Part 10<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m tromping through sewers. I could be out there on the nice clean sidewalk, but damn love and this need to be near my schizo vamp.\u201d Cordelia maneuvered her sneaker-clad feet around the sewer floor.<\/p>\n
Angel grinned at the grumbling brunette and grasped her elbow to steady her. \u201cI went scouring across half of LA looking for you Cordy. You can put up with a little bit of sewer walk.\u201d<\/p>\n
The young woman grunted as she skipped and hopped about looking for clean spots.<\/p>\n
~I can\u2019t believe I\u2019m stuck with you again Sully.~<\/p>\n
~What did you expect Angelus? Sit back and relax; you\u2019ll be here a while. Like forever.~<\/p>\n
~Don\u2019t get cocky soulprick. Your Seer\u2019s in like with your demon.~<\/p>\n
Angel looked sideways at the woman muttering under her breath as they headed towards the Hyperion. Even in the dark sewer and the light of her torch she was carrying, Angel could make out her nose wrinkled prettily.<\/p>\n
His demon had a point. Cordelia Chase had some sort of bond with Angelus; all because she\u2019d spent two days with the bastard.<\/p>\n
~Now is not the time to call me names Sully.~<\/p>\n
~Shut the fuck up.~<\/p>\n
~Oooh, touchy. Okay. I\u2019ll shut up. Don\u2019t tell me you didn\u2019t miss me at all though. I know I missed you. Wanna know where your better half\u2019s been these two days? In Technicolor detail?~<\/p>\n
Suddenly Angel was faced with the prospect of knowing exactly how far his Cordy had a bond with the Scourge of Europe. Between his morality and his jealous curiosity, Angel finally relented and let Angelus spin his little tale of two days in the life of Cordelia Chase.<\/p>\n
And Angel lost his grip as the colors splashed before his eyes.<\/p>\n
Cordelia blinked startled when the vampire beside her stumbled. \u201cWho\u2019s catching who here Broody?\u201d She smirked up into his face; then frowned. \u201cAngel?\u201d<\/p>\n
Brown eyes were cloudy, the fingers on her arms tighter that usual and for an instant she thought she saw fangs. But his feet hadn\u2019t stopped and she noticed the funny twitch in his jaw before he spoke.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
An eyebrow shot up. \u201cFunny, you don\u2019t sound it. What gives? Now you\u2019re brooding standing up as well?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ochre eyes snapped to hers and she froze.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay. Now you\u2019re scaring me. What the hell is your damage?\u201d<\/p>\n
In the dim florescent light of the torch, his fangs flashed an eerie green. \u201cDamage Cordy? Funny you should mention damage, because until 2 seconds ago, my entire damage was getting you to my bed and keeping you there; forever!\u201d<\/p>\n
Struck by the bitter anger in his tone, she stepped back slightly. \u201cAnd there\u2019s a change in plan now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYOU tell me!\u201d He snapped, his game face receding to replace the furious human mask, but the gold in his eyes didn\u2019t dim.<\/p>\n
Raising a finger, Cordelia glared back at him. \u201cOkay. First of all; stop growling at me; it\u2019s annoying. And secondly there is no change in plan from my end; I\u2019m thoroughly with the idea of the bedroom bonanza.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFor how long?\u201d<\/p>\n
What the hell kind of question was that?<\/i> She blinked at the crisp question, the shadows in his face darkening. \u201cAll day, all night; what, do you want it in writing?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd after that?\u201d<\/p>\n
The uncomfortable knot wrung tighter in Cordelia gut and she forced a smile trying to make it go away.<\/p>\n
This was Angel after all. \u201cJust my luck. Out of the whole lot I had to pick the one with the neurotic appetite. Yes after that too doofy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd the day after?\u201d<\/p>\n
She frowned. Okay now it was starting to border on creepy. \u201cOf course, Angel. Where\u2019s this going?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd next week?\u201d<\/p>\n
He took a step towards her and the growl that had been such a turn on in her bed suddenly made her marrow curdle with fear. She didn\u2019t realize she\u2019d taken a step back until he followed and the torch fell from her fingers with a startled gasp, the light rolling like a foreboding beacon to settle on her face and blinding her to the dark vampire towering over her.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about next month Cordy, or the year after that? Ten years from now?\u201d Her eyes widened when the vampire snarled into her face, her back hitting the sewer wall. \u201cWhat about then?\u201d He barked.<\/p>\n
She stared up into those scalding copper eyes and a chill skated down her spine when she read the emotion there. \u201cAngelus.\u201d It was not a question.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou could tell him. You could beg him. Let him manipulate, blackmail you, but you couldn\u2019t tell me?!\u201d<\/p>\n
She jumped when his palms slapped against the stone wall behind her, his hands bracing above her shoulders, his own body shuddering with restraint, the twisted snarl as potent as the betrayed fear in his golden eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t love me, Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo too!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen you don\u2019t know that I love you!\u201d He glared down at her, the tidal wave of helpless emotion crashing through him, twisting and bending his soul in a way nothing else ever had.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen were you going to tell me?\u201d<\/p>\n
She looked away, the guilty tears gathering behind closed lids.<\/p>\n
\u201cDammit Cordelia! Look at me!\u201d<\/p>\n
Squaring her jaw she looked up with liquid hazel eyes and met the flickering pools of dark chocolate.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause I was afraid.\u201d She took a deep breath; the irrational fear hitched in her throat. \u201cI was afraid you\u2019d take them away.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood guess, sweetheart.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her eyes widened as he grabbed her wrist and yanked her towards the sewer tunnel leading to the hotel.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel!\u201d When the vampire didn\u2019t loosen the stone like grip or cease the determined pulling, she tried to resist. \u201cAwoie! Let go you big bully!\u201d<\/p>\n
He dragged her up into the basement before she grabbed his arm with her free hand and dug her heels into the floor. \u201cSTOP!\u201d<\/p>\n
Yanking her wrist out of his grasp, she glared. \u201cStop now or I swear I will so kick your ass! With or without Angelus, and while we\u2019re on the subject of your demon; can I just say, he\u2019s a spineless, gutless, conniving piece of shit! He promised me!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you really think he wouldn\u2019t tell me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot exactly a great fan of yours is he!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHE is about as concerned about this as I am! Only he has the emotional control I left in your bed!\u201d<\/p>\n
The young woman huffed and rolled her eyes. \u201cMen! I swear their thought process is confined between their stomach and their goddamn knees!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you tell me the visions were killing you! Why didn\u2019t you tell me Doyle cursed you like those fucking gypsies cursed me!\u201d<\/p>\n
She stilled. \u201cThis is not Doyle\u2019s fault Angel. Take that back.\u201d When he glared silently, she stepped closer and poked him in his chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cTake. It. Back.\u201d<\/p>\n
The vampire swallowed the crazy fear and helplessness but he couldn\u2019t quell the fitful growling of his demon in his chest. Two days later his demon had finally been able to release the regretful ball of tension he\u2019d been holding inside Cordelia\u2019s mind and now that he was back, the yarn of his need to protect, claim and save Cordelia rivaled the soul\u2019s.<\/p>\n
For the first time, they agreed \u2013 on her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he ground out, \u201cbut the fact remains. The visions are going even if you have to kiss every man, woman, demon in this godforsaken city. You\u2019re not keeping them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The girl rolled her eyes. \u201cHello!\u201d She waved a hand in front of his face and he caught it with an annoyed frown. \u201cBeen there; done that. You were there remember; oh wait \u2013 no back then your head was still up Buffy\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel stepped forward, a finger nearly touching her nose. \u201cDon\u2019t. Not a good time Hazel.\u201d She raised an eyebrow, a soft smile tugging at her mouth. It was still a little unnerving to hear that endearment from her boss.<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry.\u201d To bad she didn\u2019t look it as she took a deep breath. \u201cBut I\u2019m keeping the visions. I\u2019m vision girl Angel.\u201d She shrugged.<\/p>\n
\u201cDammit Cordelia! Why! Why do you want to die!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t!\u201d She snapped back, finally at the edge of her patience with her pushy vampire boss. \u201cI don\u2019t want to die. I don\u2019t want to give up the visions and I don\u2019t want to let go of the one good, decent thing in my life, Angel, which amounts to something and gives me purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n
He watched her hazel eyes flash with fire and resisted the urge to kiss her. Probably not the reaction she wanted; so he waited for her continue instead.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe visions are a part of me like the tattletale demon is a part of you Angel. You aren\u2019t complete without him and he\u2019s not complete without you \u2013 no matter how much he\u2019s the denial queen or just too damned afraid to admit it. Without it, you\u2019d just be a freak with a leather fetish; just like I\u2019d be plain, old, penniless Cordelia.\u201d She glared hard at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m doing this for me, not you, so stop looking at me with that self-martyred puppy eyes. I\u2019m doing this so I can be with you, for as long as I\u2019m here as I\u2019m supposed to be \u2013 your Seer. Because there is nothing else in this world I want to be. Do you get that thick-head? You\u2019re the champion and I\u2019m the Seer! That\u2019s how it works!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo there.\u201d<\/p>\n
For a crazy instant she thought she\u2019d imagined it. She stared up at him while he stood here arms folded and sulking. \u201cWHAT!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust completing your tirade.\u201d<\/p>\n
The young woman growled and Angel suppressed a smile, his head a mixture of saddened love and helpless admiration and hope. Unable to silence his fears and the consequences ringing in his ears, he wrapped his arms around her.<\/p>\n
\u201cFine. You have your way. You can keep the visions.\u201d She looked up with a triumphant smile and he smothered it with a gentle finger over her stretched lips.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right: I\u2019m the champion and you\u2019re my Seer. If you go, then the PTB will have to find a new mascot as well. We do this together like always Cordy. This time\u2019s no different.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia frowned as she saw a shadow fall across his features. \u201cThat speech does not accompany that oh-we\u2019re-doomed shadow on your face Broody, it\u2019s less effective that way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel held her face between his fingers, mentally preparing himself to utter the words the demon was screaming in his head. The words he dared not speak to any human. Not with his soul in tact, because he had no right to ask. Only if it meant saving Cordelia, Angel would take another hundred years in hell.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a spell.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia frowned. \u201cOh oh?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel had to smile at the brave tint to her liquid toffee eyes. \u201cSweetheart, if I\u2019d known about the visions, I never would have taken Angelus.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her blinked. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
He winced. \u201cThere\u2019s a way Cordy, besides turning you, there\u2019s another way to give you immortality.\u201d<\/p>\n
She watched his face with confusion then her brow drew together as she stepped out of his arms and apprehension dawned in those hazel eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot so good with the pressure. Immortality is like forever Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
The vampire let out a dry laugh. \u201cWhat did you think this was going to be Cordelia?\u201d<\/p>\n
She stared at him with wide eyes. \u201cThat was a line! The one you told me on the couch! With the forever and the wedding dress right?\u201d<\/p>\n
An eyebrow shot up.<\/p>\n
Her mouth formed a perfect \u2018O\u2019 then she glared. \u201cHE knew. Didn\u2019t he!?\u201d When he didn\u2019t speak she took a step away from him. \u201cOh hello,\u201d she breathed out, as the weight of her predicament finally hit her between her eyes.<\/p>\n
Forever. Live forever. Never die. Immortal. Immortality with Angel. Forever with Angel.<\/i><\/p>\n
And she didn\u2019t know it then, but the softening in her eyes gave her away as she contemplated the possibilities; the mantra like thoughts spiraling through her head over and over. \u201cWill I be human?\u201d<\/p>\n
He nodded. \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I won\u2019t die?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot naturally no.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStake through the heart is a popular theme, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n
The vampire let out an unneeded breath. \u201cYou could still get hit by a truck, but the possibilities go down yes. You will heal faster.\u201d His eyes darkened and she realized the real reason why he\u2019d never brought it up was what he said next. \u201cYou will share my demon. It\u2019s a blood bond. You\u2019ll belong to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse you Mr. Caveman!\u201d She glared at him her finger poking into his chest. \u201cCordelia *poke* Chase * poke * belongs * poke * to * poke * no * poke * one * poke poke *!\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel let out a soft frustrated growl. \u201cAnd this is why we never take human lovers. They don\u2019t get the deal, no matter how much they pretend to understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
The woman let out a yelp as the vampire suddenly pinned her against the crate, his body pressing into her intimately, stealing her breath.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou do belong to me Cordelia Chase,\u201d his voice was a silky whisper across her mouth and the brunette whimpered softly. \u201cYou were mine the moment you said yes. The moment my fingers touched your skin, the moment my mouth kissed yours, the second your body welcomed mine and when you came screaming my name and the soul\u2019s? You sealed the deal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s eyes widened as the familiar tint in his eyes spoke enough for his demon. And the effect on her senses and Angelus\u2019 honeyed avowal was almost electric.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour blood is flowing through my veins as we speak Hazel. And I\u2019m not going to lie to you and feed your ego. You\u2019re mine. But I shared myself too Cordy.\u201d The brown was back and her knees shook as she held her breath, his eyes flickered with the erratic beat of her heart.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I\u2019m all yours baby.\u201d<\/p>\n
The emotion lodged in her throat as she swallowed visibly before lifting her eyes from his mouth.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo I have to wear a dog tag?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s lips curled into a wicked leer.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cIs this really necessary Willow?\u201d Wesley watched the irate blue fire in the vampire\u2019s eyes as he hovered a few feet away, his arms crossed and the proverbial steam rising from his blonde head.<\/p>\n
The little witch sat on the floor, her shoulders shaking softly as she muffled her giggles and looked up at the vampire suspended in mid air.<\/p>\n
She hadn\u2019t stopped since Spike had tried to get down and after many tries to dance, swim, run and shimmy; Spike was still hanging in midair over their heads, albeit furious, but helpless.<\/p>\n
Angel was the first one to blink and pause at the sight and Cordelia ran into his back. \u201cPut a stop sign, will you?\u201d Peeking over his shoulder she frowned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re playing float the vampire and no one called me?\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow grinned up at the new comers. \u201cHe was attempting to step out without his sun block.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike pointed threatening finger at his sire. \u201cYou are so bloody dead when I get my hands on you poofy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel raised an eyebrow. \u201cAlready dead little boy, and that is IF you get down.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley let out a visible sigh on relief at Cordelia\u2019s presence and smiled. \u201cI\u2019m glad you finally decided to grace us with your presence. We have the spell ready by the way. Willow has been a great help. We discovered there were two ways really. One slightly easier, notwithstanding the intimate discomfort on both your parts. And the second was a spell. A tad hard to work out, but we did splendidly. \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh yeah!\u201d The red haired witch giggled. \u201cI was such a good witch! I didn\u2019t even finish the spell until I double checked. Proud of me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShocked none of us are yipping puppies Luv.\u201d<\/p>\n
Looking up she glared at the vampire. \u201cHey! I knew \u2018lishkant\u2019 did not mean dog!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight after spectacles there corrected you. Your foreign demon languages are horrid pet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley rolled his eyes. \u201cThey go on forever. Cordelia are you ready?\u201d<\/p>\n
The cheerleader bit her lip. \u201cYeah Wes, about that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel rubbed the back of his head and suddenly the entire room went silent.<\/p>\n
Spike hovered there above them and his blue eyes narrowed, then widen. \u201cYou didn\u2019t!\u201d When neither the vampire nor the cheerleader spoke, his mouth dropped open.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou DID!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh dear lord,\u201d Wesley rubbed his temples trying to get around the idea, and then he decided he\u2019d rather not think about it at all.<\/p>\n
Spike stared at the older vampire. \u201cBloody hell peaches I didn\u2019t think you had the balls.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for the crude testimonial Spike.\u201d Angel glared at his child.<\/p>\n
Willow blinked as she looked between them. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley cleared his throat.<\/p>\n
Cordelia blushed with a soft winsome smile and shrugged. \u201cWhat can I say? I\u2019m irresistible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow gasped, her cheeks flushing as red as her hair. \u201cOh goddess. Too much information. Too much!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCatch on fast, don\u2019t you luAHHHHHH! WILLOW!!!\u201d He hung there upside down, as the Witch merely stared at Cordelia and Angel. \u201cPUT ME DOWN YOU BLOODY WITCH!\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow frowned. \u201cAnd I put up with him all this time for nothing?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel sighed and met Willow\u2019s eyes. \u201cNot quite Willow.\u201d His voice was tinged with enough gravity that Willow spun Spike upright.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you know about a blood bond?\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike hit the ground \u2013hard.<\/p>\n
EPILOGUE<\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia turned and hit something hard and cold. Dragging her heavy eyes open she blinked up at the smirking visage of her demon lover. \u201cAngel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the flesh, baby.\u201d<\/p>\n
The brunette groaned as she tried to roll back into sleep, but one large hand curled around her waist and drew her against his chest, his nose nuzzling into her neck, his fingers slipping across her belly button.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow many did we get up to?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia sighed as she felt the insistent press of his hips behind her. A smile curled her mouth as she flushed.<\/p>\n
\u201cApparently I can\u2019t count past fifteen.\u201d<\/p>\n
“You can still speak?” His tongue slid into her ear and Cordelia sucked in a shuddering breath, the electric shiver shooting down her spine.<\/p>\n
Oh why had I confessed it made me weak\u2026oh\u2026that\u2019s why.<\/i><\/p>\n
She purred softly as he repeated the caress, her body instinctively sliding into the contours of his body. “Ooops?”<\/p>\n
His hand ran across her stomach in a tangent before curling around one breast possessively. “Now I can\u2019t have that can I?\u201d<\/p>\n
Hazel eyes misted over before falling shut with a shuttered sigh as he slid into the tight heat of her body with a deft shift of his hips.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wished you\u2019d given me your stamina along with your super vampy healing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWait for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her eyes snapped open.<\/p>\n
Oooh.<\/i><\/p>\n
The End<\/b><\/p>\n