***<\/p>\n
\u201cCareful with the hugs, Princess,\u201d cautioned Lorne jovially as Cordelia\u2019s arms wound around him, \u201cthis jacket wrinkles.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lorne didn\u2019t bother to hide the tears of happiness at seeing both Cordelia and Connor home safely. He hugged Cordelia back just as hard, marveling at the bright grin on her face despite the dark bruise her assailant left behind.<\/p>\n
Her normally bright aura appeared somewhat confused today. In fact, the only one of the group not a little muddled was the baby who was snuggled in his daddy\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy turn with the little nipper,\u201d Lorne held out his hands. \u201cWhat a surprise that a tiny bundle like this can make you wonky when it disappears. No more disappearing acts, kid.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seeing that the Pylean was already getting distracted by humming a tune to Connor whose bright eyes were fixed on Lorne with rapt attention, Angel cut in with a quick reminder, \u201cThe letter.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow could I forget?\u201d Lorne chuckled in a way that suggested he had really been putting off potentially bad news. \u201cIt\u2019s right here in the pocket over my heart, burning a hole like a hot potato. I figured you should open it, especially if there are any more gypsy curses attached to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since Lorne\u2019s hands were full of baby, Cordelia reached behind Lorne and pulled out the velum envelope from his pants pocket. It was sealed tight with dark red wax and a marking she had only ever seen in Wesley\u2019s file on Angelus. That name was written in an old style on the front of the envelope.<\/p>\n
Cordelia held it out in the direction she knew Angel to be standing before following through with the temptation to rip it open herself. Almost as soon as he took the envelope from her, it vanished from sight. She let out a little grmph of frustration as that also meant she couldn\u2019t read it over his shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell?\u201d Cordelia prompted him after a few seconds, knowing the others were equally interested in discovering the truth. \u201cWhat does it say?\u201d<\/p>\n
The only response was the appearance of the letter and its envelope on the desktop next to them. Whatever it read was keeping Angel in his silent broody mode and that had Cordelia snatching it up the instant she saw it. Wes, Gunn and Fred all crowded around her to read the message while Lorne kept his distance. He\u2019d already gotten the gist of it from Angel\u2019s reaction.<\/p>\n
\u201cCryptic much,\u201d mumbled Cordelia in complaint. Frowning, she asked the group, \u201cSo what\u2019s it mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
Taking the letter and it\u2019s envelope from her hand, Wes studied the seal on the cream colored envelope and the single line of script within the letter itself:\u00a0Prepare for judgment<\/i>. \u201cIt appears we are to expect visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re coming here?\u201d Cordelia looked around for Angel, but the invisibility thing made it hard to find him. He\u2019d moved off somewhere. Turning back to Wes, she demanded clarification, \u201cTo do what? Judgment could mean anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI doubt it\u2019s a pie-eating contest,\u201d commented Wes drolly. \u201cObviously, this has to do with Angelus\u2019 crimes against the Kalderash Romany and their subsequent curse.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Fred piped up to call out the vampire\u2019s name, Cordelia figured she wasn\u2019t alone in wondering whether Angel knew more about that single line of text than was obvious. Whether it was a warning or a threat, she needed to know because not knowing was already causing anxious butterflies to swarm inside.<\/p>\n
Angel hadn\u2019t gone far, just over to the couch where his voice sounded steadier than it should under the circumstances. She automatically followed the sound, standing there until his hand curled around her wrist and with a gentle tug brought her to sit beside him.<\/p>\n
Linking her fingers with his, Cordelia listened as Angel reminded them all, \u201cThe Kalderash intended the soul to be the means to my punishment. It could be that they want to ensure the curse is still meeting its intent.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo see that you remain tormented by the emotional response to the memories of the people you\u2019ve killed,\u201d Wes nodded his own understanding.<\/p>\n
\u201cI get that part,\u201d admitted Gunn as he rubbed his bald head with one large hand. \u201cI don\u2019t get this happiness clause. Vamp gets a little action and boom the gypsies have Soulless Joe back.\u201d<\/p>\n
That was a question Cordelia wouldn\u2019t mind having an answer too. \u201cSo when can we expect this gypsy invasion?\u201d<\/p>\n
Glancing down at the letter again despite knowing it revealed nothing of the sort, Wes answered, \u201cIt doesn\u2019t say. Reconsidering my original hypothesis, this mention of judgment could be an event rather than an actual visitation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia released Angel\u2019s hand and stalked over to Wesley\u2019s side grabbing the letter and holding it up to the light looking for clues that weren\u2019t there. \u201cSo where do we find this Madame Bosha?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t,\u201d Angel stated with a tone of finality.<\/p>\n
Not about to take that without further explanation, Cordelia turned back toward the couch. \u201cWe don\u2019t? She\u2019s the one with the answers, Angel. This sounds like a threat and I\u2019m not gonna roll out the red carpet and wait for doomsday.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s hands were suddenly on her arms and she jerked in surprise at the sudden sensation. The fingers gripped gently, but firmly enough to get his point across, \u201cLet it happen as she plans it, Cor. Whatever the Kalderash have in mind, just let them come.\u201d<\/p>\n
With a growing sense of fury, Cordelia\u2019s response was accompanied by a hard shove to his chest that wouldn\u2019t normally budge Angel an inch. She felt his hands drop from her arms and though he was no longer touching her, she could tell he hadn\u2019t moved more than an inch or two away.<\/p>\n
Just to prove it to herself, Cordelia poked a finger at his chest as she complained, \u201cDon\u2019t you dare give me that broody I-deserved-to-be-cursed attitude. You\u2019ve paid for that over and over. More than enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan it ever be enough?\u201d Cordelia flinched at the pain evident in his words. \u201cI\u2019m a vampire. It\u2019s what I am. No matter the existence of the prophesy and the promise of finding redemption, what can I possibly do to make up for everything I\u2019ve done in the past?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the mission, Angel,\u201d her hand slid up the contours of his chest to palm the invisible face. Almost imperceptibly, he leaned into her touch. \u201cYou live it every day helping the hopeless. The people you\u2019ve saved\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA handful in comparison to those I\u2019ve tortured, those I\u2019ve killed,\u201d Angel pointed out. Redemption had seemed so close when they\u2019d first discovered the prophesy. Now it seemed eons away. \u201cThe innocents I\u2019ve slaughtered far outweigh those I\u2019ve saved, including the favorite daughter of the Kalderash.\u201d<\/p>\n
A frustrated growl sounded from Cordelia\u2019s throat as she gritted her teeth together. \u201cIt\u2019s a good thing you\u2019re invisible. You need a swift kick in the rear,\u201d she told Angel.<\/p>\n
The slight motion under her hand as the curve of Angel\u2019s mouth brushed against her thumb made Cordelia realize he was smiling. Relief at his reaction felt overwhelming to the point that she threw her arms around his neck hugging him close. \u201cDon\u2019t think I can\u2019t do it, either,\u201d she added as she moved out of his arms.<\/p>\n
The cool tips of his fingers trailed across the line of her jaw, his thumb whispering across her mouth for an instant before Cordelia sensed him stepping away. That little touch left her wanting more, but this was hardly the time to think about the way her imagination had been twisting their interactions into something intimate.<\/p>\n
Cordelia sucked in a sharp breath, releasing it before pointing out, \u201cIt\u2019s today that counts, not the past. I\u2026any of us here would take you over some comic book hero in tights any day.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn straight,\u201d Gunn confirmed his agreement.<\/p>\n
As did Fred, \u201cCordy\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Kalderash judged you when they invoked the curse,\u201d Wesley pointed out as he decided they might be reading too much into the letter. \u201cReturning now could mean anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMadame Busybody is the one planning all of this,\u201d reminded Cordelia refusing to drop the idea of looking for the old woman.<\/p>\n
Gunn was all for that. Sitting around and waiting for something to happen was not his idea of a good thing. \u201cWes & I should check out the gypsy\u2019s shop. Maybe we can find a clue about what she\u2019s planning.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s closed up tight,\u201d Lorne explained that he\u2019d found the shop empty. The only thing left was the envelope taped in an obvious location. \u201cNot a crystal ball in sight, much less a clue.\u201d<\/p>\n
Apparently, Angel wasn\u2019t surprised that Madame Bosha had cleared out of her shop even if Cordelia thought it strange that it was necessary. \u201cIf the Kalderash want to be found, we\u2019ll find them easily enough. Otherwise forget it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we just wait?\u201d Cordelia found that idea ridiculous.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wait.\u201d<\/p>\n
In an off-key sing-song, Cordelia reminded him, \u201cHello, you\u2019re still invisible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wes promised that he and Fred would continue to conduct research, but stressed that the safest thing to do would be to refrain from reversing the invisibility process until they were certain about the effects on Angel\u2019s soul.<\/p>\n
Having heard that, Lorne didn\u2019t think it was necessary, \u201cYour soul has been super-glued, Angelcakes. Don\u2019t ask me when or how it happened, but it\u2019s suddenly as clear as crystal.\u201d<\/p>\n
The confidence behind Lorne\u2019s words made Cordelia\u2019s heart beat a little faster. But Wes had to ruin her little rush of happiness by explaining his theory about the magic effects of the Invisibility Ray. \u201cThe danger of dispersing the soul entirely is too great to ignore. More research is required before any action can be taken.\u201d<\/p>\n
Afterward, Lorne sent Cordelia a sympathetic look, commenting, \u201cDoesn\u2019t that blow a cold wind up your skirt.\u201d Then to Angel, he slyly suggested, \u201cSeems to me someone ought to take advantage of this whole invisible thing while he has a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia rolled her eyes at that comment. Take advantage? Pfft! \u201cLike Tall, Dark and Stuffy is really gonna head to the nearest women\u2019s dressing room to sneak a peek. This is Angel we\u2019re talking about, not Wes or Gunn.\u201d<\/p>\n
Simultaneous complaints sounded from the latter two. \u201cHey! I resent that remark.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cResemble that,\u201d Cordelia snorted as she shared a look with Fred that caused the Texan to blush a rosy hue.<\/p>\n
Lorne shook his head as he realized Cordelia let his advice to Angel fly right over her head. He leaned closer to the vampire whose aura was glowing with frustration. \u201cYou have work to do, sugar pie,\u201d he suggested.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe little nipper and I are gonna catch up on that bedtime story we missed out on last night about the Jolly Green Demon.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
The days that followed fell into a pattern of business as usual for the team at Angel Investigations. With one minor alteration: Angel\u2019s invisibility.<\/p>\n
Wes kept researching, but had come up with nothing remotely useful in regards to the Kalderash or the Eye of Dakronn. Despite that, the Englishman continued to burn the midnight oil to find information.<\/p>\n
A remote link had been established to Willow\u2019s computer database to allow for cross-referencing.<\/p>\n
While Wes focused on discovering all there was to know about the mystic Eye, Fred continued to tinker with prototypes of Invisibility Rays using alternate power sources. Unfortunately, she was having no luck maintaining the stability of the wavelengths around the test objects.<\/p>\n
That just made her all the more determined to solve the problem.<\/p>\n
The PTB apparently had no compunction about sending their invisible champion off on a mission. If anything, they seemed keen to take advantage of the situation by sending Cordelia three visions in the same week.<\/p>\n
Gunn tagged along for the fight and came back with stories of how the demons reacted to the invisible vampire. When he gave them a chance to react at all, Gunn pointed out.<\/p>\n
Despite her concerns for Angel, Cordelia had problems of her own that no one else knew about. Staying at the hotel, she missed the distraction and care that Dennis offered, especially his ability to listen.<\/p>\n
Tilting her head back, Cordelia swallowed down the pain killers, her hands shaking as she moved to hold on to the edge of the sink. Geez, it keeps getting worse.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cHeadache?\u201d Angel\u2019s concerned voice sounded behind her.<\/p>\n
Straightening up, Cordelia silently reminded herself not to leave the bathroom door open again. Just because the place looked empty, didn\u2019t mean that it was. \u201cYeah, it\u2019s just the usual after-vision thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDidn\u2019t you take something before I left?\u201d They both knew she\u2019d popped a couple of Tylenol.<\/p>\n
\u201cI did,\u201d Cordelia agreed swiftly as she rummaged through her purse for the bottle she\u2019d opened just minutes before. How bad was it that she disguised her medication? \u201cThese are just vitamins. One A Day keeps the doctor away.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel examined the label before returning it to her. \u201cI thought that was an apple.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was just back in the days before scientists fit everything you need into a pill,\u201d Cordelia made an effort to grin and attempted to get out the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cWait,\u201d Angel caught her, pulling her back in front of the sink.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me go,\u201d she pleaded softly. God, she didn\u2019t want to talk about this. \u201cIt\u2019s just a harmless little vitamin. I\u2019ll eat an apple later if it\u2019ll make you feel better.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? No, look at the mirror,\u201d Angel turned her around to face it.<\/p>\n
Cordelia hoped he wasn\u2019t going to point out that she looked tired. It had been a rough week and while the bruise on her face was now hidden under a thin layer of makeup, the effects of back-to-back visions showed in her eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI look like I\u2019ve just come back from Hag City.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel chuckled, pulling her back against his chest. His cheek rested against the soft cascade of her hair as he bent his head to say, \u201cYou need some sleep, Cordelia, but you\u2019re still beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n
A smile played at the corners of her mouth as she gazed at her lonely reflection. \u201cI wish I could see you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can,\u201d he told her with a sense of wonderment. \u201cI see my reflection.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia figured it was another side-effect of the magic that kept him invisible and also protected him from the deadly rays of the sun. \u201cYou see both of us?\u201d<\/p>\n
A flash of envy consumed her for an instant. She wondered what they looked like together, standing front to back facing the mirror. With her bottle of\u00a0vitamins<\/i> still clutched in her hand, Cordelia knew there was far more than just invisibility separating them.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, I think we need to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia lifted her bare wrist and pointed to where a watch might normally be worn, \u201cLook at the time. My boss is a bear when I get behind on the filing. Gotta go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Little actual filing was done the remainder of the afternoon. Cordelia busily pushed paperwork around her desk as she tried to figure out what Angel had been going to say to her. She\u2019d been so focused on avoiding the subject of why she was popping pain pills like they really were just vitamins, she wondered if he intended to say something else.<\/p>\n
Whatever it was, Angel didn\u2019t bother her with it the rest of the day retreating up to his suite the moment the baby monitor alerted him that Connor was awake.<\/p>\n