The Soul Advantage – Chapter 9

Angel frowned at the computer screen, feelings of frustration built up inside of him. He slammed his fist near the computer.

"You know the computer can't really fight back and we don't have enough money to buy a new one so I suggest you keep your hands up where I can see them and step carefully away from the computer," Cordy commented as she gently guided him to another seat.

"Vampires should not work with heavy machinery," Cordy added with a sigh and shook her head.

Fred laughed softly, covering her mouth to hide her smile as Angel glanced up at her. Wesley coughed softly following Fred's lead as Gunn grinned. Angel sighed and gave them all a mere smile.

"I guess I'm a bit frustrated with how things have been working out," Angel replied, as he leaned into Cordy's desk.

"A bit frustrated? You call that a bit frustrated?" Cordy tilted her head, giving him a questioning look.

"Okay what do you call it then?" Angel asked with a sigh.

"I call it someone who has one hell of a mucho break down," Cordy commented while Wesley glanced around eagerly.

"What are ya looking for, man?" Gunn asked as Wes scanned the room.

"The Exorbus Christie book. It has text about ancient worlds and telekinetic passing and blocking of messages. Did any of you see it?" Angel looked at Cordy.

"Do I look telekinetic to you?" Cordy rolled her eyes and sighed.

"You were once Miss Visionary of the Year. Too bad that wore off," Gunn murmured.

"I heard that!" Cordy folded her arms, frowning at Gunn.

"Maybe you have some power left. Just because you gave it back to Doyle doesn't mean you lost all of it fully," Fred exclaimed as she helped Angel look through the bookshelves in his office.

"I'm not a dried out fuse or a light bulb, sweetie. I can't just switch on my power an-" Cordy blinked rapidly, grabbing onto the desk and fell to her knees.

"W-what's happenin', man? She can't just all of a sudden poof get a vision!" Gunn replied, astonished.

"It's the Powers. There's more than one ultimate evil in our neck of the woods that we need to keep an eye on. I think they are up to something," Angel replied, looking shocked.

"Man, well that something is gotta be BIG!" Gunn whispered with a low whistle.

"Hello…Need a little help over here! We don't have all day!" Cordy screamed as the shocked group ran over to Cordy's side, helping her up into a soft arm chair, next to Angel's desk.

"What did you see?" Wes asked as he knelt next to Cordy.

"I see one dumb ass who won't step back to give me air!" Wes scrambled back a few paces.

"Pardon me, I was just concerned," Wes defended himself. Cordy rolled her eyes and painfully put a hand over her head as Angel left the room, returning with cool wash clothes and a glass of water.

"Angel, what's going on?" Gunn asked, puzzled.

"I don't know. Did you see anything?" Angel asked Cordy as he handed her the water.

"Just bits of images with Doyle, Connor, Natalie and some men with lit up swords...Oh and a white faced man who needs a makeover," Cordy replied with a painful sigh.

"Angel what's going on here? What's happening to me? Whatever the Powers are pulling, they're wrong. I'm not their girl anymore!" Cordy complained, shaking violently as Angel reached to settle and calm her as well as keep her steady from the blast of the vision.

"I don't know maybe Doyle's powers are weakening or it could be a trap," Angel replied and then jerked out of the chair and paced around. "Where's Doyle?"

"I don't know. I think he stepped out with Connor or something. I think they went to check in on Natalie. Why?" Fred asked as she observed Angel's brooding face turn into a frown.

"Just trust me! I have a bad feeling about this and my hunch is that it's Natalie's doing," Angel commanded, motioning for Gunn and Wesley to follow him.

"Now Angel, you're overreacting. Natalie couldn't possibly hurt anyone. She's weak and defenseless," Cordy stopped him by grabbing his arm. Angel gently shrugged it off.

"Don't underestimate her. I smell blood. Let's move!" Angel commanded. "You two girls stay here. I have a feeling we have a supernatural case on our hands that could get real messy and I wouldn't want -" Cordy cut Angel off mid-sentence.

"For us to witness you beating the living daylights out of a girl? We understand that…But we won't let you. We're going whether you like it or not, Angel," Cordy hissed. Fred nodded in agreement.

"Fine! Have it your way then," Angel fumed as they headed towards the basement.

"How could someone trap me in a place like this caged like an animal? I'm not an animal. I was attacked and it's all Angel's fault for not helping me!" Natalie pointed out her cut up arms and shivered against Doyle as they sat on the dark leather coach in theliving room. Connor lent her a cool cloth to help clean her deep bloody wound. Pieces of evidence were scattered in blood across the wood floor.

"He is the animal, not you!" Connor whispered, soothing her as her tears came spilling down, streaking her smooth face. Her arms ached and whispered of pain.

Anakin, where are you? I need your help! I can feel you. Please don't leave me here! Natalie whispered in her mind and collapsed against Doyle as she sent her spirit and mind to Anakin's side in the spaceship.

Natalie? Is that you? Anakin whispered through his mind and smiled weakly until he saw her in front of him. Are you dead? Fear crawled and nagged his mind.

No. It's a new trick that I learned recently. I need your help. I need you to find Becky for me before they hurt her.

They?

Yes. They're not part of the evil Sith or at least not that I know of yet.

Why can't you go?

There's no time to explain. They don't want me to go. The people who have saved me don't believe I can save Becky let alone save myself. They think I'm weak and that I will have a price to pay if I attend the mission to save Becky. They want me to stay put where I am. They don't know who I am yet and I don't think I trust any of them enough to tell them.

I'll come for you and we'll find Becky together. Anakin urged.

You can't. Just go. Natalie shook her head, motioning him to go.

But! Anakin tilted his head. Natalie smiled. She loved that look, his stubborn look that would stop at nothing, but she couldn't be weakened by it now. They needed to find a way to save Becky themselves.

Ani, please. Do this is for me. Do this for us. Go now. Natalie's voice softened as she looked on him with a hopeful look in her eyes. Anakin sighed and nodded.

Where will I find you? Anakin asked, hoping she was safe.

Don't worry about me. Just help out and find Becky. Natalie responded as she bent down and leaned over him. The air kissed his cheek indicating where she touched him.

Natalie slowly mentally touched her hand with his hand sending her strength into him. The strength felt like a stretched out wave reaching out towards land.When the feeling vanished he opened his eyes and saw her spirit flicker. Feeling scared he quickly jumped up to reach out for her, but reached for air. Obi dove for him as Anakin winced and slowly slipped back on the ground with Obi's hand on his shoulder.

"Anakin, rest easy now. What's wrong?" Obi-Wan lifted his eyebrows in concern as he saw the astonished look on his Padawan's face.

"Natalie. It's Natalie. I just saw her. She-" Anakin's face fell and dread filled him.

"I do not see or sense anything, young one. I suggest you rest and we will talk about it in the morning," Obi insisted.

"But-"

"Sleep, Ani," Obi commanded as he took his Jedi robe and tucked it under Anakin's head.

Anakin heaved a stubborn sigh as he stared at the ceiling. Ani. Obi-Wan never called him Ani since he was a little boy. Ani…may be the last words he will ever hear from Natalie. Anakin shivered. He hoped not. He will do whatever it takes to find her. Even if it meant leaving his Master behind.