Title: Desperate Measures 1?

Author: Wereleopard
Rating: PG

Pairing: C/A

Crossover Angel/Buffy
Email: Romance

Summary: Cordy is dying from the visions and the AI gang will go to any lengths to save her, but they first have to go to Sunnydale to help the Scoobies

Spoilers: All of Buffy and Angel

Disclaimer: The characters in the Angel verse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made I am just poor and the song doesn't belong to me either.
Distribution: Let me know

Feedback: Yes please!

N/B When Tara and Willow split up due to the magicks; Tara moved to LA and joined AI. And the timeline may not be correct but it is my story so just ignore it ok LOL

As usual could not do this without hotstuff who is an absolute Angel hugs

Chapter 6

The long distance separation weakened Tara, her chest felt tight, she felt light-headed and her knees buckled under the loss of her bond mate, but the young witch didn't mind this, it meant that Cordy was out there, somewhere alive and has her body was about to hit the floor strong arms grabbed hold of her, familiar arms, arms of a champion.

"Tara?" Willow cried out as she ran to her ex-girlfriend.

"She's so far away." Tara whispered, she reached out and gently touched Angel's cheek. "We need to find her and it needs to be done quickly, I can feel her fading, I'm fading."

With that Angel pulled Tara more firmly against his chest but still managed to cradle her gently, he turned and slowly walked out the door followed by Gunn and Wesley, protecting them on each side.

Buffy turned and looked at Willow her best friend, who was pale from the sight of the one she loved being in so much pain, the slayer then turned to Spike who just shrugged his shoulders and followed the others. The blonde vampire had no idea what was going on but there was only one way to find out and that was with the four people that had just left. Buffy reached out and wrapped her arm around Willow's shoulders trying to lend her comfort and strength to help her get through this. They all knew what it was like to lose someone but that didn't make things any easier, it was not something you ever got used to and you also hoped that you never did either.

Giles glanced at his watch for the millionth time not knowing what to expect, not knowing who would return, if anyone, there were so many variables to consider he didn't even know where to start. This was the one thing he really hated, the waiting to find out if someone he cared about died; sometimes he didn't want to do this job anymore. It took so much out of you and the emotional distress was beyond anything he could explain and just when he was about to quit and just leave, Buffy or one of the others would walk in and he would look in their young faces and see the horrors written in their eyes. Gunn flung the door open and was soon followed by Angel carrying a very weary Tara. Dawn, Xander, Anya and Fred jumped to their feet and stood next to the ex-librarian their faces full of concern, no one seemed hurt just emotionally exhausted. Spike was the last one to walk in and as he did he turned and closed the door behind him. Fred looked around and she found one thing missing, a very important thing missing, she frowned and looked at Tara who was still alive. "Where's Cordy?"

Angel carefully put Tara down on a chair and Willow was immediately at her side. "We don't know." Wes muttered but his concerned eyes remained on Angel. Buffy went over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder; he shrugged it off and walked away from her. Fred watched for a moment longer and then walked over to her Prince Charming, the man, no the vampire that saved her life, someone she loved, someone she would do anything for, he was part of her family. He tried to pull away but not to hard as she wrapped her tiny arms around him, it took him a couple of seconds before his arms went around her waist and he held her tightly.

Xander stepped forward frowning. "What do you mean you don't know, it's Cordy, it's not something you can misplace that easily?" his voice rising with anger.
Angel turned and growled at him, Gunn stepped forward and stood in front of Xander and then a quiet voice was heard but it seemed to run through them like water rushing from a dam.

"She knew that I was going to jump into the vortex, to sacrifice myself for her so that she could live, but she wouldn't, Cordy." Tara started to sob tears rolling down her face.

Willow didn't know what to do her body had just frozen, so many things had been thrown at her today, and it was just too much. Angel turned and walked over to her; he knelt on the floor and looked into her eyes. "You are not around to be a sacrifice, you are part of our family you are irreplaceable, we will find Cordy so we can save the both of you. You need to get some rest, Tara you are going to have to save your strength. Can you fight for us?"
Tara looked at him through wet eyelashes and nodded and slowly stood as Fred took hold of one arm and Willow the other. "If I can sense anything more or if you?" Tara mumbled.

"If we find out anything we will come and find you." Angel said smiling softly. Tara nodded just as they were about to walk out the door Fred turned and saw Angel open his mouth. "We'll take care of her Angel and let you know if there is any," Fred paused for a moment. "Change."

The dark haired vampire nodded. Willow and Fred laid Tara gently on the bed and pulled a blanket over her. "You have to be ok Tara, I have to know that you are, don't leave me." Willow cried.

"I don't belong in Sunnydale anymore; I have a home, a family. I will always love you Willow but I can't stay here and you are needed here." Tara whispered her voice slowly fading off as she slipped into darkness.

Angel sat alone he had never felt so lost, so out of place, the thing, no, the person he trusted most, his rock, his love was gone and even though they knew that she was alive and was fading away slowly. If it continued then they were going to lose her and Tara, he couldn't lose her, they couldn't lose her, they couldn't lose either of them. Cordelia had to be found soon. A tear fell from his eye, a single drop, lonely just like he was.

"Angel?" Buffy said softly as she walked to his side and laid a hand on his shoulder, her breath caught in her chest as he looked up at her, the slayer had never seen such pain or anguish before, it broke her heart that he had moved on but it also made her determined that they would do whatever they had to, Cordelia Chase would be at there sides fighting the good fight and Tara would live so that one day her and Willow may find their way back to each other. "We'll find her Angel, she'll be back soon."

"Really?" Angel sounded like a lost little boy that needed reassurance.

"Yes Cordy wants to be here and when have we known her to give up something she wants without a fight." Buffy said with a laugh. Angel smiled gently at her and gently stroked her cheek, he then moved and stared into space, into nothingness, waiting and hoping that something soon would come up so they could find her.

"Cordy" Tara muttered. Fred and Willow looked at each other and then looked around the room, there was no one there, and there was nothing out of the ordinary. Tara suddenly sat up and screamed it was the sound of pain and of horror, the sound that came from nightmares. The young witch reached out her arms, reaching out to something.

"What's going on?" Fred whispered and Willow shrugged her shoulders.

"No Cordy don't please NO!" Tara shouted, tears falling from her eyes and as quick as it started she collapsed back on the bed, her breathing was shallow. Willow shook her gently but there was no reaction, there was nothing at all. Tara was alive but barely.

TBC