Part 13
Cordelia dragged her feet down the stairs. She wasn’t particularly enthused about sparring with Angel. She didn’t like the fact that after only seeing her with Duncan for a few minutes Angel had come to the conclusion that she was learning how to kill.
Duncan had said that it would happen but Cordelia had continued to convince herself that her training with the sword was defensive not offensive. It made her uneasy that Duncan had been right about Angel’s perception.
What would Angel think after really fighting with her? Would it just confirm his earlier opinion? Cordelia didn’t want to be a killer and she definitely didn’t want Angel to label her as one.
But no matter her desires, Cordelia couldn’t help but remember standing over Duncan’s form, her sword at the Immortal’s neck and her proud words ‘you are so dead’. No. It was just training for a ‘what if’ scenario that she would do anything to avoid. She wasn’t a killer. Cordelia was just learning to defend herself just in case.
Angel looked over his shoulder to make sure that Cordelia was still behind him. He strode to the weapon’s cabinet to get his sword. Angel wasn’t sure what his impulsive decision to see exactly what MacLeod had taught Cordelia would prove.
All he knew was that when Cordelia explained the Gathering, he felt a burst of anger and a sudden need to do this. Angel had felt his life spiraling out of control with all of the changes within his family since he left. Angel needed to regain control. And this was the first step.
Fred pushed her way in front of Gabriel as the woman headed straight for the vampire. Fred’s normal soft-spoken manner became aggressive jumping over the other woman’s attempt to utter Angel’s name in that cloyingly annoying voice of hers.
“Wesley called- Duncan killed the Nexial and nobody was hurt. They should be back soon.”
“It should’ve been you, Angel” Gabriel darted around Fred. “You’re the Champion not Duncan. He’s an Immortal. Immortals aren’t supposed to work for the Powers. Just like she’s not supposed to be here. You don’t need her,” the blonde pointed at Cordelia.
Fred grabbed at the woman’s arm wishing she had gone with her first instinct and shoved the blonde in a closet. Gosh. Fred was beginning to agree with Cordelia, the word champion was getting way irritating especially coming from the blonde’s mouth. Fred was going to have to remind herself never to call Angel that again. Fred didn’t want to abuse the word like Gabriel was prone to.
Angel paused at the door of the cabinet his head shifted to the blonde. “What’s your name again?”
Gabriel shot a smug smile at Fred and yanked away from the brunette. She hurried over to Angel her smile turning coquettish. “Gabriel, but you can call me Gabby. I’m your new seer. We should get know each other, we’re going to be each other’s team, family from now on.”
Angel just stared. “Gabriel, it seems to be the consensus that you are my seer but I don’t know you AND never tell me who is or isn’t my family or who I need.” Angel turned back into the cabinet pulling out his sword. “Cordy.” Angel headed towards the basement.
Cordelia had been tempted to retort when Gabriel started her ‘Cordy isn’t supposed to be here’ spiel. But Angel’s statement had floored her into silence. It wasn’t quite the ‘shut your flapping trap’ she wanted to yell or the ‘I need Cordy even if she isn’t my seer anymore’ reassurance Cordelia wanted but it was kind of close and it did shut the blonde up.
Cordelia had to admit she was a little surprised at Angel’s indifference to the blonde woman. Gabriel was just his type-blonde, petite, and whiny. Cordelia mentally asked Buffy for forgiveness for her not so nice thoughts of the dead, but the slayer had been whiny at times and Darla, come on, she was the whine queen of the world. Cordelia hmmphed, maybe it wasn’t just the blonde thing that fueled Angel’s obsessions with both women. Cordelia admitted that both had been strong- Buffy in the save the world type of way and Darla in the really evil type of way. Gabbyho, on the other hand, was just whiny.
“Cordelia” Angel called again.
“Right.” Cordelia shook away her thoughts and followed the vampire.
“You’re going to train?” Fred was still sporting the bright smile that emerged when Angel had ignored Gabriel’s coyness and batting big eyes.
“Angel wants to see what I’ve learned.” Cordelia shrugged.
“Oh,” Fred nodded. “Cordy’s really good. Duncan’s been teaching her every day. He’s great with a sword. Methos says that Duncan is one of the best swordsmen ever and he should know he’s really old.”
Angel’s fist tightened on the doorknob. He was getting really tired of hearing that name. The Immortal killed demons, was training Cordelia, Angel was beginning to feel Duncan’s encroachment on his life and he really didn’t like it.
“Are you going to move your fat ass or what?” Cordelia resigned herself to having to train with Angel. Now she just wanted to get it over with. She wasn’t a killer and she would convince Angel of that just like she’d convince him to tell her about his trip. She hadn’t forgotten what had driven the vampire away in the first place.
Though, why she should expect Angel to be more forthcoming about his feelings than before he left, she didn’t know- Angel hadn’t wanted to talk to her then why should he now. Just because she wanted to be there for Angel didn’t mean that he wanted or needed her.
Angel jerked a nod, almost happy to hear Cordelia’s insult. It seemed normal amongst of all the strangeness that he had been experiencing since he first opened the basement door. It was like when he first held Cordelia in his arms and felt the warm brush of her breath against his skin telling him he was home.
In that one moment just like now he knew all was right in his world. He was home.
Part 14
“Okay, show me what the best swordsman in the world has taught you.” Angel stood before Cordelia his sword pointing to the ground.
Cordelia narrowed her eyes at Angel’s biting tone. What was the vampire’s problem? He sounded mad and why the dig at Duncan?
Cordelia shrugged and lifted her sword. Angel’s was up in an instant to meet hers. Cordelia frowned at the impact. Angel was holding back. She hadn’t ever fought Angel before but she knew that the vampire had more power than what he was showing. Hmmph. Cordelia would show him that she could handle whatever he had.
Cordelia nimbly danced back swinging her sword wide and hard daring Angel to counter her aggressive attack.
Angel raised his weapon deflecting Cordelia’s blow easily. Cordelia swirled directing her sword in a wide arch pushing her blade towards Angel, her feet moving closer to the vampire. Angel gracefully moved back his sword ready for Cordelia’s assault.
Angel met another one of Cordelia’s attempts to get through his guard then he changed his tactics. Angel conceded that Cordelia wasn’t bad. Her attacks were strong and confident but could she defend herself. That was the question he needed to have answered.
Angel stepped forward, his sword up, and swinging. Cordelia was pushed back on the onslaught. She brought her sword up in a frantic motion to block Angel’s. No longer was she on the offensive, Cordelia moved quickly trying to counter Angel’s every move. The vampire was no longer holding back.
Cordelia lunged trying to take control of the fight. But she couldn’t, Cordelia remembered the vampire’s strength but not his vamp speed. Angel swung with a swiftness and an accuracy that allowed her nothing but frantic attempts to regain her footing and keep her sword protectively in front of her. She was being beaten down by his speed and strength.
This was not good. Her sword flew out of her hands and before she had a chance to move Angel’s sword was up against her neck. That was definitely not good.
“You’re dead.” Angel stepped back picking up her sword from the ground. “Again.”
Cordelia caught the sword. And the fight began again. Like before she was losing. Angel wasn’t allowing her the opportunity to try out any of the fancy moves Duncan had taught her all she could do was just try to maintain her balance and grip on her sword. That didn’t even matter. Angel’s sword was once again against her throat.
“Again.” Angel backed up.
Cordelia grunted. This wasn’t teaching this was slaughter. She had no idea what Angel was trying to prove except that she couldn’t beat him.
Duncan had told her to know her surroundings and if possible know your opponent. The Highlander said there was always a way to beat a stronger more experienced fighter she would just would have to figure out his weakness and use them before she was dead.
The thing was Cordelia wasn’t seeing any weakness in the vampire. Cordelia grunted again as she dodged and scrambled to get her footing. But she did know Angel.
Cordelia stumbled falling back, her sword too high to meet Angel’s. She winced as Angel’s blade sliced into her stomach.
“Cordy.” Angel’s sword clattered to the ground as a red stain spread through the slash in Cordelia’s shirt.
Cordelia looked at the blood running through her fingers. “Ow.”
Angel took a step forward, his hands reaching out. His expression horrified at the sight and smell of Cordelia’s blood.
Cordelia dropped suddenly to the ground her legs swinging out knocking the stunned vampire to the ground. She straddled his chest, her sword firmly against his throat. “Got you. Your dead and I’m all healed. See.” Cordelia lifted her shirt partway exposing her skin.
Angel tentatively reached out touching the wounded area, now smooth, the blood the only evidence that there ever had been an injury. Angel’s concerned eyes turned darker.
Angel snatched the sword from Cordelia and tossed it aside.
“That was your strategy, getting hurt.” Angel’s voice was low couched in cold anger. He jerked her off his body. “That was a stupid plan.”
“It worked didn’t it,” Cordelia scooted away on the ground.
Angel stood, his anger making his eyes pitch black. “That only works when the person trying to kill you loves you and is scared to death anytime you’re injured. Not something that you can count on. Is that what the best swordsman’s been teaching you- how to be stupid and reckless. I could‘ve really hurt you.”
“Angel,” Cordelia scrambled up to her feet trying to reach out to the furious vampire.
“Wesley and Gunn are back.” Angel looked up the stairs.
Cordelia followed his gaze sensing Duncan and Methos’ presence in the lobby.
“Angel, where…”
Angel didn’t answer or look back as headed up to others.
Part 15
Cordelia picked up her sword. Well that didn’t go well. She blew out a burst of air. At least Angel didn’t think she was a killer, just stupid and reckless. Yippee. That was a comfort.
Cordelia slapped the tip of her sword against the ground. She should’ve realized that he wouldn’t appreciate her ingenuity. Shoot and now he was mad at her. But it had worked. Cordelia scrunched up her face towards the door.
What had he said? It only would’ve worked if the person trying to kill her loved her and was scared to death anytime she was injured. Did that mean Angel loved her? Cordelia bit her lip and moved slowly to the stairs. A small kernel of hope appeared in the mass of insecurities that had burdened her since Angel went away. If he loved her than that meant she was his friend and possibly that Angel did need her even without the visions.
Angel had seemed to be really happy to see her at first. Of course, that one hug was the last time he appeared that way. Then he just started to act weird. However, he did say she couldn’t leave because she was family. So, maybe it was true. She knew she thought he was hers- so. Cordelia had to find out.
That answer would effect her decision on whether to stay even more than Angel’s reluctant promise not interfere with the game.
***
Angel ignored all the occupants in the lobby expect one. “Wesley.” Angel called, as he went straight into the office not waiting to see if the other man followed.
Wesley sighed and adjusted his glasses. He wasn’t looking forward to this conversation. Trust Cordelia not to satisfy all the vampire’s questions, the young woman probably Pfft and hmmphed her way through her explanations, skipping over the important parts, leaving Wesley to deal with an angry vampire. And lord only knew what happened in the basement. Wesley braced his shoulders and entered, shutting the door behind him.
“I’m glad I’m not him, that’s for damn sure.” Gunn jumped on the counter.
“You think Angel’s mad.” Fred wrinkled her brow.
“Girl, that wasn’t a happy smiley face on the vamp.”
“Oh.” Fred frowned. “Maybe, Cordy beat him, she’s gotten really good.”
“Not that good.” Cordelia commented entering the lobby.
“Cordy.” Duncan worriedly glanced at her bloodstain shirt.
Cordelia rolled her eyes. “I’m fine.”
“Angel did that? Fred eye’s widened in disbelief.
“He actually cut you?” Duncan said roughly.
“Of course not, I set him up to do it. It was the only way I could win.”
Methos shook his head. “You let yourself be injured too win. Gee, haven’t tried that one before. Exactly how does that work?”
Gunn chuckled from the counter. “That explains the vamp’s growling. Man, I bet he’s pissed.”
Fred nodded in agreement. “Cordy, that wasn’t nice. Angel would never want to hurt you.”
“It gave me the advantage, yeah, he is pissed, and yeah, I realize that tactic wouldn’t actually work with another Immortal, but he kept winning, using his super vamp strength and stuff, I had to do something.” Cordelia defended weakly. “I need a shower and another new shirt.” Cordelia grumbled. She stopped at the foot of the stairs. “Hey, Gunn.”
“Yeah, Kamikaze girl.”
“Hmmph,” Cordelia scowled. “Go to the butcher shop and get Angel some blood. We’re out. Maybe some piggy goodness will get him out of his grumpiness.”
“Wes got some on the way back.”
“Oh. Okay.” Cordelia nodded and headed up stairs.