Chapter Eight
Jack was right. As soon as they approached the hotel, he knew. He could sense the demons and evil from miles away. They walked into the hotel, following Angel, who stopped abruptly in the middle of the lobby.
"I can sense her. She's here. And she's alive."
"Oh thank God," Cordelia spoke, expelling a sigh of relief.
"I can't pinpoint where she is, but I know she's here." Angel said and was silent for a moment, before a deep growl vibrated from his throat. "I can pinpoint someone else though."
They went to the elevator and Angel hit the button to the ninth floor. He easily could've made it up the stairs faster than the elevator, but subtlety was a necessity right now and not everyone in the group could scale eight flights of stairs at a sprint like he could. He waited, fists clenched, ready for the confrontation.
Lilah and Lindsay sat across from each other at Lilah's desk. They were anxious, sitting and waiting for the ritual to be done. Holland had told them they did good. They got the girl, Doyle, if not dead, was severely injured so as far as they were concerned, by the time Angel and Cordelia left the reunion and got back to the hotel, the sacrifice would be done.
"Mmm…" Lilah hummed, drawing Lindsay's attention as she sipped a glass of wine. "We're definitely going to get promoted now. Partner, here we come." Lindsay chuckled, eyeing the snug camisole she wore beneath her open blazer.
"Yeah. We're shoe ins." He took in a deep breath and she glanced at him, questioningly.
"What?"
"I don't know. It just all seems…too easy."
"Not too easy. We just played it right this time." Lindsay sighed.
"I guess. It's just hard to believe we finally did it."
"It is surreal. Another glass?" He shrugged. Lilah was pouring the wine when the door burst open. The bottle dropped from her hand, the red liquid spilling on the desk and down to the carpet. The two lawyers stared at the angry vampire snarling at them from inside the door, angry gold eyes promising pain. They barely noticed the large group behind him.
"Told you." Lindsay said, eyes on Angel. Lilah deafly nodded, her eyes in the same direction. Angel was in front of Lindsay in a second, hands on his throat, deadly fangs gleaming in the light cast from the office lamp above them. Lindsay gulped. Lilah took several steps to run out of instinct, freezing when the sound of a gun cocking sounded.
"Nah ah ah," Angel said cheerfully, speaking in a sing-song voice worthy of a teasing Angelus. Lilah stared, eyes wide.
"Since when do you own a gun?" Lindsay taunted, hands desperately clawing at Angel's on his throat. "Thought you were all old worldly with the swords and cross bows."
"Yeah. But guns work much quicker on pesky humans, and with way less effort and energy wasted." He gestured to Lilah with the gun. "Tie her up." Cordelia smiled, coming up to Angel and pulling a small thing of rope from the pocket of his duster.
"With pleasure." Lilah sat on her desk chair and Cordelia tied her to it.
"Rope. Never leave home without it." Angel grinned, letting his soul take control, fangs and ridges disappearing to leave hot, angry brown ones in their wake. He glanced at Lilah, confirming that she was secure, before pushing Lindsay on the desk, grip tightening on his throat. "Where is she Lindsay?"
"I don't know who you're talking about." Lindsay feigned innocence. Gritted teeth inched closer to Lindsay's face, the vein in Angel's neck protruding with his tightened jaw.
"Where's my daughter Lindsay? Where's Kathy?"
"You'll never get to her in time."
"Where?" Angel snarled, growing impatient. When Lindsay said nothing, he growled low in his throat, flipping the man over and pulling one arm behind his back, pushing his chest into the desk. "I'm going to start breaking bones if you don't start talking."
"Oh yeah. Here's the warrior for the Powers, the champion of good." Lindsay's laugh turned into a cry of pain as he felt his wrist snap. Everyone's eyes widened in shock, the Scoobies all gasping in surprise.
"Talk."
"You think a broken wrist is going to make me tell you?"
"No? How about two?" The sound of bone cracking was heard again. "Listen to me Lindsay. I can go straight to the neck if you don't give me the information I want. I have no problem killing you. Really. And then I'll happily turn my attentions to Lilah. So talk."
"You can't kill me. The whole 'soul' deal, remember?" Angel let out a dark chuckle.
"Soul's pretty much on the same page as the demon when it comes to you."
"Angel," Buffy spoke, but the vampire didn't even spare her a glance. His hands moved to Lindsay's fingers and the snap was heard again, followed by another groan of pain from the Texan.
"I'm growing impatient," Angel said, his voice portraying the opposite.
"Angel!" This time Buffy spoke more forcefully, Slayer mode coming through. Angel turned toward her, annoyed.
"What?" Lindsay didn't move, realizing both Doyle and Cordelia were pointing crossbows at him.
"I won't let you kill them." Her voice didn't come out as strong as she would've liked.
"Excuse me?" Angel asked, incredulous.
"I won't let you kill them." Her voice was stronger this time, so when he sent her a darkly wicked chuckle while slowly shaking his head, she shivered. Fast as lightening, he pulled her close, dark eyes flecked with gold burning into wide, startled blue ones.
"Let's get something straight Buffy. You wouldn't be able to stop me. Do not confuse a love I had for you a very long time ago for weakness. You get in my way, you'll be nothing more than a casualty." Her pupils dilated as the weight of his words had their impact.
"You can't-"
"I can. You have no idea the power I [I]will[/I] unleash on you if you cross me. I promise you, I am more dangerous right now than Angelus could ever hope to be." His voice dropped to a raspy growl that had goosebumps breaking out on her skin. "I'm it, Slayer." The word caught the attention of the two lawyers. "Master vampire and the biggest badass that has ever walked this planet. So don't do anything stupid." He flashed his fangs, released her and turned back to Lindsay, features smooth.
Lindsay and Lilah exchanged a worried glance. They knew Angel's past with the slayer. Seeing him threaten her with no qualms made them uneasy; he wanted information, and they now knew he would kill them to get what he wanted, or if they didn't give him what he wanted. Angel stood in front of Lindsay.
"Patience is gone now Lindsay. Buffy kinda pushed me over the edge. So, this is the last time I'm gonna ask you. If I don't get the answer I want, I'm twisting your head from your body, and then I'm gonna start on Lilah. Understand?" The throbbing in Lindsay's arms combined with the reality that they had finally pushed the vampire too far, that he was beyond serious, hit the lawyer hard. "Now. Where's my daughter?" Lindsay glanced up at Angel. "I know she's here Lindsay. Now, I'm guessing there's some secret floor like at Wolfram & Hart, I just need to know how to get there." Lindsay groaned, deflated.
"Go in the elevator. White button under all the floor numbers. Push it, then all the floor buttons. It'll take you where you need to go." Angel released him and Lindsay stood, straightening his jacket, wincing as pain shot up his arms. The group exited, leaving Angel, who kept his eyes trained on Lindsay until he was sure everyone was at the elevator.
"You know you're too late." Lilah finally spoke. "It already started." Angel sent her a cold glare and she flinched, surprised at her reaction.
"For your sake, you better nope not." He left the room, closing the double doors behind him. He slid one of his long daggers between the open handles and bent the tip. They weren't getting out anytime soon.
He entered the elevator, pushed the white button, then all the numbers. The elevator moved up, past the twentieth, and final, numbered floor of the hotel. The elevator jerked to a stop. Cordelia took in a deep breath and Angel squeezed her hand.
"Ready?"
"Yup." She had her crossbow in hand. Doyle handed his to Willow, who stared up at him, wide eyed. Angel handed Xander his gun.
"That's not going to kill the vampires." Xander replied.
"No. But it might kill some demons."
"But the vam-"
"Xander, have you ever been shot?" He looked startled.
"No."
"Ok. It hurts. A lot. Demon, human, vampire. Doesn't matter. It still hurts. At least enough to distract them until one of us can kill it. So quit crying." The door opened silently. The group exited and Angel led them down a hallway, Kathy's heartbeat, though even, pounding in his ears. She wasn't scared or crying and he frowned, knowing something was wrong despite that. He went to round the corner, and then abruptly stopped, halting the group.
"Four guards outside, at least twelve inside, along with Holland and at least two more demons." He turned to Cordelia. "She's in there." Cordelia's grip on his hand tightened and she took a breath.
"Let's go?" She asked him, taking a step. He pulled her back to him, hands gently cupping her face.
"Whatever happens, promise me you'll stay safe." She blinked at the intensity in his gaze.
"I promise." He placed a soft kiss to her lips. Buffy blinked, eyes casting downward. Cordelia was stunned, touching her fingers to her lips when he broke away too soon. She stared at him, tears stinging her eyes.
"Angel," fear laced her whispered words at the possible goodbye his kiss suggested.
"I love you."
"I love you too." He turned to Doyle.
"Keep her safe. No matter what." The half demon nodded as a solemn tone came over all of them, the weight of the situation heavy on their shoulders.
"Come on." Buffy stepped beside him. The two exchanged a brief glance and Buffy turned her head at the intensity Cordelia had seen still burning bright in his gaze. The two charged the four vampires, two of them dust before the other two knew what had happened, then were ash as well. Buffy couldn't help the swell of her heart at how well she and Angel worked together even after all this time, but the sounds of Xander's voice knocked her out of her reverie.
"Think inside'll be that easy?" Angel snorted.
"Not a chance." He tried to turn the door handle, surprised when he found it unlocked; thankful given the doors were made out of steel. "Get your weapons up. Everyone ready?" He didn't wait for a response, turning the knob. The group burst into the room.
Angel's eyes scanned the entire expanse of the room in a second. He saw three vampires turn to dust before him, courtesy of the crossbows. The other nine vampires charged, the two demons chanting and Holland Manners carrying an unconscious Kathy in his arms, her head limp.
Two vampires grabbed him by each arm, the third standing before him, throwing punches. Angel growled, his demon taking charge. The chanting grew louder and he could feel the electric shock of magic in the air.
"I don't have time for this shit," he snarled, breaking free from the two holding him and kicking the third, sending him flying backward. He flipped his wrist holsters, a stake appearing in each hand. He shot his arms out as the two charged from each side, letting the stakes fly and dusting the two vampires as he charged the third, hands gripping and pulling until its head severed and he turned to dust.
Cordelia shot the vampire as soon as he looked her way. But as she scrambled to re-load, another charged her, fangs barred. Angel turned just as it tackled her.
"Cordy!" He called, ready to charge when another vampire sent a hard punch to his solar plexus. He fell to his knees with a grunt, looking up with pained eyes as fangs neared Cordelia's neck. His body fell to the ground as a knee to his back sent him forward, his stomach and chest flat on the floor, his human features once again taking over.
He looked up, relieved as the vampire pinning Cordelia to the floor turned to dust. Buffy took her hand, helping her up. Blue met Angel's dark brown and he sent her a nod of gratitude. She returned it briefly, tearing her eyes from him and back to the attacking vampires.
Angel rolled so he was on his back, dodging a blow, and flipped up. The other vampire was a skilled fighter, dodging all of Angel's blows and countering. He let the change wash over him again, making him that much faster, that much stronger. He pulled his final stake from his pocket, plunging it forward. The vampire exploded into dust. Angel's eyes again scanned the crowd, falling on Doyle as he killed a vampire.
"Doyle!" The half-demon turned to Angel. "Green demon. Now!"
Holland continued to hold Kathy as the two demons chanted, oblivious to the chaos surrounding them. Doyle took the crossbow from Willow, who was now by Oz and shot one of the chanting demons. It fell to the floor, dead, and the chanting ceased.
The other demon looked up, startled, none the wiser as Angel came up behind him, hands on his neck, twisting hard. The other demon crumpled to the floor, leaving a vamped out Angel face to face with Holland.
Angel's teeth gritted as he lurched forward, dagger in hand. Holland's eyes widened and he staggered, Kathy dropping from his grasp. Angel dropped the dagger, catching her before she hit the ground. Cordelia ran to him, taking Kathy, ready to place a kiss to Angel's lips when he tensed.
"Angel." Angel's eyes widened and he turned to see Holland getting up. He gulped.
"Go. Now." The group stared past him, stunned.
"He's not human." Doyle said, stating the obvious out of shock.
"Yeah. Come on." He pushed Cordelia out of the door, the group following. He made Cordelia face him, taking her lips in another kiss, again with the same desperation. He broke his mouth from hers, placing a kiss to Kathy's forehead, his finger tenderly tracing her face. "Love you. Both of you."
"Love you," Cordelia responded again, his declaration never before making her so nervous. He turned to Doyle, and then to Buffy.
"Keep them safe." He turned back to Cordy. "You don't go inside. I don't care what you hear, no matter what; you don't even try to find a way. Okay?" His tone left no room for argument. She nodded mutely. He turned back to Doyle and Buffy. "If things go bad in there, take them. Keep them safe." He repeated, ignoring Cordelia's wide eyed expression. She grabbed his wrist.
"If things go bad?" Her voice rose in panic. "We got her. Let's go."
"I have to do this Cordy. Or they're going to keep coming after us."
"They will anyway, but at least you'll be alive to protect us." She tried to fight the tears threatening to fall. He brought her to him, Kathy still in her arms.
"I have to do this." She opened to her mouth to protest, but he caught her off. "I love you. I love you so much. You three are my world." Her brow wrinkled when he said three, knowing he wasn't referring to Doyle. "No matter what happens, remember that." He kissed her one more time, and then was on the other side of the steel double doors before they could blink. He locked the doors, turning to face Holland, who was waiting patiently for him, a grin on his face.
Buffy banged her fists against the door to no avail, trying to pry or pound it open. She sighed, defeated, sinking to the floor and leaning against the doors.
"Solid steel. It's not going to budge."
"Bastard," Doyle cursed, feeling helpless and angry. "Always the damn hero." He sat down beside Cordy, who held on to Kathy, caressing her hair, trying desperately not to cry.
"So, we wait." Willow said, voice small. Cordelia nodded.
"Yeah. We wait to see if he comes out." She fought the crack in her voice. "If he…if he doesn't," she broke off with a sob, the thought tearing her up inside. Doyle continued for her.
"If he doesn't make it, I take Cordy and Kathy. We'll leave you," he addressed Buffy. "To do your Slayer duties."
"What if I can't take him? If Angel can't, how can I?" She asked, finally acknowledging that he truly was more dangerous than her, especially right now. Cordelia's voice was small, her eyes on her fingers stroking Kathy's hair as the girl lay down, still unconscious, head on Cordelia's lap.
"One thing about Angel…if he's gonna go, he's gonna go out fighting. He may not make it, but Holland won't be far behind." The sound of growls and plaster cracking sounded and Cordelai flinched. "Here we go," she murmured.
"Mommy?" Everyone's eyes turned to Kathy. "Daddy saved me." Her voice was low, but it wasn't a question. Cordelia smiled.
"Yes, he did."
"Where is he?" Cordelia pursed her lips, flinching again as she recognized Angel's snarl, one of pain. Kathy's eyes widened and she sat up, startled. "Mommy." Cordelia held Kathy to her, knowing she should take her daughter away, but afraid to leave.
They waited.
Angel had expected Holland to transform to his demonic form after the initial stabbing. There was no need for false pretenses, it was clear he wasn't human. As Angel fought though he realized that Holland was human, he was just overly powerful.
The stabbing hadn't mattered because Angel didn't manage to catch any vital organs, and Holland's power kept him from bleeding out. Angel landed a hard right hook. A grunt left Holland as he staggered back, but didn't fall.
Angel growled, pressing the attack, landing punch after punch. Holland dodged the final blow, throwing Angel off balance. The vampire fell forward, his footing lost. Holland's elbow came down, hitting him on his back. Angel fell on his stomach, coughing at the pain in his useless lungs.
"Never figured you for a fighter Holland." Holland chuckled. "Wolfram & Hart give you some new tricks?" He rolled on his side when he received a swift kick to his ribs, the sound of bone breaking loud in the large, empty room.
"You could say that." Another swift kick had Angel lying on his back. His eyes widened and, again, he rolled to the side as Holland brought down a sword, clipping Angel's side, a cry of pain escaping his lips as he scrambled to his own discarded weapon.
Cordelia sat with Kathy's face buried against her. The little girl's eyes were squeezed shut, one ear pressed into her mother, the other covered by Cordelia's hands. Cordy rocked back and forth with Kathy, calming the girl and herself, a sobbing gasp leaving her lips at Angel's cry of pain. She didn't fight the tears rolling down her cheeks.
Angel swung his sword in an arc, wincing at the sound when it clashed with Holland's. The old lawyer pushed forward, forcing Angel to his knees.
"When the hell did you get so damn strong?" Again, Holland laughed. The sound sent a chill down Angel's spine.
"I'm a soldier for the Senior Partners now. They needed me indestructible." Angel stared up at him, body chorded with tension as he kept his sword clashed with Holland's, willing it to stay in place as the lawyer continued to push down, bringing the blade closer to Angel's body. "My blood is filled with their ancient power. You can't defeat me Angel."
Angel's eyes widened and he dropped the sword, rolling to the side as Holland's sword came down once the resistance was gone. It sliced into Angel's ankle and he stifled his pain, standing and jumping onto Holland's back.
"Can you pick the one word there you probably shouldn't have said?" Angel growled lowly, biting into Holland's neck, drinking.
Holland scrambled with the vampire on his back. He felt the blood leaving his body and twisted, ripping Angel's fangs from his neck. The vampire fell to the floor, then bounced back, sending Holland a red-smeared, fanged grin. Holland's hand went to his neck, touching the ripped skin, eyes wide.
"You're right. I can feel the ancient power." Angel taunted, and then growled. It was low and violent, promising pain and death. Holland gripped his sword as Angel picked up his own and charged with a roar.
Cordelia's head rose at Angel's roar, a flare of hope shooting through her.
"Come on, Baby. Keep fighting," she whispered, closing her eyes. Buffy looked at Cordelia, the endearment cutting her up inside. She couldn't help but wish the same though.
Angel felt the blood rushing through him. The power, the adrenaline. He pushed his attack, sword meeting Holland's and pushing the man back until he was against the wall.
"You will never come after my family again." Angel told him, tone breathless though he didn't need air. He rammed the sword forward, through Holland's heart, satisfied when the man's pupils dilated and he cried out, wound seeping blood, the sword pinning him to the wall.
"And you'll never see them again." With the last bit of life in him, Holland pushed his sword through Angel, the sharp tip aimed at the vampire's heart. Angel's growl of pain turned into a hit pitched, pained groan, his mouth open and eyes wide in shock as he staggered back, hand on his chest.
Cordelia heard Angel's growl of pain, shooting up when it turned into a groan of one.
"Angel," she whispered, standing and going to the door. It was deathly quiet and when she heard no footsteps, no movements, her hope broke. "Angel!" She cried, covering her mouth with her hand as a wave of nausea and dizziness took over. Her step faltered and Doyle caught her before she fell.
"Daddy?" Kathy looked from Cordelia to the large doors. "Mommy, is Daddy okay?" Kathy's voice was broken and her lips trembled.
"Come on Kathy." Doyle took her hand, arm around Cordelia's waist. "We need to leave."
"But Da-"
"We have to go, Princess."
"Just a second Doyle." Cordelia said, bracing herself against the wall, taking in deep breaths as she forced the panic of losing Angel down. She had to be strong for Kathy. "I just need a second."
"We might not have a second Cordy." He said gently. Buffy wiped the tears from her eyes, reality hitting the stunned group hard.
"I never thought…not Angel, I never thought he'd…" the Blonde's voice cracked, her eyes continuing to spill tears at the thought of Angel really being gone. The tears fell harder as she watched Cordelia hold a crying Kathy. "Damn it Angel."
Quiet fell over the group for a moment as they all thought of the vampire. Cordy held her crying daughter, her own tears falling. Doyle took a deep breath, turning to the two.
"I promised him I'd keep you safe. Now we have to go." He took Cordelia's hand gently and she nodded, taking Kathy's.
The sound of a lock turning startled the quiet group. Buffy braced herself for the fight to come, and Doyle stepped in front of Cordelia and Kathy. The door swung open and the group froze, stunned as the limping, bleeding vampire staggered out, still in game face.
"Oh my God. Angel." Cordelia ran to him, arms wrapping around his waist. He held her to him, despite the pain. Her hands cupped his face and she kissed him. The Scoobies all stared, eyes wide at the fangs and ridges, and how Cordelia either didn't notice or didn't care. She pulled away, tears streaming down her face.
Kathy ran to Angel, also not moved by his game face and he scooped her up to him, kissing her cheek as she wrapped her arms around his neck. His spare arm wrapped around Cordelia, holding her to him. Her hand touched his face, frowning at the blood stain on his mouth and chin. Doyle approached, still in a pleased shock to see the vampire.
"You're bleeding." Cordy said, tracing his lips.
"That's not mine." He told her gently. The group's eyes widened as understanding washed over them. Her hand caressed his face and his human features slipped back on.
"You okay?" She asked, knowing he hadn't fed from a human since Angelus several years ago. He had bit her, yes. But that was about love and sex, passion and possession. They both knew that. This was different.
"Yeah. I'm okay. That blood's mine though." He said, opening his coat. A gasp of unison sounded and he took in a deep breath, willing the throbbing pain he felt all over away.
"That's, um, really close to the heart Angel."
"Yeah. Just missed." She blinked away the tears and his grip returned to her. "I'm okay. Let's just go home." Kathy nodded, the first movement since she jumped into his arms.
Angel walked to the elevator with the group, Cordelia helping him balance, exiting the hotel without a second look from anyone. The group stopped at the cars. Angel placed Kathy in the back seat. She smiled at Angel, then at the puppy that was in the car. She held her to her body, petting it happily.
Doyle stood in front of Angel for a moment. His mouth opened to say something, then shut again. Before Angel could even question him, Doyle pulled the vampire into a quick bear hug.
"Doyle?" The half demon let go and jumped into the back seat with Kathy and Snow Flake. Cordelia smiled at Angel, who chuckled lightly at Doyle's reaction. Cordelia gave each of the Scoobies a hug, thanking them for their help. Angel hugged the three, doing the same, and then stood in front of Buffy.
"I know you probably don't understand any of this, and probably like it even less-"
"You're right," she interrupted, arms crossed protectively over her chest, a useless attempt to shield herself from the inevitable heart break. Off his look, "But go on."
"Either way, thanks for helping. For helping us get Kathy back. And for saving Cordy." She nodded, surprised when he embraced her in a tender hug. She held her breath, trying to ignore the way her heart sang.
"I," she took a deep breath. "I just want you to be happy Angel," she said the words, but was amazed that she truly meant them. A tear traced down her face and he let her go. "And I'm happy you're alive." He laughed.
"Yeah, I'm happy to be alive too. Well, you know. I hope you find happiness too Buffy." She pursed her lips and nodded. Angel walked to Cordelia, wrapping his arms around her and leaning her further into the car. Her fingers laced through his hair as he brought his lips down to claim hers. She smiled into the kiss, happy to feel his lips on hers again, to be able to taste him.
She nipped at his bottom lip with her teeth, then soothed it with her tongue and he moaned, his grip on her tightening. He pulled away, pressing his forehead to hers and she took in a deep breath, letting it out as a slow sigh.
"I thought I lost you." She whispered, her voice broken by just the idea.
"I know. I had to though; I had to protect you guys. You understand?"
"I do."
"You did so good Baby." He said, knowing she would've done what was best for them by listening to Doyle and leaving. She chuckled, wanting to not think about it.
"I just want to go home and get on with our lives minus Wolfram & Hart. Just the four of us," she said, including Doyle.
"Five Mommy," Kathy said, holding Snow Flake. Angel chuckled, pulling Cordelia's body closer to his.
"Make that six." Angel said, gaining a confused look from Cordelia, her eyes, as well as Doyle's and the Scoobies' eyes widening as Angel's hands caressed over her stomach and lingered there. "Cordy," He bent to place a quick kiss to her stomach, then stood back up, a giant grin on his face. "Say hello to Angel Jr."
A shocked laugh left Cordelia as realization hit. It had been a long day and that wave of anxiety was coming back. It was a good kind of lightheaded this time though. She saw the laughter in his eyes, his smile wide and she returned it, leaning into him, lips meeting his again.
END