A Real Princess

Author: PaulenaK ~ toukalah@hotmail.com

Rating: PG

Summary: It seems Cordelia has a secret…

Disclaimer: I own no one! Wrestlers are the property of the WWE and themselves, ATS property of Josh Whedon.

Author's Note: I don't watch WWE much only via what blockbuster have in store, therefore most of my fic's are based on one thing in particular which caught my eye whilst watching and after that I kind of let my imagination do the rest, hence a fic is born. So I apologize if my fic's are not chronologically sound.

 

**

Part One

**

 

"Cordy, explain to me again why we're doing this?"

 

"Because Angel would just go all protector guy on me if he knew where

I wanted to go and since I am too much of a wuss to go on my own…" She trailed off smiling brightly at her friend.

 

"Enter 'me' into the equation," Fred replied dryly with a shrug of her shoulders.

 

"Thanks Fred, you're my best friend!" She beamed excitedly then creased her brow in a frown. "Well, out of the females."

 

"Cordy, I am your only friend… out of the females."

 

"See how lucky you are!" Cordelia smiled once more flinging her arm around Fred's shoulders as she pulled the smaller girl towards the entrance doors of the arena where they immediately disappeared in the throng of WWE fans.

 

**

 

"I didn't know you had tickets for ringside seats?" Fred shrieked excitedly, once entering the arena she had immediately been taken in by all the hype and fanatical joy. Cordelia smiled at her friend, it was like Fred had received her birthday and Christmas gifts all in one!

 

"To be honest Fred, neither did I." She replied with a shrug, "But we are here now so we may as well enjoy it."

 

Fred eyed her friend curiously; somehow she got the feeling Cordelia wasn't too thrilled about sitting in the front row. She wished her friend wasn't being so secretive about wanting to come here and wished more than anything that they weren't here alone. Plastered on the walls in the lobby of the arena were posters of some of the men and women who would be competing tonight and Fred's eyes had bulged at the size of the men. They were huge!

 

Cordelia had raised her eyebrow and smiled at her friend when she had latched onto her hand as they passed a giant inflatable man in a red mask, then laughed as Fred's eyes remained trained on the inflatable statue.

 

"Don't worry Fred, tonight we are just a couple of fans."

 

This time it was Fred's turn to raise her brow, "Why isn't that comforting me?"

 

Cordelia stopped at the gate, which marked the section where they would be sitting and turned to look at her friend. "Fred, I promise I will explain everything just not now okay? Not till I know for sure."

 

"Know what?"

 

"Please Fred I'll explain everything after the show." She looked pleadingly at her friend and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw

Fred nod.

 

"Okay."

 

**

 

Part Two

 

**

 

Angel came up from the basement and into the lobby of the Hyperion to find Gunn polishing his favourite axe and Wesley with his head in one of his many tomes. Going through to the kitchen he re emerged a few minutes later with a mug of warm o-positive eyeing the two men who still had yet to acknowledge his presence.

 

"Something wrong?"

 

"No." They both replied simultaneously.

 

Brows creased, Angel tentatively sniffed the air then raised his brows as the reason behind his two friends displeasure came to him. "Where are the girls?"

 

"Out. Said they had girls stuff to do." Wesley said as he turned a page.

 

"And you know Cordelia, if she don't want us there… she don't want us there." Gunn added as he returned the axe he was polishing to the weapons cabinet.

 

"Well… that's good right? They need time away from us… right?" Angel tried to sound less anxious then he looked but the more he thought about it the more concerned he became. "Right?"

 

"Ah… right." Wesley shifted uncomfortably in his seat before taking off his glasses to clean them on the end of his shirt.

 

"Yeah man," Gunn added, "They need time away… to you know do girl stuff… in this big… bad… city… full of… hell demons and blood sucking…" The three men shared a look before jumping into action.

 

"I'll bring the car around." Angel said as he grabbed his keys and headed out the door.

 

"I got the weapons." Gunn added.

 

Wesley stood and held his hands up in front of him. "Now boys don't you think we should-"

 

"No!" Came the reply from both men.

 

**

 

Cordelia watched in fascination as the girl next to her jumped around in her seat cheering along with the crowd, to anyone who didn't know her you wouldn't think this was her first time watching a live wrestling match. Cordelia jerked in her seat when yet again her extremely excited friend elbowed her in the side.

 

"Oh god, Cordy, I'm so sorry. Isn't this great! Yeah! Get him up! Rip him to pieces! Show him who's his daddy!"

 

Cordelia's mouth dropped open in shock. "I've created a monster." She said laughing at her friend's antics as Fred counted the three count with the rest of the crowd, then preceded to hug her all the while screaming, "He won! He won!"

 

"Who won?" Cordelia asked teasing then laughed outright when Fred's brows drew together.

 

"Oh, I don't know Cordy… that guy there," She replied jumping to her feet and pointing towards the guy standing in the middle of the ring. "Isn't he a dreamboat?"

 

"The dreamiest," Cordelia agreed laughing when the guy inside the ring smiled in their direction before sliding through the bottom rope to slap the hands of fans as he made his way around the ring, his hand momentarily clasping Fred's, which sent the girl into another bout of hysterics.

 

"I'm never washing my hand again." She declared her eyes like saucers.

 

"Considering he just finished a wrestling match therefore covered head to toe in yucky stinky body fluid's… how can you not."

 

"Well, since you put it like… I'll be right back." Fred said getting to her feet then put a hand out to still Cordelia's movements as she made to stand as well. "I'll be okay, you stay and enjoy the beef fest."

 

"You sure? I don't mind coming."

 

"I'm sure… I did survive 5 years in Pylea, I'm sure I can find a rest room on my own."

 

Cordelia nodded to her friend then after a moment her brows drew together. "Beef fest?"

 

Laughing Fred shot over her shoulder, "Would you prefer smorgasbord?"

 

**

 

Part Three

 

**

 

 

The Rock walked through the car park towards the backstage entrance of the arena where the WWE was scheduled to be held that night. His mind on his match tonight against Rikishi, his once fellow compadre and confidant, now the major jabroni at the very top of his `to kick ass' list.

 

He thought back to when they were kids, they say blood is thicker then water but back then the bond between himself and Rikishi had been stronger then the bond he had with his family. He certainly loved his family but when it came down to it he would of turned his back on them and laid his life down for Rikishi and back then the feeling had been a mutual one.

 

Now that had all changed…

 

His mind now turned to the third person of their group. He didn't like to think on this person because of the emotional pain that followed the thoughts. She had been a lot younger then him and had idolized both him and Rikishi in their teenage years but due to tradition and family customs her status within the household required her to be of a stricter value then his was. Being female she didn't amount to much till she reached 15 years of age, the marrying age.

 

That time didn't come for her; instead she was bartered off 3 years shy of her 15th year to form an alliance with a neighbouring island to make strong there hold on the place they all knew as home `For what good that alliance did' He thought to himself. They were still forced to leave. And they had never seen her again.

 

Estranged from his family he had followed Rikishi to the western world. There they had forged a life for themselves with the WWF now known as the WWE. They had climbed the wrestling ladder to fame and now were both fan favourites in the industry.

 

He didn't know what went wrong, why Rikishi had aligned himself with Triple H of all people. Why Rikishi had turned against him, why

Rikishi had tried to end his career and possibly his life. Anger rose within him, haunted by the memories of the past as well as the now, his nostrils flared and his eyes darkened as he reached for the door handle yanking it open before he stormed through.

 

**

 

Cordelia looked frantically up the aisle towards the exit Fred had taken in search of a rest room. She had been gone nearly 20 minutes and Cordelia was silently kicking herself for not insisting she accompany her friend.

 

Smiling apologetically at the people seated in the same row as her and Fred, Cordelia gingerly made her way pasted them and out into the aisle her eyes glued to the exit as she went in search of her friend only to stop mid step when she spied Fred coming through the doors, her arms laden with food.

 

She saw her friends eyes brighten when they met her gaze and Fred quickened her step practically bouncing on the balls of her feet when she came to a stop beside Cordelia.

 

"I'm glad your back I was so worried." Cordelia said leaning forward to give her friend a hug… well as much as a hug as she could without squashing the refreshments Fred held close to her chest.

 

"Sorry Cordy… I got hungry and the line in front of the vendor was so long… I'm really sorry Cordy…" Fred explained shifting from one foot to the other.

 

Smiling Cordelia placed an arm over Fred's shoulders as they walked back to their seats in the front row. "I'm just glad your okay, I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you, I mean I am the one who dragged you here and-"

 

"And I'm having the best time and would have slapped us both silly if you hadn't of dragged me here." Fred smiled back turning in her seat to pass Cordy some peanut M&M's. "What I miss?"

 

"Women's title match." Cordelia replied sorting through the M&M's and plopping a brown one in her mouth.

 

"Well I'm glad they cater for the male fans as well," Fred shared a look with Cordelia before they both started laughing.

 

They quieted only when music started blaring around the arena and the small blonde ring announcer entered the ring. "And now making his way to the ring weighing in at 350 pounds… Rikishi!"

 

Fred jumped in her seat and frantically patted Cordelia on the back, as she started choking, "Cordy?"

 

"I'm fine," Cordelia sent Fred a half hearted smile before turning her attention to the man making his way down the ramp.

 

He had changed, gained a few pounds and now had bleached white hair… but it was him. She glanced at her hands and noticed her knuckles had turned white and loosened her grip on the security barrier hoping

Fred didn't notice.

 

More music blared and Cordy leaned forward her eyes trained on the opening at the top of the ramp. "And now from Miami, Florida… weighing in at 275 pounds… The peoples champion! The Rock!"

 

Fred clapped and cheered along with the crowd but one look at

Cordelia and it all changed. Her friend was as white as a ghost and looked as if she was about to flee. She reached out and squeezed

Cordelia's hand in her own but she may as well have done nothing for all Cordelia's attention was trained on the man walking towards the ring.

 

As he entered the ring Fred felt Cordelia squeeze her had back although her eyes remained on the men as they began to battle it out in what was known as the squared circle.

 

**

 

"We're been driving for an hour now, can’t you use your spider sense or something to home in on there where abouts?" Gunn said from the back seat of Angel's car.

 

Angel shifted in his seat while Wesley tried to hide a smile. "Spider sense?"

 

"You really need to get out more." Gunn glared at Angel's back as they came to a stop.

 

"Why are we stopping?" Wesley asked as he looked around noting for the first time that they were outside the Colonial Arena which judging by the full car park was at the moment hosting a sold out concert… although he couldn't hear any music… just a lot of cheering.

 

"Cordy and Fred are inside." Angel replied simply shrugging to Gunn as he added, "Spider sense."

 

"So… it seems all the girls wanted to do was see a concert." Gunn said with a grin, "And you guys were worried."

 

**

 

Part Four

 

**

 

Cordelia watched the two men traded blow for blow neither man daring to back down, neither man caring that they had practically been a part of each others lives for as long as they both could remember.

Both let fly with all the pent up anguish and emotion that had been stored for so long, one a block of jealousy and contempt the other a wall of hurt and confusion. `What had happened to them?'

 

This wasn't what she had expected; in fact she hadn't expected to see

Rikishi at all. She closed her eyes to the scene happening in the ring before her as she remembered the first time she had seen this man known now as The Rock.

 

 

-Flash Back-

 

"Angel it's just a photo shoot!"

 

Wesley and Gunn shared an exasperated look before Cordelia breezed into the lobby of the Hyperion, Angel at her heels. His face set in as stubborn a gesture as he could muster without falling in defeat from a mere glare from his best friend and seer.

 

"Have you forgotten what happened at your last photo shoot?"

 

"Have you forgotten that I am a free person!"

 

"Cordelia…" he quickly quietened his manner going to stand behind her, his hands shoved in the pockets of his pants.

 

"No, Angel. I'm going. The subject is closed for discussion." She dismissed him getting up to move over to the counter where Gunn was perched on pretending to not be interested in her and Angel's latest disagreement by sticking his nose in a sports magazine.

 

"Whatcha reading?"

 

"Football updates." He replied not bothering to look up from the magazine.

 

"How can you be interested in that stuff… oh he's cute," She said startling him by snatching the magazine from his fingers. "Now I see where the interest stems from." She waggled her eyebrows at him then burst into laughter when the dark man actually blushed.

 

"Girl, you are evil."

 

Stifling her giggles she continued to leaf through the magazine as she joined Fred on the couch in the middle of the lobby. The younger girl scooting closer at her friends insistence and Gunn swore he could practically see them drooling.

 

Cordelia noticed him straight away. He was older and had filled out more muscle wise, but it was him. She couldn't tear her gaze away from the man in the picture; Fred's chatter becoming secondary in her mind as she focused on him.

 

She never thought she would see him again. Had always dreamt this time would come, even if all she had were dribs and drabs of broken childhood memories, some she didn't know if they really were memories or dreams she had dreamt up to suffice the child within her.

 

But there he was, photo proof that he existed. That he `still' existed. Photo proof of her past.

 

 

-End Flash Back-

 

 

The roar of the crowd brought her out of her thoughts and she gazed in horror at what her eyes focused on in the ring.

 

`He' was gasping for breath, his face etched in pain as Rikishi forced the air from his chest by continually driving his huge backside into his adversaries' chest. Every blow made more prominent by the spasms that wrecked his body, his cries having died out as his body and brain went into numb mode.

 

"Cordy!"

 

She barely heard Fred calling her name as she felt herself hurl her body over the security gate and before she herself knew what was happening she had laid her body down across the fallen man.

 

**

 

Part Five

 

**

 

"Who is that?"

 

"A fan JR! Do you see it or am I dreaming!" Jerry Lawler cried getting to his feet a shocked expression on his face that soon turned into his patented grin as the shock wore off and he turned back into the character the fans adored. "I definitely hope this dream comes true! Oh the puppies!"

 

"Never mind your sick fantasies, who is she?" JR asked watching as security sprang into action only to be knocked back out of the ring by Rikishi. "Oh my god, he wouldn't seriously hurt that young woman, would he?"

 

"Maybe she just wants a piece if the quiche!"

 

"You are one sick man you know that!" JR looked disgustedly at his commentary partner before focusing once more on the ring. "Who knows what’s going through Rikishi's mind right now folks… but it can’t be good." He said as they both watched as Rikishi approached the girl still sprawled out across the body of the Rock, shielding him.

 

"Come on somebody get in there!"

 

"Did Rikishi just bow to her? He did! Rikishi just bowed in respect almost to that young lady in the ring!"

 

"What the hell is going on here?"

 

**

 

Cordelia caught sight of Fred being held back by a security guard and thanked the powers that be that her friend hadn't found her way into the ring as well, not wanting her friend hurt.

 

Turning her eyes upward as a shadow fell over her she lifted her gaze to meet his, her eyes pleading for him not to continue this onslaught.

 

He stood straight and powerful above her, his gaze void as if he wasn't believing what he was seeing as he stepped back a step, bowing his head slightly the word "princess" escaping his lips before he turned and exited the ring.

 

Breathing a sigh of relief Cordelia tried to roll away from the man she had protected but was stopped by a hand on her arm and a hand on her chin that forced her to turn to meet his gaze.

 

Everything seemed to dim then, the roar of the crowd only an annoyance in her ears, the tugging of a hand on her foot escaping her notice as she stared into the eyes of the man before her. Both expressions etched with intense disbelief as they continued to stare at one another and to everyone's amazement they both in turn raised identical versions of the people's eyebrow.

 

"Cordy!"

 

Fred's shrill scream brought Cordelia out of her reverie turning slightly to see her friend still being held back by security, pulling out of his grasp she rolled to the side and out of the ring just as officials and more security entered the ring.

 

"Delia!"

 

She turned back to the ring at his cry her feelings torn between going to him and going to the aid of her friend. Poor little Fred, scared of the world Fred.

 

Rushing behind the man who held her friend she kicked him swiftly in the kidneys grabbing Fred's arm when he released her to clutch at his back.

 

"I will find you again!" Cordelia yelled as her gaze once more locked onto the man in the ring as he struggled to get to his feet only to fall forward clutching at his ribs.

 

"Go Fred!" She yelled pushing Fred towards the security barrier that separated the ring from the fans. Fred leaping at once over it,

Cordelia following moments pushing through the crowd as they cheered even more obviously thinking this was all part of the show.

 

**

 

Jeff Hardy returned from his shower to find a crowd of people all hovered around a small TV monitor which sat on a table in the middle of the locker room. Pushing his way through to crouch down in front of Lita's legs so he could get a better look without spoiling his friends view.

 

"What's going on?"

 

A chorus of "Shhh's!" Came from around the room and he had to stifle a laugh when some even flipped him off.

 

"A fan jumped in the ring and saved Rocky from getting more of the quiche." Lita leant forward to whisper in his ear.

 

"Yeah, but here's the really strange part," Edge added mirroring Lita's actions, "Rikishi actually listened to the fan." He added humming the theme to the twilight zone.

 

Jeff allowed his gaze to fall back onto the monitor zoning in on the figures inside the ring as a replay was aired. It was the girl from ringside; Jeff had noticed her as soon as he had entered the ring.

She had a kind of air about her, the way she sat, the way she held her head, and the way she smiled at her friends delight and excitement. Which was quite refreshing he mused, usually all he saw was screaming female fans… but her… she took more delight in her friends antics then what was happening in the ring.

 

He had decided then and there to do everything humanly possible and then some to get her cheering and clapping just as loudly as her friend next to her. He had pulled out all stops, digging deep into his repertoire but still her mind seemed to be elsewhere. She didn't even flinch when he had dived off the top rope to deliver a perfect Swanton Bomb to win the match. Not even when he had walked around to their side of the ring and clasped the hand of her friend did she notice and he had to admit he kind of felt a little hurt that he hadn't been able to capture her attention. Luckily no one back stage watching had caught on to his antics… he hoped shooting Lita a look.

She was his best friend in the whole world and he loved everything about her… except her uncanny way of knowing exactly what was going on in his mind and it grated on his nerves immensely, and she knew it! Which only made it more fun for her as she always told him. To his dismay it seemed that uncanny sense was at work right now as she met his gaze with one of her `We'll-talk-later' looks. Rolling his eyes at her he grumbled something about `women and their ways of tormenting men' before focusing again on the monitor.

 

It seems the girl had leapt over the security barrier and flung herself over the hurt body of Rocky protecting him from Rikishi, her friend following suite only to be stopped by one of the security guards. But what had gotten everyone's attention was the fact whenever one of the official's or security had tried to enter the ring they were promptly exited at the hands of Rikishi.

 

The officials all seemed to fear for the girl’s safety but from what they saw back in the locker room it almost seemed like he was protecting her only exiting himself when Rocky started to stir.

 

"Did he just call her princess?" The King's voice boomed through the speakers in the locker room.

 

"It would seem so," The voice of JR replied.

 

"Well, now I really have to meet her. Us being royalty and all." The all watched, some laughed and some groaned as The King Jerry Lawler puffed his chest out.

 

"Judging by both Rocky's and Rikishi's actions tonight, I'd say both he and Rikishi know that young lady, who ever she is… and apparently neither of them are willing to shed any light on that fact." JR's voice resounded through the room as footage of Michael Cole being shoved to the ground by Rikishi while attempting to interview the big man and then Rocky still in the ring shoving away EMT's as he struggled to his feet his eyes still scanning the crowd.

 

"Well that was entertaining," Edge said wrapping an arm around Lita's shoulder as they both got to their feet. "Want to go back to the hotel and make out?"

 

Lita laughed hitting her boyfriend playfully in the chest before turning back to jeff. "You coming?"

 

"Yeah," He answered, "I'll ride back with yah but as for all that making out bit… you're on yah own."

 

"Phew!"

 

**

 

Part Six

 

**

 

 

Vince McMahon eyed the man sitting in one of the three chairs provided in his office as he cautiously came out from around his desk to perch himself on the end of it facing the weary looking man in front of him. He had seen the tape of tonight's show, wondered as many did who the girl was and why when it seemed in the past no one could soothe the big man's anger like she did.

 

He was about to voice his concerns when a knock sounded at his office door.

 

"I said no interruptions!" He bellowed towards the closed door but it swung open none the less and there in all his glory stood the Rock.

Vince could barely control the laugh that came to his lips, he had wondered how long it would take before he came knocking on his door, providing both men who had sought him out were still in their ring attire, the stench of sweat and male body odour nearly knocking him senseless he didn't need to assume they had both bypassed their locker rooms and had made a beeline straight for his office.

 

"I need time off a couple of days… a week… maybe more and I need it now." His voice didn't waver but as his gaze fell passed Vince to focus on the other man seated in the room and his eyes darkened.

"Now Rocky lets be reasonable, with the both of you gone there’s going to be an upset in the roster and I don't have enough wrestlers… well wrestlers who the medic team have deemed fit enough to wrestle-"

 

"Two of us?" Rocky cut in addressing Vince although his eyes never left the other man.

 

"Well yeah…" Vince began as he looked between the two. "Rikishi here"

 

"I too requested time off," Rikishi spoke for the first time getting to his feet. "And I think it's for the same reason you are."

 

"There is no need for you to concern yourself-"

 

"No need! I saw her tonight leka…"

 

"Don't call me that, you forfeited all rights to call me that the day you tried to end my career."

 

"She may not have been my Family by Blood… but she was in here." He said slapping at his chest. "And no matter our past… you are too."

 

Vince watched as the two men square off obviously forgetting his presence in the room. It was no secret how close these two men were once upon a time and their partnership had been an unstoppable force.

The wheels started to churn in his head as screaming fans and dollar signs meshed together at the return alliance of The Peoples Champ The Rock and The Phat Man Rikishi Phatu.

 

"You got it, take all the time you need."

 

At his statement both men turned to him, breaking their eye contact for the first time since Rocky had entered the room.

 

"All the time you need," he said again retreating back behind his desk as Rikishi stood to make his way to the door a cunning smile coming to Vince's face as both men froze when he added. "Together."

 

**

 

Angel had never sped so much in his life!

 

Something he was sure was going to come back to haunt him in the near future, something else for Cordelia to get on his case about. But drastic times called for drastic measures and getting back to the

Hyperion before Cordelia and Fred definitely fell into the drastic times category.

 

They had practically booted it out of that arena and Angel would have been the first to fly to their aid had it not been for the sense of calmness that flowed off Cordelia. Fred on the other hand was… as

Gunn would say `an itty bitty lump of confusion' but they had all learned to accept and love that about Fred.

 

Angel just instinctively knew they weren't in trouble, then it hit him that the girls didn't know they were there watching and glancing a look behind him told him Wesley and Gunn had come to the same realization.

 

Cordy was going to kill them if they were seen!

 

**

 

Cordelia and Fred rushed through the doors of the Hyperion and were met with a lot of huffing and puffing from the two men on the couch.

 

"Is there something you two want to share with us?" Cordelia teased as she raised an eyebrow in their direction.

 

Both men glared at her and a giggling Fred before Wes straightened himself up as only Wesley could to stand before the girls. "For your information we have been working out, preparing for our next battle, getting ready to fight the good fight."

 

Liking the sound of that Gunn stood up next to him in support. "You tell em' English."

 

"And I suppose you," Cordelia queried walking over to the vampire standing behind the counter. "I suppose you always read one of your many mink condition collectable novels upside down?"

 

"Sometimes I do." Angel shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot before giving up all together closing his book and heaving himself up so that he now sat on top of the counter.

 

"If you could blush I bet you would be twice the shade of Willows hair," Cordelia laughed before grabbing Fred's hand and leading her outside into the courtyard. "I believe I owe you an explanation."

 

**

 

Part Seven

 

**

 

Chris Jericho slipped his key card through the slot of the hotel room he was sharing with the younger Hardy brother to find him sprawled on the floor in front of the television, remote in hand, watching the nights tapings of Raw.

 

"Hey man."

 

"Hey." The younger guy replied not looking away from the screen as he re-winded a segment of the match between Rock and Rikishi.

 

"What you doing?"

 

"Looking at tonight's tapings." Jeff replied once again re-winding the same segment.

 

"Hmm… I would believe you except it don't look like that's what you're doing to me." Chris said flopping down on his bed stomach first with his feet on his pillows and his head resting on his arms at the foot of the bed.

 

His position caused Jeff to sit up and reposition himself so as he could look at his friend while talking to him. "Me, remote, video… all signs of me watching tonight's tapings." He said sarcastically.

 

Chris chuckled, "Funny… all I saw when I came in was you, remote… and that girl in the crowd."

 

Jeff scowled, 'The monkey was so right.'

 

Chris smiled, 'I am so right.'

 

His smile turned into a fully-fledged laugh as a shoe came flying in his direction. "Hey, I was only telling it how I saw it!"

 

"Well you saw wrong." Jeff grumbled slowly getting to his feet.

 

"Hey… fine… whatever you say," Chris said holding his hands up in front of him in surrender the cheeky smile still gracing his features as he looked back at the television screen which was now paused on the face of the girl from the crowd as she looked up pleadingly into the eyes of Rikishi. "You know, she's not that bad looking… maybe I shou-" he never finished his sentence as Jeff's other shoe whizzed passed his head.

 

**

 

"Cordy," Fred could only whisper after sitting through Cordelia's explanation her concerned gaze turning to that of wonderment to beam up at her friend who now looked anywhere but at her.

 

"I know it's a bit of a shocker… but that's the truth."

 

"Why didn't you ever tell anyone? I mean… you and Angel… you talk about every-"

 

"Yes we do… now," Cordelia cut in. "but back then Angel and I weren't exactly… what we are now."

 

"And since it was the past and you didn't know wether he… both of them were alive or much less never expected to see them again so you yourself didn't see the need for Angel to know-"

 

"Fred breath," Cordelia smiled at her friends babble reaching out to squeeze her hand. "But yes, everything you said is true."

 

"Again… wow!"

 

"It's not that bigger deal really,"

 

"Not that bigger deal!" Fred exclaimed standing to her feet. "Cordelia, you're a princess!"

 

"Shhh!" Cordelia jumped to her feet quickly shushing her friend as she looked back towards the courtyard entrance into the hotel. "Fred you have to promise me you won’t tell anyone please."

 

"But why? I don't understand…"

 

"Because… It would mean my death if I were found."

 

**

Part Eight

**

 

Rock lay on his bed in his hotel room staring up at the ceiling, an odd look on his face, like his thoughts weren't really there. His body was there, but his mind was somewhere else.

 

`Could it really have been her?' he thought bringing his hand up to rub at his chin as he continued to stare at the ceiling.

 

He was roused from his thoughts as a knock sounded at the door. Knowing too well who it would be he got up and walked to the door, unlocking it and letting it swing open not waiting to greet whoever it was just returning to his position on the bed.

 

Rikishi seemed to expect this kind of behaviour from him so he merely entered and shut the door behind him coming to sit on the other bed in the room.

 

"I don't want you anywhere near her." Rock said not taking his eyes off the ceiling.

 

"You can't stop me." Rikishi replied with a shrug. "She means something to me too, leka."

 

"Like what?" He sprang up off the bed and brought his face inches from Rikishi's, "A way back into the Family? It was them that took her away in the first place!"

 

"Don't you think I know that? Don't you think I keep blaming myself for what happened!" He replied just as fiercely.

 

Rocky looked down at the man sitting in front of him and shook his head slowly. "No, I don't."

 

Just then another knock sounded at the door causing both men to look accusingly at each other before Rocky motioned Rikishi towards the bathroom. With a nod Rikishi headed into the bathroom staying out of sight but leaving the door ajar while Rocky cautiously answered the door.

 

"Hey, Rock… Chris and I are next door and we heard yelling… is everything okay?"

 

Rocky forced at smile at Jeff Hardy, stepping out of the room for a minute to look down the hall before focusing back on the younger man. "Yeah, everything's fine."

 

"You sure?"

 

"Yeah, but thanks you know," Rocky said forcing a smile and slapping a friendly pat on Jeff's shoulders.

 

"You know I saw the footage tonight…" Jeff trailed off when Rocky's brow creased but didn't back down. "And well… if there's anything I can do…"

 

The Rock's eyes widened in surprise for a moment, it felt strange someone offering him help, especially when he had been a loner most of his career. Dark brown eyes met hazel green ones as Rocky extended his hand towards the younger man, to be honest Rocky actually like younger hardy and the redhead, feeling a kindred spirit of sorts with the young man given all the problems he'd had with his older brother lately.

 

"Thanks man, appreciate it."

 

"No problems," Jeff replied accepting the other mans out stretched hand. "Well, I'll leave you to it then."

 

Rocky waved once more before stepping back into his room and shutting the door.

 

"You sure that was wise?" Rikishi asked stepping out of the bathroom.

 

Rocky just stared at the other man as he resumed his position on his bed and shut his eyes dismissing the other man.

 

Sighing Rikishi walked to the door halting only when he heard the other man's reply. "I trust him more then I trust you."

 

**

 

"You’re positive it is her."

 

"Yes sire, she's fully grown and her hair is different… but it's her."

 

"And you’re positive he knew nothing of her before this?"

 

"Yes, sire."

 

"He'll be searching for her now." Came a voice from behind them.

 

"Find her and bring her to me."

 

"Your will is my mission, sire." The man bowed and left.

 

**

Part Nine

**

 

"Will you hurry up and have a vision already!"

 

"Why sure Gunn… I'd be glad to have my head torn in two very slowly then put back together with a hammer and some nails just to put an end to your boredom."

 

The young man shifted a bit on his feet his shoulders slumping as he flopped down in a chair behind the counter.

 

"You know I didn't mean-"

 

"I know Gunn," she smiled at him from her desk. "For once I would actually welcome a mind numbing vision… I'm about to go- ARGH!!"

 

"Cordy!" Gunn jumped out of his chair and came to his friends aid as her body twisted and turned, her hands clasping her head.

 

Angel kneeled down beside them taking her from Gunn, Wesley appearing a few moments later with some pain killers and a glass of water for when the vision subsided. Only thing was… this vision didn't seem to be subsiding, Angel frowned casting a worried look towards Gunn and Wesley.

 

Grabbing Cordelia by the shoulders Angel started shaking her. "Cordy! Cordy!" but still she didn't respond her body still locked in the throes of her vision.

 

Wesley handed the pills and water to Fred who came rushing down the stairs after hearing the commotion and now stood stock still as she watched her best friend in pain.

 

"Fred, take them…. Fred!" Wesley yelled breaking Fred out of her thoughts her hands immediately reaching for the pills and water.

 

While Angel held her down Wesley began to check Cordelia's hands and feet for any sign that this could be the work of Vocah but found nothing.

 

Cordelia stiffened in Angels arms before her eyes bolted open an eerie light spewing forth blowing over the three men like a gust of wind only to settle on the now frightened Fred who slowly backed away.

 

"Fred!" Gunn yelled rushing to her aid only to be stopped by an invisible force that now surrounded the young girl. All any of them could do was watch as the light consumed her forcing her off the ground before entering her body the same way it had left Cordelia's.

 

They covered there eyes when a flash erupted in the room… seconds later the light was gone and Fred's body was lying prone the floor.

 

**

 

-Phone convo-

 

"Hello?"

 

"JR, it’s The Rock."

 

"What can I do for you Rocky?"

 

"I need a tape of the last show."

 

"You too huh? Fine, pick it up at the arena-"

 

"What do you mean me too? Who too?"

 

"Huh?" There was a pause and JR could practically see Rocky roll his eyes.

 

"Who else ordered a tape."

 

"Well now… let’s see. Umm… Vince of course, the writers, Rikishi, Jeff Hardy-"

 

Click.

 

"Hello? Rocky?"

 

-End phone convo-

 

Rocky leaned against the wall in his hotel room after ending his phone conversation with JR. His mind fill of the words JR had said.

 

`Jeff Hardy had ordered a tape…. Why?'

 

His eyes looked towards the far wall of the room as if he could see right through to the next room.

 

`Jeff Hardy had the room next to his. Jeff Hardy had come knocking on his door. Jeff Hardy had offered his help…'

 

"Just whose side are you on, Jeff Hardy…" Rocky whispered snatching up his hotel key card as he made his way to the door. Opening it just an inch to check the hallway before walking through closing the door behind him, coming to a stop at the first door he came too he lifted his steel toed boot and kicked the door down.

 

**

Part Ten

**

 

"Destroying hotel property Rock?"

 

The man just shrugged, "It was in my way," he said in reply kicking his feet up to rest on the end of Vince McMahon's desk.

 

"And what prey tell was it in the way of?"

 

"Answers."

 

"And did you get these answers?"

 

"Maybe… maybe not…"

 

"Just answer the question, Leka," Came a voice from the man sitting in the chair beside him.

 

"Just shut your damn mouth." Rocky replied not missing a beat as he glared at Rikishi. "Before my boot finds itself wedged between your teeth…" He leaned closer to the big man, "slave…" he whispered only loud enough for Rikishi to hear.

 

Vince watched amazed as Rikishi backed down lowering his eyes. He had never seen the big man back down to anyone before, the man's eyes clouding over covering the hurt that had flashed in them moments before.

 

"Now guys your suppose to be a team remember-"

 

"This isn't a wrestling match, Vince." Rocky cut in. "This is our livelihood, our culture… our past. You can't just put us together and expect it to be all happy-happy-land."

 

Vince seemed to mull Rocky's words over then leaned forward in his chair bringing his elbows up to rest on the top of his desk. "Okay, I can relate to that… a lot." He added thinking of his own relationship with his estranged family. "I'll cut right to the chase then." He said opening a draw and extracting a file placing it on the desk in front of Rocky. "Open it."

 

His eyes widened in surprise when he opened the folder to see the photographs staring back up at him. Photo's of her when she was in high school, photographs of her with a dark haired, dark eyed boy. Their gazes locked a loving smile on both their faces. Then more current shots of how she looked now, standing with the stick of a girl she had been with that night at ringside. Another with her sandwiched between two men, obviously people she really cared about and by the looks of things… they really cared about her.

 

"Delia…" Rikishi whispered from over his shoulder and he quickly snapped the folder shut picking it up as he stood to leave.

 

"Do I get a thankyou?" Vince asked before Rocky had reached the door.

 

"No." he replied reaching for the door handle, "But you do get a how?" He paused and waited for the other mans answer.

 

"Private investigator."

 

Rocky nodded moving to leave again but was once again stopped by the sound of his boss's voice. "Do I get an answer as to why you kicked in the door to Jeff Hardy's and Jericho's hotel room?"

 

Rock thought about it for a minute then turned back to face the man sitting behind the desk. "They said they had the better view from their balcony… I just wanted to see for myself."

 

He smirked when the other man raised his hands in a `I give up' gesture before turning to head down the hallway.

 

"Leka!"

 

Rocky rolled his eyes but turned to acknowledge the man who had followed him out. Crossing his arms with the folder nestled between them and the wall of his chest.

 

"I want to help… I had your back many years ago… no matter what has passed between us since… I have it now."

 

Rocky stared into the other mans eyes searching for any clue that the mans words were meaningless. What he saw shocked him if nothing else. Loyalty. Determination. Love.

 

But love for whom?

 

"Fine, meet me at my room tonight."

 

**

 

Fred moaned lifting her hand to her head trying to sit up but found she couldn't, there was something hindering her progress. Something warm and feathery to the touch that made her get all fluttery on the inside.

 

"Fred…" she heard her name spoken in a sing-song voice. "Fred…"

 

"Cordy?" She whispered trying to open her eyes but her eyelids refused to obey.

 

"Yes Fred… I'm here…"

 

"Cordy, I can’t move… I'm scared…"

 

"Shhhh sweetie… I'm here to help but you have to do exactly everything I tell you to… can you do that for me sweetie?"

 

"Yes…" the younger girl whispered shakily.

 

"Just relax Fred… I'll be with you for as long as I can."

 

Fred felt a warmth creep up her arms and then move down her body ending at her toes. She felt calm and serene and totally at peace.

 

"Open your eyes Fred… tell me what you see…" the voice commanded.

 

Tentatively Fred lifted her eyelids the weight that held them down moments before no longer there.

 

"What do you see…"

 

"Light… so much light…"

 

"Good… now walk towards my voice but whatever you do keep your eyes focused straight ahead of you… don't turn either left or right… do you understand?"

 

"Yes,"

 

"Okay… follow my voice, Fred… follow it… feel it…"

 

Fred followed the sound making sure to keep her eyes locked forward. The temptation to look to the side was great as flashes and eerie sounds spewed forth from around her.

 

"That's it Fred… don't look to the side… follow my voice…"

 

All of the sudden she felt an almost sinister presence looming up behind her, hovering… waiting… darkness forming in the back of her mind overpowering the light that had calmed her dream like state.

 

"Cordy?"

 

"Keep walking Fred, your almost there… keep walking!"

 

The voice of Cordelia was screaming at her now and Fred felt the urge to run. Quickening her steps she could see a door unfolding before her, its structure powerful and welcoming.

 

"Open the door Fred! Walk through and don't look back!"

 

Fred half walked half jogged it seemed like she was never going to reach it. The dark presence was now whispering in her head but it seemed to be speaking to Cordelia not her.

 

"You are mine…" It whispered. "You were promised to me…"

 

"No." she heard Cordelia's reply, "He will come… my champion will come…"

 

"Mine…" the dark presence repeated. "My betrothed…"

 

"Run Fred!' she heard Cordelia scream. "Run!"

 

"Cordelia!"

 

"I'm right behind you Fred! Run! Please!"

 

Kicking up her heels Fred ran like she had never ran before her hand reaching out to grab the handle of the door feeling her fingers wrap around the handle yanking it open for all she was worth feeling herself being pushed through it...

 

"She's coming too!"

 

"Fred! Fred! Can you hear me!"

 

"Wes…"

 

"Oh thank god!" The Englishman exclaimed helping Fred into a sitting position as Angel approached coming to stand behind Gunn who now kneeled on the floor beside her bedside.

 

"How you feeling?" Gunn asked reaching out to tuck a strand of her hair back away from her face.

 

"Groggy…" she replied rubbing at her eyes. "Cordy?"

 

Wesley moved back removing his glasses and absently cleaning them on the end of his shirt… something he only did when he was at a loss about something. Angel too seemed to be in full brood mode.

 

"Wes? Angel? Guys what is it?"

 

The three men parted allowing Fred to see the still form of Cordelia in the bed across from her.

 

**

Part 11

**

 

The elevator doors parted and Rikishi stepped off looking down the hallway before moving down the corridor to now stand in front of the room he knew to be Rocky's. He stood there for a minute fully knowing it was dangerous if the wrong person should see him there but knowing he had to gather his thoughts before facing this man. He had to prove that he could be trusted once more. He had to redeem himself in his master’s eye if the beast that was sure to come would be defeated.

 

Only the bond that bound the three of them together would protect her… and he had to make Rocky see that!

 

Tapping lightly on the door he waited as the door was opened and he was invited in.

 

He came up short at the sight of the other man in the room.

 

"What is he doing here?" Rikishi demanded a cold look entering his eyes at the sight of Jeff Hardy casually sitting on the small two seater sofa, his feet propped up on the coffee table.

 

"He's helping us." Rocky answered not looking at the man as he closed the door and returned to the bed he had been sitting on. "I paid Jeff a little visit this morning… upon learning that he had requested a video of the match between you and I."

 

Rikishi's glare hardened a fraction; he looked ready to pounce on the smaller man.

 

"I know what you’re thinking… I thought the same thing."

 

"Then I ask again, what is he doing here?"

 

"I'm helping." Jeff spoke for the first time rising to his feet.

 

"Why?" Rikishi's eyes remained on the young man but he directed his words to Rocky.

 

"Because upon further investigation…"

 

Jeff snorted at that and rolled his eyes, that morning Rocky's kind of investigating consisted of his fist connecting with Jeff's body parts. He winced as he began to massage his jaw.

 

"Upon further investigation I became satisfied with the answers I got." Rocky continued with a shrug.

 

"Which were?" Rikishi asked his eyebrows raised.

 

"His answers to me are not important at this time," Rocky stated getting to his feet as well to face both men. "What is important is finding Delia… before `he' does."

 

**

 

"Angel, we have to get her back."

 

"We will Fred, I promise." Angel smiled half heartedly down at Fred as she sat on the end of the bed. She looked so small… so fragile with her knees pulled up, her arms wrapped around her legs and her chin resting on her knees.

 

"Hey… It'll be okay," Wes crouched down beside her wiping at a lone tear that trailed down her cheek.

 

"You know when you guys first brought me back from Pylea, how scared I was of everything and everyone… Cordy promised nothing bad would ever happen to me while I was with her…" She openly sobbed now leaning into Wes as he pulled her into his embrace looking up at Angel his eyes showing that he too remembered that promise.

 

"She has never forgotten that promise… even now…"

 

"Shhhh…" Wes cooed his throat too choked up to offer any other comforting words.

 

Angel sat down beside Fred and clasped his hands in front of him. "Fred, what do you remember about where you were? Maybe it'll give us something to go on."

 

"There was just a lot of light," she shook her head trying to clear her thoughts her eyes squeezed shut. "I remember when I woke I couldn't move… couldn't even open my eyes. Then Cordy came… well not Cordy… but her voice… and I felt safe and calm. She told me to walk towards her voice and I did. Next thing I know there's something dark there with us… but it doesn't want me, it wants Cordy..." She looked up at them her face a mixture of confusion and worry. "It called her his betrothed."

 

"Betrothed?" Angel murmured, "In all the time I have known Cordy she has never been engaged."

 

"There's more," Fred continued. "Before I came too… I heard Cordy saying that her champion would come for her."

 

"Her champion… that has to be Angel." Gunn said from his position on the sofa.

 

"No."

 

"No?" All three men stared at her ludicrously.

 

"No." she confirmed looking straight at Angel. "But I think I know who is."

 

**

Part Twelve

**

 

Rocky, Rikishi and Jeff spent a good part of the night in each others company putting together what they knew so far… which was practically nothing bar what information Vince had managed to dig up for them.

 

"Looks like she had a very good upbringing," Jeff remarked looking through the photographs they had of her. "Nice `big' house… what looks to be loving parents… friends… and even boyfriends." Jeff's voice sounded strained as he voiced the last part and Rocky looked over at him an amused expression on his face.

 

"Looks can be deceiving,"

 

"It says here she belongs to one of the richest families in Sunnydale… hmmm never heard of that place."

 

"Exactly my point. A family of that substance and wealth choosing to live in a place so cut off from civilization." Rocky said as he pointed down at a photo of the small town. "Doesn't make sense."

 

"Let’s not forget the fact that her so called parents haven't been seen in over three years and that Delia has had to make it on her own from scratch."

 

Rocky nodded as he thought about Rikishi's words. "What do we know of her friends here in LA. The girl that was at the arena with her… the guys in this photo." He waved a picture of Cordelia and two men, although only Cordelia and one of the men were smiling… the other looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

 

"That's what I've been pondering over," Rikishi said as he raised his eyes to both men. "It seems the man on Delia's left…" He pointed back to the photograph. "Is an ex watcher."

 

Rocky's head snapped up and he was immediately on his feet. "Proof." He barked reaching for the paper Rikishi held in his hands scanning it before walking towards the window, a hand absently rubbing at his chin.

 

"We can't assume the Council has any knowledge of who she is but… given there has been a watcher close enough to befriend her I think we can safely assume they don't."

 

"Watcher? Council? Are you guys like speaking another language?" Jeff asked thoroughly confused by their line of conversation.

 

"There is no time to explain now," Rocky said to the younger man before turning back to Rikishi. "Contact the Council, find out what they know… but take care not to mention Delia by name. If for nothing else alert them for backup."

 

"Yes Sire," Rikishi bowed before turning to move towards the door.

 

`Sire?' Jeff thought… `what the hell have I gotten myself into.'

 

Just as Rikishi reached for the door handle a knock sounded at the door.

 

Jeff watched stunned as Rocky and Rikishi moved to either side of the door using hand signals to communicate.

 

"Who is it?" Rocky called one hand on the door handle the other arm stretched out above his head poised to strike.

 

No reply came.

 

Jeff watched as Rikishi raised his palm to the door slowly moving it over the doors surface, his eyes closed as if locked in concentration before snapping open and slowly nodding to Rocky.

 

"I sense no evil."

 

The knock came again this time insistent.

 

Pulling the door open Rocky, Rikishi and Jeff were met with the faces of the three people they had just been discussing.

 

**

 

"You will bow down to me."

 

"Never!" she cried all the venom and hatred she could master in her voice.

 

He laughed a hideous, monstrous laugh as his tongue snaked out to lap over her shoulder and up her neck.

 

"Eww!" she turned her head away from him in disgust straining on the chains that held her bound.

 

"I have laid dormant awaiting your return… I knew it would only be a matter of time before your paths crossed again."

 

"Your paths?"

 

"Yes." She felt his tongue move up to caress her cheek and she had to swallow hard to keep her up chuck reflex in check. "I have always known where your protectors fled… some might even say I had a part in where they ended up."

 

"What are you talking about?"

 

"Well how else was I to ensure I got you back? I have been along side your brother and his slave the whole time. Sometimes friend… sometimes foe." He pulled her back against him, his piercing blue eyes locking with hers. "My beloved, when are you going to realise that I always get what I want… after all, I am the king of the world."

 

**

Part Thirteen

**

 

Rocky looked behind the new comers hopefully, when he didn’t see who he who he wanted his eyes returned to the young girl standing between the two men. She straightened her shoulders under his glare and equally glared back at him.

 

No words needed to be spoken between them for Rocky to know what had happened. Her look said it all.

 

Backing away from the door he motioned with his hand for them to enter.

 

“You have to invite us,”

 

Fred watched as his eyebrow rose, she heard Wesley behind her catch his breath seeing what she knew to be an identical expression of Cordelia's, but her eyes never left the man in front of her.

 

Another figure appeared behind the door and Fred was surprised to see it was the man he had fought with that night at the arena. She waited as he whispered something to the other man before his face turned to one of hardness and he looked straight at Angel.

 

“It’s okay, we are all here for Cordy.”

 

At her words his eyes snapped back to her and she saw them soften for a moment before his nostrils flared and the hard determination was back on his face.

 

Rikishi leaned forward again but Rocky stilled his words with an upraised hand. “I invite you in.”

 

**

 

“So, you are the watcher.”

 

“Ex-watcher if you please.”

 

Rikishi acknowledged that with a slight bow of his head before continuing. “I’m curious to know how an ‘ex-watcher’ came to be in contact with someone of Delia’s status.”

 

“Her status?”

 

“She is well above you or I.”

 

“And him?” Wesley asked nodding towards the bronzed skin man now in deep conversation with the others seated around a small table.

 

“He is her equal.”

 

“Well… its no secret really, we met in Sunnydale through another Watcher.” Wesley seemed surprised that he had divulged that piece of information.

 

“And the vampire?”

 

Wesley looked a little confused and dazed sensing the calming effect this man was having on him making him receptive to the other mans questioning.

 

“The vampire can speak for himself.” Wesley replied mentally battling to turn the other mans mind games in his favour.

 

Rikishi smirked as they continued there little battle of wills before Rocky called for him to approach. He did so bowing slightly before facing the small group huddled together.

 

“I still haven’t gotten use to seeing that,” Jeff said with a slight shake of his head.

 

Rocky lifted one corner of his mouth as he replied, “You aint seen nothing yet.”

 

“What I don’t get is your part in all this.” Angel cut in on there musings his gaze focused on Jeff Hardy.

 

“I don’t really have a part,” Jeff shrugged in reply, “Just kinda stumbled in along the way and decided to stay.”

 

Fred’s brows drew together. “But why stay?”

 

Jeff had the curtesy to blush a little as all eyes trained on him not really knowing how to reply to that, ‘nosy woman’ he thought to himself.

 

“He has a ventured interest.” Rocky replied for his young friend.

 

“How ventured?” Angel wanted to know.

 

Rocky steeled his gaze on the three people whom his sister called friends.

 

“Once delia is returned… they will be married.”

 

**

Part Fourteen

**

 

Cordelia awoke with a start groggily rubbing at her eyes as they adjusted to the bright lights of her prison. She hadn’t a clue as to how long she had been here… “Wherever here is,” she grumbled slowly getting to her feet to stretch her legs.

 

She felt empty here as if she had no control of her surroundings… or her mind.

 

‘Where are you?’ she thought wrapping her arms around her herself and absently rubbing up and down her arms. ‘You should have come by now.’

 

Above her a chuckle erupted from the man who sat silently watching his pretty guest. “He will come, my love… and then I will have you both.”

 

He watched as she spun around as the sound of his laughter filled the tiny room she was in and a satisfied gleam in his eyes as her back straightened and her head rose her eyes locking with his through his viewing portal.

 

“Your powers grow stronger my love… soon I will redeem my birth right…” He laughed once again his finger gently reached towards the image of Cordelia running gently along her jaw line as she continued to stare straight at him. “And yours.”

 

**

 

“Married?”

 

“Married.”

 

“Leka, you can’t be serious… him?” Rikishi turned unbelieving eyes on that of his master and immediately lowered them again under his master’s glare. “Forgive me.”

 

“It is the only way.”

 

Angel erupted out of his seat. “NO… no, there has to be another way.”

 

“Leka…”

 

Rocky’s eyes meet that of Rikishi’s. “He bares the mark.”

 

Rikishi’s eyes bulged as Rocky motioned for Jeff to step forward, rolling his sleeve up as he did. There on this left arm snaking out from his elbow to his shoulder ran three deep lines one red, one white and one black. The red and white lines intertwined while the black one spiralled out of control almost as if trying unsuccessfully to form a wedge between the other two lines.

 

Wesley moved closer to examine the mark almost immediately removing his glasses to wipe them on the end of his shirt before returning them to his face.

 

“My god… I have always read about this… but I never thought I would actually see it.” He exclaimed, he had reached out to touch the mark but his hand stilled moments before contact as if in fear.

 

Angel moved forward also but his eyes remained on that of his friend. “Wes, what do you know about this mark?”

 

Wesley mentally shook himself rubbing at his eyes before turning to look at Rocky as if seeking his approval first, continuing on when the other man nodded his acquiescence.

 

“It is the mark of a champion.”

 

**

Part Fifteen

**

 

"You can't be serious!"

 

"It is the only way."

 

Angel and Rocky had been locked in this verbal spar for over an hour now the remaining men having given up on trying to soothe both their  ego's finally just letting the two head strong men go at it. Only Fred remained looking down intensely at both men as they argued.

 

"You don't understand… it is her destiny. The future of our kind rests in their bonding."

 

"What do you mean `your kind'? Cordelia's not human?" Fred asked from where she stood behind Angel.

 

Rocky looked her straight in the eye smiling inwardly when she blushed. "She is more then human."

 

"Who or what exactly are you and Cordelia?" Wesley asked intrigued by their line of conversation.

 

"I am Mana, rightful King to the throne of this world."

 

"Mana?" Angel repeated.

 

Wesley stepped forward. "Ah… Mana," he quickly glanced behind him to the big man in the back. "Correct me if I'm wrong… but I believe Mana is of the old language meaning power, foundation… or as you are known now, Rock."

 

At Rocky's nod he continued. "And rightful King to the throne of this world… your kind was wiped out centuries ago… I'd have to do some research to delve back for accuracy but just quoting off the top of my head… `He that arises out of murk and dust will lay claim to the throne, only in bond ship will the beast lay dormant'"

 

"Very good, your watcher does you justice."

 

Fred watched with wide eyes as Rocky moved to the back wall reaching up to pull forth a tome from what looked like fresh air to her. She quickly glanced around the room seeing the same look on the faces of all the men except the big man, Rikishi.

 

Handing the tome to Wesley, Rocky returned to his seat. "Everything you need to know is in there."

 

"And Cordelia?" Angel asked needing to know about his best friend.

 

"Delia is my sister, Rikishi our protector." Rocky motioned with his hand towards the big man who still stood to attention behind him. "When Delia came of age it was foretold that a champion would come and they would bond in marriage and life keeping the beast dormant for as long as Delia breathed. That time never came. She was taken from us before her marrying year and I was powerless to stop it. And the beast was released on the world."

 

"Where is the beast now?" Fred asked remembering the dark presence Cordy had saved her from.

 

"We don't know, but if he captures her…"

 

Wesley looked up from the tome Rocky had given to him. "He will marry her himself making his presence here on earth permanent forever."

 

"Then we have a problem,"

 

All eyes turned to Fred and she moved around from behind the couch to sit herself down, realisation showing in the eyes of her three friends as she turned looking straight at Rocky.

 

"He already has her."

 

**

Part Sixteen

**

 

Jeff stood out in the courtyard of the Hyperion alone just watching the early morning sky. They had all decided it would be best to come here then risk moving the still unconscious Cordelia. He couldn't believe the twist his life had taken, once a regular Joe he now finds out he's destined for bigger and brighter things. `Or should that be strange and dangerous things' he thought inching down the wall until his butt touched the floor.

 

All through his childhood he had been teased and picked on by the other kids because of his unusual birthmark, the only thing that saved him from the continual beatings he received at the hands of the neighbourhood bully was his brother and his dedication to wrestling.

 

"Gee… what is Matt gonna say about all this?" he whispered into the night air. "And Chris for that matter… he's probably wondering where I am. Do I really want to get married? I know I felt something when I first saw her… but like any man I had it pegged down as my libido."

 

The inevitable questions invading his mind space raged on and on as he pulled his knee's up to his chin and buried his face there, he felt like that scared little boy again and found himself wishing more then anything that his brother was there now.

 

**

 

Rikishi had taken up post at the bedroom door the moisture in his eyes as he looked straight ahead belied the pose of control he erected now. Rocky sat in a chair and just stared at the wisp of a

that lay sleeping on top of his bed, her now short hair fanned out beneath her, she looked exactly as he remembered… even in sleep.

 

"Again I was too late…" Rocky whispered to a sleeping Cordelia reaching out to hold her lifeless hand in his, silently willing it to move… to give him some sign that she knew he was there.

 

"She knows,"

 

Turning at the small voice behind him he saw Fred had entered and was now standing at the foot of the bed.

 

"I don't know how I know… but she knows you're here… and she's waiting."

 

Rocky stood his eyes slanted in thought as he looked at her. "You have shared her life essence."

 

"What… what do you mean?"

 

"It's all around you… and gets stronger the closer you are to her. That's why I didn't see it back at the hotel room."

 

"What are you talking about?" she stepped back as he came forward grabbing her by the shoulders and shaking her. "Let me go!"

 

"Fred!" Gunn appeared in the doorway but met resistance in the form in Rikishi. "What the hell!"

 

Angel and Wesley both flew into the room but with a wave of Rikishi's hand the watcher and the vampire froze able to see and speak but unable to move.

 

"Mana!" Fred screamed as her head lolled forward only to snap back up a moment later the light that had over taken her small form before shining forth from her eyes. "Release my friend's."

 

"Delia…"

 

Angel and Wesley fell forward into a heap on the floor from the momentum of their flight, Angel immediately jumping to his feet while Wesley followed at a slower pace silently cursing Angel's dead weight earning him a glare from the vampire.

 

"What's going on?" Jeff asked as he entered the room. "I heard a loud shuffling like someone had taken a tumble…"

 

"Oh… that was nothing… you know these old hotels… draft… doors…-"

 

"Wes." Angel cut in silencing the man.

 

"We haven't got long…" Cordelia spoke through Fred. "He's able to shift into the form of a human."

 

"Do you have a name?" Rocky asked as he still held Fred up by her shoulders.

 

"No… but he's referred to himself as `the king of the world'…" she replied, Angel noticed the three men's shared glance.  "Find him and you find me…"

 

Rocky held Fred closer to him as her eyes returned to normal and she rested her head against his shoulder.

 

"King of the World…" Rocky whispered shooting a look at Jeff as he still stood in the doorway.

 

"Chris…"

 

**

Part Seventeen

**

 

Before anyone knew what was happening Rocky had Jeff up by the throat against the wall his grip hard and his eyes fierce the younger man could do nothing but hold his hands up in surrender as the others gathered around them.

 

"Why is it whenever we get a push that leads us closer to Delia… that lead has something to do with you?"

 

"Rocky… Chris and I are friends yes but I swear I knew nothing about all this…"

 

The older man nodded towards Rikishi who bowed before coming forward to place his palm on Jeff's forehead. "He speaks the truth, sire."

 

"And what do you say vampire?" Rocky directed at Angel although his eyes never Jeff's.

 

"I smell no fear in his presence; he's telling us the truth."

 

Jeff slipped down the wall clutching his throat as Rocky released him. "We need a plan, the beast will know what Delia has passed onto us therefore he will not appear again in human form. The beast is very calculating and will try to stay one step ahead of us, what we have to do is let him think that he is."

 

"He will come after the champion," Rikishi said again taking up his position at the door.

 

"As legend foretold," agreed the other man his eyes focusing on Jeff. "So… we will give him a champion."

 

**

 

"Are you sure this will work?"

 

Wesley asked as he and Rocky watched as Rikishi laid out seashell's on the floor of Angel's bedroom then proceeded to sit in it chanting some ancient dialect Wesley had never heard before.

 

"It will work."

 

"Are you sure you want to do this?" He asked again this time directing his question to the man standing at his other side.

 

"Wes, this is Cordy… I have no choice, I need her back."

 

Wesley clapped a hand on the shoulder of the vampire knowing he would do everything in his power to bring her home. "I have never heard that patois before…"

 

"It is the language of our ancestors," Rocky replied stepping inside the circle of shells motioning for Jeff and Angel to join them.

 

"Guess all we can do now is wait." Fred said leaving Cordy's bedside to join Wesley at the circle's edge.

 

"Bring our girl home." Wesley whispered as the Heir, the slave, the champion and the vampire disappeared.

 

**

 

Angel felt himself falling and prepared himself for his inevitable connection with the bottom but it never came instead his eyes opened and he found himself in a room of light, looking around him he saw the other three men start to stir.

 

"Okay, what now?" Angel said offering a hand down to help up Rocky.

 

"Now we get prepared for battle." Rocky replied pointing to a speck of darkness which seemed even more emphasized in this room of light. "The first trial has begun."

 

Jeff's eyes widened as the speck began to take the shape of an army, his eyes bulging even more when spikes and horns sprouted out along with the legs and arms. "They're… they're…"

 

"Demons," Angel said already in fighting stance. "Get ready to fight."

 

"Wait!" Rocky called from behind them. "It is vital that you look straight ahead."

 

Angel frowned. "Why?"

 

"But that's crazy-" Jeff began but Rocky cut him off.

 

"It's vital if you want to survive. Trust me, Delia and Rikishi have our backs… just keep your eyes focused forward and battle only that which is standing right in your line of vision, nothing more."

 

The two men nodded in understanding before turning back to face the army of demons.

 

"Good, now we fight."

 

**

Part Eighteen

**

 

Jeritos watched the battle from his throne every now and then allowing Cordy the pleasure of seeing his minions attack the four men below. His throaty chuckle like a pesky insect buzzing around her ear.

 

"Your brother has chosen his warrior's well, I was beginning to think he would never catch on to the fact that he had never left his past behind… he had only succeeded in bringing it all together."

 

He was in his human form she saw, long blonde hair, bright blue eyes and a six pack to die for... but thoughts of what lay beneath that facade was still sickening in her eyes, thoughts of the lifetime he had taken from her, from her brother and from her kind.

 

"This form is what you could have if you came to me willingly," he said pulling her against his bare chest.

 

"You would still repel me no matter what form you took." She spat back at him.

 

He smiled his all knowing smile. "Are you sure about that?" He brought her face up with his hand forcing her to look at him as his face and voiced changed. "And what of this form?"

 

Her eyes softened as he took on the shape of Angel and she had to stop herself as she almost reached out to him.

 

"I thought this one would appeal to you…" he sniggered tracing her cheek with his finger. "All you have to do is accept me willingly…"

 

"Never." She squeezed her eyes shut as she mentally reached out with her mind focusing on her times in the Hyperion, times spent giggling with Fred, researching with Wes, fighting side by side with Gunn and sitting the long daylight hours away with Angel while he was in brood mode. Blocking out all thoughts of the form holding her. `He wasn't Angel, he wasn't Angel…'

 

"Stupid girl!" Jeritos cried back handing her across the room before following her now in his true form, his arm reaching forth to clutch at her hair rearing her head back until she had nowhere to look but at him. Drool fell from his open mouth and ran down her cheek and neck and his eyes bore into hers. "Is this what you want?"

 

She nearly choked at his words, the heat from his touch scorching her beneath the fabric of her shirt. "Please… you’re hurting me…"

 

"And it will hurt a whole lot more… I will have you, princess, with or without your consent." He dropped her then hovering over her as she tried to crawl away. "But you see… as long as you are alive he will still come after you… the feud between our families will continue and that appeals to me more than ending the game once and for all."

 

"So you don't want to marry me? It's just a ruse to keep the feud going?"

 

"Oh contraire, princess… we will be married, after all that is my way to eternal life… but after I destroy everything you and your kind stands for."

 

**

 

Fred sat and watched the rapid eye movement of Cordy, her hand at her friend’s head absently brushing her fingers through her hair in a comforting gesture, the girl's distressed state making there mark on her forehead in the form of worry lines.

 

"Fred," Gunn called quietly from the doorway. "Why don't you get some rest, I will stay with her."

 

"No… Charles… I'm okay-"

 

"You've been sitting there for over an hour, Fred."

 

"Please Charles, I have to stay… she has always been there for me, I can’t leave her… not when she needs me."

 

Gunn nodded stepping fully into the room and pulling up a chair to sit beside her at Cordy's bedside. "Okay, then how about we sit together."

 

Her eyes remained on the face of Cordelia but her hand reached out to squeeze that of the man next to her. "I'd like that."

 

**

Part Nineteen

**

 

 

Tired and battered the group of four continued on their path over coming every obstacle demon-like and of the natural that the beast threw in their path. Neither a word was spoken between them, all lost in their own thoughts.

 

'I have to get you back... I need you back...'

 

Angel, in full on brood mode his thoughts skipping to and from the past trying to recapture anything that would have alerted him to Cordelia's strange yet special circumstances... but his mind drew a blank. She was still the most vain and infuriatingly spoilt girl she had been back then... only contrasting feature was that now she had heart, and it surfaced on a regular basis.

 

He knew that he back then was too influenced by Buffy's presence to even try to decipher the workings of Cordelia's mind but now his mind was fill of her, the party where their paths crossed again, Doyle... Faith... Buffy dying... Cordelia had been a part of all that and stayed with him through out everything, helping him, encouraging him towards his redemption.

 

He had to get her back.

 

*

 

'It is foretold... our kind shall prosper...'

 

We shall rise and defeat our enemies to rightfully take our place upon the throne, our time has come... I can feel it... smell it... and very soon I will be it. Should have known it would catch up to me sooner or later, but with 'her' in his sights at least now he would have something to live for... something worth living for. In his mind cropped silky hair turned long and luscious, hazel orbs turned brown and innocent... the slightly fuller figure of Delia turning more slender and wispy.

 

He shook his head with a start trying to shake the image of the girl that had found her way into his thoughts but no matter how hard he tried to concentrate on his sister the image of the girl Fred kept coming back and he couldn’t help but wonder what game fate was playing with his mind.

 

*

 

'I will redeem myself in the eyes of those I have sworn to protect...'

 

My master still looks on me with distrust in his eyes not that I blame him after all I have been a scourge to his existence for the past year. I was an instrument that played to the ways of this world of freedom, allowing it to cloud my judgement and lose sight of what I am and where I'm from.

 

I’m not pleased with my past behaviour and know that I deserve far less than my master has shown me. Mayhaps in a new light, that being of my masters sister... he will once again look on me as more then a mere slave.

 

*

 

'Have I been rooming with a hell beast for the last three months?'

 

Y2J... self proclaimed king of the world, gee... if only people knew how true that caption 'really' was. That man had befriended him, came to his aid on numerous occasions called him brother... why? Had he known the part he himself would play in all this? This was even more than even his imagination could conceive and yet... this was real... of the now... unless... "Ouch." he groaned rubbing the sore spot on his arm where he had pinched himself moments before. Yep, definitely real.

 

He came up short when he found himself colliding with the form of the man in front of him, his eyes widening at what he saw.

 

There suspended in mid air, pain obvious on her features was the princess herself.

 

"Angel..."

 

 

**

Part Twenty

**

 

"Angel..."

 

Her face shone even through the obvious pain her body had to be in suspended how it was, her arms raised above her head which lolled forward. It seemed an effort for her to hold it up as it kept dropping down to her chest.

 

"I knew you'd come Angel... I knew you'd come..."

 

"We have to get her down."

 

"There's a force field." Rikishi replied stepping forward with his palms stretched out in front of him.

 

"He's not making it easy for us..." Rocky watched the pain alter his sister's expression.

 

"And in the mean time he's set a time limit."

 

"What do you mean?" Jeff asked finally getting use of his voice after seeing the princess suspended above them.

 

Angel looked at Rocky. "The longer we take..."

 

"...the longer she'll be in pain." he finished for the vampire. "Rikishi... is their anything...?"

 

"If I can create a link with Delia's subconscious I might be able to get a bearing on the power source that’s keeping her suspended." Rikishi said as he walked around the force field feeling out its hot spots.

 

"It won’t take effect... not while she's like that." Angel said shaking his head.

 

"I was not thinking of Delia, vampire."

 

Angel looked from slave to master. "Then who..."

 

"Fred." Rocky said rubbing at his chin in thought. "Here Delia's conscious state is being manipulated... but back at your dwelling..."

 

"Fred's mind is wide open."

 

"Exactly."

 

"Would either of them be in danger... at any time?" Angel asked not really liking the idea of either of his friends in peril, but something told him this might be their only chance.

 

"I will see to their safety." Rikishi promised his eyes catching and holding those of Angels. "You have my word."

 

Rocky stepped forward placing a hand on Angels shoulder. "Your friends might get a little worried once Rikishi establishes the link but believe us when we say they will both be safe."

 

With one more look at the quivering body of Cordy suspended in mid air, Angel turned to the other men and nodded.

 

**

 

Fred yawned leaning her head back against Gunn's shoulder. Her thoughts scattered as she travelled in her dream state to the place where she had first felt Cordy's presence. The room was still filled with light but there was something different about this room, the energy in this room was magnified ten fold blotting out everything but Cordy's presence.

 

In her minds eye she saw Cordy dangling helplessly in mid air, below her stood Angel, Rocky and Jeff while Rikishi seemed to be everywhere all at once calling for her to lead him. But lead him where?

 

She frantically looked around the room but all she saw was light... she didn’t know how she was supposed to help him, let alone lead him anywhere.

 

'Look not with your eyes...' came the command, Fred didn’t know where the command came from only knew that it was in her head. She jumped giving a little squeal as the room started shaking as if in the middle of an earthquake.

 

'Hurry, I cannot hold him off for much longer...'

 

'But I don’t know what you want...' her mind screamed. 'Please... I don’t know what to do...'

 

*

 

"She's not going to make it..."

 

"Yes she is... she has too." Rocky closed his eyes and inhaled deeply giving himself up to the vibe that was radiating off Rikishi before allowing himself to take Rikishi's place in her mind.

 

*

 

'Fred... baby... feel me... not with your touch, but with your mind... feel me and show me what you see...'

 

'Rocky?'

 

'Show me what you see...'

 

Fred willed herself to calm down, closing her eyes she blocked out everything, allowing her mind to flow free in wave after wave of pounding pulsations beating a rapid drum through her mind.

 

And then she saw it.

 

It was a green orb that spun erratically in the centre of the room. Energy radiated from it in spurts to reach out through the room and disappear through the walls.

 

She focused all her energy on sending what she saw through the channel that she saw opened in her mind, revelling in the feel of complete fulfilment she felt at being one with him.

 

*

 

Gunn watched as Fred smiled contently in her sleep before her eyes slowly opened.

 

"Wow... must of been some dream." he teased seeing the blush creep up her neck.

 

She just smiled shyly in response lowering her eyes, displaying the innocent cuteness that was Fred.

 

**

Part Twenty-One

**

 

"Centre of the room!"

 

"Already there!"

 

"Angel, get behind me... Jeff, behind Rikishi... watch our backs, he'll be coming!" Rocky ordered as he and Rikishi stood face to face palms stretched out in front of them. He turned to watch the other two get into place before adding, "It's the real thing this time... no more trials... be prepared."

 

Jeff looked over his shoulder. "I'm not so sure I can do this..."

 

"You are the champion, Jeff... the mark on your arm warrant’s it... when the time comes you will know what to do." Rikishi replied giving him a nod of encouragement before turning back to face Rocky.

 

"So do we just wait?"

 

"No Angel," Rocky replied with a nod towards Rikishi. "It starts now."

 

**

 

"He thinks he can defeat me!" Jeritos raged as Cordelia watched him from her perch.

 

"Looks to me like he's pretty much there already," Cordelia smirked. "You have no choice but to go meet him. His challenge has been issued."

 

The confident glare didn't leave her eyes as she felt his palm connect with her face.

 

"By time I'm through with them they'll all be wishing for death." he breathed into her face his tongue snaking out to caress her jaw before clamping his mouth over hers. "And then... I will make you my queen and everyone will know that I am truly 'king of the world.'"

 

She watched as his face faded before her own only to materialise a few seconds later in his true form. Closing her eyes at the sight she fought to control her up chuck reflex, images of his true nature appearing behind her closed eyes. 'God, he looks like the blob, Godzilla and Frankenstein all rolled into one.' she thought trying unsuccessfully to squash the images that invaded her subconscious, hearing his gurgled laughter in her ears at knowing exactly what he was doing to her.

 

"As pleasing as my true self is too you my princess... I really can’t stay to entertain you... got four pesky insects to annihilate... but don’t worry, I'll bring their heads back as souvenirs..." and with that he was gone leaving Cordelia a frightened, shaking mess.

 

**

 

"What are you two doing?" Angel was going crazy just standing here waiting, he was a 'take action, ask later' kind of guy... this waiting thing was hard.

 

"I am releasing the effects of the force field's hold on Delia's body while Rikishi is guiding her subconscious back... making them one once mor-."

 

He never got to finish as a stream of sunlight burst into the room, Angel jumping back to avoid its rays. "I thought you said the trials were over?"

 

"They are... this is Jeritos... he plays on your subconscious..." Rocky yelled back as Jeff started screaming frantically swiping at his body with his hands.

 

"Get them off me! Get them off me!"

 

"It is all in your mind boy... Jeritos destroys your mind first... don’t let him." Rikishi said his tone bland as he trained all his attention onto that of restoring his princess's mind.

 

Angel shrieked. "Crosses! The floor is covered with Crosses!"

 

Rocky's eyes glowed white the light emanating from them flowed up to encircle the body of his sister, shards of darkness shooting out from the light to fizzle out into the atmosphere.

 

"It is done." he said his eyes still glowing, "She is hurt... you must hurry..."

 

Fireballs danced around the room, Angel dodged them as best he could while Jeff did his best to deflect them away from the other two men by playing chicken with them.

 

"She is close..."

 

"We need her here now!" Rocky yelled as a vortex opened beneath them, "He's starting on me..." knowing that the vortex was his fear.

 

"Something is holding her back..."

 

"Dammit Jeritos! She doesn’t belong to you!"

 

"She was promised to me as you well know my young prince..." a gurgled reply resounded around the room.

 

"Promises are made to be broken in this world, Jeritos... and break it I will..."

 

No one seemed to noticed the cloud of light that surrounded Angel, intertwining with that of his aura a calming look creeping into his gaze.

 

'Angel...'

 

'Cordy?'

 

'You must kill him...'

 

'I don’t know how... he's nowhere yet everywhere...'

 

'You are my champion...'

 

'No... Jeff has the mark...'

 

'Yes he does... but I am Cordelia, half demon/seer to the vampire with a soul... I am not delia, the princess... you are my champion, Angel... you must kill him in order for me to come back.'

 

'How? He is invisible to my eyes...'

 

'Reach behind you... I will do the rest...'

 

Doing as she instructed he felt the cold hard steel of a sword and his fingers clasped it welcomingly. He felt Cordys presence within his own and smiled as the knowingness of being one with her slid over him.

 

'So this is what Angelus feels like when he can’t come out,' he thought and chuckled to himself as he felt Cordy's laughter rumble inside him.

 

He watched as his body moved forward, eyes intent and focused... sword at his side.

 

**

Part Twenty-Two

**

 

He stood at Angel's bedroom door and watched as Fred tended to Cordelia, silently sponging Cordy's face with a cool wet cloth and whispering endlessly about anything and everything.

 

Wesley closed his eyes as he moved out of the threshold sighing as he leaned his forehead against the wall sending up a silent prayer to whomever was listening to bring Cordelia back to them.

 

Moving away from the wall he turned to head back towards the stairwell leaving the two girls in peace.

 

"How's she doing?"

 

Wesley sat down next to Gunn on the bottom step as he reached the lobby floor. "Hasn't moved a muscle," he replied pensively.

 

"Maybe I should go and relieve her... let her stretch her legs."

 

"Huh?"

 

"Fred... you said she hadn't moved a muscle."

 

"I meant Cordelia..." Wesley corrected leaning back to rest his elbows on the forth step. "but Fred's doing okay from what I saw."

 

"You know she'd be lost without Cordelia here."

 

Wesley looked down at his hand as he thought over Gunn's words an image of a despondent Angel flashing in his mind before raising his eyes back to his young friend. "We all would be."

 

**

 

"You have to come back to us, Cordy, I absolutely insist... and you know me... shy meek little Fred never insists about anything... never does anything on her own... too scared of her own shadow to set foot outside the Hyperion walls without someone by her side. Well that's all going to stop if... no 'when' you come back. Who am I going to tell all my girlie stuff too? Who's going to giggle with me over hunky men in those trashy magazines? I'll even go out and get my own taco's... Cordy, just come back please..."

 

Fred watched as the girl on the bed continued to remain still not a flutter of an eye lid nor the twitch of a muscle. Cordy was as still now as she was before.

 

"You know," Fred continued as she lightly stroked back Cordelia's hair from the top of her forehead. "It's not just me who needs you to wake up... there's everyone here... Wes, Gunn and especially Angel... he stills denies it but you and he are meant to be together. Its kyrumption." she shrugs. "Not to mention obvious, the way he's always jumping through portals for you and catching you when you fall, it's so romantic... he could be on the other side of the room and still get to you before you hit the floor almost as if he knows beforehand. 'And' he chopped off Lindsey's hand to save your life! He's such a hero... a champion... and you are his damsel, there's nothing he wouldn't do for you."

 

Cordelia remained still her eyes closed but Fred rattled on just like old times. "You have your brother now too... so you have to come back because it wouldn't be right to have just found each other after all this time and not get to know him again... learn about his life now, his job... his friends... his love's..." she blushed remembering the intimate moment when he had been in her head and a feeling of warmth and affection erupted inside her. "Gosh... look at me... I'm getting all tingly thoughts about your... well lets just leave that little titbit for when your fully awake."

 

Gently Fred patted Cordelia's up turned hand as it lay at the edge of the bed before leaning back into her chair letting her head loll to the side as she kept her gaze on the lifeless form of her friend.

 

**

 

Angel kept his hand behind his back as he crept towards the centre of the room where Rikishi was still locked in a battle of minds with the thing called Jeritos while Rocky and Jeff were trying to ward off the images Jeritos was sending there way, showing them their deepest and darkest fears.

 

"What are you doing!" he heard Rocky call out but Angel had a mission, a quest to save his seer, his link to life, his reason to want to be alive.

 

"Hah! You are no match for me vampire!" Jeritos sneered flinging his tail back to knock Angel back against the wall, Angel bracing himself for the blow... but it never came.

 

He opened his eyes to see the astonished faces of Rocky and Jeff and then the firey eyes of Jeritos as he tried again to ward of Angels advance but just like the first time his tail passed right through Angel.

 

"It's you." Rocky said standing to his feet. "But that can’t be... Jeff has the mark..."

 

Angel merely raised his brows at the other man before rushing at Jeritos sword held high.

 

"The bitch is helping you!" Jeritos realised as Angel's blow met its mark and purple blood oozed from his side while all his blows merely passed through Angel's body. "I should have killed the whore first." Jeritos spat changing into his human form.

 

"Chris!" Jeff said started forward only to be stopped by Rocky.

 

"He's not the man you know, Jeff." he said pulling the young man back. "He's just a wolf in sheep’s clothing."

 

Jericho moved slowly clutching at his side where Angel's sword had pierced him. "You have nothing vampire... you may have her body but you will never have her soul. She is mine... it was foretold!" The next thing they knew Jericho had pulled forth a small dagger from behind his back and it flew through the air landing with a dull crack. Jeff looking down in shock as both Rikishi and Rocky lay in a heap on the ground.

 

Angel didn't think twice as he swung his sword up and then down slicing through the neck of Jericho, his head landing with a thud before rolling to a stop at his feet, the cunning and maniacal smile still plastered to his face as it looked up at him before Jericho's eyes closed for the last time.

 

"Rikishi..."

 

Angel turned to see Jeff and Rocky hovering over the bloodied body of Rikishi.

 

"We have to get him back... he can still be saved if we hurry-"

 

"No... Leka... I... I can feel the passing..." Rikishi gasped for air as he leaned up against the wall. "Delia is safe now, yes?"

 

"Yes... Delia is safe now..."

 

A spark entered Rikishi's eyes and he looked up to see tears in Rocky's eye's.

 

"I'm sorry... Rikishi-"

 

"Shhh... all is well between us... my master..."

 

"No Kis, not master... Brother."

 

Jeff and Angel watched as the two men clasped hands till both their knuckles were white... and they stayed like that till Rikishi's hand slackened and fell to the floor.

 

**

Part Twenty-Three

**

 

"Wes! Gunn!"

 

Sounds of heavy foot falls resounded on the second floor as both men clambered up the stairway only to stop dead in their tracks at Angel's bedroom door at the sight of a glowing Fred and an equally glowing Cordelia sitting up on the bed.

 

"Hi guys... miss me?"

 

Wesley and Gunn stood motionless at the door, the sound of metal hitting the wooden floor of the hallway drawing the girls attention downwards to see the axe and dagger that the guys had let slip through their fingers.

 

"Well... it's good to see the menfolk all ready and willing to protect us womenfolk." she grinned before waving them over. "Come over here and give me a hug."

 

Gunn found his feet first ambling over to encircle Cordelia in his strong arms moving back after a moment to allow Wesley his turn with their newly awaken friend.

 

"Isn't this great?" Fred beamed from the other side of the bed practically bouncing on her feet. "Now all we need is Angel to come back... Oh my god! Angel! He and the other's are still in the beast’s dimension."

 

Wesley paled. "I haven’t deciphered the text that Rikishi read out... I'm not sure I could bring them back."

 

"Show me." Cordelia said jumping up from the bed.

 

Fred moved forward instantly as Cordy's feet faltered. "Cordy, you shouldn't be up-"

 

"I have to try Fred... I have too." She grabbed Fred by the shoulders and looked knowingly into her eyes. "For both of us."

 

Fred blushed remembering all she had said while Cordy had been unconscious lowering her eyes causing Cordelia to reach down and grab her hand giving it a squeeze. "Both of us."

 

"Everything is still as Rikishi left it." Wesley said immediately springing into action. "The shell's, the text... everything..."

 

Cordelia looked down and saw the circle of shells next to the bed. "It's always a circle." she said shaking her head.

 

Wesley moved to stand in front of her text book in hand. "Are you sure?"

 

"Yes. I'm sure."

 

"Ok. Let's get to it then."

 

Fred and Gunn watched as Cordelia sat crossed legged in the middle of the circle.

 

"Like I said I haven't translated-"

 

"It's okay Wes... hand me the text."

 

Wesley did as she asked then stood back to watch her as she scanned the pages.

 

Catching Fred's gaze with her own she sent the younger girl a wink before her eyes turned white. "Get ready... for our loves return."

 

A breeze started up in a swirl of dust and flame to encircle Cordelia as she read from the text until it had consumed her from their vision although they could still here her voice chanting over the noise of the wind which had now turned gale force whipping up everything in it's path that was within the circle of shells.

 

"How are we to know if this is working?" Gunn asked not able to hide the fear in his voice. "We just got her back."

 

Wesley stared at the scene before him. "We have to trust her. That's all we can do."

 

**

 

"The portal is opening."

 

Rocky looked up to see the glow of the circle getting bigger and bigger around them.

 

"How can this be happening? With Rikishi-"

 

"Delia." Rocky said crossing the dead hands of Rikishi on his chest. "She's awake."

 

Jeff looked down at the bodies of Jericho and Rikishi. "What about... we can’t just..."

 

"There's nothing more we can do... they have travelled on." Rocky said over his shoulder before turning back to the body of Rikishi for the last time. "Safe journey... my brother."

 

One by one the warriors disappeared into the glowing warmth that called to them, willing them into its presence.

 

**

 

A Bright light filled the room only to die out in the next second leaving in its wake three of the four warriors who had left.

 

Fred inadvertently rushing to Rocky's side as his legs gave way with the finality of loss that came with losing someone close. Pulling him into her embrace without a second thought, feeling his loss as if it were her own.

 

Cordelia smiled finding herself gathered up within the arms of her champion... her Angel. Her eyes filling with tears as she held him close... something she thought she would never do again.

 

Wordlessly the three men remaining walked towards the door Wesley reaching out to pull it open before standing back to allow the other two men exit. Looking once more at the two couples still in each others arms he smiled before quietly pulling the door closed behind him.

 

**

 

END

 

**

 
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