A.N. Sorry it's been so long since posting. I'll be quicker from here as I'm hoping to be able to complete before 2013!

- 6 -

Wesley stood up.
"Well. If that's the case I'd better find something to slow him down fairly quickly then."
Cordelia heard Wesley push his chair back. Turning her attention from Maria, she watched as Wesley hurriedly made his way towards the bookcase which held a good number of antique and rare books, both reference books and ancient journals alongside books of spells, rituals and enchantments. At the same time, Angel very purposefully strode across to the weapons cupboard. Cordelia sighed and turned back to Maria, her expression calm, but serious. As soon as Maria spotted the look on Cordelia's face, she felt a surge of anxiety.
"Look. Maria. It seems like something's happening. It's probably a good time to get you to somewhere safe...ok?"
Maria began to visibly tremble.
"I thought I was somewhere safe! He...it...it knows I'm here, doesn't it? Why won't it leave me alone? Why is it targeting me? What've I done wrong?"
Before Cordelia could form any reply, Angel answered Maria's questions as he unlocked the weapons cabinet.
"You're menstruating. He can smell the blood."

Maria looked mortified. Cordelia glared at the back of Angel's head.
"Gee! Tell it like it is big guy."
Angel glanced back at the two women and shot a brief apologetic smile at Maria.
"Cordy...Here. Brass can kill it. Take these, and then I want you and Maria down in the sewer system."
Maria let out a choked,
"The sewers?"
Cordelia gave the girl a tight smile.
"It's not as bad as it sounds, honest."

Cordelia went to Angel and took the pistol crossbow he held out to her along with a small quiver holding a dozen brass headed bolts. She looked up at him and Angel could see worry clearly signalled in her eyes. Not fear. It took more than a moth-eaten cross-breed lion to frighten Cordelia. She'd lived too many years on a Hell Mouth to let old Goat Legs scare her, it was just...

Angel recognised the source of Cordelia's concern and he gave her one of his all too rare genuine smiles.
"It's just a precaution Cordy. I'm sure you'll have no reason to use them. Wes and I will be fine. Just stay in the sewers and look out for Maria until either me or Wesley come to get you...Ok?"
A wide smile lit Cordelia's face and she saluted Angel.
"Yes, Boss. Hey! I guess at least if she pukes all over again, it won't matter any down there...right?"
No one needed heightened senses to hear the sudden crash and splintering of wood from upstairs. Angel gave Cordelia a short nod.
"Go."
"Be careful."
Cordelia turned and headed to Maria. Grabbing the girl by one arm, she firmly hauled her up from the armchair.

"Time to go girlfriend. Unless you want to be kitty's new squeaky toy."
Maria whimpered, her eyes tearful and fixed on the weapons Cordelia carried. Cordelia gave an exasperated sigh.
"They're just in case, but I will prod you with one of these pointy things if you don't get moving! Come on."
Ignoring the young woman's distress for the time being, Cordelia very determinedly yanked Maria after her as she quickly lead them down to the sewer entrance.

Angel grabbed hold of a short sword with an ornately etched brass blade. About to close the cabinet door again, he paused. Reaching back inside, he withdrew a large double headed battle axe. In his experience there wasn't much that didn't slow down, for a little while anyway, when the head was removed.
The creature's progress was easy enough to track. The sounds of destruction along with the angry roars and growling pretty much gave it's whereabouts away. Angel hurried to where Wesley was madly flipping through spell books.
"No pressure here Wes, but any time soon would be great."
"Really? And yet here I am, just casually browsing and fooling around pointlessly. Silly me!"

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