Part 11<\/b><\/p>\n
Gunn jerked his head up. \u201cWhat the hell was that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred looked at him, eyes wide, false innocence all but strangling her answer. \u201cUm\u2026what was what?\u201d<\/p>\n
Lorne glanced towards the basement door, then over at Gunn. \u201cSounded like someone screaming.\u201d<\/p>\n
Curious chocolate brown eyes met suspicious crimson ones and sudden understanding dawned. They both turned around and stared at Fred.<\/p>\n
Fred gave a small, sheepish smile and shrunk back. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my God! MY EYES! My bloody eyes!\u201d Wesley screamed out, turning quickly, facing the wall.<\/p>\n
Cordelia scrambled out of Angel\u2019s arms and grabbed her discarded top from the floor, her face reddening. Angel reluctantly let her go, hands flying up to straighten his shirt.<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo! I don\u2019t want to hear it! What part of \u2018Stay in separate rooms\u2019 did you not understand???\u201d Wesley ground out, his face a deep crimson, still facing the wall as though desperately trying to avoid looking at the couple he had seen writhing against the wall seconds before.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cChrist Cordelia, I\u2019d expect this from you but Angel! Good God man, ever heard of restraint?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEver heard of knocking?\u201d Cordelia muttered, glaring over at Angel when he sshed her, shaking his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell I was hoping to find Angel training! Alone! I didn\u2019t expect to walk in on\u2026on\u2026on what I walked in on, did I?\u201d Wesley finally turned around giving Angel and Cordy both a disappointed look that made them duck their heads in embarrassment and look anywhere else but at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry.\u201d Angel said quietly.<\/p>\n
Wesley softened slightly, glad that they were acknowledging that they were wrong. He felt slightly guilty for coming down on them so hard. He could understand. After all, they both loved each other excessively and the fact that they both looked the way they did didn\u2019t escape him either.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell\u2026good. I\u2026I\u2019m sorry too. I\u2019m just concerned for your welfare.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel nodded, remaining silent.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd, I realise I tend to overreact a little on occasion\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia snorted and Wesley glared at her.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, thank you Cordelia. Well. Since you\u2019re both now clothed and decent\u2026\u201d he cleared his throat and coloured. \u201cLet\u2019s get this curse out of you so that we can all maintain our sanities, hmm?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel smiled at his friend. \u201cYou translated it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley raised an eyebrow. \u201cYes. I did it as soon as we got back. Then I came to get you\u2026\u201d he trailed off, blushing furiously. Cordelia couldn\u2019t help but laugh, despite the fact that she was incredibly embarrassed.<\/p>\n
The situation was just hilarious. It was like the older brother she never had busting her and her horny boyfriend. She cracked up.<\/p>\n
Both Angel and Wes looked at her like she was mad. \u201cSo, this curse lifting thing is sounding good.\u201d Angel said, glancing over at Wes and then back at the hysterical girl next to him.<\/p>\n
\u201cUh\u2026yes. I\u2019ll give you two a moment to gather yourselves.\u201d Wes said cautiously as he ran up the stairs. Neither Angel nor Cordy saw the small grin on his face as he went.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cGirl, you were meant to keep her in your room!\u201d Gunn exclaimed. Lorne nodded enthusiastically.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe threatened me with sexual assault!\u201d Fred said, desperately trying to defend herself, looking hopefully at Lorne for support.<\/p>\n
Gunn grinned and raised his eyebrows suggestively. \u201cAnd you said no?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReally Gunn, I don\u2019t believe Fred or Lorne asked to hear your explicit fantasies about Cordelia.\u201d Wesley said smiling as he came through the basement door.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d Fred said guiltily.<\/p>\n
Wes smiled warmly at her. \u201cNot to worry. I should have known Cordelia would have wormed her way out of that room somehow.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lorne grinned. \u201cShe\u2019s quite persuasive our little Cordelicious, isn\u2019t she?\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn shook his head. \u201cWhen she wants something? Hell, it\u2019ll take Satan himself to stop her. And even then, I don\u2019t think he could. She\u2019d probably trick him into condemning himself or something.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley laughed fondly and then remembered the matter at hand. \u201cRight well, Lorne, I need you to draw a circle over here.\u201d He pointed at a spot in the lobby. \u201cFred, could you hold this?\u201d He gave her the crystal. \u201cAnd Gunn. Hold this.\u201d Gunn wrinkled up his nose when Wesley handed him some herbs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis smells like crap by the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley frowned. \u201cWell, they don\u2019t usually perfume them Gunn.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe way these smell? They damn well should.\u201d Gunn retorted, holding the herbs as far away from him as possible. Then he glanced over at Fred with a glint in his eye. \u201cI still can\u2019t believe you said no.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy?\u201d Angel touched her shoulder tentatively. \u201cCordy? You\u2019re scaring me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia was still laughing. She was bent over, clutching at her stomach because it hurt from laughing so hard. Angel looked at her half worriedly, half amusedly, touching her other shoulder with his free hand. \u201cCordy?\u201d<\/p>\n
She straightened suddenly and buried herself in his arms. Instinctively, Angel\u2019s arms went around her and he rested his chin on the crown of her head. She shook slightly, still recovering from hysterical laughter and then looked up at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cAah, that was funny.\u201d She brought one hand up, wiping tears from her eyes. \u201cI just\u2026Wesley\u2019s face!\u201d she snorted, then sobered. But there was still a twinkle in her eye. So\u2026wanna go get de-cursed?<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d Angel grinned, squeezing her slightly. I kinda like it here.<\/i><\/p>\n
Cordelia smiled, rolling her eyes and then bringing both arms around his neck. \u201cMe too. But\u2026\u201d she grinned suggestively, one arm coming down, fingers tracing his bottom lip. \u201cThe sooner it\u2019s done\u2026ah!\u201d she jerked back her finger when he tried to bite it. Dumbass\u2026<\/i>\u201cthe sooner we can\u2026\u201d she winked at him, pulling away and stumbling slightly when he refused to loosen his hold.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe sooner we can what?\u201d Angel leered, lowering his mouth to hers.<\/p>\n
Cordy grinned. \u201cWell, if you don\u2019t know then I don\u2019t wanna do it with you!\u201d Angel kissed her soundly, shutting her up, pulling away so she could breathe.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou sure about that?\u201d He smirked.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d Cordy smiled, pushing away from him and heading for the stairs. But a girl can change her mind can\u2019t she?<\/i> She held out her hand for him and he slipped it into hers. But instead of following her, he pulled her against him and kissed her once again. It was several seconds before he released her lips. When he let her go, hands still intertwined, she was breathing heavily, forehead resting against his.<\/p>\n
God Angel, at this rate we\u2019re never gonna get up there.<\/i><\/p>\n
Would that really be such a bad thing?<\/p>\n
Yes. Cordy forced herself away from his kisses, and jerked his hand. Angel groaned, his sexual frustration completely unsatisfied, and followed her up the stairs. \u201cThis bites ya know?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know.\u201d Cordelia grinned down at him. \u201cBut so do you.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cAh good, you\u2019re here.\u201d Wesley smiled as they entered the room and pointed at the circle in the centre of the lobby.<\/p>\n
\u201cWes? Just promise me you\u2019re not gonna open another portal and I\u2019m good.\u201d Cordy said, drawing a gasp from Fred.<\/p>\n
\u201cP\u2026portal? Where?\u201d Fred asked, eyes wide, expression one of terror.<\/p>\n
\u201cShush Fred sweetie. There are no portals opening in this lobby. No siree. Cordelia was just being silly.\u201d Lorne wrapped an arm around Fred\u2019s shoulders and squeezed reassuringly, giving Cordy a small glare.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, sorry. I was just joking.\u201d Cordelia cleared her throat and squeezed Angel\u2019s hand once before she walked over to the circle and glanced up questioningly at Wesley. \u201cWhere do I stand?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight. Well, it\u2019s complicated. Because this cure is usually meant for one person, I\u2019ve had to alter it slightly. Using my calculations\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t like the sound of that.\u201d Gunn said sceptically.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt least you won\u2019t be the one who ends up with two heads or a tail or something gross like that!\u201d Cordelia exclaimed.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow the hell do you know? I\u2019m gonna be standing in the damn circle!\u201d Gunn replied.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you all for the overwhelming faith.\u201d Wesley drawled sarcastically. \u201cAccording to my calculations, which Fred has also checked, this way works perfectly well and is suitable for two people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn and Cordy looked as though they were about to protest again but Angel beat them to it. \u201cGuys, I\u2019m sure Wes had checked this over a million and one times and he\u2019s positive nothing\u2019s gonna happen to us\u2026apart from, obviously, not being able to hear each other\u2019s thoughts anymore.\u201d He gave Cordy a reassuring smile and relaxed when she returned it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you Angel. It\u2019s nice to know someone has faith in me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAw come on Wes, we have faith in you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, we just don\u2019t wanna end up looking like Lorne. No offence.\u201d Gunn held his hands up when Lorne gave him a blank look.<\/p>\n
The green demon cleared his throat. \u201cWell I happen to be beautiful for my kind, thank you very much. But you? Hell, you\u2019ve gotta compete with the likes of Will Smith and Denzel and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think this is incredibly relevant do you?\u201d Wesley interrupted, shaking his head at the look of outrage that settled on Gunn\u2019s face. Wes walked over to the circle and took Cordy by the arm. \u201cAlright, Cordelia, stand here. Angel\u2026\u201d he beckoned the vampire with his hand. \u201cYou\u2019re here.\u201d Angel stood directly opposite Cordelia, winking when their eyes met.<\/p>\n
\u201cFred, please place the crystal in the centre of the circle.\u201d Fred came forward and carefully positioned the sparkling jewel so that it was in the middle. Wesley took his place at the 12 o\u2019clock point of the circle and pointed opposite him. \u201cGunn, grab whatever axe you think allows you to assert the best aim and stand over there. Oh, and put those herbs at Cordelia and Angel\u2019s feet. Lorne, Fred. Just stand by in case we need you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAye aye, captain!\u201d Lorne saluted, receiving a glare from Wesley. He shut up and timidly moved behind Fred.<\/p>\n
Everyone quickly took their positions in and around the circle. Wesley held a small piece of paper in his hands. Once everyone was ready, he began to read in Latin.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m gonna miss this.<\/i><\/p>\n
Me too.<\/p>\n
Gunn raised his axe, positioning it directly above the crystal. Wesley continued to read the words aloud.<\/p>\n
Is this gonna hurt? I forgot to ask if this was gonna hurt.<\/i><\/p>\n
It doesn\u2019t matter Cordy. It\u2019ll be over soon.<\/p>\n
Fred looked from Wesley to Gunn anxiously, waiting for the spell to finish.<\/p>\n
Angel, I don\u2019t want to grow a tail. Or another head. Or sprout horns\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
We won\u2019t Cordy.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s easy for you to say! You\u2019d look good if someone grew antlers out of your butt!<\/p>\n
Angel gave her a weird look and let that<\/i> visual sink in. Then he raised an eyebrow. And you wouldn\u2019t?<\/i><\/p>\n
Pfft. Hardly.<\/p>\n
Cordy, no one\u2019s gonna grow anything okay? Wes is the next Einstein, we\u2019ll be fine.<\/p>\n
Cordelia smiled at him. The anticipation in the room grew as Wesley continued to read in Latin. By the time he was on the last words, Gunn\u2019s arms were shaking as they drew the heavy axe back over his shoulder. Wes looked up at him and said the final word.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow!\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn brought his axe down hard, shattering the crystal into a million different pieces, littering the lobby with shimmering pieces of stone. A bright blue light flashed in between the four figures in the circle, exiting and spreading around the room like a blinding blur. Cordelia felt the air rush out of her lungs as a cool breeze filled her, swirling around her mind like a whirlpool. She lost all ability to speak as she felt some sort of suction taking place inside her head. Nothing was visible before her other than the blueness.<\/p>\n
Then, suddenly, it stopped. The light subsided as quickly as it had flashed and Wesley, Gunn, Lorne and Fred watched through horrified eyes as champion and seer gasped raggedly once, before collapsing to the ground, still and unmoving.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cOh God!\u201d Fred said, running to Cordelia and grabbing her by the shoulders. \u201cCordelia? Cordy! Wake up!\u201d She shook her incessantly until the seer slapped her hands away and raised herself on her palms, one hand going to her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay\u2026that wasn\u2019t ow-less.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley sighed, glancing over at Angel, who was coming to. Lorne gently lifted the vampire\u2019s shoulders and helped him stand up.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid it work?\u201d Gunn asked, curiously glancing at Angel.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t hear anything.\u201d Angel rubbed his head, listening closely. \u201cNope. Cordy, you thinking?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia didn\u2019t say a word. Wesley narrowed his eyes. \u201cCordelia?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy?\u201d Gunn tried.<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up!\u201d Cordelia screamed, jumping up and startling everyone in the room. \u201cStop thinking! Jesus Angel, you are driving me CRAZY!!!\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s eyes widened and Fred felt her heart sink in her chest. Wesley gulped.<\/p>\n
Cordelia looked around at everyone\u2019s shocked faces and then, unable to contain her amusement, broke out into a gigantic grin.<\/p>\n
\u201cKidding.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nobody said anything for a moment. They were too shocked to even speak. Then Angel rushed at her, tackling her and making them both land on the couch in a tangled heap. Gunn jumped up laughing.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo Angel man, no way, you can\u2019t have her all to yourself! I want me a piece of pain in the ass!\u201d He lunged onto the sofa, tickling Cordelia mercilessly, just as she had done to him a couple of days before. Cordelia laughed and gasped, yelling the occasional protest and lashing out with her hands.<\/p>\n
Wesley breathed a sigh of relief and sank down onto the floor. Fred smiled and took a seat next to him. \u201cYou did it Wes.\u201d<\/p>\n
He turned and looked at her. \u201cWe<\/i> did it Fred.\u201d<\/p>\n
She grinned and looked back at the sofa where Angel was now hugging Cordelia, and Gunn had backed off, collapsing against the couch.<\/p>\n
\u201cGirl, I can\u2019t believe you did that! If you weren\u2019t a lady\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAw come on! You should have seen your faces! Wesley looked like he was about to pee in his pants!\u201d Cordelia giggled against Angel\u2019s shirt.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy am I always the one doing the most humiliating things?\u201d Wesley asked good-naturedly, standing up and offering his hand to Fred. She took it, laughing.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause you scream like a girl?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd kiss like a fish?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd dance like you have a severe medical condition?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOH!\u201d Lorne and Gunn said at the same time, pointing accusingly at Angel. \u201cYou can hardly talk my friend!\u201d Lorne said, grinning.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? I don\u2019t dance.\u201d Angel answered defensively.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah but I bet if you did, you\u2019d suck bigtime.\u201d Gunn said, smiling sweetly at the glare Angel sent his way. Cordelia hit Gunn on the arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe can dance! He\u2019s danced with me. And he dances well. Of course it was only slow dancing\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn turned around and grinned. \u201cYou danced with her? Without me? I\u2019m hurt. Truly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell at least all of you have heard Angel sing. I haven\u2019t even heard that.\u201d Fred added to the conversation. Lorne laughed.<\/p>\n
\u201cBelieve me sweetie, you don\u2019t want to! He butchered a classic. Hearing birds squawk in heat is more tuneful.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey! I am sitting right here!\u201d Angel waved his arms towards himself emphatically. Wesley smirked and then stretched.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight-o children. It\u2019s been fun but it\u2019s been equally exhausting if not more for the past few days, so I\u2019m going home and off to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn yawned. \u201cI\u2019ll give you a ride. Lorne you coming or staying here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll skedaddle. I\u2019m in desperate need of a seabreeze anyway.\u201d Lorne got up and ruffled Cordy\u2019s hair. \u201cYou gonna stay here with tall dark and handsome or dawdle with the three merry men?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy laughed and pointed to Angel\u2019s arms that were restraining her from going anywhere. \u201cWell, as tempting as the latter sounds, I have some unresolved issues that need to be resolved with the undead.\u201d She winked at the green demon who caught the hint and followed Gunn out the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks Wes.\u201d Angel said to his friend as he walked out behind Lorne. \u201cYou\u2019re a lifesaver.\u201d Wesley smiled and said goodnight, then made his way out of the hotel.<\/p>\n
Fred looked at the couple from where she was standing. \u201cI\u2019m gonna head upstairs too. You guys probably have stuff you want to do\u2026\u201d she trailed off blushing, remembering her earlier conversation with Cordelia.<\/p>\n
Cordy smirked at her friend and then looked at Angel. \u201cCan you give me a minute? I\u2019ll be up as soon as I\u2019m done.\u201d Angel glanced at Fred and then back at Cordy, then nodded and headed up the stairs. Cordelia turned around to face Fred.<\/p>\n
\u201cFred, I just\u2026I just wanted to say thank you. For everything you\u2019ve done these past few days. I know it must have been hard trying to calm me down when I was being hysterical and weepy and uber-bitchy but you still managed to. And you made me feel a hell of a lot better. So thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred smiled warmly. \u201cOh Cordy, you\u2019re welcome. You took care of me when I was all upset about Angel and Lilah\u2026only Angel wasn\u2019t Angel he was Marcus so that doesn\u2019t really count but still\u2026I like the idea that occasionally I get to take care of you. I know Angel likes to do it, I know all the boys like to do it. But once in a while you need that woman\u2019s touch ya know? And it makes me feel like we\u2019re friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are friends Fred. My God, you have no idea how fun it is to have another woman around. Sure, who doesn\u2019t like being surrounded by three delicious men and getting all the attention cos you\u2019re the only chick but\u2026I like having you around. I like us being friends. Kinda gal pal-y but I like it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred grinned. \u201cGood. Me too. Plus, I\u2019m sure it\u2019s nice to have one friend around who doesn\u2019t want to jump you.\u201d The Texan slapped her hand over her mouth as Cordy\u2019s eyes widened.<\/p>\n
\u201cW\u2026what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cN\u2026nothing!\u201d Fred stuttered. \u201cI just\u2026I just\u2026.Gunn said\u2026\u201d she blushed furiously.<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s eyes narrowed. \u201cWhat did Gunn say?\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred grinned, despite her embarrassment. \u201cWell\u2026I\u2026let\u2019s just say that if you had given him the choice that you gave me in my room today, he\u2019d be a very happy man.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s jaw dropped and she was speechless for a moment. Then she giggled. Fred chuckled and soon both girls were laughing. Cordelia straightened and reached over, squeezing Fred\u2019s hand. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnytime.\u201d Fred squeezed back, then pointed up the stairs. \u201cYou should probably go. After that incident with Wes I\u2019m guessing Angel\u2019s gonna need a little luvin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s eyes widened for the millionth time that night. \u201cGod Fred, you will never fail to surprise me.\u201d She grinned and turned, heading up the stairs. But then she stopped and quickly faced her friend.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey Fred?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know you\u2019re tired so I\u2019ll um, try to keep it down.\u201d She winked and ran up the stairs, leaving a flushing Fred to gape at her back.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
She found Angel on the balcony when she entered his suite, shirtless, dressed in only his grey slacks. Cordelia walked up behind him, slowly and as quietly as she could, placing both arms around his waist and resting her head between his shoulder blades.<\/p>\n
His skin was cool and soothing and she pressed herself slightly closer to him, allowing him to absorb the heat from her skin.<\/p>\n
Angel smiled and covered the hands encircling his waist, taking them and pulling Cordelia around so that they swapped positions. Her back was now to his front and she was standing in front of him, body pressed between the vampire and the railing.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi.\u201d He kissed her neck, settling his chin on her shoulder and gazing at her profile.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi.\u201d She grinned at him, turning to kiss his nose once before relaxing against him and looking out at the night sky. He pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek and then pointed upwards.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou see that?\u201d She followed his finger along the horizon, pointing at the stars that painted the midnight sky.<\/p>\n
\u201cSee what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat star.\u201d She nodded when she caught sight of the shining jewel, sparkling brilliantly against the deep blue background.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was just thinking\u2026that star reminds me of you. So beautiful. So full of life. Shining brightly despite the darkness around you. That one little star has so much courage, so much beauty behind it. So much amazing power that it\u2019s unaware of. The power to light up someone\u2019s life by simply sparkling. The power to light up my life with one smile\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia breathed in heavily, eyes closing as he continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut she\u2019s fading out slowly. Her sparkle, though always beautiful and internally eternal, is fizzling out. Because she\u2019s so determined to shine for everyone else. So resolute on brightening up everyone else\u2019s sky. She forgets about her own\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel turned Cordelia in his arms and brushed away a tear that escaped from beneath a closed eyelid. He cupped her face in his hands and whispered her name. \u201cCordy? Open your eyes.\u201d Cordelia complied and was surprised to find that Angel was smiling at her. She figured he\u2019d go into full brooding mode, which made her sad and annoyed and frustrated because that meant no sex for Cordy tonight.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia?\u201d Cordy was snapped out of her reverie when cool lips brushed her own. Then he pulled back and smiled again. \u201cI\u2019m not gonna lose you Cordy. I\u2019ll never let anyone take you away from me again. I don\u2019t care about anything, Powers be damned. I won\u2019t let you go without a fight. And I won\u2019t let the fight end without my having won. Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia nodded, unable to say anything more due to the depth of emotions she saw swirling around in his eyes. He was so tenacious in his words, so reassuring that she wanted to believe him. And a wave of relief flooded her senses when she realised that she did. She really believed him.<\/p>\n
Hell, she wasn\u2019t willing to go without a fight either. She loved this man too much to leave him, to ever even contemplate leaving his side. She squeezed his hand and Angel kissed her forehead and pulled her through the balcony doors, back into his suite.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome here.\u201d Angel pulled her into his arms as soon as they were inside, his presence comforting and loving as he stoked long fingers up and down her spine and into her hair. Cordelia murmured her contentment at being held by him and snuggled into him further. But before she could get really cosy, strong hands had grabbed her arms and twirled her around so that she was now backing him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSsh\u2026\u201d Angel moved aside the curtain of hair that was covering her neck and slipped his arms around her, hands coming together at her belly and holding her close. She felt cool breath on her shoulder, whispers of air he blew out, air she knew he didn’t require in order to survive.<\/p>\n
His hunger for her was so evident, so raw she almost drowned in it, as he pressed his hard form against her back, two bodies moulding together like an ancient Archaic sculpture, forming one entity, both breathtaking and beautiful.<\/p>\n
Angel placed one arm around her waist, protecting her, imprisoning her against his front. Cordelia shivered as the tip of an unnaturally cool index finger rested on her shoulder momentarily, only to continue its journey down along her upper arm and then down her forearm, leaving goosebumps in its wake. When Angel’s finger reached Cordy’s wrist, his large hand opened out like blooming flower, covering her smaller one and intertwining their fingers, the back of her hand cradled gently within his palm.<\/p>\n
“You’re so beautiful…” Angel whispered in her ear, hairs on Cordelia’s neck standing straight up, alert in pleasure. He sucked on the tip of her ear, tracing the very back of it with his tongue, bathing the fragile skin.<\/p>\n
“Angel…” Cordelia whispered back, too lost in the sensation of being devoured by the man she loved to say anything else.<\/p>\n
“And you’re mine.” Angel said, hint of a growl evident in his voice as he tightened his arm around her and kissed her pulse point, before gently suckling on her earlobe, nipping it with blunt teeth, making her arch into him.<\/p>\n
His finger walked lazily across her shoulder, resting on the thin strap of her top. He buried his face underneath her ear and took a deep breath. “You smell…delicious.” he licked along her jaw line, making Cordelia purr. His finger slowly slipped aside the material of her top, revealing bare, bronze skin that made the vampire moan.<\/p>\n
He bit her jaw bluntly, then soothed the area with his tongue. “Beautiful…Mine. You’re all mine Cordelia.” The seer only groaned in response, tilting her head to give him further access. The vampire’s hands slipped down the side of her waist, smoothing over every dip and curve, making her tingle with anticipation, until they reached their goal.<\/p>\n
Grasping the underside of the tank top from either end, Angel gently removed the offending clothing from Cordelia’s body, drawing it over her chest and above her head, brushing her breasts with the back of his hands as he did so.<\/p>\n
Cordelia sucked in a breath when cool lips slid down the column of her throat, leaving wet circles along the way. Angel\u2019s hand slipped down her front, tracing intricate patterns on her skin, while the other hand held her firmly against him. The hand that was on her stomach slowly made its way down, stopping above the elastic of her sweats, lingering there. Cordelia pinched Angel\u2019s arm in impatience and the vampire chuckled, his hand moving once again, not stopping until it was underneath the soft fabric and in between her thighs.<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s hips lurched forward at the first stroke of his fingers. She moaned his name loudly and tilted her head to the side, biting her lip and then biting his neck in order to stop herself from screaming. Angel growled low in his throat at the sudden stab of pleasurable pain that went shooting through his system. His hand continued to torment the delicate skin it found between her legs, arousal racing through his body as he sniffed the precious air, coated with the smell of her sex.<\/p>\n
One cool finger slipped inside her and Cordelia gasped, crying out softly against his skin, hips rocking against his hand uncontrollably as he stroked her, pulling out slowly and then pushing in again, stretching her and making stars dance behind her closed eyelids. The arm that held her against him slid upwards and pinched a nipple lightly. That was all it took. Cordelia cried out his name and arched against him as everything shattered into a million pieces and she came all over his fingers, the orgasm washing over her like a flood.<\/p>\n
When she opened her eyes, head still resting against his shoulder, he was looking at her, smiling slightly at her flushed appearance. He brought his hand up in between them, still streaked with her juices, warm liquid sparkling in the moonlight. Slowly, so slowly, he sucked his fingers into his mouth, savouring the exquisite taste. When he removed his hand, he pushed back the sweaty hair from her face and smiled again, circling her nose with his own.<\/p>\n
Cordelia smiled at the tender gesture, pushing up on her toes to kiss him softly. Her hands moved down his chest and slid around to his back as she moved her own body behind his, lips tracing his chest, then his shoulder, then his shoulder blade as she walked around him.<\/p>\n
Cordelia kissed the tattoo she found on his back, tracing it with her tongue, tasting him. Angel shuddered against her, arms reaching for her but she slapped them away, teeth bluntly trailing down his spine, lips kissing their way back up. She bit his neck sharply, eliciting either a groan or a growl from him, she couldn\u2019t tell. Her hands scattered over his back and then around his front, grabbing his hands and turning him around.<\/p>\n
Face to face, she cupped his cheeks and kissed him, long languid kisses that made him moan into her mouth and attempt to grasp her waist but she stopped him, hands intertwining, fingers squeezing lovingly against each other.<\/p>\n
Cordy pushed him towards the bed, never losing his kisses, hands still tightly wound together. She pulled away to breathe and then kissed him again, tongue stroking softly against his. Feeling his legs hit the back of the bed, she placed both hands on his chest and pushed him slowly. Angel rested one leg on the bed and then eased them down slowly, still kissing Cordelia as though she was made of glass, so precious that he was privileged just to be able to touch her.<\/p>\n
Angel felt his back hit the soft covers and looked up to see Cordelia crawl over him, kissing his stomach first and then up his chest, placing loving nips here and there. His fingers wound in the silken strands of her hair, guiding her slowly towards his mouth where he kissed her, unable to keep away from her kisses for too long. She smiled against his mouth and placed an elbow on his chest, face resting against her palm.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel laughed at the huge grin on her face. He reached up, stroking her cheek, running his thumb across her lips. His eyes slid shut when she opened her mouth and sucked it in, heat enveloping the digit, spreading warm tingles through the vampire\u2019s entire body. Then she bit down on it unexpectedly, making him yelp softly and grab it back. He stared at her wide eyed when her grin widened.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019d make one hell of a vampire, you know that right?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy\u2019s grin widened even more and she got up until she was on all fours above him and kissed him again. She kissed him gently at first, deepening the kiss gradually and slipping her tongue into his mouth, chuckling softly when he growled and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her down roughly against him. Both of them moaned when her breasts came crashing down against his chest, bodies in complete contact, nothing unreachable.<\/p>\n
They kissed passionately, both refusing to leave the refuge of the other\u2019s mouth, lips slanting hungrily and fervently against each other\u2019s. Angel slid large hands down her back, unclasping her bra and pushing it away from her shoulders, relishing every touch as his fingertips skimmed over her skin. Cordelia jerked up, gasping in a lungful of air. Angel grabbed her head and kissed her again, rolling them both over, body covering hers, mouth still firmly attached to her own.<\/p>\n
His mouth trailed kisses down her throat and the valley between her breasts, stopping, hovering over one nipple until her hands wound themselves through his thick, dark hair and pulled him down against her. His lips closed around the nipple, sucking gently, revelling in the way Cordy\u2019s fingers restlessly stroked his hair and the way his vampire hearing picked up soft mewling sounds in the back of her throat.<\/p>\n
He suckled hard, once, and Cordelia moaned, hips bucking into his. He pushed his hips down into hers and she groaned, hands skating down the broad planes of his back, muscles twitching as she skimmed them, grabbing his ass and pressing his entire body against her, desperate for more contact.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel\u2026\u201d she whispered, unable to think or speak or move or do anything other than concentrate on the way he was touching her.<\/p>\n
Angel pulled his mouth away from her breast, hips still thrusting into Cordelia\u2019s of their own accord. His eyes locked with hers, hunger and love and need swirling in them. \u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy opened her mouth but no sound came out. She bucked her hips into him to show him what she wanted and his eyes closed in pleasure. Frustration overcame her when he reached back to claim her lips again and she reached down between them and grabbed his pants, jerking down and taking the boxers with her.<\/p>\n
The light bulb seemed to go off above Angel\u2019s head and he scrambled up, removing his remaining clothes completely and then reaching for the waistband of her sweats. He stopped suddenly, grinning up at her mischievously. Cordelia raised an eyebrow at the wolfish grin that spread over his beautiful features.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel kissed her stomach, tongue dipping into her belly button, making the seer gasp and lean back, her elbows giving out underneath her. Angel kissed his way down her stomach, slowly pulling down the grey material of her sweats to reveal black lace. He groaned, breathing her in, discarding the unwanted material and gently slipping his cool tongue into the warm, moist heat.<\/p>\n
Cordelia shuddered, her mouth opening in a silent scream as she reached down and with a strength she didn\u2019t know she possessed, grabbed his shoulders and pulled him up. Confused and lusty eyes met her own and she smiled reassuringly, smoothing a hand over his brow.<\/p>\n
\u201cSweetie, as good as you are at that, I\u2019m going to die if you\u2019re not inside me now.<\/i>\u201d She emphasised \u2018now\u2019 and Angel smiled in understanding and kissed her, nuzzling her nose once before running his hands down her sides and spreading her thighs slightly. He slipped into her effortlessly, his eyes sliding shut from pure pleasure and Cordelia threw her head back in ecstasy, gasping at the sensation of having him fill her.<\/p>\n
\u201cMmm\u2026\u201d was all she could manage as he began to move inside her, thrusting steadily, only to pull out and come back again, gently peppering her face, her neck, her shoulder, anywhere he could reach, with kisses as he moved within her and she thrust back with equal fervour.<\/p>\n
She cried out when he pressed a finger against her clit, stroking mercilessly. Tears pricked at her eyes from sheer rapture and she wrapped both legs around his waist, taking him deeper inside her and grinding her hips against his as he thrust again. Angel\u2019s free hand palmed her face.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy. Cordy, look at me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s eyes fluttered open and her mouth opened slightly, warm breath warming his face and neck.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you.\u201d He leaned his forehead against hers as he said the words, eyes locking with her own, finger applying pressure incessantly at her clit. And just like that, it pushed her over the edge. She screamed out his name, loudly, fireworks going off throughout her body, hips thrashing wildly against his for a second before she relaxed and drifted back down from where she was floating, breathing heavily all the while.<\/p>\n
Angel thrust twice more before he too shuddered in pleasure and released his cold seed into her body, his own still warm from her borrowed heat and still shaking with pleasure. Cordelia bit her lip, hands sliding through strands of spiky hair in an effort to hold him to her but he slipped out of her body gently, kissing her shoulder once before he rolled over onto his side and sucked in an involuntary breath.<\/p>\n
Cordelia slid across the covers and into his waiting arms, slipping her own around his waist and kissing his chest, just over where his heart would have beat. Angel\u2019s hands stroked comfortingly down her back, tracing her tattoo and pushing her closer to him. He grabbed the covers with one hand and pulled them over himself and Cordy. Cordelia raised her head, spooned in his strong embrace, eyes fluttering open and closed sleepily. \u201cAngel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHmm?\u201d He glanced down at her.<\/p>\n
She grinned, leaning up and gently pressing her lips against his before snuggling back into his chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you too.\u201d<\/p>\n