Part 16<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cIs that hot chocolate?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow pointed to the mug in the microwave. \u201cAre you making some hot chocolate?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh. No. I\u2019m heating Angel\u2019s dinner. I thought you went to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI did but then Oz and Xander came in to talk. I just sent them back to their room.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere\u2019s Buffy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe went for a quick patrol. No rest for the wicked means no rest for the slayer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s funny I didn\u2019t see her leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe went out the window.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cForce of habit I guess. Where\u2019s Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s getting the dishes from downstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can help with that. I\u2019ll go get..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s okay. I do know how to load a dishwasher.\u201d She flashed a smile. \u201cBut don\u2019t tell anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour secret is safe with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel walked into the kitchen carrying several bowls and spoons. \u201cHey Willow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey\u201d<\/p>\n
He set the dishes on the counter and started handing them to Cordelia one at a time as she placed them in the dishwasher.<\/p>\n
Willow watched the pair work together. A small knot began forming in the pit of her stomach. \u201cSo\u2026Buffy went on patrol.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh huh\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no need for concern. I\u2019m sure she\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure she will.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia took the mug out of the microwave and handed it to Angel. \u201cAre you sure you don\u2019t want me to pick up some cow\u2019s blood next time? How about some lamb? Variety is the spice of life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPig\u2019s blood is fine. I\u2019ve grown accustomed to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
She watched him drink for a moment. \u201cDo you mean accustomed like I can make myself eat spinach because it\u2019s good for me but it tastes yucky?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell it\u2019s nowhere near as good as\u2026\u201d He glanced over at the gaping redhead still hovering in the doorway. He set his unfinished dinner on the counter.<\/p>\n
Oblivious to Willow\u2019s shock and discomfort, \u201cHuman blood. Well that makes sense. Otherwise you\u2019d see vamps moving to the country to do some porky pig hunting. OK. I just gave myself a seriously strange visual. Does all human blood taste the same?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s head whipped around. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHuman blood, I mean is it like wine with its differences in flavor or is it basically like Coca Cola? You know always the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
His eyes drifted over to the still mute girl.<\/p>\n
Cordelia followed his gaze. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Willow. I never asked what you came down for.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh I was thirsty but now\u2026 I really shouldn\u2019t drink any liquids before bed. You know it ahh makes me need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I\u2019m just uhh going to go upstairs now. Good night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cG\u2019night.\u201d She turned back to Angel. \u201cDid she look a little green to you?\u201d She smiled sweetly. \u201cBe a good boy and finish your dinner. No happy plate..err..mug means no dessert for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
He drank the rest in one gulp. \u201cFinished. So what\u2019s for dessert?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot what you\u2019re thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo?\u201d He rinsed the cup out and added it to the dishwasher. \u201cSo what is for dessert then?\u201d<\/p>\n
He turned around to find a popsicle being waved in his face.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s cherry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou said you liked ice cream because it made your mouth seem warm. Well so will a popsicle. Try it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow about you eat it? I\u2019ll pass.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re no fun.\u201d She walked around the counter and sat down on a stool. She gave it a few long wet licks before she began sucking on her frozen treat. \u201cIt\u2019s good. You don\u2019t know what you\u2019re missing. I love these on hot day. I\u2019ll sit poolside and eat one after another. Anita always gets the sugar free ones so they\u2019re low on the sinful-treat-one-should-indulge-in-sparingly list.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel stood mesmerized by her mouth. She alternated between licking and sucking. He couldn\u2019t decide which his favorite was. His hand gripped the counter for support when a significant portion disappeared inside the warm cavern of her mouth. He spotted her tongue dragging along the underside as she worked it free.<\/p>\n
She could feel his eyes on her. An evil thought popped into her head. She very slowly slid its ice cold length in and out of her mouth. Her eyes drifted shut in concentration. Some melted juice dripped down her hand. Her pink tongue darted out to lick the sticky sweetness off her hand then she leisurely ran her tongue to the tip. Bit by bit the popsicle slipped back inside her mouth. She hollowed her cheeks as pulled it out again. When his soft groan reached her ears, she bit the tip off and chewed.<\/p>\n
He reached across the counter and snatched it from her hand. He glared at her sadistic torture device as he tossed it in the sink.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was cruel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNobody said you had to stare, you big perv.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah well\u2026 You\u2019re a meanie.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAww is my poor vampire troubled? Are you feeling a little frustrated?\u201d She leaned against the counter separating them. \u201cMaybe you should go take a dip in the pool. You didn\u2019t get to swim today.\u201d Her brow scrunched in thought. \u201cWouldn\u2019t water keep you from burning to dust?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? Can we please get back to us swimming together? You can go get your red bikini or better yet no suits at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
She rolled her eyes. \u201cIt\u2019s not what it looks like, Buffy. I thought I was wearing my swimsuit under my clothes but I was wrong. I didn\u2019t intend to get naked with your boyfriend in my pool. No Buffy. Please put that sharp object down. Thanks but I\u2019ll pass.\u201d She hopped off the stool and went to rummage through the cabinets.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you looking for?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWillow put me in the mood for hot chocolate and since you didn\u2019t let me finish my treat\u2026 Ah hah! Do you want some?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure. Why not? I\u2019m not exactly eager to go to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s only for one night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know if we wait until everyone\u2019s asleep, I can stay in your room. No one would notice.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think that\u2019s a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFine. Just so you know if I hear Xander going near your door, I intend to kick his ass.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh please! Buffy will probably try climbing in your window when she gets back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wouldn\u2019t matter if I was in your room.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right. It wouldn\u2019t because my broken and bloodied body would be on its way to the hospital\u2026 or the morgue.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell if somebody would have let me tell her tonight, they would already be gone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on. Tonight was fun. \u201cThe Princess Bride\u201d is one of my favorite movies. Willow and I finally beat Xander and Oz at pool. Buffy kicked all our asses at darts although I still say she should\u2019ve had to play blindfolded.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wouldn\u2019t have made a difference. If they\u2019re so much fun, how come you\u2019re not upstairs in Willow\u2019s room talking with the boys?\u201d Angel couldn\u2019t keep the scowl off his face.<\/p>\n
She shrugged. \u201cYou hadn\u2019t had dinner yet and\u2026 I wanted to spend some time alone with you before I had to sleep alone. I\u2019m used to you being there beside me, which is ridiculous. It\u2019s only been a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know but when something feels right, time is irrelevant.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen did you become so wise about love, Angel?\u201d She handed him his hot chocolate.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean become? I\u2019ve always been wise.\u201d<\/p>\n
She rolled her eyes. \u201cYou\u2019re a regular Joe Sensitive except for your penchant for hookers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re never going to let that go, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHell no. It\u2019s funny in a sad and pathetic kind of way. I\u2019ve never met anyone who has literally paid for sex.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t pay that often.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah. I\u2019m sure you mainly got some by making false promises and lying but I wouldn\u2019t recommend using that defense. It gives the impression I\u2019m better off with Xander. If you weren\u2019t a vampire, I\u2019d be asking for a note from your doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t that bad as a human.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh huh. Nice distinction. They had diseases back then and you were a big ho. You do the math.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey!\u201d<\/p>\n
She laughed at his offended expression. \u201cAngel, I fell in love with a good man. I\u2019m only teasing. Besides you\u2019re the one that tried to remind me how experienced you are.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll never say another word about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t do that. I was only teasing, honest. I want to know all about you, the whole you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou would?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course I would.\u201d<\/p>\n
He smiled. \u201cI feel exactly the same way.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo tell me about\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Buffy stood frozen by the pool. She couldn\u2019t believe her eyes. It wasn\u2019t possible. It had to be some kind of sick joke.<\/p>\n
Angel and Cordelia were in the kitchen\u2026 laughing. The two were obviously enjoying each other\u2019s company. They looked completely at ease with one another. He looked like\u2026 a normal guy. The normal guy she wanted him to be.<\/p>\n
She watched him add soap to the dishwasher and start the cycle like it was the most natural thing in the world. Cordelia waited for him in the doorway and switched off the lights as they left together.<\/p>\n
After another moment of utter disbelief, she walked around the house. \u201cSo much for going through the door.\u201d She considered climbing up to Angel\u2019s window but the idea of hanging there until he showed up wasn\u2019t appealing. She hoped Willow was still awake.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re really going to make me sleep in my room? Alone?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, I don\u2019t think we should chance it. We\u2019ve already been reckless enough today hence the no-more-kissing-until-they\u2019re-gone rule. If it wasn\u2019t for your vampire hearing, we would\u2019ve gotten caught. Even with your vamp warning system, Oz almost saw us. He kept looking at us funny too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe didn\u2019t see anything. Nobody\u2019s around and I\u2019ll listen for heartbeats before I leave your room in the morning. It will work.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease? You know that without you I\u2019ll have another nightmare and I\u2019ll end up waking the whole house. They\u2019ll be questions and Buffy will want to stay with me so I won\u2019t have anymore nightmares. You don\u2019t want that to happen, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s so not fair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes but did it work?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell I guess we..\u201d<\/p>\n
The guestroom door opened and out walked Buffy. \u201cHey guys.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel took a small step back. \u201cHey Buffy. When did you get back?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust now. I wanted to say good night.\u201d She glanced over at Cordelia. \u201cYou\u2019re up late.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was just going to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t let us stop you. Angel and I will be going to bed soon too.\u201d She hooked her arm with his and pressed her body into his side. \u201cGood night, Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHuh? Oh right. G\u2019night.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel watched Cordelia\u2019s door close, shutting him out, barring him from her embrace, stopping him from finding a peaceful night\u2019s rest.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought she\u2019d never leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
He could hear Cordelia\u2019s heart on the other side of the door, not moving away. \u201cThis is her house.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know but you\u2019re MY boyfriend and we\u2019ve barely spent any time alone all day. I miss you.\u201d<\/p>\n
A pang of guilt raced through his system but no regret. At least not the kind of regret he was supposed to feel. He and Cordelia\u2019s shared laughter had been too recent. Although he still didn\u2019t understand what was so funny about liking Charlton Heston movies and there was nothing wrong with Barry Manilow either. \u201cI thought we decided you\u2019d be sharing a room with Willow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe did but I thought we could sit up and talk. We don\u2019t have to\u2026 Someone might hear us. We can talk about whatever you want.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a little tired.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re a vampire, Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t forgotten that but I\u2019ve been keeping human hours lately. We should probably just go to sleep. Separately. You know you in your bed and me in my bed.\u201d He heard Cordelia move away from her door. Before he knew what was happening, Buffy\u2019s lips were on his. The feel of her tongue trying to tease mouth open snapped him out of his shock. He pulled away and cupped her cheeks in his hands. He really didn\u2019t want to hurt her. *A small part of me will always love you.* \u201cGood night.\u201d He placed a soft kiss on the tip of her nose.<\/p>\n
Buffy stood wide-eyed as Angel disappeared behind his door. Their kiss tasted sorrowful and why did he kiss her nose? It was sweet in a completely chaste way. She needed to know if she\u2019d done something wrong. *Maybe Willow was right. Maybe he needed someone to talk to and I wasn\u2019t there for him.* She glanced at Cordelia\u2019s room. *He was forced to settle for Cordelia. That\u2019ll change soon. We will take things one step at a time. I made the offer to talk. He\u2019ll come around. If he can talk to Cordy, he can certainly talk to me. I just need to be patient.* She walked to her room. \u201cAngel and I will be fine. We were meant to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel paced the length of his room. He knew the nightmares would return but even if they didn\u2019t, he wanted to sleep beside Cordelia. He wanted her in his arms. He wanted her heartbeat and breathing to lull him to sleep. He wanted her warmth to slowly seep into his cold body warming it. He wanted to be near the woman he loved.<\/p>\n
He froze mid-step. A deep growl burst forth through his clenched teeth. With a burst of speed he was standing in his open doorway. \u201cAre you lost?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAahh!\u201d Xander clutched his heart. \u201cYou scared me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre. You. Lost?\u201d<\/p>\n
The nervous boy glanced at Cordelia\u2019s door. \u201cI was just umm\u2026 Why am I explaining myself to you? What business is it of yours?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s sleeping.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you know this how?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel tapped on his ear. \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t want to disturb her, would you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure whatever you wanted to say to her can wait until morning, don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah. I\u2019m just gonna go back to bed now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood decision.\u201d Angel remained fixed in his doorway, his arms folded, hands clenched into tight fists. Xander stood frozen. \u201cGood night Xander.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh right. I\u2019m going. Good night.\u201d He stopped after a few steps and glanced back over his shoulder at the imposing vampire. He withered under Angel\u2019s harsh glare and continued walking to his room cursing vamp hearing all the way.<\/p>\n
He couldn\u2019t take it anymore. Angel went back into his room and grabbed a change of clothes. He locked his door then forced it to close behind him. He went across the hall and walked into Cordelia\u2019s bedroom. He didn\u2019t know whether to be happy at the ease of his entrance or angry that Xander could have done the same.<\/p>\n
Cordelia started awake at the sound of a bang. Her eyes popped open. \u201cYou know for a vampire you\u2019re not very stealthy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry.\u201d He picked up the items he\u2019d knocked off her desk and moved his clothes to the chair instead.<\/p>\n
She shifted over a little and pulled the covers back. \u201cI thought you\u2019d never get here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
She giggled at his expression. \u201cI tried to stay awake to wait for you but you took too long.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been busy pacing in my room.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s silly. Come to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n
He pulled the covers off her completely. He only needed the warmth of her body. She was wearing a long night shirt. His gaze roved over her body.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t even think about it. We are going to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel slid in beside her. \u201cXander was prowling around your door.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was? What did you do?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI encouraged him to go back to his room. I didn\u2019t even hurt him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so proud. So what\u2019s your plan if Buffy sneaks into your room and discovers your empty bed?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI locked my door.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? How are you supposed to get back in?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry. I can get it open and without damaging it so don\u2019t worry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOK\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI locked your door too. Something it should have already been.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t want to lock you out. I figured you\u2019d sneak over after you got rid of Buffy. How was I supposed to know you\u2019d stay away?\u201d<\/p>\n
He nuzzled her neck. His soft growl of frustration vibrated against her throat. \u201cYou said I couldn\u2019t sleep here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was trying to be mature, dumbass. I didn\u2019t mean it.\u201d Blunt teeth nibbled on her ear. \u201cYou need to learn how to read between the lines.\u201d She felt his hand slide up her leg under her nightgown and take a firm grip on her hip. \u201cWe should get some sleep. It\u2019s late.\u201d<\/p>\n
He trailed kisses along her jaw until he reached her mouth. \u201cYou\u2019re probably right.\u201d He seized her lips, attacking them with his own.<\/p>\n
She moaned into his mouth. Her hands desperately clutched his shoulders as she pulled him on top of her.<\/p>\n
His hand slid back down and gripped her leg behind her knee. He tugged it around his hip allowing him to drop between her legs. He groaned at the sensation of her heat teasing him through their thin barriers. He began kissing a path down her slim neck, occasionally nipping the soft skin.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, we can\u2019t.\u201d Her fingers belied her words as she pressed him to her neck. \u201cThis is such a bad idea.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cVery bad idea.\u201d He rocked against her eliciting a moan.<\/p>\n
\u201cVery bad.\u201d She missed his taste and yanked him back to her mouth.<\/p>\n
He palmed her breasts, testing their weight. He hungered to touch bare skin. His hands moved to the edge of her nightgown.<\/p>\n
She stilled his hands. \u201cDid you hear something?\u201d Her doorknob squeaked as someone tried to turn it.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, are you awake?\u201d was heard from the other side.<\/p>\n
\u201cI should go answer it. We wouldn\u2019t want to leave Xander out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t even think about it, Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry. I\u2019m not going to hurt him. I\u2019ll just explain in words his small brain will understand that you\u2019re busy right now and you\u2019ll talk to him tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cVery funny. Is he still out there?\u201d As if responding to her question, the doorknob squeaked again.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan I please hurt him? You already told him no. Can\u2019t he respect that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou mean like you did?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? How.. You.. I..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShh\u201d She shifted his weight off her. \u201cIs he gone?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m such a horrible person.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was my boyfriend out there and I\u2019m in here making out with another guy. I\u2019m a big fat cheater. Well not fat fat. I\u2019m developing some seriously bad karma and I don\u2019t even believe in karma.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMine is about as bad as it can get already.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell bully for you. I may have dated a lot of guys but I have always been faithful. I always dump a guy before moving on. This time\u2026 It was complicated.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cXander doesn\u2019t deserve your loyalty. I heard his thoughts and..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t. You can\u2019t tell me his private thoughts.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy not? He..\u201d<\/p>\n
She slapped her hands over her ears. \u201cNot listening.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel lowered her hands. \u201cBut..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. I know you couldn\u2019t help hearing them but you can help repeating them. Thoughts are private. Even if they prove he\u2019s a big jerk, I don\u2019t want to know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOK. Just trust me. He\u2019s not worth your guilt. We fell in love. Please don\u2019t apologize for that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not. I\u2019m not sorry we fell in love. I\u2019m just sorry two people are going to get hurt because of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMe too. I hate hurting Buffy. My consolation is the hope that she\u2019ll find someone who is right for her.\u201d He wrapped his arms around Cordelia.<\/p>\n
She rested her head on his shoulder. \u201cI know I\u2019m damning myself more by saying this aloud but if we don\u2019t tell them soon I\u2019m going to spontaneously combust from frustration.\u201d<\/p>\n
He kissed her forehead. \u201cYou took the words right out of my mouth.\u201d<\/p>\n