Title: The Fall
Author: Rachelle
Posted: 12/02
Rating: NC-17 for language and sex
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Content: C/A(us) angst, romance B/S
Summary: Angel loses his soul, causing Cordelia to face the fact she may have to kill him. Meanwhile, Wesley goes back to Sunnydale to get help from old friends
Spoilers: AtS Season 3, post “Provider.” BtVS Season 6, post “Once More, With Feeling
Disclaimer: The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
Distribution: AA, Nothing Fancy, GT,anyone else, just ask
Notes: This was written way before “The Price” so I had different views on Cordelia’s demon abilities. And I had a different take on some of BtVS Season 6.
Thanks/Dedication: To my dear B/A shipper friend Wendy! And special thanks to LaLa247 for her wonder critique and Princess Twilite for posting it originally.
Feedback:
Some say the end is near
Some say we’ll see Armageddon soon
Certainly hope we will
I sure could use a vacation
-Tool
Los Angeles
She was falling…
Cordelia Chase had been curled up in the middle of her bed ever since she had wandered into her apartment at the break of dawn, with sorrow as her company. Sobs were still wracking her body, her eyes a continuous well. The pain of loss cutting through her like a sharp blade.
Clutching her pillow to her chest, she could not believe anything could hurt more.
All the necessary defenses had been made, precautions taken. God, I hurt!
Angelus was back.
Cordelia was given no warning, no vision of Wolfram & Hart conjuring up the most diabolical plan: Why try and give Angel perfect happiness to have him lose his soul, when they could just take it from him? Fucking bastards.
She never saw it coming.
The family had suffered dearly during the past seventy-two hours. Little Connor was taken into hiding by Gunn and Fred. The whereabouts of all three was to be hidden from the rest, as per Cordelia’s request.
Angelus would try to make them talk. Gunn and Fred would keep the baby safe until his father was returned.
If that was even possible, sobbed Cordelia as she buried her tear-stained face into her pillow.
Lorne was to go into hiding as well. His powers would alert him of when it would be safe to return to L.A. Cordelia knew that Angelus would waste no time trying to get his answers from the psychic demon. And he would love doing it. She remembered what he had done to Giles.
She had ordered Wesley to return to Sunnydale to warn the home team. There was always the possibility of Angelus taking up old habits of causing hell for Buffy and the Gang. But she doubted that.
Through the midst of all this chaos, Cordelia had taken the upper hand in ordering the others to flee. The child needed their protection, not vain courage.
Only Cordelia had chosen to stay behind, to face whatever evil Angelus would try to cause. The others protested, but in the end, they knew it was the only thing to do. Cordelia’s will would not be challenged.
…Don’t run from me…
Cordelia raised her head slightly, looking out her bay windows. The sky was turning into the color of roses and plums, and he would come for her after the setting sun.
But she was not weak. Since she had become part demon, powers beyond her visions began to emerge within her. Over the months, she had evolved into a powerful telekinetic, with a latent pyrokinetic ability. Her telekinesis was mastered, but her pyrokinesis was something else. The gang now kept fire extinguishers around the hotel.
With being part demon, her physical strength had increased as well.
Never as strong as him, though, Cordelia admitted to herself, slowly raising herself to a sitting position. She was feeling her old ‘Queen C’ self begin to rise as the sun set.
Cordelia Chase would not be vanquished by him.
All her energy was drained for this brief moment, but she would recover. She had to.
She needed to get ready. Battle was going to be waged tonight and only one would rise as the victor.
I’m trapped in this world
Lonely and fading
Heart broke and waiting
For you to come
-Wayne Static
Angelus smiled, as he felt the sun begin to set. He lazily stretched his long, lean frame- like a panther anticipating the thrill of the hunt. He had been having the most erotic dream. Long, dusky legs trembling around him, hazel eyes that were a reflection of his desire. Soon his bed would no longer be empty…
Looking around his new domicile, he had to admit that the lawyers had excellent taste, or rather, knew his taste well. Walls covered in black satin. Exquisite candelabrums that held red candles, their flames flickering as the wax melted. Curtains of the same satin securely covering the windows from the sun’s hateful rays.
The mammoth bed of white and red silk that contrasted elegantly with the bleak, dark walls. A few large pillows of similar color and fabric that were fashionably tossed about the room. Gorgeous cherry wood floors, with the drained, dead whore lying on it.
Got to get rid of that.
And every orb of Thesulah known to man, he sniggered to himself, counting the five remaining mystical globes, that shimmered on the oak table. No more conjuring of his soul.
Wolfram & Hart had given him luxuries, believing he would join their idiotic firm. Angelus never made promises, and he joined forces with no one. He was one of the most vicious creatures that had ever walked this earth, who where they to think that just by releasing his soul, he would be in their employment?
Ignorance is bliss and lawyers represent that definition. Let them believe what they will.
Angelus slowly rose from his bed, sighing with dead air as he began to wander over to the shielded glass doors that led to his balcony. He placed a hand over the draped glass. The sun was down.
Smiling, Angelus drew back the drapes and opened the glass doors to take a look at his city. The city of Angelus. Loving the night air, as scents wrapped themselves around his naked form. There was one scent he was craving that he could not find in the air. The beauty who haunted his dreams.
Cordelia. My love.
Angelus’ mouth hardened into a tight line as he felt the love within himself. Love!? He glared at the stars above his dark head, snarling.
He understood that Angel could feel that emotion, but he should not. True, vampires could love. Retards, Spike and Drusilla were an excellent example.
He was Angelus. He had not even loved Darla. But even she had developed the emotion, for she staked herself to bring Connor into the world.
Vicious woman. Not bright at times, but he didn’t keep her for her brains in the old days. He stormed back inside the loft.
“But why am I feeling this!?” Angelus raged to the dead redhead who regarded him lifelessly… eyes forever staring, but not seeing. “I’ll kill her,” he reasoned, eyes darting around the room, as if trying to defend himself against unseen witnesses. “I’ll kill her! I have to make her mine first, then I’ll kill her!”
You can’t kill her, Angelus. You love her.
Shut the fuck up, Soul Man! You’re not here anymore. I am! She is mine!
And mine, she will always be mine.
Past Tense.
Mine…
Disgusting! Sickly, sugar sweet remnants of that soulful wonder! Angelus knew Angel’s soul was gone, sitting in the Ether but, there always remains some semblance of the former self for a time. The feelings stay for a time, like the love for the Seer.
I don’t love her. You hear me up there!? I. Don’t. Love. Her.
Chuckling to himself, when he heard no reply, Angelus turned around and beamed at the wall across the room from him. It was loaded with knives, swords, and other wicked weapons of similar nature. And only a few feet away next to his wall of torture was an exquisite spot, equipped with a delicate, but strong, set of shackles.
I am really going to enjoy this, Angelus languidly strolled back in, I’ll make her drown.
Something is changing
Growing in your mind
Can’t do a thing about it
Living a normal life
-Hooverphonic
Cordelia wiped her hand across her steamed mirror, her hazel eyes old beyond her years. She felt as if she had aged a hundred years since the news of Angel had reached her. It had been devastating in it’s calm.
Angelus just came into the Hyperion that night, none of them realizing it was not Angel as he stood there. Observing each of them as they continued on with their activities. Not until she had spoke…
Cordelia paused as she began to send a fax of surcharges over to a recent client, sensing his presence in the room, as she always did. Smiling, she turned around and saw him standing in the entryway of the hotel, just looking at them…
Fred sitting on the counter of the front desk, as she tried to figure some equations for a recent prophecy, with Wesley standing by her, text in hand… Gunn checking the weapons for their next assignment… Lorne cooing to Connor while he lay silent in his bassinet.
He seemed different. Shadow around his eyes, making him appear paler, sinister. Cordelia began to step towards her love, concern etched on her face.
I can’t read him, she though to herself. Working together for years, best friends, they could understand each other perfectly. Discovering their love for each other, only just recently, intensified the bond. It had only been two weeks since she had become half demon. Angel had professed his love for her soon after. Almost losing her had made him realized he loved her.
“Angel!”
Everyone in the lobby turned their heads to the vampire standing in the entrance, faces a sea of friendship and caring. Happiness that their champion was with them.
Angel sheepishly peered down at his feet, then slowly raising his head, “Hey, Cordelia,” he whispered, giving her a wicked grin that took her back five years. Sophomore in high school… of her and Xander, Buffy and Angel… Jenny Calendar alive. A time of Angelus.
Oh, God.
Cordelia began to tremble as she fell into the dark pools of his eyes, dread flowing into her like great waves.
Falling.
She stumbled, her hand covering her mouth as realization swam over her, body doubling over in emotional anguish. “Cordy,” she barely heard Gunn call out to her as the world began to crash.
Lorne knew. He quickly swept little Connor into his protective green arms, slowly taking steps backward, as he fearfully watched for what Angelus would do. Angelus caught the scent of Lorne’s fear.
“Hold him tight, before Daddy bites,” the vampire fiendishly hissed, eyeing the green Pylean.
Not hearing the vampire, Wesley ran over to Cordelia, fearing she was sick from some strange vision. “Cordelia?” he questioned, gathering her into his arms.
“It’s Angelus.”
The ex-Watcher whipped his head to the vampire in front of them. His expression of shock and horror was causing Angelus to chuckle as they met each other’s eye. “Sorry, Wes-ol boy! No happy pill, just pure Angelus.”
Angelus spread his arms wide, giving them a loving smile, “My family!”
Fred scampered over to hide behind Gunn, who gripped a machete. He was ready to fight the demon who took possession of their ally. Lorne was almost to the doors of the center courtyard behind them, ready to run with the child.
Gently pushing Wesley away, Cordelia gathered her composure, her initial shock dissolving. Her eyes narrowing in rising fury.
Angelus slowly let his arms fall, a frown of mock hurt on his face, “No love for Daddy?”
This was going to be fun, even without Buffy and her Scoobies here to torment. This was better! Every being in this room cared for Angel in some way- especially that beautiful Cordelia! “Don’t worry, I only had intentions of making myself known to you this evening. Much more fun that way if you know what’s creeping up behind you! Dru always did say it tasted so much better.”
“If you come near any of us and I will turn you into dusty flakes!” Gunn raged, inching closer to the menace in front of him. Gunn could not help but flinch, as Angelus turned his murderous gaze on him. A snarl rumbling through the soulless vampire.
“Tread carefully, child, or I’ll eat your heart now, instead of later.”
Cordelia snarled in turn. “What the hell do you want, Angelus?” She was done cowering before him, her gaze unflinching as the vampire regarded her.
You…
He had forgotten how glorious she was. Even back in Sunnydale, living in the shadow of the Slayer, Queen Cordelia always did carry a regal air about her. Arrogant, yet caring. Brave, but innocent. Angelus wavered within himself.
Angel was in love with her, he realized, the feeling still swam within him, flooding his senses. He wanted to possess her fully, now!
“I want world peace, baby! Being selfish is so over. I would have thought you of all people would have realized that, Vision Girl! Tsk, tsk, tsk.”
The members of Angel Investigations had never felt such fear. Their champion against the forces of darkness had become darkness itself. And it was planning on taking them into the void one by one.
Seeing the fear in each of their faces was enough to content him for the meantime. No pleasure in pain if it was not prolonged. He knew some would run, protecting his child. Time to depart to let the games begin, no fun without a hunt.
“Word of advice. Just in case any of you decides to summon forth a particular soul. A certain law firm has guaranteed that all Thesulan orbs have been gathered.”
Wolfram & Hart. Realization hit them, as Angelus began to leave the way he came in. Angelus paused for a moment as he began to exit and focused on Cordelia,
“Guess I owe you the truth.” Faster than human or Pylean eyes could register, Angelus swooped down and grabbed Cordelia.
For a brief moment, Angelus and Cordelia were suspended in time, just them. Swirling away from the other occupants in the room. The coolness of his body against her, making her shiver, his words containing fire.
“What I want is you. Don’t run from me,” he seductively whispered in her ear.
Just as fast as he had grabbed her, she was released, her knees giving way as she sank to the floor. And he was gone. Her Angel was gone…
#
God, I love him! Tears were threatening to spill again.
“NO!” She shouted, slamming her bathroom door open. She would not give in, she was not Buffy!
I won’t stand by and let Angelus hurt all that I have grown to love, she raged at herself as she stormed into her bedroom. Angel was gone! All that was left was that demon using Angel’s body.
Reaching out with her mind, she telekinetically got her pair of soft, black pleather pants of the closet and pulled them on. She did some slight karate kicks and turns, pleased she was able to move freely in them. Choosing again from her wardrobe, she pulled out a red low cut top, that would leave her arms bare. Her drawer suddenly flew open and a lacy black bra floated towards her.
Cordelia allowed a small smile, “Thank you Dennis. Wouldn’t want bounce loose, now would I?” She took the bra and put it on, Dennis had begun to work on her hair.
She reached under her bed and pulled out her black boots. After she put those on, she attached her knives to the ankle of each boot.
Cordelia looked at her reflection in her full length mirror. Dennis had piled her dark hair securely back. Strapped on her back was the samurai sword, with silver edging that Angel had given her for Christmas. Clothed entirely in black, she looked beautiful and vicious. I like it, she thought, feeling almost like her old self.
Grabbing her leather trench coat, she headed out the door, not knowing if she would ever walk back in that door again.
I know there’s nowhere you can hide it
I know the feeling of alone
I know that you do not feel invited
But come back, come back in from the cold
-Jude
“Angelus, do you think this is wise?” Lilah Morgan, attorney at law for Wolfram & Hart, gazed at the incredibly sexy vampire that was seated across from her in her office.
He was lazily cutting the peel off an apple. Angel had looked good, but with Angelus taking possession, he radiated a sexual power not to be denied. There even seemed to be a hint shadow around his eyes, causing him to appear paler than she remembered. Those leather pants and red silk shirt only added to his dangerous appeal.
“What’s not wise?” Angelus whispered, his concentration remaining on his apple. He twirled the red curl around his fingers, as he brought his dark gaze to Lilah, knowing by her scent that she was aroused by him.
Lilah shifted in her seat, suddenly feeling exposed under his knowing eyes. “Going after Cordelia, Angelus. The partners are concerned and would rather see your attention focused on the location of your son. Connor poses a treat that the partners would rather see eliminated.” She was actually only concerned about her career.
She had promised the Senior Partners that Angelus would annihilate the threat of Connor. Wolfram & Hart had put in extensive time and money to bring forth Angelus. Lilah was worried that Cordelia Chase may be able to challenge the vampire’s motives. The Seer had become formidable.
Angelus growled at the mention of Connor, causing the lawyer to take a sharp intake of breath. He threw the apple and knife across the room, the fruit impaled by the blade against the wall. God, I want to torture this bitch!
“Connor is my business! As is Cordelia,” he tossed the table that was between them, sending it careening to the opposite side of the room. The crash causing Lilah to jump again, “I will deal with them as I see fit.”
He laughed at the lovely lawyer before him, reveling in her terror, “You think you know me so well, Lilah? You don’t know shit. Stay out of my way or I’ll bring my attention to you. Make sure your bosses do the same.”
With that he stormed out of the office, leaving Lilah Morgan to thank her dark stars that she was not the object of his evil obsession. She almost felt pity for the other woman and the child. Almost.
I’ll never find someone quite like you again
I’ll never find someone quite like you
-Vast
Cordelia Chase wandered through the crowded streets of downtown L.A. She was completely immersed in her thoughts. The former May Queen of Sunnydale High was oblivious to the admiring stares of the male humans she passed. She only had eyes for Angelus. She could feel he was near- looking for her.
It was unusually warm for an L.A. night, the sweet humidity in air reminded her of New Orleans; the breeze cooling, but the heat causing clothing to cling to skin. The atmosphere was having a heady affect on her, like an aphrodisiac. Like Angel…
As she drifted past Antonelli’s Italia restaurant, she stopped cold.
Beautiful, angelic face. All but him briefly vanished around her. Except his.
Directly in front of her, not more that ten feet away, by a flickering light post, was Angelus. His leather trench coat billowed in the breeze. He stood before her, tall and terrible, like a dark angel cast away from Heaven. The grace of God gone, but not his power.
Never his power.
Angelus’ face broke out into a smile that would have melted her heart, if it were Angel. Horrible thing was, she could feel her desire for him rising, even as Angelus. Oh, Angel! She could almost see him in there, begging her to run, as Angelus stalked in closer to her.
You’re made of my rib or baby
You’re made of my sin
And I can’t tell where
Your lust ends
And where your love begins
-Vast
Angelus loved the sight he was beholding. Beautiful Cordelia Chase, in battle stance ready to fight. Still smiling at her, he slowly sauntered over to stand in front of her. He could hear her heart beating faster, as he inched closer.
He inhaled the jasmine and orange blossom scent of her. Intoxicating. She was overwhelming his senses.
Quick as a snake, Angelus grabbed Cordelia’s arm, seizing her to his body, “You don’t want to do this here,” he whispered seductively against her neck, his tongue giving a cool lick on her earlobe, causing her to shudder. He grinned at the reaction, her arousal to him was instant. He could feel and smell it. “Not here on this crowded street with all these helpless people, do you?”
Cordelia glanced over his left shoulder. A perfect, precious little blonde girl, about eight years old, with warm brown eyes, was laughing as her father swung her in the air. To the right of Angelus, an elderly couple began to move past them, going into the Italian restaurant. More people flooded around them. Fragile humans who knew nothing about the real world surrounding them. The endless battle of good versus evil.
All would be at his mercy. She knew he did not care how many were about. Angelus could take them all.
He was thrilled by the tremble that coursed through her, knowing she would heed him of his warning.
“No, Angelus,” she whispered back in momentary defeat, “We can do this somewhere else.” Angelus smiled even wider, as he allowed her to pull back from him. He took possession of her hand in his vise-like grip, and brought it up to his cool lips.
“I have just the place,” he said, placing a cool, sensual kiss on the back of her hand, “Shall we, darling?” Still taking hold of her hand, he led her on the path to his apartment building.
“Wasn’t that the sweetest little girl you ever saw? I could just eat. Her. Up!” Angelus sniggered as Cordelia glared at him. Her rage was piercing as she tired to jerk her hand away from his grip. All he did was growl, crushing her fingers slightly, warning her.
Cordelia was willing the tears not to come again, Angelus would just adore her torment. She yielded to his strength. Her pride was nothing compared to the lives around.
Angelus grunted in satisfaction, knowing she would not go against him. As they walked hand in hand, on-lookers that passed them by could not help but say to themselves, “Now there is the perfect looking couple.”
***
Cordelia was afraid.
As she and Angelus walked to their destination, she could feel her control over her emotions begin to slip. She had completely forgotten how commanding and sensual Angelus was. Now she understood at long last why it was so hard for Buffy to destroy him.
How could anyone kill a creature of his magnetism?
She had once held that against the Slayer. Buffy was given numerous opportunities to destroy him, but she always wavered. Of course when Angel was restored, she finally found the balls to send him to hell. And that was strength.
Cordelia had never admitted to anyone that she had finally given the Slayer her respect after she had heard about what she had done.
Buffy sent her lover to hell- knowing that he had been cursed again with a soul, Angel truly not knowing what he had done. To save the world.
A world that would never, in her lifetime, give her the recognition she deserved for keeping them safe from evil. Angelus had almost tore their world apart in his quest to destroy the Slayer. Cordelia had never quite forgiven herself for the contempt she had felt towards Buffy. Maybe now, this was her chance to atone.
But deep within her soul, Cordelia Chase knew there was something different about Angelus this time. Oh, he was definitely evil, but why he had not killed her was beyond her reasoning. Cordelia had expected Angelus to be beating her for information about Connor. It was almost like she was his only focus, his only concern. Like Buffy.
He had plans for her. She gave an involuntary shiver of fear and… Anticipation?
For reasons unknown her, Angelus was more alluring than Angel. Like eating something you know is bad, but eating it anyway because you want it. Indulgence with desire. This creature was the embodiment of eroticism.
She knew by the small grin on his luscious mouth, as she glimpsed him out of the corner of her eye, that he knew the turmoil she was feeling.
This is not good, she worried. Cordelia wanted to stop the emotions that raged within her. How could she desire someone so evil?
Still they walked on, neither warrior attempting to attack the other.
***
After what seemed like a walk through eternity, they finally arrived at a huge apartment structure, that had to be a least fifty stories high. It was gorgeous, with a gothic twist to it that seemed out of place in L.A. But she guessed it was Wolfram & Hart’s, quite possibly hidden from mortal eyes.
Cordelia swiftly glanced at Angelus, who was staring straight up. Sensing her look, he turned to her, “The roof.” He kissed her hand again.
He pulled her through the entrance of the building, into an oriental courtyard, filled with exotic life. In the center, a charming, miniature pagoda was surrounded by a pond. The water was enchanting with koi swimming lazily about.
Angelus paused before the door to the stairway. ‘Roof Access Only.’
“And she’s climbing the stairway to Heaven,” Angelus sang as he opened the door, face brightening with a warm smile. “Too bad you wouldn’t let Angel sing that a Caritas. It would have been hilarious, don’t think?”
Swallowing the lump that was forming in her throat, she slowly nodded and they began their descent towards the heavens.