Part 3<\/b><\/p>\n
The Past\u2026<\/p>\n
It was decided that Angel, Buffy, Xander and Oz would go to Waverly Park. Cordelia said she\u2019d seen a dozen demons in her vision, so they needed the muscle. And Oz\u2019s van was the quickest way to get there.<\/p>\n
Once they had left, the apartment was much less crowded. And much too quiet.<\/p>\n
Giles glanced at the beautiful brunette. She lay on the sofa, eyes closed, one hand pressed to her forehead.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you alright?\u201d he asked her.<\/p>\n
Her left eye opened just a crack. \u201cI will be. It\u2019ll just take a minute. Or thirty.\u201d<\/p>\n
Careful not to jostle her, he sat on the edge of the sofa. \u201cAre your\u2026visions always this painful?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey used to be. I could have sworn I fixed it, though.\u201d Wincing, she closed her eye again. \u201cI\u2019m liking this time travel crap less and less.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles waited a beat before continuing. \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind my asking, how did you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDetails, Giles?\u201d Cordelia said. And, despite her obvious pain, she graced him with the slightest of smiles.<\/p>\n
Giles was startled by how\u2026enchanted he was by it. He\u2019d always known she was a stunning young woman, of course. He wasn\u2019t blind. But it was a very impersonal awareness.<\/p>\n
But, now, a warmth he\u2019d never noticed before seemed to shine through the beauty. As he looked at her, a strange heat seemed to climb up his neck.<\/p>\n
\u201cY-your right,\u201d Giles said, as he rose to his feet. \u201cOf course. I don\u2019t know what I was thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour chronically curious,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m used to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
A little thrown by her graciousness, he backed away.<\/p>\n
Just then, Willow returned from her search of the bathroom.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll I found was aspirin.\u201d She gave him a disapproving glance. \u201cYou only have aspirin, Giles.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m\u2026sorry?\u201d Giles said, not quite sure what he was sorry for. Never being sick enough to have anything stronger?<\/p>\n
The red-head disappeared into the kitchen, and came back with a glass of water. \u201cHere, Cordelia. Maybe this will help.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe.\u201d The brunette pulled herself into a sitting position. When Willow shook two pills into her hand, she scoffed. \u201cGive me a couple more.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFour?\u201d Willow glanced at the label on the bottle. \u201cBut this says\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can handle four aspirin, Will.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a moment\u2019s hesitation, the young witch gave her the extra pills.<\/p>\n
Giles frowned. Cordelia acted like taking pain medication was an everyday occurrence. Which, if the visions had always hit her this hard, might be the case.<\/p>\n
Of course, she\u2019d said the visions didn\u2019t hurt anymore. Or, at least, weren\u2019t supposed to. Which was some consolation.<\/p>\n
After taking the pills, Cordelia closed her eyes and lay back down. \u201cThank you,\u201d she sighed.<\/p>\n
\u201cUm, you\u2019re welcome,\u201d Willow said. Looking uncertain, she walked over to Giles\u2019s side. \u201cShe\u2019s\u2026different.\u201d Then, as if she needed a second opinion, \u201cDon\u2019t you think she\u2019s different?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe certainly is,\u201d Giles agreed.<\/p>\n
Assured, Willow nodded and continued on into the kitchen.<\/p>\n
Eyes still on the young woman. It was obvious that Cordelia *had* changed. And it wasn\u2019t just the lack of complaints, the warmth in her smile. The change was a tangible thing. It radiated from her spirit. There in every word, every gesture. In her eyes, and in her voice.<\/p>\n
Three years. What else would change in that time?<\/p>\n
Mind exploring the possibilities, the Watcher returned to his seat and picked up his book. Soon after, Willow returned to her computer.<\/p>\n
Giles was convinced Cordelia was asleep when she suddenly sat up.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey did it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Willow glanced up from the keyboard. \u201cDid what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBeat the demons and saved those kids.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUm, how do you know?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause.\u201d She tapped her temple. \u201cThis always gets easier whenever *whatever* the vision wanted done gets done.\u201d She glanced towards the door. \u201cOur little hunting party should be back any minute now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander looked up at the stars. He was in the perfect position to do it, lying on his back and all.<\/p>\n
The teen closed his eyes and took a deep, shaky breath. It was nice being able to breathe again. Breathing was good.<\/p>\n
Why had he been so eager to come a-demon-fighting anyway?<\/p>\n
Oh, yeah. Angel was going. And *Oz*, too. And there was no *way* Xander was going to be the lone guy left sitting by the hearth, waiting for the heroes to return.<\/p>\n
Okay, so Giles was there. But no-one ever questioned *his* manliness.<\/p>\n
Xander opened his eyes\u2026and yelped when he found a tall, dark figure hovering over him.<\/p>\n
Smiling, Angel held out a hand. \u201cHere.\u201d<\/p>\n
After some hesitation, Xander took it, and let himself be pulled to his feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou okay?\u201d the vampire asked.<\/p>\n
Xander paused, suspicious of the question. Unable to find a hidden meaning, he said, \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood,\u201d Angel said\u2026and seemed to mean it. Giving the teen a strong pat on the back, he moved off. The vampire stopped a few feet from Oz, who had somehow managed to stagger to his feet. \u201cHow ya doin\u2019?\u201d he asked\u2026sounding eerily like a character in a modern-day mobster movie.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot too bad,\u201d the werewolf said. \u201cMostly.\u201d Rubbing the back of his neck, he moved his head from side to side. \u201cThat kinda hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n
And Angel chuckled. Again! \u201cI\u2019m sure it kinda did. That hit would\u2019ve taken *me* down.\u201d And he gave Oz a pat on the back, too.<\/p>\n
Xander felt dazed and confused. Since when had Angel become a back patter? Or a chuckler? Or even the let-me-help-you-up type?<\/p>\n
That\u2019s when Buffy returned. From what Xander remembered, she\u2019d taken off after a couple of runners.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody okay?\u201d She took a look around. \u201cWhere did that couple go?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTook off,\u201d Oz said.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood. Maybe next time they\u2019ll get a room. Or at least do it in a car. Like normal people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then\u2014like she always did when the subject of S-E-X came up and Angel was around\u2014she cast him a shy, embarrassed look.<\/p>\n
Sighing, Xander turned towards the vampire. This was going to be one of those long moments when everyone was supposed to shut up and stay still while the two gazed longingly at each other.<\/p>\n
But he was surprised to see that Angel had already started walking towards the parking lot.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should get back,\u201d he said. \u201cI want to check on Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy\u2019s face fell. Her shoulders sagged.<\/p>\n
And Xander had yet another reason not to like the vampire.<\/p>\n
The drive back to Giles\u2019s was mostly made in silence. There was one surreal moment when Oz put in the tape for an up-and-coming LA band.<\/p>\n
Angel nodded his head and made a grunting sound. \u201cGood song.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou like Play House?\u201d Oz asked, obviously surprised. Or as surprised as he ever got.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re not bad. I think they\u2019re best live, though, which is probably why their record didn\u2019t sell.\u201d<\/p>\n
And the dazed confusion kept on a-comin\u2019.<\/p>\n
They all trooped through Giles\u2019s door, ready for their usual, post-demon slaying party.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow did it go?\u201d Giles asked, the worry he usually tried to hide flashing in his eyes for a brief moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you okay?\u201d Angel asked, going straight towards Cordelia. And not trying to hide his worry at all.<\/p>\n
Cordy gave him a long, hard look. \u201c*I\u2019m* fine. But *you\u2019re* not.\u201d<\/p>\n
An entire room of startled faces turned towards the vampire. Who looked completely fine to Xander.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy,\u201d the vampire said, shaking his head. \u201cIt\u2019s nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hands on her hips, she eyed him up and down. \u201cWhere does it hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a brief staring contest, the vampire sighed in defeat. \u201cHere.\u201d And he gingerly placed his hand on his left side.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, sit down.\u201d<\/p>\n
And, without argument, the vampire took off his coat and sat down on the sofa. Sitting next to him, Cordy\u2014without hesitation\u2014lifted his shirt.<\/p>\n
Xander winced. There were three slashes along Angel\u2019s rib cage. Demon-claw-type scratches.<\/p>\n
\u201cEwwww,\u201d Cordelia said, crinkling up her nose. She looked at Giles. \u201cFirst aid kit?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, of course,\u201d the Watcher said as he disappeared into the bathroom.<\/p>\n
Xander wondered if he was the only one who noticed Buffy slipping out the front door.<\/p>\n
Apparently not, because Willow slipped out after her.<\/p>\n
Xander wanted to follow, too. But, at the same time, he didn\u2019t want to leave.<\/p>\n
So, he turned back towards the sofa, and listened to Cordy fuss about Angel\u2019s habit of getting hurt every time he went out to fight a demon.<\/p>\n
And watched Angel try to hide his smiles.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you laughing at me, buster?\u201d Cordelia finally demanded.<\/p>\n
Immediately, the vampire donned a look of pure innocence. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t dare.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmmph,\u201d Cordelia\u2026well, hmmphed.<\/p>\n
And Xander felt his heart sink. He\u2019d seen this side of Cordelia before. But, somehow, with one thing or another, he always managed to forget it.<\/p>\n
Well, it looked like Cordy had found someone who saw and remembered. And it wasn\u2019t him.<\/p>\n
((Hey, look! Another reason to hate the guy!))<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Buffy paced from one side of the courtyard to the other.<\/p>\n
She wasn\u2019t angry exactly. She was\u2026she wasn\u2019t sure. She just felt like pacing.<\/p>\n
And was glad Willow hadn\u2019t said anything. She just sat on the bench and waited for Buffy to speak.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe knew he was hurt,\u201d Buffy finally said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d Willow said, the confusion plain on her face.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t know he was hurt, and I was there when he *got* hurt. But she knew he was hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh,\u201d Willow said. She searched for something to say. \u201cWell, maybe it\u2019s tied in with the visions. Or\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d Buffy gave her head a vigorous shake. \u201cShe just looked at him and knew. And he lets her take care of him. Did you see that?\u201d she demanded, giving Willow a hard look.<\/p>\n
\u201cW-well, yeah. I m-mean\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt looks like she takes care of him all the time. Like he\u2019s *used* to it. You know?\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow didn\u2019t try to answer. Just waited.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd he keeps *smiling*!\u201d She said it almost like an accusation. \u201cI\u2019ve seen him smile more tonight than he has since I\u2019ve known him. And the way they talk to each other, all tease-y and joke-y. And they were *hugging*! I\u2019m not the only one who *saw* that, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
Obligingly, Willow shook her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd he\u2019s going to rock concerts, and letting Cordy bully him, and holding her when she has visions. Whatever *they* are.\u201d Running out of steam, Buffy sank lower in her seat. \u201cSo,\u201d she sighed. \u201cWhat does it all mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
There was a lengthy pause. Frowning, the Slayer turned to stare at the witch.<\/p>\n
Willow jumped, like she\u2019d been startled. \u201cOh! Me talk now.\u201d She paused to gather her thoughts. \u201cWell, I think it means that, in the next three years, Angel and Cordy will become\u2026friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFriends?\u201d The word left a strange taste in her mouth. \u201cHow in the world will Angel become friends with *Cordelia*?\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow almost seemed afraid to say what was on her mind. But she forged ahead. \u201cWell, Cordelia does seem kind of\u2026different?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy? Because she\u2019s not bitching about whatever at 100 miles an hour?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, it\u2019s not just that. There just seems to be something different about her. Inside. You know?\u201d She shrugged. \u201cI can\u2019t really explain it. She\u2019s just not the same person we saw at school this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy scowled. Okay, she\u2019d admit that something seemed to have changed about Queen C. Still\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy?\u201d Willow said carefully. \u201cAre you jealous?\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy gave it some thought. And, okay, she *was* jealous. But not for the obvious reasons.<\/p>\n
Okay, the obvious reasons were part of it. But there was something else. Something that was the tiniest bit petty.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m all he has, Will.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow gave her a questioning look.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m all Angel has,\u201d she explained. \u201cWhen he\u2019s hurt, or lonely, I know I can help him. *I* can make him feel better because there *is* nobody else. I\u2019m all he has.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d She sighed. \u201cAnd I feel bad about that. When we\u2019re at school. Or at a party. Or I\u2019m having a movie night with my mom. I feel bad knowing Angel is alone. Waiting for me. That he\u2019ll be alone until I can get there. I feel bad about it because I\u2019m not there. And I know he needs me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh,\u201d Willow said again. And she gave Buffy a sympathetic look. \u201cWell, he *has* kind of devoted his life to you. It seems like you\u2019re everything he needs or wants. It\u2019s not your fault that that\u2019s how you expect things to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it\u2019s not how things will be in the future. Sometime, in the next three years, he and Cordelia are going to become friends. And he\u2019ll have someone else to turn to when he feels hurt or lonely. And he won\u2019t need me anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy!\u201d Willow admonished. She looked at the Slayer like she\u2019d gone crazy. \u201cAngel will *always* need you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy looked down. She just kept seeing Angel and Cordelia together. There was a connection between them. Even when they weren\u2019t together. Even when Angel was at the park, fifteen minutes away, there was that connection.<\/p>\n
Buffy squeezed her eyes shut. Maybe it was the suddenness of it. Maybe in three years, after watching Angel and Cordelia\u2019s friendship progress naturally, it wouldn\u2019t bother her at all. Maybe\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cHey.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy and Willow turned to see Oz standing in the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiles found what we were looking for.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s good we found this reversal spell when we did,\u201d Giles said. He looked fondly at the book he held. \u201cApparently, the magic of the statue lingers inside those it affects for several hours. But, once that magic dissipates, this spell would be useless.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, that\u2019s it?\u201d Cordy asked, her eagerness plain to see. \u201cSay a few words, and poof?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot quite. We have to prepare. Fortunately, I have all we need right here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen let\u2019s do it\u201d<\/p>\n
So, they prepared. Candles. Herbs. Circles and runes drawn on the floor. The whole bit.<\/p>\n
Finally, Angel and Cordelia were standing in the center of the circle.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, um, it\u2019s been real,\u201d Cordelia said. And she graced them all with that brilliant smile.<\/p>\n
Xander, who\u2019d been walking across the room, actually tripped.<\/p>\n
\u201cFascinating,\u201d Giles agreed. \u201cAlthough, I wish we\u2019d had more time to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGiles. Details?\u201d Cordy interrupted.<\/p>\n
For some reason, the Watcher smiled with chagrin. He even blushed a little.<\/p>\n
((What\u2019s *that* all about?)) Buffy wondered.<\/p>\n
\u201cSafe trip,\u201d Oz said, like they were about to hop in the car and make a quick stop at Thrifty Mart. Not travel through time.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2019Bye.\u201d Willow said. And did that shy wave thing she liked to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cToodles,\u201d Xander said, managing to sound sulky and sarcastic at the same time.<\/p>\n
Buffy stepped forward, her attention focused on Angel. From somewhere, she managed to dredge up a smile. \u201cSo, I guess I\u2019ll see you in three years.\u201d<\/p>\n
And he flinched again. \u201cUm, yeah.\u201d<\/p>\n
After an uneasy pause, Buffy stepped back.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright,\u201d the Watcher began. \u201cAngel, Cordelia. Hold hands, please.\u201d<\/p>\n
And they took each other\u2019s hands like it was the most natural thing in the world. And gave each other small, reassuring smiles.<\/p>\n
Buffy looked down.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s begin,\u201d Giles said. And, reading from the book, began to speak in a language Buffy didn\u2019t even pretend to understand.<\/p>\n
Suddenly, Angel and Cordelia were surrounded by tiny, blue sparks of light.<\/p>\n
No, the sparks weren\u2019t surrounding them. They were coming *from* them. Being pulled through the pores of their skin. Dancing and swirling, like the winds of a tornado.<\/p>\n
Without warning, a brilliant flash of light filled the apartment.<\/p>\n
Buffy threw up a hand to shield her eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cEwwwww! What is going *on* here?\u201d a shrill voice demanded.<\/p>\n
Buffy opened her eyes to a sight weirder than anything she\u2019d seen since coming to the Hellmouth.<\/p>\n
Angel and Cordelia were holding hands.<\/p>\n
That is, until Cordelia snatched hers away. Folding her arms, she glared at the room at large. \u201cOkay, what mondo weirdness have you freaks and geeks managed to get me mixed up in now?\u201d<\/p>\n
It was a question everyone was asking themselves as they looked around the apartment. With the exception of Giles, this wasn\u2019t the last place any of them remembered being.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell,\u201d the Watcher said, staring at the book he held in her hands. \u201cIt\u2019s obvious that\u2026something occurred.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander gave the Watcher a look. \u201cYa think.\u201d<\/p>\n
Frowning, Buffy looked around the room. Something had happened here. Something none of them could remember. Which, on the Hellmouth, probably meant serious non-goodness. She should probably feel really worried.<\/p>\n
But, when she looked at Angel\u2014who was already gravitating towards the darkest corner of the room\u2014all she felt was relief.<\/p>\n
* * *<\/p>\n
The Present\u2026<\/p>\n
Angel and Cordelia crashed to the ground. One with a grunt. One with a painful yelp.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel!\u201d Wesley cried.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy!\u201d Gunn exclaimed.<\/p>\n
Frowning, Angel looked around the chamber. They were back. To the exact moment\u2014the exact second\u2014when they had left.<\/p>\n
Wesley and Gunn hovered over them.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you two alright?\u201d the ex-Watcher asked. \u201cDid the light effect you in any way? Do you feel\u2026strange.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2019Cause it looked nasty,\u201d Gunn offered. The young man shivered for illustration.<\/p>\n
Cordy didn\u2019t comment. Just raised an uncertain hand to her shorter hair. Eyes wide, she turned to look at Angel. \u201cDid we really just\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d he agreed. Seeing the worried looks on the other men\u2019s faces, he couldn\u2019t help but grin. \u201cWhat a trip.\u201d<\/p>\n
The End<\/b><\/p>\n