Go TeamC/A
-
Chapter 5 Angel stalked into the Hyperion Lobby, edgy and restless since Cordy left. He felt something prickling at his skin, needling him slightly. He sighed, looking around the dark empty hall. Nothing here. No demons. No entities. No Cordy. Why did he feel….itchy?
Cordy. He reached for the phone and called her apartment. One ring, Two. Three. Four. He shuffled impatiently. She should have had time to get home. And they'd made a deal. No more not answering the phone, even during a fight. That way led to…not being rescued in times of danger. He remembered saying that to her, and those hazel eyes had rolled up so far at that they had disappeared into her head. He was pretty sure she'd answer the phone just to let him know she was alright. Mostly sure. He finally hung up after the 10th ring and looked around, not sure of what to do next.
Just then the front doors flew open and Gunn and Wesley burst inside. Angel looked up at them in the dimness and flinched slightly as Wesley turned on the lobby lights. The two men looked down at Angel, and he felt his body tighten as he noticed Cordelia's weekend bag slung over Gunn's shoulder.
"Man, what happened? Where's Cordy?" Gunn looked around. Angel felt a chill tear through him. Gunn tossed Cordy's bag aside and stalked to the office. "What went down….because you sounded like someone kicked your puppy and took your skittles away. Her car is still out back. And we found this on the pavement by the car."
"Cordy." Angel's voice was a strangled whisper.
Wes looked at him closely, moving to him. "Angel." His voice was low and calm. "What happened? Where's Cordy?"
Angel looked at the bag on the floor and looked at Wes with bleak fear in his eyes. No. No, no, no. He opened his mouth and uttered one word. Wes went pale, and Gunn spun around from the office door, his hands curling into fists.
"Darla."***
Cordy woke slowly, groaning as she rolled over onto something hard and unyielding. She opened her eyes. Dim light filtered into the cool damp room…a large grey empty room. Rising to her knees, she swallowed, feeling her raw throat protest with pain. She had been….outside. In the night. Getting into her car. She looked around the windowless room and stood slowly, her cramped muscles achy as she stretched. What had happened? She was getting into her car…and…..nothing. She couldn't remember.
She looked wildly around the room. A large, empty dank space. Some kind of basement room, maybe…a cellar. A single dim bulb swung from the ceiling on a frayed cord. A slight pull at her arm had Cordy looking down. A fresh cut lined her forearm, clotted over. She stared down at it and wiped her shirt over it, feeling a small sting. She looked around again and walked to the door and tugged at it, frowning as it held, apparently locked. She closed her eyes and rested her forehead against the door. Oh god. What was this? She had a dinner with Angel….. the dinner was fine, great, wonderful….till…..she straightened, remembering what had caused the evening to get shot to hell. She sucked in a breath as footsteps quietly sounded outside the door and she stepped back. All the pain of the night came back to her as the lock on the door clicked, and the door swung open slowly towards her. She stepped back, shards of chill pouring through her as she stared impassively at the malevolent vessel of hate who had stepped in to ruin her life.***
"You slept with Darla?" Wes' voice was incredulous. Angel ignored him as he yanked the weapon cabinet door open and began tugging out a sword and several stakes. Wes stood stock still and stared at him as Angel began tugging his coat on. "Before you…."
"Came back. Yeah. Long story."
"And Darla comes here, struts her bitchy self, leaves, and you just let Cordy walk out?" Gunn sounded angry. Wes threw him a look and he glared back. "No. Not being nice anymore. What's wrong with you?" He looked back at Angel. "How stupid can you be?"
"I don't have time for this. You can take me on later, but I've got to find Cordy." Angel swept towards the basement door. "Wes. Call Lorne. Tell him to open his ears. See if anyone knows where Darla's nesting. Gunn. You're with me. I need you to get Cordy while I take care of Darla." He paused, looking at Gunn. "I can't lose her. I can't let…." His voice trailed off bleakly. Gunn grabbed an axe and walked to him, clapping him on the shoulder as he reached around him to push the basement door open.
"It won't happen, man. C'mon. Let's go get her back." Wesley watched them go and then grabbed up the phone and punched in Lorne's number.
"It's me. We have a problem."***
"Hello, Cordelia. Sleep well?" Darla's voice was indolently amused as she strolled into the room, approaching Cordy slowly. Cordelia willed her body to calm as Darla stopped, facing her.
"You are so dust." Cordy's voice was calm. "You'll only wish for hell when Angel gets done with you." Her coolness seemed to surprise Darla a bit; the blonde's eyes narrowed as she looked Cordy up and down.
"Yes. Well. Now that the empty threat portion of the conversation is over, perhaps you'd like to tell your new best friend why you were all cranky with the bohunk. Of course, there's his innate stupidity. Angelus is much, much smarter than Angel could ever be." And she grinned a feline smile. "And much much more clever. Angelus could scent out deception before the thought leaves your head, but Angel…" she laughed, clearly amused. "I love to pull his strings and watch him dance."
"What do you want?"
"Oh, what does every girl want, Cordelia? A pair of Jimmy Choo's Soft, size 6 narrow, a little spree at Tiffany's, a date with the devil…." She circled Cordelia slowly. "Now there's a thought. Have you thought about it, Cordy? That you could be courted by the devil?" she leaned in to Cordy's ear. "That you could be stroking flesh of hell?" she moved slowly around, circling. Cordelia held perfectly still as small shivers ran up her spine. Darla leaned in closer so that Cordy could almost feel her lips touching her ear. "You could be…."
The air was silent and still for a moment. Darla suddenly shrieked and shoved Cordelia away, stalking to the other side of the room and spinning around. Angry hate shot out of her eyes. Cordelia met her gaze, feeling her heart hammering in her chest.
"Dammit. You dance around all human and noble and how can the stupid bastard resist that? He fucking CLAIMED you? Goddammit." Cordelia didn't say a word. Darla stalked to her and stood, face to face, almost nose to nose. Her voice was a sibilant growl. "What is he going to think when he does find you…not so noble anymore? How much is he going to want the evil bitch who takes your place?"
Cordelia stared back. "Oh Darla. All this sisterhood and you still don't get it. I'm already a bitch without being fangy. Turn me, and I'll be your biggest nightmare ever. You're Pollyanna now compared to what I'll be. Do it." Her voice was calm. "You'll be sorry you ever came back from hell."
Darla stared back and turned abruptly to the door, pausing just before slamming it shut again. "Maybe I'm playing this game wrong. Maybe he won't find you undead. Maybe I'll just stop at dead." And she walked out, slamming the door behind her, and locking it again.
Cordelia felt her body go boneless with relief. She sank to the floor, clutching her stomach, as it churned at the massive rush of emotion that poured through her body. Oh god, Angel. She closed her eyes and bent over, double. Hurry. Hurry. Hurry.***
Angel and Gunn sped through the sewers, pausing every once in a while for Angel to take in the scents. Gunn watched him, silent. They moved further down the tunnels and Angel paused again.
"Freakin' Darla. You do live on the wild side, man. I mean, how did you ever think that would slip past Cordy? Nostradomus, the Amazing Kreskin, and Cordy. Think about it. She's got, like, a 6th, 7th, and 8th sense. And I'm not talking about the seer thing.
"I didn't think." Angel answered absently, concentrating. "I was stupid. I thought…" he leaned towards the wall and swiped his fingers over a small wet dark streak. Bringing his fingers to his lips he licked and straightened up. "They were here." He looked around and sniffed. "This way." And he took off, Gunn hot on his heels. Gunn felt cold fear grip him as he followed. Oh god. It was Cordy's blood.
They ran through the sewers quickly, Angel feeling a curious heat surging through his body as he ran….feeling a pull at him….hurry….hurry….hurry….seemed to echo in his head lightly. More a feeling of urgency than actual words. It beat in his head over and over….acrid fear.
They ran past a door, hidden in a recess. Angel stopped and backtracked, Gunn moving out of his way. Angel leaned in to the door and sniffed once before pulling back and kicking the door in easily. They hurried into what appeared to be an old cellar, small and dark. Gunn pulled out a small penlight and flashed it around in a dim arc. Angel motioned to a set of stairs. "Up here." And they climbed, kicking open the closed door at the top of the stairs.
They entered a grey hallway, crumbling plaster and moldy exposed sheetrock. Gunn looked around, grimacing, as Angel began to stride down the hallway, his sword ready in his hand.
Hurry….hurry…..hurry…….Angel's body seemed to throb. Desperate and afraid. Cordy was frightened. He could feel it. He could smell it. It was….closer. It was closer now. He sped around the corner and began to stalk down another hallway. Her scent called to him….begging…..strong…thick…***
Cordelia knelt, clutching her stomach tightly, trying to think. Think. Think. Angel. Hurry. Hurry. And then she felt it. It was….frantic. And hot. It was hot, fearful intent. Cordelia. Her name was almost a whisper. Cordelia. Hurry. Hang on. Hurry.
She rose to her knees and looked around. He was here. She couldn't hear him, or see him, but he was……somewhere near. Oh thank god. Hurry. Hurry.
She scrambled up to her feet as pounding footsteps sounded in the hallway. She took in a deep breath. It was ok. He was here.***
She was here. Angel sped by doors, kicking them open.
"Cordelia?" His voice was rough. "Cordy? I'm here. Answer me!" All of a sudden, he was taken with her scent…strong and thick. He looked at the door on his right and kicked it open. Charging into the room with Gunn on his heels, he stopped, confused. The room was empty.
"Hey." Gun stepped past him and leaned over to pick up a torn piece of clothing. "Isn't this Cordy's jacket?"
Both men looked down at the torn garment, drying blood staining one sleeve.
Black jagged anger took Angel's mind. It was a trick. He had been led here. But not to her.***
The door smashed open and Darla strolled in, cool amusement back in her face as she leaned over and grabbed Cordelia's arm.
"C'mon, girlfriend. Your boyfriend's here. Let's go give him something to see."
Chapter Six"C'mon girlfriend. You're boyfriend's here. Let's go give him something to see." Darla's fingers were talons that dug into Cordy's arm. She leaned in to growl, "After I'm done, it won't matter any more whether he wants you or not. You'll be dead." She straightened up and started out the room, dragging the seer along with her. Cordy pried at the grip, trying to pull the steel like fingers out of the soft flesh of her arm. She finally dug her heels into the worn carpet, yanking them to a halt. Darla whipped around to glare at her.
"Maybe you didn't notice, Cordelia, but I'm the one with the power here." Cordy grinned to herself. Anger still laced Darla's voice. And anger made her defenses weak…made her more vulnerable. Darla was all about control, and Angel's mark on Cordy's throat had taken some of that away.
"Oh, I don't think so. Because if you had any real power over Angel at all, you wouldn't have to come back here time and time again, trying to prove it." Darla looked at her, anger flashing gold in her eyes, malevolent hate churning in the depths. Cordy finally shook her hand away, and stepped back. "You don't want to hurt Angel because you're disgusted at his goodness…because you think he's weak. You want to hurt him because he's stronger than you."
Cordy's head snapped back as Darla's hand slapped across it. Stumbling back, she rammed into the crumbling wall and sagged, bracing her hands on her knees to stay standing. She grinned, tasting blood on a cut inside her cheek. Score one for the California girl. She wiped her mouth and smirked up at Darla.
"Truth hurts, doesn't it, girlfriend? Hurt me, and all you'll do is bring a bigger wrath down on your head than you've ever known. His life doesn't end with mine. It's bigger than that. He's strong, and he's brave, and he's good, and you're nothing."
Darla snarled and hurled herself at Cordelia, talons outstretched, face twisted into its full evil mask. Malicious and full of hate, her eyes burned with angry fire. "You stupid bitch…"
Cordy waited her heart racing. Just as Darla reached her she reared up, ramming her head into Darla's nose. Blood spurted out everywhere, and the vampire shrieked in shock and anger. Cordy stepped back and kicked out, nailing her in the stomach before turning and running down the hallway. Her heart seemed to echo in the long empty corridor, and her footsteps pounded.
Desolate anger suddenly poured through her, grabbing at her mind. A whisper seemed to wisp through her consciousness. Cordelia. I'm here. She raced frantically to an old set of stairs, torn apart and rickety, and began to climb down. Each step brought her closer to the truth. He was here. He was in this building. She hadn't imagined it. She could…..sense him. Feel his anger. She could almost taste his desperation. He was here, and he was frantic to find her.
"Angel!!!!!!!!" Her voice was a shrill scream as she clambered down the stairs. He was here. "ANGEL!!!!"***
The denim jacket was cool to the touch, but the blood on the sleeve was still wet. Angel wanted to bury his face in it and lap at the rich darkness. He clenched it in his hands and turned to face Gunn, who looked around, confused.
"Man, I thought you said she was here."
"No. We were supposed to think that." He grasped the jacket and walked out of the room. "Darla wanted me to find this. She's got her….somewhere. We have to find out where Darla's nesting. We have to find her before…" He trailed off, listening. Gunn stopped, too. "Did you hear that?"
Gunn listened a moment. "Uh, no. What am I supposed to hear?"
"Cordy's heart. I can hear it. She's here."
"Well, damn, how could I have missed that?" Gunn loped along after Angel, hefting his axe as they sped down the hall. They ran lightly, Angel trying to listen. From the depths of the old building, a frantic scream reached them.
"Angel!!!"
Gunn took off, racing down the hall after Angel. "I heard THAT."
"Angel! Oh god……" The screams were closer. Angel charged out into an open foyer and turned, glancing up. His body seemed to freeze as he looked up to see Cordelia, poised at the top of where the stairway would lead to, if it were still standing. She teetered on the edge of the upper floor, held back a fraction from falling by Darla.
The vampire stared down at Angel with such raw hate that he felt almost singed. Gunn stared up at Cordy, his jaw clenching at the sight of her pale, frightened face. They all froze, as if caught in a tableau. Darla finally spoke, her voice harsh.
"Pick, dear boy. Does she die from draining or from falling? I doubt you're any faster than me."
Angel walked forward cautiously, his eyes finally resting on Cordy's. She stared down at him, barely breathing. A muscle in his jaw twitched when he saw the vivid red hand mark on her cheek, and he tried to bring his rage under control.
"C'mon, Angel. Be a sport. I'm playing fair; I gave you a choice. Now it's your turn. That's how it works. I moved. Now it's your move."
"Cordelia." His voice was rough and low. She looked down at him. "That? That there? That's what you led me out of." Darla moved impatiently behind her. "I started to fall, and you caught me. I trusted you. And you caught me." He willed her to understand, looking up at her. He felt icy, standing there, looking at her in Darla's hands. Not icy….a small thought entered his head. Warm. You wanted to be warm. He looked up at Cordy and held her gaze as she gave a small nod, one time.
"Darla…" her voice was soft, almost a caress. "Fuck off." And she dug her elbow into Darla's chest, loosening her grip and spinning slightly before falling backward off the edge.
"NNNNOOOOOOOOOO" Darla's angry scream echoed in the empty crumbling building, seeming to make the walls tremble.
Cordelia closed her eyes as she fell, feeling calm as strong arms seemingly scooped her out of midair with a whoosh. She grabbed hold of Angel's shoulders and opened her eyes to lock her gaze on his. He stepped back, holding her tightly to him, and they both looked up.
Darla looked down at them all in fury. Her gaze locked with Angel's and she snarled out, "So lovely to see you, Dear Boy. I think I'll move along now. Let me know when you get bored with your new toy. I'm a big believer in sharing…" and she stepped back, fading into the darkness.
Gunn and Cordelia were silent and still, trying to hear whether or not she was really leaving. Only Angel heard her go. Only Angel took in her scent, which grew weaker and weaker as she made her way down to the sewers to disappear out of the city. Only Angel noticed that Cordelia's arms were locked firmly around his neck, holding on as if her life depended on it.
He sighed and stepped towards the door, looking out into the dark night. Gunn followed, carefully looking over his shoulder as they went out into the sultry evening air. Outside, Cordy wriggled a bit till Angel finally let go of her legs and she slid down his body, held to him by strong hands.
"She was going to kill me."
"I know."
"She was going to turn me at first, then she just got pissed."
"Yeah. She's like that."
Gunn grinned a little, beginning to stroll down the sidewalk as he listened to the two of them. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his cellphone, punching out the number for Wesley to share the good news.
"You found me."
"Seemed fair. You found me then, I found you tonight."
Cordelia stared up at him, her face lined and pale. She was so tired.
"We still need to talk."
"I know. But you need to sleep."
"I'll come in tomorrow morning…" Cordy grimaced. "Ok. In a few hours. And we'll talk."
"Got a better idea." Angel began to stroll down the sidewalk, tugging at her arm. "Come home and sleep. You'll sleep better than you have in a while, and then we can talk."
Cordy looked up at him, suspicion on her face. "No horizontal hula tonight, pal. I'm tired. And we need to talk."
"No. Of course not. You're tired." Angel kept his voice even. "Just…come home."
Cordy stopped and pulled away, turning to look at him. They stared at each other in the still night., trying to read each other's hearts. "Home. If I go to the Hyperion, that's home…." Her voice trailed off.
"Yeah. Not because that's where I am, Cordy. It's where we are." He took her arm and started off again. "Come home. Sleep. And we'll talk."
She pulled her arm away and glared up at him, too tired to work up any real heat. "Just so we're clear….I'm still pissed."
"Yeah."
"You're still low on my list."
"Yeah, got that."
"Talking, next time I'm coherent, means being honest. Being open. It means really listening."
"I'm sure you can do all that, Cordy." He nodded, his voice reasonable.
Her teeth clenched. "I meant you."
"Oh. Yeah." He grinned to himself. She was so easy.
"God you're a dork." She turned and began to walk slowly down the street, heading towards home. Angel looked up at the stars dotting the clear sky and felt something lift in him…something heavy that seemed to crumble and arise out of his soul.
They were going home. And they were going to talk.
Chapter 7Firelight danced off of fine crystal stems, brimming with champagne. Fine china was laid out precisely on the linen tablecloth, gleaming and delicate. A crown of rib sat in the middle of the table, basted with mouthwatering juices. Cordelia felt a tug and looked down at the fingers holding hers. Smiling, she allowed herself to be led around the table but the one leading her was blurry and she was unable to make out the face. Around the table slowly they strolled. She reached out for a flute of bubbly champagne, but her hand couldn't quite reach it. She felt a nervous shimmy up her spine and looked again just as her hand was dropped.
Slowly she turned around and her confusion cleared as she neared the bed. Dim and shadowed, the figure on the bed raised one hand out to her and she smiled as she took it and climbed up onto the thick mattress. Moving in closer and running her hands up and down his body, she smiled into Angel's face, clear at last.
"You found me." His voice was gentle.
Her brow wrinkled. "You weren't lost." She leaned into him, her lips parting slightly to brush against his. Just as she felt his lips at hers he suddenly burst into a cloud of dust, tiny motes dancing about in the air. Cordelia's eyes opened wide to see Darla, lounging on the bed, holding a stake in her hand where Angel had been reclining.
"Winner takes all."***
Cordelia shot up in bed, crying out. She panted softly, and her heart beat a frantic tattoo in her chest as she clutched the covers to her disoriented body. She felt herself calming as deep breaths filled her lungs. Her hand rose to rub at her eyes and she swung her legs to the side of the bed, sitting quietly for a moment.
Her mind flooded with images of Angel. Angel, throwing her over his shoulder and carting her upstairs, slapping her ass when she kicked at him and hit his back. Angel, poised to take her, stopping only when her soft pleas reached his hidden soul. Angel, catching her when a vision racked her brain.
She rose and wandered listlessly to the heavily draped window, grimacing as aching muscles protested at the fresh movement. Wow. Coupla rounds with Darla, and she felt like she'd been hit by a truck.
Darla. Cordy swung her gaze around to the large bed that dominated the room. The new bed. She sighed, leaning against the wall and staring at the bed as if it held answers to all her questions. He got a new bed. He took a walk on the skank side and got rid of the bed. Why?
She and Angel had danced the Me Angel You Cordy dance up here and Angel had come to his senses just in time. She had left, and Darla had slunk in and she and Angel had had some Extreme Makeover sex that apparently destroyed the French doors. And then he tossed the bed. And he came back to her. Well….to the agency. To the fight. And then….then he came to her.
Smoothing the comforter, she let her fingers dance lightly over the fine satin, noting for the first time that the colors were the same as the comforter on her bed in her apartment. The pattern was similar, too. He did this. He picked something……something that he thought she would like. For his bed. Before they even…..before they belonged to each other.***
Angel rose slightly in his seat, looking up at the ceiling. She was awake…and…..he sat still for a moment. He could sense her, her pulse racing wildly. He listened for a moment to her heartbeat…a siren's song to him.
"What is it?" Wesley's voice broke into his reverie. Angel looked at him and settled back in his seat.
"She's awake."
Wesely looked back down at the book on his desk, silent for a full minute. His voice was measured when he finally spoke.
"Angel." His gaze met the vampire's and held for a moment. "What I said before...about hurting her…." Angel tensed but held still. "I meant it. I don't know what happened exactly, but I know it involved Darla. I can guess at the basic premise." He looked back down absently at his book, and his voice stayed low. "And yet somehow, Cordelia's here, and she hasn't staked you herself, though I would imagine she was tempted."
Angel blew out a gust of air, nodding. They were both quiet for a moment. When he spoke again, Wesley's words seemed to be carefully measured.
"Cordelia didn't really choose this, when you get right down to it. Dress it up all you like but you just decided you wanted her and you took her. This isn't about her finding out something dicey from your past. That's always going to be there, right in the middle of you both. This is about you and your total ineptitude in making one intelligent decision. Your whole life has been you want, you take." Controlled anger made Wesley enunciate each syllable carefully.
"God. Did you ever raise a glass in Ireland and think, well, I could try to be a better man? Did you ever once in your life think, I want that, but it's not right?" Wesley leaned forward in his chair and spoke between gritted teeth, "Did you ever one time, one moment, think, I can't do this to her. It changes everything, and she deserves better?"
"Every fucking moment." Angel bit the words out. He closed his eyes and leaned back, resting his head against the back of the chair. "I think about it all the time. I think about all I've done, and what I could do, and all the filth I've rolled around in."
"And that seems to not matter one whit." Wesley's voice was flat.
"No. It matters. It….." Angel's voice trailed off. He sat, and listened to Cordelia's strong, giving, beating heart, and all of a sudden, he felt peace pour through him. It was as if she had reached out, all fear and pleas and frantic whispers, and touched him somewhere in the dark all over again. He looked at Wesley.
"I haven't been much of a man. But I will be. And I can promise you it's because Cordelia Chase is right there at my side." He leaned forward, his voice quiet. "I have to go make it good, and I have to start by being honest with her."
Wesley stared back down at his book for a moment. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and steady. "I haven't been fair to you. I've just been worried….." He broke off and looked up at Angel, a calm settling over his face. "Go start. She's waiting."***
A shimmy ran down her spine and she raised a hand to the small healed wounds at her neck just as a soft rap came at the door. Cordy sighed. Her new Angeldar. "Come in, Angel."
The door swung open slowly and he stood just in the doorframe, hands in his pockets as he looked over at her. She slowly walked around the bed to him and stopped inches away, her hands on her hips. He looked at her uncertainly, as if he expected something thrown at his head….or a stake plunged into his heart. Good, she thought. Let him wonder. Keep him on his toes.
"I don't know what happened with Darla, Angel. Well…" She broke off on a snort and he flinched slightly. "I think I have the general idea. I mean….ya get down to it it's all the same no matter what. But I don't want details." She stepped back and finished making the bed, pulling the comforter up and smoothing its surface with gentle hands. She looked down at the muted pattern and thought carefully before speaking. She didn't look at him as she finally straightened up and tugged at a large pillow, fluffing it as she continued.
"What I want to know is…what do you want? I mean, right here, right now, tell me what you want. Are you in or are you out?" She felt him tense up in surprise but carefully kept her gaze on the pillow as she placed it precisely on the bed before walking around to the other side, picking up the other pillow. "You shouldn't even have to think about it. Tell me right now." She paused, looking down at the bed, and could almost hear her own shallow breathing as they both held still.
"I'm in." His voice was even and almost detached. He hadn't moved from the doorjamb, and his hands still shoved deep into his pockets as he watched her. Cordelia took a long breath and let it out and turned to face him, her chin up.
"Well, alrighty then. We're in." He seemed to relax a little and took a step into the room but stopped when she held up her hand. "Whoa, Punkin. A few little details." His own chin lifted a bit as she strolled towards him. God. Whatever that was just waiting to come out of her mouth was going to be good. He could tell. Cordelia on a tear was scalding, bright, chaotic energy, and right now, it was all directed at him
"It's amnesty day. Anything else ya wanna get off your chest, because I'm running a twofer on forgiveness." He remained silent, and she waited a moment. "I mean it, Angel. Speak now, or forever…well, you know. Because this is your get out of jail free card. Ya got any other little secrets; this would be a good time to spill 'em. 'Cause after this moment, we're on a new page. And I won't listen to anymore crap after this. So…..anyone else you throw through a door recently? Anyone else showing up to wrap us in the happy? Any other little surprises you're hiding from me?"
Angel closed his eyes and felt his head drop. Oh god. He was going to have to sit here and list his freakin' sins? This would take weeks to get through, and no way would she have him in her life after he ticked off all his past misdeeds. She'd be so horrified, she wouldn't be able to pack fast enough and she'd roar out of town and he'd….
"Angel?" Her voice nudged him patiently.
He slowly raised his head and opened his eyes. "Cordy…." His hands flexed in his pockets. He could do this. He could be the man she needed, and he could do the right thing, and he could be honest. "Cordy….." His eyes held hers, a plea in the dark pools of the windows to his soul. "Cordy….my life…..before, during, and after…..it's been….I've always…..I've done things…."
Cordelia's eyes narrowed as she tried to follow his rambling attempts and opened wide as she finally got the gist of where he was going. She leaned over and smacked his shoulder, ignoring his soft "ow."
"Not every stupid sin, Dumbass. Just the stuff between you and me. Just the middle part of your third century. Specifically the part where you see the hottie and claim her. Jeeze." She shook her head. "Like I have 20 years to listen to that caca." Angel stared back, blankly.
She took his hand and yanked him into the doorway, pausing a moment to lean out and yell down the hall, "Go away, Wesley." She waited a moment, and then Angel heard the soft pad of footsteps down the stairs to the first floor and he glared at Cordelia. She shrugged.
"Don't blame me. You're the one with the superhero hearing. And don't blame Wesley. He cares about me. He…." She shut the door firmly and turned to face him. "…would never be anything less than honest with me. As for you and me….." She walked towards him slowly, hands on her hips.
"As for you and me….I don't care about what you did when you were Liam, the village drunk studmuffin. I don't wanna hear about the adventures of Angelus. Been there, a little, I can guess at the rest. It's there. It always will be. And I accept that. Because, Angel…" She stood an inch from his body and looked up at him, certainty in her face. "..that was then. And this is now. I'm willing to take on all that, as long as you're level with me. So dish. Since we…..grew together, has there been anything…any…." She seemed to stop to draw a breath. "Anyone else?" She waited, sure that her heart could stop beating at any moment.
He shook his head slowly, his eyes holding hers. A shudder seemed to go through her and she sighed. "Alright. Ok. Then, let's move on to the rules."
"Rules. There's rules?" Angel looked distressed as she pushed him back onto the bed. He sat back and looked up at her. "Cordy, I don't think you're getting the whole structure of the claiming…"
"Fuck the claiming. I'm Cordelia Chase. Buncha old vampires sitting around thinking of new ways to torture mankind never saw me coming. They don't like it; they can come deal with me."
"No. No, I don't think anyone ever really sees you coming, babe." His voice was dry, and Cordy looked at him suspiciously.
"Did you just make a joke?"
"Yes."
They looked at each other a long moment and Cordelia smiled a little. "Rule one. Do that more often. Rule two. I'm a little flip about the claiming thing, but the truth is, I know it's huge and I know it's kinda major and I know you think you own me….." she looked at him. "Because like that will ever happen." He looked away, smiling to himself. She climbed onto the bed and faced him, crossing her legs. "…but here's the deal. We have this tie…this bond. I get it. I'll deal. But you have to deal too. 'Cause I'm not some little wimpy girl in your pocket. I'm your partner. Got it?"
Angel nodded, feeling his chest constrict.
"Good. Rule three."
"How many of these rules are there going to be?"
She looked at him a long moment. "Four hundred and fifty-six. So shut up and I'll get through them quicker. Rule three. And this is a biggie. No secrets. None. From here on in, we're an open book with each other. This isn't about protection or fear, Angel. This is trust. And it starts now." He nodded. "And rule number four." She looked at him. "We don't go on just because you've claimed me." There was silence. "I mean it. I need a better reason than that. If you hadn't decided to take a little drinkypoo, why would you hang around me?"
Angel felt like he stood at the gaping chasm of a steep cliff. One wrong move and he'd be toast. Smashed, bloody toast. "Um. I would…uh…hang around….because….." she looked at him with a closed expression. No help there. He sighed. Honesty. God, it could just kick you in the ass sometimes. "I'd stay right there by you, Cordelia, because I love you. There. Happy now?"
Time hung, suspended, his words thick in the air. Suddenly, she launched her body at him, pushing him over onto his back and straddling him as she leaned down and kissed him with a big smacking noise.
"Yeah. I'm happy." She laughed as she kissed him, softening as she lay across his chest. Her laughter stilled when his hands rose and held her head to him as he hungrily opened his mouth against hers and stroked her lips with his tongue. "Very…very…..um…..happy." He smiled softly, burying his fingers in the thick waves of silken hair that spilled down around their faces. He held her head gently, and rolled so that she lay under him, pressed to his body as he covered her on the bed.
"Go on, Cordy….I think you were on rule five." He leaned down and pressed his lips to the corner of her mouth. Her pulse picked up and thundered in his ears, and his lips traveled down the soft down of her cheek to her jaw.
"Um…whaddya say we just make up the other four hundred and fifty-one as we go along?" Cordy's voice was a little breathy, and her hands rose up to clutch at his shoulders. "Because Angel?" He looked up at her. She looked back, sexy and warm and soft and…vulnerable. "Angel? I love you right back."
He didn't move. He lay there, feeling her heart thud against his solid chest, and he couldn't move one small inch. Cordy looked up at him. "OK. That seems to have put a damper on things." The vulnerability in her eyes tore at him. "I mean, you said it, I said it…."
"No." Angel reached to stroke her hair back from her face gently. "No damper. Fuel to the flame, hon. Fuel to the flame. I've said it, I've heard it, but here…now….." His eyes darkened. "It's real."
She looked up at him and smiled softly, her own gaze clearing. "Yes it is. Ok, one more rule. Rule five. We go forward from here. No looking back and second guessing. We're right here, right now, and we take that and run with it. Whaddya say?"
He leaned down and breathed into her ear softly, just before nipping gently at her throat, "I say, Welcome Home."***
Across the seas, across the lands….
He leaned back in his chair, his back aching from hunching over the opened scroll that unrolled across his desk. Good God. He looked down at the writing and breathed in deeply. If this was accurate…..if he read it correctly…..
He took his glasses off absently and cleaned them while his mind raced. He needed to go to Los Angeles. And Rupert Giles needed to round up the old gang……to save the world.The End of Fine Tuning….but more adventures to come. *g*
Leave a comment
(used for general site comments/queries also)