{"id":4369,"date":"2015-07-07T19:32:53","date_gmt":"2015-07-07T18:32:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/?p=4369"},"modified":"2015-07-07T19:32:53","modified_gmt":"2015-07-07T18:32:53","slug":"desperation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2015\/07\/07\/desperation\/","title":{"rendered":"Desperation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Title: Desperation<\/b>
\nAuthor:<\/strong> Liam<\/b>
\nDisclaimer:<\/strong> Joss Whedon owns the Angel stuff. Until then, I\u2019ll continue to find a contractual loophole to steal it away.
\nRating:<\/strong> PG-13
\nSummary:<\/strong> Cordelia wants Angel back. What will she do to make it happen?
\nDedication:<\/strong> To all those who thought me to be cruel to kill the souled one, hear this: There are many things that I believe in. Happy endings usually aren\u2019t one of them.
\n(Part 2) Dedication:<\/strong> To Artemis<\/strong>, who thought the humor in part one was intentional. Poor soul.
\n(Part 4)\u00a0Dedication:<\/strong> To cheese! For without cheese, there would be no nachos.
\nNotes:<\/strong> Sequel to Retrospective.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Part 1\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cI guess Cordy still hasn\u2019t come down yet?\u201d Gunn asked as he perched in the doorway to Wesley\u2019s office. The ex-watcher shut his demonology book with a sigh as he answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Fred takes some food up to the room at breakfast and dinner since she only comes out to occasionally shower.\u201d The Englishman leaned back in his seat, the worry evident on his face. \u201cFred says that whenever she goes up, she hears Cordelia crying. She\u2019s taken this very hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I noticed,\u201d Gunn said as he took a seat opposite his boss. \u201cMakes sense. They\u2019ve been here since the beginning. They became friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut evidently he loved her,\u201d Wes reminded his coworker. \u201cMoira and kye-rumption and all that.\u201d Wes felt a small pang of jealousy as he noticed Gunn\u2019s wistful smile at his use of two of Fred\u2019s favorite words.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, it\u2019s occurred to me that we still haven\u2019t told the folks in Sunnydale about the happenings around here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Wesley said. \u201cBut the only one who might care would be Buffy. The rest either hated Angel or tolerated him because of her. Anyway who knows what Buffy would think? Angel never revealed what happened when he met her after her resurrection.\u201d<\/p>\n

The soft sound of a baby\u2019s gurgle made the men turn and see Fred coming down the stairs with Connor tucked in her arms. The girl joined them in the office to brood over the seeming loss of two friends.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is she?\u201d Wes asked softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast nights dinner is still outside her door, so I\u2019d say she\u2019s at high tide on the brood cycle,\u201d Fred told him. \u201cLorne seems pretty worried about her too. He says he\u2019s getting spooky vibes from her room. I think he\u2019s afraid she\u2019ll do something stupid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Wes said. \u201cI think we\u2019re all worried about that.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Cordelia was planning something stupid. It might be risky, dangerous, and maybe even a little suicidal, but it was worth a shot. Locked up in Angel\u2019s room, she had spent the first couple days brooding over the loss of her Champion. Since then, it had been all work.<\/p>\n

Firing up her laptop, she decided that if a demonic law firm could resurrect a syphilitic whore, then she could damn well figure out a way to bring back a warrior who fought to save the innocents of this God-forsaken city.<\/p>\n

Cordelia knew that bringing someone back from the dead was possible. Hell, it was becoming commonplace for it to happen. All the blondes she knew had pulled it off at least once. But there were two question about this: First, where would she find a ritual and second, who would perform it?<\/p>\n

Cordelia wasn\u2019t stupid. She knew that a resurrection would take some serious mojo to perform. She couldn\u2019t even imagine the magicks that would be involved pulling a demon from Hell.<\/p>\n

Her first thoughts naturally turned to Willow. The Wicca had already performed a soul restoration and helped Buffy pull a Lazarus. The red head had obviously become a powerful witch.<\/p>\n

But Cordelia scratched that idea as soon as it came. She had no doubt that Willow could do the job; she was more worried about the others. Xander would definitely disapprove. Cordy figured Giles would as well, plus, there was no reason to believe that Willow would accept the chance. The soul restoration was performed out of loyalty to Buffy, but now, she didn\u2019t know if the same might hold true.<\/p>\n

Cordelia figured that concentrating on finding a witch was the smartest course of action. She herself new nothing of ritual, but a Wicca would. She just had to find the one that would be willing to bring back a demon, and would do so without raising eyebrows, namely the ones belonging to the people downstairs. She knew that they would probably stop her if the found out what she were doing.<\/p>\n

Cordelia was startled out of her musings by an electronic voice informing her of mail. Cordy quickly brought up the new message. In the week since her work started, she had begun to quietly send out messages to Wicca groups for help. For the first time in ten days a smile graced Cordelia\u2019s beautiful face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d she said to no one in particular. \u201cWe\u2019re going to have to meet.\u201d Cordelia quickly typed and sent her reply, hope building that this might be the break she had been searching for.<\/p>\n

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

The assistant cautiously peeked his head into the spacious office. Not a day had gone by the he hadn\u2019t thought of killing his uncle for getting him an internship here. The place gave him the creeps.<\/p>\n

\u201cMa\u2019am?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d the occupant of the office asked as she shut her briefcase. \u201cI was heading out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother e-mail was intercepted, ma\u2019am,\u201d the boy explained, afraid of having this woman\u2019s wrath directed at him. \u201cHere you are ma\u2019am,\u201d he said as he handed her the envelope containing the letter. He stood there a moment unsure of what to do next.<\/p>\n

The woman went to open the envelope when she noticed him still standing there. \u201cWhy are you still here?\u201d The boy visibly gulp and none too gracefully raced for the door. The woman smiled coldly. She loved screwing with the interns.<\/p>\n

Lilah Morgan slowly read the message the Seer had sent earlier in the day. It looked like the games would soon begin.<\/p>\n

\n

Part 2<\/b><\/p>\n

Cordelia pulled the Cadillac against the curve near a small sidewalk caf\u00e9. After much search, the Seer finally thought she found the person who could help her bring back her friend. Stepping out of the car, and shooting the finger at a pickup that nearly ran her over, she walked to the caf\u00e9 to meet the Wicca who had offered her services.<\/p>\n

Cordelia made damn sure that before she accepted the offer to meet this woman to check her background. Lisa Palmer was a 24-year-old Religious Studies major at USC. Nothing seemed dirty about her, and all the Internet groups said that she was quite strong in the magicks. Cordelia hoped she was as good as everyone said, because the money she would be paying Palmer would keep her in debt five years after her own death.<\/p>\n

Cordelia spotted Palmer alone at a corner table. The description she received on the Net was accurate. She was tall and slender, with shoulder length brown hair. She was quite attractive Cordy thought. Not the sort she would expect to be playing with magick. But then, she thought the same of Willow as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cLisa Palmer?\u201d she asked approaching the girl.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi,\u201d Palmer smiled from above her newspaper. Folding the classifieds away, she motion for Cordelia to take a seat. \u201cYour Miss Chase?\u201d Cordy nodded and sat opposite Palmer. \u201cSo, tell me about this person.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a vampire,\u201d Cordelia stated flatly. She sat back to judge her reaction. She didn\u2019t expect laughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cVampire? You can\u2019t be serious.\u201d The laughter ceased as Lisa saw Cordelia\u2019s stony expression. \u201cHoly shit, you\u2019re serious.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe died twelve days ago. Now, I need you to make him undead. I have most of his ashes and some of his blood. From what little I\u2019ve been able to find, you\u2019d need that correct?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not raising a vampire!\u201d Palmer hissed. \u201cThey\u2019re soulless monsters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot this one,\u201d Cordelia said, her patience thinning.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah? What makes him special?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe had a soul.\u201d Palmer leaned back in her seat, blinking, trying to make sense of what Cordy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBullshit,\u201d she retorted. \u201cThere\u2019s only been one rumor of a vampire having a soul, and he disappeared over a century ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAngelus.\u201d Palmer stopped at the name. \u201cWas that the rumored vampire?\u201d Palmer nodded. \u201cHe didn\u2019t disappear. He just did a lot of brooding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere really was a vampire with a soul?\u201d Palmer asked in awe. Never did she believe that the rumor was true.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you help me, there will be again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Palmer just studied Cordelia for a moment, trying to understand the fine print. There was more to this story. There was always the possibility that the woman before her was insane, but she just didn\u2019t get the vibe.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou loved him?\u201d Palmer asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Cordy asked without hesitating. \u201cSo will you do it or not.\u201d<\/p>\n

Palmer thought for a moment. If it were true that it were a demon she would be rescuing, then the risk factor shot up. But she was a damn good witch. Plus she had to pay for Grad school. Out of state fees were a real bitch.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll cost you,\u201d Palmer began. \u201cThe supplies I\u2019ll need will take about a week to be gathered up. Plus chica, this is a hell dimension we\u2019re talking about. The risk factor is going to be big. So you got to ask yourself, is this vampire worth it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia just stared at her. \u201cWhen can you have everything ready?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNext week,\u201d she answered. \u201cHow about some payment now?\u201d<\/p>\n

If looks could kill, then the Wicca should have died thirty seconds ago. But knowing she had few options, Cordelia reached into her jacket and pulled out an envelope. \u201cThere\u2019s five thousand in there,\u201d Cordelia motioned. \u201cYou\u2019ll get the other half when he\u2019s back to the land of the unliving.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Wicca smiled at her. \u201cCool. But out of curiosity, how did you get ten thousand dollars?\u2019<\/p>\n

Cordelia stood and backed from the table. \u201cI told the bank I needed a car loan.\u201d The Wicca was left to ponder as she watched Cordelia cross the street to a very nice Cadillac. Though she wouldn\u2019t admit it, raising a vampire from the dead made her nervous. But she was getting paid handsomely, and that was what mattered.<\/p>\n

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

Two men stood on the roof of a neighboring building watching the scene below. One was rewinding the tape from the long range microphone he had aimed at the conversation, the other pulled a cell phone from his pocket.<\/p>\n

Punching in a few numbers, he tried not to be annoyed at the answering secretary. \u201cGavin Park please,\u201d he said as politely as he could. After a few moments the Wolfram and Hart attorney answered the phone. \u201cMr. Park? We have it on tape. I\u2019ll send you the recording immediately, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man smiled, pleased at the good days work. If all went well, he and is friend would be rewarded for their good services.<\/p>\n

\n

Part 3<\/b><\/p>\n

Cordelia was so tired. As she gingerly unlocked the door to her apartment, a place she hadn\u2019t been in nearly two weeks, she reflected on the days events. As much as she instantly disliked the Wicca, the woman seemed confident that she could do the resurrection. Cordelia hoped so. She needed rest; these 26-hour days were killing her.<\/p>\n

Cordy dropped her bags unceremoniously on the ground beside her. The duffle slung on her shoulder, however, she laid gently on a nearby table. They held two things that would bring Angel back to her. His ashes and his blood. His ashes in a decorative metal box she used to keep valuables in, and her blood soaked clothes from that horrible day two weeks ago. As she was about to close the door behind her, a voice caught her attention.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019re the girl Angel was so smitten over?\u201d Turning back to the hallway outside her apartment, she found a smiling Lilah Morgan. \u201cLong day?\u201d the lawyer teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d Cordy spat.<\/p>\n

Lilah just smiled at her before speaking. \u201cYou\u2019re trying to bring Angel back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia\u2019s mouth dropped open. THEY KNEW? Wolfram and Hart KNEW her plans?<\/p>\n

\u201cThey tapped your e-mail service,\u201d Lilah answered the unasked question. \u201cThey know all about the Wicca groups you\u2019ve contacted, the spell and ritual websites you\u2019ve visited, and they even know you\u2019re a member of the Jude Law Online Fan Club, despite the fact you haven\u2019t logged on in several weeks. Now that is a man that I could understand you\u2019d be interested in.\u201d Lilah smirked at the shocked look on the Seer\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you want to stop me?\u201d Cordy asked the obvious question.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe?\u201d Lilah asked innocently. \u201cI want to help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe hell you do,\u201d Cordy shouted. \u201cYou don\u2019t care about Angel. Why would you ever help me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right. I don\u2019t care about Angel. But what I do care about is my position with the firm.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia stared at the woman before her. \u201cYou better start making sense before my bitch-slapping hand breaks free.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWolfram and Hart would have much preferred Angel to still be alive. The main goal has always been to turn him back into the vicious bastard he once was. But they figure if they can\u2019t have that, they\u2019ll take the next best thing. Him dusted.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Gavin Parks\u2019 job to make sure you don\u2019t finish the ritual to bring back your precious vampire. If he succeeds, then I get left out in the cold while Gavin basks in the spotlight, planning his next power play. He fails, I keep in the favor of the guys in charge.\u201d Off Cordy\u2019s look she continued. \u201cWhat? You expected altruism? I want to keep my job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia slowly rubbed her temples, a headache suddenly popping up. She couldn\u2019t believe she was actually listening to this. Even more disturbing was that she was considering the offer of help. If what Lilah said, she much preferred Angel be brought back, even if it were for purely selfish reasons. But how could she be sure that it was the truth?<\/p>\n

\u201cHow can I trust you?\u201d Cordelia asked. \u201cAfter all the pain you\u2019ve caused both of us, how can I know this isn\u2019t some ploy to ensure he never comes back?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll just have to have a little faith,\u201d Lilah answered. \u201cFrom now on, I\u2019d be more careful about what you say or do around the Hyperion. It\u2019s still bugged.\u201d With that, the lawyer left Cordelia to think about the proposition.<\/p>\n

Cordelia desperately wanted to wake up from this nightmare. A nightmare where her best friend had died, and she was preparing to make a deal with the devil. Cordelia knew making a deal with Lilah could and would come back to bite her in the ass. The consequences would be disastrous. But if Angel could be saved, wasn\u2019t it worth the risk?<\/p>\n

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

Gavin Park looked once more to the \u2018man\u2019 that sat in a chair opposite his desk. Although he appeared to be a quite normal and attractive person, Gavin knew there was much more beneath the surface. Even more than he could possibly realize.<\/p>\n

Kyle Dawson smiled at the attorney from behind his sunglasses. The little prick was scared of him. Good. Dawson liked it when people feared him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo remember,\u201d Gavin said, \u201cyou cannot move until the Seer and the Wicca begin the ritual. Only then can you eliminate them. Until then, your job is strictly observation. You will have full use of our support teams if you want.\u201d Gavin stopped, choosing his words carefully. \u201cIt is imperative that once the ritual begins, that it is not finished. If it is, then the consequences could be severe for the both of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dawson\u2019s cold smirk made Gavin\u2019s spine shiver. \u201cOf course, sir. They both will die.\u201d Dawson removed his sunglasses, revealing his glowing red eyes. \u201cThey won\u2019t stand a chance,\u201d he promised.<\/p>\n

\n

Part 4<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s up to something,\u201d Fred told the gang as they watched Cordelia go into Wes\u2019 office to retrieve another tome.<\/p>\n

\u201cI agree,\u201d Gunn said as he slung his arm over Fred\u2019s shoulder as the sat on a couch in the lobby.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe chickadee\u2019s right,\u201d Lorne supplied. \u201cThe Princess\u2019 aura is strange. I don\u2019t think I can describe it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe has been going out more,\u201d Wes mused. \u201cPerhaps we should discover what she\u2019s been doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean invade her privacy?\u201d Gunn smirked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Wes started, \u201cI said it with more tact.\u201d They continued to watch as Cordelia came out of the office with a book. Grabbing her purse and keys from her desk, she said a quick goodbye and left for lunch.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll look in her underwear drawer,\u201d Gunn offered, only to be smacked by Fred. Rubbing his arm, he led the gang upstairs to find out exactly what their friend was up to.<\/p>\n

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

Dawson had no problem jimmying open the lock on Cordelia\u2019s apartment door. Placing the pick back into his jacket pocket, he removed a small buzzer device from another. He smiled as he felt the presence of the ghost sneaking up on him. Bearing one of Cordy\u2019s swords, Dennis approached.<\/p>\n

Just before Dennis could strike a blow, Dawson pressed a button on the device, and the sword dropped noisily to the floor. \u201cWow,\u201d he laughed. \u201cIt really does disable ghosts.\u201d With the specter out of the way, Dawson began a slow sweep of the house.<\/p>\n

Starting in the kitchen, he checked the pantry and the refrigerator. After drinking from the milk carton, he glanced around the living room, noting the lack of photos of family. What few pictures there were revolved around her associates, including the demon.<\/p>\n

Searching through the bedroom and the bathroom, Dawson would pick something up, examine it, and place it in a different spot. After several minutes, Dawson became bored. Deciding he had hung around long enough he went to leave. Giving the device one final buzz, making Dennis drop the sword again, Dawson tipped over a flowerpot on a table by the door. Taking a last look around, Dawson smiled at the absurdity of the half-breed\u2019s world. He left before Dennis could grab the sword again.<\/p>\n

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

Cordelia parked the convertible at a car lot at a nearby small park. Things appeared to still be going according to plan. Lilah had provided her with a few devices so she could communicate with Lisa Palmer in secret. One could be attached to her laptop so e-mails could be sent undetected. The other could be used to sweep a room for bugs. Cordelia had found two listening devices in Angel\u2019s room alone.<\/p>\n

The fact the she placed any trust in Lilah amazed her, but so far, the lawyer had come through. But Cordelia was still expecting the hammer to drop. She was waiting for the day when Lilah might ask more a favor. But screw that, Cordelia thought. Angel returning is payment enough. The bitch wasn\u2019t getting anything out of her.<\/p>\n

Cordelia noticed Lisa Palmer pull up a few spaces away. In the past two days, Cordelia had communicated freely with the Wicca. The news she was hearing was good. Palmer had found most of the herbs and other supplies she would need. Palmer came over and hopped into the convertible, much to Cordelia\u2019s irritation.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wanna use the door?\u201d Cordelia asked. Palmer ignored her, a silly smirk on her face as she opened up the bag she had with her. She pulled out a bottle filled with a white powder. \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d Cordy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe last ingredient I wanted. Tampico salt. It\u2019s some strong shit. Used to make protective circles and whatnot. This is the contingency plan in case something goes wrong. A good Wicca is always prepared,\u201d Palmer grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d Cordelia asked coldly. \u201cJust make sure we don\u2019t need it. Anything goes wrong, and you don\u2019t get the rest of your payment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo sweat chica. I got the supplies and I got the game plan. In three days a new lunar cycle will begin. That will be the best time to do the ritual.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia smiled. If all went well, then in just a few days she would bring home her Champion.<\/p>\n

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

A hundred yards away, Dawson watched the scene with interest. He wasn\u2019t close enough to hear, but from the pleased smile on the half-breed\u2019s face, she had heard good news.<\/p>\n

Dawson popped a few sunflower seeds into his mouth. This would be easier with a surveillance team to help. But for some reason, the e-mail taps and the listening devices weren\u2019t working anymore. Oh well, Dawson thought as he spit out a husk, he just needed to stay close then.<\/p>\n

The witch exited the convertible and headed back to her own car. The half-breed waited until the other left before following suit. Dawson stayed a few moments longer, his attention now focused on some children playing on a swing unattended. Dawson smiled. When he thought about it, he was kind of hungry.<\/p>\n

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

When Cordelia arrived back at the Hyperion, she was met by the disapproving looks of the gang. Cordelia\u2019s heart sank. They knew.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the hell were you thinking?\u201d Wesley began.<\/p>\n

Cordelia sighed and tossed her purse to her desk. This was going to be a bitch to explain.<\/p>\n

\n

Part 5<\/b><\/p>\n

Life is strange isn\u2019t it? Three years ago I was called Queen C. The Bitch of Sunnydale. Who new that the new millennium would bring about killer visions and fifty percent less humanity?<\/p>\n

There are many things that I regret. I regret being a snide little twit to all those back home. I\u2019m sorry about all the things that I said and did to them. Well except for the whole \u2018in a hospital, telling off Xander thing.\u2019<\/p>\n

But what is for damn certain is that I do not regret coming to LA. Most of my life\u2019s most pleasant surprises I found here. I don\u2019t regret meeting up with Angel. I don\u2019t regret receiving the visions. I don\u2019t regret learning that I actually have a soul, and that I can love people with minimal fear of being hurt in return.<\/p>\n

Learning that I loved Angel, Connor, and the rest of the gang was a pleasant surprise.<\/p>\n

But then there are other surprises. Such as the type when you think you know how someone will react, but then they do a complete turnaround. I expected to get the reaming of my life when I entered the hotel lobby. And I did.<\/p>\n

But I\u2019ve learned that friends can understand. They can empathize. They can even rally behind you when need be. Only I few years ago, I wouldn\u2019t have known that. Hanging around with the shallow bitches, and snubbing my nose and the few descent people I met, this all came as a shock to me.<\/p>\n

When Wesley spent a good hour tearing me a new asshole, warning me of the dangers and complications of such a risky exercise, I thought nothing of it. At that point, the US Army couldn\u2019t stop me from bringing Angel back.<\/p>\n

But when he offered to help, I was dumbfounded. The others didn\u2019t hesitate to do the same. I guess this is what a family is all about.<\/p>\n

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

Park made it a point to stay ten feet away from Dawson at all times. The \u2018man\u2019 gave him the creeps, and there wasn\u2019t much that could do that. But still, Dawson was very good at what he did. Search and destroy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI looked around the witches apartment today. From what I can tell, she has all the supplies that she\u2019ll need. The best time to perform the ritual would be Tuesday night, a new lunar cycle starts,\u201d Dawson explained.<\/p>\n

Gavin looked surprised. \u201cYou think they will perform it so soon?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dawson nodded. \u201cThe witch is confident, maybe too much so. And the half-breed is becoming inpatient I think. She will want to do it quickly.\u201d Dawson popped a few sunflower seeds in his mouth. \u201cWhat about the surveillance?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gavin shook his head in annoyance. \u201cThe techies don\u2019t know what\u2019s wrong. They insist nothing is wrong with the equipment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dawson\u2019s eyebrows raised. \u201cSaboteur?\u201d he wondered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe consider it a possibility,\u201d Gavin admitted. \u201cBut that isn\u2019t something you need to worry about,\u201d Gavin dismissed. \u201cJust continue with your surveillance and all will be fine.\u201d A pleased smile grew on the lawyer\u2019s face. \u201cIn three days we rid ourselves of the vampire permanently.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Soft gurgling noises awoke Cordelia from her slumber. Opening her sleep filled eyes, she found herself looking into the beautiful eyes of Connor. Cordy smiled. Connor would grow up and he would be the spitting image of his daddy. The eyes were already the same.<\/p>\n

Gently rubbing the baby\u2019s stomach, excitement grew inside Cordelia\u2019s soul. Tonight was the night her Champion would return. She wouldn\u2019t even entertain the possibility they might fail, because it simply wasn\u2019t an option.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo how is Grr Jr. this morning?\u201d Cordelia asked brightly. \u201cAre you hungry?\u201d Connor happy sounds made her smile. \u201cAre you as excited as I am about seeing Daddy soon?\u201d Cordy kissed the top of his head as he giggled. Her contentment died as a cell phone rang. THE cell phone. The one Lilah had given her in case of emergencies.<\/p>\n

Cordelia retrieved the phone from the nightstand and answered. After a few moments of conversation she went downstairs to gather the gang. Nothing was ever easy around here.<\/p>\n

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

Cordelia was confident that if anyone had been following the car that she lost them. Turning the convertible into a underground parking lot near a local mall, she quickly spotted Lilah\u2019s car near a pillar.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure we shouldn\u2019t have brought Gunn?\u201d Wesley asked from shotgun.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d prefer a lower profile,\u201d Cordy answered. \u201cThe fewer people the better.\u201d Cordelia pulled up next to Lilah and hopped out. Approaching the lawyer with Wesley by her side, she didn\u2019t hesitate to let her irritation show.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis had better be good Lilah. Today\u2019s going to be a busy day.\u201d<\/p>\n

The lawyer ignored her attitude. \u201cYou\u2019ll be interested in this.\u201d She handed Cordelia a manila folder. \u201cGavin Park has brought in someone to stop you from finishing the ritual.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone?\u201d Wes asked. Lilah looked surprised the watcher was present, but didn\u2019t mention it.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething,\u201d Lilah answered. \u201cMore specifically, a half-breed named Kyle Dawson. A human\/Hexler demon mix.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHexler demon? What\u2019s that?\u201d Cordelia asked the watcher.<\/p>\n

\u201cHexlers are very powerful demons with a reputation of being quite ruthless. There are very few pure Hexlers; most are hybridized with humans. Having human physiology allows them to work as mercenaries. Cordelia,\u201d Wesley began, \u201cif this is true then it is a serious problem. If this Dawson fellow prevents the ritual from being completed\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it with that?\u201d Cordelia asked suddenly. \u201cIf it isn\u2019t finished?\u201d Cordelia stared at Lilah. \u201cYou\u2019ve told me that twice and now Wes. Why not just come and stop it beforehand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause,\u201d Wesley started, \u201cif the ritual begins, but it isn\u2019t completed, then Angel will be in Hell permanently. There won\u2019t be a second chance, it\u2019s either a success or not.\u201d<\/p>\n

Only when Cordelia\u2019s lungs started to burn did she remember to breathe. The stakes had one again been raised, and it was a game that she wasn\u2019t willing to lose.<\/p>\n

\u201cCordelia?\u201d Wes asked gently. Cordy looked at him with an intensity he didn\u2019t believe he\u2019d seen on a human face before.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I guess we better not screw up.\u201d Cordelia thanked Lilah for the information and motioned for Wes to get in the car. In a few hours they would rehearse the ritual. And tonight, they would bring back Angel, even if it killed her.<\/p>\n

\n

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

Cordelia took a long drink from her water bottle as she gazed at the stars in the night sky. The gang, excluding Connor and Lorne, had arrived in Glendale to perform the ritual. The large home was owned by an aunt of Palmer\u2019s, and proved to be the perfect place since the aunt was on vacation.<\/p>\n

Gunn and Wes had spent the early afternoon clearing furniture from the living room. Fred and Palmer organized the materials and formed the protective circles that would be used. Cordelia merely watched, her mind wondering if she had brought everything.<\/p>\n

She had Angel\u2019s blood and ashes. She brought clothes and food for when he returned. Cordelia even brought along a small arsenal of weapons, including her favorite sword, the one used when she and Angel would spar.<\/p>\n

Cordelia took a deep breath of the cool California air to calm her down. It had been three weeks since she watched her best friend die. Now that they were so close, the nervousness was eating her alive. Even though they had practiced the ritual, the anxiety was still high.<\/p>\n

Fred would act as anchor when Lisa went into the spirit realm to summon Angel forth. At the right moment, Cordelia was to use her own blood and pour it over the ashes and blood of her friend. This was to anchor him to this world; it would anchor him to her. They ran through it twice, all three women confident they could do this.<\/p>\n

But that wasn\u2019t what worried her.<\/p>\n

Cordelia knew that the half-breed Dawson would show. Staring out into the distance, she could imagine that he already was, that he was watching her. She almost wished he were close enough to look into her eyes, eyes that told the world she had no intention of failing.<\/p>\n

Once she had spread her own blood, she would be able to join the fight. Until then, it would be up to Gunn and Wesley to do battle with Dawson. She had to trust they would fight like hell to keep him away. Lisa said once the ritual began, it would take ten minutes to complete.<\/p>\n

From behind her she heard footsteps. They weren\u2019t that heavy, hesitant actually, but her newfound demon senses picked them up easily. Seconds later, Fred poked her head out the screen door.<\/p>\n

\u201cCordelia, Lisa says it\u2019s almost time,\u201d Fred said.<\/p>\n

Cordy smiled at the girl and nodded. She could feel Fred\u2019s nervousness. It was as strong as her own. \u201cWe can do this,\u201d she told her friend. Fred smiled back. If Cordelia said they could, then they could. Cordelia lingered a moment longer after Fred left. Taking a last drink of water and a deep breath, she followed her friend inside.<\/p>\n

It was show time.<\/p>\n

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

With Gunn and Wesley outside as sentries, they women inside began. Forming a circle around the Champion\u2019s blood and ashes, the Wicca began chanting in Latin. Surrounding all three women were protective circles. Herbs Cordelia couldn\u2019t recognize burned, and a flame roared next to Lisa.<\/p>\n

Taking some powders, Lisa sprinkled them onto the flame. The fire burned a bright blue, then a green, and finally an angry red. After a few moments, the flame built so powerful, Cordelia was sure it would break free from its restraints. Then Lisa began to chant in English.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoddess, show me the way to the Spirit Realm. Guide me to the soul of the Champion. I humbly ask for your aide to bring forth the Warrior into the World of the Living. Goddess, hear me!\u201d She threw yet more powder onto the flame and the fire shot up powerfully.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cDo you really think Sabrina can pull this off?\u201d Gunn asked his friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d Wes answered. \u201cI\u2019d hate to imagine what Cordelia would do if this failed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t think she might\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike I said, I don\u2019t want to imagine it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, that\u2019s too bad,\u201d a third voice said. From the shadows a new figure appeared. \u201cI\u2019d hate for something to happen to the Seer,\u201d Dawson smirked. Drawing a sword, the half-breed approached, backed up by six vampires. \u201cGet them boys,\u201d he instructed the vamps.<\/p>\n

As the demons attacked, both Wes and Gunn wondered if they could hold them off long enough to bring back their friend.<\/p>\n

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

Cordelia took the knife and sliced her left palm open. Saying the appropriate phrase in Latin, she squeezed her life force onto the ashes of her Champion. Lisa was in a deep trance, the Goddess was showing her the way to another realm, a realm where Angel\u2019s soul and demon resided.<\/p>\n

Fred was clinging to Lisa\u2019s hand, bound by a small spell performed prior to the ritual. When a sufficient amount of her blood fell on the ashes, Cordelia got up and left the magic circle. Her work was done; it was up to Lisa now. Grabbing her favorite sword, Cordelia left to join the fighting she had heard.<\/p>\n

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

Gunn jabbed his stake into the heart of one vampire as Wesley cleaved the head of another. Only three vampires remained, but neither man knew exactly where Dawson was. As Gunn staked yet another demon, five more demons came crashing in from the brush.<\/p>\n

Neither man was worried about the vampires. None seemed to be very strong, but the lack of knowledge of Dawson\u2019s whereabouts was troubling.<\/p>\n

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

Cordelia felt the presence in the kitchen long before the blade made an arc for her head. Cordy was able to easily deflect the blow from the sword as the two half-breeds assumed their fighting stances.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the bastard who wants us to fail, right?\u201d Cordelia asked the other.<\/p>\n

\u201cYup\u201d Dawson smirked. \u201cAnd are you the mangy whore who wants to bring that thing back into this world?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYup,\u201d Cordelia answered simply. Dawson launched himself at the Seer, swinging his blade in a wicked combination that Cordelia was able to deflect easily.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re pretty good,\u201d Dawson acknowledged.<\/p>\n

\u201cI learned from the best,\u201d Cordelia said.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cGoddess! Release the Champion! His work on this realm isn\u2019t completed,\u201d the Wicca pleaded.<\/p>\n

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

The fighting outside had intensified mightily. There were still five vampires remaining, but the demons were seemingly being reinforced occasionally. Both men had begun to suffer flesh wounds, and fatigue began to set in.<\/p>\n

As one vampire landed a vicious uppercut to the watcher, both men had to wonder if any of them would survive this.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI can\u2019t let you stop this,\u201d Cordelia told the half-breed coldly. Her arm was bleeding from a nasty cut from Dawson\u2019s blade.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t let you succeed,\u201d Dawson answered. He gripped the deep wound across his abdomen. \u201cToo much is at stake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right about that,\u201d Cordelia said. The two once again launched themselves at each other in a battle that only one could win.<\/p>\n

End<\/strong><\/p>\n

Liam<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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