Part 35<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cDid you see her? Could she have glued her blondself any more closely to Angel? She\u2019s a tarty creeping clinging dye job.\u201d Cordelia squinted out the window back towards Angel\u2019s car. \u201cShe\u2019s practically in his lap. Can we say slutorama?\u201d<\/p>\n
Methos wasn\u2019t sure what Duncan\u2019s last comment had meant. But if it was a plan to separate Angel and Cordelia, it wasn\u2019t working. The vampire may not be in the car with them but his presence was abundantly felt. Cordelia hadn\u2019t stopped complaining about Angel and the dangers of blonde bimbos since she slid into the front seat.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Why\u2019s he going so fast? Hurry up.\u201d She urged Duncan to catch up with the Plymouth convertible that passed Duncan\u2019s black convertible.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel couldn\u2019t stop his eyes from twitching. His anger at Duncan for swooping Cordy up from out under his nose was being pushed away by grabbing hands and an irritating voice. \u201cGabriel, don\u2019t do that. It\u2019s distracting.\u201d He plucked her hand from his thigh repressing a deep grumbling growl.<\/p>\n
\u201cOops,\u201d the blonde coyly giggled.<\/p>\n
Angel groaned.<\/p>\n
Fred rolled her eyes burying herself further in the backseat between Wesley and Gunn. \u201cCordy\u2019s right she\u2019s skanky.\u201d She mumbled nodding her head towards the blonde<\/p>\n
\u201cFred, shush,\u201d Wesley shook his head. \u201cShe just tries too hard. She\u2019s young.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s trying to get into Angel\u2019s pants. That ain\u2019t young that\u2019s skanky. Well, not necessarily trying to getting into Angel\u2018s\u2026.I mean\u2026it\u2019s just forward. That\u2019s what Mama called girls like that- forward.\u201d Fred crossed her arms.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe girl does seem a little looser than the norm.\u201d Gunn peered over the front seat at Gabby\u2019s red dress. \u201cHaven\u2019t seen that get-up anywhere but the streets. Wild.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou like it? Cordy said she looked like trash, like she should be welcoming the soldiers home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn, those soldier boys get all the fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEww.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel tried to ignore the whispers coming from the backseat as well as the chirping of the woman sitting next to him and concentrate on the plan that had been forming ever since he recognized Cordelia\u2019s departing glare at Gabriel as the blonde smashed her body against him once Cordelia had moved away with Duncan.<\/p>\n
Angel grimaced when Gabriel\u2019s hand was back on his thigh. He pressed his foot on the gas.<\/p>\n
The plan didn\u2019t call for Gabriel to touch so much, not when the needed audience wasn\u2019t present. He needed to get to Caritas. Once there he could hide from the woman until Cordy showed up. Angel pressed harder on the gas, breaking every traffic law known to man, looking over at the chatting woman with the voice that could put chalk on blackboard to shame.<\/p>\n
It was all MacLeod\u2019s fault that he was forced to resort to this. He wished he could just kill the Immortal.<\/p>\n
Part 36<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cAngel cakes, welcome back, you big lug.\u201d Lorne greeted Angel at the door. \u201cKiddies, why the desperate combination of fear and relief on your pretty faces?\u201d<\/p>\n
Lorne studied Gabby, Fred, Wesley, and Gunn\u2019s slightly disheveled appearances.<\/p>\n
\u201cFear that Angel would kill us all and relief that we made it all in one piece.\u201d Wesley shot a look at vampire.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Angel questioned.<\/p>\n
\u201cUm, Angel,\u201d Fred gulped her fingers still clenched on Gunn\u2019s forearm. \u201cYou were going kind of fast.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were anxious to get here and we were late.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe more reason to make it here alive. I need a drink and to kiss the ground in gratitude.\u201d Gunn shot back, his legs still shaky.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell for the drinkypoo you came to the right place, plenty of liquid delights are at your disposal.\u201d Lorne looked behind the group. \u201cI thought the trio of the Immortally beautiful were coming.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel passed them going a hundred miles a second. You said something about a drink. I agree with Gunn my nerves need settling.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t that fast.\u201d Angel insisted.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy hair is a mess.\u201d Gabby whined. Her hand patting at the wind tangled blond locks as she headed towards the rest rooms in the back.<\/p>\n
Fred twirled her fingers through her own tangles. She\u2019d live. Fred had no desire to share a comb and a mirror with the blonde.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour table awaits. You look adorable, Kitten, all wind blown and sparking\u201d Lorne leaned into Fred before he weaved a path through the various demons patrons.<\/p>\n
Angel groaned. \u201cChampagne.\u201d He focused on the two bottles nestled in ice displayed on the table. His wallet was feeling lighter by the second.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Princess called said not to scrimp, only the best tonight, crumb cake.\u201d Lorne cheerfully patted Angel on the back. \u201cDon\u2019t look so glum, I\u2019ve got more in the back chilling.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOoh, champagne. I had champagne once at my cousin Myrtle\u2019s wedding. She was wearing such a pretty white dress, though Aunt Betty said it would be more appropriate red. My cousin Billy, he was twelve so was I- he snuck some champagne from the table. It made my nose tingle and then I threw up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFred, honey, I\u2019m sure I can find you something else.\u201d Lorne quickly said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh no, I liked it.\u201d Fred eagerly grabbed a glass.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, then let the party begin.\u201d Lorne popped the cork of the first bottle.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia pushed her way into the bar, shoving at a bumpy spiky demon. \u201cWhat the hell\u2019s wrong with you?\u201d She planted her fist on her hips once she got to the table.<\/p>\n
Angel looked up from his flute of champagne. \u201cWhat did I do?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGeez,\u201d Cordelia rolled her eyes. \u201cMr. Speed Racer. You ran three red lights, a stop sign and almost hit an old woman and her shopping cart. If you had a license Iid demand you\u2019d give it up.\u201d Cordelia moved to the empty seat next to vampire.<\/p>\n
Angel waved her away. \u201cI\u2019m saving that for Gabby, she\u2019s fixing her hair. Don\u2019t you think she has nice hair?\u201d He smiled innocently, enjoying the flush of anger and dismay on Cordelia\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
His desire to laugh at Cordelia\u2019s speechlessness dimmed as the approaching blonde over heard his compliment and giggled as she plopped in the chair, scooting it even closer to Angel.<\/p>\n
His desire plummeted when MacLeod offered Cordy the chair next to the Immortal, guiding the stunned woman into it. Angel realized then that there would be a price to pay for his plan. It was going to be a long night. He draped his arm over Gabby\u2019s chair. \u201cChampagne?\u201d He offered to the giggling blonde.<\/p>\n
Cordelia gritted her teeth. What game was that damn vampire playing? He wasn\u2019t attracted to the Gabby Ho. Angel hadn\u2019t shown any interested in the woman before. Except, he had said at one point that maybe he should get to know her better. Cordelia\u2019s eyes widened.<\/p>\n
Angel was actually touching Gabriel\u2019s hair. Her BLONDE hair. Cordelia grabbed the glass Duncan was holding out, downing the champagne in one gulp.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy?\u201d Duncan leaned in whispering.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore.\u201d She thrust her glass back at him.<\/p>\n
Success was bitter sweet. Angel looked with a hooded gaze as the handsome Immortal leaned in brushing Cordelia\u2019s arm as he poured her another glass.<\/p>\n
Wesley could feel the tension tightening his shirt collar. What in gods name was Angel doing?<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley.\u201d Methos tapped a finger on the table to get the watcher\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you have a chance to translate the spell?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy are you so anxious?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just interested.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley sighed at the non-answer. \u201cI\u2019ve managed to get through most of it. However, the structure and form requires more study.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, let me know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley nodded sipping at his glass, determined to ferret out the Immortal\u2019s concern.<\/p>\n
Lorne nudged at Gunn, his head cocking towards Angel, Gabby, Duncan, and Cordelia. \u201cDid I miss an episode of \u2018All My Vampire\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn shrugged. \u201cThe vamp is jealous. Cordy clueless. Duncan\u2019s still here and as a result, Angel must have gone bonkers.\u201d He rolled his eyes towards the vampire who was whispering something in the blonde\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n
\u201cAhh,\u201d Lorne nodded. \u201cI better go get more of the bubbly. This night is going to need it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s head jerked up at the sound of Cordelia\u2019s laughter. He resisted the urge to brush his face to get rid of the artificial chemical smell of Gabriel\u2019s hair. What in the hell kind of hair products did the woman use. It smothered any natural smell of the woman. His fleeting question fled as Cordy laughed again.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s so funny?\u201d He had to ask.<\/p>\n
\u201cInside joke.\u201d Cordy patted Duncan\u2019s hand, sharing a smile with the Immortal. \u201cYou had to be there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the good are inside jokes- jokes are only good if shared.\u201d Angel insisted, bristling at the idea that Cordy had a secret with MacLeod.<\/p>\n
\u201cGeez.\u201d Cordelia rested her chin on her on her palm. \u201cOkay, well, the last time Duncan and I were in San Francisco, we saw a couple at the table next to us. They had champagne, the same type,\u201d she lifted her glass. \u201cThey went from being in love to hating each other in the course of a bottle. We were just hoping that this wouldn\u2019t have the same uplifting effect. I should\u2019ve checked with Lorne about what type his most expensive was.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t get it. That\u2019s not funny.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI told you- you had to be there.\u201d Cordy rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n
Angel narrowed his. \u201cWhy were you in San Francisco?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDinner, duh\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with the restaurants in LA? And since when has San Francisco been your Mecca?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s different, nice, fun. I like different, nice and fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve never even mentioned San Francisco before.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPfft. You don\u2019t know everything about me, Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel let Gabriel\u2019s reaching hands drag him back towards her, he was too staggered to resist. He knew Cordelia, it took two years, but he did. The process of knowing her, really knowing her was the one thing that had kept him grounded over the years. But here she was smiling, sharing inside jokes with another man and declaring to the world that Angel didn\u2019t know her.<\/p>\n
Angel did know her and he would prove it. A quick glance made sure that Cordelia\u2019s attention was still on him. He ignored her and fastened his eyes back on the blonde. His eyes were drawn to the seer\u2019s most obvious attributes.<\/p>\n
Angel resisted his need to shudder. There was something unnatural about those two pushed up pounds of flesh glaring back over the top of red leather. Gabby\u2019s breasts seemed to resist gravity, looking like two beach balls that were ready to take flight. Angel couldn\u2019t help but compare the sight to the picture of Cordelia standing in his shower, her breast exposed.<\/p>\n
Firm globes, working with gravity to create soft pillows resting against sweet skin, making his hands itch to lift the weight to feel it in his palms, the malleable flesh moving with his fingers\u2019 manipulation bringing the tanned erect nipple to his lips. Breasts made by the gods to bring comfort and pleasure. Gabriel\u2019s on the other hand, looked like too much work just keep them from leaping and attacking.<\/p>\n
Cordelia curled a bronzed painted lip. First she had been subjected to the sight of Gabby Ho\u2019s grabby hands. What happened to her plan to get as far far away as she could from the blonde? Instead evil fate gave Cordelia a front and center seat. And now, Cordy wanted to scream and claw out the woman\u2019s eyes. No wait she wanted to claw out Angel\u2019s.<\/p>\n
That damn vampire had been staring at the blonde\u2019s ample chest for minutes that seemed like hours. Did he\u2019s eyes just darken? What was that smile for? What was Angel thinking about? Cordelia was going to scream\u2026.she would not scream she had a better idea.<\/p>\n
Cordelia leaned in and not to subtly knocked her glass. \u201cWhoops,\u201d she sat back and watched the champagne travel across the table to finally puddle in and down Gabby\u2019s chest that was conveniently displayed and pressed against the surface. Cordelia couldn\u2019t help her warm fuzzy feeling of satisfaction as the blonde shrieked grabbing at her wet breast and Angel jumped up wiping at the drops that splattered his pants.<\/p>\n
Fred had to brace her arms on the table to stop her shaking body from slipping under the table in a fit of giggles.<\/p>\n
Gunn spurted out a laugh spraying Wesley and Methos with Champagne.<\/p>\n
Wesley and Methos\u2019 eyes met, their sighs and the brushing of their jackets identical.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened here?\u201d Lorne materialized suddenly, soaking up the spilt champagne with a cloth napkin.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a little accident. Sorry.\u201d Cordelia smiled, her smug expression followed the blonde\u2019s squealing retreat to the bathrooms.<\/p>\n
\u201cGive me that.\u201d Angel grabbed at the napkin Lorne had started to pat against his crotch. \u201cI can do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lorne shrugged. \u201cJust trying to be helpful.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, don\u2019t.\u201d Angel looked up at Cordelia. \u201cNice shot.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re taking about, Angel. It was an accident. I said I was sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmph, serves you right, you shouldn\u2019t had you\u2019re nose buried in her boobs. Good thing you don\u2019t have to breathe, you would\u2019ve been smothered.Ooh, Ang\u2026e..l<\/i>,\u201d Cordelia whined in a high voice. \u201cLook at my really big breasts<\/i>.\u201d She leaned over her arms pressing at the sides of her breast pushing her cleavage out on the table. \u201cPerv.\u201d She sat back up crossing her arms.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, well, I need a drink.\u201d Wesley got up from the table, not wanting to see the start of what had to be an argument.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have champagne here.\u201d Fred pointed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI need something stronger.\u201d Wesley hurried to the bar.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I\u2019ll join him.\u201d Methos got up.<\/p>\n
\u201cWow, look at the time,\u201d Lorne looked at this bare wrist. \u201cTime for me to sing. See ya from the stage kiddies and no yelling, please, unless its screams of adoration for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel sat back down. He wasn\u2019t mad. A wet crotch was worth it. He did know Cordelia. Accident his ass.<\/p>\n
Part 37<\/b><\/p>\n
Methos leaned up from the bar as Duncan took the stool next to him. \u201cI thought you were committed to being at the ring side of that little show.\u201d He indicated the table Duncan just came from.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was. But there is no point.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt seems that Angel\u2019s plan trumped mine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat was your plan, exactly?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMake him jealous. Make him acknowledge his feelings. Give him that chance before\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf he wasn\u2019t smart enough to figure it out then he didn\u2019t deserve Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat plan could\u2019ve gotten you killed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Duncan shrugged, turning to look back at the table. \u201cIt\u2019s little difficult to make him jealous when Cordy is practically ignoring me to fume every five minutes at the game he\u2019s playing with Gabriel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou noticed that did you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d be blind not to.\u201d Duncan shook his head. \u201cCordelia\u2019s too mad to even see that it is a game. It be funny if it wasn\u2019t so sad.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what\u2019s your plan now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEnjoy the evening as best as I can, keep Cordy from killing Gabby, confirm once more that Cordy wants to stay and then tomorrow leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLeave? I don\u2019t think that a good idea.\u201d Methos couldn\u2019t believe what he was saying.<\/p>\n
From the look on Duncan\u2019s face, the highlander didn\u2019t either. \u201cYou want to stay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley\u2019s in the middle of translating a spell that I\u2019m interested in, I want to wait until he\u2019s done.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA spell? Since when\u2026this is about the book Cassandra asked for. What\u2019s your interest?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026I just think we should stay for the time being. Has Joe heard from Cassandra\u2019s watcher?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe hasn\u2019t called.\u201d<\/p>\n
Part 38<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cCan you believe it? I can\u2019t.\u201d Cordelia looked in the mirror to see Fred\u2019s answer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a little strange.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA little?\u201d Cordelia swung around. \u201cAngel\u2019s acting weird, more than weird, scary weird.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred looked up from her attempt to copy Cordelia\u2019s action of redoing her lipstick. \u201cScary weird?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d Cordelia waved her hands as she started to pace the tiles of the Ladies\u2019 Restroom. \u201cLeering, smirking, touching, he\u2019s letting that woman crawl over him. It\u2019s Angelus scary weird.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngelus, but doesn\u2019t he have to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s blonde, that may be joy enough for him. Blondes\u2019 always make him weird. Pfft. You should\u2019ve seen him during Darla\u2019s resurrection. She was blonde.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred didn\u2019t know what to say. Angel WAS acting strangely. \u201cWouldn\u2019t Angelus kill everybody?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shrugged her concession. \u201cOkay, so he\u2019s not Angelus. I hate her. She\u2019s so\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTrashy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhiny?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cForward.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTrying to get into Angel\u2019s pants?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOver my dead body.\u201d Cordelia huffed crossing her arms. \u201cNo one is getting in Angel\u2019s pants except me\u2026I mean when I\u2019m here. Angel, sex, Angelus nope, not happening.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred blinked at the slip. Ah. She knew it. Cordelia was jealous. Fred wondered if Angel knew that as well. Fred had to think he did. He always seemed to wait until Cordelia was looking before he whispered into Gabriel\u2019s ear. Why would Angel want Cordelia to be jealous? Fred knew she was close to an answer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat woman is such a exhibitionist. I\u2019m shocked she turned down Lorne\u2019s invitation for someone to sing. She could\u2019ve done a strip tease for Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe she can\u2019t sing.\u201d Fred wrinkled her nose. \u201cYou\u2019ve heard her, right? When she sang for Lorne- what did he read, by the way?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought\u2026.didn\u2019t he read her when he read you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia closed her eyes at the memory. Wesley had taken both Cordelia and Gabriel straight to Caritas when Gabriel had showed up claiming to be Angel\u2019s seer. Lorne had read Cordelia and said that he couldn\u2019t sense a connection to the Powers anymore.<\/p>\n
He had cushioned his words with a soft smile saying it didn\u2019t really mean anything since he had never read an Immortal before, maybe the link was still there. Cordelia had thought it was sweet, but she had known that Lorne was just saying it for her benefit.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe had a vision. No reason for Lorne to read her. She was taking forever in picking out her song when it hit. Confirmation from the Powers- no reading necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d Fred wanted to hug the brunette. Cordelia looked so sad. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, Cordy.\u201d She gently laid a hand on the young woman\u2019s arm too unsure of Cordelia\u2019s reaction to a hug. Fred liked to believe that they were friends, but Cordy didn\u2019t always like people in her personal space. Fred scrunched up her face, except for Angel.<\/p>\n
A slow light bulb formed into a click her mind. It just wasn\u2019t that Angel and Cordelia were best friends or jealous of Duncan and Gabriel, they loved each other.<\/p>\n
Cordelia gave Fred\u2019s hand a small squeeze. \u201cThanks.\u201d She smiled. \u201cYou\u2019ve been a good friend.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred blinked up. \u201cYou too.\u201d She smiled.<\/p>\n
Cordelia looked back at the mirror, studying her reflection. \u201cReady for the second act of the slutorama show.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess.\u201d Fred had to figure out a way to separate Angel and Gabriel. The blonde was an unwanted obstacle to her friends\u2019 happiness.<\/p>\n
Part 39<\/b><\/p>\n
Wesley sighed. The only thing that had been enjoyable about the evening had been Fred\u2019s bubbly enthusiasm at being out. But, now that seemed to be gone.<\/p>\n
The young woman had returned from the restroom with Cordelia in a contemplative mood – no longer excited but glaring at Gabriel and Angel with a furrowed brow.<\/p>\n
Wesley had to admit he wanted to glare, also. It took him a few moments after the shock of seeing Angel\u2019s arm around the blonde to figure out what the vampire was up to. Wesley wasn\u2019t confident about Angel\u2019s plan.<\/p>\n
Making Cordelia jealous was akin to making her mad. And a mad Cordelia wasn\u2019t a fun thing to be around. Angel was playing with fire. He had to know that.<\/p>\n
Angel was getting very tired of listening to Gabby twitter and her touching him. And any satisfaction at making Cordy mad was waning. Angel wasn\u2019t so sure anymore what he had hoped to accomplish.<\/p>\n
Granted, his actions had diverted Cordelia\u2019s intention from MacLeod\u2019s presence for the most part, but she was still sitting next to him, still allowing him to fill her glass with more champagne, still allowing him to scoot into her personal space, still laughing and smiling at the Immortal.<\/p>\n
Angel was beginning to think that Cordelia was just getting mad because she didn\u2019t like Gabriel not because of any jealousy for the woman.<\/p>\n
He tuned out Gabriel\u2019s voice and concentrated on Duncan and Cordelia\u2019s low conversation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wish we had gone to San Francisco.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was my idea.\u201d Duncan whispered.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, I should\u2019ve listened. This has been just horrible. At least in San Francisco, I wouldn\u2019t have been witness to Grabby Gabby\u2019s tactics and Angel- what\u2019s wrong with him. He\u2019s like all over her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe he likes her?\u201d Duncan suggested softly.<\/p>\n
\u201cLikes her?\u201d She shot back her voice still low. \u201cHmmph.\u201d Her indignant tone changed to resignation. \u201cWouldn\u2019t surprise me any. He can\u2019t see past blondeness.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, are you jealous?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel leaned in discreetly needing to hear Cordelia\u2019s answer.<\/p>\n
\u201cPfft. Jealous of her, yeah right. I\u2019m just worried. What the hell is Angel thinking? It\u2019s not like he can have sex or anything. He\u2019s a eunuch and he\u2019s just acting stupid. I tell you I\u2019m going to be really pissed if I have to stake his ass, just because Gabriel\u2019s a slut and he\u2019s horny. He can\u2019t have sex. I told you about the curse.\u201d<\/p>\n
Duncan nodded. \u201cThe vampire isn\u2019t really good relationship material is he?\u201d<\/p>\n
Okay, Angel was officially mad. \u201cI can have sex.\u201d<\/p>\n
Coincidence, fate, bad luck, whatever but Angel\u2019s angry statement sounded at the exact time a lull had descended in the table\u2019s conversation. All head\u2019s jerked towards Angel.<\/p>\n
Cordelia blinked. \u201cExcuse me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can too have sex. I can have sex with anybody I want, Gabriel, her,\u201d he pointed to a woman at the next table. \u201cAnybody.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can not, you wouldn\u2019t, you couldn\u2019t, you can\u2019t.\u201d Cordelia eye\u2019s flashed.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes I can.\u201d Angel leaned in ignoring the blonde\u2019s giggles and the gasps and groans of the others, his focus completely on Cordelia.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, you can\u2019t.\u201d Cordelia repeated.<\/p>\n
\u201cI always could, Cordelia. Did you really think that I didn\u2019t have sex before Buffy? I\u2019m 250 years old and have never been a eunuch. I could give you a list if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn\u2019s head knocked on the table. \u201cIs the vamp trying to make her go ballistic?\u201d He groaned to Wesley.<\/p>\n
Wesley was tempted to follow Gunn\u2019s example, or rather knock Angel\u2019s head against the hard surface.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe curse,\u201d Cordelia stuttered. \u201cAngelus\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe curse isn\u2019t just about sex, it\u2019s about a moment of pure contentment.\u201d Angel did believe that after all he had had sex with a soul before Sunnydale, not as much as he had when he was Angelus, the isolation of his guilt with a soul wasn\u2019t exactly an aphrodisiac, but he had but it wasn\u2019t until Buffy that the curse came into play-the contentment of real love that had to be the reason, forgetting who he was and the evil he had committed because Buffy had loved him in return despite his past.<\/p>\n
However, believing that and being willing to test his belief was another thing after Angelus\u2019 appearance in Sunnydale. By Cordelia\u2019s definition, he had been a eunuch since then. But Angel was too mad and frustrated at Cordy and MacLeod\u2019s comments to explain more fully.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe risk\u2026or what; Buffy was the only one that could give you that?\u201d Cordelia glared.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no risk.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight, because she\u2019s dead.\u201d Cordelia shot a looked at the grinning blonde. God, the blonde was panting to jump on the table and strip for Angel. \u201cDon\u2019t be so happy.\u201d Cordelia snapped. \u201cDidn\u2019t you hear- you can\u2019t give him a moment of pure contentment only Buffy could do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d Wesley coughed. \u201cThe curse isn\u2019t an exact science, I don\u2019t recommend that you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no risk.\u201d Angel\u2019s eyes remained on Cordelia.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel slowly turned to his friend. \u201cI told you about the demon monks, aren\u2019t you curious as why they showed up?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey came to kill a Tibetan shaman, a shaman that was very powerful, powerful enough to do a spell, taking out the curse. I\u2019ve a permanent soul.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley leaned back. \u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYOU WHAT?\u201d Cordelia jumped up from the table. \u201cYou, Me, outside, right now.\u201d She ordered.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d Gabriel attempted grab at the vampire.<\/p>\n
Angel pushed her hand away and otherwise ignored her along with everyone else except the angry brunette. \u201cAfter you, Cordy,\u201d he made a sweeping gesture with his arm.<\/p>\n
Cordelia glared and stomped off to the back of the bar.<\/p>\n
Gunn turned to Wesley. \u201cShould we\u2019ve taken Cordy\u2019s sword?\u201d<\/p>\n