Part 11<\/b><\/p>\n
Methos slumped further in the leather chair his feet propped up on Wesley\u2019s desk, the Baba Yaga\u2019s book of spells in his lap.<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley doesn\u2019t like it when you put your feet on his desk.\u201d Fred squirmed a bit. \u201cNot yours specifically, I mean, but anybody\u2019s. I heard him yell at Charles just the other day.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAh, but Wesley and Gunn have gone to investigate the new case. So, Wesley just won\u2019t ever know now will he? or are you going to tell on me.\u201d Methos lifted his head from the flipping pages.<\/p>\n
Fred concentrated brow cleared as she heard Methos\u2019 teasing tone. She gave a small smile in return. \u201cI won\u2019t tell.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo.\u201d Fred perched on the edge of the facing chair. It had taken a month but Fred\u2019s natural curiosity had overcome her nervousness around the old Immortal. It also helped that Methos had become a lot nicer once he finally accepted that Duncan wouldn\u2019t be leaving Cordelia until the Highlander felt confident in the progress of her training.<\/p>\n
Methos even trained with them sometimes. Fred had to admit that was best time to watch. Wow. Duncan and Methos were so good they were pretty, dancing around and swords sparking. It was amazing. Cordy was becoming really good too.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo.\u201d Methos leaned up bringing his feet to the floor and depositing the book on the desk.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, is your friend a witch as well as an Immortal?\u201d Fred pointed a finger at the discarded spell book.<\/p>\n
Methos\u2019 gaze followed Fred\u2019s gesture then traveled back to the young woman. \u201cTell me, did you really come in here to find out the answer to that question or to protect Wesley\u2019s desk OR were you just looking for a place to hide from the blonde all seeing bombshell that hasn\u2019t stopped exploding since she arrived.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred fidgeted a bit under Methos\u2019 knowing eyes and dry tone. Okay. Fred chewed on her bottom lip. So, she wasn\u2019t exactly all downy comfort comfortable with the old Immortal. Her gaze twitched to the closed door of the office.<\/p>\n
A small giggle threatened to let loose at the picture of Gabriel blowing up and popping like that poor blue gluttony obnoxious girl in Willy Wonka. Fred had to admit she wouldn\u2019t be opposed at all to seeing the blonde go BLAM or at least POOF. Fred let out an embarrassed chuckle at Methos\u2019 insight and her own not nice thoughts. Fred quickly turned her unease into a shrug. Pfft.<\/p>\n
She really didn\u2019t care much for Gabriel, it wasn\u2019t just that the strange interloper blonde hadn\u2019t stopped going on and on about Angel and what a champion he was, how he was her champion- Geez, Gabriel didn\u2019t even know Angel, so how could she say how great he was, he hadn\u2019t even saved her, not once-, or how she would widen those abnormally large green eyes of hers and bat her unnecessarily long eyelashes-how did she see with those entangling bits of stuff- at any male in the vicinity?<\/p>\n
– sure Fred knew Gabriel was half demon but still the woman wasn\u2019t normal even for that mixture- Fred would have to do some more research now that she was more comfortable with using a computer again, or that all the men seemed to fall for her\u00a0ooh you\u2019re so wonderful <\/em>routine- okay, Fred hadn\u2019t really picked up on that until Cordy explained that it was an old trick- let a man think he was oh so fascinating<\/em> and they were putty<\/p>\n – again, like many of the words of wisdom Cordy imparted, Fred wasn\u2019t so sure she understood- why would a woman want a man to be a lump of play clay, but Fred trusted Cordelia and she did see how Wesley and Gunn seemed to puff out their chests whenever Gabby spoke or whined for them to do something for her.<\/p>\n No, Fred decided it wasn\u2019t any of those things.<\/p>\n Gabriel represented a change in the dynamics of Angel Investigations and Fred didn\u2019t like it. Sure, Cordy being an Immortal and the presence of Duncan and Methos could be considered a change. But Duncan and Methos were just temporary until Angel got back.<\/p>\n Then Angel would train Cordy and Cordy. Fred sighed at her broken thought.<\/p>\n Until Gabriel showed up, Fred believed that nothing would really change. Fred realized that she hadn\u2019t been a part of Angel Investigations for\u2026well since she was able to stop hiding in her room or under tables and actually started to help a little, which happened to be not that long ago, but still she felt a connection with Cordy, Wesley, Gunn and of course Angel, after all it was because of them she was able to be free from Pylea- but Gabriel, she felt nothing for except dread.<\/p>\n \u201cFred?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh.\u201d Fred blinked at Methos. Geez, she had to stop wandering in her thoughts broken or otherwise. At least, she was getting better at not just unconsciously babbling out loud about whatever was on her mind.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019m hoping she went up to her room. She doesn\u2019t like to be alone, no audience to create drama for,\u201d Fred rolled her eyes. \u201cAnd she won\u2019t come in here, she doesn\u2019t like you. You and Duncan don\u2019t seem to fall down at her drippy every word.\u201d Fred blinked as she sort of heard what she said.<\/p>\n Okay, so she wasn\u2019t completely cured of the talking too much habit. Thought, mouth open and words emerging without really thinking. Bad.<\/p>\n Methos laughed. \u201cI can\u2019t speak for Duncan, actually I think I can. We\u2019re old. Seen a lot of beautiful woman in both our days. And since neither of us are full fledged members of the \u2018awe\u2019 Powers team, she\u2019s nothing special, just well put together.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou think she\u2019s beautiful, more beautiful than Cordy? She\u2019s so\u2026so not normal and Cordy is\u2026.\u201d Fred nudged at her glasses.<\/p>\n \u201cActually, demon notwithstanding, Gabriel is very normal, especially for this region and time, could be interchanged with any of the wanna be actresses that hit the TV waves, whereas Cordelia and you,\u201d Methos smiled, \u201care not only lovely to look at, you\u2019re both are interesting to talk to, well, in Cordelia\u2019s case listen to would probably be the more appropriate. She can talk.\u201d Methos\u2019 brows rose in exaggeration.<\/p>\n Fred double blinked, nudged her glasses and turned bright red. Methos had said she was interesting and\u2026.lovely? He included her with Cordy? Sure, everyone knew Cordy was beautiful and interesting and\u2026. well, special\u2026but, her? She wasn\u2019t any of those things, not even close.<\/p>\n Okay, now Fred was fighting an urge to go run up to her room or dive under the desk. Fred refused to budge, running and hiding wasn\u2019t interesting that was just pathetic. She tried to focus on another topic that would dim the heat in her cheeks and keep her feet still. \u201cUm, you were saying about your friend Cassandra.\u201d She gulped.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think I was,\u201d Methos gave the blushing girl mercy, \u201cbut, Cassandra isn\u2019t a witch, though she could be a vindictive bitch.\u201d He mumbled the last part under his breath.<\/p>\n \u201cUh.\u201d Fred inquired, glad that the subject was off her even if it was just on her briefly as a tangent to a conversation.<\/p>\n Methos sat up and tried to answer the young woman seriously. \u201cNo, Cassandra isn\u2019t a witch, though I imagine that she had been labeled one many times over the centuries. She has the gift of sight. She foresees things. Not a real healthy gift for a woman during certain ages, where such oddities could get a woman burned at the stake.\u201d Methos shoved aside the conflicting emotions that arose within him anytime the female Immortal was mentioned.<\/p>\n Methos wasn\u2019t the guilt filled sort, but what he and his companions did do to her and to her village during their reign of terror as the Four Horsemen did entitle her to be just a little bitchy to him. Though, Methos thought a few thousand years was a pretty long time not to get over it.<\/p>\n He\u2019d of thought that at some time during that period she would\u2019ve gotten therapy or just learn that things change, people change and taking oneself too seriously wasn\u2019t a plus in a personality.<\/p>\n Then again, he had raped her and kept her as a slave, like he said she had the right to be miffed.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s a seer, like Cordy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Her talent is natural and not manipulated by your Powers. It\u2019s a gift, not a mission.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo, she wants that,\u201d Fred pointed to the book again. \u201cFor research?\u201d<\/p>\n Methos nodded, then frowned. \u201cYou\u2019d think that if it was so damn important that Duncan and I had to come to California to get it, she\u2019d at least send a thank you or something for the copy we sent. She hasn\u2019t even acknowledged that she\u2019s received it or that she\u2019s even still in Russia.\u201d He waved at the text.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t know where she is?\u201d<\/p>\n Methos shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t seem that worried that you haven\u2019t heard from her,\u201d Fred wrinkled up her nose, \u201cjust irritated.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe could let us know \u2018mission accomplished\u2019, but no. And I\u2019m not worried about her. Cassandra can take of herself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not worried that someone, another Immortal, may have chopped off her head?\u201d<\/p>\n Methos shrugged. \u201cHonestly, I would sleep better at night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh?\u201d Sometimes, Fred really didn\u2019t understand the Immortal.<\/p>\n Methos shook his head. \u201cIf someone did then at least neither Duncan nor I would have to fight her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d fight your friend?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Gathering has no friends. And \u2018friend\u2019 is not really an accurate label for my relationship with Cassandra, but she is Duncan\u2019s. He doesn\u2019t take fighting and killing his friends well so it wouldn\u2019t necessarily be a bad thing if someone else did it for him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou would be okay with killing a friend?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t have that many friends so it\u2019s not really a issue with me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d fight Duncan?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf I had to, just as he would fight me.\u201d Methos said straightforwardly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about Cordy?\u201d Fred\u2019s eyes widened automatically turning in the direction towards the courtyard where Duncan and Cordelia were training.<\/p>\n Methos shrugged. \u201cIf we all live to the Gathering, then yes. But, you don\u2019t have to worry until that happens- IF that happens,\u201d he emphasized at the young woman\u2019s worried expression. \u201cI don\u2019t look for Immortals to challenge and neither does Mac and, well, Duncan cares for her. She\u2019s safe with him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe does like her, doesn\u2019t he? Of course he does. Everyone does. I\u2019ve only known her for several months, but I can tell. Angel, Wesley and Charles would do anything for her.\u201d Fred paused.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d Methos leaned in closer taking in the faraway look of the young woman.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing\u201d Fred flinched as Methos\u2019 unwavering stare challenged her. \u201cWell. I used to think of Angel as my prince, you know saving me from Pylea but it wasn\u2019t me that he came to Pylea for, it was Cordy. And she was a Princess. I land in Pylea and become a slave, she lands in Pylea and gets crowned.\u201d Fred blew out a breath, shrugged and shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cFred, are you jealous?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJealous?\u201d Fred blinked. \u201cOf Cordy?\u201d Fred shook her head quickly with sincerity once she figured out what Methos was asking. \u201cI couldn\u2019t be jealous of Cordy, she\u2019s my friend and I told you I figured it out. Cordy\u2019s special. It just clicked one day, she\u2019s the heart of\u2026\u201d Fred waved her hands around, only stopping to push at her glasses. \u201cThe mission\u2026she\u2019s Angel\u2019s seer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot anymore.\u201d Methos cocked his head.<\/p>\n \u201cPfft.\u201d Fred rolled her eyes, no longer nervous talking about a subject she was sure about. \u201cAngel won\u2019t like it. Cordy\u2019s an Immortal, she won\u2019t die from the visions anymore, he\u2019ll figure out a way to fix it, make it back to normal. Get her<\/em> out of here.\u201d Fred shot a glance to the door.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re jealous of Gabriel?\u201d Methos caught her last low words and look.<\/p>\n \u201cOf her?\u201d Fred looked up in indignation. \u201cNo way. She’s a blonde bimbo \u2018ho\u2019 that we have to put up with because of the visions. Please.\u201d Fred rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cTell me, how much time have you been spending with Cordelia?\u201d Methos asked recognizing Cordy’s expression and repeated not too discreet descriptions of the blonde seer on Fred\u2019s face and in her words.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Cordy likes to take me shopping, it\u2019s fun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight.\u201d Methos leaned back. \u201cSo, you think everything will change to normal when Angel gets back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course.\u201d Fred nudged at her glasses. \u201cCordy being Immortal isn\u2019t really the way things were but it will be close of enough when Angel gets back. And Angel will be happy that Cordy won’t die. He worries about her and likes to make sure she’s safe.\u201d Fred said firmly.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been over three months.\u201d Methos questioned gently.<\/p>\n Fred scooted up. \u201cHe\u2019ll be back. Wesley and Cordy said so. Everything will be fine.\u201d She said emphatically.<\/p>\n “I haven’t heard Cordy say that much anymore.”<\/p>\n “She’s just been busy with Duncan and stuff.”<\/p>\n \u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Angel paused stilling his urge to burst through the basement door. He would see her soon enough, he would see all of his family. He took a deep unneeded breath.<\/p>\n It smelled like home. Scents of humans floated in the air. Humans that he recognized and needed, Angel concentrated on the one that he needed the most. It was faint. Of course, he was still in the basement; Cordelia wouldn\u2019t have had much reason to spend a lot of time down there. But he could smell hints of her unique fragrance. He paused in his push at the door.<\/p>\n There was also other beings\u2019 smells, unfamiliar ones. Angel calmed himself. Clients, he reasoned when he didn’t sense any danger. Good, the business had been up and operating. He had had moments of guilt that without him the agency would falter.<\/p>\n Angel stood in the lobby, placing his duffle bag down. It was empty. Where was everyone? Where was Cordy? Angel peered at Wesley\u2019s office. He heard voices. He concentrated. Not hers, but Fred\u2019s and someone he didn\u2019t recognize. Maybe the client. Angel walked slowly towards the closed door.<\/p>\n He listened for a moment. Angel was glad to hear that Fred and Cordelia seemed to be getting along but he didn\u2019t really understand all of what Fred was saying and who was with her? And why was Cordy busy with someone named Duncan. Maybe he was another client.<\/p>\n Cordelia -he needed to see her. He opened the door.<\/p>\n \u201cFred?\u201d Angel stood in the doorway.<\/p>\n Fred jerked and jumped to her feet, blinking all the while. \u201cAngel.\u201d She blinked even faster. \u201cIt\u2019s Angel.\u201d She twirled to face Methos. \u201cHe\u2019s\u2026\u201d she twirled again. \u201cYou\u2019re back.\u201d She twirled again. \u201cAngel\u2019s back. I told you.”<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d Methos stood.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re back,\u201d she twirled and bounced happily in front of Angel. She blinked again.<\/p>\n \u201cFred,\u201d Angel reached out his hand to halt the beginning of another twirl. \u201cWhere\u2019s Cordy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCordy?\u201d Fred asked then smiled. \u201cCordy, right, Cordy\u2019s outside with Duncan. She\u2019s going to be so surprised. Wow. You\u2019re back.\u201d Fred bobbed and smiled wider.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, I wish Wesley and Gunn were here, but they\u2019re out solving a case – a case that I took the information on. I\u2019ve been helping.\u201d She nodded. \u201cI\u2019ve been receptionist girl.\u201d Fred paused. \u201cAnd I helped research the Lexias demon, didn\u2019t I.\u201d She managed to twirl her nodding head towards Methos.<\/p>\n \u201cYes you did. Without you, Wesley wouldn\u2019t have found the way to vanquish the Lexias in time before its boiled drippy self soaked us to death.\u201d<\/p>\n Fred smiled at the Immortal, and then pursed her lips. \u201cDuncan killed it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, but if he hadn\u2019t Wesley would\u2019ve because he had the potion you found- Wesley would\u2019ve coated it with the potion if Duncan hadn\u2019t taken the demon\u2019s squishy head first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was squishy wasn\u2019t it? I can\u2019t believe it came here. Cordy was so mad at the mess.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel tugged at Fred. \u201cCordy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOutside with Duncan, didn\u2019t I say that already?\u201d she looked back to Methos questioningly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou did.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel stared at the man. \u201cWho are you? Who is Duncan?\u201d<\/p>\n Methos had been thinking quickly since the demon disguised as man showed up in the doorway. Fast or slow? Just say it. Methos\u2019 hand inched towards his sword. The vampire had a soul, but Methos had read about both the vampire with and without a soul.<\/p>\n Not a demon that you met unarmed and\u2026the observer he was\u2026Methos had come to the conclusion while watching the mortal mix of Angel Investigations that the non-mortal part-Angel wouldn\u2019t be quite so accepting of Duncan and Cordelia\u2019s friendship. Actually, Methos admitted, he had seen similar worries in Wesley\u2019s eyes as the days passed and Duncan and Cordelia got closer.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m Methos, an Immortal, Duncan, Duncan MacLeod is too. Why we\u2019re here, which had to be your next question, is because Cordelia is also an Immortal, we\u2019re here helping her adjust.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel took a step back as the words processed through his mind. Well, actually they hadn\u2019t at all processed. He just heard them. Angel blinked towards Fred.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s true.\u201d Fred started her rapid nodding again or had she even stopped. Her resolve to think before speaking completely gone at her excitement at seeing Angel,<\/p>\n \u201cCordy died. It was horrible. She went with Charles and Wesley to fight the Gorgon babies. One hatched and ripped her stomach and chest wide.\u201d Fred made a dramatic hand motion to demonstrate not noticing Angel\u2019s even paler skin tone or the increased tension in his strong frame.<\/p>\n \u201cBlood was everywhere. I saw it. Well. I didn\u2019t see the actual bloodletting but I saw her at the hospital- dead. Blood was everywhere. Cordy was so mad that her shirt had been ruined. It was a new one. Really pretty, gold with a deep neck and this flimsy sheer type material for sleeves. She got it at Target.\u201d Fred\u2019s eyes widened and her hand flew to her mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cWhoops, shoot, that was a secret. She didn\u2019t get it at Target but at that boutique on Fifth Street. I never mentioned Target, don\u2019t even know what that store is neither does Cordy, never been there, don\u2019t know anything. I\u2019m talking too much again, aren\u2019t I? Shoot. \u201d Fred gave a tentative smile hopeful that no one would question her further on that tidbit she swore to secrecy and death and just let slip.<\/p>\n If it got out Cordy would never take her shopping again. Fred chewed on her thumbnail, worried.<\/p>\n Angel\u2019s mind spun. Fred said that Cordy was killed but she also said that Cordy was outside with this Duncan person, which was it. \u201cCordy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d Fred blinked at the vampire. \u201cI told you she\u2019s outside.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYOU also told me that she was killed.\u201d Angel tried very hard not to shake the young woman.<\/p>\n \u201cShe was.\u201d Fred looked puzzled.<\/p>\n \u201cFred,\u201d Methos pulled the young woman away from the vampire. \u201cYou\u2019ve been a bit round about in your explanation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have?\u201d Fred scrunched up her nose. \u201cI told him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat Cordy was dead.\u201d Methos said softly.<\/p>\n Fred\u2019s eyes widened, as she comprehended the Immortal\u2019s words. She shot back to the way too still vampire. \u201cCordy\u2019s alive, She\u2019s an Immortal. She died, but she lived, she\u2019s alive, just outside, she\u2019s alive and fine, not dead, not at all, I’ll show you.\u201d Fred started to pull at the vampire.<\/p>\n Angel didn\u2019t resist. He let Fred pull him out of Wesley\u2019s office with one last look at the strange man standing comfortably behind it.<\/p>\n \u201cHoly shit.\u201d Gunn loped in, stopping at the sight of the vampire. \u201cAngel.\u201d The black man moved quickly. \u201cMan, you\u2019re back.\u201d He looked over his shoulder. \u201cHey, Wes, Angel\u2019s back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d Wesley hurried in.<\/p>\n Angel stopped as Fred tugged in the opposite direction that she had been heading.<\/p>\n \u201cAngel.\u201d Wesley ran up. \u201cWhen did you get back? How are you?\u201d Wesley dropped his surprised happy tone to a sad understanding one. Angel had left to grieve. One must always remember that.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine. Fred,\u201d Angel jerked the young woman back to his side, \u201cwas taking me to Cordy\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Cordy. What did you tell him?\u201d Wesley shot to the young woman and then Methos.<\/p>\n \u201cOnly that Duncan and I are Immortals and so is Cordy and she and Duncan are outside.\u201d Methos finished quickly.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, well, um, Angel, maybe we should go in my office first before you see Cordy.\u201d Wesley beckoned towards the room.<\/p>\n \u201cWes, Fred said that Cordelia was dead, that she went with you to fight a Gorgon; that her chest was ripped open. A Gorgon, Wesley?\u201d Angel asked in soft tone. A tone that left Wesley with no doubt that the vampire\u2019s puzzled expression was cloaking a rising anger.<\/p>\n Wesley gulped and tried to clear his throat.<\/p>\n Gunn gazed intently at the floor, hoping beyond hope that the vampire\u2019s cold eyes didn\u2019t land on him questioning his part in that particular mess.<\/p>\n \u201cYou allowed Cordelia to go with you to fight a Gorgon- a Gorgon, those are the very large deadly Demons that have not only three heads with gaping razor sharp teeth, but claws and spiked lethal tails-aren\u2019t they? Please, tell me I misunderstood Fred and that you didn\u2019t let Cordelia fight a Gorgon, that she never received any type of injury that she didn’t die as a result of battle she should’ve never been near.”<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t misunderstand me\u2026I said..\u201d Fred started.<\/p>\n \u201cGirl.\u201d Gunn furiously shushed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u2026But, they were baby Gorgons and Cordy\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel swung fixing his gaze on the young woman. \u201cThere is no such thing as a baby Gorgon-they\u2019re either slimy eggs or full-grown beasts,\u201d trying to keep his anger in check for Fred\u2019s benefit.<\/p>\n Fred\u2019s eyes widened and scooted closer to Methos, finally recognizing the anger in the vampire\u2019s posture. \u201cCordy\u2019s alive, just outside, she\u2019s with Duncan.\u201d Fred squeaked, and moved further behind Methos.<\/p>\n \u201cNow what did I say? I need to remember to keep quiet,\u201d she whispered biting her lip.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it may be the Duncan part?\u201d Methos whispered back. The old Immortal resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Things were going to get messy; he could just feel it in his bones. Methos really should have dragged Duncan away from this place as soon as he realized about the vampire. Jealous vampires weren\u2019t fun.<\/p>\n \u201cAngel, I really think we should talk.\u201d Wesley beckoned again towards his office in a steady voice.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Wesley, we WILL talk AFTER I see Cordelia- outside, WHERE?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGarden.\u201d Wesley took a deep breath. \u201cAngel, it\u2019s daylight.\u201d He called after the moving vampire.<\/p>\n \u201cOH, MY CHAMPION IS BACK.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel turned his anger completely supplanted by bafflement as a blonde strange woman dashed down the stairs and flung herself at him.<\/p>\n Angel hesitantly jerked his hands up trying to pry the woman\u2019s hands off of him. \u201cWesley?\u201d Angel was totally confused.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. Like, I suggested, my office.\u201d Wesley pointed once again to the room.<\/p>\n \u201cLet him go,\u201d Fred snapped at Gabriel. \u201cAngel wants to see Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel snatched on to Fred\u2019s words. \u201cCordy, I need to see her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut why?\u201d Gabriel prettily pouted. \u201cShe means nothing to you or our mission now. I\u2019m your seer.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel stared at the unknown blonde, his mind numbing at her words. Angel turned towards the garden. Angel\u2019s homecoming was nothing like he expected. Cordelia would explain it. Angel opened his mouth to call for her and shut it just as quickly as he stared out into the sunlit garden from the shadows.<\/p>\n WHAT THE HELL.<\/p>\n The group followed each taking turns trying to gauge the vampire\u2019s reaction and looking at the couple outside engaged in a sword battle. Except for Gabriel, she just pouted. Fred shushed her before the blonde could start to speak again.<\/p>\n Angel stood transfixed in the shadows of the doorway. It was Cordy. He knew it was Cordelia. Her body, her scent was as familiar as was the sound of her heartbeat. What he didn’t recognize was the scene. His urge to rush out a stop the man’s sword from striking at Cordelia was curbed only by the fact that he could see that the man wasn’t attacking Cordelia but sparring with her. He watched as Cordelia met each blow, holding her sword confidently and effectively.<\/p>\n “Come on, Cordy.” Duncan beckoned changing his former tactics becoming more aggressive.<\/p>\n Cordelia dodged, swinging her sword trying to press forward against the Immortal.<\/p>\n “What are you doing, Cordelia?”<\/p>\n “Fighting, dumb ass.” Cordelia grunted as the force of Duncan\u2019s blows pushed her back.<\/p>\n “You’re losing.” Duncan corrected, turning and swinging, knocking Cordelia’s sword from her hands. “Now what are you going to do.”<\/p>\n Cordelia stood still her narrowed gaze studying Duncan’s advancement.<\/p>\n “Come on Cordelia react don’t think. Until you live a few more years you will always be the less experienced of your opponent.” Duncan swung.<\/p>\n Cordelia jerked avoiding his blow as she jumped landing on the stone bench behind her.<\/p>\n “Good know your surroundings, but you’re still taking too much time you aren’t going to have. Where’s your sword?”<\/p>\n “On the ground, you idiot.”<\/p>\n “Not going to do you much good there.” Duncan swung.<\/p>\n This time Cordelia jumped high somersaulting over Duncan, rolling as she landed, her hand grasping for her fallen sword.<\/p>\n Duncan turned quickly still on the offensive pressing in on Cordelia. Cordelia jerked her sword up shakily warding off his blow.<\/p>\n “I’m stronger and you are down.”<\/p>\n “Cocky, old guy.” Cordelia grumbled, striking out with her leg as she kept her sword in front of her protecting her neck and chest. She grunted in satisfaction as her kick pushed Duncan back. Swiftly, she rolled again coming to her feet. She charged raising her sword in her left hand.<\/p>\n “Cordy, not smart.” Duncan’s sword rose in challenge.<\/p>\n Cordy dropped suddenly, bracing her body with her right hand as both her legs swung out sideswiping Duncan’s knees. She quickly bounced up as Duncan lost his balance, her sword, held in both hands over the other Immortal’s neck.<\/p>\n “Was too smart. You’re dead.” Cordelia jerked her sword high in the air. “You’re so dead, so very dead.” she sang. “I won. I won. I won. I beat the great warrior Duncan Macleod from the clan Macleod, blah, blah. Ah.” Cordelia lowered her sword to the ground, smiling a great smug grin.<\/p>\n “You’re a brat.” Duncan laughed getting to his feet. “Not bad.”<\/p>\n “Not bad.” Cordelia huffed. “You’re so dead.”<\/p>\n “And you were dead three minutes ago. Cordelia, you need to trust your reactions. An Immortal after your head is not going to give you time to think.” Duncan said seriously. “But, you did do well,\u201d he added with a smile.<\/p>\n “Hmmph.” Cordelia’s pouting halted as her gaze turned to the doorway of lobby sensing Methos’ presence. Quickly, she bypassed Metho’s knowing look, Fred\u2019s expression of awe, Wesley and Gunn\u2019s expression of pride and sadness, completely ignoring the blonde standing in foreground. Cordelia narrowed her eyes on the unfamiliar figure, and then opened them with a surprised gasp, her sword falling to the ground.<\/p>\n “Angel?” she whispered, taking a small step forward. “Angel,” she cried, finally confident at the images of the vampire. “Angel.” she yelled again running towards the still figure cloaked in the shadows.<\/p>\n Angel still didn’t have any idea what was going on, but he did know that the body hurtling towards him was his Cordelia. He caught her easily as she jumped and hugged him tightly. “You\u2019re home.” she mumbled into his neck. She looked up quickly into his dark eyes. “You’re home.” She gave a radiant smile squeezing him tighter.<\/p>\n “I’m home.\u201d he whispered, tightening his own embrace.<\/p>\n