Chapter3: These Visions are Something
Angel walks down the stairs with Bella by his side. Bella smiles shyly as she meets the team. "Bella, these are my friends. You met Lorne last night. That's Fred and Gunn. Wesley..you'll meet another time." Bella nodded and she smiled as Fred gave her a wide one. Fred bounced over and took Bella by the hand. "I'm Fred. It's nice to meet you. Don't mind Gunn, he can be a little grouchy in the morning." She smiled cheekily. Angel mentioned Wesley knowing that the two would meet some day. He just didn't know when.
"Hey. That's not true mama." Gunn walked over giving Bella a handshake. "Gunn. So Fred's told me you got the whole vision thing going on." Bella nodded pushing some hair behind her ear. "Yes. I just don't remember them is all." Bella explained watching the couple. "Interesting. Sounds like the Powers are trying to be generous enough. You'll fit right along here. So where you from?" Bella walked with the pair explaining her story and how she met Angel. "So you dated a vampire? You're a weird chick." Gunn laughed. Fred slipped her arm through Bella's enjoying having a girl around. "Don't listen to him. I came from a demon dimension." Bella looked at Fred startled for a moment. "A what?" Fred decided to give Bella a run down of what it's like working with them.
"Demons, vampires, monsters, and a lot more. It's not bad. It can be scary sometimes of course but it's worth it. Saving people. The occasional portals here and there. Things come out..mostly Angel goes in." Bella smiled at Fred and the two walked around the garden striking up easy conversation.
Angel watched with interest but distance. He wondered about many things at this moment. If he'll lose anyone else, and how this newest addition would be. Bella and Fred walked in an hour later laughing as if old friends. "Well they sparkle!" Fred gasped laughing, Bella by her side amused. "Glad you find it funny. I thought they were beautiful." Bella admitted shrugging. Angel let out a snort sending the girls a wink. They burst into laughter once more, nothing really funny anymore but it felt good to laugh. "I find it funny Angel doesn't show up in a mirror." Bella laughed and Fred nodded through the tears than ran down her face. "I like you." Bella smiled, happy to make a new friend. Fred realized Bella was quite smart, smarter than she let on. They would get along great.
Since taking down Wolfram Hart, things have been easy for the gang, despite their own personal issues. They usually were guided by a vision or the occasional person would come in wanting help. Things like that. Despite losing one and gaining another, Angel knew things would still run the same. He was interested in Bella's visions. She's only had one but she slept walk through the ordeal and after having a short conversation with her she doesn't sleep walk. Angel wondered if she'd only receive visions in her sleep, which was helpful but at the same time not really. Before Lorne left he made an interesting discovery.
"A what?" Angel asked. Lorne sighed rolling his eyes as if explaining something to a child. "When we shook hands, I could feel her energy so strong it was like being zapped. Yes I could feel the sadness roll off her but there was also something else as if she was feeding off my joy. I can't exert energy but I think she can. Her story? She felt strongly about these creatures and on top of that being bitten? I think she's an empath of sorts. Her mind was open to me yet closed. I'm not sure if a human can have certain abilities but she does. Being bitten and struck with lightening? Who knows what it did. I think she has the same type of visions Cordy did. You know the pain, screaming, falling, things like that except her mind is aware of it before her body is. It's protecting her and she feels less pain when asleep. Until her body and mind can get used to it she'll be a sleep walking mess."
Angel wasn't so sure about the empath thing but he could see some sense in what Lorne was saying. He'd have to wait for the next vision. As everyone seemed calmed and just chilling out, Angel decided it was a good time as any to start training Bella. He'd show her the ropes of the office later. He walked towards the two women smiling. "So Bella. How good are you at fighting?" Bella raised her brows turning to face him. "Umm...depends on what type of fighting we're doing." Angel chuckled at her wide stare. "Self-defense slash fighting for your life." Bella stood making a face. "Self-defense sure. My life? Not so much." Angel laid a hand in her shoulder and inclined his head to show she should follow him. He grabbed two wooden sticks on the way down to the basement. He always kept spare work out clothes and showed Bella a mini closet she could change in as Angel stripped down to just work out pants.
She came out a minute later ready to go, her long brown hair pulled up into a pony tail. Angel tossed a stick at her and she caught it stumbling slightly. Angel glances at her posture noticing she was going to need help with balance first. "Drop the stick. We're doing some exercises. You're clumsy on your feet and we can't have you tripping over air. Okay?" Bell nodded dropping the stick.
Angel then got a plank board and had Bella walk it heel to toe. He never knew such a clumsy person in his life but he was patient. "Go slow. Balance your mind." He encouraged. He had Bella do that for a good thirty minutes before giving Bella the stick to hold and balance. He had her walk again but twisting from side to side to get her core burning.
After another 30 minutes, he had her standing up on one leg, 15 seconds each. He could already see improvement. "They didn't let you do much did they?" Angel asked noticing the way her posture changed and her confidence level all in body language. "What?" Bella asked, still focusing on the task at hand. "Your boyfriend and his family. They didn't let you do much of anything on your own." Bella looked at Angel, her brown eyes searching his. "Not really. I wanted to do what I could, but Edward always thought he knew best." She shrugged, stepping off the plank.
"How did that make you feel?" Angel asked throwing Bella a stick. He wanted to help her release that pain. He could see it. He came at Bella with the stick slowly, enough for her to block and did it again, each time speeding up his pace. "I felt useless. He always made me so mad like I couldn't do anything for myself." She grunted as she hit his stick with a lot more force. "Why'd you let him do it to you then? Why not stand up for yourself?" Angel asked swiping under Bella's feet. She tumbled to the floor, putting her stick up to block Angel's attack. "Because it felt good being taken care of."
She admitted standing up and balancing like Angel showed her. She used her stick going for the torso and Angel blocked pushing her back some. "You can take care of yourself. Why'd you let him?" Angel asked again. There was something deeper that that explanation. Bella caught Angel by surprise with her ducking and twirling, and he found himself on the ground. "I thought I wasn't good enough." She stated as Angel got back to her feet. "Do you really think that?" He asked motioning for her to do crunches. She did as asked and shook her head. "No. He was just..so perfect and I was plain..and he was such an ass hole." She muttered as she focused on her crunches. "I just don't know why I fell for him." She answered stopping to look up at Angel. He smiled softly sitting next to her. "That's because you didn't. He drew you in with his dazzling nature. You're worth it. You can do a lot if you set your mind to it. We help the helpless and I was sent to save you. You're not helpless anymore. You will learn how to fight and kick some ass. You're good with self defense and multitasking. Did you want to learn about the weapons or wait on it?" Angel asked helping Bella to her feet.
She smiled. "Now. I'm eager to see your world up close." Angel nodded and walked back upstairs with Bella in tow. He pointed out each weapon and what they were good for. He let her get a feel of each weapon and weight. She chose something small but heavy. It was perfect for her size. "I like this one." She stated. "How well can you throw a punch?" Angel asked catching Bella off guard as she heard shuffling of feet behind her. She turned quickly as Gunn was aiming a punch her way. She quickly blocked her face with one hand and aimed punch at his gut. Gunn let out a breath and a laugh. "Oh yeah. She can throw down." Bella gave her weapon back to Angel and went upstairs to wash.
As she started the shower, Bella peeled off her clothes and waited for the water to heat up. She hummed to herself as she stepped in under the warm spray. As she closed the curtain, her head felt like it was going to explode. She dropped to her knees as the lights seemed to flicker above her. All she saw was darkness and felt empty. She saw raining fire and death. She was surrounded by inky blackness and a large figure appeared before her. It had horns so large and hooves for feet. It was rocky looking and red. Bella was never more terrified in her life. She didn't understand. The thing from her nightmares. It laughed a dark laugh and Bella saw the glinting of a sword and her eyes followed the movement as it swung down on her head. She let out a scream and found herself back in the bathtub, the water cold and she was shivering, but she couldn't find it in herself to move.
Her head felt like it was on fire and she grasped her head crying softly. They soon turned into loud cries as her mind tried wrapping around the reality she was now living in. She could still feel the emptiness around her. A rapid knocking at the bathroom door didn't register to her ears. Not even when Angel came in looking around and found her curled up into a ball, her body turning blue. He shut the water off quickly, grabbing a towel and wrapping her in it. "It's okay, shh. I've got you." He lifted her up easily and looked her over. "Are you hurt?" He asked sitting her on the toilet seat. She shivered shaking her head no. She was holding her head again, her teary eyes looking to the floor. "You had a vision?" He asked kneeling down laying his hand on her leg. "I-it was dark and scary. There was nothing but darkness as it rained fire. It was so cold and empty and I saw it." She looked up at Angel with wide eyes grasping his shoulders. She pulled on the t-shirt he changed into. "It was like a beast..it was... it's in my dreams." She shivered again. He frowned, his brown eyes assessing hers intently. "What does it do? When is it coming?" Bella pulled at her hair and Angel grasped her wrists pulling her hands away.
"I don't know when but I know what it does. It kills. Everything, and everyone. The end of the world." She whispered, crying once again as the images flashed behind her eye lids. Angel led her to her room and led her downstairs after she got dressed in sweats and a t-shirt. He took her hand smiling and sat her down in the green chair. "Everything is going to be alright. Can you draw it?" Angel gave her a pad and pencil, picking up the phone as Fred and Gunn watched confused. "Hello." His voice carried through the phone. "Wesley..we have a problem. How fast can you be over here?" Angel asked. "Now. What do you need?" He asked. "Your books. Thanks." Angel hung up the phone knowing Wesley would still come through.
Gunn peered over Bella's shoulder as the image was coming to life. "Oh my god." Bella dropped the pencil and pad once again standing shakily. Gunn caught her by the elbow as she staggered against him. Angel came forward as her eyes rolled into the back of her head. They put her back on the couch as she seemed to be knocked out cold. "What happened?" Fred asked coming forward. "She fainted I guess." Gunna answered, picking up the notebook. "I would too if I saw this thing." Gunn showed Angel and Fred the drawing grimacing.
"What is it?" Fred asked. "The Beast." Wesley answered walking into the hotel with a bag over his shoulder. "The destructor. Whatever you want to call it." He answered standing close to the couch grabbing the notebook from Gunn's hand.
Bella was in the inky blackness again and there stood the creature standing next to a woman. She was pretty and she smiled at Bella. Her face was blurry but Bella could make out the smile, her shape and hair. "It's okay." She whispered into Bella's ear. Bella felt the sharp blade pierce into her gut twisting painfully.
Bella held her gut crying out in her sleep. The four watched alarmed. She reached for a hand, finding Angel's. She squeezed it tight and her mind used the physical contact as an anchor. She shot up gasping breathing in air and breathing out harsh breaths as she was ready to fall apart. "A woman..stood next to the..the..thing. She stabbed me." Bella lifted up her shirt finding no evidence of a wound. "What does she look like?" Angel asked. Bella shook her head. "I don't know. It was blurry. I felt like they had a connection to one another." She looked up seeing a new face. "What like a partner?" He asked pulling out a book. Bella shook her head no. "No, it was more like control." Bella answered.
He nodded skimming through the book. "Bella, that's Wesley." Bella nodded quietly giving the man a small smile. "Here. Take this. I'm going to see if I can find more information on the Beast." He handed Angel the book and left just as quickly as he came. Angel considered going after him but thought best.
"So..what exactly is about to happen?" Gunn asked holding Fred close. Angel looked down at Bella. "I'm not sure guys."
*Time Skip*
One Month Later
Bella's visions of The Beast stopped after that night and the team, mostly Angel felt like they were just warnings. Every night before he'd go check on Connor, he'd ask Bella about her dreams. She wasn't having anymore nightmares and her visions were now 50/50. Some when awake, and others when asleep. Angel realized a few weeks ago how dangerous her night visions were.
Angel was sitting in his office looking over client paperwork when he heard the door open then close. Usually he would think Fred or Gunn since Bella hasn't left the building since arriving except once to get clothes of her own. Her father was supposed to be coming down in a few weeks and she wanted to get things ready. He knew Fred and Gunn were upstairs, so he stood curiously. He walked towards the double doors that led out to the garden and saw a figure. "Bella." He called, opening up the door to follow her out. She was already out of the gate by the time Angel caught up with her. "Bella!" He called out again as she was about to walk out into oncoming traffic. He reached her elbow before she could step off the sidewalk. He pulled her back to him and looked down at her. She was still sleeping. He brought her back inside and after calling Fred and Gunn down, they each grabbed a weapon from the weapons cabinet. It seemed like Bella would be leading them tonight.
She ended up sleep walking to the location, waking once they stepped foot in the yard. A demon was going to slaughter a whole family and use the children's brains as nesting places for its babies. It was weird for all of them, and this time Bella actually remembered her vision. Her day time visions worked just the same as Cordelia's. The same gasping, and head gripping ordeal. Bella's eyes would go white instead but she handled it pretty well. With phone calls coming in and things like that, half would be on a vision "call" and the other taking care of a client issue. All in all it worked out well. After a while though, the team was starting to worry about Angel. Bella was even noticing the withdrawal. She and Angel had a pretty good friendship going. He made her laugh a lot and she brought a sense of light in his dark, brooding world. Bella would often joke that he was always brooding which he would deny. Back when her nightmares were really bad, she'd find comfort in Angel's room or presence. Usually the two were up later. It became a usual routine when they'd find the other downstairs drinking coca or blood. They'd sit in silence or talk about trivial things until Bella got tired.
Now though, there's no need but it's been habit enough that the two regularly do it. "I'm worried about him." Fred sighed. Gunn nodded as well. "We all are. I mean I haven't been here long but even I see his brooding has gone to another level." Bella whispered. "Do you think it's about Cordy or Connor?" Gunn asked watching their boss as he looked over the edge. "Both." Bella answered. Angel wasn't one for words but when they talked Bella could tell the pain in his eyes was not temporary.
"I can hear you, you know." Angel stated loudly. The three sighed and walked forward looking down as well. "We're just worried about you Angel." Fred explained. Angel turned towards them with a forced smile. "I'm fine guys really. It's Friday night, you all should be out and doing your thing." He looked pointedly as Bella. "Nu uh buddy. I'm a walking freak that can drop to sleep at any moment. I'm good here." Bella crosses her arms giving Angel a look he couldn't quite understand. He finally noticed the restlessness on all their faces and sighed. "How about we go to Las Vegas? A night on the town. Sight seeing. I could use a change of scenery." He offered. The girls nodded eagerly and Gunn just shrugged motioning towards Fred and Bella. "What they want." He answered smiling. It was good to see his Fred happy. "Great. Let's leave tonight."
AN: Here it is Chapter 3. Now I've been rewatching Angel, and I still don't understand when Cordelia was possessed by Jasmine. Having sex with Connor seemed so out of character but she seemed and talked so much like herself when explaining to Angel why she couldn't be with him. It will forever confuse me. I'm not sure if she was possessed after having sex or after "Spin the Bottle".
AN(2): So as you can see I am updating early, which is good because once I update I'm immediately starting on the next chapter. As I update I'll have a few chapters already done so that when school starts, it'll have something to give you. Thanks.
