Chapter 14<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cDamn, signal\u2019s blocked.\u201d Gunn hung up his phone. \u201cWill have to wait until we get out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel stared at the heavily curtained window willing the sun to go down faster. Ten minutes, that\u2019s all he would give, if Cordelia wasn\u2019t back in ten minutes he and a blanket were going to bring her back.<\/p>\n
Fred glanced nervously at the vampire. Her euphoria that everything was going to be fine was being severely tested. Things wouldn\u2019t be all right, if Angel made a dash out into the sun searching for Cordelia. That wouldn\u2019t be good at all.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, I could call Gunn?\u201d<\/p>\n
The vampire swung around. Damn\u2019t, he forgot about cell phones and Cordelia\u2019s order that everyone carry one. Obviously, Fred and Gunn hadn\u2019t. \u201cDo it.\u201d He growled.<\/p>\n
Fred quickly dialed, smiling encouragingly at Angel. The brunette frowned, looking at the phone.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Angel growled again.<\/p>\n
\u201cBusy, which is good,\u201d Fred tried again to think happy thoughts, \u201cif anything was wrong Gunn wouldn\u2019t be on the phone.\u201d Her happy thoughts took a sharp turn downward.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnless, something was wrong and he was trying to call us, which would explain why he\u2019s on the phone\u201d, blinking up at the vampire. \u201cI shouldn\u2019t have said that should I?\u201d She whispered to Lorne.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, lambkins, you shouldn\u2019t have.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFred, hang up now.\u201d Angel yelled looking at the still flipped open phone.<\/p>\n
Fred jumped and hung up immediately. She jumped again as the phone started to ring. She barely got a \u2018hello\u2019 out before Angel grabbed it.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn, busy. Who could Fred be calling?\u2019 Gunn asked to the car in general.<\/p>\n
\u201cUs, dumbass.\u201d Cordelia settled in the back seat. She didn\u2019t want to think about anything. But that never worked for her, she always thought about stuff when she didn\u2019t want to and it was always the stuff she didn\u2019t want to think about in the first place.<\/p>\n
The clouds weren\u2019t even helping. Cordelia didn\u2019t want to die, she didn\u2019t want to think about dying and she sure in hell didn\u2019t want to think about leaving Angel, Connor and the rest of her family again.<\/p>\n
Cordelia looked over at the young demon sitting next to her. Before she even thought about passing on her visions, she had to make sure that Crystal understood the importance of the family Cordelia would be giving her, otherwise\u2026otherwise nothing. Cordelia had no choices left. She scrunched up her face. Crystal was shivering.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you cold?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA little.\u201d Crystal pulled Gunn\u2019s jean jacket closer around. \u201cClothes would be nice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia scanned the back of the SUV; Wesley had to have a blanket around there somewhere. She twisted around as she noticed the bags in the back of the truck. Stupid, she should have thought about those sooner.<\/p>\n
Fred, Wesley and Gunn hadn\u2019t taken their bags out. Cordelia grumbled. She didn\u2019t have one because she didn\u2019t have any clothes except a stupid flowing shimmering white dress crumpled on Lorne\u2019s bathroom floor in LA and the gross, yucky, blood covered crap that was on her back. Cordelia hated demon goo.<\/p>\n
Her hands rifled through Fred\u2019s stuff, pushing aside the laptop and pulled out a pair of jeans. \u201cHere,\u201d Cordelia stopped and looked at Crystal again. The young woman was curvy, curvier than Cordelia. Cordelia threw the jeans back in disgust, Cordelia knew that if she couldn\u2019t fit her hips in Fred\u2019s jeans there would be no way that Crystal could.<\/p>\n
Cordelia ignored the glances and the questions everyone was asking her as she delved in another duffle bag. Her hands pulled up a soft worn sweatshirt, red, obviously she was in Gunn\u2019s stuff. She searched for some jeans or any pants and she searched some more, pulling out weapons and more weapons. Cordelia bit back her grunt of disgust and headed for the only bag left. Books, books and more books, gratefully she finally hit some material. She blinked as she pulled it out.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the hell? I tell you we\u2019re going on a road trip, out of town, and all you idiots bring are these\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn and Wesley both jerked their heads, Gunn\u2019s attention diverted from responding to Fred\u2019s voice on the phone.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel was about to shout into the phone when Cordelia\u2019s screech of complaint pierced his ears. He shoved down his wince and listened, just happy to hear her voice.<\/p>\n
If Cordelia was complaining in that high pitched tone she had to be okay. Angel\u2019s brows wrinkled as he heard the yelling and conversation clearly through the earpiece. Then he fell to the steps with a whoosh, wondering if he should be getting mad.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, get your hands off my jockeys,\u201d Gunn yelled.<\/p>\n
“Tighty whiteys, Gunn? I would\u2019ve taken you for a boxer guy, like Wes here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, put my shorts down,\u201d Wesley yelled trying to swing his hand around to the back seat, while keeping the other hand on the steering wheel.<\/p>\n
\u201cSmiley faces? You wear smiley faces? Geez, Wes, so much for English dignified.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy,\u201d both men yelled trying to grab at their underwear.<\/p>\n
Cordy eyes fastened on the phone swinging in Gunn\u2019s hand. \u201cIs that Fred, did you get her? Give me the phone.\u201d She grabbed it as Gunn snatched his white briefs out of her hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cFred, your boyfriend is an idiot and so is Wesley. I say road trip and all they pack are weapons and books; at least they believe in clean underwear. Hmmph.\u201d She said into the phone.<\/p>\n
Angel stood up a bit happier, whatever was up, he was pretty sure he didn\u2019t have to worry about why Cordelia\u2019s hands had been on Gunn and Wesley\u2019s underwear. \u201cCordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d Cordelia flopped back in the seat. \u201cI was talking to Fred, let me talk to her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll give her your message that her boyfriend is an idiot. Are you all right?\u201d Angel was pretty sure she was but he had to hear it from her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to talk to Fred not you put her on the phone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to hang up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll call back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t answer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, please. Tell me you\u2019re all right.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia winced. She just knew that Angel was wearing that pouty, puppy dog look. She took a deep breath. \u201cI\u2019m all right. Now, put Fred on I need to talk to her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy? Why, can\u2019t you talk to me? Cordy, please.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred smiled happily at Lorne. \u201cEverything is fine. Angel\u2019s not growling and Cordy thinks Gunn\u2019s an idiot.\u201d Fred pushed at her glasses. \u201cI wonder what he did?\u201d She shrugged, she find out soon enough.<\/p>\n
Xander, Willow and Dawn fall back further on the couch.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never seen that, have you ever seen that, have you?\u201d Xander whispered.<\/p>\n
Willow slowly shook her head. \u201cIt\u2019s weird.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy is Angel not finding out if Buffy is okay? I want to know if Buffy is okay.\u201d Dawn started to get up.<\/p>\n
Willow pulled her down. \u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019ll find out\u2026after he stops whining to Cordelia.\u201d Willow shook her head in disbelief.<\/p>\n
Angel was oblivious to the others in the room. \u201cPlease, Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFine, get a paper and pen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy do I need to get a paper and pen?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause, dorkhead, I\u2019m giving you a list of things we need and I don\u2019t want you to forget anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crystal stared in interest at Cordelia, wondering who Angel\u2019s was. Buffy just gaped. Dorkhead? Cordy had called Angel a Dorkhead. She looked up to the front seat. Wesley and Gunn weren\u2019t even listening;<\/p>\n
Wesley was just grumbling as Gunn laughed at the boxer\u2019s Wesley was trying to stuff in his pocket as he drove.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cFred, pen,\u201d Angel called, picking up a notebook from the coffee table.<\/p>\n
Fred hurried, finally finding a pen and handing it to the vampire.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, that\u2019s my math notebook.\u201d Dawn tried to get up again. Willow pulled the teenager back down.<\/p>\n
\u201cGot \u2018em,\u201d Angel said back into the phone.<\/p>\n
\u201cReady?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, I got paper and pen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, 2 shirts about my size, same for the 2 pants, size\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel looked down at what he was writing. \u201cCordy, you want me to go clothes shopping for you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I don\u2019t want you to go shopping for me. I told you to let me talk to Fred.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy? I can go shopping for you. I know your size. I bought you all those clothes before, you said you liked them, you squealed and everything.\u201d Angel paced.<\/p>\n
\u201cOw\u201d Willow jumped as Xander hit her. \u201cShopping? Okay, I get that maybe a priority for Cordelia during a crisis, the end of the world is a ‘special occassion’. But, deadboy? This is nuts.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow opened her mouth to respond but she didn\u2019t have a clue what to say. She just resumed her staring at the pacing, whining vampire.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t squeal.\u201d Cordelia argued into the phone.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou did do too, jumped up and down, squealed and \u201cLa, la\u2019d\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia closed her eyes at the memory of Angel presenting her with whole new wardrobe to replace the few clothes he had given away. \u201cI la, la\u2019d,\u201d she admitted smiling softly in the phone, tears threatening to squeeze from her eyes. She couldn\u2019t do this. \u201cAngel, please let me talk to Fred.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I can go shopping for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia wanted to throw the phone out the window or at least make Gunn take the phone back, but she couldn’t resist Angel’s voice, promising and begging to let him please her. How could she have been so blind?<\/p>\n
How could she have missed the love that coated Angel\u2019s need to fix things for her, make them better, to make her happy. Cordelia wasted so much fuckin time and now it was too late.<\/p>\n
Cordelia couldn\u2019t hang up on the vampire, but she could control her feelings, she could. Cordelia took a deep breath. \u201cAngel, we need some clothes for Crystal, the victim we saved, okay? She\u2019s about my size. She needs everything as in she is wearing nothing but Gunn\u2019s coat. I’d like also to have some clothes because mine are all bloody, okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel heard everything, but nothing computed except that Cordelia\u2019s clothes were bloody. \u201cBlood? What happened? Are you hurt? How badly? Damn\u2019t Cordy why didn\u2019t you say so? Where are you? Lorne,\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel pulled briefly up from the phone, throwing the demon his keys, \u201c get my car. Fred, I need a blanket, now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, Angel,\u201d Cordelia yelled loudly.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, where are you? I\u2019m coming.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, calm down. I\u2019m fine, not my blood, gross bad guy blood. I\u2019m a magnet for the yucky stuff,\u201d she couldn\u2019t help but grumble.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you sure you\u2019re not hurt?\u201d Angel said marginally more calm.<\/p>\n
“Don’t be a dork, of course, I’m sure.”<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t scare me like that.\u201d Angel growled.<\/p>\n
Fred put down the blanket and Lorne sat back down.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, I’m fine. Everyone is fine, no injuries to report. Gunn has some bruises, but nothing that a little lovin\u2019 from Fred won\u2019t cure.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, what about you? Do you have any bruises that…”<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel. I said I was fine. No, comfort or care needed, just clothes. Okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay.\u201d Angel said somewhat dejectedly.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso, we are going straight to the Magic Shoppe. Wesley wants to look at some of Giles\u2019 books. Get Fred, we have her computer, but we\u2019ll need her. Also, ask Lorne if he knows anything about \u2018Drakkus\u2019, another hell dimension, like we don\u2019t have enough. Hmmph.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHell dimension?\u201d Angel growled, his body tensing up again.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, that\u2019s seems to be where the danger is coming from- zappy, sparky little portals or something like that, Surprise, uh.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re leaving Sunnydale, now. I\u2019ll get Connor and pick you up at the Magic Shoppe. You both will stay in the Hyperion until this is over.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, I\u2019m not asking, if I have to bind and gag you, you are not staying anywhere near a damn portal and neither is our son.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia pushed back the \u2018our\u2019 son comment and focused on the rest. If she yelled, there was a very good chance that Angel would carry out his order just to be obstinate. She tried to think.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, my vision was about the world ending. Last I checked LA was still part of the world, so if Sunnydale goes, so does LA.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. If a portal to a hell dimension is on the Hellmouth, you and Connor will not be anywhere near it. I will not take the chance that either of you will get sucked in again. You\u2019re not staying.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, you’re being stupid. Just because I got sucked into Pylea and Connor got sucked into Quor-toth\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou died in Quor-toth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia sighed. Maybe Angel wasn\u2019t being stupid. Hell Dimensions did seem to like her and Connor.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, take Connor away. But, I\u2019m staying. I have to. The Powers\u2026Angel, I\u2019m already dead. It doesn\u2019t matter if I get sucked into a Hell Dimension and the Powers want me to stay and help Buffy stop the apocalypse. They didn\u2019t say anything about you staying, though. They just want you in LA, so go, take Connor and go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia blinked back her tears, as she heard nothing but a violent enraged growl, a crash accompanied by the phone crackling in static and then silence.<\/p>\n
Wesley and Gunn had stopped bickering to listen to Cordelia\u2019s side of the conversation with Angel. Their expressions going from smiles at Cordelia\u2019s exasperation at what had to be dorky Angel to stone as Cordelia\u2019s last statement sounded throughout the car.<\/p>\n
They stared forward, their angry thoughts and anxious prayers the same. Cordelia could not be dead. She had fought with them, she had teased them, she was in the car with them. Cordelia was alive. She couldn\u2019t leave them again.<\/p>\n
Buffy leaned her head against the window. She hadn\u2019t heard anything of what Angel had said, but she heard enough from Cordelia. All the talks in the world with Angel weren\u2019t going to get her back to the place she had been living in for the last six months.<\/p>\n
Angel loved Cordelia, not as a best friend but with a love that used to be reserved for only Buffy. Buffy wasn\u2019t at all sure where that left her in the vampire\u2019s affection and life. Buffy needed to get out of the car, she needed to see her family and with a sickening heart she wondered if Angel and Connor had ever been apart of that family.<\/p>\n
Crystal looked around at the silence that had engulfed the car. What had been laughter and teasing had turned into an immense weighted tension. There was sadness all around her, no where more evident than from the young woman with the powers of the Glisterian and a human heart, the woman who had said she was already dead.<\/p>\n
Crystal tentatively reached out her hand entwining her fingers around that Cordelia’s fingers. \u201cEverything will be okay,\u201d Crystal smiled wanting to help the brave young woman that had saved her life.<\/p>\n
Cordelia turned and stared at Crystal. She squeezed the demons hand. “Yeah,\u201d smiling sadly.<\/p>\n
Chapter 15<\/b><\/p>\n
The silence of the room was shattered by sound of smashed plastic bouncing off the wall onto the floor. Angel turned from the broken phone to Lorne.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you know\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dawn jumped up tugging at the vampire. Willow got up ready to do- she didn\u2019t know what, but she would do it- if it looked liked Angel was going to hurt the teenager.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d tugging harder. \u201cWhat about Buffy? Is she all right? Why didn\u2019t you ask how she was?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel glanced down and then up to the teenager\u2019s face. He took a deep breath, biting down his reaction to growl and push her aside. \u201cThey\u2019re going to the Magic Shoppe, no one was hurt,\u201d his steady voice barely containing the anger that encompassed his body.<\/p>\n
Willow grabbed Dawn, as the teenager was about to say something else. \u201cDawn, Xander can drive us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight, let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWillow.\u201d Angel stopped the redhead. \u201cTake a change of clothes. Cordy said the victim needs them. It\u2019s seems she was without any when she was saved.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNaked? Orgy, right. Okay,\u201d Willow turned back to Xander. \u201cI\u2019ll be only a minute wait for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, outside.\u201d Xander pulled Dawn out the door. Xander didn’t like the show of vampire rage and he didn\u2019t want Dawn to ask any more questions about Buffy. Angel seemed to only have Cordelia on his mind and right now as far as Xander could tell Angel\u2019s mind was very angry.<\/p>\n
As soon as the front door closed, Angel turned back to the green demon. \u201cDrakkus, hell dimension, ever heard of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d Lorne shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cFind out, now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lorne blinked. \u201cFrom the sticks? Sunnyhell burg may be the \u2018B\u2019 end all of evil convergences, but I don\u2019t have any contacts here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStay with Connor and use the phone.\u201d Angel ordered.<\/p>\n
Lorne let out a whoosh of air, he felt much more comfortable around Angel\u2019s growls. The menacing, cold calmness of the vampire could scare the shit out of a being. Now, if Lorne could only think of one contact that had a phone.<\/p>\n
Fred took a small step towards the vampire. \u201cAngel, if Wesley is researching about this hell dimension, he\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe asked that you go. You can wait or go with them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred looked out the window. The sun had almost fully dipped beyond the horizon. \u201cI\u2019ll wait for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel nodded and went upstairs.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia placed a blanket she found in the shop around Crystal. She had already told Wesley to leave the demon alone until she got some clothes on.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks. Are you better now?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shrugged and sat next to the young demon. \u201cDo you have a family?\u201d<\/p>\n
Crystal blinked, her big eyes turning sad. \u201cNot anymore. The Drakkus killed them when I was kidnapped.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d Cordelia reached out holding on to the demons hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you want to go back home, the Drakkus don\u2019t look real friendly? This dimension has it\u2019s own share of evilness, don\u2019t get me wrong, but they looked pretty evil.\u201d Cordelia knew Crystal was to be Angel\u2019s new seer, but she couldn\u2019t do it to her, not if Crystal wanted to go home. That wouldn\u2019t fair or right.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are.\u201d Crystal nodded. \u201cAnd I don\u2019t really have a home to go back to.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo friends? What about the guy in the cave?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNever met him before, still haven\u2019t actually met him. And I do have friends on Drakkus, but Drakkus is dying that\u2019s what this is all about.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia scrunched up her brow, holding back all her questions. Wesley would bombard the young demon soon enough. Cordelia leaned up and pointed. \u201cThat\u2019s Wesley, I didn\u2019t really get a chance to introduce you probably. He\u2019s the brains of the family; Gunn over there is the muscle. Fred will be here soon, she a brainac too, and Gunn\u2019s girlfriend. Angel’s the champion, he’s also a vampire.”<\/p>\n
“A vampire? I’ve heard of them, they’re evil demons.”<\/p>\n
“Mostly, but not Angel, he’s good, he has a soul. He’s the champion.”<\/p>\n
“Oh,” Crystal scrunched up her nose, deciding to believe Cordelia. \u201cWhat about her?\u201d Crystal pointed to Buffy. The blonde young woman was sitting on the counter talking to no one, just watching as Wesley and Gunn carried down books from the top floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, that\u2019s Buffy, she\u2019s the slayer, a champion like Angel, but she lives here in Sunnydale, our family lives in LA\u2026another place,\u201d Cordy added at the demon\u2019s confusion.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just came to help her stop whatever is going to happen, well actually Angel\u2019s been living here for awhile, too, but his home is in LA, that\u2019s where his mission is-in LA. See, his mission is to help the helpless. Wesley, Gunn and Fred help Angel, Lorne, too, he\u2019s a demon from another dimension just like you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou help, too? You’re very brave.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI used to, I\u2019m sort back only on a temporary basis for this world saving extravaganza.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUsed to? You said you were dead?\u201d The demon looked at Cordelia, frowning.<\/p>\n
\u201cLike I said a temporary basis\u2026\u201d She looked up as Willow, Xander and Dawn barged in.<\/p>\n
Buffy jumped down and ran to her friends.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy,\u201d Dawn cried running into her sister\u2019s arms. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d Buffy squeezed tightly. \u201cAngel?\u201d she looked up to Willow.<\/p>\n
Willow gulped. \u201cWe left him, he was upstairs with Connor. He told me to bring these for the\u2026.\u201d Holding out a bundle of clothes.<\/p>\n
Cordelia came up. \u201cThanks.\u201d She looked through the clothes. There was only one set. Stupid vampire, he didn\u2019t write it down. \u201cCrystal,\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia was jerked around to be face to face with Xander. \u201cYou are alive.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHi, Xander.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t look like a demon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia raised a brow. \u201cWell, I am. Good to see you, too. Crystal, here.\u201d She handed the clothes to the other woman and pointed to the bathroom.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, she did look like a demon, though not the normal gross type.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia swung back around. \u201cPrejudice, much, Geez. You say anything like that to her and I\u2019ll kick your ass. I take it Fred decided to wait for Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDidn\u2019t you hear, Angel\u2019s not coming. You told him to leave and he\u2019s leaving aren\u2019t you happy now?\u201d Buffy glared.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, Angel will go back to LA, but he\u2019s not going now, he won\u2019t leave until all this over. Geez, don\u2019t you even know him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, you\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel wouldn\u2019t leave his friends in trouble.\u201d Cordelia turned as Angel and Fred came in. Fred rushed in running first to Cordelia. Angel followed more slowly, his gaze unreadable.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, I knew you would be safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia smiled and once again moved away from the young woman\u2019s hug.<\/p>\n
\u201cStop doing that.\u201d Fred cried, trying to hug her again.<\/p>\n
\u201cFred,\u201d Cordelia held back.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, girl about a hug for me. I got bruises.\u201d Gunn called from across the room.<\/p>\n
Fred looked once more at Cordelia. \u201cYou need to stop doing that.\u201d She ran towards her boyfriend.<\/p>\n
\u201cFred’s right.\u201d Angel said. His eyes grazing her body, studying the blood on her clothes.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, stop sniffing me, I told you I wasn\u2019t hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel jerked the knapsack up that he had been carrying. \u201cGo change, then we need to talk. Go,\u201d he demanded at her glare.<\/p>\n
\u201cFine.\u201d She huffed taking the bag.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d Buffy said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot now, I need to now exactly what happened,\u201d Angel went directly towards Wesley.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, I was there, I know what happened.\u201d Buffy called after the vampire.<\/p>\n
Chapter 16<\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia looked at the bag. Well, she wasn\u2019t going to apologize to Angel for thinking he forgot. She grabbed at the clothes and wanted to throw up. She hugged the soft fleece to her chest wanting to cry.<\/p>\n
Angel brought her favorite comfy outfit. Actually, she guessed it wasn\u2019t really hers, even though she confiscated them the first night she ever stayed over at the hotel. Cordelia looked down at her blood-covered shirt. It wasn\u2019t that bad. Cordelia blinked away her tears.<\/p>\n
Cordelia slumped on the floor, wrapping the sleeves of Angel\u2019s black cotton sweater around her fist. She could do this. She had to. Cordelia got up, rolling the waistband of Angel\u2019s gray sweats up, forcing them to fit in an all too familiar pattern. She took a deep breath and joined the others.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia glared. This would not do. She had passed over Angel\u2019s gaze and fixed on Crystal. The demon looked scared and Cordelia couldn\u2019t blame her.<\/p>\n
If Angel had been glowering like that the whole time he was standing next to her, Cordelia would\u2019ve been scared too, well except she would\u2019ve been mad. Cordelia shook her head. A seer couldn\u2019t be scared of her warrior.<\/p>\n
It just wouldn\u2019t do.<\/p>\n
Cordelia strode up. Angel met her half way. \u201cWe\u2019re going to talk now.\u201d Taking her elbow and pulling her back into the room she just came from.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, we have to go figure this out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s to figure out, another apocalypse by way of a god damn hell dimension.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFigure out how to stop it, duh.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley will tell us, we need to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, so you haven\u2019t tried to kill him, again. What is it four times now? Gee, Angel, you sure you\u2019re not melodramatic or maybe you\u2019ve just gotten sloppy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel growled.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd don\u2019t growl at me and start being nice to Crystal.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCrystal, the pretty demon out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t think she\u2019s pretty, sure she\u2019s gold, but it\u2019s a nice gold and she doesn\u2019t have horns or tail. And she\u2019s got nice hair, real hair. She’s pretty don’t you think?\u201d Cordelia stopped at Angel\u2019s expression.<\/p>\n
She blinked as Angel blinked. Cordelia in disbelief that she still was concerned that she might even have the opportunity to turn gold. Angel just blinked in utter confusion at Cordelia\u2019s ramblings.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t care what she looks like, I don\u2019t care about her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, you have to. Okay, you don\u2019t think she\u2019s pretty, though the gold isn\u2019t that bad, but you need her.\u201d Cordelia argued.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho cares about the color of her skin? And I don\u2019t need her, I need you.\u201d Angel growled again.<\/p>\n
Cordelia smacked away his hand, \u201cWell, you can\u2019t have me. I\u2019m dead. I won\u2019t be around much longer. The armaggedy thingy has started and soon it will be over and if the world doesn\u2019t end, which it never seems too, I\u2019ll be going to heaven. Skip said so.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou’re alive, you’re here with me, and you aren\u2019t going anywhere, fuck Skip and the Powers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, you can\u2019t do this. You have to care about the Powers; you have to care about Crystal. You need to for your Shansu.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t care about anything but\u2026What does that demon out there have to do with the scroll\u2019s prophecy?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia took a deep breath and prepared to run. \u201cYou need a new seer, she\u2019s going to be my replacement.\u201d She took off running for the others, slamming down between Crystal and Gunn on the couch.<\/p>\n
Everyone looked at Cordelia like she lost her mind as she scrambled over legs and bodies to get to the spot on the couch. Everyone jumped as they heard the roar and yell of her name from the back room.<\/p>\n
Angel didn\u2019t bother to take a breath or count to ten he just turned and headed straight for Cordelia. The legs and bodies that the young girl trampled scattered making a path for the vampire.<\/p>\n
\u201cScaredies,\u201d Cordelia grumbled as Angel stood directly in front of her.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are coming with me, NOW.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia jumped up on the couch, her hands on her hips \u201cNO.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSit down or stand or sulk or brood or seethe but do not ORDER me around, and get that \u2018grr\u2019 face off, NOW\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel stepped closer.<\/p>\n
\u201cGet back, I\u2019ve got the Power and know how to use it.\u201d She put her hands out in front of her.<\/p>\n
Angel raised his brows.<\/p>\n
Cordelia glared holding her hands out and concentrated. \u201cWhy won\u2019t it work,\u201d she turned to Crystal, stamping her foot on the cushions. \u201cHow come you can do it, when you want to. It\u2019s not fair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know, maybe because your not really a Glisterian, you\u2019ve the Power, but you\u2019re human, too. The ability to control the Power develops, as we get older. Before that the Power just manifests when you are in danger or scared. I guess you’re not either.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pretty demon shrugged from behind Wesley\u2019s back. Though, Crystal wondered how Cordy couldn’t be scared or in danger. The vampire looked very frightening and mean, right now.<\/p>\n
Angel shot a look to the demon. \u201cGlisterian?\u201d<\/p>\n
Crystal moved hiding further behind Wesley at the vampire\u2019s gold eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with you, it was just a question.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d Wesley waved a hand up to his own face, clearing his throat.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? Oh,\u201d Angel\u2019s handsome face reappeared. \u201cWhat does a \u201cGlisterian\u2019 whatever they are have to do with Cordelia\u2019s demon powers?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley cleared his throat. \u201cIt seems that Glisterian are demons from the Drakkus dimension, Crystal is one of such species. She also has the same powers that Cordelia was developing after the transformation. It is quite possible that the Powers made Cordy part Glisterian.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel looked at the demon really looked at her, noticing the gold skin, the voluptuous body, and pretty face. He looked back at Cordelia still standing on the cushions, her hands no longer on her hips but trying to hold up her sweats, all of her jumping around had loosened the ties.<\/p>\n
A soft smile settled over Angel\u2019s face as he leaned in to Cordelia, his finger gently cupping her face. \u201cYou’re right, you would be very pretty gold.\u201d He said lowly.<\/p>\n
Cordelia jerked back. \u201cThat\u2019s not what I meant.\u201d She hissed. \u201cAnd, anyway, it doesn\u2019t change anything.\u201d She snapped.<\/p>\n
Angel leaned back, the soft smile becoming wider. \u201cI\u2019ll just stand over there and brood for now, okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, it\u2026I..\u201d Cordelia huffed and slumped around to her original position on the couch, diverting her eyes from the vampire. She wouldn\u2019t give him the satisfaction. She knew he was still smirking, thinking she cared what he thought about her possibly becoming gold.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are all you staring at?\u201d she yelled to the room. \u201cDon\u2019t we have bad things to seek and destroy?\u201d<\/p>\n
Everybody, well, Wesley, Gunn, Fred and Crystal scrambled back to their original positions taking up the researching where they had left off.<\/p>\n
Willow, Xander and Dawn just stood close around Buffy, all wondering what the hell just happened.<\/p>\n
Chapter 17<\/b><\/p>\n
Angel leaned up against the wall, His arms across his chest, his eyes never leaving Cordelia. She was there in front of him trying obstinately to avoid his gaze. He loved how his sweater swallowed her; it gave him a sense of contentment. It always had.<\/p>\n
Even that first time, when he saw her stumbling out of the guest room, stretching and yawning half asleep. Angel had grumbled about her stealing his favorite sweater and wrinkling it. She had blinked and stuck her tongue out at the vampire telling Angel that if he had let her go home the night before she would\u2019ve had her own clothes to change into but since he didn\u2019t it was his fault and they were comfy.<\/p>\n
Angel couldn\u2019t be mad, because when he watched Cordelia bounce down the stairs wearing his clothes, he knew she was safe.<\/p>\n
Till this day, Angel still didn\u2019t know how she got his clothes, he had tucked her in after the battle with the Astras cult in which she almost got killed again and watched over her for most of the night. But somehow, Cordy got his clothes and from then on claimed them has hers. Angel just kept washing them and putting them back into the guest room for her.<\/p>\n
Angel closed his eyes briefly, pain settling in his chest. He had worn those same clothes every night after she died, trying desperately to keep her scent alive, if only in his dreams.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t until Angel came to Sunnydale that he packed them away. Angel breathed deeply. Cordelia was there. He opened his eyes and stared again. Cordy had her comfy clothes and he had her, he could almost be happy.<\/p>\n
Cordelia just needed to let him hold her, let him tell her that he loved her. Angel frowned; he hadn\u2019t actually got around to telling her that and she never said that she loved him. But, Cordy was worried that he wouldn\u2019t think she was pretty if she actually turned gold and that gave him hope.<\/p>\n
No, everything would be fine once this current apocalypse was over. Cordy just needed to get those \u201cI am still dead\u2019 crap and the ridiculous idea that anybody could replace her out of her head. Then Angel could be happy.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
The vampire wanted to growl at the interruption, but he also knew he had to do this sooner or later. Angel glanced down at Buffy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI need to talk to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel nodded. Sooner was better than later, once the fighting started there wouldn\u2019t be time and once it was over he wanted to take Connor and Cordelia back home as quickly as possible. Angel was just truly sorry that he would have to hurt Buffy. But Angel had no choice- his life was back.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia bit her lip and watched her family. Wesley simultaneously reading his books, writing frantically, studying the disc, and shooting questions at Crystal. Fred was alternating whizzing things in the computer at Wesley\u2019s command and chatting with Crystal about the difference between LA, Pylea and Drakkus whenever Wesley allowed Crystal a breath.<\/p>\n
Gunn was sitting on the counter, playing his computer game ignoring the bustle around, just waiting to be told where and when to fight. The only thing wrong with the picture was that they were in Sunnydale, not home.<\/p>\n
Cordelia leaned back. It wasn\u2019t fair that she would have to die in this hell pit. She wanted to go back to LA. She wanted her family. She wanted to be hugged and told everything would be all right. She couldn\u2019t do it anymore.<\/p>\n
Cordelia knew that she couldn\u2019t have it all, but maybe she could have a piece of it. Cordelia looked up and saw Buffy take Angel into the back room. That little heart to heart\/discussion\/whinefest would take awhile. Wesley and the rest wouldn\u2019t notice. She looked to the other occupants.<\/p>\n
No, Willow, Xander and Dawn wouldn\u2019t either, they were also helping, reading whatever texts Wesley suggested. Cordelia quietly closed her book and got up.<\/p>\n
Cordelia slipped silently out the door of the Magic Shoppe, stopping only to get her sword. She may be part demon and soon to be dead, but it was Sunnydale and Cordelia didn\u2019t want her death to come any sooner than need be.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel forced himself to block out Cordelia\u2019s heartbeat and scent. He needed to concentrate on the young woman before him. Buffy deserved it.<\/p>\n
Now that she got him there, Buffy wasn\u2019t sure how to start or how much she really wanted to know. Cordelia kept saying that she was dead that her presence was only temporary.<\/p>\n
If Buffy believed that then Angel wouldn\u2019t have a future with the brunette. Buffy\u2019s future wouldn\u2019t have to be destroyed. She just had to make sure that Angel wouldn\u2019t leave her to go back to LA, once Cordelia was gone again.<\/p>\n
But do that she would have to be able accept Angel\u2019s answers to the questions she had and not ask the ones that she really needed to know the answers to.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, I just wanted to have a moment alone with you. We haven\u2019t had one since Cordelia showed up. Understandably, it\u2019s been distracting; our friend just came back from the dead. It\u2019s exciting and wonderful, of course, the news of Armageddon isn\u2019t, but we\u2019ve handled those before. I just wanted to tell you that I understood why\u2026why you\u2019ve been acting a little strangely, she was your best friend, you told me that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA little strangely,\u201d Angel frowned. This was not the conversation he expected. He had expected legitimates demands for Angel to explain the truth behind his actions and words. Answers and explanations that Angel was prepared to make because Buffy deserved the truth.<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, the surprise and everything. We all were. It threw everyone for a loop, especially you. You were close to Cordelia. I understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cClose to Cordelia?\u201d Angel knew Buffy wasn’t stupid. He was began to wonder why Buffy was deliberately minimizing his obvious reaction to Cordelia’s presence.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was your seer and best friend. I understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, you keep saying that but who are you trying to convince, me or you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, I do understand. I love you. You love me. We can handle this together. I\u2019ll be there for you when she goes. I just wanted you to know that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel stepped back, thoughts of being considerate, kind and any questions as to why Buffy was denying, fell away from his mind as the urge to throttle Buffy took over. Angel took a deep breath. \u201cCordy isn\u2019t going anywhere except back to LA, when this is over.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy shot out a hand, trying to remain calm. \u201cAngel, I know it\u2019s hard to accept seeing her looking all alive, but she\u2019s dead, only here because the Powers want her to help US with this. And I know you\u2019ll grieve again for her, but I\u2019ll be there. I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy already made the promise never to leave me, Buffy. And I\u2019m holding her too it. She came back and she will stay with our son and me. That\u2019s my promise.\u201d<\/p>\n
“Angel, Cordy said\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know what she said. But she was wrong. Cordy is very rarely wrong but she is about this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, she was in heaven. Heaven is peace from all this. You really want her to give it up when she wants to go back, can go back. I told you what it felt like to be ripped out of heaven. You would really want that for her? You care about her. She was in heaven, Angel. Believe me, she wants to go back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, you say you understand, then really understand I don\u2019t just care about Cordelia, I love her. And I didn\u2019t rip her out of heaven, the Powers did, I\u2019m not just giving her back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou love me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d Angel anger was replaced by sadness and guilt. He should have known better; it had always felt wrong. \u201cBut, I was able to move on when you died, I could still live, be happy. That didn\u2019t happen when Cordelia died. It couldn\u2019t because I need her for those things to be true and that was a conclusion I came to a very long time ago, even before you died. The love was only a little slower in coming.”<\/p>\n
\u201cYou did move on, you came back to me. You moved on, you did.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Buffy, I just loved you. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, that\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel growled and stormed out of the room leaving Buffy standing in the middle of the room. \u201cWHERE IS CORDY?\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy fell to the floor, she hadn\u2019t asked him, she hadn\u2019t wanted to know. But the bastard told her anyway. He loved Cordelia more than he ever loved her.<\/p>\n
Now, what was she going to do?<\/p>\n