19<\/u><\/p>\n
She wasn\u2019t quite ready for what happened next, none of them were. Another blaze of blue light sliced through the air above her, missing Buffy by inches. It erupted in sparks as it hit the wall of the warehouse, leaving an ugly, black burn.<\/p>\n
Buffy and Faith jerked their heads up, eyes still wet as they glared daggers at the offender. The senior partner shifted, stilled.<\/p>\n
Rage exploded through Buffy, bolting in and out of her veins like a bullet. She leapt to her feet, leaving Angel cradling Cordelia\u2019s lifeless body. Her steps forward were furious, her heart bursting with a need for vengeance as she approached the senior partner, her axe raised high.<\/p>\n
A movement in the corner of her eye made her glance over at Faith, who\u2019d flanked her on the other side of the senior partner, a similar expression of heartbreak and blood-lust on her face. Together, they moved forward.<\/p>\n
Faith spun her knives expertly through the air, releasing each one in a sharp arc and sending them hurtling towards the senior partner. It dodged most of them, an angry growl escaping it when one slashed its side. It made a grab for her but Faith ducked under its claw-like fingers, causing it to spin around.<\/p>\n
Buffy used the opportunity to wield her axe through the space that separated them, bringing it down hard on the senior partner\u2019s shoulder. It roared in agony, its robe swirling through the air as it turned, the weapon still imbedded in its rubber-like skin.<\/p>\n
Faith kicked it from behind, sending it sprawling forward. Buffy reared her fist back and punched it hard. Her hand connected with something solid and she yelped in pain, taking a step back. The senior partner struck out, its arm catching her under the chin and sending her stumbling a few feet backwards.<\/p>\n
Faith had retrieved one of her knives and lunged at it, only to have it twist its body and swipe its claws at her. She cried out, pressing her palm to her cheek, her fingers coming away covered in blood. With a war-like cry, Faith raised her knife again, managing to stab deep into one of its arms. The senior partner made an awful, screeching sound, rearing its other arm back and smashing her away. Faith landed hard on her back, sliding fast across the floor, her body crashing into a shelf. The contents rained down on her, glass smashing against her skin and bouncing haphazardly across the floor.<\/p>\n
It was too strong for them, at least while they were both in this emotional state of loss and anger and \u2013 GOD, Cordelia. Buffy swallowed the sickness that rose in her throat and sprinted forward, hands curling around the handle of her axe. The senior partner screamed as she ripped the axe out of its shoulder, carving it in an arch and slicing through its chest.<\/p>\n
The noise it made was feral, like a wounded beast. It threw its head back and howled, clutching at its chest. Buffy lifted the axe again, bringing it down as hard as she could. The senior partner intercepted it however, its claws wrapping around base of the head, grabbing it from her.<\/p>\n
She staggered as the weapon was snatched from her grasp. The senior partner spun it, catching the handle and slicing it towards her. She ducked but unexpectedly, it brought the axe back, the blunt side catching her hard in the ribs.<\/p>\n
Buffy screamed, the force of the action sending her hurtling through the air until she slammed into the concrete wall and slid down it, the last of her strength leaving her. She surrendered then, let her head hit the ground, her body bruised, her heart broken. She curled into herself, letting one painful sob rack her body.<\/p>\n
Cordelia was dead. No more Cordy, no more late night talks or beautiful smiles or clever quips. Every moment she\u2019d ever shared with Cordelia flashed through her mind like a fleeting slide show \u2013 her laughter, her loyalty, her strength. And now she was gone.<\/p>\n
Her body shook with the worst of the trauma and she wondered if any of them would ever be the same again. Her, Faith, Wesley, Riley, Angel –<\/p>\n
Faith shouted suddenly and in a blur that seemed surreal, Buffy was ripped out of reverie and thrown back into reality. And then everything happened at once.<\/p>\n
A jet of blue light burst from Cordelia’s body.<\/p>\n
The momentum threw Angel back and he smashed into the wall a few feet away, groaning. The light rocketed brilliantly through the air, hunting for its target, finding it within seconds. It thrust into the senior partner, rocking it like a shockwave. Buffy watched in amazement as the partner shuddered uncontrollably. Sparks flew everywhere and a sudden wind whipped around them, tearing through the room as they were engulfed in brightness.<\/p>\n
The senior partner let out a blood-curdling screech as the light flooded through it, inside out and blazing bright. One beat, then another. And then the light exploded from within, flowing out of the senior partner\u2019s fingers, mouth and eye sockets in a torrent of intensity. Buffy shielded her eyes against it, her hair flying, whipping wildly against her face. An agonized scream sounded and the stench of scorching flesh stung her nostrils. Then there was silence.<\/p>\n
When she opened her eyes, the light, the wind, *and* the senior partner were gone. She vaguely heard Faith\u2019s \u201cWhat the hell was that?\u201d before another sound caused her heart to start pounding. It was someone sucking in lungfuls of air.<\/p>\n
Buffy manoeuvred herself onto her knees and slowly managed to get to her feet. Her body ached but she walked forward, around the gigantic circular tub-like device she\u2019d been thrown over and towards where she\u2019d left Cordelia. As she rounded the corner, her heart jumped into her throat.<\/p>\n
Cordy sat up, grasping at her head, her eyes scanning the room with an incredibly lost expression on her face. She turned slightly, facing Buffy, the tiniest of smiles curling her lip. \u201cHey Buff.\u201d<\/p>\n
A sob escaped from somewhere deep within Buffy and she walked in quick, small steps towards Cordelia. She kneeled down, embracing her friend in a bone-crushing hug, tears coursing heavily down her cheeks.<\/p>\n
Cordelia made a slight choking sound. \u201cOw.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, sorry!\u201d Buffy leaned back, cupping Cordy\u2019s face and smiling. \u201cYou\u2019re alive.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd kicking.\u201d Cordelia grinned, her eyes widening when Faith swooped in from behind, wrapping her arms around her.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t fucking scare us like that, C!\u201d Faith\u2019s voice was harsh but there was a grin on her face and her eyes were moist once again. She pressed a kiss to Cordy\u2019s forehead. \u201cThank god.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut how\u2026?\u201d Buffy asked, shaking her head in amazement.<\/p>\n
Cordelia released a breath, looking equally confused but Faith only shrugged, squeezing her again before stepping around to face her. \u201cWho cares how? Did you see that? You glowed that thing\u2019s ass off!\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy laughed a little, grabbing her chest. Faith and Buffy immediately looked concerned as they helped her to her feet, each girl supporting an arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cGuys, I\u2019m fine.\u201d Cordy rolled her eyes, looking up. \u201cReally, I\u2019m – \u201d<\/p>\n
She broke off and Buffy glanced up to see where she was looking. Angel stood in front of them, his eyes wide, his jaw slack. Buffy could sympathise. It wasn\u2019t every day you watched someone die and come back to life. Cordy was alive. She felt a goofy grin light her face.<\/p>\n
What she didn\u2019t understand was Angel turning around, walking through the door of the warehouse and slamming it behind him. \u201cUh\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith raised an eyebrow. \u201cWhat crawled up his ass and died?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy winced. \u201cNot the best expression to use right now, Faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
They were reluctant to let her go off by herself so soon after \u2013 no. Faith squeezed her eyes shut, a tremor shuddering through her. She wouldn\u2019t think about that. She was all better now. But Cordelia had insisted, and so they\u2019d let her go after Angel\u2026to deal with whatever the hell *that* was.<\/p>\n
Faith raised an eyebrow as Buffy circled the large, messy burn that stained the ground over where the senior partner had hovered, crouched and inspected it with her flashlight.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the heck are you doing, B?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was going to spit on it.\u201d Buffy admitted as she leaned forward. \u201cBut never mind that, what the hell is this?\u201d<\/p>\n
It was hardly small, but Faith wasn\u2019t surprised they hadn\u2019t noticed it. She walked over slowly, eyes widening when Buffy prodded at it with her finger, then lifted it only half off the ground with her fingernails, the metallic surface of it catching the light. \u201cIs that a – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGlove.\u201d Buffy said, lifting it completely now that she could tell it wasn\u2019t harmful. She glanced up at Faith, cocking an eyebrow. \u201cSound familiar?\u201d<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
The wind slapped her in the face as she heaved open the heavy door of the warehouse, stumbling out of it, her body still weak. Cordelia sucked in a breath, clutching her stomach and pausing momentarily before tearing after Angel, his figure highlighted in the moonlight, rapidly getting further and further away.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel!\u201d Cordelia called out, sprinting across the bumpy ground until she was mere feet away. \u201cAngel, wait!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLeave me alone, Cordelia.\u201d He said flatly, making her pause, suck in a breath.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d She asked brokenly.<\/p>\n
He must have heard the hitch in her voice because he stopped, not turning around but just standing there. \u201cJust\u2026get them to take you home. You need to rest.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t\u2026\u201d Cordy ignored him, his harsh tone ringing in her ears, her mind drawing the worst possible conclusions. \u201cAre you breaking up with me?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel ran a hand through his hair, still not looking at her. \u201cI\u2026just go home. I\u2019ll call you tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo!\u201d Cordelia snapped angrily, a burst of rage surging through her. \u201cNot until you tell me what the hell is going on!\u201d She grabbed his arm, attempting to get him to face her. \u201cAngel, what is wrong with – ?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDammit Cordelia! I love you!\u201d Angel growled, spinning around, not noticing the way Cordy\u2019s eyes widened and her mouth parted in surprise. He continued oblivious. \u201cDon\u2019t you get that? If you – I don\u2019t know what I would\u2019ve – I don\u2019t think I could even – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou love me?\u201d Cordy whispered, eyes wide.<\/p>\n
Angel suddenly seemed to register what he\u2019d just revealed. He swallowed, pocketed his fists and glanced at her, looking away just as quickly. \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou just said – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I didn\u2019t!\u201d He said, panic lacing his words.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes you did!\u201d A huge grin spread across Cordelia\u2019s face as relief flooded her, her heart giving a joyful little jolt in her chest. She took a step closer to him. \u201cYou love me!\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel shook his head stubbornly and Cordy palmed his face, searching out his eyes until they locked with hers.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey,\u201d She said softly, her thumb stroking his jaw. \u201cI love you too.\u201d She marvelled at the way his expression shifted from stubborn to amazed to elated, and his eyes seemed to light up. \u201cAnd I did what I did for exactly the same reason that you didn\u2019t want me to.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t have watched you die, Angel.\u201d Cordy murmured. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t have survived.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel stared at her for a long, hard beat before sliding his arms around her and crushing her to him. \u201cI thought I lost you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPfft!\u201d Her arms wound around him, her fingers soothingly stroking the hair on his neck. \u201cI totally kicked that thing\u2019s ass.\u201d Cordelia pulled back slightly, gracing him with a smile. \u201cSenior schmenior.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel grinned and then his mouth came down on hers, hard and soft and firm and gentle and *everything*. Cordelia kissed him back, putting every ounce of love and relief she felt in that kiss, revelling in the way his arms tightened around her. She felt beautiful, feminine, protected.<\/p>\n
Loved.<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
\u201cWillow, are you quite certain – ?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley, I\u2019ve looked it over five times.\u201d Willow smiled lightly at him. \u201cI even called Miss Calendar – \u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley shot her a confused look. \u201cMiss Calendar?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, an old teacher from school. She\u2019s a Romany gypsy. When I learned about the case I contacted her right away.\u201d Willow fished folded sheet of paper from her purse and handed it to him. \u201cIt\u2019s the curse.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd this is what will restore Angel\u2019s soul?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou already knew that.\u201d Willow said, a little impatiently. \u201cThe shocking thing should be my latest revelation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you\u2019re sure – ?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t have said anything if I wasn\u2019t a hundred percent sure, Wesley.\u201d Willow interrupted him.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course.\u201d Wes shook his head. \u201cIt\u2019s just that this is rather remarkable\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know.\u201d Willow shook her head. \u201cI can promise to do the spell. I just can\u2019t promise how it\u2019ll all turn out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what you\u2019re saying is\u2026\u201d Wesley paused, \u201cIf you carry out the spell with the alterations you speak of successfully then Angel\u2019s soul will be restored permanently to him.\u201d He sucked in a breath, \u201cBut if you fail – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be stuck with Angelus.\u201d Willow finished grimly. \u201cAnd no way to get Angel back.\u201d<\/p>\n