Go TeamC/A
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Chapter Thirteen:
"What do you mean, she has gone to LA? How could you let her go?" yelled Brian.
"She left in the middle of the night. I didn't even know she was gone until this morning." The Highlander left out the feeling of fear that came over him when he realized that Carol was not in the loft. The girl was becoming to mean a lot to him. "She packed a bag, took my car and left a note saying not to worry," continued Duncan. He was getting angry with the young watcher. The watcher was holding something back, something important. "Why are you so frightened about Carol being in Los Angeles?"
"Well... Well, it's dangerous there. I mean she was murdered there and well...,"
"Do you know who killed her? Is he still a danger to her?" Duncan demanded.
"Yes, no. I mean, yes I know who killed her and no, I image that the murderer has since died, probably quite painfully." The watcher remembered the rage of the vampire who couldn't save Cordelia.
"What aren't you telling me? Where is the danger if he is dead?"
"You don't understand, he was not the only danger she faced," yelled Brian.
"No, I don't understand, but that is because you haven't told me everything have you, Brian?" Duncan asked in a decidedly
dangerous tone.
"Um," choked the nervous young man.
"Tell me"
Brian sat on the couch defeated. He started slowly, "Her name is Cordelia Chase, she was born in Sunnydale, CA. She was the rich, pretty, popular girl, you know May Queen, cheerleader that sort of thing,” Brian said wistfully, remembering all that he had read about her. The boy has a crush on her, thought Duncan.
"Anyway," Brian sighed shaking away the picture in his mind of Cordelia in High School. "Unfortunately, for the living and the dead residents of Sunnydale, the town is on top of the largest hellmouth in the world." Duncan was puzzled by the watcher's choice of words, as well as the term hellmouth, but he didn't interrupt. "I say unfortunate for the living, because the hellmouth draws all things evil, especially vampires." Duncan choked back a gasp. He didn't want to stop Brian's tale.
Brian continued, unaware of the change in Duncan's expression. "Still, it is unfortunate for the vampires, because the hellmouth also drew The Chosen One, the Vampire Slayer to Sunnydale. So, you see up until Cordelia graduated from high school, almost two years ago, she has off and on helped the Slayer fight the evil of the hellmouth. One of the reports on Carol..Cordelia, described her graduation. The Slayer fought off the mayor of the town who had somehow transformed into a giant demon snake. Cordelia with some other students helped defeat the demon, by blowing up the school...
“What she must of have lived through," he said almost to himself. "I mean demons, vampires.... Have you ever seen a vampire?" Brian didn't expect Duncan to answer, so he completely missed the old immortal's nod. "I mean they're terrifying, deadly and evil... soul or no soul," he added under his breath. "So, you see, I had to do what I did," he demanded, begging the immortal to agree.
"Brian, I don't know what exactly you did or what you have told me as to do with Carol going to Los Angeles." Duncan said gently to the distraught man.
"That's where the vampire is." Brian got up and started to pace. "Cordelia left that hellmouth of a town and tried for a normal life in LA. Did that happen, no." Brian stopped pacing and stared out the window.
Duncan remained quiet, letting Brian gather his thoughts.
Slowly, Brian continued, "Once in LA, she ran into a vampire that tried to kill her. She was saved by the vampire with a soul, if you can believe that one?" laughed Brian weakly. He tried to ignore the memory of seeing the souled vampire cry out in pain as Cordelia was killed. He tried to block out the images of the vampire silently crying at the end of the pier watching the water after failing to find her body. It was the vampire's fault that Cordelia had suffered so much pain in her short life, he justified with vengeance.
"Brian?"
"Oh, well, she started helping him fight all the evil in the city, helping to redeem his soul as if that could be accomplished," he said with disgust. "That's why she was killed, because she was helping. One of his enemies kidnapped her and cut her throat, then dumped her in the ocean like trash. It was all the vampire's fault. I couldn't let her remain in the water, could I?" Brian gained strength from the older immortal's nod of approval. Maybe the Immortal would approve of the rest. "When Cordelia started to breathe again, she didn't remember anything. I couldn't tell her, she needed to be safe. So, I brought here to be safe and trained as Carol Tempo." Brian took Duncan's small nod as approval. "You understand."
"I understand that you care for the girl and are outraged by what she has been through, I understand why you had to save her. I even understand why you brought her here," Duncan acknowledged. "But, you lied to her about her past, I imagine you did it because you wanted to keep her away from the evil.." He stopped at Brian's vigorous nod. "But, it is her past, her life and she deserves to know it, for her own safety if for no other reason."
"No."
"Yes, she has gone back to Los Angeles and we don't know why. We don't know if her memory has returned. If it hasn't then she is in more danger than ever. She knows how to defend herself, but she doesn't have any idea what she may have to fight."
"Oh, God, what have I done?" cried Brian
"Come on, we will take your car."
"Where are we going?"
"To find Carol. She may need our help." Duncan left the loft. Brian followed quietly behind him.
Chapter Fourteen:
Angel drove the whole way back to the office, staring into the rearview mirror. He needed to see that Cordelia was behind him at all times. He didn't understand how she was back. He saw her die, he knew that her wound had been fatal. And if by some chance he was wrong, she couldn't have survived being thrown into the ocean. Angel felt a stab of guilt and pain as he pictured her death. The imagines were interrupted by a flash of panic when he loss sight of her headlights. Angel was about to slam on the brakes, when he saw the headlights.
He sighed with relief. He thought back to the alley. Cordelia had been there prepared to fight. And where did she get the sword? Where did she learn how to use it with such proficiency? How did her injury heal so quickly? Why didn't she remember him? And who was this Duncan person? He shouted that last question to himself. Angel didn't have the answers to any of those questions. But right now, he didn't care. Angel knew that the warm, breathing, beautiful body he had held was his Cordelia. SHE WAS ALIVE, his heart leapt with joy.
He pulled up to the office; he soul freer than it had ever been before. Angel rushed to the other car as it parked behind. He barely gave Cordelia time to turn off the engine before he pulled her out of the car and embraced her. She could get use to this, thought Cordelia. Hold on girl, this is a vampire, get a grip, she thought moving out of his embrace.
"Still happy to see me, I guess." Cordelia quipped, trying to distance herself from the feeling of belonging she felt in his arms.
"Very," Angel said softly.
She shot him a soft smile. "Not exactly the high rent district?" Cordelia looked at the old office building.
"No, but it meets our needs," he chuckled.
"Ours?"
"Yours, even though, you would never admit it, mine and Wesley's..."
"What's wrong?" Cordelia sensed the vampire's unease.
"Wesley, he is going to be very surprised. He was upset when we thought you had died." What an understatement that was, Angel thought to himself.
"Like you?" She wanted to hear the vampire say again that he cared.
"No, not like me," he said hoarsely, staring into Cordelia's eyes.
A warm feeling invaded Cordelia's body and it scared her. She gave a nervous cough. "Maybe we should go in, now"
"Yes, let's take you home, where you belong," Angel said roughly.
Chapter Fifteen:
Wesley was looking at the city map, crosschecking street names with the various homeless shelters' addresses. He looked up at the sound of Angel's cough at the door. Wesley was stunned by Angel's expression. It looked like the vampire was smiling. Shit, Angelus, he panicked. Angel was confused by Wesley's look of shock and apprehension. That was until he realized that he was smiling.
"It's okay, Wes. It's me, really." Angel reassured his friend.
"You are...smiling." Wesley stuttered in disbelief.
"I know." Angel tried to take the smile off his face. "Wesley, I found something wonderful on West St." Wesley could not comprehend. There was nothing wonderful on West St. or anywhere else in the whole damn city, now that Cordelia was not there to point out, how not wonderful it really was.
"I don't understand, Angel."
"I know, I am doing this all wrong." He thought for a moment. "Oh, hell, I will just show you." Angel moved aside and pulled a nervous Cordelia out from behind him.
Wesley's look of incomprehension turned into shock. He stumbled backwards, grabbing for his crossbow.
"Hey, wait a minute." Cordelia went for her sword. Angel sensed her movement and placed a hand on her arm. She glared at the vampire. "You said we are friends."
"You are." He turned the watcher. "Wes, it really is Cordelia, she is not a shape shifter, vampire or any other...demon for that matter." Angel stumbled on the last part remembering his previous doubts.
Cordelia shoved Angel's hand off her, and moved further into the office, giving both men an offended glare. Wesley blinked at seeing the one and only patented Cordy glare.
"I am not a vampire, shape shifter, or any type of stinky, yucky demon...I am Immortal," she yelled. She turned to Wesley and started to poke him in the chest. "So, are you going to shoot me or what? But let me tell you, Mr. Suppose-to-be-my-friend, its going to take more than one little arrow to take me down."
Wesley dropped his weapon.
"Umph” The angry girl started to turn.
"Cordelia!" The watcher shouted and grabbed the girl into a big hug. He rocked her back and forth in a wild jerky movement.
"Hey. Stop. I am getting dizzy. STOP” Cordelia yelled, struggling against his grasp.
The ex-watcher let her go, still looking at the young girl with wonderment, joy and love. His expression made Cordelia gasp. She flung herself in the chair, covering her face with her hands sobbing.
"Cordelia, Cordy, don't cry please", begged Angel, kneeling beside her.
"Why can't I remember? Why can't I remember, why you both care?" Cordelia sobbed harder.
Wesley looked at Angel. "What is wrong with her?"
"She doesn't remember who she is or who we are." Angel explained softly.
"Then how?"
"Not now Wesley." Angel gently pulled Cordelia's hands from her face and wiped her tears away. "We care because you are our friend and you are the heart of our small, strange family." Cordelia sobbed harder as she heard the words and sensed the truth in them.
"Shh, you need to rest. We will talk more later." Angel gathered her in his arms and carried her to the elevator. His heart broke as he felt her trembling against him. Angel sensed that Wesley was going to ask another question. He shot his friend a glare, stopping Wesley's words before they came out of his mouth. Wesley nodded and let Angel take Cordelia downstairs. Wesley thought his heart would burst; Cordelia was alive. How? Well, that is an interesting question, he thought, pulling open one of his research tomes.***
Angel returned downstairs after awhile. "She is asleep."
"Good, good. God, Angel this is amazing, wonderful." Angel watched Wesley put into words, his feelings. It was really wonderful.
"Um, Angel?"
"Yes"
"You wouldn't happen to know what an Immortal is?"
"I am immortal"
"No, you are a vampire who happens to be immortal. Cordelia said she was an Immortal. Not 'I am something or another' who happens to be immortal." The ex-watcher corrected.
Angel noticed the open books on Wesley's desk. "No luck?"
"No, the only references I can find are vampires, obviously, and other demons who live forever."
"She is not a demon."
"No, she is definitely Cordelia. Maybe Giles knows something?"
"Don't call Sunnydale, yet. I want...I am just not ready for them to descend on us again." Angel pleaded.
"Quite right, I totally agree."
"Angel?"
"Mmmm?"
"It really is quite wonderful, isn't?" Wesley smiled.
"Yes, it is."
The friends sat in silence with smiles on their faces. Wesley was enjoying the knowledge that Cordelia was alive, but with his natural curiosity he wanted to know how Angel found her.
"Actually, she found me." Angel told the former watcher of the events in the alley.
"Interesting, so she is still having visions. That must have been difficult. Seeing all of those demons, and not knowing what it meant. She must have thought she was going crazy."
Angel frowned at the watcher's words. He didn't want to think of Cordelia in any pain. He looked up, sensing something; he raced upstairs. Wesley got up and followed. Oh please, let everything be okay, he prayed.
Chapter Sixteen:
By the time Wesley reached the apartment, Angel was already in the bedroom holding Cordelia.
She finally felt safe. The strong arms around her, the hands stroking her hair, the soft words, this felt right. She moved closer into his arms.
"Cordy, was it a vision?" Angel continued to stroke her hair. Wesley watched from the doorway.
"The visions are the ones accompanied by the sharp knife to the brain, right?"
"Yes," he answered wishing he could take away all of her pain.
"Then, nope, this was just your average scary, gross nightmare," she said turning into his chest.
"Tell me."
Cordelia looked up at him, then at Wesley in the doorway. She knew that they wouldn't think she was crazy. It would be pretty nervy of a vampire and a former rogue demon hunter to think her dreams were nuts. Unconsciously, she settled against Angel, pressing her back into his broad chest. Angel automatically held her tighter. Neither Cordelia nor Angel seemed to realize how their movements brought them closer together. Wesley did notice with some unease. That worry was for a later date, he hoped.
"Well, basically, I was big, fat and very pregnant with like seven demon babies. I guess I should be grateful that I didn't see how those little demon spawns were conceived...I even drank blood, ewww...no offense. " She nudged at Angel.
"That's great!" Angel and Wesley yelled at the same time.
"What kind of sick weirdoes are you?" Cordelia screeched, trying to push away from the smiling vampire.
"But, Cordy, that's not a dream, that is a memory." Angel pulled her back into his embrace.
"Are you telling me, I got pregnant by some big monster...like the one in the alley?"
"Actually, no, totally different type. The one that impregnated you was a Hacksaw demon, much larger and more horrific than a guta.... But this is wonderful, your memories are returning." Wesley exclaimed, totally missing the shocked look of horror Cordelia shot his way.
"Oh god, Duncan was right, my nightmares are my memories of my past. Well, you can keep them and my past, they're gross." She regretted her words as soon as she said them. Cordelia felt Angel tense and then release her. She could have also sworn she heard him growl. She cursed herself and her big mouth, when she looked at his face. It was so filled with guilt and pain. "Angel, I didn't mean..."
"You should get some sleep," he said sadly and walked out of the room. Cordelia looked at Wesley. She had hurt his feelings too, by her callous statement. She started sobbing uncontrollably.
Wesley went to her and held her. "It's all right, Cordelia."
"No, it's not, I cause him pain and I hurt your feelings too." She sobbed. "I didn't mean it, I do want to remember Angel and you, I do...," she sobbed into Wesley's shoulder.
Wesley patted her awkwardly on her back. He wished Angel hadn't gone off in a huff, the vampire was so much better a calming down an upset Cordelia. Another sudden feeling of unease accompanied that wish. He chose to ignore it, to leave it for another time.
"I know you didn't mean to hurt our feelings. Angel knows it to. It's just that he feels so guilty that you have gone through so much. He blames himself, it's the curse of the soul, you know."
"Soul?" Cordelia asked, having calmed down a little.
"Angel is a rare find, a vampire cursed with a soul."
"Having a soul is a curse?"
"It is when you are a vampire. Vampires, in general, have no conscious, no feeling of compassion or guilt, they enjoy killing. Before getting his soul, Angel was quite the evil creature." Wesley shuddered as he recalled his last encounter with Angelus.
"I don't believe it, Angel could never be evil."
"Angel can't, but Angelus was and can be the most evil of demons."
"Angelus?"
"That was what Angel was called before he got his soul. He was cursed to remember and feel responsibility for all the horrors that he committed as Angelus. That's why he does what he does, helping the hopeless, he is trying to atone for all of his sins."
"Oh god, that is not fair, he is good, I can feel it. I don't care what anybody thinks about his mistakes a lifetime ago. He must feel so alone. Oh, Wesley, I have to go to him, I can't let him suffer anymore," she cried.
Wesley's feeling of unease came back a thousand fold, as he heard the ignorant girl minimize the danger of Angelus. Every bone in his body screamed 'danger' as he heard the girl's desperation to run and comfort the vampire. Okay, so maybe this was the time to start worrying, he thought. He had to tell her, before she did or said something, they all would regret. Wesley hoped Angel would understand and forgive him.
"Cordelia, Angelus is a real threat for Angel. He has been loose recently. And he was evil. He likes to hurt people and he is very good at it."
Cordelia shook her head in disbelief. Damn’t he had to get through to her. But, he couldn't tell her about the most recent visit from Angelus. Hell, in the state she is in right now, she would probably think it was romantic.
"Cordelia, you don't remember this, but you have met Angelus twice, once in Sunnydale, where you grew up and once here. I won't go into all of the details, but you have experienced the terror of Angelus. He killed someone you and your friends cared about very much. He killed her as a sick joke."
"I don't believe you. If he did this thing, how could I work with him...you said we are a family"
"You are here, because you have a unique ability to separate Angel from Angelus. But Cordelia, you do know that Angelus is still a threat. You also, know that Angel wants his soul redeemed more than anything. You know, that if Angelus returns, Angel will be damned for eternity. You know that because of the curse, that Angel can become Angelus, if Angel experiences true joy."
"True joy?"
"Yes, Angelus was first released when Angel experienced true joy with his one and only true love, Buffy."
"What kind of name is Buffy?"
"It's the name of the Chosen One, the Slayer, a beautiful young girl that holds Angel's heart." Wesley knew that he was laying it
on a bit thick, but she had to believe. "Angelus emerged after they consummated their relationship. And Angelus attacked her. He didn't kill her; he just terrorized and tortured those she loved, until she was forced to send him to hell. Angel returned, with his soul, but he and Buffy knew that they could never be together for the risk of Angelus. You know all of this, Cordelia, you just don't remember. I am telling you now because I don't think it is something that can wait."
"Does he still love her?" she whispered.
"Of course, very much," he lied shamelessly.
"Oh...I am tired, ok...and Wesley, I am sorry," she said softly.
Wesley got up. He was right to do what he did, but he was sorry that he had hurt Cordelia. She looked so young and sad.
Cordelia waited until Wesley closed the door, before she broke down in tears. She didn't know why but her heart was breaking.
Chapter Seventeen:
Wesley walked out of the bedroom, straight into an angry vampire.
"Um, Angel, well." Wesley stuttered. He wondered how much the vampire had heard, but judging from his expression he would guess all.
"Why?" Angel growled.
"Angel, she had to know, we couldn't wait until she remembered on her own."
"She won't ever trust me now."
"She will trust you, Angel. But hopefully, this will stop her from throwing herself in your arms every time one of you gets upset."
Angel just glared at him.
Wesley tried again. "She needed to realize the danger of your attraction for each other. Don't bother to deny it," he said holding his hand up. "Angel, we both know how close Angelus is to the surface when it comes to Cordelia. Believe me it was for the best."
Angel gave the ex-watcher a hard look and then left the apartment.
Angel traveled angrily along the rooftops. He couldn't believe that Wesley told Cordelia about Angelus. There was not any need to scare her like that. There was no danger of him loosing his soul. None, Angelus just came out that last time, because he needed to teach Lindsay a well-deserved lesson. It had nothing to do with his feelings for Cordelia. Of course, he was happy that she was alive; she was his best friend and his seer. He needed her. But he would have been just as happy, if Wesley returned from the dead under the same circumstances. A small voice inside sounding a lot like Angelus, said, yeah right, like you would have held on to him like he was your lifeline, you would have gotten a hard on, as he pressed his body up against yours, yeah right, you would have ripped his head off, the voice laughed. Angel tried to ignore the voice. He returned to the apartment before dawn.
When he entered the apartment, he saw that Wesley had stayed over on the sofa. Guarding Cordelia, Angel wondered from me or from something else. He slipped past Wesley and entered the bedroom. He glanced down at his best friend. He leaned over a gently brushed the hair from her face. Angel sat in the chair by the bed and stared at the beautiful young woman. Oh shit, he thought, everything Wesley had said last night was true. He had to go do something, anything to stop himself from crawling into the bed and gathering Cordelia in his arms.
Chapter Eighteen:
Cordelia woke up. She had finally gotten to sleep after crying herself dry. Well, it was a new day. She had the links she needed to find her past and she would be young and beautiful forever. She should be happy. She sniffled. She wasn't really all that good at giving herself pep talks, she thought.
Dressed, she walked out of the bedroom. Where is that damn sword, she asked herself. She remembered, she left it in the office downstairs, after her first of many crying fits. Shit maybe she should have stayed in Seattle, she laughed bitterly.
She started to go upstairs, when she heard noises coming from the kitchen. Cordelia went to the doorway. And wished, she could remember her two friends in there; and she knew without a doubt that they were her friends, they felt so right. Angel was cooking. She had no idea that vampires cooked; do they even eat real food?
Angel sensed her presence and with some hesitation turned his gaze to her. He really didn't want to see the fear that would be there, after Wesley's tales of Angelus. He barely had time to lift his face, when Cordelia ran to him.
"Angel, I am sorry about what I said last night. I didn't mean that I didn't want to remember you. I do, it's just that I have a big mouth and those dreams were scary. And getting pregnant by some gross demon is not something I want to relive. Please forgive me," she begged, grabbing his hand.
Angel gazed at her in amazement. He would never understand his Cordelia. He lifted the hand that held his and brought it to his lips, not caring that Wesley was glaring at them both.
"There is nothing to forgive. I am the one who is sorry." He dropped a soft kiss on her palm.
"Don't you dare, get all guilt-ridden on me, fang-guy". Cordelia tried to hide the tears that were forming in her eyes. "What's for breakfast...Good morning, Wesley," she said to the silent watcher, composing herself.
Wesley shook his head and left.
"Not a morning person is he? You know, I don't think I am either, but I don't subject others to such grumpiness."
Angel laughed. "Cordelia you are the most grumpy morning person I have ever seen in my over 200 years."
She stuck her tongue out at him, then demanded food.
Wesley heard the laughter from the kitchen. Damn, he thought that his talk of Angelus had gotten through to Cordelia. He sat on the couch with a huff and opened a book.
"Breakfast, grumpboy." Cordelia yelled from the kitchen. "Come on, please..," she whined.
Wesley smiled; he really had missed her whines.
"Come on, I well tell you about Immortals."
Wesley did not miss the triumphant look she shot Angel, as he came into the kitchen and sat down.
"Immortals are a race of beings that are destined to live forever." Cordelia began her lecture. "No on knows how many there are, not even the watchers. Questions will be taken up after," she said to the former watcher, as he was about to interrupt. "I have only met one, Duncan."
"Duncan?" Angel caught the growl before it left his throat. Who was this guy, more importantly, who was he to Cordelia?
"Yeah, Duncan Macleod of the Clan Macleod, born in the year of the lord 1592. He really does say that. It is so cool, he has this sexy little Scottish accent."
This time the growl made it out of Angel's throat before he could stop it. Wesley shot him a dirty look.
"Oh, I am rambling aren't I?" Cordelia missed the exchange between the two men. "Immortals don't really hang around with each other. Duncan says some maintain friendships, others don't. He knows one immortal who is over 2000 years old, isn't that amazing...He must be a really good swordsman, either that or he is a monk.” She said to herself. Cordelia missed the questioning glances that the men sent her way. "It seems, that you are born Immortal but you don't know it until your first death. But once you die, you can sense the presence of other Immortals. You know like a built in radar system... Can you do that with other vamps?" she asked Angel. Cordelia acknowledged his nod, with one of her own. "Anyway, it seems that the whole purpose of the immortals is to the play the game."
"Game, what game?" Wesley interrupted. Cordelia shot him a glare, which said questions later.
"The game- the time of the gathering, all immortals play to a certain degree, the winner takes the prize," she said quietly. Both Angel and Wesley noticed her tone and didn't like it.
"How do you play?" "What is the prize?" They both asked at the same time.
"Whoa, questions much I said....okay, okay." Cordelia noticed the looks they were giving her. "The prize is the power of all the immortals. And you win, when you are the last immortal left alive." She paused.
"But immortals are well, immortal," stated Wesley.
"Well, we can be killed...off with the head sort of thing, you know...hence, the sword." She coughed delicately.
The crash of Wesley's coffee cup hitting the floor broke the silence. Angel was too stunned to even try to catch it.
"You are not playing the game." It was an order, not a question. Angel was quite proud that he said it so calmly. Wesley vigorously nodded in agreement.
"I have to play," she stated matter-of-factly. "Even if I don't want to. Duncan says that some immortals are willing just to live out their many lives, but others actively look for heads to take. So whether I want to or not I have to be prepared to fight or die."
"You are not playing the game." Angel tried again, this time he growled a little.
"I can't just let someone take my head. I have to play, unless I go live in a nunnery and I AM NOT doing that for an eternity."
"YOU ARE NOT PLAYING THE GAME!" Angel didn't even try to hold back the growl.
"HAVE YOU HEARD ANYTHING I HAVE SAID? I DON'T HAVE A CHOICE!" Cordelia yelled back. They just stared at each other, neither one was willing to back down.
"What's this bit about a nunnery?" Wesley asked breaking the tension.
With a growl of her own, Cordelia sat back down. "There are game rules that all immortals have to abide by...Don't you say a word," she warned Angel. "One is no fighting on holy ground, then let's see what else. You have to challenge your opponents, no ambushes or things like that, swords only, one on one, no exceptions." She shot another glare at the vampire, who was struggling to control his temper. He was about to say it again, when he noticed a far away look on Cordelia's face. She got up.
"We have company, of the old type. And I mean it, don't interfere," she said to the vampire. "Angel, if I keep my head, by cheating than all the other rules don't apply. It will be a 'free for all' over my neck."
"Run," suggested Wesley. "There is no rule about a strategic retreat, is there?"
"He knows, I am here, there is no point running." Cordelia moved to leave the kitchen. Angel attempted to block her path.
"No, Angel", she pleaded as she squeezed past the vampire. Angel stood still. "Thank you." She leaned up to kiss him on the cheek.
Please be Duncan, Cordelia silently begged. All of her posturing in the kitchen was false. She had never taken another immortal's head and she had somehow hoped that she could avoid the game. She wouldn't run, but she was scared. Cordelia didn't want to loose her head now that she was so close to knowing who she was.
"Angel." Wesley beckoned to the vampire. "We have to be there, we might not be able to fight for her, but we can support her. She needs us."
Angel slowly turned to follow Cordelia up to the office.
Wesley watched the vampire. Cordelia could not die. He didn't know what it would do to Angel. But he had a fear, that Angelus and then a walk in the sun would somehow be involved. Please Cordelia win, he prayed.
Chapter Nineteen:
Cordelia sensed that it wasn't Duncan as she rode down the elevator. She had gotten use to the buzz that accompanied Duncan's appearance and what she was sensing now was unfamiliar. Cordelia tried frantically to remember everything that the Highlander had taught her as she walked out of the elevator. She stared at the strange immortal leaning against the doorframe. Cordelia walked towards him cautiously looking around for her sword. The man was tall. His gray hair was shaved into a buzz cut. Cordelia sensed that he was old, very old. The strange immortal was wearing a long trench coat. She noted that it was an expensive one. He wasn't carrying his sword. Maybe he wasn't here for her head.
"Nice coat," she commented.
"Thank you," the man answered in an accent that Cordelia could not place. Angel please, don't interfere she thought, as she heard Angel and Wesley enter the room. The older immortal gave a glance to the two, then ignored them.
"Do your friends understand the rules of the game, young one?"
"Funny, we were just discussing them." Damn, it was to be a fight. Cordelia maintained her poise. She would not let this man sense her fear.
"But, will they abide them?" the stranger asked, hearing Angel's growl.
"Yes." Cordelia turned to Angel and silently pleaded with to not interfere. She gave a small smile at his nod. God she loved him. Where did that thought come from? Stop! Think about the fight, her mind screamed.
Cordelia went to get her sword. The older immortal took off his coat and drew his sword.
"Who are you?"
"The name's Marcus, this century anyway." He laughed.
"Never heard of you."
"Well, you haven't been alive for very long, pretty one. And now you are going to die. It is a shame that your life couldn't be longer."
Wesley glanced at Angel, somewhat surprised that the vampire was still keeping his promise. Wesley wanted to take a weapon up himself, at the man's taunts. But Angel hadn't moved or made a sound. Wesley wasn't sure he liked his stillness.
"I will live long enough, old man. Let's do it." Cordelia's blade met his in the air. Wesley hadn't even seen her swing. He only heard the resulting clang as steel met steel. The older mortal pressed on with his offensive strokes. Cordelia's met his swings, stroke for stroke. She was holding her own, but for how long. All of the occupants in the small room could see that the other immortal was the better and stronger swordsman.
The objective part of Wesley's mind watched with interest, the interplay between the two fighters. The battle had its own sort of beauty. It seemed like a dangerous, deadly dance. The blades met in the air, clanging together, causing sparks to fly at the force of the blows.
Angel didn't see any beauty in the fight, he saw the death of the one person he needed more than his own redemption. If Cordelia died, he knew with out a doubt that his soul would shatter and Angelus would emerge. He saw Cordelia falter. She had shown the first weakness; it wouldn't be long now, he thought fatalistically.
Cordelia tried to concentrate on the fight. She tried to remember Duncan's instructions on fighting a stronger opponent. But she couldn't clear her mind. She could sense Angel's fear that she would fail. His fear was feeding her own. She lost all concentration and stumbled. Cordelia was scared. She continued to meet Marcus's thrusts, but she could feel herself getting weaker with everyone of his blow. Damn you, Angel, give me your strength not your fear, she cried silently.
Wesley no longer thought that the battle was beautiful with any part of his brain. Cordelia was losing.
Angel began to sense something other than his own fear. He concentrated on that feeling; it was Cordelia's fear and anger. The anger was directed at him for projecting his fear onto her. She was blaming him. Angel felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. Cordelia's anger cut through his guilt, demanding him to bestow his strength not his fear or guilt. Angel's emotions shut down. He started to watch the fight objectively. It was true that Cordelia was the weaker and less experienced fighter, but she was good. Hell, she was damn good. Yes, Cordelia could do it. But she needed to concentrate. Damn it, Cordelia, concentrate, his mind shouted. He is all power and bulk, but no real finesse. Use your talents. Come on Cordy, concentrate. The damn Guta demon was bigger and badder than this guy, do it, he silently growled.
Cordelia actually heard the vampire's growl in her head. It was one of anger not fear. She could feel his mind push her forward. She relished the feeling of his confidence. She could do this. Duncan taught her how and Angel believed she could do it. She growled, dodging to the left a blow that should have taken her arm. Marcus had exposed his right side in making that blow. Cordelia couldn't reach it with her sword, but she could with her right foot. She struck out with a forceful kick, rolling to the ground in her follow through. She jumped up and grunted in satisfaction. Her blow staggered Marcus. She went for the kill; she was now on the offensive.
So involved with the battle, none of the occupants of the room noticed the presence of the two men at the doorway.
Duncan put an arm out, stopping the anxious young watcher from entering the room. He shook his head no. Duncan watched with pride and admiration, as Carol...no Cordelia, pushed back the larger immortal. She stumbled. Brian gasped beside him. Duncan smiled; he recognized the maneuver. Marcus followed to the right. Cordelia quickly came up on his left side, jabbing a hard small fist into Marcus' kidney. The older Immortal groaned and stumbled. Cordelia followed with a swift kick to his kneecap. Marcus fell to his side. Cordelia kicked his sword away and stood over the fallen immortal.
"There can only be one." Swinging her blade through his neck.