Part 6<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very disturbed by this report Ms. Morgan.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe went to great lengths to ensure that Ms. Chase would remain in her coma indefinitely, and now we find that she has miraculously recovered, no side effects what so ever. She will ruin our plans, you do know that Ms. Morgan. She has already planted the seed in his mind to leave us and we all are aware of the consequences if that happens. If he finds a way, everything we have worked for over the past few years will be lost.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand that, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must find a way to separate them, without her presence and influence he was malleable, easy to control and manipulate. Our profilers are hard at work, considering our options. We were able to force him to abandon her once, surely the Darla incident is not the only thing that would push him to turn away from her, embrace his darker side.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSir, maybe the answer doesn\u2019t lie with Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lilah\u2019s faceless boss was silent for a moment, he leaned forward in the skin covered chair and placed his cloaked elbows on the stone table. \u201cYou\u2019re suggesting another coma or some mystical interference. I suppose we could just kill the girl and be done with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, sir. We tried the coma. She obviously has someone watching out for her on the other side, most likely the Powers, and any mystical harm would just make his attention even more focused on her. Not to mention the fact that he would probably suspect us immediately. As for killing her, that could bring him to a point of darkness that we\u2019re not ready for yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re suggesting?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat we introduce an element that will make her turn away from him. If it\u2019s her decision to leave, he\u2019ll have no choice in the matter, no one to blame but himself. We\u2019ll have him right back where we had him when all of this began, broken and alone, full of moral indifference.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAh, very interesting strategy. And the element? The thing that will turn her affections from him?\u201d<\/p>\n
Lilah looked at her boss, an evil grin spreading across her face. She knew it was a simple plan, but it sure as hell was a brilliant one.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel slid his arms in his shirt sleeves as quietly as he could. He stared down at Cordelia\u2019s sleeping frame as he began to work on the buttons. The last few hours, watching her sleep peacefully in his arms, had been almost too much, filling him with so much love and hope that he knew he had to leave the warmth of the bed before he forgot about Wolfram and Hart, about the problems that they faced, and let his happiness consume him.<\/p>\n
Fastening the last button, he leaned down and sat on the side of the bed, brushing a few strands of hair from Cordy\u2019s forehead and cheek, causing her to stir, her eyes opening sleepily.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey,\u201d he whispered and dropped a kiss to the top of her head.<\/p>\n
She blinked once, twice, and pushed herself up on her elbows. \u201cHey,\u201d she whispered back.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got to go,\u201d he continued to whisper, stoking her cheek with the back of his hand, not wanting to leave but knowing it was the only hope they had of him coming home for good.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlready? Can\u2019t you stay a little longer?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I stay any longer I\u2019ll never go back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSounds like a plan to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
He smiled at her and pulled her to him in a gentle embrace. \u201cThank you,\u201d he closed his eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor what,\u201d she squeezed him tight and smiled against his shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor coming out of your coma, for loving me, for pissing me off bad enough that I saw the truth, for saving me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, you\u2019re welcome\u2026I think, except I haven\u2019t saved you, at least not yet. We still haven\u2019t found a way to get you away from Wolfram and Hart.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel pulled back just enough to look in her eyes. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean from them, I meant from myself. I\u2019m the asshole that took the deal in the first place. If you haven\u2019t noticed by now, I tend to make very bad choices when you\u2019re not around,\u201d he shot her a small, boyish smile.<\/p>\n
Cordelia reached up and brushed her fingers across his strong jaw making him close his eyes and lean against her caress, \u201cYou\u2019ve got to quit doing that Angel, losing hope every time life plays a dirty trick on you. You\u2019ve got to remember who you are and what you stand for in the good times and in the bad. You\u2018ll never become human if you don\u2018t. You\u2018ve got to learn to fight for what you want even if I\u2018m not by your side.\u201d<\/p>\n
He took in a deep breath and let it out, a calming effect that had never left him. Reaching up, he took her hand from his face and held it between both of his and stared intently at her. \u201cCordy, are you okay about last night? Are we okay? I feel like\u2026I don\u2019t know\u2026.I didn\u2019t mean to push, to come on too strong. It\u2019s just that all of this time I\u2019ve dreamt about touching you, loving you. I just hope I didn\u2019t force you into something you weren\u2019t ready for, make you uncomfortable or mad.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I\u2019m furious,\u201d she said in a teasing tone.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was simply awful, the mind blowing orgasms, the way you knew just where and how to touch me, it was just horrible I tell you, horrible,\u201d she shot him one of the first brilliant smiles he\u2019d seen since she came out of her coma.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, I\u2019m trying to be serious here. I\u2019m trying to apologize for being so aggressive, for practically throwing myself on you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d she tried to turn her tone into a more serious one. \u201cIf you haven\u2019t noticed by now, I\u2019m not a child. I could have turned you away, could have said no. If I remember correctly, I not only didn\u2019t say no, I screamed yes several times throughout the evening,\u201d she gave him her best seductress smile.<\/p>\n
God, he wanted to climb back in bed with her and never leave. \u201cYou\u2019re gonna have to quit doing that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d she faked innocence.<\/p>\n
\u201cPutting images in my mind. I\u2019ll never leave if you keep that up,\u201d he reluctantly stood, breaking the very short moment they allowed themselves to forget just what a mess they were in still.<\/p>\n
Cordelia sat up, covering herself with the sheet, and looked up at him with worry and fear in her eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d he leaned down and gave her a slow, tender kiss and then raised back up, his hand lingering on the side of her face. \u201cI\u2019ll be back tonight, if not earlier. I\u2019m going to get Wes to pull our contract. Maybe he can find a loophole,\u201d he tried to sound positive despite remembering Wesley\u2019s attempts at breaking Lilah free. \u201cSpike\u2019s here. I sensed him come in a couple of hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my god. Is he okay? Did he get hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel couldn\u2019t help his jealousy that seemed to flare at her words. Spike could stay here with her while he couldn\u2019t, and the way she seemed to accept him so easily, caring about his comfort and well being, it made his dead heart ache and his demon stir. \u201cHe\u2019s fine,\u201d he tried not to sound too snappy.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut..\u201d she started to get out of bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll check on him on my way out. I\u2019ve got a couple of things to talk to him about anyway. Like how I\u2019m going to rip his head off if he puts you in danger again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, that wasn\u2019t his fault. I make my own decisions. Remember?\u201d<\/p>\n
He really wish she wouldn\u2019t defend him. It wasn\u2019t helping his irrational jealousy. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, I\u2019ll try to be nice,\u201d \u2018nice and scary\u2019.<\/p>\n
She seemed to except his words as true and sat back down on the bed.<\/p>\n
Angel leaned down and gave her one last kiss, \u201cGet some rest. I\u2019ll see you no later than sunset. Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Cordy,\u201d he said as he backed up a few steps to the door, \u201cAll of those rules I gave you,\u201d his voice was soft, almost regretful.<\/p>\n
She nodded her head, waiting for his sweet apology.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey haven\u2019t changed. Don\u2019t go anywhere without calling me first.\u201d<\/p>\n
She opened her mouth in protest but he cut her off.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean it. Not even a trip to the newsstand across the street without contacting me first.\u201d<\/p>\n
She huffed loudly.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre we clear?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d she spat out.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d she folded her arms.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you,\u201d he smiled and reached for the doorknob.<\/p>\n
Dread suddenly filled her at the realization that he was actually leaving, going back to the place that held his soul like some collateral on a loan he\u2019d never be able to pay. She raced from the bed, flinging her arms around his neck, burying her head in his shoulder. \u201cDon\u2019t go,\u201d her words were muffled.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got to,\u201d he hugged her back tightly.<\/p>\n
She squeezed him as hard as she could, as if she could physically make him stay.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey,\u201d he pushed her back slightly. \u201cI\u2019m coming back. I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut what if something happens\u2026what if\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, trust me. There is nothing that will keep me from coming back here tonight. Nothing.\u201d He stroked her face.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you,\u201d she closed her eyes and laid her head on his chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you too,\u201d he stroked her back and then reluctantly untangled himself from their embrace and slowly turned the knob. His eyes locked with hers until the door shut between them.<\/p>\n
Cordelia leaned her head against the door, trying to push away some fearful warning that sounded in the distant recessed of her heart and mind.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, well, well,\u201d Spike sat on the hotel counter and shot Angel a sly grin before taking another gulp of the blood he had gotten at the butcher shop Cordy suggested.<\/p>\n
Angel just glared at the other vamp as he descended the stairs.<\/p>\n
Spike placed the container on the counter and continued, ready to have a little fun, \u201cA night of fun with the gorgeous Cordelia and you\u2019re still you. By the sounds of things last night, I would have thought that I\u2019d be facing the great Angelus today. She\u2019s a screamer that one. Must have\u2026.umf,\u201d Spike\u2019s next sentenced was cut off by Angel\u2019s hand pressing against his throat, knocking him and his meal to the marble floor.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s face shifted, his eyes emitting an amber glow. \u201cIf you ever put her in that kind of danger again I\u2019ll kill you Spike.\u201d<\/p>\n
Laughter tried to escape from Spike\u2019s crushed windpipe.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean it! If I didn\u2019t need you here right now, I would have killed you already.\u201d He lifted up slowly and stood, watching Spike sit up and rub his neck, a smile on his face.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo now you\u2019re in love with the Queen of Sunnydale, you are a very fickle bloke,\u201d he stood, picking up the spilled container from the floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cDrop it Spike,\u201d he warned.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, wasn\u2019t it just a few months that you crawled back to Buffy? It didn\u2019t take long after your little cheerleader up there was out of the picture for you to go rushing back to Sunnydale, did it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike, you and I both know that what happened between me and Buffy in Sunnydale meant nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDidn\u2019t look like nothing to me,\u201d Spike\u2019s smile finally dropped from his face and he stared down his old cohort. \u201cFelt like the bloody world was ending.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, technically it was.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t let you near her again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike, get the fuck over it. You know damn well that I don\u2019t want Buffy any more than she wants me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen why the disgusting display back at the Hellmouth?\u201d his voice raised almost to a yell.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe kiss? Just to piss you off. I could smell you all over her the minute I showed up. I knew you were there too, I could sense your sorry ass a mile away. Then when she told me you had a soul, I decided to milk the moment for all that it was worth. I knew she didn\u2019t want me back or I wouldn\u2019t have done that to her. I may not be in love with her anymore, but I still care about her. I wouldn\u2019t play with her feelings like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you ever touch her like that again\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t. It was a dumbass move in the first place. Thanks for telling Cordy by the way,\u201d his voiced dripped with sarcasm.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour welcome,\u201d Spike smiled.<\/p>\n
They stared at each other for a moment as if striking some kind of silent bargain.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you\u2019ll watch out for her, keep her safe for me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s face tensed in hard lines of anger and he opened his mouth, his words catching in his throat as Spike spoke again.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll keep her safe because that\u2019s what she needs, what she deserves. She took me in, no questions asked. She\u2019s different than the others. They treated me like some leper even after the soul, after they knew I was willing to do anything to help them. Cordelia didn\u2019t know what I was here for really. I told her I had a soul and she believed me, asked me to stay. Sure, she burned me with a cross and threatened to kill me several times, but who doesn\u2019t like a woman that\u2019s willing to slap a guy in the ass every now and then. Figuratively speaking,\u201d he added at Angel\u2019s look. \u201cNo, I\u2019ll help Cordelia because I want to, because she needs me, not because you\u2019ve threatened me into it. She\u2019s special and I think she\u2019s the closest thing to a friend that I\u2019ll ever get. So I\u2019ll be here, as long as she\u2019ll have me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t get too comfortable Spike. I\u2019ll be back tonight and with any luck I\u2019ll be staying. Then you can leave, immediately.\u201d Angel turned and headed for the basement, he\u2019d waited too long to take the Plymouth, the sun would be rising in minutes.<\/p>\n
Black boots squished in the grime as he entered the sewer, his long strides increasing with every step until he was racing through the tunnels at full speed. He had to get back and find a way out of this, for Cordy, for himself, and because the way Spike had called Cordelia special and a friend made his insides twist. He didn\u2019t like the look in the other vampire\u2019s eyes when he spoke about her, it reminded him too much of himself, the way he felt about her when they first met in L.A…<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, don\u2019t you look\u2026.different,\u201d Lilah greeted Angel as he entered the basement of Wolfram and Hart.<\/p>\n
He looked down at his dirty boots, remembering that the last time he had worn them, or any of the clothes he wore now, was when he had originally taken the deal. After that moment it had been all suits and ties, until now. \u201cWhat do you want Lilah, I\u2019ve got a busy day ahead of me,\u201d he brushed past her and headed for the elevator.<\/p>\n
She stepped in with a smile and clasped her hands behind her back as the elevator doors closed. \u201cYes, you do have a busy day. In fact, your next assignment is waiting in your office as we speak. Would you like to change first or are you going for the dirty, sleep deprived private eye look today? I mean, it works for me,\u201d her eyes roved over him. \u201cbut I\u2019m not sure it screams professionalism.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo new assignments today. I\u2019ve got work to catch up on,\u201d he dismissed her words.<\/p>\n
\u201cA little reminder Angel. If you refuse any assignments given to you by the Senior Partners, you could face termination, of the soulless kind.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel raked a hand through his messy hair. He didn\u2019t have time for this but he had to play along, just until he found a way out. He only hoped that the assignment would be something he could pass on to someone else. \u201cAlright, what is it?\u201d he asked as the elevator doors opened across from the double doors of his office.<\/p>\n
Lilah grinned and walked to the doors, opening them wide and ushering him in. Angel stopped just inside the door, his body frozen in shock.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel?\u201d came Buffy\u2019s soft question as she rose from the leather couch.<\/p>\n
Lilah took a step closer to Angel from behind and leaned in, whispering close to his ear, \u201cMeet your next assignment.\u201d<\/p>\n