{"id":10416,"date":"2016-11-13T22:13:17","date_gmt":"2016-11-13T22:13:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/?p=10416"},"modified":"2018-07-23T23:22:40","modified_gmt":"2018-07-23T22:22:40","slug":"season-of-solace-120","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2016\/11\/13\/season-of-solace-120\/","title":{"rendered":"Season of Solace. 120"},"content":{"rendered":"
120: \u00a0 \u00a0 Angel’s Mansion, Crawford Street, Central Sunnydale<\/strong><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n

The cobblestones crackled under the tires as the Plymouth slowly made its way up the winding drive. A small figure darted directly into the path ahead. Standing just outside the range of the headlights she was close enough to make out her familiar silhouette. Angel applied the brakes bringing the car to a halt.<\/p>\n

Over the idling rumble of the engine, Buffy\u2019s voice sounded out from the shadows. \u201cWhat\u2019s he doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Spike let out a laugh. \u201cLookee what we got here. Buffy Summers. If you\u2019ve come to beat me to a bloody pulp, you\u2019re a bit late for that,\u201d he called out.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did I tell you about not baiting the Slayers?\u201d Angel softly growled a warning, reminding Spike to behave. \u201cDon\u2019t make me regret bringing you here any more than I already do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s either the welcoming party\u2014or the solution to your problem. Might as well enjoy it if she plans to have her way with me while I\u2019m weak and helpless.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel did not bother to respond. With that mouth on him, Spike was likely to meet the wrong end of a stake before long and he was not entirely opposed to having a front row seat.<\/p>\n

Approaching from the periphery, Buffy walked over to the passenger side, her eyes widening as she got a good look at Spike. Bloody and battered, he was a mass of dark bruises, scrapes and gashes. \u201cWho did this?\u201d<\/p>\n

It sounded more like curiosity than genuine concern, but Spike twisted it to his own liking. \u201cJealous, luv? I\u2019ve been having a little fun with another blonde.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ugh. Buffy glared at him in disgust. He was out of his mind, but Spike was not the only one who needed his head examined. \u201cAngel, you better get him outta here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s staying.\u201d<\/p>\n

Buffy still was not used to Angel having his own opinions. She guessed he had always had them, but he used to let her have her way. That had all changed now that Cordelia was his girlfriend. She did not know who or what was to blame for the changes in his whole personality, whether it was his trip to hell, his permanent soul, or if new girlfriend was just rubbing off on him. God, it hurt just thinking about it. Whatever the cause, she did not like it.<\/p>\n

Before choking up, Buffy quipped, \u201cThen he\u2019s your problem. See you inside.\u201d Neither one of them had a chance to respond. She darted straight down the driveway in the direction of the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe chit is gonna spoil your surprise,\u201d said Spike watching her run.<\/p>\n

Angel took his foot off the brake and kept going. Surprise was not exactly the right word for it. By the time they stopped in front of the mansion, everyone was filing out the front door except for Buffy who had apparently seen enough. Automatically, he scanned the group for Cordelia finding her leaning casually against the threshold. Cordy hung back watching him from her elevated position at the top of the steps.<\/p>\n

So beautiful.<\/p>\n

One look caught him up in a swift surge of possessiveness. Seeing her waiting there for him, hazel eyes full of love and concern. All of his earlier fantasies flooded back causing a heavy ache in his loins, his cock rubbing against the crease of his pants as it stiffened to thoughts of her touch. Christ, he wanted her.<\/p>\n

Holding perfectly still Angel savored the way her skin flushed subtly under his gaze as if she knew the direction of his thoughts. He focused on her lips as they spread into a slow smile imagining their softness, anticipating the kiss he would give her when he got up there. Spike\u2019s arrival necessitated that he temporarily put aside personal indulgences, which he would. Any second now.<\/p>\n

Dragging his eyes away from Cordelia\u2019s, he noticed Giles\u2019 mouth seemed to be moving. \u201cOh, for God\u2019s sake, man, have you not heard a word?\u201d<\/p>\n

No, he had not. His grip on the steering wheel tightened as he realized the extent of his distraction. \u201cI\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTook a few blows to the head,\u201d Spike pointed a thumb in his direction by way of an explanation. \u201cLet the kitten fix him up with a bit of TLC and he\u2019ll be right as rain.\u201d He sent Cordelia a wink with the one eye that was not swollen shut.<\/p>\n

Standing next to the car, Willow glanced from one vampire to the other. \u201cLooks like you need it more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou volunteering, Red?\u201d<\/p>\n

She gulped loudly and then squeaked, \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wesley put a reassuring hand on Willow\u2019s shoulder. He had gotten to know her a little bit better over the past few hours, having been working closely with her on a few mystical defenses for the mansion.<\/p>\n

Knowing where Spike fell in the ranks of Clan Aurelius, he addressed his words directly to Angel. \u201cI caution you to reconsider this action,\u201d Wesley beseeched him.<\/p>\n

Bringing Drusilla here, a highly unstable vampire, was dangerous enough. Adding Spike to the mix would only add to their problems. Though it appeared the younger vampire was riddled with injuries, it was only a matter of time before they healed. \u201cYou know all too well the kind of damage these two can inflict.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nudging past him, Drusilla bent over the passenger door to inspect Spike\u2019s wounds. She licked at the blood in between kisses. \u201cLet mummy take care of you. I promise to make it all better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel ignored them. Informing the watcher, \u201cI\u2019m counting on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still seated and waiting for his erection to subside, Angel ensured that the flap of his coat covered the evidence of his arousal. He was not certain if Spike had tried to cover for his lapse of concentration or if he was just taking an opportunity to comment on his relationship with Cordelia.<\/p>\n

Most of the group seemed surprised that Angel planned to use the other vampires to his advantage. \u201cWe can use Spike\u2019s strength and Drusilla\u2019s visions. I\u2019ll take any advantage I can get if it means protecting Cordy and putting a stop to Nicolau\u2019s scheme.\u201d<\/p>\n

The name distracted Drusilla from tending to Spike. She hissed, \u201cNasty man. He has poor Miss Edith.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNicolau,\u201d Wesley rolled the name over on his tongue. \u201cThe name sounds familiar.\u201d<\/p>\n

Giles\u2019 jaw tightened up, realizing the reason for such familiarity. He had questions for Angel, but this was not the most appropriate venue for them. \u201cI suggest we continue this elsewhere. Faith, please escort Spike to his room and make certain he remains there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s B\u2019s turn. I\u2019m supposed to be a vampire slayer, not a vampire sitter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emerging slowly from the car, Spike joked through the pain, \u201cCome closer. I\u2019ll show you where to sit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Without a blink, Faith jabbed her elbow into his ribs. Spike grunted, doubling over and spitting blood. Just as fast, Drusilla backhanded Faith sending her reeling a step before regaining her balance. The Slayer lifted a hand to her lower lip dragging a hand across it, coming away with blood smeared across her knuckle and forefinger.<\/p>\n

Through the white rage that flared up inside her, she heard Cordelia call out, \u201cFaith, stop playing around and come inside.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, c\u2019mon, Cor. I was just getting warmed up.\u201d Faith smirked and considered giving Drusilla something to think about. She took a step closer.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s enough!\u201d Angel leapt over the side of the car and put himself between the two females. \u201cThis isn\u2019t the time for insults or tempers. Faith, can you deal with this? No violence unless it\u2019s warranted?\u201d<\/p>\n

She pressed her lips together, clearly not okay with it. Every instinct she had urged her to slip her stake from the waistband of her jeans and plunge it deep into Spike\u2019s chest. She would save something special for Dru, the crazy freak. \u201cYeah, I can deal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDru, take care of Spike,\u201d Angel ordered firmly reminding her of the fact that she had promised to behave. \u201cI\u2019ll send Xander up with some blood.\u201d<\/p>\n

Xander choked, \u201cWhat? Why me? I\u2019m not letting that thing near my neck.\u201d<\/p>\n

Behind him, Cordelia snorted, \u201cBlood from the fridge, doofus.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d That sounded better to Xander. The idea of handling the container of pig blood was gross, but at least he was not going to be Spike\u2019s midnight snack.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll need more,\u201d Cordy caught Angel\u2019s gaze reminding him that their supply was going to run out with three vampires in the house. \u201cWhat about some O-neg takeout from Willy\u2019s? Wouldn\u2019t the real thing help with those wounds?\u201d<\/p>\n

Wesley looked impressed. \u201cExcellent suggestion, Miss Chase.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGeez, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Cordelia?\u201d She rolled her eyes at him and missed seeing the flush creep up his thin neck. \u201cOr even Cor or Cordy, like my friends do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clearing his throat, Angel gave Wesley a hard stare. He could not blame the watcher for being attracted to Cordy. She was beautiful, annoyingly charming, and could twist a man up in knots without even trying. But she was definitely taken and Angel had already discovered that he was the jealous type.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s very kind of you\u2026 Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spike chuckled as he advised, \u201cBetter watch it, ponce,\u201d and then winced in pain as Faith grabbed his arm to lead him toward the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThree flights of stairs,\u201d she smirked. \u201cFour if you count these. Gonna make it or do you need me or mummy dearest to carry you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSod off,\u201d Spike snagged his arm away. \u201cI\u2019ll do it.\u201d He stared down at the first step and willed his legs to hold steady. \u201cBloody nerve you got, Slayer. Makes me feel all unwanted.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked up at Cordelia as he said it, playing for a little sympathy. She liked vamps. One in particular. There was not a whiff of fear about her. And it would not hurt to get on the chit\u2019s good side considering she was Angel\u2019s little bed warmer.<\/p>\n

Cordelia crossed her arms as she watched his approach. \u201cOf course you\u2019re unwanted, Spike, but come in anyway. Try not to bleed on the furniture.\u201d<\/p>\n

One by one, Drusilla, Spike and Faith filed past her followed by Xander who wrapped his hands around his own throat as if to say this was going to kill him. Cordy reached out to muss his hair. He yelped and jogged a couple of steps until he was out of her reach. Willow yawned, \u201cOz can take me to the butcher shop in the morning. He\u2019s back from his gig in Braeswood.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scrunching her nose at the neighboring hometown of their rivals from Fondren High, Cordy huffed, \u201cLike those blockheads have any taste in music\u2014or anything else that matters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHistory? Science?\u201d asked Wesley in passing as he followed along behind Willow. He, too, paused long enough to get an answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cDuh, fashion taste.\u201d Emphasis on stuff that matters, Cordelia decided to take it easy on him. He was kind of cute for a stuffy British guy. She flashed a little smile that made his jaw drop open a little. \u201cFondren\u2019s cheerleading outfits are the essence of fugly.\u201d<\/p>\n

A heavy sigh sounded. Blocked from entering, Giles tapped on Wesley\u2019s shoulder. \u201cDo go in. Unfortunate designs in cheerleader fashion are not our chief concern.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia frowned as she realized they were no longer her concern, either. She had to step down from her position as head cheerleader because of her father\u2019s little financial fiasco. Now thanks to this stupid prophecy it was dangerous to go anywhere including school.<\/p>\n

She put that thought out of her mind as her attention turned to Angel. \u201cAre you planning to stay out there all night?\u201d Below, leaning casually against the side of the car, Angel had waited until the others went back inside. Cordelia remained where she was, a sultry smile curving across her lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust picking my moment.\u201d He pushed away from the car and walked toward her, too slowly for Cordelia\u2019s liking. She had been waiting all of this time to hold him, show him that she missed him. Now the anticipation of it made her shiver.<\/p>\n

The shadows shifted revealing more of his face as he came closer. A gasp caught in her throat. \u201cYou look\u2014 are you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nothing. A few scrapes.<\/p>\n

Cordelia\u2019s eyes narrowed as they traveled head to toe looking for any sign of further injury. She suspected the reason he had walked so slowly had less to do with teasing her than because he was in pain. \u201cJust how bad are these scrapes, buster?\u201d<\/p>\n

She crossed her arms, glaring at him as she waited for the truth.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll heal, Cordy. Vampire,\u201d he pointed at his chest, which earned him one raised brow.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t try to play tough with me. I know I said I wasn\u2019t Florence Nightingale, but I\u2019m not about to let my boyfriend walk around with festering wounds.\u201d Making her point, she raised the second eyebrow and silently dared him to defy her.<\/p>\n

Stepping closer, Angel felt his mouth twitch as he fought a smile. \u201cI have to talk to the Watchers about what I discovered tonight. You should be there, too. Afterward, we can discuss what\u2019ll make me feel better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia quietly stared at him just long enough to make him wonder if he had said the wrong thing. Maybe that had not sounded as sexy as it did in his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf\u2014if you want to,\u201d he added, now worried that he made her uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

Cordy took a step back. She shrugged one shoulder. Sounding far too indifferent for Angel\u2019s liking, she said, \u201cMaybe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wanting to fix whatever he did wrong, Angel made a move toward her only to run into an invisible barrier. \u201cWhat the\u2014?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess it works on you, too,\u201d Cordelia\u2019s curiosity was almost satisfied. When Willow had finished casting the spell, she had informed her that it would only work if a human lived in residence at the mansion, and was not just visiting.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello,\u201d she recalled herself saying, \u201clast time I checked you guys were human, too, with the possible exception of Buffy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you mean Faith, too, because they\u2019re both Slayers?\u201d<\/p>\n

Willow obviously missed her point. \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

She supposed that Spike getting through the barrier after her say so qualified him as test subject number two, the first being Drusilla after Willow first cast the spell. Now there was just Angel who was staring at her in a way that suggested he knew why she was suddenly freaking out. Apparently staying in your boyfriend\u2019s mansion and rescuing your worldly belongings from plastic trash bags was not enough to qualify as actually living there.<\/p>\n

Part of you had to believe that it was home.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you going to invite me in?\u201d His open hand pressed against the invisible energy barrier.<\/p>\n

Two short steps brought her back to the threshold. Cordelia raised her hand and threaded her slender fingers through his. It made her vulnerable to any move he made, potentially allowing him to yank her outside, but he still couldn\u2019t cross without her express consent.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome home, Angel. Come in.\u201d<\/p>\n

The moment the barrier vanished, he pulled her forward into his arms, their hands still connected. With an arm around her waist, he twirled them around once so they were back outside away from prying eyes. Angel had his back against the wall, leaning at a slight angle. Slipping his hand from her hip to shoulder blade, he brought them into full contact their bodies perfectly aligned.<\/p>\n

Cordelia sighed against his lips, her warm breath coffee flavored. He kissed her, a soft sweep of his mouth across hers, and again as she opened up to the dip of his tongue, tasting, teasing its soft center enticing her to chase him.<\/p>\n

She grasped his shoulders, held on, and squirmed against him because she could not get close enough. Wanting to touch his skin, even if it was just a few seconds of contact, she maneuvered her hand down his chest. She paused at the hard nub of his nipple, rubbing over it twice and eliciting a low groan from Angel who was kissing his way across her jaw toward the chord of her throat.<\/p>\n

He rubbed his mouth against her pulse, and then opened up to drag his tongue and teeth across that spot. Her free hand cupped the nape of his neck. The other continued to tug the hem of his shirt out of his pants, skittering underneath to flatten her palm against him.<\/p>\n

Tempted, her fingertips slipped downward reaching below his waistband just to touch the little curve of soft belly on his otherwise hard frame. Angel\u2019s hips lurched forward crashing into hers. He felt so good. She wanted to be with him now, upstairs in their bed. Naked. Skin on skin. Just their hands, and mouths, and whatever he was doing that set her on fire.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019d they go?\u201d Willow called out their names, sounding closer and closer, acting like a bucket of ice water.<\/p>\n

Angel pulled his head away from Cordy\u2019s throat, dark eyes darting to the doorway. He was not about to move just yet even though common sense told him they needed to stop. Deep inside he felt the urge to keep going, let Willow get an eyeful so she would go away. Moving his hands to cup Cordelia\u2019s face, he gave her one final quick kiss and set her back on her feet.<\/p>\n

When Willow popped her head outside to look around, she found them standing two feet apart. Cordelia was no longer wore any lipgloss. Her formerly perfect hair was now in soft disarray. Clothes wrinkled. Standing with his back to her, Angel\u2019s attention was at his waist\u2014or somewhere below it.<\/p>\n

Gaping as she realized what she had just interrupted, Willow felt heat flood her cheeks. She darted away so fast that Cordelia started to laugh, her grin spreading wide. \u201cI guess we should go in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel finished tucking his shirt in and folded his leather coat closed before turning around. Growling softly in frustration he willed his body to relax again. He looked over at Cordy who was still smiling, hazel eyes twinkling, her mouth slightly swollen and the soft skin of her neck reddened. Maybe the interruption was a good thing considering where he might have taken it. He was not certain that tonight was the best time for added complications.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go inside. I know who\u2019s behind all of this,\u201d Angel told her as he reached out to take her hand. \u201cWhat\u2019s more, I know why.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Scene 121<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

120: \u00a0 \u00a0 Angel’s Mansion, Crawford Street, Central Sunnydale The cobblestones crackled under the tires as the Plymouth slowly made its way up…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10416","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-to-be-continued-fic"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10416","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10416"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10416\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10416"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10416"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10416"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}