{"id":4479,"date":"2015-07-08T22:36:29","date_gmt":"2015-07-08T21:36:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/?p=4479"},"modified":"2015-07-08T22:44:41","modified_gmt":"2015-07-08T21:44:41","slug":"the-case-of-the-missing-santas-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2015\/07\/08\/the-case-of-the-missing-santas-3\/","title":{"rendered":"The Case Of The Missing Santas. 3"},"content":{"rendered":"

Part 3<\/b>: Friday, December 24, 1999<\/em><\/p>\n

Wesley jolted awake. Bugger. He\u2019d meant to stay alert, keep an eye open for anything suspicious, and instead he\u2019d dozed off under a blanket on Angel\u2019s couch. He looked at the luminous dial on his watch. The soft green numbers showed four-twenty-two a.m. He remembered someone mentioning to him that the hour between four and five was when the undead walked the earth. His flesh prickled and he pulled the blanket up under his chin.<\/p>\n

\u201cCold, Wesley?\u201d Angel\u2019s voice made him jump. In this instance the undead weren\u2019t walking — they were reading a book in the chair opposite him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, just a bit peckish actually,\u201d Wesley replied. As if on cue, his stomach rumbled. He remembered the giant, sugar-coated biscuit, still sitting in its paper bag on the counter. It was calling to him. Angel turned back to his book as Wesley folded back the blanket and padded, barefoot, into the darkened kitchen.<\/p>\n

By the dim glow from the microwave display, he located the bag. His stomach growled louder, sounding very much like the Golvar demon he\u2019d been telling the children about earlier that day. Not that they\u2019d been particularly interested. No respect — that was the problem with the younger generation.<\/p>\n

Taking a plate from the cupboard, Wesley unravelled the crumpled edge of the bag, lifting it open to expose the biscuit, in all its sugary glory. \u201cOh my.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Angel asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou might want to take a look at this.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Bang.<\/p>\n

Cordelia shifted, restless, and pulled the covers up higher.<\/p>\n

Bang. Bang.<\/p>\n

\u201cDennis, I\u2019m ignoring you, if you hadn\u2019t noticed,\u201d she grumbled. In response, the bed started shaking. Or possibly it was an earthquake. She sat up, ready to run for the doorframe. In her experience, earthquakes weren\u2019t just tectonic plates jiggling around — they were often portents of apocalypsey things about to happen. But everything else was still and quiet.<\/p>\n

The covers flew back, exposing her to the chilly air of the bedroom. \u201cDennis, I swear, what\u2019s gotten into you?\u201d She grabbed the sheet, irritated, and tried to pull it up. Dennis pulled back. A short tug-of-war ensued, until she refused to participate any longer, laying back down, blanketless and defiant. She was not getting up at quarter past five, no matter what he did.<\/p>\n

Without warning, all the drawers and cupboards in the room flew open, their contents exploding into the air and scattering across the floor. Okay, that was the last straw. Now she was really pissed.<\/p>\n

\u201cDammit, Dennis, I am so gonna kick your insubstantial\u2026\u201d Oh, shit. Cordelia was certain she was waving a finger in front of her face. In the artificial light from the street that filtered through her window, it should have been easy to see. So where was it? She glanced down at herself and saw only empty bed, and an indentation in the rumpled sheet where her thighs should have been. \u201cOh, crap.\u201d Heart in her throat, she scrambled out of bed and into the bathroom. The light flicked on as she leaned over the sink, looking into the mirror.<\/p>\n

Nobody looked back. She was invisible.<\/p>\n

Okay, this was — unexpected. Cordelia patted her arms and legs, and then her stomach, and lastly her breasts. Oh, thank God, they were still there. She was solid enough, just see-through. She wandered, slightly dazed, back into the bedroom, picking her robe out of the pile of clothes on the floor, and slipping it on. As soon as it covered her body, it too disappeared. Interesting. She kicked a few sweaters aside to unearth her slippers. As each foot nudged inside, they vanished too. She shook one off, and it re-appeared.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, look at us, just a couple of invisible room-mates,\u201d she said, hoping that verbalising it would make it less spooky. The wall knocked twice. So, Dennis agreed — it wasn\u2019t just her sleep-addled brain giving her the wiggins. No wonder he\u2019d been going crazy trying to get her attention. \u201cI\u2019m sorry I ignored you,\u201d she sighed. Dennis, obviously feeling a little guilty, began picking up her clothes and folding them.<\/p>\n

Cordelia put her slipper back on, watching it dissolve again. Invisible. Wow, that was shitty. She\u2019d come to LA to get away from shitty things — like vampires and hellhounds and mayors that turned into giant snakes — and the IRS. Although, she had to concede, you never really got away from the latter. She\u2019d had such high hopes of fame and fortune, sacks of money and rich, eligible men lining up to wine and dine her. It was supposed to be easy and happen right away.<\/p>\n

But what had she actually ended up with? Russell Winters, donkey demons, Spike and his little torture pal, detatcho-limb guy, cockroaches, vengeful ghosts, Doyle frying himself, drool-o-vision, almost having her eyes removed for the highest bidder — and now this. This sucked most of all. Okay, no, Doyle dying sucked most of all, but this ran a close second. And the timing sucked too. It was a yuletide suck-fest.<\/p>\n

How on earth was she supposed to go to auditions in this state? As far as Cordelia could remember, there were no Academy awards for \u2018best actress in a transparent role\u2019. Her inevitable stardom seemed a lot less assured right at this moment.<\/p>\n

She sank down on the edge of her bed, elbows on knees and face in hands. \u201cOkay, Universe, I give up. I don\u2019t care about having a nice Christmas anymore. I\u2019ll embrace the crappiness, I promise. Please, just fix this.\u201d Silence pressed around her.<\/p>\n

A one hundred and fifty dollar dress, salvaged from her Sunnydale wardrobe, slipped onto a hanger and floated into the wardrobe — and suddenly it all made sense. \u201cI\u2019m still being punished, aren\u2019t I?\u201d she asked the air.<\/p>\n

Cordelia had thought that was all over when she moved into her new apartment. Finally she had something nice, where she could be herself again. I\u2019ve already paid, she thought. Paid for being super-bitch Queen C, for being haughty and self-centred. Obviously she hadn\u2019t paid nearly enough. Not for all the misery she put people through. People like Willow — and Marcy.<\/p>\n

Oh, God, now there was a relevant memory — Marcy, who turned invisible because everyone ignored her. Marcy who had idolised Cordelia and her gang. They\u2019d been so awful to her. Cordelia remembered how that had ended. Tied up on the May Queen throne while a scalpel danced inches from her face.<\/p>\n

Psycho girl never got a chance to finish the job, so now the universe was doing it for her, and for all the others like her. What better punishment for vanity than invisibility? Plastic surgery won\u2019t fix this one.<\/p>\n

And then the most awful thought of all struck. \u201cOh my God, how am I going to put my makeup on?\u201d<\/p>\n

The doorbell made her jump. \u201cCordelia?\u201d Angel\u2019s voice was tense. Was everyone determined not to let her sleep today? She tied her robe around her, and then remembered that it didn\u2019t really matter. She could be naked and he\u2019d never know. With a sigh she shuffled to the front door, and pulled it open.<\/p>\n

Wesley and Angel stood in the doorway, both looking anxious.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks Dennis,\u201d Angel said, stepping inside and looking around the darkened room.<\/p>\n

Cordelia\u2019s skin crawled. Angel couldn\u2019t see her either. And he had super-hero eyesight. She swallowed hard. \u201cIt\u2019s not Dennis, it\u2019s me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCordelia?\u201d Wesley gasped, reaching out and waving his hand in front of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cOw! Look out, you just about poked me in the eye!\u201d she snapped, jumping backwards. Turning to Angel, she said, \u201cWhatever this is about, it better be good. As you can see, I\u2019m having a bit of a visibility problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes, very interesting.\u201d Wesley nodded, rummaging in his satchel. He held out a crumpled paper bag.<\/p>\n

Cordelia took it and peered inside. \u201cYou came all the way over here at the crack of dawn to bring me a stale cookie for breakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, look at it again, Cordelia,\u201d Angel replied.<\/p>\n

With a sigh, she took another look, and chills raced across her invisible skin. The damn thing was glowing. Not that brightly, which is why she\u2019d missed it at first glance. A sort of iridescent blue that pulsed in and out, like it was breathing. She looked at Wesley and raised an eyebrow. He was standing there, looking creeped-out, as she floated the bag in mid-air.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor those of you who can\u2019t see my expression,\u201d she said, \u201cplease refer to Wesley\u2019s face for a good imitation. What the hell is going on?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we all sit down?\u201d Angel gestured towards the couch.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou two sit. I\u2019ll stay over here. I don\u2019t want your bony vampire butt in my lap.\u201d Cordelia began to imagine the endless possibilities for being injured that came with her condition. Being sat on, having doors slammed in her face, getting run over\u2026 She clapped a hand over her mouth in horror, as it all became crystal clear.<\/p>\n

Angel and Wesley perched on her sofa, placing the cookie in the middle of the coffee table, where it cast an eerie blue glow. Dennis must have disliked it as much as she did, because he chose that moment to turn on the lights, drowning it out.<\/p>\n

Cordelia began to pace the floor, her feet almost keeping up with her spinning brain. \u201cThat cookie was meant for Angel, because he was dressed as Santa,\u201d she said, thinking aloud. Angel and Wesley\u2019s eyes tracked her voice as she moved. \u201cBut because I ate it, I disappeared. That’s must be what happened to the other two.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt makes sense. Miriam said that one of the bodies looked fuzzy,\u201d Angel said, nodding.<\/p>\n

Cordelia didn\u2019t like where her train of thought was leading her. \u201cNo wonder Bob freaked out in his bathroom — I know I had a Sunnydale moment when I looked in my mirror — and no wonder both men ended up dead. You two have only been here a few minutes and I\u2019ve already nearly lost an eye. Being see-through is dangerous. Fear may have killed Bob, but I guarantee the other one had some sort of accident because nobody could see him. They both died as a result of being invisible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but Miriam identified them at the morgue — so at least we know it wore off,\u201d Wesley mused.<\/p>\n

\u201cOr perhaps it only works on people while they are alive,\u201d Cordelia said, shuddering. \u201cAngel, have a bite. Of the cookie, not me. Maybe\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, I can\u2019t have both of you invisible.\u201d Wesley glanced up, looking panicked. Except he looked at where she had been when she spoke, not where she was now. For some reason, that freaked her out most of all.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m over here, Wesley,\u201d she said, hugging her arms around herself.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, for God\u2019s sake, stand still so I know where to look.\u201d He turned towards the sound of her voice. Okay, now it looked like he was ogling her breasts. Nothing new really, but still kind of yucky.<\/p>\n

Angel rubbed his face, looking tired. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you put on a hat, so we know where your face is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine in theory,\u201d she said. \u201cBut — watch.\u201d She shook off one of her slippers, and it revealed itself. The look on both their faces would have been hilarious in any other situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cFascinating,\u201d Wesley breathed, as she put it back on.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad you\u2019re so excited by all of this.\u201d Cordelia slumped into a chair. \u201cForgive me if I don\u2019t share your enthusiasm. This Christmas officially can\u2019t get any worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry. This was supposed to happen to me,\u201d Angel said, rising and coming over to her. He reached out to her, resting his fingers on her in what she hoped was supposed to be a comforting gesture.<\/p>\n

\u201cAngel, do you know what you\u2019re touching?\u201d she said, teeth gritted.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot your shoulder?\u201d He snatched his hand away.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot quite,\u201d she sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cCordelia, where did you get these from anyway?\u201d Wesley asked, pointing to the cookie.<\/p>\n

He was unbelievable, thinking of his stomach at a time like this. She wondered if he would hear her coming before she kicked him in the shin. \u201cIf you\u2019re hungry, there\u2019s cereal in the kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n

His face lit up. \u201cWell, yes please, I\u2019d love some. But I was more interested in the magical qualities of the biscuit, rather than its nutritional value.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI — I\u2019ll make eggs,\u201d Angel said, looking relieved to have an excuse to escape after his unintentional fondle.<\/p>\n

While Angel poached, or scrambled, or whatever you did with eggs to make them edible — Cordelia hadn\u2019t gotten around to working that out yet — she sat down next to Wesley on the couch and recounted her conversation with Jack, the security guard. It wasn\u2019t that she needed to sit next to Wesley, but the closer her voice was, the better his ability to \u201clook\u201d at her face, rather than the wall beside her. It made her feel better — enough to risk the odd poke in the eye.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was such a sweet old guy,\u201d she sighed, turning the cookie over and over in her hands. \u201cDo you really think he knew what was in these?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHard to tell,\u201d Wesley replied, eyes turning towards the cookie, which even to Cordelia herself, looked like it was spinning in mid-air of it\u2019s own volition. Little grains of sugar dropped off and fell to the floor. He jerked his head up, as if struck by a thought. \u201cDennis, can we have the lights off please?\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia felt the rush of cold air a second before Wesley\u2019s glasses flicked off his face, flew in a spectacular arc over his head, and landed behind him on the sofa. \u201cThat\u2019s his way of saying he doesn\u2019t like you,\u201d she said, retrieving them. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, Dennis.\u201d<\/p>\n

The lights clicked off, and Wesley got down on his hands and knees, nose touching the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, are we interrupting your morning prayers or something?\u201d she asked, mystified.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not the biscuit. It\u2019s the topping,\u201d he replied. \u201cCome down here and have a look.\u201d<\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t need to bend all the way down. The little blue specks on the polished wood pulsed just bright enough for her to pick them out. \u201cJust another reason why sugar is bad for you,\u201d she sighed.<\/p>\n

Wesley got to his feet, dusting himself down. \u201cI think we need to make another trip to the mall. There\u2019s a security guard I\u2019d really like to have a chat with.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Angel pulled Cordelia\u2019s bedspread around him. For the third time in three days he was crouched in the back of his car while they drove to the mall. It was like some sort of recurring nightmare that he couldn\u2019t seem to wake up from.<\/p>\n

He stifled a yawn. The sun had come up while they ate breakfast, and waited for the mall to open for the day. Trying to keep human hours was messing up his sleeping patterns, and he was tired. Maybe this is what it was like for people who worked night-shift. For Buffy, patrolling the graveyard when other girls her age were tucked up in their beds. His heart squeezed tight in his chest, as he recalled how beautiful she had looked in the sunlight, turning towards him as he strode out to meet her — to kiss her\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see why I couldn\u2019t drive,\u201d Cordelia whined from the front passenger seat. \u201cWesley had his turn yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause, Cordelia, I\u2019d rather not have to explain to the fine constabulary of Los Angeles why I was a passenger in an apparently driverless car,\u201d Wesley replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it would look weird,\u201d Angel agreed. The last thing in the work he wanted was for Cordelia to take control of his car again. Especially with him as a passenger.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis coming from the guy in the Laura Ashley shroud,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The sound of an apple being bitten filled the air, and then the sharp smell of Granny Smith tickled Angel\u2019s nostrils. It was followed by Cordelia\u2019s sigh. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d Wesley said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have \u2018something\u2019 face.\u201d The sound of leather squeaking indicated she\u2019d turned in her seat.<\/p>\n

It was Wesley\u2019s turn to sigh. \u201cI was just thinking how happy I am that food becomes invisible as soon as it goes in your mouth. Otherwise breakfast would have been a rather stomach-churning affair, as would your consumption of that apple. Oh, dear God, woman. Stop it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d Angel said, trying to peer out from under the bedspread.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt appears that when Cordelia pokes her tongue out, the chewed-up food on it becomes visible again,\u201d Wesley answered. \u201cAs will my omelette, if she keeps that up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d deny an invisible girl her only pleasure in life?\u201d Cordelia sounded mock-hurt.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, well, carry on, if your pleasure includes wearing the remains of my breakfast,\u201d Wesley snapped.<\/p>\n

Angel pulled the bedspread closer around his head, suppressing a growl. \u201cIf you two don\u2019t stop it\u2026\u201d He felt the car glide gently over the speed bump that signified their entrance to the car park, and threw off his cover. The corner draped over Cordelia\u2019s shoulder, and for the first time that day he could see the contours of her body. Something that could have saved him from excessive embarrassment earlier.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Cordelia stood behind Wesley and Angel, who were seated in front of Miriam Saunders\u2019 desk. She\u2019d discovered on the way through the mall that it was the safest place to be, if she didn\u2019t want to be walked into, or kneecapped with a shopping bag.<\/p>\n

Miriam was looking through the staff database, a frown marring her tired face. \u201cAre you sure his name was Jack?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, an elderly gentleman, by all accounts. He wore a security guard\u2019s uniform,\u201d Wesley replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d Miriam shook her head. \u201cThere\u2019s no Jack working here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got to be frickin\u2019 kidding me,\u201d Cordelia huffed.<\/p>\n

Miriam\u2019s head snapped up. \u201cWho said that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did,\u201d Cordelia said. Okay, sure, they\u2019d decided that Miriam wouldn\u2019t be able to handle talking to an invisible person, but this was now beyond a joke, and Cordelia wasn\u2019t going to stay silent.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s Cordelia,\u201d Angel said, casting an irritated glance in the direction of her voice. \u201cShe\u2019s sort of –invisible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what happened to Bob and Ed,\u201d Wesley added. \u201cAnd we believe it\u2019s as a result of a biscuit Angel was given by this Jack fellow — which Cordelia ate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cInvisible,\u201d Miriam echoed. \u201cBecause of a biscuit. This is a trick, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoney, I wish it was.\u201d Cordelia moved around to Miriam\u2019s desk, picking up a marble egg and tossing it from hand to hand.<\/p>\n

Angel leaned forward. \u201cRemember Cordelia said we deal with unusual cases? This is one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miriam\u2019s eyes were glued to the marble egg as it plopped backwards and forwards.<\/p>\n

\u201cJeez, it\u2019s rude to stare,\u201d Cordelia said, putting the egg back down.<\/p>\n

Miriam went a couple of shades paler, and began to hammer on her keyboard with alarming force. \u201cHere — we had a Jack working here eight years ago, in security. According to his records, he had to take compulsory retirement because he was too old.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks like Jack decided to come back to work,\u201d Angel said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we have to find him. Perhaps we should split up,\u201d Wesley suggested. \u201cThat way we can cover more ground.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel looked uncomfortable with the suggestion, and Cordelia remembered his comments in the bathroom the previous day. The whole place must give him the wiggins. She tried to imagine walking along Fifth Avenue, and not wanting something from every shop window. She couldn\u2019t. \u201cAre you sure?\u201d
\nHer voice made Miriam jump.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, that\u2019s usually how it works,\u201d Wesley said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was looking at Angel when I said that,\u201d she sighed. Having no visible body language was proving to be a real hamper to effective communication.<\/p>\n

Angel nodded, rising from his chair in a slow, deliberate movement. \u201cI can move faster alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCordelia had better come with me.\u201d Wesley got up and shouldered his satchel.<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat, I get to hang with the geek,\u201d she muttered.<\/p>\n

Wesley scowled in her general direction. \u201cWell, since nobody can see you, it\u2019s hardly going to ruin your image, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll meet at the Grotto in thirty minutes. Check your watches.\u201d Angel said, heading for the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cCheck.\u201d Wesley held up his wrist.<\/p>\n

Cordelia glanced down at her arm automatically. Oh, of course. Invisible. She felt it with her other hand. No watch anyway. Like it or not, she needed Wesley as a timekeeper, as well as a shield from the crowd. She squared her shoulders. \u201cLead on, satchel boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Forty minutes later, Cordelia and Wesley stood in front of the Grotto. The large sign at the gate now informed shoppers that Santa was so busy making presents that he\u2019d had to take the day off. Cordelia grabbed Wesley\u2019s arm, raising his watch level with her face. \u201cHe\u2019s ten minutes late. Do you think he\u2019s okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

Just as Wesley was about to reply, Angel swept into view. Cordelia looked hopefully at him for a moment, and then realized that she wasn\u2019t going to prompt a response that way. \u201cAny luck?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, no.\u201d He shook his head.<\/p>\n

Wesley removed his glasses and began to polish them with his handkerchief. \u201cPerhaps if Angel invested in some laboratory equipment, I may be able to determine the chemical composition of the biscuit topping. Unfortunately that may take some time, and these things usually\u2026\u201d He trailed off, his face betraying the fact that he\u2019d almost revealed something he\u2019d been trying to keep secret.<\/p>\n

A tide of panic washed over Cordelia, her heart leaping into her throat. The sudden rush of adrenaline made her dizzy. Angel\u2019s eyes flicked straight towards her, and she knew he could hear her fear — or smell it. \u201cStop sniffing me,\u201d she said, her voice sounding more strangled than she intended.<\/p>\n

\u201cWesley, what were you saying?\u201d Angel asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh dear, I don\u2019t want to alarm anyone. It\u2019s just that invisibility spells tend to have a compounding effect.\u201d Wesley\u2019s polishing grew more vigorous. \u201cThe longer you\u2019re transparent, the harder they are to break. In the worst cases, people have been known to lose solidity, and cease to exist altogether. I fear time is of the essence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia sank onto the nearby imitation park bench. Okay, she took back what she said earlier about Christmas not being able to get any worse. It just did.<\/p>\n

\u201cCordelia?\u201d Wesley looked around, placing his glasses on his nose. He reached out and felt the air around him. \u201cOh, heavens, it\u2019s happened already.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m over here, dumbass,\u201d she sighed. Angel tracked towards her voice, and sat beside her. At least he didn\u2019t sit *on* her, she thought.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll fix this, I promise,\u201d he said, leaning his elbows on his knees, his hands pressed together.<\/p>\n

Before Cordelia could reply, Angel\u2019s far arm shot out, latching around someone\u2019s wrist. He tugged, and Jack stumbled into her range of vision. He looked old, sad, and seriously surprised. He couldn\u2019t be evil — could he?<\/p>\n

\u201cWha — what\u2019s going on?\u201d he stammered, looking at Angel\u2019s hand, and then at his face.<\/p>\n

Cordelia sucked in an angry breath. \u201cOh, boy, do you have some explaining to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Part 3: Friday, December 24, 1999 Wesley jolted awake. Bugger. He\u2019d meant to stay alert, keep an eye open for anything suspicious, and…<\/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-4479","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-completed-fics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4479","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=4479"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4479\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4479"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4479"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4479"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}