Part 4<\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia strode into the hotel, the bag of gnarly and smelly roots in her hand, her nose pinched at the odor.<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley,\u201d she whined. God not only was it was expensive it stunk to high heavens. Cordelia just knew that its particular aroma was permanently entrenched in every fiber of her clothes and her headache was back.<\/p>\n
\u201cWonderful, good.\u201d Wesley grabbed the bag immediately.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow long will it take?\u201d Cordelia yelled after the retreating man. Visions of dry cleaning and bills being paid tumbled through her mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow that we have the Xentel, moments.\u201d Wesley slammed his office door shut.<\/p>\n
Cordelia narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. \u201cHave you ever wondered why he is always so happy to lock himself up alone in that little room?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d Fred peeked around the corner.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d Gunn tried to tone down his agreement for the shy Pylean refugee\u2019s benefit.<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmph.\u201d Cordelia went to the magazine on her desk, slipping another pill into her mouth.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cEureka.\u201d A loud voice pierced the walls.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrain guy\u2019s done it again,\u201d Gunn got up and headed for the weapons cabinet.<\/p>\n
\u201cChoose another less cheesy word, wouldch\u2019ya,\u201d Cordelia said over her shoulder to Wesley as she took the small sword that Gunn handed her.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, where do you think you are going.\u201d Wesley\u2019s self-satisfied expression dimmed as he walked out into the lobby.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo \u2018Eureka\u2019 baby Gordons, duh.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure that is wise.\u201d Wesley hesitated. Angel, before he had left, had taken Wesley aside and emphasized that no matter what Cordelia was to be safe at all times- and since Angel wouldn\u2019t be there that meant she was not allowed in any shape or form to be involved in any of the more dangerous aspects of their upcoming cases- Cordelia was to remain safe.<\/p>\n
Actually, as Wesley thought back, Angel\u2019s statement could\u2019ve have been easily construed as a threat. But since Wesley and Angel were friends, Wesley liked to think of it as a very strong urging.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t care. Whatcha going do to about it?\u201d Cordelia smiled, swing her small sword.<\/p>\n
Wesley concentrated for a moment on Angel\u2019s instructions; Angel had been pretty uncompromising in his tone and expression. It would probably be better not to take Cordelia out on their more \u2018active\u2019 cases. He and Gunn should be able to handle a bit of Gordon larva without a third person.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, the office shouldn\u2019t be left unattended. Someone should stay an answer the phones.\u201d Wesley tried.<\/p>\n
\u201cYoo-hoo, new member of AI, right down stairs, physics major even, bet she knows how to answer the phones,\u201d Cordelia shot a look towards Fred.<\/p>\n
Fred smiled back until she figured out what Cordelia was saying. \u201cI \u2026.I\u2026. I\u2026. don\u2019t\u2026. I \u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cPick up\u2026or don\u2019t, we\u2019ve an answering machine.\u201d Cordelia bit her lip. She was going on this job. God forbid, she just sat and did nothing.<\/p>\n
It was bad enough, that Angel\u2019s absence seemed to herald the no vision time. Cordelia inwardly grumbled. Why couldn’t the constant headache go away for as long as she remained vision-free?<\/p>\n
Whatever. Cordelia wasn’t going to be totally useless. \u201cFred, maybe Angel will call.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you think he will?\u201d Fred gazed at the telephone reverently.<\/p>\n
\u201cGot to stay downstairs and answer the phone to find out.\u201d Cordelia smiled sweetly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll do it.\u201d Fred stood up with a burst of confidence.<\/p>\n
Gee, that was a surprise. Cordelia directed the roll of her eyes to the opposite wall.<\/p>\n
Wesley inwardly tensed. He knew he had many flaws but stupidity wasn\u2019t one of them. If he even suggested that Cordelia wasn\u2019t able to handle the job or god forbid Angel had ordered her to remain out of the fighting, Cordelia would go out and fight every vampire, demon and thug within the LA borders.<\/p>\n
She would get herself killed trying to prove them wrong. Wesley sighed. He was letting his fear at Cordelia\u2019s recent disappearance into Pylea as well as Angel\u2019s slow reassertion of his authority within Angel Investigations affect his judgment.<\/p>\n
Angel may have rejoined them, but Wesley was the boss now and Wesley saw, even if Angel didn\u2019t, that Cordelia was an able addition in the field. Well as long as she stayed far a field. Anyway, Angel wasn\u2019t there.<\/p>\n
He was away mourning Buffy. Well, life and business went on and Cordy was a part of all that, an important qualified part. If she wanted to go, she had earned the right to go.<\/p>\n
\u201cVery well.\u201d Wesley nodded. \u201cBut,\u201d he added, \u201cif fighting occurs you will do as we say.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFine, as long as it isn\u2019t telling me to run and hide,\u201d she glared.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn\u2019t girl, run.\u201d Gunn shouted as he swung his axe at the emerging Gordon.<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t finished the enchantment.\u201d Cordelia yelled in between frantic recitations of butchered Latin. Damn, this was Wesley\u2019s area of expertise. Cordelia threw more of the potion at the large spiny razor-edged beast busting through the slimy wrapped cocoon. Did Gordon\u2019s have to come out fully-grown and deadly?<\/p>\n
\u201cToo late. Baby’s grown and swinging.\u201d Gunn rolled as the demon pushed at his weapon.<\/p>\n
\u201cHide.\u201d Wesley yelled to Cordelia as he jumped onto the creatures back, his knife plunging into shoulders.<\/p>\n
\u201cNO.\u201d Cordelia threw down the pouch and ran towards the demon swinging her sword.<\/p>\n
The Gordon jerked to the side, one of his three heads biting at Wesley, driving the man loose from its back while its barbed tail kept Gunn at bay.<\/p>\n
Cordelia nimbly darted in between the beast\u2019s gouging claws, her sword striking at its neck. She screamed as the beast\u2019s tail swung again, this time curling and driving a spike straight through her. The beast wailed as Cordelia\u2019s physical reaction to its onslaught drove her sword deeper and wider. The demon fell to the floor as her sword thrust clean through. The beast shuddered in death, its huge body covering the young woman\u2019s.<\/p>\n
\u201cChrist.\u201d Gunn dragged his legs away from the fallen creature. \u201cCordy.\u201d He yelled scrambling back to the grotesque body. Wesley joined the black man as he shoved and tugged the huge lifeless body away.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh god,\u201d Wesley said weakly. Cordelia lay motionless; the demon\u2019s tail spike had ripped through her chest, leaving nothing but gaping flesh and a puddle of blood.<\/p>\n
\u201cHospital,\u201d he gasped as he yanked her smaller form into his arms.<\/p>\n
Gunn nodded, leading the way grumbling nonsense and curses to the Cleavers as he passed them in the living room, running to the truck.<\/p>\n
Part 5<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cOh dear; oh dear.\u201d Fred mumbled dropping the phone on the counter.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred\u2019s eyes darted quickly to the strange men in the lobby. \u201cOh dear.\u201d They were still there. She told them that Wesley or Cordelia weren\u2019t there. She told them that she would take a message. She even showed them the pad and pen she would use, but the men hadn\u2019t left.<\/p>\n
They made her nervous. The whole being alone in the big hotel made her nervous. But now this. No, she wouldn\u2019t fall apart. Fred straightened her shoulders. \u201cYou have to leave. There\u2019s been an emergency. Try back in a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is impor\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred stood even straighter, her fingers nudging at her glasses. \u201cNo. This is an emergency, whatever your problem is it can wait.\u201d Fred\u2019s resolve to remain strong was faltering as she looked wildly around.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t drive. I\u2026call a cab. Just call a cab. You can do that,\u201d she said harshly to herself. She yanked at the phone book. Damn the words were all a blur. Where were her glasses? Her hand shot back up to the plastic frames.<\/p>\n
Oh god, tears. She was crying. \u201cCan you call me a cab? I need a cab, NOW.\u201d She swung around to the strangers the phone book dropping to the floor as she wrung her hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. What is it?\u201d Duncan said quietly, trying to soothe the increasingly agitated young woman.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, she\u2019s\u2026.Wesley and Gunn have taken her to the hospital, she\u2019s dying. She can\u2019t die not without Angel here. He\u2019s not going to like this.\u201d Fred rubbed hard making her sniffling nose even redder. \u201cI don\u2019t like this. I need a cab.\u201d<\/p>\n
Duncan shot a look to Methos, his silent intense gaze questioning and demanding.<\/p>\n
Methos took a deep breath. \u201cWe\u2019ll take you. What hospital?\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Fred instinctively huddled into the sides of the men that escorted her into the emergency room.<\/p>\n
The place was crowded and loud. The painful voices of the people settled into the seats or lying on the waiting gurneys scared her. There was too much commotion. Fred bit her lip. Fred straightened trying to gather any confidence that she had ever been blessed with prior to her five years in the hell dimension.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere.\u201d She pointed and started to run.<\/p>\n
Fred skidded to a stop bumping into Methos as he came up behind her.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia,\u201d she squeaked to the crying bespectacled man and the angry black man huddled over the still form of the woman she called for.<\/p>\n
\u201cDead.\u201d Gunn said as he clinched his teeth to keep the roar from coming forth.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d Fred whispered moving closer. \u201cShe can\u2019t be. Angel won\u2019t\u2026She can\u2019t be dead.\u201d Fred said louder, staring disbelieving at the bloody motionless form before her.<\/p>\n
Wesley straightened. \u201cFred. You shouldn\u2019t have\u2026.\u201d He looked back at Cordelia lying on the gurney. \u201cOh god.\u201d His hand crept closer grasping the cold digits of the young woman. \u201cWhat did I do? Cordy,\u201d he clutched with his other hand hoping that his combined grip would bring Cordelia\u2019s cold one warmth.<\/p>\n
Methos looked away from the sad scene, studying the confusion of the emergency room. \u201cWhen did she die?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? Who are you?\u201d Wesley\u2019s head shot up.<\/p>\n
Gunn moved closer his anger at Cordelia\u2019s death directed now at the strange man.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen? Just now? Or before? Fred got your phone call 20 minutes ago, when?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter, we have to go now,\u201d Duncan leaned up pulling down Cordelia\u2019s shirt and facing the other immortal.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t touch her again or you\u2019re dead.\u201d Gunn moved aggressively towards Duncan.<\/p>\n
Methos turned to Duncan grabbing at the black man\u2019s shoulder bringing Gunn to a stop but otherwise ignoring him. \u201cAlready?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSoon, we\u2019ve got to get her out of here.\u201d Duncan shot a glance at Wesley. \u201cDid you check her in?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Wesley was too dazed. Cordelia was dead. Who were the strange men? What did they want? Did it matter? Did anything matter? Cordelia was dead.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you check her in? Tell a doctor her name, fill out any forms?\u201d Duncan repeated urgently.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026\u201d Wesley winced. \u201cCordy was dead on arrival, they shoved her over here. They were coming back to get her information but then a shoot out happened on the West Boulevard- they said they were too busy. They\u2019d get to it later. They just left her here. They left Cordy.\u201d Anger, disgust and sorrow coated Wesley\u2019s choked words.<\/p>\n
Duncan nodded. \u201cGood.\u201d He bent down picking Cordelia\u2019s body up in his arms.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? Stop.\u201d Wesley moved forward.<\/p>\n
Methos moved quickly. \u201cShe doesn\u2019t need to be here. \u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia\u2019s dead.\u201d Wesley said his confusion as apparent as his sorrow and anger.<\/p>\n
Duncan\u2019s eyes saddened at the anguish of the other man\u2019s cry. \u201cYes. But, she will be fine. Come, we have to leave here. We’ll go back to your hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn gasped a breath. \u201cWho? What? Wes, man?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know\u201d Wesley ran following the figure that held Cordelia\u2019s lifeless body.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Gunn slammed his fist on the steering wheel. His curse died in his throat as he noticed that his anger was making Fred even more nervous. The young woman was pressed up to the passenger side door, sniffling quiet tears.<\/p>\n
But, god he was furious. Cordelia was dead. Gunn remembered his first impression of the young woman. What had he called her? A Skinny White Beauty Queen and a Stick Figure Barbie. Gunn had been right about the beauty, but everything else about the young woman had been very wrong. Cordelia was as strong as she was beautiful, both surpassed by her genuine compassion and belief in the mission to help others.<\/p>\n
He halted his fist\u2019s descent towards the dashboard. Who were those men? Why had they moved in taking control?<\/p>\n
Gunn turned to the young woman huddled in the corner of the truck. Fred had entered the hospital with them. \u201cFred, who were those guys?\u201d<\/p>\n
The young woman gulped as Gunn\u2019s attention was focused on her. She fidgeted and tried to tell what little she knew.<\/p>\n
Part 6<\/b><\/p>\n
Wesley bit his lip, stopping his questions. The men that had confiscated Cordelia\u2019s body and the subsequent moments of his life weren\u2019t saying a word. Wesley kept glancing at the still form of his friend.<\/p>\n
His sorrow was interposed with anger at the sight of the strange man cradling Cordelia\u2019s lifeless body in the backseat of the strange car. Who were those men? How was Wesley going to tell Angel? Wesley slumped in his seat. Wesley didn\u2019t even want to guess at Angel\u2019s reaction at the news of Cordelia\u2019s death.<\/p>\n
Why did he believe that it would be of a more violent nature than his response to the death of Buffy? Wesley wasn\u2019t even sure how to get a hold of the vampire. This was a nightmare that needed to end soon.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Wesley was torn between shooting questions at the dark man that placed Cordelia on Angel\u2019s bed or arguing and pleading with the dead woman to wake up.<\/p>\n
Methos pulled at Duncan as Wesley pushed to take the man\u2019s place on the bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLeaving her there was?\u201d Duncan harshly whispered. \u201cWaking up in a hospital that had declared her dead wouldn\u2019t have been discreet. The emergency room was a mad house, they’ve probably already forgotten about her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, sure, but now we will have to tell not only her but her friends. If I show up in a super market tabloid\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll make sure that they classify you as an \u2018alien\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m comforted.\u201d Methos rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n