Go TeamC/A
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Part 3 "Damn that was quick. How'd I forget about you an' you're slice and dice routine. Lucky I ain't competitive's all I can say." Gunn was still in shock. No running commentary or planning in advance like he and Wes had done since working together. The vampire had just swooped in and with one long sweep of a sword beheaded the demon. All within five minutes of getting there.
Less than 10 seconds later they were back in the Plymouth and hot wheeling it back. "Damn, quick." Gunn muttered again as they pulled up outside the hotel roughly twenty minutes after they'd left. Ignoring him, Angel turned off the ignition and was out of the car before Gunn could open his door. By the time he'd turned to follow, the vampire had already pulled open the hotel door-
"Gunn!" the unusual shout out had him picking up his pace and bursting in, coming to a skidding halt on seeing Wesley facedown at the foot of the stairs. "He's alive- watch him." He lifted his stunned eyes long enough to see Angel disappear up the stairs, then seeing some movement from the Englishman he rushed over to the fallen ex Watcher…
For a split second, Angel's heart lodged in his throat when on entering his rooms' as stealthily as only vampires can. He saw Cordelia lying exactly where he'd left her, oblivious to the world but with a blonde vampire looming over her. The menacing figure had barely registered on his brain before a red mist of rage came down.
Darla found herself flung across the room before she was even aware of his dark presence. Her pale hands barely grazed the wall before the vampiress used the momentum to whip back around. Then with a sensual smile lifting her red-painted mouth, she sauntered back towards him, her ice blue eyes dancing with watchful amusement.
"Angelus, not happy to see me?" her eyes narrowed when he didn't bother to answer, only moving to put himself between her and the bed.
"What's this, Darling? A new playmate to warm your bed now?" Darla walked forward, her narrow hips swaying wantonly in the tiny red dress she hardly wore.
Angel's eyes never left her face, and a moue of irritation touched her thinning mouth. "Forget her; she can be a little snack between courses, lover." Before her pale arms could circle his neck, the vampire had grabbed her wrist and twisted round to fling her out of the room, but she stumbled sideways as she fell and crashed into the glass doors.
Angel flinched at the sound, then cringed in horror at the soft yelp behind him. He had to get the blonde bitch out of here before-
"Angel?- What..?!" he looked over his shoulder and briefly met the dazed hazel eyes, but before he could respond, Darla lunged to her feet and tackled him to the floor.
They rolled a few times and the blonde vamp managed to get in a few deep scratches down his neck and face as he attempted to fend the demoness off long enough to pull out the stake still hidden in the inside pocket of his jacket. Just before he plunged it into her undead heart Angel's own heart sunk at the "Jesus Christ" of a male voice.
Jumping gracefully to his feet, Angel was just in time to see an extremely stunned and very angry Gunn shoot past to tend to the shaking brunette in the bed, who was cowering dazedly with her back against the headboard.
"What-what is he doing here-and, and Darla!?" talking was a rusty skill and it was obvious in the rasping croak coming from the brunette.
Her eyes were by now mostly black as the pupils expanded with the shock of her rude awakening. Worsened on finding her ex friend and the bane of their lives tumbling around the room- "and why am I here? - Gunn?" Angel had stepped forward to explain, almost flinching in pain when her dazed eyes left him with a shudder of distaste and instead turned to the young man who cradled her against him, his dark eyes pinned on the vampire in rapidly growing anger.
"How long has that dead bitch been visiting?" Angel stifled both the growl and the urge to tear his girl out of the black man's arms; instead folding his powerful arms tight across his chest. "I'm a vampire- she doesn't need an invite, Gunn."
"Yeah, but you knew that she was still around; since you didn't bother to dust the bitch." Gunn held the shaking brunette closer, adding, "You've had Cordy here and it didn't sink into that thick skull that mebbe, I dunno- your SIRE might just pop by and say hi?" The vampire stared silently at them both, feeling sicker by the minute.
"I wouldn't mind knowing the answer to that one, too," the rather faint voice turned all their heads.
"Wesley!" Cordelia made to rise at the sight of the Englishman who stood swaying slightly in the doorway, as small, bloodstained towel held to his head, but Gunn held her still and left her to join the injured man and put out a steadying hand. "Did SHE do that? - or the demon?" Cordelia had a feeling it was the latter, and she made an attempt to shoot the vampire a killing glance, before turning her dazed attention back to her friend.
"Darla- but don't worry, Cordelia, I assure you, it's not as bad as it looks," Wes smiled reassuringly at the distressed young woman who clutched the covers around her knees looking unsure as whether or not to attempt to go to him. "We Watcher's are pretty immune to blows to the head- ask Giles! - Now stay where you are, I'm fine, really." Then his eyes turned back to the vampire hovering at the foot of the bed. "Angel?"
The vampire hadn't really listened to the brief conversation, too busy self-flagellating over something he should have considered- he'd been so intent on having Cordy with him and taking care of her, he'd put the blonde vampire out of his head. Gunn had been justified in his harsh condemnation. He lifted his head at the Englishman's quiet address
"You're right- I didn't think-"he began haltingly.
"I want to go home." Cordy's quavering voice cut him off, his head turning towards her as she shoved the covers aside and got to her feet; hissing in pain when her belly pulled, almost doubling her over. But before she had a chance to take a breath, her feet left the floor and she found herself staring dazedly into concerned brown orbs.
"You aren't going anywhere until you're better," his quiet determined voice hurt her in an entirely different way, but no less painful.
As soon as he lowered her back to the mattress, she tensed, readying herself to get back up. Angel saw the stubborn glint and sighed heavily, straightening up again with her still cradled firmly in his arms. The hard set of his jaw and mouth told her it was a waste of time arguing with him, and to be honest, she was still tired out of her skull- the shock of waking so abruptly and the reason for it had taken a lot out of her. Refusing to hold on, she instead folded her arms tightly, belatedly noticing her apparel.
"What the hell is this?" She jerked on a sleeve, at the same time pulling her heels towards her butt in an attempt to hide the length of bare leg seen under the shirt from the guys, who respectfully lifted their gazes level with her face. Angel decided not to respond; instead angling slightly to the side so her half-dressed state wasn't so obvious.
"I have to disagree with you, Angel," Wes continued on with their earlier debate. "In the circumstances I think it would be best if Cordelia did indeed go home to her apartment." Angel merely glowered, pulling her tighter into his chest; Cordy yelped a little and his arms instantly gentled. "She's not going anywhere," he repeated in a tone laced with steel.
"What if Drusilla decides to pay a visit too, what then?" He put up a restraining hand before continuing on, " You cannot guarantee that you'll be here- like tonight, for example." Cordelia's eyes drooped even as she attempted to follow the heated conversation.
God, she was so tired. She knew she should put up more of a fight, but the events of the night caught up with her, plus she'd always felt so secure in the vampire's arms before, that she quickly fell into a fitful sleep. Angel was too intent on Wes to notice and simply drew her closer when her body gradually relaxed.
"Can't you put some kind of un-invite spell on the hotel?" he suggested, No matter how bad he felt about tonight, he couldn't for the life of him let her leave. They had bridges to build, and that wouldn't be possible if she was tucked away at her apartment.
"I doubt if I'm accomplished enough to perform such a powerful incantation on a large building like this-" Wes began hesitantly.
"Why not just take her home; her apartment won't let no vamps in- including him!" Gunn interrupted, getting antsier by the second at the proprietary way the vamp in question held his friend. He didn't trust him, and that feeling was growing. He'd only agreed to let her stay from the start because of Wes- and look where that had gotten them! "And there's Dennis too." He added for good measure. As Wes considered his words, Angel stepped back slightly, his big body tensing.
"But when I am here, I can do a lot more than a spell and a ghost, Wes; how about performing a spell on my rooms- could you do that?" Wes glanced at Gunn, and then nodded wearily.
"I suppose I could- but now I really need to lie down, and possibly throw up- Gunn?" The young man caught him just as he sagged.
"It might be a good idea to take him to hospital; have him checked out?" Gunn stared suspiciously at the vampire, doubting his concern before hooking an arm around the man and helping him out of the room, glancing back to glare briefly at him, his hard expression softening when they dropped to the woman cradled in Angel's arms.
"I still think it's a big mistake leaving her here with you." Then he shifted his weight and disappeared with the softly groaning Watcher. "You aren't gonna throw up in my baby, are ya? Cos if you are, tell me now." His voice faded into the distance and Angel's eyes finally dropped to his precious bundle.
Her thick lashes lay like rich silk fans on softly golden cheeks, and sleep brought a childlike innocence to her lovely face. Hell, she was an innocent in so many ways, he thought tenderly; God he hoped she didn't hate him; Angel couldn't bear the thought of those beautiful eyes opening and looking at him like they had earlier. Without thinking, he dipped his head and briefly brushed his cool lips against the soft warm pillows of hers, a bolt of desire shooting through his body at the contact.
Drawing a deep unneeded breath, Angel turned and strode to his bed, pulling back the covers and deposited her gently, his finger helplessly running along the satiny surface of one leg as he reached for the covers to tuck her in snugly. Cordelia Chase was truly a stunning young woman- how had he lasted so long without being able to even look at her, never mind cope without her warmth and unconditional love, was now beyond his ken.
For long minutes, he loomed over her sleeping form, his darkly intent face inches from hers, engraving every feature to memory and inwardly promising to take care of her for as long as she needed him- and more, whether she wanted his protection or not. Unable to help himself, but at the same time cursing softly for his weakness, Angel once more touched his lips to hers, this time applying more pressure and holding hers captive for a lot longer before finally lifting his head and backing reluctantly towards the chair.
Sitting down heavily, he waited silently for the sound of the men's return back to the hotel, and thought of the ways he could make it all better. He knew he had many bridges to build with his two male associates too, and he would- but his Cordy came first.***
"Where is he?" Cordy slowly stirred the vegetable soup absently, grimacing faintly at the obviously homemade yuck. She'd kill for a steak- literally. Her stomach growled in response to her inner visions of thick, juicy…mmm, definitely fillet!
"He's gone to collect his blood- and stop playing with your food, Cordelia!" she pulled a face at him and giggled when he rolled his eyes. "Can't I have steak? Just think of the protein, and all that yummy goodness." her bottom lip pooched out sulkily when he shook his head.
Wes waited silently for her to say more. So far since this afternoon when she'd finally woken up a little more refreshed, she hadn't said a word. After countless attempts from the vampire to get her to speak to him, he'd walked out and disappeared into the kitchen.
After handing Wes a tray with the home-made soup and rolls, along with a large glass of juice, Angel had gruffly ordered him to take it up and make sure 'the stubborn little madam' ate it all with a warning in those frustrated eyes before muttering about his blood supply and vanishing into the basement.
Cordy had seemed surprised to see him but hadn't said a word, and Wes was both concerned at her reticence and partly relieved not to have to go into instant explanation-mode.
Cordelia finally dropped the spoon into the bowl after fighting yet again with the sleeves of the shirt she wore- his shirt, no doubt about it! Even though she'd never seen the vampire wear it, she could smell his unique man-scent all over it. Her cheeks flushed a rosy hue as she wondered who'd dressed her in it- obviously not herself, as she'd been in the land of clouds and Hugh Jackson for God knows long….
Thinking of which: "Wes, how long have I been asleep- since the psycho Cop tried to turn me into a human colander?" Was that herself she could actually smell, too? Ewwe!
"Three days- why?" at her instant look of mortification.
"Three Days?! oh my God! If I smell bad to me, God knows what I smell like to doggy vamp! Ewwe!" she shoved the tray at the stunned man and used his temporary inability to halt her to climb gingerly out of bed. Wes hastily put aside the tray and reached out a hand to steady her as she swayed.
"Cordelia!" he chastised with a frown. "What do you think you're doing? She looked at him like he was off the last banana boat.
"Duh! Isn't it obvious?" She asked, glaring at him, "I'm having a well-needed shower" then she frowned herself. "Have I got any clothes here?" she asked, tugging at the shirt with annoyance, "besides this thing?" at his pained nod, she smiled, pretty pleased at last.
"Good- then help me into the bathroom oh, protector of my welfare and giver of yucky slop, and bring my bag in." she pffted at his awkward "I don't have to watch you attend to your ablutions, do I" and assured the blushing man that no, he didn't need to do that, but she wouldn't lock the door just in case.***
"Didn't you put any real clothes in here?" Cordy asked with a frown when she exited the very steamy bathroom twenty minutes later. She glanced down at the long satin nightdress and matching flimsy robe, feeling more exposed than when she'd worn the shirt! Wes turned to her and immediately averted his eyes.
"Oh, my innocent eyes," he muttered, mortified, clearing his throat and adding, "I recall Gunn putting in that along with some pajamas- and also underwear and track bottoms- I added a few t-shirts myself." He assured her, waiting until she was settled back into bed and covered up before daring to look over the book he held in front of his face like a weapon.
"Only my T-shirts, Wes?" Cordy giggled, "You SO need a life outside of work!" He dropped his book and glared, highly offended; then gulped- Dear Lord, she was right.Bad thoughts, bad thoughts- she's your friend, for God's sake; like the sister you never had- and on occasion, wished you still hadn't.he thought wryly.
The top sheet just skimmed her covered breasts, but the two layers of thin satin did nothing to detract from the generous fullness. Wes was surprised to realize Cordelia was quite a curvy young woman. The book clenched in his hands called to him like a pouting siren! Yes, books would never let him down or make him stutter like a moron, or dump you like last weeks washing! - yup! Books, thank God for books.
"Well, all I could find were panties and this!" Cordy grumbled, pulling him out of his internal book worship. She glanced down at her apparel. This set was never worn until now, and an impulse-buy. She'd seen it at Victoria's Secrets and had blown a month's wages, living off noodles and cheap yogurt to buy it. Sadly, she had yet to find a guy to admire it- except Wes, and he looked like he was gonna faint.
But it had been worth it in the end, as she'd lost a couple of the pounds Angel's breakfasts had put on her waist. Thinking of that brought her thoughts back to that interfering vampire, and her eyes narrowed, determinedly pushing aside that fact that she'd once wondered how that very vampire would like her get-up. Pfft!
Wes, on the other hand was wondering what had happened to the clothes he knew had been packed. His mouth tightened with annoyance as he realized Angel must have gone through it with the intention of stopping any chance of Cordelia leaving the hotel- but surely pajamas would have passed his outdoor-wear list?
Glancing again at the thin spaghetti straps of the deep red confection she now wore, he had to admit, it would probably put her off leaving the room, never mind the hotel!
"So…. who brought me here?" and the questions he'd been dreading began…***
Wes left the rooms with a deep sigh of relief, closing the door tightly behind him and sagging against it with his eyes closed. Cordelia was not a happy bunny.
Her outraged, high-pitched voice still rang in his tender ears as he'd stuttered his way through the past three days, and he almost felt sorry for the vampire when he returned.
Almost. "Wes?"
"GAH! - Must you sneak up on people like that? I nearly had a heart attack!" Wes glared at the frowning vampire who he'd just been thinking about.
"Sorry," Angel looked slightly concerned at the obvious strain on the man's face. "Are you still feeling the after-effects of the head wound?" he asked quietly. Puzzled when Wes shook his head firmly.
"Oh no- nothing as trivial as that, believe me- Cordelia just asked for an update." He explained in a low voice. Angel's dark eyes widened for a second before leaving Wes' face to look hesitantly at the door behind him.
Wes was certain for a split second that he'd seen pure fear flicker in the depths of those dark orbs, and couldn't stifle the surge of pleasure he obtained from it.
"Oh, and you might need a special cleaner- for the soup now decorating your carpet curtains and bed-cover. Good luck." Wes made his getaway, hiding the small evil grin as he walked briskly down the corridor.
He couldn't wait to tell Gunn!***
As soon as Wes made his getaway, Cordy instantly kicked herself. Why take her bad temper out on him of all people? Since that darned vampire had fired them- FIRED them, she was sure her head was on the slow road to Cuckoo Land. Jeez!
Sitting up in his bed with a once-nice rich burgundy comforter now splattered with rapidly congealing vegetable slop…actually, *that* wasn't entirely true; it had been really tasty- and seeing the damage to his thick velvet drapes, Cordy shuddered, refusing to look over the end of the bed to see the bowl and it's remains most likely ruining his carpet. Now that had been totally childish- but in moments of severe stress people did childish things: look at Angel!
Like firing your Seer, chasing across the city after an undead skank…letting her get shot because he wasn't there to watch their backs; watching Wes get shot in an after-vision- sneaking her out of the hospital-and wasn't-she-so-glad she'd been out of it when he left via the 6th floor window, sheesh! Cordy harrumphed and folded her arms tightly.
-But he had cared, Angel had finally cared enough to take her from a place he knew she would hate being in and brought her home; his home. The fact that he'd actually shook himself out of his funk- for *her* still gave her a warm glow of…something she really didn't wanna think too much about right now.
And then he staked Darla- for her! Something he had done for Buffy Summers. Admittedly though, he hadn't gone all obssesso-vamp over the blonde skank first, firing her and making her feel of so little importance to Angel, regardless of their Seer/Warrior link; if there ever was such a thing! That had hurt more than she wanted to admit- even to herself.
"Wow; and there was me thinking he'd choose *her* over me when it counted most; so much for my not-so-healthy ice cream abuse and unnatural inhalation; those too-many-to-count nights of wailing like a Banshee into my pillow! - Hold it, hollld it- what *is* this?" she frowned heavily and pouted big style, "I should be jonesing to tie him down and stake him from the feet up till I *eventually* get to his uncaring undead heart, for chrissakes!" only that physically useless organ wasn't as uncaring as she'd previously thought, obviously.
At this moment [like a few other moments not so long ago] tying him down was still a draw, but 'wooden' stakes funnily enough had had no starring role in the scene. She flushed hotly just thinking about those oh, so enlightening fantasies, her arms relaxing and lifting a hand to toy with the twin strips of her nightwear as she recalled the sexual bravado she'd never knew she was capable of displayed in them.
'Friends and nothing but' had insidiously changed to something more- steamy, erotic fantasies and dreams …and also leading towards something inevitably very dangerous. Tucking those feelings down had gradually become harder, but a necessity with Angelus lurking just round that blissful corner. When he'd fired them, her initial hurt and anger had pushed those newly growing feelings down hard. Shaking herself and attempting to rid her skin of the instant goose bumps of fear at the images that entered her head that, if it *had* turned out differently and her feelings had come out into the open… Cordy desperately pulled her thoughts onto a more even keel.
She also had every right to be pissed at him for everything leading up to the shooting and he *did* take her from under two very anxious men's eyes. "That in itself definitely calls for me to tear him a new one," she growled under her breath.
The silent treatment earlier had been pretty easy at the time after the night she'd had, but it had left an unresolved bitter taste in her mouth even as she inwardly mostly enjoyed his growing frustration, even biting her lip to stifle an evil giggle when the vampire finally lost it and stalked silently from his rooms. It didn't help that it had also felt so right being cradled in his arms last night, even with the rude awakening and the charged angst in the room.
Poor, dear Wes, he could have died by Darla's hand last night and she'd ripped *him* a new one too ten minutes ago: the plaster and bruising on his temple a testament to that. That was something that had to be put right- maybe tea and his favorite pastry would enter into the major groveling somewhere, she decided; although she wouldn't even attempt to bake for him- didn't wanna kill the poor guy.
But for now, her first task was to confront and deal with her royal pain in the ass, who was still a dumbass, regardless of his major flirt with the Beige Side.
"What if I'd bought the Big One the other night?" her lovely eyes widened with renewed annoyance; if she'd died, she'd have never known how he'd reacted- died thinking her friend hadn't cared. That stung a lot.
Her head hurt with so many conflicting emotions; she should make him suffer for the rest of her life really - but there were Pro's in with the Cons and that didn't make it so cut and dried. And cordy had to admit; it also gave her hope. Her thoughts may be stuffed with hurt, anger and feelings of betrayal- but her heart contrarily was full to the brim with love and forgiveness; bad scenario of conflicted emotions.
Sighing with frustration, Cordy attempted to balance it all out in her head.
Then the outer door opened hesitantly, and a few seconds later, the manpire of her thoughts walked into the bedroom with dread in his chocolate brown eyes. "Um, hi." He cracked a small, intensely strained smile, and her darned heart thawed a little more.
"Hi yourself; climbed out of any windows lately- with unconscious fatally wounded little women clutched to your manly chest?" the smile fled, and for a second he pouted. "It wasn't fatal, Cordelia!" she rolled her eyes and re-crossed her arms; drawing his dark gaze to the saucily clad breasts they framed delightfully.
His eyes widened, and the heat in them kick-started a slow flush from the point of his attention and up to her face. "Stare much?" those eyes tore themselves away from the visual feast sheepishly. Jesusss, why the hell did she choose now of all times to wear that?! his tortured thoughts were interrupted by another question. "Um, sorry?"
Cordy rolled her eyes yet again, "I asked what you had to say for yourself?" Angel shuffled his feet uncomfortably, his attention temporarily diverted from the enticing picture she made, even with her lovely face tight with justified anger; surprisingly a lot less angst than he'd expected in the gold-flecked hazel eyes.
"Um…that I was wrong?" he hesitantly responded and received a lift of a finely arched brow for his trouble. "For-for firing you, leaving you to deal with visions meant for me- nearly being responsible for you getting yourself killed-" Angel had been mentally ticking of his lists of wrongs and almost missed her narrowing eyes and raised hand.
"Hold it right there- did you say *me* nearly getting myself killed? Like I had a choice in the matter?" her full mouth tightened for a moment before blowing out an annoyed breath.
"You should never have left home, Cordy; if you'd-"
"*If* I'd stayed at home, my after-party vision would have played out, and it would have been Wes that was shot- maybe killed." Her chin lifted in pride.
"I may not know how to fight like a superhero, and most probably I get in the way of you guys fighting the good ol' fight- but I'm no coward, Angel. You may be able to turn your back and walk away, but that isn't me." The vampire flinched at her quietly spoken words, and the guilt of the last months came flooding back in Technicolor.
"I didn't mean it that way- hell, I'm not good with words, Cordelia; I never have been." He eventually replied contritely. Her shoulders relaxed a little, but she refused to feel bad for what she'd said.
"I know- practical, but chat's a bitch- which is kinda odd when you think Angelus liked it so much," Cordy halted that line abruptly at his rapidly darkening expression when she brought up his less than pleasant alter ego, then her tone changed from bitter-light to serious.
"You know, that no-talk thing is what got you into the whole dark and dumb deal in the first place." Angel felt brave enough to take a few steps further into the room; the vibes coming off the brunette making him feel reassured enough that, although she was pissed at him, the chance of a stake coming out of nowhere and landing in his chest looked a lot less inevitable.
"I get that you felt bad about Darla, Angel, but you put an *evil* vampire before your friends- big time." They were gonna do this, then it was gonna be done, digging out every little niggle, Cordy decided grimly.
She really wanted to put this behind them; hopefully pave the way for a fresh start- but first, she needed to know where the vampire was coming from right now, and whether or not this was just a case of a temporary reality check that wouldn't last past the healing of her very unattractive bullet wound was too important to ignore purely for the interests of avoiding hurt feelings- his!
Angel slumped into the chair by the bed and rubbed his eyes tiredly. "I didn't when it counted the most." He reminded her, instantly regretting his righteous tone at her offended expression.
"So everything before that didn't 'count'? Wow!" Cordy grimaced, not even attempting to hide her hurt. "I suppose I shouldn't complain, since when it *did* count in your book, it stopped me being a snack for your little blonde obsession." Angel shot to his feet and towered over her, unintentionally menacing, but still managing to put it across, but she refused to flinch.
"You counted, Cor…a lot more than you'll ever know, believe me." He growled low in his throat, and then backed off just as quickly, turning to pace the room restlessly. Talking obviously was the only way forward; he doubted 'showing' would be a good idea right now.
"It wasn't an easy decision, firing everyone- especially you," he began in a low voice, "but my head was fucked and I didn't want you to see that; plus you were safer away from me…" he flicked her with stormy eyes, "or so I thought." Walking back over to the chair he sank into it gracefully, before continuing.
"The dreams, Darla human- only to have that second chance torn away by those bastards…" he raked his hands through his hair, tousling it in such an un-Angel-like way that cordy almost smiled; almost.
Now was not the time for humor- or for interruptions. The vampire was finally opening up and she wanted to hear every word.
"When she was turned I just lost it- felt helpless, wiped out; and all that I had left was anger," his dark, tortured gaze pinned her to the spot, but Cordy knew he wasn't seeing her right then. "So I decided to put those responsible into the ground any way I could- and you three were too good, too ethical to be part of that." He explained roughly, finally looking at her intently.
"It had almost become like a deadly game- who could win the next round; but without any real satisfaction each time it hit off." He admitted baldly, waiting but failing to see the look of disappointment on Cordy's face. In fact he couldn't read her at all right at this moment. "Then I got a call from Kate less than ten minutes since I'd left her, telling me I may have lost you for good after all." His pale complexion looked washed out for a second before he dipped his head and rubbed his face harshly.
Silence filled the softly lit room for endless minutes as Cordy absorbed his revelations.
God, she'd known he'd been devastated failing to save his Sire, but she'd totally missed the bleak emptiness until it was too late. Her own conscience twanged as she recalled her own obliviousness of just how dire the situation had become. She'd been so wounded that herbest friend had thrown her aside like so much rubbish…but hadn't she been as careless with that bond as he had?
If only she'd taken more notice of his constant need to sleep; his irritability and mood swings…Hindsight was a bitch and nobody's friend. Now was the time to give that slack, she decided grimly, reaching over and touching the knee inches from the edge of the bed.
Angel dropped his hands from his face at the first touch of heat soaking through the fabric of his black pants, and stared at her small hand for several minutes before lifting his hesitant gaze to hers. The thaw he found in those melting caramel orbs reached out and engulfed him, the cold pushing aside to be slowly replaced by warmth.
"Wes mentioned you kinda knew about those zombie cops; did you?" Cordy finally asked, her voice more relaxed and almost as warm as her touch. After a moment Angel took the olive branch with grasping, greedy hands and nodded, then began to explain his own activities that night, prior to his arrival at the hospital.
"Wow! – And whoa, poor Kate. She's freaked out enough by you without having to maybe deal seeing her dad like that." For a moment her eyes turned inward as Angel moved nearer to the bed until he stood alongside her.
Typical Cordy; she gets kicked to the curb, nearly killed, and she still has a time out to think of Kate's feelings, regardless of her own not-so private thoughts about the snotty Detective. But if the vampire had uttered those thoughts aloud, she would have felled him with a patented laser-sharp glare. He was also wondering what had changed and why he was still in one piece- or at least a pile of dust on the floor- along with those stains that he knew he'd *never* get out of the carpeting.
Cordelia had rewarded his belated willingness to open his heart by opening her own- wide. The hope that it filled him with made him almost feel giddy with light-headedness. And his shaky confidence soared by the second.
Much earlier, it had taken him several long minutes of needless breathing and rut-making, pacing up and down the corridor before he'd built up the nerve to enter his rooms and face her; expecting all hell to break loose, but her almost calm demeanor and then 180 Degree turn had totally thrown him: Angel, Vampire extraordinaire with a soul, and a large slice of the Scourge of Europe under his pale skin- mortally afraid of a slip of a girl with chocolate hair, an edible body and flashing hazel eyes that you wanted to dive into- but now that fear had evolved into deep respect and pure love.
"So no more zombie cops?" he shook his head mutely and her full mouth tilted. "That's good- can't have dead cops out there being worse than the live ones!" she paused and the smile faded away. Some things still needed to by brought up. Looking into his eyes, she took a deep breath.
"We were at that homeless place for a little while, you know- that girl Anne runs it; but you know that." It wasn't a question, and by the aching tone of her voice, Angel wondered with renewed dread where this one was leading; he wasn't totally out of those woods yet, that was for sure.
Cordy looked away and down, smoothing the comforter over her knees before continuing. "There was this girl coming down the stairs when we got there," she looked up, catching his eyes, "She was wearing some of *my* clothes, Angel." For a second, he slammed his eyes shut at both the recollection of his giving them away and the pure hurt in the brunette's eyes.
Shit! So much for thinking it was all going be okay. He's given her so many reasons to hate his guts!
"I…I'm so sorry, Cordy…I just- at the time I needed an in; they were just there at the hotel and I-I…didn't even think," he rubbed a hand over his face harshly. "As I said, I was pretty screwed up at the time," he explained haltingly, opening his eyes and forcing himself to look into hers. "It had something to do with a scam Wolfram & Hart were pulling there." Her eyes instantly hardened, and his heart sank into his stomach.
"What a surprise." Cordy began bitterly, and then bit her lip hard. Nope, she wasn't going there again; he was finally opening up- *talking* to her and that was more important right at this moment than material things, but she still needed to make her point.
"Look, I'm so not in the mood to get into that right now …" she paused, then added, "just don't give my things away again, okay? I don't have a walk-in closet and a platinum card any more, remember?" her voice had toned down, but the chastisement remained nevertheless- in his mind he'd gotten off too lightly, but took the easy out for now.
"I'll make it up to you - and I will *never* show lack of respect for you or your things again" he promised softly, finally feeling confident enough to sit down on the side of the bed.
"Just remember you said that,' kay? - Um, You really don't wanna sit there, big guy," Cordy bit her lip for a totally different reason this time and watched as he shot up to his feet at her words. Suddenly everything looked and felt different, and old feelings shot to the surface- as well as new.
"Oh God, sorry, I was, um…" Angel apologized for his bold move, then paused, "why are you laughing, Cordelia?" Angel frowned as he took in the sight of the young woman giggling, catching her amused eyes.
For a moment, he was dazzled like a deer in headlights at the pure warmth and humor now filling her face, and his heart lifted and swelled: things were going to be okay- then her eyes dropped from his and he followed the direction of that amused gaze. All initial discomfort and deferent consideration went totally out of the window.
"Cordelia!" he stared at the sticky patch of green liquid and lumps of carrot that clung to the fabric of his pants with horrified disgust.
"Oops? - Hey! Give them back!" Cordy scrambled to her knees and attempted to grab hold of the covers he'd whipped off the bed in a fit of exasperation, missing and landing flat on her face on the mattress.
She hissed at the sudden move and the impact. Angel turned instantly at the sound, letting the covers fall to the floor in a heap- and just stared. The satin negligee did nothing to hide the almost backless red nightdress beneath, and his avid eyes followed the soft lines of her spine, soaking in the barely hidden matching barely-there panties that attempted to cover her magnificent firm ass.
He was in Heaven and hadn't even realized it. - Then he rapidly pulled himself together, remembering her injury and loomed over to help her sit upright.
"Are you okay, has it reopened?" he ran his fingers over her covered midriff, instinctively sniffing the air for her fresh blood.
"Yeah, and no- and can I just say ewwe? You *were* sniffing me right?" Cordy pushed his gentle hands away and eased her legs out straight to check for herself, unaware of the Goddess-like vision she made to the hovering vampire. Golden skin deliciously wrapped in rich red satin.
Satisfied that her insides were still on the inside, Cordy finally looked up. "All present and correct… Angel?" she suddenly asked in a quivery voice, which instantly brought out his tenderness and at the same time tamped down his rapidly growing lust, Angel lowered himself carefully onto the edge of the mattress. "Yes, Cordy?" he asked softly.
"Can you grab that pillow for me?" her liquid gold eyes beseeched him with an intensity that made him swallow hard. He did as she asked and went to ease her forward to tuck it behind her, but her hand halted his actions. He eyed her quizzically.
"I want you to do something for me," she told him, then folded her arms, her gaze dropping to the pillow he held in his hands.
"I'm gonna give you a list off the top of my head, and for every item I tick off, I want you to hit yourself upside the head with that pillow." She ignored the way his mouth dropped open and instead looked around, before looking him straight in the eye.
"Why is it you can't find a handy brick or two when you need one?" she asked him, outwardly innocent.
Angel dutifully hit the pillow against the side of his face as she reeled off every little – and large annoyance she had with him- until she reached out and grabbed the weapon from his hands. "Are we done already?" he asked mock surprised, to which she merely frowned.
"No way, buddy- but you were cheating! A mouse could hit you harder than that." he opened his mouth to refute, totally unprepared for the pillow that thwacked him good and hard right in the face. "Umphh!"
"That'll teach you to steal my covers- and that" she hit him again, "is for hiding my clothes" *thwack* "giving me soup instead of steak" *thwack* "and leaving me to smell like a homeless person for three days," *thwack* *thwack* Angel spat out a feather and finally wrestled the pillow from her and, mindful of her delicate state, gently tussled her to the bed.
"Hey! What was the last one for?" he growled, lightly pinning her squirming body beneath him. Wickedly amused hazel eyes stared back at him unrepentant. "I don't know, but I'm sure you deserve it, and more." She returned with a mock glare; then narrowed her eyes.
"You'd better not get that ick on your pants anywhere near my new nightie either." She warned, half serious. Then took stock of their compromising new position with a shiver.
"And a very nice nightie it is too," he agreed, then too became aware of their closeness, and the humor slowly dissolved.
"It's your fault I'm wearing it," husked Cordy, half-heartedly attempting to pull back the light-hearted banter of a few seconds ago. "I bought this for a special, once-in-a-lifetime night, for that special someone…" her words petered out as his expression became more and more intent- and intimate.
"Did you have someone special in mind when you bought it?" he had to ask, even though he didn't really want to know her answer, and he was surprised when her suddenly embarrassed eyes dropped. "Maybe," she whispered, so low that Angel only heard due to his heightened senses. Then his eyes widened as the penny dropped. His confidence growing by the second, Angel relaxed more and smiled sensually, dipping his head to whisper in her ear.
"I'm a very lucky special someone then- and I have to say, you always smell…" he drew in a deep breath and nuzzled the tender skin beneath her ear, "delicious and completely edible." The accompanying purr that rumbled through his chest sent fissions of sensation through her body that was gently caged in by his.
"I'm gonna need to borrow a sweater or something though," she remarked all too casually, even as she shivered in response to the soft pressure of his knuckles brushing against the side of her breast, yelping in surprise when he smoothly rolled them over until their positions were reversed and she now lay completely over him. He wouldn't let himself forget she was still fragile, regardless of his enjoyment of the moment, Her legs slid open to rest either side of his, but were halted by the confining satin.
"Please tell me you're kidding," Angel groaned softly, his eyes now the color of hot melted chocolate; their faces so close she could see flecks of gold floating lazily in his irises. So intent, Cordy didn't even notice when his stealthy hands slid the confining fabric higher until her legs continued their descent to lie alongside his. "Just think of what one of my dark and drab sweaters would do to this luscious outfit?" he pointed out innocently. Her brow ached in response.
"Oh, so you're okay with me walking around downstairs in it, then?" she asked just as innocently, and inwardly reveled in the instant darkening of those beautiful eyes.
"No way!" his possessive response was followed by cool strong arms wrapping firmly around her waist, although ever mindful of hurting her. Then a thought occurred to him.
"Did Wes see you in it?" he asked with a growing scowl. Cordy crossed her eyes at him.
"Well, duh! He had to hang around while I had a shower- don't worry, I left the door unlocked in case I fell," she assured him hurriedly as thunderclouds grew in those ever darkening eyes.
"That's not what was worrying me- he's just lucky he didn't need to help out," Angel growled. "You should have waited till I got back," she marveled at how the vampire could look both annoyed and petulant and the same time, and lapped up the obvious jealousy in his voice and expression.
"I wasn't talking to you then," she reminded him softly, before adding, "And it's your fault he saw it, anyway- seeing as it was the only thing you didn't take from my bag!" poking him hard in the chest.
"And what's with that? The way you're acting, I'm surprised you didn't go out and buy me a yashmac or something." Angel refused to drop his eyes even as he squirmed at being caught out vetting her clothes.
"They're quite attractive, actually…okay, maybe not," he back pedaled at her raised brows.
Cordy couldn't believe, after the way it had started out, they were having such a light conversation- and in such intimate circumstances; yet feel totally at ease with it. If you could call what she was feeling 'ease'; her body was humming, and her blood raced around her system as she lay over him like a human blanket, all too aware of his cool fingers drifting up and down the sides of her exposed thighs- exposed? When did that happen? She wondered breathlessly.
Time to cool it down- a little bit, anyway. There was still her other friends' feelings to take into consideration.
"Wes was hurt with your bad call too, you know- and Gunn…well, it's gonna take a while for him to get back that trust he just developed; that trust went against everything he ever believed in, Angel." it had to be said, even though Cordy hated the immediate contrition on his tightening features.
"God, I know…I totally screwed up, didn't I?" Cordy nodded without hesitation and his mouth twisted. Never one for prettying things up in little bows was his Cordelia. It was one of the things he loved most about her.
The strength of his conviction when thinking of love and Cordy shook him. What if he screwed up again? Just the thought of losing her again after finally feeling a modicum of security frightened the fuck out of him. His hands convulsively gripped her thighs even as he drew a shaky breath.
"I'll talk to them later, promise." He assured her seriously, and then his eyes and voice softened. "But for now, I want to talk about…us." Cordy's faces softened in response.
"Oh, there's an us?" she teased with a slight catch in her voice, and the hands gripping her thighs gentled, fingertips drawing sensual circles into her warm flesh.
"I hope so," Angel paused, catching and pinning her gaze, his eyes darkening as he continued. "I'm not playing games here, Cordy; I…" swallowing hard as he realized he had her complete attention, Angel prayed that he wasn't going to fast for the brunette.
"My feelings have been changing for a long time," he admitted huskily, lifting a hand and touching her bottom lip with the tips of his fingers gently; sucking in an unneeded breath when Cordy captured one between her teeth.
"I don't have a lot to offer you- hell, not even half of what you deserve, Cor, but I love you very much- In love, I mean." Moisture instantly hazed her eyes at his overwhelming confession making his face blur for a split moment until she had to blink furiously. "I ache with loving you, wanting you…. But I know I can't give you-"
"Shh," Cordy pressed her fingers against his finely trembling mouth. She too sucked in her breath when his lips pursed to kiss the tips gently. "I read the contents enough times to know them off by heart, Angel- and although some parts suck pretty bad," her mouth quirked even his lips tightened in remorse, " that heart pretty much likes the sound of the rest." His eyes widened in dawning hope, and she pressed her fingers harder against his mouth before continuing.
"It's all sorta new; hey! My best friend isn't just a best friend in my dreams anymore, you know? - But I still need to take out my feelings about…. us and put them in order before being able to say the 'L' word," Cordy laughed briefly, correcting herself. "Well, duh, the Love is a given; so maybe I should have said the 'I' word instead." She clarified.
To be honest with herself, Cordy already had a feeling she'd find that 'I' in there somewhere- she just wanted to do it right, and at the moment everything was just so fresh- scary even. A commitment to Angel wouldn't be a run-of-the-mill undertaking.
He was, after all, a vampire, for a start, and with that came all his emotional baggage. If she thought his protective possessiveness was bad now, once she put herself fully into his hands, most definitely what had been experienced so far would be just the tip of the iceberg.
As for the rest… well, the curse would interfere with a more intimate relationship, which wasn't something to go into lightly either. She couldn't take his heart and then change her mind later because it was getting to hard to deal with.
Angel was all too aware of the ramifications of a romantic involvement with him, and he respected her reasons for not rushing headlong into a relationship with him and making rash promises.
"I'm good with that, Cor," Angel smiled softly in understanding and Cordy blew out a relived breath, her heart rate picking up when his darkening eyes dropped to the mouth he still tentatively brushed with his fingers.
Almost poetic in its slowness, their lips breached the gap and met. Gasps left them both as they parted for a split second before crashing together; floodgates open wide as their mouths foraged and devoured each other's. Bodies burned and hands mapped flesh, both covered and bared, but even in passion, Angel's physical worshipping of the softer, warm body and mouth above his retained a strained gentleness, always aware of her present fragility.
Their mouths finally broke apart, the vampire allowing the human to take in much needed air, content with nuzzling and trailing a path of wet heat from ear to throat as she panted with exertion and heightened emotions.
"We really can't do this, Angel," Cordy moaned softly as he made his way back to her mouth; a soft mewl leaving her throat when a large, cool hand cupped her breast through the fine satin.
Angel groaned deep in his chest. "I know, but I'm sure we can manage a little…necking," he nipped her throat gently, " and maybe a little petting," he growled softly as he gently kneaded the soft flesh of the breast he held possessively. Cordy gasped even as she giggled.
"Angel! - We really can't; trust me." He lifted his head, a pout pushing out his masculine lower lip at her insistence. Caramel eyes melting with heat were also brimming with unrestrained amusement. At his raised brow of query, she shushed him.***
"I say you just go in there and make sure everything is, you know- okay," Wes glared as he more or less ordered Gunn, who stood there glaring back.
"Why me?" he folded his arms and scowled. "Since when did someone die and make you the Boss, huh?" Wes thought about it than grinned triumphantly.
"Ahah! You won't know that 'someone' has died until you go in there and look," Gunn scowled and shook his head.
"Don't you try that book-smart brain out on me, Watcher-boy! " his arms remained firmly crossed, his feet spread and not moving an inch, "And if you do wanna be the Boss, then it's up to you to check it out."
Damn! He's got me there! Wes wracked his 'book-smart' brain for another ploy.
As soon as he'd descended to the lobby and filled Gunn in with his 'chat' with Cordelia, and how he'd left the vampire hovering outside the door, they both snuck up to 'make sure everything was fine'. Neither wanted to miss at least hearing the vamp get his pasty white ass getting served to him on a platter.
Unfortunately, they hadn't been able to hear a single word. That surprised both of them. Cordy was rarely muted in her rage, and as the minutes ticked by, both men were fidgeting and wondering what the hell was going on.
"You don't think he wimped out and sneaked out the back, do you?" Wes finally remarked. Gunn shook his head firmly.
"Could you see really him doin' that- after everything he's done so far?" Gunn asked with a lift of his shoulders. Both men fell into silence again, and then Wes turned to the young black man.
"If we knew for sure he was in there, we'd have every right to go in and check." He decided. Gunn nodded.
"Yeah, 'we' would" he agreed; "so what next?" Neither man wanted to enter until they were one hundred percent sure that their firebrand of a friend had blunted her claws on the vampire first, but that left them back to square one. They needed a plan.
"Let's listen more closely first". Both nodded, and as one leaned against angel's door and pressed their ears to the wood- then the door shot open.
"Um, did you want something?" Wes and Gunn looked up from their spots on the floor of Angel's room as he stood over them with his arms folded. A snort had their heads angling back to find Cordy standing in the doorway of the bedroom; Angel's navy robed swamping her body covering the red satin almost completely, except for the long hem brushing her ankles.
"Oh, bugger!" Wes groaned, closing his eyes and rolling onto his back.
FIN.
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