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Chapter Seven
Lindsey had not slept. He wasn't about to take the chance that he might miss this opportunity. He wanted to savor the moment of the seer's death. He stood and watched the monitors, he sat and watched them. He realized the girl slept so long because of the triggered visions, it didn't help his patience any though. It was just after noon when he was brought another coffee and the phone.
"A call for you sir. It's from the main office."
He didn't acknowledge the woman of course, simply took his coffee, took a long drink of it, and then picked up the phone. His secretary with Faith seemingly waiting on the other line. He smiled at the news. She had Angel, and was prepared to bring him in. He was willing to give himself up if it meant letting his seer go. Lindsey had underestimated her. He looked to the monitor to see the seer getting up and testing the food. The vampire convincing her to eat.
"Excellent. Let her know we have a deal, to bring him into my offices. They can wait for me there. No, I won't be coming in, but they needn't know that."
He hung up and leaned back in his chair as he drank down the coffee. Finally he looked at the security tech and gave him his orders regarding the cameras.
AA
Faith hung up with a frown. Both Wesley and Angel stood waiting, all their attention on her, yet neither asked. Not yet. She wasn't sure why, but it felt too easy and that bothered her. She shook it off, thinking maybe she was just that on edge still and looked up at Wes, then to Angel.
"He'll meet us there. He has to bring her in from wherever their keeping her. We're to go straight to his office, guards have been told to let us through."
"That's what we were hoping for right?"
She shrugged. If she was listening she would have heard the doubt creep into Wesley's voice at the question as well. They both felt something wrong but didn't see an alternative. Neither willing to take the lead it was Angel who nodded.
"Right. Let's get going."
He turned to leave and Wesley grabbed his own weapons, hiding them in his coat. Faith was the only one not to move just yet.
"Maybe I'm a little confused, but if we go there and they are willing to give us Cordelia for you, how do we get you out?"
Wesley was wondering the same thing but wouldn't voice it. He paused instead, and watched the interaction between the two.
"You don't. I'll take care of myself, you guys just get Cordelia out of there. Got it?"
"Angel, perhaps, this is a little. . . "
"Just get her out of there Wes."
Wes froze, but then nodded. He had to trust that Angel could get himself out of there. As he agreed Faith finally hung her head but grabbed her coat to follow. This was her fault and she knew it, but Angel had said you couldn't dwell on the past mistakes, only make up for them the best you could. Silently she promised she was not leaving him behind.
AA
Cordelia woke feeling rested but not a whole lot better. The visions would hurt until they were dealt with, which was no, not going to happen. The idea of food was only making her sick, but Spike had said it would probably be a good idea to get some while she could. So she brought the tray up to the bed and sat picking at it, while he sat on the other side.
"They didn't bring you any blood this time."
It was casually said. They were so careful right now, not really looking at each other. Their comments very benign, which only added to the tension between them. Spike could feel it and worried it was her trying to fall back, change her mind.
"Fig'red I would' need it, eh?"
Cordy gave a weak smile and picked at the food.
"Think I'll be enough? I mean, I'm kinda small."
He smirked in turn.
"Why you think I'm makin' you eat up? Go on, gonna need your strength today, pet."
He added it so softly that she raised her eyes to look at him. She wasnt' sure what she was going to see but when she saw the regret and worry it somehow made her feel better. She reached over for his hand and gave it a squeeze.
"Long day huh?"
He lowered his eyes, unable to look at hers, she trusted him, and he was worried that it was a mistake, the last she'd get to make. Squeezing her hand back he nodded.
"Long day, luv. Eat up."
AA
Angel had parked and let Faith lead them in. It was surprisingly easy to get inside even if they were still on edge. Everyone was watching them. People that were just passing in the lobby would stare as they walked past. No one even bothered to check them for weapons. The secretary was kind enough, smiling and leading them up to Lindsey's office. She asked if they wanted anything, water, coffee, blood, and they declined. SHe smiled and explained Mr. MacDonald would be there shortly and to please take a seat. With that she backed out and closed the doors. They all heard the audible click of a lock and looked each other over.
Spread throughout the room, not one of them had actually sat. All stood ready, hands at their sides.
"Anyone else get the feeling this is a bad idea?"
"Trap?"
Angel nodded to the two and started to walk behind the desk. Looking through folders left on it.
"Find whatever you can, see if we can find where they are keeping her."
Wesley went for the book shelf and Faith, feeling a little useless, started for what looked like a hidden bar, but before she reached it, the wall slid away to show a large screen. It flickered to life and the images came into black and white focus. Cordelia and Spike, sitting on a bed in a windowless room. Faith raised a hand to say something but the sound was on as well and all eyes were on the screen. Wesley came to stand next to her as he watched, panic on his face. Angel came from around the desk, his eyes hard as they watched the scene unfold, unable to do anything else.
AA
Cordelia sighed and pushed the tray aside.
"Really should finish that pet."
"I can't. Not sure I can keep that much down."
Spike removed the tray and then knealt in front of her, grabbed her chin in hand and brought it up to make her look at him.
"Don' have t' do this you know."
"Not like we have a lot of choice."
"Could always give it some time, see if the poof, er, Angel comes for ya."
She shook her head and stifled tears.
"He's not coming Spike. It's been, god I don't even know how long, days at least. He can't, or he won't save me."
She gave a sad and dry laugh, raising a hand to wipe at her face.
"Maybe he got tired of having to rescue me all the time. Even the visions aren't worth all the trouble I put him and Wes through."
Spike growled and grabbed her shoulders, pulling her to standing he shook her. Shock at the action flickered across her face and she gasped, now her stomach really wasn't happy. Her hands came up to his chest to try and stop him but he'd already stopped, head bent to hers.
"Stop that! You're worth more than that, don' ever think your not, you hear? An' if the poof don' get that, then it's his loss. You wanna wait for him, we wait, you don' have any reason t' trus' me. . . "
"Spike! I, thank you."
He loosened his grip on her shoulders and stood up, looked her over and when she smiled he gave a nod as if satisfied. He let her go, reluctantly, fingers slowly uncurling from her warm skin.
"Ain't the visions I'm talkin' about either, you know, pet."
"I know."
She licked her lips, still more than a little afraid, but not changing her mind. She sighed and pulled her hair behind her, off her shoulders.
"So, what, what do you need me to do?"
He glanced up and around, sure the cameras were on, totally unaware how wide their audience really was. He wished he could put her more at ease, and knew that in this situation, it just wasn't possible. Instead he brushed the last strands of hair off her neck and let his thumb caress under her chin.
"Jus', trust me. Can you do that, luv?"
She swallowed but nodded.
"I trust you Spike. Just. . . "
"No more waitin' I got it."
He stepped into her then and wrapped an arm around her waist, she tried not to stiffen and relax. Maybe it was like getting shots, relaxing made it hurt less, go faster. He grabbed her chin and turned her head to the side, she closed her eyes and bit at her lip. She shivered just once, and he stroked her shoulder and arm to try and soother her. Lowering his head to her neck, the moment stretched out and she really did relax, but the moment fangs sunk in was obvious. Her eyes snapped open and her mouth dropped into a silent scream. She winced and fingers dug into his shoulders. Her legs went next and he held her up, still drinking, head bent to her neck.
"S-spike?"
Her breathing got ragged and her face went slack, eyes distant and clouded before they fluttered shut. Spike pulled up then with a gasp. His game face on and blood over his mouth. He licked at his lips and smiled. As if suddenly remembering he looked down at her, his face slid to human and he picked her up. Blood coated her neck and she was limp in his arms. He laid her on the bed and stroked her face.
"Stay with me pet, got a ways to go yet."
She opened her eyes then and looked up at him, fear coming off her in waves.
"Spike, it's, it hurts. I can't, move, I can't, can't breathe."
"Shhh, it's all right, not leavin' ya."
He took her hand and lifted it to kiss at the knuckles, she tried to smile then let her eyes close. Spike looked as though he was panicking and quickly let go, raising his own arm and biting at the wrist.
"Not yet stay wit' me. Need ya t' stay here. Gotta trust me, pet, gotta drink, then I'll let ya rest."
He held his wrist over her mouth and bowed over her, blocking the view of her entirely.
"That's it, good girl, jus' a bit more luv. Wake up t' a whole new world, can show you things you never dreamed of. We'll travel some yeah? See the world?"
He hissed and pulled back, cradling his wrist and there was blood dripping down the side of her face. He sat and closed his eyes, hoping he did the right thing. Jerking to standing as the door opened and Lindsey walked in. His smile annoyed Spike, and he growled, only stopping from killing him because he still needed him. Lindsey held out a remote to him.
"Well done. I wasnt' sure you had it in you, yet not only did you turn her, you convinced her to trust you. Angel underestimates you."
"Yeah what else is new?"
Grabbing the remote he stared at it before raising a brow at Lindsey.
"You can destroy it and it won't trigger the chip."
That's all he needed to hear and with a smirk he dropped it to the floor and smashed it to pieces, several, before kicking it to the side.
"Got our place set up? Wanna move her. Sometimes it goes quick, only got a few hours. Want her wakin' up in a real bed. Wit' real clothes too."
"Anything you want. We have the car ready to take you both back. Oh and, welcome to Wolfram and Hart, Spike."
AA
At first, they had just watched. Angel growing more and more uncomfortable, muttering something about Spike being up to something. Collective breathes had been held as Cordy mentioned Angel not coming for her. Wesley slid eyes over to the vampire who looked crushed.
"Angel, she, doesn't believe that. She knows what she means to us, that she's more than a friend she's, family. She knows how we feel, they've just. . . "
"No. Wes she doesn't know, because we don't tell her. At least I don't. I haven't."
His voice was soft, regretful. He'd taken for granted that by her choosing to stay, that she knew he needed her, wanted her there. How many times had she asked, hinted at things and he'd fallen back on the visions as an excuse rather than voice his real feelings. Try and figure out his real feelings. He hadn't wanted to face it, so he pushed it aside and now she was loosing hope. Except it was so much more than that, she was turning to Spike. Spike of all people! When he moved closer, Angel moved. So fast the others almost felt bowled over as he was right up at the screen.
"No! Cordelia no!"
"Dear god, she's . . . "
Faith simply swallowed, she felt frozen even as Angel's face changed and he picked up a chair, throwing it at the doors trying to break them open. Wesley couldn't stop watching, it was as if he was afraid to look away. He shook his head as she went limp in Spike's arms.
"Angel. . . "
Angel on the other hand, couldn't watch, he winced and finally turned. Her eyes, scared, seemed to look right at him, as if blaming him. He stepped closer, raising a hand to the screen, fingers brushing where her cheek was. Then her face was gone as Spike began feeding her his own blood. He closed his eyes and lowered his hand, stepping back.
"No, why didn't she wait for me?"
Faith understood, more than she wanted to. Spike had fed on her fears, on the feeling of worthlessness, she'd had it happen to her with the Mayor, and even if for a moment you realized what was happening, you pushed that clarity aside in favor of feeling wanted. Wesley sat down on the chair and put his face in his hands.
"We're too late. There's, nothing we can do."
No one said anything for a moment and Faith finally blinked, surprised that they gave up.
"What do you mean there's nothing you can do! She's not dead!"
"Faith. . . "
"No Angel, okay so she's going to wake up a vampire. She's going to need your help. What about that curse? To give her a soul. She wouldn't want to just go out there killing people right? So we help her."
"Faith I can't, "
"She's right. Angel, we, have to help her."
Angel looked back up to the screen. Spike was lifting Cordelia and leaving the room. Lindsey was left in it alone and he looked around then looked straight up into the camera and smiled.
"Looks like we have some negotiating to do, Angel. So sorry to keep you waiting but as you can see, I had some business to attend to."
Angel punched the screen cracking it and turned back to the other two.
"All right, new plan."
Wesley stood up and shakily straightened his jacket.
"Right, well, if I heard correctly, Lindsey will be escorting Spike and Cordelia here. They have apartments on the upper floors, however since the sun is still out, they will probably be coming through the underground parking."
Faith slapped her hands together and rubbed them in anticipation.
"So awesome, let's go play welcome wagon."
Angel nodded and headed to the door. He leaned back then kicked at it, twice, to break it open. Stepping into the hallway guards came after them and he nodded back at the other two. Faith stepped out and took the left while Angel went for the right. THey took down the guards, Angel without trying, simply knocking them down and making sure they didnt' bother getting up again. Wesley stpped out behind them.
"The elevators go to the lower levels, we'll have to be near the entrance to see where they come in."
"Right. I'll take point."
Faith grinned, fighting she was good at, fighting she knew. If she could help them by taking lead and knocking some heads together she was all for it. The other two followed and Angel growled out as they hit the elevators.
"Spike is mine."
Faith and Wesley both nodded.
AA
Spike sat in the back of the limo with Cordelia laid in his lap. He cradled her to him and absently stroked her hair. He was told Lindsey would follow and honestly, he didn't care. As long as they got to the lawyers' office, then the plan was working. Looking down at the seer in his lap he wiped the blood from her mouth with his thumb.
"Not long now, luv. Will wake you up when we're safe, an' not before. You trust me, now it's up t' me t' keep it, eh?"
He kissed at her temple and looked through the tinted windows as they pulled around the back of the building to the underground parking entrance. Moving his hand to cup the back of her neck his thumb moved along a pulse point he knew was bruised, but worth it. Another quick look down at her and he smiled. He'd make sure it was worth it.