The vampire's hand trailed down her shoulder and arm.  Everything in him,
screamed with the need to claim this woman as his.

Cordelia moaned when Spike's hand finally reached her breast, the pad of his
thumb brushing against an engorged, sensitive nipple.  Her body arched
against him, begging for more contact.  Instinctively, the former
cheerleader moved her head back to allow the blond more access to her neck
as his lips wandered from her mouth.  The move caused the pounding in her
head to suddenly beat in triple time.

"Spike..."

The chipped vampire was in heaven, or at least the closest to heaven that
he, a demon would ever come.  He finally had his Seer in his arms, was
finally surrounded by her warm, fragranced flesh.

The brunette groaned. 'God, what he was doing felt so damned good... but the
pain...'  Her head was throbbing.

"Spike, my head... it hurts", Cordelia whimpered in a small voice.

At her words, the vampire raised his head from the girl's skin.  "Damn, I'm
sorry Lia, I wasn't thinking."

Cordelia smiled gently.  "No that's okay.  I wasn't either.  I wanted this--
I want you.  This just isn't the best time."

Spike nodded.  Cautiously, he reached up and felt the back of the former May
Queen's skull.  He found a large knot forming near its base.  Carefully, he
pulled the dark, tangled strands of hair apart and spotted the swelling.

"You'll be okay Lia, I promise", he said.

He stood and bent over, picking his Seer up easily from where she lay on the
ground.  The vampire cradled her naked body to his chest, breathing in her
scent, and that of her arousal.  Forcing himself to instead concentrate on
the now steady sound of her beating heat, Spike grabbed a towel and walked
towards Cordelia's room.  'No sounds had ever been more beautiful', he
thought.

"Come on, we've got to get you dressed, I'm taking you to the hospital."

"No.  I'm fine, no hospitals, please....", the brunette pleased.

"Lia, you might have a concussion or something.  You need a doctor.", Spike
responded.

"Please Spike, don't make me go.  I really, really don't like hospitals."

The vampire growled unhappily but nodded, capitulating.  He sat the girl on
the edge of her bed and briskly set about drying her.  He didn't want her to
catch cold on top of everything else.  Spike had to steel himself for the
task.  Her body was beautiful, and seemed to beckon to him.

Over and over he reminded himself.  'She's not feeling well Will, she almost
died, and now all you want to do is jump her bones and make her yours.  Get
a grip Will.'

Cordelia sat wearily on the bed.  Her head hurt.  She watched Spike
carefully, beneath lowered lashes, as he dried her with the towel. His face
was blank, she could almost see him trying to put the walls back up.  She
sighed, and blinked back tears.

Spike noted how strangely quiescent, his Seer had become.  Her breathing
filled his ears.

"You're sure you don't want to go see a doctor, luv?"

The girl sniffed and bit her lip, silently shrugging into the t-shirt, the
bleached blond handed her.

"No I'll be fine, really Spike.  I just got knocked out.  Its happened
before, and I'm sure it will happen again", Cordelia said quietly.

The vampire growled.  "You almost died back there pet!"

The Seer's hazel eyes searched the icy blue depths of her Warrior's.  She
had to know.  "Would you care?", she asked.

"What?"

"Would you care?  If I died, I mean?"

Spike shifted his weight and looked away.  "Yes", he said gruffly.  "You're
my Seer....", he added quickly.

The brunette blinked back tears.  "Why do you do that?  Sometimes it seems
like you actually care about me.  Me, the person, no just your Seer.  But
then you always do this.  What are you afraid of?"

Spike growled, "I'm not afraid of anything chit."

"I like it when you call me Lia better", Cordelia told him.  Spike's eyes
widened at her words.  Ignoring her throbbing head, she leaned forward on
the bed and grabbed the vampire's hand.

Surprised, the Warrior for the PTB, allowed his hand to close about his
Seer's.  He stared at their entwined fingers.  His skin was so pale next to
her smooth, olive toned flesh.

Cordelia tugged the vampire towards her, she stood and raised her head.  She
kissed him tenderly, pressing her lips to his.

The chipped vampire's eyes closed, his arms moving of their own accord to
close about the beautiful girl.

Breaking the kiss, Cordelia smiled up at him.  "Stay with me?"

At Spike's slightly raised eyebrow, the brunette chuckled.  "No, not like
that.  Soon, but not right now.  Just... stay."

'Forever if you want, Lia', the vampire thought.

A stray thought entered Cordelia's skull, even as her heart sang.  "Darn, I
suppose I should tell you, my little bathroom accident was caused by a
vision."

Spike rolled his eyes, sitting on the bed and perching the brunette on his
lap.  "Some new evil?", he asked.

"Naw.. vamps, the same old same old."

"So basically, they'll still be there tomorrow?", the blond asked hopefully.

"Probably..."

"Good, then we'll deal with that tomorrow."

Nodding in agreement Cordelia moved to lie on the bed.  Spike moved to her
side and gathered her close.

"Lia?"

"Yeah Spike."

"You scare the hell outta me."

"I know."
 

Chapter 12

Cordelia settled comfortably in Spike's arms.  The brunette's head rested on
the vampire's unnaturally still chest.  Despite her understanding of a
vampire's status as one of the undead, the fact that Spike's chest didn't
expand with breath, or his heart beat, still amazed her.

Her head still ached, but the pain had lessened from marching band strength
to a slightly more bearable, although still annoying, buzzing-fly throb.
Sighing in contentment, the young woman snuggled deeper into the blond's
strong embrace.  She was so comfortable, Cordelia felt her lids grow heavy.

"Lia", Spike murmured.

"Hmmm...."

"Lia-pet you can't go to sleep."

"Why not?  I'm so tired Spike and my head still aches a little."

"I know luv", the vampire answered, "but we still don't know if you've got a
concussion. You really shouldn't sleep for at least twenty-four hours."

Cordelia looked at Spike in disbelief.  "Are you serious?!  That's awful, I
need my beauty sleep you know."

The British vampire smirked and rolled his eyes.  "Yeah I'm serious."
Carefully and a little reluctantly, he disentangled himself from his Seer's
embrace and stood.

"Where are you going?", the dark haired girl asked in confusion.

"I'm going to get you some aspirin, and a bit of sustenance for myself",
Spike responded.  "I'll be right back."

True to his word, the blue-eyed vampire returned ten minutes later.  He
handed Cordelia a glass of water and some painkillers.

Cordelia smiled up at him almost shyly.  "Thank you", she whispered.

Spike's lips curved into his familiar cocky grin.  He watched in fascination
as the woman he'd begun to think of as his, swallowed the pills and washed
them down with water.  He found himself enthralled with the movement of
Cordelia's throat as she drank.  The girl had a beautiful neck.  He could
just stare at her forever.  Once again, he found himself grateful that she
was here with him, and not.... well, not gone.  He knew just how close he'd
come to losing her forever that night.  The blond closed his eyes tightly
for a moment, forcing the lump that had formed in his throat, away.

"Spike....?", the Seer queried.  She'd seen the strange look that had
momentarily settled on the handsome vampire's face.

"Lia, I... I--"

Cordelia leaned forward expectantly, only to lean back in disappointment
when the phone interrupted whatever it was Spike had started to tell her.

Grumbling under his breath, the blond picked up the phone.  "'Ello!", he
said brusquely.  To his surprise, it was his Sire.

"Spike", Angel's deep voice intoned, "is Delia okay?"

Spike blinked in confusion.

"Yeah she's fine you bloody poof.  How did you know something had happened
to her?"

"Willow fell asleep in front of her computer and had one of her dream
visions.  She saw that Cordelia had gotten hurt."

The blond vampire nodded in sudden understanding.  "So Mummy had one of her
dreams, eh--"

"Spike!", Angel roared, interrupting his Childe.

Reacting unconsciously to the hard, serious tone of his Sire's voice, Spike
sobered immediately.

"She's fine Angelus", Spike said quickly.  "She fell in the tub, because of
a vision.  The chit's got a bit of a bump on her head, and she almost
drowned, but everything's fine now."  The blond vampire, looked over at his
Seer.  "I wouldn't let anything happen to her Sire", he said quietly.

The line was quiet for a moment.  Spike could hear Willow in the background.
  Finally, the chipped vampire heard Angel sigh.  "We know you wouldn't let
anything happen to her Spike, at least nothing you could help...  So are you
taking her to a hospital?"

"No.  The stubborn chit refuses to go."

Abruptly it was Willow's voice Spike heard.  "Spike, if she doesn't want to
go to the hospital, just make sure you keep her up for at least a day.  Make
sure she's alright.  If she falls asleep and the bump on the head turns out
to be a concussion, she could go into a coma", the redhead said.

The blond rolled his eyes.  "I know that", he said, mildly exasperated.
"Look Red, I have to get back to my patient now."

"Okay.  Tell Delia we love her", Willow chirped.

"Sure, sure..."

Spike hung up.  "By the way Lia, Mum and Dad told me to tell you they love
you", the vampire mimicked Willow's cheerful voice.

Cordelia chuckled.

"So what do we do now, luv?", Spike asked.

The brunette cocked her head thoughtfully and patted the spot beside her on
the bed.  "Tell me about yourself Spike, please?"

Cerulean eyes twinkled at Cordelia's request.  "Sure pet, but I warn you I
wasn't always the kind, considerate bloke I am now."

The former May Queen chuckled.
 

Chapter 13

~One month later~
L.A.

Wesley smiled gently at the small redhead, amused at her excitement.

"So Cordelia and Spike are finally together?", he queried.

"Yup", Willow giggled.  "They are so cute and happy.  Delia sends me these
great little update e-mails."  The witch sobered after a moment.  "Still I
wish they'd just tell each other they loved each other and got it on.  I
mean, what's with Spike deciding he wants to woo his Seer?  Doesn't he know
that girl needs a little loving?"

"Willow!", Wesley sputtered in surprise, color blooming in his cheeks.

The cyber witch winked mischievously at the ex-watcher and turned back to
her computer screen, her green eyes scanning her latest e-mail from her
friend and fellow Seer.  She giggled again abruptly, causing Wesley to once
again put down the large demon compendium he was reading.

"Now what?", he asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

"Cordelia's getting impatient with her Warrior.  Apparently all the waiting
is starting to wear on her nerves too."  Willow snorted.  "So in retaliation
Delia's leaving a lot of her silky, barely-there unmentionables draped in
random places around the apartment.  Goddess!  That girl can be evil,
Spike's probably losing his mind. What's funnier is last week she walked out
of the bathroom in nothing but a little towel and ran into Spike in the
hallway."

Wesley's lips twitched despite his best intentions. "And what happened?"

By this time Willow was laughing so hard, tears were beginning to run from
her eyes.  Gulping some much needed air between her giggles, the redhead
spoke.  "Well Spike was drinking his dinner right out of a bag as he walked
down the corridor.  His eyes practically bugged out of his head when he
spotted her, and his hand crushed down on the bag so hard, it popped open.
There was blood everywhere."

The bespectacled man's eyes widened and he grimaced.  "Lovely", Wesley said
wryly.

Willow was about to continue when the door to the Hyperion opened, and her
mate stalked in.

Angel's body was rigid with anger.  Emerald green eyes peered over the
computer screen, immediately noting that fact.

"Angel?", Willow said uncertainly, "What's wrong?"

Before she had even finished her question, the slight witch found herself
enveloped in a desperate seeming embrace.

Wesley observed the dark haired vampire.  "Has something happened?"  The
former watcher closed the book in front of him on the table decisively and
stood.

"What's up?", Gunn asked.

Three heads turned to look at the handsome black youth.  He had just
finished a workout in the basement.  Small beads of sweat glistened on
Gunn's forehead.

"That's what I just asked Angel", Willow informed her friend.

Gunn nodded and stared at the dark haired vampire inquisitively.  Angel for
his part had yet to let go of his much smaller mate.  He was only
peripherally aware the two men were even in the room, his entire being was
focused on Willow, his Flame.

"Angel", Willow whispered, "please, tell me what's wrong."

The ensouled vampire's embrace loosened slightly, as Willow's questions
finally penetrated.  With a start, Angel realized that he had actually gone
into game face without realizing it.  He inhaled deeply, allowing his Seer's
scent to sooth and relax him before he spoke.

"I just came back from Caritas", he began, "the Host told me to keep an eye
on my Seer, that she was possibly in danger."

Gunn's eyes grew hard.  "No one's getting close enough to hurt Red dawg.
You know they'd have to get through all of us."

Wesley nodded in agreement.

"I know that", Angel said quietly, his eyes expressing his thanks to his
friends.  Finally releasing Willow from his embrace, he pressed a tender
kiss to her forehead.

Willow's eyes were wide.  "So I'm in danger again....?  Why me?"  Sighing,
the young woman rolled her eyes.  "Chill guys, this happens to me all the
time I'm used to it."

Angel shook his head.  "Its not that Willow is the target specifically, it's
that Seer's all over the world have been disappearing for months."

The former watcher sniffed in indignation at his Boss' words.  "You mean
this has been occurring for months, and your source has only now deemed it
important enough to inform you?!"

The dark vampire nodded, a low, deep growl thrumming in his throat.  He was
angry.  "It appears the Powers That Be didn't allow the Host to enlighten me
until now.", he bit out.  "If anything happened to Willow..."

"We know man, we know", Gunn interjected.

"Wait, I'm confused", Willow said.  "You're saying there are more Seers out
there?  I thought Delia and I were the only ones."

"I just found that out myself", Angel replied.

Willow's eye's became thoughtful.  "So that means there are also more
Warrior's out there, right?"

"Yes", Angel said, running a large hand through his spiky brown locks.
"According to the Host, the PTB have Seers and Warriors stationed all over
the world."

"Wow", the cyber witch breathed.

"But Angel, these Seer's who are disappearing, are any of them being found?
I mean, what exactly is happening to them?", Wesley asked finally.

The ensouled vampire closed his eyes and once again enfolded Willow in his
arms.  "Yes they're being found... or at least most of their bodies are
being found."

"Oh....", Wesley gulped, his stomach churning.

Tears sprung into Willow's eyes.  "That's awful.  We have to warn Spike and
Cordelia right away."
 

Chapter 14

~Same night~
N.Y.

Cordelia smiled dreamily as she arranged a small vase of pretty purple
flowers.  Spike had given them to her and they were gorgeous.  Their scent
was gentle, subtle yet spicy.  She loved them and she was in a good mood.
Not even Willow's almost frantic phone call was going to dampen her spirits
today.

After arranging them to her satisfaction, the Seer placed them on a corner
of her desk in the small office she and Spike had managed to rent out with
Angel's monetary contribution.

"Perfect!", she exclaimed, after staring at the purple buds critically for a
moment.

A bell sounded behind the tall brunette.  'Oh a client', Cordelia thought
turning towards the door.

"How may I help you?", she asked.

The statuesque blond woman at the door stared at the Seer for a moment, as
if gauging her worth, before speaking.  "I understand your investigative
firm deals with some strange cases...."

Cordelia smiled and nodded.

"Good", the blond said pausing momentarily, her eyes gleaming.  "I need your
help."

~~~~~

~Hours later~

The sound of the basement door creaking open alerted Cordelia to Spike's
arrival.

"Hey Blondie."

"Cheerleader", the British vampire replied sardonically, winking at his
Seer, before grabbing her about the waist and kissing her soundly.
 

"Missed you Lia."

"Mmmm...", Cordelia sighed against the blue-eyed vampire's lips.  She
threaded her fingers though Spike's short locks and captured his lower lip
between her teeth.  The brunette relished the feeling of feminine power that
rushed through her body as her Warrior's body shuddered against hers at the
bite.  She opened her eyes to find gold flecked amber eyes staring back at
her.  Cordelia smiled.

"Lia, you're driving me crazy", Spike growled.

"Good", she murmured, before walking away, hips swaying with every step she
took.

Spike stared, wishing for the millionth time that he hadn't told the chit he
wanted to take their relationship slowly.  What the hell had he been
thinking?!  At the moment there wasn't anything he wanted more than bending
the lovely brunette over the desk and burying himself in her warmth.

'But no', he reminded himself.  He had to control his baser instincts.  'Lia
was special.'  She cared about him in a way no else had before.  She wanted
him, wanted to be with him.  His Seer accepted what he was, and challenged
him at every turn.... he'd never met anyone else like her.  She wasn't like
Dru.  The only thing the two women had in common was dark hair.

While Drusilla had needed him and clung to him in her helplessness, Cordelia
simply cared about him.  Lia didn't pass judgment on his past, she accepted
him.  No one had ever done that before.  Not even when he was human.

"Spike, are you listening to me?", Cordelia asked slightly exasperated.

"Sorry luv, just thinking."

"Don't hurt yourself", she quipped.

The blond vampire rolled his eyes.  "Droll pet, very droll, hardy har har."

Cordelia smirked.  "So as I was saying, we have a new client."

Spike snorted, "Really?  What is it this time?  Another cheating husband for
me to follow and take sordid pictures of?  Or is it a lost family pet?"

One of the Seer's perfectly arched eyebrows rose.  "Now who's being a
comedian?", Cordelia responded, getting up to plug her laptop into their
only phone line.

The blond watched with interest as the leggy young woman crawled under the
desk.  Her short skirt rode up slightly more than was proper, giving Spike a
rare view of firm tanned flesh.  He rapidly stuck his head in a book when
Cordelia backed out of the confining space.

The former May Queen stood and straightened her skirt.  She peered
suspiciously over her shoulder at Spike wondering if he'd been watching.
The vampire was sitting on the counter behind her, a book open in his hands
hiding his face.

"Uh, Spike, you'd probably find it easier to read if you held the book right
side up", Cordelia said quietly, a wicked grin on her face.

The blond peered over the book and stared at the girl, annoyed at having
been caught out.

Grumbling under his breath, he turned the book right side up and read a
passage.  "A book on spells, Lia?", he asked quizzically.

"Huh? Oh yeah, before I left L.A. Willow was teaching me about Wicca.  I
kind of liked it.  She even taught me some protection spells."

"So you want to be a witch?", Spike inquired curiously

Delia settled herself at her desk and switched on her computer, all the
while shaking her head.

"No, not really.  I just like Wicca, its cool.  The nature worship and
female empowerment aspects of the religion really interest me."

The blond vampire cocked his head in surprise.  "That's deep Cheerleader."

The Seer blinked.  "What?  I can't have layers?"

"I know you have layers, I was just surprised is all", Spike paused.  "But
aren't wiccans, witches?", he asked, going back to their earlier topic.

"No, all witches are wiccan but not all wiccans are witches."

"Oh."

"Anyway", Cordelia said as she typed something on her computer, "like I said
before we have a client."

Spike groaned.  "Great."

"Wow, Spike, I can just feel the excitement ooze from your very pores",
Cordelia said cheekily.  Then turning her chair, the brunette told him about
their client and their new case. Later, as they researched, Cordelia
realized that she hadn't told Spike about Willow's phone call and the
disappearance and murders of other Seers.  'Oh well', she thought, 'I'll
tell him later.'
 

Chapter 15

~L.A.~

Willow's butt hurt.  She felt like she'd been sitting at her computer all
day long.  The young woman glanced at the clock on her screen and started in
surprise.  No wonder her ass ached... it was six o'clock in the evening, and
she'd barely moved all day.  She sighed and shifted in her seat, deciding to
ignore the slight discomfort and continue reading her latest e-mail from
Spike.

The redhead's eyes scanned the computer monitor.  She giggled when she saw
how the chipped vampire had addressed it.  It began, 'Dear Mum'.

The cyber witch snorted with laughter and shook her head.  Her friend was an
incorrigible brat.  'That boy needs a spanking', she thought wickedly.  'I
wonder how I can mention that to Cordelia?', she mused.

Still it was funny, being thought of as the mum of a 'son' a little over 120
years older than her.

"What's so funny?", Angel asked, as he descended the stairs.

"Spike", Willow responded.

"Say no more.  That explains everything", the dark haired vampire quipped.

"You have a strange sense of humor", the redhead observed wryly, looking at
her mate appreciatively.

Angel's smirk became a full fledged grin.  "So do you Flame.  Its just one
of many reasons we're meant for each other."

Willow blushed, and rolled her eyes.  She turned her attention back to her
computer screen.

"Spike was just telling me about he and Delia's latest argument."

The ensouled vampire stood behind his Seer, kneading her shoulders with a
firm, practiced grip.

The slight witch moaned happily, relaxing under her Warrior's ministrations
while continuing to speak.

"It seems Delia had all the business cards for their agency printed up
'Chase and Blood Investigations'.  Spike's a touch annoyed she gave herself
top billing."

Angel threw back his head and laughed out loud.  "Well, that sound like
Cordelia all right."  He continued rubbing Willow's neck and shoulders.
"That's funny though, because I just got off the phone with my ex-Seer, and
she didn't mention that."

"No surprise there", Willow said with a smile. "What did she say?"

"Delia told me that she and Spike had a new client."

"Are you serious?  Wow.  I can't believe Spike allowed it what with what we
told Cordelia about the disappearances of the other Seers.  Hasn't your
bleached blond childe gone into over-protective mode yet?"

Angel paused thoughtfully.  "No, now that you mention it, Delia didn't seem
to be all that concerned."

"Oh", Willow said frowning.  "So what's the job?"

"The client, a woman, is convinced her ex-husband has kidnapped her thirteen
year old daughter for some bizarre ritual.  She thinks that he believes the
ritual will allow him to usurp the power that runs through her bloodline in
all the women, if he sacrifices the girl.  Apparently, the woman, a Saffron
Montgomery, says that the women in her family have been witches for
generations.  Her husband, Geoffrey wants to steal that legacy.  Saffron
said her ex-husband is going to sacrifice his own daughter on the night of a
blue moon", Angel explained.

"Ugh!", Willow exclaimed, "What a creep!"  Quickly, the cyber witch brought
up a lunar calendar from the net.

"Well let see...", she murmured, chewing her lip thoughtfully.  "A blue moon
is when two full moons fall within the same month.  Willow stared at the
screen.  "The next one is in two weeks."

Angel nodded, "I think Delia figured that part out.  She just wondered if
maybe you could figure out what ritual the guy was going to try, and if
there was any way to stop it if it were underway."  As he spoke, the
vampire's hands strayed to Willow's glossy red locks.

"I'll get right on it", the Seer said decisively.  The dark haired vampire
watched in awe as the girl's fingers fairly flew across the keys.  He shook
his head in amazement and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.

"Are you sure you don't want to give it a rest for tonight and start out
fresh tomorrow?", he asked in concern, realizing she'd been at her computer
all day.

"Nope.  I'm good."

Angel sighed and wandered to the bookcase in his office.  He found what he
was looking for quickly.  The tome was entitled 'Obscure Rituals of the
Occult; Volume 12; The Power of Blood Sacrifice'.  He sat at Wesley's desk
and opened the dusty book with care.  Wesley would skin him if he damaged
it.

Willow stopped typing abruptly.  "Angel?"

"Yes."

"What's the girl's name?"

"Saffon's daughter?.... Her name's Odette."

"Thanks."
 

Chapter 16

Cordelia groaned in exhaustion.  Her eyes ached from staring at the computer
for so long.  She rubbed the back of an elegant hand against her eyelids,
hoping vainly to help alleviate some of the pressure.  She glanced on the
clock on the wall.

'Eight-thirty', she noted, 'I guess I should go home and try again
tomorrow.'

The brunette hadn't had much luck with her research.  Nothing she had tried
had found any reference to sacrifices performed during a blue moon.

The Seer had managed to find some information on Odette though.  She stared
at the photo Saffron had given her of her daughter.  A tiny blond with dark
brown eyes smiled back at her.  Cordelia now knew that Odette was
intelligent, a good student, and according to school records, reliable and
responsible.  Gently, the woman placed the photo on her computer, propped up
on the keys and resting against the monitor.  Mentally, she thanked Willow
for forcing her to sit through her 'Hacking for Dummies Class'.  Her lips
curved slightly at the memory.  She sighed, feeling a little homesick.  It
had been too long since she'd last seen her L.A. crew.

Delia pushed the stray thought away, and turned off the computer with a
click.  Grabbing her jacket, she stepped out of the office and locked up.

New York was bathed in the waning glow of twilight.  Blues and purples
painted the sky. 'Its pretty', she thought, 'but not as spectacular as L.A.
nightfalls...'  Cordelia knew that that was simply because L.A.'s smog was
so bad.  The nasty particles remained suspended in the air and reflected
more color and light, but she conveniently forgot that fact in her sudden
homesick funk.

The former cheerleader stopped walking suddenly, and looked around alertly.
The pit of her stomach clenched strongly with fear.  Deep inside, the girl
was certain she was being watched.  'Home, home to Spike... I have to get
home', she thought, beginning to walk faster.  She hoped against hope Spike
was already at the apartment, the vampire had left about an hour before her
to deal with a minor, and to Cordelia's mind, routine vision.

She could still feel eyes boring into her back as she walked rapidly down
the street, her long mahogany hair streaming out behind her.

Relief surged through her when, ten minutes later, she neared the aging art
deco apartment building that had been her home for months.  Delia grinned in
sudden happiness when she noticed that some of the lights were on in the
apartment.

Fishing her keys from her purse, the Seer made her way up the stairs.  She
unlocked and opened the door.

"Spike", she called.  Cordelia stepped into the kitchen and closed the door
behind her locking it securely.  Turning, a gasp of horror escaped her lips.

The kitchen was a mess.  Tomato sauce and what looked like flour coated
everything.  'What the hell?', she thought in confusion.  'What was Spike's
damage?!'  Out loud she said, "I'll kill him."

Slowly and with some trepidation, the Seer headed for the hallway.  She was
mildly surprised to find that the hallway was in darkness.

Cordelia squealed in surprise as hands landed on her shoulders, "Spike!"

"Hello Lia", the blond vampire purred sensually in her ear.  His voice
resonated through the Seer's very being.  She could feel him, hear him, but
she couldn't see him in the darkness.  Her body tingled under his voice's
caress, sending little shivers up her spine.

Finally finding her own voice, Cordelia spoke, "Spike....  What's going on?
The kitchen--"

"All will be explained.  You'll laugh... I swear.  Come on now luv, take my
hand."

"Okay."  Smiling slightly, the Seer allowed herself to be led.  She had a
good feeling about this.
 

Chapter 17

To Cordelia's surprise Spike led her to the bathroom.  Her eyes widened in
wonder and appreciation as she took in the candles which warmed the room
with a soft glow, and the waiting bubble filled tub.

"Oh Spike, thank you.  This is so sweet."

The vampire shifted a trifle uncomfortably.  "Just wanted to do something
for you.... I know how you like to relax after being in the office all day."
Spike glanced at his Seer, and then began to slowly back out of the room.
"Well I'll just leave you to it, luv."

The brunette's smile lit up the room.  "Why?", she asked and then without
preamble, the Seer began to strip off her work clothes.  She shimmied out of
her short skirt, and began to work at the buttons of her blouse.

Spike's cerulean eyes glittered dangerously as more and more of the young
woman's golden flesh was revealed to his gaze.  He licked his lips and
watched her with hooded eyes, taking in the long, toned legs, flat stomach
and generous breasts.  The blond growled low in his throat, slightly
frustrated when Cordelia stopped her actions.
She stood before him in only a black silk bra and matching panties, her eyes
downcast.

Sinuously, the vampire stalked towards Delia, stopping only inches away from
her body.  With a single finger placed beneath her chin, Spike lifted the
Seer's face.  Hazel eyes met blue.

"What's wrong Lia?  Do you want me to leave?"

Cordelia quickly shook her head.  "No... no, I just... I just thought that
I'd torture you a little more.  Play games, you know...", the girl paused,
"but then I realized I didn't want to play games with you anymore Spike.  I
want you.  I think... I think I love you... and, well I just didn't know
what to do suddenly."

The British vampire's lips curved gently into a smile.  "You love me?"

The former cheerleader nodded uncertainly, her eyes never straying from her
Warrior's face.

"You love me?!", he shouted in excitement, grabbing Cordelia about the waist
and twirling her through the air.

"Yes, I love you!", she exclaimed in response, giggling at the bleached
blond's exuberance.

Spike stilled and allowed Cordelia's nearly naked body to slide down his own
fully clothed form.  The young woman gasped, as tendrils of electricity
traveled through her body from highly sensitized nerve endings.

"Mmmm...", she moaned.

The vampire's lips hovered over Cordelia's ear.  "I want to tell you
something.  Something I've been meaning to tell you for a while now... "

The dark haired woman's heart pounded harshly in her chest.

"I love you too Lia.  More than I ever thought it was possible to love
someone.  You're the first thing I think about when I get up in the morning,
I dream about you... you're everywhere in my head, in my heart... "

Cordelia's heart seemed to skip a beat at Spike's words.  Squealing in
happiness, she jumped into his arms and wound her arms about his neck.
Warm, soft lips met cool.  Passion flared between the couple, leaving the
Seer slightly breathless.  She was bemused and a little annoyed when the
vampire pulled away.

"Wha--?"

"You're bath awaits my lady."

The brunette stared at Spike in disbelief for a moment, before winking at
him and stepping out of her undergarments.

The chipped vampire gazed at the vision before him in awe.  For a fleeting
second he had almost thought that he'd forgotten to breathe, before
remembering that he didn't have to.

Remembering his brilliant plan of seduction, Spike gestured to the tub, and
watched as his Seer stepped into it carefully and lowered herself into the
fragrant water.

The vampire sat on the edge of the tub, and picked up a sea sponge he had
hung off of the spigot earlier.  He moistened the soft sponge and squeezed
out the excess water.  Torturously, he moved it across Cordelia's skin,
starting with her neck and shoulders.  Her arms were next.

Delia smiled as the sponge traveled the length of her arms.  The feeling was
pleasant and teasing.  The touches were so gentle her skin seemed to magnify
the sensation of each fleeting touch of the sponge and Spike's hand until
she could barely stand to sit still.

She groaned in pleasure as the sponge moved lightly around the flesh of her
breasts.  When it finally brushed across one turgid tip, Cordelia arched
almost completely out of the water in surprise and need.

"I don't know if I can take this Spike", she whispered.

The vampire bent over the tub and captured Cordelia's lips with his own.
Her mouth opened in invitation, and his tongue swept inside.  Instinctively,
the former cheerleader's eyes closed.

As he kissed her, caressing her mouth with his tongue.  The sponge continued
its works swirling about one turgid, dusky nipple.

The Seer sighed, "ohhhh.., please, I want... I--".  Her mind searched for
the right words, but none were forthcoming.  She wanted him, she wanted
more, but she couldn't express it.  The feelings were too new, she'd never
felt like this before.  Sure she'd had sex before but this... this was
incredible.

"Lia", the blond said ending the kiss, "I know my love, I'll take care of
you, just relax."  With that, the vampire's mouth swooped downwards again.
This time the kiss was hungry, almost violent in its passion.  Spike shifted
uncomfortably on the rim of the tub, his engorged arousal was pressing
almost painfully against the fly of his jeans.  He ignored the sensation for
now, pushing it away, concentrating fully on the woman he wanted to pleasure
more than anything.

Cordelia never noticed when Spike released the sponge, and it floated to the
surface of the foamy water.  At least not until, long, elegant fingers
lightly traced the flesh of her submerged stomach.  Hazel eyes flew open.
"Uhhh..."

When those same fingers traced the folds of her femininity, the brunette
jerked in reaction, opening her legs wider in silent invitation.

Spike grinned against her mouth, enjoying her reaction to his touch.  He
broke the kiss slightly, allowing her to breathe, before claiming her mouth
once again in a slow, sensual perusal.  And as his tongue explored the
hidden recesses of her mouth, his fingers slowly circled the swollen nub at
her core.

"Spike, please..."

At her words, the bleached blond slid two fingers deep inside her center.

"Oh my God!", she hissed.

Spike ended the kiss and watched as Cordelia's head lolled back against the
bathtub.  Her lips were reddened by his kisses, and her mouth slack, as she
gasped and moaned at his touch.

His hand continued to move against her, his fingers sliding in and out of
her hot depths in an ever increasing rhythm.  His thumb joined in, flicking
against her clit.

"Come for me Lia. I want to see you."

Cordelia's eyes opened, her breath came in breathy gasps, the couple's eyes
locked.  Spike's fingers never ceased their movements, only becoming faster
and going deeper.

The Seer's body arched suddenly, her breathing ceased.  The vampire could
feel her vagina squeeze around his fingers.  A scream burst from the
brunette's mouth.  "Spikeeeeeeee!!"

Her body stilled abruptly.  With one last caress Spike's slowly extricated
his fingers.

She was in heaven, that was the only way to describe it.  Her muscles felt
like marshmallow.  Every part of her body had reached a new level of
relaxation.  Cordelia whimpered in disappointment as her lover's fingers
left her core.

The young woman sighed in happiness as the sponge once again continued its
travels across her skin.

Spike finished the bathing of his woman.  He did so carefully, even running
the sponge along the bottom of her feet and swirling it along her toes.
Cordelia giggled, and watched.

"All done", he said.

At his words, the Seer stood in the tub and allowed the chipped vampire to
wrap a fluffy towel about her body.  She smiled indulgently as he rubbed her
briskly dry.  When he had finished, the blond wrapped the towel back about
her body.  He tied the top into a small knot to hold it in place.

Spike stepped back.  The ball was in her court, he was not going to push
her.

Cordelia stared at her vampire for a moment in confusion, and then at the
knot which held the towel about her body.

"Spike", she said, fingering the knot, "we're definitely NOT done."  With a
quick twist of her fingers, the towel slid to the floor.  "Take me to bed,
my love."

He was at Delia's side in split second.  Strong arms lifted the tall woman.
"You're room or mine?", Spike quipped.

"Mine, of course", Cordelia responded in a tone which implied the vampire
was losing his mind.  "I have no idea when you last changed your sheets.
Besides, my sheets are lilac, and I look fabulous on lilac."

The British vampire rolled his eyes and chuckled.  "I'll be the judge of
that."
 

Chapter 18

Spike held Cordelia's nude form carefully as he walked down the hall to her
room.  He kicked the door open and placed his Seer on her bed gently.

The chipped vampire cocked his head and simply gazed at the brunette.  She
was so amazingly beautiful.  His cerulean eyes strayed from the small thatch
of dark curls at the apex of her thighs to the mauve nipples which crowned
her breasts.  "You're right luv, lilac is definitely your color", he quipped
referring to the color of her bedsheets.

A becoming flush crept up Cordelia's golden skin, beginning at her breasts,
traveling her throat and ending in her cheeks.  Spike smirked and stepped
back from the bed to pull his tee shirt over his head.  The former May Queen
watched with hooded eyes, licking her suddenly dry lips.  The need to be
skin to skin with her Warrior was becoming overwhelming.  She shifted
unconsciously on the bed, rubbing her thighs together as thick moisture wept
from her center.

"Spike", she whispered, opening her arms in welcome, "come here..."

The vampire's eyes flashed.  He stalked towards the lovely woman before him.
  Spike kneeled by Cordelia on the bed, and took a deep, unnecessary breath,
inhaling the musky, spicy scent of her arousal.

His hand trailed down the column of Cordelia's throat and continued down her
arms.  The blond's touch left behind a tingling, warmth which caused the
Seer's breath to quicken.

"Tease", she moaned.

Spike simply grinned.

Unable to take anymore of the fleeting caresses, Cordelia laid back against
the sheets and brought the vampire's head down to her own.  Mouths met
hungrily, as tongues swirled together in a sensual duel.

The brunette's arms twined about her Warrior's neck, her perfectly manicured
fingernails tracing patterns on the smooth, wiry flesh of Spike's back.

Impatiently, she pulled the blond vampire's body fully over her own.  The
tips of her breasts pebbled at the first touch of his flesh.  Cordelia
murmured incoherently at the sensation.  She felt taught as a violin bow,
and her body arched against Spike's hard form.

"You're killing me", Spike growled against her mouth, as his hands continued
their exploration of her body, traveling up the smooth length of her legs.
Cordelia moaned throatily in response, widening her thighs in silent
invitation to the half clothed male cradled by her body.

The master vampire reached deep inside himself for control.  The girl was
probably barely aware of her actions, but she was steadily and with great
skill, driving him insane.  Spike was aware that Cordelia was not terribly
experienced, and he wanted to make their first time together memorable.
'Control Will, your a master vampire, not a fifteen year old body', he
lectured himself.

The Seer ached to get closer.  Her entire body ached for completion.
Heedless of the fight for control her soon to be lover was going through,
the brunette ground her body against Spike's.  His jeans created an amazing,
pleasurable friction as she rubbed her moist slit into him.

A frustrated groan escaped Spike's lips.  He wanted to feel her.  Now.
Growling softly, the Warrior pulled away from his Seer.

Disappointed whimpers left Cordelia's mouth.  She felt bereft without him.
Hazel eyes widened as she watched him unbutton and kick off his ever-present
tight, black jeans.

"Oh my... you... oh my", the ex-cheerleader stammered, as the vampire's body
was finally uncovered to her gaze.  Spike smirked cockily. "Don't believe in
knickers, luv, they cut off my circulation", he joked.  The blond sat back
on his heels and allowed the young woman to look her fill.

'He was beautiful and... ', Cordelia's mind blanked out momentarily,
'and.... large.'  Or at least the largest she'd ever seen.  Not that she'd
seen very many, but... "Damn!"  Spike chuckled, he wondered fleetingly if
Lia even realized she'd said that last part out loud.

"Wow", she whispered her eyes finally moving upwards to meet the icy blue of
the bleached blond.

Spike's eyebrow arched in amusement.  He was comfortable in his own skin and
was inordinately pleased that Cordelia seemed to like it too.

"Touch me Lia", he growled.

With trembling fingers, the Seer reached out, caressing the wiry, sculpted
muscles on Spike's chest.  Her fingertips trailed over the corded muscles on
his abdomen.  The flesh rippled beneath her touch.

Spike's eyes closed of their own volition.  Every muscle in his body was
tensed, as if in readiness to pounce.  The brunette's fleeting touches
ignited a fire in his belly.  Lightning seemed to flicker through his dead
veins.

A surprised growl became a contented purring as his Seer's hand finally
closed over his aching shaft.

Cordelia smiled. 'He was purring!  She'd made Spike purr!', she thought
happily.  Experimentally, she moved her hand up and down the steel hard, yet
satiny smooth flesh.  A pearlized drop of moisture leaked from the tip of
the vampire's cock.  Curiosity overcame the young woman, and bending
forward, her tongue flicked out to taste him.

The blond vampire jerked in surprise and lust.  His eyes flew open in time
to see Cordelia's mouth descend on his arousal.  "Ahhhh... ", he groaned.
Every single nighttime fantasy he'd ever had paled in comparison to the
reality of his Seer's hot mouth on him.

"Lia", he choked out.

The former cheerleader's tongue swirled about his cock.  Her mouth tightened
along his length as she began to suckle him.

Spike couldn't take it anymore.  "Lia-pet, you've got to stop.  Or this is
going to be over before its begun,", he groaned.  He drew Cordelia upward.
Her eyes were wide, glazed with lust and slightly confused.

"Didn't you like it?", she whispered.

"I bloody loved it... that's the problem."

"Oh", she blinked, before the vampire's mouth once again descended on her
own.

As their mouths mated, Spike carefully lay Cordelia back on the bed.  His
body followed hers.  "Yum... skin", she murmured, as his mouth left her own
and trailed down her chin and throat.

Cordelia sighed.   Her body hummed with mounting desire.  When Spike's
wandering mouth finally found the tip on one sensitive breast, the brunette
moaned his name in ecstasy.  She held his head to her breast, as he feasted
on her flesh.  Every touch of his mouth igniting a hungry need in her womb.

"Spike...", she breathed, "I need you."

The bleached blond vampire grinned and continued his ministrations on his
human's body.

"Please..."

His mouth left her flesh, as he rose up on his arms above her.  Ice blue
eyes searched Cordelia's face.  The young woman smiled up at him.  "I love
you Spike."

That was the answer he wanted.  "Love you too Lia."  And with one upward
thrust of his hips, the vampire sheathed himself inside his Seer's hot,
twitching body.  "Bloody hell", he gasped, "you feel so good."

Cordelia was incoherent, words escaped her.  All she could do was feel.  Her
body arched against Spike's every thrust.  Her breathing was rapid and
shallow, punctuated by small moans, Spike was sure she wasn't even aware she
was making.

It was too much.  The blond vampire's slow thrusts were becoming harder,
faster.  Her velvet depths were so hot and so tight.  She pulsed and
squeezed around him, as she reached completion, screaming his name.  The
entire Initiative could've come bursting into the room at that moment and
Spike knew there was no way he could stop.

The former cheerleader could hardly catch her breath as her body began to
respond again to the vampire's continued movements.  "Oh my
God...SpikeSpikeSpikeSpike..."  His name became a mantra as the girl
continued to welcome him repeatedly into her body.

Her hazel eyes opened with a snap as she realized that she was close again,
so close... she could feel it.  Grabbing Spike's head, Cordelia thrust her
tongue into his mouth, and caressed his blunt teeth.  The brunette could
feel his face change, and his teeth lengthen against her questing tongue.
She grinned against his lips and scraped her tongue roughly against the
suddenly razor sharp teeth.

Spike gasped in surprise as hot, delicious blood filled his mouth and
throat.  With one last thrust, the vampire's climax claimed him.  He heard
and felt Cordelia's own orgasm slam through her at the exact same moment.
He continued to suckle on her wounded flesh as their bodies shuddered
against one another.

The bleached blond ended the kiss and raised his head to gaze at the
wondrous woman beneath him.  "That was...."

"Left you speechless huh...", Cordelia smirked.  "You weren't so bad
yourself."

"That all you can say luv?"

"Oh please Spike look at me.  You've left me a boneless lump of flesh.
Ahh...."

Spike grinned, and wished fleetingly for a cigarette.  He moved off of
Cordelia and settled at her side.  He brought her close, his arm about her
waist.

"So", the brunette began, eyes twinkling, "what did happen in the kitchen."

The vampire groaned in disbelief.  "I can't believe you even remember that
at a time like this."

Cordelia simply raised a perfectly arched eyebrow and waited.

Spike sighed.  "Well I was trying to cook.  You know make something Italian,
romantic even."

The Seer chuckled. 'Well that explained the tomato sauce all over the
stove', she thought.

"Hmmm give me the phone Spike"

"Why?"

"Well now that you've mentioned food...I haven't eaten in hours.  I'm
ravenous!", Cordelia said.

"Nice to know I've stoked your appetite Lia", the chipped vampire said,
wiggling his eyebrows comically at his Seer.

Cordelia smiled and wiggled in Spike's arms.  She could feel his length
harden against her thigh.  "MMmmmm... well I'm suddenly hungry for something
else entirely", she quipped.

"Really", Spike remarked, rolling over and placing the brunette above him.
"And what could that be?"

The young woman pretended to think, her head cocking to the side.  Slowly,
she lowered herself onto his cock.  "Food can wait", she moaned.
 

Chapter 19

~N.Y.~

Later that night, a lone figure walked resolutely through Central Park.  The
famous park was a dangerous place to be at night, but the women appeared
confident and unaffected.

A strong wind buffeted the person's form, sending long golden hair whipping
behind her.  The woman squinted her eyes in deference to the wind, never
pausing or seeming unsure of her destination.

The woman, known to Cordelia as Saffron Montgomery, continued her trek,
ignoring the chill wind.  She wore the darkness like a cloak, seemingly at
home in the gloom.  She paid no heed to the scattered homeless and shadowy
figures which littered the park, also at home in the shadows.  Apparently,
her personal safety was not a concern.

A hapless old man in tattered rags approached the blond.

"Could you spare some change?"

Saffron's head whipped around in blind fury.  A growl escaped rouge painted
lips.  She could not be sidelined from her task, not without dire
consequences.  Pale blue eyes, became a fiery orange, lighting the darkness
around her eerily.

Screaming in stunned terror, the bum ran away from the strange woman as
quickly as his cold, tired feet could manage.  For a moment the stench of
acrid urine filled the air.  The blond snarled, but continued on her way.
'There was time for fun later', she thought.

Saffron continued on her way abruptly turning off the path and disappearing
into a copse of trees.  She knew the sewer tunnel entrance was hidden
nearby.  Her stride quickened as the trees cleared and the tunnel entrance
loomed before her.  Without a second thought, she entered the inky blackness
of the tunnel.  The woman walked confidently through the tunnels, sure of
her destination, taking turns quickly and seemingly at random.  The blond
stopped abruptly as a metal gate appeared before her.

A voice boomed through the darkness.

"Have you found another!!"

The woman bowed low at the sound.  It seemed to rumble through her very
bones.  "Yes Master, I have.  I have found another Seer."

"Exxxxxcelent", the voice hissed.  "Is this Seer protected?"

"Yes but only by one.  I have watched them, her protector seems to be a
vampire", Saffron stated, a self satisfied smirk appearing on her face.

"A vampire... interesting.... another vampire fighting for the Powers That
Be..."

The blond frowned.  "Yes Master, but unlike the little redhead who had many
protectors around her, this Seer should be easy to acquire."

Eerie red eyes glowed in the gloom ahead of the tall woman.  "You had better
be correct Saffron.  I will not tolerated failure, I am too close....", the
voice trailed off, and the blond knew that she was alone.

Saffron's eyes glittered dangerously.  "I will not fail you Master."

~~~~~

~L.A.~

Angel held Willow's warm body closer to his own.  He enjoyed watching his
mate sleep.  The peace and contentment which graced her features as she
slept was a sight he would never grow tired of.

Tonight, however, his smallish witch's sleep was restless.  The vampire
wondered if she dreamt.  He hoped not, she needed her rest.  Willow had
stayed up late trying to find information on Cordelia and Spike's newest
case.  Angel had tried to help, but had only managed to get through half of
the book he had been reading.

The dark haired vampire's lips curved slightly as Willow murmured quietly in
her sleep.  "Angel...."  The young woman snuggled closer to his cool form,
seeking him even in her slumber.  Angel's eyes caressed the redhead's face,
finding himself yet again sending up thanks to whatever higher power had put
this amazing woman in his path.

Adjusting the bedcovers over their bodies, Angel allowed sleep to claim him.
 

Chapter 20

~N.Y.~

The next morning, Cordelia awoke a small smile on her face.  Her eyes opened
slowly and she became aware of a pair of strong arms enfolding her form.

Memories of the night before surfaced in her sleepy mind, and the Seer
sighed in contentment.  She stretched languidly and turned in her lover's
arms to face him.

Cordelia smiled, her eyes memorizing Spike's face.  'So beautiful...', she
thought in wonder.

Suddenly, the brunette became aware that icy blue eyes were regarding her
solemnly.

"Regrets Lia?"

"Only that we didn't do that sooner", she replied cheekily.

"Brat", the blond vampire remarked.

"But you love me", Cordelia smirked.

Spike grinned cockily and kissed his woman.  Cordelia responded to the
heated kiss enthusiastically, until her stomach growled loudly.  Startled
laughter put an end to the caress.

Sighing the former cheerleader, moved to get up.

"Going somewhere pet?"

"To take a shower and get some food.  I figured I'd go the the little deli
on the corner, they've got great bagels and I think we're out of coffee
too."

The tall brunette rose from the bed.  Spike gazed at her luscious nude form
hungrily.  'She was his!', his mind crowed in triumph.  A deep, low growl
rumbled in his throat.

Cordelia heard the sound and smiled in satisfaction.  She opened the door to
her room and paused framed in the doorframe.  Looking over her shoulder, the
brunette quirked an eyebrow at the sexy, naked vampire lounging on her bed.

"So are you coming or not?", she inquired mischievously.

She squealed and ran down the hall, as Spike practically bounded out of the
bed at her words.  Giggles racked her frame as the bleached blond reached
her side right as she got to the door of the bathroom, his arms going about
her waist.

The Seer had the distinct impression, her shower was going to be a long one.

~~~~

Later that morning, Cordelia finally left the apartment.  She was happy.  A
large smile split her face, and the young woman practically skipped down the
stoop steps.  She pushed her sunglasses down to shield her eyes.  Her mouth
was practically salivating at the thought of food.

She took her time, walking down the block and around the corner to the
nearest deli.  Her body ached pleasantly.  Every time she moved, she could
feel the slight twinge in her womb which marked Spike's recent presence
inside her body.  She licked her lips at the memory, and quickened her pace.
  The faster she got her breakfast and coffee, the faster she could be back
with him.

Besides which, a small responsible part of her mind whispered, she knew that
she would eventually have to go in to the office.  She and Spike had a girl
to find and a demented father to stop.

Cordelia blinked and stopped abruptly frowning.  A blond woman standing
across the street had caught her eye.  The brunette pushed her sunglasses up
on her head.  The woman was gone.  For a moment it had looked like her
client.  But why would Saffron be around here.  Shaking her head, the former
May Queen, concluded that she had to have been mistaken.

Pushing open the door to the deli, Cordelia walked up to the counter and put
in her order.  She smiled her thanks at the clerk and paid him when he
handed her her bagel and coffee.  The aroma of fresh brewed java perked the
young woman up.  She sniffed deeply, and took a few bracing sips, careful
not to burn her tongue.  She peeled the wax paper carefully from her bagel,
and took a bite almost moaning in pleasure.  'Yum', she thought happily.

Chewing thoughtfully, the Seer exited the deli, sipping her coffee.  She was
halfway down the block when the vision came.  "Aaahhh!", she screamed,
dropping her breakfast.  Her hands went up to her head instinctively,
despite the fact, that she knew it would not help the pain.  Random
disjointed images poured painfully into her mind.  Saffron laughing, her
eyes a strange fiery color... a small blond girl crying, a taller asian boy
holding her close...a sewer entrance in Central Park... blood, so much
blood...

Slowly, the brunette once again became aware of her surroundings.  Her head
pounded dreadfully.  She tried to make sense of the images and realized that
she recognized the blond girl. It was Odette, Saffron's daughter, the girl
she was supposed to find.  But then, Saffron wasn't really Saffron.
Cordelia recalled the blond woman's glowing eyes in her vision.

'Shit', she thought, 'this is some kind of trap.  I have to tell Spike.'
Forgetting her stomach's complaints the former cheerleader began to walk
towards the apartment, her eyes on the sidewalk deep in thought, her mood
decidedly dampened.

She stopped, when a pair of legs filled her vision.  The person stood right
in her way.  "Excuse...", Cordelia's voice trailed off.  Fear hit her with
sudden force, as she saw who the person was.  "Saffron-- uh...Ms
Montgomery", she stammered.  "What a surprise, I was just heading home to
get my stuff and go to the office.  You know your case is very important to
me and my partner and we're doing our darnedest to find your daughter.
Uh.... I'll just be on my way", she babbled, trying to step around the tall,
blond woman.

Saffron smiled icily, stepping towards the brunette.  Cordelia blanched and
reflexively took a step back, only to find herself in someone's crushing
grip.  Panicked, the girl struggled against he captor.  She was like a wild
animal, bucking wildly against the arms holding her, kicking his shins and
scratching at his arms.

In terror, Cordelia watched as Saffron stepped closer.  The woman's eyes
were changing color.  The Seer's mouth opened to scream, but a crushing blow
to the head ended her struggles.

"Put her in the car", Saffron instructed.  'The Master will be very
pleased', she thought.
 
 

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