Part 8<\/b><\/p>\n
The first rays of sunlight lit the front steps of the Hyperion as Angel closed the door behind him.<\/p>\n
Spike and Angel had nearly turned to dust trying to tow the Plymouth home on a flat tire. He looked up at his tiny crew. Spike was sprawled on the couch, his arms and legs hanging off the side, his head in willow\u2019s lap who was too busy snoring to notice or care.<\/p>\n
Wesley had promptly collapsed in the chair behind the counter his head on his arms.<\/p>\n
The mobile in his pocket rang once.<\/p>\n
Angel headed straight upstairs. He grabbed a blanket and pulled out the keys he\u2019d pick-pocketed from his childe and headed out the door again.<\/p>\n
Damn sleep. Cordelia had played on his last nerve. And this time he knew he couldn\u2019t blame it all on his demon.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia snuggled back against her pillows as she balanced the little tub of rocky-road ice-cream in one hand and tucked herself into the comforter. \u201cSo why are we doing this again?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel the need to bond Hazel\u201d<\/p>\n
Scraping out a spoonful, she suckled on her first bite of heaven and rolled her eyes. \u201cHah\u2026so why ARE we doing this again?<\/p>\n
The demon sighed. \u201cBecause I like you Cor\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh god, take me now!\u201d She pretended to stab herself with her spoon before reaching for more ice-cream with a snicker.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know why I hate being in this damned body?\u201d<\/p>\n
She blinked at the wistful tone. \u201cNo but I have a feeling you\u2019re going to tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI would so want to take you up on that fucking offer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPfft! Egoman strikes again.\u201d She went about the task of eating.<\/p>\n
Sleep forgotten, she let the soft morning light from her window and the fresh smell of her sheets calm her nerves.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou fascinate me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a song.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re like this pound of flesh that costs way more than normality.\u201d<\/p>\n
She wrinkled her nose not quite sure if that was a compliment. \u201cUm\u2026disgust much? Thanks. I think.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell you\u2019re food Cor. Do you know what the soul will never have the balls to tell you?\u201d<\/p>\n
She raised a curious eyebrow. Already expecting some more Angel secrets. \u201cThat I\u2019m fat?\u201d She ventured evasively.<\/p>\n
\u201cBesides that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI AM NOT FAT!\u201d<\/p>\n
He snickered at her hiss of disapproval. \u201cYou asked. No Hazel. He\u2019d never have enough balls to tell you that whenever he looks at you, I\u2019m the one screaming to possess you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taken aback by the frank admission that wasn\u2019t tinged with wicked mocking she frowned slightly. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBack in Sunnydale, there wasn\u2019t one person I could remember, not even Buffy who could stand up to Queen C.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her hazel eyes fogged with nostalgic haze. \u201cI was pretty cool huh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were a goddess. And if the faggy-assed soul hadn\u2019t been so fucking taken with the slayer you\u2019d have been my little prezzie.\u201d<\/p>\n
Try as she might, her next question came out suspiciously hopeful. \u201cYou would have bit me.\u201d<\/p>\n
A soft purr built in her chest. \u201cIn a heartbeat baby.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oddly satisfied, she settled back with another mouthful. \u201cOh\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou had so much potential then. And now the urge to have you is even stronger. The fucking visions are like a beacon to every demon! And you think its hard living around you, parading inside dorkula\u2019s head; it\u2019s fucking crucifying Cor!\u201d<\/p>\n
She raised an eyebrow. \u201cJust because of my visions?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot just. With the visions, you\u2019re potential combined with a direct link to everything that is good and for a demon that is the essence of evil itself, there\u2019s the inherent need to decimate.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot really winning points here buddy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo shit. But you understand my need to taint you, tempt and taunt the darkness out of you; only I forgot the very reason that drew me to you \u2013 Queen C bows to no man.\u201d<\/p>\n
She couldn\u2019t hold back the smug smirk. \u201cDamn skippy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was hoping you would for this demon, but then these two days spent with your thoughts and dreams Cor, I\u2019m coming to realize that I never want you to. For anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
She blinked with surprise. \u201cSo you\u2019re saying I win?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFuck no.\u201d He snorted \u201cBut you like me now don\u2019t you.\u201d<\/p>\n
She was silent the spoon sliding over her tongue then her eyes widened slightly.<\/p>\n
~Oh my.~<\/p>\n
\u201cOh yeah.\u201d He stretched her legs happily. \u201cI am bad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia Chase sat there drinking in all the information Angelus has just decided to send her way. After a pause she asked, \u201cWhat about after tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, that\u2019s up to you now Hazel.\u201d His tone was cocky as ever. \u201cYou already know Angelus wants you.\u201d<\/p>\n
She glared. \u201cI\u2019m not going to be your dark princess, you cocky bastard.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAwww, you fucking love me that way Hazel. Admit it.\u201d His purr dropped into a soft teasing smile. \u201cNot even a little bit?\u201d<\/p>\n
Before she knew it, Cordelia was smiling back unwittingly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere you see! I am SO bad.\u201d<\/p>\n
With a roll of eyes, the smile still pasted on her face, she cleaned off another spoon.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on Cor. Now and then? Let the little mischief making dark goddess out to play. Don\u2019t let the sullen prick turn you into one of his dismal disciples of dullsville. Who knows maybe one day you\u2019ll teach that ass pansy to dance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia Chase laughed heartily, her hand on her belly, the gentle shaking of her shoulders almost soothing to the demon. \u201cYou have been in my head way too long Fangy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat can I say; I pick um well.\u201d<\/p>\n
The sudden prying thought into the obvious moment suddenly silenced her retort. And for the first time Cordelia wondered about the outcome of the day to come.<\/p>\n
~Cor?~<\/p>\n
~Hmmm.~<\/p>\n
~I\u2019m gonna miss you too.~<\/p>\n
A soft shudder ran down her spine before she swallowed the cold ice-cream. The confused ache in her chest was back and this time she knew why. Licking her lips, she knew there was little point in pretending.<\/p>\n
He could read it as clearly as she could hear his own thoughts. Angelus was right. She did like him. \u201cGood. Coz I\u2019m hard to forget Fangy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes that mean one last orgasm before I go?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUFFFF!!!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell there is one other thing I\u2019ve been meaning to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
An eyebrow shot up.<\/p>\n
~I want to catch up on correspondence before I go back to sully.~<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s eyes widened when she realized what scenario Angelus had circling through his wee brain.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. No way. I am SO not going to go with this one. Not this girl.\u201d<\/p>\n
~Oh, come ON! Don\u2019t tell me there isn\u2019t a tiny part in you that would get off doing this, Hazel; In fact, I KNOW that you want to.~<\/p>\n
Cordelia flushed guiltily; Angelus had her there \u2013 but it still didn\u2019t make it right. True, there was a tiny part of her that wanted to play the proverbial bitch, but not enough to hurt Angel. Not enough to give in to calling Buffy Summers.<\/p>\n
She shook her head before putting away the ice-cream.<\/p>\n
~Nope- not going there- no way, nuh-uh.~<\/p>\n
She hoped to God her inner tone was as strong as her refusal. She was not going to agree. Nope. She was the rock. Yup.<\/p>\n
Angelus gave an exaggerated disappointed sigh.<\/p>\n
~Oh well, looks like not only will you have to return the FOUR pairs of shoes you bought today on Angel\u2019s card, but I\u2019m going to have to spill the beans about those lovely brain blending visions.~<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s eyes widened at his blatant blackmail. ~You wouldn\u2019t! \u2013 You promised! I gave you your one day Angelus!~ She reminded him frantically.<\/p>\n
~ Doll, you\u2019re talking to Angelus, soulless demon incarnate here \u2013 where\u2019s the phone again?~<\/p>\n
Cordelia faltered in panic as she rose and started for the living room.<\/p>\n
~She\u2019ll come here and KILL me \u2013 you do realize you\u2019ll have my grizzly death on your hands? Besides, I like being alive and kicking! You\u00a0said you liked me this way.~<\/p>\n
~Don\u2019t sweat it, Hazel, Soulboy already told her why he needs Willow \u2013 so blame it all on me; big bad demon mind was too strong for sweet innocent Cordy.~<\/p>\n
His voice softened to a wheedle. ~Just think of all those things you wanted to say and couldn\u2019t \u2013 and YOU come out smelling of roses; or cinnamon and vanilla, which can I just say: Mouth-watering on you baby.~<\/p>\n
She rolled her eyes, her lips curling up inadvertently at the crude compliment.<\/p>\n
~Oh god I can\u2019t believe I\u2019m considering this. I blame lack of sleep.~<\/p>\n
~Blame me baby, I\u2019m easy. Come on Cor. I\u2019ve waited since she fucking sent me to hell to have my say to her. Do you know how damned long I was there?~<\/p>\n
A soft frown marred her forehead, as Cordelia contemplated the answer. The demon took the opportunity to get his way. Cordelia\u2019s entire body shook with the impact as memories and flashes flooded her mind, her fists clenching.<\/p>\n
Hazel eyes widened and blinked spasmodically trying to shut away the images. With one hand on her temple, Cordelia fell back into the couch, heart thumping like a wild bird in her ribcage as the crescendo in her head died into the familiar darkness and she opened her eyes, reeling for the realization.<\/p>\n
Angel had been in hell. Angel had survived hell. And Angel had never said a word about it.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh god, he never said anything.\u201d Betrayed anger built in her belly. ~I\u2019m supposed to be his best friend dammit!~<\/p>\n
~Cordelia?~<\/p>\n
Trembling from the sick comprehension of just how much of Angel she didn\u2019t know, she felt her own eyes sting with tell tale moisture.<\/p>\n
~Awww hell Cor don\u2019t! For one Angel is a better man, vampire – whatever the fuck he\u2019s going by these day because of it. And at least the slayer is out of his hair. It was fucking unnatural, but he never did listen to me.~<\/p>\n
So maybe, just maybe there was more to Angel leaving Sunnydale than just to protect the love of his life from the very demon in her head.<\/p>\n
All this time she\u2019s been convinced that no matter what happened, Angel still lived the torrid tragic Romeo-Juliet love farce, but while Angelus had been living through her thoughts and dreams, Cordelia had had a chance to see Angel\u2019s.<\/p>\n
And although, the slayer was there, she found that Buffy wasn\u2019t Juliet.<\/p>\n
~She didn\u2019t know.~<\/p>\n
~Well she\u2019s about to find out. Hand me the phone.~<\/p>\n
Tired and overwhelmed with the events of the past two days, she took a deep breath.<\/p>\n
~Just so we\u2019re on the level, this is for Angel.~<\/p>\n
~Fuck Cor, you didn\u2019t have to say it,~ the demon grumbled morosely.<\/p>\n
She nearly smiled at the defeated sadness in his tone. She figured she was going to burn in hell for finding Angelus endearing. Endearing of all things. No one was going to believe her. Cordelia rose from the couch and picked up her cordless.<\/p>\n
~Keep in mind that I did protest and that you are a big bad demon too strong for sweet innocent Cordy, because if you breathe a word of this to Angel, I swear I will get inside his head and hunt you down with a putty knife!~<\/p>\n
~Oh you know just what I like baby,~ Angelus purred.<\/p>\n
~Lets get this over with.~<\/p>\n
Cordelia hit power on the little phone and let Angelus take the reins as she sat back and let the mayhem unfold. It was fair, she reasoned. The poor demon had been stuck in hell and then with Angel\u2019s angsty, broody thoughts.<\/p>\n
Now that he was finally out and about, almost, this much mischief she could allow. She marveled at her acknowledgment. Was she really feeling for the Scourge of Europe?<\/p>\n
~But lemme just hide in a far away dark corner for a VERY long time.~<\/p>\n
~Sit back and relax baby, time to rekindle old flames into a fucking inferno.~ He chuckled maliciously.<\/p>\n
~Oh I am good.~<\/p>\n
Sure fingers tapped out the rarely used numbers as she folded ungracefully, flopping back on to the couch with a hard thump.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy Summers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey Buff!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNope, not Cordeeelia; didn\u2019t soulboy tell you about my little vacation from his saintliness? Good, then sit back and forget about the dulcet tones of my bunk buddy, and let\u2019s catch up, hmmm?\u201d<\/p>\n