Go TeamC/A
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Part 9 Opening her apartment door, Cordelia called out to her invisible roommate. “Dennis, I’m home and I know, out all night again without calling. Sorry, Dennis. But these little nighttime excursions will not become a habit.” Cordelia cast an accusing glare toward her partner in crime. “Will they Angel?”
“Huh…no…of course not. Sorry Dennis. Work…couldn’t be helped.”
The lights flickered several times responding to Angel’s stuttered apology. Dennis’ way of letting Angel know he didn’t like Cordelia being out all night. With the lights now a steady glow, the couple watched as the balcony window drapes pulled shut protecting the vampire from the rising sun. Dennis may be irritated with Angel but he wanted him around to keep Cordelia safe when she left his protection, which was restricted to their apartment.
Angel was relieved that he would not have to spend the day avoiding any flying objects that would be hurled at him by the over protective ghost. “Thanks Dennis for understanding.”
“OK get on with the explaining and the discussing. I’m hungry and I need to take a bath.”
Angel had been silently working through the speech he would need to convince the resident ghost to remain in his wall while he made wild, passionate love to his beautiful roommate. Having already thrown out versions one and two, Angel had just started version three when Cordelia intruded with her more urgent request. “Huh? What are you talking about?”
“Angel, every time I asked you anything in the car your answer was the same.” Cordelia mimicked Angel coloring her words with an irritated and whiny tone. “Wait till we get home Cordy. We’ll discuss it inside Cordy.” Crossing her arms, Cordelia glared at the vampire with eyes red and glassy from too little sleep. “Well we’re here Angel…so talk.”
Accepting that the talk was necessary to get to the lovemaking, Angel settled himself on the sofa. Rubbing his hands over his tired face, he decided to start with the easier explanation and work his way up to the more difficult admission. “OK first, I was not with Kate last night. Cordy, I was scared out of my mind when I got back to the car and found you were gone. Kate called while I was trying to find you and told me you had been arrested. I raced to the station to get you, but they wouldn’t let me downstairs until all the paperwork had been processed. That’s what I meant when I said I was with Kate. Satisfied?”
Oh, he was more worried about finding me than boinking the blonde. Wasn’t expecting that. Think, no ignore it and come back to it later. “OK fine, but what about the way you’ve been acting? What’s that about?”
Between losing his friend and his growing feelings for Cordelia, Angel had experienced more emotions in the last two days than he had in the last two hundred and fifty years and had only started to figure things out for himself. Resting his head against the back of the sofa, the mentally exhausted vampire contemplated how to begin what was sure to be a long and detailed explanation. His brain refusing to cooperate, Angel released a tired sigh.
Not sure that she was prepared for Angel’s answer, Cordelia was already regretting that she had asked the question. She was a realist after all and would not risk fantasizing about a love she would never have. Cordelia knew Angel was struggling to find the right words and she did not need to have her heart broken by those words to know he would never love her like that.
Cordelia decided to bravely move on to her next dilemma before Angel had a chance to begin his answer. She had to deal with the fact that Doyle had passed the visions to her. She needed to tell Angel and she needed Angel to help her get rid of them.
“Cordy…” Angel sighed softly, his eyes still closed.
“Kiss me.” Cordelia’s soft but demanding tone broke through Angel’s struggling concentration.
“Kiss you?” Angel opened his eyes, staring up at Cordelia from his slouched position. He was shocked but by no means unwilling to comply with her request. “OK.” Rising from the sofa, Angel walked over to stand in front of her.
Angel agreeing just a little too quickly, Cordelia held her hand up before he could step too close. “No wait. You’re just a little too anxious, I’ll do it.”
“You’ll do it? What am I suppose to do while you’re doing it?” His irritation was growing by leaps and bounds from the frustrating girl’s jump from one subject to the other.
“Just stand there and keep your hands to yourself.” Cordelia raised her face to Angel’s almost brushing her lips against his. Dark brown eyes gazed at her, flustering her already fragile nerves. “Close your eyes. I can’t do this if you’re staring at me.”
A little put off by her less than romantic tone, Angel withdrew the lean of his head. “You didn’t seem to mind my eyes being open before.”
“Don’t Angel. Don’t make this…just don’t and close your eyes before I change my mind.” Cordelia placed her hands on Angel’s cheeks, bringing his face down to hers.
Closing his eyes, Angel fought against instinct and yielded to the control Cordelia demanded. He felt her supple lips brush against his mouth and willed his hunger into submission. Feeling her short, nervous breaths against his mouth and knowing she was seconds from pulling away, Angel captured her sinuous mouth and deepened the kiss. His hands itched to feel warm skin as he wrapped his arms around her pulling Cordelia flush against his hard body. He had waited so long to taste her again, to feel the heat of her flesh pressed against him. Her breathy moan opening her mouth to him, Angel slid his tongue deep into the hot, moist cavern.
Cordelia could feel herself getting lost in the kiss and knew it was going too far. This is how Doyle passed the visions to her, the kiss is required; her body could hear the echoed warnings of her brain. Need and desire battled with common sense as her arms slid around his broad shoulders. A barrage of truths flooded and cooled her inflamed senses; this is about the visions, the kiss is clinical at best, he doesn’t love you. To allow herself to believe anything more she would only be fooling herself.
Abruptly ending the kiss, Cordelia pulled away with a quick jerk. “I didn’t feel anything. Did you feel anything?” Afraid to look at Angel for fear that she would ask him to try it again, just to be sure, Cordelia focused on her objective.
Stunned and a little angered by her question, Angel inhaled a deep, unneeded breath. “Feel anything? That’s what I’ve been trying to tell…”
“Arrg! That means I still have it! Damn it, I can’t believe he did this to me!”
“Who did what?”
“Doyle! I thought our kiss meant something, and instead he…he used that moment to pass it on to me!”
“C-Cordy…what are you talking about? Why did you kiss me?”
“I didn’t ask for this responsibility Angel, unlike some people, who shall remain lifeless! I don’t have anything to atone for. If they know what’s good for them, the PTB better stay out of my head.”
“The Powers That Be? You had a vision?”
“Boy! Howdy. And guess what, you know how they look painful? Well, they feel a whole lot worse!”
“Another door opens. That’s what the oracles said. Cordy, you’re my link to The Powers, now.”
“I’m nobody’s link to anybody. I lost control of my entire nervous system getting that stupid vision…and I’m not sure, but I think I may have…drooled a little.”
“What was it? When did you have a vision?”
“Pfft! Who knows? It was a thing! And it zapped me when I was locked up in that dungeon with the other hookers. Those floozies were gawking at me like I was crazy. I drooled in front of strangers, Angel. I’m Cordelia Chase. I don’t drool.”
Angel snapped his fingers trying to interrupt Cordelia’s latest tirade. “The vision Cordy! What was the vision?”
“What difference does it make? I’m nobody’s link and nobody’s vessel for catching the six o‘clock news. I’m not doing it Angel. So you just talk to those oracles again. You tell them that their boy, Doyle made a mistake. I’m going to take a bath.”
Cordelia stomped across the room headed for her bedroom. “Dennis! I need strong coffee and lots of it.” Slamming the door behind her, she left a clueless Angel standing in the middle of the room.
Minutes later Angel was still standing in the middle of the room trying to figure out how they went from the sweet kiss to the irate rampage that sent Cordelia to hide behind the locked door.
Felling the need to scrub from head to toe, Cordelia opted for a shower instead of her usual bubble bath. Sharp nails scraped across her scalp, vigorously washing her long hair in an effort to push the steamy kiss from her thoughts.
Angel flopped down on the sofa, stretching out his long form as he released a loud and heavy sigh. “You’re a man Dennis, well mostly; what do you think just happened here?” Nothing. Angel’s question was met with absolute silence.
Cordelia tried to concentrate now that her tense muscles had begun to relax under the hot, pulsing spray. She had to get control over her feeling and not be thinking about jumping Angel every time they were in the same room. “Why does he have to kiss so damn good? Makes sense though, he’s certainly an expert with all the other stuff. Two hundred and fifty years of practice; who wouldn’t be an expert?”
“Don’t be angry Dennis. I think…I might…I think I might love her.” Angel could feel the cool air swirling above him. “Did she tell you what happened?” The light flickered filling the room with darkness for only a second while Dennis answered Angel with a yes.
Rinsing away the shampoo, Cordelia’s fingers jerked through her tangled hair. Her heart refused to listen to common sense causing her muscles to tense again. “Maybe I could be content with just the mind-blowing sex. Besides, when it was happening I felt loved.”
“She won’t talk to me. I don’t even know how she feels.” The closet door opened and a pillow floated across the room, sliding under Angel’s raised head. “Thanks Dennis.”
“Poor Buffy, she got the amazing sex and his undying love only to have to give them both up. Stop being so selfish. Angel is your friend and he’s confused right now. You can’t use him as your boy toy so just store that night away as the over the top experience you’ll never have again and be the kind of friend Angel deserves.”
Angel closed his tired eyes longing to be rescued by the solitude of sleep. “If she doesn’t feel the same way, I’ve got to let this go. If friendship is all she wants, I’ll take what I can get.”
“OK, I feel better. OK, not really, but attitude is ninety-nine percent of good battle strategy; right? Right. I have to do this. I don’t want to lose Angel’s friendship. I can’t lose him. I need him in my life.”
“I can’t lose her. I need her.” Angel’s last words barely a whisper as his mind drifted to a place that comforted him with the answers he needed. Dennis quietly lifted a blanket from the closet shelf and covered the sad vampire.
Cordelia steeled her nerves as she took one last look at her appearance. “All clean and appropriately dressed. Now take a deep breath and get your butt out there. I’m Angel’s seer and he needs me. So I’m going to go out there, share a cup of coffee with my friend and tell him about the vision.”
Her patented Cordelia Chase smile firmly in place, she opened to door to join her friend only to be greeted by an eerie silence. “Where’d everybody go? Dennis, I don’t smell coffee; what’s going on?” The swooshing sound of running water followed by the aroma of fresh ground coffee drifted from the kitchen. “Oh, OK, better late than never I guess. Where’s Angel?”
Cordelia stilled as she moved farther into the room, the scene of a sleeping Angel curled up on the sofa melting into her heart. The perfect little boy smile etched on his handsome face, Cordelia couldn’t imagine it possible he had ever been a coldhearted, soulless creature. His arms clutched to his chest as though he was holding something precious. Or someone.
It took Cordelia only seconds to remember who that someone was. She needed to tell Angel what she had seen in the vision, but hesitated to take him away from his beautiful dream. She kneeled down beside his sleeping form and watched as Angel dreamed of a love he could never have.
A tray with two cups of delicious smelling coffee floated from the kitchen and was gently deposited on the table beside her. “Thanks Dennis.” Cordelia whispered, careful not to disturb her sleeping friend. “I’m going to let Angel sleep a while longer, he’s dreaming about Buffy and I don’t want to intrude on his fantasy.”
The irritated ghost snatched a magazine from the table and swatted the stupid girl on top of her head. “OW! What is your problem? Has every man in my life decided to go insane?”
His dream interrupted by the arguing roommates, Angel watched helplessly as reality took hold and the beautiful brunette slipped from his arms. Eyes fluttered open to the view of Cordelia’s freshly washed face. “Hey.”
“Hey. Sorry, Dennis and I were arguing. Do you want some coffee?”
“Umm…smells good, but not right now.” His lips stretched into a contented smile as he took in the innocent face of the young woman kneeling beside him.
“What are you smiling at?”
“You.” Angel answered, tapping the tip of her nose with his finger. You’re so beautiful. Without the makeup, your face scrubbed clean, you are naturally beautiful. Cordelia Chase, you are nature’s perfection.”
“Angel.” Cordelia could feel the warm blush tinting her cheeks as his loving words soothed her heart. “Thank you.”
Cordelia dropped her head, hiding the sadness glazing over her eyes. “Angel…I saw what he did to those women, how he hurt them.”
“That was your vision?” Angel felt his muscles tense as the dread crept over him, worried that The Powers had seen fit to show Cordelia the past as well as the present.
“I didn’t tell you before because I didn’t want it to be real. I don’t want to see those horrible images in my head.”
“I know baby. I don’t want you to see that either. I’m sorry.” Angel sat up, wrapping his arms around Cordelia and pulling her onto his lap. “There’s a lot of things I’ve done that I’m sorry about, especially last night. I just wasn’t thinking straight. But I promise you Cordy, I’ll stop him. I won’t let him hurt you.”
Cordelia knew she shouldn’t be sitting on Angel’s lap. But her common sense was more than willing to accept any argument offered by her heart about one friend comforting another. Just for a little while, Cordelia reasoned, she would snuggle into Angel’s strong, protective arms and pretend it was ok.
“You said he smelled familiar. Do you know him?”
“Yea. A long time ago we traveled together…we…played together.”
“Did you do those things to women back then; before you had your soul?”
“Yea, I did. I‘m sorry.”
“No one can change their past or their mistakes Angel. We can only try to do better with what we have now. You can’t spend your time apologizing about the past. Angel, you’re one of the good guys now and you’ll stop him. Your seer had a vision and you’ll stop him so he won’t hurt anyone else.”
Angel thanked whatever power or deity that might be willing to listen to a creature such as him. He nestled his face into the crook of her neck and silently vowed to protect this precious gift.
“I’ll stop him because I won’t let him hurt you. When I talked to the oracles after Doyle…I asked them to bring Doyle back. They wouldn’t. They told me one door closes so that another one opens. Cordy I think you’re that door.”
“Me?”
“Haven’t you wondered why I didn’t lose my soul when we made love?”
The talk was coming and she wasn’t ready. It didn’t seem to matter. The words were coming whether Cordelia was ready or not. She couldn’t look at Angel, not yet. “No, not really. Pretty much know why.”
“No you don’t.” Angel kissed Cordelia on the top of her head and tightened his embrace pulling her closer against his chest. “You just think you do Cordy. I believe it’s because you’re my link in this mission for The Powers. It doesn’t matter how happy or content I feel, I won’t lose my soul because we’re linked.”
OK Chase, time to do the good friend thing and win that Oscar for best performance. Now look him in the eye and mean it when you say it. “Angel don’t you think maybe it was just good sex? Sex you haven’t had in a while, but still just sex and that’s why you didn’t lose your soul.”
“I know what I felt. It wasn’t just sex. Not for me. My soul is bound with you. We’re bound to each other Cordy.”
Wasn’t just sex, keep talking; what was it then? Don’t be greedy Chase. He may not be in love with me but he cares about me; I’m important to him. “So, me being your seer binds your soul.”
“Yea…I think….”
“Ummm…Angel, Doyle was your seer.” Angel caught the mischievous twinkle in her eyes as a sly grin stretched across her face. “Did you have sex with Doyle when no one was around?”
“What?” His tone almost a squeal from the shock of her question before Angel realized he was being played. “You are a naughty little girl Cordelia Chase. Do you know what happens to naughty little girls?”
“NO. What?” Cordelia asked, mimicked shock and wonder coloring her face.
“They get tickled…and smooched.” Before the teasing girl could take her next breath, Angel whipped her from his lap and she found herself trapped between the sofa and the weight of his outstretched form. Angel slid his hands under her shirt, the pads of his fingers pressed firmly against her ribs. “Get ready, you brought this on yourself.”
“Angel…don’t you dare! A N G E L !! Loud giggles and high-pitched squeals filled the apartment. “Stop! Please! Can’t breathe.” Cordelia begged as Angel continued to tickle her without mercy.
“What’s the matter; can’t take your punishment like a big girl? How about this?” Angel shoved her top up exposing the smooth flesh. Attaching his mouth to the fleshy spot just under her belly button, Angel blew a large raspberry that tickled against the sensitive skin of her stomach. The crude noise sounded out and blended with Cordelia’s cackling protests.
“Angel you are one wacky vampire, you know that?” Cordelia chuckled as Angel continued his assault on her stomach. But the assault was beginning to feel different. The playful nips were quickly turning into hungry sucks and licks across her flesh. “Hummm… Angel?”
Her skin tasted fresh and clean and uniquely Cordelia. Angel could smell the feminine scent of her sex that lay hidden just inches from his open mouth and wanted to taste that too. He kissed and licked his way up her body, pushing her top out of the way. Aching for more contact, Cordelia’s body arched against the tingling sensation of his cool tongue. Angel’s mouth opened, ready to capture the perked jewel covered only by the sheer fabric of her white, lacy bra but stilled as fate forced its way into their haven with a ringing shrill of reality.
Cordelia froze as the answering machine clicked on and the familiar voice invaded her fantasy. “Cor, it’s Margo, hun. I’m having a party tonight and Oliver is insisting that you be on the guest list.”
“Get up Angel. Get off me you big lug before Margo hangs up.” Ummp! Unprepared for Cordelia’s hard shove Angel hit the floor with a heavy thud.
“I think someone’s interested in auditioning you for a role and Oliver wants to represent you. Call me.”
Cordelia snatched the phone, gasping as she pulled air into her lungs. “Margo, hey it’s me. No, don’t worry I’ll be there. Yea great. Bye.”
Replacing the phone Cordelia turned around to find Angel still lying in a heap beside the sofa. “Angel get off the floor.”
“I can’t I’m hurt. You should kiss it and make it better.”
“Gees Angel, you’re a vampire. Where could you possibly be hurt from falling off the sofa?”
“You can’t see it unless you take my pants off, but I’m sure it will feel better when you kiss it.”
“Dork. Just my luck, The Powers linked me to a dork.”
“I’m going to ignore that little dork comment because you need to call Margo back and tell her you’re not coming.”
“I don’t think so Angel.”
“Cordy it is too dangerous for you to be out at night alone. Besides you’re not going to any Hollywood parties that have hookers on the guest lists.”
Cordelia reached her hand down to Angel tugging him from the floor. “Come on, get up big guy.”
“Why? You could come down here instead.”
“Because you should be standing when you leave.”
“Leave? I’m not leaving.”
“Yea, you are Angel. You’re leaving and I’m going to get some sleep so I won’t be all puffy eyed at the party tonight.”
“Cordy, I said…”
“I know what you said Angel and my reply to that ridiculous order is…PFFTT. So if you want to keep me safe get that cute, little butt; which is not going to be feeling these lips…” Cordelia tapped her index finger against her puckered lips. “…out on the streets and take out the evil vamp.”
“The sun is up Cordy. Can’t very well find him in the daylight.”
“Pftt. I’ll bet that super vamp snout of yours can find a sewer tunnel that leads all the way to that sleazy alley you left me in. You know the one Angel, where I was arrested.”
Giving in Angel stood and accepted that not only would Cordelia not be removing his pants she wasn’t going to be kissing anything below his belt either. “I’m going to pay for that for a long time; aren’t I?”
“Like you have never paid before big guy. Now scat. I’m tired and I’m hungry. I promise I’ll call you before I leave and I’ll let you know when I’m home. And I promise I won’t stay out late.”
“Not good enough Cordy. I can’t take the car now anyway, so you drive it back to the office before sundown and I’ll take you to the party.”
“Angel you can’t…”
“I’m not planning on staying Cordy. You can call me when you’re ready to leave and I’ll pick you up.”
“Fine. Now get out. You have work to do. Champions for the PTB can’t spend their day just lying around.”
Angel wanted to kiss her before he left. He wanted more of what they had started before the ill-timed call interrupted. But the insecurities that shaded Cordelia’s face made him hesitate to pursue those particular wants.
“Alright Cordy, you just make sure you’re at the office before dark.” Cupping her face, Angel planted a chaste kiss on her forehead. “If not you’ll be enduring some more tickle punishment young lady.”
Angel couldn’t resist just one more quick taste of her sweet lips. His mouth barely brushed against hers and the nip on her lower lip was so quick she almost missed it. Abruptly releasing her face, Angel grabbed his coat from the chair as he strolled out the door.
“Whew.” Cordelia released the breath caught in her throat as she collapsed on the sofa. “Are we going to jump each other like animals in heat every time we’re in the same room? Well Dennis, I just hope the PTB know what they‘re doing.”
Part 10Angel entered the building where he had tracked Bane the night before, the scent of his past companion indicating he had been there only a short time earlier. Angel started to make his way up the stairs when he caught another scent. This one human but also strangely familiar. What is this reunion week? Damn, if I get a whiff of Darla, I’m taking Cordy and leaving LA. Dreading who the latest visitor from his past may be, Angel followed the trail to the upper level. Through the open spaces of the boarded front window, he spied the motorcycle parked across the street. Turning back toward the stairwell Angel peered at the shadowed figure aiming a crossbow at his chest.
“Hello Angel.”
Slipping his hands into his pockets, Angel relaxed as he leaned against the stair railing taking in the mousy, leather clad watcher he remembered from Sunnydale. “Wesley.”
“I wager you thought you’d never see me again.”
“To tell you the truth I hadn’t given it much thought one way or the other. What are you…”
“Hup-up-up! I’m the one asking the questions here.” Wesley interrupted, his shaky hand still pointing the crossbow at Angel’s chest. “I think it only fair to warn you, any sudden movement and I’ll be forced to…” Angel casually swatted the crossbow out of the watcher’s unsteady grip. After directing a somber gaze at the crossbow as it landed across the room, Wesley took in and released a deep breath before returning his attention to the vampire. “…Right. You had a question?”
Angel suppressed a smirk and walked a predator’s circle around the nervous and fidgeting watcher. “Interesting look for you. The Watchers Council trying out a new image?”
Trying to steel his nerves and put distance between him and the vampire, Wesley walked further into the room. “In point of fact I no longer work for the Council. I came to the conclusion that I was of greater value to the cause working autonomously.”
“They fired you.” The matter of fact statement offered no hint of an inquisitive tone as Angel took in the ex-watcher’s fake bravado.
"Harddd...ly." Angel watched with mild amusement as Wesley stumbled over something apparently invisible to the naked eye, barely catching himself before falling on his face. “With Buffy unwilling to follow Council orders there was simply no opportunity to function as watcher. And that’s why I became a rouge demon hunter.”
“You’re a demon hunter?” Angel questioned the watcher’s assertion with obvious doubt.
“Rogue demon hunter! And I’m on the trail of a particularly nasty bugger right now. So, I suggest you stay out of my way.”
“Easy tiger. I think you’re about to make a fatal mistake. If we’re talking about the same demon, you’re pretty much out of your league."
“He’s left a trail of mutilated corpses, human I might add. The fiend has cut a swath across half the continent. I almost caught up with him in Phoenix. Got a pretty fair look too. Did a little reading and it seems there were two vampires that enjoyed this particular modus operandi in the mid 1800’s.”
“In your reading Wes, did you come across the names of these two vampires?”
“As a matter of fact I did. One was called Darcy Bane and the other was known as… Angelus.”
“If you did your homework Wes, then you know that should you confront Bane or Angelus, you’ll be drained and dead before the arrow leaves your crossbow. Why don’t you come back to the office with me? Cordy will be there…”
“You have Miss Chase? Is she all right?” Wesley squashed down his erupting fear at the thought of the beautiful, young woman at the mercy of the vampire. “If you’ve hurt…”
“If you will let me finish. Cordy will be coming to the office soon. She works for… we work together now. We have a small private investigating firm.”
“Work together? I see.” Though their infatuation had been brief to say the least, Wesley was relieved by Angel’s confirmation of the young woman’s good health. “Very well Angel. My bike is parked across the street. I shall follow you to your office.”
“Daylight Wesley, I used the sewer tunnels.” Pulling one of his business cards from his coat pocket, Angel handed it to Wesley. “The address is on my card.”
“Ah, it’s a…” Perplexed, Wesley studied the odd drawing on Angel’s card. “It’s a…”
“It’s an angel. Cordy designed it.”
“Ah, an angel. Yes, I see it now.” He keeps referring to her as Cordy. She only allowed that Harris brat to call her that while they were dating. Good Lord, surely Cordelia would not be on intimate terms with a vampire. Besides Angel’s heart, such as it is, belongs to the slayer. Quite a snotty girl really. “What a sense of humor that Miss Chase has. I rather look forward to seeing Cordelia again. Shall we go?”
What does he mean again? Probably only knew her from research meetings in the library. That has to be it. Cordy would never go for a guy like that. “I’ll meet you there. Wait for me upstairs should you get there first.”
Angel ran through the sewers at full vamp speed. He didn’t think Cordelia would be at the office yet but wasn’t going to take any chances that Wesley would arrive ahead of him and be alone with Cordelia. Entering his apartment from the sewer access, Angel immediately knew he was the first to arrive. The lingering aroma of his night with Cordelia invaded his senses eliciting a possessive growl. Hearing Wesley at the outer office door, Angel grudgingly headed up the stairs to let him in.
As soon as Angel opened the door, he heard Cordelia’s breathy, panicked gasps as she ran toward the office. “Angel! Oh my God, Angel, I’m so glad you’re here. I was so scared. I didn’t know what to do.”
Angel ran into the hallway and wrapped his arms around the trembling girl, almost sweeping her into the office. “Cordy, what is it? What’s wrong?”
“He called me Angel. He knows my number. He knows where I live. How does he know Angel? Why would he call me?”
“Who Cordy?”
“Cameron Crowe, you idiot! Who do you think Angel?” Cordelia Chase was the only person Angel had ever known that could leap from immense fear to outright cynicism without ever coming up for air. “The vampire in my vision Angel. The vampire that’s killing those prostitutes. The psycho-vamp that thinks I’m a prostitute and wants to chop me up next.”
“Calm down baby. You’re safe. That’s all that matters. Wait, why didn’t you call me? You should never have left your apartment. Bane might know where you live but he couldn’t have gotten inside without an invitation.”
“Well excuse me Angel for not thinking clearly while I’m running for my life.”
“Angel is right Cordelia. It is during those stressful times that we must train ourselves to reason with the most clarity.”
“Wesley?” Her attention drawn to the unnoticed guest, Cordelia pulled away from Angel and slowly walked toward Wesley.
“Cordelia, hearing that you were in LA was certainly a nice…ummm…” His words were cut short when Cordelia reached up and planted her lips on his. Enjoying her rather friendly hello, Wesley pulled her close, returning the kiss until Cordelia abruptly ended their reunion and stepped away. “…surprise.”
Disappointed with the pointless kiss, Cordelia shakes her head, oblivious to Angel’s angry and jealous growls. “It didn’t work!”
“No? Hmm…I thought it went considerably better than last time.” Wesley weakly challenged as he absently slid a finger across his lips savoring the too brief moment.
“No, it was just a kind of experiment. I was trying to…” Cordelia really looked at Wesley this time, taking in his uncharacteristic attire. “…Wesley? What are you doing here? Are you working with Angel?”
“A lone wolf, such as myself, never works with anyone. I’m merely allowing Angel to assist me.”
“Oh, wow.”
“I’m a rogue demon hunter now.”
“Oh, wow. What’s a rogue demon?”
“No not a rogue…never mind.” Wesley flinched as he sat down on the sofa. “Ahh.”
Cordelia noticing the grimace of pain settling over his face stepped toward him again. “Are you alright, Wesley?”
“No. These pants, they tend to chafe one’s…legs.”
“Ahum…well hazards of the trade I guess. Whatcha gonna do?” Bored with the whiny man’s skin irritation, Cordelia walks away from the watcher and steers the conversation back to her problem. “Angel, what are we going to do now?”
“First…you stop kissing every man within arm’s reach.” Angel almost hissed as he directed another low growl at their unwelcome intruder. “Second…”
“I want it out of me Angel!” Cordelia almost yelled her insistence. “And if kissing is the only way to get rid of it I will smooch every damn frog in this kingdom!”
“We’ll set that aside to discuss later. Right after we have discussed that dress you were planning to wear tonight. Now second…”
“Not was planning…am planning…and what is wrong with this dress…being careful how you answer that.” Cordelia warned wagging her finger in Angel’s face.
“You’re not going to any party tonight Cordy.” Angel leaned closer to her face, lowering his voice to a whisper. “Now hush.” Forcing himself to remember stopping Bane should be his priority Angel turned his attention to the unwanted but temporarily needed assistant. “Wesley can you invoke an uninvite spell here?”
“I don’t think so Angel. Those spells are designed to protect one’s private dwelling. I don’t think it would work efficiently for a public place such as an office.”
“I have an apartment downstairs. Will the spell protect that?”
“Perhaps. Do you have any texts on protection spells?”
The primal instinct to punish his girl for her flamboyant behavior barely contained, Angel directed his attention to the task at hand. “Cordy, you have options; three actually. You can go downstairs using the elevator, you can go downstairs using the stairs or…” Angel tapped his right shoulder, his lips curving into a sly grin. “…I can carry you downstairs. Which will it be?” With her fists planted firmly on her hips, Cordelia stalled avoiding an argument she knew she wouldn’t win. “Your choice sweetheart but you’re running out of time.”
“Damn it Angel, you can’t tell me what to do.” The impatient tapping of her foot morphed into a loud, hard stomp before she spins on her heels and heads for the elevator.
“We’ll be down in a minute. The book Wesley needs might be in my office.”
“Take your time. Not like I was gonna be using my heart for anything special anyway.” Her face scrunched and twisted with frustration, Cordelia sticks her tongue out at the overbearing vampire.
Once the elevator started its descent Angel moved swiftly across the room towering over the ex-watcher’s seated form. “So Wes, that kiss was better than last time. How many kisses have you shared with Cordy?”
Wesley’s throat bobbled and gurgled as he gulped trying to regain his ability to speak. “I believe it was just the two.” Wesley croaked against the vampire’s hovering, angry face.
“Right now I have more urgent matters so I’ll make this quick and simple Pryce… there will never be a third. Got that?”
“Yes.” Wesley cleared his throat hoping to rid his voice of its squeaking pitch. “I’m quite sure I do.”
“Good. That’s settled. Let’s get downstairs.”
“And that’s Wyndam-Pryce.” Wesley called out to the departing vampire heading toward the stairs. Well, guess the vampire’s heart doesn’t belong to that snotty slayer after all. Wish I could have seen her face when she received that bit of news. “Angel, what about the book and can we please take the lift? I was quite serious about the chafing.”
“The book’s downstairs and you don’t know Cordelia Chase at all; do you?”
“I rather think our time in Sunny…”
“Cordy didn’t get her way and she’s pissed. Wesley, *I* will die of old age before Cordy sends the elevator back up. We’re taking the stairs. Concentrate on the uninvite spell, it’ll take your mind off your… …thighs.”
Part 11Wesley sat at the table nibbling his toast and sipping his freshly brewed tea as he scanned the age worn text for a spell that would protect a vampire’s dwelling. His chafed legs feeling much better since changing into the cotton slacks he had discovered inside his valise. “Hmmm…no.”
Angel had been anxiously pacing back and forth in front of the sofa for the past hour waiting for the irritatingly thorough bookworm to complete his task. “You pretty much know hmmm is gonna be followed by no.” Angel sniped mid pace.
The arrival of Cordelia and the threat of Bane had opened Angel’s eyes to a very serious issue in their relationship. This was his home and if this would one day be Cordelia’s home, Angel had to make sure she would be safe from the array of demons that was sure to intrude on their lives. So far, Wesley had not been able to locate a spell designed to protect a demon’s home from other demons. The smart thing to do would be to take Cordelia to her apartment. The irritating ex-watcher had already suggested that very idea twice to the stubborn vampire. Angel did not intend to argue with himself that he was in fact stubborn, selfish and maybe just a tad egotistical. He wanted Cordelia safe here, in his home. He wanted this to be Cordelia’s home even if he had to settle for home away from home for the time being.
Cordelia has been comfortably stretched out on the sofa filing her nails and trying to ignore the annoying vampire and his even more annoying nonstop pacing. “Gees, will you relax Angel, you’re really beginning to get on my nerves with all that pacing. Besides Wesley can probably think better now that he’s wearing his comfy and loose cotton trousers.”
Wesley’s suggestion that they simply take her home before continuing their search for the evil Darcy Bane had made Cordelia inwardly give herself a hard smack on the head. Frightened by the evil vampire’s call, she had forgotten that he couldn’t come in without an invitation. So she had no one to blame but herself. In a moment of panic she ran straight to the one person she knew would protect her. And now that she was here, the thickheaded, overprotective vampire wouldn’t let her leave.
“Well if someone wasn’t taking up the entire couch I might would sit down.”
“Pfft. You’ve got a big ole leather chair in the next room, set you fat butt on that.”
Alarmed by her straightforward and rude comment, Angel twisted his upper body around so that he could view his backside. “You think I’m fat?” Angel almost squeaked in panic.
“Only your butt.” Angel quickly cupped his butt cheeks checking for extra baggage. “You are so easy. Maybe you were a girl in a past life.”
“I was human in a past life. A very male human.”
“Not in those pants you weren’t.”
Angel leaned down resting one hand on the back of the sofa and the other on the sofa arm that supported Cordelia’s head. He hovered over her face just close enough that his whispered words could force a cool breath against her pouty lips. “Speaking of fat butts, maybe yours needs to be spanked.” Brushing his parted lips against her mouth, his tongue snaked out for a quick taste.
By the time Cordelia could inhale a nervous breath, his looming presence was gone. “My butt’s not fat and where are you going?”
“To change.” Angel growled before slamming the door to his bedroom. Even though he was angry over Cordelia’s remarks about his leather pants and his obviously huge ass, it at least gave Angel a few minutes alone to gather his thoughts. Angel knew he should follow Wesley’s advice and take Cordelia home. But he had already admitted that he was selfish. They couldn’t have a real relationship if Cordelia would never be safe here without him. And while he had the watcher’s knowledge of spell casting available, Angel was determined to make use of it.
“Yep so easy you can hardly call it a challenge.” Cordelia was relieved to have a few minutes away from Angel. His pacing and unexplained obsession with Wesley being able to cast an uninvite spell on the apartment was freaking her out. And she was already freaked out more than she was letting on. Cordelia already had a possessive psycho vamp in her life and now an evil psycho vamp that wanted to rip out her heart was being added to the mix.
“Better?” Angel asked as he returned to find Cordelia still slouching on the sofa.
Cordelia smiled as she looked at Angel dressed in his trademark black on black and not a smidgen of Angelus panache in sight. “Ah, there’s my big, strong, broody hero.”
It only took a morsel of flattery from Cordelia to reduce Angel to a bashful, lovesick schoolboy. “Hero huh. Hey Cordy, maybe after…”
“Eureka!” Wesley shouted from the kitchen.
“That’s a new word. Doesn’t sound like a word that would be followed by a no either.” Cordelia smiled at Angel knowing he would likely pounce with a barrage of questions as Wesley joined them from the kitchen.
“There’s a spell, quite old actually; it was used to protect one’s guests when the master of the house was away. Perhaps it will work in this instance. Cordelia is a guest here and you do plan on being away.”
“Great.” Angel’s reply was direct and simple, impatient for Wesley to step up his pace.
“There is a small catch.” Wesley hesitantly added under Angel’s anxious expression.
“Always is.” Cordelia snipped, having no concern for the sarcasm in her tone. “Go ahead Wesley; read us the big bad off the warning label that’s sure to bite me on the butt after Angel ignores it.”
“Ah yes, well it seems with the limited travel options, guests might stay with a particular friend or relative for months at a time. It would only be natural for them to grow accustomed to the place and began to, as one might say, feel as though it was home away from home.”
Home away from home; that’s perfect. “What are you getting at Wesley?” Angel questioned, twitching his hands in a motion for Wesley to continue with his explanation.
“It seems that in order for this particular spell to be effective Cordelia must regard this dwelling as her home or at least her home away from home.”
“OK, sounds good; let’s try it.” Angel instructed as Cordelia rolled her eyes at Wesley in an I told you so fashion.
“Alright then Angel, you need to remove your presence so you won’t be included as an occupant. Since the upper level will not be protected by the spell, it should be sufficient for you to wait in your private office. Keep the door to the stairs closed until I call out for you to attempt to enter the apartment.”
Angel bounded up the stairs, the door slamming shut behind his exit. “Alright Cordelia just make yourself comfortable and…ah…think homey thoughts.”
Cordelia settled herself on the sofa, this time curling herself into the corner with her knees pulled tight against her chest. Have homey thoughts. Is this home? Angel didn’t even ask me if I felt like this was home. Did he just assume if I were told to, I would follow orders? He didn’t treat Buffy this way. But of course, Buffy could kick his ass. Maybe he likes having me around because he can be in charge. He never got to be in charge when Buffy was around. Crap Chase you’re not exactly having the positive, homey thoughts; are you? And Wesley’s already started the spell. Must have because I’m hearing all that mumbo-jumbo pig Latin.
“There, that should do it. Angel see if you can come downstairs without Cordelia inviting you.”
The door slowly opened with a long squeak. They listened to the sound of Angel’s footsteps moving closer and closer as his heavy boots hit each wooden rung. Stepping into the apartment without any interference Angel continued his slow walk to the sofa, towering over the infuriating girl.
Cordelia looked up in shock at the angry and disappointed face. “Don’t look at me Angel. Mr. Spell-caster is over there. He must have done it wrong.”
“I don’t think so Cordelia. Perhaps the spell simply will not work here. Angel we need to move on to more pressing matters. If Bane isn’t stopped…”
“Don’t you think I know that Wesley! I know what Bane is capable of, after all I taught him; didn’t I?” Angel backed away from the sofa, rubbing his hands over his tired and tense face. “Wesley, give us a minute. Go have some more tea and toast.”
“Angel we nee…”
“One minute Wesley. OK?”
“Very well Angel.” Wesley left for the kitchen wandering if perhaps Darcy Bane wasn’t their most urgent problem.
Angel reached down and grabbed Cordelia’s arm, pulling her from the sofa. “Let’s go.”
“Go where?” Cordelia shrieked as Angel proceeded to drag her toward the bedroom. “Angel, I don’t think now is the time…”
“Hush…and sit down.” Angel ordered in a harsh whisper as he pushed her into a seated position on the edge of the bed before kneeling in front of her. “Cordy look at me.” His tone softer now but every bit as commanding. “Don’t you think of this as your home? Don’t you feel safe and…wanted here?”
“Of course I feel safe here Angel. It’s the first place I came running to when the evil vamp called.”
“Then what is it?” The commanding tone now almost completely eclipsed by the desperate rasp in his voice.
“It…maybe it just happened too fast. Wesley said have homey thoughts. You just assumed the homey thoughts would come pouring in. It just happened too fast. Everything is happening so fast Angel.”
“I know baby. A lot has happened in the last few days.” Angel released his grip from Cordelia’s arms and cupped her face. “Cordy I meant everything I said to you this morning. We are linked. I know we are.”
“But Angel that’s because of the visions. The PTB know I won’t be as strong as Doyle and they probably…”
“No Cordy. They couldn’t cause what happened between us. That was just us. I’ve been trying to tell you that for days. Everything that’s happened has been between us and only us.”
Wesley listened from the kitchen between sips of his now lukewarm tea. The coupled tones resonated through the closed door in a mixture of apprehension and desperation. So this relationship is rather new. Perhaps only days old. Well then, Miss Summers may not yet know. Should I be fortunate enough to survive my encounter with Darcy Bane, I may get to enjoy her reaction after all. Quite snotty girl really.
“Alright Angel. But I think Wesley’s right. We have to concentrate on stopping this Bane guy, then we’ll talk; OK?”
“But Cordy you’re not safe here. We have to…”
“Then take me home, Angel.”
“What?” Angel questioned in disbelief as her words spoken with confidence and clarity echoed inside his head
“Take me home. Then you and Wesley can do the hero stuff without having to be worried about me.”
Angel had been jerked back and forth from fantasy to reality too many times to count in the past few days. This current slap in the face of cold reality was one too many and he was in no mood for turning the other cheek. “Fine. You want to go home. I’ll take you home. Let’s go.”
“Angel…” The impact of his words angry and harsh and full of disappointment, Cordelia beckoned him to wait but fell silent realizing matters of the heart had to be set aside and dealt with later.
“No. You’re right. Wesley’s right. We’ve wasted enough time on this. My priority should be stopping Bane. It’s time I remembered that. Get your things so we can go.”
Leaving the bedroom, Angel walked over to the cabinet on the far wall that housed his weapons collection. “Wesley do you have a weapon preference for demon extermination?”
“I have my crossbow and stakes.” Eyeing the available choices in Angel’s superior collection, Wesley decided one more wouldn’t hurt. “Perhaps that Dagesse Sword.”
Angel tossed the centuries old sword to his temporary partner. “Good eye Wes.”
Cordelia watched as Angel readied for battle, his face somber and bare of emotion. The eyes that had allowed her to see his soul closed off, empty except for the intense concentration of his purpose. Angel attached a wrist sheathe to each arm before loading them with well-sharpened stakes. Both men strapped large knives to their ankles, the razor-sharp edges glistening even under the sallow basement level light. Slipping on his coat, Angel eyed the ex-watcher for signs of weakness. Seeing none, Angel pushed down his surprise as he slid his favorite broad sword from its leather case, whipping it with perfected skill to its place inside his coat.
His eyes focused on nothing, Angel turned toward the stairs. “Let’s get this over with.”
Silent comrades fell in place behind his lead. Reaching the stairs, Wesley stepped aside for Cordelia to follow Angel up first. The warmth in his fleeting glance gave her hope at least one of them understood.