Part 37<\/b><\/p>\n
Gunn, Wesley, and Fred all looked at each other in surprise then at Angel.<\/p>\n
\u201cUm, Angel, is something wrong?\u201d Wesley got up. Regardless of what he said to Gunn, Wesley hadn\u2019t expected to see Angel and Cordelia for a while, certainly not only after a couple of hours.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d Cordelia said loudly as she scooted past Angel.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh that explains it.\u201d Gunn nodded in understanding.<\/p>\n
\u201cExplains what?\u201d Cordelia pushed the black man\u2019s feet out of an empty chair and took their place.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy you ain\u2019t still locked up there- you two have decided to share your argument.\u201d Gunn grunted.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe aren\u2019t arguing.\u201d Cordelia said. \u201cAngel was just about to go on a crash destructor course with Wolfram & Hart. I suggested that we all talk about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel stood at the doorway with his arms crossed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s to talk about,\u201d Gunn huffed. \u201cI\u2019m all for kicking some lawyer\u2019s assess. What\u2019s the plan? How do we cause the damage?\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred wrinkled her brow. \u201cKilling the spell caster wasn\u2019t enough the last time and putting Lilah in the hospital didn\u2019t seem to discourage her. Killing her would be a discouragement. But, then again, we don\u2019t know where she is.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe vamp will just have to bang up some more lawyers, they\u2019re some left- we\u2019ll find the evil bitch.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s eyes widened going quickly back and forth from Gunn and Fred. Gunn, okay, maybe. But sweet Fred was sitting their seriously talking about killing Lilah, a human, well sort of but she did count as one. Cordelia\u2019s gaze went to Wesley. Why hadn\u2019t he said anything?<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley, don\u2019t just sit there like a British bump on a log. They\u2019re talking about killing Wolfram & Hart lawyers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, we are talking about preventing Wolfram & Hart from continuing to place you in peril. I agree wholeheartedly that their attempts to fulfill the prophecy must be stopped.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBy killing lawyers?\u201d Cordelia retorted.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf that is what it takes, Cordelia,\u201d Wesley answered calmly.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, what screwy time change happened now?\u201d She looked around at her friends.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has been no change.\u201d Wesley assured.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, right, because we\u2019ve always condone Angel letting lawyers die in his pursuit of his ego-centric vengeance.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCondoning vengeance? No, Cordelia. The situation we are talking about is entirely different than what happened before. This is not a matter of revenge but one of priorities.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPriorities- our priority is the mission not\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur priority,\u201d Wesley interrupted. \u201cIs you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not\u2026\u201d Cordelia looked again around the room every occupant had the same determined expression as Wesley, except for Angel. The vampire\u2019s appearance remained impassive his dark eye\u2019s unreadable.<\/p>\n
She shot up from her chair going straight for Angel. \u201cI won\u2019t let you put me before the mission.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia,\u201d Wesley stood, knowing that Angel\u2019s response would not be one that the young woman would like or accept. \u201cYou are the priority because Wolfram & Hart have made you one. If the prophecy succeeds not only would you be lost to us but also Angel would be damned. Where would the mission be then? No seer, no warrior.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy turned and stared at her friend.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, there is a bigger picture out there. This is not just about you. Angel isn\u2019t being the egocentric one here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWha\u2026\u201d Cordelia gapped at Wesley.<\/p>\n
Angel moved from the wall. He had wanted the others to tell Cordelia make her understand that Wolfram & Hart had to be dealt with but Wesley had gone too far. \u201cWesley, that\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHad to be said,\u201d Wesley commented, maintaining his calm composure. He knew as well as everyone in the room that to Angel it was all about Cordelia. The young woman would fight against any plan to attack Wolfram & Hart based on that reason. Cordy had to be given a scenario that she would understand and his rendition would be acceptable because it was also true.<\/p>\n
Cordelia fidgeted, chewing on her lip, her brow screwed up in thought. She slowly nodded. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d she whispered to Angel.<\/p>\n
All impassivity left the vampire\u2019s face. \u201cCordy, you don\u2019t have anything to apologize for.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t thinking about the prophecy. I just jumped down your throat.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy,\u201d Angel started.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, Cordy, possibly we should start on discussing our plans. I do believe that what we will need is something with more thought rather than you,\u201d Wesley held Angel\u2019s glare firmly,\u201d threatening more lawyers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI..\u201d Cordelia sighed. \u201cI\u2019m\u2026\u201d she haphazardly jerked her hand in the air. \u201dGoing up stairs for a little bit, I think\u2026.all this,\u201d she kept moving her hand, “soul hopping, time traveling thing has made me more tired than I thought.\u201d<\/p>\n
Part 38<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cWesley, there was no need\u2026\u201d Angel turned on the man once Cordelia left the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, Cordelia needed to accept any future focus on the law firm. Isn\u2019t that why you agreed to \u2018discuss\u2019 a course of action that you had already decided on?\u201d Wesley shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou wanted to avoid an argument with her and used us to do it. However, I will not be irritated because I do agree that we have to take preventive measures and that will be accomplished with more ease if Cordelia\u2019s not dwelling on the misguided belief that she is responsible for any harm that will come to the members of Wolfram and Hart that ARE the responsible parties.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEgocentric, Wesley, that was wrong and it hurt her. I didn\u2019t want that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am sorry about that, but it was necessary. Cordelia will now be behind any plan against Wolfram & Hart. You and the mission are her first priorities. The reminder of the prophecy and its danger to you and the mission will assure it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel shook his head turning to leave.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d Wesley called.<\/p>\n
The vampire paused.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy was right. Revenge, while understandably tempting, isn\u2019t what needs to happen. We do need to discuss this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot now.\u201d He shot over his shoulder as he left.<\/p>\n
Gunn walked to the door. \u201cThat\u2019s a quick change. Five minutes ago, I could\u2019ve sworn that the vamp was biting at the bit for a full frontal assault, now he\u2019s heading back upstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred pursed her lips. \u201cThat\u2019s because Wesley hurt Cordy’s feelings.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley sighed at the young woman\u2019s disapproving tone. \u201cIt had to be done.\u201d There were times that being the boss was extremely discouraging.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia stared at the patterns of the comforter silently berating herself. She hadn\u2019t been thinking about the prophecy, just about her own needs but Angel and the others were right. Wolfram & Hart had to be dealt with before the law firm tried a time spell again.<\/p>\n
They had been lucky so far, but they couldn\u2019t take the chance that the next time Angel would be damned. She would be okay. Preventing the prophecy was more important than her self-indulgence in Angel\u2019s arms. But, god, she was so tired of hiding behind manufactured bravery.<\/p>\n
All Cordelia wanted was to hide away with Angel. She shook her head. No. What she really wanted was for the prophecy to cease to be a threat to Angel and her family. Cordelia would deal with her residual fear later.<\/p>\n
Angel leaned up against the door watching as Cordelia sat crossed legged on the bed plucking at sheets a forlorn expression on her lovely face.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, don\u2019t.\u201d He moved to the bed kneeling at her feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t what, Angel,\u201d she looked up. \u201cDon\u2019t feel stupid for railing on you for being right, for assuming you were going beige, for forgetting about the prophecy, for being EGOCENTRIC,\u201d she rolled her eyes in self-disdain.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, don\u2019t do this.\u201d Angel couldn\u2019t let her feel guilty. What had he thought earlier about not letting any lies or misunderstanding stand as obstacles? \u201cYou weren\u2019t wrong to question my motives.\u201d Angel lifted his hand to her face. \u201cYou are MY priority, the prophecy only important in that it puts you in danger, the mission is important but not as important as you.\u201d He said sincerely.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, you don\u2019t want to hear it so I don\u2019t say it. But it is true and as much as you want to deny it, you know that every time I say I love you or,\u201d his fingers brushed at the scars on her neck, \u201c mark you that\u2019s what I\u2019m saying- that whatever the danger to you I will do anything to destroy it regardless of the cost. You don\u2019t want that and I don\u2019t want you to feel responsible for my feelings, instinct, or actions. Cordelia, you AREN\u2019T. I am a vampire with the same instincts as every vampire we kill. I just have a soul. The soul gives me a conscious and is the reason I don\u2019t act on those instincts.<\/p>\n
But there are some that are so ingrained that to struggle against them would be almost impossible, blood drinking for one and protecting you another and honestly, I don’t want to struggle against my need to protect you. But, for you, I won’t act blindly on that need just like I won\u2019t feed on human. You’re right, you didn’t become revenge girl,” he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “But, you did know that this particular plot of Wolfram & Hart had to stop.”<\/p>\n
Cordelia brought her knees up to her chest, slowly getting angry, as she comprehended Angel\u2019s words. He hadn\u2019t left her to prevent the law firm from trying to use the prophecy but to satisfy his need to be all vamp protective, willing to leave her alone and scared, to do it.<\/p>\n
“The blood analogy really fills that lack of warm and fuzzies I seem to be having right now. Any reason that you didn\u2019t just come right out with that \u2018sweet\u2019 spanky hallmark sentiment before.”<\/p>\n
“I didn’t want to argue with you.\u201d Angel responded cautiously. Warning bells were ringing in his head. He didn\u2019t understand her tone and that was not a good thing. Angel gulped a little and continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew that the others would agree that going after Wolfram & Hart was the right thing. I didn’t know however that Wesley would take it so far,” he scowled. “Egocentric isn’t you. He knows it. He shouldn’t have said it.”<\/p>\n
Cordelia peered up at the vampire, her tone cold. “I don’t believe you. You set them up to avoid dealing with it yourself and now you’re mad because it didn’t go according to some asinine script you had in mind.”<\/p>\n
“Are we going to argue?” Angel slightly cringed as he asked hesitantly.<\/p>\n
“I should rip you a new asshole for this duck and avoid AND for making me get dressed for your over anxious need to go out and appease your inner demon. Hmmph, glad to know that particular instinct is greater than any so-called instinct to ravish and plunder. You do realize don’t you, that I expected to be in this bed WITH you and that particular ‘instinct’ for a bit longer. But nooooo, you had to get not only vamp protective but sneaky. Like any plan against Wolfram & Hart couldn\u2019t have waited for a couple of days. Yeah, I’m pissed.”<\/p>\n
Angel raised his brows. “Um. So. Cordy, is there anyway that I could, I don’t know, make you not pissed.”<\/p>\n
\u201cThis isn\u2019t a come on, so put it back in your pants.\u201d Cordelia narrowed her eyes at Angel\u2019s attempt to lighten the mood. \u201cYou know what you can do, you can get the time spell and go back a couple of hours and get a freakin clue. Did it ever occur to you that for the last two days that I\u2019ve been\u2026\u201d Cordelia took a deep breath attempt to keep her voice from trembling.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlone and SCARED to death. Can you even COMPREHEND what it was like sitting in that stupid library, not knowing how I got there, not being able to ask Giles or Buffy for help, but still maintaining hope because if it was another evil lawyer\u2019s scheme I had at least you\u2026\u201d she waved her hand in the air in frustration.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean the Sunnydale version of you to go to if Angelus did show up before you and Wesley figured it out. That version even if he was madly in love with Buffy would\u2019ve had to believe me, would\u2019ve had to have helped me because of the these damn things.\u201d Cordelia slapped her neck<\/p>\n
\u201che couldn\u2019t go hide in the shadows with his mark on me. But no, I had to hear from a whiny teary Buffy moaning that she couldn\u2019t kill her evil ass boyfriend. Do you have any idea how scared I was? And guess what, Angelus 1 showed up. I was ALONE and SCARED with TWO Angelus. But you can\u2019t think about that because all you can think or feel is your own fear, your own anger, your need to protect, your fuckin\u2019 INSTINCTS.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel resisted the urge to protest or move to the young woman. The vampire didn\u2019t need a clue to know that he would have to wait or get slapped in real anger. God, what had happened? He forced his feet and mouth to stay immobile but it was killing him underneath the anger, he saw the tears struggling against the young woman\u2019s will.<\/p>\n
Cordelia blinked and looked away, closing her eyes. \u201cWhen I say I love you, when I let you mark me- I\u2019m not only saying that I love you but that I NEED you to feel safe that you MAKE me feel safe. But you can\u2019t be bothered. Oh wait, that\u2019s not fair, you don\u2019t even see it because it\u2019s not a need generated by \u2018Oooh vamp instincts\u2019. Maybe you should turn me, then you wouldn\u2019t even have to pretend to understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel was now truly frightened. Whatever clue he thought he had wasn\u2019t even close to what was happening in front of him. Cordelia was right; he needed to go back and change that last hour. This wasn\u2019t the ranting and raving of a pissed Cordelia. It was a seriously hurt young woman. Angel was at a loss and he hated himself for it.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy?\u201d Angel tried, the guilt apparent on his handsome face.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh get over the flip switch to the guilt mode. I\u2019ll be fine.\u201d Cordelia stood straighter the tears gone. \u201cGo plan your \u2018strategy\u2019 against Wolfram & Hart. I don\u2019t need you.\u201d She turned away.<\/p>\n
Angel stared at the rigid back. Now he was getting angry. Cordelia was shutting him out. That was unacceptable she was his. Angel closed his eyes. That had to stop.<\/p>\n
Angel took a tentative step closer, slowly approaching the young woman, reaching out.<\/p>\n
Cordelia flinched and jerk away at the touch. \u201cDon\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel choked on his growl and jabbed his fists in his pockets. \u201cPlease turn around and look at me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy so you can apologize -do you even know what you would be apologizing for?\u201d Her stance remained fixed. \u201cOr would it just be your standard knee jerk brood mode kicking in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel took a deep breath. \u201cI can\u2019t apologize for my need to protect you, but I can apologize for not understanding, for not thinking beyond myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia slowly turned around. \u201cIs this where I\u2019m supposed to run into your arms and tell you that it\u2019s okay, everything will be alright? Where I boost the emotionally deficient vampire with a soul up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel flinched as if he had been hit, his anger creeping out against his will. \u201cIf I\u2019m so limited why are you here in my bed. Sex? Is that is what it\u2019s about. Fine, let\u2019s have sex. I think I could get you to scream in pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOoh, shades of Angelus coming out. Hit where the victim is vulnerable, pick a weakness and go for the kill. Was that good for you? I found it especially enlightening. Hey, maybe I\u2019m having my own epiphany.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGod Damn\u2019t Cordelia, stop this. This is getting out of control.\u201d Angel swung her around to face him, his anger fleeing at the sound of her coldness.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen maybe you should just figure out how to fix it. After all, isn\u2019t that what you \u2018have to do for me\u2019 fix it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d Angel\u2019s eyes closed. \u201cYes.\u201d He pulled the young woman into his arms, holding tight. He wasn\u2019t sure why Cordelia wasn\u2019t struggling. He didn\u2019t know if that was a good thing or not. But he couldn\u2019t let her move any further from him. He had to fix this.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy,\u201d Angel said softly into the hair that coated her neck. \u201cI. Love. You. You have given so much to me over the years. Your blunt honesty, your limitless friendship, your trust, your heart, your love\u2026and with your love you went even further and gave me your body and your blood. Cordy, you gave me you, all of you. I have to protect you. You are too precious to ever lose. But in the wonder of what you have given me and in how much I need you,<\/p>\n
I never believed, understood, that you would need me except for the obvious physical protection. I accepted that you loved me for some lucky reason but NOT need. Cordy, I\u2019m stronger physically, but you are stronger in every other area. You know yourself, you trust yourself, you believe in yourself. I do apologize because I do know you and I do know you feel greatly. I just\u2026\u201d Angel rubbed his lips along the unmarked skin of her neck.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are always so strong even with Angelus. My greatest fear for you, you kept at bay every time. You beat Angelus. I\u2019m sorry, because while I was amazed when I was Angelus that you snapped retorts and escaped each time, I did know you were scared. I just didn\u2019t realize how much because the courage and strength were always so effective.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo this is my fault because I don\u2019t whimper and whine enough.\u201d She said softly peering up at him.<\/p>\n
Angel studied the young woman in his arms. The tension had relaxed in her muscles. \u201cIf I say yes will you hit me?\u201d Angel tested the waters, hoping that their love was stronger than the stressed demeanor of the both of them.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d she held his eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen I won\u2019t. I\u2019ll just say that I\u2019ve been relying too much on your strengths. It\u2019s time that I got my own, not just saying it, or nodding it, or grunting it but saying it and accepting them. You DO need me. And if my choice is holding you until you feel safe or protecting you, I will hold you\u2026Well, unless the threat is immediate and then the holding will have to be later.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia narrowed her eyes. \u201cWho gets to judge if it\u2019s \u2018immediate\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel took a deep breath. \u201cWesley?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia pursed her lips and scrunched her brow. \u201cYou do learn. Okay, go ask Wesley if the Wolfram & Hart threat is \u2018immediate\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel gulped. \u201cYou will let me hold you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe, if Wesley says it\u2019s okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d Angel blinked. \u201cOh, be right back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia slumped on the bed as the vampire darted out of the room. She probably had over reacted. But, she had been scared and Angel had just been willing to leave her. Sure, he would\u2019ve come back if he wasn\u2019t killed. Cordelia rubbed her palms in her eyes.<\/p>\n
Had she been unfair? She didn\u2019t know anymore. Cordelia had just wanted Angel to stay with her, make her forget her fear and make her stronger. She hadn\u2019t wanted to be the reason for a full assault on Wolfram & Hart. It would be useless and have a painful outcome. Or had she been wrong? Had she been-was she egocentric? She knew she used to be.<\/p>\n
Oh god. Cordelia didn\u2019t know anymore and she was still scared.<\/p>\n
Part 39<\/b><\/p>\n
The occupants of the room jumped as Angel rushed in. \u201cWes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley cleared his throat and stood. \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs the threat of Wolfram & Hart immediate.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, yes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIMMEDIATE or just,\u201d Angel fidgeted and shrugged his shoulders. \u201cImmediate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley puzzled at the distinction. \u201cThe threat is real. They will continue their objective until we disabuse them of it efficacy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel nodded. \u201cAnd that has to be done now?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley had no idea if the vampire wanted a yes or no. From prior experience he would say that Angel wanted a yes. Hell. It was Wesley\u2019s prior experience that made him amazed that Angel even asked and not just acted.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are discussing some options. It would be helpful of course if we all contributed.\u201d Wesley answered the best way he knew how.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, so you don\u2019t have a plan.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh, no.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you\u2019re okay with not having a plan \u2018right now\u2019. Or do you think I should go to Wolfram & Hart now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I don\u2019t think that would be wise\u2026Angel, what is this about.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel waved away Wesley\u2019s question. \u201cSo you do think it would be wise if we waited until you had a plan to act even though the threat is immediate.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that may be difficult for you but yes.\u201d Wesley tried to gauge the vampire\u2019s reaction and was totally out of the ballpark in Angel\u2019s response.<\/p>\n
Angel nodded. \u201cOkay, just come and get me when you get a plan. Knock.\u201d Angel ran out of the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, did anyone understand that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn shook his head as he rubbed it.<\/p>\n
Fred shrugged.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel calmed his racing feet, walking to the closed door. Please. He opened it.<\/p>\n
He wanted to run back down the stairs at the sight. Killing lawyers was so much easier to understand. \u201cCordy?\u201d he went to the slumped woman on the bed.<\/p>\n
He had the impossible urge to faint in relief when she raised her eyes with a slight smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, I thought we covered that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026was unfair.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel figured a quick no was safer than trying to figure what the hell the young woman was talking about. Okay, he would figure it but not until she was in his arms.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy,\u201d he added. \u201cWesley hasn\u2019t figured out a plan yet, it\u2019s immediate but NOT IMMEDIATE.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia cocked her head. \u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel moved to the bed.<\/p>\n
Cordelia shifted a little. \u201cAngel, I don\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust let me hold you, that\u2019s all, please. You tell me when you feel safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
She scrunched up her brows again. \u201cUntil Wesley ups the immediate to IMMEDIATE.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s his call.\u201d Angel shrugged.<\/p>\n
Cordelia let out a gentle laugh. \u201cOkay, hold me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel reached for the young woman urging her to the bed curling his body around hers clutching her tightly. \u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe quickness was nice and the arms are nice.\u201d Cordelia breathed in scrunching her body closer to his nuzzling into the arm that cuddled around her.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia squirmed as she woke. She had no idea how long she slept but it felt like a lifetime, but no matter how long she felt safe. Silly. Cordelia had no idea why she thought she wouldn\u2019t. Right, because the strong arms had left her before she was ready to roll all of her fear into the strength that Angel so much admired.<\/p>\n
Still, she had been unfair. She had expected Angel to read her mind and needs. Cordelia should have just told him that she wasn\u2019t ready for him to leave her.<\/p>\n
Cordelia rolled on top of the sleeping vampire. \u201cAngel,\u201d she whispered nudging at the solid form. Great. The dead really do sleep dead. She was about to get up, when a strong hand refused to let her move.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you are about to bounce on the bed or claim charity for morning dumb birds, I will kill you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia scrunched her brows. \u201cHmmph.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn\u2019t Cordelia, you have to pretend to believe at least some of my threats some of the time.\u201d He groaned. \u201cI\u2019ll start wearing pastels.\u201d He tried again.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, you don\u2019t even know what pastels are.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI do too.\u201d He grumbled.<\/p>\n
Cordelia leaned up stretching her body along his. \u201cAngel, I\u2019m not that strong.\u201d She said quietly. \u201cAnd sometimes I get so tired of pretending. But, here with you, I don’t have to. I should’ve told you. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel opened his eyes at her suddenly serious tone. \u201cYou are strong, stronger than you realize,\u201d he emphasized,\u201d but when you doubt I won\u2019t leave you alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou promise.\u201d She licked her lips.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh god, Cordy, you safe, feeling safe is really what I want. IT is as simple as that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou make me feel safe.\u201d She whispered.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou settle for too little, but I’ll deal, because I will keep you safe.\u201d Angel pushed back the dark strain of hair that caressed her cheek.<\/p>\n
\u201cLove me,\u201d Cordelia asked softly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith great pleasure.\u201d He brought her lips to him.<\/p>\n