CHAPTER FORTY

The gang soon learned the craziness that went on at Wolfram and Hart was a part of a plot created by Eve and Angel's old nemesis Lindsey McDonald (who was an ex-lawyer from Wolfram & Heart). Things went back to normal (more or less).

After a long day Abigail headed down to the parking garage. She was looking forward to going home. Lorne was already there and waiting for her. He had called three times while she was having a few drinks with Spike. He was good company, she liked him.

She headed for her car. It was new, recently purchased. She hadn't owned a car in a long time. She was about to unlock the door when someone clamped a hand over her mouth. She dropped her keys and the person whispered, " Don't make a sound."

She nodded, too terrified to move. She felt something being pressed into her side and she looked down. It was a knife.

The attacker removed his hand, " Why are you doing this?" she asked and she was thrown to the ground. She landed with a grunt, the wind knocked out of her.

The man loomed over her, his knife glinting. " Didn't I warn you not to make a sound?" he demanded, raising the knife, " The life of the Protected One is finished. The day of Reckoning will come."

" What are you talking about? Who's the Protected One?" she asked when there were footsteps behind the attacker. She heard someone shout " Hey!"

The man whirled around and was tackled to the ground, the knife skittered out of his reach. She looked up and saw it was Harmony.

" What the hell is going on?" she demanded the man as Harmony pinned him to the ground. The vampire looked over at her.

" Now would be a good time to run!" she said and Abigail did as she was told. She climbed into her car and drove out of the garage. As soon as Abigail was out of sight, Harmony stood up and Spike entered the garage.

" Now what's going on here?" the Englishman asked his ex.

" This guy attacked Abigail." Harmony explained.

The man turned to run but the two vampires grabbed him, " Let's see what this guy has to say for himself." Spike said as they walked him towards Angel's office.

The guy struggled, " The Protected One must die!" he protested.

" Whatever mate," Spike raised an eyebrow at Harmony, " Who the hell is the Protected One?"

" Why are you asking me?" Harmony replied.

~**~

Abigail tried twice before finally managing to unlock the door. Her hands were shaking as she hung up her coat before making her way down the hallway and towards the kitchen and then towards the living room. Lorne was sitting on his favourite recliner and reading, with a glass of Seabreeze in one hand.

" Hey," she greeted him, silently willing herself to stop shaking. She didn't want him to know she was attacked, she didn't want him to worry.

" Hey cupcake," Lorne said, raising to hug and kiss her, " I got your drink ready to go," he gestured to the bar in the corner of the room. " and dinner will be ready soon."

" Thanks…but I'm not really hungry." She glanced at her watch,

" Think I'll just turn in."

" Okay," he said as she took her glass of red wine, " Are you ok Abikins?"

" Fine…just really tired." She smiled at him before kissing him.

" Are you sure? Your aura is coming on kind of strong…" and it was. She was feeling tired but also scared. What was scared of?

" Stop reading me Lorne. As I said, I'm fine." She said sharply,

" Now goodnight." She headed upstairs.

She climbed into bed and tried to sleep but it wouldn't come. Instead she just lay there. The man's ranting echoed in her brain. The Protected One must die! The day of Reckoning will come!

He wasn't referring to her…was he?

The following morning, Angel and Fred held a meeting about Abigail and her attacker-before Lorne and Abigail and the others arrived.

Angel sighed, " I had a feeling this was gonna happen," he told Fred, " Some demons-mostly the evil ones-will want the Apocalypse to happen and they will do anything to make it happen."

" Even killing Abigail who is destined to stop it?" Fred asked and Angel nodded, " This guy who attacked her. Well, he isn't really a guy. He's part of a demon clan who's determined to kill any protected beings who prevents the ending of the world. Wether they be humans or demons."

" Shouldn't we tell the others? They've got know. So that we can protect Abigail ourselves," Fred suggested.

" Good idea. I'll ask Lorne when he comes and-hey, here they are." They were interrupted by Lorne, Wesley and Gunn. Spike arrived last.

" Where's Abigail?" Spike asked looking around, " I want to know if she's ok."

" She's fine…why do you ask?" Lorne asked frowning.

" You mean…he doesn't know?" Spike raised an eyebrow at Angel.

" Know what? Why did you call this meeting and not invite Abigail?" Lorne demanded Angel.

" Because this meeting is about her. I've requested her assitnt her keep her busy for a few hours-"

" Why was Abigail attacked?" Gunn asked Angel, " At first I figured people were still acting crazy because of Spike, but-"

" Abigail was attacked?" Lorne stared at Gunn, " When?"

" Last night, in the parking garage but Harmony saved her." Angel paused, " She didn't tell you?"

" No. Not a word. I knew something was up with her last night but I never thought…" Lorne trailed off and sat down, " It's because she's the Protected One right? Not everyone will be wanting to protect her."

" She's the what now?" Gunn stared at the green demon.

" Yes, I was just about to ask. Is there something about Abigail we should know about?" Wesley added.

Lorne hesitated before telling them the truth. He kept out the bit about doing a spell on Abigail and Angel noticed but didn't say anything.

" Abigail's been the Protected One ever since she was born. I did some digging and apparently her parents were killed by demons who were actually there to kill Abigail. They just got in the way." Lorne explained, " Not that I'll tell her that."

" So…we've all got to keep an eye on anyone-or anything-who might be willing to harm Abigail. Wesley, I want you to do some more research on Abigail and her destiny, find out what we're dealing with."

" Angelcake, Abigail's still human," Lorne protested.

" I know that Lorne. Meeting's over," Angel said and went to make a few phone calls. Lorne went to find Abigail to ask her about last night.

~**~

" Why didn't you tell me?" Lorne greeted Abigail closing the door to her office.

Abigail looked up, " Guess Angel told you then." She said.

" Why?" he asked again,

" Because I didn't want to worry you," she said closing down the website she was looking at. She was doing some research on her own and wasn't having much luck. Some of the websites that came up in her queries about the Protected One were blocked.

" At least you're ok. Thank goodness for Harmony." He said, leaning over to kiss her.

" Guess I'll have to thank her." She sighed, " She saved my life."

" Yes she did." Lorne agreed.