Part 2<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cWesley! I met with\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The large muscular frame, the monotone layers of black, the expectant look. Cordelia froze mid-step, unable to speak or pull back her disbelieving stare.<\/p>\n
Lips stretched into a goofy grin, his eyes twinkled with the gleeful enthusiasm of a child racing downstairs in anticipation of ripping through the colorful wrappings, and finding that one perfect gift under the tree.<\/p>\n
It was a dream, Cordelia rationalized. She was still in bed, waiting for Dennis to wake her with a cup of steaming coffee to soothe the agitations of another restless night.<\/p>\n
\u201cOuch!\u201d But a hard pinch to her arm dispelled any illusion of sleep.<\/p>\n
Head spinning and vision blurred, she saw the outstretched hands moving toward her; and with just the anticipation of his touch burning her skin, Cordelia instinctively stepped from his reach.<\/p>\n
Angel slowed his stride, confusion overshadowing his previous excitement. Surprise he had expected, but this uneasiness he sensed, the tense line of her lips pressed together, and her nervous retreat, felt like a kick in his gut.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia?\u201d He called out in low, raspy whisper. Met with silence, Angel took a step closer; and despite Cordelia\u2019s visible apprehension, attempted to connect with her again.<\/p>\n
But before his words could form, a startled, \u201cGood heavens,\u201d followed by a grunted, \u201cWhoa man,\u201d sounded; and hearing Cordelia\u2019s relieved sigh, Angel backed off, offering Wesley and Gun a hesitant nod instead.<\/p>\n
The untimely intrusion breaking their strained reunion, Angel looked around the lobby for the first time since his arrival. Except for the obvious attention to cleanliness, the hotel looked much as it had when they moved in. Shelves were empty, supplies packed; and boxes, some sealed and others half filled littered the lobby floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy are we packing?\u201d
\n****
\nCordelia stepped out onto the balcony, anxious to enjoy the cool night air, and the rest of her drink without Dennis\u2019 disapproval. No wonder people excise ghosts, she mused. Who knew they were such worrywarts?<\/p>\n
\u201cThe doctor said I could have an occasional drink, Dennis. Besides, I won\u2019t need the pain medication much longer.\u201d She yelled into the apartment, receiving a hard thump against the glass for her trouble. \u201cFine, be mad. But the line for pissed off forms here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley\u2019s recap of his conversation with Angel hadn\u2019t been surprising. A grunt here and there followed by a few nods, then Angel taking off without saying a word. It wouldn\u2019t have gone any differently no matter who had told him about their plans, Cordelia reasoned. Although, she admitted, hiding out in her apartment like a coward while Wesley dealt with Angel, did up the guilt a notch or two.<\/p>\n
Feeling a slight wane in her conviction, Cordelia reminded herself that Angel\u2019s untimely return wasn\u2019t a twist of fate. And try as she might, there wasn\u2019t reason for her to believe anything had changed. Whether now or later, the silent warning screamed inside her head, this move was inevitable; because it was only a matter of time before he would leave her again. \u201cNo more,\u201d Cordelia shook her fist against her heart\u2019s desires, determined that Angel would never hurt her again.<\/p>\n
Resolve shaky but intact, her thoughts turned to hopes of finally getting a peaceful night\u2019s sleep. But first, she had a disgruntled ghost to pacify. \u201cDennis, get ready to apologize because I\u2019m not-\u201d<\/p>\n
The almost soundless flutter of the dark coattail caught her eye, a startled gasp blowing only seconds before the wine glass shattered at her feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the hell are doing?\u201d Cordelia demanded, her voice breaking from the jolt of her back hitting against the railing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n
Waves of doubt and guilt faded as anger rose up taking their place. Angel had disappeared for months without a word, and needing to talk, was his explanation for leaping onto her balcony.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not having this conversation, Angel. Wesley already explained everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Suspecting a spell would prevent him from following, Angel grabbed Cordelia, spinning her around to face him before she could make it back inside.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t give a rat\u2019s ass about Wesley.\u201d The angry glare and tight hold remained, but his voice calmed to husky whisper as his head dipped bringing their faces closer. \u201cI want to know about you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay.\u201d Cordelia seemingly relented, her expression softening to match Angel\u2019s tone. \u201cLet go and we\u2019ll talk.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel didn\u2019t say anything. Just a slow shake of his head as his hands slipped from Cordelia\u2019s arms and slid around her back.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t,\u201d rushed from Cordelia\u2019s lips as she wrestled her arms between them, getting her body trapped even tighter inside Angel\u2019s hold.<\/p>\n
Her warm breath blew against his throat, her heartbeat thumped against his chest; it wasn\u2019t the welcoming embrace Angel had anticipated, but holding Cordelia felt too good to give up. And for the first time in a very long time, the soul, so quick to caution against his desires, remained silent.<\/p>\n
\u201cTalk to me Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
A faint shake of her head reinforced her earlier refusal, and thinking only of breaking free, Cordelia squirmed inside the snug embrace. Their bodies rubbed against one another, her resistance creating a friction too dangerous for either to ignore.<\/p>\n
Angel slid a hand into her hair, his fingers curling around the soft strands as he forced her to look at him. \u201cStop fighting me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia froze against the raspy plea, anger giving way to the uncertainty reflected in the dark eyes staring down at her. The night air turned hot and sticky, clinging to her skin. And everything that made sense twenty-four hours ago began to fade into a jumbled mass of confusion.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy? You in there?\u201d Gunn\u2019s voice rang out as his fists hit against the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to go.\u201d Cordelia didn\u2019t try to feign a demand, but instead, delivered her request for what it was. A concerned appeal that Angel not remain and force Gunn to challenge him.<\/p>\n
There was a slight flicker of hurt, but it quickly iced into anger. Cordelia believed he would hurt one of his own. Her suspicion wasn\u2019t beyond the realm of possibility; but rather, a truth Angel didn\u2019t intend to share. Not while Cordelia trembled in his arms, waiting for an answer.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrust me Cordelia. Invite me in, and tell Gunn to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
The request took Cordelia by surprise, realization dawning too late to hide the confusion clouding her eyes. \u201cI can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel realized his standing invitation was probably still intact. But unsure, whether the oversight was proof of their indestructible friendship or simply that Cordelia hadn\u2019t expected him to come for her, he chose not to test his theory with one of her watchdogs sniffing a the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will be back Cordelia\u2026and we will talk.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel was gone in blur of motion, his departure as silent as his arrival. The encounter was over, but her body continued to tremble. And sucking air into her lungs, Cordelia leaned against the wall before her knees could buckle under her.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy,\u201d Gunn yelled again giving the door another hard whack.<\/p>\n
\u201cComing,\u201d Cordelia yelled back, already thinking up the white lie she would tell her friend.
\n****
\nCordelia shoved the box aside, rubbing her temples before starting on the next one. She was tired, and her head hurt; compliments of another sleepless night and overwhelming apprehension. Angel had assured Wesley he would stay away until they\u2019d finished, but with every creek of the old hotel, her back stiffened and her eyes darted into every corner.<\/p>\n
Last night had merely been a temporary setback, Cordelia reminded herself for the umpteenth time. Angel coming back to LA had made things harder, but it hadn\u2019t altered her plan. And once settled into the new office, she would be back on track.<\/p>\n
Then the only thing left was convincing The Powers to take back the visions. Without the visions, Angel wouldn\u2019t need her anymore. She would be free of the mission, and free of Angel. Pushing up her sleeves as high as the bruises would allow, Cordelia wiped the sweat from her brow and reached for the last box.<\/p>\n
\u201cNeed help with that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s arms appeared on each side, his hands sliding over hers as he took the box, placing it onto the stack. Caught off guard, Cordelia stumbled forward, her body tensing when his hands gripped her waist.<\/p>\n
\u201cCareful,\u201d Angel practically cooed into her ear. \u201cYou might hurt yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I was hurt, which I\u2019m not, it would be your fault, not mine.\u201d Cordelia snapped, pushing down the surge of unexpressed anger and resentment swelling up inside her. \u201cI thought you were going to stay away until we\u2019d left.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was, but I needed to see you.\u201d His head leaning closer with each word, Cordelia shivered when his cool breath blew against her neck. \u201cI wanted to tell you that I\u2019m going to let you leave\u2026\u201d His head dipped until his lips almost brushed against her skin. \u201c\u2026for now. Let you get this little game of playing detective out of your system.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me? Little game?\u201d Cordelia jerked her head around, her eyes glaring at the egotistical vampire cornering her. \u201cYou arrogant bas-\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t Cordelia.\u201d Angel warned, voice solemn, his barely hidden scowl indicating he wasn\u2019t up to arguing. \u201cI don\u2019t want to fight with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was too hard to look at him, too hard to be so close after letting go. So Cordelia turned away, giving the stack of meaningless boxes her attention instead.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to fight either.\u201d She admitted, as much to herself as to Angel. \u201cI just want this to be over with.\u201d<\/p>\n
She felt Angel\u2019s hands slip away, but her flesh still tingling from his touch, Cordelia thought he might still be there. A part of her wanted him to be there, asking her to stay.
\n****
\n\u201cIt\u2019s gonna be a long while until you work your way out, but I know you well enough to know you will. And I\u2019ll be with you until you do.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
The hotel quiet and empty, not a sound or movement perceptible even to honed senses, Angel closed his eyes, bringing the memory closer.<\/p>\n
He ran his hands down the sides of the canvas, smoothing out the edges crimped from the tight clench of his fingers. He would wait, give the sketch to Cordelia once she understood as he did.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing about us<\/i> will ever be over, Cordelia. You of all people should know that.\u201d<\/p>\n