Chapter 46<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cHave the arrangements been made?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Master, all is in place.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cVery good, I don\u2019t want any interruptions. My instructions were understood? There must be no deviations.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI made them clear. Master, if Angelus is encountered, he will not be killed but brought to you.\u201d Mortimor did not see the need to inform Dracula of the extraordinary lengths he had to go to find vampires willing to attempt to capture Angelus.<\/p>\n
Finally, he had found some vampire\u2019s new to LA that hadn\u2019t yet had the opportunity to experience the vampire with a soul and too young and stupid to appreciate the reputation of Angelus. They were barely cognizant of Dracula\u2019s stature. In the spirit of his Master\u2019s wishes, Mortimor explained the particular difficulties they would encounter in their attempt to capture Angelus.<\/p>\n
But, the young vampires had merely scoffed at Mortimor\u2019s warnings being arrogantly confident in their numbers and abilities. Mortimor had not felt the need to press the issue any further. They wouldn\u2019t listen and he had already done enough in accomplishment of his Master\u2019s request.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow do I look?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe height of elegance, Master.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. Mortimor, this will be a very pleasant evening. It won\u2019t be long now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mortimor watched as Dracula settled in the large chair tapping his fingers impatiently against the arm waiting for the young woman to appear. Dracula had no doubt that the spell would be successful. The young woman was effected and traveling quickly towards the vampire.<\/p>\n
Mortimor busied himself doing nothing, trying to not think about the young woman who was coming or his own inadequacies to help her. His only slight hope was that Angelus was all that his reputation claimed him to be and that the vampire and the young woman weren\u2019t truly in love.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Wesley glanced around the area. There was nothing in the vicinity of the abandoned warehouse, which indicated Dracula\u2019s presence.<\/p>\n
Wesley beat down the flash of insecurity that he had miscalculated the possibilities of Dracula\u2019s whereabouts. He complied a list of six alternatives. Three of those both Angel and Spike disregarded immediately saying that Dracula would never reside in the sewers no matter how secure and hidden the chambers were.<\/p>\n
Spike had argued for a four star hotel that let you bring your own coffin. Only stopping with his theory, when Fred informed Spike that the only hotel that would allow such a thing was a motel not a hotel and the proprietor had asked her if she wanted a dead body to go with it or was she going to bring her own and did she want the room for an half hour or an hour. Wesley had to admit he had been impressed at Spike\u2019s refraining from making any comment other than Dracula\u2019s liked his bodies alive.<\/p>\n
Wesley looked again at the warehouse and reached for his cell phone, hoping that Gunn had better luck. The warehouse had been a long shot. Both Angel and Spike had doubted that Dracula would stay in a run down abandoned building with no luxuries. But, Angel hadn\u2019t been confident enough to strike it from the list.<\/p>\n
\u201cGunn.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn, that leaves the last one. I\u2019ll call Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMan, what if that ones a bust?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel and Spike are following Cordelia, if they\u2019re still heading east, then it\u2019s a viable location. The map did indicate that it had sewer access through the old crematory.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, man?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGo, I\u2019ll meet you there.\u201d Wesley hung up the phone. He had to agree with Gunn\u2019s doubts. The funeral home was an operating business. But, Angel and Spike hadn\u2019t felt that would deter Dracula.<\/p>\n
Spike pointed out that it had plenty of coffins, as well as being posh.<\/p>\n
Chapter 47<\/b><\/p>\n
Angel slowed, Spike immediately following suit. Both vampires moved further apart, there bodies slightly turned from each other.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, which of you is \u2018Angelus\u2019? Come on. Speak up. Dracula just wants to chat with you, don\u2019t make it hard on yourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re kidding, right?\u201d Spike stepped foreword, glancing around at the dozen vampires surrounding them. \u201cI\u2019m offended. This is it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat you then? We can kill the other one.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, I know you aren\u2019t kidding, you\u2019re just blooming imbeciles. Hey, Granddad they think I\u2019m you. Bugger that, I\u2019m better looking.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel turned. Cordelia was still moving. \u201cI don\u2019t have time for this,\u201d growling and flipping his wrist holsters, two stakes appeared in his hands. Angel let the stakes fly, dusting two vampires as he charged a third.<\/p>\n
\u201cGot to get me some of those.\u201d Spike commented he plunged with the stake that appeared in his hand.<\/p>\n
Angel tossed the broken body of one vampire, reaching for the other that had jumped on his back. Twisting, Angel pulled the vampire off him slamming into the ground, shattering his skull with the heel of his boot. Angel fought quickly with deadly efficiently, attacking vampires crumbled to dust as he pummeled and kicked.<\/p>\n
Spike was having a ball, twice in two days he had been able to really let loose. He growled as he snapped a vampire\u2019s neck and staking another.<\/p>\n
Angel looked up to see Spike fighting the last two vampires. \u201cYou got it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn straight, go.\u201d Spike called happily. \u201cI\u2019ll only be a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n
It hadn\u2019t taken much more than Spike\u2019s boast for him to catch up with Angel. Of course it helped that Angel was back to slamming his fist in the wall. Spike stopped and flashed in game face. Damn, he couldn\u2019t sense the chit. Spike growled.<\/p>\n
Looking again at his grandsire, obviously, Angel couldn\u2019t either. Spike was tempted to join Angel in beating up the wall. The fight hadn\u2019t taken that long, how did she get out of their range so quickly. Spike glanced at the split in the tunnel. \u201cI\u2019ll go left.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel growled, his gold eyes flashing at the other vampire. Spike knew he no longer had to worry about Angel sporting a goofy grin. \u201cPeaches, save the rage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel growled and slowly nodded. Then yanking out the cell phone as it suddenly rang. Angel didn\u2019t say a word just started running into the right, the now dead phone stuffed back into his pocket. Spike took off after him. Spike had heard enough.<\/p>\n
It figures, Dracula was a walking clich\u00e9. Spike could only assume that Angel knew the underground route to the Funeral Home.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cI hate waiting. Why are we waiting?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause we need Angel and Spike.\u201d Wesley said.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan\u2019t we at least take out those vamps?\u201d Gunn pointed to the group of men clustered around the back exit of the funeral home.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t take a chance that Dracula will be alerted and we don\u2019t know where Cordelia is. We wait and get the weapons ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn grumbled but knew Wesley was right. They had counted at least ten vampires scattered around the grounds and they didn\u2019t know if any besides Dracula were inside.<\/p>\n
Chapter 48<\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia stopped and looked behind her. It wasn\u2019t fair. She was part demon now. Why couldn\u2019t she have any demony super senses?<\/p>\n
She\u2019d always thought she would prefer night vision and super sonic hearing, but she would\u2019ve happily settled for being able to smell Angel\u2019s presence in the darkness of the tunnels right now. Cordelia knew he was there. He had to be.<\/p>\n
Unless, what if he was attacked by some other demon and hurt, what if\u2026.Cordelia slammed down those worrisome thoughts. She was scaring herself. Cordelia hmmphed, with every step closer to the source of the spell, she was discovering the inherent problem with her ability to block out its more disgusting aspects.<\/p>\n
It seems that fear of her situation was rapidly taking root where her lustful feelings for Dracula had once been. She needed Angel. Cordelia shook her head. Angel was behind her with Spike. The vampires wouldn\u2019t lose her. Cordelia sighed, extremely grateful in that moment that Angel had those baser instincts that he was so ashamed of but couldn\u2019t completely hide.<\/p>\n
She had a feeling that before this was all over she was going need them in all their violent glory. Cordelia forced herself to move ahead. Angel wouldn\u2019t let Dracula touch her. Damn, she wouldn\u2019t let him touch her. Cordelia wasn\u2019t weak. Cordelia scrunched her brow and looked over her shoulder. Still, she was really glad Angel was there.<\/p>\n
Good lord, how much further, Cordelia grimaced. How far had she gone? Wesley said the beckoning spells were usually done from close distances. She wanted this over with. Cordelia stopped as a wave of longing washed through her followed by a feeling of anticipation of fulfillment.<\/p>\n
The disgust and anger that flared up in response couldn\u2019t completely dilute them. Cordelia must be getting close to Dracula. Cordelia hurried, determined that no matter how strong the spell\u2019s influence became she wouldn\u2019t lose sight of what was real and what was not.<\/p>\n
Cordelia skidded to a stop, considering her options. Shit, it didn\u2019t look like she had any as four vampires surrounded her.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Spike sped up to keep pace with Angel. They were on the right track. The chit\u2019s scent was in the air getting stronger.<\/p>\n
Angel growled increasing his speed. Now that he knew where Dracula was Angel had to get to Cordelia before she reached the funeral homes access door. His one and only plan was to prevent her from entering the premise. Spike would get her out of the sewers and Angel would go in and kill Dracula.<\/p>\n
It was a very simple plan, one that every dead cell and instinct in his body raged to be completed.<\/p>\n
Spike knew what Angel expected of him and he would do it. But, Spike felt that \u2018the\u2019 plan needed some slight tweaking. He would safely place the cheerleader in Wesley and Gunn\u2019s hands and then he would go back and make sure this time around his grandsire won in the battle against Dracula.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t any loyalty to Angel that spurned on his silent addition, Spike reasoned. Spike just really didn\u2019t like Dracula. Spike growled at the same moment as Angel. \u2018The\u2019 plan just hit a major snag. \u201cI count three\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel stilled. \u201cFour. One has Cordy. He\u2019s taking her inside.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike shrugged. The plan just got simpler. It was just going to be a bloodbath.<\/p>\n
Angel grabbed at Spike. \u201cWhen we go in, get her out, no matter what and keep her out.\u201d Angel\u2019s growl was low and violent, promising pain and death if the blonde vampire failed.<\/p>\n
Angel called Wesley, issuing the same order in the same tone. Then, in utter silence Angel was gone. Spike only hesitated for a moment. Well, Spike\u2019s earlier question of whether Angel\u2019s rage would help or hinder him in the upcoming confrontation was answered as the dark vampire blended into the darkness.<\/p>\n
The vampire that just left was more dangerous than Angelus ever could be. Spike almost felt sorry for Dracula.<\/p>\n
No, not really. Spike ran, jumping over the piles of dust that covered the entrance of the access door.<\/p>\n
Chapter 49<\/b><\/p>\n
Wesley looked at Gunn. \u201cSomething\u2019s wrong. Angel should\u2019ve reached the entrance by now- Where\u2019s Spike with Cordelia?\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn shrugged. \u201cI say we start doing some damage.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI would have to agree.\u201d Wesley directed Gunn to the back, while he circled to the vampire\u2019s gathered in the front.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia looked around her. She couldn\u2019t see anything remotely resembling a stake. The room was fairly barren what little furniture it had was metal and covered in dust. She glanced at the doors on the wall lined up like cabinets.<\/p>\n
The funeral home. Great, Spike had been right. Cordelia knew that if they lived through this, they would\u2019ve to hear \u2018I told you so\u2019 forever.<\/p>\n
Cordelia had offered no resistance to the vampire that was pulling her through the room. There was no point of it unless she could kill him. Cordelia bit down her grunt. Talk about a typical damsel in distress.<\/p>\n
Good thing, she had put some clothes on otherwise she would have been the stereotypical \u2018B\u2019 horror movie bimbo- walking stupidly in danger, topless. The spell effects were diminishing, Cordelia had thought they would even be stronger. She guessed Dracula had stopped the enchantment. Of course, he had. He got what he wanted.<\/p>\n
Cordelia was there. Well, at least she didn\u2019t have to worry about pretending to be enthralled with the damn vampire. Still, Cordelia probably shouldn\u2019t knee the old vampire until she was sure Angel was nearby. He better hurry up.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy lovely child, welcome. I\u2019ve been waiting for this moment to feast again on your beauty.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia jumped, jerking around. She hadn\u2019t seen the Count lounging back in the overstuffed chair, looking like he owned the world. Egoistical dead asshole. Cordelia had a sudden desire to see the self-satisfied smirk ripped off his beautiful face and grounded into the floor.<\/p>\n
Damn he was quick. Cordelia lurched back trying to avoid the long fingers reaching for her face.<\/p>\n
An elegant hand shot out, the fingers digging into the soft flesh of Cordelia\u2019s arm, squeezing, forcing her to the vampire. \u201cYou resist still, yet I know you feel the longing, here.\u201d Cool fingers left Cordelia\u2019s neck and dropped possessively on her lower belly, his voice soft and beguiling. His black eyes boring into Cordelia\u2019s hazel ones, bringing shivers to Cordelia\u2019s spine as wings of something fluttered under the flesh still covered by Dracula\u2019s touch.<\/p>\n
\u201cResistance is fleeting, useless, unwanted. I can make you feel things that you never felt before, such desire, such ecstasy. Come to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia ripped herself away from Dracula’s touch and gaze, kneeing him, watching in glee as his hands fell in bloody pulps to the floor and his body writhed in pain. Or at least that\u2019s what her mind wanted to see happen.<\/p>\n
As it was, Cordelia only flinched, her body wouldn\u2019t move any further, held in place by the weave of the soft flow of Dracula\u2019s voice and the intensity of his eyes. Cordelia had enough. The Count was trying the vamp mojo crap. Screw that.<\/p>\n
Cordelia jerked and smacked away the Count\u2019s hand. \u201cYeah, yeah, resistance is futile, but guess what? Picard kicked the walking assimilating ticker toys\u2019 butts,\u201d rolling her eyes and moving away only to be forcibly pulled back to the vampire, his grip even tighter. The hand that had been gently caressing her belly held Cordelia\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll be mine.\u201d Dracula growled.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m already taken.\u201d Cordelia choked out.<\/p>\n
Cordelia stumbled as Dracula pushed her away. He turned gracefully placing himself back in the chair. \u201cYou think Angelus\u2019 mark protects you. It means nothing. It is nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know, I hear that they give him the right to be royally pissed when some idiot tries to play with his most prized toy. And I AM his most prized.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dracula was on his feet in an instant, his fingers back on her throat, but this time stroking the small wounds on Cordelia\u2019s neck. \u201cTell me, child, are his marks, his \u2018real\u2019 marks as weak and puny? Has that soul completely driven any true vampire instincts out of him? You will feel my mark and you will know the difference and you will be mine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia gave her best Queen C look, the one that had people scrambling for cover when they dare contradict or doubt her, the one that said \u2018you are beneath me and opinion is of no value\u2019. \u201cNever.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are intriguing, willful, very beautiful and a fool. Have I been wrong?\u201d Hands shot out tearing at the clothes. Cordelia tried to push them away but they were useless against Dracula\u2019s intent. The vampire held Cordelia\u2019s body out from him, his hand around her neck choking her motionless.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have no other mark. Where is Angelus\u2019 true mark?\u201d Dracula yanked Cordelia to him. \u201cWhat hold does he have over you? What?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia struggled against the vampire\u2019s strength.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaster,\u201d Mortimor slid up, he had to stop this. \u201cPerhaps, some wine will make the young miss more compliant than choking her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMORTIMOR.\u201d Dracula roared, throwing Cordelia to the ground to turn on his servant.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaster, forgive me,\u201d Mortimor bowed. \u201cIt\u2019s just that obviously, Angelus does have control over the young woman, perhaps the mark is temporary but on going. Perhaps, he is also in possession of a spell or mind influence.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat barbarian?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would explain the young lady’s loyalty.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dracula stared at his servant. \u201cBut, Mortimor there is another explanation isn\u2019t there. One that you once had, one that caused your own initial resistance.\u201d Dracula turned quickly yanking Cordelia up by the hair.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou refuse my seduction, you deny my power, you cling to Angelus. Why? Could it be love? Do you love Angelus?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia staggered to her feet. She opened her mouth to answer, when she noticed Dracula\u2019s servant behind the vampire, slowly shaking his head. She scrunched her forehead up not understanding.<\/p>\n
Her eyes widened, a smile involuntarily breaching her face. \u201cTough one, scared of him, but right now I love him and definitely the whole soul package deal, always, \u2018grr\u2019 stuff and all,\u201d She glared over Dracula\u2019s shoulder. \u201cWhat took you so long?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mortimor\u2019s stomach dropped as he heard the word \u2018love\u2019, though he didn\u2019t understand the last part. He looked around. Was that last part directed towards him? His eyes widened.<\/p>\n
\u201dWhat?\u201d Dracula said, not understanding any of the young woman\u2019s words.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe that was directed to me,\u201d Angel explained. He strode into the artificial light of the big room, his movements graceful and lazy. \u201cSpike.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey,\u201d Cordelia yelled as she was grabbed, picked up and moved out of the room.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel stopped suddenly. Spike jerked to a halt behind him. Spike mimicked Angel\u2019s actions, his game pointed in the air.<\/p>\n
Angel blinked his now brown eyes at the other vampire.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got left, it\u2019s the more creative side\u2026and the chit\u2026now,\u201d Spike acknowledged the silent order and moving.<\/p>\n
Angel stayed still for a moment, rage fighting with thought, and instinct fighting with love. Think. Spike would do what he was supposed to. But he couldn\u2019t get all the perimeter vampires without raising the alarm; so rushing in was not the best course of action. Angel blinked again a slow smile settled over his face. He didn\u2019t have to fight anything.<\/p>\n
Instincts, rage, thought, love, all had the same goal, Cordelia away from Dracula and Dracula dead. Angel slid into the room utilizing every predatory skill in his possession, those instinctual to his demon and those he learned through daily practice as Angelus and those he trained with as a demon with a soul. Angel silently slipped to the right, his senses always focused on the beautiful heartbeat as he ripped the heads off the hidden vampires that were guarding. None ever realizing that death, real death had hit them.<\/p>\n
Spike shrugged all was successful on his part. Angel nodded and moved. The trepidation allowed by his soul faded as Angel let the rage and instinct overcome him. He wasn\u2019t Angelus, but he tapped into the demon\u2019s fear of nothing and willingness to commit, his desire to commit all atrocities.<\/p>\n
The last remaining tendril of fear left as Angel saw Spike take Cordelia out of the room. Angel was nothing then, but a vampire, instinct ruling supreme.<\/p>\n
Mortimor settled into the wall and waited. He watched as Angelus. No. Mortimor decided that the name the LA vampires quoted him with was more fitting. This wasn\u2019t Angelus; it was Angel. Possibly the ‘Angel of Death’for Dracula. Mortimor felt this even more pronouncedly than when the Count met the slayer.<\/p>\n
There was something about the way the dark vampire smiled at the older Count. This vampire had no fear and only one objective\u2026to kill.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngelus, you think you can challenge me? I think not.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe name is Angel and I\u2019m not challenging you, I\u2019m just going to kill you, please.\u201d Angel laughed walking towards the other vampire. \u201cYou know, I would\u2019ve let you go on your merry way, I mean, you did escape and all, but then you just had to mess with what is mine and well, I just can\u2019t abide by that.\u201d Angel shrugged moving slowly around Dracula.<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw her you have no claim on her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel laughed. \u201cOf course I do, but no need to mar her warm beautiful flesh, I know it, I knew it as soon as she gave herself to me willingly, when she claimed me, no magic needed, no ancient symbol that nobody cares about except some outdated backwoods, really limited vampires. Get with the times, Count. Cordy would\u2019ve killed me if I ruined her neckline.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou aren\u2019t a vampire.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSecond mistake.\u201d Angel growled and flew.<\/p>\n
Chapter 50<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cHello, yoo hoo, back up boys.\u201d Spike yelled.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere.\u201d Wesley called.<\/p>\n
\u201cTake her and keep her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just Angel and Dracula, now. Make her stay put, I\u2019m going back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going.\u201d Cordelia shrugged at Wesley\u2019s hands trying to help her up.<\/p>\n
Spike dropped to his knees, grabbing at her shoulders. \u201cYou stay. He doesn\u2019t need the distraction. And put some clothes on. We all know you\u2019re hot as hell, no need to broadcast it all the time.\u201d Spike tugged at his coat.<\/p>\n
\u201cLeather.\u201d Preventing the vampire from taking off the coat. \u201c Hey, that\u2019s Angel\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are a strange love.\u201d Spike couldn\u2019t help it. He dropped a kiss on the scrunched up, glaring face, before running back into the Funeral Home.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going.\u201d Cordelia tugged at the oversized jean coat she was wearing and the blanket that was wrapped around her body. \u201cI\u2019m not leaving him.\u201d She yanked the blanket up so her feet could run freely.<\/p>\n
Gunn yanked the young woman back. How in the hell did he get this duty? No aspersions on Wes. Wes was the man, but Gunn knew he was the better fighter. Yet, Wesley, research guru got to go back in the mix of things while Gunn was stuck watching the princess.<\/p>\n
As Cordelia turned and kicked him and glared, Gun began to understand. Wesley couldn\u2019t handle her and the ex-watcher knew it. Gunn pushed her back down. \u201cCordy, you would be in the way.\u201d Oh shit. Gunn knew then that he gave himself too much credit.<\/p>\n
\u201cGunn,\u201d Cordelia said clenched jaw sweetly. \u201cI\u2019m going back in, if you try to manhandle me again, you will regret it, forever.\u201d She glared.<\/p>\n
Gunn gulped. Sometimes, lately, it was really easy to forget how much of a vicious bitch Cordelia could be. It was so rare. But, shit, it was real. Gunn felt disgusted about the whine in his voice, but he couldn\u2019t help it. Now, he really wished he had gone back in with the blonde vampire.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, you heard Spike, you will just distract Angel, Wesley agreed. Stay, please.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGunn, you want to leave Wesley and Angel unprotected. What if they need you? You would let them be alone. Can we really trust Spike? He\u2019s a vampire. Remember Harmony, she said she was going to help us, but did she\u2026.NO. They\u2019re our friends, we have to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn connected with everything she was saying, just as the other part of his brain was trying to remember that taking Cordy\u2019s advice right now wasn\u2019t the best thing to do. But he did what to go in the fight. He didn\u2019t even get his head down in a partial nod, when Cordelia was on her feet dragging him to the funeral home.<\/p>\n
As they entered the door, Gunn remembered. Fuck. She did it. She played him. “Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShh. Not now. Give me a crossbow.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn was about to scream like a little girl in frustration, but it would do no good. Cordelia was already in the next room. Angel and Wesley were going to kill him. And he couldn\u2019t\u2019 blame them. Damn woman.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel grinned, circling the other vampire. Angel never felt more comfortable knowing what he was.<\/p>\n
He was what he was, a demon. A demon with the ability to make his dreams come true, the only thing standing in his way was a \u2018dead thing\u2019 that he would make sure stayed dead in the strictest terms of the definition. No mercy, no worry, he was what he was. Angel checked again quickly.<\/p>\n
Cordelia was gone. He was free and she would be safe and his forever. Angel laughed at Dracula\u2019s growl, meeting the other vampire in the air.<\/p>\n
Angel relished the forceful contact. This is what he had been waiting for. He smirked as he clawed through the fancy suit of Dracula. He laughed as Dracula pushed him back smashing against the far wall. Angel wasn\u2019t conscious of pain, possible death, he was free to be death.<\/p>\n
He swirled and pushed from the wall taking the other vampire rolling with him. Bites and claws slashed through the stillness that had descended though the room.<\/p>\n
Wesley stood. He dropped the crossbow he had been trying to aim. They were too quick. He saw nothing but blurs and cement falling. He heard nothing but primal growls and bones cracking. He stepped back as borrowed blood splattered to the floor, his eyes anxiously shot back up somewhere above.<\/p>\n
\u201cChrist.\u201d Gunn skidded to a stop.<\/p>\n
Wesley swung around. \u201cCordelia?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo something.\u201d The young woman banged on Spike\u2019s chest, crying.<\/p>\n
Spike turned, not to Cordelia but to Gunn. \u201cGet her out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn held up his hands. \u201cIf it so damn easy you do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike growled and looked once more at his grandsire battling Dracula. He shook his head. It hadn\u2019t even started yet. Spike swirled, grabbing Cordelia and throwing her over his shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2026\u2026\u2026hey\u2026..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up.\u201d Spike growled as he carried her out.<\/p>\n
Wesley nodded in relief as Cordelia was picked up and carried away from the carnage above.<\/p>\n
“Dawg, don’t look at me like that…she tricked me.”<\/p>\n
Wesley just rolled his eyes and then turned back to the fight before him.<\/p>\n
“Man, I didn’t see you even try.” Gunn grumbled.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are so dead.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. Chit. This time Angel will be on my side. You can\u2019t go in there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike, the danger is gone. You, Wesley and Gunn, you\u2019ll all protect me. I\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike narrowed his eyes. \u201cDon\u2019t even. You got Peaches wrapped around your finger with the rest of the y-chromosomes in there, but not me. I\u2019m immune. You are staying put.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike, why can\u2019t I go in there?\u201d Cordelia said in a small voice, shaky and unsure.<\/p>\n
Spike knelt down. \u201cLove, you will be a distraction. Peaches needs to know you are safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d Cordelia bit her lip. \u201cBut, I really want to go in.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you can\u2019t, you will stay here even if I have to sit on you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, what if Angel needs you. What if Dracula\u2019s starts to win? What if Dracula kills him? Spike, you have to go. Wesley and Gunn will do everything they can but you\u2019re a vampire, an equal, you have to go in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike looked back at the funeral home and heard the scared young woman\u2019s words. That had been his plan. \u201cYou stay here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll go. You want to go. You\u2019ll help Angel.\u201d Cordelia begged.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d Spike growled.<\/p>\n
Cordelia got up and smiled. \u201cThen let\u2019s go. Because you\u2019re not going without me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou little bitch. You aren\u2019t going.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shrugged. \u201cYou can stay and baby sit me and wonder when Angel dies whether you could\u2019ve helped him or you can take me with you and make sure Angel doesn\u2019t die. It\u2019s up to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have that little faith in your \u2018love\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia smiled. \u201cSpike, time\u2019s a wasting. Which is it? I do know that if you don\u2019t go in there a make sure that Angel lives, I\u2019ll kill you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou would wouldn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a dead heart beat.\u201d Cordelia\u2019s smile was still firmly in place.<\/p>\n
\u201cLove, he doesn\u2019t want you in there. He\u2019s going deep vamp. Not something he wants you to see. Okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike, I\u2019ve never been stupid or blind, bitchy maybe, I know what Angel is, I know what he\u2019s capable of, but as strong and wonderful as he is, he\u2019s not invincible, I will not stay out here a wait to see if he comes out alive. I promised never to leave him and I meant it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike. You will have to fight me to keep me out of there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn you. He\u2019s going to kill me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll protect you, now come on.\u201d<\/p>\n