***<\/p>\n
Gunn ripped his eyes away from Buffy and the broken window, turning back to Wesley, Xander and an unconscious Cordelia. He dropped his crossbow at the sight of her bruised and broken form.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood Lord.\u201d Wesley managed, taking a good look at Cordy, his eyes strangely red at the sight of his friend.<\/p>\n
Xander bit his lip. \u201cWhat the hell did they do – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGuys,\u201d Gunn interrupted, his eyes glistening. He came forward and placed both arms under Cordelia. \u201cWe have to get her to a hospital. Xander, hold her head.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander nodded, doing as he was told, and Wesley picked up his crossbow, holding it cautiously. Together, the three of them lifted Cordelia and gently carried her through the open door, down the stairs and out of the shed.<\/p>\n
*<\/p>\n
Spike stood as still as a stone statue, staring at the sight before him. His eyes were wide, as thought he was staring at a ghost and he knew, had he possessed a heart it would have been hammering in his chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh!\u201d Drusilla\u2019s eyes sparkled. \u201cMy favourite soldier.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDru\u2026\u201d The crossbow suddenly felt heavy in his arms and he lowered it to his side. Contrasting emotions were rushing through his veins at the speed of lightning. It had been so long since he had seen her, so long since he had thought about the way he\u2019d once felt\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cWilliam,\u201d Drusilla whispered, \u201cOh William, I want to kiss you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike shakily raised his crossbow once again. \u201cDon\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drusilla pouted, taking a few, slow steps forward. \u201cOh my pet,\u201d she paused, the crossbow inches away from her, sliding her fingers over the horizontal bar, \u201care you going to hurt me?\u201d She giggled.<\/p>\n
Spike swallowed, remaining silent.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you really *want* to hurt me?\u201d She asked, palming his cheek. Slowly, gently, almost as if taking candy from a baby, she pushed the crossbow aside, kept pushing until \u2013 she smiled when it hit the floor. She moved closer, barely inches between them now.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my sweet,\u201d Drusilla crooned, trailing a finger lightly down the side of his face, \u201cyou never had it in your deadly, dark heart to do it.\u201d She kissed his mouth, a barely there press of her lips against his. Spike stared at her, frozen, seemingly mesmerised and horrified all at once. \u201cYou could never hurt me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe he couldn\u2019t,\u201d Buffy\u2019s voice behind her caught Drusilla off guard and she spun around, \u201cbut I sure as hell can.\u201d The slayer lunged at her and Drusilla growled, roughly pushing Spike away. He slammed into the window of the shed, losing his balance and smashing through the glass.<\/p>\n
*<\/p>\n
The two women met halfway, landing in a tangle of flaying limbs on the ground of the shed. Buffy spared a concerned look over her shoulder, unable to see Spike. Turning quickly back to the fight, she threw a punch, catching Drusilla square in the jaw. The vampire screeched, lashing out with her nails, digging four deep red streaks into Buffy\u2019s throat.<\/p>\n
Buffy yelped in pain and rolled away, one hand on her bleeding neck, the other reaching for the stake in her pocket. Drusilla kicked her arm before she had the chance and Buffy grunted, catching Drusilla\u2019s ankle in her hand when the vampire tried to kick her again. Anger, jealousy and adrenaline ran through her and with all her strength, she crushed the thin bone beneath her palm.<\/p>\n
Drusilla screamed in agony, kicking out with her good leg. Her boot collided with Buffy\u2019s shin and the slayer groaned, flipping over and getting to her feet. Drusilla curled into herself, gathering her broken ankle as close to her chest as she could.<\/p>\n
Buffy circled her, removing the stake from her pocket. Drusilla straightened, still prone on the floor, her dark eyes glaring with hate. She lifted her nails, still stained with Buffy\u2019s blood and sucked one of them into her mouth. Buffy\u2019s mouth curled into a thin line, her face showing repulsion.<\/p>\n
\u201cMmm,\u201d Drusilla murmured, closing her eyes, \u201cSlayer blood tastes like wine. The most delicious.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEnjoy it Drusilla.\u201d Buffy replied scathingly. \u201cYou\u2019re never getting any more.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drusilla laughed loudly, looking every bit the deranged vampire she was reputed to be. \u201cSilly rabbit. Do you really think he could ever love you more than he loves me?\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy ignored the pang in her heart. \u201cLoved, Drusilla. As in past tense. And considering you were both evil at the time and you\u2019re still a psycho bitch, yeah, I really do think he could,\u201d<\/p>\n
Drusilla growled. \u201cMummy doesn\u2019t share her soldiers!\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy resisted the urge to roll her eyes. \u201cYa know, you\u2019d think living over a hundred years would teach you a thing or two about men. Like the fact that they don\u2019t like needy women. But clearly, you\u2019ve got it bad. So as a woman, I\u2019m gonna do you a favour.\u201d She flipped the stake in her hand, walking forward. \u201cI\u2019m gonna put you out of your misery.\u201d She raised her arm high and dove, prepared to bring the stake down.<\/p>\n
She wasn\u2019t prepared for Drusilla\u2019s<\/i> next move.<\/p>\n
Suddenly, the vampire miraculously raised both her legs and caught Buffy in the stomach, hard. The move winded her only slightly, but before she could recover, Drusilla used all the weight in her legs, both good and bad, to pull her off the floor, throwing her body over her head.<\/p>\n
Buffy felt the world spin, seconds before she crashed headfirst into the wall of the shed. Some of it gave out beneath her weight and she cried out, grabbing her head in pain as bits of broken wood and debris collapsed over her. Something hard hit her head and she felt dizzy, disorientated. She attempted to move but her body felt too heavy, and something hurt. She couldn\u2019t determine what.<\/p>\n
Drusilla got to her feet, limping slightly but looking no worse for the wear. She licked her fingers again, her smile deadly. \u201cSlayer\u2019s blood *heals* the best too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy groaned, pressing her fingers against her forehead, trying to stop the spinning. She could see Drusilla a few feet away, though her sight was strangely blurry. Drusilla stalked forward, grabbing Buffy roughly by the hair and yanking her up.<\/p>\n
\u201cAah – \u201d Buffy whimpered at the sharp pain that spread over her scalp as the vampire\u2019s nails dug in deep. Her head spun and she reared her fist back but Drusilla curled her free hand around her throat, squeezing tight. Spots appeared behind Buffy\u2019s eyes and she kicked out, catching Drusilla in the shin. Drusilla grunted but didn\u2019t loosen her hold. Buffy\u2019s face contorted in repulsion when Drusilla ran her tongue over the side of her face. Then she turned her head and spat, glaring at Buffy with golden eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI despise slayers.\u201d She hissed.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, well,\u201d Buffy croaked out, struggling with the lack of air, \u201cthe feeling\u2019s mutual.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drusilla\u2019s hold tightened and she nuzzled Buffy\u2019s neck. \u201cSpike\u2019s pretty little toy.\u201d She looked up, licking her fangs. \u201cWhere is your shining prince now? Doesn\u2019t he love you?\u201d Without warning, she sharply pulled Buffy\u2019s head back, making her eyes water. \u201cWell, you shall be *my* favourite kill.\u201d<\/p>\n
She reared her head back, fangs bared, set to strike \u2013 and froze.<\/p>\n
Drusilla\u2019s hold on her loosened and Buffy stumbled slightly, grabbing at the wall. Drusilla stared at her, horrified. Buffy looked down at the arrow protruding from Drusilla\u2019s chest, not quite through her heart but just below. The vampire turned, staring in shock and heartbreak at the figure behind her.<\/p>\n
Spike stood a few feet away, a crossbow held firmly in his arms, pointed straight at Drusilla. His expression was stone serious but his eyes gave him away. They held turmoil, anger and resolution all at once and Buffy didn\u2019t know whether to sigh in relief, run in fear or cry at the unfairness of it all.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere you are.\u201d Drusilla whimpered. \u201cMy sweet, beloved William, how you glow for me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
There was a long pause and Spike swallowed, his voice low, as though he were struggling to speak. \u201cYou made me who I was Dru. And I loved you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Drusilla whispered, \u201cyou love *me*.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d Spike shook his head, his eyes sad. \u201cI loved you. And a part of me always will but Buffy\u2026\u201d he caught Buffy\u2019s eye and she felt a tear slip down her cheek, her fear dissipating instantly. \u201cShe\u2019s made me who I *am*. And I love her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHer?\u201d Drusilla screeched. \u201cThat filthy slayer?\u201d Buffy winced as the wound in Drusilla\u2019s chest tore a little deeper. \u201cLiar!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d Spike said, his voice suddenly losing all emotion. Buffy wondered if it was an attempt at not falling apart. He tightened his hold on the crossbow. \u201cI love her. And I wont let you hurt her or yourself any more.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou love me\u2026\u201d Drusilla murmured, more as though to reassure herself than anything else.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoodbye Dru.\u201d Spike pulled the trigger, releasing the arrow. It sliced through the air, imbedding itself deep in Drusilla\u2019s chest. Her body jerked but her sad, bewildered gaze never left his.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve broken my heart, William.\u201d Drusilla whispered.<\/p>\n
And then, all that was left of her was dust.<\/p>\n
Spike released a breath he didn\u2019t know he\u2019d been holding, dropping the crossbow and nearly falling to his knees. He\u2019d done it. He\u2019d killed her. The one person he could never bring himself to destroy and now she was gone for all eternity. And yet, he felt a certain peace. And a wave of relief that she hadn\u2019t been able to hurt \u2013<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy!\u201d He cried out, hurrying over to her, wrapping his arms around her in a sturdy grip and drawing her to him. There was a nasty cut on her head and her arms were slightly bruised but she\u2019d be fine. He heaved a sigh of relief. \u201cGod, you scared me – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI scared you?\u201d Buffy yelped, the relief in her rousing the energy she had left. \u201cI scared \u2013 you know what? Shut up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike stared at her in shock for a few seconds. Then he chuckled and pulled her close, kissing her breathless. \u201cI love you.\u201d<\/p>\n
She sighed against his lips, relaxing into him. \u201cI know.\u201d Her arms tightened around his waist. \u201cI love you too.\u201d<\/p>\n
He smiled, his eyes lazily roaming around the now empty shed. Suddenly, his smile faded. \u201cOh bugger, Darla!\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cYou bastard!\u201d<\/p>\n
Darla elbowed Angel in the face and he released his hold on her, grabbing his nose.<\/p>\n
\u201cI made you what you are!\u201d She screamed, eyes blazing gold in the dark. \u201cAnd this is the thanks I get?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell yeah.\u201d Angel said dispassionately, catching the fist she threw at him in his palm and yanking her forward. \u201cThat and *this*!\u201d He jerked his head, crashing his forehead violently against hers. Darla groaned and grabbed her head, a low growl vibrating through her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI tried to save you, Darla.\u201d Angel said lowly, his fists clenching at his side. \u201cAnd I\u2019m sorry that I couldn\u2019t. I\u2019m sorry that I couldn\u2019t destroy you and save your soul.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t be.\u201d Darla seethed. \u201cI\u2019m glad I lived long enough to see that little bitch of yours tortured to death.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anger roared on a leash inside him but he continued, his voice calm. \u201cI couldn\u2019t kill you then but I promised Cordelia if you ever hurt a single hair on her head, I\u2019d make sure you\u2019d never do it again.\u201d His glare was steady, determined. \u201cAnd I intend to keep that promise.\u201d<\/p>\n
Darla laughed, releasing her head. \u201cLook at yourself Angelus. What have you come to? You\u2019re a shell of what you were \u2013 a shell of what I\u2019m sorry I ever created.\u201d She circled him, smiling when he tensed. \u201cYou\u2019re just a pathetic do \u2013 gooder.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe.\u201d Angel said softly. \u201cBut I have someone who loves me for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
That shut Darla up. Angel turned to face her, his glare still firmly in place. \u201cYou wanna talk about how the mighty have fallen, Darla? Take a good look in the mirror.\u201d He chuckled mirthlessly. \u201cYou have nothing, no \u2013 one, and you can bet your ass I\u2019m gonna make sure you have no future.\u201d<\/p>\n
For a few seconds, Darla stared at him with unmistakable hatred in her eyes. Then without warning, she screeched, lunging at him.<\/p>\n
Her fist pummelled into his stomach and he doubled over, clutching it in pain. Before he had a chance to recover, she slammed her elbow down on his back, sending him sprawling down onto the sand. Hurriedly, Angel grabbed a handful of sand and rolled over, throwing it in her face as she pounced. Darla howled, reeling back and frantically clawing it out of her eyes.<\/p>\n
Angel was quick, kicking her legs out from under her and leaping to his feet, stalking forward. He whipped out the stake in his pocket and raised his arm, just as Darla recovered and kicked upwards, the heel of her boot connecting with his wrist.<\/p>\n
He yelped and dropped the stake, his other hand swiftly grabbing her by the hair and pulling her up. Darla snarled and spat like a cat, scratching down his arm and kneeing him in the shin. Angel growled but let go of her, throwing her several feet through the air so that she landed head first on the sand.<\/p>\n
She spat sand out of her mouth, her lips pulled into a furious, thin line. Almost immediately she was up again, racing towards him. He dodged the first hit but the second caught him in the face, knocking him back. Reflexively, he lashed out, his boot connecting with flesh. He wasn\u2019t sure what he hit but Darla cried out, keeling over momentarily.<\/p>\n
Angel ran his fingers over his lips, pulling them away to find them stained with blood. The wind swirled animatedly around them and for a split second there was peace. Then he heard laughing, and for a moment he thought he\u2019d imagined it. But then he saw Darla grinning manically at him from her precarious position.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you want to hear about your little Cordelia?\u201d She taunted. \u201cI have to give credit where it\u2019s due Angel, you always did love a powerful woman, didn\u2019t you? Such strength\u2026made it all the better to break.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel gritted his teeth.<\/p>\n
\u201cAah, the sweet sound of torture.\u201d Darla mused. \u201cShe\u2019s a screamer. Then again, all that biting, and burning, and scratching, and whipping\u2026that\u2019ll do that to a girl. You always liked whips, didn\u2019t you Angelus?\u201d<\/p>\n
It seemed to hit him all at once \u2013 all the horrific things they must have done to *his* Cordy, all the agony they must have put her through. He could picture it all and it was too much. Tears stung at Angel\u2019s eyes but he blinked them back, not wanting to give Darla the satisfaction.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou BITCH.\u201d<\/p>\n
Darla cackled. \u201cSticks and stones, dear boy.\u201d She straightened slowly. \u201cMaybe if you had turned up earlier, you could have joined in. I think you\u2019d have enjoyed it.\u201d She smiled, strolling unhurriedly towards him. Angel has time to notice her lip was bleeding and she staggered a little.<\/p>\n
\u201cI told her you know, about our secret night. Broke her golden little heart, poor thing.\u201d Darla\u2019s voice was amused, far from sympathetic. \u201cShe had *no* idea\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Blind rage and panic crackled through his veins and exploded like a blazing inferno and though it pounded through him, Angel never showed it in his expression. His eyes harboured a blankness that Darla recognised \u2013 the same look he\u2019d had when he\u2019d grabbed her and shoved her roughly against his bedroom wall.<\/p>\n
Her eyes widened as he pulled his coat back, undoing his belt and pulling it free from the loops. His face was calm, too calm, as he reared it back, his eyes burning bright with vengeance. Then with a roar that made the waves shudder and crash against the shore, Angel lashed out, bringing the belt down hard onto Darla\u2019s body.<\/p>\n
The scream that tore out of her throat was bloodcurdling and Angel flinched for a split second before he released the belt again, slapping it brutally across her skin.<\/p>\n
Rage shadowed rationality and he repeated the action again and again and again \u2013 until the wrath inside him slowly began to subside. Angel grabbed both ends of the belt and speedily wrapped them around Darla\u2019s throat, pulling her against him.<\/p>\n
\u201cNever, EVER come at me through Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her skin was red with abrasions and tears streamed down Darla\u2019s face from the abuse, but he could also smell the faint scent of arousal. Disgusted, Angel shoved her away. Darla caught herself before she fell, her gaze landing on Angel\u2019s abandoned stake. In the blink of an eye she\u2019d grabbed it, clutching it between her fingers as she moved slowly towards him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were great together, Angelus.\u201d She said bitterly. \u201cWe could have lived it all again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel didn\u2019t blink. \u201cI\u2019d rather die.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat can be arranged.\u201d Darla snarled, hurling herself forward.<\/p>\n
Angel curled his fingers around her wrist, dodging the deadly tip of the stake as she tried to impale him. Darla struggled, being the weaker of the two. She wrapped both hands around the weapon, pushing it towards him. In a fast, deft movement, Angel snapped the stake in half, catching the sharp end between his fingers before it hit the ground.<\/p>\n
Darla screamed in helpless resentment, throwing the useless stake away. \u201cYou\u2019ve ruined everything!\u201d Tears of frustration streamed down her cheeks. She threw herself at him, viciously pummelling his chest with her fists. Angel\u2019s arms encircled her and he held her in place even as she struggled, her hair flying uncontrollably in the wind.<\/p>\n
\u201cI let you live back then Darla \u2013 you should have taken the hint and gotten the hell out of my life!\u201d<\/p>\n
Darla struck out vainly with her fist, hitting nothing but air. Angel\u2019s voice was softer when he spoke again.<\/p>\n
\u201cI told you everything I was sorry for.\u201d Angel said simply, his tone cold. His strong hands held her, one on her lower back and one between her shoulders. She lifted her head to stare at him, her red eyes suddenly hopeful. The hope disappeared at his next words. \u201cBut you made a mistake hurting my girl. So I\u2019m not sorry for *this*.\u201d<\/p>\n
Darla\u2019s eyes widened and she gasped, her mouth forming a large \u2018O\u2019. She glanced down at her chest, at the protruding end of the broken stake. Angel released her, his hand sliding off her back as he took a step away from her. Her eyes were glassy as they stared at him, her look appalled – as though he were the most treacherous thing she\u2019d ever laid eyes on.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoodbye Darla.\u201d His voice was so void of feeling that he even shocked himself.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel – \u201d she exploded into a million fragments of dust, swept away by the breeze within seconds. Angel was surprised at how little sadness he felt, how little remorse or regret. All he could think about was Cordy.<\/p>\n
Cordy\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cAngel!\u201d Buffy\u2019s voice startled him and he jerked his gaze to the entrance of the shed, where she hobbled out, one arm around Spike\u2019s shoulders. Angel\u2019s eyes locked with the other vampire\u2019s.<\/p>\n
\u201cDarla?\u201d Spike asked slowly, noting her disappearance.<\/p>\n
Angel shook his head. \u201cDru?\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike swallowed. \u201cIt\u2019s over.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel nodded in understanding, not wanting to pursue the subject any more than Spike. \u201cDid they get Cordelia out?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d Buffy said quietly. \u201cShe\u2019s at the hospital. Xander just called.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel turned his back on Darla\u2019s ashes, his coat billowing out behind him in the wind.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to see her.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
A broken arm. Two broken ribs. Fifteen visible bruises. Twelve cuts, four major, eight minor. Nine abrasions. Six wounds, two major. One first – degree burn. A concussion.<\/p>\n
Angel stood stone still as Wesley listed the injuries the doctor had identified. He noted how pale Wes looked, even when he whispered, \u201cIt could have been worse, Angel. She was \u2013 we<\/i> were lucky.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel rubbed a tired hand over his face, looking around the waiting room. Fred and Willow had made their way to the hospital. Gunn was leaning against the wall staring into space. Buffy was seated on one of the pale green plastic fold \u2013 up chairs, her head resting on Spike\u2019s shoulder. Xander sat on the floor, arms crossed, eyes jaded.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to thank all of you,\u201d Angel broke the silence suddenly, \u201cfor everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
His eyes locked with each one of them individually and they nodded in silent acknowledgement. Fred was sniffling slightly and Wes sat down beside her, putting an arm around her shoulders.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey,\u201d Gunn quipped, trying to lighten the mood, \u201cthis is what we do.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd we do it bloody well.\u201d Spike said, smiling softly.<\/p>\n
Willow chuckled lightly. \u201cDamn right.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Angel couldn\u2019t bring himself to smile.<\/p>\n
Not yet.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr Wyndham – Price?\u201d<\/p>\n
The foreign voice made Angel swivel around, only to find himself face to face with a slightly older man, blonde hair, green eyes, stethoscope around his neck\u2026 The doctor regarded him wearily and Wesley jumped out of his seat, walking over.<\/p>\n
\u201cDr. Green.\u201d Wesley said, gesturing towards the vampire. \u201cThis is Angel, Cordelia\u2019s partner.\u201d Dr. Green nodded at Angel. \u201cWhen can we see her?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, she\u2019s still pretty heavily sedated. She\u2019ll be asleep for a few hours.\u201d Dr. Green said. \u201cProbably best not to crowd her \u2013 I\u2019d feel more comfortable if you went in one at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley nodded. \u201cCertainly.\u201d Dr. Green departed and Wes turned to Angel, pointing at the door of Cordy\u2019s room. \u201cGo ahead. Take all the time you need.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hesitantly, Angel wrapped his hand around the doorknob and walked in.<\/p>\n
She was lying there, still as a statue. He could hear the wonderful drum of her heart, stable now, so different from when she was held captive \u2013 Angel shuddered. She was fine, she was here and she was safe, and he wasn\u2019t going to let anything happen to her.<\/p>\n
Quietly, Angel drew a seat close to Cordy\u2019s bed, his knees brushing the mattress as he sat down. His eyes fluttered with a sigh. He hadn\u2019t realised how exhausted he was. Gently, he laid his hands over hers, resting his head just beside them. Angel allowed the now steady beat of her heart to lull him to sleep.<\/p>\n
His hands never left hers.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Buffy stared at Angel and Cordelia through the rectangular glass. She heaved a sigh of relief. Cordy was okay. They had got her back. Sure, she was pretty beaten up but if Buffy knew Cordelia, she\u2019d handle it like the toughie she was, and get past it all just fine and in no time.<\/p>\n
And if Cordy was okay, that meant that Angel would be alright too.<\/p>\n
She didn\u2019t hear Spike approach but when he wrapped his arms around her from behind she didn\u2019t jump. Buffy sighed again, leaning against him. He kissed her temple, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ll be okay, won\u2019t they?\u201d She asked softly.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course.\u201d Spike\u2019s voice was close to her ear. \u201cThey always are.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy nodded. \u201cI\u2019m just so glad she\u2019s alright.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMe too.\u201d Spike turned her around to face him. \u201cAre *you* alright?\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy bit her lip, then nodded, slipping her arms around him and holding him close. \u201cI am now.\u201d She felt his arms tighten around her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you, Buffy.\u201d He whispered fiercely. \u201cI would do anything for you. Cross the ocean, walk through a sunlit desert\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy grinned, chuckling softly at the unexpected poetry. A surprising warmth spread through her chest. It was cheesy, sure, but it touched her nonetheless.<\/p>\n
Spike smiled against her hair. \u201cDrusilla always said I was a bad poet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy looked up at him, resting her chin against his chest. \u201cYou may be a bad poet Spike,\u201d she pressed her lips to his softly, \u201cbut you\u2019re a good man. And I love you too.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia awoke to the steady tub \u2013 thump of her heart and the rhythmic beeping coming from somewhere on her right. She was afraid to open her eyes, afraid to find that she was still in that horrible shed, alone in the dark where the demons were torturing her.<\/p>\n
It certainly smelled and felt different though\u2026<\/p>\n
Slowly, she opened her eyes, getting her bearings. She was in a bed, a hospital bed she acknowledged. The walls around her were stark white and she blinked against the brightness. Her arm was in a sling and several parts of her body hurt \u2013 but it was a blunt, healing pain, so much better than what she\u2019d had to suffer in the company of Darla and Drusilla and their onslaught.<\/p>\n
Which brought her to her next realisation.<\/p>\n
She was alive.<\/p>\n
And considering there was a sleeping vampire on her bed, whose fingers were intertwined so tightly with hers it was beginning to hurt, she felt it was safe to assume that he had been the one who\u2019d saved her.<\/p>\n
She vaguely remembered Darla announcing his arrival. She also remembered Darla\u2019s conversation with her prior to that \u2013 her heart clenched angrily.<\/p>\n
That bastard\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
That bastard who was holding her hand as though she were made of smoke, as though terrified that if he released her she\u2019d disappear.<\/p>\n
Cordy sighed, her anger fading.<\/p>\n
Angel had saved her. He\u2019d saved her from Darla and Drusilla. He hadn\u2019t lost his soul, or betrayed her again, or chosen someone else. And he was here, right by her bed, clutching her hand as though she were his only lifeline.<\/p>\n
That had to mean something\u2026<\/p>\n
Cordy ran her fingers through his hair, once, twice, and slowly he awoke, his eyes groggy. When they landed on her however, they lit up and the most breathtaking smile crept over his face, making the corners of her lips twitch as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy!\u201d<\/p>\n
Desperate arms wrapped around her and Cordelia found herself overwhelmed by everything that was Angel \u2013 his scent, his body, his eyes, his lips\u2026 He peppered kisses over her face, cupping it between his hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you EVER do that to me again.\u201d He said firmly, kissing each eyelid. His voice dropped to a whisper. \u201cI thought I lost you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel – \u201d Cordelia started.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter.\u201d Angel said, kissing her fingertips as though he were drunk on her. \u201cYou\u2019re safe now. And they\u2019re dead. I\u2019m never gonna let anyone or anything hurt you again, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia rolled her eyes. \u201cDon\u2019t make promises you can\u2019t – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not.\u201d Angel cut her off. \u201cI\u2019d never lie to you Cordy.\u201d He didn\u2019t seem to notice how her eyes narrowed at that comment. \u201cI\u2019m gonna do everything in my power to make sure no-one hurts you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what about *you*?\u201d Cordy said bitterly, Darla\u2019s revelation flooding back through her mind with all its sordid images of jeopardy and dishonesty.<\/p>\n
And suddenly, annoyance rather than anger re-surfaced, and she found she couldn\u2019t *quite* let it go.<\/p>\n
*<\/p>\n
Angel stared at Cordelia, uncertain and a little anxious. Her previously steady heartbeat had sped up and her fists clenched by her side.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d He asked, confused.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou slept with her.\u201d Cordy said quietly. Her voice was detached, yet her eyes watered.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s heart jolted in his chest. She stared at him heartbrokenly, her lips pulled down in a grim line. He had hurt her \u2013 and it was the last thing he ever wanted to do. Slowly, sadly, Angel nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d Cordelia barely managed the word.<\/p>\n
Angel sucked in a breath, feeling tears prick behind his eyes. \u201cI\u2019m so sorry – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d Cordelia asked again, her voice stronger.<\/p>\n
Angel swallowed, intertwining their fingers, relief seeping through him when she didn\u2019t pull away. \u201cBecause I was lost. And cold. And everything seemed so dead.\u201d He grimaced, \u201cIt was like, the world was ending and I couldn\u2019t do anything to stop it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia frowned. Her eyes were moist but they never left his. \u201cYou risked all our lives for – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a horrible mistake, Cordy. A night of complete despair.\u201d Angel shook his head, \u201cI had nothing left, and I just wanted to feel\u2026*something*. I took comfort in the only thing I could find.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDarla.\u201d The name slipped from Cordelia\u2019s lips like a whispered curse, and tears wetted her cheeks one after another.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy\u2026\u201d Angel\u2019s voice was thick with emotion, \u201cI love you. And I\u2019m here now. And I\u2019m sorry that I hurt you but I can\u2019t take back what happened. I don\u2019t know if I would.\u201d When her eyebrow shot up, he quickly added, \u201cBecause it saved me. I hit rock bottom and there was nowhere left to go but – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUp.\u201d Cordelia finished for him, biting her lip. Angel nodded, brushing his thumb across her cheek and wiping away her tears. He leaned his forehead against hers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seconds past in silence, as Cordelia seemed to mull over everything. Several emotions fluttered across her face \u2013 irritation, indecisiveness, acceptance and finally, understanding.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know.\u201d She said at last, softly, squeezing his hand. She palmed his face then, bringing him closer. \u201cI\u2019m having a hard time being mad at you after the last few hours, but – I need you to promise me something, Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I need you to mean it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel shot her a confused look before nodding.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe next time you feel lost, or cold, or helpless,\u201d she sucked in breath, \u201cpromise me you\u2019ll come to *me*. Promise me you\u2019ll let me save you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel stared at her, his eyes stinging.<\/p>\n
\u201cPromise me that I\u2019ll be the one you choose Angel.\u201d Cordelia said desperately, apparently too tired to be angry or strong anymore, \u201cPlease, promise it\u2019ll be me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt *is* you Cordy,\u201d Angel whispered, turning his head and pressing his lips to her palm, \u201cit\u2019s always been you.\u201d Tears ran freely down his cheeks but Angel didn\u2019t care as he kissed her forehead, her nose, and finally her lips, clinging to her like a starving man, so unbelievably relieved that she was here, safe, in his arms. When he pulled away, she was smiling softly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you.\u201d He said, pulling her to him gently. He held her in his arms, sighing contentedly when her head settled against his shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you, too.\u201d Cordelia whispered, lacing her fingers through his and snuggling into his chest, closing her eyes. Safe and complete, in that moment, nothing else existed other than the vampire and seer in the small hospital room, wrapped lovingly in each other\u2019s embrace.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re cold, I\u2019ll keep you warm
\nAnd if you\u2019re lost, just hold on,
\nCos I will be your safety
\nOh, don\u2019t leave home – Dido<\/i><\/p>\n
END.<\/b><\/p>\n