All Hands on Deck – Chapter 2
"Well you definitely beat me to a pulp. Keep this up and you'll be the wealthiest vampire in Los Angeles. You may even be able to own and rule over Wolfram and Hart," Wesley said with a grimace as he paid Angel his last dollar. Angel frowned at the comment as he grabbed the Monopoly money.
"I'd rather burn that place to the ground than own it." Angel muttered. Kate nodded in agreement.
"Hey with all that you could take me on a cruise through the dark corners of the Arctic." Kate said sarcastically with a laugh as Angel gave her a questioning look.
"Of course it wouldn't be the same without the nice warm islands and beach and the cool oceans blowing about, but I can cope." Kate said with a laugh, poking him playfully and starting to tickle him.
"Wes, a little help here!" Angel insisted, his face actually turning a hint of rose. Wesley smiled and put his hands up, shaking his head.
"You're on your own for this one. It is one thing to tear open a demon or to do the research, but it's quite another to meddle with one's girl." Wesley remarked, laughing inwardly as he slowly approached the couple.
"Well isn't this a pretty picture," Cordy mused as she took a look at the three cuddled close together. "Getting a little fresh, Kate? One wasn't enough for you?" Cordy asked lightly with a sly grin. "When I need a relationship therapist I'll definitely call you." Cordy smiled forcefully with her arms folded as the three quickly separated.
"What are you doing back?" Angel asked. "I just figured that you guys would be needing…" Cordelia was cut off by the bang of the elevator opening. Doyle's face was as white as a sheet. Everyone rose from the coach at the same time eager to hear the news.
"What happened?" Wesley asked as he put a steady hand on Doyle's shaken body. "It's a dark alley…four blocks from 'ere…two girls badly wounded….didn't see anythin' else… I sensed a dark presence….it looks pretty bad, man." Doyle managed under shaken breaths. "Lets get a move on. Kate stick with me and Cordy…" Angel looked at Cordy uncomfortably. "Stay with Doyle and Wesley. No arguments, kay? We need to separate to find this demon before it attacks anyone else. Half of us will be on one side of the alley and the other half will be on the side street. Come on." Angel grabbed the bag of weapons and swung his coat and flung it over his shoulders, grabbing Kate's hand as the rest of the group followed until they approached the street and back alley.
"No, no, no, no. Need to run. Can't stop now! Someone help me!" Natalie muttered, screaming on the last few words as she ran as fast as she could with a limp down the street. She had to find help soon. She fled as far as she could with her friend Becky, but no one really knew when the Dark One would be back to destroy them both. Becky was unconscious and they were both bashed, cut and hurt badly, but Natalie had to get them to safety. She had to find a sanctuary for them for the time being to rest and regain back their strength. Natalie's vision seemed to be blurry, but she seemed to be quick as she followed the rough wall with her left hand. So much for bravery! The Council will definitely turn down her plea for a seat now. If only she hadn't let her guard down. The wall ended, but her search for help looked hopeless. Who would care to help her in the middle of the night? Who is actually up at this wee hour anyway?
"Fer the luv o' all that is right in ta world…I hope I'm not late." Doyle said as he shuddered at the trail of blood smeared against the wall of the alley.
"Looks like these girls had quite the party," Cordy said as she winced at the alley. "Maybe you two should go…I'll stay here and watch for Angel and Kate," Cordy suggested as she backed up a bit and screamed as she backed into another individual who was covered in blood. Doyle sighed with relief as he reached out for Natalie who was about to fall to the ground.
"If this is one of the girls then where is the other one?" Wesley asked suspiciously, lifting his eyebrows.
"She's down that back alley." Natalie whispered between gasps of breath as she pointed to the alley. "I needed to find help. Do you know where we could stay that would be safe from evil befalling us?" Natalie asked as she began to catch her breath.
"You're SOL if you think this is the city to crash in order to find a way to be safe from evil." Cordy said, with a laugh. "But lucky you we have found a place that you can crash and it has plenty of alcohol…for your wounds." Cordy added.
"You want the Host to babysit her? I don't think that's such a good idea." Wesley asked with concern in his voice. Cordy shrugged.
"We'll take what we can get. Lets bring 'er ta the place and then get her friend." Doyle suggested. "But…" Natalie cut in.
"You're not in any condition to argue, my dear. Don't worry we'll find your friend and bring her back to you. The Angel Investigations team always manages to keep their innocent safe." Wesley whispered.
"What's the big fuss about, Lilah? I don't see why we had to set a trap of demons to stall Angel and his playmate to find a girl," Lindsey replied, angrily rolling his eyes.
"For a big time lawyer, Lindsey, you're not so smart. Look at it this way…we score more points with the Senior Partners and hell we may find a surprise or two," Lilah replied with a sly, knowing grin. "There's something you're not telling me, Morgan," Lindsey said as he fumed.
"Patience and watch. You never know what you may learn, Lindsey," Lilah said, brightening. Her cockiness was overbearing and making Lindsey sick to his stomach. Lilah tapped the window for the limo to stop and slipped out like a snake slithering from the Earth.
"Coming? I'm not waiting all day, Lindsey," Lilah muttered under her breath. Lindsey came out and followed behind Lilah in the shadows. Lindsey could hear a girl trembling and breathing in gasps. The smell of blood was strong.
"No girl could have stayed alive for that long after loosing that much blood. Is she a vampire?" Lindsey whispered. Lilah shook her head and motioned him to take a step closer to the girl.
The girl turned her head to look at Lindsey. Scars covered her face. Her hazel eyes were full of pain. Her shortly cropped brown hair stuck to her forehead where a gash of blood poured down her face. She wore white cotton clothing with a brown belt and a robe underneath her that appeared to be ripped apart or torn at as if she were in some battle.
"Look what the cat dragged in. Who the hell are you?" The girl asked between heavy breaths. Lindsey laughed. He was above this and would not give into answering questions unless his questions were answered, but blurted out the answer as if it were forced out of his mind.
"My name is Lindsey MacDonald and yours would be?" Lindsey's eyes felt like they were being popped out of his head. This was nuts. He didn't want to say that and looked at Lilah who was quietly laughing giving him the I told you so look.
"I ask the questions, wise guy. Hey lady, give me those jewels you have on. I think those are quite lovely for a person who looks like Separatist pawn scum. Your name would be?" Becky said between breaths, her strength was almost fully lost, but she could not pass out. She needed to wait for Natalie. She will come with help soon. Hopefully sooner than tomorrow. Lilah gave Becky her fancy diamonds and jewels.
"I'm Lilah Morgan and I'm so touched to know you like it." Lilah said with a smile as the jewels flew from her hands into Becky's hands. Lilah's jaw dropped as she saw what just happened. Lindsey laughed, shaking his head. This girl was definitely no demon and there was no sign of anything demonic about her, but she was really mouthy. That could be fixed in time though, Lindsey thought, confidently.
"What is she, Lilah?" Lindsey whispered as they stepped a good number of feet away from the girl.
"I don't know, but I'm willing to find out by doing some tests on her. This could be another species that will create Wolfram and Hart millions," Lilah whispered with pride.
"It's too dangerous to be here in a dark alley alone for this long. I think we could patch you up and you could tell us a bit more about your pretty self," Lindsey said aloud as he stepped forward to the girl.
The girl made no resistance as her mind sunk back into the dark unconsciousness while Lindsey picked her up and followed Lilah into the limo.
"We're closed. Fiesta party is over. The Host needs some rest, honeys," Lorne shouted at the door as he opened it. His face fell as he saw Doyle carry a bloody, beat up girl with Wesley and Cordy behind him.
"What's going on you teamsters?" Lorne asked as he looked at the girl whose eyes were half open and half closed.
"We need yer help, Lorne. Natalie is 'n danger and needs protection from the dark forces that have been attackin' her and her friend," Doyle pleaded.
"I thought that was Angel's business and please don't tell me her friend is invisible. That would be awful," Lorne's eyes saddened.
"No, she would be back at the alley. We called Angel and Kate to send her friend up here as soon as possible. They aren't here are they?" Wesley asked nervously.
"No, they don't appear to be here. I'm thinking he might have faced some trouble," Lorne said with a sigh.
"Trouble?" Natalie lifted her head quickly, but felt dizzy and coughed. Natalie's clothes appeared to be torn and her face was as white as a sheet.
"We need some First Aid. She needs ta be patched up quick!" Doyle said, anxiously.
"Right away, help yourselves to everything here," Lorne pointed to the bar as Wesley and Cordy dove into the cabinets and brought out some wet cloths as well as white wine to stop the bleeding.
"You had quite the attack. Mind if I ask what has happened," Lorne said turning to Natalie.
"Me and my friend are being chased by Dooku. I don't want her dead...too dangerous...she's a Senator. As a Jedi...I...should...I need backup. Anakin...Obi-wan." Natalie replied with a groan as she fainted into Doyle's arms.
"She can use my room for the time being," Lorne said, guiding Doyle to his bedroom as the others followed.
"Rest now, Princess. We'll find yer friend. Don't worry," Doyle whispered as he bent down to kiss her forehead and tuck her into the bed.