Four Corners
Part:
7/?
Rating: PG-13
Couples: C/A, B/S
Spoilers: Set in Angel around 'Billy'. Set in Buffy after 'Wrecked'.
Feedback: Keep sending 'em.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters. The storyline was derived from the episode "Secrets and Lies" in ER. The name of the fic was taken from the episode "Four Corners" also in ER.
A/N Thanks for all the feedback so far. It's what's motivating me to write more chapters in between schoolwork. You can take this as the end…but I'll have one more chapter up as an epilogue (at my updating rate probably in a month or so, lol).
Chapter 7
~*~Cordelia~*~
" I should have known! Of *course* it's them. They have the power to do this…the money. They've sent you painful visions before." Angel yelled.
He was clearly pissed off. He was pacing the room while the rest of us sat and watched him.
Now and again, he decided to slam his fist against the wall, hard. Knowing full well that it wasn't affecting the wall, but was a method of releasing his frustration. Buffy had informed me of some of the stuff he had done during my 'blackout'.
He was *so* melodramatic.
" Those annoying son of…"
" *Angel*! Knowing it's them doesn't help us any. We *still* can't get out." I exclaimed, jumping off the bed and pushing his fist away from the wall.
" Yeah we can." He responded eloquently.
" How?" I asked him, my hands firmly on my hips. He suddenly froze and looked at me.
" Pound the door?" He replied meekly. I sighed and collapsed back onto the bed.
My broody vampire could be *so* irrational at times.
And *stupid*.
" Sorry to burst your bubble in this *impressive* plan of yours Angelus…but we've already *tried* that!" Spike's voice was dripping with sarcasm. He was met with a growl from Angel.
Now Spike…as dumb as he acts…he *is* the smart one. The smart one out of *all* of us. If someone had a plan he would.
" So what do you plan to do, huh?" Angel insisted. Spike paused for a second.
" Ummm…how about we use my lighter to set off the smoke alarms? The firemen are *bound* to show up." He replied. Angel stifled a laugh, Buffy snorted and I groaned.
Okay, *all* vampires are stupid.
" Hey it's a good plan." He defended.
" Yeah it *is*. Cos y'know Sunnydale's fire service is *so* fast." Buffy said mockingly. Angel, Spike and Buffy then started bickering over who had the better plan…or well the *dumber* plan.
Suddenly a little whirring noise caught my attention.
The little noise had been buzzing in my ear before, but after the vision the noise level had amplified, causing my migraine to get worse and my curiosity to build up. I looked up to find the source.
" Did anyone else notice that camera? Or that one?" I said, pointing at a few small cameras covering the corners of the room.
" They've been watching us the whole time. Our every move." Angel realised.
Now it's official. I *hate* Wolfram & Hart. They give me painful visions and they're *always* annoying Angel. And they're…
" You mean they were watching me and Spike…ewwwww!" Buffy screeched in disgust.
…Sickos.
I *really* hate those lawyers. Even though they're cute and rich.
Memories of Lindsey McDonald singing at Caritas suddenly popped into my mind.
Damn, that guy was hot! And that voice it was so…
Oooh bad thought. Thinking about enemies that way…*not* a good idea.
" They did this to get me. They planned the whole thing…luring us here." Angel bellowed.
" Who are Wolfram and Hart?" Buffy asked quietly.
" Pains in our ass. Evil people. Don't like Angel too much." I replied casually.
" Why would they put *us* in here? What's exactly their plan?" Buffy posed.
" To kill us." I answered. Memories of that night replayed in my mind.
Wolfram & Hart had methodically picked Spike and Buffy to get stuck with us…knowing our history with one another.
Angel and Spike were at each other's throats at one point. They had already succeeded in physically harming each other.
The visions. Wolfram & Hart knew that they affected me physically…that they were already killing me. So they decided to speed up the process. Send me more.
They were hitting four *important* birds with one stone.
The Champion. The Slayer. The Seer. And uhhhh…Spike.
" How? We haven't been attacked by them."
" But we've been hurt by *ourselves*. They put us here so we can destroy each other. " Angel noted. The two of us always seemed to think the same thing. Well apart from cravings for blood or thoughts of Lindsey McDonald…in *that* way.
I *hope* Angel doesn't think that.
" Creative." Spike replied.
Lilah and the others had cooked up such an elaborate, twisted plan this time. I suddenly shivered, from fear and pain.
The aftermath of my vision still remained. Little pulses thudding in my head…voices echoed. My brain was a warped world. I was certain now I didn't have that much time left.
But how could I tell *that* to those I loved? How could I tell that to *Angel*?
" You okay?"
Speak of the devil.
" Well I'm sorta co…" I began when swiftly Angel put his leather duster around my shoulders.
" …*ld*. Thanks." I said smiling up at him.
I couldn't tell him…not now. Not here.
~*~Angel~*~
Cordelia looks better. But I have to remember…we *have* to talk about the medicine and about her visions.
And I *especially* have to ask her why the *hell* she was holding hands with Spike!
What was that about? And they were *laughing* too. If I didn't know any better, I would've thought they were flirting.
*My* Cordy was *flirting* with *Spike*!
Why does that bastard always have to like the women I like?
Dru. Buffy. Cordy.
And he always tends to get them too!
" Hey what's in here?" Cordelia asked, cutting through my jealous rage. She had put her hands in my jacket's pockets…probably for warmth and pulled something out of one of them.
My face, I could tell, suddenly changed to utter shock from the envy it previously displayed. I was completely *mortified* as I observed the object she had pulled out.
" Your cell phone? You had your *cell phone* with you!" Cordelia exclaimed. Pointing accusingly at me with the little portable phone.
Uh oh. Forgot I had that in my pocket.
" You had a *phone*?" Buffy asked, stunned.
I caught sight of Spike smirking and sniggering at me.
Another mental note: Stake Spike in the near future.
" Angel?" Cordy looked at me questioningly.
" I-I forgot about it. I took it with me when you told me too. You know, in case I was in danger. But that was *before* you decided to come along. And I guess I was too caught up with the events that occurred in here to remember." I explained to Cordelia.
" You *have* a mobile? And you take it with you when you patrol?" Buffy asked, obviously amazed.
" Yeah…we also use a car." I answered before turning back to my exhausted seer. She was looking at the phone…contemplating something with a glint of excitement.
She's probably thinking about whom to call.
" A car too? Wow!" Buffy exclaimed.
" How come we don't have cell phones when *we* fight, Slayer?" Spike demanded as Buffy shrugged in response.
" Well I'm *broke*. But, it is a good idea. Remind me to tell Will. She has money, right?" Spike wondered for a second.
" She could probably whip something up from that magic of hers." His somewhat-sarcastic response caused Buffy to scowl.
" Hey, at least now we can call Wesley or Gunn to come save us." I responded submissively to Cordelia, turning away from Buffy and Spike who had begun another verbal spat. She looked at me for a while, plastered on a smile and then…
I was met with a shot to the head.
" Ouch! What was that for?" I yelped, holding my head. She had whacked me pretty hard.
" Duh! There's no signal in here. *Anyone* could have told you *that*. The room's all sealed off with mojo and stuff. Do you *honestly* think that Wolfram & Hart hadn't thought of us having our phones?" She scoffed.
" Ummm…so the phone's pretty useless?" I stated.
Hey at least now they couldn't yell at me.
" Pffttt! The battery still works. This mobile has *killer* games. I can sit and play 'snake' all day." Cordelia countered excitedly. She then began clicking away on buttons.
" Huh?"
" Hey, I wanna play." Spike said as he quickly sat next to Cordelia looking over her shoulder. Confusion still covered my face.
There were *games* on the phone?
" Now I don't have to die with boredom." Cordelia declared after a few minutes. I raised an eyebrow at her words.
" Uhhhh Cordy?" I called out to my seer as she looked up at me. I pointed to her to come over to me.
" Yeah?" She asked as she handed the phone to Spike to play with. This time Buffy hovered around his shoulders watching and yelling instructions at him.
" Bloody hell Slayer, just let me play! I know what I'm doing!" Spike retorted. Cordelia made her way over to me, stumbling slightly, before looking at Buffy and Spike with a smile.
" What? I was almost beating my high score." Cordy said.
" Well uhhhh…speaking of *dying*…with boredom. Would you explain to me what these are?" I asked, pulling out the empty little prescription bottle.
I had to get to the bottom of this vision problem. Now that I knew Wolfram & Hart had confined us in here…it was very likely that they were sending those visions to Cordelia.
But that didn't explain the medicine.
" Uhhhh…" Cordy stammered.
~*~Buffy~*~
" Hey watch out! You're about to hit the wall!" I exclaimed, pointing at the little snake on the mobile screen.
" I see it okay." Spike groaned as he clicked away on the buttons after flicking my hand away. He was profusely swearing at the phone.
" Can I go next?" I pleaded.
" Yeah…whatever. Just let *me* play." He moaned. Concentration covered his face.
Well, aren't *we* moody!
" Fine! You know, you put more concentration into that little snake than when you're fighting." I observed. He snickered.
" I thought you were gonna say I put more concentration in the game than when we have se…" He started.
" Shut up!" I retorted. To think I thought he cared about something else other than sex for a moment.
" By the way, love, do you *mind* gettin' off my back? You got slayer power…plus you're pretty heavy for a short person." Spike bit out. I realised that I was slumped over Spike's back. My arms surrounded his head, as I looked over his shoulder.
He was obviously uncomfortable with the position we were in. Come to think of it now…so was I.
" Sorry…*hey*! I'm not heavy…or uhhhh…short." I mumbled as I plopped next to him, waiting for my turn.
" Just vertically challenged." He muttered. I grunted offensively.
The nerve of him!
" Hey, I've been told I'm good looking. You're lucky to be sleeping with me okay? I know a lot of guys who would *love* to be in your place. Heck, *you* love to be in your place. Admit it."
" I'll admit it. Who wouldn't? Telling demons that you're doing the slayer…gives you a big rep down there. With those guys, screwin' you is more of an accomplishment than *killing* you."
Now I'm beyond insulted. I know he said it before…but I didn't know he actually *meant* it.
" Is that what this thing we have means to you?" I asked.
" At least it means something to me, unlike someone." He replied acidly, his eyes not looking up at me.
" No, this thing *does* mean something to me."
" What?"
" This shows me that I can't trust you…I can't like you…and I definitely can't *love* you." I bit out. I turned away from him, homicidal urges springing to my mind.
My eyes suddenly caught sight of Angel and Cordelia, who too were arguing, but quietly.
Angel was pointing at the Seltrex bottle a lot.
Cordelia was protesting and slouching.
I wonder what they're saying?
" Arguing over her condition." Spike spoke up. I glanced at him, his gaze still intently fixed on the little screen.
" Excuse me?" I was surprised. It was as if he read my mind.
" He's asking her about the medicine and she isn't giving him a straight answer. Just telling him they're painkillers…nuthin' else." Spike replied.
" Oh." I uttered. I heard a small beeping noise, indicating Spike's loss. I grabbed the phone off him to start a new game.
" Aren't we a little anxious?"
" I haven't killed anything in a lot of hours. I *want* to kill *you*…but this snake will have to do." I declared. His words had hurt me…I'll be honest.
Spike paused for a while, looking at me.
" I didn't mean what I said…not *all* of it. At least I *was* honest." Spike said.
" I *am* honest." I shot back. Why did his words hurt me so much now? Spike has *always* verbally abused me.
" Then tell me what you know about Cordelia's condition?" Spike asked me quietly. He was still looking at the two argue. I continued looking at the phone.
Figures he'd ask about Cordelia. I saw how they were bonding and laughing before. I had never seen Spike like that…and I have seen a *lot* of sides to him.
He seemed happy. Content.
I knew more than Spike and Angel about Cordy's state. That's true. Cordelia had told me stuff and had practically begged me not to tell Angel.
" Slayer, Angel's worried about her. He wants to know. And so do I." Spike pressed.
I had sworn not to tell Angel. But I hadn't sworn not to tell Spike.
" She didn't exactly tell me. But I got the message. She asked me how it was to…" I gulped. I looked down to see my little snake crash into a wall and the 'Game Over' sign appear.
" Asked you what?" Spike prompted. I closed the cell phone and turned to Spike.
" She asked me how it was to *die*. At first I thought she was just asking, 'cos of my untimely death and how I was, so I told her everything. But as the conversation went on I realised that she was *very* serious about the topic. She *really* wanted to know how death was like." I stammered.
" So, you mean…?" Spike asked, shockingly.
" Yeah. She thinks she's going to die."
~*~Spike~*~
This was a terrible night.
First I was caught doing it with Buffy by Angel. Then Angel stabbed me. And then when I finally started to enjoy myself…bonded with the brunette…I find out she's going to die.
Could it get worse?
Wait…no I take that back. Living on the Hellmouth for a while has taught me to *never* utter those words.
Things can *always* get worse.
" Angel! I know that now seems like the best moment to discuss it…but it's *not*. I have a throbbing headache. I'm *physically* hurt. I don't have the energy to argue with you right now!" Cordelia's words suddenly boomed. I turned my attention to the brunette and my uhhhh…grandfather?
Ugggh…I've been screwing my vamp-family grandfather's ex.
Is there *any* way that this 'relationship' I have with the slayer is *healthy*?
" Cordy, why can't you just tell me why you need such powerful medication? Wolfram & Hart sent that vision, right? That's why it was so bad…that's why you fainted. Or is your fainting a side of the visions you've been hiding from me?" Angel asked her, following her step. They were coming towards us.
" Angel…*yes* that vision was from Wolfram & Hart. And *yes*, I need powerful medication. *But*…I *don't* feel like explaining it to you now." Cordelia declared, swinging around to look at the vampire. My gaze was focused on the two.
" Spike, stop making it obvious we're eavesdropping!" Buffy whispered, whacking me. I glared at the petit slayer.
" Ow, wound! Do you *always* feel the need to make your sentences *physical*?" I shot back. Her eyes crossed and she replied acidly.
" Bite me!"
" Gladly." I said with a huge grin.
Ahh…the fantasies of drinking Buffy's blood are coming back to me. A small grumbling noise came from my stomach.
" I'd love to lick your body dry of its fluid." I muttered hungrily. I forgot that I hadn't eaten in ages.
Buffy's look represented pure horror. Oops, looks like she heard me.
" Ewwwww. You're so morbid…and eh…now I have to go to the toilet!" She shrieked.
" Okay, how did that sentence make you want to…?" I began confused.
" You said *fluid*. I had to go before…but now I *really* have to go."
Yeah, no way is this thing Buffy and me have *healthy*!
" Why are you keeping all your feelings inside? Just tell me the truth." Angel's voice suddenly cut through Buffy and my *very* graphic conversation. He was pleading to Cordelia, his tone going drastically soft.
I remember how a mere hundred or so years ago, this very man was the Scourge of Europe.
Not many dared to cross paths with him…Angelus. He was evil, sadistic, cruel…a vampire *without* a soul.
It's a wonder how one small thing could change a person so much. How suddenly the prospect of loving and being loved opened up and transformed him.
It's always been a revolting thought to me. A soul. I'm not as buggered over it as Darla was…but harbouring a soul was disgraceful for a vampire. It *was* a curse.
Not that being neutered by a damn chip in my head isn't disgraceful. Now it's just downright *embarrassing*.
Honestly…the soul sounds better to me. Although it's difficult for me to admit, but with a soul the possibility of being loved is linked. If Buffy then *happened* to love me…I could hurt her…painfully. I could break her itty-bitty heart like Angel did.
It'd be sweet revenge for the hell she's been putting me through. Plus, I could bite her without having a migraine.
" Spike, they're coming over here. They don't look happy." Buffy quickly whispered. My attention suddenly turned back to the huffy seer stomping towards us followed by a pissed off vampire.
" We have *so* got to find a way out of here. I can't take it anymore." Cordelia complained to Buffy and me, purposely not looking at Angel.
" Cordy, you have to tell me sometime."
" I will okay? But not *now*."
" I told you about Darla." Angel muttered. The cheerleader's head spun right 'round to glare at the vampire.
" Bad move." I mumbled to Buffy who nodded in agreement.
" No *you* didn't. That was the problem. You *didn't* tell me about Darla."
" But at least you know now."
" And you now know what happens to me when I have visions!" Cordelia retorted. A sudden silence fell over the small room.
Even *I* felt awkward.
" You mean…if you didn't have medication then…this…" Angel began, stammering. The thick vamp was finally catching on. A throat being cleared, and a creak of a door suddenly interrupted him.
Our eyes followed to see a suited man standing by the now open door…the opening to our freedom.
~*~*~*~
Lindsey McDonald stood at the doorway of the sealed room. Four pairs of eyes glaring at him.
One of hatred.
One of annoyance.
One of confusion.
One of pain.
" Lindsey." Came the bitter greeting from the vampire with a soul.
" Angel." Came the husky response.
" I should have known it was *you* who staged this. Only *you* could. [He paused] So you've come back?"
" With a vengeance." There was a brief, intense staring contest between the two adversaries, before Lindsey spoke again.
" If you want to get out of this room…I'm letting you go. Unless you people want to make goo-goo eyes at each other for a few days then feel free to stay."
" I don't know *who* you are. But I'm taking you up on that offer. I'm *outta* here. I have to go to the toilet…pronto!" Buffy exclaimed pushing past Lindsey.
Buffy then stood, jumping around slightly, waiting for the others. Spike followed her out of the door and quickly pulled out a cigarette.
" Don't have a Slayer bladder, eh?" He asked, lighting his smoke. He was met with a fierce look.
Cordy then quietly went after Spike, giving Lindsey a glare. Angel trailed behind the rest, emotionless.
When he finally reached Lindsey, he looked at him for an intense second before punching him hard in the face.
Lindsey held his nose and howled in pain.
" Ow, what was that for? I'm letting you go." Lindsey bit out.
" You put us in there in the first place." Angel said threateningly. His fists remained clenched at his sides.
" I see now I should have left you in there." The two enemies came toe-to-toe, glaring at each other menacingly.
" Who is this guy?" Buffy whispered to Spike.
" Lindsey?" Spike replied lamely. The two continued to gaze amusingly and confusedly at the confrontation.
" Guys!" Cordelia exclaimed, interfering in the middle and pushing Angel and Lindsey away from each other. She then turned to Lindsey.
" Why did you put us in there if you were going to let us go all along?" She asked.
" Good question, Brunette." Spike encouraged with a puff of smoke.
" Revenge. What else?" Lindsey responded.
" Revenge?" Buffy asked.
" Yes, revenge. You don't think I forgot how you made my life a living hell. See when I was gone, I realised a few things. One…I *hate* you. Two…I *despise* you. And three…I *loathe* you." Lindsey explained to Angel.
" Looks like the guy owns a thesaurus." Spike muttered to Buffy.
" I'm thinking you don't like me very much." Angel replied with a sneer.
" Yeah. I *don't*. When I left, I began to reflect on a lot of things. I realised that if it weren't for *you* I wouldn't have this *plastic hand*." Lindsey stated, indicating his well…plastic hand.
" What'd Angel do to his hand?" Buffy asked Cordelia softly.
" Cut it off. Long story." Cordy replied casually.
" Oh…*ouch*!"
" Hey, so how'd you knot your tie with that?" Spike asked.
" I have a bunch already done for me." Lindsey replied casually as Spike raised an eyebrow in amazement.
" Ahmm anyways, if it weren't for you Angel I wouldn't have this hand. I wouldn't need already knotted ties. And Wolfram & Hart wouldn't have given me some psycho replacement."
" Boo hoo Lindsey. I feel your pain…really I do." Angel responded dully and yawned.
" Funny. Y'know that wasn't all. I would have still been with Darla if you hadn't slept with her. And on top of all that, if it weren't for *you*, half of the country's police force wouldn't have stopped me on the highway!" Lindsey exclaimed.
" You have to admit, that sign was good." Angel replied with a snort.
" Lindsey knew about Darla too?" Cordelia whined quietly.
" That guy dated Darla?" Spike exclaimed, sniggering.
" He was 'in love' with her too." Angel added with a sneer, causing Spike to chuckle loudly.
" She loved me too." Lindsey proclaimed.
" Yeah…I'm sure *Darla* loved you." Spike added in mock sympathy, before laughing more with Angel. Lindsey was fuming.
" Guys…lighten up." Cordelia interjected.
" Do you know if there's a toilet 'round here?" Buffy asked Lindsey as Cordelia calmed Spike and Angel down. The handsome lawyer gave Buffy with a perplexed and annoyed expression.
" Angel!" Once he caught Angel's attention Lindsey continued. "I put you in there so you wouldn't think that I haven't forgotten what you did to me. You wouldn't forget how you wrecked my life. So I put you with those you love to suffer."
" Hey! Angel doesn't love me!" Came a loud response.
" Well, you were unexpected. Who knew that Drusilla's childe was screwing Angel's ex…the slayer?" Lindsey replied with a grin, causing Spike to glare at him.
" You still haven't told us *why* you've let us go?" Cordelia asked evenly.
" Because…I've dealt with you. My revenge for you…is over. It's Angel's fault I have this hand…[turns to Angel] *your* fault. However, there are some people who are the cause of *all* of this. They're the ones I came to *really* punish…you people…you were just a bonus."
" We were just the bonus prizes? Geez, to think I felt important for a minute." Spike mumbled angrily.
" Other people?" Cordelia questioned.
" Wolfram & Hart." Angel answered for the blue-eyed lawyer.
" Yeah. *Them*. The very firm that initiated our encounters. They're the ones that put me on your case…*made* me meet you. They put me through more hell than *you* ever did. And for that I'll *never* forgive them. Those lawyers, well they're going to *pay* for what they did to me."
" What are you going to do to them?" Cordelia asked.
" They're going to get what they deserve. They like to toy with people…well I'm toying with them. Lilah and the others are going to stay in this building for a *long* time. And the office in L.A, let's say it's going through some 'changes'. You guys might wanna leave soon…'cos this building is going down." Lindsey replied before walking off.
~*~*~*~