Chapter 5<\/b><\/p>\n
Angelus remained still, his eyes closed allowing his other senses to do the investigating. The smells of the East End were absent in the air.<\/p>\n
All of the smells were unfamiliar; all except the blood, humans and demons were in the room with him. He listened. Angelus heard strange voices whispering. He moved slightly and growled, chains bound his body.<\/p>\n
\u201cAh, Angelus you are awake. Welcome to the 21st century.\u201d<\/p>\n
The vampire opened his eyes at the woman\u2019s voice. He had never heard that accent before, except once. It wasn\u2019t quite the same but it was similar. Angelus growled and pushed against the chains.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe apologize by our methods, but we really wanted to speak with you and thought this would be the best way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angelus took in his surroundings. It was not like any place he had been before. He recognized the luxury of the room, but not the furnishings. His eyes traveled to the vampires standing by the door. They were dressed oddly. In fact everyone in the room was dressed strangely.<\/p>\n
He stared again at the woman, she had obviously been injured, but it wasn\u2019t the bandages that he stared at but her legs, they were covered in trousers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand that you maybe a bit disoriented, but please listen and we will explain why we brought you here. I think you will find our reasons will be enjoyable to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUnchain me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m afraid that may have to wait, until a few things have been explained. It\u2019s not a matter of trust, but of precautions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angelus glared. The woman nodded to the vampire\u2019s at the door. They dragged in another vampire.<\/p>\n
The human male beside Lila held up a strange metal object, it was shaped like a pistol. Angelus eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe original use for this.\u201d The man held a small, very small gleaming object. \u201cWas to prevent demons from harming humans, but as that\u2019s not what we need, we have modified it a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lilah nodded again to the vampire\u2019s. The vampires dragged the other to Jeremy. Jeremy placed a small object into the other thing he had in his hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngelus by all reports you are intelligent so I think you will understand this.\u201d She pointed as Jeremy pressed the metal pistol into the struggling vampire\u2019s throat. The vampire flinched then glared.<\/p>\n
\u201cSee, he\u2019s perfectly fine. Let him go.\u201d<\/p>\n
The angry vampire moved towards Jeremy.<\/p>\n
\u201cUntil now.\u201d Lila used her bandaged fingers to push something she cradled in her sling. Instantly, the approaching vampire howled as fire spread from his gut outwards. Soon very soon, the vampire was dust.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow,\u201d Lilah stepped away from the dust pile. \u201cWe have placed one of those in you. I\u2019m sure we will never have an occasion to use it, believe me we don\u2019t want to. It\u2019s just a precaution until you become oriented. That\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d Angelus growled.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou do understand, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angelus nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood.\u201d Lila directed one of the vampires to unchain Angelus.<\/p>\n
Angelus bounded up and broke the vampire\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngelus, that wasn\u2019t very nice, if fact it shows that you don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lila pushed another button. Angelus howled and fell back.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, there are different consequences to pushing this button. You have seen the worse, and have now experienced the least. Do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angelus stumbled up and growled. \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand that you have recently met this woman.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jeremy held out a picture. Angelus studied the dark haired woman in the photograph. It was an amazing photograph, the colors jumped out, and the young woman\u2019s beauty apparent, not obscured by fuzzy black and white film.<\/p>\n
For the first time since Angelus awoke and smelled the strangeness of the place did he begin to accept that he was no longer in the 19th century.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy.\u201d Angelus grabbed the picture. It was her. She was wearing trousers like the other woman. But they were different, low on the hips, showing hints of her stomach. The shirt was tight and brightly colored. Angelus traced the pictured body.<\/p>\n
It was his Cordy. She had gotten away- left with a vampire and a human. The memory of the fight in the alley came back clearly. The black hole, they disappeared in was the same one that he had seen this last time before he fell unconscious.<\/p>\n
Lila smiled at Angelus reaction. The plan might just work. \u201cI see that you do remember her. Got away didn\u2019t she? But not alone, she had help.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jeremy held out another photograph. Angelus grabbed it. It was the other vampire, in a long leather coat.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. Angel, a vampire with a soul. Or rather your future self. Is that what you want to be, Angelus, a vampire with a soul? We are counting on that you don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d Angelus growled denying the picture.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. You get a soul. Pretty disgusting. I know it has caused us some problems. That\u2019s why we sent Ms. Chase to you. We were hoping that you would be able to break their bond. Right the wrong. Vampires aren\u2019t supposed to have souls. You can see that. Without Ms. Chase at his side, well, then no soul. But you failed weren\u2019t able to break them apart. In fact they seemed to be even closer now. See.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jeremy showed Angelus another picture. Angel and Cordelia were embracing, kissing. Angelus crumbled the picture with a violent growl. He strode to the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngelus, you aren\u2019t home. You need us. Don\u2019t worry we will tell where they are. But, there is other information that you will need. Are you ready to listen?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTell me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWonderful. Let\u2019s begin your crash course in the 21st century and Angel Investigations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chapter 6<\/b><\/p>\n
Angelus paced impatiently through the room. It had been a week of listening and learning about his future self. It disgusted him at how he had turned into some weak do gooder.<\/p>\n
Angelus shot his hand to his short hair and down to his leather coat. He had resisted the change in his appearance at first. But, he adapted quickly when Lila had explained that the easiest way to get to Cordy was for her to believe he was Angel.<\/p>\n
She no longer thought of Angelus as a threat, but she wasn\u2019t stupid, if Angelus wanted to get close enough to take her, then Cordelia would have to believe he was Angel at least for a moment.<\/p>\n
Angelus stopped his pacing to stare at the pictures on the table. Angel Investigations. He growled. He would kill them all, he would destroy all the evidence of his future self\u2019s betrayal of his true nature. Except, his fingers caressed the picture of Cordelia, She would be his. And this time, he wouldn\u2019t waste his opportunity on games.<\/p>\n
Chapter 7<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cAngelus, your timing is going to have to be perfect. It is unlikely that we will be able to distract Angel for long.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angelus growled. At least he hadn\u2019t turned into a complete wimp. Angelus remembered the fight in the alley. No, Angel wasn\u2019t a wimp. But, now Angelus was aware of the situation, he wouldn\u2019t lose, not again, not when he knew the stakes.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, are you ready yet?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not my fault.\u201d She yelled from the bathroom door.<\/p>\n
Angel paced and grumbled. \u201cHurry up. The reservations are at 8pm. It\u2019s 8 now.\u201d Angel couldn\u2019t believe he actually wanted to go out to dinner. Well, he didn\u2019t actually want to go. Human social places made him uncomfortable.<\/p>\n
He always seemed to do something that embarrassed Cordelia. But Cordelia still wanted to go out and since he hadn\u2019t been able to deny his seer anything of late, they were going out. If Angel wasn\u2019t so happy and in love, he would be resentful at how the young woman could wrap him around her finger as it was- he was just amazed that she loved him.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t yell at me. It\u2019s not my fault that we\u2019re late.\u201d Cordelia stood in the doorway of the bathroom.<\/p>\n
Angel turned and stared. Damn, they were going to be really late now.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, no. Angel, this is the last decent dress I have.\u201d Cordelia backed into the bathroom at Angel\u2019s look.<\/p>\n
Angel ignored Cordelia\u2019s whine and moved closer. His hands reached for the low scoop line of the black silk dress.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, stop.\u201d Cordelia whacked at his hands. \u201cYou already ruined my other dresses.\u201d Her hand motioned to the discarded ripped clothes on the floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll get you more.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not the point. I\u2019m hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll cook later.\u201d Angel\u2019s hands moved up to the thin straps, his fingers drawing the material down Cordelia\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m hungry now and I want to go out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel large hand opened wide on Cordelia\u2019s bare back, his fingers pushing her towards him. Cordelia\u2019s next sentence was halted as his lips covered her mouth.<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s sigh was a cross between a whine and desire. She mumbled something into the vampire\u2019s lips.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat was that?”<\/p>\n
\u201cI said, you better cook something really delicious and a lot of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel smiled as he brought her back into his arms. Cordelia suddenly tensed and jerked back. Angel\u2019s arms tightened, his desire instantly turning into concern as Cordelia gasped and clutched at her head.<\/p>\n
Angel cradled the shaking young woman in his arms, his hands caressing her body, until the vision past.<\/p>\n
As soon as Cordelia\u2019s trembling subsided, he led her to the bed. He quickly reached onto the bedside table and handed Cordelia some water and pills. He sat next to her, his hand back around her shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll never eat now.\u201d Cordelia leaned into Angel\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll ordered something before I leave, okay.\u201d He kissed her gently on the top of the head.<\/p>\n
\u201cChinese.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cChinese. The vision?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBumpy green ugly demon\u201d Cordelia winced as she grabbed a paper and pen. \u201cAngel, there were also a lot of vampires. Be careful, please.\u201d She handed him the location.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will, now lie down. I will call Wesley and Gunn. I will also see if Fred can come back from the library.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll wait down stairs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think you should lie down.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDownstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel grumbled and picked her up.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can walk.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmph, ow.\u201d Cordelia buried her pounding head into Angel\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n
Angel settled Cordelia onto the couch in the lobby. \u201cAre you comfortable? Do you need more aspirin? I\u2019ll get you some more water.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWater would be good. Then go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know. I think I should wait for Fred.\u201d Angel handed Cordelia the bottled water.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right. Rest.\u201d Angel kissed her.<\/p>\n
\u201cChinese.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel raised the cell phone in acknowledgment as he headed out of the hotel.<\/p>\n
Cordelia placed the bottle to her forehead. Chinese. It had sounded good. Now, it just made her stomach even more nauseous. Cordelia wondered if there was a way she could market the visions as an appetizer suppressant. She could be rich.<\/p>\n
The weight conscious of LA wouldn\u2019t mind bouts of extreme pain if they could lose some quick weight. Cordelia closed her eyes and leaned back, waiting for the sharp pounding to subside into dull pounding. That pain wasn\u2019t so bad and it only lasted until the evil was dead and gone.<\/p>\n
Chapter 8 <\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia eye\u2019s remained closed as she heard the front door open. \u201cFred, in here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia opened her eyes at the silence. She sat up.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, that was\u2026\u201d Cordelia got up as the vampire approached her. \u201cAngel, where\u2019s Gunn and Wesley.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure they will be along shortly.\u201d He moved closer. \u201cYou are beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou expressed that all ready, quite effectively.\u201d Cordelia blinked. The pain in her head had diminished but hadn\u2019t gone. \u201cWhat happened? The demon\u2026\u201d Cordelia involuntarily stepped back as the vampire moved even closer, grinning. \u201cAngel, what\u2019s wrong with\u2026..Oh shit, no way\u2026impossible.\u201d Cordelia stumbled back against the couch, scrambling to run.<\/p>\n
Angelus was on her in a flash. \u201cI\u2019m glad to see that you haven\u2019t forgotten me. Does that mean you missed me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, no. Your soul is permanent.\u201d Cordelia pushed against Angelus. Somehow breaking loose, knocking the table as she moved.<\/p>\n
Angelus let her get a few feet before he grabbed her again. \u201cNever had one, don\u2019t want one.\u201d Angelus griped securely at her shoulders, immobilizing her flight.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose goddamn lawyers.\u201d Cordelia kicked out, in realization. He laughed as he dodged her. \u201cIf you do that again, I\u2019ll break your arm. Now be still let me look at you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLike hell,\u201d<\/p>\n
Angelus winced as the sharp point of her shoe dug into his foot.<\/p>\n
Angelus growled and jerked her into his arms, bending her legs up. He ripped off her black sandals. Angelus stared at them for a moment then tossed them down. Cordelia squirmed against the vampire.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy.\u201d Fred walked in her arms loaded with Chinese food. \u201cThe delivery guy was outside. Angel, I thought you were out slaying demons.\u201d Fred blushed at the intimate way Angel was holding Cordelia.<\/p>\n
\u201cRun, Fred.\u201d Cordelia struggled against Angelus. \u201cGet Angel, tell him Angelus is here. Run.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2026\u201d Fred stood stunned.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy all means, go tell him.\u201d Angelus laughed.<\/p>\n
Fred\u2019s eyes widened and ran, the boxes of food smashing to the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, Cordy, it\u2019s time to leave. We have some catching up to do. I must warn you though, I am quite displeased with you.\u201d Angelus pressed his hand around her neck until the young woman\u2019s struggles ceased.<\/p>\n