Part 2<\/b><\/p>\n
The Past\u2026<\/p>\n
Arms folded, Buffy clutched her own biceps so tight, she was sure there\u2019d be bruises. She felt her lip tremble just a little. And her eyes swam with unshed tears.<\/p>\n
But, no! She wouldn\u2019t cry. She was angry. Anger was better than crying.<\/p>\n
\u201cTell me what\u2019s going on!\u201d she demanded, her voice shaky.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d Xander demanded. He pushed past her and took up an aggressive stance in front of the couple. \u201cWhat\u2019s with the touchy feely?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel and Cordelia glanced at each other. And, to Buffy, it seemed like a thousand words passed in that one look.<\/p>\n
They seemed to come to some silent agreement. Cordelia shrugged. And Angel slowly, *finally*, let his hands fall away from arms.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy,\u201d he began. Then, he paused for a split second. Long enough for her to wonder what he would say.<\/p>\n
((Cordelia and I have been seeing each other behind your back for weeks. But, hey, at least you know we haven\u2019t had sex. Not with the curse and all. Just a kiss here, a cuddle there. Nothing for you to get upset about.))<\/p>\n
What she didn\u2019t expect him to say was<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t belong here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Xander sneered. \u201cYou belong at the nearest Shag and Shack Motel!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cXander,\u201d Willow said. Always the peacemaker, she stepped forward and rested her hand on his arm. \u201cDon\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYep,\u201d Cordelia said. She stiffened up her spine and looked down her nose at her boyfriend. \u201cStill the same jack ass I remember so fondly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander, apparently too angry to speak, clamped his mouth shut.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook,\u201d Angel said. Quiet. Reasonable. \u201cI think we should talk about this out…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Buffy interrupted. \u201cDon\u2019t want to air our dirty laundry in public. Don\u2019t *tell* me you\u2019re embarrassed. I mean, with a past like yours, I wouldn\u2019t think *anything* could embarrass you. Talk about having skeletons in your closet.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a heavy silence fell over the group.<\/p>\n
Buffy\u2019s heart dropped. Why had she said that? She didn\u2019t mean to say that!<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s eyes did that shuttering thing, where they went all cold and distant. She could almost hear the doors slam shut.<\/p>\n
An angry Cordelia took a step forward. \u201cWhat the *hell* is your problem?\u201d<\/p>\n
Refusing to feel bad about what she\u2019d said, Buffy narrowed her eyes at the brunette. \u201cMy *problem* is nausea. I just saw my boyfriend with his hands all over *you*! And, let me just say\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo!\u201d Angel interrupted, his quiet voice sharp with command.<\/p>\n
Willow jumped, a startled gasp passing her lips.<\/p>\n
Xander\u2019s eyes widened, that little bit of fear he always felt around Angel coming to the surface.<\/p>\n
And Buffy stammered into silence.<\/p>\n
Angel gave her a cold, intense look. \u201cDo you want the explanation? Or would you rather finish your tantrum?\u201d<\/p>\n
This time, it was Cordelia who seemed startled. A surprised frown marring her brow, she turned to face the vampire.<\/p>\n
Buffy didn\u2019t have to tell herself to be angry this time. She just *was*.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d she said through gritted teeth. \u201cExplain.\u201d<\/p>\n
She wasn\u2019t prepared for what she heard.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Giles\u2019s apartment was filled to capacity.<\/p>\n
Oz and Willow shared an armchair. The werewolf\/guitarist was slouched down in his seat, by far the most relaxed of the group.<\/p>\n
((If he gets more relaxed,)) Xander thought, ((he\u2019ll be lying on the floor.))<\/p>\n
Willow sat perched on the arm of Oz\u2019s chair. And Buffy stood near the window, alternating between looking at Angel, and looking outside.<\/p>\n
Giles sat in another chair. As Angel spoke, the Watcher\u2019s excitement\u2014which, for him, meant a slight widening of the eyes\u2014grew.<\/p>\n
And Cordelia sat next to Angel on the sofa.<\/p>\n
Xander, who sat on the floor, watched them with narrowed eyes. He didn\u2019t like it. They were sitting much too close together. And they seemed way to used to being all comfy cozy. It wasn\u2019t like there wasn\u2019t plenty of room on the sofa. Plenty of space for them to spread out a little. Instead, they were barely an inch apart. Okay, maybe two inches. But that was it!<\/p>\n
He definitely didn\u2019t like it.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo,\u201d Angel concluded, \u201call I can figure is that our present minds have been transported into our past bodies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd your\u2026past minds?\u201d Giles said, stumbling over the terminology.<\/p>\n
\u201cStill here, I think,\u201d Angel said. His frown was thoughtful. \u201cMy memories of this time are much clearer than they were before. Not exactly like they happened yesterday, but\u2026\u201d He turned towards the brunette. \u201cCordy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, me too,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy?\u201d Xander grumbled. He picked at the carpet. \u201cSince when does *he* call *her* Cordy?\u201d<\/p>\n
No one seemed to hear him.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re from the future,\u201d Oz said, casually. Like it was no big thing. \u201cCool.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFascinating,\u201d the Watcher agreed.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Cordelia said. \u201cNot cool. And so *not* fascinating. We *have* to get back. Now! There are people worried about us. And\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, it\u2019s okay,\u201d Angel interrupted. \u201cWe\u2019ll fix this.\u201d And he rested his hand on her shoulder.<\/p>\n
Xander gritted his teeth. He felt his jaw pop.<\/p>\n
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Buffy turn to look out the window.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is\u2026\u201d Willow began \u201cThis is\u2026whoa.\u201d Then, a speculative light lit her eyes. Suddenly eager, she leaned towards Angel and Cordelia. \u201cWhat\u2019s the future like?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo!\u201d Giles shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s wise for Angel or Cordelia to reveal too much\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe temporal prime directive,\u201d Xander interrupted, calling on years of Trekker wisdom. \u201cThough shall not mess with the time line, or you\u2019ll screw up future history.\u201d<\/p>\n
There was a lengthy pause.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Giles finally said. He took off his glasses and began to polish them. \u201cXander\u2019s quite right.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou bet I am. Which sometime happens.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, of course.\u201d Replacing his glasses, the librarian stood up. \u201cIt\u2019s best that neither Angel nor Cordelia reveal any details about future events. I think our first order of business is to identify the statue.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI only saw it for a second,\u201d the vampire said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, but it sounds very distinctive. And it obviously has something to do with time. That will narrow down the search.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOoh, fun,\u201d Cordelia said. \u201cA research party.\u201d But she didn\u2019t sound nearly as disgusted by the prospect as Xander was used to.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll see if I can find anything on the \u2018Net,\u201d Willow said. She took her trusty laptop out of her bag and carried it over to the writing desk. Oz helped her hook up.<\/p>\n
Angel and Cordelia followed Giles to the bookcase. And, of course, they had to stick all shoulder-and-shoulder to do *that* too.<\/p>\n
\u201cHold hands, why don\u2019t ya,\u201d Xander muttered.<\/p>\n
Standing, he looked over at Buffy, who was still had her back to the room. And was probably thinking the same thing he was.<\/p>\n
In what kind of future did Angel feel he had the right to hug Cordelia Chase?<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
After Angel drew a picture of the statue\u2014as much of it as he could remember, anyway\u2014Giles started to hand out the books.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Giles.\u201d Xander tested the weight of the large tome he was given. \u201cDo you want me to read this thing, or bench press it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cXander,\u201d Giles began in his familiar, aggrieved tone.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m reading, I\u2019m reading.\u201d Dropping onto the floor, he opened the book. \u201cOooh, pictures!\u201d P>\u201cJust your speed,\u201d Cordy quipped.<\/p>\n
Buffy was still staring up at the moon, when she felt him approach.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey,\u201d he began.<\/p>\n
Buffy turned to face him. \u201cHey,\u201d she said. And donned a smile that felt so false, it almost hurt. \u201cSo, three years, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d Hands in his pockets, he leaned his shoulder against the wall. \u201cThree years.\u201d<\/p>\n
She nodded. \u201cI guess a lot\u2019s change.\u201d And there was so much she wanted to ask him. What were they all like three years from now? And had things gotten any easier between him and her? They had to, right? That was kind of what she was counting on.<\/p>\n
But they\u2019d all agreed\u2014without her vote. No details.<\/p>\n
So she tried for a light, cheerful tone. \u201cWould it be breaking the rules to ask whether or not I\u2019m alive or dead in three years?\u201d<\/p>\n
And she saw Angel flinch.<\/p>\n
Buffy\u2019s eyes widened with horror. \u201cOh, God,\u201d she whispered. She was the Slayer. And Slayers came with expiration dates. She knew that. But she never really\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cNo!\u201d Angel rushed to assure her. \u201cNo, you\u2019re fine. I just\u2026wasn\u2019t expecting the question.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a skeptical pause, she decided to believe him. \u201cWell, good.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, it is,\u201d Angel said. And the genuine sincerity in his eyes made her feel better than she had all night.<\/p>\n
They were both trying to think of something else to say when Cordy approached.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, Buffy,\u201d she began. \u201cAre we okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
The Slayer was surprised by the question. \u201cUm, yeah.\u201d Her surprise turned to chagrin. \u201cAnd I\u2019m sorry about earlier\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, no problem. I\u2019ve kinda been where you thought you were.\u201d For some reason, she cast a quick glance towards Xander. Then, she clapped her hands together. \u201cNow, let\u2019s hit those books! A trip down memory lane might be fun, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou want to get home,\u201d Angel finished.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no place like it. So, chop chop!\u201d And she graced him with a brilliant smile.<\/p>\n
Buffy had never seen that smile before. It was wide, and open, and took over her entire face.<\/p>\n
And it seemed to be contagious. Because Angel smiled back.<\/p>\n
Buffy\u2019s heart tripped all over itself. He had a really beautiful smile. Breathtaking, even.<\/p>\n
((Too bad I\u2019ve never seen it before.))<\/p>\n
Buffy watched the other girl walk away. \u201cIt looks like you and Cordelia have gotten\u2026closer?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh, yeah,\u201d Angel began. \u201cWe\u2019re\u2026friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy thought about that for a second. \u201cRight. Friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Willow stared at the computer screen.<\/p>\n
\u201cWow, there\u2019s a lot of *stuff* here. Next to love magic and revenge magic, time magic\u2019s the most popular. And the least likely to work. Which is probably a good.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody wants to change something about their past,\u201d Oz said.<\/p>\n
Willow graced him with a loving smile. Okay, so he didn\u2019t talk much. But, when he did, he was so insightful.<\/p>\n
While waiting for the computer to narrow down the search, Willow glanced around the apartment. Things were unusually quiet, even for a research session. They could always count on Xander to make a few wisecracks. But, except for an occasional mumble, he seemed content to\u2026well, mope.<\/p>\n
And Cordelia. Not a single complaint since she opened her book.<\/p>\n
And Angel\u2026<\/p>\n
There was something different about Angel.<\/p>\n
For one thing, Willow wasn\u2019t sure she\u2019d ever seen him just\u2026sitting before. Not unless he was hurt, and the alternative was falling over. He usually found the darkest corner of the room, and all but vanished into it. It was his way.<\/p>\n
But seeing him just sitting on the sofa? It seemed like such a normal, part-of-the-group thing to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s nothing in here,\u201d Cordelia said as she closed her book. \u201cWhat are *you* reading?\u201d And, leaning against Angel\u2019s side, one hand on his shoulder, she looked down at the book on his lap.<\/p>\n
Willow saw Xander actually cringe.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s in Latin,\u201d Angel said to Cordelia. He didn\u2019t seem at all phased by her closeness. In fact, he seemed kind of used to it.<\/p>\n
\u201cLatin, huh?\u201d Cordelia frowned. \u201cYou taught me a little Latin. So why can\u2019t I understand a single word in this book?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe because you weren\u2019t really paying attention at the time?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, yeah. That would explain it.\u201d<\/p>\n
And Angel chuckled. He actually chuckled. A little.<\/p>\n
Willow wasn\u2019t the only one who noticed. Everyone in the room turned to stare at him.<\/p>\n
Sensing their looks, Angel cast suddenly looked uneasy. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou laughed,\u201d Cordelia explained. \u201cIt takes some getting used to. You know. You being all\u2026mirth-y.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMirth-y? Is that even a word?”<\/p>\n
\u201cThink so. Want me to check?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I\u2019ll take your word for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
And the two shared a smile.<\/p>\n
Xander mumbled something, and turned a page in the book with more vigor than necessary.<\/p>\n
Giles watched the two with interest for a few seconds, then went back to his research.<\/p>\n
Buffy stared at them. And, from the look on her face, Willow couldn\u2019t help but worry about what she was thinking.<\/p>\n
((I\u2019ll talk to her,)) she decided. ((As soon as we get a minute alone.))<\/p>\n
\u201cIt looks like those two have gotten pretty close,\u201d Oz commented quietly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess so,\u201d Willow agreed. Actually, Angel and Cordelia looked as comfortable together as she was with Xander and Oz. It was just weird.<\/p>\n
Angel had a friend. And she was *Cordelia*.<\/p>\n
\u201cUh-oh,\u201d the girl in question said suddenly. She stood up, her eyes focused on some point in the far distance. Then, she clutched her head and cried out.<\/p>\n
Angel caught her before she fell. Carefully, he eased her body onto the sofa.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Xander exclaimed, alarmed. He jumped to his feet and rushed to her side. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong? Cordy?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia writhed in pain, Angel\u2019s powerful arms the only thing keeping her from falling to the floor.<\/p>\n
Scared, Willow grabbed Oz\u2019s hand. Was this some kind of weird side effect from the time travel? Was Cordelia going to\u2026?<\/p>\n
Finally, Cordelia\u2019s pain seemed to ease a little.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did you see?\u201d Angel asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cWaverly Park,\u201d Cordelia gasped. \u201cA horny young couple. A picnic basket. And a pack of demons. We have to hurry.\u201d Her body sagged into Angel\u2019s arms. \u201cDamn! That isn\u2019t supposed to hurt anymore! Unless it\u2019s because I\u2019m not\u2026\u201d But she didn\u2019t finish the sentence.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s eyes were filled with worry. \u201cAre you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d She pressed her fingers into her temple. \u201cJust go. Hurry!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight.\u201d A grim set to his mouth, he turned towards the Watcher. \u201cGiles, I need weapons.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWeapons?\u201d Giles staggered to his feet. \u201cWaverly Park? I don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d Buffy asked as she stepped forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia has visions,\u201d Angel explained. \u201cOf people in trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia!\u201d Xander exclaimed in disbelief. Which was shared by everyone in the room.<\/p>\n
Giles stared at her, his interest newly peaked.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiles,\u201d Angel reminded him. \u201cWeapons.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. Of\u2026of course.\u201d And the Watcher hurried over to the weapons chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt figures,\u201d Xander grumbled. \u201cNow, everyone\u2019s all magical-y but me.\u201d<\/p>\n