Chapter Fourteen<\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia began to wonder what was so therapeutic about this particular part of the room, she now called home.<\/p>\n
But again, as she had for the last several night\u2019s sat curled up in the corner, huddled, frightened, her knowledge battling with her emotions. With more strength, the she knew she had, she let her mind win the battle, Angelus would live and if need be she would die. She didn\u2019t see any other option; unless Angel appeared miraculously to take her home.<\/p>\n
Where was he? Cordelia huddled closer; it wasn\u2019t fair to Angel to get mad. It\u2019s not like time travel is a common occurrence, or something that should be attempted, not even by her courageous friends.<\/p>\n
But, god what she wouldn\u2019t give to see them again. Cordelia got up and went to the window. Gee, what a surprise, Angelus was there watching, smiling. At least he wasn\u2019t resorting to killing others. The stupid vampire thought that Cordelia was fighting a desire for him.<\/p>\n
Hmmph, she wished he was dead, but she couldn\u2019t kill him. Great, he was gone, Cordelia prayed that maybe it was just the bitch Darla calling him home rather than anything else. Fuck, she couldn\u2019t kill any of them. Hell, what was the point\u2026.There was no point to her being in this god awful time.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Wesley couldn\u2019t help it but he felt like Captain Kirk, all dressed up and ready to jump through the Guardian Forever.<\/p>\n
The black hole appeared before them, whirling and pulling. Angel ran head long into the swirling mess. Okay, Wesley thought, he would have to be Spock in this Scenario, the logical one. It was only fitting; Wesley thought as he followed Angel through the hole, Kirk always got the woman.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cNo need for blankets, that\u2019s good. \u201c Wesley got up and examined the dark alley. \u201cAny idea where we are?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel examined the air, moving to the entrance. \u201cEast End, London, Whitechappel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhitecappel, as in\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Angel looked again. \u201cBut the patrols are gone and the streetwalkers are out, so it must be after 1897.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the height of the Ripper, the London police were out in force and the locals scared, the Ripper pissed off the vampire community that used this pit as an easy feeding ground. Time as passed since then, but it\u2019s not before. Come on.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s an Inn at the of the East End. A mixture of people, if Cordelia landed here, someone there would know. It was where all of the gossip and tales of Whitechappel ended.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel was a much better guide than Lorne was that was for sure, Wesley acknowledged silently as he followed the vampire out into the street.<\/p>\n
Chapter Fifteen<\/b><\/p>\n
The sights and smells assaulted Wesley. He looked at Angel. If they were disturbing to him, then Angel must be truly affected. And Wesley didn\u2019t have the additional burden of unwanted memories washing over him, combining with the stench in the air.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know why, but I never quite imagined this time period to be so depressing.\u201d Wesley glanced along the dark street. The night sky couldn\u2019t hide the filth of the area or the deplorable conditions of the tenements.<\/p>\n
Unwashed people were scattered about, some in groups, some alone. Occasionally, Wesley would see the odd person or two, studying their progress down the street. \u201cAngel, I don\u2019t like the way that man is staring at us.\u201d Wesley whispered, indicating a man watching them intently from behind his bottle of rum.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s most likely deciding how to rob us, steal our shoes, clothes\u2026whatever, then on how to dispose of the bodies.\u201d Angel said, without even looking.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course. Silly of me. Right,\u201d Wesley looked down at the clothes he was wearing. \u201cThey do seem to be a bit on the upper scale than his.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. Angelus may have liked to play in this cesspool, but he didn\u2019t like to look like the part. It was part of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGame?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, what better way to find a victim? Clothes, money- lures to bring them to him. Robbers, whores all thinking that Angelus could be their victim- then\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I see.\u201d Wesley studied Angel. The vampire seemed calm and unaffected by the immersion into his past.<\/p>\n
Angel could sense Wesley\u2019s questions and concern about his reaction to being back in the 19th century. Angel wanted to reassure his friend that he was fine. But that would be a lie. The sights, smells, and sounds, all of it brought back the memories. They washed over him both disgusting and tempting him.<\/p>\n
The fear, the desolation that permeated the East End pulled at his predatory instincts. It had been so easy to satisfy all of his desires in this place. Angelus\u2019 desires, not his. Angel wasn\u2019t that demon, not anymore, Angel didn\u2019t want the blood that was so readily available around him, and he didn\u2019t want the sensation of hunting and killing. Another lie. Angel had to find Cordelia.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley looked at the Inn. \u201cBusy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel nodded, went to enter, and was forced back. \u201cAngel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia\u2019s here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can sense her? Wonderful, let\u2019s go.\u201d Wesley went into the building.<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley, I can\u2019t. There is a spell barrier.\u201d Angel\u2019s tone was a mixture of relief, frustration, and fear.<\/p>\n
Wesley\u2019s brows shot up, comprehending at once. \u201cMaybe she just did it has a precaution, it doesn\u2019t necessarily mean Angelus has been here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley, go find the owner or one of the whores that lives upstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhores live upstairs?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley, go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, of course.\u201d Wesley\u2019s progress was stopped as a woman came towards them.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngelus, luv thought you had abandoned me. Don\u2019t just stand there, I keep telling you that you are always welcomed. I see you brought another fine gentlemen with you.\u201d Gerty glance appreciatively at the cut of Wesley\u2019s suit. \u201cCome in, though I know it\u2019s not me you come to see.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gerty broadly winked. \u201cCome to apologize have you. Just what did you say to our Cordy, that last time. She keeps hiding in her room. Shy and stubborn she may be, but don\u2019t worry boy, she\u2019ll come around, I\u2019ve been telling her what a fine gentleman you are.\u201d The woman winked again.<\/p>\n
Wesley barely got of Angel\u2019s way as he barreled through the door, heading for the stairs.<\/p>\n
Gerty laughed and turned to block Wesley\u2019s attempt to follow. \u201cAye, sir, you need a cup. Gerty\u2019s, that\u2019s me, has the best ale in the East End. Don\u2019t bother,\u201d she pulled at Wesley\u2019s arm. \u201cYour friend will be busy for awhile. She\u2019s a stubborn piece.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo thank you.\u201d Wesley disentangled the woman\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cAye, if you think so, but I warn you, Angelus does get a bit testy when he\u2019s interrupted.\u201d<\/p>\n
That was an understatement, Wesley thought as he went to the stairs. Damn, Angelus had been here, frequently from the sounds of that woman. But, at least it seemed that Cordelia was okay, or at least Wesley hoped she was.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel stopped in the middle of the hallway, his game face flickering. With a growl, he bounded to the door at the end of the hall. \u201cCordy,\u201d he broke the door, but was still barred from running to the beautiful girl.<\/p>\n
Cordelia glared from her position on the floor. That was new. The direct approach, Angelus must be getting bored with the game. \u201cLike busting the door will get you in. Stupid vampire.\u201d Cordelia pulled herself up.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are going to pay for that and I\u2019m not inviting you in. You may think I won\u2019t stake you, but I will dose you with some holy water. So, don\u2019t even think about threatening another woman to get me to come out.\u201d Cordelia thrust a jar in front of her.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLike anxious pleading will work. Don\u2019t even try; begging so does not look good on you. What would Darla say? Leave or you are so sizzling wet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, it\u2019s me Angel, let me in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia stared; the bottle fell shattering around her feet. \u201cAngel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Cordy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, it is Angel.\u201d Wesley appeared at Angel\u2019s side.<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s eyes widened, she glanced quickly from Angel to Wesley. \u201cWesley?\u2026. Angel,\u201d Cordelia ran towards the vampire. Angel caught her easily, crushing her to his chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d she repeated into his shirt, trying to bury herself further into his embrace.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe we should go inside.\u201d Wesley tried to guide the couple into the room. \u201cCordelia?\u201d<\/p>\n
She blinked, her eyes filled with tears. \u201cCome in.\u201d She pulled Angel through the doorway and was instantly back in his arms. Angel tightened his hold, rubbing his face into her hair, reassuring himself that Cordelia was in his arms and that she was safe.<\/p>\n
Wesley propped up the broken door and looked around. His gaze fell on the strewn flowers on the floor and crumbled up sketches. \u201cCordelia are you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia pulled out of Angel\u2019s arms and rubbed away her tears. She smiled widely. \u201cI am now. Get me out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel stared, his hands reaching for Cordelia\u2019s neck. Rage filled his body. \u201cCordelia?\u201d Angel\u2019s fingers lightly touched the puncture wounds that marred her skin.<\/p>\n
Cordelia moved away, her hand covering the marks. \u201cI\u2019m okay, he just wanted a taste.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you let him and he left you alive?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGross,\u201d Cordelia shot towards an open- mouthed Wesley. \u201cDon\u2019t be an idiot. It was either that or watch him drain Molly, of course he killed her anyway. Bastard.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel picked up one of the sketches. It was of Cordelia sleeping. It was beautiful; it made his skin crawl and his anger burn. \u201cWhat else did he do?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe usual, I guess, stalk, taunt, kill, gifts.\u201d<\/p>\n
Every dead cell in Angel\u2019s body was on the verge of exploding, the rage with in him so powerful. \u201cWhere is he?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLike he checks in with me? I don\u2019t know? He\u2019s usually downstairs or out there.\u201d Cordelia pointed out her window. \u201cWhat does it matter, now? We\u2019re going home. .. Angel, where are you going? To the portal, right? RIGHT?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo kill him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, your taking me home.\u201d Cordelia ran to the door, blocking it.<\/p>\n
\u201cMove.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shook her head. \u201cYou can\u2019t kill Angelus.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia?\u201d Wesley raised his brows at the girl\u2019s desperation.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you call yourself a Star Trek expert. Angel can\u2019t kill Angelus, none of us can- it will change history.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood, no more killing, no more evil.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo more soul. Angel if Angelus dies now, he won\u2019t be cursed. You won\u2019t exist.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel stared. \u201cAngelus will die now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cListen to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, Cordelia maybe right.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t care, he needs to die for what he has done for what he will do. It will finally be over.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, like really over. Angel do I have to play it\u2019s a wonderful life here. If Angelus isn\u2019t cursed, then you don\u2019t get a soul, you don\u2019t get a chance to shansu\u2026your dust as soon as Angelus is- you won\u2019t have your future.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, how about then in the 20th century- Sunnydale, Buffy dies, I die, the whole Scooby gang dies, LA- Gunn dies, Wesley dies\u2026.What about all the helpless that don\u2019t get saved?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat won\u2019t happen and the Powers will just get another warrior.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, Buffy will be the slayer, regardless of whether you exist or not. But with your soul, you helped her become a better slayer, helped her survive, and got yourself a soul mate in the bargain. Plus, you helped her keep us all alive. Without you- Sunnydale will still be the hellmouth; I will still become a part of the Scooby Gang; Wesley will still become a watcher and then a fired watcher; my father will still cheat on his taxes and I will still end up in LA. Wesley will still become a rogue demon hunter, that\u2019s if we both make it out of Sunnyhell alive. Gunn will still be living on the streets fighting vampires. I will still go to that stupid party, only this time you won\u2019t save me from Russell Winters. Wesley will get himself killed by some demon or another, without you to teach him how to fight.\u201d<\/p>\n
She glared at the beginning of Wesley\u2019s protest. \u201c You know you would\u2019ve. You were a klutz. \u201c Cordelia turned back to Angel. \u201c Gunn, also will most likely die without you. And Fred would still be stuck in a cave in Pylea. Angel you have to exist or we all die. Don\u2019t you see that? Angelus must live, so you can be. Why do you think that I haven\u2019t tried to stake him or the rest of the fanged four? And boy, letting Darla live was not easy. But, she gave Angelus the gypsy, which resulted in the curse. Spike has gotten himself chipped and saved Buffy more than once, Drusilla\u2026.well, we might be able to dust her. But what\u2019s the point? We just need to go home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, Cordelia has raised what I believe to be some very valid points.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel struggled with his rage and thoughts. He wanted, no needed to kill Angelus. But what if Cordelia was right? Angel would be willing to give up his future for a chance to end Angelus\u2019 evil rampages over the next few decades. He would be making right all of the terror that the demon had caused during that time.<\/p>\n
But Angel wasn\u2019t willing to risk his friends, especially not Cordelia. If Angel didn\u2019t exist, the Power\u2019s would probably just find another warrior to take his place, but would that warrior have been able to save Cordelia from Winters. Angel didn\u2019t know, but Angel did know that he did save Cordelia. Angel couldn\u2019t take that risk, not even for the souls of all that Angelus killed before the curse. Angel slowly nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhew.\u201d Cordelia let out her breath. \u201cLet\u2019s get this rescue show on the road. How do we get back?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley looked at his watch. Thank goodness for Timex even through a time portal they just kept on ticking. \u201cWe have to get to the alley. Gunn and Fred will be dong the spell with in the hour.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew that you would figure it out.\u201d Cordelia hugged Wesley. \u201cMy heroes.\u201d She smiled and went back to Angel. \u201cThank you.\u201d She lightly caressed his solemn expression, her touch trying to comfort him. Angel’s eyes held hers and he smiled. Angel found Cordelia and she was safe. Nothing else mattered. Angel crushed her back to his chest. \u201cI won\u2019t ever lose you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia snuggled closer. She finally felt safe and she was going home. Cordelia glanced at the rough wool. \u201cWhere did you get the clothes?\u201d<\/p>\n