Part 28<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cWhatcha doing, girl?\u201d Gunn peeked around the door at Fred.<\/p>\n
\u201cResearching.\u201d Fred said her eyes glued to the computer screen.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought you said that Justin\u2019s trail was a dead end on that thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not doing that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn moved slumping over Fred\u2019s shoulders staring at what Fred was reading. \u201cAMCE Private Eye School\u201d Gunn\u2019s brows shot up in question.<\/p>\n
Fred shook her head pushing at her glasses \u201cI\u2019m going to register.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCharles, I think is painfully clear, we have no idea how to investigate, sure kill demons, but investigate, nope. Well, I\u2019m going to school and learn and you should too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t need to go to school to find Justine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, so you know where she is.\u201d The wheels of her chair squeaked as she spun around.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell,\u201d Gunn backed away. \u201cGoing to school won\u2019t help.\u201d He shot back.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow can you say that? You don\u2019t know. Just like we didn\u2019t know where Angel and Cordy were.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFred,\u201d Gunn planted himself on the edge of the desk. \u201cThis ain\u2019t the Rockford Files. No amount of class work would\u2019ve explained how Wolfram & Hart shanghaied Cordy from the middle of the freeway with glowly lights and special effects or that Connor would deep six Angel. It wouldn\u2019t of.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred tugged on her ponytail in frustration not wanting to concede but fearing that Gunn was right.<\/p>\n
It was just that Fred was a firm believer in education, if you didn\u2019t know something you learned it through school and studying. Fred wasn\u2019t arrogant by any stretch of the imagination, but she was well aware of her gift with science and math. But regardless of that talent, it was the classes, the mountains of homework and lectures that she attended when she was in high school and then later the University which gave her the educational foundation and research abilities to apply that talent beyond the limits of that education.<\/p>\n
It was painfully clear, though that she didn\u2019t have an iota of talent in detecting anything that required more than equations, a computer or microscope and if she didn’t have those particular talents she wanted at least to learn the fundamentals of detective work. Fred had thought she had known, detective work was asking questions and then getting the answers, but there had to be more to it, because she and Gunn had asked questions, but they didn’t get the answers.<\/p>\n
Obviously, Fred was missing vital pieces of knowledge to the art of investigating and she wanted to know what they were. Therefore, to her, classes and school were the logical solution. Fred couldn’t help thinking that had she taken classes on detective work before now they might have been able to find Angel and Cordy, instead of just waiting around for them to rescue themselves and that they wouldn’t be facing a dead-end in the search for Justine.<\/p>\n
\u201cFred,\u201d Gunn rested his hands on her shoulders. \u201cWe did all that we could with what we had.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t enough. Angel was in\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn\u2019t Girl,\u201d Gunn stomped off the edge of the desk. \u201cI know where he was. At the bottom of the fuckin ocean. I know that Cordy was stuck being tortured by those bastards. Just like I know that I didn\u2019t do a damn thing to help them. I know that I had Lilah in my fuckin fist and didn\u2019t get the answers. Damn’t I know.\u201d Gunn\u2019s shoulders slumped, his voice lowering with his head in defeat.<\/p>\n
Fred moved suddenly gripping Gunn by the shoulders. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t your fault.\u201d Fred cupped his face. \u201cYou’re right, we did all that we could. You did, we both did.\u201d Fred whispered forcing Gunn to believe just as she forced herself.<\/p>\n
Fred did know that Gunn was right in that the cases that came through Angel Investigation weren’t standard PI fare, but still more knowledge never hurt. But she would deal with that later, her boyfriend needed her support not her recriminations on their lack of that knowledge. Fred closed her eyes, resting her forehead against Gunn\u2019s wide chest.<\/p>\n
She wanted to cry. She should\u2019ve known that Gunn would feel just as guilty as she did.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s neither one of your faults.\u201d Cordelia commanded from the doorway. “And I don\u2019t want to hear anything like that again. There was no way that you could\u2019ve figured out that Connor would attack Angel, not like that. Just like, you couldn\u2019t have figured out that Wolfram & Hart had planned this elaborate power disguised kidnapping. You couldn\u2019t. Wesley didn\u2019t know and he was working from the inside. I\u2019m the only one that should\u2019ve known both. If it\u2019s anybody\u2019s fault then its mine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy?\u201d Fred looked up from Gunn’s embrace.<\/p>\n
Cordy strode in. \u201cI saw how much anger and hatred Connor had in him, hell I felt it when I did the glowly number on him. I thought it was because of that place, but obviously there was more to it and I should\u2019ve realized that a bright big hug wouldn\u2019t get rid of it all. Just like I should’ve realized that Skip\u2019s showing up wasn’t right, after all I had a vision and I don\u2019t get those of warm and fuzzy happenings. I still have a lot to learn about my powers, though I don\u2019t know how, except screw up by screw up, unless the Powers want to give some more quick how-to tips,\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia looked hopefully up towards the ceiling, \u201cdidn\u2019t think so..\u201d Cordy shook her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, it\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia looked up at Fred. \u201cFred, I don\u2019t need reassurance. It happened and I could blame myself, but I\u2019m not. Because the real blame goes to Wolfram & Hart and Holtz. Guilt isn\u2019t the answer. What we need is to concentrate on how to fix it and the first step is finding out where Justine is- any luck.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred wanted so much to say yes, if for no other reason than to keep the confident look on Cordelia’s face.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d Fred had to shake her head. \u201cI did find out more about her, but nothing as to where she\u2019s at now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, and I went to their old hangout and that was clean, no forwarding address left. She and the rest of Holtz’s people just disappeared. Probably skipped town.\u201d Gunn added with frustration.<\/p>\n
Cordelia was about to speak, but shut her mouth with a wrinkled brow and looked around. \u201cWhere\u2019s Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWent to revisit my trail of snitches to see if they had told me everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCharles, I\u2019m sure they did.\u201d Fred nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, maybe, but if they didn\u2019t I bet having an angry Angel in their faces will jog their memories.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCharles, you can be mean, too.\u201d Fred urged supportively.<\/p>\n
\u201cHell, girl, I ain\u2019t a vamp, and the snitches know it. There \u2018re certain inbred intimidating skills that come along with that undead gig.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy waved her hand brushing aside the conversation satisfied with Angel\u2019s whereabouts -for the time being. \u201cBack to Justine, Fred what did you find out about her other than she\u2019s a bitch and slayer wanna be.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred sat back at her computer pulling up her research on the woman. \u201cI didn\u2019t know her last name, but her hatred for vampires had to come from somewhere, so I started searching the obituaries- figuring that someone close to her had been killed by one.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cVery smart, Fred. What did you find, mother- father- brother-lover- who?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSister, twin sister.\u201d Fred pulled up the newspaper clipping, her shoulders a bit straighter at Cordy’s praise and her confidence that Fred had in fact found the answer.<\/p>\n
Cordelia peered in closer at the picture of Justine\u2019s sister. \u201cYep, that\u2019s looks just like that woman in my vision, well without the leather and desperado look. It doesn\u2019t make any sense.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Both Gunn and Fred responded.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat the Powers would send me a vision to save Justine. I mean what\u2019s up with that. If those vampires in the night club had killed her Angel might not have ended up….it might’ve all been avoided.” Cordelia let out a deep breath.<\/p>\n
Those images of Angel trapped and alone just had to stop, they were distracting her from her goal to fix all of this. “Damn. I figured when Angel told me it was Justine that they had saved that the Powers must\u2019ve had a use for her or something. You know maybe she’d see the error of her ways, maybe help in the mission become part of the team. But, if her use was just to warp Connor into putting Angel in that…. steel box-that- well- that will just piss me off. \u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy slammed herself into the chair, inwardly yelling to get a grip and concentrate on finding Justine and not the pain Angel must’ve gone through.<\/p>\n
Fred and Gunn just shrugged not knowing what to say.<\/p>\n
Cordy leaned again over Fred\u2019s shoulder and read the article. \u201cSo no other family.\u201d Cordy leaned back her nose scrunched up in thought. \u201cVampires killed her only living relative, her twin, she hates them with a passion. Holtz found her, trained her and used that hatred to get her to follow him. I wonder\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve an idea.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s become a slayer wanna be, though I\u2019m not too worried about Buffy losing the title, Justine\u2019s not blonde or supernatural, just a very angry bitter woman. But, she wouldn\u2019t stop hating vampires just because Holtz is dead. In fact, it would probably just make her more kamikaze like. She hasn\u2019t stopped hunting vampires and I doubt she\u2019s left the city, where else would she go? Everything she knows is here, plus plenty of the \u2018grr\u2019 set.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, so\u2026\u201d Gunn sat back on the desk.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, we can\u2019t find her, but maybe we can find a vampire that\u2019s survived a run in with her recently.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn got on his feet. \u201cOr maybe she\u2019s hooked up with others that\u2019s mission is to kill vampires.\u201d He started to move to the door grabbing his jacket.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere are you going?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRondell,\u201d Gunn called back. \u201cIf there has been some dusting being done and he and his boys didn\u2019t do and we didn\u2019t do it, he just may know the somebody that did. The boys always like to keep an eye out for new players good and bad. Damn, should\u2019ve thought about it sooner. Girl, maybe I should sign up for those classes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you want us to call Angel?\u201d Cordy yelled to the retreating man.<\/p>\n
\u201cNaw, I haven\u2019t seen Rondell since\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSince, he held us hostage, destroyed Caritas and tried to kill Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, since then. He might help me, he ain\u2019t going to help Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCall us, if you find out anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred pushed at her glasses. \u201cSo, what do WE do?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia curled up in a chair. \u201cFred, how long was Angel back before I was?\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred sat next to the other woman. \u201cTwo days maybe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd in those two days did you see him eat anything? I saw that there was only old blood in the refrigerator.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred hand flew guiltily to her mouth. \u201cI know, I\u2019m so sorry, I didn\u2019t even think about it when he was gone. Then he came back and told us what happened. Of course, we had to force him to stay still to tell us, he wanted to go look for you. Then when he was here, he was in his room you know like when Connor first disappeared. You know not real approachable. I\u2019m so glad you\u2019re back. I can already tell he\u2019s better. We all are. Why, did he say something about the old blood, is he mad?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia wasn\u2019t even amazed anymore that she knew exactly what Fred was saying in all those words. Cordy smiled at her friend. “I missed you too. No, of course not, I was just wondering. It\u2019s just that I used to be able to clock when he ate, now\u2026.he\u2019s changing eating habits on me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you worried, should we be worried? I mean, weird-eating habits was how we figured out that Wolfram & Hart spiked his blood. It was pretty scary. You should\u2019ve seen it, he was getting really erratic, loud, and gulping down the blood by cupfuls- though if you had been here instead of on vacation, you\u2019d probably would\u2019ve figured out sooner that something was wrong and maybe, Wesley would\u2019ve talked to you, maybe\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred widened her eyes finally listening to her own words and noticing Cordelia\u2019s blank stare. \u201cI wasn\u2019t saying it was your fault, honest. I just\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia put up her hand to stop Fred\u2019s babbled apology, her expression understanding. \u201cI should\u2019ve been here, but I wasn\u2019t and maybe your maybes are right or… not. I just thought it was safe to leave everything seemed to be in sync, life was as good as it gets for us-the baddies at bay for the time being. Angel enjoying his new fatherhood- he was no longer uptight and frantic- well at least only semi uptight and frantic- almost back to his normal uptightness and franticy self.\u201d Cordy took a deep breath.<\/p>\n
\u201c I should\u2019ve known then.\u201d Cordelia looked up to Fred, her tone suddenly questioning almost defensive. \u201cBut, I mean, sure we have a mission and an important job, but everyone is entitled to some time off, right?\u201d Cordy searched Fred\u2019s face for some sort of answer, the compassion she found wasn\u2019t what she was looking for, but then again Cordelia wasn\u2019t sure what she was looking for.<\/p>\n
She took a deep breath. \u201c I just thought it was my time. I thought maybe I earned it. I thought everything was all right. I wanted to believe Angel when he told me to go. I wanted to have a real vacation with the man\u2026.\u201d Cordelia blew out a burst of air. \u201cThat I didn\u2019t love, leaving the man I did alone to face\u2026.Errgh,\u201d Cordelia threw her face into her hands. \u201cI HATE THIS,\u201d she yelled into her fingers.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy,\u201d Fred jerked towards the other woman in surprise at her out burst. \u201cIt\u2019s not your fault. It\u2019s not. If anybody deserves a break from this madness you do, you and Angel both. It\u2019s not your fault, you said so and it\u2019s not. You know that- what\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shook her head pushing her hair out of her face. \u201cI know? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d she gave a choked laugh. \u201cI don\u2019t know anything and I\u2019ve been wrong about so much lately. I could make a list since Groo came. I was so distracted but,\u201d Cordy sighed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t blame it on Groo, he was wonderful just not\u2026\u201d Cordelia paused looking at the strains of blonde hair in between her fingers. \u201cBlonde.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh.\u201d Fred really wanted to reassure Cordelia, because Fred did know that Cordy was what made them all family, but she had no idea what the other woman was talking about now. Groo not blonde, how was that the problem.<\/p>\n
\u201cBlonde. I\u2019m going to blame it on the blonde hair, the color soaked into my brain making me as clueless as a real one and see I was about to whine and go broody-I refuse to ache and feel guilty about what happened to Angel, it happened and it will be fixed. I can\u2019t fix it if I think about it, not now. And it will be all right, Fred it will.\u201d Cordelia shot up.<\/p>\n
Fred jumped back a little at Cordy’s manic declarations and Fred still wasn’t sure about the blonde bit.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou asked what we\u2019re going to do- WE are going to the hair salon and get me back to normal.\u201d Cordelia said decisively.<\/p>\n
\u201cUm, Cordy, now. I mean we\u2019re kind of in a crisis\u2026.aren\u2019t we?\u201d Fred was more than confused and a little worried about her pacing friend.<\/p>\n
Cordelia glared and grunted tugging at her hair for Fred to see all of the blonde. \u201cI want to be normal. Hair salon, let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUm, Angel said that you shouldn\u2019t leave the hotel since Wolfram & Hart think you\u2019re dead.\u201d Fred dodged Cordelia\u2019s grasping hands.<\/p>\n
Cordelia almost growled at the other woman. \u201cYou can be that way, you\u2019ve got your hair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have your\u2026.Okay, how about I go to the drug store, you stay here and I\u2019ll do it.\u201d Fred offered in attempt to stop Cordelia from getting rid of the offending blonde in fistfuls or leaving the hotel.<\/p>\n
Cordelia stopped yanking at her hair and narrowed her eyes into hazel slits. \u201cHave you ever colored hair before?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt comes with directions, right?\u201d Fred didn\u2019t understand but if it calmed Cordy she would do it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026don\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, you\u2019re dead.\u201d Fred pointed out again, hopefully this time it would work.<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmph. Okay, but make sure you get the right color.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred nodded. \u201cSure.\u201d She hid her puzzlement until she got out the door. She was little perturbed by Cordy\u2019s warning. How hard could it be, brown was brown.<\/p>\n
Part 29<\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia was pacing the lobby floor alternating looking at her watch and the clock on the wall. She ignored the basement door opening, to concentrate on the figure that was coming in the front door.<\/p>\n
\u201cPfft,\u201d she continued her pacing as Gunn entered into the lobby and Angel came in from downstairs.<\/p>\n
Angel shot a look to Gunn when Cordelia refused to respond to his greeting. Gunn shrugged. \u201cHey, Cordy?\u201d Gunn tried, but the young woman refused to acknowledge either man.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia.\u201d Angel reached out to stop her from crossing the lobby again.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? Hi.\u201d She leaned up and gave him a quick kiss and then resumed her pacing.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, what\u2019s wrong.\u201d Angel said.<\/p>\n
Cordy turned with hands on her hips. \u201cIt\u2019s Fred, she\u2019s been gone for over two hours, TWO HOURS. Geez.\u201d Throwing up her hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere is she? Where’d she go?\u201d Gunn reached back for his jacket determined to find his girlfriend.<\/p>\n
Cordelia waved her hands. \u201cShe\u2019s fine, just LATE.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy.\u201d Angel said starting to share Gunn\u2019s concern.<\/p>\n
\u201cReally, she\u2019s fine.\u201d Cordelia blew out some air. \u201cUntil I get a hold of her,\u201d she added mumbling under her breath. Cordelia looked up. \u201cSo, how did it go with you two?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, FRED.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI told you she\u2019s fine. Geez, I talked to her like five time already.\u201d Cordy shook her head. \u201cI knew I should\u2019ve gone with her, she\u2019ll screw it all up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere did you send her?\u201d Gunn was getting even more agitated.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, I\u2019m back,\u201d Fred ran huffing into the hotel, her arms filled with bags. Fred had raced like a madwoman to get back after her last phone conversation with Cordelia. She could tell that Cordy was getting irritated by all of her questions.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about time.\u201d Cordy ran up.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know but who knew that there were so many brands and colors. There must have been seven different shades of brown multiply that by number of brands. There were fifteen, which made 105, give or take. There were the reddish- browns that I\u2019m not sure I can legitimately count and then the black- browns. I don\u2019t know there was just a lot and they all had these patches of hair attached to them. It was hard.\u201d Fred puffed.<\/p>\n
\u201c Brown\u2026.hair\u2026attached\u2026, girl, what are you talking about.\u201d Gunn moved closer his relief at seeing Fred turning into confusion.<\/p>\n
Cordy waved away Gunn and pulled at the plastic bags. \u201cSo, you bought all of them? I told you \u2018Espresso\u2019. Simple, I told you that over a half hour ago after you called me for the fourth time.”<\/p>\n
\u201cI know but it didn\u2019t look right on the hair thingy, so I got some more, rather than call you again. And then I saw the \u2018French Roast\u2019 and it was so pretty. Then each box said that it works best with their shampoo\u2019s so\u2026\u201d Fred lifted up the bags proudly.<\/p>\n
Cordelia maintained her grip on the bags and yanked. \u201cCome on.\u201d She swirled in the directions of the stairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, STOP.\u201d Angel yelled. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing.\u201d She squinted at the vampire. \u201cSo, did either of you find Justine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah\u201d \u201cyes\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth of you, great.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn and Angel shot looks at each other. \u201c5th street.\u201d They both said out loud and then both nodded at the other\u2019s answer.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow\u2019d you find her?\u201d Gunn asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cMurray.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn remembered the little weasel Baccus demon. That purple warted low-life snitch hadn\u2019t told him a thing. \u201cHe said he didn\u2019t\u2026right, how\u2019d you get it out of him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHung him upside down and dunked him repeatedly into the sewer. Baccus\u2019 hate the stench, don\u2019t know why since they live in the sewer but they hate being dipped in it. Damn. I forgot to let him go. Oh well, he\u2019ll either drown or something will find him and release him. I was in a hurry.\u201d Angel shrugged.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe said you had been there before,\u201d Angel nodded to Gunn. \u201cHe should\u2019ve told you, he knows we work together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn nodded impressed. He\u2019d have to remember that piece of knowledge. He could dip some Baccus.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou?\u201d Angel said.<\/p>\n
\u201cRondell. Went to visit the boys. He, after a few let\u2019s get reacquainted formalities \u2026 told me that there was action on 5th street, dust they weren\u2019t responsible for. One of the boys said he saw a woman doing the dusting but she was gone before he could catch up with her. I\u2019m figuring its our girl.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood work.\u201d Angel nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cI should\u2019ve thought of it sooner.\u201d Gunn begrudgingly admitted.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, good work.\u201d Angel slapped the other man on the back.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me. The plan was to bring her here.\u201d Cordelia quickly doused cold water on the congratulatory man-moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was coming to get Angel,\u201d \u201cGunn\u201d Angel pointed adding his excuse quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen go to it boys. Come on Fred.\u201d Cordelia pulled at the young woman.<\/p>\n
Fred leaned up and kissed Gunn on cheek. \u201cVery good detecting.\u201d She whispered before running after Cordelia.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s forlorn gaze followed Cordy ascent until she was out of sight then switched to Gunn. Angel smiled he figured out the feeling he was having. He felt like whining that Cordy didn\u2019t kiss him and tell him that he did a good job. He was getting back to normal.<\/p>\n
Angel frowned, he did still have a question however. \u201cDid you understand any of that?\u201d He asked the other man.<\/p>\n
Gunn shrugged. \u201cOnly the go get her part. The coffee and hair part, completely over my head.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel nodded relieved. He thought maybe it was a human vs. vampire thing, but it was just a woman vs. man thing. \u201cWe better go get her then.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n