Disclaimer: See part 1.
Spike sighed exasperated. "Whatever. Let's just
bloody get out of the sun. Shall we?"
Xander sent him a withering glare. "Pipe down."
Doyle turned to Joe. "Where all did you take them?"
The zoo keeper shrugged. "Just inside the tour
building. She couldn't have gone far. This is the only
exit you can leave through without a key. She's still
has to be inside."
Doyle looked relieved. "Good. We'll go in and look
for her. You stay here with the rest of the students
and see if she comes out."
Cordelia sent him an angry scowl. "And don't lose
anymore of them."
Xander started walking to the entrance. "That's
settled. Let's go."
Spike followed him twirling his hot pink umbrella.
"Oh, goody." he said glancing at Cordelia. "Barbie
goes to fantasty land. We are sure to achieve loads of
work today."
Cordelia turned to Spike with a sarcastic smile.
"And fake hair Ken realizes what a impotent queer he
is so it's been an adventurous day."
Spike's sneer fell and he gawked speachless.
"Besides," Doyle added. "Barbie's a blonde. Teresa
is the brunette."
"I am really glad you know your Barbies but my
little cousin is still missing. Could we please find
her? After that you can all sit around and insult each
other as much as you want."
Doyle grabbed Cordelia's hand. "He's right, love.
We should get a move on."
The group started walking along the tour route in
silence. After a moments pause Xander turned around to
look at Spike. "I'm sorry but I must say Cordelia's
right. You do look kind of...controversial with the
pink umbrella."
Spike growled and tossed it to the side. "It's not
mine. It's Willow's...let's find the girl." he said
with a scowl.
The foursome continued lost in thought. They walked
along until Xander visibly cringed.
Doyle watched him worriedly. "What is it?"
Xander merely looked up at the display they were in
front of. "Hyenas" he whispered. "Tell me Rebecca
isn't a hyena."
"One family couldn't have that bad of luck...or
that many losers." Spike said with a chuckle.
Doyle nodded. "I agree...about the 'It didn't
happen' part. It happens more than once it leaves
freaky and goes onto just plain wrong."
Cordelia prodded Doyle forward. "So let's keep
looking." She took his arm and headed forward.
Xander ran a few feet ahead of them. He skidded to
a paniced stop. "Room. No other doors. She's not in
here. Rebecca's gone. Something happened to her." He
looked ready to cry. "I never should have let her come
to the zoo. It always leads to disaster."
Doyle's eyes widened in recognition. "Hold on." He
studied the room. "Yes, I know now." He leaned on one
of the walls. "There's something that triggers it..."
He felt along the bookshelf.
At the back there was a little switch.
"Here." he said flicking it.
One of the walls slid out to reveal a pasageway.
Cordelia inhaled audibly. "Your vision."
Doyle nodded. "My vision. Which means something
evil is up. Something that involves Xander's cousin.
Stay close to me." He said pulling her behind him. "I
don't want anything to happen to you."
Spike grabbed two flashlights that were
'convieniently' sitting on the bookshelf. "Look what
we have here." He handed one to Xander and the other
to Doyle. "I don't need light to see. I can see just
fine in the dark."
Doyle nodded a little disturbed by that statement
but continued. "Xander? Do you know any reason that
someone would want to take your cousin?"
Xander shook his head. "None."
"There's only one way to find out." Doyle nodded
his head to the open wall. "To the tunnels then?"
"To the tunnels." Xander agreed.
Doyle clasped Cordelia's hand and ventured in.
"There's no turning back, Princess."
Cordelia tightened her grip on his hand. "I know. I
promised those children I would protect them and I am
going to do everything in my power to get Rebecca
back."
Doyle kissed her nuckles gently. "You make me proud
to be in love with you."
Cordelia smiled softly. "I'm glad you're in love
with me because I love you too."
Spike rolled his eyes. "And I would love to get out
of here so can we get a move on?"
Cordelia shook her head. "Not a bone of passion in
your body..." Her eyes turned serious. "Let's go save
our student."
With Doyle in the lead the foursome headed into the
pitch black tunnel not knowing what would be greeting
them when they got there.
Cordelia nervously held Doyle's arm. "We have to go
back over the tour route and find her."
Part 4
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