Title: Cordy the TV Star
Author: anne
Posted: 11-16-2002
Rating: NC17
Email:
Content:
Summary:
Spoilers: Birthday (Cordy’s options were to go with the TV fame or death, (for now I’m forgetting the demon choice- so-there “
Disclaimer: The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
Distribution: NF- yes of course, whatever…. the rest- while I’ll always
say yes, please just ask. Wow. I almost felt important.
Notes:
Feedback:
Part 13
Cordelia didn’t want to yell, really she didn’t. She had made a grand exit away from Angel. Screaming for him now seemed like a wussy contradictory move. But as she looked again at her bed, it was also really stupid not to yell. “ANGEL” she called out.
Wow, he was quick. Cordelia pointed to her bed. Angel pushed the young woman behind him his one hand always on her as he sensed the room. He relaxed only slightly as the air seemed free of scent of present danger. Angel went to the bed and picked up the letter amongst the roses.
He read the contents once then again. Angel looked at Cordelia. “Did you read this?”
Cordelia stood arms hugging her body. “I screamed.”
“Read it.”
Cordelia scrunched up a distasteful face and took the letter. Her scrunch got even scrunchier. “Princess, the beast is not true, don’t believe, I’m the one, don’t allow the beast to draw you in…I will come soon. Your true champion, your fate is with me, ours is the Kyerumption.”
“Okie dokie,” Cordelia looked at Angel. “I don’t know what the beast is but I’m saying it’s better than this champion leaving freaky notes. And how did he get in. And what the hell is Cryingupsion” She stamped demanding an answer from Angel.
“How am I supposed know, I was with you, and your security here is non- existent.”
“Great detective you are. Pooh. Won’t save me, won’t have sex with me. Pooh, Nev, was right I should’ve gone to the ‘bs’ or the ‘cs’.
Angel turned slowly towards the pouting woman. A few things were popping through his head. One, he’d not had a vision in two days, and in those vision free days he’d been driven crazy by a very beautiful woman, who talked too much and second, he hadn’t had a vision in two days and he felt non-paranoid urges- ones that centered on the young pouting stamping foot woman in front of him. Then there was the pure vampire/ male- Angel wasn’t sure which-urges, but he really wanted to shut the woman up with a kiss. Did she just say sex? Oh god, she was bringing it up again.
“Cordelia, I won’t let anything happen to you, okay.”
“Fine, sure, won’t have sex with me either, no problem, goodnight, sleep tight, keep all the bad guys out, I’m going to bed.”
Angel stood still watching the young woman stomp towards the bed, tearing the top comforter and all the floral debris to the floor. She stood, shifting her shoulders. Oh, she was playing with something she had no idea about. Angel watched the golden dress fall to the floor. He did not know that Cordelia had a tattoo. It hadn't shown up in the movie.
Angel picked up the shimmering dress taking a deep breath before folding it up in the chair. He walked out into the hallway, pulling out his cell phone, calling Wesley telling him again that they weren’t at the Bel Air, but that everything was fine. Liar.
Angel stood at the doorway of the bedroom. Since Buffy and Doyle, Angel had never been tempted to want for a connection to life and humanity. The attempt with Buffy and love ended in tragic failure. Doyle had showed him friendship was still possible, but Doyle died and that pain and loneliness had just compounded on the loss of Buffy. Wesley tried Angel knew that but something was missing, maybe it was the time of coherency that made talking beneficial and gave the seeds of friendship, something Angel lacked when Wesley came into his life. Was he crazy? Angel didn’t feel like it now. He hadn’t sense the last vision, since Cordelia came back into his life. Angel looked into the room. He wouldn’t be taking anything she wasn’t willing to give. It wasn’t love- joy, happiness, how could he feel that when if he went to her it would be sex only. Cordelia knew just slightly more than any whore on the street knew about him. Except Cordelia wasn’t a whore and she did know what he was and she knew too be afraid. But she wanted him. Why? Yet, she couldn’t accept him totally or love him, she would be safe from Angelus, the vampire reasoned. She couldn’t love him and he didn’t love her. But he did want her.
Angel went in.
“Change your mind.” Cordelia said from the bed, her body sitting up against the backboard. “Or just watching in case another note shows up.” She gazed at the vampire.
Angel stared at the young woman. “Which would you prefer?”
“Dumbass.”
“Was that a yes or no.” Angel smiled moving closer.
“Does it matter?”
“Yes.” Angel stopped.
“Yes, then.” Cordelia bit her lip, her eyes caressing the dark figure before her.
Angel really wanted to fall to his knees and shout hallelujah and thank god, not realizing how much he wanted to be there until the moment she said yes. Angel paused and knelt on the bed, silently staring at the young woman. Cordelia had taken her ‘star’ make up off, the shimmering gown had been exchanged for a cotton sleeveless t-shirt and boxers. Boxers? Angel stalled in his movement, sitting on the bed, just looking. Where was ‘Cordy’ America’s sweetheart, the girl with a million dollar smile? What he saw was so much more, almost too much; she was real, innocent, beautiful, sexy and waiting. God, he wished she would stop looking at him with such longing. Where did that come from? Angel thought he should run, leave, but then again the beautiful, enticing woman was waiting.
“Changing your mind? Okay,” Cordelia gave a soft smile turning into the sheets. “It’s probably for the best anyway.”
“Yeah, probably,” Angel said, his mind throwing away the last vestige of doubt as he followed his body’s desires.
“Angel,” Cordelia blinked at the vampire that had some how managed to move her completely under him with out her yelping out or even realizing it.
“It will be easier to watch you, if I’m in you and holding you.” Angel whispered, his hands moving quickly under her t-shirt and down her boxers.
“Angel,” Cordelia leaned up, gasping small breaths. Cordelia shook a little at the dark gaze that penetrated her down to her soul, pushing up sparks from her toes.
“Do you want me to stop?”
Cordelia stalled a moment shivering at the growl and force behind the words. “I want you to kiss me.”
Angel leaned in further, brushing the dark strands form Cordelia’s face, his thigh breaching the barrier of the closed soft thighs. “You hesitated Cordelia,” Angel wasn’t sure why he was pushing his luck or why he was letting the confidence of Angelus intrude.
“I…”
“You did,” Angel leaned up, his thigh still making its presence known but that was it.
Cordelia moved as much as she could and studied the vampire, she scrunched her face in contemplation.
Angel suddenly wanted his hand to join his thigh in teasing the young woman’s center because he had the eerie feeling that his confidence was premature.
Cordelia lifted up her hand to Angel’s face. “Don’t make me a game, Angel, you do that, I’ll leave so fast and if I can’t then….”
“Stake me.” Angel said helpfully, pulling her closer.
“Don’t.”
“Cordy,” he moved his hand touching the juncture his thigh had been pressing.
Cordelia froze. This wasn’t a pick up or even a friendly date, or god forbid somebody that even loved her. It was an unrealistic dream from high school, one that she had forgotten as soon as she knew the truth about what the dark handsome stranger was. Nothing was different now- except that Angel was interested- he was also crazy. She didn’t need this. Now how to tell a vampire No, god how stupid could she be.
Angel stilled his hand. The welcoming body had tensed freezing, god he wanted in. Angel didn’t want to leave. It was so goddam warm and real.
Cordelia realized then that she couldn’t say no. She had already said yes. She brought her hands around the vampire bringing him closer.
Angel suddenly didn’t want to be near the young woman; she was colder than he was. He moved away.
Cordelia scooted sitting up, tears filling her eyes, feeling like the fifteen year old that told the quarter back yes, then no, then realized that no meant nothing after you said yes. Only this quarterback didn’t even want to bother forcing the issue. Was that bad or good? She really wanted the still man on her bed to hug her, but how was she supposed to ask that. She felt so stupid. Cordelia wasn't 15, she was a TV star and she couldn’t have a one-night stand correctly.
Angel was ready to just leave, except, Cordelia was crying. Not big tears, he wondered if she even knew they were trailing down her beautiful face. He didn’t think so; she did nothing to brush them away or the moisture dripping down her nose. Angel didn’t know Cordelia as well enough to deserve being in her bed, but he did know that Cordelia would never let anyone see her in such vulnerable state. He almost felt honored except that he caused it.
“Cordy, I’ll go. It’s okay.” He tried.
Cordelia shook her head; she ran a tongue around her lips. “I’m sorry, I ….” Cordelia bit her lip and stared at the vampire. “I want you to kiss me, I want you to hold me, I want you to make love to me, I want…. I just want Angel, I’m a TV star but hey, I’m still just a stupid girl from Sunnydale.” She smiled tentatively. "Sorry, don't go. Please."
Angel turned. He wasn’t equipped to deal with the varied emotions he saw running through the young woman’s eyes. He wanted to leave. He had to leave. Angel turned to tell her somehow and then he saw it again. Trust. For some reason, some how Cordelia Chase trusted him. He knew he hadn’t earned it Sunnydale, he didn’t know her in LA, but she was completely open to him. God, those eyes could say so much.
“Kiss, uh,” he slowly smiled, reaching for the young woman. Cordelia moved, her face leaning in as Angel touched her lips.
The kiss moved and grew on its own. Angel swore he had just wanted a little taste to take the situation slowly. He wasn’t going to leave, he had decided that but he wasn’t going to go beyond what Cordelia directed. Except, Cordelia wasn’t directing anything but the ravishing of her mouth. The initial kiss had been awkward and simple in execution, but now- as soon as the lips met, something else took over. Angel wanted to say lust. It was the closest thing that he could name. Cordelia murmured cradling her body closer into his as her fingers entangled into his hair. Angel growled as the heat seeped in through the fabric of his pants. God if she stopped, she couldn’t. Now he was the one pleading.
Cordelia leaned up, her pink tongue darting along her swollen lips. “No games.” She said, pulling off her t-shirt.
Angel watched as breast, the breast he had been glancing at all night in their shiny prison came free. “Oh, Cordy, there’ll be games, but of the fun kind,” Angel smirked, pulling her under him, his mouth attacking a nipple.
Cordelia moaned, pushing her body closer. “Angel.”
Angel lifted his head, his chin on her chest, his hand caressing her face brushing away angry strains of hair. “Trust me.”
Cordelia scrunched up her face and small disbelieving hopeful smile centered on her face. “Okay.”
Angel smiled up at her consent.
“Wow.”
Angel cocked his head at the young woman.
“You need to do that more often- Smile silly,” she said at the vampire’s perplexed expression. “You’re really adorable when you do that.”
Angel was unprepared for the flush of heat that accompanied her words. He fought the unfamiliar feeling. “Is that better than being a dork?”
Cordelia laughed, tugging Angel up. “You’re not done kissing are you?”
Angel brushed his fingers again along her face. Cordelia’s eyes were amazing. He could get lost in them. He scrunched up his forehead as his fingers gently touched the skin around the beautiful gaze. Angel was getting lost. He closed his eyes and he knew every color, the brown the golden hues, even that spark of green- that gaze was as familiar as any memory but the touch was unfamiliar.
“Angel?”
He looked up at the worried tone.
“No, never.” He leaned into capture her lips answering her question. And god forbid, he meant it. Angel’s hands cupped possessively around Cordelia’s face as he explored, his kiss deepening to take in all of the young woman’s taste.
Cordelia gave a small whimper in her throat as she allowed the vampire to move her body closer to his. Cordelia crept a long leg up and around Angel’s hips drawing him even closer, her hands quickly tugging at the shirttails still secured by pants.
Just as quickly, Angel’s hands divested Cordelia of the boxers that hid the rest of her body from him.
Cordelia squirmed Angel’s hands and lips were everywhere, creating burst of sparks along her skin, making her want to scream out. She choked biting on his shoulder.
Angel growled pulling up, tossing his shirt overhead. His pants followed on the floor. His body went immediately back to the warm soft one so willing and beautiful on the bed. Angel wanted to bury himself with no thought, but the soft hands and rain of kisses along his face and torso brought him up.
He stared at the hazel eyes that were so familiar. The changing eyes had stilled into an intense deep brown full of desire. Angel slowly kissed at the dark orbs. His desire suddenly supplanted with the need to please the woman beneath him. Angel knew deep down he wasn’t being magnanimous. He just wanted to make sure that both Cordelia and ‘Cordy’ the TV star would remember and want this lovemaking more than any others.
Part 14
“’Increasing unstable mental state’ ‘ babbling idiot’-“ Lindsay said scornfully repeating Lilah’s earlier words describing Angel.
“He was having a good night. A rare good night.” Lilah countered, throwing a file and tape on Lindsay’s desk. “This is Angel the majority of the time. His mental state IS deteriorating.”
“I could tell when he threatened you so succinctly,” pushing the items back towards the woman.
Lilah sighed, rolling her eyes. “There is no way that the vampire portrayed in these tapes and reports is suddenly sane. If he’s coherent, it’s temporary.” Lilah insisted.
“Temporary, would’ve been long enough to have your neck snapped, Lilah. Those reports are irrelevant, these are the important ones.” He threw a folder on the desk.
Lilah fingered through the papers. “The discrepancies in the balance of power are increasing.” Lilah looked up. “You agree with Holland, that it’s the connection between the vampire and Cordelia Chase that’s the cause.”
“It is seeming more and more probable. They knew each other in Sunnydale, came to LA at approximately the same time, which was the same time of the mystical insurgence- separated the balance was shifting in our favor, Angel was no threat, together it’s going the other way and the vampire seemed pretty coherent last night.” Lindsay tapped his pen against the desk.
“They need to be separated again.”
The other lawyer nodded staring at his moving pen. “Her stalker mentions other dimensions.”
Lilah sat on the corner of the desk. “Do you think the mystical surging was caused by interference from another dimension? Is her stalker trying put things back to normal?”
“Normal? Lilah, this isn’t normal, normal was what would’ve happened if the surge never appeared. I don’t have any idea what the stalker wants….”
“Do you have the love notes?”
Lindsay pulled out some more papers from his desk. Lilah leafed through them. “He wants his Princess. Jesus. The bimbo nobody is a Princess and a TV star? What do these words mean?” Lilah pointed. “Moira…Kyerumption…” Lilah turned the letters over. “These aren’t copies.”
“Intercepted them before Cordelia found them.” Lindsay shrugged, pointing to the papers. “The linguists are working on it. But so far no match to any known demon or other language.”
“Have we been messing with any dimensions lately?”
“No.”
“How would a ‘champion’ from another dimension even know about Cordelia Chase? What- he’s got a satellite dish?”
“If we ever find him, I’ll be sure to ask.”
“Well, if this loon is from another dimension and wants his lady love- I say help him carry her back into a swirling black hole. Keep America’s darling twit away from ‘our’ champion, let her play with the one that wants her.”
“Interesting concept, Lilah. Do you have any black hole in mind.”
Lilah shrugged. “If there’s a portal around that we didn’t create, somebody did and I’ve an idea on how to find out.”
“I’m listening.”
“A while back a certain Professor inquired about the possibility of portals and dimensions- sold his soul for the ability to send his more special students into never never land- professional jealousy to the extreme. I think some one should talk him. See, if he’s been getting rid of any competition lately.”
“If a portal has opened it’s come and gone- the notes are here. One would assume, the ‘champion’ of the other dimension’ was too.”
“Then why is Miss Starlet still here and not reigning Princess over his home dimension?”
Lindsay studied the female lawyer with something less than his usual disdain. “I suggest we ask the Professor for a conference.”
Part 15
Cordelia stretched in the bed. Wow. She hadn’t felt this relaxed in forever. Cordelia shot up. She made love to Angel. Angel- the vampire with a soul. Cordelia flopped back down on the bed, remembering. Double wow and oh my god. It had been pretty damn amazing and totally mind boggling in concept. Hell, in execution too. Cordelia curled over to her side. Where was the vampire? Cordelia shot up again as she noticed the bright very bright morning sun shining through the many bare windows of her bedroom.
Cordelia jumped to her feet, grabbing the sheet, looking frantically for any signs of dust piles. She would’ve woken up if the vampire burst into flames wouldn’t she? Cordelia slammed onto her stomach leaning over the edge of the mattress, trying to see under the bed and the floor around her. Oh my god, how was she going to explain to Wesley that she made love to Angel all night and the let him combust. She jumped off the bed scanning the lush carpet, grabbing a shirt off the chair and shoving her arms in it.
“Angel,” she whispered walking out into the bright sunny hall. Oh god, why did she design the place with so many god damn windows. Please, don’t let the vampire be dust. Vampires knew to get out of the sun, didn’t they? She squeezed her eyes shut. If they didn’t she’d probably have to tell Buffy. Oh man. The slayer would kill her. Sure, Angel and Buffy may have been broken up- but Cordelia didn’t think Buffy would take the news too well. Angel wasn’t supposed to die after making love- only other people. Angelus, maybe he turned into Angelus and left…not killing her but running too Sunnydale to go after Buffy. Yeah. No. Maybe he just ran out on her. Got is nookie and left. That could work. Cordelia would much rather be righteously angry than responsible for the vampire’s dust buster condition. Cordelia bit her lip staring at each step as she descended buttoning the shirt close. Cordelia paused looking at the shirt. Man’s white tuxedo shirt. Okay, if Angel left, he did it with out his shirt. Cordelia scrunched up her face. Maybe he was just really in a hurry to leave her- full of broody regrets and stuff. She could hope.
Cordelia peeked around the corner into the living room. The morning light was blocked from the room by the large wooden shutters covering the expansive windows. Whew, she didn’t remember closing them but at least one room in the damn place was dark. She looked around. “Angel?” Cordelia searching the corners and then bent down looking at the floor, under the couch, picking up a cushion, looking everywhere for Angel or his remains.
Angel leaned up against the doorframe admiring the long legs showing under the material of his shirt and wondering what in the world Cordelia was doing. Best he could figure by the way she was whispering his name was that she was searching for him-but under cushions?
“Cordelia?”
“EEK,” Cordy jumped squealing at the voice and presence immediately behind her. “Don’t do that, give me a heart attack why don’t you?” she glared and then grabbed Angel in a tight hug. “You’re not dust.” She said happily.
“No.” Angel pulled away holding her shoulders.
“I woke up and you weren’t there, sun, windows. Sorry about no curtains.” Cordelia shrugged. “I didn’t kill you.” She hugged him again.
“Not for lack of trying last night, though.”
Cordelia reddened looking at the small smirk that accompanied the words. “You’re not evil? You just made a joke.”
Angel frowned. He had a sense of humor with a soul too. “I….”
“Stammer, good. Figured so, no love right.” Cordelia smiled up at the vampire.
Angel’s frowned deepened. “Cordelia…”
“Pooh, Angel, no one wants you evil.” Cordelia shivered. “No love, is good.” Cordelia peered up to the vampire a teasing smile dancing on her lips. “But maybe just a little bit of joy or something similar?”
Angel reached out, brushing at strain of dark hair. “Something like that, something very much like that.” Angel sighed, staring at the young woman. God, she was beautiful and last night had been more than unexpected it had been something close to miraculous. It wasn’t even that Cordelia Chase was a generous and welcoming lover, she was, she accepted with amazing ardor each of his touches and thrusts. It was that she had done so knowing exactly what he was. Angel’s encounter with Cordelia had been full of warmth, extreme pleasure and surprising laughter. It had been fun and in a very impossible way it had seemed right as if he found a missing part of himself in those few hours of warm intimacy. Angel didn’t understand, all he knew was that he hadn’t wanted to leave the young body wrapped around him but Angel had sensed the rising sun and to stay would’ve been fatal.
“Yeah, it was wasn’t it,” Cordelia’s teasing turned into a beautiful blush.
Angel leaned in wanting to feel the warmth again.
Cordelia jerked away. “Do I smell food? Eggs. You cook? You were cooking? You can cook? Do you eat? You can? I had eggs? I smell coffee.” Cordelia searched around Angel’s body towards the kitchen looking for the source of the tantalizing smells.
Angel smiled. “Yes, to all of the above. Hungry?”
“Starving. Wow. I can’t cook. Marie must’ve gone to the store yesterday. Marie’s my maid. Is it ready?” She pushed past the vampire.
Angel kept his smile, wishing that he had waited a little longer before exploring her kitchen. “Sit,” pointing to the marble counter.
Cordelia happily sat on a stool watching as the vampire went back to the stove. Surrealism again. The handsome vampire with a soul was standing barefoot, shirtless in her kitchen cooking omelets. Cordelia blew out a deep breath. That was one sexy sight. She had made love to that. Whoa.
“Are you done yet,” Cordelia rested her chin on her elbow.
“Patience, Cordelia.” Angel said over his shoulder.
“I don’t know if you picked up on it, but patience when I want something isn’t my strongest trait.”
“I picked up on it.” Angel smiled flipping the omelet. He sure and hell felt it. Any patience Cordelia may have had in making love had disappeared as soon as her hesitation had.
Cordelia looked up. “Yeah,” staring at the apparent scratches on the strong back facing her. “Sorry,” she winced.
Angel moved the iron skillet to an unlit burner, walking over to the counter. “You’re sorry,” he questioned, his stomach clenching. Was Cordelia regretting her passionate responses?
She waved towards the scratches also apparent on the muscled chest. Good lord, she gave the vampire a hickie, more than one. God, was she 16 agai? “Sorry.”
Angel looked down to where she indicated. He smiled at the evidence of her enthusiastic lovemaking. Cordelia had marked him. His smile turned into confusion why did that make him happy.
“Angel?”
The vampire shot his eyes up, to the questioning ones of the young woman. His smile returned. Angel reached over to the young woman, gently moving the collar of his shirt away from her neck and chest. “I guess we’re even.”
Cordelia looked down. “Hey, you gave me a hickie.”
“Hey, you gave me more than one.”
“Right.” Cordelia moved the vampire’s hand away, looking down her shirt. “There’s one on my stomach, too.”
Angel shrugged, still smiling. “Hungry?”
“I told you I was. Hmmph.” Cordelia pulled the shirt tight around her.
Angel put the omelet on the counter.
“Aren’t you going to eat? You said you could.”
“I can, but it doesn’t fill me up.”
“Oh.” Cordelia dropped her fork. “I don’t have any blood for you.” Cordelia bit her lip. “Are you hungry? You’re not going to snack on me, buster.”
Angel frowned until he saw the twinkle in her eyes. “I’m fine. I called Wesley, as soon as Gunn gets here, I’ll go home and get blood.”
“It’s daytime.”
“I’ve my car and maybe you’ll let me have a blanket.”
“So, you’re going to leave, uh.”
“I’ll be back.”
Cordelia stared, her face scrunched up.
“What is it?”
Cordelia furrowed her brows to accompany her wrinkled nose. “I..” Cordelia bit her lip. Angel would think she was crazy. Except he hadn’t before. “Angel, I don’t think this is right.”
Angel’s stomach did more than clench it tightened into a complicated choking fist. “Cordelia, I’m sorry…”
“Sorry?” the furrow brow was gone leaving surprise. “Sorry for what?”
“For…” Angel looked up at the young woman. “You weren’t talking about us…last night…not being right,” Angel got out after a few unsuccessful attempts.
Cordelia studied the vampire, she hadn’t been but now that he mentioned it. “It..I wasn’t but, Angel it isn’t but it was, does that make any sense. I was talking about everything - like this, you cooking and me eating. It feels right, almost familiar- a deja vu, but how can that be…you’ve never cooked for me before, I never knew you could cook. And well, last night, didn’t feel familiar but it did feel right but not. I’m not making any sense am I?”
Angel thought about what she was saying, it was reminiscent of what she said the night before. He was just grateful that she wasn’t reacting the same way. She wasn’t rejecting him, just questioning. “I…” Angel stopped. “Are you expecting someone?” Angel moved around the marble counter closer to Cordelia facing the door.
“I…”
“Cordy,” Nevin said opening the door and entering.
Cordelia shot a hand to the vampire. “It’s okay. I was. Nevin.”
Nevin blinked, taking in the scene. Cordy sitting at the counter wearing nothing but a man’s dress shirt and the man that it obviously belonged too was standing protectively next to her, in nothing but tuxedo pants.
“I’m interrupting…” Nevin cleared his throat in surprise. Cordy wasn’t one to sleep around. Nevin shrugged. Last night, the private investigator had seemed more interested in Cordelia than just a job warranted. Cordy must have noticed and appreciated it. Nevin studied the couple, looking down at the newspaper in his hand, thinking about the picture in the entertainment section. The camera had loved Cordelia and her private investigator or what the reporter had labeled 'America's Sweethearts Mysterious Date'. Nevin’s mind worked overtime thinking of the publicity for his charge- the press was dying to have Cordelia involved in a relationship and those two did look hot together.
“Yeah, but it’s okay. What do you got?” Cordelia glanced at the bundle of mail in her assistant’s hand.
“Fan mail, gone through and checked no scary notes,” Nevin said for the benefit of Angel, who seemed ready to pounce on the mail. “Picture of you and Angel and your article came out.” Nevin held up the paper and a copy of a fashion magazine. “Great pictures, the article read well, I think it’s okay. Um, you might want to take a look at the poll at the end of it though.”
“Poll, what poll? Gimme” Cordy held out her hand.
Nevin handed her the magazine.
Cordelia flipped through the pages, skimming the words. Her nose wrinkled up. “Geez, my hair again?” Her eyes widened, “32% polled think I’m fat. Last year, they thought I had anorexia. Now I’m fat.” Cordelia looked down at her body. “Am I fat?” Cordelia raised her gaze to Angel.
“Fat?” Angel was completely clueless. “Fat?” he repeated. Angel touched Cordy’s body all night and it wasn’t fat. Cordelia was wonderfully curvy, plush, trim, strong and damn limber. He looked again. It was perfect, though, he would’ve been happy with a bit more golden flesh to fondle and caress.
“You think I’m fat, too.” She glared. “Shoot,” grumbling looking back at the poll. Her eyes shot up. “I bet you’re part of the 67% that think I should let my hair grow long again. Damn, I got rid of the highlights what more do they want?”
Angel gulped, shaking his head. “Perfect.”
“Body or hair?” She narrowed her eyes.
“Everything.”
Cordelia pursed her lips, wrinkling her nose. “Hmmph. Is that all Nevin? Any other flaws in the morning mail.”
“You didn’t get to the last question did you?” Nevin shifted on his feet.
“Uh.” Cordelia scanned the poll, searching. “I’m too sexy for ‘Cordy’” Cordelia’s eyes shot up. “What kind of question is that? What do they want from me? I’m truly beginning to hate this- last poll- I wasn’t. I give up.” Cordelia threw the magazine on the counter. “Anything else?”
“Um, the Breast Cancer shoot is in three hours, the studio wants you back no later than an hour after that.”
“Hmmph. Okay. Go away.”
“Cordy, we…”
“No, we don’t, whatever you were going to say. Go. Bye.”
Part 16
Cordelia moved her fork around in her eggs. “Angel?”
“Yeah.”
“When is Gunn coming over?”
“Wesley said he was going to pick up some books that Wesley needed to research the notes, I gave him the contents of the last. Probably an hour.”
“How do you research a note? Hmmph. An hour.” Cordelia nodded, shoving her plate away. “So, I guess you’ll want your shirt back, uh.”
“I’ll need it when I leave.”
Cordelia nodded,” But you’re not leaving for an hour, so perfect, uh?”
Angel looked at the graceful fingers unbuttoning his shirt, slowly exposing golden perfection. His body tensed as his mind deciphered Cordelia’s actions. Angel was going to be able to touch and taste again. “Bed covered in sun. You don’t believe in curtains, do you?”
Cordelia shrugged the shirt to the floor. “I'm beginning too, I guess we can’t leave downstairs.”
Angel’s eyes darkened, moving slowly giving the woman a chance to change her mind. But she wasn’t moving. Well, she was but not running away. Angel caught her waist in his hands covering the flesh as helped her off the stool.
“Cordelia, you don’t believe those polls do you?” Angel gazed up into her eyes.
“It doesn’t matter what I believe, not really, the fans that answer those things are the ones that pay my bills. They think I’m fat, I’m fat, they think my last haircut sucks, I change it,” Cordelia shrugged. “It’s the price I pay to be here, that’s all.”
“That’s not right.”
“Yes, no, maybe, but the truth is….I’m in the entertainment business and the days of an actress saying screw you all and let me do my craft are gone, well, they are if you want to be rich, popular and famous.” Cordelia shrugged. “Now, it’s all advertising and ratings and that is publicity and what people want. And, honestly, I’m a celebrity rather than an actor. Vanessa Redgrave, I’m not.”
“And you’re okay with that you? That’s not you.”
Cordelia looked at the vampire moving away, turning slowly, a sad smile on her face. “Of course it is.” She waved down her body. “All my life, I’ve played to the crowds, at first just my parents, then their friends, then the kids at school, I was what I was because it was expected. And I was good at it. Now, on a broader scale the public that writes me letters and make my show a hit, expect something, so, I’ll give it too them. That’s what I am. Why aren’t we making love?”
Angel stepped back resisting the urge to grab her in his arms. He wanted to feel her warmth. But, he wasn’t sure about this. Cordelia had said something wasn’t right. And in this instant Angel really had to agree with her. The woman he had enjoyed and wanted was the one that made him smile, the one that had showed independence, strength and sensuality, not the one that bowed to what was expected. That wasn’t the Cordelia Chase he knew. But did he even know her. He wanted too.
“Are you offering yourself because you think I expect it?”
“Geez, what- it’s now your turn to be hesitant and flighty. I want you because I just…want you. That’s all.”
Angel gazed at the young woman. So much in those hazel, glittering eyes. So much hidden, so much expressed. Angel suddenly realized he wanted it all. Angel reached out again, pulling the young body towards him. “I want you. I need you as you really are, not what you think is expected.” He growled, leaning into her lips, devouring the taste that he experienced the night before.
Cordelia urged her tongue and lips too meet Angel’s desire. Her hands moved up against the solid chest. She leaned in closer at Angel’s growl as her fingernail rubbed his male nipple. She giggled as Angel pushed her up into his arms, her legs automatically wrapping around his waist.
She whimpered as she held on. Angel moved them both towards the long couch.
“Angel.” Cordelia asked softly as she was deposited on the leather furniture. Her body lay out, but Angel just knelt on the floor leaning over her.
“Shh” Angel lifted a hand. “Fat?” he laughed, his tongue brushed against her lower lip. Angel laid a hand at Cordelia’s neck, his palm and fingers trailing down along her soft skin. “Not, fat, not skinny, very nice, very perfect, see,” Angel urged Cordelia to look at his hand playing and cupping the full breast then moving as he pulled, tugged and fondled the layer of delectable flesh over the firm muscle of her stomach. Angel breathed in as he nuzzled into Cordelia’s belly. “It’s so soft, so strong, so warm. Perfect.” He murmured as he nuzzled again.
Cordelia blinked at the dark head rubbing against her. His voice sounded so sure so sad. She didn’t want him to be sad. It…was…Cordelia didn’t know. She just knew that she didn’t want the vampire to be sad. It tugged at something deep inside her. Cordelia pulled at his hair. “Angel, come back to me,” she whispered, urging his face to hers. “I…it will be alright.”
Angel let her move him. Back to the those lips, lips that were soft and giving, ones that broke out into the most enticing smile the one that said the right words. Angel needed to possess them; maybe then he could find their wisdom.
“I want to be in you, I want to feel every part of you.” Angel growled, all pretense gone, if it was ever there.
Cordelia grabbed his jaw, her smile slight. “You’re waiting for?” her eyes twinkled.
“Nothing, I guess.” Angel smiled lunging, covering her body, guiding the long legs that had already moved to surround him. “ Cordy?”
“Now you become Mr. Motor-Mouth?”
Angel chuckled deep in his throat or maybe it was a growl as his thrusts filled the young woman to the core.
Cordelia gulped clutching her legs moving her hips.
Angel met the movement, his thrust creating a rhythm that Cordelia complemented. Angel wanted to yell out at the sounds of the gasps and whimpers vibrating in the woman as her body squeezed and teased him relentlessly.
He leaned up trying to slow down, he was ready to burst and give in totally to the woman. Angel licked his lips and withdrew.
“Angel,” Cordelia gasped.
“Shh, baby,” Angel kissed her forehead quickly, and then descended down her body with speed and purpose. He gasped, suckling at the warm center that he found. Angel clinched as the warm nectar sipped onto his tongue. He used the delicate folds for his pleasure as he made sure that the young woman’s whimpers increased and became more wanton. This was almost perfect. Angel moved, ignoring Cordelia cry at the loss, he centered over her thrusting again.
Angel growled as his name screamed out on the woman’s lips and her thighs clenched tightly against him, her center violently shuttering around him.
Cordelia stopped her scream against Angel’s chest. Her body trembled, as Angel’s thrusting finally crushed her with his spent body.
* * *
Angel’s head jerked off the soft cushion at the sound of knocking.
“Gunn.” Cordelia said with a deep sigh.
Angel groaned and hid his head back into the pillow of Cordy’s malleable breasts.
Cordelia giggled. “He’s getting impatient.”
“I’m annoyed.”
Cordelia laughed. “Move you big lug.” Cordelia squirmed from underneath the larger body.
Angel grunted rolling off the softness.
Cordelia scooted away. “Shoes and jacket upstairs protected by the sun.” She shot over her shoulder as she ran up the stairs.
Angel sat on the floor his back against the couch watching the sun leave him. Angel wondered if the young woman knew how appropriate that tattoo was. He sighed and grabbed at his clothes.
He glanced at the door. Gunn was yelling now.
He jerked as his shoes and jacket came flying down the stairs.
He picked them up as he went to the door.
“Angel.” Gunn stomped in. “Is everything all right?” Gunn looked around the darkened room. “Wes said you sounded sane.”
“No other problems,” Angel said safely from door’s shadow.
“Cool. Where’s Cordy?”
“Upstairs. Did Wesley find out anything?”
“Naw, he couldn’t find any translation to the words. He’s back at the apartment re-reading for the millionth time the books on other dimensions that I was ordered to get. This shit is weird.”
“Dimensions?”
Both men looked up as Cordelia descended into the room, blood red silk wrapping her body.
“Are you telling me that my stalker isn’t your everyday crazy-type? Damn. I wanted him to be everyday crazy. Hmmph.”
Gunn coughed. “Don’t know, but Wes thinks the possibility exists.”
“Yeah.”
Cordelia handed Angel a blanket. “In case of sunburn.”
“Thank you.” Angel took the blanket and his shoes back to the sofa. Once full dressed he got up. “Gunn…”
The other man nodded. “I saw a garage. Cordy could you open it.”
“Uh. OH, sure.” Cordelia went to a panel in the kitchen. “Um. Here,” she scrambled through a drawer. “It's kind of full.” Handing the black man a key. “You’ll need to move one of the cars, if you want to bring Angel’s in.”
“Thanks.”
Cordelia waited until Gunn disappeared back outside before she went to Angel. “I guess you won’t need the blanket then.”
Angel shook his head. “I don’t think you should go out.”
Cordelia raised her brow. “Well, I do, I’ve commitments.”
“Gunn will go with you.” Angel scowled.
“Fine.” Cordelia glared at the vampire’s expression then relented to a small questioning smile. “But, you’re protecting me tonight right?”
Angel didn’t say a word; he just moved encompassing the young woman in his arms, answering her question with a deep kiss.
Cordelia stepped back, her tongue rubbing her lips. “Good.” She smiled.
Angel studied the woman, his hand on the tie of her robe. “You ARE trying to kill me.”
“Oh, you like it.” She motioned to her garment.
Angel moved to bring the smiling woman closer and stopped as he heard Gunn’s footsteps.
“Tonight.” Angel growled grabbing his jacket and heading for the door the other man beckoned him too.
Part 17
“Did you believe him?” Lilah asked.
“I think that final scream there in the end convinced me. Torture, Lilah? Wasn’t that just a bit over the top? He’s a client.”
“Professor Sidel hadn't been a client for years. Anyway, had to be sure.” Lilah perched on the corner of Lindsay’s desk flipping through an old book. “So, the Professor hasn’t been playing ‘hide the promising student in a swirling hole’ in awhile and he hasn’t shared his ‘hobby’ with anyone else.”
“The clairvoyants have tracked recent hot spots-though, none strong enough to support the contention of a large portal opening. The last one they sensed of any strength was about six months ago.”
“Maybe the stalker popped through then and can’t find the way home with his princess, thereby curing his frustration by writing badly composed little notes.”
“Possible, or maybe he’s using the small breaks in the hot spots for mail delivery until he can open a larger portal.”
“We could sit here and speculate all day. We need a plan of action- Holland’s getting impatient.”
“Don’t tell me what I already know, I’m not one of your boy toy assistants, remember that.” Lindsay retorted. “Look, Cordelia’s been watched ever since the first letter showed up and there has been no sign of any one following her or watching her. The stalker can’t be in this dimension, one of our men would’ve seen him.”
Lilah flipped through the book again. “If he’s trying to open a portal, let’s help him,” holding up the book. “The Professor’s book is full of equations.”
“We don’t know what dimension or equation.”
“Do them all, starting with the ones he’s used most recently. The Professor has been fiddling with dimensions for the past 6 years, only stopping within the last year, must have had an exceptionally below par class the last couple of semesters. Chances are one of those portals some how brought the allure of Ms. American Pie to the attention of the stalker. If we’re lucky, maybe he’ll pop out and we can hand him Cordelia and say bye bye to her and whatever connection she has with the vampire with a soul.”
“Luck.” Lindsay shook his head.
“Do you have a better idea?”
“No.” Lindsay conceded.
Lilah nodded. "How's it going on the other front?"
"Not too bad. But it will take more than a few unflattering articles to put a dent in her popularity. Rebecca Lowell has been some help."
"That 20 year old wanna be is still around?"
"Fighting age like the classy lady she isn’t. More than willing to spread trite and gossip for a youth restoration spell."
"She does know that those spells are only temporary and the body is older when the magic wears off."
"That's my problem, how?" Lindsay raised a brow. "The real help are the reporters that will do anything for money."
"Not that I care, but how will damaging Cordelia's career help us?"
"She was a mega-star without Angel's presence in her life, with it she's plummeting. Maybe she'll break the connection herself."
"You're assuming she has the brains to figure it out the correlation."
"I'll agree that Cordelia Chase is no rocket scientist. But, she does have an instinct for survival and popularity. She'll figure it out."
Part 18
“Anything?” Angel placed the folded charred blanket on the nearest chair.
Wesley just shook his head, his eyes still on the book in front of him.
Angel bit down his growl going into the kitchen. He gulped a cup of blood before going back out.
“Cordelia’s security in non-existent granted, but I didn’t smell or sense anyone in that room except us. One unfamiliar smell, but it was older- talc powder with a hint of …ben-gay …lemon polish and … chilies- all over the house.” Angel lifted his head. “I’m saying that it was Marie, Cordy’s maid. No one was there, so how’d the bastard leave the letter ” Angel paced the room.
Wesley’s head shot up, blinking. The vampire was animated and angry surely, but he was also coherent with logical questions and train of thought. “Still no vision?”
“No.” Angel shook his head. His growl was full of frustration that he would have one before the danger to Cordelia had been dealt with. He had to stay sane until then. Nothing could happen to her. She trusted him.
“I can not find the meaning to these words. I do believe that they are evidence that the Cordelia’s stalker is from another dimension.”
“Gunn said as much upsetting Cordy,” Angel glared in disapproval.
“Yes, well.” Wesley shoved his glasses. “I may have an idea, though. Little out of the box, but…”
“What.” Angel stood.
“A while back, you had a vision- one of a young girl missing, dark hair, glasses, in the university library with a book and a portal.”
Angel shook his head.
“Yes, unfortunately, you probably don’t remember, we never found the woman. The vision was not completed and you were incapacitated longer than usual.”
“Wesley,” Angel’s voice choked with sorrow and anger.
“At the same time, our services were needed by an the owner of a Karaoke/Sanctuary bar. It’s seems that a Drokken, a dimensional demon, came through a portal in his club. We were able to kill that particular demon with the help of a warrior from its dimension that ended up being Lorne’s, the client, cousin or something. Actually, you’ve met him. Lorne I mean, he’s an anagogic psychic demon- I asked him to read you after I realized his talents. He got nothing of use, but then again,as I said you were very incapacitated.” Wesley shrugged.
“Wesley,” Angel growl was now just exasperation.
“Yes, well, see, Gunn, Lorne and I, went to the library, the coincidence of your vision and the Drokken seeming too much. Lorne was most uncooperative, but he did help in the end. Anyway, we found book and it did open a portal and it brought Landok, Lorne’s cousin. No dark-haired girl of your vision though. It could very well be she was shown only to get us to the library and the book. Landok was pivotal in killing the Drokken."
“Wesley, do you have a point.” Angel continued to pace, his gait getting more aggressive.
“I suggest taking the notes to Lorne. His enterprise houses various demons and information. He could help.”
“Why are you still here?”
“Because this was a conclusion I came to only five minutes before you arrived.” Wesley stood.
“Oh.”
“There is a sewer route if you wish to accompany me.” Wesley was slightly amused at the sheepish look that came over the vampire. Wesley studied Angel. Was this the real Angel? He hadn’t seen this in Sunnydale and definitely not when Wesley came across the vampire in LA struggling with his inner demons, guilt, sorrows and visions.
Angel looked down at his formal wear. “Give me a minute.” Angel went to the his room.
Wesley gave a slight smile and answered the phone as it rang.
Angel stood in the doorway taking in the contents of the room. One bare mattress strewn on the floor, iron manacles hanging from the ceiling, barred windows….Angel looked again. Wesley must have fixed the window. Dark heavy shades and a make shift closet...or rather boxes filled with clothing. Angel shook his head. Barren and alone, that had been him- but now he wanted more, even bright windows filling with sunshine that could kill him. He wanted a life rather than this prison. Angel strode to the boxes pulling out dark clothes, heading to the bathroom to take a shower. The room disgusted him.
Wesley hung up the phone, staring at the instrument as if it was a two-headed beast that needed to be dissected.
“Who was that?” Angel returned to the living room clothed now in all black.
“Cordelia.” Wesley said still staring at the phone.
“Cordy, why didn’t you get me? Is she all right? What’s wrong? Where’s Gunn? We’ve got to go.” Angel grabbed at the leather coat hanging by the door.
“Angel. Angel,” Wesley said again louder. “Cordy’s fine, she’s at the studio and Gunn’s with her.”
“Then…”
“She called to ask what your favorite blood type was.” Wesley took off his glasses and contemplated the vampire.
“Uh?” Angel’s coat fell to the floor as his jaw gapped.
“Yes. It seems that she has decided that if you are to come back over to protect her this evening, you should be able to have dinner. She said it was only fair since you cooked her breakfast, she wants to cook for you.”
“Cordelia wants to cook my blood?” Angel’s jaw dropped even further.
“Do I have to even have to comment on how truly disturbing this whole conversation is?”
Angel tried to shake the thought of Cordelia in his shirt…watching blood warm…It was surreal. “What did you tell her?”
Wesley took a deep breath and deadpanned. “That you liked Chinese.”
“What?” Angel glared.
“Angel, I told her not to worry about it. You would eat before you came over. However that didn’t quite satisfy her, she was worried that you would…”shrivel up and waste away like some poor Ethiopian child that had to live on a dollar a day”, I quote. I explained that vampire’s can’t starve and that you would be fine, but too avoid any more possible whining take some blood with you this evening, otherwise, you will be trying to keep her out of every demon blood shop in LA.”
“I don’t want her too see me drink blood.”
“She doesn’t seem to mind.” Wesley deadpanned again.
“Cordelia wanted to make me dinner.” Angel was still amazed. No one ever wanted to touch his blood.
“Euphemisms won’t help. The image of blood cooking is still prevalent. Angel, just what happened between the two of you? I know Cordelia or thought I did at least. All things, demon and bloody were not on her top ten. Money, style, status, and looks pretty much filled up her list of wants and needs. I can't see that changing much now that she's a TV star.”
Angel narrowed his eyes. “Cordelia is not superficial.”
“Angel, you do remember that you barely know the woman, except as a teenager that was associated, by a thin thread, to Buffy.”
“I know who she is,” Angel growled. “Where’s this demon we need to go see.”
Part 19
“Howdy, stalwart leadermando of Angel’s Investigation,” the green demon in an eye-hurting bright purple suit bobbed to Wesley. “And helllooo, tasty cake, love your coat and you're standing.”
Lorne’s eyes shot back to Wesley. “His aura’s looking mighty finer. Almost….not bad. Damn, you can wear leather,” Lorne cocked a head back to Angel. “We’ve met, but you were doing the ‘I so want to beat my head on the padded walls thing’. Eek, Sweetcakes, got bite,” Lorne jumped back at Angel’s growl.
“Lorne, we need you’re help,” Wesley interrupted.
“My vibes are your vibes, after all you did rid my club of that nasty portal to the hell dimension of all dimension- no music." The green demon shivered. "Is it the leather bound hottie? Have him sing, I’ll try again.”
“No.” Wesley shoved some papers to the demon. “Have you ever seen these words before?”
Lorne shrugged reading the notes.
Both Wesley and Angel looked on in interest, as the green demon got greener.
“You have.” Wesley yanked the papers back.
“Where did you get those?” Lorne searched from Wesley and Angel.
“A friend of ours has been receiving these notes.”
“The words, what do the mean, you obviously recognized them, tell us, what dimension are they from are they from yours. What?” Angel moved his voice cold and insistent, overriding Wesley’s explanation.
“Whoa, big guy, Okay. Um.” Lorne licked his cherry lips. “They're Plyean- Kye-rumption- when two great heroes meet in the field of battle and recognize their mutual fate…or the eloquent, NOT, writer is comparing ‘your friend’ to a kind of grog made from Yox-dung. He’ll win no hearts with that archaic definition, so I’m going with choice A. As for Moira- gut physical attraction between two larger that life souls. Guys, whoever wrote this tidy words has put your ‘friend’ on a very high pedestal, very high, mythic, Ike and Tina high, okay, he beat her and was an abusive son of a bitch but they sounded great together.” Lorne shrugged. “And my fellow dimension- man may just be another Ike or not, I don’t know.”
“Who is he?” Angel growled.
Lorne held up his hands and scooted behind Wesley. “I don’t know, Sweetcakes. No body from my backwater town as come through since my very distant unwanted cousin and he went back. Anybody else, I don’t know about.”
“Can you help us at all?” Wesley asked calmly.
“Wasn’t I just?” Lorne rolled his eyes. “Fine. A friend of mine, Aggie, has sensed some wavering and spouts in the dimensional framework recently. How ‘bout I give you her address.”
* * *
“Wesley.”
“Angel.” Wesley hands gripped on the steering wheel. He did not like the vampire’s tone.
“Wesley, we have the book, we know now what dimension….Why aren’t we opening the damn thing and going.”
Wesley took a deep breath. “Angel, going into an unknown dimension is ludicrous and potentially suicidal.”
“It’s Cordelia.”
“No, Angel. It’s Cordelia’s stalker-maybe. Cordelia is safe here with Gunn. No reason to traipse off risking god knows what. If Cordelia was actually taken, well then, that’s a whole different consideration. But she’s not. We stay on this side of the dimensional wall. If the stalker is in this Plyea- who cares- as long as he doesn’t hurt her- if he’s here than we’ll find him.”
Part 20
Gunn picked up his axe and bag as Angel came in. “Anything?”
“Wesley’s got a lead. Hot spots.”
“That sounds down right nasty.” Gunn swung the axe on his shoulder.
“Where’s Cordelia.” Angel scanned the room.
“Ran upstairs in a huff, slamming doors. Hasn’t been down since.”
“What happened?”
“That geeky assistant of her showed up, shoving magazine, newspapers, and letters in her hand. She read, she freaked, and she ran. I kicked him out.”
Angel nodded. “I’ll call.”
Gunn nodded leaving Cordelia’s house.
Angel looked at the bag in his hand. Cordelia warming his blood just might have to wait. He tucked the bag in the furthest corner of the refrigerator and went upstairs.
Angel flinched at the shouted ‘go away’ that cascaded through the door. “Cordelia.”
“Angel?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
“Does that mean I can come in?”
“Okay.”
“What’s wrong?” Trying not to look too obvious as he attempted to peer through the soapy bubbles too reach the young woman’s skin.
Cordelia sunk down in the bathtub, her hand dangling over the edge motioning to a stack of newspapers and magazines thrown on the floor.
Angel sighed. The little bit of flesh he could glimpse had disappeared further under the foamy water. Angel turned to look at the items that Cordelia had pointed to. The pictures of Cordelia were wonderful, sexy. Angel growled. How many people read these magazines. He shook his head and looked at the articles. Hey, he was mentioned. Angel’s brow rose. He was ‘Cordy’s handsome mysterious lover. So far, he couldn’t see what the problem was.
Angel picked up another magazine. His eyes narrowed. ‘Cordelia Chase has run the gamut of cute...sweet…She’s used stunning looks, gorgeous hair, svelte body to hide the fact that she has no talent. As the years go on, is has come apparent, especially once the hair and body were gone, what was left was ‘no talent.’ America’s sweetheart as become its biggest embarrassment, especially as she’s seemed to have taken with cavorting with hoodlums, did anyone else see the guy on her arm at the premiere of A Season Is More Than A Time Of Year (Yawn by the way) he looked like he’d kill a convent full of nuns for fun.”
“Cordy,” Angel looked at the young woman.
“Shut up.” She glared pulling herself out of the tub running to her bedroom.
Angel stood. She let him in, now she was running. Fuck the visions; this woman would drive him crazier faster. He looked back at the paper. How’d the reporter know that he had killed more than anybody’s share of nuns? Lucky guess or did the report know something. Angel shrugged off the thought after committing the flaming reporter's name to memory.
Angel walked into the bedroom. Cordelia was throwing tapes on the floor, finally finding the one she wanted. He watched as Cordelia slammed against the bed, she yanked at his hand before he could say a word. Angel fell beside her. “Watch,” she ordered.
Angel looked questioningly at the young woman than back to the TV. It was the premier of the Cordy Show. Angel couldn’t help but smile at the lovely picture Cordelia made. Her warmth seemed to radiate from the screen. His lips twitched at the same jokes he acknowledged the first time he saw it.
Angel blinked as Cordelia almost growled, lurching up ejecting the tape and shoving another in its place.
Angel watched and the smile on his face got bigger. This was one of his favorites. Angel remembered feeling a pang at the loss of Cordy’s trademark long dark hair. But, he had been over it before the credits aired. Cordelia had been at her most charming and comedic. She was really beautiful. Angel sat back, his hand creeping around the even more beautiful live version sitting next to him.
Cordelia shoved him and got up again. Ejecting the tape and putting in another. She stayed by the TV.
“Cordy?” Angel asked, she was too far away and he still didn’t know what she wanted.
“Watch.” She glared.
Angel shrugged and watched. He squirmed and closed an eye. He hated this episode. So out of character- Cordy would never just sleep with that two-bit loser, the fact that it all turned out to be dream hadn't helped the distaste in Angel's mouth as he watched the episode. It was a sitcom- who wanted to see so much skin. Angel leaned back, so much of Cordy’s skin on that jerk. He shook his head and growled.
“Shh,” Cordelia glared and changed tapes again. Angel gave a half smile. This episode was so sad, still funny but…Cordy’s character had shown real feeling at her father’s death.
Angel lifted his head. “You won the Emmy for this one and the other.” Referring to the second tape she put in. “You’re very good.”
“Eek,” she yelled throwing the tapes at the vampire and tossing herself on the bed.
Angel sat amongst a shower of VHS tapes. Something was definitely not right. Angel flinched as his hand pressed down on the corner of a plastic tape crushing it. He hoped it was the dream episode.
“Cordy.”
“Go away.”
“Can’t, Won’t.” Angel sat on the bed. “What happened?”
Cordelia told him to shut up. “What happened? Didn’t you see it? I’ve no talent. Just a body and hair- which seems to be fading fast from all the articles rushing to print.” Cordelia jumped off the bed, her robe falling too the floor, her gaze scrutinizing her body in the full length of the mirror. “I look, really I do. I weigh myself twice a day. It’s not different. Well,” she scrunched up her nose. “I have gained some but my doctor said I was too skinny before. Give me a break on my hair.” She swirled around to Angel. “Do you have any idea how hard it is to keep my hair the way it was. They sprayed, yanked, pulled, it wasn’t fun.” Cordelia shoulder’s slumped. “I know I’m not a ‘great’ actor, but, Geez, do they have to compare me to Dana Plato, good grief, she was a has-been child star that robbed stores.”
Angel wasn’t sure what to do. Everything Cordelia ranted about was nonsense, but she didn’t believe it too be. Angel truly wished he could kill every single one of any of the critics that reduced the beautiful amazing woman in front of him into a frantic mass of insecurities.
“Cordelia.”
She glared.
“Cordelia, I…I can only tell you what I know. Your show was one of the bright spots during my vision-induced craziness. I smiled. You’re body- I could get lost in every minute of the day, though, honestly, I think maybe you could actually gain a few more pound. Makes for better fondling. Hair, dark is the best, I will admit to that, but it doesn’t matter, short long blonde….It’s an accessory a nice one, but it doesn’t compare to the eyes that know all, that can brighten with laughter and darken with desire and hold the secrets to your heart. Your lips…”
“Stop.” Cordelia cleared her choking her throat, her hand brushing her eyes of the tears that appeared as soon as Angel started speaking.
“I mean it.”
“I know and that’s really kind of scary and nice…Um Angel,” she pouted, shifting her feet.
Angel blinked. It took his mind a little bit longer to recognize the meaning behind the pout than his loins. He hadn’t ever seen pouty Cordy whining to be held. He moved quickly taking advantage. Angel was fairly sure that it wouldn’t last long. She’d be getting assertive and demanding soon enough. Which was fine. But he was the man and the vampire; maybe he could at least pretend to have some control over the beautiful woman for the time being.
Part 21
“Cordy,” Angel rested his chin on the young woman’s shoulder, his hands gently cupping the underside of each of her breast, delighting in the fullness that filled his hands, his thumbs brushing hardening nipples.
“Hmm.” Cordelia leaned back into his chest.
“You know those articles aren’t true, so why do you let them bother you?”
Cordelia cocked her head to peer up at Angel. “They identified you has my dark mysterious lover that killed nuns.”
Angel pushed her slightly forward, his lips tracing along her shoulder blades. “Lucky guess.”
Cordelia arched her back, mumbling as his kisses descended further along her spine. “Mr.‘Grr’ guy does have sense of humor.” She chuckled, leaning in resting her arms on the bed, opening her back further for Angel’s ministrations. “Mmm. It affects my career. Bad timing…right around the Emmy’s. You sure you’re not bad luck. Bad press right when you become my ‘dark mysterious’ lover.”
Angel leaned up. “Cordy?”
“Geez, where'd the sense of humor go. Knew it was an aberration.” Cordelia smiled, turning and lying down on the bed, reaching to up to gently wipe the guilty look off the vampire’s face. “Joking, Angel. How can you be bad luck you’re keeping me safe from crazy Krumpy- guy? And you say really nice things and do some amazing ones,” giggling, pulling the vampire down over her.
”I will keep you safe, I promise.”
“I’m counting on it, now do the amazing stuff.” Cordelia murmured as Angel’s lips descended.
“Amazing, uh.” Angel slowly smirked, his tongue sweeping along Cordelia’s jaw trailing down her neck as his hands moved upward, caressing at the softness and curve of Cordelia’s side.
“Uh uh,” Cordelia gasped, her nails piercing into Angel’s shoulders urging the vampire to move faster, opening her thighs for the vampire.
The growl game uninhibited, building power from deep in Angel’s chest. He moved his hands and lips, relishing every feeling that he could draw out of the body under him. Angel sank into her warmth, choking on the sensations created. Angel’s mind was in overload as his body rocked in the confines of the tight heat. Tears threatened as he growls got louder; every thrust was a moment of living as Cordelia enthusiastically accepted him. In two days, this young woman from his past had become his reason to feel.
The tension that gripped his balls, threatened to explode, he moved his fingers touching at their joining, plucking at Cordelia’s clit. He clenched as Cordy gasped a scream catching it with a devouring kiss.
Cordelia held Angel tight as he shuddered into her body.
* * *
Angel was hesitant to leave but his internal warning flared the beginning of a new day as effectively as the songs of the morning birds. He slowly disentangled Cordelia’s arms from his chest.
“Where you going?” Cordelia sleepily whispered.
“Dawn soon,” Angel said as he kissed.
“Great detective you are- curtains,” she snuggled deeper into the pillow.
Angel gazed into the darkness, looking around the room. Thick dark drapes covered every window in the room. Angel stared at the barriers to the sun then back at the woman tangled in the sheet. He didn’t know what to think much less to say. In less than a day, Cordelia had protected the room for him. “Cordy?”
“Can’t have you going up in dust.” She flung out an arm for the vampire trying to tug him down. “Don’t have to go,” Cordelia turned and lifted her head. “Unless you want to…or – aren’t they heavy enough. I told Nev to get the ones with the most thread count that matched.”
Angel studied the drapes, fingering the heavy brocade material. “Nevin, did well very well.” Angel curled down spooning around Cordelia’s body. “But this could mean I’m trapped your bed all day.”
“Oh, damn. I shouldn’t have told him to outfit the whole place. You aren’t really observant are you?”
Again Angel was struck speechless. He gulped. “I’ve been distracted by a TV star.” He smiled cupping Cordelia closer, kissing and nuzzling at her neck.
“I knew my fame was good for something.” Pulling Angel’s arms tighter around her.
Part 22
Angel woke alone in the safety of the darkened room. Cordelia’s scent was all around him, but the woman was gone.
Angel jumped out of the bed grabbing his pants. He searched for his sweater; finally giving up, when he sensed the heartbeat downstairs.
Angel stopped in the doorway of the kitchen, completely stunned by what he saw. “Cordelia?”
The lovely young woman turned trying to juggle a carton of blood while pushing up the sleeve of Angel’s dark sweater that had inched down to cover her hand. “Darn, you’re supposed to be asleep. I wanted to surprise you.” she gave a bright smile.
Angel stared at the carton and then at the spices and condiments on the counter. Tabasco, Worchester sauce, onion salt, old bay. Angel blinked at the celery. “Surprise? I think you have. What are you doing?”
“We never ate dinner last night. I was going to bring you breakfast.” She held up the carton. “But…how long do you heat it for? You like it warm right?”
Angel took the blood from her quickly. “You don’t have to.” Angel really wished that he hadn’t listened to Wesley. Angel did not want to feed in front of the young woman.
“That’s why it’s a nice thing to do, silly.” Cordelia went to take back the blood.
Angel swung the blood behind his back out of her grasp. “Those?” he pointed with his other hand.
Cordelia turned diverted. “Bloody Mary, you can’t just like plain blood can you? Booorrring.” Cordelia nodded in conviction. “I didn’t put vodka in it though, do you want some?”
“You didn’t put…” Angel brought the blood back around to his face taking a whiff. “You spiced the blood.”
“Sure, don’t you? You use all those spices when you cook, so why not when you eat?”
Angel took a deep breath, gazing open mouthed at the beautiful young woman clad in nothing but his sweater. Her face bright and questioning, he blinked. Cordelia was serious. She made him a non-alcoholic real BLOODY Mary and she expected him to drink it.
“So, how long do I warm it for?”
Angel stood stunned. First the drapes to keep him safe and now this- the young woman was beginning to scare him definitely amaze him.
“I…”
“You don’t like it, you haven’t even tasted it.” Cordelia pouted.
Angel gulped. “Microwave it for 2 minutes,” he said slowly.
He blinked again at the bright grin that overwhelmed Cordelia’s expression. She happily took the carton and placed it in the microwave.
Angel tried to get a grip on his thoughts has the appliance started its count down. “I can…do you want omelets or…”
Cordelia shook her head. “Had some toast.” She swirled at the ding. “Here you go…Wait…” Cordelia reached for a coffee mug, transferring the blood and placing a stick of celery in it before handing the mug to Angel.
Angel tentatively raised the concoction to his lips, shoving the wilted greenery aside. He hid his grimace as the spiced blood ran down his throat.
“Well.” Cordelia asked expectantly.
“Not too…okay.” Angel smiled and took another sip.
“You don’t like it.”
“It’s good,” Angel quickly said trying to stop the frown that was appearing on her face.
“Hmmph.” Cordelia settled on the stool.
“No really.” Angel gulped swallowing the last bit of blood.
“Sure. Oh well, I’ll try something else for lunch.”
“Really, that’s okay, Cordelia. Plain blood is fine.”
“Hmmph." Cordelia waved his statement away. "I’ve been thinking about it, I think the bad press is just Rebecca spouting off again. She wasn’t really happy at the Premiere. Bitter old woman. It’s not fair, all I ever wanted to be was an actress.”
Angel looked over his shoulder as he washed the bloody mug out. “Always?” Angel was puzzled. Acting seemed to be more superficial than even the teenager Cordy had been and definitely didn’t seem fitting with the young woman before him and he didn’t like the way those articles had made her doubt herself. If that was what acting was about- he didn’t think it at all appropriate for Cordelia. She was more important than that.
“Sure,” Cordelia bit her lip, scrunching up her forehead. “Actually, no. Only since I had to earn a living. It was supposed to go, home, hotel, hotel, husband. Oh well, or at least college.” Cordelia smiled. “You’re right the whole celebrity business doesn’t seem to have much purpose….but it pays well.” She shrugged. “Until I get cancelled, anyway.”
“That doesn’t bother you?”
“To no longer be adored by thousands?” Cordelia rested her chin on her fist. “Sure. But,” Cordelia scrunched up her face. “It hadn’t been feeling right for awhile. Either has the home, hotel, hotel, husband course.” She straightened. “You’ve a higher purpose- visions of all the baddies- is it rewarding? Do you feel like you’re actually a part of something- doing something- helping some how? How does that feel?”
Angel moved to sit next the young woman. “I don’t know.”
“How can you not know?” Cordelia faced the vampire.
Angel shrugged. “This visions are important, I know that conceptually. When Doyle had them, I knew exactly what I was supposed to do and could do it. And saving the victim in his visions did mean something. But…afterwards…now, I’m just glad when they’re over and I can think again. Though, sometimes I just wish I would go completely crazy it’s the knowing a bit of sanity then being thrown back into the abyss of memories and delusions that are difficult. I babble to Wesley, but I’m no use to him or Gunn.” Angel gazed drifted to the far wall.
“You do help and are of use,” Cordelia grabbed at his arm. “Wesley and Gunn save people because of your visions. You’re good. You’re helping me. You aren’t crazy. Unless you think being with me is crazy.”
Angel cupped Cordelia’s chin. “Being with you is crazy, but a very surprising good crazy.” Angel sighed dropping his hand. “But, I feel wasted like I should be doing more.” He shook his head.
“It’s okay,” Cordelia reached and drew his face to hers. “I think I know what you mean. Weird.” Cordelia blew out a breath. “It’s like something’s missing or not right. But what can you do about it? We are what we are. Me- just an actress that may or may not maintain my status as ‘the girl with the million dollar smile’ and you- a vampire with a soul that helps people the best way you can.” Cordelia shrugged. “I’ve got to go to the studio, they want to put weaves in my hair. I so tired of it all.”
“Just? Cordy, you aren’t just anything, you are a loving special woman, don’t ever doubt that and tell the studio to screw themselves- I can rip some heads off if you want. I can do it.”
Cordelia laughed. “How come I believe that you would scare those weenies at the studio if I asked.”
“Because I would.”
Cordelia shook her head, dropping her eyes to the counter. “How come I know you? I shouldn’t, I didn’t know you in Sunnydale, not really, not …obviously not like this, but still…I know you, I feel like have for a long time. I trust you. It’s weird.”
Angel nodded feeling the same sentiments. He did know Cordelia and he trusted her…and he wanted her again.
“So, I’m going to go take a shower, you want to join me and explore more of this weird and crazy stuff.”
“No, just you.” Angel smiled scooping up the young woman in his arms heading for the stairs. “No, to the weaves. It wouldn’t feel right.” He determined as he ran his fingers through Cordelia’s silky hair.
“Okay, but you might just have to beat up the network honcho.”
“Done.” Angel ran up the steps.
Continue on...