Chapter Twenty-seven:
Angel returned to the apartment just before dawn. He decided that he would let Cordelia live her own life. At first, when he left the apartment, he thought about returning and claiming her as his. But on the docks, he calmed down. Angel looked at the water.
Brian never mentioned it, but she had to have been in the ocean for over 10 hours, drowning, waking up and drowning, all because of him. At least with Duncan, all she would have to worry about was a possible beheading once in awhile. She had made her choice and he would let her, he loved her that much.
He knew she was still in the apartment. His non-beating heart skipped at the knowledge. Maybe it was too late for them to leave, he cautioned himself. But she was in his bedroom. No matter what he promised on the docks, if she was in his bedroom with Duncan, blood would be shed tonight. He sniffed in demon face. His countenance returned to that of a handsome human, as he smelled only Cordelia’s scent.
Cordelia was asleep and dreaming. She was sailing. That was weird, she didn’t sail. But there she was sailing on calm seas. She was happy. Then out of nowhere a storm appeared, tossing the boat back and forth. She was getting scared. Cordelia called for Angel, knowing that he couldn’t come, the sun was out.
The winds got stronger. She screamed as she fell into the water. “Angel” she choked as the water filled her lungs. ‘Not again’ a part of her mind yelled. She choked and gasped, knowing that she was drowning again, the darkness started to descend. She gave up. Then she felt strong arms lifting her from the water, holding her, stroking her hair, whispering soft words into her ear.
She was safe. “Angel,” she murmured.
Angel had barely gotten to the bedroom door, when he heard a cry. He barreled into the room. He saw Cordelia thrashing in the bed gasping for air, choking out his name. Angel didn’t think about Duncan Macleod, or his own promises/threats; he just knew he had to go to Cordelia. He gathered her into his arms, stroking her, and whispering words of love. She finally calmed. He watched her face as she slowly woke up.
“Oh god, Angel,” she cried snuggling into his chest.
“Sh, it’s okay, I have you,” he murmured into her hair. Cordelia pulled her head back, her eyes still closed and pulled his head to her lips. She began to kiss his mouth. “Angel,” she murmured in between kisses. Angel felt sparks of desire shoot through his body. He pulled back. “Cordelia, Cordy…wake up.”
Angel watched her face as her eyes slowly opened.
“Angel” Cordelia’s eyes widened as she looked at him, then at the bed they were both sitting on. “Thanks, bad dream.” Cordelia scooted up the bed away from the vampire. “I am okay, now”. What a lie, she thought; she had been mauling him.
Angel looked speculatively at the blushing girl moving away from him. His hand shot out and grabbed a long retreating leg. Cordelia stopped scooting and stared at his hand.
“Hm, Angel, how did the talk with the golden bobsy twins go?” Looking at his hand.
Angel remained silent. She was still here, in his bed, wearing another one of his shirts, saying his name, kissing him and he thought amazingly to himself, giving off a definite scent of arousal.
“Vague as usual….Cordelia, why are you here?”
“I was tired and you said I could stay…Oh, do you want the bed?..I could go to the couch, I guess?” Cordelia tried to move her leg. Angel tightened his grip, stilling her movement.
“Why are you here, not with Duncan?” He couldn’t help growling at the man’s name.
“Uh, why would I be with Duncan?” Cordelia raised a puzzled look up at the vampire. She couldn’t read his mood; it was a new one. “What’s going on with you? What did the oracles say?” She shivered as Angel slowly started to caress the leg he was holding.
“I saw you and Duncan earlier.” He looked up to see Cordelia’s face go pale.
Oh god, he had heard her carrying on about her love for him. She tried to pull her leg away again. Angel stopped his caress, to hold the leg in place.
“Would you stop that.” She shivered again, as his grip loosened and his fingers started to trace small gentle circles on her calf.
“Maybe,” he said with a slight smile. “Just answer the question, Cordelia.”
“What question? If you heard, then you know.” Tears welled up in her eyes.
Angel knew then that she was embarrassed as well as aroused. He could smell it; he could hear her heartbeat speed up. He smiled to himself. “I think, I missed the important part, like your answer to Macleod’s request.”
He hadn’t heard everything, she thought trying to relax. But Angel’s light caresses were igniting a surge of heat through her body. “Would you please stop that,” she begged.
Angel ignored her plea. “Why didn’t you go with Macleod?” His caresses moved further up her leg. Cordelia watched in fascination as his hand brushed up to her knee. She closed her eyes wondering if the sparks that generated up her leg were visible.
“Cordelia,” he murmured, stilling his hand. “Why, didn’t you leave?”
Cordelia blinked in confusion. She couldn’t think.
“Cordelia?’
“I belong here with you…and Wesley…you…are my friends.” She struggled.
“Duncan is your friend, right? And Wesley is your friend and I am your friend?”
Cordelia slowly nodded.
“So, Cordelia, when your friends Duncan and Wesley touch you, do you shiver with anticipation, does your heart start pounding faster, do you become wet with need or am I the only friend that cause all those things?” he asked in a low growl.
“Oh god,” she gasped. “You”
“Good” Angel pulled her by both legs until she was pressed up to him. Cordelia stared at him, her eyes huge with questions and desire.
“So, tell me again, why you are here?” Angel placed her legs around his waist, so that her center was within inches from his straining member.
“I love you,” she moaned. Cordelia tightened her legs around his body, bringing her moist heat in direct contact with his erection. She didn’t know why this was happening, but at this point she didn’t care. All she wanted was to feel Angel up against her, to have his cool body pressed against her heated one.
“Good,” he growled, crushing her mouth against his. Angel devoured her lips, his tongue pushing into her mouth. Cordelia’s hand reached up and pulled his head closer. She whimpered as her tongue found his. Angel’s hands moved down her body, stroking and caressing her back and sides. Their tongues still questing to taste every crevice of the other’s mouth. Angel growled as he felt, Cordelia’s hard little nipples press against his chest. Cordelia whimpered as his mouth left hers. She wiggled closer to him, as she felt his lips on her neck.
Angel had never, in his long life, experienced such desire. He needed to taste and feel all of her. He trailed kisses down her neckline, ripping the shirt material away with his teeth. Cordelia squirmed against his lap. She ached to feel his cool skin.
Cordelia grabbed at his shirt, tugging it away from his pants. She grunted in satisfaction as she felt it loosen. Her hands were up and under the shirt in an instant. Angel felt small flames of heat on his skin, as Cordelia’s hands moved up and down his back.
“Shirt off,” she murmured. Angel growled in agreement. He leaned up and quickly tore off his shirt. Angel took her back into his arms. Cordelia sighed in pleasure as her bare skin pressed up against his. Angel pushed her back on the bed, keeping her legs straddled around him. He leaned over quickly capturing a perky breast into his mouth, while his fingers plucked and teased the other’s nipple. Cordelia moaned holding his head closer. Angel sucked and licked at it’s hard tip. Cordelia jerked as she felt his teeth graze her sensitive skin.
Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew that she should be worried about something; that they had to stop. But her mind couldn’t concentrate; her body was on fire. Cordelia’s hands reached for his zipper. Angel growled in pleasure as she gently cupped his erection. His hips pushed his straining member further into her hand. She gently fondled and rubbed the organ. Angel thought he would burst at her touch. “Angel, please,” she begged. Angel moved his mouth to her other breast lavishing it with the same attention as its neighbor. With his hand, he reached down and helped Cordelia’s fumbling fingers free his erection. Both Cordelia and Angel moaned as she took the hard member into her hand.
Cordelia gasped as Angel fingers found her center, her hips started to move as he slid two fingers in and out of her wetness. “Now,” she demanded. Angel felt the vampire take over at Cordelia’s words. Angel placed the tip of his penis at her entrance.
“Look at me, Cordelia,” he demanded in a strained voice. Cordelia opened her eyes and stared into the vampire’s yellow eyes. Somewhere, in the back of her mind a warning bell went off. She ignored it as she looked into the vampire visage and saw only Angel. “I love you.” She thrust her hips up to his erection. Angel growled as he thrust into her in one fluid movement. Angel never felt so warm and alive. He stilled his body, his game face flickering. Angel looked down at the woman he loved. Cordelia had tears in her eyes and she was smiling. Slowly, the lovers started to move in a slow rhythm, building up speed. Cordelia’s nails clenched into his shoulders, silently begging for more. Angel’s thrusts became harder and longer. Cordelia could feel every nerve in her body on fire. “Angel”, she moaned meeting everyone of his powerful thrusts. Cordelia tensed as she felt her release near.
Angel couldn’t wait much longer. He felt his body ready to explode as Cordelia’s inner muscles contracted around him. Cordelia pulled his head to her neck. She let out a cry as her orgasm hit her. The smell of her blood and the feel of her muscles tensing around him brought Angel to the edge. He bit into her skin, slowly tasting her bittersweet blood. Cordelia gasped as a second orgasm came. Angel gave a strangled cry as he released himself into her body, Cordelia’s inner walls pumping him dry. With a groan, he collapsed on his side, bringing Cordelia’s trembling body with him, never withdrawing from the warmth of her body.
He gently licked and kissed the quickly healing puncture wounds on her neck. Cordelia sighed in pleasure, feeling his ministrations on her skin. She couldn’t believe it, she felt so wonderful. She had just made love to Angel. Somewhere in the back of her mind a voice screamed, you fool. Her eyes widened at the thought; she quickly sat up, pulling the sheet towards her. Angel growled at her withdrawal. Cordelia scooted back from the vampire at the sound.
“Angel?” she whispered fearfully. Angel sat up, reaching for her. He stopped suddenly at the fear and doubt on her face. Cordelia moved farther away, staring at his eyes the whole time. “Angel?” she said hopefully.
Oh shit, thought Angel, she didn’t know. He reached for her with a smile on his face. “Cordy, it’s okay, it’s me Angel, not Angelus.”
Cordelia heard Angel’s voice and saw Angel’s eyes. But if he wasn’t Angelus, then the most incredible experience she had ever had, meant nothing to him, no joy or anything.
“Why aren’t you, Angelus,” she angrily demanded.
“You’re mad?” asked an incredulous vampire.
“Of course, I am mad, you stupid…jerk,” she stated hotly.
“Cordelia, Angelus is a bad-thing, remember.” Angel tried to reason with the irate girl.
“Yeah, ANGEL, a bad-thing that only comes when you get the ‘big happy’, you know the joy thing…and obviously that didn’t happen, now did it ANGEL,” she yelled emphasizing his name.
“What part of what just happened do you think, I didn’t enjoy?” Angel asked in exasperation.
“Gee, ANGEL, I don’t know, all of it, I would expect…”
Angel shook his head in disbelief. “Cordelia, of course I felt joy…”
“Did not, ANGEL, ANGEL, ANGEL…..”
“Cordelia, shut up..” He stopped and glared back at her. “I didn’t turn into Angelus, not because I didn’t experience a true moment of happiness, but because MY SOUL IS PERMANENT,” he shouted, grateful that she was finally speechless.
She sat there blinking her eyes. “WHAT, WHEN…you didn’t say anything.” A silent Cordelia was too much too ask for, he thought.
“The oracles told me tonight,” he explained.
“That’s what you call vague?” she retorted.
“Well, the other part was vague, the soul permanency part was pretty clear.” He shot back to the glaring young woman. Angel tried again in a calmer tone. “This is a good thing.”
“So what? You decide to celebrate this ‘good thing’ by seducing me in my sleep.”
Angel was dumfounded. The oracles were wrong, he had experienced true joy and now he was in hell.
“Seduced you? You kissed me first, remember?”
“Did not”
“Did too” Ohmygod, he sounded like a five year old.
“Did not, you kissed me first in the closet, remember?” Her tone, daring him to contradict her.
“That didn’t count” Oh god, now he was whining, thought Angel.
“Yes it did, you probably had some sort of plot in mind.”
Angel closed his eyes and shook his head, trying to find any semblance of reason in this madness. His hand shot out as he felt Cordelia move off the bed. Angel looked down at the leg he held, then at the girl it belonged to. God, she was beautiful and she was his forever; that is if he didn’t strangle her. Actually, he thought, even then, she would be his forever. He smiled and started to trace his fingers along her skin.
“Don’t you start that,” she gasped.
“Start what Cordelia…that,” he asked gently as he stroked her calf. “…. Or did you mean this?” Nipping at the tender skin at the back of her knee.
“Stop,” she gasped. She wasn’t going to give in, not until he said he loved her. But it was hard; her body was already responding to his touch.
“Cordelia, you are getting aroused at my smallest touch, I can smell it, it’s the vampire in me,” he growled in satisfaction.
“You arrogant…Undead guy!” Cordelia pushed him away and jumped from the bed.
“Cordelia, you love me,” he growled getting angry at her stubbornness.
“Don’t you DARE use my feelings, to get yourself another quickie before you head back to your true love!”
“WHAT?”
“BUFFY, you know the Chosen ‘stake happy’ One, Buffy…”
Angel groaned and buried his head in his hands. “Stupid, pigheaded, love her, going to strangle her, yep, love her, going to strangle her…,”he mumbled into his hands. Cordelia stopped her ranting to try to make out his words. She thought she heard pigheaded, love and was that strangle.
“What did you say?” she demanded.
“I said you are a stupid pigheaded girl,” he growled.
“No, not that part, the other part”
“You mean the part where I said that I wanted to strangle you?”
“No, before that”
“Oh, you mean, the I love you part,” he said softly
“Yeah, that part”
“I love you, Cordelia Chase”
“Well, why didn’t you say so before you big oaf?” She jumped on him. Angel caught her and held her close. “You never gave me a chance”
“Shut up and kiss me,” she demanded leaning her face to his.
“Okay,” he murmured as their lips met.
Chapter Twenty-eight:
Wesley was quite pleased with himself. He’d gone to his research texts right after he left the office. He had been crosschecking for hours, when he found it. It wasn’t the exact gypsy curse, but it was close enough. Angel’s soul could be bound.
Of course, he and Cordelia would have to take certain precautions, but they didn’t sound too unpleasant. Just some chanting, some dead chickens and some blood, but not too much. Nope, he thought, happily, this could work.
He went straight up to the apartment, to excited to wait until the morning to tell Angel the good news.
He was surprised to see that the vampire wasn’t brooding in his usual chair. Maybe, he thought, he is on the roof. He turned to go, when he heard sounds coming from the open door of the bedroom. He stopped when he saw his two friends, completely unclothed and intertwined. He shut his eyes and shouted. “STOP, this instant!”
Wesley heard a growl, thud, and a high pitch shriek. Then he heard the bedroom door slam shut and some definite feminine giggles. His eyes flew open. He started to bang on the door. “Get out of there now, damn’t!”
The door swung open, a partially clothed vampire in game face growled, “Go Away!”
“Angel?” said a hesitant watcher. The vampire growled and moved closer.
“Angel, stop that you are scaring Wesley.” A sheet clad Cordelia giggled.
“Cordelia…Are…you okay?” Wesley stammered.
“Wonderful.” Cordelia smiled brightly. “Angel get the ‘grrr’ face off.”
Wesley watched as the vampire visage flickered off.
“Go away,” said a scowling human faced Angel. He pushed a giggling Cordelia back into the bedroom.
“Wesley, don’t worry, the oracles removed the ‘happy clause’; Angel’s soul is permanent.” Cordelia managed before the bedroom door was slammed shut.
Wesley stared at the closed door. He heard a growl and a lot more giggling. Cordelia’s breathy, “Oh Angel,” brought him out of his trance. He walked back downstairs. His stunned expression remained in place all the way back to the office.
It wasn’t until he was halfway out of the building that a huge grin broke out on his face.
Chapter Twenty-nine:
Wesley reached the office early the next morning. His curiosity was killing him. He wanted to know how and why Angel’s soul was permanent. Wesley strode into the apartment, looking around for his co-workers.
He stopped when he noticed a sheet of paper stuck on the closed bedroom door. His heart skipped a beat, when he saw that the paper was affixed to the door by the nasty looking dagger that had caused so much pain to Lindsay McDonald.
Wesley looked around the apartment, then went closer to the door. He saw that the paper had been folded over and his name had been scrawled on the front. He took the paper down with trepidation and clutched at the weapon.
He recognized Angel’s penmanship. Wesley read the note, twice. Folding the note up, he looked once more to the closed door and sighed. Wesley thought that it would probably be advantageous for him to meet with Brian and Duncan at their hotel, rather than here. He read the words again, ‘Wesley, Except for immediate world-ending prophecies, DO NOT DISTURB. Angel’. Yes, Wesley thought, it would definitely better to go the others’ hotel.
“Is he gone?” whispered a very happy immortal.
“Yes,” replied an equally happy vampire with a soul.
“Good” Cordelia pulled Angel into a kiss.
Chapter Thirty:
Brian answered the door on the first knock. He had been surprised at Wesley’s call earlier. Brian thought it would have been easier for the vampire to participate in the discussions at the office, rather than come to the hotel in the daylight. After what he had seen yesterday, he couldn’t believe that the vampire was not interested.
Brian looked past the former watcher. “Aren’t Cordelia and the vampire coming?”
“No… They are still…discussing what the Oracles told Angel last night.”
“And what was that?” Brian led Wesley into the sitting room.
“They will explain it, when they are ready,” answered Wesley evasively. He just hoped that they would be through ‘discussing’ within the next couple of days. “Where is Duncan?” Wesley changed the subject.
“He said that he had to go check on something. He will be back.”
The two watchers spent the next few hours discussing the situation. During the course of the day, Wesley learned more about the council and Immortals. And Brian learned more about watchers and vampire slayers from Wesley.
“So, Buffy isn’t the true ‘chosen one’ anymore. I mean she ‘died’ and the line went to the other girl and with her death to Faith, your former slayer?”
“Some in the council believe that to be true. That’s one of the reasons that they have cut her and Giles off. Though, I think it probably had more to do the council’s inability to control them. However, I think that Buffy is the true slayer, or I at least hope so. She is the best slayer in history. She is the most active and has lived the longest. But she faces all forms of evil everyday. Faith is in prison, relatively safe. If Buffy, god forbid, dies before Faith, then the world won’t have a slayer, if the council is right.”
“Do you think that Buffy may be immortal, she did ‘die’?”
Wesley thought for a moment, intrigued with the idea of an ‘immortal slayer’. “No,” he answered regretfully.
“She would have been identified as one, when Cordelia was found. No, Buffy will eventually die, I just hope that it is not for a very long time.”
It was early in the evening, when the watchers decided to call it a night. They hadn’t heard from Duncan or Angel, and were somewhat perplexed as what to do next.