Chapter 13

On the Road Again--Take 2

"I can't believe it," Cordelia whispered, hugging her soaking wet coat close to her. The paramedics had arrived shortly after the guy in the long coat had called for help. Now the gang sat in one cramped hotel room in Blacksburg, Virginia about 30 miles away from Bristol. The hospital in Lewisburg paid for everyone in the bus to stay at some hotel. It was an upgrade from last nights bunking. At around seven the next morning another bus would pick them up and take them the remaining way to Bristol. Word had just got to the hotel that the driver of the bus had just died from his injuries.

"He didn't deserve to die," Fred whispered softly, wiping away some tears that had escaped from her eyes.

"This is just a freak thing that happened. Things like this happen every day and we need to move on," Angel said.

"How can you be so dismissive?" Cordelia asked sounding a little upset.

"It's okay Cordy. We'll just have to move on," Xander said.

"But a man lost his life tonight," Fred replied quietly.

"I think some sleep will help us clear our heads. We'll be back on the road tomorrow," Wesley said. He took Fred's hand and helped her up on one of the beds in the room. Angel and Xander lay out on the floor with Copper while Spike crawled into the bed next to Fred's with Cordelia. Wesley hesitated a bit, not knowing if he should join Xander and Angel on the floor or climb up next to Fred.

"For crying out loud Wes!" Fred gripped his shirt and pulled him into bed. Cordelia's head flooded with images of the driver of the bus, making her shake. Spike ran his hand up and down her back trying to calm her down.

"It'll be okay Cordy," he whispered. As he whispered these words to her, Cordelia couldn't help but think if he was right.

"So do you believe me now?" Fred asked. It was about 3:00 the next afternoon and Faith and Willow had just called to tell Angel that they would be joining them sooner then expected. They had caught the new bus on the way to Bristol. They would get there shortly before 5:00.

"Believe you about what?" Angel asked irritably. He wasn't too thrilled to be having Faith come along on this journey with him. The two had a tendency to butt heads.

"That odd occurrences are linked to the paranormal. Why else would your sisters be in dire need to accompany us on our cross-country journey?" Fred asked.

"It has nothing to do with that Fred," Angel said then paused. "Willow's ex-boyfriend put her in the hospital last night."

"How did he get to her?" Xander asked. "How did he even know where she was staying?"

"Oh, he has his ways. Threw her into a bookcase. Faith knocked him out and claimed to the cops that it was self defense. She's doing okay," Angel said, sipping from his bottle of water.

"Well I think that's mighty awful Angel. What's Willow like?" Fred asked. She was busy at work braiding Cordelia's hair. She didn't have a whole heck of a lot to braid so she kept undoing it and re-braiding. Cordelia was hesitant at first but Fred was real gentle about it.

"Well let's see. Willow, in comparison to Faith, is the sweet one. She was always the nurturer when we were growing up. Baking cookies, girly stuff like that. Faith was the tom boy. Always wanting to tag along with me to football and basketball practice. She loved when practice was over because then she could take some guys around back and beat them up if they had even just looked at her or me the wrong way. She was a major pain in the butt, but in the long run I think I was closer to her then I was to Willow. Willow was always kind of distant when we were younger. But in this day in age, Faith has kind of faded away, I guess you would put it, and Willow's latched on to me."

"Gee Angel. I never knew any of that," Fred said.

"So when are they meeting up with us?" Wesley asked.

"Knoxville. We should see them in about 2 days or so as opposed to a week or so," Angel said.

"Hey Knoxville. That's just outside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park!" Fred exclaimed excitedly.

"Copper would love to go camping," Cordelia said petting his head.

"Me too," Wesley said.

"You think we'll get along with your sisters?" Fred asked. Angel smiled.

"Definitely with Willow. But with Faith there are no guarantees."

Hey everyone. Thanks to all my great reviewers! I hope everyone had a safe 4th of July.

Dru619