Part 45<\/b><\/p>\n
Lilah looked up at handsome lawyer leaning against her the doorway of her office.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou rang.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThings have hit a snag.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReally.\u201d Lindsey with a smooth grace molded his body into the chair facing Lilah. \u201cAnd.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel has a permanent soul and he and Cordelia Chase have become lovers.\u201d Lilah tapped the desk in irritation.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou used a red alert to tell me that Angel\u2019s now out of the dating pool, not like he was a player before.\u201d Lindsey swung out of the chair.<\/p>\n
\u201cLindsey, our plan was\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, that was your particular plan. I never thought it work. Granted we didn\u2019t have any clue about the soul permanency thing- but still, just because Angel\u2019s only meaningful relationships were with blonde women, doesn\u2019t mean he\u2019d fall into bed with the next one that showed up.\u201d Lindsey held up his plastic hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cI told you, his feelings for Cordelia were injurious if not fatal. And believe it or not the vampire has standards, its not just hair color and a rack that turns him on.\u201d Lindsey shook his head at Lilah. \u201cI understand why you may have been fooled by the blonde thing, but the other- you saw Darla. Have you seen a picture of the slayer? Neither could be models in the breast \u2018R\u2019 us category.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was the only one that was blonde and fit the necessary requirements- what man doesn\u2019t like breast.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThose aren\u2019t breasts, Lilah, they\u2019re weapons. I thought women were all catty about that distinction.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight, what you know about women consists of your sister and a blonde vampire.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you know nothing about men, especially vampires if you really thought that would get into his bed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t expecting a romantic love tale, just a romp in the sack to further separate Chase and Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, we got a romantic love tale that is guaranteed to cement the seer and warrior.\u201d Lindsey paced. \u201cIs that it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIsn\u2019t that enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. Do they know anything about our plans? Have they identified Gabriel as one of ours or do they still think she\u2019s Angel\u2019s seer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGabriel is still viable on that end.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, that\u2019s the one that is important. As long as they still think she is the seer and Cordelia believes she isn\u2019t then the plan can proceed. Who cares who Angel is sleeping with?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will make it harder to get Chase alone. The senior partners won\u2019t be happy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTell them the truth, in this one case it will work. Lilah, Cordelia has been alone for over three months, Angel off somewhere. But our silent partner controlled the timetable of taking Cordelia not us- the senior partners agreed. But, we\u2019ve placed a person inside his camp without detection. We did well. Even if the original plan fails, that would be to our advantage indefinitely. How long will your big headed freak last.\u201d He pointed to the man with the bulging, pulsating, veined brain floating over Lilah\u2019s coffee table.<\/p>\n
Lilah rolled her eyes. \u201cUntil the money runs out. And the strategically placed \u2018blonde\u2019 infiltrator was all me, don\u2019t forget that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever. Keep big head happy- brain hijackers don\u2019t grow on trees.\u201d Lindsey smirked to Lilah has he left the office.<\/p>\n
Part 46<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cCoffee?\u201d Fred finally said as she leaned into Wesley\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
Wesley looked up from the Baba Yaga text. \u201cThat would be lovely. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred smiled and hurried to the counter. Gunn followed her. \u201cDid Wes tell you what\u2019s so important about that book?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. I offered to help on the computer but he didn\u2019t even hear me, heard about the coffee though,\u201d Fred held up the pot.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes me nervous when he goes into that lone research mode, bad things follow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right.\u201d Fred looked at the blonde approaching them. Her eyes red and her hair messed in an artificial way. Fred wouldn\u2019t be surprised if the woman had been rubbing raw onions on her face to get that perfect red rimmed suffering look.<\/p>\n
\u201cMorning.\u201d Gunn waved.<\/p>\n
Fred hmmphed barely looking at the woman again, she focused on pouring Wesley\u2019s coffee.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that for me.\u201d Gabriel gave a sad smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cAh, no. It\u2019s for Wesley; he\u2019s been up for hours translating that Baba Yaga book Methos’ been reading. Get your own.”<\/p>\n
\u201cBabba who?\u201d Gabriel moved closer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe book that Methos and Duncan were looking for- for their friend- a witch\u2019s book, have you not listened to anything except your own whining voice.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFred.\u201d Gunn shrugged.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Fred tore open the sugar packet.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought\u2026didn\u2019t they send that to their friend? I thought I heard Methos say something about the price of sending it to Russia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA copy. Wesley didn\u2019t want to give up the book.\u201d Fred stirred the white powder into the dark liquid.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh. He has it still?\u201d Gabriel stood. \u201cWell, I need to talk to Wesley, he\u2019s always been nice to me, unlike some I don’t care to mention.\u201d She grabbed the mug out of Fred\u2019s hand. \u201cI\u2019ll just take his coffee to him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy that\u2026.\u201d Fred glared.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, I’m nice to her.” Gunn puzzled.<\/p>\n
Fred shot the black man a glare.<\/p>\n
Both jumped as Wesley let out a loud yell.<\/p>\n
Gunn and Fred ran to the doorway. \u201cWes,\u201d they both called.<\/p>\n
Wesley was standing one hand brushing his pants and the other valiantly trying to shake off the coffee that was quickly saturating the ancient page he had been studying.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Fred quickly went in.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was my fault.\u201d Gabriel stood wringing her hands crying. \u201cI\u2026I had a vision and I dropped the coffee, I\u2019m so sorry Wesley. It just hurt so much,\u201d she sniffled.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was an accident,\u201d Wesley tried to keep the anger out of his voice. \u201cThe vision,\u201d he continued to shake the book for a moment. \u201cFred, please get me a cloth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred ran bumping straight into Methos.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoa.\u201d Methos held the girl by the shoulders.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got to go, klutzy Gabby just ruined your old book.\u201d She shook off the Immortals arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Baga Yaga text?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d Fred ran towards the kitchen.<\/p>\n
Methos went into the office. \u201cWesley?\u201d<\/p>\n
The watcher looked up showing the Immortal the page. All the ink ran together creating a nifty Rorschach test if that was what was intended.<\/p>\n
\u201cShit.\u201d Methos leaned back. \u201cDid you finish it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMostly, and we need to talk.\u201d Wesley glared, then turned to Gabriel. \u201cYour vision.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou finished, so I didn\u2019t mess up so badly,\u201d she said with a hopeful smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cI told you not to worry, it was an accident.\u201d<\/p>\n
“What happened?” Duncan came up.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me.\u201d Fred pushed through, bringing the kitchen towel to Wesley.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, but,\u201d he held up the blackened smeared passage.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d Fred glared at the blonde.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t mean to.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot important for now. Gabriel has had a vision. Please, Gabby.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight,\u201d Gabby bit at her lips, heaved her breast and twirled her hair. \u201cVampires.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd? Are they playing outside, it\u2019s 10 am.\u201d Fred crossed her arms still glaring.<\/p>\n
Gabriel blinked her glare away. \u201cUm, of course it wasn\u2019t outside if you let me finished I would have said that a small child is trapped in the sewers and a bunch of vampires are about to kill him.\u201d Gabriel glared and crossed her arms.<\/p>\n
\u201cA child?\u201d Fred stood straighter. \u201cI\u2019ll go get Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley nodded. \u201cGunn, please the map.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOn it.\u201d Gunn was back in less than a few seconds. He quickly draped the sewer map over Wesley\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n
\u201cGabriel, we are here.\u201d Wesley pointed to a big X, \u201cnow where were the vampires.\u201d<\/p>\n
The blond sucked on her tongue. \u201cI\u2019m pretty sure there.\u201d She pointed to a far point away. \u201cYeah, I\u2019m sure.\u201d She nodded with more confidence.<\/p>\n
Part 47<\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia broke away from Angel\u2019s kiss and leaned up from her position on his chest resting her chin on her fist. \u201cI\u2019ve decided something.\u201d She spoke her brow wrinkled as in great thought.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have?\u201d Angel hands smoothly descended to rest on the small of her back. \u201cDo I even want to know?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shrugged a smile flickering on her lips.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you going to tell me?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia peered at the vampire, her expression one of exaggerated seriousness. \u201cI have decided,\u201d she paused dramatically. \u201cOw.\u201d She pouted as Angel lightly smacked her bottom.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were saying.\u201d He cocked his brow.<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmph. I was going to say that I may have decided that you could touch and taste anytime you wanted, but now I\u2019m rethinking.\u201d<\/p>\n
The sharp urgent knocks at the bedroom door interrupted any retort Angel was about to make. \u201cAngel, Angel.\u201d Fred’s voice filtered through the wood. \u201cAngel, Cordy, Gabby Ho had a vision, child in sewer, vampires, now. Please and sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel groaned. Cordelia pushed at him. \u201cAnswer the door.\u201d She swung her feet off the bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere are\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnswer the door.\u201d Cordelia shot over her shoulder as she shut the bathroom door.<\/p>\n
Angel grabbed at his pants, stepping into them as he strode to the door.<\/p>\n
Fred jumped as Angel swung the door open.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow soon?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSoon.\u201d Fred gulped. \u201cSorry,\u201d she peeked around Angel. Her eyes flitted around the room. \u201cWhere\u2019s Cordy, I thought\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBathroom. I\u2019ll be right down.\u201d Angel moved to close the door.<\/p>\n
Fred was still peering under his shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u201cFred.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred shot up. \u201cRight. Wesley\u2019s is trying to pin point the location now, and then\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFred,\u201d Angel nudged the girl further into the hall.<\/p>\n
Fred finally looked up and down at the vampire. \u201cYou want to get dressed. Okay, Bye, see ya.\u201d She backed up and then ran towards the vampire. \u201cI\u2019m really happy for you and Cordy.\u201d She beamed, turning on her heel and running back down the stairs.<\/p>\n
Angel shook his head, and then looked down. He bent down and picked up his and Cordy\u2019s clothes that had been dumped near the door. He tossed them in the corner and grabbed a shirt from the closet. He looked back at the closed bathroom door.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy.\u201d He walked through the empty bathroom into her room. \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia looked up, pulling her jeans on and grabbing for a shirt. \u201cVision, child, sewer, vampires.\u201d She strode to her dresser picking up a rubber band pulling her hair in a small ponytail. \u201cHurry up,\u201d she nodded to the vampire\u2019s bare feet and open shirt.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not going.\u201d Angel stood firmly in the bathroom doorway.<\/p>\n
Cordelia raised a brow. \u201cPutty in your hands maybe, tell me what to do- no way.\u201d She smiled pulling on her boots.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, you\u2019re being stupid. I\u2019ve fought vampires way before I actually knew how to use a sword. So, hurry up, don\u2019t waste time on a losing argument.\u201d She hooked her elbow under the vampire\u2019s arm a tugged him back through the bathroom.<\/p>\n
Angel growled.<\/p>\n
Cordelia rolled her eyes. \u201cDid you really think declaring your undying or is it dead love, whatever, would change things.\u201d She smiled. \u201cHurry up.\u201d She pushed him on the bed throwing some socks.<\/p>\n
\u201cI could always hope,\u201d Angel grumbled pulling on his socks and boots.<\/p>\n
Part 48<\/b><\/p>\n
Angel kept trying to explain to Cordelia why she couldn\u2019t go with him on the vision but the young woman refused to act rationally and listen to his compelling reasons. She kept saying \u2018yada yada yada\u2019 over and over again as she opened and closed her hand repeatedly in the universal sign of too much unwanted talking.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, stop that.\u201d Angel grabbed at the motioning hands, fed up with her ridiculing his repeated concerns and orders.<\/p>\n
Cordelia turned on the lower step of the stairs. \u201cNo, not until you stop. Get over it, Angel. I\u2019m going, live with it, deal with it and move on to something I\u2019ll listen too, like,\u201d she snaked her arm under his. \u201cHow much you love me, trust me, and value my contributions.\u201d She beamed.<\/p>\n
Angel glared. \u201cJust because you say that you love me doesn\u2019t mean that I\u2019ll let you walk all over me or ignore me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPleeaase, Angel. I\u2019ve always done that. Pfft.\u201d She graced his cheek with a kiss.<\/p>\n
Incorrigible. Angel fought hard against the quirking of his lips or acknowledging the truth of her statement in any manner. He sighed in resignation. \u201cFine, but duck.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPooh, Angel, you\u2019re the only vampire that I know that carries a sword.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel went straight to the weapons cabinet as Cordelia scanned the floor. \u201cHas anyone seen my sword? I might\u2019ve dropped it last night when\u2026\u201d Cordelia blushed. \u201cI might have dropped it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Duncan held the blade up.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, thanks.\u201d She hid it competently under the back of her black jacket. \u201cSo Fred said vampires? How many?\u201d<\/p>\n
Gabriel came forward. \u201cOnly a few. I don\u2019t think everyone will be needed,\u201d she looked at Duncan and Methos. \u201cBut you can go, Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy narrowed her eyes at the blonde. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
Gabriel crossed arms over her ample chest. \u201cBecause, there are a few and a small boy at stake and you would force your way into going anyway.\u201d She retorted.<\/p>\n
Cordelia narrowed her eyes at the blonde then turned towards Methos and Duncan. \u201cI agree that you shouldn\u2019t go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy.\u201d Duncan started.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Duncan. You and Methos have been a great help, needed when Angel wasn\u2019t here, but now he is. I can\u2019t expect you to risk your lives anymore. This is our job, our mission.\u201d<\/p>\n
Duncan started to speak again when Wesley stopped him. \u201cActually, you and Methos would be of help if you could take this,\u201d he held out the Baba Yaga text, \u201cto Walter, he has methods to repair damage to texts, possibly he could fix this.\u201d He cringed somewhat as he looked down at the coffee ruined pages.<\/p>\n
Methos smacked Duncan\u2019s arm for urging agreement. \u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred bit her lips looking around the lobby, Gunn was stashing stakes in his jacket, Wesley was searching the weapon\u2019s cabinet, Angel and Cordelia were waiting near the door, and Methos and Duncan were getting their jackets. Gabriel was back to sniffling at Wesley\u2019s comments about the book.<\/p>\n
\u201dCan I go with you,\u201d she said before the thought was completely formed. Fred amazed herself at her words. Hospital and Caritas aside, she hadn\u2019t really left the hotel before, but the idea of staying alone with Gabriel was rapidly washing away any nervousness she may have been feeling.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou sure?\u201d Methos knew that Fred had been hesitant about going out into the world.<\/p>\n
Fred looked again at the blonde. \u201cDefinitely.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is it Cordy?\u201d Angel looked over at the pensive young woman. She shrugged and continued her brisk pace.<\/p>\n
“Cordy?\u201d Angel was getting slightly unsettled; Cordelia hadn\u2019t said a word since they entered the sewers.<\/p>\n
Cordelia paused taking a deep breath. \u201cWhy did the blonde bimbo want me to come with you, she should be all about \u2018you aren\u2019t needed, you aren\u2019t suppose to here\u2019, not go, go, go, with OH Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley called from behind. \u201cShe explained that already and after last night she had to realize that seer or not, she wasn\u2019t keeping you and Angel apart.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLike she could, blonde floozy and why did she want to, nevermind- I know why she wanted to \u2013 she wanted to get into Angel\u2019s pants.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy,\u201d Wesley sighed. \u201cAngel was a playing it a bit strong last night, she had reason to believe that he was interested in her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was not.\u201d Angel turned offended.<\/p>\n
Cordy swirled to face the vampire. \u201cYou were too, you were all about peering down her dress. Perv.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI told you it was self-preservation, duck, and avoid\u201d He pleaded and then turned to glare at Wesley. \u201cShut up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley ignored the vampire. \u201cPlease, Cordy, there is nothing sinister about Gabby\u2019s actions. She just realized that you were going to go, it\u2019s not like anyone could\u2019ve talked you out of coming. I\u2019m sure Angel tried already.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel shuffled looking at his feet, mumbling, ” yada, yada, yada,” and open and closed his hand repeatedly, “Fat lot of good it did.”<\/p>\n
Cordelia stared a moment at the face-making vampire. “God, you are just a baby sometimes.”<\/p>\n
“Am not.”<\/p>\n
“Are to.”<\/p>\n
“Hey, you did it first.”<\/p>\n
“Because I had a reason, you were being yady, yady stupid. Now you’re just being a baby.”<\/p>\n
“I am not.”<\/p>\n
“Are to.”<\/p>\n
“Glad to see that doing the freaky freaky didn’t put the halt to all that adult bickering, I would’ve missed that.” Gunn rolled his eyes at the couple. “Can we get back to tramping through the sewer? Small child to save.”<\/p>\n
Wesley spared the black man a glance. “Freaky freaky,” he silently mouthed.<\/p>\n
Gunn shrugged.<\/p>\n
Wesley shook his head. “Cordy,” interrupting another bout of am not – are to.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? Oh, I don’t know about Gabby Ho, she tried to get me killed before.\u201d Cordelia huffed.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy,\u201d Wesley rolled his eyes. \u201cThat was a mistake, you know that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmph.\u201d Cordelia resumed her pace.<\/p>\n
Part 49<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cAnother update on the Cordy-Angel sex escapades?\u201d Lindsey stood in the doorway.<\/p>\n
Lilah waved the other lawyer in as she continued to talk on the phone.<\/p>\n
Lindsey sat down listening to Lilah\u2019s side of the conversation.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh for god sakes, we don’t have time for you to go searching schoolyards and parks for a small boy, get a shape shifter. We’re in a hurry. Lilah rolled her eyes. \u201cYes, I said vampires. Are you new? We’ve them on payroll, you idiot, check with personnel. And make sure they understand their instructions- Wyndham-Price must die and Cordelia Chase must be captured. The others I don\u2019t care about, the priority is Wyndham-Price and the girl. I said we’re in hurry that means NOW.\u201d She hung up.<\/p>\n
\u201cInteresting conversation.\u201d Lindsey cocked a brow.<\/p>\n
\u201cVision.\u201d She shook her head.<\/p>\n
Lindsey turned to the bigheaded brain pulsating man mediating above the floor. \u201cI thought, big head freak was orchestrating those, leaving us with plenty enough time to set them up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lilah shrugged. \u201cGabriel contacted him. She had to create a diversion. So she made up a vision. At least she didn\u2019t concoct an apocalypse.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, just the death of a child. Wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that compassionate disapproval, I hear? Don’t worry we can’t get a small boy on time.”<\/p>\n
Lindsay rolled his eyes. \u201cWhat\u2019s the deal with Wyndham-Price, why do we want him dead now? And we have the green light to take Cordelia?\u201d<\/p>\n
“Yes and yes.”<\/p>\n
“The reason?”<\/p>\n
“It seems that the book that wasn’t a concern to our Immortal has now become one.\u201d Lilah shook her head.<\/p>\n
“What book?”<\/p>\n
“The one she didn’t tell us about, the one that Wyndham-Price and the really old Immortal have been studying for the last few months, or at least the Immortal has but Wyndham-Price was getting interested. It seems that our Immortal didn’t foresee that somebody would actually read it, even though she knew Angel Investigations had the original. Amateurs.” Lilah said in disgust.<\/p>\n
“The book?”<\/p>\n
“The text of Baba Yaga.”<\/p>\n
“The witch of Hansel and Gretal fame?”<\/p>\n
“You aren\u2019t just a pretty face are you?”<\/p>\n
Lindsay rolled his eyes. “What’s so important about an ancient eastern European witch?”<\/p>\n
“I don’t know, our partner is silent, except that now everything is on rush order. I’ve got research pulling up everything on the witch.”<\/p>\n
“What do you need me for?”<\/p>\n
“I’ve got my hands full staging a vision. You need orchestrate the acquisition of the original book. It’s being taken to that Bandox demon’s shop for repair.”<\/p>\n
“Easy enough.”<\/p>\n
“Um, Lindsay, two Immortals with swords are carrying it.”<\/p>\n
“Less easy, but doable.\u201d Lindsay commented as he left.<\/p>\n