Chapter 29: Minion Duty<\/b><\/p>\n
The doorbell rang Saturday afternoon at the Chase residence and since there was no housekeeper to respond Emelia Chase ended up staring through the peephole.<\/p>\n
Even though she had let the young redhead in through the front gate after deciding she didn’t look like an official, Emelia remained cautious enough to check again before opening the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cHello, dear,\u201d Emelia put on her brightest smile. \u201cAre you one of Cordelia’s friends? I’m afraid she’s still asleep. She was up all night long.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow stared at the woman thinking that it had been years since she’d seen her. Not since Parent-Teacher Night in Elementary School. Mrs. Chase had been in charge of organizing all of those cute little cakes along with the cookies and punch. Other than rare pictures in the Society section of the paper, no one had seen her in years.<\/p>\n
There was a running joke about Emelia Chase being a hypochondriac, but the woman didn’t look sick. In fact, Willow thought she looked beautiful. A lot like an older version of Cordy herself except that her hair was lighter. No wonder Cordelia was so pretty.<\/p>\n
\u201cUmm. Cordelia does that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes what dear?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStays up at night.\u201d Willow clarified and then snapped her mouth shut. She supposed that Mrs. Chase might want to know why and then she’d have to make up some lame story that no one would believe anyway.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy is that?\u201d Emelia motioned for the girl to come in and led her into the formal living room.<\/p>\n
Willow was busily looking around at the house when she remembered the question. \u201cUmm. Stays up at night. Yeah. Astronomy Club. We’re all into checking out those stars.\u201d<\/p>\n
Strange. <\/i>Emelia Chase was fairly certain that the only stars her daughter was interested in were prefaced by the words movie or television. \u201cIs this visit about Cordelia’s boyfriend? He’s not an actor,<\/i> is he?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Willow assured her as she sunk down onto the cream-colored sofa. The room looked immaculate except for a little dust as if no one ever came in here. Like the house wasn’t really lived in. Kind of cold. \u201cDefinitely not an actor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seemingly satisfied with that answer, the woman smiled and informed Willow that she would awaken Cordelia and send her downstairs. \u201cI’m afraid there is nothing in the house to offer you. Not even ice water.\u201d<\/p>\n
Knowing that Cordelia had shut down everything except the security system when moving in with Angelus, it didn’t really surprise her. \u201cNot thirsty. Thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mrs. Chase disappeared much to Willow’s relief, but Cordelia didn’t come rushing down the stairs to demand an explanation of her presence. Twenty minutes passed with excruciating slowness before the brunette made an appearance during which time Willow visually examined everything within sight and counted the expensive knick-knacks in their specially-designed knick-knack cabinet.<\/p>\n
Willow’s jaw dropped at the sight of Cordelia descending the staircase in almost regal fashion, looking more immaculate and designer-garbed than she had seen her in the last two months. Standing up and meeting her at the living room threshold, Willow figured that she knew Cordelia Chase well enough to recognize that her appearance represented her own personal armor.<\/p>\n
\u201cWillow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Facing off with the witch, Cordelia knew that Willow was here on a mission. Nothing else would have brought her except for an express request. \u201cAngelus called you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAt four o’clock this morning,\u201d Willow moaned and then noted there was no look of sympathy in response.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you hopped on over here at\u2026.\u201d Cordelia glanced at the gold-plated mantel clock, \u201chalf-past two. Not exactly a quick response, but a good delay tactic.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI fell asleep,\u201d Willow grumbled. \u201cOtherwise, I would have come over right away.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you\u2014 his minion?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cApparently,\u201d Willow grumbled. \u201cI already spent half the night talking to Buffy and then Angelus calls just after I get to sleep. He told me you left him and that you weren’t answering your cell phone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia smirked triumphantly. \u201cI turned it off. He doesn’t have the private number to the house.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe tried to come over, but you have that heavy security gate.\u201d Figuring that news would at least let Cordelia know Angelus was trying to get to her, Willow waited for some hopeful response. \u201cIt wouldn’t budge. Not even with vamp strength.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDaddy only buys the best,\u201d Cordelia explained coolly. She’d been emotional all night long screaming her frustrations into her pillow and finally staring at the ceiling while trying to convince herself not to drive straight back to the mansion.<\/p>\n
The sudden sound of voices from upstairs startled Willow. It seemed strange to see Cordelia here instead of the mansion and even more strange to actually know that Mr. and Mrs. Chase were here in town. \u201cSo your parents are home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo days early.\u201d Cordelia nodded and then moved into the living room to sit down on the edge of the couch. She didn’t really want to talk about her parents and was not about to mention the fact that she was considering leaving the country for an unspecified period of time. Better to get Willow talking about something that would keep her off-target. \u201cSo what was Buffy’s problem?\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow leaned forward, blinking as if it might help her hear the question again. Was Cordelia saying that she had no idea why Buffy would need to talk to her best friend for most of the night? \u201cI-I thought Angel would tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sounding bored already, Cordelia asked, \u201cTell me what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat he\u2026,\u201d Willow faltered. \u201cThat Buffy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey broke up last night.\u201d<\/p>\n
The long silence after her announcement was shattered as Cordelia launched off of the couch and knocked into the coffee table in the process. Some expensive looking glass candle holders tipped shattering against the marble edge of the table top.<\/p>\n
Willow watched Cordelia pace back and forth in front of her like a caged tigress. It seemed obvious, but the redhead asked it anyway. \u201cSo you didn’t know?\u201d<\/p>\n
Running a hand through her loose hair, Cordelia left it in a tangled state as she turned to Willow, her eyes wide with shock. Freaked out by this news, all she could say was, \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Squirming on the end of the seat, Willow really didn’t want to be the one to talk to Cordelia about this. All she was here to do was to tell her that Angelus wanted her back at the mansion. That he loved her. The vampire had made certain to remind Willow to stress that when she spoke to Cordelia.<\/p>\n
Except that Angelus wasn’t the only vampire at the mansion with those kinds of feelings. \u201cBuffy said\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow really couldn’t go on. Her vocal chords seemed to be paralyzed.<\/p>\n
\u201cTell me!\u201d Cordelia demanded with such haste that Willow nearly fell off the end of the couch.<\/p>\n
\u201cEep! Okay. Buffy\u2026well, you see\u2014 uh. Angel was there. Umm. Cor, I really don’t think\u2026I mean I think he should do it, not me. I’m just the messenger.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite Willow’s ramblings, Cordelia understood what she was trying to avoid saying. \u201cAngel is in love with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cY-You know?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe told me last night after he got back from the Bronze.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gauging the timing suggested that the breakup had occurred before the declaration to Cordelia, Willow let out a sigh of relief. Having only recently developed their friendship considering their childhood rivalry and Xander, she was reluctant to put her in the role of the Other Woman. Especially considering how Cordelia and Angelus felt about each other.<\/p>\n
Until the fight.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m an idiot when I’m sleep deprived,\u201d Willow suddenly realized what the fight was all about. \u201cAngelus never said why you left him. Just that he loved you and wanted you back. It was about Angel, wasn’t it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now Willow had to stand up. She felt a wave of nausea hit and pacing opposite of Cordelia’s direction seemed to ease the feeling a bit. Except that moving also made her dizzy. Stopping, she turned around to face Cordelia who paused upon seeing her tortured expression. \u201cDid something happen between you and Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNO!\u201d Cordelia shouted her response. \u201cThat’s just it, Willow. It didn’t happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sighing, Willow’s mouth crept up into a relieved smile. \u201cSo nothing happened. Then why did you two fight about Angel? Why did you leave?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia sank down onto the couch again. \u201cSomething\u2014 almost happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow followed her move, sitting next to her. \u201cCordelia, you love Angelus.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDuh!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen why would something almost happen with Angel?\u201d Willow asked even before she realized that she was the last person who should be asking Cordelia Chase that question.<\/p>\n
Cordelia let it slide, choosing to forget for a moment the fact that Willow knew all too well the temptations of being attracted to a friend. \u201cClose your eyes, Will.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh\u2014 why?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m not going to conk you over the head with a blunt object,\u201d Cordelia rolled her eyes. \u201cI’m making a point. Sheesh! Go with me on this one. Close your eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cClosed.\u201d Willow shut them tight.<\/p>\n
Angling herself so that she could speak softly into Willow’s ear, Cordelia decided a little guided imagery might explain the entire incident. \u201cThink of Angel. Picture him in your head.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust do it. Tall, dark, hot and broody.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMmm. Uh. Yeah. Tall, dark and broody.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd hot. He’s a hottie. Don’t leave that part out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow frowned, but imagined it anyway. Angel was technically Angelus’ double, so it might be permissible for Cordelia to thinking of him as being hot. \u201cGot it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNow picture him naked.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Willow had to scrunch her eyes closed just to stop from opening them to stare at Cordelia. \u201cAre you saying he was naked when he said\u2026you know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. That’s not the point.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is one, right? A point?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m just saying that I know what he looks like naked. Not because I’ve seen him naked. I just know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh! Because of Angelus.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDuh!\u201d Cordelia rolled her eyes thinking that Willow was probably envisioning her sneaking into the bathroom while Angel was in the shower. Sheesh! As if she’d ever even think of that.<\/p>\n
Willow pointed out, \u201cYou may know what he looks like, but I don’t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon’t pout about it. You can picture it anyway, can’t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Concentrating for all of three seconds, Willow said, \u201cCheck. Got it. Naked Angel. Picturing that right now. Oh, my! Apparently, I have a very good imagination.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThought so,\u201d came Cordelia’s wry response.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy am I imagining naked Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you can imagine being in my shoes. To understand what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow thought it would be faster and more efficient just to tell her, but imagining naked Angel wasn’t a terrible thing either. \u201cOkay. Still naked here. Are you?<\/i> Naked, I mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. That’s not the point.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d Willow sounded a little disappointed.<\/p>\n
\u201cNeither one of us is really<\/i> naked.\u201d Cordelia figured she didn’t need to point out that she was halfway there at the time.<\/p>\n
\u201cNaked Angel. Not really naked. Got it. Not really, though.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe’s naked in your brain. You know<\/i> what he looks like without that shirt hiding his hard chest and his sculpted abs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow wondered if she was ever going to be able to look Angel in the face again. Or Angelus for that matter. Two of them. Oh, my. Her circuits were getting a little fried imagining stuff she shouldn’t be imagining. \u201cNaked brain. Got it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel. Naked Angel.\u201d Cordelia corrected. \u201cHe’s your friend. He’s standing right there in front of you while you’re wearing\u2026a silk robe. And he’s naked in your brain when he starts kissing you. Then he says he’s in love with you. What would you do?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cKiss him back?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThought so,\u201d she commented smugly. Now Cordelia felt vindicated.<\/p>\n
Willow opened her eyes, realizing that a lot more than nothing<\/i> had happened between Cordelia and Angel last night. \u201cWas that it, Cordy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExcept for the whipped cream.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe\u2014,\u201d Willow couldn’t even repeat it.<\/p>\n
Cordelia barely noticed. \u201cDo I get credit for saying no? No!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou said no to naked Angel and whipped cream?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel wasn’t naked,\u201d Cordelia reminded. \u201cYou’re supposed to understand why I said no, not try to convince me I should’ve said yes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou really said no?\u201d Willow had to ask again because Cordelia had filled her head with so many images of naked Angel and whipped cream kisses that it seemed crazy to think that had been her response.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course I said no,\u201d Cordelia snapped at her. \u201cI can’t stop Angel from feeling what he does. I’m in love with Angelus.\u201d<\/p>\n
Looking as confused as she felt, Willow asked, \u201cThen why are you here?\u201d<\/p>\n
So much for her guided imagery technique. Willow didn’t get it. \u201cBecause Angelus doesn’t trust me. He acts possessive and obsessive and enjoys fighting with Angel. Now he thinks he has an excuse.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut he’s a vampire,\u201d Willow pointed out. \u201cThose things are normal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia played her trump card. \u201cHe spanked me. In front of Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow sat in still silence trying to assimilate the information into her overtired brain. It was just too much. Naked Angel and kissing and whipped cream with fighting and possessive vampire behavior. Glancing over at Cordelia, she could imagine the other girl turned over Angelus’ knee with her bare bottom in the air and his large hand on her smooth skin. Her smooth reddened skin.<\/p>\n
Having an imagination can be scary, <\/i>Willow concluded.<\/p>\n
Feeling fire flaming her cheeks at the thought, Willow jumped to her feet. She had to leave now<\/i> before Cordelia said anything else because all this talk was just getting to her in frighteningly weird ways.<\/p>\n
\u201cWillow, go back to Angelus. Tell him I’m not coming to the mansion anytime soon. In fact, I’m not coming at all.\u201d Cordelia watched as Willow gulped down her response obviously choosing not to protest. \u201cWhile you’re playing minion, you can pick up my clothes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey\u2014,\u201d Willow started to complain, but grumbled her agreement. It was obvious that Cordelia thought she had a good reason not to go back to the mansion. \u201cSure. Just ask Willow. She listens to everybody. Does everything people ask. Good ol’ Willow.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia heard the redhead mumbling under her breath as she ushered her out the front door. \u201cThanks for doing this, Will. I’m going to Harmony’s this afternoon, so I might not be home when you come back. Just come alone, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
Turning, Willow gave her a startled look.<\/p>\n
A thank you from Cordelia Chase? Hmm. I wonder if Oz likes whipped cream?<\/i><\/p>\n