CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Much later that day, Abigail returned back to the hotel. She staggered into the lobby to find Fred and Gunn talking. " Hey guys," Abigail said, " What's going on? Has Faith killed Angelus yet?"
Fred stared at her, " No, she's unconscious upstairs. During the fight with Angelus, she took a lethal injection of a drug-Orpheus. Angelus is back, locked up in the cage." She gestured to the tv. Abigail studied it. He was also unconscious.
" He tried to feed off her but got spiked by her blood."
" Will it…kill them both?"
" Lorne has seen this happens to people and it does kill them."
" Oh." Abigail said, " If its all right with you, I'll be upstairs." She headed up the stairs and Fred turned to Gunn.
" Was she drunk?" she asked Gunn, raising an eyebrow.
Abigail went into the bedroom she shared with Lorne but he wasn't in there. She peered into another room and found the Slayer lying on the bed with Lorne sitting next to her, holding her hand. A twinge of jealously shot through her but told herself she was being ridiculous. Faith was dying and he was looking after her. That was all.
Lorne looked up then and spotted Abigail lingering in the doorway. He got up silently and went over to her.
" where the heck have you been? I've been so worried."
" Around." Abigail said, averting her eyes, " Look, I think it's best if we-"
" Have you been drinking?" Lorne demanded.
" So what of it? Listen, I think-"
" We need to talk about what you heard."
" What's the point? I've heard everything and there's nothing to talk about. I'll be sleeping in another room tonight. Don't feel like sharing a bed with a deceitful boyfriend."
" I know its wrong of me to do what I did, but your dream really had me spooked." Lorne protested.
" It wasn't a mere dream was it? I'll see you later. I have a splitting headache."
" Abigail-"
" Go and look after Faith. She needs you more than I do right now." Abigail turned and left.
Lorne sighed. Just when things were going so well, this happens. He wished he could turn back the clock and make her forget what he did. He began to get an idea. It could work. But then he remembered the last memory spell he did. It turned everyone into teenagers again.
I wont mess up this time. I have to make things right. Lorne told himself. He turned back to Faith who has started to mumble and twitch again.
After a long nap, Abigail awoke feeling more clear-headed. She got dressed and went downstairs. She was surprised to see they had a visitor, a red haired woman named Willow. Apparently she was a witch.
" Fred got the idea," Wesley explained to Abigail once he introduced them. " She figured we could use a fresh brain."
" It's nice to meet you," Abigail said to Willow.
" Same here. Ok, I think I have everything." Willow surveyed the ingredients in front of her.
It got hairy for awhile. Something didn't want Angel to return and tried to stop Willow, but after awhile, Faith awoke from her coma and saved Angel from Connor.
" Its over?" Abigail asked as she followed Fred, Gunn and Lorne to the basement.
Angel looked up at the gang who were all peering down at him.
" Yeah, it's over." He replied.
" Willow, can I talk to you for a sec?" Lorne asked Willow once he got the witch alone.
" Sure. What's up."
Lorne asked her about a forgetting spell. Willow looked uncomfortable.
" Forgetting spells are dangerous Lorne. They can have consequences and someone always pays the price. I've learnt that the hard way and cost someone I love."
" I know…but its just a tiny spell. I want her to forget the moment in the magic shop, that's all."
" There is a spell you can try but don't say I didn't warn you. Got a piece of paper and pencil?"
Lorne grabbed a notebook from behind the counter and Willow gave him the recipe.
" Thanks. You're a gem." Lorne said.
" So, what's going with you and Abigail? I thought things were going good." Angel asked Lorne later than evening.
" Long story."
" I got time." Angel said, and Lorne told him everything.
" I've been so stupid. I should have never went to Sam but I just had to know-"
" She's going to save the world?"
" Yes. I don't know how or when but that's her destiny."
Angel nodded.
" She doesn't want her destiny."
" Not at first. We never know our strength until we are tested.".
