Part 7
Wesley leaned back letting Cordelia’s cold hand fall to the bed. “Who are you? Why are you here?” Wesley turned solemnly to the two men.
“Wes.” Gunn barged in the room, Fred close behind.
“I believe that we are about to get an explanation of the recent events or so I hope”. Wesley gave a discreet nod towards the axe Charles was carrying.
Gunn returned the nod moving his axe in obvious view.
Duncan and Methos eyed the weapon. The implied threat was obvious and one they could defeat if it became necessary but neither wanted it to come to that.
“My name is Duncan MacLeod, this is Methos,” the pony tailed man indicated making his decision quickly. “Your friend, Cordelia Chase is an Immortal that has just experienced her first death. She will live.”
Duncan glanced back at the still form. Duncan hoped that a quick telling would help dissipate the tension in the room. The mortals many questions surely would alleviate the growing hostility that was being directed towards he and Methos.
“What?”
“Uh?”
“Oh?”
The asked and unasked questions turned to gasps as Wesley, Gunn and Fred stared at Cordelia.
“Oh dear.”
“What?”
“Wow.”
The exclamations rose higher in volume as Cordelia choked and her body jerked to sit up. The young woman blinked taking in her surroundings and the occupants of the room. Her eyes clasped onto to Wesley’s. “Why am I…I’m alive.”
Cordelia struggled, her eyes searching under the bloody and torn t-shirt she was wearing. “Wesley, I was killed…I…” her hands feeling for the wound that she knew had torn her flesh before everything went black, the wound that was no longer there.
Wesley nodded, his eyes following her hands. “I…” Wesley looked up. A smile took over his confusion. “You’re not.” He exclaimed, pulling the young woman into a tight hug.
“I’m alive.” Cordelia blinked.
“You’re alive.” Wesley chuckled grabbing the woman into another hug.
“Whoa.” Gunn moved closer.
“Wow.” Fred pushed at her glasses and tittered on her heels. “Angel won’t be upset now.”
“Uh.” Everyone turned questioningly towards the young woman.
“Cordelia’s not dead. Angel would’ve been upset if he came back and she was dead, but Cordy’s not. See.” Fred pointed to Cordelia as the young woman pushed herself up. Fred shrugged.
Geez. It was obvious. Angel wouldn’t be upset now or have to run off, leaving them again to grieve. Cordelia was alive. Fred shrugged again.
Wesley nodded as Gunn jerked his head, both men agreeing and grateful that particular conversation with Angel would never have to take place.
“Yoo-hoo,” Cordelia waved her hands, “thoughts of the guy who isn’t here, back to me- who is- and who happens to be alive when I’m pretty sure I shouldn’t be- even if I should be, I’ve been gutted before. It hurt a lot longer than now. And why are the mysterious duo from the magic shop here,” her moving hand stopped to point at Duncan and Methos.
“ Did you do this,” her eyes rested suspiciously on the strange men. “Did you follow me? Am I a victim of some sort of weird ritual or something? Have you resurrected me as a monster or some demony evil thing?” Cordelia’s eyes widened as her hands and gaze traveled along her body.
“I don’t feel like a monster. Do I look like one?” her hands went to brush her face. “Can you tell if I’m all evilly? Or are Gorgon’s like vamps, did it kill me only to turn me into…Auk,” her hands clamped on either side of her head. “I’ve only one head. Wesley, explain.” Cordelia called to her friend in increasing panic.
Wesley rubbed at his face. “I’m not sure, Cordelia. These men…” Wesley narrowed his eyes. “You followed Cordelia? Why?”
Gunn moved closer his axe pushing at the air around the Immortals. “Fred said they came asking about you and Cordy.”
Methos raised his hands in a conciliatory gesture. “The word ‘following’ connotes something unsavory in nature and nothing could be further from the truth. Duncan and I did see Cordelia in the magic shop earlier today. We were there searching for a book that a friend of ours, well more like an acquaintance in my case wants for some research she’s doing. While there, I noticed that Cordelia was a pre-immortal and we found out that Wesley bought the book we were looking for.
The store clerk informed us that both Wesley and Cordelia were associates of Angel Investigations. So we came, found out from Fred that Cordelia was injured and going to the hospital. We thought we could help. All very simple, really.” Methos smiled his hands and stance still maintaining its original submissive posture.
“No, not really, not at all.” Cordelia scooted up studying the men closely. “What’s a pre-immortal and what do you mean sensed?”
“An Immortal that hasn’t experienced his or hers first death.” Wesley answered.
Cordelia shot a look to the man. “You knew? What do you know? Am I a demon now?”
“Only that. Methos was, I hope, about to explain more fully, but then you woke up and we got understandably distracted.” Wesley smiled.
“Oh. I guess that’s pretty distracting. Methos?” She looked at the two strangers.
Methos raised his hand identifying himself to the young woman. “And this is Duncan McLeod.”
“So, start explaining, Methos….Methos what? Do you have last name, he does…You said so..” Cordelia pointed to Duncan.
“Why don’t you have one…in my experience only pop stars, models, vampires and certain demons only have “one name”. You’re cute, but not pop star material. Are you a vampire? Are they vampires or some other demon?” Cordelia shot a look to Wesley.
“Doubtful… about being vampires, I mean,” Fred piped in. “They both came with me to the hospital. He drove,” Fred pointed to Duncan. “ A convertible….” She pushed at her glasses.
“It looked like Angel’s car. But the sun was out. Vampires can’t go out in the sun, right? Like they can’t come in without being invited…. and here they are in Angel’s room. Did you invite them in?” She nudged her glasses at Wesley.
“Fred,” Wesley held up a hand to gently stop her next flow of words. “Not vampires. As for demons,” Wesley turned and studied the men. “There are several species that can mimic human form, for example….”
“Wesley, all I asked was were they demons. It’s a yes or no question, not an invite to go into lecture mode. Geez. I’m alive again, no reason to bore me to death.”
“Really, Cordelia, I find it very unsettling that you take demon research so lightly, considering it’s your JOB.”
“I’m not RESEARCH Girl, I’m VISION Girl.” She stuck her tongue out at her friend.
“Cordelia, it’s gratifying that death has given you a new founded maturity.”
“Hmmph.” She scowled then suddenly got wide eyed again. “Wes, I died.”
Her friend hurried back to Cordelia’s side, grabbing her wringing hands. “I know, but you’re alive.” Wesley smiled gently. “And I’m very grateful for that.”
Cordelia nodded, straightening her shoulders and facing the two Immortals. “I don’t think you’re demons but what are you and what am I and why is my head buzzing like crazy.”
“Audio hallucinations are a sign of mental illness. Maybe you are crazy?”
“What?” Cordelia shot to Fred. “Calling the kettle a little black, isn’t she,” turning to whisper to Wesley.
“Shh, Cordy.” Wesley chastised.
“Hmmph.”
Methos leaned into to Duncan’s side. “I told you this was a bad idea. They’re all nuts or worse.”
Duncan didn’t bother to answer his friend. “Methos and I are Immortals, like you, Cordelia. The buzzing signals the presence of another Immortal. Pre-Immortal merely means you hadn’t had your first death yet. Methos, because of his age could sense you before then.”
“Immortal? Immortal what?” Wesley studied the two men.
“What- What? We’re Immortal.”
Wesley shook his head. “Beings aren’t just Immortal- Immortality is a characteristic for certain demons, for example- vampires, and other magical or supernatural creatures.” Wesley narrowed his eyes trough the rims of his glasses.
“Or individuals that have access to dark powers and magic, rituals that require human sacrifices, primarily innocent infants and the bargaining of the individuals soul- why were you in the magic shop again.”
“Hey man, no dark magic or baby sacrificing done here.” Gunn moved closer his axe on prominent display.
“Great, just great.” Methos rolled his eyes, “Duncan, your good deed is going to get us killed.”
“Ha.” Fred pointed accusingly. “You said you were immortal, but you just said we could kill you, so you’re not immortal.”
“Fred, immortal beings can be killed, you just have to know how.” Wesley corrected. For example, Cyclopsit- pierce their third eye, Bowinons- cut the horn located on the fifth vertebra…vampires, ….”
“Wesley, shut up.” Cordelia rolled her eyes.
“I was merely…”
“Well, don’t.”
“Of course.” Fred nodded. “I should’ve thought about that.”
“It’s all right, girl, you’re still getting used to all the weird shit that happens around here. Nothing is ever normal.” Gunn said encouragingly. “And, I didn’t know about the eye and horn guys either, and I’ve been hanging around the craziness for awhile now.”
“Yes, but I did know about vampires. I should have used that knowledge as a basis for my conclusion, if I had I would’ve come to the same conclusion as Wesley and not made such a silly statement.” Fred pushed up her glasses.
“Guys, be quiet.” Cordelia yelled. “Geez, look I know I was a little freaky before, but I think its safe to assume Methos and Duncan aren’t some followers of black magic.”
“How can we be sure?” Wesley continued to scrutinize the pair.
“They’re missing the requisite black robes and sacrificing baby.”
“This isn’t a joking matter, Cordy.”
“Who was joking?” Cordelia sighed.
“Excuse me.” Duncan held up his hand. “Exactly what does Angel Investigations – Investigate?”
“Why?” Cordelia asked.
“Why?” Duncan repeated. “Well, I’m a bit confused by all of your reactions to finding out that Cordelia is an Immortal and well…all this talk of demons, magic and vampires- you seem to believe all of it.”
“Duncan, don’t. We don’t want to know. We want to go and leave these crazy people to their imaginations.”
“Methos….”
“Hey,” Cordelia sat up with her legs crossed. “Vampires and Demons are real.”
“Cordy.” Wesley cautioned.
“What? They’re Immortal, for god sake. Do you honestly believe that they’ve never seen a vampire before, unless they were ‘reborn’ yesterday.” She shot a look from Wesley back to Duncan and Methos. “And I don’t believe that- how old are you?”
“What has that got to do….” Methos said.
“How old? Don’t be a girl about it.” Cordelia glared at both Methos and Duncan, her steady gaze resting on the Highlander.
“450.” Duncan responded at Cordelia’s demand.
“Wow, he’s older than Angel.” Fred blinked.
“Of course, he’s older than Angel. Now shush.” Cordelia warned Fred.
Duncan stared. “Who is Angel? The clerk at the magic store was frightened of him.”
“He should be.” Gunn chuckled. “I heard about him hitting on Cordy.”
“Gunn, I told you just as I told Angel at the time, Walter was not hitting on Cordelia.” Wesley shook his head.
“How do you know?” Cordelia switched her glare to her friend.
“Cordy, I’m not at all sure why you lied to Angel and almost got Walter killed but I do know it was a lie. Walter is a Bandox demon, he would never be attracted to you, you aren’t his type.”
“Why not? Are you saying a. …Whatever can’t be attracted to me?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying….Bandox males like their woman to have four breasts, something even with all your charms you don’t have.”
“Oh.” Cordelia looked down questioningly at her ample two-only breast.
“Yes. IF you ever researched you would’ve known that. Angel knew he just forgot and had to run to the rescue.” Wesley shook his head in disbelief and a smidgen of disgust.
“Eww, like I want to know how Bandyaid demons get it on. What kind of books do you read? Is that why you always lock yourself in the office, pouring over obscure yucky demon sex practices.”
“Cordelia.” Wesley shot over Gunn’s laughter and Fred’s small gasp.
“What? Anyway it worked, didn’t it?”
“Your plan to get Walter beat up, yeah. Why?”
“Angel didn’t beat him up, just threatened him a little.”
“He broke his nose.”
Cordelia shrugged. “He shouldn’t have tried to extort money from me. I’ll I wanted was him to place our cards on display.”
“Oh for god sakes, Cordelia.” Wesley shook his head.
“What? As much money you waste in that store, he should’ve jumped at the chance to help us out.”
“Cordy.”
“Food, salaries, rent…the money has to come from somewhere….and that means business which means advertising. Angel wouldn’t let me try doing another commercial- so what choice did I have and why are we arguing about this now. That was over a year ago. And Angel wasn’t mad.”
“That’s because he thought he was protecting you.”
Cordelia shrugged.
“Aw, that’s so sweet.”
“It is not, Fred. Cordelia could have gotten Walter killed.” Wesley jerked to the brunette.
Fred shoved at her glasses, copying Cordelia’s shrug. “Maybe, Cordelia shouldn’t have lied, but she explained why and it is sweet that Angel rushed out to protect her honor.”
Fred’s eyes glazed over a little as she turned to Duncan and Methos. “That’s what Angel does, protect and save the helpless. He’s a champion.”
“That ain’t why our boy went busting in.” Gunn snorted. His snort turned into a choke at Fred’s glare. “Girl, it’s just that Cordy ain’t ever been helpless.”
“She has too.” Fred argued. “She was helpless in Pylea…. well, she was crowned the ruling Princess but she still needed to be saved and Angel saved me and he is too the Champion.”
“Hey, Wes man, didn’t we jump through that damn Portal too.”
“Charles.” Wesley grunted. “Cordy, please.” Wesley beseeched the young woman.
“What? Fine. Fred, you’re right I’ve been helpless plenty of times and Angel has always saved me, that is when he hasn’t been otherwise occupied by whining blondes…”
“Cordelia” Wesley chastised.
Cordelia rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Sure, Fred, Angel is the champion; you don’t need to defend him to Gunn. Gunn knows what Angel is.”
“Damn straight.” Gunn grumbled. “Crazy hot to protect the oh so helpless- Barbie”. The black man mumbled under his breath.
Methos whispered again to Duncan. “We could probably sneak out without them even knowing. Who cares who this Angel is? Seems like a capable fellow, leave Cordelia to him. Sounds like he likes to save her. She’s his damsel, let’s go.” Methos urged.
Duncan swung around. “What’s your problem with being here?” The Highlander snapped.
Methos took a breath and answered as sharply. “My problem is we are in LA to get a book, not to become involved with a bunch of people, immortal included that spend their time investigating or whatever they do with demons. Not that I have a particular problem per se with demons, you leave them alone they leave you alone. But when you start messing with them you can end up dead. Do I need to remind of your last encounter with a demon?”
“No.” Duncan all but growled.
“What demon would that be?” Wesley said with interest. “Is it an on going problem, possibly we could help? We don’t just investigate- we’re quite good at eradicating them.”
“You could hire us.” Cordelia said brightly. “Unless,” she scrunched up her brow, “you haven’t managed to save any money either in your long lives. What is it about that? You think after being alive for a couple of centuries you would realize that you need an investment portfolio if you aren’t going rely on killing to survive.”
“Excuse me?” Both Methos and Duncan asked.
“Cordelia.” Wesley exclaimed, knowing that she was talking about Angel.
“What? Whoops, did I say that out loud? Ignore it.” Cordelia waved away her last statement. “You were telling us about your demon problem.”
“Have we even decided that they weren’t demons?” Fred asked.
“I think so.” Gunn whispered.
“Oh.”
Duncan hesitantly shook his head. “There is no problem. Ahriman is dead.”
“Ahriman?” Wesley stood up. “The Zoroastrian Demon?”
“Yes.” Methos nodded and looked back to Duncan. “You know what defeating him cost you.”
“You defeated Ahriman?” Wesley gaped. “I translated…. he wasn’t due until 2010. You fought him? Won?”
Duncan glared at the man.
“Wow. That’s good.” Wesley nodded, not noticing the Immortal’s look.
“Wesley?” Cordelia asked.
“Ahriman, the Zoroastrian demon, heralded a cycle of evil that would come to earth every one thousand years…” Wesley stopped and looked to Duncan. “You were the Avatar?”
“Wesley,” Cordy called.
Wesley turned, “I translated the scroll, I thought Ahriman wasn’t going to emerge until 2010, I thought that it was a battle for Angel. If what Duncan says is true, I was wrong.”
“Gee, how surprising, have you interpreted any of the scrolls right?” Cordelia scoffed.
Wesley waved away her comment. “This is good. I was worried about Angel facing Ahriman.”
“Why?” Cordelia said clearly offended for the absent vampire.
“Cordy, Ahriman could only be defeated when the champion called found the way to defeat the demon. I could’ve told Angel how, but he would’ve had to be able to accomplish it. And…”
“He would’ve, he always…”
“No, he hasn’t.” Wesley countered. “The key was for the champion, the Avatar, to recognize that Ahriman’s evil grows through hatred and violence. The Avatar had to reject all provocation of such emotion and accept peace as the resolution. He would have had to ignore his instincts and fear to defeat the Demon. He would’ve had to believe that good could overcome evil. You defeated Ahriman,” the regard clear in Wesley’s tone as he turned back to Duncan.
“Angel…”
“Has been less than spectacular in that regard- it hasn’t been that long Cordy.” Wesley faced the young woman. “And I’m still not sure that he has the ability to ignore his instincts for revenge and violence, not if sufficiently provoked and Ahriman is a master at pushing buttons. It could very well have been Darla all over again, only thousand times worse. Possibly, if my calculations of the demon rising in 2010 had been correct Angel would’ve been able, though it would’ve taken more than one epiphany in my opinion but maybe. But, now, it is a trial that Angel doesn’t have to face. Which is a good thing.”
“Wesley, Angel said he was sorry.”
“No, Cordelia, he said that he was sorry for hurting you, he was frantic about how sorry he was about that, but he wasn’t sorry about letting the Wolfram & Hart lawyers die. You …and us, he felt guilty about, not them. Don’t confuse the issues.”
Cordelia shook her head. “He knows what he did was wrong.”
“Yes.” Wesley admitted. “But, he doesn’t really care- except how it effected you…and us.”
“Wesley,” Cordelia quietly refuted.
“Cordy, stop. Fred, I understand her devoted hero worship, but not yours. The beast shown in Pylea wasn’t the worse of Angel. We can disregard that blatant representation of his demon because Angel could. He fought it and won.
But, Cordy, you’ve seen him – at his worse and his best- you know. You’ve seen Angel purposely ignore the mission and you’ve seen Angelus. We…you can’t disregard that, because Angel can’t -not if he wants to reach his redemption.”
“I know he’s a good man. I know he’s trying now. He’s sorry. He said so.”
Wesley took a small step towards the young woman. “He is a good man, but he is what he is. His struggle is a difficult one, one that you can’t fix by all your love and friendship, none of us can. Ultimately, it is up to him. We can only help if he lets us. But, Cordy, I’m not condemning Angel to hell. I’ve faith in him just as you do. I’m just gratified that Ahrehim isn’t a test he will have to face; he’ll have enough on his path. I’m glad it’s just a bit easier with that particular demon out of the way. That’s all. Okay?”
Cordelia smiled and nodded. “Sorry, I snapped at you.”
“Since when.” Wesley smiled in return.
“Jerk.” Cordelia’s smile got bigger.
“Hold on.” Methos stepped up. “Your Angel, the so-called champion, is Angelus- one of the most vicious vampires recorded?”
Duncan was the only occupant of the room that registered curiosity. The other’s expressions had closed into indiscernible stares.
“Oh, don’t look at me like that.” Methos rolled his eyes at their stony faces. “I’m not a vampire hunter. Your vampire’s safe.”
“Methos?”
“Duncan, I cannot stress how much I think we should leave this drama. This is not our game. And Cordelia, I would also suggest you leave with us. Believe me, I do not do this because I want to- you will be trouble. But consider it my good deed.”
“What the hell are you talking about? How do you know about Angelus? He didn’t kill your family or anything, did he? You said you weren’t a vampire hunter.” Cordelia narrowed her eyes.
“God no. I’ve no problems with vampires as long as they keep their fangs to themselves. But I do have a problem with getting involved with the ‘vampire with a soul’.” Methos sighed.
“How?” The humans cried out.
“Methos?” Duncan’s question accompanied the other’s exclamations.
“Mac, have you been listening to them…. Granted, Wesley, here, maybe have been helpful a couple years ago, when you had to face Ahriman, but still have you heard them. They reek of the Power’s mess.”
“Who?” Duncan asked.
“The Powers, intangible, tangible, who knows, who cares, they’re a presence that have set themselves up as some sort of maintainers of the ‘balance’ of good vs. evil in the world or some nonsense. Stupid.”
“The Powers aren’t…” Cordelia stopped. She did at times think that they were stupid.
“Close to figuring it out aren’t’ you.” Methos nodded.
“If you happen to live for a few more thousand years, you’ll really figure it out. You’ll realize that you can’t. And that whatever you do at the Power’s bidding doesn’t stop anything. They don’t want it stopped, they just want it balanced, and live long enough you’ll see the pattern. That’s why you should get out now.
Its hard enough learning how accept the game you are now destined to play; it will be fatal if you remain caught up in theirs. They’ll use you and then spit you out. They do it do all their champions, but you…you aren’t even a part of it.”
“Methos, what are you talking about?” Duncan asked. “Start being clear.”
“Clear about the Power’s that’s an oxymoron.” Methos scoffed. “I’ve been alive for five thousands years.” He paused as all but Duncan gasped; actually Duncan had gasped a little also. Methos knew that the other Immortal was surprised that he said his age out loud.
“I’ve seen a lot. I’ve also read a lot. That’s how I know about the Powers and the vampire with a soul. It seems many books have been devoted to that particular subject.”
Wesley squelched his urge to interrupt and just made a mental note to ask the old Immortal about the books later.
“Thank you.” Methos acknowledged Wesley demonstration of will power. “I’ll try to make this brief, mainly because I want to get the hell away from all of you; anyway the Powers have their own agenda separate and apart from the existence of Immortals. Apples and Oranges. We live in a world they play in but they leave us alone and we leave them alone….”
“I’ve never heard…”
“Yes, you have, you just haven’t recognized it as such. It takes awhile, unless they actually pop in front of you.” Methos said to Duncan.
“Every action of evil is countered with an action of good, for every bastard there’s a saint, for every threat of apocalypse there’s a champion. It’s a balance; it’s a stalled chess game, no winner, but no loser. It’s life. It’s the world. It is also a crock of shit. I learned that when the Four Horsemen were chronicled on sanctified paper as the beginning of Armageddon.
Well, guess what, the Four Horseman didn’t end the world- we just killed a lot-, and three out of the four are now dead, so no matter what the prophecies say it ain’t happening by us. But, it’s the Power’s game. The thing is it would be the same if they stayed out of it. But they won’t. I don’t know who they are or what they are but they aren’t omnipotent. They are just manipulators. But that’s fine. They leave us alone.”
“How do you know that- you believe these Powers exist but how can you be sure that we are separate from them?” Duncan asked.
“Because, I was the example of ultimate evil and I’m still here.” Methos blurted out before thinking. He stood straight at Duncan’s stare, knowing that Duncan was remembering every act of destruction and death that Cassandra had recounted when telling MacLeod of her and her scant village’s victimization at Methos and his companion’s hands.
“No champion came and challenged us, the Four ran rampant.” Methos said calmly. “I was ‘Death’ and if it was truly a war between good and evil and the Power’s the proponent of good, I’d be gone. Ultimate evil or not, the so-called Powers left us alone to create terror, murder and mayhem over centuries, we weren’t stopped by a great battle but by life and all its changes.”
Cordelia gulped, then stared steadily at the other Immortal. Methos had been alive for five thousand years. He claimed to be ‘Death’ one of the riders of the Four Horsemen that heralded the Apocalypse in the Bible.
If what he said was true, he had been truly evil. “Is that why you are scared of the Powers?”
“I’m not scared.”
“Yes, you are.”
“No, I’m not, I just don’t want to be caught up in their games. I’ve my own and so, now, do you. Don’t confuse your vampire with me. I know what I was, I’m not that person any longer, but I accept what I was. Angelus, obviously can’t if he’s been recruited by the Powers, he let his guilt and a promise of redemption rule him. I don’t and you shouldn’t. Cordelia, you are an Immortal. We’ve our own game to be concerned with. When the Gathering occurs maybe then the Powers will take notice of us, but you have to live that long to be concerned with that happening. Your first priority is to survive and if you choose to stay in the Power’s sphere you won’t.”
“I don’t have a choice.”
“Really?”
Cordelia stared. “No. I’m Angel’s seer.”
Methos stared. “Are you? Remember I’ve been around. I’ve seen champions; I’ve seen the seers that accompany them on their path. None have been human or Immortals. The one human that I know of was killed in less then a year, her brain exploded. Immortals, like I said, aren’t brought into the Power’s game. We can’t be. We can be used at times, I imagined Duncan was with Ahriman, but we aren’t long-term fodder, we’ve our own priority. They know that, so they don’t tap us for their continuous chess game.”
“I am too, Doyle gave me his visions, I’ve had them for almost two years, my brain …..It hasn’t exploded.” Cordy bit her lip, paling not at Methos’ words but at her sudden realization- she didn’t feel any pain- none. No constant ache pounding between her eyes.
She shook her head. It didn’t mean anything except that her Immortal healing abilities took away the pain of her condition. “Angel needs me. We’ve a mission.” Cordelia said firmly, trying to shake away her unease.
“Cordelia, what is it?” Wesley asked concerned at Cordelia’s expression.
“Nothing.” She said biting her lip not wanting to voice the fear that she couldn’t stop from taking root in her mind.
“Cordelia.” Wesley demanded as the young woman’s face became ashen.
Cordelia chewed on her thumbnail, avoiding Wesley’s insistent gaze. “It’s nothing.” She shrugged, as Wesley steady inquiry remained. “It’s just that the pain is gone, that’s all. It doesn’t mean anything- the Powers wouldn’t do that to me.”
“Pain? Of course, it’s gone. You’ve healed. Wait…The Powers…The Powers wouldn’t do what?”
“Take the visions away…the vision hangover, it’s gone.” She said softly, giving into his unrelenting stare.
“Told you.” Methos shrugged at Cordelia’s responding glare. “They don’t use Immortals.”
Wesley ignored the old Immortal. “Cordelia, when did you have a vision?” Wesley tried to remember back. The last time she had a vision that he knew of was before Pylea.
“Fred, the university…” Cordelia mumbled.
“And you were still feeling the effects? That was weeks ago.” Wesley said sharply. “Cordelia, have you been experiencing pain ever since then? Why didn’t you tell us? How bad? Does Angel know? No, of course not he wouldn’t have left or at least would’ve told me before he left. Why didn’t you tell me? How bad?”
“Wesley,” Cordelia sighed. “It’s nothing, really nothing now. No pain.”
“Are these yours,” Fred asked picking a small prescription bottle off the floor.
Cordelia’s eyes widened. Shit. She felt her jacket pocket. Damn. She could’ve sworn that she zipped them up in her inner pocket. Couldn’t they have fallen out under the dead Gorgon? Cordelia took a deep breath as Wesley grabbed at the bottle.
“Seltrax? Cordelia?” Wesley demanded.
“I got headaches, Wesley, it’s fancy aspirin that’s all.” Cordelia shoved back against the headboard for the first time glad Angel wasn’t around to take over the yelling part of the soon to be inquisition.
“Aspirin?” Wesley practically shouted. “This is a highly powerful anti-migraine medication.”
“Migraine, headache, same thing.”
“Cordelia, this is classified as a controlled substance. You’ve had a prescription since,” glancing at the bottle. “Damn’t Cordelia, you’ve been getting refills for the last six months.”
“Okay, so I went to the doctors, big deal.”
“And what did the doctor say.”
“Nothing much.”
“I’m sure he said more.”
“No, not really. Unexplained migraines. Couldn’t really tell him about the visions, now could I. He gave me the pills did some test, didn’t say much.”
“Test?” Wesley said coldly.
“Cat scans and stuff.”
Wesley closed his eyes. “Diagnosis.”
Cordelia rolled her eyes. “Wesley, it doesn’t matter. I’ve already died and Poof, I’m back, and the pain’s gone.”
“You were dying from the visions and you didn’t tell anyone?” Wesley stared at the young woman.
“Who said I was dying? Anyway, there was no point. Angel would get all guilty and broody. He couldn’t do anything none of you could, so…” Cordelia shrugged.
“I was going to tell him, maybe, eventually…Wesley, you are moving way off track here. The Gordon killed me not the visions. And guess what I’m ALIVE. Questions should be directed to that particular little issue. Like what’s this game thing?” Cordelia grabbed onto another subject.
Wesley glared for a full moment at the young woman and then turned to Methos and Duncan. “This condition being an immortal, will it cure any pre-immortal condition? Say, a pre-mortal has a life-threatening illness, will that condition be reversed once the person experiences his or her first death or is it still a threat.”
Duncan looked to Methos for the answer. Methos was the elder immortal.
Methos sighed not wanting to be drawn into the situation anymore than he had been. He rolled his eyes at Duncan’s glare at his hesitation. “I haven’t heard of any pre-immortal dying from a illness. The first deaths are accidental or deliberate, never from disease. Actually, most pre-immortals are very healthy. Their immune systems as well as healing abilities are quite good, even before their first death. If Cordelia was dying from the visions, she’s safe now.”
“ I wasn’t…”
“Cordelia.” Wesley demanded.
“Wes, the doctor said that I was experiencing increased neuro-electrical deterioration, he didn’t say anything about me dying.”
Wesley took a deep breath. “Neo-…when would you’ve had us know this- after you were dead.”
“I told you, the doctor didn’t actually say I was going to die..” she started, but stopped at Wesley’s glare. “Wesley, the pain is gone.” She said encouragingly.
“You are going back to the doctors, I will not be satisfied until we see new x-rays. Why, didn’t you tell us?”
“What would’ve you have done, what could you’ve done- nothing. Groo told me that humans couldn’t survive the visions, only demons. He….”
“Of course…he was part demon he could’ve survived the visions- that was what the comshucking was to be about. He was going to take the visions from you…Damn’t Cordelia.”
“Wesley, I couldn’t give up the visions, Angel needs them.”
“Angel is going to be furious when he finds out.”
“Wesley,” Cordelia jumped off the bed. “You can’t tell him. You can’t tell him about any of it. Not even about me dying and living and stuff.”
“Cordelia.” Wesley shouted. “Of course I will tell him. As soon as I’m assured about your new x-rays, I will send a telegram to the village surrounding the monastery. They have to be able to get a message to him. He will be told. “
“You WILL NOT.” Cordelia jumped in her friend’s face. “You will not throw it in his face that I got to live again and Buffy didn’t.”
“Cordy, that’s…that’s just stupid.”
“No. It’s bad enough that Angel was off saving me when Buffy died, he will not know that I died and came back while Buffy is still dead. Angel will stay where he is until he is ready to come home. He doesn’t need to know. Anyway, it’s already happened, it’s not like he can do anything, there’s nothing to do.”
“Cordelia.”
“No.” She glared.
Wesley partially nodded. “I won’t telegram him, but when he gets back you will tell him or I will.”
Cordelia huffed swinging back to her former leaning position against the headboard. She would get Wesley to fully agree with her before Angel got back. It was just stupid for him to know now after the fact.
“Cordelia,” Duncan moved forward.
“What?” Cordelia looked suspiciously at the handsome man.
“You will have to tell Angel about you becoming immortal or you will just have to leave.”
“What?” Cordelia jumped back up. “I‘m not leaving I can’t leave Angel. He needs my visions.”
“If you still have them. I’m betting you don’t. You haven’t had them in what weeks, that’s what Wesley said.” Methos leaned against the wall his arms crossed, wishing he never stepped off the plane in LA.
“Shut up.” Cordelia glared.
“Cordelia, you are an immortal. That means more than just living forever and you can’t hide it, not easily and not for long, not from some one you’re close to.” Duncan shooting killing looks at Methos.
Methos slumped further back disgusted.
“Angel’s pretty clueless. Twenty years from now, he probably won’t even notice that I’m not gray.”
Duncan shook his head. “It’s not about the lack of physical aging. I don’t know anything about these Powers and whatever game or destiny they call for but I do know Immortals have a specific destiny that is unique to them alone. Their purpose is to survive to fight in the gathering. You are now living by a whole new set of rules. Clueless or not, I can’t believe this vampire wouldn’t notice you learning not only defending yourself but to kill to survive.”
“Kill?” Cordelia’s whispered word was drowned out by Wesley and Gunn’s shout and Fred’s squeak.
“Kill.” Duncan’s dark eyes bore into Cordelia’s hazel ones. “The Gathering- is the game -one that has been going on since the first Immortal came into being. For centuries, millenniums, Immortals have waited for the time of the Gathering, when the strike of a sword and the fall of a head will release the power of the Quickening.
In the end, there can only be one. And as an Immortal, if you want to survive you must learn to fight and kill. There will be Immortals that live to hunt and kill you before the time of the Gathering, to narrow the field of contenders. You may want to continue your current life, but the reality is- the Game is your priority. Because the Game is how you survive. You cannot avoid it. All will be called, even those that do not wish to be.”
“Oooh, Angel isn’t going to like that at all.” Fred shook here head.
“Fred.” Cordelia gasped. “Can we think outside the Angel box for a moment.” Cordelia blinked. Damn. She did like the woman, but her fixation on everything Angel was annoying. And for once in what seemed like forever, Cordelia had to think about what Duncan said without worrying about Angel and his reaction.
Cordelia shot her eyes back to Duncan. “You’re crazy. I’m not killing anybody because of some stupid game. Sword… fall of a head. No way am I beheading a person. Evil killing demon, okay, I’ll go for it. But na-uh.” She shook her head purposely.
“I’ve never heard of Immortals or this Game. I’m afraid that I can’t believe you without some proof.” Wesley’s prior acceptance was completely circumvented by his shock at what Duncan claimed. Cordelia did not die to live again to be some player in a deadly game.
No one was hunting for Cordelia’s head and she wasn’t going to be some sort of killer. Wesley wasn’t even going to consider the truth of the stranger’s ridiculous statement until he translated it from some authentic ancient scroll or book.
“Cordelia died, now she’s alive.” Methos shook his head.
“Which only means she’s not dead. “ Wesley countered. “I can recite at least five rituals alone that can cause that phenomenon. Granted they are all truly dark in nature, but still they have been recorded. Immortals, this Game, have not.”
“It’s not something to be publicized.” Methos rolled his eyes, not at all willing to tell the strangers how well Immortals were in fact documented.
Wesley shook his head. “That’s not a valid argument. Demons, vampires, prophecies of apocalyptic import are recorded in various texts and scrolls, while not published.
“You know whether you believe or not, I don’t care. Duncan, let’s go.”
“Methos, we can’t just leave Cordelia alone. We need…”
“I don’t have to do anything, you don’t have to do anything. Anyway she’s not alone. She’s got all these friends,” Methos waved his hand toward Wesley, Gunn and Fred. “Hell, she has her own vampire champion. He’s a warrior, he can teach her- I’m sure, he knows how to use a sword, right?” Methos asked the group.
“The vampire’s not here.” Duncan shook his head.
“Angel’s coming back and he’s great with a sword.” Fred insisted.
“She needs to be trained as soon as possible.” Duncan insisted.
“She’s got the guy with the axe then.” Methos pointed out.
“An axe isn’t a sword. And he’s mortal. ” Duncan shook his head.
“So what, mortals have been known to fight. Can you use that thing or do you just wave it around?” Methos turned his gaze to Gunn and the gleaming weapon. At the black man’s angry nod, Methos turned back to Duncan. “An axe can decapitate someone as well as a sword.”
“I’m not…” Cordelia thrust forward.
“You will.” Methos interrupted sharply.
“You haven’t taken my head.” Cordelia refused to believe what the man was saying.
“We don’t do that. I avoid, he defends, and we don’t go looking for Immortals to behead. Duncan lets go. You’ve told Cordelia that she’s immortal; you’ve told her about the Game, you’ve told her she needed to learn to defend herself. I say we’re done here. Except.” Methos looked at Wesley.
“You wouldn’t happen to want to sell the Text of Baba Yaga, would you? No.” Methos answered for Wesley, ignoring the former watcher’s puzzled expression at his question. “Well, okay then. Duncan, it’s time to go.”
“She needs to know the rules.” Duncan insisted.
“She’ll figure…fine” Methos swirled around to face Cordelia. “When you are challenged you have two choices run or fight. If you run, you better run fast and to a church. If you fight, you better be good enough, and you must fight alone. No one can fight for you or interfere with your battle. No one,” Methos emphasized.
“Why?” Gunn asked aggressively. “I ain’t standing by and letting some old maniac take Barbie’s head.”
“Church?” Cordelia piped in.
“That’s just the way it is.” Methos shot back to Gunn. “The rules have to be followed, without them it’s chaos and she’d be branded a murderer and legitimately hunted by all Immortals. Sanctuaries would be closed to her if she cheated. Church- Holy ground of any denomination is off limits for fighting or challenging. Be a nun if you don’t ever want to lift a sword or a Buddhist or whatever, just pop a tent on any Holy Ground, who cares really which denomination.”
“A nun?” Cordelia whispered. A fleeting thought drifted through her subconscious- was Angel’s obsession with convents and nuns greater than his with blondes. Wait. Nuns, convents- Angelus. Nevermind. She grunted.
“Look, I’ m not being a part of this sicko game. So there.” Cordelia stomped and crossed her arms.
“So, nothing. You’ve no choice, Cordelia realize it- live or die with it.” Methos said bluntly.
“Methos.” Duncan turned on his friend.
“No, Duncan. We don’t belong here. She doesn’t belong here, but I’ve the feeling that we would never get her to realize it. She’s already claimed their mission as hers. She won’t believe otherwise until she realizes that the visions are gone.”
“They aren’t gone. I just haven’t one because Angel’s not here- that’s all. I’m Angel’s seer.”
“No, you are an Immortal, the Power’s games aren’t yours.”
“They aren’t games. We help people.”
“Right.” Methos rolled his eyes again. “Duncan, let’s get out of here. She’s stubborn and won’t listen, you’ve done all you could.”
“I AM not stubborn, I just believe in our mission and I’m not playing your stupid game.” Cordelia huff.
Wesley squeezed his eyes shut pinching the bridge of his nose. He didn’t want to believe the Immortals about this Gathering thing, but to ignore the possibility of its truth could be dangerous folly.
As for the possibility of Cordelia losing the visions, he could give damn as long as she wasn’t dying.
Wesley cleared his throat. “We’ll go to your doctor tomorrow to see recent X-rays and Gunn and I will train you in the use of a sword until Angel gets back.”
“You believe them about the Game thing.” Cordelia swirled towards Wesley.
“There’s no harm in training you.”
“I will train her.” Duncan said suddenly.
“Mac.” Methos pushed up from the wall he’d been occupying.
“No. I don’t minimize Wesley and Gunn’s skill, knowing now what they do, but she will need more.”
“More?” Wesley puffed up his chest as Gunn raised his axe again.
“More.” Duncan said again. “Cordelia?”
“Yes or no, Angel’s going to find out, right?” she nodded answering her own question. “Fine,” grumbling. “Might as well. I wanted to learn how to use a sword anyway. But, I’m not cutting anybody’s head off. No way.” She glared at the other Immortals.
“Angel’s really not going to like any of this,” Fred mumbled to herself.