Part 6<\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia Chase could make a man nervous just by entering a room. She had recognized this natural talent in her early teens, and, with her mother\u2019s guidance over the last few years, learned to build upon that inherent ability, turning her one weapon, as her mother defined it, into an arsenal of feminine wiles that would force the total surrender of any man. Each item in her armory had been carefully selected and mastered, enabling her to use it with quick and deadly precision as an offensive or defensive tool.<\/p>\n
This morning, with Wesley, the intent had been defensive. He had struck the initial attack by standing her up, triggering her deeply imbedded insecurities. She had worried that his maturity and intelligence would render him impervious to her charms, but her confidence and self assured attitude returned the minute he crumbled in front of the group in the library. One small battle won in a war that her mother explained she would be fighting in for the rest of her life.<\/p>\n
It made her sad and a little empty inside to know that this was the way of the world. That she had to resort to these type of gorilla tactics to win affection and favors. It hurt to know that no one would ever know who she really was, that beyond the weaponry and steal armor lay a soft heart full of emotion and love. Well, it was what she had been taught and in her experiences with men it had been proven to be true time and again. She slowed her pace as she rounded the corner of the school hallway, mentally inventorying her munitions.<\/p>\n
Deciding it would probably take everything she had, she took a deep breath, started with the fake smile, and quickly approached the vampire before he could reach the basement door. \u201cSo, your \u2018future\u2019 Angel,\u201d she said silkily as she slipped her left arm through his right, giving it a gentle caress in the process. \u201cLet\u2019s have a talk, shall we?\u201d she suggested as she opened the door and lead him down the stairs.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Broken from his thoughts of home, Angel stared blankly as the teenage version of the woman he loved lead him down to the basement and into trouble. He hadn\u2019t given her enough credit in L.A.. She was a pretty good actress. If he didn\u2019t know her as well as he did, he might not suspect a thing. She wanted something, that was clear, and Angel was afraid that in his present state he might not be strong enough to refuse. He\u2019d be so happy if the plastic smile and the overt flirtation were real. If they were something meant just for him. He scolded himself as he allowed her to gracefully guide him down the stairs. He should turn around and head straight back to the library. He had had every intention to avoid her as much as he could while he was here, fearing that being near her and protecting her would take precedent over finding a way home.<\/p>\n
Leave, that\u2019s what he should do, but the feel of her hand twined through his arm made the fog of the daydream he was having just moments before dense, floating its way across her young face and turning it into the Cordelia he loved and so desperately missed.<\/p>\n
Angel physically shook his head, forcing the fog to clear. This wasn\u2019t his Cordy walking by his side and he had to remember that. He looked down at her hand as if suddenly realizing what it meant. Now sickened by the plastic smile and fake flirtation, he abruptly freed her hand from his arm as soon as they reached the bottom of the stairs. He couldn\u2019t stomach any Cordelia touching him like that, like he was just another man of many in her life that valued her only for her beauty.<\/p>\n
Cordelia tried not to act startled when Angel, who had seemed to enjoy her flirtation at first, jerked away and crossed the floor to the corner wall. Well, what did she expect? He wasn\u2019t exactly your average male. At least she could cut the act and be herself. \u201cI\u2019ll make this quick because I\u2019m sure you have some self flagellation to be doing and well \u2026 I have a life.\u201d Cordelia checked herself, her nervousness at being alone in a dark space with Angel was causing her bite to come out. She tried to softened her tone and continued, \u201cI just mean \u2026 I want to know\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The bite, the forced calmness, now this was the Cordy he knew. \u201cI\u2019m not going to tell you about your future Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? I wasn\u2019t\u2026Why?\u201d she ended with a little disappointment.<\/p>\n
That was a good question. According to Giles, if and when he returned to his time, no one in Sunnydale would know that things were any different than they had been before. He could tell her but he wouldn\u2019t. He didn\u2019t want her to know that she would be alone, broke, and almost killed when she arrived in L.A.. That the first real friend she had would die and leave her with visions that almost destroyed her. He mentally continued the list of things she had had to face in the last two and a half years, not realizing until now just how much her metamorphosis into the woman she would become had cost her.<\/p>\n
Deciding that he needed to say something to wipe the look of frustration from her face, he opted for a small corner piece of the puzzle. \u201cI can tell you that you survive the ascension and are alive, well, and I\u2019d like to believe even happy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia took a deep breath and sat sideways in an old desk by the wall. \u201cWell, thanks for that at least,\u201d she said as she stared off into deep thought. \u201cI guess I just wanted some kind of assurance that things would get better than they are now. My parents are \u2026 well, its not world-in-peril stuff, but my life kinda sucks at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s still heart broke a little. He knew exactly what she was talking about. \u201cHey,\u201d he started as he took a tentative step toward the depressed young woman. \u201cWhatever it is, you\u2019ll get through it, I promise you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia didn\u2019t know if it was the fact that she had actually begun to admit what was happening in her life, or that Angel seemed genuinely concerned about her, but whatever the cause, she began to softly cry.<\/p>\n
Angel was a goner, he knew that now. Forgetting every rule he had set for himself the moment he saw her walk through the library doors, he kneeled at the side of the desk, in front of Cordelia.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d she apologized as she wiped at the tears falling from her eyes. \u201cI guess I\u2019ve held it in so long that it all came rushing out. I\u2019m fine now,\u201d she finished as her tears slowed and a forced smile appeared. \u201cI really hate this place.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJoin the club,\u201d he replied as he took a seat on the dirty floor next to the desk.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan you at least tell me if I\u2019m rich and famous? Strike that, I don\u2019t think I could bear it if I got the wrong answer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel gave a slight smile as he sat and stared in the same direction as Cordelia. He thought that if he closed his eyes, he could picture himself leaning against his bed at the hotel, having a heart to heart with Cordy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t wait to get out of this town, far away from Slayers and witches and demons, no offense.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNone taken.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI just\u2026 I don\u2019t belong here, I never have. I look at Buffy, Willow, and Xander and I get so jealous. They know why their here, why the world needs them. Buffy\u2019s the Slayer and Xander and Willow are her band of merry demon hunters. They have a place and a purpose. A mission. I tried to be a part of that. I wanted to help, still do, but it just didn\u2019t fit somehow. They see my role as the spoiled little rich girl. I guess I can\u2019t blame them, I play the part so well.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour right.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAbout not belonging.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGee thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI just mean that Xander and Willow define themselves through Buffy, and you don\u2019t seem like the kind of person who needs to live vicariously through others. As for Buffy, she belongs here because this is the hell mouth. It\u2019s where she\u2019s needed. When I first came to Sunnydale, I felt just like you do now, like I had a greater purpose that I wasn\u2019t fulfilling. I tried to make Buffy\u2019s mission my mission too. It didn\u2019t fit either. Instead of being a helpful and welcomed part of her group of friends, I became a dark, shadowy secret that no one really wanted to know. I had to tell my self that I didn\u2019t belong here, I never did. I was meant for bigger things than to be someone\u2019s sidekick and so are you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia looked down at Angel, who now looked up at her. She finally gave him a genuine smile. \u201cThanks.\u201d She began to stand and Angel rose to his feet and helped her from the desk. \u201cBuffy\u2019s really lucky to have had you in her life. It must be nice to know what true love is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel clenched his jaw at the title that everyone but him kept putting on his past relationship. He wished that he could explain how he felt now, that in the future he would find out just what the meaning of that title meant and that she would be the one to teach him. \u201cCordelia, you\u2019ll find that too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh I know. I\u2019m meant to be with someone special, someone who understands the fight between good and evil, a strong, brave, intelligent hero.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s words were music to Angel\u2019s ears, he could be those things, hell he was those things.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can only pray that he makes it there, to my future, safe and sound.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel smiled and touched Cordelia\u2019s shoulder tenderly. \u201cI\u2019ll make sure he does,\u201d he couldn\u2019t help but say.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you\u2019ll watch out for him then?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho?\u201d Angel asked, suddenly confused by the conversation.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuh, Wesley. Who did you think I was talking about?\u201d.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
The blood tasted just as it was supposed to, horrible. It was pigs blood after all. He had been unsure as to why Cordelia had told him about the microwave. He couldn\u2019t imagine that he would heat it. That would make it taste so much better and defeat the purpose of drinking pigs blood in the first place. He wasn\u2019t supposed to enjoy it.<\/p>\n
He began to take another gulp of the cold liquid but quickly pulled the plastic container from his lips when he heard the office door open and close. Cordelia was headed for the kitchen. Panic sat in. He had been so hungry that he had sat right down in the middle of the kitchen to drink, in plain view. She would surely be disgusted by the sight of him slurping blood in the middle of the place where she and the others probably ate some of their own meals. He quickly reached the sink and began pouring the offending liquid down the drain, hoping to finish before he had to see the look of revulsion on Cordelia\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my God!\u201d<\/p>\n
He hadn\u2019t been quick enough. Cordelia entered the kitchen and in an instant was standing directly in front of him with a look of horror marring her beautiful features.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the hell do you think your doing?\u201d she asked in shock, as she grabbed the half empty container from his hand. \u201cThis stuff cost money ya know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI just thought \u2026 I\u2019m sorry, I didn\u2019t want you to have to see me like this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLike what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, feeding,\u201d he answered shamefully.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh,\u201d realization hit Cordelia as she reached for a paper towel on the counter. \u201cAnd you thought you were doing me a favor by pouring the last container of blood down the drain huh?\u201d Cordelia stared into Angel\u2019s eyes as she reached up and slowly wiped a small spot of blood from his lips. \u201cI hadn\u2019t even realized just what it had been like for you in Sunnydale until now, hiding everything about yourself, pretending that you weren\u2019t what you are. It must have been so hard and terribly lonely.\u201d<\/p>\n
Unable to bear the closeness any longer, Angel reached up and removed her hand from his mouth and took a hesitant step back.<\/p>\n
Realizing Angel\u2019s discomfort, Cordelia switched the conversation from loneliness back to blood. \u201cWell, at least you didn\u2019t waste it all. We\u2019ll stop and get more while we\u2019re out tonight,\u201d she said as she picked up the container from the countertop. \u201cGood grief, Angel. It\u2019s cold.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s how I normally drink it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot here you don\u2019t,\u201d Cordelia informed while taking a coffee mug from the shelf and filling it with what was left in the container. \u201cThis is YOUR home Angel,\u201d she explained as the microwave hummed. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to hide or pretend here. We all know who you are and we\u2019re here because of it, not in spite of it. Now, drink this up. Wesley needs some help trying to find out just why you\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe hasn\u2019t had any luck yet?\u201d he asked as he stiffly drank the warmed blood, immediately noticing how much better it tasted.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, he\u2019s only been at it a few hours. Give him some time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel could feel the tension coming off of Cordelia in waves. She had tried to give him another reassuring smile, but he could tell she was becoming afraid and unsure.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cThe good news is that I have found a way to reverse the spell,\u201d Giles announced to the occupants of the library.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd the bad news?\u201d Wesley asked from his seat next to Cordelia.<\/p>\n
\u201cAh yes, the bad news. Well, it seems that one of the ingredients needed for the counter spell is mythoclonan, it will take three days before I can get any. That puts us at graduation. I\u2019m sorry Angel, but I must ask for your continued help until I\u2019m able to do the spell.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel answered with a silent nod. He had to get out of this library. For the last half hour he had been tortured at the sight of Cordelia staring lovingly at Wesley while they sat next to each other. His conversation with her in the basement had been wonderful until he was reminded that at one time in her life she had had a flirtatious fling with Wesley. His good friend. His good friend who was still with her in the future. Angel had to get back home.<\/p>\n
He looked across the room to the table where Willow, Oz, and Xander sat, eating pizza and chicken wings while researching what they could find on the Mayor\u2019s ascension. He could be thankful at least that Buffy, already hearing the news, had been sent on an errand. At least he had been spared the feel of her eyes on him, while he watched Cordelia watch Wesley. He eyed her as she crossed the room and took a piece of pizza from the box in front of Xander. \u201cAren\u2019t you hungry?\u201d she asked Angel when she passed him to return to her seat. The question caught him off guard. \u201cI mean, I\u2019m not offering or anything, but don\u2019t you need to drink something?\u201d The room was silent as all eyes turned to the vampire, waiting on his response.<\/p>\n
\u201cYuck! I\u2019m trying to eat here Cordelia,\u201d came Xander\u2019s interruption as chicken and hot sauce dripped from his mouth.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, and a little red liquid in a cup is so much more disgusting than that greasy piece of chicken carcass dangling from your mouth,\u201d Cordelia replied as she took her seat next to Wesley.<\/p>\n
Angel stood and followed Giles as he walked into his office. He needed something to keep him busy. He didn\u2019t care how difficult or mundane the task, anything would be better than being the butt of Xander\u2019s dim wit or watching Cordelia\u2019s crush unfold. \u201cIs there anything for me to do now?\u201d he asked Giles as he closed the library door.<\/p>\n
\u201cActually there is. I sent Buffy to retrieve some vital information from the apartment of a professor we believe to have been murdered by Faith. I would feel much better if someone were there with her, in case Faith decided to return.\u201d<\/p>\n
Okay, anything but that.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel senses were on high alert as he walked out of the apartment with Buffy. He really didn\u2019t want to go through this again, but what choice did he have? If he weren\u2019t shot with the poisoned arrow then Buffy would never go after Faith and she may have tipped the scales in the battle with the Mayor. He scanned the area, waiting for the inevitable.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, you didn\u2019t have to come here. I don\u2019t even know why you bothered.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGiles was worried about you. He wanted to make sure that someone watched your back in case Faith showed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I can handle myself. I don\u2019t need you here.\u201d<\/p>\n
That was his cue. \u201cFine, you want me gone, I\u2019m gone.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
The fight had been easy and Cordelia was amazing. He was a little disappointed that he had only been able to kill one vamp, but he enjoyed watching the others all work as a team. Every move that each member of the group made was unique to them, they each had their own style. Fred, he noticed, liked gadgets, opting to test a new and smaller crossbow she had made herself. Gunn went more for the savage kill, using his axe with great expertise he had taken out two vamps himself. Wesley\u2019s style was that of a practiced swordsman, sparring with his opponent before delivering the final blow. Finally, Cordelia\u2019s moves he knew all too well, they were his. He could only guess that he had been the one to teach her to fight and the thought of that for some reason filled him with pride.<\/p>\n
They had stopped on the way back to the hotel just as Cordelia had said they would. She had marched right into the butcher shop herself and bought his blood for him. He looked at her pick it up as they left the car and entered the lobby as if it were just another bag of groceries. How had he gotten so lucky in the last two and half years? He had friends, a family, and most of all Cordelia. He hoped that even if Wesley did find a way to send him back, that he could remember this, know that a short ways down the line it was waiting for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to go check on Lorne and Connor,\u201d Cordelia announced as she headed up the stairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWait,\u201d Angel called, making her pause a few steps up the staircase. \u201cI\u2019ll go with you,\u201d he said as he quickly reached her side.<\/p>\n
Cordelia smiled a smile even more beautiful than any of the others he had seen today. \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d he said, returning the smile with one of his own.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia pulled the keys from the ignition of her car and stepped out onto the curb. She had felt terrible about her question in the library. It had obviously upset Angel, making him leave without a word. She had been trying to be nice, to make sure that he was taking care of himself. That\u2019s what friends do, right? Well, she was bound and determined to apologize. Angel had been so nice to her earlier that day, that she couldn\u2019t bear the thought of him roaming the town alone and angry with her.<\/p>\n
It was easy really. She had just popped her head into Giles\u2019 office, found out that Angel had gone to help Buffy carry some boxes from some old apartment and she was off, explaining to Wesley that she had a headache and was going home. None of the others even cared that she had gone. Not that she had really expected them to. Well, she would go and help, whether Buffy liked it or not, and ease her mind that her earlier comments hadn\u2019t hurt or embarrassed Angel.<\/p>\n
Cordelia spotted the couple leaving a building across the street. Oh great. By the looks of it they were having an argument. Did those two do anything but argue?<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel stiffened his body. He knew it was coming. He\u2019d dropped the box and any second now the arrow would pierce his chest from behind, dangerously close to his heart. A tap to his back startled him and made him turn.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, I came to make sure\u2026\u201d was all Cordelia managed to say before the arrow struck her through the shoulder. \u201cAngel?\u201d she whispered, as she fell into Angel\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia stopped halfway up the staircase, her smile fading quickly from her lips. She turned and faced her future best friend. \u201cAngel?\u201d she whispered, as she collapsed forward, into his arms.<\/p>\n
Part 7<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cMissed the vamp,\u201d Faith\u2019s demon companion smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn,\u201d she replied disappointedly. \u201cOh well,\u201d she reassured herself. \u201cI might of missed lover boy, but I still got one of\u2019em. It\u2019ll keep her busy for a while. B\u2019s got a soft spot for the weaker class.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cShe needs a doctor Angel,\u201d Buffy called as she tried to keep up with the tall vampire.<\/p>\n
Angel, deaf to Buffy\u2019s continuing protests, burst through the library doors with an unconscious Cordelia in his arms. \u201cGiles!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood Lord, Good Heavens,\u201d the two watchers said in perfect synch while rushing from the library office.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened?\u201d the elder watcher asked as he knelt beside the carpeted steps where Angel now sat, supporting Cordelia\u2019s head as he leaned her back.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was hit in the shoulder, with this,\u201d he answered, handing Giles the arrow.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe wound does seem rather severe. When did she lose consciousness?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight after it struck. I got her here as fast as I could.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy stepped forward, \u201cWe need to get her to the hospital Giles.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cQuite right,\u201d Wesley finally chimed in. \u201cI\u2019ll get my keys.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Angel growled, forcing Wesley to an abrupt stop.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, I know your more experienced with the accelerated healing of your and Buffy\u2019s injuries, but Cordelia will need a doctor,\u201d Giles explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cPoor girl, she must have passed out from shock,\u201d Wesley commented, coming closer to Cordelia\u2019s body with an outstretched hand.<\/p>\n
Angel stood, blocking Wesley\u2019s path, giving a deadly stare that made Wesley retreat a step. Turning to Giles, he explained, \u201cIt\u2019s not the wound that we need to worry about. Faith poisoned the arrow. It was meant for me.\u201d Angel\u2019s face fell as he sat back down, hovering protectively over Cordelia\u2019s lean frame.<\/p>\n
\u201cFaith? How do you know\u2026\u201d Buffy began but stopped when Angel looked up.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is your past,\u201d Giles reasoned. \u201cYou left knowing you would be wounded.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you weren\u2019t,\u201d Wesley said suspiciously.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is all my fault,\u201d Angel whispered, brushing a strand of hair from Cordelia\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
Buffy\u2019s stomach twisted at the sight of Angel\u2019s action and a voice in the back of her mind murmured something she couldn\u2019t quite hear. \u201cIt\u2019s not your fault Angel,\u201d Buffy assured lovingly. \u201cYou couldn\u2019t have known that Cordelia would show up there tonight. You\u2019re not responsible for it,\u201d \u2018or her\u2019 her jealous brain added. She couldn\u2019t help herself. She knew that Angel was upset that an innocent, well, that Cordelia was injured in his place, but he was going a little overboard.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll need to get her somewhere safe while I test the arrow,\u201d Giles stood, his mind beginning to work on the problem at hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe can stay at my apartment. Her parents are out-of-town for a few days,\u201d Wesley\u2019s face blushed slightly at the looks he received for knowing such personal information.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m taking her to the mansion,\u201d Angel declared, giving Wesley another lethal glare, daring him to argue. \u201cDon\u2019t waste time testing the arrow,\u201d he turned to Giles. \u201cIt\u2019s called Killer of the Dead. It\u2019s a mystical poison that can kill a vampire.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou say that this happened in your past, yet you live,\u201d Wesley said acidly, his pride hurt by his own cowardly attitude toward the vampire. \u201cObviously there is a cure,\u201d he deduced.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d Giles prompted.<\/p>\n
Angel looked up at Buffy, afraid to admit aloud just how he had survived. \u201cThe cure for her couldn\u2019t possibly be the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles removed his glasses and stared sternly at Angel, afraid to hear the answer for the question he needed to ask. \u201cAngel, the cure. What was it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel looked between the three figures before him, settling his gaze on Buffy. \u201cThe only way a vampire can survive the poison \u2026 is by draining the blood of a Slayer.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you say that she just collapsed suddenly?\u201d Wesley questioned.<\/p>\n
Angel looked down at Cordelia, who lay on the bed they had woken in together that morning. \u201cWe were going upstairs, to check on the baby. She was fine and then \u2026\u201d He stared at her eyes, as if he could will them to open. \u201cA vision.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy had a vision?\u201d Gunn asked, stepping up beside Wesley.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe didn\u2019t exactly say she had one, but this morning the one she had made her float and glow. Maybe they can knock her out too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Fred explained. \u201cThe visions don\u2019t really work that way. Unless you count the time Wolfram and Hart put that spell on her, or when she left her body because they were killing her and she had to make that decision that we\u2019re not supposed to talk about cause it makes her mad if we do. But those weren\u2019t really vision visions, unless this isn\u2019t a vision vision and somebody\u2019s messing around in her brain again. Lorne?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s still in there sweet pea. I can tell that from here, but her aura\u2019s telling me that there\u2019s definitely something mystical afoot.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry Angel. Cordelia will be fine,\u201d Wesley assured, almost forgetting that this wasn\u2019t the Angel who had been tortured by watching her suffer before. \u201cLorne will get in touch with his contacts and the rest of us will research everything we can get our hands on. I\u2019ll find out who or what is causing this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel felt a furious rage take him over. This wasn\u2019t fair. It was like reading the end of a book before you even knew the plot. He felt that she was the reason he was here, with a mission, a family, a purpose. She must have been the one who made all of those things possible, connected him somehow. Yet, he didn\u2019t know how he had gotten to this point. Worse still, there was a version of himself that did know. A version that had lived through every joy and pain with this woman for the past two and a half years. He envied that version of himself. If Wesley couldn\u2019t figure out how to get him back, the lucky bastard might get to experience it all over again while he would never know one moment of it.<\/p>\n
He couldn\u2019t let her die. He wouldn\u2019t say goodbye to something he had been cheated out of having at all. His rage burned and singed the closest person in the room. \u201cYou\u2019ll find out what\u2019s wrong and you\u2019ll fix it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLike you\u2019ve fixed my problem.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me?\u201d Wesley asked with astonishment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, you\u2019ve been researching all day. What have you found?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, I realize that this has been a traumatic experience for you, but it\u2019s only been one day, if even that. There is only so much we can do in that small amount of time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about Cordelia, do you care how much time that might take?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI care more about that young woman laying there than you do,\u201d was Wesley\u2019s soft but forceful reply.<\/p>\n
\u201cKids, lets not loose our heads here,\u201d Lorne stepped close to the two men. \u201cAngelcakes, Wesley here is doing all he can to help you. We all are. It\u2019s not his fault that we can\u2019t find anything. I even checked with the more magical side of town and they aren\u2019t even having any luck. It\u2019s like it didn\u2019t even happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe it didn\u2019t.\u201d Everyone in the room looked at Fred, dreading another ramble.<\/p>\n
\u201cSugarplum, I hate to tell you, but something had to, to get him here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know. I just mean, he\u2019s here and the other Angel, our Angel is probably there and we think that he\u2019s here because someone cast a spell or something on our Angel because he\u2019s there, but what if he\u2019s there because he\u2019s here and that something was done to him there making him come here and him go there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Everyone in the room stared at Fred in silence, surprisingly understanding every word of her babbled genius and fearing what it all might mean. Wesley spoke first. \u201cAnd if it originated in the past, it must be fixed there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we go and fix it,\u201d Angel commanded.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not that simple Angel. Time travel, although obviously possible, is extremely volatile. Although time has ways of trying to right itself, such as replacing one of you where the other was missing, there could be dangers if key events were inadvertently altered in ways that could not be repaired. Our best bet, if this is indeed what has happened, is to hope that Angel, the one from this time, is able to find the cause and solution to what has happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel?\u201d came the weak voice from the bed.<\/p>\n
In an instant he was by her side. \u201cI\u2019m here Cordelia.\u201d He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. \u201cShe\u2019s burning up,\u201d he said to the room.<\/p>\n
Wesley approached the bed and felt Cordelia\u2019s head. \u201cShe has a fever, an extremely high one. Fred, would you find the first aide kit. There should be medicine inside. Also, bring a bowl of ice water and a small towel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel?\u201d Cordelia called again. This time trying desperately to focus her eyes in on the form hovering over her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m right here Cordelia.\u201d Angel gently lifted her hand in his. \u201cI\u2019m holding your hand.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a dream that you left. That you woke up this morning and forgot about all of us. You went back to Sunnydale and left us alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel knew that she was delirious, confusing him for the Angel she knew. He humored her, and himself a bit, \u201cI\u2019m here. It was just a bad dream. I\u2019m not leaving you. I promise.\u201d Part of him meant it.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel wiped the sweat from Cordelia\u2019s brow with the cold cloth. He had seen her future self like this too many times, all because of him. Now, her past wasn\u2019t even safe from the pain she would have to endure on his behalf. He was thankful that at least they were alone now, that he could take care of her without any interference from the others. Wesley, after lingering way too long, had finally left him alone with her, deciding that he could be of more help by contacting the Counsel for any answers they might have. Giles had stayed at the library to study all of the information he could find on the poison and Buffy had gone to tell the others what had happened, hoping they could help in the research.<\/p>\n
Angel touched Cordelia\u2019s head, cooling it with his icy hands. \u201cDon\u2019t do this to me Cordy. Don\u2019t make me sit here and watch my future die. Please.\u201d Leaning down closer to her, he began to whisper, \u201cI\u2019m gonna fix this. I promise,\u201c he vowed as he took her limp hand in his. \u201cYou gotta get through this so you can find that place your looking for, the one where you belong. Home. I did,\u201c he looked at her hand in his. \u201cNot here in Sunnydale, or even L.A. for that matter. I found it when I found you. When you let me in your life, you showed me home. It\u2019s with you. The you that you become. I know now that as long as I have you and Connor in my life, I belong, no matter where I am. Don\u2019t take that away from me. Don\u2019t let me go back knowing that your not there waiting. I can\u2019t. I won\u2019t. I love you too much Cordy,\u201d he confessed and gave her hand a tender kiss.<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley?\u201d came Cordelia\u2019s raspy voice.<\/p>\n
Angel swallowed down his hurt, \u201cNo, it\u2019s me, Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel? What happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou walked in front of an arrow meant for me. It struck you through the shoulder,\u201d he glanced at the toxic wound. \u201cYou\u2019re going to be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt hurts,\u201d she said, her eyes tearing. \u201cI feel like I\u2019m burning from the inside out.\u201d<\/p>\n
He remembered the pain all too well. \u201cI know, I\u2019m so sorry. Wesley and Giles have gone to get something to make it all better.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re sorry?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the library, I made you uncomfortable when I started worrying about you out loud. I shouldn\u2019t have embarrassed you like that. That\u2019s what I was coming to tell you. Usually I don\u2019t really care if I make people self-conscious, kind of made an art of it. But for some reason I couldn\u2019t stand knowing that I might have hurt you or made you mad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel gave her a slight smile, and touched her cheek with the back of his hand. \u201cHow could I be mad at the only person who has ever worried about diet?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEh-hem,\u201d came Giles\u2019 voice from the doorway.<\/p>\n
Angel turned to the three grim faces. Buffy, Giles, and Wesley had news and from the looks of them it wasn\u2019t good.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, we need to speak,\u201d Giles said, turning to walk out of the room.<\/p>\n
Angel stood and began to follow as Wesley entered the room and walked toward Cordelia.<\/p>\n
Wesley looked down at the beautiful girl who had slipped back into unconsciousness. At least now he would get a chance to be by her side. Angel couldn\u2019t kill him if he was in the other room. Right?<\/p>\n
Angel looked back at Wesley taking his place at Cordelia\u2019s side. \u201cI\u2019m coming right back,\u201d he warned the young watcher.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did you find?\u201d Angel asked immediately on entering the room.<\/p>\n
Buffy and Giles shared a look before Giles began to explain. \u201cWell, you were right about the process of curing her. It isn\u2019t the same as it is for a vampire. It involves a complicated and somewhat painful ritual to be performed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we perform the ritual. Problem solved.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not that simple. I said the process of curing her is different, the ingredient, unfortunately, is still the same. A copious amount of Slayer\u2019s blood is needed for the ritual to work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel looked toward Buffy, thinking thoughts that he knew would surely damn his soul all over again.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s more,\u201d Giles continued, \u201cThe books say that the ritual can only be performed by \u2018a love, pure and true\u2019. I can only assume that it means true love, that Cordelia can only be healed if her \u2018true love\u2019 performs the ritual.\u201d Giles rubbed the back of his neck in fatigue and frustration. \u201cThis is impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, it\u2019s not,\u201d Angel answered, his mind set.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel even if we could find a person who loved Cordelia in such a way, we have to have the blood for it to work.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe person won\u2019t be a problem. You get the ritual ready and let me worry about the blood,\u201d Angel directed as he headed for the door.<\/p>\n
Buffy, who\u2019s mind had been quietly concentrating on trying to figure out the scene they had interrupted, grabbed Angel\u2019s arm and forced him to turn around. She couldn\u2019t believe what he must be thinking. \u201cAngel, I won\u2019t let you murder Faith. Cordelia may be dying, but it isn\u2019t our place to trade one life for another. I can\u2019t believe you would be willing to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen it was me laying in there you were.\u201d Angel jerked his arm from Buffy\u2018s strong grip. He tried to calm himself. He needed Buffy to let him do this. \u201cI won\u2019t kill her, I promise. Please trust me. You don\u2019t know how much I hate to do this, but you don\u2019t understand how important\u2026\u201d he caught himself before he finished.<\/p>\n
The murmur that Buffy had been so desperately trying to hear earlier, the one that was whispering some type of truth to her, began to get louder and a little more clear. Angel turned to go, and she let him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to stop him. He can\u2019t be allowed to murder a human being, even if it is Faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLet him go. He was right,\u201d she said sadly. \u201cIf he was the one laying in there in pain and dying, I\u2019d trade Faith\u2019s life for his in a heartbeat. I love Angel so much that I would be willing to do the unthinkable.\u201d Buffy looked through the doorway at Cordelia and Wesley. She wondered if Wesley\u2019s heart would be ripped out like hers when Angel performed the ritual.<\/p>\n