{"id":5338,"date":"2015-07-15T11:49:25","date_gmt":"2015-07-15T10:49:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/?p=5338"},"modified":"2015-07-15T11:53:02","modified_gmt":"2015-07-15T10:53:02","slug":"crisis-at-crater-lake-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2015\/07\/15\/crisis-at-crater-lake-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Crisis at Crater Lake. 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Title: Crisis at Crater Lake \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/b><\/a>\"CaCL<\/a><\/b>
\nAuthor: <\/b>Lysa
\nPosted: <\/b>07\/05
\nEmail<\/b><\/a>
\nRating: <\/b>PG
\nCategory: <\/b>Action\/Adventure. Theme Challenge fic (AO\/FSB)
\nContent: <\/b>C\/A
\nSummary: <\/b>A case leads the AI Team to Crater Lake where the heat rises, tempers flare and the final battle could affect the team dynamics forever.
\nSpoilers: <\/b>AtS Season Three.
\nDisclaimer: <\/b>The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
\nDistribution: <\/b>Go Team, FSB. Anywhere else\u2026please let me know.
\nNotes: <\/b>Part of the AO\/FSB Themed Fic Challenge #1. I picked\u00a0AtS Theme #2<\/b> since my current serial WIP is set during BtVS.
\nA\/N 2:<\/b> Takes place a few days after WitW only Groo never showed up and Angel never managed to declare himself to Cordelia.
\nA\/N 3:<\/b> To the people of Oregon: please accept my apologies for moving your one of your National Parks to California. It\u2019s only for the duration of this fic.
\nA\/N 4:<\/b> There is also a quote from Mr. & Mrs. Smith<\/i> I couldn\u2019t resist adding.
\nFeedback:<\/b>FB is awesome!!!<\/p>\n

\n

Hyperion Hotel, Los Angeles<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a monster at Crater Lake?\u201d Cordelia\u2019s raised brows indicated her doubt. She dropped her gaze back down to the newest edition of Cosmo before adding, \u201cThat sounds like something from a bad horror movie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting on the circular couch in the center of the lobby, she was trying to stay focused on her one priority: relaxing. Too much had been getting on her nerves, lately, namely Angel. Ever since they got back from the ballet the other night, he\u2019d been hovering<\/i>.<\/p>\n

If she had to listen to his apologetic stuttering once more, Cordy figured she\u2019d start screaming.<\/p>\n

On top of her frustration with Angel, the weather had turned from being hot & dry to simply scorching. The Hyperion\u2019s version of air conditioning was antiquated and barely kept the heat from reaching suffocation levels. The portable fans she bought with the company card were making it tolerable, but Cordelia hated the icky sticky feeling on her skin.<\/p>\n

It hadn\u2019t taken much to convince Angel that they should move into her apartment until the heat wave was over. \u201cAll this heat isn\u2019t good for the baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

The look of panic on his face was priceless. Shuffling his feet, he\u2019d seemed like he was about to bolt for the stairs only stand there with a big blank stare that hinted at confusion. \u201cYou meant move the office, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDuh! Hello!\u201d There were times when she questioned the superiority of vampire hearing. What did he think she was suggesting? \u201cWe can work out of my living room like we used to. Connor\u2019s crib can stay there or the bedroom.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel had nodded, \u201cThat\u2019s what I thought.\u201d He was upstairs packing a diaper bag when their new client arrived.<\/p>\n

Bursting through the front door on the verge of collapse, a haggard man panted his plea. \u201cWhere is the vampire? I need his help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you know Angel is a vampire.\u201d Wes pursed his lips. The man obviously wasn\u2019t an ordinary client off the streets. Voice laced with suspicion, he inquired, \u201cWhom might you be, precisely?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMike,\u201d he said leaning against the front counter for support. Sweat beaded on his brow. Visible damp spots caused his cotton shirt to cling to his chest leaving dark swatches behind. \u201cMichael Tolliver. I-I work for David Nabitt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia lowered her magazine to take a closer look at the newcomer. Wrinkled, his clothes were actually well-made if not designer. The shirt, shorts and shoes appeared typical of a Geek-on-Vacation. He obviously hadn\u2019t come straight from Nabitt\u2019s office with a generous check for a new assignment.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is Mr. Nabitt?\u201d Wes asked in a suddenly cheery tone.<\/p>\n

Before answering, Mike Tolliver gulped down the cup of water that Fred handed to him over the counter. \u201cGood, I suppose. He\u2019s in Malaysia this week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh,\u201d Wes nodded. Understanding dwindled some of the extra pep. \u201cSo you have not come on his behalf.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hello! A little slow on the uptake, Wes?<\/i><\/p>\n

Shifting a little closer to the floor fan blowing cooler air in her direction, Cordelia picked up where she\u2019d left off reading about the newest shade of her favorite nail polish. Seeing that it wasn\u2019t the best color for her skin tone, she lost interest and peeked back up at the client.<\/p>\n

Tolliver shook his head, a frightened look on his face. \u201cNo,\u201d he admitted, but then changed his mind. \u201cYes, in a way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the deal?\u201d Gunn cut right to it. \u201cYou\u2019re here for our help. Just chill. Tell us about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked around nervously, meeting Cordelia\u2019s bored gaze for a moment before moving on to a more sympathetic face. Fred smiled back mutely. \u201cYou probably won\u2019t believe me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMister, I lived in another dimension for five years. Now I work with a vampire.\u201d Fred shrugged his doubts away. \u201cThere\u2019s not much I won\u2019t hear ya out on these days.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia snorted softly and flipped to the next page of her magazine.<\/p>\n

Turning, he addressed Fred directly, the hushed tones still loud enough for all of them to hear. \u201cMr. Nabitt gave my department a week vacation while he\u2019s on his business trip. The guys and me\u2026 we took our families up to Crater Lake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, that\u2019s pretty,\u201d Fred commented. \u201cI know \u2018cause I once went there with a friend of mine. He said it would be a quiet place to study, but y\u2019know we didn\u2019t do much studying.\u201d<\/p>\n

Their client didn\u2019t notice Gunn\u2019s gloomy reaction or the way Wesley\u2019s jaw dropped open. Cordelia knew that Crater Lake was somewhere outside Los Angeles. The lake had formed on the site of a prehistoric meteor crash. She\u2019d seen pictures of it before and agreed with Fred that it had a woodsy kind of appeal; assuming that the woods actually appealed to anybody.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a monster<\/i> at Crater Lake,\u201d Tolliver revealed and waited with bated breath to gauge their reaction.<\/p>\n

\u201cA monster at Crater Lake?\u201d Cordelia quirked her brows, doubt filling her voice at the description he used. He might know enough to understand the reality of Angel being a vampire, but there were obvious gaps. \u201cThat sounds like something from a bad horror movie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tolliver assured her the experience was real. He described that his family went with several others up to the lakeside getaway reserved for company members. Nabitt owned several vacation spots and liked to give his loyal employees a few perks.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were up there with the kids, twelve of them. It was great timing since it happened to be my son Timmy\u2019s birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTimmy Tolliver,\u201d Cordelia rolled the name of her tongue. When their client gave her a questioning look, she smiled big. \u201cHow old is Timmy?\u201d<\/p>\n

The boy was seven, his father explained. It was actually Timmy who spotted the monster and that set off a panic amongst the children. Herding the kids into the safety of the cars had been their first priority. They burned rubber to get back to L.A., but since the lake was his idea, Mike Tolliver felt responsible.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid any of the adults actually see this creature?\u201d asked Wes hoping for a detailed description.<\/p>\n

\u201cNone of us got a good look,\u201d he admitted. \u201cWe were too busy running like hell.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tolliver did his best to provide a description, but all they got was a general idea that the \u2018monster\u2019 was bipedal, unclothed, and came out of the lake where they had originally mistaken him for a swimmer.<\/p>\n

Wes ran a hand over his chin. \u201cDo you intend to report this activity to the Park Rangers, or the police, perhaps?\u201d<\/p>\n

Holding up his hands, Tolliver waved off the idea. \u201cNo, no, no. We don\u2019t want that kind of publicity. Besides, they wouldn\u2019t believe me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want Angel Investigations to do?\u201d Cordelia leaned forward as she threaded her fingers together on top of Cosmo\u2019s latest poll on sexual satisfaction. \u201cAnd will we be sending the bill to you or your company?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cW-well, it\u2019s company property,\u201d he answered. \u201cI haven\u2019t told Nabitt yet, but I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll cover your expenses. I\u2019m the head of my department. I can authorize it. Just take care of the monster.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia sat back and relaxed again at the thought: random demon, easy money. \u201cFred, go tell Angel. It seems we\u2019ve got a case.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wesley slowly turned to face Cordelia. \u201cMight I remind you that we don\u2019t normally take assignments so far outside the city limits? Besides which I believe that it is my<\/i> job to accept new cases.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever,\u201d Cordelia rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will gladly accept your case, Mr. Tolliver,\u201d Wes shook his hand. \u201cConsider it done.\u201d<\/p>\n

After gathering a few details about the location of the company\u2019s lakefront resort, Wesley assured their client they would waste no time in following up on the case. It was prudent to strike now while there was still evidence to be found. Relieved, Mike Tolliver thanked them, provided some contact information and left.<\/p>\n

No sooner had the door closed behind him than Angel walked down the stairs with Conner cradled in one arm and carrying a diaper bag over his shoulder. Fred and Lorne walked side by side behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got a case?\u201d Angel saw that there was no one in the lobby. Sniffing the air, he noted, \u201cSomething that involves charcoal and lighter fluid?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLake demon,\u201d Gunn explained matter-of-factly. \u201cSounds like an axe job. Better bring your broadsword.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel glanced down into his son\u2019s alert eyes. \u201cDid you hear that Connor? Daddy\u2019s gonna go earn some money for your college fund.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis does sound fairly routine,\u201d Wesley agreed. He suggested that Angel and Gunn handle it on their own, an idea that Cordelia quickly slammed down.<\/p>\n

Tossing her magazine aside and rising to her feet, Cordelia huffed, \u201cWhy should they get a break from this heat and not us? Angel doesn\u2019t even feel it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coming over to stand beside her, Angel gave her a hurt look. \u201cI can feel it,\u201d he muttered as she softly ran a hand over the baby\u2019s head. \u201cIt just doesn\u2019t bother me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s so nice for you Mr. Cool and Comfortable,\u201d she glared. Taking one step back she snapped, \u201cLook at me. Go ahead. Take a close look. Cordelia Chase is not supposed to sweat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapped into complying, Angel\u2019s gaze slipped from head to toe. The short ponytail that stuck up from one of those scrunchy hair things reminded him of Pebbles from the Flintstone<\/i> cartoon he once watched with Connor. Tiny strands of her hair curled to hug her face and neck.<\/p>\n

The slightly dewy appearance of her skin at the dip of her cleavage drew his gaze followed by the extra cling of her cotton top across her breasts. She\u2019d tied the loose ends together in a knot right under those generous curves exposing the taut planes of her belly revealed by her hip-hugging shorts.<\/p>\n

Everywhere he looked he saw flushed, golden skin. Gulping, he commented, \u201cYou look\u2026 hot.\u201d<\/p>\n

A few giggles and snorts sounded throughout the lobby. Angel realized what he\u2019d said and hastened to correct it. Only he seemed to be making it worse. He finally settled on pointing out, \u201cThat\u2019s hardly appropriate for the office.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBuy a new air conditioner and maybe I\u2019ll consider changing my wardrobe,\u201d she returned stubbornly.<\/p>\n

\u201cBad idea, man,\u201d joked Gunn. He leered playfully at Cordelia. \u201cDon\u2019t do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel scowled as Cordelia reached for her magazine, rolled it up and ran after their fast-moving friend. One lap around the lobby was all it took to make them both plop down on the couch in front of the fan. Cordelia poked Gunn in the side to make her point. \u201cIt\u2019s too hot for this,\u201d she groaned.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich is why you\u2019ll be taking Connor to your apartment,\u201d Angel reminded her. \u201cGunn & I will handle this Crater Lake creature.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia explained her strategy. \u201cIt\u2019s a resort. Why shouldn\u2019t we enjoy a few perks while we\u2019re there? David won\u2019t mind. He\u2019d be the first to tell us to stay for a day or two. After all, we\u2019d be dealing with his monster-sized problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

The others weren\u2019t quite convinced. While David Nabitt\u2019s generosity wasn\u2019t in question, their right to be presumptive about it certainly was. Besides, Angel was firm on one thing, \u201cI\u2019m not taking my son into a battle zone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a battle zone,\u201d Cordelia huffed, fanning herself with the copy of Cosmo. \u201cThere\u2019s just one little demon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel saw the stubborn pout forming on her lips. He could feel himself starting to give in and wondered if there was anything he wouldn\u2019t do for her. \u201cCor\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cC\u2019mon, Angel,\u201d her sweet smile would have convinced him to take up cliff-diving if she asked. \u201cConnor will be safe with the rest of us while you deal with the lake monster. Wouldn\u2019t you feel safer knowing he\u2019s close by?\u201d<\/p>\n

Knowing that he was being manipulated only made it worse. His jaw clenched at the realization that he\u2019d always been a sucker for that smile. Since the day she first convinced him that he needed her help.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019ll be air conditioning,\u201d she teased the others with the thought of it. \u201cCool air. No more muggy heat. We\u2019ll have a lakeside view from the Jacuzzi.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wes dared to point out, \u201cReally, Cordelia! We have been hired to do a job, not to cavort half naked in the wilderness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hearing Fred\u2019s giggle, Angel noticed her gaze focus on Gunn. \u201cSounds like fun to me.\u201d She blushed until her cheeks were rosy with it.<\/p>\n

Adding stiffly, \u201cThere is no guarantee Mr. Nabitt\u2019s property even has a Jacuzzi,\u201d Wes slumped down on to rest his elbows on the desk, chin in his hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a billionaire,\u201d Cordelia gave him an eye-roll. \u201cOf course he has one.\u201d<\/p>\n

All of the talk about Jacuzzis summoned up reminders of seeing Cordy in a bikini. Angel licked at his suddenly dry lips. Before he could say anything, Lorne piped up, \u201cCount me in sugarplums, especially if there\u2019s a chance of getting a decent Sea Breeze at this little resort.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia didn\u2019t see why not. The software designer could afford to have anything he wanted. This little lakeside resort probably came with a butler and a cook, too. She wondered if there would be a massage therapist or a manicurist on staff.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll all go,\u201d Angel finally conceded to her enthusiasm, \u201cbut we\u2019re not staying more than a couple of days. Wes can clear it with Tolliver. Once we deal with the demon, Nabitt may want to free up the resort for the people on his payroll.\u201d<\/p>\n

Giving Cordelia a high-five, Gunn congratulated her on her triumph. \u201cWay to go, girl. Can\u2019t get much better: air conditioning and a paid vacation to boot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve still got it,\u201d she grinned back.<\/p>\n

***
\nCrater Lake National Park<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure this is the right place?\u201d Cordelia asked for the third time as Angel maneuvered the Plymouth onto an even smaller dirt road.<\/p>\n

She sat in her usual spot. Wes and Lorne occupied the back seat with Connor\u2019s rear-facing car seat between them while Gunn and Fred followed close behind in the truck. Lorne\u2019s humming seemed to get louder as the tension increased.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf there\u2019s a resort around here, I\u2019ll find it,\u201d Angel assured her. Although he saw no sign of lights along the lakefront to indicate the presence of any structures much less a whole resort.<\/p>\n

Even with the top down there was very little breeze. Moving at a slow crawl did not help any since the car had no air conditioning system. \u201cAdmit it, Angel,\u201d she all but growled. \u201cYou\u2019re lost.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should have pulled over at the ranger station when we entered the park.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wesley provided a little male solidarity by explaining, \u201cThe ranger station was closed for the night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey would\u2019ve had a map,\u201d Cordelia ignored the fact that they would have had to break in to get it.<\/p>\n

Angel told her he didn\u2019t need a map. \u201cThese roads circle the lake. The resort is at the edge of the lake. We\u2019ll find it.\u201d<\/p>\n

So far, Cordelia hadn\u2019t seen anything but a Smokey the Bear statue urging them to prevent forest fires. One or two small wooden signs pointed in the direction of camping sites. She\u2019d expected to find a stone gate leading onto private property or a big company logo. Nabitt\u2019s Lodge, or whatever fancy name David called his little getaway, was certainly difficult to find.<\/p>\n

An owl hooted loudly from the trees overhead, startling Lorne. \u201cThis really isn\u2019t my idea of nightlife.\u201d<\/p>\n

The big bright moon overhead filtered down through the cover of the treetops. Between that and the headlights of the vehicles, all Cordelia could see was the path directly ahead. The rest of the woods were shadowy. Each time she peered into the darkness between the trees, she thought she saw movement.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just the trees,\u201d she told Lorne and Wes as she looked over her shoulder at them. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing to be nervous about.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell that to your aura.\u201d Lorne didn\u2019t need her to sing to feel her nervous vibes. He started humming again to distract himself.<\/p>\n

Cordelia turned a little further in the seat and pointed out the tight grip Lorne had on the side of Connor\u2019s car seat. Warning softly, \u201cDon\u2019t wake the baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not the one with the shrill voice,\u201d he smirked and went right back to his soft humming.<\/p>\n

Gasping indignantly, Cordelia whirled back into her seat reminding herself that it was just this muggy heat making everything unbearable. As soon as they got to the resort, they\u2019d all be thanking her for coming up with the idea. A little time in the lap of luxury would quickly make them see reason.<\/p>\n

Several minutes later, Angel spotted a road sign at a crossroads that lead down toward the lake. \u201cMarker 109. This is it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The road ended forcing them to abandon the Plymouth and the truck to follow a small footpath. It opened up as it reached a small area set up with a barbeque grill and a picnic table. There was a moderately sized rustic cabin facing the lake.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat don\u2019t look like a resort to me,\u201d Gunn commented as he shouldered his axe.<\/p>\n

Fred agreed. \u201cMr. Tolliver never did say it was a resort, just a company getaway. I kinda wondered about that when you mentioned it, Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you say so before we left?\u201d Cordelia had never known Fred to keep her mouth shut about anything before. \u201cThe hotel was cooler than this hellhole.\u201d<\/p>\n

She whispered the last word just in case the sleeping baby in her arms overheard her.<\/p>\n

Shrugging her slim shoulders, Fred simply told her, \u201cI don\u2019t know. When I was up here with Steve that one time, I wasn\u2019t paying much attention to anything else. I do know that the National Park Service normally allows only a limited number of developments in the region.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo why didn\u2019t you say so?\u201d Gunn asked the question again, not really wanting to hear more about her study buddy. \u201cAngel and me coulda come up here and taken out that demon without dragging everyone along.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not my fault,\u201d Fred reminded him.<\/p>\n

Staring at Cordelia, they drew another gasp of outrage from her throat. \u201cHow was I to know David Nabitt is even cheaper than Angel? Talk about pinching pennies. This isn\u2019t a getaway. This is\u2014.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA cabin on a moonlit lake,\u201d Angel interjected before she could describe it the way he imagined she would.<\/p>\n

\u201cPfft!\u201d Cordelia followed along as he led them toward the cabin entrance, passing through the scattered mess in the picnic area. \u201cYou would say that. This is exactly the isolated kind of place serial killers like to hide out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel stopped, turned and gave her a hurt look.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot you, dork,\u201d she rolled her eyes. The little crease in his furrowed brow made her mouth quirk into a smile. Teasing, Cordelia added softly, \u201cJust don\u2019t get too <\/i>happy about the scenery.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walking forward to grasp the doorknob, Angel found himself thinking that the lakeside scenery had nothing on the images in his head of Cordelia herself. The night of the ballet played over in his mind, flashes of her bare skin, of his lips on her golden flesh, his hands roving across her curves. The way she touched him, kissed him. Only it wasn\u2019t really them, not entirely.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d tried to tell her when they returned to the hotel that his feelings for her had grown. That he thought the two of them had gotten closer recently, more so than he ever imagined possible. He wasn\u2019t even certain when the thought first came into his head. The idea that he was actually attracted to his best friend initially freaked him out a little, but it grew on him until it was almost all he could think about.<\/p>\n

When Cordelia suggested they forget everything that happened that night, he was certain that she didn\u2019t feel the same way. It was obvious to him that she was uncomfortable with it despite her earlier bravado. The arousal he\u2019d sensed that night was just part of the possession.<\/p>\n

It crushed him to think he wouldn\u2019t ever kiss her again that way. To take her in his arms and peel her clothing away. To reveal her beautiful body in a way that no one else would ever see. Making love to her tenderly, passionately, wildly.<\/p>\n

The sight of her holding his son in her arms only made it worse because it always started him thinking about things that were even more remote a possibility. He lifted a hand to her cheek, briefly noting the questioning look in her eyes when he touched her.<\/p>\n

\u201cStep back. Let me check out the inside of the cabin first to make sure it\u2019s safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, I was thinking of just waiting in the car,\u201d Cordelia admitted as she took another look at the outside of the cabin. Not impressed, she figured the inside wasn\u2019t going to be anything to write home about. \u201cYour demon slayage shouldn\u2019t take very long, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel wasn\u2019t so certain about that. \u201cThis lake is larger than I thought it would be. We\u2019ll have to track the creature, assuming that we can find a trail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, great.\u201d It wasn\u2019t as if she\u2019d had a vision to lead them directly to the demon\u2019s lair.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe you should take Connor, Fred and Lorne back to L.A.,\u201d Angel suggested. \u201cThere\u2019s no telling how long this will take and we didn\u2019t exactly prepare for this kind of situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lorne wholeheartedly agreed.<\/p>\n

Cordelia nuzzled her cheek against the baby\u2019s soft hair. \u201cConnor will be safe here in the cabin with Lorne. Fred and I can help find this demon so we can all get out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell I won\u2019t mind,\u201d Lorne gave in conditionally, \u201cas long as you hurry up, get inside and point the way to the powder room.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wesley thumbed in the direction of the trees. \u201cIt\u2019s over there.\u201d<\/p>\n

A portable orange outhouse was half-hidden by the shadows. Lorne\u2019s eyes got big. \u201cYeesh! Nature isn\u2019t calling that loudly. I think I\u2019ll hold it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe sooner we get started with this investigation,\u201d Wesley told them, \u201cthe faster we\u2019ll finish the job.\u201d<\/p>\n

The cabin was empty. No demons in sight. Its sparse furnishings suggested this was more of short-term camping area than anything else. There was no electricity or plumbing of any kind. Angel could see perfectly well in the dark. Wes and Gunn had grabbed flashlights from the trunk of the car and were able to move around without a problem.<\/p>\n

There were lanterns stored against a shelf inside. Lighting these, they were able to provide enough light for Lorne to feel comfortable about waiting inside with only Connor for company. As the others closed the cabin door behind them, Lorne glanced down at the sleeping baby, \u201cLooks like it\u2019s just you and me kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Title: Crisis at Crater Lake \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Author: Lysa Posted: 07\/05 Email Rating: PG Category: Action\/Adventure. Theme Challenge fic (AO\/FSB) Content:…<\/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-5338","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-completed-fics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5338","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=5338"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5338\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5338"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5338"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5338"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}