The Fine Line. 4-6

Chapter 4

Cordelia leaned against the sink staring into the permanently spotted mirror. She looked over her shoulder at the small twin bed that seemed large relative to the smallness of the hotel room. She sighed. Crawling back under the worn blanket seemed more inviting that morning.

She cocked her neck back and forth, stretching her muscles. Last night had to have been one of the worst nights she had ever experienced, topped only by the one where she ended up speared and in the hospital without a boyfriend or friends. Cordelia turned back to her reflection in the old bathroom mirror, scrunching up her nose.

Actually, the night her mom and dad woke her up with the news that she was on her own was pretty up there in her top three bad nights. She frowned again. Actually, she had had a couple worse nights before and since in Sunnydale. Her parents had only told her they were broke and that she was broke without so much as a ‘luvya, seeya,’ but they hadn’t been scary demons that had threatened her life.

She forced a grin at the mirror. Her life wasn’t so bad, just pathetic.

She kicked at the grass stained former great blue dress as she left the bathroom. “Yippee, life’s just grand.” She fell on her back, landing on the mattress. She drove her fist into her eyes.

“No.” She wouldn’t whine that life wasn’t fair. Ever. When had anyone, even on the best days, promised that it was supposed to be? Life wasn’t a game. It was just life and the only way to survive was to deal with it head on.

She jerked herself up. Time to get dressed and face life, which meant going to school.

***

Buffy strode quickly down the hallway of the high school, dodging passing students as she went. She couldn’t help feeling like a fish swimming the wrong way. She pushed, darting quickly through a group of football players practicing their huddle in front of the lockers. Where in the hell?

Buffy tensed, her movements becoming even more determined as she caught sight of Cordelia’s dark hair. Buffy hurried towards the girl and the bathroom door Cordelia just exited.

Buffy still wasn’t sure how she would get Cordelia to stand still and listen. Buffy shook off her hesitation. She would drag down the girl by her perfectly coiffed ponytail if she gave any resistance.

“Cordy, wait,” she called as she got closer.

Buffy took a deep breath at Cordelia’s stiffing back as she continued to walk away. Damn her. Buffy knew she had heard her.

“Cordelia, stop.” Buffy quickened her gait, grabbing at Cordelia’s arm, in a last minute decision not to go for her ponytail.

Buffy held her ground as Cordelia swung around facing her with a glare that triggered an instinct to run or to hit.

“Hands off.” Cordelia steely gaze fixed on Buffy’s grip. “Or you back to thinking I beat up Angel and decided to defend his honor.”

Buffy took a deep breath, repeating silently, more flies with honey. “Can you meet us in the library after school. Please.” Buffy sighed at Cordelia’s surprised expression.

“Why?”

Buffy sighed again, only that time in relief. Cordelia was standing still and listening.

“It’s Angel. He says he’s fine. But, I don’t know. He passed out. You were there. I would like you to be there when I talk to Giles. In case, he has any questions that you can answer.” Buffy explained.

“Please.” She repeated, hoping that it was that bit of honey that had made Cordy stop.

Cordelia chewed on her bottom lip before finally answering. “Okay.”

“Good. Thanks.” Buffy nodded, her eyes holding Cordy’s for moment. “Thanks.” She said again.

“Yeah, whatever,” Cordelia mumbled and walked away.


Chapter 5

Angel leaned against wall, partially hidden by the shadows of the library bookcases. He was getting irritated at the teenagers’ chatter. Their voices were like annoying little scratches on a chalkboard, exacerbating the slight ache that still remained in his head.

He didn’t want to be there. He should’ve just stayed at the mansion. But, he couldn’t deny Buffy when she asked him to come.

Angel’s gaze lingered on Buffy leading the conversation with her friends. So much he still felt when he saw her-love, desire, pain, guilt, regret, futility. He shoved his tightening fist into his pockets, pressing back further against the wall. Angel’s impatience was pushing up against the confines of his thoughts. He wished she and her friends would shut up.

Angel’s sour mood stalled, his senses reacting to a shift in the current of the atmosphere. It crackled and sparked, the change drowned out the voices in the library. He resisted the call to his demon at the renovation of the air.

He focused on the library door waiting for whatever tugged at his instincts. He jerked back, banging against the wall, as the door swung open and he heard the voice. His mind went blank and his instincts roared. His palms braced against the wall, pushing him forward, Cordelia Chase couldn’t have caused his anticipation. He searched behind her trying to see past into the school hall before the library doors swung shut.

“Well, I’m here.”

Angel slouched back. There was nothing behind the teenager. He shoved his fists in his jacket pockets resisting the urge to rub his forehead to get rid of sensory déjà vu. Everything- smell, sound, the vibrations of the air in the library centered on the Cordelia wiping out the presence of the others. He shook his head, forcing his eyes on Buffy, willing his concentration to focus on her familiar form.

“Hi, Cordelia.” Buffy glanced around, smiling apologetically at Xander and Willow. “I asked Cordy to be here since she saw what happened to Angel last night. Giles might have some questions for her.”

“Giles isn’t here.” Xander shifted in his chair.

“He will be. He couldn’t get out of the teacher’s meeting right away. But he will be.” Buffy said.

“But, he’s not now, so no questions now. Anyway, Angel was there and you said, he said he was fine,” Xander said accusingly. “You talked to him last night afterwards. You said…”

“I know what I said and I know what Angel said.” Buffy shook her head. “But, Angel passed out and I want to know why, even if he doesn’t.”

Angel listened, stilling the small growl that started to vibrate in his throat. He had told Buffy last night when she called again that he was fine. Why couldn’t she just believe him?

“And you think she will help.” Xander cocked his head to Cordy. “Because, she’s always been so helpful before.” Xander turned to face Cordelia. “So, why exactly were you walking the streets at night? Working, were you?”

Cordelia’s eyes narrowed. “I’m so outta of here. I only came because YOU asked me.” She glared at Buffy. “I don’t have to stay here and listen to loser’s lame brain idea of insults.”

“Cordy, please.” Buffy stepped up, shooting a look to Xander. “Be quiet.”

Xander paced around the chairs of the main table. “She started it.”

Cordelia eye’s widened her fingers clenching around her waist. “I what?”

Angel couldn’t help but lean forward, his forced attention leaving Buffy and switching to Cordelia. Her clipped short response screamed of controlled passion.

“You…”

Willow pulled at Xander’s arm, “Xander, she didn’t. All she said was ‘I’m here’.”

Xander shot her look. “Whose side are you on?”

Cordelia rolled her eyes, shooting up her hand waving it in the air. “Ooh, ooh, can I guess, can I can I please, I mean considering her willingness to play hide the tongue with you, I bet I can figure out whose side she’s NOT on.”

Willow flinched and shifted away from Cordy’s glare. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

Buffy patted Willow on the shoulder. “It’s okay, Will.”

Angel saw the tension spring up in Cordelia body, forming her body into a tight coil.

“NO, Buffy it’s not okay. But then, you say its okay, so I guess it is, though tell me, would it be OKAY for Willow to suck face with Angel over there?”

Angel was a bit surprised at Cordelia’s awareness of his presence. He hadn’t thought the young girl had even seen him, she hadn’t acknowledged his being there in any way. Angel leaned in to get a better look at Cordelia. The passion he had sensed wasn’t a fluke it was an undercurrent to her every biting sarcastic remark.

He had thought that Cordelia’s beautiful looks were wasted on her. He had thought she suffered the same affliction that most extraordinary looking woman did- no depth, no spirit, just the purpose to be beautiful. But he began to question that assumption. The young woman was vibrating with pain and anger, causing the air around him to pulsate.

“Of course, I wouldn’t,” Willow gulped, directing her attention to Buffy. “You’re my friend.”

Angel’s gaze narrowed on Cordelia, the hitch in her breath, spoke volumes in his sensitive ears.

“Of course, you wouldn’t,” she said coldly to Willow. “Buffy’s your friend, obviously I wasn’t.” Cordelia gave a smile that made Willow hide behind Buffy and Buffy instinctively move in a defensive stance.

“Give it up, Cordy, you never wanted to be Willow’s friend, don’t pretend that you did.” Xander took a step forward.

“YOU, Xander Harris, NEVER GOT what I wanted.” She glared. “Enough.” She held up her hands. “I’m outta of here. What you want.” She looked to Buffy. “You’ll have to find from someone else. I’m not at your beck and call like them.” Cordelia waved her hand at Xander, Willow and Angel.

Angel’s gaze followed the retreating teenager. He didn’t need to be a vampire to know that Cordelia’s anger had stunned the room. He should feel offended on Buffy’s behalf but he couldn’t help but feel for Cordelia.

Her parting clipped words hadn’t been her typical bitchiness but a bare honesty that came from deep pain. He looked to Buffy and her friends. They didn’t have a clue.

Angel leaned up out of his corner. “I’m leaving.”

“Angel, we need to wait for Giles.” Buffy jumped in his path.

“No,” Angel sighed. “I don’t.” Angel moved swiftly out the library doors.


Chapter 6

Angel felt the most comfortable in the high school when it was like this – empty. He traveled down the quiet hall, perfunctorily making sensory scans of the closed classrooms. But, except for several humans behind the closed door of the teacher’s lounge, he sensed no one.

He turned down the hallway to the gym and the hidden tunnels underneath. It should be empty too. The late afternoon sun drove after-school sports activities outside.

He rolled his shoulders trying to get rid of the tension that had crept up his spine as he traveled closer to the gym. The tautness flared into anticipation that had him suddenly heading back in the direction he had come. He paused at the library. Buffy and her friends were still waiting for Giles. He moved past continuing to a long row of lockers.

The ball that had been knotted in the middle of his shoulders dissolved, as he found the source of his tension. He should’ve been surprised to see Cordelia, but he wasn’t, not really. After all it was the same type of feeling he had felt in the library that had brought him to her.

Angel studied her edgy stance in front of her locker. She was swinging the metal door, increasing its momentum with each movement.

Angel braced for the inevitable loud slam.

He frowned when it didn’t come. Cordelia’s shoulders had slumped along with the energy of the door’s movements.

Angel took a step closer at the vulnerability she showed. He stilled again as she straightened and fastened her locker without so much as a clink.

Angel moved quickly, clasping her shoulder.

Angel regretted his impulse as soon as he heard Cordelia’s intake of breath and the frantic jump of her heart. Swiftly, Angel brought her around and covered her burgeoning scream with his other hand.

“It’s me, Angel.” He waited until her heart beat calmed and the shock in her eyes cleared into recognition before freeing her mouth. His fingers automatically rubbed at the tingling left on his palm from Cordelia’s breath.

“Well, duh. Why did you do that?” She squeaked. “You scared me to death.”

“I’m sorry.” Angel said softly.

Cordelia narrowed her eyes. “You should be. Sneaking up on people. I could’ve had an heart attack or something.”

Angel met Cordelia’s scowl.  He had thought when he first saw Cordelia at her locker that she had been debating on whether to explode and take the whole school with her, or just crawl in and hide. But, he should’ve realized by the way her back stiffened that Cordelia wouldn’t welcome any sympathy. In fact, seeing her glare, he was pretty sure that offering her anything that could be mistaken as pity would get him killed.

“I am…I just… have a couple …uh, couple of questions.” Angel inwardly groaned at the unheard of stutter that appeared in his speech.

Cordelia raised both brows. “Huh?”

“Just a couple of questions.” Angel tried to smile. He was relieved when Cordelia’s brows returned to their normal position.

“Oh. Right. But personal bubble first.”

“Personal Bubble?”

“Personal. Bubble.” She repeated slowly, waving her hand at the limited space between their bodies.

“Oh.” Angel released her shoulders and stepped back.

“Look, Angel.” Cordelia took a long breath. “I don’t know why you passed out. If I had to guess, I say it was the multi-armed thing that clobbered you.”

“I wasn’t cl…I killed. It. I saved you.” Angel retorted.

“Whatever.” Cordelia stood back and crossed her arms. “But you were clobbered before you killed it. If there was any other reason that you went splat. I don’t know. ” Cordelia turned away.

“Wait.” Angel stepped forward, reaching out to stop her again.

Cordelia huffed, glancing at Angel’s fingers around her forearm. “I told you…”

“That wasn’t my question.” Angel dropped his hand.

Cordelia puffed out her cheeks, looking at her watch. “Make it quick.”

Great. Now he had to think of a question. He took a deep breath and caught her scent. Ireland on a bright spring day. Sweet nectar of wildflowers and a hint of something denser, a spice, which he couldn’t name.

Angel wetted his lips, trying to taste the spice in the air.

“Well.” Cordelia stomped. “Your question? Hurry up.”

Angel studied Cordelia. Her dark hair was gathered up into a thick ponytail allowing him to clearly see the impatience in her hazel eyes.

Realization hit him as he saw her tap her foot and look at her watch again.

“I’m sure your date will wait for you.” Angel said.

“My what?” She frowned then nodded. “Right. My date. I have a date. A real hottie date. And you haven’t asked me anything, so I’m going.” She turned away.

“Cordelia, what’s a DID?” Angel asked, relieved when his quick question stopped her in her tracks.

“A did? Did what?” Cordelia crinkled her nose at him.

“DID. You said that you weren’t my DID last night. What does that mean?”

Cordelia gapped. “You scared the Beejeezes out of me for that? Are you, like majorly deficient?”

“Just answer the question.”

“Geez.” Cordelia threw up her hands. “DID- Damsel in Distress. Can I go now?” She tapped her watch.

Angel chuckled. She did make sense in a roundabout way.

Cordelia frowned at the sound. “You don’t laugh.” She pointed at his chest. “You’re too stoic.”

“I can laugh,” Angel defended.

“Yeah, right. Whatever. I’m going.”

“Wait. I have another question.” Angel tensed, ready to grab at her again.

“Hmmph.” She fisted her hands on her hips and blew out a breath. “Come on, time’s …ooh. Nevermind. What’s your question?”

Angel shifted his feet, trying to think of another question. “In the library before. You knew I was there.”

“Uh, yeah.” She said, tapping her foot and looking at her watch.

“How?”

“Uh, eyes.” She pointed to her hazel eyes.

“But you didn’t SEE me.” Okay. It was obvious from Cordelia’s tone she thought he was either insane or stupid, but now that he had asked, he really did want to know.

Cordelia pursed her lips. “Where else would you be? Buffy commanded an ‘all appearance’; therefore, you wouldn’t NOT be the there and you always hide in that corner. Far away, but not too far away too miss the order to jump if given.”

Angel narrowed his eyes. “That’s what you think? That I’ll jump anytime Buffy says jump?”

“Pfft. I think you’d leap from a high cliff under the blazing sun, if she told you that she dropped her purse.”

Angel stilled. “Taunting a vampire, Cordelia?” He let his voice go quiet. “That can be very dangerous.”

Cordelia stumbled back. “I can scream really loudly,” she warned.

Angel leaned back, his point made. “I know. I’ve heard it enough.” He smiled. “Come on,” he said.

“Huh?”

“You don’t want to be late for your date.” He shrugged. “I’ll just make sure that you get to your car safely.” He gestured towards the exit doors. “It IS Sunnydale.”

Cordelia paused, frowning. “My car is right by the door, in the parking lot. And it’s still light out.”

“I can watch from the door and make sure there’s nothing waiting in the shadows.” Angel slanted his head. His eye’s roamed over every angle of Cordelia’s face. She would be a challenge to draw. The beauty would be easy but capturing the emotions that animated it would be difficult.

“Then what? You still can’t go out in the daylight.”

“Scream really loudly.” Angel gave a quick grin at Cordelia’s glare. “Come on,” Angel said again.

Cordelia bit her lips and nodded, slowly starting to walk, passing lockers and empty classrooms. “You’re acting weird.”

Cordelia’s voice floated around him. With each word, her chest rose and fell. Angel’s hand itched again to capture her breath. Angel raised his palm that still held the remnants of her breath. The scent was barely there. He pressed it to his lips, ready to utilize the most useful of his senses.

“Weird,” Cordelia said louder.

Angel jerked his head, pulling down his hand. “Did you say something?”

“I said you were weird. Walking to me my car is weird and licking your hand is very weird.” She scrunched up her nose. “Are you sure you’re all right.”

Angel pushed the hand in question into his pocket. “I wasn’t doing that. I just.” He pressed his other hand up to his face, going to his forehead. “Have a slight headache.”

Cordelia paused, facing the vampire. “So, you’re not fine.”

“I am. But as you said, I did get clobbered.” Angel wrinkled his brow. “Why is walking you to your car weird?”

Cordelia glanced up at Angel. “Well, excusing the utter impossibility of actually walking me TO my car, you don’t like me.” She walked past the science lab.

Angel moved up next her. “I don’t?”

Cordelia paused and turned towards him. “Um, no, Buffy doesn’t, therefore, you don’t.”

“Oh.” Angel nodded. “Another example of the cliff I’d jump off of?”

“Yeah.” Cordelia started to move again.

Angel reached out, stopping her. “Cordelia,” Angel stated clearly,” I make my own decisions of where, when, and what I jump to.”

Cordelia glanced up at Angel. “Whatever.” She shook off his arm, taking a step away.

Angel shook his head reaching her side in an instant. “Cordelia, even the shadows of Sunnydale hold dangers.”

“Well, thank you very much for depressing me and scaring me.” She grumbled. “Damn.” She studied her watch again. “I’m going to be so late.” She hurried to the exit door that had come into view.

“He’ll wait.”

“Yeah, right, whatever,” she mumbled, moving even faster.

“Cordelia.” Angel reached out, holding her arm. “He’ll wait and if he won’t then he’s…”

Cordelia swung around. “He’ll…Oh God. The other half of the perpetually- tragic lover set is playing Dear Abby? I don’t think so.” She yanked her arm free. “Go back to Buffy, I don’t have time for whatever this is.” She ran punching the exit door wide open.

Angel frowned as Cordelia ran to her car. He didn’t understand the increasing whiff of panic that seeped from her scent and voice.

***

Cordelia took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. Maybe, Miss Twittle wouldn’t notice the time. “Right, Cor,” Cordelia muttered, “and Keanu Reeves is coming to sweep you off your feet.”

“I hate you,” she whispered to the dress store’s door chime that broadcasted her arrival.

“You’re late.”

Startled, Cordelia forced an apologetic smile to Miss Twittle. Damn that woman. She must have been standing guard at the front counter since 4:00, counting the minutes until she could pounce.

“I know, I’m sorry,” Cordelia said quickly, moving past the cocktail dress and the sweater display. “My English teacher wanted to talk to me. I couldn’t tell him no.” Cordelia gave Miss Twittle her best smile, hoping against hope for a responding one or at least a nod of understanding.

“Miss Chase, it is your responsibility as an employee of this store to follow its policies. And the number one policy is?”

“To be on time.” Cordelia said, her shoulders drooping. Why did Miss Twittle try so hard to look and act like a bitter old woman?

Miss Twittle’s brown hair was streaked with gray and capped her head like an airy curled helmet. Cordelia admitted that Miss Twittle was always impeccably dressed, but the well-tailored suits did nothing but make her look like a Nancy Reagan want-to-be, which would be fine except the former Mrs. President was like a hundred and Miss Twittle couldn’t be more than 35 or 40.

Cordelia finger’s itched to fix her. Cordelia sighed. It wouldn’t be any use. The woman’s constant scowl would ruin any make over.

“And?” Miss Twittle’s lips hardened in a tight line.

“Remember to call, if I’m about to violate policy number one.” Cordelia sighed.

“Correct. If an employee cannot follow the policies of the store, then perhaps they do not belong.”

“This was first time I’ve been late. And it was only,” Cordelia said, looking up to the clock, “twenty minutes.” Miss Twittle couldn’t fire her. Oh God.

“One time is one time too many. However, I will consider this as an isolated incident. You will consider this discussion as your warning. Now, clock in and get to work.”

“Yes, Miss Twittle.” Cordelia would’ve happily killed Angel right then.

Chapter 7

Challenge Below…

Unwittingly, Angel gets a dose of demon goo, or hit by an errant spell. He *imprints* on the first person he sees, namely Cordy.

He gradually begins to obsess over her.

It starts out with him standing close to her, crowding her, sitting next to her, striking up awkward conversations.

He begins to follow her (and finds out she’s in a ratty hotel)

He does stuff like, touching her hair and sniffing her without her knowledge, eventually grabbing her and always fighting the need to be in physical contact with her and panicking if he goes for too long without at least seeing her.

Scooby’s researching the problem and figuring out there is nothing they can do, but let the obsession run it’s course. (Say two to three weeks)

Would like:

Cordy not liking the attention and seriously freaking when she realizes Angel is stalking her.

Buffy having to be understanding of Angel being obsessive (they are broken up at the moment). Her actually feeling a little sorry for Cordy as Angel begins to insert himself into every aspect of her life.

Angel having to work around Cordy’s daytime activities and doing some seriously creepy stalker shit.

Angel completely and violently freaking out when he goes too long without seeing her. (possibly having to be locked up in a cage while Cordy is in class. Can you see Snyder going into the library. “Mr. Giles, why is that snarling creature locked in the cage?”)

Eventual real friendship feelings and later romantic feelings as Angel and Cordy spend a lot of forced time together.

Angel offering to let her stay at the mansion as a way to keep her close, and her being desperate enough to eventually take him up on the offer. (I don’t want her “falling” for Angel quickly, but they have to find some sort of workable solution and he can’t stay at the hotel with her). I want lots of Cordy-snark and Angel exasperation.

Scooby’s worry as Angel’s obsession escalates to a point where he becomes dangerous to Cordy.

Angel almost hurting/taking advantage Cordy, but barely managing not to.

Angel finding out in the end that the spell/goo wouldn’t work unless there was already a base level attraction, and realizing that the obsession wasn’t completely due to the outside influence and he wants to have a relationship with Cordy.

Posted in TBC

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