\u201cThere\u2019s a conspiracy at this hospital.\u201d Cordelia kicked her covers toward the end of the bed. \u201cWhen I say I\u2019m fine, the doctor is supposed to believe me. Helloooo! Faith, did you hear a word of what I\u2019m saying?\u201d<\/p>\n
Looking a little distracted, Faith stopped rhythmically tapping her fingers on the wooden arm of the chair. \u201cDoc is holding you captive.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s right!\u201d<\/p>\n
The room door opened and Buffy slipped through closing it behind her. \u201cWhat? So they aren\u2019t going to release you this morning?\u201d She had obviously overheard Cordelia\u2019s rant.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Cordelia huffed. \u201cDr. Frumpypants stopped by at the crack of dawn to tell me that 23-hour Observation meant I actually have to stay here that long.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith interjected, \u201cBut since she came in after midnight, it\u2019ll be tomorrow morning before she gets her release papers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnything wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d snapped Cordy.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Faith countered just as quickly. \u201cThat debris clipped her in the head. She\u2019s just a little\u2026,\u201d Faith sounded out a cuckoo whistle, \u201ccranky this morning. The doc figured the world could use a break before letting her back out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hazel eyes narrowed at the sight of Faith\u2019s dimpled smile. As much as she hated to admit it, her head still ached. Sleep hadn\u2019t come easy last night. In fact, she\u2019d been awake most of the night talking to Faith about one thing or another. Mainly Angel and her hope that Buffy found him before he ended up in a dustbin.<\/p>\n
Before Cordy could question Buffy about it, she told them, \u201cI thought I\u2019d relieve Faith for a couple of hours before I have to be at school.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d Faith agreed, \u201cI could use a shower and some clean clothes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s eyes widened at the prospect of a couple of hours alone with Buffy. Just great. Not. Buffy flopped down in the other chair, stretching out her legs. She was wearing a cheap knock-off that did nothing for her figure, or significant lack thereof. Cute shoes, though. Glancing down at her orange hospital gown, Cordy figured she would just keep her opinion to herself for now.<\/p>\n
Besides, she had more important subjects to cover. \u201cDid you find Angel before he got to Spike and Drusilla?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d Buffy\u2019s answer caused Cordelia\u2019s chest to tighten up as she held her breath. Faith paused by the door, turning back around to listen. \u201cHe was just leaving the crypt when I got there. Kingman\u2019s Bluff.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s okay, right?\u201d Cordelia\u2019s fingers curled into the pillow she pulled onto her lap. \u201cYou don\u2019t look gloomy or depressed enough for it to be bad though you do have dark bags under your eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gaping, Buffy got up and walked over to the window where there was enough of a mix of light and shadow to produce a decent reflection. Whining a little, \u201cWe were up most of the night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh,\u201d and Cordelia\u2019s heart sank at the flood of images that followed. She could still hear Angel\u2019s words \u2018After all, you\u2019re not Buffy,\u2019 echoing in her head. \u201cSounds cozy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were patrolling, Cor,\u201d Faith pointed out what should be obvious. \u201cI take it Angel dusted those two.\u201d<\/p>\n
A little pause followed before Buffy admitted, \u201cNo, actually. He warned me off.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Cordelia heard Faith\u2019s voice overlaying hers.<\/p>\n
Buffy shrugged. \u201cHe said it had something to do with Cordelia. That Drusilla saw\u2026 well, whatever she saw, it was bad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia wondered if Drusilla told Angel everything she had said back at Trinity Church. \u2018Heartache, pain and death will be your prize, sweet kitten.\u2019 Drusilla had shared a vision of that future, one that frightened her. That was only a part of it. The rest was all about Angel.<\/p>\n
Each time she saw him, Cordelia felt less and less petrified over the notion of possessing the ability to elicit a passionate response from him. No matter what Angel said after that kiss, he was lying his ass off. She knew when a guy enjoyed kissing her and he was so into it. Just the thought of it made her tingle, wanting more. Those cool lips demanded a response, insistent, urgent, needy, and with just the right amount of tongue. He kissed her with his whole being, mouth and hands, and needy soul. Holding her close with big, skillful hands, stroking her body closer.<\/p>\n
Yeah, he was definitely into her. That\u2019s what scared the hell out of her, thanks to Dru\u2019s little chat about the future.<\/p>\n
Angel might be into her, but he was did not want to be. He practically barked Buffy\u2019s name afterward, telling her that their kiss had meant nothing in comparison. Liar. He had to be lying. It should not matter. After all, Cordelia Chase was so not interested in Buffy\u2019s cast-offs even if this one could make her melt.<\/p>\n
So why did the idea that Angel had spent the rest of last night with Buffy cause her stomach to twist into knots?<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel wouldn\u2019t tell me much,\u201d Buffy rambled on. \u201cSo we ended up going after the Demon Cop that attacked you. Patrolling together was kinda like old times.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSeems like Angel was thinking about old times a lot yesterday,\u201d Cordelia slowly folded her arms over each other, holding on. She glanced at Faith who frowned, but knew what she meant.<\/p>\n
If anything, Cordy\u2019s words brought a hopeful little smile to Buffy\u2019s face. \u201cReally? We didn\u2019t talk about us, but sometimes you don\u2019t need to say much, y\u2019know. It was good, though.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you got the demon?\u201d Faith\u2019s impatience was clear.<\/p>\n
Buffy shook her head, \u201cNo. The goodness was just getting back into old habits.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSome habits need to be kicked.\u201d<\/p>\n
The two Slayers were glaring at each other. Cordelia sat back on the raised head of her hospital bed and watched their silent little power struggle. Buffy obviously did not like being told what to do, especially when it concerned Angel. A confused pout appeared, vanishing quickly as she told them, \u201cWe tracked the demon for a while, but lost the trail.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt looked like a man,\u201d Cordelia pointed out, \u201cuntil his face melted away.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGiles said he was in a police uniform. He thinks he\u2019s the same creep that took Karla Brewer,\u201d Buffy explained.<\/p>\n
Faith reminded them that their trip to the Police Department had turned up zilch. \u201cThe cops don\u2019t even have anyone named Clark on their payroll.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoever he is, he says I\u2019m supposed to be sacrificed,\u201d Cordelia reminded. \u201cI\u2019d appreciate a little slayage before it gets to that point. Feel free to rip his head off while you\u2019re at it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s still time.\u201d Buffy sat down again. \u201cThe sacrificing usually happens at the end and Giles says that\u2019s weeks away.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia really felt comforted\u2026 not. \u201cGee, thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo problemo.\u201d Missing or ignoring the sarcastic little huff following Cordelia\u2019s words, Buffy advised her, \u201cYou\u2019ve just gotta keep things in perspective.\u201d<\/p>\n