AN: Please continue with the great feedback...it makes me write faster! Thanks!

Chapter 10

Cordelia opened the door to a room on the second floor. The two former classmates looked at each other and half smiled.

"So, Cordelia..." Willow hesitated as she tried to search for words to break the uncomfortable silence. "I didn't know you were in LA."

"Yep. Came here after graduation." Her head bounced a few times as she stood looking at Willow.

The red head placed her bag upon the deep purple velvet comforter. "So...anything new?"

"I'm a Seer. You?"

"Witch...a-and a lesbian." She smiled nervously.

"Oh! Great." Cordelia smiled back and the two burst out laughing. "This is stupid, Willow. We're not in high school anymore."

Willow stopped laughing. "Hey, I just wanted to say sorry for the whole Xander thing. I'm not sure if I ever told you that."

Cordelia flipped her hair. "That's okay. He's a big loser, anyway!" She grinned widely. Cordelia went to the sofa to sit. "So, what brings you guys to LA anyway?"

"Spike's missing and we're here to find him. We're worried sick." Willow answered as she removed a few clothes from her bag.

Cordelia stood immediately. "Excuse me? Are you joking?" The brunette yelled.

"Cordy, a lot has changed over the last few years. Spike has a chip in his head that prevents him from hurting humans. He was forced initially to help us; but that has changed. Some of us became friends with him."

Cordelia thought for a moment. "Well, Angel recently revealed some things to me about Spike. But, he was here like two years ago trying to kill us for the Gem of Amara."

Willow chuckled. "Yeah, Spike told me about that." Cordelia frowned as she realized Willow was making light of the frightening time. "He swears he just wanted to see the sun!"

"And you believed him?"

"Partly...but I think he might have killed you anyway. But that was the old Spike."

"How do you know he wouldn't go back to that if he had the chance?" Cordelia asked.

"I don't. But I have faith in him that he wouldn't." Willow smiled warmly.

"Are you settled a bit?" Cordelia said as she surveyed the room. Willow nodded. "Let's go back downstairs."

Angel stormed out from the kitchen growling. Giles followed closely. He needed to know about this Wolfram and Hart that Angel mentioned.

"Angel, please." The Ex-Watcher implored. "Calm down." He walked closer to him slowly. "What is Wolfram and Hart?"

Angel reverted to his human features and turned to Giles. He was too upset to even talk. Suddenly, Giles heard Wesley coming from his office. The fellow Englishman talked in Angel's place.

"Wolfram and Hart is an evil interdimensional law firm hell-bent on destroying Angel and this agency. They will employ any means necessary to complete the task. They are our greatest adversaries."

"For what reason?"

Suddenly Angel, from across the room, spoke. "Because we exist." He paused. "We help the helpless and in our quest to do so, we have run across Wolfram and Hart many times. We ruin their plans time and time again." Angel sat down on the circular couch. He quickly relayed the recent events involving the law firm and Darla and Drusilla.

Angel sighed. "They used Darla and Drusilla to try to get to me."

Wesley added. "And it nearly worked."

"Somehow Spike is involved now as well." Giles postulated. "But how?"

Wesley's eyes were wide. "William the Bloody? How is he a part of this?"

"Willow performed a locater spell," Giles explained, "and Spike is somehow in Los Angeles. I worry by the state his home was in that he was taken by force." He turned to Angel. "Perhaps they are attempting to take advantage of the rift in your relationship with your Childe; as they did with Darla and Drusilla. I worry, though, that because he has been unaccounted for for nearly one month, something more sinister is at play."

"Where in LA is he?" Angel asked.

"We don't know." The three heard Willow answer as she and Cordelia descended the grand staircase. "It was like I was unable to see beyond the general location. I-It felt like strong magics were protecting his whereabouts." A sad look came upon her face. "I'm sorry I couldn't be more help."

Angel stood up abruptly. "Wesley. Call Gunn. Tell him to meet us at the corner of Oak and 5th." Wesley nodded. He smiled as he realized Angel was not going to shut them out this time around.

"I would like to accompany you." Giles said adamantly.

"No." Angel said briskly. "I don't need these damn lawyers knowing who you are. They would somehow use it against us or Spike. Stay here." Angel stalked over to the coat rack and grabbed his three quarter length duster. He started walking to the door with Wesley at his side.

Cordelia asked him. "Where are you going?"

Angel continued towards the exit as he said, "To see a lawyer."

The car ride was silent. They had picked Gunn up a few minutes ago. Wesley brought the vampire hunter up to speed.

"So," Gunn asked. "How are we playin it? Are we going to the offices, or what?"

"Yes, Angel." Wesley added. "We cannot simply storm in there and expect to receive answers. We have attempted that before. That never works."

"I know." The dark vampire answered. "That's why were are going straight to the source." He screeched to a halt as he turned into a parking lot of an expensive downtown LA apartment building. He quickly got out of the car and began walking towards the high-rise.

The three men went to the side of the structure to wait. Angel glanced at his watch. "Lilah has to come home sometime. Even the evil need to rest." The two others shook their head in agreement.

After about an hour, they saw a black four-door sedan with tinted windows pull up. Suddenly, the back door on the passenger side opened and Lilah Morgan stepped out. She muttered something to the driver and slammed the door shut. As she walked towards the door, she suddenly opened her mouth to scream as she felt something pull her away. A hand was over her mouth before her shout was heard.

She stared into the yellow eyes of Angel. He sniffed the air as he allowed his demon to revel in her fear. He leaned towards her ear. "Don't scream and I'll take my hand off, okay?" She frantically nodded her head. He released his hand.

Lilah gasped for air as she stood facing the men of Angel Investigations. "There's security cameras you know." She said in a feeble attempt to intimidate the crew.

"Shut up, Lilah." The dark vampire said with a chill in his voice. She stared back at Angel. This was a side she had not seen from him before. "I want you to tell me what you did to Spike." He glared.

"What? What's a Spike?" She said as she looked around for an escape route.

"Don't even think about running. In a split second, I will break your neck." He smirked.

"I'm human, remember Champ? You won't kill me. Oh,but wait, I guess if you have other people do the murdering it doesn't count against your 'no killing humans' policy? Does it?" She grinned.

"Darla and Drusilla were fools to spare you." He leaned closer to her. "Now, tell me what you have done with Spike. " He growled.

"I have no idea what you are talking about!" She said emphatically.

"You're lying, Lilah. I can smell your fear and your heart is beating too fast."

"Yeah, because you scared the daylights out of me. Look Angel, whoever this person is, I'm not involved. A guy like you probably has other enemies right? Why don't you go stalk them?" She turned to walk away. When she realized Angel wasn't following her she sped up and ran into her building. The security guard met her at the door as he realized she was a bit shaken.

"Everything all right, Miss Morgan?" The stocky guard asked. "Did something happen out there?" He reached towards his gun as he peered outside the door briefly.

"No. I thought I heard something." Lilah massaged her neck as she stared outside from behind the door. She sighed and proceeded to the safety of her apartment and to the comfort of an extremely strong cocktail.

The three sped away into the night.

"Well, that was useless." Gunn said as he broke the silence.

"She's lying." Angel replied as he gripped the steering wheel tightly.

Wesley added. "What shall be our next move?"

"We need to watch Lindsey and Lilah. Sooner or later they will trip up. And when they do, we'll find Spike." They arrived at the hotel and were walking towards the entrance.

Gunn pondered something. "So, who's this Spike to you, Angel?"

Angel did not answer right away. "He's my Chlide." He said quietly.

"You have a kid?"

"No, my Childe. I made him. He was...er...is my Most Favored." Angel said as he strode into the dark lobby.

"Well, how come you've never mentioned him before?" Gunn asked.

Angel bowed his head for a moment and looked at his two colleagues. "Good night, guys. See you in the morning. I appreciate your help on this." The dark vampire ascended the stairs.

The next morning, Lilah threw her briefcase on top of her desk as she entered her office. She immediately picked up the phone. "We need to meet , now!" She said to the voice on the other line. "Fine...I'll be right there." She replaced the phone and walked quickly to Lindsey's office.

The male attorney was sitting at his desk reading a file. He looked up at Lilah as she burst through his entrance and closed the door swiftly.

"We have a problem." She announced.

Lindsey sighed and rolled his eyes. He was starting to get annoyed with Lilah's theatrics. "What now?"

"Angel, that's what." The statuesque lawyer began to pace. "He knows we have Spike."

"What?" Lindsey was wide eyed.

"Yeah, he and his do-gooder squad paid me a little visit last night. Well, I guess you could call it more of an ambush."

"What happened?" Lindsey stood.

"Well, Angel threatened me. And, he was scary."

"He thinks he is so intimidating. But, he's full of it."

Lilah shook her head. "I've been on the receiving end of that Angel, Lindsey. No, what I saw last night scared me. The look in his eyes and the sound of his voice..." She trailed off. "We need to end this now. We've had Spike for a month. And despite making mince meat of him, he hasn't come around."

"What are you suggesting?" Lindsey's eyes narrowed.

"Clean him up and drop him back off in Sunnydale." She paused. "We'll come up with another plan. Eventually." She sighed as she rubbed her eyes.

"Are you kidding me? If Angel is this rattled, then we have exactly the right plan already." Lindsey's anger was building.

"Lindsey, if you had been there...you would understand." The two lawyers reached an impasse as they stared the other down. "I saw Spike last week. He's of no use to us anyway. You had Julius do too good of a job."

Lindsey huffed. "I think this is a big mistake."

"Well, I don't. We'll come up with something else. Come on, Lindsey." She grinned. "Trust me on this. My gut tells me this is the right way to go."

"Fine. Whatever, Lilah." Lindsey sat back in his chair and swiveled around to face the window as Lilah left.

Lindsey walked down to Chamber in the deepest recesses of Wolfram and Hart. In his hand, he held a thermos full of warm human blood. As he nodded his head at the figure guarding the entrance, he placed a piece of paper in his hand. "Tell Agent Hauser to drop the subject at this address when the time arrives." The guard nodded and proceeded to unlock the heavy steel metal door. Upon entering the dark area, Lindsey proceeded to the one-way mirror. The inner door opened and Julius walked out. The two nodded at the other.

"Mister McDonald." The deep voice began. "Just in time. Are you here again to watch today's session?"

"Actually, all sessions are canceled until further notice." Lindsey extended his right hand. "As usual, a job well done." Julius nodded. "You will of course, be paid for today's session. Make sure to talk with Margie in accounting."

"Thank you, sir." Julius knocked on the outer door and was let out.

Lindsey placed the thermos on the lone table. He looked into the one-way mirror at the figure huddled on the floor. He often watched Spike's torture since he arrived. Lindsey was impressed with the strength and constitution of the blond vampire. He had endured so much; yet, he never gave in. Lindsey almost admired him for it. At times, he had felt sorry for him.

He turned to grab the thermos and went into the chamber. He slowly walked up to the vampire who appeared to be sleeping. As Lindsey crouched near Spike, suddenly Spike's eyes flew open and he whimpered and scooted as fast as he could towards the corner. Chains dragged behind him. He was curled into the smallest ball he could make himself as he leaned against the wall. He shivered and shook with fear as Lindsey came closer to him.

"Spike." Lindsey said calmly. "Look, I'm not going to hurt you. I brought you some blood." He saw Spike turn away. "Come on, it's been awhile. It's human."

Spike's mind was so confused. His body screamed for blood. He was so desperate with hunger that he turned his head back towards Lindsey. The soft light in the room illuminated his gaunt pale face. Lindsey inched closer and closer to the blond vampire to offer the blood.

"It's over, Spike. Okay? It's over. Drink the blood." He extended his arm, holding the thermos in his right hand.

Bright, blue eyes stared at him and then at the thermos. Spike's bloodlust overwhelmed him and his hands made a weak attempt to rise to grab the thermos. The weight of the chains were overwhelming and his hands fell heavily to the ground with a large noise.

"Here." Lindsey placed the thermos on the ground and produced a key from his pocket. He released Spike's bindings and helped the blond vampire grasp the thermos. Spike hungrily gulped the blood down. Half of it spilled down the corners of his mouth, but he didn't even notice. When he had his fill, he released the thermos and stared at the lawyer in front of him. Spike felt so confused. Wasn't this one of his captors? His mind was so fuzzy. He suddenly felt tired as his eyes flickered. Darkness captured him and he slumped onto the floor.

Lindsey kneeled over the unconscious vampire as he threw the thermos across the room. He stroked the sunken cheek of Spike and grinned evilly.

TBC...