Chapter 18: than there was one.
Title: A new beginning.
Author: Nikka
Author notes: Hi everyone, If you need to know about summary, rate and all the rest it's all in chapter 1 I'll just remind you that **English is not my native tongue** I want to thank Kelly for all the great works she's done, and to welcome aboard Nisus who from now on will be reproofing my fic. As it is you may still find some spelling & grammar mistakes. You're more than welcome to let me know about them but remember you may find them while you read the story. Have fun.
A special thank you to Nisus for reproofing my story. As of that the upload of the chapters may take longer. And to Kelly get well soon.
Feedback: I love love love reviews and I'll be sure to mention it at the end of every chapter.
***
"I think this is the place." Willow looked at the apartment building trying to recall if that was the correct address.
"Which apartment?" Gunn asked, as he turned the engine off.
"Just look for Summers on the mail box." Willow replied.
"I'll be right back." Gunn got out of the van and headed to the building. They all remind din the car waiting nervously, afraid for their friends' lives, afraid for their own. They knew the fight was far from over; oh no it was just the beginning. A few minutes later Gunn came out of the building followed by Dawn and Giles, who both looked agitated. Gunn sat in the driver seat as Dawn and Giles went into the back with the rest.
"Hi." Willow greeted them.
"Gunn didn't tell us much; he just said we need to go now." Gilles explained.
"Uh, then I guess I'll fill you in on the way." Willow said as Gunn turned the engine on and drove away.
"Way to where?" Dawn asked confused.
"To find Buffy and then to the hospital." Fred replied.
"Hospital?" Giles asked in a confused and anxious tone.
"I'll tell you everything." Willow sighed as she began to explain everything.
***
Buffy ran down an alley. She kept looking back. No one followed her, but she knew it was still out there lurking in the dark, waiting for his moment. She fought a lot of demons and vampires in her short existence, and yet, she rarely felt as hunted as she did right now. He wasn't your ordinary slice & dice kind of demon; he didn't worship anyone, or care about anything but doing his job. He was a hunter, a skilled hunter. Every time she thought she had lost him, he showed up again, always a step behind her as if he was trying to wear her out. He didn't seem to get tired from the chase, on the contrary, he loved it, or so it seemed. She stopped running, gasping, trying to catch her breath. She leaned down placing her hands on her thighs, supporting the weight of her body, breathing heavily. She stood up and looked around. She was alone, really alone. The place was deserted. No homeless people lying on the ground, no strayed cats searching for food. A single street lamp, on her left side, shone upon the street. **Could it be?** she thought to herself. **Did I really lose him?** Suddenly she heard a sound from behind her, it was faint, and on a regular petrol she'd probably wouldn't have noticed it. But now all her senses were on hyper drive. She listened to everything and anything. Right now, staying a step ahead was her only chance. She started running again, knowing it was it. She thought about going into a crowded place and maybe lose him in the crowd, but she wasn't sure what he'd do to all the people. She believed it'd stop at nothing. And that was a risk she wasn't willing to take. She knew she couldn't go back to find the others, cause she'll lead the Sheryon straight to them. She was on her own; no one was coming to her rescue.
***
"If you need anything else just buzz the buzzer." The nurse said with a kind smile.
"Thank you, you've been so kind." Cordy smiled. "Really all I needed was a place to rest for a bit."
"Luckily we have an empty bed." The nurse turned to walk away.
"Nurse?" Cordy called out to her and the nurse turned.
"Any news about my friend?" It'd been awhile since they'd heard anything.
"He's still in with the doctors. As soon as they finish running some test, they'll come and talk to you." The nurse pulled the curtain. "Now try and get some rest. I'll wake when the doctor is finished."
She laid her head, closing her eyes softly. She felt so tired and heavy. She'd been pregnant before, bur then she was eight months pregnant over night. ** It's easier** she thought, **than going from 3 months to five then to eight in only a few days.** The change had taken its toll, she needed the rest. She couldn't believe how nice the nurses were to her, she knew it was the huge belly that did the trick and not her charming smile. Lorne was outside keeping post, for what he wasn't really sure. He was mainly waiting anxiously for the others to arrive. She let her body sink into a deep sleep. She kept rubbing her belly; she found it soothing. Thoughts turned into to dreams and soon enough she was fast asleep. She didn't hear the door opening, didn't notice the shadow walking towards her. Didn't hear him shift the curtain, didn't hear his big footsteps as he walked towards her bed. Suddenly her sweet dream was disturbed. An image flashed before her eyes, it was an image of her lying in the hospital bed. Then she saw it, the demon she fought so hard to get away from, he walked towards her and then... the image was cut off. She opened her eyes in panic ready to scream, but it was too late. As she opened her eyes she saw it hovering over her, quickly placing one hand on her mouth preventing her from screaming, the other on her throat choking her. She tried fighting him, tried reaching for the buzzer, but it was useless. It was strong she couldn't fight him off.
***
Angel looked at the hourglass knowing he only had a few seconds left. "Can you stop time?" Angel yelled.
"Stop time? Why would I ever want to do that?" The voice giggled.
"Stop time! Give me a few more seconds to decide." Angel yelled as the two images were shown to him, of both women in danger.
"No more time, last 20 seconds, is all you get." The voice replied.
"Please that's not enough time...." Angel begged.
"Now where did I hear that line before?" The voice smiled.
"Ten seconds Angel boy, name a name and she's yours to save."
"If I do that I'll be damning one to death." Angel cried out.
"In five seconds you'll be damming both." The voice replied. "Choose." The voice yelled out. "This is no test of bravery. Choose one or both including you perish."
Angel stared at the hourglass, then looking at both images. He looked at both and softly whispered: "I'm sorry."
"Angel time is u..."
"Cordelia!" Angel cried out. "I chose Cordelia!"
"As you wish." The voice replied and just as the last grain of sand went through a bright light filled the room and Angel was gone.
***
She couldn't breath. She tried fighting him off but he was too strong. She began to feel her body weakening; her arms slowly fell to the side of her body, her eyes slowly shutting. She knew it was it, she could feel the air, life, slipping away. When suddenly she heard a noise in the distance and the next thing she knew the demon was thrown backwards and onto the floor. She gasped, quickly sitting up coughing heavily, trying to breath normally. She looked up and was surprised and happy to see Angel in the room, fighting the demon.
***
Angel covered his eyes, the light was blinding. When he opened them he found himself in the hospital room just as the demon was suffocating Cordy. Without a moment hesitation he leaped forward, grabbing the demon from behind, and throwing him across the room onto the floor. He felt this energy burst going through him, he felt stronger than usual. **I guess when they said I can save her, they really meant it.** Angel thought to himself, knowing the Powers were responsible for his new and probably temporary super-super strength. He turned to face the demon that was still lying on the floor. He leaned down and grabbed him by the throat with one hand while the other pounded it. The demon tried to fight back, but Angel was too strong. Angel kept pounding at him till finally after the demon was obviously out, Angel leaned down and broke his neck. **Just to make sure.** he thought to himself. He turned around to see a confused, shocked and hurt Cordy sitting on the bed, staring at him. Her neck was covered with now purple bruises. "Are you okay?" He quickly went to her side, checking her throat closely. He softly placed his hands on her throat making sure she was alrihgt. She flinched. "What?" he asked in panic. "Did I hurt you?"
"No you didn't." She smiled a tiny smile, enough for Angel to know she was safe.
He leaned down and put his arms around her taking her into his embrace. She fell onto him, letting her body rest in his embrace, wanting to feel safe and happy, even if it was just for a moment, a tiny moment.
***
"Angel?" she asked, her head still resting on his chest. "How did you know where to find me? Did you run into the others? Are they okay?"
Angel broke the embrace and took a step back, not sure how to explain what happened to him. "Listen, I don't think we have much time, till the next demon comes after you. This place is not safe for you, we have to go." He took her hand and helped her to her feet.
"I can't." she said. "Xander is hospitalized here, we don't know how serious his condition is." She looked worried. "Besides, we said we'd meet here, how will the others know where to find us... unless, when you met them, you decided on a new...?"
"Cordy I didn't meet the others." Angel cut her off. "I came straight from where Spike and I were." Angel explained.
"Then how did you know to come here?" Cordelia was confused.
"There's really no time for this. I promise I'll explain everything later, but right now we need to..."
"No. Not later." She cut him off. "I want answers and I want them now."
"Buffy?" Angel said remembering she's out there somewhere facing the Sheryon alone.
"What about her?" Cordy asked.
"I need to find her, right now." Angel got up and took Cordy's hand, "we need to go now."
"Angel! Didn't you hear a word I said I can't leave Xander..."
"Cordelia!" He cut her off. "People's lives are at risk here, not just yours, we need to go!" The way he said made Cordy worry. She stared at him. "What?" He asked after noticing the stare.
"What aren't you telling me, about Buffy?" Cordy connected the dots. "How do you know other people's lives are at risk, you haven't seen anyone else?"
"Cordy I wish I had time to explain, but I don't." Angel said. "You'll just have to trust I know what I'm doing. Lorne can stay here and wait for the others but we need to go, okay?" He reached out his hand hoping she'll take it, he didn't want to face the possibility of leaving here alone defenseless, while he finds Buffy, which was what he wanted most right now.
Cordy took his hand. "Okay."
***
"There has to be a better way." Dawn said as she gazed out the window. They haven't been driving around that long, but to her it seemed like it was forever and some. She had a bad feeling, one she didn't have in along while. Although technically she knew she wasn't Buffy's sister, although deep down she always felt out of sync with the world around her, and for a good reason too. Despite it all she and Buffy shared a special bond, a strong bond. And right now her instincts were telling her she was heading for a fall.
"Don't worry Dawnie." Willow tried assuring her. "Buffy's been in worse cases, she fought stronger demons."
"I have a bad feeling on this one Will, a really bad feeling." She replied in a trembling voice.
***
He wasn't planning on going out for the night, but for some reason he felt restless. He walked among people. People busing buying presents and shoes, people drinking coffee and having fun. He walked among them and seemed detached. He walked around looking for something, what he didn't know. His eyes weren't looking for a pair of new jeans, or a double latt?, oh no, they were after something far more dangerous, far more important. As he crossed the road his attention was diverted to a small street that lead into a sided alley, an alley no one seemed to notice, no one except him. He walked down the street towards the sided alley. As he reached the crossroad contacting the street to the alley, his nose detected a familiar scent, one he smelt not long ago. It took him a few more seconds before he realized what was going on in that deadened alley.
He quickly ran, and as he came closer he could hear the sounds of a fight in motion. From the distance he saw a demon, one he's seen before. He saw it hitting someone, throwing him around as if he was a tennis ball. Connor walked towards him with caution, trying not to make a sound, but it was useless, the Sheryon smelled him coming a mile away. It turned to face Connor. He couldn't see what happened to the person the Sheryon pummeled, but since he didn't hear any others sounds besides the Sheryon growling, and saw no movement other than the Sheryon, Connor figured, who ever it was, he wasn't doing so well. Connor was already in position to fight the Sheryon, when all of the sudden the Sheryon gave him one good stare before jumping onto the buildings fire escape stairs and up to the rooftop. Connor wanted to run after it, but then remembered there was still someone lying there underneath the garbage cans and boxes, someone who needed his help. He walked slowly towards the body lying on the ground, all he saw was the tip of his feet, as he moved closer he noticed they were boots with heals, this was definitely a woman. And then he connected the scent to the body, or so he thought. "Cordelia." He said in panic and rushed over towards the body, he cleared off the boxes and garbage cans to discover Buffy's unconscious body lying on the ground. On one end he said thank god it wasn't her, on the other end was Buffy a better choice? He put his arm underneath her neck brining her close to him so he could check if she was still breathing. She was, but she didn't look so good. Her face was covered with bruises, but what took him a few seconds to notice, was that the biggest injury wasn't from the blows, it was from the stab wound. He looked down to see a small knife inserted into her abdomen. "Oh no." He said to himself as he picked her up. He walked as quickly as he could, knowing she didn't have much time left. He reached the street, but as If people didn't see him, or didn't care, no one stooped, no one offered assistance. Connor didn't know which way to go. The hospital was too far to walk on by foot, and he had no money for a cab or even a payphone. A man on his left side talking on his cellular phone caught his attention. He quickly walked towards him, still carrying Buffy in his arms. "Sir, I need to use your phone, it's an emergenc..."
"Get lost pal." The man cut him off and turned his back to him.
"My friend she's hurt I need to call an ambul..."
"Look pal," the man turned to face him. "You and you drugged up friend can find another sucker to play this trick on. Now beat it." The man shoved Connor slightly and turned around again.
Connor leaned down and placed Buffy on the ground leaning her against he wall. Then he touched the man's shoulder to get his attention. "I told you to get..." Before the man was able to complete his sentence Connor already had him pinned to the wall behind him.
"Give it to me!" Connor ordered. "Now." The frightened man handed the phone and Connor quickly dialed 911, calling for an ambulance. When he was done he returned the phone to the rude man. "Than you." He said.
"Sure, weirdo." The man said as he ran off.
"Hang in there, they're coming, help is coming." He whispered to Buffy who now lay in his arms, bleeding to death.
***
"Maybe, she went to the hospital?" Fred suggested.
"How could she? She doesn't know about Xander." Willow reminded her.
"Uh right." Fred felt stupid for saying that.
"What if she reached Cordy?" Dawn said. "Maybe we should check with Cordy, and get an update on Xander's condition at the same time." Dawn smiled at her brilliant idea.
"Good thinking." Wesley said and took out his mobile phone. "It's ringing." He informed the eager group. "Cordy? Hi... no we still haven't found her... so she's not there..."
"What is it?" Dawn kept asking Wesley, but he was busy trying to understand Cordelia.
"Left? Why?" Wesley kept on the conversation. "Well we're not far from you why don't we meet somewhere in the middle... okay, see you soon." He hung up.
"Well? Where to?" Gunn, who was driving, asked.
"Apparently Angel showed up at the hospital, just in time to save Cordelia from a demon attacking her."
"What? Is she okay?" Fred asked. Wesley nodded and she sighed in relief.
"So now what? Is Buffy there with them?" Giles asked anxiously.
"No. They left Lorne with Xander and they went looking for her." Wesley explained. "I suggested we'll meet them somewhere along the way."
"Okay, so where would that be?" Gunn really need to know where he was driving.
"Near the hospital, so drive there." Wesley replied.
"Is Spike with him?" Willow asked.
"I don't know, she was really in a hurry." It was obvious to Willow that Wesley had more info than he was letting on, but she understood that due to Dawn's presence he avoided mentioning it, so she dropped the subject.
"Okay." She nodded her head and Wesley knew she understood.
***
The ambulance pulled right in front of them. Two medics jumped out carrying a case filled with medical equipment. "What happened?" One of the medics asked Connor.
"She was stabbed." Connor replied. As they took her away he noticed her blood on his shirt, there was so much blood. He couldn't stop staring at his shirt. "Hi." He shook his head slightly and looked up. "Are you riding with us?" Connor realized Buffy was already inside the ambulance.
"Yeah." He said and quickly got in.
As the Ambulance raced trough the streets he could hear the medics talking between themselves. He didn't understand all the medical terms, but he got the general idea, She was dying.
***
Cordy climbed inside the van followed by Angel. "So where did you see her last?" Angel asked Gunn and Wesley.
"We've already been there." Willow replied. "She's not there."
"I may be able to trace her scent, so why don't we start there." Angel said, as Gunn was already driving away.
"No wait!" Dawn said. "This is a waste of time."
"Honey, Angel knows what he's doing, just let..." An angry teenager cut off Cordy's comforting words.
"I am not a child, so stop treating me like one!" Dawn said with a firm stare. "I don't see the point of going back. She's not there!"
"You're right she's probably not." Cordy said, this time in a serious tone. "You say you're not a child, I agree you're not, so stop acting like one." Cordy's words caught Dawn off guard. Cordelia was nice to her, ever since she could remember. She always treated her differently, sweetly. "You may think I'm harsh on you, and I am. But that's cause we're in a harsh situation. And at time like this, there's no time to debate or argue, you just do what you think is best, what will get the job done. That's something I learned from your sister by the way." Willow smiled a tiny smile. "We may be wrong, but right now it's our best chance on finding your sister. So unless you have a better idea, I suggest you sit back and enjoy the ride." Cordy leaned back into her seat, her eyes set on the window. From the corner of the eye, she could see Dawn doing the same and turning away from her, from everyone. She knew she was mad at her, but she knew that in extreme situation you have to use extreme measures. And right now, this was as extreme as it could get.
***
"What have you got? The doctor yelled to the medics as they rushed the stretcher in. "A female, 22 years old, a stab wound to her left side, she lost a lot of blood..." Connor ran in after them, trying to catch up, but the nurse blocked him.
"Please Sir wait here."
"I'm with her." Connor said as he tried to go past the nurse.
"I know that, but you can't go in there. You have to let the doctors do their job. Okay?" Connor stopped fighting and looked at the nurse.
"Is she going to be okay?" His voice trembled.
"Why don't wait here till the doctor comes back" She showed him to the waiting area. "Are you a family member?"
"No I'm a..." Connor wasn't sure what he was to Buffy, or anyone else for that matter. **Does stranger qualifies as an answer?** He thought to himself.
"A friend then?" The nurse nodded slightly. She already came to her own conclusions. "Do you know a family member we can reach? Parents perhaps?"
"Yes." He mumbled, "but they're away."
"Okay. Just wait here." The nurse said as she turned and walked away.
He sat there not sure why he was feeling this way. He's seen blood before, he caused it a few times himself. He saw people dying before, including his father, or at least the man he thought of as his father. And yet despite it all, her blood, her injury, tapped a hidden emotion. It was the first time, someone he knew, someone he didn't disliked or liked for that matter put her fate in is hands, her life. When he held her and looked into her terrified eyes, hearing her moan in pain, feeling life slipping away. All those things confused him and unnerved him. Seeing her blood...
"Connor?" a familiar voice took him out of his reverie. He looked up to see Lorne. "It is you. I thought I recognize that broody stare." Lorne said with a smile. "What are you doing here? Did Angel send you here?"
"What...? No." Connor was still disorientated.
"Are you okay? You look really shaken up." Lorne sat beside him. "Why are you here?"
"I brought her in, she was bleeding so much." Connor mumbled.
"Boy, you're not making much sense here." Lorne was trying desperately to understand. "Who did you bring in?"
"Angel's friend. The slayer." Connor replied.
"Buffy? Was she injured?" Lorne started to understand. "What happened to her? Do the others know?" Connor just shook his head. "I better call Angel, there's no way he knew about it and still left the hospital." He got up and took his mobile phone out of his jacket.
"I'm sorry sir." The nurse pointed to the sign on the wall.
"No cellular phones." Lorne read the sign out loud. "Great." He sighed. "Connor, you stay here. It will only take a second." Loren said and he went outside.
***
"Here it is." Gunn parked on the street pointing to a crossroad between two streets.
"You stay here, I'll go take a sniff." Angel said as he climbed out of the van. As he was walking to the spot Gunn pointed at, his phone rang; he completely forgot he had it. "Yes." He said. "Lorne? Hi. Listen this is not a good time if you could just... What? When? Connor did...? Okay okay, stay there, we're on our way." Angel hung up and ran back to the van.
"That was fast, you didn't even reach the point..." Angel cut Cordy off.
"She's in the hospital. Connor brought her in." He said to everyone's surprise.
"What?" Willow said.
"Is she okay?" Dawn added.
"Where did Connor find her?" Cordy asked as well.
"Gunn." Angel turned to him. Drive to the hospital! ASAP." Angel ordered. "Questions later, first we need to get to her." Gunn turned the engine on and did a U-turn, heading back to the hospital.
***
Spike opened his eyes. The light was so blinding he had to shut them. He heard a car honk and looked to his left, as he saw an ambulance heading his way. He wanted to jump away but it was too late the ambulance hit him, sending him flying in the air, finally landing on the asphalt ground. Two fairly scared medics jumped out of the ambulance. "I didn't see him. He just popped out." One medic said to the other. They kneeled down beside Spike, who was still unconscious. "He doesn't have a pulse, oh my god we killed him." One of the medics said to the other in panic. "We killed him!" He kept saying hysterically, when suddenly they heard a moan.
"What the bloody hell was that?" Spike raised his head slightly and then after feeling dizzy leaned it back on the ground.
"Oh my god, you're alive," the medic, who was on the verge of tears, said in an ecstatic tone. "We better check for his vitals." One of the medics said.
Spike quickly realized they probably wouldn't understand the readings from their devices so he quickly sat up pushing them gently away. "That's okay fellows I'm alright." He got up.
"We can't be sure of that. You're not even supposed to be moving around, you may have caused yourself permanent damage." One of the medics said nervously. "You need to see a doctor.
"No can do. I have some where I have to be." Spike started walking away slowly, his head was still dizzy.
"No. You can't go of like this." The medics ran after him. "Look the hospital is just over the road, why don't you come with us, let a doctor check you and if he says you're fine, we'll leave you alone.
I really appreciate your concern, but really there's no need." Spike tried to stay calm and be polite.
"We're sorry, but it's out responsibility to make sure you're really okay. So why don't you just." The medics placed his arm on Spike shoulder and tried turning him around.
"Hi, bugger off, will you?" Spike lashed out at him. "How many bloody times to I have to tell you people I'm okay! Got it?" He yelled. "If I though I needed to go to the hospital I would go there mys..." All of a sudden Spike stopped yelling. Suddenly it hit him, that the powers dropped him off here for a reason. True their orientation stunk, but it couldn't be just coincidence he was dropped off literally across the street from the hospital. There must be something there, or someone. Maybe Cordelia's situation declined and they had to rush her over to the hospital. Maybe she already delivered. From what he learned form the powers it was more than just a theory, it was definitely a possibility. "You know what?" He looked at the shocked medics with a smile. "You're right. I should see a doctor." The medics weren't sure what to make of it, but took him into the ambulance before he had a chance to change his mind.
***
TBC
Hi ppl,
From the reviews I got, I'm thinking that must of you liked the choice, right? Well for those of you who didn't, all I can say is: Sorry there had to be a choice, for better or worse.
As of this ch, I hope you liked it and I know I ended it abruptly, and I'll do my best to update ASAP, but as of now I', pretty bust, so please be patient as always. And as usual drop me a line, or a couple and let me know what you thought of this ch.
Thanks Nikka.
Title: A new beginning.
Author: Nikka
Author notes: Hi everyone, If you need to know about summary, rate and all the rest it's all in chapter 1 I'll just remind you that **English is not my native tongue** I want to thank Kelly for all the great works she's done, and to welcome aboard Nisus who from now on will be reproofing my fic. As it is you may still find some spelling & grammar mistakes. You're more than welcome to let me know about them but remember you may find them while you read the story. Have fun.
A special thank you to Nisus for reproofing my story. As of that the upload of the chapters may take longer. And to Kelly get well soon.
Feedback: I love love love reviews and I'll be sure to mention it at the end of every chapter.
***
"I think this is the place." Willow looked at the apartment building trying to recall if that was the correct address.
"Which apartment?" Gunn asked, as he turned the engine off.
"Just look for Summers on the mail box." Willow replied.
"I'll be right back." Gunn got out of the van and headed to the building. They all remind din the car waiting nervously, afraid for their friends' lives, afraid for their own. They knew the fight was far from over; oh no it was just the beginning. A few minutes later Gunn came out of the building followed by Dawn and Giles, who both looked agitated. Gunn sat in the driver seat as Dawn and Giles went into the back with the rest.
"Hi." Willow greeted them.
"Gunn didn't tell us much; he just said we need to go now." Gilles explained.
"Uh, then I guess I'll fill you in on the way." Willow said as Gunn turned the engine on and drove away.
"Way to where?" Dawn asked confused.
"To find Buffy and then to the hospital." Fred replied.
"Hospital?" Giles asked in a confused and anxious tone.
"I'll tell you everything." Willow sighed as she began to explain everything.
***
Buffy ran down an alley. She kept looking back. No one followed her, but she knew it was still out there lurking in the dark, waiting for his moment. She fought a lot of demons and vampires in her short existence, and yet, she rarely felt as hunted as she did right now. He wasn't your ordinary slice & dice kind of demon; he didn't worship anyone, or care about anything but doing his job. He was a hunter, a skilled hunter. Every time she thought she had lost him, he showed up again, always a step behind her as if he was trying to wear her out. He didn't seem to get tired from the chase, on the contrary, he loved it, or so it seemed. She stopped running, gasping, trying to catch her breath. She leaned down placing her hands on her thighs, supporting the weight of her body, breathing heavily. She stood up and looked around. She was alone, really alone. The place was deserted. No homeless people lying on the ground, no strayed cats searching for food. A single street lamp, on her left side, shone upon the street. **Could it be?** she thought to herself. **Did I really lose him?** Suddenly she heard a sound from behind her, it was faint, and on a regular petrol she'd probably wouldn't have noticed it. But now all her senses were on hyper drive. She listened to everything and anything. Right now, staying a step ahead was her only chance. She started running again, knowing it was it. She thought about going into a crowded place and maybe lose him in the crowd, but she wasn't sure what he'd do to all the people. She believed it'd stop at nothing. And that was a risk she wasn't willing to take. She knew she couldn't go back to find the others, cause she'll lead the Sheryon straight to them. She was on her own; no one was coming to her rescue.
***
"If you need anything else just buzz the buzzer." The nurse said with a kind smile.
"Thank you, you've been so kind." Cordy smiled. "Really all I needed was a place to rest for a bit."
"Luckily we have an empty bed." The nurse turned to walk away.
"Nurse?" Cordy called out to her and the nurse turned.
"Any news about my friend?" It'd been awhile since they'd heard anything.
"He's still in with the doctors. As soon as they finish running some test, they'll come and talk to you." The nurse pulled the curtain. "Now try and get some rest. I'll wake when the doctor is finished."
She laid her head, closing her eyes softly. She felt so tired and heavy. She'd been pregnant before, bur then she was eight months pregnant over night. ** It's easier** she thought, **than going from 3 months to five then to eight in only a few days.** The change had taken its toll, she needed the rest. She couldn't believe how nice the nurses were to her, she knew it was the huge belly that did the trick and not her charming smile. Lorne was outside keeping post, for what he wasn't really sure. He was mainly waiting anxiously for the others to arrive. She let her body sink into a deep sleep. She kept rubbing her belly; she found it soothing. Thoughts turned into to dreams and soon enough she was fast asleep. She didn't hear the door opening, didn't notice the shadow walking towards her. Didn't hear him shift the curtain, didn't hear his big footsteps as he walked towards her bed. Suddenly her sweet dream was disturbed. An image flashed before her eyes, it was an image of her lying in the hospital bed. Then she saw it, the demon she fought so hard to get away from, he walked towards her and then... the image was cut off. She opened her eyes in panic ready to scream, but it was too late. As she opened her eyes she saw it hovering over her, quickly placing one hand on her mouth preventing her from screaming, the other on her throat choking her. She tried fighting him, tried reaching for the buzzer, but it was useless. It was strong she couldn't fight him off.
***
Angel looked at the hourglass knowing he only had a few seconds left. "Can you stop time?" Angel yelled.
"Stop time? Why would I ever want to do that?" The voice giggled.
"Stop time! Give me a few more seconds to decide." Angel yelled as the two images were shown to him, of both women in danger.
"No more time, last 20 seconds, is all you get." The voice replied.
"Please that's not enough time...." Angel begged.
"Now where did I hear that line before?" The voice smiled.
"Ten seconds Angel boy, name a name and she's yours to save."
"If I do that I'll be damning one to death." Angel cried out.
"In five seconds you'll be damming both." The voice replied. "Choose." The voice yelled out. "This is no test of bravery. Choose one or both including you perish."
Angel stared at the hourglass, then looking at both images. He looked at both and softly whispered: "I'm sorry."
"Angel time is u..."
"Cordelia!" Angel cried out. "I chose Cordelia!"
"As you wish." The voice replied and just as the last grain of sand went through a bright light filled the room and Angel was gone.
***
She couldn't breath. She tried fighting him off but he was too strong. She began to feel her body weakening; her arms slowly fell to the side of her body, her eyes slowly shutting. She knew it was it, she could feel the air, life, slipping away. When suddenly she heard a noise in the distance and the next thing she knew the demon was thrown backwards and onto the floor. She gasped, quickly sitting up coughing heavily, trying to breath normally. She looked up and was surprised and happy to see Angel in the room, fighting the demon.
***
Angel covered his eyes, the light was blinding. When he opened them he found himself in the hospital room just as the demon was suffocating Cordy. Without a moment hesitation he leaped forward, grabbing the demon from behind, and throwing him across the room onto the floor. He felt this energy burst going through him, he felt stronger than usual. **I guess when they said I can save her, they really meant it.** Angel thought to himself, knowing the Powers were responsible for his new and probably temporary super-super strength. He turned to face the demon that was still lying on the floor. He leaned down and grabbed him by the throat with one hand while the other pounded it. The demon tried to fight back, but Angel was too strong. Angel kept pounding at him till finally after the demon was obviously out, Angel leaned down and broke his neck. **Just to make sure.** he thought to himself. He turned around to see a confused, shocked and hurt Cordy sitting on the bed, staring at him. Her neck was covered with now purple bruises. "Are you okay?" He quickly went to her side, checking her throat closely. He softly placed his hands on her throat making sure she was alrihgt. She flinched. "What?" he asked in panic. "Did I hurt you?"
"No you didn't." She smiled a tiny smile, enough for Angel to know she was safe.
He leaned down and put his arms around her taking her into his embrace. She fell onto him, letting her body rest in his embrace, wanting to feel safe and happy, even if it was just for a moment, a tiny moment.
***
"Angel?" she asked, her head still resting on his chest. "How did you know where to find me? Did you run into the others? Are they okay?"
Angel broke the embrace and took a step back, not sure how to explain what happened to him. "Listen, I don't think we have much time, till the next demon comes after you. This place is not safe for you, we have to go." He took her hand and helped her to her feet.
"I can't." she said. "Xander is hospitalized here, we don't know how serious his condition is." She looked worried. "Besides, we said we'd meet here, how will the others know where to find us... unless, when you met them, you decided on a new...?"
"Cordy I didn't meet the others." Angel cut her off. "I came straight from where Spike and I were." Angel explained.
"Then how did you know to come here?" Cordelia was confused.
"There's really no time for this. I promise I'll explain everything later, but right now we need to..."
"No. Not later." She cut him off. "I want answers and I want them now."
"Buffy?" Angel said remembering she's out there somewhere facing the Sheryon alone.
"What about her?" Cordy asked.
"I need to find her, right now." Angel got up and took Cordy's hand, "we need to go now."
"Angel! Didn't you hear a word I said I can't leave Xander..."
"Cordelia!" He cut her off. "People's lives are at risk here, not just yours, we need to go!" The way he said made Cordy worry. She stared at him. "What?" He asked after noticing the stare.
"What aren't you telling me, about Buffy?" Cordy connected the dots. "How do you know other people's lives are at risk, you haven't seen anyone else?"
"Cordy I wish I had time to explain, but I don't." Angel said. "You'll just have to trust I know what I'm doing. Lorne can stay here and wait for the others but we need to go, okay?" He reached out his hand hoping she'll take it, he didn't want to face the possibility of leaving here alone defenseless, while he finds Buffy, which was what he wanted most right now.
Cordy took his hand. "Okay."
***
"There has to be a better way." Dawn said as she gazed out the window. They haven't been driving around that long, but to her it seemed like it was forever and some. She had a bad feeling, one she didn't have in along while. Although technically she knew she wasn't Buffy's sister, although deep down she always felt out of sync with the world around her, and for a good reason too. Despite it all she and Buffy shared a special bond, a strong bond. And right now her instincts were telling her she was heading for a fall.
"Don't worry Dawnie." Willow tried assuring her. "Buffy's been in worse cases, she fought stronger demons."
"I have a bad feeling on this one Will, a really bad feeling." She replied in a trembling voice.
***
He wasn't planning on going out for the night, but for some reason he felt restless. He walked among people. People busing buying presents and shoes, people drinking coffee and having fun. He walked among them and seemed detached. He walked around looking for something, what he didn't know. His eyes weren't looking for a pair of new jeans, or a double latt?, oh no, they were after something far more dangerous, far more important. As he crossed the road his attention was diverted to a small street that lead into a sided alley, an alley no one seemed to notice, no one except him. He walked down the street towards the sided alley. As he reached the crossroad contacting the street to the alley, his nose detected a familiar scent, one he smelt not long ago. It took him a few more seconds before he realized what was going on in that deadened alley.
He quickly ran, and as he came closer he could hear the sounds of a fight in motion. From the distance he saw a demon, one he's seen before. He saw it hitting someone, throwing him around as if he was a tennis ball. Connor walked towards him with caution, trying not to make a sound, but it was useless, the Sheryon smelled him coming a mile away. It turned to face Connor. He couldn't see what happened to the person the Sheryon pummeled, but since he didn't hear any others sounds besides the Sheryon growling, and saw no movement other than the Sheryon, Connor figured, who ever it was, he wasn't doing so well. Connor was already in position to fight the Sheryon, when all of the sudden the Sheryon gave him one good stare before jumping onto the buildings fire escape stairs and up to the rooftop. Connor wanted to run after it, but then remembered there was still someone lying there underneath the garbage cans and boxes, someone who needed his help. He walked slowly towards the body lying on the ground, all he saw was the tip of his feet, as he moved closer he noticed they were boots with heals, this was definitely a woman. And then he connected the scent to the body, or so he thought. "Cordelia." He said in panic and rushed over towards the body, he cleared off the boxes and garbage cans to discover Buffy's unconscious body lying on the ground. On one end he said thank god it wasn't her, on the other end was Buffy a better choice? He put his arm underneath her neck brining her close to him so he could check if she was still breathing. She was, but she didn't look so good. Her face was covered with bruises, but what took him a few seconds to notice, was that the biggest injury wasn't from the blows, it was from the stab wound. He looked down to see a small knife inserted into her abdomen. "Oh no." He said to himself as he picked her up. He walked as quickly as he could, knowing she didn't have much time left. He reached the street, but as If people didn't see him, or didn't care, no one stooped, no one offered assistance. Connor didn't know which way to go. The hospital was too far to walk on by foot, and he had no money for a cab or even a payphone. A man on his left side talking on his cellular phone caught his attention. He quickly walked towards him, still carrying Buffy in his arms. "Sir, I need to use your phone, it's an emergenc..."
"Get lost pal." The man cut him off and turned his back to him.
"My friend she's hurt I need to call an ambul..."
"Look pal," the man turned to face him. "You and you drugged up friend can find another sucker to play this trick on. Now beat it." The man shoved Connor slightly and turned around again.
Connor leaned down and placed Buffy on the ground leaning her against he wall. Then he touched the man's shoulder to get his attention. "I told you to get..." Before the man was able to complete his sentence Connor already had him pinned to the wall behind him.
"Give it to me!" Connor ordered. "Now." The frightened man handed the phone and Connor quickly dialed 911, calling for an ambulance. When he was done he returned the phone to the rude man. "Than you." He said.
"Sure, weirdo." The man said as he ran off.
"Hang in there, they're coming, help is coming." He whispered to Buffy who now lay in his arms, bleeding to death.
***
"Maybe, she went to the hospital?" Fred suggested.
"How could she? She doesn't know about Xander." Willow reminded her.
"Uh right." Fred felt stupid for saying that.
"What if she reached Cordy?" Dawn said. "Maybe we should check with Cordy, and get an update on Xander's condition at the same time." Dawn smiled at her brilliant idea.
"Good thinking." Wesley said and took out his mobile phone. "It's ringing." He informed the eager group. "Cordy? Hi... no we still haven't found her... so she's not there..."
"What is it?" Dawn kept asking Wesley, but he was busy trying to understand Cordelia.
"Left? Why?" Wesley kept on the conversation. "Well we're not far from you why don't we meet somewhere in the middle... okay, see you soon." He hung up.
"Well? Where to?" Gunn, who was driving, asked.
"Apparently Angel showed up at the hospital, just in time to save Cordelia from a demon attacking her."
"What? Is she okay?" Fred asked. Wesley nodded and she sighed in relief.
"So now what? Is Buffy there with them?" Giles asked anxiously.
"No. They left Lorne with Xander and they went looking for her." Wesley explained. "I suggested we'll meet them somewhere along the way."
"Okay, so where would that be?" Gunn really need to know where he was driving.
"Near the hospital, so drive there." Wesley replied.
"Is Spike with him?" Willow asked.
"I don't know, she was really in a hurry." It was obvious to Willow that Wesley had more info than he was letting on, but she understood that due to Dawn's presence he avoided mentioning it, so she dropped the subject.
"Okay." She nodded her head and Wesley knew she understood.
***
The ambulance pulled right in front of them. Two medics jumped out carrying a case filled with medical equipment. "What happened?" One of the medics asked Connor.
"She was stabbed." Connor replied. As they took her away he noticed her blood on his shirt, there was so much blood. He couldn't stop staring at his shirt. "Hi." He shook his head slightly and looked up. "Are you riding with us?" Connor realized Buffy was already inside the ambulance.
"Yeah." He said and quickly got in.
As the Ambulance raced trough the streets he could hear the medics talking between themselves. He didn't understand all the medical terms, but he got the general idea, She was dying.
***
Cordy climbed inside the van followed by Angel. "So where did you see her last?" Angel asked Gunn and Wesley.
"We've already been there." Willow replied. "She's not there."
"I may be able to trace her scent, so why don't we start there." Angel said, as Gunn was already driving away.
"No wait!" Dawn said. "This is a waste of time."
"Honey, Angel knows what he's doing, just let..." An angry teenager cut off Cordy's comforting words.
"I am not a child, so stop treating me like one!" Dawn said with a firm stare. "I don't see the point of going back. She's not there!"
"You're right she's probably not." Cordy said, this time in a serious tone. "You say you're not a child, I agree you're not, so stop acting like one." Cordy's words caught Dawn off guard. Cordelia was nice to her, ever since she could remember. She always treated her differently, sweetly. "You may think I'm harsh on you, and I am. But that's cause we're in a harsh situation. And at time like this, there's no time to debate or argue, you just do what you think is best, what will get the job done. That's something I learned from your sister by the way." Willow smiled a tiny smile. "We may be wrong, but right now it's our best chance on finding your sister. So unless you have a better idea, I suggest you sit back and enjoy the ride." Cordy leaned back into her seat, her eyes set on the window. From the corner of the eye, she could see Dawn doing the same and turning away from her, from everyone. She knew she was mad at her, but she knew that in extreme situation you have to use extreme measures. And right now, this was as extreme as it could get.
***
"What have you got? The doctor yelled to the medics as they rushed the stretcher in. "A female, 22 years old, a stab wound to her left side, she lost a lot of blood..." Connor ran in after them, trying to catch up, but the nurse blocked him.
"Please Sir wait here."
"I'm with her." Connor said as he tried to go past the nurse.
"I know that, but you can't go in there. You have to let the doctors do their job. Okay?" Connor stopped fighting and looked at the nurse.
"Is she going to be okay?" His voice trembled.
"Why don't wait here till the doctor comes back" She showed him to the waiting area. "Are you a family member?"
"No I'm a..." Connor wasn't sure what he was to Buffy, or anyone else for that matter. **Does stranger qualifies as an answer?** He thought to himself.
"A friend then?" The nurse nodded slightly. She already came to her own conclusions. "Do you know a family member we can reach? Parents perhaps?"
"Yes." He mumbled, "but they're away."
"Okay. Just wait here." The nurse said as she turned and walked away.
He sat there not sure why he was feeling this way. He's seen blood before, he caused it a few times himself. He saw people dying before, including his father, or at least the man he thought of as his father. And yet despite it all, her blood, her injury, tapped a hidden emotion. It was the first time, someone he knew, someone he didn't disliked or liked for that matter put her fate in is hands, her life. When he held her and looked into her terrified eyes, hearing her moan in pain, feeling life slipping away. All those things confused him and unnerved him. Seeing her blood...
"Connor?" a familiar voice took him out of his reverie. He looked up to see Lorne. "It is you. I thought I recognize that broody stare." Lorne said with a smile. "What are you doing here? Did Angel send you here?"
"What...? No." Connor was still disorientated.
"Are you okay? You look really shaken up." Lorne sat beside him. "Why are you here?"
"I brought her in, she was bleeding so much." Connor mumbled.
"Boy, you're not making much sense here." Lorne was trying desperately to understand. "Who did you bring in?"
"Angel's friend. The slayer." Connor replied.
"Buffy? Was she injured?" Lorne started to understand. "What happened to her? Do the others know?" Connor just shook his head. "I better call Angel, there's no way he knew about it and still left the hospital." He got up and took his mobile phone out of his jacket.
"I'm sorry sir." The nurse pointed to the sign on the wall.
"No cellular phones." Lorne read the sign out loud. "Great." He sighed. "Connor, you stay here. It will only take a second." Loren said and he went outside.
***
"Here it is." Gunn parked on the street pointing to a crossroad between two streets.
"You stay here, I'll go take a sniff." Angel said as he climbed out of the van. As he was walking to the spot Gunn pointed at, his phone rang; he completely forgot he had it. "Yes." He said. "Lorne? Hi. Listen this is not a good time if you could just... What? When? Connor did...? Okay okay, stay there, we're on our way." Angel hung up and ran back to the van.
"That was fast, you didn't even reach the point..." Angel cut Cordy off.
"She's in the hospital. Connor brought her in." He said to everyone's surprise.
"What?" Willow said.
"Is she okay?" Dawn added.
"Where did Connor find her?" Cordy asked as well.
"Gunn." Angel turned to him. Drive to the hospital! ASAP." Angel ordered. "Questions later, first we need to get to her." Gunn turned the engine on and did a U-turn, heading back to the hospital.
***
Spike opened his eyes. The light was so blinding he had to shut them. He heard a car honk and looked to his left, as he saw an ambulance heading his way. He wanted to jump away but it was too late the ambulance hit him, sending him flying in the air, finally landing on the asphalt ground. Two fairly scared medics jumped out of the ambulance. "I didn't see him. He just popped out." One medic said to the other. They kneeled down beside Spike, who was still unconscious. "He doesn't have a pulse, oh my god we killed him." One of the medics said to the other in panic. "We killed him!" He kept saying hysterically, when suddenly they heard a moan.
"What the bloody hell was that?" Spike raised his head slightly and then after feeling dizzy leaned it back on the ground.
"Oh my god, you're alive," the medic, who was on the verge of tears, said in an ecstatic tone. "We better check for his vitals." One of the medics said.
Spike quickly realized they probably wouldn't understand the readings from their devices so he quickly sat up pushing them gently away. "That's okay fellows I'm alright." He got up.
"We can't be sure of that. You're not even supposed to be moving around, you may have caused yourself permanent damage." One of the medics said nervously. "You need to see a doctor.
"No can do. I have some where I have to be." Spike started walking away slowly, his head was still dizzy.
"No. You can't go of like this." The medics ran after him. "Look the hospital is just over the road, why don't you come with us, let a doctor check you and if he says you're fine, we'll leave you alone.
I really appreciate your concern, but really there's no need." Spike tried to stay calm and be polite.
"We're sorry, but it's out responsibility to make sure you're really okay. So why don't you just." The medics placed his arm on Spike shoulder and tried turning him around.
"Hi, bugger off, will you?" Spike lashed out at him. "How many bloody times to I have to tell you people I'm okay! Got it?" He yelled. "If I though I needed to go to the hospital I would go there mys..." All of a sudden Spike stopped yelling. Suddenly it hit him, that the powers dropped him off here for a reason. True their orientation stunk, but it couldn't be just coincidence he was dropped off literally across the street from the hospital. There must be something there, or someone. Maybe Cordelia's situation declined and they had to rush her over to the hospital. Maybe she already delivered. From what he learned form the powers it was more than just a theory, it was definitely a possibility. "You know what?" He looked at the shocked medics with a smile. "You're right. I should see a doctor." The medics weren't sure what to make of it, but took him into the ambulance before he had a chance to change his mind.
***
TBC
Hi ppl,
From the reviews I got, I'm thinking that must of you liked the choice, right? Well for those of you who didn't, all I can say is: Sorry there had to be a choice, for better or worse.
As of this ch, I hope you liked it and I know I ended it abruptly, and I'll do my best to update ASAP, but as of now I', pretty bust, so please be patient as always. And as usual drop me a line, or a couple and let me know what you thought of this ch.
Thanks Nikka.