Chapter 7: Finding Lost Loved Ones
Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone from the Angel series. I only own my original characters.
She pulled the sweater tighter around her when a strong gust of wind hit her squarely, almost knocking the wind right out of her lungs. It was so cold that her teeth were chattering. Los Angeles is supposed to be the city of sun and heat. The only explanation for this sudden burst of chill through the air had to be mystical. The fall and destruction of Wolfram & Hart seemed to have caused ripples across the city and apparently was even affecting the weather. Somehow she had made it out alive, even though she didn't feel like she had anything to live for anymore. Her only love was gone now. He struck a deal with a vampire and paid for it with his life. Working at Wolfram & Hart as the liaison between Angel and the senior partners had been an eye opening experience for her. She had realized early on that she could be surrounded by hundreds of people in that building but still be alone. Now that Lindsey was gone, Eve truly felt alone.
Lindsey walked quickly down the street, looking over his shoulder every minute, jumping at every sound. He heard various sirens up ahead and he walked even faster, eager to finally see what had become of the Wolfram & Hart building. He froze when he caught sight of the destruction before him. So this was what Lilah had faced when the Beast had demolished the firm a year ago. He was surprised to feel a sense of grief for the people he knew that died in that building tonight. He only hoped that Eve was not one of them.
He jogged over to one of the many policemen covering the scene, ignoring the yellow tape that was strung up everywhere. "Sir, did you find any survivors," he asked hopefully. The officer stared at him, his eyes widening at the sight of the bedraggled man in front of him. Lindsey rolled his eyes in frustration. He knew he looked a mess, what with the blood stained and ripped shirt but that was the least of his concerns. "Sir please…my girlfriend…she worked here," he tried again.
The officer stared at him a moment longer before speaking. "We haven't found anyone yet sir…dead or alive," he explained patiently. "We haven't starting going through the rubble yet. We're still not even sure how this entire building came down like this, but we're guessing it was some sort of explosion."
Lindsey nodded like he actually believed that reason. "So when do you think you'll be able to find out about…you know…possible survivors," he asked carefully, swallowing hard.
The officer shrugged. "Could be awhile," he answered. He looked at Lindsey carefully again. "Maybe it would be better if you get some sleep sir. Then you can check in with me tomorrow. Here's my card. If you know anything about what could have happened here, I would appreciate any info you could give me."
Lindsey accepted the card, shoving it into his pocket. "Yeah sure," he replied shortly, wondering why the guy suspected he knew anything about what went down here tonight. Could be the suspicious blood stains on his shirt but that was only a guess. "I'll call first thing." That was the last thing he said before walking away from the scene. His eyes began watering but he pushed the tears back. He would wait until he knew something definitive first. No use in crying when he didn't know if she was…he couldn't even think it. He continued walking aimlessly down the street, his hands deep in the pockets of his Armani trousers, trying his best not to think about the possibility of life without her when something made him glance upwards. Maybe it was a sixth sense. He didn't know. All he knew was that there was a woman walking ahead of him shivering with cold, her arms wrapped around herself. He knew that woman anywhere. It was Eve.
"Yes Giles for like the 50th time, I'm alright," Buffy said in an exasperated voice. "It went better than I expected. I still can't believe we all made it out alive." A strange noise came out of Willow's mouth and Buffy's eyes flew towards her friend who was currently pacing her hotel room. "Well almost all of us made it out okay, except this one girl, Faith's friend. She got hurt pretty badly." Buffy explained the basics to Giles, waiting patiently while he rummaged around, apparently looking for one of his many books. "Willow…yeah she's right here." She beckoned her friend and Willow scurried over to the bed, dropping down on the mattress heavily.
Buffy scooted backwards to rest her back against the headboard of the bed and closed her eyes. She concentrated hard to block out Willow's voice. It wasn't that she didn't care about Milani's condition, because she did. The girl had risked so much to not only save one of her best friends, but also the world. Still, she just didn't want to think about any of that right now. It had been a long and painful night, both physically and emotionally. The last one was what disturbed her the most. Physical pain she could always handle better. She was the slayer after all…well now one of the slayers. Physical pain was something a slayer dealt with everyday, but when the emotional stuff enters into the picture, that's when everything gets complicated.
She had just fought one of the hardest battles of her life and walked away with only a couple bruises, but seeing both Spike and Angel had been quite a jolt. Her heart clenched painfully at the memory of first laying eyes on Spike in that alley. She still couldn't believe he was alive. And he hadn't called her. Why? All that time he had spent worshipping her, telling her over and over that he loved her, now seemed like it was all a dream. If he had truly loved her then he wouldn't have done that. The moment he had come back to life he would have done everything in his power to see her again. But he hadn't. He had chosen to stay in L.A. with Angel, someone he supposedly hated with a passion, instead of coming to her. She squeezed her eyes tighter and wrapped her arms around her knees. A hand touched her arm gently and she jumped.
"Sorry…didn't mean to startle you," Willow said softly. "You okay? You look like you were a million miles away just now."
Buffy sighed and forced a tiny smile. "Yeah I'm fine…just a little…shaken," she replied weakly.
Willow nodded in understanding. "Spike," was all she said.
"Yeah…Spike," Buffy repeated in a whisper. She visibly attempted to pull herself together. "So what did Giles say? Did you guys find a way to return Milani's power?"
Willow nodded emphatically. "Yeah…thankfully I thought to bring some magical herbs and stuff with me. I'm going to get Kennedy to help me with it. I'll be pretty wiped out after, but it will be worth it." She bit her lip painfully, the image of Milani's unconscious form appearing in her mind.
"Hey…don't get all broody on me," Buffy ordered playfully. "You didn't mean to hurt her. Milani will understand when she comes to. You'll see."
"I hope you're right," Willow replied glumly. "Anyway, I'm gonna head over to my room now and get to work on that spell. I'll see you in the morning okay." She leaned over and gave Buffy a quick hug before sliding off the bed. She was almost to the door when she looked back over her shoulder. "He really does love you Buffy and I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt you."
Buffy inhaled sharply and closed her eyes. "Yeah that's what they all say and frankly I'm getting tired of hearing that same old tune," she said darkly.
Willow thought of saying something more but then thought better of it. "Goodnight," she whispered. And then she was on the other side of the door. She leaned on the door for a moment and closed her eyes. Then she heard it…the audible sounds of sobs coming from the room she was just in. She should go back in and hold her friend tight while she cried her heart out, but she decided against it. She knew when Buffy got like this that all she really wanted was some alone time, plus she had some powerful mojo to work first. She had to return some of the power coursing through her veins to its rightful owner.
Faith jerked the van to a stop in front of the old hotel. She glanced over at Angel in the passenger seat. His eyes flew open, almost as if he knew he was being watched. "We're here," she announced, pulling the key out of the ignition. He nodded and opened his door, getting out carefully, wincing at the pain in his ribs. He slid open the back door and held his arms out for Connor to place Milani in his arms. He shifted her into a little more comfortable position and moved back so that the others could pile out of the vehicle.
Faith slammed the door shut behind her as she exited the van, taking in a deep breath. She hurried around the side, following the others up the sidewalk to the front door of the Hyperion. No one spoke, but she knew they all felt like she did. Everyone was bone tired. The realization was sinking in that a hot shower and sleep was just moments away. Then she realized something. Angel and company hadn't been here in so long. Would they even have electricity or running water in this abandoned building? If there were a God in this world, then there would be.
Angel trudged up the walkway until he finally got to the front doors. He sighed heavily, wondering who the hell had the place boarded up like this. He didn't think even he had enough strength to punch through the wood. "Connor…a little help here," he called out. He stepped back several steps, not wanting to be in the way of any shards of wood flying. He watched silently as his son gave the wood a couple strong punches and it gave way, splintering under his son's strength. Then the doors were being opened and he followed his son inside. He tried to remember where the hell the light switch was. It had been so long since they had been there. He could here the shuffling of the others' feet behind him. Then the room was flooded with light. Gunn was the one who apparently had found the light switch.
He heard a whispered curse and he came up behind his son who was staring at something lying on the floor. He couldn't see it before because the circular couch in the lobby was blocking it from his view. But now he could see clearly and it was a sight that he had hoped to never see.
"Dad…is that…oh God," Connor whispered, forcing his lungs to take in deep breaths, fighting the hysteria that was rising, because there lying on the floor surrounded by some sort of blue energy was Wesley's dead body.
Note: I know it's been awhile, like two months I think. Please, please still review!