Part 63<\/b><\/p>\n
Gunn wanted to ask how in the hell Cordelia had a vision. But judging from the tense silence of the vampire Angel wouldn\u2019t be receptive to anyone questioning the young woman just yet or ever.<\/p>\n
Shit. Cordelia wasn\u2019t supposed to be getting those damn things anymore. Gabriel was Angel\u2019s seer not Cordy. But, Gunn couldn\u2019t deny that Cordy’s screaming; clutching her head, writhing on the floor had all the hallmarks of a vision, a particularly bad one at that. It had been so long, Gunn almost forgot what they had been like for Cordy.<\/p>\n
Gabriel had, did whine a lot about the visions hurting, but they were never were as devastating as Cordelia\u2019s had been. Wesley had said it because Gabriel was half Brack-something demon, like Angel\u2019s first seer, lessening the pain and giving her the ability to survive the visions.<\/p>\n
Well, Gunn wanted things to remain as they were, Cordelia may have been upset when she lost the visions, but it hadn\u2019t bothered him any, just like he knew it hadn\u2019t bothered Wesley or Angel. The visions had been killing her.<\/p>\n
None of the men had wanted her to suffer like that again. Gunn, like everyone, had been silently pleased that the visions were no longer Cordelia\u2019s burden, would no longer cause her any pain no matter how much she complained that her Immortality would keep her safe<\/p>\n
Gunn didn\u2019t give a shit about Immortals\u2019 miraculous healing abilities, he had been in the room when Methos had told them that the only human seer he knew of got her head blown out. How in the hell does some one, even an Immortal, survive that? Fuck.<\/p>\n
Methos jerked as Gunn\u2019s shoulder knocked into the Immortal as the black man\u2019s fist smacked at the steering wheel.<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry, man.\u201d Gunn grunted.<\/p>\n
Methos merely nodded recognizing that the black man\u2019s silent outburst had everything to do with the woman in the back seat. Methos looked over to Duncan. The other Immortal expression was tense. Methos wondered if the Highlander\u2019s preoccupation had to do with Cassandra or Cordelia. Methos decided he didn\u2019t want to ask. Methos got the distinct impression that either topic would not be welcomed by the vampire who would definitely overhear.<\/p>\n
Duncan was still stunned by the scene of Cordelia crying on the ground in pain. Duncan couldn\u2019t imagine a pain that could cripple her so. In the time that he had known Cordelia, she had faced every change, every task, and every battle with courage, strength, and humor. Nothing broke her, not her death, not her new destiny, but whatever happened inside her head had. If that was what being Angel\u2019s seer entitled, Duncan had to find a way to stop it. The idea of Cordelia facing that pain on a regular basis was unpalatable.<\/p>\n
Cordelia was grateful for the silence. But she was more grateful for the vampire holding her. Cordelia wasn\u2019t na\u00efve. She knew what standing on the sidelines watching her battle with Cassandra had cost the vampire. Just has she known what his continuing silence was doing to him now. When she thought about it, truly thought about it – it was amazing how much Angel would do for her, curbing his instincts, who he was, because she had asked him to.<\/p>\n
Cordelia glanced down at the hand holding hers. She took her free hand brushing at the fingers intertwined with hers. So, strong, so gentle. She gazed up at the brown eyes, giving a slight smile. \u201cI love you,\u201d she said softly having to give Angel that at least when she knew he wanted so much more.<\/p>\n
Angel leaned in cupping her chin. \u201cWhatever it is, it will be okay.\u201d He whispered, his voice deep with reassurance.<\/p>\n
Cordelia gave a small chuckle. \u201cYou\u2019ll fix it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia drew his hand away. \u201cYou can\u2019t, I wish you could.\u201d She said sadly, separating their hands going back to her spot on the other side of the car.<\/p>\n
Angel swallowed his growl not wanting to accept that there was something else out there that he couldn\u2019t protect Cordelia from. Angel had to know what had gotten Cordelia so upset. \u201cCor\u2026.\u201d he stopped as the determined hazel eyes locked on to his.<\/p>\n
Cordelia was deliberating shutting him out. Her sadness and tears were gone, replaced by anger and a coldness that he had never seen before. Before he could say anything else she was out of the car heading into the hotel.<\/p>\n
Part 64<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cCordy,\u201d Fred blinked up from the lobby counter. \u201cWesley,\u201d she called as she ran towards the young woman. \u201cAngel found you. What happened? You\u2019re okay? Wesley.\u201d She called again.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia?\u201d Wesley came out of his office.<\/p>\n
Cordelia turned at the sound of his voice. A true genuine smile took over her face. She hurried over to her friend and watcher. \u201cI always knew that you were too untasty to be dinner.\u201d Cordelia raised her hand, her fingers flitting over the gauze tapped to his throat. \u201cYou\u2019re okay, right?\u201d Her eyes shot up to Wesley\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Wesley nodded temporarily silenced by the tenderness and worry apparent in the young woman\u2019s eyes. Cordelia really did have beautiful eyes. \u201cYou?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLong story. You could\u2019ve died.\u201d Her concerned happy eyes squinted into dark slits. \u201cYou could\u2019ve died.\u201d She repeated.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy.\u201d Wesley puzzled at his friend\u2019s change in demeanor.<\/p>\n
Cordelia turned her gaze going to the stairs of the lobby. \u201cGabriel, you have your coat on\u2026and a bag, were you planning to leave us?\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn hurried over to Wesley. \u201cSome major weird shit just happened.\u201d He whispered.<\/p>\n
Wesley turned. \u201cShe\u2019s alright?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho the fuck knows? Maybe Angel, \u201c Gunn tipped his head at the silent vampire that was attentively shadowing Cordelia\u2019s every movement. \u201c She took the Immortal bitch\u2019s head, became a freaky fireworks show, and had a vision, a bitch of one. Angel said it was like the Vocal demon thing. Freaked me out, she froze, eyes\u2019 wide, crying.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley wondered how freaky could be a noun, verb, and adjective. Wesley shook away the nonsensical thought concentrating on Gunn\u2019s other words. \u201cA vision\u2026.Vocah, impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw her, Wes, it was the same as before, just worse, Angel said the dead crying eyes were Vocal, Vocah, whatever.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley considered the words of his friend, and then turned to watch as Cordelia walked up to Angel\u2019s seer for the last three months.<\/p>\n
\u201cI asked you a question, Gabby, going somewhere,\u201d Cordelia pointed to the bag in Gabriel\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n
The blonde kept stepping backwards as she had been doing since Cordelia first approached her. \u201cI thought I would stay with friends as it seems I have none here, even after all I did for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid? Could you explain exactly what you did for us,\u201d Cordelia waved her hand around the lobby.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am Angel\u2019s seer.\u201d\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018Aww, right, all those visions you had while he was gone, the ones since he came home, truly a great seer. Tell me seer, have you had any other visions, I mean other than that last one, the one that almost got Wesley killed and got me kidnapped by a crazy Immortal, Cassandra, do you know her?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know what you are babbling about, you\u2019ve gone crazy, help me,\u201d Gabriel swirled looking at the other occupants in the large room.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy\u2019s vision, what was it.\u201d Wesley jerked his head towards Gunn.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe didn\u2019t say, just that we had to hightail back here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you sure it was a vision?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, she didn\u2019t actually say that either, but it was somethin\u2019 somethin\u2019 freaky that looked like a vision.”<\/p>\n
Wesley shook his head. There was that \u2018freaky\u2019 again.<\/p>\n
Fred ran up. \u201cWhy is Cordy being so mean, I mean, I don\u2019t really care that she\u2019s being mean to Gabby on principle, but why Cordy is being scary mean? I mean\u2026I don\u2019t know what I mean.\u201d Fred slumped.<\/p>\n
The blonde straightened her shoulders facing the brunette. \u201cYou actually think you can stop me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know I can. You\u2019ve been stopped.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFool.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBitch.\u201d Cordelia swung, every emotion that was triggered since the Quickening focused in her fist as she knocked the blonde across the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t know what you are up against.\u201d Gabriel scrambled getting to her feet.<\/p>\n
Cordelia pulled her sword. \u201cI just took a head, I liked it, and I\u2019ll take yours. Now, tell me how you did it.”<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll kill you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred blinked as she listened. \u201cCordelia just hit Gabriel and Gabriel just said she\u2019d kill Cordy, what\u2019s happening?\u201d She blinked again at Gunn and Wesley.<\/p>\n
Both shrugged, moving a little closer to the women, not sure what they were supposed to do.<\/p>\n
Cordelia stepped forward. \u201cIt\u2019s over, the only way you can possibly live is if you tell me how and why.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gabriel laughed. \u201cTry it.\u201d Her body seemed to grow in stature, her blonde hair receding as her frontal lobe expanded and pulsated.<\/p>\n
Angel ceased his shadowing and jumped forward as Gabriel transformed into something he had ever seen before.<\/p>\n
\u201cCute. I saw the techno version, I thought it was your best look.\u201d Cordelia swung not going for the neck like expected but slashing at the wriggly claws that shot out of Gabriel\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n
Fred leaned back. \u201cI knew she wasn\u2019t normal.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew those were weapons.\u201d Angel commented stunned as squiggly arms regenerated out what had been Gabriel\u2019s amble breast, the limbs waving in the air towards Cordelia.<\/p>\n
\u201cAttack of the killer tittys\u201d Gunn yelled as he vaulted over the chair reaching for the weapons cabinet.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my,\u201d Fred gulped twirling around still stunned that the annoying blonde was morphing into a very ugly demon with clawy extra arms for breasts. \u201cI knew she wasn\u2019t normal,\u201d Fred mumbled again as she ran to the stairs.<\/p>\n
Wesley scrambled back to his office grabbing for the crossbow on his bookcase.<\/p>\n
\u201cA Bracken demon?\u201d Angel yelled as he ran towards Cordelia.<\/p>\n
Wesley skidded to a halt. \u201cThere was no reason to ask for a blood test, she had a vision, obviously now that was not accurate.\u201d Wesley shot off arrow.<\/p>\n
Angel grunted and yanked at Cordelia, kicking out at the demon that once was the petite blonde, trying to break the clawed, breast thrusting, squiggly, strangle hold the demon had on Cordy.<\/p>\n
Duncan\u2019s sword was in the air. \u201cMethos.\u201d<\/p>\n
Methos\u2019 sword was already slicing at the appendages that seemed to pop everywhere out of the demon.<\/p>\n
Fred ran back down the stairs dragging a small suitcase. She bit her lip, praying as she set up her experiment. She flicked the box, and pointed. She squeezed her eyes as the sharp axe blade swung from the depths of the suitcase. She didn\u2019t start breathing again until Gabby wailed, whimpered, and fell to the ground.<\/p>\n
The dead body on the floor held no resemblance to the petite young blonde woman. Rather it was a larger humanoid demon with a too big misshaped cranium and multi appendages draped lifeless on the tiles.<\/p>\n
The room was silent each occupant staring, none could claim victory. The body was definitely dead but whether the fatal blow was accomplished by Gunn’s axe embedded in the demon’s chest, Wesley’s arrow that pierced her stomach, Angel’s sharp dagger that pinned the demon’s neck to the floor, the three swords standing straight up in the lifeless form or the circular blade catapulted from Fred’s suitcase, was anyone’s guess.<\/p>\n
Angel was the first to move yanking his weapon free. “Correct me if I’m wrong, Wesley, but that’s not a Bracken demon even half of one.\u201d He repeated his earlier comment.<\/p>\n
Wesley rolled his eyes, heading back to his office to get his Demonic Encyclopedia.<\/p>\n
Gunn shook his head. “Girl, was this you?” He pointed to the circular blade.<\/p>\n
“I’ve been experimenting, I like to make things.” Fred held up the mobile catapult she had built.<\/p>\n
“Damn, that’s where the toaster went.”<\/p>\n
Methos grabbed his sword and Duncan’s handing the Highlander his. “It’s got to be over now,” Methos sighed going up to Fred. “That was really nice and you’re really scary, Winifred Burkle.”<\/p>\n
Fred bit her lip, giving a small embarrassed smile. She was pretty sure that the old handsome Immortal gave her another complement.<\/p>\n
“Cordy,” Angel went to stand next to the young woman her gaze fixated on the dead body. “Cordy,” he said sharply as Cordelia kicked at the lifeless body over and over again.<\/p>\n
“Cordy,” Angel called again, pulling the young woman away from the body, worried at the tears streaming down Cordy\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
“She…\u201d Cordelia clenched her jaw. “She did it.” Cordelia glared up to the vampire. “All those people are dead because of her.” Cordelia broke free from Angel, going back to the body. “It was her fault.” Cordelia went to kick at the dead body, only to choke slumping to the ground, sobbing into her hands. “All those helpless, dead. We couldn’t save them. I didn’t see them.”<\/p>\n
“What people, Cordy?” Angel knelt by the young woman scared to touch her. Her tears and sobbing making her fragile as if his touch could break her, but that same fragility brought an intense need to protect the young woman. He hesitantly reached out, brushing at the hair that was mixing with the tears on her face.<\/p>\n
“The helpless,” tears muffling Cordelia\u2019s breaking voice. “The helpless in my visions, all dead, because I didn’t see them.” She blinked up to Angel’s concerned gaze. “I let them die. It’s my fault.”<\/p>\n
Angel’s heart split into two as Cordelia\u2019s anger turned into sorrowful self-blame. His need to protect became overwhelming.<\/p>\n
“We saved…\u201d Gunn looked at the dead demon then back to the crying girl huddled in Angel’s embrace. “Who the hell did we save?”<\/p>\n
“Not now.” Angel called as he picked up Cordelia’s trembling form taking her up stairs.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia scooted away from the vampire once she was on the bed, curling up away from him.<\/p>\n
Angel sat on the bed, moving closer. “Cordy.” Angel\u2019s hand reached out to tenderly caress the curve of her hip, trying to sooth the young woman. “You didn’t let anyone die.”<\/p>\n
Cordelia shook her head into the pillow, squishing her body further from Angel’s comforting touch.<\/p>\n
“Cordy,\u201d Angel said firmly. “I’m not going anywhere, so stop.” He pulled Cordelia towards him, ignoring her resistance, curling her shaky body into his lap. His arms kept her secure against him. “It’s over now, talk to me.\u201d His voice was soft but the order unmistakable.<\/p>\n
Angel was relieved when Cordelia finally conceded, the tension fled as her body melted into his embrace.<\/p>\n
Angel had to lean into to make out her soft words.<\/p>\n
“I never lost the visions, I just didn’t see them. I don’t know how. But, after the Quickening, it was like Vocah all over again, all the visions that the Powers had sent for the last few months flooded through me,\u201d Cordelia closed her eyes and took a deep breath.<\/p>\n
“I felt them, all of them, all of the victims that had died, because I hadn\u2019t seen them. I believed her, I believed that the Powers took my visions, but they didn’t, I believed her and they all died.”<\/p>\n
Angel lifted Cordelia’s face. “Everyone believed her, Cordy. Everyone.\u201d He emphasized. “That thing was having visions, you weren’t.”<\/p>\n
“But, I was, Angel. All the time, whatever she was having wasn\u2019t sent from the Powers. They were lies, I should’ve known. I’m your seer, I should’ve…. all those people.”<\/p>\n
“Should\u2019ve ignored the evidence? You didn’t know about the visions, not until now. YOU are not responsible.”<\/p>\n
“I should\u2019ve known.\u201d Cordelia shook her head into his chest.<\/p>\n
“No, Cordy, shush.” Angel stretched out along the bed taking Cordelia with him, he continued to whisper that it wasn’t her fault, his gentle caresses kept tempo with his assurances.<\/p>\n
“I’m so tired.” Cordelia said softly.<\/p>\n
“Shush, then sleep, baby, just sleep,” Angel\u2019s voice was soft and lyrical in its beckoning.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Lilah threw up her hands. “That’s just great.” She looked down in disgust at her ruined fashionable jacket.<\/p>\n
“I think his head just blew up.” Lindsay flicked a piece of goo of his cheek.<\/p>\n
“YA THINK.” Lilah brushed at sticky mess spattered in her hair. “This is wonderful.”<\/p>\n
“I think Gabriel’s dead.” Lindsay held the phone receiver to his shoulder again.<\/p>\n
Lilah snorted in disgust. “Why stop there, Lindsay, I don’t think I get the fact that the sky is blue and the grass is green.”<\/p>\n
Lindsay hung up the phone. “Linwood wants us and the head popper to stay put, he’s sending the mystics to do an autopsy on why exactly this guy flipped his lid.”<\/p>\n
Lilah groaned at the message and the delivery. “We know why he’s dead. The white hats figured it out, killed Gabriel, and blew his gasket. Why else?\u201d<\/p>\n
“Linwood isn’t quite as confident as you are that the sky is really blue and the grass is really green.”<\/p>\n
Lilah flopped in her chair. “Could this night get any worse?”<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t ask, if you don\u2019t want the answer.\u201d Lindsay eyed the empty stained seat next to the couch for a long minute before deciding on the corner of the desk to wait.<\/p>\n
Part 65<\/b><\/p>\n
Angel took one more look at the sleeping woman. He softly closed the door and went to rejoin the others.<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley?\u201d<\/p>\n
The watcher pushed at his glasses. \u201cGabriel was a Mediica. Mediicas are very susceptible to psychic influences and when attacked or in danger their abilities extend to being able to generate physical manifestations to meet the threat.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, the wiggle arms growing out of her breast aren\u2019t always there?\u201d Fred frowned at the dead body.<\/p>\n
\u201cJesus, even as a whacked demon, the girl was fixated on her breast. Walking, talking boob blonde joke.\u201d Gunn plopped on the counter.<\/p>\n
\u201cGunn.\u201d Wesley cocked his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNow that Gabriel has been identified, perhaps you could dispose of her in the furnace. I would but, Angel I imagine has some questions for me and hopefully, he also has some answers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPlaying the brain card, Wus-ley\u201d Gunn jumped to his feet. \u201cI am so going to need disinfectant.\u201d He grumbled, tossing the body over his shoulder, trudging towards the basement stairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d Wesley looked to Angel.<\/p>\n
The vampire shoved his hands in his pockets. \u201cCordy said that after the Quickening she experienced all the visions that she had been getting but couldn\u2019t see. She said that that things\u2019 vision were false.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were victims, Angel. We did save innocents.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel looked up the stairs his thoughts on the woman tucked in his bed. \u201cCordy was positive, she blames herself for those that weren\u2019t saved. Somehow, the visions, the visions sent by the Powers, weren\u2019t getting through, blocked somehow. Does a Mediica have that power?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d Wesley considered. \u201cBut, from what I was able to briefly read, it isn\u2019t unusual for a Mediica to create a symbiotic relationship with a more powerful psychic. They feed off that beings energy and give physical protection if needed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is another being out there that could hurt Cordy?\u201d Angel said tensely.<\/p>\n
\u201cQuestionable, if Gabriel was in such a symbiotic relationship, then once she died, the other being would be weakened, possibly dead.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCassandra\u2019s foresight wasn\u2019t like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley shook his head towards Duncan. \u201cDo you really know that?\u201d Wesley cocked his head.<\/p>\n
Methos stepped up. \u201cCordelia killed Cassandra. That\u2019s what enabled Cordy to have the visions, the Quickening. Gabriel was still alive at that point. It\u2019s some one else, some one that would have a reason to want to block Cordelia\u2019s link to the Powers, someone with\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWith law degrees.\u201d Gunn said as he went straight under the counter to pull out a big bottle of Lysol. \u201cThat\u2019s how Angel knew where Cordy was.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley rubbed his forehead. \u201cIt would be hard to argue that Wolfram & Hart wasn\u2019t deep in this. Angel, where are you going?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo make sure this is finished. Stay with Cordy.\u201d He ordered.<\/p>\n
Part 66<\/b><\/p>\n
“Can we get this thing out of my office yet,\u201d Lilah paced in front of the mystic pathologist.<\/p>\n
“It does seem that the implosion…”<\/p>\n
“Explosion,” Lilah pointed to her stained jacket.<\/p>\n
The doctor continued, ignoring her interruption. “Was caused by the break with its symbiotic partner. That demon is obviously dead.”<\/p>\n
“Lilah,” Lindsay held up his hand to stop her next retort.<\/p>\n
Lilah gave the doctor a tight smile. “Then it can be removed.”<\/p>\n
“I see no reason to keep the carcass.” The doctor exited the door only to return flying across the room, landing against the wall, and dropping unconscious to the ground.<\/p>\n
“This is your fault.” Lindsay said under his breath. “You had to ask.”<\/p>\n
Lilah rolled her eyes at the other lawyer and turned to the intruder. “Angel, hello, it seems the vampire detectors are once again operating with their usual efficiency.”<\/p>\n
“You might want to get some new ones.” Angel strode into the office, his gaze narrowing on the dead demon on the couch. “New client or who I came to kill.\u201d<\/p>\n
“Angel, isn’t this visit a little unnecessary, we can only assume that you’ve gotten you’re seer back.”<\/p>\n
“That’s only reason YOU\u2019RE not dead. But, I do think this follow up call is necessary. You see,\u201d Angel moved swiftly, grabbing both lawyers by the neck. “I need you both to understand this- Cordelia\u2019s off-limits. You go after her again. I will kill you.” He tightened his grip on the lawyers and smiled as they turned to blue. He released them before they lost unconsciousness.<\/p>\n
Angel stepped back and waited until they both struggled to their feet. “I do have one question, though, Gabriel’s fake visions, what were they?”<\/p>\n
Lindsay coughed. “Staged events.”<\/p>\n
“So, the victims weren’t victims.”<\/p>\n
“Well,” Lindsay shrugged. “Would it make you feel little better that some of them were innocents and needed to be saved, time frame and all, couldn\u2019t always get the right players for the role assigned.”<\/p>\n
“No\u201d Angel looked in disgust at the couple. \u201cDo we have an understanding, now? Good,” he nodded to the lawyers. Angel paused in his exit and went back to Lindsay. “I really thought you might have learned your lesson the last time.” Angel snatched at the lawyer’s prosthetic hand wrenching it off and waving it in Lindsay’s pain filled face.<\/p>\n
“I really did, oh well, some people are just slow learners.” Angel tsked with the plastic hand at Lindsay’s glare and clenched teeth.<\/p>\n
Angel left with the hand still waving in the air, without pausing or looking back he tossed the hand over his shoulder.<\/p>\n
30 seconds later, Wolfram & Hart security ran in. “The monitors showed that the vampire with a soul was coming this way.”<\/p>\n
“Really? Did they?” Lindsay picked up his tossed around hand from the floor. “Christ.”<\/p>\n
“Ms. Morgan, Mr. MacDonald, are you…”<\/p>\n
“If you say anything more, I will order you to be killed.” Lilah interrupted. “Now, get him out of here,” She pointed to the unconscious doctor on the floor,” Have that burnt,” she waved to her sofa and the dead demon on it. \u201c And while you’re at it, have every single vampire detector in this place burnt.”<\/p>\n
“I’ll…have to check with the section head…” the guard stuttered under Lilah’s cold stare.<\/p>\n
“Then do it,” Lindsay cut in. “And when you do, suggest that the replacements at least have some knowledge of what the hell a vampire is.”<\/p>\n
“Yes sir, mam.” The guard quickly ordered his men to clear the office of the unwanted bodies.<\/p>\n
“So, you want to go out for a drink, I could use one.” Lindsay looked down at his aching wrist and the plastic hand that should be attached.<\/p>\n
“The only place I am going is home to take a shower.”<\/p>\n
“That will work, you got any scotch?”<\/p>\n
Lilah gave a hard look at Lindsay and stalked out the office.<\/p>\n
“Was that yes or no?” Lindsay waved a two-handed single wave after the woman.<\/p>\n