"Ex-boyfriend?" Angel asked.
"What? You didn't think I spent all this time pining away for you?" Catherine replied as she proceeded to grab a gun out of the cabinet and walked over to Dawn.
"I'm sure you a good fighter. However, I'm not about to put you in a situation that may send your sister here to slay my ass. So please stay up here and help out CJ." Catherine released the safety on the gun and put a round into the chamber. "Safety's off. This is more for protection just in case they get up here into the office but I doubt it. The bullets are poisoned, so a good shot into the chest, torso, or head should kill them instantly." With that, Catherine handed the gun over to Dawn. She then went and got to more and gave them to Connor. CJ sat at her desk and began punching codes on the keypad. Suddenly the wall containing the bar flipped around to reveal several screens monitoring the club. Mostly inside and a few outside looking onto the street. The screens were in black and white, but a few people showed up in a greenish hue. CJ placed a headset on and then turned to Dawn.
"Dawn, right? See these green guys? Those are the bad guys. Now, what I need you to do is keep an eye on these three cameras that face the street. If you see any green guys head towards a car, write down the plate number for me." CJ handed her a pad of paper and pen. Shakily Dawn took the utensils from him. "Don't worry. I'll have this office locked up tight once they head down."
Connor walked over to her and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Don't worry. I'll be right back."
Catherine placed a type of hearing device in her ear and headed towards the elevator. "Alright people let's head out."
Angel watched as Catherine nervously tapped her fingers against the hilt of the sword.
"So, your ex is a demon?" He asked.
"I don't think you of all people should handing out relationship advice. Look at some of the people you dated."
As Catherine stepped out of the elevator, CJ's voice popped into her ear. "Okay, we've got four demons on the dance floor, five more spread throughout the lower level and five more on the top level."
"Fourteen demons. Mostly on the lower level, but five on the top level. So, who wants to be on top?" Catherine whispered.
"I'll go above," Illyria stated.
"Fine. Angel you come up to the dance floor with me. Connor I want you to hang back here a little to keep an eye on our backs. Take out any demon sneaking up on us. And please, try not to shoot the innocents."
With that, Catherine straightened her back and began walking forward towards the dance floor with Angel close behind. Illyria edged her way up the stairs quietly and Connor stood in the shadows waiting. As Catherine and Angel approached the dance floor they saw the four demons holding onto a young girl. Two held her arms while the third kept a gun pointed to her head. The fourth stood slightly forward. He wore dark sunglasses and held a sword in his right hand. They could've past for human, Angle thought. If it wasn't for they're pointed green teeth and yellowish skin.
"Glad you decided to come out and join the party Catherine," the one holding the sword exclaimed.
"What can I say? I like parties. You know Malcolm, there's a reason you're not on the guest list and pulling little stunts like these aren't gonna get you there any faster." Catherine replied. God, she was always such the smart-ass, thought Angel. He glanced around the club and spotted the other demons waiting to strike.
"I've got a message for you from Quinn."
Catherine waited and listened.
"He said your time to die has come. Your blood will soon serve its purpose. Your body will soon know-"
"Blah, blah, blah. I know this already. Why doesn't just hurry the hell up and get his punk-ass up here already." Suddenly Catherine rushed towards the gunman and in one quick move severed his hand and brought the dagger from her back and placed it between his eyes. The two demons holding the girl dropped her and charged at Catherine, only to meet Angel who quickly took them down. Illyria hastily made her way across the top level, briefly decapitating any demon who challenged her. Connor stood rooted for a moment not sure who to follow when his eyes caught a demon coming at his father from behind. He pulled out the two guns and fired two shots, both neatly hitting the demon in the head. Catherine's attention was being held by Malcolm as they faced off on the dance floor.
"Malcolm, Malcolm. You know it always comes down to this. Why couldn't you just leave me a message on my machine instead of coming in here and making a mess."
"Tonight it's different. I'm gonna kill you."
"Do you really think Quinn would be happy hat his little errand boy took me out?"
"I'm NOT his errand boy, bitch!"
"Really, now such language."
"Go to hell!"
"You first." Catherine lunged forward cutting Malcolm across the leg. She moved swiftly, easily dodging his thrusts at her. Finally she twirled her sword around and lopped off his right arm and connected her roundhouse kick to his face, sending him flying across the room. As Malcolm struggled to get up, Catherine hastily made her way towards him when she was hit from behind and sent sprawling to the ground. Malcolm used this to scramble up and out the front door while Illyria was busy with the last demon on the top level. Catherine rolled over in time to see a demon standing over her ready to plunge a sword into her belly, when a sword went through his. As the demon fell to the side, Catherine looked up gratefully into Angel's eyes.
"Well, I guess that's two I owe you," Catherine said as Angle helped her up.
"I guess that's all of them," Connor said slightly out of breath as he joined them. Illyria jumped down from the upper level and stood beside them.
"Not all. Malcolm made it out. Oh well, at least he's no a lefty for awhile," Catherine replied as she bent down to pick up her sword. When she stood up, applause erupted in the club along with whistles. Angle looked at her stunned.
Catherine made little curtsies as she said, "They think it's a show. So do me a favor and play along."
As they stepped off the elevator, Dawn ran towards Connor and threw herself into his arms. "Oh my god, I was so worried. But the way you killed that first demon was way cool."
"She did alright. Dawn caught, I believe Malcolm getting into a car and got the plate number. I'll run it in the morning," Cj said hugging Catherine as he headed to go back down to the DJ booth.
"Thanks." Catherine began putting the weapons away while Angel watched her. She turned back around to face his scowl.
"I thought this was no big deal? What kind of demons are those? Who the hell is Quinn?" Angel asked angrily.
"It isn't a big deal. I'm tired, so if you insist on knowing, I suggest you come back tomorrow night." Catherine said returning his scowl and crossing her arms. Angel stood for a second then leaned forward and whispered "I'll see you later then."
Catherine didn't move as Angel and the others headed into the elevator. Once outside, angel tossed his keys to Connor.
"Take the girls back to the hotel and wait for me. I have questions that need to be answered tonight."
Angel waited outside the club in the darkness for her. An hour after the last patrons left she exited. He was thinking of how to approach her, when her voice broke the silence of the evening.
"It's not like I can't feel you, you know," Catherine remarked as she locked up the club. She turned to face him as he shyly stepped into the light.
"I forgot about the Slayer sense."
"It's not just that. I can still feel the tug of our connection. I thought it'd go away with time, but I guess not."
"I still feel it too." He said quietly as he dropped his eyes. Catherine shook her head and started walking up the street around the club. Angel began to follow when she suddenly stopped.
"What are you doing?"
"Um, walking you home."
"Try again."
"Okay I'm following you home in the hopes I can get you to tell me what's really going on."
Catherine let out a deep sigh and rubbed her head.
"Fine, it's a long story, just so you know." She then turned around in front of a set of double doors right next to the club.
"Where are we going?" Angel asked.
"Upstairs. My apartment is on the fifth floor above the club. Well come on if you need to talk so badly."
Angel followed through the double doors and down the hall to an elevator.