The Gift
Chapter 11
The gang finally arrived at the mansion at 8:30. Spike unloaded Angel and Cordelia and grabbed Buffy's and his suitcases. They were anxious to get home after being away for so long. Buffy hadn't told anyone at home yet about her pregnancy and she was anxious to tell Willow, Dawn and Tara. Spike assured Angel that he would return his car to him in one piece tomorrow morning.
Willow had made sure that everything was turned on and a cleaning crew had come in to dust and clean everything. She had gone shopping for food that afternoon so the kitchen was full. Cordelia had always bought more drinks then they could consume during their short stays so they usually had drinks of various types stacked up in the pantry. They had a separate refrigerator for all of the drinks and containers of blood for Angel and Willow had stocked that refrigerator as well.
The ladies didn't want to cook tonight so they had stopped at the local Chinese restaurant and were bringing dinner home with them. The first thing they did when they went in was to start a fire in the fireplace. Gunn pulled the coffee table over to the couch and they either sat on the floor or sat on the couch in front of the fireplace and ate their dinner. When they were done they all just sat back and relaxed.
"How are we going to transport all those men tomorrow Wesley?" Angel asked.
"I am going to call for a one of those long Limousines tomorrow morning. Those guys are used to traveling in luxury so I don't want to disappoint them. Giles said that he would make sure that everything would be ready for us." "Did you have a problem when you told them that we were moving up the date of the meeting to Wednesday?" "No, Johnson took a while to answer me but then said okay. He also understands that he can only bring 2 guards instead of 3."
"Since this is the first time that you're here Mom, I have to tell you that this house doesn't have any central heating and it does tend to be cold at night and in the morning. Tomorrow you ladies can go shopping for some propane or electric heaters for the bedrooms if you want but all of the bedrooms do have fireplaces. If you don't mind Fred would you show Dr. Martin where her bedroom is and where everything else is as well. If you want to Mom you can come and use our bathroom tomorrow morning because yours is going to be rather cold. The master bedroom and bathroom is the only room that has a propane heater already so it will be warm. When I bought this place it didn't occur to me that I needed heating in here since I don't feel the cold."
When Angel was through Cordelia spoke up. "Angel, Willow told me that she already bought propane heaters for the other bedrooms and they are set up and are ready to be started. Connor do you know how to start the propane heaters?" "Yeah Angel showed me how to start the one in your bedroom the last time we were here. Would you like me to start yours?" "Yes I would sure appreciate it. Thank you." Connor got up then and went into the master bedroom and started the heater. When he came out he asked everyone else if they would like him to start theirs also. Wesley and Fred raised their hands. As Connor ran up the stairs they yelled a "Thanks Connor."
Gunn got up and went to the TV and started up one of the Play Station 2 games. When Connor came down he went over to the couch and joined Gunn. Fred elbowed Wesley. "We have to bring the suitcases and boxes in first before they start playing those games or we'll never get them away from there." Wesley started for the doors. "Common men we have to bring the suitcases and boxes in." Gunn and Connor joined Wesley at the door. Common men the temporary queen of the manor has spoken. They started to bring everything in from Gunns truck and Wesley's SUV. Where as Connor and Gunn had one large duffel bag each Fred and Cordelia had several suitcases each for just themselves and one large suitcase for their husbands. Dr. Martin had only 2 suitcases and one large box that contained all of her things that she wanted to bring from the clinic. The men didn't know it but the women intended to go out while they are here. They were even going to try to get the men to take them to either Las Vegas or Reno Nevada.
Angel helped where he could but without sight he was kind of helpless in this situation. Just as they were through bringing all of the boxes in Cordelia had a vision of 2 young girls being attacked by 4 vampires over by the Bronz which was the local teenager hangout. Wesley called Spike and told him about the attack. Spike said he would meet him over at the Bronz in 10 minutes.
Wesley and Connor jumped into the back of Gunn's truck and they took off. Angel's arm was shaking again. Dr. Martin had finally figured it out that he did that when he was experiencing stress. He obviously wished that he could go with them.
Angel sat down on the couch. "How much longer is this going to go on Mom?" "I don't know Angel. I think that you have been doing very well but apparently God has more for you to learn. All you can do is ask St. Michael to help you Angel." She sat on the coffee table across from him and held his hands in hers. "This is hard for you isn't it? Being left behind that is." "Yeah, even Angelus was trying to give me back my sight. I saw a few flashes of light but then the darkness clamped down hard after that. Everything is completely black." Dr. Martin hugged him. He had started to shed a few blood red tears.
Angel straightened up then and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. "I think that's enough of feeling sorry for myself for now. Since I can't help you I guess I'll get my drink and go to bed. But I need someone to tell me how things are set up first."
"Come on Angel and I'll show you where every thing is and how it will be kept just for you." Fred said as she took Angels hand and guided him to the kitchen. She warmed up a glass of blood for him and as she did it she told him exactly where everything was so that he could add cinnamon in the morning and chili powder at night. "Thank you Fred." He drank the contents of his glass then rinsed it out and put it in the dishwasher along with the other dishes from their dinner.
Fred reached out her hand and stopped Angel from leaving. "Angel everything will be okay. All you have to do is have faith. You're a strong man Angel. Your strong physically and your strong in here." Fred pointed to his heart.
"That's what everyone tells me but I am so tired of being strong Fred. It's why I have so willingly given up command to Wesley. It's why I have put so much effort into learning how to share the responsibility for everything." Angel sank to the floor and just put his head down. "Would you get Dr. Martin please Fred." Fred left to get Dr. Martin.
Dr. Martin came back with Fred. She found Angel still on the kitchen floor. "What's wrong Angel?" "Would you check on Cordelia to see if she is suffering from depression. I think I might be picking it up from her. Because right now I feel like walking out into the sunlight as soon as it comes up."
Dr. Martin went to Cordelia and Fred stayed with Angel. She found Cordelia in her bed. She was crying and holding on to her Teddy Bear that she had brought with her. Dr. Martin came and sat on the bed next to her and pushed the hair out of her eyes. "What's the matter Cordelia. Is it just one of those pregnancy depressions." "Yeah, I guess so. You know most of what is happening to me doesn't really bother me that much. It's just part of what it takes to bring a new life into the world. But the depression Mom, the depression is the worst part. Sometimes I just want to just close my eyes and not open them again. How am I supposed to deal with it. Do you know that I have had to put Teddy in the dryer twice already because he is so loaded with my tears. Why do we have to put up with the depression Mom, why?" Dr. Martin pulled her up into her arms and just held onto her and rocked her.
"I don't know why we have to go through so much in order to bring forth life, but we do. I could give you all of the medical reasons for it but it still doesn't tell us why we have to go through this. All we can do is hug our Teddy Bears and bear down until it passes. When I was pregnant I would find things to do. I would work and keep my hands and mind busy until it passes. This is the best advice that I can give you. Now I want you to get up and you are going to go into the bathroom and put a cold cloth on your eyes and then you are going to show me how to play the games on the TV. I'll be waiting for you at the couch. Don't be to long."
Dr. Martin left then and went back to Angel. He was sitting up straight now. "How are you feeling now Angel?" "A little better. How was Cordelia?" "Well, she was experiencing a deep depression but I had a talk with her. I told her to keep herself busy when she was depressed. I told her that I wanted her to teach me how to play the game on the TV that Gunn and Connor were playing. Common Angel get up from the floor your going to freeze your gonads off." "Nope, never happen, I've had to hide in freezing water too many times and as you know they are still functional." Angel told Dr. Martin as he got up and he put his arm around her shoulder and they walked back to the living room and the couch where Cordelia was sitting and waiting for Dr. Martin. They went over to the couch and sat down on either side of her.
Angel sat next to his wife and reached out for her hand. "Cordelia I need for you to do something very important for me. When you feel the depression coming on I need for you to tell me okay? Or at least tell Wesley, Gunn or Connor." "Sure Angel did you pick up on it this time?" "Yes and it hit me pretty hard. If it had been day time I would have walked out into the sunlight. That is why I need for you to tell someone when you feel it coming on. I need one of the men to chain me up right away if it happens in the daytime. When Wesley comes back I'll talk to him about it and well put the chains over the lights that are by the fireplace. It's where Buffy chained me up when I came back from the hell dimension and I was acting like an animal."
Cordelia hugged Angel. "My poor baby. Like we have said before, men just aren't made to suffer these things. You take everything harder than I do and it's harder for you to endure it. I'll have to teach you to play tomorrow Mom. I'm going to take care of my husband tonight. Good night." "Good night you two." Dr. Martin knew by the looks on their faces that the crises was over for now and Angels tour of duty in Dry Dock was over for tonight.
One hour later the men came back from their encounter with the Vampires.
"You can't tell me that it took 4 men all this time to take care of 2 Vampires." Fred said when they came back. Wesley came over and gave her a kiss. "Willow and Spike showed us where they usually go after an encounter with some vampires or demons." "And where is that?" Fred was ticked off because Dr. Martin and her were having to drag the suitcases upstairs by themselves and put the clothes away. They also took care of the drugs that Dr. Martin had brought with her. They had been worried about getting those into the refrigerator and under lock and key. Willow had purchased a small refrigerator that could be locked and was in the basement where the doors could be locked.
"We went to have an ice cream cone." Wesley said. "Okay I forgive you." Fred said as she picked up another small suitcase that had to be taken upstairs. Wesley took it from her. "Are their anymore that have to go up. "No, Connor and Gunn can take up their duffel bags. Neither Dr. Martin or I could lift up the bags. Angel and Cordelia have gone to bed so the last one down here can lock up and turn the lights off. Dr. Martin went to her room also. Goodnight Connor and Gunn. Don't make too much noise if your going to stay down here for awhile. Don't forget that Angel and Cordelia's room is right over there." Fred pointed to the doorway that was next to the fireplace. Then Wesley and Fred went upstairs.
"Want a sandwich Gunn?" "Yeah that sounds good. Let's see what we got." Connor and Gunn went into the kitchen and made themselves sandwiches. Connor poured himself a glass of milk and Gunn took a beer. They each took their sandwiches to their bedrooms and said goodnight to each other. They had all had a busy day.
The next morning Wesley, Gunn and Connor got up early. Angel was already up and warming up his glass of blood when they entered the kitchen. They were a little loud when they came into the kitchen. "Lets keep it down guys, Cordelia is still sleeping."
"Why, did you wear her out last night?" Wesley asked as he started the coffee.
"No she doesn't need to much activity to wear herself out. She tried giving me a good time but she tired out real fast. I guess it's going to take her awhile before her blood supply comes back to a more normal level. Kathleen might have been having a snack again." Angel said as he sat down to drink his blood.
"What do you mean Kathleen might have been having a snack again?" Connor asked. "When our 3 doctors took Cordelia and I to Dr. Thompson's we unwittingly became the main characters in a play." Angel proceeded to tell them what they had found out was the reason for Cordelia becoming so dangerously anemic.
"I bet that scared you at first, seeing her drinking Cordelia's blood that is." Wesley said. The coffee was finally done and he poured some for everyone. Then sat down.
Dr. Martin came down and joined them after pouring some coffee for herself and Angel.
"Wesley I am having another problem connected with Cordelia's pregnancy. She is experiencing bought's of depression that are deeper then they usually are. I am of course picking up on them now. If it wasn't for the fact that it happened at night I probably would be dust covering the roses in the back right now."
"Does it get that bad that you would consider suicide?" Wesley asked. He was very concerned about this problem, he knew how Angelus would feed Angel all he needed to make him take that step towards the sunlight.
"Yes it gets that bad. I don't know if it's because I have Angelus, who is always willing to add in his 2 cents, or if it is the fact that I experience everything Cordelia experiences only worse. Remember how I would have a headache after a bought of morning sickness and she was fine?"
"Yes, back then we thought it was pretty funny but now it's not so funny that you experience everything she does. Well what do you want to do about it? Lock you up in the basement?" Wesley was leaving this up to Angel as to what he wanted them to do to prevent him from committing suicide.
"When I came back from the hell dimension Buffy chained me up to the light fixture that is beside the fireplace. I want you to get those chains and attach them to the ring that is in that light fixture. I put the ring in there myself after I was better. The ring is attached to a pipe that goes through the cement wall and is kept in place by a large steel plate that is on the other side of the wall. I don't think that even I could pull that out of the wall. I've talked to Cordelia and I told her what the problem was. She will try to anticipate the bought of depression coming on and warn me or one of you. Chain me up when she tells you what is happening. Dr. Martin gave her a suggestion as to what to do to try to get through it. According to Dr. Martin there is no way to know how long she will be going through this."
"Was last night the first time you experienced this?" Gunn asked. "It's not the first time I picked up on her depression but it's the first time it was that bad. Now that we have that out of the way what time are you going to go over to the store?"
Wesley answered with the whole schedule for the morning. "Spike will come and get you at 11 o'clock and take you to the side entrance of the store. Then Giles will park your car near by. He will then return to the shop and give Anya the rest of the day off and Dawn will take over. Anya is still having problems with saying inappropriate things at the wrong time. I will pick up Morgan and Johnson at the airport Limousine at 12 noon and come straight here. I've also asked Hunter to help us out for today. Johnson won't know that she is a Vampire but of course Morgan and Bobby will."
"What will Connor and Gunn be doing?" Angel asked. While the men were talking Dr. Martin started to make breakfast for everyone. She had a loaf of French Toast on the griddle and a dozen eggs in a bowl waiting to be made into scrambled eggs.
"Connor and Gunn will be doing what they do best. They are going to be working at surveillance. They will be watching to make sure that Johnson doesn't have more men then he is supposed to have. If he does then they'll take care of them one by one. They will just be detained and released when the meeting is over. Willow and Tara will be coming over to the Mansion with Spike when he comes to pick you up. Willow will be placing a protection spell on the Mansion so that no one will be able to come in or leave until we get back."
"You've done an excellent job Wesley. I approve of all of your plans." Angel hesitated for a few minutes while he thought of what he would say next. Wesley could tell that he wanted to say something but was having a problem with coming up with the right words so he waited patiently. Dr. Martin was serving the French Toast and scrambled eggs in the meantime.
"I want you to know that I talked to Morgan about how he runs his business. I noticed that he often states that he will make a decision about something after he discusses it with his people. I asked him why he does that instead of just making a decision or planning something himself. He said that he used to do things where he would make the decisions alone and make a plan of action by himself. He said that Marissa would often tell him, after his plan had failed, that he should meet with his men and discuss the problem because they might have better ideas. He said after he started meeting with his top guards that things started getting better. Planned battles had a better turnout and business started getting better. I want to start doing the same thing. I am learning what my Boss wants me to learn but slowly." Angel paused for a few minutes. He was trying to think of how to say what he wanted to say.
"You all know how stubborn I am and how long it takes for me to let go of something. I think though that most of all I want to set a good example for Connor. I think that I have to look at every thing that I do from now on so that I can set a good example for all of our children. Connor I want you to tell me or ask me why I am doing something that is contrary to what you see others do or what you are learning in school as to what is right or wrong. I can only say that I need your help in learning how to be a parent. You will be my test subject and your brothers and sister will be the ones that benefit from it." Everyone including Connor laughed.
"I am very proud of you Angel. Now lets eat before everything gets cold." Dr. Martin told everyone.
Cordelia came in followed by Fred. "Why didn't you wake us guys." Cordelia said as she warmed up some French Toast and scrambled eggs in the microwave for both her and Fred. They sat down and ate their breakfast along with everyone else.
"Wesley was giving me the schedule of events today. You, Fred and Mom will be staying here and Willow and Tara will be coming over when Spike picks me up at 11 this morning. When everyone else is out of the Mansion Willow will put a protection spell on the place so that no one can come in or out until we return." Angel said it in such a way that he wanted to make sure that Cordelia would understand that their was no playing around with this.
"Are you insinuating sir that I may disobey you and cause you problems." Cordelia asked in mocked surprise as though she would never do such a thing. Angel turned his head towards Wesley. It was Angels turn to say in unison with Wesley. "Ha!" They all cracked up at that.
"Alright I'll admit that on OCCASION I have gone against what I was instructed to do. In my own defense though I can only say that it is from to much close association with you and Buffy."
"I wouldn't touch that with a 10 foot pole because I know it's the truth. We were rebels. Although I must say, especially since Buffy isn't here to defend herself, that she is the one that contaminated me. I was a nice obedient guy until I met her." That remark from Angel was so outrageous that everyone bundled up their napkins and threw it at Angel.
They all got up from the table then and helped clean up the kitchen. Wesley went down stairs to look for the chains that Angel thought might be here. He found them on the wall farthest from the stairs. They had cobwebs all over them but he was easily able to get rid of them by using a dust pan brush. He found them to be rather heavy but he was able to take them off of the hook and took them upstairs. Angel heard the clanking of the metal rings against each other and he knew what Wesley was doing. Gunn and Connor helped him to put it through the ring under the light fixture. They evened the ends out then let it just hang. Everyone just stared at them. Every one was thinking the same thing. These chains would play a part in deciding if Angel lived or died.
Spike, Willow, and Tara knocked on the door. "Come in Spike." Angel answered. Spike opened the door for Willow and Tara then stepped back. Willow headed for Cordelia to give her a hug and kiss in greeting. Tara did the same. They were both amazed at how big she was getting.
"Thanks girls for pointing that out." Cordelia said with an added pout to her lips. Of course Willow felt bad and hugged her again and said "Oh but it's a good big Cordelia." Willow bent down and addressed her stomach. "Hello Kathleen this is your Aunty Willow." They laughed.
"Do you want to really talk to her Willow?" Cordelia asked. "What do you mean really talk to her?" "Angel has to start it then you can join in. Come sit by me on the couch." Willow did as Cordelia instructed. Then Angel came over and sat on the other side of Cordelia. He didn't need any help to find his way since he was quickly memorizing the layout of the furniture. Angel reached out his left hand and Cordelia took it and put it on her stomach. "Angel closed his eyes and concentrated on his daughter." Kathleen was getting big enough so that you could see her moving around inside of Cordelia. She was so used to her father communicating with her that she immediately moved to put her head under his hand. "Give me your hand Willow." Willow gave Cordelia her hand. "Think good and loving thoughts Willow. Don't forget that she doesn't understand words but she can understand pictures in your mind that you send to her." Cordelia put Willows hand on her stomach close to where Angels hand was. Willow closed her eyes and tilted her head back. You could see Kathleen go to Willows hand without hesitation. She put her head under Willows hand and didn't move for a good five minutes. Willow finally broke the link and removed her hand.
Angel removed his hand also then got up and gave Cordelia a kiss and hugged Willow. "Thank you Willow. She loved that. I have never felt her react so well to someone else." "Your welcome Angel. Kathleen has a beautiful mind."
"Lets go guys or will be late." Spike came to Angel, took his hand and put it around his arm.
The car was in an area against the house that was protected from the sun. Spike directed Angel to the car and opened the door for him. Once Angel was in Spike closed the door then went to the other side and climbed in. Within seconds they were on their way. A long limousine was waiting in the front for Wesley to take him to the airport. When he left Gunn and Connor climbed into Gunn's truck and they took off for downtown Sunnydale and the area around Giles store."
As soon as they left Willow set up the protection spell that would prevent anyone or anything from coming into the Mansion.
Angel and Spike reached Giles store in only 20 minutes. Giles had put on an awning at the back entrance especially for Spike so it was easy for them to get in. As planned Giles parked the car close by and then went back to the store.
"Anya you have been working so hard lately that I have decided to give you the rest of the day off. Go and have fun, go to the movies or shopping at the mall or just go home and watch cartoons if you want." Giles told Anya with as big a smile as he could produce.
"I know what this is about. You just don't want me here this afternoon because you have something going on don't you?" Giles knew it was useless to try anything else. So he decided to take the direct approach with her. Sometimes it was the easiest.
"Anya go home or I am going to dock you one days pay." That did it. Where money was concerned Anya was always very careful. Especially when it meant her bank account was going to be smaller next payday. Within seconds of Giles making that statement Anya had picked up her jacket and purse and was out the door.
Giles turned around and looked at Dawn. "Works every time." "You are a very tricky fellow Rupert Giles." "I haven't been Buffy's Watcher all this time without learning a thing or two. Lets go to the back before everyone gets here." Giles lead them to the back while Angel grabbed onto Spikes offered arm. "You know Sire we have to stop walking around like this. People are going to start thinking that we're a couple. You need to get yourself a blind persons stick or a seeing eye dog or something." After they walked into the back room Angel put his arm around Spikes neck and gave him a kiss on the mouth. "Oh Spiky I've always worshiped you from afar. You have such a cute tight little tush. Even Angelus told me he used to beat you all of the time because it turned him on." Angel said in a high pitched tone. Since Angel was stronger than him Spike couldn't get away.
"Eww don't do that." Spike said as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Sorry Angel but your just not my type. Besides I don't think Buffy would want to share me with you."
Giles was watching this comedy. Get control of yourselves you two I think they're coming in now. Both Angel and Spike straightened themselves up. "Hey Giles did I get his lipstick off of me?" I am going to take both of you into the woodshed after were through if you don't start acting your age. Both Angel and Spike became all business when David Morgan and Bobby came through the door. "David?" "Yes Angel it's me and Bobby is with me."
"David and Bobby this is Rupert Giles, he is the owner of the store and Buffy's Watcher. Giles this is David Morgan and Bobby his guard." They all shook hands in greeting.
Wesley then came in the front door with Hunter, Stephen Johnson and 2 of his guards, one of which was Richards. They all immediately went to the back.
"Morgan." Johnson said. "Johnson." Morgan said with a nod.
"Well I guess these two know each other." Giles whispered to Spike. As Johnson walked in Buffy walked in the side door and went over to Spikes side.
Angel stepped over to Johnson and held his hand out to shake his hand. "I hope your short trip was a comfortable one Johnson. I would like to introduce you to Rupert Giles who was gracious enough to lend us his store for this meeting." Giles stepped forward to shake his hand but Johnson just looked at him but didn't shake his hand. Morgan stepped over to Johnson and whispered something in his ear. Johnson stepped forward then and shook Giles hand. "Thank you Mr. Giles for lending us the use of your store for our meeting. I apologize for my previous behavior. I didn't realize who you were." "That's quiet all right Mr. Johnson."
"Johnson this is Dr. William Summers a colleague of Dr. Martins whom you have already met
and this is his wife Buffy Summers. Please have a seat everyone. I am going to let my colleague Wesley Wyndom Price take care of you and more or less lead the meeting." Everyone sat down and made themselves comfortable. "Before we start I would like to show you a small arrangement of food and beverages over here if you or your men would like anything. Would you like some hot tea or coffee David or Mr. Johnson." Wesley asked everyone. Both David and Johnson declined as did their men.
"Lets get down to business Morgan. We all want to know what your new business is that you are fixing up the old hotel for. We know that it couldn't be for prostitution because no one goes through that much expense for just prostitution. We know that your putting extra padding in all of the rooms to soundproof them. We also know about all of the expensive furniture and small bars and whirlpools that your putting in. We are hearing all kinds of rumors about what kind of business your starting. Even the big boys in Chicago are giving me calls and questioning me on what your doing."
"Uh Wesley could we have the ladies leave us for a while. I think we will feel better if they aren't here." Morgan asked. Wesley got up and went to Spike and Angel. "Do you mind if the ladies leave." "They have to. If Cordelia finds out what we are showing she is going to kill me."
Angel told Wesley and the ladies. "Cordelia already knows." Buffy announced. "What does she know?" Angel asked. He wanted to make sure that what Buffy said Cordelia knows about is really what they are actually doing. "She knows that the film that they have is about your wedding night." "Oh. Well, I guess if they want to stay then they can stay if Spike doesn't mind. Do you want to stay Hunter?" Angel asked. "Yes, you have my curiosity getting the better of me now. You couldn't get an elephant from India to make me get out now. I would do anything to see you perform again." Hunter said as she smiled. Buffy and Hunter were about the same size so they looked quite funny among all the tall men towering over them.
"What about Buffy Spike." Wesley asked again. "You staying Luv?" "If Hunter gets to stay then I'm staying." Angel walked away and turned around and threw his hands up. "Why not, everyone else is watching it. Why don't we put it on television and watch Angel perform. Why David could use it as advertisement for his new business." Angel made his way back to a chair and just plopped down in it.
"Keep your eyes on Angel ladies. Cause your going to get to see him squirm like you've never seen him squirm before." Spike said as he laughed.
Wesley went back to Morgan. "They want to stay and see the film." "Sorry Angel I tried." Morgan shrugged.
"Okay Johnson, this tape contains the information you are seeking. To answer your question, yes I am starting a prostitution business, but it's a very special prostitution business. It is also one that only I can run because of the personnel that you need as employees. I promise you that once you see this you will understand why I am the only one that could run this business."
Spike pulled chairs up behind the couch for the ladies and himself. "Common guys make yourselves comfortable. Bring your chairs over." Spike was having a ball.
Wesley pulled the large television over and put the tape into the VCR. He then gave the remote control to David. David and Johnson were sitting on the couch side by side with Wesley. David started the tape. He fast forwarded to the spot that he wanted.
"Why are you skipping so much of the tape? Turn it back to the beginning. I want to see all of it." Johnson told David.
"I am truly sorry Angel but he won't believe me unless he sees all of the tape." Angel just mumbled something that not even Spike could understand. Morgan took the mumble as an okay.
He rewound the tape and restarted it from the beginning. Every ones eyes were glued to the screen and especially when Cordelia started repeating Angels name over and over again. When she finally screamed in her orgasm even the women were squirming. Buffy was practically clawing at Spike. Hunter was fanning herself. She looked at Buffy clawing at Spike. "Bobby, where is Bobby. I need Bobby right now."
Wesley turned around and looked at Buffy and Hunter when she called out for Bobby. "Ladies get control of yourself." Buffy stopped what she was doing and looked embarrassed.
Johnson stood up and immediately sat down again and crossed his legs.
"Johnson that is the new business. I am going to provide male Vampires to provide sex like that for human women. I am setting a high price though. I am charging $5,000 per night. If you human males start finding your wives are going to Los Angeles frequently and $5,000 charges appearing frequently on your credit cards then you'll know where their going. So besides the fact that you won't be able to get any Vampire to work for you I don't think you want your women to know about this. So my advice to you is to just leave and just tell the boys in Chicago that I am just going to be running a high priced Call Girl business."
"I don't think everyone will except that Morgan. These men will want something more than that. Besides what is so different from what Angel was doing and another man can do?"
"Johnson he was using things that only a Vampire can use. The lovemaking can be learned and used by any man but it takes a Vampire to take a woman to such heights of ecstasy."
Angel stood up and walked over to Johnson. His guards knew who and what Angel was. They stood up in preparation to come to his aid if needed. "Take it easy men, take it easy. Johnson what you saw me doing in the film was mixing my saliva with my wife's blood. Our saliva has properties in it that takes a woman to those higher planes of ecstasy. When you see me dipping my head towards her neck then that is when I am biting into her neck and drinking her blood. My saliva is also mixing with her blood and once again she reaches new heights of ecstacy except it's even higher because it's when she achieves orgasm also. I am sure that you will understand when I say that no mere mortal human male can do that."
"What makes you think that we can't make our own Vampires that will do what we want." Johnson asked Angel and Morgan.
"You can't do it because when a human is turned into a Vampire they more or less die and their soul leaves their body. A demon then moves in and takes control of the body. The new Vampire is now controlled by the demon and it's hungry for it's first kill. All they can think about is taking as many humans as possible until its hunger is satiated. For a long time afterward all they do is drink, kill and party. They are also very strong and they never grow older. We are immortal. My best advice to you Johnson is to do as Morgan said. Keep this to yourself and tell the rest what Morgan said. Because you can't win. Your dealing in a world that you know nothing about."
Johnson stood up then and signaled to his men. "Lets go." Everyone stood up then. "What are you going to do Johnson?" Morgan asked.
"I can't say Morgan. I am going to think about it and discuss it with my colleague. I'll get back with you by Friday." Johnson, Wesley, and his men left then by the side door. Hunter followed them then Morgan and Bobby.
Gunn and Connor came in from the front when they saw the Limo leave. They looked at everyone and saw that they were okay. They headed for the Buffet then and grabbed some food and drinks.
"Buffy what is wrong with you acting like a common trollop in front of everyone. Can't you keep your hands off of Spike for even an hour." Giles was angry at her for responding to the film as she did.
Buffy hadn't told Giles yet that she was pregnant.
"Don't get to angry with her Giles. Cordelia was always wanting sex when she was first pregnant also." Angel told Giles. He didn't know that Giles hadn't been told yet.
"That doesn't make any difference. As a Slayer she has to be careful how others see her. She isn't a child any.......more......you said Cordelia was always wanting sex when she was first pregnant..... also. Those were your exact words were they not?" It was just hitting him as to what Angel said.
Buffy approached Giles slowly. "Yes, that's what he said. I am 3 weeks pregnant. Rupert Giles you are going to be a grandfather. If you don't mind that is. You've been more of a father to me then my own biological father, and I want my children to have at least one Grandparent."
Giles took his glasses off and cleaned them. He couldn't hold himself back any longer. He turned to Buffy then and hugged her. "Of course I wouldn't mind. I love you Buffy as though you were my daughter. No father could possibly be more proud of their own daughter." When Giles let go of her he couldn't hide the tears. He let go of Buffy and walked over to Spike. "Congratulations Spike. Well done my boy, well done." He shook Spikes hand. "Do the others know?" "Yes we told them last night when we got home." Spike said. He was grinning from ear to ear.
"That was a pretty good show that you put on for Johnson." Spike told Buffy. "What show do you mean?" Buffy asked. "The show you put on for Johnson when we were watching the film. I thought you were going to rip my clothes off right in front of everyone and Hunter, I thought she was going to have a melt down. I wouldn't doubt it if she pulls Bobby into a room at the airport and attacks him. I just hope she remembers who she is in love with before she does anything." Spike said. Then he spotted the food. "I think I had better build up my strength, no telling how long Buffy is going to keep me in the basement this time. She is a sex animal as it is. No telling how she'll be after watching Angel and Cordelia." Spike kissed Buffy then went to make a sandwich.
"Angel do you want anything to eat or drink?" Giles asked him. "No I'm good. Thank you."
"Your not patrolling are you Buffy?" Giles asked Buffy. You could easily hear the true concern in his voice.
"No, I've been careful. Spike has been patrolling by himself."
Connor was eating his sandwich and listening along with Gunn. "I can stay here and help Spike."
"I don't think so!" Both Buffy and Spike said at the same time.
"Why not?" Connor asked as though his feelings were hurt.
"Because I've seen you looking at Dawn like I used to look at Buffy. I've seen you look at her like a man that's hungry and I don't mean for food." Spike said it to Connor in a way that told Connor 'I've got my eye on you.'
"Well then I guess I'll volunteer. I'll go back though when Cordelia is ready to pop. I'm sure everyone will want to be there when she does so I'll be there too and come back when Spike and Buffy does." Gunn said as he finished off his sandwich.
"Thanks Gunn we really appreciate it." Spike said.
"Lets go you 2 if your done yet?" Angel asked Buffy and Spike.
Spike shoved the last piece of sandwich into his mouth then got up. "Giles can you bring the car over to the side please?" Giles was day dreaming about his future grandchild and that he would have the opportunity to start her training from when she is little. "Giles can you bring the car around please?" Spike said a little louder. "Oh, yes I guess I can do that." Giles said as he went through the front door.
"Connor and Gunn did you see any of Johnson's men?" Angel asked as he got up and walked over to the middle of the room.
"No, it was quiet." Gunn answered.
Giles opened the side door and came in. "You ready?" "Yes, come on Angel lets take you home." Spike went over to Angel and gave him his arm then they went to the car. He got Angel in okay then he slid over into the drivers seat, then Buffy got in after him. They closed all of the windows so that they could block out as much of the sun as possible and headed home to the Mansion.
Angel pulled his cell phone out and gave it to Buffy. "Buffy would you dial the Mansion please?" "Sure Angel." Buffy took the phone and dialed Cordelia. The phone rang several times then Dr. Martin answered it.
"Hello, Martin residence." "Dr. Martin this is Buffy Angel wants to talk to Cordelia." "Buffy Cordelia can't come to the phone right now. She is having a real problem with her depression right now. You better get Angel home as fast as possible." "Okay, we should be there in about 10 minutes. Tell Willow to take down the protection spell." "Be careful Buffy and keep a close eye on Angel. Good bye."
"Angel how are you feeling?" Buffy asked him. "Bad, Cordelia must be experiencing the depression again. Come back here with me please." Buffy climbed over the seat and sat down beside Angel. She saw his arm starting to shake so she held onto it with her own.
"Willow should have the protection spell down by the time we get their. Why don't you put your head in my lap and hold onto me. I won't let you do anything that is dangerous for you Angel." Angel did as she suggested and put his arm around her waist. His head was against her stomach and he put his attention on listening to her.
In another 10 minutes Spike was pulling up to the Mansions driveway. Wesley was already there and waiting for them in the carport.
Spike pulled under the carport and got out. Angel sat up again and reached for Spikes hand. When he cleared the car Spike let go of him and turned to help Buffy out.
The warmth of the sun felt so inviting to Angel. Angelus told him that he might as well get used to the heat because he was going to be spending eternity in hell as punishment for all of the people he had killed. He started to walk towards that warmth. "Do it Angel, they won't miss you. Your blind and they are doing just fine by themselves. Just a few more steps and you'll end it all and I can go onto my next vampire."
Wesley saw Angel walking towards the sun just in time. He went after him and grabbed his arm just in time. "Angel come into the house now. I think your listening to Angelus to much."
Wesley guided him back into the house along with Buffy and Spike.
Spike hated to do it but along with Buffy he put the chains on Angel. When they were done he just laid down on the fireplace shelf. Buffy grabbed the blanket that was on the couch. Dr. Martin came out of Cordelia's room along with Willow and Tara.
"Oh my goodness, poor Angel. Does he have to be chained up like that?" Tara asked no one in particular.
"He told us to do it Tara." Wesley said. When he was waiting for Spike to help Buffy out of the back seat of the car we weren't watching him and he almost killed himself by walking into the sun light."
Dr. Martin was sitting next to Angel. He had his head in her lap. She had seen his arm shaking so she grabbed onto it.
"How is Cordelia?" Buffy asked Dr. Martin.
"She's doing better than him. Willow thinks the midwife might have something to give her so these fits of depression won't be so bad."
"Mom, talk to me mom. Talk to me so that I won't concentrate on just what Angelus is saying." Angels arm was shaking so much now that even though Dr. Martin held onto him he was making the chains shake. The noise they made were heard by Cordelia in the bedroom and she came out with Fred.
As Cordelia walked in Dr. Martin had an idea to make them both come out of this depression. "Cordelia come and sit here." Dr. Martin got up and Cordelia sat where she had been.
"Angel sit up and put your hand on Cordelia's stomach." She turned around to the rest "Okay I want everyone to sit down and be very quiet." Dr. Martin waited while everyone pulled a chair over.
"Cordelia and Angel I want you to join your minds with your daughters. Listen to my voice only." Dr. Martin waited until she saw Kathleen move over to Angels hand. "We will take a short walk into the future. Let your minds form the picture as I describe it to you. Kathleen is 5 years old, she is a very happy little girl because she has her Mommy and Daddy playing with her today. They are going swimming in the big swimming pool that is in the back of the Hyperion. Can you see her Cordelia and Angel. What does she look like Angel?"
"She looks like her mother when she was little. I know what Cordy looked like because of the pictures she has of herself when she was little. Kathleen has her long brown hair. Cordy has kept it long. Kathleen hasn't had her hair cut since she was born. Her skin is very white like fine porcelain. She is the light of my life and my world revolves around her."
"Yes she is a beautiful child. Just like the sisters said when they first saw you and Cordelia, 'Those two will make beautiful babies together.' Now lets go a little further towards the pool. The pool is accessed through an enclosed walk way that goes from the back of the Hyperion to the enclosed pool. Kathleen is running ahead of her Mommy and Daddy and wants to jump into the pool. She wants to show you how well she can swim now. Her brother has been teaching her how to swim every day when he comes back from school. The day before she learned how to swim under water and hold her breath. She is very proud of her new accomplishment. The doors are locked and she isn't tall enough to reach the latch that is high up on the door so she has to wait for her Daddy to open the door. 'Come on Daddy hurry up.' She says as she waits at the door. But Daddy is walking more slowly because Kathleen's Mommy is real big and can hardly walk so she has to hold onto Daddy's arm. Mommy said she is going to give Kathleen a Christmas present of 2 little brothers at the same time and Kathleen can hardly wait. You reach the door and unlock it. Kathleen runs and jumps into the pool. She is so proud of herself."
Dr. Martin had her eyes closed as she painted the story to Cordelia and Angel. She opened her eyes then and saw both of them smiling. She took it as a sign that the storm was over and they could relax now.
"Angel and Cordelia we are going to leave your daughter in the future now and we will come back to the present." She pulled Angels hand away from Cordelia and he opened his eyes. Cordelia opened her eyes also. She reached for Dr. Martin then and hugged her. "Thank you, that was a nice way to bring us out of the depression." Cordelia looked at Willow. "Can you call the midwife as soon as possible Willow. I don't want Angel and I to have to go through that again."
"Can you take these off now Wesley?" Angel held up his hands to emphasize the fact that the chains were still on. Wesley came over and unlocked the chains and removed them from around Angels wrists. "I think I had better go into town and check for padding for those."
"By the way Buffy when I had my head in your lap I was able to keep from listening to Angelus because I was listening to your baby's heart beat. It's real feint but I could hear it."
Angel said as he looked at Spike and Buffy.
Spike went over and kneeled down in front of Buffy and put his ear to her stomach. He listened for awhile then a grin broke out across his face and his eyes lit up. "I can hear it Buffy. I can hear our little girls heart beat." Spike stood up and kissed Buffy then hugged her close.
The next day Willow came over with a mixture of herbs from the midwife with instructions that said Cordelia was to take it as a tea and only when she felt the depression coming on.
During the next week they settled into a regular routine. Gunn and Connor helped Spike patrol Sunnydale at night while Buffy stayed at the Mansion. Wesley and Fred worked with Connor to prepare him for a GED test during the day.
Angel and Cordelia started their Lamaze classes on the Friday after they came to Sunnydale. Fore the next 3 weeks they didn't hear anything from Morgan or Johnson. On Monday of the fourth week Morgan called. Wesley answered the phone. After a minute they heard Wesley say 'Wait a minute Morgan everyone should hear this. Let me call everyone over to the phone'.
Wesley looked around for everyone. Connor had been studying with Fred so they were both at the table. Cordelia and Gunn were playing a video game in the Master bedroom so that they wouldn't disturb Connor. He also could hear Angel exercising downstairs in the Gym.
"Connor would you go and get Angel please and bring him over here." Wesley then went to get Cordelia and Gunn. "Fred would you get Dr. Martin and then come over here please." When they were all assemble he told everyone that Morgan was on the phone with some important information that they all needed to hear. Wesley then put the phone on the speaker so that everyone could hear.
"Go ahead with what you were saying Morgan everyone is listening."
"As I was saying, the rumor is that Johnson doesn't believe that he can't get any Vampires to work for him. He thinks that if he can make some of his own that they will do what he wants. I think he'll be coming after either Angel or Spike. I've already spoken to Hunter. So Hunter and Dr. Thompson will be staying with me for awhile. I can send some guards to help you if you need them."
"No I think we'll be okay Morgan. We have enough people over here to take care of things and even though Angel is blind he can still take care of himself. What I am concerned with is if they should capture one of us they will use us as a leverage against Angel or Spike to get them to do what they want. We'll talk about it over here though and I'll call you if we decide that we need more help. Thank you Morgan for the information. Good bye." Wesley took them off of the speaker then.
"You better call Buffy and Spike and tell them to get everyone and come over here so that we can talk about it." Angel said as he sat down at his favorite spot by the fireplace.
Wesley called Buffy and Spike and let them know what happened. They said they would gather everyone up and join them at the mansion as soon as they could.
"All we can do then is wait for them to get here. Connor can you go up to the roof and see if you can sense anyone around here that shouldn't be here?" Connor immediately started for the roof.
"I am going to go and take a shower." Angel said as he got up and carefully made his way over to the Master bedroom.
When he came out of the bedroom he had a pair of black jeans on along with a black long sleeved silk shirt. He approached Wesley. Even though Angel couldn't see he still had his heightened sense of smell and that ability brought him directly to a person.
"Have you heard from anyone yet?" "No not yet." Wesley said. "Would you take me to the kitchen please?" Angel asked Wesley. Wesley gave Angel his arm and they walked over to the kitchen. Angel pulled out a container of blood and proceeded to warm it up in a glass.
Wesley made some hot tea for himself and when his drink was done Angels was done also so they sat at the table in the kitchen. "I have a bad feeling about this Wesley. I think someone has been taken already. What am I going to do if they use this person against me or Spike to turn someone?" Angels arm was starting to shake again. He put his hand in his pocket to keep it from gaining attention. Wesley had noticed before that this always happened when Angel was under stress.
"That is going to be up to you Angel. I think though that if they present you with someone I would think that, that person would choose to become a Vampire. Tell them that they have to get you some animal blood so the new Vampire will have blood to drink when he wakes up or else he will take one of them. When we know that your gone we will send Connor to be with the supplier. When someone comes to buy the blood Connor can then follow them back and then call us to let us know where you are being kept. If you choose to kill them Angel make sure that it's as bloody as possible so that you can scare them into dropping this idea of making their own Vampires."
"Wesley would you ask Dr. Martin to come in here please then leave us alone." "Sure Angel."
Wesley got up then and took his tea with him. He went to Dr. Martin who was sitting with Cordelia.
"Dr. Martin Angel would like to see you in the kitchen." Dr. Martin got up from the couch and went into the kitchen.
Dr. Martin went and sat by Angel. "Wesley said you wanted to see me." "Yes, I have a problem and I have to come up with a solution." "Lets go out to the patio where we can be alone for awhile. People will want to come in here eventually." Dr. Martin took Angel by the hand and guided him to the back porch. The porch roof was large enough so that Angel was safe from the sun. Dr. Martin directed Angel to two chairs that were furthest from the sun and they sat down.
"You are worried about what you are going to do if you are taken and you have to decide whether to take a man's soul from him and make him a Vampire or let someone that you care about be hurt or possibly killed. Is that correct?" "Yes." Angel answered.
"Angel I once had a problem that was similar. I had a patient that was having difficulties in delivering her baby in a normal vaginal birth. I had to make a choice as to whether I should let the baby die or save the mother. The father and the family of the woman were telling me to sacrifice the baby and save the mother. All of the evidence told me that the baby was going to die anyway and that I should kill the baby and save the mother. But I just couldn't do it. So I decided to try and save both the mother and baby. I decided to let God control the whole thing. While the mother was being prepared for surgery I slipped into the hospital chapel and prayed the rosary. I asked God to guide me and if at all possible show me how to save both mother and child. When I was done I went into that room with the intention to deliver a live baby. I didn't think about the difficulties of the surgery I just put it out of my mind and did my best. It turns out that God did present me with the opportunity and I was able to save both. Lets pray the rosary together Angel and pray that God will guide you in doing what is best. Remember that St. Michael is with you always."
Dr. Martin and Angel proceeded to pray the Rosary and asked God for his guidance. Half way through she looked at Angel and noticed that his arm had stopped shaking. When they were done they went back into the house. Spike came in with Willow, Tara and Giles.
"Where is Buffy?" Cordelia asked. "She went to get Dawn." Willow answered as Tara and her went and sat on the couch next to Cordelia. Giles and Anya came in right behind them then Spike closed the door. The phone rang and Wesley picked it up.
"Hello, Martin residence." "Mr. Price?" "Yes." "May I speak to Angel please." "One moment please."
"Angel someone is asking for you. I think it's Johnson." Angel took the phone from Wesley.
"Hello this is Angel."
"Angel this is Johnson. We have Dawn Summers. Have someone take you to the outside of your gate in the front. Someone will be there to pick you up when they go back into the house."
"Why Dawn?" Angel asked.
"Because she was the easiest to grab."
The person on the other line hung up then. Angel turned to Wesley. "Johnson wants me to go and stand out in the front." Fortunately the sun was starting to go down so their wasn't a problem there. When Angel started for the door Wesley stopped him.
"Wait a minute Angel don't go yet." Wesley ran up to his room and brought down a briefcase. He put it on a table near by and opened it. He pulled out what looked like a button and put it in Angels jacket pocket.
"What is that?" Angel asked.
"It's a tracker. No matter where they take you we can track you with this. David gave it to me when I told him about Johnson kidnaping you and Dr. Martin."
"Great, just don't rescue me too soon. I intend to teach them a lesson like I did that actress that wanted me to turn her." Angel said as he felt for the button, as he referred to the tracker.
Wesley then started to take Angel outside to the gate. Spike grabbed Angels arm and stopped them at the door. "Don't let them do anything to her Angel. If I should sense any harm coming to her I am going to come in there and tear their throats out before they know what is happening. I won't care about the rule for us of not harming any humans. I won't care about anything including myself."
"Spike I know about your feelings for Dawn. Don't go all Vampire crazy on us and do something that you will regret for all eternity. When Buffy comes keep her here. Listen to Wesley when it comes time to make your move. We've already talked about what we are going to do. I want to make sure that they don't try this again. Don't forget about how many times you got yourself in trouble every time you went against what Angelus told you to do." Angel and Wesley left for the gate then.
Cordelia went to the door and called out to Angel. "Be careful Angel and come back to us soon." "Always." Angel said. Wesley then guided him to the other side of the gate and then went back to the Mansion. Within 5 minutes a van picked him up and took off.
Wesley watched from the front door until the van took Angel and left. He was pretty sure that it was Richard that had helped Angel into the van. He asked Spike if he saw Richard help Angel into the van. "Yeah that was Richard."
"I'm not positive Spike but I think Angel has plans for Richard." "Yeah I get that feeling too. Lets see if that tracker of David's is working. Spikes cell phone rang as they were checking where the van was going. "Hello." "Spike this is Buffy, I can't find Dawn. I've checked the house, the Bronze and her girlfriends home." "Buffy we know where she is. Come over to the Mansion and I'll explain." "Okay, I'll be their in a few seconds."
While they waited for Buffy to get to the Mansion they were following where they were taking Angel. The van was heading for warehouses that were down by the docks. Spike knew exactly which ones were empty so he had a fairly good idea as to where they had taken Angel.
When they reached the warehouse the van drove in and Richard helped Angel out and guided him to where Johnson was. Angel was concentrating on the smells in the warehouse. He could smell 10 distinctly different odors so he figured that their was 9 men plus Dawn. He could also smell pork blood. He knew when they were getting close to the center of the group of men because he could feel the body heat from them.
"Dawn, are you here?" "I'm over here Angel. They have me handcuffed to a pipe, I have to go to the bathroom, I'm thirsty, I'm hungry and these handcuffs are hurting too."
"Why don't you take her to the bathroom Johnson. I'm sure your big bad men can handle one teenage girl." Angel heard Johnson ordering someone to take her over to the bathroom that was in the office.
"Okay Angel I think you know what we want. I have a volunteer here that you can turn. All you have to do is turn this one man and from what I understand he can then Sire others." Johnson said as he called his volunteer to join him.
"Do you have any animal blood here Johnson? Because I'm hungry and your new vampire is going to be hungry also except he is going to want fresh human blood."
"Well take care of him after you turn him into a Vampire. We have some blood for you over here." Johnson said then turned to one of his men and told him to give the container to Angel. The man approached Angel carefully and put the container on the table that was in front of him."
"Come on now why are you afraid of me. I am just a poor blind Vampire." Richard picked up the container and put it in Angels hand. For some reason he wasn't afraid of him and Angel noticed this.
Angel put his game face on and drank the blood hungrily from the container. He let it drip down the side of his mouth and onto his clothes and on the floor. He then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He dramatized it as much as possible. The volunteer came forward towards Angel. He could sense the fear in him.
"Why are you afraid. I thought that you wanted this. What's your name boy and how old are you?" Angel continued to sip at the blood while questioning the volunteer.
"My name is Frank and I'm 27." "Come closer Frank. I can't see you but I can smell you. I can smell the fear in you. You know that fear always makes the victims blood taste sweeter. When you kill a woman you can really get some sweet stuff because it's so easy to scare them. You know one of the people that I turned was a young girl named Drusilla. At first I was going to just take her for a midnight snack but then her family just kind of presented themselves on a silver platter and I took it. I had fun that night. My Sire and I feasted that night. She just wanted the blood but I wanted some fun before the kill. So I tortured them while Drusilla watched. I raped the women before I killed them. I tell you I had it all that night. When I was done killing all of Drusilla's family I turned to her but she was in the corner of the living room just staring into space and babbling about something in the sky. I turned her that night. Fortunately most of the time she was easy to handle. But every once in awhile she would try to kill me. Especially when we were having sex. But that's the price we pay when we turn someone." Angel drank some more of the blood and kind of accidently spilled some on Frank. Angel could sense that Frank was just about ready to pee in his pants.
"Come on Frank take a sip of this animal blood so that you can get a taste of what is going to be your food for the rest of your days on this earth. Now of course it's going to taste different when it's human blood. Did you know that the first thing you will want when you wake up the first time will be human blood. I'll have to be their so that I can teach you how to kill efficiently. Maybe I'll have some myself. When I turn you it will be the first human blood I will have had in over 75 years. Here have a taste." Angel put it to Franks lips. Frank turned his head away and tried to push Angels hand away.
"What's the matter Frank don't you want it?" "No, get away from me I've changed my mind." Why Frank? Look I'll show you some of the things that you will gain. You'll be fast Frank. You'll be so fast that no one will be able to see you move." Angel went around the room collecting guns and then stopped and threw them on the floor in front of him. When the men saw this they all reached for their now absent guns.
"I thought you were blind Angel. How could you possibly do that?" Angel approached Johnson. "I am blind Johnson but I can smell you. Everyone has their own distinctive scent. I can even tell which one of you had sex before you came here. Given a little time I would be able to find the woman you had sex with. I am also far stronger then your strongest man. You can't win Johnson. Now let the girl go before I get real nasty.
Johnson himself went over to Dawn and took her handcuffs off. But instead of letting her go he grabbed her around the throat and put a knife to her neck. "Now lets see if you can be fast enough to stop me from cutting her throat. I brought you here so that you can make a Vampire for me. Now do it or before I leave this little girl will be dead and you'll have all the blood you want."
Angel moved so fast that Johnson could do nothing but slash out with his knife when he felt Dawn leaving his side. One of Johnson's men that still had a machine gun was so scared that he started to unload it by pointing it in a random pattern around the room. Angel had grabbed Dawn and shielded her with his body. After 6 bullets hit him he went down on top of Dawn. His last thought before he lost consciousness was still to protect Dawn. When the smoke cleared the man shooting could see that Johnson was dead along with 4 of his men including Frank.
Richards was still alive. When the shooting started he had ducked behind some boxes and didn't stick his head out until it stopped. He looked around and saw that Johnson and Frank were dead along with 4 more of his men. The rest took off when they saw that their boss was dead. Richards spotted Angel over on the floor while Dawn tried to get out from under him.
A few seconds later Spike broke in followed by Buffy and the A.I. team. They looked around the warehouse. "Dawn." Spike called out.
"I'm over here Spike, I'm over on the floor. Angels been shot." Dawn called out.
Spike came running over to her and Spike pulled Angel over and helped Dawn up and hugged her tightly and gave her a kiss on her forehead. Then he handed her over to Buffy who did the same.
Wesley had gone over to Angel. His jacket was soaked with his blood. "Common Gunn lets get him home. Are you okay Dawn?" "Yes, Angel protected me with his own body. Is he going to be alright?" "Sure, you know Angel. As soon as we can get him to Dr. Martin she'll start patching him up and he'll be as good as new in a day or two." Wesley and Gunn picked Angel up and they each put one of his arms around their neck. They all left then. When they got to Angels car he started to come around. "Wesley?" "Yes Angel I'm right here." "Wesley would you check to see if Richards was hit, and if you can't find his body then call out to him and tell him that I want him to call or come to the Mansion. He most likely is afraid to come out." "Okay Angel."
Wesley went back into the warehouse and looked for Richards body and when he didn't find him he called out as Angel instructed then left and went back to the car. They all headed for the Mansion as soon as Wesley returned.
Buffy had called ahead to let them know that they had Dawn. She was okay but Angel had been shot and they were on their way home.
Spike drove into the gate first so they could take Angel out under the protection of the car port. In the usual California weather it had started to rain at night so it was pouring when they got there.
Gunn and Spike helped Angel out of the back of the car. He was able to walk now but still needed help. Dr. Martin was at the doors when they got there.
"Take him to his bed Spike." Dr. Martin told him. She went to the kitchen and took out the medical instruments that she had been sterilizing. She put them out on a tray that she had a white towel on then took them into the bedroom.
Spike had removed Angels jacket, shirt, and t-shirt and had already cleaned the blood up. Dr. Martin put the tray of surgical instruments down on the bed by Angel. Spike took the forceps from the tray and started to dig the bullets out one by one. When he came to the last 3 he had to cut his skin because Angel had already started to heal. Dr. Martin let Spike do everything himself and only had to advise him once.
Angel had been awake through the whole procedure. He had been through this many times before and in fact he had often taken bullets out himself when they were where he could reach them.
Spike placed bandages on those wounds that he had, had to cut open again to extract the bullets. He took his stethoscope out and listened to Angels lungs to make sure they were clear and none of the bullets had pierced them.
"Why don't you just rest for now Angel. I'll bring you a glass of blood in a few minutes."
Angel turned over on his back and closed his eyes for awhile when Spike left. He was asleep for only a few minutes when Spike returned with a mug of warm blood a pitcher of water and another glass.
Spike gently shook Angels shoulder to wake him up. When he was fully awake Spike helped him to sit up and then put some pillows behind him to support him in a sitting position then gave him his mug of blood. They sat in silence for a few minutes. Angel could tell that Spike wanted to say something.
"Uh Angel, I wanted to thank you for saving Dawn. I probably would have gone crazy if something had happened to her. She's like the little sister that I always wanted and never had. She looks up to me like a big brother I think. Before Buffy finally excepted me and I would be down in the dumps because of her rejection Dawn would always come and visit me and try to raise my spirits. She would often keep me company when no one wanted me around. Best of all Angel when Buffy and I argue she comes and advises me on how to get back into her good graces." Spike and Angel where laughing at that point. Spikes laughter turned into tears as he got on his knees and leaned against the bed. Angel put his hand on Spikes head.
"Your welcome Spike. I couldn't let my Childe lose his soul when he has gone through so much already to get it."
Spike fidgeted with his stethoscope then wiped his eyes with the back of his hand then stood up and said "Well that's that for that then, get some sleep now Angel. I'll send Cordelia in when I see her."
"Okay Dr. Summers." Spike just smiled at Angel and walked out. Angel then finished his mug of blood then laid back down. Cordelia and Buffy came in together then. Buffy went and sat on the bed next to Angel. She leaned over and gave him a big hug. "Thank you Angel. I hope that I never have to return the favor." She gave him a kiss then and left.
Cordelia closed the door after Buffy left then went to the bed and removed her clothes and laid down next to Angel. She pulled his head down so she could reach him and then Angel gave her a long and passionate kiss. He pulled back and lightly kissed her on her forehead, they laid back then and slept until the next morning.
The next morning Angel sat up and stretched. His muscles were sore from yesterday so he got up and stretched some more. He then removed his pants, shorts, socks, and then the bandages. He started out with some warm up exercises. Then push ups. It hurt at first because of the muscles being cut and pushed around into their unaccustomed positions. As he continued though they all fell into place again.
Cordelia had woke up from all of the noise he was making. She just scooted over to the side of the bed and laid on her side, supported her head with her right hand and just laid there watching him go through his exercises. Angel saw her when he got up to change his exercise. When he sat down and prepared to do sit ups he looked at her and said "Why don't you come and sit on my legs so that I can do sit ups?" "Okay, I won't have as good a view from there as I do from here but I guess I can do that for you." Cordelia had to slide down the side of the bed in order to get up by herself. She crawled over on her hands and knees and sat on Angels legs. He spread his legs a little so she could sit on the floor and her legs and thighs held down his legs as he started his sit ups.
Angel started to have his usual problem whenever he saw his pregnant wife in such an inviting position. With each sit up he counted her attributes:
15 .... Her beautiful breasts were starting to get a little larger.
16 .... They were like round globes. Firm and white.
17 .... Her hair fell down over her breasts in such a seductive way.
18 .... Her hair fell in ringlets down her shoulders and over her breasts.
19 .... He could see Kathleen moving up and closer to her mothers heart. It was as if she knew what her Daddy had in mind and wanted to get out of the way.
20 .... The more he thought about it the bigger and harder he got. By the time he reached sit up 25 he couldn't stand it any longer. He reached for her, turned her over and entered her from behind so that he wouldn't hurt Kathleen. When he was done he collapsed on the floor with Cordy next to him.
"You can see now can't you Angel?" "Yes I can. I just opened my eyes this morning and was able to see just as well as I did before the accident." Cordy reached up and kissed each of his eyes then his mouth just as gently as she had each of his eyes. "You must have been a good boy and a quick learner for Him to give you back your eye sight so quickly."
Cordelia rested her head on his chest and went to sleep. Angel pulled the blanket and quilt off of the bed and wrapped them around Cordy and himself. He kissed the top of her head then went to sleep. Whenever he had Cordy in his arms all of the cares and worries of the world were gone and everything was right with the world.
At 10 o'clock they were in the kitchen, the place was a mess and they could hear voices out on the patio. They quickly made their own breakfasts and took it out to the patio.
"Good morning everyone." Cordelia and Angel said as they put their plates on the table. Everyone replied with a good morning. Before sitting down Angel went over to the garden table and grabbed a pair of clippers and went to the side of the patio that had roses and was shaded from the direct rays of the sun. He cut one long stemmed white rose and a large pink rose with a bud attached to the same stem. He returned the clippers to the table then went to Dr. Martin and gave her the white rose and a kiss on the forehead. He returned then to Cordelia and gave her the pink rose along with a kiss also. Angel sat down then and started to eat his breakfast.
"When did you get your eye sight back Angel?" Dr. Martin asked.
"When I opened my eyes this morning I could see just as well as I did before the accident."
Everybody clapped. "I'm sure Spike will be happy about it. He told me what you did to him at Giles store yesterday." Wesley said nonchalantly.
"What exactly did he tell you?" Angel asked as he leaned forward on the table.
"He said that when he was leading you into the store that he suggested that you get a cane for blind people or a seeing eye dog because he was afraid that people would start seeing you as a couple. He said that in answer when he led you into the back of the store you grabbed his head and gave him a big wet kiss on the mouth. He said when he got home he brushed his teeth and gargled with mouth wash at least 3 times."
Angel faked some tears and sniffed a couple of times. "Now my feelings are hurt. Here I took the chance of opening up and showing my true feelings and he rejects me. It's a good thing Frank changed his mind about becoming a Vampire or I would of had another Childe that would reject me and my feelings. Fortunately for me I have my one true love with me and she never rejects me."
"What happened at the warehouse Angel?" Wesley asked.
"It was what we thought. They offered me a volunteer to be turned into a Vampire. I did the whole routine of showing him what it was like to be a Vampire. When I was sure of how many men their were and where they were I made my move and disarmed them. Unfortunately their was one man that was further in back of the rest that had a machine gun of some type. He got scared and started firing at nothing in particular he just sprayed the room with bullets. That's when I grabbed onto Dawn and protected her with my body and you know the rest."
"Why are you so interested in Richards Angel?" Wesley asked. His curiosity was killing him.
"Every time I have been near him or talked to him I've sensed something in him that I can't put my finger on. I know that I've sensed this before but I just can't remember where or when. That is the reason though that I want to talk to him. I want you to talk to him to Wesley. I would like to ask him to join our team."
TBC.........................