Chapter 25
The next day, baby Peyton was set up in a crib with the same protective shield that Wyatt had. Drusilla felt relatively satisfied with the device. Spike was not.
Drusilla stood over her daughter's crib and smiled down at her. She had recovered from childbirth in no time flat. Piper and her were taking Peyton to see Wyatt's doctor today.
Spike came up behind Drusilla and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed the side of her neck.
'How is my little nidbit?' he asked, looking down at a sleeping Peyton as well.
Drusilla slowly pulled out of his arms and turned to face him.
'We need to talk, Spike.'
'Yes we do. I want the baby and yourself to come home with me.'
Drusilla's expression was unreadable. Spike could feel the conversation falling apart already.
'Dru, look, I know we had problems before you had the baby....'
'You were mad that I was having Cole's baby as well. Well his baby is gone.' she said, turning away from him.
There was a part of him that wanted to feel the same sorrow that Dru felt, over the death of the other child, the one she had named 'Posey'. It was unnerving to watch the child burn up before their very eyes.
But, the child would've been Belthazor's. And that would've kept that bint in their lives forever!
'Dru, we haven't even seen Belthazor. He killed his own child and is gone off somewhere else.' he said gently.
Drusilla turned back to him.
'Or he could be off hurting somewhere.' she said quietly.
'What are you saying? That you want to be off comforting that sorry ponce! He KILLED the child, Dru! You said it yourself! And he killed it thinking he was killing my little nidbit down there!' he yelled, pointing at Peyton.
Drusilla rubbed her temples. Of course Spike was right. Cole had done this. If Cole was suffering alone, he deserved to be.
Spike reached for her hands and pulled them down from her temples.
'You know I'm right, Dru. Now, can we get back to the topic at hand. You can't stay here with your sister witches indefinitely.'
'Why not? Peyton is a Haliwell. Piper thinks that....'
'Piper thinks! Piper acts as if she's the only one that's ever had a baby, for God's sakes!'
Drusilla sighed.
'Why are you being so disagreeable? I think it would be safer if Peyton and I stayed here. Although, Angel offered to take us in as well.'
'Oh that just bloody perfect! So he's stuck his unwanted, two cents in again!'
'Spike, what is the matter with you?! Angel was only trying to help! Piper is only trying to help! You are so touchy! Why don't you just tell me whatever it is you're hiding from me!'
Spike stared at her.
'You still have those enpath powers and the like?'
Drusilla shook her head.
'No. All those additional powers are gone. I think the baby may have them though. Spike...'
'Alright! Alright! Angel was going to tattle anyway, I'm sure.'
'Tattle about what?'
Spike took her hands in his, then squeezed them.
'When you were lying here, asleep like that, I got scared.'
Drusilla tilted her head and smiled gently at him.
'I'm sure you did.'
'Really scared, Dru. I figured I lost you and our baby for good. I went out on a bender...I drank for days on end....then....then....I went to Paris to see Buffy.'
There! There he had said it! He had said it before Angel, or any other nosy ass, could tell on him!
But Drusilla didn't really look angry. Spike couldn't really tell what this expression was that he was faced with now.
'Okay. Well, at least you told me.'
There was a silence. Spike peered at her.
'Is that it? That's all you're going to say?'
'What do you want me to say? That it's telling, that during a crisis, you went running to the Slayer?'
'Oh, here we go again! Alright, luv, out with it! Get it all off of your chest!'
Drusilla shrugged.
''I'm not going to say anything more, Spike. But Peyton and I are staying here for the time being. You're welcome to come and visit.' she said simply, and moved around him to leave the room.
Spike sighed heavily. Bloody hell! If he had not confessed about Buffy, Dru might've agreed to move in with him just now! But she was already freezing him out, like she always did when she was mad!
Spike stood there, staring after her for a bit. He then turned towards his daughter's crib. He didn't want to have to fight for a place in his child's life. He didn't want to argue with Dru about when he could see her. He loved his daughter and his daughter's mother. Somehow, he had to get Dru to see that the two of them could work. That it was important that they work, as a family.
Spike began to walk over to Peyton's crib, when suddenly the shield went up around it! Spike frowned, then began looking around! It didn't usually go up when he came near his own daughter! There was danger about, he just couldn't see where!
It appeared in the form of Belthazor, as he shimmered in, wearing a designer suit. Spike was outraged!
'What the bloody hell are you doing here?!'
'I'm here to take my child out of here, vampire.'
Spike's eyes grew huge!
'Have you gone completely daft?! You've killed YOUR child! Peyton is my daughter! Mine and Dru's!'
'Not anymore.' Cole said briskly, just as Drusilla, Piper and Leo came running in! Leo put a hand on Dru's shoulder.
'He won't get around the shield,' Leo said. 'Don't worry!'
But Cole ignored everyone, including an uneasy looking Spike. He noted that Belthazor didn't appear to be worried about a bloody shield, as he moved towards Peyton.
'Abrago!' Cole said softly, waving his hand. The shield disappeared and Spike's vamp face emerged, as he leaped onto Cole and bit him in the neck!
Cole screamed and shoved Spike so hard, that he went flying back into a wall! Peyton began to stir, then cry. Drusilla hurried towards the crib, but a bleeding Cole, stepped in front of it and picked up the now squalling child.
'Cole, please! I'm sorry about Posey! I am! But what's done is done! Don't take my baby!'
Piper's hands were poised to blow Cole up. Leo shook his head.
'If you blow him up, then Dru is going to have to hurry and catch the baby before she drops. I don't think we can take a chance like that!'
Spike, who had recovered, hurried to Dru's side.
'Give us back our daughter!' he snapped.
But Cole ignored Spike, and looked down into the small face of Peyton. This should be Posey he was holding now. HIS daughter! And if he had no child, then Spike and Dru wouldn't have one either!
Cole looked at Dru.
'I'm sure she will be looked after well, Dru. I'm sorry.' he said, as he shimmered off with Peyton.
'NO!' Drusilla screamed, sinking down to the floor. Piper looked at Leo.
'We have to find him! We have to find him now!'
Spike sank down on the floor with Dru and put his arms around her.
'It's alright, luv. We'll get her back. We'll get her back, you'll see.' he whispered into her hair, as she continued to sob. Piper's heart went out to her. The few times Wyatt had been nabbed, had been like a piece of her heart had been ripped out. And Drusilla had already watched one child burn to a crisp at birth. They had to get Peyton back!
'I'll call Angel.' Leo said. Spike turned towards them.
'No! I will handle this! I'll get my daughter back!'
Dru stopped crying and moved away from Spike. She stood up and walked over to Leo.
'I want to find Angel. I'm orbing off to Wolfram & Hart. He'll make this right, I know he will!'
Drusilla suddenly orbed away. Piper looked at a stricken Spike. Leo noticed how shocked Spike seemed, but didn't have the time to comment on it, one way or the other. He orbed off after Drusilla.
'Spike, Dru is just distraught....'
'No need to make me feel better, luv. Dru meant what she said. She trusts Angel more than she trusts me. And why shouldn't she? I couldn't even keep a bloody demon from stealing our little girl.'
'Spike...'
But Spike shoved past Piper and began walking out of the nursery.
'Where are you going? Spike, Dru and you need one another now! You can't go running off like you did before!'
Spike turned back to Piper.
'I'm not running! I'm going to use MY contacts to find out why Belthazor really wants my baby so badly! This is about something more than revenge with him! I'm not leaving my daughter's future in Angel's hands!' he snapped, before leaving the room. Piper looked over at the empty crib.
Phoebe had confided in her about how worried she was, about Angel getting sucked back into Drusilla's life. It had been her hope that Spike and Dru could work things out. But with Dru orbing off to see Angel, it didn't look like her little sister was going to get her wish.
Paige walked down the hallways of Wolfram & Hart. She peered around, trying to avoid Harmony.
It didn't work. As she passed by the WOMEN'S bathroom, Harmony whipped open the door and bounded out! The handryer could be heard.
'Hey, Paige!'
'Hey, Harmony!' Paige said between gritted teeth. She was afraid to ask how she was, since all Paige had heard about since she met her, was how upset she was that Angelus had dumped her.
'You know, you sister is in the building, Paige. I don't understand what Angel sees in her. What does she have that I don't? I mean the fact that Angel won't date his own, is a real disgrace!'
Paige took a deep breath.
'Harmony, you know that Angel was not himself when the two of you had your fling. He has his soul back now. He's not the same man. The man that he is now, is in love with Phoebe.'
'Who's side are you on anyway?' Harmony asked, her voice sounding high pitched.
Paige walked up to her.
'Harmony, this isn't about 'sides'. You're a beautiful girl, really. You could find someone else. You deserve to meet a nice man.'
Harmony softened.
'You really think so? Listen, maybe we could go clubbing or something tonight.'
'Uh, I don't 'club' anymore. At least not after I met Wes.'
Harmony nodded.
'Yeah, I understand. I mean Wesley is boring. He can suck the life out of you like a vampire. Well, I'll see you at lunch, okay?' she said cheerily, walking off. Paige blinked. She suspected that even when Harmony had a soul, she was just as insensitive.
Paige sighed and continued walking down the hall. She then stopped and stared straight ahead.
Cole had shimmered into the hallway, holding a baby! Was that Peyton?!
He looked around and Paige scurried into a Janitor's closet, opening it just a crack, then watched, as Cole got on an elevator by himself and went to the seventh floor. Paige then orbed there herself.
Cole handed Lilah baby Peyton. Lilah did not hold her hands out to take the baby.
'Belthazor...what the hell is this?'
'What does it look like? This is my daughter....'
Lilah looked him up and down with complete disgust!
'Where did you get this kid from? Everyone knows that your baby died at birth, so cut the crap! I ought to behead you right here and now!'
'Ah, but Lilah dear, before you get all excited over nothing, I have come to tell you that the fourth Charmed One gave birth to twins.'
Lilah raised a brow.
'Twins?'
'Yes....though I am not the father of this one.'
Lilah burst out laughing!
'Drusilla got pregnant by two different men? Nice! Someone needs to teach that girl about birth control!'
'Yes, well that's beside the point now, isn't it? Just know that this baby has Haliwell blood in her as well. Now, I want what I came for. Which is control of Wolfram & Hart.'
Lilah smiled, then hit her intercom.
'Lucas? Could you come up here please? Thanks.'
Cole frowned.
'Who is that?'
'It's someone from our lab. We're going to run a 3 minute DNA test on the child here. And if she doesn't display any properties of having Haliwell blood in her, those bounty hunters the Source sent after you, will look like over eager boy scouts, when this firm is through with you.'
Cole didn't even flinch, or look at the DNA lab expert, when he entered the office and opened a bag full of equipment. Paige, who had been watching behind a brick pillar, orbed off to Angel's office.
'So, let me cook you dinner tonight.' Angel said to Phoebe on the phone. He could hear her typing away on her computer at the newspaper. He was glad that she hadn't quit her job. He always looked forward to her 'Ask Phoebe' article.
'You're going to cook me dinner?' Phoebe repeated, while using her spell check.
'Yes....I mean as you know, I'm not a big eater, but believe me, I can make a mean....'
Suddenly, Wesley and Paige orbed into his office. Their faces looked panicked.
'Uh, Phoebe, I have to go. Wes and Paige....Dru...Leo?' he asked, when the latter two appeared as well.
Phoebe sensed real trouble!
'Angel, put me on the speaker phone!'
Angel did just that, then stood up.
'What's going on?'
'Angel,' Drusilla began to cry, 'Cole came and took Peyton!'
Leo nodded. 'It's true! He penetrated the shield, then shimmered off with her!'
Wesley stepped forward.
'Cole has Peyton with Lilah. Paige said it looked as if he was offering her up as some sort of sacrifice.'
'Sacrifice?!' Drusilla cried out. 'Sacrifice for what?!'
'Oh, honey!' Paige cried out and walked over to put her arms around Drusilla.
'We'll get Peyton back, Dru, I swear! Phoebe, about dinner....' Angel began.
'No! No, it's fine. Piper is calling on the other line, so we'll see what we can do from here. Leo?'
'Yeah Phoebe?'
'If you need me at all to deal with Cole, please, please let me know. I think I can still get through to him.'
'We will, thanks.' Leo said. Angel walked over to the intercom.
'I'll have Dru bring you back here later. We'll celebrate getting Peyton back.'
Phoebe smiled on her end.
'I love you.' she said.
'I love you.' Angel answered back. Drusilla found herself rolling her eyes! If Phoebe were any good at dissuading Cole with anything, then they wouldn't be in this position now!
Angel looked up.
'Okay, now we need to find out why Belthazor needs Peyton.'
'Actually, that's very simple.' Cole said.
Angel, Drusilla, Wesley, Paige and Leo, turned as Cole and Lilah walked in. Drusilla began to move towards him, but Angel held her back.
'Where is my baby?! Where is Peyton?!'
'She'll go to a good demonic family, that knows how to deal with all of her 'special gifts'. ' Lilah almost purred.
'Cole....how could you?' Drusilla whispered, heartbroken. Cole looked away, his human half unable to stand the hurt in her big eyes. But he sucked it up!
'Actually, it was quite easy. You see, I am the new CEO of Wolfram & Hart.'
Angel snorted! But then he Wesley exchanged glances. Paige shook her head at Cole.
'You evil sonofabitch!'
'Yadda, yadda, yadda, Paige! I know! You always says that! Now, I want you all gone from this office, and building, in 5 minutes!' Cole sneered.
'I'm not leaving without my baby!' Drusilla yelled. Cole looked at Lilah who nodded. Angel looked at Lilah as well.
'You can't be serious? I thought Wolfram & Hart just had to have me here! I thought they thought it would be wiser to have me working here, so that they could keep an eye on me? C'mon, Lilah, you're not going to fall for this piece of....'
'ABRAGO!' Cole screamed, waving his hand over Angel's office! The special covering that allowed Angel to look out and see the sun, without burning to a crisp, disappeared, and Angel suddenly screamed in pain, as his clothes began to smoke! Drusilla held onto him and orbed off.
Wesley ducked, as a sword came flying his way and imbedded itself in the wall behind him! Paige gave Cole a dirty look, before grabbing him and orbing off as well!
Cole waved his hand again, and a DarkLighter appeared! Leo managed to orb off, just as an arrow passed through him! Lilah smiled.
'Poor Angel. I didn't get a chance to tell him that his job performance was below satisfactory.' she said. She then turned and walked out of the office. Cole grinned, then walked over to Angel's chair and sat in it. He folded his hands behind his head and spun around in the chair.
The next day, baby Peyton was set up in a crib with the same protective shield that Wyatt had. Drusilla felt relatively satisfied with the device. Spike was not.
Drusilla stood over her daughter's crib and smiled down at her. She had recovered from childbirth in no time flat. Piper and her were taking Peyton to see Wyatt's doctor today.
Spike came up behind Drusilla and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed the side of her neck.
'How is my little nidbit?' he asked, looking down at a sleeping Peyton as well.
Drusilla slowly pulled out of his arms and turned to face him.
'We need to talk, Spike.'
'Yes we do. I want the baby and yourself to come home with me.'
Drusilla's expression was unreadable. Spike could feel the conversation falling apart already.
'Dru, look, I know we had problems before you had the baby....'
'You were mad that I was having Cole's baby as well. Well his baby is gone.' she said, turning away from him.
There was a part of him that wanted to feel the same sorrow that Dru felt, over the death of the other child, the one she had named 'Posey'. It was unnerving to watch the child burn up before their very eyes.
But, the child would've been Belthazor's. And that would've kept that bint in their lives forever!
'Dru, we haven't even seen Belthazor. He killed his own child and is gone off somewhere else.' he said gently.
Drusilla turned back to him.
'Or he could be off hurting somewhere.' she said quietly.
'What are you saying? That you want to be off comforting that sorry ponce! He KILLED the child, Dru! You said it yourself! And he killed it thinking he was killing my little nidbit down there!' he yelled, pointing at Peyton.
Drusilla rubbed her temples. Of course Spike was right. Cole had done this. If Cole was suffering alone, he deserved to be.
Spike reached for her hands and pulled them down from her temples.
'You know I'm right, Dru. Now, can we get back to the topic at hand. You can't stay here with your sister witches indefinitely.'
'Why not? Peyton is a Haliwell. Piper thinks that....'
'Piper thinks! Piper acts as if she's the only one that's ever had a baby, for God's sakes!'
Drusilla sighed.
'Why are you being so disagreeable? I think it would be safer if Peyton and I stayed here. Although, Angel offered to take us in as well.'
'Oh that just bloody perfect! So he's stuck his unwanted, two cents in again!'
'Spike, what is the matter with you?! Angel was only trying to help! Piper is only trying to help! You are so touchy! Why don't you just tell me whatever it is you're hiding from me!'
Spike stared at her.
'You still have those enpath powers and the like?'
Drusilla shook her head.
'No. All those additional powers are gone. I think the baby may have them though. Spike...'
'Alright! Alright! Angel was going to tattle anyway, I'm sure.'
'Tattle about what?'
Spike took her hands in his, then squeezed them.
'When you were lying here, asleep like that, I got scared.'
Drusilla tilted her head and smiled gently at him.
'I'm sure you did.'
'Really scared, Dru. I figured I lost you and our baby for good. I went out on a bender...I drank for days on end....then....then....I went to Paris to see Buffy.'
There! There he had said it! He had said it before Angel, or any other nosy ass, could tell on him!
But Drusilla didn't really look angry. Spike couldn't really tell what this expression was that he was faced with now.
'Okay. Well, at least you told me.'
There was a silence. Spike peered at her.
'Is that it? That's all you're going to say?'
'What do you want me to say? That it's telling, that during a crisis, you went running to the Slayer?'
'Oh, here we go again! Alright, luv, out with it! Get it all off of your chest!'
Drusilla shrugged.
''I'm not going to say anything more, Spike. But Peyton and I are staying here for the time being. You're welcome to come and visit.' she said simply, and moved around him to leave the room.
Spike sighed heavily. Bloody hell! If he had not confessed about Buffy, Dru might've agreed to move in with him just now! But she was already freezing him out, like she always did when she was mad!
Spike stood there, staring after her for a bit. He then turned towards his daughter's crib. He didn't want to have to fight for a place in his child's life. He didn't want to argue with Dru about when he could see her. He loved his daughter and his daughter's mother. Somehow, he had to get Dru to see that the two of them could work. That it was important that they work, as a family.
Spike began to walk over to Peyton's crib, when suddenly the shield went up around it! Spike frowned, then began looking around! It didn't usually go up when he came near his own daughter! There was danger about, he just couldn't see where!
It appeared in the form of Belthazor, as he shimmered in, wearing a designer suit. Spike was outraged!
'What the bloody hell are you doing here?!'
'I'm here to take my child out of here, vampire.'
Spike's eyes grew huge!
'Have you gone completely daft?! You've killed YOUR child! Peyton is my daughter! Mine and Dru's!'
'Not anymore.' Cole said briskly, just as Drusilla, Piper and Leo came running in! Leo put a hand on Dru's shoulder.
'He won't get around the shield,' Leo said. 'Don't worry!'
But Cole ignored everyone, including an uneasy looking Spike. He noted that Belthazor didn't appear to be worried about a bloody shield, as he moved towards Peyton.
'Abrago!' Cole said softly, waving his hand. The shield disappeared and Spike's vamp face emerged, as he leaped onto Cole and bit him in the neck!
Cole screamed and shoved Spike so hard, that he went flying back into a wall! Peyton began to stir, then cry. Drusilla hurried towards the crib, but a bleeding Cole, stepped in front of it and picked up the now squalling child.
'Cole, please! I'm sorry about Posey! I am! But what's done is done! Don't take my baby!'
Piper's hands were poised to blow Cole up. Leo shook his head.
'If you blow him up, then Dru is going to have to hurry and catch the baby before she drops. I don't think we can take a chance like that!'
Spike, who had recovered, hurried to Dru's side.
'Give us back our daughter!' he snapped.
But Cole ignored Spike, and looked down into the small face of Peyton. This should be Posey he was holding now. HIS daughter! And if he had no child, then Spike and Dru wouldn't have one either!
Cole looked at Dru.
'I'm sure she will be looked after well, Dru. I'm sorry.' he said, as he shimmered off with Peyton.
'NO!' Drusilla screamed, sinking down to the floor. Piper looked at Leo.
'We have to find him! We have to find him now!'
Spike sank down on the floor with Dru and put his arms around her.
'It's alright, luv. We'll get her back. We'll get her back, you'll see.' he whispered into her hair, as she continued to sob. Piper's heart went out to her. The few times Wyatt had been nabbed, had been like a piece of her heart had been ripped out. And Drusilla had already watched one child burn to a crisp at birth. They had to get Peyton back!
'I'll call Angel.' Leo said. Spike turned towards them.
'No! I will handle this! I'll get my daughter back!'
Dru stopped crying and moved away from Spike. She stood up and walked over to Leo.
'I want to find Angel. I'm orbing off to Wolfram & Hart. He'll make this right, I know he will!'
Drusilla suddenly orbed away. Piper looked at a stricken Spike. Leo noticed how shocked Spike seemed, but didn't have the time to comment on it, one way or the other. He orbed off after Drusilla.
'Spike, Dru is just distraught....'
'No need to make me feel better, luv. Dru meant what she said. She trusts Angel more than she trusts me. And why shouldn't she? I couldn't even keep a bloody demon from stealing our little girl.'
'Spike...'
But Spike shoved past Piper and began walking out of the nursery.
'Where are you going? Spike, Dru and you need one another now! You can't go running off like you did before!'
Spike turned back to Piper.
'I'm not running! I'm going to use MY contacts to find out why Belthazor really wants my baby so badly! This is about something more than revenge with him! I'm not leaving my daughter's future in Angel's hands!' he snapped, before leaving the room. Piper looked over at the empty crib.
Phoebe had confided in her about how worried she was, about Angel getting sucked back into Drusilla's life. It had been her hope that Spike and Dru could work things out. But with Dru orbing off to see Angel, it didn't look like her little sister was going to get her wish.
Paige walked down the hallways of Wolfram & Hart. She peered around, trying to avoid Harmony.
It didn't work. As she passed by the WOMEN'S bathroom, Harmony whipped open the door and bounded out! The handryer could be heard.
'Hey, Paige!'
'Hey, Harmony!' Paige said between gritted teeth. She was afraid to ask how she was, since all Paige had heard about since she met her, was how upset she was that Angelus had dumped her.
'You know, you sister is in the building, Paige. I don't understand what Angel sees in her. What does she have that I don't? I mean the fact that Angel won't date his own, is a real disgrace!'
Paige took a deep breath.
'Harmony, you know that Angel was not himself when the two of you had your fling. He has his soul back now. He's not the same man. The man that he is now, is in love with Phoebe.'
'Who's side are you on anyway?' Harmony asked, her voice sounding high pitched.
Paige walked up to her.
'Harmony, this isn't about 'sides'. You're a beautiful girl, really. You could find someone else. You deserve to meet a nice man.'
Harmony softened.
'You really think so? Listen, maybe we could go clubbing or something tonight.'
'Uh, I don't 'club' anymore. At least not after I met Wes.'
Harmony nodded.
'Yeah, I understand. I mean Wesley is boring. He can suck the life out of you like a vampire. Well, I'll see you at lunch, okay?' she said cheerily, walking off. Paige blinked. She suspected that even when Harmony had a soul, she was just as insensitive.
Paige sighed and continued walking down the hall. She then stopped and stared straight ahead.
Cole had shimmered into the hallway, holding a baby! Was that Peyton?!
He looked around and Paige scurried into a Janitor's closet, opening it just a crack, then watched, as Cole got on an elevator by himself and went to the seventh floor. Paige then orbed there herself.
Cole handed Lilah baby Peyton. Lilah did not hold her hands out to take the baby.
'Belthazor...what the hell is this?'
'What does it look like? This is my daughter....'
Lilah looked him up and down with complete disgust!
'Where did you get this kid from? Everyone knows that your baby died at birth, so cut the crap! I ought to behead you right here and now!'
'Ah, but Lilah dear, before you get all excited over nothing, I have come to tell you that the fourth Charmed One gave birth to twins.'
Lilah raised a brow.
'Twins?'
'Yes....though I am not the father of this one.'
Lilah burst out laughing!
'Drusilla got pregnant by two different men? Nice! Someone needs to teach that girl about birth control!'
'Yes, well that's beside the point now, isn't it? Just know that this baby has Haliwell blood in her as well. Now, I want what I came for. Which is control of Wolfram & Hart.'
Lilah smiled, then hit her intercom.
'Lucas? Could you come up here please? Thanks.'
Cole frowned.
'Who is that?'
'It's someone from our lab. We're going to run a 3 minute DNA test on the child here. And if she doesn't display any properties of having Haliwell blood in her, those bounty hunters the Source sent after you, will look like over eager boy scouts, when this firm is through with you.'
Cole didn't even flinch, or look at the DNA lab expert, when he entered the office and opened a bag full of equipment. Paige, who had been watching behind a brick pillar, orbed off to Angel's office.
'So, let me cook you dinner tonight.' Angel said to Phoebe on the phone. He could hear her typing away on her computer at the newspaper. He was glad that she hadn't quit her job. He always looked forward to her 'Ask Phoebe' article.
'You're going to cook me dinner?' Phoebe repeated, while using her spell check.
'Yes....I mean as you know, I'm not a big eater, but believe me, I can make a mean....'
Suddenly, Wesley and Paige orbed into his office. Their faces looked panicked.
'Uh, Phoebe, I have to go. Wes and Paige....Dru...Leo?' he asked, when the latter two appeared as well.
Phoebe sensed real trouble!
'Angel, put me on the speaker phone!'
Angel did just that, then stood up.
'What's going on?'
'Angel,' Drusilla began to cry, 'Cole came and took Peyton!'
Leo nodded. 'It's true! He penetrated the shield, then shimmered off with her!'
Wesley stepped forward.
'Cole has Peyton with Lilah. Paige said it looked as if he was offering her up as some sort of sacrifice.'
'Sacrifice?!' Drusilla cried out. 'Sacrifice for what?!'
'Oh, honey!' Paige cried out and walked over to put her arms around Drusilla.
'We'll get Peyton back, Dru, I swear! Phoebe, about dinner....' Angel began.
'No! No, it's fine. Piper is calling on the other line, so we'll see what we can do from here. Leo?'
'Yeah Phoebe?'
'If you need me at all to deal with Cole, please, please let me know. I think I can still get through to him.'
'We will, thanks.' Leo said. Angel walked over to the intercom.
'I'll have Dru bring you back here later. We'll celebrate getting Peyton back.'
Phoebe smiled on her end.
'I love you.' she said.
'I love you.' Angel answered back. Drusilla found herself rolling her eyes! If Phoebe were any good at dissuading Cole with anything, then they wouldn't be in this position now!
Angel looked up.
'Okay, now we need to find out why Belthazor needs Peyton.'
'Actually, that's very simple.' Cole said.
Angel, Drusilla, Wesley, Paige and Leo, turned as Cole and Lilah walked in. Drusilla began to move towards him, but Angel held her back.
'Where is my baby?! Where is Peyton?!'
'She'll go to a good demonic family, that knows how to deal with all of her 'special gifts'. ' Lilah almost purred.
'Cole....how could you?' Drusilla whispered, heartbroken. Cole looked away, his human half unable to stand the hurt in her big eyes. But he sucked it up!
'Actually, it was quite easy. You see, I am the new CEO of Wolfram & Hart.'
Angel snorted! But then he Wesley exchanged glances. Paige shook her head at Cole.
'You evil sonofabitch!'
'Yadda, yadda, yadda, Paige! I know! You always says that! Now, I want you all gone from this office, and building, in 5 minutes!' Cole sneered.
'I'm not leaving without my baby!' Drusilla yelled. Cole looked at Lilah who nodded. Angel looked at Lilah as well.
'You can't be serious? I thought Wolfram & Hart just had to have me here! I thought they thought it would be wiser to have me working here, so that they could keep an eye on me? C'mon, Lilah, you're not going to fall for this piece of....'
'ABRAGO!' Cole screamed, waving his hand over Angel's office! The special covering that allowed Angel to look out and see the sun, without burning to a crisp, disappeared, and Angel suddenly screamed in pain, as his clothes began to smoke! Drusilla held onto him and orbed off.
Wesley ducked, as a sword came flying his way and imbedded itself in the wall behind him! Paige gave Cole a dirty look, before grabbing him and orbing off as well!
Cole waved his hand again, and a DarkLighter appeared! Leo managed to orb off, just as an arrow passed through him! Lilah smiled.
'Poor Angel. I didn't get a chance to tell him that his job performance was below satisfactory.' she said. She then turned and walked out of the office. Cole grinned, then walked over to Angel's chair and sat in it. He folded his hands behind his head and spun around in the chair.