Part 19
“How long are you going to be in there?”
“Is that a complaint I hear?” Cordelia jerked open the bathroom door.
Honestly, Angel didn’t have any complaints. Well other than that MacLeod hadn’t seemed to take the hint and was still residing in the hotel, and then there was the endless hours of the impromptu ‘lets get to know the strangers among us –his- midst’ which had been a little too close to hellish for his comfort. Angel hadn’t wanted to get ‘acquainted’ with any of them Angel just wanted them all gone from his hotel and his life.
But like his many years in hell, he hadn’t the choice so he survived.
But, hey, right now, Angel could put up with Gabriel, Methos, and even MacLeod. Though, thinking back to the young blonde woman, Angel had to acknowledge there was something really odd about her eyes, they had kept blinking at him –it had made his eyes itch and then there was her voice- his ears still rang at the painfulness.
But all and all, things were going better than they had been. Cordelia was staying next-door right beside him way away from the Highlander and she hadn’t said anything more about leaving- of course she hadn’t really said much too him over the past few hours, except one-liners couched in sarcasm- it was like she was mad at him or something.
But as far as he knew he hadn’t done anything. But, if Cordy was, that was okay, she’d been mad at him before and it worked out better than fine after a few nut wrenching, ball-breaking months. That horror had been real and he made it through it. And he and Cordelia became even closer. Angel was positive in his thinking. He could make it through a little bit of incomprehensible Cordy sarcasm now.
The thing was Angel was starting to realize that his slow insight during his self-imposed retreat wasn’t the end of it. Cordelia’s presence was a way lot more encompassing than what he first thought. His need for Cordelia was a real priority rather than just a mere acknowledgment. That true fact had been slammed into him with a force of a thunderbolt as the events of the past three months were told to him in alternate quips and long explanations during the tortuous group discussion with the ‘so-called’ new friends that he had been subjected too.
And how could he forget his own reaction to Cordelia’s closeness to Duncan MacLeod. Angel realized that Cordelia had become more than his responsibility. She was his reason and hope for the future. Angel couldn’t deny it and more importantly he didn’t want to anymore. It was too mind hurting.
“Well.” Cordelia stood in the doorway her hands on her hips.
Angel glanced up from his position on the bed. He was laid out on his back his hands resting under his head. His body clad in a muscle t-shirt and gray sweats. Nope. No real complaints at all. Angel took in the sight of the young woman. Cordelia looked beautiful her hair was damp. The dark strains were curling to frame her lovely face that was flushed from the warmth of the shower. Angel peered at the steam rising behind her in wispy patterns.
“Did you use all the hot water?” Angel refused to be tongue-tied by the young woman’s beauty and presence; he was a 250-year-old vampire for god sake.
“You’ve already taken your shower, Mr. Miser.”
“Maybe somebody else wants to use the hot water. Each bathroom doesn’t have its own water heater, you know.”
“Gee, the guy pretends to put a couple of door knobs on and he thinks he Bob Vila or something. And don’t think I don’t know who really put those on. I saw Fred darting down the back staircase dropping all the tooly incriminating trails.”
“She only assisted. It was a delicate operation.” Angel coughed. He wouldn’t be intimidated but he could be embarrassed. Fred had been the only one that hadn’t looked completely blank when he rushed down yelling for some one to tell him how to put doorknobs on.
“She just assisted.” Angel repeated more firmly.
“Of course, our little Pylean refugee’s a lot smarter and handy than her crazy act leads one to believe isn’t she, definitely different from the boys of AI who act just as dumb as they are.” Cordelia adjusted her robe.
Angel expression remained the same, while his mind did a little freaky dance along with his loins. Cordelia’s retort hadn’t even registered. Angel hadn’t realized until just that moment how much he wanted the damn robe to fall open. Cordelia really was beautiful.
Why hadn’t he realized that before? Of course, he had known, what male wouldn’t, but how did he miss the effects of her long limbs, luscious body, and amazing face on his body? Somehow, his past epiphanies had failed to bring that particular obvious fact to light.
“Did you just growl?”
“I don’t growl.” Angel jerked. Lord she was more than gorgeous when she was righteously indignant. “That’s a myth. Vampire’s don’t growl.”
“Oh, okay, ‘grr’ guy, turn me into the Anti-Defamation League for Vampires for the misquote. I’ll try again, being more PC- you made a noise that allegedly sounded suspiciously like a GROWL.”
“You’re wearing my robe.” Angel saw no reason to comment on her nonsensical statement. He just wanted to look. God she was stunning, even mad. No, he corrected, especially when mad. Cordelia’s face was even more flushed and her eyes were flashing, it really was amazing. How’d he miss that again? God he was a dumbass.
Cordelia blinked and grabbed the ties. “Here.” She threw it.
Angel loins lurched up to his throat as he scrambled to get the material off his face. Angel thanked the heavens and braced for what he hoped he would see and then growled.
“You did it again.”
“I did not.” Angel sat up staring at the t-shirt and boxer clad young woman. Why would she wear a robe if she had clothes on? “Hey, those are mine.” He thought quickly and pointed to the smiley shorts. It worked before. This time he wouldn’t let the material hit his face.
“They are not.”
“They are too.” Angel brought his lips into a tight line. She wasn’t tearing off the boxers. Damn. He would have to rethink his tactic. Angel wasn’t sure he was up to more fast thinking not when confronted with a scowling, pouting, and beautiful Cordelia.
“Are not.”
Damn she was persistent. “Are too, you gave them to me.” Angel smiled he got her there. She did buy them for him. He did remember the gift giving, her great smile, and his perplexed frown in response. God, he wished he could take it back. But, then again, Cordelia wouldn’t be wearing them looking quite wonderful in them.
“I took ‘em. You obviously didn’t like them because you never wore them.”
“How do you know?” Damn. Angel refused to be deterred.
“Because, no-sense of Mr. fun guy, they were still wrapped in the tissue I spent obviously too much time wrapping them in and even you’re not so anally neat.”
Angel decided to ignore the not so implied insult and continue on with his agenda. “I was saving them.”
“For what?”
“The appropriate time.” Angel would maintain his dignity and purpose.
“What appropriate time?”
“The appropriate time to wear them.” Angel huffed indignantly.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“Dumbass” Cordelia mumbled.
“I heard that.”
“Duh.”
“Cordy” Angel studied the woman, her gasps of breath were making her heartbeat erratic, and she was struggling to maintain her stance. It wouldn’t be as hard as he thought to gain the upper hand, but then again underestimating Cordelia was always a mistake. Angel would proceed with caution.
“What?”
“Why were you going through my drawers?”
Cordelia scrunched up her nose at him.
“What? It’s a legitimate question.”
“Oh, for a minute there I thought you actually tried to be funny.”
“Uh?” Angel hid his on-coming smile. She took the bait.
“Drawers,” Cordelia tugged at the boxers. “You know going through your drawers,” she pointed to the dresser then to the boxers. “Oh nevermind.”
“Cordy.”
“I’d had to put my stuff somewhere.” She huffed.
“I thought that was what the floor was for.” Angel let his smirk show.
Cordelia just stared.
“Get it? All your clothes were on the floor before.”
“I got it. I’m not the humor deficient one, Geez. That just wasn’t funny.”
“Cordy?” Angel leaned up. There was something going on with the young woman, a reason for her trying so hard to be in her superficial attack mode.
“What now?” She stood at the doorway her arms defensively crossed against her chest.
“Why are you so grumpy.” Angel kept his tone light, but hoping that he could get to the root of the problem Cordelia was having. He hated not knowing.
“Don’t say that.”
“Say what? That you’re grumpy? You are.”
“Vampires don’t say grumpy- it’s takes away from the whole vampire mystique-thing.” Cordelia waved her hands in the air to demonstrate her point.
“What vampire thing?” Cordelia did seem to talk more the senseless he seemed.
“Were you always this dense or did I just forget not having the pleasure of your company for so long?” She glared.
Angel stared back holding the woman’s hazel eyes in his grasp. Suddenly his agenda or former thoughts had no meaning. He had been gone from her. “It was too long. I’m sorry. You shouldn’t have been alone”
Cordelia blinked at the sudden change in Angel’s voice. He was serious. “I wasn’t alone. I had Wesley and everyone and well Duncan and Methos, too.”
Angel leaned back on the bed; his eyes closed at the full weight of what he had missed. “I should’ve been here.”
Cordelia bit her lip and moved slowly to the bed. “Angel. I was okay, really.”
“I should be the one training you.”
“Why, so you could beat me all the time? Hmmph.” Cordelia tried bring the tone back to its previous one. Good-hearted sarcastic quips were so much easier to handle than the serious atmosphere that room had descended into.
“I’m taking over tomorrow.” Angel sat back up stating his intentions since he knew of MacLeod’s existence.
Cordelia stared in Angel’s intent eyes, her attempt to lighten things worthless, and nodded slowly.
Angel nodded in return grateful for her acceptance. “Now tell me why you’re so grumpy.”
“Why aren’t you still grumpy?”
“I ate.” He tried.
“Right.” Cordelia rolled her eyes.
“Come on, Cordy,” Angel patted at the space beside him on the bed.
Cordelia sat down. “You’ve been weird since you got back and you got mad at me. All I was trying to do was win. Know your opponent that’s what Duncan says and you didn’t even let me use the cool moves I learned.”
Angel sat straighter studying her put-on pout. “Cordelia, learning and identifying your opponents’ weaknesses IS smart. But being reckless is stupid. It’s not about the winning, it’s about staying alive.”
He cringed a little as Cordelia’s manufactured pout fell, revealing her true expression. But, he had wanted to know, so his own expression remained intent. It worked as Cordelia licked her lips nervously and studied the floor. Finally, she glanced up taking a deep breath.
“I have to win to stay alive, Angel. I’m going to have to…” Cordelia closed her eyes and looked away.
Angel pulled her face back to him. “You are going to have to do whatever in takes to stay alive- except be reckless, not in a real battle, Cordelia.”
“Angel, I don’t want to…”
Angel suddenly knew. He wasn’t exactly sure how, but he did know what was making Cordelia’s beautiful eyes tear up. He wanted to hit something instead he cupped his hand gently under her chin.
“Whatever it takes, Cordelia. It won’t make you a killer, it will make you a survivor.” Angel watched Cordelia fight the tears. He swore then that he would do everything possible to prevent Cordelia from ever meeting another Immortal in battle.
“How’d you know?” Cordelia sniffled wide-eyed.
“I know you.” Angel leaned up letting her scoot away from him.
“And I know you.” Cordelia stilled, studying the vampire intently. “You can’t stop it, Angel, not if it’s going to happen, you promised.”
Angel closed his eyes briefly not wanting to break his promise before he was even confronted with the decision to keep it. Angel slowly nodded.
Cordelia pursed her lips and decided to take Angel’s small acknowledgement as another promise.
“What else?” Angel sensed that particular conversation was over for now. He smiled again trying to draw Cordelia back into her former demeanor, he’d easily put up with her cuts and barbs, anything to get the tears off her face.
Cordelia narrowed her eyes. “I’m not grumpy.”
Angel cocked his head, fighting the smile that was threatening to emerge. But he was glad. Cordelia’s sad expression had disappeared.
Cordelia sighed and looked up. “I can’t find my hair scrunchy.”
“Your what?” Okay, he had asked. But, Angel was floored. What was a scrunchy? A hair thing? She had tons all over the bathroom- bands, clippy things, and stretchy things, how could she ever know she had lost one- there were so many lying around the sink.
“The hair scrunchy I sleep in,” Cordelia repeated, gathering her hair in a ponytail for explanation.
That had helped sort of, but Angel’s mind was diverted from the light bulb that went off, his mind focusing on the dark strains gathered in Cordelia’s graceful fingers. Angel had noticed but then it fell to the wayside as more important problems and issues came to light. “You’re letting your hair grow out again, aren’t you? And you got rid of the highlights.” Angel reached out to touch a dark strain that had fallen from her fist.
Cordelia dropped her hand and scooted further away from the vampire, her expression surprised. “Since when do you even notice my hair?”
“I notice your hair. I’m not blind.” Angel wondered how far she would scoot if he told her that he had become addicted to the scent.
Cordelia squirmed feeling way too uncomfortable about being so damn comfortable on Angel’s bed with him caressing her hair and staring at her so intently. She jerked off the bed.
“Cordy?” Angel sat up on the bed, surprised and irritated that the warmth and weight were gone.
She glared at the vampire for a moment then darted through the bathroom.
Angel was on his feet ready to chase after her to say anything to change the sudden unpalatable circumstances when Cordelia was back in front of him.
Angel’s renewed contentment was ruined as a pillow hit him in the face. His hands grabbed at the soft material as his growl emerged.
“Right, you don’t growl. Hmmph.” Cordy ran to Angel’s bed and grabbed at one of the pillows. “I want this. Mine sucks.” She squeezed the squishy pillow to her chest. “It’s a fair trade. I gave you that.” She pointed to the pillow that Angel was strangling.
Angel bit his lip and thought before he growled or spoke again. Cordelia took his pillow, the pillow that was saturated with her scent. He wanted it back. Angel was about to forgo thought or reason when the scent of the new pillow in his arms reached him.
Oh. Angel shrugged as Cordelia’s fragrance hit him. This pillow had it too. Angel looked at the stubborn girl waiting for his response.
Angel hid his smile. “Okay, you can have it. You could’ve asked without resorting to such childish behavior. But okay. Goodnight, Cordelia, or do you want the blanket too.” Angel was so very reluctant to have her leave but he began to think this was the best way.
Cordelia narrowed her eyes gripping the pillow tighter to her body. “You don’t want it back?”
“Yes. But, if you want it, I’m not prepared to get into a pillow fight with you, unless you want to. If it will make you more comfortable then take it.” Angel said magnanimously, almost wishing that Cordelia would dare his gesture. A pillow fight with Cordelia could become very interesting.
Cordelia’s narrowed eyes were now tiny squints of deep brown.
Again, Angel wondered how he missed the way that Cordelia’s eyes could flash and change color in an instant. It was memorizing. He bit back another smile as she spoke.
“Fine, glad you decided to be mature about the whole thing.” Cordelia scoffed and headed towards the bathroom.
Angel watched for a second and settled back on the bed, Cordelia’s discarded pillow securely squished under his head, his hand reaching for the previously unidentified elastic band he had discovered hidden in his bed. “Oh, Cordy.” He waited, twirling the found hair scrunchy around his wrist.
“What?” Cordelia peered out of the bathroom.
“I really want you out of my drawers.” Angel turned on the bed leaving his back towards the young woman.
Cordelia hmmphed as she turned to go back to her bed, in less than a second she headed back to Angel. “What?”
“Night.” Angel said in her pillow, his wrist close to his face.
“Angel?”
“Good night, Cordy,” Angel turned and yawned at the young woman, keeping his scrunchy-clad arm out of sight. “This arrangement isn’t going to work if you keep me up all night.”
“You’re a vampire.” Cordelia hmmphed.
“Still need to sleep.” Angel yawned again.
“Fine. Good night.” Cordelia stomped to her room.
Angel smiled into the scent of the pillow and the hair garment that he clutched into his body.
***
Cordelia jumped on the bed, scrambling to get comfortable, her mind rambling. No. There was no way Angel said what she thought he said. He didn’t know drawers from dressers or boxers. And he was socially inept. He meant to say that he wanted her to stay out of his dresser drawers.
That’s all. No reason to make a federal case out of it. He just screwed up. Gee how unusual. Cordelia settled into the mattress. Cordelia went to sleep praying and almost knowing that Angel wasn’t making an almost funny sexual innuendo towards her. Cordelia grumbled and pushed the hair that was falling in her face.
At least she could’ve found her scrunchy. She pushed at her hair and punched the pillow trying to settle into sleep.
Part 20
Cordelia yawned and stretched, blinking at the walls around her. She brushed at the strands of hair in her mouth. Where was she?
OH. Cordelia jumped up moving quickly to the bathroom. Cordelia peeked through Angel’s door. Yep. The vampire was really there. Sleeping where he was supposed to be. He was home. She softly closed the door.
Angel was home. Cordelia took a deep breath, remembering the events of the day before and more specifically her late night conversation with Angel. He had been so sincere when he cupped her face and told her she wasn’t destined to be a killer. In that one intense moment she believed him and never felt closer to the vampire.
Then he started the weird stuff and she freaked and ran.
Cordelia concentrated on her breathing as she unconsciously started to slowly manipulate her body into the Tai Chi exercises that Duncan taught her.
The fluidity of the Tai Chi woke up her muscles, stretching and strengthening them with each manipulation, easing the memories of the past events and the idea of her leaving LA fled with all her morning stiffness.
She stopped at the sound of knocking, her attention jerked to the bathroom door. She bit her lip as she realized that the knocking was coming from elsewhere.
Cordelia mentally kicked herself. It was too early for Angel to be awake. While the sun, even hidden by heavy drapes, drove her to stir from the bed, it had the opposite effect on the vampire.
She peeked out the door. She smiled a good morning greeting to the Highlander.
“Practice?”
Cordelia glanced at the sword in the Immortal’s hand. She had agreed the night before that Angel would be training her from now on. She looked back at the bathroom and then at the clock. It would be at a couple of hours before the vampire joined the ranks of the living and Duncan was there, who said she couldn’t train with both men?
Anyway, possibly Duncan could teach her something that would give her an advantage over Angel.
“Give me a minute.” She smiled.
“Cordelia”
The young woman jumped at the deep voice behind her. “Stop that, Geez. That’s one thing I didn’t miss- being scared into a heart attack.” She swirled to Angel. “You keep that up, I swear I’m getting you a bell. You should’ve knocked, what if I was naked or something.” She waved her finger. “Hey, what are you doing up so early?”
Angel narrowed his eyes after ridding an unclothed Cordelia from his thoughts.
“Obvious, you’re not awake yet, go back to bed.” Cordelia hmmphed at the silent vampire.
“I’m awake.”
“You never get up this early.” Cordelia argued.
Angel frowned deeper. She made it sound like all he did was sleep all day. Sure, his body’s rhythms were a bit sluggish when he woke up during sunlight hours, but all he needed was some blood and he would be fine. Anyway, there was no way he was going back to bed after hearing Duncan’s request and Cordelia’s answer.
“I’m awake,” he repeated. “Must still be on Tibet hours,” he added at Cordelia’s raised brows.
“Right.”
Angel turned to the Highlander listening at the door. “I’ll be training Cordy today. She needs to get dressed now, goodbye.” The vampire reached the door closing it firmly in the Immortal’s face.
“Angel, that was rude.” Cordelia ran to the door.
Angel remained still blocking the door. “I told you that I was training you from now on.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t give you the right to be an asshole.” Cordelia huffed with her hands on her hips.
“You don’t need him anymore, I’m back. Get dressed,” he looked the young woman up and down. “Don’t you have a robe, you shouldn’t answer your door like that.”
“Like what?” Cordelia looked down at the boxers and t-shirt. Sure, maybe she had bed hair, sleep grit in her eyes and morning breath, but how would a robe cure those…. Eww. Duncan saw her morning gross. She glared at the vampire.
“You Mr. Morning Sunshine NOT whined and grumbled when I had yours. Now get out of here.” Cordelia ran to the mirror over the dresser. “Eww.” She whined at her reflection, grabbing her brush.
“Be ready in five minutes.” Angel left.
Cordelia shot a look at the retreating vampire. “And to think I missed you. Keep up the jackass routine and I just may leave. Hmmph.” She grumbled under her breath.
***
“What are you doing here?” Wesley stepped back as he heard the accusatory tone of his voice. “You’re up.” He changed his direction, moving into his office, deciding after his first faux paux that he wouldn’t tell Methos to get out of his chair.
The Immortal looked up. “I don’t get it.” He tossed the Baba Yaga spell book on the desk.
Wesley sat down. “You’ve been reading that constantly. I thought you decided that your friend was wrong in requesting that book.”
“I do think that. But, that doesn’t explain why she did. Cassandra isn’t stupid. This book is useless.” Methos waved at the text.
“I would have to disagree; the book is full of spells that would be VERY useful for someone interested in the dark arts.” Wesley nudged at his glasses, peering through the lens. “You said she wasn’t.”
Methos raised his eyes to Wesley’s blue protected ones. “I would still say that. But, why would she want it?”
“Possibly to illustrate the witch better? The spells would make Baba Yaga’s section more colorful. Though, I would strongly suggest changing the incantations slightly, so as not to allow an innocent reader to access powerful dark magic, not to mention deterring those that are looking for such spells.”
Methos nodded slowly. He studied the discarded book again. “Almost every spell in this book are designed to make the enchanter invincible, able to live through death, become strong in their re-birth, more than strong.”
“You’re friend is already that, an Immortal.”
“Yes, but…” Methos looked again at the book. “She’s not invincible.” He mumbled.
Wesley shrugged not at all sure what was troubling the Immortal.
***
“What do you make of that?” Lindsay strolled into Lilah’s office getting comfortable in one of her chairs.
“I didn’t. And I didn’t appreciate the lecture.”
“Yeah,” Lindsay settled more into the chair. “She does seem a bit bossy.”
“Bossy? She was giving orders.”
“They sort of made sense.”
“Sure, but not the sense that make sense to US.”
“We don’t know that.”
“I can guess. She wants the power of Baba Yaga. She’s wants us to help allevate her in ‘her’ game. Have you yet heard the benefit to us in her wants?”
“The destruction of the vampire with a soul is a plus.”
“If that happens.” Lilah looked up. “Weren’t you the one in memo after memo that suggested that attacking the seer wasn’t the way to go, it just made the vampire more unpredictable?”
“No, I believe I said it made him more predictable. He will try to save her no matter what. But, if this woman’s plan works, our hands are clean.”
“You actually believe that,” she looked pointedly at his reattached hand. “I don’t see why she doesn’t kill the Chase woman.”
“She explained that killing her now wouldn’t be productive. She needs the seer’s eyes.”
“Right, the spell.” Lilah looked up to the other lawyer. “You trust her?”
Lindsay looked at his hands, the newly obtained one screaming at him. “No. She’s not our friend; ally maybe, but friend no. I say we help her with her Cordelia problem and then…well we know how to kill her…slice through the neck, I know we have some one that can accomplish that. The only thing that we need to do is make sure that Angel doesn’t do it before we’re ready. He can’t know about the manipulations we’ve already set in place. At least not until whatever the plan good or bad is over.”
Lilah cocked her brow. “You’re saying play her game.”
“Yes, until its time for us to finish it. We have to control it.”
Lilah nodded her agreement.