Title: Vamp Smackdown
Author: Anneb
Posted: 03-13-2002
Rating: NC17
Disclaimer: Joss & Co. own the ATS & BTVS characters. Bram Stoker has the honor for Dracula. I just put them togehter at Alice's request.
Category: (C/A romance, adventure)
Dedication: Alice, of course for the challenge. Dave for being patient and not rolling his eyes.
Chapter 34
Continue on...
“Mortimor!”
“Yes, Master?”
“I asked you a question.”
“Master, I do not have an answer for you. I can not explain why the young woman didn’t come to you or how Angelus came to almost catch you.”
“He DID not.”
“No, course not. I misspoke. What I meant to say is I do not know how Angelus was aware of your presence at the hotel or how that it was necessary for you to take flight.”
Dracula spun on his heel piercing Mortimor with his glare. Mortimor bowed in deference to the Count’s silent reproach. Dracula nodded and resumed his pacing. “She told him. How is that possible?”
“Again, Master, I do not have an answer for you. In the past, the enticement spell has cloaked your presence, drawing your choices to you unaware- that is of course until you wish them to be aware. I do not recall any of them ever speaking of your visits.”
Dracula stopped directly in front of his servant. “I’m very mindful of these facts, Mortimor, that’s why I’m asking. Are you being deliberately obtuse? Are you sure this is even hers?” Dracula held up a red silk negligee. “Or perhaps it isn’t personal enough.”
“Master, did you not retrieve that article of clothing from the young woman’s bedroom? And while it’s been many, many years, it is my impression that lingerie is still considered personal to the female gender.”
“Are you even sure that it was the right address? She wasn’t there as expected; she was with Angelus in his bed. How is that possible?”
“Master, did you not earlier comment on her scent?”
Dracula glowered at the Englishmen. He brought the silk to his face. “It is she. Unique, sweet, I want her.”
“Then, I’m sure you will have her.” Mortimor was too well aware of Dracula’s talents for seductive manipulation and torture to be confident that vampire would fail in taking his new obsession even with the unusual occurrences of that night.
Dracula paused and considered his servant. "Mortimor, I believe this to be your fault." Silkily chastising the human.
"I do apologize, Master. Though, perhaps you can inform me how I am to blame, so as not to make the same error again."
"Did you or did you not tell me that you believed that the young woman was not Angelus' property, based on the information you received, is that not correct." Raising his brows.
"I do believe I made that conclusion."
"There. You did. Obviously, you were wrong."
"Obviously." Mortimor hid his puzzlement. The information he had received about the young woman did not equate to that of vampire’s property or human consort. Mortimor had never encountered a vampire that would allow such free will in either. The young woman had her own residence and there even had been rumors that she was an actress as well as a co-worker in Angelus’ detective agency. The role of an actress had not changed much over the last century, they may not be labeled as whores in this age, but they still were required to sell their talent and beauty. The concept that a vampire would permit his property, much less his consort to offer herself to others was incogitable. Yet, she must be Angelus’ property otherwise why would she be occupying his bed. A human willingly doing so was even more incogitable.
"Had you not convinced me otherwise, I would have considered Angelus' claim on her when I devised the spell. One must make adjustments. It is apparent he subjugates her will. How else could you explain such a lovely creatures chose of a barbarian like Angelus. His mark was a ruse, but not as you had me believe as a pretense of ownership, but one hastily applied. The true mark must be located in a position that is not visible. It is as I first speculated. Did I not tell you a bond existed between Angelus and the girl? I’m sure I did.” Dracula paused a small smile appeared. "I wonder where the mark could be. They are so many tantalizing possibilities. Shames on you, Mortimor for making me believe that a soul would cause Angelus not to claim the young woman. Disgusting, he may be, but he is still a vampire."
“I beg your forgiveness, Master." An uneasy feeling came over Mortimor, a thought he had not considered. A thought, Mortimor knew Dracula would never consider. Was it possible that this bond that apparently existed between the vampire and the young woman wasn’t one that Angelus manipulated despite his soul, but one that was made possible because of it. Could it be that the vampire could love? Mortimor had heard of vampires remaining companions for centuries and calling themselves ‘in love’, but it was rare and Mortimor hadn’t believed it. Vampires were selfish, amoral creatures by nature. The emotion of selflessness required for true love was foreign to them. Property they could claim, love they could not. Mortimor shook the speculation away before it could take root in his mind. If it was possible for the ensouled Angelus to love and for the young woman to love him, Dracula must never find out. His reaction would not be pleasant. Many decades of torture had conditioned Mortimor not to feel the fierce pain in his heart at the atrocities that Dracula had subjected his sweet wife to or the horror of the destruction of his own soul as Mortimor afflicted the last horrible session of torture at the Count’s bidding. But, while Mortimor no longer could feel the pain or the love for his dead wife, he could remember that both once existed. Mortimor still had enough of his heart left not to wish that pain on any soul, vampire or human.
“Do you?" Dracula raised his brows again. “What are you thinking, Mortimor?” Dracula studied his servant.
“Merely, pondering how I can repay my mistake, Master.”
“Have you thought of something? Nevermind, that was rhetorical. There are certain items that I need to modify the spell; you will get them for me. I must make the spell more powerful. I will overcome this small hindrance to my plan.”
“Master, wouldn’t just killing Angelus release any hold that he may have on her?” Mortimor hoped that Dracula would follow the suggestion. A direct attack on Angelus may be best solution. The information that Mortimor had received regarding Angelus indicated that even with a soul, the vampire had retained a more than sufficient ruthlessness in dealing with his enemies. Angelus may no longer be the Scourge of Europe, but Angelus' abilities were still feared by the vampire community of LA and he had quite effectively dispatched the majority of Dracula’s inner circle. There maybe a chance that Angelus would be the victor in a confrontation between he and the older vampire.
“Mortimor, I wish Angelus to know that she has been taken and then I will kill him. There is no beauty in killing him and then taking her, no challenge. Think, Mortimor, you must think,” tapping along the side of the servant’s head. “That’s why you have a brain.”
“Yes, of course. It’s just that my brain isn’t what it once was.” Mortimor sighed. There would be an eventual violent battle between the two vampires, but it may be to late to save the young woman. Mortimor could not guess at the outcome then. If Angelus did love woman, would her loss make him stronger or weaker? Mortimor knew that watching the slow hideous torture of his own love destroyed his will to fight and left him a willingly victim to Dracula. Would a vampire with a soul have a different reaction than a human?
Dracula narrowed his eyes. “Mortimor, you weren’t thinking of how to make it up to me, you were thinking of that lovely wife of yours. Why now? Do you see a resemblance? I do not. Then again, I did not care for your dear Abby. Lovely, she may have been but she was a nuisance. Get over it, Mortimor. She’s long dead, just as your love for her is dead. You know that I couldn’t allow that useless emotion to interfere with your utter devotion to myself. It was for your own good.”
“You have my devotion, Master.”
“Sometimes, I wonder. Mortimor, it saddens me how you forget how much you really need me. I think we shall postpone your errand, I find that it is more important at this moment to remind you." Smoothly coming up behind the servant, strong elegant fingers moving under the high starched collar, stroking the large puckered scars hidden underneath.
“That won’t be necessary, Master.” Mortimor stilled hating the anticipation coursing through his pounding veins.
“Resistance, Mortimor? I do think you MUST be reminded.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Don’t fret, so. I’ll even let you choose. Which will it be, Mortimor, pain or pleasure first?” Whispering close in the human’s ear.
“I believe that choice must be yours, Master.”
“I suppose you are right. Pain, then. I so do enjoy your whimpered pleas for my pleasing touch afterwards.”
“I am your servant, Master.” Mortimor bowed, his hope for the moment gone. All thoughts of love gone. The only thing that was left was an intense hatred and an aching need.
“Yes, Mortimor, you are. Don’t ever forget.” Blood spurted from the old scars as Dracula bit.
Chapter 35
Spike was unwillingly drawn to the sounds of nonsensical babble and small gurgling spurts of breath.
“Come on, Connor, please. Blurslurp for me, please. You do it for Cordy. Oh, okay. I bet you don’t even do it for your daddy, it’s just for your mama, isn’t it?” Fred looked guiltily around. “Shh, don’t tell her, I said that. Cordy just realized that she loved your daddy. I love her, too, but she’s a little slow sometimes. But, we know she’s your Mama don’t we, little one. Uhuh.” Fred smiled winningly at the tiny baby.
“I thought Darla, was the squirt’s ‘mama’. A sight I can’t even pretend to imagine. She was as motherly as a barracuda, more likely to devour her babe rather than sing it lullabies, actually she’d probably sing then snack, laughing all the while.”
Fred ran up to the vampire shoving her hand over his mouth. “Shh. If you want to talk about D…A…R…L…A then you be nice. Angel hasn’t told him that she was an e…v…i…l vampire, only that she died to save him.” Fred glared.
“The squirt doesn’t understand a word I’m saying, he’s a squirt.”
Fred narrowed her eyes. “The Book says that babies understand tones and meanings if not the actual words,” grabbing a book and thrusting it at the vampire.
Spike turned the worn book over in his hands, leafing through it. Every page was highlighted and dog-eared; he turned back to the cover. How to Care and Emotionally Connect With Your Newborn. “Peaches read this nonsense?”
“It’s not nonsense, it was on the New York Times Best Sellers List. All the baby magazines cite it. Conny, waha,” Fred turned to the baby, smiling and waving,” had a very T…R…A…U...M...A…T...I…C birth.” She shot back to Spike. “If you keep being so rude, I’m not going to invite you in. Have you had breakfast, yet?” Fred pushed at her glasses. “Stupid question, the blood is downstairs, you came from upstairs. You haven’t had time to go down stairs yet. Or have you? Angel’s quick, he can go up and down the stairs a million of times, well not a million, or maybe a million, I haven’t actually counted, but it could be a lot. He’s a vampire quick and quiet. You’re a vampire, so you could’ve…”
Spike reached out and thrusting his hand over her mouth. “Stop your yammering, please. I could’ve taken out a troop full of humans at the pain your giving my head.”
“Whoops. Hey, what do you know about the chip? I could look it up on the computer, maybe…Oh, the chip keeps you from hurting humans, so that wouldn’t be a good idea for me…scratch that thought.”
“Pet, if you shut up, I’ll considered it scratched.”
Fred nodded. “So, do you want to come in?”
“You’re inviting me? You do understand about the whole vampire can’t enter without an invitation rule, don’t you?” Spike really did wonder. The little chit was bonkers.
“Of course.” Fred waved Spike’s question away. “Angel explained that to me right off, well sort of right off, but I got it. This is my room, so even though it’s his hotel, he can’t come in unless I invited him. So I invited him.”
“And Peaches comes in here a lot.” Spike raised his brows. This sounded more like Angelus, keeping a tasty bit on the side for entertainment value.
“Sure, there was the time he visited when he came back from the monastery after the B word died. Though I guess we can say Buffy now, since he loves Cordy, I think he loved her even then, Kyerumption, you know. He came up to tell me to leave my room every once in awhile. I didn't come out much; it was living in that cave for all those years. And then he came up to explain why he yelled at me to stay in my room when I finally did leave it. It was that James vampire. He was in the hotel trying to kill Angel and Cordy. They went into the sewers. And then there was the time that my parents were here and I thought I wanted to leave with them and he carried my bag out, but I came back, because I figured out about the bugs. But, he came in with everyone else when they painted my room-I had written a fairytale on my wall. Angel knocked though. He always knocks. Angel is such a gentleman. Then, then well he was here last night and this morning to see Connor. So, yeah.” Fred smiled quite pleased that she remembered every time Angel came to visit her.
“I meant.” Spike stopped it wasn’t worth it. Gentleman? The Order of Aurelius used to be so fuckin scary, now it was just a crazy black queen, a neutered fool in love and an even bigger souled fool in love. The world was going to end soon, it just had to, maybe this time it would take.
“So, are you coming in or not? Cordy said you could, but no naughty stories or smoking.”
“And does Peaches know about the chit’s permission?”
Fred shrugged. “I would think so, he was standing next to her when she said it. Really, since the Kyerumption brick hit them on the head they haven’t been very far apart. Romantic, isn’t it? Or it could be because of Dracula, probably both, don't you think. So are you coming in, do you want to hold him? Cordy said that was okay too, as long as you hadn’t had a cigarette at least two hours prior. Have you had one, cuz we don’t like smoking in the hotel, you have to go outside, well except when it’s daylight, of course. Cordelia said you could smoke in the basement. Angel wasn’t real happy about that, but he nodded, so I assume it’s okay.” Fred smiled.
“I’ll pass.”
“No, really, I think Angel was okay with you smoking in the basement.”
“I’ll pass on holding the squirt. I think all just get something to eat. Blood, cuz I’m a bad ass vampire.” Spike wasn’t sure whom he was trying to remind.
“Sure,” Fred smiled. “You’re hungry, you just woke up, silly me. Do you want me to fix it? I know where everything is.”
Spike remembered Cordelia’s warning and now he understood it. “No. The cheerleader gave me directions.”
“Okay, but if you have trouble let me know that microwave is tricky.”
Spike nodded and slowly backed away from the smiling young woman.
“Oh, William.” Fred came running back up to the door.
“My name is Spike.”
“The file says William.”
“The file whatever that is - is bloody wrong. It’s Spike.”
“Sorry, but the file said…” Fred paused at the vampire’s glare. “Sorry, Spike. Spike, you refused my first invitation, does that negate it, or is on going? Oh, Spike, whatever. Spike, you ‘re still invited. But, Spike, don’t come in when I’m asleep, Charles would get mad, we’re sort of dating. Spike, have a good breakfast.”
Spike backed away from the doorway. He was almost positive that the innocent looking twit was making fun of him. But, he couldn’t be sure; she was bonkers and looked so damn innocent. Spike stumbled on the first step. The Cheerleader wasn’t the only really strange female in this bizarre place. Spike caught his footing and headed downstairs, trying desperately to remember that he was a demon, therefore feared by somebody somewhere.
Chapter 36
“Mortimor.” Dracula stretched up in the big coffin. The flickering of the candlelight speckled off the paleness of his chiseled lean chest.
“Yes, Master.” Mortimor pulled on his shirt covering the fresh slash marks and bites on his chest, only wincing a little.
“You did not disappoint me.”
“I am here to please.”
“And you do. Hurry, I want the girl.”
********************
Dracula wandered around the showroom. So many to choose from, it was a difficult decision. Dracula pulled the bound mortician up from the belly of one of the several coffins, dragging him to the floor. “You have some excellent examples of craftsmanship here. I applaud your selection. I may even come to admire this country, everything so big, even in death you must have big. Wonderful. I need your assistance, though, I can’t make this decision on my own and Mortimor has gone on a little errand. I’m leaning toward this one.” Brushing the gleaming mahogany of a large coffin. “It looks so roomy,” Dracula easily tossed the squirming man into the casket. “Yes, it is.” Dracula slipped inside, gripping the man’s neck. “Now, let’s see about the blood, I can’t have it clash with the cushions.” Dracula’s fangs ripped a large gash in the flesh, blood spurting on the silk fabric. “I like it.” Studying the pattern of crimson splashed on the shiny cushion. “I do indeed. Thank you, you’ve been very helpful.” Dracula plunged draining the man of his remaining blood. Dracula would have Mortimor make the necessary arrangement for the shipment of his new coffin to Transylvania when it was time to leave.
Now what to do? Dracula did hope Mortimor would return soon. He was getting bored. Both of the morticians were dead. He really should have saved one. Oh well. Dracula picked up Cordelia’s negligee. He was disappointed, yet on the bright it hadn’t been a complete failure. Once, Mortimor returned he could make the spell more powerful. Dracula sat in the plush armchair, twirling the silk. If that didn’t work there was always direct approach. Dracula sighed he hoped it wouldn’t come to that. Common kidnapping was tedious and without charm. But one way or another, he would have this Cordelia Chase and Angelus would die.
***************
“Master.”
“It took you long enough.”
“The apothecary was reluctant to open his shop at dawn, Master.”
“Do not tell me you failed.”
“No, Master, it just took some persuasion.”
“Violence, Mortimor?” Dracula raised his brows.
“No, Master, money.”
“Of course, people in trade, predictable. ” The vampire nodded. “It is good that you returned, I was getting weary of talking to myself.”
Mortimor looked over at the two bound very dead morticians, one that had been very alive before he left. “Understandable, dead humans do not make good conversationalist.”
Dracula shrugged. “I know, I had planned to save one, but you were gone so long and I was bored. I did, however, find the perfect coffin. I wish it to be shipped home when we leave.”
“I am pleased that your time was not an entire waste, Master.”
Dracula laughed slapping Mortimor on the back. “Good to see your sense humor returning, Mortimor, now give me the items. I must begin.”
Chapter 37
Cordelia stopped in mid stride. She couldn’t take it anymore. The imagine of her pale face and the gapping bloody marks which obliterated Angel small fading ones kept flashing in her mind. They had begun the further Angel and Cordelia had gotten from the hotel. The unwanted malignant feelings of desire and need for Dracula were flowing through her washing away the warmth and security that she had felt waking up in Angel’s arms. This was just gross and it was making her mad. Why was she still feeling the effects of the beckoning spell? Wesley didn’t say anything about the spell being on going. Cordelia looked around. Why was Angel so far away? Cordelia looked down at her hand. When had she released Angel’s? Why wasn’t he next to her, holding her? Cordelia looked down at her shirt in disgust. Why wasn’t she wearing his damn shirt? That had worked before. Cordelia looked back up Angel. She needed him to stop the memories.
“Angel.” Cordelia called for the vampire to stop. She stood still and waited. Finally Angel paused and looked back. Cordelia sighed for a minute there she didn’t think he would. Why did Angel look angry? Cordelia looked around again. She didn’t even remember walking this far. What the hell was going on? “Angel?” The rising panic in her tone changed to a gasp. Cordelia doubled over at the force of the intense longing that consumed her. Her feet started to move taking her further and further from Angel, the physical need to find the source of her desire quickly swallowing any pretense of rational thought. Cordelia tried to find her anger and Angel’s presence amidst the blazing hunger. “Angel,” she whispered. “Make it stop.”
Angel stalled at Cordelia’s call. He hadn’t wanted to but he sensed Cordelia wasn’t moving. He couldn’t be near her, but he couldn’t leave her, either. Angel just prayed that she didn’t come too close. His demon had been growing in agitation and aggressiveness over the last half mile. Angel had been grateful, when she released his hand and slowed. He had continued on, keeping track of her presence but blocking out any true awareness of her scent. His demon didn’t need any more enticement. The need to claim Cordelia had been growing with such intensity with each step closer to her apartment. Angel didn’t understand it, unless it was a delayed reaction to Dracula’s presence the night before and Cordelia’s response to it. Angel rationally knew that her description of wanting Dracula had been the result of a spell, but his demon hadn’t cared. Still, Angel had been able to control his instincts then. Now, Angel wasn’t so sure it could be done. Angel had allowed the physical distance to grow between them, in the hope that he could gain control and understand what the hell was happening. It didn’t make any sense that his demon was beginning to react violently now to something that happened over six hours ago.
Angel turned to see what Cordelia wanted, automatically reaching out with his senses to detect if there was any danger. He felt nothing, except fear and anger from Cordelia. He involuntarily took a step forward to the young woman. His movement stopped as the full range of Cordelia’s scent overwhelmed his senses. A deep sound vibrated from his throat, more primal than a growl. His golden eyes flashed as his demon took control. The scent of her arousal and burning hunger for another attacked him. Angel barely heard her whispered plea to make it stop, the red rage of his need to crush that hunger and forcibly claim Cordelia was too powerful. The vampire had no thoughts of loving or pleasing, just possessing what was his.
Cordelia whimpered as Angel bodily pushed her hard against the wall of the sewer. She grabbed at him gratefully, frantically clutching at his jacket. Angel’s body surrounded her, his hands roughly pulling at her clothes. Her hips jerked as Angel strong palm opened her thighs, Cordelia gasped as he thrust into her, pinning her to the wall. His thrusts were too fast and hard, she couldn’t move quickly enough; Angel wasn’t giving her a rhythm to match. He was just pounding. Cordelia didn’t care, because with each forceful stroke the hunger caused by Dracula’s spell diminished. Cordelia stopped the decent of his fangs, pulling his lips to her, not caring that his fangs were cutting into her mouth or that his grip was pressing painfully into her hips, the false desire was leaving, soon all she would feel would be Angel, she tugged at his clothes, willing him to go faster, push harder, do something to make it all go away.
Angel growled, as his tongue tasted the small droplets of Cordelia’s blood. He sucked capturing as much as he could. If there had been any thought left in Angel it had fled with the onslaught of pure raging instinct. Angel ripped his mouth away, moving along Cordelia’s cheek down her neck, his fangs creating a scratchy trail.
Cordelia tensed, a small thought emerged through her need for Angel. It hadn’t been a memory, it had been real and that wasn’t right, unless….”Angel, stop.” Sudden knowledge cut through her desperation for Angel. She grabbed at the vampire’s face, pulling it away from her neck. Angel growled, jerking his head away, slamming her back into the wall. “Mine.” He growled descending again, ignoring her words.
“Angel, please. Stop, please.” Cordelia moved her hands again, caressing at his ridged face. “Angel.” She whispered, trying to reach him.
Gold eyes flashed into hers. “MINE.”
Cordelia nodded. “But Angel, Dracula must be doing the spell again. We can use it to find him, but if you do this, the spell won’t work.” Cordelia didn’t know how she knew this, but she knew it deep in her gut. “Angel.” The vampire stilled, listening to her tone, trying to interpret her words, trying to regain his reason. Angel growled. The vampire didn’t want reason. Angel wanted what was his. He wanted to obliterate all traces of Dracula’s influence. He moved back to his goal at that moment willing to ignore Cordelia’s wishes and act on his own instincts, his hips moving again.
Damn stubborn vampire. “Listen to me, ‘grr’ Dork.” Smacking Angel upside the head. “Dracula’s the threat, not the spell. He needs to be dead, that means we have to find him.” Cordelia pushed at the vampire, but his strength was immovable. Angel raised his head again, his eyes flashing gold flames; his hips and body still pinning Cordelia to the wall. Cordelia gulped, had she just hit a stubborn enraged vampire? She had, but it was Angel. He wouldn’t hurt her. “Angel.” She said tentatively.
Angel blinked. Cordelia sighed in relief as she felt his grip gentle on her hips, his face returning to that of a handsome man. She frowned at the shocked, guilt-ridden look on the handsome man’s face. “Angel, don’t.”
“Cordy, I’m….” He moved gently, withdrawing, lowering her feet to the ground, his eyes never leaving the light parallel abrasions that trailed down Cordelia’s cheek.
“Shh, don’t.” Her hands back up to his face, only this time she moved to keep him close. “You didn’t do anything, I didn’t need you to do. I don’t really understand, but I did want it, but Angel, you can’t. Marking me would stop the influence of the spell and we could use it to find Dracula. He must have been using the spell again. I thought it was just a memory, but it wasn’t it was too intense. I was leaving you, going to him. If he does it again, you follow and kill him. It’s a plan.”
“Cordy…”
“No. Angel, finding Dracula is what’s important,” Cordelia said confidently, praying that Angel would accept her statement at face value. She took a deep breath. “I don’t think he’s close, though. I didn’t see him or anything. But it was that way.” She pointed in the direction she had been heading before Angel stopped her. “ Do you sense him?”
Angel turned away.
“Angel, what did you say? Do you sense him?” Cordelia grabbed at his shoulder. Angel had mumbled something.
Angel turned. “I said all I can sense is you. I…” The roughness left his voice as he slumped to the ground, cupping his head in his hands. Angel didn’t know what to do. For once since this whole thing started his demon was silent as if Angel’s shock at the realization of what he had been about to do to Cordelia had force it into complete submission. Angel wanted to run in the direction that Cordelia had pointed, not stopping until he found Dracula and tore the vampire’s limps from his body, stamping his skull into dust, but he didn’t have the energy. Angel wanted to run in the complete opposite direction until he reached the sunlight, have the burning rays take him back to hell, but he couldn’t move. Angel wanted to reach for Cordelia and hold her until he found the love he very well could have destroyed, but he couldn’t ask. He wanted to cry.
Cordelia stood quiet, biting her lip wondering what to do. They really needed to get back to the hotel and work out the details of the plan. Wesley could tell them the range of beckoning spells, with that and the direction she was pulled to they might find a clue as the to the vampire’s whereabouts. She really needed to process all that just happened. Cordelia glanced down at Angel. Her strong dorky champion was hurting. Cordelia smiled, she knew what she needed to do.
Cordelia slipped down, sliding her body in between Angel’s bent legs. Her arms went around his shaking body, her head nudging at his hands urging them to touch her. “I love you.” Whispering against the cool skin.
Involuntarily, Angel’s arms embraced the warmth. His desire to cry became even greater. He didn’t deserve the warmth of the sun; just it’s killing rays. But he couldn’t leave the warmth or the tiny breaths that were leaving trails of moist kisses on his face and he couldn’t leave the love that he saw in Cordelia’s eyes as she asked him to make love to her.
Angel wanted to tell her no, to tell her that she deserved so much more than a vampire and the sewers, but he couldn’t. He wished that he wasn’t what he was, he wished they were anywhere than in this dark place. How much more darkness could Cordelia stand before she ran away into the light where she belonged? She asked him again, her hands never stopping in their gentle caresses.
Angel shrugged off his coat, lying Cordelia on top of it, protecting her as much as he could from the grime. It wasn’t enough. The dirt touched her legs, staining her pants. It would never be enough; she would never be free of the filth if he loved her. “Angel.” Cordelia’s soft voice and touch broke his thoughts.
He stared mesmerized by the sight, the darkness of the surroundings disappeared.
“How?” Angel whispered, his finger tracing Cordelia’s features hesitantly as if it would be smacked away at anytime.
Cordelia smiled. That was vague. Luckily, she knew the question. The answer, however, she shrugged. “I don’t know, I just do, but then, I don’t know why you love me. So, I guess we’re even, uh. A perfect match- two clueless best friend in love. Of course the fact that you’re great in bed has nothing to do with it.”
“Cordy.” Angel leaned up.
“Ah, almost made you smile.” She pulled at his shirt. “Angel, it doesn’t matter how or why, it just is.” Cordelia added softly.
“I…”
“Shh.” Angel allowed her to pull him even closer until their lips met. Angel was tentative, testing the response, still unsure. He groaned. Cordelia’s tongue flickered against his lips begging entry. Angel leaned into the kiss tasting…Angel shot up.
“Angel?”
“No.”
“What?”
“I…blood…I cut you. I hurt you.” His eyes darting along her body. Angel huddled further into himself. He knew if he peeled away the torn jeans and top he would see bruises, bruises left by his hands.
Cordelia leaned up on her elbows. “You’re being an idiot. Do I have to dance around naked or would you rather me recite nasty thoughts about Dracula.”
“Cordy,” Angel growled.
“Then make love to me, stupid. Geez, what does a girl have to do to get you in bed…or in a sewer, I mean? Is it the hair? No more highlights, not blonde enough? Or is it buttons? I had buttons, but you tore them already. What is it? Geez, nevermind.” She got up.
Angel’s hand shot out. “Cordy, “ he said in warning. Regardless of the guilt he still felt, Angel knew then he wouldn’t let her leave. He managed to successfully block out the further additional thought of ‘then or ever’.
She glared. “Are you going to be all dorky?”
“I was worried about being all ‘grry’.” Angel was guilty, conflicted and amazed. He wanted to smile. Cordelia was making him want to smile again. She wasn’t going to leave him.
“Angel, I love both, I want both. But, now I’m out of the mood. I want to go home.”
Angel studied the young woman from his position on the ground. She was tapping her foot, her hands on her hips. Angel then smiled. “Cordy, I’m calling your bluff.”
“What? I’m serious.”
“Uh, ‘grry’ remember, the other part you love. Well, that part can taste how much in the mood you are- it’s drenching the air. So, I’m calling.”
Cordelia narrowed her eyes. “Maybe, I want to go home frustrated. Every think about that, hmm. Maybe, I want to just say screw you and leave. I’ve a hand and a loofah. ”
An old memory of a conversation overheard snapped in Angel’s head and with it the implication that he missed at the time. “You are never taking a bath at your apartment again.” He stated clearly and firmly.
“What?”
“LooFAHnoochtskmuch demon, my ass. You and Wesley were talking about your way too friendly ghost with a loofah. That ghost is exorcised and don’t think I can’t do it, I can.”
“You leave Dennis alone and that’s just perverted. Dennis only scrubs my back. He always leaves when….” Cordelia narrowed her eyes. “Oh.” Stamping her foot.
“When what Cordy? Is your loofah better than this,” In an instant, Angel’s hand cupped her center rubbing alternating between fast and slow, but always gentle.
Cordelia fell catching herself on Angel’s shoulders. “Are you going to stop being stupid?” She took a deep breath, pushing her hips closer to Angel’s moving palm.
“Probably not. I’m a dork. Cordy, please let me make love to you.” He whispered.
Cordelia closed her eyes, her hips rocking in the rhythm Angel’s hand was creating, her fingernails piercing his shoulders. “Okay.”
“Thank you.” Angel said softly, his hands moving to remove the denim. His lips quickly covering the center now revealed.
Cordelia gasped, her knees buckled as she slumped further on Angel’s shoulders. Angel’s broad hand moved firmly to her hip keeping her steady.
Angel breathed in deeply as his tongue flicked back and forth tasting ever crevice hidden in the delicate folds. As each drop of moisture coated his sensitive taste buds, he truly wondered at his previous violent need for her blood. In this tasting, he felt no guilt, no loss of thought, just wonderment, desire and love. Angel made a promise to himself then. He would never touch the beautiful woman that gave so freely to him without those feelings being in the forefront of his mind ever again. The other had been primal, instinctive, reflections of a dark past and predatory demon this was a promise of that demon’s redemption. It was a glimpse of his future, his dream coming true. This was what he truly wanted. His lips and hands moved to explore more. He was transfixed at the gentle tremors of the delicate flesh as his lips and hands brushed at the skin. Cordelia wanted him, even after he had shown her, hell forced his demon on her, and she still wanted him. Angel wanted to yell and shout in joy, he wanted to bury himself in her; he wanted to know how she could still love him. “Cordy?” Angel lips brushed her abdomen.
Cordelia swayed and gulped. “Angel,” her voice raspy and gasping for breathe. “Angel, I don’t think I can stand anymore, my legs seem to be…” she trailed off slumping more as her knees buckled again, giving evidence of her statement.
Angel wanted to laugh at her apologetic tone. “Then don’t.” He whispered, chuckling softly as he had her down on his coat. Maybe, Cordelia was right. Maybe it didn’t matter, it just was.
Cordelia stared up into the fathomless dark eyes gazing at her. Her heart lurched and suddenly she got scared. Love, passion, awe, gratitude swirled in the black pools; it was all there in Angel’s eyes for her to see. She didn’t deserve it. How could she live up to it? But she couldn’t lose it, not now that she found it. “Love me, always, please.” Tears welling in her wide eyes.
“Always,” Angel promised, tenderly brushing away the small tears escaping along a path down Cordelia’s smooth skin. Angel smiled leaning down to kiss Cordelia. Angel knew that his vow would remain the truth; it wouldn’t wane away over the years. It would only lose its power when he was gone from this earth and he wasn’t so sure about then either. Angel wanted to ask her to promise the same, but he wouldn’t. His future to uncertain and Cordelia deserved so much more.
Cordelia clutched at the nape of Angel’s neck bringing him closer. “Always, me too. Love you, I mean.” She pressed her body up into Angel’s.
***************
Angel lifted Cordelia to her feet. She scrunched her nose down at her dirty ripped clothes. Then looked around. “Angel.”
Angel pulled his coat up from off the ground smacked at the material trying to get rid of the most obvious grime.
“Angel.” Cordelia repeated.
“Mmm.” He whacked one more time and shrugged. He turned putting the coat over Cordelia. Cordelia slipped the coat over her torn clothes. “Thanks. Um, Angel.”
Angel stopped the wiping of his own clothes. “Yes.”
“Angel, we need to this again.”
Angel blinked. “Here, now?” He thought about for less than a second. “Okay.” Reaching for Cordelia.
Cordelia grasped her hand around his forearm, leading it to her body. What had she been thinking? Oh. “No.” Pushing away. “Not here, again, somewhere else. I don’t want the sewers to be ‘our’ place.
“Cordy, I don’t think one time,” he stopped at her arched eyebrow. “Well, okay two…okay three…okay…., okay, we will definitely, soon, wherever you want, as many times, more even.”
Cordelia blinked. She took a step and then nodded. Her legs still worked so she could do more. She blinked again. “What were we doing? No, not that,” she pushed at Angel’s arm that had snaked it’s way around her. “Right, Dracula. Back to the hotel.” She pulled at it his hand.
Angel growled at the mention of the other vampire. “We were going to find out what he took from your apartment.”
“Why bother, he obliviously took something. I think we can safely say it was personal. I want a bath. Of course, I could always do that at my apartment.”
“Back to the hotel, it is then.” Angel pulled her towards the direction of the hotel.