***<\/p>\n
Armed with a stack of magazines and bearing a large bag of assorted tacos, Cordelia knocked on Fred\u2019s door.<\/p>\n
A little girl talk, even if it was with a lunatic physicist, looked like a good thing at a time like this. One-sided conversations with her corporeally-challenged roomie were not quite the same.<\/p>\n
Half an hour later, Cordelia looked woefully at Fred who was chowing down on the last taco. They were both sitting cross-legged on the bed, napkins spread out as a makeshift picnic blanket between them.<\/p>\n
Though still eating, Fred was able to listen to Cordelia\u2019s story and continue to work on her latest theory about time-shifting. Just call her good at multitasking.<\/p>\n
\u201cHave I lost it or is Angel totally blind?\u201d Cordelia was still edging toward blind. She\u2019d been vampire bait too many times to think it was some supernatural ability to avoid noticing when a sexy woman can barely keep her hands to herself.<\/p>\n
\u201cGosh,\u201d Fred considered the possibilities and answered with that Texas twang that usually made Cordelia smile, \u201cI really don\u2019t think the answer lies with either choice. Never knew you before, but you certainly don\u2019t seem to be missing anything. What with you being a Princess and his seer and just look at you. Angel certainly isn\u2019t blind when it comes to you Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia harrumphed. \u201cHow would you know, Fred? You spend more time with your dry erase board than you do with us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been watching,\u201d Fred assured her that even a small percentage of her time was enough to hazard a theory. \u201cJust look at the way Angel fought for you in Pylea. He\u2019s so heroic. Handsome man fighting for the hand of the Princess.\u201d<\/p>\n
The dreamy expression on her face was enough to make Cordelia want to gag\u2026 or choke the other woman\u2019s scrawny little neck. \u201cPfft! Don\u2019t be ridiculous, Fred. He may be your big fat hero, but Angel was just doing his thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLorne told me that Angel threatened him into finding a way into Pylea just to get you back. That he would\u2019ve moved heaven and earth to find you,\u201d Fred revealed in a conspiratorial whisper even though they\u2019d shut the bedroom door.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred nodded and then decided Cordelia would be better off knowing the absolute truth considering what she\u2019d said about her reaction to Angel and Darla. \u201cActually, Lorne said he\u2019d move both drgplyx and myzldrf, which are only accessible by trans-dimensional portals and would actually require the power equivalent of a blackhole to actually move any distance at all, but I figured you\u2019d understand it a little better if I explained it that way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smiling, Cordelia could only say, \u201cEr, yeah.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI just know this is all about Moira.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMoira? Who the hell is Moira?\u201d Cordelia sat up a little straighter on the bed. \u201cWas she that blond floosy who hired Angel to investigate her haunted bed last week?\u201d<\/p>\n
Looking puzzled, Fred watched as Cordelia\u2019s golden skin flushed in reaction. Before the Texan could explain, Cordelia had already started to calm down. \u201cNo, that was Milly Walters. I remember because I filed her case under \u2018F\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFor floosy,\u201d Fred giggled. From what she\u2019d heard during the time she had been here at Angel Investigations, Cordelia\u2019s filing system was uniquely her own. \u201cMoira\u2019s not a person, Cordy. Moira is\u2026just Moira.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMore of what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a Pylean word meaning the gut physical attraction between two larger than life souls,\u201d Fred explained. \u201cYou and Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rolling her eyes in reaction, Cordelia commented, \u201cThe only thing I\u2019ve attracted from Angel are requests to pick up his weekly blood supply and a demand for an inventory of his precious weapons. Just to make sure I didn\u2019t lose any of them when I stored them in the basement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred knew that she was hardly the expert in personal relationships, but all of these flirtation games seemed like they were getting Cordelia nowhere. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you tell Angel how you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n
Walk up to Angel, put her arms around him and simply say that she loved him? Not a chance. That vampire was going to be the first to do the kiss and tell thing assuming he even had feelings like that. Until she was certain of that possibility, she would just continue going by the book.<\/p>\n
Even if she had to flirt with him until she was old enough to need one of those motorized scooters to get around the office.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not ready for that, Fred,\u201d she admitted. \u201cUntil then, I have my resources and I have you to help me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMe?\u201d Fred looked a little nervous at the prospect. Trying again to convince Cordelia, she pointed out, \u201cThe straight-forward approach is often the most successful. Not that I\u2019ve applied that theory very often. Not in the last five years, certainly. Mostly, I\u2019m talking about the laws of physics. Except that it\u2019s sometimes necessary to work problems backwards or take a round about method in order to reach a solution.\u201d<\/p>\n
Holding up her hand, Cordelia finally caught Fred\u2019s attention. \u201cThanks, but let\u2019s stick to the experts for advice.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExperts? There are experts for seducing vampires?\u201d Fred wanted to know.<\/p>\n
\u201cPfft! Angel may be a vamp, but he\u2019s all man,\u201d a smile curled at Cordelia\u2019s lips and for a moment both women were lost in a private little daydream. Snapping out of it, Cordelia pulled the stack of Cosmopolitan magazines over onto her lap.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat means everything I need can be found right here.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Down in the laundry room, Angel sat in a chair reading while waiting for the last load to finish drying. He had a book in his hand, but his thoughts were elsewhere. The same place his thoughts always seemed to be lately.<\/p>\n
Focused on Cordelia.<\/p>\n
The more he tried to avoid thoughts of her, the more she filled them. Every fantasy he had involved her touch, her kiss, her scent, her sex, her beauty. Fighting against the urge to satisfy his body\u2019s cravings kept him frustrated and squeaky clean. Soon, Cordelia would no doubt demand to know why their water bill had skyrocketed.<\/p>\n
Cordelia was far more than a fantasy. She was his family, his friend and meant too much to him to risk changing that even with the happiness clause being history. She was so full of life and in the end he was still the vampire who brought her suffering. As his seer, Cordelia endured excruciating pain to bring him the visions sent by the Powers that Be.<\/p>\n
He\u2019d take that pain if he could, but as it was impossible to do so all Angel could do was to promise himself not to cause her any more pain. Certainly none that came at his own hand through his selfishness and the base desires that gnawed at his being. It wasn\u2019t his demon reacting, Angel knew, just the part of him that was a man recognizing the woman he wanted.<\/p>\n
Just as the dryer cycle ended, Cordelia popped into the room. Angel tossed his book down on the chair beside him and stood up. Having her come in when the direction of his thoughts had taken him straight back to the daydream where he had her in his bed and writing beneath him clearly distracted him.<\/p>\n
Awkwardly, he said hello asking why she was there.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just here to commune with your equipment,\u201d quipped Cordelia before laughing at his strange expression. \u201cHope you don\u2019t mind, but I snuck down earlier and threw a couple of little things in the wash. The laundry room at my apartment is closed for repairs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Warily, Angel asked as he recovered his equilibrium and went about folding clothes from the dryer, \u201cI\u2019m not going to end up with pink boxers again, am I?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was an accident,\u201d Cordelia huffed defensively. \u201cHow was I to know my red blouse would bleed all over your clothes? Besides, who\u2019d see them anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou never know,\u201d he responded cryptically, reaching in to pull out the next item.<\/p>\n
Cordelia realized that Angel continued to remain silent on the issue of his soul. It bothered her that everyone continued to keep her in the dark about it. As if telling her would set something in motion none of them could control.<\/p>\n
Maybe hearing about it had done just that.<\/p>\n
Asking him, \u201cWhat\u2019s that supposed to mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe I\u2019ll get\u2026lucky,\u201d Angel tried to joke only to realize that he was holding a lacy strapless lavender bra.<\/p>\n
Snatching the bra away, Cordelia held it up against her. Get lucky? \u201cMaybe you will. You like? I\u2019m gonna wear it tonight with my new dress.\u201d<\/p>\n
A little bug-eyed as he stared unavoidably at the lavender lace cupping the curves of Cordelia\u2019s breasts over her cream-colored shirt, Angel managed to ask her, \u201cYou\u2019re going out?\u201d<\/p>\n
His distracted tone sounded almost bored. Cordelia yanked the bra away reminding him, \u201cYou promised to take us all out to dinner tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Turning back to the dryer, Angel said, \u201cGuess I did.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSenility has finally set in,\u201d Cordelia sighed dramatically. Wiggling her fingers as she held her hand out, she told him, \u201cThere\u2019s one more thing of mine in the dryer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Considering the nature of the first item, Angel decided to play it safe. Stepping back, he motioned for her to fish through the clothes to find it herself. Cordelia bent over practically sticking her head into the opening as she waded through his clothes. The effort caused her bottom to stick out at a tempting angle, which he promptly turned his eyes away from.<\/p>\n
\u201cFind it?\u201d Angel asked when he sensed Cordelia standing up again.<\/p>\n
Cordelia nodded and looked ready to move away when Angel felt something drop onto his shoe. With an airy laugh, Cordelia shrugged her apology, adding, \u201cOops!\u201d<\/p>\n
He knew what he\u2019d find before his downward glance confirmed it. Since it was his shoe and as Cordelia wasn\u2019t budging, Angel bent over to pick up the flossy matching lavender thong. Lifting it on a finger, he held them out to her while doing his utmost to maintain a straight face.<\/p>\n
The glint in her eyes warned him that choosing to say nothing would be as damning as stroking the panties across his cheek. Denial of all interest was the only possible way to go.<\/p>\n
\u201cWomen\u2019s underthings have certainly changed since back in the day.\u201d Angel let out a tone of disapproval. \u201cIt used to be about titillation. Now it\u2019s all about leaving nothing to the imagination.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTitilation?\u201d Cordelia gaped openly at the blas\u00e9 tone and the use of the old-fashioned word that somehow made her shiver.<\/p>\n
Angel suddenly seemed to get lost in a world of examples, \u201cLike unbuttoning rows of tiny round pearls down a woman\u2019s back.\u201d<\/p>\n
The baritone deepened in her ear as Cordelia caught a breath and held it. His words sounded like silk rasping across her skin as she pictured his nimble fingers moving to undress her.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnlacing corsets that propped and nipped in such a way that these hands,\u201d he held them up as if to show her, \u201ccould span her waist and caress her curves, peeling away the layers hiding her skin from my touch.\u201d<\/p>\n
Peel me,<\/i> the crazy little thought popped into her head and the effort that it took just to keep the simple request from falling from her mouth nearly killed her. As it was, Cordelia blinked away the images forming in her head wondering if Angel had any idea just how seductive he sounded.<\/p>\n
At that moment, Angel was sounding off a number of curses as he realized he\u2019d just dragged Cordelia straight into one of his fantasies. It didn\u2019t take much effort to know that she was not unaffected by his words since the scent of her arousal came to him.<\/p>\n
He breathed deep, his dark eyes raking across her body in search of other signs that proved Cordelia wanted him.<\/p>\n
He licked his lips in response to finding them too many to count.<\/p>\n
Dammit,<\/i> Angel forced his gaze back to Cordelia\u2019s eyes even if they were dilated and shining with sudden arousal. It was the surprise accompanying her intoxicating scent that gave him the strength to ignore the stirrings of his own body.<\/p>\n
This had to be an automatic female response rather than one specific to him.<\/p>\n
Returning to their conversation, he lifted his broad shoulders into an unimpressed shrug, \u201cThese days it\u2019s all Wonder Bras and dental floss panties.\u201d<\/p>\n
Snapping out of her daze, Cordelia waved the lavender lace between them. \u201cI\u2019ll have you know I don\u2019t need a Wonder Bra or a corset, for that matter, propping anything I own.\u201d<\/p>\n
Silence seemed the most appropriate response, so Angel shoved his fists in his pants pockets, rocked back on his heels and waited out the storm.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho the hell has been talking to you about Wonder Bras?\u201d Cordelia demanded to know. It had better have been Buffy and not whatever blonde bimbo Gunn was trying to foist off on him.<\/p>\n
\u201cActually, it was Gunn,\u201d he confessed readily not at all feeling guilty about shifting some of the blame.<\/p>\n
Cordelia wasn\u2019t certain whether she was relieved by the news or angry that Gunn was preparing Angel for the wonders of modern female undergarments. No doubt in telling him to be wary of hidden props or giving pointers on front-closure devices.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince he\u2019s so interested in women\u2019s underwear, tell Gunn I think he\u2019d look great in my pink thong,\u201d Cordelia fumed before storming out of the laundry room.<\/p>\n
Her fury only left him smiling in its wake.<\/p>\n
*<\/p>\n
\u201cEarth to Angel,\u201d Cordelia curled a hand around his arm to draw him out of the deep thoughts that seemed to be pulling him away from reality.<\/p>\n
Gunn and Wes continued to lavish attention on Fred who wore a burgundy dress and looked nothing like the burlap-garbed fugitive she had been only a few months ago. Cordelia was especially proud of the way her friend had turned out having managed to drag her shopping and to the hair salon.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s good to see Fred out of her room,\u201d he commented knowing that he was staring in that direction. It was just that Cordelia had been over there too just a minute ago cooing over the other brunette.<\/p>\n
Truthfully, Angel had been far too busy looking at the zipper that ran down the back of Cordelia\u2019s little black dress and imagining pulling it slowly down until that fabric pooled at her feet. He already knew what he\u2019d find beneath that silk.<\/p>\n
Her satiny skin would be all but bared to his hungry view, creamy and golden with a small band of lavender lace at her back and a tiny triangle with its connecting string enhancing the taut globes of her rounded bare bottom.<\/p>\n
Tendrils from her upswept hair kissed the back of Cordelia\u2019s slender throat while the design of her dress left her shoulders bare. The combined temptation of them both made him want to trace her bare skin with his mouth and let his hands wander over her curves.<\/p>\n
Looking back at Fred, Cordelia was sufficiently distracted not to noticed the faraway look in Angel\u2019s eye had nothing to do with Pylea or rescued physicists. \u201cYeah, I think she\u2019s finally coming out of her shell. Not to mention the fact that she looks gorgeous tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel grunted an agreement.<\/p>\n
That was a hint dunderhead,<\/i> Cordelia let out a sigh that finally drew Angel\u2019s attention down to her. So tell me, big guy. How do I look?<\/i><\/p>\n
Apparently vampires possessed no mental telepathy, Cordelia reasoned, because Angel was certainly not mind-reading tonight. He glanced at her bare shoulders with a frown on his face. \u201cShould you be wearing a coat? It\u2019ll be cooler when we come out of the club.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBig brother strikes again,\u201d Cordelia grumbled as she left his side to snatch her coat from the cloak closet. Walking back over, she smirked, \u201cSatisfied?\u201d<\/p>\n
He was still reeling from the big brother comment, but managed a nod.<\/p>\n
Then Cordelia decided to try out alluring lure number twelve. \u201cBefore we go\u2026smell me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Angel figured he\u2019d done enough of that down in the laundry room.<\/p>\n
Cordelia rolled her eyes impatiently. \u201cSmell me. I\u2019m trying out a new perfume. Use those vamp senses. Okay or too overpowering?\u201d<\/p>\n
She\u2019d showered since then, he reasoned. Such a harmless little request would be safe enough. After all, she\u2019d just referred to him as her big brother. The favor was obviously just that\u2026not some obtrusively sneaky ploy to drive him insane.<\/p>\n
Despite the fact that Angel could have told her his opinion without moving an inch, the subtle tilt of her chin exposing the soft curve of her throat had him closing the distance between them. Cupping her neck, Angel gently pulled Cordelia closer and bent his head until his face brushed her throat. A soft gasp sounded in his ear and Angel heard the quickening tempo of her racing pulse.<\/p>\n
He could sense every spot Cordelia had dabbed with that perfume. Very nice, subtle and blending in with her natural scents making him want to press his lips against those hot spots. Realizing that, Angel jerked back letting her go so swiftly that she almost stumbled out of his embrace.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo?\u201d she demanded a response.<\/p>\n
\u201cEver heard a vampire sneeze? I think I may be allergic,\u201d Angel told her determined that she not subject him to that intoxicating scent. \u201cMaybe you should wash it off before we go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI will not,\u201d Cordelia refused. \u201cYou are so exaggerating that. Vampires aren\u2019t allergic to perfume.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel shrugged, \u201cYou wanted an opinion. Maybe you\u2019d better sit on the other side of the table at dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it\u2019s me<\/i> you\u2019re allergic to?\u201d That insinuation bought him silence all the way to the Starlight Terrace.<\/p>\n
At the restaurant, Angel held out the chair next to him for Fred trying to put some distance between himself and Cordelia, but she had already plopped herself down between Wes and Gunn.<\/p>\n
\u201cGuess you\u2019re stuck with me,\u201d Cordelia sank into the chair looking like she wanted to stick her tongue out at him. \u201cGood thing you don\u2019t have to breathe. Cos maybe then my perfume won\u2019t cause you to choke since you\u2019re sitting so close.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred\u2019s enthusiasm for the evening and the club bubbled over and soon Cordelia and Angel were completely distracted by it. \u201cMy first real restaurant since Pylea. Taco Haven doesn\u2019t count.\u201d<\/p>\n
Throughout dinner, they all talked about reintroducing Fred to the realities of life in L.A. Wes and Gunn talked about taking her to a carnival. Fred quickly suggested that they go at night so Cordelia and Angel could come too never noticing that she paired them up in saying so.<\/p>\n
After Fred finished off her own dessert and the remaining half of Cordelia\u2019s raspberry ganache, she saw the seer longingly eyeing the dance floor. \u201cI think Cordy wants to dance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia couldn\u2019t deny it. \u201cThis music is too good to resist,\u201d she grinned putting her hand down on Angel\u2019s thigh. \u201cDance with me?\u201d<\/p>\n
Before Angel could respond, Wes raised a voluntary hand, \u201cI\u2019ll dance with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn gave Wes a nod of approval for fast thinking. \u201cBarbie, you know the vamp doesn\u2019t dance.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot to this song,\u201d Angel agreed and hunkered down in his chair thankful that Wes was going to be the one to dance with Cordelia and not some random man out there on the dance floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cGee, thanks, Wes,\u201d Cordelia stood up and managed to bump Angel\u2019s shoulder with her hip before heading away from the table.<\/p>\n
Angel attempted to ignore the sight of Cordelia moving rhythmically to the beat of the music, but Fred and Gunn were too busy talking about it to hold any other conversation. They laughed merrily at the sight of Wesley moving around her and dancing enthusiastically if not with any skill or talent.<\/p>\n
Cordelia threw her whole body into it and her love of the music showed in the energy bounding off of her.<\/p>\n
They returned to the table, Cordelia holding Wes\u2019 hand and pulling him behind her. \u201cI think I need someone with a little more energy. Wes is running out of steam.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am not,\u201d Wesley adjusted his glasses.<\/p>\n
Laughing, Cordelia held out her hand for Gunn who took it enthusiastically. \u201cThink you can keep up?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust try me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel watched them scurry back to the dance floor. The warm sheen on Cordelia\u2019s skin heightened her scent. She pulsed with life, adrenalin coursing through her veins. He had to be content to sit and watch. Touching her now might prove too much for his resolve.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Cordelia is disappointed that Angel won\u2019t dance with her,\u201d Fred commented to Wesley though she said it entirely for the vampire\u2019s benefit.<\/p>\n
Angel didn\u2019t so much as stir, his eyes focused on the pair on the dance floor. Even he could tell that Cordelia and Gunn moved well together. Unlike Wes, Gunn possessed a natural rhythm that kept him moving in sync with Cordelia as they danced.<\/p>\n
Angel wondered absently why he wasn\u2019t feeling jealous. Considering all of the inappropriate feelings he\u2019d had about Cordelia, he expected to want to rip Gunn apart considering some of the moves he was making out there.<\/p>\n
The rational part of Angel\u2019s brain registered that they were dance moves not flagrant attempts at touching Cordelia. Besides that, Gunn treated her like a sister. Somehow that was apparently how Cordelia seemed to think he also felt about her.<\/p>\n
Big brother? Pfft,<\/i> Angel rolled his eyes at the thought. Then he started to think that might be how Cordelia wanted him to treat her. Certainly, she wouldn\u2019t want to know that he lusted after his best friend.<\/p>\n
No doubt, in her words, that would simply be\u2026 eew.<\/p>\n
After the third song, a ballad began and the lights over the dance floor shifted to the level of soft candlelight. Gunn and Cordelia were still out there laughing their way through a debate about the latest blockbuster movie.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou just wanna jump his bones,\u201d Gunn challenged her as their talk turned to the star of the movie.<\/p>\n
Cordelia slapped him on the shoulder, \u201cHow shallow do you think I am? I\u2019d jump his bones and admire his acting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn scoffed, \u201cRight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Naming his favorite singer, Cordelia came back with, \u201cAnd if you thought you had a chance? What about her?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUnlike your lame actor, my girl can sing,\u201d Gunn returned and then felt a tap on his shoulder. He started to warn off the interloper, \u201cBuzz o\u2014 Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you mind if I jump in on all of the boning, acting and singing going on to dance with Cordelia?\u201d he grinned at the two of them having listened in as he crossed the floor to their position.<\/p>\n
Still holding onto Cordelia, Gunn seriously thought about saying no. Then realizing Angel had been on good behavior ever since their little chat about respecting Cordy, he decided this was just the vamp taking a turn during a song he could actually move to.<\/p>\n
Glancing at Angel who moved in expectantly, Cordelia commented, \u201cHe can act, can\u2019t you, broody boy? Can\u2019t sing worth a damn. As for the rest, well eunuch vamps can\u2019t bone anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn decided to escape that conversation before it happened. Nope. No worries at all about those two. Lorne must\u2019ve had a few too many Seabreezes before coming into the office that morning.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not a eunuch,\u201d Angel growled low under his breath.<\/p>\n
\u201cWill I contaminate you if I get too close?\u201d Cordelia kept talking. \u201cThose new allergies might get worse. You don\u2019t have to dance with me. Don\u2019t feel obligated just because Wes and Gunn know how to have fun and you\u2019re al\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust shut up for once and dance with me. I\u2019m here, aren\u2019t I?\u201d He pulled her closer, his hand between her shoulder blades pressing her forward.<\/p>\n
Realizing that she was snapping at Angel about being in his arms when that was exactly where she wanted to be, Cordelia put her hand in his sliding the other around his neck. \u201cThis song is still kinda snappy. Think you can keep the pace?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI lead, you follow,\u201d Angel reminded as he maneuvered her around the floor.<\/p>\n
With a little huff of frustration, she asked, \u201cGoing anywhere in particular or just in circles?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat isn\u2014\u201d he broke off as Cordelia suddenly cried out.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh no!\u201d Cordelia felt it coming, the flash of light and pain that signaled the coming of a vision. Within seconds, she found herself lost in the images, scents and sounds that would herald their next mission.<\/p>\n
Already there, Angel whisked her up into his arms and over to an open space at the edge of the dance floor. Writhing with the shock of the vision, Cordelia slowly came out of it finding that she was cradled in Angel\u2019s protective hold as he gazed down at her in concern.<\/p>\n
The club\u2019s manager inquiring after Cordelia\u2019s condition joined curious onlookers in standing around the couple. Wesley quickly intervened having rushed across the room with Gunn and Fred close behind. \u201cShe\u2019ll be fine. It\u2019s just a common seizure disorder. Please just give us a little space.\u201d<\/p>\n
Left alone, Cordelia was finally able to impart the details of her vision. \u201cBig ugly demon. Four claws on each hand. Three beady eyes. Has a taste for Mexican food.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s down in the Barrio?\u201d Gunn inquired.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Cordelia groaned painfully as little flashbacks popped up like aftershocks. \u201cHe\u2019ll be at Taco Haven in about forty minutes; looks like the owner has been doing a little demon worshipping on the side to increase business.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred gasped, \u201cI knew those tacos were extra tasty.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia was still unsteady on her feet, so Angel effortlessly lifted her into his arms again carrying her across the room toward the club exit. For once, she didn\u2019t protest the move simply tucking her head against his shoulder and holding on. \u201cI\u2019d rather be dancing,\u201d she muttered.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll get you home first before we go after the demon,\u201d Angel told her wanting her to be safe.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t have time,\u201d Cordelia reminded him. \u201cMy apartment is too far out of the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a pause, Angel said, \u201cI meant the hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lifting her head, Cordelia focused on his profile and imagined him carrying her up to his room and setting her down on his bed. It always seemed to be his bed and not the one she used on the rare occasions she stayed at the hotel rather than heading back to the apartment.<\/p>\n
Despite the herd of elephants tromping in her head, Cordelia found that realization gave her a spark of hope.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo your room?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d Angel answered automatically never considering that there was any other option.<\/p>\n