Part 12<\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia managed to scramble to her feet despite the way the room was spinning. \u201cThey will come for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s another reason I separated you two. C\u2019mon C. We both know they\u2019ll come for Willow. I mean I\u2019m sure they would have rescued you too if you were together.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re coming for both of us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you really think that\u2019s true? That\u2019s just sad. Even if they were, and that\u2019s a big if, there\u2019s no way they can get to both of you. Do you have any idea how many guys the Mayor has here? Plus he has me. Buffy is their only muscle. Angel is still too weak to be much help. They\u2019re gonna have to choose. Do they fight their way to you or do they fight their way to Willow with Oz\u2019s nose leading the way? Hmmm. Let\u2019s think about this. It\u2019s a tough call.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith clutched her sides as she doubled over in laughter.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel won\u2019t leave me here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWon\u2019t he? Hmm I find it interesting you didn\u2019t say Xander wouldn\u2019t leave you behind. He is your boyfriend, isn\u2019t he? Makes a girl feel all tingly knowing your boyfriend would leave you to the wolves while he rescues another girl.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAww I didn\u2019t mean to hurt the ice princess\u2019s feelings. You know maybe if you had unlocked those knees, Xander might have come rushing in to save you. It\u2019s pretty pathetic. The May Queen, the wet dream of so many high school boys, doesn\u2019t even finish second with her own guy. Buffy and Willow share his heart\u2026and fill his fantasies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess you\u2019re not even going to pretend I\u2019m wrong.\u201d Faith circled her prey. \u201cDo they know about you and Angel? I doubt B\u2019s gonna be too eager to rescue a poacher.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to say I\u2019m a little curious how you managed to turn his head. I figured the vamp only went for the saintly pure types like B. You hardly qualify for that. According to my very private conversation with Xander in my room, you don\u2019t sleep around. He whined about that little surprise. He had spent all those years thinking you were loose only to discover you don\u2019t put out. Kissing and groping can only keep a teenage boy happy for so long. You can just imagine his impatience. He was practically begging me take pity on him and rescue him from his virginity. So I\u2019ll grant you the pure part but you\u2019re shit out of luck in the saint department. A selfish bitch is better description. So what was your trick with Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was no trick. Angel and I are friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI tried that route. I went to him with my sob story but B showed up. Now I know it might have worked.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re delusional, Faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m delusional? That\u2019s rich coming from you. If you think they\u2019re your friends, you\u2019re stupider than I thought. You have no idea what they say about you behind your back. I know. I was there. I listened to what Red and B said about you. So did Xander and do you know what he said in your defense? He said and I quote, \u201cGuys, she\u2019s my girlfriend,\u201d end quote. That was how he stood up for his woman. I don\u2019t know about you but I get goose bumps just thinking about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia blinked back her tears. She glanced hopefully at the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019d never make it.\u201d She leaned against the conference room table. \u201cYou still think the vamp\u2019s gonna come racing to your rescue, don\u2019t you? Tsk tsk tsk. Wake up Cordelia! Buffy rules that roost. Even if Angel did want to save you, in the end he\u2019s gonna do what she tells him to do. He\u2019s gonna stick with the gang and rescue Willow. You have to know he\u2019ll choose Buffy over you every time.\u201d She smiled at Cordelia\u2019s flinch.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe there is some Angelus left in the old boy. He\u2019s got his tasty piece of ass on the side and when he\u2019s done with you, he\u2019ll toss you out like yesterday\u2019s trash. Hell, he and Buffy will probably laugh about it someday.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah he\u2019ll be holding her naked sweaty body and he\u2019ll tell her all about how stupid he was for ever looking at you. He\u2019s probably got his speech already worked out. He\u2019s just waiting until he finally gets to fuck you before he runs back to the love of his life. I hope for your sake you haven\u2019t given it up yet, \u2018cuz if you did, you can kiss your slim chances of being rescued good bye.\u201d<\/p>\n
She slapped her knee. \u201cHey! Having those locked knees might actually help to save you. He\u2019s put in all that time and he might not want to walk away until he\u2019s gotten his payoff.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re truly disturbed.\u201d She hoped her words would come out in a strong voice, but she couldn\u2019t keep the tremble out of them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s true but at least I was smart enough to cut my losses. You\u2019re still stickin\u2019 around where you know you\u2019re not wanted. The only reason Xander keeps you around is for your tits. Which I gotta admit, you do have a great rack.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia folded her arms in front of her chest. \u201cYou\u2019re not my type.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat hurts C. I know you wore your best fuck me clothes for me, right?\u201d Faith pulled out her knife, her eyes admired the serrated blade. \u201cI was so looking forward to fucking you with this. I can just picture you riding this baby.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia stumbled back a step. \u201cI think I\u2019ll take a rain check. Thanks anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t be like that. I forgive you. I know you want me.\u201d She smiled as she stepped closer. \u201cI guarantee you\u2019ll feel me sliding into you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you two girls playing nice?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah Boss. The real fun was just about to start.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mayor Wilkins walked up to Cordelia. \u201cI just had the most interesting phone call. It seems your friends have decided to return my box in exchange for you and Miss Rosenberg.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia felt a rush of air escape her lungs in relief.<\/p>\n
\u201cI bet they\u2019d make the exchange for just Willow. I say we keep the cheerleader. No one will miss her.\u201d Faith continued to advance on the girl in question.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey said both of us.\u201d Cordelia stepped behind the Mayor and peeked over his shoulder. \u201cI suggest you stick to the deal unless you want to get your asses kicked.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOver you? I don\u2019t think so. They\u2019ll be too busy celebrating Willow\u2019s safe return to notice you\u2019re not there. The only time they notice you is when you\u2019re making some bitchy comment or Xander has his tongue shoved down your throat.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFaith, I have already agreed to the deal. Now how would it look if I went back on my word? I\u2019ll tell you how. I would be just like all those other politicians. Now they\u2019re truly evil.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMiss Rosenberg is missing. She\u2019s somewhere in the building. Go find her.\u201d He glanced over his shoulder at Cordelia.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan\u2019t I..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFaith, don\u2019t make me repeat myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFine. I\u2019ll go play hide and seek with Red.\u201d She turned to leave.<\/p>\n
Cordelia leaned forward to whisper in the Mayor\u2019s ear. \u201cThe deal was for both of us. They won\u2019t trade for just me.\u201d Her throat constricted at the truth in her words.<\/p>\n
\u201cFaith. Don\u2019t hurt the girl. I want my box.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure thing Boss. One redhead intact coming right up.\u201d She slammed the door behind her.<\/p>\n
Cordelia looked down at her hands resting on the Mayor\u2019s shoulders. *Leave it to me to hide from a homicidal maniac by standing behind a megalomaniac.* She stepped back, a sheepish look on her face.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo Miss Chase, why don\u2019t we have a nice chat while we wait? Have a seat.\u201d He picked up one of the overturned chairs. \u201cSorry for the mess. I just had this room renovated before your friends decided to drop in uninvited. It\u2019s such a shame.\u201d<\/p>\n
She sat down and tried to remain calm. \u201cSo when is the exchange supposed to take place?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAt midnight, we have some time. I hope my Faith didn\u2019t frighten you too much. She can be a little rambunctious.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think psychotic is a better description but that\u2019s just me.\u201d She glanced around the room. \u201cSo you\u2019re ascending, huh? What is that exactly? I\u2019m still a little hazy about what that means. Are you going away somewhere \u2018cause that doesn\u2019t sound very scary?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you asking me to spill the details of my nefarious plan?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYup. You said we had time and you wanted to chat. So let\u2019s chat.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re quite audacious, bordering on impudent I\u2019d say.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s true. Now about this ascension\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cOK. They\u2019re secure. Only one way out and doesn\u2019t that just fill me with a sense of dread.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly one way out means only one way in. I want to see them coming. They should be here any minute.\u201d Buffy nervously scanned the room when the lights suddenly went out. \u201cGreat.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can see just fine. Here they come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith walked in with Willow in front of her, a knife at her throat. She was followed by three vampires.<\/p>\n
Angel kept his eyes glued to the door. He could hear Cordelia\u2019s heartbeat just outside the door. It was racing but not wildly so.<\/p>\n
\u201cWow!\u201d The Mayor walked into the cafeteria holding Cordelia\u2019s hand. \u201cMeeting under the cover of darkness at midnight. I feel like I should be wearing a trench coat.\u201d He patted her trapped hand. \u201cIsn\u2019t this exciting?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shrugged. \u201cYou be surprised how often something like this happens to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
He smiled at her glib answer. \u201cShe\u2019s so spunky.\u201d He glanced over at Faith. \u201cDon\u2019t you think she\u2019s spunky?\u201d He didn\u2019t wait for a response as he stepped closer to Buffy. \u201cSo you\u2019re the slayer that\u2019s been causing me all sorts of trouble. She\u2019s cute, Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPfft.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStill I can\u2019t understand why things couldn\u2019t work out with you and my Faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s eyes continued to scan Cordelia\u2019s form for any signs of injury. \u201cWhat can I say? I like my women sane.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis from the vampire who created Druscilla.\u201d He enjoyed the way Angel and Buffy both flinched. \u201cI must say I find it humorous that someone who once tried to have the world sucked into hell can stand before me and act morally superior.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe it\u2019s not a knee-slapping kind of funny but funny nevertheless.\u201d He turned to face Cordelia. \u201cThese young people are so full of life.\u201d He looked over at Buffy.<\/p>\n
\u201cGuys like us Angel, can\u2019t be what they need. They won\u2019t like growing old alone. My late wife didn\u2019t. She died cursing me for my youth, my beauty. It will happen to you too. She\u2019ll grow to resent you. I mean you can\u2019t even offer her a leisurely walk in the park on a bright sunny day. All you have is darkness. Is that really fair? You call yourself a good guy yet you rob your young lady of her dreams. It sounds kind of selfish to me. Wouldn\u2019t you agree Miss Chase?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIsn\u2019t everyone a little selfish when they\u2019re in love? Wanting your special someone all to yourself goes with the territory. As for Angel, who is nothing like you, I think it\u2019s up to the girl, whoever she may be, to decide if the price is worth it. She should be the one to decide what she deserves. Not all of us like to have men do our thinking for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWow. Well said. Don\u2019t I feel sheepish?\u201d He stepped back dragging Cordelia with him. \u201cMake the trade, Faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith pushed Willow forward. Once she reached the table the box rested on, she shoved the redhead in Oz and Xander\u2019s direction. She put her knife away and grabbed the box then moved to stand beside the Mayor and Cordelia.<\/p>\n
Cordelia watched Xander and Buffy visibly relax the moment Willow was safe. She closed her eyes as the pain washed over her.<\/p>\n
Faith leaned in and whispered, \u201cI told you they would have chosen Willow.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel growled as his features shifted. \u201cYou have your box. Now let Cordelia go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe did make a deal for both girls, didn\u2019t we?\u201d He raised their still joined hands. \u201cIt would be wrong of me to break my word.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know boss. It seems to me they already got what they wanted. I say we keep this one.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were having a lovely time together.\u201d He noticed Angel advancing. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t do that if I were you.\u201d He glanced around the room. \u201cRaise your hand if you\u2019re invulnerable.\u201d<\/p>\n
His gaze returned to Cordelia. \u201cWhat do you say, Miss Chase? Do you really want to stay with them? Why don\u2019t you return with us?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s sweet of you to offer but I think I\u2019ll stay here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSuit yourself. Choosing the side that will die soon doesn\u2019t seem smart to me but I am a man of my word.\u201d He released her hand. \u201cLet\u2019s go Faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI said let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith followed the Mayor and his lackeys out the door.<\/p>\n
Oz, Willow, Xander and Buffy formed one giant hug.<\/p>\n
Angel quickly moved toward Cordelia but she took a step back.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d She smiled as Giles and Wesley approached.<\/p>\n
Giles enveloped her in a hug. \u201cAre you sure you\u2019re alright?\u201d<\/p>\n
She briefly returned the embrace. \u201cI\u2019m fine. Faith was pretty scary but, and I never thought I\u2019d say this, Mayor Wilkins came to my rescue.\u201d *Which is more than any of you did.*<\/i><\/p>\n
Wesley masked his happiness under proper British decorum. \u201cI suggest we move our pleasantries to the library. You can give us the details of your ordeal there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel held Cordelia back as the others left. \u201cI wanted to rescue you but I knew I\u2019d probably end up getting you both killed. Trading the box was our best hope of getting you both back safely.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey traded it for Willow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not true.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWere you not here tonight? They gave him the freaking box and got Willow in exchange! I was still over here holding hands with the maniac! Don\u2019t bullshit me, Angel. Let\u2019s just go to the library. I want to get this over with so I can go home and soak in a hot bath and hopefully forget I ever met any of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNO!\u201d He cradled her face in his hands. \u201cI would have given them anything to get you back.\u201d He wiped away a tear before it could fall. \u201cAnd for the record, Wesley made the final decision to trade. A watcher chose to make a deal with the devil. He did it for you because I reminded him you are his friend and what Faith would do to you if we didn\u2019t get you out. Wesley smashed the ceremonial pot and everything. You would have been so proud.\u201d<\/p>\n
He rested his forehead against hers. \u201cThere is no way I would have left you there and there is no way I would have allowed you to leave here with them.\u201d His lips firmly took possession of hers before she could protest. He took advantage of her surprised squeak to deepen the kiss. He wanted to explore every inch of her mouth. He needed to savor her flavor.<\/p>\n
He needed to prove to himself she was there and she was safe. His hands tangled in her hair, keeping her in place as he devoured her. Somewhere in the back of his brain a small voice reminded him of her need to breathe.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat was…?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was me changing everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, we can\u2019t..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes we can. Let\u2019s go home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re waiting for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho cares?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou do, Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot anymore. Let\u2019s just go home. A bath sounds like a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n
*Did I miss something?*<\/i> \u201cI want to get the interrogation over with.\u201d She turned to leave.<\/p>\n
\u201cWait!\u201d His eyes scanned for injuries again. \u201cDid..did they\u2026do anything to you?\u201d Memories of Faith\u2019s thoughts ran through his mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cFaith threatened to and she probably would have if the Mayor hadn\u2019t showed up. He sent her to find Willow, who I guess somehow got out of her storage closet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid he\u2026did he..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy was he holding your hand?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou may find this hard to believe\u2026He told me that if he and his late wife had been blessed with a daughter, he thought she\u2019d be a lot like me. Apparently the guy actually does think of Faith as a daughter. He told me she takes after him and I take after his wife. I told him you were nothing like him. He\u2019s not into cradle robbing.\u201d She grinned at his offended look. \u201cI\u2019m just teasing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo he didn\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFaith was the one\u2026it doesn\u2019t matter now. Daddy dearest showed up before she could make good on her threats. Come on. Let\u2019s get this over with so we can go home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere we can take a bath?\u201d He walked down the hallway beside her.<\/p>\n
Faith\u2019s words still rang in her ears. \u201cLet\u2019s just take things one step at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cYou mean you actually had your hands on the books of ascension?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYup and it was way overwritten if you ask me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles rolled his eyes. \u201cDid you find anything of importance?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were a few pages that seemed important but I didn\u2019t get a chance to read them fully.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSee what you can make of them?\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles eagerly snatched the pages from her hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cWow Will. Tonight was your night for suave. You should get captured more often.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOooh no.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy\u2019s eyes narrowed when Cordelia and Angel walked into the library. She hopped off the counter. \u201cSo Cordy, Willow managed to steal a few pages from the books of ascension. What did you find out?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell the Mayor and I had a pleasant chat. We talked about Faith, the weather, interior design and what ascending means.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles froze in his doorway. He turned. \u201cWhat was that last one?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI asked him about his ascension \u2018cause frankly I was still a little hazy on the definition.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley took a step forward, his eyes wide. \u201cWhat did he say? Surely he didn\u2019t actually answer you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe guy totally loves the sound of his own voice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles moved closer. \u201cWhat did he say?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAccording to him, we\u2019ve never seen a demon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGod Cordy, how gullible can you be? I\u2019m the slayer. I kill demons all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia bristled at her tone. She folded her arms. \u201cActually the demons you\u2019ve killed and all the other ones that walk the earth are tainted, like vampires.\u201d She glanced at Angel over her shoulder. \u201cNo offense.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean by tainted?\u201d<\/p>\n
She shrugged. \u201cWith human..ness or whatever. The Mayor is going to ascend\u2026into a pure demon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles pinched the bridge of his nose. He knew he was repeating himself but Cordelia\u2019s defensive posture and nonchalant attitude required it. \u201cWhat do you mean by pure demon? What is the difference?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell\u2026they\u2019re bigger.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow much bigger?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe didn\u2019t draw me a picture, Giles. I got the impression a rocket launcher isn\u2019t going to get the job done this time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd he just told you all of this? Why would he do that? He had to be lying. He was just playing you.\u201d Buffy looked to Giles for confirmation.<\/p>\n
Cordelia rolled her eyes at the annoying blond. \u201cI can\u2019t be sure but I think he was telling the truth. I realize it seems strange that he\u2019d talk to me. Maybe you guys didn\u2019t notice from his behavior tonight but the guy seriously isn\u2019t afraid of us. He claims to be invulnerable until his ascension.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUntil you say? Perhaps that means once he changes, he can be killed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe can.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow can you be sure?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause look around, the world\u2019s still here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley stared at the brunette. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I don\u2019t quite follow.\u201d<\/p>\n
She huffed. \u201cDo you really think he is the first demon ever to reach ascension? And if he was, how would he know all this? You can only learn so much from books. Plus he did mention something about the Ural Mountains and 800 years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you\u2019re just mentioning this now because?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey! I\u2019ve been through a lot so back off. Raise your hand if you were captured and threatened tonight.\u201d She smiled at Willow, who\u2019d raised her hand. \u201cIt sounded like he was talking about someone else\u2019s ascension then he changed the subject to the trashed conference room. He said kids today have no respect for authority figures. I tried to get him to tell me more but we ran out of time. He did mutter something about a low tech demon.\u201d<\/p>\n
She shot a glare at Buffy. \u201cHappy now? Was I a productive enough prisoner for you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles spoke up before Buffy could respond. \u201cYou handled yourself remarkably well. I\u2019m very proud of you and Willow. You both kept cool heads under enormous pressure. If you\u2019re not too tired, could you step into my office? I have a few more questions.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure.\u201d She followed Wesley and Giles into the office.<\/p>\n
Angel had listened to Cordelia\u2019s revelations until Willow\u2019s raised hand caught his attention. He watched Xander pull the redhead aside. Thanks to his enhanced hearing he heard every word. If he had felt any guilt towards the boy regarding Cordelia, it was officially gone.<\/p>\n
Listening to Xander tell Willow how worried he\u2019d been about her and how relieved he was once Faith released her infuriated him. The loser had yet to even acknowledge Cordelia, his supposed girlfriend. Angel listened to Xander ask Willow if they could hang out just the two of them once the meeting broke up.<\/p>\n
He saw the boy\u2019s disappointment when she told him Oz wanted some alone time with her. Saying Xander didn\u2019t deserve Cordelia didn\u2019t even begin to cover how he felt.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey deadboy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou need to find alternate transportation tonight. Better yet find somewhere else to sleep. I want to spend some alone time with my girlfriend.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah so you need to make some other plans. Hey Buff!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to be alone with Cordy tonight. Can you vampsit?\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy pulled Xander across the room. \u201cCan\u2019t you wait? I need to go hunt down that other demon so Giles can make Angel\u2019s cure.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTake the vamp with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce he\u2019s cured, you and Cordelia can go do whatever you want. I was even thinking about staying at the mansion with Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about your mom?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was going to tell her it was slayer related. Someone needs to protect him from Faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan\u2019t you just tell him not to look at you while you guys track the demon?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel was startled out of his eavesdropping mode by a warm hand touching his arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m done here. Are you ready to go home?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am beyond ready.\u201d Angel placed his hand on the small of Cordelia\u2019s back as they walked out of the library together.<\/p>\n
\u201cOK. I\u2019ll do it but you owe me big time, Xander.\u201d Buffy turned around.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, would you\u2026where did he go?\u201d<\/p>\n