just fic


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 38

Cordelia took her time walking through the sewers. She'd never be able to catch up with the vampire so why bother to run. She had an idea where he was going and she'd catch him on the way back. Cordy scrunched up her brow. At least she hoped she knew. Being right, she could handle- but being wrong, she just didn't know and that scared her.

**********

Cordelia leaned against the wall and waited. She straightened as the dark vampire turned the corner. Angel slowed, his voice blank. "What are you doing here?"

Cordelia stared at the vampire. He wasn't surprised which meant he sensed her. She guessed she should be grateful that he hadn't turned and gone the other way to avoid her. She walked past him, wondering if he would try to stop her, if he would carry this that far. She took a little breath, when he allowed her past. Cordelia walked around the turn and a little further into the passageway searching for any sign to prove she was right. She bent down when she found the blood soaked bag and broken plastic-the blood was fresh. A great wave of relief hit her as she poked at the soiled bag. Cordelia hadn't quite realized how scared she had been that she would find a drained corpse in its place.

She stood and faced the vampire that had followed her. "Waste of blood. If you're going to sneak off and buy it, you should drink it."

"Cordelia."

The young woman's eyes rose at the full use of her name and angry tone. "Don't even Angel. I've been with you for three years, sure the first year you were all closet drinker, but over the next two, who did the shopping on most occasions," She pointed to her chest. "Me, I know your schedule probably better than you. And while you say you don't like my concoctions, you drink them- maybe just to make me happy I don't know, but you drink them. So, why then did I have to throw away your dinner last night."

"I wasn't hungry." Angel stood completely still, his voice again blank of any emotion.

"You haven't been hungry since you got back. You haven't touched a drop of the pig's blood I got. Instead, you're sneaking and getting take-out. If I ask you- will you tell me that's human," pointing to the bag. "Or are you going to lie and tell me you just suddenly realized that you missed breakfast and dinner and since you were already out getting 'something' you would go to Larry's rather than eat at home and that you happened to just drop it when you sensed me."

"When and what I eat is none of your business and maybe my 'something' was just trying to get away from you." Angel said, a cold anger creeping into his voice.

Cordy took a deep breath narrowing her eyes. "It damn well is my business, Angel. We aren't talking about you switching from beans and tofu to fatty red meat. We're talking human. Both you and Wesley told me that you drink animal to curb the desire for human, you know those live walking talking beings we've kinda of sworn to protect. Why the sudden hangerin' for the forbidden. You weren't drinking it before or were you." Cordy tried to think back. God damn her distraction with Groo. She jerked up. "Is this because of Connor's blood?"

"This is not your problem, so leave it alone." Angel said coldly, moving closer to the young woman until he was less than a swing away.

Cordelia forced her feet to remain immobile. She didn't recognize this Angel, actually she did. He at that moment reminded her too much of the vampire that walked into her, Wesley and Gun's new offices and coldly without a care demanded a book. That vampire had scared her. Cordelia didn 't like being scared by her best friend then and she hated it now. It made her mad.

"Angel, if you're about to go all beigey on me, then tell me now, and I'll leave your fuckin ass, so help me, I will. I'm not going through that bullshit again."

Both Angel and Cordelia stood still the battle of wills clear in their stares.

"You said you would never leave me," Angel jerked his head away giving up the contest.

Cordelia blinked and bit her lips, slumping a little as the tension she wasn 't even aware of slipped from her body. "I said I'd never leave you, not some warped version of you." She responded softly.

Angel jerked back. "Warped? I drink blood, Cordelia," he said his harshness cutting into her softness.

"Not human." Cordelia remained still.

Angel moved in closer. "I'm a vampire Cordelia or have you've forgotten. Do I need too remind you?"

Cordelia refused to flinch at the dangerous cold steel in Angel's voice or the demon face he wore. "You could think about reminding me why I love you and not why you're such an ass. Angel, I know what you are, good god, how could I forget. But, you drink pig's blood. As for as long as I've known you except your stint as Angelus, you drink pig's, unless you were really injured and that wasn't a secret or something that needed to be lied about."

Angel swung his back to her. Cordelia blinked suddenly realizing. "Unless you're really injured," she repeated, her eye's shot up to Angel's broad form. "Angel," she grabbed at him, tugging him to look at her. "Angel," she beckoned, cradling his face. "I'm sorry, so sorry." The tears that always threatened to come whenever she thought about Angel being alone in the underwater coffin-trapped there by his son, finally flowed without restraint.

The stiffness in Angel's frame started to lessen as he felt her embrace and her tears stinging along his skin. Slowly, his hand reached up to brush her back first tentatively then urgently grabbing her body and crushing it to his. "Cordy," he choked into her hair. "I'm sorry." He increased the tightness of his hold.

Cordelia leaned up cupping his face again. "Angel, it's okay, I understand.well, I can't not really, but I think I can," Cordy shook her head at her contradictory words. "Angel, I can't imagine what you went through, I guess maybe I should try, but it hurts too much and I'd rather live in my little denial- you know, Angel trapped, Angel got loose, like the hero is supposed to do, let's not think too much of what happened in the in between time, because that will just kill you and make you really cry and hate the one that put.just make you hate." Cordelia pushed away from Angel. "I don't want to hate like that, I can't hate like that." she turned brushing roughly at her face. "But, Angel you didn't have to hide it. If you need human too. " Cordelia squeezed her eyes shut trying to force the tears to stop. "If you needed human to heal from.from stuff, then I understand, I do." Cordelia braced herself getting a grip back on her emotions. "It's not like you're stalking the living nightlife." She smiled trying desperately to tease.

Angel pulled away again. Silence filled the small tunnel. A sick feeling started in Cordelia's heart and slowly moved to encroach into every part of her being. She was getting scared again. "Angel?" Cordelia whispered.

"Laurie and Robbie," he choked.

"Who?" Cordelia asked still whispering.

"The ones that found me, the ones that broke me out, the humans that saved me, the ones I killed." He swung around to face Cordelia waiting for her judgment.

Cordelia slammed down every single one of her reactions save one, her tears started flowing again, crying for the vampire in front of her. She gulped, trying to speak, knowing that Angel was waiting- for her disgust, her horror, her fear and Cordy sobbed harder, God forbid, she couldn't damn him. She bit her lips. Damn Fred and Gunn, Damn Wesley, Damn her, they should've been the ones to find him. Damn Connor, she cursed with true hatred. She jerked pressing her palms into her eyes, pressing trying to force the imagines and the hatred away.

Cordelia jerked as she heard movement. Angel was leaving her. She ran lunging at him, her unexpected action bringing both to the dirty ground.

"Don't," Cordelia cried burying her head into Angel's back. "Just don't," she needed more time, but she couldn't let him leave her. "Just hold me, please," Cordelia begged almost whimpering.

Angel didn't question he just held and moved; turning switching positions hugging Cordelia to his chest. Cordelia reached for the vampire trying to get into his skin, pulling and pressing. "Don't ever do that again, never just walk away, you can't leave me." She rubbed her face into his chest. "I need you." She murmured rubbing into his shirt.

Something dangerous jerked in Angel's being as he heard her words, something that scared him. He tried to get a focus on what it was but it was fleeting and gone as quickly as it came. "Cordy," he moved again, pulling them both into a seated position. "I can't leave you, I can't ever, okay," he said gently.

Cordelia swallowed her new bout of tears and nodded. "'Kay" She blinked at the vampire. Tears that she thought she had stopped started to flow again. "I love you."

"Thank god," Angel whispered pulling her into an embrace. That feeling was back the one of danger to his self, but like before it left as quickly as it had come.

Cordelia rested, letting her body relax into Angel's hold allowing the strength of his arms to give her time to think about the next course of action. She gnawed at her lips and cleared her throat. She leaned up a small smile on her face, willing that it would take the edge off her words sufficiently. "I wish Laurie and Robbie were still alive, I wish that you hadn't had to do it, I do, but," her hands came up to stroke the vampire's face. "I want and need you alive and well more. Wow, that sounded really horrible," Cordelia rubbed at her face. She scrunched up her shoulders and shook. "But I do. I can't help it."

"I haven't."

"Don't Angel, I know you haven't been stalking the living nightlife, just buying overpriced human blood at Larry's."

"How can you know that?"

Cordelia leaned back and studied the vampire the tears filling her eyes again, making the brown and gold hues glisten. "You would've been more of an ass?" She shrugged not knowing but knowing she was right.

"Cordy?" Angel couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry impossible tears.

She stroked Angel's face gently. "I won't hate you for this, I can't." Cordelia moved to stand. "Come on." She pulled in the direction away from the Hotel, her tears finally stopping.

"Cordy?"

"Always with the Cordy questions-am I really that unpredictable." The red eyes and rough sniff made her teasing comment even more effecting.

"Yes." Angel sighed.

"Good. Larry's. We'll stock up and then wean you off. Okay. No reason, though, to have to go cold turkey before tonight and you need to eat."

"Cordy."

Cordy cocked her brows again. "Tell me the truth can you do both tonight, can you go cold turkey and take down Wolfram & Hart?"

Angel looked away. "No. It heals me quicker, I'm still not...I need it."

Cordelia leaned into hear his low answer, once again able to exercise her ability to not think about why Angel was in such need. "Then, we'll deal with it tomorrow. When it's done." The tears dried on her face, leaving nothing but love and determination.

Angel pulled at the hand that was tugging him. "You won't hate me, but you do hate Connor, don't you."

Cordelia blinked, getting as still as the vampire once was. "I can't hate him, of course not."

"You blame him."

"Angel, stop. He's your son, you love him, and you need him. That's all I care about."

"Cordy?"

Cordelia cocked her head. "I love you and I know you love your son. You will have him with you that's all that matters. Now, lets go we have a rescue to do."

"Cordy?"

"More with the questioning name, Geez. Angel, everything will be all right. Lets go."


Angel stared a few seconds as Cordelia went in the direction of Larry's. He wasn't sure what to think but he knew what he felt. Angel did love her and needed her so he followed.


Part 39

Wesley grimaced, pinching the bridge of his nose. It was a headache that wouldn't go away, one borne of stress, anxiousness and fear- fear of failure. He glanced at the all the books strewn before him wanting to yell and throw them up against he wall, they told him nothing. He leaned back in his chair looking at all the remaining thousands of books lining the walls and the multiple number of file cabinets in the room. How did he ever think that he had the knowledge to do this, how did he ever think he had the ability, his father was right. He was useless.

Wesley leaned down pressing the heels of his palms to his forehead. The only thought that kept him going was that if he gave up he would have to die; to live with out trying was unacceptable. Wesley lifted his head and read again the ancient passage before him.

"Lunch?"

Wesley looked perplexed at the woman draped over his desk. He shook his head as he remembered. Stress relief in its most evil and seductive form.

"I'm not hungry."

"Are you sure," Lilah reached down and cupped his jaw.

Wesley pushed her hand away. "Leave me alone."

Lilah leaned back a little puzzled, not that she really expected Wesley to jump on the table and grab her. But she did expect little more than a brush off or at least one with a little more wit and style. Wesley sounded almost desperate.

Wesley turned a page, thinking forcing himself to believe in his abilities.

"Don't they have rules here, I'm sure they do, I'm working here, you of all people should understand that ethic. Work before pleasure unless of course you can combine the two in an evil frenzy. Not possible here unless you want to read Odoacer's Death Wish- chapter five, very informative It's just over there-it has pictures and everything," Wesley pointed at the bookshelves.

Lilah slid off the top of the table into a chair, more secure at Wesley's response. That sounded much more like the man she had been sleeping with for the past few months. "Still holding out. When will you give it up?"

"There is nothing to give up. I know what I want."

"And what exactly is that Wesley?"

Wesley leaned up cradling Lilah's chin. "What I deserve. Go." He pushed her away," I can't concentrate on doing what I need to do with you here."

"My god that was flattery." Lilah stood. "I'll check on you later."

"Please don't."

"Ooh, I think I've figured out your code," she reached down capturing Wesley 's lips. "I'll see you later," getting up and leaving the room.

"Goodbye, Lilah." Wesley said with every fiber of his being.

Wesley looked at the corners of the room, knowing those were the most obvious spot for hidden cameras that probably meant they were somewhere else. It didn't really matter, he just needed to get out of the room tonight alive and with some answers, tomorrow, he could care less about what showed up on the tapes. Wesley got up and moved toward the row of books aligned against the wall. He didn't know which too choose next. Every thing on the Tro-clan he had found- he already knew- which was almost nothing. The little girl- incorporeal demon or power entity that can take human form and kill. Not much there or rather millions there to choose from. Wesley looked at his watch. It was getting late. He had already pulled and torn out every page of any book that he thought at least reassembled importance.

He looked at his watch again. Wesley went to the largest file cabinet in the room and opened the first drawer. He was impressed by the thoroughness but it wasn't anything he already didn't know. The next. Interesting for it 's blood, guts and drama but still it was old history. He pulled the third drawer, knew it too. The council had all this, Wesley wondered if Wolfram & Hart had stolen it from them or if the council had stolen it from the law firm. He's brow scrunched, pulling out a small file amidst the larger one. He leafed through the papers inside. It had nothing to do with the situation at hand but it was something he didn't know. He grabbed the paper that drew his attention and shoved it in his pant leg with the others. Wesley looked at his watch again. He took a deep breath. It was time to see Connor.

He just hoped that the security spells that he saw embedded on every volume of text and file weren't put on each individual piece of paper or page. He took a deep breath and shoved the file cabinet labeled Angel closed. Wesley would rely on the bureaucratic train of thought; reciting spells on every page would be way too much work. He left the bowels of Wolfram & Hart's real library, nodding to the demon at the desk.

***********

"I didn't call you." Connor paced.

Wesley wondered if the young man ever stayed still. So, unlike his father in that regards, Angel had the ability and seemed the desire at times to lurk motionlessly until he disappeared, but not his son. Connor was a buddle of energy. But, then he was in a cage. Again, Wesley was reminded of a trapped wild animal.

"I know but it was necessary." Wesley looked again at his watch- 7:45 p.m. His original thought had been too come earlier -too try and prepare the boy more. But, now he was glad he decided differently. There would've never been enough time in the 24 hours he had been allotted. Surprise was the best way.

"Connor, a vampire can exist indefinitely without feeding, the damage to higher brain functions under prolonged starvation however be catastrophic. The degree to which the vampire is affected is determined by many things, the primary being of course how soon the vampire feeds."

"Why are you telling me this? What do I care?"

"You should care because Angel has been confined without feeding for over a month. I've spoken to him on several occasions since his release..." Wesley paused at the boy's sudden stillness and readjusted his earlier thoughts. Connor could turn to stone just like his father. "Yes, Connor, Angel has been released. And as I was saying, he seems to be in relatively good shape considering his ordeal, both mentally and physically. But you must, recognize that it was an ordeal he went through." Wesley turned from the boy, glancing at his watch again. He went to a small paneled device by the door, manipulating the wires within.

"I don't care about him. He killed..."

Wesley turned back to the boy. "Justine lied to you, Connor, and we have the proof and soon so will you," picking up a chair and smashing it into the camera on the wall. "I just hope it makes a difference."

"What's happening?" Connor tensed ready to spring.

"You're going home." Wesley reached up behind the boy pushing a tazer into his back. Blue and white lights of electricity charged into the boy's body. Wesley pressed in again until the boy was unconscious. "I just hope that you will want to stay." Wesley looked up as Gunn and Fred barged in.

"That's one way to get his cooperation," Gunn looked at Connor's body on the floor.

"It seemed for the best. Take him. I need to get to Angel before he goes to the top floor."

"Wesley," Fred questioned.

"He's going after the entity that had Cordy. I couldn't find out what it was. It would be best if he didn't challenge it at this time."

"That wasn't part of the plan we discussed," Gunn grunted.

"Cordy's with him." Fred said worriedly.

"Then I better hurry." Wesley took off in the opposite direction.

"You ready, girl?" Gunn said settling an unconscious Connor over his shoulder.

Fred raised her crossbow and tazer. "We made it in okay."

"Yeah, but I imagine Angel's putting a whole lot of hurtin on some lawyers about now, the quiet ain't going to last. Come on."


Part 40

The conference room was filled with suited lawyers sitting neatly in a row around the rectangular table. Lilah, like the rest, waited quietly for Linwood to start the meeting. Mute security personnel stood unobtrusively but alert at the four corners of the room.

The quiet of the room was smashed as the door was kicked in. "Did I miss anything," Angel asked cheerfully, tossing his sharp weapons, both leaving his hands with speed and force, plunging into the shoulders of the nearest guards on his left and right. "Doesn't look like it," he added as the guards fell to the ground their weapons never raised. "So, Linwood, I think its time for another little heart to heart between the two of us, don't you," Angel growled swinging the stunned man in his chair trapping him with his arms.

"Please, remind any one foolish enough to interrupt that your life is dependent on no interruptions. I truly hate interruptions. Was anyone, planning to say anything," Angel questioned, looking up at the other startled lawyers and the standing guards.

"Lilah, come on, you're always good for a few laughs. Anything?"

"Um, the sea air seems to have agreed with you and I see, your seer doesn't die that easily. Neat trick. Like the hair." Lilah stayed perfectly still, staring at Cordelia.

"Boxed," Cordelia shrugged. "Didn't have time for an appointment with being dead and all, next week, any recommendations." Cordy moved towards the two far guards.

"Alexander's on Rodeo, but it just maybe be out of your price range, maybe I can put in a good word."

"Favors, nay, I think that boat sailed, I don't think Wolfram & Hart will be footing anymore of my bills, Oh, I'm keeping the clothes when they come. Can I have that," Cordelia said as she stuck her sword into one of the guard's neck and took his gun. "Thank you. Better be quiet, I believe Angel has a lot to get off his chest." She shrugged.

"I'd suggest a course in Anger & Management." Lilah said.

Cordelia nodded, moving to the next guard. "I suggested it, he thought killing all lawyers would be a sufficient treatment plan. I kinda of have to agree with him on that one, getting kidnapped and tortured sucks." She turned and smiled at the other woman.

"Let him go." The guard shouted as he grabbed out and jerked Cordelia to his chest, his gun resting at her temple.

"Crap." Cordelia cursed, her hand shooting up to clutch the hand and weapon that threatened her.

Angel started to move, but then stopped readjusting his hold on Linwood. "Honey, the glowly thing."

"Ya think, Honey" Cordelia rolled her eyes, as her hand started to glow encompassing the guard's weapon. The gun brightened, the metal vibrated, melting like hot rubber until it disappeared. Once the weapon was gone, Cordelia elbowed the guard hastening his slump to the floor. Cordelia stood over him, her tazer in hand and pressing it into the guard's stomach. "Don't do that again."

"Back to the meeting at hand." Angel leaned into Linwood, a dagger now in his hand pressing against Linwood's cheek. "What exactly is on the top floor? Been there, of course. But never was properly introduced to it. Just who is that sweet little girl?"

"Something you can't handle." Linwood squirmed underneath the sharp blade.

"You better hope not or then I'll just have to kill you and everyone in this room, my anger issues and all."

"Do you really think that thing actually came with 'how to destroy' instructions." Lilah commented. "Linwood doesn't know. If it was me, I'd ask your girlfriend," she nodded to Cordelia, "They seem to glow alike."

Cordelia narrowed her eyes at the other woman. "What do you mean?"

"That cute as button little girl, glowed and pulsated right into your head, sort of like you just glowed but she was able to short-circuited your brain, how did you survive it, it looked quite painful."

"You wanta see." Cordelia moved towards the woman, her fingers flexing in the air.

Lilah squeezed back in her chair. "Just trying to help."

"Well you haven't, I'm sorry to say. If you don't have the answers I need then, I don't need you, any of you." Angel growled, his hands reaching around and snapping Linwood's neck. Angel didn't even glance at Cordelia as he ran out of the room.

Cordelia swung her fist in Lilah's face. "You just better be glad he's so stubborn and you're all just evil-weenies with law degrees." Cordelia took off running after the vampire.

Cordelia barely squeezed her body through the closing elevator doors. She took a deep breath, glaring at Angel, starting to slap at him. "Some protector you're leaving me in room full of evil lawyers."

Angel held up his hands warding off Cordelia's harmless blows. "Spineless lawyers, you could've handled it, aren't you the one that is always saying that you can take care of yourself. You have a sword and glowy powers." Angel shot back.

"Geez, take me for granted, I remember a time when you wouldn't have let me cross the street by myself, when you cared about my safety." She pouted and crossed her arms.

"Cordy, you would've been fine and you know it. They would've gone after me, now they're going to be after both of us."

Cordelia slapped the vampire again on the side of the head. "I know, you idiot. Did you really think that you could just leave me and go after little evil Pollyanna alone, we settled this already- together."

"Actually, I never agreed."

Cordelia narrowed her eyes. "You are so in for it when we get home, buster."

"Then you just better stay alive. Cordy, I mean it." Angel growled.

"Well, then you just better too, uh. Hey, how do you know which buttons to push and when were you up there?"

"Later, Cordy, okay."

"Hmmph. Angel, we have no idea how to kill that thing."

"Decapitation kills almost everything."

"That's a plan, if you can get close enough to her. She's got power. Angel, lets just go home. Please. She's not worth it, don't you want to go home and argue. We can make up afterwards." She raised her brows encouragingly.

"NO." Angel growled. "But, you will." suddenly pushing the emergency stop button, and grabbing at Cordelia. "You will get out of this elevator and get the hell out of here. Go back to the hotel and wait."

Cordelia didn't struggle. "You go, I go- you push me out, I stay to be captured and I'm sure I'll see Polly then."

"Cordelia."

"Angel, we don't have time for this now, yell at me when we get home, but let me tell you the making up won't be nearly as fun as it could've been." Cordelia leaned up against the wall, her arms crossed again.

"Stubborn girl." Angel growled.

"Stubborn dumbass," Cordelia stuck her tongue out at the vampire.


Part 41

"Ah, Cordelia, you will continue to surprise me," Pollyanna said from her little white chair. "And here, I thought I had removed you. Stop." She swung pointing at the approaching vampire, his sword in mid swing.

Angel froze as white pulsating lights chained his entire body, the sword falling uselessly to the floor. "I don't believe I wished you here." The little girl glared at the struggling bound vampire.

"Foolish girl," Pollyanna addressed Cordelia getting up from the chair. "You could've had it all, remember." Polly raised her hand.

Cordelia stumbled, but didn't fall, her feet rising in the air. She gasped as images of finery and fame passed through her in pleasurable bursts.

"But, you chose incorrectly." The little girl's tone hardened as Cordelia screamed. The images disappearing only pain replaced them.

Angel howled trying to break the energy barriers.

Cordelia strained trying to push aside the pain like the Power's visions had shown her before. Concentrate on the power not the pain, she repeated, concentrate on the strength not the fear. She gasped landing on the ground, the pain still etched on her face but the feelings were gone.

"You've gotten better." Polly wrenched up her hand as the energy straps appeared and tightened around Cordelia. "But still not good enough, they'll never tell you all the secrets, they want you to learn and suffer while you do it. So, now you'll suffer and maybe you'll learn something before you die."

Cordelia concentrated on the disjointed power flowing through her body triggered by the threat of the little girl. She had to find the strength to manage it to control it. She swung around trying to find Angel. Angel the best example of someone controlling violent power how did he do it. Will.okay, Cordy had enough will power, except when it came to ice cream and lately it seemed Angel, but on other things, she could do it.

"You little bitch," Cordelia cried lunging from her restraints, grabbing at the little girl's neck. The brightness that surrounded her was now coming from her own being.

"Taking me on one on one? You can't. You don't have the Power. You can only purge hatred and anger. I've neither just - nothing." Pollyanna grasped at Cordelia's arm, her body beginning to glow, pulsating with a violent power. "I can destroy you with a blink."

"I don't know, I'm sensing some aggression here," Cordelia pushed concentrating harder the little girl stumbling back.

"You don't have the lust to kill necessary for you to utilize the Power as a true weapon." The little girl strained and pushed back, her light getting brighter as Cordelia's dimmed.

"Don't worry, I do." Angel grabbed into the light, swinging the little girl to face him as his sword cut through her neck. Her scream vibrated off the white walls as gold and white sparks flew from her headless body dissipating in the air above.

"Cordy?" Angel ran to her crumbled body, the glowing had stopped as soon as Angel came between her and the little girl.

"Angel?"

Angel picked her up putting on her feet. "Are you all right?" searching for any signs of injury on the young woman.

"I think so. Angel, how'd you get loose?"

"Guess she couldn't concentrate on both of us, uh. You were right- together- so, does that mean we can skip the fighting and concentrate on the making up part when we get home." Reaching to kiss the young woman.

Cordelia pushed at the vampire. "Angel, something's not right," her eyes widening as she pointed to the white walls. The walls were vibrating, shaking on the foundations and sparking cracks appeared over the headless body of the little girl. "Can we say self destruct girl. We got to get out of here." Cordelia blinked at the vampire.

Angel jerked Cordelia to him as he ran to the elevator.

"Angel," Cordy pulled at him slamming her feet still, pointing.

The elevator doors were blinking into empty black space.

Angel surveyed the room in a glance, "Come on," he swept Cordelia up in his arms, tucking her head in his shoulders and jumped.

Cordelia squeezed her eyes shut, gripped tighter, and screamed into the leather of his coat as they dropped down the elevator shaft.

Angel braced his fall, as his feet slammed on metal, curling his body protectively around Cordy's. He staggered and pulled both of them upright his hand tight around a metal cable.

"We made it." Angel said looking down at the dark hair buried into his chest.

"Made it where?" Cordelia squeaked.

"Top of the elevator. We're safe."

Cordy peeked one open eye up at the vampire. "Uhuh, right." Her leg tentatively loosened its death grip on Angel's waist to tap the metal surface that Angel was standing on. She moved her other leg when the first was satisfied with the solidity of the ground. She squinted and looked down- it looked like an elevator shaft; she looked up- it looked like a black hole, except with bright flashing explosions popping in and out of the emptiness.

"I'm not sure this is the best place to be actually safe in. See," she jerked as Angel caught on to her and the metal surface dropped in an unfeasible speed.

Angel didn't bother to answer he just grabbed the young woman in his arms again, pushing her onto his back," Hang on."

Cordelia didn't question just grabbed pressing her body once again around Angel. She squeezed her head into the back of his shoulders as she felt them flying again through the air, only this time upwards.

She landed with a thud as Angel caught hold of a ladder attached to the wall about twenty feet from where they once were. Cordelia opened her eyes too see the metal box of the elevator plummeting down in the depths. "How do you do that?" she whispered into his ear.

"Cordy," Angel sighed. "Just hold on, okay." He started to ascend quickly up the ladder.

"Have I ever told you t hat you are really hot when you become superhero vamp guy, really hot," she nuzzled into his neck, her grip becoming even tighter, rubbing her body against his back.

Angel stopped. "Stop, don't, cease, later, not then either, just stop, okay."

"Okay," She nuzzled again, hugging the vampire close.

"Cordy, we are climbing up an elevator shaft in a building that could very well sink or explode into the pits of hell, stop kissing me."

"Hmmph, okay," she leaned her chin over his shoulder. "Love you," she whispered.

"And shut up."

"Okay," Cordy sighed. "Hey, Angel,"

"WHAT," Angel growled.

"Are those legs swinging above us? Look, hey I recognize those shoes-it's Lilah, do we have to catch her?"

Angel glanced up. "Looks like she's being pulled up. So, no moral dilemma needing to be contemplated and ignored."

Cordy blew out a breath of air. "Good, but I do like her shoes."

"Shut up."

"Hmmph."


Part 42

Gunn hoisted Connor more securely over his shoulders and followed Fred into the elevator.

“So far so good,” Fred said encouragingly, pushing the button for the lobby.

***********

Lilah walked over to Linwood’s dead body speculating on her chances for promotion. She probably should go back to her office and make sure her files were complete. Lilah paused. Maybe, she better check on Connor first. She started to hurry. If Angel was in the building it might not be just revenge he was after. Lilah ran pulling out her cell phone ordering security guards to meet her on the 52nd floor.

***********

Wesley ran to the elevator discreetly placed at the end of the hall. He jabbed at the numbered button that he told Angel that the board meeting was being held on. Wesley got out on the 65th floor, scanning the area. He ran pushing open every door he passed- all were empty just rooms filled with big desks and chairs, he kept running stopping to finally to enter one of the rooms.

Linwood’s dead body sat at the head of a large rectangular table and guards were struggling up against the wall. The right room obviously, and just as obviously Angel had came and went. Where were all the other lawyers? Wesley looked around on the floor, seeing no other bodies. Wesley wouldn’t question why he was relieved that an auburn haired bitch wasn’t lying dead in the room. He ran. Wesley skidded to a stop as he heard dinging and doors swooshing. Wesley headed for the sounds and found another set of elevators. Jesus, how many did the building have. The area was empty and all the buttons were lighted for down. Running lawyers he assumed. Wesley stabbed at the up button, praying just this once that a rapidly pushed button responded faster. Wesley sighed as the doors swished open; he jumped in prepared to hit the top button. His hand wavered in the air; the top button was labeled 65. Wesley scanned and quickly counted all the buttons. 66. That was good enough for him, he pushed the only unmarked knob. Wesley cocked his crossbow and opened his jacket for easy access to his dagger. He jumped out as the doors opened and was in the same hall as he just left. Wesley shook his head and went back in the elevator; his eyes and his fingers this time counting by touch each button. 66. He tried again. The doors opened and again he was back on the 65th floor. He was on the top floor, but he wasn’t. Wesley scanned the hall for any other elevators or possible stairway opening. He jerked as he heard a slam. He ran only to skid to a stop as he ran straight into Lilah and a team of security guards.

***********

“Aw, man, this just ain’t happening,” Gunn stared from across the street.

“Charles, it is,” Fred bit at her thumbnail. “It really is and Angel, Cordy or Wesley haven’t come out of there, maybe we didn’t see them, they’re a lot of people running out. Charles, I don’t like this- we have to do something,” Fred went from worried, to optimistic, to worried again in the span of a second.

“Okay, how would suggest stopping a 70 floor building from twitching and shaking, that thing falls we ain’t finding the pieces.”

“Actually, the building plans only showed, 66, but you could be right, who knows, it looks like that sparking black hole just ate couple of floors. Charles.” Fred looked to her boyfriend, her teeth gnawing at her lip.

“I know. I’m going in, stay with superbrat, if he fights again, zap him.”

Fred looked back at the unconscious boy in the back seat of the Plymouth. “He wasn’t real happy to see us was he? How could he do that to Angel? Just seeing him brings it all real and stuff, he hurt his own father.” Fred shook her head.

“Jerry Springer for another day, if it starts tumbling down- Go”

Fred grabbed on to her boyfriend. “You be careful, save them, but Charles, if that sparky black cloud starts eating away more, run, please, it isn’t natural. Buildings aren’t supposed to do it.”

Gunn nodded and ran back towards the high-rise of Wolfram & Hart, dodging in between the evacuating people, demons and the rescue workers who were starting to trickle onto the scene. Gunn didn’t know how long that would last as he saw a paramedic run away from a scary ass-wheezing demon that started to hang on to him. Gunn ran in not worried about any guards as the guards tumbled over their feet to get out. He started to the elevators, but jolted to a stop a he heard a loud crash and saw the doors vibrate and buckle. Stairs. God, Angel, Wesley and Cordy had been going to the top floor that was now an abyss of blackness. Please, Gunn prayed as he ran.

Gunn pounded the steps, stopping at every door on the stairwell, pushing against the people trying to get through, trying to see any familiar face. He kept running taking the steps two, then three at a time.

***********

“Wesley,” Lilah asked in surprise.

“Hello. Just was here checking to see if you were ready for dinner.” Wesley nodded.

Lilah blinked a smile forming, then stopping as suddenly. “Take him.” She ordered to the security guards.

Wesley stood surrounded by black clad heavily armed men. “Would that be no to dinner then,” Wesley gestured.

“What are you doing up here?” Lilah stared at the weapons in Wesley’s hands.

“Dinner, I believe was my first idea.”

“Bullshit. Angel just killed Linwood and Connor’s gone.”

“And that makes my hunger invalid how? I told you that Angel might very well take the boy. This is really impressive, Lilah. Linwood’s dead, does that make you acting head guy, person, whatever the PC term is now a days?”

“I don’t believe you. I wish I could, but I don’t. Angel gets in, okay, sure, he does, but he comes to where he knows. He doesn’t know about Connor on the 52nd floor. He had help and here you are bearing weapons."

Wesley shrugged putting his weapons in his coat. "Dead body- weapons just a precaution. And Angel usually does have help, Cordy, Gunn, even Fred I understand has been getting into the fight.”

“You know Cordelia Chase’s alive.”

“I merely misspoke, I’m just so use to pairing Cordelia's name with Angel’s, you know Angel and Cordy. It flows so easily.”

“You bastard.”

“I thought I cleared up that misconception already.”

“You….Where is Connor?”

“I imagine safe if he’s gone from here.” Again Wesley shrugged.

“Why are you here?”

“Dinner?”

“Don’t play me for an idiot not anymore.”

Wesley cocked his head puzzled. “But why, Lilah, it’s been such fun.”

“Bastard,” Lilah lurched forward, her hand ready to strike. Wesley grabbed swinging her around until she was surely against his chest, his dagger up against her throat. “I surmise that the game is no longer a foot.” He looked up from the struggling woman. “Drop or she dies. I believe with the death of dear old Linwood, she’s almost the next best thing to a boss,” Wesley leaned into Lilah’s ear and whispered,” until tomorrow anyway, when the tapes are shown of the debacle. The enemy that you’ve been sleeping with, that wasn’t an enemy by your assurance, not only helped the Tro-clan escape but pilfered as many highly classified secret library materials. That promotion isn’t looking real promising right now, is it?”

“You bastard,”

“And you a highly educated woman, one would think that you would’ve developed a more concise and accurate vocabulary.” Wesley whispered again. “Now, tell them to drop their weapons and leave- that you have every thing under control. Then you will show me how to get to the top floor.”

“No.”

“Die here definitely, or wait for another moment to live, it is your choice.”


“You wouldn’t. No, Wesley.”

“Lilah, my choice was made long before I ever met you and circumstances may change, style may change but the choice never as. Do it or die.” Wesley said coldly.

“They hate you.”

Wesley shrugged. “Who said you had to like your family. And they are that. Tell the guards to put their weapons down now. I will kill you if you keep me from going up to the top floor.”

“They can’t defeat her, it’s too late.”

“That would be very unfortunate.” Wesley pushed the blade deeper into Lilah’s throat.

“Drop your weapons go,” she yelled to the guards. “I can handle this, go.”

The guards hesitated, slowly lowering their weapons. Suddenly, the floor began to shake and the walls began to thunder.

The guards who were before so diligent ran.

“Lilah, this would be a good time for answers,” Wesley gripped the woman tighter, the knife pressing deeper.

“I don’t have any, look, that little bitch must be doing it.” She pointed up to the ceiling and the swirling blues and whites expanding breaking away the ceiling’s paneling, bits and pieces of tiles burst loose, falling too the ground.

Wesley glanced up his grip loosening. Lilah took advantage and shoved. She screamed for her guards but they had already gone running to the private stairway that they had come from.

Lilah started to run and pivoted as the door that the guards exited ceased to exist. She ran to the elevator jabbing at the button, picking up a fallen weapon of one of the guards. “Give me one good reason not to shoot you.” She glared pointing the gun at Wesley.

“You’re ride is here,” Wesley nodded to the elevator as the door dinged. “And before you pull the trigger my bolt will be released,” Wesley nodded to the crossbow in his hand. “I may be dead, but at least I won’t suffer the agony of an arrow through my chest, makes for an unpleasant elevator ride.”

“Bastard.” Lilah tossed the gun and turned as the doors of the elevator opened to go in.

Wesley saw it before she did, yelling and running. “Don’t”

Lilah shot him the finger and stepped, then fell, screaming.

Wesley ran, sliding his body on the rumbling floor, his hand going out into the darkness of pitch-blackness. “Lilah,” he yelled.

“Help.” Lilah screamed.

Wesley pushed his body forward, looking down; the woman was attached to a metal constraint in the shaft. He reached down. “Grab a hold of my hand. Do it, Lilah.”

“Whoa, Wes, where’s Angel and Cordy.” Gunn huffed at his side.

“Gunn, help me,”

“Sure.” Gunn moved to grab with Wesley.

“Wait a fuckin minute” Gunn said as he pulled the rescue victim up to eyesight. “I say drop her, man, are you thinking with your little head these days, man,” Gunn protested as Lilah was pulled to the relative safety of the trembling floor.

“Charles, I couldn’t let her die.”

“Don’t see why not, people die all the time.” Gunn glared at the woman struggling up to her feet. “Screw the evil queen bitch, oh, right you’ve been doing that. Where are Angel and Cordy?”

“The top floor.”

“Wes, hate to break it to you, but this is the top floor, all above is swirling cess pool of blackness, what the fuck happened? Where are Angel and Cordy? She’s knows,” Gunn moved closer to Lilah, “This time you will tell me what I want to know, bitch.”

Wesley moved to intercept Gunn, when he was stopped by a familiar voice echoing from below.

“Wesley, Gunn, help would be good anytime now, Angel’s being all grumpy about me being on his back.”

“Cordy, I’m just saying don’t kiss me when I’m concentrating on saving you. Okay. “

“Fine, but I just might not feel like kissing you when you’ve done it. Your loss. Give us a hand.” She yelled up, her head peeking up through the opening of the elevator doors.

Gunn turned to Wesley as both men leaned down, “They been acting really strange lately, emphasizing in a big way- way out there strange.” He grasped one of Cordelia’s arms as Wesley grasped the other, pulling Cordelia quickly too her feet.

“Hi, we killed the little evil Pollyanna, which is cool, but I think her dead body is self destructing the building. We got to go, now.” Cordelia smiled at Gunn and Wesley then looked behind her. “Angel?”

“I’m here, Cordy.”

“Oh, good, are you going to carry me down the stairs. I’m not doing the elevator.”

“Are your legs broken?”

“You will so regret your behavior this night, buster” she glared then shrieked. “The ceiling’s going- we need to run, now.”

“Stairs, that way, “ Wesley barely got his shout out, before Angel with Cordelia in his arms barreled past them and kicked open the doors.

Wesley stopped Gunn. “They haven’t actually…have they?”

Gunn shook his head. “Let’s get out of this house of evil cards before we all lose.” Gunn followed Angel and Cordelia.

“Wesley,” Lilah tugged on his arm.

“Lilah, you’re alive, okay, the building is collapsing we need to go now.” He yanked at her pulling grip.

“You saved me.”

“No, I just used you, remember that always, I will. Now move.”

***********

Angel stopped on the landing, looking up at the blinking ceiling and shimmering walls of the stairwell. Cement shook and fell, leaving blackness in its place.

“Angel, I was kidding about the carrying bit.” Cordy mumbled into Angel’s coat.

“Shut up,” with a hand on the metal rail, Angel vaulted down to the next landing, bypassing the steps.

“So, Chivalry isn’t dead, we just are,” Lilah stated watching the dark vampire with his buddle disappear.

Neither Gunn nor Wesley responded- they just kept on moving as fast as they could down the steps.

***********

Angel kicked open the last door, putting Cordelia down as soon as they were in the lobby. “Go, find Fred and Connor.”

“Angel? Right,” Cordelia nodded, running out of the building.

Angel turned back into the stairwell, his speed slower than the descent but still faster than any human. He grabbed Gunn’s arm that he reached, swinging the man in a firemen’s hold.

“Whoa.” Gunn grunted as Angel jumped and Gunn swore flew down the stairs. As soon as Gunn was in the lobby, Angel turned and headed back up the stairwell. Gunn stood a moment, shook his head, and ran out of the building.

***********

“Lilah,” Wesley said to the vampire once he was put down in the lobby.

Angel turned considering the woman who was still running down the stairs. “She’ll make it, she’s got more than enough lives.” Angel ran out of the lobby.

Wesley shrugged and with one more look towards the stairwell, he followed the vampire to the exit.


Part 43

Cordelia skidded to a stop by Fred.

“Cordy,” Fred grabbed the other woman in a fierce hug. “Charles, Angel and Wesley?”

“Following. They’re fine.” Cordelia turned gazing back at the Wolfram & Hart building. The structure was shaking but the black cloud of flashing lights had stopped eating away at the building. “Connor?”

Fred pointed to the back seat.

“What happened?” Cordelia studied the unconscious boy.

Fred bit her lip and fidgeted slightly. “He didn’t really understand the concept of being rescued.” She held up her tazer.

Cordelia blew out a deep breath.

“Cordy, he hurt Angel, he hurt all of us. What if he….” Fred tried to put in words the doubts she had formed while waiting for the others to return.

Cordy reached out putting her arm around her friend. “It will be alright, Fred.”

“Right,” Fred nodded. “We’ve Justine, once Connor knows the truth, he’ll understand and it will be okay.”

Cordelia bit her lip and nodded along with Fred, both women wanting very much to believe that it would be true.

“Charles,” Fred bounced and pointed.

Cordelia’s smiled but her eyes searched the area behind the young black man.

“Hey, girl,” Gunn hugged Fred.

“Gunn?” Cordelia asked.

“Getting Wesley, Come on, get in car,” Gunn vaulted in the driver’s seat as the two women scrambled next to him in the front.

Gunn plowed the big vehicle through the remaining people in front of the building, his hand pressed down on the car’s loud horn. He swerved up on the sidewalk as Angel and Wesley ran out of the building. “Yoa, curbside service,” Gunn yelled.

Angel and Wesley jumped in the backseat, shoving Connor’s limp form in between them.

“You might need this,” Fred handed her tazer to Wesley.

Wesley held up his own tazer. “Thank you, but that won’t be necessary.” Wesley looked at Connor then to the vampire next to him. “The hard part is next, Angel. He….”

“Let’s just get home then worry about it.” Angel’s eyes never left his son.


Part 44

The group straggled into the lobby of the hotel, Connor’s form tight between Angel and Gunn.

“The hero’s are home, with the prize,” Lorne strode over to the group. “The dastardly villains, still standing?”

“Barely, shit, what happened, up there,” Gunn stared at Angel and Cordy.

Both shrugged. “Angel cut off the little girl’s head and all hell broke loose.” Cordy shrugged again.

“A little girl?” Gunn stared.

“Only a form,” Wesley corrected. “A non-corporeal entity. I couldn’t find its identity, though. How did you know to decapitate it?” Wesley inquired.

“Chopping heads kills pretty much anything.” Cordelia explained.

“And that was responsible for the destruction of the top floor? How?” Wesley urged.

“Not now Wesley,” Cordelia shook her head recognizing the gleam in Wesley’s eyes.

“Yes, right, later then. It is very interesting.”

“Only to the perpetually boring,” Cordelia grumbled going into the kitchen.

“Justine? The kid should be coming to soon.” Gunn turned to Angel.

Angel lifted his eyes from his son’s body and nodded. Angel glanced back to his son then followed Cordelia.

“Here, you were pretty supervamp tonight.” Cordelia held up a mug.

“Cordy,”

“Angel, it’s the good stuff. I said tomorrow. You need it.”

Angel reached out his hand, brushing a strain of hair away, trailing his finger down Cordelia’s cheek before taking the blood.

“Another one?” Cordelia asked. Angel had gulped the liquid down.

Angel shook his head.

“It will be alright,” Cordelia held out her arms, hugging the vampire, her hand gently caressing Angel’s head as it rested against hers.

Lorne poked his head into the kitchen. “Sorry for the interruption, lovebirdies, but the wayward son is awaking.”

***********

The group was gathered in the small office. Gunn and Wesley standing on either side of Connor. They all watched as the boy started to stir. Cordelia glided over to where Fred was holding Justine, Fred’s tazer pressed against the other woman’s side.

“Justine, the truth that’s all we want, if you say anything else-remember.” Cordelia said coldly, holding Justine’s stare.

Cordelia left to go stand next to Angel.

“You’re human.” Justine shrunk back, her eyes going to Fred. Fred yanked Justine back. “I’m human.” Justine whispered.

Fred shoved the tazer back into her side, whispering back. “So, that makes us what… friends…. hardly. You left Wesley to die and Angel to suffer. I hope you do lie. I haven’t seen a good torture, since Plyea.”

Both women turned their gaze to the boy in the chair. Connor was awake. His eyes scanned the room, stopping when they landed on Angel. He jerked starting to rise.

Angel moved forward. “Sit…Down…” He quietly ordered.

Connor’s narrowed his eyes, judging, weighing his options.

“You won’t make it,” Angel said. “You’re good, very good, but Daddy is still stronger, even with that little vacation you provided. Now sit.”

Connor held Angel’s stare. With a disgusted grunt, he sat. He saw no weakness in his father’s eyes.

Angel swung a chair and sat across of his boy. “So, how was your summer, mine was fun, saw some fish, went mad with hunger, hallucinated whole bunch.

“You deserved worse.

“Because I killed Holtz but I didn’t I tried to tell you while you were busy off shore dumping me. Holtz killed himself, actually he got your buddy Justine to do it-just to make you hate me.” Angel jerked his head towards the red-haired woman.

Connor studied the woman as Fred pushed her forward.

Justine closed her eyes briefly, her expression unreadable as she lifted them to the boy. “It’s true. Holtz planned it, asked me to do it- to use an ice pick. Holtz wanted you to believe what kind of monster that thing was,” She jerked towards Angel. “He sacrificed his life to make sure you understood. He did it for you.”

Fred yanked the woman back, her tazer jammed in the woman’s throat. “It’s the truth.” Justine yelled.

“Fred, no, let her go.” Angel ordered, his eyes still on his son.

Fred dropped her hands.

“Get out of here.” Angel said to Justine, his gaze still centered on Connor.

Justine looked around startled, stumbling a little and then turning to run.

Cordelia blinked at Angel and his son. She ran after Justine, grabbing the woman jerking her to a stop. “Angel’s letting you go, but you aren’t free.”

“I told the truth,” Justine tried to jerk her arm back.

“And what a fucked up truth that was - but Connor’s smart, he’ll realize what the real truth is - Holtz did nothing but show what kind of monster he really was.” Cordelia pulled the woman closer. “If you go after Angel again or hurt my family one more time, don’t worry about Angel. Now, get the hell out of here.” Cordelia pushed at the woman.

Cordelia watched as the woman ran out of the hotel. She closed her eyes and went back into the office. She met Angel’s gaze. For the first time since Connor regained conscious, the vampire’s eyes had left his son, going to the door that Cordelia exited and remained there until she returned. Cordelia said nothing to vampire just settled back up against the wall.

Angel wondered briefly what was going on in her mind, wondering if she understood. He turned back to his son.

Connor had remained silent. He blinked as his father’s attention was once more focused on him. “It doesn’t matter. You still deserved it,” he said.

“What I deserve is open to debate.” Angel pulled his chair closer. “What you did to me was unbelievable Connor worthy of your parents, step-daddy included. But, it did give me time to think about us -the world. Nothing in the world is, as it ought to be. It’s harsh and cruel, but that’s why there is us. Champions." Angel looked briefly around the room, focusing back on his son. "Doesn’t matter where we come from what we've done or suffered or even if we make a difference we live as the world is as it should be, what it can be. You aren’t a part of that yet - I hope you will be. I love you Connor.” Angel paused momentarily. "Now, get out of my house.”

Connor stared, his gaze moved to the others in the room. He stumbled back, watching his father and all the occupants. None of them made a move towards him. He ran.

Angel stared at the empty chair; he got up when he heard the door slam and then left the room.

“I don’t think that went the way I expected. “ Gunn shook his head. “Rescue the hard headed kid, just to let him go."

“Did you expect Angel to keep him prisoner.”? Wesley commented as he left the room.

“Dawg, I don’t know what I expected. Hoping for a spanking.” Gunn shook his head and followed.

Fred and Cordelia were left in the room as an unusually silent Lorne followed the rest.

“Cordy,”

“Yeah,”

“What are you feeling?” Fred turned to her friend.

“I…Connor’s Angel’s son, he knows what he’s doing.”

“You didn’t answer me,” Fred demanded. “I’ll tell you how I’m feeling- I don’t trust him- I loved that little boy, I would’ve done anything for him- but I don’t trust that boy. He hurt Angel, what if he does it again.”

Cordelia closed her eyes. “Angel's right. We can’t force him to stay.”

Fred shook her head. “You saw him, I don’t think he can feel anything.”

“He does, Fred, that I do know, I just hope it’s enough.” Cordelia leaned up from the wall she had situated herself.

Fred held her back. “And if he tries to hurt Angel again,” Fred repeated, demanding that Cordelia answer her.

“Then Fred-we’ll hurt him.” Cordelia moved to go past her friend.

Fred nodded at the promise in Cordelia’s voice, tears that Fred wanted to cry all night, started to fall.


Part 45

“Angel, it…”

Angel dropped his hand from the curtain of the window he had been staring out of and turned. “…Will be alright?” He cocked his brows.

“I…” Cordy shrugged. “This wasn’t really how my plan was supposed to end.” She bit her lip. “I’m…”

“It’s not over and Connor is away from Wolfram & Hart and he knows the truth. It was a good plan. There is nothing for you to be sorry about, you were right.”

“I don’t feel right.”

“Didn’t get your 'alright' ending, Cordy, that can’t surprise you.”

Cordelia sighed and sat on the bed. “I was hoping, you know, good guys, goods things, why not…. oh, right, the world is a cruel and harsh place, it’s sucks.”

Angel settled by the young woman, bringing her hands to his lips. “Yes, but they're definite bits and pieces of amazing beauty, hope and love. It’s not over, Cordy.” He smiled.

Cordy scrunched up her face. “When did you become a believer of the ‘half cup full theory’?

“When you promised to stay with me and love me.”

“Ah, then my work is done for the night.”

“Oh, not quite,” Angel leaned in, cupping her face. “I still need reassurance.”

“Ah, reassurance, I can than do that,” she caressed the strong planes of his face pressing her lips to his.

Continue on to Book 2...