{"id":1082,"date":"2015-06-22T10:17:32","date_gmt":"2015-06-22T09:17:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/dir\/?p=1082"},"modified":"2015-11-16T12:14:31","modified_gmt":"2015-11-16T12:14:31","slug":"just-what-the-doctor-ordered","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2015\/06\/22\/just-what-the-doctor-ordered\/","title":{"rendered":"Just What the Doctor Ordered. 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Title: Just What the Doctor Ordered<\/b>
\nAuthor: <\/b>Cordelia’sDestiny<\/strong>
\nPosted: <\/b>10\/06\/03
\nEmail<\/b><\/a>
\nRating: <\/b>NC17
\nCategory: <\/b>Angst, smut
\nContent: <\/b>C\/A
\nSummary: <\/b>Wesley insists that Cordelia and Angel get help for their interpersonal strife.
\nSpoilers: <\/b>After Epiphany.
\nDisclaimer: <\/b>The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
\nDistribution: <\/b>Anywhere, just let me know.
\nNotes: <\/b>Based on a challenge by DamnSkippy.<\/strong> at end of this first page – avoid if you don’t wanna know yet.<\/p>\n

Thanks\/Dedication: <\/b>
\nFeedback: <\/b>It\u2019s what keeps me sane! Please leave feedback!
\nHey, my first challenge!(Posted at bottom of page)<\/b><\/p>\n

\n

Part 1<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cGive. It. Back.\u201d<\/p>\n

His voice was so low, so quiet, it nearly disappeared into the thick silence of the room, but the menace in it was unmistakable. His eyes were nearly slits as he towered over her, punctuating his anger as his broad shoulders cast a long shadow across her face.<\/p>\n

She wasn\u2019t intimidated in the slightest. She pinned him with her haughtiest glare and stared him down.<\/p>\n

\u201cHell no, jackass! It\u2019s mine, fair and square.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI had it first, Cordy. You will<\/i> give it back to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019You will<\/i> give it back to me\u2019?\u201d she imitated, her voice dropping into a low mockery of his. \u201cWhat are you, Jedi Vamp? The power of suggestion doesn\u2019t work with me, dork.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s mine,\u201d he growled, stepping closer, his face now inches from hers, his eyes rimmed in gold as he fought his demon. \u201cFork it over, Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n

When she stubbornly ignored him, he added, \u201cGod, sometimes you can be such a bitch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her mouth dropped open in shock. \u201cBitch? BITCH??\u201d<\/p>\n

Her eyes narrowed to slits, her voice dropping to a threatening whisper. Angel was chagrined to realize that it sent chills of dread up his spine. And so it should. An unhappy Cordy was a terrifying Cordy.<\/p>\n

She marched right up to him and poked her well-manicured index finger into the solid mass of his chest, repeating the gesture throughout her statement as if to highlight the important words. \u201cOh, you just signed your death warrant, bucko. You are so, so dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

He growled, a deep rumble of pure frustration that reverberated in the room. Desperate, he shot out his arm in a blur of motion, grabbing for the coveted object in her hand.<\/p>\n

He missed, and got a handful of firm breast instead. They both froze for a second, then he jerked his hand back as if she\u2019d been drenched with holy water. He glowered at his error. Damn it. He wasn\u2019t supposed to miss.<\/p>\n

Cordelia regained her wits and shrieked, jerking back from him. \u201cWhat, I won\u2019t give it to you, so you try to take it, and you GROPE me when you don\u2019t get it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Her eyes flashing hazel fire, she jumped up from the sofa, marched over to the chair and planted herself firmly in its soft depths. She took her prize and buried it deep in the cushions, far from his reach. Crossing her arms over her chest, she stood sentry, her mouth set in a grim line that dared him to challenge her again.<\/p>\n

He stalked over to the chair, planting his hands on either arm and shoving his face into hers.<\/p>\n

\u201cGive it back, Cordy. Now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGive it! Or else!\u201d he threatened emptily.<\/p>\n

\u201cOr else what? You\u2019ll growl me to death?\u201d She snorted indelicately. \u201cI don\u2019t think so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll make your life a living hell, Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBeen there, done that,\u201d she yawned widely, uncrossing and recrossing her arms over her chest in a nonchalant display of defiance. \u201cTry again, dumbass.\u201d<\/p>\n

He shook his head, a feral gleam in his eye. \u201cI\u2019ll never respect your personal bubble again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can handle that,\u201d she said, her jaw locked in determination.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take back all of the clothes I bought you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo ahead,\u201d she challenged, her eyebrow arched in defiance. \u201cI didn\u2019t like your lousy K-Mart style, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel frowned for a minute as he filtered through his remaining options. The right answer suddenly jumped out at him as if it were ringed in flashing neon lights. He stood back, crossed his arms, and smirked evilly.<\/p>\n

The expression was so evil that it was Cordelia\u2019s turn to get shivers as she had a d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu moment of Angelus before he spoke.<\/p>\n

His voice was sinfully confident, a rich velvet resonance. \u201cI\u2019ll call Xander and tell him your still in love with him. I\u2019ll make him believe you have hot, erotic dreams about him every night and that you\u2019re nearly suicidal over losing him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her mouth dropped open in shock. \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n

He smirked, finally realizing he had a bargaining chip. \u201cI would. I\u2019d even call Sunnydale and tell them how concerned I am, ask them to help me \u2018save\u2019 you from your misery.\u201d<\/p>\n

She closed her mouth and shot poisoned arrows with her eyes as he grinned his triumph.<\/p>\n

Feeling he had won, he stated his demand again. \u201cGive it back.\u201d<\/p>\n

She frowned, her mind warring with itself. Was it worth it? Was it worth the trauma that he would undoubtedly cause?<\/p>\n

Yes, damn it. It wasn\u2019t even about that, anymore. It was about making Angel pay.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she said, determinedly. \u201cTake your best shot, freak. I can handle whatever it is you throw at me. I will not give it up, and I won\u2019t let you use your lame ass, demon mafia intimidation tactics to get it back, either.\u201d<\/p>\n

He couldn\u2019t take it. He roared so loudly that it bounced off the walls, his face now morphing into the visage of his true anger. He gripped the arms of the chair so tightly that he had ripped holes into the fabric.<\/p>\n

\u201cGive it back, Cordy! This is the last time I\u2019m going to tell you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGive it, or I won\u2019t be responsible for your safety!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cScrew you! No!\u201d<\/p>\n

The stared at each other, both breathing heavily, as they each struggled for domination.<\/p>\n

Just as Angel began to snap and reach for her to take it back, Wesley\u2019s exasperated voice finally penetrated the thick, throbbing haze of emotion around them.<\/p>\n

\u201cBloody hell, it\u2019s just a damn remote control! You two are worse than nursery school children!\u201d<\/p>\n

Wesley\u2019s admonishment seemed to give Angel time to grasp the tattered remains of his control. With great care, he removed his hands from the battered chair and stood back, putting some distance between himself and the pouting brunette he wanted to strangle.<\/p>\n

Either that or screw her until she screamed for him never to stop.<\/p>\n

He stopped cold at that errant thought. Geez, he really had to get a grip on himself. Wesley once again penetrated the fog of his swirling emotions.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what the hell has gotten into you two lately, but it had bloody well better stop here and now or I won\u2019t be responsible for my actions.\u201d He pinned Angel to the wall with a withering stare, daring him to test their fledgling boss\/employee relationship.<\/p>\n

Angel weighed his options for a split second. You wouldn\u2019t know it to look at him, but the former watcher was actually pretty scary when he was angry. That man knew things. Things about how to make a vampire suffer, ways that were undetectable until it was too late.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe started it,\u201d Angel said petulantly, not able to resist the barb and feeling a need to defend himself as he bowed under the pressure of Wesley\u2019s menacing stare.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh!\u201d Cordelia gasped, her mouth open in indignation. \u201cI did not! It\u2019s not my fault that you hate Martha Stewart. It just so happens that she\u2019s doing a show about homemade spa treatments, and I have to watch it. I HAVE to! Wesley doesn\u2019t pay me enough to go to Elizabeth Arden. Go find another TV!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMartha Stewart is a demon! An evil one! And besides, this TV is the best one. You don\u2019t care about surround sound. Go upstairs!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough, you two,\u201d Wesley said in his best authoritative adult voice, trying to intervene again.<\/p>\n

They ignored him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo! I was here first!\u201d Cordelia yelled, her two-year-old tone a perfect match for Angel\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I had the remote in my hand and you stole it!\u201d Angel countered, closing the distance between them again.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat were you going to watch?\u201d she scoffed, sneering at him. \u201cMr. Tightass over there won\u2019t fork over the money for cable\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey!\u201d Wesley interrupted.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2014and the only other shows on are The Munsters<\/i> and Full House<\/i>. Don\u2019t tell me you have a thing for John Stamos!\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel looked at her like she had two heads, but there was a guilty sparkle in his eyes, like he didn\u2019t want his total lack of cool to be discovered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do not have a thing for John Stamos,\u201d he denied as if it were the most ridiculous idea in the world, \u201cbut the show\u2019s funny. And those twins are really cute.\u201d<\/p>\n

She gave him a disgusted look. \u201cYuck! That\u2019s totally gross. They\u2019re like, infants.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUgh, Cordelia! I may be a freak, but not like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever,\u201d she said, dismissing him with a wave of her hand and a practiced roll of her eyes. \u201cYours is a rerun. Mine\u2019s an original. So I automatically take precedence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe hell you do! This is my hotel! Find your own damn TV!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, damn it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWILL THE TWO OF YOU SHUT THE BLOODY HELL UP!\u201d Wesley screamed, his voice cracking at the volume. Both Angel and Cordelia jumped, visibly startled by Wesley\u2019s break from his usually calm manner.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou! Over there!\u201d Wesley growled, pointing a finger at Angel, then stabbing it in the direction of the sofa nearest him.<\/p>\n

Cordelia smirked at him as he walked by, smug that he was being ordered around by Wesley and she\u2019d escaped.<\/p>\n

Her smugness was short-lived.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou!\u201d Wesley\u2019s bony finger jabbed in her direction. \u201cThere!\u201d he ordered, indicating the chair she\u2019d abandoned. \u201cAnd give me that!\u201d he said, snatching the offending remote out of her hand.<\/p>\n

Wesley began to pace in front of them, pausing occasionally to glare at each of them, obviously seething as he worked out what should be done about them. He paced for so long that both Angel and Cordelia began to feel bad about their argument. Just a little bit, but not enough so that they were ready to apologize or admit that they\u2019d been stupid.<\/p>\n

It was just that Wesley was so angry that it made them both nervous. There was no telling what deviousness the man might be capable of when pushed to the limit. Both of them feared they\u2019d pushed him too far.<\/p>\n

Of course, they\u2019d been fighting a lot lately. Always over stupid things, like drinking the last of the coffee or messing with each other\u2019s stuff. Until now, all of them had been fights about things that were semi-legitimate, things that any co-workers might be in a tiff about at one time or another. It wasn\u2019t until today that they\u2019d exploded about something so unbelievably foolish. Both of them knew it. Both of them realized that they\u2019d crossed the threshold from annoyingly petty to utterly ridiculous.<\/p>\n

Wesley finally stopped and stared at them, his eyes boring into each of them in turn until they squirmed like kindergarteners who\u2019d forgotten to use the bathroom at recess.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis foolishness is going to stop. Right here, right now,\u201d he began, his tone brooking no hint of insubordination. \u201cThe two of you have been bickering like junkyard dogs ever since Angel came back to the Agency, and I\u2019ve had enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Wesley, he\u2014\u201d Cordelia raised her hand to begin, but he pursed his lips and stared her into silence.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t, Cordy. Just shut up!\u201d he shouted finally when he could see her open her mouth to speak in spite of his visual warning. \u201cI don\u2019t want to hear it. From you, either, Angel!\u201d he said preemptively, shooting a glare at him that would dare him to defy his order. He just glared at them, looking like an 11th grade schoolmaster who\u2019d had his last nerve frayed to nothing by his unruly students.<\/p>\n

Angel reluctantly shut his mouth, letting Cordelia\u2019s half-said excuse go unanswered.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is how its going to be, and I\u2019m not going to take any arguments. I am the boss,\u201d he stated imperiously. \u201cYou put me in charge, willingly I might add, and I\u2019m laying down the law.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was obvious that Wesley was just getting wound up, and both Angel and Cordelia suppressed groans at what was bound to be a lengthy lecture.<\/p>\n

Wesley surprised them both with the terseness of his ultimatum. \u201cIt is abundantly clear to me that the two of you need professional help. Either get some, or you\u2019re fired.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia\u2019s mouth dropped open. \u201cYou would fire me? After what happened? After everything that we went through together?\u201d Tears stung the corners of her eyes as she realized that he meant it. Wesley firing her would be akin to losing her big brother, her protector.<\/p>\n

Wesley\u2019s eyes softened just a fraction. \u201cYes, Cordy, I would. I love you, but I won\u2019t let this behavior continue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel took Wesley\u2019s softened features as a chink in his armor. \u201cWe don\u2019t need professional help, Wes. Maybe a fifth of Jack Daniels, but not professional help. A shrink wouldn\u2019t help anyway. I can\u2019t tell them my story, so how would that be productive?\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel mentally patted himself on the back as he swiftly maneuvered himself out of Wesley\u2019s plan, or so he thought. His face visibly fell at his friend\u2019s next words.<\/p>\n

Every ounce of determination was once again firmly in the planes of Wesley\u2019s face. \u201cOh, I\u2019ll take care of that. I have the perfect counselor for the two of you. I met her not too long ago at a conference on supernatural and paranormal activity.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe one in Sacramento last year?\u201d Cordelia asked quietly.<\/p>\n

Wesley nodded. \u201cYes. Her name is Dr. Marsha Van Buren. She is a renowned therapist whose clients are both human and demon. Her reputation is impeccable, and she will, undoubtedly, be able to help you work through some of your issues.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were fighting over a remote control, Wesley. It\u2019s not like its any big deal,\u201d Cordelia rationalized, using her eyes to plead with him to take back his ultimatum. She didn\u2019t want to get all soul-baring with Angel. Not when her feelings towards the enigmatic vampire were so volatile.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Cordy. It\u2019s because<\/i> you were fighting over something so trivial that you need help. It was clear that Angel was barely able to restrain his demon, and all he wanted was a piece of plastic with some batteries in it. And you were just as clearly unwilling to give it over, when it was not something that should have been so important. No,\u201d he said, shaking his head. \u201cThere are obviously some deep-seeded issues here that need examining.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel and Cordy stared down at their hands in silence, both too shocked to say anything. Wesley\u2019s determined tone was rife with sincerity, and they knew, seer and vampire or not, that they\u2019d be out on their asses if they didn\u2019t comply.<\/p>\n

Angel was the first to speak. He knew that Wesley was right, but he didn\u2019t want to comply so easily. \u201cHow long do we have to go?\u201d he asked gruffly.<\/p>\n

\u201cSix months,\u201d Wesley said firmly. \u201cNo less. If you quit, for any reason other than your death, you\u2019re out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about three months?\u201d Cordelia asked, her voice carefully devoid of emotion as she attempted to negotiate.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is non-negotiable, Cordy,\u201d Wesley said sternly. \u201cSix months, or you\u2019re fired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, Wes,\u201d Cordelia said, her voice resigned. \u201cSet up the appointments.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAngel?\u201d Wesley asked, looking to the vampire for confirmation.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo it, Wesley,\u201d Angel said, obviously reluctant. He didn\u2019t want to bare his soul to Cordelia, but he could probably fake it. He had 250+ years experience in manipulating people, and he planned to put that experience to good use.<\/p>\n

\u201cExcellent,\u201d Wesley said, nodding. \u201cI\u2019ll make your first appointment for as soon as possible. Please try to stay out of each other\u2019s way until then, all right?\u201d he said, raising an eyebrow at them, then returning to his office and leaving them in uncomfortable silence.<\/p>\n

They refused to look at each other, both knowing that this was bound to take them to a level they\u2019d never achieved in their relationship. It remained to be seen whether it would be the seventh level of Hell or the bliss-filled planes of Nirvana.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Two days later found the intrepid duo in the antiseptic, but strangely comforting waiting room of Dr. Marsha Van Buren. The woman was obviously a professional, her office tastefully done in moss greens and deep browns, earthy colors that were both cold and warm at the same time. A receptionist sat behind a gleaming mahogany desk, a hands-free headset facilitating her already anal efficiency. She typed with an economy of motion that mesmerized Cordelia as she watched the perfectly manicured fingers fly effortlessly over the keys.<\/p>\n

Absently, Cordelia realized that she was looking at a model of what she should be in her own job. She supposed that Dr. Van Buren\u2019s secretary could be the poster child for \u201cWhat to Do\u201d and Cordelia the \u201cWhat Not to Do\u201d in a secretary\u2019s handbook. Cordelia\u2019s inefficiency didn\u2019t bother her that much, but this lazy train of inconsequential thought helped occupy her mind and kept her thoughts firmly away from the stoic figure on her left.<\/p>\n

Angel sat just as quietly, his body completely still, his hands folded neatly on his stomach. He stared unblinkingly at a Monet print on the wall, remembering the artist himself when he\u2019d met him in Europe. The man had been annoying, so much so that Angelus had nearly eaten him just to shut him up. But one look at the man\u2019s paintings had silenced the moody vampire, had soothed him like no other artwork had. The smudged colors, the beauty of the work was ethereal. Not a taste one would have readily attributed to a vicious killer, but Angelus had been enthralled. Even now, Claude Monet\u2019s paintings smoothed the wrinkled, nervous soul of the vampire and soothed the irritation of his demon.<\/p>\n

\u201cAngel and Cordelia?\u201d The soft, feminine voice came from a door to their left, and both of them turned to look at the speaker. Dr. Van Buren, a petite, chestnut-haired woman in a burgundy sweater and gray slacks, smiled at them and ushered them into her office. She gestured to a leather sofa across from the chair she languidly occupied, and the sometime friends sat down, leaving plenty of distance between them.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, shall we begin?\u201d Dr. Van Buren said, smiling at both of them. \u201cI\u2019d like to start with a simple question, all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Her patients nodded silently and waited anxiously for her words.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis question is for each of you, individually, not about your relationship together, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

Again, they nodded.<\/p>\n

She smiled brightly, dangerously white teeth flashing as she asked, \u201cHow would you describe your sex life?\u201d<\/p>\n

Part 2<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Challenge by DamnSkippy:<\/strong><\/p>\n

This came to me while falling asleep last night.
\n*After Epiphany. The gang is back together with Wes as the boss. Angel and Cordy are fighting like cats and junkyard dogs. Wes has had enough! Their bickering is affecting the gang’s performance (perhaps Angel is so distracted that he almost gets staked by a baby vamp after a particularly bitter battle with Cordy). They have to get over their differences so they can work as a team again.
\n*Wes gives them an ultimatum (or somehow convinces them) that they must go to counseling to work through their issues. He picks the counselor and sets it up for them. *Unbeknownst to them and Wes (or perhaps Wes knows, it’s up to you), the counselor is actually a sex therapist. In my mind, the\u00a0counselor\u00a0doesn’t realize they are NOT a couple (hence confusion on both parts), but that’s up to you.
\n*The first few sessions go like any typical counseling session, but eventually the counselor begins giving them “homework” behaviors (like they must hug 5 times a day or they must spend 15 minutes each day touching, etc.) to practice that seem strange to them, but they do it begrudgingly. These assignments should progress from simple and disgustingly carried out, to hotter and hotter and both of them secretly looking forward to not only the assignments but, of course, putting in more effort than necessary. At some point the revelation that the counselor is a sex therapist should be divulged and C\/A goodness should be the goal.
\n*A possible twist could be Wes finding out about the therapist and not telling them, reveling in their homework assignments OR either Angel or Cordy finding out and not telling the other.
\nAny psychologists or psychology students out there want to flex your muscles??<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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