Hey, I am quite late with this update, I'm sorry about that. First, thanks to everyone who reviewed, they are always appreciated. Didn't know if anyone would read this story. Glad to see some are interested and willing to give it a chance. I will try to post the again sooner. Here are Chapters 4 and 5.
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Chapter Four
The dream bothered her all day.
Everyone at school noticed that she was quiet, much more quiet than normal. She didn't mention it to her father this morning during training, mainly because she knew his mind was on the girl he rescued last night. Last night she had jerked from sleep, her heart racing from the last dreges of the dream to glance over at the clock and realize that it was almost three in the morning and her Dad hadn't checked in yet.
It wasn't unusual for him to be out late, but on the edges of the dream, it made her uncomfortable. So she got out of bed, and slipped into her robe and slippers and went downstairs to wait for him. She must have fallen asleep again, because the next thing she knew she was upstairs in her bed and her alarm clock was going off at six.
During breakfast, Dad was on the phone to her Uncle Nikolas, furious that he hadn't closed off the catacombs and threatening that if he didn't get it done by the end of the week, he would do it himself. Vampires, he told her when she asked about the bruises on his face. Four fledgelings who latched on to a girl dabbling in witchcraft.
There were Vamps in Port Charles, but usually they kept to themselves. Mostly stealing from the blood banks when a new supply arrived. Some were bold and killed people, but those were usually put down really fast. Her father's reputation wasn't exactly a secret. For four to step out in the open that way was strange, taking a girl and not killing or turning her, was really strange.
Then Dad pinned her with those intense eyes and asked if she knew anyone at school who was into something they had no business in. Understanding he was completely serious, she thought about it for a moment and gave a honest she didnt' know. Anything was possible at her school, but as far as she knew there were no whispers of anything bad going on. He told her to take a look today, and she knew the situation was really serious.
Dad told her to never use her abilities at school unless something was wrong. Coupled with the dream and she was starting to get a little afraid.
Her teacher kept her after school a few minutes, asking if something was wrong but she had put her off, saying she just had a headache. Evidently that worked because she sent her on where Milo waited with the car to take her home. She was supposed to go to her mother's after school but that was the last place she wanted to be, so she told Milo to take her back to the house. Spinelli would likely be there and she wanted to talk to him.
When she opened the door and dropped her coat and bookbag on the floor, instead of Spinelli alone on the couch with his earphones and laptop, her father was there as well, pacing the floor. "Kady? What are you doing home? I thought you were going to your mother's?"
Busted, and feeling too tired to keep it to herself anymore she just rushed over to him and threw herself into his arms and held on.
"Hey," his voice instantly gentled, like it always did, and he hoisted her in his arms so that she could wrap her legs around his waist and hold on. "It's okay monkey, I've got you." She tucked her head into his neck and released a shaky breath. "It's okay."
She felt him walk over to the couch and sit down, rubbing large hands down her back and she relaxed finally. It was the same motion he used when she was sick that always made her feel better. Sniffing back tears, because she didn't want him to think she was being a baby, but needing to be close, she buried in to his wide chest and let him comfort her.
"So, ready to tell me what's wrong?"
She nodded, knowing he needed to hear, "I guess."
"I'm sorry I didn't notice it this morning until after you left," he murmured, threading fingers through her hair. "I know I expect a great deal from you Kady, that you've been drawn into a world that's dangerous and given gifts that you didn't ask for. But I hope you know how proud I am of you on how well you handle yourself. I hope you know how much I love you Kady."
"I know," she whispered, not bothering to stop the tear from sliding down her cheek this time.
"And I need you to know that you can come to me anytime. With anything, Kady, even the ordinary everyday stuff that you probably don't think is important, because no matter what I want to hear it. Nothing I'm doing is more important than you are Kady. Nothing, do you understand."
"Yes, Daddy," she smiled a bit, "Even boys?" And felt him tense and didn't bother to hold back a shaky giggle.
"Even boys," he agreed reluctantly and she knew exactly what was coming next. "Are there any boys I should know about?"
This time she laughed, and when she opened her eyes, she found Spinelli sitting in the chair across from them trying not to look like he was watching. Only the grin he was doing a lousy job of hiding told her he was enjoying the rare glimspe of loving father beneath the 'Stone Cold' exterior.
"No Daddy, no boys," she informed him then after he seemed to relax tacked on a sneaky, "At least not yet."
"Um," he grunted, making her grin again. "So, ready to tell me what's wrong."
"I know what's wrong with the house on Mill road."
"Ugh, food, I'm starving."
Cordelia smiled with Fred as Faith yanked open the door to the little diner they found just off the docks. Kelly's, the little sign above the door read, and wind chimes jingled signaling their entrance. They left Spike sleeping back in the hotel and decided to take a look around this Port Charles while the sun was up. Fred had her eyes glued to the map she picked up at the concierge's desk and a red marker, crosssing out spots they visited.
All three noted the location of General Hospital as well as the local clinic. Always helped to be prepared in case of emergecy. Only Faith and Spike had speedy healing abilites.
Cordelia couldn't actually blame Faith, it had been more than six hours since eating the complementary danish and coffee the hotel offered it's guests. They had been tempted to order breakfast up to their room but one look at the outrageous pricing had quelled that instant quickly. Cordy might be able to justify the room expense to Wesley but not room service. It was one thing to not want to sleep in filth, it was another to be greedy.
They claimed a table near the door, neither of them taking the seat with their back to the door. Even hungry and in the daylight, Faith was always on guard. The relatively sleepy town of Port Charles might seem innocent but they all knew from experience that sometimes those shadows held monsters.
A girl came to take their order, name tag read Georgie, and seemed friendly enough. She didn't blink an eye when Fred ordered a large bowl of chili and cheese fries and a Moutain Dew and Faith ordered two double cheese burgers, fries and onion rings with a large Pepsii. Her hand might have paused a bit, but she didn't say a word. When it came down to order her grilled chicken sandwich and fries with a glass of orange juice it seemed downright pedestrian compared to her friends.
"So what do you think," Fred asked, finally when they were alone. "We've been over most of the city and other than the rumblings of mob activity, which is very Sopranoesque and exciting," her eyes glittered with pleasure, "I haven't noticed anything wrong."
"I know," Faith kicked back in her chair, "I mean even in Sunnydale, you could tell it was the Hellmouth. Even though the people tried to pretend like nothing was wrong, you couldn't hide that scent of evil demon in the air. So what's so special about this place?"
"We haven't checked out the entire city," Cordelia pointed out, "We decided to wait for dark and Spike for the cemetary and the west side of town."
Faith shook her head, "No, C, I'm not denying there's stuff here, because I can sense it, but it's nothing apocolyspe big. Not to discount your vision or anything. There might be some Vamps sleeping and a few demons but nothing that has my radar skipping."
"Is there anything from the vision that might give us a clue as to what to look for?
"It's just like I told you, there is a house we need to find because that's where the portal is going to open. Or at least, it's something like that. I'm not sure if the portal opens at the house or if the house is the portal. I just know we need to get there tomorrow night. I'd like to at least find the place today and take a look at it so that we won't be going in blind." Cordelia, picked up the napkin next to her and began shredding it into thin strips.
"A house," Fred, hummed and looked down at her map again. The Georgie waitress brought their food, had to make three trips, but managed it all. Fred took a big spoonful of the chili and grinned like a kid. "Hmm, just like my mother used to make." Which made Georgie blink in surprise.
"It's not too hot," the young girl asked and Fred just shook her head.
"Not at all, in fact if you have some tabasco sauce, I'd love to have some," she picked up a fry stretching the melted cheese around before stuffing it into her mouth.
"And Spike kisses you after you finish eating all that," Faith snorted but Fred just smiled dreamily.
"And nary a complaint," she giggled softly. Accepting the small bottle of pepper sauce from waitress, Fred smiled warmly and asked gesturing toward her name tag, "Um, Georgie, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
"I was wondering if you could help me out with something?"
"Sure," Georgie grinned widely. "What can I do for you?"
"Well, I'm a director from Los Angeles and I'm scouting locations for my new horror flick. Now my friends here are totally against anything here in New York, claim that something in Massachusetts would be more authentic, but there's just something about Port Charles that sang to me."
"Really," her eyes brightened with enthusaism and Cordelia had to hand it to Fred, however she came up with the idea, she had picked the right person to try it out on. "That's just great."
"So I was wondering, because I know most cities have rumors of haunted houses. I mean back in Texas, where I'm from, there was this one house that all the kids would never go near. Unless of course it was Halloween and someone dared you to go inside."
"You're from Texas? That's where my mother is from."
"Well isn't it a small world," Fred smiled brightly, "So, do you have any houses like that here in Port Charles?"
"Actually there are a few," Georgie supplied, eager to be able to help, "There's Spoon Island, if you go to the docks and look out across the water you can see it. Only it's owned by Nikolas Cassadine, he's a prince, so he might not want to let you use it for a movie."
"You have a real prince here," Cordelia asked.
"Uh, oh, Queen C is on the prowl," Faith chuckled huskily and she rolled her eyes.
"Shut up, Faith."
"Yeah," Georgie watched the exchange with fascinatation, "The Cassadines are supposedly decendants of Russian aristocracy. He's married to Emily Quartermaine."
"Shot down," Faith mocked.
"Is that the only place?" Fred looked pointedly at them both, returning to the topic at hand.
"Well, no. There's the old mansion off Cliff Road. It used to have a bridge and everything but the city tore it down because it was a hazard." She paused for a second then frowned, "And there's the house on Mill Road," but she didnt sound as enthusiastic about it as she had been about the others. "No one ever really goes out there. I guess it would be a good site for a horror movie."
Judging from Georgie's face, she believed no such thing, but it was probably something to check into. Fred consulted her map, trailing her fingers on some point and made a big red circle. "Well, thank you very much Georgie, for your help," she caught the young woman's attention again. "I think we'll pass on Spoon Island, but we'll be sure to check out both of the others you suggested."
"Sure, I'm glad I could help."
"If we decide on a location here in Port Charles, maybe we can have you come down to the set. We'd need someone familiar with the city to help out."
"Thanks, that would be great." She was practically vibrating with excitement, "Well, I hope you decide Port Charles works for you. Enjoy your lunch."
Faith waited until Georgie was back behind her counter then leaned over and asked, "Now where the hell did you come up with that idea?"
"Look at her," Fred suggested, "When we came in, she was reading a text book. Something about film studies, I figured she was interested, or at least taking a class in it. Besides, when she heard me speak, she lit up like a Christmas tree. That meant she either was from Texas or knew someone from there. Knew she'd be willing to talk to us either way."
Fred dug into her bowl of chili eagerly and Cordelia shook her head. Behind that sweet smile and southern twang lay a cunning that had saved their asses on more than one occasion. It didn't pay to underestimate Winifred Burkle.
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"I told you to take the next turn right, if you'd listen we wouldn't have gone ten minutes out of the way."
Sam watched his brother roll his eyes in disgust then slam his foot down on the accelerator, shooting them forward in a burst of engine noise and speed. He refolded the map of the city he picked up from the gas station on the outskirts of town and stuffed it into the glove box.
"What is it with you," Dean growled, "We're here a whole day early, plenty of time to check out the city and see the damned house. Why is this bug up your ass about going out there tonight?"
"Because we're supposed to," he told his brother again for the third time. At least Dean was almost back to normal. Whatever had happened between him and Miranda had lessened the tension that simmered around them. He didn't ask, but he did notice that Dean didn't sleep in the bed across from him that night. Dean wouldn't be back to his normal crotchety self until they put Gabriel back into Miranda's arms safe and sound.
"Look, we checked that dump on Cliff Road and now we're going to the other one. We'll get there in a few minutes so keep your panties on."
The clerk in the gas station had been willing to tell them about the two so-called Haunted Houses of Port Charles, after Dean slipped him a twenty. He'd known the second Dean stopped the car at the first that it was wrong. The tension coursing through his blood that they were supposed to be there tonight wouldn't go away.
"Do you think those others will be there tonight," Miranda asked from the backseat.
"Is that why you're in such a rush?" Dean glared at him. He could practically hear the words now. They worked alone, didn't need anyone's help to get Gabriel back and certainly didn't need to carry some rubes who would be nothing but trouble.
He jerked the car to a stop and shut off the engine. "Why did you stop?" Miranda said softly.
"We're here," he nodded toward the windshield. Tucked neatly off the road was a path that would probably lead them to the house. "We go on feet from here. Miranda you stay in the car, we'll come back for you when it's safe."
"Not happening," she grunted and began zipping up her coat, and shoving a black skull cap down on her head. "I'm in this all the way and I don't need you to protect me like I'm some damsel in distress."
"It's fine, Dean," Sam spoke up to cut off his brother's protests, "Nothing's going to happen tonight. She's supposed to be here."
"Fine," Dean grunted, taking out his gun, checking it's clip and tucking it under his jacket. Slipping firmly into the skin of the Hunter he was. "You make sure to stay between me and Sammy at all times. And you do what you're told, no questions asked. Or next time, I will tie you up and leave you in the damned car regardless of what you think."
The glare Miranda sent in his direction said clearly what she thought of that, but she didn't say anything, just slipped out of the car on Dean's side. Dean was out seconds later and Sam watched in amazement as his brother jerked Miranda into his arms and brushed a hard kiss across her mouth. Then took her hand and led her around to his side of the car.
Sam closed his door and Dean growled, "Not a fucking word," making him grin.
The house on Mill Road that had a legacy of fire and death was indeed just as horrible as the citizens of Port Charles thought it was. It wasn't a large house by any means. Small, almost insignifcant and blended into it's surrounding trees. Even under the light of day, the sense of evil that lurked around it, seeped between it's rotted boards and dingy brown paint that was chipped and peeling. At night, here under the pale moon, the menance was even more threatening. It's very presence screamed wrongness.
The place had been deserted for a few years now, the real estate agents finally giving up on trying to sale the place anymore after all of the violent deaths in the place's history.
The remains of what could have been a fence lay in the brown dirt and snow. The windows had been knocked out and what looked like a curtain stuck out of one on the left side. There was a porch, looked almost like a wide grin with several teeth missing, wood splintery and warped. Everything around the house seemed dead. Trees, grass, no wildlife, not even a stray cat or raccoon trying to slip out of the cold. Maybe it was winter, most likely not.
Most likely, nothing alive had existed around this place in a very long time.
Sam clutched the gun in his hand a bit tighter, keeping an eye behind them to make sure nothing came up, while Dean led the way. They were almost to the house when the trees on the other side began to rustle. He shoved Miranda firmly between them and cocked his gun.
Voices came next, one loud and annoyed, "I'm cold and you chose to walk all the way out here from that other house."
"You're out of shape Cordy," another spoke up, thick with sarcasm. "Now get a move on."
They stepped out of the thick of trees, the leader was female, dressed in leather with thick dark hair pulled back into a pony tail and one hell of a axe in her hand. "We've got company." She lifted a brow as the others with her stepped out.
A tall female bundled up to the neck in dark blue with a cap pulled down over her head, dark hair spilled over onto her shoulders. Male, blonde, leather duster open and a smirk of irreverence gripped the hand of a smaller woman, brunette buttoned into a tan pea coat. She had a cross-bow in her hands, the male was unarmed and the tall one carried a sword that looked like it was at home there in her grip.
"That's far enough," Dean warned, aiming at the group.
"You don't make the calls around here," the brunette with the axe snorted.
"Considering I'm holding the gun, and you're just holding that, I think it's safe to say whose in charge."
"And looks can be decieving," she warned.
"She's right."
They all turned at the rustle from the other side of the house. A man holding two mean looking guns came out. Tall, large build, short hair and a face that meant business, he walked like a man who figured he had the situation firmly in hand. Another guy came up behind him, short, scruffy looking and clearly nervous, carrying what looked amazingly like a laptop. What was the guy going to do with that thing? Delete them to death?
"Drop your weapons, now."
Dean snorted, "I'm not dropping shit, and I'd like to see you make me."
"No you wouldn't." Came the cold reply and the blonde man snorted with laughter.
"I like him."
"Shut up Spike," the tall brunette spoke up in an annoyed voice.
It was a stand off for about thirty seconds as they all stared at each other warily. Even in the dark, he recognized each of their faces from the vision and knew these were the people they were supposed to meet here tonight. Then amazingly a little girl stepped out from behind the dork with the computer. She was dressed in soft blue with wisps of blonde hair that stuck out from beneath her cap.
"It's okay Daddy, this is everyone."
At her words, the man seemed to relax some but he didn't lower the weapons in his hands. The tall brunette on the other hand seemed to bristle with fury. She stalked through the snow over to the man and poked him in the chest with a gloved finger. "You brought a child out here into danger! What are you an idiot?"
Sam felt Miranda flinch and watched his brother clasp her hand in his. The man glared down at the woman as if she were insane. Considering he had those guns in his hands, Sam was right there with him. "Lady if you poke me one more time-"
"You'll what, shoot me? I dare you. Go ahead," she yelled, "You'll still be the idiot who brought a child out here in the dark to the spooky house and danger."
"Look lady," the little girl stepped next to her father, "You don't know what you're talking about so you should shut up."
"Kady, mind your manners," the man reprimanded softly and the little girl huffed crossing her arms over her chest and rolling her eyes.
"Mind your manners, that's it. What kind of father are you?"
"The kind that's getting tired of your yapping. Now would you please shut the hell up." Her eyes widened in shock as if amazed that anyone would speak to her that way. Judging from the stunned looks on her friends faces, they were as well. He nodded once at her silence, "Now if you're done we can get some confirmation here. Tell me what you see Kady. Start with the yammer mouth right here."
The little girl looked the brunette up and down, dislike clear in her face, "Seerer. Part demon from the smell of her."
"Kady," he warned gently. But that didn't stop the woman's blink of confusion.
"There's a vampire over there, the blond guy, but he's managed to get a soul somehow. The woman's hand he's holding is his mate. Human. The brunette with the axe is a Slayer."
"How in the hell," the brunette spoke up but was cut off by the man.
"Quiet! Finish it up Kady."
"Those three are humans. Hunters by the look of them, The tall one's a psychic, probably has some abiliites as well." The little girl stopped and began walking forward toward them. Her father didn't stop her for some reason, and she went straight to Miranda. "You're Gabriel's mother."
Miranda's choked sob made Dean lower his gun and pull her into his arms. "Okay who's the spooky kid with the shining?" Dean growled.
"Good job," the father spoke up, finally lowering his weapons and shoving them into the holsters tucked under his leather jacket.
"My name is Kady Morgan," she smiled innocently up at Dean, "That's my Dad, Jason Morgan, he's a Hunter like you. Well," she paused, seemed to think better of it, "Not quite like you," she changed. "The guy next to my Dad is our hacker Spinelli."
"Yeah, well, nice to meet you kid."
"Is that what you call it? What your brother can do? Shining?" she turned an glanced back over her shoulder, "That's kind of neat Dad, I like that." Then she turned back, "So what's your name?"
"You mean you don't know?"
"Well that's kind of rude," she shrugged, "To look like that without permission. Dad says not to do it too often, that people deserve their own private thoughts."
His brother looked like he didn't know what to make of that. So he stepped forward and held out a hand to the little girl, "I'm Sam Winchester and this is my brother Dean." She slipped her hand trustingly into his and something slipped through his body to which she giggled softly.
"Sorry about that."
"This is Miranda Sullivan," he introduced and Kady took a deep breath.
"Hello Ms. Sullivan."
The others closed the distance and the woman with the axe said, "I'm Faith, this is Spike, Fred and the yammer mouth is Cordelia," she finished up with a wry grin that made his stomach tighten with awareness. Hell no, he thought with a flash of panic. Hadn't he just finished ragging on his brother about this? Last thing he needed was to be attracted to a woman involved in this mess.
"If we're finished with the introductions, I'd suggest we get the hell out of here for the time being." Faith glanced around, "This place is starting to give me the fucking creeps."
"They should come back to our house Daddy," Kady suggested.
To which he nodded once in agreement, "We're in a black Expedition, we'll meet you at the edge of the road. You can follow us there, maybe we can make some sense of all this."
"And who put you in charge of this little group outing?" The woman named Cordelia finally found her voice.
"My city, my rules. You don't like it, you can head back to wherever it is that you came from." And the hard tone of voice meant that he was fully prepared to back his threat up.
"Jerk." Cordelia snorted and rolled her eyes, stomping back toward her friends.
"Hey, Cheerleader, did you forget that we walked over here, we'll probably need a ride from the jerk." The blonde man pointed out.
"I'd rather walk."
Kady went back to her father and leaned against his leg. The look on her face was a big change from the kindness she had for Miranda just seconds ago.
"I really don't like her Daddy."
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Chapter Five
Faith glanced over at Cordelia, brow lifted in consideration of the woman who sat with arms crossed obstantantly over her chest glaring out the window into the night speeding by. For four years she had been apart of this family. In the beginning it had been hard, almost too hard. Stepping out of prison left her vulnerable in a way she hadn't been prepared for.
It was easier inside. For the first few months, she had to prove to herself that she could contain the violence that dwelled within her and was always on constant simmer. Hard job around convicts. She couldn't let anyone push her around, but she always had to be aware of her Slayer strength and instincts. She was a Chosen One gone bad. Jails hadn't been meant to contain her and she knew that this incarceration was voluntary.
If she wanted out she could have gotten out. Only Angel had believed in her. He believed that she could change, could get back to the mission and find some redemption for herself. It was what he worked for, though she knew he didn't believe he deserved it. Walking the walk was most important.
Sometime during guarding her back and a second stint in solitary confinement she had started believing in herself as well. Getting out only to find that the one person she depended on was gone had been like just one more strike again Faith in a world that had never been very good to her in the first place.
The others took her in, despite the pain she had put them through. Especially Wesley. He agreed to be her Watcher again, to help her train and let her stay with Angel Investigations as they worked to help the helpless. Angel's mission had become her mission. It was more than just taking out a few vamps and averting the occasional apocolyspe. It was about walking the walk.
She had family that she cared about and amazingly enough cared about her. Even the arrogant vampire with a soul back there nuzzling Fred's neck. So when she saw one of the family hurting, despite how uncomfortable it made her, she tried to help. And anyone with eyes could see Cordelia was hurting.
"So what was that back there?"
And with those words the silence in the truck became tense and thick. Despite looking as if they were absorbed in each other, she knew Fred and Spike were all ears for the conversation. Cordelia looked at her, and Faith didn't even think to pretend to be speaking of anything but the way she had jumped on that guy about his kid.
Not that she minded hiking back to that first house to get the truck, a little workout never hurt, but Cordelia and the others could have ridden back while she retrieved the truck and joined them afterwards. Would have been faster that way too and they would have been spared the Queen C rant for the entire three miles.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Cordelia immeditately went on the defense. Not unexpected, and Faith was certainly prepared for the acid bite of Cordelia's tongue but Faith had the market cornered on stubborn tenacity. She could wait her out if need be.
"I'm talking about you snapping off on the guy about his kid." Better to just get right to the point and not swim through bullshit.
"You said it yourself, the damned house was creepy and he brings a child out there in the middle of the night?" The huff was classic Cordelia from Sunnyhell days, which made it all the more suspicious. Cordelia only hid behind those walls when she was trying to protect herself. "I know what I saw in that vision and involving a child is just reckless and stupid."
"You know," Faith drew in a deep breath, "You've been really cagey with exactly what you saw in the vision. Now we got the whole big bad deal, and the house and portals opening. You told us about the people who were supposed to be there and judging from what we saw tonight we were just introduced, but there is more you're not telling."
"I've told you everything," but she cut those hazel eyes back to the window proving that wasn't entirely true.
Time to drag out the big dogs. "Look, if you don't trust me to tell me what the deal is, at least tell Fred, so we won't be walking into this blind."
That troubled frown wasn't what she was expecting but it would do. "Uh, master of the guilt trip here. I was using guilt to screw with Broody Boy's head long before you got out of your denim jumpsuit, so don't even try it with me." For a second, she was Cordy from before the vision, then she seemed to hear the words, the casual mention of Angel, and clammed up tight.
"There's nothing wrong with me and I'm not keeping anything to myself about the visions." She muttered after a moment of silence.
"That's a lie, and we both know it, but I'm guessing what you're keeping to yourself is more about Angel and you than about this big bad we're going after, so I'll let it go. I'll just say this, you need to get a handle on the bitchy C before we go in there. These new guys aren't Wesley and Gunn, used to your moods and attitude and tolerating it because they love you."
"And when did you become oh brave and wise leader?"
"When the Powers put that vision in your head and decided to keep Wesley in LA. Now, if you're ready to step up into Seer status and stop wallowing in your pity over there, then be my guess and lead us Cordy. You're the one with the visions. I'm just the Slayer."
"I'm not wallowing, besides, you don't understand." She finished in barely a whisper.
"Guess none of us do. Guess you're the only one who loss Angel and Connor and because the Powers have decided to tap you for a vision we have to suffer through your bad redux of Buffy's 'poor poor put upon me all I wanted was a normal life I didn't ask for this'."
"That's low, even for you." Cordelia sneered at the comparison.
"Yeah, well, it's getting old, C. We all get it that you loved Angel, that you miss him and Connor, heart broken and all that, but this isn't the time or the place and you know it. You know it most of all. You agreed to become a half demon because you understood the importance of the mission. Taking out your frustrations on a guy that you don't even know and a kid that isn't yours isn't going to bring Angel back."
"I'm guessing that isn't all what was running through Cheerleader's head," Spike snorted from the back in that low english accent that was just shy of irreverent.
Whatever Spike meant, it sparked a burst of fury from Cordelia which was a nice change from the, well broodiness, she was exhibiting. "And just what the hell is that supposed to mean?" She threw back over her shoulder and Spike's rumble of laughter filled the silence.
"When you figure that out let me know, otherwise, I'm just going to enjoy the fireworks."
Glad that she was pulling into the driveway in front of the little cottage that Jason guy gave them directions to, Faith shut off the engine and ignored the brunette that looked two steps from claiming a weapon and attacking Spike with it. She parked the truck next to the black Impala, giving the muscle car a silent smile of approval.
Now she would be lying if she didn't admit to herself that she was looking forward to getting another glimpse of long, lean and lanky. And she was never one to lie about a man that caught her eye. Those puppy dog eyes and that hesitant little smile had peaked her interest. Maybe it was a one time thing, the moonlight, or just a moment of insanity. Either way, a nice little hum had set up shop in her belly and was purring away with anticipation.
Next to car was the Expedition the Morgan guy drove and a smaller deep blue Pontiac Grand Am. Now he was another hottie, but not exactly her type. Oh, she'd give him a ride, sure, and judging from his build and the way he handled himself, Jason Morgan would probably burn up the sheets. Only he seemed more C's type. Stunned by the realization, Faith glanced back at her friend, noting the way she examined the house with a critcal eye.
Is that what Spike was talking about?
"Look, let's try to work with these people and not be openly antagonistic, vision girl. Whatever opinions you have on the guy's parenting skills, just keep them to yourself." Faith climbed out of the truck, noting the others behind her.
"It's a beautiful cottage isnt' it," Fred spoke up finally, wrapped firmly in Spike's arms as they walked up the path. All the lights on the first level were on. The place was a little isolated for her taste, but then she caught the cameras strategically placed around the house and yard. Maybe that was just the appearance of isolation. "Like something out of a fairy tale or something."
"You go for something like that Win?"
"For us? Oh, no. I mean, if we had kids or something maybe but a condo would be nice for just the two of us. One with a great view of LA." Faith could almost see the dreamy look on Fred's face.
"Spike with kids?" Faith asked and glanced over her shoulder expecting maybe denial but never that soft consideration. Well, what do you know? "Stranger things have happened." She covered with a smile, knowing the guy wouldn't want anyone to have witness the hint of longing she'd witnessed.
A quick knock on the door and a few minutes later the door swung open to the little dorky looking guy from before. Almost as pale as Spike, his dark hair a shaggy mess around his face and clothes left over from the grunge era that looked a size too big. "Spinelli right?"
"Uh, right," he blinked several times before opening the screen door wide, "That didn't take as long as expected."
"We walk fast," Faith smirked, then inclined a head back to Spike, "You have to invite Fang boy back there in."
"Right, uh, just a minute," he frowned and ducked his head back inside and yelled, "Hey, Stone Cold, is it okay to invite the vamp in? I mean, you always said, don't invite strangers into the house, and I know we were waiting for these guys to arrive but he is a vamp and all and considering-"
"Let them in kid."
Came the blunt reply, cutting him off mid ramble. She thought only Fred did that. "Okay, right, well, the big guy said to invite you in, so uh, consider yourself invited." He stepped aside so they could pass, waiting until they were all inside before shutting the door behind them.
Spike gave a sharp whistle right behind Fred's sigh of appreciation. Faith had to admit, the place was something else. Not filled with clutter and shit, but open, airy. The furniture there was obviously expensive only not untouchable. A cream leather sofa and matching wide backed chair before a deep brown table. Bright pillows were tossed carelessly about, along with a deep bronze blanket draped across the arm of the chair. Pictures were everywhere, mostly consisting of the man and the little girl. A gorgeous pool table sat near a window in a little nook.
Then the aroma of food wafted in and her stomach grumbled in appreciation erasing all thoughts of the elegant cottage. Patroling always left the adrenaline pumping and her body hungry. She would settle for food. She turned to the kid, "Food, lead the way."
A burst of giggles met them as Spinelli pushed open the door and they took in the group seated in the kitchen. It was just as goggling as the living room, done up in creams and lots of rich gleaming dark brown wood, which meant this guy had money coming out of his ass. There was even one of those island things in the center with stools on one side.
Morgan was at a huge stainless steel refriderator pulling out a gallon of milk, while the girl, Kady was sitting at the table with the two Winchester boys and the woman, Miranda. In front of them were various containers of chinese take-out and she was ready to beg for a little Moo-Shu pork.
Kady looked up and her wide smile stiffened a bit at the edges and Faith held back a little snort of laughter. Seemed C had already got on this one's bad side. "Dad ordered from the Golden Dragon, he thought you all might be hungry. You're welcome to join us."
Kid sounded very proper and respectful, and it made her want to grin because the kid couldn't be more than eleven or tweleve. "Thanks," Faith nodded, moving forward, "Guess we'll take you up on that." She went to the table and took the seat opposite her Winchester. As she slipped out of her leather jacket, she watched his eyes linger on her body and didn't bother to hide the wicked grin. Yeah, her Winchester was right. It was only a matter of time and she had learned that time was a precious commodity.
He was exactly like she remembered, except, better. That leather jacket he wore was gone, revealing a flannel shirt and a dark grey tee beneath it. Those jeans stretched just right over those long legs. Now Sam Winchester might look lean and rangy, and have a baby face but she knew better. She didn't need her Slayer senses to tell her that either. One look at those capable hands and she was suddenly hungry for something other than food.
She turned the chair around and straddled it, and those eyes watched every movement. When she caught him at it, lifted a brow, he blinked nervously away and went back to his food. Too late, she wanted to tell him. She had seen that matching flare of hunger and had no intention of forgetting it.
Fred and Spike took a spot in the window seat and Cordelia the remaining chair at the table. That immediately went over wrong with the girl. "That's Spinelli's seat," Kady spoke up but the brief clearing of throat from her father had the girl ducking her head and looking away.
"It's fine," Spinelli answered, "I'll just grab a spot here at the counter with Stone Cold here, it's not problem."
"So, did you have any problems finding the place," Jason asked from his spot at the stove where Faith watched him pour milk into a pot and turn on the eye.
"No, it was five by five." Faith answered, wondering if the tension in the large kitchen had been this thick before they arrived. If they were going to avert some big bad, they had a long way to go before tomorrow night came.
Jason had no idea how closely his thought mirrored those of the Slayer's sitting at the table. All he knew was the people in this room had to find some common ground if they had any chance of destroying whatever was coming through tomorrow night.
He hadn't been surprised Kady had a dream about the house. After driving past it the other night, he knew it was a matter of time before she saw something. All of these people, well, he hadn't been expecting that. The Winchesters weren't so bad. Hunters themselves, they were a lot like him. Hardened, determined and accustomed to working alone.
The woman, Miranda Sullivan, brought them into the situation. Her son, Gabriel had been stolen by a succubus and after Sam's vision, knew the only chance of getting him back was here in Port Charles when this door opened unto another dimension.
After some talk they agreed they needed to work together, mostly because Kady seemed to be a lifeline for Miranda to Gabriel. The woman had cried for half an hour when Kady told her that she'd seen Gabriel and that he was safe for the moment. She couldn't tell more than that, but evidently it was enough for the petite woman because she had curled up in Dean's arms and sobbed as if she had been holding that back for years instead of days.
These other ones, he didn't know quite what to make of them. Kady had already formed an opinion of the tall woman, the one named Cordelia but he knew that was mostly because Cordelia had verbally attacked him tonight. If people thought he was protective of his daughter, then Kady was just as much. Not that he needed it, he understood where the woman was coming from. She might be a big mouth, but at least her concern was for Kady's welfare.
He let them eat, strange but he wouldn't have thought a vampire would eat food, but then he'd never met a vampire with a soul, so what did he know. Spike was very attentive of the woman, Fred. Getting her a plate, tucking her neatly to his side. If it tugged at a small knot of envy, he ignored it and the memory and concentrated on the moment, not the past.
He had heard of Slayers, the Chosen One, in his travels, and the brunette, Faith, certainly looked up to the task. Attractive, like a sleek panther, and just as deadly, she plowed through two plates of Moo-shu pork and chugged down two twenty ounce Pepsii's and still looked like she could take on more.
Cordelia, now he didn't know what to make of her. She seemed uncomfortable, and he wouldn't have expected that of her. In fact, he would have bet money that she was the kind of woman that knew how to take control of a situation and make sure everyone involved was at ease. She was a Seer like Kady, which he knew was hard. He knew the visions that Kady sometimes had, knew that seeing demons and living this life was difficult. Maybe it was the same for her.
She was beautiful, there was no mistaking that, with a tempting mouth when she wasn't running it. She pulled off that dark coat, revealing curves for days. Long dark mahogany hair was pinned up in the top to fall straight over her shoulders, eyes that sparked with emotion. Anger, he changed. A small and very masculine part of him wanted to know what those eyes might look like otherwise.
So Cordelia was a conundrum and his life had no place for puzzles of the sexual kind. Not anymore.
He waited until Kady finished her mug of hot chocolate before speaking up and interrupting the current conversation about Dean's car. "Okay monkey, time for bed."
"Dad," she drawled out the name though from the bright disappointment in her eyes, he knew the protest was merely for show. She had been waiting for him to send her up.
"Way past the bedtime kid," he reminded her. "I'll fill you in in the morning." The exhaled breath of air from the direction of Cordelia didn't go unheard, but he chose not to comment.
"But-"
"You have to get up at six to train, then there's lunch with your mother and your brothers over at Sonny's. You'll have plenty of time to catch up."
"Not fair," Kady grumbled,"I'm in this just like they are," she rolled her eyes and pushed back from her chair. "Just because I'm eleven doesn't mean anything." She rinsed out her mug and put it in the dishwasher, then wrapped her arms around his waist.
"It means you'll go to bed now," he brushed a kiss over her forehead, "Now scram and no listening at the stairs."
"Yeah, yeah, you know when I'm there." She huffed then kissed his cheek. "Good night everyone." She waved to the rest of the room and rushed upstairs.
"Spinelli."
"I know, I know," he nodded and stood to go after her. Spinelli would sit with Kady for a while so she could go to sleep. Kady was handling the vision but he knew it had scared her.
"Why do you let her get mixed up in this stuff?"
Somehow after that little pfft of air, he knew Cordelia wasn't going to just let this go. "Excuse me?"
"She's a little girl, the only thing on her mind should be dolls and toys and her friends, not this stuff."
"Cordelia," Faith said in a warning voice, which the brunette ignored.
"NO," she jerked to her feet and crossed around to where he stood, "I can't be the only one here thinking this. What kind of parent drags his child out in the dark where who knows what is waiting?"
There was a glimmer of pain in those hazel eyes and he wondered at it's source. "You don't know two things about me and yet you're standing here in my home judging me. Kady said you're a Seer. How long?"
"What?"
"How long have you been getting visions?"
She looked away nervously, refused to answer, and he nodded. "I'm guessing you all have probably figured out that Kady is a Seer as well. Yeah, she's young, just turned eleven. But she's been getting visions and seeing demons since she was three years old, so lady, you don't know jack shit about my daughter. The next time you're ready to pass judgement on someone, you should find out all the information first. Assumptions just make you look stupid."
"It's still no cause to bring her into this."
"Excuse me," Miranda spoke up, her voice soft but confident, "I know you probably mean well, miss, but we don't exactly know what this is because we haven't had a chance to talk about it yet. So can we please not argue right now? We have less than a day to prepare for the things that Sam saw in his vision and it's too important to waste that time fighting."
"She's right," the woman, Fred, agreed and Cordelia looked back at her as if it was tantamount to betrayal. "We need to talk Cordy. We have three people who have had three visions of what seems to be the same thing. The Powers have brought us all together for a reason."
"The Powers," Dean grunted, brushing a soothing hand over Miranda's shoulder, "What the hell is that supposed to be."
"The Powers that be," Fred said carefully, "The forces of good in this world."
"Religion again," Dean mumbled and Sam gave a small grin. "Can we get through this without bringing religion into it. Sam's got the shining, we have a clue about the door that's opening and evidently you all have something to do with it. No mystical force brought us all together. No guiding hand is going to come down and save the day. That's all going to lay on our shoulders."
Jason saw the protests coming and raised a hand for silence, "None of this matters at the moment. First, maybe we need to sit down and talk about what's brought each of us here, what you've got a stake in and we'll go from there."
"Good plan," Faith agreed over a mouthful of noodles. "We'll go first, if that's okay with everyone." She glanced around waiting for nods of consent, then took a big swallow of soda and wiped her hands off. "Your daughter was right about us. I'm the Slayer, Spikes's our resident vamp with a soul, Fred is his girl and she's our tech and big with the research. Cordelia is our connection to the Powers that Be."
"We're from Los Angeles," Fred put in with a smile, "We work for Angel Investigations and basically we help the helpless."
"Is that some kind of agency?" Dean asked with a look of contemplation, "You mean, you actually get paid to kill demons."
"Just the people who can afford it," Fred answered, "That doesn't mean we won't help if they can't pay."
"Can't pay more often than not," Spike snorted and was rewarded with an elbow to the side.
"Do we really have to get into this," Cordelia asked and beneath that anger he finally heard hurt. He knew it was there from the way she kept reacting to Kady, but she had done a good job of hiding it. "I got the vision and we're here, that's all that matters."
"It's not and you know it. You know Angel's involved," Faith took another long swallow of soda, "Hiding from the truth isn't going to change it."
"Who's Angel?"
"The Poof who started it all," Spike answered, "The former Scourge of Europe who drained the wrong gyspy ended up with a curse and thus began the long tortured tale of redemption and lost love."
Jason paused, took a good long hard look at the vampire that spoke and all kinds of pieces began falling into place. Angelus, the demon with the angelic face. Darla. Dru and the homicidal maniac sitting in his house. The contemplation blazed into anger, "Are you telling me," he paused, slamming the cup of coffee in his hand down onto the counter, "I knew I heard that fucking name before. Spike," he spat out, "Fucking William the Bloody in my fucking kitchen."
He took a step forward and Faith jumped from her chair, while Fred wrapped protective arms around him. "He has a soul." Faith pointed out, shoving a hand into his chest to halt him.
"I kill things with souls all the time," Jason shot back, squeezing his right hand into a fist, the knuckles cracking audibly.
"He's a good guy," Faith pushed a bit, though her eyes widened when he didn't move as much as she thought he would. "Sanctioned by the Powers and everything, so back off."
"I know about Angelus and William. You give me one good reason why I should trust him," he pointed to the vampire, who looked calmly on, "In the same house as my child."
"You know nothing about Angel," Cordelia yelled. He turned to see the fury in her eyes, hands planted on her lips as she prepared to defend, "Or Spike. So don't you dare stand there judging them. You have no idea what it's like for them. And if the Powers hadn't sent us the vision, we wouldn't even be here in this hick city and with you and your closed mind. We would be back in Los Angeles helping people who deserve it. And if there wasn't a shred of hope that we could get Angel back, I'd tell you to go screw yourself."
"Back from where?"
"Hun?" she blinked, stunned by the calmly asked question, obviously had been expecting an arguement. He could have told her that was a waste of time. He didn't argue.
"Back from where?"
"Five years ago, Angel jumped into a hell dimension to rescue his son, Connor from a maniac who was after revenge on something that Angel did to him when he was Angelus." Faith explained and Cordelia rounded on her.
"Don't! Don't tell him anything," she yelled, "He doesn't deserve to know anything about Angel or Connor."
"So that's your stake in this, Hell dimension opens and hopefully this Angel guy steps back out." Sam spoke up, his quiet voice cutting the violent tension in the air. "Unfortuantely that's not what I saw," he lifted a shoulder in sympathy, "I'm guessing that's not what you saw either, Cordelia."
Those eyes were stricken at his words and Jason knew it was the truth. From the confusion on her friends' faces, it seemed Cordelia was keeping things from them. "I'm not sure what I saw," and it wasn't even a slightly convincing lie.
"C, we don't have time for this." Faith huffed tiredly.
"I told you, I saw the young boy and he was with another man. A young man. I never said I saw Angel. I never said I was hoping Angel stepped through the portal."
"You just hoped because it was the first vision you'd had in the five years since he's been gone," Fred said softly.
The silence after those words was shaky and thick and Jason watched Cordelia wrap her arms around herself in comfort. Whoever Angel and this Connor person had been, she had loved them. Anyone who could inspire love, couldn't be a monster. He looked over at Spike, who still held Fred in his arms, but had said nothing through his accusations.
Not once had he tried to deny the deeds of William the Bloody. He didn't defend, by stating he'd done those things before he had a soul. Jason wasn't exactly clean and pure in the deeds and actions of his life. He couldn't even claim to be a vampire for most of the people he killed. "I'm sorry," he nodded and surprise flickered in those blue eyes.
"I'll keep an open mind from now on," he said and that was all the apology he would offer. He had every right to worry about the safety of his daughter. Understanding passed between the two quietly.
"Alright," Spiked nodded in acceptance.
"I miss the good ol' days when you killed the demons, not made them your best friends forever," Dean groaned loudly. "Now if we're done with this tender bonding moment, we should get back to the matter at hand. Door opening tomorrow night. Gabriel and an unknown guy coming through. As well as bad ass demon that will probably want to destory the world."
"Master's coming, turn the day to night, kill you all and blood will run the earth."
"What?"
All eyes turned in his direction so he explained, "Took out four vamps last night. They were in the catacombs of Spoon Island, getting ready to sacrifice a fifteen year old girl as a tithe to someone they called Master. That's what one of them said, turn the day to night, kill you all and blood will run the earth."
"The Master's dead," Faith frowned, "Buffy killed him, right Spike?"
"Who's the Master?" Sam asked, "And who is Buffy?"
"Bad ass vamp that you never want to see the light of day," Faith explained, "And Buffy was the Slayer. She's dead, long story and completely irrelevant at the moment."
"So it's not a vamp," Jason lifted a shoulder, "I kinda figured that with the chants in old languages."
"Do you know which one they were speaking," Fred asked, eyes bright with interest.
"Vaguely. I've had Spinelli doing research. I'm guessing it's ancient Sumerian. They have some pretty nasty demons, lots of blood and death and wanting to destroy worlds."
"If I can take a look at what you have, I might be able to help. We could even call Wesley back in LA and see if he can help with some translations."
"What about the house," Dean asked, "Is the door opening at the house, in the house, or what?"
"The house is the door," Jason explained. "That's not just an ordinary house, at least not anymore. There's been a lot of death and evil there over the years and that kind of energy builds up."
"Until some demon comes along and claims it and twists it for it's own purposes," Dean finished for him. Not quite what he was going to say but in the end, the meaning was the same. "So Delilah, I mean, Nahemah, that succubus that took Gabriel is the door keeper to An, and"
"An," Fred interrupted and Dean nodded, "That is Sumerian. Nahemah is the gate keeper, nasty little demon too."
"Yeah, we've met the bat bitch from hell. But she's not the thing that opened that door and snatched Gabriel through. In fact Nahemah, was dragged in kicking and screeching. Terrified. It just grabbed Gabriel going in," Dean finished.
"You should tell them Dean," Miranda spoke up, her voice so soft that he had to strain to hear it. The two shared a look and she placed a hand on top of Dean's, "It's fine, they might need to know this. We think," she released a pained breath. "Delilah claimed that Gabriel was her Cambion."
"I thought you said," Fred began then her eyes widened in understanding and sympathy. "Oh."
"From what I understand," Sam started, "We can't do anything about the door opening, we just need to be there for Gabriel and this other person to help them through."
"Might help if we knew what demon was coming," Fred sighed. "We could get started on trying to figure out ways to kill it."
"Wanna dial that number to your supposed Powers that Be and get us an update?" Dean muttered and at the moment he was feeling just as disgusted.
"Uh, sarcasm never helps," Faith said, "But I'm guessing maybe someone up there just might have heard you." She lifted a hand and pointed at Cordelia and Sam who were both beginning to glow and drift off the floor into the air.
"Daddy!" Jason turned and raced up the
back stairs toward that shriek.