Title: A Little Ways Back
Author: anne
Posted: 04-05-2003
Email:
Rating: NC-17
Category: Time travel, adventure, romance (I hope)
Content: The one you have to think about and root for is C/A.
Summary: Sequel to Into the Past and Now to the Present. If you haven’t read Into the Past or Now to the Present, then you should. I posted them at ST but it was before the wonder of Nothing Fancy so you will need to go to: http://www.1freespace.com/temptatio...s/caindex.html. If you don't want to do that, see the Story So Far notes below.
Spoilers: I'm not really sure but Cordy isn't a demon, so none of that other icky stuff that followed...major change in the ATS universe...Cordy's visions aren't deadly, just were really painful but Wesley fixed that....purist leave me alone...
Disclaimer: The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made. Movies mentioned- ‘Back to the Future’- Universal Studios, Robert Zemeckis; ‘Frequency’- New Line Studios- (summary- as it wasn’t anywhere the pop icon that the other was-) Solar storms occurring 30 years apart allow a father (Dennis Quaid) and son (Jim Caviezel) to talk through time using the same ham radio. In son’s present dad’s been dead for 30 years. As they talk history is changed. A seriel killer’s crime spree is altered making it worse. Once the son ( a cop) figures this out, father and son work together through time to solve the crime. ***It sounds kind of cheesy but I liked it.
Distribution:
Notes: This series was orginally started to be fun while I took a break from writing an angsty part of an another story...but I liked it enough to do a sequel and Gabby scared me enough to do another.
Feedback:
Dedication: Gabby- no not that one….the truly scary one, the friend, and cheerleader when she isn’t stalking the board and terrorizing. This is at her request. (oh, I didn't do any real work today because of the idea she started. Her fault, all of it.)
The Story So Far: But if you don’t- In to the Past- the fang gang finds a prophecy “The Vampire with a soul will be damned, his redemption lost, when the mate of his soul, is torn asunder by the demon that lies within.” Everybody pretty much realized that meant Angelus- Cordy is the only that doesn’t realize that she is the other part of the prophecy. Wolfram & Hart do a spell, dropping Cordy in 1898, Cordy runs into Angelus and the rest of the fanged four, but Angelus is the big worry, because he decides he likes her. Stalks her, Marks her. Cordy still hates him but can’t kill him because of the whole changing history thing. Angel and Wesley figure it out and save the day. There is a fight between Angelus and Angel. Ending with Angel telling Cordy his soul is secure and he loves her in the present. (NC-17) Oh, Angel remembers a brunette in his past that got away, the one as Angelus he marked, but the memory is fuzzy, so much that he doesn’t remember that he faced his future self, but he does remember she was brunette and thereby starting his blonde leanings. But as present Angel, he remebers and realizes who the brunette was. It's a happy time. Well for Angel. There is a tiny bit of angst- almost non-existent, then Cordy tells the present souled Angel to basically remark her. The ending is NC-17 and happy.
Now to the present- three weeks later. - Wolfram & Hart try again, this time bringing Angelus of 1898 to the present. Once he goes through the portal he remembers and wants Cordy, to turn her because well he liked her and she got away. He sort of wins making the prophecy come true for a version of a future, but Wesley figures out how to fix it, while present Angelus fights past Angelus. But the good guys prevail….and C/A end up happy and in love and Angelus of the past is back where he belongs. And present Angelus swept under the time changing rug. Things are good in my C/A universe.
Part 19
Angelus kicked at the young woman’s dead body. Useless. He surveyed the crushed skull, the woman’s dark hair matted with blood, her body torn and violated. Damn, it looked like his past self had the same need to get rid of the sight of Cordelia Chase writhing around under the soul.
Angelus searched, trying to catch the scent of another victim to alleviate his own rage and frustration. Angelus halted, looking back at the dead woman.
Why look for a substitute when the original was waiting. He should’ve just gone after Cordelia earlier once he realized that the presence of the soul in her house gave him a free pass. But, at the time, he hadn't thought that fighting both the soul and the past Angelus was the most prudent course to get what he wanted.
Angelus growled. If that was what he was thinking, what were the chances that the other Angelus had the same thought.
He ran back towards to Cordelia’s house.
***
Angelus jumped on the balcony, growling at the smashed window and his past self.
“They’re gone.” Angelus of 1898 stalked towards the other vampire. “Your presence as interfered with my plans for the last time.” He lunged.
His plans. What the fuck? Cordelia was his. He saw her first. Okay, maybe not first, with this whole fucked up time line crap but Angelus was sure that he knew her longer, hell hadn’t he spent days and hours in that stifling library surrounded by the teenage gaggle that accompanied Buffy. So what, that he had a soul then, it counted.
Okay, so the Past Angelus clued him in on who Cordelia really was. But Angelus would’ve of figured it out eventually and taken her. It was the past Angelus that was fucking with his plans.
Angelus reared up meeting the past Angelus, grabbing hold of him as they both fell out of the window.
Both vampires rolled to the ground, jumping to their feet and lunged again. Bones cracked as the blows were thrown with equal strength. Both vampires staggered back, blood pouring from their identical faces.
Angelus of the past laughed. “You can’t kill me.”
“Right, because you’re me. Guess what, I don’t have any tender feeling for any past version. She’s mine.” Angelus growled.
“Tender feelings, hell, I understand, I hate you too, but this isn’t my first trip to the future and I’ve learned something very interesting.”
The Angelus’ circled each other. “And that would be what? You got better looking as time went on. Have you even heard of hair gel?”
Angelus smirked. “God, did I turn into a witless fool, spouting off bad repertoire for lack of intelligence, what the hell happened to me?”
“Get over yourself, melodrama without a taste of humor is a bad opera.” Angelus rolled his eyes.
Angelus narrowed his eyes. “Take this opera, you can’t kill me. When Cordy was sent to me, she couldn’t kill me, just like the soul couldn’t when he took her, just like he couldn’t kill me in his time, because I am him, I am you.”
“Okay, now you’re being that German fellow, thought he was so existentially smart and deep, but really made no sense, his opera’s sucked.” Angelus growled.
“I die, you die, that simple. Without me, you both are dust. But, the really interesting thing is I can kill you both and I’m fine.” He lunged.
Angelus kicked out, shoving the past vampire back. His head jerked as he caught a familiar scent. “Tell that one to the slayer.” Angelus jumped, grimacing as he landed on the branches above. He groaned. The partially healed wounds that Cordelia had inflicted tore back open. Great, just great. Angelus sucked in his breath leaping to the ground away from his past self and Buffy. He felt like he got run over by a truck. He needed to rest.
Angelus prepared to follow when he was knocked to the ground by a forceful blonde whirlwind.
“You won’t get to me by skulking around Cordelia.” Buffy glared. “Stupid to even try.”
Angelus stood wiping at the blood on his mouth and stared at the petite blonde. “I still don’t get it. You’re so skinny and a slayer. What vampire in his right mind would choose you over Cordy? I’m so ashamed of what I became.” Angelus spit out some more blood.
“Uh.” Buffy stepped back in surprise, she had hit him hard but not hard enough to draw blood. Buffy mentally kicked herself. She had to get over her hesitation at fighting the soulless vampire. He wasn’t Angel. Angel was gone. She straightened her slim shoulders. “Mind games, Angelus? So predictable.” She forced a confident laugh.
“Mind games? With you? You give yourself to much credit, there isn’t enough there to play with. Let’s get this over with, so I can get back to what I came here for.” He swung knocking Buffy up against a tree. He moved towards the stunned slayer, reaching for her head, preparing to twist her neck.
He winced as Buffy punched up, striking his chest, pushing him back.
“You tried to kill me.” Buffy blinked. Angelus teased and taunted. She wasn’t a complete fool, she knew that he would try to kill her eventually, but for the present he had been gleefully happy just cause her pain.
Angelus groaned to stand. “I’m a vampire, that’s what I do.”
“But…”
“Back to the mind games. You’re so stupid. God, how far I fell. The soul really wanted you? I don’t get it.” Angelus lunged; miss stepping as the pain from his earlier battle caught up with him.
“Angel loved me.”
Angelus laughed. “No. Soul may have deluded the demon for a moment, but Cordy’s who we want. Grow up.“ Angelus swung.
Buffy pushed away the pain the vampire’s words caused as she kicked out.
Angelus grunted falling again to the ground. He staggered to his feet, finally realizing that he wouldn’t be able to kill the slayer under the current circumstances. He winced. “Little girl, it seems that you’ll live through the night, but don’t count on tomorrow, I could give a damn about whether you live or die, honestly. But, you will die if you interfere with me getting what’s mine.” Angelus ran.
Buffy stared after the vampire. She had learned to expect a vicious tongue, taunts, and threats but Angelus said that he wanted Cordelia. That Angel wanted her. Since when?
Part 20
Angelus stumbled towards the high school, kicking opening the front door, heading for the basement, once safely sheltered in the blackness, he rested.
***
Angelus ran jerkily towards an alley, kicking open a side door of an abandoned building searching for a place to heal.
***
Buffy ran home gulping down her tears and immediately getting on the phone with Willow.
***
Cordelia looked around at the dreary cavern. “So, we’ll be safe here?”
“It’s almost daylight.” Angel scanned the cave once again. “No one’s here.”
“Gee, can’t see why, it’s so lovely.”
“Cordy,” Angel commented.
“Hey, if it’s safe, its beautiful that’s all I’m saying.” She brushed at the grime on a stone and sat.
“You won’t be here for long.” Angel pulled at the orb from his pocket, relieved that it was still in one piece.
“What’s that for?”
“The soul spell.”
“Um, Angel, those words don’t go well together, soul- spell, they just don’t give me a warm and fuzzy feeling. Spell, soul, magic leads to mess-ups and bad stuff. A third Angelus running around would be a bad thing. Why do we need a soul spell?"
“It’s not for me, for you.”
“Me?” Cordelia squeaked. “Why do I need a soul spell?”
“Because, Wesley figured it out. Wolfram & Hart transported your soul. That’s why you’re in your 17 year old body.”
Cordelia’s eyes widened. “I really hate them.” She shrugged in frustration at not being able to smack a few lawyers around. “Okay, so this soul spell will get my soul back to where it belongs.”
Angel nodded. “Wesley gave me the spell. Once your soul is in this,” he raised the orb, “I’ll open the time portal, and send it through. Wesley says all he has to do is break it, your soul will go straight to your body, and you’ll be fine.”
“My body? Where is it? Wolfram and Hart don’t have it do they? They better not being doing anything weird or icky too it.”
“It’s safe at the Hyperion.” Angel reassured the young woman.
“Oh, okay.” Cordelia scrunched up her face again. “I thought that the Portal had to be opened from our present.”
“It seems Fred has been studying the equations of the old spell. Wesley was able to use what she learned to devise a return spell.”
Cordelia smiled at the braininess of her friends. “Hey, what happens to me?” She pointed down at her younger body.
“Wesley said that once your future soul leaves, all would be back to normal, soul, memory, minus this interruption, of course. All would be righted along with everything else. ”
“What about Angelus of 1898?”
“After you’re safe, I’ll go after him and send him back.”
Cordelia stared at the vampire,” After I GO back,” she raised an eyebrow.
“I want you away from him, from both of them.”
“No, Angel.”
“I’m not arguing about this.”
“Who’s arguing, I’m making sense, you aren’t. Angel, you send my future soul back, I won’t be away from either Angelus, I’ll still be here, and at a disadvantage because I won’t know what’s going on, neither of the Angelus' care what soul they kill. And, you won’t be able to explain it to me, one I won’t listen because to my 17 year old self you will be Angelus and two, I can’t know because if I did I’d run straight for Buffy and the Scoobies.”
Angel scowled knowing she was right but hating it. “I’ll just do the time portal spell, you’re soul and 17 year old ‘self’ will be safe in 2002. When its over we’ll send the teenager you back,” he answered, satisfied with his alternative to Cordelia’s arguments.
“Angel, that’s stupid. You’ll need my help. And Wesley, Gunn, and Fred would never forgive you for subjecting them to a freaked out 17 year old me. I wouldn’t forgive you, I’d have to bitch slap myself.”
“You weren’t that bad.”
Cordelia rolled her eyes. Wow. Love was truly blind even in memories. “Try another plan.”
“Cordy,” Angel tried.
“No, Angel. And its just not Angelus 1 that we have to worry about, there’s Angelus 2.”
“Angelus 1, 2?”
“Do have a better way of keeping them straight. Angelus of ‘now’ and ‘past’ Angelus was confusing and way cumbersome, should’ve thought of it earlier.”
Angel shook his head. “Cordy, both Angelus came to your house, Angelus, um, 2, was obsessed with Buffy not you, you said in your letter that your plan to keep it that way failed. What happened?”
“That had been my plan,” Cordelia insisted in a slightly defensiveness manner. “But, I…it wasn’t my fault, it was the stupid Powers fault.” She explained.
“The Powers?”
Cordelia rolled her eyes. “I had a vision, do you believe it? Like there wasn’t enough to worry about.”
“A vision? Are you all right? You didn’t have the potion.” Angel’s eyes urgently scanned her face and body, looking for any signs of distress that some how he failed to notice when he had previously examined every inch of her body with his hands and lips.
Cordelia brushed off his concern. “Mom has some killer drugs stashed away, I was okay. But, I had to go out at night and save the victims.” Cordelia didn’t like the vampire’s sudden silence or his glare. “Angel, I had too, what else was I going to, I couldn’t go to Buffy, you weren’t here. I couldn’t let them die.” She rushed, her tone completely defensive.
Angel blinked rubbing his forehead, the action used to calm his anger. Anger was not productive. Cordelia was safe. “Tell me.” He said in manufactured calmness.
Cordelia scrunched up her face at the vampire, his tone wasn’t much better than his glare. “Well, two vampires in the cemetery getting ready to ruin some kids make out session. I got there in time, you should've of seen it. One of the vampires grabbed me from behind and I used the kick you taught me, “ Cordelia demonstrated her move, swinging and kicking high, just in case Angel didn’t remember. "Then I hit him,” she mimicked the rest of the fight, “I did it. Dust bunnies.” She nodded.
Angel nodded, interrupting the young woman’s proud demonstration. “And while you were patting your self on the back,” he said slowly without any inflection in his voice, "the other vampire, was where?”
Cordelia frowned. “He tackled me. But, I was holding my own. I was.” She claimed at Angel’s steady stare. “Well, I would’ve but, he saw your marks and then freaked and went all-sorry this sorry that and well, I staked him. Why didn’t you tell me these things,” she pointed to her neck, “ act as vamp repellant. How’d he know they were yours, well actually, he thought they were Angelus 2’s.”
Angel covered his face. “The vampire got close enough to biting you to scent them? Is that what you call holding your own?” He was going to have to tie her to his waist or lock her in their room. She was too reckless. Cordelia was giving him ulcers or would if he could get them.
“I…he could smell that they were yours, weird,” deciding to ignore Angel’s angry question. “Is there some sort of database, you know identifying vampires by smell. That’s a lot weird and just a little bit creepy, but cool.” She nodded encouraging the vampire to speak.
Angel really didn’t want to have this conversation with the young woman that was now trying smell the marks on her neck.
“Cordelia.”
Cordy jerked her head up. “How does it work?”
Angel sighed, resigned to the fact that she would not continue with her story until he explained. “I don’t know the physiology of how it works. All I know, all vampires know, is that a mark is different than a just a bite, a mark incorporates the vampire scent into the wounds, warning others that the prop…the person is claimed. A vampire sensing such marks, may not be able to identify the scent by name, but will be able to know the strength, age, etc. of the one that made them, then if and only if, the vampire is concerned with being able to fight and win against that other vampire, will he leave the person alone. So, you see, Cordy, it’s not a vamp repellant if the vampire that is trying to kill you is arrogant or stupid enough not to know that I wouldn’t tear them apart for touching you. It’s not a guarantee of anything, that’s why I didn’t tell you, because you would think of them as some sorta free pass.”
Cordelia considered, a smile breaking out over her face. “Pooh, you’re the bestest and strongest vampire out there. That other vampire ran like a chicken.”
Angel wouldn’t let the warm glow of her confident praise deter him. “That’s because he identified you as belonging to Angelus, here in Sunnydale at this time, the only vampires that are close to my age or…. viciousness are Dru and Spike.”
“So, they would…”
“I don’t know. Un souled, they would never go against me, but with a soul, they’d be less respectful of my mark. But it doesn’t matter because you aren’t getting near either of them. Now, you were explaining how Angelus 2 noticed you.” Angel signaled the end to that conversation with a long burdened shake of his head.
Cordelia sighed, knowing she got as much as she would from the vampire. “Angelus 2 was there. He saw the fight and the scaredy vamp. He wanted to know what vampire marked me. I didn’t tell him. And then I did a couple things that might have made him mad,” shrugging.
Angel cringed knowing perfectly well that Angelus just didn’t politely ask Cordy questions. “What did he do?”
“Really, just asked, little forcibly okay, but I wasn’t hurt or anything. He was though.” Cordelia reassured.
“What did you do?” Angel knew he didn’t want to hear it.
“I kicked him in the nuts, then chopped him, just like you taught me,” she snapped the sides of her palms in the air.
Angel groaned. That would’ve certainly gotten Angelus’ notice. “That’s it? You said you were with him in my old apartment.”
“That was later. See, I still thought it would maybe okay, but the Scoobies showed up and I couldn’t let Buffy get to him, she may have killed him, I wasn’t sure. Usually, she screwed up with Angelus, but he was still kind of stunned, you said it would give me 3 seconds, but it was it was at least 5. So, I told him to run and I sorta of screamed into Buffy’s arms. I was really convincing,” she assured.
Angel refused to let his growl emerge. He took a deep breath. “You saved him. That would definitely get you noticed.”
“Yeah, I did figure I messed up, but what else was I supposed to do. That’s when I pretty much decided just to leave Sunnydale and hide out in LA and wait. So, I was probably a little too talkative when he showed up at my window later that night.”
“No, not you. I don’t believe it.” Angel groaned shaking his head.
“Hey.” Cordelia narrowed her eyes. “Well, it could’ve worked but then I had another stupid vision the next day. So, I had….”
“You went out, knowing that both Angelus’ were waiting for you.” Angel was getting an uncharacteristic tick in his left eye, along with a burning in his stomach. Oh my god. Cordelia had done it she gave him warmth, the illusion of life, and the health issues that went along with it. He groaned again.
“No. I didn’t know about Angelus 1 yet and Xander had called and said that Buffy had run into Angelus 2 after he left me and she beat him up. He said that Angelus went limping and bleeding off, that he be out of the picture for a while. Pfft, wrong, he looked okay to me, leaping up on buildings, doing all sorts of vamp stuff all while carrying me.”
“Back up. Explain.” Angel tried to ignore the churning in his stomach. It wasn’t real.
“Oh, after I killed the vampires, and saved the little boy, Angelus 1 showed up.” Cordelia bit her lip and took a quick look at the vampire. “Anyway, Angelus 2 kind of saved me.”
“You’re not telling me everything,” he growled, the symptoms of his imaginary medical maladies disappearing.
“The important stuff I am.” Cordelia insisted. She refused to tell Angel about the little boy’s fate at Angelus’ hands. “ Anyway, I ended up with Angelus 2 in your old apartment. At first, I thought it was you, I mean, would’ve thought that Angelus would save me, and he did try to pass it off. But, he couldn’t and I double bluffed him and escaped.”
“Because he kissed you?” Angel was about to hit something.
Cordelia nodded. "And red shirt and leather pants. His wardrobe choices just screamed out evil ‘grr’ guy.”
“And during the kiss,” Angel choked on his growl. “The marks?”
Cordelia shrugged. “Maybe he just smelled a old mean vampire?” Cordelia said hopefully. She shrugged again in resignation.
“Damn.” Angel let his growl out blocking any other more violent reactions. “As disturbing as that was, it still doesn’t explain why they were both together.”
"Eww.” Cordelia‘s mind going back to her bedroom and the creepy feeling of having both evil vampires watching her and Angel make love.
“They should be trying to kill each other…”
“Well, Angelus 1, did say he’d kill Angelus 2,” Cordelia added helpfully.
“Yes, that’s to be expected and for Angelus…2 to want to kill 1, but them together, doesn’t make sense.”
“Why? Sure, it’s weird, but why are you so blown out about it?”
Angel stared at Cordelia. “Because they are me, and I want to kill both of them.”
“Because they're Angelus, your trip to the dark side. But, maybe they’ve bonded in an evil lack of soul way.”
“No, I want them to die, because they threaten you, they are trying to take away what is mine. There is no way that either Angelus would be able to let the other survive. This isn’t about a soul or lack of one, it’s purely what is. You are mine, they think the same way.” Angel growled.
“No, Angel.” Cordelia walked up to the vampire, gentling cupping his tense jaw. “It has every thing to do with your soul, these,” she brushed at the marks,” are here because of your soul.”
“Cordy,” Angel shook his head.
“Angel, look at me, I’m 17. I don’t have the scar on my stomach, I don’t have my tattoo, but I do have these. You say that my soul was transported back, well so were these, evidence of my love and trust in you, not something I would give Angelus. You may be the vampire that was Angelus, but you are Angel now. You may have the instincts, the needs, but you are who you’ve become because of your soul. That’s who I love, I’ll accept the part of you that was Angelus, and I’ll accept the demon that you are, but I only accept it because of the compassion, goodness and love that resides along side that demon. If you could tell me that Angelus could give me those things then I'd take you all to my bed and my heart.”
Angel growled.
Cordelia cocked a brow and laughed. “Okay, I’d only take you as Angelus, I like layers, the others are way too limited.”
Angel shook his head grumbling. “This is stupid conversation.” He grabbed a hold of the young woman pulling her close. “I love you, Cordelia Chase.” He nuzzled into her neck, fighting the urge to claim her again.
Cordelia leaned back up, her hands going back to his face. “You really are an insecure vampire aren’t you?” She smiled, licking her lips. “It will dawn soon, no way to do anything now.” She kissed his lips gently. “I’ve never made love in a cave before,” she whispered running her tongue along his bottom lip.
“It’s dirty,” he growled, holding her waist, straddling her legs around his lap.
“That’s probably why.” She kissed him again, pushing him back slightly, “You’ll just have to keep me off the grime.” She leaned up, taking off her shirt.
Angel leaned back further making sure that his body was between Cordy’s and the rocks at all times, as he thrust into her love and sipped at her blood.
***
Angelus groaned, stretching as he stood in the basement of the high school. He lifted his red silk shirt, studying his healing wounds. Better, much better, but not perfect, but Angelus wasn’t worried, he could accomplish what he came there for.
Angelus entered into the school’s main hallway, his normally stealth footsteps echoed in between the lockers the sound amplified by the emptiness created by the Saturday morning. Angelus pushed open the library doors, half expecting Buffy’s watcher to wander out of his office. Angelus frowned the uptight British stiff must have gotten a life. It would’ve been convenient if the watcher had been there. He could’ve gotten some information and blood.
Angelus rifled through the books that populated Giles’s small office. He threw down the last in disgust. Angelus ventured to the aisles of books in the main room. Fiction. He scanned the books quickly. Nothing, but fantasies.
This was useless. Angelus tried one more avenue of information. He stood behind the computer recalling Buffy’s little redhead sidekicks’ actions to access the secrets of the Internet.
Angelus hit on site after site all focusing on time travel, some more fanciful than the fiction he had just read, some couched in mathematical promises of success….if the universe worked that way.
Angelus shut down the computer. Okay. It was pretty much unanimous time travel was impossible, except Angelus knew that to be false because he just fought his past self and saw his future souled self. Accepting that, Angelus of the past was right. He couldn’t die. Angelus swung crashing the computer to the floor. That really pissed him off. Nothing in Giles’s books or the computer gave him a fuckin clue how to get rid of the past Angelus.
The vampire leaned up against the counter. The souled freak wouldn’t be here if he didn’t know that way. That meant he had to get Angel to tell him. Once Angelus was gone, he could kill the soul and take the girl.
Against every instinct and desire, Angelus left the school trying to figure out a way to get the soul to cooperate before killing him. Angelus frowned, he knew the soul, after all he had been him, and well, Angelus didn’t have any weakness. Angelus smiled, he didn’t have any, but the soul had plenty, starting with the big ‘L’ word. Hell, souled he compromised plenty of his demon’s needs. This one couldn’t be that different.
Part 21
Cordelia rubbed her cheek against Angel’s broad chest, nudging, and burying trying to get under his skin. “I wish we were home,” her words muffled.
“Soon, I promise.” Angel whispered stroking the dark hair, holding her tight.
She rose her head, soft brown flitting with golden specks, glowing with love into the dark pools begging for her to believe. “I know.” She smiled tenderly, caressing Angel’s cheek, sitting up. “Hey, caves aren’t so bad.”
Angel smiled. “That’s because it wasn’t your back embedded with sharp stones.”
Cordelia tilted her head. “Are you complaining?”
“Never.” He kissed her soundly.
“I guess we should get dressed, um.”
“Yeah.” Angel sighed, not wanting the warmth to leave but knowing that if Cordy was too be safe they would have to leave the security of the cave, no matter how false it was. Knowledge warred with his need to keep her close. Angel brought Cordelia into the v of his legs taking the clothes from her hands, caressing as he guided her long legs into the jeans. Cordelia leaned into his chest. “Angel,” she whispered.
“Shh, we’re just getting dressed.”
“Not like this we aren’t.” she half sighed and giggled, turning into his lap
Angel swung a lacy bra. “My only thought is to help”
“Uhuh,”
Angel lifted her arms, slipping the straps over them, his fingers tapping and teasing down her shoulder blades. Angel leaned down brushing his lips over the tip of her nipple, tonguing at the nub, suckling until it peaked firm in his mouth.
Cordelia made a soft sound as her knees buckled, her hands going to Angel’s shoulders.
Angel’s lips moved to the other full breast as he hooked the back of the lacy bra closed.
Cordelia whimpered as he lifted his head, pulling the material securely hiding the moist flesh, the straining nipples scrapping against the fabric begging to be free.
“Angel.” Cordelia moaned as the material separated her from his lips.
Angel responded by kissing along her collarbone, nudging her arms into her shirt.
“Angel.” She wined.
“Shush, almost done.”
“No,” she pouted
Angel gave a soft laugh, fully enjoying the soft gasp of breath and pout.
“Tease.” She tried to pull away.
“So says the master.” Angel nuzzled back into her neck, gripping the unclosed material of her jeans, slipping his fingers under the denim to stroke at the soft skin, swirling deft fingertips closer delving into the soft folds.
Cordy’s nails pierced into the vampire’s shoulders as her weight slumped into his fingers, the tingling starting in her toes, branching out, growing.
Cordy gasped, falling into the crook of Angel’s shoulder, her chest panting as her release rippled through liquefying her muscles.
Angel slanted, brushing his face against the head hugged into his shoulder. It would be so easy to get lost in the bouquet that floated around Cordy, the scent of the culmination of her pleasure, what he caused. Angel stilled his desire; calling on all of his control, smiling as he gently moved her, zipping and snapping her jeans, pulling down her shirt. Leaving Cordelia, standing completely clothed, unsure, and flushed.
“Angel.” She reached for the naked aroused vampire.
“It’s dark out,” he gently tapped her nose then reaching for his pants.
Cordelia licked at her lips,” but…”
“But, we have to get home. I want you home. And when you’re safe, I want to make sure that Cordelia Chase is safe here so when the time comes she will be you, badgering me to live, being there for me always, allowing me too love you,” gently cupping her face.
Cordelia gasped at the tender gesture, the words melting her quicker than the tantalizing touch had. “I love you,” Cordelia truly hoped that the vampire would never get tired of hearing it, because she would never get tired of saying it.
Angel smiled. “I won’t.”
“That was just spooky.”
“It’s the hellmouth, Cordy.” Angel shrugged.
Cordy snorted.
***
“Angel, the way I see it, we just avoid Angelus 2, stun Angelus 1,” she held up the tranquilizer gun that Angel brought with him, “open the portal, send him back, leave this body,” she waved the gun towards her 17 year old form,” nice in safe in my bedroom, then go home.”
“Avoid Angelus 2? How would we do that?”
“Angel, I can’t think of everything,” she huffed.
“Sorry.” Angel rolled his eyes snatching the gun out of her hands and concealing it in his jacket.
“Hmmph. It’s not like we can’t tell them apart.”
“There’re identical, Cordelia.”
Cordelia shook her head. “I told you Angelus 2 wears red silk- flashy, Angelus 1 is still going with the monochrome blackness that Wolfram & Hart first put him in. And Angelus 1 calls me Cordy and 2 calls me Cordelia.”
“Cordelia, I am not risking you’re life on clothes and name calling.”
“How do you plan on telling them apart then.”
“I don’t, I see one, I’ll shoot him, I’ll worrying about which is which when they’re both unconscious and chained.”
“ Angel, if you….” She quieted as Angel growled his human face receding, pulling her behind him. “What is it?” She asked trying to see into the darkness Angel was focused on.
Angel growled louder, his yellow eyes gleaming towards the opening of the cave.
“Guess sneaking up on you was a bit of wishful thinking on my part.” Angelus poked his head around to wave at Cordy. “Hello, Cordelia, long time no see.”
Cordelia stretched her head over Angels’ shoulder, nudging the vampire to notice the bright silk shirt on Angelus. “2, see flashy and…”
“Cordelia, shut up.” Angel growled.
Angelus crossed his hands flamboyantly over his chest. “Is that any way to talk to your soul mate? You put up with that,” he blinked wide-eyed towards Cordy,” I thought you had more spunk than that. Guess I was wrong.”
“You,” Cordelia moved, only to be tugged back by Angel.
“Stay put,” Angel ordered.
Cordelia glared but stayed behind Angel.
“What do you want?” Angel growled.
“Hey, does that mean I confused myself.” Angelus laughed.
“It’s not that hard to do, dumb ass.” Cordelia peeked over Angel’s shoulder.
Angelus laughed harder. “Was that an insult to me or you?” He jerked his head towards Angel.
Cordelia blinked wide realizing how her intended cut to Angelus may have sounded to Angel. “Sorry,” she whispered up into Angel’s ear.
Angelus chuckled at the exasperation on his souled counterparts face. “Sure, you want her as a soul mate? She talk’s a lot. In fact, the only plus I can see with having her,” Angelus sniffed around the air,” is that she needs to be fucked at all hours like a cat in heat or a good whore.”
Angel’s hand shot out holding Cordelia from charging Angelus. “I said stay put.”
“You’re not the one he’s calling a whore, hey, do something.” She smacked him.
“Cordelia, be quiet, please.”
“Hmmph,” Cordelia turned her back crossing her arms.
“You’re making a lot of noise and still not explaining why you’re here.” Angel faced the other vampire.
“Undeniable curiosity about my future. So, is Buffy dead, that why the soul so convinced that she’s the one you want? Did I finally get around to killing the love of you life?” Angelus jumped on a rock, swinging his legs casually. Angelus laughed as he saw Cordelia peek around to study Angel. “Come, girl, you don’t really think those marks mean that the soul loves you it just means the demon wants to get between your legs, enjoying the warmth while killing you slowly. Blood during sex, is quite….yummy.” Angels smacked his lips. “And you are the willing little slut.”
Angel shot his hand out again to stop Cordelia from moving, growling more in frustration rather than anger when she kicked him in the shin. “Talk or…”
“You’ll kill me?” Angelus laughed. “Had a talk with the past us, did some research, you can’t, but it seems you’re expendable.”
“Hate to break it to you, but so are you.”
“Not while the old guy is running around.”
“So, you’re going to kill me and what- share Sunnydale, Drusilla…” Angel paused pointedly, “Cordy?”
Angelus growled, jumping to the ground. “Who says I want her?”
“I do, past Angelus does, you’re in the middle,” Angel laughed.
“No. The slayer is the one I’m obsessed with. Remember, the love of you’re souled life.”
Angel smirked. “I also remember seeing Cordelia in 1898, wanting her, marking her, needing to keep tasting at the blood that burnt through my dead veins, pounding a desire through me, feeling the softness hidden under layers of clothes, wanting that body to be mine, knowing that Darla would kill her no matter that I had claimed her, deciding then that I would forgo the warmth to have the body and fire of the girl herself with me always, planning to turn her to be at my side, and then killing Darla. I also remember the rage and frustration at being thwarted. I remember the dreams that waned over time of a beautiful spirited brunette- all of it- the fire, pain, rage, and need. I remember getting my soul and pushing the dream back, the soul regretting the fear that I had inspired, abhorring the need that belonged to the demon. I remember seeing Buffy for the first time after decades of hiding from the guilt, I remember being pulled by her innocence, fragility, and strength- a feeling not tainted by the demon. So, yes, I remember loving Buffy, just like I remembered wanting Cordelia with a single-minded purpose, surpassing any other want. Just like I know, that had I noticed who Cordelia was, like you have, I would’ve forgone my obsession to hurt Buffy for making me feel human and concentrate on the obsession that followed me for a century. Don’t forget who you're bull shitting."
Angelus forced down his growl. “It was worth a shot, the soul always made me less than perceptive of the demon’s needs. Seems I might’ve been wrong on this one.”
Cordelia listened hanging on every word, slowly moving away from both vampires.
Angel had told her about the dreams and his fear of what could’ve happened had Angelus noticed her. But, he never explained the mindset of Angelus. She was marked because the demon wanted her. She licked at her lips, glancing up at Angel. His soul wanted Buffy. He would’ve never chosen her if he realized when they were in Sunnydale, because his soul wouldn’t have wanted her, she was tainted. With a soul he wanted Buffy. In an instant, all the drama of Buffy and Angel’s tragic love affair flew through her mind. For the first time, since Angel told her that he loved her, Cordelia, began doubt the vampire’s love.
Angel moved, returning his body in front of Cordelia, grabbing at her hand, sensing the woman’s growing fear. He growled at the other vampire. “Don’t.” He warned Angelus not to take advantage of what Angelus surely sensed also. “It won’t help you accomplish whatever you are trying to do here.”
Angelus considered. “But, it would’ve been fun.” Angelus shrugged silently agreeing for the moment not to push at Cordelia’s obvious vulnerability.
“Get to the point.” Angel glared.
“I have a deal.”
Angel raised his brows.
Angelus started to pace. “We both know we can’t kill the past guy. But, he can’t stay here, because you’re right, I won’t share. You’re here, so you must know how to get rid of him without creating major time fuck ups. But you’re going to need my help or at least my agreement of noninvolvement and then well, you and…” Angelus stared at Cordelia. “Her eagerness to jump in the sack, and humorless old guy’s talk of going back and forth through the time line indicates that she’s with you from the future, but she looks as young and fresh as when I saw her enjoying the moron in the back seat of her car.”
“I never…”
Angel pulled Cordy back again.
“Oh, maybe it was a supply closet. So, how’s that done?”
“I believe you and what you’ll just let us go.” Angel raised his brows.
Angelus shrugged. “You know me, I just want you both-my past and future to go. I figure that once done, I can get on with my present, who says that I will get the damn soul back, or won’t get the girl, or kill the slayer- You? Why should I take you’re word for it just because you show up all souley and fucking the prom queen.”
“May Queen, actually.” Angel smirked.
Angelus narrowed his eyes. “Deal?”
Angel laughed.
“I can kill you and take the girl.” Angelus growled.
“And then what, kill Angelus number 1 or are you back to sharing again.”
Angelus licked his lips trying move around Angel to get another look at Cordelia. “I think after you dead, that I will get to have that blood that I grave, the softness that I haven’t touched, I think I can make my Cordy scream until she tells me what she knows about returning the past to where it belongs, if that doesn’t work before too much damage is caused, I’ll just turn her and she’ll be happy to help, that’s what I think.”
Cordelia hugged up against Angel’s back. Her doubts shoved aside by the need for Angel’s hard body against hers giving her reassurance.
Angel kept his body still letting Cordy mold into him but otherwise never acknowledging her need. “What you haven’t experienced yet is the knowing that the soul doesn’t weaken the demon, that it can be ignored, that on one issue the soul and demon are compatible and each urging and wanting the same thing- the protection of what is loved and owned. I don’t have to kill you, I just have to break you, and I will. If you were smart, you would go back to the mansion, heckle Spike, use Dru and wait for the soul to come back, then you will actually be a happy vampire.”
Angelus growled.
“Or not.” Angel pulled out his tranquilizer gun shooting into the vampire, pellets peppering his body. “I think that you’re non-involvement is for the best.”
Angel gently moved away from Cordelia and knelt to study the fallen vampire.
“Come on,” he beckoned to Cordelia. “We’ve only about twelve hours to find Angelus 1, before this one wakes up.”
“Angel?”
Angel moved grabbing at the girl’s shoulders. “Don’t Cordelia, we don’t have time for me to reassure you with soft touches and words. Know, I love you. YOU. Only you. Wait until we get home to get insecure. I love you. And will be happy to prove it, but not now, okay. I love you.”
Cordelia bit at her lips, studying the intense glare on Angel’s face. She smiled. “Duh.”
Angel shook his head at the amazing woman. He kissed her quickly on her pursed mouth. “Let’s go.”
“Where? Nevermind,” at the look Angel shot her.
***
“Angel” Cordelia had remained quiet, not plaguing the vampire with her many questions, but now she just had to speak. “That’s Buffy’s house.” She pointed up the sidewalk where Angel had stopped.
“Yes, you are going in there and staying until this is over.”
“No. What? Buffy, no way.”
“Yes, way.”
“Angel, we can’t tell her wants going on.”
“You won’t. Just tell her that Angelus has been hanging around your house and you’re scared.”
“Tell her I’m scared, no way, “ Cordelia repeated.
“Do it.” Angel pushed her towards the house.
“No,” she tried again.
“Yes,” he ordered.
She glared at his tone. “Fine. But, how will I know it’s over. You can’t just coming knocking at the door.”
“Just keep looking for me, I’ll be the one wearing your father’s sweater.” He kissed her again. “Go.”
“Angel.” Cordelia bit at her tongue to stop her desired yell as he disappeared into the darkness. “I'll get you for this, you just wait.” She said lowly, knowing that while she couldn’t see the vampire he could hear her. She knew that he was close waiting for her to get into the safety of Buffy’s house. Cordelia took a deep breath and ran to the door, pounding on the wood and yelling with all her might.Part 22
"Cordelia?" Buffy asked in surprise and a lot of annoyance. Buffy had a dinner to eat and a mom that really wanted to spend quality time...alone.
Cordelia took a deep breath and immersed herself in the role of ‘Queen C’ stalked by Angelus. She pushed her way over the threshold. "You haven't done anything insane like invite your psycho boyfriend in again, have you?" Cordelia tapped her foot impatiently, her arms crossed, and her brow raised high.
"No, why are you here?"
"I'm here because your psycho boyfriend as put me on his creepy home visits tour-lurking outside my window last night, sculling around this evening. It's wiggin me out. If you can't grow some slayer balls and kill him can you at least put him on a leash."
Buffy grabbed Cordelia putting her hand over the brunette's mouth. "Will you shut up? My mom's home."
Cordelia struggled, breaking loose and huffing indignantly. "Don't get all grabby with me, I'm the victim here."
"Victim, you seem perfectly fine to me.” Buffy glanced at the young woman. "Though, with another look, trying a new fashion style, casual, not slutty."
"I AM NOT A SLUT." Cordelia yelled, Angelus’ comments still a little too raw, despite the realization that it had been all a game.
Buffy’s hand slammed over Cordelia’s mouth again. "Will you just shut up?"
Cordelia yanked at Buffy's hair. Cordelia smiled that was fun. Maybe before the night was over she could do it again with out getting cold cocked by the slayer.
"Ow.” Buffy stepped back. Both girls glared at each other.
"Buffy?" Buffy's mom walked in from the kitchen. "Cordelia? Is something wrong?" The older woman took a closer step to the teenagers, "you look a little flushed."
"Hi, Mrs. Summers, I'm sorry to just barge in like this, but...” Cordelia gave the older woman a frightened smile coated with sincerity at seeing Ms. Summer’s alive. “My parents are still on their trip and Marie's gone- that’s our maid-, and well, I swear I saw a strange man follow me home from school...."
"It's Saturday.” Buffy interrupted.
Cordelia shot her a look. "Yesterday, which was Friday, a day of school" Cordelia compounded her glare at the blonde.
"You left at lunch time."
Cordelia was going to hit Buffy or at least yank her hair again, couldn't the blonde ditz keep up, Buffy was the one that didn't want her mom to know she was the slayer and that the things that go bump in the night, not only bumped, but bit and killed. " I know, I was so upset, I mean he followed me from 'school', so I went to the mall."
"Oh, that's a good none stalking place."
"It is in the middle of the DAY,” Cordelia emphasized, “with a bunch of other people walking about.” Cordelia glared again at the interruption.
Buffy took a step back finally understanding the unspoken 'shut up, stupid, I'm telling a story here’ yell in Cordelia's glare.
"Buffy, shush," Mrs. Summers glanced to her daughter. "Honey, just tell me." Mrs. Summers wrapped an arm around Cordelia leading her deeper into the house.
"Well, I saw him again, or I think I did, I'm pretty sure I did, in the trees by my house. I was too scared to go in, you know, being alone. So, I came here," Cordelia glanced around through the hallway, noticing a set dinner table. "Oh, I'm interrupting your dinner, I’m sorry. I'll just..."
"Of course you'll stay until your parents get home."
Buffy groaned. Cordelia's parents were never home.
Mrs. Summers turned to Buffy. "Did you say something, dear?"
"No, Mom." Buffy studied her shoes.
"Come on, Cordelia. Buffy, set another place at the table. And after dinner, we'll call the police. They need to be notified if there is man out there stalking young women."
Cordelia bit back her snort, her eyes locking with the slayer's. Buffy was also trying to hide her choking. Buffy calmed herself, “A fat lot a good that will do," Buffy deadpanned. "Serve and Protect, isn't really their motto."
"Does Sunnydale even have a police department?" Cordelia genuinely asked, she couldn’t remember ever seeing a police person.
Buffy laughed.
"Girls," Mrs. Summers said disapprovingly. "The police do a wonderful job, keeping Sunnydale crime free,” she chastised as she went into the kitchen.
"You're mom's really great, honest, but come on- crime-free?"
Buffy shrugged. "In LA, our car got stolen a bunches of times. Here, it’s just a lot of unexplained freaky deaths."
"Right, I keep forgetting why I love this town.” Cordelia wanted to keep talking to Buffy some more, maybe bitch about the crime or lack of crime in Sunnydale. Buffy had laughed at her statement and not in a ‘at you’ way but ‘with you’ sort of way. That was new. That thought screeched any other thought of having a normal, slightly fun conversation with Buffy that would be atypical. She took another deep breath, promising that Angel would pay. “So, what are you going to do about Angelus?" She snapped.
"Willow, Oz, Xander and I are going to the Bronze. We'll talk about it then. AWAY from my mother,” cautioning Cordelia firmly. Damn. For a minute there Buffy almost thought Cordelia would be nice or at least civil. Buffy stared at the pretty brunette. So superior in her attitude but Cordelia was nothing. A May Queen from a small town. Buffy would’ve had her kicked her ass down the social ladder in a heartbeat if ‘Queen C’ showed her small town face in LA. Buffy had been the Queen of the ‘In’ crowd. Buffy sighed. That was until some old man told her who he was and what she was…and proved it to her, dying in the process. Her first watcher, she didn’t even know who he was- accept that he had wanted to make shoes. Instead he was stuck trying to teach a reluctant popular ditz that she was more than that. ‘Queen’ of anything became moot once she destroyed the gym to save the students. Buffy didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the unfairness of it all. There were times that Buffy couldn’t decide what she dislike about Cordelia the most- her stuck up attitude, knowing that she was the leader of the popular crowd, or the fact that she had what Buffy lost when she became the ‘slayer’.
No, Buffy had a calling a purpose and she had found real friends. Yet, there was something about Cordelia’s ability to see the ‘hellmouth’, date Xander, be put in positions that screamed supernatural and evil and the girl would go through it, bitch, complain, and then say whatever. Cordelia Chase had the ability to refuse to let the freakiness of Sunnydale stop her from living her life the way she wanted. Buffy wanted to label it has a complete clueless bit on the brunettes part, but sometimes Buffy wondered if Cordelia saw a bigger picture, one that showed no matter what- she Cordelia Chase would survive and things would be okay. Nay. Cordy was just a bitch. Buffy finished her thoughts.
"You all were going to the Bronze, without me? Why didn't Xander invite me?" Cordelia huffed.
"Because, you haven't been answering your phone, last night or today. Where were you? Xander’s worried.” Buffy rolled her eyes, all thoughts of giving Cordelia the benefit of the doubt gone. Her best friend had been pestering Buffy all day about the whereabouts’ of his girlfriend. Like Buffy knew or cared, but because it was Xander she had added her own attempts at calling Cordy’s house.
"I was too scared to answer the phone." Cordelia explained deciding not to care about Buffy’s slight flight from the land of the conscious. The girl obviously had a lot on her mind, probably starting with Angelus. Cordelia almost wished she could tell Buffy that it would be all right, -hard, sad, so painful- but all right. Angel would return. Cordelia shrugged picking at imaginary lint on her shirt.
"Angelus doesn't do the deep breathing thing over the phone.” Buffy scoffed.
"Well, he didn't use to stalk me, either. He's psycho.” Cordelia shot back. “ How do you know what’s in a crazy dead evil guy’s mind, he’s crazy,” Cordelia whirled her forefinger at her temple, emphasizing her point.
"Girls, dinner.” Mrs. Summers interrupted the start of Buffy’s retort.
"Yes, mom." Buffy pushed at Cordelia a frown deep on her face. First, Angelus had taunted nonsense about wanting Cordy and now this. What was the vampire up to? Willow had convinced her that Angelus had said that just to get under Buffy’s skin, but this was getting weirder and weirder, now Angelus was stalking Cordelia. Buffy would like to think Cordelia was exaggerating, but Buffy had found Angelus close too Cordelia’s the other night.
Part 23
Angel waited until the Summer's door shut with Cordelia safely inside before leaving. He headed back to the cave. If Angelus 2 followed their scent to the hide out, then number 1 would most likely show up there as well.
***
Angel stepped out of the shadows. "Looking for someone?" He asked before Angelus entered the tunnels.
Angelus growled as he sensed the difference in the vampire. "So, soul boy to the rescue again. This time you will die." He charged.
Angel would have loved to tear the vampire from limb to limb, smashing his skull for good measure. In his mind that version of Angelus was even more hated than the other. That one was just at the beginning of his reign of terror and violence. The unimaginable destructiveness of the vampire was loathsome to Angel’s soul and more he was the original source of danger to Cordelia. With great reluctance and amazing will power, Angel merely pulled the tranquilizer gun and shot repeatedly, watching as the vampire staggered and then finally fell.
Angel hauled the unconscious burden back into the cave. Within minutes, the mumbled spell was complete and the air started to spark and swirl. Angel looked at both unconscious vampires. How he wished he could get rid of them both. He gave a low growl of frustration, lifted Angelus 1, and sent him back to where he belonged.
Angel took a deep sigh of relief, now all he had to do was get Cordelia and they could go home.
He looked once more at the Angelus of this period, wondering if he should drop him off at the mansion. Angel disregarded that idea, no reason taking the chance on running into Dru or Spike. Let the bastard wonder why he was waking up in a cave on the other side of town.
Angel pulled out the orb from his pocket. It was still safe. He took off towards Buffy's house.
***
Angel blinked refusing to believe his senses. He walked once more around the house. He fought his urge to break everything in sight as the reality became undeniable. When he found Cordelia he was going to kill her. Fuck his soul, fuck history. What part of wait for him had Cordelia not understood? There was no way, he was going to let her whine, justify, or kiss her way out of this. Angel stormed after the lingering scent that signaled Cordelia’s departure from the safety of the slayer’s house.
***
Cordelia sat at the high table, twirling her straw, only half listening to the music and voices floating around the Bronze. She was having second thoughts, actually third thoughts about the wisdom of being there. Angel was going to be so pissed if he got back to the Summer's and she wasn't there. Damn.
But, it had been pretty impossible to convince Buffy not to go to the Bronze or convince her that Cordy was too scared to go outside. Well, actually, she had done a decent job out of that, but Buffy just waved it way saying that they all would be together.
Cordelia had scoffed and pointed out that Buffy hadn't been able to kill Angelus yet. And she argued that she wasn’t going out in the same clothes she worn all day. But her complaints only got her a glare, a shower and a shirt to wear from the blonde.
Cordelia's moaning that the shirt was hideous didn't deter Buffy either. Cordelia was beginning to suspect that Buffy wanted her to go out in an ugly peasant blouse that looked even stupider because it was too small. Though, Cordelia couldn't argue that she made the outfit look even worse by insisting that Buffy give her a scarf to wear around her neck. Cordelia knew that Buffy wasn't at all convinced with her explanation that fashion was an never ending rush to be the first on the block to discover what was 'it'. Nevertheless, Cordelia held her head up and projected her best 'I look great and know it ' demeanor, which seemed to work because she kept hearing whispers about buying scarves and how to wear them from the female teenagers in the Bronze. Wonderful, by Monday, all the girls would be looking hideous. Cordelia smiled. She still was the fashion queen.
"Cordy, are you sure you're all right," Xander's concerned voice broke into her thoughts.
"No, this blouse is awful."
"It's that Buffy's?" Willow asked.
"You don't think its mine do you, Geez."
Willow shrugged to Oz. "She seems fine with the whole being terrorized by the evil vampire ordeal."
Cordelia blinked. "Of course I'm not, but none of you’ve come up with anything to keep me safe. It’s all Buffy’s fault, first she boinks him then she can’t kill him. Hmmph.”
“Cordy,” Xander tried to shush his girlfriend, giving an apologetic smile to Buffy.
Buffy just glared. “I don’t get why he’s going after Cordy all of sudden.”
“Don’t look at me, I don’t jones after the undead, eww.”
“I don’t…”
“See a vampire, don’t slay, screw…hmm.” Cordelia shot back before Buffy could get in a word. Cordelia cringed a little, trying to keep the superior look on her face. Cordelia knew better, it hadn’t been Buffy or Angel’s fault, but she had a role to play and truthfully, Buffy wasn’t making it that hard.
“Cordy,” Xander said more loudly.
Cordelia rolled her eyes. “Sorry, but I’m scared. I don’t know why he’s after me, it’s not like I’m Buffy’s best friend he should be going after Willow.” She pointed at the gasping redhead.
Buffy nodded.
“Buffy?” Willow looked wide-eyed.
Buffy shrugged. “Sorry, Will, but it would make more sense, you, Xander or Giles.....”
Xander snorted. “Maybe this is his way to get to you, through me.”
“Xander, I’m the one being stalked.” Cordelia huffed.
“Yeah,” Xander grabbed her hand,” but you’re my girlfriend. If he hurt’s you, then well, I’d be hurt….”
“Aw, that’s so sweet,” Cordelia blessed Xander with a smile.
“And I’d feel horrible.” Buffy nodded following Xander’s reasoning it made more sense than Angelus actually ‘wanting’ the brunette.
Cordelia’s smile disappeared. “Gee, that’s so nice that you’d feel horrible for Xander and not me.”
“That’s not what I meant…well, I mean…Damn’t Cordy. I won’t let Angelus hurt you, okay. He’s just playing his games.”
Cordelia's retort was cut short by the walls of the Bronze squeezing her in, as the music got louder pounding into her skull, the stage lights vibrating and blinding the back of her eyes lids. "No,” Cordelia cried out, grabbing at her head as the lights and sounds sent flames through her skull followed by images of a large scaly demon attacking a teenager. She struggled to maintain her balance as she fell from her stool, the strength in Buffy's thin arm saving her from landing flat on her ass. "Cordy?"
"I..." The brunette winced. "Migraine.” She swayed trying to get her bearings. Once her body stopped vibrating, she grabbed at the pill bottle in her jeans pocket, quickly taking a handful, slumping against a shocked Xander. The boy moved his arm to hug her. "Cordy?” He glanced up worriedly at his friends.
Oz blinked. "My cousin had migraines. They can be a bitch.” He nodded.
"Cordy, since when have you gotten migraines?" Xander asked.
"Since, I did. Stop yelling." She winced.
"Okay," Xander looked around for support. "I wasn't yelling," he whispered.
Buffy bit her lip. Cordelia had been complaining and making excuses not to go to the Bronze all night. But that performance hadn’t seemed like any excuse Buffy had ever seen. Cordelia's cry had drawn a crowd and Buffy knew that wasn't the kind of attention the other girl liked and the pain etched on her face seemed real enough.
"Cordy, let's go back to my house, okay?"
Cordelia nodded. "Um, yeah, okay. Um. Give me a minute, please. I can't think right now." Cordelia closed her eyes, her fingers clenched into Xander's. The boy resisted the urge to yelp as nails bit into his palm.
Cordelia tried to empty her mind of the vision. She knew she didn’t have the time to get rid of the Scoobies, so she had to figure a way to get Buffy to where the demon was.
"I'm okay," Cordelia nodded again. "Thanks."
Willow grabbed up the purses as the group headed out the door, Cordelia leaning between Buffy and Xander.
***
Cordelia tugged at the arms that were holding her, the medication had finally kicked in. "I can walk."
"Cordy?” Xander tried to keep hold of her hand.
"Really, Xander, thank you.” She smiled softly.
Xander blinked. It wasn't nearly as big and bright as the one he got in the library but it was as honest and lovely. He could get use that. Xander wished that Cordy would smile at him like that more often. When she did it, he felt warm and fuzzy, like she really cared for him, making him realize that his explanation about Angelus behavior had been true. Xander would be more than hurt if the vampire did anything to his girlfriend.
"I do think I need to lie down though, I feel woozy and that always seems to help, maybe we can take the short cut through the cemetery." She questioned Buffy.
"That's a shortcut, with a warning.” Xander shook his head.
"But it is quicker." Buffy agreed leading the way towards the graveyard.
"If we don't end up dead.” Xander protested.
Willow pushed at Xander’s back. "Come on, do you want Cordelia to throw up on the street."
"I don't want to be throwing up in the resting place of the living dead," Xander mumbled but started moving.
Cordelia started to wander from the group.
"Cordy, this way," Buffy ran up gently urging her in the right direction.
"Oh, sorry.” Cordelia blinked, and then jerked her head. "Did you hear that? It sounded like screaming," pointing in the direction that she had been going.
Buffy looked around. "I don't...wait, not screaming but something else," she took off running her slayer sense vibrating with the unnatural sound.
"Oh great, Cordy, stay with me." Xander gripped her hand and jogged after the slayer. Willow and Oz already running.
"Holy Crap.” Xander skidded to a stop.
Oz turned. "It’s big."
"It's scary.” Willow yanked at the victim of Cordy’s vision. "Run." she urged.
The kid listened and took off.
Cordelia and the Scoobies stared as Buffy battled a 7-foot scaly demon.
"Anyone have a weapon." Xander asked hopefully.
"Here," Cordelia picked up a large stick.
"That's a branch."
"Just pretend it's a sword." Cordelia ran smacking at the demon's back. “Like this.” The demon howled as the blow pushed it into Buffy's fist.
"Cordelia gets well quick and weirdly brave from those migraines." Willow commented.
"Cordy," Xander called as the young woman was thrown back.
"Help Buffy," She gasped, trying to catch her air, urging the boy to take the stick.
"You okay?"
"Go. I'm fine." Cordelia struggled to her feet, watching as Xander joined Willow and Oz trying to hit the demon fighting Buffy.
Cordelia jumped as a strong arm yanked her further from the fighting, and hand clamped over her emerging yelp.
"When we get home, you will explain to me why you are not at Buffy's." Angel growled into her ear as he swung the girl around.
Cordelia looked at the angry dark brown eyes, then down at the shirt. Damn. It was her father's sweater. "Angel, I..."
"Not now. We're getting out of here."
"But, Buffy..."
"Is the slayer, she can handle it. Now move or do I have to carry you."
"Okay,” Cordy nodded. "I take it this means..."
"Cordy."
"Right, quiet." She peeked up at the vampire pulling her along. "I had a vision," she smally in her defense.
Angel took a deep breath, shaking his head.
"Angel."
"Cordy, I will worry then pamper you after I kill you, now shut up."
"You’re mad."
"Duh."
"I...” A loud yell interrupted her.
"Buffy, Angelus has Cordy," Xander cried.
"Oh Christ," Angel growled. "Moron."
"Angel. Just go, I'll get out of Buffy's later."
Buffy's head jerked. "Damn't," she swung, and then flipped, kicking out. She ran to the stunned demon, grabbing his wide neck and twisted. She took off running after Xander once she heard the death snap.
Angel stayed put. "No, I don't trust you to stay where I don't have to go looking for you."
"Angel." she whined.
"Cordy, we're coming." Xander called.
"Great, now he's a hero."
She glared at Angel. “If you’re not going to leave-HELP ME XANDER."
Angel winced at the high pitch volume. He shook his head. "Roll," Angel whispered. "And keep this intact, no matter what.” Angel shoved the orb into her hands.
"Uh,"
"Roll, Damn’t." he shoved.
Cordelia caught his meaning as she went flying, rolling to the ground, getting to her feet, the orb still safe and secure against her chest.
Xander ran up to her. "Cordy are you?..."
"Yeah, stupid vampire," she mumbled brushing away the boy’s hand while she placed the orb behind her back.
Buffy ran up skidding to a halt in front of Angel.
"Are you sure you can do this, I saw the ugly, nice little Jet Li action but don't you think just maybe it took a little too much out of you," Angel sneered at the breathless blonde. "Hardly seems worth my wile."
"Don't worry," Buffy circled the vampire. "So, now Cordy's your choice of targets to get to me. Don't you know she's not really on my list of priorities?"
"Well, that's special, just let the psycho kill me.” Cordelia huffed.
Both Angel and Buffy turned their glares to the brunette.
“Shush, Cordy,” Xander placed an arm on her.
“I don’t believe this,” Cordelia grumbled, starting to throw her arms up in the air, stopping when the weight of the orb reminded her of it’s presence. She quickly hid it.
“Cordy, Buffy won’t let Angelus hurt you,” Willow tried to reassure the agitated brunette as she and Oz ran up.
“That’s….” Cordelia shook her head, hating what she was going to have to watch. Why didn’t the stupid vampire listen to her?
Angel blocked Buffy’s first blow. “Seemed a little weak, lover. Are our special times together affecting your fists? Are you thinking about that ‘night’, when I had my hands over you making you scream in pleasure.”
“THAT’S enough of that,” Cordy tugged on Xander’s arm.
“Will you be quiet?” Angel shot to Cordelia.
“You are so in for it, buster.”
Angel rolled his eyes, and then flinched as Buffy solidly whacked his face.
Cordelia flinched. Oh damn. She silently promised not to say another word.
Angel shook his head.
“Enough force for you.” Buffy glared.
“Actually, I like a little more in my foreplay,” he winked with a punch.
Buffy held her jaw, pulling out a stake. “I don’t like foreplay.” She lunged.
Cordelia bit her lip, to keep from screaming, she yanked at her arm trying to get to the vampire.
“Ooh, you’re getting feisty now.” Angel grinned, kicking the lethal weapon from Buffy.
Angel studied the blonde as she gathered her strength. “Some day, you will have to kill me, but not tonight. I am sorry, Buffy,” Angel swung; his fists a blur, finishing with a wide kick, knocking Buffy back ten feet.
Xander, Willow, and Oz ran to the fallen slayer.
“Hold on,” Angel pulled at Cordelia, hoisting her over his shoulder and disappearing into the branches of the trees.
“Angel,” Cordelia looked hesitantly down to the ground. “Are…”
“The orb.”
Cordelia sighed and pulled it out between the cushions of her breast. “Safe and sound.”
Angel nodded appreciatively at the hiding place. He looked down again.
Xander and Willow were helping Buffy to her feet. Buffy shook them off. “Where’s Angelus?”
Oz cleared his throat. “Where’s Cordy?”
Buffy took off running.
“Buffy, where are you going?”
“Too find them and kill him.” Buffy shot over her shoulder.
“Xander, she’ll find Cordy, she will. Cordy will be okay.”
Xander brushed off Willow’s hand, taking after Buffy, with no hope of catching the slayer but he had to try to save Cordelia.
“Sometimes, he was sweet.” Cordelia said at Xander’s obvious distress.
Angel rolled his eyes. “We’re going,” grabbing the young woman and dropping to the ground, carrying her as he ran in the opposite direction of Buffy and the Scoobies.
***
“Angel,” Cordelia lifted her hand to his chest.
“Not now, Cordelia.”
“Stop saying that.” She grabbed his chin forcing him to look at her. “I’m sorry that I left, I’m sorry that you had to fight Buffy, I’m sorry,” she slumped her shoulders. “I know how hard that was for you.”
Angel took her by the wrists, removing her hands, kissing her abruptly.
Cordelia blinked up at the vampire’s deep eyes. “It’s over, we’re going home, that is all that matters. Now, get in your bed.”
“Angel?”
“Cordy, in a couple minutes we’ll be home and in our OWN bed, I can wait.”
“I…why do I have to lie down then.”
“Because, when your soul was taken you fell unconscious, I don’t want you falling again. Now are you ready?”
“I don’t know.” Cordelia scrunched up her face. “I love you, Angel.”
Angel sighed, leaning back over the young woman, kissing her deeply. “I love you, Cordy.” He stood.
Cordelia licked at her lips. “You still mad at me?”
“Yes.” He shot a look at the young woman.
“Hmmph, well, I’m mad at you too.”
“For what.”
“Well, you let Angelus 1 call me a cat in heat, then there was the whole ‘slutty’ comment, then there was throwing me on Buffy’s doorstep, then there was that cute recounting of Buffy’s birthday, eww, and I’ll think of more.”
Angel shook his head, “You promise to wait until we get home.”
“Okay, sure.”
“Thank you,” Angel started mumbling the words for the time portal to open.
“Wow, that really freaks me out.” Cordelia watched the wall of her bedroom crackled and expand to leave a black hole.
Angel leaned over pushing her back down on the bed. “Wesley swore this wouldn’t hurt, okay.” He gently tucked a strain of hair behind her ear.
Cordelia nodded. “Then we’ll be home.”
“Promise.”
Angel recited the second spell, watching as Cordelia’s body slumped further into the mattress and the orb started to glow with a bright light.
Angel stared at the unconscious teenager. “Stay safe for me, I’ll need you more than you will ever know.” He kissed the young girl on her forehead, and then clutched the orb securely to his chest. “We’re going home, baby, finally.” Angel stepped through the portal.
Epilogue: 1998
Angelus woke up growling. The girl got away. He slammed his head against the ground. Damn, he hated that dream. The culmination of the need and desire created by the image of the young dark haired woman from so long ago was always crushed by rage and pain at her disappearance. He couldn’t even see her fuckin face. He wondered if he even ever really saw her so long ago. Fuckin brunette would drive him crazy if he let her. God, he still wanted that image to be real.
Angelus staggered to his feet. What the fuck? How in the hell did he fall asleep in a cave halfway cross-town from the mansion? Angelus groaned as he tried to remember. Nothing, nothing but the remnants of his past’s dream, so much more vivid than it had been in decades. He needed some blood and to focus on something real, like the mental torture of one blonde slayer.
***
“Miss Chase, Miss Chase.”
Cordelia groaned as the voice penetrated her unconsciousness. She felt like she was run over by a semi. “Marie, I’m up.” She cried out, hoping to stop the voice and the knocking on the door.
“Very well, but do hurry, breakfast is downstairs. You don’t want to be late for school.”
“I want to go back to sleep,” Cordelia grumbled climbing out of her bed, struggling to the shower, trying to think of the perfect outfit to wear.
Cordelia glanced in the mirror the shower had done wonders. She felt human again. Cordelia combed out her wet hair. She paused, pulling at the wet locks. She squeaked as she saw two perfect holes on her neck. She peered even closer, her finger brushing at them, they were healed over, and yet- she winced a little as her finger touched a tender spot. She looked even closer into the mirror. A delicate pinkness was centered in each hole, a fresh pinkness. Cordelia staggered back. If those weren’t vampire bites she was a bag-wearing freshman. Oh my god. When had she become a walking happy meal? She screamed.
“Miss Chase.” Marie came back running.
Cordelia winced. “It was nothing just a roach.” She lied.
“A roach?” Marie let out a squeal of her own. “I’ll call the exterminator.”
Cordelia listened as the footsteps ran down to the hall. She narrowed her eyes at her reflection studying the marks with disgust. She would have to change her whole outfit to hide those stupid things. Damn. What had those freaky Scoobies got her involved in now?
End.