Part 15<\/b><\/p>\n
Angel still had no idea if the movie had gypsies in it. He hadn\u2019t paid attention. Xander seemed intent on touching Cordelia as often as possible.<\/p>\n
She managed to fend him off, although she eventually allowed him to keep his arm around her shoulders. Angel had no choice but to remain still. Buffy, like Xander, decided the darkened room was the perfect setting for snuggling.<\/p>\n
Cordelia was tempted to open all the curtains and turn on all the lights. Buffy had practically crawled inside Angel\u2019s clothes. Plus Xander had turned into Mr. Grabby Hands. It was all she could do not to scream. He waited until she had found someone who genuinely appreciated and liked her to decide he wanted her.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what next? Do we watch another movie?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d Cordelia extracted herself from Xander\u2019s grip. \u201cHow about we do something else?\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow put the two movie choices down. \u201cOK. What?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d She turned the lights on.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you have any board games?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. They\u2019re not really my style. We have the pool table and dart board but that\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can do that at the Bronze.\u201d Buffy snuggled into Angel\u2019s side. \u201cI say we watch another movie.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander hopped up. \u201cI\u2019m with Buffy.\u201d<\/p>\n
*Big surprise* She shuddered when he wrapped an arm around her waist and switched off the lights.<\/p>\n
\u201cPop in another one, Will.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOK. Is the Matrix all right with everyone?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou never said it was a Keanu Reeves\u2019 flick. I\u2019m in.\u201d Cordelia chose to sit beside Angel on the longer sofa rather than the loveseat she and Xander had been sharing. \u201cYou\u2019ll love this movie, Angel. One of the main characters is a hot chick dressed in leather. I should warn you though. She isn\u2019t blond.\u201d She playfully nudged him with her shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u201cWeren\u2019t you sitting over there?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShh. It\u2019s starting.\u201d She ignored Buffy\u2019s glare and Xander\u2019s pout. She leaned into Angel and whispered loud enough for them to hear. \u201cIt\u2019s got really cool action scenes. You\u2019re going to love the opening sequence. I mean you don\u2019t use guns but you\u2019re still a guy.\u201d She remained quiet until after Trinity reached the phone booth. \u201cCool huh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah but what\u2019s with the suspended animation? That doesn\u2019t happen in a real fight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDuh it\u2019s for the visual effect.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d He watched silently for a moment. \u201cI don\u2019t get it. What effect? Am I supposed to feel affected? Because mainly I\u2019m thinking that doesn\u2019t happen in the real world.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTrue but she\u2019s not in the real world. She\u2019s in the matrix.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d He watched silently for a moment. \u201cI still don\u2019t get it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou will in a little while. You\u2019re reasonably smart. You\u2019ll figure it out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh OK. Hey!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell you were outsmarted by Spike. I heard he totally snowballed you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTrue but he\u2019s a really good liar and normally he\u2019s incapable of being patient. He never sticks to a plan. He crashed Parent\u2019s Night instead of waiting like he was supposed to, remember? Who knew he could wait for the right moment before acting?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShh you have to watch this part or you won\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy stared at the chatting pair in disbelief. She had given Angel her understanding about his friendship with Cordelia but that didn\u2019t mean it was okay to ignore her. She had missed him during their forced estrangement. He should be just as eager as her to pick up where they left off.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it isn\u2019t real? None of it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExactly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s stupid.\u201d He rose from the couch and went upstairs.<\/p>\n
Before Cordelia could follow him, Buffy went after him.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood. Now I can enjoy the movie.\u201d Xander shifted closer.<\/p>\n
She stared at the doorway debating what she should do. After waiting several minutes, she stood. \u201cI\u2019ll be back. I need a drink.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll get it for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia could feel the tension in the air when she walked into the kitchen. \u201cDon\u2019t mind me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy shot an annoyed look at the intruder. She couldn\u2019t figure out how but she knew Cordelia was the reason Angel was acting weird. She was used to him being standoffish but never over a movie. Of course this was only the second movie she\u2019d watched with him. She hoped getting him alone would help but he still wouldn\u2019t tell her what was wrong.<\/p>\n
\u201cGeez people. It was only a movie.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks for the newsflash, Cordy.\u201d Buffy decided against fighting with the brunette. It was her day off. \u201cI\u2019m going back downstairs. I hope you\u2019ll join me.\u201d She didn\u2019t wait for a response.<\/p>\n
Cordelia watched her storm out. \u201cOK. What\u2019s up?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
She walked over to the silent vampire and sat down on his lap. \u201cTalk to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel wrapped his arms around her waist. \u201cWhen I was in Hell that was one of the most popular tortures to inflict.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat was?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaking me think I got out or that it was all just a nightmare. When I would finally start to believe that I was safe, the illusion would end.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it was like the movie only in reverse?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry. I had no idea.\u201d She cradled his face in her hands. \u201cYou\u2019re safe now. You know that right?\u201d She began planting kisses all over his face. \u201cThis is very real.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know. Some of those tricks felt pretty real.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess I just have to try harder.\u201d She captured his lips in a bruising kiss.<\/p>\n
His fingers tangled in her hair as he took over the kiss. His tongue happily came out to battle hers.<\/p>\n
After several moments, she pulled away and gulped air. \u201cDo you believe me now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHmm it\u2019s a tough call. I think I know a sure fire way of proving it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh really?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah. Let\u2019s go upstairs and..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re so bad. You know we can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know.\u201d He looked into her eyes. \u201cI also know this is real and I am safe. If this had been an illusion, it would have ended that day in the library when you forgave me instead of getting better and better with each passing day.\u201d His fingers teased the bottom of her shirt.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou mean not yet, right? I\u2019m not rushing you or anything. We can take things as slow as you want. I want you so\u2026but I would never..\u201d<\/p>\n
She smothered his rambling with a kiss. \u201cI meant not yet.\u201d His goofy smile made her laugh. \u201cDo you think you\u2019ll be okay to go back downstairs?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d rather be alone with you but since that doesn\u2019t seem to be an option, let\u2019s go.\u201d He kissed her one more time. \u201cJust so you know I\u2019m not sure how much longer I can resist breaking Xander\u2019s arms.\u201d<\/p>\n
She shrugged. \u201cIf Buffy wasn\u2019t packing her slayer strength, I\u2019d probably be saying the same thing. You should know I made plans to be alone with Xander tomorrow night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to break up with him then.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh. In that case, I\u2019ll make plans with Buffy. I have no idea what to say to her. There\u2019s really no good way to break this to her. I\u2019m not even sure how much I should tell her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know what you mean. I want to be honest but I don\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWant to slap them in the face with our happiness, I know.\u201d<\/p>\n
She rested her forehead in the crook of his neck. \u201cDid you ever notice how nothing in our lives is simple?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFalling in love with you was pretty simple.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s head popped up. \u201cWhat did you say?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI said when.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel!\u201d She slapped his chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cOw!\u201d He pulled her close. \u201cI\u2019ve fallen in love with you. It was as easy as\u2026not breathing.\u201d<\/p>\n
She giggled at his wording. She tried to blink back the tears that were forming.<\/p>\n
\u201cUmm do you think you could say something? Anything?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI fell in love with you before I even noticed I lost my balance. You\u2019re pretty loveable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s true.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on before your head inflates like a balloon.\u201d She stood up then pulled him to his feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cOK. But first I need to do this.\u201d His lips came crashing into hers with raw passion. Swallowing her surprised squeak then her gentle moans, he devoured her mouth.<\/p>\n
Her eyes were glazed with need when they finally broke apart. \u201cThis whole worrying about other people\u2019s feelings is overrated.\u201d She tugged on his hands. \u201cLet\u2019s just go upstairs. It\u2019s a good movie. They\u2019ll never even notice we\u2019re missing.\u201d<\/p>\n
He refused to move. \u201cNo. I want it to be perfect. Besides with them in the house, you won\u2019t be free to scream.\u201d<\/p>\n
A perfectly sculpted eyebrow shot up. \u201cWho says I\u2019ll be screaming?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat would be me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou sound pretty sure of yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell I have had mmphf\u201d<\/p>\n
She covered his mouth. \u201cIf you\u2019re going to start talking about your vast experience, I\u2019d rather go downstairs and snuggle with Xander. Thinking about you with other women does make me want to scream but definitely not in a good way.\u201d She lowered her hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cPoint taken. Just know that when we do make love, you will be screaming.\u201d He leaned in to whisper. His voice grew almost silky. \u201cI plan to taste, touch and learn every part of you. I will find every spot that makes you giggle, gasp, laugh, shiver, shudder, moan, mewl, quiver, arch, pant, wail, melt, groan and scream. I intend to discover exactly what makes you purr and when I\u2019ve figured all that out, I\u2019m going to start over in case I missed anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her body was shaking by the time he stepped back. \u201cSo it\u2019s a good movie, huh? Come on. You can explain everything I\u2019ve missed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia was amazed she hadn\u2019t melted into a puddle at his feet. \u201cUmm you go ahead. I just need a cold shower\u2026drink. I need a cold drink \u2018cuz I\u2019m thirsty.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh huh\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am. Pfft like I was affected by you? Please! I am in complete control.\u201d She walked over to the refrigerator and just stood in the open door. The cool air felt good. She tensed as strong arms snaked around her waist and pulled her against a firm chest. His cool breath tickled her ear.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can scent you in the air.\u201d His tongue flicked her ear. \u201cYour arousal smells delicious. It makes me want to lose myself in you.\u201d Blunt teeth nibbled on her neck.<\/p>\n
She arched into his mouth. One hand rose and threaded through his hair. \u201cI don\u2019t know\u2026mmm.ahh\u2026what you mean. I\u2019m not aroused.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not?\u201d<\/p>\n
She tried to control her panting with little success. \u201cNope\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHmm I must be doing something wrong. Maybe I should try this.\u201d One hand slipped under her shirt. His fingertips teased her soft skin during their slow ascent. Before he could reach his target, Angel heard someone coming up the stairs.<\/p>\n
When he realized it was Xander, he considered not stopping and letting loser boy catch them. Cordelia\u2019s possible reaction made him remove his hand and step back.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, what..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you decide to go out of state to get that drink?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cXander.\u201d Her eyes darted around the room. *I am so going to hell* \u201cAngel wasn\u2019t enjoying the movie. We started talking. I guess I lost track of time. Sorry.\u201d She grabbed a can of diet coke from the still open fridge.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m ready.\u201d She glanced at Angel. He circled away from Xander, careful to keep the counter between them. An evil smile spread across her face when she realized he was trying to hide his otherwise noticeable erection. \u201cAngel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be down in a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cInteresting choice of words.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander looked confused at his girlfriend\u2019s statement. \u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing. Let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cThat wasn\u2019t too bad.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI told you it was good. You gotta love Keanu Reeves. He is brutally hot.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou think that scrawny guy is hot? I could kick his ass without even trying.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know some women don\u2019t judge a guy by his ability to fight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel glared at Xander. \u201cSpoken like a true non-alpha male.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGuys! It was a movie. There is no reason to fight about it and I agree with Cordy. Keanu Reeves is hot. No offense, Oz.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cS\u2019okay. I myself thought Trinity was pretty hot.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia turned at Angel\u2019s ready ascent. \u201cYou liked that leather look? I was kidding about that earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFaith wears a lot of leather.\u201d<\/p>\n
The room grew quiet at Buffy\u2019s statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh please! Like Angel would fall for her act. Let it go already. He wasn\u2019t interested in Faith before she went evil and he sure as hell isn\u2019t interested now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUmm I\u2019m hungry. Aren\u2019t you hungry Oz?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI could eat.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood. Let\u2019s order the pizzas now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat sounds good to me.\u201d Buffy wasn\u2019t really sure how to take Cordelia\u2019s outburst but she felt oddly comforted about the Faith issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll go make the call.\u201d Xander started for the stairs. \u201cCordy, can you give me a hand? I need a phone book or a menu if you have one.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure but I thought you memorized all the numbers for the places that deliver.\u201d She trailed behind him.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, Angel. I still haven\u2019t had a tour of the house yet. Could you show me around?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess. Willow? Oz? Do you want to come?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ll be fine here. I\u2019m sure they can amuse each other while we\u2019re gone.\u201d Buffy hooked her arm with Angel\u2019s. \u201cLead on.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOK\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s my bedroom door and that one is Cordelia\u2019s. The door at the end of the hallway is another guestroom. That\u2019s pretty much it. You already saw the pool house out back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was pretty nice. It must be good to have money but then again I\u2019d probably act like Cordelia if I did.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s that supposed to mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh nothing. So are you going to show me your room?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt looks pretty much like the one across from her parent\u2019s room, except there\u2019s only one window. We should get back downstairs.\u201d Buffy had lingered in every single room. She had even bounced around on the bed in Cordelia\u2019s parent\u2019s room.<\/p>\n
The tour was taking forever. She didn\u2019t seem to be in a hurry to return to the group but he was. Being alone with her felt like he was being dishonest, which he basically was. He didn\u2019t want to hurt her but it was inevitable. They weren\u2019t meant to be and he knew it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s the rush? I want to see where I\u2019ll be sleeping.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/p>\n
She smiled. \u201cI wanted to surprise you but I can\u2019t wait any longer. I told my mom I was spending the night at Cordelia\u2019s so I didn\u2019t even have to lie. She was surprised but she said it was okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, I don\u2019t..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we\u2019ve waited long enough, don\u2019t you? We love each other. Your soul is secure. It\u2019ll be perfect. This time we\u2019ll wake up together.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is Cordelia\u2019s house. I\u2019m a guest. I don\u2019t..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe won\u2019t care. Besides she\u2019ll be too busy to notice.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cXander is staying too. He and I came up with the idea last night. He\u2019s ready to take the big plunge and..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes Cordelia know?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s planning on surprising her. They\u2019ve been together for a while now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat if she\u2019s not ready? Did Xander even consider her feelings?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh come on Angel. It\u2019s hardly her first time. I\u2019m a little shocked she\u2019s held out as long as she has.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I guess that means you had sex with that Scott kid.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell you already had sex and you were dating him. Why hold out, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t believe you would think..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t. I\u2019m just saying don\u2019t judge Cordy, especially when you have no idea what you\u2019re talking about.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry. You\u2019re right. I don\u2019t want to fight with you. This is between Xander and Cordelia. It\u2019s none of our business what they do or don\u2019t do.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBUFFY! THE PIZZAS ARE HERE!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019M COMING!\u201d She clasped Angel\u2019s hand. \u201cTonight will be wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s mind was racing. They most definitely had a problem. There was no way he was going to allow Xander to sleep anywhere in the vicinity of Cordelia and Angel had no intentions of sharing a bed with Buffy either. Their plan to handle their breakups in private had just gone to hell.<\/p>\n
As much as he didn\u2019t want to hurt Buffy, he was not going to let Xander ineptly try to seduce Cordelia. He couldn\u2019t believe the audacity of that worthless boy. He needed to talk to Cordy. She would know what to do.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel watched and waited for his opportunity to speak to Cordelia alone. He stuck to the shadows. No one thought it unusual for him, although Cordelia occasionally glanced over at him. He saw his opportunity when she excused herself to go use the bathroom. He slipped out of the room unnoticed.<\/p>\n
Cordelia had just opened the bathroom door when a hand covered her mouth and pushed her into the small room.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry. It\u2019s just me.\u201d He released her.<\/p>\n
She spun around and punched his shoulder. \u201cDammit Angel! You scared the crap out of me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry. I was afraid you might scream if I walked in on you. I was trying to avoid attention.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell you\u2019re here now. What\u2019s so important that you had to give me a heart attack?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHas Xander filled you in on his surprise?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. He bought me a present?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not that kind of surprise. When I was giving Buffy a tour, she..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI noticed the two of you disappeared for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe wanted me to show her around.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah I bet she did.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe told me she was planning on spending the night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat!\u201d Angel covered her mouth. She pulled his hand away and lowered her voice. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHer mother gave her permission to spend the night at your house.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo she plans on screwing you while I\u2019m sleeping across the hall?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cApparently you\u2019re going to be too busy to notice.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe and Xander talked last night and decided they would both spend the night. It seems Xander is ready to take the next step in your relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh really! I\u2019m so glad he had Buffy to help him decide that. I mean why talk to me about it? I\u2019m just the person he plans to have sex with.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think he\u2019ll be in the mood once I break his legs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf anyone gets to break his legs, Angel, it\u2019s me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s just tell them tonight. Granted I could use another night to figure out what to say but waiting for the right moment doesn\u2019t seem like an option anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy don\u2019t we just tell them no? I\u2019m too angry right now. I\u2019d end up saying too much.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat little bastard..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, I\u2019ve been sharing a bed with you. We have kissed more than once and more recently with them in the same house. If he hadn\u2019t called this morning, we would have done a lot more than just kissing. I\u2026we don\u2019t exactly have the moral high ground. He\u2019s a sucky boyfriend but I am a cheater. Buffy may be a\u2026 She may not want to know the real you but that doesn\u2019t mean its okay to go out behind her back and find someone else who does. We stick to the plan. When Xander suggests spending the night, I\u2019ll say no. We\u2019ll go on our date tomorrow. I\u2019ll talk about what has been lacking in our relationship and then I\u2019ll end it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you going to tell him about us?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know yet. I keep thinking about what will happen next. The whole gang has become a part of my life. The ascension is coming up. I know I\u2019m not really big with the fighting but I think everyone will be needed. You said you\u2019re feeling stronger now that you\u2019re getting rest. They\u2019re going to need you. I don\u2019t want our relationship to be what ends the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know Buffy will be hurt but she\u2019ll do what\u2019s best. I know it will be awkward but..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUnderstatement much? Look if we go out there right now, Buffy will say something to me and I\u2019ll lose my temper. I\u2019ll say exactly what I\u2019m thinking and battle lines will be drawn.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we stick to the plan?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. You tell Buffy you think it\u2019s a bad idea to jump into bed and she can\u2019t stay. Tomorrow you can tell her\u2026whatever you come up with.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOK\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNow get out of here. I have to pee.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Xander was waiting for her when she came out. The lack of yelling or fighting told her he hadn\u2019t seen Angel exiting. \u201cHey\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was wondering if I could spend the night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHuh\u201d<\/p>\n
He pushed off the wall and stood in front of her. \u201cI would like to spend the night with you. We don\u2019t have to\u2026do anything you\u2019re not ready for. We could just sleep. I\u2019d like to wake up with you in my arms.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cXander, I don\u2019t think that\u2019s such a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow about a big sleepover then? Buffy, Willow and Oz were all saying a sleepover would be fun. Your parents are away and..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou thought I\u2019d like to host an orgy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. Willow and Oz plan to sleep separately. I can even bunk with Oz if you want. I would like it if we all got along. A big battle is coming up. We could use some teenage carefree bonding time. How about it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia knew she was certifiable for even considering it but his puppy face was getting to her. A thought suddenly dawned on her. This was very possibly the last night they would all be friends. \u201cOK but you are sharing a room with Oz.\u201d Slayer or no slayer, Buffy would get her ass kicked if she tried to sleep with Angel. He would just have to come up with an excuse.<\/p>\n
Xander kissed her cheek. \u201cWe\u2019ll have fun. I promise. Willow and Oz said they\u2019d make everyone breakfast. Come on. Let\u2019s go tell everyone the good news.\u201d He dragged her to the basement. \u201cCordy said yes. We are a go for the slumber party.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s shocked eyes stared at Cordelia. She shrugged.<\/p>\n
Willow hopped off Oz\u2019s lap. \u201cLet\u2019s celebrate with dessert.\u201d She grabbed Oz and Xander and pulled them towards the kitchen.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to be bunking with you, Oz.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy\u2019s head turned at Xander\u2019s words. She ignored Cordelia, who was fidgeting on the far end of the room as if unsure whether to come in or leave. \u201cI guess you were right about Cordy. We can\u2019t\u2026now that everyone is staying. I\u2019m sorry but we\u2019ll have to wait. At least we can sleep sleep together.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think that\u2019s such a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re probably right. I won\u2019t be able to control myself either. I guess I\u2019ll be rooming with Willow. It\u2019ll still be fun.\u201d She squeezed his knee. \u201cI\u2019m going to give them a hand with dessert.\u201d She practically skipped out of the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t remember this being a part of the plan.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know. I caved.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI realized that this is the last night we\u2019re all going to be friends. I just\u2026I wanted one more night before they all hate me.\u201d She was in his arms in a flash.<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand but how am I supposed to sleep without you in my arms?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh. I hadn\u2019t thought about that.\u201d She relaxed into his embrace. She knew she was crazy for allowing them to stay. Having it all wasn\u2019t an option for her. She couldn\u2019t have Angel in her bed and the scoobies in the same house without trouble happening, possibly even blood being spilt.<\/p>\n
Angel could no longer imagine not sharing a bed with her. He could but he didn\u2019t want to. She made him feel safe. She made him feel calm. She gave him the peace of mind to rest. Now he knew she loved him and not just while she was dreaming. He would find a way even if it meant drugging the others into unconsciousness. He stepped back at the sound of approaching footsteps.<\/p>\n
\u201cI made you a hot fudge sundae with my own two hands.\u201d Xander handed Cordelia a bowl. \u201cOK. Buffy scooped the ice cream. It was hard as rock.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow, Oz and Buffy each walked in with their own sundae.<\/p>\n
Cordelia took a bite before she noticed Angel didn\u2019t have one. \u201cWhere\u2019s Angel\u2019s?\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy rolled her eyes. \u201cHe\u2019s a vampire. He doesn\u2019t eat human food.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks for the tip.\u201d She held out a heaping spoonful. \u201cYou\u2019ll love this. It\u2019s a combination of hot and cold.\u201d<\/p>\n
Without thinking, Angel automatically allowed her to feed him. The vanilla ice cream made his mouth feel warm in comparison, while the hot fudge actually warmed him. \u201cThat is good.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI told you. Here you eat mine. I\u2019ll go make another one.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Cordy. We used all of the ice cream to make these. We didn\u2019t think Angel would want one.\u201d Willow held out her bowl. \u201cDo you want some of mine? I\u2019ll never finish it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHere Cordy. You eat this one. I don\u2019t need any.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo one needs a hot fudge sundae any more then they need cheesecake. You eat it. I still have some cookie dough fudge mint chip in the freezer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you want me to get you some?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. The hot fudge doesn\u2019t stay hot for long. You enjoy the sundae.\u201d She smiled at the way he was enjoying his treat. \u201cI\u2019ll be back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel followed her, dessert in hand.<\/p>\n
Buffy stared into her ice cream. *Cordelia knew Angel would like a sundae. Why didn\u2019t I?*<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you sure you don\u2019t want this?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t give you a lung, Angel. I like sundaes as much as the next girl but it\u2019s not something I get excited about. You really like it, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s good. Hot, cold and sweet mixed together. Who knew?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid anyone ever tell you you\u2019re very cuddly when you discover something new?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYup\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll have to remember that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia noticed there was a little hot fudge left in the pan on the stove. She carried it over to Angel and poured it on his ice cream.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you want it for yours? It\u2019s sweet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot as sweet as your smile.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel leaned in for a quick kiss. \u201cYou\u2019re so good to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMmm. That is good. I\u2019m suddenly feeling less generous.\u201d She stole his spoon and scooped up some gooey dessert. His lips parted in surprised when she offered it to him.<\/p>\n
He barely had a chance to swallow before her lips were on his. Her tongue thoroughly explored his mouth.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is a good sundae.\u201d<\/p>\n
He smiled. \u201cWould you like some more?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAbsolutely.\u201d<\/p>\n