Chapter 17 – Heartfelt Suspicions

Angel rubbed the back of his head as he stared at Doyle for a while. It seemed like he had a harder hit in the head than he thought. Am I dead? Am I in heaven? This couldn't be right. I don't deserve to be in heaven. But if this isn't heaven then how can I be sure that this is really Doyle? Angel thought as suspicion entered and clouded his mind. Angel backed up a few paces. He definitely felt confused and unsure of what to believe. He could almost feel his heart slide into his throat, beating wildly. Wait…His heart was beating? Maybe this was all a dream or his imagination, but he had to be sure.

"Doyle is that really you?" Angel asked as Doyle helped him off of the floor. Angel could feel a solid arm help him up and sighed in relief that it was not a ghost.

"Aye, it's me." Doyle grinned as he wrapped Angel's arm around him so he could lean into Doyle. Angel felt stunned and confused.

"What happened? I mean how are you standing here in front of me in your mortal body unscarred?"

"Not too long after I died the angels that are called white lighters gave me back me mortal body called me a noble hero and gave me healin' powers."

"How did you know we were in trouble?" Angel asked, hissing in pain.

"That's the catch. The Powers That Be gave me a welcome back present. It appears I still have the head crackin' visions and that me demon side is still alive and kickin' too. It's like gamblin' 'cept ye getting more than ye wanted and ye can't take it back. I gotta vision that you and Faith were in trouble so I hopped on me new band wagon and brought some helpers ta help me fight off these nasty buggers." Doyle explained as they trudged along slowly across the room to find the rest of the gang.

"Do you know what these things are, Doyle?" Angel shifted from foot to foot awkwardly. Something did not seem right. He felt dizzy and worse yet he felt his phantom heart beating steadily in his chest.

"They're Hoylge demons, which are gargoyle demons that feed off 'o souls. They have the power of a vampire when it comes ta their strength, but can walk through sun light durin' the day time. They're ancient and I thought they were a myth until I had a vision 'o them attackin' you. I brought Buffy and the rest 'o the gang with me to fight them, but I'm 'fraid the demons took off ta find reinforcements ta finish us off. Hoylgles can only use human bodies fer so many hours 'fore they dispose them and find new ones ta make them stronger. When the mortal skin rots 'way and shows the demon's true grayish green colors they look fer new strong bait ta wrestle with and consume." Doyle struggled to keep Angel upright. The vampire seemed to become weaker by the minute.

"Does it have any other powers I should worry about?"

"What more could ta things possibly want 'sides stealin' souls and possessing bodies? It's a package deal." Doyle eyed Angel questioningly.

"How about restoring a vampire to human form?"

"Not possible fer them unless ye sold yer soul fer a good price on ebay, which would probably only make ye evil, not human. Who do ye think would do that to ye if there was no demon in sight to mix its blood with yours? Do ye remember anythin' before ye appeared to pass out?" Doyle sat Angel down and rested beside him, breathing deeply from half carrying Angel.

"All I can think of is that there was a flash of white light that jolted me into the ground. The light looked like it came from a different dimension and I'm almost positive that it was done intentionally to me. It tore through my body before I passed out. When I awoke I looked up again and the demon girls were gone and you were in their place." Angel said as he concentrated on the wall where the beam of light had been.

"Come on and lets find the group so we can all try to find a way out together. I don't know about you, man, but I'm over due fer a drink. I hear it callin' me name. Lets talk 'bout this o'er a cold one," Doyle suggested. Angel smiled weakly. Yep there was no doubt about it now. His old pal was back and ready for action. They shuffled across the room unaware of how far or close they were to the gang.

Across the room everyone kept an eye out for the demons and patiently waited for Doyle to return with Angel. The room grew cool and the bright thick life like light began to slightly thin out, but everything seemed to be deathly still and quiet except for the gang's hard breathing.

"Where are Doyle and Angel? Shouldn't they be here by now?" Dawn cut the silence, looking nervous.

"They're probably close. No worries!" Willow exclaimed as she cupped her hands and called out for Doyle and Angel. Nothing came back except for her desperate echo and a pounding against the walls. The pounding got louder and louder as if something or someone were trapped inside the walls.

"You know, Will, I'm not really in the mood for knock, knock jokes now. " Xander responded, with a jump.

"That wasn't me, Xand. It looks like we could be getting more company."

"Sounds like my Aunt Rita after her drink-a-thon. I really don't want to see who is on the other side." Xander grabbed Willow by the shirt and walked with her in front of him.

"Who's with me? Lets find a way out." Xander gestured for everyone to follow him.

"Wait up…wise guy. We don't have to run. We can take these bitches out with our bare hands." Faith blocked him, folding her arms.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think this girl is right. Some of these girl demons are as short as lil girl scouts. It should be a snap." Spike grinned, watching Xander's face loose its color.

"Yeah right, like ginger snaps. We're toast. We all should just head off before she blows." Xander muttered, looking back at the white wall.

"Aw…someone is afraid of girls." Faith mocked Xander and made a pouting face.

"He sounds more like a girl," Spike joked, laughing loudly as Buffy whacked him hard onto his ass.

"Cut it out Spike! And Faith get real here. I'm with Xander on this one. It's best at all costs to avoid them. The demons will just distract us from finding a way out." Buffy huffed.

"What about finding Lover Boy and Doyle, B? Or are you going to leave them here all alone?" Faith raised one of her eyebrows. Uh-ha! Finally caught her off guard, Faith thought proudly as she saw Buffy jerk her head around, appearing momentarily alarmed.

"We'll look for them while we try to discover the exit to this circus. It's all good." Buffy replied with a phoney reassuring smile.

"Why don't we just take Tinkerbell?" Spike asked, taunting Paige by pulling on her ponytail like a school boy.

"Good idea, Spike. Maybe you could fly her over this pirate ship," Buffy folded her arms, with a threatening look in her eyes.

"Patches over here looks like he could fit the part better if he didn't look like he was going to pee in his tights," Spike laughed, nipping Buffy's ear as she shoed him away. Xander blushed with anger. Paige just smiled and put a reassuring arm on his shoulder.

"I believe in you, Xanman. You're the Pan," Paige winked, smiling brightly at him.

"That's right I'm the Pan. So back off Hook cause the Pan is ready for action," Xander smiled proudly, standing tall next to Spike. Spike rolled his eyes.

The group wondered further ahead, squinting to find an exit as the banging became more distant.

"Paige, use your new telepathic ability to contact Doyle. I'm sure you will get some kind of reading." Willow suggested.

Paige closed her eyes and concentrated hard until she came to see Doyle and a disheveled young looking man beside him, which she assumed was Angel.

Doyle! Can you hear me? Where are you?

I couldn't really tell ya, darlin'. It seems like we're in the middle of the room. I'm not sure though.

Say that again…I couldn't quite hear you.

I said I don't really know –

It was almost as if their connection was blocked and cut off by static and a tiny voice entered both of their minds saying:

One's suffering may be one's delight. There will be blood shed tonight.

Paige froze. Everyone turned to her in anticipation.

"Well? What's wrong?" Dawn's eyes were wide with wonder.

"I can't reach him. Something is breaking into our thoughts and not letting me enter his thoughts. I think we need to split up and find them. I know this sounds crazy, but it may work." Paige shrugged with a concerned look on her face. She wasn't sure if she should tell the others of the voice's message. They had bigger problems right now.

"What is it, Doyle?" Angel asked, bewildered.

"I can't reach the gang. Something is cutting me off from them. Whatever it is sends its luv and regrets to us personally via me mind." Doyle looked disturbed and tried to pick up the pace, dragging Angel along with him.

"We gotta get outta here before all hell breaks loose and I'm not talkin' in a metaphoric way either."

"What about Buffy and the rest of the group? Can't we try to find them?"

"No time. We need ta find a way outta this hell hole quickly." Doyle carefully half carried and dragged Angel as fast as he could to the other side of the never ending room, opposite from Buffy and the rest of the group.

"Use yer vampire senses and try to pick up on where they might be and see if ye can find us an exit." Doyle replied, his breath quickening. Angel concentrated, but could sense nothing. His vision appeared to be more blurry and his sense of smell seemed to be lost.

"I can't, Doyle. Something doesn't feel right. I feel like I'm a human again."

"Good god, man, this isn't good. It's perfect timing fer becoming human. The Powers definitely have a wicked sense o' humor. How are we supposed ta get outta here?" Doyle muttered, searching frantically for a way out.

Angel shrugged and then sighed. Doyle was beginning to sound as sarcastic as Cordy. Doyle noticed Angel pause in reflection.

"What?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I was just wondering. Lend me your bow."

"Are ye crazy? That's the only weapon of protection we have at this moment!" Angel grabbed the bow quickly from Doyle.

"But I don't see…" Angel covered Doyle's mouth with his hand to silence him. Angel took the bow and threw it high into the air and heard a click and then a crash. Angel ducked, tugging Doyle down with him as the bow slipped down with a pile of glass. Doyle glanced up and saw a secret door behind the cracked light.

"That could work too. How did ye-" Doyle's eyes widened in surprise as he picked up his bow, placing it inside his brown, leather coat.

"Senior Partners don't make things easy. A regular door can be bogus or if it's real than it has more dreadful surprises than a Jack-in-the-box. You have to watch your step. Certain traps may seem dangerous while other ways may be easy and safe, but be aware of the optical illusions. They can kill you quicker than a demon can blink an eye. I'll go first into the door and then I'll help you up." Doyle frowned, studying Angel.

"Ye don't even have the strength to walk a few paces... How ye goin' ta climb up there?" Angel grabbed a wired rope from his duster and shot it up onto the door.

"Where did ya get that gadget?" Angel looked down at Doyle with a guilty look upon his face.

"On second thought I don't want ta know." Doyle shuttered. Angel swung the rope down to Doyle. Doyle looked at the rope as if it were a vermin and then sighed as he took it and climbed up.

"Do ye think Buffy will find this spot?" Doyle muttered as Angel pulled him into the tunnel.

"No. Chances are this door will disappear within minutes. We need to get moving quickly."

"Right, man. After you, ye know the way." Doyle gulped as they began to crawl through the dark, cool tunnel.

Buffy shook her head at Paige.

"No can do, cookie. We are sticking together in order to find them, even if it's going to kills us." Xander groaned.

"Buff, lets leave the word 'kill' out of it, please. I don't want you to invite anymore demons to our little groupie."

Spike growled at Xander.

"Take a hike, Dr. Evil." Xander gave Spike a dirty look.

"That is just about ENOUGH guys!" Buffy shouted, her voice echoing off the walls.

"Buffy's right we're getting no where. Well actually…it kind of looks like we're in the middle of no where. Where are we? Does anybody know?" Xander looked around confused. "Wow I think we have been here a few seconds ago. We're definitely making progress. Can everybody give me a WOO-HOO?" Xander's voice echoed the last word like it sprung from the mountains."Echoing is so cool," Xander chuckled to himself, momentarily forgetting about the demons they just fought.

"Xander, keep it down. You don't want your voice leading the demons back to us, do you?" Willow turned to her friend annoyed.

"Sorry, Will." Xander made a zip motion to his lips.

"Xander's actually right. We have been wandering in the same spot for awhile. I know I shouldn't be asking this, but can you help us find an exit with magic, Will?" Dawn asked, shyly.

"Well it appears to be our last resort, so I suppose it wouldn't harm anything." Willow started to clear her mind and chanted softly in Latin until she finally came across a clearing through the thick, bright light. Everyone sighed with relief as they approached what appeared to be three doors.

"This kind of reminds me of a game show that I used to watch when I was a kid. The Price is Right or something like that," Paige replied thoughtfully examining the doors. "I used to be a pro at guessing the prices." Paige shrugged. "I'd try this one." Paige pointed to a brown ordinary wooden door.

"Spike, you should do the honors. Since-"

"I'm a vampire and it wouldn't matter too much if I got hurt. Is that it, pet? Is there anything else that you want, Slayer? Maybe a back massage or a good kick in the ass?"

"I'd choose kicking him in the ass, B." Faith joked as Spike gave her a dirty look before he turned to open the door. As soon as Spike walked into the doorway his body caught on fire and sunlight flew from the doorway like he just stepped outside. He scampered back as quick as he could and dropped to roll out the fire. His flesh was hot and burnt, but the pain soon disappeared after he hit the floor.

"That's kind of odd. I didn't see any sunlight out there," Willow pondered aloud as she entered the door only to be attacked by Warren's corpse. Willow struggled and choked under Warren's steal like grip.

"Hello, witch! Miss me?" Warren laughed, his skin falling off bit by bit all over Willow.

Buffy and Dawn ran into the door to help Willow only to be out of reach altogether as Caleb and Glory appeared out of no where and started to attack them with vast speed. Buffy tried to fight back, but could not move. Nobody seemed to be able to escape.

"Help, Faith! You need to get us out of here! Our worst enemies and past are taking control of us. Please!" Buffy grunted, feeling crushed with a sharp pain flooding through her body.

Faith nodded and ran in only to see herself blocking the path to Buffy, Dawn and Willow.

"I'm not a killer anymore! Get the hell outta my way, you double-crossing bitch." Faith shoved herself out of way and grabbed Buffy, Dawn and Willow by the arms and swung them out of the door. The images of the past disappeared as Xander looked upon Faith with a newfound admiration. Paige looked away in embarrassment.

"There's nothing like telling yourself what to do," Xander nodded to Faith as he rubbed Paige's shoulder reassuringly. "I'd say that door is as good as history in our case." Xander laughed nervously as he slammed the door.

The two other doors were quite evil looking with green slime on the right door and demon guts on the left.

"Hmm…guts or slime. How welcoming. That's a toughie. What would you choose, Paige?" Xander smiled flirtatiously towards Paige.

Paige shook her head and looked down, biting her bottom lip thoughtfully.

"How about we take both?" Dawn chimed in, feeling the doors with her fingers.

"Good idea. We should separate." Buffy nodded in agreement with her sister.

"Say that again! Huh?" Xander exclaimed, with a disgusted look on his face. Even after years of killing demons he still felt like it was his first time.

"We're going to separate. Spike, you, Faith and Paige take the demon gut door and Willow, Xander, Dawn and me will take the slime door." Buffy shrugged indifferently.

"It's like Ying or Yang…whatever! Ready?"

Spike and Faith nodded as they both kicked the doors open.

"Good luck." Buffy whispered to Faith. Faith nodded as they all headed into the two different doors at the same time.

Back in the Wolfram and Hart Basement

Phoebe grinned as she fastened her sister into a separate laser cage from Leo. Things were definitely looking up in their plans with Piper and Leo out of the way. Paige was another matter that Phoebe had a feeling would be harder to manage.

"The guests have arrived, Cole. They're so tired from their long trip." Phoebe replied with a laugh.

"So they have arrived. You are just glowing, my love, but something tells me you are upset about something." Cole stepped towards Phoebe with his hand cupping her jaw, as he looked deeply into her eyes.

"I can't detect or find Paige." Phoebe looked down, but Cole lifted her face up.

"That's all in good time, my sweet. We'll be able to find her. Don't you worry about anything. By the time the sleepy heads wake up we will all be able to celebrate." Cole massaged her neck and skimmed his fingers through her thick hair and bent down to kiss Phoebe's sweet lips.

"Can I play with the animals? Can I Daddy?" Drusilla burst in out of no where from behind Cole, clapping her hands with glee.

"Oh, joy. I forgot. Medusa is here. How lovely," Phoebe muttered under her breath as Cole broke the kiss.

"Not now, sweet pea. We need them to rest. You can enjoy them when they awake, okay?" Cole grinned, patting Dru playfully on the head. Dru rolled her head back and forth in Cole's hand and started to purr, her eyes closed like she were sucking up the pleasure moment by moment.

Suddenly her head jerked back as she turned around in circle and jumped back and forth as if she were following an invisible victim.

"Open and shut, open and shut. Where do you turn? Open and shut, open and shut, someone will learn." Dru clapped her hands as if she were opening and shutting a door and then laughed at her game.

"What does my fair dark princess see?" Cole turned her around slowly to face him.

Dru tilted her head back and paused and put her finger to her lips.

"Shhh…they'll hear you. Poor monsters. Snap! Crackle! Snap! Crackle!" Dru's smile faded from her face into a frown.

"He reeks like roasted tuna fish. Naughty boy! He needs to be taught a lesson from his mommy dearest." Dru shook her head. "Glow worms are tickling his insides like flashlights. He puts me to shame." Dru fumed.

"It's Spike. He has been fighting off and hurting our new baby Hoygles. He's here with the Slayers and their friends. We may get more than we bargained for, my sweet,." Cole tickled the back of Phoebe's neck. Phoebe smiled, putting her arms around Cole's neck.

"No more waiting. I want to bring my baby home. To stay with me again," Drusilla's beady eyes reflected her malicious thoughts.

"So be it, Dru. We will find your playmate. Then we can all be like one big happy family." Cole put his arms around Phoebe and Drusilla and pulled them close to him.

"What about the others?" Phoebe hissed.

"Our older Hoygles have it under control. It's only a matter of time before the battle begins. The order will be sent and then the Hellmouth will smile again." Cole grinned darkly as his eyes glowed with fire.

Drusilla put her arms around herself and rocked slowly back and forth to an unheard melody.

"Boom goes the light. No more power for him at night." Drusilla smiled eerily as she hugged Miss Edith to her chest tightly. The rising of an old line of evil was finally about to be set free around them.