Part 60<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cYou have two choices, Cordelia. Run or fight. In case you miss my point, you\u2019re being challenged. \u201c<\/p>\n
Cordelia scrambled up the metal staircase.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t play hide and seek with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Duh. The buzzing in her brain was getting louder. Cordelia searched the area trying to see the other woman in the hazy mixture of sunbeams and shadows. She quickened her pace as she got a glimpse of brown hair and glint of steel through blurry dim light.<\/p>\n
Cordelia jumped off the ladder, landing on her knees on a metal platform. She ran dodging rusted holes. Stupid. Never run up. She read that somewhere, she should\u2019ve paid attention to the advice. Cordelia scanned the area.<\/p>\n
How in the hell was she going to get out now? Cordelia looked longingly at the windows. She shook her head, jumping didn\u2019t guarantee safety, if she landed wrong and broke something or god forbid died Cassandra would have time to take her eyes and her head. Cordelia had no clue why the Immortal wanted her eyes or the spell and really she didn’t care to know the specifics, it was bad enough knowing what she did know.<\/p>\n
Cordelia needed a weapon.<\/p>\n
\u201cShould\u2019ve run down.\u201d Cassandra took a step on the platform.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuh, Geez, talking about saying the obvious.\u201d Cordelia backed up, looking as her boot kicked at a metal pipe. Not a sword, but it would have to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cPipe against sword?\u201d Cassandra swung her blade. Cordelia jerked the pipe up to meet the swing.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel wrapped his leather coat around his hand and arm and then punched open the manhole cover. He squished his body against the ladder, placing his boots on the outside of the rails and smoothly dropped to the ground mindful of keeping his body out of the stream of daylight that beamed straight down into the cavern of the sewer.<\/p>\n
Angel took his coat and covered his head and hands, leaping straight upwards into the daylight, once his feet it the ground, he ran diving into the glass window of the warehouse. Angel kept rolling instinctively searching for shade.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cI told him to wait.\u201d Gunn threw the blanket back in the car. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d He held up his axe.<\/p>\n
Duncan grabbed at the black man\u2019s arm. \u201cCassandra\u2019s in there so is Cordelia. We can rescue Cordelia, but if she and Cassandra are fighting you can\u2019t interfere, no one can, not even the vampire.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, like hell. That bitch ain\u2019t taking Cordy\u2019s head,\u201d Gunn ran into the warehouse.<\/p>\n
\u201cMethos.\u201d<\/p>\n
Methos shrugged. \u201cCass is bending the rules, Mac, gun toting humans, vampires, spells.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, she hasn\u2019t broken any yet. So we can\u2019t, Cordelia can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia doesn\u2019t have her sword, possibly not her eyes, if you don\u2019t want ‘a by the rules massacre’, I suggest we go in there and challenge as Gunn correctly stated \u2018that bitch\u2019. Don\u2019t worry, I\u2019ll do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t kill her, you didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s already had her one shot at my head. And don\u2019t be so sure that I would\u2019ve let her take it then, she\u2019s your friend never mine.\u201d Methos followed Gunn into the warehouse.<\/p>\n
Part 61<\/b><\/p>\n
Angel stood in the shadows, his eyes searching for the source of the heartbeat that seemed too resonant in his chest, calling to his every need and thought.<\/p>\n
His gaze locked up on the fighting women twenty feet above. Angel took only a moment to recognize that Cordelia was managing to fight off the other Immortal with a pipe. With a growl, Angel leapt into the air, his boots smacking on the metal platform as he landed several feet behind Cassandra.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d Cordelia’s call of surprise turned into one of a plea. \u201cYou can\u2019t.\u201d She yelled as she saw the vampire prepare to tackle Cassandra.<\/p>\n
Cassandra swirled her sword slicing into the approaching vampire as she kicked out.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d Cordelia screamed.<\/p>\n
Cassandra turned. \u201cThanks for the warning. And you thought I was a cheater, getting your boyfriend to try to interfere.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia watched in horror as Angel\u2019s body fell through the spattering of sunlight causing his body to smoke as it tumbled to the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cUhuh,\u201d Cassandra held up her sword to Cordelia\u2019s neck stopping the young woman\u2019s movement to the edge of the platform. \u201cYou aren\u2019t going anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia swung out with her fist, her anger and fear for Angel directing her blow. Cassandra staggered back. Cordelia followed through with a kick pushing the Immortal and her sword further away. Cordelia twirled, kicking high knocking Cassandra\u2019s sword from her grasp.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cShit. Angel.\u201d Gunn ran towards the prone smoking vampire. Gunn yanked at Angel\u2019s jacket pulling him into more shaded area.<\/p>\n
Stunned, Angel groaned, slowly moving his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cMan.\u201d Gunn tried to keep the vampire down as Angel started to sit up.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d Angel shook off Gunn\u2019s hands and stood.<\/p>\n
Duncan grabbed at the vampire. \u201cYou can\u2019t go back up there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel growled, seeing red. The Immortal was the embodiment of all that made up Angel\u2019s fear and rage about the change in Cordelia\u2019s life. The vampire seized Duncan\u2019s jacket throwing the Immortal far, Duncan\u2019s body slammed into a steel beam.<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat.\u201d Methos blew out a frustrated loud breath and ran to his friend.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cassandra jerked up her empty hand blocking Cordelia\u2019s next punch, swinging her left fist.<\/p>\n
The metal platform swayed under the violence of the Immortal\u2019s fight, the rusted surface straining under the pressure.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cNO.\u201d Angel growled as the platform broke. His body was blur-catching Cordelia before she hit the ground. He rolled with her clutching her tight to his chest. Cordelia blinked, looking down at the vampire underneath her. \u201cSaving me again,\u201d she said softly.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something I just like to do.\u201d He whispered cupping her chin.<\/p>\n
Cordelia closed her eyes, burying her head into his chest for a moment. Her head jerked up and she scrambled off him, her hands going to his jacket. \u201cYou were cut and you fell.\u201d She pulled at Angel\u2019s shirt.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d her finger lightly traced the thin line of blood showing through his shirt.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not deep.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia bit her lip, her eyes tearing up. \u201cI yelled, it\u2019s my fault,\u201d her finger going back to the wound.<\/p>\n
\u201cShh,\u201d Angel lifted her chin. \u201cCome on.\u201d Angel stood, pulling Cordelia to her feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want you to go with Gunn.\u201d Angel beckoned their friend over. \u201cTake Cordy home.\u201d Angel\u2019s eyes remained fixed on Cassandra struggling to get to her feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cGottcha ya.\u201d Gunn held out his hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, no.\u201d Cordelia shook her head, moving to stand in between the vampire and the Immortal.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, go home.\u201d Angel said forcibly.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd leave you here, no, I can\u2019t.\u201d Cordelia clutched on to his arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s still a danger to you, Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that\u2019s why I have to finish it, you can\u2019t save me from this, not this way.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cThat hurt.\u201d Cassandra brushed off her clothes and scanned the floor for her sword. \u201cAh, there it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCass, don\u2019t do this.\u201d Duncan pleaded.<\/p>\n
\u201cLittle late.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can leave. Just go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cassandra laughed. \u201cOh Mac, look around. I just can\u2019t go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t let the vampire touch you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Methos.\u201d Cassandra waved her sword towards the other Immortal.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe won\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t speak for me Duncan.\u201d Interrupted Methos. \u201cBut, I do agree, drop your challenge against Cordy. She\u2019s useless to you now. The spell won\u2019t work. She has her eyes. You don\u2019t need her quickening. Come on, Cass, you know you always wanted to have another go at my head.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTempting, but no. But, maybe after I finish what I started with Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou aren\u2019t doing anything to Cordy,\u201d Angel stepped forward. \u201cYou want a fight, you\u2019ll get one.\u201d Angel moved swiftly snatching the sword from Methos\u2019 hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cDidn\u2019t anyone tell the vampire that\u2019s not how we play?\u201d Cassandra tsked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t play your game and neither does Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNO.\u201d Cordelia ran up to the vampire grabbing at the sword. \u201cYou can\u2019t do this, Angel. This is the one time you can\u2019t save me. Please.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Angel, I mean it, you can\u2019t interfere anymore.\u201d Cordelia\u2019s eyes begged the vampire to understand.<\/p>\n
\u201cListen, to your girlfriend.\u201d Cassandra mocked. \u201cIt\u2019ll be over soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up, Cassandra.\u201d Duncan shook his head, finally his feelings of friendship for the old Immortal died, realizing what Methos had been trying to tell him. \u201cCordy,\u201d Duncan pulled out Cordy\u2019s sword, tossing it to her.<\/p>\n
Cordelia nodded her thanks, catching the blade confidently in the air.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you fuckin nuts?\u201d Gunn yelled.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy.\u201d Angel grabbed at her arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you, now stay put. I have to do this. Don\u2019t make me take this outside, please, Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Part 62<\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia faced Cassandra. She tried not to think about Angel or her fear. She raised her sword as she had done everyday since she became an Immortal, swinging with the skill Duncan taught her.<\/p>\n
The blades clashed echoing in the silence of the warehouse. The women danced gracefully around each other dodging and parrying, the violence of the opposing weapons a direct contrast to the beauty of their movements.<\/p>\n
Angel stood motionless, his clenched fists the only outward evidence of the brutal battle waging inside. Every muscle, every blind instinct screamed for him to protect Cordelia, to tear apart the woman that was threatening her. One and only one thing was keeping him still and that was the plea in Cordelia\u2019s eyes, begging him not to interfere.<\/p>\n
Cordelia had implored him not to save her. For her, Angel would have to accept that the Immortal\u2019s game was real. That knowledge galled him and made him need to react in violence to give his rage and fear an outlet.<\/p>\n
Angel remained still. He would do what Cordelia wanted, but he vowed if she died, then he had no reason to abide by the Immortals\u2019 rules, they all would die.<\/p>\n
Cordelia circled her opponent trying to pinpoint her weakness. Unfortunately, all Cordy was figuring out was the woman\u2019s strengths. Cassandra was good, very good. Which wasn\u2019t surprising, the Immortal had almost five thousands years to hone her craft. But, she had to have a weakness; both Angel and Duncan said everyone had them and if the vampire and the Immortal agreed on anything, they did agree on that and Cordelia believed them.<\/p>\n
Cordelia just couldn\u2019t see it. Cassandra\u2019s techniques were flawless. Cordy thought about it -that was her weakness. Cassandra relied too much on her skill with a sword. On the platform, unarmed Cordelia had the advantage.<\/p>\n
Cordelia lowered her guard, dropping to her left hand, kicking out with her feet. Cassandra jumped back avoiding the blow. \u201cI saw that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, have you seen this.\u201d Cordelia pushed up from ground punching Cassandra straight in the face, blooding her nose.<\/p>\n
Cordelia let her sword fall to the ground, as she punched again with her left fist.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the hell is she doing? She dropped her sword. She needs that, right?\u201d Gunn looked around frantically for some one to answer him.<\/p>\n
Cordelia jabbed again, knocking Cassandra\u2019s sword from her hand. Cordelia kicked the blade causing it to skitter across the floor away from the Immortals.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, let\u2019s see what you can do.\u201d Cordelia yanked at Cassandra\u2019s hair, preventing the other woman from going to her sword. She swirled the Immortal around again, back handing Cassandra with a harsh blow.<\/p>\n
Cordelia was always a fast learner and had a talent for mimicking any routine she ever saw and she utilized every dirty trick, punch, kick that she ever saw Angel use in his unarmed battles.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s rage was being replaced by pride and amazement as he watched Cordelia execute a perfect copy of one of his more unorthodox vicious moves. \u201cI never taught her that.\u201d Angel grinned as Cordelia plummeted Cassandra to the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t, either.\u201d Duncan smiled.<\/p>\n
Angel shot a look over to the Immortal. Fuck, he was standing again. \u201cI know. That\u2019s my move.\u201d<\/p>\n
Duncan ignored Angel\u2019s glare and looked back to the fight. \u201cCordy\u2019s going to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s with you? She doesn\u2019t have her sword.\u201d Gunn yelled.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe doesn\u2019t need it yet, she just needs to remember where it is. Cass always did rely too much on her blade.\u201d Duncan nodded in admiration.<\/p>\n
Cordelia swung one more time landing a sharp blow to Cassandra\u2019s neck. The Immortal fell to ground, choking.<\/p>\n
Cordelia moved quickly, picking up her sword.<\/p>\n
Cordelia stood over Cassandra as the woman got to her knees.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere can only be one.\u201d Cassandra coughed.<\/p>\n
Cordelia gulped in a tired heavy breath. \u201cNot you.\u201d She swung.<\/p>\n
Cordelia staggered back, her sword falling to the ground as her hands dropped to her knees. She looked at the headless body and wanted to throw up.<\/p>\n
Duncan held Angel back as the vampire moved towards Cordelia. \u201cThe Quickening.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel didn\u2019t have the time to shove the Immortal again as the air vibrated with static, blue streaks of electric charges swirled from the headless body up and around Cordelia\u2019s slumped form. The young woman screamed out as the energy pierced through her lifting her off the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s okay.\u201d Duncan pulled at a stunned Angel. \u201cIt will be over in a minute, she\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel shot a look at the Immortal, shaking off his hand. He\u2019s eyes targeted Cordelia as her body sparked and small spasms shook her body.<\/p>\n
The phenomenon suddenly stopped. Cordelia dropped to the ground, slowly trying to stand. \u201cWow.\u201d She blinked giving a shaky smile to Angel. \u201cI\u2019m\u2026.\u201d she screamed clutching at her head, her body jerking on the floor, writhing in agony.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that normal, for the quick whatever jazz?\u201d Gunn looked at the Immortals.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d both Duncan and Methos shook their head.<\/p>\n
Angel stared as he recognized the symptoms. \u201cA vision,\u201d Angel ran to Cordelia, gathering her shaking body his arms. Angel struggled to restrain Cordelia\u2019s flailing arms. \u201cShush, baby, shush,\u201d he whispered trying to calm her strangled cries.<\/p>\n
\u201cYep, that\u2019s a vision.\u201d Gunn blinked.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what a vision did to her.\u201d Duncan and Methos stared at the black man.<\/p>\n
Gunn nodded, his eyes staying on Cordelia and Angel. \u201cShe doesn\u2019t have them anymore. This one is really bad. How?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy,\u201d Angel yelled as the young woman froze in his arms. \u201cGunn.\u201d<\/p>\n
The black man scrambled to the other side of the still woman. \u201cNow what\u2019s going on? That never happened before.”<\/p>\n
Angel stared at the sightless hazel eyes, twitching at some hidden horror, silent tears streaming from the blank eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes it did,\u201d real fear creeping into Angel\u2019s voice. \u201cOnce before, Vocah\u2019s curse. For forty-eight hours, she stayed, strapped in the hospital sedated seeing, experiencing endless visions, they were driving her insane, killing her.\u201d Angel cradled Cordelia\u2019s body closer. \u201cWhat did that woman do to her?\u201d He yelled to the Immortals.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe got to get her to a hospital.\u201d Gunn urged.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. They can\u2019t do anything.\u201d Angel brushed at Cordelia\u2019s face. \u201cBaby, come on.\u201d<\/p>\n
As in answer to Angel\u2019s prayers, Cordelia blinked once showing glistening beautiful seeing eyes. \u201cAngel,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n
\u201cShush, baby, you had a vision\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia struggled, pushing his arms off of her. \u201cWe have to go the hotel now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, the vision.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNow.\u201d She jumped to her feet, anger replacing her previous weakened state.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, now what the hell is happening?\u201d Gunn shook his head and ran after Cordy and Angel.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, now what the hell is happening.\u201d? Lilah paced back and forth in front of the prone body lying on her couch.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooks like his brain short-circuited.\u201d Lindsay pointed to the stain seeping into the leather that cushioned the demon\u2019s overly large head. \u201cIt\u2019s leaking. You\u2019re going to need to get a new couch I think that\u2019s one ruined.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s still breathing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s not moving.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, some one needs MOVE his spattered brain off my sofa and tell me what the hell is going on.\u201d Lilah picked up the phone.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cGo faster.\u201d Cordelia called from the back seat.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, talk to me.\u201d Angel reached for the woman. Cordelia shook her head and scrunched further into the side of the door. Angel dropped his hand and stared out at the horizon, the glow of the dangerous sun disappearing.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia could feel the tension in Angel at her silence. She wanted to reassure him, but she couldn’t. How could she? She couldn\u2019t reassure herself. She couldn\u2019t tell him what the Quickening had done. If she tried to explain she would break down, the memory of the visions too close, the pain still vibrating in her head. Cordelia couldn\u2019t indulge her self in self-pity or seek out Angel’s comfort. She needed to be directed not by her despair but by her rage. She closed her eyes and pushed away the visions and the countless past terrors and screams of the victims she hadn’t saved.<\/p>\n
Angel stole a look at the young woman, grudgingly grateful that the other Immortals chose not to crowd her. They left her to him. Finally, they realized where she belonged. But, Angel didn\u2019t understand. Cordelia kept moving, disappearing into the other side of car to get away from him. He looked again and calmed enough to use his other senses.<\/p>\n
The heartbeat that he loved was frantic with fear or anger, or was it something else? Angel closed his eyes concentrating on his other senses. Anger, definitely, he smelled her blood spike with the emotional additive, fear, though was also present. He stole another glance. The tears had started to silently trail down her smooth cheeks again.<\/p>\n
Angel ignored his vampire instincts and concentrated on what he knew about Cordelia. Tears did not run down her cheeks, not willing, not without cause. Anger, fear, yes, he sensed them from Cordelia before but those emotions were usually accompanied by loud yelling, talking or babbling, but true pain, sadness, they were never volunteered they were hidden in silence. His Cordy was truly hurting.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, tell me,\u201d Angel turned.<\/p>\n
Cordelia brushed at her face and stared at Angel. \u201cNot now, Angel, not now,\u201d she bit her lips giving a small smile grabbing at the vampire\u2019s hand. \u201cDon\u2019t make me, not yet, please,” She rubbed her lips together trying to smile. \u201cPlease.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s first reaction was to kill, kill what ever made Cordelia so helpless and pleading, unfortunately, luckily there was no one to kill, so Angel concentrated on the young woman\u2019s tears. Angel slowly nodded.<\/p>\n
Cordelia gasped and scooted quickly up against Angel\u2019s body, \u201cHold me, please.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel jerked trying to be gentle but at Cordy\u2019s gasp, he was sure he failed, but otherwise she wasn\u2019t complaining and she was now securely against his body, Angel wouldn\u2019t worry too much about the rest until he had to.<\/p>\n