Part 3<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cI had a great time tonight,\u201d Cordelia fibbed to her date, Hank, as she got herself out of the passenger side of his car. That was the straw that broke the camel\u2019s back, she had to open her own door, geez, was this guy a naturally born caveman? Were there any gentlemen left?<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad\u201d Hank replied with a cocky smile that Cordelia wanted to see wiped off, \u201cMaybe we could do it again sometime? Like say tomorrow night?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d Cordelia denied, like she wanted to date Captain Caveman again. First, he didn\u2019t tell her she looked nice then came his struggle with the champagne bottle and the car door. She\u2019d rather go back to dating Xander Harris.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy not? I thought we were getting on alright\u201d Hank replied with a frown as he searched her face for any plausible reason why she might be turning him down.<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s face was priceless, \u201cOh we were, well up until you started boring me to death with the story of your life\u201d she told him honestly. The last thing she wanted was this loser thinking that she was just suffering from first date jitters and calling her up for another date. At times like this, blunt honesty was the only thing that worked.<\/p>\n
Hank frowned more as he took hold of Cordelia\u2019s arm, \u201cHey!\u201d she yelled at him as her face took on the expression of disbelief. How dare he touch her? \u201cWho the hell do you think you are?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSomebody should really talk to you about your manners Cordelia, you could hurt somebody\u2019s feelings\u201d Hank replied as he glared at her. \u201cI think you owe me something for the expensive dinner you cost me, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only thing I owe you for is having the ability to stop time,\u201d Cordelia barked as she wrenched her arm free of his tight grasp. \u201cYou need to leave now\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am not leaving without a little payback,\u201d Hank told her firmly as he took another hold of her arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the lady just told you to get lost pal\u201d Doyle spoke up as he exited the office. He had been waiting for Cordelia to come back from her dinner date, after the vampire had attacked her on her last date he had made her promise to always get dropped off outside the office.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoyle, it\u2019s fine\u201d Cordelia said through gritted teeth as she wrenched her arm once again out of Hank\u2019s hand. \u201cHank, just go home\u201d she told him.<\/p>\n
Hank looked from the young woman to the man who had just come out of the office, \u201cWhat? You\u2019re ditching me for this guy?\u201d he asked incredulously.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat guy has more personality in his little finger than you could ever hope to get in your pathetic little life\u201d Cordelia spoke up in insult. She was the only one who had Doyle insult privileges.<\/p>\n
Doyle looked at Cordelia in a little bit of surprise when she came to his defence, \u201cAnd believe me when I say that isn\u2019t much\u201d she added, his surprise left and he shook his head at her.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook I think it would be best if you left now\u201d he said to Cordelia\u2019s date.<\/p>\n
Hank smirked at both Doyle and Cordelia, \u201cDon\u2019t worry, I\u2019m going\u201d he sneered, \u201cI\u2019m not sure why I even bothered in the first place. I knew she was a frigid one\u201d<\/p>\n
Doyle and Cordelia watched him, one through relieved eyes and the other through disgust-filled eyes. The brunette turned to face her friend and looked up at him, expecting to see disappointment in his face at her but she didn\u2019t see anything of the sort. “Come on Princess, I’ll let you have a glass of scotch” he said to her as he guided her into the office.<\/p>\n
He knew her well enough now to read between the lines of her sarcastic exterior and knew she had been genuinely afraid of her date. As he held the door open for Cordelia, “Thank you” she told him softly and he nodded in understanding.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease Giles\u201d Buffy begged as she followed her Watcher into her kitchen, \u201cJust this one time\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, I will not lie for you\u201d Giles replied as he walked back out of the kitchen with the Slayer directly behind him. \u201cWhy you don\u2019t just explain this to him I\u2019ll never know. Angel knows your duties and he does respect what you have to do\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know he does Giles but I don\u2019t really know how to tell him he\u2019s more of a distraction than a helper\u201d Buffy told him pleadingly as she placed her hands in a prayer grip. \u201cIt\u2019s not a total lie, you do need help on translating languages in your new book. All you have to do is ask him to help you while I do patrol tonight\u201d<\/p>\n
He looked at her pleading face, pouting lip and begging eyes, she was too much like the daughter he never had and could never say no too. Giles sighed with defeat as he shook his head at Buffy, \u201cI will do it just this once but you must talk to Angel about this Buffy, he will understand\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks Giles, I owe you big\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel went over the items he had placed in the picnic basket he had bought the previous day when he had wandered around Sunnydale enjoying the sun on his face, warming his skin. Last night he had actually gotten cold when he was in bed, it had made him smile thinking of the things he could feel and taste now he wasn\u2019t a vampire any more.<\/p>\n
Like yesterday.<\/p>\n
The early afternoon sun had been blazing hot, his eyes had hurt so much he had to go and buy sunglasses to keep from squinting. The small amount of exposed skin was red and a little sore, and he had gotten the life scared out of him by a cat. Trivial things to most humans he guessed, but when you had extra senses and a sun allergy those things never happened.<\/p>\n
Now, he was planning on surprising Buffy at college with an impromptu picnic made up of sandwiches, which he thought she would like. Peanut butter and jelly, ham, beef and salad were the savoury selections that Cordelia always told him and Doyle were the best. He had a few pieces of cake in there, fruit and soda to wash it down with.<\/p>\n
Angel checked the grandfather clock over to his right and saw it was time for him to go and surprise Buffy at college. He picked up the basket made of woven Wicca that contained the food he had made for them and departed for the college and Buffy.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia blew a strand of hair out of her face as she dumped the mail on her desk in her office before plonking down in her chair. The nice, big comfortable leather chair that you could sink right into and never care about getting out of. She wiggled around and sighed happily as she began shifting through the white envelopes signalling bills.<\/p>\n
\u201cBill\u201d she said in an unimpressed voice as she chucked the envelope carelessly to one side. \u201cBill\u201d she repeated as she performed the same careless action, \u201cAnd more bills\u201d<\/p>\n
Doyle felt his mouth quirk up at the sides as he watched the expressions on her face switch rapidly from hope, to angry disappointment and back to hope again. \u201cYou expectin something?\u201d he asked as he nodded towards the mail Cordelia was rummaging through.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy confirmation of the Cosmo subscription I sent for\u201d Cordelia replied as she looked up at him with a demanding expression on her face. \u201cHow long does it take to write \u2018Hello Miss. Chase, your subscription has been confirmed?\u2019 it\u2019s not like I\u2019m asking for a resume or anything that takes more than five minutes to write\u201d<\/p>\n
Doyle opened his mouth to reply to her statement when pictures raced through his head, making him lean against the wall to stop from falling on his ass. The pictures were familiar, the fear in them was familiar and the demons were familiar. When the vision had passed, he turned fear-filled blue eyes to a pair of concerned and questioning hazel eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoever you just saw right now\u201d Cordelia couldn\u2019t help but remark, \u201cDid they look like they could afford to pay?\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel stepped out of his car, picnic basket in one hand and closing the door with the other, he turned to face the large building of Sunnydale college. People rushing, walking and sprinting in all directions, cars pulling up and driving off, \u201cFeeding time at the zoo\u201d Angel commented to himself, thinking it was definitely a good thing vampires couldn\u2019t go out in daylight. Then it really would be feeding time at the zoo.<\/p>\n
The building itself was about four to five stories high, painted a brilliant white with shadings of other colours around the edges and window frames, making it nice to look at. He didn\u2019t have a clue where to start so he turned to the nearest person he could find. Which happened to be a tall, well-built kid with some equally well-built friends.<\/p>\n
\u2018Who is this guy?\u2019 Angel thought wryly, \u201cExcuse me?\u201d he asked, keeping any and all sarcasm out of his voice, \u201cCan you tell me where I can find the, uh, outdoor lunch part?\u201d<\/p>\n
The blonde guy looked the dark haired man over, \u2018who did this guy think he was?\u2019 he thought to himself as he kept his sarcasm hidden. \u201cNo problem, just follow the path to your right, turn at the first left you come to and it can\u2019t be missed\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, will the classes be on lunch now?\u201d Angel thought it best to ask just in case he was early or late.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost are, you looking for somebody in particular?\u201d he asked curiously, maybe he knew the girl he was looking for.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy girlfriend Buffy\u201d Angel replied, \u201cBuffy Summers, petite, blonde with blue eyes\u201d he described vaguely.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh yeah, I know her\u201d the other guy replied with a little grin, \u201cI\u2019m Riley Finn, I\u2019m a T.A in one of her classes\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m Angel\u201d Angel replied just as easily though he didn\u2019t take the hand held out to him and Riley shrugged and shoved his hands in his pockets.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah Buffy should be out on lunch by now and you\u2019ll probably find her with that friend of hers, you know the red headed girl?\u201d Riley asked as if trying to make sure Angel really did know Buffy and he wasn\u2019t some maniac off the streets.<\/p>\n
\u201cWillow and yeah I do know her friends. We go back a long way as a matter of fact\u201d Angel told him briskly. \u201cIf you\u2019ll excuse me, I gotta go. Picnic\u201d he held up the basket to make a point.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, later man. Tell Buffy I said hi\u201d Riley replied before walking off with his friends, sending a curious look at Angel over his shoulder as he walked. That guy was just plain weird and Riley couldn\u2019t shake the feeling he had about him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat an idiot\u201d Angel muttered as he followed the directions the blonde guy had given him. The main path led him onto some grassy areas with tables covered in wrappers, soda cans and other bits of rubbish that gave him the sudden urge to clean up. A few minutes of walking, Buffy, Xander and Willow came into view; she looked so carefree as she sat there laughing with Willow.<\/p>\n
Her blonde hair shone like spun gold in the sunlight, the cream of her top seemed to have an ethereal glow against her lightly tanned skin. She turned her head as if sensing him standing there watching her. For just a split second, Angel thought she had brown hair but quickly shook his head of the thought. He felt like he was intruding as he saw her carefree posture tense up slightly as he approached their table.<\/p>\n
Not that he was relaxed himself, Angel just figured it was because he had been away for a while and needed time to adjust too both being human and being back in Sunnydale. \u201cAngel, what are you doing here?\u201d Buffy asked in surprise as he reached her table, \u201cNot that I\u2019m not glad to see you, because I am. It\u2019s just…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA surprise?\u201d Angel offered as the corners of his mouth quirked up slightly, he held up the woven Wicca basket. \u201cI thought you might like a picnic,\u201d he told her as he stood awkwardly under the gazes of Xander and Willow.<\/p>\n
\u201cUh, that is sooo sweet\u201d Willow sighed romantically as she looked too Buffy, why did Oz have to just pack up and leave? She asked silently.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny more sweetness and Buff will need a dentis\u2026OW!\u201d Xander\u2019s reply was cut short when he felt Willow kick him really hard in his shin. \u201cThat was just wrong,\u201d he told her with a pet lip.<\/p>\n
Buffy smiled at his thoughtfulness, \u201cThat would be really nice, thank you Angel. Sit\u201d she offered as she prodded Willow, signalling the red head to move up so he could sit next to her. \u201cAnything has to be better than cafeteria food\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel smiled at her as he began removing the sandwiches, fruit and soda out of the picnic basket. \u201cIf you\u2019re good I\u2019ll let you have the cake,\u201d he told Buffy with a half smile.<\/p>\n
Where was the response made of laughing?<\/p>\n
He looked at the three people who were looking back at him as though he had turned back into a vampire. \u201cLame joke\u201d Angel quickly retracted as the smile left his face, \u201cWould you like a sandwich?\u201d he offered Willow.<\/p>\n
The uncomfortable red head shook her head, \u201cNo thank you Angel\u201d Willow graciously declined with a smile at him. \u201cI have to get back to class and Xander has to get back to work\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou sure? There\u2019s plenty here?\u201d Angel replied as he held up some sandwiches.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks De\u2026uh, you. I\u2019ll be taking one of those!\u201d Xander commented, if he could eat Sunnydale high food then a sandwich made by Angel wouldn\u2019t kill him either. He grabbed a sandwich out of Angel\u2019s hand, \u201cThanks\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re welcome\u201d Angel replied tightly as he handed Buffy a sandwich, \u201cThat one\u2019s beef\u201d he told her apologetically. \u201cI didn\u2019t know what you liked to eat so I went by what Cordy likes\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBeef is fine, thanks\u201d Buffy replied as she unwrapped the plastic covering and took a bite and trying to hide her distaste at the onions on the meat. Angel looked at her with an apologetic look, \u201cOnions\u201d she explained as she scrunched her face up and shuddered. \u201cI don\u2019t like them, sorry\u201d she told him, \u201cWhat else do you have?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh, peanut butter and jelly, salad and ham\u201d Angel replied as he tried not to look disappointed that she didn\u2019t like the beef and onion sandwich he had offered her. \u201cI didn\u2019t know you didn\u2019t like…\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy waved his apology off, \u201cIt\u2019s okay, you haven\u2019t been human for very long so you\u2019re out of practice and we didn\u2019t exactly talk about my likes and dislikes of food when you were a vampire\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cListen\u201d Willow spoke up, \u201cI really do have to get to class now. I\u2019ll see you later?\u201d she asked as she stood up.<\/p>\n
Buffy nodded with a mouthful of salad sandwich, \u201cOkay, outside the library at three right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs always\u201d Willow replied with a you-can-count-on-me smile, \u201cBye Angel, thanks for the offer of the sandwich\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo problem, enjoy your day\u201d he told her as she walked away, leaving him with Buffy and Xander who was now delving into the fruit. \u201cEnjoying that?\u201d he asked pointedly.<\/p>\n
\u201cDidn\u2019t you say you had cake in here?\u201d Xander asked as he rummaged around the basket with an over-excited exploring hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat kind?\u201d Buffy asked as she peered into where Xander\u2019s hand was roaming, Angel had to crack a smile, it didn\u2019t matter if it was Buffy or Cordelia, one mention of cake had their mouths watering and eyes bigger than their stomachs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat would you say if I told you it was strawberry cheesecake?\u201d Angel asked teasingly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith real strawberries and not those horrid glace ones?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReal ones\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI love cheesecake\u201d Xander\u2019s breathy reply made Buffy and Angel turn to him, he had cream on the corners of his mouth and remains of an eaten strawberry on his lips. \u201cSo you\u201d he said to Angel, \u201cWhat are your plans?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy plans?\u201d Angel asked as he crossed his arms over his chest and looked at the boy who was eating the cake meant for Buffy who was also watching Xander, or glaring rather.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, work, hobbies, intentions towards Buffy\u201d Xander asked in an attempted fatherly tone.<\/p>\n
\u201cXander!\u201d Buffy yelped, \u201cGive Angel a break, he\u2019s only been human for two days, let him enjoy it\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel found words on the tip of his tongue that he never thought he would say. Ever. He heard them in his head, rolled the silently on his tongue and he still couldn\u2019t believe that he was going to say them. He took a deep breath and ignored the screaming voice making him rethink his ideas to say them. \u201cXander\u2019s right\u201d<\/p>\n
Both Buffy and Xander\u2019s heads snapped to him, \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course I\u2019m right, how could I not be right?\u201d Xander asked as he gave Buffy a how-long-did-it-take-him-to-realise-that-fact look.<\/p>\n
Angel ignored that rhetorical question, \u201cAbout work I mean. I do need a job and not one that includes masquerading as a Catholic priest\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen could \u2018you\u2019 ever pose as a priest?\u201d Xander asked in a disbelieving voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a thing for convents\u201d Angel replied as he took an orange out of them basket and studied it intently. Rolling it around in his hand, why was it that he never noticed the little dents in the skin before?<\/p>\n
Xander, not getting his morbid joke, thought deeply about what Angel could do now that he was human. \u201cYou could be a coroner, all that maiming experience is bound to come in handy\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we should let Angel decide what he wants to do\u201d Buffy spoke up curtly as she wiped the crumbs of her sandwich off her skirt and blouse. She didn\u2019t want to think about why or how Angel had posed as a priest, knowing his history as she did it was guaranteed to give you nightmares. And to be honest, it wasn\u2019t something she didn\u2019t want an answer to.<\/p>\n
Buffy\u2019s watch alarm sounded, indicating it was time for her next class, she gave Angel an apologetic look. \u201cI have to…\u201d she nudged her head in the general direction of the building behind her.<\/p>\n
Angel replied with a nod, \u201cWhat time do you finish today?\u201d he asked, planning to pick her up and maybe go for a drive somewhere.<\/p>\n
\u201cAround three but I\u2019m meeting Will at the library after class\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I could pick you both up if you need a ride home\u201d Angel offered as he looked at the food that had gone relatively untouched. He should have asked what time her lunch break started then they could have had more time together.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat would be good since nobody will let me drive\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNever get in a car with her\u201d Xander told Angel doubting he would want to be in a fatal accident so soon after becoming human.<\/p>\n
\u201cSay around 3:15?\u201d Angel asked as he started to make a point of ignoring Xander\u2019s remarks. \u201cI could help with your work if you need to get some studying done\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy\u2019s face showed great amounts of relief as she smiled at him gratefully, \u201cYou are a lifesaver Angel, sometimes it gets hard combining slaying and studying I get a little behind\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow come you\u2019ve never asked me for help?\u201d Xander demanded hotly and feeling insulted. \u201cI\u2019m help guy, I can be helpful. I helped at graduation\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah but you\u2019re not exactly that brainy when it comes to World War Two\u201d Buffy pointed out with a knowing smile. One of her friend\u2019s mottos was \u2018Let sleeping dogs lye\u2019 and she was inclined to agree but it was what she needed to catch up on.<\/p>\n
\u201cI fought in that,\u201d Angel confessed as horrid memories invaded his mind. He had seen and done some despicable things in his life. There was one thing he would never understand, humans killing in each other in the name of religion, something that none of them knew for absolutely certain existed.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh\u201d Buffy replied quietly, once again she was reminded that he hadn\u2019t always been human and had a past that she\u2019d rather forget about and pretend that it didn\u2019t happen.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou better get to class before you\u2019re late\u201d Angel broke the few moments of uncomfortable silence that always came when he spoke about his past. \u201cI\u2019ll stop by at 3:15 then?\u201d he confirmed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019d be great, thanks\u201d Buffy replied in relief that he had changed the subject from his past to something more comfortable to talk about. \u201cThanks for lunch, maybe we could do it again sometime soon?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, this time you might actually get to eat your cake\u201d Angel commented wryly as he gave Xander, who was still there, a look.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo maybe about it, that cake is mine and if I have to pull slayer rank to get it I will\u201d Buffy playfully growled at Xander as she picked up her book bag easily. \u201cI\u2019ll see you later, thanks for bringing my assignment in Xan\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnytime Buffy, come on Angel I\u2019ll walk you to your car\u201d Xander said meaningfully as he stood up.<\/p>\n
\u201cActually I was thinking I might take a look around\u201d Angel replied as he put the plastic sandwich wrappers back into the basket. \u201cNever been around a college campus before\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy on Earth would you want to spend voluntary time in a place that only serves to spurn out mindless automatons?\u201d Xander asked as he jaw dropped. \u201cNot that Buff and Willow are, uh, mindless of course because they, uh, got high…\u201d he cleared his throat. \u201cSo you were wanting to take a look around UC Sunnydale?\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia watched Doyle as he told her about the first vision he received of the Scourge, his voice was shaky and his blue eyes were more shiny than usual. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t your fault,\u201d she told him honestly \u201cYou didn\u2019t know if it was for real or not, hell if I had one of those mind control things I wouldn\u2019t know if it was real\u201d<\/p>\n
Doyle shook his head as the images of half-breed demons that had been brutally murdered made his chest hurt. \u201cWe need to get them out of here, get them away from the Scourge\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis Scourge, they\u2019re bad aren\u2019t they?\u201d she asked as the full weight of the situation dropped in on her like a ten ton pile of bricks.<\/p>\n
He looked at her, his more serious than she had ever known him to be \u201cThey\u2019re death Princess\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, so what do we do?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI need you to go down the docks, look for a boat called the Quintessa\u201d Doyle told her, \u201cThe captain owes me a favour, tell him Doyle\u2019s cashin in on that favour. I\u2019ll get a hold of a truck and meet you there\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia nodded as she stored the name of the boat to memory, \u201cWhat about if that angry kid doesn\u2019t come back?\u201d she asked worriedly.<\/p>\n
He thought for a minute, \u201cGo down to 75 West Avenue, look for a guy named Lenny. Tell him Doyle needs a truck\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust a question here, how many \u2018guys\u2019 owe you one?\u201d Cordelia asked in confusion, she thought only Angel made dodgy dealings but it looked like she was wrong.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a system, checks and balances, Princess\u201d Doyle replied not actually answering her question, they didn\u2019t have time to discuss what he delved in.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight, I don\u2019t suppose any of those cheques are literal are they?\u201d<\/p>\n
He rolled his eyes at her, \u201cTell Lenny that Doyle needs a truck pronto, come back here pick up these guys an I\u2019ll take care of that kid. Okay?\u201d he asked her to make sure she got all that.<\/p>\n
Again Cordelia nodded, now committing the name Lenny to make sure she didn\u2019t forget it. \u201cLenny, truck, pick up people and Quintessa. Got it. What if you don\u2019t get there in time?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be there Princess, just go\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m on it\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Doyle and the young half demon ran as fast as they could towards the boat where Cordelia was waiting. \u201cThe Scourge are comin, the Scourge are comin\u201d Doyle yelled as he ran up to her, \u201cThey need to get off now\u201d<\/p>\n
He stopped at the look on the brunette\u2019s face, \u201cWhere were you?\u201d she demanded with a frown.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had to find the boy\u201d he replied, \u201cBut we\u2019re here now Princess and they gotta be makin tracks\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were worried\u201d Cordelia told him in a half whine half accusing voice. Before he could reply to that, her hand swiftly came across his face in a stinging slap, sending his face over to the side.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat was that fer?\u201d Doyle asked as he held his stinging cheek and glared at her.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you tell me you were half demon?\u201d she demanded as she searched his face for answers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was afraid you\u2019d reject me,\u201d Doyle replied truthfully as he regretted not having faith in the person her knew Cordelia really was. It added to his many regrets about his life but this was one regret that could turn out good.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve rejected you way before now\u201d she told him, \u201cI can\u2019t believe you thought it would matter to me. I mean hello, I worked for a vampire what do you think I am? Superficial?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell ac\u2026\u201d Doyle began but he got cut off by Cordelia.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you\u2019re half demon big whoop!\u201d she exclaimed, \u201cThat is so far down the list, way below short and poor. Is there anything else you need to tell me?\u201d<\/p>\n
He shook his head, \u201cNo, half demon is pretty much my big secret\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood. That\u2019s out\u201d Cordelia said with a small pout, \u201cWould you ask me out to dinner already?\u201d<\/p>\n
Taken aback by her questioned demand for a few seconds he quickly recovered and gathered the courage he had been gathering since he\u2019d met her. \u201cCordelia would you\u2026\u201d Doyle started to ask and she gave him a rare megawatt Cordelia Chase smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re here\u201d one of the half demons shouted, interrupting their conversation, \u201cWe have to leave. Now\u201d<\/p>\n
One of the pure-blood demons managed to grab a hold of Cordelia, she tried in vain to fight him off. Her hand curled up into a fist as she lamely punched the demon in his face, her panic and fear made her hand shake so the force of her punch was weak and none-effective against her attacker. \u201cDoyle!\u201d she screamed as the demon threatened to squeeze the life out of her, \u201cHelp!\u201d<\/p>\n
Doyle fought off his own attacker and ran to help Cordelia, he saw a loose, metal pipe lying around and picked it up. The lead piping made solid contact with the back of the demon\u2019s head, immediately taking him out of the picture as he slumped lifelessly to the ground. He rolled the dead demon off Cordelia and helped her off the floor, \u201cPrincess?\u201d he asked, concern for her written across his face and displayed openly in his blue eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m okay\u201d Cordelia replied as she clung to his shoulders, \u201cThank you, you saved me again. But time for thanking later, we have to get these people off now\u201d<\/p>\n
Doyle nodded in agreement and they turned from each other to go help secure the half-demons who desperately needed their help. The next few minutes saw a flurry of hyper, panicked activity as Doyle and Cordelia got everybody below deck. The children were crying, the adults were trying to be strong for their children and Doyle and Cordelia were doing their best to keep the danger out. They turned the handle on the wheel, locking the Scourge outside and them inside.<\/p>\n
The captain was the one who noticed the light hanging in the cargo area glowing stronger and brighter. \u201cWhat the hell is that?\u201d he yelled to Cordelia and Doyle.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh shit, it\u2019s a trap\u201d Doyle ground out as he started to turn the wheel in the other direction but it wasn\u2019t budging.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat does it do?\u201d Cordelia asked as her heart pounded through her ribcage, frightened hazel eyes going back and forth between Doyle and the bright light.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt burns up everything human,\u201d he replied as he gave up on the wheel. \u201cBy the looks of it, that thing\u2019s fully armed and about to detonate\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are we gonna do?\u201d Cordelia asked, not wanting to think about what Doyle would reply.<\/p>\n
\u201cI need to shut it off Princess\u201d he answered, not taking his eyes off the light. \u201cYou never know you\u2019re strength till you\u2019ve been tested. I get that now,\u201d he told her. Doyle took hold of Cordelia\u2019s shoulders, drinking in everything about her.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoyle its suicide\u201d she pleaded with him, \u201cNo, I won\u2019t…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cToo the good fight yeah?\u201d Doyle cut her off and watched, his heart breaking when he saw her eyes fill with tears. Everything happened in slow motion for Cordelia as he gave her the most loving, tender and bittersweet kiss of her young life. She knew right then he was going to leave her and she was going to have to let him.<\/p>\n
\u201cToo bad we\u2019ll never know\u201d Doyle let his demon face show to her for the first time, \u201cIf this is a face you could learn to love\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia looked into his demon face and saw only the man who was slowly but surely inching his way deep into her heart. He turned from her, ran and climbed up the ladder to the platform and jumped. She watched and listened in horror as her only friend disintegrated before her. The last thing she remembered before sinking to the floor was Doyle\u2019s pained scream as the light burned him from the outside in.<\/p>\n