Part 8<\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia took the stairs two at a time, blurry and uncertain beneath her feet. The tears were streaming down her face so fast, she was marvelled that they hadn\u2019t left little liquid skid marks.<\/p>\n
She reached the last step and bounded towards the exit, grabbing her purse along the way.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, ah good, there you are. Gunn and I were going to\u2026what\u2019s the matter?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia brushed away Wesley\u2019s hand on her shoulder and muttered a quick \u2018I\u2019m fine\u2019 before attempting to leave again. This time she was stopped by Gunn\u2019s strong hand on her arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cBarbie?\u201d she looked up at him, observing the way his concerned eyes widened slightly at the sight of her grief stricken face.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease let me go.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was barely above a whisper but Gunn heard it and it was enough. He let go of her arm, hand hovering hesitantly as if unsure as to whether or not to let her out of sight in the state she was in.<\/p>\n
She rewarded him with a small grateful smile which came out more as a grimace, then quickly turned on her heel and ran out of the Hyperion. Fred swallowed, pushing her glasses up on her nose and turning to face Wesley, who wore a worried expression.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was\u2026odd.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
It took Angel approximately two minutes to realise what had just happened. Awareness of what he had just revealed hit him straight in the face and fear and anger clutched at his spine, refusing to release its painful grip.<\/p>\n
He lunged out of his room, barrelling down the stairs as fast as he could. When he reached the lobby, a nagging feeling made him wish he\u2019d stayed in his room.<\/p>\n
Charles Gunn stood, face expressionless, arms crossed over his chest. He was looking directly at Angel, and it made the vampire feel uneasy, as though he was obligated to do something. He just wasn\u2019t sure what.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo?\u201d Gunn asked shrugging his shoulders. \u201cWhat did you do this time?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s demon growled internally, wanting to swipe at Gunn for his cockiness. But his soul recognised his concern for Cordy and Angel sighed.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe found out\u2026I\u2026I slept with Darla.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn\u2019s eyes widened and he stumbled back slightly. Well, that<\/i> wasn\u2019t what he was expecting. Wesley opened and closed his mouth unable to say anything, resembling a fish. Fred just looked between the men before asking, \u201cWho\u2019s Darla?\u201d<\/p>\n
That snapped Wesley back to attention. \u201cYou slept with Darla?\u201d There was a lack of anger in the watcher\u2019s voice, more disappointment, and it struck Angel straight to the core. Gunn\u2019s nostrils flared furiously and his fists curled into balls.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook, I know you\u2019re gonna wanna talk about this and probably beat the crap outta me but I gotta go talk to Cordy.\u201d Angel rushed forward, stopped by Gunn\u2019s hand on his chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy didn\u2019t look like she wanted to see you.\u201d Gunn said.<\/p>\n
This time Angel did growl, glaring at Gunn. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you let me decide that boy?\u201d he snarled. Wesley frowned and cautiously told Gunn to let him go. Gunn did.<\/p>\n
Angel grabbed his coat, the black material swirling around him effortlessly. \u201cI\u2019m sorry guys.\u201d He managed, sounding as sincere as he felt. \u201cLorne will tell you the rest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lorne\u2019s red eyes widened as three pairs of eyes turned to him, two angry, one clueless. This gave Angel the chance to make the getaway he needed and the vampire slipped out of the Hyperion doors.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou knew about this?\u201d Wesley shouted, shocked and angry. \u201cYou knew about this terrible secret and you didn\u2019t tell us?\u201d He moved forward, making Lorne swallow the lump in his throat and move back.<\/p>\n
\u201cPumpkin, it wasn\u2019t my secret to tell.\u201d Lorne held his hands up defensively. Gunn looked as though he was about to throw something. Fred just looked confused.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t believe you didn\u2019t tell us.\u201d Wesley ground out, glaring at the green demon. Lorne\u2019s eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n
\u201cYa know Wesley, if I were to tell all your friends about what goes on in your head every time I hear you singing, would you be able to forgive me?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley\u2019s head jerked up. The demon was looking at him expectantly, waiting for an answer. \u201cNo.\u201d he said softly, imagining the shock he\u2019d be in if Lorne were to reveal his feelings about Fred, or Cordelia…Wesley looked back up at Lorne, smiling sadly. \u201cNo I wouldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExactly. Now I know it\u2019s different with you cos you didn\u2019t sleep with some blonde chick in order to feel something other than the cold and you aren\u2019t gonna go evil if you do but Angel\u2019s privacy is Angel privacy. And at the time he was trying so hard to gain back your trust that he was scared that if he told you, you\u2019d never accept him back again. And he needed you guys. All of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lorne finished sadly. \u201cI did warn him that this was gonna come back and bite him in the ass. But look at it this way,\u201d he turned to face Gunn, who still had a scowl on his face. \u201cIf he didn\u2019t sleep with Darla, he wouldn\u2019t have had an epiphany. And he wouldn\u2019t have stepped back onto the path to redemption again. He would have just gone on being dark and broody and grumpy and without the leather pants\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Lorne stopped at the strange looks he was getting. \u201cAw come on! You gotta love those leather pants!\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley sighed loudly. \u201cRight. Well Lorne, you can tell us this magnificent story once Gunn and I get back from our \u2018something precious to the demon\u2019 hunt\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWha?\u201d Lorne looked a little put out. \u201cI thought you wanted to hear the story. I love telling stories!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hardly have time for that Lorne. Cordelia and Angel may go completely insane, God knows they\u2019re behaving slightly off already. We need to find this precious object and destroy it instantly.\u201d Wesley answered.<\/p>\n
\u201cFine.\u201d Lorne said, mock-indignantly, \u201cI\u2019ll just stay here and tell my new favourite person all about Angel\u2019s little melodrama.\u201d He wriggled his eyebrows at Fred who smiled and then blushed.<\/p>\n
\u201cLorne, I don\u2019t know if that\u2019s wise.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWes, it\u2019s okay, I wanna know.\u201d Fred said, reassuringly.<\/p>\n
Wesley opened his mouth. \u201cYes, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley, you can\u2019t protect me from everything.\u201d Fred\u2019s statement came out harsher than she had expected it to and she realised the deeper implication of what she had just said.<\/p>\n
Wesley\u2019s shoulders slumped slightly and his eyes saddened. It was only for a spilt second though and the Englishmen cleared his throat and grabbed his coat.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight. Lorne, don\u2019t say anything I wouldn\u2019t.\u201d he raised his eyebrows at the demon in question and Lorne silently nodded. \u201cLet\u2019s go Gunn.\u201d Wesley beckoned the black man with his index finger and walked out the basement door, before Fred could say a word.<\/p>\n
Gunn stood in shock for a moment before moving his feet. \u201cOh you did not just go all Timmy and Lassie on my ass!\u201d he growled, storming out the door, after Wesley.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia!\u201d Angel yelled, hammering on her front door. He\u2019d lost count of how many times he\u2019d done that in the past five minutes, although he was pretty sure it was high enough to be a record of some kind. He tried again.<\/p>\n
\u201cGo away Angel.\u201d Cordelia said evenly, sitting on her couch in the living room. She turned up the volume on her music system, hoping to drown out the noise of his the vampire banging on her door but it didn\u2019t even soften, let alone stop. She had told Dennis strictly not to open the door to him and her ghost had complied so far.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, please. I just want to explain.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou really think I want the details of your sex life with short, blonde and skanky? Nuh uh!\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel sighed. \u201cI don\u2019t want to give you the details. I just want to tell you why it happened. Cordelia, I love you, please don\u2019t throw this away because of one stupid mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shut her eyes, head falling onto her knees, blinking back the tears that threatened to fall. She loved him so much but how could he? How could he sleep with her?<\/i> Anger and hurt and a small amount of jealousy bubbled up inside of her and she swallowed back a sob, swiping at her eyes with the back of her hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, open the door or I\u2019m gonna break it!\u201d Angel shouted, frustration getting hold of his demon. He waited for a few minutes, listening intently, making sure that she wasn\u2019t near the door. Then he vamped out and barrelled into the wood, feeling it splinter underneath his weight.<\/p>\n
There was a sharp cracking sound and the door gave way, breaking off one hinge and flying open, banging against the wall. Angel stood in the entrance staring at Cordelia, who was gaping at her broken door.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh that\u2019s just great Angel! First you break my heart, now you break my damn door!\u201d She leapt of the couch and headed towards him. For a moment the vampire thought she was going to slap him but she turned to the right and began inspecting her door, muttering something about damn vampire strength and a leash.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201dI don\u2019t want to hear it.\u201d She cut him off, abandoning the door and walking towards her kitchen. Angel grabbed her arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, please let me just explain\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy? What\u2019s there to explain Angel? You did the dirty with Darla, could have easily lost your soul and killed all of us, lied to me about sleeping with her and oh hey, you gave up on everything we\u2019ve been fighting for!\u201d she screamed out. \u201cThat about cover it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t know what it was like\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat was what like? That time? That period when you completely discarded us as though we were these tiny little pieces of crap that didn\u2019t spend God know how much time dedicating our lives to you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
I just wanted to feel something other than the cold\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cThen wear a damn sweater!\u201d Cordelia shouted, taking in a deep breath at the heartbroken look on Angel\u2019s face. I will not feel sorry for him, I will not feel sorry for him, dammit!<\/i><\/p>\n
Angel looked up at her hopefully. \u201cI\u2019m sorry Cordelia. I would take it back if I could but I can\u2019t. What I did has happened and I never meant for you to find out\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Oh that\u2019s reassuring!<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cWould you let me finish?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t say anything!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I can hear you thinking!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow is that my fault?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel ran a hand through his hair, taking in an unnecessary breath. \u201cThen, could you\u2026try not to think maybe?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia glared. \u201cYou don\u2019t get to say what I do and don\u2019t do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel growled. \u201cCordelia stop acting like a child. Let me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, bite me Angel. You don\u2019t have the right to preach about how I behave when the way you act on impulse is so damn crappy!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, I don\u2019t get why you\u2019re so angry! We weren\u2019t together at the time, I didn\u2019t owe you anything!\u201d The words were true but he regretted them as soon as they left his mouth. An odd fear settled in his stomach at the pain replaced quickly by fury, that flashed in her usually warm, hazel eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2026you think that\u2019s what this is about? You think I\u2019m jealous? You think that\u2019s the only reason that I\u2019m so pissed off? Ha! Shows what kind of person you think I am.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou wanna know why I\u2019m so angry? Let\u2019s see shall we? You pushed us away, pushed me<\/i> away, and there I was, poor pathetic Cordy, thinking I was your best friend! Well, that must have made you and your lady love laugh like hell.\u201d.<\/p>\n
Angel tried to interrupt but she continued with a broken laugh. \u201cWhat\u2019s even better is that you hurt me so that you could go out and kill her. But you ended up sleeping with her instead! Hey, I have an idea. Let\u2019s start that<\/i> as our business! L.A would have demons lining up to be shot down!\u201d<\/p>\n
I tried to save her\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
Cordelia ignored him, despite the twinge of guilt that fluttered through her heart.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd let\u2019s not forget the fact that after this fabulously fun event, if you had lost your soul, who would you go after first? Huh? Some random guy on the street? Or me, Wesley and Gunn?\u201d<\/p>\n
Her words contained so much venom that Angel wondered how they could be escaping her soft mouth. She scoffed at his train of thought, which brought him back to the matter at hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, I didn\u2019t lose my soul. I had an\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEpiphany, right.\u201d She rolled her eyes and glared at him. \u201cSo great, you have an epiphany and while you\u2019re trying to get back on my good side after the hurting and the betraying and the crappy treatment, you lie to me! You looked me straight in the eye and lied to me!\u201d<\/p>\n
Jesus, shut up already!<\/i><\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s eyes flashed once again and she stared hard at the vampire before her. \u201cWhat did you just say?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s eyes snapped to hers and mumbled an apology before adding, \u201cDarla meant nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not what this is about.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI never meant to hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell you did.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, if you\u2019d just let me ex\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to hear your stupid explanation!\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel grabbed her by the arms and yanked her up against him. \u201cAre you going to let me talk or is this going to be all about you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt never was all about me, that\u2019s the damn problem!\u201d she screamed. Angel\u2019s eyes widened slightly and he loosened his hold. She wriggled away from him and put both hands over her face, willing her tears not to betray her, make her look weak.<\/p>\n
She should have known that he didn\u2019t care about that. She should have known that all he wanted to do was hold her and apologize and make everything better. But anger and a strong sense of betrayal controlled her senses and she refused to think rationally.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease go.\u201d She whispered.<\/p>\n
Angel felt sudden and surprising tears prick at his eyes and he rapidly blinked them away. \u201cCordy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGod Angel, I don\u2019t want to talk to you! I don\u2019t! You betrayed us! You completely gave up! After everything we\u2019ve been through, you pushed me away and you went to her!\u201d the sob that Cordelia had been holding back pushed it\u2019s way out of her throat and into the open. Angel moved forward to embrace her but she held up a hand, preventing any further advancing.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease\u2026just go.\u201d<\/p>\n
The broken door creaked slightly, opening slightly further, and Phantom Dennis made his presence evident. Cordelia refused to look at Angel. The vampire stubbornly shook his head. I\u2019m not leaving.<\/i><\/p>\n
Cordelia glanced up.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s eyes narrowed. \u201cNo?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I\u2019m not leaving until we sort this out. I want a chance to explain why I did what I did and I\u2019m gonna get it because you\u2019re too important to me to just throw this away.\u201d He placed himself on the couch and put both legs up on the coffee table.<\/p>\n
Cordelia looked at him open mouthed, unable to think or speak for a second. \u201cI\u2019m not joking Angel, get the fuck out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Twice in three days? Jeez Cordy, that\u2019s just mean.<\/i><\/p>\n
She bristled. Fine, if you won\u2019t go, then I will.<\/i> She grabbed her coat off the rack and walked out the open, broken door, without turning back. And you don\u2019t even give me a chance to slam the damn door!<\/i><\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s eyes widened and he sat up straight, staring open mouthed at the broken doorway and the woman who\u2019d just walked through it. Okay, that wasn\u2019t meant to happen\u2026<\/i>He scratched his head and sat still for a moment, debating with himself whether or not to go after her.<\/p>\n
Then he relaxed, letting out a groan and leaned back against the couch, exhausted. He knew Cordelia, and when she needed space, that was all one could give her. I\u2019m such a shit.<\/i> Angel banged his head again and again on the couch, closing his eyes. Maybe he\u2019d just sleep for a little while\u2026<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cAww, now I\u2019m getting all nostalgic.\u201d Gunn said dryly, as Wesley and him entered the familiar sewer tunnel. \u201cJust bring back Scully and the sexual tension and we\u2019ll have ourselves a part-ay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley didn\u2019t even look at his friend. \u201cIt\u2019s Sully.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn stopped. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley bent down to check underneath a large rotting piece of material. All he found was dust. \u201cThe character you just mentioned. His name was Sully, not Scully. Dana Scully is a character on the X Files, a show about…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know what the show is about!\u201d Gunn yelled, unable to get over his friend\u2019s condescension. \u201cI am a pop culture expert Mr I-don\u2019t-have-time-for-TV-because-all-I-do-all-day-is-drink-tea-and-bury-myself-in-some-dusty-old-book.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley glanced at him warily. \u201cYou\u2019ve been spending far too much time with Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn shrugged. \u201cTrue. Next thing you know I\u2019ll be calling Scully cute.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSully.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever, I don\u2019t watch cartoons.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley sighed and pushed up his glasses. \u201cIt\u2019s not a cartoon. It\u2019s an animated movie.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn glared at his friend. \u201cEnglish, I\u2019m gonna be kicking a whole mesh of ass\u2026\u201d Gunn stopped as something crunched under his foot. He grimaced as Wesley glanced over. \u201cI don\u2019t wanna know. Don\u2019t tell me. What is it? Left over brain bits? Old teeth?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley rolled his eyes. \u201cIt\u2019s a dead leaf Gunn.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn looked down. \u201cOh. That\u2019s cool.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley raised his eyebrows. \u201cAre you going to help me look or are you just going to stand there whining?\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn grinned. \u201cDo I get a choice?\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cSo then he decided to tell the big fat fib because he just wanted, hell he needed to be accepted by them again. Cordelicious especially. He knew that if she found out, it would take even longer to gain her trust again, and I don\u2019t think Angel could wait that long. Plus, you know our vampire. He\u2019s as dense as the next when it comes to feelings and crap like that. And Cordy\u2019s not your average\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Lorne was interrupted by the slamming of the Hyperion door as a red faced, puffy eyed Cordelia stormed into the lobby, ignoring the her two friends completely and bounding up the stairs.<\/p>\n
Lorne rose from his seat but was stopped by a warm hand on his arm. \u201cI\u2019ll go.\u201d Fred said softly, getting up and following Cordy. The demon watched her walk up the stairs. It was strange how women grew so fast. How they became so strong, strong enough to hold up anything that was thrown their way without physically keeling over.<\/p>\n
Fred spent five years in hell dimension and survived. She was stalked and threatened through the corridors of the Hyperion by a man she trusted with her life and she survived, attempting to be strong for the both of them when he couldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
Cordelia was pushed into a life that she never demanded, pulled into the darkness inch by inch as she fell more and more in love with Angel and his mission, his redemption. She had the gift of sight, visions that deadened her beautiful hazel eyes, shattered her skull into a million pieces with brutal imagery and choking emotions. And she survived, due to strength, due to heart.<\/p>\n
Lorne took another gulp of his seabreeze, smiling softly. These men had no idea just how lucky they were.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy?\u201d Fred pushed open the door to the room in which Cordelia usually slept, quietly padding over the floorboards and over to the bed where the young woman sat, shoulders slouched, head against the headboard. Fred smiled at her friend softly, taking Cordy\u2019s hand in her own and squeezing. Cordy squeezed back, giving her a grateful smile.<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s breathing was heavy and despite the tear tracks on her face and the dullness in her eyes, Fred had time to notice that she still looked beautiful. Everything about this woman was radiant. From her hazel eyes, to her dazzling smile, to the flatness of her stomach, to her stunningly long legs, to her wonderful heart.<\/p>\n
She glowed no matter what she was put through. Fred inwardly cursed the PTB, then apologized because they sent Angel to rescue her from the monsters.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter?\u201d Fred winced at the obvious question. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, that was stupid. I know what\u2019s the matter. Here.\u201d She picked up the glass on the side of the table and filled it with water from the flask, also sitting on the tabletop. \u201cDrink this. From the looks of it, you\u2019ve been crying for a long time and that makes you dehydrated.\u201d Fred nodded enthusiastically.<\/p>\n
Cordelia grinned slightly and took the glass, taking greedy gulps of the cool liquid. It travelled down her throat, soothing the soar flesh. All that yelling really took a lot out of her. She placed it back on the table.<\/p>\n
\u201cDrink some more.\u201d Fred ordered.<\/p>\n
\u201cFred, I\u2019m fine\u2026\u201d Cordy started.<\/p>\n
Fred shoved an already refilled glass at her. \u201cDrink it Cordy. Trust me okay? It\u2019ll make you feel better.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll also make me wanna pee.\u201d Cordelia said, smiling.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, but it\u2019s worth it.\u201d Fred winked. Cordelia took the glass again. This time Fred cut straight to the chase.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, I know you\u2019re upset about this whole Darla thing, and of course you have every right to be. Lorne explained everything to me and I can imagine Angel wasn\u2019t fun to be around at that time\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia snorted.<\/p>\n
Fred continued. \u201cBut he loves you. He really does. I know he does because\u2026well I just do! Okay, so I don\u2019t know this Darla lady and I\u2019m sure she\u2019s very nice an\u2019 all\u2026or maybe she\u2019s not, okay she\u2019s not.\u201d Fred quickly adjusted her statement at the look Cordelia sent her way.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, I\u2019m sure he didn\u2019t look at her the way he looks at you. Cordy, do you have any idea how he looks at you? It makes my stomach go all gooey. And he\u2019s a good man, he\u2019s a lovely person and he\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah well, you would say that, what with the leftover hero worship thing you had going for a while!\u201d Cordelia snapped angrily. Fred lowered her gaze and closed her mouth. A brief pain flashed behind Cordy\u2019s eyes and she sighed, covering Fred\u2019s hand with her own.<\/p>\n
\u201cFred, sweetie, I\u2019m sorry. I just\u2026God.\u201d She buried her hands in her hair and bent forward. \u201cI\u2019m so sick of everything. I\u2019m so sick of people telling me it\u2019s gonna be alright when I know it\u2019s not. I\u2019m sick of people defending his ass when he\u2019s the one who does something wrong. I\u2019m sick of loving him so much that I let my guard down. I\u2019m sick of\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean you let your guard down?\u201d Fred asked curiously, eyes searching her friend\u2019s. Cordelia looked up at her. \u201cCordy, I know you\u2019ve been hurt by people in the past, and I know it\u2019s the last thing any woman needs but you are the centre of his universe. And of course everything isn\u2019t going to be fine. We live in a world of soulless evil people and even some of the ones with souls aren\u2019t that great\u2026\u201d Cordelia smiled. \u201cBut you just have to take it as it comes. And know that he loves you and you love him and that should be enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia sighed, running a hand through her hair. \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen why are you still so angry?\u201d Fred grabbed Cordy\u2019s hand and shoved another glass of water in it. Cordelia shook the glass slightly, causing the contents to move around as she watched them, fascinated.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause I hate thinking about that time. I hate being lied to Fred, I can\u2019t stand it. I hate giving everything I have to someone and having them just throw it away completely. I did it once and I promised myself I wouldn\u2019t do it again.\u201d She closed her eyes, images of her first love flashing through her mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I did it again. And every time I think about what he did with Darla. About how he risked all our lives and just gave up\u2026\u201d she let out a breath. \u201cI\u2019ve never wanted anything more than I want him to be able to see the sun. And he just stopped caring.\u201d A tear slipped down her cheek and Fred felt her heart break a little.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hate him for it. But then I love him so I can\u2019t hate him and that pisses me off even more.\u201d Cordelia added. Fred smiled. \u201cPlus, I\u2019m a little\u2026jealous.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred grinned. \u201cOf what? Of her? Please!\u201d she smiled at Cordelia. \u201cAngel\u2019s got the hots for one lady and one lady only and that\u2019s you.\u201d She poked Cordy in the ribs, which got a laugh from the seer. \u201cSo he did what he did. It\u2019s in the past. And he\u2019s sorry Cordy, he\u2019s so sorry. Remember what you fought about last time? And how you came so close to losing him? Do you want to be in that position again?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia closed her eyes in pain at the memory of the wood buried in Angel\u2019s chest. She felt a sudden nausea but swallowed it back down. She felt Fred\u2019s reassuring touch on her arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, I haven\u2019t been in this world for that long. But from what I remember and from what I\u2019m learning, men are usually the wrong ones. They make the mistakes and we have to pick up the pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAin\u2019t that the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah but, when you pick up the pieces, which I know isn\u2019t the most glamorous job\u2026it\u2019s worth it. Everything that keeps you together, that gives you someone to hold and love and share something with, is bloody well worth it.\u201d She grinned sheepishly at the slightly odd look Cordy gave her. \u201cI\u2019m under the influence of Wes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia raised an eyebrow. \u201cFred, when did you become an people person? Let alone a therapist?\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred grinned again. \u201cWell, I watch Oprah.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia looked at her friend for a minute. Then she laughed, a real happy, beautiful laugh that bubbled out of throat as she embraced Fred tightly. Fred returned the hug, happy to have made her friend smile again.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you Fred.\u201d Cordy whispered, leaning back against the headboard again.<\/p>\n
“Anytime.” Fred smiled warmly, still holding her friend’s hand tightly in her own, as Cordy turned her gaze to the window. Fred hoped, for whatever it was worth that she’d smile again, like she did a second ago.<\/p>\n
She hoped that Angel and her would get past this obstacle and just go back to loving each other. She squeezed Cordy’s hand again. Angel had been through enough as an ensouled vampire in a hundred years, he didn’t need more guilt and trauma on his shoulders. What he needed was that someone to keep him happy, to keep him hopeful.<\/p>\n
Cordelia was the perfect fit. And Fred could honestly and openly say that if anyone deserved to be truly happy, to smile without a care in the world, to have someone love her and hold her and treat her every bit like the queen she was, it was Cordy.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Charles Gunn brought his axe down for the twentieth time in an hour, smashing a large pile of bricks beneath it. He straightened and looked around. Wesley and him had destroyed pretty much everything in the layer. There was rubble everywhere, from smashed bricks and clouds of dust rose out of nowhere when he put his foot down.<\/p>\n
They had smashed the wooden planks that had stabbed Angel and pulled down the cobwebs and the hanging mould and moss and destroyed those too. But they couldn\u2019t find anything that looked even remotely valuable.<\/p>\n
Wesley pushed his glasses up. \u201cWell, perhaps we\u2019ve already destroyed what the demon held most dear. We just aren\u2019t aware of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn raised an eyebrow. \u201cDemons are thick as hell Wes but I doubt they have fetishes about brick or wood.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley\u2019s eyes squinted in deep concentration and Gunn was forced to shut up and have a conversation with the wall, which mostly involved him cursing about dumbass demons with blue snot. He knew not to disturb Wesley when he was in this mode. The ex-watcher was scanning the room as though he had x-ray vision, searching for anything that they may have missed, anything vaguely precious to man or monster.<\/p>\n
Blue eyes searched carefully but frantically, landed on various shattered objects, forefinger and thumb rubbing his chin casually, deep in thought. And then it hit him straight in the gut.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe wood.\u201d He whispered.<\/p>\n
\u201cSay what?\u201d Gunn looked up from the wall and turned to his friend.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe wood, the wood it\u2019s under the bloody wood!\u201d Wesley rushed over to the splintered and broken pieces of timber and began lifting up each one carefully. Gunn just shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, he\u2019s officially lost his coconut\u2026\u201d he muttered, walking over to Wes. \u201cEnglish, I hate to ruin your boy scout moment an\u2019 all but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGunn, what did Fred say you were?\u201d Wesley interrupted.<\/p>\n
Gunn abruptly stopped. \u201cWhat\u2026what did Fred say I was?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley gestured wildly with his hands. \u201cAngel\u2019s the champion, Cordy\u2019s the heart, I\u2019m the brain and you\u2019re the\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMuscle.\u201d Gunn said proudly, as though he had just answered the most difficult question on earth.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrecisely, so quit yapping and help me lift this bloody thing!\u201d Wesley panted, lifting a small piece of wood and throwing it to the side. Gunn raised an eyebrow and the larger chunks of wood left for him to pick up. He lifted one off with ease.<\/p>\n
\u201cYa know, I don\u2019t why they think the brainy people got it all. What the hell would you do in the survival of the fittest?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh I don\u2019t know, survive?\u201d Wesley answered sarcastically, grabbing another plank and hurling it away from the pile.<\/p>\n
Gunn glared. \u201cYeah, if some muscle bound monkey-man didn\u2019t lynch your snooty ass first!\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley smacked him on the arm.<\/p>\n
Gunn looked mock scared and spoke in a high pitched voice. \u201cOh no! You hit me! Please don\u2019t hurt me with your big bad brain! Anything but the brain!\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley glared. \u201cI\u2019ll have you know that what you have in muscle, I make up for in integrity.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s just something that scrawny people say.\u201d Gunn smirked.<\/p>\n
\u201cWanker.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAss Pansy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey! You\u2026you\u2026baldy!\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn\u2019s jaw dropped. \u201cOh you did not just call me that! I know you did not just say what you just said!\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley attempted to glare but it was incredibly hard when the corners of Gunn\u2019s mouth were twitching upwards ever so slightly and Wesley himself wanted to giggle. Gunn snorted softly and Wesley could no longer hold it in. He burst out laughing.<\/p>\n
\u201cAw man English, you really a piece of work\u2026\u201d Gunn wiped a tear from his eye when he had stopped chuckling and grabbed another plank of wood, throwing it aside. Wesley sighed and smiled, flinging the last piece of wood away to reveal a wooden box, deeply carved with engravings and small relief sculptures of bodies in battle.<\/p>\n
Wesley pointed at the box. \u201cSay it. Go ahead and say it. I\u2019m a bloody genius!\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn smirked at his friend. \u201cYou da man.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh yes. I am indeed.\u201d Wesley nodded enthusiastically, making Gunn laugh. The Englishmen crouched down and lifted the cover of the box slowly, the creaking lid opening to reveal a shiny, pink, pyramid shaped crystal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s pretty.\u201d Gunn said nodding. \u201cAll shiny and shit. Cordy would have a freakin\u2019 field day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley held the crystal in his hands, turning it with his fingers, exploring every angle, taking in every turn, sharp and blunt, the pointy tip and the shiny exterior.<\/p>\n
Gunn looked at him questioningly. \u201cYou gonna let me trash it or what?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley snapped out of the mesmerising effect such a precious stone had on him and shook his head. \u201cYes. Go ahead.\u201d He placed it down at Gunn\u2019s feet and stepped to the side. Gunn raised his axe high and prepared to bring it down. He moved to smash it when Wesley yelled.<\/p>\n
\u201cWait!\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn jumped, dropping the axe and glaring at Wesley. \u201cWhat the hell is wrong with you man? Give a brother a heart attack, why don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley stumbled forward. \u201cSorry, sorry, I just realised something.\u201d He lifted the crystal in both hands and turned it again and again, palming it carefully, as if he was looking for something. And then he found it. Gunn was made aware of this by an amazed sigh that escaped the Englishman\u2019s lips.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? No eureka this time?\u201d Gunn asked good naturedly. Wesley shook his head, still fascinated by whatever he had found on the crystal. Then he looked up and a large grin broke out on his face.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve found ourselves a cure, Watson.\u201d<\/p>\n