Title: Betrayal, Deception & Forgiveness
Author: anne
Posted: 09-17-2002
Rating: NC-17
Email: anneeb4@aol.com
Content: C/A
Summary: I'm getting Angel and Cordelia out of the 'situations' that the writers put them at the end of S3
Spoilers:
Disclaimer: No, I haven't managed to buy or get control of ATS over the summer- it still belongs to Joss, Mutant Co & etc
Distribution:
Notes: Okay, the story is not done before the season starts. Sorry. Also, I noticed that I may of (most likely, pretty sure) screwed up about Justine. I seemed to have forgotten there was an ep- where we didn’t quite know who she was and that she interacted with the AI crew.- I forgot and I wrote more in lines as to the later eps where we knew she was a Holtz groupie.
Dedication: anybody and everybody that read my stuff before and took the time to say nice things. Thanks.Part 31
Gunn kept a tight grip on Justine, but Cordy's show in the basement seemed to wipe the fight out of the woman. Gunn imagined that his arm was the only thing from keeping the woman from falling to the floor. Which was fine by Gunn, he just as soon be as far away from the woman as arm reach and the small confines of the elevator would allow.
Gunn would admit that Cordy and Angel's tag team questioning bit had unnerved him. Cordy with the glowing, cold voice and matter of fact way she ordered Angel to first kill Justine then turn her made his blood run cold and Angel's easy obedience and slip into a creature that would and could do what Cordy demanded showed him a glimpse of the vampire that he didn't particularly ever want to see again. It reminded him too much of what Angel really was. He had told Angel before that he would never forget what Angel was, but sometimes you couldn't help to forget because believe it or not the vampire was a helluva a friend. But, whatever nervousness Cordy and Angel encouraged, Justine had effected him more- she sickened him and Gunn wasn't so un-self aware to realize that his reaction may be akin to an ex-smoker disapproving the hell out of a smoker- his realization though didn’t lessen his feelings towards her. Gunn knew that he had been on Justine’s path after his sister was killed. Gunn could appreciate her need to kill vampires, he had had the same conviction in spades, and he even could understand her unwillingness to accept that Angel had a soul or to let that matter in her hatred- but Angel did have a soul and understanding it or not, Gunn knew now it did matter. And to take it one step further and kill Holtz in such a manner just to set Angel up was something he couldn't understand or condone, just like he couldn't accept Justine’s willingness to kill Wesley at Holtz's order. It was more than seeing things in simple black and white, it was fanaticism and Gunn had learned in his time with Angel Investigation, things weren’t that easy. There was a lot of gray out in the world and to ignore that are not believe it could cause more evil than what one was trying to fight against.
"Come on, girl." Gunn tugged the woman out of the elevator pushing her to one of the empty rooms. Gunn moved to the window testing it. He grunted the window was swollen shut. He studied the drop to the ground. He grunted again in satisfaction, she wouldn't be getting out that way. Gunn faced Justine. "Am I going to have to tie you up?"
Justine glared. "I know that you hate vampires." She finally spoke, her voice full of condemnation.
"Your point."
"How can you work with him, them- her- you would've stood by a let them turn me, make another vampire. I don't understand you."
"Well, I do understand you- and girl, you ain’t righteous, just damaged." Gunn shook his head. "If you try to escape, Cordy may just change her mind and decide that you're too much of a problem, remember that."
"You're not human."
Gunn shook his head, shutting the door and locking it. He wanted to get as far away from her and his memories as possible.
***********
"Okay, Kitten, what did I miss," Lorne came in the hotel lobby towards Fred. "The tension in here could put the LA smog to shame."
"Angel and Charles found Justine. She's upstairs." Fred gestured to the steps.
"Oh, the lethal vindictive miss is in the house. That would explain the lack of clean air to breathe. So, did she regale you with the tales of the not so little munchkins misconceptions about dear old daddykins."
"Justine killed Holtz, he wanted her too, used an ice pick to make it look like a vampire- Angel- had bitten him,” the distaste clear in the young woman’s voice.
"What one will do in the name of love, hatred and revenge. Niiiicce. " Lorne looked up as Gunn came back down the stairs.
Fred ran up. "Should've you have left her alone. Cordy said to watch her."
"Yeah, don't want to be getting on her bad side." Gunn grumbled to the floor, then looking up. "Hell, girl, Justine's fine and locked up, she ain't going nowhere."
Lorne puzzled at Gunn's mumbled comment. "And how is Daddykins taking this bit of news." Lorne glanced around the lobby. " And just where are the dynamic love-duo?”
Fred again nodded to the stairs. "Angel seemed to be fine. I guess it was all kind of expected, sort of, we knew he hadn't killed Holtz.”
"We did?"
"Charles, he told us that."
"Right." Gunn slumped down on the edge of the desk. The whole thing had sucked the life right out of him. Cordy, Angel, Justine -all of them.
"Why are you in an emotional gumbo?" Lorne asked Gunn.
"Charles, what's wrong?" Fred shot a concerned look to her boyfriend.
Gunn ignored Lorne and answered Fred. "You don't have a problem with what happened down there."
Fred pushed at her glasses. "No. It worked."
"What, what happened down where?" Lorne looked at both of them.
Fred shrugged. "Nothing, Justine was in the basement. Cordy and Angel questioned her- she answered."
"Nothing? Cordy turned into Madam Terror and Angel- her evil vamp sidekick."
"Charles, you're being silly, they were just trying to scare her into talking, it isn’t like hitting her was working. " Fred pointed to the bruise that had formed on Gunn's jaw. "Cordy was great and what she did worked."
"Okay, darlings kiddies, what did our lovely Cordelia do?"
Fred shrugged at the big deal everyone was making about it. "Glowed a little, then scared her told her that Angel would turn her if she didn't start talking, that's all."
"That's all. We're we in the same place?"
"So, she exaggerated a little on the descriptive bit and was slightly scary. But it worked.” Fred repeated again getting frustrated at Gunn's inability to focus on the important issue.
"A little...slightly....she told Angel to turn Justine into his eternal evil plaything and he was going to do it, you saw him."
"Now, you're really being silly. Cordy would never let Angel make another woman into his eternal plaything- Cordy's his girlfriend. I wouldn't let you have a plaything and Cordy wouldn't let Angel. Geez."
"You're missing the point." Gunn shook his head.
Fred narrowed her eyes. "No, Charles, you are. They did what they had to do, it was a bluff and you know it. They have a lot riding on what the woman had to say. We all do and if it meant beating her up or scaring her into talking so what. It got done. We know the truth and Connor will too." Fred turned with a glare and went to her desk burying herself back into her computer.
"What? She doesn't get it."
"Gunn, I think you're the one that doesn't get it. That kitten has steel running through her. Five years in my lovely home dimension can do that to the sweetest of the sweet. She knows what her priorities are and Justine's well-being isn't on the list."
"It ain't on mine either, man. But, Angel and..."
"I thought you got over your indecision about Angel's demoness."
"That ain’t something you get over, just accept, until he turns evil. But Cordy's...." Gunn shook his head.
Lorne shrugged. "The lovely lady was granted some mighty big powers, but don't be so sure that what you saw had anything to do with her new founded demoness, that beautiful lady can be very determined when her mind is made up. Both of our beauties are very strong women. And a strong woman can be a very scary thing to us mere males. So, what's the next step in the plan."
Fred looked up over her shoulder. "We get Connor back and Wesley comes home, of course."
"Not to mention lacking on the details of things." Lorne rolled his red eyes to Gunn.
Part 32
Angel stood in the doorway staring at the young woman laid out on his bed, Cordelia’s back and head rested against the backboard.
“That wasn’t fun.” She acknowledged his presence with a scowl.
Angel remained where he was not sure how to respond. If he was to be completely honest with Cordelia and himself he would have to admit that there were definite ‘fun’ portions of Justine’s break down and confession. Justine’s apprehension changing to terror as Cordelia found her fears and exploited them had been exhilarating to the demon in him; much more so than the impact of his swinging fist against the soft flesh. Her pain was only a slight consolation to his demon. The woman had shown no fear at his beatings. It had frustrated him, urging him to rip her head off along with her smirk. But, then Cordy came taking over causing Justine’s scent to spike with fear drenching the woman and the air around her. It had been magnificent. Angel hadn’t been exaggerating when he said that Cordelia would make a helluva a vampire. The moment Cordelia recognized Justine’s fear and used it with such precision, Angel’s demon recognized Cordelia’s skill. She knew Justine’s buttons and Cordy used Angel to push them and rather than be angry the demon in him reveled in being the instrument of Cordy’s torture of Justine. Her actions ignited a desire and want to lay claim to Cordelia as a worthy partner and use her body to extend its pleasure.
It…Angel had to stop that, if he was to be truly honest. His demon wasn’t an it- it was he. Angel was the one that wanted to bury himself in Cordelia and gloat with their bodies at Justine’s loss of will to fear not some alternate personality of Angel or some separate little demon hidden inside his body. Angel was his demon. His soul didn’t change that. It….is soul wasn’t an it either it was also him. Angel had another epiphany standing watching Cordelia. Truthfully, he’d known it all along- his soul made him one fucked up demon. Conscious versus instinct, a constant battle at times more difficult than others but always there and there were times when he had given in to the instincts for various reasons -some merely out of need others for reasons he wasn’t proud of, but it wouldn’t happen now. Because while he was a demon, he wasn’t Angelus, his soul did change that. And to do want his instinct graved and embed himself in Cordy’s body would destroy something precious. Unfortunately, that piece of knowledge didn’t curb his desire for the woman any. But then again, did he really think it would, as far as Angel could tell nothing would destroy his desire and love for Cordelia. Everyday he experienced her it just grew stronger.
“Yoo-hoo, Angel,” Cordelia waved her hand in the air.
Angel blinked. “What?”
“Wow, the statue speaks.” Cordelia leaned up from the headboard to sit cross-legged on the bed. “You do realize that you’ve been standing there staring for like forever. I was beginning to think we’d have to put you in the garden under a shady tree. Can’t have the pigeons setting up house inside.”
Angel came as he close to he ever would to actually sticking his tongue out at the woman and he was grateful. His desire to laugh went a long way to temper is need rip at her clothes. “I was thinking.”
“Angel, that wasn’t thinking that was brooding. Thinking causes little wheels to turn in your head, you know signs of animation, brooding on the other hand turns you into a gloomy statue that birds will crap on if you don’t at least blink every once in awhile.”
Angel rolled his eyes and moved to sit on the edge of the bed.
“Angel, you’re not mad are you.” Cordy scooted up beside him. “You know about me saying all that stuff about you turning Justine. I know you don’t like being reminded about all the icky stuff you did when you were Angelus.”
“Icky? I don’t think I’ve ever quite heard it described like that.” Angel smiled pulling Cordy’s hand to his lap.
“Well, if that’s not it why you were brooding?”
“I told you I was thinking.” Angel repeated sternly.
“Okay, why were you thinking your self into a lawn decoration.”
Angel smiled giving up. “I was thinking. I was thinking, Cordy that you would’ve made a great vampire -got the torture think down just right.” Angel was only half teasing.
“Angel, eww.” Cordy jerked back. “You make it sound like it fun or something. It wasn't.”
“No, it wasn't for you was it.”
“Oh, but for you it was?”
Angel shrugged. “Maybe a little.” Again, he was only half teasing but he wasn’t completely comfortable sharing his darker instincts with the young woman he loved. Who was he kidding, he may not want to share but he did want to show her. Angel’s dark gaze settled on the young woman, his eye’s taking in the peaceful setting of Cordelia, beautiful and desirable, sitting and waiting for him. He wanted to interrupt the quiet with cries of lust, broken furniture and naked flesh coming together in a violent union. He wanted her up against the wall, on the floor and everywhere- he just wanted to be in her. Angel buried his growl. Cordelia already carried the burden of his heart and soul. Angel wouldn’t give her the responsibility of confronting his instincts- that was his responsibility and problem.
“What.” Cordelia poked him in the stomach. “Those ‘grr’ instinct get some jollies down there. Here I thought I upset you, but I should’ve been worrying about you going wildly ‘grr’ and actually turning Justine.” Clasping her hands dramatically to her chest. Cordelia latched on the half teasing tone of Angel and responded with her own.
“Eww.”
Cordy stared dropping her hands in amazement. “Angel, you just ewwed.”
“Well, turning Justine into a eternal plaything is a lot to eww about.”
“That’s right, she’s not your type- not blonde.”
Angel tugged at Cordy’s hair. “You better hope that’s not the reason- you’re not blonde anymore. By the way I really love it.” He showed her the dark strain.
Cordelia knocked his hand away reclaiming her hair. “I’m surprised you even noticed I went blonde in the first place. You can be pretty dense about that sort of thing. You do?" She added very pleased at the look of appreciation on Angel's face.
“Yes, I do and Cordy I do notice everything about you. I notice when you change perfumes, when you change lotions, when you change shampoos….” Angel spoke softly tracing his finger from the exposed skin around Cordy’s collarbone back up to her hair. Angel could allow himself this, which was a good thing, because he didn't think he could stop it.
Cordy knocked Angel’s hand away again. “You mean- you smell me.”
“All the time, every chance I get,” his finger going immediately back to its previous path.
“Angel, that just sounds gross, you smelling me.”
“I can’t help it,” he tapped his nose, “vampire. Anyway, you are definitely one of the more pleasant things in this life to smell.”
“You’re giving me the squigglies, now I’m going to be self-conscious all the time. I can’t train with you anymore, I’ll be stinky.”
“I wouldn’t worry about it, Cordy, perspiration gives the flesh flavor, accentuates the scent…,” his lips brushed the nap of her neck.
Cordy pulled back, wiggling a bit trying to ignore the shivers that were trickling up and down her spine. “Angel, we’re talking about sweat here.”
“I’m talking about your sweat, your scent, your flesh, your hair, your body- it will never be gross to me, you will always be beautiful.” Angel leaned back into her neck nuzzling against the skin, his body edging Cordy down on the bed.
Cordy gasped as his lips nipped and his tongue made small patches of moisture along her neck and the skin under her chin. It was harder to ignore the shivers this time, mainly because the tingling had spread through out her body. But Cordy tried anyway, she had a point to make. “What about when I’ve been dosed with slime demon goo?”
Angel lifted his head. “You win, that would be gross. Now, can I get back to what I was doing without any more interruptions?” Angel leaned back in at Cordelia’s smile only to come back up at the sound of a loud cough and a startled ‘whoops’ from the door.
Cordelia pushed up and looked at Gunn and Fred standing in the doorway of the bedroom. Gunn was studying his shoes and Fred was waving her fingers and wearing an apologetic smile.
Cordelia turned to Angel. “The answer to your question would be no.”
“I can see that.” Angel grunted his growl.
"Sorry, we just wanted to know when and how we were getting Connor." Fred’s fingers clutching each other together in front of her in a nervous fashion, the apologetic smile still on her face.
"I’ll call Wesley tonight. Then tomorrow night."
Fred swung around satisfied with Angel's answer. "Come on," she nudged at Gunn. "And you were thinking Angel didn't have a plan."
"Still lacking in the details, girl." Gunn whispered remaining in the doorway.
"Pooh," Fred whispered back. "Come on, can't you tell they want to be alone."
"You're okay with that." Gunn had moved with Fred a few feet away from the door that Fred closed in his face.
"That they want to be alone?"
"That they were making out like they weren’t just downstairs scaring the living life out of someone. Like it turned them on or something."
Fred shook her head. "Why are you being so silly? They just want to be alone. They got the answers we needed and it will all be over soon. They're happy and don't worry Cordy won't let Angel get perfectly happy." She pulled at Gunn's arm.
"Uh," Gunn pivoted back towards the door -that hadn't been his worry until now. "They shouldn't be in there- alone."
"Charles." Fred pulled harder. "Trust 'em."
"Trust 'em." Gunn questioned. "Girl, they just reenacted a vampire's wet dream downstairs and now they're are up here preparing to do the bump and grind."
"Charles, that was crude," Fred snapped. "We're leaving them alone. Come on. Don't you have weapons are something to gather."
"Sure, but I'm starting with the tranqs,” Gunn moved his feet, but his eyes went back to the closed bedroom door.
Part 33
"What is it?"
Angel had gone to stand by the door.
"Gunn's worried that we're going to do 'the bump and grind'." Angel faced Cordy.
"I wish." Cordy grumbled from the bed.
"Cor..."
"Don't start on that again, Angel, okay, please. I wasn't regretting anything, I was just wishing, ‘Kay."
"Okay," Angel sighed and went back to the bed. "I wish, too." his hands reaching for her.
Cordy slid into his embrace, pulling his lips to hers. The kiss was long and sweet. Angel leaned up his lips leaving a gentle kiss on tip of her nose. “I should go call Wesley.”
Cordelia gave a soft smile in return. “Yes, you should,” trailing a finger on Angel’s bottom lip, not quite ready to give up all contact with the mouth that gave her so much pleasure and could give her so much more. She sighed and pushed back. “Go.” She grinned.
Angel grinned back letting the momentum of her push take him too his feet. “I love you.”
“Me, too. Go.”
***********
Cordelia leaned back to her previous position on the bed, her gaze fastened on the closed door of the bedroom. She closed her eyes and knocked her head on the baseboard wondering how they were going to get through this.
She had told Angel that it hadn’t been fun and it hadn’t, she only did what needed to be done to get their answers. Cordy didn’t share Angel’s ‘jollies’- he teased about it, but Cordy knew that it had only been half a joke. Her vampire had some dark stuff swirling inside him, conflicts that he struggled with daily, areas of himself he tried to keep hidden from the rest them and especially her she imagined. Got to protect Cordy, she could hear him tell himself over and over again as he stood in the doorway turning into stone. Don’t let her know that causing Justine’s fear had stirred something deep in the vampire, don’t let Cordy know that the best ending to the show downstairs would be an even better show upstairs- a wanton lustful joining of the two beings that orchestrated Justine’s breakdown. Cordelia knew this because she had felt the same way as she watched the vampire silently reign in his desires.
Danger, she had sensed it downstairs and she had sensed it in the doorway. It wasn’t the fear that turned her on, but the danger sure had. Cordelia turned flopping on her stomach and grabbing at a pillow. She finally admitted that she loved Angel. Cordelia might as well admit the rest at least to herself. Cordelia loved Angel because he had the best heart of any one she knew, she loved him for being stronger than any one she knew, not only in strength but will. The pain that he afflicted on others long ago, the pain he himself suffered because of that guilt, the obstacles –internal and external- that popped up so consistently in his journey to do the right thing, the struggles he went through daily to be the good man that he was would’ve destroyed a lesser being long ago. He had faltered in the past, sure, but Angel never broke. Those were the easy things to admit; the hard one was that Cordelia was excited by the danger inherent in the vampire he was, the danger that Angel restrained by the belief in his soul. She had told Angel when they were under the influence of the possession that he looked really hot killing those freaky homicidal theater hands, but since she was being really honest here, she would have say now – that hadn’t been the ballerina in her speaking that had been pure Cordelia. The power and danger that he would show freely when saving an innocent or protecting her and their family was a very sexy thing to behold. It was a power and danger that thrilled her, just as the danger she saw when he was acting the part downstairs thrilled her. The words were a show but the danger and power wasn’t. And god forgive her, Cordy had wanted him so badly in that moment. She had wanted Angel to possess her, she had wanted his hands on her body feeling the power of those hands that could’ve snapped Justine’s neck in an instant but didn’t, even could snap hers but wouldn’t- because Angel had a soul.
Cordelia thanked god that Angel was as strong as he was because if he had done anything more than tease and kiss her so sweetly she wouldn’t have resisted or hesitated but welcome it- and it would have destroyed everything that she loved with all of her heart. Because while, the danger of Angel may excite her, the danger and power of Angelus with out Angel’s self-imposed boundaries and strength of his soul scared the hell out of her.
Cordelia swung her legs to the floor. If they were going to survive this mounting frustration crap then she needed to find some answers. It boggled her mind, discounting her time with Groo, she had been pretty fine with no sex for long periods, and it wasn’t the sex she had missed but the feeling of closeness to another, the intimacy of being cared about. But now within two days of knowing that Angel loved her and he loved her- she was turning into crazy horny woman ready to tear out her eyeballs because they couldn’t have sex. What happened to being satisfied with cuddling and kissing? What happened to the knowledge that a loving relationship wasn’t just about the sex? Pfft. Those had flew out the window when Angel screwed up and beat the challenge and made her choke on her scream as her body melted. And they weren’t about to come back not now that she realized that the desire she felt was more than just love for the vampire but some primal lust which made her body cry out to be possessed by the vampire and to possess him in return. Geez, she was fucked up.
Part 34
Wesley’s scent reached Angel’s perception before the man did- his scent and that of Lilah’s. The smell of the bitch’s sex was woven into Wesley’s making it almost as one. A deep growl rumbled throughout Angel’s body. It wasn’t just Lilah’s scent that angered him though that bitch could trigger his desire to kill quicker than any one he had every met in quite a long time, no, it was the smell of their sex. Wesley and Lilah, two enemies were allowed something that Angel was denied with the woman he loved, it made him want to kill.
“Sorry, took longer than I thought to get away,” Wesley slid into the pew next to him. “Angel, is something wrong,” Wesley heard the vampire’s growl.
Angel moved further away. “What? Getting harder to drag yourself out of the bitch.” His growl barely contained.
Wesley squirmed at the vampire’s tone. He’d forgotten how acute Angel’s senses were. Regardless of his surprise, he was a bit annoyed about the vampire’s attitude. Angel knew why he was sleeping with Lilah. “Moral judgments from you? About this, you’re really not in the best position to do that now are you?”
Angel glared but said nothing slipping even further away from Wesley.
Wesley stared at the vampire for a moment. “Angel, you called me.” Wesley commented deciding that Angel’s attitude was the result of the increase tension of the upcoming rescue.
Angel beat down his growl trying to focus on the issue, not the scent that surrounded Wesley. “We have Justine and the truth. Now we get Connor.”
Wesley nodded. “When?”
“Tomorrow night.”
“Tomorrow. No, Angel. I need more time.”
“Can’t get enough of the bitch, uh, Wes.”
“Angel” Wesley snapped, his blue eye’s turning to steel. “What’s wrong with you.”
“Tomorrow, Wesley.” Angel growled getting to his feet. “Just tell me where Connor’s being kept.”
“Angel, I need more time too find out about the entity on the floor. Lilah….” Wesley stared again at the vampire’s growl beginning to believe that it was more than tension that was affecting the vampire. He shook his head. “I have gotten access to Wolfram & Hart’s inner libraries. I need the chance to discover what information they have on the little girl. I need more time with Connor.”
“You’ll have all day. But, tomorrow night we move. Where’s Connor being kept?”
“Centuries upon centuries of knowledge are in those books and I have all day that should be more than sufficient time,” Wesley grumbled. Wesley took a deep breath. “Angel, how do you plan on getting into Wolfram & Hart?”
“By doing what they expect- going in after them.”
“Ah, your standard Plan A-Z, the frontal assault -that usually is such a resounding success.”
“I’ll go in after Lilah, they will be concentrating on me, and Gunn will come and help get Connor out. Do you have a problem with that?”
“Lilah has told me that the Special Projects Division will be having a board meeting tomorrow evening at 8:OO p.m. She will be there as well as Linwood and the rest of the division. Since, you are probably the main topic of discussion, it may be appropriate that you appear there. You, a roomful of lawyers, that should be a sufficient diversion.” Wesley said coldly.
Angel nodded at Wesley answer to his accusatory question. “Connor.”
“He’s being kept on the 52nd floor. I’ll be able to dismantle the surveillance in the room. Gunn should take out the guards in the security room so as not raise alarm once that is done. Here, you’ll need these.” Wesley held out some blueprints.
Again Angel nodded taking the papers.
“Angel, is it still your plan to go up to the top floor?”
Angel didn’t bother to answer. “Tomorrow.” He said over his shoulder as he left the church.
Wesley stared after the dark figure. There was definitely something going with Angel and the gapping ache in the pit of Wesley’s stomach warned him that it was not as simple as the mission ahead. Wesley rubbed his face roughly. First things first, Wesley needed to get back to his apartment before the sleeping potion he had given Lilah wore off. Then he needed to get some sleep before he spent all day searching for any information on the entity before Angel went after her and he needed to gather as much information about the ‘Tro Clan’ prophecy that Wolfram & Hart possessed, then he needed to prepare Connor for what was to come, Angel and the rest may classify it as a rescue mission, but Wesley wasn’t so sure that the boy would. Wesley looked again at the doorway of the church. Possibly he should also make the time to see what other materials Wolfram & Hart had collected on Angel over the years. Wesley tiredly sighed as he lumbered to feet. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.
Part 35
Cordelia closed the book she had been reading, leaning back in her chair thinking. She pushed up with a frustrated sigh. She’d already scoured the book before but that time had been in reference to her visions, but now she had been reading only thinking about Angel’s soul. But it hadn’t helped, she just couldn’t be sure that a paranormal prophylactic would work in their situation and the risk was too great to not be.
“Cordy, Cordy,” Fred called out again.
“Hmm,” Cordy looked up finally hearing the other woman.
“Gunn and I were going to get some dinner. Do you want us to bring you back something? Or do you need me to stay and help research,” she pointed to the books in front of Cordy. “Whatcha you researching? Should I stay? I’ll stay if you want me too, I can get on the computer and help you look for whatever you are looking for. What are you looking for? ”
Cordy gave a soft smile at Fred’s eagerness. “Thanks but no, I was just checking on something, not important. Sure, bring back anything.” Cordelia glanced at the clock on the wall. “What’s taking Angel so long?” she said to no one in particular.
Gunn answered. “Hopefully, going into a little more specifics with Wes than ‘we’re barging into Wolfram & Hart’ tomorrow.”
Fred smacked at Gunn’s arm. “What’s with you, you used be all for the barging in approach.”
“Still am girl, but barging into that firm probably needs a bit more planning that kicking the door in. Let’s go.”
***********
“Well, the terror upstairs is spewing hate and other so pleasant vibes.” Lorne came into the lobby.
Cordelia glanced at the soaked green jacket that Lorne wore.
“Wasn’t thirsty. Didn’t fall for my patented charm. Hates you, kitty-poo and scared as hell of your patented charm. How could that be, you’re such a sweetie, Angel cakes, I understand.”
Cordy shrugged, sitting back down flipping haphazardly through the books.
“So, brown eyes, you seem more than subdued, your stint as a torturer get you down.”
Cordelia scrunched up her face and shook her head. “She wasn’t tortured, just made her talk, that’s all.”
“That was Fred’s interpretation of the events, also. Charles seemed to be taken back a little though.”
“Wuss,” Cordy swung around to face Lorne. “What are you after Lorne? Why the rude attempt to tip toe through my brain.”
“You know I can’t do that, hands in the air, and your sweet tones are silent, not a whistle or a hum,” Lorne’s hands rose palms out.
“Not stopping you from trying though.”
Lorne’s eyes rose to his horns.
“What? Lorne, I’ve had so many friggin visitors in my brain, I’m getting use to recognizing the knock of strangers calling.”
Lorne studied the young woman for a moment. “Kidnapped, held prisoner, tortured, those lovely events can cause some whirly dirly emotions.”
“I’m fine. Angel’s the one that suffered. I was kidnapped by the evil law firm, bigwhoo, nothing new there, Angel was attacked and stuffed in a box by his son.”
“I haven’t had the pleasure of trying to intrude on Angelcakes swirling emotions. He doesn’t seem to what to be around me since he’s gotten back and he said he’d miss me, but I’m not feeling the love. Problem?”
Cordelia rolled her eyes. “He just doesn’t like intrusion, like the rest of us.”
Lorne stared at Cordy again, “There’s a lot of anger in you sweetums.” Lorne raised his hands. “Not reading, just observing.”
Cordy’s eyes narrowed. “Angel loved that boy with all of his heart, Connor was his hope, his future, he would’ve died for that boy, but Connor rejected him in the worse possible way, tossed Angel and his love away like garbage to suffer eternally.”
Lorne leaned back. “Your mother’s heart turning a little into stone towards our wayward boy.”
“Of course not. I don’t blame Connor.” Cordelia’s gaze went towards the stairs. “I know who too blame. He was used.”
“Don’t you mean he let himself be used?”
Cordelia swirled her glare back to the green demon.
“The boy doesn’t share your devotion or utter belief in the goodness of Angel. He popped back into this world ready to kill Angel, his heart wasn’t open with all that much love before step-daddy set up Angel.”
“He was used Lorne from the day he was taken. He will love Angel and trust him again.”
“You so sure.”
“Yes, Angel deserves it. I’ve had enough of this go read a plant.” Cordy moved towards the stairs.
Lorne waited until Cordy disappeared up the stairs. He went to the books that Cordy was looking through. He shrugged a little more at ease. He really hadn’t gotten a good read on the young woman, but the anger he did sense could very well be chalked up to sexual frustration. That could be a bitch.
***********
Cordelia paced around Angel’s bedroom. She didn’t want to go back downstairs. She couldn’t even enjoy her dinner. Lorne kept staring at her. At least, he had stopped trying to question and interpret her, but she didn’t like his speculative scrutiny any better than his inquisitive one.
“Ow,” she cried hopping on one foot, kicking the side of the bed really hadn’t been a good idea. Oh, what the hell, she kicked it again. She hated that she was trapped in Angel’s bedroom. Cordy fell on the bed landing on her stomach. She wanted so much to be trapped in Angel’s bedroom, only with Angel and no frustration. Where was the stupid vampire, he should’ve been back by now. She slammed her fist into the pillow, before scrunching it up to her chest.
***********
Angel strode into the lobby carrying a duffle bag, his gaze bypassing his friends that got up to greet him and going straight to the stairs. His feet began to follow his gaze towards where Cordy was.
“Whoa, Angel.” Gunn called out. “Did you talk to Wesley?”
Angel nodded and continued on his path.
“Care to share- details, man, details.”
Fred rolled her eyes. “Angel, please, Charles seems to be fixating on the need for details. He won’t go too to bed, just grumbling about lack of details and such.”
“Girl, we need details.”
“Charles, we have plenty of time to go over the plan,” Fred glanced at Angel who had stopped at the foot of the stairs. “Don’t we, we’re not going until tomorrow night right.”
“Girl, you’re not going anywhere.” Gunn shook his head.
“Why not? How do you know? You haven’t even heard the plan.” Fred crossed her arms against her chest.
“Wes gave me the information I need, we’ll go over it tomorrow. Now, I think everyone should just go to sleep.” Angel said, the duffle bag resting against his thigh.
Fred nodded. “Okay, hey, Angel, are you hungry? Cordy fixed you up a cup with oregano and peppers. We had Italian. I could heat it up for you. Cordy already went to bed.”
“Oregano?” Angel shook his head. “No, thank you.” He turned to go up to his room the bag still in his hand.
Lorne stopped him with a touch on his arm. “Angelcakes, if you have a minute, thought may be we could sit down catch up on old times.”
Angel looked at the hand on his arm back up to the demon. “Not now, Lorne.” He shook off Lorne’s grip and went up to where he needed to be since he re-entered the world.
“He’s tired.” Fred looked at both Lorne and Gunn. “And so am I. He said tomorrow. So, tomorrow you’ll get your plan.” She followed the vampire, stopping once. “Charles, you’re tired, too.”
“Yeah, okay, tomorrow.” Gunn dragged his feet after his girlfriend.
“Looks likes it beddie by time then.” Lorne shook his head turning off the lights of the lobby.
***********
“Took you long enough.” Cordelia grumbled sitting up from under the covers.
“I had some things to do after I talked to Wesley.”
“Things?” Cordelia crawled to the end of the bed. “That’s mine.” She pointed to the duffle bag Angel was carrying.
“Clothes.” Angel swung the bag onto the bed. “I thought maybe you’d want something to where other than my stuff.”
“Pooh, you just wanted me to where something other than your stuff. Stingy.”
Angel glanced at his boxers and T-shirt that graced Cordelia’s body. He shook his head. “I don’t mind.” Christ, his clothes even got to caress her naked skin, just not him.
“Yeah,” Cordelia knelt and looked through the bag. “Did you talk to Dennis? He’s got to be worried.”
“I did. He’s very happy you’re back. He missed you.”
“I should go see him soon. Thank you. Yours are great to sleep in, but not good to mission wear, and I can’t wear my old clothes anymore-after a month plus, I’m sick of them.” Cordy looked up, placing the duffle bag on the floor.
“Cordy, I don’t want you to go tomorrow.”
“Are we about to have a fight? Because if we are let’s just pretend that we did and I won. ‘Kay.” She leaned up to kiss the vampire on the cheek.
Angel’s hands snaked around Cordelia’s waist. “Cordy…”
Cordy rose her brow cocking her head to the vampire. “Angel, I am going to win this, so let’s avoid all of the yelling and stuff.”
Angel rested his head on top of hers. “’’Kay”
“You’re so smart.” Cordelia leaned back smiling brightly. “Change and let’s go to sleep.” She scooted away back to her previous position under the covers.
Angel shrugged off his jacket and took off his boots.
“Angel.” Cordelia questioned over her shoulder at the clothed vampire who was crawling on top of the covers next to her.
“I’m fine.” Angel pulled the young woman and the covers into his chest, kissing her slightly on her head. His hands dug under the cloth of the comforter and t-shirt to grasp the skin around her waist pulling her tighter against him and barrier the covers and his clothes made.
Cordelia sighed snuggling closer. She peeked over her shoulder. “Did you like your dinner?”
“I wish you would stop experimenting with my blood.”
“Hmmph. I left out the garlic.”
“That was very considerate of you. Thank you.” Angel chuckled, kissing her again on her cheek and then settling his face in the crook of her neck, rubbing and breathing deeply before closing his eyes.
“Love you.” Cordelia whispered clutching at the strong hands that captured her waist.
“Me, too.” Angel nuzzled once again into her skin.
Part 36
Angel fought against the approaching coldness and aching hunger. He clutched at the warmth that surrounded his body staving the reality of the blackness and hopelessness of the deep sea. His fingers bore into the warmth of the flesh made real in the dream moving and grabbing to get all of it. His voice broke the silence in a harsh cry calling out the name of the woman he needed to be with him, the one that gave him hope.
“Shh, Shh, Angel, I’m here.” Cordy whispered, her hands trying to soothe the ridges that appeared on Angel’s face at his cry. “I’m here, I’m not going anywhere. Ever. Shh,” planting small kisses all over his face and over the glowing eyes that bore fierce questions into hers.
Angel stared not understanding the soft words and gentle kisses but he did feel the heat of salt tears hitting his face as the words once again murmured against his skin.
“Cordy?” His question came out as a choked cry.
“Yes, Shh,” leaning up bracing herself on the vampire’s shoulders and smiling.
One hand shot up while the other kept Cordy’s body pressed on top of his. Angel’s thumb moved along her smile as his eyes, now brown, held Cordy’s hazel ones in a intense stare. “Cordy.” He growled cupping his hand behind her neck powerfully pushing her face down as his leaned up to capture her lips. Angel devoured her mouth not allowing Cordelia’s head to move as his whole body strained upwards and his hand on the small of her back pushed down, his actions doing what ever they could to merge their bodies and bring the woman’s warmth into his body.
Cordelia did all that she was permitted. Her hands snaked behind Angel’s lifted head pulling it closer as her body pressed down in an effort to help Angel fuse them together.
Angel relaxed his grip on her neck slightly sensing that the warmth wasn’t attempting to leave him, but actively helping him in his goal. Cordelia took advantage of slight reprieve and moved her lips taking small breaths as she kissed along the strong planes of Angel’s jaw.
This time Angel did understand the soft murmurs along his face and gentle kisses. Angel relaxed his grip some more, never releasing but more gentle and giving. The hand that had captured Cordy’s hips became loose, still holding but now caressing.
“Cor..”
“Shh, I’m okay, I can breath again, though it was touch and go there for a minute” she teased into the hollow of his throat.
“Cordy,” Angel lifted her face, his look of concern replaced by a smile at Cordelia’s big grin.
“One more kiss, then I think I better move.” She cocked her head down to their hips and the erection that was jerking frantically into her stomach.
Angel leaned back up to recapture her lips, this time relishing Cordelia’s joining the mutual exploration of the new kiss.
Cordelia pulled away swallowing a big gulp of air, her lips rubbing together. “Um. Shower,” she grumbled and sighed at the same time.
Angel nodded. “Shower,” he agreed but didn’t move and didn’t let Cordy move. With a sign and a groan, he pushed his hips up against Cordelia’s, dragging her body down and over his erection, stopping when his pant-covered cock jerked against the thin material that protected the area at the juncture of her thighs. He pumped again at Cordelia’s choked whimper. Cordelia moved to bring their hips together one more time when Angel’s hands caught her hips and moved them off his erection. “Shower.” He winced slowly inching further away from Cordelia.
Cordy struggled to a seated position watching the hunched over vampire move quickly to the bathroom. She gulped again trying to calm the ache in her belly and the tingling in her nerves. She slowly got to her feet and moved to the bathroom.
“Angel,” she opened. “I…” her voice choked as she saw Angel standing in the shower his erection strong and alive, her feet suddenly immovable.
“Cordy,” Angel groaned. “Go away.”
Cordy stood mutely just staring. She hadn’t ever seen Angel completely naked before. Cordy had thought the towel said it all-what a lie. Flashes of statues, museums and works of art floated through her mind. God he was beautiful.
“Cordy.” Angel ordered.
Cordelia blinked up at the vampire. “You’re not fat.”
“Wha…t?” Angel gaze jerked from the young woman to his body, his erection losing steam quicker than the cold water dictated as his hands went to waist and stomach searching for rolls of fat.
“You’re not,” she said in the same amazed tone. “Just there’s more, all hard and..big,” her eyes going back down his body. “Really….nice,” her tongue licking at her lips on its own violation.
“OUT,” Angel growled, his hands no longer searching for non-existence fat, but reaching for the cold-water nozzle and grabbing for the shower curtain to wrap around his body and his erection that perked up at Cordy’s appraisal.
Cordelia shook her head at Angel’s yell, remembering why she came in the bathroom in the first place. “I…I just wanted to say, that I’m here….I mean, Angel, I’m not going anywhere, I’ll always be with you, no more nightmares needed. I love you.
That’s all.” She bit her lips.
Angel stared at the new emotion on her face, the one of love that warmed him completely, good god, his toes were having an orgasm, Angel’s arm reached out towards the young woman, dropping the shower curtain. He shook his waterlogged head, grabbing the shower curtain back up. “Please, Cordy, leave.” He really wanted to cry.
Cordelia nodded reaching for the door. She stopped as he called out her name.
“Me, too. Love you, I mean.”
She nodded quickly and ran out of the bathroom.
“Christ.” Angel slumped to the floor of the shower begging his cock to forget about the love and desire on Cordy’s face at least long enough for him to get out from under the freezing ass water.
***********
Cordelia didn’t wait for Fred to finish her shout of come in before she barged in the other woman’s room. “Good, you’re out of the shower,” seeing Fred wrapped in her robe and her wet hair in a towel.
“Yeah, but,” Fred’s body and finger swiveled following Cordelia’s movement to her bathroom. “Cordy…”, she called as Cordelia went in the small room and came back out running and a loud deep screech, and a cry ‘Whoa, woman, out,’ followed Cordelia’s fleeing form, “Charles’ taking a shower,” Fred finished with a shrug.
Cordelia blinked in a dazed fashion, her embarrassment as effective as the cold shower would’ve been. She shrugged and wandered over to Fred.
“Cordy, didn’t you like any of the shampoos I bought at the drug store.”
“Angel’s in the shower,” Cordelia said quietly.
“Oh, well, you know Gunn and I…oh, you and Angel - happy, bad happy problems, Charles will be out soon, maybe. He screeched prettily loudly. I think maybe you embarrassed him.”
Cordelia nodded. “Fred.”
“Yeah.”
“You’re boyfriend is really hot.”
Fred blinked then smiled. “I know.” She giggled.
“I’ll just go now.” Cordy moved towards the door.
Fred was still smiling when Cordelia shut the door.
“Charles,” Fred went into the bathroom, laughing as Gunn shrieked and grabbed at the towels.
“She needs her own shower, what’s wrong with that woman.” He glared.
Fred rolled her eyes. “Angel was in his. She said you were hot.”
Gunn’s glare left his face. “Really? Barbie thinks I’m hot,” he straightened.
Fred laughed. “Charles, you’re silly.” She threw a towel at him.
***********
Cordelia stood in the middle of the hall shaking her head. She glanced to Angel’s door then back to Fred, she pictured both men’s reaction as she walked in on both of them. She fell back to the wall, laughing as she slipped to the floor.
“Brown eyes, is there a reason for this morning hysteria,” Lorne looked down.
“I think today will be a really good day.” Cordelia got to her feet, wiping at her tears.
“A sign, a vision?”
“Vision, two, very nice.” Cordelia smiled walking back towards Angel room. Now that the urge to submerge herself in ice water was gone, she figured getting a change of clothes wouldn’t be a bad idea.
“And they were.”
Cordelia smiled. “Never you mind,” giggling. Wow. Cordelia began to feel pretty lucky. She woke up in Angel’s arms, being kissed, held and loved. And lets not forget she got something that most women would squeal for- the sight of a naked Angel and a naked Gunn all in one morning- really, was there a better way to start a day.
Part 37
The AI gang, Lorne included but missing Cordelia, were huddled around the front counter studying the blueprints Wesley had provided.
Angel looked up towards the stairs. "Cordy isn't down yet?"
"I think she's still in the shower." Fred nudged at Gunn.
Gunn pushed at his girlfriend. "Stop, girl."
"Oh," Angel guessed he knew that when got out of his own ice shower and her duffle bag was gone. Commonsense told him that she was in the hotel. But he couldn't resist searching out with his senses just to make sure. Angel started to go to the room a few doors down but stopped. Thinking of Cordelia naked in a shower was bad enough, seeing her would just have him running back to his own or worse saying the hell with it and crawling in with her, slipping easily into fantasy 17, taking the soap from her and washing and touching every inch of her. In #17, Angel would start on her back. Cordy had a lovely back, straight, strong and delicate. The curvature of her spine the smooth angles of shoulder blades covered by golden skin and then there was the tattoo, he always wanted to touch it, to taste it, to see if it burnt like the sun it depicted. God, her back, her body, her face, her lips, everything about her, even her tattoo was made to be touched and loved.
Angel looked up at Lorne. The demon had said something about visions. "What," reluctantly taking his mind away from Cordelia's wet soapy body and what he was doing do to it. "What did you say?" Staring at the demon that was staring back.
"Won't even ask where you've been, lovecake. I said, I hope, the princess didn't have another vision, if it was like what I dosidoed on, she'll drown." Lorne said looking back down at the map. Wow, Lorne didn't think anything could embarrass him anymore, but Angel cake's vibes just now could send a being into hiding with all the body heat, as in the movie, they caused.
"Vision? Cordy had a vision. When? Why is this first I'm hearing about it?" Angel said sharply.
"Got to ask brown-eyes, that is if she's doesn't start laughing again. Didn 't know the Powers were doing stand-up now. Everybody wants to be a comedian." Lorne shrugged, wanting to tug at his collar and sink down to his knees in gratitude that whatever the big lug had been thinking was diverted. No matter what anybody thought, Lorne was not a voyeur on true hot spellbinding sweaty wet emotion. Lorne shook his head. Wet?
"The vision made her laugh?" Angel asked trying to understand.
Lorne shrugged again a lot calmer. "She sat flooding the hall with unbridled hilarity, said she just had two visions. He looked up to Fred. "She didn't say anything to you or at least giggle a word, she had just left your room."
Fred puzzled a moment and then started to laugh. "Oh, that vision."
"What vision?" Angel turned on to the young woman.
Gunn narrowed his eyes toward Lorne. "Cordy was laughing?" He swirled to his girlfriend. "You said she said I was hot. And what do you mean- two- two what? I've got one of everything that I'm supposed to have and two of what I'm supposed to, nothing two- to laugh at."
"What the hell's going on," Angel glared focusing on the giggling young woman and her indignant boyfriend.
Fred chuckled stopping her laugher. "Cordy didn't have a vision, well not a vision- vision, but I say it was a vision." she playfully smacked Gunn on the arm. "A very hot vision."
"She was laughing. Why was she laughing?" Gunn refused to see any humor in the situation.
"Well, Charles it was kind of funny."
"Was she laughing at me? You said she said."
"Oh, Charles, don't worry so, she did say you were hot. And you are very hot."
"What? Did Cordy have a vision or not and Why.why did she say Gunn was hot? What does that mean? It better not be what I think it means." Angel's glare focused now entirely on Gunn.
"She said Charles was hot because he is. She saw him naked. And it does mean what you think it means." Fred explained.
"WHAT?"
"Whoa." Gunn jumped back, even though the vampire hadn't moved. Gunn was suddenly more concerned with Angel's glare than the fact that Cordy had been laughing at him and his naked state. "She barged in on me minding my own business just taking a shower. Girl needs to get her own and stop wanting to use Fred's. It wasn't my fault she came in on me, I was minding business." his yell dwindled down to defensive mumbling.
Gunn was saved from Angel's response by Cordelia's cheerful good morning to the group. Gunn blanched when she winked at him. Gunn moved behind Fred. "She's going to get me killed," Gunn whispered.
"Don't be silly," Fred reassured.
Angel ignored them and went straight for Cordy. "You were in the shower with Gunn?" Angel's voice was loud and just a little panicky.
Cordy rolled her eyes. "Of course not and how do you know, why do you know, who would tell you that, why would they tell you that, nevermind. I didn't know he was in there. I was in a hurry I wanted a shower quick and didn't wait for Fred's warning that's all. Angel, you can understand wanting a quick shower, can't you?"
Angel pulled his brows together recalling the reason for his own dash to his shower. "Yeah." he said slowly." He paused. "That's why you were laughing because you saw Gunn naked?" He nodded encouraging her agreement.
"Hey man, that ain't funny. Nothing funny here." Gunn stood straight gesturing to his body.
"It was funny." Cordelia shrugged.
"Hey, girl, wait until I pop in when you're taking a shower."
"That will never happen," Angel shot a look at Gunn that warned of maiming, torture and death.
"Of course not." Gunn said quickly moving behind Fred again.
"Why were you taking a shower in Fred's room anyway." Angel demanded.
The room turned as one and stared at the vampire, all having the decency not to roll their eyes or laugh. But, Cordelia couldn't resist the shake of her head before turning to Gunn. "I'm sorry for walking in on you and of course you're a hottie. Is everyone better now?" Her look centered back on Angel.
"Okay, I'm cool as long as you weren't laughing at me and you think I'm hot," Gunn repeated for Angel's benefit. Cordelia wouldn't let the vampire kill him. He returned to his previous position of leaning over the counter, pretty pleased with himself.
Angel glared at the young man, grabbing at Cordelia, as she was about to walk by. "You think Gunn's hot?" He leaned into her.
"Sure," She tiptoed up to the vampire's ear. "But, I've seen better, much better earlier, No desire to crawl into HIS shower and wash every inch of HIS chest or His back or His."
Angel groaned. "Please stop that. I get your point."
Cordelia leaned back cocking her head. "You sure?"
"Definitely. I'm an ass." Angel blew out a breath of trapped air. Cordelia was just on her way to depicting fantasies 23, 41 and 99. What was it with her and knowing all of his fantasies," are you sure you haven't become psychic along with your glowiness?" He asked suspiciously.
Cordelia scrunched up her face. "Uh."
"My fantasies. How do you know them?"
Cordy smiled, her eyes twinkling. "You have the one about the shower too?"
"One? A whole list." Angel nuzzled behind her ear. The low voice brought a multitude of variations of her own fantasy into Cordy's mind, along with a string of shivers down her spine.
"We've got to find a solution to the 'big happy' clause, soon." She shook the tingles loose and moved away from Angel. "So, have we figured out all the details, yet," she said louder going to the others.
Angel followed and settled close beside her, his shoulder pressed up against her. "Still don't see why Gunn can't take a shower at his own apartment." He grumbled.
"Angel," Cordy sighed.
"What, I don't."
"Mind on the plan, not Gunn in the shower."
"Yeah, don't you think about me in the buff." Gunn complained from across the counter.
"I, myself, can't seem to be thinking of anything else." Lorne gazed off into the air a soft clucking sound emerging from his throat.
"Well just stop, or those horns are history." Gunn shouted.
Lorne shrugged and stopped his clucking. "Sweetie, that was one very nice vision accounted for but you said two." He nudged at the young woman.
Cordy blew air out of her lips making a resigned noise. "I didn't knock on Angel's door either." She shrugged innocently.
Lorne leaned back, clucking some more. "You did have a good morning- a Hmm-buttery buns type morning, didn't you?" Lorne sighed gazing back into the air.
"Hey, stop that." Angel growled. "Don't be thinking about me in the shower, either."
Fred looked speculative. "Cordy, you know it would only be fair if you let me burst into Angel's."
"NO." Gunn.
Angel choked on the smirk he shot Gunn as Cordelia smacked him in the stomach.
Fred shrugged. " Well, it would."
Cordelia laughed, her hand now gently patting a scowling vampire. "Okay, every body's mind back to the mission and off wet-naked family slash co-workers? Geez."
"Do we have too, I'm getting some nice really nice imaginary here, deux al naturell butterybunns." Lorne sighed dramatically.
Gunn and Angel glared at the green demon both threatening the well being of his horns.
Cordelia leaned over to Fred moving away from the men. "I'm thinking to defray overhead cost- calendar- Men of AI."
Fred scrunched up her face. "Okay, but Charles gets the summer months, don' t want Angel bursting into flames. What about Lorne? And Wesley when he gets back."
Cordelia considered. "They'll have to audition."
Fred nodded. "So, does this mean."
"Only if your hunk of man lets you out of your room and you can get me away from Angel's door." Cordy winked.
"That be a no then, uh. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to wait for the calendar."
"I really like you Fred."
"I know. I really like you too, Cordy." The young women smiled and rejoined the men, one still clucking and two still glaring.
***********
"8:02, I'll be in the conference room." Angel pointed at the diagram; tension had taken over the entire group, slowly replacing the earlier levity as the plan was discussed in more detail.
"Angel," Cordelia scrunched up her face.
The vampire refused to look up. Some how believing if he didn't acknowledge her presence she wouldn't say what he knew she was going to say.
"I don't think you should go in alone. I'll go with you and Gunn and Fred can help Wesley get Connor."
Angel growled deep in his throat, he should have known that ignoring Cordelia wouldn't make her go away or shut up.
Fred nudged her boyfriend. "I'm going."
"I don't like it," he whispered back.
"Pooh, I've been in fights before." She held up her tazer and zapped.
Gunn shook his head. "Why does Fred have to go? I can handle it."
Cordy shook away her aggravation at Angel, willing to give him the benefit of the doubt about his annoying behavior. After all, this was tension- filled subject matter, especially to Angel. But it was getting really hard, as the planning had progressed Angel had started to ignore her, shutting her out, and Cordelia was getting increasingly irritated at the vampire's actions. She bit her lip and turned to Gunn, "we're going to need everyone, I'd even suggest Lorne, but that may..Connor.."
"The whipper-snapper probably hasn't got over his 'filthy demon' teen years." Lorne finished for the young woman. "Not you're doing, Daddykins," Lorne added as Angel finally acknowledged the conversation going on around him with a pained look. Lorne gave an encouraging smile. "Anyway, I'm peace and loving and all that jazz and would probably just trip spectacularly, with great style mind you, but trip nevertheless over my blue suedes."
"Right," Cordy smiled at Lorne's attempt to lighten the meaning behind his words. "But even without Lorne or Angel actually doing the hands on rescuing - Connor may not get this is a rescue, so the more hands the better, don't want to be fighting him and Wolfram & Hart."
"Cordy, I can handle the lawyers, just go with Gunn and Fred, get Connor and then get out of there," hoping against knowledge that she would actually listen to him.
Cordelia smiled. Finally he was looking at her again. "Angel, I know you can, but I don't want you to go alone and to be honest, I'm not real sure how Connor will react to me either. He wasn't real happy when I told him I was part demon." She said minimizing with a shrug and a smile that Connor had in fact tried to kill her at that piece of knowledge.
"He said he liked you." Angel started but then remembered that Connor's statement had been made at the height of his deception, as well as, remembering his own belief that Connor had been responsible for Cordelia being missing.
The others looked discreetly away from the vampire's expression of pain, anger and sadness, instinctively giving the vampire privacy in his feelings. Well, except for Cordelia, she reached out with a gentle hand caressing his face. "It will be all right, Angel."
"Of course, it will," Fred, piped in with optimism taking her cue from Cordy.
"Cordy, I don't want you going with me. I don't want you to go at all," a roughness crept into Angel's voice, directed towards the young woman whose hand he removed from his cheek.
"Angel, me walking in alive would definitely give us the advantage of surprise. I'll have my sword and glowy power." Cordelia jerked back at his rebuff, frustration now couching her words.
Angel stared at the young woman finally identifying the emotion that was consuming him. The anger he had recognized but the source had been elusive until now. Angel was angry, very angry at Cordelia, so much so that he wished her gone and out of his face, wished that she would just stop trying to reason with him. That type of anger towards Cordelia was rare, in fact, so rare that it had made the feeling almost impossible to recognize. Angel hadn't felt that way since he chose to fire his friends and go after Wolfram & Hart on his own without her, without them. Remembering that just made him angrier. Her presence would deny him the pleasure of tearing the limps off every fuckin lawyer in that room. He may have recognized a darkness in her when they were in the basement with Justine, she may have been willing to let Holtz die at his hands, but he knew that Cordelia wouldn't condone his massacre of the lawyers. All because of her fuckin conscience, well Angel didn't want to be burdened by hers or his when he went into the law firm. And worse, he'd have to fight with her to go after the little girl on the top floor.
Cordelia held the vampire's stare for a moment then shook her head. This wasn't a discussion she wanted to have with Angel in front of the others. "Finish going over the details with Fred and Gunn, I'll get you breakfast, you're grumpy." She finally said and left to go into the kitchen.
"Cordy."
"Angel." She shot back over her shoulder.
Angel wanted to ignore her and just get the hell out of there- go somewhere to vent his rage. But she was impossible for him to ignore and as much as his rage wanted her gone, he knew he needed her and her conscience, it reminded him of his and that just made him madder. Still, Angel followed her into the kitchen.
Cordelia went through the motions of taking out Angel's blood and putting it the microwave waiting for the silent vampire to speak. Of course, he wouldn 't. She turned leaning back on the counter, her arms crossed. "Angel, I won't stop you from kicking some lawyer's ass, I won't- but a blood bath is out. It just is, okay. And you're not going up to the top floor alone. I was with that little evil thing for month - I don't know what she is- but she's powerful. Together, Angel."
Angel blinked, his anger momentarily wiped away by surprise. She was physic.
Cordelia shook her head at the vampire's expression. "Do you honestly believe I'm that clueless or do you just want to believe it? Sure, it took me way too long to figure out that I was In love with you- but that only means I was clueless about me, but not about you, Angel, not about this."
"This?"
Cordelia moved closer her hand gently resting on his chest. "Rage, revenge, its all in there," she tapped her hand slightly looking up as the vampire's confused look turned into a hard stare. Cordelia ignored it.
"But you know damn well that a bloody rampage is just wrong, you don't need me to tell you that. And you don't need to protect me from your 'darker grr ' instincts. Now, here." Cordelia pulled out the cup of blood as the beep of the microwave sounded.
Every word out of her mouth, her every action to placate him- like pig's blood and a gentle touch could calm him- set off more of a rage inside of Angel. Fuckin perfect Cordy, always thinking she knew everything, knew him so well, well she didn't. Angel growled. "Yes, I do." Angel said harshly and left the kitchen.
Cordelia sighed, debating on whether to run after him or not. She sighed again. Stubborn vampire. She opened the refrigerator returning the blood to its shelf, deciding to give him time to cool down. Cordelia was about to close the door, when she noticed a carton of blood and what suspiciously looked like oregano and peppers floating in the red liquid. She studied the blood. Angel never did say he drank it the night before and he didn't always appreciate her experiments. Yet. She quickly counted the remaining cartons in the refrigerator. With a little bit of unease and a growing amount of frustration and anger she watched as Angel's last night's dinner flowed down the drain. Cordelia threw the empty carton away and decided that she couldn't wait for Angel to cool down.
Cordelia strode into the lobby looking sharply around. "Okay, where is he?"
"Barked something about having to get something, then stormed out."
"It wasn't that bad," Fred said hopefully.
Lorne rolled his eyes. "Honeykins, it was."
Cordelia responded with her own roll of the eyes at the green demon. "It's not. We just had a slight disagreement. That's all." She walked to the basement.
"Where are you going?"
"Too finish the discussion. Keep planning."
Fred bit her lip. "Kay."
"They're both acting weird and I'm telling you he was mad and now she is. Something's not right."
"I got to go with the butterybuns behind shower curtain number 1 or was it 2, anyway, something is stirring in those two."
"Charles, Lorne," Fred swung around. "Angel and Cordy have been through a lot and this will be the first time Angel's seen Connor since it all happened. It can't be easy for him, it won't be easy for any of us for that matter." Fred added the last part under her breath.
Continue on...