Chapter 17
Angel watched Cordelia disappear. Her long dark hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders and back. Her snug denim jacket ended at her waist, allowing him to see the sway of her hips as she stepped.
His hand went automatically into his pocket to curl around the hair scrunchy he took from her locker. The sensations of the soft material brought back the feel of her skin.
He didn’t want to lose her to the Bronze, but like the feel of Cordelia’s skin, he couldn’t forget the image of Bruno’s face. He could still feel the man’s throat between his fingers. Bruno’s fear-riddled stench called to the darkest corners of his being.
He answered the call.
***
Angel stood behind the broken lights rimming the outskirts of the motel, scanning the area. He narrowed his eyes at the car almost completely hidden by the over-hang of an Euclayptus. His chest vibrated in anger as he identified the car as a Ford Escort. He wanted it to be Bruno’s Trans Am.
Angel studied the car again. Was it Sandy giving up her mothering duties to her job or something else? Angel frowned. Sandy, her customers, or Bruno hadn’t shown any need to hide on the rim of the hotel before. Angel peered closer into the darkness and got a closer look at the single occupant of the car.
Startled, he recognized the redneck security guard from the dress store. Had Cordy’s gun-happy manager directed the guard to the motel since the store was no longer opened?
Angel turned away. That wasn’t why he had come back.
He slipped into the night moving quickly to the back of the motel. He jumped to the second story balcony. Angel paused at the sound of a female voice singing and a baby making happy sounds in response. He placed a hand over the door. He only sensed the two heartbeats.
Angel shoved down his urge to confront Sandy. Threatening the hooker wouldn’t protect Cordelia from Bruno. The only remedy was to get her out of there.
He walked silently to Cordelia’s room, frowning at the shoddy material of the door. His eye’s narrowed and gave the doorknob a quick turn, growling as the door swung open.
He was going to drag Cordelia out of the Bronze and shake the breath out of her for being so careless and leaving the door unlocked.
Then he remembered hearing the jingle of her keys after the door shut.
He focused back on the door and in brushing the knob, his fingertips detected minute gouges around the lock. Frustrated by the vamp-barrier, he could only make sense of things the best he could from the doorway.
Everything looked orderly, and the only scent in the room he seemed to be able to detect was that of Cordelia’s. Had Bruno just picked the lock and then planned on coming back after Cordelia was sleeping?
He gripped at the knob, enjoying the feel of the metal crushing in his hand.
Then he stepped back to look at it. The break-in was obvious now. Cordelia would have to leave the motel.
Chapter 18
Angel walked into the Bronze and underneath the muted strop lights. He winced at the press of noise and people and fixed on the one scent he was looking for.
He frowned. Cordelia held court in the middle of a gaggle of well-fed, pampered, stylish teenagers.
He tried to recall the bits and pieces of gossip that he’d heard over the last couple of months. It was harder than it should be, but he had been pretty efficient at blocking the teenage dribble out of his mind. But from he could remember Cordelia’s former snobby friends had continued to snub her even after she and Xander broke up.
Angel caught a glimpse of familiar blond hair and scowled.
He hadn’t sensed Buffy’s familiar scent in the crowd but then the Bronze was filled to the brim. Too many sights and sounds must have distracted him.
He strode towards Buffy, Xander, and Willow sitting at a high table in the corner.
***
Buffy stopped herself from looking towards the door for the millionth time and concentrated on listening to Xander. Angel had only said maybe when she asked whether he would come.
Xander raised his voice over the music, “I don’ t get it.” He gestured to Cordelia. “Yesterday they were ignoring her and now they’re putting her back on the Queen C throne.”
Xander hadn’t stopped talking about Cordelia since she walked in twenty minutes ago. Buffy was beginning to think it was time for a game of musical chairs. It was definitely time to change the subject.
“Xander—” Before she could finish her sentence, her senses tingled. She reached into her coat pocket to grab at her stake. Then she heard a familiar cough.
“Angel,” she said quickly as she mentally kicked herself and slid the stake back into her pocket.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
Buffy’s stomach fell as his gaze drifted toward her unseen hands.
“You came. I’m glad.” Buffy put on a happy smile as she slapped her palms flat on the table.
“I hope it’s all right,” Angel said.
“Of course.” Buffy gave a real smile as Angel took her previous movements in stride. She tucked her hair behind her ears. “Sit.” She beckoned to the empty seat next to her.
“Maybe there.” He shrugged towards Xander. “The light here is pretty bright.” He looked to Xander. “If you don’t mind.”
Buffy wrinkled her brow but nodded. It was still next to her and now Xander wouldn’t be able to stare at Cordelia.
“Xander?” Buffy asked, her green eyes pleading for him to do this for her.
“Sure, why not.” Xander vacated his seat, only to plop down in the one between Buffy and Willow. “Can’t have Dead Boy going up in smoke.”
Angel sat down. “That would be the sun.”
“He was joking,” Willow said softly.
“Funny,” Angel said, clearly not amused.
“Like, I was saying.” Xander continued.
“Xander,” Buffy interrupted. “I’m sure that Angel doesn’t want to listen to gossip, especially about Cordelia.”
“I don’t want to interrupt.” Angel gave Buffy a small smile.
“Like, I was saying.” Xander shifted awkwardly in his new chair and twisted his neck so he could see Cordelia. “Earlier…”
Buffy sighed. “We know what you were saying but, Xander, come on, they’re her so-called friends. Obviously, they gotten over the fact you two dated and Cordy’s gotten over the fact that they dumped her like a bad pair of shoes. Loyalty was never a big draw in that crowd. You called it, Queen C is back.”
Xander turned to Buffy. “Yeah, but the Cordettes disbanded to reform as the Harmonettes. I can’t see Harmony giving that up. She’s always envied Cordy’s queen status. Something’s going on. I wonder if she’s trying to set Cordy up.”
Buffy shook her head as Xander adjusted his chair to make staring at Cordelia easier, then shot a glance at Angel. He was staring at Xander and didn’t seem to be too bored. But then again, she never really could tell whether he was listening to her friends or not.
Buffy frowned, now Angel was staring at Cordelia.
“Harmony is or was her best friend, since like kindergarten.” Willow protested.
Xander shrugged. “I guess. But Harmony really just followed her around, soaking up the limelight. Cordy used to call her and the rest sheep,” he chuckled. “She did the best imitation of them. It was really funny.”
Buffy’s attention was drawn back to Xander. “What?”
“She didn’t.” Willow leaned forward in surprise.
“Yep.” Xander nodded to both girls. He turned again towards Cordelia. “Normally, Cordy could out bitch them, but something’s wrong with her. I told you about earlier today, right?” He swung around to face Buffy and Willow again. “How she wasn’t acting normal.”
“What was wrong with her?” Angel asked.
Xander jumped. “What?”
Buffy would’ve smiled at Xander’s startled expression except she was also surprised by Angel’s interruption.
Angel leaned forward. “You said something was wrong with her. What was it?” he repeated, staring hard at Xander.
Buffy tensed at Angel’s tone.
“Angel.” She took his arm, squeezing until he looked down at her fingers.
Angel raised his eyes slowly to hers. “Don’t you want to know? I thought she was your friend.” Angel wrinkled his brow, turning to Xander and Willow. “That’s why you’re talking about her, right, because you’re worried?”
Buffy shifted in her seat. Any answer but ‘yes’ would make her sound like a gossipy mean person. She glanced at Willow. Willow’s fidgeting told her that her friend felt the same. Xander was the only one that seemed okay with the question. Or maybe he was just relieved that Angel had stopped staring at him.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with her.” Xander leaned in. “That’s what I’m trying to figure out.”
Angel slanted his head, his eyes back on Xander.
Buffy got the sensation that she was watching Angel dissect Xander, study his bits and pieces before finally putting him back together.
She half expected Xander to start feeling for missing body parts.
“Um,” Willow pulled at the button of her green fuzzy cardigan. “I might’ve heard something.”
Buffy’s shoulders relaxed. Angel and Xander’s eyes were now focused on the redhead, instead of each other.
“Why didn’t you say something before?” Xander practically shouted. “I told you this afternoon that I thought something was wrong.”
Buffy shot him a surprised look. “Xander, don’t bite her head off.”
“I’m sorry. I’m not even sure it’s something,” Willow stuttered. “It’s just,” she jerked her head towards Cordelia and Harmony. “I heard Harmony and Aura in the bathroom. They didn’t know I was there, even though I was right next to them.” Her fingers started to attack the second button on her sweater.
“They were talking about Cordy and they were getting madder and madder. Saying something about Cordy working and ruining their lives.” Willow plucked at the button. “Or was it that Cordy was working to ruin their lives.”
Xander raised his brow. “Cordy’s working? Now, I know something is wrong.”
“Cordy wouldn’t be caught dead working.” Buffy said, glancing at Angel, who back to staring at Xander.
Angel cleared his throat. “I heard something similar. Yesterday, I saw those two when I was leaving the school.” Angel paused giving a vague gesture towards the group of teenagers surrounding Cordelia. “They were saying something about Cordelia working because her father wanted her to. If she did, he would let her to go to Europe after graduation.”
Xander nodded. “He must have read something about rich kids needing to work,” Xander said.
“Huh?” Willow asked.
“Cordy told me that every once in awhile her dad would pick up a parenting article while away on business and come back with some new thing that would make it seem like he was a real father rather than a visitor.”
Buffy looked over to where Cordelia was sitting. “That’s kind of sad.”
Xander shrugged. “Cordy was okay with it. She actually thought it was funny. All she had to do was play along for a little while, her dad would disappear again on business forgetting whatever new rules or stuff he put in place. My guess is she’s just working until he forgets again. She must hate it though, that’s probably what’s wrong.”
Xander glanced from Cordelia back to Willow. “Harmony and Aura were bitching about having to work too?” Xander chuckled. “Cordy’s dad must’ve posted the article on the country club’s bullentin board. That should make Cordy happy, misery loves company.”
Willow gulped. “I’m not sure that’s what…”
Xander waved away the rest of Willow’s statement. “Of course that’s it, it makes sense.”
Angel pushed back, his chair scrapping across the floor.
“Angel?” Buffy asked.
“Your drink is empty. Do you want another one?”
Buffy was surprised. “Thank you.”
“Anyone else?” He glanced at Willow and Xander.
“O…okay,” Willow whispered.
Xander frowned. “Um, yeah, sure.”
Angel nodded and disappeared into the crowd.
“That was weird.” Xander leaned back crossed his arms. “Angel was almost talkative.”
“He just wants to be friends.” Willow leaned toward Buffy and smiled. “See, I told you.”
Buffy nodded, chewing on her lip. Willow was probably right. Except, Angel hadn’t said one word to her after his initial greeting. His interest seemed to be focused on Xander and Cordelia.
Buffy blew at a piece of hair hanging in her eyes. Of course, Xander hadn’t allowed for any other topic but Cordelia.
***
“Cordy, why can’t you quit?” Harmony asked as she adjusted the neckline of her pink sweater. Aura perched on the arm of the low couch that Harmony was sitting on waiting for Cordelia’s answer.
“I told you.” Cordelia settled back into chair across from them.
“But your dad….”
Cordy twirled a strand of hair around her finger. “He may be out of the country but he still has control over the plastic.” She peered at Harmony. “Come on, Harm, working isn’t that bad and the rewards are awesome.”
“What rewards?” Harmony crossed her arms.
“The European reward. Geez, Harm, you remember when we went to Tahoe. You hit max on your credit card in two days. I had to sweet-talk daddy to give me more on mine because you didn’t want to tell your parents that you went broke.”
Harmony pouted. “So?”
“I’m just saying that’s not happening to me when I get to Europe. Daddy said that he would match any income I make when I get there. And if I keep working, I know I can get him to at least double, maybe triple. My American Express won’t be denied when I buy designer boots in Italy.”
Cordelia could feel Harmony weakening, but she needed a bigger push.
Cordelia smiled as the shove came into view. “Harm, what’s your problem with Starbucks? You know it’s Sunnydale’s very own ‘Central Perk’.”
“What?’
“If it’s good enough for Rachel than it’s good enough for you. Think about it. You could be her, the Brad-worthy waitress.”
“Oh my God.” Harmony looked around. “I could be Rachel.”
“Yep,” Cordy nodded. “And who knows, maybe your dad will let you go to Europe, too.”
Aura piped in. “I want to work at ‘Central Perks’.
Harmony eyed Aura. “Too bad, that’s mine. You get the burger joint.”
Cordelia kept her face impassive. But it was hard. They were idiots.
“Hey, I thought, you were Loserville.” A letter-jacketed boy sauntered into the group and looked down at Cordelia.
Cordelia kept the annoyance out of her steady gaze. “Hello, Josh.” Jerk. He’d been trying to get in her pants since 6th grade and now he thought he was too good for her.
Harmony shot up. “Josh, don’t you be mean to Cordy, she’s my best friend.”
“No, she’s mine.” Aura grabbed at Cordelia’s hand.
“Oh.” He sat down, tugging Aura onto the couch next to him. “Sorry.”
Cordelia smiled and leaned towards Aura. “Did I tell you that Josh’s mom was asking about job openings at the Doublemeat Palace, also?”
“What?” Josh yelled. “You were supposed to stop this working thing.” He turned to Aura.
Aura narrowed her eyes. “Josh, you WILL work, if you want to have a FUN prom.”
Cordelia refused to squeal in delight. She just watched and committed every word to memory.
“Huh?” Josh gulped. “Okay, but the Doublemeat?” he whined.
Aura smacked his shoulder in response.
“There’s got to be some where else.” Josh stomped the floor with his Timblerlands.
Harmony leaned into Cordelia. “Aura definitely needs a college boy.”
Cordelia disguised her snort as a cough. “Right.” Oh, she had to get out of there soon before she ruined everything by laughing outright.
Harmony turned back to the low arguments that had started to brew about where everyone would best be suited to work.
Cordelia frowned as her spine tingled. She turned to see who was staring and locked eyes with Angel.
She took a deep breath gulping down the ‘oh crap’ that was threatening to emerge.
He looked so smug leaning up against the bar. He crooked his finger, beckoning her towards him.
She looked quickly to Harmony and the others to see if they had noticed. Thank God, they were too busy arguing. She turned back to Angel and vehemently shook her head.
Her eyes widened as he held her gaze and beckoned again.
Cordelia jumped up, excusing herself quickly and hurried over to Angel. She squished up close to the post by the bar keeping out of sight of Harmony and the others. “What?”
“It’s time to leave.”
Cordelia stared. “Okay. Goodbye.” She turned back toward the couch.
Angel cupped her elbow, stopping her. “You’re leaving too.”
“No, I’m not.” She pulled out of his grip.
“Yes, you are.”
“You can’t tell me what to do.”
“We made a deal. I wouldn’t bother you and you wouldn’t leave the Bronze alone.”
“We didn’t make any deal.”
“We didn’t?” Angel cocked his head. “I think Bruno would disagree.”
“What?” Cordelia bit at her bottom lip at the determined glint in his eyes. “You can’t just…Why?”
“Because I’m ready to leave.” Angel leaned in closer.
“But, I’m not.” She stumbled backwards, hitting the bar post that she had willing hid behind.
“Don’t you think you’re done?” Angel moved in even closer.
“What do you mean?” Cordelia crossed her arms in attempt to further the distance from her and Angel.
He glanced at the Cordettes. “Every spoiled brat that snubbed you is now fighting about which menial job to take. I’d say your work here is done.”
“You’ve no right to eavesdrop on my conversations.” Her arms pressed in closer to her body.
Angel shrugged. “It was impressive. Now, let’s go.” He pulled Cordelia from the corner she had trapped her self in.
“You can’t honestly think that I’ll just go because you say so?”
“I think they,” he jerked his head to the group of pretty teenagers, “will be working by next week because Cordelia Chase said to. Unless I ruin it, of course.”
Cordelia glanced up into his dark eyes. He meant it.
“Why do you keep doing this,” she whispered harshly.
“Bruno ring a bell?” Angel raised a brow.
“Pfft, you scared the crap out of him,” she scoffed, waving away his concern. “That bastard’s probably hightailed it out of town. He won’t be hurting anyone, especially Sandy.” She smiled up at him. “I told you how cool that was didn’t I?” She asked, hoping that some praise would get him to go away.
“Actually, you didn’t.”
Cordelia cocked a brow. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“But I did say thanks, right?” She patted his arm. “You were wonderful. Bruno’s probably already in Mexico.”
“Won’t work.” Angel snaked the arm that was holding her elbow around to her back, moving her to the exit. “We’re going.”
Cordelia cocked her head over her shoulder into Angel’s intense stare. She grunted. There had to be a way to make him go away.
She pointed towards the bar. “Are those yours?” Three drinks were still sitting on their tray on the bar.
Angel hesitated.
Yes. Score for Cordy. But she couldn’t stop there. “Buffy will probably come looking for you if you disappear. How are you going to explain why you’re with me?”
She slipped away from Angel’s hold, moving further away as he frowned at the drinks. “I have an idea! Why don’t you go do whatever you were doing before you started eavesdropping and I’ll —“
“Go to the door and wait for me.” He said suddenly, pulling her back.
“No,”
“Cordy,” Angel tightened his grip on her arm. “Go to the door. Now.”
Cordelia puffed out her cheeks. “Fine.” She turned back towards the couch full of teenagers.
“Cordy.”
“I can’t just leave without saying the proper goodbye. Geez.” She went back to the couch, but she couldn’t help peeking over her shoulder at Angel.
***
“Angel.” Buffy sat up straighter as the vampire placed the tray on the table.
“I’m sorry.” He bowed his head. “I … it’s just.” His wave encompassed the crowd and the noise. “But, I brought you your drinks.”
“I…of course, I understand. Thank you. I’m just glad you came.” Buffy gave a soft smile.
Angel nodded and moved away blending into the crowd.
“Okay, that was still weird but at least the disappearing act was normal.” Xander shook his head.
“He was trying.” Willow smiled encouragingly at Buffy.
Buffy smiled in return. Both of her friends were right. Angel leaving suddenly WAS normal. He always felt uncomfortable in crowds. And, Buffy was sure that the earlier oddness was because Angel had been trying so hard to fit in.
Xander looked over his shoulder. “Hey, Cordy left.”
Buffy rolled her eyes. Good. Maybe Xander would talk about something else now.
Willow edged forward in her seat. “Xander, you do realize that you have been spending a lot of time talking about Cordelia tonight.”
Thank you, Willow. Buffy wanted to hug her.
“Have not.” Xander jerked away from Willow. “I just wondered why she left so soon. She didn’t even glare at me.” Xander stared at them. “Something else, other than the working thing, must be wrong.”
Buffy dropped her head on the small table.
“Buffy?” Willow patted Buffy’s hair. “Are you okay?”
She shook her head. “I give.” Buffy slowly raised her eyes. “So, Xander, you were telling us about the time Cordy let you ride her horse before you noticed that she didn’t insult you.”
“Right.” Xander scooted closer to the table. “His name is Keanu. For some reason she thinks he’s hot. The actor, I mean. Anyway…”
Buffy sighed as she listened. She should’ve asked Angel if he wanted to go on a late patrol.
***
Cordelia paced the foyer of the club, eyeing the people coming and going from the hallway to the restrooms. What was she doing? Hanging out like a freshman waiting for the jock senior that promised her a ride home? Why in the hell was she following Angel’s orders? It was that damn stare of his. It made her all jittery and messed up her thinking. Well, she could think now.
She reached for the door and flinched as a firm hand cupped her neck.
“Going somewhere?” Angel whispered into her ear.
Cordelia faced him determined not to let him get under her skin…any more than he already had. “Duh, don’t have until the millennium to get home.”
Angel pushed her out the door. “Your keys.”
“Oh, you are truly whacked if you think you’re driving my car.” She held Angel’s glare. “That’s a deal breaker for the deal we NEVER made.”
“Just keep your hands on the wheel.” Angel said as he got in the passenger side.
