Part 6<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, can you believe he said that? That I wasn\u2019t good enough for him?\u201d she scoffed. \u201cI mean, please! What man wouldn\u2019t want me?!?\u201d Cordelia\u2019s face was scrunched up in irritation, her pretty nose wrinkled and her lips set in a frown. She stubbornly ignored the voice in her head that echoed the fact that he hadn\u2019t actually said that. She\u2019d said it, taken it from his cryptic words. But oh, he\u2019d meant it, all right. Hadn\u2019t he?<\/p>\n
The air around her in the Mystique Salon, saturated with the strong smell of acetone, served as a soothing balm to Cordelia\u2019s shattered nerves. The massage session with Angel had worn down every last defense she\u2019d had, and her only recourse had been to look for something totally frivolous, a selfish pampering, that would help her deal with the crazy mixed-up emotions she had toward the broody vampire. A manicure had seemed like the best idea.<\/p>\n
Kiki, her manicurist, was efficiently filing down her ninth nail and listening intently to Cordelia\u2019s tirade. She was a pretty blonde, hair short and layered, flipped jauntily around her head. She was overweight but she carried it well, her wide smile and sparkling brown eyes drawing everyone to her pretty face. On top of all that, she was a whiz at manicures, and she had a way of listening that made her clients feel like they could tell her anything.<\/p>\n
Pausing when she realized Cordelia had stopped, Kiki cast a concerned glance at Cordelia. It was the first quiet moment since the brunette had sat heavily into the chair across from her, a dramatic sigh escaping the pouting lips in a way that had made Kiki frown in concern.<\/p>\n
\u201cGo on, hon,\u201d Kiki said, her round face turning up in a smile as she looked at one of her most loyal clients. She adopted a southern accent and drawled, \u201cTell me how that man done you wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe didn\u2019t do me wrong, exactly,\u201d Cordelia admitted, squirming a little bit. The guilt over her own actions last night kept prodding at her in the most inconvenient times. \u201cWe\u2019re going to counseling, that\u2019s all, and the therapist has been making us do these really crazy homework assignments. It\u2019s driving me nuts. One moment I want to jump him and the next moment I want to claw his eyes out. It\u2019s so frustrating!\u201d<\/p>\n
Kiki smiled knowingly. \u201cWhat kind of homework? Like role-playing games?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy\u2019s frown grew fiercer. \u201cNot exactly. Why, you know what I\u2019m talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n
The manicurist dropped Cordy\u2019s hand and went for some nail solution. She nodded as she went back to work. \u201cBrad and I, my first husband, you remember him?\u201d<\/p>\n
At Cordy\u2019s nod she continued. \u201cWell, he and I tried to get some marriage counseling when he was sleeping around. I agreed to it, mainly because my lawyer said it would look better when it came time to divvy up our assets. Anyhow, the therapist was a firm believer in creative sex as a salve for any married problems. It kind of fell apart when I drew the line at bondage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s eyebrows went up into her hairline. \u201cYour therapist wanted him to tie you up?\u201d she asked in disbelief. \u201cAfter what he did to you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Kiki laughed. \u201cNope. Wanted me to tie him up. Then do whatever I wanted to him. I wouldn\u2019t do it, \u2018case I knew that the moment he was helpless I\u2019d do something illegal. I didn\u2019t want to set myself up for a lifetime in the slammer.\u201d<\/p>\n
They shared a laugh over Kiki\u2019s good judgment.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, anyway, hon, go on about Angel. Does it really bother you so much to work through this?\u201d she asked as she put Cordy\u2019s hands in the solution to soak.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. I actually want to work it out. I care about him; he\u2019s probably the closest friend I have in the world.\u201d She paused, not quite sure where she was headed with this.<\/p>\n
Wisely keeping silent, Kiki worked steadily as Cordelia sifted through the emotions to figure it out.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just\u2014,\u201d she paused, frowning. \u201cIt\u2019s just that I feel like he\u2019s holding back from me. Like he won\u2019t trust me or something. Because he\u2019s still in love with his ex.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt hurts when the man you love won\u2019t give everything to you,\u201d Kiki stated sympathetically.<\/p>\n
\u201cHuh?\u201d Cordelia asked, confused. \u201cI don\u2019t love him. Not like that,\u201d she added hastily. \u201cWe\u2019re just co-workers. And friends. Really good friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
An indelicate snort escaped Kiki and she smirked knowingly at Cordelia. \u201cSure, honey, and I\u2019m Playboy\u2019s Playmate of the month,\u201d she laughed, thrusting her ample hip out of the chair and striking a mockery of a sultry pose.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not in love with him!\u201d Cordy said emphatically, but her eyes wouldn\u2019t meet Kiki\u2019s.<\/p>\n
The manicurist\u2019s arched eyebrow nearly disappeared into her hairline as she stared Cordelia down. The younger woman squirmed, then broke.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right! So I\u2019m insanely attracted to the guy. So what? Okay, so my heart races, my breath catches, and I get really really hot around him. And I can\u2019t help but drool when I think about seeing him naked. Big deal! I haven\u2019t gotten any in a little while. I\u2019m just horny. That\u2019s all!\u201d<\/p>\n
Kik\u2019s smile was gentle. \u201cYou ever heard that saying that \u2018De Nile\u2019 isn\u2019t just a river in Egypt?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy made face at her. \u201cHa, ha. Funny. Shut up!\u201d<\/p>\n
They sat in a moment of friendly silence and reflection. Kiki gently removed Cordelia\u2019s hands from the solution, dried them off, and began to work again. \u201cGirl, your eyes light up every time you talk about him. Every other time you\u2019ve been in here, you haven\u2019t been able to stop talking about him in one way or another.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia tried hard not to listen, but it wasn\u2019t working. \u201cNot only that, but your anger at him is based in hurt, not irritation, and face it, that\u2019s a sure sign of love.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s face crumpled and she looked like she wanted to cry. \u201cI can\u2019t be in love with him, Kiki. I just can\u2019t. I can\u2019t afford to be, emotionally. Not when he\u2019s still in love with Buffy. Not when he won\u2019t trust me.\u201d Her voice was barely a whisper, her eyes brimming with tears.<\/p>\n
Kiki sighed sympathetically. \u201cI know, honey. Believe me, I know.\u201d She shook her head ruefully as she applied the clear basecoat to Cordy\u2019s nails. \u201cHeartache is never an easy thing. But if you do love him\u2014,\u201d she stopped, looking up and catching Cordelia\u2019s gaze, her eyes earnest. \u201cHoney, if you do love him, you have to fight for him. That other girl, no matter how great she might be, isn\u2019t here. She gave up, too, even if he\u2019s the one who left. And you\u2019re here picking up the pieces even now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy\u2019s breath caught in her throat as she realized the wisdom in Kiki\u2019s words.<\/p>\n
The manicurist continued, the polish frozen in her hand as she displayed the naked truth. \u201cYou\u2019re here. She\u2019s not. You love him, and from everything you tell me, it sounds like he thinks the world of you. Even if you think he\u2019s holding back, he doesn\u2019t know that you love him, right? You have a chance here, kiddo, to get the man of your dreams. Don\u2019t let fear take that chance away from you.\u201d<\/p>\n
One tear spilled over and tracked down Cordelia\u2019s cheek. She took up her unoccupied hand and wiped it away, sniffling a little bit as she tried to get a hold of herself.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, Kiki, you always know what to say.\u201d Her smile was wobbly, but genuine.<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, hon. You know me. The advice comes free. It\u2019s the beauty you have to pay for.\u201d She grinned at her cheekiness.<\/p>\n
Cordy\u2019s friendly gaze stared back, but the dark clouds remained behind her eyes. What Kiki said made sense. But it made sense only if Angel wasn\u2019t Angel. Only if Angel was a normal human guy with a normal, safe job. With a soul that wasn\u2019t trying to escape every time he got a break in life. Because the underlying problem here wasn\u2019t his love for Buffy, not really. That was important, but it wasn\u2019t the crux of the issue. The problem was his curse. They could only go so far together before he would cross that line and the man she loved would disappear, a psychotic killer in his place.<\/p>\n
She wanted to fight for him. Madly. Desperately. Wanted to take back every hurtful thing she\u2019d said the night before, replay the incident and beg him to love her the way that she loved him. But she couldn\u2019t. If she ignored the curse to seek her happiness, she knew that eventually, she wouldn\u2019t be able to hold back, and she knew, that if he returned her feelings, he wouldn\u2019t be able to either.<\/p>\n
So she was back to square one. Alone, miserable, and in love.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel paced the dimly lit lobby, waiting for Cordelia to arrive so they could head over to Dr. Van Buren\u2019s for their next session. He\u2019d been up all night, as vampires were wont to do, pacing and rerunning the entire miserable fiasco of the massage in his mind. Every wrong thing he said seem to shout back at him in his brain, and her hurtful comments twisted in his gut. He knew she hadn\u2019t meant much of what she said, but there was a ring of truth behind some of it, and it scared him. Now, more than ever, he realized how much he needed her, and he couldn\u2019t afford for her to distance herself now.<\/p>\n
More disturbing was the question that had haunted him, after he\u2019d finally managed to suppress the memories of their argument, continued to call to him even now.<\/p>\n
Was he in love with Cordelia?<\/p>\n
He paused in the middle of the lobby to reflect again. He desired her, that much was without question. Every time she was in the room his body seemed to come alive. His dreams were saturated with her, his list of fantasies involving her, endless. And what\u2019s more, he knew that she was just as attracted to him. On a more emotional level, he valued her as a person, wanted her as a regular fixture in his life. Doyle had said once that Cordelia was his link to humanity. That she\u2019d keep him connected to people and not let him go back to brooding like he had been before L.A. She\u2019d been that and so much more. Not only would she not let him brood, she also managed to find his buried sense of humor. She made him feel like a man, and no one, not even Buffy, had been able to reach his soul quite the way that Cordelia did.<\/p>\n
The only thing that kept him from saying he was in love with Cordelia was the fact that he couldn\u2019t give her a future. With the curse still firmly in place, he knew that any love shared between them was lost before they even took hold of it. It made him despair, to know that he could never really love her. Not like he wanted to.<\/p>\n
Just listening to his thoughts, it struck him. He was<\/i> in love with Cordelia. It had happened when he\u2019d least expected it, but it was there within him just the same. And knowing that he could do nothing brought him to the deepest level of regret he\u2019d ever faced. She deserved a better life. Somehow, though, he knew that she would still choose him.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia had managed to get a handle on her emotions by the time she walked back into the hotel and found Angel standing there in the dark, staring off into space. She was a little late, having arrived closer to 5 p.m. than she\u2019d wanted, but she felt that the delay was worthwhile. She\u2019d repaired her make-up, given herself a rousing pep talk, and had taken several deep, calming breaths before she walked into the lobby.<\/p>\n
All of that preparation did nothing to alleviate the response of her body and soul when she saw him again, though. Despite all of the problems of last night, her recent realization of her growing feelings for him assaulted her from every angle.<\/p>\n
She walked into the lobby noiselessly, slowly, both dreading and anticipating the moment he\u2019d turn and look at her. When he didn\u2019t, she just stood there quietly, watching him. He was beautiful in his silence; a stoic, modern-day epic hero. He was poetry in repose, all hard angles and lines, an intriguing blend of dark hues that blended into the shadows, drawing her to him.<\/p>\n
Something stirred inside her as she watched him, something primal, something needy, her body and soul thirsting for him at an elemental level. She nearly burst into tears on the spot, the magnetism was so powerful yet so heart wrenching. In that moment, she was truly undone.<\/p>\n
The night before, in the heat and intensity of their anger, she\u2019d felt a similar yearning of her body to his, but had chalked it up to nothing more than angry lust, sparked by her volatile emotions at the time. Now, though, the draw to him was unmistakable, a recognition in the very depths of her being that he was the one she\u2019d been looking for her entire life.<\/p>\n
Funny how she hadn\u2019t known she\u2019d ever begun looking in the first place.<\/p>\n
Yet here he was, in front of her, the perfect mate for her soul, mind, and body, and he was unattainable. She knew it. He knew it. And the desperation that clawed at her when she understood that they would never be was devastating. In a bid to control the despair swirling inside her, she drew herself up and put on her most comfortable fa\u00e7ade. The one that kept her popular, yet safe. Friendly, yet distanced. The Cordelia that she\u2019d been when she first met Angel, and the Cordelia that knew how to keep her distance but cheer him up at the same time.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, big guy,\u201d she said, trying to interject a smile into her voice. It was important that he understand that last night was forgotten. That she wanted to ignore it, or get past it. \u201cReady to go visit Dr. Pain and Torture?\u201d<\/p>\n
He seemed startled by her voice, his shoulders twitching almost imperceptibly before he turned to face her. She knew that anyone who didn\u2019t know him so well would\u2019ve thought he\u2019d heard her coming, but she knew that he\u2019d been so deep within himself that his senses had been muffled. It was a dangerous place for him, to go so far that he\u2019d let his guard down, and it made her heart break for him that much more. He wouldn\u2019t have retreated like that if he hadn\u2019t been so hurt.<\/p>\n
He put on a small smile for her benefit, then his eyes roamed over her figure. She realized he was checking her to make sure she was safe and unharmed, and it warmed her to her toes. Since when had his chauvinistic, protective behavior been so comforting?<\/p>\n
After reassuring himself that she was fine, his smile fell away, but he still didn\u2019t say anything. He stared into her eyes, the pain and despair he was feeling muted but still present. Finally, he found his words.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbout last night, Cordy,\u201d he began, but she shushed him.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, last night was a mess. We both said things we didn\u2019t mean, or at least shouldn\u2019t have said. We\u2019re supposed to be working through our problems, not making them worse, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
He nodded, the relief at her easy acceptance exuding from every pore.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo let\u2019s just go see if Dr. Van Buren can fix the mess we made, okay?\u201d Her smile was gentle, her eyes sparkling. \u201cBesides, wouldn\u2019t do to have you all broody and crap when we go to the session. I think she\u2019s hot for that dark and silent thing you\u2019ve got going.\u201d<\/p>\n
He looked startled, the frowned fiercely. \u201cShe is not hot for me, Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
She rolled her eyes and pfft\u2019d, then turned away to walk toward the doors, heading for the car. \u201cPlease, Angel. Women can tell these things about other women. She thinks you\u2019re hot. She wants your butt, preferably naked. She practically has to wipe the drool off when you get all dark and broody in her office.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever, Cordelia,\u201d he said, shaking his head as he followed her, but not able to keep the smile from creeping onto his face. \u201cSo what if she is? I can\u2019t exactly help it if women like how I look.\u201d<\/p>\n
She snorted in disbelief. \u201cYeah right, vamp guy. You love it that women drool over you. Admit it!\u201d She was grinning cheekily as she opened the passenger door to the Plymouth and slid in.<\/p>\n
He just shrugged as he slid in beside her. \u201cIt\u2019s a distraction when women flirt with me. I don\u2019t need that.\u201d<\/p>\n
She rolled her eyes. \u201cStop. Please! This is Cordy you\u2019re talking to here. I\u2019ve watched all the women parade in and out of your life since Buffy. The entire flirty, giggly lot of them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere weren\u2019t any giggly ones,\u201d he countered, confirming her point even with that denial.<\/p>\n
She smirked in triumph. \u201cOh, maybe not giggly ones. But maybe some of those,\u201d she raised her voice to a high pitched, breathy note, clasped her hand over her heart, and mocked, \u201c\u2019Oh, Angel! Save me, please! With your big, strong muscles and your attractively spikey hair! And your swishy dark coat is so sexy, too!\u2019\u201d She pouted, still in character, and fluttered her eyelashes at him. \u201c\u2019You\u2019re my hero, Angel! Take me to bed and love me forever!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Then she giggled hysterically at the chagrined look on his face. She watched, amazed, as the smile started at the corners of his mouth, then slowly consumed his entire face, until even his eyes were sparkling back at her. He lit up like a house afire, and it was beautiful. Quickly, her amusement turned to teary sorrow. Sorrow that this light moment and others like it were coming fewer and farther between. That they were losing the connection they once had even as their feelings for each other deepened.<\/p>\n
Angel hadn\u2019t noticed her distress, not yet, his eyes still on the road. He was grinning as he thought how accurately she\u2019d mimicked some of the women he\u2019d pulled out of harm\u2019s way, and it made him laugh. So he did. A rich, deep, full bodied sound that wrenched Cordelia out of her pain and back into the joy of the moment. His joy, as fleeting as it was.<\/p>\n
He said something to tease her back, continuing the banter and maintaining the veneer of normalcy that they fought so hard to keep lately. And in that sweet, perfect moment, she seized the day and forced down the pain. She had a lifetime of misery ahead of her, and she planned to make some good memories if she could.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
If Cordelia had thought that Angel\u2019s frowns were fierce, they didn\u2019t hold a candle to Dr. Van Buren\u2019s. The woman had asked for a run-down of their last homework session, and Cordelia had reluctantly complied, nearly everything spilling out in a play-by-play that was painful in its retelling. Dr. Van Buren\u2019s frown had grown and grown, until her entire face contorted in a grimace that was nearly satanic.<\/p>\n
They didn\u2019t know that the distress within her over the time bomb of Angel\u2019s curse had her quivering like a leaf. They only had two short weeks left before the proverbial shit hit the fan. Quickly finding a grip on her spiraling sanity, she channeled her nervousness into irritation at her patients.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not promising,\u201d she said darkly. \u201cAre you sure you followed my instructions to the letter?\u201d she asked accusingly.<\/p>\n
Cordy frowned, affronted that she would ask that. \u201cOf course we did! But what did you think would happen? Talking about our exes is a sore subject with both of us already. How would increasing our vulnerability make it any better?\u201d<\/p>\n
The psychiatrist was silent for a moment. She stood, pacing in front of the quiet couple on the couch. She stopped abruptly and faced them.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to ask you to do something in front of me that will seem uncomfortable to you. But I ask that you trust me, for the good of your therapy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel and Cordelia nodded. they were used to this by now, or at least they should be.<\/p>\n
\u201cVery good then,\u201d Dr. Van Buren nodded, satisfied with their compliance. \u201cYou.\u201d She pointed to Angel. \u201cKiss her.\u201d Her look entertained no idea of argument.<\/p>\n
\u201cWh-What?\u201d Cordelia gasped. Not this, not now. Please god, not now, not when she was so weak in her defenses against him.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s entire being tightened up at the doctor\u2019s order. He quickly contained the bolt of desire that shot through him, and forced himself to maintain control. He turned to face Cordelia, his eyes shuttered.<\/p>\n
Seeing his eyes so cut off from her strangely gave Cordelia strength. She was able to distance herself, shove her feelings down into the corner of her heart, and wait for his lips to claim hers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI did mean today,\u201d Dr. Van Buren urged dryly, then sat down in the chair across from them. Angel just glared at her, then turned back to Cordy.<\/p>\n
He met her gaze steadily, his eyes fathomless, and raised one cool hand to cup her jaw. He pulled her gently toward him, meeting her halfway, and softly settled his lips on hers.<\/p>\n
Dr. Van Buren could have sworn she saw sparks when their lips met. She watched in fascination as Angel controlled the kiss, devouring Cordelia\u2019s mouth in a way that made her own legs shake.<\/p>\n
Cordelia had been unprepared for the onslaught of emotion when Angel\u2019s lips touched hers. She gasped for breath at the jolt of electricity that passed between them, her hands coming up to grip his shoulders, then slide up to his neck and into his hair. She was drowning, and clinging to him was her only salvation.<\/p>\n
His mouth melded to hers in a perfection of fit that seemed to defy logic. She tasted sweet and spicy at the same time, her strawberry lip gloss tantalizing his usually unresponsive taste buds, but it was the exotic flavor of Cordelia herself that etched at Angel\u2019s control like acid on metal. He deepened the kiss, his tongue probing into her mouth and curling around hers, sweeping the dark interior and lapping up whatever taste of her he could find. He was drugged by the power of her, lost in the heady emotion of being so intimately connected with the woman he loved.<\/p>\n
Cordelia pulled back just long enough to gasp for air, then resumed the contact almost as if they\u2019d never separated at all. She worked at his iron will, every touch tantalizing him and tempting him further toward destruction. One thumb stroked over the place where his pulse point should\u2019ve been, and that intimate touch, so important to a vampire, made him growl in painful frustration and release her.<\/p>\n
Gasping for air, Cordelia stared at him with wonder. He chanced a look back at her, then quickly turned away. The provocative picture she made was too much of a temptation. The vision seared into his brain: her flushed cheeks, swollen lips, glistening eyes, rapid pulse. All of it swirled together into a cocktail so potent it threatened to consume him.<\/p>\n
After a moment to get themselves together, Cordelia and Angel turned back to Dr. Van Buren, looks of accusation on their faces. Why she felt it necessary to put them through torture like that was beyond either of them.<\/p>\n
The therapist stared back resolutely. \u201cThank you for your cooperation. I know that was difficult for the both of you, but it answered many questions for me.\u201d She straightened up and stood, crossing her arms and positioning herself in front and above them.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, I have several questions for you that may seem invasive and unnecessary, but I request, for the good of your therapy, that you answer them and answer them truthfully. Angel, I\u2019ll begin with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
He struggled to regain the control of his emotions. Right now, all he wanted to do was flay the skin from her body for teasing him with Cordelia and then denying him. Now what would she make him do? Cut out his fingernails with a butter knife?<\/p>\n
She was oblivious to the straining leash of his demon. \u201cAngel, when you first began to feel angry with Cordelia last night, were any feelings of lust or sexual attraction involved?\u201d<\/p>\n
He nearly choked. \u201cYes,\u201d he growled, trying not to hate the woman. God, she was cruel.<\/p>\n
Cordy\u2019s stomach clenched at that revelation. Their kiss had revealed his attraction to her, but she hadn\u2019t known it had played a part last night.<\/p>\n
Dr. Van Buren continued. \u201cAnd as the massage progressed, did those feelings intensify, despite your attempts to control them?\u201d<\/p>\n
He nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see,\u201d she said, deep in thought. \u201cWhen you got your angriest, were your feelings of lust equally strong?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, damn it! Why the hell do we have to talk about this?\u201d he yelled, his fists clenched. He\u2019d had just about enough of this goddamn nonsense!<\/p>\n
Her own eyes narrowed. \u201cAs we\u2019ve discussed before, lust and passion with the two of you are interlinked. Strong feelings, strong emotions and lust are interlinked. Touch and lust are interlinked. The interaction between you just moments ago is evidence enough of that.<\/p>\n
She paused as she clinically sorted through the facts. \u201cIt seems as though the underlying problem here isn\u2019t the touching, as I\u2019d first suspected. It\u2019s the lust itself.\u201d<\/p>\n
They just stared at her, both too buzzed in too many ways to be active participants.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia,\u201d Dr. Van Buren turned to the trembling brunette.<\/p>\n
\u201cWait,\u201d Cordy interrupted her. \u201cIf you\u2019re going to ask me the same questions you asked him, the answers are all yes. Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Van Buren nodded. \u201cVery well. I see that we have made a break through with this discovery, and its clear to me that we must bring these feelings to the surface, to their most powerful, to be able to expel them and cleanse your relationship with one another. To bring back its purity.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExpel them?\u201d Cordy said shakily. She kind of liked being hot for Angel, not that she\u2019d ever say that out loud.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s thoughts were running a similar path. There was no way in hell he\u2019d be able to \u2018expel\u2019 the lust he felt for Cordelia. Not when it was so firmly intertwined with the burgeoning love that threatened to consume his soul.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Dr. Van Buren confirmed. \u201cExpel. Eradicate. Destroy.\u201d She said each synonym with the rapid fire of a machine gun. The results were nearly as devastating. The couple felt as though the sofa had been yanked out from underneath them.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see only two outcomes from this present course,\u201d Dr. Van Buren postulated. \u201cOne, you get so angry with one another that your relationship ceases to exist on any level. Two, you tamp down your emotions so much that you slowly drift apart, afraid to deepen your friendship for fear that you will destroy each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her conclusions echoed their own misgivings about their current path.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see only one viable treatment for this unenviable situation,\u201d she concluded. She turned and faced them, her imperious stare pinning them both to the couch like a spider skewering its prey.<\/p>\n
Cordelia and Angel waited with baited breath as the hammer poised to drop. They were not disappointed in the shocking revelation of their therapist.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only logical solution is that you sleep together.\u201d<\/p>\n