Angels
By Ruth

Part Two
The Chemicals Between Us

Lewis was putting the last escaped monkey back into it's cage when he heard it...a low growling noise. It was coming from the hallway. Lewis slowly walked to the door and opened it. He cautiously stuck his head out into the hallway to take a peak. He looked one way and then the other but saw nothing. He stepped all the way out, shut the door behind him and carefully started down the hallway, listening all the while. Lewis stopped dead in his tracks when he heard a strange huffing noise coming from around the corner up ahead. He waited as the sound grew louder and louder. Then, from around the corner it came. Lewis' eyes grew wider at the sight. It had yellow, lizard-like eyes and long reaching arms that ended in talons. It walked upright, like a bird, on powerful legs with feet that were also clawed. And to top it all off, it had one huge set of wings. A dragon!

"Oh shit, that can't be good," said Lewis as he very slowly backed up the way he came. That's when he heard the other one behind him. Lewis turned around quickly to find it standing almost on top of him. It towered over him, being a good nine feet tall. Small for a dragon, he imagined, but big enough to do a lot of damage. "Nice dragon...niiiice dragon," he said, the pitch of his voice rising with fright. The thing roared and Lewis tried to make a run for it but it caught him with one powerful talon. "Oh, crap..."

Meanwhile, Angel was working on some paperwork in her office when she heard yelling. She looked up from her desk toward the door. She was about to get up when the door flew open and Lewis practically fell through it. He quickly shut the door behind him and leaned back against it. His arms were outspread against the door as if he were trying to keep something from getting in. Angel noted his clothes looked ripped up and he had scratches on his face and arms. Lots of scratches.

"Oh my God!" she said, racing over to him. "What the hell happened?" Lewis was too shaken to speak at the moment. She ran to the bathroom connected to her office. When she came back out she had several damp towels with her. She went back to Lewis, slowly pushed his sleeves up and started working on cleaning his wounds. "Lewis, what happened?" she asked again.

"D-D-Dragons!" he finally managed to spit out.

Angel stopped and looked up at him. "What? Did you say 'dragons'?"

Lewis nodded. "Two of them! They didn't have any teeth to speak of but they apparently hadn't gotten around to declawing them!"

Angel still couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Dragons? Are you sure?"

"Am I sure?" Lewis said while grabbing her shoulders. "Am I sure?!" He was beginning to sound hysterical.

"Yes, are you sure?"

Lewis stared at her with wide eyes and sucked in his bottom lip a bit. He dropped his hands back down to his sides. "Well, yes, reasonably sure," he said with a sudden, eerie calm.

Angel sighed. "Cripes, no wonder they fired the last supervising scientist. I never would have authorized an experiment like that. You could have been killed." There was a loud roar outside the door. Lewis yelped and tried to jump into Angel's arms. She obviously couldn't support his weight so she dropped him on his behind.

"Sorry," he mumbled as he stood up. Angel gave him a sympathetic look and then went to the door to bolt it. Lewis looked at her questioningly.

"Who knows how smart they are? If they're roaming the hallways they obviously figured out how to open doors." Lewis became alarmed at the thought and backed away from the door until he bumped into Angel's desk. He sat down on it with an audible "thud". Angel looked thoughtful for a moment. "Is anyone else here tonight?" she asked.

"Just you and me, Babe," Lewis said sullenly. Angel approached him and began to dab at his wounds again.

"Don't sound so down about it," she said. Lewis was watching her ministrations to his hands and arms. He was, again, amazed at how small her hands were compared to his. "I mean, it's not so bad being trapped here together...alone." That grabbed his attention. Lewis' head whipped up. There was a question in his eyes. Angel merely smiled and left it unanswered.

"Maybe we could call someone," suggested Lewis.

Angel paused in what she was doing and frowned in thought. "Maybe I can call one of the other scientists. They might know something about those things. But let me take care of you first. You're a mess...no offense."

"None taken."

Angel managed to clean up his lower arms, hands and face. The scratches there were all minor and didn't look like they'd leave any scars. The only things left were a gash from his right shoulder to the middle of his chest and maybe a couple of scratches on his upper arms. His clothing was obscuring them so she couldn't tell how bad it was. His coveralls and T-shirt were going to have to go. She reached up and grabbed hold of the zipper near the hollow of his throat, noting how he swallowed nervously. "Must maintain professional distance," she started chanting in her head.

She slowly moved the zipper down until she was at his waist, where she stopped. Gently, she slid the coveralls off his shoulders, taking extra care at the right one. He gingerly slipped his arms out and let the top part of the coveralls fall behind him on the table. He was left wearing the bottom half and a white T-shirt. Angel hesitated. "That'll have to come off," she said, gesturing at the T-shirt. Lewis slowly pulled it off, wincing because some of the shirt stuck to the gash. The gash was nasty enough to keep Angel's mind on the task at hand and off the fact that Lewis was now half naked. She hardly knew him but she did know that now wouldn't be a good time to suddenly throw herself at him. She picked up a fresh towel and began to softly wipe the wound clean.

"Ouch!" Angel looked up at Lewis apologetically. Lewis nodded and she continued on with her work. She was leaning in so close now he could smell her hair. It was clean smelling with a hint of mint and rosemary. He leaned in a little closer and before he realized what he was doing he had put his hand in her hair. Angel stopped abruptly and looked up at him. Their faces were only a few inches apart. Lewis swallowed hard again as he looked into her eyes, and, to Angel's disappointment, leaned back. He took the towel from her hand and stood up, his coveralls barely managing to stay up.

"I can go take care of this one," he said as he grabbed his T-shirt and moved towards the bathroom. Angel just nodded and watched him go. When he came out a few minutes later he had put the T-shirt and coveralls back on.

"I'll make that phonecall now," Angel said, breaking the silence. She moved to the phone and dialed a number. As she spoke with someone on the other end, Lewis walked to the door and put his ear to it. The hallways were silent but he knew "they" were out there, waiting. Or were they? Maybe they were asleep. He took a chance and peeked out the door. There was nothing in the hallway but now he could hear their huffing coming from around the corner to the left.

"OK, what's to the right?" he thought quickly to himself. "Another hallway...labs...a janitorial closet...a way out?" He couldn't think of one. And they were in the underground part of the building so there were no windows to get out. The stairway up and the way out lay to the left...past the toothless dragons. He eased the door shut again. When he turned around, Angel was off the phone.

"Well, apparently those two are part of an experiment that was thought to have gone wrong. They never expected those two to hatch. The plan was to incinerate the eggs tomorrow - " "Wait a minute," Lewis cut in. "Those are BABIES?"

Angel shrugged. "Looks that way. I guess that's why they don't have teeth. They haven't come in yet." Lewis dropped down on her desk again.

"So I was practically torn apart by two baby dragons?" he said with an incredulous look.

"They're not really dragons."

"Oh? Just what are they supposed to be?"

"Slightly altered birds."

"'Slightly," he paused for effect here, "altered birds'. 'Slightly'. 'Altered'."

"Obviously that's one of the things that went wrong."

"Obviously."

"The good news is that they're nocturnal and should fall asleep by morning. Then we can hit 'em with the tranquilizer guns."

"So we have to stay here all night?" Lewis asked carefully.

"Looks that way."

"Together?"

Angel gave him a strange look. "Unless you want to take your chances in the hallway."

Lewis sighed. Staying here with Angel all night was definitely appealing but this wasn't the way he had wanted to do things. This was different. He had to do everything right. He didn't want to start out this relationship with a night of groping on her office couch. He had to think with his head not...other parts. Not easy when she was standing there in those tight, black trousers hugging every curve --Lewis shook his head. "Stop that," he thought.

"Stop what?" Angel asked. He had said it out loud.

"Uh...nothing. Say," he said, quickly changing the subject, "how are they going to know it's morning?"

"They'll probably sense it. I hope."

Lewis looked thoughtful for a moment. "I have an idea!" he suddenly blurted out.

Saturday
12:10am
Drew's House
Drew's phone rang and he pulled himself off the couch to get it.

"Hey, grab me another beer while you're up," said Oswald.

"Me too!" said Kate.

"Yeah, allright," Drew said as he walked into the kitchen to get the phone. "What do they think I have," he mumbled, "a brewery in my garage?" He paused in front of the phone. "Hey, wait a minute. I *do* have a brewery in my garage." He smiled and picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"Drew! It's Lewis!"

"Hey, Lewis! Make it quick. We're watching The Princess Bride."

"'Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You kill my father. Prepare to die'," Lewis quoted from the movie. Angel could be heard giggling in the background as she watched Lewis assume a pose as if he were ready to strike with sword in hand.

"Ah, so you're still with Angel," Drew grinned. "How's it going?" "Actually, not so good. We're trapped at DrugCo. I need you to do me a favor. Is Oswald over there?"

"Yeah, he's here. What do you mean you're 'trapped'?"

"Grab Oswald and go to our place. Tell him to get the cattle prod and then come here to DrugCo."

"Cattle prod?! Lewis, why in the hell do you own a cattle prod?"

"I don't have time to explain that right now, Drew. Just do it and get over here."

Drew sighed. "Allright. Who's going to let us in?"

"Just punch my nine-digit code into the keypad by the door. Do you have paper and a pen?"

Drew scrambled for the items. "OK, yeah, shoot."

"Listen carefully. It's very important that you punch this in right."

"Why? What happens if I don't?"

"You don't want to know," Lewis replied cryptically.

"Great. Fine, go ahead."

"OK...1...2...3...4...5 - "

"Wait a minute, Lewis. The next number doesn't happen to be 6 does it?"

"Wow! That's amazing, Drew! How'd you do that?"

Drew rolled his eyes. "Lucky guess. Go on."

"7...*2*...9!"

Drew raised his eyebrows as he looked over the numbers and shook his head slowly. "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, *2*, 9. Got it."

"Then put your thumb in the fingerprint scanner."

"Hold it! My thumb in the fingerprint scanner? That's not gonna work! It won't recognize my print!"

"Don't worry. It doesn't really work. It's just there for show."

"They really went all out on security."

"Once you're inside, go left down the hall until you reach the 4th door on the right. That's the stairwell. Go down the stairs, make a left and go to the first hallway on your left. Turn down there and look for Angel's office. Her name is on the door, 'Angel Donovan'. Got it?"

"Got it. Hey, Lewis?"

"Yeah, Drew."

"What's the cattle prod for?"

There was a pause on the other end. "You'll know it when you see it."

"Great. So help me if some monkapotomus or something comes after me - "

"Don't worry, Drew. Everything'll be just fine."

Drew didn't like the tone of Lewis' voice. It wasn't quite convincing. But his friend needed help. He sighed again. "OK, Lewis. We'll be right there."

"Thanks, Drew."

"Yeah, you're welcome." Drew hung up the phone. "Why do I get myself into these things? I always regret it," he muttered. Drew walked back to the livingroom.

"Hey, where's the beer?" asked Oswald.

"Forget the beer. Lewis just called. He said he and Angel are trapped at DrugCo and he needs us to go get them. Oswald, we're supposed to stop at your place and pick up the cattle prod."

"Cattle prod?!" Kate asked incredulously.

"Oh man," said Oswald. "That's not good. That's not good at all."

"Yeah, I didn't think so. Let's go before I change my mind."

"Wait a minute!" yelled Kate. "Are you two insane? Lewis calls and says he 'trapped'? And he thinks you'll need a cattle prod to get him out?! Are either of you even thinking?!!" Drew and Oswald looked at her vacantly.

"Listen," began Drew, "if I think about it then Lewis stays trapped. He asked for his friends' help and I'm gonna give him some. Let's go Oswald." Drew and Oswald headed to the kitchen and for the back door. Kate watched them go. She heaved a big sigh and then ran after them.

"Wait you guys!" Kate yelled. "I know I'm going to regret this," she added to herself.

Saturday
12:20am
DrugCo
Lewis hung up the phone and walked to the couch. He plopped down on it and rubbed at his eyes. "They'll be here soon," he said.

Angel sat next to him. "I'm worried, Lewis. What if a cattle prod isn't enough? Your friends could get hurt...or worse."

"Hey, don't you worry about those guys. They'll come through for us. I think."

"Lewis?" said Angel. "Why do you own a cattle prod?"

Lewis gave her a nervous, sideways glance. "It's best if I just keep that to myself." Angel shrugged.

"Ok, if you must," she said. She sat back and watched Lewis as he fidgeted.

"Stop looking at me like that!" Lewis suddenly said, irritably.

"Fine. Whatever," Angel said and got up from the couch. Lewis jumped up and gently grabbed her arm, stopping her.

"No, wait. I'm sorry. It's just..." Lewis wasn't sure how to finish. Angel turned to face him.

"Just what, Lewis?" she coaxed gently.

"I don't know," Lewis said, sounding frustrated at his lack of words. He sat back on the couch again. Angel joined him. Lewis looked down at the carpet. "I'm scared," he said quietly

. "Oh, Lewis," said Angel, "that's OK. Those things are dangerous. I mean - "

"No, not of them. I'm afraid of what's happening...between us." "But, Lewis, we haven't even been on a date - "

"I know. You don't understand. When I saw you...I mean, the second our eyes met...I just knew." He finally looked at Angel. He saw of look of understanding there.

"Yeah, I guess it *is* kinda scary. But I like it," she smiled.

"I just don't want to do anything to blow this. If there's

one thing I'm good at, it's messing up relationships."

"Oh, I bet you're good at other things." The mischief was back in her voice. Lewis grinned and put his arm around her. They nestled back in the couch together, Angel resting her head on his chest. "See? This is very good."

They sat and talked about their lives for a while. They stopped when they heard a knock at the door. Lewis got up and walked over to it.

"Drew?" he called through the door. "That you?"

"Yeah," came Drew's voice from the other side. "Open up!" Lewis slowly opened the door. Kate came in first followed by Oswald, holding the cattle prod, and then Drew who stood just in the doorway.

"You guys made it!" Lewis said.

"Yeah," said Oswald. "We just walked in and found our way here."

"You didn't...see anything?"

"Nah. Not a thing. Why did I have to bring the cattle prod?"

Lewis looked over at Angel who shrugged. "Well, there might have been a...dragon or two roaming around."

"A dragon?!" yelled Kate. "Drew! Why didn't you tell me there could be dragons roaming around here?!"

"I didn't know!" Drew said defensively. "Besides, we haven't seen a thAHHHHHHH!" A large, taloned hand grabbed Drew and pulled him out of sight.

"Oh my God! Drew!" screamed Kate.

"Don't worry, Drew! I'll save you!" said Oswald as he ran from the room, wielding the cattle prod.

"You two stay here," said Lewis. "I've dealt with these things before." He ran out into the hallway. From the office, Angel and Kate could hear everything.

"Use the cattle prod!! Use the cattle prod!!" Drew was yelling. "YAAAAAHHHH!!! Not on me, Oswald, you idiot!"

"Sorry!"

There was a lot of scuffling, yelling and roaring but it sounded like the guys were actually winning.

"OK", said Lewis, "back 'em up farther! There's a couple of tranquilizer guns in that room!" More scuffling, yelling and roaring ensued. "Allright! Steady..."

The sound of the tranquilizer gun was heard. Then again. Followed closely by a couple of loud "thuds". Moments later, Lewis, Oswald and Drew walked back into the office. Drew looked as if he was having an all-over-body cramp.

"I feel like crap," said Drew. Oswald looked guiltily at him.

"Sorry about that. It wouldn't stand still!" Drew shuffled over to the couch and attempted to lay on it. He somehow managed it but his arms, hands and legs were stuck in a cramped position making it no more comfortable than standing up.

"Well," said Angel, "I'd better go take care of those two before they come out of it." She shook her head sadly and walked from the room.

Kate looked out in the hallway and then at Lewis. "What's she going to do?"

"Oh, hit 'em with the blue juice."

"'The blue juice'? Does that make them tamer?" Kate asked innocently.

"No. It makes 'em dead," Lewis stated matter-of-factly.

"Dead? She's gonna kill them?! But they're so pretty!"

"Yeah, pretty dangerous!" Drew yelled from the couch. "Serves 'em right! Oooohh! My everything hurts!"

"Not much else she can do. They're too dangerous," said Lewis. Kate looked mortified at the very thought. "There, there, Kate. It's all a part of that big circle we call life."

"'It's the ciiircle of life'," Oswald began to sing.

"Shut-up, Oswald!" said Kate. Angel entered the room again.

"Lewis, Oswald, could you give me a hand dragging them to one of the big cages down here?"

"Cages?' said Lewis. "Why do you want to put them in cages? You didn't...?"

"You didn't kill them!" Kate said happily.

"Kill them?" said Angel. "Hardly. Those scientists that screwed them up are going to make them right."

"What!?" said Drew from the couch. He was rolling around like a turtle on it's back. "Those things are still alive?!" He was grunting in his efforts to get up. "Somebody get me off this couch!"

Lewis and Oswald hastened to their friend and helped him up. Drew shuffled to the door.

"I'm gettin' out of here. By the time you're done I should have made it to the stairs," said Drew. "I knew I was going to regret this," he mumbled as he headed out the door. Kate and Oswald followed. Angel started to walk out when Lewis stopped her.

"So," he said. "Dinner? 6:30?"

"Absolutely," she said. Lewis threw his arm around her as they walked out the door. "So Lewis, why *do* you have a cattle prod?" Lewis cleared his throat and changed the subject.

"So have I told you about the time the Mankey escaped? There was me and two other janitors that night..." Angel smiled and shook her head. This was going to be an interesting relationship.
Angels is a continuing story so if you would like to read the rest go to Ruth's site here.