7<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cMmm hmm,\u201d Kate nodded her head, balancing the phone between her chin and shoulder as she scribbled onto a pad. \u201cAlright, I\u2019ll do my best.\u201d A soft smile slid onto her face. \u201cAlways a pleasure talking to you, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
She placed the phone back in its receiver, walking over to the file cabinet and opening the first drawer. She rifled through the files, smirking when she found what she was looking for. Flipping open the file, she ran her finger over the page, returning to her desk and taking a seat. She lifted the phone up, dialling the number.<\/p>\n
\u201cLeroy, hi, it\u2019s Lockley.\u201d Kate grinned brightly at the sound of her old friend\u2019s voice. \u201cI know, it\u2019s been too long. How\u2019s the family?\u201d She laughed. \u201cGood to know. I\u2019m great, work\u2019s a little hectic but nothing I can\u2019t handle. Speaking of which,\u201d She lifted the sheet of paper that she\u2019d scribbled onto in front of her, \u201cI need a favour.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia balanced the phone between her ear and her shoulder, placing the dangling diamond earring into her free ear. \u201cSo you made up?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYep.\u201d Faith\u2019s voice sounded through the phone. \u201cShe came over and \u2013 ow!\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy started. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry.\u201d Faith grumbled. \u201cJust poked myself in the eye with mascara.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia smirked, wrapping the white belt around her waist. \u201cElegance is an attitude, Faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhich you have in spades. I\u2019m more of a rambunctious kinda girl.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe just said she was sorry, and that she over-reacted.\u201d Faith sounded uncertain. \u201cShe looked a little uneasy though. Am I that untrustworthy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s you.\u201d Cordy said, a frown on her face. \u201cBuffy\u2019s struggling with something right now and I don\u2019t think even she knows what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, why didn\u2019t she say anything?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shrugged. \u201cI guess she\u2019ll talk when she\u2019s ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHmm\u2026so, you all set for your big date?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not a date.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI hate to burst your bubble of denial, Cordelia but \u2013 hang on, what are you wearing?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy gave herself a once-over in the mirror. She wore a pair of denim jeans with a slim white belt through the loops, a classic white halter-neck top and a pair of long diamond earrings. She\u2019d thrown an elegant white blazer over the top in case it got chilly and her boots were dark-brown, three-inch heels. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy guess?\u201d Faith paused. \u201cYou\u2019re wearing a pair of jeans and pretty top because it\u2019s smart-casual and on some level you realise this *is* a date. However \u2013 you\u2019ve thrown a smart jacket or a blazer over the top so that you look and feel professional, like you\u2019re going out on business, which negates the \u2018date\u2019 factor.\u201d There was another pause. \u201cAm I right?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy glanced around her house worriedly. \u201cDid you put a camera in here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I just know you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy frowned. \u201cAlright. Can I take a shot at you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShoot.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLeather pants, bright red top, leather jacket.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBingo! Give the lady a cookie.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy smirked. \u201cThere we go, now we\u2019re even.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure we are.\u201d Faith\u2019s voice was cheeky. \u201cOnly, one of us is refusing to acknowledge that she\u2019s going on a date.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Wesley jerked his head towards the door of the office in surprise, as the key turned in the lock. A moment later, Buffy pushed the door open, stepping into the office.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy.\u201d Wesley cocked his head. \u201cEvening. I thought you had a date?\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy shook her head, hanging her jacket onto the coat rack. \u201cI cancelled it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d Wesley frowned. \u201cMay I ask why?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d She shrugged, taking a seat on the couch and leaning back against the cushions. Wesley noticed she looked a little lost and her lips were pulled down into a frown.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy\u2026\u201d Wesley laid a hand on her shoulder. \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter?\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy sighed, giving him a barely there smile. \u201cIt\u2019s nothing, Wes. Really, I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
He wasn\u2019t convinced, but Wesley had a feeling she didn\u2019t really want to talk about it. And considering he didn\u2019t know what it was, he didn\u2019t know what to say or how to fix it. \u201cOkay. Can I get you anything?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, but I do have something for you.\u201d Buffy reached into her bag and pulled out a thin folder, handing it to Wesley. \u201cFaith gave it to me \u2013 she did some research after she left.\u201d Wesley began to flip through the sheets inside. \u201cI looked through it on my way here. It\u2019s mostly general but there is some important information on the buying and selling of souls.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, it\u2019s a centuries old practice.\u201d Wesley narrowed his eyes. \u201cThe two main profits of it are to make money and more importantly, to control human beings and demons, in the worst cases as slaves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy grimaced. \u201cThat\u2019s awful.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, quite barbaric.\u201d Wesley closed the file. \u201cI certainly wouldn\u2019t put it past Wolfram & Hart. Angel may not be a slave but his soul is in their custody, which means they can do as they please with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd he can\u2019t quit or simply walk out of there.\u201d Buffy added. \u201cPlus, if Wolfram & Hart are going for the whole control thing, chances are there\u2019ll be things he\u2019s not authorized to do and places he\u2019s not allowed to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhich ensures his never finding out any means of escape.\u201d Wesley nodded in understanding. \u201cAnd if he can\u2019t access those areas – \u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy smirked. \u201cWe\u2019re gonna have to do it for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
The sound of the bathroom door opening startled Buffy and she jerked her head towards the back room, shooting a glance at Wesley. He blushed, averting her gaze.<\/p>\n
Moments later, Kate Lockley appeared through the doorway and into the main room. She looked surprised when she saw Buffy, but recovered quickly, smiling. \u201cHello Buffy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHi Kate.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d Buffy looked from her to Wes, a grin slipping onto her face. \u201cAnd you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat!\u201d Kate said, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. \u201cI was just, um – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDetective Lockley was kind enough to drop off some files and blueprints that she obtained from Wolfram & Hart through a warrant.\u201d Wesley jumped in, the back of his neck hot. He shot Kate a smile, ducking his head when she smiled back.<\/p>\n
\u201cAha.\u201d Buffy raised a disbelieving eyebrow. \u201cSo you know about the case, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. I figured you guys could use a little help in the \u2018law and order\u2019 department.\u201d Kate winked.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, thanks.\u201d Buffy smiled, a little bemused. \u201cHow did you a get a warrant?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s just say Wolfram & Hart aren\u2019t the only good lawyers in Los Angeles.\u201d Kate grinned. \u201cOur state lawyers were able to dig up over 40 major city code violations in the department they investigated alone<\/i>. That was enough for a warrant to acquire the blueprints and paperwork for the rest of the building.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy looked impressed. \u201cThat\u2019s great.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, it\u2019s pretty marvellous, isn\u2019t it?\u201d Wesley grinned, rushing to help Kate with her jacket as she reached for it. \u201cThank you so much for all your help, detective.\u201d<\/p>\n
She smiled softly at him. \u201cI told you to call me Kate.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight, sorry.\u201d Wesley couldn\u2019t seem to keep the smile of his face. He caught Buffy grinning from the corner of his eye and shot her a dirty look.<\/p>\n
\u201cNice seeing you, Buffy.\u201d Kate said, opening the door and stepping through it.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou too, Kate.\u201d The grin was still firmly planted on Buffy\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
The other woman glanced at Buffy, then took an uncertain step towards Wesley. She leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to the side of his mouth, so brief that he could have imagined it. Yet there was a shyness and a warmth in her eyes, and his heart fluttered in response. She smiled, then she swivelled on her heel and walked off.<\/p>\n
With a final grin, Wesley closed the door. He spun around quickly, mainly to avoid any of Buffy\u2019s questions, and swiftly returned to work-mode. \u201cRight, back to business. We should have a look through the \u2013 what?\u201d He glanced quizzically at Buffy when he noticed she was biting her lip to keep from laughing.<\/p>\n
She cracked up. \u201cAre you kidding me? I may not have a degree from the Watcher\u2019s Academy Wes, but I wasn\u2019t born yesterday!\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia parked the car inches away from the pavement, leaning back in her seat and looking across the road at the restaurant Angel had given her the directions for. It was nice \u2013 small but classy, a hatched straw canopy decorated with little lights covering the outside seating area.<\/p>\n
Cordy frowned. It seemed a little too romantic for a business meeting.<\/p>\n
Sighing, she got out of the car and crossed the street, her heels clicking against the pavement. The ma\u00eetre d’ smiled politely at her as she stepped through the hatched archway.<\/p>\n
\u201cMay I show you to a table, madam?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy looked around the small space, searching for Angel. No sign of him \u2013 though the narrowing of her eyes was more due to the number of starry-eyed couples that were seated in front of her.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking for me?\u201d<\/p>\n
Startled, Cordelia spun around. Angel stood just outside the restaurant, his eyes dancing with amusement. He wore a pale blue shirt beneath a navy blue Ralph Lauren suit, as though he\u2019d just come from work. Had the crisply pressed outfit not given him away, Cordy would have assumed he had. He smiled winningly at her and a strange fluttery sensation took place in the pit of her stomach.<\/p>\n
Before she could ponder *that*, he\u2019d taken a step closer. \u201cSorry I\u2019m late.\u201d He held out a single white lily, handing it to her.<\/p>\n
Cordy raised an eyebrow. \u201cAnd I didn\u2019t get you anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel laughed and Cordy blinked. He had a very nice smile.<\/p>\n
She shook her head as Angel held out a hand, gesturing towards the maitre d\u2019. \u201cAfter you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy grinned. \u201cAge before beauty?\u201d<\/p>\n
He laughed again and she felt the same odd flutter as she followed him behind the ma\u00eetre d’, who lead them to their table. He pulled out her chair for her and Cordy could swear she saw Angel glower at him. Handing them the menus, he made his way back to the front of the restaurant.<\/p>\n
Angel cleared his throat. \u201cDid you uh, find the place okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy cocked her head. \u201cI was here before you, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n
He smiled sheepishly. \u201cI didn\u2019t realise you\u2019d be on time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m always punctual for business.\u201d Cordy retorted, hiding her smile behind her menu. She didn\u2019t see his reaction but she hoped he squirmed a little. \u201cThe duck looks good.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOrder it.\u201d Angel said, placing his menu down on the table.<\/p>\n
Cordy glanced up. \u201cThat was fast.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat was?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou decided what you\u2019re eating?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel frowned. \u201cUh, no. I don\u2019t eat food.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy looked him up and down quizzically. \u201cTrying to lose weight?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s eyes widened, then narrowed in irritation and she had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. \u201cNo. I\u2019m just more of a drinker.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA drinker?\u201d This time Cordelia\u2019s eyes widened.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d Angel grinned, clearly pleased at her reaction. He lifted his glass of water, taking a sip. \u201cVampire, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cVamp – \u201d Cordy snapped her mouth shut, surprised at his ability to banter, even after their encounter the previous evening. More surprising was the fact that she was actually enjoying herself. Her lips twisted into a smirk. \u201cAlright, you got me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel only smirked, leaning back in his seat. \u201cCan I get you a glass of wine?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly if you have one with me.\u201d Cordelia said. \u201cConsidering they probably don\u2019t serve blood here, I don\u2019t want you getting thirsty. And it\u2019s never nice to drink alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right.\u201d He raised his hand and the waiter came over, taking the order.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo?\u201d Cordy intertwined her fingers, resting her chin on them and her elbows on the table. \u201cWhat did you so urgently want to talk about?\u201d<\/p>\n
And there it was \u2013 the million-dollar question. The smooth vampire disappeared and she was suddenly facing a very weary looking man. \u201cUh, you know, about the case.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah\u2026\u201d Cordelia spoke slowly. \u201cWhat about the case?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust generally – \u201d<\/p>\n
She glared at him. \u201cAngel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s going on here?\u201d She asked suspiciously.<\/p>\n
Angel shifted in his seat, releasing an unneeded breath. \u201cI\u2026 look, the truth is, I just wanted to talk to you. After everything that\u2019s happened, it\u2019s just difficult to find someone who I can talk to, or laugh with, even about unimportant things.\u201d Deep, dark eyes locked with hers. \u201cI feel like I can do that with you.\u201d He paused, frowning when she remained silent.<\/p>\n
Whether or not it was just a well made-up excuse, inadvertently, Cordelia found herself melting. Every word he spoke felt genuine, maybe it was the way he was looking at her, maybe it was just *him* but she couldn\u2019t help herself. Compassion won out over the urge to make him squirm.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo talk.\u201d She said simply.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s head shot up and he stared at her in surprise but she only smiled reassuringly at him, raising an eyebrow. The grin she\u2019d admired earlier slid back onto his face and yet again, a similar swarm of butterflies enveloped her stomach.<\/p>\n
She didn\u2019t think twice about it.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
For the fifth time that evening, Xander grabbed his arm, wincing. \u201cOw.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStop being such a girl.\u201d Faith grinned. \u201cI can\u2019t believe you cried.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a sad part!\u201d Xander yelped indignantly, thoroughly trying to defend his manhood though a smile tugged at his lips. \u201cI thought women were supposed to like sensitive guys?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, sensitive guys, not big baby men.\u201d Faith retorted, bumping her shoulder with his when he glared at her. \u201cCome on Xan-man, you know I think you\u2019re sexy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander snorted. \u201cYeah right.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith only smiled, her hand brushing against his as they walked along the pavement. \u201cI have a lot of fun with you Xander.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander stopped, glancing up. \u201cWell, I have a lot of fun with you too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReally?\u201d Faith raised a disbelieving eyebrow. \u201cYou\u2019re not thinking of someone short, blonde and over-protective? Not wishing you were out on a date with her instead?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo!\u201d Xander lied. \u201cI\u2019m having a great time with you.\u201d That part was true, but Buffy *had* been drifting in and out of his mind all evening. She\u2019d looked so crestfallen earlier that afternoon; he\u2019d known there was something wrong. He just hadn\u2019t know what. For a brief moment he\u2019d dared to dream, to think that after all these years, maybe she felt the same way\u2026<\/p>\n
But then reality had kicked in and he hadn\u2019t known what he\u2019d been thinking. And yet, there she was, at the back of his mind, roaming around discontentedly with that forlorn expression on her face and all he wanted to do was make it better. Even if he was having a great time with \u2013<\/p>\n
\u201cXander?\u201d Faith\u2019s voice broke through his reverie and he shook his head in confusion. \u201cWhere do you wanna eat?\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander forced himself to snap out of it. After all, it wasn\u2019t every day a beautiful woman wanted to go out with him, and he was jeopardising his chances by dreaming a dream he knew would never come true. He\u2019d pretty much resigned himself to the fact that him and Buffy were never going to happen \u2013 it hurt to admit it but now he had a chance to get past that with someone else he really did care about.<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry.\u201d He said, smiling winningly at her. \u201cI\u2019m easy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope so.\u201d Faith said with a smirk. \u201cOtherwise this is a total waste of my evening.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander rolled his eyes and pointed at the row of food stands lining the border of the park just opposite. \u201cHow about there?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLooks good.\u201d She looked him up and down. \u201cI recommend you steer clear of the fajitas though.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBite me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith grinned wickedly. \u201cWhere, baby?\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
A wonderful tingle had begun to spread down Angel\u2019s spine, all the way to his fingers and toes. It could have been because Cordelia\u2019s fingers had brushed his on the way to her wine glass. Maybe it was the way the soft tendrils of her hair floated on the wind, revealing the smooth curve of her neck. Perhaps it was the sound of her laughter, or the way her eyes twinkled when they caught his.<\/p>\n
Angel swallowed. She had vivid eyes.<\/p>\n
Something about her made him ache. Her beauty, her wit, her warmth – he couldn\u2019t put his finger on it but it made him crazy. *She* made him crazy.<\/p>\n
\u201cHello?\u201d Cordelia was waving her hand in his face. \u201cEarth to Angel? You brood a lot, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI uh,\u201d Angel cleared his throat, shaking his head, \u201cNo, I was just thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s just another word for brooding.\u201d Cordy rolled her eyes. She sighed and her hand dropped to the table, fiddling with the tablecloth before she rested the back of her palm on it, fingers curling slightly. Angel found himself mesmerized by every breath she took, every movement she made.<\/p>\n
Before he was even conscious of it, his hand stretched out, hovering just above hers. Just barely, his fingers touched her palm, delicately tracing the slim lines along it as they disappeared towards her wrist. He could feel the beat of her pulse beneath the skin, warm and precious and alive.<\/p>\n
It had the desired effect. Cordelia sucked in a breath, her eyes fluttering shut momentarily before she jerked her hand away, looking everywhere at once. Everywhere but at him.<\/p>\n
Angel frowned. \u201cCordelia – \u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia glanced at her watch, spooked like a skittish mare. \u201cI should get home.\u201d<\/p>\n
The frowned remained but Angel nodded, raising his hand and gesturing to the waiter. His expression fell slightly and she must have noticed it because she opened her mouth to speak, then as though thinking better of it, snapped it shut.<\/p>\n
He rolled his eyes. \u201cLook – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy dog will start to worry.\u201d She blurted suddenly.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s head snapped up. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy dog.\u201d Cordelia repeated, taking a deep breath and leaning back in her seat.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have a dog?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYep. Love of my life.\u201d She grinned then and maybe his heart danced a little. \u201cDoesn\u2019t like other men.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s smile was feral. \u201cI don\u2019t blame him.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Thoroughly checking the sheet of paper in her hands before moving on to another, Buffy rubbed her head tiredly, though a headache was the last of her worries at present. Her heart felt heavy, discontent and confused \u2013 she didn\u2019t know *what* she was feeling, or why. She gave the sheet in front of her a once over. Best to concentrate on work, take her mind off\u2026other things, other people –<\/p>\n
\u201cEureka!\u201d Wes exclaimed, passing the sheet of paper with the highlighted name on it to Buffy. \u201cGavin Park. Head of secure operations and senior management.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy grimaced at the picture next to the name. \u201cGreat.\u201d She handed him her highlighted sheet. \u201cI have the other one right here. Eve\u2026 Something unpronounceable. Liaison to the senior partners.\u201d She pointed at a specific part of the sheet. \u201cCheck out her gadget.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley looked impressed. \u201cNifty.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYep.\u201d Buffy smiled, collecting the two sheets and placing them into a file. She looked up at Wes. \u201cI was looking through one of those files.\u201d She nodded towards a large stack of folders containing confidential information that had come with Kate\u2019s warrant. \u201cThey mention a *lot* about the senior partners.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, they just seem to be in the driver\u2019s seat.\u201d Buffy said<\/p>\n
Wesley nodded. \u201cYes, they\u2019re the only ones ranked above Angel, I suppose.<\/p>\n
Buffy crossed her arms, bemused. \u201cSurely, if they\u2019re so important to the company, they\u2019re equally important to the case.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think they\u2019re terribly important.\u201d Wesley agreed. \u201cI\u2019m just not certain how much we can do about it.\u201d At Buffy\u2019s confused look, he continued. \u201cThe senior partners are believed to balance out the evil in the world, just as the Powers do good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy raised both eyebrows. \u201cBut wouldn\u2019t destroying them permanently be great for the good guys?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt could be.\u201d Wesley considered it, looking gravely at her. \u201cOr the effects could be devastating. Tipping the scales of good and evil is an extremely dangerous task, Buffy. We\u2019d have to be absolutely positive before we made any judgements, let alone took action.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy nodded, releasing a huff of breath. \u201cWell, I would say check it with the Powers but we all know how helpful they are with their mysterious multi-meanings and ambiguous mumbo jumbo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley smiled. \u201cQuite.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia and Angel walked towards her car in slightly uneasy silence, the former having just subtly avoided the latter\u2019s attempt to hold her hand. Cordy didn\u2019t know what she was feeling \u2013 she\u2019d agreed to the evening on a purely professional basis, yet she\u2019d ended up truly enjoying herself with a man to whom she found herself more and more attracted.<\/p>\n
He was great looking, there was no doubt about it and Cordelia could appreciate that, regardless of what she\u2019d told Faith and Buffy. She wasn\u2019t a fool, she saw the way he looked at her. But while her own treacherous body reacted, everything about the evening was still leaving her with odd feelings of being creeped out and comforted all at once. This was ridiculously unprofessional and still something stirred within her that she couldn\u2019t control or truly understand – or deny.<\/p>\n
On leaving the restaurant, his hand had connected briefly with the small of her back and she\u2019d felt a jolt of electricity. She\u2019d suppressed it surprisingly well.<\/p>\n
And yet the attraction was there, however unspoken or wrong. She liked his smile, his quirky sense of humour, his little fits of melancholy that she seemed to be able to snap him out of. She just didn\u2019t know what to do about it. It made something jolt within her, the way he looked at her – with such desire in his eyes. There was something so passionate about him, so intense, so –<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoa!\u201d She was jerked out of her reverie by his voice as he stood before her silver Porsche, amazed and excited like a little boy. \u201cThis is your car?\u201d She nodded. \u201cNICE!\u201d<\/p>\n
– so completely dorky.<\/p>\n
Cordelia couldn\u2019t help but smile as he ran his fingers along the exterior. \u201cWhat is it with men and cars?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is incredible.\u201d Angel murmured, almost to himself, completely absorbed by the Porsche. Suddenly, he looked up at her. \u201cAre you driving home in this?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah\u2026\u201d Cordy raised an eyebrow. \u201cWhy? Do want a ride?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel blinked, looking her up and down.<\/p>\n
She flushed, gritting her teeth. \u201cDo you need a lift<\/i>, dumbass?\u201d<\/p>\n
The slightly lecherous smile turned into a frown. \u201cWell, that\u2019s hardly chivalrous.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPfft, I\u2019m used to it.\u201d Cordy shrugged, walking around the car and opening the driver\u2019s side door. \u201cYou\u2019re technically the victim here. And I\u2019m a big girl.\u201d She slid into her seat, closing the door and glancing at him. He hadn\u2019t budged an inch. She scrunched up her nose. \u201cIf you think I\u2019m holding the door open for you though you were clearly dropped on your head as a child.\u201d<\/p>\n
A small grin slipped over Angel\u2019s face then and he sighed, pulling open the passenger side door, and getting in.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Xander bounced on the balls of his feet as Faith slid the key into the lock, opening her front door. It swung open in front of her and she stepped inside, turning to face him.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander raised an eyebrow. \u201cSo what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing.\u201d Faith rolled her eyes, and if Xander didn\u2019t know better, he would have thought she looked shy. \u201cI had a great time, Xander.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMe too.\u201d Xander smiled softly. \u201cWho knew, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith laughed. \u201cNot me.\u201d She glanced at him, nodding towards her living room. \u201cDo you wanna come in?\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander shook his head. \u201cUh, no. I should probably – \u201d He pointed his thumb behind him. \u201cBut thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight.\u201d Faith said with a smile. \u201cCatch up on beauty sleep?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell,\u201d Xander shrugged. \u201cI can\u2019t look this good all the time without a secret.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith snorted, taking a step forward and towards him. She brushed a hand across his cheek and he felt a slight tingle down his neck. She took another step closer and her face blurred beneath the dim light of the porch lamp.<\/p>\n
For a moment, Buffy floated into his mind, her lips soft and innocent against his cheek. Faith\u2019s fingers brushed his arm and Xander\u2019s eyelids fluttered shut as he let it all go. Buffy disappeared as Faith\u2019s lips pressed against the corner of his mouth, firm but soft, and all too brief.<\/p>\n
She stepped back, squeezing his arm. \u201cWe should do this again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStand on porches and make with the front door talk?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d Faith punched his arm. \u201cGo out again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I know your name and number.\u201d Xander looked up at her roof. \u201cAnd I know where you live.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou make it sound so creepy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI try.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith grinned, brushing her knuckles against his chin. \u201cNight Xander.\u201d<\/p>\n
There was a hint of a smile on his face when she closed the door. \u201cNight Faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
It felt weird pulling up to Wolfram & Hart so casually, and yet Cordy parked the car just short of the main doors in order to avoid cameras, turning slightly in her seat to face Angel. \u201cHome sweet hell.\u201d<\/p>\n
He winced and she grinned. \u201cI would drop you in but the zepplin might get suspicious.\u201d She glanced through the glass doors at the beefy security guard. \u201cThen again, I could probably make with the nice-nice and get away with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t be stupid.\u201d Cordelia\u2019s eyes narrowed but Angel continued, oblivious. \u201cI\u2019m that guy and the most beautiful woman I\u2019ve ever seen is making eyes at me? It\u2019s either a bachelor party or a scam.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy felt the air rush out of her lungs. \u201cWhat did you just call me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d Angel said quickly, glancing at her. \u201cYou\u2019re not stupid.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo after that.\u201d<\/p>\n
He looked at her then, something shifting in his eyes \u2013 soft and wonderful \u2013 and she suddenly had to fight the overwhelming urge to kiss him. Cordy cleared her throat.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for dinner, Angel.\u201d She said seriously. \u201cI had a nice time.\u201d<\/p>\n
This time, when she looked up at him, he seemed to stare at her forever, want and fervour so strong in his gaze that she couldn\u2019t drag her eyes away and her breath caught in her throat. Her heart fluttered as he seemed to be moving closer to her, sliding across his seat and into her personal bubble. Strange. Suddenly it didn\u2019t feel awkward, or icky, or wrong.<\/p>\n
Her eyes fell to his lips when he licked them, slowly bridging the gap between them. Something clicked in her, something rational and still confused and she brought a hand up, pressing it against his chest to stop his approach.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel\u2026\u201d God, it came out like a breathy plea, and she was supposed to be a strong, professional woman, dammit.<\/p>\n
He was still staring at her with those captivating eyes. He covered her hand with his own, slowly, so slowly, lifting it from his chest to his lips. He turned her palm in his, his eyes on her, always on her. Tingles shot up her arm from where Angel was touching her, just as they had earlier that evening when he\u2019d smoothed his fingers across her palm. But this time, she found it impossible to pull away.<\/p>\n
Cordelia felt the whisper of a touch on the inside of her wrist and then he was there, lips, teeth and tongue painting his name onto her skin. He nibbled at the sensitive area sending fireworks bulleting through her, blunt teeth dragging down her palm until they reached her fingers. He pressed a soft kiss to each one, sucking the tip of a finger into his mouth.<\/p>\n
A surge of raw desire cut through her like a bolt of lightning, right to her core where it scorched and melted into hot liquid heat. She hadn\u2019t realized she was panting until she vaguely heard herself, her toes curling in her boots, the fingers of her free hand clutching the steering wheel.<\/p>\n
Angel pressed a kiss to her palm, inhaling a breath, his eyes, still locked with hers, full of lust. There was a hint of a smile on his lips when he said, \u201cThank *you*.\u201d<\/p>\n
And then he released her and it was a strange mixture of relief and disappointment as he slid back across to his side, opened the door and stepped out, closing it behind him. Cordy watched as he strolled to the glass doors, pressed in the key code and walked through, greeting the security guard along the way. He turned once before he disappeared out of sight, the tiny smile still on his face.<\/p>\n
Her heart was pounding in her chest. Her feelings were a mess. Her body was trembling with fear and desire and GOD, what was going on here? She needed to get some sleep, *now*.<\/p>\n
With a final look at the main doors, Cordy released a shuddering breath, turning the key in the ignition and driving home.<\/p>\n