Chapter 37 - Climbing
Now, I didn't expect that. Captain Cardboard trying to help? No, didn't even occur to me. I'm surprised to see that Buffy's not surprised. She's just accepting what he says.
I knew we had a problem. We'd already gone round the room again, and found some extra microphones and cameras, and we'd done what we could, but we still waited until we were in the shower before we discussed it. As far as getting out of here is concerned, the best we came up with was overpowering our next visitors and making a run for it. I'm not sure Finn's actually offering us better odds, but Buffy seems convinced.
We change, and I have to say, I could actually wish I was still among the ranks of the undead. This is one occasion when I'd be glad not to have a reflection. I mean, me? In a uniform? And a ruddy American one at that! Still, Buffy's worth it, her and the Bit, and I can't think of anything else that would be.
Buffy's uniform is more of a problem. The trousers are too long, and we've got to do some pretty quick 'repairs' to let her walk without tripping over them. Never realised chewing gum could be so useful.
When we're both dressed, something we've accomplished while trying to sound like we're not about to attempt to escape, we go to the door. Once we're through, Finn goes straight to his own door to the corridor, taking a look outside, then doing something with the device he showed us, before gesturing to us to follow him.
He walks, apparently unconcerned, past surveillance cameras, and we follow, Buffy next to him, while I take the rear. He keeps his, I don't know, jamming device, in his hand, so I suppose he knows what he's doing.
After a couple of minutes, he opens a door, which I'm surprised to see seems to be a cupboard. Once inside, he closes the door behind us, then turns to face us.
"Listen," he starts, "Westgate's managed to minimise security on this floor, but we've got to assume the rest of the complex is at full strength. There's an air vent which leads from here, to the top operational level. We're going to have to climb about seven floors - I'm not sure how far that is, the design details of this place are classified. The only reason I know about the vents is that it's the same system the Initiative used. I suppose there're only so many ways to get fresh air into an underground building."
"Ok, so we get to the top level," I ask, "and we're home free, right?"
I can't help but think its all sounding a bit too easy.
"Well, not quite. Once we're there, we can get to ground level, but the vents there can't be removed with a screwdriver. I've got that covered, but it'll be noisy. Once we're outside, all we'll have going for us is speed. There'll be security on the ground, and by definition, it's covert. I don't know if Westgate's been able to do anything about it."
"Why's Westgate helping at all?" I ask. I mean, it's hard enough to believe that Finn is helping, without believing he's having help too.
"I don't really know. Maybe he just doesn't like Jameson. Let's just get you out of here, then we'll worry about why."
I'm still not happy, and can't help but wonder if it's not just an elaborate plan to kill us both, but I've run out of options.
"Are you ok to climb?" I ask Buffy.
She's looking paler than recently, and I touch her cheek while waiting for her answer. Truth is, I'd carry her if she'd let me, but she's an independent chit.
"I'll be fine," she says, softly, but there's just a hint of doubt in her eyes.
"What is it? " I ask. She's got me worried now. ""Nothing, just a twinge," she answers, wiping the doubt off her face. I try to put an arm around her, but she shrugs it off.
Finn hasn't taken any notice of our exchange, as he'd been busy removing the cover to the vent. He leads the way, and Buffy follows. I go behind her, and re-fit the vent as well as I can.
The climb begins, and Buffy seems ok. It seems as though she's trying hard to keep calm, and I'm finding it difficult to read how she's really feeling.
It's a long climb. I can hear Finn panting above me, and I'm pretty sure Buffy's heartbeat's faster than I'd normally expect, but the overlay of the baby's makes it difficult to pick out. At last, we reach the top of the climb, and find ourselves in a horizontal vent. We crawl along for about fifty yards, before Finn stops at the base of another ladder.
I close the gap between Buffy and me, and as I come up behind her, I know there's something wrong. She's rocking back and forth on her hands and knees.
"Buffy?" I whisper.
I put a hand on her back, but she doesn't answer. Finn seems to have noticed something at last, and he backs up towards us.
"What's up?" he asks.
"Labour," I answer with a certainty that causes a gamut of conflicting emotions in me. I can feel Finn's embarrassment, almost as if his reddening complexion is warming the atmosphere, but it's much more complex than that. Immediately after that, I feel his rising panic that actually matches my own feelings better than I'd like to admit. Buffy, on the other hand, seems calm even though she's obviously in pain.
After a short while, Buffy's motion stops, and she's breathing deeply. I keep my hand on her back, hoping that the circular movements are comforting, and I speak to Finn.
"How much further?" I ask.
"Not far, but this is the hard part. I've got a small explosive charge which should blow the cover, and I can detonate it remotely. How long have we got before the next contraction?"
"Don't know," Buffy answers. "Let's just get on with it."
I nod my agreement, and Finn scuttles back to the next ladder.
He's back in a couple of minutes - time I've spent irritating Buffy with my concern for her.
"Ok?" Finn asks.
"Get on with it," Buffy decides to vent her irritation with me at Finn. I can't help smiling.
A second later, there's a small, muffled explosion followed by a great deal of dust falling from above. When we're over the worst of that, Finn makes for the ladder, and we follow.
When I poke my head out at the top of the ladder, I spot Finn and Buffy hiding behind a scrubby bush not far from the outlet. I make for them, instinctively keeping low. Seconds later, a van appears, doors open, Willow just visible through the door.
For a second I wonder why Buffy hasn't moved, then I realise that she's caught up in another contraction. This time, I don't think, I just lift her and run. Finn runs along behind me. I've just about covered the thirty or so yards to the van when I hear the first shots. I thrust Buffy up into the Giles' waiting arms in the van. I look around and see Finn, lying ten yards away, blood seeping through his clothing.
I hesitate for a fraction of a second, then make up my mind. I run back to the prone figure, reaching him before the first bullet hits me. I grit my teeth, trying to ignore the pain in my stomach. I hoist Finn over my shoulder and run. I know I've been hit again, but the knowledge that we're so close to safety gives me all the impetus I need to throw myself those last few feet. I feel hands pulling me further into the van as it skids off away from the gunfire.
