CHAPTER 13
The alley was eerily quiet, nothing stirred in the darkness. Angel stood tense and ready for action, a coiled spring waiting for the first sign of trouble. His large form cloaked inside his dark coat, he blended easily into the shadows, stealth personified.
“So why are we here again?” Cordelia’s voice rang out through the alleyway, alerting any lurking evil to their presence.
Angel watched as the young woman carefully picked her way towards him, nose wrinkled in disgust at the foul smelling trash littering the floor. Gritting his teeth he sent up a quick prayer to any saints of patience that may be listening.
“We’re here because alleys like this,” He swept an arm wide to encompass the space, “Are the perfect place for vampires to hide and pick off victims.” He sighed barely containing an aggravated huff at the multitude of questions she was forming.
“Ok, I get that. What I don’t get is why we can’t watch it from the coffee shop across the street. We could be sipping cappuccinos and fighting evil, it’s a win win situation.” Cordelia smiled winningly at him, certain that the lure of caffeine would sway the vampire.
“Cordelia, we’re on patrol not on a coffee break.” Honest to God the woman was tying him in knots, one minute he wanted to kiss her and the next he wanted to throttle her. He sighed again, resigned to the fact that life with the brunette would never be straightforward. That thought wasn’t as scary as it once would have been; in fact it was strangely appealing.
“No need to get snippy, Mr All Work and No Play.” She humphed and crossed her arms, clearly not happy with their assignment. Casting another longing glance at the brightly lit coffee shop, she stopped again, determined to give it one more try.
“You know, Buffy only gave us this job because of you, this is the worst part of town. The least you could do is buy me a coffee.”
Angel gave up on scanning the darkness and turned to Cordelia, knowing that any demons that may have been lurking were long gone. Shame, I could really do with hitting something.
“How is this my fault?” The conversation was sounding very familiar and he had a horrible feeling that his former relationship was again going to be called into question.
“Please, it’s obvious. You guys break up and suddenly you get all the bad jobs, although why I’m being included in her crazy assignments is beyond me.” She stood tapping a foot in irritation. “Anyway, you’re a vampire, all super strong and stuff I don’t know why she thinks you even need a patrol buddy.”
It was a valid point, and one that Angel had yet to figure out having been too distracted by the thought of spending the entire evening alone with Cordelia. Buffy had been acting a little strangely around him, but he put it down to their move from couple to friends.
“Maybe she thinks it’s you that needs a partner.” Angel regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth; they had come out more harshly than intended and he quickly turned to apologise. “Cordelia I…” The rest of his apology faded away in the face of eyes filled with hurt. He knew her well enough by now to know that she said what she thought, but rarely meant it maliciously. She lacked tact not sensitivity.
Not knowing what else to do he reached towards her, cupping her face. “I’m sorry.” His regret simple and true.
There was a pause as his apology was considered. “S’ok, I guess I need you more than you need me.” It sharp words had hurt, but they held a ring of truth that she wasn’t going to argue with.
How wrong can you be he thought humourlessly.
Unwilling to break the warm contact Angel’s hands remained cupped around Cordelia’s face; both unconsciously moving closer.
Cordelia’s breath began to come in short pants, now familiar anticipation rising.
Their eyes caught and held, dark chocolate meeting swirling hazel, both reflecting an unsatisfied passion. Time seemed to halt as Angel slowly lowered his head, his lip hovered tantalisingly close.
Finally Cordelia thought, time to get the vamp out of my system.
“I am interrupting something? Sorry ‘bout that.” A grating Cockney accent sliced through the air, swiftly quashing the moment. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t Mr Identity Crisis.”
Angel turned slowly to face his peroxide blonde grandchilde, ensuring that Cordelia remained firmly behind him. “Spike.” He spat out, the name leaving a bad taste in his mouth.
“So are you evil or good tonight? I lose track.” The English Vampire grinned at his own humour, thoroughly enjoying the tension he was causing.
“What are you doing here?” Angel questioned, desperate for Spike to leave so that he and Cordelia could pick up where they left off. Spike was dangerous, but Angel was well versed in his moods and knew the younger vampire was in the mood to taunt not fight.
“Well…” Spike paused as though to deliberate, “…I’m just out for my evening constitutional before I have a nice early night.” At the pair of blank looks that greeted him the blonde heaved a sigh and continued, “I’m a vampire you moron, I’m out looking for dinner.”
“I think tonight is your night to go hungry Spike,” Angel’s voice dropped to a dangerous level. Cordelia couldn’t help but shiver at the menace he managed to convey in one simple sentence. “Besides, you wouldn’t want Dru to get lonely would you? You know how much she hates to be alone…” He trailed off, letting the implication sink in.
“Oh sod off! Is that supposed to scare me? In case you’ve forgotten I’m the only real vampire standing in this alley.” He cast a sly glance at Cordelia who was peeking out from behind the broad frame of Angel, “Anyway shouldn’t you be more worried about the slayer? Does she know you’re necking with cheerleaders in deserted back streets? You sure the soul’s still in tact?”
Cordelia decided that she’d had enough, not only had Spike prevented the kiss finally happening, but now he was implying that she was any old cheerleader. Stepping out from behind Angel, despite his attempts to prevent her, Cordelia faced the cocky vampire, hands on hips.
“Ok Mr Terminally Style Challenged; one – I am not just a cheerleader, I am captain of the squad and two – Buffy and Angel broke up, so he can ‘neck’ with whoever he wants…not that we were necking.” Finished making her point, Cordelia stepped back behind Angel, not so confident that Spike wouldn’t try and snap her neck.
“I think it’s time for you to leave Spike.” Angel gave the other vampire a hard glare.
The blonde seemed to consider it for a moment. “Sure, I’ll leave you and the little lady to get back to whatever it was you were doing.” He turned to leave, happy to have upset his grandsire’s evening. “Enjoy it while you can, mate, there’s a new demon in town asking all sorts of questions about you, and I don’t think it because he’s look for a date. I look forward to hearing about your horrible, painful death the next time I drop into Willy’s.”
“He’s really annoying.” Cordelia commented as she watched the retreating back of the blonde vampire.
“You have no idea.” Muttered Angel. “Looks like patrol is over for the night. We should head back to the library and tell the others there’s a new demon in town.”
“Yeah and that he’s gunning for you.”
A brief glance of frustration was exchanged before both slowly made their way out of the
Next time I see Spike, I’m gonna stake him.
***
Worried and stressed was never a good state for a slayer; but Buffy remained diligent in her never-ending pace back and forth in the cramped space of the library. She was beginning to think that her great plan was in fact, not so great after all. Teaming Cordelia and Angel had seemed the perfect test. The only downside being that it gave them the opportunity to spend an entire evening alone…at her insistence.
Pausing briefly to glance at the double doors, she willed them to swing open and defy her insane suspicions; but despite power of concentration they remained annoyingly still. Pacing resumed with renewed fervour, Buffy contemplated possible scenarios. One, Cordelia and Angel had been attacked by Hell Beasts and were at this very moment battling for their lives, which would explain why they were so late in returning. Two, Cordelia and Angel were just friends; which seemed unlikely considering the Halloween catastrophe. Which led to scenario three and, in her opinion the most likely; Cordelia and Angel were madly in love and laughing at her behind her back. Truth to tell, Buffy had her hopes pinned on the Hell Beasts.
The sound of a throat being cleared, Xander’s not so tactful way of expressing his annoyance, snapped Buffy from her ever increasing delirium.“Uh, Buff, do you maybe want to take a break from the pacing? You’re wearing a hole in the floor.”
Buffy glanced over her shoulder and saw three sets of annoyed eyes trained on her. She gave a sheepish grin and sank into the nearest empty chair.
“Sorry guys, it’s just…where are they? We managed to cover two cemeteries and stop for pizza in less time than it’s taken Angel and Cordelia to cover one part of town.” The words came out in a jumbled rush, clearly betraying her worry.
“I’m sure they’re fine Buffy. If they ran into any trouble Angel is more than capable.” Giles offered in his most reassuring voice. No need to share that he was also beginning to wonder what the absent pair might be up to.
Though surprised at Buffy’s suggestion that Cordelia and Angel patrol together, Giles was always pleased to see his slayer take on the responsibilities of her calling. So despite his own personal distrust of the vampire’s intentions, he had refrained from interfering. Teenagers he sighed difficult at the best of times; but teenagers battling the supernatural are almost beyond even my comprehension.
Buffy glanced at her watcher, his words providing little comfort. She wasn’t worried about Cordelia and Angels’ physical safety, no it was more their physical…she quickly shut down that thought, terrified to take it any further.
“I know, you’re right.”
Silence descended and a familiar tension began to rise.
“Why’d you pair those two up anyway?” Xander asked oh so casually, not even glancing up from the book he was pretending to read or flinching from the kick Willow delivered under the table.
Buffy paused, debating whether to share her plan, her gaze fell on Giles who was sure to disapprove.
“Well,” Buffy hesitantly began, her gaze trailing to her watcher who was sure to disapprove. “They seemed so friendly at The Bronze that I thought they’d enjoy the chance to work together.” She explained, accentuating the operative word to make her point.
Willow and Xander understood full well their friend’s objective, but Giles thankfully oblivious to the inner working of teenage hormones rose from the table muttering about the need for another book.
“So you want to encourage the ‘cosiness’?” Xander crooked his fingers, emphasising his annoyance with an imaginary air quote. “Really Buff, I didn’t realise you were some sort of councillor. Buffy Summers, bringing the undead and the prom queens together.” Sarcasm literally dripped from his words, Xander was clearly unhappy with her plan.
Buffy held his gaze for a moment before dropping her eyes, the plan was a bad one and she knew it, but you couldn’t blame a girl for wondering if her ex had been playing around before the official break up.
“I think you’re worrying for nothing. They’ll walk through the door any minute and you’ll see that everything is normal, well as normal as we get around here anyway.” Willow could see her friends once again walking down the path of paranoia and wanted to head them off quickly. “Maybe they just stopped for coffee.”
“Not helping Will.” Was Buffy’s strained reply. “I just think that…” She was cut off mid sentence by the library doors swinging open, her head snapped round to witness the laughing couple’s entry.
Caught up in their mock argument, they seemed oblivious of the others in the room. “Don’t even joke about blowing up the mall.” Cordelia raised her hand threateningly as Angel pretended to cower away. “Just ‘cos you don’t like the place doesn’t mean it isn’t vital to a civilised society.” She chastised, her teasing grin belying the threat in her voice.
“Yes ma’am.” Replied a thoroughly cowed Angel.
Buffy stood, the chair scraping over the floor failing to interrupt the couple’s sickening display. Hands firmly on hips and determined to be acknowledged she cleared her throat with a loud grunt.
The wayward duo turned, realising they were the centre of attention. “Hey, sorry we’re late.” Cordelia breezed past the ogling group and collapsed into a vacant chair, and holding up her cup as a visual aid announced, “we stopped for coffee.”
Buffy’s eyes narrowed, Xander frowned and Willow debated whether it was too late to transfer to another school.
“Great,” Buffy responded in a gratingly cheerful voice. What the…? Angel is practically hovering over her! “I’d hate to think that patrol duty would distract you from having a social life.”
“Please, it’s not like I’m you. We went for coffee after we patrolled that hellhole laughingly called ‘downtown’.”
“We ran into Spike.” Angel injected before a sparring match between the pair could ensue. “He said there’s a new demon in town.”
“Really? Did he give you any information about what type of demon or why it’s here?” Asked Giles as he approached, having determined that it was now safe to leave the tranquillity of the stacks.
Cordelia couldn’t suppress a snort, “Sure, he gave us a full description plus a copy of the demon’s social calendar; and Spike being such a nice guy even told us how to kill it.”
“I simply meant that Spike may have let something useful slip without realising it.” Giles gave the brunette a withering look.
“No, nothing helpful, except that it seems to be looking for me.” Angel quietly informed the group.
“Maybe it’s one of your old, evil friends, come to town to look you up and you know, relive the glory days.” Though delivered with ample zeal Xander’s dig fell flat.
All wisecracks begrudgingly put on hold; the post patrol meeting began in earnest. Buffy listened as intently as possible, even managing a comment or two, but her mind was clearly elsewhere. Cordelia and Angel seemed relaxed with each other; too relaxed in Buffy’s opinion, sharing private jokes and glances even more private.
Buffy’s plan may have been a bad one but it had accomplished her goal, but it didn’t deliver the reassurance that Angel had been faithful. Tomorrow she thougt me and Cordelia are going to have a conversation.
***
Cordelia loved being a cheerleader, but practice plus monster duty was exhausting; and going from high kicks to heavy research was just plain confusing. Relieved that practice was finally over, she slammed her locker door shut. Metal banged against metal revealing a petite blonde, arms crossed and eyes glowing with determination.
Startled Cordelia leapt back in shock, hands flying to her chest to try and calm her now rapidly beating heart.
“Geeze Buffy, lurk much? This isn’t a graveyard and I’m not a vampire so make some noise when you sneak up on me.” Point made Cordelia sat down to pull on her shoes, only glancing up when she realised that Buffy hadn’t moved a muscle.
“What? Have I got my shirt on inside out?” Cordelia began a close examination of her outfit, convinced that was the reason behind the blonde’s increasingly unsettling gaze. Reaching the conclusion that everything was up to her usual high standards Cordelia turned back to face Buffy. “Ok, now you’re just acting weird, well weirder than normal for you.”
Uncomfortable being alone with an odd-acting slayer, Cordelia shoved her feet into her shoes and made for the door. She was brought up short by Buffy’s arm shooting out and blocking her path, and knowing that she couldn’t move the freakishly strong limb settled for stepping back and crossing her own arms.
“Ok Buffy, spill. Clearly you’ve got some trauma you want to share so let’s have it, I actually have a life I’d like to get on with sometime soon.”
“You and Angel.” Was all Buffy said.
“Me and Angel what? Am I supposed to guess the rest of the sentence? Is this a fun game for you, ‘cos honestly, I don’t get it.” Cordelia threw up her hands and began to try and move around the other girl but Buffy mirrored her actions, blocking her path again.
“You and Angel, how long have you been seeing each other?” The question was finally out there and Buffy waited for her fears to be confirmed.
There was a moment of stunned silence as Cordelia digested the question. Buffy actually thought she was dating Angel? She shook her head, confused at how such a ridiculous conclusion had been reached.
“What? Are you crazy? Maybe I should I get Giles.” Cordelia did not like the thought of having to tackle an unbalanced slayer alone, and Buffy clearly was crazy. Her and Angel seeing each other? Please they hadn’t even kissed not to mention her policy of not dating guys without a pulse.
“I’m not crazy Cordelia, and I’m not stupid. You two have been acting way too friendly lately and I want to know what’s going on.” The hard look in Buffy’s eyes finally convinced Cordelia that she was dealing with a sane, if not altogether rational, slayer.
“Nothing is going on. We’re friends…I think.” Cordelia paused, she hadn’t really thought about what her relationship with the tall vampire was, friend didn’t seem quite the right word but then she wasn’t sure there was a word that could describe her relationship with Angel. “Anyway if you’re so worked up by that then why’d you pair us up yesterday?”
“Why do you think? Come on Cordelia, I thought the airhead thing was all an act.” Anger made Buffy speak without thinking. She was so sure that she was being made a fool of and Cordelia didn’t seem to be taking this seriously enough.
“What, you were testing us? My God, are you delusional? Angel and me get along; he’s a nice guy. Anyway you two broke up, remember? So what does it matter if there is something going on?” Cordelia’s own anger was on the rise, she was furious at the thought of Buffy trying to catch her and Angel out and was not in the mood to assuage the blonde’s fears.
“So there is something going on?” Buffy asked triumphantly. “Did you wait ‘til we broke up or just move in when you saw the relationship on the rocks?”
“Listen Buffy, I don’t know what fantasyland you’re living in but I don’t want to be a part of it. Get out of my way.” Cordelia gave the shorter girl a hard look, making it clear that she wasn’t joking.
“I’m just trying to work out what’s been going on. To figure out if my boyfriend, who said he loved me, and a friend have been lying to me.” Buffy didn’t budge, determined to get a firm confession from the other girl. Cordelia hadn’t outright denied anything and that was as good as admitting her guilt.
“Angel’s your ‘ex’ boyfriend Buffy, or did you forget?” Cordelia asked sweetly, the super-bitch fighting it’s way to the surface.
She had worked with Buffy, helped her fight and this was the thanks she was getting. No way was Cordelia Chase going to make this easy, she was angry now and Buffy was going to have to realise that just because she was the slayer didn’t mean that she was going to win this fight.
“I’m not the one with the faulty memory Cordelia, I recall a time when you seemed to have trouble even remembering Angel had a girlfriend, the way you used to hang all over him.” Buffy returned the sweet smile with one of her own saccharine creations.
“I felt sorry for the guy, thought he could use a break. Now get out of my way.” Cordelia manoeuvred herself round a fuming Buffy and hastily made her way to the door. Just before leaving the brunette turned, “Listen Buffy, you’re a friend so I’m going to give you a little piece of advice; You broke up, get over it and stop projecting your issues onto me.” With that she left.
Once in the hallway Cordelia sucked in a deep gulp of air, the confrontation had unsettled her. Is that what people were thinking, that her and Angel were dating…had been dating? She needed to talk to him and straighten all this out, plus the guy deserved a warning that a crazy slayer on the lose.
CHAPTER 14
Lilah Morgan swiftly dialled the number she had come to know by heart. Her grand plan didn’t seem to be moving at any great pace and encountering Lindsey’s questioning gaze on a daily basis was fast becoming unacceptable.
“Jenoff.” Was the terse answer.
“Mr Jenoff? This is Lilah Morgan. I was calling to see if you had completed the job?” She put on her best professional voice; smooth and sure with just a hint of menace, it was always best to keep the hired help on their toes. “We were hoping to have heard from you by now.”
On the other end of the phone the demon gave a slow smile. The human lawyers really thought they were running the show.
“Ms Morgan, how lovely to hear from you.” He lied smoothly. “I’m pleased to say that everything is coming together as planned.”
“Really?” Lilah injected just the right note of surprise into her voice. “Does that mean that you’ve successfully removed the vampire’s soul? Because you really should have let us know the moment it happened.” Hope rose in her chest, maybe it was done and the demon had just been slack keeping them informed.
There was a short silence as Jenoff attempted to frame a polite answer. “The soul is still in the vampire. It’s not as straightforward as walking up to him and sucking it out.”
“Really? I thought it was exactly that easy. Remind me what we’re paying you for again?” The sarcasm in her voice was hard to miss.
“He is strong and is friends with the slayer. I’ve been watching him, learning his movements so that I can pick the right time to approach him.”
“That sounds like crap. All you’re doing is enjoying an all expenses paid vacation on the Hellmouth.” Lilah was not impressed. “Get it done, I’d hate for you to have to find out what we do to people who don’t live up to their contracts…well maybe hate is the wrong word.” Her voice switched back to its usual pleasant cadence, Lilah was on familiar ground; threatening people was second nature.
“I told you I’d complete the job when I took it on, there’s no need for the threats.” Jenoff could think of a few of his own at that moment, but was smart enough not to say them out loud. “Anyway, you’ll be pleased to know that by this time tomorrow the job will be done.”
Lilah felt hope rise again. “Really?”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Lilah hung up without so much as a ‘good luck’; if Jenoff failed he’d need more than luck to survive. She heaved a contented sigh, soon the plan would be completed and she would be moving on up.
***
A loud banging on the door pulled Angel from the streets of nineteenth century London and back to the present. Lifting a brow his listened for any sign of trouble. Living on the Hellmouth tended to make even a demon cautious. He carefully marked his place in the book before making his way to the front door.
Angel paused to listen for a moment, listening to the nervous shuffling of feet and a racing heart; his lips stretched into a contented grin. Her familiar scent imprinted in his mind, he only needed a breath to recognise his unexpected guest
A quick scan of the room made sure nothing embarrassing lying around before he anxiously opened the door. Confronted by the sight of Cordelia’s back, Angel stood quietly; amused as she continued her private conversation with herself still oblivious of his presence.
“Is this a private debate or can anyone join in?” He joked, proud of the light-hearted tone that covered his inner nervousness.
Cordelia spun round and fixed the vampire with an annoyed glare. “What, is it national let’s-sneak-up-on-Cordelia Day or something?”
Confused by the simple but random question, Angel stared back at the glare aimed in his direction. You’d think I wouldn’t be surprised by the confusion.“Um, you knocked on my door, I thought that meant you wanted me to answer it.” He replied hoping it was the right answer to give.
“Well, duh!” Cordelia pushed past the bemused vampire and into the apartment.
His head following her movement, he watched as Cordelia proceeded to examine every inch of his apartment. Silently shaking his head he closed the door, content to follow the brunette’s whirlwind as she scrutinized his personal space.
“So is this a social call?” His voice hopeful. Cordelia coming round for a voluntary visit would certainly be a step in the right direction.
Snapped from her close inspection of a dagger she was convinced was studded with real rubies, Cordelia looked over at the expectant vampire. “What? No, I mean sure it’s nice to see you but we need to talk.”
The four dreaded words. Angel’s heart sank, before he remembered Cordelia couldn’t break up with him as they weren’t dating. But then this is Cordelia we’re talking about. The girl could easily have played out their non-existent relationship in her head and come to tell him it would never work.
“We do?” He asked softly, slowly moving further into the room, never taking his eyes off an increasingly nervous Cordelia.
“Yes. We have a huge problem…or a very small, super strong one, depending on how you look at it.” She was rambling, but the unwavering eyes of the dark vampire were doing nothing for her nerves.
Still high on anger and annoyance, her mad dash across town had seemed totally logical ten minutes ago. Now however, in Angel’s apartment, completely alone with him, his dark gaze resting heavily on her, she felt less sure that this was a sound plan.
Angel studied the nervous young woman standing opposite him, sight narrowed to the sixteenth century, Tudor dagger restlessly passing from hand to hand. Her eyes were distracted, clearly her mind was focused elsewhere and from her furrowed brow it wasn’t a fun place.
Slowly approaching, he gently removed the weapon from her hand and placed on the table. His actions bringing him well inside her personal bubble and Cordelia back to reality.
Dagger now safe Angel pulled back slightly and caught confused hazel eyes with his own. “What’s the problem?” His voice whispered across her cheek. He hadn’t been around for two hundred plus years without learning a thing or two about seduction.
Cordelia blinked rapidly a few times attempting to clear her mind, but Angel’s close proximity made that more than a little difficult.
“Uh…the problem…that we have…” Come on brain, you can do this she silently encouraged. “Buffy.” She blurted out the name. “Buffy is the problem.” That said Cordelia heaved a huge sigh of relief that her befuddled brain had managed to co-operate.
Angel drew back a little further, brow snapping together in confusion. “Buffy is the problem?” He asked slowly, hoping that he had somehow misheard. Buffy was not a subject that interested him at that moment.
“Yes. She’s crazy, mad, not playing with a full deck!”
“Huh?” Angel wasn’t even going to pretend to understand what the brunette was talking about.
“She came to see me today, well more like accosted me, and accused me…accused us of having an affair…and get this, she thinks it started before you tow broke up!” Anger rising to the fore, Cordelia moved away from the vampire so that she could pace out her frustration. “I mean what kind of crazy talk is that?” Just because you keep saying it doesn’t make it true, a quiet voice whispered in her head.
Unsure if her tirade was over, Angel hesitated in sharing his thoughts that Cordelia must have misunderstood. It also gave him time to try and sort out what was being said. Apparently Buffy was accusing him of having cheated on her with Cordelia. I wish… the thought popped into his head before he could stop it.
“Buffy thinks I cheated on her?”
“Yes! And now I have a mentally unbalanced, super-strong freak mad at me!” Cordelia abruptly halted her pacing and spun to face an even more confused vampire. “And guess what her proof of our grand affair is…us stopping for coffee yesterday.”
“Huh?” Angel was beginning to embrace the word; it seemed to sum up his reaction.
“Patrol yesterday was a little test and we flunked because we got along. So now she thinks we’ve been going at it behind her back for weeks.
Angel winced as Cordelia’s voice rose to a shrill pitch that rang inside his sensitive ears. “I’m sure there’s just been some sort of misunderstanding. Maybe Buffy’s taking the break-up harder than I thought.”
“Ya think?” Cordelia couldn’t believe how slow the guy was being. “This is clearly all some weird break-up trauma, but why do I have to get dragged into it?” She demanded, giving Angel only a second to respond. “Nothing is going on between us and even if it were it’s none of her business. You two aren’t even dating anymore, which I pointed out.”
The more she thought about it the more tangled her thoughts became. She and Angel were… friends, and that’s it; they would never work as a couple. Everyone would think she was crazy, not to mention going back on her policy of non-dating of dead guys.
“You told Buffy it was none of her business if something was happening with you and me?” Interesting.
Angel focusing on the wrong thing earned him an exasperated glare. “Yes, but can we please get back to the important stuff, like the fact that a crazy slayer is mad at us.”
“I’ll talk to her and straighten everything out.” He assured. And he would, Angel didn’t want Buffy to think that he had cheated on her; he would never hurt her like that. He also needed to make it clear that making unfounded accusations was not the way to handle things.
“You better.” Cordelia interrupted his thoughts. “I plan on living a long, healthy life with fame, money and possibly Brad Pitt, and none of that will happen if Little Miss Likes to Fight decides that I stole her boyfriend.”
“Who’s Brad Pitt?” Angel questioned, wondering if he was going to have to compete with a high school jock for Cordelia’s attention.
“Way to focus on the important stuff Angel.” Cordelia deadpanned. “So you’ll talk to Buffy and tell her we didn’t cheat and that nothing is going on.”
“Sure.”
Why did her heart sink at Angel’s quick acceptance that they were simply friends and nothing else? It may have become her mantra, but did it have to be Angel’s too?
“Although I’m not going to lie to her.” Angel continued as he slowly moved towards her, determination etched in every line of his face. Time to clear one or two things up…
Cordelia didn’t move, just stood warily watching his approach.
He came to a stop directly in front of her and gently raised his hand to brush a stray lock of hair from her cheek. “I think we both know that there is definitely something happening here.”
***
Buffy and Willow sat cross-legged on the floor, their full attention directed to the delicate task of applying the final coat of Perfect Plumb to their nails. The silence was a comfortable one, and a comfortable cover for Willow’s internal struggle. Bringing up the one topic that they hadn’t yet covered needed to be approached with tact, or she was going to have one annoyed slayer on her hands.
“So, did you speak to Cordelia and get everything straightened out?” Drawing in a deep, fortifying breath Willow waited impatiently, hoping fort eh big resounding yes that would get their lives back to normal.
Buffy sat quietly as she applied the final stroke with expert precision. After giving her wet nails a quick blow, she carefully dropped the brush inside the bottle and gave the cap a determined twist. Finally looking up at her friend, she let out the hurt hidden behind sad, watery eyes.
“Yeah, and I think I have a pretty good idea about what’s been going on.” Buffy rose from her sitting position and began to pace the room, waving her hands about to speed up the drying process. “Angel and Cordelia are definitely having an affair.”
Willow blinked at the finality in the blonde’s tone; this was not going to be one of their easier talks. “Did Cordelia actually say that?”
“She didn’t have to, Will.” Buffy spun round to face her friend. “It was so obvious, she went all defensive and kept reminding me that Angel is my ex. Like I gonna forget that!”
Willow was determined to make her friend see sense, sure that once Buffy returned to sanity Xander would follow, and they would both be grateful that one of them had not wondered into the world of the crazy people. The tension in the group was unbearable, she hated the undercurrents and the double-speak, Willow’s resolve face was firmly in place.
“But she never actually came out and said, “Yes Buffy, me and Angel are giving a torrid affair and have been for weeks”?” Willow hated to be mean, but she felt like the situation called for a little firmness. “Well, did she?” Willow persisted when Buffy didn’t respond.
“No.” Was the terse reply.
“So your ‘Angel has been cheating on me’ theory is still just a theory?” Wow, when I set out to get to the truth I’m like a pit bull.
“I…It’s just so…” Buffy trailed off, unsure where her thoughts were going and frustration with her friend rising. What happened to being supportive, hating the ex and being willing to believe the worst of him? Wasn’t that like, required for best friends?
Buffy knew she was letting her suspicions get the better of her, but she couldn’t seem to stop her imagination from running wild. The fact that every time she turned round, Cordelia and Angel seemed to be sharing a private joke or deep in private conversations, did not help. Did she rally believe that Angel would act like that? Or Cordelia for that matter? She groaned and sank down onto the bed, burying her face in her hands. Life was just confusing.
Seeing her friend’s distress, Willow decided that she’d played bad cop long enough, that it was time for a softer approach. “Buffy, I’m not saying you’re wrong. I’m just saying you need to make sure you have all the facts before you start accusing people.”
A muffled groan came floating out. Buffy raised her head. “It’s a little late for that. I kinda lost it with Cordelia earlier.
“Oh…I’m sure if you just explain everything to her…” Willow trailed off, not convinced by her own reasoning.
“No. I’m not explaining anything to her until I know for sure what’s going on.” Buffy sat up straight. “Maybe I am being paranoid, but something weird is going on with those two and I need to know what it is.”
Willow sighed. She has done what she could to bring back the sanity, but Buffy was clearly set on her painful path. If the madness continued much longer then she had the number of another school on speed dial and was willing to use it.
***
“I think we both know that there is definitely something happening here.”
Angel’s hand slowly slid round to tangle in the silky strands of her hair. He slowly leaned in and lightly pressed his mouth to hers.
Confusion quickly replaced by shock, Cordelia let out a soft gasp at the unexpected contact as his mouth moved gently over hers, teasingly drawing a response.
Angel had been longing for this moment for weeks, and now he was finally able to play out the fantasy, uninterrupted. He was sure that she wanted this too, certain that they had been dancing around the same attraction.
Cordelia’s hands rose to rest lightly on his chest, her body unconsciously swaying towards his. Feeling her body melt into his Angel deepened the kiss letting his tongue slide out to trace her lower lip.
Unfamiliar sensations began to build within Cordelia. Her entire body felt on fire, she liked it, and she wanted more. Tentatively her tongue slid out to meet Angel’s, softly exploring. Angel groaned at the contact, his arms coming up to firmly encircle the brunette, any illusion of space between their bodies gone. Cordelia wound her arms around his neck, fingers playing with the soft hair at the nape of his neck, enjoying the sense of power Angel’s response gave her.
Angel’s hands began smooth strokes down Cordelia’s back, from shoulder blades to ass and back, drawing her impossibly closer. Bodies moulded together in a perfect fit. Angel could feel the soft swell of her breasts pushing against his chest, and clothing was fast becoming annoying.
Cordelia’s mind whirled at the onslaught of Angel’s cool mouth and roving hands. She was lost in a haze of ever increasing desire. The need for oxygen was fast becoming an issue, but was being shouted down by her determination to experience more.
As though reading her mind, Angel reluctantly broke the kiss, though he didn’t release her, unwilling to give up all contact just yet.
Struggling for breath and composure, Cordelia’s head dropped, her forehead to resting against Angel’s chest. There’s goes my theory that kissing the guy will get him out of my system. As her bemused mind began to clear, Cordelia realised exactly what had just happened and she stiffened in the vampire’s arms.
Angel was too busy fighting his own internal battle to notice the change. He was struggling to reign in his desire, to contain the urge to take the kiss further. Don’t fight it, go with it, you know you want to… The dark inner voice was temptation itself, speaking the truth that he wasn’t ready to hear. He shook his head, determined to regain control of himself, and realised that Cordelia was no longer relaxed, but stood stiffly in his arms.
Slowly, reluctantly, he dropped his arms to his sides, stepping back. His husky voice was suddenly loud in the quiet room, “You ok?”
Cordelia lifted her eyes to meet his, confusion mixed with lingering desire reflected in their hazel depths. “Wow.” She whispered softly. “Did that just happen?”
Angel gave her a small smile. “Definitely.” He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of male satisfaction at her reaction, he was good.
“So…I guess that makes Buffy right.” Cordelia wasn’t as upset by that thought as she normally would have been, this time she was happy to defer to the blonde slayer. Just as soon as I straighten her out about the whole cheating issue.
The pair stood in silence, neither willing to break the spell. For weeks they had been dancing around one another, their intricate steps finally leading them to this, and it deserved to be savoured.
“It’s late, I should go.” Cordelia finally forced out, the regret in her voice making it easier to accept. She needed some space, time alone to think about what had just happened. She was pretty sure it was something special, but her mind needed to catch up with her body.
“Sure. I understand.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow?” She struggled to sound casual, but gave up, knowing that it was a losing battle.
“Count on it.” Angel raised his hand and gently stroked her cheek, revelling in the closeness. Cordelia’s hand rose to cover his for a brief moment, before she reluctantly made her way to the door and out of the apartment.
Angel’s eyes trailed her every move until the door shut behind her. Happiness rose in him at the thought of what was beginning, something new and real, and special. It was only tempered by his need to talk to Buffy, straighten out her crazy ideas and to let her know that whatever went on between him and Cordelia was no reflection on their past relationship, and was certainly none of her business.
Angel stood in the middle of his apartment, smiling. Tomorrow was a day to look forward to.
