{"id":6962,"date":"2015-08-01T15:07:31","date_gmt":"2015-08-01T14:07:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/?p=6962"},"modified":"2018-10-11T16:58:36","modified_gmt":"2018-10-11T15:58:36","slug":"this-time-its-real-1-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2015\/08\/01\/this-time-its-real-1-4\/","title":{"rendered":"This Time Its Real. 1-4"},"content":{"rendered":"

Title: This Time It’s Real<\/b><\/span>
\nAuthor: <\/b>Onlyanne<\/strong><\/span>
\nPosted: <\/b>2002<\/span>
\nRating: <\/b>N-17<\/span>
\nEmail<\/a><\/b><\/span>
\nCategory: <\/b>Angst<\/span>
\nContent: <\/b>Read the challenge, but also know I\u2019ve never written anything but C\/A and happy endings and I don\u2019t plan to start now.<\/span>
\nSummary: <\/b><\/span>
\nSpoilers: <\/b>up to Sleep Tight. (maybe some mention of Cordy\u2019s new powers) Oh, Groo doesn\u2019t exist in the story for now, and if he gets mentioned, I\u2019ll warn you and any mention will be a passing reference only.<\/span>
\nDisclaimer: <\/b>ATS, BTVS not mine never mine, I bow to Joss and Co. imagination and ownership.<\/span>
\nDistribution: <\/b><\/span>
\nNotes: <\/b>none really except this is an answer to a challenge posted by Muff<\/b> \u2013 April 2002 posted at Stranger Things.<\/b> Oh, thanks to everyone that read\u00a0VampSmack Down<\/b> and gave feed back. And now it\u2019s Muff\u2019<\/em>s turn to take the blame for one of my stories.<\/span>
\nFeedback:<\/b> Always good. Challenge: Issued by Muff<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia dies
\nBuffy and Angel get back together but Angel is not happy
\nCordelia comes back from the dead
\nBuffy and Cordelia fight over Angel but have to work together to save the world
\nScooby gang accepts Cordy back while the fang gang is hesitant on her return: reason for this must be revealed
\nOptional: Connor,\u00a0Fred
\nTake place in either LA or Sunnydale
\nBig bad is your choice<\/i><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

Chapter 1<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The group silently dispersed, each going in separate directions, each with their own thoughts about the young woman they laid to rest, expect one dark figure holding an infant. Angel\u2019s eyes remained fixed on the freshly turned earth.<\/span><\/p>\n

The blonde woman stopped turning back towards the vampire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Buffy.\u201d Wesley shook his head, his eyes red from unshed tears. \u201cLet him be for now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Buffy stared at her former watcher. \u201cI\u2019m not listening to you. They said this was all your fault. You caused this to happen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoneykins, Wesley is right about this- let Angel be.\u201d Buffy looked up at the green demon. She had only known Lorne for two days but she did trust him. The demon had a way about him, flamboyant but all- knowing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe shouldn\u2019t be alone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not. He has the little one back. Connor will keep him from waiting for the sunrise.\u201d Lorne glanced over at Wesley. \u201cYou though should probably leave, he\u2019s already tried to kill you twice, let\u2019s not have a third attempt.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe was my family, no matter what happened. I loved her as much as he did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Muffin, you didn\u2019t.\u201d Lorne said matter factually.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wesley\u2019s eyes flared then retreated to the ground. \u201cI loved her enough.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes. But go. You were working in the red when you helped to get the little one back and any bonus points you won were wiped out when the Princess died.\u201d Lorne turned and stared at the dark silhouette of the vampire. \u201cAngel will need time, having you in his face right now won\u2019t do anyone good right now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wesley started to speak but stopped and then nodded. The former boss of Angel Investigation swept a redden glance over his family that he was no longer a part of. \u201cLorne, I\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo and I know.\u201d Lorne said sadly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow can you be nice to him? from what I heard it was all his fault.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWesley did what he thought was right, he was just horribly wrong. But he didn\u2019t kill the Princess. She sacrificed her life to save Connor, to bring him back to Angel. It was her choice.\u201d Lorne shrugged.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWesley was a part of this family once and when everyone has healed maybe then he will be able to come back where he belongs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAngel\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAngel needs to come to terms with what has happened. You can\u2019t help him now. No one can, except his son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe loved her.\u201d Buffy\u2019s statement came out as a question.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, she was a champion. She was Cordy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel remained rooted to the spot. He wanted to say something, feel anything. He held the bundle in his arms closer; it was that small precious life that kept him from falling to the ground and giving up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia Chase was dead. Her life was gone. That vibrant sparkle of light refreshing in it\u2019s honesty, strength and love was gone. Angel didn\u2019t want to be a part of a world where that light was absent.<\/span><\/p>\n

But, he couldn\u2019t leave it, not when he had Connor, not when she gave her life for his child. What were they going to do now?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Chapter 2<\/b><\/span>
\nAbout six months later\u2026<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026\u201d Fred buried her head in Gunn\u2019s shoulder. Gunn circled her crying body closer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMan, you need us\u2026we’re there,\u201d holding out his arm to the vampire.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel nodded as he clasped the young black man\u2019s hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAngelface, I\u2026\u201d Lorne shook his head at Angel\u2019s gaze.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLorne, Connor needs a home, Buffy\u2019s offered us one. I have to go. She can\u2019t leave Sunnydale. The Hellmouth is where she is needed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd your mission, Honey cakes, is in LA.\u201d Lorne countered. \u201cThis is your home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy home\u2026.my home was taken in Quor-toth\u2026..along with my mission. I don\u2019t have a seer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAngel, you can say her name.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For a brief moment, pain and anger flashed in Angel\u2019s dark emotionless eyes. \u201cI have to go, Buffy is waiting. Goodbye.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

About a month Later<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Angel stood beside the crib, his strong finger clasped by tiny little ones.<\/span><\/p>\n

He had done it. Angel had taken what Buffy offered, her love, her home and now the comfort of her body. Angel knew it was wrong to let her think that his soul was permanent. But, it really hadn\u2019t been a lie. He had told her that it would be impossible for Angelus to return since Quor-toth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel just hadn\u2019t told her that it was because any chance of his true happiness had been lost in that battle.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel smiled a soft smile at his son. He had Connor so it was still possible for him to have joy and a future. Cordelia gave him that. Angel closed his eyes, imagines of the young woman flashing in his mind, memories of every other thing she gave him.<\/span><\/p>\n

God, it still hurt.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAngel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The dark vampire turned to the beautiful blonde.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome back to bed,\u201d holding her hand out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel nodded. It really hadn\u2019t been all a lie. He did love Buffy. She had been his dream for so long. She just wasn\u2019t Cordy, but that dream was buried deep underneath dirt in LA.<\/span><\/p>\n

Almost three months later…<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Death was not certainly what she expected. Cordelia looked around the glassed room.<\/span><\/p>\n

There were moments when she actually thought maybe she wasn\u2019t dead. But, then the fact that she wasn\u2019t ever tired, hungry or in need of a bathroom clued her in that she wasn\u2019t exactly living.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, the white flowing gown she was wearing, the absence of her pre-death acquired hairdo and the clouds the surrounded the glass walls also were a hint that things weren\u2019t really normal. Gee, what a surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia sat on the glass floor and looked down- more clouds. Cordelia peered closer, squinting her eyes in the hope of seeing some sign of the earth. Nope. She rested her chin on an elegant hand. She wasn\u2019t tired but she was bored.<\/span><\/p>\n

If this was heaven, it sucked. Where were the angels and harps? If she was floating in the clouds shouldn\u2019t she have wings, halo and a harp? And what\u2019s with the glass jailhouse. Wasn\u2019t peace and serenity supposed to come with death? Cordelia didn\u2019t feel at peace; she just felt bored and moving way past being beyond annoyed to angry at the silence and unanswered questions. She couldn\u2019t even feel the satisfaction that Connor was alive because she was dead.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia remembered feeling fear as she saw the knife plunging for the small baby. She remembered the panic on Angel\u2019s face as he realized he was too far away to stop it. But she wasn’t; not when she could float above the fighting. Cordelia remembered the knife entering her breastbone, the pain of her dying.<\/span><\/p>\n

She heard Connor\u2019s cries mingled with Angel\u2019s yell of rage. She remembered smiling, as the last thing she saw was Connor in Angel\u2019s arms above her fallen body. But that\u2019s all Cordelia knew. Did her family make it back to LA? Had Angel saved Connor or was her death just a postponement to the ultimate horrible outcome.<\/span><\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t fair. How could she be at peace if she didn\u2019t know? Maybe she had been wrong- maybe she didn\u2019t make it to heaven.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia was beginning to have the sneaking suspicion that she had ended up in hell.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Chapter 3<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia scrambled to her feet. \u201cYou again?\u201d facing the demon that guided her through her vision killing coma birthday present.<\/span><\/p>\n

Skip shrugged. \u201cSorry, it took so long but this time it wasn\u2019t my fault. Big decisions had to be made and that can take forever. Bureaucracy is a bitch. But here I am.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUhuh.\u201d Cordelia scrunched up her face. \u201cCan I assume that since you\u2019re here wherever \u2018here\u2019 is, I\u2019m not dead?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh no, your dead. This time it\u2019s real.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

“Oh, somehow I thought it would be different. So, where am I? And why are you here? Are you dead too?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“No, I’m alive and you are in limbo.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Limbo?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Waiting place between heaven and hell. But now the waiting is over.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia scrunched up her face. “So, are you going to tell me- which will it be heaven or hell?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Young lady, you’re a champion. Champion’s don’t go to hell, please! Wouldn’t have any champions if that were the case. Risk, sacrifices fighting for the Powers only to end up in a fiery pit? Not really a great sales pitch to join our team.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

“Oh…okay. Um, when I’m in heaven will I know if Connor and Angel are safe? I really need to know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

“They are and\u2026. well..you aren’t going to heaven, well not yet anyway. That’s what all the delay and fuss was about.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“But, Angel and Connor are safe and I’m not going to hell,” Cordelia asked to clarify.<\/span><\/p>\n

“NO, get that talk of hell out of your mind. No, you just couldn’t go to heaven right away until a decision was made. You see, beings get a little freaked when they\u2019re ripped out of paradise. So, you were put here to avoid that if the decision was made to return you.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“I’m coming back from the dead? The Power\u2019s can do that? Of course they can. No one stays dead anymore.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Dead is dead, well for most beings. But, in your case you screwed things up and the Powers want you to fix them before you can go to heaven.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“What did I screw up? Connor and Angel are safe, you said so.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Yes, but no seer. YOu didn’t pass on the visions.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“I was busy.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Don’t use your self-sacrifice as an excuse. You know the rules, when you know you’re going to die, you pass on the visions so your warrior will continue to have a seer.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Rules? What rules? I didn’t get a handbook, you know.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Oh, right. You were a mistake. I keep forgetting. You took to it so naturally.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Skip, dying, hole in the back of the skull, demonized prevention method, not real natural.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Skip sighed. “True, but once you became part demon- a real natural.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Skip, what do the Powers want?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

“You need to return to earth find an appropriate replacement and pass on the visions. Otherwise, Angel won’t have a seer and his path to redemption will be halted.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Any suggestions? And what do you mean Angel’s path to redemption will be halted? He’s still fighting for the Powers, isn’t he? I mean, even without the visions there’s evil to fight and helpless to be helped. LA is filled to the brim with both.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“He’s not in LA. He is helping the slayer, but that’s not where he needs to be.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Angel is in Sunnydale with…Buffy? They\u2019re back together? How long have I been dead? Connor’s with her? What about Gunn, Fred and Wesley? Where are they? Are they in Sunnydale, too?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Young lady, one question at a time, please. Angel and the Slayer are together, but they aren’t supposed to be. He supposed to be in LA.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Together? As in really together? You do know what happened the last time they were ‘together’- pelvic thrust and wham bam soul gone, Angelus alert. Angel wouldn\u2019t risk it. Buffy isn’t Darla. Happiness, joy, sex- a lot of dead people.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Angelus isn’t the problem. Angel’s deviation from the mission is. The Powers want you to go get him back on the right track and find him an appropriate seer.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Let me get this straight. Angel’s soul is bound, no threat of evil guy. He’s with the love of his life and you want me to go break them up? Again, I ask- any suggestions?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“The Powers have faith that you can do it. That’s why they\u2019re sending you back. Once it’s done you can go to heaven.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“I’ll die again? Or will I be a ghost or something? I don\u2019t want to particularly go through the dying thing again. You know it hurt last time.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Skip shrugged. “No ghost. You\u2019ll be alive. As for the pain of dying, it\u2019s the price you pay.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia rolled her eyes. “That’s not at all comforting.” She huffed. “Angel being with Buffy is really preventing his redemption? If he’s helping her, why can’t that count? She\u2019s like the major good warrior. I mean he\u2019s happy right? He\u2019s with Buffy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

“He’s not supposed to be, I told you that. The other vampire is,\u201d Skip avoided her last question.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat other vampire?\u2026Spike.\u201d Cordelia screeched. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t even have a soul, just a chip.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSurprisingly, he\u2019s turning out okay, been a big help\u2026well not lately. It seems that Angel\u2019s presence in Sunnydale has been putting a damper on his desire NOT to create mayhem and trouble.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia flopped back to the ground. \u201cWhy can\u2019t I even die normally?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, but you aren\u2019t normal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia blinked up to the big demon. \u201cThanks for reminding me. I forgot,\u201d rolling her eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAngel needs a seer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia shook her head. \u201cWho exactly am I supposed to kiss? Not Angel, I saw what they did to him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no. That version of Angel was not really effective. You\u2019ll know when it\u2019s time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd then I\u2019ll die, leaving Angel again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo heaven. Well, after one other thing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnother?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust one thing. You will have to help the slayer save the world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia blinked again. She started to fall to the ground, but then she realized she was already on the floor, so she just let out a whoosh of breath. \u201cWould that be before or after, I try to break up her and Angel. She may be a bit miffed and not at all cooperative.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Powers have faith in you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd this particular Armageddon will occur how?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOn a need to know basis, only.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSince I\u2019m supposed to help Buffy do the saving thing, I think I need to know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll know when it\u2019s time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not very helpful, you realize that don\u2019t you.\u201d Cordelia glared up at Skip.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust doing my job, this time I\u2019m the messenger only.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou were a better guide.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Skip shrugged. \u201cReady? Oh, one more thing\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve already said that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis isn\u2019t something you need to do, just know\u2026.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cListening.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCouple of things, actually, well more than that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet on with it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going to need Wesley and the rest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDuh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat may not be so easy. Angel\u2019s already tried to kill Wesley\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI heard, but that was because\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThree times.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThree?\u201d Cordelia jumped up. \u201cWhy the other two times? They were getting along, not perfectly, granted. But, Wesley is the one that found the access to Quor-toth. Without him, we would\u2019ve never found Connor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTrue. But, It is my understanding about the situation is that if he hadn\u2019t taken Connor in the first place, Angel believes that you wouldn\u2019t have died.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just stupid. Stubborn vampire. That won\u2019t be a problem\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026\u201d Skip said doubtfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I can handle that- if Angel really wanted to kill Wesley, Wesley would be dead. So, what about the other things I need to know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about your new powers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve new powers?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPowers that were developing because of your demonization prior to you dying. They would be complete by now if you had lived. The Powers decided that you might need them, so you\u2019re getting them fully formed and charged. Here,\u201d handing Cordelia a handbook. \u201cRead it, learn it, and know them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia held the heavy book, flipping through the small printed words. \u201cI take it we\u2019re not in a hurry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cActually, we are.\u201d Skip grabbed the book back. \u201cWe\u2019ll have to do this the quick way. This will hurt.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGee, another surprise, duh. So speed learn me, already.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou are really a courageous piece of work, Cordelia Chase.\u201d A bright flash flew from Skip\u2019s hand encompassing Cordelia\u2019s body as she screamed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Chapter 4<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia pulled on the door of the Hyperion Hotel one more time. She grunted as she hit the heavy padlock chaining the doors.<\/span><\/p>\n

Damn. Cordelia sat on the front step considering her options. Skip said it had been a year since she died. Cordelia knew that Angel was in Sunnydale; she had just hoped that Wesley, Gunn and Fred were still at the hotel. Figures. She got up and brushed at her white flimsy gown and grunted. Skip could\u2019ve at least dropped her in LA with some jeans and with everyone\u2019s new addresses. She felt like a lost member of an airport crazy cult.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was dark by the time she got to Caritas. She grumbled again, money for a taxi would\u2019ve been helpful as well. Lord, she was hungry and needed a bathroom.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia paused at the door stilling her first reaction to run in and find Lorne. She imagined that the demon would be a bit surprised to see her and she supposed happy. But how much should she tell him?<\/span><\/p>\n

Tell any of them? Cordelia bit her lip and considered. If she told them that she was only alive temporarily and would die again it may affect their ability fight the up coming apocalypse. And then what about her? Did she really want a big happy sad family reunion?<\/span><\/p>\n

No. But, did she even want a happy one? It would make dying again all that much harder. No. Skip was right this was definitely on the need to know basis. Cordelia took a deep breath and pushed open the door thinking of the lies that she would need to get the job done.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia scanned the room pushing back her hair. Damn, she had been getting to really like her new short haired look, but obliviously limbos were hopelessly neglectful of hairdressers. Oh well. She had died. Cordelia looked again around the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

She bit back her smile as she saw Lorne by the stage. He hadn\u2019t changed at all. She moved gracefully through the crowd to reach his side.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLorne, buy a resurrected girl a drink?\u201d Tapping the demon on the shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lorne turned, gulped, blinked and dropped his drink. \u201cPrincess? Oh, Elvis and James Dean, you\u2019re not dead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cActually, I am,\u201d Cordelia shrugged. \u201cThe Powers\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome with me.\u201d Pulling her into his private rooms. As soon as the door closed, Lorne grabbed the young woman in enthusiastic hug, pulling back once to get a good look at her \u201cYou are sure one live breathing beautiful corpse.\u201d Starting to pull her back into a big hug.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia jerked away, not allowing herself the luxury of feeling her friend\u2019s arms around her again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPrincess?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLorne, we don\u2019t have time for pleasantries and I AM dead, just not a ghostly type dead. I haven\u2019t returned to life, I just have been returned for a specific task, that\u2019s all. And I need you to gather the guys. I went to the Hyperion but it was locked up.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Lorne blinked. \u201cYou\u2019re alive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m dead. I just seem alive. I wouldn\u2019t be able to complete my mission as Dennis\u2019 girlfriend, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAngel\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs in Sunnydale. I know. But, I need Wesley and the rest before I can talk to Angel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWesley\u2019s persona non gratis.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s going to have to change. The Powers need him. I\u2019ll deal with Angel. Lorne, I\u2019m surprised that you would feel that way. It wasn\u2019t Wesley\u2019s fault.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lorne nodded. \u201cI know, he still comes here sometimes, but he hasn\u2019t wanted to reconnect. Both he and Angel ran when you died, in wide separate directions. Princess, I don\u2019t know what bill of goods the Powers sold you, but you aren\u2019t dead. I can read you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReally? What do you see? Let me help.\u00a0Rockabye\u00a0baby in a treetop\u2026<\/i>.\u201d Cordelia forced herself to remember and use chapter three of her new powers handbook that Skip blasted into her skull.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to Block all \u2018Readings\u2019 of the Mind and Soul<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSing again.\u201d Lorne said confused. He had sensed something, but now he saw nothing. It was if he was looking at a corpse. But Cordelia was breathing, heart beating, beautifully in front of him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt won\u2019t matter, Lorne. You may be sensing something, but it\u2019s not real, it\u2019s just a manipulation by the Powers- I AM dead, killed and everything. Regardless, though, I need your help. Death has some limitations as the manipulations have some downfalls, like hunger and a bathroom. Do you mind?\u201d She pointed to the bathroom door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI tell you, I can\u2019t wait to get back to heaven. I was happy. Oh, do you have anything else I can wear?\u201d tugging at her gossamer gown. \u201cThis was appropriate in heaven, but over the top on earth, at least they didn\u2019t send me down with my wings and halo, uh.\u201d She nodded and went into the bathroom.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lorne stood stock-still. Something was definitely not right. The young woman was Cordelia Chase, he knew that with a certainty when he first saw her, but now he wasn\u2019t sure what she was. Wings and a halo? Lorne shook his head and went to the phone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 5<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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