Note: I'm using the Gentlemen from the Buffy episode "Hush" for the next demons that AI faces. They're not after all of LA just the Fang Gang. { } indicates speech, well mouthing. :)
Part 17
Willow softly shook Cordelia's shoulder but didn't receive a response. Cordelia kept rocking back and forth on a chair and chanting in a soft voice:
"Can't even shout, can't even cry. The gentlemen are coming by, looking in windows, knocking on doors. They need to take six and they might take yours. Can't call to mom, can't say a word. You're gonna die screaming but you won't be heard"
Willow shook Cordelia harder this time and she turned glazed eyes to Willow. "You're gonna die screaming but you won't be heard."
"Cordy!" Willow was getting worried.
Angel came running when he felt Willow's anxiety and her yelling Cordelia's name. He saw Willow trying to get Cordelia's attention and her glazed eyes.
"I can't get her to stop, Angel. She keeps rocking and chanting the same thing over and over. Has this happened before when she got a vision?"
"No, I've never seen her act this way." Angel shook Cordelia harder.
Finally Cordelia's eyes began to focus on the concerned faces of Willow and Angel.
"Oh God. It was horrible. I saw a young girl singing something. Then over her shoulder were these creepy guys that floated instead of walked."
"Could you tell where they were?"
"They were floating through here and outside. I didn't really see them going after anyone specifically just vague."
Willow looked at Angel, "She kept saying the gentlemen are coming. Do you think the creepy guys are The Gentlemen? Have you ever heard of them?"
"No, maybe Wes has."
"Maybe Wes has what?" Wesley asked as he entered the room.
"Cordelia got a message from the Powers. She kept saying 'can't even shout, can't even cry. The gentlemen are coming by, looking in windows, knocking on doors. They need to take six and they might take yours. Can't call to mom, can't say a word. You're gonna die screaming but you won't be heard' over and over. Does that sound familiar or are the Gentlemen familiar?"
"Vaguely but I can't place where. Cordy did you see what the Gentlemen looked like? Were they in your vision as well?"
"I don't know. There were some creepy guys that floated."
"Can you describe them to Angel, maybe he can draw it?"
"Sure. Oh, I almost forgot . . . the girl was holding something."
"What? Like a wicker basket?" Willow was still thinking of Little Red Riding Hood.
"No, more like a little wooden box. Like about the size of a small jewelry box."
Angel returned with his drawing pad and pencils. "Any time your ready, Cordy. Do the scrolls say anything about the heartless demon that is supposed to appear after the witch? Maybe these Gentlemen are related to that."
"Nothing specific but maybe Willow can find something on the Internet while I look over the scrolls again."
Willow and Wesley left Angel and Cordelia to their sketching.
~~~~
Gunn and Fred put away the weapons that they had used on their last job. Fred noticed that Angel was sketching something with Cordy looking over his shoulder. Curious as to what they were doing she walked up behind them.
"What's that?"
"Something Cordy saw in a vision. Ever see them before?"
"No, they don't look like anything I'd want to see either."
Gunn looked at the sketch. "Nope, not familiar to me either. What do Wes or Red have to say?"
"Willow's on the Net and Wes is looking at the scrolls. So far nothing."
Gunn looked back over his shoulder to where Willow was sitting at the computer. He noticed her yawning and shaking her head trying to stay awake. With a nudge to Angel he said, "maybe a fresh start tomorrow."
Angel lay down the pad and walked over to Willow, "Come on. We'll continue tomorrow."
"No, really. I'm fine. Just a mocha and I'm good to go."
He leaned down to whisper in her ear. Cordelia smiled as she watched Willow's face turn a bright red.
Willow stammered, "Oookay. Wwell, see you tomorrow guys."
Gunn leaned over to Cordelia, "Wonder what Angel said to Willow."
"Do you really want that visual, Gunn?"
He shuddered. "Actually you're right. I really don't want a visual of Angel. Now, Willow on the other hand..."
Fred playfully hit Gunn.
~~~~~~
Doc turns to the Gentlemen. "I see you have your box. Are you ready to begin?"
One of the Gentlemen slowly turned their skeletal head toward Doc and with an eerie smile nodded. He carefully lifts the lid of the box and waits.
Willow snuggles closer to Angel as a soft mist rises out of their mouths. The mist also lifts from the sleeping forms of Fred, Gunn, Cordelia and Wesley and travels over LA toward the waiting box of the Gentlemen.
A grayish bony hand closes the lid to the box and places it on a pedestal.
"Excellent. Tonight you can begin."
~~~~
Willow gently disentangles herself from Angel's arms so she doesn't wake him. Yawning she turns on the shower and waits for the water to heat up.
Angel wakes as soon as Willow rises from the bed. Waiting until he's sure she's in the shower he quietly enters the bathroom to join her.
Willow smiles at the sound of the shower door opening. Deciding to let Angel be stealthy vampire she pretends she doesn't notice. Angel smirks at the sound of Willow's heartbeat increasing and her faint scent of arousal. Maybe later he'll tell her about a vampire's enhanced senses but for now he won't spoil her fun in playing possum.
He lays his hands on her waist and smiles down into her face. Willow jumps from the sensation of his cool hands in the warm shower. Smiling up at him, {good morning}.
Both Willow and Angel look at each other in confusion. {Hey}
{Can you hear me?}
Willow and Angel try to speak and realize they can't. Turning off the water they quickly dress and head out into the hotel. They meet Fred and Gunn in the hallway and discover they lost their voices as well. Fred and Gunn go to Cordelia's room and Willow and Angel head towards Wesley's.
Wesley awakes to someone knocking on his door. He glances over to the clock and mentally grumbles as he pulls on shorts. Prepared to rip someone's head off he opens the door. {WHAT}
Confused he tries to speak again. {Hey}
Willow quirks her lips {Seems like we all can't speak.}
Cordelia, Fred and Gunn joined the others in Wes' room. {What's going on?}
{Looks like more research on the Gentlemen}