Go TeamC/A
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Part 8 “Lilah, Lindsay, please have a seat.” Holland Masters beckoned the young lawyers to the chairs in front of his desk.
“Holland,” Lilah acknowledged sitting down wondering why both she and Lindsay were being called to the carpet. She glanced over at Lindsay. He wasn’t wondering. Great. The other lawyer screwed up somehow and she was getting caught up in it. Lilah sat straighter. She didn’t do anything. Lindsay can sink on his own. “Holland, has something happened? Did Lindsay make a mistake, possibly a fatal one?”
“Killing me off a little soon, aren’t you Lilah?” Lindsay shot over to the other lawyer before turning to Holland. “Obviously, you’ve heard.”
Holland raised up a fax- the words were clear and bold. ‘Satan Toadies should stay in hell- You’re fired, Cordelia Chase’. “Lindsay, I would’ve appreciated finding out from you rather than from this somewhat colorful note.”
“I was on my way to tell you.”
Holland nodded. “So, tell me now.”
“Cordelia has hired Angel Investigations to find her stalker. It seems that she does know Angel, quite well. Trusts him, not us.”
“Angel?” Holland’s gaze rested on Lilah. “It was my understanding that the vampire with the soul was in no condition to investigate anything.”
“He isn’t. All the reports say that he’s a babbling idiot most of the time. He hasn’t been seen outside his apartment in almost a year. He’s been leaving the fighting to those associates of his- Wesley Windiem-Price and Charles Gunn. They’re somewhat effective but not a danger to us. If Cordelia Chase hired Angel Investigations- she hired them not Angel.”
“Charles Gunn was at the studio this morning and Cordelia said that Angel, not Gunn or Windiem-Price, was escorting her to the Premiere tonight.” Lindsay countered.
“Find out. This could be very disturbing to the Senior Partners. They’ve been relying on Angel’s weakening role as a champion. I wonder…”
“Holland?”
“Lindsay, you say that Cordelia knows the vampire. They both came to LA from the Hellmouth. Did they know each other there?”
“Yes, she admitted that Angel had saved her and her high school friends before.”
“Yet, this is the first time they’ve been connected in LA, correct.”
“First time I’ve ever heard her mention him or Sunnydale for that matter.”
“Lilah, in your surveillance of the vampire have you seen any indication of a connection.”
“With Cordelia Chase. No. There’s been no evidence of him even knowing her before now.”
“Interesting.” Holland tapped his fingertips. “The seers have sensed a up coming change in the balance of things, not in our favor. The surge within the mystical forces occurred not very long before receiving this.” The older lawyer held up Cordelia’s fax. “It seems possible that this renewed connection between Ms. Chase and Angel is causing it and that is not in our best interests. It must be severed.”
“She’s not going to listen to us, not now.”
“Any information on this stalker of hers.”
“No.”
“Find him. He may be a danger to Ms. Chase and if she died it would be such a shame.”
“But any connection between Cordelia Chase and Angel would be severed.”
Holland gave a half smile to Lilah. “Now that would be interesting.
Part 9“I’m saying you’re not thinking this is a good idea.” Gunn tugged at the sleeve of his tuxedo. “Why do I’ve to wear this monkey suit, damn.”
“I think that is necessary that we accompany Angel and Cordelia to the Premiere tonight-that means tuxedoes. If Angel has a vision tonight we’ll need to be there. Cordelia won’t be able to handle his possible violent reaction.” Wesley shook his head. “A very public event is not the place for Angel to be.”
“Could always chain him up.”
Wesley shot a look over at the other man. “Chaining up a lucid determined Angel is definitely not a good idea.”
“Yeah and he’s already left anyway, so no chance of that- we’ll just have to have the steel mesh net when and if it happens. So now what?” Gunn searched around his rented formal jacket trying to find the perfect places to hide his stakes and small hatchet.
“Wait for Cordelia’s driver to pick us up and hopefully just watch a movie.”
“Hey, Cordy’s in this movie, isn’t she? Wonder if we’ll see any Cordy-nakedness.”
“Oh lord, that was not the thought I needed.”***
Cordelia trailed an appraising glance over the vampire. “Geez, you can be dressed up. Lookin’ very spiffy there ‘grr’ guy.” Cordelia smiled. Wow, Angel looked more than just spiffy- old words of ‘salty goodness’ floated through her memory. To bad, the man before her was a tragic vision-racked vampire prone to bouts of extreme antisocial and insane type behavior; otherwise he’d be a catch. But, Angel would look good on her arm or was it she would look good on his. Whatever.
Angel cleared his throat as he tugged nervously on the collar that had some how managed to tighten into a noose. Why was he here? He didn’t belong out in public much less escorting Cordelia to a movie premier. He belonged in the shadows. What if he had a vision? What if he tripped? The way Cordelia kept staring at him seemed to make every coordinated bone in his body uncoordinated so tripping was a distinct possibility.
“You’re going to talk at least a little aren’t you? Granted, I’ve been known to carry conversations before and quite well, actually. Entertain myself even, tell quirky anecdotes, spread harmless fun gossip and other nonsense, touch on current events and what‘s new in the ‘in‘ scene, don‘t do religion or politics but will give myself compliments- you know like, Gee, Cordy you look spectacular tonight, love the hair and the dress. And the shoes, too die for,” Cordelia kicked out a strappy sandal clad foot in Angel’s direction. “Oh, Geez, never mind,” Cordelia rolled her eyes at the vampire. “Well, at least stop gapping, looking dorky isn’t going to scare off any crazy stalker-type. Put on that dark mysterious broody face that was oh so intimidating back in Sunnydale."
Angel blinked trying to catch her rapid fire speech and its meaning. Something about harmless fun, nonsense, politics, no not politics, shoes…why was Cordelia showing him her shoes. Dork, she called him a dork. Again Angel wondered what he was doing there. Wait. Stalker. Angel’s expression became a scowl. He knew why he was there- to protect Cordelia from her stalker. To keep her safe at all cost. Angel didn’t understand but his need to keep Cordelia safe had screamed to a priority even more so than his pressing need to save the victims of his visions. Only, that need didn’t cause Angel pain or drive him crazy. His need for a safe Cordelia made him feel stronger. He needed to be.
"That's the face I'm talking about- the no-nonsense take no prisoner-type, scary and the ‘grr’ sound, a great ad-lib. Doubly scary." Cordelia nodded enthusiastically.
“I won’t let any one hurt you, Cordelia.”
“Wow. You can speak. Come one, my silent dark hero. I’ll just assume that you find me irresistibly gorgeous and the extreme emotion of it all took away your coherent thoughts as well as your ability to say that I look nice in my new dress and shoes,” Cordelia shoved her shoe once again at the vampire. Cordelia shook her head; the soft curls floating around her beautiful face.
Angel stared at Cordelia’s expectant face. The young woman was doing it again. Maybe she was driving him crazy. What was she talking about now? Hero. Gorgeous. The shoes again. Wait. Compliments. She wanted him to say something nice about her dress and shoes.
Angel studied the gold high-heeled sandals and the sun-colored shimmering dress that hugged around Cordelia‘s body. How did she walk in those shoes? How did she keep that dress up? It sure wasn’t from over use of the shimmering material. Where was it’s back? Angel gulped, he didn‘t remember the young woman, in person, as being quite so…. so curvy and well…gorgeous. Beautiful, sure- but the woman before him wasn‘t the tactlessly rude lovely teenager he knew in Sunnydale, though she did still talk alot and it seemed about anything and everything that was on her mind. No, this woman could take a man‘s breath and words away. But Angel tried anyway. “You look…very…um.. Nice in your new shoes and dress- the dress, it’s very….sunny….nice.”
Cordelia blinked, her smile getting bright and wide, her shoulders starting to shake as giggles then finally laughter burst out of the smile.
Angel stuck his hands in his pockets and looked at his feet. God. He just told the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen she looked ‘nice’. He was a dork. Not only was he a borderline psychotic he was a borderline psychotic dork. When did he become a dork? The psychotic he had pretty much figured out, but dork? What was that exactly?”
“Thank you.” Cordelia beamed, her laughter slowing to a halt. “I think you actually meant that. Good. You look nice. I look nice. We’re a damn ‘nice’ looking couple. Do you even like movies? What’s the last movie you saw?” Cordelia slid her arm under Angel’s to hook her elbow in his.
“Movie?”
“Moving pictures with sounds. Color now-days even.” Cordelia tilted her head up at the vampire.
Angel glanced down into twinkling hazel eyes. She was about to start to laugh again. He could feel the chuckles of her breath rolling up his body, squeezing his groin. Angel gulped again. That wasn’t right. He shouldn’t be here. He shouldn’t want to smile. “Omega Man.”
Cordelia paused, tugging at his arm. “Really, Charlton Heston, Hmmph. Loner, lonely guy in post-apocalyptic LA, turning hero with the wise cracks and kicking ass- okay, for you just the kicking ass part. Did you read the book? The creepy guys in black robes- book version- vampires- not that I wanted to read it mind you, but it was required in Sunnydale, I realized why when I saw my first vampire bite the dust- is that why you liked it. A feeling of empathy, vampire with a soul, solo-isolated- the hero-, fighting the evil creatures trying to save the remaining innocents.” Cordelia looked up expectantly.
“I just like Charlton Heston.”
“Oh, you know that he’s got Alzheimer’s- the hero turning crazy- is that why you like him. Empathy, cuz you’re a hero going you know- bonkers. Not that I think your crazy but Wesley said…”
“I just like him.” Angel stared.
“Oh.”
Angel followed blindly into the waiting limousine. Wait. He should be sensing the area for any strange and intruding scents. Instead he was thinking about a dark theater and a movie seen alone too many years ago and now another movie, the woman next to him who somehow stated his life in a quick movie review and the smile that seemed to be threatening to break through his habitual scowl. “This movie, the one we’re going to - what kind of movie is it?” Angel tried in an attempt to distract him from the odd feeling of true confusion flowing through him.
“Wow. Three sentences all together. Well, sorta three, almost a conversation, definitely a question- which I’ll answer.” Cordelia nodded reassuring, “but, it’s not a lonely guy hero film and definitely no Charlton Heston, so no backing out, it’s a romantic comedy set in- hey, you’re an old guy- early 19th century, maybe you'll like it, remind you of old times. Oh wait -old times for you were evil killing sprees- this isn't horror. Where were you in the 1800's?"
"England." Angel said simply, deciding after a tense moment that Cordelia wasn't inquiring about Angelus and his killing sprees, just his whereabouts.
Cordelia shook her head. "Nay, this is set in United States- New York area- which is good, since my British accent needs work or at least that's what my acting coach says, what do you think do I sound British, you’re old-time Irish-like, right, that’s close, sorta of right?"
"Now?" Angel squirmed was he suppose to answer that? Cordelia sounded horrible.
"I take that as a no, then- I hate it when he's right, he can be such a little Lord Fountyroy-type. I play the heroines best friend. I've played best friends before- well, once I was a best friend and once I was an old girlfriend- but I died in both. Those movies did pretty well and the critics seemed to like me dying." Cordelia glanced up. "That's why I'm nervous tonight. I'm not in this one- dying I mean. What if I’m only good at dying? I don’t what to be the girl that’s always dying, boring.” Cordelia shrugged. “My agent didn't really want me to take it since I sleep around a lot in it- but I say I make it to the closing credits. But he says it goes against, ‘Sweetheart of America Stuff’- which is kind of funny that now my reputation is 'sweet' when in high school it was bitch." Cordelia shrugged. "Things change, look at you- evil/soul, me - bitch/sweet.... though, I can still be a bitch when need be, it just that I don't seem to want or need to be one as much, weird, uh, though honestly I don't think I'm all that sweet. But, hey, it pays the bills and buys expensive shoes," Cordelia kicked up her foot again for an appreciative glance.
"You...what do you mean you sleep around a lot in the movie?" Angel thought it was easier to just block out most of what Cordelia was saying and just concentrate on the statement that caught his attention. For some unknown reason, Angel really hoped that Cordelia meant she had some weird sleeping illness in the film.
"I'm a major slut in this movie. Seducing pretty much everyone, well not the heroines' boyfriend, because well, then I wouldn't be a very good best friend and my character was given some scruples, just not that much to wear."
"Not..." Angel gulped looking again at the young woman and the curves accentuated by the form fitting dress. Angel didn't want to see her in less. Angel looked again. He didn't think he did. He knew he shouldn’t. "Women wore a lot of clothes in the 19th century, layers and layers of them."
"Really, in the bedroom too? Cuz, the director wanted me to run around nude like in all of the scenes. I was just thinking he just wanted my ass on the screen. Eek was I wrong, should I’ve said yes to the nude scenes. I’m just not real comfortable with that yet, so I have a no nudity clause in my contract. Maybe for the right part." Cordelia shrugged again. “Well?”
Angel gulped at the idea of a naked Cordelia running around on wide screen. Movies were seen by a lot of people. He stared at the woman. She asked him something. “What?”
“Well, should’ve I have said yes to the nudity- you know for historical accuracy in the bedroom?”
“No, you made a good choice. No nude scenes.” Angel was definite in his answer. For the first time that night he was truly certain about something. Though, he wasn’t so sure why he was so sure about that.
Cordelia nodded happily. "Good- we're here. Hey," Cordelia leaned over Angel, pointing through the window, "There’s Wesley and Gunn. We can go join them after the picture-shooting-frenzy." Cordelia scooted back to her side of the limo.
Angel's back was stiffly pressed against the seat his eyes closed trying to get rid of the imagines of Cordelia's breast floating near his face as she leaned over. How she kept those lovely full rounded bits of flesh inside that sunny shimmering dress was beyond him.
Part 10Wesley and Gunn stood on the periphery of the circle of press that enclosed Cordelia and Angel.
“The vamp seems to be okay.” Gunn whispered.
“Yes, he only looks like he wants to kill two or three of them.”
“They shouldn’t keep asking him what his last name is.” Gunn said, nodding towards the reporter in front of Angel.
“’Angel’ what kind of name is that…are you a model, is that how you met our Cordy. Where are you from? How’d you meet? Do you even have a last name? Come on, the fans want to know.” The persistent report fired the questions at the motionless tense vampire.
“He’s going to blow.” Gunn whispered, recognizing the silent growls and anger building in the vampire’s being. “Where’s the steel net?”
“No. Look,” Wesley urged somewhat amazed.
Both Gunn and Wesley watched as Cordelia placed a delicate hand over Angel’s arm while chatting to another reporter. She ended that conversation with a bright smile and turned towards the reporter that was badgering Angel with incessant questions.
“Did she just do what I think she did?” Gunn said.
“If you mean did Cordelia just touch Angel and he accepted it without flinching or growling but rather calming down. Yeah. Amazing. Angel doesn’t like people touching him. Interesting, Cordelia and Angel weren’t that close in Sunnydale at all. I don’t think I ever saw just the two of them talking. Then again, Angel didn’t talk to anyone really, except Buffy.”
“Well, they’re talking now.” Gunn nodded his head in their direction.
Wesley shook his head and wondering what in the world Cordelia whispered into the vampire’s ear that made him not only lose his former tenseness but also made him shove his hands in his pockets and look at his shifting feet. Wesley moved closer to the couple, listening to what Cordelia was now saying out loud.
“Justin, Justin,” Cordelia tsked. “Go away, you’re annoying my date and I do want to go out with him again. So, all of you go away. I promised him a fun night, not the Hollywood’s version of the Spanish Inquisition.”
"But, Cordy, why doesn’t he have a last name? Is he the dark version of Fabio? Or maybe a hairdresser? Who is he? Where did he come from?”
“Of course, he has a last name. Fabio, dark or light, Good God no, look at him. Hairdresser- look at his hair. Angel’s my date. And he came from pretty much everywhere, settling here making me happy and feeling safe, so do a girl a favor, go bother Jennifer Hewitt, I understand she sings now- go.”
“Cordy’s in love, the male population of America is going to be heartbroken.”
“Shoot guys, when the female population get a gander at Angel, they’ll be the ones heartbroken. Now, shoo and let us enjoy some of the night. Before we both have to go home to get our respective beauty sleeps. And remember spell Angel right and keep him properly mysterious.”
“Cordy,” the reporters rolled their eyes, groaning at the same time. “You’re pulling our leg aren’t you? He’s an upcoming and you’re showing him off. When will you ever fall in love and give our ‘Cordy’ the happy ever after she deserves.”
Cordelia smiled softly. “I’m just an old fashion girl, I’m waiting for my very own hero. Good enough?”
“For now, but some day you’re going have to seriously answer our questions.”
Cordelia kept smiling as the laughing reporters wandered off to find their next victim.
“Cold day in hell,” Cordelia whispered harshly after the reporters. She looked up at the owner of the arm she was still clutching. “ Sorry, I should’ve warned you. Are you okay? You did really well. Honest. They won’t be coming back. They’ll go after the A-list now. The second string they go to first, but the A-list they hope to get with more than a few cocktails under their belt. You did very well,” Cordelia smiled reaching up with a small caress to the staring vampire. “Can you talk? Or did they scare my brave ‘grr’ guy into silence, they are pretty scary and vultury.”
Angel pulled her hand away from his cheek, forcing a smile on his lips. “I’m okay. You got rid them very well.”
Cordelia shrugged. “Used to it. Though, Damn.” She hit her forehead.
“Cordy” “Cordelia” Both Gunn and Wesley called moving closer.
“What?” Angel’s arm that was no longer being held by Cordelia’s snaked around her waist bringing her up and behind him in a reflexive protective move.
“I should’ve told the truth. Stupid.”
“Uh?” “ Cordy” Wesley and Gunn responded.
“What?” Angel said again, not yet releasing her from his secure hold. That’s wasn’t happening until he understood her meaning. Which he acknowledged based on past experience could be awhile. He held Cordelia tighter.
“Angel Investigations, sillies, I should of at least said Angel was a private investigator- who wouldn’t hire him to keep them safe. Look at him tall, dark and imposing, when he’s not a dork, but for most of the pictures I bet you good money and a Prada bag, it looks like he’ll kill someone just like that.” Cordelia snapped her fingers, then wiggling as she noticed how tight Angel’s hold was on her. She wasn’t sure if she liked being pressed up against him. Okay, now she’ll just call herself silly. Gee, being pressed up against a hard male body- a really awesome hard body. Remember. Vampire, Buffy’s, Buffy’s, Vampire, Buffy’s, oh, evil possibilities can’t forget that, whoa big one. Cordelia nudged harder moving out of Angel’s embrace.
Angel slowly released Cordelia. No danger, just Cordelia babble. Good lord, he wanted to smile again. Impossible. Angel hated this place-too many people, too many fake smiles, just too many of everything. Cordelia was….well… okay, but the rest- Angel wanted to be able to kill or leave.
“Thank you for you concern, Cordelia. But, bodyguards- to the stars is not our goal. We fight the evil in Angel’s vision, that’s our mission.” Wesley offered.
“I get that, really I do. Noble. Worthwhile. But to help the helpless you need money. Hey, I work, get paid tons and because of that I can eat and wear really great clothes and shoes as well as give money and promotion to Breast Cancer Research, Humane Society, Amnesty International, Friendly Stars of the Homeless, actually, I think I’m getting out of that one. I’m not sure all the money goes to the shelter. Hey, you’re private investigators; maybe you could find out. Oh.” Cordelia’s eye’s got big.
“Cordelia.”
“Wolfram & Hart, they gave me a whole list of charities, how much do you want to bet I’ve been subsiding evil, oh- that’s not right. They need to be stopped. If I give you the list, you can find out right? I’ll pay.”
“Cordy, we don’t want your money.” Wesley shook his head.
“Stupid, I’ve got money, you could stand some, how can you concentrate on saving the helpless, if you can’t pay rent for a office and salaries for staff.” She blinked. “You don’t even have an office do you? You’re all the helpless, got a name, but no office. Geez. Hey, look, that’s Oliver Simm and Rebecca Lowell. What’s she doing here?” Cordelia looked up at Angel. “Stay away from her. Her career is so gone and she refuses to do age appropriate parts. She finds out you’re a vampire with the whole eternal life giving thing- she’ll go for it- cheaper than plastic surgery and surgery only lasts so long. Hmmph. Go with grace, I say.” Cordelia glared at the older dark haired woman.
Angel blinked at Wesley and Gunn. Was he supposed to answer or comment on any of Cordelia’s monologue? Wesley and Gunn shrugged. Gunn’s eyes got big. “Hey, is that J-Lo?”
Cordelia looked to where he was pointing. “Yeah, she came with her honey, you know the star of the movie. I never got to sleep with him.” She sighed.
Gunn jerked his head towards the brunette as Wesley choked on his champagne. Angel just stared at the man holding the hand of the movie star that Gunn had pointed out. He didn’t seem so great. Probably couldn’t kill a D’xoial demon or any other kind. Angel looked again. The guy couldn’t save a cat out of a tree. “Cordy, do you want to?”
“Yes, well, my glass seems to be empty.” Wesley held up the flute. “I think maybe I’ll just get some more. Gunn?”
“I think I’ll go with you. You’re going to the bar over there right?” Gunn pointed to the area that Jennifer Lopez and Ben Afleck were standing.
“Just don’t embarrass me.”
“Cordelia,” Angel asked again.
“What?”
“Do you?”
“Do I what?”
“Want to sleep with him,” Angel pointed.
“With Wesley, eww, kissing him was enough. Not fun- humiliating even.”
“Not him, the other guy?”
“Gunn, hardly know him, but he is hot.”
“The other one.” Angel growled his frustration. Why he wanted to know was again beyond him. Like almost everything, since he was drawn into ‘Cordy’ the TV Star’s orbit. Where exactly was the teenager that he could ignore.
“Oh, you mean the multi -million dollar mega star- that I just met on the movie set. He was the star. You know the one I didn’t sleep with. My best friend’s boyfriend. Weren’t you watching the movie at all?”
“Didn’t recognize him.” Angel said quickly, not mentioning that he hadn’t seen any of the movie except when Cordelia was on. And he didn’t have a clue who her character had sex with, since every man’s face had been bloodied, beaten and screaming in terror as he watched the scenes happily administrating the horror.
“Eww.” Cordelia grimaced moving closer to Angel.
“What?” Angel blinked away blood and torture thoughts. She couldn’t know or she would be running not pressing into his side.
“Satan’s most charming toady, Lindsay McDonald, how much do you want to bet that woman with him is evil too, she’s got the look. The vicious bitch look, like her dress and shoes though, great their coming this way. Wesley said that you had dealings with Wolfram & Hart before. You’re not going to be violent are you? I’m mean- are you going to have to?”
Angel directed his attention to the stylish couple heading their way. He didn’t know them but he did know about the law firm that they worked for. Angel had run up against them when he first came to LA, he’d actually threatened a conference room full of their lawyers before Doyle died and gave Angel the visions thereby leaving him increasingly useless in the fighting and threatening area. But Wesley and Gunn had told him that they were still running up against Wolfram & Hart occasionally.
“Cordy,” Lindsay, held up a flute of champagne. “You were wonderful, another hit I imagine and this must be Angel,” the lawyer studied the vampire.
Angel straightened, pulling Cordelia closer. “I don’t know you.”
“Well, we you know, hi, I’m Lilah Morgan, one of your greatest fans,” she cooed to the vampire. “Well, that was until you became completely worthless in the ‘champion’ arena. Now it looks like the apocalypse will just have to go on with out your input. What a waste of a soul, uh. Bet you wished you were still evil. How’s the craziness going? We had such hopes for you. Hello,” Lilah turned to Cordelia. “Love your shoes. How did you manage to get the vampire out of his babbling and banging at the walls for the night.”
Cordelia stood straight, her eye’s leveled at the other woman. “Thanks. Love your shoes, too, and the dress; I saw it on the rack at Anthony’s but figured it wasn’t quite the thing-kind of last year. I wouldn’t worry about Angel, he IS the champion, be careful, he may just bite your evil ass one night and he won’t even be evil; just pissed at your arrogance and culpability of the evil in the world. Go away and watch out for those bumps in the night, it could be an angry vampire.”
“Right,” Lilah ran her eyes up and down the vampire. “I imagine you’ll have to lock him up in closet before the night is over.”
Angel narrowed his eyes stepping closer to the female lawyer. “Lilah, right? Cordelia’s correct, don’t worry about me. Closets have doors and I’m feeling pretty good right now. Good enough too squeeze the life right out of you and toss you over the balcony. I can do it, too, really quick. Vampires are like that -quick and quiet and easily pissed off. Take Cordy’s advice and go away.”
“Let’s go, Lilah, we can be gracious and allow Angel to enjoy his one brief moment of sanity and vampachismo. Good-bye, Cordelia, you really should re-think your connection with Angel. He’s going nowhere fast. You need to concern yourself with your career. Hollywood is so fickle.” Lindsay said pulling Lilah away.
“Yeah, whatever, minions of hell. Hmmph.” Cordelia turned to Angel. “Are you okay, they didn’t upset you did they? You’re not crazy, screw them.”
Angel stood still staring at the young woman; confidence and surety were clear on her face. “Cordy, the visions, Wesley explained right?”
Cordelia waved her hand at his words. “Angel, you survived being shish kebabed into a hundred years in hell by Buffy dearest and you weren’t real ‘all wheels spinning’ when you popped back into Sunnydale from that little side trip.” Cordelia’s hands wildly demostrating her statement. “But you got over it, fine. Maybe a little broodier and amazingly if possible wearing more black, but all oars in the water, you’ll get over this too.”
“Cordelia, the visions make me…. I don’t ever want you to be around when one hits.”
Cordelia scrunched up her nose. “Pooh, Angel, you’re my friend, I don’t abandon my friends. I’ll always be around.”
Part 11Cordelia sipped at her champagne and leaned over the rail, glancing up at the vampire next to her. “Sorry, this has been so horrible, Nevin, says I only have to stay to 12:00, then we can leave. I wish there was a demon or stalker you could beat up to have more fun or something.”
Angel stared, not having a clue what to say, but knowing somehow he should be saying something, anything to get that frown off Cordelia’s face. That beautiful face was made to smile and to light up a room or even a dimly lit balcony.
“You could’ve let me beat up Justin.” Angel said, praying that his statement wasn’t dorky or stupid or frightening. God, Angelus was the worst, meanness funniest psychopath in centuries. He could charm, entice and captivate. The talent must have gone when the soul came in, because Angel just felt mortal- awkward, and 17 again, and eternally alone and souled, and hopeless at the same time.
Cordelia bit her lip, her eyes lighting up as she turned resting her back against the brace of the iron balcony. Small sounds of giggles and then laughter came from her chest. She lifted a hand back up to the vampire’s face. “Now, that would’ve been funny. He’s just a prick, but probably not the best picture to have on the front page. I’ve got an idea.” Cordelia shot up, grabbing the vampire’s hand. “Lets go for a walk. Maybe if my stalker’s out there you can find him and beat him up.” She nodded encouragingly.
“Let’s not.” Angel shook head.
“Why not? Out there, beat up, case over.” Cordelia nodded.
“You aren’t going to be bait.”
“Hate to tell you this, Angel, but I already am.” Cordelia shrugged. “Weird, I so much wanted to get away from Sunnydale, vampires, death, weirdness in general. I had managed actually to forget it all. Hmmph. Thank you very much stalker-guy.” She complained into the night.
“I’m sorry.” Angel felt an overwhelming sense of guilt forming in his toes expanding up to squeeze his undead heart and thoughts.
Cordelia scrunched her nose looking back at the vampire. “Why? You didn’t bring the weirdness back. I feel safe with you, so you are a good thing. Eww.” Cordelia sighed under her breath, standing straight.
Angel watched as the Cordelia that he had been talking and staring at changed into “Cordy’ the girl with the million dollar smile. He looked for what brought on the change.
“Cordy, darling.” Oliver Simm and Rebecca Lowell came sliding on the balcony.
“Remember, femme fatale, stick with me 'Raven' my ass. ” Cordelia leaned up on Angel’s shoulder whispering furiously.
Perplexed, Angel looked at said Femme Fatale then back at Cordelia. The issue was? He wasn’t going anywhere. Angel didn’t know when or exactly why, but sometime over the night, maybe it had been the first thing, he didn’t know anymore. The point was, his rambling mind decided, that he didn’t want to be anywhere except where he was- beside Cordelia Chase. Angel didn’t understand it. He lost count of the times she had touched him over the night. Pats, caresses of assurances, smacks of silliness, all soft all her and why in the hell didn’t he mind, why in hell did they feel right? For that matter, why hadn’t he had a vision and why was he still sane?
“Cordy, sweetie, it’s been way too long, you’ve just shot up there haven’t you. But then such a pretty face and such a simple format, it’s amazing now days how far you can come when you’re young, pretty and willing to do anything, I mean anything for anyone. I wish you the best.” Rebecca held up her glass. “Who’s your friend?” she purred over the top of her glass.
Angel waited for Cordelia to respond. He sure didn’t want to. But the young woman seemed to be still, her nails piercing into his hand. He shot a look at the lovely brunette. The smile was there. Angel blinked. It was false and somehow he knew it. He breathed for the first time around Cordelia. Angel had decided that Cordelia’s scent wasn’t something he needed to experience once her saw her in the flesh. But now he had to figure out Cordelia’s brave face and panicked reaction in his hand. It was fear. This was new and Angel didn’t like it.
Angel gently release Cordelia’s grip from his hand. He felt the increased panic in the young woman’s form. He cupped a hand quickly to her neck, soft fingers caressing as his released hand got a more secure grip around the young woman’s waist. Angel smiled, ignoring the relief in the soft body that fell against him in trust. “Angel” he told the intruding older actress.
“You sure are,” Rebecca purred.
Angel moved his fingers on Cordelia’s neck and pressed in harder giving a tender massage.
“Just a name, Mother was biblical in the bizarre sense of the word.”
“Are you in the business?”
“I’ve seen you before,” the short suited man said suddenly. “I saw you. …what…. three years ago….the party where I met you,” he pointed to Cordelia.
“Right, the one where you laughed at me and told me to go running back home to a fast food job and community theater- maybe.” Cordelia gave a tense smile.
Oliver Simm gave a fake smile in return. “Well, look at my mistake. So, Angel, I haven’t seen you on the rounds, maybe you would like another card?” the little man looked hopeful.
Angel fingers started working overtime as Cordelia’s body tensed even more. Angel narrowed his eyes. “Right, you gave me your card at…what was her name, Cordy…Margo’s? Good thing you didn’t get one otherwise you could’ve ended up on a stinker of a show like Raven’. Angel smirked.
Cordelia blinked up at the vampire. Who was Angel? Swooping down in black leather she sort of expected, that’s what he did in Sunnydale when he wasn’t smooching on the slayer or in a dark corner fading into nothingness. Cordelia had stopped trying to find him in the shadows of the high school library. Cordelia had figured he’d come out when Buffy was threatened and if he turned evil then some one would tell her eventually. Eek. Now she was pissed- how many times could she have been killed in that hell burg of a hometown.
Cordelia studied the vampire. She wasn’t pissed at him and anyway he was saving her from the evilness of Hollywood, how he knew she needed saving, why he was saving her, and why was he looking at her like she could save herself, she didn’t know.
Cordelia bit her lips and looked at the man and woman before her. They were the first in the ‘business’ she’d met, the first with power and the first that went out of their way to smash her confidence and who she was. They individually and together tried to destroy her. Cordelia blinked up, her smile getting less fake but more poised- the bitchy duo had failed. She was the star now. Hmmph.
“Now, Angel,” Cordelia cooed, taping her finger up to his jaw as she settled even more comfortably against him. “That’s not nice. ‘Raven’ was already on the air when I came to Hollywood. And it was silly of me to even think about auditioning for the show. Sure, I know they were auditioning much younger actresses to take the part of ‘Raven”. I mean, Geez, even Sean Connery and Roger Moore had to retire-too old for the franchise. But, I should’ve realized that Rebecca still had a couple of years left in her, hell with surgery and a personal trainer, the show could’ve lasted a little bit longer. What was it Rebecca, couldn't find a surgeon or trainer that could work with you?”
“Smile it up, little girl, I’ve still more pull in this town than you ever will,” Rebecca smiled up to Angel. “I can open doors.”
Angel forced down his desire to throw the woman off the balcony. Cordelia was calmer, but all was not right with the young woman. Tension and tendrils of fear ran through the body pressed against him. She needed him. It was…. It brought out a part of him that he had hoped was dead, buried when his soul took hold and precedence. Angel felt the smile come over him, the one he hated but the one he could use with such lethal skill.
Angel leaned up, tightening his hold on Cordelia. Cordelia wasn’t going to leave, but the overpriced self-important whore with promises of nothing and- god who dressed her -would leave, if he had to toss her over the railing on her purchased fake ass.
Cordelia whispered up, her arms still cradled along the vampire’s arms that encircled her waist. “You do realize that you said that out loud and scared the shit out them with surround sound growling and everything, well except for the ‘visual’ aspects.” She looked at the empty space where the couple had been.
“Cordy, why were you scared of them?” Angel turned, his arms holding on to her shoulders. Ignoring his part in driving the annoying Hollywood people away.
“I…what? I’m not…”
“Cordelia.” Angel said sternly.
Cordelia glared, then relented. “Will you stop pinching my shoulders, I’ve a early shoot tomorrow and “Cordy’ is suppose to be in a strapless gown for part of it.”
Angel’s hands shot in the air, his eyes zeroing in to Cordelia’s shoulders trying to see any bruising.
Cordelia grabbed the vampire’s hand and pulled him to the wrought iron bench on the balcony. “It’s not that I’m scared of them- exactly. It’s just…I was really scared when I moved here from Sunnydale, my parents in jail, fighting the IRS, leaving me with nothing, which okay, tons of people have nothing and build themselves up, but it was a shock to me, I was a spoiled bitch.” Cordelia took a deep breath. “And then, I get here, find out that my parents actually avoided real prison and after some deal were off to an island somewhere, I was alone…broke…boring…I’m sorry, but you asked. Anyway, those two, the barracuda and her toadstool, were nasty, mean and hateful. I…only met them once but they tried to black ball me, make me feel worthless, etc.” Cordelia shrugged, “it only had a small effect because lucky I had gotten a card that night and an interview with Stan Anderson, who while not in the trade papers as much as Oliver, didn’t make my skin crawl. And Stan does have the gift of gab and magic, not icky Sunnydale-type but just a gift for the business. I’m okay, better than okay, because of Stan. But it still …effects me how easy some of the people I met believed all the shit Rebecca and Oliver spouted. Hollywood is so not real. Maybe, Rebecca reminded me too much of what I had been, but still…I wasn’t that person anymore,” Cordelia rolled her eyes. “I’m sure many would say I deserved their treatment. Oh well, it hurt and if I ever did that to some else, which I probably did, I’m really sorry. Whew, wow, I hadn’t spurted a vent like that in a while.” Cordelia paused and then looked up. “Thank you. You were great, really, my hero.” Cordy smiled bringing her hand back up to caress the vampire’s face. Angel caught it before it completed its intimate caress. He brought it gently down between them.
Angel leaned a little back, wondering what to do with the delicate hand that he held. It was now clenched around his. It wasn’t going away on its own. It just kept getting tighter around his and the body it belonged to kept getting closer. He looked. Cordelia’s eyes were staring out to nothing, remembering maybe, whatever she was thinking about caused her to want him close. What he should do was push her away- yeah, on what world? Angel pulled her closer.
Cordelia peeked up to the vampire. “Oliver Simon gave you his card?” she smiled slightly. “You must’ve loved that.”
“It was interesting.” Angel answered. Noticing that a small smile had returned. He wasn’t sure what to do but he wanted the young woman in his embrace to feel safe…and happy…. he would follow her lead.
“Three years ago, I’m saying it was the same party,” Cordy scooted back. “Why, didn’t I see you, I can’t believe I’d miss you. I’ve got hottie radar.”
Angel looked at his hands in confusion, where did the warmth go. He looked up. He wanted those wringing hands back. What good were they doing to Cordy just squeezing each other? He grabbed.
Cordelia blinked as her hands were suddenly seized. Okay.
“They can’t hurt you now. You said Rebecca Lowell was a has-been. And I’ve never seen ‘Raven’ but I have seen ‘Cordy’- and I can’t imagine it was as near as good.”
“You watch my show?” Cordelia looked at her hands encased in the larger ones, trapping them but also caressing them. This was so surreal. Angel watched a sitcom, her, and he was holding her hand. Angel had made her feel better. What the hell was going on? This wasn’t possible. She didn’t know Angel, expect as the ‘salty goodness’ guy, and Buffy’s undead potentially evil broody silent boyfriend. Why was he helping her?” Why did she want him too? Why did she expect it? Why did she want him? He was a vampire, for god sake, and not even a sane one from what Wesley said. But she wanted the vampire from her toes to her hair.
“Angel,” Cordelia licked her lips. “Something’s not right.”
Angel would have to agree, the need he had right then to decipher every nuance of emotion on the beautiful face as well as the desperate need to keep Cordelia Chase safe, as well as fearing the prospect of just ‘her’ was slightly world rocking. Angel slowly nodded.
“Angel, I want to leave….” Cordelia paused looking straight at the point in between Angel‘s collar and first tuxedo button. “You can take me home without calling in ALL the guards, right. You can protect me at home. No sign of a stalker, maybe there wasn’t one, can you just take me home now, please.”
Angel looked at the head that some how became buried into his chest and his own arms and hands were doing their best to comfort the body within their immediate dominion and control. Angel gulped, wanting to push the body away. His sanity hadn’t been the most stable thing…oh hell, be truthful, the visions turn him into a homicidal suicidal lunatic. What comfort could he give this woman?
“Angel,” Cordelia leaned up, her hand back to his face. God, Angel wished she would stop doing that.
“I’ll take you home.” Angel gave in to the eyes that flickered between deep brown and gold and locked into his soul.
Part 12“You know that wasn’t what I was asking.” Cordelia leaned up against the back seat of the limo, her knees close to her chest her hands clenched around her, the only thing touching the vampire was her gaze. Angel flinched as the gaze penetrated his body, triggering nerves and feelings that had been dead for years. The need was overwhelming. Angel was suddenly scared. He searched his memory of the teenager that had been the woman before him- talk aside, he was certain Cordelia hadn’t been a whore, Angel had been around her enough to have noticed and sensed the telling signs if they were present. Christ, Angel knew that in the brief time of their re-acquaintance. What was the complexity of this woman- innocent, wanton and all alluring in her very gaze? How was Angel going to answer their desire correctly, because Angel couldn’t lie, well he could, but he never lied to himself- he wanted her. And suddenly, he wasn’t at all sure that he wanted to lie about the desire he sensed flowing from Cordelia.
“Cor…”
“Don’t,” Cordelia curled up closer to the side of the limousine. “This is stupid. I know what you are. I don’t want that. I could never risk that…. I know love, contentment, joy and sex are needed to trigger the extreme leather wearing evil of the night. And sure, I know I wouldn’t be chancing the love, joy part, but you never know about the sex part, do you? Nevermind, so no, sorry for bringing it up.” Cordelia curled further into herself. She peeked out from her knees. “I’m so sorry,” she sniffled. “I know I was bitch and some say…” Cordelia waved her hand in the air,” I’m not a prick tease.” She looked at Angel, “Oh god, I am” she buried her face in her body.
Angel stayed on his portion of the seat. He leaned in once giving the driver a note; one explaining to the one-armed man and the black man that everything was okay. Make sure, Angel said, that they get it, he growled. The driver shrugged and said of course.***
Cordelia wandered around her expansive apartment. She looked at the vampire that followed her in. “I see it bigger, do you see it bigger.” She pointed to the bookcase against the far wall. She gulped. “Oh god,” she said softly.
Angel was behind her in an instant. “What?’ Cordelia was choking up again. He’d hoped that had stopped when she calmed down in the limo.
“Angel,” Cordelia turned in the arms that embraced her.
“Cordy?”
The young woman bit her lips. Trying to say the words, she didn’t want to, but deep down she knew some how the man she was with would accept and understand anything she said. Some how. Cordelia took a deep breath. “Angel, this…. I…. I see this room as bigger, wide a lobby almost, you, Gunn, Wesley with two arms, but not happy, a girl, friendly, strong, nuts and… I can’t.” Cordy pushed away from the vampire. “No, I’m wrong, it’s the stress of everything. I don’t know you. You’re a vampire. You were Buffy’s love toy. You went evil like in a switch of an orgasm. Why are you here? Leave. I don’t want you here. Go.” Cordelia moved pushing away further from the vampire who remained rooted to his spot stunned. The brunette glared and flopped on the leather sofa.
Angel stood still. Rejection wasn’t unexpected. But this was sort of a shocker. He stepped closer, and then moved back. What was he doing? He didn’t need to try to comfort her or to try to figure her out. Angel looked at the young woman. Damn. She was crying. “Cordy, talk to me.” Angel said softly.
Cordelia peered up, hesitating her voice choking. Angel felt fear and uneasiness in the young woman.
“Cordelia.” He demanded.
Cordelia licked at her lips, trying to decide, with a deep breath she spoke. “Something is really wrong. I remember, like really remember stuff- I also think I remember stuff- I’m not making any sense, I know. God, I feel like I’m supposed to be somewhere doing something else, but I can’t remember what, it’s so not there but there. But you’re there in both, please tell me which is true, please. Why am I suddenly going crazy, you’re not contagious are you?” Cordelia buried her head in her hands.
Angel knelt. Cordelia was curled up on the couch, her amazing dress now looked out of place and uncomfortable, her face scared. What was Cordelia scared of?
“What do you remember?”
Cordelia licked her lips. “I remember you showing up in Sunnydale, the dark brooding salty goodness stranger, I remember that I flirted outrageously even for my high school self but you were only interested in Buffy, life went on I dated Xander,” Cordelia scrunched up her brow, tears squeezing out of the corners of her eyes. “I don’t know, I think I loved him, then pain, horrible pain.” Cordelia laughed suddenly. “Sorry, what really happened was Xander decided that Willow was one step closer to ‘Miss likes too Slay’ than the many steps I was, and that blonde dead evil Billy Idol want a be or was it the other way around, whatever, couldn’t even let me break up gracefully. Nope, had to provide me with a wide eyed view and a rusty pipe in my stomach.” Cordelia looked at her stomach. Anger, fear, loss and all the past memories washed over her. “I haven’t thought about that in over three years, any of it.” Her head shot up to Angel’s gaze. “Go away, for whatever reason the last three years, maybe more, I haven’t remembered, not really and I like it that way. Sunnydale is a distance memory, Buffy, Willow, Xander, are gone, let them choke on my stardom. You go away, I don’t know you, I didn’t even like you. You’re a vampire. I don’t trust you. Don’t like you. I want you gone. I want you…..” Cordelia gulped her knees giving out her arms grapping for the cushions on the sofa, grabbing them tight.
Angel was ready to run from the vulnerable angry display of emotion. But he stalled and listened. He heard the young woman’s ranting. He wanted to get mad; she was being mean to Buffy’s memory. Sunnydale was…. Angel looked again at the young woman wiping her tears standing gathering her strength. He watched amazed at the control the young woman exerted over her emotions. It hit him at the same moment as the knowledge of her ability to deny anything had upset her. Angel had to agree with the young woman, something was definitely not right-from Cordelia's emotional swings to his reactions to them.
“Angel, thank you for seeing me home. I’m fine. I think that the stalker threat was just the typical, risks of the trade, but not dangerous, just a poisonous pen pal. Thank you and Wesley and Gunn, send me the bill and now please go. I’m truly sorry if I said or did anything to upset you, leave now, please. Thank you.”
As amazed as he was at the turn around time, between crying and icy determination, Angel also knew that it wasn’t real. He started forward but stopped at Cordelia’s glare. A part of Angel just wanted to yell, she started it, she’s the one that started talking about the past as painful as it was…. start it finish it…. just like she started the touching and wanting…she’s the reason his cock was straining against his rented pants. Angel was getting mad, the crying girl on the sofa started all of this, she made him smile when he didn’t want to, she made him talk when he didn’t want to, she some how made him stay still while she grabbed his hand his arm his leg his shoulder –it was her fault.
“Go away.”
“No. You hired us for a job, remember.” Angel said coldly wishing for the smiles back. What the fuck happened?
“Fine.” Cordelia strode up the stairs.