Part 37
The AI gang, Lorne included but missing Cordelia, were huddled around the front counter studying the blueprints Wesley had provided.
Angel looked up towards the stairs. “Cordy isn’t down yet?”
“I think she’s still in the shower.” Fred nudged at Gunn.
Gunn pushed at his girlfriend. “Stop, girl.”
“Oh,” Angel guessed he knew that when got out of his own ice shower and her duffle bag was gone. Commonsense told him that she was in the hotel. But he couldn’t resist searching out with his senses just to make sure. Angel started to go to the room a few doors down but stopped.
Thinking of Cordelia naked in a shower was bad enough, seeing her would just have him running back to his own or worse saying the hell with it and crawling in with her, slipping easily into fantasy 17, taking the soap from her and washing and touching every inch of her.
In #17, Angel would start on her back. Cordy had a lovely back, straight, strong and delicate. The curvature of her spine the smooth angles of shoulder blades covered by golden skin and then there was the tattoo, he always wanted to touch it, to taste it, to see if it burnt like the sun it depicted. God, her back, her body, her face, her lips, everything about her, even her tattoo was made to be touched and loved.
Angel looked up at Lorne. The demon had said something about visions. “What,” reluctantly taking his mind away from Cordelia’s wet soapy body and what he was doing do to it. “What did you say?” Staring at the demon that was staring back.
“Won’t even ask where you’ve been, lovecake. I said, I hope, the princess didn’t have another vision, if it was like what I dosidoed on, she’ll drown.” Lorne said looking back down at the map. Wow, Lorne didn’t think anything could embarrass him anymore, but Angel cake’s vibes just now could send a being into hiding with all the body heat, as in the movie, they caused.
“Vision? Cordy had a vision. When? Why is this first I’m hearing about it?” Angel said sharply.
“Got to ask brown-eyes, that is if she’s doesn’t start laughing again. Didn’t know the Powers were doing stand-up now. Everybody wants to be a comedian.” Lorne shrugged, wanting to tug at his collar and sink down to his knees in gratitude that whatever the big lug had been thinking was diverted.
No matter what anybody thought, Lorne was not a voyeur on true hot spellbinding sweaty wet emotion. Lorne shook his head. Wet?
“The vision made her laugh?” Angel asked trying to understand.
Lorne shrugged again a lot calmer. “She sat flooding the hall with unbridled hilarity, said she just had two visions. He looked up to Fred. “She didn’t say anything to you or at least giggle a word, she had just left your room.”
Fred puzzled a moment and then started to laugh. “Oh, that vision.”
“What vision?” Angel turned on to the young woman.
Gunn narrowed his eyes toward Lorne. “Cordy was laughing?” He swirled to his girlfriend. “You said she said I was hot. And what do you mean- two- two what? I’ve got one of everything that I’m supposed to have and two of what I’m supposed to, nothing two- to laugh at.”
“What the hell’s going on,” Angel glared focusing on the giggling young woman and her indignant boyfriend.
Fred chuckled stopping her laugher. “Cordy didn’t have a vision, well not a vision- vision, but I say it was a vision.” she playfully smacked Gunn on the arm. “A very hot vision.”
“She was laughing. Why was she laughing?” Gunn refused to see any humor in the situation.
“Well, Charles it was kind of funny.”
“Was she laughing at me? You said she said.”
“Oh, Charles, don’t worry so, she did say you were hot. And you are very hot.”
“What? Did Cordy have a vision or not and Why.why did she say Gunn was hot? What does that mean? It better not be what I think it means.” Angel’s glare focused now entirely on Gunn.
“She said Charles was hot because he is. She saw him naked. And it does mean what you think it means.” Fred explained.
“WHAT?”
“Whoa.” Gunn jumped back, even though the vampire hadn’t moved. Gunn was suddenly more concerned with Angel’s glare than the fact that Cordy had been laughing at him and his naked state. “She barged in on me minding my own business just taking a shower. Girl needs to get her own and stop wanting to use Fred’s. It wasn’t my fault she came in on me, I was minding business.” his yell dwindled down to defensive mumbling.
Gunn was saved from Angel’s response by Cordelia’s cheerful good morning to the group. Gunn blanched when she winked at him. Gunn moved behind Fred. “She’s going to get me killed,” Gunn whispered.
“Don’t be silly,” Fred reassured.
Angel ignored them and went straight for Cordy. “You were in the shower with Gunn?” Angel’s voice was loud and just a little panicky.
Cordy rolled her eyes. “Of course not and how do you know, why do you know, who would tell you that, why would they tell you that, nevermind. I didn’t know he was in there. I was in a hurry I wanted a shower quick and didn’t wait for Fred’s warning that’s all. Angel, you can understand wanting a quick shower, can’t you?”
Angel pulled his brows together recalling the reason for his own dash to his shower. “Yeah.” he said slowly.” He paused. “That’s why you were laughing because you saw Gunn naked?” He nodded encouraging her agreement.
“Hey man, that ain’t funny. Nothing funny here.” Gunn stood straight gesturing to his body.
“It was funny.” Cordelia shrugged.
“Hey, girl, wait until I pop in when you’re taking a shower.”
“That will never happen,” Angel shot a look at Gunn that warned of maiming, torture and death.
“Of course not.” Gunn said quickly moving behind Fred again.
“Why were you taking a shower in Fred’s room anyway.” Angel demanded.
The room turned as one and stared at the vampire, all having the decency not to roll their eyes or laugh. But, Cordelia couldn’t resist the shake of her head before turning to Gunn.
“I’m sorry for walking in on you and of course you’re a hottie. Is everyone better now?” Her look centered back on Angel.
“Okay, I’m cool as long as you weren’t laughing at me and you think I’m hot,” Gunn repeated for Angel’s benefit. Cordelia wouldn’t let the vampire kill him. He returned to his previous position of leaning over the counter, pretty pleased with himself.
Angel glared at the young man, grabbing at Cordelia, as she was about to walk by. “You think Gunn’s hot?” He leaned into her.
“Sure,” She tiptoed up to the vampire’s ear. “But, I’ve seen better, much better earlier, No desire to crawl into HIS shower and wash every inch of HIS chest or His back or His.”
Angel groaned. “Please stop that. I get your point.”
Cordelia leaned back cocking her head. “You sure?”
“Definitely. I’m an ass.” Angel blew out a breath of trapped air. Cordelia was just on her way to depicting fantasies 23, 41 and 99. What was it with her and knowing all of his fantasies,” are you sure you haven’t become psychic along with your glowiness?” He asked suspiciously.
Cordelia scrunched up her face. “Uh.”
“My fantasies. How do you know them?”
Cordy smiled, her eyes twinkling. “You have the one about the shower too?”
“One? A whole list.” Angel nuzzled behind her ear. The low voice brought a multitude of variations of her own fantasy into Cordy’s mind, along with a string of shivers down her spine.
“We’ve got to find a solution to the ‘big happy’ clause, soon.” She shook the tingles loose and moved away from Angel. “So, have we figured out all the details, yet,” she said louder going to the others.
Angel followed and settled close beside her, his shoulder pressed up against her. “Still don’t see why Gunn can’t take a shower at his own apartment.” He grumbled.
“Angel,” Cordy sighed.
“What, I don’t.”
“Mind on the plan, not Gunn in the shower.”
“Yeah, don’t you think about me in the buff.” Gunn complained from across the counter.
“I, myself, can’t seem to be thinking of anything else.” Lorne gazed off into the air a soft clucking sound emerging from his throat.
“Well just stop, or those horns are history.” Gunn shouted.
Lorne shrugged and stopped his clucking. “Sweetie, that was one very nice vision accounted for but you said two.” He nudged at the young woman.
Cordy blew air out of her lips making a resigned noise. “I didn’t knock on Angel’s door either.” She shrugged innocently.
Lorne leaned back, clucking some more. “You did have a good morning- a Hmm-buttery buns type morning, didn’t you?” Lorne sighed gazing back into the air.
“Hey, stop that.” Angel growled. “Don’t be thinking about me in the shower, either.”
Fred looked speculative. “Cordy, you know it would only be fair if you let me burst into Angel’s.”
“NO.” Gunn.
Angel choked on the smirk he shot Gunn as Cordelia smacked him in the stomach.
Fred shrugged. ” Well, it would.”
Cordelia laughed, her hand now gently patting a scowling vampire. “Okay, every body’s mind back to the mission and off wet-naked family slash co-workers? Geez.”
“Do we have to, I’m getting some nice really nice imaginary here, deux al naturell butterybunns.” Lorne sighed dramatically.
Gunn and Angel glared at the green demon both threatening the well being of his horns.
Cordelia leaned over to Fred moving away from the men. “I’m thinking to defray overhead cost- calendar- Men of AI.”
Fred scrunched up her face. “Okay, but Charles gets the summer months, don’ t want Angel bursting into flames. What about Lorne? And Wesley when he gets back.”
Cordelia considered. “They’ll have to audition.”
Fred nodded. “So, does this mean.”
“Only if your hunk of man lets you out of your room and you can get me away from Angel’s door.” Cordy winked.
“That be a no then, uh. Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to wait for the calendar.”
“I really like you Fred.”
“I know. I really like you too, Cordy.” The young women smiled and rejoined the men, one still clucking and two still glaring.
***
“8:02, I’ll be in the conference room.” Angel pointed at the diagram; tension had taken over the entire group, slowly replacing the earlier levity as the plan was discussed in more detail.
“Angel,” Cordelia scrunched up her face.
The vampire refused to look up. Somehow believing if he didn’t acknowledge her presence she wouldn’t say what he knew she was going to say.
“I don’t think you should go in alone. I’ll go with you and Gunn and Fred can help Wesley get Connor.”
Angel growled deep in his throat, he should have known that ignoring Cordelia wouldn’t make her go away or shut up.
Fred nudged her boyfriend. “I’m going.”
“I don’t like it,” he whispered back.
“Pooh, I’ve been in fights before.” She held up her tazer and zapped.
Gunn shook his head. “Why does Fred have to go? I can handle it.”
Cordy shook away her aggravation at Angel, willing to give him the benefit of the doubt about his annoying behavior. After all, this was tension- filled subject matter, especially to Angel.
But it was getting really hard, as the planning had progressed Angel had started to ignore her, shutting her out, and Cordelia was getting increasingly irritated at the vampire’s actions.
She bit her lip and turned to Gunn, “we’re going to need everyone, I’d even suggest Lorne, but that may..Connor..”
“The whipper-snapper probably hasn’t got over his ‘filthy demon’ teen years.” Lorne finished for the young woman. “Not your doing, Daddykins,” Lorne added as Angel finally acknowledged the conversation going on around him with a pained look.
Lorne gave an encouraging smile. “Anyway, I’m peace and loving and all that jazz and would probably just trip spectacularly, with great style mind you, but trip nevertheless over my blue suedes.”
“Right,” Cordy smiled at Lorne’s attempt to lighten the meaning behind his words. “But even without Lorne or Angel actually doing the hands on rescuing – Connor may not get this is a rescue, so the more hands the better, don’t want to be fighting him and Wolfram & Hart.”
“Cordy, I can handle the lawyers, just go with Gunn and Fred, get Connor and then get out of there,” hoping against knowledge that she would actually listen to him.
Cordelia smiled. Finally he was looking at her again. “Angel, I know you can, but I don’t want you to go alone and to be honest, I’m not real sure how Connor will react to me either. He wasn’t real happy when I told him I was part demon.” She said minimizing with a shrug and a smile that Connor had in fact tried to kill her at that piece of knowledge.
“He said he liked you.” Angel started but then remembered that Connor’s statement had been made at the height of his deception, as well as, remembering his own belief that Connor had been responsible for Cordelia being missing.
The others looked discreetly away from the vampire’s expression of pain, anger and sadness, instinctively giving the vampire privacy in his feelings. Well, except for Cordelia, she reached out with a gentle hand caressing his face. “It will be all right, Angel.”
“Of course, it will,” Fred, piped in with optimism taking her cue from Cordy.
“Cordy, I don’t want you going with me. I don’t want you to go at all,” a roughness crept into Angel’s voice, directed towards the young woman whose hand he removed from his cheek.
“Angel, me walking in alive would definitely give us the advantage of surprise. I’ll have my sword and glowy power.” Cordelia jerked back at his rebuff, frustration now couching her words.
Angel stared at the young woman finally identifying the emotion that was consuming him. The anger he had recognized but the source had been elusive until now. Angel was angry, very angry at Cordelia, so much so that he wished her gone and out of his face, wished that she would just stop trying to reason with him.
That type of anger towards Cordelia was rare, in fact, so rare that it had made the feeling almost impossible to recognize. Angel hadn’t felt that way since he chose to fire his friends and go after Wolfram & Hart on his own without her, without them. Remembering that just made him angrier. Her presence would deny him the pleasure of tearing the limbs off every fuckin lawyer in that room.
He may have recognized a darkness in her when they were in the basement with Justine, she may have been willing to let Holtz die at his hands, but he knew that Cordelia wouldn’t condone his massacre of the lawyers. All because of her fuckin conscience, well Angel didn’t want to be burdened by hers or his when he went into the law firm.
And worse, he’d have to fight with her to go after the little girl on the top floor.
Cordelia held the vampire’s stare for a moment then shook her head. This wasn’t a discussion she wanted to have with Angel in front of the others.
“Finish going over the details with Fred and Gunn, I’ll get you breakfast, you’re grumpy.” She finally said and left to go into the kitchen.
“Cordy.”
“Angel.” She shot back over her shoulder.
Angel wanted to ignore her and just get the hell out of there- go somewhere to vent his rage. But she was impossible for him to ignore and as much as his rage wanted her gone, he knew he needed her and her conscience, it reminded him of his and that just made him madder.
Still, Angel followed her into the kitchen.
Cordelia went through the motions of taking out Angel’s blood and putting it the microwave waiting for the silent vampire to speak. Of course, he wouldn’t. She turned leaning back on the counter, her arms crossed.
“Angel, I won’t stop you from kicking some lawyer’s ass, I won’t- but a blood bath is out. It just is, okay. And you’re not going up to the top floor alone. I was with that little evil thing for month – I don’t know what she is- but she’s powerful. Together, Angel.”
Angel blinked, his anger momentarily wiped away by surprise. She was psychic.
Cordelia shook her head at the vampire’s expression. “Do you honestly believe I’m that clueless or do you just want to believe it? Sure, it took me way too long to figure out that I was In love with you- but that only means I was clueless about me, but not about you, Angel, not about this.”
“This?”
Cordelia moved closer her hand gently resting on his chest. “Rage, revenge, its all in there,” she tapped her hand slightly looking up as the vampire’s confused look turned into a hard stare. Cordelia ignored it.
“But you know damn well that a bloody rampage is just wrong, you don’t need me to tell you that. And you don’t need to protect me from your ‘darker grr ‘ instincts. Now, here.” Cordelia pulled out the cup of blood as the beep of the microwave sounded.
Every word out of her mouth, her every action to placate him- like pig’s blood and a gentle touch could calm him- set off more of a rage inside of Angel. Fuckin perfect Cordy, always thinking she knew everything, knew him so well, well she didn’t.
Angel growled. “Yes, I do.” Angel said harshly and left the kitchen.
Cordelia sighed, debating on whether to run after him or not. She sighed again. Stubborn vampire. She opened the refrigerator returning the blood to its shelf, deciding to give him time to cool down. Cordelia was about to close the door, when she noticed a carton of blood and what suspiciously looked like oregano and peppers floating in the red liquid.
She studied the blood. Angel never did say he drank it the night before and he didn’t always appreciate her experiments. Yet. She quickly counted the remaining cartons in the refrigerator. With a little bit of unease and a growing amount of frustration and anger she watched as Angel’s last night’s dinner flowed down the drain. Cordelia threw the empty carton away and decided that she couldn’t wait for Angel to cool down.
Cordelia strode into the lobby looking sharply around. “Okay, where is he?”
“Barked something about having to get something, then stormed out.”
“It wasn’t that bad,” Fred said hopefully.
Lorne rolled his eyes. “Honeykins, it was.”
Cordelia responded with her own roll of the eyes at the green demon. “It’s not. We just had a slight disagreement. That’s all.” She walked to the basement.
“Where are you going?”
“To finish the discussion. Keep planning.”
Fred bit her lip. “Kay.”
“They’re both acting weird and I’m telling you he was mad and now she is. Something’s not right.”
“I got to go with the butterybuns behind shower curtain number 1 or was it 2, anyway, something is stirring in those two.”
“Charles, Lorne,” Fred swung around. “Angel and Cordy have been through a lot and this will be the first time Angel’s seen Connor since it all happened. It can’t be easy for him, it won’t be easy for any of us for that matter.” Fred added the last part under her breath.
