{"id":2132,"date":"2015-06-26T20:33:29","date_gmt":"2015-06-26T19:33:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/?p=2132"},"modified":"2015-06-26T20:35:09","modified_gmt":"2015-06-26T19:35:09","slug":"another-time-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2015\/06\/26\/another-time-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Another Time. 5"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Part 5<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Past\u2026<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Angelus melted into the shadows. Let them cloak him in darkness.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The young, warm bodies that filled the Bronze, surrounded him on every side, seemed to disappear. The sounds of music, of laughter and unceasing chatter, muted until they were gone.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">All he could see\u2014all he wanted to see\u2014was Cordelia Chase.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">She was stunning. Dressed in a dark red mini-dress\u2014the color of drying blood. Her long, dark hair flowing down her back like silk. A white bandage on her neck evidence that he\u2019d fed from her the night before.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Her scent made him take one deep, unnecessary breath after another. Flooded his senses with the essence of her.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The frustration that had clawed at him since he drank her began to ease. And, in its place, hunger began to burn. A fire raging through his cold, undead body.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">And his mouth watered with the craving.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">He\u2019d thought it would be weeks, months, before he had another taste of her. That he\u2019d have to slaughter a dozen pretty young things to make up for the fact that he could have one.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">And in she walked. Free as a bird. No magical barriers to protect her.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">All alone.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">His for the taking.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">***<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia Chase\u2019s eyes scanned the Bronze. Searching for a glimpse of a tall, powerful body. Spiky hair. Black leather. A cruel, malicious smile.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">((Good,)) she thought with a sigh of relief. ((He isn\u2019t here. Yet.))<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Instead, she saw people dancing. Talking. Laughing. All unaware of the deadly things that stalked the Sunnydale night.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Taking a deep breath, Cordelia gave herself a moment to let the fear wash over her. To call herself all kinds of stupid for walking freely into a place where she knew the vamp who tried to kill her the night before was going to be.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">She gave her knees a moment to shake. Her teeth a moment to chatter.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Then, she pushed the fear away. Just, pushed it away, into a little corner where she kept all of the emotions she didn\u2019t want to deal with. A skill she started perfecting the first time her parents weren\u2019t home for Christmas.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">With the ease of years of practice, she donned the armor she put on every morning. That of Queen C, Wicked Bitch of Sunnydale High. She who ruled the school, and made freshman tremble when she walked down the hall.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">She straightened her spine. Raised one arrogant eyebrow. Put on the mask that told all who saw it to steer clear, because she really didn\u2019t want to be bothered. And anyone who *did* bother her would pay.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Head held high, she started across the room.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The crowd parted before her. She may have lost some of her social status when she started dating Xander and hanging with the Scoobies. But she was still Cordelia Chase.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sitting down at the only empty table, she looked around the room.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The girl from her vision was there. She stood at the bar. Surrounded by friends, smiling and happy. As oblivious as everyone else in the Bronze.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Cordelia had \u201cseen\u201d her, face frozen in a mask of terror and pain. Body bruised and scarred. Covered with blood\u2026<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">((And it\u2019s all because she looks like me,)) Cordy thought. Because, from a distance, under the Bronze\u2019s dim lights, the girl could have been mistaken for Cordelia Chase.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">And that was why Angel was going to pick her.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia shivered. She didn\u2019t want to believe it. That a vicious killer would choose his next victim because they resembled her. But she knew it was true. She\u2019d *felt* it, in the vision.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia shied away from the emotions she\u2019d experienced in that vision. Sensations that were still too fresh in her mind.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The girl was still alive, still here. Unbroken. Untouched.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">And Cordelia was going to make sure she stayed that way. After all, why would Angel go after a copy when he could have\u2026<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Suddenly, a hand came to rest on the nape of her neck. She felt the cold of it\u2014cold as death\u2014through the thickness of her hair.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cFancy meeting you here,\u201d a frighteningly familiar voice purred.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cAngel,\u201d she whispered\u2026as heart dropped into her stomach.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cCordelia,\u201d he said. And there was something dark and dangerous in his voice. \u201cYou don\u2019t know how\u2026happy I am to see you.\u201d And the hand at the back of her neck tightened.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia squeezed her eyes shut as a shiver raced through her body. Fear was a tangible thing. Like ice, it froze the blood in her veins.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Abruptly, the hand moved away. And Cordelia released the breath she hadn\u2019t even realized she was holding.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Angel pull a chair out from the table. He moved it close to hers, he sat down.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordy turned to look at him\u2026and wished she hadn\u2019t. His eyes were roamed over every inch of exposed skin. Like twin onyx razors. Sharp and cutting.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trying not to let her uneasiness show, she glared at him. \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Eyes still roaming, still cutting, a slight smile quirked his lips. \u201cSomething I didn\u2019t think I would get for a very long time.\u201d Finally, his gaze met hers. \u201cAnd what brought you out of your ivory tower?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Unbidden, her eyes went to the girl. Angel\u2019s intended victim.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Angel followed her glance. \u201cAh,\u201d he said with a knowing nod. \u201cYou had a vision. You saw the\u2026things I had planned for this evening.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia didn\u2019t answer. She didn\u2019t need to.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cSo, where\u2019s Buffy? I\u2019m sure the Slayer and her pals would have been happy to ride to the rescue.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Again, she didn\u2019t answer. And, again, she didn\u2019t need to.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cGuess they were all busy.\u201d He reached up, pushed her hair behind her shoulder, just as he had that night. Exposing the bandage. \u201cSo, you decided to play hero, hmmmm? Well, you\u2019ve succeeded. The girl is perfectly safe. Now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cSo glad to hear it,\u201d Cordy heard herself say. And was surprised by the touch of sarcasm in her voice.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Angel didn\u2019t seem to hear her. Instead, he draped one arm across the back of her chair. Began to stroke her hair with the other hand.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">And something inside Cordelia screamed for her to run. To get as far away from him as she could, and now.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">But where could she go where he wouldn\u2019t follow? At least here, surrounded by people, she felt somewhat safe.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">But even here, surrounded by people, she felt completely alone.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cHave I told you how beautiful you look tonight,\u201d he said casually. \u201cExcept for one thing.\u201d And he used his thumbnail to lift up one corner of the bandage.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cWhat\u2026\u201d Cordelia began\u2026just as he viciously ripped the bandage away.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia winced. Her skin stung.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cEveryone should see my mark,\u201d he said. And he traced the bite marks with one fingertip. \u201cEveryone should know you\u2019ve been touched. By me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Even as she flinched away from his touch, Angel moved close, until his nose was inches from her ear. She heard him take a deep breath. And he released it with what sounded like a purr.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia cringed.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cI think it\u2019s time for us to leave,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia looked at him like he was crazy. \u201cMe? Skip out into the dark, Sunnydale night with the Slayer\u2019s psycho ex just a bite away.\u201d She snorted with disbelief, feeling a spark of Queen C spirit. \u201cI don\u2019t think so.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Angel seemed un-phased. Instead, his hand drifted, feather-light, down her throat. Down the valley between her breasts. Until his palm rested flat against her stomach.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordy wondered how his hand could be so cold, but burn at the same time.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cYou come with me now,\u201d he growled into her ear. \u201cOr I\u2019ll kill your little good Samaritan project. And her friends. And maybe a dozen more.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia turned to stare at him, eyes wide with dawning horror. He wouldn\u2019t\u2026<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cWhat? You didn\u2019t think I\u2019d kill her in public?\u201d He shook his head. His smile was wolfish. Cruel. \u201cWhy not? I love an audience.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia swallowed. He\u2019d do it, too. Kill the girl. And who knew who else.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">And, since he\u2019d do it because she refused to go with him, it would be her fault.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Not giving herself a chance to think about it, Cordelia stood up.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cGood girl.\u201d Standing, he helpfully handed her her purse. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Then, not giving her a chance to balk, he took her forearm and began to lead her\u2026away from the front entrance.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cWait,\u201d she gasped. \u201cMy mom\u2019s car is out front.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cBut I like the back,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve had some of my best times out in that alley.\u201d And he half lead\/half pulled her through the Bronze.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia stumbled behind him. Her heart raced so fast, she could feel the vein pounding in her temple. In her throat.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">He pulled her down the dark hallway, past the bathrooms and the pay \u2018phone. Finally paused in front of the emergency exit.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">He clutched her shoulders, and turned her to face him. In an instant, his human face was gone, replaced by his demonic visage.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia couldn\u2019t hold back a startled moan.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hungry, yellow eyes raced over her body. Devoured her. And, even though she knew he didn\u2019t need to breath, he was panting.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cNow,\u201d he growled. And, without another word, he shoved her against the wall. And, then, he was kissing her. Razor sharp fangs cutting into her lips. Making her bleed.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia cried out in pain. As his hands roamed freely, roughly over her body, tears began to gather in her eyes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trying not to become lost in the horror of the moment, Cordelia reached into her purse.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">As he pressed his hips against hers, Cordy rammed the taser into his side.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">With a startled, outraged cry, Angel fell, unconscious, to the floor.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cOh, thank goodness,\u201d a very British voice sighed, his relief evident.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia barely heard him. Because, suddenly, she was shaking. All over. So badly, the taser fell out of her hand.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cOh, dear,\u201d the stranger said as he hurried towards her. Concern written all over his face. \u201cAre you alright?\u201d he asked, and reached out to put a comforting hand on her shoulder.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The hand passed right through her body.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cDon\u2019t *do* that!\u201d Cordelia snapped, already pushed beyond her limits.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cSorry.\u201d Chagrined, Wesley stared at his hand. \u201cI keep forgetting I have no substance in this time period.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Trying to swallow the lump that had lodged itself in her throat, Cordelia pressed her hands over her eyes. Tried to remember how to breathe.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">She just wanted this night to be over.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pushing away from the wall, Cordelia staggered to the exit and pushed open the door.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Giles was in the alleyway. Preparing.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cGiles,\u201d Cordy called. Her voice trembled.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Watcher looked up from the symbols he was drawing on the cement. And he was obviously surprised to see her. \u201cCordelia? You weren\u2019t supposed to lure Angel out here for another\u201d\u2014he glanced at his watch\u2014\u201cfifteen more minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cWell, he moved the timetable up a little.\u201d She gave him a well-deserved glare. \u201cAnd I am \u201cnever\u201d going to be bait *ever* again!\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The librarian had the decency to look embarrassed. \u201cYes, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The trio headed back into the Bronze. Each grabbing hold of one of the vampire\u2019s arms, Giles and Cordelia dragged him out into the alleyway. The deposited him inside the circle Giles had drawn.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wesley watched from the sidelines. From the expression on his face, he desperately wanted to help. But, since he couldn\u2019t touch anything, he was powerless.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cI haven\u2019t finished the preparations yet,\u201d Giles said. \u201cCordelia, if you would guard Angel, please.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cWhatever,\u201d she said with a tired sigh.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">So, while Giles used chalk to draw markings on the ground, Cordelia stood over the vampire, taser in hand.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">She glared down at him his unconscious form. Her teeth clenched so tight, she heard her jaw crack. She wanted to\u2026to hurt him. To kick him in his side. To stomp on his groin. To pick up a rock, and slam it into his head. She wanted him to wake up, so she could ram the taser into him again.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">She could never remember being this angry. This filled with hate.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">And she didn\u2019t like it, much.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cAre you alright?\u201d Wesley asked.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia glanced at the man who\u2019d appeared in her bedroom moments after she had her vision.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d she said through gritted teeth.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">From the sympathetic looks he was giving her, it was obvious he didn\u2019t believe her. \u201cDon\u2019t worry. It will all be over soon.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia nodded, but couldn\u2019t really believe it.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In fact, she couldn\u2019t really believe any of this.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">That, thanks to some temporal magic \u201cinfection\u201d she and Angel had, their future minds had been cast back into their present bodies.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">That this was the *second* time it had happened.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">That, in the future, she and Angel were best friends. Closer to each other than they were to anyone else.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cHe cares about you a great deal,\u201d Wesley had told. \u201cWhich explains why he is so obsessed with you now. Given Angelus\u2019s desire to hurt those Angel loves the most.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Wesley, during their first time trip, very little time had passed in the future while they were in the past. Maybe a second.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">But, this time, their future selves had been unconscious for nearly 36 hours.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cOf course,\u201d he\u2019d explained, as he looked curiously around her bedroom, \u201cI had no idea you and Angel were trapped in the past, with no clue who you were\u2026er, were going to be. No idea that you were out of place, let alone any notion of how you could rectify the situation. But I did know it was imperative that I find out what was going on first hand.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Apparently, he didn\u2019t have the temporal infection thingy. So he couldn\u2019t actually transport himself, mind or body, into the past.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">But he speculated that Angel and Cordelia were still connected with their minds, no matter where they were in time. And he could use that connection to make contact with one of them. To project his consciousness into the past.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">He\u2019d tried to make contact with Angel first. Several times.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Under the circumstances, they were lucky those attempts had failed.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Once Wesley had finished his little narrative, Cordelia called Giles, who had already found out all about the bizente in his research. So it didn\u2019t take much explaining to convince him of what had happened.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">And the rest was history.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cIt\u2019s weird,\u201d Cordelia muttered.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cI beg your pardon,\u201d Wesley said.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cIt\u2019s just that\u2026we thought the stuff I saw when Angel bit me were visions of the future. It\u2019s weird to think they were memories of stuff that\u2019s already happened.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cHappy memories?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia recalled the images that had flooded her mind. They had *seemed* like happy memories.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cWe\u2019re ready,\u201d Giles said. Standing, he dusted the chalk off of his hands. He cast an uneasy glance around the alleyway. \u201cIs your\u2026friend still here?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordy glanced at Wesley. \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cWell, ask him if I\u2019ve done this correctly?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wesley\u2019s glance took in the preparations with a glance. \u201cI\u2019m certain you have. The symbols are accurate. The candles positioned precisely at the\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cHe says yes,\u201d Cordelia said, rolling her eyes. Wesley seemed to love words as much as Giles did.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Watcher glanced down at Angel\u2019s prone body. A speculative frown marred his brow. \u201cI wonder what kind of horrors I could prevent by staking him right now,\u201d he said. He sounded very reasonable and rational.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">For her part, Cordelia wasn\u2019t opposed to the idea. Except for in a little corner of her mind that she easily ignored.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Wesley seemed horrified.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cYou can\u2019t\u2026!\u201d he began, alarmed. Then, he seemed to make an effort to calm down. \u201cI won\u2019t lie and say Angelus won\u2019t do some truly evil things in the coming months,\u201d he said. \u201cBut his soul will be restored. And, when it is, he will become an incredible force for good.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Reluctantly, Cordelia relayed the message.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">After a moment\u2019s hesitation, Giles began to read from the book.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">And a tornado of silver light appeared inside the circle. It swirled around the vampire, like smoke drifting through moonbeams. Faster and faster. Until, finally, the tornado seemed to collapse into him, spreading through his body. And, then, the light vanished.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cThat\u2019s it?\u201d Cordelia asked. \u201cIt worked?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cIt would seem so,\u201d Giles said with a frown.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cYes,\u201d Wesley said at the same time. \u201cThe spell has transported Angel\u2019s mind back into his future body.\u201d He glanced around the alley. \u201cNow, I suggest we remove all evidence of the ritual. When he comes to, Angelus shouldn\u2019t have any memories of what occurred in the past few days. And I don\u2019t think we should leave him any clues.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">***<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Angelus woke with a groan.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Frowning, he sat up. And cast a puzzled glance around at his surroundings.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">What the fuck was he doing in the alley behind the Bronze? The last thing he remembered was going to sleep at the mansion. Dreaming of new ways to turn Buffy\u2019s life into shit.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">How the hell did he get here?<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">And what was this feeling?<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">That something important had gotten away.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Something that made his body throb, and his fangs ache.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Something that made his stomach clench with hunger, and hard with need.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Something he couldn\u2019t remember.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">***<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Giles finished drawing the symbols on his living room floor.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cWhy do I get the feeling I\u2019ve done this here before?\u201d he mumbled.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cWell, you haven\u2019t yet,\u201d Wesley said. \u201cBut you will.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">When Cordelia relayed this message, the Watcher gave her a puzzled frown.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cAnd, of course,\u201d Wesley continued, \u201conce the ritual is completed, neither one of you will remember why you are here, alone, in Mr. Giles\u2019s apartment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">This news was met with even less enthusiasm.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cLovely,\u201d the librarian grumbled. \u201cCordelia, if you would just step into the circle.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">But Cordelia hesitated. \u201cAre you sure I won\u2019t have those really not nice visions anymore?\u201d she asked Wesley.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cQuite sure,\u201d Wesley said with certainty. \u201cYou won\u2019t have another vision until you receive the gift from Doyle two years from now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cWell, good,\u201d she said, relieved to hear it. But, still, she hesitated.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Because she was about to step into a future she knew nothing about. One that seemed familiar but strange. Unknown, and scary.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">She had to remind herself that the part of her that was returning to that future belonged there. And, once it was done, maybe she\u2019d feel right again.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cOkay,\u201d she sighed. \u201cLet\u2019s get it done.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Taking a deep, calming breath, she stepped into the circle.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">And Giles began to read\u2026<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">***<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Present\u2026<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wesley woke with a start.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">He was sitting in a chair next to Angel\u2019s bed.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cHey, Wes man!\u201d Gunn said as he came closer. \u201cHow\u2019d it go?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cYeah. Did ya\u2026fix things?\u201d Fred asked eagerly. \u201cIs everything going to be alright?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ex-Watcher blinked, trying to get his bearings. Yawning, stretching out the kinks, he glanced towards the bed.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia and Angel were beginning to stir.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cThings are going to be fine,\u201d Wesley said with a relieved sigh.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moments later, Angel and Cordelia were awake. And looking around with equally puzzled frowns on their faces.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d Angel asked as he sat up.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cYeah,\u201d Cordelia said. \u201cWeren\u2019t we just at\u2026that guy Eddie\u2019s house? How did we get here?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wesley barely contained a shocked gasp. When this happened before, the two recalled every moment of their experience in the past. It never occurred to him that\u2026<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cYou don\u2019t remember?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia shook her head. \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Angel didn\u2019t say a thing. Just stared at Wesley in that intense way that said he knew something was wrong. And he intended to find out what.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In that moment, the ex-Watcher decided not to tell them what had happened. After all, he was the only one who knew *when* the two had ended up. That they had been transported to a time when Angel didn\u2019t have a soul.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Angel had come so far in recent months. The last thing he needed was to take on the guilt of things he\u2019d done as Angelus four years ago.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Or yesterday.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wesley shook his head at the confusing paradox. In any event, knowing the details of this latest temporal journey, all the things he\u2019d done to Cordelia, wouldn\u2019t help anyone. Especially him.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">And if Wesley could spare Cordelia the knowledge of the things Angelus had done to her\u2026<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cI\u2019ll explain everything later. After you\u2019ve rested.\u201d ((And once I come up with a believable lie,)) Wesley thought. \u201cBut it had to do with the bizente.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Angel looked skeptical. Like he already knew Wesley was hiding something.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cordelia\u2019s confusion quickly turned into anger. \u201cDammit!\u201d she exclaimed. \u201cWe have to find some kind of cure for this infection or whatever. Because I don\u2019t want to spend the rest of my life bouncing through time! Especially not to when I was 13, which sooo wasn\u2019t my best year.\u201d Shaking her head, she moved to get out of the bed.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Angel moved so fast, all Wesley saw was a blur. As, with predatory speed, the vampire grabbed Cordelia\u2019s upper arm.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cOw!\u201d Cordelia yelped, making everyone in the room jump. \u201cAngel!\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The vampire let her go immediately. \u201cSorry.\u201d He sounded as startled as everyone else felt. \u201cI don\u2019t know what\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cGreat,\u201d Cordy sighed as she rubbed her arm. \u201cI\u2019m going to have bruises, Mr. Superior Vampy Strength.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cI said I was sorry,\u201d Angel said.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wesley frowned, wondering if anyone else heard the growl under Angel\u2019s words.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">As the Angel Investigations team filed out of the bedroom, Wesley felt the first stirrings of uneasiness.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Whether he remembered it or not, Angel had just spent several days as Angelus, at a time when he was at his most brutal and bloodthirsty. There was no telling who he had killed. How many victims he had taken.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">And, in that time, his affection for Cordelia had turned into a dangerous obsession. He stalked her. Terrorized her. Brutalized her. Drank from her.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Well, Angel was back now. Soul intact.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">But there was no telling what the consequences of his most recent journey through time might be.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>End<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Dannyblue<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Part 5 The Past\u2026 Angelus melted into the shadows. Let them cloak him in darkness. The young, warm bodies that filled the Bronze,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2132","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-completed-fics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2132","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2132"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2132\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2132"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2132"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2132"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}