Go TeamC/A
Title: Now on to the Present
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Rating: NC-17
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Summary: This takes place three weeks from the end of Into the Past. Read first.... So, as of now they are ‘together’ (hence the NC-17)
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Disclaimer: The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
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Chapter 1Lilah hugged at her arm resisting the urge to stick a pencil underneath the plaster cast. The constant itching was driving her insane. She winced as the bandage on her other hand grazed the table. She glanced around the expensive and imposing room. What 23, 24, was that how old she had been when she first stepped into this room, a nervous and determined 2nd year law student. How excited and proud she had been, the only student in her class to get an interview at the great and mighty Wolfram & Hart. She should have known then. Lilah hadn’t been a bad student, good in fact, but not great, not the caliber one expected for such a big and important firm to notice her much less pluck out and groom for her for employment. If she had any doubts, she didn’t remember. Lilah had walked in excited and determined that she would be what they wanted.
No one would ever call her white trash again; she was going to be a ‘lawyer’ and not just any lawyer but one for a prestige firm. Lilah would get her fancy apartment, her fancy car and fancy clothes, no matter what. How had Holland known that? How had he known that she would sell her soul to succeed? Because she had, not right away, but slowly through the next year. By the time she graduated Lilah knew that she would kill to work for Holland. He hadn’t asked her to then, that came later, when she couldn’t leave. Couldn’t? She hadn’t wanted to by then, the fancy apartment had become luxurious, the fancy car had become a top of the line Mercedes, and the fancy clothes were designer. For three more years, Lilah had done Holland’s bidding, not questioning. By the time she started to question, it was too late.
Lindsey had made her question, his fluctuation to his duty, his flexible loyalty, his final disgust at the evil of Wolfram & Hart, it all made her question. Holland’s death at his own creation made her doubt. But it was too late; she was too far in. Too acclimated in the firm, too scared to leave.
Lila still didn’t understand why Lindsay hadn’t been killed. But, she couldn’t take the chance that the senior partners would do the same for her. So, Lilah stayed. And here she was sitting back where it all started awaiting their verdict. Lila just hoped that whatever Wolfram & Hart had seen in her when she first walked through their door was still present.
“Lilah.”
She nodded to the senior partner that walked in. Shit. Jeremy walked in behind the partner. Son of a bitch, her plan would have worked if that stupid SOB hadn’t given his card to that vendor. Angel would still be looking for his seer. Her eyes narrowed, Jeremy didn’t look scared, but then maybe he was too stupid or maybe he had found some way to blame it all on her.
“I’ve read the report. Very disappointing. Originally, I thought fatally disappointing, but Jeremy has explained your plan to rectify the situation. I approve. Do it.”
“Thank you sir.” Lilah smiled as the senior partner walked out.
Chapter 2
“Go Angel.” Cordelia said from the couch. Her hands shooing at the vampire.
“Are you sure you’re all right?”
Wesley and Gunn waited by the door impatiently, their weapons hanging uselessly at their sides.
“Angel, go.”
“But..”
Cordelia’s face scrunched into a scowl. “You’re being stupid now. GO. Bad demon to kill, helpless to save. I’m FINE.”
“I…”
“Angel,” Cordelia’s gaze became deadly.
Angel nodded and reluctantly headed for the door. “It’s just that the visions are so bad.” Angel said to the men at the door.
Wesley and Gunn grunted, their eyes rolling in unison.
It wasn’t that Wesley and Gunn didn’t know that the visions were painful to Cordelia or that they didn’t care. But, having to wait around while Angel assured himself that she would be fine was beginning to be exasperating. At first it had been kind of cute. The way the big tough ‘vampire’ would hover around Cordelia, holding her head, her hands, any part of her. But three weeks later, the lovesick mother hen routine was getting on every ones nerves especially Cordelia’s.***
“Cordy, are you all right? Do you need more aspirin?" Fred said.
“Not if I want a stomach lining left. No, really, I’m fine, don’t you start too. One overbearing well intentioned paranoid is enough.” Cordelia placed the cool bottle of water to her forehead. “Stupid vampire.”
“Cordy, Angel is just worried.”
“I know, but please this is just getting ridiculous”
“Angel loves you. It’s kind of cute.”
“Cute.” Cordelia scrunched up her face then gave a small smile. “It’s kind of cute, isn’t it? But really, it’s too much. He won’t let me out of his sight. Yesterday, he even went with me to the Hair & Nail Gallery. If it hadn’t been so funny, I would have been really annoyed.”
“Funny? What happened?" Fred sat on the couch and curled up her feet, eagerly waiting for the rest.
“Well,” Cordelia curled up facing the other young woman. “You’ve been there. Mirrors and lights everywhere. He was like a cat on a hot tin roof, jumping and dodging trying to avoid a mirror.”
“How did he?”
“I don’t know, but he found a spot, underneath one of the hair dryers.”
“The hair dryers. Was Paulo working?”
“Of course, it was all I could do not to fall out of my chair. Paulo zeroed in on Angel. Clucking and oohing. Mr. European hair stylist by way of the Bronx was in enthralled. Couldn’t keep his hands off Angel.” Cordelia reached out and caressed Fred’s arm, her voice becoming high and sassy. “My don’t you just look yummy. My dear, not everyone can pull off that sexy leather look. Though, I must recommend, maybe a teal, no wait.” Cordelia reached up with her other hand and cupped Fred’s chin, moving her face back and forth and peering closely. “No, a deep gold, yes. A gold shirt would just make those delicious brown eyes jump out.”
“He didn’t.” Fred squealed.
Cordelia nodded. “I didn’t know whether Angel would faint, run, or rip Paulo’s head off. And then, Paulo not knowing the danger he was in, critiqued Angel’s last hair stylist.” Cordelia twirled her fingers through Fred’s long hair. “Darlin’ who ever butchered this wonder should be dragged out and whipped with a cheap brush. I could fix it up real quick. Ooh.” Cordelia brought up her hands to her cheeks. “It’s shameful. You’re hair is crying for a deep condition and when we’re done, maybe highlights.” Cordelia brushed Fred’s cheek softly. “For those deep, deep lovely eyes.”
“He didn’t, not Angel’s hair.”
“Yep.” Both young women stared at each other and then broke out in hysterical giggles.
The young women were still laughing when Angel, Wesley and Gunn returned.
The men stopped short at the sight before them. Both Cordelia and Fred looked lovely and free in their laugher. They were the picture of young women without a care in the world, enjoying their life and existence. It was a beautiful and welcomed sight for the men that had just fought and killed one of the many evils of the world.
“We’re back.”
Cordelia and Fred jumped guilty. Stifling more giggles, they got up from the couch.
“Everybody okay, helpless saved, evil demon gone?” Cordelia moved forward. “Angel?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“Angel, I like your hair just the way it is.” Fred said.
Cordelia shot a look back at her friend and then broke out laughing as Fred tried to maintain her composure. Fred failed miserably.
Angel’s hand shot to his head. “Cordy?”
“Come on big ‘grr’ guy.” Cordelia stifled her giggles and held out her hand to the self-conscious vampire. Sometimes, it just amazed her how her big brave strong ‘grr’ guy could dissolve into such an insecure cuddly little boy. Just one more thing to love about Angel.
“What’s wrong with my hair.” Angel whispered to Cordelia ignoring the amused faces of the rest of the room.
“Come on Angel, I bought some of that deep conditioner that Paulo raved about.” Cordelia pulled Angel to the stairs.
“You’re going to wash my hair?”
Cordelia gave a little smile and shrugged.
“Bye guys.” Angel didn’t even look at his friends but started to drag Cordelia up the stairs.
“So, anybody else hungry?”
“Tacos?”
“Fred, haven’t you gotten sick of them yet.”
“No.”
“Tacos, it is then. So, what’s with the hair?”
“You buy, I’ll tell.” Fred smiled and went to the door.
“The girl has been hanging around Cordy too much.”
Wesley nodded. “Yes. Flip for the honor?”
“I got heads.”
Chapter 3
Angel grabbed for Cordelia as soon as they hit the bedroom. Gone was the insecure little boy, now there was just the vampire that wanted the woman he loved.
“No.” Cordelia shook her head. “Stinky. Bath? I seem to remember that you like to give them. My turn.” She pulled the vampire to the bathroom.
“Uh, Cordy.” Angel began to get very nervous, remembering how the one and only time he gave her bath; she was fully clothed and livid.
She cocked a brow at him. He nodded and followed.
Cordelia sat on the edge of the tub adjusting the water. Angel just stood in the middle of the bathroom, shifting from one foot to another.
When Cordelia seemed satisfied, she went to Angel, her fingers working on the buttons of his shirt. Angel’s nervousness dimmed. He reached for her shirt. Cordelia shook her head and slapped his hands gently away. Angel dropped his hands. “Cordy?”
Cordelia said nothing, never looking at Angel. She concentrated on her goal. Her hands slipped under the loose sides of Angel’s shirt drawing the material off his body, her caress brushing along his shoulders. Cordelia’s hands trailed along Angel’s chest and sides reaching the waistband of his pants.
“Cordy?” Angel’s voice was part growl and part longing.
“Shh, Angel, bath time.”
“Hurry up.”
“Patience is a virtue, Angel.” Her fingers fumbled with the zipper, her hands slipping beneath the material pushing the pants to the floor.
“One that has never been attributed to vampires.”
Cordelia giggled and stepped back. “In.”
“Cordelia?” Angel growled.
“In.” She pointed to the filled bath.
Angel growled and sat in the water. Cordelia leaned down pushing him back. “Close your eyes, Angel. Relax.”
Angel slid down into the water. The warm water surrounded him, easing his muscles. The fight with the demon had been quick and victorious, but it had been hard. He sighed. Cordelia had put some oil in the water, smelling of flowers and spring. It felt wonderful. Angel settled in further, his eyes still closed. He heard cabinets open and closed. He smiled as he heard a soft rustle and the sound of material hitting the floor.
A warm hand touched his back. “Lean up.”
“I’m comfortable.”
“Angel.” Cordelia warned.
Angel quickly moved forward. His compliance was rewarded when Cordelia slid into the tub behind him. He waited a moment as she settled. Then he grasped her long legs and pulled them around him, laying his head back on the softness of her breast. Angel thanked the Powers, all the gods, ancient and new as Cordelia’s breath quickened and her legs tightened around him. A low grumble sounded in his chest, a purr more than a growl as Cordelia pushed his head into the water, then drawing him up. Soon, his scalp was being magically massaged as Cordelia worked in the shampoo. Her fingers scratched and pressed. Angel’s body settled firmly in between Cordelia’s legs.
“Again.” Cordelia pressed her lips to his ear. Angel purred.
Once again, he was immersed into the water, only to have Cordelia to draw him back up. “Now the conditioner.”
“No.” Angel swiftly moved and in an instant Cordelia was on top of him.
“How’d you do that?”
“Patience is not a virtue, but agility is.” Angel grinned, pulling Cordelia into a deep kiss.
Angel lifted Cordelia’s hips and gently placed them over his hard member. Cordelia licked her lips and slowly pushed down. She closed her eyes as her body was filled with Angel. Angel’s hands traveled up and down her body as she moved against him.
Angel closed his eyes losing himself in the sensations of the texture, feel and warmth that engulfed him.
Both of their releases came quickly. Cordelia lifted her head as her body melted into Angel’s. “Hmm, Angel,”
“Mmm,” Angel brushed the hair away from her face.
“I’m getting wrinkled.”
“You’re cute wrinkled.”
“Hmmph.”
Angel adjusted Cordelia, still holding her has he stood.
“Angel.”
The vampire picked the young woman up out of the tub and pulled her to him. “Mmm?”
“You have to stop worrying so much about me. The others are getting annoyed.”
“They’re getting annoyed?” Angel raised a brow.
Cordelia leaned her body close to Angel’s. “I might be getting a little annoyed too. But, I love you so I of course I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt.”
“Do I hear a big but or ultimatum?”
Cordelia laughed. “Maybe, in the sense that I will tell Fred more stuff to make you squirm. But, please, like I would give up this.”
Angel pushed her away and studied her.
“What?”
“Now that I know the stakes, I’m deciding whether Fred’s taunts are all that bad. After all, she needs to learn how to become comfortable in LA. Friendly ribbing is a good start.”
“Angel.” Cordelia whined, walked away and got between the covers of the bed. “You have to let up at some point don’t you.”
“No.” Angel settled in next to her, pulling her body close.
“Angel, Angelus is gone, stuck in the past where he belongs, he isn’t a threat to you, me or anyone else now. You have your soul. A very cute, sexy one by the way. And don’t tense up.”
Angel tried to get back to the relaxed and happy feeling that he had been reveling in. But, he couldn’t fight the tension that Angelus' name brought to his body. Cordelia was right. There was no threat of Angelus. They were in the present, where Angel’s soul was permanent. Yet, Angel’s alter evil non-soul self still caused him fear. He had been so close to losing Cordelia. But she was right.
I’ll try.”
“Thank you.” Cordelia smiled and rolled her body on top of Angel’s. “I do love you. I love a ‘grr’ broody guy, who would have thought.” She wiggled on his body, trying to make herself comfortable.
“Not me,” Angel hugged her tightly.
“Angel, you’re happy, aren’t you?” Cordelia shot up.
Angel pulled her back down. “Very. I love you Cordelia Chase. Get use to it. Believe it.”
“I do, I said I did.” She curled back into Angel’s body.
Angel kissed her soft hair. His body had been satisfied, but he still wanted more. He shifted Cordelia away from the evidence of his renewed arousal.
“Angel?” Cordelia resisted Angel’s movement.
“Sleep.” Even after three weeks and Cordelia constant willingness. Angel was still reluctant to let his demon touch her. It was too close to Angelus.
Cordelia moved, sitting up straddling Angel. She considered the vampire. “When I’m done and you are exhausted.” She scooted down his body. Her hands and lips attacking his chest. Cordelia’s lips, tongue and teeth teased at Angel’s nipples.
Angel resisted his protest and leaned back. Cordelia’s lips trailed down Angel’s chest, nuzzling into Angel’s groin.
Angel growled as Cordelia took his hard shaft into her warm mouth. Angel jerked, as Cordelia alternately kissed and took his penis into her lips.
Angel gripped at Cordelia’s hair and shoulders jerking her up to his mouth. In a swift, harsh move he buried himself into her body. Cordelia gripped his shoulders, her nails digging into his shoulders as Angel thrust into her. His face nudging and pushing at her chin. Just like Cordelia welcomed his thrusts, she opened her throat to Angel.
“I love you.” She whispered.
Cordelia tensed and screamed as Angel’s bite and her orgasm hit simultaneously.
They laid together, Cordelia covering Angel’s body her head cuddled into his shoulder. Slowly, she was able to get her breath under control. “Tired?”
Angel grabbed her and kissed Cordelia soundly. “Sleep, would be nice.” Still amazed at Cordelia’s acceptance and love. He shifted again, turning on his side, pulling Cordelia into his body.
“Tomorrow, you can go get your hair done without me, but you will call when you get there and when you leave. Deal.”
“You just don’t want highlights.” Cordelia wiggled and positioned her self more comfortably. Her body, arms and legs were all draped over Angel. Cordelia yawned, and then said as an after thought. “Are you comfortable?”
Angel looked down at the body sprawled over his. “Yes.”
Cordelia nuzzled a nod into his chest. “Good night, then.”
“Good night,” Angel leaned back onto his pillow smiling; consumed by the warmth that was penetrating his soul and cold flesh.
Chapter 4
“What game are you playing?”
“No, game Lilah.”
“Right, you just went behind my back to the senior partners pitching this plan and putting my name on it. Why? Are you setting me up?”
“No. The way I see it if you had been ‘disciplined’ for your previous failure...”
Lila tossed the file on her desk. “My failure. If you hadn’t stupidly identified yourself, Angel wouldn’t have found out so quickly that we had taken the seer. He wouldn’t have found out the plan. I wouldn’t be strapped up like a fuckin’ mummy.”
“True, all true. But the senior partners feel that your slip.” Jeremy motioned to her cast. “Was more of a ‘failure'."
“So, why are you helping me?”
“Because as I was saying even if you had to vacate your position for ‘health reasons’…”
“Would you just say it- If I was killed.”
“Fine. Your death wouldn’t really help me any. After all, I’m new. There would be no guarantee that I would’ve been promoted. After all, I did mess up to. So, I need another chance to prove myself and catch the Partner’s eyes. You can help me.”
“So, you can stab me in the back.”
“My plan or rather your plan keeps you alive a little longer. We both gain something by working together.”
Lilah paced. She didn’t trust him, but then again she didn’t trust anyone. Lila glared, then shook her head. “Angel and Angelus in LA. This plan could work or be the death of us all.”
“The Senior Partners want Angel damned. Do you see any other option?”
“No.”***
Lilah and Jeremy watched as a team of vampires and demon’s jumped through the portal. A dark small-cloaked figure stood nearby scribbling, calculating and chanting.
Lilah’s shoulder’s ached with tension. They planned on re-opening the Portal every hour on the hour until the mission was complete.
Lilah paced, fidgeting with her sling as the first hour passed.
“Lilah, it may take awhile. Angelus may not be that easy to capture.”
“Two more hours, then were sending in another team.”***
Six hours and three teams later, two vampires fell through the Portal. Both were bloody and beaten, but one was unconscious and bound by chains.
Lila watched as the Portal closed. “Where are the rest of the teams?”
The vampire leaned up. “Dead and dust. The legends of Angelus seemed to have been accurate.” He spit out some blood.
Jeremy stepped back from the unconscious vampire on the floor. “He killed all of them?”
“Get more security.” Lilah ordered the guards in the room. “Take Angelus to the Penthouse.”
Chapter 5
Angelus remained still, his eyes closed allowing his other senses to do the investigating. The smells of the East End were absent in the air. All of the smells were unfamiliar; all except the blood, humans and demons were in the room with him. He listened. Angelus heard strange voices whispering. He moved slightly and growled, chains bound his body.
“Ah, Angelus you are awake. Welcome to the 21st century.”
The vampire opened his eyes at the woman’s voice. He had never heard that accent before, except once. It wasn’t quite the same but it was similar. Angelus growled and pushed against the chains.
“We apologize by our methods, but we really wanted to speak with you and thought this would be the best way.”
Angelus took in his surroundings. It was not like any place he had been before. He recognized the luxury of the room, but not the furnishings. His eyes traveled to the vampires standing by the door. They were dressed oddly. In fact everyone in the room was dressed strangely. He stared again at the woman, she had obviously been injured, but it wasn’t the bandages that he stared at but her legs, they were covered in trousers.
“We understand that you maybe a bit disoriented, but please listen and we will explain why we brought you here. I think you will find our reasons will be enjoyable to you.”
“Unchain me.”
“I’m afraid that may have to wait, until a few things have been explained. It’s not a matter of trust, but of precautions.”
Angelus glared. The woman nodded to the vampire’s at the door. They dragged in another vampire.
The human male beside Lila held up a strange metal object, it was shaped like a pistol. Angelus eyes narrowed.
“The original use for this.” The man held a small, very small gleaming object. “Was to prevent demons from harming humans, but as that’s not what we need, we have modified it a bit.”
Lilah nodded again to the vampire’s. The vampires dragged the other to Jeremy. Jeremy placed a small object into the other thing he had in his hand.
“Angelus by all reports you are intelligent so I think you will understand this.” She pointed as Jeremy pressed the metal pistol into the struggling vampire’s throat. The vampire flinched then glared.
“See, he’s perfectly fine. Let him go.”
The angry vampire moved towards Jeremy.
“Until now.” Lila used her bandaged fingers to push something she cradled in her sling. Instantly, the approaching vampire howled as fire spread from his gut outwards. Soon very soon, the vampire was dust.
“Now,” Lilah stepped away from the dust pile. “We have placed one of those in you. I’m sure we will never have an occasion to use it, believe me we don’t want to. It’s just a precaution until you become oriented. That’s all.”
“Why?” Angelus growled.
“You do understand, don’t you?”
Angelus nodded.
“Good.” Lila directed one of the vampires to unchain Angelus.
Angelus bounded up and broke the vampire’s neck.
“Angelus, that wasn’t very nice, if fact it shows that you don’t understand.”
Lila pushed another button. Angelus howled and fell back.
“Now, there are different consequences to pushing this button. You have seen the worse, and have now experienced the least. Do you understand?”
Angelus stumbled up and growled. “What do you want?”
“We understand that you have recently met this woman.”
Jeremy held out a picture. Angelus studied the dark haired woman in the photograph. It was an amazing photograph, the colors jumped out, and the young woman’s beauty apparent, not obscured by fuzzy black and white film. For the first time since Angelus awoke and smelled the strangeness of the place did he begin to accept that he was no longer in the 19th century.
“Cordy.” Angelus grabbed the picture. It was her. She was wearing trousers like the other woman. But they were different, low on the hips, showing hints of her stomach. The shirt was tight and brightly colored. Angelus traced the pictured body. It was his Cordy. She had gotten away- left with a vampire and a human. The memory of the fight in the alley came back clearly. The black hole, they disappeared in was the same one that he had seen this last time before he fell unconscious.
Lila smiled at Angelus reaction. The plan might just work. “I see that you do remember her. Got away didn’t she? But not alone, she had help.”
Jeremy held out another photograph. Angelus grabbed it. It was the other vampire, in a long leather coat.
“That’s Angel.”
“Angel?”
“Yes. Angel, a vampire with a soul. Or rather your future self. Is that what you want to be, Angelus, a vampire with a soul? We are counting on that you don’t.”
“No.” Angelus growled denying the picture.
“Yes. You get a soul. Pretty disgusting. I know it has caused us some problems. That’s why we sent Ms. Chase to you. We were hoping that you would be able to break their bond. Right the wrong. Vampires aren’t supposed to have souls. You can see that. Without Ms. Chase at his side, well, then no soul. But you failed weren’t able to break them apart. In fact they seemed to be even closer now. See.” Jeremy showed Angelus another picture. Angel and Cordelia were embracing, kissing. Angelus crumbled the picture with a violent growl. He strode to the door.
“Angelus, you aren’t home. You need us. Don’t worry we will tell where they are. But, there is other information that you will need. Are you ready to listen?”
“Tell me.”
“Wonderful. Let’s begin your crash course in the 21st century and Angel Investigations.”
Chapter 6
Angelus paced impatiently through the room. It had been a week of listening and learning about his future self. It disgusted him at how he had turned into some weak do gooder. Angelus shot his hand to his short hair and down to his leather coat. He had resisted the change in his appearance at first. But, he adapted quickly when Lila had explained that the easiest way to get to Cordy was for her to believe he was Angel. She no longer thought of Angelus as a threat, but she wasn’t stupid, if Angelus wanted to get close enough to take her, then Cordelia would have to believe he was Angel at least for a moment.
Angelus stopped his pacing to stare at the pictures on the table. Angel Investigations. He growled. He would kill them all, he would destroy all the evidence of his future self’s betrayal of his true nature. Except, his fingers caressed the picture of Cordelia, She would be his. And this time, he wouldn’t waste his opportunity on games.
Chapter 7
“Angelus, your timing is going to have to be perfect. It is unlikely that we will be able to distract Angel for long.”
Angelus growled. At least he hadn’t turned into a complete wimp. Angelus remembered the fight in the alley. No, Angel wasn’t a wimp. But, now Angelus was aware of the situation, he wouldn’t lose, not again, not when he knew the stakes.***
“Cordy, are you ready yet?”
“It’s not my fault.” She yelled from the bathroom door.
Angel paced and grumbled. “Hurry up. The reservations are at 8pm. It’s 8 now.” Angel couldn’t believe he actually wanted to go out to dinner. Well, he didn’t actually want to go. Human social places made him uncomfortable. He always seemed to do something that embarrassed Cordelia. But Cordelia still wanted to go out and since he hadn’t been able to deny his seer anything of late, they were going out. If Angel wasn’t so happy and in love, he would be resentful at how the young woman could wrap him around her finger as it was- he was just amazed that she loved him.
“Don’t yell at me. It’s not my fault that we’re late.” Cordelia stood in the doorway of the bathroom.
Angel turned and stared. Damn, they were going to be really late now.
“Angel, no. Angel, this is the last decent dress I have.” Cordelia backed into the bathroom at Angel’s look.
Angel ignored Cordelia’s whine and moved closer. His hands reached for the low scoop line of the black silk dress.
“Angel, stop.” Cordelia whacked at his hands. “You already ruined my other dresses.” Her hand motioned to the discarded ripped clothes on the floor.
“I’ll get you more.”
“That’s not the point. I’m hungry.”
“I’ll cook later.” Angel’s hands moved up to the thin straps, his fingers drawing the material down Cordelia’s shoulders.
“I’m hungry now and I want to go out.”
Angel large hand opened wide on Cordelia’s bare back, his fingers pushing her towards him. Cordelia’s next sentence was halted as his lips covered her mouth.
Cordelia’s sigh was a cross between a whine and desire. She mumbled something into the vampire’s lips.
“What was that?"
“I said, you better cook something really delicious and a lot of it.”
Angel smiled as he brought her back into his arms. Cordelia suddenly tensed and jerked back. Angel’s arms tightened, his desire instantly turning into concern as Cordelia gasped and clutched at her head.
Angel cradled the shaking young woman in his arms, his hands caressing her body, until the vision past.
As soon as Cordelia’s trembling subsided, he led her to the bed. He quickly reached onto the bedside table and handed Cordelia some water and pills. He sat next to her, his hand back around her shoulder.
“I’ll never eat now.” Cordelia leaned into Angel’s shoulder.
“I’ll ordered something before I leave, okay.” He kissed her gently on the top of the head.
“Chinese.”
“Chinese. The vision?”
“Bumpy green ugly demon” Cordelia winced as she grabbed a paper and pen. “Angel, there were also a lot of vampires. Be careful, please.” She handed him the location.
“I will, now lie down. I will call Wesley and Gunn. I will also see if Fred can come back from the library.”
“I’ll wait down stairs.”
“I think you should lie down.”
“Downstairs.”
Angel grumbled and picked her up.
“I can walk.”
“Shut up.”
“Hmmph, ow.” Cordelia buried her pounding head into Angel’s chest.
Angel settled Cordelia onto the couch in the lobby. “Are you comfortable? Do you need more aspirin? I’ll get you some more water.”
“Water would be good. Then go.”
“I don’t know. I think I should wait for Fred.” Angel handed Cordelia the bottled water.
“Angel.”
“All right. Rest.” Angel kissed her.
“Chinese.”
Angel raised the cell phone in acknowledgment as he headed out of the hotel.
Cordelia placed the bottle to her forehead. Chinese. It had sounded good. Now, it just made her stomach even more nauseous. Cordelia wondered if there was a way she could market the visions as an appetizer suppressant. She could be rich. The weight conscious of LA wouldn’t mind bouts of extreme pain if they could lose some quick weight. Cordelia closed her eyes and leaned back, waiting for the sharp pounding to subside into dull pounding. That pain wasn’t so bad and it only lasted until the evil was dead and gone.
Chapter 8
Cordelia eye’s remained closed as she heard the front door open. “Fred, in here.”
Cordelia opened her eyes at the silence. She sat up.
“Angel, that was…” Cordelia got up as the vampire approached her. “Angel, where’s Gunn and Wesley.”
“I’m sure they will be along shortly.” He moved closer. “You are beautiful.”
“You expressed that all ready, quite effectively.” Cordelia blinked. The pain in her head had diminished but hadn’t gone. “What happened? The demon…” Cordelia involuntarily stepped back as the vampire moved even closer, grinning. “Angel, what’s wrong with…..Oh shit, no way…impossible.” Cordelia stumbled back against the couch, scrambling to run.
Angelus was on her in a flash. “I’m glad to see that you haven’t forgotten me. Does that mean you missed me?”
“No, no. Your soul is permanent.” Cordelia pushed against Angelus. Somehow breaking loose, knocking the table as she moved.
Angelus let her get a few feet before he grabbed her again. “Never had one, don’t want one.” Angelus griped securely at her shoulders, immobilizing her flight.
“Those goddamn lawyers.” Cordelia kicked out, in realization. He laughed as he dodged her. “If you do that again, I’ll break your arm. Now be still let me look at you.”
“Like hell,”
Angelus winced as the sharp point of her shoe dug into his foot.
Angelus growled and jerked her into his arms, bending her legs up. He ripped off her black sandals. Angelus stared at them for a moment then tossed them down. Cordelia squirmed against the vampire.
“Cordy.” Fred walked in her arms loaded with Chinese food. “The delivery guy was outside. Angel, I thought you were out slaying demons.” Fred blushed at the intimate way Angel was holding Cordelia.
“Run, Fred.” Cordelia struggled against Angelus. “Get Angel, tell him Angelus is here. Run.”
“What…” Fred stood stunned.
“By all means, go tell him.” Angelus laughed.
Fred’s eyes widened and ran, the boxes of food smashing to the ground.
“Now, Cordy, it’s time to leave. We have some catching up to do. I must warn you though, I am quite displeased with you.” Angelus pressed his hand around her neck until the young woman’s struggles ceased.