{"id":824,"date":"2015-06-21T18:20:55","date_gmt":"2015-06-21T17:20:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/dir\/?p=824"},"modified":"2015-11-16T12:01:30","modified_gmt":"2015-11-16T12:01:30","slug":"best-of-intentions-1-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2015\/06\/21\/best-of-intentions-1-6\/","title":{"rendered":"Best of Intentions. 1-5"},"content":{"rendered":"

Title: Best of Intentions<\/b>
\nAuthor: <\/b>CordeliasDestiny<\/strong>
\nPosted: <\/b>05-07-03
\nRating: <\/b>N-17
\nEmail<\/a><\/b>
\nCategory: <\/b>
\nContent: <\/b>C\/A
\nSummary: <\/b>Mrs. Chase\u2019s serious illness brings about an unexpected relationship adjustment for Cordelia and Angel.
\nSpoilers: <\/b>Somewhere between S1 and S2.
\nDisclaimer: <\/b>The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
\nDistribution: <\/b>I don\u2019t care where, just let me know.
\nNotes: <\/b>I have a sneaky suspicion that my \u201cgreat idea\u201d for this fic may have already been done by somebody else. If so, I apologize to the writer(s) of the other fic(s) and say: I didn\u2019t steal from you, honest! It\u2019s just that great minds think alike. A\/N:<\/b> This is based on a challenge submitted byTactlessBruenette:<\/b> “I know there are a few fics out there where CCs parents come and visit, but I want another! Basically, CC\u2019s parents come and somehow they think C\/A are together. Whatever after that. I know this is a pretty vague challenge but…oh, well!” Hope you like it, TB!
\nThanks\/Dedication:<\/b>
\nFeedback:<\/b> It\u2019s a darn good thing, and I want lots of it!!!<\/p>\n

\n

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

Wednesday, 6:32 p.m.<\/i><\/p>\n

The continuous beeping of the heart monitor was soothing, if only in its regularity. That sound meant that the patient was alive, heart beating steadily, a chance for recovery in the future. Cordelia took solace in that small, repetitive noise as she looked into the sleeping face of her mother.<\/p>\n

Cordelia sat near her mother\u2019s bed in a drab, once-blue hospital chair. It was the kind that are apparently mandatory for hospitals: vinyl, cracked, lumpy in all the wrong places, and impossible to sleep in no matter how many pillows and blankets one has. The discomfort went unnoticed by her; her only concern was her mother\u2019s health. Nothing else mattered.<\/p>\n

Just two days earlier, Cordelia had been living the life of a woman at peace with herself and confident in her future. She\u2019d taken the small Angel Investigations staff under her protection, housing the boss and mothering her co-worker. They\u2019d all been uprooted when Angel\u2019s building had been bombed, but the comfort of Cordelia\u2019s apartment had become a restful temporary home for the company. Cordelia took pride in the fact that she was tightening and strengthening the weave of their small family, especially since it seemed like her blood-relations had all but abandoned her.<\/p>\n

A phone call on Monday morning had jarred her out of her beauty sleep. She enjoyed the fact that she had no commute, and she was very stingy with her extra sleep-in time. Because of that, she answered the phone with a less-than-cordial attitude.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d she greeted grumpily.<\/p>\n

\u201cCordelia, honey, it\u2019s your Dad,\u201d the distantly familiar voice of her father came booming back at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cDaddy?\u201d Cordelia asked, confused. Weren\u2019t they supposed to be in the Caribbean someplace?<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Listen, your mother is in the hospital and I need you to look after her,\u201d he said. Her father was never one for small talk; he said that time was money and he didn\u2019t have any of either to waste.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe hospital?\u201d Cordelia squeaked as she sat up, completely awake now. \u201cIs she\u2014what\u2019s wrong with her?\u201d She couldn\u2019t help the worry that crept into her voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s sick, sweetie.\u201d He sounded tired. \u201cA doctor here diagnosed her with some type of malignant cancer and they sent her back home for treatment. It doesn\u2019t look good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Daddy\u2014,\u201d Cordelia\u2019s voice broke. She hadn\u2019t been close to her parents in the last few years, but it didn\u2019t change the fact that she loved them despite their poor parenting skills.<\/p>\n

He got right back to business. He\u2019d never been one for \u201cemotional females,\u201d as he called them, either. \u201cI\u2019m still here in the Cayman Islands, and you know that I can\u2019t leave. Your mother\u2019s name isn\u2019t on any of the paperwork, so she\u2019s not in danger of being arrested, but I can\u2019t come back.\u201d He paused, and Cordelia could almost see him rubbing the bridge of his nose as he tried to deal with the stress.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need you to be with her, Cordy, when I can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, Daddy,\u201d she had agreed softly. She knew that there was no other option. Her mother needed her; she wouldn\u2019t ignore that.<\/p>\n

Now, looking at her mother\u2019s hollow features, Cordelia knew she\u2019d made the right decision. In a private conference with her mother\u2019s doctors, Cordelia had learned that her mother\u2019s chances for survival were minimal, and the doctors didn\u2019t even consider the extenuating circumstances. Cordy knew that leaving Sunnydale society, a place where her mother was a reigning social queen, had nearly killed her as it was. Now being separated from Cordelia\u2019s father, the love of her life, left her little to live for. Cordelia knew it was only a matter of time before she\u2019d say goodbye to her mother forever.<\/p>\n

Teary at her somber thoughts, Cordelia was surprised to see her mother\u2019s eyes open and focus on hers. Her mother smiled softly, reaching a weak hand up to cup her daughter\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re so beautiful, Cordelia,\u201d she said, her tone full of the pure pride only a parent can manage. Her smile faded as she continued, \u201cI worry about you, sweetie. Your future is so uncertain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia rushed to reassure her mom. \u201cI\u2019m okay, Mama, really. I have a good job and friends that care about me. I\u2019ll be fine.\u201d She smiled encouragingly, trying to smooth the worry lines from her face so she could put up a strong front.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I know that. It\u2019s just that\u2014,\u201d she paused as if trying to decide whether Cordelia would take offense at her next words. \u201cYou\u2019re not married,\u201d she stated plainly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Mom, I\u2019m not. What\u2019s that have to do with my well-being?\u201d Cordelia asked, her eyebrow raised.<\/p>\n

Her mother\u2019s eyes drifted away from Cordelia\u2019s face, misting and getting that faraway look she had when thinking of her younger days with Cordelia\u2019s father.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarriage can bring so much happiness, Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd so much heartache,\u201d Cordelia countered.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, but it\u2019s worth every minute. Passionate, all-consuming true love is something that I don\u2019t want you to live without, Cordelia. You\u2019re such a vibrant, beautiful young woman, and I don\u2019t want to die knowing you\u2019ll never experience that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not going to die, Mom,\u201d Cordelia said automatically. They\u2019d had this back-and-forth since she\u2019d first come to the hospital.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, but I am,\u201d her mother said firmly. \u201cAnd I want you to be happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Mom\u2014,\u201d Cordelia began, interrupted as her mother\u2019s face contorted in pain and she pressed a hand to her abdomen.<\/p>\n

Cordelia quickly reached for the button on the IV that released morphine into her mother\u2019s bloodstream. As the medicine flowed through her, her mother let her breath out slowly and turned again to face Cordelia.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pain is so much worse when I\u2019m worried,\u201d her mother commented. The statement sounded innocent, but Cordelia knew that her mother was trying to play on her sympathies. She\u2019d always done that, but the knowledge didn\u2019t do anything to lessen Cordelia\u2019s guilt.<\/p>\n

There was silence for a moment as each thought about what they\u2019d said.<\/p>\n

Her mother tried again, her voice imploring Cordelia to understand a mother\u2019s concerns. \u201cI just want to die knowing that my daughter is happy and totally head-over-heels in love with a wonderful man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Mom\u2014I,\u201d Cordelia stopped, a stroke of genius hitting her like a smack in the face.<\/p>\n

Might as well. What could it hurt?<\/p>\n

\u201cI am happy, Mom, and I\u2019m in love with someone, a great guy with a good heart. It happened so recently and with you being sick, I didn\u2019t know if I should bother you with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBother me? What kind of mother would be bothered by such fantastic news?\u201d she scolded, her excitement palpable. \u201cWho is he? Why haven\u2019t you called us and told us about him? You\u2019re such a sneaky little girl.\u201d Her mother\u2019s smile was reminiscent of Cordelia\u2019s childhood, full of the mischief and fun of secrets between mother and daughter.<\/p>\n

Oh boy, no going back now. Cordelia took a deep, calming breath.<\/p>\n

This was for her mother\u2019s health. Lying in this case was okay, wasn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Angel, Mom, my boss. We\u2019re engaged.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Part 2<\/b><\/p>\n

Wednesday 9:42 p.m.<\/i><\/p>\n

Slowly opening the door to her apartment, Cordelia entered and shut it softly behind her. She leaned back against the strong panel, the firm wood supporting her weary body as her bags slipped from her fingers and fell in a soft \u2018plop\u2019 to the floor. Raising her hands to cradle her head, she closed her eyes and groaned.<\/p>\n

How could she make such a mess of her life in just a few short hours?<\/p>\n

The admission in the hospital about her \u201cengagement\u201d to Angel had seemed like a stroke of genius at the time, but it quickly turned into a dilemma of epic proportions. Her mother had immediately demanded to know everything<\/i> about her future son-in-law, and Cordelia had tried to tell as much truth as possible. She knew from past experience that lying was only effective if it was partially true; otherwise, she couldn\u2019t keep track of it and no one believed her anyway.<\/p>\n

So she told her mother that Angel was a 28-year-old private detective who specialized in cases involving the darker side of life. She reminded her mother that Buffy Summers had dated Angel in high school and that\u2019s how Cordelia had met him, but the relationship with Buffy hadn\u2019t worked out. Angel had come to LA and they\u2019d renewed their friendship. Working together closely had deepened their bond and they\u2019d fallen in love with each other.<\/p>\n

Even as she told the story, Cordelia almost believed it herself. It was so close to the truth it was eerie. Of course, she\u2019d left out the fact that Angel was a vampire, that she got visions, and that they frequently fought demons and risked their lives. She\u2019d also added a minor fabrication that Angel was very stable financially.<\/p>\n

But other than those minor omissions, she\u2019d told the truth.<\/p>\n

The ease with which Cordelia had been able to talk about her \u201clove\u201d for Angel had convinced her that this charade might actually work. She could come and visit her mom at the hospital, gush about Angel and how great he was, or cry about some minor thing he\u2019d done that upset her. Trivial, engaged couple stuff.<\/p>\n

She\u2019d never have to tell Angel what she\u2019d done, and since her mother wasn\u2019t going to be released from the hospital, she wouldn\u2019t ever find out the truth.<\/p>\n

Everyone would be happy.<\/p>\n

Then her mother said one thing that took Cordelia\u2019s well-balanced plan and toppled it like a house of cards: \u201cSo when can I meet this wonderful love of your life?\u201d<\/p>\n

Stammering and stuttering, Cordy had made some inane excuses about Angel having to work, or Angel not liking hospitals, or Angel being nervous about meeting Cordy\u2019s mom. Her mother had shot each excuse down with an annoying clarity of common sense and Cordelia was stuck. Again. Wrapped up in a tangled web of her own good intentions.<\/p>\n

Now, leaning against her front door, Cordelia scrambled to figure out a way to make this work. She would have no trouble telling Angel what she\u2019d done. She knew he\u2019d be irritated, maybe even angry, but he\u2019d accept it. He always did when she smiled and batted her eyelashes at him. The surefire way to get him to comply was to have a vision in the middle of her request. He\u2019d see the pain and agree to anything. She couldn\u2019t depend on that, though; visions weren\u2019t exactly predictable.<\/p>\n

The thing that scared her was trying to convince him to play along, to pretend that he loved her. He had to act like Cordelia was the light of his life and suppress the fact that he was heartbroken for a love lost in Sunnydale.<\/p>\n

And he couldn\u2019t just say it, either; her mother would see through that in an instant. Her mother had this uncanny knack of looking into a person\u2019s eyes and baring them to the soul. The only reason Cordelia had ever gotten anything past her mother was because her mother thought the sun rose and set on Cordelia.<\/p>\n

No, Angel would have to play the doting fianc\u00e9e to the hilt. He\u2019d have to act like he couldn\u2019t keep his hands off her, act like everything she said was golden and that he was the luckiest man alive to have found her. His eyes would have to shine with his love for her. Her mother wouldn\u2019t accept anything less.<\/p>\n

So how does a girl go about asking her boss for a public suck-face session?<\/p>\n

Pushing away from the door, she paced in front of it, going through a dozen variations in her mind.<\/p>\n

She tried self-deprecating: \u201cI know I\u2019m not blonde, but I think you could suffer through it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She tried sweet: \u201cPlease, Angel? It\u2019s so important to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

She tried guilt: \u201cI put up with these vision migraines for you; it\u2019s the least you can do. You owe<\/i> me!\u201d<\/p>\n

She tried suggestive: \u201cHaven\u2019t you ever thought about tasting me, Angel?\u201d (She imagined running a finger down his chest and winking saucily.)<\/p>\n

The mental images that last version inspired made her groan and throw up her hands in frustration.<\/p>\n

\u201cI cannot<\/i> ask Angel that!!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAsk me what, Cordelia?\u201d Angel\u2019s voice came from behind her.<\/p>\n

She froze, then spun around to look at his questioning face.<\/p>\n

She said the first thing that popped into her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill you make out with me, Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Part 3<\/b><\/p>\n

Wednesday, 10:02 p.m.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cWill I what?\u201d Angel answered, stunned by her question.<\/p>\n

Cordelia\u2019s mind was in a whirl. Oh, god, I didn\u2019t just ask him that. I didn\u2019t. I\u2019m not that stupid.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cUh,\u201d she stuttered, trying to think up something to say instead. Her mind was a complete blank.<\/p>\n

Okay, so she *was* that stupid. She conceded defeat.<\/p>\n

In a small voice, she confessed, \u201cI asked if you would make out with me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMake out with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs in kissing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYup, that\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Angel could think of nothing else to say. His seer had caught him off guard before, but this was a new level. He suddenly recalled the time when she had kissed him in an attempt to transfer the visions. Not that the kiss wasn\u2019t nice, because it was. It was just, well, unexpected.<\/p>\n

He weighed the memory against this conversation and was still uncertain as to which was more astonishing. Cordelia was unconventional if she was anything. She was constantly dragging him into trouble, but he couldn\u2019t seem to get angry about it anymore. She was just being Cordelia. That didn\u2019t stop him from being irritated with her, though.<\/p>\n

At least she hadn\u2019t put anyone\u2019s life in danger this time.<\/p>\n

Cordelia sighed. She was totally going about this the wrong way, obviously. She should have gone with the practical approach. Now she\u2019d done it all backwards.<\/p>\n

At least he wasn\u2019t mad. Was he? With Angel it was so hard to tell sometimes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you want to \u2018make out\u2019 with me, exactly?\u201d Angel said, still perplexed by this request.<\/p>\n

Her explanation came out in a rush. \u201cWell, my mom said that she wanted me to be happy and in love and I was afraid that she\u2019d get worse if she worried about me so I made up a story and told her that you and I are in love and that we\u2019re getting married.\u201d<\/p>\n

She held her breath nervously as she waited for Angel to catch up.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, let me get this straight,\u201d Angel said, his tone revealing a hint of his irritation at her backwards explanation. \u201cYour mother is worried about your future because you aren\u2019t married, so you told her that we\u2019re engaged to make her feel better?\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia nodded. \u201cThat\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd where does the making out come in?\u201d Angel prodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, my mother wants to meet you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we have to kiss in front of her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAngel, you don\u2019t understand my mother,\u201d Cordelia\u2019s eyes begged him to comprehend. \u201cShe\u2019d take one look at you and your broodiness and realize that something was wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

He frowned, not sure if he should be insulted.<\/p>\n

Cordelia sighed again. Might as well start all over.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Angel. All I need for you to do is play along. My mother wants to meet my fianc\u00e9e. I told her it was you. I also lied through my teeth about who you are, so all you\u2019re doing is playing a role. You\u2019re Angel, but you\u2019re not \u2018broody, I\u2019m a tortured, immortal vampire with a soul\u2019 Angel. You\u2019re \u2018I think Cordelia Chase is the most amazing, beautiful woman on the face of the earth and I would die without her\u2019 Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Amazingly, he had followed her twisted logic. \u201cSo I pretend to be in love with you and lie to your mother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGeez, don\u2019t make it sound so bad. It\u2019s just a little fib, that\u2019s all. I\u2019m doing it for her; she doesn\u2019t need any more stress.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel stopped for a moment to contemplate, and suddenly the answer was very clear to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, what? You\u2019ll do it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Silence ensued as they stared at each other, both imagining the havoc that playing these roles could cause. Cordelia was wary of his easy acceptance. This wasn\u2019t the Angel she knew. Something was wrong, but she couldn\u2019t put her finger on it.<\/p>\n

Irritation aside, Angel had agreed mainly because he was intrigued. As Angelus, he\u2019d had plenty of opportunities to play a role in the luring of his prey. As Angel, though, he was trying to atone for his sins and didn\u2019t have time to playact. That role playing had always made life more exciting, and sometimes he still yearned for it.<\/p>\n

This summer had been really slow, and he\u2019d been brooding a lot more than he usually did. This fiasco Cordelia had gotten herself into would let him play the hero and he could forget about the guilt for a little while.<\/p>\n

Not to mention that she would owe him. Big time.<\/p>\n

If he were truthful with himself, Angel would also admit that he\u2019d agreed partly because of Cordelia herself. She was a loving, beautiful woman and he could think of worse things than kissing her repeatedly. Besides, flustering his seer was always good entertainment, and here was a golden opportunity.<\/p>\n

A small smile stole over Angel\u2019s face. All of those years of experience torturing people shouldn\u2019t go to waste just because he had a soul. She\u2019d gotten him into this mess, and now she was going to pay. Exacting that payment was going to be a helluva lot of fun.<\/p>\n

Might as well get started.<\/p>\n

He schooled his features into an unreadable mask and said, \u201cSo don\u2019t you think we should practice?\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Part 4<\/b><\/p>\n

Wednesday, 10:21 p.m.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cPractice?\u201d Cordelia squeaked. What is wrong with him? Why isn\u2019t he upset?<\/i> she thought worriedly.<\/p>\n

Angel smiled inwardly at her discomfort. He\u2019d forgotten how fun torture could be. \u201cYes, practice. Don\u2019t you think your mother would notice if we were awkward around each other?\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel moved a step closer and Cordelia backed up instinctively. She didn\u2019t like the look on his face.<\/p>\n

She eyed him suspiciously. \u201cWhy aren\u2019t you angry with me about this?\u201d<\/p>\n

He shrugged, moving again, closing the distance between them. \u201cI\u2019ve learned to expect this kind of thing from you, Cordelia. Don\u2019t change the subject.\u201d<\/p>\n

She tried to be logical. \u201cWe\u2019re comfortable with each other already. We don\u2019t need to practice, we just need to expand on what we already have.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her back hit the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh-huh,\u201d Angel said noncommittally, now inches from her face. Leisurely, he raised a hand and placed it on the door beside her head. The other touched the door near her hip, effectively trapping her.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you want me to kiss you?\u201d He said, his mouth inches from hers, his lips twisted into a slightly evil smile, eyes dark and unreadable.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh\u2014,\u201d Cordelia\u2019s mind went blank. Again. In an effort to escape the magnetic pull of his gaze, her eyes drifted down to his lips.<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t help.<\/p>\n

Noticing the direction of her stare, he darted his tongue out, drawing it along his bottom lip. Cordelia\u2019s jaw dropped, the seemingly innocent motion making her mouth go dry and her body throb.<\/p>\n

Slowly, he closed the remaining distance between them. The silence in the room was powerful, rushing in Cordelia\u2019s ears. Her heartbeat pounded frantically.<\/p>\n

The second before his lips touched hers, Cordelia bolted. She ducked quickly under his arm and escaped.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2014um, we can talk about this tomorrow,\u201d She said in a rush. Nervously, her eyes darted back to him. \u201c\u2019Night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel smiled at her retreating figure. \u201cGoodnight, sweetheart,\u201d Angel said, emphasizing the endearment.<\/p>\n

As the door to her bedroom shut forcefully, Angel let his smile change from sadistic to as close to gleeful as he ever got.<\/p>\n

Now this<\/i> was going to be fun.<\/p>\n

\n

Part 5<\/b><\/p>\n

Thursday, 8:16 p.m.<\/i><\/p>\n

Cordelia\u2019s stomach was tied in knots as she paced in the hospital\u2019s main waiting room and waited for Angel to park the car. He\u2019d dropped her off at the front door because it was raining heavily, and she was thankful for his thoughtfulness. She just wasn\u2019t sure this whole \u201cpretending to be in love\u201d thing was a good idea after all.<\/p>\n

Aside from not having slept well the night before because of Angel\u2019s peculiar behavior, Cordelia kept having strong pangs of guilt for lying to her mother about something so major. It was one thing to tell her parents that she had a fantastic job and was making lots of money, but it was quite another to completely fabricate a fianc\u00e9e.<\/p>\n

If her mother ever found out about this lie, Cordelia feared the shock and disappointment might kill her. For that reason alone, Cordelia knew she had to be as convincing as possible if she was going to do this at all. That meant being close to Angel.<\/p>\n

Really close.<\/p>\n

Until last night when he\u2019d almost kissed her, Angel had been a non-entity to Cordelia where dating was concerned. Sure, he was a handsome guy, but he was so totally unattainable that he didn\u2019t even show up on Cordelia\u2019s radar. She\u2019d thought of him as \u201cBuffy\u2019s Angel\u201d or \u201cthe no-sex, broody grr-guy,\u201d but never date worthy. And most definitely not a prospective lover, especially with Angelus to consider.<\/p>\n

Then he\u2019d gone and gotten all sexy on her, licking his lips seductively and smiling that wickedly sensual smile she\u2019d never seen on him before. Her lower body had liquefied at such a blatantly sexual gesture, and it shook her.<\/p>\n

Cordelia wasn\u2019t sure she wanted<\/i> to know that side of Angel. Part of her was screaming eeeewwwww!! <\/i>and the other part, the part that Cordelia was refusing to recognize right now, was saying, yeah, baby, bring me some of that!<\/i><\/p>\n

Too frazzled to continue the stressful line of thought, Cordelia began reciting her self-esteem boosting mantra in her head. I\u2019m a wonderful actress. I was born for moments like these.<\/i> Her eyes drifted to the window just in time to watch Angel run through the downpour to the building and stop near the door.<\/p>\n

As she continued her silent chanting, Angel shook out his coat and ran his fingers through his hair, trying to remove the excess water. I can be anything, do anyone.<\/i><\/p>\n

She paused, frowning. Wait, that wasn\u2019t right. <\/i>She sighed, trying to start over again. Angel moved towards the door, pausing to let an elderly couple exit before he entered.<\/p>\n

I am a wonderful actress. I can be anyone, do. . .<\/i> \u201cAngel!\u201d Cordelia interrupted herself, calling him over. It was no use; she\u2019d just have to do without the self-esteem boost before she had to face her mother.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ready?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Cordelia pasted on a bright smile. \u201cYup. Let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

A few minutes later, they were standing outside of her mother\u2019s room, waiting for the nurse to leave so they could enter. Angel hadn\u2019t said a thing since the lobby, and that only increased Cordelia\u2019s nervousness. She\u2019d never been able to tell what he was thinking before, and now it was impossible. She couldn\u2019t figure out why he was flustering her so much; he never used to.<\/p>\n

Angel, underneath his stoic countenance, was having a grand time. He was enjoying Cordelia\u2019s discomfort and he knew he should feel bad about that, but he just couldn\u2019t bring himself to feel guilty. Cordelia had more than given him his share of embarrassment due to her big mouth and her hasty actions over the past year, and payback was getting sweeter by the minute. He fully intended to play his part to the max. Cordelia was going to get exactly what she asked for: a fianc\u00e9e who thought she was the light of his life.<\/p>\n

Some of the joy of the game went out of Angel when he realized that she actually was<\/i> the light in his life now. She was the heart of their small, new agency, and she didn\u2019t really mean<\/i> to act rashly; she was just being herself. He squashed his pesky conscience, though, and prepared to thoroughly charm her mother.<\/p>\n

The rotund nurse exited Mrs. Chase\u2019s room, smiling at Cordelia and Angel.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis must be your young man,\u201d she gushed, grabbing on to Angel\u2019s elbow like they were old friends. \u201cMrs. Chase hasn\u2019t been able to talk about anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n

She stepped back, holding Angel out at arm\u2019s length. \u201cWell, let me take a look at you, young man,\u201d she said, moving her eyes slowly up and down his length with the appreciation of a woman whose been around the block a few times. \u201cMy, my. Aren\u2019t you a mouthwatering hunk of man?\u201d She winked at him, and he smiled back wickedly. The nurse laughed at his return of her wink.<\/p>\n

The nurse turned her attention fully to Cordelia. \u201cShame on you, girl, for not telling your mama sooner. Her health has improved so much since she found out the happy news. Get in there, now!\u201d She motioned them into the room. \u201cShoo! Your mama\u2019s waitin\u2019 anxiously.\u201d She was practically shoving them in the door, beaming as if she were personally responsible for their upcoming wedded bliss.<\/p>\n

\u201cShowtime,\u201d Cordelia muttered under her breath. She was startled when Angel grabbed her hand right before they came into her mother\u2019s view, then berated herself for being caught off guard. Of course he would do that.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Mom,\u201d Cordelia said, walking over to her mother and planting a quick kiss on her cheek. She turned to look at Angel, plastering a huge, adoring smile on her face.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my Angel, Mom. Angel, this is my mother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel broke away from Cordelia, taking her mother\u2019s hand and kissing it gracefully. \u201cIt\u2019s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Chase. I can see where Cordelia gets her breathtaking beauty.\u201d He winked at Cordelia\u2019s mother and smiled winningly.<\/p>\n

Cordelia valiantly struggled against an overwhelming desire to roll her eyes and Pfft.<\/p>\n

Mrs. Chase blushed, looking down at the hand he\u2019d released. \u201cWhy thank you, Angel.\u201d She grinned at him, her bright smile a replica of her daughter\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Ever the hostess, Mrs. Chase gestured to a couple of chairs nearest her bed. \u201cPlease, sit down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Angel said. He sat in the blue chair, and before Cordelia could react, he pulled her down onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her waist. One hand rested firmly on Cordelia\u2019s hip, the other on the small of her back, brushing the bare skin between her shirt and her pants. His cool hand made Cordelia sit up straighter. She allowed herself a brief, surreptitious glare at him, then wrapped her arm around his neck and leaned against him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, Angel,\u201d Mrs. Chase said, beginning her interrogation. \u201cCordelia tells me that you\u2019re a private detective. What kinds of cases do you investigate?\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel smiled, confident and at ease. He had prepared for this. \u201cMy agency is geared towards helping the less fortunate in our community\u2014those who are unable to help themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t sound like it pays very well,\u201d Mrs. Chase said, her tone disapproving but her eyes erasing any negativity.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t, usually,\u201d Angel agreed. \u201cBut we\u2019ve had a select few high paying clients who needed a firm that specialized in thwarting LA\u2019s seedier citizens. Their payments have allowed us stay in business and help those who cannot afford to pay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia was shocked. Angel sounded like Wesley, only without the British accent. He was speaking in complete sentences, whole paragraphs even, and he had a smile on his face.<\/p>\n

A smile, damn it!<\/p>\n

Her eyes narrowed as Angel continued. \u201cIf you\u2019re concerned about Cordelia\u2019s financial future, you shouldn\u2019t be. I\u2019ve also inherited a rather substantial sum of money from my family. It is accruing interest and is available if the agency falls on hard times.\u201d<\/p>\n

Are you going to break out the pie charts and financial statements now, show off?<\/i> Cordelia snarked silently, irritated that he seemed so at ease while her nerves were twisted like a pretzel.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Angel, you seem to be very knowledgeable about your business,\u201d Mrs. Chase congratulated him. \u201cMr. Chase will be anxious to speak with you about your assets.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked at Cordelia, love shining in his eyes. He squeezed her waist. \u201cMr. Chase already knows all about my best asset.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia was forced to play along. She unclenched her teeth long enough to say silkily, \u201cOh, Angel. You\u2019re too good to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel continued looking into Cordelia\u2019s eyes, acting as if everything had disappeared but the two of them. Mrs. Chase, caught up in the melodrama, didn\u2019t realize what was really going on. She gazed adoringly at her daughter and wonderful, charming future son-in-law, superimposing her own romantic thoughts on their silent visual conversation. In reality, that silent conversation looked more like this:<\/p>\n

Angel: How am I doing, Cordelia? *smirk*<\/i><\/p>\n

Cordelia: I am so going to kill you when we get home.<\/p>\n

Angel could feel her irritation and decided that she was going to ruin her own plan if he didn\u2019t do something about it. With her mother still looking on, he reached up, gently grasped the back of her head and drew her mouth to his.<\/p>\n

Cordelia\u2019s first thought was What the hell is he doing? My MOTHER is watching this!!<\/i>, forgetting that this is exactly what she\u2019d tactlessly requested from him. After that, she didn\u2019t have two coherent thoughts to rub together.<\/p>\n

His mouth was firm, moving tenderly on hers, his tongue gently tracing her lips, tasting her briefly and then retreating. He was gentle and loving for the sake of their audience, but it was for that very reason that the contact moved Cordelia so much. There was none of the squishiness of Wesley\u2019s kiss, none of the inexperienced Hoover-action of Xander\u2019s. Angel\u2019s kiss was unlike anything she\u2019d ever experienced. The last time she\u2019d kissed him, he was only concerned with getting her to stop. Now that he was willingly initiating it, he was in complete control, doing things to her mouth that she felt all the way to her toes.<\/p>\n

As Angel ended the contact, he rested his forehead against hers and stared into her eyes.<\/p>\n

Gone was the smirk in Angel\u2019s eyes and the irritation in Cordelia\u2019s. They had been replaced by surprise and desire: an awakening in both of them.<\/p>\n

Angel\u2019s mind was racing, his body aching from the brief contact. It would be an understatement to say that this was not quite what he\u2019d had in mind. He hadn\u2019t expected to actually feel<\/i> anything when he kissed Cordelia. He\u2019d expected fun kissing, a pleasant diversion, nothing more. He hadn\u2019t expected her to taste so good or to set his body on fire like she had.<\/p>\n

Cordelia\u2019s thoughts were right along the same path. The kiss had lasted mere seconds, but it had felt like a lifetime of sensation. This can\u2019t be happening<\/i>, Cordelia thought. Not with Angel. I am not feeling this. You\u2019re acting, Cordelia Chase. Focus. Erase the melty goodness and concentrate!<\/i><\/p>\n

Damn, I\u2019m in trouble<\/i>, Angel thought wryly. But it\u2019s too late to back out now. . .<\/i><\/p>\n

Title: Best of Intentions Author: CordeliasDestiny Posted: 05-07-03 Rating: N-17 Email Category: Content: C\/A Summary: Mrs. Chase\u2019s serious illness brings about an unexpected…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-824","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-completed-fics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/824","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=824"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/824\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=824"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=824"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=824"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

Part 6<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"