Part 12<\/b><\/p>\n
SUNDAY EVENING (PART TWO)<\/em><\/p>\n Angelus skidded to a halt beside the small forklift. The Blade of Hefnar rested a few feet from his grasp. And twenty feet away, the Beast stalked its prey. Angelus wiped at his mouth and stared at the blood for a moment. He suspected there were several other places he was bleeding from.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026want\u2026the child,\u201d the Beast growled.<\/em><\/p>\n Angelus rolled his eyes. The boy had a limited vocabulary. \u201cOoh, scary voice. Ever thought about doin\u2019 books on tape? You dumb fuck. Read my lips! You\u2026are\u2026not\u2026getting\u2026the baby!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n As the Beast continued eyeballing him, Angelus reached under the forklift and felt around. He was about to put a very stupid and hastily engineered plan into action. Angelus looked up at a point past the Beast. He saw a long chain attached to a pulley on a roller. He\u2019d need that, too.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou know what your problem is?\u201d Angelus asked conversationally. \u201cBesides the whole \u2018ugly as a motherfucker\u2019 thing you got happening, I mean. It\u2019s that you lack common social skills. You assume just because you\u2019re all big and demony, and did I mention ugly, that you can get whatever you want through a scowl or a burst of violence. I got news for ya, Tonto, it don\u2019t work like that. You\u2019ll realize that as you\u2019re taking my big vampire dick up your ass, you fucking whore.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Angelus jerked down hard and disconnected the gasoline hose. He quickly ripped out the tank and rolled away just as a cloven hoof came crashing down in the spot where his head had been. Angelus leapt to his feet and tore the metal container down the middle and tossed it at the demon in a single fluid motion.<\/em><\/p>\n The Beast hardly flinched at the movement. Instead, he merely sniffed curiously at the fluid that covered his body. \u201cWhat is this?\u201d he asked in a perplexed tone.<\/em><\/p>\n Angelus smirked and pulled a cigarette lighter from his pants. \u201cIt\u2019s barbeque time, bitch. Gotta put the meat on the grill.\u201d Angelus flicked the lighter and dropped it at the Beast\u2019s feet. Tortured screams filled the warehouse when the Beast ignited. \u201cWho smells bacon?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The Beast threw a fiery punch, but Angelus was able to easily duck it. He rolled across the ground and gripped the Blade of Hefnar in his hand. A quick thrust and the enchanted metal pierced the heart of the Beast. The demon roared in a last futile gesture and dropped to a knee.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cAngelus\u2026\u201d the Beast growled. He reached out with a smoldering hand as if to strangle the vampire. Angelus smirked in satisfaction.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s my name, bitch. Don\u2019t wear it out.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Angelus turned away and crossed the short distance to the chain dangling from the above pulley. He grabbed it and pulled it along with him. Angelus heard a heavy thud as the Beast fell to a second knee.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cBeen forever since I had the pleasure of seein\u2019 a good lynching,\u201d Angelus started. \u201cForty years if I recollect. Not since Mississippi in the early sixties. Let me tell ya, if there is one thing redneck crackers do better than fucking their sisters and drinking bad beer, it\u2019s lynching folks. And to use a phrase coined all those years ago by said rednecks: We don\u2019t like your kind around here.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Angelus quickly twisted the chain around the Beast\u2019s neck and jerked the dying demon above the ground. The Beast failed to connect on a punch with his still flaming left arm. It proved to be his final futile gesture of defiance. A shocked looked crossed the demon\u2019s as the last vestiges of life slipped away. The Beast couldn\u2019t believe it had been beaten.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cAnd now you have an eternity in Hell to figure out your mistake,\u201d Angelus smirked. The smile then faded when the truth of the situation struck. Angelus turned and walked away from the smoldering corpse as he awaited his return to prison. The hairs on the back of Angelus\u2019 neck twitched as he felt it approach.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt was fun while it lasted.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The force of the soul reentering the body sent the vampire flying. For a few moments unconsciousness overtook his body. When Angel awoke, he found that his alter ego had managed to emerge victorious in the fight against the Beast.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to be here,\u201d Angel murmured. Horror encompassed his newly reacquired conscience. He had willingly allowed the monster to be released. Angel thought of Cordelia with her young child. What if it were to happen again?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t be here.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Angel struggled to his feet and made a snap decision. He would leave. It was once again proven that he was a monster. Angel wouldn\u2019t stay around and see if the demon inside would destroy Cordelia\u2019s new family. His boy would take care of her. That was both the blessing and the curse. She would be protected. But Angel couldn\u2019t stand that Connor who would be the man in her life. He had to get away\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n The sounds of excited shouts cemented his decision. Angel ran. He couldn\u2019t deal with them right now. Angel dropped down to the access tunnels just as they entered.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cHoly shit,\u201d Gunn said. Faith and Wesley echoed the sentiment. They didn\u2019t see the trap door sliding shut behind the vampire as he disappeared.<\/em><\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that do?\u201d Merrick asked in a fascinated tone.<\/p>\n Buffy found a wave of sexual tension was released when she pressed the trigger. The kickback would have knocked her flat on her ass if not for Slayer strength. But Buffy grinned as the projectile flew a true path and smacked Merrick flush in the chest. The force of the impact from the Mason jar sent the demon flying a good ten feet.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd in case you\u2019re wondering,\u201d Buffy started, \u201cthe rest of the gang is right here.\u201d<\/p>\n Wesley, Spike, Willow, and Dawn stepped through the rear entrance. The fully armed posse copied those behind Angel and flanked their leader.<\/p>\n Merrick, wondering what the hell was covering him, began to desperately sweep away the putrid smelling liquid. \u201cWhat the hell have you done to me, bitch?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPutting the glaze on the ham,\u201d Buffy answered. \u201cAnd now would be the point where we stick the fork in you, because frankly, you\u2019re done.\u201d<\/p>\n A bright glow picked up around the frantic demon. But no amount of wiping would get the liquid off his body. Merrick screamed as he felt the excess energies drain from him. Willow\u2019s elixir pulled the magick\u2019s from the demon rapidly, and when the molecules of her potion could hold no more energy, they simply evaporated and released a wave of heat that quickly dispersed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou fucking whore,\u201d Merrick shouted. \u201cDo you have any idea how much effort went into acquiring that power?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot really, but does this look like a face that cares?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHate to break the chitchat,\u201d Spike interrupted, \u201cbut this might be a good time to attack.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust waiting for the word myself,\u201d Buffy answered. Catching Angel\u2019s eye, the Slayer saw he was ready.<\/p>\n \u201cAttack!\u201d Angel bellowed.<\/p>\n The assault was launched. With the exception of Angel and Buffy, the entire group began a furious battle with the Dumont demons. They were quick to gain the initial advantage over the Blue Man Group. Seeing that fight was going well, Angel and Buffy could focus on Merrick.<\/p>\n Still loopy from the spell, Merrick stumbled to his sword and prepared for the attack. He didn\u2019t have to wait long. He raised his sword just in time to block a vamped out Angel\u2019s vicious down stroke. He wasn\u2019t, however, able to block the blow from the side when Buffy\u2019s foot crashed into his nose.<\/p>\n Merrick swiped his sword in a long arc to force them back and buy time. It didn\u2019t work. Angel easily ducked the lazy maneuver. Whipping out the knife, Angel moved to bury it in Merrick\u2019s chest. A last second kick changed the trajectory enough for the blade to get stuck in Merrick\u2019s right lung.<\/p>\n Seeing Angel was down for the moment, Buffy quickly picked up the attack. She avoided a roundhouse punch and grabbed the knife that was in Merrick\u2019s chest. With a deft spin she tried to drive it home, but Merrick managed to put up an arm to block and countered with a head butt. He didn\u2019t have time to relax.<\/p>\n Angel shot up from the ground like an offensive linemen looking to block a linebacker. Merrick felt all the air rush from his body when Angel drove a shoulder into his gut and forced him backwards into the wall. Cement cracked and gave at the sheer force.<\/p>\n \u201cBuffy! Knife!\u201d<\/p>\n Buffy saw where the knife had fallen and rolled to it. She threw it to Angel, who in an graceful and fluid motion, jumped back, caught the knife, and in midair threw it just left of the center of Merrick\u2019s chest. Satisfaction at such a well-executed maneuver evaporated when Merrick brought up a hand to block the knife\u2019s path. The blade went clean through the palm and stopped when handle met flesh.<\/p>\n Only a moment earlier Merrick had been beaten down and on the verge of defeat. Now he stood erect with a confidence and power that Angel was sure he wasn\u2019t supposed to have. He pulled the knife from his palm and pointed it at Angel.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m starting to feel better after your little bitch\u2019s spell. Now boy, what did I tell you about trying to take me on? Looks like I\u2019m gonna have to give you another whipping.\u201d Merrick then snapped the blade from the handle and tossed the pieces aside.<\/p>\n \u201cShit,\u201d Angel murmured. \u201cThere goes Lilah\u2019s second born.\u201d<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Dawn wiped a trail of blood from her mouth and tried to push herself up to a kneeling position. After winning the initial minutes of the fight, the tide once again went downhill. Lack of battle experience from many members allowed the Dumont demons to seize the advantage. And after being beaten around for the past five minutes, Dawn reached a conclusion.<\/p>\n \u201cI liked these guys better when they were just doing Pentium commercials.\u201d<\/p>\n She squealed in surprise when a hand gripped around her throat. She dropped her sword in shock and cringed when Keith picked her up and tossed her. Dawn crashed back down on her back, and for a moment, she thought she fractured her tailbone. She didn\u2019t have long to think about it. Keith was on top of her quickly and kept her down.<\/p>\n \u201cMmm,\u201d Keith moaned as he rubbed himself against Dawn\u2019s belly. \u201cI always did like little human girls. I always found them to be receptive. Especially when they\u2019re all defenseless like this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho said I was defenseless?\u201d Dawn grunted. She tore an arm from Keith\u2019s grasp, and with a flick of the wrist, produced a stake from beneath her sleeve. Keith was able to deflect the blow to a degree, but the sharpened wood still pierced his lower abdomen. With pain and surprise on her side, Dawn bucked up hard and knocked Keith away.<\/p>\n \u201cYou little bitch!\u201d Keith shouted when he pulled the stake out. Bright blue blood poured from the wound. \u201cI\u2019m gonna rip you a fourth hole so I can have even more fun with you.\u201d He didn\u2019t realize until too late that his life was over. A pair of hands grasped around his head and twisted. Dawn clearly heard his vertebrae snap.<\/p>\n \u201cYou alright, pet?\u201d Spike asked when he tossed the corpse aside.<\/p>\n \u201cPeachy. But the bastard bled on me.\u201d Dawn showed her the blue stain on her white blouse. \u201cThis won\u2019t come out \u201c<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not so bad,\u201d Spike assured. \u201cJust means you\u2019re like big sister. Always coming home with fluid stains that don\u2019t wash out. That\u2019s a qualification for being a Slayer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOr a Washington intern,\u201d Dawn quipped. Off Spike\u2019s amused look she said, \u201cWhat? You don\u2019t think I watch the news or Leno? I\u2019m in high school. I can say these things now. Spike! Duck!\u201d<\/p>\n The sword zipped through the air in the spot where Spike\u2019s neck had been a moment earlier. Lenny quickly adjusted his motion and brought the blade streaking back to its target. The tip ripped through the fabric of Spike\u2019s black t-shirt.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the second one today!\u201d Spike griped. \u201cI can\u2019t afford to have my entire wardrobe replaced you son of a bitch!\u201d He then delivered an uppercut that nearly dislocated Lenny\u2019s jaw. \u201cInconsiderate bastard.\u201d<\/p>\n But while Spike was having success against the Dumonts, the rest of the group wasn\u2019t endowed with his demon strength. They also didn\u2019t have his healing abilities. Still bruised from the morning\u2019s battle, those like Giles and Xander were literally fighting for survival. With their injuries, they knew they couldn\u2019t defeat the blue demons. They desperately needed Angel and Buffy to come through. Turning to look at his grandsire and the Slayer, Spike realized that might not happen any time soon.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need bloody reinforcements,\u201d Spike murmured. But he didn\u2019t see how that would be happening any time soon either.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Cordelia brightened when she found Angel\u2019s convertible parked in the lot of a Food King. She flipped on the turn signal and guided the vehicle into the nearly abandoned parking lot. She pulled the truck to a stop next to the convertible and some other car she didn\u2019t recognize.<\/p>\n Cordelia reached over and freed the baby from the car seat. The child babbled happily when she picked it up. The tike knew that daddy was somewhere close. Cordelia adjusted the child in her arms and grabbed the sword. She stepped out of the truck and looked the surrounding area over.<\/p>\n \u201cYou feel him too, don\u2019t you, Sweetheart?\u201d The baby gurgled an agreement. \u201cHe\u2019s close. Mommy can feel him.\u201d Cordelia closed her eyes and reached out to him. The baby began to fuss when it felt Cordelia grow anxious. \u201cDaddy\u2019s hurt,\u201d she realized. \u201cHe\u2019s also in trouble.\u201d She looked down at the baby and said, \u201cWe should go save him. What do you think?\u201d The baby swung its arms around wildly in response. \u201cI guess that means charge? Exactly what I was thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n Cordelia felt her soul being pulled to the old Wal-mart across the street. She decided that was as good a place as any to start. Crossing the street, baby in tow, Cordelia steeled herself for whatever she may find. Whatever was hurting Angel was in serious shit.<\/p>\n \u201cAngel better be smiling when I find him. Otherwise, there will be hell to pay.\u201d<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n \u201cAngel! Watch out!\u201d<\/p>\n Buffy cringed when a very large and fast moving fist made solid contact with Angel\u2019s face. The vampire recoiled and blood was sent flying. A spinning kick sent Angel crashing to the ground. Before Merrick could bring his sword down to decapitate his foe, Buffy executed a handspring that ended in a violent kick to the back of Merrick\u2019s knee.<\/p>\n The distraction lasted only a moment. Merrick quickly turned and backhanded Buffy across the face. Angel jumped to his feet and tried to mount a rally, but Merrick delivered a hard kick to the gut.<\/p>\n \u201cFools,\u201d Merrick taunted. \u201cYou honestly believed you had a chance to defeat me? Look around you.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel did. He saw Buffy kneeling on the tile floor spitting up blood. He saw Emma and Kayla down and out. Lilah and Willow were flailing swords about as they tried to fend off a Dumont. Giles appeared to be unconscious and Xander was getting the living shit beat from him. The only ones still putting up a fight were Dawn, Spike, and Wesley. But even they were on their last breaths. And as Angel saw Hannah still lying motionless on a heap of blankets, he understood in a single moment of clarity that they had lost.<\/p>\n Merrick raised his sword in a position to cut off his head. \u201cAny last words before I end your existence?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. How about you back the hell off before I bitch slap you?\u201d<\/p>\n Merrick turned to the front entrance and found a tall and slender woman carrying a child and a sword. In short, Merrick couldn\u2019t help the laughter that bubbled from within.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd who might you be, Sweetheart?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCordelia,\u201d Angel whispered. In a louder voice he shouted, \u201cGet the hell out of here!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAngel, shush,\u201d Cordelia replied, her gaze never wavering from Merrick. \u201cCan\u2019t you see I\u2019m talking with the evil man? As for you, what would be your name?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI asked you first,\u201d Merrick grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cVery well. My name is Cordelia \u2018Queen Bitch\u2019 Chase. Also known as the Terror of Sunnydale. The Diva of Destruction. You might wanna remember the name. You can tell all your buddies in hell who sent you there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBig talk from such as small girl. What makes you think I won\u2019t rape you to death and eat that kid?\u201d<\/p>\n Cordelia tossed the sword aside and marched confidently forward. \u201cYou won\u2019t get the chance.\u201d The entire room watched in awe as Cordelia was encompassed in a bright glow. A nearly blinding light seemed to emanate from behind her eyes and turn the darkened room into day. \u201cYou screwed with the wrong bitch\u2019s vampire.\u201d<\/p>\n A violent tidal wave-like pulse ripped from her body and seemingly targeted Merrick. The floor tiles ripped and cracked along the pulse\u2019s path as if a focalized earthquake was zeroing in on Merrick. The demon\u2019s eyes went wide as he realized that he might be in trouble.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, bloody hell,\u201d he murmured before the pulse picked him up. The stream of energy washed him away like a raging river and slammed him into the concrete wall with such a force that a section of the wall actually shattered.<\/p>\n After a moment of shock seeing that CORDELIA CHASE was going toe to toe with Merrick, Buffy quickly rolled and grabbed the broken blade needed to kill him. After Merrick crashed into the wall, Buffy tossed the blade through the air and Angel caught it in stride.<\/p>\n Merrick howled in pain when the metal pierced his heart. The last thing Merrick\u2019s glazed over eyes saw was Angel\u2019s yellow ones smiling at his death. Merrick dropped on top of the rubble with a solid thud. His breathing slowed. His eyes closed. His heart stopped. It was done.<\/p>\n Angel stared at the corpse in wonder. It was over and he was still alive. Angel had serious doubts if he would survive this battle. But here he was. He looked up and noticed three Dumont demons still standing around in awe.<\/p>\n \u201cYou guys are still here?\u201d Angel asked. Wide eyed, Lenny, Bruce, and Frank dropped their swords and rushed to the exits like whipped pups. They didn\u2019t stop running for a dozen blocks.<\/p>\n \u201cAngel.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel turned his head away at the soft voice. An aisle was cleared as everyone backed away when Cordelia slowly walked towards the vampire. He could finally avoid her no longer when he felt Cordelia\u2019s presence next to him.<\/p>\n \u201cLook at me, Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n Instinct made him obey. When he looked into her eyes, Angel gasped in recognition. There it was. The thing that had been missing for so long. Angel saw the spark.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess that will teach anyone not to screw with Queen C, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n Angel laughed. He couldn\u2019t help it. He couldn\u2019t stop it. He laughed like he hadn\u2019t laughed in ages. Angel threw his arms around Cordelia and hugged her tight, but he jerked back when he heard a loud fuss.<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d Cordelia smiled. \u201cI have someone I\u2019d like you to meet. Angel, meet the Little One. Baby, I\u2019d like for you to meet Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHgh Anglthpht.\u201d<\/p>\n Cordelia smiled widely. \u201cI think that was \u2018Hi Angel\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel stared in awe at the small child. \u201cHello to you, too.\u201d He touched a small hand and smiled. \u201cYou look beautiful. Just like mommy.\u201d<\/p>\n Cordelia blushed at the compliment. But as much as she would like to pretend everything was fine, Cordelia knew that it wasn\u2019t so. \u201cWe have a lot to talk about,\u201d she announced.<\/p>\n Angel nodded slightly. He turned his gaze away from the baby for a moment to look at her. \u201cYeah. We do.\u201d<\/p>\n As Wesley and Emma went to attend to an unconscious Hannah. Buffy, Dawn, and Spike watched the slight interaction between Angel and Cordelia.<\/p>\n \u201cCute baby,\u201d Spike observed. \u201cLooks like the cheerleader, don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/p>\n The girls nodded. This was certainly an interesting development. Dawn leaned close to her sister and said, \u201cYou know, I just realized something.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe have school tomorrow.\u201d Buffy groaned loudly as the truth of that fact struck her.<\/p>\n \u201cAw, bloody hell. You know what? Screw it. Spike can call in sick for us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d hate to lie to the Sunnydale Educational System. It just doesn\u2019t seem right.\u201d Buffy and Dawn shot death glares at him. \u201cJust kidding,\u201d Spike defended. \u201cDamn. Don\u2019t get your knickers in a bundle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you think will happen with Cordelia and Angel?\u201d Dawn asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Buffy answered. \u201cIf they love each other then it should all work out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd if they don\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen I\u2019d hate to be Angel. Judging from that earlier display, I don\u2019t know if I\u2019d want to piss off Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed.\u201d<\/p>\n The three dispersed to help gather up the wounded. Angel tossed his car keys to Buffy and said he\u2019d join them later. He cast a long look to Hannah\u2019s resting form before following Cordelia from the building.<\/p>\n As the battle weary troops went to the cars, they watched as Angel and Cordelia climbed into a beaten old pickup and drive off.<\/p>\n