Title: Over The Next Horizon
Author: Karen
Email: karen@klewis91.fsnet.co.uk
Disclaimer: Not mine and never will be. Just the story I'm afraid.
Feedback: Yes please.
Pairing: A/C, W/S, Fr/Gu,
Timeline: After season six
Archiving: If you want it take it just tell me where it ends up.
Synopsis: Three months after Angel has been rescued from the deep, Cordy
has floated back down and Spike has been souled; Cordelia, Willow and Fred
are faced with a difficult choice. The lives of the people they love or
life in exile. Guess which one they choose?
Rating: Overall an R I think?
Spoilers: None that I'm aware of.
Summary: Humour, Angst, Romance and lots of bloody bits of other people's
bodies if Spike gets his way. (Let's face it he will. Who could refuse
that man anything?)
Dedications: Jen, there in the clinch with the little red correctional pen and the endless encouragement. Mel and Ina, for not stopping with the f/b and pointed remarks how just how long it takes me to finish eps. The rest of the gang on line, thank you for all the encouragement and begging for more. You insane people, you.
A/N: Yes, I know it looks like there's a lot of scenes missing, it's a cunning ploy to keep you hooked and reading until all is reve...Bugger, ok its not. It's actually a cunning ploy to let Angel and the boys actually get in on the action. No Mel, I said IN on the action NOT get some action! ::rolls eyes:: Perv.
Part eight.
Angel slammed the door shut behind him and snarled
"Oh no you don't!"
Cordelia made a desperate break for the window. She hated herself for the scream that burst from her as his arms closed about her like a steel trap and cursed his enhanced speed and reflexes as she flew through the air and bounced on the bed. Her breath whooshed out of her as he landed firmly on top and ruthlessly pinned her arms to the mattress on either side of her head
"You. Are. Going. Nowhere!"
She flinched at the furious tone and struggled fruitlessly for a moment before stilling beneath him and glaring up with defiant eyes. Angel glared back and noted at the back of his mind the black circles under her eyes and the dulled colour of her complexion. Her body felt thinner and more delicate and she carried a new scar on her collarbone that was a livid red against her paled skin.
"What the hell is wrong with you Cordelia? I've chased you across country twice, been shot at and you and your stupid little friends attack me! What the hell is going on?"
Cordy remained silent and then jumped as a scream echoed through the night. Fred!
Fred stared in disbelief at Gunn as he stood stock still at the foot of her bed and closed her mouth after her terrified and instinctive scream. Her mind raced furiously for several tense seconds and then she flung herself at the tall grim faced man
"Charles. Oh Charles I missed you!"
Gunn stumbled back under her slight weight and then his arms came up to crush her to him. Whatever reaction he had been expecting after nearly three months chasing his runaway girl it hadn't been this one. One hand crept up to tangle in her long dark hair and he pulled her head back and brought his lips to hers. Fred sank into the kiss feeling tears well up at the familiar sensations and slowly brought one small hand up to caress the side of his face as he kissed her with furious hunger and desperation. He brought his head back with a gasp and stared into her watery eyes.
"Fred what the hell is going on?"
Her mouth trembled briefly and then firmed with resolve
"I'll explain everything. Let me show you."
She pulled away from him and he let her go slowly and watched her as she crossed to the dresser under the window. She opened the small toiletries bag there and reached inside to draw a small plastic pouch out. She turned back to him and whispered
"I'm sorry."
He frowned as she tipped the contents into her palm and then understanding showed on his face and he was moving but far, far too late. Fred took a deep breath then, as Willow had shown her, flung the powder into his face and shouted
"Sleep!"
The effect was dramatic and instantaneous. Gunn froze and then with a last accusing look his eyes rolled up into his head and he collapsed to the floor. Fred's chest heaved as she fought a rising sob and she ran to the bathroom to wash the spelled dust from her hands. When she was sure the last of the powder had gone she sank to the floor sobbing loudly and rocking in place with her arms wrapped tight around her. She brought herself under control after a few minutes and gradually her sobs quietened and she began to think again.
If Gunn was here then so were Angel and Spike and god alone knew who else, they might be with her friends now. She shuddered as she remembered the furious looks on the men's faces when they gave them the night before and was too scared to dwell on what they might be doing to the girls now. She stood, her slender body firming with purpose. First things first.
She moved back to the bedroom and began to hurriedly pack her things. She kept her eyes away from Gunn where he lay on the floor and moved quickly and quietly around the room. When her small bag was packed she crossed to the window and threw it out to land with a soft thump on the ground below. She jumped as Gunn moaned quietly and turned to see him weakly try to raise his head from the carpet eyes trying to focus on her. Without giving herself time to think she grabbed the curtain tie back from beside her and ran to him. With a small grunt she rolled him onto his stomach and pulled his hand behind his back tying them tightly with the velveteen cord. When she had tied the knots off as tight as she could she rolled him over to find furious black eyes desperately trying to focus on her. She reached up onto the bed for the towel she had used earlier and twisted it to make a gag
"Wait."
The weak whisper stilled her for a moment and she clenched and unclenched her hands on the cloth as she swallowed nervously
"Wherever you go.there's nowhere I can't."
He swallowed and focused on her intently for a moment
"I'll find you Fred."
Fred whimpered at his words and then she brought the towel around his head and fumbled as she tried to get the thick material to bend into a knot. His strength was returning quickly but he didn't fight her just kept his eyes on her face the whole while. Finally she was done and she stood in a jerky movement and crossed to the door. She paused and then glanced back over her shoulder at the man on the floor
"Don't come after me Charles. I don't want you and I don't love you. I don't want that life any more."
She turned so he wouldn't see her face as the tears started to flow and grabbed her knapsack as she hurried out the door to aid Cordy and Willow.
Willow didn't scream. She jumped and said a filthy word very, very loudly when Spike sprang out in front of her in the darkened motel car lot but she didn't scream. Then she said the filthy word again. Spike grinned
"Hallo Red. Long time no see."
Willow, the veteran of a thousand Sunnydale battles, moved into the more open area so she didn't get boxed in and said calmly
"Go away Spike. Now." "Now, now Red. There's no need to be like that. Your knights in shining armour are here to take you home."
Willow scowled unimpressed
"Go away Spike and take the others with you. We don't need rescuing."
Spike raised one sardonic eyebrow and made an exaggerated glance at their surroundings
"I wouldn't say that love, would you? Not exactly the Beverly Wiltshire is it?"
Willow flexed her fingers at her side and prepared to run
"I don't want to hurt you Spike. Leave us alone."
He smirked and stared pointedly at her slim body and then flexed his arms
"Well love, can't say I'm overly concerned about that. What with you being human and a girl and all."
Willow raised her chin and shot forward. Spike had to admit she was impressive. If he hadn't have been a vampire and a bit ahead of the game in the old super speed stakes she might have made it. As it was she got three paces before he snagged her 'round the waist and spun her to heave her over his shoulder.
Willow cursed long and loud as he loped into the darkness with her heading for Angel's car and then she gasped as he smacked her firmly on the rear.
"Now, now none of that girlie. Just you stay nice and quiet and let old Spikey look after you." Willow stared in disbelief at the ground
"That hurt but you're still..still.."
Spike grinned to himself at the shocked tone of her voice and tried to ignore the way her butt cheek rubbed against his face and the warmth of her skin through her skirt
"Bin' fixed. Peaches knows a guy who knows a girl that owes someone a favour and she got me all de-chipped and all. Bonus eh!"
Willow groaned and raised her head slightly from where it bounced against his back
"Spike you have no idea what you're doing. Go home."
Spike ground to a halt by Angel's car and took a moment to let Willow slide slowly down his body until her toes just touched the floor and then he gripped her arms firmly, keeping her from finding her balance, and said seriously
"Tell me. Explain it to me and I swear I'll help you, Red."
Willow stared into his intent blue eyes and just for a moment she was tempted and then she remembered the danger they were all in
"Spike I don't want you near me. Any of you. I have things to work out and I need the time to do that without you all creeping about me like I'm gonna explode if you say the wrong thing. Go away and stay away."
Spike's face twitched in irritation but when he spoke his voice was mild, almost gentle
"Bullshit. You think we don't know something's up? You take off out of the blue with the cheerleader and the human mouse and you thought we'd all just shrug and go about our business? Please Red, give us some credit."
Willow caught a movement out of the corner of her eye and stared sadly into his comfortingly familiar face
"Apparently I didn't give you enough. I'm sorry; I won't make that mistake again. Goodbye Spike."
The vampire frowned and then sensed an abrupt movement behind him and turned allowing Fred to catch him squarely across the temple with a branch as thick as Angel's wrist. He went down without a sound and Willow stepped back as he fell at her feet. She stared across his body at Fred who stood with the branch still raised as though he would spring up at any moment
"Way to go batter."
Fred dropped the branch and began to shake
"Y'all think he'll be alright?" Willow gave a halfhearted grin at her friend
"Have a hell of a headache but he'll be fine. You got anything to tie him up with?"
Fred reached into the car and without taking her eyes from the prone body at her feet tugged out the black holdall she knew Angel kept under his seat
"Always prepared."
Willow rummaged in the bag and finally drew out a pair of black matt handcuffs. She bent quickly and snapped them on the blonde vampire and then said
"Quick help me roll him under the car before someone sees."
Fred obligingly helped shove Spike awkwardly under the car and then the girls stood and stared back at the motel. Fred took the holdall from Willow and drew out two tasers.
"Gunn's here, too. I...I took care of him but I think Angel might be still in there with Cordy."
Willow sent the older girl a sympathetic look and squeezed her hand quickly
" You didn't see any of the others?" Fred shook her head "Let's go get her then and then get the hell out of Dodge."
She reached into her back pocket for the flick knife she was never without these days and moved swiftly around the car puncturing all the tires.
"That ought to hold them for a while. Let's go."
Cordy lay still pinned under Angel and was torn between sheer terror and white hot fury that he had taken her down so easily. The vampire glared down at his seer and repeated himself for what felt like the tenth time in as many minutes
"Cordelia what's going on?"
He smirked as she twisted suddenly beneath him and increased the pressure on her wrists just enough to make her gasp
"I'm not letting you go until I find out what's happening."
His voice softened and deepened
"Cordelia, please. Whatever it is I can help you. Trust me."
He moved her arms so both wrists were clasped in one large hand and with the other gently stroked the side of her face
"You look so tired. Just tell me what trouble you're in and I'll make it all go away."
Just for a second Cordelia found herself weakening as she stared into the beloved brown eyes above her and she unconsciously turned her face into his caress and then she remembered the horrible deaths promised to her friends and she stiffened once again
"Angel get the hell off me and get over yourself. Just because Buffy moped after you for years doesn't mean that a real woman will. I want my own life without you in it. Now get off."
She bucked underneath him and Angel felt a shameful tug of lust as her groin unintentionally mashed into his. The scent she was giving off was intoxifying. Fear, anger, helplessness; all ambrosia to the seasoned hunter. He pushed down on her wrists again and pushed his groin into hers as he leant down to whisper in her ear
"Fight me Cordy. I've been chasing you for months and I really want you to fight me. I want to watch you trapped and desperate and knowing that you go nowhere unless I say. Scream and fight and scratch little cat and know that you are mine and I will never, never let you go."
She gasped and froze under him and slowly he leaned back until his eyes and lips were only inches from hers and then he drew his tongue over her lower lip.
"I'm never letting you go again."
And he grinned as she began to tremble.
Willow and Fred took a few precious seconds to stop by Willow's room and bag up her belongings. With Willow's bag safely dropped out of the window, they headed for Cordelia's room gripping their tazers, their faces set and scared. They paused outside the door and stared at each other for a few moments and then as one reached for the door handle. Fred gripped Willow's wrist tightly as a white light shone out from under the door and lit up the hallway with its brightness and Willow shivered as she felt the power crawl over her and then as suddenly as it appeared it was gone. The two girls froze and then Willow turned the doorknob and pushed the door open.
Cordelia lay on the bed under Angel twisting frantically to free herself from his grip but the vampire stayed still above her, eyes locked forward and muscles rigid with tension. Cordy turned her head as she heard two simultaneous gasps and her eyes met Fred's and she said frantically
"Help me! I don't know how long he'll be like this and I can't get free."
The two girls leapt forward and began to pull at Angel's hands. For a few moments it looked hopeless and then Cordelia felt them give just a little and she wrenched her wrists down. She pushed at Angel's shoulders and he toppled to lie on the bed beside her
"Cordy what did you do?"
Fred whispered the words as she took in the expression of lust and male satisfaction on her former boss' frozen face
"Not what you're thinking, trust me."
Cordelia spoke harshly as she tried to calm her speeding heart and moved to throw her belongings into her carryall. She took a quick glance around the room to make sure nothing was left behind and then snatched up her car keys refusing to look at Angel again
"We need to split. Where are the other two?"
Willow turned away from Angel and grabbed Fred's arm propelling her after Cordelia as she exited the room
"Dealt with. I don't know how long for though."
Cordelia nodded as she began to run down the hallway
"Then let's pick it up."
Angel blinked and stared for a moment at the ceiling above him and then with a furious growl he sprang off the bed and through the door. She froze him! The conniving, devious, cowardly little bitch froze him. He paused briefly as he caught Gunn's scent and then flung open the door to Fred's room, revealing his friend trussed up like a turkey. With another low growl he hauled the young man to his feet and ripped through his bindings like they were paper. Gunn wasted no time in tearing the towel from his mouth
"Less than a minute. They're making a break for it."
Angel nodded and they ran out into the hallway the vampire easily picking up their scents.
Cordelia flung open the door to the truck and jumped inside hastily jamming the key in the ignition. She gave a small offering of thanks as the temperamental engine caught first time and then without waiting for Fred to slam the door behind her shoved the car into reverse and stomped on the gas. Fred and Willow squealed as they went flying in the back seat and Willow managed to grab the wildly swinging door and shut it with a crash
"Jeez Cordy what the.."
She broke off as she stared out the back window and Angel and Gunn pounded out of the hotel
"Step on it! They're coming! God, Cordy they're coming!"
Willow's voice pitched into hysteria as she saw the furious looks both men wore as they bore down on the truck. Fred spun round on the seat and trembled as she saw Gunn only a few feet from the truck, his eyes fixed on her. Her shaking increased as he scowled and put on an extra burst of speed drawing level with Angel for a few seconds who was nearly brushing the back of the truck with his fingers.
Both girls screamed as they suddenly flew forward when the truck screeched to a halt and the two men following ended up smashing into the passenger side of the car. They bounced back off and lay on the floor for a few seconds and Cordelia was off again roaring out onto the road and into the night.
Gunn raised his head and stared after the departing taillights and then pushed himself up onto his elbows.
"What the hell just happened?"
Angel sat up beside him groaning
"They hit us with a truck!"
He staggered to his feet and pulled Gunn up with him
"We need to get to the car. Come on."
He stopped as a low pained voice said
"Not a lot of point, Peaches. The witch took out your tyres."
Angel stared around
"Spike? Where are you?"
A blonde head slowly appeared over the bonnet of a station wagon and then bit-by-bit shoulders and a body appeared. Angel blinked
"Where'd your arms go?"
Spike turned and showed his two companions his arms still firmly held behind his back
"Red and the little mouse knocked me out and when I woke up."
He shrugged good-naturedly
"Ah well it's not the first time it's happened. Your little girlie's not as fragile as you think mate. Hell of a swing on her she has."
Gunn's mouth dropped open
"Fred did that? My Fred?"
Spike grinned and sighed with relief as Angel fished the keys to the cuffs from his pocket and released him
"The one and only. All eyes and hair yeah? Swung at me like she was hitting one out of the park."
Angel moved impatiently off towards his car
"We need to follow them. We need to catch them and we need to."
His voice trailed off and he scowled blackly at the ground finishing darkly
"We need to find them."
Spike and Gunn exchanged looks and followed him wisely keeping silent but Spike couldn't prevent the grin spreading over his face when he heard Angel cursing at the state of his car. Gunn huffed an impatient breath at the smile on the vampire's face
"Glad you're having such a good time, Lestat Jr. They gave us the slip again, took us all out and then ran over us with a truck as they got away. And we still ain't no closer to figurin' out what's going on."
Spike glanced up into the angry and hurt black eyes
"What did you expect? They've been on the run for months; we show up and they're going to swoon and throw themselves into our strong manly arms? Yeah right. I don't know your little chit but I know the witch and Cordelia. Those two never back down and they never quit. Whatever they're running from is bad. Bad enough that they think they need to draw it away from everyone they love and run for the hills. Whatever it is we'll find it and we'll stop it but first we need to follow the little bints and pin them down this time so they can't get away."
He paused as Angel savagely kicked a flat tyre and then continued
"And just for the record they didn't hit you with a truck. You two hit their truck with you. I jumped out in front of Cordelia and she swerved to avoid me and clipped me with the wing. If it's any consolation they were all very upset as they hightailed it out of here."
Gunn snorted and thought of Fred's white face as she stared at him from the truck seat and said grimly
"They think they're upset now? Wait till I get my hands on them. I'll make them sorry they ever got born."
Spike grinned
"That's what I like to hear, good old fashioned empty threats!"
They both turned to look at Angel as he came and stood beside them
"I've called for a mechanic he'll be here in an hour."
Spike grinned again as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box
"Never fear chaps, Spike is here. And they won't get far with a tracer on their chassis."
Angel stared down at the beeping device in his childe's hand and a slow cold smile spread across his face
"Spike you never cease to amaze me. When did you do that?" "Right in between waking up and jumping in front of a fast moving vehicle. I figured we needed some insurance."
The three men exchanged grim looks and stared along the road their women had disappeared on. Soon. Very, very soon.
End Part 8.
Dedications: Jen, there in the clinch with the little red correctional pen and the endless encouragement. Mel and Ina, for not stopping with the f/b and pointed remarks how just how long it takes me to finish eps. The rest of the gang on line, thank you for all the encouragement and begging for more. You insane people, you.
A/N: Yes, I know it looks like there's a lot of scenes missing, it's a cunning ploy to keep you hooked and reading until all is reve...Bugger, ok its not. It's actually a cunning ploy to let Angel and the boys actually get in on the action. No Mel, I said IN on the action NOT get some action! ::rolls eyes:: Perv.
Part eight.
Angel slammed the door shut behind him and snarled
"Oh no you don't!"
Cordelia made a desperate break for the window. She hated herself for the scream that burst from her as his arms closed about her like a steel trap and cursed his enhanced speed and reflexes as she flew through the air and bounced on the bed. Her breath whooshed out of her as he landed firmly on top and ruthlessly pinned her arms to the mattress on either side of her head
"You. Are. Going. Nowhere!"
She flinched at the furious tone and struggled fruitlessly for a moment before stilling beneath him and glaring up with defiant eyes. Angel glared back and noted at the back of his mind the black circles under her eyes and the dulled colour of her complexion. Her body felt thinner and more delicate and she carried a new scar on her collarbone that was a livid red against her paled skin.
"What the hell is wrong with you Cordelia? I've chased you across country twice, been shot at and you and your stupid little friends attack me! What the hell is going on?"
Cordy remained silent and then jumped as a scream echoed through the night. Fred!
Fred stared in disbelief at Gunn as he stood stock still at the foot of her bed and closed her mouth after her terrified and instinctive scream. Her mind raced furiously for several tense seconds and then she flung herself at the tall grim faced man
"Charles. Oh Charles I missed you!"
Gunn stumbled back under her slight weight and then his arms came up to crush her to him. Whatever reaction he had been expecting after nearly three months chasing his runaway girl it hadn't been this one. One hand crept up to tangle in her long dark hair and he pulled her head back and brought his lips to hers. Fred sank into the kiss feeling tears well up at the familiar sensations and slowly brought one small hand up to caress the side of his face as he kissed her with furious hunger and desperation. He brought his head back with a gasp and stared into her watery eyes.
"Fred what the hell is going on?"
Her mouth trembled briefly and then firmed with resolve
"I'll explain everything. Let me show you."
She pulled away from him and he let her go slowly and watched her as she crossed to the dresser under the window. She opened the small toiletries bag there and reached inside to draw a small plastic pouch out. She turned back to him and whispered
"I'm sorry."
He frowned as she tipped the contents into her palm and then understanding showed on his face and he was moving but far, far too late. Fred took a deep breath then, as Willow had shown her, flung the powder into his face and shouted
"Sleep!"
The effect was dramatic and instantaneous. Gunn froze and then with a last accusing look his eyes rolled up into his head and he collapsed to the floor. Fred's chest heaved as she fought a rising sob and she ran to the bathroom to wash the spelled dust from her hands. When she was sure the last of the powder had gone she sank to the floor sobbing loudly and rocking in place with her arms wrapped tight around her. She brought herself under control after a few minutes and gradually her sobs quietened and she began to think again.
If Gunn was here then so were Angel and Spike and god alone knew who else, they might be with her friends now. She shuddered as she remembered the furious looks on the men's faces when they gave them the night before and was too scared to dwell on what they might be doing to the girls now. She stood, her slender body firming with purpose. First things first.
She moved back to the bedroom and began to hurriedly pack her things. She kept her eyes away from Gunn where he lay on the floor and moved quickly and quietly around the room. When her small bag was packed she crossed to the window and threw it out to land with a soft thump on the ground below. She jumped as Gunn moaned quietly and turned to see him weakly try to raise his head from the carpet eyes trying to focus on her. Without giving herself time to think she grabbed the curtain tie back from beside her and ran to him. With a small grunt she rolled him onto his stomach and pulled his hand behind his back tying them tightly with the velveteen cord. When she had tied the knots off as tight as she could she rolled him over to find furious black eyes desperately trying to focus on her. She reached up onto the bed for the towel she had used earlier and twisted it to make a gag
"Wait."
The weak whisper stilled her for a moment and she clenched and unclenched her hands on the cloth as she swallowed nervously
"Wherever you go.there's nowhere I can't."
He swallowed and focused on her intently for a moment
"I'll find you Fred."
Fred whimpered at his words and then she brought the towel around his head and fumbled as she tried to get the thick material to bend into a knot. His strength was returning quickly but he didn't fight her just kept his eyes on her face the whole while. Finally she was done and she stood in a jerky movement and crossed to the door. She paused and then glanced back over her shoulder at the man on the floor
"Don't come after me Charles. I don't want you and I don't love you. I don't want that life any more."
She turned so he wouldn't see her face as the tears started to flow and grabbed her knapsack as she hurried out the door to aid Cordy and Willow.
Willow didn't scream. She jumped and said a filthy word very, very loudly when Spike sprang out in front of her in the darkened motel car lot but she didn't scream. Then she said the filthy word again. Spike grinned
"Hallo Red. Long time no see."
Willow, the veteran of a thousand Sunnydale battles, moved into the more open area so she didn't get boxed in and said calmly
"Go away Spike. Now." "Now, now Red. There's no need to be like that. Your knights in shining armour are here to take you home."
Willow scowled unimpressed
"Go away Spike and take the others with you. We don't need rescuing."
Spike raised one sardonic eyebrow and made an exaggerated glance at their surroundings
"I wouldn't say that love, would you? Not exactly the Beverly Wiltshire is it?"
Willow flexed her fingers at her side and prepared to run
"I don't want to hurt you Spike. Leave us alone."
He smirked and stared pointedly at her slim body and then flexed his arms
"Well love, can't say I'm overly concerned about that. What with you being human and a girl and all."
Willow raised her chin and shot forward. Spike had to admit she was impressive. If he hadn't have been a vampire and a bit ahead of the game in the old super speed stakes she might have made it. As it was she got three paces before he snagged her 'round the waist and spun her to heave her over his shoulder.
Willow cursed long and loud as he loped into the darkness with her heading for Angel's car and then she gasped as he smacked her firmly on the rear.
"Now, now none of that girlie. Just you stay nice and quiet and let old Spikey look after you." Willow stared in disbelief at the ground
"That hurt but you're still..still.."
Spike grinned to himself at the shocked tone of her voice and tried to ignore the way her butt cheek rubbed against his face and the warmth of her skin through her skirt
"Bin' fixed. Peaches knows a guy who knows a girl that owes someone a favour and she got me all de-chipped and all. Bonus eh!"
Willow groaned and raised her head slightly from where it bounced against his back
"Spike you have no idea what you're doing. Go home."
Spike ground to a halt by Angel's car and took a moment to let Willow slide slowly down his body until her toes just touched the floor and then he gripped her arms firmly, keeping her from finding her balance, and said seriously
"Tell me. Explain it to me and I swear I'll help you, Red."
Willow stared into his intent blue eyes and just for a moment she was tempted and then she remembered the danger they were all in
"Spike I don't want you near me. Any of you. I have things to work out and I need the time to do that without you all creeping about me like I'm gonna explode if you say the wrong thing. Go away and stay away."
Spike's face twitched in irritation but when he spoke his voice was mild, almost gentle
"Bullshit. You think we don't know something's up? You take off out of the blue with the cheerleader and the human mouse and you thought we'd all just shrug and go about our business? Please Red, give us some credit."
Willow caught a movement out of the corner of her eye and stared sadly into his comfortingly familiar face
"Apparently I didn't give you enough. I'm sorry; I won't make that mistake again. Goodbye Spike."
The vampire frowned and then sensed an abrupt movement behind him and turned allowing Fred to catch him squarely across the temple with a branch as thick as Angel's wrist. He went down without a sound and Willow stepped back as he fell at her feet. She stared across his body at Fred who stood with the branch still raised as though he would spring up at any moment
"Way to go batter."
Fred dropped the branch and began to shake
"Y'all think he'll be alright?" Willow gave a halfhearted grin at her friend
"Have a hell of a headache but he'll be fine. You got anything to tie him up with?"
Fred reached into the car and without taking her eyes from the prone body at her feet tugged out the black holdall she knew Angel kept under his seat
"Always prepared."
Willow rummaged in the bag and finally drew out a pair of black matt handcuffs. She bent quickly and snapped them on the blonde vampire and then said
"Quick help me roll him under the car before someone sees."
Fred obligingly helped shove Spike awkwardly under the car and then the girls stood and stared back at the motel. Fred took the holdall from Willow and drew out two tasers.
"Gunn's here, too. I...I took care of him but I think Angel might be still in there with Cordy."
Willow sent the older girl a sympathetic look and squeezed her hand quickly
" You didn't see any of the others?" Fred shook her head "Let's go get her then and then get the hell out of Dodge."
She reached into her back pocket for the flick knife she was never without these days and moved swiftly around the car puncturing all the tires.
"That ought to hold them for a while. Let's go."
Cordy lay still pinned under Angel and was torn between sheer terror and white hot fury that he had taken her down so easily. The vampire glared down at his seer and repeated himself for what felt like the tenth time in as many minutes
"Cordelia what's going on?"
He smirked as she twisted suddenly beneath him and increased the pressure on her wrists just enough to make her gasp
"I'm not letting you go until I find out what's happening."
His voice softened and deepened
"Cordelia, please. Whatever it is I can help you. Trust me."
He moved her arms so both wrists were clasped in one large hand and with the other gently stroked the side of her face
"You look so tired. Just tell me what trouble you're in and I'll make it all go away."
Just for a second Cordelia found herself weakening as she stared into the beloved brown eyes above her and she unconsciously turned her face into his caress and then she remembered the horrible deaths promised to her friends and she stiffened once again
"Angel get the hell off me and get over yourself. Just because Buffy moped after you for years doesn't mean that a real woman will. I want my own life without you in it. Now get off."
She bucked underneath him and Angel felt a shameful tug of lust as her groin unintentionally mashed into his. The scent she was giving off was intoxifying. Fear, anger, helplessness; all ambrosia to the seasoned hunter. He pushed down on her wrists again and pushed his groin into hers as he leant down to whisper in her ear
"Fight me Cordy. I've been chasing you for months and I really want you to fight me. I want to watch you trapped and desperate and knowing that you go nowhere unless I say. Scream and fight and scratch little cat and know that you are mine and I will never, never let you go."
She gasped and froze under him and slowly he leaned back until his eyes and lips were only inches from hers and then he drew his tongue over her lower lip.
"I'm never letting you go again."
And he grinned as she began to tremble.
Willow and Fred took a few precious seconds to stop by Willow's room and bag up her belongings. With Willow's bag safely dropped out of the window, they headed for Cordelia's room gripping their tazers, their faces set and scared. They paused outside the door and stared at each other for a few moments and then as one reached for the door handle. Fred gripped Willow's wrist tightly as a white light shone out from under the door and lit up the hallway with its brightness and Willow shivered as she felt the power crawl over her and then as suddenly as it appeared it was gone. The two girls froze and then Willow turned the doorknob and pushed the door open.
Cordelia lay on the bed under Angel twisting frantically to free herself from his grip but the vampire stayed still above her, eyes locked forward and muscles rigid with tension. Cordy turned her head as she heard two simultaneous gasps and her eyes met Fred's and she said frantically
"Help me! I don't know how long he'll be like this and I can't get free."
The two girls leapt forward and began to pull at Angel's hands. For a few moments it looked hopeless and then Cordelia felt them give just a little and she wrenched her wrists down. She pushed at Angel's shoulders and he toppled to lie on the bed beside her
"Cordy what did you do?"
Fred whispered the words as she took in the expression of lust and male satisfaction on her former boss' frozen face
"Not what you're thinking, trust me."
Cordelia spoke harshly as she tried to calm her speeding heart and moved to throw her belongings into her carryall. She took a quick glance around the room to make sure nothing was left behind and then snatched up her car keys refusing to look at Angel again
"We need to split. Where are the other two?"
Willow turned away from Angel and grabbed Fred's arm propelling her after Cordelia as she exited the room
"Dealt with. I don't know how long for though."
Cordelia nodded as she began to run down the hallway
"Then let's pick it up."
Angel blinked and stared for a moment at the ceiling above him and then with a furious growl he sprang off the bed and through the door. She froze him! The conniving, devious, cowardly little bitch froze him. He paused briefly as he caught Gunn's scent and then flung open the door to Fred's room, revealing his friend trussed up like a turkey. With another low growl he hauled the young man to his feet and ripped through his bindings like they were paper. Gunn wasted no time in tearing the towel from his mouth
"Less than a minute. They're making a break for it."
Angel nodded and they ran out into the hallway the vampire easily picking up their scents.
Cordelia flung open the door to the truck and jumped inside hastily jamming the key in the ignition. She gave a small offering of thanks as the temperamental engine caught first time and then without waiting for Fred to slam the door behind her shoved the car into reverse and stomped on the gas. Fred and Willow squealed as they went flying in the back seat and Willow managed to grab the wildly swinging door and shut it with a crash
"Jeez Cordy what the.."
She broke off as she stared out the back window and Angel and Gunn pounded out of the hotel
"Step on it! They're coming! God, Cordy they're coming!"
Willow's voice pitched into hysteria as she saw the furious looks both men wore as they bore down on the truck. Fred spun round on the seat and trembled as she saw Gunn only a few feet from the truck, his eyes fixed on her. Her shaking increased as he scowled and put on an extra burst of speed drawing level with Angel for a few seconds who was nearly brushing the back of the truck with his fingers.
Both girls screamed as they suddenly flew forward when the truck screeched to a halt and the two men following ended up smashing into the passenger side of the car. They bounced back off and lay on the floor for a few seconds and Cordelia was off again roaring out onto the road and into the night.
Gunn raised his head and stared after the departing taillights and then pushed himself up onto his elbows.
"What the hell just happened?"
Angel sat up beside him groaning
"They hit us with a truck!"
He staggered to his feet and pulled Gunn up with him
"We need to get to the car. Come on."
He stopped as a low pained voice said
"Not a lot of point, Peaches. The witch took out your tyres."
Angel stared around
"Spike? Where are you?"
A blonde head slowly appeared over the bonnet of a station wagon and then bit-by-bit shoulders and a body appeared. Angel blinked
"Where'd your arms go?"
Spike turned and showed his two companions his arms still firmly held behind his back
"Red and the little mouse knocked me out and when I woke up."
He shrugged good-naturedly
"Ah well it's not the first time it's happened. Your little girlie's not as fragile as you think mate. Hell of a swing on her she has."
Gunn's mouth dropped open
"Fred did that? My Fred?"
Spike grinned and sighed with relief as Angel fished the keys to the cuffs from his pocket and released him
"The one and only. All eyes and hair yeah? Swung at me like she was hitting one out of the park."
Angel moved impatiently off towards his car
"We need to follow them. We need to catch them and we need to."
His voice trailed off and he scowled blackly at the ground finishing darkly
"We need to find them."
Spike and Gunn exchanged looks and followed him wisely keeping silent but Spike couldn't prevent the grin spreading over his face when he heard Angel cursing at the state of his car. Gunn huffed an impatient breath at the smile on the vampire's face
"Glad you're having such a good time, Lestat Jr. They gave us the slip again, took us all out and then ran over us with a truck as they got away. And we still ain't no closer to figurin' out what's going on."
Spike glanced up into the angry and hurt black eyes
"What did you expect? They've been on the run for months; we show up and they're going to swoon and throw themselves into our strong manly arms? Yeah right. I don't know your little chit but I know the witch and Cordelia. Those two never back down and they never quit. Whatever they're running from is bad. Bad enough that they think they need to draw it away from everyone they love and run for the hills. Whatever it is we'll find it and we'll stop it but first we need to follow the little bints and pin them down this time so they can't get away."
He paused as Angel savagely kicked a flat tyre and then continued
"And just for the record they didn't hit you with a truck. You two hit their truck with you. I jumped out in front of Cordelia and she swerved to avoid me and clipped me with the wing. If it's any consolation they were all very upset as they hightailed it out of here."
Gunn snorted and thought of Fred's white face as she stared at him from the truck seat and said grimly
"They think they're upset now? Wait till I get my hands on them. I'll make them sorry they ever got born."
Spike grinned
"That's what I like to hear, good old fashioned empty threats!"
They both turned to look at Angel as he came and stood beside them
"I've called for a mechanic he'll be here in an hour."
Spike grinned again as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box
"Never fear chaps, Spike is here. And they won't get far with a tracer on their chassis."
Angel stared down at the beeping device in his childe's hand and a slow cold smile spread across his face
"Spike you never cease to amaze me. When did you do that?" "Right in between waking up and jumping in front of a fast moving vehicle. I figured we needed some insurance."
The three men exchanged grim looks and stared along the road their women had disappeared on. Soon. Very, very soon.
End Part 8.