Part 25<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cI must say I never thought I would ever prepare a bottle of blood for a vampire.\u201d Wesley offered a shy smile as he handed the bottle to Cordelia. \u201cThis is Buffy\u2019s blood. Faith\u2019s is laced with tranquilizers, so it would be better to save hers for last.\u201d That said he handed her a second bottle.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are friends for?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing says friendship like draining an unwilling slayer of three pints of blood.\u201d Cordelia winked before disappearing into Angel\u2019s bedroom.<\/p>\n
Giles gently clasped Buffy\u2019s arm when she turned to follow Cordelia. \u201cPerhaps we should return to the library. Time is quickly running out and we still don\u2019t have a plan.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel needs me right now. I\u2019ll join you once I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll recover.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t, Giles. I need to be here right now.\u201d She tugged her arm free and walked away.<\/p>\n
Wesley cleared his throat, feeling out of place the moment Cordelia had left the room. \u201cPerhaps you should remain here for now, Mr. Giles. I can return to the school. I was making some progress with the Professor\u2019s notes before the Council\u2026 I realize I no longer serve in an official capacity but I\u2019d\u2026 I\u2019d like to help.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have. You came through today.\u201d Giles could almost feel the tension coming from Angel\u2019s bedroom. \u201cI believe I will stay a little longer. Willow, Oz and Xander should already be in the library. They can assist you. I instructed them to continue researching but they were rather distracted.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be sure to explain what transpired here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks.\u201d Giles rushed from the room when he heard Buffy\u2019s raised voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust let me do it! I have the strength to hold him down. Angel\u2019s confused. He knows it\u2019s my blood and he\u2019s trying to protect me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe drinks pig\u2019s blood for a reason, Buffy. It\u2019s the human part he\u2019s having trouble with. Angel is a vampire. I think he knows the difference between drinking from a bottle and biting a human. He\u2019s protecting himself, not you.\u201d Cordelia gently cupped Angel\u2019s cheek. His thrashing settled at her touch. \u201cYou have to drink this, Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. Human,\u201d he mumbled.<\/p>\n
\u201cPerhaps Buffy should hold him down, Cordelia. He must drink.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia pressed the nipple to his lips. She had enlarged the opening so the blood would flow more freely. Angel would balk at knowing he drank from a bottle but she wouldn\u2019t risk losing a single drop. \u201cLIAM MICHAEL SULLIVAN, YOU WILL DRINK THIS RIGHT NOW!\u201d A sigh of relief escaped her when he finally obeyed.<\/p>\n
Giles silently studied Buffy\u2019s reaction.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho,\u201d Buffy asked in a choked whisper.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho\u2026 What did you call him?\u201d<\/p>\n
Loving hazel eyes remained focused on the still weak vampire. \u201cOh that. What can I say? Young horny Liam followed the wrong blonde into an alley and ended up becoming known as the vampire with the angelic face.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy felt her heart breaking a little more. The strong hand on her shoulder kept her from crumbling or launching herself at the brunette on the bed. She straightened her spine and spoke to the room in general.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is still a battle to be fought. Angel will be fine now.\u201d She nodded as if confirming her own thoughts. \u201cFaith is out of the picture, so that leaves the Mayor.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley has joined the others at the library. Why don\u2019t you and I return there as well?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course,\u201d she absently wiped a tear away. \u201cWe\u2019re\u2026\u201d she took a cleansing breath, \u201cwe\u2019re needed there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles gently guided Buffy from the mansion.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cOh wow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia? Cordelia Chase came up with that plan?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh wow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh wow.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley held up his hand before Xander could ask again. \u201cYes. It was Cordelia\u2019s plan. Angel will make a full recovery. Faith is en route to the Watcher\u2019s Council. No slayers were irrevocably hurt to attain the cure. Now we must return our thoughts to the ascension.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh wow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWillow, enough with the \u201coh wow\u2019s\u201d. Deadboy is cured, Buffy\u2019s not a killer, Faith is no longer a danger and we have Cordelia to thank for it.\u201d Xander scrubbed his fingers through his hair and glanced at Wesley again. \u201cCordelia Chase?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes damn it all to hell. Cordelia bloody Chase. Now may we please get to work?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell excuse me for asking,\u201d Xander muttered. \u201cAnd just for the record, damning everything to hell was the last apocalypse.\u201d Xander buried his head in the book in front of him at Wesley\u2019s venomous glare.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh wow.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oz rubbed soothing circles on Willow\u2019s back. \u201cDo you think you\u2019ll be moving past the \u201coh wow\u2019s\u201d soon?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got nothing to be sorry for.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExactly.\u201d She couldn\u2019t resist the urge to smile. \u201cI\u2019m not an accessory to murder.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCool.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia snuggled into Angel\u2019s side. Shortly after finishing Faith\u2019s blood, he began sleeping peacefully. His body was cool to the touch again. She felt like she could finally breathe again. The sound of his voice was all that was missing and the world would truly be a beautiful place.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened?\u201d The blinding smile he received almost made him forget his confusion but human blood still teased his senses. No, not just human, slayer blood. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were poisoned. You needed a cure.\u201d She shrugged her shoulders. \u201cAnd you got one. Details so aren\u2019t important right now. You need to rest.\u201d She gently pressed his chest back to the bed. \u201cThe Counc\u2026 I mean I was told your strength should return quickly, but rest is still a good idea. You\u2019ve been through quite an ordeal. I\u2019ll just let you sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n
Avoiding eye contact, she tried to extract herself from his arms but he refused to let her go. \u201cYou had some human blood. Get over it. You\u2019re alive or still undead. I won\u2019t apologize for doing what needed to be done.\u201d She grumbled, \u201cAt least my plan was better than Miss Slay Happy\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, what\u2026 I\u2019m not mad. I\u2019m confused. What happened and don\u2019t leave out the part where I was fed slayer\u2019s blood.\u201d He rolled his tongue around his mouth. \u201cMore than one slayer at that. Start at the beginning and don\u2019t leave anything out.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Xander continued to unfold the page. \u201cWe\u2019re gonna need a bigger boat.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh dear lord.\u201d Giles turned and rushed down the stairs. \u201cIt seem pure demons truly are bigger.\u201d He placed the book on the table in front of Buffy and Wesley.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can kill that.\u201d Buffy gulped as Wesley continued to unfold the page. \u201cNo problem. I just need\u2026 a ton of molten rock and the Mayor\u2019s toast, right? I can do that.\u201d She clutched Giles\u2019s arm. \u201cWhere the hell can I get a ton of molten rock?\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want any more excuses! Faith can\u2019t just have disappeared. She wouldn\u2019t do that. She wouldn\u2019t miss our big day. She wouldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were signs of a fight, sir. The scent of her blood was faint, but it was there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mayor Wilkins grabbed the fledgling by the throat. \u201cFaith wouldn\u2019t let someone kill her! She\u2019s out there somewhere. Find her.\u201d He tossed the struggling vampire into his cowering companions. \u201cDon\u2019t disappoint me again, boys. Disappointment tends to make me unpleasant and no one wants that, do they? Now go!\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cThat about sums it up.\u201d As soon as Cordelia managed to extricate herself from Angel\u2019s ever-strengthening grasp, she immediately began pacing and stuttering out an explanation.<\/p>\n
Angel tried to remain calm. His girlfriend was obviously agitated enough for the both of them. \u201cYou left something out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her eyes looked everywhere, except directly at bed. \u201cI don\u2019t think so.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCor-de-lia,\u201d he purposely dragged out her name. \u201cWhere is Faith now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t believe you\u2019re asking me that.\u201d Her hands flailed as she continued to avoid his gaze. \u201cShe\u2019s alive.\u201d Her eyes narrowed as she finally met his. \u201cShe wouldn\u2019t have fared so well in Buffy\u2019s plan.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll get to that. First I want to know where Faith is now. If she knows what you did, she might come after you. She\u2019ll definitely go after Buffy, considering Buffy wanted to feed her to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia rushed to Angel\u2019s side. \u201cMaybe I shouldn\u2019t have told you that. Buffy was distraught. Honestly I would\u2019ve helped her carry Faith\u2019s dead body here if I hadn\u2019t come up with a better plan.\u201d She covered his mouth before he could speak.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know. You don\u2019t drink human blood for a reason. I get that.\u201d She waved her free hand to dismiss his worries. \u201cOh well. The important thing is Buffy and I both wanted you to be alive, or you know still undead, to yell at us. Okay so you have your whole guilt thing and don\u2019t feel you have the right to judge Faith. Yeah well I have no problem judging her. She tried to kill my boyfriend in order to distract his ex-girlfriend. Somehow I\u2019ll find a way to go on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel kissed the palm covering his mouth before pulling it away. \u201cWhere is Faith?\u201d<\/p>\n
She gave him her best innocent face. \u201cI sort of gave her to the Watcher\u2019s Council.\u201d She jumped off the bed and resumed pacing. \u201cLook. They promised they would try to help her. It\u2019s not like she was getting any better by staying in Sunnydale. The police would never be able to handle her and we can\u2019t just stand by and let her continue to kill people. I did\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2014what I\u2026 What did you say?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right. Something had to be done. I don\u2019t know if the watchers can help her. I\u2019m not sure anyone can until she wants to be helped, but doing nothing wasn\u2019t a possibility anymore. We\u2019ve been focusing on how to stop the Mayor, but deep down Buffy, Giles, Wesley and I knew we\u2019d have to go through Faith to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo,\u201d Cordelia stepped closer to the bed. \u201cYou\u2019re not mad at me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, you saved me and you did it without sacrificing a life. You knew what that would\u2019ve done to me and found another way. I\u2019m proud of you. You kept a clear head even though\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell I may have been a little hysterical when I first got to Wesley\u2019s apartment.\u201d She didn\u2019t protest when Angel\u2019s hand caught hers and pulled her onto the bed. \u201cI may have cried a little and there may have been a little screaming too.\u201d She rested her head on his shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I even cursed at some uppity up in the Council. Of course he should\u2019ve been more cooperative with Wesley in the first place. I knew their refusal didn\u2019t make sense. They met Buffy. They had to know she wouldn\u2019t follow orders like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you got them to admit what the cure was?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell I am Cordelia Chase. When I really want something, I get it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that right?\u201d<\/p>\n
Her grin matched his. \u201cI got you, didn\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cI need to know his weaknesses.\u201d Buffy continued to ignore Cordelia and Angel\u2019s presence. Even though the couple stopped holding hands moments after entering the library, they never strayed more than a foot or two from each other. \u201cGiles, tell me you have something. A rocket launcher isn\u2019t gonna get it done this time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re still working on it.\u201d Giles glanced at Wesley hoping he might have had luck.<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t found anything either I\u2019m afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPerhaps there is something about the Mayor himself that might be helpful.\u201d Giles turned toward Angel. \u201cDid you notice anything that might be helpful when you were pretending to be Angelus?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026 Well he didn\u2019t seem too crazy about germs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t believe germ warfare would be a very good idea. He may be impervious to germs in his new form and we\u2019d end up killing every living thing in Sunnydale except him.\u201d Cordelia\u2019s fidgeting caught Giles\u2019s attention. \u201cCordelia, have you thought of something?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI need useful information fast, Giles. I don\u2019t need Cordelia wasting time I don\u2019t have.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell excuse me, Miss Let\u2019s-kill-fellow-slayers; we can\u2019t all be expert thinkers like you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBickering amongst ourselves helps no one.\u201d Giles waited until Buffy regained her seat before continuing. \u201cNow have you or have you not thought of something that may prove helpful?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, please let Cordelia finish.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFine!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell he really does think of Faith like a daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel nodded, remembering seeing Faith and the Mayor together. \u201cHe\u2019s probably going out of his mind right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExactly. He has no idea I arranged to have Faith\u2026 well shipped out of the country.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy grudgingly acknowledged Cordelia\u2019s valid point. \u201cI can use that and I think I have something that just might help.\u201d A plan quickly formed in her mind. She glanced around the room realizing for the first time that she was the leader.<\/p>\n
It was strange, a little sad and a whole lot scary. A part of her wanted to make a few suggestions to Giles and let him give the orders. It was one thing to be in charge of her actions. It was totally different to be in charge of everyone else too. She was responsible for them.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, we still have a few hours before we need to get back. Isn\u2019t there something else you\u2019d rather be doing, preferably while naked?\u201d<\/p>\n
She glanced heavenward and prayed for patience. \u201cIf someone had followed through on their promises sooner, we\u2019d be doing the naked pretzel like Oz and Willow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow did you know?\u201d He was the one with the increased senses.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuh! It was written all over her face. She had the \u2018world is ending and I can\u2019t die a virgin\u2019 moment. I\u2019m happy for her. Oz is a great guy, even if he does get in touch with his canine side once a month. I\u2019m not too pleasant to be around once a month either.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t wait,\u201d he mumbled under his breath.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing. We\u2019re getting a little off topic. Let\u2019s focus on our sex life, the one we don\u2019t seem to be enjoying at the moment. Can\u2019t we have the \u2018world is ending\u2019 moment too?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh please! You are so far from being a virgin you can\u2019t even say the word.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can say it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever. The point is you promised to teach me how to use a crossbow and I\u2019m holding you to it. Hello! You do remember we\u2019re about to be involved in a battle for our lives and this time we\u2019re all fighting.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI told you you\u2019re not going.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPfft. Like I\u2019d miss my own graduation, I don\u2019t think so.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, there isn\u2019t going to be a graduation. The Mayor is going to ascend into a pure demon and eat the seniors, their parents and the faculty.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo really? And here I thought it was going to be your run-of-the-mill diploma and unflattering gown events.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSarcasm aside, I don\u2019t want you to fight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re you not paying attention to the plan? I know you\u2019re upset about Xander being \u201ckey\u201d guy and all, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not upset. Just because Xander couldn\u2019t fight his way out of a bingo parlor, doesn\u2019t mean I object to the plan. I can take orders.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPfft. Like anyone doubted that, we all witnessed the age of the slayer\u2019s lapdog so let\u2019s not reminisce.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGeez even Harmony has agreed to fight. I\u2019m not bailing on my friends to save my own ass. End of discussion, now get with the teaching.\u201d She accidentally pulled the trigger releasing the bolt. \u201cOops.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her sheepish grin didn\u2019t pacify him. \u201cBe careful. That\u2019s a dangerous weapon, not a toy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah well I never liked that painting anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel retrieved the arrow from the wall, tearing the painting further. \u201cDon\u2019t worry. It\u2019s a knockoff.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReally? I wonder if Daddy knows. Maybe I should add that as a postscript in my letter.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m still not too sure about that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, it was your idea to leave right after the ceremony.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes but that was when you were supposed to be at home packing while the battle was going on.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGet over it. I\u2019m not sitting this one out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t bear it if anything happened to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia wrapped her arms around Angel\u2019s neck and drew him down for a kiss. \u201cI don\u2019t plan to take unnecessary risks.\u201d She kissed him again to stop his protests. \u201cI plan to stand beside my friends today and I plan to ride off into the sunset with you after it\u2019s over. Well maybe not the sunset but you know what I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n
He leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers. \u201cI can\u2019t lose you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou won\u2019t.\u201d A frown crossed her features as a thought suddenly occurred to her. \u201cYou know you should be the one comforting me. You\u2019re the one who almost died. I almost lost you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel captured her lips to stop her growing agitation. \u201cI\u2019ve been trying to comfort you but you insisted on fighting lessons instead.\u201d His hands skimmed down her back to cup her butt. He lifted her slightly to press her hips into his growing hardness. \u201cIt feels like forever since I made love to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
She wriggled out of his arms. \u201cI guess that thought should keep you properly motivated to survive.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy,\u201d he groaned when she evaded his grasp. \u201cHave mercy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, you know I want you. I ache with it, but I\u2019d like to have some idea of what I\u2019m doing with that thing.\u201d She pointed at the crossbow to stop any crude comments he might be tempted to make. \u201cDo you really want me to go into this without any training?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want you to go into this at all,\u201d he sighed in defeat, \u201cbut it\u2019s obvious I\u2019m not going to get what I want.\u201d He picked up the discarded weapon. \u201cLet\u2019s start from the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you okay, Buffy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStupid question. Of course you\u2019re not okay. You have to fight the Mayor.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t be alone in that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah but you\u2019re the one who has to lure him into the school.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been thinking, Will. In a way, this plan seems strangely fitting.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow so?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI left my last school after I burned the gym down. This time I plan to blow the entire school up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou do like to make a statement when you leave. Life with you never gets boring.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not too late to choose one of those ridiculously expensive colleges.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Harvard can live without a badass Wicca matriculating in their hallowed halls. UC Sunnydale is where I\u2019ll be. Where else can I minor in fighting the forces of evil?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s very true.\u201d Buffy\u2019s grin slowly faded. \u201cAngel\u2019s leaving.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? What about the Mayor?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean after. He\u2019s leaving Sunnydale for good.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut\u2026 does Cordy know?\u201d The redhead almost hit herself at the slip. \u201cNot that I\u2019m worried about\u2026 that horrible boyfriend-stealer, because I\u2019m\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s okay, Willow. I can\u2019t bury my head in the sand. I\u2019m dealing and to answer your question, Cordelia is going with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re both leaving? Is Angel following her to college?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think so. To be honest, he didn\u2019t mention where they were going and I didn\u2019t ask.\u201d She shrugged. \u201cKnowing Cordelia, I\u2019m sure she\u2019ll call Giles at least once a week. I don\u2019t think I\u2019ll ever understand their friendship. It\u2019s yet another thing I just have to accept.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow clasped Buffy\u2019s hand and gave it a squeeze. \u201cI can\u2019t say I know what you\u2019re going through but I can tell you that I\u2019ll be here for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, Will.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander found the two friends hugging. \u201cGroup hug and I\u2019m missing it.\u201d He rushed over and embraced his best friends.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was much better.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut my aim is still off.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat will improve with practice but it\u2019ll do for now. You saw the drawing Giles showed us. The target won\u2019t be small. A few inches won\u2019t matter.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s true.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia tossed the crossbow onto the table and turned in Angel\u2019s arms. \u201cWhatever will we do now?\u201d She began nibbling on his earlobe and let her hands wander. \u201cWe still have some time.\u201d Having Angel\u2019s arms around her while he corrected her technique nearly drove her out of her mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know. Let\u2019s work on some staking techniques.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not the expression I would\u2019ve used but it still works.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel stilled the busy hands trying to unbutton his pants. \u201cThat\u2019s not what I meant.\u201d Once he began her lessons, his fears seemed to fester and grow. Cordelia would be facing a demon of massive proportions, vampires and who knew what else. She needed to have some idea how to defend herself.<\/p>\n
As much as he wanted to devote his attention to keeping her safe, he had to wait until the eclipse before he could even show up. Even then, there was a plan to follow.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d<\/p>\n
He grabbed a wooden stake out of the weapons bag he\u2019d filled at the library. \u201cStaking a vampire isn\u2019t as easy as it sounds.\u201d He tossed her the stake.<\/p>\n
Cordelia caught it with ease. \u201cWhat happened to my frisky vampire boyfriend?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHis girlfriend refused to stay where it\u2019s safe. Now try to stake me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is so not gonna happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, the Mayor\u2019s lackeys are sure to be there; which means you have to be prepared to fight vampires. Inches will definitely matter so the crossbow is out. When Xander calls for retreat, you need to have your stake ready. Now try to stake me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d she spoke slowly as if speaking to a child. \u201cThis is a wooden stake and you are a vampire. There is no way I\u2019m going to try to stake you with this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBaby, I\u2019m not gonna let you actually stake me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDuh but accidents can happen. Who knows what hidden talents I might have? Get me something non-wooden and I\u2019ll be happy to stake you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her wicked smile made him laugh. \u201cI have an idea. I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia poked through the bag, checking for any weapons she might want to learn how to use. She turned at the sound of approaching footsteps.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince I\u2019ve heard how good you are with this, I figure it\u2019d be perfect for this lesson.\u201d His eyes sparkled with amusement as he tossed her a weapon.<\/p>\n
\u201cA spatula?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI seem to recall you mentioning how adept you are with that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNobody likes a smartass.\u201d Homecoming flashbacks made her grimace. \u201cI still can\u2019t believe neither of us won.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure you were the most beautiful woman there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cActually I looked horrible. My dress was torn and covered in grass stains but,\u201d she shrugged, \u201cwe lived to tell the tale.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAgain and again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou ready to stake me? That thing is made of aluminum and plastic. You can\u2019t hurt me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m feeling a little better about wood at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you too. Now try to stake me.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you ready to play demolition man, Giles?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe so.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess a part of your decision about the future has been made for you. I don\u2019t think the school\u2019s going to need a librarian after you blow it up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt seems we\u2019ve both had decisions made for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy told me that Angel\u2019s leaving and taking you with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cActually leaving was kinda my idea. It\u2019s graduation day, Giles. Time to grow up. Move on. Make with the life outside of high school.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you can\u2019t do that here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot really. Working together wasn\u2019t exactly working out. Throwing Xander, Buffy, Angel and I together will only make us miserable and everyone else uncomfortable. Angel and I intend to make a fresh start. Eventually Buffy will move on and Xander\u2026 will still be Xander.\u201d<\/p>\n
The corners of his mouth twitched into a weak smile. \u201cDo you know where you\u2019re going?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLos Angeles. We\u2019ll stay at a hotel until we find a place to live.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you need any money, I\u2019ll\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel has some and I already contacted an art dealer in LA. I plan to sell the artwork my grandfather left me. As it turns out, those paintings are the only real ones in my parent\u2019s house.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t have to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to. My grandfather and I weren\u2019t close. He spent over fifty years making my grandmother miserable. He once told me the artwork was a sort of dowry because whatever man I tricked into marrying me should get at least something out of it.\u201d She waved away the concern she saw in Giles\u2019s expression.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy grandfather on my mother\u2019s side more than made up for the other. Grandpa Jake was a sweetheart.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to miss you terribly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll miss you too, but I\u2019ll only be a couple hours away.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd we\u2019ll talk on the phone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAbsolutely and you can visit. After all, you\u2019re about to become unemployed.\u201d<\/p>\n
They shared a laugh. Giles pulled her into a brief hug. \u201cYou better get out there. The ceremony is about to begin.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia kissed his cheek. \u201cDon\u2019t forget me, Ripper.\u201d She rushed out of the office before he could respond. With her head down, she crashed into Wesley in the hallway.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, are you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was just saying my goodbyes to Giles.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI see.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWes..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t. I don\u2019t think I could survive saying goodbye again. You have my number in London. Be sure to call me once you\u2019ve settled in Los Angeles.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you\u2019re still going back?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy hasn\u2019t changed her mind. She doesn\u2019t intend to work for the Council any longer. I hope I will be allowed to help Faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA bit of advice, I wouldn\u2019t mention to her that you helped arrange her capture. She might not take it well.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll keep that in mind.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell it\u2019s time to graduate. Be careful out there, Wes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou too.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel held Buffy\u2019s gaze for a moment through the smoke. The battle was over. So too was a chapter in his existence. He\u2019d come to Sunnydale to help the slayer and he had. He\u2019d also loved, lost and tried to have the world sucked into hell. He turned on his heel and walked away.<\/p>\n
As he approached the Plymouth he\u2019d only hours before taken out of storage, he realized he wasn\u2019t walking away. He was walking toward a life he knew he didn\u2019t deserve. The woman he loved wholeheartedly, a woman who loved and accepted him completely, grinned at him from the driver\u2019s seat.<\/p>\n
He leaned against the door and captured her lips in a searing kiss. She was a little mussed from the battle but beautiful nonetheless. As the school was about to explode, he\u2019d rushed Cordelia to the safety of his car before going back to make sure it was truly over and that Buffy had survived.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs everything okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. I saw all of them. Wesley was on a stretcher but at the rate he was whining, I\u2019d say he\u2019ll be just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess this is it then. Goodbye to Sunnyhell.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d Angel smiled at her confused look. \u201cIt\u2019s hello to our new life together.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEven better.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you too, Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBaby?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not driving my car.\u201d<\/p>\n
The End<\/b><\/p>\n