Part 2<\/b><\/p>\n
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s alarm sounded loudly, almost, but not quite, rousing her from her wonderful demon-free sleep.<\/p>\n
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP<\/p>\n
The brunette forced one eye open, groaning as her entire body complained as her every muscle stirred in contradiction when Cordelia rolled gently onto her side to reach the offending item.<\/p>\n
TINKLE<\/p>\n
SPLASH<\/p>\n
THUD<\/p>\n
The rude alarm clock swiftly followed her water glass crashing to the floor, that one open eye glared as the other eye opened in companionship. \u201cRude!\u201d Cordelia snapped in a sleepy, husky voice as she fumbled her arm out of her quilt to rub her eyes of sleep.<\/p>\n
A few grazes on her elbow were the only scars visible from last night\u2019s battle with three vampires. \u201cOwwww!\u201d she complained as she woke up a little more and sat up slowly and frowned.<\/p>\n
They had sort of coped with the fighting but without a champion, without Angel, they hadn\u2019t coped as well as what they would have obviously. Cordelia had given up her couch to a bruised Doyle as he was too beaten senseless to walk back to his own apartment. And judging from her body\u2019s reaction to only waking and sitting up, she wasn\u2019t in much better shape either.<\/p>\n
Not that she had done much fighting last night, more along the lines of grabbing the woman and getting the hell outta dodge as Doyle laid as much as he could into the fight. He had surprised her last night, she hadn\u2019t thought he would be able to hold his own as good as he did. Even though he had received a far worse beating than she had, the first thing Doyle had asked was if she was okay, not even thinking of himself.<\/p>\n
Thinking about the Irishman made a smile cross Cordelia\u2019s face and his words yesterday floated through her mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cYa didn\u2019t think I\u2019d run out on ya did ya Princess?\u201d he asked with that quirky little grin of his. Maybe she could count on Doyle not to abandon her.<\/p>\n
n though they had tried their best last night it still hadn\u2019t been good enough. Only one of the vampires had gotten killed, the other two had simply ran away and Cordelia had no doubt that word about Angel would be out by now. That left a Northern Hemisphere-sized problem for them.<\/p>\n
A knock on her bedroom door caused Cordelia glare at the noise that intruded her staring-into-space-while-waiting-to-wake up time. \u201cGo away, I\u2019m still asleep,\u201d she answered with a yawn.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrincess?\u201d came Doyle\u2019s equally sleepy response through the door, \u201cWhiskey?\u201d<\/p>\n
She shuddered at his request; \u201cI have diet sodas in my fridge or a bottle Chianti in my way-too-empty wine rack but no whiskey\u201d<\/p>\n
He pushed her door open slowly, secretly hoping to spy on her getting changed, \u201cAre ya decent?\u201d he asked as he peeked round her door.<\/p>\n
Cordelia rolled her eyes, \u201cWhat are you hoping to hear? That I have clothes on or that I\u2019m naked?\u201d<\/p>\n
Doyle gave her a sheepish grin as he pushed her door open wider, \u201cYou okay this mornin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFine but we need somebody who can fight\u201d Cordelia said bluntly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought I did pretty well considerin\u2019\u201d Doyle responded as he stood in her bedroom doorway, leaning against the wooden frame.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou did, well, until you got the ever holy crap beaten out of you. We need another vampire with a soul who won\u2019t just up and leave with the first blonde he sees\u201d Cordelia snarked. Yes, she hoped that Angel was happy, yes she hoped that he was enjoying his new humanity and yes she was bitter that he had decided to leave them.<\/p>\n
Doyle nodded in agreement, \u201cNo problem, I\u2019ll just nip down to the local Soul Vamps R Us store and pick up one\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia glared, \u201cThere\u2019s no need for sarcasm, I was only stating a fact. We need another vampire, preferably one that doesn\u2019t want us for a midnight snack. I\u2019m sure it wouldn\u2019t be too hard to find some local gypsies that could curse some poor, unsuspecting vampire right?\u201d<\/p>\n
Doyle shook his head hopelessly, \u201cC\u2019mon Princess, get outta that bed, I got an idea\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that what the burning smell is?\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel walked through his mansion in Sunnydale, his body still feeling the after effects of helping Buffy patrol last night. He stretched his body, uncurling his muscles and popping his back. It seemed so quiet, there was no little sounds penetrating his ears, there was no scents teasing his nose and there were no small, little movements catching the corner of his eyes.<\/p>\n
The ex-vampire stood still half-way to his bathroom contemplating the silence and stillness around him, half expecting Doyle to pop out of the woodwork trying to coax him into going to the sports bar he mentioned. Angel shook his head, Doyle without a doubt liked the ladies that\u2019s for sure. His thoughts moved from the half demon seer to Cordelia, he knew if she was here, the silence would be completely shattered. Noises would be heard, smells would be smelt and movements would catch his eyes.<\/p>\n
His mental reverie was interrupted by the sound of people downstairs; they were loud enough for his human senses to pick up. Angel tugged his shirt into place, smoothed down his pants and made his way downstairs, passing memories randomly floating through his brain as he walked past rooms that belonged to Spike and Drusilla.<\/p>\n
Buffy stood in the large living room observing the fact that her boyfriend hadn\u2019t had time to tidy up properly or unpack the single suitcase he had brought with him. The burgundy curtains that had been present since Angelus were still decorating the windows, although they were now drawn back. The antique oak furniture still dotted about the room and each piece had a hefty layer of dust on the top.<\/p>\n
She glanced up when she heard Angel clear his throat and winced when she saw his black eye and bruised cheekbone. \u201cI brought breakfast,\u201d Buffy explained as she took a few steps towards him, \u201cI figured you hadn\u2019t had time to go shopping for groceries yet\u201d<\/p>\n
He nodded in response, \u201cThanks, I appreciate it\u201d he told her as he took a few steps towards her. Angel watched as Buffy pursed her lips and waited for him to make the first move, he leaned down and placed a chaste kiss on her lips before pulling away and taking the bag from her.<\/p>\n
The little kiss brought a dreamy smile to Buffy\u2019s face as she followed him through the living room and into the kitchen. \u201cWe can get Willow to perform a healing spell on you if you\u2019re hurt\u201d<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t really want to be reminded of last night\u2019s patrol which ended up as a beating of a lifetime for him. \u201cNo, I\u2019m good\u201d Angel replied trying not to let his stiff posture show as he walked to the table to deposit the bag of groceries.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t look like you\u2019re fine Angel\u201d Buffy pointed out, \u201cIf you were fine why are you holding your back?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSlept in the wrong position\u201d Angel replied as he took his hand away from his aching lower back. He had received a vicious kick to his coccyx from one of the vampires and now he hurt like hell, but his pride wouldn\u2019t let her know that.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh\u201d Buffy responded as she leaned against the table, an awkward silence filled the air as Angel unpacked the grocery bag and she shifted on her feet. She looked at him, her blue eyes drinking him in, his dark hair ruffled up from sleep, his still pale skin standing out against the bruises spotted around his handsome face and his eyes as dark as ever.<\/p>\n
She cleared her throat, \u201cHave you given any thought about what you\u2019re going to do?\u201d she asked lightly as she tried to keep going with their mature plan and take things slowly.<\/p>\n
Angel shrugged, \u201cI\u2019m not really sure to be honest, maybe I could have another detective agency here\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s one option\u201d Buffy supplied supportively, \u201cI still can\u2019t believe Cordy made you charge for saving people\u2019s lives\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all have to make a living\u201d Angel replied, \u201cIt was a good idea\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry\u201d Buffy told him as she pursed her lips, \u201cDo you have a license or anything?\u201d<\/p>\n
He shook his head, \u201cI think that would be an obstacle in opening up an agency here now that I think about it\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess it would be\u201d she looked at her watch and sighed, \u201cI hate to love you and leave you but I have to get to college in half hour\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight, you coming here after?\u201d Angel asked hopefully as he looked at her pretty face, \u201cThat is if you don\u2019t have anything else planned\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy smiled shyly up at him, relieved that the awkward silence was being broken at last and he was asking if she was coming to see him. \u201cThere\u2019s no place I\u2019d rather be. You\u2019re back home and we\u2019re together again, I couldn\u2019t be happier\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel gave her a tight smile, \u201cGood, I couldn\u2019t be either. Happier I mean\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat, so I\u2019ll see you tonight after college?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, I\u2019ll be waiting\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy walked up to him, leaned up and gave him a kiss which quickly deepened before she pulled away. \u201cTonight\u201d she told him with a meaningful smile and nod.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking forward to it\u201d Angel replied with a lopsided smile.<\/p>\n
She waved before skipping out of the kitchen and mansion leaving Angel alone inside as she ventured off into the daylight. Somewhere not off limits to him now that he was human.<\/p>\n
Angel ruffled his hair a little more and winced when he caught a bruise close to his hairline and sighed, \u201cThis is gonna be tougher than I thought\u201d he said. The flooring felt cold to his feet as he pitter-pattered upstairs to get ready for his first day in the sunshine and his first taste of life after 200 plus years. He would start by calling Doyle and saying a general hi before thinking of something to actually do.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cI beseech access to the knowing ones\u201d Doyle sprinkled the dust at the gateway underneath the post office.<\/p>\n
Cordelia watched, unimpressed, as the dust flew around the air, \u201cThat dust is a health hazard, I\u2019m choking here\u201d she complained as she looked around in disgust. \u201cIf I was a higher being, I would demand a suite at the Ritz or the Hilton at least. Or a luxury condo with built in spa\u201d<\/p>\n
The Irishman turned an exasperated gaze to her, \u201cPrincess will ya keep it down, you don\u2019t wanna seem disrespectful to the Oracles\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOracles Schmoracles\u201d she waved away his warning, \u201cI know a fortune teller who could give us this information without making us splutter on dust\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Oracles are a little bit more then fortune tellers\u201d Doyle told her, \u201cIt isn\u2019t info we need like ya said, we need another vamp to do the fightin\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, you started off pretty good before you used your head as a way to break your fall\u201d Cordelia agreed bluntly. \u201cI still can\u2019t believe Angel just up and left like that. Buffy blows into town and whoosh! Off he goes all for what\u2019s under her fake designer skirt. I hope she wears clean underwear, I\u2019d hate to think he went all that way only to find musty vamp dust lodged up there\u201d<\/p>\n
Doyle shook his head, for a girl who other people saw as being very snobbish and uppity, Cordelia could be crude when she wanted to be. The funny thing about it was she did it so innocently, like she didn\u2019t really understand what she was saying and implying. He turned back to the gateway and threw more dust at it, \u201cI demand to see the Oracles, I beseech access to the knowing ones\u201d<\/p>\n
She opened her mouth to make another retort, but her words were stopped as they both got sucked into a white room with a male and female dressed in gold togas standing in front of them.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome forth lower beings\u201d the female spoke.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you bring us?\u201d the male asked directly after.<\/p>\n
Cordelia slowly turned to look at Doyle expectantly, \u201cYou never said anything about any presents so I never brought anything. What are they expecting? Matching His n Hers mugs or something nice to wear? Because those weird dressy things so don\u2019t do anything for their complexion\u201d<\/p>\n
Doyle ignored her as he removed an ancient coin from his pocket and tossed to the male, \u201cWe need another champion\u201d he told them. \u201cAngel, the vampire with a soul, is human and has gone to live his li…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the blonde Slayer by the name of Buffy Summers\u201d Cordelia interjected, \u201cYou might have heard of her actually. Steals the souls of all those who dare sleep with her…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSilence\u201d the woman told her, cutting off the rest of Cordelia\u2019s comment that threatened to spill from her lips. The Oracle looked back to Doyle, expecting him to continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I was sayin\u201d Doyle began again, \u201cWe can\u2019t fight your cause without a champion, we need another vampire\u201d<\/p>\n
The male glanced at him, \u201cAnother vampire with a soul? I am unaware another exists\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMe either\u201d Cordelia spoke up ruefully, \u201cI can safely say the world would be a much safer place if all vampires had souls. Why can\u2019t you do that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is not our place to interfere with the way things are\u201d the woman replied, her tone implying she agreed with Cordelia\u2019s words.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought you were all big and powerful. The Powers That Be and all that mojo\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are merely guides lower being, we do not grant life or death, we do not have the power to give the power of free will to those who do not deserve it\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t care if you can or can\u2019t grant whatever to whoever, we need another vampire and we need one now\u201d Cordelia told her determinedly. \u201cIf you won\u2019t give us one then I\u2019ll go and curse as many vampires as I want and you can\u2019t stop me\u201d<\/p>\n
Doyle covered his face, he knew it was a bad idea to bring her along to meet the Oracles, but when she turned those eyes of hers on him, no seemed to escape his vocabulary. \u201cWith Angel human, you don\u2019t have a champion in L.A. We can\u2019t fight on our own\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAll will be revealed in time\u201d the male responded.<\/p>\n
\u201cLife comes and life goes. That is how it works,\u201d the female added.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is that supposed to mean?\u201d Cordelia asked then gasped, \u201cYou mean Angel\u2019s gonna have a heart attack or a stroke and become a phantom champion? If that\u2019s the case then Phantom Dennis could be a champion, the enemy wouldn\u2019t see him and he could whack the bad guy over the head with a big heavy book while Doyle and I roll them over a cliff\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe shall speak no more\u201d the female told them as she looked at Cordelia.<\/p>\n
A few seconds later, Doyle and Cordelia found themselves back under the post office with a thud. She got off the floor, \u201cYou couldn\u2019t have transported us a little harder could you?\u201d she yelled at the wall. \u201cNow my bones are rattling and I have dust in my hair and you told us nothing. Give me that coin back, you didn\u2019t deserve it!\u201d<\/p>\n
Doyle raised his eyebrows in amusement as he got off the floor himself and dusted his clothes down. \u201cHow about some lunch?\u201d he asked, hoping to stop her tirade.<\/p>\n
It did. Well, stopped her tirade at the Oracles anyway, Cordelia turned on him, \u201cWith what exactly? We didn\u2019t get paid last night, I used up all my savings on a new I-am-boss outfit. I\u2019m pretty sure you don\u2019t have a secret stash hiding under that horrendously lame Hawaiian shirt you seem so fond of. God knows why you wear those things, whatever happened to men wearing suits I\u2019ll never know\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Doyle pushed the door open and hurried to the ringing phone, \u201cAngel Investigations, we home the helpless\u2026 No we don\u2019t, we help the homeless\u2026 We hope you\u2019re help…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDoyle it\u2019s me, Angel\u201d Angel spoke down the phone, stopping his friend\u2019s hopeless greeting.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel man, how\u2019s life been treatin ya for the last day?\u201d Doyle asked as Cordelia shut the door he left open in his hurry to answer the phone.<\/p>\n
\u201cBorn a barn were you?\u201d Cordelia asked as she pushed past him.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrincess, it\u2019s Angel on the phone\u201d Doyle told her.<\/p>\n
\u201cWow, we haven\u2019t seen him for almost 24 hours and already he\u2019s calling. Then again if I was in Sunnyhell I\u2019d be doing a lot more than calling after spending 24 hours there\u201d Cordelia replied with disinterest as she plopped down on a chair.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow\u2019s the little lady?\u201d Doyle asked as he looked at Cordelia\u2019s crossed legs appreciatively hoping he wouldn\u2019t get caught.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy\u2019s fine, at college at the minute, but she\u2019s fine\u201d Angel replied, \u201cAre you and Cordy doing all right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re fine man, don\u2019t sweat it\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia scrunched up her face and performed a childish imitation of Doyle\u2019s words to Angel earning her a look from Doyle.<\/p>\n
\u201cYa decided what ya gonna do now that yer outta the fightin gig?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel shook his head, frowned and then spoke, \u201cI don\u2019t know, I was thinking of opening up another agency\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI copyright the name,\u201d Cordelia yelled when Doyle repeated Angel\u2019s words to her.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy don\u2019t ya open a sports bar?\u201d Doyle suggested.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy don\u2019t you join a perverts anonymous group?\u201d Cordelia shot back. \u201cAnd don\u2019t think I haven\u2019t noticed you staring at my legs for the past five minutes\u201d she told Doyle knowingly.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou checking Cordy out?\u201d Angel asked in humour but felt a little concerned about a young woman being alone with an older man. Just look at him and Buffy, not that there were any similarities between Doyle and Cordelia and his relationship with Buffy.<\/p>\n
Doyle and Cordelia hadn\u2019t been and were not involved in an intense relationship like he was with Buffy and Angel was pretty sure that they weren\u2019t even in love. He doubted anyone felt anything like what he felt for Buffy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was before I got busted\u201d Doyle confessed with a disappointed sigh.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you have any ideas about what I should do?\u201d Angel asked hopefully because he didn\u2019t have a clue. He had often thought about what he would do if he ever became human but now that he was human, he didn\u2019t know where to start.<\/p>\n
\u201cA walk in the sunshine, hang ten off the coast of Malibu, go have a cappuccino at an outdoor caf\u00e9, stay away from vampires…\u201d Doyle left that one hanging sensing Angel glaring at the other end of the phone. \u201cGet a sense of humour\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia rolled her eyes, got out of the chair and headed into her office, \u201cHow is Cordy doing?\u201d she asked sarcastically. \u201cShe\u2019s fine man, she\u2019s says hi\u201d she mimicked, \u201cTell her I miss her company\u201d \u201cWill do Angel, she says have a nice day\u201d as she imitated Doyle and Angel, her voice alternated between a high and a low pitch.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat woman\u201d Doyle sighed down the phone to Angel, \u201cNot a dull moment with Cordy around I can tell ya\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t doubt it\u201d Angel replied, \u201cListen I\u2019m gonna go so I think of something to do. Take care of her okay\u201d it wasn\u2019t a question. \u201cI\u2019ll call soon yeah?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, catch ya later man, an tell that blonde piece ya have to make sure ya get a tan, you\u2019ll be beatin the females off with a stick. I guarantee it\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel rolled his eyes at the typical Doyle comment before saying good bye and hanging up his cell phone. What did he want to do?<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cHow\u2019s Angel?\u201d Willow asked Buffy as they walked across the grass at the college campus.<\/p>\n
Buffy gave her friend a wince, \u201cBruised but good. I still can\u2019t believe he\u2019s human Will, words can\u2019t describe how good it felt when I saw him in the sun\u201d she replied with a smile. \u201cIt was like something out of a fairytale, he just…walked right up to me and took me in his arms\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh\u201d Willow squeaked romantically, \u201cI\u2019m really happy for you Buff, I\u2019ve always known you and Angel were meant to be together\u201d<\/p>\n
The Slayer nodded happily, \u201cI know we are, none so true as a love between a vampire and a slayer\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember how he used to look at you like you were the centre of his universe and no one else existed. He was the tall, dark handsome stranger and you were the cute, little blonde girl who captured his heart\u201d Willow got caught up in the romance of Buffy and Angel. \u201cI was always a little bit jealous because I don\u2019t think I\u2019ll ever have what you two have\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy beamed happily, \u201cIt is pretty intense isn\u2019t it?\u201d she shrugged, \u201cEven still, I can\u2019t help but feel there\u2019s something missing between us\u201d she sighed. \u201cI\u2019m happy he\u2019s back and we\u2019re together again but last night on patrol, he got really beat up Will and I didn\u2019t know how to handle that\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe isn\u2019t a vampire anymore Buffy, he doesn\u2019t have his super strength anymore\u201d Willow reminded her. \u201cYou can\u2019t expect him to be able to fight like he used to now he\u2019s mortal\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, it\u2019s just going to take some getting used to. When we were with each other before he left, we fought side by side and now he can\u2019t fight like that anymore and I\u2019m going to have to get used to it\u201d Buffy responded. \u201cI know he can\u2019t go on patrol now\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019d be too much of a liability, I\u2019d be too distracted because I\u2019d be worried about him getting hurt and I can\u2019t take that chance\u201d Buffy replied as she bit her lip.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe help you with patrol\u201d Willow pointed out meekly, \u201cAre you saying you don\u2019t get distracted when Xander and I are there?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s different, you and Xander aren\u2019t used to having extra strength then having it taken away. If you\u2019d have seen Angel last night Will, he was fighting as if he were still a vampire and it got him hurt\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow are you going to tell him he can\u2019t patrol with you anymore?\u201d Willow asked as she held back from saying what she was thinking because she didn\u2019t want Buffy to think she wasn\u2019t on her side.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat I don\u2019t know\u201d Buffy replied with a grimace.<\/p>\n