art 27<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cSo, what do you think?\u201d Lindsay turned to Lilah.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re actually asking me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThink of it as conversation for lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight, okay\u2026it\u2019s crazy, the he-man of what was it, Plyea, is crazy.\u201d Lilah rolled her eyes, \u201dwaking up spouting nonsense about Cordelia Chase being a princess- Angel, for god sakes being \u2018the beast\u2019 okay not that off the mark, but a \u2018beast- false champion-\u2018 not the true destiny of the \u2018princess\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCorrelates with the notes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDoesn\u2019t explain why. He can\u2019t even explain. Just says that low-n-behold several days ago, he thinks, can\u2019t be sure because \u2018it\u2019s fuzzy\u2019, his memory was being ripped from him. Groosalugg? What\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe champion- weren\u2019t you listening?\u201d<\/p>\n
Lilah simply rolled her eyes in response.<\/p>\n
\u201cLilah, I\u2019m satisfied, and it does make sense.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe mystical surge\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHappened three years or more ago, not in the last several days and so what?\u201d<\/p>\n
Lindsay shook his head. \u201cYour problem Lilah, is you are so quick to get results you\u2019ve never bothered to understand the business we\u2019re in. Magic, demons, mysticism, weird shit.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t patronize\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up and listen or you\u2019ll never get your lunch.\u201d Lindsay interrupted. \u201cHe did explain as much as he could. He has vague memories of a Cordelia Chase we don\u2019t know, never experienced, the one, I suspect, that would\u2019ve existed had the mystical surging force hadn\u2019t happened. The one that had the visions, and the one that stood next to Angel as his support.<\/p>\n
The one that helped him be the warrior that the prophecies told of. Not the broken thing that we\u2019ve been watching for three years. Three false years, I speculate. Three years that we need to be true. And now that they are together, it\u2019s happening again, the present and future we don\u2019t want. Our Cordelia may not have the visions, but you can\u2019t deny her presence is bringing forth an Angel you\u2019ve never seen or recorded before.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lilah threw up her hands. \u201cIf what you are saying is correct, how does this he-man know. If he was a part of the correct universe, then he shouldn\u2019t remember just like us or them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTalk to the philosophers in the basement or the senior partners, how should I know. But the Groosalugg doesn\u2019t really remember, he just knows that he woke up one morning and everything was wrong, memories and feelings\u2026the only thing he seems to be consistent and adamant on is that Cordelia Chase is his princess. He\u2019s in a different dimension; obviously the power that changed or fixed history couldn\u2019t affect him completely. And honestly, did it affect Angel and Cordelia that much-really? They were together then and are together now. What I don\u2019t understand is if she was this Groo-person\u2019s princess in the original time-line how she was such a threat to us with Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s your one problem? How about who did it? One would think that a \u2018power\u2019 that separated Angel and Cordelia would be on our side as it has been beneficial to us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI said ask the philosophers or the senior partners.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lilah shook her head. \u201cAnd you say I ignore the big picture.\u201d Lilah bit her lip and sighed. \u201cShe wasn\u2019t with this Groosalugg.\u201d Lilah said with conviction.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat…How do you\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLook, if we\u2019re to assume that Angel, Cordelia, and this Groosalugg and even us were part of the \u2018true\u2019 picture\u2026then look at it\u2026Angel and Cordelia are together, this Groosalugg wants to break them up, we want to destroy them\u2026I say that\u2019s not that different from the way it originally played out, maybe the means but not the intent. This champion from another dimension in whatever version wanted Cordelia, and in whatever version she chose\u2026actually in this one she hasn\u2019t chosen yet. She doesn\u2019t know yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s not going to choose a stalker from another dimension.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTrue, and maybe this version of Groosalugg realized this and decided on a campaign of just taking rather than asking.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lindsay nodded. \u201cWe\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019ll take her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf he can get through Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGroosalugg- he\u2019s a champion didn\u2019t you hear. Angel\u2019s just a crazy vampire. He\u2019ll get her, now that we told him how.\u201d Lilah smiled. \u201cSoon, the problem of alternate lives and what should be or what was will be off our hands.\u201d The sudden sirens in the room made both lawyers jump.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the hell?\u201d<\/p>\n
Lindsay strode to the monitor screen, tabbing in keys. \u201cVampire detector.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel? No way.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d Lindsay pointed to the monitor depicting the lobby.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that Wyndham-Price?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only one-armed human pain in the ass that I know of- with a flaming vampire- how much is it to hope that\u2019s Angel under the inferno.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry to disappoint you. \u201d Angel stalked into the room. \u201cFunny, those detectors can\u2019t quite distinguish the dead vampire from the really DEAD vampire.\u201d Angel cocked his head moving closer to the couple. \u201cYou\u2019re not laughing, either of you, you don\u2019t think it\u2019s in the least bit funny, not at all? Damn, I so need to work on my sense of humor.\u201d Angel reached out, his hands swiftly grapping each stunned lawyer by their throats.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s grip tightened as each captive struggled. \u201cUh, I\u2019d stop if I was you. You know, the noose knot, the more you fight the tighter it gets until you\u2019re dead, my fists are really kind of like that right now. Not real big on whether you live or not. Oh, Lilah, you seem to be turning a royal blue, with frustration and the big old urge to speak on your face.\u201d Angel released his grip slightly.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re crazy.\u201d She choked, just as suddenly the air disappeared from her lungs.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot the answer I wanted. I wouldn\u2019t try again, unless you\u2019re are ready to answer my questions.\u201d Angel grinned, his fist closing again on the soft flesh.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, Angel, you found them.\u201d Wesley ran in.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were planning to say something useful.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExcellent.\u201d Wesley pondered. \u201cBefore or after you choke them to death?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you have a problem with that Wesley?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly if you do it before we get the information we need… you did say it was useful\u2026Um, Angel, the gentleman, Mr. McDonald seems to want to say something.\u201d Wesley pointed to Lindsay\u2019s frantic hand motions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know, Wesley, Lilah, here already tried that trick and it just pissed me off more.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUnderstandable.\u201d Wesley looked at the two choking lawyers hanging in mid-air. \u201cI\u2019d suggest that you only talk if you\u2019ve something helpful to say,\u201d Wesley knocked away Lindsay\u2019s hand. \u201cAngel, he does seem to be anxious.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, alright.\u201d Angel released his grip on the lawyers\u2019 neck, moving his iron grip to the man\u2019s shoulder keeping Lindsay immobilized.<\/p>\n
Wesley nodded to the vampire. \u201cYou were wanting to say, Mr. McDonald.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe hasn\u2019t asked us anything.\u201d Lindsay choked.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, dear.\u201d Wesley turned to the vampire. \u201cAngel, did you not ask them the questions we need the answers too?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I forgot, can I choke him again?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUm, let\u2019s ask first, if they don\u2019t answer, hell, snap their necks, there\u2019ll be thousands of new lawyers after the next bar results. No one will miss them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel considered and lowered both attorneys to the floor. \u201cTalk or I\u2019ll snap your necks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lindsay rolled his eyes, shifting to the monitor. Angel caught his look. \u201cOh, security guards out of commission, maybe dead, I wasn\u2019t trying, but sometimes my strength gets away from me.\u201d Angel smirked opening and closing his fist.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnything particular you want us too talk about?\u201d Lindsay said half stalling and half in disgust.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlyea, the champion, the big ass portal that just opened up on the premises. Those would be good for a starter.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you know why are you here, why aren\u2019t you running to protect you\u2019re little actress\/princess\/seer\/ whatever the hell else she is in any other dimension.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley stepped up not sure if Angel would take the time to ask more questions or just start throttling throats again. Wesley had been more than a little taken back when he entered the room. Angel had not been any of the variations that Wesley had experienced.<\/p>\n
This vampire had been cold, sardonic and willing to kill. Wesley wondered how close the vampire he saw was to the horror he had heard about in the Watcher\u2019s Council and Sunnydale. Was that Angelus? No, Wesley, knew it wasn\u2019t, but there for a minute, the vampire scared him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe \u2018so-called champion\u2019 came through?\u201d Angel said calmly.<\/p>\n
Wesley gulped. That tone actually scared him more than the throttling and smiling.<\/p>\n
Lindsay shrugged, \u201cYou can\u2019t get out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll care-how? You\u2019ll both be dead.\u201d Angel responded his voice low and ice cold.<\/p>\n
\u201cGroosalugg, Plyean champion, wants your girlfriend. Gone to get her. Must\u2019ve let her address slip.\u201d Lilah stepped up between the vampire and Lindsay.<\/p>\n
Angel pushed both to the floor and ran out. Wesley looked once. \u201cThere is more isn\u2019t there.\u201d He stared at the fallen lawyers then shook his head and ran after Angel, realizing that he didn\u2019t have the time to find out.<\/p>\n
Lindsay struggled to his feet. “I’m going to have to reiterate. That vampire is coherent, not crazy, AND dangerous.” He glared down at the female lawyer ignoring her out-stretched hand.<\/p>\n
Lilah grumbled in disgust as she helped herself off the ground. “Temporary. He just hadn’t had a vision yet.”<\/p>\n
“Temporary will get us killed. I just hope that the vampire’s too late and the Groosalugg remembers the chant to re-open the Portal.”<\/p>\n
“He has the Professor’s book.”<\/p>\n
“Did it look like he could read to you?”<\/p>\n
Part 28<\/b><\/p>\n
“Are you expecting someone?” Gunn asked.<\/p>\n
“Angel and Wesley, duh.”<\/p>\n
“That won’t the Plymouth or my truck.” Gunn looked out the window trying to locate the unfamiliar sounding car. “Cab? What the hell.” Gunn backed up. “Cordy, go upstairs, lock your door.”<\/p>\n
“What is it?”<\/p>\n
“Your Tarzan beefcake from the looks of it. Carrying a sword and a nasty looking whip. Upstairs now and call Wes.”<\/p>\n
Cordelia scrunched up her face, hesitating momentarily. “You can take cabs from dimension to dimension?”<\/p>\n
“Naw, but you can from evil law firms to here.”<\/p>\n
“I’m with Angel, I’m sick of the evil lawyers. All I did was fire them, talk about sour grapes. Hmmph,” shaking her head as she ran up the stairs.<\/p>\n
Gunn barely listened. He was too busy ramming large pieces of furniture against the door. Gunn ran over to the large covered windows and secured the lock. Angel and Wesley could figure out how they were getting into the house when they showed.<\/p>\n
All Gunn cared about right then was keeping the bad guy out and Cordelia protected. Gunn sat on the foot of the steps, his axe in his hand. The Tarzan want-be would have to go through him and his baby to get to Cordy.<\/p>\n
Gunn cringed as he heard a large crash and Cordelia scream. He was on his feet in an instant starting up the stairs only to fall back as Cordelia’s fleeing body flew in to his. Gunn kept his balance and pulled Cordy with him, descending quickly.<\/p>\n
“He came through my bedroom window. Damn, I knew I should’ve gotten rid of that trellis.”<\/p>\n
“Why didn’t you tell me, girl. Damn’s right.” Gunn grumbled. “Hide,” shoving the young woman further away from the stairs.<\/p>\n
“Hide where?”<\/p>\n
“Damn’t woman, it’s your house. I don’t know. Go.” Gunn yelled his eyes at the top of the stairs and the longhaired leather-clad figure that appeared.<\/p>\n
“You will not keep me from my Princess.”<\/p>\n
“Yeah, I will.” Gunn braced his feet in a fighting stance, his axe in front of him.<\/p>\n
“I am the Groosalugg, the undefeated, the champion of Plyea, My Princess will come with me.”<\/p>\n
“I don’t give a flying fuck who you are- you ain’t take Cordy anywhere.” Gunn backed up keeping his distance from the descending Groosalugg and his snapping whip. “We were hired to protect and we get the job done.”<\/p>\n
Gunn swung his axe as the Groosalugg vaulted over the staircase, the whip flipping out. Gunn yanked at his weapon trying to free it from the ensnaring thin leather. With a grunt, Gunn changed the direction of his momentum and threw the captured blade towards the Groosalugg and just as quickly dove and rolled towards the duffle bag at the foot of the stairs and the weapons inside.<\/p>\n
The champion from Plyea easily knocked the sharp weapon aside, throwing it and the whip to the floor as he raised his sword.<\/p>\n
Gunn scrambled on the floor pulling out a crossbow. The Groosalugg moved swiftly closing the distance as Gunn hurried to load the weapon.<\/p>\n
“No you don’t you big oaf.” Cordelia cried out, running and throwing a lamp at the Groosalugg.<\/p>\n
The longhaired man staggered at the impact. Gunn took advantage of the reprieve and jumped to his feet. “Nice Shot.”<\/p>\n
“Thanks.” Cordelia smiled.<\/p>\n
“Now, don’t just stand there run, girl.” Gun ordered.<\/p>\n
“And leave you alone. Oh shoot.” She stepped back as the Groosalugg straightened.<\/p>\n
“Cordelia, why have you hit me? I love you. We were meant to be together.”<\/p>\n
The young woman gaped at the whining muscle bound man. “Duh, you were trying to shish kabob my friend. And I don’t love you, don’t know you, don’t want to know you, and sure and hell don’t want to be together with you. Pfft.”<\/p>\n
“But…we’re meant…”<\/p>\n
“Geez, stop saying that.” Cordelia yelled.<\/p>\n
“Cordy,” Gunn beckoned the young woman to come closer to him.<\/p>\n
“You are my princess.”<\/p>\n
“And stop saying…” Cordelia’s words were cut off as the warrior grabbed her in a hug, capturing her lips.<\/p>\n
Cordelia smacked at the big arms, struggling to get loose.<\/p>\n
“Whoa.” Gunn yelled moving closer ready to add his blows to Cordelia’s. The black man stalled in his action as Cordelia’s struggles ceased and the young woman brought her hands up to rest on the man’s shoulders. Gunn blinked, the woman was kissing the bad guy. What the hell?<\/p>\n
“What the hell?” Cordelia jerked back pushing away.<\/p>\n
“It is our destiny.” The warrior moved closer.<\/p>\n
Cordelia stepped back her eyes blinking rapidly at the approaching warrior her face scrunched up in confusion as her fingers rose to her betraying lips.<\/p>\n
The occupants of the room all started as a resounding crash and broken splinters of glass and wood exploded from the far wall.<\/p>\n
Gunn yanked at Cordelia pulling her away as the dark figure emerged from the debris. Angel’s gaze fell on Cordelia.<\/p>\n
Groosalugg strode forward. “You, beast, will not come between the princess and her rightful champion again.”<\/p>\n
“Guess we know who the beast is now.” Gunn whispered to Cordelia.<\/p>\n
“What’d he mean, again? Again, what-when?” Cordelia responded in the same low tone.<\/p>\n
“Is this guy for real?” Gunn shook his head. “Why’d you kiss him?”<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s eyes widened at Angel’s growl. Damn’t the vampire heard Gunn.<\/p>\n
“Cordelia.” Angel stared.<\/p>\n
She shrugged the confused look back on her face. She opened her mouth and then closed it. She shrugged again. “I don’t know. It… was familiar. Sort of. I…” Her shoulders were moving in a constant shrugging motion.<\/p>\n
“She knows me, she knows that it’s right that we will be together in Plyea. I will challenge you beast, you will not touch her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shook her head frantically. “I didn’t say that…no way…I don’t know you…I just…Oh, go away. Make him go away.” She looked to Angel, Gunn and Wesley, who now was picking his way through the shattered back plane glass windows.<\/p>\n
“Challenge?” Angel smirked. “Challenge accepted.” Angel lunged.<\/p>\n
The Groosalugg swung, stopping Angel’s charge momentarily. Angel flung back caught his balance and responded with a forceful blow of his own.<\/p>\n
The warrior\u2019s head jerked back as Angel repeated the blow. Groosalugg recovered smashing his fist into Angel’s stomach, pushing the vampire back. Angel growled lurching forward hitting with a balled fist and swinging a vicious kick in follow through. Using his momentum, Angel twirled raising his leg again smacking the warrior in the chest, shoving him to the ground. He swung again.<\/p>\n
Cordelia watched in fascination. She was getting that weird deja vu feeling again, like when Angel was cooking for her. Which was impossible. She never saw the Groosalugg before much less him battling with Angel. But it was so familiar, just like the kiss by the dimensional warrior. It also felt right, except Angel was about to break the champion from Plyea’s neck, which wasn’t right.<\/p>\n
Damn. Cordelia ran tugging at Angel, trying to break the vampire’s strong grip. “Don’t, I…” Cordelia slammed her mouth closed. She almost blurted out that she loved him. Loved who-which fighter? She was going crazy. Cordelia wasn’t in love with anyone. “Angel, no, please,\u201d trying again, saying what she had meant to say in the first place.<\/p>\n
“Cordelia, he will…”<\/p>\n
Cordelia shook her head, looking down at the crumpled warrior. Long hair, buff..and…there was something about him. It was more than the kiss. He was good. She knew it and well, he was a little whacked…but…who wasn’t. “No, he won’t” Cordelia said with conviction. “Please, Angel.”<\/p>\n
Angel hesitated, staring at the young woman. He wanted to kill the intruding warrior that called him a beast and threatened to take Cordelia. There was an undeniable need to make the Groosalugg disappear- to get him away from Cordy. Angel staggered up, releasing his hands.<\/p>\n
The feeling was jealousy, possessiveness, fear and knowledge that somehow this warrior was a threat to his happiness. Angel stepped back his eyes still on Groosalugg. Happiness? When did Angel start being concerned with happiness or actually even thought it was possible?<\/p>\n
Groosalugg got to his feet, his breathing hard. “You…” The warrior looked away from the vampire and turned to Cordelia. “You are my princess.”<\/p>\n
Cordelia slowly shook her head. “No.”<\/p>\n
Groosalugg started to speak, then closed his eyes.<\/p>\n
“I’m sorry.” Cordelia whispered to the beaten champion. Cordelia couldn\u2019t explain and she hoped no one asked- but she did know this man and her heart broke at the sadness in his face-that some how she caused.<\/p>\n
Groosalugg opened his eyes directly into the eyes of the young woman, reaching out softly. “You should’ve been my princess, but you will always choose him. I love you.”<\/p>\n
“I don’t know what you’re talking about and I don’t know you.” She mumbled, her eyes downcast.<\/p>\n
“No, you don’t do you. But it wouldn’t matter, if you did, would it? He’s your priority, your champion, not me. Why did I not feel this before? This is right? I am sorry Cordelia, if my actions have caused you any pain. I never would wish for that. I wish you to be happy.”<\/p>\n
Cordelia bit her lip at the love flowing from the warrior’s deep blue eyes. “How…I…”<\/p>\n
The warrior smiled, causing Cordelia to blink. This guy did have major hottie potential.<\/p>\n
Angel choked back his growl, the fear of losing something vital to his being crept and instilled itself through out his body, as he watched the exchange.<\/p>\n
“I woke up one morning in Plyea and knew my world was wrong. My memories were dreams that were fading. I held on to what I believed to be true- that you were my princess and the beast would ravage and defile you, use you for his pleasure again and again, and when you have no more screaming in you, he would kill you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoa, stop with the nasty bizarre dream stuff, Angel\u2019s not a beast and whatever you woke up thinking wasn\u2019t at all true- okay, maybe- if it was love plus sex equals the big happy joy and evil guy, maybe. But that\u2019s Angelus not Angel, so no way is Angel doing all that whatever again and again and defily and killy stuff. Angel\u2019s a good guy.\u201d Cordelia nodded, reassuring the warrior.<\/p>\n
Angel stepped back further into the shadows as a he listened. A fear other than losing something vital to his being crept into his soul, it was the fear that he would be the cause of losing everything. But, he didn\u2019t have anything or anyone, not really. Cordelia was\u2026Angel stared at the young woman.<\/p>\n
What was she to him? What did she mean to him? Who the hell was she to be so much? Angel settled further back into the shadowed wall, fearing the loss of the warmth he had touched in last couple of days.<\/p>\n
Groosalugg smiled sadly. \u201cI think at one time I did discover the unlikely fact that the beast is a champion worthy of your regard, but that knowledge faded with all that was right or perhaps I pushed it away. I love you Cordelia Chase. I will leave.” the Groosalugg stepped closer, gently caressing Cordelia’s cheek. “You are so beautiful. I did remember that correctly.” he smiled leaning in gently kissing her lips. “Know this, if you are in need I’ll be back.”<\/p>\n
“Sorry for interrupting this Kodak moment, but how are you planning to get back.”<\/p>\n
Cordelia shot a glare over to Gunn.<\/p>\n
“What? It\u2019s a valid question that possibly has a chance of being answered not like the rest of this shit.\u201d Gunn rolled his eyes to the ceiling.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose people gave me the spell to get back as they enabled the priest\u2019s incantations to open the portal to this place.\u201d The warrior explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat spell?\u201d Wesley moved forward. \u201cWolfram & Hart helped you? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n
The warrior turned his deep blue eyes to Wesley.<\/p>\n
Wesley resisted the urge to flinch. There was something unnerving about the way the blue of the Groosalugg\u2019s pupils took over leaving very little white around the starling color. Wesley concluded that the being before them wasn\u2019t quite all-human. But he no longer seemed dangerous at least.<\/p>\n
\u201cWolfram & Hart? If you mean those that helped me, they echoed my concern at the princess\u2019 safety with the beast. They wished that I protect her and take her away.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRighto, Geez, those evil toadies wanted to cart me off to another dimension because I fired them. What the\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Cordelia.\u201d Wesley shook his head. \u201cThere is something else behind this.\u201d Wesley lifted his eyes back to the foreign warrior. \u201cThe letters of I guess\u2026warnings and reassurances to Cordelia appeared in her bedroom. I suggest that we go up there and try out this spell. It is a hot spot so, the portal should open and you can go back where you belong.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, it is time. I\u2026\u201d Groosalugg looked longingly at Cordelia. \u201cPrincess, would you consider\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m truly sorry, but my place is here.\u201d She smiled apologetically.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia rolled her eyes. \u201cOkay, whatever, I had been thinking more along the lines of my career, my house, my whole life, but okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Part 29<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cWell, that was\u2026bizarre.\u201d Cordelia said as the portal swirled and faded. \u201cI never saw him before in my life- how could he have seen me. How could he love me? I don\u2019t get it, but I\u2019m glad it\u2019s over.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou said, he was familiar,\u201d Angel finally spoke.<\/p>\n
Cordelia blinked at the vampire. Angel didn\u2019t look very well. She narrowed her eyes trying to figure it out. He wasn\u2019t really mad; he was\u2026Cordelia\u2019s eyes widened. Angel was going into full-blown brood mode. She hadn\u2019t seen that since he came back from being Angelus and hell. Both bummers for sure, definitely more brood worthy than this.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, but I didn\u2019t know him, can\u2019t explain.\u201d She said firmly ending the subject. Cordelia glanced around her bedroom. She wasn\u2019t sure she liked sleeping in a mystical \u2018hot spot\u2019. What if something else bizarre popped out?<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
The young woman looked back to Wesley waiting for him to stop clearing his throat and speak. \u201cIt\u2019s over. We\u2019ll leave now. You should get some sleep. Don\u2019t worry, we will continue to look into Wolfram & Hart\u2019s interest in you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia blinked, thoughts of weird things appearing presto in her bedroom and the possible evil intentions of the law firm were swept far from her mind. All she could think of was that Angel was going to leave her. That couldn\u2019t happen. Her eyes shot to the solemn vampire. If he left, he would just brood.<\/p>\n
But, if he stayed maybe she could make him smile again, he was doing it before- Oh, hell, she just didn\u2019t want him to leave.<\/p>\n
\u201cUm, well, no, Angel\u2019s staying, since he busted a big gapping hole in my living room. What if something creeps in, what if something pops out of a hot spot. I want protection for\u2026another night, at least, maybe longer. I\u2019ll pay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel growled. \u201cPay me to stay with you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Sure now the vampire speaks. Cordelia\u2019s face blushed a bright red. \u201cI\u2026I hired Angel Investigations to protect me that\u2019s all. Just\u2026damn it. You\u2019ll need the money, you need an office and staff and stuff, you do.\u201d She huffed her arms crossed against chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, I agree with Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh.\u201d Cordelia turned a startled look to the one-armed former watcher. He couldn\u2019t be thinking what obviously Angel was, from the look on the vampire\u2019s face, it seemed he agreed with her.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, you\u2019re our friend we will not charge you for protecting you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, you will, Wesley. I told you before- I\u2019ve got money.\u201d Cordelia\u2019s mind switched back from sexual innuendo to Angel Investigations and the need for an office. \u201cIf you don\u2019t, I\u2019ll sue for the damage to my living room, then you will really need money. Ha.\u201d She glared, daring Wesley to contradict her any more.<\/p>\n
Wesley sighed, closing his eyes briefly. \u201cI\u2019m leaving. Gunn?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo reason to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d Wesley asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI told you\u2026\u201d Cordelia interrupted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m staying. Cordelia\u2019s right until the windows are repaired she shouldn\u2019t be alone.\u201d Angel said lowly with no emotion.<\/p>\n
\u201cFine, I\u2019ll see you then in the morning.\u201d Wesley nodded and headed over to Cordelia, grasping her hand in his one. \u201cI\u2019m glad that you are now safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn walked over. \u201cHey, me too, girl. Cool getting to know you.\u201d Gunn stopped and called over his shoulder. \u201cHave you actually ever taken that four-wheel high priced condo out for a ride?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia scrunched up her face. \u201cOh, you mean the Hummer v or what ever it is. Nay, don\u2019t like it not sure why I bought it\u2026except every one seemed to be buying them\u2026have to keep up with the Jones\u2026do you want it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn blinked. \u201cUh?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shrugged apologetically. \u201cI\u2019ve seen your truck.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey man, my baby is still good to go, saved my life more than once.\u201d Gunn defended.<\/p>\n
Cordelia scrunched up her face. She could\u2019ve sworn that Gunn\u2019s baby was his axe. At least that\u2019s what she heard him whispering as he wiped it into shinny gleam. \u201cSecond vehicle, company car, if that\u2019s better. I don\u2019t use it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia,\u201d Wesley shook his head. \u201cGood bye.\u201d Kissing her lightly on the forehead.<\/p>\n
\u201cWait,\u201d her hand shot out grabbing his arm. \u201cThanks.\u201d She flashed a bright smile to Wesley and Gunn. \u201cYou are real friends. I\u2019m going to keep annoying you until you accept my money, my truck and whatever else I can think of. You can\u2019t fight me. I\u2019m Cordelia Chase. I know things.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re dangerous. Angel, be careful and don\u2019t let her give us the car.\u201d Wesley chuckled as he left.<\/p>\n
Gunn stalled at the doorway. \u201cMaybe, I could test it out sometime.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGunn,\u201d Wesley yelled.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust asking.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia caught the black man\u2019s hand. \u201cAnytime.\u201d She whispered. \u201cHe\u2019s just a stuffy guy that no longer advertises it by wearing tweed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGottcha.\u201d Gunn shot a couple fingers up in a casual salute. \u201cSee ya, Angel, call if\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The vampire nodded from the corner he had retreated back into.<\/p>\n