Chapter Seventy-three<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cThere,\u201d Cordelia pointed.<\/p>\n
Angel looked at the rolling meadow. In the middle of the grass sat a very old Indian.<\/p>\n
Without moving, they were suddenly before him.<\/p>\n
\u201cHealer, thank you.\u201d The Wise One nodded his head to the young woman.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs it going to be a poof thing or do you want me to just give it to him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhich would you prefer?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shrugged. \u201cI guess I would like to give it to him, I want to make sure he realizes what he is getting into. You would probably just zap him and expect him to just know it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The old Indian chuckled. \u201cSo be it, when you are ready give it to him. And you are a Healer.\u201d He reassured her before he disappeared.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy?\u201d Angel asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe necklace. It really does belong to John. I just got it, so that we or rather you could kill Bathym. A really long, convoluted, unnecessary part of the story. The Power\u2019s could have made it a lot simpler if they had just hit me with a vision. But for some reason, they wanted to do it this way.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSeer,\u201d voices called from the clearing.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, we may or may not find out the whys,\u201d Cordelia turned to the Oracles that appeared before them.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeer,\u201d they called.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m here, paying attention, get on with it.\u201d She grumbled.<\/p>\n
Angel glanced at Cordelia and then at the Oracles. She was unfazed and unimpressed. Granted, he had begun to feel that way too, but Cordelia hadn\u2019t ever been in their condescending presence or at least that he knew of. But then again, he guessed the visions that she experienced gave her the right to the \u2018familiarity breeds contempt\u2019 rule.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have fulfilled the destiny of the necklace. But, we don\u2019t appreciate your divergence from the path.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGet over yourselves, will you. You never gave me a path. And anyway, even if you had I would have healed Angel\u2019s soul, anyway. You are just going to have to find something else to use as your stick rather than Angelus. Got it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWait?\u201d Angel said confused. He felt like he was dropped in the middle of a movie.<\/p>\n
\u201cWarrior,\u201d the male oracle said patronizingly. \u201cYour seer took it upon herself to heal your soul. I told you she was unreliable. Humans weren\u2019t meant for the role,\u201d he shot to his sister.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, up yours,\u201d Cordelia shouted. She really didn\u2019t like the male oracle. He was rude.<\/p>\n
The female ignored her brother and Cordelia. Her attention was focused on Angel. \u201cThe seer has enabled you to enter this spirit world. She has given you your soul. But we can still take it way.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Cordelia yelled angrily.<\/p>\n
\u201cSilence,\u201d The oracle commanded, her voice resounding throughout out the air.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, we will allow you to keep it. But only on one condition. Think before you agree Warrior.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is the condition?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHold on, this is not fair,\u201d yelled Cordelia. \u201cAngelus is gone. Angel\u2019s soul is permanent. I did it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia,\u201d Angel called. \u201cBe quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shut up, but her body showed the rage that she was feeling.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe condition is that your soul is bound to the lower being,\u201d the male interrupted, pointing to Cordelia. \u201cThink warrior, she may be a seer, but she really is nothing but a lower being.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia, Mocha, the black wolf all growled. Tweety tried but it didn\u2019t work, but her wings beat at a furious pace, keeping in time with the other low guttural sounds.<\/p>\n
Angel stood silent for a moment then spoke. \u201cYou always told me I was a lower being, so I\u2019m not really seeing the dilemma.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are a warrior. It has been foretold that your destiny was that with another warrior. You have fought for that right. Would you be willing to give it up?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s anger left her. She slumped to the ground. Even the Oracles wanted Buffy with Angel. Who did she think she was? It didn\u2019t matter what she did or suffered. It would always be Buffy and Angel forever. It seemed to be the refrain from above.<\/p>\n
Cordelia ignored the three animals that circled around her, trying to offer her comfort and hope.<\/p>\n
Angel glanced at the young woman crumpled on the ground and the three animals circling her protecting her. The large black wolf nudging at her begging for a response.<\/p>\n
\u201cGive up? If it was really foretold then it was a bad prophecy. Because the bond between warriors doesn\u2019t have the staying power, the acceptance, the forgiveness or the love that the bond that a warrior has with his seer. I suggest if you want to make it worth everyone\u2019s while then you find Buffy Summers her own seer or at least someone that can give her the unconditional love and understanding that my seer gives me. Give up? There was nothing to give up on, only something to grab and hold close. I accept your condition without reservation and happily. Cordelia already holds my heart and soul. I have no problem with making it official.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFool,\u201d the male oracle grumbled. \u201cShe is not worthy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up,\u201d his sister retorted. \u201cSo be it. Good luck,\u201d she smiled briefly before they disappeared.<\/p>\n
Angel went over to Cordelia. The animals parted giving him room to settle close to the young woman. \u201cI love you, only you,\u2019 he whispered.<\/p>\n
Chapter Seventy-four<\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia opened her eyes. That was nerve wracking she thought, rubbing at her red eyes. She glanced over to the sleeping vampire next to her. She smiled. He chose her. The Oracles gave him a choice and he chose her. She was tempted to pounce on him right then and there. But she had something to do first.<\/p>\n
Cordelia crawled out of the bed, trying not to wake Angel. She rifled through Angel\u2019s closet. She grabbed the black silk robe that matched the pajamas that she and Angel been wearing earlier. She tied the belt tight around her slim waist.<\/p>\n
She was going to have to ask Angel about it. She had given him the pajama set ages ago; he had said he liked it. But, if he liked it, then why did she have to search in the depths of his closest to find it. Cordelia had spent a lot of money on the silk stuff.<\/p>\n
Cordelia moved silently through the hallway of the hotel. She knocked at the door of the guestroom. After getting no answer, she walked in.<\/p>\n
\u201cJohn,\u201d she whispered. \u201cJohn,\u201d she said louder after getting no response.<\/p>\n
\u201cWha..,\u201d John struggled up. \u201cCordelia?\u201d His eyes widened at the sight of the young woman wrapped in black silk. Her hair was mussed and her eyes glowed. She was beautiful. \u201cCordelia?\u201d he gasped again.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi, I had a dream. Here.\u201d Cordelia reached behind her neck and easily unclasped the necklace. She reverently held out the turquoise and silver piece of jewelry to John.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s yours. But, please be careful. Even though the Big Ugly is dead, there are probably more like him out there. So, be careful, cause this thing has an awful back kick. Not everything that causes pain is physical. It gives life, but it also can suck the life out of you. But it is worth it.\u201d She smiled, urging the Indian to take the necklace.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, it belongs to you. The Powers\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThose obnoxious beings, as well as the Wise One want me to give it to its proper owner. Take it, it\u2019s yours; protect your people. Do it for your father.\u201d She smiled again.<\/p>\n
John took the necklace from her, holding her hands for a brief moment. \u201cThank You.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour welcome.\u201d Cordelia got off the bed. \u201cYou know, I kind of like turquoise now, it will never take the place of diamonds or rubies, but all and all not a bad stone,\u201d She grinned, heading for the door.<\/p>\n
She stopped as she came face to face with Angel.<\/p>\n
\u201cProfessor,\u201d Angel acknowledged the Indian.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d the Indian said, trying to hide his nervousness. He had seen Angel\u2019s possessiveness over Cordelia. He didn\u2019t like to think what Angel might do after seeing the young woman leaving his bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood night,\u201d was all Angel said as he held out his hand to Cordelia.<\/p>\n
Chapter Seventy-five <\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cWill you be wandering away from me anymore tonight,\u201d Angel asked Cordelia as they entered back into their bedroom.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a dream,\u201d Cordelia tried to explain. Angel didn\u2019t seem all grry, but Cordelia knew from her most recent experiences with the vampire, he could be quite possessive and stupidly jealous. She scrunched up her face.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, so did I. I like your dream place. And Mocha and Tweety seem quite nice.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou really were there?\u201d Cordelia exclaimed.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, and if you ask me, I think the stuffy male oracle is just jealous.\u201d Angel commented as he untied the black silk robe that covered Cordelia.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, he is an Oracle,\u201d she said shocked.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe still a guy, I guess,\u201d Angel shrugged, tracing his finger along Cordelia\u2019s throat, to the exposed cleavage peeking out from the black pajama top. \u201cAnd you are exquisite.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel smiled as Cordelia turned bright red at the compliment. He tugged at the top button of the shirt, trying to reach the hidden flesh. \u201cWhere did these come from,\u201d he grumbled as the button got stuck. He started to rip the button off.<\/p>\n
\u201cStop, this is real silk,\u201d Cordelia cried. \u201cI gave you these, the first Christmas, You said you liked them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Well that answered that question, Angel thought. He again gently tried to unbutton the top.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t like them, you lied to me.\u201d She started to pout.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I do like them. On you. But now, I want it off,\u201d he growled frustrated at the stubborn buttons.<\/p>\n
\u201cStop,\u201d she clutched at his hands at they were about to rip the shirt in two. She quickly brought the shirt over her head. \u201cJeez, see how easy. And I don\u2019t think you have ever worn them. You don\u2019t like them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI sleep in the nude. And now so do you. But, if you want I will let you wear all the silk you want for all of the two minutes necessary for me to appreciate it then take it off.\u201d Angel propelled the young woman back towards the bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d she protested.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia,\u201d he growled.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou still wearing the bottoms. That\u2019s highly not fair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot for long, now shut up.\u201d He said as he pushed Cordelia onto the bed. He leaned up grabbing at waistband of his pajama bottoms.<\/p>\n
\u201cSilk, Angel, silk,\u201d Cordelia cried out.<\/p>\n
Angel glared at the young woman as she scooted back on the bed smiling. Her thighs separated, her arms outstretched waiting for him.<\/p>\n
With a low growl, Angel ripped the pants from his lean hips and lunged onto Cordelia. \u201cYou can buy more next Christmas,\u201d he growled, burying his body into her welcoming one.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot if you are just going to destroy it,\u201d she giggled.<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up and make love to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really over isn\u2019t,\u201d Cordelia murmured, clutching Angel to her body.<\/p>\n
Angel nodded as he kissed and sucked at her breast. He lifted his dark head. \u201cAnd thank god, for happy endings,\u201d he nuzzled into her flesh.<\/p>\n
\u201cHappy ending, is there really any other type ending,\u201d Cordelia snuggled closer to Angel.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot for us,\u201d Angel stressed pressing his body further into Cordelia\u2019s. \u201cNow, sh, and make love to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d she giggled happily, her kisses, hands and body giving safe haven and pleasure to the vampire.<\/p>\n
The End<\/b><\/p>\n