Go TeamC/A
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Part 3 THE HYPERION HOTEL (Where we left off)
“So what is it this time and where is everyone”? Asked Giles walking down the stairs, the bag left at the top where he’d dropped it, but carrying the paper like it was the bible or something. “I expected a Detective Agency to be busier”.
”Er Hello, sole trader here” , Cordy looked at Giles guileless face and decided not to get into it - Behind the times much?
“That’s the crisis” Cordelia told him in a clipped tone, still bemused at the arrival of the ex Sunnydale Librarian and ex Watcher - and if she was willing to admit one of her earliest crushes – must be a watcher or English thing, she thought remembering how hot Wesley had looked to her at one time, a long time ago she assured herself hurriedly.
Shaking her head slightly to dislodge the unwelcome nostalgia trip, she decided to take the bull by the horns and asked him; “What are you doing here anyway Giles - not that you’re not welcome or anything”, she added the last bit hastily when he looked at her with an ‘annoyed and trying to hide it’ expression.
“Thank you” Said Giles with careful emphasis before taking his glasses off for a quick polish. Typical Cordelia, never one for wasting time on the pleasantries.
Cordy gave a small smile, despite her worry - amused at the all too familiar gesture and then with a brow raised to speed things along; waited for a reply knowing silence is more effective on people like Giles than badgering. She was right too - unfortunately.
“I was coming in this direction anyway and well, I’m here to see Angel on Buffy’s behalf – she’s worried about him and I’m worried about her” said Giles and then placed his glasses carefully back on his nose, he looked up at Cordelia, obviously uncomfortable discussing it with her.
”Well Duh he’s here for Buffy - his ex and talking to me his ‘now and staying that way’ lover”, she did her damndest to ignore the surge of jealousy and instead of giving it to him with both barrels – like she wanted; she decided to give him the benefit of the doubt - maybe he just didn’t know.
“Aren’t we all” Said Cordy and for once the super sensitive Rupert Giles failed to notice the freeze in her voice and suddenly stiff body - or if he did, saw nothing wrong with it; after all it had been a while since he’d last seen her.
“So what was that you were saying about them being – missing was it”? Giles asked, looking around him, scrutinising the lobby and what he could see of the office.
“Just Angel – and maybe Wesley, but I’m not sure about Wes” replied Cordy crisply as she walked back over the phone on the counter and dialling Wes’s home number again.
“So what do you think has happened to him – have you checked his room”? Asked Giles, trying to think methodically and not sure how successful he’d be considering he was talking to Cordelia Chase.
Wow you really are behind the times, Buffy not too talkative then. “That would be my room now” replied Cordelia with a hint of steel still in her tone as she put down the ringing phone – no answer. Then relenting, she explained “Angel gave up the hotel when he took over Wolfram & Hart; this is my place now”.
Giles gaped at her for a second before recovering with a murmured “Oh”, then it hit him and he frowned, “So how do you know he’s missing – maybe he’s just not answering the phone or he could simply be asleep”.
Giles relaxed somewhat, ruefully thinking he’d forgotten how melodramatic Cordelia could be, especially when it concerned her – but then why would it concern her? It was morning after all.
He frowned and considered how to ask delicately why she would know so much about Angel’s movements. From memory and conversations with Willow – admittedly a long time ago – the vampire could barely stay in the same room with her for an hour without going crazy.
“Not really since he was supposed to be sleeping with me” Cordy told him with some careful emphasis of her own. Giles was so caught up in his own thoughts he missed the ramifications of what she said – for the moment.***
WESLEY
The other two demons were awake now and he’d had a few bad moments earlier when they’d realised they were; one - being held prisoner and two – sharing a cell with a human. For some reason that seemed offensive to them and he’d been forced to defend himself, luckily for him he’d managed to put them off the idea of trying any further attacks any time soon.
However, it did mean sleeping was dangerous and so totally out of the question. Also not helping was the fact that his head was hurting like hell, but at least the need to throw up had receded, leaving him feeling hungry, ”bloody typical”. Not that he expected to be fed or even if they did offer it - would consider eating anything they gave him.
After what felt like a lifetime of tedious waiting the crash of the bolts was heard again and all four inmates stiffened and waited to see what would happen next. As before the guard was carrying a flaming torch; expecting it this time, Wesley protected his vulnerable eyes to avoid the blindness of the sudden change in light from pitch black to illumination.
After a few moments to adjust, he was able to see that the guard wasn’t alone this time, there was another with him. Similar in appearance and yet not – it was difficult to tell as this one wore no mask. He was looking directly at Wesley though, “human, you will come with us now” it wasn’t a question but a demand.
“Where am I going” He asked the demon as he got to his feet with some difficulty, stiff from sitting still and silent on the damp dirty stone floor of the cell over a prolonged period of time, trying to stay alert for possible attacks.
“To visit a friend” the demon replied and gestured for Wesley to precede him. Not exactly unhappy to leave the dark dankness behind; Wesley did as he was told without further comment. As he crossed the cell door threshold he looked around him carefully but was disappointed to see nothing but more of the same on outside, nothing but rock walls, darkness and smoke.
There were numerous other doors identical to the one he’d just left which he assumed where more of the cave-like cells, Dreary didn’t begin to describe it, if he was here for too much longer he could see himself falling into depression he thought with wry amusement.
“I have quite a few questions, if you don’t mind answering them”? Wesley asked the mask-less demon as he was led away down the corridor at a brisk pace, going to heavens knows where; he was not expecting much but hoping for something to go on that might give him a means of escape.
“Your friend has the answers you seek Human, ask him” Wesley quirked a brow at the curt tone but said nothing else, what would be the use – apparently he was going to find out soon enough. Gradually the scenery changed – became worse if that was possible.
From the small ‘tour’ he’d had so far the complex was large and whoever had built it had used the natural caverns, caves and tunnels only with a lot more care being taken with the cell block with it’s regimented doorways and solid wooden doors. Here the doorways were mere holes with ragged leather curtains covering them. The floors were rock strewn with dirt and grit to make them less slippery was his guess, ”obviously not big on hygiene these lot”.
They arrived at what appeared to be the destination; like the others there was no door just a thick curtain which when pulled back by the husky guard, revealed the pacing and obviously agitated occupant; Angel.
“Wesley, if we get out of this alive I swear I’m gonna kill you”. As a convivial greeting between friends and comrades-in-arms go, this one sucked.
“It’s nice to see you too” replied Wesley as he ducked inside and faced the vampire. You couldn’t work with Cordelia Chase for any length of time and not learn the value of a sarcastic come back.
Angel looked back to the demon that’d met him in the antechamber and now escorted Wesley to him; “You can go now Piglet, we have things to discuss here”.
“As you wish and for the record Vampire, my name is Drachnar”, the demon replied with an attempt at dignity and clearly not understanding the insult on its looks. Wesley grinned and hid it by looking over the room and using that as an excuse to turn away.
“I’ll remember that for the next time I wanna clear my throat” replied Angel with a raised brow and crossing his arms in a “What – what did I say” type of gesture, as the demon – realising it was being taunted hissed in annoyance, then its black snake like eyes narrowed with sudden malice.
“Don’t take to long with your talk Vampire, you have been treated with respect due to your reputation, but things change rapidly around here and humans are always the first to suffer”, Drachnar came over to stand beside Wesley, dwarfing the human. “Remember that before you let your tongue run away with you again”.
With that Vampire and ex-watcher were left alone, Wesley looked at Angel; his blue gaze direct as he said “I realise this is my fault, but can we save that for later and just get to the escape part for now”.
Angel sat on the edge of a table and crossed his ankles, nonchalance in every line – except for the face, which suggested otherwise. “Easier said than done Wes, you’re on the menu and I’m on the entertainment list – not to mention the pesky fact of some kind of inter dimensional portal like nothing I’ve ever seen before”.
Wesley ignored the food part and concentrated on where he could do the most good, “Describe the portal to me”.***
HYPERION HOTEL
“Angel sleeps with you” Repeated Giles his face frozen with shock before a smile cracked his face and he laughed, or more accurately chuckled manically at the ‘misunderstanding’.
“You mean he occasionally sleeps here – for a minute there I thought you were saying…”
“I was and we do – can we move on now, like I said I have an emergency going on here”.
Giles choked and stuttered for a full minute before managing to stop and then meeting the glare he got from Cordelia – even without his glasses he would have winced; his shoulders slumped and in another revealing gesture removed the glasses yet again - only this time to rub his eyes in what was obviously an attempt to relieve sudden tension.
”So that’s why Buffy won’t discuss Angel or LA” , thought Giles, pity stirring in his heart, ”When am I ever going to learn not to interfere – I shouldn’t have come here, especially secretly” .
He sighed deeply and sat down on one of the chairs gingerly, saying “Yes indeed lets move on, why don’t you tell me why you think Angel is in danger”. He couldn’t just walk away now though, honour not to mention good manners forbade it.
Grateful at the offer given the blow she’d just given him, she outlined what she’d found when she’d woken this morning, but Giles didn’t seem convinced there was a problem. “It’s all very nebulous isn’t it - it could mean next to nothing, maybe he just got caught up in something or simply called away”.
“I don’t think so and that’s good enough for me” replied Cordy pacing to the middle of the lobby and turning to thrust an arm towards the glass doors and the sunlight that shone behind them, “Not to mention the whole ‘morning bright’ aspect of it”.
“For enough” replied Giles in a mixture of long suffering patience and resignation. “So what’s the next step, what would his movements have been, where might he have gone or seen”?
“Hey, Watcher guy, one question at a time here. Anyway I think the first stop has got to be the ‘belly of the beast’”.
“I beg your pardon; did you just say…” Giles looking at her in complete confusion, “What beast are you referring too”?
“I mean Wolfram & Hart, you know Evil-Law-Firm” she replied impatiently
“Why didn’t you just say so, it would make this so much easier if you could speak plain English, Cordelia”.
The reprimand in his voice made her eyes roll for moment before she caught it. ”Was Wesley ever this stuffy before they knocked it out of him”? She didn’t think so. “Did Buffy not tell you anything about what went on here”? She was genuinely curious.
But Giles angry at the implied criticism in her tone and rolling eyes, snapped at her “That’s none of your concern, Buffy is hurting Cordelia and unlike some she doesn’t yell to the world when she gets a paper cut”.
Cordelia said nothing and carefully kept her face expressionless – hiding the hurt of unexpectedly finding herself confronted with her past and how others had viewed her - before she’d come to LA and met up with Angel, to start the first Agency.
Giles shrugged and looked away, sighing deeply, “I apologise, Cordelia that was uncalled for – I really am just worried about Buffy”. He could hardly meet her eyes; there was something in those hazel depths – some kind of darkness or painful memory.
Whatever it was it made her look older than her years, as if she had seen too much and it shamed him, because he knew that look from Buffy’s eyes too; he realised then, too late to take it back, that he hardly knew this Cordelia Chase.
Cordelia walked away from him, going around the counter to reach her desk – she still used her old one mostly, feeling weird sitting in Angel’s old office. Looking over the counter that now separated then, she measured her words carefully, something that Giles would never have believed her capable of before.
“Look, Giles I’m not trying to be rude here and its not that I don’t sympathise – well OK maybe I don’t cos – Hello, not exactly in the loop on Buffy these days. Whatever, I don’t have time to get into this – I need to find out what has happened to the people I love like family, clear”?
Giles was smiling at her now, impressed despite himself at the obvious passion she felt, “Oh absolutely clear, can I help”?
“Sure", Cordy waited a few beats watching his expression and checking his sincerity, which was clearly real; "Come on Giles, we need to go play dress-up”. Before he had a chance to ask for an explanation she’d grabbed him by the arm and dragged him upright, “Did you bring a suit or maybe a jacket to go with those pants”.
“Hmmm - erm well, let me see I think I brought a jacket just in case, but” he stopped and stared at her, “Please unhand me and tell me why I need a jacket in this heat”.
“Whatever happened to the stuffy Librarian that always wore a jacket no matter how hot it was”? Complained Cordelia as she half dragged him over towards the stairs and his carpet bag. “He got sick of sweating, now answer the question” replied Giles in that, oh so dry English way of his.
Cordelia bounded up the stairs to grab his bag, throwing the words over her shoulder, “We can’t just walk in the door and expect to find out what we want to know – even if Angel is ‘boss’ they’re still evil at the core”.
She handed a still confused Giles his bag, “It’s simple and I’ve done it loads of times before – we go disguised and find out what we want to know then we leave OK”.
Giles recovered from the idea of ‘going in disguise’ enough to point out, “But why do you need me, won’t they get more suspicious of a stranger” he asked Cordy’s rapidly disappearing back view.
“Duh – why do you think I need a disguise, they’d get rid of me in a second if they could, that’s why I need you. You’re part of my props”.***
WOLFRAM & HART BUILDING
Lorne was walking towards the bank of elevators in the lobby when he found himself staring in utter shocked surprise at one of the people inside the now closing door. “Cordelia”, he saw the woman – wearing a navy short skirted business suit, big glasses and a huge blond hairdo; raise a slim hand to her lips in a shushing gesture.
He raised his brows and looked thoughtful, ”Who in hell was the man with her and why were they sneaking around?”. Deciding to investigate he watched to see which floor the elevator would stop at and saw it go past the last authorised floor, without stopping – they were headed for Angels apartment. That had him stumped since he didn’t have the code to access it, so that left Angels office as a good bet for the next stop.
“I still don’t understand why the disguises Cordelia – won’t they know you’re here anyway if they are so ‘all seeing’ as you say they are”? Asked Giles in an exasperated tone.
Cordy refrained from mentioning Lorne, trusting the green demon to keep quiet; “What - you think they might have a Cordy/Librarian alarm – I don’t think so and don’t say my name, they have ‘all hearing ears’ as well”, she hissed at him and then carried on in her best cajoling speech, “Have you never heard ‘he who dares wins’ -get a grip Giles”.
“Harrrmphh” snorted Giles more than a little peeved, “Why the blonde wig, it’s bloody distracting and a bit obvious isn’t it”?
“Do you think so” Asked Cordelia sweetly, “I thought you’d appreciate the familiarity of the dumb blonde look”. Giles gave her a filthy look but said nothing else, waiting for the elevator to deposit them at their destination.***
ANGEL & WESLEY
“Where the hell are we, do you know”? Asked Angel; going to the curtain to check for eavesdroppers, before turning back and giving Wesley a questioning look.
“Other than a hell – or so I’m told, no idea I’m afraid” answered Wesley in a no nonsense tone, wincing internally though at having got them caught in yet another unknown demon dimension. I’m getting as bad as Cordelia
“Yeah well you got that right; you should see what I did when I got here. Humans cut up like cattle and hanging from the ceiling waiting to be eaten”.
“Hmm nasty – not exactly encouraging either” replied Wesley, not that he wasn’t disgusted but sometimes a hard edge was necessary to survive, this was one of those times. “What was it you were saying about ‘entertainment’ - you have you’re clown suit with you”?
Angel frowned darkly at the humour, but was oddly relaxed by it too, typical Wes. “Ha Ha, very funny – how about you wear one and kill ‘em with your rapier wit” he replied sardonically. He resumed his earlier position with a hip cocked on the ‘rooms’ only piece of furniture. “Remember a while ago, those two brothers running a demon fighting ring”?
“You’ve got to be kidding me” said Wesley, catching on immediately, “not again”.
“Tell me about it” sighed Angel and scrubbed his face with his hands, trying to clear the smoke and grit from his suddenly tired eyes.
“Times up my friends, it’s time to prepare yourselves” announced Drachnar from the doorway, pulling back the curtain and smiling grimly at them.
“Prepare ourselves for what”? Wesley asked, envisioning a big cooking pot. Angel didn’t look at him though, just stared at the demon in the doorway with a hardened expression all tiredness forgotten as renewed adrenaline poured through him, taut silence filled the room.
“That’s a good question so why don’t you answer the man, Drachnar”? His reaction to the question would depend on what the answer was.
“You both go into the pit to fight together” replied the demon genially but there was a glint in those obsidian eyes that showed another feeling altogether. “It should be amusing to watch you defend yourself and your friend at the same time – if you want too that is”
“Oh I don’t know; he’s pretty nifty at defending himself” replied Angel with a small smile, which was true but he had a horrible feeling that things would be different here. For one thing, there was the ‘trapped like rats in cage’ part of the deal to consider.
“Not here he won’t, no one survives the pit and certainly not a mere human” replied the demon with certainty. “We’ll see” snarled Angel, clenching his jaw and forcibly stopping the demon that wanted out; not YET! He hated to give this bastard something to gloat over and vamping out would give away a lot about his state of mind.
He glared at it with dark eyes narrowed to slits of unadulterated menace, “Will you be joining us”? To any one else it would sound like he was inviting the demon to tea party or something, the tone was so polite. Drachnar stared back at him, and smiled; a tiny acknowledgement of the battle Angel had fought within himself.
“Not this time I’m afraid but in the highly unlikely event of you surviving the first bout, maybe” replied Drachnar, confidence oozed out of the big demon and his eyes gleamed manically at the thought of the blood that would be shed.
“That’s a good enough reason to survive all by itself” replied Angel quietly and concisely; even if he never saw another day – this bastard was going to die.
Wesley simply stood back and watched the by-play between the demon and the vampire with interest, so they were to fight for their lives – what else was new. He refused to let himself dwell on the possibilities – what good would fretting do, at least he wasn’t pot roast.***
THE PIT
The pit was a dirty stinking hole in the ground, lined with stones and at least twenty feet deep. Angel knew he could jump it easily but not while holding onto Wesley – at least he didn’t think so, but he’d keep it as a last option if nothing else.
Crowds of demons, most of them masked sat in stone tiered benches surrounding the ring and what a crowd they were, dirty, coarse and if he was any judge - high on the thrill of the coming violence. They where all inside yet another large cavernous cave, dark and damp and lit with the usual torches; including high up inside the pit itself.
Don’t want the audience to miss the fun now do we, like hell, but it didn’t look like he had a choice, again; at least this time he would be perfectly willing to kill his opponents.
On the right side was a platform of some kind, made from wood with three huge chairs built into it - for the local dignitaries thought Wesley, too exalted for the cold stone like the rest.
All of sudden there was a commotion and both tensed at the wild clapping and stamping of feet; “Looks like the funs about to start” Said Angel keeping his eyes trained on the rim of the pit, trying to gauge from where the threat would appear.
“Looks like” agreed Wesley also keeping a careful watch; they stood back to back waiting for whatever was going to happen next, tense and primed for the violence to commence. Both of them tall and dark-haired, covered in grime and dirt – the vampire was much bigger and heavier and yet – somehow, both seemed the same as they faced the danger together.
What looked like some kind of mini procession walked around the pit, seven unmasked demons, all the same with their flat noses, slittish lips and black eyes, ringed by ridged brows and spiky tines. Three of the group sat down in the wooden chairs and gestured to the other four - heavily armed demons.
“They’re armed and were not – hardly fair” intoned Wesley to Angel who looked around to him and nodded briefly in agreement. Just then all four demons jumped into the pit with them; landing on legs like the trunks of young trees. They steadied themselves almost the instant they landed and then tossed the weapons between themselves and Angel and Wesley.
Then bending at their thick waists and clenching meaty fists they roared at the pair. Simultaneously both Angel and Wesley raised a brow and then looked at one another, “I’ll let you growl back – you’re so much better at it than I” Wesley told the vampire ironically.
The crowd went wild again, obviously more impressed than they were and clapping and stamping their feet. Strange to hear when they had no voice for the most part and the remaining three up there without the masks, remained stoic throughout the display.
“Gee thanks, I’ll pass” replied Angel gathering himself to launch at the weapons, all six combatants exploded into action in the same instant almost as if a gun had gone off.
Angel reached a sword at the same time as one of the demons and quicker on his feet, booted it on the face and snatched up the long weapon he was the most comfortable with. Wesley knowing he would need something heavier went for an axe with a long wooden handle and wickedly curved polished blade.
Both successfully armed they faced of the demons again, back to back as before. Watching intently the circling demons, two armed as they were, the difference being instead of an axe, one held a three pronged spear. Wesley winced when he saw it, for some reason it gave him a chill and he wished to hell that had been the closer one to him, instead of the axe.
Angel and the other sword wielder clashed with flashing blades and rings of steel, while Wesley blocked the darting spear with the axe. Angel parried the sword of his opponent and after a few minutes was forced to the conclusion that Drachnar had not been bragging about their skills, he was keeping up – just.
Worried now, he risked a quick glance at Wesley to see how he was faring and saw he was struggling against the longer reach of the spear. ”Dammit, I need to finish this one now, or Wesley’s a pin cushion”.
His gaze snapped back to the demon he was fighting, seeing the other two circling them, waiting for an opportunity to strike but patient and not risking injury unless a guard was dropped. Sneaky, but in-experienced, if he was them he would attack as a team, lucky for him they weren’t trained in teamwork.
He picked up the pace - hacking and slashing at both head and torso and then using both hands to grip the hilt, he drew back one elbow and shoulder so that the sword was poised to strike and backed away, waiting for an opportunity of his own. The demon followed him, wary but excited at the prospect that Angel was finally retreating, perhaps even tiring. ”In your dreams”, that was it he was close enough – he lunged straight towards the demons unprotected neck; the demon saw it and brought up his own sword but was too close to parry, so it blocked with the blade flat out and angled down.
”Just what he wanted”, Quicker than the eye could see Angel changed the angle and depth of the sword with a flick of his left wrist and by releasing the grip of his right hand; stepping back so that he stood sideways to it and confusing the demon with the move. The sword slipped past the protectively held blade and sank into its chest, just below where the breast bone would be on a human.
Angel immediately pulled the bloodied sword free and even as it sank to the floor, raised it again in his right hand now and swiftly decapitated it. The head came clean off, ”good sword” and rolled to rest by the stone wall of the pit.
Wesley meanwhile was tiring fast, like Angel he too had noticed the scavengers waiting for him to fall and was bloody well determined not too, if he could help it. The axe felt like a lead weight by now, but so far he’d managed to avoid the prongs. He dodged the next lunge and was struck by a surge of rage, renewed energy ran through his veins and his blood pumped hard through his body.
He kicked the spear to the side and trapped it with the axe by the curved head of the prongs, lashing out with his other foot, he connected with a thud on that meaty face, it staggered only a little before righting itself, ”Fat prick”.
Before it could yank the spear free, Wesley slammed the axe in an upward swing, meeting the demons neck and cutting through skin and bone. That’s more like it. But despite the win he knew he was not likely to survive this and watched almost with detachment as the spear was taken up by one of the other, fresher demons.
The burst of adrenaline was fading and feeling a little like a drunk he swung his heavy, aching head around to see Angel in the middle of a fight with the last of the other two, [/I]Two kills to the vampire, no doubt[/I], he smiled grimly and heaved himself straight, meeting the charge of his latest and likely last challenger.
As far as Angel could tell, these guys must be trained by the same swordsmen – were none of them frickin’ easy to kill. He’d miscalculated in leaving the axe for Wes, not thinking about the weight of it during a long fight, he chanced another glance and winced, nearly getting his arm sliced through in the process.
Giving his attention back to the fight, he vamped out and snarled, baring his fangs and then charged the momentarily disconcerted demon. He hacked at the blade that was still raised in a huge fist, knocking it aside with his own but not stopping or reducing speed, until he head butted it on the face; he felt the sting of the tines on his ridged forehead but used the pain to fuel his demonic hunger for more.
The force of the unexpected blow drove it back despite it’s size and bulk, the sword fell back and to one side and Angel kicked it out of it’s hand and then raised his own; the blade stabbing down into it’s gut. Then he dropped to a crouch and twisted his wrist up, turning and driving the impaling blade upwards while still inside, slicing through intestine like butter.
Without waiting to watch the final death throes he whirled around to see to Wesley, his topaz eyes widened when he saw the man he thought of as a friend was on his knees, the axe barely still held up and both arms dripping with blood, even his face was spattered with it and more oozed out of a gash on his neck. The demon stood back with and with a horrible grimacing grin swung the spear from side to side, gathering speed to swipe it over the now defenceless human. The sharp prongs would rip through everything in its path if it caught him, killing him.
Without really thinking Angel launched himself; hoping against hope to get between the man and demon in time. Wesley saw out of the corner of his eye, the dark shadow that was Angel, streaking towards them and in a split second of clarity he knew what would happen, “Nooo, don’t be a fool” He tried to yell it to be heard over the noise of the wild and crazed crowd.
His voice was hoarse and that only made what happened next even more surreal, he watched in horror as, almost in slow motion, Angel came between him and the spear, his black clad body met the ripping prongs and he jerked in mid-air as if stung. He landed with a thud on the dirt floor, lying on his side with one hand thrown towards Wesley.
Wesley watched the hand willing it to move, looking for signs of life and then saw a dark patch of liquid, spread to touch the still fingers from underneath Angel’s side. The demon threw back its head and roared, raising its arms in victory to incite the crowd into a bigger frenzy.
Wesley glared at it with bloodshot eyes, face pale and streaked with his own blood; he struggled up and grasping the hilt from underneath Angel’s prone body, dragged and hefted it up. The demon sensed the movement and turned to face him; Wesley stabbed the sword up through its chin and smiled in intense savage satisfaction as he saw the blood pour from both mouth and nose.
The crowd went quiet and Wesley staggered and fell back to his knees, then to the floor on his side - the two figures making a figure ‘T’ on the dirty, blood drenched floor of the pit.
Part 4THE PIT (Where we left off)
The pain had been beyond incredible, impossible even. So much so that it’d crowded everything else out until finally, blessedly cancelling itself out as well. Then he felt nothing for a while. Until suddenly it was back, sharp and searing. His eyes were shut but he still saw the red haze of pain – like blood.
“Kick him again”, said Drachnar to the heavily muscled guard. A heavy foot thudded into the fallen vampire again, aimed straight at the vicious wounds on the chest and body. Nothing - no response this time, not even a moan of pain.
Angel felt it, but he was too far gone for it to reach him properly. He floated in and out of awareness – even vampires can let go and just float away when the body became unbearable to be inside. That’s what happened here. He heard voices but only snatches – sounding as if they were underwater and almost impossible to understand.
“Put them back ……. in ……… her ……… survive ………… next ……. round”, there was laughter and then a single last word that filtered into his head, “…hours”.
Angel and Wesley were dragged up from the pit by their arms. Drachnar watched as the rope was tied to their wrists so that their bodies, unconscious not dead, could be hauled up the stone walls.
He turned to one of guards still down in the pit with him, “maybe he’ll eat her”. He smiled grimly at the thought and then grasping one of the ropes tossed down; climbed up the wall, fast and agile despite his weight and bulk.***
WOLFRAM & HART
“Well it appears we’ve found out exactly - nothing”. Said Giles resignedly; giving up trying to help. He stood out of the way and watched Cordelia as she flipping though papers and looked under books – frantically searching for a clue on where the vampire had gone.
“Well, other than the fact that by the looks of things, Angel has done well for himself”. He continued, mildly envious of the spacious apartment and lovely old antiques.
Cordelia didn’t seem to hear him, still busy rummaging around. However after a few seconds she surprised him by agreeing in a calm tone. A façade totally ruined when she threw up her hands, “This is do damn typical of Angel – GOD!, I could scream sometimes”. The volume of her frustrated voice gave some credit to that threat.
“Me, I get yelled at and threatened with house arrest if I cause him the slightest teeny tiny bit of worry. But it’s OK for him to do it to me? NOT”. By the time she was finished ranting she was breathing deeply and her eyes were narrowed to angry sparkling slits in her flushed face.
She seemed to forget the Englishman was even there as she stormed over to another set of elevator doors. Smaller and more discreet than the one they’d used to come up in. She punched the button to call it hard enough to break a slim finger causing Giles to flinch and eye her stormy face warily.
As the doors of the elevator opened with a muted ping, she whipped around and pointed a finger at him. “When I find him, I’m gonna kick his ass and see how he likes it, Asshole”. Giles raised a brow at that rather surprising statement, but forbore to comment.
If there was one thing he’d learned over the last ‘far too many’ years watching over temperamental females, was never contradict them when they were in total indignation mode. He especially had no intention of letting it slip that right at that moment he greatly sympathized with the missing vampire.
She was still silently simmering when they stepped out into Angel’s office. A gentleman at heart, Giles had automatically stepped back to let Cordy out first and so when she halted in her tracks, after barely clearing the door; he almost ploughed into her back.
“Hey there Sugarplum, come and join me for a drink. I just love Angel’s drinks cabinet. I have no idea why but it always makes me thirsty”.
Since he couldn’t see over the blonde wig from behind her, Giles stepped around the motionless Cordelia. Only to stiffen in shock when his eyes lit on a brightly coloured demon, happily lounging back in a big leather chair and nursing some kind of exotic cocktail.
“And just who the devil are you”? Giles demanded, moving to stand just a little in front of Cordelia, but enough for the demon to realize the woman wasn’t alone and defenceless. Lorne’s eyes widened as he took in the threatening stranger, protecting Cordelia? From him? He almost felt complimented but then remembered that wasn’t his forte, he left the art of intimidation to a certain vampire that shall remain nameless.
“I’m Lorne, Host with the Most– or at least I was. Now head of Entertainment and you are?” Asked Lorne genially his red eyes gleaming with interest and a small smile tilting his lips.
“This is Rupert Giles, ex-watcher from Sunnydale. Say Hi to the nice demon, Giles it’s OK, He’s a friend”. She arched a look at the still defensive man beside her who frowned darkly at her sudden humour. A rapid change in mood to say the least, he thought disgruntled.
“You know this creature?” He asked her incredulously and then recovered enough to toss a frown at Lorne, and a quick apology “Sorry– it’s just … a surprise”.
“Don’t worry about it Handsome. I get it all the time – must be my stunning good looks that makes ‘em jealous”. He gave Giles a saucy wink and then chuckled at the expression on the Englishman’s face. “You’ll get used to me” he advised cheerfully and raised the glass in a salute.
Do I have to? Thought Giles but managed to keep that comment between his teeth. Who was he to judge people for having demon friends after all?
Then there was the fact that Angel was boss here in LA. That in itself was hard for him to picture; his memories of Angel consisted of a brooding, shadowy creature taking directions from the slayer but otherwise, solitary and silent– not precisely leader material.
Cordelia sat down in the chair next to the demon, an earnest look on her beautiful face. “Lorne, I need you to tell me what you know about where Angel and Wesley have gone”.
“Gone, but sweetcheeks, I thought Angel was with you, and please what’s with the blonde wig”? He was giving her a quizzical look that expressed his lack of admiration for the blonde confection still clinging to her head and covering those gorgeously glossy, brunette locks.
Self-consciously she patted the wig and then frowned at him, “Forget the wig, Angel and Wes are missing and we need to find them”. She sat back in the chair, raising the hem of the skirt even further and causing Giles to uncomfortably avert his eyes from the long shapely limbs displayed by the short skirt.
“I have a bad feeling about this Lorne and I hate having bad feelings, cos hey– worry lines”. She flicked a hand at her face to emphasise the point and Giles couldn’t prevent his eyes looking heavenwards as if praying for guidance from on high.
“Oh and don’t we all Honey. Tell you what, why don’t you sing a tune for me– might save me some time and you some extra wrinkles”.
He smiled when she gave him a dirty look. Then turning to Giles he said cheerfully, “Feel free to cover your ears, tuneful she isn’t– just wish I could do the same”.
“Owww” Lorne rubbed the throbbing part of his arm that she’d punched with venom.
“I can sing, I just don’t have time for – you know, warming up and stuff” said Cordelia; defending herself and glaring at her friend and then Giles too - just in case he decided to join in and gang up on her.
Giles held up a hand to halt the byplay, “Can we just get on with it; otherwise we’ll be here all day, discussing the merits of your singing abilities or lack of them”. He was starting to get a headache and remembering Cordelia’s singing from High school, wanted it over and done with as quickly as possible.
“What does singing have to do with it anyway”? Asked Giles, confused and irritated by the turn things were taking, he walked over to the desk and perched a hip on it.
“He’s anagogic – I sing and he looks into my soul and sees what’s what in my life”. Cordelia informed him absently all the while running through songs in her mind, discarding one after another and successfully hiding a mental cringe about having to do this.
Angel you are in such big trouble – this is gonna deserve a ‘big, no expense spared and no complaining’ shopping spree.
Giles looked at Lorne with renewed interest while he digested the news about his abilities, “Really”? Then he looked confused again. “How will that help us find Angel and Wesley? We already know where Cordelia is”.
“The amount of time Angel and the Princess here spend wrapped around one another like the proverbial yin and yang. I’m only surprised they haven’t melted into a puddle of mutual lust. This’ll work – trust me”.
Cordelia took a deep breath, as did Lorne and Giles when they realised she was ready. Then steeling herself, she launched into a song that she secretly loved and listened to obsessively, when Angel wasn’t around of course.
“When you cried i'd wipe away all of your tears”
Giles watched intently as Lorne stared into Cordelia’s face. The red eyes of the demon entirely focused on the young woman. He saw the glass the demon was holding, tilt and the liquid inside pour out onto his bright blue suit pants; but Lorne didn’t notice, glued to something now flashing before his horrified inner eye.
“When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears”
A bright light, jagged rips in reality and a feeling of being cage. Masked monsters and stone slabs dripping with blood and entrails
“And I've held your hand through all of these years”
A dark pit lined with stones. Wesley falling, fighting and death, sharp prongs and finally a ripping pain followed by a red haze.
“But you still have all of me”
A dark pitiless room, more pain only from someone new and then feeding, blood filling and surging, bringing….
Lorne jerked back so hard he toppled the chair backwards. It righted itself before it hit the floor but Lorne slid off it and onto the carpet. He sat slumped with his back to the chair. His eyes were open but glazed and unfocused and he wasn’t moving so much as a muscle.
Cordelia stopped singing and leapt up to join Giles now kneeling beside Lorne. She grabbing the demons hand and squeezed hard, trying to bring him round, desperate to know what it was that he’d seen. Giles looked at her and raised a brow, a worried look on his questioning face. She shook her head not wanting to get into explanations of what was ‘normal’ – HAH, when did normal ever apply to them.
“Lorne, can you hear me. C’mon a little sight seeing tour and you’re all zombified – it won’t wash with ex-vision-girl”. She tried to make a joke of it but she was seriously worried now. This did not look good – not good at all.
Lorne choked and came back to life. He tried to get up but didn’t have the strength or co-ordination so fell back again. His eyes searched for and then latched onto Cordelia’s. Her heart sank into the pit of her belly when she saw his distraught expression.
Lorne told her swallowed hard and fought back the feeling of despair that threatened to make him weep like a baby. “It’s too late, they’re done for”
“That’s bullshit” said Cordelia after a shocked silence. Then leaping up she towered over the demon with eyes blazing, shouting at him. “Don’t tell me that, Lorne – don’t you ever say that. There is always hope”. She grabbed him by his shirtfront to haul him back in the chair, helped by a stunned Giles.
She was almost in the demon’s lap with her hands on either side of the armrest and leaning in to say, “Now tell me everything you saw - everything”. He gulped at the fire in her eyes and told her what he could remember.
Afterwards the three of them went silent, appalled at what they’d heard about the hellish place that Angel and Wesley were trapped in. Cordelia was pacing backwards and forwards, whirling around and almost wringing her hands in agitation.
Every part of her body felt as if it was hurting and she couldn’t possibly sit down or she’d go mad. Lorne’s description of them being only just alive, reverberating around her head.
“You have no idea what caused the change from normal glimpse to ‘all out vision’? She asked him. Not stopping her pacing except to throw a desperate glance at Lorne, needing to understand.
“Something took me over” and Lorne was still recovering from the shock of that too. “I could feel it hone in on me and then - whammo it was like a big screen surround sound with visual effects, the whole works”.
Just saying it out loud made him feel it again, the sheer tunnelled focus of it and then the feeling of being zeroed in on. “After that I saw what it wanted me to see”. He looked at Giles, who was watching Cordelia with a distant look on his weather-beaten face.
Even with her arms hugging her body tightly, Giles saw the fine trembling in Cordelia’s tightly held body and wished he could say something to make her relax. This was a side to Cordelia that he had never seen before and quite frankly it amazed him; so much for the self-absorbed prom queen image.
Cordelia stopped pacing and turned to face the two men. “I won’t lose him or Wesley and that’s final”. With her hands fisted at her sides and face filled with resolve, she continued. “I don’t care what it takes - I’m going in there and getting them both out”.
“I realise its dangerous and that I’m asking a lot but if I want to win this – well, I can’t do it alone”. Dammit, she could feel her eyes start to water and squeezed them shut. Hating the loss of control at a time when she needed it the most. Before the green demon could scramble up to go to her, Giles strode over and took her hands in his callused ones.
“Of course you’ll get him back, both of them and there’s no question that I’ll help you”. Giles sighed and wished he was better at saying just the right thing. “At least we know where they are now and have a good idea how to get there”. Awkwardly he patted her shoulder, wishing he was less reserved and able to just hug her.
Lorne had no such inhibitions and joined them. His red eyes filled with determination. He wrapped both arms around her in a big hug. “Make that two of us, Princess. I’ll just pretend I’m Clint - riding into hell to save the day OK”.
Cordelia gave a watery smile at the image of Lorne wearing leather chaps and a cowboy hat, just like he’d intended her too. She hugged him back and smiled at Giles to reassure them both that she was done with the emotional stuff for now.
“You’re absolutely certain that we can’t use anyone from here”. Giles asked Lorne. “It would be terribly useful to have some reinforcements”.
Lorne shrugged “All I know is that someone from here started this whole thing but the problem is I don’t know who. So who do we trust”?
“Angel’s had spats and fights with most of departments heads involved in the demon underworld and the way he works; you know that means enemies”. Agreed Cordelia; all business again.
“No, we can only trust ourselves and maybe Gunn and Fred – do you know where they are”? She asked Lorne.
“Well I know the legal beagle’s outta town with a client. But Fred’s downstairs in the lab, shall I go fetch”? Cordy nodded and made shooing motions with her hands.
“Hurry back with her but don’t say why until were all safely upstairs. Then we’ll get suited and booted”, She watched Lorne leave the room and then turned to meet Giles’s questioning look.
“Suited and booted”? He asked.
“Sure, Angel has a whole room filled with every weapon imaginable. It’s a homicidal maniacs Disneyland up there”. Giles smiled at her quippy tone “I’ll tell him you said that”.
“Don’t bother – I already did”.