Warning: angst; lots of violence; please do not read if you like Lindsey-you have been warned-
Chapter 20
Wesley, Gunn, and Angel walked about the lobby gathering weapons for the upcoming fight. Cordelia sat behind the counter with a sulking Spike. Angel went behind him and wrapped his arms around the blond and kissed the back of his head.
"Come on, Spike. We'll be back soon." Angel pleaded with his Childe.
"Don't know why I can't come. I'm dyin' for a good kill." He crossed his arms and huffed.
"I know, Blondie, but I got a definite evil human and demon vibe in my vision." Cordelia explained for the third time to the disappointed vampire.
"I can't risk anything happening to you, Little One." Angel said as he stroked Spike's cheek. His attempted smile fell from his face as Spike turned his head away.
"Yeah, I know..." Spike dropped his head. "Better get goin'."
"I love you, Spike." Angel said quietly. He walked to join Wesley and Gunn and the three exited the lobby.
"So, Spike." Cordelia's voice pierced the quiet. "What do you want to do tonight?" She said in a cheerful tone. "I refuse to let you brood all night." She smiled widely as she forced Spike to stand. "How about a movie with blood and popcorn?" She knew Spike could not resist that. She saw his resolve cracking as a small smile traversed his face.
"Maybe I wanna sulk all night." He answered in a bratty tone.
"Oh no, Mister. This hotel is only big enough for one brooder. Come on! It'll be fun. You can do my hair and paint my nails."
"Oi! I ain't no bloody chit, Princess!" He had to laugh when he realized that Cordelia had been joking. "Fine, fine. A movie it is."
"I won't make you do my hair...although, your roots are showing. I can help you out if you want."
Spike looked around for a moment. "Sure. As long as you don't tell anyone about it." He smirked.
"Okay." Cordelia responded. "I'll make the popcorn and drinks; go get your bleach, and I'll meet you upstairs."
"It's a date, Princess." Spike smiled and went towards the stairs.
Lindsey McDonald pulled his car up to the spot that he occupied nearly every night for the last few weeks. It was about half a block away from the Hyperion. He shut the car off. He took a sip from his coffee thermos and then picked up his binoculars. Thus began his usual nightly surveillance of the activity of the Fang Gang. He still did not have a plan in place; but at this point, he wanted to understand the routine of Angel. With this information, he would be able to plot out the perfect revenge against the dark vampire. He carefully surveyed the area to see if anyone from Wolfram and Hart was around. Just in case, there was a spell he performed nightly, that would cloak him from being discovered by the Firm. This was not about bringing Angel over to Wolfram and Hart's side anymore; this was about destroying him. It was personal. Lindsey scratched at the bandage on his neck. The bite that Angel had placed there was extremely slow to heal.
Lindsey's eyes narrowed as he saw some figures emerging through the gates of the Hyperion. He grabbed his binoculars so he could make out the faces. He saw Angel, and two others get into the Classic Plymouth and drive away. As they near his car, Lindsey crouched down so he could not be seen. He sat and thought for a moment after they passed his car. Lindsey opened the file on Angel Investigations. He recognized the two men accompanying Angel: Charles Gunn and Wesley Wyndham-Price. "Well, well. I guess that leaves Spike and the girl all alone, doesn't it?" Lindsey said as an evil grin spread across his face. He leaned over to the glove compartment and opened it. He carefully grabbed the silver object in it. He stepped out of the car and held the gun up. He checked that it was loaded and slipped it into the back of his belt. He reached into the car and brought out a long leather duster and placed it on. He shut the door and looked around once more before slowly walking towards the hotel. "And I thought tonight would be dull." He said with glee in his voice.
Cordelia hummed in the kitchen as she buttered and salted the popcorn. She placed the large bowl on the tray along with the soda and blood. She went through the door of the kitchen and was beginning to walk upstairs when she heard the phone ring. She cursed the timing and considered ignoring it, but it could possibly be a new client. She sighed and placed the snacks down on the the front desk.
"Angel Investigations. We help the helpless. This is Cordelia speaking."
"Cordy?"
"Jeez, Angel. Why did make me go through that whole thing? You could have stopped me."
"Sorry, Cordy. I just wanted to check on Spike."
"He's fine. He's over it. We're going to watch a movie."
"Are you sure? Maybe I should talk to him."
"He's fiiine, Angel. Anyway, he's upstairs starting the movie. So, leave us be. Good luck with the fight."
"Thanks. Just..." Angel paused. "Just tell him that I love him and I'll be home soon. Can you do that for me, Cordy?"
Cordelia's heart melted. "Of course, I will. And he loves you too."
"Bye."
"Bye." Cordelia replaced the receiver and sighed again. "Where can I find a man like that?" She said as she turned around. Her eyes widened when she saw Lindsey McDonald standing in the middle of the lobby. Her heart started to pound as she saw the predatory look in his eyes.
"What, Cordelia? Not happy to see me?" Lindsey said with a crazy glint in his eyes.
Cordelia took a deep breath and held her shoulders high. She was not going to allow him to scare her. "What do you want, Lindsey? Maybe you should come back during business hours And by the way, I think that coat belongs to someone." Her eyes narrowed as she looked at the lawyer wearing Spike's duster. His hair was longer and he was not clean shaven. "Angel is out."
Lindsey smirked. "And that's why I'm here." He answered slowly in a low voice.
Cordelia's eyes widened for a moment. She turned her head a bit to try to find a place to run. Lastly, she found herself looking briefly at the steps; she hoped Spike would not come down. She steadied her voice. "Well, sorry to disappoint: but it's only me here."
"I think you're lying." Lindsey said as he stepped closer to the Seer, eying her like prey. Cordelia soon realized that she could not talk herself out of the situation; Lindsey was crazy. Suddenly she attempted to move past him and run. Lindsey soon caught up to her and roughly grabbed her from behind. He placed his hand over her mouth before she could scream. All you could hear was her heavily breathing. As he stood behind her he said, "Tsk, tsk. Don't even try to run." He said as he held her hands behind her back and pulled up sharply. Cordelia squealed in pain under the hand covering her mouth as a few tears fell from her eyes. "So," Lindsey added, "what should we do with you?"
Spike sat on the couch in the TV room surrounded by plush pillows. He held the remote to the DVD player and waited for Cordelia to bring the snacks. "Where the bloody hell is she?" He asked himself as he stood and walked into the hallway. As he made his way toward the stairs he heard a small scream and the air faintly smelled of fear and arousal. "What the..." Spike's eyebrows frowned. "Princess?" He said loudly, but got no response. As he arrived at the railing, he looked down and his eyes widened when he saw Lindsey manhandling Cordelia. Spike vamped in anger as he leapt off the second floor balcony and landed near Lindsey.
"Well, well, Spike. Fancy seeing you here."
Spike returned his face to his human visage. He closed his eyes briefly as his time tortured under Lindsey flooded back to his mind. He felt sick to his stomach and the feeling of uselessness was nearly overwhelming. He forced himself to open his eyes. "Let her go." Spike hissed as he looked at the lawyer.
Lindsey looked up for a second. "Um...no." He said with a chuckle. "Stop struggling!" He leaned his face in against Cordelia's cheek. She screamed again as he pulled at her arms even tighter.
Spike forced himself to be strong. "Let her go!"
"And you'll do what, Spike?" Lindsey laughed as he shoved Cordelia towards the front desk. She hit her head hard and fell to the ground. As she lay in a heap on the floor, she lifted her hand to her forehead as blood poured from a cut she received from the sharp edge of the desk. "Don't move." Lindsey said in a serious tone. "Either of you." He added when he realized Spike made a movement towards her.
Spike eyed Lindsey from the corner of his eye and then turned to Cordelia who struggled to get up. Spike yelled. "Run, Cordelia." He implored her.
"I don't think so." Lindsey said in a bitter tone as he grabbed his gun from behind and pointed it at the Seer. Cordelia stopped in her tracks when the gun was aimed at her head.
"Don't, Lindsey." Spike pleaded with the psychotic lawyer as he held his hands up. "It's not her you're looking for. Just let her go. It's me you want." He said in a serious tone, stealing glances at his friend who look so frightened.
"Actually, Spike. I've already had enough of you." He laughed bitterly. His eyes shined with glee as he continued to point the gun at the Seer. "Maybe I should take a crack at her!" He laughed as he saw Spike close his eyes at the memories. Lindsey stalked towards Cordelia.
"What do you want?" Spike asked hoping to distract Lindsey from Cordelia.
Lindsey looked back at the blond vampire. "If I can't kill, Angel, I know exactly how to hurt him the most. I figured you two are important to him, so it's a start!"
He started towards Cordelia again.
"Don't touch her!" Spike said as his eyes burned yellow. Lindsey turned back towards him.
"Wow, Spike! Did you decide to grow a pair? What part of 'you can't hurt me' do you not understand? Might as well sit back and enjoy the show, because you'll be next!" Lindsey made it over to Cordelia who stood there shivering as the gun was pressed against her cheek. He caressed her hair. The brunette stifled a sob as she turned her head away as she could not face his leering face.
Spike felt so helpless. It was like he was standing back and watching a scene play out in front of him. For a moment, he felt a total disconnect. Finally, his brain snapped back to reality. He would not allow him to hurt Cordelia: consequences be damned.
He vamped as he yelled at Lindsey. "I SAID DON'T TOUCH HER!" He roared. That grabbed Lindsey's attention. He turned away from Cordelia and walked over the blond vampire and stood in front of him.
"I will kill you." Spike added in a deep menacing voice.
"How, Spike? She can't help you. Your Sire isn't here to save your pathetic ass. The other humans aren't either. What do you have left?"
Spike's eyes narrowed. "Me." He said as he stood tall as Lindsey laughed heartily.
"You know what?" The lawyer asked. "I'm sick of this. We'll go for the fast approach." He said as he readied the gun and turned and aimed at Cordelia's head. Spike saw him move his finger over the trigger.
"NOOOOO!" Spike screamed as he barreled towards Lindsey to try knock the gun from his hands. The gun discharged and a loud snap was heard throughout the lobby. The force Spike hit Lindsey with caused the weapon to slip and he was off his target. Spike was lying on the ground, hands clutched to his head as the pain from the chip coursed through him. He saw Cordelia on the ground as well screaming and clutching her left shoulder as blood poured from a wound. Lindsey cursed the missed shot and crawled towards the gun to finish the job off. Spike forced himself to stand despite the pain as he limped over to Lindsey.
"No!" He whimpered as he fell onto his knees in front of a prostrate Lindsey. "I won't let you hurt her." Spike forced himself to speak as he grabbed Lindsey by the shoulders so he could face him. "You've hurt enough people." He said as he punched Lindsey. His chip fired but Spike fought through the pain. He grabbed Lindsey's neck and started squeezing. A feral scream resonated throughout the hotel as Spike fought through the mind numbing, blinding pain as he choked the life out of the lawyer. Blood began to pour from his eyes and ears and finally his mouth. Cordelia had to cover her ears to withstand the unbelievably agonizing noise. When he could no longer register what was happening, Spike's hands slipped away from Lindsey's form and he rolled over onto the floor. As he lay on his back, shudders and convulsions ripped through the blond vampire's body. Blood sputtered from his mouth as he gasped. With one last breath, Spike finally became quiet as his head rolled to the side.
TBC...