Part 23<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cHow did patrol go?\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy dragged the redhead further away from the others. \u201cIt was so great. You should have seen him. He was taking vampires out left and right, demons too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo he really is better?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah. It was just like old times.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s great, Buffy. I know you could use the help if you have to face Faith and the Mayor at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat too but tonight\u2026 we connected. We talked. We really talked. He opened up to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s great!\u201d Willow hugged her friend, truly meaning her words.<\/p>\n
\u201cOxygen becoming an issue.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s okay.\u201d Buffy smiled at the redhead\u2019s excitement.<\/p>\n
\u201cTell me everything. What did you talk about?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell we talked about how happy he was to be able to fight again. He admitted that being weak really bothered him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow so?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow nibbled on her inside of her cheek trying to think of a way to ask delicately. \u201cI mean did he say\u2026 What exactly did Angel say?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe said being weak really bothered him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d She tried to keep the disappointment from her voice. She really wanted to believe Buffy and Angel would find their way back to each other even if she had her doubts. \u201cThat\u2019s a good start. What else did you talk about?\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy grinned practically bouncing in excitement oblivious to her friend\u2019s concerns. \u201cHe said he wanted us to be friends and that I\u2019ll always be important to him. You should have seen the way he was looking at me, Will. He loves me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure he does.\u201d Willow\u2019s sad smile went unnoticed.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cSo other than the fighty goodness, how did it go?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt went okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you think you could be a little more vague?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you think I could get a little cooperation?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLift your arms.\u201d Angel pulled her shirt over her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, I\u2019m trying to have a conversation. You know doing the talking thing\u2026 with my boyfriend.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have talked,\u201d he whined. \u201cWe talked in the parking lot. We talked on the car ride home and now I\u2019m trying to make love. You know doing the loving thing\u2026 with my girlfriend.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia couldn\u2019t stop the smile from forming. Much to Angel\u2019s disappointment, she moved away from him and began pacing<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t blame me for wondering what you and Buffy talked about. I got to listen to Giles and Wesley read one boring book after another to me while Willow watched my every move like she might solve the mysteries of the universe by interpreting the expressions on my face. Oh and I can\u2019t forget Xander\u2019s ever cheerful presence.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry tonight was so hard for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t that bad. The research was pretty normal. I mean they don\u2019t normally read to me but they weren\u2019t trying to torture me by being boring. Actually Xander was the only one being.. difficult. I shouldn\u2019t let it bother me. It\u2019s just\u2026 He wasn\u2019t the greatest boyfriend but he can be a good friend when he wants to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know what you mean, except for the Xander part. That boy always got on my nerves.\u201d He sat down on the edge of the bed. \u201cI told Buffy I wanted to be friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow did that go?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBetter than I expected. She didn\u2019t yell at me or anything. Actually she seemed pretty open to the idea.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI bet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy,\u201d he pulled the willing brunette onto his lap, \u201cdoes it bother you that I want to be her friend?\u201d<\/p>\n
An eyebrow arched. \u201cDoes it bother you that I want to be friends with Xander?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d He bit his lower lip to stifle a growl.<\/p>\n
\u201cVery convincing.\u201d Her thumb freed the trapped lip. \u201cIt bothers me a little but I understand. She was your first love.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy changed my life. She inspired me to climb out of the gutter and help. At first I only went to her with information, but eventually I chose to join the fight. I owe her.\u201d He lifted her chin. \u201cShe led me to you, although I doubt she\u2019d fully appreciate that fact.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYa think?\u201d She kissed his cheek. \u201cI guess when you put it that way it makes sense. I\u2019ll try to keep my jealousy under control.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have nothing to be jealous about.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you kidding me? This is Buffy we\u2019re talking about, the blond center of the universe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have nothing to be jealous about, Buffy included. I am in love with you. You are the one I want to be with.\u201d<\/p>\n
She slowly began to unbutton his shirt, a soft smile on her face. \u201cSo what else did you two talk about?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot much. After the group of vampires attacked, I admitted that it bothered me how weak I\u2019d been.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy poor baby.\u201d She spread his shirt open. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. Did that sound insincere?\u201d She pushed the material off his shoulders. \u201cSome of us only get to be bait on our best day.\u201d She tugged his undershirt out of the waistband of his pants.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are pretty tempting, the perfect bait.\u201d His thumbs hooked her bra straps, slowly sliding them off her shoulders. \u201cI felt useless.\u201d He unhooked the front clasp, freeing her breasts to the touch. \u201cWhen I.. when I was in hell, I felt so powerless. Nothing I did could stop\u2026 There were times when I thought I could fight back but it was only an illusion. I was too weak to do anything. Even after I finally began to believe I was truly free, I was still weak.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her lips brushed against his. \u201cSo I guess you getting to do a little ass kicking tonight was pretty therapeutic?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fighting was really great.\u201d He cupped her cheek. \u201cBut you made me strong again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re such a sweet talker.\u201d She winked at him. \u201cSince we\u2019re talking about the whole fighting thing, what ever happened to you teaching me how to use a crossbow?\u201d She lifted his undershirt over his head and tossed it on the floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo one seems to be impressed with the way I handle a candlestick or a spatula.\u201d She unbuckled his belt and unzipped his pants.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t need to fight. I will keep you safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia snatched her hands away. \u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll protect you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. I-felt-useless-because-I-couldn\u2019t-fight is refusing to teach me how to defend myself?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t say no, exactly.\u201d He clutched her hips when she tried to climb off his lap. \u201cI don\u2019t want anything to happen to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWere you hit on the head tonight? Some big ugly tries to kill me every other week and now that I\u2019ve somehow managed to steal Buffy\u2019s boyfriend it might be a good idea to learn how to defend myself. I don\u2019t think she\u2019ll be quite so enthusiastic to save me next time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI will save you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe I would like to save myself. I was the one who knocked Faith upside her head.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter you pissed her off.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was trying to distract her so you could sneak up behind her. It was a good plan.\u201d She waved away his concerns. \u201cI told you about the time I bluffed that hillbilly vamp into running away.\u201d She smiled. She didn\u2019t really want to fight, not while she was sitting on a shirtless Angel\u2019s lap. \u201cLet\u2019s not argue. You can lose this fight in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel was about to protest but the words choked in his throat as she pressed his hand to a breast. \u201cOK.\u201d He shifted her in his lap, swinging her leg so she straddled him. He pulled her hard against him. \u201cYou don\u2019t fight fair.\u201d<\/p>\n
She began planting kisses on his neck as she ground her hips against his. \u201cI feel really bad about that too.\u201d<\/p>\n
He wrapped his arms around her waist and stood, holding her tightly to him. He abruptly turned and dropped her on the bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey! You big\u2026\u201d Her words trailed off as he stripped out of his pants and boxers. Her gaze hungrily devoured his naked form. \u201cGod you\u2019re beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n
He licked his lips at the sight of a topless Cordelia sprawled across her bed, legs bent and slightly spread as if in invitation. He stalked towards her. \u201cSomebody is overdressed and I don\u2019t think it\u2019s me.\u201d<\/p>\n
She playfully backed away from him. \u201cYou dropped me.\u201d<\/p>\n
His hand snapped out and grabbed her ankle. \u201cSo?\u201d He dragged her towards him. \u201cI needed to take my pants off. Speaking of.\u201d He tugged her pants down her legs ignoring the sound of ripping.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey!\u201d<\/p>\n
He hooked his fingers on her panties.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t even think.. Dammit Angel! You didn\u2019t have to tear them. They were the only pair that matched this bra.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry.\u201d His smirk clearly reflected he wasn\u2019t. He lifted her foot to his lips, pressing a kiss to her instep. \u201cLet me make it up to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
She gulped. \u201cOK.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia stirred, savoring the firm chest that pillowed her head and the strong arms that held her close. She glanced over at her alarm clock, a devilish idea crossing her mind. She began placing moist kisses down his body.<\/p>\n
This time escape was not her intention. The way his muscles twitched beneath her lips brought a smile to her face. She continued her descent until she reached her prize. After glancing up to doublecheck he was still sleeping, she ever so slowly licked his semi-hard length, giggling as it grew rigid. She wrapped her fingers around the base and swirled her tongue around the tip before gently sucking on it.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s hips bucked, unconsciously thrusting into her mouth.<\/p>\n
She moved to restrain his hips but changed her mind and allowed his hips to continue thrusting. Her mouth slid along his shaft enjoying the deep growl coming from the sleeping man beneath her. She reconsidered again and held his hip as she slowed her pace causing him to whimper. She released him with a soft pop and began licking his length like she was eating an ice cream cone.<\/p>\n
His whimpering grew louder. She took pity on him taking him back into her mouth, swallowing him. His hips suddenly stilled. She looked up and found dark eyes watching her. She smiled around his flesh. Before she registered movement, she was torn from her prize and pinned beneath a very aroused vampire.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel! You never let me finish. Am I gonna have to tie you down?\u201d She noticed the flash of yellow in his eyes. She laughed, \u201cYou\u2019re such a vampire.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel froze. \u201cWas that an insult?\u201d<\/p>\n
She freed her wrists from his grip and cupped his cheeks. \u201cDid it sound like an insult?\u201d She kissed his chin. \u201cI like my cuddly carebear with fangs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am not cuddly\u2026 What\u2019s a carebear?\u201d<\/p>\n
She rolled her eyes. \u201cThey were cute little pastel colored bears with symbols on their tummies. I had Grumpy Bear and Tenderheart Bear when I was little. They were very cuddly.\u201d Her arms fell to her sides. \u201cOK. My childhood memories are forever tainted by visions of nakedness. That is so not a turn on. I may have to rethink the whole carebear with fangs thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s focus on not losing the mood.\u201d Long fingers slid through moist folds as he kissed and nibbled her neck.<\/p>\n
Her passion renewed, \u201cAngel please.\u201d She mewled in protest when his fingers disappeared.<\/p>\n
He nudged her legs apart as he positioned himself. Her eyes were black with desire. Her face was contorted in need. She was beautiful. He captured her lips and thrust home.<\/p>\n
Cordelia raked her nails up his back, clutching him to her. Their bodies flowed like beautifully written music that was meant to be played, to be shared, to be savored. She never wanted him to stop, never leave, never slow.<\/p>\n
She surrounded him filling his senses. The taste he drank from her lips, the hum of her blood, the scent of her sex, the feel of her muscles trying to keep him trapped within, and the sound of her mewling with complete abandon completed him in ways he could never hope to explain but would gladly spend lifetimes trying to understand.<\/p>\n
She was his. \u201cMine,\u201d flew from his lips like a mantra, never stopping, just repeating for all eternity. His hips crashed into her like waves crashing against the rocks, unstoppable and beautiful to see.<\/p>\n
Some women may think she should contradict him that she belonged to no man but she was too consumed with the pleasure of being possessed to care. She was his and he was hers. \u201cMine,\u201d flew from her lips as if in response to his words or perhaps in agreement with them. She didn\u2019t know anymore. She just wanted him to never stop but everything must end. Her back arched off the bed as she screamed in sweet release.<\/p>\n
He watched her emotions diffuse across her face, loving each expression more and the same. Her body clamped down on him demanding his surrender. He thrust twice more before exploding collapsing atop her trembling form. He buried his face in the crook of her neck.<\/p>\n
He could feel her blood rush beneath his lips but he would not taste her, would not give in to his dark urges, would not treat her like food. She was meant to be cherished, to be loved, to be worshiped, never sullied. He lifted his head to meet twinkling hazel eyes. \u201cI love you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel rolled onto his back pulling her with him to lie on his chest. He took a deep breath and drank in their combined scent. \u201cCordy, what\u2019s going to happen next?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell as soon as I can move my legs again, I\u2019m going to take a shower. I have to get ready for school.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat wasn\u2019t\u2026 You\u2019re going to school?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. My finals start today. I can\u2019t skip them if I want to graduate.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d He ran his fingers through her hair. \u201cI guess I haven\u2019t let you get much studying done lately.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s okay. That\u2019s what study hall and lunch are for. I\u2019m doing well in my classes. I just need to review a few things before each test. I only have two today. I\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood.\u201d He pressed a kiss to her forehead. \u201cThat wasn\u2019t what I meant. Your parents will eventually come home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know.\u201d She absently began stroking his chest. \u201cYou heard me convincing them to stay in Europe a little longer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know but they\u2019ll be back after graduation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know. We\u2019ll figure something out but right now I need to get ready for school.\u201d She disentangled herself from his arms.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll hold the soap.\u201d<\/p>\n
She pressed a restraining hand to his chest. \u201cSorry but I don\u2019t think that\u2019s such a great idea. I\u2019ll never leave if you shower with me.\u201d She brushed a kiss across his lips. \u201cYou\u2019re too tempting to resist.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOK.\u201d He watched her disappear into her bathroom through sad eyes. This was the second time she had avoided discussing their future.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cHey Will. Where\u2019s Oz?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe convinced the guys to practice before school since we\u2019re researching tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe didn\u2019t have to do that. We don\u2019t know anything new.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow shrugged. \u201cWe\u2019re running out of time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know. Don\u2019t remind me.\u201d She leaned her head on her friend\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI was feeling chipper before I ran into you.\u201d She stuck her bottom lip out in an exaggerated pout.<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry. I\u2019m just feeling a little nervous.\u201d She lifted her yearbook, \u201cAnd a little nostalgic. So what were you so chipper about?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was up all night thinking about my talk with Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell I\u2019ve been torturing myself by thinking about how they have this great friendship and that wasn\u2019t something Angel and I really ever shared. I thought Cordelia had something deeper than he and I have.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow noticed her used of the present tense. \u201cAnd now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was torturing myself over nothing. He and I talked last night. He was completely open with me. It\u2019s not really about Cordelia. I just never asked the questions. Last night I learned that Angel and I can have the big forever love and be friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh huh.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy noticed the redhead\u2019s frown. \u201cYou think I\u2019m wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n
She shook her head furiously. \u201cNo. I didn\u2019t say that. I\u2019m sure Angel meant every word he said to you last night. I don\u2019t even know what he has with Cordelia, not really.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow\u2019s stomach sunk. She didn\u2019t want to be right. Being right only led to trouble. \u201cI am?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. Some time today I\u2019ll talk to Cordy. This way I can prove that I\u2019m right. Whatever he can say to her, he can say to me and more.\u201d She grabbed her friend in a tight hug. \u201cYou\u2019re the best, Will. I gotta go. Stupid finals. When exactly was I supposed to study? I had to patrol.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBye.\u201d She buried her face in her hands the moment she was alone. \u201cThis is gonna be bad. I just know it.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cHey Giles.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia. Shouldn\u2019t you be at lunch?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd sit where? I don\u2019t think Xander and Buffy want me at their table and there\u2019s no way I can deal with Harmony and Aura\u2019s vapid conversations today. I was planning on studying.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re welcome to study in the library or I could leave and let you use my office.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks but it\u2019s not a big deal. Mr. Thomas doesn\u2019t expect us to memorize all the formulas so it\u2019s an open book test. I\u2019ve got my book and a calculator. I\u2019m set.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles shook his head. \u201cIn my day, we were expected to utilize our memories and do math with a pencil and piece of paper.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPfft. I bet you had a slide rule or an abacus.\u201d Her eyes twinkled in mischief.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes and this was before electricity so we had to work under candlelight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia walked across the room and plopped down on the sofa.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n
She stared at her feet. \u201cNothing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI see.\u201d He moved to sit beside her. \u201cThen why do you have the Giles I need you to help me deal with reality expression on your face?\u201d<\/p>\n
She hugged his arm and rested her head on his shoulder. \u201cBecause Giles, I need you to help me deal with reality.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs this about Buffy and Xander?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. It\u2019s about Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about him? Are you two having problems? I\u2019m not sure I\u2019m the one..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel\u2019s wonderful. That\u2019s kind of the problem.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow so?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy parents will be coming home soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was wondering about that. Will they make it in time for graduation?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. I convinced them to accept an invitation to some socialite\u2019s big party.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t want your parents to see you graduate?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the same day as the ascension. I may not have the ideal relationship with them but I don\u2019t want anything bad to happen to them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow did you convince them to stay away?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell my mother really wanted to go to the party. I may have lied a little.\u201d She grinned up at him. \u201cI told them that Anita could film the ceremony and we would watch it together when they got back. Daddy argued a bit but he didn\u2019t want to disappoint my mother. I told him they could buy me a few designer originals while they\u2019re in Paris and we\u2019d call it even. It\u2019s a win-win situation. They stay safe and I get new clothes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her smile faded. \u201cAlthough they may not give me the clothes when they find out I convinced Anita to stay in San Diego for her niece\u2019s graduation. She argued a bit too but I told her Daddy hired someone to film the ceremony and she and I can watch it when she gets back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo is that what you\u2019re upset about? You won\u2019t have any family present and Angel cannot attend it since it\u2019s an outdoor event.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. The whole thing is gonna be a nightmare since the Mayor is our guest speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s what!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou didn\u2019t hear? Snyder was showing him the podium this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood lord! I need to speak to Buffy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s at lunch.\u201d She tugged Giles back on the couch. \u201cCan we deal with my problem before we start talking about the apocalypse? We don\u2019t know anything new except where he plans to ascend.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, we\u2026\u201d He studied her torture expression. \u201cI am quite certain we will be successful and life will go on. Therefore we should plan accordingly. Tell me what\u2019s on your mind.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy parents are coming back after graduation. I don\u2019t think Daddy will be okay with Angel living in the house and he especially won\u2019t be okay with him sleeping in my room.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles shifted uncomfortably. \u201cI would hope.. I imagine you\u2019re right. Angel will have to move back to the mansion. After the Mayor and Faith have been defeated, the danger will be gone. Now that he has recovered, he is more than capable of defending himself.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s so not the point, Giles. I don\u2019t know if I can sleep without him.\u201d She rested her head on Giles\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI don\u2019t want him to move out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot that I am in any way endorsing such behavior but you could move into the mansion too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGee. Why didn\u2019t I think about that? Oh right. I did.\u201d She sighed. \u201cWhen Daddy first told me I wasn\u2019t going to college, I asked him about maybe moving to LA to pursue an acting career.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t know you wanted to be an actress.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell it\u2019s not exactly my childhood dream but I thought it would be something I could do while making a ton of money in the process.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did your father say?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe said that if I moved out then I would be living life on my own terms and I should act accordingly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry. What?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe said I\u2019d be cut off without a dime. He said if I wanted to live as an adult then I should be treated like one.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo in other words, if you move in with Angel, you won\u2019t have any money.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExactly. No money. No car. No credit cards. Nothing.\u201d She sighed. \u201cWhat am I supposed to do? I don\u2019t exactly have any skills and I\u2019ll only have a high school diploma? Am I supposed to get a job at some store as a nametag person? I\u2019ve always been rich.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell I don\u2019t know Angel\u2019s financial situation but I\u2019m sure..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s one thing to let my parents support me but it\u2019s a totally different thing to live off of Angel. Wouldn\u2019t I be the kept woman my mother seems to think I should aspire to?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, there are many women who chose to stay at home. There is nothing wrong with that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes but they have children to take care of, houses to clean and dinners to cook. I don\u2019t have kids, I hate cleaning and I can\u2019t cook. I\u2019d just be sponging off him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen remain at home. It\u2019s not as if you won\u2019t be able to see him anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah but not like I can now. I don\u2019t want to be without him and I think he feels the same way.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou haven\u2019t spoken to him about this?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot yet. He brought the subject up yesterday and this morning but I did the whole avoiding thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause when I\u2019m with him I can\u2019t help thinking I don\u2019t need a new wardrobe every season and I should just get a job like normal people. How horrible can it be? Then when I\u2019m alone I think, what the hell was I thinking? I can\u2019t be poor. I don\u2019t know how to be poor. That\u2019s why I need you. I\u2019m in need of some blunt honesty.\u201d<\/p>\n
She sat up, her back straight. \u201cGo ahead and hit me. Don\u2019t hold back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, I don\u2019t know what you would like me to say. You\u2019re only 18. I don\u2019t feel comfortable recommending you move in with your boyfriend, let alone a vampire with a soul. It\u2019s not my place to warn you against it either. I won\u2019t presume to know what\u2019s in your heart or what is best for you. That said, I don\u2019t think the life your parents have planned for you is right for you as you well know. Why else would I offer you a place to stay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause you\u2019re a horny old guy and I\u2019m totally hot.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes but aside from that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia laughed at his matter-of-fact tone. \u201cI\u2019ve already knew what I wasn\u2019t going to do so that helps. Deep down I know I\u2019ve already decided what I should do, sort of. I just haven\u2019t been ready to say it aloud.\u201d She hugged his arm, pouting. \u201cI\u2019m really good at being rich. Forget the Mayor, being poor is going to kill me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure you\u2019ll handle it in true Cordelia fashion.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHave you decided what your plans are after graduation?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t pull that with me, Giles. You don\u2019t do clueless very well.\u201d She released his arm and turned to face him. \u201cNow that Buffy won\u2019t be attending high school anymore, you don\u2019t really need to work as a librarian. You could do something else. You used to be a curator of a museum.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t decided yet. Now that I\u2019m no longer employed by the Council, this is my only source of income.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou could get another job and I know you\u2019re sitting on some money.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is for an emergency.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever. What about your ex honey? Is she still planning on visiting this summer?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOlivia?\u201d Giles adjusted his collar. \u201cShe\u2019s hasn\u2019t set a date yet but she is coming.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI sure she will be, Ripper.\u201d<\/p>\n
He shot her a half-hearted glare. \u201cI should go speak to Buffy regarding the graduation ceremony. Will you be okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah. I\u2019ll be fine. I may ask to borrow money some day though.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll keep that in mind.\u201d He kissed the top of her head. \u201cI will see you tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh joy. Round 2 with Xander.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve spoken to him about his behavior. I\u2019m sure tonight will go much smoother.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll see.\u201d Cordelia smiled her appreciation. She was grateful for his support.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll never guess who the guest speaker at graduation is going to be, Giles.\u201d Xander stood in the doorway with Willow and Oz.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Mayor, so I\u2019ve heard. It also seems Faith has been busy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did psycho slayer do this time?\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy handed Willow the news article. \u201cShe killed some professor. I was just telling Giles that I should go check out his place for any clues.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe you shouldn\u2019t go out alone, Buff. Faith may be lurking.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cXander may have a point. You shouldn\u2019t go alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGiles, I..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI insist you take Angel with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her protest died on her lips. \u201cOK.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles was surprised by her sudden acquiescence. \u201cYou can go after sunset.\u201d<\/p>\n
Silence descended as Wesley and Cordelia walked into the library. \u201cGood afternoon all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo nice of you to join us, Wes.\u201d Xander slapped the Englishman on the back. \u201cIt\u2019s good to know you\u2019ll be here after all the decisions are made.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley straightened his suit. \u201cTo what decisions are you referring?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGiles insisted I take Angel with me when I check out Faith\u2019s latest murder victim\u2019s apartment.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was just about to phone Angel and let him know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to, Giles. I\u2019ll tell him about it when I get home.\u201d Cordelia relished wiping the smirk off Buffy\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
\u201cActually I\u2019d like all of you to remain. According to the article, the victim was doing research in the Hawaiian Islands. I\u2019d like to begin researching that area sooner rather than later. Faith may have taken his research with her. I don\u2019t believe we should count on Buffy finding his papers. Now that we know the Mayor intends to ascend here at your graduation ceremony things have gone from bad to worse. There will be students, parents and teachers in harms way and unfortunately we cannot prevent them from attending.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI just spoke to the Council about the latest development.\u201d He took the newspaper from Willow. \u201cPerhaps I should inform them about Faith\u2019s activities as well. I can ask them to assist us in researching anything that may resemble a failed ascension in that particular region.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles nodded. \u201cVery good. You may use my office.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWillow, I\u2019d like you to do a search on that infernal machine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure. I\u2019ll run a search on the Professor and the islands.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExcellent. The rest of you can begin with the texts I\u2019ve already selected. I will join you after I speak to Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe I should call.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s okay. I have a few instructions for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOK. Then just let him know I\u2019m staying here. I told him I\u2019d be home after school. Oh and tell him he can use Daddy\u2019s car if he doesn\u2019t want to walk. The keys are hanging by the door that leads to the garage.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cVery well.\u201d Giles walked around the counter to use the phone there.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cThat book had more nothing than usual.\u201d Xander slammed his book shut. \u201cMaybe we should send Cordy back to the Mayor\u2019s office. She can have another chat with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe we should have you visit Faith\u2019s apartment so you can be friendly with her again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander was about to retort but Giles\u2019s harsh glare silenced him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWillow, will you be so kind as to go to my apartment and pick up a few texts I have there.\u201d He jotted down a list on a piece of paper and handed it to her. \u201cOz, could you drive her? It will be dark soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure. C\u2019mon Will.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles wrote another list. \u201cXander, go into the stacks and retrieve these.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you.\u201d Giles glanced over at his office and noticed Wesley was finally off the phone. \u201cI should find out what the Council had to say.\u201d He hesitated when he realized that left Cordelia and Buffy alone together. \u201cBut there is no rush on that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah because it\u2019s only the end of the world.\u201d Buffy rolled her eyes. \u201cI think we can handle being alone for a few minutes, Giles. I have to leave soon anyway. You told Angel where to meet me, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d He hesitated for another minute before leaving.<\/p>\n
Buffy had been waiting all day for the opportunity to test her theory. She knew she was right. Angel had opened up to her as much as he ever had with Cordelia. The brunette was nothing special. She only asked the questions Buffy hadn\u2019t asked. \u201cDoes it bother you that Angel wants to be my friend?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia bristled at the sudden question but forced herself to relax. \u201cIt\u2019s no big. You were his first love. It makes sense that he wants to be friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
She refused to react. \u201cYeah he told me I mean a lot to him. We talked about everything. He really opened up to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh huh.\u201d She turned the page.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah. After the first group of vampires was dusted, he told me how happy he was to be strong again and how much it bothered him to feel weak.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was pretty excited about the fighty goodness.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe talked and talked. It was great. I don\u2019t think I realized until last night that we\u2019d been going through the motions since he returned from hell. I felt like I finally found something that\u2019s been missing since my seventeenth birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh huh.\u201d She turned the page with a little more vigor.<\/p>\n
Buffy smiled. \u201cHe even told me about the movie.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her head popped up. \u201cHe what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know The Matrix<\/i>. He talked about his reaction and everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Surprised and a little hurt, Cordelia\u2019s gaze returned to the book in front of her. Angel hadn\u2019t mentioned that little tidbit. She shook off her thoughts. Angel wanted to be Buffy\u2019s friend. She could deal with that. He was jealous about her friendship with Giles and she no intention of cutting the ex-watcher from her life.<\/p>\n
Buffy nearly shouted in triumph. Angel hadn\u2019t told Cordelia why the movie had bothered him anymore than he told her. She was as much Angel\u2019s friend as Cordelia was.<\/p>\n
Cordelia took a deep breath. She expected Angel to be accepting of her friendship with Giles so she should return the favor, even though the situations were totally different. Actually she should be awarded sainthood for this. \u201cIt is horrible, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUmm yeah.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean torture is supposed to be pushing a rock up hill or bamboo under the fingernails. I never really thought about hope being used to break someone. I know it is hell but that\u2019s just horrible. I thought what happened to Giles was bad.\u201d She shivered at the thought of love being used to break someone.<\/p>\n
\u201cTorture is supposed to be about physical pain. It\u2019s just not right. The minions of hell should stick to the rules, don\u2019t you think?\u201d Cordelia looked up. She was shocked to see tears in Buffy\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel doesn\u2019t blame you for sending him to hell. He was trying to have the world sucked into hell. He didn\u2019t exactly give you much of a choice. Besides he still would\u2019ve been sucked in along with the rest of us. Either way he was going to hell.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe told you that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s brow furrowed in confusion. \u201cOf course. Did you think he blamed you?\u201d She reached across the table without thinking and took Buffy\u2019s hand. \u201cI swear. Angel doesn\u2019t blame you. He knows what\u2019s real now. He knows he\u2019s safe and that this isn\u2019t an illusion. The movie kinda brought up some bad memories but he\u2019s okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
He told her. Angel told Cordelia everything. Buffy had asked, begged and flirted with him to talk to her about it until Cordelia had showed up in the kitchen. He kept saying it was nothing. He just didn\u2019t like the movie. He never told her anything about hell. Not when he returned, not after he started to recover, and not now, he wouldn\u2019t talk about it.<\/p>\n
At least not to her but he talked to Cordelia. Buffy desperately tried to blink back her tears. \u201cI have to go.\u201d She ran out of the library full speed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did you do?\u201d Xander dumped the books he was carrying on the table.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t do anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles stepped out of his office, Wesley a step behind. \u201cWhy did Buffy rush off like that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy did something to upset her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was crying. What did you say to her?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia stood and backed up a step under the angry glare from Xander and the disappointed look from Giles. \u201cI didn\u2019t do anything. She was telling me about her conversation with Angel last night. I only repeated what Angel said. We weren\u2019t even arguing. I don\u2019t know why Buffy got so upset.\u201d Her pleading eyes turned to Giles.<\/p>\n
\u201cI swear I didn\u2019t do anything. I was actually trying to be nice.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou expect us to believe that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cXander, you\u2019re not helping.\u201d Giles studied Cordelia\u2019s expression. \u201cAre you sure you have no idea what could have upset her?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell\u2026 I told her Angel doesn\u2019t blame her for sending him to hell. Like I told her, he didn\u2019t exactly give her much of a choice. I was trying to be comforting.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs if deadboy has any right to blame her! And who the hell are you to be telling Buffy she shouldn\u2019t blame herself? She saved the world that night and broke her heart in the process. She\u2019s a hero but you wouldn\u2019t know anything about that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI never.. I wasn\u2019t..\u201d The flustered brunette grabbed her purse. Arguing with Xander wasn\u2019t going to help the situation and she had to get away from Giles\u2019s disappointed face. \u201cMaybe I should just go. I\u2019ll read at home.\u201d She grabbed a couple of books and rushed from the room nearly knocking Willow down in the process.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere was Cordy going?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHer work here was finished. She came, she read, she made Buffy cry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cXander! We don\u2019t know what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah but it\u2019s a safe assumption it was all Cordy\u2019s fault.\u201d<\/p>\n
The redhead could feel the beginning twinges of an ulcer forming. She clutched Oz\u2019s hand in needed support. \u201cWhat do we know?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cApparently Buffy mentioned her conversation with Angel last night. Cordelia said she merely paraphrased Angel\u2019s words.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you know something, Willow?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately I do.\u201d She didn\u2019t want to say anything but Giles\u2019s resolve face was just as effective as hers. \u201cBuffy told me she was going to test her theory about Cordelia and Angel\u2019s friendship by talking to Cordelia. I guess she didn\u2019t get the response she wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
The redhead bit her lip. \u201cShe\u2026\u201d She sighed. \u201cShe was hoping to prove that Angel doesn\u2019t really confide in Cordy like she feared. Buffy didn\u2019t want to believe that they had the kind of love that had grown from trust and friendship.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow stared at the door Cordelia had disappeared through. \u201cI doubt Cordy knows what really happened here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d Giles had the urge to try to catch up to Cordelia but he knew she\u2019d be gone by now.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel followed the angry blond down the street. \u201cIf you didn\u2019t want me here, why did you tell Giles it was okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was before!\u201d Buffy spun around, her accusing eyes locking with his. \u201cHow could you tell Cordelia,\u201d she said the name with disgust, \u201cabout that movie?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d She had obviously lost her mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t play stupid with me! You told her why The Matrix<\/i> upset you. You told her about hell. How could you tell her and not me? Did you think I wouldn\u2019t understand being tortured by hope? If anyone could understand that, it\u2019s me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia told you about that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s so not the point and you know it. Not everything is about Cordelia! This is about us. Why can\u2019t you talk to me? This isn\u2019t just about me not asking the questions. I asked those questions. You wouldn\u2019t answer me.\u201d Tears streamed down her face. \u201cWhy can you tell HER and not me? Why don\u2019t you love me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, I\u2019m sorry. I never intended to hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen don\u2019t. You said you wanted to be friends so talk to me. You don\u2019t need her. I\u2019ll be there for you. I can listen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry. I..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI get it. You can tell her because who is she to judge. She\u2019s been a bitch her whole life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t talk about Cordelia like that and don\u2019t ever compare what I\u2019ve done to what she\u2019s done. There is no comparison.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy her? Why can you talk to her and not me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t really know how to explain it. Cordy came into my life and just took over without my noticing. She\u2019s a force of nature. She won\u2019t be denied or ignored.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHurricane Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a way, yes.\u201d A soft smile graced his lips. \u201cI can\u2019t imagine my life without her. I don\u2019t want to. I\u2019m sorry that I\u2019ve hurt you but I can\u2019t apologize for falling in love with Cordelia. It\u2019d be a lie.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t look at you right now. Just go away. I need to get this stuff to Giles.\u201d Buffy was about to walk away when an arrow suddenly struck Angel\u2019s back. The bolt pierced through his chest less than an inch from his heart. \u201cAngel!\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel collapsed to his knees in as much shock as pain.<\/p>\n