Title: Discord
Author: Califi
Posted:
Email
Rating: R/N-17
Category: Angst, smut- warning! a scene of S&M and one of none con touchy.
Content: C/A
Summary: A different angle on Angel dealing with Cordy no longer being his 'friend'
Spoilers:
Disclaimer: The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
Distribution:
Notes: Set After Epiphany, and in place of Disharmony,which will be used to take the story along - but with different content. A rather angsty [and smutty, ] relationship piece between C/A. Angel has his Soul for keeps, and realises just who he wants to use it on. Cordy is very angry, and doesn't want the Vampire anywhere near her hurting heart any longer; Angel is determined to win it back plus some! Who will win? NOTES 2: I have always seen the potential to change this particular ep - which would have changed everything else! - so I decided to do it. I know I have two others, but when you have a germ of an idea, it's hard to ignore it!
Thanks/Dedication:To Hely, for beta-ing it so quickly - and not harping on TOO much about my other two! Mwah! Lysa: thanks for the betaring on the final chapter- 'nother snog, mwah! Ficpic created b the gorge DamnSkippy- thanks Debs *snog*
Feedback:
Part 1
Angel descended the stairs slowly, looking around the lobby to see who was about. He was just in time to see Gunn carrying a box through the open Basement door. Wes and Cordy were sorting out more boxes by the desks.
"You really hurt my feelings." Cordy's words crept back into his mind as he spotted her walking across to her desk with a box. The ache in his gut became as sharp as a knife as he realized again how much those words had cut him to the quick.
He had to make it right his epiphany brought to light just how much his Seer meant to him, and it had been quite a mind-blowing revelation. He hadn't slept a wink since he'd got back to the hotel, alone. Instead he decided to clean up the lobby in preparation for their return. By the time he'd finished, exhaustion and the pain of his run-in with Lindsey had forced him to seek his bed, but sleep had still eluded him.
He was going to make this right whether she wanted to or not. Friendship was only a part of what Angel realized he wanted from his Seer; but he was prepared to wait until bridges were mended first for now. The epiphany had done more than make him realize how much he needed his family it had also anchored his Soul. The near miss hadn't gone unnoticed by TPTB, and after a 'scolding' they'd decided their 'Champion' was 'all too human' in some aspects to their possible detriment.
At the time, Angel hadn't really thought of the ramifications of his 'gift' until he'd looked into the dazed and pain-filled eyes of his best friend or Ex best friend, according to his Seer! That was when it dawned on him that there was nothing to stop him pushing for more and also that it was Cordy he wanted. Badly.
Wesley looked over to him, then Angel slowed down, looking around. Wesley watched out of the corner of his eyes as Angel shifted his feet awkwardly, and then moved towards Cordy. The new Boss of Angel Investigations then disappeared into his office, giving them some privacy.
He couldn't help but be aware of the atmosphere between them, and hoped, for all their sakes, that the Vampire would make it right. Cordelia's devastation hadn't been as well hidden as she would have liked, and it pained him to see the naked hurt in her beautiful eyes.
Angel glanced around to see who was about before speaking to her. "Uh..."
"Don't." Cordy, looked through the papers in her box, her back to Angel. She hadn't missed his approach, and was amazed that she could still sense him so well. Bastard! it made her even angrier.
"Don't?" Angel frowned heavily at her terse reply.
"You're gonna start trying to make small talk, get all stammery. Don't. You might strain yourself." He didn't miss the bitterness in her tone, and wished she'd turn to face him needed to see if the coldness was reflected in her eyes too.
"I just wanted to know how you were. Are. I mean, we really haven't had a chance..." Cordy picked up the box and Angel reached for it. "Here let me get that for you." Cordy stepped back in annoyance.
Now he wants to know how she is? Help her? Please! "It's okay." She kept her tone as neutral as she could manage, taking another step back; but he moved forward, crowding her.
"Nah, I'd be glad to." Angel reached out his hands to grab the box, but Cordy yanked it back roughly.
"I've got it!" She practically growled at him. He flinched, taking an involuntary step back.
A part of him started to get irrationally angry; but he tamped it down, reminding himself that she had every right to be mad at him. After all, he threw them out of his life what did he really expect? Things to be how they were before? Even knowing this, though, his hurt anger wouldn't quit, but he backed off, theyd only just come back. Give it time, he thought tightly.
"Okay." He shifted from foot to foot, and looked around. Cordy sighed heavily, setting the box down and turned to face him, her face blank.
"You wanna know how I am? Tired mostly - with sweaty running a close second. I'm also jazzed. Can't wait to get our business up and sputtering again - ready to help those helpless." She grinned without humor, then the faux-smile faded, and her expression became deathly cold. Angel's gut clenched instantly.
" - But, just so we understand each other - you and I? - We're not friends." She finished abruptly, turning back to the box.
Angel looked down; his heart feeling like it had just been torn from his body. This time he didn't try to help Cordy as she picked the box up again - but he attempted to meet her eyes as she started to walk past him, as he wasn't prepared to give up- no way. Suddenly her face scrunched up as she is hit by a vision.
Letting the box go, Cordy lurched back, her hands going to her head. Before she could hit the floor, Large, cool hands gripped her shoulders and pulled her tight against a solid, hard body. As the pain took over, Cordy forgot her immediate surroundings as images flew through her mind.
As he held her closely against him, Angel absorbed the thrashing of her slight body; cursing himself for the thousandth time as he thought of every vision she must have had when he went 'postal' as Cordy so nicely put it. He hadn't missed the faded bruises along her arms and shoulders that most likely occurred when the others weren't so quick to catch her descent to hard floors. He swore to himself he'd never let her go again.
"Wes!" His new boss exited his old office immediately, pausing only to grab a pen and pad. Gunn appeared from the Basement and rifled through Cordy's desk for her painkillers, then went for water.
The blurry vision of two kids being dragged out through the shattered car windows shot through her head. "Okay, she's screaming. They're pulling her from a car. Guys in robes. Blue robes." She muttered painfully - her head snapping back as more images pound her.
"They're taking - people and, and, whoa, big bird." Cordy finally relaxed, and; then realizing who was holding her, yanked away abruptly, sinking weakly into a nearby chair. She didn't want his comforting arms around her; ignoring the confusing protests of her traitorous body at the loss.
Angel fought the urge to grab her back into his arms. The naked dislike on her face as awareness came back was like a punch to his gut. The pained anger flared again. He squatted directly in front of Cordy, causing her to press back against the seat; the dislike blending with aggravation.
Why can't he leave me alone? she thought, angry again at her body's hot response to his nearness that was new; and she wasn't sure why she was reacting to him in such a way. -And the way he was looking at her caused unease as well as something that she wasn't prepared to analyze right now- if ever.
"Big bird?" Gunn's voice brought him out of the reverie he was in, of how exactly he was going to make this right. It wasn't helped by the slight scent of arousal drifting from the woman facing him! Cordy looked up, totally blanking Angel as she glared half-heartedly at the younger member of her 'family'.
"Not the Muppet, you dumb ass." Smirking a little at his muttered, "I knew that!"
"Where's the car, Cordelia?" Wesley kept his voice low, knowing how sensitive her hearing got after a vision. He flicked his head sharply toward the Vampire, silently ordering him to give the girl more room he was practically hemming her in.
Angel's intense expression as he eyed the girl unnerved him a little, not being able to read it. If he hadn't been more focused on Cordy, the Ex- Watcher wouldn't have overlooked the raw, angry possessiveness pouring from the Vampire's darkened eyes seconds later as he reluctantly straightened- but he still didn't move back; his knees almost brushing hers.
"Ah... Lafayette Park, near the fountain." Cordy replied as she closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them, she found Angel was still crowding her. Without thinking, she shot out a booted foot and connected with his shin he growled low in his chest as he noted the small, satisfied smile that briefly touched her full mouth at his hiss of pain. The guilt was still there where she was concerned, but the hint of anger was gradually creeping up and vying for supremacy with each dig or unpleasant comment his Seer made.
"Right. Let's move." Wesley made his way to the Weapons Cabinet, joining Gunn who was already removing his axe. He caught the crossbow that was thrown his way deftly, before turning to the steps leading to the entrance doors.
Angel hesitated, leaning in closer to Cordy, concern in every line of his face; the anger temporarily forgotten as his dark eyes took in her pallor.
"Are you, uh...?" He asked tentatively, but Cordy leaned back, grimacing angrily and holding up a hand.
"Personal bubble? I'm fine; what's with all the concern suddenly? Not like it bothered you before" She sniped, missing the instant tightening of the Vampire's mouth and the flexing of his hands into fists as he fought not to invade her 'personal bubble' in a way she wouldn't misunderstand.
Shaking his head abruptly at the dark thoughts that invaded his mind, Angel reluctantly moved away. The darkness that had overtaken him when he fired them was obviously still very much a part of him- would it ever disappear? He knew deep down that he had no right to be offended by anything said or done by his wounded 'family' - but he still couldn't stop the irrational anger whenever Cordy dealt it out.
"You should, ah, take off." He reached for his jacket, "I mean, ah, for the rest of the night", backing away from her to follow Wes and Gunn "go home."
"You're not my Boss any more so don't tell me what to do!" Cordy curled her lip as she turned her head away from him.
He backed into one of the pillars, stumbling at her harsh words, freezing for a brief moment before swiveling on his heel to exit the hotel. Now was not the time to confront his Seer.
"I may not be your Boss but you still belong to me!" he growled low in his throat as he strode towards his car
A/N:This has been blended with the Ep Disharmony, so please forgive the plagiarism - I wanted to keep in IC with the ep, whilst changing things further on. Bear with me on this, as after the beginning of the next part, I will be more vague with the original plot. Sorry to do it this way. but it will be more original V. soon.
Part 2
Cordy looked up from the computer screen as she heard the main door open: Although the door was closed, she was sure someone had come in. Rising to her feet, she walked around her desk,
"Hello? Hello?" she repeated, loudly. After a few minutes, Cordy shrugged and turned back to her desk - letting out a scream when she found Harmony standing only a few steps behind her.
"That's the way you greet an old friend?" Harmony smiled uncomfortably, watching her school friend's face carefully and jumping a litle when Cordy screamed again, but now in a different tone.
"Harmony?" The blonde let out a sigh of relief at Cordy's pleased expression before closing the gap to embrace her. "Harmony! I don't believe it!" Cordy giggled as she leant back to look into Harmony's grinning face in amazement.
"Yup. It's me." The blonde giggled back, stepping back too.
"Wow. I haven't seen you since..."
"Our high school blew up." Harmony added quickly. Cordy nodded in agreement, still shocked by the girl's arrival.
"Right. Right. Seems like a lifetime ago." Two years that had seemed like another lifetime to her- Sunnydale not a place that brought back memories of the good!
"Oh! For me, too, totally." The girl nodded with vigor. If only she knew! she thought, darkly.
"Wow. Look at you. You look - different." Cordy took in Harmony's outfit, surprised to see her wearing pants instead of her usual short skirt or dress.
"Hey, I'm not the same person I was back at Sunnydale High. - And you - you - you cut your hair!" Pointing to Cordy's bob, causing the brunette to touch it, embarrassed.
"Yeah."
"Well, I think it looks adorable off your neck." Harmony grinned in appreciation.
"Thanks. I - was just, you know, looking for a change." She quickly regained her confidence. Strange how she, The Cordelia Chase could feel insecure suddenly Being fired like so much trash would do that to you! for a moment, her thoughts turned to the Vampire that had rocked her confidence on it's axis.
"Sure. Change. Change is good - sometimes." The blonde laughed shortly, walking over to the counter curiously. "So, this is where you do - whatever it is you do?" She asked.
"Detective Agency." Cordy explained briefly.
"Right. But - you're not a detective..." Taking in Cordy's casual attire, Harmony's brows rose with a very familiar touch of disdain for a second, before smiling artlessly.
"Uh, well, not me - technically, I'm... - Mostly, I manage things. The office." Well, she couldn't exactly tell her friend about the visions and no way was she going to call herself a Secretary!
"Huh. Sounds - rewarding." And Boring The lack of interest wasn't lost on Cordy, but she smiled brightly anyway.
"So, what are you doing here in town? Business?" Although she couldn't for the life of her imagine the ditzy blonde doing anything more taxing than shopping and 'doing lunch'.
"No. No business. Play, play, play. - Uhm, I just broke up with someone. Real smothering relationship. You know, the kind where they just can't live without you?" Aaahh
almost right!
"Oh, sure. That one. - Hate that." Not that Cordy could remember the last time anyone had felt like that about her but she wasn't going to admit to it; nuh, huh.
"I thought it would be a good time to come check out the L.A. nightlife, look up certain old friends." Harmony's smile widened warmly, winking at the brunette.
"You got a place to stay?" Seeing the bag slung over her shoulder, cordy reckoned she must have been the first port of call.
"You offering?" Harmony couldn't believe her luck! Obviously her ex school friend hadn't heard the
news!
"Do I have to say it?" Cordy rolled her eyes, grinning at the girl; not noticing the intent expression on her face
"Yeah." Casually spoken, but with a wealth of meaning Cordy also missed.
"Okay, you're coming home with me." She hugged her friend again before releasing her to grab her bag. "I hope you don't mind the couch." A part of her didn't really want to leave before the others got back, as she knew it would look like she'd taken Angel's advice and that riled her. But she also had a visitor, and at this particular moment that came before her need to make a point to the Vampire.
Turning off the lights and locking up, Cordy followed Harmony down the path and into the night.
***
Gunn, Angel and Wesley ran up to the teenagers' car, and saw the doors were hanging open; blood on the broken windows, but there was no one in sight..
"Now what?" Gunn looked around for any sign of life or bodies.
"We fan out." Wesley was breathing hard and holding his side; rubbing the stitch he'd developed on running at full pelt across the park.
"Gunn: search the area near the fountain. I'll take this path towards the picnic area. Angel, you..." He was interrupted by the faint sound of screaming, and Angel turned towards it'
"-Follow the screaming woman?" Angel cut in, asking his new Boss. Without waiting for a reply, he took off - the other two racing behind him to keep up.
They came across a woman struggling against a figure wearing a hooded green robe. Green Robe saw Gunn, Angel and Wes running towards them and instantly picked up the woman and tossed her towards them. Angel easily caught her while Gunn tackled Green Robe.
He pulled the hood back to reveal the ridged features of a vampire. "Now see? What you want to go hiding such a pretty face for?" he asked, before ducking under the vampire's swinging fists and then, holding on to the robe; hit the vampire with a hard right.
The vampire didn't bother retaliating, which was odd; instead struggling out of his robe and turned to run - only to find himself face to face with Angel, stake at the ready. The vampire disappeared in a cloud of dust.
Angel looked at Gunn, but the young man ignored him and lifted the robe as if to wipe his face then lowered it again with a frown, realizing what he was about to do. He walked over to where Wes is trying to calm down the woman.
"It's alright. It's over now. You'll be safe here," he soothed, his soft accent seemed to be doing the trick as she calmed down.
"Cordelia said 'blue robes' didn't she?" Gunn was still frowning, and shot his question towards Wesley; again ignoring the Vampire.
"It was dark. Perhaps she was mistaken." Wesley suggested lightly, helping the woman to her feet; nodding with a vague smile as she thanked him before hurrying off.
"Hey, I think we should give her the benefit of the doubt before just condemning her like that, don't - you?" Angel trailed off as the other two looked at him strangely, then turned to each other.
As if Cordelia needed defending against them! Gunn sucked on his teeth in irritation. He was only doing this for his real friends out of newfound respect for the Englishman, and his brotherly love for Cordy. But as far as he was concerned, working with the Vamp was just that work. "I'll do another quick sweep. See if those blue boys are still around."
Wesley glanced down at the robe Gunn passed him and noticed a symbol sown onto the fabric - A triangle with a snake forming the number two inside of it. "Religious sect?" He held it up to Angel, thinking maybe it may be some kind of Vampire Order.
"I don't know. I've never seen that particular symbol before" Angel shrugged, but wished he'd been able to say something positive. He wasn't blind to the young street fighters angry vibes, and wanted to ease his distrust by helping as much as he could.
"I'll put Cordelia on to it." Wesley pulled out his cell phone.
"Uhm, - I-I gave her the night off but she may not have left." Cordy had made it pretty clear that she wouldn't listen to anything he suggested.
"Did you?" Wesley's brows rose in annoyance. It seemed their former Boss was forgetting who was in charge.
Off the look, Angel shifted his feet uncomfortably he hadn't meant to take over; he'd just been so desperate to make amends with Cordy that it hadn't occurred to him at the time how it would look. "Well, I though, you know, she looked so tired and - I mean, the vision took a lot out of her." He explained hurriedly; another thought crossing his mind.
"Do-do you think, maybe, that I should - send her something? Some flowers maybe?" he asked, distractedly.
"Flowers." Wesley and Gunn glanced at each other the latter rolling his eyes before turning away in disgust to have a look around instead.
"Yeah, uh, to say, you know, 'thanks.' Uhm. 'Sorry about the migraines.' Uhm, you know, 'I-I appreciate you?'" Angel cringed could he get lamer? By the look on Wesley's face, he knew he couldn't!
"Yes, by all means. And uh, while you're at it pick me up one of those 'sorry you were shot in the gut' bouquets." Wesley replied, brusquely, shoving his cell phone back in his pocket.
"Right. Sorry." Angel kicked at the grass beneath his feet awkwardly. This was a lot harder than it had sounded in theory: Demote himself, and take orders from someone who once worked for him! then insult him into the bargain. Could things get any worse?
"You can't buy back her trust, Angel, - or her affections." Wesley's tone had softened. When he'd first come across Cordelia and Angel, he'd felt like an interloper because of the closeness of the two, so he could empathize with the Vampire's anxiety to make it all right again. But Angel had brought it on himself, and Wesley was still angry about the distress he'd caused his friend.
"She said, uh - she said we're not friends." That surprised Wesley he never thought she'd ever go so far as to say that. He knew how much she cared about Angel.
"There is only one thing you can give her, Angel. And that's time. Cordelia has a lot of pain to work through." Wes briefly patted the Vampire's shoulder before trailing after Gunn
***
Cordy laughed her head off as she and Harmony sat on her couch wearing house robes, their heads wrapped up in towels, as they talked about old times in Sunnydale. There was a half-empty bottle of red wine on the table and both of them had wine glasses in their hands.
"Oh, oh, and he wrote that love song to you. How did it go?" Harmony asked through her giggles
"Oh, Cordeeelia, how I long to feel ya!" Both sang off key, and then broke into laughter.
"Eww!" Cordy gasped, giggling hysterically.
"Oh, god. We totally ruled." Harmony clinked glassed with the brunette, stifling her laughter with difficulty.
"Yup, that we did." Cordy nodded in agreement.
"We were powerful, rich, popular". Harmony's voice held regret.
"None of that's changed for me - apart from the powerful, rich and popular. - But I tell you one thing: I am happier now than I was then." And it was true except for the big, brooding weight sitting on her last nerve at the moment. "You now. You barely told me anything." Cordy scolded her friend, pushing hwith her foot.
"Uhm, well, uh, what can I say? Things are faboo. I'm having a ball and a half. I mean, I did just get out of that *really* unhealthy relationship. And just, you know, feeling really good about me in general." The blonde answered hesitantly, following it up with a large smile.
"Well, good for you - in general. Well, you must be doing something right, because you look - crampy. Are you okay?" Noticing the grimace her friend wasn't having much success hiding.
"Yeah. Just
" she took a deep breath, glancing at Cordy's neck for a moment: "Hungry - I guess." She finished slowly.
"Got the cure for that. - Pizza!" Cordy grinned and reached across Harmony for the phone not seeing the girl morph into a Vampire visage; but by the time she'd straightened up, Harmony's face was human again.
Harmony was trying so hard to be the friend she once was, and Cordy's warmth actually made her twinge with guilt. Plus, she was fed up of being a pariah if the truth were known.
Cordy finally went to her room, stating that she had to go in to work in the morning, and needed her sleep; leaving Harmony tucked up on the couch with a pillow and coverlet.
A few hours later, Cordy was awoken by the sound of her bedroom door slamming loudly.
"I didn't do that!" Harmony's voice came through the darkness, and Cordy reached for her bedside lamp, turning it on, surprised to see Harmony standing at the foot of the bed in her nightclothes.
"Harmony? I have a ghost. - What - What are you doing in my..." she asked drowsily.
"Nothing!" The girl perched on the side of the bed, twisting her hands in her lap, looking around fearfully.
"Harmony." Cordy was tired, and her voice came out a little sharply.
"I'm sorry. - I thought I could control myself. I thought I could control these urges." Harmony explained incoherently.
"Urges?" Cordy sat up, suddenly wide-awake. What was she on about?
"You have *no* idea how hard it is to stay away from you. I mean, seeing you there looking so - so luscious." she rushed, looking longingly at her friend. Cordy's mouth dropped open in shock.
"Oh. - Oh! You're a..."
"I should have told you." Harmony interrupted. "I was - scared. Scared that if you found out what I was - you'd kill me." She finished with a sob. Cordy reached out a soothing hand, patting the girl on her shoulder lightly.
"Oh. No, Harmony - god, you really think I'm *that* narrow-minded? - I don't care about that!" She assured her honestly.
"You don't?" The blonde's mouth dropped open in amazement at that.
"No! Not as long as you're happy." How shallow did she think she was? - But then again, at one stage, Cordy was, indeed as shallow as a paper cut, she admitted to herself.
"Happy. What's that? The last time I remember being truly happy was being back in school with you. Now here I am taking advantage of you?" Harmony couldn't get over how different her old friend was now.
"No. It's - it's just... It's just that I had no idea - that you, you know - thought of me *that* way." Cordy didn't know whether to feel flattered or wigged out Ewwe!
"I don't! I swear. It's just, - well, I haven't had any for a while and..." Cordy's eyes widened at the 'too much' information. Seeing this, Harmony stood up uncomfortably. "Oh, forget it. This is stupid. I'll just go back to the couch. I'm *really* sorry." Making her way rapidly towards the door.
"Don't be. If you wanna stay and talk..." Cordy actually felt guilty for not being that way 'inclined', and that wigged her out even more.
"No, I'd better... You know, I'd appreciate it if you didn't - mention this to anyone." Harmony opened the door, glancing over her shoulder anxiously.
"It's our secret." She assured the girl, settling back down to sleep when the door closed quietly...
***
The next morning, whilst Harmony was in the bathroom, Cordy picked up the phone and rang Willow's house.
"Hi Willow! -How come you guys didn't tell me about Harmony? Sunnydale is that far away you couldn't afford a little phone call?" She scolded lightly.
Willow was one of the only people Cordelia was in contact with, and she didn't want to make waves. It was always in the back of her mind too, that one day, she might need the Witch on her side if Angelus ever got out again, and she didn't want to have to build bridges while a massacre was going on around her.
"Harmony? Wha-what about Harmony?" Willow sounded rather surprised to hear the girl's name; Cordy decided that maybe Harmony had left Sunnydale a lot sooner than she'd intimated. As she herself knew, Sunnydale wasn't a very tolerant place for certain types of people.
"She's here - in L.A." She explained.
"Yikes. Big yikes. Uh. What happened? Did she come after you?" now that was a surprise she hadn't pegged the redhead as judgmental. Oh, well; learn something new every day. she shrugged.
"Yeah! She practically attacked me in my bedroom last night." Just the memory brought a pink flush to her face.
"Your bedroom. How did she..." was that pitch level even possible?
"Came in while I was sleeping. Good thing I woke up, too. She was ready to jump me right there! But I think she got the message that I don't' go for that sort of stuff when I shot her down." Cordy assured the girl confidently.
"You wounded her?" Willow sounded surprised she'd obviously forgotten just how 'wounding' she could be.
"She'll get over it. I never should have invited her to stay with me." Cordy shrugged again. Harmony had seemed to take it okay last night, and it took a lot to offend the blonde, as the word 'dim' came to mind when having a chat with her. Cordy cringed at her bitchy thoughts. She thought she'd left that behind her.
The conversation went on a little longer, with Willows voice pitching higher with every reply.
"Oh. Harmony is a vampire? - That's why she - oh, my god, I'm so embarrassed!" Cordy giggled out loud. "All this time I thought she was a great big lesbo! - Oh, yeah? Really? - Well, that's great! Good for you." Cringing and closing her eyes, Cordy just wanted to drop though the floor. Why did no one tell her anything? So much for keeping bridges in one piece!
"Thanks for the affirmation. Cordelia, Harmony is *very* dangerous. You have to get out of there!" Cordy almost sniggered at Willow's description of her old friend.
"Okay. Yeah. I'll call you when I get somewhere safe." She assured the redhead, saying bye quickly and putting down the phone.
"Where are you going?" Cordy jumped in shock and turned around to find Harmony standing behind her
***
Wesley lifted his head from the book he was reading to watch Angel pacing the lobby, the green robe in his hands. How was he supposed to concentrate when the Vampire insisted on distracting him?
"There is a label on here. Maybe I can locate the manufacturer." Angel fingered the small tag, pausing for a moment before heading for the phone.
"Already looked into it. The name's a fake. No listing anywhere." Wesley's quiet reply halted his walk to the counter
"Okay. I should go out, see if I can pick up any information on the street." He decided instead. Wesley shook his head in irritation. This 'helping' was driving him crazy Gunn had already disappeared an hour ago, muttering something about 'homies' and 'leads', and Wesley wished that he'd been able to go too.
"You mean the street bathed in morning sunlight? - Relax. I already got Gunn contacting his sources." He answered dryly.
"Any suggestions on what I can do?" Angel was going stir crazy. Cordy's usual start to her working day was over two hours ago, and he wondered if she was just avoiding him, or had some kind of appointment or date? After last night's debacle, he wasn't up to more lectures from his new boss if he dared to ask why she wasn't here.
"You can answer that." Wes suggested when the phone rang; watching as Angel practically snatched the whole phone off the counter.
"Angel Investig... Willow? Willow. What's...? - Slow down. What's - hold on." Wes felt a heavy sickness invading his gut at the pure fear that poured out of Angel's eyes as he listened to the frantic female voice even he could hear halfway across the room
.
Part 3 |