CHAPTER EIGHT

Abigail was quiet all the way home. They arrived back at the hotel, " I need to take a bath. I'm all muddy." Fred said and disappeared upstairs.

Cordy emerged from Angel's office, " Where have you guys been? I kind of need to talk to you Angel."

" We were on a mission." Angel said abruptly then turned to Abigail, " Are you okay?" he asked, gently touching her arm.

" I'll be fine. I need to go and find Lorne. I have to…talk to him." Angel nodded and to disappeared upstairs. Gunn was putting his weapons away while Cordy pulled Angel into his office.

" We need to talk."

" So, talk." Angel said crossing his arms. He was still a bit peeved that Cordy chose to stay with his son.


Lorne was reading in a recliner, dressed in his nightclothes when Abigail entered their room, looking dirty and bedraggled. She looked tired and sad. Lorne studied her as she entered the room. And she has been crying. He could feel her emotions rushing at him, she was feeling confused, sad and angry all at once.

" Something's happened." He greeted her.

" You could say that." She cleaned her weapon before putting it away. " You and I need to talk." She said, sitting on the bed.

Here it comes. Lorne thought, swallowing. He has been dreading this moment. He knew it was coming and he couldn't stop it. It was on the cards. It was going to be hard.

" About us I suppose." Lorne said and she nodded.

" Things haven't been right. Not since we left Vegas." Abigail started.

" That's because you never want to talk," Lorne interrupted, " we never talk the way we used to. It's like you've put up this big wall around yourself, and refuse to let anyone in. Especially me." He wanted to say something about her new friendship with Angel but decided against it.

" What about you then?" she countered after a moment's pause, " You keep nagging at me. It used to be every now and then, but now its becoming insufferable. This is why I've been avoiding you recently."

" Because you don't want to talk!" Lorne said, anger building.

" I want to deal with what happened in Vegas in my own way. And there's not much to tell anyway. He kept me locked up, just like you. Feed me bread and water until Angel rescued us." She stood up and ran her hand through her hair before sadly saying,

" You and I both know what should be done about this."

" Abikins, no-" he shook his head, " we can some more about this. Sort things out-"

" We need some space from each other," she said as if he hadn't spoken.

" For how long?" he asked, his heart plummeting.

" I don't know. I need time out."

" Abigail-" he implored, " please don't do this."

" I'll pack a bag and stay at a hotel." She said, " staying here would be asking too much." She went to their closet and found her suitcase.

" Please Abigail, reconsider. I love you, I don't want to end like this."

" We have to. You know it." She said turning to face him. There were tears in his eyes and her own expression remained blank. It was like she didn't care anymore.

" You may have given up on us," he told her, " but I won't. You're the only person I've ever loved and always will. No matter what comes my way." He then left dejectedly.

Later that evening, Abigail had left and Lorne was fixing himself another drink. He'd been drinking the hard stuff ever since their break-up. He was immune to most alcohol beverages except for scotch and brandy and other stiff drinks. He wanted to feel drunk for a change.

Angel found the green demon taking a large gulp of his scotch.

" Hey. I was wondering if you could read me tonight."

" No." Lorne said, " not tonight Angel-cakes."

" Is something wrong?"

" A whole lot of wrongs. Abigail's left me. She and I are over."

Angel stared at him in surprise and watched as the miserable demon made his way back upstairs.