Hero: Betrayal
by rockangelz25
Maria came up the steps to the Hyperion, whistling.

She took one step into the building and was tackled by Angel.

“What the hell?!” She wrestled on the floor for a moment, before finally kicking him in the chest and rolling up.

“Faith told me that you and Lilah talked for a few minutes.”

“Yeah, so?”

“And that she watched you from outside of the room, in the security center.”

“Okay, so what? Wolfram and Hart’s got crap security? That what you’re telling me?”

“She heard your entire conversation.” Faith and Nibu stepped out from the office behind Angel. Some expression flickered on Maria’s face, seeing them together.

“So what? Didn’t say anything that I don’t want you all to know.”

“You were going to tell us that you’re working for Wolfram and Hart?” Faith raised an eyebrow.

“That I’m what? That’s ridiculous,” she said. Her voice wavered, though, and her eyes shot to the staircase.

“I don’t think so.” Angel crossed his arms, already standing again.

“You’re telling me that you believe her—” she pointed at Faith “—over me? Come on. You can’t be that slayer-whipped.” She crossed her arms, shaking her head briefly in disgust.

“Faith… Wouldn’t lie,” said Angel. “I don’t know about you, though.” He cocked his head to one side slightly. “Would she lie, Nibu?” he asked, still watching Maria.

“She wouldn’t.” His voice didn’t sound that sure, though.

“Damn right I wouldn’t,” she agreed, much more enthusiastically. “She’s worked with them before; what makes you think they aren’t together again? And really, Angel, I’m almost disappointed in you for not thinking of it before.”

“What? Angel,” started Faith desperately, turning back to the vampire.

“It’s fine, Faith. I… Don’t believe her. You have any proof?” He raised one eyebrow, waiting.

“Do I need any? You don’t know what was going on while I was there, or while she was there. You’ve got her word for it… And mine,” she finished, putting a hand on her chest. “Now, really, who’re you going to believe?”

“I’d believe Lorne,” said Angel, still smiling a little at having trapped her. “Cordy, go and get him.”

“Gone,” said Cordelia, running up the stairs.

“Where were we? Oh, yeah. I wouldn’t try leaving, Maria. The place is guarded. Wes at the front, Gunn at the back. Fred’s upstairs.”

“Good to know,” she said. “I think I won’t bother waiting on Lorne, though. I don’t need to deal with this. You should know who to believe, and it isn’t the ex-convict.”

“That’s low, Wordstreamer,” said Nibu.

“That’s life,” she smart-assed back. “I don’t have to hear this, I already know what’s going on. I’ll catch you later, Nibu. And Angel? Man, go for some variety in your wardrobe.”

“If you’re telling the truth, why’re you leaving?” he asked her.

“I’m bored,” she replied, still not facing them.

“Don’t let her out of the hotel!” Angel called out. Wesley stepped out from the shadows.

“You should at least wait for Lorne to come down,” he pointed out.

“Yeah, how about—no.” She pushed him out of the way, whirled around, and threw a stake at Angel. He caught it seconds before it would have hit his heart. “Nice,” she said. “Of course, you’re not the real target.”

“I—what?”

“Angel, he’s… What’s going on…” Cordelia came down the stairs behind Lorne as Maria brought out a crossbow, taking aim at the seer, and managing to hit her in the arm. Lorne pulled Cordy down, making sure that nothing else would happen.

Angel charged at her, and she swung the crossbow back around, hitting him in the shoulder. He stopped, wincing. She rammed the bow itself into Wes, then shot at Nibu.

“Don’t trust anything,” she told him, tossing him the crossbow. He grabbed it and tried to hit her. “I’ll be seeing you,” she said, laughing and running out the door.

Angel pulled the arrow from his shoulder, running after her. He saw her stop, look both ways, and run to the left. He took off after her, and managed to see her jump into the back of a moving van. She pulled both of the doors shut behind her.

“Dammit!” Angel stopped, unable to follow any further, way too frustrated.

“That… Was close,” she panted from the inside of the van.

“You probably taunted him too much,” said the guy who’d helped pull her inside.

“I guess I did. I was trying to be effective. Was I?”

“He looked pretty pissed. Never seen him that way before,” observed the driver.

“Yea, me,” she deadpanned. “So, where’re we going now?”

“My place, I’d assume,” said the driver. “Unless you had another idea.”

“Not me. Lindsey?” The ex-lawyer beside her shook his head. “Then, your place it is, Oz.”

He nodded, not bothering to respond.

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