Part 22<\/b><\/p>\n
Pleasure, intense pleasure flowed through her veins spreading white hot heat from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. Ecstasy, unrelenting ecstasy surrounded her, consuming her. Cordelia never wanted to wake up.<\/p>\n
Her dream was too amazing. Her back arched off the bed, her eyes flew open as she exploded, gasping for air, sweaty limbs writhing, hands clawing the sheets, Angel\u2019s mouth buried in the apex of her thighs.<\/p>\n
His hands stroked her thighs and hips soothing the tremors.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel?\u201d She looked down at him. A sheepish grin adorned his face. \u201cOK. That was so much better than an alarm clock.\u201d<\/p>\n
He chuckled against her skin as he trailed kisses up her body. \u201cYou said later. It\u2019s later.\u201d He paused once the meaning behind her words sunk in. \u201cDoes this mean you\u2019re going to school today?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell actually I was thinking about staying home but if you\u2019d rather have the house to yourself\u2026 I could always go to school.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you mean it?\u201d<\/p>\n
His little boy on Christmas morning smile made her laugh. \u201cYup.\u201d She pushed him onto his back and straddled his waist. \u201cDoes this mean you want me to stay?\u201d She traced the contours of his chest with her index finger. \u201cThere are lots of things we could do.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSuch as?\u201d<\/p>\n
Her thumbs circled his nipples, teasing them. \u201cThe laundry has really piled up without Anita around. I think I remember where the laundry room is.\u201d Her hands slid down his torso, fingers spread wide. \u201cThe house hasn\u2019t been cleaned in days. The dust is really piling up.\u201d She leaned forward resting her elbows on his chest, hand propping her chin up.<\/p>\n
She could feel how hard he was but her expression remained innocent. \u201cWhat did you want to do?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll think of something.\u201d Angel tangled his fingers in her hair and dragged her to his mouth.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Willow walked into the library just as a bleary-eyed Wesley unlocked the cage. She smiled adoringly at Oz. \u201cGood morning. Night three is officially over.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah. I\u2019m in the clear until next month.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou should be commended. Many of the afflicted choose to remain in denial as long as they possibly can. They run rampant during the phase of the full moon, killing at will. You\u2019re handling your condition in a mature fashion. Now if you\u2019ll excuse me, I\u2019m going to get some sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks for staying here last night, Wesley.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThink nothing of it. Mr. Giles needs to be here during the school day. It makes more sense for me to remain during the night since Mr\u2026Angel wasn\u2019t available. I will see you all tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow nodded at Wesley\u2019s statement. \u201cBye.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow are you holding up? I\u2019m sorry I couldn\u2019t be there to help you with Buffy and Xander. I\u2019m sure they weren\u2019t exactly in the best of spirits.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cActually Buffy was\u2026 feeling pretty positive.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExactly.\u201d She sighed as she collapsed in a chair. She hadn\u2019t been able to sleep all night.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, Willow? You look tired.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am. I couldn\u2019t stop worrying about Buffy last night. Xander is hurting too. He\u2019s upset, but he wasn\u2019t in love like Buffy. A part of him is willing to admit that he and Cordelia would never have worked out anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA part?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah the rest was really crazy about her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oz sat in the chair next to hers and held her hand. \u201cAnd Buffy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGiles wants Angel and Cordelia to still be a part of the Scooby gang. Apparently Angel has recovered.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow did Buffy and Xander take that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe agreed pretty quick. Xander is willing to go along with it because Buffy asked him to.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a little surprising.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought so but then Buffy explained why she was so calm. I\u2019ve been nervous ever since.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you remember the plan you tricked me into telling you about?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember asking if you wanted something to drink.\u201d He squeezed her hand. \u201cMaybe it was the tone of my voice. What about her plan?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNow that Angel can fight again, she thinks her plan can still work.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about Cordelia?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what I wanted to know. Apparently she\u2019s irrelevant.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oz studied his girlfriend\u2019s sad expression. \u201cI know you wanted to be optimistic about her plan before. What do you think of it now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026 I don\u2019t know what to think.\u201d A wistful expression softened her features. \u201cBefore Angel lost his soul, I used to watch Buffy and Angel together and just melt. They were so in love.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWere?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre, I meant are.\u201d She sighed banging her forehead against the table. \u201cI don\u2019t know what I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oz soothingly rubbed his troubled girlfriend\u2019s back. \u201cYou were saying something about melting?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d She took a deep cleansing breath. \u201cIt was like a fairy tale. It definitely leaned towards the Grimm fairy tales but it was so romantic to watch. I thought they would have the big happily ever after and then he lost his soul. I wanted to be optimistic for her sake but Angelus was so evil. After Miss Calendar\u2019s death, I\u2026 I thought we just had to accept that Angel was gone for good and Buffy would have no choice but to stake him. Then we found Miss Calendar\u2019s translation of the curse and suddenly there was hope again.\u201d<\/p>\n
She smiled at Oz\u2019s understanding look. \u201cBut you know all this already.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cS\u2019okay. Sometimes you just have to work things out in your head. Keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I realized there were two versions of the spell on the disk, I was so happy for both of them. I could give them a future together. I was going to make the fairy tale have a happy ending and now\u2026\u201d She ran her fingers through her hair.<\/p>\n
\u201cWill, I know you want them to be happy. You\u2019ve done what you could. The rest is up to them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not\u2026 I don\u2019t want to make their decisions for them. OK. Maybe I\u2019ve been tempted in the past but that\u2019s not what this is about. Buffy needs me to be supportive girl right now and I don\u2019t know what to say anymore. Normally Buffy would say she\u2019s afraid that she\u2019s losing Angel and I would say that she and Angel are meant to be together and that it will all work out in the end. I\u2019m having a little trouble saying my line.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t think they\u2019re meant to be together anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure anymore. When I first meant Angel, he was this gorgeous dark mysterious cryptic guy. Then I found out he was this gorgeous dark mysterious tortured vampire with a soul.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sensing you think Angel is gorgeous.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell he is kind of attractive but totally not my type.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s good to know.\u201d<\/p>\n
She smiled knowing he was only teasing. \u201cThe vampire with a soul in love with the vampire slayer, what could be more romantic than that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA werewolf in love with a witch?\u201d Oz lifted her palm to his lips.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re the best.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI try.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen tell me what I should do. I\u2019m Buffy\u2019s best friend. She is convinced her plan is going to work and she wants me to tell her she\u2019s right. I don\u2019t know if I can do that anymore. It\u2019s not like I know it won\u2019t work. I don\u2019t. They were so in love. They lived the fairy tale.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s not just some gorgeous dark mysterious tortured vampire with a soul anymore. He has likes and dislikes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd this is a new thing?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. I mean no. Well he used to stick to the shadows. He\u2019d appear whenever Buffy was in trouble. She was the center of his world. He was Buffy\u2019s Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd now he\u2019s Cordelia\u2019s Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s not just that. I saw a glimpse of the real Angel. At least I think I did. It was so subtle at first. The way he acted here in the library seemed out of character. It was easy to dismiss. Then I watched him at Cordelia\u2019s house. It made me reevaluate everything. I saw a guy with his own personality and as shocking as that was, I was more shocked that it was Cordelia, not Buffy that made me see it. I can\u2019t see him just as a character in a story anymore. He\u2019s a person, who happens to be in love with Cordelia Chase, Queen C, head cheerleader, my tormenter over the years. I may not understand what\u2019s happening, but I can\u2019t pretend it\u2019s not happening.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know what you mean. I wasn\u2019t entirely surprised when I noticed his scent all over her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you think they were sleeping together? He told Buffy..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t like to dwell on it but,\u201d he tapped the tip of his nose, \u201cI would have known if they were having sex.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is insane.\u201d Willow pushed away from the table and began pacing. \u201cBuffy is my best friend. I should be trying to help her. I should be cursing Cordy and wishing all sorts of horrible things on her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about Angel? He\u2019s the one who was dating Buffy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know. This is insane.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou mentioned that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know but this is really insane. I\u2019m betraying my best friend.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWill..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo I am. When Cordy fed Angel that hot fudge sundae, his face lit up. She saw him. She drew him out of the shadows and I can\u2019t seem to condemn her for it.\u201d She collapsed in the chair she\u2019d just vacated. \u201cI\u2019m gonna go to hell. Ira Rosenberg\u2019s only daughter is going to hell.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia rested her head on Angel\u2019s shoulder. She absently drew invisible patterns on his chest. \u201cYou changed again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow come you didn\u2019t bite me?\u201d She wrapped her arms around his chest when he tried to move away. \u201cI wasn\u2019t trying to upset you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel pulled her on top of him. He tangled his fingers in her hair and held her head in place as he stared into her eyes. \u201cI will never bite you. Never.\u201d His expression softened at the tears in her eyes. \u201cI won\u2019t allow myself to bite you. It\u2019s wrong. I won\u2019t hurt you like that. I won\u2019t be that with you. I won\u2019t taint what we have together. With you, I can be a man.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are a man.\u201d She caressed his cheek. \u201cBut I\u2019m pretty fond of the vampire too. Don\u2019t get me wrong. I\u2019m not asking to be bit. That\u2019s usually a big no-no.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen why did you bare your neck to me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI read this..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am not like any other vampire. You didn\u2019t have to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know. The book said it was an important connection between..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo vampires. Those quacks don\u2019t know what they\u2019re talking about. It doesn\u2019t have some deeper meaning unless you turn whomever you\u2019re biting and even then there\u2019s nothing romantic about it. It\u2019s my soul that enables me to love. It also reminds me that hurting you is unacceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia nibbled on her lower lip, wrestling with her wording.<\/p>\n
A little wary, \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe book said it only hurt for a second.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh huh. Is that what it said?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell actually it said that after the brief moment of pain it felt really good. I figured if it\u2019s important to you and it doesn\u2019t hurt then what the hell. Like I said before, I want you to be you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat means a lot to me. It really does but I drink pig\u2019s blood for a reason. Not allowing myself to have any human blood helps with the cravings.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her brow scrunched in confusion. \u201cYou mean like an alcoholic?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSort of. I\u2019ll always crave human blood but the scent of blood doesn\u2019t call to me like it once did. I can control it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo no biting?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d He nibbled on her earlobe. \u201cMaybe a little biting.\u201d<\/p>\n
She responded biting his neck eliciting a deep growl. \u201cGood. I love making you growl. It\u2019s so cute.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel pinned both hands above her head. \u201cIs that right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYup. You\u2019re so cuddly sweet.\u201d She wrapped her legs around his waist. \u201cWhat else can I do to make you growl?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a much better idea. Let\u2019s figure out what makes you purr.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cHey Buff.\u201d<\/p>\n
The petite blond tried to smile but didn\u2019t quite manage it. \u201cHey Willow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOK. I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid something happen? You were a lot more cheerful last night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy didn\u2019t come to school today.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe she isn\u2019t feeling well.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you believe that, I have some choice real estate you might be interested in.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry. I was just trying to be supportive girl.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know. You\u2019re the best, Will, you know that.\u201d Her expression brightened. \u201cYou also happen to be totally right.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. I need to stay positive. She may be shacked up with Angel right now but her time is running out. Angel and I are patrolling together tonight. Thanks Will. I really needed the pep talk. I\u2019ll see you later. Snyder has been on my case lately. Bye.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo problem. That\u2019s me, pep talk girl.\u201d Willow watched her best friend rush off. \u201cOh boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
~ Ring! ~<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cI thought I unplugged that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou did, but I plugged it back in.\u201d Cordelia rolled onto her side but Angel caught her wrist<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoever it is can call back later. We\u2019re kinda in the middle of something.\u201d<\/p>\n
~ Ring! ~<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know what you mean. I\u2019m finished.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re really not.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPfft. What do I look like?\u201d<\/p>\n
~ Ring! ~<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cYou look like the kind of girl who returns the favor. You\u2019re not just a taker.\u201d<\/p>\n
She rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically. \u201cGeez. I didn\u2019t realize I needed to pack for a guilt trip. Fine. One backrub coming up but first I need to answer the phone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ll call back.\u201d<\/p>\n
~ Ring! ~<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cQuit whining. I said I\u2019d give you a backrub. You know you never mentioned wanting one in return for giving one.\u201d She managed to grab the phone successfully. \u201cHello.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHello Cordelia. How are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia sat on the edge of the bed, back straight. \u201cYou\u2019re using that tone again, Giles.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re supposed to be in school today.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cC\u2019mon. I was mature yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo today you\u2019re behaving like a child?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know better than asking me a question you don\u2019t really want to hear the answer to because I\u2019ll answer it.\u201d She glanced over her shoulder at the very naked vampire in her bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cPoint taken. I really don\u2019t need the mental images.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo if you\u2019re not calling to discuss my current state of undress then why are you calling?\u201d She could almost hear him blushing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI err..I assume you haven\u2019t checked your messages.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry. We were a little distracted. We went on our first date last night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI spoke to the others as I said I would.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry I missed that conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt went better than I expected actually. We agreed that Angel will go patrolling with Buffy tonight to test his battle readiness. As for you, Wesley and I have a few passages we want to run by you. We hope something will sound familiar.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re kidding, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have no sense of humor as you love to point out. You should be prepared for some hostility from Xander. He wasn\u2019t as supportive of my suggestion as Buffy was.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s up with that anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe recognizes the fact that Angel could prove very useful against the Mayor and Faith. I knew she would act rationally. She\u2019s the slayer. She cannot allow her actions to be ruled by her emotions.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re starting to sound like Wesley. I\u2019ll tell you what I told him. Buffy may be the slayer but she also happens to be a teenage girl.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, Buffy..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know. She\u2019ll do what she has to do to save the world but that doesn\u2019t mean she won\u2019t\u2026 It doesn\u2019t matter. We\u2019ll be there as soon as the sun sets.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll see you tonight, Giles.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you have a nice time?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOn your date, did you have a nice time?\u201d<\/p>\n
She smiled. \u201cI had a wonderful time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m happy for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Giles.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour happiness is important to me. You are important to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNow you\u2019re gonna make me get weepy. You know I hate that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, I wouldn\u2019t want to make you emotional. I am British after all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad you remember. All this talk about our feelings had me wondering.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI will see you tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be there. Goodbye.\u201d She hung up the receiver before crawling towards Angel. \u201cOn your tummy, it\u2019s time for your massage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel tucked his hands behind his head and remained on his back. \u201cI think I prefer this position.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that side has already had plenty of massaging so roll over.\u201d She slapped him on the butt when he finally turned. \u201cAren\u2019t you going to ask what Giles wanted?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t have to. I was listening.\u201d He grunted as Cordelia straddled him using his butt as her seat. His grunt turned to a yelp of pain. \u201cWhat the hell was that for?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou grunted when I sat down, you big jerk.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBaby, you are NOT fat.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen why did you grunt?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThink about what\u2019s on the opposite side of where you\u2019re sitting and then think about that being pressed into the mattress.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHuh? Oh\u2026 OH! Should I move?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. I like you where you are.\u201d He could feel her deliciously feminine moisture searing his cool flesh. \u201cYou can start anytime now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her hands began kneading his shoulders. \u201cYou mean you heard my half of the conversation, right? Don\u2019t you want to know what Giles said?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMmmm I heard Giles too. That feels good. Right there. If I concentrate, I can hear whoever is on the other end of the phone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you were eavesdropping?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA little lower. Mmmm. What did you expect me to do? You were on the phone with another man while sharing a bed with me\u2026 naked. Of course I listened.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow many times do I have to tell you that Giles and I are just friends? There has never been anything even bordering on romantic between us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy did you call him Ripper?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d She went over her phone conversation in her head. \u201cI didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot today. In the library, he was warning you about me being dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her hand connected with naked flesh with a loud slap. \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t listen to other peoples\u2019 conversations.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOw! I\u2019m a vampire. We have really good hearing and you\u2019re avoiding the question.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo I\u2019m not. It just happens to be none of your business.\u201d She nearly fell off her perch as Angel managed to roll onto his back beneath her. Despite her annoyance, a soft moan escaped when she made contact with hard flesh.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt IS my business.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was the first night you came into the library. How was my private conversation with Giles even remotely your business?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s mouth opened and closed like a fish. \u201cWell that was then. This is now and now it is very much my business.\u201d<\/p>\n
She rolled her eyes. \u201cI told you that Giles and I are friends. He told me a lot about his\u2026 wayward youth. Ripper was his nickname back then. I occasionally use it.\u201d<\/p>\n
He folded his arms like a petulant child. \u201cYou used that flirty tone when you said it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s ridiculous. I was being playful. There\u2019s a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSuch as?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIntent, it wasn\u2019t intended to get him riled up. It was intended to make him smile which it did. So there.\u201d She stuck out her tongue.<\/p>\n
Angel considered her words, trying to gauge what his reaction should be.<\/p>\n
She could almost see the wheels turning. \u201cYou\u2019re being stupid. I think we should be focusing on the fact that Buffy is willing to patrol with you. Am I the only one who finds that suspicious?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019ll do what\u2019s right. The ascension is coming.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have no doubt little Miss Likes-to-fight will save the world. That\u2019s what she does but,\u201d she remembered Buffy\u2019s angry words in the girls\u2019 bathroom, \u201cthat\u2019s kinda my point. She doesn\u2019t accept defeat graciously.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you afraid of?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDuh!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry. Was that supposed to answer my question?\u201d<\/p>\n
Her arousal gone, she rose to stand on the bed. \u201cI don\u2019t want to lose you.\u201d She stepped over him. \u201cI don\u2019t just mean to Buffy either. I don\u2019t want to lose you at all. Faith is a slayer too. I don\u2019t know what the Mayor is.\u201d She sunk to the bed and hugged her knees. \u201cWhat if you get killed?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel moved in an instant, enveloping her in his embrace. \u201cYou\u2019re not going to lose me, not to Buffy, not to Faith and not to the Mayor.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPromise?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI promise.\u201d He nuzzled her neck. \u201cThis whole conversation was to avoid reciprocating the backrub, wasn\u2019t it?\u201d Her giggle brought a smile to his face.<\/p>\n
She pushed him onto his back. \u201cI thought this was side in need of stroking?\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s gaze darted back and forth between Wesley and Giles as they read from their separate texts. She longed to be back in Angel\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n
Their day had been amazing but their nights totally sucked. Between the \u201cWesley and Giles does this sound familiar show\u201d, the hostile glares and snippy comments from Xander, and the overall nervousness emanating from Willow, Cordelia had a horrible headache. Oz was the only one acting normal.<\/p>\n
She wanted to go home and crawl back into bed with Angel. Getting him away from Buffy would be good too. The blond was a little too chipper about patrolling with him. The shoe was on the other foot now. She was the girlfriend being left behind.<\/p>\n
Watching Angel leave with his first love wasn\u2019t much fun. She couldn\u2019t even respond to Buffy\u2019s rude comments without coming off like a total bitch. She was the boyfriend stealer. Sitting there and taking it went against her nature. She said what she thought when she thought it and to hell with the consequences. The only problem with that was hurting Buffy hurt Angel but accepting that hurt her.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you listening to us at all, Cordelia?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d Her eyes dropped to the table. \u201cNo. I\u2019m tired and you\u2019ve been talking for hours. I already told you everything I know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles glanced down at his watch. \u201cOh dear. I had no idea so much time had passed.\u201d<\/p>\n
She rolled her eyes. \u201cDoes this mean we can take a break?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cActually I have only one more occurrence to run by you. Wesley?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was my last reference but if she wasn\u2019t listening perhaps I should run through it again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease don\u2019t. I was listening enough.\u201d The tired brunette turned to Giles. \u201cHit me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t sure about this one.\u201d He began reading the text until Cordelia stopped him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s it. Lohesh, low tech, I was close.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley glanced over his shoulder. \u201cA four-winged soul killer. Hmm interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes but not helpful I\u2019m afraid. The rituals are all wrong. This must be the previous ascension the Mayor had been alluding to but this isn\u2019t the demon he\u2019ll become.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou mean Cordy\u2019s been wasting our time? Now there\u2019s a surprise.\u201d Xander slammed his book shut.<\/p>\n
\u201cXander, that is enough!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s alright, Giles. Maybe I should go home. I am a little tired.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t run away on my account. You never cared about my feelings before. Why start now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not true.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah I\u2019m sure you were thinking about me all day while you were screwing your new vampire boy-toy or did you play the same teasing game as you did with me? Somehow I doubt your stringing him along? Did you wear the green underwear for him? I know it\u2019s his favorite.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles grabbed the sneering boy by his arm and dragged him into his office. \u201cI know you are hurting and angry right now. You have every right to be so but I will not stand by and listen to you attack her in such a manner. Cordelia is here because I asked her to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI told you I wouldn\u2019t be friendly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen be silent. I am truly sorry for your pain and your discomfort but there is a bigger picture right now. I need you to behave like a grown up. Can you handle that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander hated to see Giles angry at him. \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cHow did it go?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFun was had. Well by me anyway. Mr. Worth didn\u2019t look like he was having much fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExcellent.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you get your hands on the poison yet?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will be on my desk first thing in the morning. I\u2019ll leave its use in your capable hands.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI plan to have lots of fun. I heard it\u2019s wicked painful.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s my girl.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith smiled. \u201cI just hope they\u2019re together when I do it. I want to see the look on B\u2019s face.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia didn\u2019t know what bothered her more, the deafening silence that descended the moment Xander walked out of the office or the large smile on Buffy\u2019s face when she returned from patrolling with Angel in tow.<\/p>\n
No it was definitely Angel\u2019s matching smile that bothered her the most.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you ready to go?\u201d Angel noticed the oppressive silence as well as the anger radiating off Xander.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have no idea.\u201d She grabbed her purse. She managed a small wave as she headed for the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cWill you be in school tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia froze at Xander\u2019s icy tone.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot if I can help it.\u201d Angel laced his fingers with hers and pulled her out the door.<\/p>\n
Once outside, she spoke. \u201cI can\u2019t believe you said that.\u201d Her shock only increased when his arms wrapped around her waist and he spun her around. She giggled at the gleeful action. \u201cWhat are you so happy about?\u201d Her smile disappeared as she remembered the smile on Buffy\u2019s face. \u201cWhat happened tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI staked three vamps and killed two demons.\u201d He spun her around again. \u201cI didn\u2019t realize how much I hated being weak until I took out the first vamp. It was amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m happy for you seems strangely appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n
His happiness deflated a bit. \u201cI guess it\u2019s a vampire thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPfft. It\u2019s a male thing. My Uncle Henry has a room full of animals he shot and had stuffed. His whole face lights up when he talks about hunting or going on safari. At least you save lives by killing the things that go bump in the night. I don\u2019t think the six-point buck that hangs on his wall was going to drain any innocent people. What should we do to celebrate your return to full ass-kicking status?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHmm. That\u2019s a tough one.\u201d He slung her over his shoulder. \u201cI\u2019ll have to give it some thought on the drive home.\u201d<\/p>\n