{"id":10846,"date":"2017-06-03T20:41:24","date_gmt":"2017-06-03T19:41:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/?p=10846"},"modified":"2025-10-10T16:38:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T15:38:08","slug":"visiting-hours","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2017\/06\/03\/visiting-hours\/","title":{"rendered":"Visiting Hours"},"content":{"rendered":"

Title: Visiting Hours<\/b>
\nAuthor: <\/b>Califi
\nPosted: <\/b>
\nEmail<\/b><\/a>
\nRating: <\/b>R for language
\nCategory: <\/b>
\nContent: <\/b>C\/A tentative friendship
\nSummary: <\/b>Angel visits Cordy in hospital…and sees another side to ‘Queen C’
\nSpoilers: <\/b>Set right after Lovers Walk -BTVS S3.
\nDisclaimer: <\/b>The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
\nDistribution: <\/b>Just ask
\nNotes: <\/b>
\nThanks\/Dedication:<\/b>
\nFeedback:<\/b><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you deal?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d Angel’s head shot up from his contemplation of the grey floor tiles, fixing his confused eyes on the young woman in the sterile bed.<\/p>\n

He wasn’t sure why he was here. After a few days of moping around the Mansion, broken only by the occasional trips out for blood, Angel’s morose thoughts had eventually drifted to another walking wounded of that unforgettable night.<\/p>\n

After bumping into the Redhead on the way to one of his trips, she’d spilled the whole sorry story of her fall from grace.<\/p>\n

He still wasn’t sure why Willow had shared such personal information with him- maybe she just needed someone outside the Scooby gang to listen; more likely trying to show him that he wasn’t the only one to suffer consequences that night.<\/p>\n

And that’s why he was here now, sitting by the hospital bed of another casualty of love.<\/p>\n

When he’d arrived, Cordelia had been sleeping, her body curled half on her side; her hand unconsciously resting protectively over- where he assumed, was her Rebar wound.<\/p>\n

Angel had never cared for Xander Harris- who he personally thought of as a pathetic, manipulative cheating asshole.<\/p>\n

The sleeping figure in the room, only confirmed his opinion.<\/p>\n

Her face pale, shadows like bruises under those eyes\u2026 His jaw had clenched as she’d whimpered in her fitful sleep. As he watched her, it slowly dawned on him just how classically lovely she was.<\/p>\n

With rich mahogany hair, spread silkily on the starched white pillow; tendrils softly framing her milk-pale face- how the ravages of trauma hadn’t detracted from a beauty that he instinctively knew would grow even more as the years passed\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d Angel brought his attention back to the now-awake Cordelia Chase.<\/p>\n

Her clear Hazel eyes stared into his, a single brow lifted in query; a hint of amusement in those striking eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m sorr-\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know <\/i>what I mean, this whole ‘you’re only here ‘cos of the semi-jonesing, sorta-what-the dear-god-in-heaven-am-I-thinking-of slayer?’, And let’s not forget the ‘put-up, shut up; skulk in the corner-but-don’t-expect-us-to-like-you’ deal?”<\/p>\n

Angel stared mutely, inwardly digesting her blunt description of his relationship with the Scoobies.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026” He paused.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Angel, Con. Cen. Trate.<\/b> Since they found out about the whole grry thing,” after lifting her hands and curling her fingers, Cordelia continued, “deciding-but-then-not staking your ass, and the major willies of having you around. A semi load of distrust and endless ‘dead Boy’ comments – not to mention your sudden embracing of the dark. Then the ‘Oh-let’s-kill-Buffy’s-friends’ fest, followed by your seriously kicked ass and loaded on the bus to Helliday Camp”, she added with a half-hearted glare. “And let’s not forget your ‘Semester’s-Over’ welcoming home party\u2026\u00a0 So, how do you deal?\u201d<\/p>\n

The brow lifted yet again at his hesitance. \u201cYou want me to repeat all that? – cos, not gonna happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

From the tips of that cute spiky hair, to his\u2026well NOT going there! He was HOT – for an Undead creature-of-the-night, anyway, Cordy thought. And wondered why he was here?<\/p>\n

Watching Angel’s uncomfortable expression, she couldn’t help but grin.<\/p>\n

He drew an uneeded breath at the blinding beauty of it – the dull room’s personal ball of sunshine, lighting every nook and cranny around them. He shook his head – an almost imperceptible movement – before answering this bewitching creature.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose I-‘deal’ by not thinking too much about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPfft! That’s just a copout.\u201d Angel’s brow furrowed slightly, her expression openly displaying disgust.<\/p>\n

He sighed heavily, wondering if he’d made the right decision by coming here. At least she wasn’t the huddled, forlorn figure of his initial scrutiny.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay\u2026In my entire life- and<\/i> unlife! I’ve never been accepted.\u00a0 You don’t miss something you’ve never experienced.\u201d his tone matter of fact. He wasn’t looking for sympathy; it’s just the way it was -had always been. Although a twisted acceptance was found when he was turned into a soulless monster – not that he wanted or cared then.<\/p>\n

Cordy’s heart clenched none the less. \u201cBuffy cares about you – loves you even. She still<\/i> does, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel automatically shook his head.\u00a0\u201cCaring isn’t acceptance, Cordelia, and honestly? love doesn’t necessary mean it, either.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel wasn’t sure about the ‘relationship’ any more – and admittedly a small part of him was fed up of the whole \u201cLove is meant to be painful\u201d crap. \u201cAnyway, I’m not exactly a part of that… strangely disfunctional crowd any more,\u201d surprising her with a faint show of humour; a depreciating smile gracing his wide angular mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about you?\u201dhe asked, as she tried to ignore the slight flutter in her belly, as his smile enhanced his already handsome face.<\/p>\n

Buffy was a complete Bonehead,\u00a0 She thought, scathingly – then belatedly registered his query. She wasn’t expecting that! \u201cWhat about me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Two could play at this game.\u00a0 Angel wasn’t as far up Buffy’s ass as certain people liked to believe. And he’d often observed the almost cruel, on occasions; way the ‘scoobies’ treated her. The derogatory comments about her personality and even her morals – the latter had left him feeling guilty for not saying a word when Buffy had called her a whore.<\/p>\n

True enough, Cordelia did thoughtlessly hurt people’s feelings, frequently bringing up subjects that were awkward, cringing and – and sometimes, downright unpleasant.<\/p>\n

But 99% of the time, she was spot on – and some things truly needed to be said. Maybe a little less viciously, but still.<\/p>\n

No-one would deny Cordelia could be- and was often- a complete and utter bitch. Something he felt sure she was pretty proud of being at times. Maybe a cover to hide behind? Angel doubted she’d ever admit it.<\/p>\n

She was as much as an outsider as he was – if not more.<\/p>\n

Buffy may not have been be able to ‘deal’ at all that well with their\u2026’association’- but she’d never shown him the complete lack of decency and respect that The Harrison boy had carelessly dished out to Cordelia, on a regular basis. The cheap digs, again regarding her morals, to a girl you were in a relationship with went beyond the pale in his opinion.<\/p>\n

Angel pulled out of his thoughts at the sound of her voice. \u201cThe trick is to rise above it. I’ve always found it easy to do. Plus I am so totally<\/i> above those Freaks when it comes to class!\u201d ‘Queen C’ reared her lovely head proudly.<\/p>\n

But he detected the hurt not quite hidden in the far recesses of her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, look<\/i> at them!\u201d Cordelia continued, needing to vent much more than she realised. \u201cA self-absorbed ‘I’m-so-not-enjoying-this-cool-power’ Slayer, A Werewolf with so many issues, his Pedigree papers, if he had them would be a trilogy<\/i> long-\u201d she ticked them off slim fingers, eyes darkening to coffee brown.<\/p>\n

\u201cA Brainiac in a Dead End – and-yes-I-so-hear-the-irony-in-that-description – <\/i>job, and wannabe Bad-Ass Wicca Geek. Maybe she has the skills, I’ll admit that, but she hides a lot of nasties under her skin\u00a0 \u2026\u00a0 And let’s not forget the wannabe-Buffy’s-boyfriend loser, who, in my opinion, locked lips with the witch just for kicks. <\/em>If there was a ‘Best Loser’ competition, Alexander Lavelle Harris would end up in second place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel’s lips twitched at her harsh but perfect sum up of that seriously irritating little Shit. How he managed to get a girl like cordelia to date him was still a complete mystery to him.<\/p>\n

The room became silent- but not oppressively so, as they both became temporarily lost in their own thoughts.<\/p>\n

Angel’s eyes fixed on the slender tanned hand that had again crept up to gingerly rest on her injury, her face poignant. Catching his gaze, she saw the soft sympathy, and something undefinable in those dark eyes…<\/p>\n

Her features hardened defensively in a heartbeat. Cordelia Chase didn’t need pity!\u00a0 Especially not from him.\u00a0 \u201cHe visited once, you know.\u201d They both knew who she meant. Angel remained silent.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe mumbled and stuttered, trying real hard to look like he regretted the major lip-fest with that skinny little Witch. Pfft! Told him what dark place he could shove that pathetic posy he brought.\u201d not caring that she was exaggerating a fair bit.\u00a0 She’d only just managed, through foggy pain to tell him to get out and not grace her door again.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose are beautiful.\u201d Angel gestured towards the large bouquet of roses and carnations with Babies Breath nestled generously around them.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy Parent’s offering. Had them delivered. -They’re away for another month yet. An early return was out of the question\u201d she shrugged uncaringly. her eyes told a different story.<\/p>\n

Angel’s heart broke for her. Except for that little bastard who’d put her here, he’d so far been her only other visitor.<\/p>\n

If Harris had actually taken the time to really get to know the real Cordelia, maybe he wouldn’t have treated her so shabbily. As it was, the vampire hoped one day that the idiot would come to realise what he’d lost, and regret it.<\/p>\n

Angel knew he<\/i> would, in his place.<\/p>\n

Confused by the new feelings and thoughts going through his mind as he watched her settle, he fidgeted in his seat. \u201cI’d better let you rest.\u201d Angel finally rose to his feet. He was strangely reluctant to leave her alone again, but her eyes were slowly drifting closed; thick lashes casting shadows beneath her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026Like I’m lacking in that<\/i> department, Grr Guy.\u201d A slight smile touched her full pink mouth. He paused, awkwardly shifting his feet. Cordelia raised that now-familiar slim brow in a silent query.<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you\u2026can I visit you tomorrow night?\u201d he found himself asking hesitantly. Cordelia closed her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure. You’re a lot nicer to look at than these seriously<\/i> depressing walls.\u201d<\/p>\n

A faint smile touched his beautiful mouth as he turned to the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cAngel?\u201d glancing over, he noticed her lids still covered those jewel-like hazel irises. He waited; hand resting on the door handle.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

FIN-?<\/b><\/p>\n

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

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