Part 11<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia,\u201d Angel pleaded, feeling the brush of the blade against his jugular. \u201cIt\u2019s not what you think-\u201d He grunted when she pressed harder.<\/p>\n
She arched her eyebrow in coy amusement. \u201cIt\u2019s not? No pulse, no body heat- you drink something coppery everyday that can resemble tomato juice?\u201d Cordelia stepped closer, so that they were barely inches apart. Staring deep into his eyes, she frowned in disappointment. \u201cIt\u2019s a shame really. . . You\u2019re so cute!\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the situation, Angel felt a swell of pride. . .\u00a0She thinks I\u2019m cute<\/i>. \u201cOkay, I\u2019m a vampire, but I have a\u00a0soul<\/i>, Cordelia!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have a soul,\u201d Her voice was dripping with sarcasm. \u201cYeah- that\u2019s a good one! Tell you what,\u201d Cordelia offered, cocking her head to the side. \u201cYou tell me who made you into a vampire, and I\u2019ll go kill them too. I\u2019m so pissed that some tramp vamp made you into a vampire, keeping the hotness that is you, away from me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI killed my sire, Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
This brought a stunned expression to her beautiful face. \u201cYou killed your sire? Why?\u201d Jun had told her that vampires were fiercely loyal to their makers. For any vampire to actually destroy their sire had to make them insane or worse- very strong. This made Cordelia steal herself more.<\/p>\n
Angel let out a small hiss as her blade made a small cut against his throat. \u201cBecause she was going to kill Buffy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, wow,\u201d Cordelia exclaimed, \u201cYour sire was going to drink Buffy?!\u201d She gave a shiver of revulsion at the idea. \u201cIntense.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, she was going to kill Buffy because she was jealous I had feelings for a human,\u201d He continued. \u201cTo make it worse, Buffy was the Slayer. This disturbed Darla tremendously.\u201d<\/p>\n
What Angel had just said had disturbed\u00a0Cordelia<\/i>\u00a0tremendously, he could tell by her reaction. A look of sorrow and shame crossed her face, her hazel eyes glittered like jewels on account of her sudden tears. \u201cBuffy was the Slayer?\u201d Cordelia felt a hollow sinking in the pit of her stomach when Angel nodded. \u201cI didn\u2019t know. . . I knew some girl died and I was Chosen, but I didn\u2019t know it was Buffy! It didn\u2019t even cross my mind that it was someone\u00a0I<\/i>\u00a0knew.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia,\u201d Angel whispered. It had dawned on him what was going through her head. She thought that Buffy was dead. \u201cBuffy died, but only for a moment. She drowned and Xander brought her back. She\u2019s fine.\u201d During her brief moment, her blade had pulled back a little from his neck, much to his relief. After this was finished, his neck was going to look like a shaving accident gone terribly wrong.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe is?\u201d Her face was full of hope. She had never been particularly fond of Buffy Summers, but she had never wished her dead. \u201cThat\u2019s good-\u201d Cordelia blinked at Angel. She didn\u2019t know his name, but somehow he knew hers! \u201cHow in the hell do you know my name?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been looking for you-\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho?!\u201d She shouted, pressing into him.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you want me to tell you, you\u2019ve got to let up!\u201d Damn she was persistent! \u201cYou won\u2019t get answers if I\u2019m dusted, Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFine,\u201d she grunted out. \u201cBut if you so much as flicker a fang at me you will be- as you so aptly put- dusted!\u201d Moving with the skill of a patient, seasoned warrior, Cordelia took a step back. Her blade was still by his neck, but not pressing against his flesh.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were helping Buffy, the night the Master rose. Xander, Buffy and I were on our way to the high school, probably right when you go up there to kill him,\u201d Angel could tell this was painful for her, so he speed up. \u201cAll of us realized another slayer must have been called. Willow and I figured out it was you.\u201d Her expression still held a mountain of doubt. \u201cBy the time we clued in on what had happened, you bailed out of town. Ever since then me, Giles, the Watcher\u2019s Council- everyone, as been looking for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell here I am,\u201d she sang. \u201cBut that still doesn\u2019t explain that crap about a soul. Vampires don\u2019t have \u2018em. Period.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel rolled his eyes in exasperation. \u201cNot unless they\u2019ve been cursed, like me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia surveyed him with a critical eye. Seeing that there was some truth to what she was saying, she backed up some more, removing her sword completely from him. She still kept it at an angle that gave her the advantage if he attacked. \u201cYou must have been pretty bad, to get someone to go to all that trouble of cursing you. Doesn\u2019t seem like you\u2019d get it on just a whim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d He replied, his mouth set in a grim line. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t.\u201d Angel\u2019s head dropped slightly in shame, as he suddenly was reminded of all the things he had done as Angelus.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d Cordelia smiled, abruptly turning away from him. \u201cI believe you, but I\u2019ve gotta go now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her sudden mood change made him dizzy. \u201cWhat? All of a sudden you believe me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYup.\u201d She was bouncing down the hill to the nearest mausoleum, oblivious to the shocked look on his face.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d Angel took off after her, not wanting to let her out of his sight. Nearly all his thoughts this past summer had been consumed with worry of her.<\/p>\n
Pausing as she bent down to pick up a large duffel bag, Cordelia slung it over her shoulder. \u201cOnly someone who has done a tremendous amount of bad, can have that lost look of shame in their eye,\u201d Cordelia gave a small smile of sympathy as the pain of his past flickered again in his soft brown orbs. \u201cAnyway,\u201d she shrugged, \u201cI knew you had a soul right when I placed the edge of my sword against your neck.\u201d She gave a bright, toothy grin at stunned look.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen why did you keep it up?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to know your story.\u201d Giving a curt nod, she headed out of the graveyard, fully aware that he was following her. \u201cIf you\u2019re going to be my shadow, can I at least know your name, dork?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s Angel, not dork.\u201d<\/p>\n
He had finally caught up and was walking beside her. \u201cIt may not be \u2018dork\u2019 but it\u2019s a dorky name! What\u2019s your real one?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel was in a state of shock. She had known immediately that he was a vampire, and after a few moments had sensed that he had a soul. Buffy hadn\u2019t figured\u00a0any<\/i>of that out, not even picking up on the fact that he was a vampire- something all slayers were supposed to do. Now, Cordelia was asking about his real name! \u201cIt was Liam,\u201d He was compelled to her, he couldn\u2019t help himself.<\/p>\n
Cordelia paused in her swift stride, mulling over the name. \u201cLiam, Liam. . . I like Angel better.\u201d<\/p>\n
He laughed, truly actually laughed. It felt funny, but good at the same time. \u201cSo where do you need to go in such a hurry?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy house- or my old house now,\u201d Cordelia tried to control the tremor in her voice. \u201cI\u2019m now officially an emancipated minor now, so I\u2019ve got to get anything I want from my parents\u2019 old house-\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean \u2018old house\u2019?\u201d Angel interrupted.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve skipped town, or rather they\u2019ve skipped the continent. I don\u2019t know where they are, but they left a nice package for me at the airport with a bitch lawyer.\u201d They had finally exited the graveyard, and were walking swiftly in the direction of Chase Manor. \u201cThe mansion has been sold, they are in another country- but they\u2019re not without\u00a0some<\/i>\u00a0heart.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow\u2019s that?,\u201d Once he found the Chases they were going to wish they had never been born.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been left with a substantial amount of fundage and apparently, I\u2019ve got a spiffy, new apartment in downtown Sunnydale,\u201d She brandished the two keys that she dug from her pocked. \u201cEverything is gone from the house, except my stuff and once that\u2019s done, the sale will be complete.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel could tell that this was still upsetting for her, but she was trying to see the bright side of the situation. \u201cI can\u2019t believe they did this to you. You\u2019re only sixteen, Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, well,\u201d she mumbled, \u201cGotta grow up sometime, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI suppose so,\u201d Angel agreed, giving her an encouraging smile. \u201cHave you seen the apartment yet?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, but it is on the top floor of the Merchant building,\u201d Cordelia answered. \u201cAccording to my dad\u2019s letter, the entire top floor of this place it mine. The Penthouse or something-\u201d Cordelia turned to Angel, her brow furred in concern when he stopped suddenly. \u201cWhat\u2019s up? Is it really seedy down there or something?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel shook this head swiftly, \u201cNo, it\u2019s not bad at all it\u2019s just-\u201d Angel shifted his stance, \u201cThat\u2019s the building I live in.\u201d This was not going to be good, but it\u00a0was<\/i>\u00a0good- or it could be bad. Angel didn\u2019t think he could handle living in such close proximity with her. He was having trouble as it was to stop looking at her lush mouth, and to know that she was only two stories away from him? Could be interesting.<\/p>\n
No such thoughts entered Cordelia\u2019s mind at hearing this bit of news. \u201cCool! I\u2019ll know someone in the building. So, he\u2019s a vampire,\u201d She poked his chest playfully, not aware of the slight twitch in his cheek. \u201cBut I\u2019m not picky.\u201d Turning back around, she started off again. \u201cI think I\u2019m gonna need a U-Haul. Do you think they\u2019re open this late?\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles\u2019 Apartment
\nThree Hours Later<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cFor God\u2019s sake, hold on a minute!\u201d The Watcher grumbled, obviously perturbed by the sudden awakening of loud pounding at his front door. Swinging it open, he was only moderately surprised it was Angel. \u201cI should have known. Only you have that persistent knock.\u201d Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Giles stepped aside, allowing Angel to enter.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiles, she\u2019s back,\u201d Angel said, in a rather excited voice that wasn\u2019t usually in his tone of voice.<\/p>\n
Giles began walking over to his small kitchen, ready to make some tea, just in case this turned into a long visit. \u201cAngel, I know Buffy\u2019s back, I am her Watcher you know.\u201d It still disturbed him greatly, the vampire\u2019s interest in his Slayer.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Angel shook his head. \u201cCordelia\u2019s<\/i>\u00a0back!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood God, when?\u201d Giles almost dropped his kettle in surprise.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust tonight. I ran into her at Brunswick.\u201d Angel smiled in memory. \u201cShe killed three vampires in about five minutes, Giles. She\u2019s good. Real good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles leaned against the counter, and Angel took a seat on the bar stool on the other side. \u201cDid you talk to her? How is she doing?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe talked. She seems to be doing good, despite what her parents have done.\u201d Angel noted the confused expression on the Watcher\u2019s face. \u201cHer parents have made her an emancipated minor, without her knowledge. She just found out at the airport, when their lawyer showed up with the documents.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJesus,\u201d Giles breathed out in frustration. \u201cAre they still in town?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel shook his head. \u201cNo, they\u2019ve left the country. They\u2019ve purchased an apartment loft for her and are allowing her the time she needs to get her belongings from Chase Manor.\u201d Angel dropped his head momentarily in concern, then raised it again to meet Giles\u2019 eyes. \u201cShe\u2019s only sixteen, Giles. This has got to be overload for her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour quite right,\u201d the Watcher agreed. \u201cWhere is she now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s at the Manor. I convinced her to stay there and get some rest.\u201d Angel gave another small smile. \u201cShe wanted to move out this very night, but she was exhausted. She knows about being a slayer, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI figured she would,\u201d Giles worked his jaw back in forth in consideration. \u201cIt seems that her great-grandfather enlightened her about her destiny.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel fingered the small cut on the base of his neck. \u201cTrained her damn well, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles noted the wound on Angel\u2019s neck. \u201cDid something happen in the graveyard, besides the other three vampires?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, Cordelia played a little game.\u201d Giles frowned in confusion. \u201cGiles, Cordelia can sense vampires, almost too well. She knew right away what I was. Buffy didn\u2019t know until I vamped out in front of her.\u201d Angel was briefly reminded of the kiss that went awry.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did she do?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, just threatened to cut my head off with her sword,\u201d Angel replied. \u201cShe prefers her samurai sword rather than a stake, by the way. Cordelia wanted to know how I got my soul.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now he was really curious. \u201cHow did she know you had a soul, Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was able to sense it and it confused her. A vampire with a soul goes against the very nature of things, and she wanted to know about it,\u201d Angel was still amazed at her technique. \u201cLet\u2019s just say she got what she wanted and was satisfied.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles walked out of the kitchen, and took a seat on his sofa in the living room. He was utterly shocked. Angel swiveled around, watching him. After collecting his thoughts, Giles turned around to face Angel, his eyes shining. \u201cIt would appear that the Bellaver, Dantes and Yoshino mix has proved quite effective.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would seem so,\u201d Angel agreed quietly, coming into the living room. \u201cI\u2019ve got a feeling this only the beginning, Giles. We\u2019re going to see a lot more of what Cordelia Chase is capable of.\u201d<\/p>\n
A lot more.<\/i><\/p>\n