Swerving into a parking spot, the tires squealing to a stop, the two men didn't waste any time jumping out of the vehicle. Their hand stitched Italian shoes moved quickly across the cement, their footsteps echoing eerily off the walls.
Like most underground parking garages, it was poorly lit and smelled dank, something Benny claimed gave the place it's special charm. Making his comings and goings less noticeable to his nosy neighbors. The biggest benefit was the lack of security cameras. Making it virtually impossible for the PCPD to monitor his movement.
"I don't see why we came here first." Following his friend, his eyes shifting to the far shadows, Johnny kept a firm hold of his gun on the inside of his jacket. "Vampires can't entire a person's home without being invited."
"Will you shut the hell up?" Looking over his shoulder, looking extremely perturbed by the direction the conversation going, Francis said in a low voice. "You sound like Sonny's idiot of a sister."
"You think you're so smart Francis?" Johnny snapped. "Then you tell me who the hell's been draining people of their blood? The freakin Red Cross?"
"I don't know. But I'm not gonna stand around talking about vampires and other stupid ass shit with you." Punching the button of the elevator, Francis rolled his shoulders. "There's enough freaky crap happening in town, I can't take it coming from you too."
Remaining quiet until they stepped into the elevator car, Johnny scowled. "Fine. Then lets talk about Ms. Webber and her little blonde friend."
His hackles raised, Francis scowled darkly. "What about them."
"When Ms. Webber's foot was on your chest, why didn't you shove her off balance?"
"Jesus Johnny, what would've you seen me do? Knock her on her ass so Jason could have a reason to kill me? No thanks." Shifting, looking increasingly uncomfortable, Francis watched the floor number light up as the elevator climbed up slowly. "Besides I like Ms. Webber. She was always nice to me."
"Bullshit." Johnny spat.
Lifting a brow at his friend, Francis turned his body to face him. "Excuse me? You telling me you don't like her?"
"Of course I like her. She's like a damn Kewpie doll." The tension was mounting. "I'm talking about moving her foot. You couldn't, even if you wanted to."
Francis eyed Johnny silently. His jaw muscles clenching. "Maybe."
"Then that redhead and that crap she did with her hands?"
"I said I don't want to talk about it."
"Tough, cause I do." Crossing his arms over his broad chest, Johnny's right eye twitched. "How long have we worked together?"
"Eight years." Forcing himself to answer, Francis watched his friend suspiciously, trying to figure out where he was going with this.
"How many times have you ever heard me admit I was scared shitless?"
His brow lowered over concerned eyes, Francis felt uncomfortable. "Never."
"Damn straight." Licking nervously at his lips, Johnny clenched and unclenched his hands. "My gut is telling me something's off. Like Twilight Zone off. Starting with how the morgue is filling up faster than an all you can eat buffet."
"I don't want to talk about this right now." Pinching his nose, Francis looked up when the bell dinging, signaling that they'd reached their destination. "We need to keep our minds on the job. Right now, finding Benny's the job."
"Fine."
Reaching out and stopping Johnny, Francis gave him a purposeful look. "Later. Once we find Benny we'll talk."
Not looking like he particularly liked the answer, Johnny gave a curt nod. Stepping into the hallway, both men took a cautious look around before heading to the right. Benny's apartment was the last one at the end of the hall. He'd lived there for as long as either one of could remember.
A man of simple needs, Benny never saw the need to take up residency at the towers like the rest of the Sonny's valued employees. Saying he was an old man and liked the privacy of his place compared to the Frat house atmosphere.
After making sure they were alone, the two men made their way to Benny's door. Stopping, they stood in front of the door, looking grim.
"Well."
"Yeah."
Sighing, Johnny made the first move by knocking. They waited for what seemed like minutes, but in reality was only a few seconds. Placing his hand on the doorknob, Francis let out a dark oath when it turned. Both their hearts falling, knowing there was no way Benny would ever forget to lock his door.
Shoving the door open both men took in the damage of Benny's normally spotless domain. It looked like someone had ransacked it with a baseball bat.
"Oh fuck." Muttering, Francis waited until Johnny left his position in the hallway to close the door.
Johnny moved farther into the room, taking care to step around the broken coffee table. Halting when he reached the kitchen, he put a hand on the wall to steady himself. "I found Benny."
"Out with it." Knowing Cordelia like he did, he knew when something was on her mind. It wasn't like she hid it well. With her long suffering sighs and low muttering.
"Out with what?" Looking way too innocent, Angel knew he was going to have to work hard to get her to talk about what was on her mind.
"It's been a long day Cordy. How about we just get to the point? I'll give you an extra week off if you just tell me what's bothering you."
"Paid?"
"Of course." With a dry chuckle, Angel watched as she worried on her lower lip.
"What do you think of Lindsey?"
"I don't like him and don't trust him." Answering quickly, Angel could see the wheels in her mind working again. Which only spelled trouble. "No."
"What?" Dragging her feet, Cordelia tucked her hands into her jacket pocket.
"We're not adopting him." His face in a grim line, Angel told himself not to look at her. All he needed was to be sucked into one of her missions. It was times like these he really missed the old Cordelia. The one who didn't care about feelings and who's only concern was for herself.
"Who said anything about adopting?"
"Because this is how the conversation started when we took Gunn on."
"And look how well that turned out." Her voice rose just a notch.
"No."
"Fine." She answered tightlipped.
Walking a block in silence, Angel snuck a look over at her. "Go on."
A knowing smile lit up her face. "I was just thinking what could happen to him if, when Wolfram and Hart shows up."
"He knows what could happen." Sulking, Angel didn't like the direction the conversation was going. "He's had free will from the day he signed up with those bastards. Now he has to live with the consequences.
"Blah, blah, blah. Whatever." Waiving her hand in the air, Cordelia gave him a scathing look "Like any of us have the right to preach that line."
"Cordy. I don't like him."
"And I didn't like Buffy. But I worked with that crybaby for years." Flashing him a smile at his heavy sigh, Cordelia went on. "I'm not saying we should take him in. But we can't let those lawyer freaks do anything to him."
"Why?" Moaning, Angel knew he was losing the battle.
"He's put a lot on the line to help us."
"He's responsible for Tess being here."
"Angel, stop being such a dumbass. The guy is lost. And we both know he's got a lot of potential."
"For what? Runway model for Armani?"
"Well there is that." Sending him a cheeky grin, Cordelia waited until he rolled his eyes. "He knows the law inside and out. Something that would come in handy. He helped raise your little girlfriend - which by the way Tess is gonna freak out on you for that skanky indiscretion - so he's got a good grasp on the mojo stuff." Lifting up her hand, she continued to tick off Lindsey McDonald's pro's.
"He knows about demons. Probably has some killer contacts." Ignoring Angel's comment on killer contacts with a elbow in his ribs, Cordelia sent him a look that told him she wasn't finished yet. "He's willing to get his hands dirty. Computer skills. Research skills. Are you starting to catch on?"
"He's tried to kill us, kill you."
"Wanna talk about your Beige period?"
Scowling, Angel looked straight ahead. "He bombed our first office."
"No he didn't."
"He had his chance. He turned his back on it and got a corner office."
"Whatever, it was in the past." Hooking her arm through his, Cordelia stopped, making him stop with her. "All I am asking. Is here and now. If push came to shove and Wolfram and Hart comes after him, where will you be standing."
Opening his mouth, Angel waited. His first response was that he'd hand them Lindsey on a silver platter. But he knew it wasn't true. Cordelia was only voicing what he'd thought all along. Lindsey McDonald needed a kick in the ass and a push in the right direction. He'd made one bad decision after another, but hadn't they all?
"I'd have his back." Even if he ended up burning them.
He'd expected her to look happy. Cordelia enjoyed winning their little arguments. Instead she looked uneasy. "That's what I thought."
Her body felt like she'd climbed Mount Everest, and fallen when she'd reached the top.
"Tess?" Hearing Giles's voice coming from above her, Tess cracked open an eye and groaned. "Welcome back."
"What happened?" Tess croaked.
"We're not entirely sure." Giles said soothingly. "Though it's possible it's a side effect from the spell. Willow and I both believe your other personality was trying to break through."
"Wonderful." Trying to push herself up into a sitting position, Tess felt the room spin. Deciding that laying down wasn't the worst thing in the world, she fell back on the pillow. "Did someone kick me in the head?"
"No." Looking relieved, Giles removed his glasses. "Why don't you take it easy."
"Giles I can't have this - whatever it is - keep happening to me. Someone could've been hurt tonight." Bringing a hand to her head, Tess tried not to think of the possible danger she'd unknowingly put her friends in. "What if we were fighting a nest of vampires?"
"I understand your concern." The worried look was back in his eyes, and Giles took a seat next to her. "I wish I had all the answers for you."
"Well - and I can't believe I'm saying this - is there a way to mind meld me or something?"
"Mind meld?"
"Didn't you say I'd get Elizabeth's memories? Well if that was her trying to come out and play, then she's not weak." Rubbing at her temples to prove her point, Tess moaned.
"You think she had powers?" Looking intrigued, Giles frowned. "Are you sure?"
"No, not like that." Tess said closing her eyes. "Whatever was happening inside me was hard to fight. Too hard."
"We'll figure it out." Patting her on her arm, Giles smiled warmly down at her.
"We always do."