differences were the lack of body hair and that their skin was a midnight blue.<\/p>\n Mentally, they were far different from the prototypical demon. Most demon impulses ranged not much further than reproducing and feeding. Dumont\u2019s were widely recognized as gangsters of the underworld.<\/p>\n Their notoriety for taking on contracts to do various species, including humans, dirty work was far reaching. Contract killings, drug running, prostitution, bodyguard work, nothing was beyond the morality level of a Dumont.<\/p>\n That being said, Dumont demons had absolutely no problem with what Merrick proposed to them. There was, of course, an issue about payment.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s gonna cost ya,\u201d Ruben, the lead Dumont said.<\/p>\n Merrick, his hair slicked back and his clothing immaculately pressed, smiled at the demon and placed a briefcase on the main table in the Dumont lair. Ruben looked at it curiously and nodded to one of his lackey\u2019s to open it up.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it, Frank?\u201d Ruben asked.<\/p>\n Frank eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. \u201cUh, you should probably see it for yourself.\u201d Frank tilted the briefcase so that Ruben could see. If Ruben wasn\u2019t mistaken, that appeared to be several bound stacks of one hundred dollar bills.<\/p>\n Ruben\u2019s once hostile expression melted away and a broad grin took its place. \u201cI see you prefer the payment in bulk over the installment plan. Cuts down on interest rates. Smart man. May I ask how you acquired that sort of currency?\u201d<\/p>\n Merrick smiled smugly. \u201cThrough various avenues. Now, what services will this payment provide for me?\u201d<\/p>\n Ruben considered for a moment. \u201cI can let you have four of my men.\u201d He grabbed a piece of paper and a pen from his desk and turned to Frank. \u201cFrank. Gather up Lenny, Keith, and Bruce. You guys have a job.\u201d Ruben scribbled on the piece of paper and handed it to Merrick. \u201cHere is the address of a property on King Street. You can do your\u2026business there. Is that suitable to you?\u201d<\/p>\n Merrick accepted the paper and looked at the address. \u201cIt is. These men that you give me better be good fighters. The last thing I need is to get in a battle and discover that one or more cannot carry their weight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry about it,\u201d Ruben assured. \u201cMy boys will be ready to fight whenever you need them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll need them in a few hours,\u201d Merrick stated. \u201cWe attack shortly before dawn.\u201d The smile that covered Merrick\u2019s face sent a chill down Ruben\u2019s spine. \u201cAngel can\u2019t follow me in the daylight. That should be torture for him when he knows that I have his girl.\u201d<\/p>\n Ruben watched quietly as Merrick turned and exited the underground lair. Dumont demons didn\u2019t frighten easily, but Ruben could safely say that Merrick chilled him. \u201cThat boy has a lot of negative energy,\u201d Ruben observed. \u201cHe needs to learn yoga or something, because he just ain\u2019t right.\u201d<\/p>\n