Part 4<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cY\u2019know, after a while, you just sort of run out of excuses at the Laundromat.\u201d Cordy said, glancing down at her shirt and making a face.<\/p>\n
Gunn laughed. \u201cCordy, why don\u2019t you wear less fancy stuff to fight in? That way you can kick ass without worrying about your clothes or having to make up excuses for demon goo on every alternate outfit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy smirked. \u201cBecause if I did that, then I\u2019d look like you, and that really isn\u2019t an option.\u201d She winked at him, a warmth accompanying her bite and looked over at Angel. He looked incredibly pale, well\u2026paler<\/i> than usual. They had managed to remove the wooden plank from his torso and wrap the wound with Gunn\u2019s jacket.<\/p>\n
Gunn hadn\u2019t been happy with that. He had actually suggested Cordelia be the one to remove her shirt and use it, that way everybody wins\u2026<\/i>apart from her. But seeing the state Angel was in and acknowledging the fact that Cordy\u2019s shirt was far too small to cover the whole of Angel\u2019s midriff, Gunn had given his jacket to the suffering vampire.<\/p>\n
Wesley sighed loudly, stopping to drape Angel\u2019s arm more comfortably around his shoulders and then walking again. His neck and his arms were sore and he desperately wanted to sit down. But no matter how bad he was, the vampire he was supporting looked ten times worse.<\/p>\n
\u201cOw.\u201d Angel muttered softly, eyes closing as the skin around the wound slowly, so slowly, began to heal.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright Angel, you\u2019re going to be fine. Just relax, take deep breaths\u201d<\/p>\n
He doesn\u2019t breathe dumbass.<\/i><\/p>\n
Angel smiled at the sound of Cordy\u2019s voice and waited for Wesley\u2019s retort. It never came. He did breathe then, sucking in a breath as the gash in his stomach pulled slightly, adding further pain to the already cruel injury.<\/p>\n
Fuck, it really hurts.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cI know honey, I know. But you\u2019re gonna be fine. We just have to get you back to the Hyperion, get some blood in you and you\u2019ll be great.\u201d Cordelia rubbed soothing circles into Angel\u2019s back.<\/p>\n
I love you, Cordy.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cI love you too.\u201d Cordy smiled at him and ignored the strange look Gunn sent her way. My God Angel, you\u2019re so pale.<\/i> Cordelia\u2019s breath caught in her throat and she swallowed the anguish bubbling up inside her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine Cor.\u201d Angel smiled reassuringly, flinching yet again. Cordelia smiled softly at his reassurance. The thing with Angel was, he never showed his pain. He could have been knee-deep in wooden spikes but the big dummy would never complain about it.<\/p>\n
He does seem to be moaning and groaning a hell of a lot more than usual today, though,<\/i> Cordelia thought. He\u2019s already cursed about a million times and he keeps bitching about his \u2018gut wound\u2019.<\/i>She was surprised Wesley hadn\u2019t picked up on that and taken a chance to assert his own story.<\/p>\n
In fact, Wes and Gunn haven\u2019t batted an eyelid.<\/i><\/p>\n
Angel turned slightly and whined, \u201cI\u2019m not bitching! It hurts like hell Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia looked up, slightly shocked. \u201cHow did you\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPerhaps we should sit him down for a while. I don\u2019t think he has the energy to walk any further.\u201d Wesley looked at Gunn who was supporting Angel\u2019s other arm. Gunn shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cNah, the sooner we get him to the car\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPlymouth\u201d Angel muttered.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Gunn looked at him incredulously.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlymouth. That\u2019s the type of his car. Crap Angel, you\u2019ve just been stabbed with a wooden spike, you can barely walk at all, you look like a Victorian wig and you\u2019re worried about the name of your freakin\u2019 car?!\u201d Cordelia raised her voice slightly, fear and worry for Angel causing her irate temperament to rear its ugly head once again. God, sometimes you\u2019re such a\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
Bitch.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cWhat<\/i> did you just call me?\u201d Cordelia\u2019s eyes sizzled dangerously as she turned to face the vampire, whose eyes were closed and appeared to be in a trance-like state. Wesley looked at her perplexedly.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe didn\u2019t say anything Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah he did! He just called me a bitch!\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn and Wesley looked at each other vacuously and then back at their friend.<\/p>\n
\u201cBarbie, I am standing right here. He didn\u2019t say a word.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia rolled her eyes dramatically. \u201cSo what, I\u2019m hearing stuff now?\u201d Great, make a wacky life even wackier!<\/i><\/p>\n
You think your life is wacky? Hello? Vampire with a soul, cursed by gypsies, dated a vampire slayer\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cYes, thank you for that fabulous reminder, let\u2019s reminisce about your ex-girlfriend.\u201d Cordelia snapped, annoyed.<\/p>\n
Let me finish. Lost my soul, took a summer vacation to hell, now currently fighting against the forces of evil with the help of the Powers that be, my seer, who\u2019s the love of my life by the way, and my friends, one of whom just happens to be the ex-watcher of that slayer I was with and one of whom got sucked through a portal and into a hell dimension for five years. Don\u2019t talk to me about wacky!<\/i><\/p>\n
Cordelia turned around and stared at Angel. \u201cJust because you\u2019re the King of wacky, doesn\u2019t mean I can\u2019t have a wacky life too buster! I\u2019m the seer! Mind splitting visions, work for the PTB and<\/i> I got sucked into a hell dimension as well! Hell, I have friends who are demons, slayers, werewolves, witches, watchers, yada, yada, yada. You name it, I got it!\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel jerked his head up, looking thoroughly confused. Gunn and Wes looked absolutely terrified.<\/p>\n
\u201cUm\u2026Cordy?\u201d Wesley smiled tentatively. Cordelia looked at him. \u201cWhat\u2026what was that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat was what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour little\u2026rant?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s forehead creased and she stared at Wes. \u201cHe started it!\u201d She pointed at the vampire, whose eyes were now open but whose body was still completely bent over.<\/p>\n
Wesley\u2019s eyes narrowed and he asked cautiously, \u201cStarted what exactly?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh hello? Earth to Wesley! Where the hell have you been for the last few minutes? He just said, his life was wackier than mine because he was a vampire with a soul, blah, blah, blah\u2026\u201d Chattering out of his fat ass as usual. Talk about egotistic!<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not egotistic! And for the love of God, stop calling my ass fat! I do not have a fat ass!\u201d Angel protested, growling.<\/p>\n
Wesley\u2019s eyes widened and he looked at the vampire being held up on his arm before glancing at Gunn, who looked dumbstruck.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, sure. And I\u2019m\u2026\u201d Cordelia trailed off. \u201cWait a minute, I never\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHas she gone crazy?\u201d Gunn asked Wes bluntly.<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s jaw dropped. \u201cI\u2019m not crazy! What\u2026why would you think I was crazy?\u201d<\/p>\n
Because you threw me out of the house in my underwear\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cJeez Angel, this is hardly the time to bring that up again! And you said it was okay!\u201d Cordy pouted.<\/p>\n
Gunn looked at her as if she\u2019d grown a tail, \u201cCordy, Angel didn\u2019t said a word. You must be imagining it or somethin\u2019.\u201d Cordelia\u2019s eyes narrowed and then she let out a short laugh.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh ha ha! I get it! This is all a big joke. Very funny. Oh yeah. Cute, real cute. You all got me.\u201d She turned around and began walking again.\u00a0Dumbasses.<\/i><\/p>\n
Cordy\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d she swivelled around and caught sight of three wide-eyed men looking at her. She raised both eyebrows. \u201cThat\u2019s my name, don\u2019t wear it out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn shrugged, wide-eyed. \u201cWe didn\u2019t say anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh\u2026\u201d Wesley couldn\u2019t form a coherent sentence but the look on his face was priceless. Several emotions passed across his features at once; confusion, fear, contemplation and finally, realisation. Cordelia folded her arms over her chest and waited.<\/p>\n
The ex-watcher looked from Cordy to Angel. Then he looked at Gunn.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh\u2026dear\u2026God\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cWHAT???\u201d Angel bellowed, the sound ringing loudly in Wesley\u2019s ears. The vampire was feeling much better since they had gotten back to the hotel. He had drunk three large glasses of blood that had made him feel far stronger and he was no longer in pain.<\/p>\n
Cordelia had muttered something about a shower and wandered off. Gunn was outside playing his gameboy. Wesley had hurried into his office and grabbed a large book off his shelf, scrambling through it, obviously trying to find something important. Angel just watched him now, the dread that had earlier crept up his spine at the smell of Cordy\u2019s tears, once again enforcing itself upon him.<\/p>\n
The ex-watcher glanced at his tome again, checking for the thousandth time that he hadn\u2019t made a mistake, that there was some way he could change his earlier statement of what was happening to Angel and Cordy. Nope. It was clearly there, written in ink in a spidery Karranjian script.<\/p>\n
Wesley removed his glasses and began to clean them. \u201cI\u2019m sorry Angel. That\u2019s what it says.\u201d He pointed at the large book again for emphasis.<\/p>\n
Angel glared at Wesley for a moment, before his shoulders slouched and he dropped into a chair. \u201cGod Wesley\u2026are you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley sighed, rather annoyed at Angel\u2019s scepticism. \u201cAngel, I have been over it a million times. I have had Fred go over it a million times. Both of us have gone over it together a million times.\u201d Wesley emphasised \u2018together\u2019 and Angel looked at him strangely.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am quite sure\u2026\u201dWesley held up his hand when Angel opened his mouth. \u201cForget that, I\u2019m positive. This is what it says.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel sighed resignedly. \u201cTell me again.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ex-watcher resisted the urge to strangle the vampire as he returned to his books. \u201cAhem\u2026\u201d he cleared his throat. \u201cIn the event of it being deeply wounded or at the time of its imminent death, the Karranja releases a blue gel from its nostrils upon its assailant, as a curse, one that enables the recipient to hear the thoughts of the individual they hold most dear, thus hearing both the positive and negative elements of their loved one\u2019s opinions towards them, the pessimistic factors driving them slowly mad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cM\u2026m\u2026mad?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley nodded sympathetically, removing his glasses once more. \u201cI\u2019ll attempt to locate a cure as soon as possible. No one wants either of you going crazy.\u201d He winked and then sat down on his chair.<\/p>\n
\u201cWes, I don\u2019t think this is funny.\u201d Angel said sternly. Wesley bit back a smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course it isn\u2019t funny Angel. I\u2019m just laughing at the image of you telling Cordelia that you\u2019ll be able to hear her thoughts for the next\u2026well, until I find a cure.\u201d Wesley did smile this time, as the vampire\u2019s face paled. \u201cOh come on, she won\u2019t take it that<\/i> badly!\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel nodded and rose slowly. \u201cI\u2026you said assailant. That\u2019s singular. Why the hell did both of us get infected?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley gave Angel a look that clearly implied that the vampire had just asked the stupidest question in the history of the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Angel said defensively.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, the demon sprayed the liquid over both of you. Hence both of you got infected.\u201d Wesley spoke slowly, as though talking to a small child. Angel glared at him. Then something else entered his dim little head.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about the visions? Will I hear the visions?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley squinted his eyes. \u201cI don\u2019t know. We\u2019ll just have to wait and see. That is, if Cordy actually receives a vision before we work out how to get rid of this new found telepathy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay.\u201d Angel proceeded to walk away, before turning back again, just as he got to the door. \u201cHey Wes? You want me to send Fred in here? To help you out with the mind mojo research?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley\u2019s entire face closed up for a split second, before he cleared his throat and said, \u201cNo, just go tell Cordy. I\u2019ll be fine. There are a few things I want to look into before I actually start.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s brow creased with worry for the Englishmen. \u201cWes\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine Angel, just go talk to Cordelia. She needs to know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel nodded reluctantly and opened the door. \u201cOh, Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n
The vampire turned around slowly. \u201cTry not to think about anything that would piss her off.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia Chase strolled out the shower, wrapped in a large, pink, fluffy towel. She was seated on Angel\u2019s bed, moisturising her legs when the vampire walked in, a glum look on his face, quickly disappearing to be replaced by a large grin, as he caught sight of all the delectable skin available for his inspection.<\/p>\n
Tasty.<\/i><\/p>\n
Cordelia raised an eyebrow. \u201cDon\u2019t even think<\/i> about it Broody.\u201d<\/p>\n
That snapped Angel back to reality. \u201cUh, yeah Cor? That reminds me. I have to tell you something.\u201d He walked over to her slowly, sitting down by her on the bed and taking her hand. Cordelia looked at him, amused.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs this one of those \u2018I\u2019m really sorry I\u2019m such an dorky dumbass and I love you more than anything in the whole wide world\u2019 speeches?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel raised his eyebrows. \u201cNo. Am\u2026am I suppose to give one of those speeches?\u201d Cordelia stared at him, a loving smile gracing her lips as she gently leaned forward and kissed him. When she freed his lips, he leaned forward for more, out of habit, before catching himself and remembering, \u201cUh\u2026we\u2026I, we were in the sewers today\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe words \u2018well\u2019 and \u2018duh\u2019 come to mind.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel glared at her. \u201cY\u2019know that demon? With the\u2026\u201d he made a gesture with his hand, as though something was shooting out from his nose.<\/p>\n
\u201cGross mucus spurtage?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, that one\u2026well, it sort of\u2026did something\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Jeez Angel, get on with it!<\/i><\/p>\n
Angel took a deep breath. \u201cRight well, it sort of infected us with its demon mojo when it sprayed out that blue liquid stuff and now we can hear each other\u2019s thoughts which is supposed to slowly drive us insane.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s jaw dropped. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can hear\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI heard you dumbass!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n
You can hear my thoughts?<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d The vampire replied.<\/p>\n
Cordy jumped up, clutching her towel to her. \u201cOh\u2026my\u2026God\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, you can hear mine too. It\u2019s not like a one way deal.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut this is an invasion of privacy! I don\u2019t want you to hear my thoughts!\u201d<\/p>\n
The vampire sighed. \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, I wouldn\u2019t have a problem with hearing your thoughts cos hello? I love invading privacy! But you! You\u2019ve never been the gossip King! Why do you get to hear what I think?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, why do you get to hear what I think? Maybe I don\u2019t want you to hear what I think!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy? What are you thinking about that I shouldn\u2019t be hearing?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReally? Are you sure? Cos maybe you\u2019re thinking about me as a Happy Meal with legs. Or maybe you\u2019re thinking about something short, blonde and whiny. Or maybe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy! Stop alright, this is not a big deal!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot a big deal?!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. Wesley is trying to find a cure and as soon as he finds one this will stop. And,\u201d he continued before she could open her mouth, although he heard the objectionable opinion of him that went fleeting through her head, \u201cWesley is always efficient when something\u2019s important.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia stopped to consider that for a moment before asking, \u201cWell, what if I\u2019m thinking about you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel raised both eyebrows and smiled. \u201cWell, then you better make sure it\u2019s a good thought.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia felt a wave of reassurance sweep over her when he smiled. She mock-glared at him. It won\u2019t always be a good thought dumbass! Like when I think about how I hate the way your wardrobe only consists of black clothes, and how I hate that shirt, and how I can\u2019t stand the fact that you growl every time anything with a penis even looks at me, or how you\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cJeez Cor, I can hear you!\u201d And I don\u2019t like what you\u2019re wearing either!<\/i> The vampire cringed when he realised how much like a four year old he sounded.<\/p>\n
Cordelia raised her eyebrows, the familiar playfulness they shared making its presence apparent. \u201cFine.\u201d Angel didn\u2019t even have time to blink before she dropped the towel and stood before him, gloriously naked, her hair damp. Angel swallowed. Hard.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou better be thinking good thoughts too.\u201d Cordelia smirked sexily, sauntering over to him. So\u2026watchya thinkin\u2019?<\/i><\/p>\n
You\u2026with the\u2026um\u2026wow\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
Cordelia slowly put her arms around his neck. I\u2019m guessing that\u2019s good\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
Angel nodded. Good. Definitely good.<\/i> \u201cCordy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should talk about this\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Or think about it\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cCor\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
What? I\u2019m beginning to like this mind stuff. Think something dorky.<\/i><\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
Ooh, even in your head you use the stern voice!<\/i> She pressed her body up against his, purring like the fiery and beautiful cat she was. That really turns me on Angel.<\/i><\/p>\n
The vampire glanced down at her, feeling his resistance crumple. His strong arms went around her small waist, pulling her flush against him. He walked her backwards towards the bed, smirking. Turns you on huh?<\/i><\/p>\n
Oh yeah\u2026 think it again.<\/i><\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
Cordy laughed out loud and kissed him hard, then scrunched her nose up and pulled back to look at his face. Don’t think I’ve forgotten that you called me a bitch. And you really need a shower.<\/i><\/p>\n
You really need to be gagged.<\/i><\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s jaw dropped for the third time that evening. Her vampire just grinned broadly and kissed her nose, a gentle gesture that made her remember just how much she loved him. So she told him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat, did you get tired of the thinking?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I just figured my thoughts about you right now are way too naughty for your already colossal ego to actually hear.\u201d She winked at him.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s grin, if it was possible, widened even more. How about if you show me?<\/i><\/p>\n
Cordy\u2019s smile was feral. I don\u2019t think you could handle me.<\/i><\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s hands lowered slightly and he squeezed her butt. \u201cAu contraire\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Squeeze all you like Batman, but if you fall asleep on me again\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
Angel mock-glared. Do you want me to bite you?<\/i><\/p>\n
Cordy couldn\u2019t hold back her smile. \u201cWell\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel smothered any retort she had by firmly placing his lips on hers, moving them with a tenderess that surprised her. After all that sexual tension in the sewer tunnel she would have thought he\u2019d give her a little more grope. Angel\u2019s lips jerked away from hers.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrope? You want me to grope you?\u201d<\/p>\n
No\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cYou just said\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t say\u2026I thought. That\u2019s not the same thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, when I can hear you, it really is!\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia smirked and bit his bottom lip, using it to pull him towards her. He growled, lifting her up and wrapping her legs around his waist. She bit the spot where his pulse would have been, making the vampire growl.<\/p>\n
Do that again.<\/i><\/p>\n
She bit him again. \u201cThis is kinda useful y\u2019know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel lifted his head from where he was planting kisses on her shoulder. \u201cWhat is?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis mind reading thing. You didn\u2019t have to say a word and I knew exactly what you wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n
You always know that anyway.<\/i><\/p>\n
That\u2019s because I\u2019m a Goddess.<\/i><\/p>\n
Yes you are.<\/i> He pushed a rebellious strand of hair behind her ear. You\u2019re so beautiful.<\/i><\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s eyes sparkled. Sweet talker.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t talking. I was thinking. It\u2019s not the same thing.\u201d Angel smirked, returning his attention to her shoulder and slowly lowering her down on the bed.<\/p>\n
Cordy laughed, feeling a familiar sense of warmth and love build up in her womb. As Angel laid her gently down on the bed, she became fully aware of her completely naked state, as well as his totally clothed one. She smirked.<\/p>\n
You wanna know what I really want you to do?<\/i><\/p>\n
Angel raised his eyes to her face, a wolfish grin appearing on his handsome features when he noticed her devilish grin. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s eyes danced with humour. Take off your pants\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n