Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon and Angel the series.
Synopsis: This is the third story in the Soul series I am working on. In order the stories are The Price of a Soul, The Judging of a Soul, and now The Weight of a Soul. The Council is having it's own inner-struggles but have been forced to stop their pursuit of Faith. Just as they are breathing a sigh of relief, once member of Council is killed and sends a package to the team that has caught them all by surprise.
Chapter Two
For the most part, the next few days settled into a kind of routine. Cordelia would catch one of them staring at her and she quickly put on a smile and waved them away. Wes was studying, digging for information. It got to the point where Cordy felt the need to threaten him to get him to take a break. Angel, Spike, and Faith headed out every night to patrol. They tried to play it off as not a big deal but there was no hiding it. They seemed to believe if they could keep on top of things, work hard enough, there would be no reason for Cordy to have a vision, and delaying them was just as important as finding a way to make them less lethal.
Angel had tried mentioning, he was sure in a polite way, that maybe Faith shouldn't be training her so hard but Cordy squashed that. Faith was taking it easy on her and she knew it, so everyone should just let it be. She hadn't heard anything from Wesley and she thought about asking but she honestly didn't want to get her hopes up so dropped it. It was late, a few days later, ad he was groaning, rubbing at his face and obviously tired. Cordelia was heading home, and the others were heading out for the night. Cordelia sighed and came over pulling the book from him to mark his place then close it. He reached for it and she shook her head.
"Wes, it's late. You promised, this isn't going to take over. So either you go home and take a break, or I'll stay up right here all night with you."
"Cordelia you need your rest."
"Exactly. So you'll go home and rest?"
He looked at her as if to complain then sighed and nodded.
"Very well. I'll be back in the morning."
Cordelia grinned.
"And so will the book, and so will I."
He reached for his coat then turned to look at her.
"Can you promise that?"
Cordelia rolled her eyes and crossed her heart. She went to lift her fingers in a sort of girl scout salute when her body jerked. Wesley's face fell and he reached for her.
"Angel! Spike! FAITH!"
Her hands grabbed fistfuls of his shirt and he tried to hold her up.
"B-big, ahhh! Horns, h-horns."
She stuttered through and her head snapped back. Arms were pulling her from Wesley and he looked up as Angel grabbed her. Spike moved the chair out of the way and let him pull her out of the office. Faith went for the pills and water and Wesley tried to fix his shirt, and followed out. Angel tried to hold her still.
"It's okay, just, relax into it."
He didn't know if that would help but it was all he could do.
"No! Four, four of them, club, b-blue lights. Help them!"
She went stiff as a board as she screamed and then went limp. Angel frowned and pushed the hair from her face, turning to look at her.
"Cordelia? Cor!"
Faith just stood there with the water and pills. Angel looked up at Wesley and he frowned. Wes shook his head.
"Is she?"
Angel glanced back down.
"She's breathing. She, won't wake up."
Spike wiped at his face.
"We take care o' it right? Said th' pain goes away when we do, yeah? We gotta get ou' there."
Angel picked Cordelia up and set her on the couch.
"Right. Wes, keep an eye on her, a close eye. Anyone have a lead on this club?"
Faith set the water and pills aside.
"I think I might. She said blue lights. There's a club that I swear uses only blue lights. It makes everyone look dead, they play tons of techno. It's a place to start."
They stood there for a moment, just watching her breath before Spike went to get a weapon and the other two followed. Wes took a seat across from Cordelia and just gave them a nod as they left.
AA
Cordelia woke with a groan, and tried to roll over in what she thought was her bed. Wesley was there immediately and grabbed her from rolling off of the couch.
"Easy there."
She winced and looked up at him through half opened eyes.
"Shhh, not so loud!"
He whispered the, and helped her to sitting before reaching for the pills again.
"Here, take these."
Shaking her head she lifted a hand and gestured to the office.
"Something stronger, in my purse."
He glanced back with a frown and rose to go get the pills. He dug through the purse and found them, reading the label as he came back.
"Cordelia these are, "
"I know, I know, just, just give me one."
He did and after she took them he sat down next to her.
"How are you feeling?"
"Honestly? Like someone's been playing kickball with my insides. They found them. Should be back soon. I'll get the kit."
She went to stand and he grabbed her hand.
"No, you sit. I'll get the kit. And no arguing. You know just the face that you are up is going to have me in hot water with the others."
Smiling and patting her hand he went to get the kit while she tried to fix her hair and wiped at her face hoping she didn't look nearly as bad as she felt. Wesley was just coming back when the others came in the front door, carrying Faith. His face paled and Cordy got up quickly.
"Here, lay her down!"
Spike and Angel stopped, seeing her awake but then moved to lay Faith down.
"You should be in bed Cor."
Cordelia started removing Faith's jacket and snapped her fingers at Wesley.
"Wes! Move it, I need that kit! Not now Angel."
Wes stumbled forward and handed her the kit then sat on the end of the sofa and lifted Faith's head to scoot closer and put her head in his lap.
"What happened?"
Faith winced.
"Hey Cor? Think you can go a little easy on the ribs there?"
Angel shook his head.
"They were huge, we were outnumbered and Faith got stuck with two of them jumping her. She took, claws I think."
Cordy frowned and cleaned up the blood trying to find the actual wound.
"Sorry, I didn't get enough information to you guys. You might have had a better chance."
Faith smiled up at Wes.
"Hey stop looking like that. Damn, it's just a claw."
Spike had disappeared into the office and come back with a book.
"Yeah, found it. 'ere's what they were. Any problems with poison?"
Handing the book to Wes he looked it over and frowned.
"No, claws are fine, the, the tails though. Did any of you get hit by the spines?"
Faith lifted a hand to Wesley's face.
"Hey, breathe."
Spike took the book back.
"Nah, think we're all fine there. 'ow's it lookin' cheerleader?"
Wesley looked down at Faith and frowned, taking her hand and kissing the palm. Spike and Angel exchanged looks and Cordelia smiled.
"Well, normally I'd say stitches but with that super metabolism and stuff, I'm just setting it with some butterflys. Doesn't look like a lot of blood lost, but, you cracked some ribs. So I'll wrap you up and then you should probably be immobile for a bit."
She raised eyes to see neither Wes or Faith were looking at her. So she went back to work. She had to lean over Faith to get the wrap done but once she did she stood up. A little unsteady, Angel was there to grab her elbow. She gave him a smile in thanks then looked at Faith and Wesley.
"Okay you two, upstairs."
That seemed to get through and Wesley looked up.
"Pardon?"
Cordelia rolled her eyes.
"Please, you look like you're going to go off the deep end if you are more than five feet from her and she needs her rest. Besides it's not like you haven't had your little sleep overs before! So take her up to bed, both of you get some rest."
To Wesley's surprise, Angel nodded.
"Get some rest you two."
Wesley nodded and got up carefully, helping Faith to her feet. She muttered something about not being a baby but she leaned into him anyway as he helped her up stairs. Cordy crossed her arms and tilted her head smiling as she watched them. Once they disappeared she sighed.
"I'm glad I got to see that."
Spike raised a brow.
"See th' slayer injured? Happened, 'fore pet, will happen again."
Cordelia rolled her eyes.
"No, those two. They are, so different in a lot of ways, but they work. They make each other happy, and scared. I'm glad I got to see it, before. . ."
She shrugged it off and turned to head to the office. Angel frowned and turned to go after her before Spike could.
"Cor, you aren't going to die."
Pulling her purse on she smiled and patted his cheek as she stepped past him.
"We all die Angel, and don't even think about hinting at the vampire thing. Sorry, broody is not a color that will work on me."
"Where you goin' bit?"
"Home. I'm tired, it's been a long day."
Spike scooped up the pill bottle on the table and looked at it.
"You take any o' these?"
She went to grab the bottle and he pulled it back out of reach. With a sigh she lowered her arm and glared at him.
"One, they are prescribed, so hand them over."
Angel shoved his hands into his pockets.
"What are they?"
Cordelia went to reach for them again and Spike tossed them to Angel.
"Think she should stay 'here yea? Not s'possed t' be out with this kinda stuff in your system."
Angel looked it over but didn't know what it was.
"What is it?"
"It's mine is what it is!"
Angel held it out for her and when she grabbed it he grabbed her arm.
"You can stay here tonight."
"Angel -"
"No, you have a room upstairs, use it."
"Uggh, fine! I don't see why you two are being such babies!"
Cordelia shoved the pills in her purse and headed up stairs, being sure to stomp the other entire time. Once she left Angel looked at Spike, who shrugged.
"Them are some 'eavy narcs. Th' kind they prescribe for terminal patients t' overdose t'. Pain is bad."
Angel nodded.
"Get some rest, tomorrow is going to be busy."
"Got a plan, poof?"
"I might."
"Don' keep a vampire in suspense then."
"Tomorrow Spike."
Angel walked off and Spike sighed.
"Right then, I'll jus' do the clean up then, yeah?"
AA
By the time Angel came down the next morning, nearly afternoon, Cordelia was already up. She sat at the counter by the office and looked up from her coffee. Sliding a mug towards him.
"I'd leave the kitchen alone if I were you."
He walked over to take the mug and frowned.
"Oh?"
As if in answer there was a solid tin sound clattering over the floor and a string of curses, most of which Cordelia didn't understand.
"Wesley is determined to make Faith breakfast in bed so her ribs heal."
Angel gave a knowing look and nodded, sipping at his blood.
"Right. So what are you working on?"
She glanced down to the file.
"Oh, the demons from last night. I'm still sorry I didn't get more information to you guys. So making sure we have everything on them in the file you know?"
"It was a bad one, Cor. You were out cold. How can you be worried about information when it nearly killed you?"
She shrugged.
"Because information or lack of it almost got Faith killed?"
He sighed but Spike was coming down and thrust a thumb towards the kitchen.
"What's wit' the watcher?"
Cordy grinned.
"He's making breakfast for Faith."
"That a good idea? So what's up, Poof? Got tha' plan yet?"
Angel almost winced but quickly put on an innocent enough looking face when Cordelia narrowed her eyes at him.
"Plan?"
Angel shrugged.
"More an idea. I have Lorne coming to do a reading."
Cordelia's face fell.
"Oh no, do I have to? Really Angel, no one wants to hear me sing."
Wesley came out with a tray and looking like he'd somehow fought world war three while in the kitchen. With a quick glance up before heading for the stairs he put in his own agreement.
"I may agree with you there Cordelia, but it is a valid option. One we probably should have thought of first. I can take her to Caritas once I've settled Faith with breakfast."
Cordelia shot him a look.
"Traitor."
Angel finished his blood and then put the mug down.
"No need, Lorne should be in, within the hour I believe."
He checked his watch.
"Right, so you guys can fill me in on how the reading went when I get back."
Cordelia got up as he headed out.
"Wait, back from where?"
Angel grabbed his coat and slipped it on, looking passed her to Spike.
"I'll be back. I have a lead of my own to check in on. Wes, let Faith rest, Spike -"
Cordelia wasn't having any of this talking around her thing and went to block his escape.
"Hold on there mister! No passing me off to Spike to look after so no one pays attention to you. You, are up to something. You are not walking out that door and doing something stupid!"
She crossed her arms and he sighed. Stepping up to her he put his hands on her shoulders and down to her upper arms.
"Cor, we promised not to disregard the visions, and we didn't, but you promised to let us try to find an answer. I'm just going to go check on a lead. If it turns out to be nothing, then no harm. But if it's a chance, then you have to let us try it."
Her face softened but he didn't give her the chance to say anything. His hands tightened on her arms and he picked her up and set her aside. With a quick kiss to her forehead he was out the door. Leaving her to stand and stare after him. She rounded on Spike next. Spike just held up his hands.
"Don' look at me. Poof doesn' tell me anythin' yeah?"
Cordy sighed and gave one last glance back to the door.
"All right, well come on. I'll clean up whatever mess Wes made, get you some breakfast and wait for Lorne I guess."
He smirked and went to follow her that way.
"Do I get th' special then?"
"What is it with you and weetabix? But yes, I picked some up for you."
He grinned and threw an arm around her as they headed to the kitchen.
AA
Angel made his way through the city without hesitation. His feet followed the path as if he had gone there many times before. The truth was, it was only twice. Once, Doyle had brought him and he had the Powers turn back time. Leaving only himself with the memory of being alive. Being human. The happiness of a perfect day with Buffy. At the time it had felt like the ultimate sacrifice. Now, he realized that it was sparing them both. It wouldn't have lasted, it couldn't. The second time he had come this way, it was after losing Doyle. He had thought it his place to die for the others but Doyle had jumped. He needed his seer. At least that's what he told them, but they saw through him, he grieved for a friend. Something he had not truly had in his souled lifetime. Oh Buffy had loved him and he her, but they weren't friends. Her friends weren't his either, they tolerated him and sometimes, not even that. The Powers hadn't listened. Or rather, they hadn't done what he was hoping for. It was his place to keep fighting, and Doyle had done an amazingly brave thing. He didn't want to lessen or cheapen it, simply because he missed him.
This time, though, was different. This time it was the visions themselves that were the problem. They were killing her. They had to have a way to stop them from killing her, to save her, or to take them away. He could continue to fight without them. They did no good saving others with their warnings if they were killing someone else. Killing Cordelia.
He was prepared, he wouldn't back down, not this time. So when he got to the rather plain and dingy alleyway he glanced around and made his plea for entrance. He set aside the gift he brought and when the light was granted he stepped inside. His mind already made up that he was not leaving until he knew that Cordelia was safe from her death sentence, safe from the visions.