Part 13<\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia dragged her feet down the stairs. She wasn\u2019t particularly enthused about sparring with Angel. She didn\u2019t like the fact that after only seeing her with Duncan for a few minutes Angel had come to the conclusion that she was learning how to kill.<\/p>\n
Duncan had said that it would happen but Cordelia had continued to convince herself that her training with the sword was defensive not offensive. It made her uneasy that Duncan had been right about Angel\u2019s perception.<\/p>\n
What would Angel think after really fighting with her? Would it just confirm his earlier opinion? Cordelia didn\u2019t want to be a killer and she definitely didn\u2019t want Angel to label her as one.<\/p>\n
But no matter her desires, Cordelia couldn\u2019t help but remember standing over Duncan\u2019s form, her sword at the Immortal\u2019s neck and her proud words \u2018you are so dead\u2019. No. It was just training for a \u2018what if\u2019 scenario that she would do anything to avoid. She wasn\u2019t a killer. Cordelia was just learning to defend herself just in case.<\/p>\n
Angel looked over his shoulder to make sure that Cordelia was still behind him. He strode to the weapon\u2019s cabinet to get his sword. Angel wasn\u2019t sure what his impulsive decision to see exactly what MacLeod had taught Cordelia would prove.<\/p>\n
All he knew was that when Cordelia explained the Gathering, he felt a burst of anger and a sudden need to do this. Angel had felt his life spiraling out of control with all of the changes within his family since he left. Angel needed to regain control. And this was the first step.<\/p>\n
Fred pushed her way in front of Gabriel as the woman headed straight for the vampire. Fred\u2019s normal soft-spoken manner became aggressive jumping over the other woman\u2019s attempt to utter Angel\u2019s name in that cloyingly annoying voice of hers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley called- Duncan killed the Nexial and nobody was hurt. They should be back soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt should\u2019ve been you, Angel\u201d Gabriel darted around Fred. \u201cYou\u2019re the Champion<\/b> not Duncan. He\u2019s an Immortal. Immortals aren\u2019t supposed to work for the Powers. Just like she\u2019s not supposed to be here. You don\u2019t need her,\u201d the blonde pointed at Cordelia.<\/p>\n
Fred grabbed at the woman\u2019s arm wishing she had gone with her first instinct and shoved the blonde in a closet. Gosh. Fred was beginning to agree with Cordelia, the word champion<\/i> was getting way irritating especially coming from the blonde\u2019s mouth. Fred was going to have to remind herself never to call Angel that again. Fred didn\u2019t want to abuse the word like Gabriel was prone to.<\/p>\n
Angel paused at the door of the cabinet his head shifted to the blonde. \u201cWhat\u2019s your name again?\u201d<\/p>\n
Gabriel shot a smug smile at Fred and yanked away from the brunette. She hurried over to Angel her smile turning coquettish. \u201cGabriel, but you can call me Gabby. I\u2019m your new seer. We should get know each other, we\u2019re going to be each other\u2019s team, family from now on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel just stared. \u201cGabriel, it seems to be the consensus that you are my seer but I don\u2019t know you AND never tell me who is or isn\u2019t my family or who I need.\u201d Angel turned back into the cabinet pulling out his sword. \u201cCordy.\u201d Angel headed towards the basement.<\/p>\n
Cordelia had been tempted to retort when Gabriel started her \u2018Cordy isn\u2019t supposed to be here\u2019 spiel. But Angel\u2019s statement had floored her into silence. It wasn\u2019t quite the \u2018shut your flapping trap\u2019 she wanted to yell or the \u2018I need Cordy even if she isn\u2019t my seer anymore\u2019 reassurance Cordelia wanted but it was kind of close and it did shut the blonde up.<\/p>\n
Cordelia had to admit she was a little surprised at Angel\u2019s indifference to the blonde woman. Gabriel was just his type-blonde, petite, and whiny. Cordelia mentally asked Buffy for forgiveness for her not so nice thoughts of the dead, but the slayer had been whiny at times and Darla, come on, she was the whine queen of the world. Cordelia hmmphed, maybe it wasn\u2019t just the blonde thing that fueled Angel\u2019s obsessions with both women. Cordelia admitted that both had been strong- Buffy in the save the world type of way and Darla in the really evil type of way. Gabbyho, on the other hand, was just whiny.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia\u201d Angel called again.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight.\u201d Cordelia shook away her thoughts and followed the vampire.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re going to train?\u201d Fred was still sporting the bright smile that emerged when Angel had ignored Gabriel\u2019s coyness and batting big eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel wants to see what I\u2019ve learned.\u201d Cordelia shrugged.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh,\u201d Fred nodded. \u201cCordy\u2019s really good. Duncan\u2019s been teaching her every day. He\u2019s great with a sword. Methos says that Duncan is one of the best swordsmen ever and he should know he\u2019s really old.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s fist tightened on the doorknob. He was getting really tired of hearing that name. The Immortal killed demons, was training Cordelia, Angel was beginning to feel Duncan\u2019s encroachment on his life and he really didn\u2019t like it.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you going to move your fat ass or what?\u201d Cordelia resigned herself to having to train with Angel. Now she just wanted to get it over with. She wasn\u2019t a killer and she would convince Angel of that just like she\u2019d convince him to tell her about his trip. She hadn\u2019t forgotten what had driven the vampire away in the first place.<\/p>\n
Though, why she should expect Angel to be more forthcoming about his feelings than before he left, she didn\u2019t know- Angel hadn\u2019t wanted to talk to her then why should he now. Just because she wanted to be there for Angel didn\u2019t mean that he wanted or needed her.<\/p>\n
Angel jerked a nod, almost happy to hear Cordelia\u2019s insult. It seemed normal amongst of all the strangeness that he had been experiencing since he first opened the basement door. It was like when he first held Cordelia in his arms and felt the warm brush of her breath against his skin telling him he was home.<\/p>\n
In that one moment just like now he knew all was right in his world. He was home.<\/p>\n
Part 14<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, show me what the best swordsman in the world has taught you.\u201d Angel stood before Cordelia his sword pointing to the ground.<\/p>\n
Cordelia narrowed her eyes at Angel\u2019s biting tone. What was the vampire\u2019s problem? He sounded mad and why the dig at Duncan?<\/p>\n
Cordelia shrugged and lifted her sword. Angel\u2019s was up in an instant to meet hers. Cordelia frowned at the impact. Angel was holding back. She hadn\u2019t ever fought Angel before but she knew that the vampire had more power than what he was showing. Hmmph. Cordelia would show him that she could handle whatever he had.<\/p>\n
Cordelia nimbly danced back swinging her sword wide and hard daring Angel to counter her aggressive attack.<\/p>\n
Angel raised his weapon deflecting Cordelia\u2019s blow easily. Cordelia swirled directing her sword in a wide arch pushing her blade towards Angel, her feet moving closer to the vampire. Angel gracefully moved back his sword ready for Cordelia\u2019s assault.<\/p>\n
Angel met another one of Cordelia\u2019s attempts to get through his guard then he changed his tactics. Angel conceded that Cordelia wasn\u2019t bad. Her attacks were strong and confident but could she defend herself. That was the question he needed to have answered.<\/p>\n
Angel stepped forward, his sword up, and swinging. Cordelia was pushed back on the onslaught. She brought her sword up in a frantic motion to block Angel\u2019s. No longer was she on the offensive, Cordelia moved quickly trying to counter Angel\u2019s every move. The vampire was no longer holding back.<\/p>\n
Cordelia lunged trying to take control of the fight. But she couldn\u2019t, Cordelia remembered the vampire\u2019s strength but not his vamp speed. Angel swung with a swiftness and an accuracy that allowed her nothing but frantic attempts to regain her footing and keep her sword protectively in front of her. She was being beaten down by his speed and strength.<\/p>\n
This was not good. Her sword flew out of her hands and before she had a chance to move Angel\u2019s sword was up against her neck. That was definitely not good.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re dead.\u201d Angel stepped back picking up her sword from the ground. \u201cAgain.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia caught the sword. And the fight began again. Like before she was losing. Angel wasn\u2019t allowing her the opportunity to try out any of the fancy moves Duncan had taught her all she could do was just try to maintain her balance and grip on her sword. That didn\u2019t even matter. Angel\u2019s sword was once again against her throat.<\/p>\n
\u201cAgain.\u201d Angel backed up.<\/p>\n
Cordelia grunted. This wasn\u2019t teaching this was slaughter. She had no idea what Angel was trying to prove except that she couldn\u2019t beat him.<\/p>\n
Duncan had told her to know her surroundings and if possible know your opponent. The Highlander said there was always a way to beat a stronger more experienced fighter she would just would have to figure out his weakness and use them before she was dead.<\/p>\n
The thing was Cordelia wasn\u2019t seeing any weakness in the vampire. Cordelia grunted again as she dodged and scrambled to get her footing. But she did know Angel.<\/p>\n
Cordelia stumbled falling back, her sword too high to meet Angel\u2019s. She winced as Angel\u2019s blade sliced into her stomach.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy.\u201d Angel\u2019s sword clattered to the ground as a red stain spread through the slash in Cordelia\u2019s shirt.<\/p>\n
Cordelia looked at the blood running through her fingers. \u201cOw.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel took a step forward, his hands reaching out. His expression horrified at the sight and smell of Cordelia\u2019s blood.<\/p>\n
Cordelia dropped suddenly to the ground her legs swinging out knocking the stunned vampire to the ground. She straddled his chest, her sword firmly against his throat. \u201cGot you. Your dead and I\u2019m all healed. See.\u201d Cordelia lifted her shirt partway exposing her skin.<\/p>\n
Angel tentatively reached out touching the wounded area, now smooth, the blood the only evidence that there ever had been an injury. Angel\u2019s concerned eyes turned darker.<\/p>\n
Angel snatched the sword from Cordelia and tossed it aside.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was your strategy, getting hurt.\u201d Angel\u2019s voice was low couched in cold anger. He jerked her off his body. \u201cThat was a stupid plan.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt worked didn\u2019t it,\u201d Cordelia scooted away on the ground.<\/p>\n
Angel stood, his anger making his eyes pitch black. \u201cThat only works when the person trying to kill you loves you and is scared to death anytime you’re injured. Not something that you can count on. Is that what the best swordsman\u2019s been teaching you- how to be stupid and reckless. I could\u2018ve really hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d Cordelia scrambled up to her feet trying to reach out to the furious vampire.<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley and Gunn are back.\u201d Angel looked up the stairs.<\/p>\n
Cordelia followed his gaze sensing Duncan and Methos\u2019 presence in the lobby.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, where\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel didn\u2019t answer or look back as headed up to others.<\/p>\n
Part 15<\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia picked up her sword. Well that didn\u2019t go well. She blew out a burst of air. At least Angel didn\u2019t think she was a killer, just stupid and reckless. Yippee. That was a comfort.<\/p>\n
Cordelia slapped the tip of her sword against the ground. She should\u2019ve realized that he wouldn\u2019t appreciate her ingenuity. Shoot and now he was mad at her. But it had worked. Cordelia scrunched up her face towards the door.<\/p>\n
What had he said? It only would\u2019ve worked if the person trying to kill her loved her and was scared to death anytime she was injured. Did that mean Angel loved her? Cordelia bit her lip and moved slowly to the stairs. A small kernel of hope appeared in the mass of insecurities that had burdened her since Angel went away. If he loved her than that meant she was his friend and possibly that Angel did need her even without the visions.<\/p>\n
Angel had seemed to be really happy to see her at first. Of course, that one hug was the last time he appeared that way. Then he just started to act weird. However, he did say she couldn\u2019t leave because she was family. So, maybe it was true. She knew she thought he was hers- so. Cordelia had to find out.<\/p>\n
That answer would effect her decision on whether to stay even more than Angel\u2019s reluctant promise not interfere with the game.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel ignored all the occupants in the lobby expect one. \u201cWesley.\u201d Angel called, as he went straight into the office not waiting to see if the other man followed.<\/p>\n
Wesley sighed and adjusted his glasses. He wasn\u2019t looking forward to this conversation. Trust Cordelia not to satisfy all the vampire\u2019s questions, the young woman probably Pfft and hmmphed her way through her explanations, skipping over the important parts, leaving Wesley to deal with an angry vampire. And lord only knew what happened in the basement. Wesley braced his shoulders and entered, shutting the door behind him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad I\u2019m not him, that\u2019s for damn sure.\u201d Gunn jumped on the counter.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou think Angel\u2019s mad.\u201d Fred wrinkled her brow.<\/p>\n
\u201cGirl, that wasn\u2019t a happy smiley face on the vamp.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d Fred frowned. \u201cMaybe, Cordy beat him, she\u2019s gotten really good.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot that good.\u201d Cordelia commented entering the lobby.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy.\u201d Duncan worriedly glanced at her bloodstain shirt.<\/p>\n
Cordelia rolled her eyes. \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel did that? Fred eye\u2019s widened in disbelief.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe actually cut you?\u201d Duncan said roughly.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course not, I set him up to do it. It was the only way I could win.\u201d<\/p>\n
Methos shook his head. \u201cYou let yourself be injured too win. Gee, haven\u2019t tried that one before. Exactly how does that work?\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn chuckled from the counter. \u201cThat explains the vamp\u2019s growling. Man, I bet he\u2019s pissed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred nodded in agreement. \u201cCordy, that wasn\u2019t nice. Angel would never want to hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt gave me the advantage, yeah, he is pissed, and yeah, I realize that tactic wouldn\u2019t actually work with another Immortal, but he kept winning, using his super vamp strength and stuff, I had to do something.\u201d Cordelia defended weakly. \u201cI need a shower and another new shirt.\u201d Cordelia grumbled. She stopped at the foot of the stairs. \u201cHey, Gunn.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, Kamikaze girl.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmph,\u201d Cordelia scowled. \u201cGo to the butcher shop and get Angel some blood. We\u2019re out. Maybe some piggy goodness will get him out of his grumpiness.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWes got some on the way back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh. Okay.\u201d Cordelia nodded and headed up stairs.<\/p>\n