Go TeamC/A
Title: Searching for Happily Ever After
Author: (Only) Anne
Posted here:
Rating: R
Category: Action
Content: C/A
Summary:
Spoilers: everything up to now- but not emphasized, but may contain tidbits of spoilers.
Disclaimer: The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made. HONORABLE MENTION: The Princess Bride- movie (Reiner/Scheinman Production) and book & screenplay- William Goldman.
Distribution:
Notes:
Thanks/Dedication:To Dave- for his most recent unique interpretation of the C/A dynamic. Also - Wren gets a special one for helping me so quickly...Thanks Wren, you stopped me from pulling my hair out. Thanks.
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Chapter 1
Cordelia indulgently watched as Wesley and Gunn made fools of themselves. A small grin danced over her face. It was amusing as well as a little sad. Sad, because the young woman that they were fawning all over had no clue that they were acting like love struck little boys for her benefit. And that sort of attention just cried out for the proper response, but Fred just didn’t have it in her to make the men squirm. Cordelia wanted to do it for her, but that would probably embarrass them all. Not that Cordelia would mind embarrassing Wesley and Gunn, after all that would be the whole point, but Fred would probably get all flustered, blabbily and go hiding in her room. And Cordelia didn’t want that. After all the young woman just started to come down from her caveroom on a regular basis.
“What’s so funny?”
Cordelia jumped. “Don’t do that.” Cordelia lightly smacked Angel as he appeared suddenly next to her. “I’m going to have to put a bell on you. That’s it, you’ll be my pet vampire.”
“Aren’t I already.”
Cordelia rolled her eyes. “Broody guy fails miserably at trying to be joke guy.”
Angel smiled in acknowledgment of his attempt at humor. Though part of him wondered whether it was really a joke. There were times that he definitely felt like Cordelia led him around on a leash and a particular short one at that. But since Cordelia didn’t seem to recognize that peculiar fact, he wasn’t about to give her any ideas. It was bad enough the way he couldn’t have her out of his sight even for a few minutes at a time. If Cordelia even had an inkling of the power she had over him, he would be doing her laundry and cooking all of her meals. Damn’t he already cooked all of her meals.
Angel shook his head. He only cooked for her because if he didn’t Cordelia would never eat. The young woman never kept any food at her apartment except peanut butter. And he had to be near Cordelia because she kept getting into dangerous situations. He had just almost lost her- again. How was he supposed to keep her safe when she kept getting sucked into other dimensions and attacked by freaky brain hijackers, not to mention the whole Vocha horror of over a year ago and every other dangerous situation she had been since. She was driving him insane with worry. But at least everything seemed okay now. Angel sighed. Until the next time. Oh well, he would just have to enjoy this relative peace and just make extra careful that there wouldn’t be a next time. He wasn’t sure he could take it.
“Now what’s got you so broody all of a sudden? The joke wasn’t that bad.”
“I’m not broody. And I asked you first. What’s so funny?”
Cordelia pointed.
Angel looked over at Wesley, Gunn and Fred. “That’s funny? I think it’s good that Fred is leaving her room. Your talks with her must have helped. I did tell you thank you, right?”
“Yes and it is good. But that’s not what’s funny. Look at them, they’re acting like little boys trying to win the attention of the cute girl on the playground. Pretty soon, they’ll be passing her notes and carrying her books.”
“Uh.”
“Jeez, but I guess you didn’t have much opportunity to walk a girl home from school or make an ass out of yourself trying to woo the girl in 18th century Ireland, uh.”
“They're interested in her?” Ignoring her jibe.
“Duh”
Angel looked again. Wesley and Gunn did seem to be paying a lot of attention to Fred lately. He had thought they were just trying to help her get accumulated. Oh well. He wasn’t worried. Wesley was definitely trustworthy. And while Gunn still had some issues with Angel, the young black man wouldn’t do anything to put Fred in danger. Not after the incident in Caritas, anyway.
“Promise me, that if they resort to name calling and a duel to the death at dawn, you’ll put a stop to it.”
“A duel?”
“Sure, you know, a duel- the stupid ancient macho invention to win the lady fair.”
“Oh. Sort of like I did with Groosalugg.”
“Please.” Cordelia shook her head. She looked back and sighed. “You know, I miss that.”
“Plyea?” Angel wasn’t even about to suggest that she missed Groo.
“No, stupid. The attention of good looking men.”
“You think Wesley and Gunn are good-looking?”
“Sure, but I’ll deny it.” Cordelia giggled and then sighed. “Ah, those were the days. You know there was a time that men used to look at me like that, do silly stuff for me, you know pay attention to me.” She said.
“I pay attention to you.” Angel looked puzzled and a bit hurt.
“You do amazingly brave and selfless acts to save me. Which is definitely appreciated, but I’m talking about that.” She pointed again. Wesley and Gunn were nudging each other out of the way to get Fred a piece of paper to write on.
“I cook for you.” Angel had to stop himself from whining.
Cordelia turned and smiled brightly. “You cook for everyone.”
Angel had to stop himself from blurting out that he didn’t. He cooked for Cordelia. He couldn’t help it everyone else mooched. Well, Fred didn’t, but the young woman still had problems remembering to turn the stove off. He started cooking for her after the kitchen went up flames when she tried to boil water.
“You know, I think Wes may have the advantage though. He was quite the protector at Caritas. You better be careful. Wes just maybe putting a dent in your hero armor.”
“Uh.” Angel barely heard what she said. Angel paid attention to Cordelia. Hell, she was practically the whole focus of his attention, except when there was demon or evil to fight providing of course she was safely away from that fight. He did pay attention to Cordelia, he did.
“I’m sorry.” Cordelia gave a teasing smile. “You may be losing worshipper.”
“UH.” Angel really didn’t understand a word that Cordelia was saying. He did pay attention to her. What else did she want? He looked back over at Wesley and Gunn. Now the two were scrambling to get Fred a pen. Angel could do that. Well, he couldn’t when Cordelia had a vision. It was more important to make sure she was okay and comfortable. Wesley would have to keep getting the pen and paper under those circumstances.
“Fred’s crush, silly.” Cordelia laughed at Angel’s perplexed expression. “You are clueless. Fred has a crush on you.”
“She does not.”
“Does to.”
“Does not.”
“This could go on all night. Trust me on this.”
“But…do something.”
“Uh,”
“Talk to her. I don’t want her to have a crush on me. Why would she have a crush on me?”
“Gee, I don’t know maybe because you’ve saved her, been nice to her, gave her free room and board, and happen to be a very handsome guy.”
“You think I’m handsome?”
“Not me. Fred.”
“Oh.”
“Oh all aright, I think you’re cute too. But I’ll deny it.” She gave him a bright smile.
Angel couldn’t help it he smiled back. Her smiles were infectious. But just ‘cute’? Why didn’t Cordelia think he was handsome? Actually, why did he care if Cordelia thought he was handsome? He was getting a headache.
“Um Cordelia I don’t want Fred to have a crush on me. Do something.”
Cordelia rolled her eyes. “Not my job. Yours.”
Angel shook his head.
“Oh don’t worry, I think the worse of it is over. And anyway, Wesley and Gunn are doing their best trying to divert her.” Cordelia sighed again. “Oh, Angel, I left some of my more demon dirty clothes upstairs, could you maybe wash them for me. I mean, not right now but when you do laundry.” She smiled brightly.
Angel didn’t even realize that he nodded until she left the room. Damn’t. Angel pulled at his shirt to see if the leash was in fact real.
Chapter 2
Angel looked happily at the piece of paper in his hand. He looked again at his score. He would show it to Cordelia. The test showed that he was a good boyfriend. Granted he had to ignore a lot of the questions because they dealt with pleasuring the girlfriend. But he did well on the others. He was attentive and listened. Angel slammed down the magazine. What was he doing? He wasn’t Cordelia’s boyfriend. He was Cordelia’s friend. But, still, attentive and listening were good qualities in a friend. Weren’t they? She was driving him crazy.
“You’re wonderful.”
Angel scrambled to shove the Comos magazine and piece of paper into a drawer. “I am?”
“You did my laundry and even folded it. Thank you.” Cordelia beamed and sat on the corner of the desk. “Who would’ve thought my big bad vampire was such a great domestic. Not a spot left.” She paused, glancing down and raising a brow. “Um, Angel laundry and cooking are great, but why are you reading my Mademoiselle and Woman’s Day?”
“Um,” Angel shoved the magazines aside. “Recipes.”
“Cool. Any good ones?”
Angel shrugged. The recipes were okay, but the articles on how to please a woman had been useless. Their advice seemed to center on the bedroom. Not particularly helpful to him. All he wanted was to know how to give Cordelia more attention.
“Wesley and Gunn want to take Fred to the movies. Do you want to go?”
“Are you going?”
“I haven’t decided yet. I don’t have anything else to do. But the last time I went I had a vision. Kind of ruined it for my date and me. He never called again. I guess he was embarrassed. Just left me there wriggling on the floor. And he was embarrassed? Jerk.”
“Date? When was this? Why didn’t I know? Where was I? You don’t date.”
“Don’t rub it in. But, yes occasionally, during a blue moon, I get asked out. It was just some guy I met at the gym. You were at the monastery.”
“Wesley let you go? Did Wesley meet him? Did he check him out?”
“Whoa, dad. I’m fine. No demon spawn to report and yes Wesley met him. He was a jerk, not an evil thing. So, do you want to go?”
“Go where?”
“To the movies. Geez, what’s up with you, lately? You haven’t been taken over by a dense old guy, have you?”
“Are you going?”
“I told you vision embarrassment?”
“If you have one, I’d have to miss the movie anyway. So, go. I’ll make sure you don’t end up on the floor, promise.”
Cordelia smiled patting his hand. “You do catch me don’t you?”
“I try.” Angel rested his hand over hers.
“You do. Okay, let’s go.”
Angel stood his hand coming up and resting on her shoulder. “So what’s the movie?”
“The Princess Bride.”
Angel looked questioningly at Cordelia.
“The man in black goes through dangerous obstacles, horrible torture to save the princess.”
“That’s a movie?”
“It’s a fairytale. Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles. It has it all.
Angel looked skeptical. It still sounded an awful lot like a day in the life of Angel’s Investigations.***
The members of Angel Investigations left the hotel and piled into the Plymouth. Cordelia went to climb in the back with Fred, but Wesley beat her to it. Cordelia rolled her eyes at Angel and got in the front. Angel smiled. Once Cordelia pointed it out to him it was obvious. He glanced in the rearview mirror. Fred was chattering excitedly about the movie while Gunn and Wesley hung on her every word.
None of the occupants of the vehicle noticed the dark figure watching from across the street.
Chapter 3
“Inconceivable.”
“Have fun storming the castle”
“I am the dread Pirate Roberts.” Gunn stalked towards Fred. The young woman squealed in delight.
Cordelia groaned. “Stop them, please.”
“I don’t think I can. I think our only choice is to leave.”
“But this is my office, too. And it’s your home. It’s not fair. Make them leave.”
“I can’t bodily throw them out.”
“Why not?”
“Cordy.”
“Oh alright. Let’s take these books upstairs.” Cordelia threw up hands to her ears to block out Wesley and Gunn’s continual recitation of the movies lines.
They both figured out quickly that every time they quoted the movie Fred would break out in hysterical giggles. So, they had been repeating the lines non-stop ever since they left theater, each trying to top one another. Cordelia was seriously beginning to hate one of her favorite movies. She was definitely coming close to hating her friends. They were getting on her nerves.
“Mawidge is a dweam wiffin a dweam.” Gunn said.
My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” Wesley took a fighting stance in front a teary-eyed Fred.
“Angel, don’t forget the file.” Her hands still over her head. Cordelia moved quickly to the stairs to get away from the mini reenactment going on the lobby.
“As you wish.”
“What?” Cordelia brought down her hands.
“I got it.” Angel said.
Cordelia scrunched up her face. She could have sworn Angel had said ‘As you wish’. He better not start quoting the movie too.***
Angel and Cordelia sat quietly going over their new case. It wasn’t a real difficult one. It was just a matter of narrowing down which of LA’s many septic tanks the Vesta demon chose to nest in.
“You didn’t like the movie?”
“Uh?” Cordelia looked up from the map she was marking.
“The movie? You didn’t like it?”
“I love that movie. I just like it on the screen not the bad imitations being played out downstairs. What is it with guys memorizing movie lines? Xander knew all of the words to Dumber and Dumber. I mean it was a stupid movie, why would you want to know the words, much less hear them over and over again.” Cordelia shuddered.
Angel decided to ignore her reference to Xander. He still couldn’t figure out what Cordelia had seen in him.
“What’s there not to love about “The Princess Bride”? You got a sexy man in black fighting to save his true love. He withstood the ‘Machine’ and beat the bad guy.”
“He died.”
“Wesley, not our Wesley, but the sexy fictional one, was only sort of dead. Kind of like you. You're undead, which is sort of dead or is it sort of alive?” Cordelia scrunched up her face. “Anyway, it was about true love conquering all. Something every one wants to believe in.”
“Do you?”
“No. But that’s why it’s a fairytale because true love doesn't conquer all. If that had been real life. Wesley wouldn’t have come back for Buttercup; he would’ve probably shacked up with one of the many women he found in the ports. Or if he did come back, he sure wouldn’t go through the fire swamp or torture. Face it; there just aren’t that many heroes out there. I mean sure, you’re one, but you’re special. There aren’t many guys out there like you.” She scrunched up her face again. “Actually, I guess you’re the only ‘grr’ guy out there with a soul. See, special.” She nodded emphasizing her point. “Anyway, even if by some weird chance Wesley did go back for Buttercup and did face those obstacles to save her, and they did get married, they would have been split in 2-3 years tops. That’s why the movie ended with the kiss that left all the others behind. Because everything after sucked. Nope, ‘And they lived happily ever after’ is stuff of fairytales and storybooks. True love, yeah right."
“True love is real.”
Cordelia looked understandingly at Angel. “I’ll grant you that your love for Buffy could be classified as true love, but the happy ending…Oh, Angel.” Cordelia scooted over and knelt before the vampire. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”
“That’s not what….never mind.”
“Angel, I am sorry. It wasn’t that you didn’t love Buffy enough, it was just that stuff got in the way.” Cordelia waved her hand in the air. “I’m sure that if there hadn’t been the whole slaying thing and stupid curse thing, you two could have had the happy ending even before you shansued. Who knows if the shu prophecy happens sooner than later, it still might. I mean she’s not dead anymore, so who knows. Maybe just this once true love will win out.” She smiled reassuringly at the vampire.
Angel gently brushed at Cordelia’s hair. He knew that there was not going to be a ‘happily ever after’ with Buffy, even if she was alive now. Seeing her again had just confirmed what he had begun to suspect when he realized that he could move on from her death. Their love had been strong, blinding and furious, and at the time true, and in away it still was- he would always love the young woman that taught him to love- but it wasn’t true enough to allow for a happy ending. Because he had changed and so had she. The love may be still there, but the need wasn’t.
When Angel saw Buffy, she had been more beautiful than ever, her experiences had matured her and turned her into a heartbreaking young woman. His non-beating heart had lurched when he had seen her, but he knew now that it was more because he had come face to face with a dream that he once had, not the reality he needed or wanted. Angel needed more than a dream; he needed real friendship, real companionship, and real acceptance.
Things he hadn’t gotten with Buffy, things he didn’t even know he had needed at the time. With Buffy he had been a vampire first, a vampire that she loved against her instincts and better judgment. Cordelia however thought of him as a man, a friend and a vampire, the last almost being an afterthought. Angel looked at the regretful woman staring at him. Angel smiled. He truly did need the things that she gave him; they were things he couldn’t lose. Those were what made Cordelia so important to him.
“Angel?”
“This is silly, it was just a movie.” He pulled her up to sit beside him.
“I upset you. I’m sorry.”
“No. There maybe a happy ending for me, some day, maybe, but it won’t be with Buffy. That time has come and gone, not because we didn’t love each other but because of stuff, as you so correctly said. I am really okay. But, Cordy I don’t want you to give up that dream, I don’t want you to give up ‘true love’ or your chance at a happy ending.“
Cordelia arched a brow. “Angel. Be realistic. Vision girl. They may have called me a Princess in Plyea, but I’m not one. There will be no knight on a white charger to rescue me. I’ll just have to leave it to you to keep saving me. And that works for me.“
“You said you miss the attention." Angel still wasn't sure what type of attention she needed. Wesley and Gunn were acting like idiots. She wanted some guy to get all idiotic on her? That didn't make sense.
“I do. Give me break. There still is ‘girl’ in Vision girl. But hey, having friends, especially ones that jump through portals to save me, and a particular one that cooks and does my laundry isn’t something to scoff at. Are we okay?” Cordelia was still concerned that she had upset him.
“Better than okay. And you didn’t upset me. Now lets find that demon’s lair. And then I’ll fix you something to eat. The Player’s troupe downstairs has to be almost finished with their show.”
“One can only hope.” Cordelia smiled brightly and went back to her map.
Chapter 4
The man took off his overcoat and rested it on the hotel’s bed. He went over to the window, his hands caressing over a simple brass goblet. He looked down to the brown envelope that lay next to the cup. He pulled out the pictures and spread them out on the table. Angelus or rather Angel with his new family. Soon. But first he had to rethink his plan.
He had been in Nicaragua when he first heard that Angelus was still alive. He had given up hope. The vampire had seemed to disappear off the map around the end of the 19th century. But he had seen her in that bar. The bitch hadn’t even recognized him. He guessed that she had killed and terrorized too many to remember one family she and Angelus had butchered on the outskirts of Yorkshire or the man that got away. Truthfully, though he had almost missed her, a pregnant vampire wasn’t something that was suspected. But he had seen her true face as she killed the man from the bar. He had followed her to the shaman’s hut and waited. Before she died, she had told him where Angelus was. Her swelled belly hadn’t deterred him from the torture or the killing. A vampire giving life, what a joke. Not a joke more like an abomination.
Now here he was in LA. But his originally plan of torture and death for Angelus didn’t seem to be enough. Not now. Not when he knew that Angelus was no longer a soulless demon. A soul for Angelus, that was even more of a farce than a pregnant vampire. No, the soul wouldn’t deter him but it would make reconsider the means to his goal. He wanted Angelus to suffer and die. But this Angel- torture seemed too merciful for a vampire with a soul. He had watched the vampire for weeks and he had noticed. Angel cared about his new family, one in particular. He picked up a picture of Angel standing close to the young beautiful brunette.
They were concentrating on each other, oblivious to the environment around them and they were smiling. It was a private moment between the two. One that said it all. No. Angel wouldn’t die. He wanted the vampire with a soul to live forever knowing the agony of ultimate suffering. Knowing that he couldn‘t save his true love. He wanted the vampire to suffer the same loss he had suffered daily for over two hundred years, starting the day after Angelus and Darla killed his one true love and the children that he adored.
Chapter 5
“Bye Dennis.” Cordelia locked her front door. She hadn’t slept well and it had nothing to do with staying up most of the night hunting and killing the Vesta demon. She was still worried. Angel hadn’t said anything more about her thoughtless statement. In fact, he didn’t even seem to be upset or mad. But Cordelia hated that she had said it. Some things were just better left unsaid. But leaving things unsaid had never been her strongest trait. No. It was talk first; think later. Admittedly, a lot of the times they were things that needed to be said, but no one wanted to. So, Cordelia would. But not in this case. This case she could have hurt Angel. And that’s something she never wanted to do, unless he deserved it. Cordelia would have to make it up to Angel.
What do you do for a 248 yr old vampire with a soul? Cooking dinner was out. The waffles weren’t a big hit. Though, he didn’t seem to mind too much, but Angel wasn’t much of a food guy. And warming blood wasn’t special, Cordelia did that for him all the time and Angel didn’t like it when she tried to jazz it up some. Man, it must be boring only to taste blood. She would hate it if she couldn’t enjoy peanut butter or ice cream. Okay food was out. Cordelia could buy him a new shirt- a non black one. But, honestly that would probably be more for her than him. Not that Angel didn’t look good in black. He did black better than Wesley. The movie character, not the friend.
Well, Angel did black better than either one of them. But Cordelia liked to see Angel in other colors. To her it was sign he was lightening up and not being so broody. Cordelia scrunched up her face. She couldn’t remember the last time he wore a black shirt. Did he wear one with the leather pants? Cordelia couldn’t remember. Oddly, she couldn’t remember anything about Angel’s outfit that day except the leather pants. Cordelia shook her head. Eww. Her stomach was starting to feel funny. That had been happening a lot lately.
Whump. “Hello, excuse me, me on my side of the sidewalk.” Cordelia looked up at the person who bumped into her. Whoa. The man was really, really good looking. She loved the coat. It wasn’t leather, but it was expensive and did nothing to hide the breadth of his broad, broad shoulders. “Sorry, I must have been daydreaming.” Her tone became appreciative as she smiled into the man’s blue eyes.
“No. It was all my fault. I was on the wrong side. I still can’t get use to which is the ‘right side of the road’ here. “ It was a stupid joke, but Cordelia laughed anyway. Men liked it when you laughed at their jokes.
“British?” Cordelia noted the man’s accent. It was slight but present.
“That obvious? I‘m trying to blend, failing uh.”
Cordelia shrugged. “Accents are nice.“ It was Wesley’s accent that had first attracted her to him in the first place. It sure wasn’t his overwhelming presence and confidence. Wesley had been somewhat of a dunce back in Sunnydale. And every once in awhile, Angel slipped back into his native brogue. Irish accents were nice. Cordelia shook her head, her hand unconsciously going to her belly. What was wrong with her? She didn’t like that she was getting woozy. She took a deep breath. Cordelia smiled at the strange man. “Moving to the neighborhood?‘’ She nodded to the real estate section of the paper he was holding.
“My job brought me to Los Angeles. I have a weekend to find a place. Do you live here?” He pointed to her apartments.
“Yeah, but no vacancies. I only got mine because the previous tenants died. That’s how it is here. People stay until they die, sometimes longer." Cordelia figured that’s what would happen to her. No castles for her or houses with white picket fences. Eww. Who wanted a white picke fence? Cordelia wondered if she and Dennis would just hang out together in the apartment. That wouldn’t be too bad, though she would have to have first right to reject any new tenants. She wasn’t going to spend her ghostly existence with jerks. Maybe they could figure out a way to haunt the Hyperion. That way Cordelia could still stay with Angel until he shansued and take care of him. She could do stuff like Dennis does for her now, she could clean, draw Angel’s bath. Nay, Dennis could clean, she hated to clean. Cordelia would stick to the bath drawing. She wondered if Angel even took baths. Her stomach was feeling funny again. She was probably getting an ulcer.
“I’m sorry, what did you say?’’ The man was looking strangely at her. Geez, there was a gorgeous man in front of her, talking to her and her mind was going all scatter brained over nonsensical stuff. She was obviously hanging around Fred too much. Cordelia smiled encouragingly at the man.
“I said my name is Randall Montgomery and would you like to go get some coffee and possibly tell me about some of these places.” He held out the paper and pointed to the ads circled in red.
Cordelia took the paper to stall for time rather than to look at it. Okay. It was daylight; they were in the open under the bright sun. He wasn’t a vampire. She checked his fingers. Not for a wedding band but for the Ring of Amara. Sure Angel said he destroyed the only one. But really who knew. Cordelia wondered how she could check to see if he had his heart cut out. She stumbled and grabbed the man’s hand. Warm. Okay, she was going with her first assumption, not a vampire. Okay that left only one of the other thousands of demons. Cordelia wondered how she could get Wesley to check him out in the next 2 seconds. She couldn’t so she gambled. He really was good-looking. And he had an accent, not Irish, but hey it’s not like Cordelia could be picky.
“Okay. There is a coffee shop around the corner. Just let me call my work and tell them I’ll be about an half hour late.” Cordelia smiled brightly. Angel wouldn’t even be up yet. She would only have to deal with Wesley.
“Hi. Fred. Is Wesley there?” Cordelia didn’t want to deal with Angel, but she did want him to know when to expect her just in case this gorgeous guy turned out to be a gorgeous evil gross demon. And well, Fred just might be a tad unreliable in delivering the message.
“Hi, Cordelia, how are you. When are coming in? Wasn’t the movie the other night great? I had so much fun. ‘Fool! You fell victim to one of the classic blunders. The first is never get involved in a land war in Asia’…Oh, sorry, I just get so excited. I loved that movie. Wesley is so handsome…Right, you want our Wesley. Wesley.”
Cordelia winced as Fred’s yell pierced her ear.
“Hi, Wes. I’m going to be about an half hour late. No, I’m fine. Just going to have coffee with a new friend. As in brand new.” Cordelia held her hand over the phone. “He’s like an older brother that’s wants to be my dad.” Cordelia shrugged rolling her eyes. “Randall Montgomery, I literally just ran into him outside in the sun. He’s looking for an apartment. I'm helping. We're just going around the corner to get coffee. It’s only for a half hour; you all can manage with out me until then. Of course, I’ll keep my cell phone on, I’m not Angel, Geez.” Cordelia hung up. “Silly, uh. I’m the one that got him the job and he gets all older brother on me. Silly. Ready.” Cordelia beamed.
Randall returned her smile and nodded.
Chapter 6
Wesley hung up the phone. A half hour wasn’t so bad, but a new friend. A new male friend. He glanced up at the stairs. Angel would want to know. But it was only for an half hour and Cordelia did deserve some sort of social life. But then again, they hadn’t known about Wilson Christopher until it was too late. Wesley went up the stairs.***
“What do you mean she has gone to have coffee with a new friend?” Angel growled.
Wesley winced. How could something so innocent sound so dangerous? It must be the growl Angel ad-libbed.
“Angel it's just coffee, I’m sure everything is fine. Cordelia deserves a life outside of us. She’s a young vibrant woman. Of course she will meet men. And they all don’t have to be demons.” Wesley completely forgot his own concern in face of the vampire’s angry reaction. Really, this tendency of Angel to over react when it came to Cordelia was becoming quite frequent.
Angel glared. “Of course she is a vibrant beautiful young woman.”
Wesley started then stopped. Beautiful? Well, yes Cordelia was beautiful. Wesley shook his head. “Yes, well. Cordelia made a point to mention that she met this person in the sun. So he isn’t a vampire.”
“And that leaves how many other types of demons that can take human form, exactly?” Angel growled.
“Um. 1228. But that doesn’t mean this person is a demon. There are over 3 ˝ million non-demon persons in LA. Some of them are un-doubtfully human males. The odds are in her favor.”
“Odds? Tell me Wesley what are the odds that Cordelia would be impregnated twice by demons, kidnapped countless times, suffered a demon induced vision coma, sucked…”
“Yes, I get you point. I’ll look up Randall Montgomery in the computer.”
“Good idea.”
Wesley winced at Angel’s biting tone.
Angel got dressed hurriedly. He couldn’t believe Wesley would just let Cordelia go out with some strange man. Angel shuddered. Did Wesley have no concept of how important she was? And so what if this guy wasn’t a demon. Angel used to be a human male and he had seen a lot of them over the centuries, they weren’t necessarily safe either.***
“Well.”
“I can’t seem to find him through the Department of Motor Vehicles. But all that means is that he doesn’t have a license.”
“Or that he is a demon that hasn’t gotten false papers. How long has it been? Why isn’t Gunn back yet?”
“He could be stuck in traffic or Cordelia has left him for dead because he interrupted her date.”
“Um, Angel it’s been 31 minutes.”
“Fred, I told you to tell when the thirty minutes were up.”
“Angel, don’t growl at her.”
“I’m sorry, Fred.” Angel turned and growled at Wesley. “Give me your phone. Now.”
Angel pushed at the cell phone. He paced as the phone rang. “Cordy, where are you?” Growling into the receiver as soon as she answered.
“Geez, Angel, I’m a minute late.” Cordelia walked into the hotel holding her phone up in one hand and waving her watch-clad wrist in the air.
Angel looked at the phone in his hand and then at Cordelia. Angel slammed the receiver down and strode towards her.
“What did I tell you about going out with strange men?”
“Hey Cordy, safe and sound. Told you.” Gunn came in the hotel. “Whoever the cat was he was sportin some hip wheels. That’s for sure.”
“It was a cool car wasn’t it- a classic Mercedes convertible.” Cordelia beamed.
“He gave you a ride? You got into a car with a strange man? Don’t tell me you invited him into your apartment?”
“Angel, you’re starting to piss me off. Cut with the over protective wiggin.” Cordelia and Angel stood glaring at each other.
Wesley, Gunn and Fred backed further away
“Um, I seem to have forgotten some….paperwork …yes paperwork that needs to be …found, yes. I think I’ll go into my office and look for it.” Wesley quickly went to his office door.
“Hold up, English. I’ll help. “ Gunn followed.
“Me, too.” Fred ran.
Sometimes it was just better not to be in the same room during Angel and Cordelia’s discussions. They could get loud.
“I told you...”
“You told be to believe the dream. Well, to find my ‘true love’ I have to at least date.”
“True love.” Angel yelled back. “You just met him, you nothing about him. I know nothing about him. What are you talking about?”
“Ah, I know enough. It was true love at first sight. We flew to Vegas in the 31 minutes and got married in a cheesy Elvis chapel. He wore velour and I wore sequins. Now I’m back to tell you that I am leaving to start my happily ever after.”
“You are NOT going anywhere. And you did NOT marry this guy.”
“Gee, duh. Man you are stupid sometimes. COFFEE, Angel, I went and had coffee with a perfectly normal guy.”
“I don’t know that. You don’t know that.”
“He wasn’t a vampire. No spikes or green skin. Now, I didn’t cut him to see the color of his blood, but I’m betting it was red.”
“I don’t know that. Wesley didn’t find anything on him in the DMV computers. He could be a demon.”
“He’s British- from England. Therefore, not a U.S. Citizen, therefore not licensed to drive in the State of California. He is a freelance reporter. He’s been published in National Geographic, Archeologist Digest and the Smithsonian. He has moved to LA, because he is considering working for the Times. I saw his passport; it was stamped from all over. He’s not married nor does he have any kids. He is 32 years old. He wants a dog, but as yet been able to stay in one place long enough. He was raised Presbyterian but hasn’t been to church since he was a kid. In the last election he voted Labor. He listens to U2, Ramones, and Elvis Costello and owns all the Beatles- LPs, not CDs. Is there anything else you need to know? Oh, yeah he likes dancing and long walks on the beach.”
Angel stood like a fish, his jaws opening and closing. “He told you all that?”
“He also likes too talk about himself, all men do. Well except you. You have to be pried open with a crow bar.” Cordelia stomped to her computer.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m searching his name. If he’s been published then it should come up in the magazines’ archives on line. I’m not stupid Angel.”
“I never said you were.” Angel tried to keep the whine out of his voice. He shuffled over to her desk and leaned over her shoulder. “I was just worried that’s all.” He said quietly.
“I know. It’s sweet- annoying and unnecessary- but sweet.” Cordelia patted the hand he had placed on her shoulder.
“There see. If he’s a demon then he’s a published demon.”
Angel scowled as a list of articles under Randall Montgomery scrolled down the screen. “Well, he could still be a demon. Demon’s can write, those with fingers anyway and some are assimilated.”
“Angel.” Cordelia swung around in her chair. Her hands captured his face that was still looking down. “I don’t even know if he will call me. I’ve not had real luck on second dates. You can’t even classify a 30 minute coffee between strangers as a date.”
“31 minutes.”
“Angel. Why don’t we just deal with it when the blue moon rises, okay.” She spoke slowly and clearly, her hands forcing his head up and down in a nod.
“Okay. But if he calls. I’m meeting him.”
Cordelia dropped her hands and swung around. “Sure, dad.”
Angel grabbed her chair and swung it back around his hands braced on the arms, imprisoning Cordelia. He leaned in close. “I am not your father.” He said slowly and clearly.
Cordelia stared. Her stomach felt weird again. She was going to have to go to the doctors. The swishy feeling in her belly was becoming a regular thing. “I know.”
Angel nodded and stepped back. Cordelia swung quickly back around. Angel just stared at the back of her head. Why did he feel like he just did something stupid and potentially dangerous? Why was it so important that Cordelia didn’t think of him as a father figure? She was driving him crazy that was the only explanation. He nodded. “Good.” He nodded again and practically ran to his room.***
Angel paced back and forth in his suite. Okay, now that he knew he was crazy, he could deal. Cordelia was safe. The guy seemed to check out. And maybe he wouldn’t call her. Call her? She gave him her phone number? What was Cordelia thinking? She probably told him where she lived too. This was not helping him regain his sanity. Okay, Cordelia was where she belonged. She hadn’t made any future plans with this Randall person. And maybe he wouldn’t call; maybe he didn’t think Cordelia was bright, funny, or beautiful. Maybe he wouldn’t notice how special she was. Angel flopped down in his chair. What was the guy blind? Cordelia didn’t say anything about the guy being blind. He would call.
Maybe if Angel could just figure out what kind of attention Cordelia needed she wouldn’t want to date anyone. Then his sanity would return. Angel picked up one of the other magazines that he had taken from Cordelia’s desk. It looked promising. It’s cover boasted of a reader’s poll- The Ten most popular ways a man can say he cares. The magazine was a woman’s magazine, therefore the poll would have to have been completed by woman and Cordelia was a woman. Angel flipped through the pages until he got to what he was looking for. He scanned the first couple of results. No good.
He already cooked for Cordelia. Though, he hadn’t ever fed her or served her in bed. But, she always got up before he did. And somehow, he couldn’t picture Cordelia letting him shove a fork full of food at her. Angel shook his head. He stopped at the next one- no. He already bought her clothes. And the was uncomfortable enough. All those women asking what size Cordelia was. He didn’t know- he had to just go to store to store making hourglass motions with his hands.
It was embarrassing. How would he able buy her lingerie like the magazine suggested. Angel shuddered as he pictured using his hands to guess the size of her breast. What would he say that they would fit perfectly in his palms? Angel jerked his hands down from the cupped position that they had crept into. No. Angel’s eyes popped at the result following. Scrub her back and/or wash her hair? Angel pictured Cordelia in a bath full of warm water, his hands…NO. Angel’s mind clapped down the imagines of Cordelia nude and wet. He definitely couldn’t do that for her. Maybe if he closed his eyes, he could and just do it by feel. His hands….NO. Angel tentatively looked at the last result. So far, this wasn’t going well. Massage, full body or at least foot. Full body? Cordelia’s body? Were they nuts? What kind of magazine was this?
“Ahem.”
Startled Angel looked up, the magazine still clenched in his hands.
“Angel is there something you want to tell me?”
“Ah what?”
Cordelia pointed to the Comos in his hand. “That magazine rarely has recipes in it, unless it is something to place on a woman’s body and lick off.”
“Uh” Angel gulped.
“You know, whipped cream, strawberries, chocolate syrup. Pretty much anything wet, sticky and sweet.”
Angel’s mind shut down as the picture of Cordelia lying nude covered in whip cream flashed through his mind. It was…NO. He didn’t even like whipped cream. Angel tried to get a grip. “You said I needed to dress better. This is a fashion magazine.” Angel had seen a lot of clothes in it, while he was flipping through.
“Yes. A woman’s fashion magazine.”
Angel’s eyes widen as Cordelia’s hand reached to pluck the magazine from his hands. He hid his sigh of relief as she closed it, without looking at the page he had been studying.
“Are you planning on cross-dressing now? Leather not exciting enough for you?” Cordelia raised her brows.
Angel refused to react. “What do you want? I’m busy.” Angel said with as much dignity as he could muster.
“Right, busy. I just wanted to be the one to tell you that I’m going out tonight with Randall.”
“He called? Here?”
“Please, Angel like I would give a stranger my home number.”
“You’re going out with him?” Angel started to panic.
“Yes. And before you start on me. I told him to pick me up here. Satisfied.”
Angel nodded. He wasn’t at all reassured.
“Um, Cordy?” Cordelia had turned to leave.
“Yes, Angel.” Cordelia rolled her eyes and faced the vampire.
“Um, do you want a foot massage?”
“Do I WHAT?”
“A foot massage.” Angel started to stammer. “You were up on your feet a lot last night, all that running through the sewers, you know to find the Vesta demon. And you don’t always wear the best shoes for that sort of thing. You’ve been complaining about how your feet hurt. Do you want a foot massage? It will make them feel better.”
“I have?” Cordelia scrunched her face trying to remember whether her feet hurt. She didn’t think they did.
Angel nodded vigorously.
Cordelia bit her lip. A foot massage from Angel. Cordelia liked foot massages, a lot. And for Angel to give her one. Her legs resting on his lap while his strong fingers rubbed her feet, maybe moving up to her legs. Her stomach was acting weird again. Cordelia looked down at her booted feet. She had meant to give herself a pedicure last night, she really had. But, with the demon and everything, she just hadn’t felt like it. She stared at her feet shaking her head. Her polish was chipped, her feet all dry and rough. There was no way she was going to let Angel see that disaster area, god forbid let him touch them. “Um, no thanks.” Cordelia mumbled. Cordelia limped out of the room. All of sudden her feet really did hurt.
Angel watched as she left. As soon as she was out of sight he grabbed the magazine and ripped it to shreds. He stared at his wall trying valiantly to figure out why he had suggested such a stupid thing.***
Angel looked at the clock. Okay, five hours of figuring nothing out was enough. Anyway, he wanted to be downstairs to meet this person that was taking Cordelia out. If the man even twitched weirdly, he was out the door, head first, smack on the cement. Angel quickly showered. He grabbed the first black shirt he saw. He strode down the stairs, pulling the shirt over his leather pants.
Angel jerked to a stop on the bottom steps. Cordelia and Fred were hovering around a bouquet of red roses. Angel moved slowly towards the young women. Wesley and /or Gunn sent Fred flowers. Angel sped up reaching the women quickly. Wesley or Gunn better have sent Fred flowers. “Fred, you got flowers.”
The women jumped.
“Angel, I told you to stop doing that, and no they’re mine.” Cordelia smiled, fiddling with the blooms. “Aren’t they pretty?”
Angel glared at the roses. Pretty? They were Cordelia’s? Stupid magazines, Angel could have sent flowers. Flowers. He knew about flowers, he had just forgotten. None of the stupid magazines mentioned flowers, just bubble baths and body massages. Women liked flowers. Granted the last time Angel sent them he was Angelus and the flowers were dead and a warning to the victim of what was to come. But Angel did remember that flowers had another purpose than one of a threat.
“Yours?”
Cordelia happily nodded. “ Randall. Wow uh.”
Angel stared at the flowers then at Cordelia. “What are you wearing?”
“A dress, stupid. You would think after your new interest in women’s magazines you would have figured that one out.”
“You weren’t wearing that earlier.” Angel gawked at the bright red slip dress. There wasn’t any material. And what there was hugged every curve…Angel growled. “You aren’t wearing that.” It wasn’t a question but an order.
Cordelia didn’t hear it though. “Does it look bad? Guys, you said the dress was looked good. Gunn, you even said hot.”
Wesley and Gunn peeked around the corner. They looked at Cordelia’s expectant face and Angel’s glowering one. They ducked back around the corner.
“Fred, you said it was pretty?” Cordelia turned to the other young woman when she got no response from the men.
“It is. You look like the princess in the movie. Not blonde and she didn’t wear a red short dress, but you look wonderful. Doesn’t she Angel?”
“You are…”
“Cordelia.”
The tall man started as three faces turned towards him.
Cordelia was the first to regain her speech. “Randall, hi.”
Wesley and Gunn were out in the main lobby in an instant. Whether to appease Angel for giving the okay to Cordelia to wear that dress or just because- the men glowered at the strange man.
Cordelia had to give Randall bonus points, he only squirmed a couple times as the three men slowly looked him over.
She gave him even more points by answering their stupid questions. But enough was enough. She was hungry and Randall was cute.
“Bye, all. See you tomorrow.” Cordelia hooked her arm under Randall’s and dragged him to the door.
“Cord….”
“Bye, Angel. Tomorrow. Bye.” Cordelia waved and glared at the same time.
Angel glared at Fred, Gunn and Wesley.
“He seemed nice enough.” Wesley rubbed his glasses.
“I though he was handsome.” Fred said.
Angel growled and stared at Wesley and Gunn.
They shook their heads in unison. “No way.” “Angel, I don’t think it would be wise to follow Cordelia.”
Angel said nothing, but continued to glare. Wesley shot a look to Gunn. Gunn nodded. “Hey girl, let’s go see what’s to eat.” Gunn beckoned Fred to the kitchen.
“Angel, Randall Montgomery checked out. He’s just a guy, not a demon or vampire. Cordelia will be fine. She is a twenty-year-old young woman, she should be allowed to date, enjoy herself in peace. She deserves it.”
Angel glowered then went back up the stairs.