Chapter 42
Cordelia slumped on the sofa, her shoulders as deflated as her tires. She rubbed her face trying to wipe away the worry about her useless car and how much it would cost to fix.
Angel said it would be cheap but she wasn’t that confident in his judgment. He might gawk at the price of pasta but thought nothing about buying expensive sheets, clothes, and towels. Seeing how much he cared for his car, she was willing to bet that paying an outrageous price for tires would be okay with him.
“Crap.” She needed her car; without it she was really trapped. She had planned on using the money she’d saved along with the paycheck that Miss Twittle had given her last night to move into another motel, hopefully with some money left over. But now she couldn’t make any plans about leaving Angel’s.
She would have to rely on Angel for a little while longer. She wanted to cry. She was feeling helpless again.
Cordelia clenched her fists and lifted her chin. She wouldn’t feel sorry for herself. She would deal with this new problem because that is what Cordelia Chase did – she dealt.
She glanced up the steps. It would be easier to do if Angel would just hurry up. She needed to get to the library and lose herself in the lives of Elizabeth and Darcy. Then she wouldn’t have to think about the increasing lack of control she had over her own.
Cordelia forced herself to concentrate on itemizing the things in her backpack. She had pen, paper and Mr. Edward’s assignment. She checked one more time before glancing up the stairs again. How long could it possibly take for Angel to choose one black shirt over another?
Cordelia crossed her legs. Her fingers started playing an agitated rhapsody on her thighs.
She looked down at her rapping fingers and slapped her hands still. Bruising her legs wouldn’t get Angel down any quicker.
Cordelia sucked in a deep breath for a shout to hurry him up. Her burgeoning yell turned into an inelegant “Pfft” as Angel came down the stairs on his own. She rolled her eyes at his all-black attire.
The long-sleeved shirt was loose over his black pants. The shirt had to be silk; it draped too well off his broad shoulders to be anything else. The first couple of buttons of the shirt were undone exposing a peek of white t-shirt. Twenty minutes for that?
It boggled the mind.
But, in truth it made her wonder – did Angel know that his outfit accented his hotness? She wrinkled her brow at the improbability of that scenario. He couldn’t perfect his “look” in a mirror. That meant his hotness was natural. Cordelia frowned.
It wasn’t that she hadn’t realized that Angel was gorgeous or that she forgot it was just that she had pushed it to the back of her mind. Who could blame her? After all, Buffy and the fact that Angel was a vampire who could be extremely nasty without a soul were definite reasons why she shouldn’t be fixated on his hotness.
With that censure back in her mind, Cordelia uncurled her legs and got to her feet. “‘Bout time. What are you a girl?”
Her lips down-turned into another frown at his raised brows. Obviously he knew he didn’t look the least bit like a girl. Probably knew about his hotness too.
She huffed and swung her backpack over her shoulder. “Can we go now?” She stopped as she noticed the blanket under his arm.
“What’s that for? A picnic?”
“The access doesn’t open into the Library, Cordy. “
“Oh.” Cordelia licked her lips. His tone was so matter-of-fact. He wasn’t complaining even a little bit about being dragged to the library during the day. She sighed again as Angel grabbed his coat from the back of the sofa. Great, her life sucked #and# she was feeling guilty.
***
Angel turned to see why Cordelia was no longer beside him. He frowned as he saw her staring out through a break in the wall of wisteria her shoulders slumped. Her stance was similar to when he saw her at her locker, except this time she didn’t seem to be considering blowing anything up, but only hiding.
Before he knew what had caused her rare show of vulnerability but this time he didn’t have a clue. He kept to the shade as he stepped closer, looking out to see if it was something real that caused her change in demeanor or an inner thought. His frown deepened as his gaze followed hers to the bright red convertible tilted to the right on its rims.
Angel’s hand touched her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. “It’s just a car, Cordy. It can be fixed,” he said softly, hoping his words would make her feel better, even though he had no intention of calling Erik anytime soon.
Cordy’s shoulders dipped even further. “It’s not…” She blew out a breath of air. “You’re right.” She straightened and looked away from the red convertible.
Angel held on to her shoulder. “Don’t worry about the new tires, Cordy. Diamonds remember.” He gave an encouraging smile.
He wasn’t pleased that her shoulders dipped again or that her eyes clouded in an unreadable expression for a second.
“Sure.” She gave him a tight smile and straightened as she moved away from his touch to walk ahead. Then she turned towards him. “Where are these tunnels?”
Angel frowned again as his attempts to reassure her failed.
“This way.” He tugged at her backpack’s strap. “I’ll carry it.” He said at her expression.
Angel didn’t understand the long look she gave him. “Sure, why not?” She finally said, shrugging and allowing him to unhook it from her.
He really didn’t understand the resignation in her voice.
Chapter 43
“Darlings, I just can’t help but think that Barney is wrong to be so worried.” Miss Twittle said to the four cats who listened with rapt attention.
She stroked at the beautifully groomed longhaired brown tabby sitting on her lap then nodded into the cat’s large gold eyes. “Brenda, I met Angel, he’s very nice. Really.”
Miss Twittle smiled, reassured by Brenda’s purr of encouragement, then frowned as the shorthaired gray cat let out a howl. “Luke, you don’t trust anybody, so your opinion doesn’t count.” Luke rubbed his long, lean body in between her ankles, purring and nudging at her. “Flirting, does not work with me, Lorenzo Spencer, I have not yet forgiven you for trying to trick everyone else out of their breakfast.”
Luke stood, leaning his front paws on Miss Twittle’s hosed knees his claws safely sheathed, and stared up at her. “You’re just shameless.” She tsked, scratching behind his ears. “Oh, Laura, what are we going to do with him.” She looked to the immaculate blonde Persian that was pushing at Luke to find a position near Miss Twittle.
Jumping on Miss Twittle’s lap, Laura settled next to Brenda her purrs joining with the other cat’s to create a loud but gentle vibrating duet.
Miss Twittle’s other hand started to stroke Laura’s long fur and looked down at her and Brenda. “Angel’s really quite charming and very protective of Cordelia. I’m sure that Barney is over-reacting. Jax, what do you think?'” The handsome tuxedo cat jumped on the flowered couch and glided towards Miss Twittle’s beckoning hand.
Miss Twittle looked at both Luke and Jax. “You two think I should call her. What about you two?” She glanced at the female cats on her lap. Two pairs of wide gold eyes glanced up at her with similar long blinks.
“Yes, you’re right,” she said, taking in the female cats’ gaze.
” I’m sure that I’m correct in my assessment of Angel’s character, but Cordy hasn’t called and it is,” Miss Twittle looked at the grandfather clock in the corner, “after twelve. I will call her.”
***
The tense muscles that had glued Angel’s face into a frown slowly began to relax. When they first entered the tunnel Cordelia had been too quiet for his liking.
But, as they had been walking, Cordelia’s silence began to grow into a grumbling about how dark and dank the tunnel was. She wasn’t happy but at least a portion of her spirit was coming back.
“I should’ve brought a flashlight,” Cordelia griped, and then she suddenly lurched back and, squealed. “Something furry just ran over my shoe.”
” It was just a rat,” Angel said.
Cordelia shook her foot as if the rodent was still clutched to her boot.
“Oh, #just# a rat? Well, that’s a #big# comfort.”
Angel cupped her elbow and brought her close to his side. Her nose wrinkled in disgust and made her look adorable.
“Come on,” he said as he led her through the tunnel. “I’ll make sure you don’t get eaten by a six-inch rodent that’s more scared of you than you are of him.”
“Doubtful and it was two feet long at least, with really big teeth.” Cordelia flung her arms out wide.
“Oh, I missed that part.” Angel said, recognizing the teasing dare of her arched brow and the self-mocking drama in her exaggeration.
He wanted to laugh but an out-loud acknowledgment would ruin the moment. He was just pleased that Cordelia’s earlier dejected stance seemed to be completely gone. He really should find the rat and thank it.
“That’s because it didn’t attack #your# foot.”
“That explains it,” he said, dryly. Cordelia seemed to appreciate his tone because she nodded barely hiding the smile beneath her pronounced scowl.
Suddenly, her face scrunched in true panic as a melodic ring sounded in the tunnel.
“Shoot. Stand still.” She quickly seized at her backpack hanging from Angel’s shoulder.
Her hands rummaged through the small front-zippered compartment of the bag. “I forgot to call Miss Twittle,” she explained, giving a sigh of relief as she pulled out her cell phone and flipped up its lid before the ringing stopped.
“Hi, Miss Twittle. What? Um, hold on.” Cordelia pulled up the phone antenna. “Can you hear me now?” she asked, speaking louder. “Great. I’m sorry. I know I should’ve called you sooner.”
Angel took a step closer and concentrated on both Cordelia’s voice and the distinctive timbre of Miss Twittle’s. The other woman’s clear enunciation and the tunnel walls worked together to create an excellent echo that allowed him to clearly hear both sides of the conversation.
“Honey, I was worried. Is everything okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. I’m on the way to the library. I have a paper due Monday.”
“I hope not alone, dear. Where’s Angel?”
“Right next to me, Miss Twittle.”
“Very good.”
Angel watched as Cordelia frowned at the silence that came from the phone.
“Are your accommodations satisfactory?”
“Um, yeah.”
“And where exactly are you staying? And where are you? Now there is a strange echo.”
“On the way to the library, I don’t have the best service – and I’m staying with Angel, you know that.”
“You really should have scrutinized your cellular phone plan before committing. The commercials are full of the varying attributes of the seemly endless services available.”
“Yes, Miss Twittle, I should’ve.”
“Yes, well, there is still time and more specifically where are you and Angel staying, dear?”
Angel watched as Cordelia’s forehead wrinkled, obviously trying to decipher Miss Twittle’s question.
“Not #with-with# him, Miss Twittle. I’ve my own room.” Cordelia stared at the floor as she gave her answer.
“Dear, the address. I would like to see you and make sure you’re settled in comfortably. Bachelors are notoriously shabby. Take- out food, clothes strewn all about, clutter every where.”
“Angel cooks and is as neat as a pin, Miss Twittle. He picks up after me.”
Angel raised his brows. Cordelia had noticed that he had cleaned up after her whirlwind rush to get dressed Friday morning.
“Yes, but I’ve seen those college movies –“
“Angel’s not a fraternity boy, Miss Twittle.”
“Yes, well….”
“Miss Twittle, what’s wrong?” Cordelia asked.
Angel wondered if Miss Twittle would just come out and ask to come over or if Cordy would clue in first that the woman was having doubts about Cordy living with him.
“Nothing, dear. Um, you don’t want to ask about Fluffy?”
Angel shifted on his feet as he waited for Cordelia’s answer to Miss Twittle’s code for danger.
“Fluffy?” Cordelia’s eyes widened. “Oh. No.”
“Are you quite positive?”
“Completely positive.” Cordelia nodded into the phone.
Angel felt lighter at her answer. But, Miss Twittle’s sigh stalled the feeling. Miss Twittle’s character wouldn’t let her accept the answer at face value; she would have to see for herself. Angel tapped Cordelia on the arm and gestured that she give the phone to him.
Cordelia shook her head.
He sighed as he snatched the phone out of her hand. “Hello, Miss Twittle.
“Angel?”
“Yes. I hope you don’t mind, but while you and Cordy were talking, I had a thought – Miss Twittle, would you like to come over for dinner? I would like to thank you for all the help you’ve given Cordelia.”
Cordelia slapped his arm and he grabbed her hand. “Hold on, please, Miss Twittle, Cordy is saying something.” Angel gently twisted Cordelia’s hand and curled her into his side, urging her to be still and quiet with his gaze. He felt the overwhelming urge to kiss the scowl off her face.
He turned back to the phone in his hand. “How about tomorrow night? Cordy says she wants to finish her paper tonight.”
“Dinner? Sunday? I…yes, I can. Since, the store has been closed I have managed to watch all of my daytime shows this week. But it should be early I don’t want Cordy to be up too late on a school night.”
“Of course. Six o’clock?”
“I’ll need your address.”
“Miss Twittle, of course, but please don’t tell anyone else.”
“Angel, I’m completely cognizant of the need to keep such information secret.”
Angel could practically see Miss Twittle’s shoulders brace into rigid steel and the stern look that accompanied her offended tone through the small phone.
“Of course you do, I apologize. I’ve rented –”
“Angel, not over Cordy’s cell phone. They can be scanned.”
“Oh. Of course,” Angel couldn’t hide his confusion at her reprimand.
“Pay phone. Cordy knows the number. I’ll be expect your call in an hour.”
“Very cautious.”
“Angel, we are talking about Cordelia’s safety.”
“Of course, good bye, Miss Twittle.”
“Angel, before you hang up may I speak to Cordy?”
“Of course.” Angel handed the phone to Cordelia along with a stern glance.
Cordelia arched her brow at him and grabbed the phone. “Hi, Miss Twittle, it’s me.”
“Yes, dear. I’m quite excited about dinner. I think all make a bundt cake for the occasion.”
“That would be great, Miss Twittle.” Cordelia’s happy words were said through tight lips.
“Now you get you’re paper done. Education is very important.”
“Yes, Miss Twittle.”
“Give Angel a hug for me. I may have been a bit harsh with him a moment ago.”
“That won’t…okay, goodbye.” Cordelia said pleasantly as she slammed the phone closed.
“Well?”
” Well, what?” She glared at Angel.
“My hug?”
“You’ve got to be kidding,” she said, shoving the phone towards Angel and her knapsack.
Angel took the phone and tucked it back in the front pocket of the backpack.
“What the hell were you thinking?” She smacked him on the arm.
” That, I’m going to tell Miss Twittle that you didn’t give me my hug.” He grabbed her hand.
“You’re insane.” Cordelia couldn’t yank her right hand away, so she smacked him with her left.
Angel stopped it mid-flight and held both hands tightly. “And don’t you dare start kicking me,” he warned. “Or do I have to go find the monster rat?”
Cordelia snorted at his ridiculous threat.
He loosened his hold her hands slightly. “Cordy, I just invited Miss Twittle over for dinner.”
Rolling her eyes, Cordelia stepped back. “Dinner? Would that be when Miss Twittle and I are eating omelets while you stare or were you planning to pull out the blood for her? And how are we supposed to avoid the fact that West Hell has been abandoned for twenty years?”
“Cordy.” Angel tucked her to his side. “Did you miss the part where Miss Twittle had doubts about you living with me? We don’t want her to have any, do we?”
“But –.”
Angel brought a finger up over her lips. “Once she sees its not sinking into the ground, she’ll probably think it is a good idea that you are tucked safely away in West Hell. And, I’ll cook something other than omelets.”
He loosened his arms a bit to let Cordelia face him fully. “And the vampire thing?”
“I can eat. I just don’t because it doesn’t fill me up or keep me alive. I’ll keep the blood away. I haven’t subjected you to it have I?’
Cordelia pushed at his chest. Angel let her go a little more but kept a hold on her wrists. “It’s in the refrigerator. And I wouldn’t put it past Miss Twittle to check out the refrigerator in an over-abundance of concern that I’m not eating well-balanced meals.”
Angel dropped his hands. “You saw the cartons?” Angel had begun to believe that she hadn’t. He had shoved them to the back, hoping that Cordelia wouldn’t notice; after all, she hadn’t said anything about them when she got the eggs for the French toast.
She took a step back, pulling her hands away and crossing her arms against her chest. “Hard to miss – I’m not blind.”
“You didn’t say anything –“
“You’re a vampire…. blood as food is way too obvious to even mention. Was I supposed to say, -” ‘Eww, there’s blood in the fridge — oh my god, you’re a vampire’ “, she said rolling her eyes.
“Um–“
Cordelia scrunched up her face. “When do you eat?’
Angel shut his dropping jaw only to open it again. “What?”
“Well, we’ve had dinner and breakfast and I haven’t seen you eat, so when do you? “
Angel stared at her for a moment then shook his head. Then placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her. “When I’m hungry,” Angel said, pushing her forward. He didn’t like the conversation.
“Eww. That sounds like you just go out and grab when the urge hits.” Cordelia turned in his arms to face him as she kept stepping backward. “Don’t you have a schedule or do you just walk along and go ” ‘ ooh, I’ve gotta eat'” ? That’s got to be inconvenient. What if there aren’t any containers of blood around.”
Angel stopped as Cordelia kept walking backwards, her words stalled but the questions in her eyes still apparent.
“What’s wrong?” She changed her direction and took a couple steps closer to him.
“Why are you asking me this?”
“You brought it up,” she said.
“I’m pretty sure I didn’t,” Angel commented, though at that point and time, he wasn’t really sure. He was almost positive that they had been talking about Miss Twittle, not his eating habits, but he wasn’t really sure anymore.
“I can’t believe you invited Miss Twittle over,” Cordelia said as she shook her head. “You’re going to have to put some lights in the front.”
Angel shook his head. Maybe he just imagined the part where Cordelia was asking about his blood. “I did.”
“You did? When?’
“When you moved in,” Angel said, grabbing her hand again, urging her to start walking. “You haven’t gone out the front since then, that’s all.”
Cordelia yanked her hand away and put her hands on her hips. “Look, this #dinner# is your idea and problem. I’ve got a paper to write. #You# think of the story to tell Miss Twittle this time, if she gets suspicious. And,” she said, glaring, “if you get me fired then I’ll find those stupid diamonds.”
“Deal.” Angel smiled and cupped her elbow turning her forward and leading her further into the tunnels.
