Part 6<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, where the hell are we going?\u201d The vampire with a soul was dragged down the front stairs of the Hyperion, into the courtyard and out the gate by the seer, who was determined to get him away from the others for a much required \u2018chat\u2019.<\/p>\n
The sun had only just set. Angel had already heard Cordelia call him a dumbass inside her head, more than twenty times, from Wesley\u2019s office to where they were currently standing.<\/p>\n
Cordelia turned around, her short brown hair blowing in the wind and into her face. \u201cYou,\u201d she poked his chest for emphasis, \u201care taking me out to dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s brow creased and he frowned. Raising a hand, he slowly tucked her flowing hair behind her ear. \u201cCan\u2019t we just stay here?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy glared. \u201cNo, we cannot stay here because I would like to actually see some form of human civilisation once in a while, other than a vacant hotel where I happen to work with a green demon and a vampire with a soul. Plus,\u201d she continued before he could interrupt her, \u201cyou and I never go on dates. I wanna go on a date. So guess what big guy? You\u2019re taking me on a date.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s frowned deepened, more at her snappy tone than at the idea of an evening out, although the latter also terrified him. \u201cAre\u2026are you mad at me?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia seemed to soften at his ingenuous tone. \u201cNo.\u201d she smiled. \u201cI just want us to have an evening out y\u2019know? Talk some stuff over. There are certain things that I wanna say to you, once and for all. And I\u2019m hungry.\u201d She said honestly, taking hold of his hand.<\/p>\n
The vampire smiled and placed a quick kiss on her palm. \u201cWhere do you wanna eat?\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cOoh, I like her so much.\u201d Lorne said to Wes and Gunn, as Fred walked out of the office, having said what she wanted to.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid Fred just say the word \u2018laid\u2019?\u201d Gunn asked disbelievingly.<\/p>\n
Wesley cleared his throat. \u201cYes, I believe that was the term she used.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah\u2026ladies, you gotta love em\u2019.\u201d Lorne grinned before turning to Wesley. \u201cSo, my little peach plum, what can I do for you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMan, that just sounded dirty.\u201d Gunn joked.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Lorne, I\u2019d prefer if you\u2019d refrain from calling me such peculiar names.\u201d Wesley cleaned his glasses and placed them back on his nose. \u201cI\u2019d like you to help out with the research. Provide any information you know about mind reading, and how to remove it, things like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lorne nodded and picked up a book. Wesley turned to Gunn. \u201cI\u2019m going to go have a word with Fred, could you possibly\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, yeah, I\u2019ll do the bookworm slash research boy routine.\u201d Gunn grabbed the thinnest book he could find and relaxed in Wesley\u2019s chair, putting his feet up on the desk. Wesley frowned. \u201cGunn\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201dEnglish, you got me enduring torture for the next couple of hours. At least let me be comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley rolled his eyes and closed the door behind him.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
The ex-watcher found the physician seated behind the counter in the lobby, scribbling away furiously with a pen.<\/p>\n
\u201cFred?\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred jumped slightly, clutching her hand to her chest. She removed it swiftly when she saw who was standing in front of her.<\/p>\n
\u201cWes!\u201d she said, with a big smile, \u201cwhat\u2019s up?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley felt a smile creep up on his face and his heart fluttered slightly. \u201cUm, nothing. I was just wondering, well, how you were?\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred\u2019s smile faded slightly. \u201cI\u2019m fine. How are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very well, thank you. I uh, I managed to translate a scroll the other day which I\u2019ve been working on for a while now, so that was good.\u201d Wesley coughed, feeling a cold sweat build up on his back, in between his shoulders.<\/p>\n
Fred smiled again. \u201cThat\u2019s great. Was it a prophecy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, no. Just your regular, old scroll. But, it was a hard language\u2026to decipher. So, that\u2019s\u2026good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred\u2019s smile faded completely. \u201cWesley\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing quite as fancy or as hazardous as a prophecy. Although Angel seems to think that prophecies aren\u2019t at all serious. Then again I suppose he\u2019s survived through so many\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley.\u201d Fred raised her voice slightly, which managed to get the Englishman\u2019s attention. \u201cI\u2026is this how it\u2019s going to be from now on?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley looked down, unable to meet her piercing gaze. He cleared his throat. \u201cI\u2019m not sure I quite\u2026what do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred frowned. \u201cYou know what I mean. These awkward silences, and uncomfortable conversations about nothing personal, but about books and prophecies and scrolls, and I don\u2019t want out friendship to be like this Wesley. I want what we had back. Because after being stuck in a hell dimension for five years, I am so lucky to have found a friend like you, and I\u2019m not ready to give that up because of some guy who made you act violently, which is completely the opposite of what you are. You\u2019re my friend. And you\u2019re a good man. You\u2019re gentle and lovely and kind and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred took a small step forward and Wesley immediately took a large step back. The young physicist felt hot tears prick at her eyes. She opened her mouth to say something that would take that heartbreaking look of his face, but the words wouldn\u2019t come out. Wesley looked at her, the pain and self-resentment evident in his eyes. Then he looked away.<\/p>\n
\u201cI should\u2026get back to the research.\u201d He turned around and walked into his office. Not once did he look back.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t eat.\u201d Angel muttered, staring at Cordelia from across the table.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t make me bitchslap your fat ass.\u201d Cordelia warned, not even glancing up from her menu. Angel growled.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy ass is not<\/i> fat!\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy smirked and patted him on the arm. \u201cOkay. Now, what do you wanna eat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou.\u201d He replied. Cordelia laughed and threw her napkin at him. Angel caught it and placed it in his lap, smirking arrogantly.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou want it back? Come and get it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shook her head in disbelief. \u201cWhat is with you today? Someone turn on your sex machine switch?\u201d Angel wiggled his eyebrows making the seer giggle.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have no idea, Cordy.\u201d He took a long sip of his wine, glancing up at the waiter who came to take their order. Cordelia smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cUm\u2026I will have a\u2026spaghetti carbonara and he,\u201d she pointed at Angel, \u201cwill have a\u2026\u201d Cordelia ran her finger down the menu card, searching for an appropriate meal.<\/p>\n
Cordelia on a bed with no<\/b> extra dressing.<\/i><\/p>\n
Cordelia coughed loudly, slapping her chest a few times to make sure her drink didn\u2019t go down the wrong pipe. She looked up at the waiter who was staring at her with wide eyes.<\/p>\n
Oh great, You\u2019re the psychopath and he\u2019s looking at me like I\u2019m the freak.<\/i><\/p>\n
Angel simply smirked. Cordelia turned her attention back to the menu, which was very hard to focus on when her stupid vampire boyfriend was stroking her leg underneath the table. Cordy jerked her leg away but he caught her knee, lightly running his finger over the underside of it and then up her thigh until he couldn\u2019t reach any further without his stretching being visible.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll have the steak, rare.\u201d Cordelia squeaked out. The waiter gathered the menus and left them. Cordelia glared at Angel.<\/p>\n
What the hell is your problem?<\/i><\/p>\n
I don\u2019t have a problem baby.<\/p>\n
Oh Angel, just\u2026 fuck off.<\/p>\n
Cordelia turned away from him, her arms crossed over her chest. She looked around the little Italian restaurant, at the beautiful soft lights and sparkling white tables, listening to the voices of people chatting away and the melodious sound of the music being played overhead. A new song started playing and a small smile drifted onto her face as she recognised it.<\/p>\n
And in the arms of the angel…may you find some comfort here<\/i><\/p>\n
Strangely appropriate.<\/i> She turned her head to look at Angel. His seat was empty. Her eyes narrowed in confusion and she sat up straight, prepared to rise and look for him, until she felt two cool hands on her bare shoulders and heard a small voice whispering in her ear.<\/p>\n
\u201cDance with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shivered slightly, as his cool breath touched her naked skin. She turned around to look into his eyes, dark pools glistening with love and affection for her.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t dance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel smiled warmly and Cordy felt her heartstrings pull slightly. \u201cIt depends on who I\u2019m dancing with.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia couldn\u2019t help but gape at him for a few seconds before finally sliding her hand into his inviting one and letting him lift her onto her feet. He led her slowly to the dance floor, pulling her to him, moving slowly in the midst of several other couples, dancing happily to the music.<\/p>\n
Strong arms spanned her tiny waist, large hands running down her spine to rest on the small of her back, holding her close, making her feel loved and protected. Her hands rested lightly on his chest, before she smoothed up the fabric of his shirt and laced them around his neck. He smiled down at her. I love you.<\/i><\/p>\n
Cordy smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder, feeling the moistness of his lips against her forehead. I love you too.<\/i><\/p>\n
I\u2019m sorry.<\/p>\n
Hmmm\u2026for what?<\/p>\n
For today. For all the stuff that I said in Wesley\u2019s office. I didn\u2019t want you to hear it but I\u2026I wanted to say it. I\u2019m sorry for being an ass.<\/p>\n
Cordelia chuckled lightly into his chest before leaning up and looking directly at him. Her vampire had a soft, remorseful expression on his face, his eyes filled with equal amounts of ardour and adoration. She remembered what his demon had whispered to her earlier. She remembered what she wanted to say before he had asked her to dance and before she had been completely lost in the feel of his arms around her.<\/p>\n
I can\u2019t control what he thinks Cordy. I can\u2019t\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
You don\u2019t have to.<\/p>\n
But I don\u2019t want you to see me that way. I don\u2019t want you to see what I am\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d Cordy stroked the hair on the back of his neck, one hand coming to rest lightly over his non-beating heart. \u201cI love you. And that isn\u2019t going to change because of what you are. I fell in love with you, not because of what you are because of who you are. I don\u2019t care about what you\u2019ve done or what evils are buried deep inside you trying to get out because I know you won\u2019t let them. Because I know that you love me enough to never let anything hurt me or anyone else who care about. You are a wonderful man. You are not a monster despite whatever you may think of yourself. You help people everyday and you have a beautiful heart.\u201d Her hand squeezed his shirt softly, where it rested over his still heart.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a demon in you somewhere but that\u2019s because of who you are. And I accept you for it. I love you for it. The day that you told me you loved me, I knew that when I said it back, I would be accepting the whole package. And I still said it. Because that\u2019s exactly what I want. I\u2019m not the kind of girl who says something I don\u2019t mean. I love each and every part of you. And I don\u2019t want you to ever lose a part of yourself, because the history and the demon and the man and the soul are what make you up, and that is who I fell in love with.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel looked at her for one long moment. His eyes were unreadable but the way he was looking at her made a blush creep up her neck and her legs turned to jelly. She swallowed once, looking down at her feet. I have pretty feet.<\/i><\/p>\n
She heard Angel chuckle and then felt the pressure of his index finger against the bottom of her chin, pushing up until she was looking at him again. And then he kissed her, so gently, so sweetly, that for a second she forgot how to breathe and her legs almost gave out from underneath her. But he held her close, preventing her from falling, arms surrounding her like a comfortable, protective barrier. In these arms she felt cherished, safe, treasured, wanted\u2026loved.<\/p>\n
Jeez, enough with the smaltz already.<\/i><\/p>\n
Shut up, deadboy.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
The walked up the street, towards the Hyperion, Angel\u2019s arm firmly wrapped around Cordelia\u2019s waist, the girl in question snuggled deeply under his arm. The warm L.A night air whistled softly, caressing Cordelia\u2019s skin as she walked. Her loose white skirt flowed freely around her knees. She tucked several stray strands behind her ear before addressing the vampire.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou think we\u2019re gonna end up insane?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel chuckled and kissed the top of her head. \u201cAren\u2019t we already?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright, okay. No. I think Wes will find a cure and we\u2019ll be back to normal before you know it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia smiled up at him. \u201cI like being like this though.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel grinned. \u201cI thought it was an invasion of privacy?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy hit him lightly. \u201cWell, it was, I just\u2026I feel like I\u2019m really connected to you somehow. Like I know you inside out\u2026no pun intended.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou do know me inside out Cor. You know me better than anyone has ever cared to.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, but it\u2019s not the same. Oh well, at least you don\u2019t have to worry about\u2026\u201d Ooh…come to mamma!<\/i><\/p>\n
Angel stopped abruptly, startled by Cordelia\u2019s last statement. \u201cI don\u2019t have to worry about…what?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia looked back to him from where she had been staring. \u201cHuh?\u201d She slapped her forehead. \u201cOh god, you can hear me!\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel gave her a look that clearly showed he thought she\u2019d lost her mind. Cordelia was glancing between him and just behind him and Angel was confused as hell.<\/p>\n
\u201cUm Cordy? What was the \u2018come to…whatever\u2019 for?\u201d<\/p>\n
For the really hot guy standing behind you.<\/i> Cordelia cringed realising what she had just thought. Angel\u2019s eyes narrowed and he turned around, glancing at a handsome stranger who had seated himself on a bench. He was silent for a moment. Then\u2026<\/p>\n
He\u2019s not good looking!<\/i><\/p>\n
That\u2019s cos you\u2019re a guy!<\/p>\n
So?<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t appreciate the finesse of a good looking man. But then again, I suppose you\u2019re not all man. And I have heard those rumours about you and Spike\u2026<\/p>\n
Angel jerked his head back to his girlfriend, eyes widening in panic. \u201cI\u2026what rumours? Nothing happened between me and Spike!\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia rolled her eyes and linked her arm with his. \u201cCan we go please? Not exactly liking the idea of standing in the middle of the street, talking about your gay lover\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia!\u201d Angel clamped his hand over her mouth and glared at her. \u201cShut up!\u201d he hissed. Cordy bit his hand and he snatched it away. She smirked and grabbed his arm again. Angel reluctantly let her take it and they began walking again.<\/p>\n
He wasn\u2019t that good looking.<\/i><\/p>\n
“Jeez, Angel, let it go. What do you want me to say? That you\u2019re the best looking man on the surface of the earth without a doubt, despite the a fact that I haven\u2019t seen half the world\u2019s population?”<\/p>\n
Angel looked at her for a second before smiling. Yes.<\/i><\/p>\n
Cordy rolled her eyes and kept walking. \u201cHello, have you seen Brad Pitt?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel pouted slightly. “Well, at least you\u2019re never gonna see him in real life.”<\/p>\n
“Hey! I might do. Aspiring actress here!” Plus who needs Brad when I see you and Gunn every day?<\/i><\/p>\n
Angel stopped hastily, turning to look at Cordy again. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s face paled and she smiled a little too brightly. \u201cNothing! Let\u2019s go\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel grabbed her by the arm as she brushed past him, swinging her around to face him. \u201cWhoa, you think\u2026Gunn<\/i> is good looking?\u201d<\/p>\n
I think he\u2019s hot.<\/i> Cordy hit her head in frustration. Angel was right, you really couldn\u2019t control your thoughts. The vampire was rendered speechless. Finally, when he spoke, it was more of a growl than a sentence. \u201cYou think Gunn<\/i> is hot?!<\/i> Why? Why? Why would you think that?!\u201d<\/p>\n
Because he has a really big\u2026 axe.<\/i> \u201cDammit!\u201d Cordelia slapped both hands over face, crying out in aggravation. \u201cMe and my big brain!\u201d She glanced up at Angel. His expression was scarily\u2026well, expressionless. He remained completely still, eyes golden.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel?\u201d The vampire pushed past her, hands in his pockets, quickening his pace so that Cordy had to almost sprint in order to keep up with him.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel!\u201d Cordelia finally jumped in front of him and put both hands on his chest. \u201cStop! Okay? Look, why are you making such a big deal about this? So I find a guy attractive\u2026big deal! I find you attractive. I love you. Just because I think a guy has a nice one eyed snake down his trousers doesn\u2019t mean I\u2019m gonna fall head over heels in love with him like I have with you. I don\u2019t understand why you\u2019re making such a huge thing out of this!\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel didn\u2019t move. Once again, he simply looked at her, his dark eyes squinting as if trying to study something. He wasn\u2019t even thinking so Cordy was left completely clueless. Then she saw the little light bulb flash above his head and groaned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen did you see<\/i> his\u2026axe?\u201d Angel ground out angrily. Cordelia ran a hand through her hair, taking a deep breath.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a whole big story Angel. I\u2026he came over to my apartment\u2026\u201d Angel growled. \u201cShut up! It wasn\u2019t like that. He just came over as friends do, and I didn\u2019t realise he was in the bathroom. So\u2026I just walked in and I caught sight of his\u2026thing\u2026and I yelled and he yelled and there was a whole bunch of yelling.\u201d She ran her hand through her hair again, shoving the annoyingly loose strands out of her face.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyway, for weeks after that I was teasing him about it. He swore me to secrecy. Believe me, I would\u2019ve loved to have told you. Dennis and I even nicknamed it the \u2018meat truncheon\u2019!\u201d she snickered, her giggles quickly ceasing at the infuriated look on the vampire\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I didn\u2019t tell him, because his ego is already the size of North America, was that after that I found him\u2026kinda attractive. Not that I didn\u2019t before, cos y\u2019know, Gunn\u2019s got a cute face. And he\u2019s a nice guy.\u201d She put her hands on Angel\u2019s arms, running them up and down soothingly. \u201cBut it\u2019s not a big deal. I swear. Gunn\u2019s hot. You\u2019re hotter. That guy on the bench is hot. Brad Pitt is hot. Jude Law\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI got it!\u201d Angel shouted. \u201cI got it, thank you.\u201d he took a deep breath, something she knew he didn\u2019t need to do, running his hands over his face. When he removed them, he had this insecure, yet boyishly curious look on his face. Then came the dreaded question. She heard it in his head before he actually said it loud but by the time he had said it, her face was in her hands and her skin was a deep crimson.<\/p>\n
\u201cWas his\u2026axe, bigger than mine?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia groaned loudly, shaking her head, still contained in her small hands. Why are we having this conversation?<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cBecause you saw another guy’s penis Cordelia!\u201d Angel yelled, unaware of the strange looks he was receiving from people on the street. Cordelia, if it was possible, burrowed her face even deeper into her hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you named it Cordy! You don\u2019t have a name for my penis!\u201d Several people had now stopped to stare at the strange man, yelling about a penis in the middle of the street. Cordelia finally lifted her head from her hands, breathing deeply, telling herself to do so in her head. Angel was still glaring at her, hands on his hips.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell? Is it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Cordy asked, tiredly.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis axe? Is it bigger than mine?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia decided the best thing to do was to just ignore him. So she turned around and began walking again. Angel followed her, walking frantically beside her on the sidewalk, continuously asking about Gunn\u2019s \u2018axe\u2019.<\/p>\n
Cordelia tried to disregard his presence, but by the time they reached the gates of the Hyperion, he was driving her crazy. She slapped him on the arm and began walking again but Angel, being the persistent creature that he was, pursued her all the way to the entrance of the hotel where she finally turned around and lost it.<\/p>\n
\u201cFine Angel, you wanna know the truth? Suck it up cos here it comes. Yes, his axe is bigger than yours. Not by much, but he\u2019s taller so he gets an advantage. Compared to his meat truncheon, you\u2019re just a\u2026a\u2026jumbo sausage!\u201d She waved her arms emphatically, trying to find a gesture that would be suitable.<\/p>\n
Angel stood at the bottom of the stairs staring at her, his mouth hanging wide open. Stupid Gunn with his stupid meat truncheon\u2026<\/i>His eyes lowered slightly, giving him a sad and shameful look and suddenly, Cordy felt bad. She sighed and walked over to him slowly, cupping his face in her hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cSweetie, I\u2026I like jumbo sausages.\u201d Right, cos *that* doesn’t sound weird!<\/i> A small smile involuntarily crept up Angel\u2019s face. Cordelia grinned and leaned up, kissing his forehead once.<\/p>\n
He felt the anger and jealousy fade slightly at the warmth and the gentleness of her touch. Almost as though it calmed him. But there was something that was still bothering the demon\u2026hell even the soul was pissed off.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, where are you going?\u201d Cordelia called out to the retreating figure, who had left her embrace and was now pushing open the doors of the Hyperion.<\/p>\n
The vampire\u2019s retort nearly gave Cordelia a heart attack. \u201cTo see if Gunn\u2019s axe is really bigger than mine!\u201d<\/p>\n