Go TeamC/A
-
Part 1 The rest of the day had passed by sluggishly. No visions had meant a quiet night, and Angel had spent most of that time watching the warm interaction between his three friends. He hadn't made any attempt to approach Cordelia after that single time, throwing discreet and searching looks her way.
Cordelia had always been a tactile person; something that at one time unnerved him, and then took for granted. As he watched her constant patting of arms and knees of the other two men- and especially the moment she'd laughed and hugged Gunn, kissing his bald head with affection, he'd had to stifle the growls of jealousy.
He wanted that again; wanted- needed those warm touches and megawatt smiles. Warm hazel eyes glowing with a blend of fall leaves and melting honey... he had to work out what he'd done wrong and put it right.
He'd nearly lost her once, and wasn't prepared to lose her again for whatever reason it may be. His new feelings only strengthened his need.
At lunch time, Gunn popped out and Wes followed shortly after, but not before suggesting to Angel that he check up on Fred, and with a quick glance over at his seer seemingly absorbed in her work, Angel had reluctantly ascended the stairs. By the time he'd returned, Gunn was back with takeout, perched on her desk and chatting with an ease Angel envied.
Cordelia had again disappeared into the bathroom, clutching a small hold all, leaving as soon as their boss entered his office and shut the door firmly behind him. Halting the slow rise to his feet when finally they were alone, Angel cursed his hesitation as he once again wasted a chance to speak to her without the others around. Gunn had left an hour or so earlier, saying he needed to catch up with his old crew.
“Are you ready, Cordelia?” Wes yelled as he exited his office, drawing the vampire's attention instantly from the book he was at present attempting to read.
“That's a new look, Wes,” Angel took in the off-white t-shirt that had seen better days, the baggy grey sweats and scuffed sneakers before lifting his head to grin at the man.
“Cordelia!” Wes called again, harrumphing when he received a muffled Okayyy! Jeez then glanced towards his friend as he made his slow way towards the basement.
“Gunn and I are taking turns in training Cordelia in the basics of self defense,” he explained casually. Angel straightened up from the check out counter he'd been propping up, surprise written all over his face.
“Oh, who's idea was this?” he asked with interest; it wasn't something that had ever been broached in the past- mainly due to himself not even considering letting the impetuous brunette develop skills that would only make her more gung ho than she already was.
“Cordelia's,” Wes's reply surprised him even more. It also caused him to feel a bit irked that she hadn't asked him.
“She's never said anything,” Angel almost grumbled, and folded his powerful arms over his broad chest when his boss finally halted and turn to face him. Looking at the floor for a moment, Wes paused and glanced in the direction of the bathroom before replying.
“It never really became an issue until recently, Angel,” Wes pursed his lips before continuing. “We had a little… accident whilst tending to one of Cordelia's visions. Gunn and I were a little overpowered for a while by more vampire's than we'd expected. Cordelia ended up with a broken wrist.” He stopped talking when the vampire approached quickly, his face darkening in anger.
“You took Cordy with you?” the growl that laced his tone had Wes stepping back instinctively.
“Not much of a choice, really, what with you taking off.” Both men spun around to look at the brunette who now stood near her desk, her hands propped on her hips, which were now covered in similar sweats to Wes'. “The visions didn't go on sabbatical too, Angel, and I refused to let my friends fight while I was left freaking out at home wondering if they'd come back.”
Angel took a step back; her words hadn't been accusing or bitter… on the contrary, they were delivered in such a matter of fact way that it had sent a light bulb glowing above his head. Then the full import of Wes' words crashed down on him and in a blink of an eye he appeared directly in front of his seer, reaching for her hands and running his fingers over her delicate wrists.
“I'm fine,” Cordy almost growled as she pulled her hands out of his and stepped back. “The cast was removed a couple of weeks ago, and it's good as new, see?” she wriggled her left hand in his face and walked past him to join Wes.
“Come on, Master of Pain, let's get this over with,” she cracked a grin. “Promise not to hurt you this time.” The grin turned into a chuckle at Wes' instant expression of outrage.
“You started before I was ready, and you know it,” he whined defensively, following her through the open basement door. Angel heard her chuckle grow into an all-out laugh as the door was pulled shut behind them and they descended the stairs.
Angel walked over and stood directly in front of the closed door for several minutes, debating whether of not to go down and join them, But that all-too familiar feeling of being on the outside again stopped him. Then his broad shoulders sagged as he recalled her words:
“The visions didn't go on sabbatical too, Angel, and I refused to let my friends fight while I was left freaking out at home wondering if they'd come back.”
At least now he knew what he'd done.
He'd left his seer and human friends to deal with the visions and either one of them could have quite easily been killed. The thought of losing any of them turned his already pale skin ashen.
The added realization that he could all too easily have returned to find it had been Cordy's neck that had been broken instead of her wrist brought bitter bile to his throat. A fleeting taste of the anquish that news would have caused had his knees buckling in reaction, and he reached blindly towards the door then slipped soundlessly to the floor.
The stark memory of seeing Wes in that hospital bed the last time he'd left them to fight the visions- meant for him, returned to taunt him with a vengeance. He'd abandoned them- *Cordy* once again.
Part 2By the time the two had returned to the lobby, Angel had managed to collect himself. He discreetly observed the high flush on her cheeks and the film of sweat clinging to her bare arms and face; her chocolate locks damp from exertion.
The whole picture made him ache. Especially the tired yet cheerful smile she bestowed on Wes, who himself looked rather worn out, his t-shirt damp in patches.
“Whoo, boy! Time for me to go have a long bath before I get mistaken for a Stink demon,” Cordy grinned at Wes and made her way to her desk, barely acknowledging the vampire as he stood there uncertainly.
“I doubt, that, Cordelia…Most 'Stink' demon's I've had the misfortune to come across had odours that literally made your eyes water." Then a grin cracked his face and he walked over to sniff her shoulder, scrunching up his nose in distaste, "but then again, you do smell rather...ripe- Ouch! That was uncalled for!” he mumbled from behind his hand when she flicked his nose sharply.
“Serves you right, Mister-I-Smell-Even-Worse,” Cordy stuck her tongue out at him then swept by. “See you tomorrow, Slave Driver,” she called over her shoulder, her eyes locking with Angel's for a split second and giving a perfunctory 'bye'.
Wes turned to watch the vampire watching his seer leave the hotel and gave an inward sigh. He wasn't unaware of the frigid atmosphere between them since Angel had returned, but at the same time, he wasn't all that surprised.
Cordy had taken his abrupt departure hard, and although she'd attempted to hide her hurt, it had been plain to read in her eyes; especially after a vision when her defenses were down.
“Well, I think I'll be off too,” Wes broke into Angel's brooding thoughts on his way back after quickly collecting his things from his office. The vampire barely moved.
“Cordelia…. She has a lot of issues to work through right now, Angel,” Wes assured quietly, “Just give her time; I'm sure she'll come round,” he added; even though he doubted that would be any time soon. Twice bitten….
Angel nodded absently, his darkened eyes following the same path as Wes made his way to the exit and let himself out. Silence settled on the lobby like a suffocating blanket, and after a few moments, the vampire strode to the weapons cabinet and grabbed his broadsword.
Maybe a little pest control would fill the emptiness in his soul… for a little while anyway.***
Angel awoke to the muted sound of a woman's uninhibited laughter, and for a moment a smile crept onto his lips; disappearing just as rapidly when he woke fully and reality came back with a thump.
As he rose from his bed and padded to the bathroom, he wondered which one of his other friends had caused her to laugh so heartily; tamping down the jealousy that it wasn't directed his way like it used to be. He stretched wearily, easing the ache in muscles that still protested from the fight he'd picked on a Slothourn demon last night; twice his height and weight, but damn satisfying to pummel into the ground.
Fifteen minutes later, he made his way silently down the stairs, his eyes flickering over each member of AI, until they settled on Cordy, browsing the Internet at her desk. Gunn sat sprawled on one of the couches with a Game Boy and Wes leaned against the counter hunched over a book with a deep frown on his face.
After debating where to go, Angel decided on a couch facing the side of his seer's desk, shifting his earlier discarded jacket over the arm.
Gunn briefly lifted his eyes and nodded good-naturedly towards the vampire before getting back into his game, whilst Wes seemed in a book-world of his own. Angel absently wondered how long it would take for the man to realize he was up and about; by the look on his face, he doubted he'd hear a hurricane enter the lobby and rearrange it.
Cordy… her face remained facing her computer monitor, but he could tell by her posture that she was all too aware of his presence. He itched to shout 'HELLO!' in her ear and make her acknowledge him, but he doubted that would get him any brownie points.
“Damn you, Rhicton, damn you to hell!” two pairs of eyes turned to stare bemused at the ex-watcher who was glaring furiously at the pages of the book he'd been reading so intently.
“You been watching Homer again, Wes?” Cordy attempted to stifle a grin as she wagged a chastising finger his way. He harrumphed and abruptly turned another page.
“He thinks all US citizens are like that,” Gunn drawled without looking up from his game boy, “He had a shock the first time he came across the pond and found out we ain't got three fingers.” Angel lifted a dark brow in surprise when his boss flipped a finger in the direction of the young man without lifting his eyes from the book.
“So… what are you reading, Wes?” he asked the visibly agitated man; attempting to ignore the way Cordy immediately turned back to her work when he spoke.
Cordy tamped down the surge of guilt even as she turned away. Up until now, the vampire had merely hovered on the peripheral the last ten minutes whilst she and the others had carried on with whatever they were doing, and he'd made no attempt to approach or speak to her. That only made her feel worse- no, dammit! Quit feeling guilty. She refused to go down that path again, knowing exactly where that path inevitably ended; more heartache. Refusing to think about it any more, Cordy tuned in to Wes' reply instead.
“Oh, nothing to write home about; except,” he added, glancing up with a deep frown. “This- this imbecile has basically rubbished a thesis I did on the dagger of Algathan.” His hands clenched around the book before slamming it shut and tossing it across the counter.
The very act drew everyone's eyes, as Wesley Wyndham Pryce just did not treat books with anything less than reverence normally.
“Wes… that book was published at least a century prior to your birth,” Angel reasoned calmly. Wes rolled his eyes reminding him disconcertingly of his seer.
“I realize that, Angel; but the thesis this-this man has torn to shreds was very similar to my own findings, so I tend to take a little offence.” Then he sighed heavily. “Sadly, an all too human weakness. I received a distinction for that thesis.” He grumbled
“A distinction? Isn't that like a gold star or something, Wes?” Cordy asked, mock-seriously and received a glare for her trouble.
“Gold stars are reserved, no doubt for achieving a pyramid on a football pitch, Cordelia; a distinction is a lot more.... involved,” he replied snottily. Gunn snorted and sunk lower into his seat
“Hey, Hall-Monitor boy, watch it with the 'tude, unless you want another 'distinction' up your ass,” Cordy glared back.
“You go girl,” Gunn dropped his game boy on the seat next to him and grinned with anticipation, “I'll hold your sweater.”
Cordy looked down at the flimsy top she was wearing and frowned. “I'm not wearing a sweater, and if I pass you this top, you guys would shriek and run like little Monitor boys.”
“Who told you that lie?” Wes piped up, a grin finally creeping onto his face. Angel straightened up in his seat and flicked Wes a surprised glance. He didn't think he'd ever heard the man speak with such a marked lack of restraint before. Cordy wasn't the only one full of surprises it seemed. Then he turned his attention back to the scene playing out in front of him.
“Yeah, gimme the top, I dare ya,” Gunn winked cheekily, leaning forward and held out a hand, wriggling his fingers.
Cordy harrumphed and locked eyes with him, easily reading the teasing challenge in his amused brown eyes and commenced with a staring contest. Gunn folded his large arms across his chest and refused to back down.
Angel watched the interplay with reluctantly growing resentment at the warmth and complete ease between his seer and Gunn. Once upon a time, he'd had that connection with her...well, maybe not as relaxed and humour-filled as what he was observing now, but it stung to feel like an outsider; the memory or how it had felt the last time still clear in his head.
“See? I knew you'd be too chicken,” Wes declared, then clucked and flapped his arms. Breaking the battle of wills, Cordy looked over her shoulder to glare at Wes. Gunn grinned and nodded in agreement.
“I'll give you chicken,” Cordy growled and abruptly stood up, wrapping her arms around her waist and grabbing the hem of her top.
Angel's eyes widened when he realized what she was about to do and half stood. No way in hell! was all he could think.
Cordelia, who'd had second thoughts and hesitated, caught Angel's shocked and simmering gaze, easily able to read the silent demand that she stop flash in his eyes. As if he had the right to make her do anything. Pfft to that!
“Corde-” too late. He slowly sank back down and....helplessly gawped. Three mouths dropped open as they took in the lilac satin creation that, even as the cups gave full coverage, seemed too fragile to contain the full breasts they held.
Ignoring the shiver of nerves that suddenly hit her, Cordelia placed her hands on her hips and turned to face the now gaping and flushing Ex-Watcher. She stifled the urge to cover her chest with her hands as she felt the heavy weight of one particular pair of eyes that seemed to eat her whole. “Whose clucking now, Wes?” She grinned at her dazzled boss, keeping her hands firmly on her hips.
“I-I-I-I-” he spluttered and then gave up and continued to stare.
“Yup, sure sounds like clucking to me, Monitor Boy,” Gunn nodded, then burst out laughing.
The sound yanked Angel out of his funk, and shaking himself abruptly, averted his eyes from the beautiful vision in front of him and instead turned to ferociously glare first at Gunn who, oblivious to the daggars heading his way, seemed completely amazed and impressed to find out Cordy actually had girl parts, then to a vividly blushing and definitely drooling Wes. Anger rushed to the surface, and without considering the repercussions, he rose to his feet, sweeping up the leather jacket he'd left over the arm of the couch and approached her rapidly.
“What are you doing?” Cordy leaned away from the vampire who'd magically appeared in front of her and she raised her hands to clutch at the jacket he'd draped over her torso.
“I think you've made your point, Cordy,” he began, only to be quelled by a death glare.
“Did I ask for your opinion? No? I didn't think so.” Cordy added before he could open his mouth, tugging off the leather and shoving it hard against his chest before sliding around him and stalking towards the bathroom.
He'd ruined an innocent moment of fun and had turned it into something seedy; Cordelia could barely see for the red haze of mingled embarrassment and rage that blurred her vision. Since the floor had refused to open up and let her drop in, she made for the bathroom instead.
“Hey, Barbie, you forgot something,” Gunn called, stopping her in her tracks. He'd watched the scene unfold and had found it totally funny-if you ignored the sparks that had shot between them, that is. He shrugged; life wasn't always what you hoped or expected, but obstacles made it all the more interesting.
Cordy turned just as he lobbed her top towards her, her words muffled as it landed half over her head. Snatching it off, she glared even as “Thanks” left her mouth, and then turned to continue on towards her temporary refuge.
“I think our man here needs a beer,” Gunn commented casually to the silent vampire as he took in the still-gaping mouth and wide eyes of his boss. Probably more than one beer, he corrected inwardly.
Angel pulled his brooding gaze away from the retreating bare back of his seer and turned to walk toward the stairs. Without pause, he reached out and flicked Wes' chin shut with an audible clack.
“Um, thank you,” Wes muttered dazedly as the vampire disappeared up the stairs. Gunn grabbed his discarded Game Boy and slid down in his seat, shaking his head and grinning as the other man rose shakily and made his way to the office.***
Less than ten minutes later his door rapped sharply, and Angel automatically called out “Come in.”
The door remained firmly closed but he could hear the rapid beat of Cordy's heart on the other side of the wood paneling. With a heavy sigh, Angel got to his feet and walked over, opening the door and moving to the side to let her enter, she remained where she was.
“Come in,” he repeated quietly. Cordy shook her head jerkily.
“Nope, what I have to say can be said just as good from here.” She seemed to draw herself upright without physically moving and for a moment he thought she was going to turn on her heel and walk off. Then she continued.
“What the hell was that downstairs?” Her hazel eyes spat fire at him as her hands lifted to prop her hips.
“I just thought you kinda took it too far.” Angel didn't even attempt to pretend he didn't understand her and folded his arms tight across his chest, his pale face unrepentant.
Cordy seethed at his expression and all ideas of being reasonable went right out of the window.“Well, in future, keep your thoughts to yourself! They're not wanted.” Her finger itched to jab him in the chest, but physical confrontation was a big no-no right now, or at any time in the distant future. “You turned a joke between friends into something cheap and nasty, and you had no right to do that.”
Angel bristled even as he pushed down the hurt her words brought to the surface. “Cordelia, what you did was-” he began, but she raised a hand abruptly, cutting him off.
“Don't go there, Angel. I am so angry with you right now I could just as easily walk out and never set foot in here again-” Angel stepped forward sharply, his hulking form unintentionally intimidating as he towered over her, causing the words to dry up in her throat at the stormy look in eyes that had darkened to pitch.
“You can't leave me- what about the mission?” he added hastily at the quick rise of her brow, and then a small bitter smile touched those full lips.
“That's something I couldn't do even if I wanted,” icy cool eyes locked with his and he swallowed, inwardly cursing himself for giving her enough rope. “I can't walk away from the mission, Angel, because no matter where I go the visions will always be a part of me. If only walking away was that easy.” Like is was for you.
Even though Cordy hadn't said those words, they hung in the air between them.
“But that isn't why I came up here,” Cordy waved a hand dismissively. “You can't come strolling back in our lives and think you can just pick up where you left off.” She looked away from the growing hurt in his chocolate brown eyes for a moment, and then looked back up after taking a steadying breath.
“This Big Brother act you've got going is well past its sell-by date, so drop it, okay?” By the time she'd finished, the hurt had bled away, leaving an unreadable expression behind. His jaw flexed for a second before he nodded his dark head and stepped back.
“Are you done?” Angel asked oh, so politely, and Cordy nodded. His powerful frame exuded a stillness she'd only seen before a battle, just prior to him leaping into the fray and decimating whoever or whatever stood in his path. She fidgeted uncomfortably on the spot and stared up at him in hushed silence.
“Good; then if you'll excuse me,” with those last few words, Angel stepped back further, reaching a hand round to grab the handle and shut the door silently in her face.
Her cloudy eyes stared at the wood paneling for several long seconds before a shaky sigh left her slightly trembling mouth. Well, she'd wanted to keep a distance between them, and it looked like she'd finally succeeded in passing that message on.
But as Cordy walked slowly down the dim hallway, she wondered why she suddenly felt so bereft; adrift as if she'd lost her anchor in a stormy sea…
Part 3Angel stood on the other side of the closed door until Cordy's footsteps gradually faded. The last twenty minutes had been a revelation- but his mind kept focusing on two things.
The fact that Cordelia had whipped off her top in front of the guys and that she considered his reaction had stemmed from brotherly affection/concern
Big brother? Ha! That was a joke. If only she knew just how wrong she was! Angel ran a hand roughly through his hair as he turned away and began pacing his room restlessly.
His display downstairs had nothing whatsoever to do with brotherly feelings. Yeah, Angel knew he'd be lying through his teeth if he'd said he hadn't enjoyed the view. But when the haze of lust and want had been interrupted by the realization that it wasn't only him that was being treated to the tempting vision...
The rebellious light that had flashed in those clear hazel depths just before Cordelia yanked her top over her head had made him want to quench it… Then all rational thought had gone out of the proverbial window.
How he hadn't hauled her into his bedroom and 'chastised' her was beyond him. Cordy had always known which buttons to push, and then for her to come up to his sanctuary and start laying down her new laws as he stood there, his darkened eyes constantly flickering from her face to that top and what he knew it concealed…Fair enough he'd once seen her in a bikini top covered in shells- but the soft silk of her bra had revealed more to his supernatural vision than she'd ever realize; the faint outline of ripe nipples that had puckered ever so slightly. Shaking his head roughly, Angel pulled his thoughts out of the gutter and back to, in his mind, justified anger. He'd wanted to show her just what he thought of her new rules; even just then her beautiful face had been telling him one thing while her body unconsciously reacted to his closeness- especially when he'd unthinkingly crowded her.
Other than those physical signs, Cordelia seemed totally oblivious to his burgeoning feelings and far from interested in him as a man. His lip curled wryly. Maybe her desire to keep him at arms' length was a blessing in disguise. No chance of temptation to reach out and touch if the woman in his heart couldn't bear to be in the same room as him.
Even as Angel considered that unpalatable fact, his instincts railed against it, arguing that it wouldn't take much to ramp up her physical reactions, and hopefully her feelings. All he needed was the right circumstances. Just the two of them...his room...and an otherwise deserted hotel... but afterwards he knew his underhand tactics would cause him to lose her completely, leaving him with nothing but bitterness, loneliness and regrets.
If Cordelia Chase wanted her own space, then she could have it. He could do that, Angel decided grimly. No more falling over himself to get back into her good books like last time. He could be content with that… couldn't he? He shook his dark head and walked over to the bed, stretching out on the mattress and closed his eyes wearily. Only the last time, it hadn't penetrated his thick skull as why he'd been so desperate to have her back in his life as more than a colleague.
But, it was what Cordy wanted. And if it meant she'd stay with him- even for the sake of the mission, he'd be willing to step back and agree to her demands. “Keep lying to yourself and maybe you'll start to believe it.” Angel muttered gruffly.***
Another day dawned. Each passing night all too soon blended into another as Angel went through the motions
Same old, same old; circle each other warily; keep things pretty much on a professional level… Three days had passed since that confrontation and eggshells were now the order of the day.
Wes and Gunn continued on, oblivious to the tension- or deliberately ignoring it. And the hours dragged. Only yesterday evening, Cordy had had her first vision since his return, and after relishing the intimate contact, even though he inwardly cursed the PTB for her pain, Angel and the others left her behind to deal with it.
At the time, it had taken all of Angel's control to rein in his instincts to snatch her back to him when Cordy's awareness had kicked in and she'd abruptly pulled away from his embrace. But the moment quickly passed as her trembling voice relayed the information once Wes had stepped in and helped her to a couch.
Blinking slowly, Angel debated whether or not to stay in bed a little longer. He had good reason; the jagged wound that began at his shoulder and raked across his chest was still red and sore.
When they'd returned last night, she was gone. No tender ministrations and no soothing words. He'd half listened as Wes spoke to her quietly on the phone. Take it easy. Get some rest.By the time Angel had showered and changed, the lobby was deserted; the only clue to previous occupancy the used weapons put aside for cleaning the following day.***
Angel walked down the stairs, looking around. Only Wes; tucked in his chair, flicking through a book.
Glancing at the lobby wall clock, he frowned: 2.5pm. “Where are the others?” Wes looked up, pursing his lips. Aware of exactly whom the vampire was asking after.
“Gunn is out seeking information for one of our clients. Good morning, by the way,” He added with a lifted brow. Angel nodded his head, impatient.
“And Cordy? She's usually here by now.”
“I suggested she took a day off; not to worry though. She'll call if she has a vision.”
Angel frowned, pausing, “Since when does she do that?”
Wes didn't reply immediately, nor did he look up from his book.
“Wes? Something I need to know?”
Wes sighed heavily. “I'm sorry, Angel; we have gotten used to you not being here to tell of changes.” Angel froze, and then spoke with barely-restrained fury.
“Well, I'm back now.”
“I didn't…” Wes paused and looked away.
Angel's voice snapped with tension; “Look, just tell me what's going on, Wes.” This wasn't the time for hurt feelings.
Wes put down the book carefully. “I have good reasons for suggesting Cordelia has a break now and then.” Hedging, he fiddled with the corner of the table before returning Angel's steady gaze. ““The visions...”
The vampire's mouth tightened into a thin line. He already blamed himself for her vision pain. Now it seemed to be taking a physical toll.
“Cordelia is finding they are more taxing as time goes by, Angel. She looks constantly strained and weary, so Gunn and I attempted to alleviate the stress by suggesting she rest when things were settled.” Wes finished quietly.
“I've been back over a week, and you're only telling me now?” Okay, he'd been away three months, but were his friends so angry that they wouldn't tell him something that concerned him?
Angel drew in an unneeded breath, mentally counted to ten.
Wes looked away from those dark, angry eyes uncomfortably. “Since you left on your... sabbatical, We- Gunn and I have found it necessary to stay overnight at Cordelia's. We've been worried.”
He rubbed his eyelids tiredly. “Rightfully so,” looking the vampire in the eye he added, “She's a better actress that we ever thought. Good at hiding her pain.” Angel flinched.
Wes continued on doggedly; the vampire may as well know it all, he decided, with not a little apprehension.
“One night, Gunn woke to find her in the bathroom in tears, unable to remove the cap from, what was, I might add, a prescription pain killer- with a hospital label.”
“She's been to the hospital?” Angel reeled in shock. This was worse than the knowledge bones had been broken in his absence.
“Cordy hates hospitals,” he muttered distractedly whilst he searched his mind for any clues he could have missed.
Then he grimaced, admitting to himself that her suffering stared him in the face during and after a vision. Numb, the vampire almost staggered, lost in a vortex of guilt threatening to suck him under.
After standing contemplating the marble floor for several seconds, Angel abruptly swiveled on his heel and walked over to grab his leather jacket from the coat stand.
“Angel…” He paused on his way towards the basement but didn't turn around. “I'd prefer you not to go to see Cordelia.”
Wes cleared his throat uncomfortably when the vampire slowly turned round to face him, his pale face resolute; but the young man refused to back down.
“She made us promise not to breath a word of this to anyone,” Wes explained quietly; “including you,” he added when Angel's mouth opened to speak.
The strained silence stretched between them. Wes matched Angel glare for angry glare, determined not to break away.
He shuffled his feet, racked his brain, looking for something-anything to ease the crushing blow. Nothing came to mind.***
The rest of the day dragged.
Although the last thing Angel wanted was Cordy in more pain, he half wished she'd have a vision just to give him an excuse to go see her. They couldn't stop him from checking up on her then, could they?
Plus there was the fear of her convulsing and hurting herself with no one to catch her when she fell. Had neither Wes nor Gunn considered that scenario? It seemed a lot had changed; and it was time to talk over some of the not so well thought out ones.
By the time late evening arrived, Angel felt like a caged animal. Fair enough, they had quiet days on a regular basis, but it had taken Cordelia's absence for the vampire to realize just how much he needed her around to keep him sane.
Also, the camaraderie between Wes and Gunn was stronger than it had been when Angel had fired them and then returned to the fold.
He didn't exactly resent the brother-like vibes between them, and neither purposely alienated him, but….
Angel swallowed the growl of discontent and shook his dark head; rising to his feet when both men exited the office they'd been ensconced in for the past hour. Wes had explained to the vampire it was 'merely loose ends to a case we dealt with whilst you were absent', looking slightly uncomfortable as they left him alone in the lobby.
“Well, we're done for the night, so we thought we'd take ourselves off, Angel,” Wes shrugged on his jacket as he spoke; Gunn simply nodded towards the vampire before making for the main door.
Wes hesitated for a moment, looking a little uncertain, before letting out a small sigh and muttering 'goodnight' and catching up with the young black man.
“Darts or Grand Theft Auto &69;?” Gunn asked him as he pulled open the door, smirking when Wes instantly said 'darts'. “You still mad at me for beating your ass off?” Gunn shook his head, grinning. “You are one mean sore loser, man.” Both exited arguing amiably.
Angel waited until he heard the truck pull away before grabbing his leather jacket and leaving himself.***
“Angel? What are you doing here?” Cordy stood in her doorway and just stared at the vampire in stunned surprise.
After the strained atmosphere between them over the past week, him turning up out of the blue was something she'd never have imagined happening.
Angel shifted from one foot to the other, running dark eyes down her frame. Loose sweat pants clung precariously to her hips, topped with an equally baggy and old t-shirt. Fluffy bunny slippers adorned her feet, and under normal circumstances, he would have commented on them.
But this was as far from normal as he could imagine right now. “Um…can I come in?” he finally asked, and a pang of pain hit his gut when Cordy visibly hesitated.
“Sure,” opening the door wider, Cordy waited for him to enter before closing the door quietly behind him, taking a moment to gather her thoughts.
Please God, don't let this be another attempt at making up. She cringed at her words; made it sound like they were an estranged couple! They were so far from that.
After taking a deep, calming breath, Cordy finally turned to find him hovering in the center of her lounge. His face gave nothing away, and that made her more nervous. “Anything wrong? The guys okay?” she finally asked, breaking the tense silence.
Angel turned to face her, shaking his head. “No, no…. everything's fine.” As he said that last word, his earlier grievances came crashing to the surface.
Wes had asked- no; demanded he say nothing about her state of health, but Angel was beyond caring about etiquette right now- not when it came to his seer. “I can't say the same thing for you, though, can I, Cordelia?” his voice came out a little harsher than he intended.
He watched silently as the color fled and her full lips tightened into a thin line.
“Angel….” Cordy rubbed her face wearily, inwardly cursing her flappy-mouthed boss. “It's none of your-”
Less than a blink of an eye, the vampire towered over her, invading her personal space and setting off all her alarms. Instinctively she stepped back, only to be brought up short.
“Don't do this, Cordy; shut me out... I may be able to help you but not if you keep me In the dark..” instant wariness on her face at his words tempered his grip, and he stepped back a little to give her more room.
Cordy's mouth trembled slightly, but her stormy eyes refused to drop from his. “Why? What ya gonna do? Find a way to take them away? Forget it.” All anger fled as quickly as is flared; she was just too tired to fight with him right now.
“I have nothing to say to you,” she added with finality, her voice almost a thread of sound. Angel's eyes narrowed with irritation and something she couldn't read before she was released abruptly.
“Well, I'm not leaving until you have,” Angel moved over and sat on the couch, stretching out and making himself comfortable.