Title: Without You
Author: Helen
Posted: 12-16-2003
Email: helen_taft@msn.com
Rating: NC-17
Category:
Content: C/A
Summary:
Spoilers:
Disclaimer: The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
Distribution:
Notes: This is for Scorchy and thanks for such a lovely challenge Hun. Here’s the details for ya: Demons have totally taken over Sunnydale, there's no Slayer or Watcher and there's only Cordy and Willow of the main SG around. The humans that are left alive are hiding out in caves, tunnels and whatnot.
Angel still has his soul but he's very Beigy as in dominent, overbearing, growly and snarly. He's with Spike at the mansion in Sunnydale and though he has a soul, he's not really all that bothered about the state of things!
One night when it's Cordy's turn to go get food for her and Willow, she runs into Angel and Spike who force her to take them to hers and Willow's little hideout. The vampires take both girls as slaves and things happen!!!
In my version I planned to have Angelus not Angel but to be honest, this would be more fun if it was Beige Angel!
Scenes to include if you choose to take this...
1) On a particularly rioty night, Cordy gets scared (bless her) and climbs into bed with Angel (sweet!).
2) Angel getting her to do proper slave things like wash his clothes, run his bath etc etc!
Whatever you do with Spike and Willow is entirely up to you, pair em up if ya like!
Feedback: Yeah feed me!
Thanks/Dedication:Part 11 Continued
BACK TO PRESENT - ANGEL
The ground came back sickening close to his face, rushing under his half squeezed shut eyes as he was literally dragged, hauled, and when he could manage to keep upright, marched towards the place he’d been headed towards earlier.
Wesley had known he was crazy to accept this mission. He might be reckless and desperate to prove himself but he wasn’t by any means stupid. Or so he’d believed at the time. Now he wasn’t so sure. Bloody fool! Always gets you doesn’t it? The need to prove Father and the Council wrong; well know look where it’s got you this time. In the hands of a crazed vampire.
He’d tried to speak several times only to find himself rushed faster, pulled harder until he was once again being dragged over the rough terrain. Bruised, bleeding and aching in every muscle he gave up and after what seemed like hours of silent self-beratement they came to some steps leading down to a large grey stoned building.
The steps down were a nightmare he would try to forget but soon enough he was shoved through some doors hard enough that he ended up sliding on his front over the stone tiled floor. Still sliding he turned his head and watched as two pairs of eyes, blue and green, passed before his face.
“Well that’s an entrance I haven’t seen in a while,” said the blue-eyed face with a definite edge of amusement in the cockney voice.
Willow disentangled herself from Spike’s comforting embrace and sat up on the couch, her nervous gaze latching onto the hard face of Angel as he followed in the wake of the strange man. “Is he human”? She asked timidly.
“Yes” answered Angel shortly, dragging the hapless man upright. “Watchers Council too”.
Spike straightened from his slouch with a grin splitting his face “Wankers Council- you’re kidding me”?
The hopeful note in that elated voice wasn’t exactly reassuring to the shaken Englishman; now uselessly trying to straighten his clothes by yanking on the hem of his tattered shirt. Angel’s clamp on one shoulder wasn’t precisely helpful and he got a baleful glare for it.
“I am a former Watcher from the Watchers Council, yes” Wesley answered with as much dignity as he could muster under present circumstances. His careful enunciation of his title and workplace raised an embarrassed smile from a discomforted Willow.
“Sounds like a ... important job. With all that erm watching, I mean” She stammered to a halt when three pairs if incredulous eyes swung in her direction. “Okay, shutting up now”.
“I came across him on his way here, according to him.” Angel paused and a mirthless smile pulled at his full lips. “He was coming to tell us about a girl. As you can imagine I was intrigued”.
“I bet you were” inserted Spike smoothly, standing up to stroll over with an identically cold smile. It was an old and familiar routine and he’d recognised it almost instantly. He should do- they’d done it enough times, pre-soul of course.
“Unfortunately he then decided to clam up. I was ... upset”. Angel continued. As understatements go- that one ranked pretty high.
Spike was more than happy to revisit past times, especially when potential dinner was involved. “So how come you didn’t just squeeze it out of ‘im, then rip his lungs out. Not like you to be so … sharing”. Spike leaned in to leer at the strained, sweaty face with the glasses over fearful eyes. “Tell me something, mate. What is it with Poncey Watchers and glasses; something in the water”?
Wesley stared at Spike and tried not look like he wanted to be sick. He very definitely seemed to have made things worse for himself by refusing to speak of such delicate matters out in the open. If he’d had any doubts left of course. He gulped and leaned back as much as he could in that tight hold.
“I’m quite willing to explain myself now that we can’t be overheard” he offered, even he could hear the quaver in his voice and he stiffened his spine. “Like I said earlier, except some were just not willing to listen to reason” he tossed Angel a speaking glance.
‘“Yeah well reason and ‘im don’t mix most of the time. Never mind where this girl is concerned” retorted Spike with a sly look up at the unreasonable vampire in question. “So colour me not surprised”.
“Do we know for sure he’s talking about Cordelia”? Interjected Willow; concern for her friend overriding her nerves around the dark haired vampire now they had a lead.
“What other girl would he be coming to see me about”? Snapped back Angel with a swift snarling look at the redhead. “Keep out of it, you’ve done enough don’t you think”?
“Who’s Cordelia?” asked an upper crust English voice, drawing everyone’s attention back to him. Not exactly a good thing Wesley realised, noticing how both vampires looked ready to rip him apart. “I’m sorry but they never gave me a name” he threw it out in the hope it would increase his chances of survival, which looked pretty bleak right now.
“Who the hell are they”? Spike and Angel both growled the question at the exact same time. Wesley’s blue eyes jerked from one set of gleaming fangs to another and felt his blood freeze in his veins. He hadn’t even seen them make the change.
“My fellow resistance fighters” Wesley felt the hold on his shoulder slacken in shock and taking advantage of that he stepped back, then hurriedly carried on before it was noticed by either incredulous vampire.
“My mission was to run the demon gauntlet at all costs, locate the vampire known as Angel and deliver a message”. Wesley stood a little straighter with pride at achieving at least part of his goal. Now for the rest, he tried not to falter at having to say the word ‘girl’ again, considering the last time resulted in him being dragged half across the county. Mentally girding his loins, he ploughed on.
“That message being that there is news about a girl and that if he wants to know more, the vampire should arrive at a prescribed location at a given time”. It wasn’t much of a message to be killed over. But he hadn’t been thinking about that at the time.
The vampires, as different as night and day, flanked one another and advanced, making him retreat. His scuffed ragged boots hit the low step of the hearth and it was only a hard hand grabbing his shirtfront that prevented his rear from hitting the smouldering embers of the fire. “Thank you” he said politely.
“Where and when”? Asked Angel shortly, his dark ebony eyes pierced into Wesley as he released the already abused shirt.
“Mid-day tomorrow at the beach; there is a natural sea cave at one point at low tide. I’m told it has sewer access”. Wesley shrugged and lightly sidestepped from the heat of the fire on the seat of his pants.
“Who with”? Asked Spike with a disgruntled look at Angel for missing what he considered a pertinent point.
The Englishman stiffened even further at the question, making the blonde vampire want to check for a hidden stake up his arse.
“That I’m afraid is something you will have to wait to find out. I will not say even on pain of death,” Wesley informed them, his clipped accents tight with deep unshakeable resolve. Then with a deep indrawn breath and pursed lips, he raised his eyes to a spot over their heads and waited with puffed up self-importance for a violent response. In fact he was so busy being brave he missed the duel roll of eyes and suddenly found himself flung into a chair.
“Wait there and don’t move, Lancelot. If the martyr complex doesn’t get you killed first, running off will, clear enough”? Angel dismissed him the instant he’d finished speaking. “I’m going, Spike. So don’t waste your time with useless arguments”.
Spike opened and shut his mouth with a snarl.
It was the eleventh hour- literally being 11 am and they were still arguing. Wesley stretched and fidgeted in the chair, waking sleeping and blood deprived protesting muscles until he could move without screaming. Then patting his body and pockets in the hunt for his glasses, finally found them and put them on.
“I still say it’s a bloody trap and you’re a complete arsehole for walking into it,” snarled Spike whirling in a circle to keep the other vampire in sight.
Angel continued to ignore him and gathered numerous weapons onto the coffee table, his hard face pensive and absorbed. “If this was the Master I’d agree but why would a bunch of humans bother with me”?
“Cos they want something you stupid big, Puff”. Spike almost howled. For pity’s sake, he’d been trying to get through that thick stubborn head for hours now. To no avail much to his intense aggravation.
“I’m counting on it” Angels sober face came up to catch Spike with an inexorable look in his dark eyes. “If they want something that means I have something to trade”. He finished, sounding ominously certain of himself.
“And if it’s something you can’t give”? Spike sucked in a breath and thrust an arm triumphantly towards Willow who’d asked the red-hot question. “See even Red thinks this is a dumb idea and she loves the girl too”.
There was a stunned silence while the three of them stood frozen at what Spike had just dropped into the debate. “I never said I loved her” refuted Angel, his voice low and heavy with meaning.
“Bit bloody obvious init” Spike was having none of it. Eyes narrowed he returned the dark look his grandsire was giving him. Angel dropped his eyes first and ducking his head, returned to perusing the strewn table.
Spike grabbed him by the shoulder and hauled him round. “Hey...”
Watching them Willow had a brief flashback to the argument just before the Masters torture episode and her face went white. “Can you two not do this”? She burst out, drawing their attention. Her pleading gaze didn’t flinch from Angel’s for the first time since Cordelia had gone missing.
“It doesn’t matter what you say, this is dangerous and I know I’m on your doodoo list at the moment but... still I kinda like having you around so how about we not push each other around first, okay”?
Spike looked down at his boots, surprised to realise he was all but toe to toe with Angel, grinning ruefully he took a few steps back and shoving his hands in his pockets, shrugged. “Right you are then, Red. No fighting before the funeral”.
Angel was struggling with both her phrasing and a reluctance to soften towards the girl yet, so he simply shot her a bemused if not unfriendly glance. “There’s not going to be a funeral, Spike. I’m old enough and experienced enough to look out for myself”.
“Debateable”. Spike ‘oomphed’ when Willow came round and poked him in the side and this time Angel’s lips did twitch.
“Debateable or not I’m taking along some insurance” This time the smirk was full on, one hundred percent vampire wickedness, making Willow choke back a giggle at the oozing menace laced with ever so slightly malicious humour.
All eyes turned to the unhappy Wesley. “They give me any trouble I’ll snap his neck right in front of their eyes”.
SEWERS
Wesley couldn’t see a damn thing beyond about five foot in the damp murkiness of the sewers. Shivers wrought goose bumps all along his limbs as he walked, trying to keep up and hoping the exercise would warm him up. So much for Sunny California, he thought glumly, he’d spend most of his time since getting here trying to keep warm while underground.
“So, you never did explain what brought you over from that soggy little island”? The vampire’s deep timbre interrupted his hither and yon thoughts and brought him back to the present with an unwelcome jolt.
The poem about ‘green and pleasant lands’ floated through Wesley’s mind, but in the end he was too concerned about his own safety to worry about slurs on his homeland from a dead Irishman. He considered how much to say and ended up just blurting it out.
“The Council is in disarray. The last slayer was killed without an obvious replacement. So they spend all of their time and energy on trying to locate whomever is the current slayer and ignore what is happening in the world in the meantime” Leftover frustration echoed in his voice.
“Who knows maybe there was a finate number in the line of slayers but they won’t consider that. Oh no, that would mean their purpose in life would have to change and new methods found to tackle the demon problem and their constant everlasting bloody attacks on the world”.
Wesley stopped to draw breath after his vent and Angel simply carried on walking. He seemed to have started an overflow of information and who was he to shut him down- besides he was interested.
“I deciphered a prophecy about a vampire, old and powerful rising up and taking over a hell-mouth, thus creating a demon haven on earth. I took it to the leading Council Members but where they interested? No they damn well weren’t”. He could still see it now; standing before them, all fat and contented like tame house cats, only running around in circles without their favourite toy to play with.
“So finally after much consideration and at great personal loss I endeavoured to come here myself and at least *try* and do something to prevent it”.
“Yeah, so what happened”? Asked Angel, with only a trace of sarcasm.
“Hmm well...” The Englishman stumbled over the words, as embarrassment choked him momentarily. “Unfortunately I miscalculated the timescales and got here in time only to get caught with the townspeople”. Just another failure for his Father to crow over with his cigar and port brigade, he supposed.
“Prophecies can do that to you” agreed Angel ironically.
“Yes well, one shouldn’t let oneself be discouraged. I can still be of some use to these people in their time of need”. Wesley added, stoutly.
To the vampire he sounded as if he was trying to convince himself rather than his demon audience. You had to give him credit for good intentions he conceded with deep reluctance. Understandable, since giving a Watcher any kind of credit tended to go against the grain- being a vampire and all.
The tangy smell of sea salt wafted down the man-made tunnel making Angel’s senses prickle and focus on the distance. Despite himself his body raced with anticipation. “We’re nearly there” he advised in a low, tense tone; motioning for the Englishman to stay behind him. “Keep back and remember I can catch you before you get two baby steps, so think twice before you do something else doomed to fail”.
Wesley tossed him a look of dislike for the innuendo but did as ordered. “I’ll see my mission though, thank you all the same. So don’t worry about me”. Angel spared him a quick glance and noted how even the glasses seemed to sparkle with indignation.
“Let’s get this show on the road” Humans, more than one by the difference in scent, lay in wait ahead. He grinned and felt the adrenaline pump into his undead blood. Cordelia wasn’t there, he knew it for certain since he knew her scent better than anyone’s but still, he was enough of a predator to know when he was closing in.
He could feel it in the very deepest, darkest part of his being. Very soon he’d have her back and then her days of running where over. The silent vow reverberated inside him, like a roll of thunder in a storm tossed sky.
Part 12
CORDELIA
They were too quiet. Even she made more noise than they did. It was freaking her out. “Why are they like this”? She waved a hand at the children in the ‘nursery’ and hid a cringe.
Some of them were so tiny she hated the thought of getting close in case they started screaming like she was some kind of axe murderer or something; a hugely embarrassing circumstance which had happened before, much to her complete mortification at the time.
Me and kids just don’t mix, but would ‘she’ believe me- no! She shook her head and stuck her hands in the pocket of her old faded but clean jeans. Then shoulders hunched defensively, she stayed by the only other adult in the room- another girl about her age if she guessed right.
It didn’t work; hazel eyes strayed with reluctant fascination back to her ‘charges’. The youngest ones looked like ragged cherubic dolls; and while a few of the others were bigger, they were still small enough to give her the heebie jeebies, then finally there were a handful of older ones, pre-teens by the look of them. They all ignored her, which was more than fine by her.
“They’ve learned not to draw attention to themselves” said Neala, a beautiful and earnest young Asian woman, with eyes like liquid and smooth silky hair to die for. She was busy arranging plastic bottles, old juice or cola ones by the look of them into rows for water to be poured into.
“Oh, okay- makes sense I guess”. Cordelia shrugged and puffing out a breath surveyed the nursery with jaundiced eyes. It was a largish space, with toy laden shelves dug into the walls and helpless to prevent it she gave them a closer look, then shuddered. If she didn’t know better she’d say those flat, stone ledges had once contained the remains of dead people. And Ewww! came to mind before she jerked her gaze off them.
“I’ll introduce you in a minute. They won’t talk to you otherwise. It’s been pretty much drilled into them to play dumb around strangers. Vamps like to play with little kids”. Oh great! What a lovely thought- NOT.
“Let’s change the subject” interrupted Cordelia with a pleading edge to her voice, chills raced up and down her arms and trying to steady herself Cordy did her best not to look at their pale little faces with their round cheeks and thin necks. She was only partially successful though and a ball of nausea threatened to erupt in her belly as memories of the boy she’d tried to help filtered past her minds eye.
As promised, Neala introduced Cordelia to the whole group with everyone sitting on the blanket strewn floor. The children where seated around the two adults in a semi circle, spindly legs crossed, eyes curious and rosy, dirt smudged mouths firmly shut. Trying not to look like she wanted to run for her life, Cordy kept a wide smile pasted on her face and hoped it wasn’t obvious she wished she were just about anywhere else.
That smile was pushed to the limit when at the end of the talking the kids crowded round to touch her face and neck with timid hands. Neala hissed a warning just before. It was lucky she did, since Cordy was already only a hairs breath from freaking before then anyway- this took the biscuit though, in fact more like the barrel. Oh my god, they were checking her for a pulse or something? Like- do I look dead to you? Ignoring her inner voice, Cordelia clenched her teeth and grinned like a maniac.
Whatever happened to the trusty hand-shake? she wondered, trying not to squirm away from their little hands. “I already got checked out for a pulse when I got here” she said gritted out in a forcibly friendly voice, trying not to spook the kids.
“Yes but here- seeing isn’t believing”. Replied Neala with a speaking look at the intent little faces, “these children know there are monsters under the bed. Monsters with human faces! Don’t you children”? Thankfully they’d finished and sat back down, finding their places with the usual amount of jumbled limbs and furtive wriggling to get comfortable.
“Yes, Neala” they chorused as one, not exactly loud but hearing them speak after a good twenty minutes of silence made Cordy jump a little.
“Let’s show Cordelia, just how clever you are. Are we ready?” the young woman asked brightly with a light clap of her hands. “All join in now” she cajoled.
”Sunlight is our friend in need, darkness is very bad indeed. Eyes wide Cordelia took in the earnest shining faces as they chanted in high little voices. We must never go up and never go out, cos Monsters are always about.Oh joy! So much for ‘ring a ringa roses’ or the Liberty Speech. Do not scream, do not shout….. Cordelia tried to tune them out, it was too horrible. and if they catch you, you must run and don’t look back cos if you do.. that’s the . end . of . YOU”.
Finished with that morbid flourish, they all looked towards the stunned brunette. “Wow, that was just, erm..wow”. Cordelia swallowed past a lump in her throat. “Know any more, say like ‘Pat a cake pat a cake’”? she finished hopefully.
THE ALLIANCE
The sewer tunnel twisted around on itself and high up one wall was a grilled hatch, the smell of seawater drifted through the spaces in the grill. Angel stopped under it and not noticing until too late, Wesley bumped into him. Still staggering back he followed the vampire’s line of sight.
“How the devil are we going to get in th-” he didn’t get to finish before the vampire bent his knees and launched himself into the air. Strong fingers latched onto the rusted metal and with a quick wrench the hatch fell back to reveal the man-sized opening. Angel dropped back to the ground.
“I still fail to see-” The next second he was picked up by his legs and thrown up towards it. Desperately, Wesley’s own fingers caught the edge and with the strong shove from his boots soon found himself inside the shaft. “Is a little forewarning too much to ask?” he snapped irritably over his shoulder.
“Get moving watcher-boy”. Angel prodded with marked indifference and obvious impatience.
Still grumbling, Wesley crawled along and within moments felt the draught of air signalling the vampire was behind him. “I hope this doesn’t take too long. I hate enclosed spaces. They make me dizzy” and worse, but he didn’t think that would go down very well- he wasn’t wrong.
“You throw up I’ll break your legs”, Angel warned him darkly without an ounce of compassion. If his internal clock was right, it was almost mid-day. “Speed up” he demanded, increasing impatience making his voice sharp and edgy. He had no intention of being late.
The shaft ended in a cave. Wesley saw the bright yellow sunlight and his heart picked up pace at the sight. The strong smell of salt was sharp and tangy in the air and to the human wonderfully refreshing after the awful dank mustiness of the sewers. “We’re there” he whispered, having no idea why he kept his voice down.
Angel said nothing, and soon enough jumped down to land on the sandy cave floor. Wesley was just picking himself back up and dusting the grains off his stinging palms when his eyes adjusted enough to see what had instantly captured the vampire’s attention.
“Thank you for coming, Angel” said the elderly woman perched on a stool in a circle of sunlight, just inside the entrance to the cave from the beach itself. She inclined her grey head to acknowledge them both. “Congratulations, Wesley. You did very well”. Just behind her seated figure, stood a man of truly impressive proportions.
Knowing she couldn’t see him properly yet given the dimness at the far reaches of the cave, Angel stood stock still and stared at her assessingly, ignoring her guard for now. The woman was in her early sixties by his estimation but still agile and by the looks of her, as sharp as glass.
“Thanks for the invite” he responded with a rich note of sarcasm lacing his voice as he strolled nearer to the woman, refusing to wince when the brighter light scored his eyes. He noticed the guards twitch of discomfort and just to needle him some more, quickened his approach.
Wesley meanwhile struggled to look modest and appreciative at the same time. “Thank you, Deidra. It was an onerous task but I like to think..”. He started forward to join his comrades, when a hard hand jerked him back to the shadows.
“Shut up and don’t think” Angel snapped out, shooting the Englishman a narrow eyed look and jerked his head to the back. He didn’t have time to waste on pleasantries nor did he intend to lose any leverage the Englishman gave him as a hostage.
Enough was enough. Wesley threw back his shoulders and sucked in an indignant breath. “Are you always in the habit of interrupting people? Most rude of you if so”. He reprimanded him stoutly. Angel rolled his eyes at being criticised for his manners by a watcher.
“I’ve been accused of worse” countered Angel darkly, before returning his narrowed gaze to now mildly amused silver. “Let’s cut to the chase”, he demanded abruptly, his lips twitched and a single brow rose in wry yet cold humour. “No pun intended”. He added smoothly. “Where’s Cordelia”?
Deidra’s own brow rose hearing that abrupt question. “She’s safe” she assured him. Then seeing him relax imperceptibly she continued, “with her own kind now”.
“Don’t yank my chain” Angel warned dangerously low, and prowled forward until his boots was only inches from the circle of sunlight protecting her. His face, previously shadowed was now revealed in every furiously intent detail.
“You brought me here for a reason. So spill it or I’m out of here and we’ll see each other again, under very different circumstances”. The threat was explicit and Deidra simply nodded, unfazed on the outside.
Looking up at the tall, powerful frame and hauntingly handsome face with its all too obvious air of menace, it was very easy to believe all of the tales she’d heard of this one. Angelus, the vampire who’d hunted and killed for over a century. Maiming and torturing his way across Europe and beyond.
It was however, difficult to accept that he was also their only hope of survival. But accept it she must.
“As you wish let’s be blunt”, Deidra agreed. “If you want Cordelia back you must help us bring down the Master”. She said it without preamble and held back a stab of guilt, it was no use wishing there was another way and it couldn’t matter that she’d liked the dark haired girl, having admired her spirit.
Unable to help it, Angel threw back his head and laughed. It wasn’t a pleasant sound and when he’d finished his eyes were filled with cold mockery. “Even if I could- which by the way I can’t. What good would it do you? Despite what he thinks, he is just one vampire. Someone else would step up”.
“The Master is the key to destroying the barrier. It was raised to keep him in- then went awry. Destroy him and the barrier comes down”. Deidra advised him simply. Wesley nodded emphatically in agreement.
“What she says is true. It really is as simple and as complicated as that”.
“Say’s who? You” taunted Angel, shaking his dark head in disbelief. “The very guy who read a prophecy in time to do nothing but get himself caught too”. That irritating brow did another dance higher.
Wesley stiffened and showed no signs of being intimidated. This was his area of expertise and no one was going to take that away from him. “Think about it” he returned, his clipped voice just as meaningful and mocking. “It makes sense if you have any”.
“It doesn’t matter what you believe, Angel. If you want Cordelia returned to you, you will help us”. Interrupted Deidra firmly, bringing his attention back to her.
“Guess again. I can find her on my own” he asserted with absolute certainty, crossing his arms under a face made utterly remote. “Then where are you? Nowhere”.
“Maybe” she allowed then paused meaningfully, “but you won’t get in without killing, getting killed or perhaps… causing Cordelia herself to lose her life” it was said without inflection, even sadly but it was enough to cause both the vampire and the ex-Watcher to stiffen, Wesley aghast and Angel in pure smouldering rage.
“So much for safe” he lashed out in condemnation. She didn’t flinch even when he eyed her in utter disgust.
This little old woman in her battered old track shoes, ridiculous faded combats and baggy oversize shirt might look harmless if slightly batty, but he knew better. He recognised her kind of ruthlessness.
“So you’d kill your own kind? An innocent girl, for your own ends”? The next second he was as close as the sun would let him be. “I don’t think so. Hell- you wouldn’t even know I was there”. He jeered in a snarl, impotent rage surging at not being able to do more than talk.
The second the vampire looked to lunge, the silent figure standing protectively behind her started forward; Deidra motioned him back and looked up into that hard face only a few feet away without flinching, though her hands knotted in her lap.
“You accuse me, vampire. But tell me- is a quick death not kinder than what the Master or that blonde bitch will do when you hand her over”? She felt the razor sharp slice of his narrowed eyes as they raked her face.
“Interesting choice of words”, Angel admired her recklessness. Then added with his dark head cocked; “care to tell me how you know about that”? The conversational tone was belied by his restless prowling back and forth, following the edges of the sun tinged sand, while his hard and suspicious gaze stayed firmly on her face.
Wesley’s head swivelled from side to side as they tossed the verbal ball between them, still agog at what he’d overheard. They couldn’t mean what he thought they did, could they? Killing an innocent girl- no, he mentally shook his head refusing to accept it. That would make them no better than the beasts themselves.
“They think nothing of talking when we can hear, after-all we’re just food to them”. Deidra answered with honest cynicism, “I have my spies and I know all about your deals”. Her eyes locked on his in silent debate.
They were at an impasse now, luckily they both recognised it. “You weren’t going to let them have her were you”? Deidra probed, knowing in her gut she was right.
“I hadn’t thought that far ahead” refuted the vampire; refusing to give an inch and looked away when those eyes of hers seemed to dig too deep into his soul.
“You’re lying” she said softly and ignored his glower. “Either to yourself or to me, but it doesn’t matter. You and I both know that a confrontation between you and the Master was inevitable at some point- why not now”?
Her voice was deep and raspy now, almost hypnotic and shaking his head to clear it, Angel turned away from her, staring thoughtfully into the distance. It was a silent trio of humans that held their collective breath, waiting for the outcome of that deep reflection that could seal their fate or perhaps… free them from it.
“What happens when the barriers down?” the vampire finally asked her, “presuming I can kill the Master that is” he added, and now it was his turn to stare into her soul.
“You get Cordelia” Deidra answered without hesitation, “and safe passage” she added, and sensing he was weakening, leaned forward as if willing him to agree.
Hearing that, Angel straightened to his full height and slid his eyes closed as dark satisfaction flooded him. The poetic justice of it called to his demon; seducing him with the idea that she’d be handed back by the very people she’d sought protection from.
Still it was stretching credibility a bit far that they’d hold to their side of the bargain once they were free. Head tilted at an angle he asked slowly “right, and the reason I should trust you”? The question was rife with cynicism.
“One day. If I live and get the chance, I’ll tell you about another prophecy, concerning a different vampire this time. I’m sure you’d find it fascinating”, was the cryptic reply. Deidra stood and shaking off the panicked restraint of her guard, walked to meet the shadowed vampire. “Do we have a deal”?
She knew she’d crossed the line when the shadows engulfed her slight frame too and the silent exchange that followed was stretching on the nerves to put it mildly. Wesley saw stars before he thought to release his pent up breath- again. It whooshed out of him so loudly he almost missed the crucial reply.
“Sure why not, who wants to live forever” Angel quipped with another hard smile curving his lips; this time aimed more at himself than her. Then the vampire spun on his heel and was gone. “I’ll be in touch” he tossed back over his shoulder and dragging off a protesting Wesley, headed back to the access shaft.
His voice floated back from the shadows. “When you see Cordelia tell her I’ll catch up with her soon”. Hearing it clearly, Deidra couldn’t help a reflexive shiver at the dark promise that smooth as silk purr contained.
CORDELIA
Cordelia was having a bad day, her head was pounding with the headache from hell and her palms were stinging like crazy after she’d dug her nails into them during her many ‘count to ten’ sessions.
“My mommy’s dead” answered the little girl, a blonde haired little madam, who now tore Cordy’s heart to little pieces with a bright voice and no understanding of what she’d said.
“Right-sorry” she replied desperately looking round for rescue, and seeing none forthcoming, turned back to the child. “Look, can you not pinch the other children, its not.. nice” she finished lamely, still wanting to kick her own ass for the stupid slip. Mental note to self; no mentioning parents- no make that.. anyone.
“But she’s coming back when the hosbital fixes her up after the nasty vamps goway gain”. Innocent blue eyes blinked at her flummoxed face with childish assurance. Cordelia swallowed hard and softly, absently corrected her, “You mean hospital”. Oh god! How the hell do you answer that? The interruption when it came was like a manna from heaven.
“Cordelia, can I talk to you please”. Asked Deidra from the entrance, causing the dark haired girl to jump a mile high, so deeply engrossed was she in figuring out kid speak- she’d been in another world. One she was glad to escape from.
“Sure”. Cordelia almost lunged for the doorway and the familiar figure of her protector/nemesis. “No problem” she added with gusto. “Be back in a minute” she called out cheerfully to no one in particular. “What’s up”? She finally thought to ask as the two of them cleared the entryway.
“I have a few questions I need to ask about certain… things. In private please” replied Deidra with a foreboding air that struck the dark haired girl like a lightening bolt. Disconcerted, Cordelia let herself be steered down an empty corridor, beyond the hearing of any guards posted outside the nursery.
Cordelia’s heart sank and soared at the same time confusing her into blurting. “It’s him isn’t it”? What the hell did you just say? Geeze, I don’t believe you just said that, obsessed much! “Erm I mean..” she faltered and squeezed her eyes shut before giving out a winning smile designed to distract the recipient purely by its blinding intensity.
“Wow- will you just listen to me” she laughed semi hysterically and sat down on the nearest available surface; which happened to be her pallet. “I mean the Master, cos hey- he’s always upto something isn’t he. So… what was it you wanted to talk to me about again”? Fingers crossed she prayed her ploy had worked.
She relaxed when Deidra didn’t pounce right away. Bad move- “Tell me about Angel” demanded Deidra softly. Cordy just stared at her, shock draining her face of colour.
“You’re not talking about the biblical kind are you”? Asked the despondent brunette, resignedly; that white head shook from side to side and Cordy shut her eyes and heaved a deep heartfelt sigh. “Crap”!
Later on……..
This place was never totally silent, which was not exactly surprising given the number of people living here. It was nighttime, and the place was rife with noises, snoring, whimpers; and the occasional cries of fear from dreams or even more embarrassingly – lovemaking.
Cringing Cordelia harrumphed in annoyance at a particularly loud snore, accompanied by a more distant moan of pleasure and turning over, plonked her thin pillow over her head to try and drown out the sounds. It didn’t take a genius to guess which ones disturbed her more.
Particularly after her talk with Deidra…
She’d been seduced by one of the most notoriously evil vampires in demon history, forcefully shaking off the recollection Cordelia twisted onto her back to stare up at the utter pitch blackness of her quarters.
“I don’t need anymore reminders thank you” she grumbled out-loud and thankful she was alone. “I miss the moon” she sighed, feeling despondency drag her down, “and the stars too- shining through actual honest to goodness windows”.
Now she was alone, the need to unload took over; “and lets not forget baths and showers and food- oh my god I can’t believe how much I miss eggs- I thought I hated eggs!” The memory of Angel force-feeding her after her ‘fast’ flitted into her brain and she had to forcefully kick it out again.
Knowing sleep was impossible; she sat up and leaned over to fumble for the candle and precious lighter she’d been grudgingly given. Of course that wasn’t all she missed. With suddenly shaking hands she lit the candle, rammed into a used milk bottle.
“Don’t go there. Just.. don’t okay”. She hated nighttime, with nothing to do but think, her rebellious mind would always go back to him, making her miserable all over again- then furious and finally back to hurt. Talk about a vicious circle, and even worse was that so far even Deidra’s awful revelations about his past hadn’t put an end to it.
Deidra had sure been interested in her relationship with Angel. “Ugh, will you just forget about it already” she told herself for about the hundredth time in the last hour.
Chin on her drawn knees and dark tousled hair tumbling around her shoulders, Cordy sat contemplating a clean spot on the ratty blanket she hadn’t dared inspect too closely before. She lasted about half a minute- tops.
“I still don’t get it” she murmured confused. “How did she do it- get so much out of me I mean”, she shook her head morosely no nearer to understanding than before.
“She played me is what happened”, if she wasn’t so pissed she might admire the other woman’s skill. Layer by layer she’d patiently laid bare Cordy’s life at the mansion, from how they met to how they parted. “And wasn’t that just a hoot” she grumbled sarcastically. “Not”.
Of course the worst was when she’d oh so delicately asked if Cordelia had been ‘bedded by the vampire’. Cordy snorted at the memory, “Way to make me sound like a ditzy blonde. Er, Hello! Names Cordelia not Harmony- bedded, hah”. Scoffing at it didn’t take away the sting of admitting she had though. Even now she winced at the gleam in those silver eyes, when she reluctantly had.
Face burning, Cordelia huffed and closed her eyes, trying to block out the memories. It didn’t work, even hating him as she now did- with every fibre of her being she could still feel the shivers course through her, like aftershocks following a quake.
“Nosy old woman. Couldn’t just leave it alone could you. No had to go and rake it all up again”, she sighed and scrunched her face to ward off the sting in her eyes.
That’s when she caught it and her head lifted off her knees with a jerk of surprise.
“What is that? Is somebody whistling”? Ears straining Cordelia rolled her eyes in disbelief when she was satisfied it really was. “Geeze, some people are just so clueless” she derided caustically. “If that wakes the little… monsters, and I have to go deal with them- blood will be spilled!” Still muttering dire threats she swung her legs off the bed and dragged on her jeans again.
Dressed and filled with righteous indignation, she swiped up the candle, bottle and all and marched out, smacking the scratchy woollen flap out of her way as she exited the chamber.
The flame wavered the higher she held it, flickering like glowing orange tongues on the walls in front and to the side of her. It didn’t take more than a few steps for anger to be replaced by fear and the tuneful pitch of the whistling now took on a menacing quality.
“Get a grip Chase, geez it’s only some dweeb in desperate need of a brain transplant”. She jeered to herself softly. Maybe so, but wandering around caves at night with nothing more than a candle was a little bit too prehistoric for her nerves right now and they refused to settle.
The whistling carried on, gentler now though- lower, as if drawing her in. It was downright creepy and goose bumps erupted all along her limbs. Mildly freaking, she stood stock-still and tried to pierce the gloom ahead of her.
“This is so not right. What the hell am I doing”? She asked, wincing when her voice travelled in an echo down the tunnel. Then it hit her and she felt like smacking herself.
“Ugh, how many horror flicks where some dumb chick gets herself sliced and diced do you have to see before it sinks in you- idiot” she sure felt like one. “Not this girl, nuh huh, no way, me I’m smart- see here’s me going back for some great big hulking guards to kick your ass”.
Even with the freaky deaky moment of hysteria she hadn’t really expected a reply. So when she got one it hit her doubly hard.
“Good luck finding some; since their back here with me”, came a mocking voice, low pitched but carrying for all its lack of volume.
Hearing that familiar deep timbre froze Cordy to the spot, and unnoticed by her the candle wavered in her hand as tension roared through her, pinning both trainer shod feet to the floor. With wide eyes and jaw dropped open in shock she tried to speak past the sudden lump in her throat. What was *he* doing here, she thought dumbly as her brain struggled to catch up with reality.
“I don’t believe you” she whispered past her locked throat, then repeated it louder this time. This just wasn’t happening. This is simply a nightmare she mutely insisted. I fell asleep and this is just a bad dream- please, she prayed.
“Come see for yourself” Angel offered silkily, not co-operating on the dream thing much to her consternation.
“Right, cos I’m really that dumb” Cordy shot back, still trying to pierce the gloom and locate him. Terror clogged her throat as every tiny detail of Deidra’s big Angelus talk came back to haunt her.
“Take *one* more step back and I snap a neck” the disembodied voice warned from the blackness the candle couldn’t penetrate. She hadn’t even realised she’d been backing up until then, now she stopped, uncertain.
“How do I know you’re not just lying your ass off”? Cordy shouted, desperately hoping he was. She hated this, the not knowing but even more than that- the fear. Her spine stiffened at that and she wet dry lips with a pointed tongue. “Hate to ask what with you being such an *honest*, stand-up guy and all!” she finished derisively.
Despite the bravado her breath was coming in panicked pants, steaming the air in front of her lips while her pulse thundered in her ears. She shrieked when there was a sharp ‘plink’ sound and just for an instant the flare of a lighter illuminated three figures, one lounging against the wall and two others slumped on a heap on the floor. Then the flare of light further down the tunnel was gone and Cordy was left blinking trying to figure out what that flash had revealed.
Crap, he wasn’t lying he *really* did have them*. Godammit they were grown men weren’t they? They knew the risks. *Don’t you do it* the saner side of her mind hissed at her, nevertheless she didn’t move. Couldn’t actually, guilt and self-preservation warred inside her and no matter which way she planned it, she saw no escape.
Hysterically she guessed he must have walked right past her room to take out the guards and then again to bring them here and draw her out. There was no way he couldn’t have known it too- what with that vamp sense of smell. “What are you playing at, Angel and why are you here”? The quaver in her voice was telling so she took a deep breath and held it in.
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