Go TeamC/A
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Part 4 Left to herself, Cordelia made her way through a couple of the many women's magazines Angel had bought her.
She grinned to herself, picturing his embarrassment at taking such a pile to the checkout. Tall, gorgeous and very masculine; buying half the shelf of Cosmo, Marie Claire, and a dozen similar.
Her smile faded as she thought about the souled Vampire.
His tender ministrations had at first surprised her. Each moment in his company melted her heart a little more; the bricks that she'd built over time, were now slowly crumbling before his caring liquid brown eyes. She couldn't believe, how in such a short time, her feelings towards him were escalating. After being here only a day, she felt completely at ease and settled in.
Her pleasant thoughts were slowly turning towards more worrying ones- her anxiety over their blossoming friendship, and the not so slow development of physical attraction- on her side, anyway. But this wasn't really what caused the fear in her belly.
What frightened Cordelia most was the near future.
Would Angel still hang around once she was back in her own home and mobile?
Maybe it was just that fact that he too was lonely? Cordelia could empathise there. She didn't even have one single warm and pleasurable memory of a particular time in her life where she ever felt wanted or loved; although wanting for nothing, her parents had never really bothered with her.
Except for his slip from grace, Angel had always been there for the Scoobies- ever the helpful Vampire; he'd even saved her life on a few occasions, as well as others. Even when she'd found out he was a Vampire, Cordelia still couldn't deny he'd done a lot of good.- Helping the helpless.
Was that what this was all about; helping a helpless human being? - Just temporary sympathy? Once she was on her feet and fighting fit, would he sever the ties and maybe forget all about their budding friendship?
Alien feelings of emotional fear and true hurt battered her heart at the thought of losing the wonderful and new warm affection he lavished on her. To lose that as quickly as it had it had begun…she didn't want to go there.
Was she being selfish? Most likely. There were far more important things for him to be doing out there, than spending all his time and effort looking out for her. Fighting the good fight and helping the Slayer rid the world-well, Sunnydale, of evil, nasty Demons…
Which brought her to another deeper concern: in the form of Buffy Summers.
Having a front seat view [with popcorn.] to their 'tragic' love affair and how the dark and mysterious Vampire with a Soul ran to the aid of the Slayer; witnessing the way he'd always followed behind her like a reserved puppy…
Up until recently, she'd heard Buffy verbally defend his presence, and her vow to continue to keep him in her life; regardless of the angry concerns of the others- especially Giles and Xander. What had changed so much, that the seriously fashion challenged Freak of Nature would actually turn her back on someone she had professed to love so much?
Cordelia doubted naively that the limitation of Angel's Curse could be the sole reason for such a turnabout. There were other, less physical reasons to stay with the love of your life- after all she'd never had a problem keeping her legs firmly together without jonesing about the lack; lightly dismissing the knowledge that Love had yet to touch her heart in the first place.
-But, then again, maybe she didn't know what she was talking about. Having never experienced more than a few furtive closet gropes with that loser, Xander Leville Asswipe Harris, how would she know? It could be completely different once you'd had a bite of the forbidden fruit. Maybe then, it's like an addiction?
Cordelia's mind whirled. Where was all this coming from? “Three days of getting a little attention from Tall, Dark and Sultry, and you're acting like a Little Miss Needy. Sheesh. Get a grip, Cor.” Muttering angrily to herself, she snatched up an unread magazine and opened it to peruse the contents; but her eyes stared unseeingly at the glossy pages.
The shivery tingles she got whenever he stood a little too close- or when he gazes into her eyes…? Is that how Buffy felt?
Cordelia dreamily recalled the darkly intense look Angel had pinned her with earlier today. Her whole body had clenched with hot pleasure at the memory of it. For a shocked moment, when he'd silently approached her to stand within touching distance, her heart had felt like it was in her throat. Had he wanted to crush her to him, kiss her senseless-Lord, how she'd wanted him to.. - And yet it had also frightened- and excited her intensely.
Rising to her feet abruptly, Cordelia shook her head, ridding herself of the little fantasy she'd willingly been sucked into. What the Hell was she thinking? Angel may not be a part of Buffy's life any more- but she seriously doubted that would last. And when the Slayer found out she'd been here…
“No Way.“ her voice echoed through the lounge and into the lobby.
Buffy was so gonna kick her ass. Staying in the secluded home of her ex boyfriend- alone. Yup. Serious kicking would definitely ensue.
Although considered shallow and an Airhead, the latter was especially inaccurate. Cordelia knew what they all thought of her- a vapid whore who'd had half, if not all of the football squad; a reputation that couldn't be further from truth. She'd let them think what they liked. As long as Cordelia knew the real deal, she'd never let it bother her.
Until now.
What if that bottled- blonde powerhouse got it into her head that she'd been playing happy families with Angel- in the husband and wife-let's make-smoochies kind of way? Pacing jerkily in front of the couch, her anxiety built to a painful level.
“I am so dead. What was I thinking of, staying here?” As her mind whirled with gradually more bloodthirsty scenarios, Cordelia galvanised into action; climbing the stairs as fast as her injury would allow, coming to an abrupt halt in the open doorway of Angel's room.
She put herself in Buffy's place as she stared at his bed. The sheets were a testament of frenetic activity- her being a bit of a bed hog; even both pillows were dented suspiciously. She could quite easily see Buffy putting two and two together- and making at least one odd number.
Jerking out of her frozen stupor, Cordelia shot forward, grabbing her clothes off the ottoman where the vampire had placed them neatly after divesting her of them last night.
“Did he undress you, you slut?” her voice pitched low and menacing.
“Well… yes. - But it wasn't in the way you obviously think.” Her tone altered to a mixture of bitchiness and panic. A moment of indecision, then the used underwear was tossed on the bed.
“And you slept in his bed?” Growling now, she threw on her outer clothes, fumbling in her haste.
“Yes – emphasis on the 'slept' here. - Paranoid much?” Stooping gingerly to retrieve her shoes from under the bed, she pulled a face at the flimsy straps and kitten heels-God. What she wouldn't give for a pair of sneakers right now.
“And where was my boyfriend, when you slept in his bed? “Pure rage and sarcasm coloured her voice now. Throwing her brush, compact mirror and pills in her bag; reaching for her discarded underwear and stuffing those in too, she straightened- as much as she was physically able to.
“um…He was in here too- but he stayed in the chair all night. - Drop the pointy, very sharp object, Buff.- Yeah, she's really gonna kick my ass.” Not doubting for a second that, if the roles were reversed, she herself would want blood.
Lifting her jacket from the back of the chair, Cordelia shot out of Angel's room and quickly made her way down the stairs, gritting her teeth; resolutely ignoring the throbbing in her side and shooting pain running down from her back to thigh. Unlocking the front door and flinging it open, she paused, sagging against the jamb; groaning aloud.
“Ah, Crap.“ in her haste, she'd forgotten the Vampire had used her car to go get her things; which brought home two distinct problems.
With growing dread, Cordelia realised that not only would she have to walk home- which would take forever at the pace she could manage right now.- but she'd also have to avoid the only road out of here; which left her with one option. Should she wait until he got back? - Shaking her head almost immediately; she remembered his earlier reaction to her suggestion that she go home. Nope. Scrap that.
“Hey. I am Cordelia Chase. I can do this.” false bravado and blind fear fighting for supremacy. Total stupidity won.
Lifting her chin defiantly, Cordelia removed her heeled sandals, and trudged towards the heavily shadowed trees with determination.
-At least the moon was out. - Somehow, that didn't make her feel any better at all.***
Angel pulled up in front of the mansion, and turned off the engine.
After emptying the trunk of several [her list was long.] suitcases he'd found on a shelf in Cordelia's vast closet, he made his way to the heavy door.
As soon as he entered, he knew Cordelia was no longer there.
It wasn't just the absence of her heartbeat that alerted him; he could no longer sense her presence in the building. Dropping the bags, he sprinted up the stairs faster than the human eye could have detected.
Reaching his room, he immediately checked for signs of a struggle. Besides the tangle of sheets, and the comforter lying on the floor beside the bed, everything seemed the same as when he'd been in here earlier.
Except for the fact that her clothes were missing, and his robe lay discarded in a silken puddle on the centre rug. Fear for Cordelia coiled like a leaden weight in his gut. Angel refused believe she would have willingly put on clothes she'd made such a fuss about wearing more than once, earlier.
Then his sensitive nostrils picked up the lingering traces of fear. If his heart had been beating, it would have burst out of his chest by now. Something had definitely frightened the girl- but to a point where she'd take time to dress? Or was she forced to? He honestly couldn't imagine a would-be attacker waiting patiently for his victim to clothe herself. - He would have just grabbed her and left- the less clothes to worry about later, the better. But maybe that was just his overactive groin talking.
Shaking his dark head roughly, Angel raced back downstairs. He checked every single room- twice; Still no sign of Cordelia, or a struggle- but that meant nothing. He himself could have overpowered her without exertion, and carried her off without leaving a trace. And No one would have ever known he'd even have been here. His natural face slipped out and stayed put, as he exited the Mansion.
After searching the immediate grounds- building fear and rage screaming inside his adrenalin filled body, Angel stalked towards her car. Once there, he paused, tracking skills taking over. Checking the drive in front of the Mansion, he noted that the only vehicle tracks were from Cordelia's tyres. So whoever- or whatever had kidnapped her had to have been on foot. Angel believed Cordelia would have to had more sense than to step a foot outside alone, especially at night- well, he seriously hoped he was right. If the Vampire found out otherwise; the way he was feeling now, it wouldn't be pretty.
But why would she leave anyway? Cordelia knew he had her car, plus her walking skills were less than adequate with the pain of her injury.
As Angel's mind once again turned to the only possible scenario- of her being kidnapped, his gut tightened in unadulterated fear, various images- each one worse than the first, filled his panicked mind. He was no stranger to the art of horrific torture- the ability to drag it out to the agonising detriment of the helpless victim. The thought of another even looking at Cordelia's defenceless naked body brought a feral snarl to drawn back lips.
This was getting him nowhere. Taking a deep, cleansing breath, Angel used all his self-control to centre himself; he'd be no help to her running around like the proverbial headless chicken. The soon-to-be-dead assailant wouldn't have been stupid enough to walk down the road with his prey flung over his shoulder, so that left only the heavily wooded areas running either side.
Raising his dark head, he scented the air for a long minute; then smiled grimly, heading towards the trees to the left of the Mansion.
No one touched his property and got away with it.
Someone- or thing was going to die tonight. – And he was going to enjoy every second of it.***
Great idea, Cor; you're sure to get a gold star for this one.” Cordelia walked as fast as she could, not daring to look too closely into the shadows of the dense trees- keeping the naïve 'head under the sheet will protect you from sharp claws and butchers knives' little chant she used to repeat nightly when, as a child, she'd been afraid of imaginary monsters under her bed.
-Ignoring the terrified inner voice screaming that they were, in fact real. - And 'sheets' would definitely not be on her list of 'choice of weapons'.
After walking for about a quarter of an hour now, She'd barely managed even half a mile. For the last five or so minutes, the dense undergrowth had thinned out to a lightly wooded clearing. Doggedly she kept going, pushing all thoughts of her ugly imminent death from her mind- until she heard a low chuckle.
“Well, lookee here. A meal delivered right to my door. Hey, girly, wanna join a poor lonely guy for dinner? – As long as you don't mind being the meal?” A tall shadow suddenly loomed over her, blocking her way.
Taking a closer look, her eyes widened- well, If it wasn't Joey Fitch who played football for UCLA. She'd had such a crush on him before he'd left Sunnydale High, a couple of years ago.
As wide as Angel, but not as tall, he was a handsome devil- a bit grungy looking at the moment- but from his greeting, Cordelia silently admitted that crawling out of your own grave would seriously do damage to your ensemble. A grin lit her face for a second when his yellow eyes grew large with recognition.
“You're Cordelia Chase. Wow. What an unexpected pleasure.” Joey licked his lips in anticipation. He'd been turned just under a year ago, and so far had only killed and fed. The thought of having this hot little piece on his arm as a Mate, caused him to grin, flashing dirty, yellowed fangs.
Ewwwe. - Was that skin caught between his yucky teeth?
Lifting her chin defiantly, Cordelia tried for bravado. Placing her hands on her hips, she clutched her shoes tightly, angling the heels towards her assailant.
“I'd love to, Joey- but I don't think my boyfriend would approve of me two timing him. He has one of those too.” she pointed towards his vamped out face.
“But my man knows how to put it away to charm the girls. You could learn a lot from him.”
The vampire hesitated in surprise. The lovely young girl in front of him seemed more annoyed that afraid. Wasn't he scary? - And what did she mean? Checking her throat, he saw no signs of a claiming bite; but he could smell the sharp coppery aroma of her fresh blood. He must have bitten her intimately. Joey salivated at the thought of eating her too.
“Oh, really? So what's your boyfriend's name, then, Cor? Maybe I could teach him a thing or two- like what happens to new pets that are left all by their lonesome.” he sneered, folding his arms arrogantly.
Hell, it was a quite night, he had time to play a little, he decided- plus his curiosity got the better of him. If her 'boyfriend was indeed a Vampire, he was no doubt a fledgling, letting such a tasty morsel out of his sight. He certainly wouldn't. Not after tasting her.
His jaw dropped when she uttered the name confidently.
“Angelus? Y-you're lying. That bitch The Slayer put him in the ground months ago. You'll have to do better than that. What do you take me for?” he almost stuttered with surprise.
At her snide “An idiot?” he grabbed hold of her arms roughly, pulling her towards him with a growl of annoyance.
“He is so gonna dust you, you piece of crap.” although Cordelia was now trembling in fear, her voice remained angry. This was it; she was going to die- and by a relatively unknown, dirty, stinky Vampire at that. Oh, the shame of it. - If this had to happen why couldn't it have been Angel?-No, don't even go there.- she told herself.
“I personally think you should listen to the lady.” her captor released her abruptly, pushing her to the ground, before turning in the direction of the dark, threatening voice.
Cordy glanced up just in time to see a large and menacing figure emerge from the shadow of the overhanging trees.
“Angel.” the relief made her light headed.
Joey gulped. Loudly. Before he had a chance to move, Angel had him pinned to a tree. Reaching out a defensive hand Joey groaned- then screamed as the offending arm was twisted ruthlessly until the bone snapped audibly. His knees sagged – then he was airborne. Joey hit another tree so hard, he felt the bark tear off the wood. Climbing to his feet shakily, he shivered to the marrow of his bones at the cold fury in the feral, amber glare directed his way as the much older Vampire again approached him. Clutching the shattered arm close to his body, Joey tried for a placating smile. It came out more like a twisted grimace.
“Angelus. Man. Is it good to see you. I thought the Slayer…Look; I didn't realise she was yours - I swear.” His back came up against a tree hard, as he was again hemmed in.
“I kinda find that hard to believe. You know that Mansion belongs to the Order of Aurelius-me. Or are you telling me you didn't? Boy, are you out of the loop.” reaching over, Angel gripped the fledging Vampire by the throat and threw him against another tree.
Following him leisurely, Angel cracked his knuckles. He'd arrived just in time to hear the last of the conversation. Any other time, Cordelia's words would have generated intense respect in him. About to die, yet still fighting back.
He'd probably bring up the subject one day- when he wasn't overwhelmed with the urge to tear this Bastard to pieces and spit on his dusty remains.
The other Vampire tried to placate him.
“I know where you live, man. What's that gotta do with anything?” Joey groaned. Shit. It felt like every bone in his body was broken. He pulled himself up again and started edging back.
“Your pet was just walking through the woods-alone. How was I to know she was yours?” at Joey's panicked words, Angel paused; flicking hooded, gold burning eyes over to the young girl still lying on her side.
The look Angel pinned her with could have stripped paint from a door. Her eyes dropped from his, face flushing guiltily as she chewed anxiously on her lower lip. Shit.
Taking advantage of Angel's distraction, the Vampire drew back his good arm and ploughed it hard in the others face. Angel hit the ground in snarling surprise. Before he could rise, the Vampire had made a run for it. Although having an advantage for a split second, he seriously doubted he'd get that lucky again. Angelus' reputation spread far and wide, and most other Vampires- and Demons feared him. He picked up his pace frantically.
Angel's first, instinct was to give chase - but that would have meant leaving Cordelia alone and defenceless again. His broad chest vibrating with a frustrated snarl, he finally turned to face her; watching her attempts to try and pick herself off the ground…
When Cordelia had heard flesh and bone connecting sickeningly, her lowered eyes had shot up in horror, just in time to see Angel flying across the clearing.
“Great. Something else for him to be mad at me about.” she whispered, her gut clenching, in fear for him, rather than herself at that moment.
Gasping in relief as the other Vampire ran off, and Angel had risen almost immediately; apparently unharmed, Cordelia concentrated on getting back on her own feet. She wanted to be upright and ready when she faced him- completely aware she was in for a major telling off. The skin around her wound felt sticky, and the initial sharp pain that hit her when she'd landed on the ground had ebbed into a deep throb. It almost felt like the rebar had been put back through her body.
Before she could do more than half rise, Cordelia found herself flat on her back.
“Going somewhere- again?“ Angel's amber eyes were mere inches from her own; his large hands and forearms rested either side of her, his palms flat against the ground by her head. Cordelia gulped in surprise. If he hadn't have been balancing his weight on his elbows, The Vampire would have covered her much smaller body completely.
“That's some scary face you have there.” the light, teasing tone was not such a good idea she decided belatedly, as a growl sounded deep in his throat. With his lips drawn back to display wickedly sharp white fangs, Cordelia should have been petrified. Instead, she felt a stirring of something wholly inappropriate for the tense situation unfolding.
Was she a freak? How could staring into an enraged Vampire's terrifying face cause heat deep in her belly, and a tingle of warmth between her thighs.
But then again… although 'terrifying', his natural face was quite handsome for a Vampire.“I seriously need counselling” she decided, faintly.
Angel lay there looking down at the young woman who'd turned his world upside down in such an unbelievably short time.
As he gazed deeply into her eyes, a mixed bag of emotions bombarded his senses him. Overwhelming relief that Cordelia was unharmed and once again in his care, frustration at not being able to soothe his Demon by ripping that Bastard to shreds, the last vestiges of fear slow to leave; and deep hurt-not forgetting the blistering anger that invaded every cell of his body.
She'd left the Mansion under her own steam. What kind of crazy stunt was that? Angel couldn't for the life on him work out what could possibly have happened between the time he'd left her happily reading magazine to this situation?
When the other younger Vampire explained how he'd come across Cordelia alone, He'd looked to her still-prone form, expecting vehement denial- but to his rage; her large hazel eyes had dropped from his in guilt.
-And now, to have her lying there beneath him, making jokes? He couldn't contain the growl of anger slipping out at her audacity.
“Can you get off me now? I really want to go home, Angel.” His searing gaze was beginning to unnerve her. Pushing her hands against his rock hard chest, Cordelia wriggled, trying but failing to slide from under him. It was like trying to shift a building.
“Home?” Finally he spoke. Her movements had unintentionally brushed her lower body against his now-hardening groin, and he'd had to bite back the instinctive groan of pleasure at the sensation.
“Yeah, you know; home- where I live?” There. She'd said it. It was far less painful than Cordelia had thought it would be- until she saw his now brown eyes narrow.
Angel's head spun. She wanted to leave? Since when? “No fucking way.” he'd just got her to his home. –Plus, there was still the matter of why she'd risked her life so foolhardily- and the urge to tan her bare ass for putting herself at risk was still strong. - Although debatable.
“I thought we'd settled this; you're staying with me for the time being.” reluctantly, Angel levered himself away, not trusting himself to be that close to such temptation and not take advantage - not in his present state of mind, anyway.
“You can't make me. -I'm not your kept woman.” knowing her words sounded childish and petulant, Cordelia blushed, pushing away his helping hands. He reached desperately inside of himself for some kind of control; at this moment he wanted to shake the living daylights out of her. Instead, he scooped her up, straightening in one fluid move.
“Don't push me, little girl –or I'll be tempted to treat you like one.” Angel growled warningly. Turning back the way he'd come, Angel headed home; his face set in stone.
For the first time in a very, very long while, Cordelia kept her mouth closed tight, and wrapped her arms around his broad, rigidly held neck…
Part 5As soon as the Vampire entered the Mansion, he made straight for the stairs.
Although neither had uttered a single word on the way back, Angel had immediately been aware of the scent of fresh blood. Cordelia's wound must have re-opened when the other Vampire had pushed her to the ground.
The first thought in his head was to settle her comfortably and check the injury- after that; well, the rest depended on whether the anger that was still surging through him had abated.
Either way, he was going to find out what had possessed her to leave the safety of his home.
Entering his bedroom, he flicked a switch with a jerk of his arm; bathing the room with soft light from the wall fittings above his bed, before walking over to set his precious bundle down gently. His hands immediately went to the fastenings of her pants, as they covered the dressing taped just above and inwards of her hip.
Still angry, Angel was beyond caring at this point if he embarrassed her- he didn't hesitate to release the button and unzip them, before grabbing the hems at her ankles to slide them off.
Cordelia was jerked out of her haze of tiredness by the light pull of fabric. Eyes widening in realisation, her head shot up off the pillow.
“Angel. Don't-” Too late. With one fluid action, her pants left her body- feet bouncing lightly on the mattress as her legs were released.
Both occupants froze for what seemed hours. Cordy lay there, her mouth open in shock; Angel, at the edge of the bed with her pants hanging limply from suddenly nerveless fingers.
He couldn't tear his eyes away from the delectable sight before him. A taut golden belly leading to soft dark curls nestling in the apex of her thighs; legs splayed slightly apart where they'd come to rest after their release from the material.
All reason flew out of his head. Almost with a will of their own, his large calloused fingers reached down to run through the small thatch of hair, sliding compulsively lower to search for the heat partially hidden from his burning gaze…
As hard cool flesh met soft warm petals, his unneeded breath caught in his throat.
“Oh, God.” Angel blinked in surprise at Cordelia's mortified gasp-, which swiftly turned to severe disappointment and horror, as he realised the whole experience had been an extremely vivid fantasy his mind had sucked him into.
Still standing like a frozen statue, The Vampire mutely watched as her incredibly long legs curled up, hiding her secrets from his molten gaze. Shaking himself abruptly, he galvanised into action; grabbing the tossed aside sheet and quickly covering her tempting flesh.
If his blood had circulated, the Vampire would have been flushed a fiery red. - And not in embarrassment. Muttering a strangled apology Angel turned abruptly away, striding to his closet to retrieve the First Aid box, placing it on the end of the bed before entering the bathroom.
Cordelia didn't know where to look. Angel had seen her there. - he'd had a darned good look too. Her cheeks flushed crimson.
The memory of his devouring gaze; his mouth slightly parted- the naked desire that had overtaken his features… his obsidian eyes burning her flesh like a physical caress-for a wild moment, she'd almost felt those large, masculine hands on her. The heat that had flowed through her loins was enough to jolt her out of her shock, closing and drawing up her limbs in an attempt to retrieve her modesty.
At her choked exclamation, Angel had first looked shaken, and then seemed to pull himself together in a heartbeat; quickly throwing the discarded top sheet over her nakedness before retreating hastily.
Several strained minutes passed before he returned to her side, drying his hands on a small towel. This time he indicated that she lower the sheet to give him access to the dressing.
“You're bleeding; I need to check that the stitches are intact.” Explaining coolly as he rifled through the opened box- the huskiness lacing his voice clashed in stark contrast.
Nibbling her full lips nervously, Cordelia had a brief inner struggle- the need to keep that sheet right where it was, warred with the logic of his rather abrupt request. Glancing up, she caught his gaze resting sombrely on her face. All trace of earlier desire had fled, leaving his expression strangely blank.
Releasing a short breath, she finally settled back and edged the silk down to just below the soiled dressing. Why couldn't the damned rebar have gone through my leg-or HAND, even? her belly clenching when Angel's cool fingers brushed against her heated skin as he adjusted the sheet a fraction lower.
He apologised again on hearing the hiss of pain she couldn't hold in as the dressing clung slightly before peeling away, exposing angry red skin. But although blood still seeped sluggishly from the edge of the wound, the stitched had held. Watching the Vampire carefully clean her skin of the new and old blood, a question bubbled to the surface.
“Is it hard? –Seeing my blood?” she added hastily, flushing prettily at his startled expression.so not the best word to use right now. She dropped her eyes from his, awkwardly.
“What with you being a Vampire and all- are you ever tempted to…?” her voice petered out uncomfortably as he frowned, reaching for a fresh piece of lint.
A Vampire was within biting distance to an open wound, and she just had to ask that? Nice going, Cor. - Why not offer him a taste while you're at it?” The immediate thought of his mouth against her; sipping her lifeblood languorously, made her mouth dry.
She really didn't want to look too closely into her body's response, right now.
Angel's nose flared at the sudden, heady aroma that enveloped him. It took all of his willpower not to seek it out and to concentrate on Cordelia's questions.
-And also how to answer them? - “ The scent of Human blood is like ambrosia to my kind- even more so to a Vampire who no longer allows himself to feed on it. - Plus, the hot scent of your arousal makes the urge to taste –and more, dangerously tempting.” Blood and sex, as his Childe had once stated, were indeed potently entwined.
“Yes, sometimes. –To both your questions. I've learned to smother the more… primal urges.” Angel eventually replied, glancing over briefly; revealing darkened eyes, before quickly lowering them to the task at hand.
“But I'd be lying if I said it was easy.” He finished baldly, capturing her wrist as Cordelia reached down to grip the sheet once he'd finished taping the dressing.
“Can you turn over without my help? - I have to check the other dressing.” At her hesitant nod, Angel removed his hand and rose from the bed, making his way back into the bathroom.
When he was gone, Cordelia yanked up the sheet, and turned awkwardly onto her front, wincing when her tender flesh met the firm mattress.
Her only warning that he'd returned was the strangely warm touch of his fingers brushing against her skin as he again lowered the sheet to her hips. He must have held them under the hot tap for a few minutes to stop her flinching from the contact as she'd done earlier. Cordelia guessed, smiling softly at his consideration. Ever the gentleman - well, most of the time, anyway. Thinking of his not-so 'gentlemanly' actions in the woods.
If he only knew that her reaction had nothing whatsoever to do with the temperature of his hands. There they went again- tightening unbearably as he pushed her sweater up to her ribs. Did he really need to uncover so much skin? A small part of her couldn't wait for him to finish his gentle ministrations; the rest of her wanted more.
“All done. This one is healing nicely.” Angel couldn't resist brushing his fingers over the flawless, satiny skin of her spine as he slid her top down- repeating the caress when he drew up the sheet. The mattress lifted when finally he stood up. Even though he'd perched carefully on the edge, his heavily muscled body had dipped the mattress quite a bit.
Her body bounced a little with the movement, and he leaned over, cupping a steadying hand around her hip. Releasing her just as quickly, the Vampire inwardly cursed his overwhelming need to touch her any chance he had.
By the time she'd turned over, Angel was settled in the chair. Whilst his large frame looked quite relaxed, his eyes were anything but. Tucking the sheet up to her chin, Cordelia waited for the inevitable tongue-lashing.
Pity it had to be verbal. Her eyes widened at the little voice that had whispered wickedly in her head.
“Why did you leave?” Angel was mildly surprised that he'd managed to ask that question without growling. If the silly young woman hadn't been an invalid, she would have been over his knee hours ago. He shifted uncomfortably at the sizzling image that flitted through his mind at the thought.
What with his earlier gaffe still engraved into his brain, and the added visual of her bare ass- slightly pink as she moaned in pleasure under the light, teasing slaps of his hand; her naked groin rubbing erotically against his pulsing erection... Growling softly, Angel Leaned forward abruptly, to rest his elbows on his knees and link his fingers loosely- hoping Cordelia hadn't seen the sudden tenting of his pants.
Three times in one day. Angel hoped he'd be as lucky the next time his body betrayed his lust. He knew that he'd probably never be able to sate his arousal the way he wanted desperately too; which meant his discomfort would most likely be an almost continual state.
What to say? Cordelia chewed her lower lip as she ran through her options: “We-ell- I forgot to put my toothbrush on that list I gave you- Plaque-coated teeth are so out this season.” Sure. Like he'd believe she'd be willing to leave the safety of his home, walk god knows how many miles; which probably would have taken her all night [plus maybe a few hundred hours more]- purely from fear of a probable bad breath.
No, she needed to be honest- after all, isn't that what true friendship was all about? Cordelia Chase may be totally inexperienced where this was concerned, but she was no slouch. All she had to do now was think of a way of telling him that didn't make her look like a mile long yellow-streaked wuss with an overactive imagination. “I can do this. Calm, cool-”
“Buffy.” She blurted out. “Yeah. reeaal cool, Cor.” Angel's eyes widened in surprise; then narrowed; his expression unreadable.
“Buffy was here?” So she was the reason his- friend wanted to leave him? Why had she come? –And why had Cordelia opened the door anyway? He was surprised to find himself being more bothered by that than the news that Buffy had decided to visit.
“No- Thank God. that would have gone well, don't you think?” Cordelia raised a finely ached brow. Before Angel had a chance to reply, she rushed on anxiously.
“And that's why I decided I couldn't- can't stay, Angel. I want to live a long and -hopefully, painless life. Eighteen is way too young to die- although it's pretty common around Good Old Sunnyhell.” Frowning as she thought about how high the mortality rate actually was. With a matching frown- for an entirely different reason, the Vampire finally cut in.
“Buffy wouldn't- she won't hurt you, Cordy. I don't know how you could even think she would.” God, Angel was so dense sometimes. She rolled her eyes at him in exasperation.
“Hello, Mister “I'm her Ex-but-not-for-long.”- Let's get real here for a minute, okay?” - Drawing breath and again interrupting him. His mouth snapped shut in frustration. He'd never get a word in at this rate.
.”Maybe I should gag that delicious mouth with…” Angel reined in his gradually degenerating thoughts, and concentrated on the lovely Brunette's words; her voice rising rapidly with each sentence.
“You have this whole “Eternal Fairytale Love” thing going on, so I doubt your 'little' break up will last long. I was there, remember; scrap that- you didn't even know I existed then.” It stung to admit that, but Cordelia was never one to run from the truth-whether it hurt like Hell or not.
Maybe he hadn't- But his Demon certainly had.
That night in the cemetery when He'd tackled her to the ground… Angelus' memories were very clear to the souled Vampire- so was the arousal, and subsequent annoyance he'd felt at being pulled off the delectable young woman he'd targeted and covered completely. Angel groaned in his head, shifting uncomfortably, as his groin stiffened once more. Not again. He was certainly making up for lost time now.
“You're wrong, Cordy; Buffy and I are- it is over. As for not knowing you existed; that's not entirely true. You were one of the very few people who didn't treat me like I was something unpleasant stuck to your shoe.” He left it at that. It wasn't until that night at the hospital that it dawned on him how exquisitely beautiful Cordy was- and he now had too much respect for her to deny her-almost accurate claims.
“At the end of the day, this is my home, and no one but me has the right to question your presence here. Plus I seriously doubt a Slayer would consider harming a fellow human anyway.” Angel's eyes sharpened as they took in her delicate pale and pain-filled face, and the way she absently nursed her belly.
Finally able to stand without embarrassing her, he walked over to the bedside table and picked up her rather battered purse he'd rescued along with her earlier that night. As he unzipped it and reached in, Cordelia's eyes widened in consternation.
“I can do that.” Too late.
The Vampire's large hand emerged from the opening with the panties she'd frantically stuffed in before running out of the Mansion. He stared at the silken scrap dumbly, only coming back to himself when a small hand snatched them from his grasp.
“They were dirty. - No way could I wear them again. A girl has to have some standards.” highly Flustered, Cordelia shoved them under the sheet- at the same time whipping the purse from him. God. How many more embarrassing moments could she possibly have tonight?
'Dirty' wasn't quite the word that came into Angel's head. The delicious scent that had wafted up from her underwear could in no way be described in such a fashion. He both damned and blessed his unnaturally heightened senses.
“What were you looking for anyway?” keeping her eyes fixed firmly on the purse she now clutched to her chest. Angel shook his head briefly, trying to clear the haze that blanketed his mind.
“You're painkillers- since they're no longer here, I figured you must have put them in you're purse.” He inwardly praised his calm reply.
“Oh, right.” rifling though the contents, and tucking the remaining bra even further down, Cordelia pulled out the bottle and handed it to him automatically.
Her show of trust wasn't lost on the Vampire. The surge of warmth that filled him at her action was a completely new and wonderful experience. After removing two pills, Angel placed the bottle back on the bedside cupboard and went to get her some water.
“Take both this time- no arguments. Traipsing through half the countryside, then getting into a tussle- which I haven't finished discussing with you yet- did your injury no favours.” Cordelia gulped at the dark promise of retribution in his liquid brown eyes.
Handing him the glass, then lying down to slide under the sheet somewhat defensively, the little chant rolled through her head tauntingly.
“head under the sheet will protect you…”
Part 6
Angel's eyes were closed, his head resting back against the soft upholstery of the chair with his long powerful legs spread out before him. One long heavily muscled arm hung over the side with the other draped across his belly.
Cordelia's wide hazel eyes drank in the sight of him. It was the first time since they'd got together that she'd had the chance to do so without his hooded and mysterious dark eyes watching her.
Got together? Her eyes widened even more at the words that had just flitted though her mind. She hadn't meant that the way it sounded-at least now she thought about it; which was decidedly 'couple-y' and intimate.
Easing out of bed, she half-limped over to the ottoman where he'd placed her bags.
Once he'd seen her swallow her pills last night, Angel had retrieved the cases from the hallway by the front door; then making sure she had everything she needed, had uttered a quiet 'goodnight' and left her to settle down to sleep.
As soon as the door had closed behind him, Cordelia had climbed out of bed gingerly and opened one of the cases to grab a pair of matching night shorts and tank top, and her toiletry bag before entering the bathroom for a much needed cleanup.
Once her teeth had been brushed thoroughly, she'd stripped and washed down in front of the sink- all the while eyeing the shower stall longingly, but knowing she couldn't use it…
“Wet dressings equalled tall, dark and still slightly annoyed Vamp having to sort them out again.” And no way had she been up to any more handling by him. Her face flushed anew as last night's events raced back into her mind. So far, he'd undressed her, had a bird's eyes view of her womanhood; and had fondled her panties.
Only her [female] Gynaecologist had had that particular view before. Her body burned as she wondered what exactly had crossed Angel's mind as he practically ate her with those dark, hot eyes. Cordelia wasn't short of admiring gazes sent her way, and recognised attracted interest when she saw it- but no one had ever looked at her with such…lust before.
Shaking her head to dispel the disturbing thoughts of the previous nights' events, Cordelia concentrated instead on the contents of the re-opened cases before her.
Surprisingly [for a guy], he'd packed everything she'd put on the list- “With a few extras.” She flushed, running a finger along one of the delicate silk nighties tucked to the side. Somehow she seriously doubted those would get any use- not during her stay here, that was for sure.
Her belly still throbbed with pain a little, and not wanting anything pressing against it, Cordelia rummaged through and chose the softest underwear she could find, reluctantly.
If she'd been at home, she wouldn't have bothered- but better to be safe than possibly to be completely embarrassed yet again. Grabbing another pair of shorts and tank top, a red knee length soft velvet robe and cute fluffy bunny slippers, she entered the bathroom.
Angel was still dead to the world when she'd finished her ablutions- she realised and grinned at the rather apt description of his state. The no-breathing thing was seriously freaky. Deciding to let him catch up on his sleep, Cordelia tiptoed from the room.
As her foot touched the last step, she jumped in surprise as the front door knocked quietly. Uh-oh. Did she open it to see who could be calling so early in the morning- or go get Angel?
After dithering long enough for the visitor to knock again, a little louder, this time- she walked over quickly, thinking better of disturbing the sleeping Vampire upstairs. After all, it was daylight- and Cordelia seriously doubted a Demon would be so un-stealthy as to pronounce its presence – And certainly not a Vampire- unless he had a death wish. “Though he'd be a pile of dust way before he got to the door anyway.” She mumbled to herself as she opened the door- then froze.
“Buffy.” Her heart sank; and in the recesses of her panicking mind, Cordelia suddenly wished she'd been wrong about the intelligence of the said Demon.
The Blonde Slayer also stood frozen to the spot; mouth hanging open and impossibly wide green eyes taking in the Brunette's appearance. It was shock enough that Angel's door had been locked in the first place-but for the Bitch of Sunnydale High to open it; and although not wearing sexy lingerie, the girl did have nightwear on.
“What the hell are you doing here? - And dressed like-like” her words dried up, so instead she waved an arm, pointing jerkily towards Cordelia's robe and rather cute-yet-strangely-for this girl, bunny slippers with ears that stood perkily to attention; vaguely disbelieving that the fashion-conscious teenager would deign to wear such 'dinky' footwear.
Jesus frikkin' Christ - my worst nightmare has come to life. Cordelia fell heavily against the door as the enraged Blonde barged passed her; a hiss of pain emitted through gritted teeth as her hip hit the door jolting her wounds. So much for “Buffy wouldn't hurt you, Cordy.” she muttered under her breath. The crap had hit the proverbial fan.
Closing the door quietly, Cordelia drew a deep, calming breath, and turned to face the other girl; shoving her trembling hands deep into the pockets of her robe, not wanting the other girl to see her fear. Before she had a chance to speak, Buffy had taken the stairs two at a time, leaving the stunned brunette staring after her with her mouth hanging open.
Taking yet another deep breath, Cordelia followed behind at a much slower pace; her stitches pulling with the exertion of trying, but failing to keep up with the rapidly disappearing bundle of static energy ahead of her.
Flinching at the loud crash of a door hitting a wall, and the surprised exclamation of a deep male voice, Cordelia picked up her pace. Oh yeah-crappiness ensues.
By the time she'd reached the doorway of Angel's room, Buffy was in full swing; throwing heated and angry questions at the still and silent Vampire. The chair he'd been sleeping in was now upended on the floor behind him- obviously tipped over in his haste to get to his feet.
Catching movement by the open door, Angel's dark eyes flicked over Cordelia, taking in the slightly stooped posture, her breathlessness and the way she held her belly; the pain apparent on her even paler face. His lips thinned as he turned steel-laced eyes towards his ex girlfriend who hadn't yet come up for air.
“Buffy. - Buffy. –just shut up for one minute.” The Slayer's mouth dropped open in amazement, and then snapped shut at the growling anger in her ex-boyfriend's voice –before opening it again and stalking forward until mere inches separated them.
“How dare you tell me to shut up? Have you any idea what it took for me to actually come here again? - And when I do, what do I find? Miss Slutty in residence, swanning around in nothing but her underclothes- shut up.“ at Cordelia's shocked “That's so not true.” exclamation; spinning towards the girl and stalking over to her angrily, arm raised- to find herself immediately brought up short; a large, masculine hand wrapped around her deceptively fragile wrist.
“That's enough.“ the fingers flexed against her skin, and Buffy vaguely realised that if she hadn't had the whole super strength thing going for her, the bones would have at least cracked under the pressure the Vampire exerted. This only made her madder- swinging round to aim a killer punch to his face.
Blinded with rage, she miscalculated, and found her fist blocked for a second before she landed on her butt as he pushed her away from him- hard. By the time she'd risen to her feet, Angel had placed himself between her and Cordelia.
“Have you decided to add humans to your slaying list, too?” his condemning expression and tone paused Buffy's initial flight towards them. Taking in the other girl's frightened, pale face, and Angel's anger and obvious disgust, Buffy deflated visibly.
The picture she'd seen earlier after kicking open the bedroom door, flooded back into her mind: the Vampire sleeping – fully clothed, in the chair next to his rumpled bed. –But that still didn't make what she'd walked into acceptable. Her chin lifted as she glared at him defensively.
“I'm sorry, okay? I just saw- her dressed like she'd just got up, in my boyfriend's home. - What girl wouldn't get a little freaked?” shooting a glare towards Cordelia at her snort of “ “EX.”
“I'm no longer your 'boyfriend'- in fact I heard another has that title now? So it isn't really your concern who I have here, Buffy,” determined to ignore her flinch of hurt at his less than pleasant words and clipped tone. “Plus, you have no right to come barging into my home without my invitation.” Angel inwardly groaned at the turn of events.
This eventual 'chat' had been inevitable- but he'd imagined a totally different scenario; him seeking her out and sitting down- hopefully amicably, to explain the circumstances. Not only for Buffy's sake, but also for the injured girl he now came to regard as his friend and…well; not quite the time to think about the 'and'- if ever.
“Cordy left hospital less than well, with no one to go home to. Her injury is far from healed, and she's not too good on her feet- which you would have noticed if you'd bothered to take the time to look.” For the first time, Buffy looked at the brunette- really looked this time, and took in the shadowed eyes, almost ashen complexion- and the way she stooped slightly, cradling the place where the rebar had made a new home just over a week ago.
Thinking about the times when she too had had penetrating injuries that had still taken days to heal - even with her Slayer healing properties; she felt a surge of guilt as she recalled the way she'd shoved the girl out of the way in her haste to find Angel.
“I –Look, Cordelia- I'm sorry I pushed you like that-. I… um -Sorry.” Buffy grimaced at both sounding pathetic, and having to apologise in the first place.
She wasn't quite sure what she meant to do a few minutes ago when she went for the brunette. Inwardly she shuddered in self-disgust. She could quite easily have killed the girl- and an injured person at that. Every vestige of anger dissipated, leaving only the bitter taste of realisation that, for the first time ever, her Angel had put someone else ahead of her.
It was true that she herself had ended the 'doomed' relationship, and, as Angel had so nicely pointed out, he was no longer her boyfriend. But Cordelia Chase –why her of all people? Buffy could still recall the cheerleader's efforts to catch his eye; only giving up abruptly when finding out he was actually a Vampire. What had changed? Angel was still a Vampire and Cordelia still the shallow little twit who'd made the Scoobie's lives hell for the past couple of years.
“Pushed?” Angel threw a dangerous look towards the Slayer before turning to Cordelia; gently gripping her upper arm, his expression melting to warm concern. Buffy swallowed painfully at the blatant tenderness of her previous Love's actions towards a girl she'd never liked.
“It's okay, big guy, it was an accident.” Cordelia attempted to smile reassuringly; uncomfortably aware that his unthinking 'molly coddling' was quite possibly making things much worse. Shrugging him off abruptly, she moved back; suppressing the urge to touch his hand in silent apology for the flicker of hurt she'd caused in the Vampire's eyes.
“But why is she here? It's not like Cordelia's parents can't afford for her to have someone look after her at her own home.” Buffy's voice was harsher than she'd have liked, but watching them like that hurt like hell; she valiantly attempted for a calm, reasoning tone, though, as she continued hurriedly. “ That would make more sense, don't you think?”
“And have yet more strangers around her? That's why she left hospital in the first place,” receiving a surprised look from Cordelia; how did he know that was the real reason for discharging herself? Being stuck in such a sterile environment surrounded by strangers was worse to her than being stuck at home alone in her eyes.
“But isn't that what you are? - You hardly know her, Angel.” The blonde countered, almost triumphantly; his eyes narrowed as he picked up on it.
The streak of selfishness had, in the past, been noticed, but he'd always excused it; the responsibilities she'd been born with, and of course her tender years…it had been easy to accept- then. But the circumstances around this little bout made it difficult to ignore.
“Well, I do now; in fact, I'd been visiting Cordy at the hospital before I brought her here.” Angel didn't bother adding that he'd only visited her the once- it wasn't really her concern anymore.
“Look- can we talk, Angel- without an audience?” Buffy felt wrung out with all the unpleasant revelations hitting her at once, and was damned if she was going to crumple in front of Cordelia Chase.
“To be honest, Buffy, I don't think there's anything we can't discuss in front of the 'topic' of conversation.” The very act of him folding of his large arms was like a door shutting abruptly.
“Angel, I think maybe you two should, um- I seriously need to get off my feet and be left alone right now.” Cordelia broke the tension bluntly.
All the excitement and jarring was beginning to make her feel decidedly faint- and no way did she want the Blonde powerhouse witnessing her embarrassing slide to the floor. As soon as Angel took in her completely colourless face, he swept her up and strode to the bed, depositing her gently before she could even blink. Tucking a stray strand of mahogany hair behind her ear, he mouthed, “I'll be back soon,” then straightened, turning to the stunned Slayer, grabbing her upper arm and leading her out of the room; closing the door quietly.