She was too late. In a elegantly fluid, inhumanly rapid motion, the stake
descended. The Holy Water had scalded Gwain's eyes, he was unable to see it
coming. It entered his torso, and in a spray of dust ashes, Gwain was no
more.
Cordelia's hands flew to her mouth, tears forming in her eyes.
"No." She whispered. "Oh no!"
To Angel's surprise, she turned a wrathful glare on him.
"Do you have any idea what you've done!?"
"Um."Angel looked around uncomfortably at the now empty lair. "Saved you?"
Huffing, she rolled her eyes. "We gotta get to Wesley. I'll explain it to
him." As she opened the door, her gaze softened a bit.
"And Thanks."
"You're Welcome," said a still very confused Angel.
Wesley hadn't found a single entry of his mysterious girl. He was sorely tempted to just give up but he knew that wasn't a viable option. He'd looked through the entire database, several promising journals that turned out to be not so promising, contacted Giles and asked him to have Willow search, and even scoured the web himself. This girl did not exist. Perhaps she was more than a telepath, perhaps that was only one aspect of her being. Which, he thought sadly, meant he didn't have a clue where to look next. All his searches through mind-control and creatures who can appear and disappear at will had turned out void. Swallowing his frustration, he stepped away from the computer to fix a cup of much needed coffee. Taking a sip of the hot dark brew, he savored it a moment then turned back to the computer. He gave a startled yelp, dropping his coffee on the floor, as he saw before him, the elfin girl. She held up her hands in a what Wesley hoped was a peace gesture. "Who are you? What do you want? Where's Cordelia?" All three questions rushed out of his mouth in an incomprehensible jumble. Stepping over the coffee, towards the girl, he forced himself to calm down. "I am Wesley Wyndam-Price. Who are you?" The girl stared at him but Wesley could feel a difference. There was no iron grip, no feeling of numbness, just a soothing sound of the ocean. I am of the Romini Ta-Ley. I have come to give Angel a message. "Angel's..." gone to rescue Cordelia from wherever you took her. "Not here at the moment." Wesley said trying to sound officious. "But I am his associate, you may give me the message." He seethed in frustration at not being able to somehow trap this girl but he couldn't risk doing anthing that would cause her to disappear again. Very Well, tell him that Cordelia will be traded for the One. Starlit Park. Pre-Dawn. Any attempts at assault or violence will result in the immediate death of Cordelia. You will hand him over peacefully. Wesley blanched. "I see. And who will oversee returning Cordelia? You?"
The girl shook her head. I am Ta_Ley. My master will attend this matter. "Gwain?" Wesley guessed. The girl nodded. She seemed reluctant to leave. "May I help you with something?" Wesley asked. The girl looked around the room, taking in everthing.
You are Wesley ex of the Watchers?
Surprised at the question, Wesley paused a moment. "I was with them yes.How did you."
You have heard of the Romini Ta-Ley? The girl seemed very expectant of an affirmative answer.
For his part, Wesley was thunderstruck and could only gape. Of course! He felt as if a brick had been thrown at his head. "The..the Romini Ta-Ley have all been dead for the last 400 years. The Grei- Ley and the Wan-ley tribes are all that's left of the Romini civilization. Their numbers are distressingly small."
The girl made strange motions with her hands across her body, Wesley could only assume were some sign similar to that of the Catholic signing of the cross. A thousand questions were reeling in Wesley's mind, he couldn't think of which one to ask first. To think that he, of all people, was speaking to a member of the Romini Ta-Ley, it was preposterous yet here she was. A living, breathing example...then the second blow of the day hit. "Wait, The Romini Ta-Ley were slaughtered. Their mutilated bodies were found.." Do NOT speak of it! She screamed silently, causing Wesley's head to pound. "But if you're here...disappearing at will..you're.." "Dead." A voice said flatly behind him. He turned, ecstatic to see a safe and sound Cordelia standing there next to a reasonably uninjured Angel. "Well, I searched everywhere but it never occurred to me to search for a ghost." Cordelia went over to where Enfi was standing, the girl appearing greatly distressed. "Gwain?" she asked, seeing Angel's disarrayed appearance. Cordelia look guiltily at the floor. "I tried. Please believe me, I tried." But Enfi had burst into tears, emitting a sound that sounded like an animal being strangled from her scarred vocal chords. Angel stepped forward. "Cordelia, would you please explain now what is going on." But Cordelia was busy cradling the hysterical girl in her arms and whispering in her ear. Enfi looked forlornly first at Angel then at Wesley as whatever Cordelia was telling her sank in.
The elevator began to rumble. "Take her in my office" Angel instructed Cordelia as the elevator reached the top floor. Claire stepped out, looking every bit as beautiful as the day he'd first laid eyes on her. "Claire, good news. I found Gwain's lair...he won't be bothering you or anybody else again. Claire's eyes widened. She put both arms around Angel in an embrace. "Thank You Liam. I knew you would eliminate him for me." "Eliminate him for you?" Angel echoed. He gently pulled her away to look at her. The words sounded oddly calculating. "You make it sound like I'm an assassin. I had to protect you from being hurt again." Claire smiled. "That's what I meant." She said evasively. She leaned against him again. Coughing slightly, Wesley excused himself and entered Angel's office. "Where do we go from here?" Claire asked. This couldn't have gone any better! Gwain was gone, Angel apparently unaware of the entire situation. Now, the history would be as she dictated. Liam would be hers, the One would be hers, the world would be hers! Angel sighed. "I don't know. I haven't wanted to think about it." He stroked her soft bronze hair, thinking back to how perfect they had been for each other so long ago. But they were different people now..now, technically, they weren't even people.
Angelus stood over the mound of dirt, holding his bouquet of flowers awkwardly. "These are for you Claire. I.I picked them out by your favorite spot to sit and read. It's such a beautiful day, birds singing, sun shining, a gentle breeze. The flowers were just so amazing, I had to show them to you."
Gently he laid them down on the overturned earth. Slowly, he sank to the ground beside her. "How I miss you Claire. My sweet, sweet Claire. I never told you on this earth, I should have. I know I should have." He wiped away the tears falling down his face. "If I could do anything to bring ye back I would. Oh, how I would. I'd give my life to see you smile again. Hear you laugh again.." His voice broke, he was unable to go on. The ache in his heart was so intense, he thought he would die. "Perhaps they'll bury me beside you Claire. But I won't see you in the afterlife, that I know." He put his hand over his face, trying to control the trembling. "My father is right. I'm no good and you were so pure. I doubt I'll even be going to the same place you were sent dear sweet lass." He put his hand on the dirt, as if he could touch her again. "I want you back Claire. I can't live without you." He hit the bars again that night, drinking till he couldn't feel his own toes yet the pain refused to die. Walking unsteadily out the tavern door, he saw her. "Claire?" he whispered. It couldn't be. "Claire!" he called. She disappeared down an alley and he followed her. Darla smiled her sweetest smile as he followed her. She made quick work of him then took him to the lodge. But when they got their, it was empty. Gwain was gone with Claire.
Angel knew in him that he and Claire were two entirely different people now. Their lives, torn apart by some force greater than they, were now forever apart. He had to tell himself that she didn't have a soul like he did. But standing there in that office, his arms wrapped around her chilled body, he could almost make believe that there was a hope for them. Couldn't he just leave right now to be with her? Couldn't he just spit in the powers that be's face or faces and tell them to go where he'd already been, to Hell. He stroked her hair. "Come with me Liam." Claire purred. "Together, we could find a place somewhere that we could be alone. Just the two of us. Maybe even go back to Ireland for bit." He looked into her eyes, the once so innocent blue eyes now held a something more. He could see the dark shadow of something else entirely lurking in the depths..something carnal, evil. Then she blinked and it was gone, his Claire gazed up at him coyly. He couldn't let her go. Not Claire, not again. "Come with me" she pleaded. Angel considered it.
"You will help me?" The still distraught but coping girl asked. Not a young girl, Wesley reminded himself. The Ta-Ley didn't grow physically past the heigth of five feet, and her youthful appearance was that which death had forever preserved. This seeming girl had been thirty when she had died. Now, she was pushing over 3 centuries. Slaughtered almost 400 years ago, she had slumbered fitfully in limbo until she'd been called forth to be used for her unique abilites of mind control. Her kind had been killed by the RokTaw, a viscious predator demon species who hunted for sport. The slight of stature but still powerful tribe had proven suitable game for the blood-thirsty species. The attack, which had destroyed the entire tribe and been a dreadful blow to the Romini, from which they had never fully recovered. As far as Wesley knew, to this day their remaining tribes were still hunted, though never had there been such wholesale slaughter as on that tragic night. The help Enfi now saught was to find her sisters Jinsa and Rini as well as the others who had been re-animated. She didn't know their locations, only where she had been taken. They were, she knew, being systematically taken over the entire globe looking for the remaning one. "I don't understand. Why go through the trouble of raising you? Why take you all over the globe just to find him?" Enfi glowered darkly as she remember her time with Gwain. He wanted to control the world. Such men often do. And we were a suitable means. Being dead, we have no control over the un-dead so while I could communicate with him, I could not subjugate him. Yet, he could control me by threatening to send my sisters and tribesmen to horrible fates. I knew he had raised me, I did not know if he could also make good on his threats to send us back..or to worse places. All I want to do is go to my rest, it is my time, but Gwain threatened to leave me wandering the ghostroads helpless for eternity if I did not obey him. For me,I could manage, but I could not risk my sisters you understand They are Ta-Ley as I am. Cordelia was an only child but she supposed the bond could be pretty powerful. She knew Angel put himself on the line to save people from horrible fates, and those were strangers. Enfi wasn't finished. With us, he could control anyone he wished while never fearing for himself. And a living Romini can exert l limited control over the un-dead. Again, Gwain need not fear but he could use the Romini as weapons against the fellow creatures of the night. He has no honor even among his own kind. Her pure hatred of this lack of honor was evident. "But why did he want the One survivor and progeny he might have had? How does even know this one exists? Why isn't he interested in the other Romini tribes?" The Ta-Ley only have this power.The Romini know their exact numbers always. No Romini is unknown among us. When the other tribes found us, they buried us with one missing. Such is marked at the site of our..death. The tribes wished him good health and happiness. His name is Tnar and he was my brother. That stunned the two living breathing humans in the building. "But, any progeny he might have had would not be purebred. They may not even have your tribes talent. He could have been caught later and killed.How do you know he didn't rejoin the Romini?" Enfi shrugged. "That is not for me too know. Only Gwain and his mate know." "Wait a minute!" Cordelia snapped. "Claire was in on this?" Enfi shuddered. My mistress plays the innocent one to get your trust. This I've seen done many times .But she is a viper waiting to strike you. That got a strong reaction from both Cordelia and Wesley who's gazes both immediately went through the partly open venetian blinds in the inner office to the couple beyond the door. "Are they.."Cordelia asked in disbelief. "I believe they are..indeed.kissing..oh my."
He took a sidelong glance at Cordelia who was still watching. "Cordelia!" he chastened. "Divert your eyes." "Welcome to the twentyfirst century Wesley." Cordelia said, ignoring his protest. As the two began making their to the elevator, Cordelia flung the door open. "Angel!" she said.not caring one wit how rude she was being. What did it matter when she had seen firsthand what happened when Angel was happy. They were not going down that elevator. Angel broke off his kiss and threw her an impatient look while Claire stared her with malevolence. "We need to talk. We still have to discuss Enfi and helping her."
Crossing her arms she added. "I believe Claire might know a bit about it." "What are you talking about?" Enfi stuck her head out the door. "Mistress" she croaked, with a small bow of her head. Claire's eyes went wide. She hadn't thought that poor creature would risk her tribe by coming here. "What's the matter?" Cordelia gloated. "Forget about your little slave here?" "Slave?" Angel asked. "Cordy, what's going on? Why don't you just cut the attitude and explain alright?" "Fine." She said tightly."Claire's been taking you for a ride, Angel. She thinks you know where the last remaining Ta-Ley is. Once she has him, she can control both the living and un-dead. She and Gwain were supposed to be partners but she had you off him. Now, I'm betting she's laid eyes on you for her new partner. But how long will you last until a new boy-toy comes along? "Claire?" Angel asked finally. With another scathing glare at Cordelia, she turned her feminine wiles on Angel. "I ran away from all that remember. I told you that Gwain had done some despicable things that I wasn't proud of. I wanted to get away, to start over. Now that he's gone.we can do that." "You were at the park. Chasing after that boy. Was he the One Claire?" Claire was at a loss for words. "You lied to me. You said you weren't at the park." Angel insisted. "My love," she purred, taking his hand. "You don't understand, there twisting this to make me seem like the bad guy. I didn't want Gwain to rule the world. I got you to stop him from doing that. Now, we can decide what to do with this power." Angel's face was unreadable. He didn't know how to feel. "You used me." He said simply. "You raised those people to enslave them, you've hunted this one to enslave him, and now you want to dominate the world. You can't do that, Claire. "Why?" Claire asked. "There of so much use. You and I could use them, Gwain's vision was a beautiful one Liam. One that we could fulfill side by side forever. Wouldn't that be marvelous?" Her eyes shone with the possibility. Angel held Claire's hands. "Please Claire, do you know where the rest of the Romini Ta-Ley are? How do we send them to where they belong?" Claire laughed lightly. "It's not that simple. The Ta-ley are all over the world. You couldn't possibly locate them all." "That's not true." Enfi spoke up her voice cracking. She locked her gaze onto Angel. She's lying. She's the one who helped send the Ta-Ley away. I do not know where they are but I know they are alive. I can feel them. Gwain perhaps, only knew where each was located but with them searching for such an important Ta-Ley, he would monitor their movements. No Ta-Ley would do anything to endanger the tribe's fate by disappearing or not co-operating in the search.. Tears began spilling delicately down Claire's face. "Liam, I came here for your help that's true. But I've always loved you. I want us to be together like we should have been." She sobbed. Angel forced himself to pull away from her. "Please Claire, help me send them back. Prove to me you can do the right thing." "This is the right thing!" Claire hissed. "For us, we won't have to go back to hunting, and scrounging for food. We can have whatever we want! I want you." "Not like this Claire. Not like this." Seeing any further argument was useless, Claire shrugged. "Without the One, it is pointless anyway." "You'll send them home?" Enfi could no longer hold her breath, being dead, but she felt incredibly tense as she waited for Claire's answer. It came quietly, slowly, and her heart sank. "No." Angel's heart broke. Cordelia let out a small, angry huff. Wesley just stood there, incredibly uncomfortable. Night had fallen, and Claire headed for the door. "I thought we could be together again. I thought you still loved me." Angel protested. "I still love you Claire, but I can't allow you to do this." Claire gave him a thoughtful look. "Would you kill me Liam?" Angel's throat tightened, he couldn't answer that, not to her, and not to himself. "I will find the One. And when I come back for you, I hope you will realize your mistake and stand beside me." She turned and walked out of the door. Angel made no move to follow, he couldn't. All he could manage was not breaking into tears in front of the trio behind him as he stared at Claire's retreating back. The door closed with an echoing finality. He'd lost her again.
"You're Welcome," said a still very confused Angel.
Wesley hadn't found a single entry of his mysterious girl. He was sorely tempted to just give up but he knew that wasn't a viable option. He'd looked through the entire database, several promising journals that turned out to be not so promising, contacted Giles and asked him to have Willow search, and even scoured the web himself. This girl did not exist. Perhaps she was more than a telepath, perhaps that was only one aspect of her being. Which, he thought sadly, meant he didn't have a clue where to look next. All his searches through mind-control and creatures who can appear and disappear at will had turned out void. Swallowing his frustration, he stepped away from the computer to fix a cup of much needed coffee. Taking a sip of the hot dark brew, he savored it a moment then turned back to the computer. He gave a startled yelp, dropping his coffee on the floor, as he saw before him, the elfin girl. She held up her hands in a what Wesley hoped was a peace gesture. "Who are you? What do you want? Where's Cordelia?" All three questions rushed out of his mouth in an incomprehensible jumble. Stepping over the coffee, towards the girl, he forced himself to calm down. "I am Wesley Wyndam-Price. Who are you?" The girl stared at him but Wesley could feel a difference. There was no iron grip, no feeling of numbness, just a soothing sound of the ocean. I am of the Romini Ta-Ley. I have come to give Angel a message. "Angel's..." gone to rescue Cordelia from wherever you took her. "Not here at the moment." Wesley said trying to sound officious. "But I am his associate, you may give me the message." He seethed in frustration at not being able to somehow trap this girl but he couldn't risk doing anthing that would cause her to disappear again. Very Well, tell him that Cordelia will be traded for the One. Starlit Park. Pre-Dawn. Any attempts at assault or violence will result in the immediate death of Cordelia. You will hand him over peacefully. Wesley blanched. "I see. And who will oversee returning Cordelia? You?"
The girl shook her head. I am Ta_Ley. My master will attend this matter. "Gwain?" Wesley guessed. The girl nodded. She seemed reluctant to leave. "May I help you with something?" Wesley asked. The girl looked around the room, taking in everthing.
You are Wesley ex of the Watchers?
Surprised at the question, Wesley paused a moment. "I was with them yes.How did you."
You have heard of the Romini Ta-Ley? The girl seemed very expectant of an affirmative answer.
For his part, Wesley was thunderstruck and could only gape. Of course! He felt as if a brick had been thrown at his head. "The..the Romini Ta-Ley have all been dead for the last 400 years. The Grei- Ley and the Wan-ley tribes are all that's left of the Romini civilization. Their numbers are distressingly small."
The girl made strange motions with her hands across her body, Wesley could only assume were some sign similar to that of the Catholic signing of the cross. A thousand questions were reeling in Wesley's mind, he couldn't think of which one to ask first. To think that he, of all people, was speaking to a member of the Romini Ta-Ley, it was preposterous yet here she was. A living, breathing example...then the second blow of the day hit. "Wait, The Romini Ta-Ley were slaughtered. Their mutilated bodies were found.." Do NOT speak of it! She screamed silently, causing Wesley's head to pound. "But if you're here...disappearing at will..you're.." "Dead." A voice said flatly behind him. He turned, ecstatic to see a safe and sound Cordelia standing there next to a reasonably uninjured Angel. "Well, I searched everywhere but it never occurred to me to search for a ghost." Cordelia went over to where Enfi was standing, the girl appearing greatly distressed. "Gwain?" she asked, seeing Angel's disarrayed appearance. Cordelia look guiltily at the floor. "I tried. Please believe me, I tried." But Enfi had burst into tears, emitting a sound that sounded like an animal being strangled from her scarred vocal chords. Angel stepped forward. "Cordelia, would you please explain now what is going on." But Cordelia was busy cradling the hysterical girl in her arms and whispering in her ear. Enfi looked forlornly first at Angel then at Wesley as whatever Cordelia was telling her sank in.
The elevator began to rumble. "Take her in my office" Angel instructed Cordelia as the elevator reached the top floor. Claire stepped out, looking every bit as beautiful as the day he'd first laid eyes on her. "Claire, good news. I found Gwain's lair...he won't be bothering you or anybody else again. Claire's eyes widened. She put both arms around Angel in an embrace. "Thank You Liam. I knew you would eliminate him for me." "Eliminate him for you?" Angel echoed. He gently pulled her away to look at her. The words sounded oddly calculating. "You make it sound like I'm an assassin. I had to protect you from being hurt again." Claire smiled. "That's what I meant." She said evasively. She leaned against him again. Coughing slightly, Wesley excused himself and entered Angel's office. "Where do we go from here?" Claire asked. This couldn't have gone any better! Gwain was gone, Angel apparently unaware of the entire situation. Now, the history would be as she dictated. Liam would be hers, the One would be hers, the world would be hers! Angel sighed. "I don't know. I haven't wanted to think about it." He stroked her soft bronze hair, thinking back to how perfect they had been for each other so long ago. But they were different people now..now, technically, they weren't even people.
Angelus stood over the mound of dirt, holding his bouquet of flowers awkwardly. "These are for you Claire. I.I picked them out by your favorite spot to sit and read. It's such a beautiful day, birds singing, sun shining, a gentle breeze. The flowers were just so amazing, I had to show them to you."
Gently he laid them down on the overturned earth. Slowly, he sank to the ground beside her. "How I miss you Claire. My sweet, sweet Claire. I never told you on this earth, I should have. I know I should have." He wiped away the tears falling down his face. "If I could do anything to bring ye back I would. Oh, how I would. I'd give my life to see you smile again. Hear you laugh again.." His voice broke, he was unable to go on. The ache in his heart was so intense, he thought he would die. "Perhaps they'll bury me beside you Claire. But I won't see you in the afterlife, that I know." He put his hand over his face, trying to control the trembling. "My father is right. I'm no good and you were so pure. I doubt I'll even be going to the same place you were sent dear sweet lass." He put his hand on the dirt, as if he could touch her again. "I want you back Claire. I can't live without you." He hit the bars again that night, drinking till he couldn't feel his own toes yet the pain refused to die. Walking unsteadily out the tavern door, he saw her. "Claire?" he whispered. It couldn't be. "Claire!" he called. She disappeared down an alley and he followed her. Darla smiled her sweetest smile as he followed her. She made quick work of him then took him to the lodge. But when they got their, it was empty. Gwain was gone with Claire.
Angel knew in him that he and Claire were two entirely different people now. Their lives, torn apart by some force greater than they, were now forever apart. He had to tell himself that she didn't have a soul like he did. But standing there in that office, his arms wrapped around her chilled body, he could almost make believe that there was a hope for them. Couldn't he just leave right now to be with her? Couldn't he just spit in the powers that be's face or faces and tell them to go where he'd already been, to Hell. He stroked her hair. "Come with me Liam." Claire purred. "Together, we could find a place somewhere that we could be alone. Just the two of us. Maybe even go back to Ireland for bit." He looked into her eyes, the once so innocent blue eyes now held a something more. He could see the dark shadow of something else entirely lurking in the depths..something carnal, evil. Then she blinked and it was gone, his Claire gazed up at him coyly. He couldn't let her go. Not Claire, not again. "Come with me" she pleaded. Angel considered it.
"You will help me?" The still distraught but coping girl asked. Not a young girl, Wesley reminded himself. The Ta-Ley didn't grow physically past the heigth of five feet, and her youthful appearance was that which death had forever preserved. This seeming girl had been thirty when she had died. Now, she was pushing over 3 centuries. Slaughtered almost 400 years ago, she had slumbered fitfully in limbo until she'd been called forth to be used for her unique abilites of mind control. Her kind had been killed by the RokTaw, a viscious predator demon species who hunted for sport. The slight of stature but still powerful tribe had proven suitable game for the blood-thirsty species. The attack, which had destroyed the entire tribe and been a dreadful blow to the Romini, from which they had never fully recovered. As far as Wesley knew, to this day their remaining tribes were still hunted, though never had there been such wholesale slaughter as on that tragic night. The help Enfi now saught was to find her sisters Jinsa and Rini as well as the others who had been re-animated. She didn't know their locations, only where she had been taken. They were, she knew, being systematically taken over the entire globe looking for the remaning one. "I don't understand. Why go through the trouble of raising you? Why take you all over the globe just to find him?" Enfi glowered darkly as she remember her time with Gwain. He wanted to control the world. Such men often do. And we were a suitable means. Being dead, we have no control over the un-dead so while I could communicate with him, I could not subjugate him. Yet, he could control me by threatening to send my sisters and tribesmen to horrible fates. I knew he had raised me, I did not know if he could also make good on his threats to send us back..or to worse places. All I want to do is go to my rest, it is my time, but Gwain threatened to leave me wandering the ghostroads helpless for eternity if I did not obey him. For me,I could manage, but I could not risk my sisters you understand They are Ta-Ley as I am. Cordelia was an only child but she supposed the bond could be pretty powerful. She knew Angel put himself on the line to save people from horrible fates, and those were strangers. Enfi wasn't finished. With us, he could control anyone he wished while never fearing for himself. And a living Romini can exert l limited control over the un-dead. Again, Gwain need not fear but he could use the Romini as weapons against the fellow creatures of the night. He has no honor even among his own kind. Her pure hatred of this lack of honor was evident. "But why did he want the One survivor and progeny he might have had? How does even know this one exists? Why isn't he interested in the other Romini tribes?" The Ta-Ley only have this power.The Romini know their exact numbers always. No Romini is unknown among us. When the other tribes found us, they buried us with one missing. Such is marked at the site of our..death. The tribes wished him good health and happiness. His name is Tnar and he was my brother. That stunned the two living breathing humans in the building. "But, any progeny he might have had would not be purebred. They may not even have your tribes talent. He could have been caught later and killed.How do you know he didn't rejoin the Romini?" Enfi shrugged. "That is not for me too know. Only Gwain and his mate know." "Wait a minute!" Cordelia snapped. "Claire was in on this?" Enfi shuddered. My mistress plays the innocent one to get your trust. This I've seen done many times .But she is a viper waiting to strike you. That got a strong reaction from both Cordelia and Wesley who's gazes both immediately went through the partly open venetian blinds in the inner office to the couple beyond the door. "Are they.."Cordelia asked in disbelief. "I believe they are..indeed.kissing..oh my."
He took a sidelong glance at Cordelia who was still watching. "Cordelia!" he chastened. "Divert your eyes." "Welcome to the twentyfirst century Wesley." Cordelia said, ignoring his protest. As the two began making their to the elevator, Cordelia flung the door open. "Angel!" she said.not caring one wit how rude she was being. What did it matter when she had seen firsthand what happened when Angel was happy. They were not going down that elevator. Angel broke off his kiss and threw her an impatient look while Claire stared her with malevolence. "We need to talk. We still have to discuss Enfi and helping her."
Crossing her arms she added. "I believe Claire might know a bit about it." "What are you talking about?" Enfi stuck her head out the door. "Mistress" she croaked, with a small bow of her head. Claire's eyes went wide. She hadn't thought that poor creature would risk her tribe by coming here. "What's the matter?" Cordelia gloated. "Forget about your little slave here?" "Slave?" Angel asked. "Cordy, what's going on? Why don't you just cut the attitude and explain alright?" "Fine." She said tightly."Claire's been taking you for a ride, Angel. She thinks you know where the last remaining Ta-Ley is. Once she has him, she can control both the living and un-dead. She and Gwain were supposed to be partners but she had you off him. Now, I'm betting she's laid eyes on you for her new partner. But how long will you last until a new boy-toy comes along? "Claire?" Angel asked finally. With another scathing glare at Cordelia, she turned her feminine wiles on Angel. "I ran away from all that remember. I told you that Gwain had done some despicable things that I wasn't proud of. I wanted to get away, to start over. Now that he's gone.we can do that." "You were at the park. Chasing after that boy. Was he the One Claire?" Claire was at a loss for words. "You lied to me. You said you weren't at the park." Angel insisted. "My love," she purred, taking his hand. "You don't understand, there twisting this to make me seem like the bad guy. I didn't want Gwain to rule the world. I got you to stop him from doing that. Now, we can decide what to do with this power." Angel's face was unreadable. He didn't know how to feel. "You used me." He said simply. "You raised those people to enslave them, you've hunted this one to enslave him, and now you want to dominate the world. You can't do that, Claire. "Why?" Claire asked. "There of so much use. You and I could use them, Gwain's vision was a beautiful one Liam. One that we could fulfill side by side forever. Wouldn't that be marvelous?" Her eyes shone with the possibility. Angel held Claire's hands. "Please Claire, do you know where the rest of the Romini Ta-Ley are? How do we send them to where they belong?" Claire laughed lightly. "It's not that simple. The Ta-ley are all over the world. You couldn't possibly locate them all." "That's not true." Enfi spoke up her voice cracking. She locked her gaze onto Angel. She's lying. She's the one who helped send the Ta-Ley away. I do not know where they are but I know they are alive. I can feel them. Gwain perhaps, only knew where each was located but with them searching for such an important Ta-Ley, he would monitor their movements. No Ta-Ley would do anything to endanger the tribe's fate by disappearing or not co-operating in the search.. Tears began spilling delicately down Claire's face. "Liam, I came here for your help that's true. But I've always loved you. I want us to be together like we should have been." She sobbed. Angel forced himself to pull away from her. "Please Claire, help me send them back. Prove to me you can do the right thing." "This is the right thing!" Claire hissed. "For us, we won't have to go back to hunting, and scrounging for food. We can have whatever we want! I want you." "Not like this Claire. Not like this." Seeing any further argument was useless, Claire shrugged. "Without the One, it is pointless anyway." "You'll send them home?" Enfi could no longer hold her breath, being dead, but she felt incredibly tense as she waited for Claire's answer. It came quietly, slowly, and her heart sank. "No." Angel's heart broke. Cordelia let out a small, angry huff. Wesley just stood there, incredibly uncomfortable. Night had fallen, and Claire headed for the door. "I thought we could be together again. I thought you still loved me." Angel protested. "I still love you Claire, but I can't allow you to do this." Claire gave him a thoughtful look. "Would you kill me Liam?" Angel's throat tightened, he couldn't answer that, not to her, and not to himself. "I will find the One. And when I come back for you, I hope you will realize your mistake and stand beside me." She turned and walked out of the door. Angel made no move to follow, he couldn't. All he could manage was not breaking into tears in front of the trio behind him as he stared at Claire's retreating back. The door closed with an echoing finality. He'd lost her again.