{"id":731,"date":"2015-06-21T14:13:34","date_gmt":"2015-06-21T13:13:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/dir\/?p=731"},"modified":"2021-03-29T10:21:01","modified_gmt":"2021-03-29T09:21:01","slug":"mistletoe-mansion-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2015\/06\/21\/mistletoe-mansion-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Mistletoe Mansion. 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Title: Mistletoe Mansion<\/b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\"MM
\nAuthor: <\/b>Becjane
\nPosted: <\/b>12\/04
\n<\/a>Email<\/b><\/a>
\nRating: <\/b>NC-17
\nCategory: <\/b>Time Travel-ish
\nContent: <\/b>A\/C
\nSummary: <\/b>Written for AO\u2019s Christmas Ficathon. Items used from \u2018the List\u2019 detailed at the end of the fic.
\nSpoilers: <\/b>
\nDisclaimer: <\/b>The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
\nDistribution: <\/b>
\nNotes: <\/b>Enjoy and Happy Christmas everyone!
\nThanks\/Dedication: <\/b>Thanks to Deb<\/b> for the gorgeous ficpic.
\nFeedback: <\/b><\/p>\n

\n

Part 1<\/b><\/p>\n

December 23rd 2001, Hyperion Hotel, Los Angeles\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n

The radio was playing a merry mix of traditional Christmas carols and contemporary yuletide songs that morning. Humming \u2018Frosty the Snowman\u2019 rather tunelessly under his breath, Angel spooned several scoops of ground coffee into the filter and closed the lid. Then, after flipping the switch to set the percolator going, he turned back to the eggs that he was scrambling over the gas hob.<\/p>\n

As he stirred the contents of the pan, his attention was diverted by the steady beat of Cordelia\u2019s heart from two floors above, and his lips curled up into a soft smile. Good, she was still asleep \u2013 breakfast in bed would be a pleasant surprise for her then. Thinking of his seer caused a warm feeling of contentment to run through him. Closing his eyes, he recalled the rollercoaster ride of the past week or so\u2026<\/p>\n

Ten days earlier\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cAngel, could I have a word please?\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel looked enquiringly up from his book at the sound of Wesley\u2019s voice. His friend was – rather disconcertedly – beaming from ear to ear, while Fred was literally jumping up and down in anticipation next to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes?\u201d he asked warily.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got a Christmas present for you!\u201d Fred near enough squealed, clapping her hands together in over-excited enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

\u201cChristmas is still over a week away,\u201d the vampire pointed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe figured we\u2019d give you this present early,\u201d Wesley explained, his blue eyes twinkling merrily from behind his wire-rimmed glasses.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere,\u201d he said, holding out a small scroll, tied with a piece of silver-foil ribbon. \u201cMerry Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Getting to his feet, Angel took the offered item from the ex-watcher\u2019s outstretched hand. He carefully removed the decorative festive bow, and then slowly unravelled his present, frowning when he saw the Romanian verse written on the paper\u2019s cream surface.<\/p>\n

He looked up at Wesley. \u201cWhat is this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust read,\u201d his friend advised.<\/p>\n

Angel\u2019s eyes dropped to the parchment and a peculiar thrill went through him as he realised that he recognised the words. \u201cThis is my curse,\u201d he said, still not getting it.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot quite,\u201d Wesley replied. \u201cThere\u2019s an extra cadenza,\u201d he said, pointing it out with his finger.<\/p>\n

It slowly dawned on the vampire what that meant, and he was dumbstruck with awe. It wasn\u2019t possible \u2013 surely? \u201cHow did you\u2026? Where did you…?\u201d he stuttered in disbelief.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been working on it for years, only every lead I got led to a dead-end. And then, quite unexpectedly, Fred and I stumbled across something whilst we were researching that Klumclar demon a month ago. I couldn\u2019t believe it, I\u2019d never even thought of looking in\u2026 Well anyway – long story short – we have to perform several magical incantations first, but all you really have to do is repeat those words twice over, and it will seal your soul \u2013 for good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think I\u2019d tell you if I wasn\u2019t one hundred percent certain?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I just\u2026 God Wes, I don\u2019t know how I can ever thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo need, what are friends for? Are you ready then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. Fred and I gathered together all the supplies we needed yesterday. We thought you\u2019d want to get it over with. We can get the whole thing done in under an hour.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two hours later, Angel stood by the window in his room, looking out at the night-sky, still not quite believing this day was for real. He was fully expecting to wake up at any moment, but as more time passed, it gradually started to sink in that this was no dream; this was wondrous reality. His soul really was bound for eternity; he could feel the enduring permanence of it inside his chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey!\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel turned at the sound of the soft greeting. Cordelia stood framed in the dimly lit doorway, her face partially concealed in shadow.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey you!\u201d he murmured in return. \u201cWhere have you been? I\u2019ve been waiting for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you know me \u2013 busy, busy, all that Christmas shopping to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid Wes\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, congratulations permanent soul guy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel frowned; he could feel the miserable tension radiating off her from here. \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing!\u201d Cordelia replied, a little too quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you\u2019d be happy for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

The seer finally stepped into the room, her shoulders hunched and her arms folded protectively across her chest. Angel\u2019s stomach lurched at the sight of her pale face and tear-swollen eyes. He was beside her in a second, worriedly cupping her cheek in his palm. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia bit her lip and looked down at her feet. \u201cI am happy for you, Angel. It\u2019s just\u2026 I don\u2019t want to lose you, you know? You\u2019ll be going back to Sunnydale to be with Buffy and we\u2019ll hardly ever see each other. I know it\u2019s not that far away and we can visit, but it\u2019s not the same. And it\u2019s not like I\u2019d be that welcome there either. Sure, Buffy\u2019ll probably tolerate my presence if you ask her to, but it\u2019s never gonna be like it\u2019s been here in LA.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCordy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut ignore me; I\u2019m just being selfish. You go and be happy – you deserve it more than anyone else I know. I\u2019m not going to let you feel guilty for wanting to be with the woman you love. I\u2026 humph!\u201d<\/p>\n

Frustrated at not being able to get a word in edgewise, Angel decided to use actions rather than words to get his point across. Buffy\u2019s death and subsequent resurrection had helped him to sort several things out in his mind. He had grieved, but he had also survived and found a way to move on with his life. That, together with their awkward reunion in a small roadside caf\u00e9 halfway between Sunnydale and LA, had closed the book on his and the slayer\u2019s relationship for good.<\/p>\n

Released from the suffocating shackles of his doomed love affair, he had started to view Cordelia in an entirely different light. She had always been his friend, but he had slowly come to realise that she had the potential to be so much more than that. The obstacles standing in their way seemed almost impossible to surmount however, and so he had not allowed himself to admit the depth of his growing feelings for her.<\/p>\n

Now though, with his soul secure, he was free to pursue his heart\u2019s desire and he didn\u2019t intend to waste the opportunity. So, cupping Cordelia\u2019s face in his hands, he lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her with all the bottled-up sentiment that he had previously suppressed\u2026<\/p>\n

Back to the present\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n

Startled out of his reverie, Angel jumped as the toaster popped, ejecting the four slices of bread that he had put in a few minutes ago. He left the toast where it was to keep it warm, and continued to stir the eggs in the pan, his mind lingering over the memory of the long, passion-filled night that had followed his and Cordelia\u2019s first kiss.<\/p>\n

It was unfortunately an experience, which was yet to be repeated, although not for lack of interest on either of their parts. It was mainly that circumstances had not allowed it. Ever since that momentous day, vision quests had been interspersed with walk-in clients in a seemingly never-ending cycle. Most nights even he, who didn\u2019t need much sleep, had fallen into bed exhausted. Dropping off the moment his head hit the pillow, making love had been the last thing on his mind.<\/p>\n

Then, on the times when he had been a little more awake, he hadn\u2019t wanted to pester Cordelia because she always looked so dead on her feet, her eyelids drooping way before they made it to the bedroom. Last night though, frustration had gotten the better of him and he had pulled her underneath him, not giving her the chance to object. The seer had responded readily enough, but this breakfast in bed was his self-imposed penance for his distinctly cave-mannish behaviour towards her.<\/p>\n

It had hardly been his greatest performance either – the whole encounter had been the very definition of the word \u2018quickie,\u2019 lasting five, maybe ten, minutes at the most. He hadn\u2019t even bothered to take her nightshirt off for god\u2019s sake. After some very brief foreplay, he had stripped her off her panties, shoved his boxers down over his hips, and pushed up into her warm wetness with a low groan. Afterwards, he had this awful memory of rolling over and falling asleep within minutes. In his guilty contrition, he had forgotten that she had happily snuggled into his side and slipped into peaceful slumber moments before him.<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning!\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel whirled round at the bright, cheery greeting. \u201cNo,\u201d he said emphatically. \u201cI don\u2019t care of the world is about to end, we\u2019re taking the day off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fred giggled. \u201cRelax \u2013 the phone hasn\u2019t rung all morning. You\u2019re making Cordy breakfast in bed, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI figured she deserved it,\u201d the vampire replied, turning back to the counter. \u201cSorry about being so cranky – it\u2019s just that we\u2019ve rarely had a minute alone since we got together, and it\u2019s really starting to get to me. I swear the PTB\u2019s are playing some kind of sick joke on us. I mean \u2013 who ever heard of a pre-Christmas rush at a supernatural detective agency?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey wouldn\u2019t do that\u2026 would they?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t put it past them. In a way, I wish I still lived in Sunnydale – the phone hardly ever rang at the mansion and I often went for days without a visitor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I bet you were as lonely as hell sometimes too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel smiled; he couldn\u2019t deny that. \u201cThere was that I suppose,\u201d he agreed as he piled the toast and eggs onto a plate. \u201cWell, I guess I should take this lot upstairs before it gets cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait \u2013 it\u2019s missing something,\u201d Fred interrupted, deliberately blocking his path.<\/p>\n

The vampire looked at her questionably and she beamed at him, producing a sprig of mistletoe from behind her back with a dramatic flourish. Stepping forward, she placed it on the tray that held the eggs and toast, a small glass of orange juice, and a steaming mug of coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere, that\u2019s better,\u201d she declared, nodding in satisfaction.<\/p>\n

Angel laughed. \u201cShouldn\u2019t it be a red rose?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s traditional, I guess, but I reckon mistletoe is *so* much better, cus you get a smoochy kiss to go with it. Don\u2019t forget to make a wish by the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA wish?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy momma says you should always make a wish when you kiss your sweetheart under mistletoe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you say so,\u201d Angel replied as he stepped around her and made for the kitchen doorway, tray of food in hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cMerry Christmas Angel!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not for another two days, Fred,\u201d he pedantically reminded her as he slipped from the room.<\/p>\n

If the vampire had glanced back at the pretty brunette as he replied, he would have seen the self-satisfied grin painted across her face. He didn\u2019t though and simply went on his way, utterly oblivious to the events about to befall him\u2026<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Cordelia Chase slowly emerged into wakefulness; at first a little disorientated to find that she was not in her own bed. When the hazy fog of sleep lifted and she recognised her surroundings though, a slow, contented smile spread across her face. Angel\u2019s room \u2013 Angel\u2019s bed \u2013 she was still getting used to the fact that it was *her,* and not Buffy \u2018I\u2019m so perfect\u2019 Summers, who he wanted there. The wonderful aroma of freshly brewed coffee reached her nostrils, and she turned over onto her back to see her boyfriend standing in the doorway with a tray of food in his hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey salty goodness!\u201d she said teasingly, pushing herself up into a seated position with the heel of her hands. \u201cMmm, breakfast in bed. I reckon I could get used to that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s \u2013 umm \u2013 to make up for last night,\u201d the vampire explained, crossing the room and placing the tray on the bedside cabinet.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast night?\u201d Cordelia looked at him blankly, her expression puzzled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was hardly a gentleman,\u201d he reminded her as he perched on the edge of the mattress next to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh *that*!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was kind of\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDesperate?\u201d Cordelia supplied playfully, an amused twinkle dancing merrily in her hazel eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Angel said guiltily, his eyes downcast.<\/p>\n

The seer giggled, a warm tinkling sound like the flow of mountain stream over smooth glacier rocks. \u201cI kind of liked it actually.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did?\u201d the vampire looked up in surprise.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, *yeah.* Couldn\u2019t you tell?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026 it wasn\u2019t like the first night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, no \u2013 but it was still fun. And I really don\u2019t think I was up to a repeat of our first \u2013 err \u2013 three times last night anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel noticeably relaxed, relieved that he had been worrying over nothing. Reaching out an arm, he plucked the sprig of mistletoe from the breakfast tray and held it up suggestively. Not needing to be asked twice, Cordelia shuffled forward and enthusiastically wound her arms around his neck, gazing up at him with expectant eyes.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget to make a wish. <\/i><\/p>\n

Fred\u2019s earlier words rang inside the vampire\u2019s head as he leaned down to kiss his girlfriend\u2019s upturned lips. So, while the seer willingly opened her mouth under his probing tongue, he did\u2026<\/p>\n

Whoa! This is some kiss! <\/i>Cordelia thought as her head suddenly started to spin.<\/p>\n

The dizziness got rapidly worse though, and she decided that maybe it wasn\u2019t such a good thing after all. She was just starting to panic, when everything suddenly went black\u2026<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cAngel!\u201d<\/p>\n

The vampire\u2019s name died on Cordelia\u2019s lips as she shot upright. Opening her eyes, she took in the pristine white bedspread, the fluffy pink heart-shaped pillows, and the poster of Keanu Reeves on the wall. She looked down at her expensive, designer pyjamas, and then reached up to remove the scrunchie that held her long, dark hair in place at the nape of her neck.<\/p>\n

What the\u2026? <\/i><\/p>\n

With mounting horror, she clambered off the bed and rushed to the huge window, drawing back the drapes. It was dark outside, but the snowflakes were coming thick and fast, lighting the sky with their ghostly radiance as they silently descended to the frozen earth.<\/p>\n

It finally dawned where \u2013 and when \u2013 she was.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh crap!\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cAngel \u2013 are you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

The vampire glanced up in startled surprise at the sound of Buffy\u2019s voice. She was standing there, looking down at him with a gentle smile on her face. She looked\u2026 young.<\/p>\n

What the\u2026? <\/i><\/p>\n

He glanced around, taking in his surroundings. The snow was several inches thick on the ground and still cascading down around them, but he easily recognised the streets of Sunnydale. From his sprawled position on the floor, he looked back up at the slayer. \u201cHow\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou slipped and fell \u2013 not used the snow, I guess,\u201d she informed him with a giggle, holding out a hand to help him up.<\/p>\n

Angel hesitated a moment, but then slipped his hand into hers and allowed her to haul him to his feet. To his intense discomfort, she kept her fingers tightly laced with his as they continued to walk down the street together. He wanted to pull away from her grasp, but didn\u2019t know how he would explain his actions.<\/p>\n

It had finally dawned where \u2013 and when \u2013 he was.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh hell!\u201d he muttered under his breath.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

December 23rd 1998, Chase Household, Sunnydale\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n

Cordelia\u2019s first instinct was to panic; the second was to find Angel. She was halfway out the door before she realised that maybe that wasn\u2019t such a good idea. It was Christmas 1998, only a few months after his return from hell \u2013 there was no telling how he\u2019d react if she turned up on his doorstep babbling on about a future where the two of them were lovers. He was still blindly in love with Buffy at this point in time; he was never going to believe her.<\/p>\n

But if I\u2019m here – my 2001 self in my seventeen-year-old body – maybe he is too – in his two hundred and forty \u2013 err \u2013 whatever! body. But what if he isn\u2019t? <\/i><\/p>\n

Indecision kept the seer rooted to the spot as she continued to debate in her head about what to do.<\/p>\n

Okay, so if not Angel, then who? – Wesley! No, he\u2019s not here, not yet. Giles then? Yes, yes \u2013 that\u2019s it! Giles will help. He\u2019ll find a way to send me back to the future\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cYeoww!\u201d Cordelia jumped in startled surprise as the phone began to ring. She whirled round and stared at it in amazement.<\/p>\n

Okay, so that didn\u2019t happen before. <\/i><\/p>\n

This was the year that the unexpected snow had prevented her from joining her parents skiing in Aspen. It was quite possibly the most miserable Christmas in her entire life. Crossing to the dressing table, she picked up the receiver as if it was a live snake and put it to her ear.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello?\u201d she said warily into the mouthpiece.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBuffy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah \u2013 umm listen \u2013 we\u2019ve decided to have an impromptu Christmas party at my place. I was just wondering if you\u2019d like to come \u2013 the whole gang\u2019ll be here. Everybody\u2019s plans kind of got put on hold, what with the snow and all.\u201d<\/p>\n

The whole gang? That meant Giles. \u201cI\u2019d love to come, thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight. Okay – come on over about seven tonight then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Buffy sounded surprised at her ready acceptance, but Cordelia didn\u2019t really care. She desperately needed to see Giles and \u2013 if she was honest with herself \u2013 Angel too. She wanted to ask whether the vampire would be there, but knew the question wouldn\u2019t go down too well so held her tongue.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre we talking a smart or casual dress code?\u201d she asked instead.<\/p>\n

\u201cSmart \u2013 we\u2019ve decided to get dressed up, make it a real party, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGot that \u2013 see you later then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure \u2013 bye!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBye!\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Angel sat on the bottom of the stairs in the Summer’s house, surreptitiously eavesdropping on Buffy\u2019s phone conversation with Cordelia. He had wandered back here in a daze, trying to figure out what was going on, but coming up empty.<\/p>\n

Luckily, the petite slayer didn\u2019t seem to think his silence was all that unusual – which it wasn\u2019t given his earlier mental battle with the First, he reminded himself. All that seemed like a distant memory to the vampire now, but he knew that in this time and place he had been emotionally exhausted by the ordeal.<\/p>\n

When Joyce proposed inviting everyone over for a party, he finally roused himself out of his reverie to suggest that Buffy invite Cordelia along too. He knew changing the past wasn\u2019t all that sensible, but he remembered his seer telling him that she had spent this Christmas at home by herself, and he simply couldn\u2019t bear the thought of her there all alone and miserable.<\/p>\n

Besides, he needed to see her \u2013 if his mind was here in his past body, then hers could be too. He would have to tread carefully though. If he was dealing with the seventeen-year-old Cordelia Chase, then she could easily misread his interest in her and \u2013 knowing her \u2013 would loudly declare it to the whole room, something that had to be avoided at all costs.<\/p>\n

He glanced down at his watch as Buffy hung up the phone \u2013 nine am, still ten hours to go\u2026<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Ten hours later\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n

Suddenly struck with a severe case of nerves, Cordelia hesitated at the bottom of the garden path, a pair of strappy silver sandals in one hand and a cake tin filled with Rosa\u2019s chocolate brownies in the other. Hiding out at home, she hadn\u2019t had to keep up the appearance of her seventeen-year-old self; here she would have to and she wasn\u2019t sure she could do it. That young schoolgirl seemed so far removed from the twenty-year-old woman she was now.<\/p>\n

Gathering her courage, she forced one foot in front of the other, walked up to the door and rang the bell. A smiling Joyce Summers, wearing a garland of red and silver tinsel in her hair, opened the door a few moments later. \u201cHello Cordelia. Merry Christmas. Come on in out of the cold and get warmed up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI \u2013 umm \u2013 brought brownies,\u201d Cordelia said, holding out the tin as the door closed behind her.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow thoughtful, thank-you,\u201d Buffy\u2019s Mom replied as she took the offering. \u201cNow help yourself to some eggnog, or we\u2019ve fruit punch of you\u2019d prefer. Xander will take your coat, won\u2019t you dear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

Xander startled at the sound of his name, and Cordelia had to suppress a smile, remembering that her seventeen-year-old self did not find his dorkiness at all amusing, especially not after he had betrayed her with Willow. Hiding her grin, she bent and pulled off her fake-fur-lined boots, slipped her feet into her sandals, and then shrugged out of her bulky coat.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa \u2013 did you raid your older sister\u2019s closet or what?\u201d her teenage ex exclaimed, his eyes growing wide at her attire.<\/p>\n

Cordelia glanced down at her clothing, belatedly realising that she\u2019d unintentionally picked out something that her twenty-year-old self might wear to a party, when she\u2019d gone shopping for an outfit that afternoon. The dress was strapless, the top-half close fitting by necessity, while the skirt flared out slightly, ending just above the knee. The fabric was a deep maroon satin, but covered with a sheer film of black gauzy material, which created a dramatic two-tone effect. The bodice was decorated with a swirling design of small, hand-embroidered flowers in deep red, purple and silver, and she\u2019d finished the outfit off with a silver heart-shaped pendant and matching drop earrings.<\/p>\n

\u201cPfft! You wouldn\u2019t know sophistication even if it came up and bit you on the ass, Xander Harris,\u201d she hastily retorted, tossing her hair over her shoulder in her best Queen C impression.<\/p>\n

Her acerbic comeback was greeted with a low chuckle and her heart leapt into her throat as Angel emerged from the shadows of the hallway. The vampire\u2019s dark eyes held her gaze for a brief instant, immediately giving her hope, but then he looked away and her heart dropped into the pit of her stomach, his lack of interest convincing her that she really was here in this nightmare alone.<\/p>\n

Angel forced himself to look away from his girlfriend\u2019s achingly familiar countenance for fear that his avid interest would draw undue attention. He couldn\u2019t tell from such a fleeting glance whether his Cordy was in there or not. He thought he saw a flash of warmth and hope in those beautiful eyes, but he couldn\u2019t be absolutely certain. Her attitude towards Harris just reeked of the teenaged Cordelia.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa deadboy! Did you actually laugh?\u201d Xander whirled round and stared at the vampire in amazement.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m known to every once in a while,\u201d he replied with a wry grimace, resisting the urge to strangle the annoying boy with his bare hands.<\/p>\n

Cordelia\u2019s anger flared at the hated nickname that tripped so effortlessly from ex-boyfriend\u2019s lips. \u201cHe\u2019s called Angel, Xander,\u201d she snapped before she could stop herself.<\/p>\n

Angel\u2019s eyes were immediately back on her again, but the moment was interrupted by Buffy calling out for him from the front room. He couldn\u2019t not respond; it would raise suspicion if he didn\u2019t. The vampire knew that changing the past could have disastrous consequences for the future, and it was a future that he desperately wanted to get back to. So he reluctantly turned away, still unsure as to whether 2001 Cordelia was stuck in the past along with him.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

An hour later\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n

Buffy reached out and placed her hand on Angel\u2019s knee, squeezing it gently. \u201cYou wanna go outside and get some fresh air?\u201d<\/p>\n

The vampire knew what *that* meant and he desperately tried to think of a plausible reason not to agree. There was a time when he would have jumped at the chance to make out with the slayer – as he vaguely remembered doing three years ago on the front porch, come to think of it. That time was long gone though and, unfortunately, he didn\u2019t think \u2018Sorry, but I\u2019m in love with Cordy now\u2019 would cut it as an appropriate excuse. Willow and Oz chose that moment to rescue him however, joining him and Buffy on the sofa.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you think Cordelia is acting sorta weird?\u201d Willow asked, leaning across Angel to speak to Buffy.<\/p>\n

The vampire\u2019s ears pricked up with interest at that.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you mean?\u201d the slayer enquired of her best friend, not that bothered about the answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know \u2013 she\u2019s kind of\u2026 quiet,\u201d the redheaded witch replied, nodding to where Cordelia was sitting alone on the window seat, looking down into an empty glass of punch. \u201cAnd \u2013 get this – she actually smiled at me earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow that\u2019s *definitely* weird,\u201d Buffy replied with a grin. \u201cWhat do you think, Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think\u2026,\u201d the vampire stopped and rose to his feet. \u201cI think I\u2019m gonna see if she wants some more punch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I don\u2019t know \u2013 maybe because it\u2019s polite to offer your guests drinks at a party.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ignoring Buffy\u2019s open-mouthed shock at his pointed admonishment, he crossed to the long table, which was heavily ladened with food and drink, and scooped a ladle full of fruit punch into a small glass.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere.\u201d Cordelia jumped in surprise as Angel sat down next to her and offered her a drink.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d she said, her lips quirking up into a small grateful smile as she took the glass. Her eyes remained in her lap though – she didn\u2019t think she could look at him. It was just too painful knowing she couldn\u2019t even touch him, let alone tell him how much she loved him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNice dress,\u201d the vampire commented with a furtive sidelong glance.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got it from Sherri\u2019s boutique at the mall this afternoon,\u201d she felt the need to tell him, and then felt stupid for doing so \u2013 why would this Angel be interested in her shopping habits?<\/p>\n

\u201cFunny \u2013 I could\u2019ve sworn I\u2019ve seen that dress somewhere else \u2013 LA perhaps?\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia\u2019s eyes snapped up to his face and she sagged in relief when she found herself drowning in her boyfriend\u2019s warm, loving gaze. \u201cAngel,\u201d she whispered, involuntarily reaching out towards him with her hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot here!\u201d the vampire warned sharply under his breath, and she immediately snatched her fingers back.<\/p>\n

\u201cMeet me upstairs in the spare bedroom,\u201d he murmured quietly to her, his lips barely moving as he deliberately looked away from her hypnotic eyes. \u201cThe second door on the right. I\u2019ll go up first; you follow a few minutes later, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Cordelia softly agreed, her heart racing ten to the dozen. He was here; she wasn\u2019t alone in this after all.<\/p>\n

Angel got up and went back over to join Buffy, Willow and Oz, while Cordelia waited on tenterhooks for him to go upstairs. Five minutes later, he did, and she literally had to hold onto the seat to stop herself from immediately following him. Finally, she couldn\u2019t take it anymore and hurried out of the room, not really caring whether her haste raised suspicion amongst the gathered Scoobies or not.<\/p>\n

Reaching the top of the stairs, she practically ran down the corridor to the spare bedroom. Twisting the handle, she cautiously opened the door and stepped into the darkened room, blinking as her eyes slowly adjusted to the lack of light. A strong hand suddenly closed around her wrist, hauling her the rest of the way into the room, and she gasped in shocked surprise.<\/p>\n

Angel\u2019s lips crashed down on hers the moment the door closed behind her, and her hands rose to clutch at his back as he pressed her up against the wall. With his fingers threaded through her tumbling mass of long wavy hair, he kissed her like there was no tomorrow, leaving her weak at the knees.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh God!\u201d she exclaimed, when he finally released her mouth and began to nuzzle enthusiastically at her neck. \u201cI was so scared you weren\u2019t here too. What do you think happened? Some kind of freaky spell?\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel knew he should be concentrating on how to get them out of this mess and back home, but now that Cordelia was in his arms, all he could think about was having her. His brain was on short-circuit, his recently released sexuality running roughshod over his more rational thought processes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know – maybe,\u201d he murmured, his voice hoarse with rampant desire. \u201cWe\u2019ll talk about it later.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAngel \u2013 humph\u2026 we can\u2019t! Not here!\u201d Cordelia tried to protest as he kissed her urgently, while his hands reached down to pull up the skirt of her dress.<\/p>\n

The vampire groaned as his exploring fingers encountered the lacy edge of stockings and the thin straps of a suspender belt. \u201cGod woman, are you trying to kill me?\u201d he growled in her ear as he pulled her close, letting her feel the hard evidence of his desire for her.<\/p>\n

Despite herself, Cordelia moaned, her hands dropping to the small of his back as she wantonly pushed her hips back into his. Angel continued to kiss her breathless, his big hands cupping her bottom and roaming over the soft skin of her upper thighs. When she felt his fingers at the zip of her dress though, she came back to her senses. \u201cAngel! We\u2019re upstairs at Buffy\u2019s house \u2013 we can\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho says?\u201d the vampire replied as he slowly slid the zipper down, the sound harsh in the silence of the darkened bedroom. The only light came from the reflection of the moon on the bright snow outside, which lit the room with an almost ethereal glow.<\/p>\n

The dress gaped at the top and started to slide off the seer\u2019s body under the influence of gravity. Cordelia attempted to hold it in place, but Angel firmly removed her hands and the dress pooled around her feet on the floor. She hadn\u2019t been wearing a bra, the boning in the bodice providing enough support for her teenage curves.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve filled out a bit,\u201d Angel noted with a raised eyebrow.<\/p>\n

His girlfriend blushed and punched him lightly on the upper arm. \u201cThis is my seventeen year old body, dumbass. I had a growth spurt at eighteen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, so I\u2019ve noticed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia suddenly felt insecure. \u201cIs there something wrong with them?\u201d she asked, looking down at bared breasts.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, they\u2019re lovely \u2013 all plump and deliciously perky,\u201d Angel said, reaching out and playfully tweaking her sensitive nipples, causing a breathless moan to escape her lips.<\/p>\n

Curling an arm around her waist, the vampire backed her over towards the bed, raining kisses down on her throat and shoulders as he did so. They sank down onto the bed together, and Cordelia sighed as Angel\u2019s familiar weight settled atop of her and pressed her into the mattress.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to say I prefer your more womanly curves though,\u201d the vampire continued as he nuzzled insistently at her neck with searching lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood answer,\u201d Cordelia replied as she arched up into him, finally surrendering to his highly persuasive seduction techniques.<\/p>\n

Pleased at her acquiescence, Angel separated her thighs and climbed between them, his cool lips trailing a path down between the twin mounds of her cleavage.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is something decidedly erotic about this however,\u201d he murmured against her bare skin. \u201cHere you are on the cusp of womanhood with all those teenage hormones running rampant through your veins. You\u2019re all ripe and waiting to be plucked\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlucked! What am I? A chicken?\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel lifted his head and smiled at the seer\u2019s lightly teasing remark. \u201cHave you been by the way?\u201d he asked, a wicked twinkle in his chocolate-brown eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave I been what? Oh\u2026 No, No I haven\u2019t. I\u2019m still a virgin.\u201d<\/p>\n

The vampire\u2019s eyes turned almost black with desire at her answer, and Cordelia felt his groin stir against her lower abdomen in reaction. \u201cEew! That turns you on?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course it does. Your virginity is a precious gift. And the fact that I get to have yours\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Something occurred to the seer then and she tensed underneath him, no longer so compliant. \u201cThat\u2019s all very well and good for you, but what about me? It hurts like hell,\u201d she said plaintively.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt shouldn\u2019t, not if it\u2019s done right, not if you\u2019re fully ready. There\u2019ll be some pain but it should fade soon enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it didn\u2019t for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will tonight.\u201d Angel promised, tenderly stroking the backs of his fingers over her flushed cheek. \u201cIt shouldn\u2019t be here though,\u201d he continued, looking around at their surroundings. \u201cNot a quick fumble upstairs at a party. We\u2019ll go back to the mansion \u2013 do it properly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia relaxed and giggled. \u201cYou think you can wait that long?\u201d she asked, cheekily running the tips of her fingers over the prominent bulge in his pants.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I think you\u2019re going to have to take care of that for me,\u201d Angel said, rolling over onto his back and looking over at her suggestively.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I am, am I?\u201d the seer said archly, sitting up and brushing her wealth of dark hair over one shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll return the favour,\u201d the vampire generously offered as she moved to sit astride him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, how could I possibly refuse an offer like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia unbuttoned and unzipped his pants, then directed him to lift his hips so that she could push them and his boxers down to his knees. As his erection sprang free from the clothing\u2019s confines, the seer paused, her teeth worrying at her lower lip, a small frown creasing her forehead.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I use my mouth?\u201d she eventually asked, her expression still uncertain.<\/p>\n

Angel closed his eyes and groaned. \u201cJesus Cordy, you *really* shouldn\u2019t ask questions like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry \u2013 it\u2019s just, we haven\u2019t and I\u2026 only once.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust do whatever you\u2019re comfortable with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you want me to?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs the Pope catholic?\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia grinned at his strangled response. She started to lower her head towards his straining erection, but then stopped again. \u201cWhat about your soul?\u201d she suddenly asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about it?\u201d Angel replied impatiently.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s 1998 \u2013 it\u2019s not permanent,\u201d his girlfriend pointed out.<\/p>\n

The vampire considered that. \u201cYes, it is,\u201d he eventually replied. \u201cIt might be my 1998 body, but it\u2019s my 2001 consciousness and my soul is part of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure? Cus I\u2019d rather you didn\u2019t go all crazy and homicidal if it\u2019s all the same to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel nodded. \u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d he said emphatically. \u201cI couldn\u2019t tell the difference before my soul was bound, but I can now. This one\u2019s permanent, I swear. You know I would never risk it if I wasn\u2019t certain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Satisfied that this was indeed the case, Cordelia bent her head and dropped a light kiss on the tip of the vampire’s hardened sex, causing his hips to shift against the mattress in anticipation.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re so easy,\u201d she commented playfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey! You try being virtually celibate for decades, and then tell me who\u2019s easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how long are you going to use *that* line to tempt me into bed?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor as long as it works, I guess,\u201d Angel replied with a low chuckle and an impudent grin.<\/p>\n

Cordelia giggled. \u201cI should feel bad, shouldn\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoing this,\u201d the seer explained, waving her hand between them to illustrate her point. \u201cUpstairs at Buffy\u2019s house – when she\u2019s downstairs completely oblivious.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not doing anything wrong, Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn this time and place we are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel sighed. \u201cBut in our time, we\u2019re not. I refuse to feel guilty for loving you, Cor – I\u2019ve waited too long for this. Just as long as no-one here finds out, we\u2019ve nothing to feel bad about. Besides, we\u2019re not actually doing anything,\u201d he added pointedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOo \u2013 someone\u2019s getting impatient!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, someone is, because *someone* is taking her own sweet time to\u2026urghh!\u201d<\/p>\n

The vampire broke off with a low grunt of pleasure when Cordelia unexpectedly took him into her mouth. Curling her fingers round the base of his penis, the seer experimentally swirled her tongue around the head, and felt a delighted thrill of satisfaction when Angel let loose with a strangled \u201cOh God!\u201d as his hips bucked up off the mattress in reaction.<\/p>\n

Breathing heavily and unnecessarily, Angel pushed himself up half-seated position so he could see what Cordelia was doing. Her inexperience showed, but it also made her actions unpredictable, heightening his sensual enjoyment. Reaching down with one hand, he combed his fingers through the silky strands of hair, immensely aroused by the tentative nature of her oral explorations.<\/p>\n

Turned on by the sensual power she currently had over him, Cordelia\u2019s ministrations grew bolder as her arousal increased. Taking more of him into her mouth, she repeatedly slid her lips up and down his hard shaft, sucking lightly, while the tips of her fingers began to wander over the taut muscles of his lower abdomen. All this added fuel to the fire of the vampire\u2019s need, and she could sense the building tension in him as his harsh grunts of pleasure filled her ears with their music.<\/p>\n

Angel was poised on a knife-edge, needing something to tip him over into the abyss, which Cordelia unwittingly gave to him when she lightly stroked two fingers over the sensitive flesh between his inner thigh and groin. Biting his lower lip to hold in the cry of completion hovering at the back of his throat, he let go of his control and erupted into her mouth, his eyes closing and his neck arching as ecstasy flooded his veins.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry,\u201d he gruffly apologised as he slumped back against the mattress, completely spent.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor what?\u201d Cordelia asked, moving off him.<\/p>\n

Angel sat up and tugged his pants and boxers back up over his hips. \u201cErr \u2013 for the lack of warning,\u201d he replied, zipping them up.<\/p>\n

The seer laughed at his sheepish answer and he grinned at her, and then reached out to hook his arm around her waist.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, I think I said something about returning the favour,\u201d he said, his voice dropping in pitch as he pulled her towards him.<\/p>\n

Closing her hand over his, Cordelia reluctantly stopped his fingers as they stroked down over her stomach, heading with purpose towards the elasticated edge of her satin panties. \u201cI think that\u2019s gonna have to wait. We\u2019ve been gone a while. They\u2019re going to get suspicious. Plus I\u2019m kind of noisy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t disagree there,\u201d the vampire said slyly, then laughed when she swatted him with the back of her hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll just have to make it up to me later,\u201d the seer said over her shoulder, as she climbed off the bed and bent to retrieve her discarded dress off the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything for you, baby,\u201d Angel replied, his voice low and seductively melodic.<\/p>\n

There was a short silence, and then the vampire sighed, his thoughts returning to their predicament. \u201cWe need to find out what\u2019s going on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia nodded, turning her back to him so that he could zip up her dress. \u201cShould we talk to Giles?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot just yet. Let\u2019s see if we can figure it out ourselves first.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure, but something must have triggered this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike what? All we were doing was kissing good morning \u2013 how could that send us back in time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe mistletoe,\u201d Angel said slowly, things gradually starting to click into place. \u201cFred \u2013 she told me to make a wish.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia froze at that, her blood running cold as her heart lurched inside of her chest. She whirled around to face him, her eyes filling with tears of hurt and anger.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you wished to be back in Sunnydale?\u201d she said brokenly. \u201cWith Buffy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Part 2<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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