Part 15<\/b><\/p>\n
Present<\/i><\/p>\n
Lilah circled her thumbs. \u201cSo what\u2019s the count?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThree more attorneys are in the hospital.\u201d Lindsay sat in the chair next to her.<\/p>\n
\u201cImpressive, that makes 8 wounded and 2 dead.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think you can count those two, Angel barely touched them, they died from heart attacks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lilah looked around the hotel. \u201cSo, when we will know that it\u2019s safe to return.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen Angel isn\u2019t even a memory or barely one.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, if Angelus 1 succeeds and stays in 1998, killing Angelus 2, history will be changed. The vampire with a soul will never exist, no need for Wolfram & Hart to know about him except as a vicious vampire. If Angelus 2, succeeds then Angel never gets his soul back and we can close the vampire with a soul\u2019s file as a prophecy wanna be.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo our memories will just change?\u201d<\/p>\n
Lindsay nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow do you know so much about time travel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI watch movies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d Lilah scrunched up her face. \u201cI hope Angelus 2 wins.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat does it matter?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngelus 2 doesn\u2019t know Wolfram & Hart exists, Angelus 1 does.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, Angelus 1 won\u2019t come after us, we gave him Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lilah rolled her eyes. \u201cAngelus 1 isn\u2019t the grateful type. He\u2019s apt to bite the hand that feeds him, literally. Hey, if everyone’s memories change how are we going to get the credit?” Lilah asked the really important question.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel stared down at Cordelia. It had been too long. His hand covered hers. God, he had to get her back. He gently brushed his hands over her face tucking a strain of hair behind her ear.<\/p>\n
Fred knocked on the door, clearing her throat.<\/p>\n
Angel looked up. “Not now Fred.”<\/p>\n
Fred cleared her throat again, this time with sorrow and regret. Angel didn’t look well. She knew the only time he left Cordelia’s side was to go question the Wolfram & Hart employees or anyone else he could think of that might have the answers.<\/p>\n
Fred was sure that the only reason he slept and ate at all was because Wesley convinced the vampire that he would need his strength when they did find the answer.<\/p>\n
“I’m really sorry, Angel, honest, but there is a messenger from a law firm. He has something for you.”<\/p>\n
“Wolfram & Hart?”<\/p>\n
Fred shook her head. “A law firm from Sunnydale. He said it was important. That he needs your signature as proof of service. I thought since, Sunnydale was where you used to live and well….I just thought you should know, maybe. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel opened the cardboard container to find another envelope. He pulled out the fine stationary, fancy initials adorning the top. He froze as he saw the writing. “Call Wesley.” He shouted to Fred.<\/p>\n
“He’s at the magic shop waiting for the delivery of that old book on souls. He…”<\/p>\n
“Get Wesley.”<\/p>\n
“Yo man, what’s the yelling for, do you know something?” Gunn came in the lobby.<\/p>\n
“It’s from Cordy…. dated November 18, 1998.\u201d Angel showed them the big bold underlined date.<\/p>\n
“I’ll call Wes.\u201d Gunn ran to the phone.<\/p>\n
“What does it say?”<\/p>\n
Angel started to read out loud.<\/p>\n
Dear Angel,<\/i><\/p>\n
I hope you get this, I had to max out my gold card, I thought the point of gold cards was they didn\u2019t have a max, anyway. I had to pay for this letter to get it delivered, lawyers cost way too much, but I’m pretty sure this one isn’t evil, just expensive. I couldn’t go back to the bank and face that weasely bank manager again after I ran out of there like a lunatic yesterday. I told the lawyer to send this letter three years from this now. I hope I got the dates right.<\/p>\n
Anyway, I got this idea from watching a movie, this father left a wallet for his son to find 30 years\u2026nevermind; we\u2019ll rent it when I get back…. I should just jump right in, uh. Okay. I’m in Sunnydale. I’m not supposed to be in Sunnydale, I’m supposed to be in LA with you. But, what I think happened is somehow Wolfram & Hart sent me back to Sunnydale 1998. They got my body, I’m stuck in my 17 year old body. I had to go to Trig again, I’m not happy right now and I’m dating Xander, this sucks. I WANT MY BODY AND LIFE BACK.<\/p>\n
Okay, enough with the venting, Xander and school are the least of my worries. See, at first I thought the evil weenies sent me back because this is when you lost your soul. Okay, not a great time, but I lived through it once. So, I figured if I just stayed out of Angelus way, I’d be okay until you saved me, but that plan didn’t go to well. I think I can safely say he noticed me and also to make matters even more fun, 1898 Angelus is also here. So, you see…. HELP.<\/p>\n
I haven’t gone to Giles yet, because I don’t want to take the chance of changing stuff, but if this letter doesn’t get to you. I might have to, so I’ll give you five days. I’m at my parents\u2019 house. They\u2019ll be coming back that weekend. Please get this. One Angelus maybe I could handle but two? And Past Angelus wants to kill this Angelus. And I\u2019m scared and \u2026I\u2019m whining. Sorry. I know you\u2019re doing everything you can. But, hurry. Please.<\/p>\n
I love you,<\/p>\n
Cordy<\/p>\n
P.S. Wear your purple shirt. Sneaky 1998 Angelus tried to make me believe it was you. Pfft. Red silk, Leather-, and he can\u2019t kiss worth a damn, well, not like you. I don\u2019t want to have to do that again\u2026. wear the shirt, you know which one I mean, you’d better. I love you.<\/p>\n
Angel stood stunned, his eyes returning to the beginning to read again. He tried to grasp the meanings and his feelings as the words penetrated his brain. Cordy was alive, she was communicating with him…happiness, relief…okay, next emotion, Wolfram & Hart, Cordy being in 1998 away from him…rage, the desire to maim and disfigure…<\/p>\n
Okay, two Angelus after Cordelia…fear, fear that weakened him at his knees…Angelus kissed her…rage, rage that made him stand straight and forget about wanting to cry in fear, but just kill…Cordy was alive and loved him, he kissed the best…happiness\u2026Purple shirt…confusion.<\/p>\n
Angel blinked and re-read, letting the cycle begin again.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Wesley barreled in to the lobby. \u201cWhat\u2019s happened?\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred bit her lips and Gunn shrugged, they pointed to the motionless vampire with a letter tight in his grip.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s\u2026\u201d Wesley walked closer to Angel.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe got a letter from Cordy, a lawyers office had it delivered. He\u2019s been like that for the last fifteen minutes.”<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Wesley took off his glasses and rubbed his head. He knew that soon he had better come up with better questions. \u201cUh?\u201d Okay, maybe he needed some more time or at least more information.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe haven\u2019t read the letter, he started to read it out loud but stopped, he did show us the date -November 18, 1998 and it was from Sunnydale.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley nodded that helped. \u201cUh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI called the law firm, not Wolfram & Hart, it does exist in Sunnydale, but they wouldn\u2019t give me any information, something about attorney -client confidentiality.\u201d Fred kept nodding. \u201cHe won\u2019t let us read it. He said to call you back, though,\u201d Fred smiled helpfully.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrowls and goes vamp if we get near.\u201d Gunn agreed.<\/p>\n
Wesley straightened his shoulders. \u201cAngel.\u201d He stepped back at the growl emitting from the vampire. \u201cAngel,\u201d Wesley tried again. \u201cYou wanted me here. Can I see Cordy\u2019s letter, please.\u201d He held out his hand tentatively, not flinching as gold eyes bore into him.<\/p>\n
Slowly, they turned a deep brown. \u201cShe wrote.\u201d Angel explained as he thrust the paper in Wesley\u2019s hand so quickly that the man jumped back. \u201cShe was sent back to 1998, two Angeluses. I have to change. Figure it out.\u201d He ran back up the stairs. Finally, Angel had figured out the purple shirt addition.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel sat on the chair next to the bed, his hand holding Cordelia’s tightly. “I’m coming.\u201d He promised. Angel looked down at the same clothes he had been wearing for the past two days, then back at the prone young woman. “I better shower or you’ll just eww and I know what I\u2019ll wear. I\u2019m coming,\u201d Angel, repeated his vow.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel bounded down the stairs, energy vibrating in his every movement. He was going to Cordelia.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, when?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d Wesley cautioned.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s good mood, did a direct 360, \u201c Wes, we know where she is, don\u2019t tell me I\u2019m not going. DON\u2019T.\u201d he growled.<\/p>\n
Wesley took a deep breath. \u201cI\u2019m not, I just want you to listen. This will not be like when we went back to 1898. You will have to be cognizant of the many possible ways you could effect our present. You have to be aware that you can\u2019t see Buffy, or\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFine, no problem, let\u2019s get on with it,\u201d Angel shifted his feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, this is serious, you can\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWes, I have no reason too see Buffy, why would I want to, I WANT Cordy, now hurry up and tell me how.\u201d Angel growled.<\/p>\n
Wesley blinked at the force of the emotion and all that it encompassed. \u201cYou may run into her\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, I\u2019ll pretend to be Angelus, she\u2019d expect it. No biggie.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, she will try to kill you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel shook his head. \u201cI hadn\u2019t killed Jenny Calendar yet, she\u2019s still hesitant, and being all gooey eyed. I can get away, I won\u2019t hurt her or anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley caught his glasses before they hit the floor. That was the first time he ever heard Angel state nonchalantly an evil he committed as Angelus, and his blowing off Buffy was\u2026 Wesley knew that Angel loved Cordy very much, but this was unexpected.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, well, Cordy\u2019s given us the date, smart girl, Fred has adjusted the original spell to create a time portal to that time. But, you will have to do the soul spell there,\u201d Wesley handed Angel a glass orb. \u201cIt is very important that this remains intact. Once you do the spell, Cordy\u2019s, our Cordy, soul will enter into it, leaving the 17 year old Cordelia fine if not a bit dazed,\u201d Wesley looked up at Angel\u2019s frown. \u201cShe will be fine, back to her delightful old self.\u201d Wesley rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n
Angel narrowed his eyes. \u201cShe wasn\u2019t that bad. You kissed her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley coughed, not sure which comment caused the vampire to glare at him. \u201cYes, well, she\u2019ll be fine. But, then you have to subdue 1898 Angelus and send him back to his time. Once there, the normal time should flow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy\u2019s letter said that I did notice her in 1998 more than before. I don\u2019t remember that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t. Your memory of Cordy and London happened after the time line was reestablished. While Angelus of 1898 is in Sunnydale, he is creating a temporal anomaly\u2026a time cross roads if you will \u2026if he returns to his natural era, then time should return to normal, There are arguments that time is circular, but you are an example that its not. You know,\u201d Wesley pointed to his head. \u201cThat prior to your memory of Cordy being in London, she wasn\u2019t even born yet, that it was a freak of Wolfram & Hart, yet, you remembered her. So, theoretically, Angelus of 1998 does too, just not as a time anomaly. You didn\u2019t notice her in 1998, he probably won\u2019t once Angelus is returned to 1898.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe said he did.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, but, your love for Buffy remains the same, so that will also effect Angelus. Angel, you have to remember you can\u2019t kill either Angelus. We can’t be sure of how that would effect the future.”<\/p>\n
Wesley sighed at Angel\u2019s growl. \u201cAre you sure I can\u2019t talk you into letting me go with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. If this goes wrong for some reason you need to be here to help her.\u201d Angel took one last look up the stairs. \u201cI\u2019m ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Wesley, Gunn, and Fred turned to look at each other as Angel disappeared into the Portal. \u201cWell?\u201d Fred shoved at her glasses.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, we take these.\u201d Wesley handed out some small discs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoa, what?\u201d Gunn raised his hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf all goes well, Angel will return with Cordy\u2019s soul but if something goes wrong we might never know. If time is changed, then so will our memories. Take this, and we will know, and then we can fix it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d Fred grabbed at the wafer.<\/p>\n
\u201cDown the hatch.\u201d Gunn took one as Wesley swallowed his own.<\/p>\n
Fred nudged at her glasses, looking to Wesley. “So when did you kiss Cordy?”<\/p>\n
Wesley groaned.<\/p>\n