Sorry it took me so long. I had exams, and some personal problems, but I'm back now. Even written the epilogue (need to get that beta-ed though, but still yay)
Enjoy!
-
'No' she said in a firm voice. Having heard enough, she lifted her hand, motioning her friends to silence. 'I won't let you do it' her eyes rested on Angel.
'Cor...' he started to plead, his brown eyes softening instantly. What was it about this woman that made him get like this?
'No, I won't risk losing you again! There has to be another way!' A single tear started to make it's way down her cheek.
'There isn't.' Wesley said in a quiet voice, 'We tried...'
'Angel?' she asked in a small voice now, clutching his arm.
'I'm sorry, Cordy, I must...' And with that he got up, walking over to the weapon cabinet, only to stop and turn around again, facing his friends and family. 'I'm going alone' he stated, addressing Wes and Gunn who had also gotten up and crossing the lobby.
'Angel, man, you really think this is wise?'
'I'm the only one who can stop this thing, its madness to endager you all...Where's the horn?'
Fred handed it over in silence. The look of sadness and fear in her eyes said enough.
Angel accepted it with a small nod and started to make his way out of the hotel, only to be stopped by Wesley.
'Wes...'
'We also found out where he's hiding... The factory where the cops found the fifth victim...'
Another nod and without saying a word Angel headed out into the darkness in search of the demon.
-
The streets were dimly lit and dirty and a vile stench hung thickly in the air, yet he didn't mind. His clothes were filthy and his last cigarette had fallen to the ground into a puddle when she'd ran into him, but it didn't really matter to him anymore. All he needed was her by his side now, and she'd told him she needed him. That was all he cared for, all that mattered as he made his way back through the streets and alleys to the hotel, his girl by his side.
'You okay, Goldilocks?' he asked as he saw her stiffle a yawn.
'I'm fine' she said, a smile on her face as she looked at him, 'I'm with you' she finished, squeezing his hand a little.
They continued the rest of the walk in silence. After all, lovers who just got back together don't need words. All they need is love.
-
Cordy POV
Life is just a string of interluding moments, happy or sad, nothing more than that. Just moments following one after another. Nothing more, nothing less. I read that somewhere a while ago, and it made me think. Back in High School, I thought I had it all... I had class, style and money. I was Queen C. I had it all, except for true friends, but I still believed I was happy. More moments of happiness than of sadness anyway... Okay, not counting the moments of pain or boredom, which often where the same moments I was with Buffy and her friends... But after daddy lost his money to the IRS, I never really thought I'd be happy again anytime soon. Looking back today, I know I was dead wrong. I have a new family now, with Angel, Wes, Fred, Gunn and baby Connor, and I've never been happier. I've got the bestest friends, and I'm totally and completely in love. I don't really think I realised all of that until Angel was brought into the hotel that day, all pale and poisoned. He was dying and it felt like I was too... A suffocating feeling, someone keeping my heart in a death grip, squeezing more and more with every gasp for air... Today, when Wesley and Fred announced that Angel was the only one who could kill that demon, the feeling was back. It still is, worse than ever. I can't loose him, not now, not again. That's why I'm driving like a madwoman now... Making my way through the already empty streets of LA towards the old warehouse where Wes' source said the demon would be hiding.
I couldn't just stay behind in the hotel, waiting once more in doubt whether or not he'd come back alive this time. That's why I sneaked out with the sword, and that's why I'm speeding through the streets.
Finding the warehouse wasn't really all that hard, seeing a bright light emmiting from the broken windows and the door. Helping Angel is another thing... He doesn't seem to be able to get behind the ugly creature, so I do what I think is the best thing to do... Shutting off my brain completely, I hold up my sword and dive into the fight with a scream...
-
The darkened lobby looked even more frightening now, covered in a little moonlightshade that managed to peer through the sparse windows. Dark and empty. Somehow it did suit Angel, Buffy thought as she made her way inside the old hotel, still holding hands with Spike, her new-found lover.
'Hello?' the vampire called out, 'Angel?'
But he got no answer.
'Are you sure this is the place?' Buffy asked, having another look around. She noticed some furniture and a big, shiny desk.
He didn't answer right away, just tilted his head a little and gave her a look. 'Yes'
'Then where is everybody?' she asked, walking over to the counter, picking up one of the business-cards, letting out a snort as she noticed Cordelia's name on it, and the Angel-symbol.
'Angel's out on a mission' an unmistakably British accent sounded through the lobby as Wesley made his way down the grand staircase, baby Connor on his arm. 'As is Cordelia I'm afraid' he added as his features grew darker.
'He's changed' Buffy thought as she studied her former watcher for a while. He had aged a bit, and looked more confident, and even muscled. He didn't look like a stiff, skinny Giles junior anymore, she decided. But a kid?
But no sooner did she consider the thought of Wesley as a father, she saw how the baby gurgled and stretched out his small arms to Spike, who eagerly took the child, crooning as he did so.
'Okay...' she silently uttered, trying to grasp the weird play in front of her.
'He's gone to kill the Kuai'n' Wesley informed Spike, his usually calm and serene voice unable to hide the panic within.
'The what?' Buffy asked, clueless.
'Demon' Spike quickly clarified as he put Connor down in the playpen near the counter, 'Why didn't he wait for me?'
'This was something he had to do alone'
'Then why is Cordelia with him?' The slayer asked, a pang of jealousy went off inside of her. Even though she knew she and Angel were through, and she was with Spike now, she couldn't help but feel this way.
'She followed him, even though Angel told us all to stay here. It was his battle. He being the only one capable of killing the demon'
'So Cordelia's in danger?' Spike asked, anger reflected in his voice. He'd become rather fond of the brunette during the time spent together at the Hyperion.
The moment the ex-watcher started to nod, Spike was gone. It took him less than 3 seconds to grab a sword from the weapon cabinet and standing in front of Wesley again, he demanded their location.
'An empty factory in the docks' he said as he as well went to get his weapon, but no sooner had the words left his mouth or he heard the front door close with a bang and Connor who started crying...