14<\/b><\/u><\/p>\n
The sharp ringing of the phone had Wesley jerking awake, his hands flaying frantically across the bedside table as he searched blindly for his glasses. He found them finally, sliding them on and yanking the covers off, jumping out of bed. He slipped his feet into his slippers, heading out into his living room and grabbing the phone from its receiver.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis had better be bloody good!\u201d<\/p>\n
The phone continued to ring.<\/p>\n
Wesley stared down at the phone in his hands, his eyes widening in realization. It was them. He dropped the phone, dashing towards the storage closet, turning the correct combination and pulling the door open. He fumbled for a light, the ring of the fax phone that connected him to the Powers deafening in his ears as he finally reached it, yanking it up to his ear.<\/p>\n
\u201cHello?\u201d<\/p>\n
There was silence on the other line and for one terrible moment, Wesley feared he\u2019d missed it. There was a beeping sound, a strange mechanical click and whine \u2013 and then the fax machine began to print.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Epiphanies came at the strangest, most inconvenient times in life, almost as if they were designed to leave you helpless and miserable in the face of the truth. It was on the phone last night that it had finally sunk in, FINALLY shed light on her erratic, confusing emotions, when Buffy had blurted how she felt onto Xander\u2019s machine.<\/p>\n
It had come as if out of nowhere, rising from her throat and taking her heart with it before her brain even had a chance to protest. And now it all made sense \u2013 her anger at Faith, her possessiveness over Xander, her anxiety at the very thought of them together.<\/p>\n
She was in love with her best friend. With Xander. With the only man in her life who\u2019d ever been a figure of stability and constancy and unconditional love.<\/p>\n
She was a fool for not realising it sooner.<\/p>\n
Buffy stirred her caf\u00e9 mocha, watching the liquid swirl around in the porcelain cup. Comprehension didn\u2019t make it hurt any less and now everything she\u2019d been feeling for days piled up on her, making her head hurt and her heart heavy.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy?\u201d<\/p>\n
She looked up at Xander\u2019s concerned face, feeling her heart give a little in her chest. \u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou okay?\u201d He cocked his head. \u201cYou look\u2026not okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Immediately she looked away, terrified that he would look into her eyes and know that she loved him. To her credit, she managed the tiniest of smiles. \u201cI\u2019m fine, Xander. Rough night, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis I understand.\u201d Xander nodded. \u201cWhat with my secret spy experience now rivalling yours\u2026\u201d He grinned, slipping his hand into hers and she jerked momentarily, feeling a tingle shoot up her arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut hey,\u201d He squeezed her hand, staring her right in the eye. \u201cRegardless of my current Tom Cruise slash Sean Connery status, I\u2019ll promise you this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy swallowed. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo matter what happens,\u201d He paused dramatically, \u201cNo matter how famous I get\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy released a breath, equally relieved and disappointed that he was joking around.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll *always* be my best friend.\u201d Xander winked at her. \u201cBonnie.\u201d<\/p>\n
His eyes sparkled with amusement and it hit her once again just how very much she loved him. \u201cAlways.\u201d Tears pricked behind her eyes but Buffy bit her lip, smiling softly. \u201cClyde.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Sunshine streamed through the large, floor length windows of the suite and Cordelia grimaced, her eyes fluttering open. She grabbed for the glass of water that had been placed on the bedside table, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the bright morning light. Despite its intensity, the view of the city was still breathtaking and Cordy found herself mesmerized by it all over again.<\/p>\n
The turbulent buzzing of her phone on the side table shattered the peaceful moment and she reached for it, flipping it open.<\/p>\n
\u201cHello?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI leave you alone for five minutes and you sleep with a dead guy?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy jerked, sitting upright. \u201cRiley\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s recap, shall we? Here\u2019s me, worrying about you half the night because you\u2019re not answering your phone\u2026\u201d Cordy winced. \u201cAnd there\u2019s you, banging Dracula.\u201d Even if her ring tone had been louder, she doubted anything would\u2019ve penetrated her dead-to-the-world slumber. And Riley was sounding unusually serious on the subject.<\/p>\n
Riley continued to vent. \u201cOh, and let\u2019s not forget Buffy, who called to cover for you. Said you were, and I quote, \u2018tied up\u2019 with a client all night. Tied up, my ass. You never let me tie you up, but this guy\u2014and I haven\u2019t even MET Mr. Tall, Dark and Bloodsucking yet!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, do I know you? Because you\u2019re freaking out in a totally un-Finn-like manner,\u201d Cordy said, her body too wonderfully sore and tired to argue. But when he didn\u2019t immediately respond, for a split second she worried that he really was pissed off. \u201cLook, I guess I should have called or something. But I just didn\u2019t think\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia Chase, meet my point. You weren\u2019t thinking. Not with your head anyway. Which is, let\u2019s face it, my gig.\u201d<\/p>\n
She frowned. \u201cSpeaking of which, pot meet kettle. The only time you\u2019ve ever been with a woman and called me is so you can pretend I\u2019m your parole officer or court-appointed psychiatrist and make an excuse to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright, alright\u2026 melodrama over,\u201d Riley conceded. \u201cJust be straight with me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlways.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBetter than okay. I\u2019m great.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI should think so. I mean, if the dude hasn\u2019t learned his alphabet at least up to the big-O in a couple of centuries – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRiley!\u201d Cordy couldn\u2019t help but grin at his playful leer. \u201cMust you cheapen the moment?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a gift.\u201d She could hear the smile in his voice. \u201cGo enjoy the morning after and call me later. Oh, and Cordy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHmm?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanna meet this guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy sighed. \u201cFine, whatever. We\u2019ll talk about it. Later.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCool.\u201d Riley paused. \u201cNecrophiliac.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMan whore.\u201d<\/p>\n
He laughed. \u201cSticks and stones, Chase, sticks and stones.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy smirked, hanging up. She checked the text message that popped up, replying to Buffy and confirming she\u2019d be in by one. She snapped the phone shut and tossed it back onto the bedside table, falling back onto the comfortable mattress. Cordelia frowned at the empty space beside her, only just noticing it void of a certain vampire.<\/p>\n
There was an odd noise behind her and she turned her head from where it was resting on the pillow, her face immediately softening when the bathroom door opened and Angel emerged from it, his hips wrapped in a towel, body still damp and glistening from the shower. It truly was amazing, to see him in the sunlight, not to mention the way it made his entire body glow, highlighting the tiny drop of water that cascaded down between his pectorals.<\/p>\n
Cordelia licked her lips, her voice coming out hoarse. \u201cHey.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMorning, beautiful.\u201d Angel replied with a grin, taking a few steps towards the bed. He leaned down, kissed her. \u201cSleep well?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMmm\u2026\u201d Cordy murmured, spreading her arms wide on the bed and smirking at the way Angel\u2019s eyes hungrily followed every movement. \u201cThis bed is amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n
He winked. \u201cYou should stay over more often.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe I will.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel placed one knee on the bed, bracing himself on his arms and preparing to crawl towards her. A soft chime made him pause, glance behind him.<\/p>\n
Cordy cocked her head. \u201cWho\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel grumbled something unintelligible. Then, \u201cStay here.\u201d He stood, his lips quirking. \u201cHold that thought.\u201d<\/p>\n
Curious, Cordelia sat up, wrapping the sheet around her and leaning towards the end of the bed. The French doors and the sofa directly in front of them were partially obscuring her view but when Angel reached the elevator and it slid open, Cordy had to duck for fear of being seen by the woman standing there.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell,\u201d Came the woman\u2019s voice, low and husky. \u201cAren\u2019t you a sight for sore eyes?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n
The woman continued when Angel didn\u2019t respond. \u201cI figured you wouldn\u2019t mind me using your private elevator.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEve, I mind you breathing.\u201d Angel said dispassionately. \u201cI thought I told security not to let you into this building.\u201d<\/p>\n
EVE???<\/i><\/p>\n
Cordy pushed herself up on her elbow, staying low and peeking out from behind the doors. Eve was an attractive woman, though her clothes left a LOT to be desired, shorter than Cordelia in height and with medium long reddish brown hair.<\/p>\n
Cordy snorted. Despite Eve\u2019s attempts at appearing minion-like, Satan must\u2019ve missed the boat with her. She came off more like a smarmy sorority girl pretending to be all grown up.<\/p>\n
\u201cSweetie,\u201d Eve smirked cockily, \u201cI\u2019m liaison to the senior partners. You honestly think you have any control over my comings and goings?\u201d Her smile widened. \u201cWell, maybe not my goings, but you did have a way with my comings at the Halloween party.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia rolled her eyes as that, her heart lurching for one thick, jealous beat before it calmed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you want, Eve?\u201d Angel sounded bored.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do I want?\u201d Eve asked, smirking at him. She ran a finger down his chest. Cordelia clenched her fists into the sheet. \u201cI thought you\u2019d never ask, Angel – \u201d<\/p>\n
Angel grabbed her hand, shoving it away. It was a difficult angle but Cordy could tell his expression remained blank. \u201cGet out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eve pouted. \u201cIs that anyway to treat a lady?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re hardly a lady.\u201d Angel scoffed.<\/p>\n
\u201cTramp\u2019s more like it.\u201d Cordy muttered, grasping the side of the bed when she nearly toppled over it.<\/p>\n
Eve crossed her arms slowly. \u201cWhatever. As liaison to the senior partners, I have a job to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel raised an eyebrow uncaringly. \u201cAnd you\u2019re torturing me with the excruciating pleasure of your company because\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSecurity said they brought you an intruder last night.\u201d Eve said. Cordelia could swear she kept glancing at Angel\u2019s chest. \u201cA woman.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel still looked uninterested. \u201cAnd?\u201d<\/p>\n
Eve glared at him. \u201cWhere is she?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel didn\u2019t even twitch. \u201cI dealt with her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow exactly<\/i> did you do that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel took a step closer to her, levelling his nose with hers. His voice came out gravelly, dangerous. \u201cWould you like me to show you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy wasn\u2019t entirely sure what he did but Eve\u2019s entirely body stiffened and her eyes widened momentarily in fear. She took a step back, and Angel took advantage of the space, punching the down button beside him.<\/p>\n
\u201cFine.\u201d She breathed, her voice shaking just slightly. \u201cI trust you dealt with her sufficiently and that we wont be seeing her again?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel shrugged in non-committal fashion. \u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood.\u201d Eve said, glaring daggers at him as the doors started to close. \u201cWell, I\u2019ll see you – \u201d<\/p>\n
Angel grinned wickedly as the elevator doors slammed shut in her face.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan\u2019t you get a lock on that thing?\u201d Cordelia asked, standing and wrapping a sheet around herself as Angel turned back towards her, scratching the back of his neck. He looked a little irked and lot sexy, and Cordy couldn\u2019t help her eyes from dropping to where his towel was riding awfully low.<\/p>\n
Still, she had to clear the air. \u201cSo you two are groin buddies?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s eyes jerked up in surprise but she merely raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms against her chest. \u201cAnd I thought Darla was rock bottom.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel gave her a pained look. \u201cWe\u2019re not – \u201d He sighed. \u201cJust once. There were special circumstances. A co-worker told us to, but mystically.\u201d He growled. \u201cShe\u2019s lucky I let her walk out of here with her head still attached to her body.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy scrunched up her nose, rolling her eyes, unable to squelch the pangs of jealousy though she knew they were groundless. It was obvious that he was as unimpressed by the event as her. \u201cI\u2019m surprised she didn\u2019t walk out of here with *you* attached to her body.\u201d<\/p>\n
When his eyes jerked to hers a second time, Cordy wondered if maybe she was only doing this to make him squirm. His expression remained astonished for a few seconds before his lips twisted into a smirk, throwing her completely.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re jealous.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s jaw dropped. \u201cI am NOT jealous.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel stepped closer to her, grinning widely. \u201cYeah you are, you\u2019re jealous!\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy\u2019s eyes narrowed. \u201cI am not \u2013 mmph!\u201d He cut her off, kissing her hard, his hands grasping her shoulders briefly before he pulled away and pressed his lips to her temple. \u201cYou have nothing to be jealous about. Eve wasn\u2019t my choice by a long shot, it was just an unfortunate situation.\u201d He kissed her nose. \u201cNothing compared to you, to last night.\u201d<\/p>\n
When her eyes fluttered to his, he cupped her cheek, smiling. \u201cI haven\u2019t felt that happy in a long time, Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia sighed, appeased, her jealousy almost instantly forgotten. She raised an eyebrow. \u201cNot too happy, I hope.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel chuckled and his breath tickled her ear, provoking goosebumps across her shoulders. \u201cNo, but close.\u201d He looked around his suite. \u201cThis place makes it kinda hard.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cKinda noticed.\u201d She grinned wickedly, before sobering and squeezing his arm. \u201cMe too. I mean, I\u2019m happy.\u201d<\/p>\n
His proximity was close and Cordy couldn\u2019t help it – her eyes dropped to his lips, pulled into a grin at her leer, then his chest and the towel wrapped loosely around his hips. Her hands fell to his waist as though they had a mind of their own and she untied the towel, letting it drop to the floor.<\/p>\n
Angel didn\u2019t take his eyes off her as she moved closer. \u201cBut maybe we should, you know, make sure.\u201d He murmured.<\/p>\n
\u201cHmm.\u201d Cordelia said, her lips touching his in the briefest caress. \u201cMaybe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel swiftly ducked his head, his mouth pressing feverishly against hers as he kissed her breathless. He nipped at her bottom lip, his arms going around her. Smoothly, he lifted her against him, supporting her thighs as her legs wrapped around his waist and the sheet fell away.<\/p>\n
Cordelia felt the cool press of the wall against her back, her fingers raking through his hair as he peppered her face and neck with kisses. Angel palmed her back, his tongue sliding across the hollow of her throat and jaw-line, soothing the tiny bites he made along the way.<\/p>\n
Cordy rubbed herself against him, desperate for friction and Angel growled, low in his throat as their bare flesh connected. She dug her nails into his shoulders, arching her back when he sucked a nipple into his mouth, swirling his tongue around the dark nub. Her own fingers slid under his arm and over his chest, finding his nipple. She played with it, loving the way he purred, his body vibrating against her.<\/p>\n
\u201cPut your hands up over your head.\u201d Angel ordered, his voice low, sexy, and a shiver passed through her at his assertiveness. She did as he asked, tingles spreading along her body as he ran his hands down her sides, settling them on her waist. He nuzzled into her cheek. \u201cSpread your legs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia gasped as he ground his hips into hers, her eyes nearly rolling back in her head at what he was doing down there with his hands. He dragged his mouth up, plundering her lips, his kisses hot and messy. She bit his lip, kissed his chin, his nose – laughing when she found he was grinning – his cheek. Her tongue painted the curve of his ear, flicking against his earlobe. Angel released a deep moan into her neck and Cordy jolted against him, bucking her hips into his.<\/p>\n
Easily, he slid into her, her body accustomed to his presence, comforted and thrilled by it. When he moved, she moved with him, a rhythm building between them as they drew nearer to the peak. Skin slid against skin, closer with each thrust and Cordy felt every muscle in her body pull taut as his hands cupped her butt, holding her to him. Angel increased his pace, frantic, urgent, harder, only satisfied when she screamed, her thighs clenching around him as the orgasm hit her.<\/p>\n
Bright lights flashed behind her eyelids and the world spun around her, taking her with it. When she opened her eyes he was coming inside her, his groan heavy, his face buried beneath her chin. Angel\u2019s body ceased movement and Cordelia stroked the back of his neck soothingly, playing with the fine hairs there.<\/p>\n
Slowly, Angel raised his dazed eyes to meet hers. \u201cTalk about a morning workout.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah well,\u201d Cordy stroked his cheek, \u201cA girl\u2019s gotta do what a girl\u2019s gotta do.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhich is?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy shrugged. \u201cI doubt the Powers want a fat<\/i> vampire working for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel raised an eyebrow. \u201cYou think I\u2019m fat?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy smirked, eyes widening when Angel shifted. She was in too vulnerable a position to make a smart-ass comment about his weight but she couldn\u2019t resist. \u201cYou\u2019re\u2026huggable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel stared at her evenly, not moving a muscle. Suddenly, he spun around, tightening his arms around her and taking three quick steps towards the bed. Cordy shrieked as she flew through the air, landing on the mattress and bouncing once. She giggled madly, thrilled and carefree when Angel lunged for her, locking a wrist around her ankle and yanking her beneath him.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cI see you\u2019re trying to create an atmosphere.\u201d Faith said sarcastically, tapping her heel annoyingly against the table. \u201cYou know, to heighten the tension before the big revelation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley made a face. \u201cReally Faith, you\u2019ve been watching too many movies. I\u2019m merely waiting until Cordy and Angel get here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure.\u201d Faith said, not sounding convinced but not pursuing it any further. She bumped Buffy with her knee. \u201cYou okay Summers? You seem a little quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy glanced up briefly, faking a smile. \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
LIAR<\/i>, a voice deep inside her shouted. She wasn\u2019t fine at all, she hadn\u2019t been for days. And apparently she was doing a crappy job of hiding it.<\/p>\n
Cordelia on the other hand, when she walked in a few minutes later, looked very fine, – better than fine, hell, she was positively glowing. That might have had something to do with Angel walking right beside her, his hand in hers. It may also have been the barely-covered-by-make-up hickey on her neck and the fact that she was wearing the same clothes as the night before but hey, Buffy was just venturing a well-educated guess.<\/p>\n
Faith raised an eyebrow. \u201cYou look like a girl who got good and laid last night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd maybe again this morning.\u201d Buffy muttered under her breath.<\/p>\n
Cordelia flushed a deep crimson, glaring daggers at both of them but Angel only graced them with a purely male smirk, clearly unable nor wanting to hide that he\u2019d had a more than enjoyable evening with Cordy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m well aware that you do, but could we refrain from discussing your sex lives? First thing at least? Wesley approached the table with a stack of papers, taking a seat beside Buffy. \u201cSort out your priorities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith frowned. \u201cWe have<\/i> got our priorities sorted out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley shot her a look. \u201cWell, in that case, god help us all.\u201d He glanced up at Angel. \u201cAngel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley.\u201d Angel said smoothly. \u201cGood to see you again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, you too. Cordy, thank goodness you\u2019re safe, I was worried about what might have been *done* to you last night.\u201d Wesley paused immediately in his rifling through the sheets when the room went silent \u2013 swiftly followed by snickering, then howling laughter as Faith, Buffy and even Cordelia keeled over at the connotations of what he\u2019d just said.<\/p>\n
He looked up helplessly at Angel, going red. \u201cNo, I didn\u2019t \u2013 what I meant was – as in the firm\u2019s security guards – \u201d He closed his eyes, clenching his fists and Buffy had to bit her lip hard to keep another peal of laughter from escaping. Faith was holding her stomach, only now regaining her composure.<\/p>\n
Angel was watching Wes with a mixed expression of sympathy and amusement, and when Wesley cleared his throat and dropped the stack of sheets onto the surface of the table, Angel dragged Cordy around the couch and into a seat, returning his notice to the matter at hand and giving Wes his full, undivided attention. Buffy smiled. You had to like the guy.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I was saying,\u201d Wesley continued, loosening the collar of his shirt. \u201cUnlike you prioritized<\/i> ladies of leisure, I was awoken at an unearthly hour this morning regarding the case.\u201d He shrugged. \u201cGranted, it did save me a hell of a lot of research.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe PTB?\u201d Cordy asked, serious now.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndeed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy crossed her arms. \u201cAre you ever going to tell us who it is exactly that you talk to up there?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are a load of them.\u201d Angel said, shifting somewhat uncomfortably when four pairs of eyes turned to him. \u201cShared responsibility. I\u2019ve met a few \u2013 strange, mysterious, talk in riddles.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know the type.\u201d Faith said dryly.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s focus.\u201d Wesley said, and once again they all turned to face him. \u201cIt was as I suspected. All three objects \u2013 the coin, the key and the glove are connected.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy\u2019s eyebrows shot up. Well that was a lucky break\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cHere\u2019s the catch,\u201d Wesley said, putting a damper on it. \u201cThe reason the coin and key exist in the first place is that over the centuries, Wolfram and Hart has existed in one form or another, and similarly to the Powers That Be, they required and still do require spaces in which to contain information undisclosed yet vital to human, demon and other races among us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith released a breath. \u201cThey\u2019re been around for as long as the Powers?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley nodded. \u201cIn various shapes and forms. Wolfram and Hart is merely this century\u2019s disguise.\u201d He looked at them grimly. \u201cThe Senior partners of the firm are simply labelled so as legal terminology. The truth of the matter is, they are essentially evil and it’s close to impossible to destroy them. More importantly, it is unwise.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cSay what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s right.\u201d Angel said. \u201cThe senior partners balance out the evil in the world, just as the Powers do the good. Killing one wouldn\u2019t do anything and you can take my word on that, but destroying them completely would knock the earth off its axis. There would be no balance, only chaos.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy stared at him, her tone accusatory. \u201cSo forget the fact that human beings will never experience a perfect world, you\u2019re saying you don\u2019t even *want* them to?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel cupped her cheek. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t exist in a perfect world, Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy\u2019s eyes immediately softened and she looked remorseful as she grabbed for his hand. \u201cYou\u2019d exist in mine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley cleared his throat uncomfortably and Buffy rolled her eyes at him, though even she had to admit their display was a little sickening. But that may have just been as a result of her current state of affairs, or lack thereof. \u201cSo no killing of senior partners, got it.\u201d She pointed at a sheet on top of Wesley\u2019s pile. \u201cThat doesn\u2019t explain what these things actually do.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, yes.\u201d Wesley handed the sheets around to the girls and Angel, each depicting images of all three objects. \u201cIt turns out that when joined together, the coin and the key do grant access to a portal, cleverly disguised as something else of course, into probably the least easily accessible location in the world, let alone the building.\u201d He paused, almost as if for effect. \u201cThis is the place that I believe, after carefully considering all the files recovered last night, houses the contract withholding Angel\u2019s soul.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy scrunched up her nose. \u201cSo you think it\u2019s in like, some dimensional portal behind door number 1?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley stood suddenly, looking nervous as he paced, his hands in his pockets. \u201cNot exactly. The contract would have to be in a place difficult to enter, somewhere terribly concentrated with evil where it could reside as an object crafted by evil to commit an act of evil.\u201d<\/p>\n
Already, Buffy didn\u2019t like how this was sounding. \u201cSorry, so you\u2019re saying no one good can access this realm of evil?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, that\u2019s not the case.\u201d Wesley replied. \u201cNothing entirely evil can survive in a realm of intrinsic goodness, and in a similar way, nothing purely good can exist in a place of solely evil.\u201d He gestured vaguely towards them. \u201cHuman beings are creatures of balance, consisting of equal parts of good and evil. Of course, some more than others who go off the rails but that\u2019s a different story all together\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we\u2019ll be fine?\u201d Faith asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d Wesley said cautiously. \u201cAs long as you aren\u2019t there for too lengthy a period of time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shook her head. \u201cHold on a minute. Wes, you haven\u2019t even told us what this realm is. Is it some sort of alternate dimension or something?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley sucked in a breath, closing his eyes. \u201cActually, the place housing Angel\u2019s soul is the place that no one other than Angel himself has recently tried to gain access to. Any procedures restoring the soul to its rightful owner would have to be undertaken at the very source of Wolfram and Hart, the only place with the power to chain his soul in the first place.\u201d His eyes opened slowly. \u201cThe home office.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy felt the breath rush out of her lungs. Silence filled the room, tense and shocked, no one entirely certain of how to react.<\/p>\n
Cordelia seemed the first to find her tongue, lifting her jaw off the ground. \u201cWow, you\u2019re really giving a literal meaning to the expression \u2018go to hell\u2019, huh Wes?\u201d<\/p>\n