Holding the pillow speaker in hand, Cordelia jabbed the nurse-call button for the third time. The voice at the other end held an audible sigh though the words were polite enough. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Miss Chase. I\u2019ve already spoken to your doctor about an early release, but he thinks it\u2019s necessary that you stay until he makes rounds again in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bev and Faith listened in as Cordelia assured her, \u201cBut I\u2019m fine,\u201d hoping to convince her that was the case.<\/p>\n
The nurse gave her the option of signing out AMA, which she explained meant she would be leaving Against Medical Advice. Cordelia was about to jump at the chance when she felt Bev\u2019s hand on her arm. She glanced up to find her grandmother looking worried, shaking her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re staying right here.\u201d Her no-nonsense tone suggested that Cordelia should not try to argue against it. \u201cThat\u2019s what the doctor wants. That\u2019s what\u2019s going to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stunned for a moment, Cordelia realized that it had been a very long time since anyone in her family actually told her that she could not do something she wanted to do. It was an odd feeling that gripped her, stirring confusion and the notion that she should comply simply because Bev\u2019s concern was genuine.<\/p>\n
There was a click on the speaker and then silence. Apparently, her nurse was going to let her grandmother talk her into this, but neither her RN nor Bev knew what Angel was getting into. Cordelia could admit to herself that Angel could kick ass with the best of them. The thought of watching him in action even sent a little thrill up her spine, but there was dread, too.<\/p>\n
She did not want him going into this alone. What if Spike was fully recovered? Dru was still dangerous, even though Cordelia doubted she would try to kill Angel. She had other interests. Boffing Angel was probably one of them. Maybe that\u2019s what bothered Cordy the most.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t understand,\u201d Cordelia huffed, tossing the speaker away so that it hung from its cord alongside the bed. \u201cIt\u2019s not safe out there. Angel\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSeems like the type who can handle himself just fine.\u201d Bev\u2019s answer elicited a soft snort from Faith who stood near the door, feet planted and arms akimbo as if expecting Cordelia to make a break for it. \u201cThe meteor shower is already over. Other than a little aftershock or two from that earthquake, things are back to normal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia struggled with the notion of telling her grandmother that she was concerned about things that went bump in the night. Blurting out that Angel was a vampire and that his so-called relatives were blood-sucking maniacs probably was not a good idea. Although Bev did not fluster easily, Cordy did not want to burst the bubble just yet.<\/p>\n
Catching Faith\u2019s gaze, she sent a silent plea for some help convincing Bev to get her out of here. \u201cForget it, Cor. I like my ass just where it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Bev caught on instantly. \u201cAngel would want you to follow doctor\u2019s orders and he did ask Faith to stay here to keep you company. He obviously cares a great deal about you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her heart raced in response to Bev\u2019s romantic notions. Telling her that Angel was just a friend was a waste of breath. Bev had drawn her own conclusions and now there was no convincing her otherwise. Cordelia knew she was right to an extent, at least about the caring part.<\/p>\n
Angel might have a ton of Buffy issues, but she did not doubt that he thought of her as a friend. There was attraction, Cordelia knew. Being aware of the fact that Angel looked at her in a certain way just made him a guy, an undead guy, but still a guy.<\/p>\n
It was just that she got lost in his kiss. The feelings he had stirred up were like none she had ever felt before, even with Xander. She had wanted so much more. Even now, when she was angry with him, just the memory of his touch left a craving for more contact.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll cut you a deal,\u201d Faith stepped closer to the bed. \u201cDoc & Bev want you to stay. Give it a rest and I\u2019ll call B to play backup for Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reluctantly, Cordelia agreed. Even though the idea of Buffy patrolling with Angel made her curl her nails into her palms, she would rather have a Slayer with him than have him go it alone. Only one problem with the plan. \u201cYou\u2019ve got no way to call her. The phones here in the room don\u2019t get calls after 9pm and you won\u2019t get a return call at a pay phone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bev suggested, \u201cWhat about the phone at the nurses\u2019 station?\u201d She looked a little confused as to why it was necessary for anyone to accompany Angel if he was just checking up on his family.<\/p>\n
Knowing that Faith was not likely to bring up details to Buffy in such a public area, Cordy hoped that she would give up the idea. \u201cYou could always go yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m staying.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yeah, no surprise there, Cordelia sighed, trying not to sound disappointed that her plans for a jailbreak were stifled prematurely. Well, it was worth trying.<\/p>\n
Faith reached into her back pocket and pulled out a small Motorola flip phone. Frowning, Cordelia knew that it was one of the most expensive models costing nearly a thousand bucks, and only recently on the market. No longer in the position to pay for a cell phone of her own, she wondered how Faith could afford it.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew phone?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNifty, huh?\u201d Faith flipped it open and punched in a series of numbers. Explaining, \u201cI paged her. It may take her a while to get to a phone.\u201d<\/p>\n
As she pocketed the phone again, Cordelia asked where she got it. Being all mysterious about it, Faith shrugged, her cheeks dimpling with her smile. \u201cA friend.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith shifted back from the bed, closer to the door again. Pointing to a sign prohibiting cell phone use, she said, \u201cI\u2019d better wait down the hall,\u201d meaning that she knew better than to talk to Buffy about patrol in front of Bev.<\/p>\n
As soon as the door closed behind Faith after her hasty exit, Cordelia turned back to her grandmother. That same worried expression emphasized the tiny wrinkles around her eyes and the soft crease furrowing her brow. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on? I\u2019m old, not stupid.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now that they were alone, Bev had her cornered. \u201cThere\u2019s stuff, but nothing you need to worry about.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s more than checking up on Angel\u2019s family,\u201d Bev guessed rightly. She moved her hand to cover Cordelia\u2019s, which was still balled up tightly. \u201cI can tell something is wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bev had good instincts, and asked if Angel was mixed up in something dangerous. He seemed like the tall, dark mysterious type dressed in that leather coat of his, but it was more than just his sense of fashion. Her questions were born of concern, Cordy knew.<\/p>\n
Opening up her hand, Cordelia threaded her fingers through her grandmother\u2019s, subconsciously noting the fragile sensation of her fingers and the smooth texture of her skin. Their eyes mirrored each other\u2019s being so alike, cloudy with concern.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid something else happen tonight that I should know about, a reason that you are so upset with Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Cordelia rushed to assure her that whatever scenario she was imagining did not take place. \u201cAngel\u2019s a good guy. Really. I\u2026we\u2026he kissed me tonight and had the nerve to compare me to his ex-girlfriend.\u201d<\/p>\n
Quirking an eyebrow, Bev reacted surprised, but said nothing. Cordelia struggled for a response. She did not like the idea of lying to her grandmother, but what could she say? Angel\u2019s eccentric relatives were from out of town and they needed to be watchdogged closely. Tonight a demon had marked her as a sacrifice to its god. And, by the way, the hot guy you think is my boyfriend is a vampire who happens to have a soul.<\/p>\n
Not gonna happen.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe haven\u2019t known each other very long.\u201d Though, in some ways, Cordelia felt like it was forever. \u201cI wish things had been different, y\u2019know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bev nodded, \u201cMe too,\u201d looking a little puzzled by the turn in the conversation.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re the only normal thing in my life right now,\u201d Cordelia explained with a soft hitch in her voice. \u201cI don\u2019t want that to change.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rebar and breakups, tax evasion and prison, losing everything, and now demony death threats made her want to sign up for another life. It was almost frightening that Bev meant so much to her so quickly.<\/p>\n
Just like Angel, the thought whispered in her head.<\/p>\n