Chapter 3<\/b><\/p>\n
Angel studied the man in the ticket booth and shook his head. \u201cIn my day\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia nudged at Fred. ‘Told you’, she mouthed to the other woman.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, just how much was a tavern wench?\u201d asked Fred.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo\u2026\u201d Angel stopped at the raised brows of both Cordelia and Fred. \u201cNevermind.\u201d Shoving the cash through the opening in glass and grabbing at the tickets.<\/p>\n
\u201cBig spender.\u201d Cordelia rolled her eyes. She then placed a hand on the vampire\u2019s arm smiling to take the sting out of her words. “Thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel couldn\u2019t help but smile in return. The high price of the tickets suddenly became unimportant. Cordelia was happy. And that was a beautiful thing to behold.<\/p>\n
\u201cCotton candy.\u201d Fred went running to a booth full of pink spun sugar, her slight body dodging in and out of the crowd in between.<\/p>\n
Wesley and Gunn looked at each other then at Cordelia and Angel. \u201cThere\u2019s probably pizza.\u201d Both men started to hurry after Fred.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course.\u201d Wesley and Gunn either ignored or were oblivious to Cordy\u2019s amused expression at their lame excuse to go running after the young physicist.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on.\u201d Cordelia pulled at Angel. \u201cThey\u2019ll be fine, fighting over who gets to buy her cotton candy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere?\u201d Angel stood firm. There were people everywhere. He didn\u2019t see a spot that wasn\u2019t swarming with human bodies. He didn\u2019t want to move in any way into the throng. The carnival was as dirty and crowed as he had thought. Angel didn\u2019t feel at all comfortable.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d<\/p>\n
There was that sigh again. Angel started to move his feet. He moved quicker not caring where Cordelia led him. The smile had returned. Angel really did enjoy seeing Cordy smile. The vampire didn\u2019t even wince as a group of children pushed into him.<\/p>\n
Angel stopped as he noticed where Cordelia had pulled him. \u201cA roller coaster? Cordy that looks as old as I am.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease, like they had roller coasters in the \u2018old days\u2019. Come on.\u201d Cordelia pushed him into the line. \u201cReally, Angel, you\u2019re a big bad \u2018grr\u2019 guy, I can\u2019t believe that you\u2019re scared of a harmless ride.\u201d Shaking her head at his hesitation.<\/p>\n
Angel glanced up at the fast moving carts, winding and jerking as they rode along the wooden, OLD rails. People were screaming, their voices loud and terrified. \u201cThey don\u2019t think it\u2019s safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, they\u2019re screaming in FUN. Lets go, fraidy vamp.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not afraid.\u201d Angel pushed ahead in the line. Cordelia was right he was a vampire. He was not scared of anything. He looked up again at the wooden ride. Angel could have sworn he saw a piece of the equipment vibrate and fall.<\/p>\n
Angel contemplated how he was actually going to convince Cordy that getting into that death trap was not a good idea. It was just possible that a wooden plank would work itself loose and go flying into his chest. Then what? He\u2019d be dust. \u201cCordy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel stopped as he realized that he had followed Cordelia into the small metal cart. He didn\u2019t have time to say anything else before the steel beam came down, locking them in the tight space.<\/p>\n
\u201cHold on.\u201d Cordelia laughed, her hand moving from under the bar to clasp at Angel\u2019s. Angel tensed as the motor started and the cart started to build speed.<\/p>\n
Cordelia let out a loud yell as the cart made its first stomach hurling dip. Angel gulped, his knuckles clenched around the bar. He managed to look down, Cordelia had let go of his hand. Her fingers had somehow moved to encircle his thigh in a tight grip. Angel stopped noticing the many turns and drops, even forgot about the possibility of lethal flying parts as Cordelia\u2019s body pounded into his as the ride\u2019s velocity became greater.<\/p>\n
Both of her hands took hold of him wrapping themselves around his thigh, her breasts pressing against his side at each wild turn. Angel stared at his seer, she was screaming and laughing at the same time. It was an amazing thing to see, she looked so alive.<\/p>\n
Cordelia pressed into Angel again, this time releasing his thighs. \u201cIt\u2019s the loopy loop. Hold me.\u201d Her arms shot straight up in the air.<\/p>\n
Angel thought quickly, he moved his hands from the bar onto Cordy\u2019s thighs pulling her tight into his body until her side was mashed up against his. Cordelia\u2019s screams of laughter pierced through the air as they zoomed upside down in a large circle. Slowly the ride started to slow, jerking along until it finally came to a halt right where they started. The bar immediately came up. It took a little longer for Angel to move Cordelia\u2019s pressed body away from his.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can let go now.\u201d Cordelia beamed another one of her bright smiles. Angel looked at his hands, somehow they had managed to defy the confines of the bar and had not only lay claim to her thigh but her waist as well. Angel gulped again and released her.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was fun, wasn\u2019t that fun, tell me you didn\u2019t just love it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel looked at his hands and then at his seer. \u201cIt\u2026it was fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTold you.\u201d Cordy jumped out of the cart, then putting out her hand for Angel. Angel clasped it, but remained sitting. Cordy grunted and pulled harder. That time Angel let himself be moved. Cordelia jerked back, Angel had no choice but to encircle her waist to keep her from falling or that was at least what he told himself.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were right.\u201d Angel settled both of his hands around her slim waist and set her right on her feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlways am.\u201d Cordy laughed.<\/p>\n
Angel stood still watching his seer bound off to find another attraction. He thought about it. She had been right. It had been fun. Angel just wasn\u2019t so sure what was so fun about it. It hadn\u2019t been the plunging to the earth, but Cordy clutching at him and laughing had been fun.<\/p>\n
Strange and very disconcerting. Angel followed her.<\/p>\n
Chapter 4<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The couple stopped as Fred came running up to them. The pink fluffy stick of sugar bounced up and down as she neared. Gunn and Wesley puffed up behind her.<\/p>\n
\u201cWant some?\u201d Fred pushed the cotton candy towards Cordelia and Angel. \u201cIt\u2019s great. I\u2019ve already had one so take as much as you want.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo thanks.\u201d Both Cordy and Angel said in unison.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmazing. The engineering that enables such a delicate swirl of air and sugar- what a feat. Whoever invented this got the noble peace prize, I hope.\u201d Fred snatched some more of the candy and sucked it in between her lips, smacking. \u201cMmm. Where have you been?\u201d Licking her lips.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Rocket.\u201d Cordy pointed to the wooden roller coaster. \u201cIt was fun wasn\u2019t it Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
The newcomers\u2019 brows shot up.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, you liked it, you had fun?\u201d Fred asked.<\/p>\n
The vampire nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cTold you.\u201d Cordelia bounced on her heels.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat doesn\u2019t look very safe.\u201d Wesley studied the ride.<\/p>\n
\u201cPooh.\u201d Cordelia shook her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to go on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before Wesley could open his mouth again Gunn grabbed the cotton candy from Fred. \u201cHere English, you hold this. Come on girl let\u2019s rocket.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReally? Okay. Thanks, Wesley.\u201d Fred smiled at the scowling former watcher, the half eaten confectionary tilting in his hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cLost that one.\u201d Cordelia laughed at the look Wesley shot her. \u201cOh, don\u2019t worry, there more rides, but next time don\u2019t take time out to do a safety inspection.\u201d Looking around.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on, Angel. Hey, Wesley do you want to go with us or wait for them? Geez, nevermind, of course you want to wait. Meet you at the Bumper Cars.\u201d Pointing to the ride across the walkway.<\/p>\n
Wesley didn\u2019t even acknowledge their leaving. His gaze was fixed on the roller coaster cart holding Fred and Gunn.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, where are we going?\u201d Angel followed as his seer dragged him away from the ride she had motioned to.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got time. Wesley the ‘cautious’ will want to prove to Fred that he can face the loopty loop. I want to get my picture done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel stood at small kiosk that had emerged through the break in the throng of people. There was a man at an easel sketching someone sitting in a chair. Fifteen dollars. Fifteen dollars for a chalk drawing? What was the world coming to? \u201cCordy, if you want a portrait, I can do one.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCheapsake.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. I can do one.\u201d It wasn\u2019t the money, not really. Angel had many sketches of Cordelia already. He could just give her one, or do another one. For free. Angel thought about it. Okay, he would have to do another one. Cordelia didn\u2019t know about the ones that already existed and maybe, probably she wouldn\u2019t understand the few, okay the tons of sketches that Angel had done of her without her knowledge.<\/p>\n
Then again, Angel didn\u2019t really understand. Except that Cordelia did make an excellent subject. She was beautiful, easy to draw.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, yeah that\u2019s right, you\u2019re Mr. Artist old guy. Just exactly what do you sketch up there in that dark broodville room of yours? You never show anyone. What\u2019s up with that? What kind of pictures are they? Or don\u2019t I want to know? Hmmm.\u201d Cordelia smirked and looked speculative at the same time. \u201cI know they\u2019re etchings aren\u2019t they, erotic drawings to lure the unexpecting women, x-rated uh\u2026\u201dCordelia scrunched up her face.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcept you can\u2019t lure, you\u2019re a eunuch. So, no eroticism, are they vampy gross?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel gulped, choked, and stuttered, then shouted. \u201cI\u2019M NOT AN EUNUCH.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGeez, got it. And so did all of LA..\u201d Cordelia rolled her eyes and moved to get in line for the artist.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re not gross.\u201d Angel gulped and cleared his throat. Cordelia was never gross. Erotic? Angel thought a minute, picturing his sketches of his seer. Okay, maybe, probably, definitely.<\/p>\n
No. He would just have to draw another one that Cordelia could actually see. Why in the hell was he drawing erotic pictures of Cordelia? When Angel finally got home, he would have to have a long and serious brood session.<\/p>\n
Something was not right.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not an eunuch.\u201d Angel mumbled.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course you\u2019re not, you just can\u2019t have sex.\u201d Cordelia said matter factually.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can too. I can.\u201d Angel pleaded to the strange woman in line that had been listening attentively to their conversation.<\/p>\n
“I’m glad to hear it.” The woman smiled adding her two cents.<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s choked laugher brought Angel up short.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, what business is it of yours.\u201d He growled at the strange woman.<\/p>\n
\u201cIgnore him,\u201d Cordelia pulled Angel back towards her and away from the now startled woman. \u201cHe has issues. Angel.\u201d Cordelia tsked towards the agitated vampire.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was listening.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were yelling.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was not.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWas too, Geez.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can too have sex, look at\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you even think that you can mention the \u2018D\u2019 word, you WILL be a eunuch.\u201d Cordelia glared, sighed, and raised her eyebrows.<\/p>\n
Angel gulped. What? He shouldn\u2019t have to gulp. He was a vampire. So why did he seem to do it constantly when he was with his seer. Cordelia had made him develop some sort of weird nervous habit, just like she made him draw erotic sketches of her.<\/p>\n
Seer or not, there was just something not right about the way she made him do things. He\u2019d have to be careful around her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI said I was sorry.\u201d Angel couldn\u2019t help it. He lost Cordelia\u2019s smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmph.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel looked at his feet his hand going immediately to his pocket searching until he felt the paper he had hidden earlier. He wished that \u2018Hmmph\u2019 had been included in Bob\u2019s article. Cordelia did it a lot. And Angel still wasn\u2019t sure what it meant.<\/p>\n
Was it like fine, or like that\u2019s okay or did it have it’s own sinister meaning or was it just a \u2018Hmmph.\u2019 He didn\u2019t know and he hated not knowing, especially now that he suspected that it had to mean something.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat will be fifteen dollars.\u201d An unknown voice broke through his thoughts.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u2019<\/p>\n
He didn’t have a choice. Angel handed the artist the cash.<\/p>\n
At least the smile was back. But Angel had to know, did she or didn\u2019t she forgive him about the whole Darla thing. Cordelia said she had. But how could Angel be sure with all those mysterious \u2018Hmmphs\u2019.<\/p>\n
Angel wished he never broke down and told Cordelia about Darla. But then if she had found out somehow other than him, especially when he had first told her nothing happened he would be dead- \u201cHmmph\u2019 and sarcasm was better than dust or alone.<\/p>\n
Again a strange voice broke through his thoughts. Then Cordelia\u2019s. Angel started to listen again.<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStay still.\u201d The strange voice said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, one second. Angel, stop broodying, I told you I wasn’t mad anymore. Geez. Hmmph.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel looked around. Cordelia was seated in the chair, the artist already starting to sketch.<\/p>\n
He started to pay more attention. Angel moved to where the artist was sitting. The artist\u2019s chalk was going fast, too fast.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s hand shot out on its own volition.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me.\u201d The young man said, smacking away the interfering hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy\u2019s neck. It\u2019s slimmer. It\u2019s not like that.\u201d Angel studied the emerging portrait, his hand still reaching out.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, leave him alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the first time in forever, Angel ignored the voice of his seer. \u201cSlimmer more delicate. And that\u2019s not her nose.\u201d Angel\u2019s hand moved the artist face and jerked it towards Cordelia. \u201cWould you look? Geez.\u201d Angel rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d Cordelia started to get up.<\/p>\n
\u201cSIT.\u201d Both the artist and Angel yelled.<\/p>\n
Cordelia scowled but sat back.<\/p>\n
Angel stood back studying for a second. His hand shot out again. \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuddy, I\u2019m drawing her eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhose eyes? Cordy\u2019s are bigger, more. Oh give it.\u201d Angel grabbed the chalk and started drawing.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, dude.\u201d The artist grabbed back at the chalk.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d Cordelia yelled before the growl left the vampire\u2019s throat. \u201cI don\u2019t know what your damage is, but stop.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel held back his second growl and let the artist have the chalk.<\/p>\n
\u201cGeez. Sorry. Amateur artist.\u201d Cordelia gave a quick smile to the ‘professional’ artist and slumped back into the chair.<\/p>\n
Angel couldn\u2019t help his next act. The man was not drawing Cordelia. Angel didn\u2019t know who he was drawing, but it wasn\u2019t his seer. Cordelia was more beautiful, more special, more full of life, just more. He grabbed the chalk. \u201cThis is brown.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHer eyes are brown.\u201d The artist tried to grab at the colored chalk. This time Angel\u2019s growl left his throat.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d Cordelia shot up from her chair.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, this guy doesn\u2019t know what he\u2019s doing. I think he\u2019s blind. You\u2019re eyes aren\u2019t brown.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course they are.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d Angel forcefully pushed the artist\u2019s face towards Cordelia\u2019s now flashing eyes. \u201cSee, gold. See, the flecks of gold. That\u2019s not just brown.\u201d<\/p>\n
The artist started to squirm and whimper.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel. If I do have \u2018gold\u2019 in my BROWN eyes, it\u2019s there because I\u2019m getting angry\u2026very angry. So, let the nice man go, before I go GOLD all over. Please.\u201d Cordelia\u2019s jaw was clenched into a tight line.<\/p>\n
Angel looked at the head that he had crushed in between his hands and then at the flashing eyes of his seer. He quickly released his grip. \u201cSorry.\u201d Angel pulled the whimpering artist to his feet, brushing imaginary dirt off his clothes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I\u2019ll pass on the portrait. Keep the money.\u201d Cordelia rolled her eyes and left.<\/p>\n
\u201cHer eyes are brown with gold flecks, they are warm and alive, her neck is delicate, her nose cute and aristocratic, her complexion glowing. Just be glad that you hadn\u2019t tried to butcher her mouth and lips yet.\u201d Angel’s growl was low and menacing.<\/p>\n
He suddenly released the artist. \u201cAnd smile.\u201d Angel smiled at the trembling young man that was taking quick steps away. \u201cI said smile.\u201d Angel growled again. The artist\u2019s terrified face broke into a wide grin. Angel smiled back.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d A demanding voice yelled.<\/p>\n
\u201cComing.\u201d Angel turned back to the retreating young man. \u201cKeep smiling.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, WHAT is your problem?\u201d Angel stood at Cordelia\u2019s side.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about.”<\/p>\n
\u201cYou had that poor guy almost pissing in his pants.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t be silly, look he\u2019s smiling. He\u2019s fine,\u201d pointing to the artist and the idiotic grin plastered on his face.<\/p>\n
Cordelia scowled and shook her head. \u201cWhen did you become vamp artist back seat driver?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, he wasn\u2019t any good.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, right, Mr. Van Gogh. Fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel winced.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re so good? You draw me, and I get to see it. Hmmph.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel shrugged. That\u2019s what he said in the first place. He ran to keep up with his seer.<\/p>\n
Chapter 5<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cReady for the Bumper Cars?” Cordelia said to the group, but cocked a brow at Wesley\u2019s green face.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanta go back on the Rocket.\u201d Fred bounced. Wesley paled. \u201cFred, the bumper cars can be fun, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know, I liked the Rocket. Come on Cordy, we can go on it again. You liked it.\u201d Angel smiled encouragingly at Cordelia, trying to get her to smile at him again.<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmph. Come on. Girls against boys.\u201d Cordelia scowled at Angel and moved towards the line.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d Wesley tugged at the vampire\u2019s arm. Gunn was close beside them. \u201cI know that Bob didn\u2019t explain \u2018Hmmph\u2019 but I\u2019m pretty sure it\u2019s not good.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, what did you do now to piss the princess off? This is it. Boys against girls. The plot. We\u2019re dead.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026.I didn\u2019t do anything\u2026.Anyway, Cordy wanted to go on the Bumper Cars before I\u2026I didn\u2019t do anything.\u201d The vampire shook off Wesley\u2019s arm and moved towards Cordelia.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe did something.\u201d Gunn shrugged towards Wesley.<\/p>\n
\u201cObliviously, I suggest after this ride, we get Fred away from Cordelia. Angel obviously can\u2019t do this right, and the more he makes Cordy mad\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe more likely that Fred will get mad. Gotcha. It\u2019s a plan.\u201d Both men slapped hands in the air to seal their bargain.<\/p>\n