Part 4
Having showered and dressed hours ago, Angel was now pacing…pacing and fuming. He looked at the clock for the umpteenth time, twelve thirty. It had been over twenty-four hours since the girl bolted from his apartment. Angel glanced at the clock again, even when late Cordelia arrived at the office by noon. Was she ever coming back?
Cordelia stood outside the office door plucking up the courage to go inside and face the irate vampire that had stuffed her answering machine with unreturned messages. She had decided the best way to handle this situation was to ignore it. Ignore it and it would eventually go away. What else was she supposed to do?
She had lost her virginity to a man that doesn’t love her. A man that was clearly in love with someone else. Her virgin state had been very important to her, still was; no longer having it didn’t make it any less important, just less intact. That night hadn’t meant anything to him. It couldn’t have; he was too relaxed and casual about it. Angel had been hurting and feeling lonely and she had been available.
God what was she thinking; how could she have been so needy to allow that to happen? She had to get her emotions under control; Angel would never return her feelings and the sooner she accepted that the better. Besides nothing was worth losing Angel as a friend and her resentment would only grow if anything like that was to ever happen again.
Taking a deep, calming breath, she opened the door and marched inside. Empty. Maybe he went out already. Good. This is good. I get a little more time to prepare.
***
The almost thunder-like heartbeat interrupted Angel’s pacing. He stood and listened to Cordelia standing outside the office door for almost ten minutes before finally coming inside. What was that girl thinking? He was supposed to be the one to over analyze and brood about every little thing. It had only taken him about fifteen minutes to decide what had happened between them was great. Not just great; the best thing to ever happen to him.
What was that woman’s problem? He had made it good for her. Cordelia certainly didn’t have any complaints at the time. Well he had called her a dozen times and she hadn’t returned any of them, he certainly wasn’t going to run upstairs and beg her to talk now.
Angel’s steps were lighter than the air around him. The door to the outer office was slightly ajar and from the dark of his private office, he could easily follow her movements. Angel noticed the slower heart rate and calmer breathing and knew Cordelia must have assumed he had already left. He checked his clothing one last time, new gray sweater, black pants and no lint or wrinkles.
Damn. You are a lovesick puppy. Get out there and intimidate the girl with some of that man-pire savvy that made you famous.
Angel walked up behind his unsuspecting prey and silently waited for her to turn around. Cordelia lay against the broad, cool structure only seconds before jumping back and squealing obscenities at the irritating vampire.
“Damn it Angel! You so need a bell. If you don’t want it hanging around your neck we can always shove it up your smart-ass.”
Angel couldn’t hide the pleased smirk even if he wanted to and of course, he didn’t want to. Oh God, please don’t want to talk. Just smile and walk away. Cordelia plastered a big smile across her face and scurried to her desk, grabbing various papers as she pretended to read.
Angel followed without hesitation; standing as close as he could without actually touching her. He finally had her where she couldn’t avoid him and it was pay back time for ignoring him. Act casual, invade a little of that personal bubble she’s always demanding and watch her squirm.
“We need to talk.” Damn it! Spike’s right I am a poof.
Spinning around too fast Cordelia collided with Angel’s broad form. He grabbed her arms to steady her and to keep her snug against him. That’s right little girl, I’ve got you now. “Cordy are you OK?” His words thick with fake concern.
“I..I..I….Oh look, it’s Kate!” Relief washed over Cordelia; she had been saved by the detective’s timely interruption. “Detective Lockley, come in. How are you? Do you need to talk to Angel?
Angel stared in disbelief at the woman pressed against him. What the hell does she think she’s doing?
Cordelia ignored Angel’s irritated glare as she continued to ramble. “Well right, here he is and with nothing to do, so just go right on in to his office. “Angel, Detective Lockley is here to see you.” Hearing the angry growl Cordelia swatted Angel on his shoulder prompting him to turn his attention to their visitor. “Angel, say hello to Kate.”
“Hello Kate.” Angel released his grip on Cordelia with a jerk and followed Kate to his office. Just before the door closed behind them, he turned back toward the source of his frustration. “We’ll talk later.”
“Sure big guy, whatever you say.” A bright and confident smile etched across her face. Yea right. Pfft. Cordelia puttered around the office trying to decide whether to leave or stay and face the pissed off vampire.
***
“I really appreciate your help Angel. We’ve been working this case for weeks and getting nowhere.” The door to Angel’s private office opened to the silent, empty reception area.
“No problem Kate, I’m glad you came to me. I’ll check out some of my sources and let you….damn it.” Angel made wide determined strides to Cordelia’s desk, yanking open the drawer that should be housing her purse. “Damn it.” Angel hissed into the empty space.
“What is it? Is something wrong? The detective questioned, confused by Angel’s erratic behavior and unhealthy obsession with the metal drawer.
“No. Yes. Cordelia left early without saying anything.”
“Oh. Maybe she’s just running an errand. Ok then I need to get back to the station. You will keep me informed of anything you find out?”
“Yea sure, I’ll call you as soon as I know anything.”
“Great.” Walking to the door Kate glanced back at the mysterious private detective that was still hovering over the empty drawer. “Angel I’m really sorry about your friend. I know how hard it is to lose one of your own.”
Angel slammed the drawer shut with the shove of his foot. “Thanks Kate, it’s been really hard…for both of us.”
“Maybe that’s why she left early Angel. She just needs more time to deal with the loss.”
“Huh…yea maybe.”
“I’ll see you later and call me.” The door closed as her last words sounded.
Needs more time? She needs something all right but it’s not time. Doesn’t matter though because I have plenty of what she needs and I’m going to start giving it to her right now. Angel punched the numbers he had dialed repeatedly over the last twenty-six hours and waited for the inevitable answering machine to pick up.
“Cordy pick up. We have a case and I need your help working it.”
Cordelia listened to Angel’s voice. Sounds calm. Maybe he’s to busy with this case to be angry with me. Case, working a case; if it has anything to do with Kate Lockley I doubt we’re getting paid.
“Cordelia…pick you the phone.” Angel’s irritation a little more evident this time.
Cordelia picked up the phone, crossing her fingers that Angel would only want to talk about their new case. “Hey Angel. We have a case? Are we getting paid?”
“No. I don’t think we’re getting paid. Kate’s having trouble with a case she’s investigating and I told her we’d help her out.”
“We? Since when do I work cases? You never wanted me to work a case with you before.”
“Well it’s just the two of us now and besides for this case I need a woman for my partner.”
Woman? “Woman, why do you need a woman?”
“Look I’ll be over right after sundown and I’ll explain everything to you then.”
“You’re coming here? Shouldn’t I meet you at the office?”
“No that would just take up more time. I’ll need to check how you’re dressed and if you need to change we’ll be there, not at the office.”
“How I’m dressed? It’s a stake out, right? I’m wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. What difference does it make what I’m wearing?”
“Look, I don’t have a lot of time right now. I need to check with some of my sources before tonight. I’ll explain everything when I get there. Just stay at home and get plenty of rest, you’re going to need it.” CLICK
Cordelia stared in disbelief at the abruptly ended call. What the hell is that psycho vampire up to? Fine, I’ll rest. Look at me relaxed and resting. Damn it, I’ll rest his undead, fat ass if he thinks he’s going to play games with me. “Pfft.”
Angel flipped the hanging sign to ‘closed’ and locked the outer office door. Grabbing his cherished copy of Shakespeare’s ‘Taming of the Shrew’, he strolled toward the elevator. Angel glanced at the clock; he had almost four hours before sundown. He would read in undisturbed peace, enjoy the anticipation of the night ahead and Cordelia Chase would pace with worry over his cryptic message.
Think you can play with me little girl. Let the master show you how to play. Can’t wait to show you my toys.