Part 5, To Bitch or not to Bitch
The sky was its usual clear, cloudless blue and the sun was just already engulfing Sunnydale in its hot rays. Cordelia checked her make-up in her rear-view mirror once more before getting out of Angel’s car. She smiled at his thoughtful behavior and tucked the keys into her little, cute bag. The sleek convertible was a stark contrast to her Corvette, his was black and classy while hers was red and modified.
She ran her fingertips over the hood, moving them to press the quick release button just above the bumper fully intending to check out the engine when a sight stopped her from doing that. Cordelia raised her eyebrow as she watched Willow approach Oz timidly, the brunette could see the red head biting her lip as she took baby step after baby step towards him.
It was when Xander shouted to Willow that Oz noticed his ex-girlfriend was there and when he looked up at her, the red head had already turned to see what Xander wanted. How the hell could I have missed stuff like that? She wondered angrily, not at them but at herself. She felt like a stupid and naïve little girl that believed every lie she was told, in way she was a stupid and naïve teenager. But not anymore, they wouldn’t make a fool of her anymore.
Cordelia looked down at her clothes, she wore an emerald green knee-length skirt with a cream top and kitten heeled mules set off the outfit nicely. She still felt as though something was missing from it, what was she missing?
Attitude!
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and opened them again, the dull irises that had been dull and void were now filled with a spark, making the hazel hot enough to melt the polar caps!
“Ah, much better” Cordelia said to herself as she slung her bag over her shoulder and prepared to saunter into school. She walked with her head held high, her posture straight and a look that told people just who was boss. Offhandedly, she wondered how long it would be before Buffy started yapping at her ankles, trying to get the lowdown on her and Angel.
It took the petite Slayer almost half a day to come up to her, and Cordelia was happily eating her lunch in the cafeteria. Her lunch consisted of a Greek yoghurt, a red apple, a Galaxy caramel and two ham, cheese and tomato sandwiches. It was part of her new regime, if you were what you ate then she was gonna be God damn yummy!
This was how Buffy found her in the cafeteria, enjoying the last few chunks of her Galaxy caramel and sighing into her vending machine purchased hot chocolate. The blonde made a show of sitting noisily down in the chair next to Cordelia and putting her hand on the table with a little slap.
“I don’t know what game you’re playing with Angel, Cordelia, but I suggest you stop” Buffy told her, this wasn’t a threat it was a warning. Her blue eyes flashed with the promise of what she would do if Cordelia didn’t leave Angel alone.
She had two choices here, she could bitch and show Buffy just how angry she was but that was indirectly giving Xander the reaction he wanted. Her other choice was to not give him the satisfaction of letting him know he hurt her. For some reason, Cordelia thought that men found it easier to deal with their mistakes if a woman showed her anger.
She chose option two and just didn’t give Buffy anything to tell Xander.
“Stop what? Stop seeing my boyfriend? Lemme think about that for a second… No!” Cordelia replied easily and popped the last chunk of chocolate into her mouth. “Have you noticed how his gaze looks like my hot cocoa? You could drown in that heated gaze…!”
“Whatever you’re doing, stop and stay away from Angel”
“I’ve already told you no, how many more times do I have to repeat myself? God, I’m not a parrot!” she exasperated with a hidden smirk as she licked her lips of the caramel and ‘mmm-ing’ at the sweet taste. “Angel was right, there’s nothing wrong with tasting!”
“I know you’re only doing this because you think it’ll get to me, but you’re wrong because I know Angel would never fall for a girl like you. He’d rather go back to hell” Buffy said in a low, knowing voice that really grated on Cordelia’s nerves. The blonde sounded so smug, like she knew everything and that was one of her pet hates.
Gasping in mock shock, Cordelia looked at Buffy with hurt-filled eyes, “So you do know it was Angel and not his demon that you sent to hell?” the brunette swallowed and covered Buffy’s hand with hers comfortingly. “You don’t have to worry how he’s handling being back, I’m taking really good care of him. You can sleep easier at night now you know he’s okay”
Angel had told Cordelia about Willow’s spell working, Buffy was stunned speechless and her previously smug blue eyes were now filled with accusing suspicion. “He told you?”
“How else do I know? Oh, allow me to congratulate you on being there for him by the way, I thought for sure you’d leave to give him space but weren’t you support-o-gal!” Cordelia removed her hand from the top of the Slayer’s, picked up her napkin and daintily wiped her mouth free of crumbs. “If you’re through threatening me, I have to be somewhere because my boyfriend’s expecting me home after lunch since I have free periods all day”
“You’re not fooling anyone Cordelia I know that Angel still loves me, not you. Me. He knows that I left him because I don’t wanna set Angelus loose again. Unless that’s why he’s with you, because he knows you can’t give him perfect happiness” Buffy continued to talk as she followed the brunette out of the cafeteria.
“Actually, I haven’t slept with him yet” Cordelia corrected the annoying, squeaky voice in her ear venomously. So she felt a little jealous that Buffy had slept with Angel first, but she was more than sure she could give the vamp a whole new world of bliss despite the fact she’d never slept with a man before.
“He’s using you to make me see how wrong I was and when I see him, I’m going to tell him I made a mistake and he’ll understand like he always does then he’s gonna drop you. Do you know why he’s gonna drop you?” Buffy lashed out and grabbed tight hold of Cordelia’s arm to stop her from walking away.
“No but I’m sure you’re gonna tell me!” Cordelia replied as she humored the blonde and listened to her words. When would Buffy ever learn? Intimidation from a teeny blonde just didn’t happen, not with her anyway. “Come on then woman! Spit it out, I have important stuff to do today. I’m making blood slushies!”
Ignoring the remark about blood slushies, Buffy carried on with her point. “Angel’s going to drop you so fast because he knows me and he knows you. Out of me and you, who do you think he’d pick? You’re a shallow, vicious bitch who didn’t even talk to him after you found out he was a vampire. So why the hell would he wanna know you now?”
Those words did hurt a little, but not the bitch insult, it was the fact that Buffy was right about her not even talking to Angel after she found out he was a vampire. And right now, she had to think quickly. “Angel knows why I stopped talking to him Buffy” Cordelia remarked coolly, “The fact that he’s vampire didn’t come into it at all and he knows this” okay, some self-humiliation could be worked in here! “He knew I liked him even when he was dating you, that’s no secret…”
“I know and he didn’t even give you a second glance. That should tell you something…”
“If you’d let me finish” Cordelia gave her a pointed look with a sweet little smile. “I’m not ashamed of my crush, why should I be? Angel’s a good man… Vampire… Manpire. He’s like a 6” 2 walking Greek statue with fangs, he’s good company, funny, way smart and he wouldn’t hurt anybody. So why should I be ashamed to admit I had a crush? He knows I stopped talking to him because I was embarrassed that he knew I found him attractive so for my own sake, I cut off connections”
The brunette gave a fake yawn and cut the Slayer’s next words off, “As much fun as this isn’t, Angel is expecting me at home so I’ll see you later, have a good afternoon!”
“Not before I see Angel first” Buffy vowed as she watched Cordelia practically skip down the hallway. The blonde narrowed her eyes before turning away, doubts that this was just a game being played by them inching in and making cracks in her confidence. Hell would break loose if this was real.
***
It had taken Xander all morning to work up the courage to go too Cordelia’s house seeing as they both had free periods for the rest of that day. He found himself outside the double gates at the bottom of the Chases’ drive, waiting for someone to answer on the intercom.
“Chase residence, who is this?” came a voice with a Hispanic lilt that was definitely not Cordelia.
“Hi! It’s Xander from Cordelia’s school, is she in?” he asked hoping the maid didn’t know about his little escapade with Willow and the trouble it had caused.
“I sorry Ackbar! Cordelia is no home, at her Angel’s house” Rosario read the note Cordelia had given her.
“Uh, thanks anyway” Xander clicked the off button, staring long and hard before making the decision to go Angel’s mansion to see things for himself. The teenager ran a hand through his floppy, dark hair and sighed, “God, I’ve really screwed things up haven’t I?”
***
Keeping her stare straight, even and emotionless Cordelia looked at Angel daringly as she shuffled the deck of cards. “Are you sure you wanna go there with me pal?”
“I’ve been playing Poker for over a hundred years Cor, I don’t think you could beat me” he replied in a smooth, confident voice as he stretched his lean body out on the floor. Angel raised an eyebrow at her equally confident leer and watched as she first split the deck, flicked the cards one by one and then split the deck with one hand.
“Ah, but you’ve never played Poker against my father and grandfather” she told him, “I have and until you’ve done that, don’t underestimate me. Okay, Jacks to open, more aggressive and Trips to win!”
“Dealer waits” he reminded her and watched as she dealt out seven cards to each of them and picked up his own. Angel had a perfect Poker face as he focused on his cards, he had one Ace, two Tens, a Five and three Threes. Angel glanced over at Cordelia as she picked up her cards and studied her hand, he could cheat and use the reflection in her eyes to tell him what she had…!
“Stop looking”
“Little miss know it all iddn she?!”
“I wasn’t…” Angel denied quickly.
“Um, yes you were. I saw you and I’ve been playing this game a long time too so I know when people are cheating so stop or else…!”
“Go on Hans, cheat away! You have my express permission to find out what the Or Else means!”
Cordelia looked at him with a pleased smile, he looked worried at that threat and that pleased her immensely considering she had nothing to go on in her hand. Not that she was really looking at what she had, she was too busy looking at him! Angel looked about as good as a vampire could get; the plain white muscle shirt left his shoulders and arms visible, while keeping his chest hidden from view which was disappointing!
He had an amazing physique, shoulders held harsh lines where his neck and back muscles stood out. His arms were equally heavily muscled with biceps that curled into solid, prominent evidence of overwhelming masculinity. It was like Angel’s entire physical stature had been carefully detailed by women who knew what a man should look like and sculpted by women who agreed entirely!
He was wasted on Buffy who hadn’t appreciated what he’d done for her in the slightest. If she really had him, she’d make damn sure he felt appreciated in every possible way. But he wouldn’t want her!
“Check it out! She’s checking my bod out! Look all you want sweetheart, touch me even more!”
Angel scratched his chin a little, he wasn’t exactly sure how to handle her open study of him. Hardly anyone in the last century had come within close distance of him, let alone feel secure enough to play cards with, threaten and punch him. Cordelia was one of the most courageous people he knew and he admired her for the personality he had thought of as bitchy. The girl opposite him was a contradiction in herself.
Her simple honesty was enough to scare people away from her, giving them the impression she was downright rude or bitchy when it was simple honesty. But on the other hand, he was learning Cordelia Chase was anything but simple. She was wasted on Xander Harris, the fact that he hadn’t known what he had was proof of that. He’d gone after someone he could handle, someone more in his league.
“And you are? Excuse me while I laugh my fangs away! Lose the soul and we’ll talk!”
Cordelia was way out of Harris’ league and Angel had known that from the start, that’s why he was so shocked that the boy had cheated on her. If he had her, there was no-way he’d hurt her like that and he’d make damn sure she knew that. But she wouldn’t want him!
Today she was relaxed, sitting cross-legged and barefoot in his version of a living room; on some blankets he had brought down since he didn’t have a rug or carpet. Her green skirt was bunched up around her waist and that would have given him a welcome view if it hadn’t been for her shorts! Her legs were bronzed, long and slender with small feet decorated with green nail polish that matched her skirt.
The sleeves of her top were pushed up to her shoulders exposing her firm and toned arms. Her long hair swept up in a messy ponytail where the ends swished across her shoulders every time she moved. She looked young like that, she looked sweet and pretty and Angel knew he couldn’t stop staring!
The mutual drooling was interrupted by a knock on the door, causing both of them to blink and return to Earth with a crash. Angel coughed, a little embarrassed by his staring, if he had a blood flow he knew he’d be beetroot red. “I’ll just be a minute” he told her, his voice had lowered an octave and he had that smooth Jack Daniels tone again.
“Okay, I’ll watch you answer the door!” Cordelia replied as she nudged her head towards the front door with a smile.
Another knock annoyed the vampire and he swung the door open, “Harris” Angel growled a little. What did he think he was doing coming here? His hardened gaze centered on his more than unwelcome visitor, feeling smug when the kid flinched slightly.
Xander? What was he doing here? Cordelia’s thoughts mirrored Angel’s as her body jumped a little, causing her stitches to pull and a hiss of pain to spill from her lips at the jerked movement. “Guess I can’t make my dramatic return to cheering just yet” she mumbled and reached for her little bag with her painkillers in. They weren’t strong and according to her doctor, they weren’t meant to relieve the pain completely. “If they did, you wouldn’t know if it was getting worse” she mimicked the doctor’s patronizing tone perfectly.
Angel’s attention instantly went from glaring at Xander to Cordelia, “You okay sweetheart?” he asked in genuine concern as he knelt next to her, searching her face. His eyes went to her side then back to her grimacing expression, “You’re hurt”
“I jumped and pulled my stitches a little, that’s all. A coproximol will suffice… Or a shot of Vodka!” she joked, touching his cheek with her hand. “I’m fine Angel, really. Go see what message Xander has from Buffy while I peek at your cards!”
Xander watched the entire scene play out in front of him, it was like waking from a bad nightmare only to find that you were awake to begin with. “So it’s true” he stated from the doorway, “You’re playing boyfriend-girlfriend with Deadboy”
“Don’t call Angel Deadboy, it’s rude” Cordelia chastised Xander without snapping in anger. When Angel looked at her in surprise of her friendly tone, she gave him a private smile and he knew she was up to something so he went with it.
“What should I call him then? The host with the most?” Xander shot back at her quickly.
Angel stood to face him with a big, gleaming grin on his face. “I should thank you Xander” he stated, suddenly changing the conversation with an ability to rival Cordelia’s.
“Excuse me here, what am I missing? You thank me for what?”
“I should be pissed at you, really I should” Angel told him.
“Of course you should, now lets see some Xander-shaped carnage!”
“If it hadn’t been for you and the Slayer, Cor and I would never have gone for what we wanted” Angel continued. “What with me being sent to hell and Cor almost dying, we both agreed that life’s too short to let anything get in the way of being happy. It took you and Buff to make us see that so thanks… Is there anything else?”
Xander went to retort but stopped himself, looking at Cordelia who’s gaze was locked onto Angel like he wasn’t there. “No” he replied tonelessly, “No, there’s nothing else” he’d speak to Buffy before he said anything else and he’d go from there.
“In that case do you mind” Angel glanced at the door hintingly “Cos we were about to play Strip Poker when you interrupted. I don’t share” without waiting for an answer from Xander, the vampire gave him a wicked smirk. “If she cheats, she’s getting spanked!”
A now stunned Xander stood facing a closed door with sounds of muffled girlish giggles, male laughter and a loudly gasped…
“Angel, who knew?!”
Part 6, First Date and Flustered
“You could have drove home you know” Angel remarked knowingly to the brunette at his side. It had been her idea for him to walk her home, not that he minded in the slightest of course, but the truth was he was tired of playing their game. He felt like he was sliding down to Buffy’s level and dragging it out longer than necessary. But when she had wickedly suggested a stroll home through the graveyard, he couldn’t resist at all.
Cordelia beamed at him, “I know but then we wouldn’t be having this romantic moonlit stroll through the park” she knew it wasn’t a park but that didn’t mean she couldn’t fantasize did it? Curling her hand around his bicep, she gave it squeeze then giggled when Angel trapped her hand between his forearm and bicep. “You really are a showoff aren’t you?” she half teased and sneaked a glance up at him.
He couldn’t help it, she made him feel good about himself and made him think that he was worth something. Every time she looked at him, he could swear blind the lust was genuine unless that was just him wishing it was. They had been playing the revenge gig to the hilt for just over a week now and he was starting to believe it was more than just a game and wanted to know if she did feel for him.
Those few days after Buffy had left, Angel had sworn blue that he would rather burn to death than ever feel for anyone else but within two weeks, he was wishing for it, for Cordelia to give him some clue if it was real for her. It was getting real for him and if this wasn’t real for her, then he wanted it to stop now.
But if it wasn’t, then she would walk away and he’d have no Cordelia, that thought made him sick.
“Makes me sick too, all I’d have to look at is the inside of your tiny mind and that ain’t fun. Think of me for a change will ya? Souls are supposed to be caring little things but mine doesn’t even care about its very own demon. How many other souls can say they have their own demon huh?”
Removing her hand from his bicep, Angel threaded his fingers through hers and sighed with contentment when Cordelia immediately responded to him by clutching back.
“Says the pot” Angel shot back with a knowing glance that had her giving him a shocked look.
“I do not show off thank you!” Cordelia cried out in response, she’d looked around for any sign of Buffy or Xander when he moved to hold her hand. Seeing neither, she relaxed and leaned her head on his arm. She wished this was real between them, but if playing up Xander and Buffy was the only way to be near him then she’d take it. Even if she was over the bitterness about her situation and she had Angel to thank for that.
“You’re gorgeous Cor and you know it” Angel scoffed at her, not realizing he’d just admitted he found her attractive.
“You think I’m gor-geous, you wan-na hug me, you wan-na date me!” Cordelia teased with a big smile, the vibrations of her laughter running through him. Hazel eyes sparkled at him under the moon, reflecting like little crystals and her lips, always clear and glossy, sparkled just as much. The soft light highlighted her skin and contrasted stunningly against the waves of mahogany silk.
She seemed so different now to when he first bumped into her, she was always lively, bright and warm when at first she’d been harsh, almost lifeless with the only joyful thing was getting out of hospital. Angel liked to think he had a part of bring her back but he wasn’t sure he did, it was all her; she’d saved herself and saved him too.
Cordelia looked at Angel as they walked so slowly through the graveyard, the moon was shining off him, making his pallor glow almost mystically and making his cocoa gaze black and bottomless. Lately, he’d had this secret, little smile on his face like he’d done something he shouldn’t and knowing him, probably had. The leather of his jacket hung on his powerful frame perfectly as always and completed his trademark look. She could never imagine how wrong he’d look without that jacket and wondered if he wore it too bed!
“What if I did?” Angel asked haughtily, “Would that be so wrong?”
“Would what be so wrong?” Cordelia asked, she’d missed that because she’d been hard at work staring at him and drooling!
“To, you know, find you gorgeous and, um, wanna date you?” if his heart could beat, he’d be having his very first coronary. As it was, he was forcing himself not to shake in nervousness as he waited to see what she’d say in reply.
“Could I have a more wussy soul? Nope, didn’t think so. For Satan’s sake you thick twat, just fucking give it to her. Xander has nothing on you!”
“So you do think I’m gorgeous and wanna date me?” she returned with a shy smile that created dimples at the corners of her mouth.
“I knew she had dimples first… Fuck off!”
“Stop with the rhetorical questions Cor, they piss me off” Angel stopped walked and moved so he stood in front of her with a seriously questioning look on his face. “Would it be so wrong if I wanted to date you?”
“Angel, we are dating and you can find me gorgeous if you want too. Though I’m kinda glad you do find me gorgeous!” Cordelia responded as she bit her lip nervously before carrying on. “Wasn’t this kind of serious talking that got you into trouble with Buffy?” she asked lightly. “The way I see things Angel, feel free to disagree with me here, but we’re having fun together and we’re more than friends I’d say. So why don’t we take things as they come? That way either of us don’t feel pressured or anything?”
To be honest, Angel felt a little relieved by her words; he didn’t think he could take the stress of another relationship based on angst. But still… “You still didn’t answer my question! Would it be so wrong to wanna date you?!”
“Of course not, it’d be wrong to not wanna date me! Would it be wrong if I wanna date you?” she asked him, vaguely noticing he had locked his hands around the small of her back, fingertips grazing the top of her ass. Her entire body was tingling with the anticipation of both his answer and a bolder touch. She felt like she was on her first date, excited and elated but nervous and shy; she wanted so much just to kiss him but she didn’t dare!
“Of course not, it’d be wrong to not wanna date me!” Angel retaliated quickly, he watched as her nose scrunched up a little as she silently laughed at his response. There was no Xander or Buffy around, this was real; they were real and it wasn’t a dream.
“So this romantic stroll through the park is our first official first date?” Cordelia’s smile wilted as she looked around her ‘park.’
“Um, you do know we’re not in a park don’t you?” he asked in slight concern, maybe she’d hit her head earlier!
“Uhhhh Angellllll…!” she whined, “You had to ruin my fantasy didn’t you? You couldn’t let me drown in Denial for just a little while could… Uh-oh, I hope you’re up for a workout cus we got some company” Cordelia’s eyes zeroed in on three vampires approaching her and Angel, what they wanted was clearly written on their game faces.
They would never have a normal night would they? If it wasn’t Buffy and Xander, it was demons, if it wasn’t demons then it was plain old vampires. Angel sighed in defeat as he looked at her apologetically, “Sorry, I hope this isn’t a prelude of dates to come”
“Don’t apologize Angel, kick ass” Cordelia hissed and stepped away from the upcoming fight, keeping her eyes trained on the other vampires. “I hope you vampires know what you’re doing here, you’ve just ruined his first date and you’re so gonna get it”
Angel shook his head and willing his smile to get off his face, he didn’t want to be grinning like an idiot while fighting, it just wasn’t the done thing!
For Cordelia the whole fight was a bit of a blur, though it was fast but not fast enough that she couldn’t appreciate Angel’s skill. He moved with grace, ease and rhythm; it was easy to see he had trained himself to be like that. It wasn’t just the training, anybody could be trained in martial arts these days but it took talent to be able to pull it off like he did. Though she hated to admit it, Buffy had the same type of talent but that could be put down to her being a Slayer.
Angel was a vampire and she supposed his talent could come from the extras he had at his disposal, but she’d also seen Buffy fight other vampires that didn’t have his talent. Cordelia nibbled on her finger as another smile flickered at her lips, thoughts ran through her head about Angel and what other talents he might have!
The tantalizing scent of female arousal filled the air, causing Angel to become temporarily distracted and he took a punch that sent him stumbling back a little. A little growl pierced the air when he slid into game face and really lost his temper.
Rubbing his jaw, Angel appeared thoughtful as he spoke sarcastically. “Did I ask for a fight? No. All I wanted to do was walk my date home, kiss her goodnight and maybe get invited in for coffee if I’m lucky! But you had ruin that and now you’ve hit me. Do I have piss me off written all over my forehead?”
Cordelia blinked a few times as dust floated around her and Angel was the only vampire near her. When did he stake them exactly? One minute he was shouting at them and then she’d turned dreamy when he said he wanted to kiss her goodnight. Looking at him with a hazy gaze, she nibbled on her fingertip a little more as she took in his game face.
Prominent cheekbones, ridged forehead, yellowish eyes and fangs; why was he attractive like that when other vampires were pretty ugly?
As if to realize he was in vampire guise, Angel made a move to shake it off when her voice stopped him.
“How come you’re cute like that and other vampires are butt ugly?” she asked bluntly, “I didn’t think it was possible for a guy to suit fangs and tigers’ eyes but there ya go”
“I know I’m a good lookin fella sweetheart, and I just knew she likes a little demon in her man. She keeps up that sweet scented way of telling me and she’ll have a little demon in her too!”
“This is cute?” Angel deadpanned and frowned at her, his ridges crinkling up around the corners of his piercing gaze. He raised a hand to touch his nose looking as though he was exploring his face for the first time.
“Yes you dumb shit, you are a vampire. Give Hans Soulio a medal… OW, those are sharp you know?! Stop it, it’s my finger too”
Cordelia laughed when Angel prodded his own fang and cut his finger, now he stood staring at said injury with a look of embarrassment on his face which was quite funny seeing a vampire look stupid! “Aww, did you hurt yourself baby?” she purred and walked over to him with one eye looking to make sure she missed the mud patches in the grass. “Want me to kiss it better?”
With a pout, Angel nodded and held his injured but already healing fingertip out for her to kiss better. Cordelia brought his finger to her glossy, pursed lips and planted a tiny kiss on the end, little sensations made his body throb with anticipation as he thought of what else she could kiss better. She parted her lips, sliding them softly over his finger and curled her tongue around the tip, sweeping over the healing cut.
“Prelude of dates to come my ass, prelude of what’s to come if she does that on my cock!”
Shallow, unnatural breaths made his chest rise and fall as Angel watched Cordelia place one last little kiss on the tip of his finger before grinning up at shyly. “All better now?” her voice husky and light at the same time.
“All better. Lets get you home so I can have my goodnight kiss and coffee!”