Part 5<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cWow,\u201d Gunn repeated over and over again. \u201cThat girl is DAMN hot. You messed up that- man that sucks.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Charles, Cordelia Chase is a very attractive young woman and I\u2019m eternally heartbroken that our brief non-relationship didn\u2019t evolve into an happy ever after fairytale.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn shrugged at Wesley\u2019s caustic tone. \u201cJust saying, she\u2019s hot.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia is a client and friend in trouble can we please concentrate on that particular issue.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you want her to see Angel? Given his reaction to Cordy on the box, seeing her live might just be what the vamp needs to keep him this side of reality.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley nodded. \u201cTrue, \u2018The Cordy Show\u2019 does seem to have a calming influence on Angel. However, one cannot be assured of his reaction to actually seeing a live Cordelia. His interest is borderline obsessive as it is. There is no telling how he would react. Cordelia Chase already as one overly enthusiastic fan, I don\u2019t believe we should give her another and it\u2019s that fan we need to be concerned with now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you even going to tell him about our new case?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat new case?\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn and Wesley started at Angel\u2019s quiet question coming from the darkened doorway.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, how are you doing? You look well.\u201d Wesley studied the vampire. Angel did look much better. The Cordy Show, sleep, blood and the successful completion of his previous vision seemed to bring Angel back to reality.<\/p>\n
Wesley shook his head. Hopefully, Angel wouldn\u2019t receive another vision for a while, allowing the vampire some period of lucidity.<\/p>\n
Angel merely nodded, moving slowly to the armchair sinking into its depths. \u201cThe case?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, you needn\u2019t concern\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley, I\u2019m fine for now. I would like to do something productive for as long as I can before another vision hits. Please.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley took a deep breath and made his decision. He knew that when Angel was able to have coherent thoughts, the vampire hated the knowledge of his bouts of insanity and feelings of uselessness.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, you remember Cordelia Chase.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn looked up in surprise- 0ne because Wesley seemed to have changed his mind regarding telling Angel about Cordelia hiring them and second- why Wesley would ask the vampire such a stupid question. Remember her? The vampire watched The Cordy Show every week. Angel couldn\u2019t get the woman out of his mind.<\/p>\n
Angel blinked, slowly nodding at Wesley. \u201cFrom Sunnydale. She\u2019s in LA acting. I\u2019ve\u2026I\u2019ve seen her show.\u201d The vampire frowned as if he was trying to remember something else.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes\u201d Wesley agreed. He had suspected but hadn\u2019t been sure until now that Angel wasn\u2019t completely cognizant of his obsessive habit to watch Cordelia\u2019s show.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat does she have to do with our new case?\u201d Angel said his speech still slow his face now expressionless.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe is our case. Cordelia\u2019s assistant contacted us, it seems that she has acquired a stalker. Gunn and I met with her earlier today, she gave us the copies of the letters she has received.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia is in danger?\u201d Angel looked up, something akin to anger flickered in his solemn gaze.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is not clear at this point but the letters are disturbing in content and unsettling in that they have the ability to show up in highly secure locations as well as her home. Whoever is sending them has access to her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel stood. \u201cWhere is she now?\u201d looking at Gunn and Wesley. \u201cYou left her alone?\u201d His voice uncharacteristically tinged with anger as well as being disapproving.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was going to check in on you, then go over to her house. Though, Cordelia was highly unreceptive to the idea of a bodyguard. Tomorrow, Charles is going to her studio to watch over her and question those there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI should\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, it\u2019s true that as a vampire you possess the greatest strength however we can not be sure when a vision will hit. And under those circumstances it would be best for you not to be around Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel closed his eyes, his body becoming stiff; he turned on his heels and retreated back into his stark bedroom. A large resounding crash came from behind the closed door.<\/p>\n
Gunn glanced worriedly over to Wesley. \u201cHe didn\u2019t take that well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley shrugged. \u201cAngel’s inability to control the effects of the visions angers and frustrates him when he can actually remember that he\u2019s not a useless lunatic. They\u2019re killing him. I\u2019ll see you in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel paced in the darkened room. He knew that Wesley was right. The unpredictability of the visions and the debilitating effects of them made his usefulness outside the safety of his locked bedroom and comforting restraints practically non-existent.<\/p>\n
Yet, he couldn\u2019t just stay in this room waiting to see if Wesley could protect Cordelia. Angel didn\u2019t understand, he and Cordelia hardly knew each other in Sunnydale. He just remembered the beautiful teenager standing on the outskirts of Buffy and her friends, sarcastic, tactless, and lovely- and having the unique ability to make him laugh on a few rare brief instances.<\/p>\n
Angel remembered more, Cordelia Chase, the star of The Cordy Show, even more beautiful and\u2026god forbid\u2026making him laugh when he wasn\u2019t out of his mind from the visions. An act, not real but it called to him. Angel couldn\u2019t identify the feeling or know the source of his need but Cordelia must be protected at all cost.<\/p>\n
It was as if her existence, even through a TV show, held the remaining portion of his sanity. The vampire strode to the iron bars sealing the lone window in the room.<\/p>\n
For the first time since the bars had been secured, Angel tugged using his strength to remove the barrier to him and the world.<\/p>\n
Part 6<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cOh, hi,\u201d Cordelia let Wesley into her multimillion dollar home.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have any guards. A security gate would at least be expected.\u201d Wesley dropped his duffle bag filled with weapons in the foyer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m rich not a prisoner, eww.\u201d Cordelia waved away Wesley\u2019s concern. \u201cAnyway, this is the first time anyone has actually bothered me here.\u201d Cordelia sighed, sitting on the leather couch. \u201cSo, have you solved the case yet?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Wesley sat. \u201cIt\u2019s only been six hours.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmph.\u201d Cordelia leaned back crossing her arms against her chest. \u201cI don\u2019t like this.\u201d Cordelia sat back up. \u201cAre you guys any good?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been known to solve a case or two.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLosing the arm was that a successful case.\u201d Cordelia raised an elegant brow.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a miss calculation.\u201d Wesley squirmed, getting up. \u201cYou have too many windows in this place.\u201d The man walked around the room studying the expansive windows overlooking beautiful scenery.<\/p>\n
\u201cI told you I\u2019m not a prisoner, Geez. So what\u2019s Angel, the broody dead private eye doing? No offense but a vampire, while \u2018eww\u2019 would be just the thing to scare away any crazy fan.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s still resting off the effects of the visions.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cVisions, too weird. I can\u2019t believe I\u2019m being subjected to such weirdness again. Hmmph. Want some wine or anything?\u201d Cordelia moved to the kitchen.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo thank you.\u201d Wesley took another turn around the living area. \u201cDo you have any help, live in or otherwise?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCleaning crew comes in every day, sometimes Nevin stays over if stuff gets too busy.\u201d Cordelia shrugged. \u201cI\u2019ve been having to go to a lot of talk shows and stuff for the pre-Emmy press-fest. Tonight, he\u2019s at the Bel Air Hotel, setting up the commendations for the \u2018A Season Is More Than A Time Of Year’ premiere. Though, why I can\u2019t just sleep at home, I don\u2019t understand, but Nev says I have to go to all the parties and stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have a part in that movie.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, the female lead\u2019s best bitchy bimbo girlfriend. Almost on the \u2018A\u2019 list, but not quite. But, at least in this movie I get to stay alive for the whole thing.\u201d Cordelia flashed a great big smile, convincing Wesley that Cordelia and the \u2018A\u2019 list were not long to be separated.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe until we find out who has been sending you those notes, you shouldn\u2019t go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot go to a top \u2018A\u2019 list movie premiere. Duh. Don\u2019t think so. Hey, did you hear that.\u201d Cordelia left the kitchen area and wandered to the large plate glass window.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia,\u201d Wesley pulled at the woman, placing his body between the young woman and the glass.<\/p>\n
Cordelia pushed and peered again into the darkness. \u201cHey, isn\u2019t that the dark dead guy?\u201d pointing out into the darkness.<\/p>\n
Wesley looked more closely, slowly opening the plate glass door. \u201cAngel?\u201d Wesley pulled back as the darkness materialized into the form of a man.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI needed to be sure. I\u2019m alright.\u201d Angel said stepping closer into the light from the living room.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d Wesley\u2019s concerned tone was obvious.<\/p>\n
\u201cWow.\u201d Cordelia stepped up. \u201cIt is you. Still \u2018grr\u2019 and everything, uh.\u201d The young woman faced the vampire.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia.\u201d Angel stepped even closer to the young woman.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d Wesley said again. \u201cI don\u2019t think\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI told you I was fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley blinked back at the anger in the vampire\u2019s tone.<\/p>\n
Cordelia looked back and forth at the men. \u201cWell, are you going to come in or just lurk and blend into the darkness?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to be invited.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, right.\u201d Cordelia scrunched up her brow. \u201cYou haven\u2019t received the joy or anything have you? No way am I inviting the evil \u2018grr\u2019 guy in.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, good. Okay, you can come in. But hey, wipe your feet.\u201d She pointed to Angel\u2019s mud coated boots.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Cordelia.\u201d Angel obediently brushed his feet against the outdoor mat before coming in.<\/p>\n
Cordelia nodded. She moved towards the counter as her phone started to ring.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, I thought we\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Wesley, we didn\u2019t. Look, I\u2019m okay. I just needed to make sure that Cordelia was safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026Angel, I understand that you would be worried since she is a remembrance of a better time for you, but you two were not close in Sunnydale.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel turned looking at the beautiful brunette holding the phone to her ear. \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNev, I don\u2019t know. Okay\u2026. I \u2026.who? No way. Of course I can\u2019t go alone, but I\u2019m not going with him, egoistical idiot, I\u2019m not. Anyway, the Private Investigators you forced me to hire don\u2019t think it\u2019s a good idea that I go to the Premiere. I realize that\u2026. Hold on.\u201d Cordelia covered the mouthpiece of her phone.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, which of you stalwart protectors will go with me to the premiere tomorrow night.\u201d Cordelia looked straight at the vampire, jerking away as she realized that she was silently wishing the dark handsome man to say he would be the one.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll go,\u201d Angel said over Wesley\u2019s attempt.<\/p>\n
Cordelia bit her lips. \u201cOkay.\u201d She turned back into the phone. \u201cI\u2019m going and I already have a date, a tall, dark and broody one, so tell what\u2019s his names\u2019 agent to go find a ditzy blonde. Hmmph. What? No, that\u2019s a go. The breast cancer commercial needs to get on the air as soon as possible. I\u2019ll be there tomorrow. Bye.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia hung up the phone. \u201cWell, I\u2019ve got plenty of rooms, make yourself comfortable, I\u2019m going to bed. Night.\u201d Cordelia went up the circular staircase.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d Wesley said again to the vampire.<\/p>\n
\u201cChrist, Wesley, I said I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFor how long?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you feel the need to stay than stay. But, I\u2019m not leaving.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley narrowed his eyes at the conviction in Angel\u2019s words. \u201cOkay. I\u2019ll take the couch.\u201d Wesley slumped down on the sofa.<\/p>\n
Angel nodded as he sat in the corresponding armchair.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia tossed and turned. Wow. Weird dreams. Dreams of her and Angel actually being\u2026she didn\u2019t know\u2026.close\u2026like friends\u2026like almost more\u2026Cordelia shot up in bed. She blinked around, her gaze settling on the chair. \u201cAngel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d Cordelia scrunched up her face and pulled herself up against the backboard of her bed. \u201cYou\u2019re in my bedroom. Why are you in my bedroom? Is Wesley here too.\u201d Cordelia looked around. \u201cOkay, he\u2019s not. So why are you? You sure you\u2019re not evil? Damn, I threw out all the vampire killing stuff when I moved away from Sunnydale. If you’re evil stay put while I scream for Wesley.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, I\u2019m not evil. I\u2026I just \u2026.Wesley said that you received the last note in your bedroom.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d Cordelia wrapped her arms around her legs. \u201cSo, how are you? Wesley said you were getting really weird nasty visions and you broke up with Buffy, again and you\u2019re still dead, but not evil just a bit insane. So, other than all that- you doing okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve not seen Buffy in three years.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEek, hence the craziness. Yuk, guess that explains the whole Angel whacked years. Why not? Granted, that love wasn\u2019t a barrel of laughs more like a Shakespearean tragedy, but you left Buffy?\u201d Cordelia scrunched up her nose.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026Go to sleep Cordelia. Nothing, no one will touch you. Sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia stared at the dark vampire. \u201cOkay, don\u2019t want to talk about it- still playing the dark mysterious loner card, uh,\u201d lying back down. Cordelia shot back up to the seated position.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou said you would be my date tomorrow night. You\u2019ll need a tuxedo. Not that you don\u2019t look good in the skulking leather ensemble, but tomorrow night a tuxedo- don\u2019t worry- tuxedos are black.\u201d She watched as the vampire reluctantly nodded. \u201cGood night then.\u201d Cordelia curled up into her covers.<\/p>\n
Angel watched as the young woman settled into sleep. He tentatively reached up bringing a hand to his mouth. He was smiling.<\/p>\n
Part 7<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cCan I help you?\u201d Lindsay stood at the open doorway.<\/p>\n
Gunn looked up from the drawer he was searching. \u201cNo,\u201d going back to his search.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m calling security.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn straightened. \u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe I\u2019m the one that has the right to ask the questions.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, whatever, who are you? Do you work here?\u201d Gunn moved his larger frame towards the smaller man.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, Mr. McDonald, I see you\u2019ve met Mr. Gunn.\u201d Nevin ran into the office. \u201cHere, Mr. Gunn, these are all the personnel files.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks.\u201d Gunn took the papers.<\/p>\n
\u201cNevin, who is this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought you met, this is Mr. Gunn, he\u2019s one of the private investigators Ms. Chase hired.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn raised his head. \u201cJust Gunn, two ‘Ns’ no mister, damn man.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPrivate Investigator? When did Cordelia do that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYesterday,\u201d Cordelia entered into the office. \u201cNevin, could you please go and make those phone calls we talked about earlier. Thanks.\u201d She said as her assistant ran from the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cLindsay what are you doing here? Did we have an appointment?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I just wanted to make sure that you hadn\u2019t received anymore letters. I told you the firm would investigate the matter there is no need to hire outside help.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho are you?\u201d Gunn repeated his earlier question.<\/p>\n
\u201cLindsay McDonald, Ms. Chase\u2019s lawyer. Your services are no longer required.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAin\u2019t that for the lady to decide.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, it is.\u201d Cordelia glared at the lawyer. \u201cAnd they are staying on the case until the creepy letter writer is caught.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, I apologize, Cordy. It\u2019s just that I\u2019m sure that Wolfram & Hart has the better resources to identify the stalker. There\u2019s no reason to waste your money on yellow page investigators.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s my decision. If that\u2019s all,\u201d dismissing Lindsay with her tone.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course it is, again I apologize. But, also I was hoping that you would allow me to escort you to the premiere tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat doesn\u2019t Wolfram & Hart get free tickets?\u201d Cordelia raised a brow.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that you shouldn\u2019t go alone, especially with the stalker about.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho said I was going alone.\u201d Cordelia raised both of her brows.<\/p>\n
\u201cNevin informed me that you refused the studio\u2019s request to go along with their choice of a publicity date.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, then he should\u2019ve also told you \u2013 I have a date and protection. Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel?\u201d Lindsay frowned.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel of Angel Investigations. I’m sure you heard of us. We\u2019ve got the lady covered, Wolfram & Hart can just sit their evil asses out on the sidelines. Cordy’s protected from the stalker and anything else skanky and vile.” Gunn promised.<\/p>\n
Lindsay studied the other man then slowly turned to Cordelia. \u201cYou hired Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSounds like you know him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s worked on some of the cases that Wolfram & Hart has had interest in. It was my understanding that Angel wasn\u2019t the most mentally stable investigator out there. Really, Cordelia, if you want to hire a private investigator, I\u2019m sure I can provide you with a sane recommendation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel\u2019s not crazy, just reclusive and I bet he looks damn good in a tux.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s potentially very dangerous, there are aspects of his personality that you are unaware of.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that your round about legal way to warn me that he\u2019s a vampire? If it is don\u2019t bother- knew it- know it. Still trust him. He\u2019s saved my life and the lives of my friends on more than one occasion in Sunnydale.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt seems you do know him.\u201d Lindsay considered the young woman.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, soul and everything- Angel\u2019s one of the good guys. Oh, and Lindsay, this seems the right time to tell you, at this moment Nevin is making the arrangements to cut all ties between me and your evil law firm. You\u2019re fired. Tootles.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, I\u2019m sure that any information Angel has told you about any prior dealings that he may have had with Wolfram & Hart have been exaggerated. I\u2019m sure I can explain away any concerns you may have been misled into believing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure you can\u2019t. Wesley and Angel say you\u2019re a bad guy -that\u2019s good enough for me. Angel- Wolfram & Hart,\u201d Cordelia lifted her hands weighing her next words in the air. \u201cWho to trust.\u201d Cordelia studied her hands, her right palm dropping.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook, not Satan\u2019s law firm.\u201d Cordelia shrugged. \u201cOut, Lindsay, and as of now, I\u2019m telling security that you or any Wolfram & Hart employees are not welcome in the studio.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re making a grave mistake, Cordelia. Wolfram & Hart can be a great benefit to your career.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, evil shyster, you heard the lady, leave.\u201d Gunn stepped up closer to Lindsay.<\/p>\n
Lindsay shot a look at the black man. \u201cYou\u2019re kidding aren\u2019t you, physical intimidation?” You are so out of your league. Remind Angel of that if he\u2019s attempting to get back into the game.\u201d<\/p>\n