Part 10<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cShe hit me, Cordy, a lot.\u201d Angel grumbled following Cordelia into her apartment.<\/p>\n
\u201cGet over it, Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, I was saving her. What kind of gratitude is that?\u201d Angel shrugged off his coat.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, you\u2019re pouting.\u201d She leaned up and kissed him.<\/p>\n
\u201cAm not.\u201d He mumbled, pulling her closer.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re my hero, okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay.\u201d He smiled his lips descended again. The couple jerked apart at the repeated slamming of the bedroom door.<\/p>\n
\u201cDennis,\u201d Cordelia turned, puzzled at the opening and closing door.<\/p>\n
Angel glanced around the room, his senses taking in the surrounding, cataloging all the usual scents, focusing on the unknown. \u201cCordy,\u201d he pushed the young woman behind him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone\u2019s been in here,\u201d the bedroom door stopped its movement, staying in the opened position. \u201cHuman.\u201d Angel added.<\/p>\n
\u201cDennis seems to agree,\u201d Cordelia bit her lip, following Angel into the bedroom.<\/p>\n
Angel scrutinized the room, his sharp gaze focusing on the object lying on the middle of the bed.
\nCordelia followed his stare. \u201cIs that what I think it is?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel nodded, picking up the electrical equipment. \u201cRecording equipment. Dennis.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ghost threw a pillow at a broken panel over the door and then the yellow pages flew onto the bed, pages flipping until reaching the page labeled \u2018Pest Control.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel growled heading for the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere are you going?\u201d Cordelia\u2019s eyes still focused on the equipment. It was creepy thinking that someone could\u2019ve been spying on her in her bedroom if Dennis hadn\u2019t been there.<\/p>\n
\u201cLilah.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, Angel, let\u2019s go back to the hotel first. If Wolfram & Hart bugged me then they probably have also tried to bug the others.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel jerked a nod. \u201cIs this it, Dennis?\u201d<\/p>\n
The equipment floated the offensive material into the trashcan.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that means yes. Thanks, Dennis.\u201d Cordelia smiled to the breeze in the air.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cPineapple?\u201d Gunn opened the hotel door, allowing Fred and the pizza box she carried to duck under his arm into the lobby.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy likes Pineapple. I don\u2019t understand it, either, but she\u2019ll probably be hungry later.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFruit ain\u2019t suppose to be on Pizza, Wes man, you agree right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI would\u2019ve have agree,\u201d Wesley followed the other two into the hotel, stopping when he saw the occupant sitting on the circular couch of the lobby.<\/p>\n
\u201cConnor?\u201d<\/p>\n
The teenager stood up.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs this good or bad,\u201d Fred whispered.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope good.\u201d Gunn walked up with Wesley putting his body between Fred and the teenager.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was watching.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, we heard. What do you want?\u201d Gunn asked. \u201cFred call Angel and Cordy, make sure that they\u2019re at her apartment and not in a box somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred blinked, scrambling to balance the pizza and grab at the cell phone Gunn held out to her.
\n\u201cI didn\u2019t do anything to him or her. I found this.\u201d Connor stepped aside.<\/p>\n
Wesley moved closer finally seeing the two crumpled bodies on the floor and the electronic equipment beside them.<\/p>\n
Gunn stepped up quickly. \u201cExterminators- again, with their own bugs. No imagination.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley leaned down checking the men\u2019s pulse. \u201cThey\u2019re alive.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t kill them, they\u2019re human.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley looked up. \u201cConnor what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Guys,\u201d Cordelia and Angel ran into the hotel.<\/p>\n
\u201cConnor,\u201d Angel stopped.<\/p>\n
The teenager said nothing.<\/p>\n
Angel moved slowly into the room. Angel stared at his son then went to the bodies on the floor. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cConnor, I hope, was about to explain in detail. But, it is obvious that they were here to bug the hotel and Connor prevented them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cConnor.\u201d Angel took a hesitant step. Cordelia came up next to the vampire.<\/p>\n
Connor took a deep breath. \u201cI was watching, saw them come in. I\u2019d never seen them before, but I had seen what they were carrying. It was the same as what he destroyed,\u201d pointing to Wesley, \u201cin that room.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley nodded. \u201cSurveillance equipment. Connor, did you see if they installed anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
Connor shook his head. \u201cI followed them in, they were going upstairs to his bedroom,\u201d he pointed to Angel.<\/p>\n
A sick feeling filled Cordelia\u2019s stomach as she heard the boy\u2019s reply. She debated internally for a moment, not wanting to start Wesley\u2019s lectures or speculation, but she had to.<\/p>\n
She looked at Angel and threw down the equipment she had retrieved from her trashcan before leaving her apartment. \u201cThey tried to bug me too, Dennis disabled it and left it for us to find.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley rose. \u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia looked to the ceiling. \u201cBedroom.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBedroom.\u201d Wesley repeated.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I know what you are thinking Wesley.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you would be right, Cordelia.\u201d Wesley shook his head.<\/p>\n
Angel growled. \u201cI\u2019m going to talk to Lilah.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no need to Angel.\u201d Wesley shook his head.<\/p>\n
Angel glared at Wesley. \u201cScared that I\u2019ll hurt her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel. It\u2019s unnecessary. We know why- and now they failed. What we need to do is get rid of them,\u201d pointing to the bodies on the floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not going to question them.\u201d Gunn asked. “And what do we know?”<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley.\u201d Angel growled.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, it\u2019s obvious Wolfram & Hart have switched their focus to the possibility of Angelus emerging.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngelus,\u201d Connor stepped forward, his gaze hard and questioning.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt won\u2019t happen.\u201d Angel growled.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe possibility exists as long as you two,\u201d Wesley pointed to Cordelia and Angel, \u201ccontinue on the path that you\u2019ve been traveling. Slippery Slope and all that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel, his expression cold, stepped towards Wesley. \u201cIt won\u2019t happen. Stay out of it, Wesley.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI cannot if you two refuse to acknowledge the danger.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStop it, Wesley,\u201d Cordelia moved in front of Angel. \u201cWe know the risks, okay. We\u2019re not doing anything wrong or dangerous or slippery. Okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI wish I could believe you, Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can. Geez.\u201d She shook her head vehemently.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen you won\u2019t disagree that it would be best for you to sleep in your apartment from now on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia stepped back; her hand reaching to hold Angel whose low growl was vibrating in the room. \u201cWesley, you are overreacting. We\u2019re not some dumb hormonal teenagers; we know what we\u2019re doing. And I really don\u2019t appreciate you implying that we don\u2019t or discussing our sex life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s just it Cordelia, there can be no sex life between the two of you.\u201d Wesley retorted.<\/p>\n
Cordelia swung around. \u201cNo, Angel.\u201d She placed a restraining hand on the vampire. Angel hadn\u2019t moved but Cordy could sense the anger and rage building up in his motionless form. She turned back around.<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley, just stop this- it isn\u2019t the time.\u201d She looked pointedly to Connor. The teenager\u2019s body had tensed and his face had become stone when the name Angelus had been mentioned.<\/p>\n
Wesley took a deep breath and finally nodded. \u201cCharles, will you help me dispose of these,\u201d he jerked to the still unconscious men.<\/p>\n
\u201cSure,\u201d Gunn said hesitantly, his searching gaze going back and forth from Cordelia and Angel.
\nAngel turned as his son grabbed at his arm. \u201cWesley told me. If Angelus appears, I will kill him, no hesitation, no mercy.\u201d Connor vowed in a cold voice.<\/p>\n
Angel stared at his son. \u201cGood. Why did you come here?\u201d<\/p>\n
Connor refused to answer.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you need anything?\u201d<\/p>\n
Connor slowly shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cFine.\u201d Angel strode down to the basement.<\/p>\n
\u201cConnor,\u201d Cordelia held out her hand.<\/p>\n
The boy stepped back out of her reach. \u201cIf you cause Angelus to appear, I will kill you. I should kill you both now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia blinked and stepped back.<\/p>\n
Fred moved forward, the pizza box replaced with a tazer.<\/p>\n
\u201cShould, but won\u2019t. That\u2019s a good sign. Connor, if I cause it, you won\u2019t have to, I\u2019ll already be dead. Angel will not lose his soul.\u201d<\/p>\n
Connor held Cordelia\u2019s stare for a moment then pushed past the women out of the hotel. Cordelia closed her eyes and slumped down on the couch.<\/p>\n
Fred swung the tazer to her side and went to sit next to Cordelia. \u201cI trust you both.\u201d She said softly.<\/p>\n
Cordelia looked up from her clenched hands into Fred\u2019s compassionate expression.<\/p>\n
Cordelia forced herself to maintain eye contact. \u201cThanks, Fred.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred placed a small hand on her friend\u2019s arm. \u201cI\u2019ll talk to Wesley, maybe we can start researching for a cure. Cordy, why are you crying.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia brushed at her eyes. \u201cI\u2019ve never really had a girlfriend before, you are a good friend, Fred, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMe either, well except MaryAnn in the fifth grade, we used to stay up all night telling secrets and blowing up the kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh?\u201d Cordelia sniffled.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe had this really neat chemistry set. It was fun until her hair caught on fire and she had go through the sixth grade wearing a wig. We weren\u2019t really very good friends after that.\u201d Fred shrugged.<\/p>\n
Cordelia stared a moment then started laughing, giving Fred a tight hug.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t funny, though the wig did look funny.\u201d Fred speculated. \u201cI brought you some pizza, pineapples, are you hungry?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot now, I think I better go talk to Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, he wasn\u2019t too happy was he, which is good\u2026.but bad.\u201d Fred blew out a puff of air, \u201cIt\u2019s really not fair.\u201d She shrugged getting up.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d Cordelia whispered going to the basement.<\/p>\n
Part 11<\/b><\/p>\n
The total emptiness of the basement made Cordelia nervous. She should have known that he wouldn’t be there. Cordelia sat cross-legged on the bench her head resting on the wall behind wondering what Angel would find out.<\/p>\n
She was tempted to go after him, but he was probably half way to Wolfram & Hart by now. Cordelia couldn\u2019t believe that Wolfram & Hart wanted Angelus to appear. Little evil Polly had agreed that Angelus wasn\u2019t their goal. Cordelia closed her eyes. The firm in all of their schemes and manipulations to hurt Angel had never tried to do anything to bring out Angelus.<\/p>\n
Were they just worried about the possibility, bugging them so as to be warned? Cordelia didn\u2019t know. But Anita\u2019s was safe. Cordelia shook her head. She felt guilty about lying to the others, but she couldn\u2019t tell them.<\/p>\n
Wesley would never believe that it was safe; he would just accuse her and Angel of lying to the others and themselves. Cordelia hit her head on back of the wall. She looked towards the hidden entrance to sewers. Cordelia wished that Angel would hurry up and get back.<\/p>\n
She needed him.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Lilah hung up her cell phone. She wasn\u2019t looking forward to going home to an empty apartment. Damn. Wesley was a bastard but one she had been getting use to. Lilah grumbled out loud. She used him he used her- that\u2019s was all.<\/p>\n
So, why did the fact that she felt like she was the only one scathed by their relationship make her mad. Oh right. He used her better, completely fooled her. It wasn\u2019t any other emotion but pride that was hurt.<\/p>\n
\u201cHello, Lilah.\u201d<\/p>\n
The woman started at the soft voice. Damn. She should\u2019ve known better to come down to the parking garage without security guards. That last phone call reported that the surveillance technicians from inside the hotel hadn\u2019t checked in yet. Of course, that meant Angel and company had discovered them.<\/p>\n
And of course that meant he would be visiting her. Damn.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d She acknowledged refusing to show any fear to the vampire.<\/p>\n
Angel laughed. \u201cI can smell fear, you know, but nice try.\u201d He glided up causing Lilah to stumble back against her car. He body overwhelmed the space hovering inches from hers. \u201cSo, not getting any,\u201d Angel made a crude gesture with his hand, \u201cand now you have to get off watching to see if I get any.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026\u201d she squirmed back trying to open the space between them.<\/p>\n
\u201cWas it a sanctioned assignment or was it for your own personal collection. Have a hankering to see me in action.\u201d He growled, breathing close up her neck to her ear.<\/p>\n
Angel gave a sharp laugh at Lilah\u2019s involuntary shivering. \u201cNot just fear, I smell anymore, is it. What? Lilah, hoping to picture yourself in Cordelia\u2019s place in my bed, wanting to pretend that it was your body my hands touched.\u201d He whispered into her hair. “What would Wesley think? Oh right, he’s not thinking about you is he.”<\/p>\n
Lilah jerked. Angel pulled her back, ” You want to know, here let me show you.\u201d Angel dragged his hand up Lilah\u2019s arm, caressing up her neck, his fingers gently teasing the skin. \u201cLike it.\u201d He smirked, \u201cOoh, I smell that you do, how about this then,\u201d Angel tightened his grip, squeezing the flesh the teasing touch becoming a vice clamp around her neck, choking her.<\/p>\n
Lilah gasped, bringing her hands up immediately to the steel hand clutching her neck. \u201cLilah, does Wolfram & Hart have any plans to try to bring out Angelus -spells, drugs, what not, because I\u2019ll warn you- Angelus is always happy to be let loose, but he\u2019s not big on gratitude. More of the bite, torture, kills the hand that feeds him type, you know.\u201d Angel pushed releasing the woman to stagger against her car.<\/p>\n
He knelt down. \u201cIt\u2019s your turn to talk, now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lilah leaned back. \u201cWe don\u2019t have any spells or drugs. I was just told to watch. The possibility exists if you and your girlfriend get too chummy. We just want to know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Lilah, you, Wolfram & Hart will be one of the first to know if ever does happen. It is true, that Angelus has a tendency to be \u2018not nice\u2019 to those I care about, but the flip side isn\u2019t at ALL true.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel backed up, \u201cTake that back to your handlers, and remind them that Angelus is not a vampire that they want to deal with. Remember, I\u2019m the nice one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lilah struggled up to her feet, taking large gulps of breath. At that moment, Lilah didn\u2019t know who to hate or be scared of more, the vampire or little evil Oppie Taylor. This was such not a good idea.<\/p>\n
Her only consolation was that so far she hadn\u2019t been successful on finding a way to force Angel to lose his soul. That was one failure, she was pretty sure would be in her best interest. Lilah turned to go back to her office. She would have to report this.<\/p>\n
Part 12<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cHey Dennis,\u201d Cordelia called from her living room. \u201cAny more visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n She shrugged as a soft breeze reassured her. \u201cGood. When Angel comes don\u2019t let him break the door again, okay.\u201d She stripped trailing her clothes into the bathroom.<\/p>\n Another soft breeze touched her face. \u201cThanks.\u201d Filling the tub. Cordelia sunk into the hot water. Cordelia settled back letting the water ease the tension that had sprung up in her body since the discovery of the electronic equipment.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n \u201cAngel.\u201d Wesley called as the vampire headed up the stairs. \u201cCordy, went home.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel stalled in his ascent and turned back down the stairs. \u201cWesley, stay out of it.\u201d He warned.<\/p>\n \u201cAngel.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWesley, you got what you wanted okay, Cordy\u2019s at home, I\u2019m here. Leave it alone.\u201d Angel proceeded to the stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we should talk about this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t.\u201d Angel shot over his shoulder disappearing up the staircase.<\/p>\n \u201cWesley,\u201d Fred pulled at his arm.<\/p>\n \u201cFred, this is something we need to be concerned with.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, lord, what drama did I miss now,\u201d Lorne wandered in studying the stern faces of Gunn, Wesley and Fred.<\/p>\n \u201cThe return of Angelus.\u201d Gunn said.<\/p>\n Lorne stepped back ready to run. \u201cHere?\u201d he squeaked.<\/p>\n \u201cCharles,\u201d Fred chastised. \u201cAngel didn\u2019t lose his soul.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot yet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe won\u2019t. Trust them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe doesn\u2019t,\u201d Gunn pointed to Wesley. \u201cAnd Wolfram & Hart, obviously think it could happen, the only ones that don\u2019t seem to be concerned are Angel and Cordy\u2026. and you. Why\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I trust them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFred, it\u2019s not a matter of trust. I do believe that Angel and Cordelia would never intentionally do anything to risk Angelus. It\u2019s just that they both have in the past shown the distinct ability for self-denial and at the same time blindness to everything else but each other and it makes me very concerned that Wolfram & Hart seemed to be focusing on those weakness that they both share.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWesley, they can\u2019t make them have \u2018happy\u2019 sex.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, but if Angel\u2019s drugged, the effects could result in Angelus.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, Wesley that\u2019s a danger that exists no matter what Cordy and Angel feel about each other.\u201d<\/p>\n Gunn shrugged. \u201cMy girl’s got a point, and Wolfgang and Co. Haven\u2019t tried anything like that before. Well, except for the blood spiking, but that was aimed just at Connor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHold the fears and the horses,\u201d Lorne held his hands up. \u201cWhat\u2019s the nasties with the law degrees have to do with this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey tried to bug Angel and Cordelia\u2019s bedrooms.\u201d Fred explained. \u201cWe\u2019re not sure why.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, can\u2019t they have their fantasies like the rest of us?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAngel and Cordelia aren\u2019t having sex.\u201d Fred said sternly.<\/p>\n \u201cAlways room for some hanky panky though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSlippery Slope.\u201d Gunn nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYou guys,\u201d Fred held up her hands. \u201cThis is stupid. Wesley, you agree that Angel and Cordelia wouldn\u2019t do anything intentional, Wolfram & Hart haven\u2019t used any type of drug before and no evidence that they are now. You\u2019re seeing danger without any proof of it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProof of Angelus is dead bodies.\u201d Wesley responded.<\/p>\n \u201cGod, would you focus on something other than Angel turning evil and killing people, first Connor, now everybody. Why are you so determined that Angel will become dangerous. You WERE wrong before.\u201d<\/p>\n Wesley rubbed at his forehead. \u201cAnd if I\u2019m right.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight, about what?\u201d Fred argued. \u201cNothing has happened except Angel and Cordy finally admitted that they love each other. That\u2019s a good thing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot if it\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWesley, shut up.\u201d Fred yelled.<\/p>\n Wesley blinked at the angry young woman. \u201cFred\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Wesley. Angel and Cordy love each other. Nothing\u2019s happened. If you are so damn concerned that something will, then I suggest researching a cure for the curse rather than just lecturing them to stay away from each other or god forbid, telling them that they can\u2019t love each other. STOP focusing on the negative, it\u2019s hurting everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n Wesley stared at the floor trying to think. Why was he so determined to believe that Angelus was just around the corner? He took a deep breath. Was it just that he needed to be right? He didn\u2019t know. Wesley couldn\u2019t trust his instincts anymore. But Fred was correct in that his attitude was hurting Cordelia and Angel. And truthfully, if he was right, there was nothing he could do to ensure Angelus would never return except stake Angel or\u2026.<\/p>\n \u201dI do have a copy of the original disc and\u2026\u201d Wesley trailed off thinking about the paper he stole out of Wolfram & Hart.<\/p>\n It had contained the depiction of events that led up to Angelus being cursed with a soul. But that hadn\u2019t been what drew his attention to it, he had known about that- but it also had information about the gypsies that he hadn\u2019t known from the watcher files or from the copy of Jenny Calendar\u2019s disc.<\/p>\n \u201cFred, I will need your help on the computer.\u201d Wesley nodded, his mind puzzling over the information that he had found, trying to think how it could be useful.<\/p>\n \u201cThank god,\u201d Fred sighed with relief, following Wesley into his office.<\/p>\n \u201cI either need to stay away or stay in, this walking into the middle of the drama is taxing to my normal cheerful personality.\u201d Lorne shook his head. \u201cWhere you going?\u201d<\/p>\n Gunn shrugged. \u201cThey\u2019re researching, I\u2019m going to count the tranq darts. Gotta be prepared.\u201d<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Angel paced in his room glancing from the door to his balcony. He jumped from the window making his decision.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Angel stood at the foot of Cordelia\u2019s bed, watching the young woman huddled in the sheet.<\/p>\n Cordelia stirred, blinking up at the vampire. She didn\u2019t say anything just patted the space behind her.<\/p>\n Angel took a deep breath. He hadn\u2019t been sure when he found her gone from the hotel. He had been afraid that she was listening to Wesley\u2019s warnings.<\/p>\n He slid into the bed pulling her close.<\/p>\n Cordelia grabbed his hand tightening it around her waist. \u201cI didn\u2019t want to deal with Wesley in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel rubbed his face into her neck, soaking up the scent of lilac and sweet skin. \u201cYou changed bath oils.\u201d He said softly.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was on sale, do you like it.\u201d She squirmed in the mattress as Angel\u2019s cool lips embraced the back of her neck.<\/p>\n \u201cI told you everything but demon goo and honestly, I could deal even with that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I couldn\u2019t,\u201d she chuckled in her pillow. \u201cSo, what did Lilah have to say?\u201d<\/p>\n Angel lifted his head and stared at the hazel eyes that peered up at him from the pillow. He shook his head. \u201cAm I that predictable?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d She smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cNot much said they had no spell or drug to bring Angelus out, just wanted to watch and be aware if it happened.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEvil Pervies\u201d Cordelia lifted her head to get a better look at Angel. \u201cDo you believe her?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know. She was telling the truth about not having any spell or drug, but the reasons behind the surveillance I\u2019m not sure about.\u201d<\/p>\n Cordelia shifted her body, placing her hands on his chest. \u201cMaybe we shouldn\u2019t go to Anita\u2019s again until we\u2019re sure.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel stilled, forcing the anger down that seemed to magically appear whenever the slightest obstacle to his holding Cordelia sprung up. Cordelia hadn\u2019t said no, she was asking. He clutched her hands tighter to his chest. \u201cWe won\u2019t ever know for sure, not unless something happens.\u201d Angel reasoned. \u201cAnita\u2019s is safe.\u201d<\/p>\n Cordelia sighed. \u201cI don\u2019t want to give it up either.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe won\u2019t. It\u2019s safe.\u201d Angel pulled Cordelia over him, holding her arms, forcing her to look at him. \u201cIt\u2019s safe. I won\u2019t give it up.\u201d Angel said forcibly.<\/p>\n Cordelia held the vampire’s stare. \u201cOkay, we won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel nodded, allowing her to settle against him. Cordelia rubbed her face into his chest, hoping that they weren\u2019t being as stupid as Wesley accused them.<\/p>\n Angel held on tightly, keeping her pressed to his body. Anita\u2019s was safe, he repeated silently. They weren\u2019t risking anything. Angel closed his eyes refusing to acknowledge that his need for Cordelia maybe clouding his reason, reaching a point beyond love and bordering on obsession.<\/p>\n He increased the pressure of his grip only loosening when he felt Cordy\u2019s slight gasp on his chest. \u201cSorry,\u201d he whispered into her hair.<\/p>\n \u201cStill got to breathe. Just a little,\u201d she moved adjusting her head so it was no longer pressed against his chest but tucked under Angel\u2019s chin, giving her pathway to air. \u201cOkay, Mr. Wimple, squeeze away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re too young to know that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTV land. That\u2019s my excuse, what\u2019s yours Mr. My knowledge of pop culture ended at the turn of the last century.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cActually, I\u2019m pretty good up until the disco age then I completely lost interest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho wouldn\u2019t, sequins, big hair, shiny leisure suits and cheese galore?\u201d<\/p>\n Angel pulled her back up to face him. \u201cCordy, the Enchanted Room is safe. I\u2019m not just saying that.\u201d Angel had to be sure she wasn\u2019t just agreeing for him. He didn\u2019t know exactly what he\u2019d do if she did have doubts, pictures of chains and ropes popped up in his mind as violently as he tried to shove them away.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, here I thought you were saying it just to get me naked.\u201d Cordelia rested her chin on her palm, her elbow resting on his chest.<\/p>\n Angel groaned. \u201cI do want to, want to see and feel you naked, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAngel, Anita\u2019s did check out, it is safe and it did work- twice- soul still resting comfortably. Whatever Wolfram & Hart is planning now, it can\u2019t be bringing back Angelus. Evil Polly didn\u2019t want me to take your soul. They don\u2019t want Angelus around either. That\u2019s never been their master plan why would it change now.<\/p>\n They\u2019re just more paranoid than Wesley, that\u2019s all.\u201d Cordelia chose to believe it. Wesley had just got her freaked. But, she and Angel weren\u2019t playing Russian roulette, they were having safe sex. Safe sex was allowed, pamphlets and posters said so and they were taking precautions.<\/p>\n Angel nodded, relief causing him to smile. \u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan we go to sleep now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d Angel pulled her close, shifting, spooning his body around hers. \u201cCan you breathe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Cordelia rolled her eyes into the pillow, her smile hidden by the cushion.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Cordelia was dreaming again. Angel was all around her, she moved to bring his body closer to her, she reached out, gratified to touch hard muscle. She moaned as she wiggled her hips forcing the contact between the bodies.<\/p>\n She yelped as cool lips, teased along her neck and engulfed her. Cordelia woke up staring into Angel\u2019s eyes, his hands under her t-shirt and hers on the bulge in his pants.<\/p>\n \u201cTime to get up,\u201d Cordelia scooted away.<\/p>\n Angel shook his head, grabbing her again, kissing her again, sucking the breath right out of her body. He released her. \u201cNow, it\u2019s time for me to go and you to go back to bed.\u201d He moved off the mattress.<\/p>\n \u201cAngel.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI should get back. It will be dawn in a few hours.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, want to make sure your home before the parents know you stayed out all night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSomething like that.\u201d He adjusted his pants and leaned over to kiss Cordelia again. \u201cGo back to sleep. I\u2019ll see you at the hotel later.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Cordelia reached out to grab his arm. \u201cAngel, tonight can we go to Anita\u2019s, I know we just went but…I just….\u201d<\/p>\n Angel knelt on the bed, bringing her back into his embrace, his mouth covering her question in an instant, his tongue interrupting her words, tasting everything hidden. The kiss gentled to small pecks as he got up. \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n Cordelia smiled as she sighed and curled back up in her bed alone.<\/p>\n Angel groaned with a look and left for his own lonely bed.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Cordelia gasped as she shot up in bed, silent tears running down her face. She grabbed at the tissues that magically appeared. Goddamn Wesley, she crumbled a soaked tissue to the floor.<\/p>\n Wasn\u2019t it bad enough when she was dreaming of making love to Angel only to have him disappear in the deep depths of the sea? Now, she had to dream of Angelus.<\/p>\n Cordelia cringed, trying to shake away the memories of the dream. It was so damn clear. They were making love in the enchanted room. Making a mess of the sheets again, she felt every touch and pleasure that Angel could give her. It was beautiful and then\u2026.<\/p>\n Cordelia squeezed her eyes shut, trying to drive out the imagines of her chained to the bedrails and Angel\u2019s beautiful loving brown eyes turning into dark soulless things.<\/p>\n The smirk on his face made ugly in its danger interchanging constantly with the loving expression of Angel, making her not knowing when one began and the other ended. It was crazy and it was just a dream, she forced herself to remember, lying back down on the bed.<\/p>\n She smacked the pillow repeatedly as she tossed and turned, the imagines refusing to go away. She shot back up, looking at the clock. It had only been two hours since Angel left. She didn\u2019t care. She jumped out of bed, hurrying towards the door with a quick good bye to Dennis.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Angel looked to his doorway as Cordelia entered.<\/p>\n He shot up immediately when he saw her tear-stained face. \u201cCordy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t sleep after you left.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCordy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh god, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d she waved her hands around in a windmill fashion still standing in the doorway.<\/p>\n Angel pulled the young woman into his arms. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDream, of course.\u201d She shook her head. \u201cIt\u2019s so stupid. I just couldn\u2019t\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m here. I\u2019m not disappearing.\u201d<\/p>\n Cordelia pushed up. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t that dream. New one, great uh?\u201d Cordelia took a deep breath. \u201cI blame Wesley.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCordy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAngelus. We were making love – then poof, you did disappear.\u201d She buried her hands in her face. \u201cIt was so damn real.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel buried her head into his chest. \u201cI\u2026Cordy,\u201d he pulled her back, cradling her face. \u201cI have my soul and I\u2019ll keep it, but if it\u2019s the idea of going back to the Enchanted room that\u2019s making you so upset\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Cordy shook her head. \u201cIt\u2019s Wesley\u2019s fault all those lectures. The room is safe. I know that, rationally. I just guess all this worry about Angelus made me have nightmares. I should go, parents and all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d Angel pulled her with him to the bed. \u201cStay, I\u2019ll.\u201d He looked down to his naked state. \u201cPut some clothes on.\u201d<\/p>\n Cordelia gave a sad laugh. \u201cMaybe we should hang a sheet up in between us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cToo much work.\u201d Angel stuffed his legs in the pants he had discarded earlier. \u201cCome on, you need to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n Cordelia settled in close. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Angel, I just was scared. \u2026And needed you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShh, baby, I know what that feels like.\u201d He tucked her in his arms, wrapping a leg over her. \u201cI\u2019ll keep you safe from those nightmares.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Cordy yawned settling closer.<\/p>\n