Chapter 56<\/b><\/p>\n
Buffy hated buses. They stank, weird people, weirder than any demons, dwelled in their claustrophobic bellies. She cringed as the bleary tired drunk man lurched against her again.<\/p>\n
She was so tempted to toss the offending man out the window at the going rate of 60 miles per hour. Buffy sighed. She just hadn\u2019t wanted to ask Xander for his work truck. One because once she explained, he would want to go with her, then Willow, then Dawn and second, because she just didn\u2019t know what to explain.<\/p>\n
So, she took the bus and left a note. Maybe that wasn\u2019t the most mature thing to do, but right now Buffy was beginning to doubt that her original thought had been rational, or mature, or noble. No, she had to go to LA, tell Angel that Spike and Dracula were together. And then, somehow stop whatever trouble Spike had gotten into and then keep him from getting killed by Angel for whatever trouble he had gotten into.<\/p>\n
Oh thank god, only thirty more miles. Creep. Buffy shoved the drunk into the aisle. She struggled trying to get rid of the images of Spike laughing as Angelus sang, Buffy and Angel sitting in a tree <\/i>\u2026<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, now where\u2019s the squirt?\u201d Spike leaned into Fred\u2019s room, looking at the empty bassinet.<\/p>\n
Fred turned and glared pulling on her shirt. \u201cKnock, it\u2019s polite, Angel always knocks.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe squirt?\u201d Spike pointed. \u201cShould we be gathering the troops or anything?\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred shoved on her glasses, not hiding the rolling of her eyes. \u201cAngel came and got him last night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh. Right. Poof\u2019s son so poof takes him to be with him and the chit. Got it.\u201d Spike shook his head still wondering how in the hell his grandsire got so lucky.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on, William, I\u2019ll fix you some breakfast.\u201d Fred pulled at the blonde vampire.<\/p>\n
Spike was tempted but he remembered. \u201cYou really can\u2019t work the microwave?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, I can. Anyway, there\u2019s enough blood for a few mistakes.\u201d She smiled.<\/p>\n
Spike shook his hand away. \u201cThanks, but no thanks. I\u2019ll wait for the chit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred turned. \u201cSo, you think Cordy will make breakfast for you, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026she warmed blood before for me.\u201d Spike said defensively.<\/p>\n
Fred gave a wide smile. \u201cThen I\u2019m sure she will do it again.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cGood morning, all.\u201d Cordelia came bounding down the stairs. Angel held Connor following close behind.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood morning,\u201d Wesley and Fred called. Gunn and Spike grunted their heads in a nod.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike, you look a little peaked, haven\u2019t you eaten yet. Hey, you\u2019re still wearing Angel\u2019s coat.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike squirmed. \u201cWhat do you think, love? Short or long,\u201d he twirled, deciding the hell with it. The chit always looked good. She had style, even in sweats and Peaches’ oversized shirt.<\/p>\n
\u201cI need to see the other one.\u201d Cordelia scrunched up her face. Spike looked up at his grandsire glaring from the staircase and decided to take the elevator.<\/p>\n
Angel nudged the young woman. \u201cCordy, that\u2019s my coat. My favorite. Isn\u2019t it bad enough you gave my other favorite to what\u2019s his name Groo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy swirled around. \u201cPlease, you never wore that coat, you said it was too snug in the shoulders, didn\u2019t give you sword swinging range.”<\/p>\n
Angel thought about it. \u201cGroo had smaller shoulders than me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, but he was taller.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWas not.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWas too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel growled. \u201cThen that\u2019s even worse. He was tall and weak shouldered.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever, you say. As for the coat Spike is wearing you haven\u2019t worn it since I told you it made your ass look fat.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou said my ass was cute.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d Cordelia whispered. \u201cDid you or did you not just vamp violent all over Dracula?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUm, maybe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia rolled her eyes. \u201cYou\u2019re such a dork. You have a perfect ass, that coat just has a bad cut. Spike can pull it off because he has a skinny ass, well toned, and muscled, but small.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey. Should I be getting vamp violent?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStupid.\u201d Cordy leaned up and kissed the dark vampire.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know, I\u2019m thinking you owe me an apology.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan it wait until after Connor\u2019s fed?\u201d She smiled.<\/p>\n
Angel considered and nodded. Connor would be screaming for his bottle soon and that would just interrupt any apology session. \u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia rolled her eyes and headed into the lobby.<\/p>\n
Angel trudged after her, son in arms.<\/p>\n
\u201cLove,\u201d Spike came back, draped in his trademark long leather coat.<\/p>\n
Cordelia pondered. \u201cI honestly think I like that one better. It gives you more of a cool skulking look, and it swooshes really sexy. It\u2019s more unique. Yeah. Definitely, sexy. But, you know, take the other one, it looks good too, you can start a collection of leather coats that you never wear just like Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel, Gunn and Wesley stared at Cordelia. Gunn went running to Fred, tugging at his coat. \u201cDo I look sexy?\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred blinked. \u201cJean jackets don\u2019t swoosh.\u201d Fred blinked again, realizing her mistake. \u201cBut they\u2019re really \u2018hot\u2019. Whoa, type hot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn nodded, satisfied. \u201cCool.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley just stood, he hardly wore any type of jacket, maybe a cotton or LL Bean farmer style.<\/p>\n
Cordelia dodged Angel\u2019s grasping hand. \u201cWes, you look awesome in LL Bean, awesome.\u201d She smiled knowingly. \u201cClassy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley slowly nodded. Fred came up. \u201cCordy\u2019s right.\u201d Wesley smiled and went to his books, he didn\u2019t have anything to look up but he felt it prudent to hide his blush.<\/p>\n
Angel grabbed at Cordelia, finally catching her. \u201cSexy? Long coats. Impractical, makes you trip. Sexy? Spike?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, I will say this only one more time, so listen- you are not fat, you have a cute ass, you are sexy, drop dead mouth watering, and other parts watering- sexy, coat or no coat, clothes or no clothes, especially no clothes. Okay.\u201d She whispered between clenched teeth.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d Angel beamed. \u201cMommy thinks I\u2019m sexy.\u201d He cooed to his son.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d Cordelia plucked Connor out of his arms. \u201cSpike, do you want to hold him, have you eaten?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat sounded like an invitation to munch.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cVery funny,\u201d Cordelia arched her brow.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo breakfast yet.\u201d Spike kicked the floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike had been watching the byplay between the young woman and the vampire along with the others. He sighed as the little bundle was placed in his arms. Now what? Talk to the squirt that’s what the chit said to do before.<\/p>\n
There was a young man from Kent
\nWhose tool was so long it was bent
\nSo to save himself trouble
\nHe bent himself double
\nAnd instead of coming- he went!<\/i><\/p>\n
“Spike,” Angel growled. Gunn and Wesley coughed and Fred blinked as she computed the words. “Oh. I’m telling Cordy.”<\/p>\n
“Hey, what? It was just a limerick.”<\/p>\n
“She said keep stories G. That wasn’t G. Was it?” Fred turned to Angel, Gunn and Wesley.<\/p>\n
“It was G, PG at the most. No nasty words or anything.”<\/p>\n
“What did Spike do now?” Cordelia came back into the lobby holding two mugs of blood.<\/p>\n
“He…” Fred started.<\/p>\n
“Peaches…” Spike begged the other vampire to stop the young woman from telling Cordelia.<\/p>\n
“Nothing, just telling Connor bad stories that he won’t do again.”<\/p>\n
\u201cBad?\u201d Cordelia raised a brow. \u201cAs in how bad? Spike, I told you that Angel was the hero.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t like that, Cordy. It was a nasty\u2026limerick.\u201d Fred nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cHell, you aren\u2019t a babbling brook, you\u2019re a fuckin waterfall of tongue wagging.\u201d Spike glared at Fred.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, don\u2019t growl at her.\u201d Gunn stepped forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrowl? Did you hear me growl? She\u2019s a blabbermouth.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike, give me Connor.\u201d Cordy said.<\/p>\n
\u201cLove, it wasn\u2019t bad, I swear.\u201d Jerking the baby away from Cordelia.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike, do you want your breakfast or do I throw it down the drain.\u201d She waved the mug in the air.<\/p>\n
Spike looked at Cordelia and then at Angel. That\u2019s when he noticed the other vampire sipping on a steaming mug.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, well, why didn\u2019t you say so, love.\u201d Spike and Cordelia traded off burdens.<\/p>\n
Spike spat the first mouthful of blood out. \u201cWhat the hell?\u201d He moved the mug back up to his nose, sniffing tentatively. \u201cCinnamon? I got cinnamon? Hey, I got cinnamon,\u2019\u2019 he smiled and took another swallow. \u201cShit, Peaches, this sucks.\u201d Spike smiled as he drank more.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou get use to it. Be thankful it\u2019s not considered dinner, then it\u2019s the hot sauce.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chapter 57<\/b><\/p>\n
Buffy just stood and stared. No one noticed her.<\/p>\n
Not Angel, not Spike, not Cordelia, not Wesley or the other people that were strangers. She had been planning on barging in her presence, but the sight of Spike holding a baby rooted her feet to the doorway and cemented her mouth closed. She just watched.<\/p>\n
Spike recited a bad rhyme to the baby in game face, Angel growled but not lunging. A brunette she had never seen threatened to tell on Spike to Cordelia as if that was a threat. But, it was. Buffy saw Spike stammer and Angel smirk.<\/p>\n
The smirk reminded her of Angelus\u2019 gleeful wicked humor- and\u00a0\u2018Buffy and Angel sitting in a tree\u2026\u2019<\/i> came flashing back into her mind. Buffy wanted to throttle the dark vampire for old times sake but she just stood wide eyed as Cordelia came into the room.<\/p>\n
That couldn\u2019t be Cordelia, the fashion queen of Sunnydale high. Still beautiful, but she was in sweats, a man\u2019s shirt and had no make up on\u2026.and she was carrying two mugs, which could only contain blood. Buffy blinked as the Cordelia she didn\u2019t recognize gave a mug to Angel with a soft smile and then handed one to Spike.<\/p>\n
Cinnamon? Spike spat it out at first, but now he was drinking it as if it was the best thing in the world. Did Angel just make a joke? Where was she is? Buffy must have made a sound, because now the whole room was looking at her.<\/p>\n
Cordelia glanced at the surprised face of Angel and Spike\u2019s flabbergasted one. She shook her head and moved forward. \u201cBuffy, hi. Coming in? Do or don\u2019t but close the door one way or the other, sunlight bad for the complexion.\u201d She nodded her head to the streams of sunlight that backed the pretty blonde and then to the two vampires, still gaping.<\/p>\n
Angel gulped. \u201cHi. How are you? A visit?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia slid up to the dark vampire. \u201cJust remember, I\u2019m part demon now, who knows what kind of violence I\u2019m capable of yet. Don\u2019t test me. It could very well put your vamp ones to shame.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel blinked and looked at the lovely woman holding their son. \u201cI\u2019m just surprised. Cordy,\u201d Angel whined at the raised brows. \u201cCordelia.\u201d He moved after the retreating female.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, slayer.\u201d Spike had taken the time to collect himself. He raised his mug. \u201cWhat brings you here?\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred nudged at Wesley. \u201cIs that the B- word?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d Wesley pushed at his glasses.<\/p>\n
\u201cSmaller that I thought,\u201d Gunn shrugged.<\/p>\n
Buffy ignored Spike and strode up to Angel. Angel was moving trying to place himself in front of the continuiously turning Cordelia. She glared, he begged. Buffy poked at Angel and after getting no response, grabbed the dark vampire and swung him around to face her. \u201cAngel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI said hi,\u201d Angel jerked back. \u201cCordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPfft. Oh, you so not wanting to claim me cause you OH so love me, Ha. Well, Connor\u2019s mine. No backcees.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, you\u2019re being stupid.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m being stupid, I didn\u2019t trip over my tongue when the blonde presence walked in now did I?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy.\u201d Angel turned; ignoring Buffy\u2019s tugs and glared at Spike. \u201cSpike, take care of your mess.\u201d Angel jerked his head towards Buffy. \u201cLet me go.\u201d He yanked again away from the blonde young woman.<\/p>\n
\u201cMess?!\u201d Buffy pulled back, using her strength to turn Angel again. \u201cMess? Mess, so \u2018Buffy and Angel sitting in a tree, K I S S I N G, First came the love then the fuckin\u2019, Now comes Angelus and some serious funin\u2019, As death greets scoobs one by onein\u2019<\/i>, uh!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh,\u201d Angel repeated, perplexed.<\/p>\n
\u201cUm, Peaches \u2013 Willies\u2019, bathroom wall- uh, Angelus. \u201d Spike coughed.<\/p>\n
Angel swung around. \u201cWhat are you talking\u2026.OH.\u201d Angel turned back to Buffy\u2019s red face. \u201cSorry.\u201d He shrugged.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel!\u201d Cordelia\u2019s arm shot out.<\/p>\n
Angel swung back around facing Cordelia. \u201cCordy, I was Angelus, I didn\u2019t even remember\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOnein\u2019<\/i>? That\u2019s not even a word.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s right, Peaches. I didn\u2019t want to say anything at the time, but it really did suck.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt rhymed.\u201d Angel protested.<\/p>\n
\u201cSerious funin\u2019<\/i>? And the chits right, onein\u2019<\/i> just ain\u2019t a word.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was the sound, fuckin’<\/i>, funin’<\/i>, onein’<\/i>. It worked.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s a scoob<\/i>? And should Connor be hearing all of this?\u201d Fred said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right. Fred, please take Connor upstairs.\u201d Cordelia held out the buddle in her arms.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, it rhymed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, it was just bad, not even terrifying or funny.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, Cordelia is right, Spike\u2019s limerick was better.\u201d Gunn nodded and jumped on the counter.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was not.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m afraid, I would have to agree.\u201d Wesley nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat limerick? What did you say, Spike?\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike looked, the squirt was upstairs so he repeated it.<\/p>\n
Cordelia considered saying the words again. \u201cIt\u2019s better, much.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, you\u2019re sexier okay, vampolicious, Spike\u2019s just better at the word stuff. You\u2019re action manpire.\u201d Cordelia smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, Okay.\u201d Angel grinned pulling the brunette to him. \u201cI still think you owe me another apology on top of the last one, though.”<\/p>\n
\u201cFine, but can it wait until after we deal with the blonde slaying bombshell that\u2019s about to go off.\u201d She whispered nodding to Buffy.<\/p>\n
Angel stopped the descent of his head to Cordelia\u2019s neck. \u201cOh, right.\u201d He leaned up, standing straight, his hand still clasped around Cordelia\u2019s waist. \u201cSo, Hi, sorry about that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReally, Buffy, Angelus did a lot worse for you to be mad at, get over it. Or don\u2019t. Why are you here?\u201d Cordelia took over the conversation. \u201cNot, that we aren\u2019t happy to see you actually alive and all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia disentangled herself from Angel. \u201cDopey vampires aside, we all are very glad to see you alive,\u201d she repeated sincerely.<\/p>\n
Buffy blinked. She had never seen that smile on Cordelia, not to her. But it was real. It made her nervous. She glanced at Cordelia and Angel, who had moved back next to the young woman. His smile towards Buffy reflected the same sincerity.<\/p>\n
But Angel wasn\u2019t leaving Cordelia\u2019s side. Buffy looked at Spike. Spike had looked the most comfortable she had ever seen, not jeering, not bitter, just okay. But, now he was nervous. It must be because he knew, she knew about Dracula. Buffy wouldn\u2019t let Spike get away with what ever game he was playing.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike, he came to meet Dracula.\u201d She took a deep breath and waited for the fall out and questions to begin.<\/p>\n
\u201cActually, Buffy, Spike came to talk to me and to warn me about Dracula being in town. Cordelia and I were already at the birthday party. So, Spike along with Wesley and Gunn- you haven\u2019t met Gunn, that\u2019s Gunn,\u201d Angel pointed to the black man.<\/p>\n
Gunn nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyway, Spike helped us get out of the party alive and has helped us since.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDracula?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDead.\u201d Cordelia said firmly. \u201cAnd no longer of importance.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHello, excuse me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel pushed Cordelia behind him and growled for Spike. Spike moved grabbing Cordelia. Gunn and Wesley moved to alert positions.<\/p>\n
Cordelia struggled against the blonde vampire. \u201cLet me go, you ass.\u201d She jabbed and kicked.<\/p>\n
\u201cChit, stay put. I\u2019m not falling for your tricks this time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up. Angel, I told Mortimor he could stop by\u2026 granted I didn\u2019t think he would, but I did.\u201d She pushed, freeing herself from Spike.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy.\u201d Angel growled turning on the young woman.<\/p>\n
\u201cPfft. Angel, it\u2019s Morty. Hey, have you decided what you want to do?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mortimor looked from Angel and Spike. \u201cMiss, maybe I should\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPfft, don\u2019t mind them, they’re idiots. Come in. Coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Angelus\u2026Angel, allows me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d Cordelia demanded.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy are you here?\u201d Angel ignored Cordelia and turned on the man, eyes flashing gold.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, Dracula is dead, Mortimor is alone, lost and I imagine very confused, he needs help and that\u2019s what we do.\u201d Cordelia glared.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the hell is going on?\u201d Buffy yelled. Everyone was pretty much ignoring her and she didn\u2019t have a clue what was happening. Who was the English new stranger that had everyone in an uproar.<\/p>\n
And why was Spike protecting Cordelia? Buffy was going to lose it very soon, if she didn’t start understanding.<\/p>\n
Mortimor jumped. \u201cThe slayer?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, old girlfriend of Angel\u2019s and current pelvic partner with Spike. It\u2019s the vamps of \u2018Aurelius\u2019 they have a knack for nailing the slayer.\u201d Cordelia shrugged. \u201cThough, Angel\u2019s knack is now completely and only nailing the seer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy.\u201d Angel\u2019s glowering stopped after shooting a growl at Spike for letting her go. Angel hurried after the young woman leading the English gentlemen to the kitchen.<\/p>\n
Buffy gulped trying to get her bearings. Had Cordelia just thrown out into the room that Buffy was sleeping with Spike? Buffy looked around. She had, but there was no reaction from anybody. Cordelia had said it outloud in front of everyone, but it was if no one heard… or cared. Angel just hurried, trailing after the Cordelia Buffy didn\u2019t know.<\/p>\n
Wesley was there, but she wasn\u2019t even sure if she knew him. He wasn\u2019t at all the same; sure he pushed at his glasses but he looked liked he fit, just like the man beside him and the woman that had gone upstairs with the baby did.<\/p>\n
Buffy glanced back at Spike. He was fluctuating, going from looking okay to looking nervous. Something hurt inside of her as Buffy had a sudden flash that she was the one changing his mood. But she needed to understand and Spike was the only that she knew there, really knew, so she ignored the feeling. \u201cSpike, what the hell is going on?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing, slayer. I came and helped conquer, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe baby? What were you doing holding a baby? And how do they know about…about…”<\/p>\n
\u201cThe shagging?” Spike shrugged. “It came up in conversation. They’re okay with it, well, Peaches and the chit were really the only ones that knew, but they’re okay. As for the squirt, he\u2019s my bleedin\u2019 nephew, I can hold \u2018em if I want. The chit said so. Didn\u2019t she,\u201d he turned to Gunn and Wesley.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d \u201cYeah.\u201d Both men nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour nephew?\u201d Buffy distracted completely from her dreaded secret that was common knowledge.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeaches\u2019 kid, his and the chits. They said I could.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy shot an incredulous glance to Wesley. Wesley stayed firm. \u201cYes, Buffy, Angel did have a child and there is no doubting that Cordelia is that child\u2019s mother. And Cordelia, as Connor\u2019s mother and Angel, Connor\u2019s father, both said that Spike was family.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure damn did.\u201d Gunn nodded.<\/p>\n
Spike barely looked at the two men, but the brief glance was sufficient. He had a family. He looked at Buffy. \u201cThe squirt\u2019s my family. I can hold him if I want to.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel had a child with Cordelia? Impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. Prophecy. And Angel loves Cordelia.\u201d Wesley shrugged fitting the truth to his purposes.<\/p>\n
Buffy blinked, wanting to yell and go running after Angel and make him explain how he could have a normal life without her. Her feet started to move, and then stopped. She couldn\u2019t have a normal life with Riley and she had loved him and he was normal, in a commando demon fighting way.<\/p>\n
But in the human vs. demon arena, Riley was normal. But Buffy hadn\u2019t been able to accomplish it. She looked back to the kitchen doorway through which Angel had disappeared. Buffy knew that she never thought \u2018normal\u2019 would be possible with the dark vampire. But their love had been real, oh so real, but a dream of something forbidden, because of Angelus. \u201cCordelia and Angel, how? Angelus? His soul?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley stepped up to field that one. \u201cAngel\u2019s soul has been anchored, he loves Cordelia.\u201d He said simply. Wesley shoved aside his doubts about telling the young woman or his thoughts that Angel should be the one to tell her. Wesley pushed on his glasses and smiled firmly confident in his answer.<\/p>\n
He would not take even the slightness chance that the vampire\u2019s sure to be stammering and stuttering explanation of the truth to Buffy would hurt Cordelia. Buffy had to know.<\/p>\n
Gunn moved up to add his two cents, though not exactly sure why. \u201cHard case love, tore Dracula to bits just for looking at her. The vamp\u2019s got it bad. And also, Cordy\u2019s Connor\u2019s mother.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike?\u201d Buffy turned to the one person that she had completely relied on since her return from heaven, dreaded secret or not. He always told her the truth.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, Angel has a kid. Prophecy or whatever. He loves the chit. Really. I saw it. He does. He\u2019d have told you himself, but he\u2019s still a little rattled about the whole Dracula thing. He won\u2019t be letting the chit out of his sight for a while. I\u2019m sorry, love.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, go away.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d He growled.<\/p>\n
Mortimor squirmed in his seat waiting for the vampire to rip his throat out. He should be happy; that\u2019s what he always wanted.<\/p>\n
Except. The young miss had been right, watching the children play in the park, watching life past by him as he sat sipping designer coffee, he began to feel a glimmer that maybe it wasn\u2019t too late for him. He had to ask the young woman how to do it. So he came. In his need, Mortimor had forgotten that the vampire that defeated Dracula protected her.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, Buffy is here. She has no idea why she\u2019s here. I imagine at some point she will realize it\u2019s because Spike wasn\u2019t waiting on her hand and a foot for the last three days. But she will never realize that maybe that weirdness she is feeling could be love unless you go tell her it can be. Go. Tell her the truth\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, I trust you, are you worried that I can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel dropped to his knees cupping his strong hands around Cordy\u2019s face. \u201cI love you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen go tell Buffy that the love that you both shared opened you both up to a real future with people that could love you both with out strings or doubts or anything. Do it for me and do it for Spike. Let us both feel secure, finally. Being second best sucks.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, you aren\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cProve it to me later. Now go help Spike.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chapter 58<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cMiss, I truly don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shrugged. \u201cWhat do you want, Mortimor?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo learn to live again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow do you plan to manage that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know. Every thought, every feeling was centered around Dracula. I was hoping that you could help me.\u201d Mortimor eyes remained on the table.<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmph. Okay, I\u2019ve a plan. Do you have any money? Of course not. Did Dracula? Did he leave a will? Nevermind. I\u2019ve some from a vacation I never took, well, actually, it’s Angel’s, but he won’t mind. I\u2019ll give it to you and I want you to book yourself on a Club Med get-a-way, not the hedonistic one that may be too close to memories needed to be forgotten, but the regular one. Enjoy, sun, people. If you are having problems with the whole getting a life thing- come back, I\u2019ll put you to work helping the helpless. Deal?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMiss?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMortimor, why didn\u2019t you want me to tell Dracula that I loved Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe would have destroyed you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI take it from your look and tone you mean worse than what he already had planned. Oh well, thanks for that.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel walked out into the lobby. It wasn\u2019t much different from when he left except Buffy and Spike were standing closer.<\/p>\n
His hopes plummeted though at the sight, his grandchilde was ready to dance into the sun and the Buffy was confused and angry.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, can I talk to you?\u201d Angel said.<\/p>\n
Buffy\u2019s eyes shot up gratefully to the dark vampire as Spike\u2019s glared.<\/p>\n
\u201cOffice.\u201d Angel gestured.<\/p>\n
Wesley stepped forward than back. He was positive that no lovemaking would happen. But broken furniture? He moved again. Gunn pulled him back.<\/p>\n
Angel passed Spike. \u201cI trusted you with those I love.\u201d He growled in a low whisper at the blonde vampire\u2019s glare and attempt to block the path.<\/p>\n
Spike stepped back.<\/p>\n
\u201cBye, Morty, write.\u201d Cordelia waved. She stood at the door for a moment and then moved back to Spike\u2019s side. \u201cGood, he did it. Angel can be such a dunce sometimes. Hey, you want to go see if Connor is asleep yet?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cChit, he\u2019s in there with Buffy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d she shrugged. \u201cGood thing, he loves me, uh.\u201d She smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou told him to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shrugged again. \u201cHey, we both deserve to be number one, let the fairytale end once and for all. Let\u2019s go see Connor. By the way, did I tell you thanks. If not Thanks.\u201d Cordy tipped on her toes to grace a sweet kiss on the blonde vampire\u2019s cheek.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, let me start\u2026please\u2026and sit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy sat agitated not knowing what she would hear, but knowing that it would change her perception of her future.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike came three days ago. I wasn\u2019t here when he arrived. I was taking Cordelia\u2026nevermind\u2026.the important thing to you is Spike came to ask me to go back to Sunnydale and help you. He said you were lost didn\u2019t know who you were anymore, he told me what you told him \u2013 about being ripped from heaven.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe didn\u2019t have the right\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, you told him, not me, not Willow, not Xander, not Giles, you told him. And he only told me, because he thought I could help you. He wanted me to go and remind you what you are\u2026.a beautiful, courageous, strong, young woman.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe did? Were you? You didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, he asked, and no I wasn\u2019t going to go.\u201d Angel grabbed the young woman as she leapt from the chair, pulling her back down. \u201cI didn\u2019t because it would\u2019ve been a lie,\u201d Angel held her down.<\/p>\n
\u201c Not that you weren\u2019t or are those things, but just that me going to you and telling you those things, promising you a love forever would be a lie. Because as much as I loved you, as much as I do care about you, as much as I know how wonderful you are- my life is here. I love Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia?! How, she\u2019s\u2026\u201d Angel put his hand over Buffy\u2019s forming sentence.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, I will warn you, I just fought Dracula, I\u2019ve been going through some serious dark vamp instincts in the last couple of days. I\u2019ve got Cordy back, so I\u2019m happy, but if you do anything to threaten her or make her upset right now, I\u2019m not really sure how I\u2019ll react.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, I\u2019m not saying this to scare you, or to belittle the love we shared, that was real, so real. But, what we had didn\u2019t make it past Sunnydale, it didn\u2019t and if you weren\u2019t in such denial about your feelings for Spike you would know that.\u201d Angel pulled Buffy back again.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope you love him. For a soulless vampire, he deserves it. But if you can\u2019t then please stop sleeping with him, it\u2019s driving him nuts. And if he remains pouty and lost, then Cordy will ask him to move in to the hotel. And while, I don\u2019t want to kill him, I don\u2019t want him living here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy jerked and glared. \u201cYou loved me, I loved you. How can you love Cordelia now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause for whatever reason I allowed her presence to enter my heart, and when Cordy takes a step she takes all. She was in my face for three years and in each one of those days she took over everything. She knows me Buffy. You have someone that does the same for you. The one you tell your secrets to. He\u2019s there if you let him. I\u2019ve given up and let Cordelia take over, I\u2019m not sure I even had a choice in the matter. And honestly, I\u2019m not sure you do either, you’re just denying the feelings, don\u2019t. Or do. But, realize this, while I loved you and still care for you, I\u2019m not some dream that you can avoid relationships for. My life is here, with my son and his mother that’s my reality and my dream. Hate me or thank me, it\u2019s your pick. Just know that our time together was real but it\u2019s over.\u201d Angel got up.<\/p>\n
Spike ran past as Angel shrugged through the doorway.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, don\u2019t let whatever the poof say get you down. He\u2019s a poof, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike, I want to go home. I took the bus here, can you drive me back, please.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, okay. Hey, where are you going?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo say good bye.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, I wanted to just say good bye.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy walked up closer. \u201cBye. Um, Bye, maybe some other time you can stay longer when there isn\u2019t so many slams in your face sort of stuff. I really am glad you weren\u2019t dead.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I\u2019m beginning to see how living is a plus. You have a son, congratulations. Take care of him and yourself\u2026.and Angel.\u201d Buffy moved not knowing whether to hug or not. Cordelia moved and wrapped her arms around the blonde.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will\u2026and you take care of Spike, he\u2019s family you know.\u201d Cordelia pushed up and smiled at Buffy.<\/p>\n
Buffy scrunched her face. \u201cMaybe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is. Go for it, keep him, look at his ass.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike smirked at the low whispers as Angel growled.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, I\u2019m saying good bye to our guests, be quiet. Oh wait, Spike, don\u2019t leave yet.\u201d She went running.<\/p>\n
Wesley and Gunn came up.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, nice seeing you, uh.\u201d Wesley said then turned to Spike. \u201cThank you. I will admit you are the best of the lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAren\u2019t the others dust?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, there’s still Drusilla. But even so, thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn grunted. \u201cYou ain\u2019t so bad for a vampire with bad musical taste.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike growled. \u201cI\u2019m sending you a CD. You\u2019re so pathetic.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGet out of here before I stake you.\u201d Gunn shoved away. \u201cWait until I sign you up for 12 for 1 CD\u2019s – my choice. They\u2019re going to bury you. Ha.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike?\u201d Buffy said, she had said her goodbyes to Angel, Cordelia, even Wesley, who was left? No one for her, but Spike still seemed to be lingering.<\/p>\n
Angel came back into the room. \u201cYou\u2019re going.\u201d Buffy felt neglected again Angel wasn\u2019t looking at her, but at Spike.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, Peaches.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel nodded. \u201cCordy says you can come back anytime you want.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe likes me, she gave me cinnamon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel growled. \u201cI\u2019m sure it was just an over flow from mine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel is jealous,\u201d Spike laughed, in a singing tone.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike.\u201d Cordelia came forward arching her brows higher with each step closer to the blonde vampire.<\/p>\n
\u201cShit, Peaches, what\u2019s with that tone of hers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know but it works.\u201d Angel shuffled at the approaching brunette.<\/p>\n
\u201cBye, Buffy, again. Spike, if you\u2019re going, so, here.\u201d She shoved a leather jacket in his hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, we already discussed this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s yours, Spike\u201d Angel patted the leather in the blond vampire\u2019s arms. \u201cTake care of it, it was my favorite.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, don\u2019t be a dork.\u201d Cordelia hmmphed.<\/p>\n
Spike looked around. \u201c I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWilliam, Connor wanted to say goodbye.\u201d Fred bounded down the stairs.<\/p>\n
Spike smiled, and then flashed a vamp face at the baby\u2019s giggles. \u201cI\u2019ll tell you a better one next time.\u201d He leaned up. \u201cBye, pet.\u201d He smiled at Fred.<\/p>\n
\u201cBye, William. Come back soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike was almost to the door with Buffy, blanket ready for the dash to his car, when he was yanked back. He fell against Cordelia his hands going immediately around to keep her from falling.<\/p>\n
\u201cChit, are you declaring?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAss, No,\u201d she hugged the vampire tight. \u201cThank you for everything, remember you have a home here.\u201d She squeezed tighter.<\/p>\n
Spike leaned up and touched a finger to her jaw. \u201cYou really want me dead don\u2019t you, all the nakedness, touchy and feely.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Spike, I want you there for Angel, I don\u2019t know exactly how long my demonness means, help him get to his redemption, promise me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLove, you\u2019ll be there but so will I, okay.\u201d Spike kissed Cordelia\u2019s forehead.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay. Bye, get out of here, both of you, you\u2019ve screwed up Connor\u2019s schedule.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chapter 59<\/b><\/p>\n
Buffy didn\u2019t say a word all the way back. She just stared out the window, not seeing any but her expression in the dark tinted windows. Every once in awhile in the silence, Buffy glanced over to the blonde vampire.<\/p>\n
She didn\u2019t understand.<\/p>\n
A lot happened. Angel and Cordelia and Baby, big wow. But, even stranger was her reaction, she was hurt, mad, and that was understandable. But the sight of Cordelia giving Spike blood, a leather coat, promising him a family that was what made her whole being shake with worry and hurt.<\/p>\n
Spike had been comfortable, hell he had been happy. She glanced back at the vampire that was driving her back home.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWill you stay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStay?\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy leaned against the far passenger door. \u201cWill you go back to LA? Cordelia said you were family.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe did, didn\u2019t she?\u201d Spike smiled. He glanced at the stillness that descended in the car. Buffy was curled up closer to the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you going to leave me? I\u2019m sorry, I just don\u2019t know how.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spike jerked the steering wheel u turning the big vehicle to the side of the road.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy?\u201d He leaned over her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want a family.\u201d Tears dripped from her big blue eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cLove, you have one, and you do know how, you just have to remember who you are, please.\u201d Spike leaned in wishing the young woman to believe him.<\/p>\n
He had forgotten how vulnerable the slayer really was in his finding of a family.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you family?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you want me to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy studied the intense blue eyes of the vampire above her. \u201cMaybe? Can I try, will you let me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, yeah,\u201d Spike pulled himself up away from the body beneath him.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike, will it ruin the mood if I say that if you make love to me- I might find that ‘maybe’ to be obsolete.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, no.\u201d Spike swooped in to capture her lips.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Many moments later Spike started up the car, amazed that Buffy wasn’t hating him or herself for what just happened. “Um, Buffy?”<\/p>\n
“Mmm.” Buffy rubbed her head against the leather coated shoulder.<\/p>\n
“Um, maybe, I don’t know, next weekend or something, we could come back up to LA, there’s this bar- Caritas, I know the owner. Cool, place. Maybe we could go? Maybe?” Spike squirmed a little.<\/p>\n
Buffy leaned up and blinked. “Like, a date?”<\/p>\n
Spike shrugged, he hadn’t really considered it that way, but okay. “Sure, yeah.”<\/p>\n
“Maybe, okay, depends on Burger work schedule and whether Willow or Xander can stay with Dawn. But, the fake burger palace owes me and…well, Willow and Xander will understand when I tell them.”<\/p>\n
“Tell them?”<\/p>\n
“That I’m going on a date with you.”<\/p>\n
“You’re going to tell them?”<\/p>\n
“Have to, they’re family, like you.” Buffy moved in closer to Spike’s side.<\/p>\n
Spike clenched the steering wheel straight, knowing that the grin on his face was goofier than Dork Angel’s had ever been.<\/p>\n
Epilogue.<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201dWhen, Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe site said two days,\u201d Angel paced.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, not even counting the Connor factor, I\u2019ve ended up on the floor, how many times? No. No more, Connor cuddling or sex until we get a bigger bed. You\u2019ve been happy because you aren\u2019t the one on the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, I got on the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s just it Angel, you GOT on the floor, I\u2019ve had no choice. One minute I\u2019m safely on the bed, the next whump on the floor. And of course you followed, you\u2019re the one that thrust me there in the first place. Bigger bed, or else.”<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo days, give me two days, please.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe. You\u2019ll have to do some major convincing though.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can do that.\u201d Angel grabbed for the naked beauty and laid her on the bed. \u201cYou\u2019ll stay on if it kills me.”<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re already dead, big promise. Hmmph.\u201d Cordelia laughed as she squirmed into his touch.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo days, I can do this, shut up and just enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmph. Okay.”<\/p>\n
End<\/b><\/p>\n