Part 8
“Hey Giles. Have you found anything?”
“No cure as of yet, but I did stumble across a similar incident. It seems we are very fortunate it was Angel and not you that was infected.”
“Why?”
“Apparently the effects on a human are quite severe. The thoughts would have started out at slow rate but within a matter of hours, your mind would have been flooded by so many thoughts you wouldn’t be able to distinguish them from each other. It would have driven you mad.”
“What about Angel?”
“He’s a vampire. Perhaps the fact that he is already a demon prevents the ‘aspect’ from fully manifesting.”
“So you don’t think it’s just taking longer to kick into overdrive?”
“No. It’s been days and his condition has remained stable.”
“Yeah but he’s kinda been isolated.”
“There’s no place isolated enough for this particular affliction. Plus he’s been spending quite a bit of time with Cordelia. He can still only hear her thoughts when he looks directly at her.”
“Thank god for small favors. No one should be forced to hear her thoughts.”
“Buffy, you should show some gratitude. Cordelia invited Angel into her home despite the dangers that have been associated with such invitations in the past. Would you have preferred he remain at the mansion?”
“Of course not. I’m sorry. I’m just on overload right now with everything that’s happening. I just…I need Angel cured.”
“I know. I will find a way.”
“Thanks Giles. I know you have a lot on your plate right now.”
“Fear not for I am here!”
“Hey Xander. I thought Willow and Oz were with you.”
“We are.” The couple in question entered. Willow released Oz’s hand as she neared the table. “We are researching machines. Well I mean we’re not actually researching about machines. I meant that we are researching machines, you know?”
“We understand.”
“You’re supposed to stop me when I ramble.”
“I like it when you ramble.”
Willow smiled. *I have the sweetest boyfriend.*
Giles distributed books among the group. “You can begin with these. With Wesley and I working on finding a cure, I need all of you to focus on the ascension.”
“We’re on it, Giles. We will find something and I will stop the Mayor.”
“Yeah G-Man. The world is in capable hands. It won’t be ending on our watch.”
“That’s comforting and don’t call me that.”
“Where is Wesley? He was threatening to go on patrol with me again.”
“I identified a text that may be helpful. He’s trying to locate it.”
“You sent him on the old snipe hunt. That’s pretty slick Giles.”
“I did no such thing Xander. The text he is searching for is real. Wesley has actually proved somewhat useful.”
“Sorry watcher mine. I’d have to see that to believe it.”
“Just..get to work. I should warn you. I need to make several phone calls tonight so I’ll be using my office.”
“You have my permission.”
“Thank you for that Xander. I simply meant Angel will have to work out here with all of you.”
“Oh.” Buffy looked around at the others. “We can handle it, right guys?”
“It’ll be fine Buffy.” Willow directed a pleading look at Xander. “I’m sure Angel will try to respect our privacy. I mean it only works when he looks directly at someone.”
“How about we blindfold him?”
“It kinda defeats the purpose of coming here. He can’t do much reading if he can’t see.”
“Oh right. Pretend I didn’t say that.” Xander ducked his head. *Oz thinks he’s so clever.*
“I’ll be in my office should you need me.”
***
Angel felt pleasantly relaxed until the car stopped in front of the high school. In spite of some awkward moments in Cordelia’s bedroom followed by some more in the kitchen, they had managed to enjoy their dinners and each other’s company.
Now it was time to face the others. He felt a twinge of guilt. He should be excited about seeing Buffy but he wasn’t. He knew he made her nervous. He should be cursing his new ability’s effect on their relationship, but he wasn’t. He was staying with Cordelia because no one else wanted to be around him.
The unforgivable truth was he’d rather be with Cordelia at her house than in the library with everyone. He wanted to believe it was because of Buffy’s nervousness but he couldn’t quite convince himself. The awkwardness had been there before.
He couldn’t remember being as at ease with anyone in his souled existence as he was with Cordelia. He’d fallen in love with Buffy the moment he saw her, but when it came to talking, it never came easy.
It had only been a few days since he and Cordelia became friends. It was strange how quickly he’d taken comfort in her presence. Sleeping with her in his arms had given him his first restful night since Willow cursed him with his permanent soul. He already felt stronger as a result. He craved more and that made his guilt intensify.
Buffy was his girlfriend. He shouldn’t have spent most of his day in Cordelia’s bed. He shouldn’t have buried his nose in her pillow to inhale her wonderful scent. He shouldn’t be hoping Cordelia would share his bed again tonight.
“You have noticed we’ve been sitting here for like five minutes, right? Are we going in sometime tonight?”
“You mean I get a choice?”
“Nice try. Enough with the spacey routine. Let’s go.”
“Fine.” Angel clutched his book and followed her into the school.
***
“OK. That book was no help.”
Willow handed Xander another. “Maybe you’ll have better luck with this one.”
“You know all this reading is making me almost wish I was at home doing homework.” Off their looks, “I said almost.”
“I hope you guys haven’t hogged all the good books.”
“Here Cordy. You can have mine.” Xander pulled out the chair next to him. “Willow thinks it’s lucky.”
“You’re so good to me.” She hesitated before sitting down. She glanced at Angel’s still form. “Have a seat.”
Angel noticed upon entering Giles was using his office. Once again he wished he was back at Cordelia’s house. He glanced around the table. Willow and Oz were on one side. Cordelia and Xander were on the other. Buffy was seated at the far end.
There was an empty seat opposite her with Willow and Cordelia on either side. He considered sitting down. He’d be close to Cordelia but the others would be uncomfortable. “I’ll be fine over there.” He sat down on the steps and opened his book.
Cordelia decided against pushing. They weren’t alone. It was a shame he couldn’t be the same Angel he was around her. Of course Buffy and Xander probably wouldn’t appreciate the Angel who stopped trembling once he held her in his arms. She smiled as she remembered finding him curled up in her bed. He looked so comfortable.
No. Xander would definitely not appreciate that Angel, especially considering she’d never allowed Xander into her bedroom. Buffy wouldn’t have smiled at the sight of Angel tucked into Cordelia’s bed, the covers pulled up to his waist. She might have smiled once she stood over Cordelia’s broken and bleeding body. Discretion was for the best. They hadn’t done anything wrong so there was no need to upset anyone.
***
Angel had finished his book with no success. He picked up the one Giles had brought out to him shortly after his arrival. So far he’d avoided listening to anyone’s thoughts. He glanced at Cordelia. He noticed Xander had his hand on her knee. Biting back a growl, he stared at the offensive boy.
*I wish Cordy was still wearing that skirt. Her skin is always so soft. God this book is boring. I wonder if Buffy is wearing a bra today. I bet Cordy is wearing matching underwear. It’s been so long since we were alone. I should be the one staying at her place. Mmmm naked Cordy. Sex with Cordy. Sex with Buffy. Sex with Cordy and Buffy. Watching Cordy and Buffy have sex. I wonder what color underwear Cordy is wearing.*
“They’re green.”
Everyone turned to Angel.
Cordelia noticed he seemed angry. “What’s green?”
Angel looked at Xander before meeting Cordelia’s gaze. “Katari demons.”
“Ooo-kay. And you felt the need to share that because?”
“This book mentions that Katari demons are blue but they’re green.”
“Well you could write to the authors but I think they’ve been dead for a few hundred years.”
“I just thought one of you might be curious about what color they are.” He looked directly at Xander. “They’re a dark green.”
*He couldn’t be talking about what I think he’s talking about.* He noticed the way Angel smirked as the vampire returned his attention to his book. *There is no way he would have seen Cordy’s underwear.*
Angel turned the page but his eyes refused to focus on the words. He was cursing himself. He’d done a stupid thing for the wrong reasons. He should have been furious at Xander’s thoughts about Buffy but it was the boy’s thoughts about Cordelia that made him speak.
*How can she date that idiot?* He glanced at the couple. The urge to growl returned. He stared at Xander.
*I could ask Cordy to help me in the stacks or I could ask her to come with me on a soda run. Then we could stop at our favorite closet. I’m sure she’s not wearing dark green underwear but double-checking will be fun.*
“Ah I see you are all hard at work.” Wesley glanced at his watch. “Buffy you should begin your patrol now. I’m afraid I won’t be able to accompany you. Mr. Giles will need my assistance with this text. Perhaps Xander would be kind enough to join you. Normally I don’t advocate taking a civilian with you on patrol but with a rogue slayer on our hands, an extra pair of eyes could be advantageous.”
Buffy rolled her eyes. “What do you say, Xan? You up for patrol?”
Xander grasped Cordy’s hand in his. “Actually Buff, I thought I’d stay here and help with the research.”
“You want to stick with the books? I thought you’d rather be doing homework?”
Angel’s eyes never left his book. “Wesley makes an excellent point. I’d volunteer but I don’t think any of you can read Greek.” He casually turned the page of his book. “I’m sure you’d be more help by going with Buffy than staying here.”
“Yeah Xander. You should go with Buffy. If she needs your help, we can spare you.”
Xander leaned in and lowered his voice. “I know but we’ve barely spent any time together lately.”
“This is hardly a romantic setting. Besides once we call it a night, Angel and I have to go pick up his blood supply. You might as well go with Buffy.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Cordelia squeaked in surprise when Xander suddenly kissed her. He took advantage of her parted lips, deepening the kiss, plundering her mouth. She panted for breath when he finally broke the kiss. She was shocked by his bold and very public gesture.
Xander cautioned a side-ways glance at Angel. He noticed his scowl with glib satisfaction. “I’m ready.”
Angel glared at the boy’s back as he and Buffy left. He looked over at the table, curious about Cordelia’s thoughts. His eyes locked with Willow’s. He immediately returned his attention to the book in his lap. *It was probably just a coincidence. There is no reason Willow would be watching my reaction. I encouraged Xander to go with Buffy. She couldn’t suspect I was…there’s nothing to suspect.
Nothing at all. Who wouldn’t be annoyed at the way Xander was pawing Cordelia under the table? And that kiss was totally unnecessary. Who is he to be wondering about the color of her underwear? OK. So he’s her boyfriend. She deserves better than the likes of Xander. That boy couldn’t possibly appreciate a woman like Cordelia and he certainly couldn’t please her.*
“Do you want to join us at the big kids’ table or would you prefer to stick to the shadows?” Cordelia patted the chair Xander vacated. “I promise not to bite…no matter how sweetly you ask me to.” She winked. “Come on. My book has the pictures you like so much.”
The corners of his mouth twitched. “I’m not falling for that one again.”
“Hmmph. Fine. Be anti-social. I could care less. I didn’t want to talk to you anyway. Don’t feel obligated to be nice to me just ‘cuz I welcomed you into my home when I didn’t have to.” She grinned as Angel sat beside her.
“You know I already have enough guilt. I don’t need you adding to it.”
“Pfft. That so doesn’t even register as a guilt trip and it wouldn’t have been necessary if you’d just said yes to begin with.”
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t aware I was at your beck and call.”
“Apology accepted.”
Angel smiled as he began reading. *Being here isn’t so bad after all.*
Willow listened to the friendly banter between Xander’s girlfriend and Buffy’s boyfriend. She turned to Oz and frowned. *This is so not good.*
***
Cordelia was beginning to regret telling Buffy not to get Angel’s blood. The men working at the slaughterhouse all looked like they should either play professional football or be in prison.
They were leering at her like she’d just walked onto a construction site wearing nothing but a sting bikini. She clutched the back of Angel’s leather jacket. With all the demon fighting, sometimes she forgot that man could pose a threat as well.
She took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. Cordelia Chase was no skittish kitten. She released her grip on the leather. If she could handle the unwanted advances of an opposing football team, she could handle these men. She stepped closed to Angel.
Angel glared at the man who had the nerve to whistle at Cordelia. He grabbed her hand and pulled her close. He wanted to get his blood and get her out of there before he vamped out. He snatched the bag out of his supplier’s hands and handed him the money.
The guy was too busy staring at Cordelia’s breasts to notice the danger he was in. “Come on Cordy.”
Despite the uncomfortable situation, Cordelia smiled.
“What?”
“You called me Cordy.”
He returned the smile and tightened his grip on her hand. “That’s what your friends call you and we’re friends.”
“I know.” She shrugged. “I just like the way you say it. You don’t sound exasperated or sickly sweet. It’s nice.” She didn’t even notice the leers or the crude comments as they left.
Angel waited until they reached the car to release her hand. “I don’t want you coming here alone.”
“Normally I’d argue but that place was creepy. I think I’ll just ask my usual butcher for blood.”
“He’ll think you’re crazy.”
“Oh please! This is the hellmouth. He probably won’t even blink. He’ll be happy to get money for something he usually throws away.”
“You can give it a try or you can just let me borrow your car. I can go by myself.”
“That’s silly. I may not have any desire to go in there alone, but I can drive you. You’ll be there to keep me safe. You might not be back at full strength yet but you can certainly handle a few humans, even those steroid rejects.”
“You shouldn’t have to deal with men like that. They were looking at you like you’re a piece of meat.”
“Well they’re used to dealing with meat. I’m sure they’re not as bad as they seem.”
“Cordy, I could hear what they were whispering to each other. You are not to go back there again.”
“The day shift might be..”
“NO! Do not go there alone. Buffy has slayer strength. You don’t. Neither of you should go there. I can get my own blood.”
She parked in front of her house. “I still plan to try my butcher.”
“That’s fine.”
Cordelia went to the kitchen and put the blood in the refrigerator. Angel was still standing at the foot of the stairs when she returned. They walked up in silence. She began fidgeting. Her eyes darted between their bedroom doors. “So…umm..are you going to bed?”
“Yeah.”
“Well…are you…do you..will you be alright?”
“I’ll..uh..I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“OK. Good night.”
“Good night.” Angel continued to stare at her now closed door. He could hear her standing on the other side, not moving away. *You’re not supposed to want her in your bed. She is your friend. She has a boyfriend and you have a girlfriend. Go into your room and go to bed.*
Her wonderful scent still lingered in his room. He decided to take a cold shower before going to sleep.
***
Once again Cordelia was startled awake by a horrible sound. She quickly slipped from her bed and headed for Angel’s room. The same tortured expression marred his beautiful features. She stood at the edge of his bed.
This time she wouldn’t make the same mistakes. She set the alarm clock by his bed. Her pajama top had a conservative neckline and long sleeves.
*I am not doing anything wrong. He is my friend and he is in pain. I am not doing this for my own pleasure so I have nothing to feel guilty about. I would do the same thing for…for… I am not doing anything wrong.*
She carefully slipped under the covers, deciding against being grabbed and flipped again. She edged closer and gently touched Angel’s arm. He immediately rolled onto her, nuzzling her neck. Instead of becoming calm, he became more agitated. She realized her mistake. She was under the covers and he wasn’t.
The barrier was suddenly ripped off her and tossed aside. He adjusted his position so he lay completely on top of her. Her heart started racing. She forced herself to relax. Her fingers rubbed soothing circles on his back. “It’s okay. I’m here. You’re safe now.”
His whimpering ceased but he didn’t move off her. He buried his nose in her hair and took unnecessary breaths.
She worried her bottom lip. There was something hard digging into her hip and she was fairly sure he wasn’t hiding a stake in his boxers. She could feel her whole body blush. Her hands seemed to have a mind of their own. The circles expanded until they dipped below his waist.
He growled against her skin when her hands squeezed his butt. He pressed down into her.
“Oh god!” She lifted her treacherous hands like they’d been burned. She copped a feel. He was asleep and he was her friend. She’d taken advantage of the situation. Clutching his hips, she gently tried to move him.
He whimpered at first but then assumed his favorite position. He draped a leg over hers, gripped her hip and buried his head between her breasts.
She sighed in relief. His erection no longer pressed into her in this position. Now her hands wouldn’t be inspired into badness. He became agitated again. She realized her second mistake. Her top had buttons and he didn’t seem to like the way the hard plastic felt against his face. She held her breath, half expecting her top to meet the same fate as the covers.
Instead of ripping the offending material off her, he moved a little lower and readjusted his position.
She was surprised when he rested his head on her stomach. His leg moved off hers but his grip on her hip tightened. He hugged her body to his. She ran her fingers through his hair. “Tomorrow I’ll wear something different.” Her cheeks flamed at her words. Plans for tomorrow rolled off her tongue with ease.
He remained relaxed for several minutes before becoming agitated again. The buttons were still bothering him. He pushed her top up until it was tucked beneath her breasts. His cheek rubbed against the soft skin of her stomach. He settled down for a few minutes but now his feet dangled off the end of the bed. He angled his body so he lay diagonally across the bed.
Cordelia gasped when he grabbed her thigh and angled her body as well. Instead on returning his hand to her hip, it slid up along the back of her thigh and into her shorts. His fingers teased the edge of her panties. She desperately tried to control her breathing.
He began to relax again. His hand rose higher, cupping one round globe and turned her slightly into his body. Once the new position was reached, he settled down.
She gently tried to push his hand down but he pushed it back up. This time his hand slid beneath her panties to hold bare skin. The guilt about copping a feel was officially gone. Sure she was awake but her touch had been fleeting. He seemed intent on keeping his hand on her ass for the remainder of the night. Picturing his face when he woke up almost made her laugh. She adjusted her pillow.
*At least his moaning, whimpering and tortured expression are gone. His reaction come morning should be pretty entertaining.*
She glanced down at their entwined bodies. Her top was pushed up, his face was pillowed on her bare stomach and his hand was up her shorts and inside her underwear. “I wonder if a vampire can blush.” She snuggled into her pillow and let sleep claim her.