Chapter Three
Cordelia shoved her way through the crowd until she reached the corner of the bar. Actually, it wasn’t a corner but an entranceway to a hall. Cordelia glanced back at the table with her friends. She managed to see Angel through the mass of people.
Oh, she wished he would have a good time, she thought noticing his broody expression. All she wanted was to give him some joyous diversion to the everyday grimness of his mission. Cordelia knew enough about Angel’s mortal self to know that Liam was capable of having fun, so why couldn’t Angel.
Granted he had spent the last 250 years or so not having a good time, actually a horrible time. She refused to count the Angelus period as being fun for the vampire, that had just been evil and nasty. But, now, Angel had a chance to change all that, he just needed to loosen up, to embrace his humanity, to reconnect with his Liam side.
And Cordelia wanted, needed to help him to do it. Oh well, she would keep trying, she promised. But first, she wanted to find the Leprechaun. She had seen one and she wanted to prove it to her doubting friends. Cordelia strode forward into the dim corridor.
***
“Well, little lassy lookin for meself were ya?”
Cordelia started as she heard the thick Irish brogue calling to her. “Hello?”
“Now, what would such a bonny lass have with the likes of me. Ya wouldn’t be after me gold now would ya?”
Cordelia stared as a little grizzled man dressed in all green emerged from the shadows. The small man hugged possessively at a brass pot.
“No. I don’t want your gold. It’s true, you are a leprechaun.”
“Aye, Shamus O’ Toole at your service.” The little man gave a brief nod of his red hairy head. “So, what would be wanting if not me gold? Aye, you lass want what’s in here,” he predicted motioning to the bag swung around his shoulder.
“I don’t what anything. Well, except for you to come back with me to prove that you are a leprechaun. My friends don’t believe me.”
“Disbelievers, are they.” He chuckled. “Well, It’s not me purpose to make believers out of ‘em. So, lass do you want what’s in me bag? They be wishes.”
“Wishes?”
“Aye, I have me a bag full just aching to be used by such a bonny Irish lass.”
“Actually, I am not really Irish. Well, my grandmother was, but that’s it.”
“Then why ye be celebrating the blessed Saint?”
“Well, my friend is Irish and well, I was hoping he would have some fun. We aren’t really celebrating the religious part, you know.”
“Aye, well, all Irish have tendency to put a little drink in their religious celebrations. It’s our way, ya know. This Irish friend, would he be the strapping lad with the touch of the demon in his soul?”
“Yes, Angel.”
“Angel? That’s not Irish.”
“Well, actually it’s Liam,” she shrugged.
“Ah, Liam, a strong Irish name, that be. Come child, would that be your wish? For your Liam to have a fun, joyous Saint’s day. To have the misery in his soul healed.”
“Well, yeah. But,” she asserted. “I don’t like to wish for things. You have to be real careful, you know.”
“Aye, that be true. But is that your wish?”
Cordelia shrugged.
“Aye, good then.” Shamus quickly reached into his bag and pulled out a handful of sparklingly dust. “So be it, then,” he said blowing the stardust on Cordelia.
“What the?” Cordelia exclaimed brushing the dust from her eyes. She blinked rapidly clearing her eyes and looking for the little man. He was gone. Oh, she grumbled. Now, she would never be able to prove it to the others. She headed back to the bar, mumbling in frustration.
She squealed suddenly as she fell, her feet tangled in some type of material. Ow, she grumbled trying to stand up, but her feet wouldn’t cooperate they kept getting snagged in something. She looked down, the frustration in her face turned into astonishment and some fear.
Her feet weren’t her feet, well they were her feet, she corrected but those weren’t her shoes, she silently exclaimed looking at the hard leather cloth booties that encased her feet. And this was definitely not her leather pants, she thought, pulling at the white heavy cloth skirt twisted between her legs.
Cordelia cautiously got to her feet pulling and swinging the full skirt away from her legs. Oh dear, she thought in panic as she looked down at her attire. Oh dear, she thought again as she saw her breasts overflowing from a tight-laced bodice. Cordelia cautiously felt her head for any bumps or signs of injury to her head.
This was so not right, she thought as her hand felt her heavy now long again hair bundled on the top of her head. Her hand traced down to the strains of wavy curls that caressed her neck. They were dark; her hair was long and back to its original darkness.
She had to find Angel. Cordelia moved quickly through the hallway, cursing as the long skirt encumbered her movements. With a scared and disgusted sigh, she bunched the skirt up in her hands allowing her legs the freedom to run.
Cordelia stood in shock as she looked out into the bar. The sights and smells froze her in her tracks. The bar had been transformed. Where there once were polished wooden tables filled with green clad men and women, there were old rough wooden long tables filled with men, none dressed in green. Some were wearing suits, but all were clad in historical type garb.
There were no women, well actually there were a few, but they were all wearing the same type of bothersome outfit that Cordelia was wearing. And they seemed to be serving drinks in heavy pewter mugs, or….Cordelia’s eyes widened in annoyance and anger as she saw one of the top-heavy women draped on the lap of Angel.
“Arrgh,” she grumbled out loud as she saw Angel’s hand cup and squeeze at the woman’s overflowing breast. What the hell, her mind fumed. She was going to give that vampire a piece of her mind that was after she threw that blonde floozy to the floor.
Cordelia moved forcibly forward only to be tugged back.
“Aye, wench, where’s me pint?” the man questioned pulling Cordelia to his lap. The man leered. “Aye, you are new. Very bonny, very bonny,” he leered, his hand running down her leg as the other held her firmly onto his lap. “Aye, me pint can wait if you wanta give me a kiss,” he winked lecherously.
“Ewww,” Cordelia yelled struggling away from the man.
***
Liam was bored. He had been in the inn for over 24hrs now. He had stayed overnight to avoid his father’s raging fire and brimstone at him for not wanting or caring to go to church with the family on St. Patrick’s Day. Liam detested his father.
The man was the worst hypocrite there was; he preached godliness every day, but every night he slunk over to the widow Connor’s hut to partake in sin. Liam looked around in abhorrence at the evident hypocrisy of the other well-dressed men in the taproom.
They all had been to church earlier, praying with their families and now they were here engaging in lecherous and lewd behavior with the serving wenches. Liam had nothing against tumbling a wench or two, in fact he rather enjoyed it, he thought fondling tavern wench’s full breast absentmindly, but he hated hypocrisy.
“Sir, would ya, want to be going to the room?’ The blonde squirmed in his lap pouting her harsh red lips together. Liam considered. Maggie was always willing to do him service, she would even oblige for free sometimes. Well, she was good and he was bored. Liam smiled and was about to answer, when a weird high pitch squeal caught his attention.
Liam looked towards the source of the sound. His breath caught in his throat as he saw a young serving wench struggling on his drinking mate, Ian’s lap. Liam couldn’t see her face, but he could see her thick mahogany hair and her slim leg as Ian’s pushed up her skirt, exposing her stocking limb. His eyes narrowed on the thin black garter holding the hose securely around her well-shaped thigh. Liam knew he had to see more.
He ungraciously pushed Maggie off his lap. Liam walked purposely over to the couple. He paused as the other man pulled the fighting girl into a rough kiss. Liam was surprised by the sudden anger that sprung up in his chest at the sight.
“Ewww,” the young woman cried again, breaking away from the man’s hold. There was that sound again. Liam’s anger turned to amusement and definite lust, as the young woman slapped, no punched the man with a solid right cross to the face.
“Ah, gross,” she complained distastefully. “Ow,” she added as Ian pushed her to the floor in rage. “Oh, you big nasty dirty oaf,” she cried trying to manipulate the awkward skirt so she could get to her feet.
The anger ignited into his chest once more as Liam saw Ian make motion to kick the fallen girl. Quicker than he knew possible, Liam was there yanking his friend back. “Go, have Maggie, Ian, she is ready and waiting for a tumble.” He said lowly, his tone making it clear that if Ian made another move toward the young girl, Liam would rip him to pieces.
“Sure, Liam, these wenches are all the same.”
No, Liam thought, helping the young woman to her feet. They were all not the same. This one was unique, he thought staring at her flushed and angry face. She was perfection. He watched as the young woman’s beautiful hazel eyes went from flashing anger to warm happy relief. Liam felt his body’s lust go into overdrive as the young woman lunged into his arms. She squeezed her amazing body closer to his for a brief moment before leaning back; her hands still clutched at his arms.
“Angel, thank god, that idiot was all over me, gross.” She shook her head in disgust. “Angel,” she stared at him. “Something it’s terribly wrong. I think that it had something to do with the leprechaun. It was a leprechaun. I was right, I told you. Anyway, he was talking about his gold then his bag full of wishes, then poof some glittering dust and now this, I am in some stupid hideous outfit, in this gross smelly place and …..” she scrunched up her lovely nose.
” You’re also dressed funny and warm…” She exclaimed, dropping her hands in shock. “You are warm and breathing. Oh dear.” Her mind raced. Where were Wesley and Gunn? Cordelia looked frantically around, but there was no Englishman or black young man in sight.
“Angel?” Liam said once the young woman stopped her nonsensical babbling. “You are the only angel here.” He said softly trailing a finger down her smooth cheek. She may be a bit touched in the head, but she was gorgeous. There was something about the young woman that called to him.
“Ohhhh,” she whined. Damn that leprechaun, she thought. No, damn her, she angrily corrected. When will she learn not to wish for anything? Didn’t she learn her lesson before? Now what? The last time Anya could be tricked into reversing the wish. But, now? Oh lord, was she going to have search the countryside looking for a leprechaun?
“I am not really a bad person, I’m not. So, why do these things always happen to me,” she whined. “Oh,” she glared at the living breathing man before her. “You have no idea what I am talking about do you,” she grumbled.
“Not at all,” Liam laughed pulling the young woman towards the room off the hallway. Liam wanted to be alone with the beautiful young woman. She was different. He did not want any other man’s eyes to linger over her luscious form. “Come on, tell me all about it,” he cajoled.
Cordelia narrowed her eyes. There was something odd about his tone. But this was Angel, or at least pre- ‘grr’ guy Angel, so she could trust him. Anyway, she needed to get him to help her find a leprechaun, so everything could get back to normal.
“Okay,” she nodded.
Liam led her into the back room used for storing the kegs of beer. The only piece of furniture it the dim room was a long wooden table. Liam gently placed the young girl on the table. “So darlin’ what’s your name, I haven’t seen you here before.”
“Of course, you haven’t. I don’t belong here. Ohh,” she shook her head in frustration. “My name is Cordelia.”
“Cordelia, that is a very pretty name.” He whispered leaning in close, again caressing her face. Cordelia, it was a lady’s name, not fit for the taproom. And the beautiful woman before him was a lady. She may be wearing the clothes of a tavern whore, but her bearing her presence oozed breeding. Lord, he wanted her, Liam thought.
Cordelia squirmed uncomfortably on the wooden table. She was getting the distinct impression that Liam’s was well interested in her, in like a kind of a lust type way. Cordelia was definitely beginning to feel nervous.
This was Angel, but it wasn’t. His touch was warm, but it had the same gentleness, the same effect on her as the touch of the vampire. It made her tingle with want and longing. Why couldn’t Angel look at her with the same desire? Because, Angel didn’t want her like that and even if he did there was the whole soul/Angelus thing to worry about. Cordelia sighed as Liam’s hands moved down the side of her face and stroked at her neck. But, this was Liam, his soul was still there and solid, no fear of Angelus and he definitely was interested.
Cordelia began to wonder, if Liam wanted her then could perhaps Angel want her too, after all, Angel was Liam. No, she shook her head. Liam hadn’t yet met Darla or Buffy. Those two blondes would be his obsession for the next two hundred years or so. She didn’t have a chance with Angel. Cordelia couldn’t compete with the blonde super chicks, not the good one or the evil one. She sighed in disgust and moved away from Liam’s searching hand.
Liam growled as she moved away. Cordelia stopped in shock. “You ‘grr’ ed,” she said in surprise her hand quickly reaching for his handsome face. No, it was warm, she thought, but he definitely growled.
Liam trapped her hand against his skin, turning his head nipping and kissing her palm. Cordelia shivered and jerked her hand away. Liam grabbed again at her hand and said tonelessly, “How much?” Liam didn’t want to have to pay the beautiful wench. He wanted her to come to him willingly wanting and needing him as much as he needed her. But he would pay, he would pay anything to have her tempting body beneath his, he would give up his soul if that was possible to feel her skin against his.
“How much what?’ Cordelia stuttered trying to get the butterflies in her stomach to stop banging up against her sides.
“How much will it cost? I want you. How much will it cost?” He said clearly. Liam was resisting the urge to throw her on the table and just take her. Liam was amazed. He had never wanted a woman as much as he wanted this one. Everything about her, her long thick dark hair, her beautiful expressive eyes that tinkled from brown to gold, her gorgeous body, her full and inviting breast that were pushing up through her bodice, the way her nose would scrunch up in the most endearing, ugly manner, even that weird ‘ewwing’ sound that came from her perfect too wide mouth, beckoned for him to make love to her.
Cordelia eyes widened in sudden understanding. Her eyes flashed from shock to anger in a split second. “I AM NOT A WHORE,” she shouted. “If you want some floozy go back to the BLONDE. Ooh, I hate blondes,” she yelled.
Liam stepped back from the fuming girl. His cock getting harder as she jumped from the table and ranted about the sleaziness of men and the inferiority and simperingess of blondes in general. Liam had no idea what she was talking about but she made a magnificent appearance in her anger. Liam reached out and grabbed at her as she paced by him. He pulled her tightly against his body. “I want you,” he growled capturing her mouth with his.
Cordelia stilled, she wished he would stop growling, it made it hard not to think of him as her vampire. The vampire that she would give anything to be able to touch and kiss. The one she wanted to touch her and kiss her like Liam’s was doing now.
This was Angel, just him alive and breathing with a permanent soul and she added as an afterthought, a tad bit chauvinistic. But, he was the Angel to be and she would never be able to feel her Angel touch her like this, so….so, Cordelia leaned in closer to Liam’s embrace, her mouth parting for his questing tongue.
Liam met her tongue eagerly, exploring and devouring her mouth, trying to reach every crevice inside. Cordelia sighed as she pressed even closer to him, her hands running down his back. “Angel,” she murmured.
Liam didn’t know why she kept calling him angel, he was anything but an angel, but if that was what she wanted him to be than he would oblige. He would be anything this woman wanted him to be. Something sparked in his soul, he didn’t know what it was, but it felt wonderful. Liam pushed the young woman towards the table. He broke their intense kiss as he placed her on the table. Liam stared at Cordelia.
Her dark hair had fallen loose down her shoulders; strains of dark silk were draped over her heaving breast. With great reverence, Liam reached for the ties binding the bodice together. He took one of the freed breasts into his mouth, sucking and licking at its erect nipple as his hand found the other. Cordelia moaned out loud pulling his head closer to her chest. Her fingers entwining around his thick hair, untying the leather thong that held his longer hair back. Cordelia marveled at the sensation of his lips teasing and tugging at her breast. A warm molten liquid settled in the pit of her belly. She squirmed on the flat surface. Her movements were bringing her closer to the edge of the table.
She brought her legs up and around Liam’s waist pulling him closer to her. Liam groaned in pleasure as his rock hard member came into contact with her center. His hand slipped up and under the flowing cotton of her skirt, briefly staying at her garter pressing and molding the smooth flesh surrounding the flimsy piece of material. Gradually, he trailed his fingers up to her center all the while sucking in earnest on her nipple. Cordelia gasped out in pleasure and surprise as his fingers stroked the dark curls of her heated center. She hadn’t realized that she wasn’t wearing any underwear. That was probably the only benefit she could see about her new outfit, easy access for Angel’s, no Liam’s, her mind corrected, questing hands. Cordelia moaned pulling Liam’s head to her mouth, attacking his lips with her frantic ones. Her hands slid down his shoulders on to his back tugging at his shirt.
Cordelia gasped as Liam’s forefinger penetrated her center thrusting in time with the rhythm of his tongue. She pressed her hips downward, begging for more. Cordelia moved her hands to the waistband of his trousers. She fumbled a moment, then grumbled breaking away from his kiss.
“Zipper, where is the damn zipper?” she demanded.
Liam raised his desire-laded eyes to hers, questioningly.
“Oh, right, no zipper, so get them off,” she demanded her fingers tugging at his pants.
Liam smiled, he didn’t know what a zipper was but he did know what she wanted. Liam frantically worked loose the laces at the front of his breeches, his large hard shaft springing free.
Both Cordelia and Liam moaned in unison as her small hand gently but firmly took possession of the organ. Her fingers stroked and fondled up and down it’s length in time with Liam’s thrusting fingers. Cordelia thought her nerves were going to explode, the tension building up inside her was almost painful.
“Now,” she begged.
Liam grunted in agreement as he withdrew his hand from her center. His two large hands now on her thighs urging them further apart. Cordelia closed her eyes at the feel of his large organ slowly filling her damp aching passage. Liam pushed her down on the wooden surface of the table as he pulled her body closer to his thrusting hips. He watched in amazement as the beautiful girl writhed beneath him accepting everyone one of his strong thrusts. He marveled as her breast raised as she took tiny gasps of air, at how her eyes deepened to almost black as her desire overcame her body. Liam didn’t know who she was or where she came from, but he did know that she was his and she would be his forever.
“You are mine, forever.” Liam closed his eyes has he let his own desire control his actions.
He pushed harder and faster as Cordelia whimpers of pleasure became louder. Cordelia was on the brink of the edge. She could feel her body teetering towards a massive explosion. Her body tensed in preparation. Her now almost black eyes gazed at the handsome man over her.
“I love you, Angel,” she whispered as her body exploded into a thousand tiny exquisite pieces.
Liam growled his own release falling on her chest. Cordelia’s hands embraced his trembling form. “My name is Liam,” he struggled needing her to say it.
“I know,” Cordelia smiled brightly stroking his back. “I love you, too, I love all of you and I will never leave you. ” She confirmed as the world went black.