Part 9<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cStill got the poncey broodiness going there, I see.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike\u2019s voice intruded on Angel\u2019s morose thoughts and Angel frowned. Fiercely.<\/p>\n
\u201cGo away, Spike.\u201d His tone left no room for argument. He turned around in his chair, facing out the darkened window and away from Spike.<\/p>\n
As usual, Spike paid no attention, perching on the edge of Angel\u2019s desk and making himself at home. \u201cSo how did the little date go, mate?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel turned to him, an eyebrow raised. \u201cSince when are you concerned with my social life?\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike shrugged, trying to look casual. \u201c\u2019m not. Just curious, is all. Want to know if you made an ass out of yourself. That\u2019s always good for a belly laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel rolled his eyes. \u201cIt didn\u2019t. Go, I mean. We just aren\u2019t, you know . . . And she isn\u2019t . . . \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia?\u201d Spike finished for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d Angel sighed, then rubbed his forehead with his fingers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cheerleader was one of a kind,\u201d Spike said, nodding in respect to her memory. \u201cCan\u2019t believe you were such a wanker. You had three years with the chit, and you never said anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel turned on him, angry. \u201cI didn\u2019t know I loved her, damn it! She was just there. I knew I cared about her. Hell, I practically told her before I got dumped into the bottom of the ocean. I knew I would die for her if it came to that, but I didn\u2019t realize how much I need her until\u2014\u201d He paused as his voice broke. \u201cAnd then she was gone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike sighed, and Angel heard dejection in the sound. \u201cCan\u2019t say I don\u2019t know what you mean.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel snorted. \u201cBut are you doing anything about it? No.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike glared at him. \u201cThat\u2019s none of your business, mate,\u201d he said, irritated.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, sure. You\u2019re in love with my ex-girlfriend and that\u2019s none of my business.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe \u2018ex\u2019 part takes it out of your territory, Angel.\u201d Spike stood defensively, his tone warning Angel to stop this thread of the conversation.<\/p>\n
The older vampire wasn\u2019t finished yet. \u201cYou say you love her, Spike. She doesn\u2019t even know you\u2019re alive.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I mean to keep it that way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Raising an eyebrow, Angel looked at him incredulously. \u201cAnd you say I\u2019m the wanker.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike just growled at him. \u201cAnd what the hell am I supposed to do, Peaches? Go find her and say, \u2018Hey, guess what. Didn\u2019t die in the apocalypse like you\u2019d thought, love. Here I am! Want to shag?\u2019 I don\u2019t think that will work.\u201d Slumping back down dejectedly, Spike crossed his arms over his chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell not if you do it that way, no,\u201d Angel said dryly.<\/p>\n
\u201cBesides, what do you care? Thought you\u2019d never approve of Buffy and me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t say that I like it, Spike. She deserves normal. That\u2019s why I left. That and the curse. I couldn\u2019t stay there, knowing that I loved her so much and couldn\u2019t have her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike snorted. \u201cYeah, that. Can\u2019t have my poncey grandsire running around terrorizing the countryside.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel let that one slide. \u201cYou can\u2019t let it pass you by, Spike. I don\u2019t like the thought of you with Buffy. I never have. She deserves normal. But,\u201d he said, stopping Spike\u2019s protestations with a look, \u201cI think you might be right. Buffy can\u2019t have normal, even if she deserves it. And if she loves you. . .\u201d he shrugged. \u201cJust don\u2019t wait until it\u2019s too late, like I did.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s only been a few months.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, but she doesn\u2019t know she\u2019s waiting for you. She might be mourning you, but she\u2019ll get over you eventually because she believes she has to. She\u2019ll start dating someone else, Spike, because she needs that. She deserves that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike stood up suddenly, fear striking his heart at the thought of Buffy moving on. He turned to Angel. \u201cI bloody well know that!\u201d There was fear on his face. \u201cBut I can\u2019t take the rejection again, Angel. Not from her. I love her too much. I\u2019d rather be alone than whipped and tortured like I was before.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel just looked at him. \u201cI still think you should say something. The soul changes things. And I saw the look in her eyes when I went back to Sunnydale. She could be yours with a little convincing. The resurrection thing is bound to score you a few points.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike looked at him suspiciously. \u201cSince when are you on my side where Buffy\u2019s concerned?\u201d<\/p>\n
Sighing, Angel leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. \u201cYou annoy the hell out of me, Spike. You probably always will. But Buffy deserves to be happy, and I think she could be with you. If you\u2019d just get off your ass and go tell her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t yet. It\u2019s too soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel just nodded, knowing that Spike wouldn\u2019t budge. Besides, Angel\u2019s heart wasn\u2019t really in this conversation anyway. It was far away with someone he couldn\u2019t go and give his love to. Not anymore.<\/p>\n
His despair must\u2019ve shown on his face. \u201cShe still isn\u2019t coming back, Peaches,\u201d Spike said softly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know,\u201d Angel said, tears coming to his eyes as he thought of her again. \u201cGod, I know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Part 10<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cSo what\u2019d they say?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia was practically hopping from one foot to another in her nervous excitement.<\/p>\n
David frowned at her. \u201cHow did you know I saw the Powers?\u201d he asked, knowing that he<\/i> hadn\u2019t been the one to spill the beans.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, it\u2019s all over the place,\u201d she said lightly, waving her hand airily. \u201cEverybody knows about it. I\u2019ve been keeping up with the rumor mill.\u201d<\/p>\n
David frowned at this. Before now, Cordelia had never expressed any desire to make friendships with her fellow citizens of heaven. Obviously she felt better about being here now that she thought it was temporary.<\/p>\n
He sighed. It now really was temporary. He was going to lose her.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey said yes,\u201d he said simply.<\/p>\n
She stared at him, awestruck for a moment, before lunging at him throwing her arms around his neck and squealing. \u201cOh my God, Davy! Talk about fantastic! You\u2019re the best guardian EVER!\u201d<\/p>\n
Gently, he extracted her arms from around his neck and set her lightly on her feet. He smiled down at her, his eyes tinged with sadness. \u201cThere\u2019s more than that, Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDuh!\u201d she said, shaking her head and plopping down into the grass, reclining back on her elbows as she looked up at him. \u201cD\u2019ya mind?\u201d she said, shielding her eyes from the sun. \u201cYou\u2019re giving me a crick in my neck. Sit down.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rolling his eyes, he joined her on the grass, his wings tucked neatly behind his back.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, yeah, there\u2019s obviously more to it than me just going back. What\u2019s going on? Is there some kind of problem they\u2019ve gotten themselves into and they couldn\u2019t find a way out?\u201d<\/p>\n
David smiled inwardly at her astuteness. She did know the Powers pretty well after having worked for them for a few years now. \u201cThere is a problem,\u201d he conceded, \u201cand you\u2019re their best hope at fixing it. They don\u2019t think Angel will trust a new seer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd the rest of the gang couldn\u2019t take the visions, right? Wes and Fred probably couldn\u2019t handle it because they\u2019re human.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot a vision of that strength, no,\u201d he agreed.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Gunn? Same reason?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot exactly,\u201d David hedged. \u201cGunn\u2019s been determined \u2018infected\u2019 because of Wolfram & Hart\u2019s upgrades to his memory.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy rolled her eyes. \u201cIf I\u2019da been there, I\u2019d never let him do that,\u201d she said, shaking her head. \u201cAnybody can tell you that you never get something for nothing. He\u2019s gonna end up paying for that.\u201d<\/p>\n
David just looked at her, not willing to reveal his knowledge on that subject.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Spike?\u201d she asked. \u201cLorne?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLorne is out because he\u2019s pure demon,\u201d David said. \u201cHe wasn\u2019t even considered. And Spike would retain the visions like you did, and the Powers already have another path for him to travel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo help Buffy again,\u201d Cordelia said, nodding. \u201cMakes sense. So I\u2019m all that\u2019s left, huh?\u201d She couldn\u2019t help but smile. \u201cFigures that they\u2019d take so long to get the right idea. Silly Powers.\u201d<\/p>\n
David squirmed at her near blasphemy. He\u2019d cautioned her about her boldness before, but she seemed unfazed by it. He seemed to recall her haughty declaration that \u201cnobody\u201d could tell Cordelia Chase what and what not to talk about.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what\u2019s the big problem that little ol\u2019 me gets to fix?\u201d she asked. \u201cDid Angel get himself in trouble already?\u201d<\/p>\n
David shook his head. \u201cNo. It\u2019s Angel\u2019s son, Connor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy frowned. \u201cBut Angel took care of him. Gave him new memories so he could have a happy life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe did. But Connor\u2019s new parents died in an accident about five months ago, right after the last time Angel went to check on him. Everyone thinks it was an accident, but someone orchestrated it to isolate Connor.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, God!\u201d She was appalled. \u201cAnd now he\u2019s all alone?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPretty much,\u201d David said. \u201cHis sister is living with their grandmother, but Connor hardly ever sees her. It\u2019s too hard on both of them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what\u2019s wrong with him besides that?\u201d<\/p>\n
David explained about Connor\u2019s new mentor. \u201cThere\u2019s someone behind him calling the shots. The Powers can\u2019t see who it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia gasped as the pieces fell into place. \u201cThey\u2019re training him to take out Angel, aren\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n
David nodded. \u201cThey are. We need you to go back and warn Angel, then find out who\u2019s behind this and stop them. Making Connor safe is very important. The Powers have plans for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy sat up straight, nodding tersely. \u201cI can do it. How long do I get to stay?\u201d<\/p>\n
David was taken aback by that question. She thought they\u2019d bring her back again? After all the trouble she\u2019d caused them?<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re staying until Angel dies, Cordy,\u201d he said gently.<\/p>\n
She gaped at him. \u201cH-how? He\u2019s immortal. I\u2019m not.\u201d It didn\u2019t get much simpler than that.<\/p>\n
David finally smiled at her for the first time today. \u201cThe Powers have bound your soul to his. You need to bond to him and you will be tied to his fate. You\u2019ll survive until he dies, by his side all the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBond? You mean have sex?\u201d<\/p>\n
David, the mighty guardian angel, actually blushed at her bluntness. Angels didn\u2019t talk about these things. \u201cYes, Cordelia. That and a blood exchange. Moreover, it must be done soon after your return to ensure that the bond is strong.\u201d<\/p>\n
She smiled at this, her eyes taking on a far away quality. Just as quickly the dreamy look was overtaken by worry. \u201cBut it\u2019s been so long, David. What if he\u2019s forgotten he loved me? What if he didn\u2019t really love me like I thought? What if he\u2019s moved on?\u201d<\/p>\n
David raised an eyebrow. \u201cThis from the girl who claimed that Angel wouldn\u2019t survive without her?\u201d<\/p>\n
She bit her lip in worry. \u201cWell, yeah. But I can\u2019t see him. I don\u2019t know that for sure, even though I\u2019d like to think I do.\u201d<\/p>\n
He took pity on her and put her fears to rest. \u201cHe still loves you, Cordy. He\u2019s having problems without you there, just like you thought.\u201d He smiled for a minute. \u201cThey say he\u2019s even started talking like you, he misses you that much.\u201d<\/p>\n
She laughed at that and the tension melted away from her shoulders. \u201cSo when do I go?\u201d<\/p>\n
He just smiled sadly, then stood. \u201cYou\u2019re leaving tomorrow, Cordelia. This is the last time I\u2019ll see you before. . .\u201d<\/p>\n
She stood, too. Reaching out, she touched the back of his hand. \u201cThank you, David. You\u2019re the best guardian angel a girl could ask for.\u201d<\/p>\n
He remained silent, not trusting himself to speak.<\/p>\n
\u201cWatch over me good, \u2018kay?\u201d she added, grinning at him with one of those smiles he loved so well.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll try,\u201d he said gruffly. \u201cI know you won\u2019t make it easy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWould ya want me to?\u201d she said cheerfully. Suddenly, she lunged at him again, wrapping her arms around his waist and squeezing him so tightly that a mortal man may have been crushed by her affections. \u201cI love you, David, and I\u2019ll miss you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll miss you, too, little one. Be happy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI will, David. Definitely.\u201d<\/p>\n
Part 11<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cGood!\u201d Jace\u2019s voice cut through the stillness of the warehouse as he and Connor battled it out for the fifth time that afternoon. \u201cKeep your sword up, your arm strong. Protect your weak side.\u201d<\/p>\n
Connor followed the instructions, even as he fought with lightening speed. Jumping higher than any normal human ever could\u2019ve, He landed on a pile of pallets nearby. He brandished his sword and smirked at the advantage he now had over his teacher.<\/p>\n
Inwardly, Jace groaned. Every day, Connor got stronger. The mystical enhancements that Jace had been taking were losing their effectiveness. He\u2019d been warned of this, but he had hoped that he\u2019d be able to hold on awhile longer. It didn\u2019t look like it was going to happen. An infusion of something powerful was what he needed, and he needed it fast. There was another option, but that was\u2014he grimaced, not wanting to think about it.<\/p>\n
The boy was obviously the child of something inhuman, despite the story his DNA told. Connor was a miracle, and it was all Jace could do to hang on for the wild ride.<\/p>\n
Just as Jace was trying to get his advantage back, Connor sprung again, this time landing directly behind him. He reached out, his fist slamming Jace\u2019s sword from his grip, then hauled his mentor back against his chest and pressed the blade to his throat.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow you like that, old man?\u201d Connor said, a smirk in his voice.<\/p>\n
He must\u2019ve been too cocky, because what happened next caught him off guard. Jace stepped back with one foot and used his weight to throw Connor over his head, dumping the young man unceremoniously on his backside.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt ain\u2019t over till it\u2019s over, kiddo,\u201d Jace said now that it was his turn to smirk. He reached a hand out to help Connor up. As Connor took it, someone in the shadows began to clap.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcellent job, Connor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Connor stared curiously in the direction of the feminine voice, then looked to Jace in question. Jace\u2019s face was instantly transformed into a proud smile as he watched his lover walk into the light and toward him.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey baby,\u201d he said softly, reaching for her and giving her a long kiss that had Connor turning away and clearing his throat.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey yourself.\u201d Rubbing Jace\u2019s chest, she smiled up at him through her lashes. She finally turned to Connor, looking him up and down once in a way that made him want to stand up tall and straighten his wrinkled shirt. \u201cHe looks like he\u2019s ready,\u201d she commented as if he weren\u2019t even there.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho are you?\u201d Connor asked, not without some edge to his voice.<\/p>\n
With the exception of Jace, who he\u2019d accepted almost immediately, he\u2019d been wary of meeting new people so soon after he\u2019d lost his parents. Come to think of it, he couldn\u2019t figure out why he\u2019d accepted Jace so quickly. There\u2019d just been something about him that had drawn him to the other man. His broad shoulders, his brown eyes that said and hid so much at the same time. He\u2019d had an attitude that seemed to suggest that he could be an extremely violent man, but he kept his inner beast tightly leashed.<\/p>\n
At Connor\u2019s question, Jace tightened his grip on the woman next to him.<\/p>\n
\u201cConnor, I\u2019d like you to meet the person who means the world to me. The woman who encouraged me to seek you out. The woman who is going to change your life just like she changed mine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Connor raised an eyebrow at Jace\u2019s description, but kept his mouth shut and let the man continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is my girlfriend, Eve.\u201d<\/p>\n