Part 4
Buffy narrowed her eyes at Cordelia. “What did you do to Spike?”
“What are talking about?”
“One minute he’s making fun of Angel being whipped and the next he’s jumping at your command. When I asked him to help save the world and I got ‘I don’t want to see the Poof’, ‘I hate LA’, and ‘Send me a postcard’. Is this part of your new demoness? What?”
“Relax Buffy. I haven’t bewitched him. We’re friends. He’s family.”
“Woah wait a minute.” Gunn had been enjoying the slayer’s tirade until Cordy used the word family. “Since when is that vampire a member of this family?”
“Charles calm down. He seems like a perfectly nice vampire. Besides I worked it out on the chart. Technically he is family. I think it’s nice as long as he doesn’t bite her like Darla did.”
Several gasps were heard. “Gunn, please give Spike a chance. I think you’ll like him if you get to know him and he won’t bite me. I need you guys to trust me.”
“It’s not you I don’t trust. Vampires cannot be trusted. Do you remember Harmony? She lasted all of 5 minutes before she turned on you. And Darla? You stood up to Angel for her and how did she repay you? She tried to drain you. Vampires CANNOT be trusted.”
Cordelia wanted to explain about Spike’s soul but she wouldn’t betray his confidence. “Gunn. I understand your concerns. I really do but like you said, Darla and Harmony turned on me the first chance they got. Spike and I have been alone for almost an hour and he never made a single threatening move against me. Let’s not forget that his chip is useless with me.”
“You knew that?”
“Yes”
“And you still trust him?”
“Yes. He is different.”
Gunn was quietly digesting this. “Alright. I will give him a chance but I don’t want him to be alone with Fred.”
“Thanks. I know this is hard for you.”
“Life was definitely less complicated before I met y’all. I see a vamp. I stake a vamp. It seemed so simple. Now I work for one and you want me to befriend another. I need a vacation.”
“Charles, you’re a good man.”
“Thanks baby.”
Buffy was torn. There was a part of her that enjoyed hearing someone defend Spike but mainly she was suspicious of Cordelia’s motives. Not jealous though, because she was so not interested in him like that.
“Now that we’ve settled that. Tell me about the apocalypse.”
“Ooh ooh, can I?”
Giles began cleaning his glasses again. “Go ahead Xander.”
“Thanks G-man. Apparently a group of Ketchup demons are going to make it so the night never ends.”
“Huh?”
“What Xander means is a group of Kaat Suup demons are going to perform the ritual of darkness during the next full moon. The ritual is quite fascinating really. It will plunge the world into a hundred years of darkness. The sun will appear no brighter than the moon.”
“So basically we can expect a population explosion of the undead variety. Demons that like to stick to the shadows will roam freely. Plus the ecological ramifications will be great.”
“Exactly Willow. Although according to my research, while the sun will look like a full moon, we will still feel its warmth. So we won’t freeze to death. It doesn’t mention how it will affect vegetation though.”
“So basically we need to stop the Ketchup demons before they perform the ritual.”
“Kaat Suup demons and yes.”
“Hand me a moldy book and I’ll help research.”
“Actually we appear to be finished.”
“What?!”
“I know. I’m havin’ a wiggins too.” Everyone looked up at Xander’s statement. “Normally we’re rushing around trying to figure out what’s going on at the last minute, but we somehow manage to save the world. This time we know who. We know where. We know when and we know how to kill them! Plus we have three nights to spare. Hence the wiggins. Do you think that it means the world is actually going to end this time?”
“Pfft. It never ends. We will stop it. This is a panic free zone. So the research is done and I missed it. Damn!”
Giles flashed Cordelia a smile. “I’m sure you’re terribly disappointed, but you’ll survive.”
Buffy noticed the warmth of the smile Giles was directing at Cordy. “Stop it! This is how it started with Spike. Soon she’ll be ordering you around and you won’t be able to stop yourself from obeying!”
“Buff, I think your crackin’ up.”
“No Xander. Look at her. She is wearing SPIKE’s coat. She had to use mind control or something to get him to give it to her.”
“Actually all I had to do was get knocked down by Angel and split my pants along the back seam. Spike was nice enough to let me wear his coat so I was exposing my assets.”
“Oh”
“Buffy, I have an idea. Since there’s no more research to be done, how about we have a girls’ night out tomorrow..well technically tonight. What do you say?”
“I’m in.”
Buffy turned to her friend like she just stabbed her in the back. “Willow!”
“What? I want to have some fun while we’re in LA. What do you have in mind, Cordy?”
“I’m gonna take you guys to a club that will make the Bronze seem like the dump that it is.”
“Cool! Come on Buff. It’ll be great.”
“Fine. I could be fun Buffy for a night. No stick-in-the-mud Buffy for me.”
“Hey wait. I wanna go too.”
“Sorry Xander. It’s a girls’ night out. You can bond with the guys.”
“No fair Will. I want to go dancing with the girls.”
“Well Xander, I have a pair of scissors in my desk. We could snip off your man parts and then you’d practically be one of the girls.”
“That’s OK Cordy. So bonding with the guys, huh? Sounds like a blast. Deadboy and Deadboy Jr. Now there’s a party!”
“I’m sure Gunn will let you play on his new playstation. I think beating Angel has lost its appeal.”
“Deadboy plays video games?”
“Yes, ANGEL does. Not well but he tries. You guys can teach Connor to play.”
“So while the ladies go dancing, the menfolk get to play games. Yeah us!”
“Xander, we can all do something together tomorrow night. The girls are in need of a bonding session. Fred, are you in?”
“Sure”
“No!”
“Charles, I want to go dancing with Cordy.”
“I’ll take you dancing. She’s not the boss of me.” Gunn stood tall even against Cordy’s raised eyebrow.
“Well Charles, I AM the boss of me and I’m goin’ dancing with Cordy. If you want to be a big meanie and not teach Connor how to play your video games, then that’s your decision. I’ll just be over here being very disappointed in you.”
“Fine” He huffed. “You’ve been spendin’ way too much time with Barbie! You go have fun without me.”
“Who’s having fun?”
Everyone turned to the two vampires that had suddenly appeared.
“Who’s having fun?”
“Barbie has decided the girls need to bond, so they’re going dancing. We get to teach Connor to play video games, while they go to a club. You know, the kind men go to pick up women!”
“Melodramtic much. We’re gonna bond to blaring music. We aren’t going there to get laid!”
“Cor, maybe it’s not such a good idea. If you want to go dancing, then we’ll all go.”
“Connor is too young to go clubbing and there is no way we’re leaving him alone on his second night back. Besides I think a girls’ night out will do us some good. I want to spend some time with just Willow, Fred and Buffy. It’ll give you a chance to bond with Connor.”
“What if something happens?”
“You’re right. We’ll be defenseless. How could a part demon seer, a mega powerful witch, a brilliant physicist and a vampire slayer possibly defend themselves? We’ll need men to defend us! Look, the women have decided to go dancing and that’s final. If you guys want to plan something yourselves that’s fine. It just has to be suitable for Connor. Now it’s extremely late or really early depending on how you look at it. I suggest we all turn in.”
Buffy, Willow and Fred were giggling at the men’s pouting faces as they went up the stairs. Xander, Gunn and Spike followed grumbling to themselves. Giles up too. He was amused by the whole thing. He had no desire to go dancing. Angel went to the kitchen to put the groceries away, while Cordelia went to check on Connor.
Cordy carefully opened Connor’s door. She watched him sleep for a minute before moving to fix his covers. She placed a kiss on his brow before she headed off to Angel’s room. She knocked on his door and entered without waiting for a response. He was dressed for bed already. “I checked on Connor. He’s sleeping peacefully. No weapons in sight.”
“Good”
“I just came to get something to wear.”
“Where are you going to sleep?”
“I was thinking about Lorne’s room. He won’t be back for a few more days.”
“Why don’t you just stay here?”
“Huh?”
“Stay with me.” He gulped. “I’d like to talk…about Spike.”
“Um…I need a shower.”
“You can use mine.”
“OK I guess.” She grabbed one of his t-shirts and a pair of boxers and headed into the bathroom.
***
He was in bed when she came out. He knew if he had a pulse it would be racing right now. *This woman could make a garbage bag look sexy*
She hesitated. She wasn’t sure if she could trust herself to share a bed with Angel. *There’s no Connor in between us this time. Run! Run now!* She felt her breath quicken when he pulled the covers back in invitation. She quickly jumped in and pulled the covers up to her chin. “Good night, Angel.”
“I thought we were gonna talk.”
“Oh right. So talk.”
“How did you know about Spike’s soul?”
“I could see it in his eyes.”
“How?”
“I just could. Magical powers, remember?”
“I guess. That’s why you’re being so nice to him right? You just want to help him, nothing more?”
She giggled and rolled over to see his face. “Angel. I said he is family and I meant it. If you’re asking whether I suddenly have the hots for him, the answer is no.” She debated how much she should tell him about Spike’s situation.
“Angel, there’s some things I think you should hear. I probably shouldn’t say anything but I think it would be best if I’m the only one who hears your intial reaction.”
“What is it?”
“Spike is in love with Buffy.”
“What?”
“He’s been in love with her for a while. It’s a long story which really isn’t any of our business but if we’re gonna help him..”
“Does Buffy know?”
“Oh yeah, but she doesn’t really believe a soulless demon is capable of love. Angel, he sought a soul so he could be worthy of her love. Of course now that he has one, he doesn’t think he deserves her. He doesn’t want her to know.”
“He’s definitely unlike any vampire that has ever existed. He actually sought a soul.”
“There’s more. Before he got it, they…they were..lovers.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. I’m sorry I know this must hurt you to hear.”
He rolled over to face her. “Cor, I’m not hurt. I’m surprised and well shocked, but Buffy’s love life is none of my business. I just want her to be happy. She’ll always be special to me but what we had is in the past. I’ve accepted that.” He thought for a moment. “I’m surprised Spike would give up the possibilty of intimacy for a soul.”
“Um..Angel. Spike wasn’t cursed with a soul. It was given to him.”
“What?”
“He doesn’t have a happiness clause. His soul is his to keep.”
“Oh!” Angel looked over at the beautiful woman in his bed. He imagined what it would be like to kiss her and roll her underneath him. He wanted to spend the entire night making love to her but he knew it would cost him his soul. “Lucky bastard. I guess we should get some sleep.”
Cordelia heard the hint of bitterness is his voice. She wondered if he was jealous that Spike was free to be with the woman he loved or was he jealous that Spike could be with Buffy. She turned her back on him and sighed. *I’m never gonna be able to sleep now*
Angel lay there staring a Cordy’s back. *It’s not fair. I want my soul for keeps too. I want to be able to be with the woman I love* He knew he had to touch her. He needed to hold her.
*Please don’t pull away from me*
He reached out and gently touched her back. When she didn’t flinch, he slid his hand around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. He buried his nose in her hair and inhaled. He whispered in her ear, “Good night, Cor.”
She felt her face break into a giant smile. Being in his arms, in his bed, felt so right. She lightly stroked the arm around her waist. “Good night, Angel.” She felt herself relax as sleep overtook her.
Angel let her steady heartbeat lull him to sleep.
***
The first thing Angel noticed as he awoke was the warm body in his arms. *Cordy* He realized they hadn’t moved an inch since falling asleep. He couldn’t resist burying his face in the crook of her neck. He inhaled her wonderful scent as her heat seeped into his face.
*I’m never gonna let you go*
“Stop smelling me.”
He smiled against her neck. “I can’t help it. You smell so good.” He decided to take a chance. She hadn’t pushed him away so far. He began placing small kisses on her neck. “You taste really good too.”
“mmmm Angel.” She started giggling. “Oh god, you’re making me sound like one of your chippies!”
“You’re not a chippie.” He tightened his grip around her waist. He allowed his hand to slip under her shirt and began stroking her stomach. He whispered, “Good morning” in her ear, when there was a knock on the door.
“Stop growling and answer the door.” She heard him grumbling as he got out of bed.
He slipped on his robe and pulled the door open. “What?!”
Connor started at the tone of his voice. “Um..I cannot find Cordelia. She promised she would stay at the hotel.”
Cordelia jumped out of bed and hurried to the door. “I’m right here, Connor.”
Connor took in her disheveled appearance. He couldn’t understand how she could feel safe sleeping near the vampire. “I..um..I was going to go get something to eat. I did not want to leave without telling you.”
She glanced at the clock. “I’m sorry honey. I didn’t realize how late it was. You must be starving. I had your dad go out and buy some cereal and fruit last night. Give us a few minutes and we’ll join you in the kitchen.”
“OK”
She closed the door and rushed over to Angel’s dresser. She was glad she kept a drawer of clothes here just in case. She pulled out of few things and went into the bathroom to get dressed. She didn’t want to keep Connor waiting. She was afraid he might run into the scoobies. She hoped they didn’t start peppering him with questions.
When she came out, Angel was dressed and waiting. “Let’s go make your son breakfast.”
They entered the kitchen to find Connor sitting at the table with Fred and Gunn. “Morning.”
“Good morning, Cordy, Angel.”
“Did you guys eat breakfast yet?”
“Yeah. Charles took me to our favorite diner.”
Cordelia went to the cabinet and pulled out the cereal. “Angel, when I said don’t buy anything too sugary, I didn’t mean no sugar.” She held up the box of corn flakes.
“Sorry. Next time send someone who actually eats food.”
“Well if someone hadn’t..”
“Yeah, yeah. I apologized for that last night.”
“Hmmph” She poured the cereal in a bowl and sprinkled a little sugar on it before adding milk. “Here Connor. Eat up.”
“Barbie, no frozen waffles?”
“No. There are important vitamins and minerals in cereal and milk does a body good.” She put a glass of milk and one of juice in front of him. Then she began peeling and slicing fruit. She filled two bowls, one for Connor and one for herself.
Before sitting down she nudged Angel. “Are you hungry?” She knew he was but wasn’t sure if he wanted to drink in front of Connor.
“No. I’ll eat later.” She gave him a small smile and a kiss on the forehead before eating her breakfast.
Connor watched the pair while he ate. He couldn’t understand how someone so good and sweet could care for a killer. It made no sense. His father…the vampire seemed almost human when he was with her.
After breakfast, they sat around the lobby. They were soon joined by the entire Sunnydale group. Cordelia introduced Connor to everyone. She told him about Spike’s chip. She whispered to him that Spike was family and he was not to be harmed.
After introductions were done, Xander, Willow and Buffy announced they were going sightseeing. Angel and Spike disappeared into the basement to work out and talk. Giles decided to do some more reading. Cordelia gave Gunn and Fred the afternoon off. Everyone agreed to meet for dinner before the ladies went out.
Cordelia was relaxing in the lobby with Connor. “How are you?”
“Confused. How do you trust, not one but two vampires?”
“I know this must be hard for you, but things aren’t always black and white. There are good demons, just like there are bad humans. You trust me now and I’m part demon.”
“But you’re so kind and loving.”
“So is your father if you give him a chance.” She glanced over at the office. Giles sat there reading. “Connor, why don’t you join your father and Uncle Spike in the basement. You can train with them but be careful. I don’t want any of you to get hurt.”
“My uncle?”
“I’ll let your father explain that.”
“Will you join us?”
“No. Rupert and I are going for a walk. Umm..you don’t need to mention that to your father.”
“You wish me to lie to him?”
“No. I would never tell you to lie to him. Just avoid the question. OK?”
“OK”
“C’mon.” They walked down to the basement. “Connor is going join you. I’ll be checking on you later and if I see any blood, heads will roll. Have fun!” With that she went back upstairs and headed to the office.
She poked her head in. “Rupert, would you like to go for a walk?”
“That would be lovely.” She grabbed her purse as they left.
***
Angel and Spike were sparring with swords while Connor watched. He was mesmorized at the speed of their attacks. They were so fast yet completely in control. Neither seemed to have the advantage over the other.
Angel glanced over at Connor. His expression was one of awe. He smiled to himself. He wished Cordelia was here with them. He knew his son would be impressed at how good she was with a sword. “Connor, do you know where Cordy is?”
“I am to avoid that question.” Both vampires froze mid swing and turned to Connor.
“You’re supposed to avoid that question?”
“Yes”
“And if you can’t?”
“I am not to lie.”
“The only reason I ask is because I care about Cordy. I don’t want anything to happen to her. She is very special. You wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to her, would you?”
“No”
“She could need our help and if I don’t know where she is I won’t be able to. She’ll be all alone.”
“Do not worry. She is not alone.”
“That’s good. So umm..who is she with?”
“She is with Rupert Giles.”
“You mean upstairs, in the lobby?”
“No. They left together.”
“Peaches, don’t worry. She’s not interested in the watcher.”
“That’s easy for you to say. You weren’t here when they said hello and she keeps calling him Rupert!”
“That’s his name.”
“She used to call him Giles. They all call him Giles.”
“So she calls him Rupert. She’s an adult now. So what she gave him a hug hello?”
“Try a hug and a kiss.”
“So a peck on the cheek. That’s hardly..”
“No. It was on the lips.”
“Wow. I’m impressed. Didn’t think the old boy had it in him to catch the eye of a sweet young..” He stopped to duck a sweep at his head. “Hey! I’m not the one after your chit. Don’t take it out on me.”
“Sorry. Connor, why don’t you spar with Spike for a while. My sword looks a little dull. I’m just gonna go over there and sharpen it.”
“Very well.” Connor picked a sword out of the cabinet and squared off against Spike.
Angel sat down on the stairs. He was growling as he sharpened his blade. His ears were listening for Cordy’s return.
*She’s mine. I am NOT giving her up this time. No more Mr. Noble. ‘RUPERT’ better keep his hands off my seer!*