Chapter Fifty-seven<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think this is a good idea,\u201d Wesley looked around. The huge hotel would be next to impossible to defend against an obsessed, psychotic vampire with free reign to come and go.<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley, we went over this all ready.\u201d Cordelia blasted. \u201cWe\u2019re staying.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just\u2026. this could get unpleasant,\u201d he understated. Wesley knew that the idea of Angelus and facing the evil vampire with the face of his good friend unnerved him. He could only imagine what it did to Cordelia.<\/p>\n
And Angelus knew everything that Angel did about the young woman, her fears and insecurities. And what he didn\u2019t know, he had the eerie ability to guess at. Angelus may not be able to kill Cordelia, but he could destroy her.<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley,\u201d Cordelia softened her tone at her friend\u2019s worries. \u201cI\u2019ll be fine. Angel is in there. I\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope so,\u201d he sighed.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia curled up on Angel\u2019s bed, gathering the ends of his shirt that she had put on around her. She wished that this were all over with. Cordelia burrowed herself down into the mattress, trying to recapture the feelings of contentment and security that she had found there before she went running out of the hotel.<\/p>\n
God, she thought, that was ages ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia?\u201d John stood at the bedroom doorway.<\/p>\n
Cordelia took a deep sigh and beckoned the Indian closer. \u201cYour father, I tried to get to him, really I did. But the demon zapped me to who knows where before I could reach him. I am really sorry.\u201d Cordelia stared sorrowfully at the Indian.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know.\u201d And John did know. Cordelia\u2019s eyes hid nothing. Her sadness, her guilt was apparent in those lovely eyes. He smiled softly, giving her the forgiveness that she didn\u2019t need, but asked for anyway.<\/p>\n
Cordelia gratefully gave a small smile in return. She turned back into her pillow.<\/p>\n
John remained in the doorway. \u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia lifted her head and raised a questioning eyebrow. \u201cHow, did he die?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, that does not matter. My father died trying to protect his people; that is all I need to know. No, my question is how can you stand it. I saw, I felt the wall of souls.\u201d John shook his head in sadness and amazement at the memory. \u201cYou\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia turned away. Her empathy and need to help those souls wasn\u2019t something she wanted to explain. Or even something, she could explain. It just was.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia?\u201d John asked again. He didn\u2019t want to upset the young woman, but he had to understand what he saw. It was too amazing to disregard.<\/p>\n
\u201cJeez,\u201d she huffed. Why wouldn\u2019t he leave her alone? Cordelia wanted to be alone, she wanted Angel. \u201cIt\u2019s not important, okay. I\u2019m a seer, Angel\u2019s seer. He helps the helpless and I help him that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s more than that. I heard and felt the suffering of those souls. It was unbearable. I wanted to run, but your spirit guides were there protecting, comforting those lost souls. How?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHigh tolerance,\u201d she quipped.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI help them, too. Okay?\u201d she sighed in resignation. John obviously wasn\u2019t going to leave anytime soon.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou truly are a healer. The necklace does belong to you.\u201d He said stunned. The young woman, a girl really, had the capacity to comfort and help all lost souls in the world, not just the Hopi.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I don\u2019t think it does.\u201d Cordelia scooted up on the bed. \u201cI\u2019ve had some time to think, not much mind you with all the kidnapping, stabbing, biting and all, but I have given all of this some thought. Tell me, if your father had received the necklace, Bathym would still be a threat, right? I mean, the big ugly couldn\u2019t kill him, but he could still be a danger to the rest of the Hopi, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
John nodded, puzzled at Cordelia\u2019s twitch in mood.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, thought so. I\u2019ve gotten pretty good at deciphering the vague mystic ramblings of the PTB,\u201d she grumbled. \u201cThis way, I get the necklace and Angel gets sucked into to fighting Bathym.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe PTB?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Powers to Be, in the extremely ridiculous guise of two golden sheet wearing blue tattooed egotistical brother and sister twin set. They borrowed the Wise One\u2019s spirit plane, didn\u2019t even have power animals, said they didn\u2019t need them, they were the Powers.\u201d Her fingers raised making quotation marks in the air.<\/p>\n
\u201cConceited, towel wearers, Ooh, they makes me so mad.. Everything is for the higher good. My mind numbing vision flashes, Angel\u2019s eternal guilt. They don\u2019t give a rat\u2019s ass about him. Their warrior, ummph, they could have given him his soul for good, anytime, but no\u2026it was too much of a bother\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia,\u201d John interrupted Cordelia\u2019s irate ramblings. \u201cAre you saying that these Higher Power\u2019s gave you the necklace.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMore like threw.\u201d She griped. \u201cWhy they couldn\u2019t just give me a flash pain o gram of the big tailed ugly, I don\u2019t know. We would have found and killed him. Angel is great at the warrior stuff; he always wins, well almost always. Really they didn\u2019t need to get all-clever. Now, Angelus is out, probably doing horrible stuff that will just make Angel even more broody. ‘<\/p>\n
Ooh, he was so close. He was playing drinking games, burping, getting drunk, acting like a moronic teenager, it was great, he laughed,\u201d she punched the pillow. \u201cThen this happened,\u201d she yanked at the necklace.<\/p>\n
\u201cNext thing you know, he gets all pigheaded and \u2018grry\u2019, and now he will just be all the more broody,\u201d she cried in disgust. \u201cStupid, Stupid PTB.\u201d She glared at the Professor. \u201cOh, just leave me alone, I need to rest.\u201d Cordelia pounded the pillow again, throwing herself against the bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia.\u201d John was still trying to process through the young woman\u2019s incensed ranting. \u201cAngel can be saved.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, he can, now leave me alone,\u201d she mumbled into the pillow.<\/p>\n
Chapter Fifty-eight<\/b><\/p>\n
Angelus glared at the opened doorway of the Professor\u2019s house. Cordelia wasn\u2019t there. Had he given Wes less too much credit for having some brains? He growled and headed towards his stolen car.<\/p>\n
Back to the hotel. It had been far too long since he tasted the intoxication of Cordelia.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia knew that she could save Angel. She knew that deep in heart, even if she didn\u2019t receive the big \u2018that away\u2019 sign from the Powers. Screw the Powers, she grumbled.<\/p>\n
She had a plan and it would work. Cordelia got up from the bed and pulled Angel\u2019s shirt tighter around her body. Firm in her determination she headed for the roof.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angelus stared at the hotel. Cordelia was in there. Her unique and delicious scent filtered through the air. All of his senses were going crazy. He resisted the urge to rush in and claim what was his.<\/p>\n
She wasn\u2019t alone. Wesley, Gunn and the doctor were also there. Angelus growled at the inclusion of the Indian. He didn\u2019t belong there. It was a trap, Angelus realized.<\/p>\n
No matter, he grinned wickedly. Angelus knew the hotel better than anyone did. He bypassed the sewers and the hidden entrance to the basement. That was the most obvious choice. Angelus scaled up the side of building.<\/p>\n
His human family never seemed to remember that he was a vampire, and what that enabled him to do. Angelus slid over the side of the roof. Now, all he had to do was descend through the elevator shaft.<\/p>\n
He stopped. Angelus senses reacted in overload. Cordelia was there. He turned to the edge of the building. He peered through the darkness. Angelus stared at the huddled form leaning over the wall of the roof. He melded into the night watching and waiting.<\/p>\n
The fates were really smiling, he thought to himself. Cordelia\u2019s supple form was shaking as tears fell down her cheeks, oblivious to the vampire\u2019s presence. He couldn\u2019t wait any longer. In one smooth, stealthy move Angelus was behind her. Angelus reached out and grabbed at her shoulders. \u201cGotcha, now you\u2019re mine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia swung around at his touch, shooting a tranquilizer dart into his stomach. \u201cAngelus always did seem to underestimate me.\u201d She clutched at the vampire\u2019s form as the drug took effect.<\/p>\n
Cordelia fell to the ground, Angelus weight dragging her down. With one hand she cradled the vampire to her chest as she pulled out her cell phone. \u201cHurry,\u201d she yelled into the receiver. Cordelia threw the phone down and hugged Angelus to her. \u201cI love you, Angel,\u201d she whispered into his chest.<\/p>\n
Oh god, she really did love the vampire. She didn\u2019t know when she had fallen in love with Angel. She just knew he was the most important person in her life. Cordelia had thought that was because of their mission, her visions, her duty, their friendship, but it was more than that.<\/p>\n
At some point the stubborn; broody, sexy vampire had become everything to her. Cordelia knew that there was a time that Angel wasn\u2019t her life, she just couldn\u2019t remember when. Cordelia held the vampire closer, real tears falling onto his shirt.<\/p>\n
Wesley and Gunn burst onto the roof. Wesley stared at the unconscious vampire and the young woman that clung desperately to his still form. He hoped this worked. Dr. Red Bear was right; Angel and Cordelia shared a deep and unbreakable bond.<\/p>\n
If this didn\u2019t work, Angelus would be free for an eternity or dust. And Wesley knew if that came to pass, then Cordelia would be irreparably harmed. This had to work.<\/p>\n
Chapter Fifty-nine<\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia crouched on the edge of the bed. Her red eyes never leaving Angelus\u2019 face. \u201cLeave,\u201d she called.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, I don\u2019t know.\u201d Wesley didn\u2019t want to leave the young woman alone with Angelus. He would wake up soon and even chained to the bed, the vampire was dangerous.<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley, he can\u2019t possibly move or get loose. These chains have held Angelus before. I\u2019ll be fine,\u201d Cordelia assured. What she had to do was just between her and the vampire. Angel wouldn\u2019t want Wesley and Gunn to see Angelus\u2019 very probable nasty reaction to the healing.<\/p>\n
Angel was going to be broody enough already about his stint as Angelus. She didn\u2019t want to add any more to it by allowing Wesley and Gunn to be targets for Angelus\u2019 particular verbal venom.<\/p>\n
Wesley stalled, the indecision apparent in his expression. Finally, with a slow nod he left the room, beckoning the other\u2019s to follow.<\/p>\n
Cordelia didn\u2019t acknowledge the door closing; her attention was focused on Angelus. She leaned forward caressing Angelus\u2019 face. Such a beautiful face, yet so deceptive. Cordelia gently brushed her lips against the vampire\u2019s appealing one\u2019s. \u201cAngel,\u201d she murmured.<\/p>\n
Angelus\u2019 eyes snapped open. \u201cSorry, this isn\u2019t a fairytale. No sleeping beauty here or prince turning toad. But, if you want to try again feel free,\u201d he leered, pushing against the tight chains.<\/p>\n
Cordelia jerked up, her eyes locked on to Angelus\u2019 mocking ones. She settled back onto her knees and said nothing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did you expect, this isn\u2019t like last time, darlin\u2019 this time it\u2019s for real as for in always. I\u2019m\u2026back,\u201d he smiled wickedly.<\/p>\n
Cordelia hadn\u2019t expected anything, though it would have been nice if it had been so easy. One kiss; and poof Angel\u2019s back. Cordelia shook her head at the vampire.<\/p>\n
Angelus laughed at the lovely brunette\u2019s denial. \u201cYes, get use to it. I\u2019ll be around for a long, long time. And you will be mine, completely, totally and loving every minute of it. Come, darlin, why do you want the soulless wuss back? He never appreciated you or wanted you. You were nothing but his seer, he used you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. Angel is my friend, my best friend,\u201d She argued. A warning bell went off in her head. Cordelia shouldn\u2019t waste time listening to Angelus\u2019s sadistic mind games. She knew that Angel cared about her. She should just do what she had to.<\/p>\n
But even as sure as she was that Angel cared, Angelus\u2019 words triggered a deeply buried insecurity. What if Angel didn\u2019t really care for her, the way she believed he did. Cordelia had been wrong before; her parents, Xander had said they cared and she believed-wrong.<\/p>\n
And Angel never did actually say he cared. Sure, he was there for her, but he was there for everyone. And sometimes, he was especially nice, but that was usually after Cordelia was almost killed or something equally as bad.<\/p>\n
When had Angel just on a normal non-vision non-killing day said, hey, Cordelia thanks, I appreciate you.<\/p>\n
\u201cFriends,\u201d Angelus scoffed. \u201cAngel was never your friend. He thought you were nothing but a pain in the ass. The best days in his life were when he fired you. The wuss almost showed some promise, then. But, no, then he wimped out- disgusting. Sorry, digressed- back to you. Angel never thought of you as anything more than an annoying, loud mouth spoiled little girl that he had to put up with for the sake of the Powers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not true.\u201d Oh, god, she thought, she did complain a lot. Yeah, Angel got annoyed sometimes, but\u2026Cordelia stopped her panic thoughts. She glared at the vampire. He was trying to make her doubt herself and Angel. Cordelia knew that Angel cared about her, she would just have to keep remembering that and ignore Angelus\u2019 words.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome now, my dark beauty, I always tell the truth. Just because it hurts your itty-bitty little feelings to hear it doesn\u2019t make it a lie. He never cared about you, not really. All, he cared about was using you to reach his Shansu, so he could go running back to the blonde slayette chick.<\/p>\n
Buffy is whom he cares about, who he loves whom he dreams of when he goes to sleep. It\u2019s her tight little body that he caresses during those fantasy-filled hours. Doing all the things that you wish he would do to you- to her. It\u2019s true, it\u2019s time you accept it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what,\u201d She yelled. She shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. Cordelia couldn\u2019t help it. Buffy was the one thing that Angel would never talk about with her. The one part of himself that he locked away from his seer. Angel had told her about his past, both as Liam and Angelus, even finally told her about Darla.<\/p>\n
But never would he talk about Buffy. And she never pressed the issue because; she didn\u2019t want to know. Buffy always seemed to be the One, that everyone loved best and more. Xander loved her and Angel did. Cordelia would always be second to the slayer. She knew it. Cordelia didn\u2019t need to hear it from Angel and definitely not from Angelus.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what? So why waste your time or obvious charms on the wuss. He dreams of the forgotten day, you know, the groiny day that the wuss and the slayer did the \u2018deed\u2019 all day and in every way. Wishing for it to happen again. Reliving the moment that he pounded into her tight wet embrace on the kitchen table.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angelus grinned as Cordelia slung back as if hit by a powerful blow. \u201cWhat, you didn\u2019t know about the table. Sure, they grabbed and groped on every surface of that kitchen. Angel pounding, the slayer screaming in ecstasy. Kind of puts a new spin on those early morning breakfasts that Angel would cook for you doesn\u2019t it. If it wasn\u2019t so sickening, it be erotic as hell. Though, I have to say, boring and whiny she may be, the little miss slayette did have the tastiest c\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up,\u201d Cordelia swore.<\/p>\n
Angelus growled in satisfaction as the tears fell down Cordelia\u2019s cheeks. \u201cThose smiles that Angel gives you when you come bopping into his room to wake him. Is nothing more than his attempt not to rip your throat out for disturbing him from those dreams. He hates you for trying to take the whiney blonde\u2019s place in his heart.\u201d Angelus continued unrelenting.<\/p>\n
\u201cI said SHUT UP,\u201d she yelled jumping off the bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust thought you should know. Don\u2019t be sad, darlin\u2019 you are so much more than he deserves.\u201d Angelus shrugged against the chains testing their resiliency. \u201cBut,\u201d the vampire seductively whispered. \u201cI want you, I appreciate you, darlin\u2019, not some boring whiny blonde.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shot around. \u201cSince when. Can you say\u2026.DARLA, the oldest, best boring whiny blonde, there is.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cForget, Darla, I already have. No, my Cordy it\u2019s you I want. You are mine. Come here,\u201d he beguiled. \u201cLet me touch you, like you were meant to be touched. Imagine it, Cordelia. Imagine my hands stroking your body, my lips tasting your skin, my tongue teasing at your heat, inflaming your blood. Feel my caresses\u2026Have something that the Slayer never had, my desire, my appreciation, and my lust, for once be first.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFeel your bite, more like it, no thanks.\u201d She retorted remaining motionless, fighting the image of Buffy and Angel together.<\/p>\n
Angelus smiled. \u201cWas it really that bad? Your body didn\u2019t shiver with want as my arms held you, as my mouth sucked and licked at your throat, as you gave in to me? You\u2019re shivering now, and I\u2019m only talking. Just think, if I touched you. Think about my hands on your breast fondling, teasing at the hardened nipple. Come here,\u201d he beckoned. The vampire\u2019s tone was seductive almost hypnotizing.<\/p>\n
Cordelia stared at the seductive chained vampire, her feet moving slowly towards the bed. If she tried really hard, she could imagine that it was Angel that called to her.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s right, closer, let me show you how it should be, let me make you forget Angel ever existed.\u201d He quietly urged. \u201cLet me show you how it really feels to be wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia sat on the bed, her tongue wetting her dry lips. She stared, her gaze not wavering.<\/p>\n
\u201cKiss me,\u201d Angelus softly ordered.<\/p>\n
Cordelia leaned in pressing her lips against the vampire\u2019s. Her mouth moving against Angelus lips, molding to their shape. Angelus growled opening his lips, his tongue teasing at Cordelia\u2019s mouth. Cordelia gasped slightly as his tongue found its way. Cordelia pressed in harder, her own tongue exploring and teasing. Slowly, she leaned back up, her hands holding her up against his bound chest.<\/p>\n
She blinked at Angelus. \u201cYou can\u2019t make me forget Angel, because you are Angel. And that bit about Buffy, whatever. I\u2019m over the high school angst and jealousy. If Buffy is who you want, then Buffy you can have, but first you have to come back,\u201d She vowed. Cordelia would not let Angelus divert her from her purpose. Determined, Cordelia spread her fingers under the chains into his chest.<\/p>\n
Angelus howled out in rage and pain as the white light penetrated his flesh. He struggled fighting against the restraining metal.<\/p>\n
Cordelia ignored his growls and movements and leaned in further. She managed to erase the pictures of Buffy and Angel from her mind. It didn\u2019t matter. Nothing mattered but bringing Angel back. The healing energy swirled and built in her heart, mind and soul, it\u2019s white light flew from her fingertips until it dug into Angel\u2019s compromised soul.<\/p>\n
The darkness fought back, it\u2019s malignancy reaching up towards Cordelia. The young woman gasped out as she felt its power to bestow pain and suffering. It was worse than when she had previously reached into Angel\u2019s soul. Then all she felt was the trauma of Angel\u2019s guilt. Now, she felt everything, the guilt and the evil. Cordelia\u2019s cry of agony strangled in her throat. She pressed in harder, willing the healing influence to combat the darkness.<\/p>\n
Angelus fought against encroaching light. He howled in rage as he felt the tentacles of energy spread through out his body. \u201cNO,\u201d he growled pushing up against the chains. The metal snapped at the pressure. Angelus hands gripped at Cordelia to push her way.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, no,\u201d Cordelia prayed resisting Angelus\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n
Angelus arms fell back as he felt the beams of light summon Angel forth.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d Cordelia whispered, her eyes red with unshed tears. The tears began to fall in torrents, as Angel\u2019s internal battle became more violent.<\/p>\n
She willed all of her love and strength to Angel, providing him with the resolve to conquer Angelus once and for all. With a final gasp, Cordelia fell unconscious against the vampire\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n
Tentatively, Angel\u2019s free arm reached out to surround Cordelia\u2019s limp body. He closed his eyes and crushed her form to his chest. \u201cCordelia, Cordy,\u201d he whispered. He tightened his hug, trying to sense her beating heart against his chest. Nothing.<\/p>\n
Angel tugged at the remaining chains that trapped his body. With a fierce yank the broken metal clanked to the floor. Angel gently cradled Cordelia in his arms, placing her on the bed. His fingers found her pulse point as his head went to Cordelia\u2019s chest. Angel let loose a heartfelt sigh as he sensed Cordelia\u2019s slow beating heart.<\/p>\n
His head rested on her chest as his fingers began to caress her cheek. Angel closed his eyes taking comfort in the increasing strength of the thumping in Cordelia\u2019s chest. Once, Angel was assured that Cordelia had settled into a gentle sleep, he got off the bed. With one last caress on her cheek, he left the room.<\/p>\n
Chapter Sixty<\/b><\/p>\n
Angel paused at the landing of the steps. His dark form blended into the darkness of the stairwell. He stood and watched the men below.<\/p>\n
The professor was pacing agitatedly back and forth. Wesley and Gunn were stationed at the bottom of the stairs, their cross bows in hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cWes,\u201d he called, giving warning of his presence.<\/p>\n
The men in the lobby stilled, looking anxiously at the stairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel?\u201d Wesley called back, hopefully.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Angel descended the stairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoa, stop their fang guy,\u201d Gunn ordered, holding his crossbow high. \u201cWhere\u2019s Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSleeping, she\u2026she\u2026It worked. Angelus is gone for good. She’s resting,\u201d Angel turned his back to Gunn and looked up the stairs.<\/p>\n
Wesley pressed down Gunn\u2019s weapon and shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, is she alright?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know, Wes. She seems to be.\u201d The worry and concern was apparent in Angel\u2019s voice. He turned to Wesley.<\/p>\n
\u201cHave you figured out how to kill Bathym,\u201d his tone hardening. \u201cThe demon\u2019s skin is almost impenetrable and he uses his tail as a very effective weapon. And that transport trick of his will make it difficult to get close to him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUm, well, no. We have been a little preoccupied.\u201d Wesley gestured to the vampire and the stairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo it, now. Bathym must die. As long as the demon lives, Cordelia will be in danger from him. He wants the necklace.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, well we did figure that out. But Bathym can\u2019t kill her, um, that\u2019s why he tried to bring out\u2026well, Angelus.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe did more than try,\u201d Angel said in disgust. \u201cAnd he can hurt her, Bathym must die.\u201d Rage and guilt warred with in Angel. Rage at what Bathym had done to Cordelia and guilt for what he, Angel, in the guise of Angelus had done to her.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, of course.\u201d Wesley adamantly nodded. \u201cJohn, maybe you can help. Gunn,\u201d Wesley motioned for the men to follow him to his books.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel watched as his friends and John left the room. The rage and guilt inside of him merged and developed into fear. Angel was not afraid that they wouldn\u2019t be able to find a way to kill Bathym. Angel knew with every fiber of his un-dead being that the demon would die.<\/p>\n
The demon had to die; there was no other acceptable solution. He would die by Angel\u2019s hands, of that the vampire had no doubt.<\/p>\n
But what of Cordelia? How would she ever be able to forgive Angel? It was no excuse that it was Angelus\u2019 dominance of his soul that caused Angel to do the things that he did. The beast that had become Angelus was still inside him.<\/p>\n
It may never be able to show itself as Angelus again, but that didn\u2019t change the fact that it existed. Angel was still a demon capable of great harm to Cordelia. How would she ever be able to look at him again? She knew what he was.<\/p>\n
Angel signed in painful acceptance of the way things would be. He went up the stairs to check on Cordelia. She may not want to see him, but he had to see her and make sure she was okay.<\/p>\n
Chapter Sixty-one <\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia stretched and groaned as she opened her eyes. She glanced around, her gaze stopping on the seated vampire. Angel was sitting immobile in the armchair by the bed. A wide smile lit up her face. The happy expression turned to a frown as she saw Angel\u2019s solemn posture.<\/p>\n
Her eyes shifted away, concentrating on the stitching on the comforter. \u201cAngel, how long was I out,\u201d she asked never raising her eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn hour,\u201d Angel said softly.<\/p>\n
\u201cCool that\u2019s not so bad, told you that the 12-hour sleepfest was just because I was tired.\u201d She quipped. \u201cSo, what\u2019s the plan.\u201d Cordelia looked around everywhere, but at the vampire.<\/p>\n
If Angel had a beating heart, it would\u2019ve stopped. He knew that Cordelia wouldn\u2019t be able to stand his presence; he had just hoped that she would. But, no, his seer couldn\u2019t even look him in the eye. Angel guessed that he should be grateful that she was talking to him and not running screaming out of the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo kill Bathym.\u201d Angel said simply.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood plan. Any idea how?\u201d Cordelia fought the longing to throw herself into Angel\u2019s arms. She knew that if she looked into his deep brown eyes she would do just that. That was if Angel gave her even the slightest encouragement.<\/p>\n
But Angel was giving off the \u2018aloof, don\u2019t touch me\u2019 vibes. The insecurities that Angelus had brought up began to worry at her. Cordelia couldn\u2019t forget Angelus\u2019 words. She didn\u2019t believe them, but she couldn\u2019t ignore the tingling of doubt that his words created. What if Angel didn\u2019t care about her, what if it was Buffy he really wanted to be with.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t impossible. Cordelia was there for Buffy and Angel\u2019s drama, angst, tragic love epic of the century. Just because Angel hadn\u2019t mentioned Buffy in over a year or no longer blanched paler than pale whenever her name was brought up, didn\u2019t mean that he didn\u2019t still long for her.<\/p>\n
Buffy was the love of Angel\u2019s life. It was more than just possible that he did still dream of her, especially now that he knew that the scroll prophesized his humanity. Cordelia tried to ignore the ache in her heart as she stared at an interesting spot above Angel\u2019s head.<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley is looking into it,\u201d Angel responded neutrally. Angel wanted to rush to the young girl and force her into his arms, to look at him, to forgive him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s as good of a plan as any.\u201d The tension in the room became uncomfortable.<\/p>\n
\u201cI should go check on him,\u201d responded Angel. He leaned up, the weight of his undead heart dragging his body down. Slowly, he struggled to a standing position and moved woodenly towards the door.<\/p>\n
Cordelia watched Angel leave the room. \u201cAngel,\u201d she called, jumping up. Cordelia couldn\u2019t let him just leave, no matter her fears about Buffy or Angel\u2019s coldness.<\/p>\n
Angel paused and turned. His arms automatically raised to catch the flying young body that came towards him. Angel\u2019s chin rested on Cordelia\u2019s head as she burrowed her face into his chest. He could feel the dampness of her tears through his shirt. Angel hugged her closer.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d she mumbled against the fabric. \u201cAngel, you can be happy now,\u201d she sniffled.<\/p>\n
Angel pulled away from his crying seer; hope burgeoning up through his body, touching his un-beating heart. His eyes bore into hers. As impossible as it seemed, Cordelia\u2019s thoughts hadn\u2019t been on Angelus or even Bathym, but on him and his well being. He should have known. His newly acknowledged love for his seer took over his being filling his soul and igniting a warmth in his loins. Angel\u2019s eyes slid from Cordelia\u2019s moist ones, down to her lips. He lowered his head.<\/p>\n
Tentatively, their lips met, moving slowly against each other. Angel pressed in as he savored Cordelia\u2019s taste. Cordelia whimpered at the increased pressure. She opened her lips, her tongue and teeth gently urging for more of the kiss. Angel\u2019s body tightened at her insistence, his kiss responding eagerly. Their mouth\u2019s merged, becoming one as they explored each other.<\/p>\n
With a touch, Cordelia pushed away, not to reject the vampire but to gasp for much needed air. Angel arms loosened but did not release the young woman.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy,\u201d Angel whispered, desire and questions filled his eyes. His hope had burst full-blown with in his chest.<\/p>\n
Cordelia smiled slightly, biting her bottom lip. Cordelia\u2019s action spurned Angel into movement. He captured Cordelia\u2019s mouth, once again devouring her lips and nudging them open. Cordelia responded enthusiastically, no thoughts in her mind except the deliciousness of the kiss.<\/p>\n