Title: In Dreams
Author: AngelBaby
Posted: 08-04-2002
Rating: Pg-13
Email:
Content: Drama, agnst...and maybe a lil romance.
Summary: Everyone's nightmares are coming true.
Spoilers: Season 3 finale.
Disclaimer: The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
Distribution: Nothing Fancy, of course! Anywhere else, you are welcome to take but please inform me before you do so.
Notes: This idea popped into my head about a month ago and I began writing it during my vacation to Texas. I got back just yesterday (I missed you guys) and thought I'd post this. Don't know where the idea came from but here it is.
Feedback: Like Angel needs blood (and Cordelia)
Part 1: The Plan
"What are you up to now, Gavin?" Lilah asked her co-worker as she sauntered into his office. He was crouched over his desk, looking over the contents of a case file. When he heard her walk in he quickly his the file under a few papers that were laying on his desk.
"Nothing of your concern, I assure you," He replied curtly, folding his hands out in front of him. Lilah smirked at him and quickly snatched the file out from under him.
"In Dreams? Wasn't that a movie?" Lilah asked, reading the title on the front page. Before she could read anything else, Gavin quickly got out of his seat and snatched the file from Lilah's hands.
"Don't you have anything better to do than go through my personal things?" Gavin huffed.
"No," Lilah replied with an evil smile. She loved getting to Gavin. "So, what's 'In Dreams'?" Lilah brushed past the very annoyed Gavin, and went to sit on his desk.
"I might as well tell you now. It's not like you won't find out eventually anyway," Gavin sighed and went to sit behind his desk. He motioned Lilah to sit down across from him.
"What can I say, I'm a curious indivisual," Lilah said taking a seat.
"Curiosity killed the cat," Gavin said sarcastically.
"Good thing I'm not a cat then, isn't it? So, you gonna tell me or what?" Lilah sat back, crossed her legs and folded her hands in her lap.
"All good things..."
"Come to those who wait, yeah, yeah, yeah! Get on with it already!" Lilah replied impatiently. Gavin gave an amused chuckle and opened the file infront of him. He turned it around and slid it over to Lilah, who quickly took it.
"I've come up with a full proof plan to finally get back at Angel Investigations," He informed her smugly.
"I hope this is better than your aspestus idea," She said looking over the file.
"Keep reading, Lilah. Keep reading," Gavin sat back in his chair, put his hands behind his head and awaited her response.
"Oh my God," Lilah breathed out.
"Mmm hmm. We're gonna mess with their heads a little," Gavin said satisfied.
"How are you gonna pull this off?" Lilah asked amazed.
"I've hired some shawman to cast a spell over the Hyperion. As soon as we get the Scooby Doo troops together, we'll lock them in and begin the chant."
"Do you think it'll work?" Lilah asked.
"Think of your biggest fear, Lilah. What scares you the most. When you dream, that's all it is...a dream. You wake up and it's all over. But what if it didn't end? What if your nightmares were real?" Gavin looked Lilah in the eye, causing her to shiver a bit.
"Oh my God," She breathed out a chuckle which he quickly joined into.
"And it doesn't end until we say so," Gvain said, laughing harder.
"Gavin, have I told you lately how much I love you?" The two laughed thinking of the possibilities of their new plan.
Part 2: Let the Games Begin
"Hey! How you holding up?" Angel asked Cordelia as he entered her suite. They were all just getting settled after they finally got Cordelia back from the higher realms. Angel felt awkward towards her and he knew she felt the same, but when she asked if she could stay in one of the rooms he couldn't refuse.
"I'm fine. You?" Cordelia turned around facing the vampire. She moved around the room, straightening little nick-nacks here and there and pretty much avoiding eye contact with Angel all together. She couldn't explain it, but ever since she got back things between her and Angel had been tension filled. Sure she was happy to see him, she had missed him so much, she still loved him with all her heart...but they were different somehow. She saw everything that happened to Angel that summer. She blamed herself for not being there and she hated how he seemed to be pulling away from her.
"Better," He replied looking down to the floor.
"Thanks for letting me stay in the room. I just didn't feel like staying alone in my apartment. I mean, sure Dennis is great but I really missed you guys. And you know it's always good to talk to someone visible," Cordelia let out a small laugh but it faded quickly.
"Yeah, yeah I know..."Angel trailed off, remember how much he craved human contact at the bottom of the ocean.
"You know, Cordelia, you don't need to thank me. This has always been your home too," Angel crossed his arms over his chest and finally looked up at the now longer haired brunette. She claimed it had been a little longer in the higher realms. She had no way of cutting her hair and the highlights had faded out.
"I just don't want to be an inconvenience to you or anything," Cordelia looked up and met Angel's eyes.
"You could never be an inconvenience," He almost whispered it to her. They stayed, looking into each other's eyes niether one making a sound. After a beat, Cordelia finally broke the silence.
"Are you sure? Becuase I can..."
"Cor, it's okay. I want you here...and so does everyone else."
"Thank you," She looked down and sat down on the bed.
"Do you need anything?"
"Do I need anything? Do YOU need anything?"
"What?" Angel asked confused.
"Well it's just, I wasn't the one that was stuck on the bottom for four months," And as soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them with her whole being. 'God, what the hell is wrong with me?'
"Gee, thanks for bringing up repressed memories," Angel stepped back and almost made it out of the room but Cordelia stopped him from leaving.
"Angel, God, I am so sorry. I don't know why I said that. I shouldn't have. I didn't mean it. It's just...well,you've been kinda out of it and I'm worried about you," Cordelia's voice shook and her heart was beating so fast she thought it would explode. The cold look Angel gave her sent chills up and down her spine.
"Oh, I'm sorry. You see, a few months back I was locked in a metal box and thrown into the ocean...by my son! Then, when I finally get back, I went crazy looking for a certain seer. I was worried she was in danger or worse DEAD! But no! What do I find? She's been lounging about, being all higher being-y. It's been a rough summer. Sorry if I'm a little off," With a growl, Angel turned and began to walk out.
"Angel, wait! I'm sorry!" Cordelia let out a frustrating sigh and rubbed her eyes. "I didn't mean it like that! Angel!" Cordelia was about to walk back to the bed when she felt a tingle begin.
"Angel? Vision!" Cordelia yelled down the hall. Angel stopped in his tracks and closed his eyes. 'It just never stops,' he thought as he trudged back to his seer.
***********
"Did you do it?" Lilah asked anxiously.
"Just finished up," Gavin said with a grin.
"So what now?" Lilah asked shrugging.
"What do you mean?" Gavin furrowed his brow at her question.
"Well do we just leave them there or what?" Gavin gave her a look like she was crazy.
"Pretty much!" He was about to walk away but Lilah stopped him.
"That's it?"
"What more do you want?" He asked exasperated.
"They're out of the way. We just stopped Angel Investigations," Gavin said trying to drill it into Lilah's head.
"I guess...it's just," Before she could finish he interrupted her.
"It's over, Lilah. Now come on and celebrate!" With that, he left her alone in her office with a look of confusion across her face.
"Right, celebrate..." She shrugged it off and went with the others to toast their victory.
Part 3: Open Your Eyes
"Guys? Vision!" Gunn and Fred looked up from their place on the lobby couch, to see Angel bounding down the steps with Cordelia in tow.
"What is it?" Fred got up and went straight to the computer.
"Demon in North Park. It's going to attack a group of boys in about 45 minutes," Cordelia went over and scribbled down the address for Angel and Gunn.
"What did it look like?" Fred asked trying to go on something to look up.
"Usual ugly. Big, greenish-brown. Had four eyes, eight claws and about two mouths. Everything was pretty much of the even numbered variety." Everyone raised their eyebrows at that, but Cordelia dismissed it. "Big on eating kids. And it smelled a lot like fish," Cordelia shook herself, trying to free the vision from her mind.
"Okay just a minute. I think the demon you're talkin about is a Kraegglark," Fred clicked the mouse a few times and pulled up a page on the demon.
"That's it!" Cordelia announced, pointing to the screen.
"Thought so. They originate from the sea and can't stay on land for more than half an hour. They usually stay in sewers and come out at night to prey on anything that crosses their paths. Make sure to cut it's head off. Oh, and watch the claws, they're venomous," Fred printed out the information and handed it to Cordelia.
"Weapons?" Gunn asked making his way to the cabinet.
"Yeah. Get a few axes and the broadsword," Angel got out the duffle bag filled with knives and crossbows.
All of a sudden, the doors shut. There was so much force it caused a few loose items to crash to the floor.
"Must be pretty windy outside," Cordelia replied. Fred got up and walked around the counter.
"We were just outside. Looked like a pretty clear, windless night to me," Fred commented, indicating herself and Gunn. He nodded in agreement.
"That's LA weather for ya," Cordelia looked over the research and gathered a few weapons of her own. Once everyone had what they needed, they headed to the front door.
"I can't get the doors open," Cordelia grunted as she tried to turn the handle.
"Try using the knob," Angel said rolling his eyes. Cordelia mimicked the action while blowing out a breath of frustration.
"Gee, is that how you open a door. OH. MY. GOD! It's all so clear now!" Cordelia narrowed her eyes at the vampire. Gunn laughed under his breath while Fred furrowed her brow in worry.
"I'm serious. You try opening it," Angel put down his weapons and rolled his eyes again.
"Step back," Cordelia put her arms up and stepped back giving him room. Angel stepped in front of the door and prepared to open the doors. Everyone could practically hear the drumroll in their heads. He put his hands on the knobs and turn to open them, when...They didn't budge.
"Pfft," Cordelia stood beside him with a smug look on her face.
"Maybe it just got jammed when the doors shut," Fred offered.
"This one is too," Gunn called from across the lobby. He walked over to try the other doors, but to no avail.
"That's werid," Fred whispered, mainly to herself. Angel walked over and tried to open the other doors, but his attempts were also in vain.
"You can say that again," He said, sizing up the door.
"That's werid," Cordelia announced.
"I didn't mean literally," Angel said, turning around.
"Not that, dumbass. Look!" Cordelia pointed outside of the window. Everyone looked up to see fog covering the entire area outside.
"Something's not right," Angel said to the group.
"Wow! How'd you figure that one out, Sherlock?" Cordelia asked sarcastically.
"Nobody likes a smartass," Angel said brushing past Cordelia.
"Then stop acting like one," Cordelia whispered to herself. Angel heard her anyway.
"Excuse me?" Angel asked, turning slowly to face her.
"Guys!?!" Fred shouted. Everyone immediately shut up.
"We need to figure out what's going on!" The young phsycisist said exasperated.
"Fred's right. The only way we're gonna get out is if we work together," Gunn rubbed her shoulder trying to calm her down.
"Fine!" Angel and Cordelia said simultaneously. Everyone stood still, not making a sound, trying to come up with ideas.
5 minutes later...
"So? What do we do?" Cordelia asked breaking the silence.
"There's not a lot to go by. Well, except jammed locks and heavy fog," Angel rubbed the back of his neck.
"Oh my God!" Cordelia pushed past Angel and went to the door again. She pounded her fists on the window and tried to push it open.
"Cordelia! What are you doing? Stop! Look at me!" Angel took Cordelia hands between his own and pulled her up to him. He looked into her eyes and saw pure panic.
"Angel, we need to get out! NOW! My vision..." Cordelia pleaded with him.
"Shit," Angel whispered.
"Yeah!"
"It's okay, it's okay. There's gotta be a way out...right?" Angel said trying to comfort Cordelia.
"I hope so..."
***********
"All the windows are locked shut too," Angel announced walking back down the stairs. He and Gunn had gone all over the hotel looking for anyway out. They had no such luck.
"Oh god," Cordelia sat down and put her face in her hands. Anel sighed and walked over to sit next to her. He felt her tense up when he sat down.
"Cordelia, you need to calm down," Angel said trying to ease her nerves.
"Calm down? Calm down? Five boys are dead and we couldn't save them because we couldn't get the stupid front door open. Whatever got to them is going to get to more people. Knowing all that...You want me to calm down?" Cordelia asked getting angrier by the minute.
"Yes!"
"Aaargh!" Cordelia huffed, got up, and trudged over to Fred.
"Angel, what's goin on with you and Cordy?" Gunn went over to sit next to the brooding vampire.
"Nothing," Angel shook his head and got up.
"But..."
"Nothing," Angel replied more firmly. Gunn took the hint and backed off.
"Cordelia?" Fred asked timidly. She witnessed the tension between her and Angel and was curious as to why they were acting that way toward each other
"Nothing, Fred" She said, leaning on the counter, not even looking up at her friend.
"But..."
"Nothing," Cordelia answered then walked away.
"Okay..." Fred wasn't buying it.
"Arrgh! This is hopeless!" Cordelia pulled on the doors again. Nothing happened.
"Just cal..."
"You tell me to calm down, so help me Angel!" Cordelia said pointing a finger in his face. He stepped up and looked down at the very pissed off seer.
"What are you going to do?" Angel said challenging her.
"Don't tempt me!" They were nose to nose. Before Gunn or Fred could separate them...everything went black.
Part 4: Wake Up
Cordelia woke up with a start. She arched up and sucked in a much needed breath of air. Her eyes remained closed as she tried to comprehend what had just happened. One minute she had been downstairs, having a not so friendly conversation with Angel, and now her whole body felt numb. She could barely move. Her mind remained fuzzy and when she did open her eyes, everything remained shrouded in darkness.
Slowly but surely she became aware of her surroundings. But what she found wasn't what she had expected...
***********
"We got the monitors hooked up," Gavin strolled into the conference room. All the partners looked up eagerly at his presence.
"Well, why wait? Let's see what's going on at our favorite detective agency," One of the lawyers said.
Gavin nodded and walked up to the flat screen at the end of the room. Switching it on, everyone was rewarded with a full view of the lobby in the Hyperion.
"Sit back and enjoy ladies and gentlemen," Gavin said, turning up the volume.
"What's going on?" Lilah asked, coming in and sitting down at the table next to Gavin.
"We're watching the Hyperion for any activity. It should prove to be very, very entertaining. Can you pass the popcorn?" Gavin asked her, motioning to the bowl a feet inches behind her. 'You've got to be kidding me,' Lilah thought as she passed him the bowl. She looked up at the screen and noticed it was showing Angel's bedroom.
"I thought you said they were supposed to be experiencing nightmares. Not fantasies," Lilah asked watching the figures on screen.
"Wait for it," Gavin said, sure of himself.
***********
Cordelia opened her eyes and waited for her vision to clear. When it finally did, she took in her surroundings. She was in Angel's bedroom. The lights were dim but she could make everything out.
'What am I doing here?' She thought to herself.
"Oh God, do you know how good you feel?" His voice. It was Angel's voice. She could barely recognize it. It sounded so deep and husky.
Cordelia tried to sit up but found it very difficult with Angel on top of her.
"Angel?" Cordelia asked startled. He kissed his way up her body. Pausing at her throat, kissing and nibbling at her pulse.
"What do you want, baby?" 'What?' Cordelia tried to focus, but with what he was doing to her...well, that wasn't happening anytime soon.
"Angel, what are you doing to me?" Cordelia moaned as she arched up into his touch.
"I was about to ask you the same question," He gave a low, sexy chuckle. He kneeled in front of her open legs and massaged her thighs with his hands.
She didn't understand what was happening, but she sure as hell liked it. She didn't know how many times she had dreamed of this exact moment. This felt a hundred times better than any dream she ever had.
Angel ran his hands up and down her legs. He pulled her down and wrapped her legs around his waist. Bending down, he started at her stomach then worked his way up again. Mimicking his actions from below, he rubbed Cordelia's arms and wrapped them wround his neck. All Cordelia could do was comply. Her body was like putty in his hands.
"I love you," Angel whispered into her ear. Cordelia began to shake slightly beneath him from the intensity of his words.
Cordelia didn't know what to say. For once, she was at a loss for words.
"I love you so much. I've always loved you," With that Angel thrust forward, sending tremendous waves of pleasure coursing throughout both of them.
"More," Cordelia arched up and moaned with each move he made.
"Tell me," Cordelia opened her eyes and saw him staring down at her.
"I love you," She whimpered. Her lips trembled and tears pooled in her eyes. Angel lowered his lips to hers, slipping his tongue into her mouth. Cordelia rubbed her hands up and down his back, reveling in the way his muscles tensed and relaxed under her touch. He finally pulled away, letting her get a breath of air.
"It's always been you. There will never be anyone else. God, Buffy you don't know how much I've missed you!" Cordelia snapped her eyes open and went limp under Angel. He however didn't stop his actions.
"What?"
"Forever...that's the whole point. It'll always be forever with you, Buffy!" Cordelia tried to push him off of her but he was just more forceful.
"Angel?!? Please stop!" Tears flowed freely from her eyes as she pounded on Angel's chest.
"Buffy, what's wrong?" Angel asked concerned. He still didn't stop when she pleaded with him.
"I'm not, Buffy!" Cordelia sobbed and shook.
"Please...YOU'RE HURTING ME!" Cordelia screamed to his face.
Suddenly, his face changed and he growled at her. He sat up and grabbed Cordelia's wrists, bounding them in front of her between his own hands. He pulled her up and made her face him.
"What's wrong, baby? A little to rough for ya?" Cordelia's breath came in quick, sharp pants. Angel snarled and laughed in her face. She shut her eyes tight trying to block him out.
"Nuh uh, it's not that easy!" With that he pushed her off the bed.
***********
Cordelia fell for what seemed like an eternity. She landed with a loud THWACK on what felt like cold cement. Memories of what had just happened flooded her mind. Another sobb racked through her body.
"Oh my god," It sounded like...Xander!
Xander? Cordelia reluctantly opened her eyes and was hit with the biggest wave of Deja vu she had ever experienced. She took in the familiar surroundings of the old, musty wherehouse. And yes, there they were...Xander and Willow.
"No..." Cordelia breathed out. Out of instinct, she ran out and up the stairs. Before she could stop herself, Cordelia fell through the stairs.
With a groan and cough, Cordelia tried to get up. But she quickly found something preventing that from happening. A rebar.
"Oh no..." The tears came once again as she sank back down into the dirt, cement, and appliances.
"Look at her."
"How pathetic."
"I told you she was useless."
"Only good for the visions."
"Always was a stupid bitch."
Chuckles and snorts pounded in her ears.
Cordelia listened to all the voices she heard from of above. With much regret, she opened her eyes. Nausea and a piercing pain hit her immediately.
"Look at you. Caught on your back again, huh?" She looked to her right to see Angel crouched down beside her.
"Well I'm not surprised. Once a slut, always a slut," Suddenly Buffy came into view. She was bending over Cordelia, with her hands on her kness and a grin on her face.
"Ditto," Cordelia tilted her head backward and saw Willow and Xander wrapped in a passionate embrace. They kissed and laughed down at the position she was in.
"This isn't real...This can't be real," She croaked out.
"What'da you think, Wes? Is this real?" Angel asked the watcher who now stood beside him.
"As real as it gets...You know Cordelia, I really am dissapointed in you. I mean, I know you're a fuck up...but really, just look at you," Evreyone laughed. Cordelia was in shock. Her whole form shook, tears running down her face.
"Still don't believe it's real? Maybe this'll help you out a little," Suddenly, Angel reached forward and ripped the rebar out from Cordelia's torso.
"AARRGGHH!" Cordelia screamed in pain and horror as the horrendous infliction crashed over her. 'God! When is this going to end??' She reached forward and held both her hands over the wound in her side.
"Please!!" She pleaded with all of them.
"There you go begging again. Really, Cordelia, didn't we teach you anything?"
"Mom?"
"Please, don't call me that!" Mrs. Chase said, scrunching her nose in disgust.
"Just look at you! Disgusting! You're a disgrace! You never could live up to our expectations...Why am I not surprised now?" Her father boomed down at her.
"I'm sorry, daddy. I just wanted to make you proud," Everything began to get hazy again. The room started to spin and all she could hear now was Angel's smooth, but venomous, voice.
"Do you want it to end?" He pushed down on her hands making the pain come back, ten times worse.
"Yes!" She screamed.
"What was that?" He pushed down harder on the wound, watching the blood seep out coating his hands.
"YES!!! PLEASE! STOP!!!" Cordelia sobbed uncontrollably, trying to move his hands. When he finally did, she looked and saw he was licking his hands clean. The world began to fade again
"You want it to stop?" He asked stroking her face, smearing little blood on her forehead. She nodded with the last bit of energy she had left.
"Then close your eyes...and WAKE UP!"
Cordelia jolted up and looked around. She tried to sit up again but couldn't move. 'Not again,' she thought.
"Looks like no one made it," She heard a man say.
"Such a shame. Beautiful girl...Hard to believe no one loved her," She heard another say. What is he talking about.
"May she rest in peace," 'WHAT?' Cordelia thought in panic. Looking up she saw a lid come down on her. She was enveloped in darkness.
"Lower the casket," A third man ordered.
'Wait!! I'M NOT DEAD' Cordelia tried to scream, but to no avail.
'I'm not dead, I'm not dead. I'm not dead, I'm not dead, I'm not Buffy...I'm not dead...'
***********
"Oh my god," Lilah whispered.
"That was unbelievable," Gavin whispered in awe.
"My god, that was astonishing! I didn't think you'd pull it off!" One of the senior partners commented.
"And that isn't even all of it. Look at the screen!"
"Looks like the little Texas Gal is up to bat," Lilah said with flat tone. She wasn't really liking this at all. But she had to admit...she was curious to see what was going on in Angel's mind. She would just have to sit around and find out.
"Does 'China King' deliver up here?" Lilah asked pouring herself a glass of water.
TBC