Part 12<\/b><\/p>\n
She could see him. He was far away and veiled in a misty fog, but it was him. His tall dark frame silhouetted in the moonlight. She wanted to go to him but couldn\u2019t move. She called his name, \u201cAngel?\u201d He didn\u2019t answer but began to move slowly toward her. \u201cAngel?\u201d she called again. His face became clearer, his features more defined as he walked through the fog. He looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. \u201cCordelia?\u201d he called, but it wasn\u2019t his voice. Suddenly his broad shape shifted, morphed into a smaller one. \u201cCordelia?\u201d the voice called again. A dread filled Cordelia\u2019s heart, \u201cWesley?\u201d she asked. Her dream turned black and Wesley\u2019s voice was the only thing now that filled her mind. \u201cCordelia,\u201d his voice called once more, now more insistent than before. Cordelia\u2019s eyes slowly opened and the cramp in her neck began to ache.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood lord Cordelia. Have you been here all night?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou mean its morning again?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen did you arrive?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI came by yesterday morning, right after you dropped me off. I \u2026 I just needed some answers, about the poison \u2026 and the cure,\u201d she answered, now blushing at her situation as she looked at the disheveled office around her. \u201cWhat time is it?\u201d she stretched.<\/p>\n
\u201c6:30. We were all going to meet here. Today is the high school graduation and we need to prepare. I must be the first to arrive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia stretched one last time and forced her fuzzy mind to clear. She turned in Giles\u2019 swivel chair and looked at Wesley standing beside the desk, studying his gentle eyes and questioning brow. Angel had been right. If she didn\u2019t talk to Wesley now, make him understand her true feelings for him, things could get confusing and a little weird. She didn\u2019t want that. Wesley was her friend, someone she could trust. \u201cSo, we\u2019re alone then?\u201d she asked in a soft voice.<\/p>\n
Wesley\u2019s heart began to race. He had thought that his second attempt could wait until after the battle. He\u2019d hoped that, if they all survived, he and Cordelia could start things fresh. They\u2019d been bombarded with poison, spells, slayers, near death, not to mention vampires\u2026a vampire. He was sure that if he could get her away from all of that, just for a moment, that things might turn out differently than the kiss had. He had been scared, she had been sick, that\u2019s why it had felt so wrong, so platonic. Yes, that was it. Now, he found himself alone with her. He had come in early to study more on the possible side effects of the spell and more importantly, to prove his point that it had only taken Angel\u2019s love to cure her. It didn\u2019t have to be reciprocated\u2026 he hoped. Now he was here with her, alone, and happy about it. \u201cYes, the others won\u2019t be here for a while yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood,\u201d she breathed in deeply. She stood and lead Wesley by the hand to the library outside, sitting down on one of the lounging sofas. Wesley sat beside her and patiently waited to make his move. \u201cYesterday morning I was confused,\u201d she began. \u201cI had been poisoned, near death, and woke up to an \u2026 awkward situation. Things are just \u2026 confusing for me right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s perfectly alright Cordelia. I was a little out of sorts myself,\u201d he reassured. \u201cI don\u2019t believe that either of us knew exactly what we were doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia smiled. Wesley was going to make this easier for her. He really was a good friend. \u201cI\u2019m glad you see things the same way I do. You know I am all for the hocus pocus stuff when it\u2019s saving my life, but choosing my destiny for me is another thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The smile of anticipation that had been slowly forming on Wesley\u2019s face began to fade away. He looked back to the office, remembering the study session he had had with Giles and Buffy. She\u2019d come for answers and found them. His lie suddenly crept into his mind. \u201cYour destiny?\u201d he tried to ask with innocence.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t pretend like you don\u2019t know. I saw the tablet you used to translate the text on. Plus I had a little talk with Angel,\u201d she finished a little disheartened.<\/p>\n
Oh God. Angel had told her the truth. But if she knew, why was she being so nice about it? Wesley shifted uncomfortably, \u201cCordelia, I\u2019m sorry. I shouldn\u2019t have kept the truth from you.\u201d Wesley paused, he should have never lied. \u201cI came back early to the mansion, after you were cured. I saw you and Angel, when you first awoke,\u201d he emphasized, hoping she understood his meaning.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy awkward situation?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIndeed. Knowing the implications of the spell, I acted \u2026 protectively of course. I guess I was afraid that if you knew about the \u2018true love\u2019 clause that some part of you might think that you were forced to follow it, no matter what your true feelings. I suppose I didn\u2019t tell you about it because I didn\u2019t want it to be true.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou didn\u2019t? I mean, you don\u2019t think that the two of us\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course not. Why should I ever want something like that to happen?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank God,\u201d she sighed. \u201cBut we\u2019re still friends, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
This question seemed out of place. \u201cFriends?\u201d he asked, wondering why she would ask him if she and Angel had a friendship.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, yeah. I mean you and I may not be soul mates or destined loves or anything, but we\u2019re still gonna be friends. Right?\u201d she beamed.<\/p>\n
Wesley felt sick. She didn\u2019t know. Not everything anyway. He had told her that he was responsible for her recovery and, believing that, she had read the translated passage thinking it pertained to the two of them. She\u2019d mistakenly thought that she was destined to be with him, spending the last twenty-four hours believing it and hoping it wasn\u2019t true. Wesley\u2019s heart sank, disappointment consumed him. He was such a fool. He\u2019d come here looking for proof that she could love him and she had come here looking for proof that she didn\u2019t. He couldn\u2019t let this go on, he had to let her know the truth. \u201cCordelia, I \u2026.\u201d he paused, unsure how to set things right.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is it?\u201d she smiled light heartedly now and leaned in closer as if urging him to continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s something I want to tell you, something I must tell you.\u201d Wesley paused again, questioning himself mentally, debating the direct \u2018 I lied\u2019 approach over the long, drawn out explanation of ego versus fear.<\/p>\n
Cordelia tried to keep the smile on her face, her patience wearing thin and her muscles aching from a night spent sleeping in Giles\u2019 office. She wanted to go home, crawl in bed and sleep for days. Hurry up Wesley. She smiled a little tighter, \u201cWesley, it\u2019s okay, just say it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The direct approach it would be. \u201cCordelia, I l\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel had gotten some sleep. Although, he wondered to himself if the full twenty-eight minutes that he\u2019d managed to drift off into fitful slumber would sustain him through the battle. He remembered the fight, it wasn\u2019t easy. The mayor had recruited just about every demon in town to help him and even without Faith it had been a struggle to defeat him the first time.<\/p>\n
He rounded the corner of the school hallway, sticking close to the wall to avoid the few morning rays that broke through the windows. His mind drifted back to the thought that had made his small nap anything but restful. Cordelia. Cordelia and Wesley. He would not get angry. Wesley wasn\u2019t taking something that was his, because she never belonged to him in the first place. So what if they were in love with each other. It wasn\u2019t his business that Cordelia preferred a tweed covered coward over him. Alright, that was a little harsh. Wesley was a friend and over all a good man. He should be happy that two friends had found their soul mate, their destiny. That was a good thing. It was good that he had convinced her to go and talk to Wesley. Yeah, that was real good. They were probably together right now in some intimate setting, confessing their innermost feelings for each other. Well, at least he wouldn\u2019t have to witness that precious moment. Trying to keep focused on the mission and get home, Angel pushed the wants of his heart and soul to the side as he approached the library doors.<\/p>\n
His sense of smell kicked in just before his hearing. He stood frozen, his hand on the swinging door, listening to the moment he was so sure he\u2019d never have to hear.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
What a stammering idiot.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s something I want to tell you, something I must tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Go ahead. Say it. Just. One. More. Word. So I can rip your head from your shoulders.<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley, its okay, just say it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yes Wesley, just say it.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, I l..\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia and Wesley both jumped at the sound of cracking wood as both library doors swung violently against the adjacent walls. \u201cPlease, don\u2019t let me interrupt,\u201d Angel\u2019s voice sounded almost silent and definitely deadly. His frightening gaze left them as he crossed the room to the weapons cage, chanting a mantra in his mind. IwillnotkillWesley. IwillnotkillWesley.<\/p>\n
Cordelia watched Angel as he crossed the room. Closing her eyes and with a deep sigh of frustration she turned back to Wesley before opening them again. \u201cCan we talk about this later?\u201d she all but begged.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, what went on between you and Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought you saw it. You said you were there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d he continued in a whisper. \u201cYesterday, you said you spoke with him. What did he say to you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia let out a deep breath, closed her eyes and buried her face in her hands. \u201cWesley, I\u2019m tired. I\u2019m too tired to figure out what you\u2019re trying to tell me, I\u2019m too tired to figure out what\u2019s going on in this screwed up head of mine, and I\u2019m certainly too tired to figure out just what has made \u2018Mr. Sunshine\u2019 over there so mad. He\u2019s crazy. You do know that, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley couldn\u2019t believe what he was about to say. He didn\u2019t trust Angel. Why should he? But for some reason it seemed right, the answer to all of this confusion. \u201cOf course we can discuss this later. I have to return to my apartment. I seem to have forgotten a book that Mr. Giles insisted I bring. He also rang me this morning and told me that he now has the ingredient for the spell to send Angel back to his time. Would you be so kind as to tell him for me before you leave?\u201d Without waiting for an answer from Cordelia Wesley stood and left the library.<\/p>\n
\u201cFantastic,\u201d Cordelia complained as she stood and stomped over to the opened cage. Angel, his back facing the opening, continued to select his weapons. \u201cAhem,\u201d she tried. \u201cWesley said that Giles has the ingredient for your little spell.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel continued his task, acting as if she wasn\u2019t there.<\/p>\n
This was new. Cordelia Chase was not used to being ignored. She readied for a biting remark, something that would really strike him where it hurts. Nothing came to mind. What should have made her mad and defensive only made her curious, and a little sad. Angel was going back. Going home. That, for some strange and unexplained reason, made her sad. She couldn\u2019t understand it and she couldn\u2019t understand why he was ignoring her. Just yesterday he had said they were friends, that he\u2019d always be her friend, no matter what. But, didn\u2019t that mean she had to be a friend too? She thought about the tone of voice she had just used and the way she had stomped to the cage. \u201cGiles told us all, right after he found the spell, that time should set itself right. None of us will remember that any of this ever happened, except for you of course,\u201d she said with genuine concern.<\/p>\n
Angel continued his actions but spoke, \u201cIt\u2019s probably for the best,\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n
\u201cUs forgetting you, or you remembering us?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth actually.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess it\u2019s good and bad. For one thing, I\u2019ll forget all about being poisoned. That\u2019s a good thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel placed the hand axe on the shelf and stood motionless, unable to turn and face her. He was glad that memory would be taken from her. She would have too many as it was. \u201cIt would be good to forget that,\u201d he answered, wishing it could be wiped from his memory also.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it also means I won\u2019t remember waking up in the mansion,\u201d she said as if she were talking only to herself.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOr the kiss,\u201d she finished, dreamily reflecting on that strange but passionate moment.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s cooled temper flared again as he picked up the hand axe and flung it into his bag. He turned finally, facing her with a sarcastic look, \u201cWell I\u2019d think you\u2019d be happy about that too. I mean, it was so horrible,\u201d he said, grabbing his bag and pushing past her.<\/p>\n
Cordelia knew she had made a mistake even bringing it up. He had made his feelings for her quite clear the night before. She tried to fight back astonishment and tears at his insult. \u201cHorrible?\u201d she asked following him into the library.<\/p>\n
Angel turned quickly, nearly bumping into her. \u201cYou know that kiss was not one of my best. I mean, I watched you almost die right in front of my eyes. After Giles and Wesley found out how to cure you, I had to go and get Faith\u2019s \u2026 information that I needed. It was almost morning by the time I got back and performed the ritual and it was pretty damn painful for me too. I was exhausted and a little delirious so it\u2019s really not fair for you to \u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou cured me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d he answered, frustrated at her interruption.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou. You cured me? You performed the ritual?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought we covered this last night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, last night I said \u2026 what did I say last night?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLast night you said you could never love the man who cured you,\u201d Angel reminded her of her painful words.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight. Wesley.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. Me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. Wesley,\u201d she said very slowly.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut Wesley didn\u2019t cure you,\u201d Angel placed his bag on the floor, a flicker of hope flashed through his body as he watched Cordelia struggle to piece together the truth.<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s mind worked on the puzzling events of the last couple of days. Wesley never said he performed the spell. Of course, he never said he didn\u2019t. Cordelia looked at Angel and walked to the sofa she and Wesley had just shared. She sat and began to talk to herself. \u201cThat must have been what he was trying to tell me,\u201d she reasoned.<\/p>\n
Angel walked over and took a seat next to her. \u201cWho was trying to tell you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley, we were sitting here and he was trying to say something and then you came in and scared the crap out of us. After I told him how I felt about him he must have known that I thought the ritual was performed by him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it wasn\u2019t,\u201d he wanted to make that point clear.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell duh, I know that now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you have feelings for him anyway, don\u2019t you,\u201d Angel prepared himself for the blow.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s my friend.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFriend?\u201d he tested the word again, wanting her reassurance.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. Friend,\u201d she emphasized.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you\u2019re not in love with him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. Definitely not,\u201d she stated with surety. \u201cI\u2019m so embarrassed. He must have known how confused I was about all of this when I rambled on about the two of us never being \u2018true loves\u2019 or \u2018destined\u2019 to be together. That must be why he sent me in there to tell you about Giles and the ingredient. He must have thought I would figure it out after talking to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley told you to come talk to me?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia nodded her head.<\/p>\n
Wesley was a good man.<\/p>\n
Suddenly the words \u2018true love\u2019 and \u2018destiny\u2019 began to swim around in Cordelia\u2019s head again. Angel had saved her. He had cured her. Angel. Her true love? Her \u2026 destiny? \u201cSo, you\u2019re the one who fit the part huh? My \u2026\u201d she couldn\u2019t say it. Not out loud.<\/p>\n
Angel reminded himself that Cordelia would not remember anything he was about to say. \u201cThat only defines me Cordelia. My feelings for you, or you two and a half years in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, in the future you and me,\u201d she waved her hand between the two of them.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, not exactly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d Of course not.<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t actually gotten around to telling you yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell what the hell are you waiting for?\u201d she whined.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know. I guess I\u2019m scared you won\u2019t feel the same. We become such good friends, best friends. If I tell you and you don\u2019t feel the same way, it might ruin that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell can\u2019t you tell if I feel the same way or not? Haven\u2019t I given off any signs or anything? Have we even kissed?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel gave her a hard look.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean in the future dumbass,\u201d her voice began to rise.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, but if your definition of our kiss the other night is any indication of how you feel in the future, I can safely say that that is not a good sign,\u201d his tone rose to match hers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat definition?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, horrible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia wanted to laugh. He thought that she thought their kiss had been horrible. It was almost funny. She gave him a small smile and her voice softened, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t horrible Angel. It was \u2026 breathtaking.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBreathtaking huh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d she smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you kept talking about the kiss, how horrible it was.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, it was. The drool and the grabby hands. Wesley and I were definitely not meant for each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley kissed you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shook her head as if nothing was wrong.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter you left the mansion?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d she said, wondering why Angel was acting like it was such a big deal. She had said it was horrible.<\/p>\n
Angel tried to suppress the mantra that had plagued him earlier by reminding himself that Wesley was a good man. A good. Dead. Man.<\/p>\n
Part 13<\/b><\/p>\n
The battle had been fierce, but remarkably it had progressed and ended much like it had the first time. Angel stood amid the ambulances and fire trucks, listening to the authorities and their blind excuses for why the catastrophe had happened. He placed his hand over his coat pocket, double checking for the ingredient and incantation needed to send him back home. He was ready, or so he thought. He looked around the chaotic scene, trying to catch one more glimpse of Cordelia. He didn\u2019t really understand why, he knew she was safe. He\u2019d seen her right after the explosion. It was time to go. So what was he waiting for?<\/p>\n
Angel scanned the crowd, his eyes settling on the figure that stood at the opposite end of the parking lot. Buffy. She looked back at him, mirroring his still, calm stare. A few days ago he had hated her for what she had done. Now, standing here amid all of this destruction, she looked so young, almost childlike. A revelation finally came to him. She was never like a child, she was a child. What was it her mother had told him? That she was a young girl in love that couldn\u2019t see past tomorrow when it came to him. He had always known that leaving her had been the best thing for him, but he had often wondered if it had been the best thing for her.<\/p>\n
He remembered standing just like this the first time, afraid to leave, guilt consuming him over the thought that without his help and protection, the Slayer might not survive. Didn\u2019t survive. His mind repeated the questions he had asked himself in this spot two and a half years ago. Should he stay? Should he give up finding his place, his hopes, his life, to keep the Slayer safe? Was she too weak to stand alone? He watched as she took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. With her head held high, she gave Angel a tight smile, and this time, Buffy turned and walked away. Angel\u2019s guilt faded. He had no doubt that what he had done was right for her.<\/p>\n
Buffy was strong, she already had everything she needed even before he came along. It would have been wrong for him to have given up his place, his life, just to stay in Sunnydale to be the Slayer\u2019s faithful but deadly weapon. She didn\u2019t need him anymore than he needed her. She already had a destiny.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, you\u2019re just going to leave without even saying goodbye?\u201d an annoyed voice asked.<\/p>\n
And so did he.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordy\u2019s foot ached but she definitely could not go back upstairs, not yet. She had made peace with Sunnydale Angel. She had even started calling him just \u2018Angel\u2019 aloud. Of course she made sure she mentally put the \u2018Sunnydale\u2019 before it. But she still couldn\u2019t stomach his \u2018assimilation\u2019, as Wesley called it, into their lives, into Angel\u2019s life. He had said he wanted to go back, that he needed to in order to have what he wanted. He\u2019d tried to make her believe that earlier today. But, Cordy had always been the kind of person who believed in actions over words and right now \u2018Sunnydale\u2018s\u2018 actions screamed, \u201cI\u2018m staying right where I am.\u201d Cordelia stood straight and focused on the punching bag in front of her and tried the spin kick again.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re doing it all wrong,\u201d came the voice of the vampire she was avoiding.<\/p>\n
Why? Why did he have to come down here right now? \u201cYou\u2019re the one that taught it to me,\u201d she deadpanned, trying another kick and falling to the floor.<\/p>\n
Angel couldn\u2019t help his amusement and smiled as he descended the basement stairs to help her to her feet. He watched as she struggled to get up before he could reach her. God this woman was driving him crazy. After they had come back from her apartment that morning, he had shamelessly tried everything he could to get a moment alone with her or steal some type of accidental touch, but it seemed as if she had been trying to avoid him. It was making him insane and driving him to thoughts that he knew were wrong. He had had to summon his ever trusty sense of guilt several times throughout the day to squelch the hope that his future self would never find his way back, but for some reason, looking at her now, the guilt just couldn\u2019t or wouldn\u2019t rise to the occasion.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got it,\u201d Cordelia tried to brush off Angel\u2019s hands. She was already tense enough with her brain\u2019s warning signal of \u2018Sunnydale Angel, Sunnydale Angel\u2019 going off every time he entered the room. She didn\u2019t know if she would be able to handle the full scale code red if he had his hands on her.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere, let me show you,\u201d he schooled, standing behind her and placing his hands on her hips.<\/p>\n
All of Cordelia\u2019s warning mechanisms went into high alert. Her body tensed at the feel of his hands on her hips. She should move them off, she knew that, but he was just trying to help. Angel had trained her like this on a daily basis. He was only doing the same. It was completely innocent. She tried to relax her body and listen to his instructions.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo wonder you\u2019re leaning into it so much, you\u2019re way too tense. You have relax the muscles just a bit so you can lean out of the kick a little. It helps to give a more powerful blow to your opponent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia moved away from Angel\u2019s light but steady grasp, \u201cOh, that\u2019s what I was doing wrong,\u201d she said nervously. \u201cI\u2019ll make sure I work on that next time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel touched her shoulder before she could walk up the stairs. \u201cI can show you how. To relax I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s eyebrows raised in a suspicious look. \u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cDo I not teach you any social skills in the next two and half years?\u201d Cordelia asked as she approached Angel from behind.<\/p>\n
He cracked a rare smile and turned to face her. \u201cI can\u2019t say you haven\u2019t tried.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s heart warmed at Angel\u2019s smile and she returned it with a small but brilliant one. \u201cI\u2019m sorry that we didn\u2019t get to talk more this morning. There are so many things I want to know, about the future, and you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t remember anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know. I mean, Giles says none of us will remember any of this, but somehow that just doesn\u2019t seem right. I\u2019ve learned so much these last couple of days, about myself and what I want out of life. I just don\u2019t think it\u2019s possible to forget, not all of it anyway, especially not you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel shifted under Cordelia\u2019s optimistic and sure gaze. She was so excepting now of what her future might bring and of him and who she thought he was. Even if it were possible for her to remember, he wondered how that look in her eye might change when she realized the pain and disappointments she would suffer time and again, most of it caused by or because of him. He looked down, unable to match the hopefulness in her eyes. \u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d he asked, noticing the garment in Cordelia\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, it\u2019s a raincoat. Wesley let me borrow it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not wearing it,\u201d he answered very sharply. He had just finished congratulated himself earlier on his ability to resist killing Wesley all day and he had barely laughed when the paramedics had wheeled him by with a few bumps and bruises. But if Cordelia put that coat on, mingling her intoxicating scent with that of another man, a man that just yesterday had kissed her, he couldn\u2019t be sure that his congratulations might not turn into years of dark guilt and painful brooding. \u201cHere,\u201d he began to take off his leather coat. \u201cTake mine. You can wear it because your NOT putting THAT on.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPut your jacket back on Angel,\u201d she placed a reassuring hand on his chest. \u201cI\u2019m not going to wear Wesley\u2018s coat.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, good,\u201d Angel was caught by surprise, Cordy never did what he said. He was shocked, and a little scared.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are,\u201d she handed the thick hooded raincoat to Angel.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWeren\u2019t you listening to Giles when he was explaining about the spell?\u201d<\/p>\n
No. He had grabbed the incantation and the ingredients and spent the rest of the morning concentrating on Cordelia\u2019s every move.<\/p>\n
\u201cRemember? He said that he could only be sure about the when, not the where.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, you may be sheltered under a total eclipse here buddy, but I don\u2019t think you\u2019ll have that luxury there. Who knows where you\u2019ll end up? I can\u2019t have my \u2026 you know \u2026burning up on the sunny streets of ..where are we living now anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cL.A.,\u201d Angel answered as he let Cordelia help him put on the coat.<\/p>\n
\u201cHmm. I always thought I\u2019d go to New York. Ya know, fashion capital of the U.S.. That\u2019s where I had been planning on going anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I\u2019m grateful for whatever changes your mind,\u201d he confessed softly as he stood before her now, looking like a complete idiot in the oversized but way too short London Fog.<\/p>\n
Cordelia struggled not to laugh as she tried to pull down the sleeves over Angel\u2019s large hands. \u201cWell, you\u2019ll just have to put them in the pockets,\u201d she reasoned, letting go of the material. Then, she leaned up on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck, her cheek pressing tightly against his. Touching her lips to a spot of bare skin just in front of his ear, she gave him a chaste but loving kiss and then backed away. \u201cNow, hurry up and be safe,\u201d she said as she turned and started walking down the sidewalk. \u201cI\u2019ll meet you there,\u201d she added in a whisper, knowing that Angel could hear her even as she turned the corner.<\/p>\n
Angel smiled and dug into his pocket for the ingredients and the spell.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an ancient exercise. People call it Tai Chi now. Of course when I learned it, it was called something else,\u201d he remembered.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know Tai Chi?\u201d she questioned doubtfully.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t believe me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just that I\u2019ve never seen Angel, I mean you do that before.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cProbably because I usually do it alone. Some people think it\u2019s a little eccentric but it helps me focus and clear my mind. Come here and I\u2019ll show you some simple moves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia paused for a moment, noticing how her heart skipped a beat hearing the words \u2018show you some moves\u2019 come out of Angel\u2019s mouth in such smooth and almost sexy manner. She laughed at herself, knowing that it was impossible for this Angel to be flirting with her. He was teaching her the basics of Tai Chi after all, not the Kama Sutra. Oh great, that was a good image. Cordelia, determined to act as if the situation was definitely not flustering her, walked toward Angel, stood beside him and faced the same direction he was. She was actually kind of relieved that at least he had decided to help in a \u2018non-touching\u2019 capacity.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow just raise your arms, no not that fast, look at me, very slowly and remember to breath. It\u2019s all about breathing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis coming from a man who doesn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShh. Concentrate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia followed his lead. Mimicking every motion. She began to relax as her moves became as precise and fluid as Angel\u2019s. She glanced at him, matching every graceful sweep. Angel moved his right arm and Cordelia followed. Angel brought his left arm back and Cordelia\u2019s fell in synch. He turned to his right and so did she. This had been a wonderful idea. She was already feeling the tension drain from her body. No longer able to see Angel from her position, she began to improvise. She stretched her arms above her head, reminiscent of a ballet move she had learned as a child, she closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. Her calming heart rate and smooth breathing both jolted into high gear at the feel of Angel\u2019s tender touch and guiding hands from behind. \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d she asked but didn\u2019t move away.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not a dance move Cordy. It\u2019s more like this,\u201d he gently laid his hands on top of hers and moved them back in front of her. As he guided her from behind, he whispered his instructions in her ear. \u201cYou have to really feel the air around you, use it for resistance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy tried to relax again. She tried not to concentrate on the smell of his shirt or the way his soft words seemed to vibrate on the back of her ear. She tried to talk some sense into her overactive brain. \u2018He\u2019s just trying to help. He\u2019s training me, just like Angel does. Well, not quite like Angel does.\u2019 God this was getting confusing. She breathed deeply. It was no use. She couldn\u2019t relax. He was making it way too hard for that. If she didn\u2019t know him so well, she might have thought that he was using this as a come-on. But the Angel she knew would never be so cheesy as to use this as an excuse to seduce her. The Angel she knew was much too\u2026the Angel she KNEW \u2026 wait a minute.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel never thought that he would miss the sewers of L.A., but the usually pungent odor smelled like sweet home as he ran east toward the Hypernion. He had done what Cordelia had asked, or ordered, by wearing the raincoat that now flapped fiercely behind his body as he sped through the tunnels underneath the city streets, never stopping to shed the forgotten an unneeded garment. He spied a familiar bend ahead of him. One more minute. The thought of that filled him with a happiness that he would have feared before his soul had been bound.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Over the course of Cordelia\u2019s short life she had been hit on and flirted with by just about every type and breed of guy that walked the earth. It had gotten to the point where she could identify each and every line and move that men tried on her now. Except this time. This time she had been fooled, almost. Well, if he thought she was going to just stand here with his arms wrapped around her and his words tickling her ear, sending chills through her body, he had another thing coming. She was going to tell him just what an idiot he was for using training as a way to cop a feel. She was going to let him know that his future self would never stoop to such an immature and asinine level to gain her attention. She was going to turn around and punch him in the nose and call him some kind of witty adjective. Well, that\u2019s what she had planned on until she looked up and saw the dirty figure leaning against the wall by the sewer\u2019s entrance, his arms crossed and an angry look on his face.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease, don\u2019t let me interrupt,\u201d Angel said, sending a deadly stare to his cleaner mirror image.<\/p>\n