Part 21<\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia rubbed her cheek against Angel\u2019s broad chest, nudging, and burying trying to get under his skin. \u201cI wish we were home,\u201d her words muffled.<\/p>\n
\u201cSoon, I promise.\u201d Angel whispered stroking the dark hair, holding her tight.<\/p>\n
She rose her head, soft brown flitting with golden specks, glowing with love into the dark pools begging for her to believe. \u201cI know.\u201d She smiled tenderly, caressing Angel\u2019s cheek, sitting up. \u201cHey, caves aren\u2019t so bad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel smiled. \u201cThat\u2019s because it wasn\u2019t your back embedded with sharp stones.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia tilted her head. \u201cAre you complaining?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNever.\u201d He kissed her soundly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess we should get dressed, um.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d Angel sighed, not wanting the warmth to leave but knowing that if Cordy was too be safe they would have to leave the security of the cave, no matter how false it was. Knowledge warred with his need to keep her close.<\/p>\n
Angel brought Cordelia into the v of his legs taking the clothes from her hands, caressing as he guided her long legs into the jeans. Cordelia leaned into his chest. \u201cAngel,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n
\u201cShh, we\u2019re just getting dressed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot like this we aren\u2019t.\u201d she half sighed and giggled, turning into his lap<\/p>\n
Angel swung a lacy bra. \u201cMy only thought is to help\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUhuh,\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel lifted her arms, slipping the straps over them, his fingers tapping and teasing down her shoulder blades. Angel leaned down brushing his lips over the tip of her nipple, tonguing at the nub, suckling until it peaked firm in his mouth.<\/p>\n
Cordelia made a soft sound as her knees buckled, her hands going to Angel\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s lips moved to the other full breast as he hooked the back of the lacy bra closed.<\/p>\n
Cordelia whimpered as he lifted his head, pulling the material securely hiding the moist flesh, the straining nipples scrapping against the fabric begging to be free.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d Cordelia moaned as the material separated her from his lips.<\/p>\n
Angel responded by kissing along her collarbone, nudging her arms into her shirt.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d She wined.<\/p>\n
\u201cShush, almost done.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d she pouted<\/p>\n
Angel gave a soft laugh, fully enjoying the soft gasp of breath and pout.<\/p>\n
\u201cTease.\u201d She tried to pull away.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo says the master.\u201d Angel nuzzled back into her neck, gripping the unclosed material of her jeans, slipping his fingers under the denim to stroke at the soft skin, swirling deft fingertips closer delving into the soft folds.<\/p>\n
Cordy\u2019s nails pierced into the vampire\u2019s shoulders as her weight slumped into his fingers, the tingling starting in her toes, branching out, growing.<\/p>\n
Cordy gasped, falling into the crook of Angel\u2019s shoulder, her chest panting as her release rippled through liquefying her muscles.<\/p>\n
Angel slanted, brushing his face against the head hugged into his shoulder. It would be so easy to get lost in the bouquet that floated around Cordy, the scent of the culmination of her pleasure, what he caused. Angel stilled his desire; calling on all of his control, smiling as he gently moved her, zipping and snapping her jeans, pulling down her shirt. Leaving Cordelia, standing completely clothed, unsure, and flushed.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d She reached for the naked aroused vampire.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s dark out,\u201d he gently tapped her nose then reaching for his pants.<\/p>\n
Cordelia licked at her lips,\u201d but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, we have to get home. I want you home. And when you\u2019re safe, I want to make sure that Cordelia Chase is safe here so when the time comes she will be you, badgering me to live, being there for me always, allowing me too love you,\u201d gently cupping her face.<\/p>\n
Cordelia gasped at the tender gesture, the words melting her quicker than the tantalizing touch had. \u201cI love you,\u201d Cordelia truly hoped that the vampire would never get tired of hearing it, because she would never get tired of saying it.<\/p>\n
Angel smiled. \u201cI won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was just spooky.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the hellmouth, Cordy.\u201d Angel shrugged.<\/p>\n
Cordy snorted.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, the way I see it, we just avoid Angelus 2, stun Angelus 1,\u201d she held up the tranquilizer gun that Angel brought with him, \u201copen the portal, send him back, leave this body,\u201d she waved the gun towards her 17 year old form,\u201d nice in safe in my bedroom, then go home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAvoid Angelus 2? How would we do that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, I can\u2019t think of everything,\u201d she huffed.<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry.\u201d Angel rolled his eyes snatching the gun out of her hands and concealing it in his jacket.<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmph. It\u2019s not like we can\u2019t tell them apart.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019re identical, Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shook her head. \u201cI told you Angelus 2 wears red silk- flashy, Angelus 1 is still going with the monochrome blackness that Wolfram & Hart first put him in. And Angelus 1 calls me Cordy and 2 calls me Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, I am not risking you\u2019re life on clothes and name calling.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow do you plan on telling them apart then.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t, I see one, I\u2019ll shoot him, I\u2019ll worrying about which is which when they\u2019re both unconscious and chained.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c Angel, if you\u2026.\u201d She quieted as Angel growled his human face receding, pulling her behind him. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d She asked trying to see into the darkness Angel was focused on.<\/p>\n
Angel growled louder, his yellow eyes gleaming towards the opening of the cave.<\/p>\n
\u201cGuess sneaking up on you was a bit of wishful thinking on my part.\u201d Angelus poked his head around to wave at Cordy. \u201cHello, Cordelia, long time no see.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia stretched her head over Angels\u2019 shoulder, nudging the vampire to notice the bright silk shirt on Angelus. \u201c2, see flashy and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, shut up.\u201d Angel growled.<\/p>\n
Angelus crossed his hands flamboyantly over his chest. \u201cIs that any way to talk to your soul mate? You put up with that,\u201d he blinked wide-eyed towards Cordy,\u201d I thought you had more spunk than that. Guess I was wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou,\u201d Cordelia moved, only to be tugged back by Angel.<\/p>\n
\u201cStay put,\u201d Angel ordered.<\/p>\n
Cordelia glared but stayed behind Angel.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d Angel growled.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, does that mean I confused myself.\u201d Angelus laughed.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not that hard to do, dumb ass.\u201d Cordelia peeked over Angel\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n
Angelus laughed harder. \u201cWas that an insult to me or you?\u201d He jerked his head towards Angel.<\/p>\n
Cordelia blinked wide realizing how her intended cut to Angelus may have sounded to Angel. \u201cSorry,\u201d she whispered up into Angel\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n
Angelus chuckled at the exasperation on his souled counterparts face. \u201cSure, you want her as a soul mate? She talk\u2019s a lot. In fact, the only plus I can see with having her,\u201d Angelus sniffed around the air,\u201d is that she needs to be fucked at all hours like a cat in heat or a good whore.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s hand shot out holding Cordelia from charging Angelus. \u201cI said stay put.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not the one he\u2019s calling a whore, hey, do something.\u201d She smacked him.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, be quiet, please.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmph,\u201d Cordelia turned her back crossing her arms.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re making a lot of noise and still not explaining why you\u2019re here.\u201d Angel faced the other vampire.<\/p>\n
\u201cUndeniable curiosity about my future. So, is Buffy dead, that why the soul so convinced that she\u2019s the one you want? Did I finally get around to killing the love of you life?\u201d Angelus jumped on a rock, swinging his legs casually.<\/p>\n
Angelus laughed as he saw Cordelia peek around to study Angel. \u201cCome, girl, you don\u2019t really think those marks mean that the soul loves you it just means the demon wants to get between your legs, enjoying the warmth while killing you slowly. Blood during sex, is quite\u2026.yummy.\u201d Angels smacked his lips. \u201cAnd you are the willing little slut.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel shot his hand out again to stop Cordelia from moving, growling more in frustration rather than anger when she kicked him in the shin. \u201cTalk or\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll kill me?\u201d Angelus laughed. \u201cHad a talk with the past us, did some research, you can\u2019t, but it seems you\u2019re expendable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHate to break it to you, but so are you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot while the old guy is running around.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, you\u2019re going to kill me and what- share Sunnydale, Drusilla\u2026\u201d Angel paused pointedly, \u201cCordy?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angelus growled, jumping to the ground. \u201cWho says I want her?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI do, past Angelus does, you\u2019re in the middle,\u201d Angel laughed.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. The slayer is the one I\u2019m obsessed with. Remember, the love of you\u2019re souled life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel smirked. \u201cI also remember seeing Cordelia in 1898, wanting her, marking her, needing to keep tasting at the blood that burnt through my dead veins, pounding a desire through me, feeling the softness hidden under layers of clothes, wanting that body to be mine, knowing that Darla would kill her no matter that I had claimed her, deciding then that I would forgo the warmth to have the body and fire of the girl herself with me always, planning to turn her to be at my side, and then killing Darla. I also remember the rage and frustration at being thwarted. I remember the dreams that waned over time of a beautiful spirited brunette- all of it- the fire, pain, rage, and need.<\/p>\n
I remember getting my soul and pushing the dream back, the soul regretting the fear that I had inspired, abhorring the need that belonged to the demon. I remember seeing Buffy for the first time after decades of hiding from the guilt, I remember being pulled by her innocence, fragility, and strength- a feeling not tainted by the demon.<\/p>\n
So, yes, I remember loving Buffy, just like I remembered wanting Cordelia with a single-minded purpose, surpassing any other want. Just like I know, that had I noticed who Cordelia was, like you have, I would\u2019ve forgone my obsession to hurt Buffy for making me feel human and concentrate on the obsession that followed me for a century. Don\u2019t forget who you’re bull shitting.”<\/p>\n
Angelus forced down his growl. \u201cIt was worth a shot, the soul always made me less than perceptive of the demon\u2019s needs. Seems I might\u2019ve been wrong on this one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia listened hanging on every word, slowly moving away from both vampires.<\/p>\n
Angel had told her about the dreams and his fear of what could\u2019ve happened had Angelus noticed her. But, he never explained the mindset of Angelus. She was marked because the demon wanted her. She licked at her lips, glancing up at Angel.<\/p>\n
His soul wanted Buffy. He would\u2019ve never chosen her if he realized when they were in Sunnydale, because his soul wouldn\u2019t have wanted her, she was tainted. With a soul he wanted Buffy. In an instant, all the drama of Buffy and Angel\u2019s tragic love affair flew through her mind. For the first time, since Angel told her that he loved her, Cordelia, began doubt the vampire\u2019s love.<\/p>\n
Angel moved, returning his body in front of Cordelia, grabbing at her hand, sensing the woman\u2019s growing fear. He growled at the other vampire. \u201cDon\u2019t.\u201d He warned Angelus not to take advantage of what Angelus surely sensed also. \u201cIt won\u2019t help you accomplish whatever you are trying to do here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angelus considered. \u201cBut, it would\u2019ve been fun.\u201d Angelus shrugged silently agreeing for the moment not to push at Cordelia\u2019s obvious vulnerability.<\/p>\n
\u201cGet to the point.\u201d Angel glared.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a deal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel raised his brows.<\/p>\n
Angelus started to pace. \u201cWe both know we can\u2019t kill the past guy. But, he can\u2019t stay here, because you\u2019re right, I won\u2019t share. You\u2019re here, so you must know how to get rid of him without creating major time fuck ups. But you\u2019re going to need my help or at least my agreement of noninvolvement and then well, you and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Angelus stared at Cordelia. \u201cHer eagerness to jump in the sack, and humorless old guy\u2019s talk of going back and forth through the time line indicates that she\u2019s with you from the future, but she looks as young and fresh as when I saw her enjoying the moron in the back seat of her car.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI never\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel pulled Cordy back again.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, maybe it was a supply closet. So, how\u2019s that done?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe you and what, you\u2019ll just let us go?\u201d Angel raised his brows.<\/p>\n
Angelus shrugged. \u201cYou know me, I just want you both-my past and future to go. I figure that once done, I can get on with my present, who says that I will get the damn soul back, or won\u2019t get the girl, or kill the slayer- You? Why should I take your word for it just because you show up all souley and fucking the prom queen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMay Queen, actually.\u201d Angel smirked.<\/p>\n
Angelus narrowed his eyes. \u201cDeal?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel laughed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can kill you and take the girl.\u201d Angelus growled.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd then what, kill Angelus number 1 or are you back to sharing again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angelus licked his lips trying move around Angel to get another look at Cordelia. \u201cI think after you dead, that I will get to have that blood that I crave, the softness that I haven\u2019t touched, I think I can make my Cordy scream until she tells me what she knows about returning the past to where it belongs, if that doesn\u2019t work before too much damage is caused, I\u2019ll just turn her and she\u2019ll be happy to help, that\u2019s what I think.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia hugged up against Angel\u2019s back. Her doubts shoved aside by the need for Angel\u2019s hard body against hers giving her reassurance.<\/p>\n
Angel kept his body still letting Cordy mold into him but otherwise never acknowledging her need. \u201cWhat you haven\u2019t experienced yet is the knowing that the soul doesn\u2019t weaken the demon, that it can be ignored, that on one issue the soul and demon are compatible and each urging and wanting the same thing- the protection of what is loved and owned. I don\u2019t have to kill you, I just have to break you, and I will. If you were smart, you would go back to the mansion, heckle Spike, use Dru and wait for the soul to come back, then you will actually be a happy vampire.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angelus growled.<\/p>\n
\u201cOr not.\u201d Angel pulled out his tranquilizer gun shooting into the vampire, pellets peppering his body. \u201cI think that you\u2019re non-involvement is for the best.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel gently moved away from Cordelia and knelt to study the fallen vampire.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on,\u201d he beckoned to Cordelia. \u201cWe\u2019ve only about twelve hours to find Angelus 1, before this one wakes up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel moved grabbing at the girl\u2019s shoulders. \u201cDon\u2019t Cordelia, we don\u2019t have time for me to reassure you with soft touches and words. Know, I love you. YOU. Only you. Wait until we get home to get insecure. I love you. And will be happy to prove it, but not now, okay. I love you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia bit at her lips, studying the intense glare on Angel\u2019s face. She smiled. \u201cDuh.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel shook his head at the amazing woman. He kissed her quickly on her pursed mouth. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere? Nevermind,\u201d at the look Angel shot her.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel\u201d Cordelia had remained quiet, not plaguing the vampire with her many questions, but now she just had to speak. \u201cThat\u2019s Buffy\u2019s house.\u201d She pointed up the sidewalk where Angel had stopped.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, you are going in there and staying until this is over.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. What? Buffy, no way.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, way.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, we can\u2019t tell her whats going on.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou won\u2019t. Just tell her that Angelus has been hanging around your house and you\u2019re scared.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTell her I\u2019m scared, no way, \u201c Cordelia repeated.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo it.\u201d Angel pushed her towards the house.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d she tried again.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d he ordered.<\/p>\n
She glared at his tone. \u201cFine. But, how will I know it\u2019s over. You can\u2019t just coming knocking at the door.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust keep looking for me, I\u2019ll be the one wearing your father\u2019s sweater.\u201d He kissed her again. \u201cGo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d Cordelia bit at her tongue to stop her desired yell as he disappeared into the darkness. \u201cI’ll get you for this, you just wait.\u201d She said lowly, knowing that while she couldn\u2019t see the vampire he could hear her.<\/p>\n
She knew that he was close waiting for her to get into the safety of Buffy\u2019s house. Cordelia took a deep breath and ran to the door, pounding on the wood and yelling with all her might.<\/p>\n