The searched the western edge of Central Park for hours.  Spike was
unwilling to give up even when the threat of the sun's rising made the hairs
on the back of Angel's neck stand up. With forty-five minutes to spare,
Angel managed to drag his Childe away.  The dark haired vampire knew that
they couldn't do anything else tonight.

Willow sighed unhappily at their lack of progress, but followed the two
vampires, her stride slow and weary.  She was exhausted.  She had been up
for days, unable to sleep.

When they finally reached the subway, the three evil fighters sat in
silence, each wrapped up in their own thoughts.

Spike slouched against the plastic seats.  It was taking all his will power
not to light up a cigarette right there.  This entire situation was just so
frustrating.  Especially because he could feel that Cordelia was there.  She
was somewhere in that park.  Some part of him could feel her.  She was his
Seer, and as such, they were connected by more than their love.  He knew she
was alive.  And that sense had been stronger at the park.  He just couldn't
pinpoint it.

"Damn it all to bloody hell", he murmured, burying his face in his hands.

Angel regarded the bleached blond.  His normally stoic gaze momentarily
forgotten.  Dark eyes that were usually unreadable, expressing worry and
tenderness.  The elder vampire groaned under his breath and pushed a large
hand through his hair.  He tamped down the urge to hug the smaller form of
his Childe to him, and instead pulled Willow close.  He knew Spike wouldn't
have appreciated the gesture at the moment.

The redhead gave her mate a tremulous smile.  'Goddess', she wondered.
'What do we do now?'

~~~~

~L.A.~

Gunn and Wesley crowded around the phone, both trying to hear what Angel was
saying.

Wesley frowned, when the youth pulled the receiver closer to his ear and
away from him.  The former watcher grit his teeth and pulled the phone
slightly back towards him.

Initially he'd been pleased that the information he'd gotten from the Host
about the sanctuary club had been helpful.  It was there that the two
vampires and the witch had stumbled across the blue demon who'd volunteered
information on where Cordelia had been taken.  But the threesome had found
nothing.

"But there was no sign of anyone?", Wesley asked into the phone.

"Besides some homeless and a few vampires, no", Angel's voice responded.

Disappointment colored the dark haired man's features.  Wesley sighed.

"Angel, man, are you sure you don't want us to come up there?", Gunn asked,
his dark eyes searching out the Englishman's.

The vampire replied in the negative, which was what Gunn expected.  The
young man knew that Angel and Willow were both quite capable, but he didn't
like not being involved.  Cordelia was his friend too, and her life was
hanging in the balance.

Wesley caught the handsome black youth's gaze with his own.  The intensity
of the look made Gunn want to squirm.  It wasn't often he saw the ex-watcher
without the uncertain mask he always seemed to hide behind.

It took a moment for Gunn to realize that the phone they were sharing was
now simply humming the dial tone.  He blinked, wondering how long they had
stood there listening to nothing, and pulled away from the other man,
watching as Wesley hung up.

Wesley frowned and grabbed the keys to Angel's car from the desk.

"Lets go patrol."

Gunn nodded, killing something would be good right about now.
 

Chapter 32

~N.Y.~

Spike snarled in silent rage, ripping his duster from his shoulders.  He
left it where it lay on the floor and fell on Cordelia's bed.  He hadn't
slept in his own room, since his Seer was taken.  Tonight, they had gone
back to Central Park, hoping for better luck.  And still they had found
nothing.  The only clue he had found, had started out more of a feeling,
then a solid lead.

He'd been walking on the park's paths when he suddenly realized the clearing
he'd only just been in, had given way to a dark, extremely wooded area.  The
sight had pulled at something in his memory.  It took him a moment, but then
he'd known what it was.  That place was called the Ramble.  It was a
confusing labyrinthine wood with paths dotted throughout.  He'd gotten lost
there once, chasing a meal, years ago.

The blond vampire had stared at the dark wooded area, and felt the tell-tale
stirring of his heart.  Which of course was impossible. But it was what he
had felt.  And then, he knew.  He knew with certainty that Cordelia was
there, somewhere.

Realizing that wandering aimlessly in the Ramble was a mistake, he'd found
Willow and asked her for help.  Spike wasn't really sure what he had
expected his Sire's mate to be able to do... but the chit had tried.

He had stood back and watched as the witch pondered the wood thoughtfully
for a moment.  The feeling in the air suddenly became alive and electric.
The redhead had chanted, he thought it could have been a locator spell but
he wasn't sure.  Magic had never been his cup of tea, that had been Dru's
bag.

Spike remembered that he had glanced at Willow in that moment, and found
that her eyes were devoid of color.  He shivered.  Black orbs stared
determinedly out into the wooded area, until abruptly, the witch blinked.
Once again her eyes were emerald green, and it wasn't until she collapsed,
that Spike realized something had gone wrong.

Angel had been at his mate's side in moments.  "Willow...  Flame, baby wake
up", the dark vampire had whispered hoarsely.

His Sire had looked up at him.  "What happened?  She was fine and then I
felt that she was in some kind of pain--"

"She cast a spell for me Angel, I don't know what happened", Spike answered,
interrupting the elder vampire.

Willow moaned and stirred in her Warrior's arms.  "Ouch", she winced rubbing
her temples for a moment.  Her green eyes had opened slowly.  "Damn..."

Angel helped his mate up.  "Are you okay?"

The young woman had nodded, accepting the dark haired vampire's help in
getting her to stand.  "You're right Spike.  She's in there somewhere, but I
can't figure out exactly where."  Willow frowned, and then shook her head.
"Someone has some extremely powerful wards up.  The damn things could've
shred my mind, had I not shut myself down."

Spike sighed, ending his silent reverie on tonight's new failure.  He rolled
over on the bed, trying to get comfortable.  Although he knew, that at the
very least they were starting to make progress, he also knew he wouldn't be
satisfied until his Seer was back in his arms, and by his side.

When sleep finally came, it caught the bleached blond unawares. Still, he
welcomed the momentarily oblivion it engendered and gave himself up to the
darkness.  The sooner this day was over, the sooner he could go back and
search again.

~~~~

The chipped vampire opened his eyes, and gasped.  He found himself again in
the park.  He was standing in one of its fields.  The grass around him was a
vibrant green that reminded him of Willow.  Spike blinked.  Something was
wrong, he hadn't seen grass that color since....

The sun, he was in the sun.  He spun quickly, looking for cover, but there
was none.  He closed his eyes and awaited the pain.  Nothing happened.

Cracking open one blue eye, Spike hazarded a glance upwards.  His eyes
teared as he caught a glimpse of the large, firey orb blazing in the sky.
'He was dreaming', he realized.

"Spike", a voice called.  "Never thought I'd see you again."

"Cordelia?", he cried desperately, in the direction of the voice.

A figure stood off in the distance, a long dress fluttered in the breeze.

Spike took off in a run, toward the form, and almost laughed when the person
began to run towards him.  Long dark hair streamed out from her face.  It
was Cordelia.

The blond vampire caught the beauty by the waist.  "Lia, Lia, Lia, I've
missed you so much....", he murmurred peppering her face with kisses.

The tall girl wrapped her arms around her Warrior.  "You haven't given up,
have you?"

"Never.  I will find you."

Cordelia looked around.  She frowned.  The sun was up.  "How is this
happening?  Is it a dream?"

"I don't know, I think so", Spike said, nuzzling his face against the
brunette's warm, fragrant skin.

"Then this isn't real", the Seer said sadly. "I'm imagining this."  She
moved to pull away.

"No!", Spike shouted.  "Stay!  Its real enough..."

Cordelia smiled slyly up at the blond.  His platinum hair, practically
sparkled in the sun's light.  "You look good enough to eat."

The vampire groaned, "Minx."  Unable to resist the urge any longer, he bent
his head to kiss his Seer's mouth.  His tongue swept along the seam of her
lips begging for entrance. It was soon given.

The kiss seemed endless, but of course, it ended much too soon.

"I don't think I can stay long Spike", Cordelia said, framing his face with
her hands and staring into his eyes.

"Do you know anything that can help me find you?"

The brunette frowned thoughtfully.  "Saffron isn't Odette's mother.
Something's pretending to be her, a shapeshifter or a demon I don't know.
Then there was some kind of snake-demon thing that came once when I was
banging on our prison door.  It was huge, red."  She shuddered.  "It
could've killed me."

Spike growled, angry that he couldn't protect her.  He grit his teeth.  "Are
you with Odette?"

"Yes, and someone else.  He's hurt pretty bad."

"Is Saffron a magic user?"

"I think the real Saffron was a witch, but this thing, its not magical.  It
couldn't get through one of my protection spells, and I'm not exactly
powerful or proficient at magic...", she smiled suddenly.  "Tell Willow
thanks by the way, that spell helped."

The blond wrapped his arms around the tall young woman.  The former May
Queen sighed and leaned into his embrace.

"So then there must be someone else there?", Spike theorized, recalling
Willow's experience at the park that night.

Cordelia nodded. "I think so, Dustin said that there was also a male voice
that he heard occassionally.  But I've never seen him.  I don't know what he
is."

Spike had heard enough.  Weaving his hands through her long silken locks,
the vampire pulled her head to his own.  This kiss was harder, desperate.
Cordelia's breathy whimpers were music to his ears.  "Spike... I love you."

"I love you too Lia."

And suddenly, she was gone.  "Cordelia!", he called out.  The blond twirled
around, all he saw was an empty technicolor field.  "CORDELIA!"

The vampire fell to the ground, his hands clutching uselessly at stalks of
grass.  He refused to cry.  He was going to find her.

Slowly and a little shakily, he stood.  The bright, sunny world around him
was becoming dark and foreboading.  A large shadow spread across the field,
slowly making its way toward him.  Spike glanced upwards into the sky, and
was surprised to behold a blanket of roiling black clouds rapidly devouring
the formerly blue sky.  Lightning crashed to the ground near his feet, and
he jerked away-- and found himself back in Cordelia's bedroom.  On the
floor.
 

Chapter 33

Angel awoke with a start, immediately sensing his Childe's distress and
confusion.  Leaning his head forward slightly, the vampire kissed the side
of Willow's throat.  He knew that she was awake.  The petite red-haired Seer
hadn't gotten more than four hours sleep since they'd come to New York.

"Flame--", he began quietly.

"Go to him Angel, Spike needs you", Willow said interrupting her mate.

The dark haired vampire blinked in mild surprise. He had no idea how she
knew that.  "Come with me my love?"

Nodding Willow threw off her covers and stood offering her hand and a gentle
smile to her lover.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cordelia's sobs echoed throughout the cement cell.  Odette frowned, and went
over to the older girl.  She looked back at Dustin, noting that he was still
asleep.

"Cordy, Cordy... shhhh....what happened?", the blond asked the tall Seer,
pulling her into her arms.  It upset her to see Cordelia this way, since the
brunette had come, she'd been the backbone to their little group of
prisoners.  She was strong, courageous, helping to keep Odette grounded, and
taking care of Dustin now that he was hurt.
The young man had been in and out of sleep since he'd been returned.  Odette
was fairly sure he'd been sleeping now for almost a day and a half.

"I'm s-s-sorry", the dark haired Seer cried softly, muffling herself against
the younger woman's shoulder.  "Its just that I dreamed..."

"About Spike?", Odette asked.  "He's your Warrior, right?"

"Yeah", Cordelia sighed, blinking back tears.

"You love him don't you?"

The brunette nodded.  "I do... its funny, I probably shouldn't but I do."

Cordelia's eyes went dreamy with remembrance.  "The dream was more than just
a dream.  He's looking for me... for us.  I know he is."

"Can he find us?"

"I don't know", the Seer said, glancing over at Dustin's still form.
"How is he?", she asked.

"He hasn't woken up from the last time.  That was over a day and a half ago.
  I think he is getting better. Unless your Warrior does find us, its not
going to matter much", Odette murmured.

Cordelia closed her eyes, the image of Spike standing in the sun was burned
on her retinas.  He was beautiful.  'Hurry Spike, please hurry.'  Something
told her that time was all too quickly running out.
 
 

Chapter 34

"Spike!", Willow shouted in exasperation.  "Sit down you nitwit vampire."
The redhead grimaced and turned to her Warrior. "No offense Angel."

The ensouled vampire smirked, amusement dancing in his coffee colored eyes.
He nodded silently at his witch indicating he'd not been offended.  He knew
better than most just how trying his youngest Childe could be.  Angel
wondered fleetingly if he should warn Spike, before the other vampire did
something stupid, like piss Willow off.  The slight young woman was
positively frightening (not to mention beautiful) when she was angry.

Willow turned her attention back to the bleached blond with difficulty.  Her
mind lingering on the way her mate's shirt draped and pulled against his
muscular... Shaking her head, the redhead brought her mind back to the task
at hand.

Spike was lying on the blue couch in his living room, a crystal clutched in
his hand.  She sighed and closed her eyes.  Taking a deep breath, Willow
once again summoned the power from the world around her.  But just as she
began the spell, the bleached blond vampire moved again.  This time actually
dropping the crystal.

The green eyed witch growled angrily under her breath.  She couldn't believe
she'd finally found a way she could help, only to have Spike be an impatient
baby.  The spell was relatively simple.  It required the vampire to lie
still for perhaps ten minutes so that she could intone the incantation and
sprinkle coarse sea salt on the vessel (in this case Spike).  The ritual was
supposed to magnify the bond between the bleached blond and his Seer.  If he
would just allow her to get it over with, he could go after Cordelia and
actually find her this time.  He'd actually 'know' where she was.

"We don't have time for this Red", the British vampire bit out, sitting up.
"We should be heading out to The Ramble right now so I can find Cordelia and
kill something."

Willow snapped.  "And just how, prey tell, do you plan to do that?  By
wandering around on the paths and getting no where?"  The redhead's eyes
flashed green fire in her fury.  "Today's the day Spike.  This is it.  There
will be no more chances.  Whatever is going to happen to Delia and the
others she told you about in the dream; well its happening tonight.  So, you
know what Spike?  I'm the one who doesn't have time for this!  I'm tired of
your stubbornness."  Willow's voice softened slightly after a slight pause,
"We're here to help you Spike, you're not doing this alone."

The wiccan stood suddenly and practically snarled at the blond.  "So sit
down and shut up!"  Bodily, she pushed the flabbergasted vampire back into a
lying position.  "Now you will lie there quietly and let me do this before I
knock your pale ass out and do it while your unconscious!", she shouted.

Angel chuckled at the look of complete and utter surprise on his Childe's
face.  He'd learned quickly that his mate's temper was formidable.  It was
time Spike learned about his mum's temper as well.  After everything that
had happened and the way the bleached blond had occasionally snapped at the
redhead, the elder vampire was actually surprised Willow hadn't lost it
sooner.

The blond lay silently on the couch, accepting without comment the crystal
the cyberwitch shoved back into his hands.

"Now don't move."

Spike growled.

"Spike!", Angel shouted.  "Start showing a little respect boy, or I'll knock
it into you."

"Awww... don't be a big baby Spike", Willow said mildly, sitting back on the
floor by the couch.  Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes and began the
spell once again.

Angel watched his mate in awe.  She never ceased to amaze him.  The dark
haired vampire stood silently by as his mate chanted the complex spell
confidently.  For a moment he could've sworn that her voice was not the only
one he heard.

She finished quickly, sprinkling sea salt liberally over the blond vampire,
making sure to also have him swallow some of the white granules.  The salt
was meant to purify the bond, allowing Spike to filter out unimportant
stimuli so that he could focus on his connection to Cordelia.  "So mote it
be", she said quietly.  Instantly she felt the energy ebb.

"All done."  Willow stood, her legs a bit wobbly.  Angel's arms were around
her in an instant.

"I'm fine Angel", she murmured.  The ensouled vampire nodded, pressing his
lips gently to his mate's.  Willow sighed and leaned into his taut form,
enjoying this moment of closeness.

"Come on people, we don't have all night", Spike commented impatiently.

The lovers separated, knowing he was right.  The sun was finally sinking
past the horizon and they had to get to Central Park as soon as possible.
Although the ritual wasn't supposed to occur until midnight, Willow knew the
timetable could be upped considering Delia wasn't the only Seer being held.

Angel grabbed a sword from Spike's collection and tossed the other vampire
an axe.  It was time.
 

Chapter 35

Since they had arrived in the park, the witch and the dark vampire found
themselves having a challenging time, keeping up with the younger vampire.
They trailed after him as he stalked quickly through the park to the wooded
and gloomy Ramble.

Spike could feel Cordelia.  She called to him, pulled at something deep
inside of him, as the moon did to the tide.  The feeling was just....
amazing.  Occasionally it seemed to recede, but whenever he felt uncertain
of which direction to go, he simply closed his eyes and concentrated on
thoughts of his love.  Then the sensation would always return, stronger than
before; gentle yet powerful, like waves lapping at the shore.

Determinedly, the blond cut through the underbrush.  To his surprise, a
small clearing appeared.

"There", Angel pointed out, spotting a tunnel entrance behind some shrubs.
Spike started forward, only to have his arm grabbed in a small and
surprisingly strong grip.

The vampire looked over at his Sire's redheaded mate in surprise.  "What?"

Willow emerald eyes bored into her friend.  "Spike there are wards up.
It'll take too long to dismantle them, so be careful, he's going to know
we're coming."

"Got it Red."

"Stay by me Flame", Angel said quietly.  Willow squeezed the dark haired
vampire's hand, the axe in his other hand glinted in the moon's light.  She
followed closely behind him as the two silent vampire's entered the tunnels.

Spike moved quickly and efficiently in the darkness, navigating the
labyrinthine twists and turns as if he'd done it a million times.

His Sire and the small redhead followed without question, having complete
faith in Willow's spell, and Spike.

~~~~~

Saffron watched her Master with growing impatience.  The man's long, black
robes scraped the ground as he walked to and fro, preparing for the ritual.
First, placing a chalice on a table, adding several cones of incense and
then lighting them with a harshly muttered word.  The sweet stench made her
want to gag.

Turning to face his servant, the sorcerer smiled.  His eyes were icy and
cold, yet somehow they seemed to burn into her.

"Get the first", he ordered.  Saffron bowed and remained silent.  A small,
hidden smirk appeared on her mouth.  The fun was finally going to begin.
She couldn't wait.

Taking for granted that she would obey he moved to the tripod in the center
of the room and gazed deeply into the orb which sat upon it.  'Now it was
only a matter of time', he thought.

Quickly, the demon turned and left the room.  She walked purposefully down
the long corridor, pausing to dig the keys to the cell out of her pocket.

The jingle of keys sent the three prisoners scrambling for the furthest
corner.  Cordelia and Odette dragged Dustin, sitting him against the wall.
He had to keep from crying out, the pain from his broken rib was
excruciating.  Protectively, the two women stood in front of their friend,
watching apprehensively as the heavy metal door swung open slowly.

Saffron entered, malicious glee on her face.  "So who's first?"

Odette recoiled in horror.  Behind her, Dustin came painfully to his feet.
He took a shaky step forward.

"No!", Cordelia hissed at the boy.  "I'll go."

Dustin frowned.  "Cordelia--"

"I said I would go."

Odette hung her head, her hand reaching out to grab the older girl's arm.
Tears streamed down the petite blond's face.  Abruptly she flung herself
into Cordelia's arms and hugged her fiercely.

Saffron sneered at the pathetic display.  "You'll see her again soon enough
Blondie.  You're next."

Pulling away from her friend.  Cordelia pulled herself up to her full
height, and strode regally toward the open door.  She had never been more
scared in her entire life.
 

Chapter 36

Willow sighed softly, the tunnels seemed endless.  She started in surprise,
almost running into her mate when Spike turned a corner and stopped.  Angel
paused at this Childe's side mildly perplexed.  It was the first time since
they'd entered the abandoned system of sewer and subway tunnels, that the
bleached blond vampire had slowed down, let alone stopped dead.

The dark vampire sniffed the stale air, a low growl immediately escaping his
throat.

"We have incoming", the chipped vampire hissed.

"Both of you, close your eyes when I say", Willow murmured quietly, knowing
the two vampires could hear her quite well.  Angel and Spike nodded, and
continued forward at a slightly more subdued pace.  Their senses screamed.
They were not the only vampires in the tunnels.

"Now!", Willow shouted.

With that, the two vampires shut their eyes tightly.  Even behind closed
eyelids, the bright flash of light which followed the witch's command, was
almost painful.  Screams echoed all around two master vampires.  The noise
was deafening.

The light from the spell faded away, but the screams did not.  Spike opened
one blue eye and hazarded a glance.  At least ten vampires were strewn
around the trio, writhing on the ground in apparent agony.
With a roar Angel and Spike lunged at the undead creatures.  They staked
fallen vampire with ease.

"Damn Red, what the hell did you do to these morons?", Spike asked thrusting
a stake into yet another vamp.

"Dancing Lights spell", the witch muttered, as she simultaneously sent a
ball of blue flame at a sandy blond haired vampire who was trying to get
back to his feet.

Angel staked the last cowering vampire.  It almost felt like a mercy
considering the way the female vamp was clawing at her eyes.  "Its like
direct sunlight poured directly into your eyes", the ensouled vampire
remarked over his shoulder to his Childe.

"How do you know that mate?", Spike asked.

Angel glanced heavenward and sighed heavily.  "You don't want to know."

Willow slapped her Warrior's arm.  "Hey... it was an accident.  And I
apologized... over and over and over--"

The bleached blond shook his head and turned away.  "Come on you two, my
woman is waiting."

~~~~

Saffron pushed the brunette Seer into the room.

Cordelia peered around curiously despite her fear.  Her eyes were caught and
held by a large orb which sat on a tripod in the center of the room.  It
glowed with an iridescent purple light, pulsing.  It reminded her vaguely of
a heartbeat.  She frowned at it thoughtfully, but a loud cough snapped her
out of her reverie.

She shook her head in disbelief.  Here she was, about to die and she was
staring like an idiot at a glowy basketball.  Turning in the direction of
the cough, Cordelia was surprised to see an old man in black robes puttering
about the room.  'This was the head baddie?', she wondered.  The Seer
watched as another cough wracked the man's body.  'He looked so... well he
looked almost fragile, and so very ancient.'

A well placed kick from Saffron sent the former May Queen to her knees
before the robed figure.

"Ahhh... you must be Miss Chase, one of my honored guests.  Do forgive me
for not meeting you sooner.  My work has kept me quite occupied.  It's not
everyday one becomes immortal", the sorcerer said.

"Immortal?", Cordelia asked, hoping to stall and get an explanation.

"Why yes my dear that's why you're here", he stated vaguely, staring down at
the brunette who was now essentially kneeling at his feet.

When a liver spotted hand moved forward as if to touch her, the brunette
recoiled in disgust.  Saffron grabbed the Seer's head cruelly, her
fingernails digging into Cordelia scalp.  The demon held her head immobile
as her Master gingerly touched her forehead.

The old man's small, piggish eyes widened in surprise.  "Her link is strong!
  Very strong.  She may even be enough.  I may not even need the others."

Hope sprang in Cordelia's heart.  If he didn't need them, maybe he'd let
Dustin and Odette free.

"If I don't need them", the sorcerer continued, "they are yours Saffron.
You have pleased me."

The demoness smiled and Cordelia felt the last of her hope wither and die.

"Strap her down to the altar."

"Yes Master."

"And after you're done.  Kill our visitors, it seems they've gotten past the
minions", the old man said calmly as he began to walk around the room
leisurely lighting black candles.

'Visitors??  Spike?!', the former cheerleader's heart cried.  Shrugging
Saffron's hands away, Cordelia lurched to her feet.  "No!", she shouted,
lunging toward the horrid old man.

The sorcerer held up a hand.  "Cease!", he intoned.  Abruptly, the brunette
froze in place, unable to move.  "Don't try my patience girl.  You are to be
part of something grand, something greater than your puny life-- mine!"
Cruel laughter erupted like filth from the evil man's mouth, and the Seer
found that she could only whimper helplessly as Saffron picked dragged her
to the altar and strapped her down on the flat, cold stone.
 

Chapter 37

Spike turned walked quickly through the corridors.  He turned another corner
and blinked at the sudden light.  Torches lit up the gloom.  He could see
that this hallway was quite long, a small side corridor branched off to the
right, near the center of the main hallway.  It was there that the bleached
blond felt he had to go.  Cordelia was there.

He moved to continue forward, Angel and Willow at his heels, when he saw a
strange blond woman emerge from the shadows, effectively blocking his chosen
route.  She stood in the hall directly in front of the small corridor.

'Saffron', he deduced, remembering what Cordelia had told him about the tall
blond in the dream.

The small downy hairs on the back of Willow's neck stood at attention as she
stared at the icy blond.  Malevolence seemed to ooze from the creature's
very pores.

"I'll take care of this Spike", Angel said quietly.  "You and Willow find
Cordelia."

"But Angel--", Willow began, shaking her head.

"Go!", the dark haired vampire growled.

The redhead glanced up at her mate and nodded.  Her voice resounding in his
head.  *Come back to me... my Angel.*

*Always... my Flame*

Spike glared balefully at Saffron.  "Going so soon?", she chided feeling
secure in the knowledge that the group had to get by her first.

The younger vampire and the witch reluctantly hung back as Angel charged the
demon, sword in hand.

Willow grew very still, her face a mask of concentration as she strode to do
as her mate had bid.  It was difficult considering he was currently fighting
to the death.  Spike stared as the wall beside the redhead began to ripple,
wavering before his eyes like a mirage.  Not missing a beat, the witch
grabbed a startled Spike and thrust him through the wall!

To his surprise, the bleached blond fell through what had been solid cement
just moments before, easily.  The sensation of falling made Spike's stomach
clench and drop.  Abruptly it stopped and he found himself once again in a
corridor, Willow at his side.

Somewhere behind him he could hear, the familiar, powerful roars of his Sire
and the sound of clanging metal.

"How?", he began.

Willow shook her head.  "No time.  We have to get Cordelia, and get back to
Angel."

Without another word, the blond vampire took off, almost running down the
hall.  A large metal door loomed in front of them.  He knew instinctively
that his Seer was there.  "Willow, she's there."

"Got it", the wiccan said.  The redhead touched the door lightly, and Spike
watched in amazement as it flew off it hinges, falling with a loud crash to
the floor.

~~~~

Angel slashed at the blond demoness.  He knew he was good with a sword, but
this thing, managed to avoid practically every blow.  She didn't even have a
sword, instead she ducked and bent, somehow dancing away just in time even
when he knew he should have scored a direct hit.  But the woman seemed to
have no backbone, she was contorting in ways which to his mind, seemed
completely impossible.

The demoness grabbed a torch from the wall, deflecting his sword with it.
She thrust the dangerous flames at the vampire, almost crowing in triumph
when he gasped and backed away.

Annoyed, the dark vampire paused and took a steadying breath, centering
himself.  Saffron smiled at him snidely.  His next move was so rapid and
unexpected the blond never had a chance.  His foot swept forward arcing
through the air powerfully and knocking the torch aside.  The sword swept
cleanly through her neck, before she even saw it was coming.

He sighed in relief, and stepped over the body.  He was half way down the
hall when the sounds of muffled sobs reached his ears.  The sounds led him
to a large metal door.  Frowning the ensouled vampire, reached for the
handle.  He was not surprised to find it locked.

"Hello", he called.  "Is someone in there."

"Who, who is that?", a small female voice responded.

Taking a chance, the dark vampire said, "Odette?"

"Yes, who are you?", the girl called.

"Angel, I'm a friend of Cordelia's, is she in there?"

"No, they've taken her", the girl said tearfully, her voice muffled by the
intervening door.

"I'll be back for you, I have to find her."

Angel's eyes widened in alarm as a slight slither of sound, came from behind
him.  He turned swiftly, and gaped in disbelief.  The headless body of
Saffron Montgomery stood behind him.  He watched in confusion as a bright
red line formed down her throat.  The body expanded, it was as if it was
breathing except the action was extraordinarily pronounced, as if it had
somehow stretched outwards.

He backed away, as the 'line' on the body split open slowly.  Black ichor
oozed from the wound.  The dark vampire could see where the rip in the dead
flesh went down the entire front half of Saffron's body.  The black ichor
stained her blouse and pants.

A screaching roar, exploded from the ruined flesh and a large creature
erupted forth.  The red scaly thing stared at Angel for one long moment, its
now violet eyes boring into him.  He watched in horrified fascination as a
long serpentine tongue flickered out of the monster's mouth.  The demon
weaved slightly from side to side, as if in readiness, preparing itself to
react to any move he made.  He felt for all the world like a snake charmer
staring down a king cobra.

Angel feightened, purposefully telegraphing a move, aware that the demon
would focus on defending itself from the expected blow.  At the last
possible moment, he brought around his other arm, flicking one of the stakes
from the sheaths underneath his sleeves as he did so.  The wooden stake
stabbed into the snake-thing's side.

The demon roared in anger, and swung around powerfully, sending its huge
muscular tail sailing into him.  Unable to block, the hit sent the ensouled
vampire flying backwards.  He grunted as he hit the ground.  Rolling, Angel
flipped back onto his feet.  The sword had fallen against the wall.
Spotting it, he lurched foward, grabbing it and pulling it away just as the
creature's snake-like head struck the ground there with such force, the
concrete actually cracked.

A scream rent the air.  'Willow!', his mind registered.  His mate was in
trouble.  Without a second thought, he turned and ran toward the sound,
fully aware that the creature followed him.  He ducked down the smaller
corridor, the sound had come from.  Ahead of him he spotted an opening into
a room.

He ran inside and stepped into a frozen tableau.  Willow stood immobile by a
glowing purple orb, her eyes wide and unseeing tears pouring down her face,
her lips moved continously.  An old man in black robes lay in a puddle of
his own blood, gasping for oxygen, Spike's axe buried in his side.  But it
was the sight on the altar which caused bloody tears to well up in his own
eyes.  His favorite childe knelt by Cordelia's side, choking sobs wracking
his body.  The brunette Seer was dead, a large silver handled dagger
sticking out of her chest.  They had been too late.

It was then that the continuous quiet stream of words falling from Willow's
lips began to make sense.

"TheQueenIsDeadTheQueenIsDeadTheQueenIsDeadTheQueenIsDead..."
 

Chapter 38

The now terrifyingly familiar slithering sound reached Angel's ears again,
snapping him out of his anguish induced catatonia.  With his Childe's
weeping still ringing in his ears, the dark vampire moved quickly to his
mate's side, forcibly pushing the horror of Cordelia's lifeless body from
his mind for the moment.

As always Willow was his first priority, and whatever that thing that had
been living in Odette's mother's body was, it was going to have to go
through him first if it even dared to touch one red hair on his Flame's
head.

He growled at the shiny red, scaly creature, sword once more at the ready.
To his surprise the large serpent-like demon ignored him, its tongue
flickered out, as if to taste the air.

"Saffron!", the creature's dying master gasped.  "Kill them!"

The demon let loose a rumbling noise, which sounded vaguely like laughter to
the ensouled vampire.

"You are defeated, sssss-s-ssorcerer.  You lay dying.  My sssss-ss-servitude
is over!", it hissed.

"NO!", the feeble old man shouted.  "I CAN'T FAIL.  NOT NOW!  I WAS SO
CLOSE!"

The rumbling noise began anew, and Angel watched as the creature sank into
the cement floor.  "I will sssss-ss-s-see you in hell, Masss-s-ster", the
creature said darkly, before it was gone.

Panting and wheezing, the sorcerer sagged back against the ground, as more
of his life's blood pooled around him.

Angel turned around to his mate.  "Willow?"  The redhead hadn't moved, her
gaze still turned toward his grieving Childe.  A painful tightening began in
his chest, as he choked back the resurgence of his grief and turned the
petite witch around, embracing her tightly.

His dark gaze moved of its own volition toward the bleached blond vampire
who had by this time practically crawled on to the stone slab where
Cordelia's body lay.  The bleached blond cooed and purred, rubbing lips
along her neck.  Angel could here Spike's quiet murmuring.  "Why?...  Why
you?...  This wasn't supposed to happen....  How could you leave me?..."

The dark haired vampire closed his eyes.  His Childe's pain was humbling to
witness.  Angel knew Spike had fallen in love with Delia, his heart broke
for the blond vampire and the strong willed brunette who hadn't gotten a
chance to explore that love.

Spike's roar caused his Sire's eyes to snap back open.  He watched as the
younger vampire tore the dagger out of his Seer's chest, and flung the
offending object away.  The sound of her friend's grief seemed to also wake
Willow from her shocked state.  She struggled in her mate's arms her grief
becoming anger.

Surprised, Angel allowed his Seer to escape his arms. The sudden freedom of
movement unbalanced the slight witch, causing her to stumble back and knock
into the large crystal orb he had noticed before.

It was almost in slow motion that the witch and the vampire watched as the
heavy object tumbled from the tripod which held it to the hard ground with a
crash.  Shards of shattered crystal glittered in the light of the various
torches in the room.  A glowing purple mist arose from the remnants of the
orb. It coalesced, drawing together and hovering overhead.  Willow's gasped.

The sorcerer's sudden hacking laugh caused Angel and Willow to turn.  "Yes",
he groans.  "Come to me", the dying man commanded.

The mist surged forward, only to pause on its path, abruptly.  The red witch
watched in amazement as it almost seemed to 'look' down at the sorcerer.
The old man grew angry. "How dare you stop.  COME TO ME!  I have created
you.  Obey me!"  The iridescent energy shrunk back from the angry tirade.
It seemed to slink away like an ashamed dog with a tail between its legs.
Willow was becoming increasingly convinced that whatever it was, it was
sentient.

Spike was ignorant of what was occurring around him.  All he was aware of
was that he'd been to late, and failed the woman he loved.
 

Chapter 39

Cordelia found herself in a featureless place.  She stood still, her brow
furrowing in confusion.  'Where am I', she wondered, doing a swift 360
degree turn.  'Nothing.  There's nothing here.'  A flash of memory catches
her unaware.  A long silver knife, pain, and then... and then this.  The
Seer chokes back a sob.  "Spike I'm so sorry", she whispers.

"Your Highness", a female voice intones serenely.

Blinking back tears, Cordelia looked up and blinked in surprise.  "I know
you", the brunette manages to utter.  Its the Oracles.  The dark haired
female and male smile gently at her before bowing.  "I don't understand",
the former cheerleader murmurs, "I'm dead, aren't I?"

"Yes, my Queen you are", the male replies, his golden face glittering oddly.

"Then what are you doing here?  And why do you keep calling me that?"

The Oracles ignore her questions and instead ask their own.  "What is it
that you want my Queen?"

Cordelia stares at the blue and gold skinned Oracles in disbelief.  'What do
I want?  That's easy, I want Spike.  I want to fulfill my destiny at his
side.'

"It is done", the female says gently.

"What?", the young woman asks, shaking her head.  "I know I didn't say that
out loud."

"No, but it is your heart's desire.  You wish to fulfill your destiny.
Truly, you are our Queen", the male replies forcefully.

"Queen of what?"

The woman stares deeply into Cordelia's eyes.  "Our time is over.  It is
time for the next.  The prophecies tell us, the new Oracle will bring a
golden age to this realm, a time of order within chaos, compassion out of
cruelty.  You are that Oracle.  That is your destiny.  You will take our
place, wielding more knowledge than we ever did.  You have already taken
those first steps.  You have placed the Warrior of the Light with his Flame.
  They have a large part to play your Highness."

"And what about Spike?"

"Ahhhh.. the Shadow King will be at your side, until...well until he is
not."

"What do you mean?  No, no, don't tell me", Cordelia said quickly, "I don't
want to know.  If and when I lose Spike, then this golden age you speak of
will be over.  I can't do what you want without him.  I will follow him into
death."

The two Oracles remained silent.  The brunette had the feeling that they
already knew that. "As you wish."

~~~~~

The sorcerer ranted and railed at the iridescent purple mist hovering above
them.  Teasingly it moved closer than further and further away, and panting
in exhaustion, the old man fell back, his eyes rolling back in his head.
His fading heartbeat ceased, and Angel scowled, the bastard had gotten off
too easy.

"Angel!  Look!", Willow exclaimed.

The dark haired vampire turned, the cloud of energy hung above his Childe
and Cordelia's body.  The purple glow grew brighter, tendrils of the energy
were reaching, arm-like toward them.

Angel snarled moving forward.  Willow's hand stopped him.  "No, watch."

Finally, the British vampire noticed the strange mist.  His eyes were feral,
uncomprehending.  He growled at it, and drew his Seer's still body into his
arms protectively.  Almost caressingly, the tendrils of energy touched the
fallen girl's body.

Cordelia's body jerked, muscles spasming as if jolted by thousands of volts
of electricity.  The brunette flailed within the circle of Spike's arms as
the iridescent mist continued to pour into her.  And then, as suddenly as it
had begun, it was over, and the mist gone.

Spike gasped, Cordelia's eyes were open.  Her jaw dropped, and she took an
abrupt gasping inhalation.  The slight noise sounded abnormally loud in the
silence of the room.

"Lia?...Pet, oh God, Lia, you came back to me", the bleached blond babbled
his words muffled by his Seer's long hair.

Chapter 40

Angel watched over his family as they slept. Cordelia, while alive and
well, had fallen into a deep, healing sleep, minutes after the iridescent
energy from the orb had entered her body and snatched her from the jaws of
death. Willow had also collapsed into deep slumber. The strain of
insomnia, coupled with her overwhelming relief at Delia's rescue, had caused
the redhead to fall asleep during the cab ride back to the apartment. The
little witch was completely exhausted.

Spike was also out like a light. Angel wasn't sure what to make of that
fact, although he'd been grateful that the blond hadn't actually fallen
asleep until they'd gotten back to the apartment. The dark vampire didn't
know how he would've explained his situation to the cabdriver otherwise. As
it was they had told the curious Iranian man that the two women had simply
had too much to drink. He had looked at them strangely, but made no
comment.

Odette had opted to stay the night at the hospital at Dustin's side. The
boy needed medical attention, some of his cuts had become infected and the
ribs still pained him. Angel understood the girl's need to stay by her
friend's side, and let her be.

With one last look at his blond childe and the tall brunette Spike was
wrapped protectively around, Angel quietly left the room, closing the door
behind him.

He needed to make a phone call, and then he needed to sleep, most definitely
at his Flame's side.

~~~~~

The phone rang shrilly in the deserted lobby of the Hyperion Hotel.

"I'll get it", a British voice called, as the voice's owner jogged into the
room from the hotel's kitchen.

"No, I will", Gunn smirked, breaking into a run as he reached the basement
stair's landing, and spotted Wesley heading for the phone.

The two men sprinted to the ringing appliance, each trying to get there
first in a superfluous show of testosterone which would've reduced Willow to
hilarious tears had she witnessed it.

"I have it", Wesley exclaimed, his tone superior, as his hand just managed
to snatch the receiver from the black youth's reach.

The bespectacled former watcher beamed. "Angel Investigations, we-- oh,
Angel..."

Gunn squeezed in closer to the phone's handset, trying to listen to the
conversation, while at the same time trying to ignore his proximity to the
Englishman. Large, brown eyes widened as Angel explained what had happened
that night.

"No shit! Damn...", the young man exclaimed.

"Congratulations!", Wesley boomed exuberantly. "So Cordelia is all right?
Wonderful Angel, that's wonderful news."

Smiling, the former watcher hung up the phone. Grinning like idiots at the
good news, Wesley and Gunn found themselves in a sudden and impromptu hug.
Neither broke off the unexpected embrace, after the appropriate amount of
time.

"English?"

"Yes Gunn?"

"Is that your hand on my ass?"

"Yes, I believe it is."

"Oh."

"Gunn?"

"Yeah Wes?"

"Shut up and kiss me."

~~~~~~~~

~N.Y.; A day and a half later~

Willow yawned and stretched. Green eyes fluttered open. Immediately, her
eyes fell on the dozing figure by her bedside. She smiled and squeezed the
larger hand which held her own.

Angel came immediately awake.

"How long was I asleep?", she asked.

The dark haired vampire blinked, his eyes wandering to the small blue
digital clock on Spike's stereo. "About twenty-three hours, give or take
five minutes."

Willow started. "Are you serious?"

Angel nodded, gently smoothing red strands away from his Seer's face. "You
were exhausted Flame. You hardly slept at all since we got to New York, and
once we got Delia back and got Dustin to a hospital, you practically passed
out in the cab.

"Wow", she murmured, stretching again languidly, looking for all the world
like a cat.

Angel watched his mate's body undulate hungrily.

Willow smiled up at the handsome vampire in invitation, and then abruptly
grimaced, licking her teeth. "Ewww... I think I'm going to need to freshen
up a bit honey", she whispered, her cheeks flushing a delicate shade of
pink. "I could probably use a shower too."

Angel stood, and held his hand out to help her up.

"How's Delia?"

"She's fine", the vampire replied. "A bit withdrawn after everything that's
happened, but okay. She been sleeping on and off today, its Spike who's
actually still out of it."

Willow frowned. "I think he shorted out his chip. You should have seen his
Angel... He swung that axe at the sorcerer guy without even flinching, and I
know that the chip was going off. I KNEW that he was in agony. But once he
saw that athame sticking out of Cordelia's chest...", her voice trailed off,
her green eyes clouding for a moment.

Changing the subject, Willow asked about the petite blond. "And Odette?"

"She's fine, she got up this morning and headed back to the hospital.
Dustin's being released today. Both of them are going to come back here."

"Oh good."

"We have to decide what to do, Odette's family is gone. She's alone now",
the ensouled vampire said seriously. He liked the short girl. She was a
survivor, and she seemed deeply loyal to Cordelia. He had a feeling the
young woman would end up staying with his brunette friend.

"Delia will take care of her", Willow said, without a doubt in her mind.
Angel nodded in agreement.

Smiling, the redhead grabbed her Warrior's hand. "So, except for Spike and
Delia, we're alone huh?"

The vampire's lips curved cunningly, naughty thoughts running through his
head.

Willow grinned back, and pulled her Warrior along with her to the bathroom.
"Want to scrub my back?"

Chapter 41

Spike groaned and squeezed his eyes shut, hoping to fall back into the
comforting embrace of sleep. The pain behind his eyeballs, although
lessening, was still jackhammering away in his skull. Alas, sleep didn't
seem to want to rescue him.

"Bloody hell... someone please do me a favor and cut my friggin' head off",
he hissed between clenched teeth.

"Sorry Blondie, I kind of like your head right where it is."

The vampire's blue eyes snapped open. "Lia?"

"In the flesh", the brunette said quietly, her eyes moving over him. She
stood awkwardly by the bed.

"And what flesh it is pet", the blond replied, his familiar cocky grin in
place.

Cordelia flinched fractionally, and stiffened.

"Lia... pet, come here luv."

"I'm sorry", Cordelia whimpered, her lower lip trembling. "This was all my
fault. If only I'd told you about the Seer's disappearances--"

The bleached blond cut her off. "Lia come here", Spike said seriously, his
voice thick with emotion. "Luv, I don't care about that. All I care about
is that your here, back where you belong, with me. I love you, you silly
chit."

Cordelia blinked back tears. "Oh God Spike, I love you too", she gasped,
running and flinging herself on the bed and into her Warrior's waiting arms.

"I missed you so much... I thought I'd never see you again", she sobbed as
she rained kisses upon his face.

"I think you just stole my line luv", the blond vampire quipped, his arms
wrapping tightly about the warm, living, breathing woman in his arms.

"You should have seen what a mess I was without you Lia. I thought Red was
gonna roast me for being an immature pain in the arse. And if she didn't,
the Big Poof probably had a stake with my name carved into it, just in
case."

Cordelia smiled at Spike through her tears. "So you missed me."

"Oh Gods yes!", he groaned, pulling her head down to his own.

Mouths met fiercely, all joking and tears forgotten. Tongues dueled as
clothing was rapidly discarded. Foreplay was unnecessary in the face of
their overwhelming need to become one, to celebrate their reunion in a
manner as old as time itself.

Warm, silky flesh met cool palms. Cordelia moaned, her head thrown back as
Spike flicked the nubs of pebbled flesh at the tips of her breasts, with
calloused thumbs.

"Spike... missed you... sooo much."

Moving his muscled thigh between, her legs, the vampire flipped the brunette
over, his hard body moving to cover hers.

"Lia, baby, I can't wait--"

Cordelia shushed him, placing a long, elegant finger against his lips.
"Make me your Spike."

The vampire growled, his eyes flickering between blue and gold, as he slowly
pushed his hard flesh into her welcoming warmth.

Sensation and emotion moved through the Seer's body, like a sudden cleansing
summer rain. It felt amazing. He felt amazing. She gloried in it, the
feeling of wholeness, of completion.

Cordelia opened shimmering hazel eyes and looked into her lover's true face,
as he moved powerfully within her. Her hands wandered fleetingly over his
sensitive ridges, eliciting growls and moans of pleasure which pleased the
former cheerleader.

Gripping his short, bleached locks, she brought his face to her neck. She
groaned as his length pistoned inside her in a quickening and ever
increasingly harsh tempo. "Make me yours Spike... in every way."

Spike stilled momentarily, his voice sounded raspy in her ears. "Lia, I
really wish I could but the --"

"The chip is gone Spike", she said quietly.

"How do you --?"

"I just do, I know a lot of things now."

The bleached blond stared down at his Seer. She smirked mischievously, and
wrapped her legs around his waist, jerking him powerfully inside her heat.
The move was Spike's undoing, and with a roar his fangs were at the girl's
throat.

Cordelia cried out at the sudden, sharp pain, but then it faded. The
pleasure began to build anew, as he rocked against her, her blood flowing
freely down his throat.

Spike bucked against the woman beneath him. He could feel the muscles of
her vagina tremble against him. Using one hand, he lifted her hips from the
bed, changing the angle of his penetration. His mouth never leaving her
neck.

The ex-cheerleader's eyes widened, at the new sensation. "Oh... Oh
God...Spike!", she screamed.

Her body convulsed and clenched around him. The feeling was too much. The
vampire growled, and let himself go, his body emptying inside of her so
powerfully, he thought he was going to go blind.

They slumped together, the bleached blond licking at the wounds which marred
Cordelia's perfect throat. The wounds that marked her as his. "You're mine
Lia. My mate", he purred sensually. "Forever."

Cordelia smiled.

~~~~~~

Angel smirked. His Childe and Delia sure hadn't wasted any time.

"What are you smiling about?", Willow asked, her face curious.

"Nothing. Just that everything's as it should be."

Willow winked at the tall vampire before stepping out of the shower. Drops
of water sparkled on her naked flesh and Angel found himself licking his
lips.

The red witch threw a calculatedly innocent look over her shoulder,
purposefully putting a slightly more pronounced sway in her step as she
walked over to the small closet for a towel. "I take it, Spike's UP", she
quipped, arching one auburn hued eyebrow, "isn't he?"

Angel groaned. "Minx."

"Who", the redhead blinked, "Me?" Abruptly, she found herself looking up at
the dark haired vampire. He'd moved so quickly, she barely even saw the
blur of motion. Willow swallowed, almost nervously, warm honey oozing from
her core.

"Yes", he purred darkly, his mouth caressing her ear as he spoke, "You."

Large green eyes flickered to Angel's chest. She watched, enthralled as a
small bead of water, raced down the pale, muscled expanse of his torso, only
to get lost in the smattering of coarse, dark hair below.

Emerald eyes traced their leisurely way back up to the dark vampire's
angelic face. "Then I'm a lucky girl, aren't I?"

Angel's eyes closed, only to snap open again quickly. Amber hued irises
peered down at her, while his nostrils flared, taking in the scent of
Willow's arousal.

A low, throaty growl escaped his lips as his hands roughly grabbed the
petite witch's hips. Her feet dangled momentarily in the air, before
wrapping about his waist.

Angel sank himself smoothly into Willow's depths, swallowing her screams of
pleasure with his mouth.

~~~~~

"Its kind of quiet all of a sudden, huh?", Cordelia asked, her fingers idly
tracing patterns on her vampire's stomach while her chin rested on his
chest.

The bleached blond smirked. "Not really luv. You just don't have the right
kind of ears."

The Seer's hand stilled. "You mean...?"

"Yep. Mum and Dad are doing what we just did. Although apparently they
didn't feel like using an actual bed. I can hear them shagging like crazed
weasels in heat in the bathroom."

Cordelia's generous mouth curved gently, and her fingers resumed their
leisurely journey down Spike's torso.

The vampire jerked as the young woman's hand closed about his length.

"Lia", he gasped.

"Is that all you can say?", Cordelia teased.

"No", Spike groaned. "I can say quite a bloody lot actually." In response
the brunette's fingers flexed around him. His head lolled against the
pillows.

"I can only think of one thing to say at the moment though", he managed to
choke out.

"What's that?", she asked, as her lips moved slowly south to take the place
of her hand.

"Long live the Queen", Spike hissed, his brain short-circuiting with
ecstasy. "Long live the Queen."
 

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