Post by The Night Lord on Apr 9, 2009 21:30:28 GMT -5
This is a fanfic I wrote last year. It's also available on my webpage, but I'm posting it here simply because I want to and I think the Cangel fans on this site will enjoy it. It's a simple 'What If' scenario that takes place during Angel season 1 in the episde "I Will Remember You". What if Buffy left before the Mohra demon attacked? What would happen next?
“When did he get back?” Cordelia asked
“Late last night,” Doyle answered
“And? How was he?”
“He seemed fine”
Cordelia whirled around to face him, a horrified look on her face
“He wasn’t fine. He was in Sunnydale for three days. With Buffy”
She turned back to the window, watching as Angel moved about in his office, sorting out things on his desk
“Where’s the scowl? The gloomy mood. It just means it cut deeper than usual”
She turned back to Doyle
“Watch out, Hurricane Buffy is on its way”
“You think?” Doyle asked
“Trust me on this one”
She looked back, as Angel withdrew a stake from his drawer
“Oh no,” she gasped
Cordelia and Doyle burst into his office, as Angel looked at them puzzled
“Don’t do it,” Cordelia cried
“It’s not worth it,” Doyle added
“You’ll get over her. Give it time”
“Why don’t you give me that?”
“Because I need it to level my desk. The floor’s uneven”
Cordelia and Doyle watched as Angel lifted his desk and slid the stake under one of the legs, before looking at them with a small, amused smile on his face
“You actually think-?”
“Doyle did,” Cordelia said straightaway, “You know how he comes to conclusions”
“Uh-huh, right. Look, I’m fine. Buffy will always be a part of me. That will never change. She’s human…and I’m not, which won’t also change. But I avoided her”
“You avoided her?” Cordelia asked sceptically
“She didn’t even know I was there,” Angel continued, “It’s for the best. There’s no need to stir things up”
“I don’t know,” Cordelia said, “If my ex came back to town, stalking me from the shadows and left without saying hi, I’d be-”
“A little upset?”
All three whirled around to see Buffy standing in the doorway. Cordelia looked at Angel and saw that his jaw was hanging open, until he forced himself to close it
“Buffy, what are you doing here?” Angel asked
“I came to see my father”
“Buffy’s here,” Cordelia said, “Hi”
“Cordelia, how have you been?” the Slayer asked
“Good. Good. Well, this is Doyle. He gets visions of people in trouble”
“Nice to-” Doyle started
“And this is us leaving you two alone”
Cordelia dragged Doyle from the office, as Buffy closed the door behind them
“So, that’s Buffy?” Doyle asked
“Little bitty Buffy,” Cordelia answered, sitting at her desk
“Huh. She looked a little-”
“Bulgarian in that outfit?”
“Hurt was what I was gonna say”
“Uh-huh. There’s a lot of that when they’re together. Come on,” she said, grabbing her things
“Where are we going?” Doyle asked
“Get ourselves a cappuccino and possibly watch the director’s cut of the Titanic. Those two will be in there for a looong time. Best we leave it to them. Damn, I forgot the car keys”
She turned back to the desk, grabbing the keys to the Plymouth, as Buffy exited the office, before leaving the place without saying a word, while Cordelia and Doyle watched her go
“Must have been intense,” Cordelia said, “Come on”
“Shouldn’t we check on him?” Doyle said, “He might actually try and stake himself this time”
“Good point”
There came a crash, as Cordelia and Doyle rushed into the office, seeing Angel fighting against a green-skinned demon with bright blue eyes and wearing an armoured outfit similar to a samurai
“Oh damn, bad timing,” Cordelia said
Angel ducked under the demon’s blade and struck it across the face, as Doyle grabbed a nearby chair and rushed at the demon. It dodged the chair and kicked him against the wall, as Angel grabbed the demon’s sword arm and twisted it, plunging the sword into its stomach, spilling green blood. The demon punched Angel, before throwing him against the wall and diving out through the smashed window
“Angel, are you okay?” Cordelia asked
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Angel said, “What the hell was that?”
“I’ve got no idea,” Doyle said, getting up and shaking his head, “Packs a punch”
“Right. You two do some research, I’ll search for this thing. How was Buffy?”
“Left without saying a word,” Cordelia replied, “Probably sulking and you?”
“I’m not sulking. I’m fine”
He headed downstairs, as Cordelia turned to Doyle
“Yeah, I’m sure he’s just fine. I’m surprised the world didn’t end”
“Does that really happen when they get together?”
“Last time it nearly did”
Angel patrolled through the sewer tunnels, tracking down the demon by its blood. He was in brood mode. He hadn’t expected Buffy to follow him back to Los Angeles to discuss his recent trip to Sunnydale. He had been there to protect her from the baddies in Doyle’s vision, keeping out of her sight, as he thought of her as important that he didn’t want to tell her. He didn’t want to stir up old feelings, preferring to keep his distance until enough time passed…to forget, as Buffy put it. It would be best if they forget about each other until the time came when they would be together again
His instincts came alive when he heard a growl, whirling around and holding his hand out, as the Mohra demon sliced through his palm. Angel hissed in pain, his face morphing as he gripped his halberd axe with both hands. The Mohra growled and clashed blades with Angel; trading equal blows with one another. Angel whirled around and slashed, as the Mohra ducked and stabbed. Angel twisted his axe, blocking the move, before slicing at the demon’s chest, as it blocked and sliced the wooden handle in half
Angel dodged the blade coming at his chest, smacking the sword out of the Mohra’s hands, kicking it in the chest. The Mohra drew a small dagger, slashing at Angel, as he blocked the blows, before catching its wrist and slamming his axe handle upon it. The Mohra punched him in the face, as Angel backhanded, losing his axe handle when the Mohra grabbed and kneed his wrist. He responded by driving his knee into the Mohra’s stomach, before impaling it through the chest with its own dagger. Its blood spilled onto Angel’s cut hand, as the Mohra fell down. Angel resumed his human face, stepping away from the demon and looking at his hand. Both the Mohra’s and his blood was sucked into the wound, which instantly healed
Angel fell to his knees, gasping in pain as a light swept through him and he fell forward, catching him on his other hand. He continued gasping, sucking in much needed air, as he heard a faint unfamiliar, but not unknown sound
His own heart beating
Doyle and Cordelia looked up when Angel walked into the office. He was carrying his coat in one hand and had a stunned look on his face
“Are you okay?” Doyle asked, “How’d it go?”
“I found the demon and I killed it. And some of its blood mixed with mine-”
“Hey, you just walked right off the front street,” Cordelia cried, “You’ve-”
“Yeah,” Angel said
“Got an umbrella”
Doyle stood closer to Angel, as a look overcame him. Cordelia watched as he headed towards the window, standing in the sunlight and recognition washed over her
“He’s alive, Cordy,” Doyle said, “He’s human”
“Whoa”
Angel smiled as he enjoyed the sunlight for the first time in over two hundred years
“I wanna know what type of demon that was,” he said
“Well, this is great,” Cordelia said, “You’re human. Now you can do whatever you want. Now we can go to the beach without you bursting into flames like last time”
Angel turned around and looked at Cordelia, a small smile on his face
“God, I am so hungry”
He rushed past her, as she yelped and moved behind Doyle, the pair watching as he opened the refrigerator and began eating everything inside
“Oh God. Food!” Angel cried happily, “I’ve forgotten how good it tastes”
“And they didn’t have cookie fudge choc mint in your day,” Cordelia said
“Ooh, can you get me some?”
“It’ll go straight to your thighs”
“Okay, we need to slow down here,” Doyle said
“Mmm. Chocolate, I love chocolate,” Angel said giddily, “But as it turns out, not yoghurt”
“Angel, we need to focus here”
“You’re right,” Angel agreed, instantly stopping his mad eating, “And now my stomach’s killing me”
“We need to find the demon,” Doyle continued, picking up the Book of Kelsor, “Let’s see what we can find in here”
“Well, you know what it looked like,” Angel said, eating a chocolate biscuit, “I’m gonna head downstairs”
He grabbed an apple and ate it as he headed downstairs, while Cordelia watched him go, before leaning over Doyle’s shoulder as he searched for the demon
“Ah-ha. Here it is. It was a Mohra demon. Soldier of Darkness”
“Well you know that’s always cheery,” Cordelia muttered, “Anything else on it”
“Used to assassinate warriors of good. People like Angel. Its blood has regenerative properties. There it is. That explains Angel”
“I’ll go tell him”
Cordelia headed downstairs, where she found Angel sorting through his fridge, taking out the packets of blood and emptying them down the sink
“Hi, Cordy. Did you find it?”
“Yep. It’s a Mohra demon. Assassin. Soldier of darkness. Blood can regenerate things, especially turning vampires into humans”
“So that’s it,” Angel said, “That explains how. Doesn’t explain why?”
“Who cares,” Cordelia said, “You’re human. Yay. You can do whatever. Who cares about the hows or whys?”
“But how long will this last? Is it permanent?”
“If you’re so worried about that, why are you emptying out your blood?”
“Because I don’t need it. Where’s Doyle? He’s connected to the Powers. Maybe they know something. Maybe he can take me to them”
“Okay then. He’s upstairs. Have fun”
Angel headed upstairs, where he found Doyle still reading the book
“So you found it?”
“Yeah, I did. Congrats, you’re human now”
“For how long? You’re connected to the Powers. Take me to them”
“I can’t. I’m a messenger. Besides, the Powers don’t live in our reality. The only way to them is through channels. Dangerous channels”
“I don’t care. I need to talk to them”
“Okay, we can try the Oracles. When they turn you into a toad, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Come on”
“The realm of answers is under the post office?” Angel said
“Makes sense, don’t you think?” Doyle said
They were in a small underground room, with a bowl pedestal in the centre and an archway before them with a message in Latin written upon it. Doyle was busy mixing ingredients together into the bowl
“Now listen, when you get in, ask your questions and get out. No dilly-dally. The Oracles are dangerous and unpredictable. And if I’ve done this right-”
Doyle lit the items up, creating a small flame
“We beseech access to the knowing ones. We might make it out alive”
A flash of light appeared under the archway
“You’re in,” Doyle said
“Aren’t you coming?”
“I’m just a messenger”
Angel walked into the light and entered a large room. Two people, a man and woman, stood across from him. Both had golden skin with blue markings, similar to Celtic markings, and wore black robes
“Come before us, lower being,” said the male Oracle
“What have you brought us?” asked the female
“Huh?”
“You come here and bring no offering?”
Angel mentally growled at Doyle, before taking his watch off and holding it up
“Got this?”
The female Oracle telekinetically summoned the watch from his hand to hers
“I like time. There’s so much and so little of it”
“So? What do you ask of us?” the male Oracle asked
“The Mohra demon. It turned me human. What does that mean?”
“It’s true. He is human now,” said the female Oracle
“He is no longer a warrior of our cause,” said the male Oracle
“It wasn’t the Powers?” Angel asked
“The Powers?” the male scoffed, “Did you avert the apocalypse? Save humanity?”
“You fought a demon, plain and simple. Life goes on”
“I’m not poisoned? This is permanent?”
“The auguries say no,” said the female after a slight pause
“From this day forth, you shall live your life as a human,” said the male
“Life as a human now?”
“You are no longer part of what we do,” said the female, “You are free”
“You have been released. Now leave us”
A bright flash of light blasted Angel back into the underground room and into Doyle’s arm, knocking them both down. Angel got up, looking back at the archway
“Well?” Doyle asked
“Well, I’m human. It’s permanent. And next time, Doyle, remind me to get a gift”
“Knew I forgot something. Well, come on, I think it’s time to celebrate”
“Celebrate?”
“Go out and get pissed. It’ll be fun…apart from the hangovers which are just as bad as the visions”
“I don’t think so, Doyle. I’m not ready for that just yet”
“Oh well. I’ll go and celebrate for ya. And when you’re ready, you know where to find me”
Angel and Doyle left the room, heading back to the office
“So, what did you find out?” Cordelia asked, “Where’s Doyle?”
“He’s out celebrating,” Angel replied, “And that I’m permanently human. I’m free”
“Oh right, well, congratulations. And why aren’t you out there with Doyle?”
“I don’t know. I don’t feel like getting drunk. Not just yet”
“Well, great. Now I can take you to the beach”
“Huh?”
“I’m taking you to the beach. You need a tan. I’ve already got you a few things”
She pointed to a bag on the couch, before grabbing her own bag of belongings
“Come on, broody, the beach is calling us”
“Okay then”
Angel grabbed the bag and followed after Cordelia, hopping into the Plymouth and driving off towards the beach with the roof down and enjoying the sunlight. They arrived at the beach, as Cordelia headed off to get changed, leaving Angel to set up. He managed to get everything set, before changing into board shorts, as Cordelia returned, wearing a two-piece bikini and a sarong. And Angel found himself checking her out, despite trying to ignore the way her body moved and tell himself that she was his employee and friend, nothing else
“Angel, have you tanned all of a sudden?” Cordelia asked playfully
She had noticed Angel checking her out and was pleased with herself, enjoying how he blushed and became uncomfortable. Now he can blush, which is great, Cordelia thought. Now he can go out into the sunlight and not go up in flames. Now he could actually have a life
“I’m gonna go for a swim,” she said, taking her sarong off, “Coming in?”
“Huh? Oh…yeah, I suppose, why not?”
He got up, taking his shirt off and tossing it aside, not noticing Cordelia checking his torso out, as he headed towards the ocean and dived in
“Come on in. it’s great,” he called out once he surfaced
Cordelia waded in slowly, as Angel swam about, enjoying human life. He’d been human for several hours now and he loved every moment of it. He looked over at Cordelia and saw her standing there in waist-deep water. A thought came to mind and he dived under, swimming towards her, before rising up beneath her and swooping her up into his arms, getting a shriek out of her
“Angel! Put me down”
“If you insist,” he grinned
He dunked her in the water and she came up, sputtering for air, rinsing the water out of her hair, as Angel laughed at her. She growled, splashing water at him, as he splashed her back, before diving under the water again
“Okay, Angel, where’d you go,” Cordelia said
He rose up behind her, grabbing her around the waist and lifting her out of the water easily, as she squealed
“Put me down, but don’t dunk me please”
Angel sighed and set her down gently, before splashing water in her face. Cordelia coughed and glared at Angel, as he grinned back at her. She smiled slightly and walked over to Angel, as he frowned at her
“What are you up to?” he asked
She grinned, before grabbing his board shorts and yanking them down. Angel yelped and jumped back, falling over as he tried to fix up his shorts, as Cordelia laughed, exiting the ocean
“Did you have fun?” Cordelia asked later that afternoon
“Yeah, I did,” Angel replied, throwing the bags onto the couch, “For the first time in a long time”
“That’s good then. By the way, I call dibs on the shower”
She headed downstairs, as Angel checked the message banks. Luckily for them, no calls had come through, as Angel headed downstairs, hearing the shower running. He unpacked the bags and hung out the clothes to dry, waiting for Cordelia to get out of the shower. Once she did, he went for one as well, before getting dressed and joining her in the kitchen, where she was at the table, brushing her hair out
“You know, I’m still not quite used to it,” Angel said, “Being human”
“Give it a few days,” Cordelia said, “You’ll be used to it. And there will many more days like this one”
“I sure hope so. It would be great”
“God, now you’re gonna have to get a job. Damn, so do I. All I’m good for is international superstardom or helping a vampire with a soul save the world from evil. That makes for a short, but colourful resume”
“Don’t worry, Cordy, we’ll figure something out,” Angel said, “God, I have to get everything. Birth certificate, social security number, everything”
Cordelia got up and joined him by the bench, resting her hand on his
“Like you said, we’ll figure something out. We’ll be okay”
Angel looked down at their hands and entwined their fingers together
“Thanks for today, Cordy,” he said, kissing her knuckles, “It was great”
Cordelia looked up at him, as he leaned closer. She did the same, as their lips touched together. She pressed herself into him, throwing her arms around his neck, as he wrapped his arms around her waist, only breaking the kiss to breathe, both having no idea of what had just come over them
“Cordy…I don’t…know. I mean…”
“Shh…who cares? We’ll worry later”
Angel kissed her again, as it started to get passionate. He lifted her up with ease, pressing her against the fridge. He removed her robe, as her hands roamed over his bare chest. Angel couldn’t understand why he was doing this, why he was kissing Cordelia, but at the moment, he didn’t really care. He was caught up in the passion, as was Cordelia. She was having the same thoughts, but all reason flew out the window as he took her towards his room and laid her down on the bed
“Only if you say yes,” Angel said, voice thick with lust and passion
“Of course,” Cordelia said, “I want you, Angel”
He kissed her with passion once again, as they lost themselves in each other
“Get the chocolate. And don’t forget the peanut butter,” Cordelia said
Angel grabbed the requested food and huddled back to the bed, where Cordelia was wearing one of his black sweaters, while he was just plain nude, dumping the food onto the bed and joining her. After an hour of passion together, they had decided to ignore the awkwardness and just let things play out. So far, both were quite enjoying themselves in each other’s company and what they had just done together
“God, I love food,” Angel grinned, eating a chocolate bar
“Food is good. Chocolate is great,” Cordelia said
Buffy was far from Angel’s mind. All he could think about now was Cordelia and how he could enjoy his humanity with her. She was all that mattered to him right now. He still couldn’t quite get over what they had just done or why, but he wasn’t caring right now. He had a life and right now, it was with Cordelia…Buffy be damned. He had felt more happiness with Cordelia in one day than he ever had with Buffy back in Sunnydale for the last three years. He felt content being with Cordelia
“This is great,” Angel said, “I can look forward to doing this every day”
“I’m sure you can, mister,” Cordelia smiled, “And you’re staying here”
“Of course. I’m not going anywhere”
“Good. Make sure you keep it that way”
Doyle was down at the nearest bar, having a few drinks in celebration of Angel’s humanity. He had thought it a shame that Angel wasn’t here with him, but respected that Angel didn’t want to get smashed just yet. But he will soon and Doyle would be there with him. As he down his sixth shot of the day, he thought about what he was going to now. Angel had been released, which meant there was no need for visions
“Argh!”
Doyle smacked his head against the counter, cringing in pain, as a vision shot through his mind. He saw the Mohra demon in the sewer tunnels where Angel killed it, bigger and stronger. Then he smelled salt, as the vision stopped
“Oh God. We’re in trouble,” Doyle said
Doyle arrived at the office, surprised to see that Angel or Cordelia weren’t about. He noted that Cordelia’s things were on her desk, but she wasn’t in sight. Neither was the ex-vampire. Frowning, Doyle headed downstairs, finding a few clothes lying around
“Oh no,” he thought
He looked towards Angel’s bedroom and saw the pair lying asleep in Angel’s bed, empty ice cream buckets and chocolate wrappers lying on the floor. Doyle threw his hands up, as Angel opened his eyes and saw him
“Doyle”
The half-demon headed for the stairs, as Angel threw on a pair of pants and hurried after his friend, catching him at the top of the stairs
“Doyle, I can explain”
“Explain what? We were finally getting somewhere. Not much, but it was somewhere. And then you turn human and sweet-talk her into your bed”
“It just happened, Doyle. Look, I’m sorry, but it just happened…and I’m happy about it. She’s made me feel so happy in one day than I had ever felt”
Doyle sighed, shaking his head. He was hurt after what he had just seen. Angel was also feeling a small twinge of guilt at his friend’s pain
“Okay, I’ll get over it, say in three years time. But that’s not why I’m here”
“Okay, so what is it?”
“I had a vision earlier. That Mohra demon you killed. It’s not dead. It’s back. It’s regenerated itself and it’s pretty pissed off”
“Then I’ll just kill it again,” Angel said
“You can’t, Angel. You’ve been released. Plus, you’re human now”
“I can’t let it roam the streets, Doyle. Get the book of Kelsor”
Angel headed downstairs, getting dressed and grabbing a sword, before looking at Cordelia’s sleeping form. She looked so peaceful and Angel couldn’t bring himself to wake her up. With a small smile on his face, he joined Doyle upstairs, heading out to the car, as Doyle read from the book
“Requires vast amount of salt to survive,” he said
“It was heading towards the ocean,” Angel said, putting the car into reverse
“Oh damn. It doesn’t just come back, it comes back bigger and stronger”
“Anything else in your vision?”
“Uh, salt? Needs salt to live”
“There’s a saline plant in Redondo. We’ll check it out”
He threw the car into drive and took off onto the road
Angel and Doyle arrived at the saline plant, searching for the Mohra demon
“How do I kill it?” Angel asked
“Uh, it lives until the darkness it envisions is upon us…here it is. To destroy the Mohra, one must bring darkness to 1000 eyes”
“I only saw two – oh god!”
The pair had come across several corpses, blood splattering the ground
“The blood,” Angel gasped
“Yeah, it’s not easy. Part of being human,” Doyle reassured
“I’m gonna kill it”
They walked past the bodies, as Doyle continued reading
“It’s fast, strong…and here,” he said, looking up
The Mohra jumped off the ledge, landing between the pair and separating them. Angel swung his sword, as the Mohra drew its own sword and blocked, kicking Angel in the stomach, causing him to gasp in pain and suck air, as Doyle swung his small, long-handled axe. The Mohra blocked the weapon, swinging Doyle around, as Angel recovered and slashed. He blocked and thrown aside, as Doyle attacked, but he was kicked through several barrels, getting knocked unconscious. Meanwhile, Angel got up, wincing in pain, as the Mohra knocked the sword out of his hands and slashed. Angel ducked, punching the demon, as it backhanded him through the air easily. Angel hit the ground hard, before getting to his feet and running away, as the Mohra followed him with a smile on its face
Cordelia woke up and stretched her arms around, surprised to see that Angel wasn’t in bed with her. She sat up, confused, before getting out of bed and getting dressed. Angel wasn’t anywhere in sight, as she headed upstairs and found a note on her desk. Her heart pounded loudly, afraid of what the note would say, but she picked it up and read it. At first, her fears slid away when she realized that he hadn’t gone far, but then it came back, pounding in her chest when she read what he was doing
“Oh God no,” she gasped, “Angel”
Angel coughed up blood, as he kicked the Mohra in the stomach, making it take a few steps back, as he got to his feet and continued running. The Mohra was enjoying this, while Angel was beaten black and blue, blood covering his body, as the Mohra unfurled a chain and whipped it about. Angel dodged the first two swings, sparks flying up from contact with the concrete, as the Mohra kicked him onto his back. Angel crawled away, as the Mohra swung the chain, smashing through the wooden doors Angel was lying on. They both fell through the air, landing in a salt deposit. The Mohra swiftly got its feet, drawing a small sword, as Angel tried to find a weapon to no avail. The Mohra walked over and planted its foot on Angel’s back, pinning him down
“The End of Days has begun and cannot be stopped,” it said, “For each of us that fails, ten shall rise”
It raised its sword, prepared to deliver the killing blow, as Doyle dropped in on the demon, knocking it away from Angel. He coughed, relived the pressure was gone from his back, as Doyle gripped his axe
“I’m not gonna leave ya, Angel,” he said
The Mohra grinned, swinging its sword around, as Angel looked up at it. And realization came to him when he saw the jewel centred in the demon’s forehead. The Mohra charged at Doyle, who managed to block a few blows, before being shoved against the wall, as the Mohra raised its sword
“Hey”
The Mohra whirled around to face Angel, who was barely able to stand. The Mohra turned away from Doyle, as Angel swung the chain, striking the jewel. The Mohra cried out, as its jewel cracked and it was covered in a bright light, disappearing from view. Angel fell over, as Doyle hurried to his side
“God, you’re beaten up,” he said, “Come on, let’s get you out of here”
Cordelia paced the office, worried about Angel. What was he thinking, going out to face the Mohra demon? Was he insane, suicidal or both? And they were just starting to have a relationship, a happy relationship, not an angsty one like the one he had with Buffy. Stupid, stupid Angel. If he was alive still, he wouldn’t be for long when she was through with him. The front door bell chimed
“Thank go- Angel?” Cordelia said
Angel was barely conscious and standing, hanging off Doyle, who looked a little better than the ex-vampire. Cordelia rushed to his side, helping him lie down on the couch. The thought of yelling at Angel went out the window. How could she, especially when he looked like that, all beaten up and bloodied
“What happened?” Cordelia asked
“We found the Mohra demon. Beat the hell out of Angel, but he managed to kill it. Permanently this time might I add”
“Are you stupid? What made you go out there and fight the demon?”
“Angel wanted to,” Doyle said, “I just gave him the vision”
“Get me the first-aid kit”
Doyle grabbed the kit and handed it to Cordelia, who started to get to work on Angel’s injuries. He flinched at the slight touch, breathing heavily, as Cordelia patched up his wounds and wiped the blood away, refusing to let tears fall at the sight of her lover
“I’m gonna head home,” Doyle said, “Let me know how he goes”
He left the office, as Cordelia continued her work
“Cordy…I’m sorry”
“Shh, it’s gonna be okay. It’s gonna be okay”
“What have you brought us?” asked the male Oracle
“Got you this,” Angel replied, holding up a vase, “Ching dynasty”
The female Oracle summoned the gift to her hand, enjoying the craftsmanship
“Well?” asked the male
“The Mohra said something about the End of Days,” Angel said, “I want to know if what he was said is true”
“As all things that can be said are,” replied the female
Angel swallowed. That could only mean one thing. Cordelia would die
“But…then my friends will die…especially Cordelia. I’m here to beg for her life”
“It’s not our place to grant life or death,” said the male Oracle
“Then take mine back,” Angel continued, “Look, I can’t protect her or anyone. Not as a man. I nearly died trying to kill the Mohra last night”
“You’re asking to be what you were?” asked the female, “A demon with a soul? Because of this Cordelia?”
“This is a matter of love,” said the male, “It doesn’t concern us”
“Yes it does,” Angel said, “The End of Days is coming. The Mohra said that. I’m the only one who can stop it or at least slow its march down. The Mohra came to take a warrior from your cause and it succeeded. I’m no good to you like this”
“Temporal folds are not to indulge the whims of lower beings,” said the male
“You’re wrong,” said the female sharply, “This one is willing to sacrifice every drop of human happiness and love he's ever known for another. He is not a lower being”
“So, can you do it?” Angel asked, almost pleadingly, “Can you help me. I know you have the power to do it”
“We can turn you back into a demon with a soul,” said the male, “A champion of the people. But it will take time. Give us two hours and you’ll be restored”
Angel let out a sigh, a relaxing sigh, even though he knew what he was giving up. He was giving up Cordelia’s love and his own happiness so he could protect her
“Thank you,” he said
Cordelia and Doyle looked up when Angel walked into the office, a look on his face
“Angel man, are you okay?” Doyle asked
“Yeah, I guess. Cordelia, come with me”
She frowned as she followed Angel downstairs to his apartment
“What is it?” she asked, folding her arms
“I don’t think we can continue this,” Angel said
“Excuse me? What gave you that idea?” Cordelia demanded, “Oh wait. You’re running off back to Buffy, aren’t you?”
“What? No, I wouldn’t do that”
“Yes you are. Why else would you say that? I knew it. I knew you loved Buffy way before me. I wouldn’t even come close to her. So what was I to you, Angel?”
“The one person I care about the most now,” Angel said, “I’m not running back to Buffy. I would never do that to you guys, especially you”
Cordelia scoffed and looked away. What he was saying was hurting her deep to the core. She thought she actually had Angel now, but now it wasn’t to be and she couldn’t quite understand why
“I saw the Oracles,” Angel continued, “I’ve asked that they turn me back”
“What? Why?” Cordelia asked
“You saw me after the fight with the Mohra. People need protecting from creatures of the night. The apocalypse is coming. The people need a champion to protect them”
“So you asked the Oracles to turn you back? Why? Don’t you care about me?”
“I’ve already told you, I care more about you than anything else. This is why I saw them. Because I care. I can’t let you get killed because I couldn’t protect you. This is the only way. And I’m sorry Cordelia”
“Gee, thanks for consulting me on this”
“Maybe we could still be together”
“Oh I’m not entirely sure about that. The sex was great. Don’t know how I’m gonna live without that”
Angel smiled slightly and closed the gap
“Then how about I give you a lasting reminder?”
He placed a knuckle under her chin, lifting her face to his, as he kissed her. Cordelia kissed him back, her arms around him, as he did the same to her, before taking her to his bedroom
Angel sat on the couch, looking up at the clock. He had about three minutes to go. Cordelia was next to him, her hand clasped in his
“I’m sorry about this,” Angel said, “I really am, but this is the only way”
“Hey, I get it,” Cordelia said, “You have to be the hero of the people. You know this is gonna be awkward from now on. Seeing as we know each other intimately”
Angel smiled slightly
“I think we can still be together. It’ll be hard though, but I think we can make it”
“You really think so? Cause I sure hope so”
Angel looked up at the clock. One minute to go. He sighed and got up, as Cordelia joined him. He smiled at her, before pulling her into a hug
“Well, it was great while it lasted,” she said
Angel tilted her face to his, before giving her a kiss. The kiss got more passionate, as the time ticked away. With about fifteen seconds to go, Angel broke away and stepped back from her, closing his eyes, as the time came and his body was covered in a bright light. He groaned, feeling the pain of dying once again. The light faded and he stumbled, gasping even though he didn’t need to. All of his injuries were healed, as he headed towards the bathroom, unable to see himself in the mirror
“They did it,” Angel muttered, “They turned me back”
He looked at Cordelia, who for reason unknown to him, looked away
“Cordelia?”
“Did it really happen? Between us? Cause I find it hard, even though we just made love like thirty minutes ago. I find it weird. It’s like a dream”
“It wasn’t a dream. It really happened”
He rested his hands on her shoulders
“I’m sorry I had to do this”
“Say you’re sorry one more time,” she said, letting the threat hang
Angel smiled slightly
“We’ll work it out. We’ll get through it. Everything will be okay”
He leaned in towards her, but just then, Doyle rocked up in the apartment, looking like he just had a vision
“Doyle, are you okay?” Angel asked
“Yeah, just had a vision. Come on, I’ll tell you on the way over”
“We need to promote our business,” Cordelia said
Angel and Doyle exchanged glances. They had just come back from clearing out a nest of vampires Doyle saw in his vision. On the way over, Angel had told Doyle about being turned back into a vampire so he could continue to help people, something that had caught Doyle by surprise
“Oh, I don’t think so, Cordy,” Angel said, “I’m kinda tired”
He headed downstairs, as Doyle poured himself a glass of scotch
“Fine. He misses out on his small chance of stardom,” Cordelia said, “Doyle, come with me”
“Huh?”
“…When the chips are down, and you're at the end of your rope, you need someone that you can count on. And that's what you'll find here. Someone who'll go all the way, who'll protect you no matter what. So don't lose hope. Come on over to our offices, and you'll see that there's still heroes in this world...Is that it? Am I done?”
Cordelia frowned, as Doyle watched her
“I don’t know. I’ll see what I can do with. It looks good and all, but I feel it just needs to be…better”
“Better? I didn’t do a good job”
“You did a good job. But…oh I don’t know. It’s the best we’ve got”
“Ah, right then. I’m free to go then?”
“Yeah, okay”
Cordelia began removing the folders with Doyle’s message from the windows, as Doyle went to leave the office. However, he stumbled back, as a vision struck him. Doyle fell back onto the floor, as the vision passed and he shook his head to clear his sight
“Doyle, are you okay?” Cordelia asked, kneeling beside him
“I have to see Angel. Come on”
“So, how are things between you and Cordy?” Doyle asked
It was nighttime and he and Angel were at a rundown house, checking the place for the demons in Doyle’s vision. They weren’t evil demons, more like kind-hearted demons in desperate need of help
“I don’t know,” Angel admitted, “I think it’s gonna be difficult between us now”
“You think?” Doyle said, “You were human for a day and you two had a passionate night, am I correct? Then, you give up your humanity for your vampirism, which means you can’t be passionate. Yeah, it’s gonna be difficult”
“Aren’t you insightful?”
“Hey, it helps to be like that. Here we are. This is the room”
It was bare, apart from a few couches, chairs and a table with plates of food still on them. Doyle headed over and tasted one of them
“Still warm”
“There’s fear in the air. I can smell it”
Angel pulled the carpet aside, revealing a trapdoor. Upon opening it, he and Doyle saw about twelve or so Lister demons, looking up at them with scared eyes
“Don’t worry,” Angel said, “We’re here to help”
Cordelia arrived at the rundown house about an hour later, having hired a truck after getting a phone call from Angel. On the drive over, she thought about her relationship with the now-vampire, wondering if they should continue it, despite his curse. As she neared the house, she decided that if Angel wanted it, then she would continue it with him. In one day with him, she had experienced more love than she had ever felt in her life and it was something she needed. Sure, sex was out the window, but they still do other things, she hoped
Cordelia headed inside, noticing exactly how rundown the house was. Then, she came across five demons and froze. Her hand reached into her pocket and drew out an air freshener
“Keep back, I’ve got a demon repellent here and I’m not afraid to use it”
She sprayed a few times, as the lead Lister demon sniffed
“Evergreen,” he said
Just then, Doyle arrived, seeing Cordelia and pushed through the demons to get to her, taking her away into another room
“Where’s Angel?” she asked
“He’s helping the others. Do you have the truck?”
“Yes, it’s out front. Doyle, what’s going on? Those guys are demons?”
“Yeah, I know, but they’re good demons and they need help”
“Good demons. There are good demons? And we’re helping them?”
“Come on, Cordy, don’t be like that. And yes, we’re helping them get out of here”
She noted the fear in Doyle’s voice, even though he tried to disguise it
“Bad things are coming?”
“Very bad things. Come on, help me”
“Is there any more on the Scourge that you can tell me?” Angel asked
“They’re relentless,” replied the Lister leader, “They don’t stop until everything that’s in their way is dead”
“Don’t worry, we’ll get you of here, I promise you”
Angel turned around, seeing Cordelia and Doyle behind him
“You get the truck?” he asked
“Yes,” Cordelia replied
“Good, let’s get going. Come on. I’m heading out”
“Where are you going?” Cordelia asked
“Securing transport”
“You want me to carry people out of here?” the captain asked, “That’s not what I do”
“You’re gonna do this for me,” Angel said, “Your brother’s told you about me? About what I am?”
“Yeah, he said you bit him”
“I didn’t bite him”
“So you don’t-”
“I wasn’t hungry,” Angel said, close to the captain’s ear
“Okay, so what do you want me to say?”
“The ship is carrying untreated chemical waste. No one goes it. No one stops it from leaving the harbour. Got it?”
“Got it”
“This screws up, it’s your fault. Then look for me to get a little peckish”
And with that, Angel left, as the captain filled out the paperwork
“Angel’s got the ship,” Cordelia said, snapping her phone close
“Let’s go then,” Doyle said
He and Cordelia got into the truck, before driving off towards the harbour. About five minutes after they left, a group of Nazi-like demons arrived, forcing their way into the rundown house where the Lister demons had occupied several minutes before
“They were just here,” a demon cried
“When the lights come on, where do the vermin hide?”
He swept the rug aside, revealing the trapdoor. A soldier opened it, showing only emptiness. The leader sighed, as the rest of the soldiers searched throughout the house
“I can’t find my son,” the leader Lister demon cried
“What?” Cordelia cried, “And you failed to notice before?”
“I thought he was on the truck”
“It’s okay, Cordy, I’ll find him,” Doyle offered, “Pull over here”
She pulled over, as Doyle got out of the truck
“Keep going. You know where it is. We’ll meet up with you there”
Cordelia drove off and rounded the corner. Once the truck was gone, Doyle morphed and headed off in the other direction, searching for the Lister’s son and hopefully that he could find him before the Scourge did. He had never met the Scourge personally, but he had heard what they did the half-demons. He had even seen the evidence himself, after failing to help save a fellow band of Brachen demons. That’s when he had first gotten the visions. That’s why he was helping Angel out, to search for his own atonement for failing the Brachen demons. He had told Angel the story earlier after learning what the Lister demons were escaping from
Reiff, the son of the Lister demon leader, was off on his own. He didn’t want to be around when the Scourge slaughtered his family. He didn’t want to die. He had suffered persecution all his life and getting killed wasn’t at the top of his list. So, first chance he took; he doubled back off the truck and headed out into the night
“Hey”
Reiff looked back, seeing Doyle catching up to him
“You’re fast”
“I’m walking”
“You know, your family’s back there”
“Heading towards their deaths. We’re always running. From humans or extremists. I’m not gonna hang around while each and every one of them is killed”
“You don’t think we can’t help? That we can fight the Scourge and save you?”
“The Scourge is too strong. They just don’t stop. We’ll be running forever”
“You can think that if you think. But I know that running like this never helps”
“Yeah? You think you can help? Because your friend is the Promised One?”
“Maybe Angel isn’t the Promised One,” Doyle said, “But he’s a hero. The real deal. And I trust what he does. He always does things to the best of his ability”
Reiff sighed and looked away, before looking at the ground
“How about we get going huh? Your family’s waiting. And mark my words, we’re gonna get you out of here and away from the Scourge. No more running”
“You really think so?”
“I know so. Come on”
Doyle and Reiff headed off, but then the sound of marching came. And both demons instantly knew what that meant: death on feet was coming. The Scourge were nearby and any minute now, they would find Doyle and Reiff and kill them on the spot
“Come on, this way,” Doyle said
The pair ran off in the opposite direction, as the first of the Scourge rounded the corner, seeing the pair and chasing after them as their normal pace, knowing that they would be able to catch and kill them easily
“Where’s Angel?” Cordelia asked the captain
“He went out to get you guys. He thought you got lost,” the captain replied, “How many is there in total?”
“About twelve, maybe fifteen. There is one more out there. Doyle is bringing him in”
Cordelia got out her phone and dialled Angel’s number, but got no response. She also tried Doyle’s phone, but again, got no response
“Please let them be okay,” she thought as she helped the Lister demons
Doyle and Reiff ran into a rundown house and watched through the boarded windows as the Scourge appeared and began spreading out, bashing down doors in their relentless search for the pair
“You stay here,” Doyle said
His face morphed, as he raced outside, attracting the Scourge’s attention and running for his life, diverting them away from Reiff. Doyle ran down a street, as someone grabbed him and pulled inside. He was about to attack, before recognising the person as Angel, as they moved away from the windows, watching the Scourge run past
“What do we do now?” Doyle asked
“I’ve got a plan,” Angel said, grabbing Doyle by the jacket
“There’s nothing here,” a soldier reported
“Keep searching,” said the leader, “They can’t be far”
Just then, Angel, in game face, showed up, holding the demonised Doyle by the scruff of his neck, as he walked into the room
“Keep back, this is my kill,” Angel growled
“Vampires don’t drink demon blood,” the leader said coolly, “Your breed is the lowest of all demons”
“You think I don’t know that? I feel the humanity polluting me, day in and day out. I want to join you,” Angel said
“Please don’t-” Doyle cried
Angel snapped his neck and dropped him aside, the Scourge watching in surprise
“A demon that kills other demons. Impressive”
“I can find them faster and I can kill them a lot better than what you can do”
“Very well then. Take him away”
A couple of soldiers grabbed Angel and walked him out, as he cackled evilly like his other half. The rest of the Scourge followed after him, leaving Doyle’s body behind
“Where are they?” Cordelia said
She was wondering what was keeping Angel and Doyle, trying her best to keep her mind from the worse. She knew they could handle themselves, but she had been hearing stories about the Scourge from the Lister demons and her worries had skyrocketed up hearing them
“How much longer?” the captain asked
“Not much longer,” Cordelia replied, “But I can’t get hold of them”
“I’ll wait another twenty minutes. After that, I’m out of here”
“Okay then”
“God, please be okay”
Reiff entered the desolate house and came across Doyle’s body, his neck broken. Reiff touched Doyle’s body, just as he groaned, scaring the young Lister demon. Doyle sat up and snapped his neck right again, before resuming his human form
“I think I hated that plan. Come on, let’s get going”
Angel was in a room, surrounded by Scourge demons, as the leader stood on a stage and preached about hunting and destroy half-humans. Angel was dressed in a Scourge uniform, his hair brushed back and his game face still on, as the leader introduced a massive box-like weapon onto the stage
“This weapon, when fully charged, will detonate and sent out waves of power in every quarter mile. Anything with a drop of human blood caught in the path will be annihilated. We know where the Listers are. Now go and deliver our message”
The soldiers ran off, as Angel joined them, before hiding in the darkness, before stealing a motorcycle and racing off into the night, hoping to get to the boat before the Scourge arrived with their new weapon
“Twenty minutes is almost up,” the captain said
“Here they are,” Cordelia cried
Doyle and Reiff raced aboard, as Reiff headed down under to join his family
“What took you so long?” Cordelia demanded, “Where’s Angel?”
“I don’t know,” Doyle replied, “I hope he’s okay. We better go now”
“They’re coming?”
“They will be”
Next minute, Cordelia slapped him. He looked at her with an undignified look
“What was that for?”
“How come you never told us you were half-demon?”
“I told Angel. I wasn’t sure about you. Thought you’d reject me. Then you went with Angel and I thought, ‘why bother’?”
“So, you’re half-demon?” Cordelia cried, “Big whoop. Who cares? Hello, I work for a vampire. And actually…never mind. But you could have told me”
Doyle shrugged, before looking past her shoulder
“Angel’s here. Let’s get this ship going”
Angel got on board, having gotten rid of the Scourge uniform and was now wearing a dark green sweater and dark pants, his hair all spiky again
“God, I was worried about you,” Cordelia cried
She hugged him, as he hugged her back, pressing a kiss to her forehead
“Let’s get out of here,” Angel said, “Now”
“We’re on it,” Doyle said
Just then, the Scourge arrived, bringing their weapon with them. Doyle and Cordelia headed down under, as Angel remained, awaiting the first of the soldiers to arrive
“You lied, vampire,” the leader said
“Yeah, I know”
A soldier charged at Angel, getting thrown overboard, as Angel turned and kicked another soldier in the chest. A soldier swung at Angel, who caught his arm and elbowed him in the chest, throwing him aside and backhanding another soldier. Meanwhile, the rest of the Scourge had blocked all exits and were now lowering the Beacon into the cargo hold. The leader struck Angel, before kneeing him in the chest. Angel punched him, his second punch getting blocked, before throwing him into the cargo hold, getting dragged down with him
“When this is all over, we’ll be the ones left standing,” he said
“Actually, you’ll be one your ass,” Angel replied, snapping his neck
Doyle and Cordelia joined him on the walkway, looking at the Beacon
“What’s this?” Doyle asked
“A powerful weapon. Can we get out?”
“No, we’re trapped. Oh god, it’s fully charged, isn’t it?” Cordelia said
“If I can get to it, I can shut it off,” Angel said
“That thing will kill you,” Doyle said
Angel turned to him and gave him a small smile. Doyle realized what was going to happen. As did Cordelia. She lowered her head, refusing to let the tears fall, as Angel clapped Doyle on the shoulder and smiled
“Keep fighting the good fight,” Doyle said, “I get that now”
He struck Angel on the jaw, throwing him off the walkway, before pulling Cordelia close to him and giving her a passionate kiss. They broke apart, Cordelia in shock, as Doyle smiled at her, while Angel got to his feet
“Doyle, no”
“Too bad we’ll never get to know,” Doyle said, before morphing, “If this is the face you could learn to love”
“Doyle, no!” Angel cried
He raced up the stairs, trying to stop his friend, but Doyle leapt across to the Beacon, as Angel joined Cordelia. She had tears in her eyes, as Angel watched, helpless, unable to do anything, as Doyle started to disconnect the power. The Beacon was glowing dangerously, as Doyle gave his friends a smile and turned back to the power control, gripping it and using all of his strength to disconnect it. He lost his demon visage, but kept trying, even as his skin and flesh started to melt. The Beacon glowed brighter, just as Doyle disconnected the power. And as he did, the Beacon flashed, completely obliterating him. The Listers huddled together in sadness, touched by Doyle’s sacrifice, as Angel and Cordelia held each other, crying over their loss, as they looked at the place where their friend had just been a second ago
Chapter 1
“When did he get back?” Cordelia asked
“Late last night,” Doyle answered
“And? How was he?”
“He seemed fine”
Cordelia whirled around to face him, a horrified look on her face
“He wasn’t fine. He was in Sunnydale for three days. With Buffy”
She turned back to the window, watching as Angel moved about in his office, sorting out things on his desk
“Where’s the scowl? The gloomy mood. It just means it cut deeper than usual”
She turned back to Doyle
“Watch out, Hurricane Buffy is on its way”
“You think?” Doyle asked
“Trust me on this one”
She looked back, as Angel withdrew a stake from his drawer
“Oh no,” she gasped
Cordelia and Doyle burst into his office, as Angel looked at them puzzled
“Don’t do it,” Cordelia cried
“It’s not worth it,” Doyle added
“You’ll get over her. Give it time”
“Why don’t you give me that?”
“Because I need it to level my desk. The floor’s uneven”
Cordelia and Doyle watched as Angel lifted his desk and slid the stake under one of the legs, before looking at them with a small, amused smile on his face
“You actually think-?”
“Doyle did,” Cordelia said straightaway, “You know how he comes to conclusions”
“Uh-huh, right. Look, I’m fine. Buffy will always be a part of me. That will never change. She’s human…and I’m not, which won’t also change. But I avoided her”
“You avoided her?” Cordelia asked sceptically
“She didn’t even know I was there,” Angel continued, “It’s for the best. There’s no need to stir things up”
“I don’t know,” Cordelia said, “If my ex came back to town, stalking me from the shadows and left without saying hi, I’d be-”
“A little upset?”
All three whirled around to see Buffy standing in the doorway. Cordelia looked at Angel and saw that his jaw was hanging open, until he forced himself to close it
“Buffy, what are you doing here?” Angel asked
“I came to see my father”
“Buffy’s here,” Cordelia said, “Hi”
“Cordelia, how have you been?” the Slayer asked
“Good. Good. Well, this is Doyle. He gets visions of people in trouble”
“Nice to-” Doyle started
“And this is us leaving you two alone”
Cordelia dragged Doyle from the office, as Buffy closed the door behind them
“So, that’s Buffy?” Doyle asked
“Little bitty Buffy,” Cordelia answered, sitting at her desk
“Huh. She looked a little-”
“Bulgarian in that outfit?”
“Hurt was what I was gonna say”
“Uh-huh. There’s a lot of that when they’re together. Come on,” she said, grabbing her things
“Where are we going?” Doyle asked
“Get ourselves a cappuccino and possibly watch the director’s cut of the Titanic. Those two will be in there for a looong time. Best we leave it to them. Damn, I forgot the car keys”
She turned back to the desk, grabbing the keys to the Plymouth, as Buffy exited the office, before leaving the place without saying a word, while Cordelia and Doyle watched her go
“Must have been intense,” Cordelia said, “Come on”
“Shouldn’t we check on him?” Doyle said, “He might actually try and stake himself this time”
“Good point”
There came a crash, as Cordelia and Doyle rushed into the office, seeing Angel fighting against a green-skinned demon with bright blue eyes and wearing an armoured outfit similar to a samurai
“Oh damn, bad timing,” Cordelia said
Angel ducked under the demon’s blade and struck it across the face, as Doyle grabbed a nearby chair and rushed at the demon. It dodged the chair and kicked him against the wall, as Angel grabbed the demon’s sword arm and twisted it, plunging the sword into its stomach, spilling green blood. The demon punched Angel, before throwing him against the wall and diving out through the smashed window
“Angel, are you okay?” Cordelia asked
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Angel said, “What the hell was that?”
“I’ve got no idea,” Doyle said, getting up and shaking his head, “Packs a punch”
“Right. You two do some research, I’ll search for this thing. How was Buffy?”
“Left without saying a word,” Cordelia replied, “Probably sulking and you?”
“I’m not sulking. I’m fine”
He headed downstairs, as Cordelia turned to Doyle
“Yeah, I’m sure he’s just fine. I’m surprised the world didn’t end”
“Does that really happen when they get together?”
“Last time it nearly did”
††††††††††
Angel patrolled through the sewer tunnels, tracking down the demon by its blood. He was in brood mode. He hadn’t expected Buffy to follow him back to Los Angeles to discuss his recent trip to Sunnydale. He had been there to protect her from the baddies in Doyle’s vision, keeping out of her sight, as he thought of her as important that he didn’t want to tell her. He didn’t want to stir up old feelings, preferring to keep his distance until enough time passed…to forget, as Buffy put it. It would be best if they forget about each other until the time came when they would be together again
His instincts came alive when he heard a growl, whirling around and holding his hand out, as the Mohra demon sliced through his palm. Angel hissed in pain, his face morphing as he gripped his halberd axe with both hands. The Mohra growled and clashed blades with Angel; trading equal blows with one another. Angel whirled around and slashed, as the Mohra ducked and stabbed. Angel twisted his axe, blocking the move, before slicing at the demon’s chest, as it blocked and sliced the wooden handle in half
Angel dodged the blade coming at his chest, smacking the sword out of the Mohra’s hands, kicking it in the chest. The Mohra drew a small dagger, slashing at Angel, as he blocked the blows, before catching its wrist and slamming his axe handle upon it. The Mohra punched him in the face, as Angel backhanded, losing his axe handle when the Mohra grabbed and kneed his wrist. He responded by driving his knee into the Mohra’s stomach, before impaling it through the chest with its own dagger. Its blood spilled onto Angel’s cut hand, as the Mohra fell down. Angel resumed his human face, stepping away from the demon and looking at his hand. Both the Mohra’s and his blood was sucked into the wound, which instantly healed
Angel fell to his knees, gasping in pain as a light swept through him and he fell forward, catching him on his other hand. He continued gasping, sucking in much needed air, as he heard a faint unfamiliar, but not unknown sound
His own heart beating
Chapter 2
Doyle and Cordelia looked up when Angel walked into the office. He was carrying his coat in one hand and had a stunned look on his face
“Are you okay?” Doyle asked, “How’d it go?”
“I found the demon and I killed it. And some of its blood mixed with mine-”
“Hey, you just walked right off the front street,” Cordelia cried, “You’ve-”
“Yeah,” Angel said
“Got an umbrella”
Doyle stood closer to Angel, as a look overcame him. Cordelia watched as he headed towards the window, standing in the sunlight and recognition washed over her
“He’s alive, Cordy,” Doyle said, “He’s human”
“Whoa”
Angel smiled as he enjoyed the sunlight for the first time in over two hundred years
“I wanna know what type of demon that was,” he said
“Well, this is great,” Cordelia said, “You’re human. Now you can do whatever you want. Now we can go to the beach without you bursting into flames like last time”
Angel turned around and looked at Cordelia, a small smile on his face
“God, I am so hungry”
He rushed past her, as she yelped and moved behind Doyle, the pair watching as he opened the refrigerator and began eating everything inside
“Oh God. Food!” Angel cried happily, “I’ve forgotten how good it tastes”
“And they didn’t have cookie fudge choc mint in your day,” Cordelia said
“Ooh, can you get me some?”
“It’ll go straight to your thighs”
“Okay, we need to slow down here,” Doyle said
“Mmm. Chocolate, I love chocolate,” Angel said giddily, “But as it turns out, not yoghurt”
“Angel, we need to focus here”
“You’re right,” Angel agreed, instantly stopping his mad eating, “And now my stomach’s killing me”
“We need to find the demon,” Doyle continued, picking up the Book of Kelsor, “Let’s see what we can find in here”
“Well, you know what it looked like,” Angel said, eating a chocolate biscuit, “I’m gonna head downstairs”
He grabbed an apple and ate it as he headed downstairs, while Cordelia watched him go, before leaning over Doyle’s shoulder as he searched for the demon
“Ah-ha. Here it is. It was a Mohra demon. Soldier of Darkness”
“Well you know that’s always cheery,” Cordelia muttered, “Anything else on it”
“Used to assassinate warriors of good. People like Angel. Its blood has regenerative properties. There it is. That explains Angel”
“I’ll go tell him”
Cordelia headed downstairs, where she found Angel sorting through his fridge, taking out the packets of blood and emptying them down the sink
“Hi, Cordy. Did you find it?”
“Yep. It’s a Mohra demon. Assassin. Soldier of darkness. Blood can regenerate things, especially turning vampires into humans”
“So that’s it,” Angel said, “That explains how. Doesn’t explain why?”
“Who cares,” Cordelia said, “You’re human. Yay. You can do whatever. Who cares about the hows or whys?”
“But how long will this last? Is it permanent?”
“If you’re so worried about that, why are you emptying out your blood?”
“Because I don’t need it. Where’s Doyle? He’s connected to the Powers. Maybe they know something. Maybe he can take me to them”
“Okay then. He’s upstairs. Have fun”
Angel headed upstairs, where he found Doyle still reading the book
“So you found it?”
“Yeah, I did. Congrats, you’re human now”
“For how long? You’re connected to the Powers. Take me to them”
“I can’t. I’m a messenger. Besides, the Powers don’t live in our reality. The only way to them is through channels. Dangerous channels”
“I don’t care. I need to talk to them”
“Okay, we can try the Oracles. When they turn you into a toad, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Come on”
††††††††††
“The realm of answers is under the post office?” Angel said
“Makes sense, don’t you think?” Doyle said
They were in a small underground room, with a bowl pedestal in the centre and an archway before them with a message in Latin written upon it. Doyle was busy mixing ingredients together into the bowl
“Now listen, when you get in, ask your questions and get out. No dilly-dally. The Oracles are dangerous and unpredictable. And if I’ve done this right-”
Doyle lit the items up, creating a small flame
“We beseech access to the knowing ones. We might make it out alive”
A flash of light appeared under the archway
“You’re in,” Doyle said
“Aren’t you coming?”
“I’m just a messenger”
Angel walked into the light and entered a large room. Two people, a man and woman, stood across from him. Both had golden skin with blue markings, similar to Celtic markings, and wore black robes
“Come before us, lower being,” said the male Oracle
“What have you brought us?” asked the female
“Huh?”
“You come here and bring no offering?”
Angel mentally growled at Doyle, before taking his watch off and holding it up
“Got this?”
The female Oracle telekinetically summoned the watch from his hand to hers
“I like time. There’s so much and so little of it”
“So? What do you ask of us?” the male Oracle asked
“The Mohra demon. It turned me human. What does that mean?”
“It’s true. He is human now,” said the female Oracle
“He is no longer a warrior of our cause,” said the male Oracle
“It wasn’t the Powers?” Angel asked
“The Powers?” the male scoffed, “Did you avert the apocalypse? Save humanity?”
“You fought a demon, plain and simple. Life goes on”
“I’m not poisoned? This is permanent?”
“The auguries say no,” said the female after a slight pause
“From this day forth, you shall live your life as a human,” said the male
“Life as a human now?”
“You are no longer part of what we do,” said the female, “You are free”
“You have been released. Now leave us”
A bright flash of light blasted Angel back into the underground room and into Doyle’s arm, knocking them both down. Angel got up, looking back at the archway
“Well?” Doyle asked
“Well, I’m human. It’s permanent. And next time, Doyle, remind me to get a gift”
“Knew I forgot something. Well, come on, I think it’s time to celebrate”
“Celebrate?”
“Go out and get pissed. It’ll be fun…apart from the hangovers which are just as bad as the visions”
“I don’t think so, Doyle. I’m not ready for that just yet”
“Oh well. I’ll go and celebrate for ya. And when you’re ready, you know where to find me”
Angel and Doyle left the room, heading back to the office
Chapter 3
“So, what did you find out?” Cordelia asked, “Where’s Doyle?”
“He’s out celebrating,” Angel replied, “And that I’m permanently human. I’m free”
“Oh right, well, congratulations. And why aren’t you out there with Doyle?”
“I don’t know. I don’t feel like getting drunk. Not just yet”
“Well, great. Now I can take you to the beach”
“Huh?”
“I’m taking you to the beach. You need a tan. I’ve already got you a few things”
She pointed to a bag on the couch, before grabbing her own bag of belongings
“Come on, broody, the beach is calling us”
“Okay then”
Angel grabbed the bag and followed after Cordelia, hopping into the Plymouth and driving off towards the beach with the roof down and enjoying the sunlight. They arrived at the beach, as Cordelia headed off to get changed, leaving Angel to set up. He managed to get everything set, before changing into board shorts, as Cordelia returned, wearing a two-piece bikini and a sarong. And Angel found himself checking her out, despite trying to ignore the way her body moved and tell himself that she was his employee and friend, nothing else
“Angel, have you tanned all of a sudden?” Cordelia asked playfully
She had noticed Angel checking her out and was pleased with herself, enjoying how he blushed and became uncomfortable. Now he can blush, which is great, Cordelia thought. Now he can go out into the sunlight and not go up in flames. Now he could actually have a life
“I’m gonna go for a swim,” she said, taking her sarong off, “Coming in?”
“Huh? Oh…yeah, I suppose, why not?”
He got up, taking his shirt off and tossing it aside, not noticing Cordelia checking his torso out, as he headed towards the ocean and dived in
“Come on in. it’s great,” he called out once he surfaced
Cordelia waded in slowly, as Angel swam about, enjoying human life. He’d been human for several hours now and he loved every moment of it. He looked over at Cordelia and saw her standing there in waist-deep water. A thought came to mind and he dived under, swimming towards her, before rising up beneath her and swooping her up into his arms, getting a shriek out of her
“Angel! Put me down”
“If you insist,” he grinned
He dunked her in the water and she came up, sputtering for air, rinsing the water out of her hair, as Angel laughed at her. She growled, splashing water at him, as he splashed her back, before diving under the water again
“Okay, Angel, where’d you go,” Cordelia said
He rose up behind her, grabbing her around the waist and lifting her out of the water easily, as she squealed
“Put me down, but don’t dunk me please”
Angel sighed and set her down gently, before splashing water in her face. Cordelia coughed and glared at Angel, as he grinned back at her. She smiled slightly and walked over to Angel, as he frowned at her
“What are you up to?” he asked
She grinned, before grabbing his board shorts and yanking them down. Angel yelped and jumped back, falling over as he tried to fix up his shorts, as Cordelia laughed, exiting the ocean
††††††††††
“Did you have fun?” Cordelia asked later that afternoon
“Yeah, I did,” Angel replied, throwing the bags onto the couch, “For the first time in a long time”
“That’s good then. By the way, I call dibs on the shower”
She headed downstairs, as Angel checked the message banks. Luckily for them, no calls had come through, as Angel headed downstairs, hearing the shower running. He unpacked the bags and hung out the clothes to dry, waiting for Cordelia to get out of the shower. Once she did, he went for one as well, before getting dressed and joining her in the kitchen, where she was at the table, brushing her hair out
“You know, I’m still not quite used to it,” Angel said, “Being human”
“Give it a few days,” Cordelia said, “You’ll be used to it. And there will many more days like this one”
“I sure hope so. It would be great”
“God, now you’re gonna have to get a job. Damn, so do I. All I’m good for is international superstardom or helping a vampire with a soul save the world from evil. That makes for a short, but colourful resume”
“Don’t worry, Cordy, we’ll figure something out,” Angel said, “God, I have to get everything. Birth certificate, social security number, everything”
Cordelia got up and joined him by the bench, resting her hand on his
“Like you said, we’ll figure something out. We’ll be okay”
Angel looked down at their hands and entwined their fingers together
“Thanks for today, Cordy,” he said, kissing her knuckles, “It was great”
Cordelia looked up at him, as he leaned closer. She did the same, as their lips touched together. She pressed herself into him, throwing her arms around his neck, as he wrapped his arms around her waist, only breaking the kiss to breathe, both having no idea of what had just come over them
“Cordy…I don’t…know. I mean…”
“Shh…who cares? We’ll worry later”
Angel kissed her again, as it started to get passionate. He lifted her up with ease, pressing her against the fridge. He removed her robe, as her hands roamed over his bare chest. Angel couldn’t understand why he was doing this, why he was kissing Cordelia, but at the moment, he didn’t really care. He was caught up in the passion, as was Cordelia. She was having the same thoughts, but all reason flew out the window as he took her towards his room and laid her down on the bed
“Only if you say yes,” Angel said, voice thick with lust and passion
“Of course,” Cordelia said, “I want you, Angel”
He kissed her with passion once again, as they lost themselves in each other
††††††††††
“Get the chocolate. And don’t forget the peanut butter,” Cordelia said
Angel grabbed the requested food and huddled back to the bed, where Cordelia was wearing one of his black sweaters, while he was just plain nude, dumping the food onto the bed and joining her. After an hour of passion together, they had decided to ignore the awkwardness and just let things play out. So far, both were quite enjoying themselves in each other’s company and what they had just done together
“God, I love food,” Angel grinned, eating a chocolate bar
“Food is good. Chocolate is great,” Cordelia said
Buffy was far from Angel’s mind. All he could think about now was Cordelia and how he could enjoy his humanity with her. She was all that mattered to him right now. He still couldn’t quite get over what they had just done or why, but he wasn’t caring right now. He had a life and right now, it was with Cordelia…Buffy be damned. He had felt more happiness with Cordelia in one day than he ever had with Buffy back in Sunnydale for the last three years. He felt content being with Cordelia
“This is great,” Angel said, “I can look forward to doing this every day”
“I’m sure you can, mister,” Cordelia smiled, “And you’re staying here”
“Of course. I’m not going anywhere”
“Good. Make sure you keep it that way”
††††††††††
Doyle was down at the nearest bar, having a few drinks in celebration of Angel’s humanity. He had thought it a shame that Angel wasn’t here with him, but respected that Angel didn’t want to get smashed just yet. But he will soon and Doyle would be there with him. As he down his sixth shot of the day, he thought about what he was going to now. Angel had been released, which meant there was no need for visions
“Argh!”
Doyle smacked his head against the counter, cringing in pain, as a vision shot through his mind. He saw the Mohra demon in the sewer tunnels where Angel killed it, bigger and stronger. Then he smelled salt, as the vision stopped
“Oh God. We’re in trouble,” Doyle said
Chapter 4
Doyle arrived at the office, surprised to see that Angel or Cordelia weren’t about. He noted that Cordelia’s things were on her desk, but she wasn’t in sight. Neither was the ex-vampire. Frowning, Doyle headed downstairs, finding a few clothes lying around
“Oh no,” he thought
He looked towards Angel’s bedroom and saw the pair lying asleep in Angel’s bed, empty ice cream buckets and chocolate wrappers lying on the floor. Doyle threw his hands up, as Angel opened his eyes and saw him
“Doyle”
The half-demon headed for the stairs, as Angel threw on a pair of pants and hurried after his friend, catching him at the top of the stairs
“Doyle, I can explain”
“Explain what? We were finally getting somewhere. Not much, but it was somewhere. And then you turn human and sweet-talk her into your bed”
“It just happened, Doyle. Look, I’m sorry, but it just happened…and I’m happy about it. She’s made me feel so happy in one day than I had ever felt”
Doyle sighed, shaking his head. He was hurt after what he had just seen. Angel was also feeling a small twinge of guilt at his friend’s pain
“Okay, I’ll get over it, say in three years time. But that’s not why I’m here”
“Okay, so what is it?”
“I had a vision earlier. That Mohra demon you killed. It’s not dead. It’s back. It’s regenerated itself and it’s pretty pissed off”
“Then I’ll just kill it again,” Angel said
“You can’t, Angel. You’ve been released. Plus, you’re human now”
“I can’t let it roam the streets, Doyle. Get the book of Kelsor”
Angel headed downstairs, getting dressed and grabbing a sword, before looking at Cordelia’s sleeping form. She looked so peaceful and Angel couldn’t bring himself to wake her up. With a small smile on his face, he joined Doyle upstairs, heading out to the car, as Doyle read from the book
“Requires vast amount of salt to survive,” he said
“It was heading towards the ocean,” Angel said, putting the car into reverse
“Oh damn. It doesn’t just come back, it comes back bigger and stronger”
“Anything else in your vision?”
“Uh, salt? Needs salt to live”
“There’s a saline plant in Redondo. We’ll check it out”
He threw the car into drive and took off onto the road
††††††††††
Angel and Doyle arrived at the saline plant, searching for the Mohra demon
“How do I kill it?” Angel asked
“Uh, it lives until the darkness it envisions is upon us…here it is. To destroy the Mohra, one must bring darkness to 1000 eyes”
“I only saw two – oh god!”
The pair had come across several corpses, blood splattering the ground
“The blood,” Angel gasped
“Yeah, it’s not easy. Part of being human,” Doyle reassured
“I’m gonna kill it”
They walked past the bodies, as Doyle continued reading
“It’s fast, strong…and here,” he said, looking up
The Mohra jumped off the ledge, landing between the pair and separating them. Angel swung his sword, as the Mohra drew its own sword and blocked, kicking Angel in the stomach, causing him to gasp in pain and suck air, as Doyle swung his small, long-handled axe. The Mohra blocked the weapon, swinging Doyle around, as Angel recovered and slashed. He blocked and thrown aside, as Doyle attacked, but he was kicked through several barrels, getting knocked unconscious. Meanwhile, Angel got up, wincing in pain, as the Mohra knocked the sword out of his hands and slashed. Angel ducked, punching the demon, as it backhanded him through the air easily. Angel hit the ground hard, before getting to his feet and running away, as the Mohra followed him with a smile on its face
††††††††††
Cordelia woke up and stretched her arms around, surprised to see that Angel wasn’t in bed with her. She sat up, confused, before getting out of bed and getting dressed. Angel wasn’t anywhere in sight, as she headed upstairs and found a note on her desk. Her heart pounded loudly, afraid of what the note would say, but she picked it up and read it. At first, her fears slid away when she realized that he hadn’t gone far, but then it came back, pounding in her chest when she read what he was doing
“Oh God no,” she gasped, “Angel”
††††††††††
Angel coughed up blood, as he kicked the Mohra in the stomach, making it take a few steps back, as he got to his feet and continued running. The Mohra was enjoying this, while Angel was beaten black and blue, blood covering his body, as the Mohra unfurled a chain and whipped it about. Angel dodged the first two swings, sparks flying up from contact with the concrete, as the Mohra kicked him onto his back. Angel crawled away, as the Mohra swung the chain, smashing through the wooden doors Angel was lying on. They both fell through the air, landing in a salt deposit. The Mohra swiftly got its feet, drawing a small sword, as Angel tried to find a weapon to no avail. The Mohra walked over and planted its foot on Angel’s back, pinning him down
“The End of Days has begun and cannot be stopped,” it said, “For each of us that fails, ten shall rise”
It raised its sword, prepared to deliver the killing blow, as Doyle dropped in on the demon, knocking it away from Angel. He coughed, relived the pressure was gone from his back, as Doyle gripped his axe
“I’m not gonna leave ya, Angel,” he said
The Mohra grinned, swinging its sword around, as Angel looked up at it. And realization came to him when he saw the jewel centred in the demon’s forehead. The Mohra charged at Doyle, who managed to block a few blows, before being shoved against the wall, as the Mohra raised its sword
“Hey”
The Mohra whirled around to face Angel, who was barely able to stand. The Mohra turned away from Doyle, as Angel swung the chain, striking the jewel. The Mohra cried out, as its jewel cracked and it was covered in a bright light, disappearing from view. Angel fell over, as Doyle hurried to his side
“God, you’re beaten up,” he said, “Come on, let’s get you out of here”
††††††††††
Cordelia paced the office, worried about Angel. What was he thinking, going out to face the Mohra demon? Was he insane, suicidal or both? And they were just starting to have a relationship, a happy relationship, not an angsty one like the one he had with Buffy. Stupid, stupid Angel. If he was alive still, he wouldn’t be for long when she was through with him. The front door bell chimed
“Thank go- Angel?” Cordelia said
Angel was barely conscious and standing, hanging off Doyle, who looked a little better than the ex-vampire. Cordelia rushed to his side, helping him lie down on the couch. The thought of yelling at Angel went out the window. How could she, especially when he looked like that, all beaten up and bloodied
“What happened?” Cordelia asked
“We found the Mohra demon. Beat the hell out of Angel, but he managed to kill it. Permanently this time might I add”
“Are you stupid? What made you go out there and fight the demon?”
“Angel wanted to,” Doyle said, “I just gave him the vision”
“Get me the first-aid kit”
Doyle grabbed the kit and handed it to Cordelia, who started to get to work on Angel’s injuries. He flinched at the slight touch, breathing heavily, as Cordelia patched up his wounds and wiped the blood away, refusing to let tears fall at the sight of her lover
“I’m gonna head home,” Doyle said, “Let me know how he goes”
He left the office, as Cordelia continued her work
“Cordy…I’m sorry”
“Shh, it’s gonna be okay. It’s gonna be okay”
Chapter 5
“What have you brought us?” asked the male Oracle
“Got you this,” Angel replied, holding up a vase, “Ching dynasty”
The female Oracle summoned the gift to her hand, enjoying the craftsmanship
“Well?” asked the male
“The Mohra said something about the End of Days,” Angel said, “I want to know if what he was said is true”
“As all things that can be said are,” replied the female
Angel swallowed. That could only mean one thing. Cordelia would die
“But…then my friends will die…especially Cordelia. I’m here to beg for her life”
“It’s not our place to grant life or death,” said the male Oracle
“Then take mine back,” Angel continued, “Look, I can’t protect her or anyone. Not as a man. I nearly died trying to kill the Mohra last night”
“You’re asking to be what you were?” asked the female, “A demon with a soul? Because of this Cordelia?”
“This is a matter of love,” said the male, “It doesn’t concern us”
“Yes it does,” Angel said, “The End of Days is coming. The Mohra said that. I’m the only one who can stop it or at least slow its march down. The Mohra came to take a warrior from your cause and it succeeded. I’m no good to you like this”
“Temporal folds are not to indulge the whims of lower beings,” said the male
“You’re wrong,” said the female sharply, “This one is willing to sacrifice every drop of human happiness and love he's ever known for another. He is not a lower being”
“So, can you do it?” Angel asked, almost pleadingly, “Can you help me. I know you have the power to do it”
“We can turn you back into a demon with a soul,” said the male, “A champion of the people. But it will take time. Give us two hours and you’ll be restored”
Angel let out a sigh, a relaxing sigh, even though he knew what he was giving up. He was giving up Cordelia’s love and his own happiness so he could protect her
“Thank you,” he said
††††††††††
Cordelia and Doyle looked up when Angel walked into the office, a look on his face
“Angel man, are you okay?” Doyle asked
“Yeah, I guess. Cordelia, come with me”
She frowned as she followed Angel downstairs to his apartment
“What is it?” she asked, folding her arms
“I don’t think we can continue this,” Angel said
“Excuse me? What gave you that idea?” Cordelia demanded, “Oh wait. You’re running off back to Buffy, aren’t you?”
“What? No, I wouldn’t do that”
“Yes you are. Why else would you say that? I knew it. I knew you loved Buffy way before me. I wouldn’t even come close to her. So what was I to you, Angel?”
“The one person I care about the most now,” Angel said, “I’m not running back to Buffy. I would never do that to you guys, especially you”
Cordelia scoffed and looked away. What he was saying was hurting her deep to the core. She thought she actually had Angel now, but now it wasn’t to be and she couldn’t quite understand why
“I saw the Oracles,” Angel continued, “I’ve asked that they turn me back”
“What? Why?” Cordelia asked
“You saw me after the fight with the Mohra. People need protecting from creatures of the night. The apocalypse is coming. The people need a champion to protect them”
“So you asked the Oracles to turn you back? Why? Don’t you care about me?”
“I’ve already told you, I care more about you than anything else. This is why I saw them. Because I care. I can’t let you get killed because I couldn’t protect you. This is the only way. And I’m sorry Cordelia”
“Gee, thanks for consulting me on this”
“Maybe we could still be together”
“Oh I’m not entirely sure about that. The sex was great. Don’t know how I’m gonna live without that”
Angel smiled slightly and closed the gap
“Then how about I give you a lasting reminder?”
He placed a knuckle under her chin, lifting her face to his, as he kissed her. Cordelia kissed him back, her arms around him, as he did the same to her, before taking her to his bedroom
††††††††††
Angel sat on the couch, looking up at the clock. He had about three minutes to go. Cordelia was next to him, her hand clasped in his
“I’m sorry about this,” Angel said, “I really am, but this is the only way”
“Hey, I get it,” Cordelia said, “You have to be the hero of the people. You know this is gonna be awkward from now on. Seeing as we know each other intimately”
Angel smiled slightly
“I think we can still be together. It’ll be hard though, but I think we can make it”
“You really think so? Cause I sure hope so”
Angel looked up at the clock. One minute to go. He sighed and got up, as Cordelia joined him. He smiled at her, before pulling her into a hug
“Well, it was great while it lasted,” she said
Angel tilted her face to his, before giving her a kiss. The kiss got more passionate, as the time ticked away. With about fifteen seconds to go, Angel broke away and stepped back from her, closing his eyes, as the time came and his body was covered in a bright light. He groaned, feeling the pain of dying once again. The light faded and he stumbled, gasping even though he didn’t need to. All of his injuries were healed, as he headed towards the bathroom, unable to see himself in the mirror
“They did it,” Angel muttered, “They turned me back”
He looked at Cordelia, who for reason unknown to him, looked away
“Cordelia?”
“Did it really happen? Between us? Cause I find it hard, even though we just made love like thirty minutes ago. I find it weird. It’s like a dream”
“It wasn’t a dream. It really happened”
He rested his hands on her shoulders
“I’m sorry I had to do this”
“Say you’re sorry one more time,” she said, letting the threat hang
Angel smiled slightly
“We’ll work it out. We’ll get through it. Everything will be okay”
He leaned in towards her, but just then, Doyle rocked up in the apartment, looking like he just had a vision
“Doyle, are you okay?” Angel asked
“Yeah, just had a vision. Come on, I’ll tell you on the way over”
††††††††††
“We need to promote our business,” Cordelia said
Angel and Doyle exchanged glances. They had just come back from clearing out a nest of vampires Doyle saw in his vision. On the way over, Angel had told Doyle about being turned back into a vampire so he could continue to help people, something that had caught Doyle by surprise
“Oh, I don’t think so, Cordy,” Angel said, “I’m kinda tired”
He headed downstairs, as Doyle poured himself a glass of scotch
“Fine. He misses out on his small chance of stardom,” Cordelia said, “Doyle, come with me”
“Huh?”
††††††††††
“…When the chips are down, and you're at the end of your rope, you need someone that you can count on. And that's what you'll find here. Someone who'll go all the way, who'll protect you no matter what. So don't lose hope. Come on over to our offices, and you'll see that there's still heroes in this world...Is that it? Am I done?”
Cordelia frowned, as Doyle watched her
“I don’t know. I’ll see what I can do with. It looks good and all, but I feel it just needs to be…better”
“Better? I didn’t do a good job”
“You did a good job. But…oh I don’t know. It’s the best we’ve got”
“Ah, right then. I’m free to go then?”
“Yeah, okay”
Cordelia began removing the folders with Doyle’s message from the windows, as Doyle went to leave the office. However, he stumbled back, as a vision struck him. Doyle fell back onto the floor, as the vision passed and he shook his head to clear his sight
“Doyle, are you okay?” Cordelia asked, kneeling beside him
“I have to see Angel. Come on”
Chapter 6
“So, how are things between you and Cordy?” Doyle asked
It was nighttime and he and Angel were at a rundown house, checking the place for the demons in Doyle’s vision. They weren’t evil demons, more like kind-hearted demons in desperate need of help
“I don’t know,” Angel admitted, “I think it’s gonna be difficult between us now”
“You think?” Doyle said, “You were human for a day and you two had a passionate night, am I correct? Then, you give up your humanity for your vampirism, which means you can’t be passionate. Yeah, it’s gonna be difficult”
“Aren’t you insightful?”
“Hey, it helps to be like that. Here we are. This is the room”
It was bare, apart from a few couches, chairs and a table with plates of food still on them. Doyle headed over and tasted one of them
“Still warm”
“There’s fear in the air. I can smell it”
Angel pulled the carpet aside, revealing a trapdoor. Upon opening it, he and Doyle saw about twelve or so Lister demons, looking up at them with scared eyes
“Don’t worry,” Angel said, “We’re here to help”
†††††††††††
Cordelia arrived at the rundown house about an hour later, having hired a truck after getting a phone call from Angel. On the drive over, she thought about her relationship with the now-vampire, wondering if they should continue it, despite his curse. As she neared the house, she decided that if Angel wanted it, then she would continue it with him. In one day with him, she had experienced more love than she had ever felt in her life and it was something she needed. Sure, sex was out the window, but they still do other things, she hoped
Cordelia headed inside, noticing exactly how rundown the house was. Then, she came across five demons and froze. Her hand reached into her pocket and drew out an air freshener
“Keep back, I’ve got a demon repellent here and I’m not afraid to use it”
She sprayed a few times, as the lead Lister demon sniffed
“Evergreen,” he said
Just then, Doyle arrived, seeing Cordelia and pushed through the demons to get to her, taking her away into another room
“Where’s Angel?” she asked
“He’s helping the others. Do you have the truck?”
“Yes, it’s out front. Doyle, what’s going on? Those guys are demons?”
“Yeah, I know, but they’re good demons and they need help”
“Good demons. There are good demons? And we’re helping them?”
“Come on, Cordy, don’t be like that. And yes, we’re helping them get out of here”
She noted the fear in Doyle’s voice, even though he tried to disguise it
“Bad things are coming?”
“Very bad things. Come on, help me”
†††††††††††
“Is there any more on the Scourge that you can tell me?” Angel asked
“They’re relentless,” replied the Lister leader, “They don’t stop until everything that’s in their way is dead”
“Don’t worry, we’ll get you of here, I promise you”
Angel turned around, seeing Cordelia and Doyle behind him
“You get the truck?” he asked
“Yes,” Cordelia replied
“Good, let’s get going. Come on. I’m heading out”
“Where are you going?” Cordelia asked
“Securing transport”
†††††††††††
“You want me to carry people out of here?” the captain asked, “That’s not what I do”
“You’re gonna do this for me,” Angel said, “Your brother’s told you about me? About what I am?”
“Yeah, he said you bit him”
“I didn’t bite him”
“So you don’t-”
“I wasn’t hungry,” Angel said, close to the captain’s ear
“Okay, so what do you want me to say?”
“The ship is carrying untreated chemical waste. No one goes it. No one stops it from leaving the harbour. Got it?”
“Got it”
“This screws up, it’s your fault. Then look for me to get a little peckish”
And with that, Angel left, as the captain filled out the paperwork
†††††††††††
“Angel’s got the ship,” Cordelia said, snapping her phone close
“Let’s go then,” Doyle said
He and Cordelia got into the truck, before driving off towards the harbour. About five minutes after they left, a group of Nazi-like demons arrived, forcing their way into the rundown house where the Lister demons had occupied several minutes before
“They were just here,” a demon cried
“When the lights come on, where do the vermin hide?”
He swept the rug aside, revealing the trapdoor. A soldier opened it, showing only emptiness. The leader sighed, as the rest of the soldiers searched throughout the house
†††††††††††
“I can’t find my son,” the leader Lister demon cried
“What?” Cordelia cried, “And you failed to notice before?”
“I thought he was on the truck”
“It’s okay, Cordy, I’ll find him,” Doyle offered, “Pull over here”
She pulled over, as Doyle got out of the truck
“Keep going. You know where it is. We’ll meet up with you there”
Cordelia drove off and rounded the corner. Once the truck was gone, Doyle morphed and headed off in the other direction, searching for the Lister’s son and hopefully that he could find him before the Scourge did. He had never met the Scourge personally, but he had heard what they did the half-demons. He had even seen the evidence himself, after failing to help save a fellow band of Brachen demons. That’s when he had first gotten the visions. That’s why he was helping Angel out, to search for his own atonement for failing the Brachen demons. He had told Angel the story earlier after learning what the Lister demons were escaping from
†††††††††††
Reiff, the son of the Lister demon leader, was off on his own. He didn’t want to be around when the Scourge slaughtered his family. He didn’t want to die. He had suffered persecution all his life and getting killed wasn’t at the top of his list. So, first chance he took; he doubled back off the truck and headed out into the night
“Hey”
Reiff looked back, seeing Doyle catching up to him
“You’re fast”
“I’m walking”
“You know, your family’s back there”
“Heading towards their deaths. We’re always running. From humans or extremists. I’m not gonna hang around while each and every one of them is killed”
“You don’t think we can’t help? That we can fight the Scourge and save you?”
“The Scourge is too strong. They just don’t stop. We’ll be running forever”
“You can think that if you think. But I know that running like this never helps”
“Yeah? You think you can help? Because your friend is the Promised One?”
“Maybe Angel isn’t the Promised One,” Doyle said, “But he’s a hero. The real deal. And I trust what he does. He always does things to the best of his ability”
Reiff sighed and looked away, before looking at the ground
“How about we get going huh? Your family’s waiting. And mark my words, we’re gonna get you out of here and away from the Scourge. No more running”
“You really think so?”
“I know so. Come on”
Doyle and Reiff headed off, but then the sound of marching came. And both demons instantly knew what that meant: death on feet was coming. The Scourge were nearby and any minute now, they would find Doyle and Reiff and kill them on the spot
“Come on, this way,” Doyle said
The pair ran off in the opposite direction, as the first of the Scourge rounded the corner, seeing the pair and chasing after them as their normal pace, knowing that they would be able to catch and kill them easily
Chapter 7
“Where’s Angel?” Cordelia asked the captain
“He went out to get you guys. He thought you got lost,” the captain replied, “How many is there in total?”
“About twelve, maybe fifteen. There is one more out there. Doyle is bringing him in”
Cordelia got out her phone and dialled Angel’s number, but got no response. She also tried Doyle’s phone, but again, got no response
“Please let them be okay,” she thought as she helped the Lister demons
††††††††††
Doyle and Reiff ran into a rundown house and watched through the boarded windows as the Scourge appeared and began spreading out, bashing down doors in their relentless search for the pair
“You stay here,” Doyle said
His face morphed, as he raced outside, attracting the Scourge’s attention and running for his life, diverting them away from Reiff. Doyle ran down a street, as someone grabbed him and pulled inside. He was about to attack, before recognising the person as Angel, as they moved away from the windows, watching the Scourge run past
“What do we do now?” Doyle asked
“I’ve got a plan,” Angel said, grabbing Doyle by the jacket
††††††††††
“There’s nothing here,” a soldier reported
“Keep searching,” said the leader, “They can’t be far”
Just then, Angel, in game face, showed up, holding the demonised Doyle by the scruff of his neck, as he walked into the room
“Keep back, this is my kill,” Angel growled
“Vampires don’t drink demon blood,” the leader said coolly, “Your breed is the lowest of all demons”
“You think I don’t know that? I feel the humanity polluting me, day in and day out. I want to join you,” Angel said
“Please don’t-” Doyle cried
Angel snapped his neck and dropped him aside, the Scourge watching in surprise
“A demon that kills other demons. Impressive”
“I can find them faster and I can kill them a lot better than what you can do”
“Very well then. Take him away”
A couple of soldiers grabbed Angel and walked him out, as he cackled evilly like his other half. The rest of the Scourge followed after him, leaving Doyle’s body behind
††††††††††
“Where are they?” Cordelia said
She was wondering what was keeping Angel and Doyle, trying her best to keep her mind from the worse. She knew they could handle themselves, but she had been hearing stories about the Scourge from the Lister demons and her worries had skyrocketed up hearing them
“How much longer?” the captain asked
“Not much longer,” Cordelia replied, “But I can’t get hold of them”
“I’ll wait another twenty minutes. After that, I’m out of here”
“Okay then”
“God, please be okay”
††††††††††
Reiff entered the desolate house and came across Doyle’s body, his neck broken. Reiff touched Doyle’s body, just as he groaned, scaring the young Lister demon. Doyle sat up and snapped his neck right again, before resuming his human form
“I think I hated that plan. Come on, let’s get going”
††††††††††
Angel was in a room, surrounded by Scourge demons, as the leader stood on a stage and preached about hunting and destroy half-humans. Angel was dressed in a Scourge uniform, his hair brushed back and his game face still on, as the leader introduced a massive box-like weapon onto the stage
“This weapon, when fully charged, will detonate and sent out waves of power in every quarter mile. Anything with a drop of human blood caught in the path will be annihilated. We know where the Listers are. Now go and deliver our message”
The soldiers ran off, as Angel joined them, before hiding in the darkness, before stealing a motorcycle and racing off into the night, hoping to get to the boat before the Scourge arrived with their new weapon
††††††††††
“Twenty minutes is almost up,” the captain said
“Here they are,” Cordelia cried
Doyle and Reiff raced aboard, as Reiff headed down under to join his family
“What took you so long?” Cordelia demanded, “Where’s Angel?”
“I don’t know,” Doyle replied, “I hope he’s okay. We better go now”
“They’re coming?”
“They will be”
Next minute, Cordelia slapped him. He looked at her with an undignified look
“What was that for?”
“How come you never told us you were half-demon?”
“I told Angel. I wasn’t sure about you. Thought you’d reject me. Then you went with Angel and I thought, ‘why bother’?”
“So, you’re half-demon?” Cordelia cried, “Big whoop. Who cares? Hello, I work for a vampire. And actually…never mind. But you could have told me”
Doyle shrugged, before looking past her shoulder
“Angel’s here. Let’s get this ship going”
Angel got on board, having gotten rid of the Scourge uniform and was now wearing a dark green sweater and dark pants, his hair all spiky again
“God, I was worried about you,” Cordelia cried
She hugged him, as he hugged her back, pressing a kiss to her forehead
“Let’s get out of here,” Angel said, “Now”
“We’re on it,” Doyle said
Just then, the Scourge arrived, bringing their weapon with them. Doyle and Cordelia headed down under, as Angel remained, awaiting the first of the soldiers to arrive
“You lied, vampire,” the leader said
“Yeah, I know”
A soldier charged at Angel, getting thrown overboard, as Angel turned and kicked another soldier in the chest. A soldier swung at Angel, who caught his arm and elbowed him in the chest, throwing him aside and backhanding another soldier. Meanwhile, the rest of the Scourge had blocked all exits and were now lowering the Beacon into the cargo hold. The leader struck Angel, before kneeing him in the chest. Angel punched him, his second punch getting blocked, before throwing him into the cargo hold, getting dragged down with him
“When this is all over, we’ll be the ones left standing,” he said
“Actually, you’ll be one your ass,” Angel replied, snapping his neck
Doyle and Cordelia joined him on the walkway, looking at the Beacon
“What’s this?” Doyle asked
“A powerful weapon. Can we get out?”
“No, we’re trapped. Oh god, it’s fully charged, isn’t it?” Cordelia said
“If I can get to it, I can shut it off,” Angel said
“That thing will kill you,” Doyle said
Angel turned to him and gave him a small smile. Doyle realized what was going to happen. As did Cordelia. She lowered her head, refusing to let the tears fall, as Angel clapped Doyle on the shoulder and smiled
“Keep fighting the good fight,” Doyle said, “I get that now”
He struck Angel on the jaw, throwing him off the walkway, before pulling Cordelia close to him and giving her a passionate kiss. They broke apart, Cordelia in shock, as Doyle smiled at her, while Angel got to his feet
“Doyle, no”
“Too bad we’ll never get to know,” Doyle said, before morphing, “If this is the face you could learn to love”
“Doyle, no!” Angel cried
He raced up the stairs, trying to stop his friend, but Doyle leapt across to the Beacon, as Angel joined Cordelia. She had tears in her eyes, as Angel watched, helpless, unable to do anything, as Doyle started to disconnect the power. The Beacon was glowing dangerously, as Doyle gave his friends a smile and turned back to the power control, gripping it and using all of his strength to disconnect it. He lost his demon visage, but kept trying, even as his skin and flesh started to melt. The Beacon glowed brighter, just as Doyle disconnected the power. And as he did, the Beacon flashed, completely obliterating him. The Listers huddled together in sadness, touched by Doyle’s sacrifice, as Angel and Cordelia held each other, crying over their loss, as they looked at the place where their friend had just been a second ago
††††††††††
