Part 2<\/b><\/p>\n
Angel and Cordelia stood next to one another, elbows touching tentatively as they hovered near Wesley. He was on the phone, waiting for Sunnydale to answer, and all three of them were anxious. They\u2019d pinned all their hopes on the possibility that Giles would know what to do. Giles always<\/i> knew what to do!<\/p>\n
Cordelia had only been awake for ten minutes or so, but in that short period she\u2019d felt an amazing change in her body. She\u2019d always felt relatively healthy, except for the sometimes debilitating vision pain, but right at this moment, she felt as if her good health had been multiplied by a factor of ten thousand! Her entire body buzzed. She felt every little thing in the room, every breath, every movement, and every sound. She sensed Angel\u2019s presence as a vampire like she never had before. It was true that she had developed a knack for knowing when he entered a room, but that was more of a sixth sense. This, on the other hand, was pure gut certainty<\/i> that Angel was, without a doubt, a vampire and her senses literally tingled with his close proximity.<\/p>\n
As was evidenced by her little Xena display in the lobby a few minutes ago, her strength was at a premium. She felt like she had stamina that would last her for days, like she could slay twenty vampires and not break a sweat. The feeling was heady, intoxicating. She was dying to go patrol with Angel and test out her new abilities.<\/p>\n
Wait just a goddamn minute. Patrol with Angel? Slaying vampires? What the freakin\u2019 hell was going on here???<\/p>\n
\u201cGiles! Hello.\u201d Wesley\u2019s words broke into Cordelia\u2019s near epiphany.<\/p>\n
Angel stepped closer, able to hear Giles\u2019s words and wanting to make sure he didn\u2019t miss a thing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley,\u201d Giles voice rang through the phone. \u201cWe were just about to call you. Something very strange has happened and I wanted to know if you\u2019re behind it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFunny you should mention that. Something weird is going on here, too, and I have a feeling they may be linked. I received an orb in the mail with a return address from Sunnydale. Any chance you\u2019ve received something similar in the mail recently?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAh, yes. I had assumed it was from you; the return address said Los Angeles. The orb has had a rather . . . interesting affect on Buffy,\u201d Giles said.<\/p>\n
Angel could just imagine the Englishman rubbing the bridge of his nose as he talked, his glasses dangling from his fingers by the earpiece.<\/p>\n
Now we\u2019re getting somewhere,<\/i> Wesley thought. \u201cDid she happen to twist the sphere, become enveloped in a white light, and then pass out?\u201d<\/p>\n
There was a pause from Giles. Then, \u201cYes, exactly that. How did you know?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe same thing happened to Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I see,\u201d Giles paused again, the wheels turning in his head almost audible.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s more,\u201d Wesley continued, wanting to give the older man as much information as possible to make an informed hypothesis. \u201cCordelia\u2019s strength has increased considerably. She was able to kick Angel halfway across the room with almost no effort.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel frowned, annoyed at how weak that made him sound.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I feel all tingly and stuff, too,\u201d Cordelia added. When Wesley didn\u2019t convey her words, she added, \u201cHey!\u201d and motioned to the phone, frowning.<\/p>\n
Wesley sighed long-sufferingly. \u201cAnd she feels all tingly and stuff, too,\u201d he said, drawing the words out and mimicking her tone.<\/p>\n
There was a minor scuffle on the other end of the phone, and Giles came back on the line sounding harried. \u201cI\u2019ll have to call you back, Wesley. Buffy\u2019s had some sort of episode and she\u2019s in a lot of pain.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cVery well, Giles. We\u2019ll continue to research here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles hung up quickly and Wesley set the phone back in its place, then looked up at Angel and Cordelia.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat wasn\u2019t very helpful,\u201d Cordelia huffed, sitting down in a chair and crossing her arms. \u201cHe didn\u2019t tell us anything. I could be a freak like this forever. But, oh, wait. Working for a broody vampire guy with a soul that won\u2019t stay put and getting smelly 3-D visions of demons and violence. Yep, already a freak. This just makes it that much WORSE!!\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley fought the urge to roll his eyes at her. \u201cCalm down, Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCalm down. Calm down?!? I\u2019m becoming a carbon copy of Little Miss Slay Happy and you want me to CALM DOWN?!?\u201d She jumped back out of the chair and began pacing in front of the desk.<\/p>\n
Angel gaped at her. \u201cWait, what did you just say?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia glared at him. \u201cYou know, you\u2019d think with that super vamp hearing you wouldn\u2019t need me to repeat myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I mean about Buffy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia ignored the twinge in her heart at his seeming defense of his ex and reverted back to what she knew best. Snarking. She rolled her eyes dramatically. \u201cOh, please, Angel. Look, we all know that you still have a thing for her, and we all know that I think she\u2019s a complete freak. I criticize her, but you don\u2019t have to get all huffy about it now. Geez, I\u2019ve said worse things before.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel shook his head rapidly. \u201cNo, that\u2019s not it. You said you were turning into her.\u201d<\/p>\n
She looked at him like he was insane. \u201cDuh, yeah! I\u2019m like, super chick now. I can kick your ass all the way across the room.\u201d She smiled at that, then punched the air with her fists. \u201cMaybe that Tae Bo I did will actually come in handy. That and the training you gave me. Hey!\u201d She whirled around and faced him, a huge smile on her face. \u201cI could actually kick some demon ass! I rock!\u201d<\/p>\n
Her turnabout made Wesley\u2019s head spin. After it cleared, he had a sudden idea. \u201cWait, Giles said that Buffy had the same thing happen to her, and then she had an \u2018episode.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAn episode? Am I going to start having episodes? What if they make me convulse or something and I bite my tongue off. I need my tongue!\u201d<\/p>\n
The men stared at her as she swerved yet again from excitement back to hysteria.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the hell is an \u2018episode\u2019?\u201d Angel asked. He\u2019d decided to ignore Cordelia\u2019s mood swings and Wesley was apparently doing the same.<\/p>\n
Wesley shrugged. \u201cI have absolutely no idea. I guess we\u2019ll just have to wait until Giles calls us back to confirm it, but I do have a theory.\u201d He paused dramatically.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell spill it already, Wesley. I could be dying here.\u201d Cordelia gasped, \u201cOr worse! This strength might give me massive muscles like one of those gross female body builders who don\u2019t look like women except for the bikini and the big hair, and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Cordelia, for that lovely image,\u201d Wesley interrupted, his stern glare making her shut up momentarily. \u201cAs I was saying, I think that Cordelia may have exchanged her seer abilities for Buffy\u2019s slayer ones.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a SLAYER?\u201d Cordelia\u2019s eyes popped wide open and her jaw dropped. \u201cSlayers have a life span of like, 20 years, max. I\u2019m going to die.\u201d She whirled to face Angel. \u201cDo something!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia . . .\u201d Angel paused, walking closer towards her. He placed his hands on her shoulders and squeezed them gently. \u201cYou\u2019re not going to die. You\u2019re going to be fine. You already know the basics of fighting, and the Slayer strength, if that\u2019s what you have, will make up for the rest. We can test it out, if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTest it out? Like how? I am so<\/i> not going to go looking for vampires to slay just so I can test<\/i> this. Wesley\u2019s been wrong before, you know. Maybe that\u2019s not it. Maybe it\u2019s just temporary, or something.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley jumped back into the conversation, determined to put a lid on Cordelia\u2019s hysterical behavior. \u201cTesting it would be a good idea. You can fight Angel while we wait for Giles to call. It\u2019s not like you haven\u2019t sparred with him before.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, but that was when I was weak. Now I could like, kill him or something. I\u2019m scared of myself, Wesley.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even though she\u2019d spoken to Wesley, Angel answered her. Before she could protest, he moved his hands from her shoulders and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against him in a tight hug. He kissed her forehead gently.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t be scared, Cordy. I\u2019ll take care of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
She pulled back from him and looked at him strangely; he\u2019d comforted her before, but something was different about this time. Lately, he\u2019d put more distance between them than he usually did, and this sudden gesture seemed out of character.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s up with you, Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
The \u201cepisode\u201d that Buffy had had before Giles picked up the phone had only gotten worse while he was conversing with Wesley. The images had stopped after the initial seizure, but the pain was steadily increasing. Buffy had tried to hold back any audible complaints, but when Giles\u2019s conversation had gone on longer than she thought it would, Buffy couldn\u2019t help but moan loudly. He\u2019d looked at her with concern and hung up hastily.<\/p>\n
Giles moved to her side, kneeling in front of the chair in which she was sitting. \u201cXander,\u201d he said without looking at him, \u201cgo get the bottle of pills in the drawer next to the cash register. The prescription bottle.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy looked at him warily. \u201cWhat are you giving me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust some codeine, Buffy. My dentist gave me some when I had some work done earlier this year, and I think it might help your pain.\u201d<\/p>\n
A few minutes later, Xander returned with two white pills and a glass of water. Buffy drank them down gratefully, praying that the medicine would work quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you have some sort of premonition, Buffy?\u201d Giles asked gently. He didn\u2019t want to rush her, but time might be important here.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d she sighed. \u201cI don\u2019t know what it was for sure. It was like I could see what would happen late tonight. I knew what time it was, what the address was, who was there and what would happen if we didn\u2019t stop it.\u201d She\u2019d been staring down at the now-empty water glass as she spoke, but now she turned her eyes up to Giles and the sadness in them was unmistakable.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was Cordelia, Giles.\u201d Everyone gasped at her words, Willow exchanging a meaningful look with Xander.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was being bitten by a vampire. There were others around her, preventing anyone from rescuing her.\u201d Buffy set the glass on the table behind her, her frustration clearly evident. \u201cIt was like I could tell that Angel and Wesley were there, but I couldn\u2019t see them. All I could see was Cordelia with her neck exposed, the vampire\u2019s fangs out and closing in on her, and all I wanted to do was stake him, but I couldn\u2019t reach her. I could only watch helplessly.\u201d<\/p>\n
She turned to Giles and grabbed his shoulders, grasping them firmly. \u201cWe have to help her, Giles. I may not like Cordelia all that much, but she doesn\u2019t deserve to die like that. I won\u2019t have that on my conscience.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll help her, Buffy,\u201d Giles said, extracting her fingers from his arms and placing her hands in his own. He squeezed them gently as he continued. \u201cYou said you knew the time and location?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. It\u2019s in . . . Oh, god! Two hours, Giles, that\u2019s all! We have to leave. NOW.\u201d<\/p>\n
He nodded swiftly and stood up, the rest of the group scrambling in his wake.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe books, Giles?\u201d Willow asked, not knowing what to take and what to leave.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll grab the ones I think we need. Wesley will have almost all of them, anyway,\u201d he answered. \u201cXander, get Buffy into the car. Let\u2019s get out of here as quickly as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pain medication had worked quickly and Buffy was able to stand without feeling lightheaded. Her thoughts turned immediately to those not present. \u201cDawn and Spike?\u201d she asked Giles softly, grabbing his arm to get his attention.<\/p>\n
\u201cDawn can stay at her friend\u2019s house. Spike will\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll what?\u201d the vampire\u2019s voice cut into their conversation. Before Giles could answer, he noticed Buffy standing slightly behind her watcher, partially hidden from view. He immediately went over to her and cupped her chin in his hand, tilting her gaze up to his.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow\u2019re you feeling, luv?\u201d His eyes were blue depths of concern, and it warmed Buffy to the core to see him so worried about her.<\/p>\n
Buffy smiled softly at him, the small amount of pain left in her head making her unable to dredge up the mask she usually donned around him. \u201cI\u2019m fine, Spike. Xander will tell you about it on the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re coming with us,\u201d Giles said, his tone not allowing any room for argument. \u201cGo get your car. You can take Xander and Anya with you. Willow and Buffy will ride with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWait just a minute here, Watcher. Buffy looks like she\u2019s in pain. She\u2019s in no condition to go anywhere, except to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander pinned a scathing look on him and answered for Giles. \u201cHow Buffy feels is none of your business, Spike. How many times do we have to tell you that? You\u2019re not good enough for her. Stop drooling after her like a sorry lost puppy. She\u2019s never going to be with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike\u2019s eyes narrowed, but he forbore to reply, counting to ten to bring his rage to a manageable level. He decided just to ignore Xander\u2019s uniformed but well-intentioned comments, and addressed Giles again.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s not going anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy reached for his arm and grasped it, the touch causing him to look back down at her. \u201cI have to go, Spike. Cordelia will die if I don\u2019t. There\u2019s no other choice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike\u2019s shoulder\u2019s slumped visibly when he heard Cordelia\u2019s name. \u201cGreat. My wonderful, loving sire. Can\u2019t wait to see that soul-having poof again.\u201d He sucked it up when he saw Buffy\u2019s frown. \u201cI don\u2019t have anything against the cheerleader, luv, I just don\u2019t want to see Angel. He gets on my nerves.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI realize that, but I need you there to help us fight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s go, people. We don\u2019t have much time,\u201d Giles\u2019s anxious voice broke into their conversation.<\/p>\n
\u201cAren\u2019t you going to call Wesley and warn him?\u201d Willow said, her practicality coming to the fore.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course.\u201d Giles looked insulted. \u201cPack up and wait for me in the car.\u201d<\/p>\n
The entire group exited as Giles picked up the phone and dialed the LA number. It rang a few times, then the line went dead. Giles tried to call again, but all he got was a busy signal.<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn,\u201d he muttered, glancing at the clock. He didn\u2019t have time to sit here and figure out what happened. He didn\u2019t have cell phone numbers for any of the LA people, either; they would just have to drive as fast as they could and try to get there ahead of the impending disaster. He hoped that they weren\u2019t going to be too late.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Gunn walked out of the kitchen carrying the cordless phone in his hand, Fred trailing behind him.<\/p>\n
\u201cMake sure they get extra pepperoni on the pizza. Ooo, and extra cheese.\u201d Fred poked him in the side when he didn\u2019t acknowledge her.<\/p>\n
\u201cOw!! Yeah, girl, okay. Geez. I\u2019m on hold here. Be cool!\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred just rolled her eyes at him and preceded him into the lobby. She stopped in her tracks when she saw what was in front of her.<\/p>\n
Cordelia had Angel pinned up against one of the walls, her hand resting on his chest, her short sword at his throat. Her smile was wickedly proud as she dropped the weapon and backed away.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, baby. Now who\u2019s the bad ass fighter?\u201d She raised her hands in a call for cheers. \u201cMe! I\u2019m the queen!\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel pushed himself away from the wall, straightening his collar as if it had just recently become too tight. \u201cI was going easy on you,\u201d he said, trying to save face. \u201cI wasn\u2019t sure exactly how strong you were now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia gave him a withering look. \u201cThat\u2019s beneath you, Angel. You were so not going easy on me. I won, fair and square. I could kick your broody butt clear into next Tuesday,\u201d she gloated, her smirk returning.<\/p>\n
Angel was loving how sexy she looked when she was gloating. Her face was shining with the pleasure of her victory, and even if he felt like a total wuss for losing, he wasn\u2019t going to try to take that joy away from her. He\u2019d just make sure he smacked down her cute ass during the next fight.<\/p>\n
His face slowly took on a predatory look as he walked closer, the power in his stance meant to intimidate. He stopped mere inches from her and got right up into her face.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, really. Next Tuesday, huh?\u201d he asked nonchalantly.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, yeah. Bring it on, big guy.\u201d Her tone was challenging, but Cordelia felt like her insides had turned into a whole flock of butterflies. Angel\u2019s close proximity was doing a number on her, turning her into a mass of sizzling nerves. Her new, sharp senses made her whole body come alive at his nearness, and that, combined with the heady feeling of post-battle adrenaline made her want to jump him, knock him to the floor, and . . . well, she couldn\u2019t let herself think about that just now.<\/p>\n
Angel noticed her heightened arousal and it turned him on like nothing ever had before. Without thinking about it, he put an arm around her waist and drew her closer to him until their bodies touched, then leaned his lips down toward hers. Cordelia\u2019s breath caught in her throat as she saw the smoldering intention in his eyes and her heartbeat quickened in anticipation. Her mouth opened slightly and she held her breath, sliding her eyes shut as she waited for Angel\u2019s lips to make contact with hers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the hell do you think you\u2019re doing?!?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley\u2019s angry voice penetrated the sexually charged haze surrounding vampire and seer\/slayer and they jumped apart guiltily. They looked over at Wesley, only to see him reach up and grab the cordless phone from Gunn\u2019s hand and disconnect the call.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey!\u201d Fred cried. \u201cHe was ordering pizza!\u201d<\/p>\n
There might as well have been steam coming out of Wesley\u2019s ears. \u201cWhile you two were cavorting<\/i> around the hotel this afternoon, we\u2019ve had a major crisis. In case you didn\u2019t notice, Cordelia just beat Angel in a fight. That doesn\u2019t just happen on its own!!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGeez, English. Chill. You look like you\u2019re about to blow a gasket. What\u2019s this got to do with pizza?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSunnydale is involved and I\u2019m waiting for a call from Giles.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred\u2019s irritation vanished at Wesley\u2019s explanation. \u201cOh. Well, I\u2019m sorry, Wesley, but we didn\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia poked Angel in the ribs. \u201cI told you we should\u2019ve gotten call waiting. Cheapskate.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, I\u2019m not the boss anymore. Don\u2019t look at me.\u201d They all turned to look at Wesley, but he ignored them; he was calling Sunnydale.<\/p>\n
After several rings, Wesley forcefully pushed the off button and slammed the phone down on the table. \u201cDamn. They\u2019re not answering.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel shrugged. \u201cWhat can we do? Cordelia\u2019s obviously got strength equal to Buffy\u2019s. I think we should just keep researching and go from there. You\u2019re feeling okay, Cordy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYup. Just fine. Except for all the tinglies.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel nodded, satisfied. He turned to Fred. \u201cConnor?\u201d he asked simply.<\/p>\n
\u201cSound asleep,\u201d Fred answered. \u201cSo what happened to Cordelia?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel filled her and Gunn in on what had transpired so far.<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn,\u201d Gunn said, his colorful economy of words summing up the tone of the situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can say that again,\u201d Cordelia commented wryly.<\/p>\n