Part 34<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cWesley,\u201d Fred yelled louder than was needed. Wesley poked his head out of his office staring where the young woman pointed.<\/p>\n
Gunn practically jumped the stairs, taking the steps three at a time to get to Fred\u2019s yell.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that what I think it is?\u201d Gunn stopped in front of the cackling air and expanding tear in the hotel\u2019s atmosphere.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Portal is opening,\u201d Wesley confirmed.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel and Cordy are coming home.\u201d Fred wrung her hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope. Charles, the weapons as a precaution.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn got the tranquilizer guns handing one to Wesley.<\/p>\n
The trio stood anxious waiting for the portal to fully form. Wesley and Gunn raised their guns as a figure in a leather duster jumped through.<\/p>\n
Angel stared at the weapons and then at the faces of his friends. \u201cNot quite the welcome we expected.\u201d He held up the glowing globe.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d Wesley asked tentatively.<\/p>\n
\u201cExpecting someone else?\u201d He moved past his friends towards the stairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cHell, it ain\u2019t like there wasn\u2019t two evil ass Angel wanna-bes on the other side of that thing.\u201d Gunn snorted lowering his weapon.<\/p>\n
Angel nodded as he kept walking. \u201cIt\u2019s me. Actually, there were two souled Angel wanna-bes, also. Angel B and \u2018little a\u2019\u201d, the vampire shot over his shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho?\u201d Wesley quickly followed.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, do I still need to be carryin\u2019 this,\u201d Gunn bounded up the stairs his weapon dragging at his side.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was an Angelus 1, Angelus 2, Angel B, Angel \u2018little a\u2019 and you?\u201d Fred blinked. \u201cOh gosh, that would be\u2026oh gosh\u2026 five Angels that must have been\u2026. confusing.\u201d She ran to catch up with her friends. \u201cWhat letter are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA. You made a chart.\u201d Angel said from his seated position on the bed next to Cordelia\u2019s body.<\/p>\n
\u201cI did?\u201d Fred squeezed in between Wesley and Gunn. She nodded. That sounded like something she would do. \u201cUm, when did I do that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLater,\u201d Angel\u2019s attention was focused on the young unconscious woman and the glowing container he held protectively. \u201cJust break it?\u201d He asked Wesley.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel took a deep breath and tightened his grip shattering the fragile orb. The light escaped in a bright stream floating and then dropping to encase Cordelia.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoa,\u201d Cordelia shot up causing the standing occupants of the room to step back.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy,\u201d Wesley, Fred and Gunn said at once.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey,\u201d she smiled at her friends and then looking to Angel. \u201cHey,\u201d she said more softly.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey,\u201d Angel answered just as softly, brushing a feather light kiss along her lips. \u201cWelcome home.\u201d His hand drifted from her cheek down to hold her hand firmly.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo place like it right?\u201d Cordelia beamed at the relieved and happy faces of her friends. \u201cHi, Dennis.\u201d She said to the blanket that wrapped itself around her in cocoon.<\/p>\n
Wesley cleared his throat trying to get what had to be a goofy grin off his face and be serious. \u201cAngel,\u201d he had to clear his throat again. It was just that Wesley was very happy. Cordelia was smiling. Obviously, Angel had gotten to her before any of the Angeluses could hurt her. \u201cAngel B, \u2018little a\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cVersions of me sent back to fix the changes that we made the first time.\u201d Angel said his eyes still fixed on Cordelia.<\/p>\n
\u201cChanges?\u201d Wesley blinked. \u201cReally? Interesting,\u201d Wesley pondered.<\/p>\n
Cordelia scrunched up her face. \u201cInteresting, my butt. YOUR DEAD butt rather.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me.\u201d Wesley nudged at his glasses.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel \u2018little a\u2019 said we screwed up three times. You died on the last one that\u2019s why \u2018little a\u2019 was sent back but it worked because here you are.\u201d She smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d Wesley coughed uneasily.<\/p>\n
\u201cWow.\u201d Fred gasped. \u201cWesley was dead, wow.\u201d She shot a glance to her friend making sure he was still there.<\/p>\n
Gunn rubbed his head. \u201cThis time shit freaks me out,\u201d Gunn grumbled. \u201cSo, this \u2018little a\u2019,\u201d Gunn raised an amused brow,\u201d \u2018little a\u2019 ain\u2019t that too much information about your vamp self.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel scowled. \u201cFred did it. Don\u2019t ask.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLabeled beige Angel, that’s who came.\u201d Cordelia giggled. \u201cAngel,\u201d she pointed to the vampire sitting next her. \u201cWas A, so beige\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing before A, \u2018little a\u2019,\u201d Fred finished accepting at once the logic.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat asshole, he helped?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGunn, he was nice.\u201d Cordelia defended the past Angel.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t believe it,\u201d Gunn shook his head, stopping suddenly at Angel\u2019s glare.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe did, he came and killed Angel B.\u201d Cordelia nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cKilled? Angel B was an Angelus,\u201d Wesley frowned.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. A future Angel that killed Angel and you,\u201d Cordelia said quickly. \u201cWeird, uh. He had a soul and killed you and Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley coughed. \u201cCould you not keep saying that- hearing that I\u2019m dead isn\u2019t\u2026well\u2026comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, you\u2019re not.\u201d Cordelia smiled again. \u201cI\u2019m really glad about that.\u201d Cordy moved swiftly away from Angel\u2019s hold and hugged her startled friend. \u201cIt sucked hearing that you were dead.\u201d She squeezed.<\/p>\n
Wesley\u2019s initial pat on the young woman\u2019s back was awkward, then became more confident as his mind wrapped around all that he heard and what he knew. Cordelia was safe, Angel was alive, and he was alive. Things were good. Wesley hugged back.<\/p>\n
Angel narrowed his eyes. Okay, unreasonable irrational jealously starting up again. He had to remind himself that he was also glad Wesley was alive. Angel relaxed his expression but he couldn\u2019t stop his hand from reaching up and bringing Cordelia back beside him on the bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoa, a souled you killed a souled you and Wesley. That\u2019s just fucked up.\u201d Gunn returned to rubbing his head. \u201cHey, what about me and Fred?\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred nodded. “Why would a souled you kill you and Wesley?\u201d Fred asked. \u201cWere we killed too?\u201d She wrinkled her brow. \u201cI made a chart?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel groaned the questions would go on all night if he didn\u2019t try to put a stop to it.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom what I remember Cordelia, Fred and Gunn came to me at the Hyperion in the past, the \u2018beige\u2019 past. Told me about the time spells, Fred showed me a chart. Fred and Gunn remembered that Wesley had been sent back to stop Angel B from killing me. It didn\u2019t work. I seems Angel B wanted this future so\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia tugged on his sleeve. \u201cWhat went wrong with his?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel turned quickly, caressing her face. \u201cNobody knew for sure. There was some speculation. You didn\u2019t know because you never experienced it because it kept changing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s\u2026really weird,\u201d Cordelia sighed.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, it makes perfect sense.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHuh?\u201d Cordy turned to Wesley.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, well, the those time lines changed before they affected \u2018YOU\u2019\u201d he nodded.\u201d you wouldn\u2019t remember, therefore not ever experiencing the changes in the time line. Me, Fred and Gunn took the potion. We were able to remember enough to know that obviously some very detrimental changes occurred.\u201d Wesley explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuh, you and Angel died.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes that would be detrimental, but I was talking about the need to get Angel B in the first place.\u201d Wesley acknowledged dryly. \u201cFred and Gunn must have taken the potion and realized that time changed again hence the need to go back to Angel,\u201d Wesley cleared his throat,\u201dlittle a.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh huh,\u201d Cordelia grunted. She scrunched up her brows speculatively. \u201cHow come Angel remembers some stuff. He didn\u2019t take any potion and he was with me in Sunnydale so wouldn\u2019t he be effected like me?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley studied the vampire. \u201cAngel? Of course, it\u2019s Angel\u2019s past. We remember that a future Gunn and me came to warn us of Angelus. Angel remembers because in his new past- you, Gunn and Fred went to him just like he remembered about you in 1898.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy turned to the vampire. \u201cYou remember when me, Fred and Gunn came to you at the Hyperion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about when \u2018little a\u2019 came to Sunnydale.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember just as you do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia leaned back scrunching her nose. \u201cOh,\u201d she questioned. \u201cYou still slept with Darla after knowing that I loved you. I told you that I loved you even when you were \u2018beige\u2019, sure I didn\u2019t like you much, but I did tell you that I loved you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou DID cheat on Cordy,\u201d Fred\u2019s wide eyes narrowed into a glare at the vampire.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026Damn\u2019t, Dennis,\u201d Angel ducked as a pillow raced towards his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh shit,\u201d Gunn wondered why his hand ever left his bald head. He couldn\u2019t seem to stop rubbing it furiously. \u201cWe already heard this argument. A lot, loudly,\u201d he begged. \u201cI hate this time crap.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel? Did you sleep with Darla? Or was that or anything else changed because of your memory.\u201d Wesley asked more concerned with the possible effects on the future rather than the tension creeping into the room or the possibility of more flying bed linen. \u201cDo you know if you\u2019re soul is still bound?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel glanced suspiciously around the room at the empty air, then back at Wesley. \u201cYes and as for the rest you tell me. I only remember what I remember,\u201d Angel grabbed at Cordelia\u2019s hand holding it close. \u201cBeige, Darla, epiphany, soul permanent, shopping, prophecy, 1898\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia tugged on his sleeve again. \u201cWhat about loving me?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel stared at the young woman. \u201cThat\u2019s not something I could ever forget.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, good for that at least.\u201d Cordelia slumped on the bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy,\u201d Angel reached for her.<\/p>\n
She waved her hand. \u201cKnowing that I loved you wasn\u2019t enough to keep you from boinking Darla.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEww.\u201d Fred\u2019s hands went straight to her ears.<\/p>\n
\u201cGirl,\u201d Gunn resisted the urge to make any other comment.<\/p>\n
Angel caught the pillow as it took flight slamming it back to the bed. \u201cTell him to stop, please.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDennis.\u201d Cordelia sighed reluctantly. \u201cLet the dork explain.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you.\u201d Angel held Cordelia\u2019s hand. \u201cCordy, I remember coming back to the Hyperion, I remember going up to our bedroom and burning the bed coverings trying to get rid of your scent.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, when you came to get me in the past, you made yourself at home. In my dresser drawers, in my closet, and on my bed, you acted as if you belonged here. Your scent was embedded in everything as it is in the present. A wonderful and a needed thing now, but dangerous to both of us then, you weren\u2019t ready. You told me that. You weren\u2019t ready to know my love or my need. I had to wait. I had to forget.<\/p>\n
After the first night it wasn\u2019t that hard.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia cocked her head in question as the others quietly stepped back in respectful silence.<\/p>\n
\u201cI went to your apartment. I watched you. You were still so angry, so hurt. It became easy to believe that it couldn\u2019t be true. The reality became the dream. Rock bottom happened, I imagine the slam a bit more violent, but luckily for our future and us the same. I guess. I had my epiphany. My soul was bound, our friendship restored, and our love acknowledged. If that is a change then it\u2019s a good one or at least the outcome is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia raised her eyes, considering his words and expression. She gave a soft smile, her hand going lovingly to his strong face. \u201cIt was acknowledged wasn\u2019t it in all sorts of fun ways.\u201d She lightly teased.<\/p>\n
The respectful silence gave way to uncomfortable coughs and shifting of feet as the other occupants in the room looked to the couple then at each other.<\/p>\n
Wesley gave an embarrassed resigned sigh and urged the rest to the door.<\/p>\n
The others nodded, Fred\u2019s accompanied by a big wistful smile, Gunn\u2019s with a grunt.<\/p>\n
Wesley shot over his shoulder. \u201cYou too, Dennis.\u201d<\/p>\n
The door closed signaling the ghost\u2019s exit.<\/p>\n
Part 35<\/b><\/p>\n
Angel waited until all the footsteps disappeared downstairs. \u201cCordy?\u201d He asked, puzzled by her tentative expression.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou said talking could wait.\u201d She lifted her hand to his broad jaw.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026\u201d His words choked as her hand on his face was joined by soft kisses.<\/p>\n
She peered up at his hesitation. \u201cAngel, are you still mad at me?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel leaned back. The out of the blue and incomprehensible question caused any logical answer to flee from his already over taxed brain.<\/p>\n
He settled on an \u2018uh?\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cI kissed Angel \u2018little a\u2019. You weren\u2019t happy, in fact you got vamp jealous.\u201d<\/p>\n
Should he deny or acknowledge? Angel sighed. He and Cordelia had gone through too much to let any lie or misunderstanding stand between them. He moved leaning his body against the headboard of the bed, gently beckoning her to follow.<\/p>\n
He sighed again grateful that Cordelia had adjusted her body in between his lap, her back resting against his chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat particular fact is now coated in the surreal memory of having the dual experiencing of you kissing me and me seeing that it wasn\u2019t me that you were kissing. But, now I remember the why of it. My past self was at least smart enough to realize that leaving you doubting would get him killed. I can\u2019t be mad that I showed some sense or that you loved me, even beige.\u201d Angel urged softly into her hair. \u201cI just couldn\u2019t, at the time, stand to see another vampire, whoever, touch you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia rested her hands on his strong thighs and turned to face him. \u201cIt was you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was another vampire. Instinct and rationality aren\u2019t always the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia scrunched up her face. \u201cI asked you if I was wrong to get you to mark me. Is your answer the same?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s fingers graced the small marks. Images came to the surface as he stared at the marks. Memories of Angelus that had been vague dreams now rooted in reality as he recalled his most recent past Angelus\u2019 first encounter with Cordelia, then his second and then his third with the added bonus of Angelus 1’s appearance.<\/p>\n
Good God, why in the hell had Cordy been out fighting vampires alone. He cringed, knowing without hearing the reason. Damn visions. One way or another they would get Cordelia killed.<\/p>\n
“Angel?”<\/p>\n
Angel looked at the young woman who was waiting for an answer. This was not the time for scolding or a recounting of the fear and anger that those images invoked. He took a deep breath. \u201cYes. No. But. Cordy, I wish\u2026no\u2026I\u2026I never with a soul would\u2019ve discussed or chanced discussing \u2018marking\u2019 with you. I\u2019m not even sure I would\u2019ve ever considered it except as a hated dream. But, once it happened by Angelus, then yes, I\u2019m truly amazed and grateful that you trusted me enough to allow the marks to become mine in love and not just as an instinct of possession.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia glanced up and smiled. \u201cHave we talked enough,\u201d she whispered leaning into his lips.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have and you did insist,\u201d wrapping his fingers through the thick silk gracing her neck bringing their lips together.<\/p>\n
The kiss was not gentle, the hunger and need too great. Angel\u2019s hand combed up through Cordy\u2019s dark strands urging her lips for greater access.<\/p>\n
Cordelia complied eagerly as she shifted and scooted closer. She sighed deeply into the kiss, her hands gliding over the material of the shirt, reaching the under the labels of the leather coat pushing it away.<\/p>\n
Angel reluctantly removed his hands from the silk of the dark hair, shrugging his coat off as his body leaned in pushing Cordelia back on to the bed. Once the confining garment hit the floor, Angel\u2019s hands instinctively reached back for Cordelia.<\/p>\n
Angel stretched his body out alongside Cordy\u2019s, resting on an elbow as his other palm flattened wide on Cordelia\u2019s belly.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel?\u201d Cordelia asked at his stillness.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust want too look for a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n
The hazel eyes twinkled. \u201cDeciding if you still like what you see?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been awhile,\u201d Angel drummed his fingers on the tautness of Cordelia\u2019s stomach. \u201cWhat if?\u201d Angel\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cWhat if I\u2019ve been effected by some sort of time change or you have? What if I can\u2019t make you \u2018gooey\u2019 anymore.\u201d Angel opened his mouth wide. \u201cWhat if\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia reached up wrapping both of her arms around his neck and jerked. \u201cNothing\u2019s changed, dumb ass, you still are hopelessly NOT FUNNY, and I\u2019m definitely \u2018gooey\u2019.\u201d She manufactured an exaggerated scowled.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, if that\u2019s the case.\u201d Angel swooped in seizing her lips. His hands moved, his fingers teased at the hemline of Cordelia\u2019s cotton shirt, blunt well-shaped nails drew circular patterns along the delicate skin. Angel breathed in the scent of the woman he loved as it became thicker with each swirl of his tongue and pressure of his hands.<\/p>\n
A low rumbled vibrated within in his chest, the sensory awareness of his heightened five senses delighted a thousand fold at the rise of her chest, the gasping small breaths, and the tingling and twitching of the delicate flesh under his fingers. \u201cCordy,\u201d his voice heavy with emotion and desire. \u201cI can\u2019t wait.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia lifted her head, her soft laugh coated with her arousal. \u201cWho asked you to? I thought we established that I was the insistent one.\u201d She dragged her tongue over her bottom lip inviting more attention to its fullness.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s hands acted on pure instinct. Rips, snaps, and thuds sounded through the room as in a blur the barrier of clothes landed in a messy pile on the floor.<\/p>\n
Mirth took over Cordelia\u2019s desire drenching her soft laugher with happy giggles.<\/p>\n
Angel caged her naked body under his and raised his brow in question.<\/p>\n
\u201cPerfect example of the advantages and disadvantages of a love-lust-driven vampire,\u201d Cordelia tried to stifle her laugh.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, the quickness definite advantage,\u201d she waved at their naked bodies. \u201cThe need for a new wardrobe at the drop of lusty growl- a disadvantage. I\u2019m thinking you are going to need to go shopping again.\u201d Cordelia smirked, her hands palming over the wide pale strong chest, tracing the chiseled cool fleshed.<\/p>\n
Angel dipped in gracing her smirk with a kiss. \u201cShopping isn\u2019t so bad as long as the dressing room is large enough, you\u2019re there\u2026oh and a mirror.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s nails scratched up to his shoulders. \u201cA mirror?\u201d she cocked an amused brow.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like to see you from every angle. I always want to see you.\u201d Angel leaned back down, brushing his lips against her forehead trailing down to capture her lips again. Love, hope, sweetness, and warmth wrapped up in fire, lust, and sin. This woman was everything. Angel groaned attacking her lips with a hunger encompassing a century of desire and years of friendship, trust, and love.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s hands scooped down the indentation of her waist, expanding fingers wide as they covered the belly, his lips moving from Cordelia\u2019s giving her a chance to breath, tasting the salty sweet skin as he moved.<\/p>\n
Cordelia gulped several breaths. Breathing was becoming very difficult. Every time she tried, Angel would touch her kiss her and her body would tweak and forget that breathing was necessary for her survival.<\/p>\n
Her tongue worked double time giving moisture to her lips as the pleasure gasps sounded. Cordelia tensed as Angel found her nipple. She wanted to cry at the sensations created by his hands and lips. \u201cAngel,\u201d she moaned, the wetness pooling in the v of her legs.<\/p>\n
Angel looked up, gently releasing the taunt pink nipple.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou said you couldn\u2019t wait.\u201d Cordelia breathlessly whined rubbing her thighs and calves over his hips and down his legs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not.\u201d He smiled with a slight quirk. \u201cI\u2019m tasting and touching.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia pushed up focusing on Angel\u2019s teasing expression. \u201cScrew the tasting and touching. I need you now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, Cordy,\u201d Angel tiptoed his fingers over her body. \u201cI definitely remembered that you like me touching and tasting you.\u201d He leaned up. \u201cDid that change?\u201d He asked in put on concern.<\/p>\n
\u201cScrew you.\u201d Cordelia\u2019s brows complemented her glare.<\/p>\n
\u201cBetter yet, screw you,\u201d Angel chuckled, adjusting his hips over Cordelia\u2019s.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease.\u201d Cordelia gasped as the tip of his penis scraped against her heat. \u201cStop teasing, why are you teasing?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust wanted to make sure I still could,\u201d Angel plunged driving into her center. He winced as a loud purr vibrated in his chest. \u201cOh god, Cordy.\u201d He groaned sinking into her. Any pretense of teasing dissolved as the warmth and heat surrounded him. Cordelia\u2019s rapid beating heart, the mewing gasps of breath on his neck, the tight legs that wrapped around his hips driving him further into the velvety depths were too much, the pleasure as overwhelming as the love and acceptance that allowed it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you,\u201d Cordy mumbled kisses into his chest as her hips matched his irregular frantic thrust.<\/p>\n
Angel growled his response, strong hands cupping at Cordy’s ass bringing their joining tighter escalating the sweet friction between the bodies.<\/p>\n
Cordelia closed her eyes allowing the feelings to encompass her raising her closer to the edge as each movement of love proved that Angel knew every inch of her body.<\/p>\n
“Cordy,” Angel urged the hazel’s eyes open. Cordelia stared into the demon’s eyes. “Mine.\u201d His growl vibrated against her hot flesh.<\/p>\n
She smiled her acknowledgement and clutched harder at the broad shoulders as Angel buried his face into her neck reaffirming that her body and life were his wiping any and all memories vague and clear about Angelus. Cordelia gasped as the sharp fangs pierced her skin causing a twitch of pain dulled by the intensity of the pleasure.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s hips jerked as the sweet tangy blood flowed down his throat reaching his dead heart making it do a false dance. Thoughts of ownership drifted and changed to the truth. Without, with a soul, he had marked Cordelia Chase but it meant nothing not really. Angel didn\u2019t own her, she owned him with every sacrifice, with every soft touch, with her love. Angel needed her love more than he needed blood.<\/p>\n
Vampires couldn\u2019t starve, but he would cease to exist without her. The truth caused his balls to squeeze and spasms to shoot his dead life into her welcoming one.<\/p>\n
Cordelia gasped, colors and sparks flew as she rolled upwards to a sparkling plateau, choking and limping as the pleasure peaked bursting and cascading down into a trembling flow that melted her nerves and muscles.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Gunn and Fred sat around Wesley\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll I\u2019m saying is three days.\u201d Gunn insisted.<\/p>\n
Wesley shook his head. \u201cThey are perfectly aware that we have more questions.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd, I\u2019m saying that we\u2019ll be waiting three days for those answers. Last trip through a swirly portal kept them locked up in the bedroom for that long. What do you think, Fred?\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred blushed and squirmed a bit, shrugging. \u201cThey love each other a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery damn minute.\u201d Gunn scoffed.<\/p>\n
Part 36<\/p>\n
Cordelia kept her eyes closed, clutching the arms that embraced her. It was Angel, her Angel, holding her making her feel safe. She didn\u2019t have to be brave anymore.<\/p>\n
The strong body wrapped around her gave her the time to finally deal with the fact that she had been scared to death in Sunnydale without him. Cordelia hugged the arms closer. Just a while longer and the last remnants of the fear would fade and she could regain her strength.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel?\u201d Cordelia whispered as the body and the arms she needed moved leaving her bereft of her save haven.<\/p>\n
\u201cShush, go back to sleep,\u201d Angel called softly as he got up.<\/p>\n
Cordelia crawled to the foot of the bed, settling on her stomach. \u201cYou\u2019re getting dressed?\u201d The young woman kept the whine out of her voice. Maybe he was hungry and he\u2019d be right back to take her in his arms again.<\/p>\n
Angel pulled his sweater down and taking his shoes to the bed. He sat next to Cordelia, running his hand through her hair and down the smoothness of her back not wanting to leave but knowing that he had to.<\/p>\n
Angel had awoken with an intense need to make sure that Wolfram & Hart never gave Angelus another opportunity to threaten or touch Cordelia. Making love to Cordelia, marking her, holding her while she slept had done nothing to alleviate the threat of Wolfram & Hart and the past Angeluses.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve a promise to myself to keep.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPromise? What promise?\u201d Cordelia didn\u2019t like that sound of that. Some how, she doubted he promised himself that he would leave her to eat.<\/p>\n
\u201cStopping Wolfram & Hart.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia sat up studying the vampire. She definitely didn\u2019t like that or his tone. \u201cYou\u2019re sounding a lot like \u2018little a\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
“That’s who the promise was to.”<\/p>\n
“Figures,\u201d She shook her head. Angel was going to leave her to go after Wolfram & Hart. That was not right.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy,\u201d he reached out cupping her chin. \u201cWolfram & Hart need to realize once and for all that they can\u2019t keep going after you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don’t want you to go.\u201d Cordelia shook her head again.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, I have to.\u201d<\/p>\n
“No, you don’t.\u201d She insisted getting upset that he was about to deprive her of her save haven to go fight Wolfram & Hart.<\/p>\n
“Yes. I do.”<\/p>\n
\u201cLike you had to go after Darla, like you had to get revenge against Wolfram & Hart.\u201d She wrapped her arms around her knees.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not the same.\u201d Angel said purposely. \u201cYou understood that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd when did I become so enlightened.\u201d She narrowed her gaze.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia,\u201d Angel shook his head. He didn\u2019t want to argue with her. \u201cWhen you came to me in the past. You told me that Wolfram & Hart would be dealt with when we got home. Well, I\u2019m home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI told you this why?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy purpose of going to you in the past was for you to go to 1998. Revenge against Wolfram & Hart has NEVER been my priority. Family and the mission, Angel, so why would I talk about revenge.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel got off the bed. \u201cThey have to be stopped. You understood.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shook her head. \u201cIf you are going to use words that I never said as justification then use them right.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel turned. \u201cI\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Angel. You can\u2019t convince me that I became revenge girl. \u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, they can\u2019t keep\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI get that but you aren\u2019t going off on some sort of solo search and destroy on the law firm. We are a family. If you have to do this now, then we will go downstairs to that family and decide what we are going to do – together, Angel,\u201d resigning herself to the situation, she would have to be strong for a bit a longer.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The young woman got off the bed reaching for her jeans. \u201cTogether.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel grunted in frustration at Cordelia\u2019s unyielding tone. Arguing with her would be useless. Angel promised his past self that he would cause real damage to the law firm. It seemed he forgot Cordelia\u2019s inevitable reaction to his plans.<\/p>\n
Together she said. \u201cFine, let\u2019s go discuss this with the others.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia narrowed her gaze as she pulled her shirt down, suspicious at Angel\u2019s sudden acquiesce. \u201cThat was uncharacteristically quick.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel met her gaze unwaveringly, keeping his thoughts out of his expression. He would get what he wanted. She incorrectly assumed that the others would be against his desire to destroy the law firm.<\/p>\n
Cordelia had been in coma. She hadn\u2019t seen Wesley, Gunn, and even Fred\u2019s acceptance of his more violent questioning of the Wolfram & Hart lawyers. \u201cYou’re right.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s gaze followed the vampire out of the room. If she was right why was she beginning to think she was wrong.<\/p>\n