Rude awakening

[nomorekaraoke]

Late night, like any other night that isn't technically a night to remember, Lorne sits in his office with his 'morning' coffee, spiked with whatever liqueur he could find in his liquor cabinet. It's organizing time, and by that we don't mean party-planning, we mean cleaning up the mess that is his desk (and however far as the metaphorical fallout reaches).

Well, mostly he's just sipping his cuppa Joe and trying to wake up.

It shouldn't be that much of a problem considering the distinct lack of sleeping he got today.

But speak of the snoozing devil, his cell phone comes alive, literally vibrating and singing to the high heavens. It's Queen this time around. A quirky little tune called Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon.

Not that that's what he's doing.

Comments

[sunnydalealum]

"Boss?"

It may take him a moment to recognize the voice on the other end of the line, which is both out of breath and verging on tears.

[nomorekaraoke]

"Hey, Emma." He murmurs, instantly concerned. "Baby-cakes, don't cry-- What's wrong?"

[sunnydalealum]

"I --"

A third facet of the blurring of her voice is becoming gradually apparent: she's also very badly scared.

"I don't know if, if I'm gonna make it in to work tonight --"

[nomorekaraoke]

Stress levels: Rising. On both ends of the telephone line.

"You'll have to spell it out for me, honey, I'm not a mind reader."

[sunnydalealum]

"They --"

A gasp, and the dopplering whine of a car horn going by at high speed.

"Oh god," and that's little more than a whimper. "They found me. The Slayers, from the Council. I might -- I might have to hide somewhere tonight --"

[nomorekaraoke]

He's off the chair and out the door in a heartbeat. "Where are you?" It's not so much a question as a demand to know.

Coat and car keys in hand, he's on his way. Doesn't matter where she is, he realizes with a sense of dawning dread, he'll go get her. He'll come find her first.

"Emma, talk to me, sweetheart."

[sunnydalealum]

"I'm -- I don't know."

Further traffic noises beyond her voice, the rattling engine of a bus going by.

[nomorekaraoke]

"Try and--" slapping himself silly on the inside, because he can't think! He isn't a tactical genius or any sort of guy who can track someone wherever they...

Hold on.

"Go with your guts, duckling. You'll be fine."

It's been a long time since he's focused on someone's aura, and he does it only for the very shortest of instances, but it's enough for him to recognize it when he needs to. It has to be enough.

[sunnydalealum]

In the background there's a shout, a fierce female voice in the middle distance, and whatever it's saying isn't clear but there's a sharp indrawn breath much closer to the phone.

"They've seen me, I have to --"

Her voice cracks.

"I'm sorry," she manages, and the line goes dead.

[nomorekaraoke]

Rushing headfirst down the stairs, there's only one question on his mind.


Will I get there in time?