A.N. Just so you know, I have used some artistic license when creating the "baddie." Also, I feel like sitting with my arms crossed and bottom lip stuck out while not typing C5 without some kind of feedback on whether it's ok so far. This probably qualifies as a ransom demand, but other than my friend Avalonemyst, I can't tell if it's going ok for folk or not. :9 Please help!

- 4 -

"Maria? You ok?"
"No..I...I think I'm going to..."
She wasn't able to finish her sentence before she heaved and vomited down Angel's coat. Angel looked over Maria's head towards Cordelia, his eyes silently pleading for help. Cordelia simply curled her lip and gave a short pshew noise, making it very clear that she regarded this as Angel's own mess to clean up. Angel silently mouthed thanks as he stepped away from the still heaving girl with a grimace. Maria shakily straightened up.
"Oh God! I'm so sorry!"
"No problem, really. It's ok. It's leather. I'm, er, I'm sure it'll wipe clean. I'll just go and...you know."

Wesley tried to hide his smile as Angel backed away from the embarrassed young woman and hurried off to his room to remove his favourite coat. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, Maria stared again at the image of the Chimera, unable to fully comprehend what she was seeing. The illustration depicted what, for the most part, appeared to be a fully grown lion. However, in place of the usual lion's tail, the drawing showed the body and head of a snake; it's jaws opened wide to reveal vicious looking fangs dripping with venom. The lion's hind legs seemed to be those of a goat.

Maria felt bile burning in the back of her throat as she stared at Wesley and Cordelia.
"This is some kind of stupid joke, right? You don't seriously expect me to believe that psycho guy can turn into that...do you?"
Cordelia glanced at Wesley before turning to look directly at Maria, her expression serious.
"Honey...we're not joking around. Things like this do exist, and we make it our job to stop them hurting people like you. You have to trust us Maria. We can, and will, protect you. I promise."
"Protect me? How? When you are all clearly insane? Christ I need a drink. And before you ask, I don't mean friggin' tea!"
Cordelia narrowed her eyes. Wesley quickly jumped in.
"That sounds like an excellent idea. Whiskey alright with you? Cordelia, could I trouble you..?"
Cordelia turned her back on Maria.
"My pleasure."

Maria plonked herself down in an armchair, her gaze following Cordelia's retreating back.
"Great. That's two of you guys I've managed to upset so far! It's not that I'm not grateful. Hell you, all of you, saved my ass out there. I'm just a little freaked...you know?"
Wesley smiled warmly at the girl.
"You haven't upset Angel and believe me, if Cordy were really put out, you'd know about it! Look, the three of us? We constantly face creatures you couldn't even dream of. Sometimes we forget that most people, thankfully, are never aware of the things which we ourselves accept so casually. Cordelia is telling you the truth though. We will protect you and we will deal with the Chimera."

xxxxxxxxXXXxxxxxxxx

Helloooo...anybody out there?

Chick xx