Title: Who Said You Only Live Once
Author: anne
Posted: 02-04-2003
Rating: NC17
Email:
Content: c/a is the goal, this is an Highlander cross-over.
Summary:
Spoilers: ATS- takes place in between S2 and S3 (but- I’ve mentioned things learned in Birthday (S3-); However, the important part- no Connor (baby or otherwise) or reappearance of Darla or Groo or anything remotely S4 - or when Wesley and Fred decided to get eye surgery or contacts thereby not needing their glasses:
Highlander- I don’t know the episodes well enough to say- the series has ended so there is no chance of anyone being ‘spoiled’ but I have included a brief history of certain characters…and the mention of the demon Ahriman was an arch at the end of S5& S6-
Disclaimer: The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made. Highlander belongs to Gaumount/Davis.
Distribution:
Notes: if you don’t like crossovers or the Highlander you won’t like this- I hope that you’ll give it a chance but I’ll completely understand if you don’t.
Highlander Notes: (brief summary for those that are unaware-the Highlander was a show about Immortals- beings that were immortal except they could be killed by decapitation and their purpose was to live for the ‘gathering’ a final battle that left one with the power of all- main character- Duncan Macleod- Highlander- 450 years old-very nice looking- cool- (OK, my opinion) )
Methos- 5000 years old -yeah- that old. Really a cool character- history- (except- that he was one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse.
Cassandra- almost as old as Methos- the history- Methos with his friends killed her whole village-and I guess her (except she was also an Immortal)
I read from the great feedback that either people know all about the Highlander or barely nothing….this part tells a little more in depth about Immortals. Anything that is wrong- sorry to the purist. I’m going on memory and a quick refreshing from episode guides.
Feedback:
Dedication: Dannyblue - Thanks for reading my spirited ideas- more importantly your encouragement.Part 8
“So, do you think she’s for real? Lilah?”
“What? Oh. I’m still wondering if you’re for real. Last I heard you had shaken the evil legal world off along with you’re evil hand and were heading for parts unknown clad in shit-kickin boots and riding in a pick up trunk.” Lilah studied male figure leaning against her door. “But, here you are back in our midst without the shit kicking foot wear and surprisingly two hands. Lindsey, why are you back?”
“Does it matter, I’m back.” The other lawyer studied his borrowed fingernails.
“Yes, Lindsey, it does matter. You’ve a history of moral ambiguity and dilemmas. You may be back, but I don’t know why the Senior Partners let you come back, hell, I don’t know what they just didn’t kill you.”
“They recognize my talents.”
“It’s not your talents that worry me.” Lilah commented unfazed by Lindsey’s charming smirk. “It’s your inability to maintain an commitment to the agenda. I don’t trust you. Hear me, Lindsey, I see a hint of weakness or betrayal, I will have you killed.”
“Okie Dokie.”
Lilah narrowed her eyes. "You’ve been gone awhile, Lindsey, my power base has grown without you nipping at my heels. You start it up again, I’ll stomp you.”
“I’m sufficiently warned and impressed.” Lindsey’s tone showed no signs of being either. “Now, can we get to the business at hand?” Lindsey waved his fingers. “Do you believe her?”
Lilah rolled her eyes and leaned back in her chair, deciding that despite Lindsey’s nonchalance the other lawyer understood her warnings. “Intrigued, but not ready to jump on her bandwagon just yet. I’ll wait until I get the word from the research department.”
“Assuming for the moment that what she said is true can we do what she wants?”
Lilah peered over her tapping fingertips. “Yes.”
“Really?” Lindsey raised his brows. “I am impressed.”
“I told you- you’ve been gone for awhile. We can manipulate Angel’s seer if we need to, in theory.”
“Why haven’t you done anything before? Blocking Angel’s link has always been a goal.”
“Because it’s a one shot deal. If it works great, if not or Angel discovers our manipulations- we would be screwed. It needs to be saved for the best opportunity and gain.”
“Possibly this could be it.”
“I don’t know. I didn’t hear her stress the benefits to Wolfram & Hart.”
***
“You buzzed.” Lindsey leaned against the doorway.
Lilah tossed a file down. “The research department found nothing.”
“So, she was a whack case.”
“No.” Lilah swung out of her chair to pace. “Linwood made a visit with a message from the Senior Partners. Immortals are real. Traditionally and historically, they haven’t been any concern of ours. They have their own ‘game’. No Immortal before as ever approached us or the other side not before now. Which makes the Senior Partners interested. Our orders are to help her.” Lilah tossed the memo towards Lindsey.
“And then what?” The other lawyer figured the piece of paper.
“Find out what she’s really after and find away to use it to our advantage.”
“You’ve a plan.” Lindsey settled into the well-cushioned chair.
“Yes.”
Part 9
Cordelia tossed and turned for several long minutes and then jumped to the floor, her rambled thoughts transformed into pacing. God. She needed to sleep. Cordelia glared at the digital numbers of the clock that obnoxiously glowed and clicked away another minute without rest.
Settle down. Cordelia sat on the end of the bed. Her deep breathing exercises choked as she remembered where she was. How could she forget? She chose the damn room. Angel’s room. What had been her reason and logic again? Oh. Right. It had been the loud argument that had erupted when Duncan suggested that she leave LA and go to his home in Paris. Cordelia had to admit she missed the first of Wesley and Gunn’s outburst at the idea. She had been too busy thinking about the last time she had been in Paris- way too long ago. Fred’s wail that Angel wouldn’t like it if Cordy were in a whole another country had jerked her out of her memories of the Eiffel Tower, romance and sparkling lights and great clothes. Okay, maybe her memories were some what tainted by movies of the famous city rather than her childhood trips with her parents. But still Cordelia had managed to keep some good memories about the city and her parents during those trips.
Luckily, Cordelia had been able to squelch the male bolstering of Wesley and Gun, the calm justification of Duncan, the complaining snorts from Methos and the whines of Fred with a firm loud ‘NO WAY’- rare happy childhood memories aside- Cordelia hadn’t been about to leave.
So, here she was in Angel’s room. Wesley and Gunn hadn’t been about to let her stay alone at her apartment with Duncan and it seemed also Methos- bitching aside the older Immortal wasn’t leaving Duncan. And Duncan had stated firmly he wasn’t leaving until he thought Cordelia was sufficiently trained. Fred had started sniffling again when she had thought that everyone was moving to Cordy’s. Again, Cordelia had been able to divert a major drama scene with the suggestion that everyone stay at the hotel. The only one completely happy with that proposition had been Fred.
Cordelia groaned and looked around Angel’s room. Over 80 rooms, some actually furnished, and she had to choose this one. She had thought at the time that it was a good idea. She couldn’t have Dennis and, well, Angel wasn’t around.
God. She tugged at the shirt she was wearing and a sorry chuckle settled in her throat. Angel would be so mad if he knew she was scourging through his closet for sleepwear. The shirt was silk. Fashion whore. The vampire would never admit it, but he was. Cordelia rubbed the shirttail to her cheek. As soon as she realized what she was doing, she dropped her hand and the material. Cordelia let out a deep breath.
Had that been her logic, really? Soon after she had chosen Angel’s room the allure of the most furnished room wore thin and well, the little bit of Angel’s presence drove her crazy. Cordelia had been ready to move to another room, but then the unknown blonde appeared and there was no way Cordelia would let THAT GABBY HO claim what was Angel’s, no matter how much Gabriel whined and cutely begged. Hell, Cordelia got there first, first takers are the keepers, na-na-a-boo-boo and other similar mature reasoning said so. Cordelia was beginning to believe that there was a blonde plot to screw up her life.
Cordelia took another deep breath, trying to capture Wesley’s words of comfort and good cheer. GOOD CHEER, her ass. Cordelia’s practical mind screamed a mad yell telling her to stop the spasms that her flighty-ass mind part- the one that the practical part had jack hammered to a whimper and pushed into a hidden dark corner- was squealing about. Everything seemed to hit at once yet it also seemed to drag on and on, the last three months without Angel seemed to go on forever. Cordelia began to regret ordering Wesley not to try to get in touch with the vampire. Hindsight. Wow. Something that should be known before any decision was made.
Would it have made a difference? Really? Cordelia didn’t know, no matter what conflicting thoughts and justifications that her flightily- ass mind begged her to listen too.
Cordelia pushed herself up from the bed and went into the bathroom. Staring into the mirror, she tried to order her life into a manageable semblance, ignoring all straying interruptions from her flightily mind-part. Practical would always rule.
Angel left. Temporarily, but in that temporarily way that meant that those that were waiting for his return had no idea when that meant. Did it mean, a few days, a few weeks, a few months…oh, wait, they were reaching the ‘few’ months without a word, so did that meant that soon it could be ‘several’ months or oh wow a few years. When was she supposed to decide that the waiting was over? Cordelia had been willing to wait for…well…for her life. But that was before her life took a dramatic spin and 360-degree turn and ‘THAT WOMAN’ showed up.
Cordelia slumped on the bed. Who was she? Cordelia Chase. She got that part, but what was she? An Immortal? She guessed that was true, the whole dying and living thing proved that. But what did that mean? What about who she was? Did she have a purpose? Living to chop heads wasn’t a purpose. That was just sick and ridiculous. So what was her purpose? A seer? Nope. That was proven as soon as ‘THAT WOMAN’ swiveled her tight hips into the hotel. ‘Hi! Where’s my champion, Angel-oh, where is he? He’s so good. Oh, who are you? Oh, you must be the make-do Seer. You stole my destiny. You died. Doyle was supposed to give the visions to me. He saved me and my family from the Scourge, but YOU,” the blonde pointed at Cordelia, “interfered.”
Cordelia groaned at the remembrance of the blonde’s words, her own choked gasp in surprise and then anger, as she wanted to grab the pretty blonde by the throat.
Cordelia flopped against the pillows letting the recent memories flow-the ones that didn’t make her mad or unhappy.
She had actually had fun with Duncan’s training. Weird start that it was. She had thought when she agreed to let Duncan train her that they would head straight to the basement and pick up swords, she had one and he definitely did. The way he kept it hidden in his expensive coat had been pretty nifty. And it had been funny to see Wesley and Gunn’s faces when both Duncan and Methos whooshed out their respective swords. Cordelia swore she saw Gunn trying to do the same with his axe and failing miserably. Though, Cordelia shouldn’t laugh, she had been pretty amazed too. Honestly, she was still a bit, even though she knew how to do it herself now.
But no, no training then, just lessons on how to look good drawing a sword. Okay, actually that wasn’t a lesson but Duncan did look way hot when he did it, and so did Methos when he decided to take a part of the show and tell. That had been great. But that hadn’t explained the lack of active training bit. Duncan had watched her a couple of times swinging the small sword she had taken from Angel’s massive collection of lethal sharp things. Duncan shook his head at her weapon and took it away from her. Then he told her to make a fist and hit him. She didn’t even get close as he blocked her. Duncan hadn’t said anything just stood back on his heels and studied her. Then he disappeared up the basement stairs. Cordelia had felt more than a little annoyed.
She hadn’t been that bad. She had been copying what she saw Angel do in the past. Cordelia knew she was quick at picking up moves. She had always been able to get the cheer routines on the first try when she was a cheerleader, even the complex ones. Cordelia had stridden up the stairs. The first sight that greeted her had been Duncan and Methos engaged in a mumbled intense conversation. They stopped immediately as they sensed her presence. Cordelia vowed she would figure out a way to sneak up on them- next time she would be able to hear what they were saying about her.
The next day, two surprising things had happened. Free weights and other training equipment, new stuff- not Angel's stuff, had appeared in the courtyard.
Cordelia had looked in wonder and some annoyance as her peaceful refuge had been turned into an outside gym. Cordelia had guessed she was okay with the intrusion when Duncan explained that the basement was too dark for his taste. She had to sort of agree with him on that one. Angel felt comfortable in the dark and the basement was his space to train. Cordelia hadn’t been able to stop from feeling slightly guilty for following Duncan into the bright sun. It wasn’t Angel’s fault that the sun subjugated him to the deep dark basement. But still, no matter her unease Cordelia had gone, because that’s where Duncan went and she guessed she needed the immortal.
Then a strange man- Antonio was his name- showed up with a bunch of swords. The man watched her swing all of them, first telling her to do it with her right hand than left and then both over and over again. Afterwards, he measured as far as Cordelia could tell every inch of her body. The way his hands were all over her, Cordelia swore she’d better end up with a form fitting designer gown. Antonio had ignored her comments as he packed up his things and disappeared, leaving her with one of the swords he had brought, telling her she should just throw Angel’s away.
Cordelia had thought then that she and Duncan would start really practicing. But no, for the next few days, Duncan just put her through a bunch of stretches and weight training that concentrated on her arms and wrists. Duncan had just rolled his eyes and laughed when she had complained about turning into some bulky she-man. He had told her not to worry as he appraised her in her tight workout clothes, commenting that no one would ever confuse Cordelia’s gender. His soft accent, his warm eyes glancing over her had made her blush like a teenager.
Duncan then began her lessons in Tai Chi, explaining that the martial art would teach her discipline and control. Cordelia had recognized some of the moves from when Angel practiced it, but she hadn’t really understood them until Duncan put her through them one by one. It had been harder than it looked.
On, the fourth day, Antonio had come back and proudly presented Duncan with a long wrapped package.
Duncan had nodded satisfied as he took out a long sword. Methos even nodded his approval. Wesley and Gunn had practically fallen over themselves drooling over the weapon. It seemed that Wesley had taken the time from Antonio’s first visit to find out that Antonio was the most prominent sword maker in the western-hemisphere and that the original creation handed to Cordelia must have cost a fortune one that was obviously paid for because the sword maker had left proud and happy. Fred just ahh-ed and squealed that it was pretty.
Cordelia had guessed it was okay. It was silver and shiny and had a really intricate golden sun embedded in the hilt. So, sure, it was prettier than Angel's old one but it didn’t look much longer and the blade wasn’t as wide. She hadn’t understood the big deal, so it was expensive- she figured she’d have to find a way to pay Duncan back. That had been her main thought until she held the sword. Then she understood and was so much more grateful to the Highlander. The grip fit her hands perfectly. Cordelia had understood as she swung the new sword easily in the air why Wesley said Antonio was a genius in his craft. Just as she had understood why Antonio had spent so much time measuring her hands and fingers. The new sword felt like an extension of her arms. It was beautiful in look and feel.
Pretty and a good feel wouldn’t necessarily keep her alive. Cordelia had slightly cringed at that thought, she had felt the sword and questioned it- she knew deep in her being that it mattered- a blade would only be what kept her from death- at that moment she believed all that Duncan and Methos had told her and just as quickly- she refused to accept it. She had nodded perfunctorily as Duncan explained that heavy didn’t mean stronger. She had listened as Duncan and Antonio had assured her that the thinner blade would withstand the largest broadsword and the length was perfect for her arm span and Antonio pointed out proudly the sun matched her tattoo, it made the sword unique to her. Cordelia had half listened as she struggled with the truth she had discovered. Like all bad truths, Cordelia rationalized and denied it away. Duncan said she needed to be trained, Wesley had agreed, so why not take the amazing sword. It didn’t mean that she accepted the ‘immortal destiny of chopping heads’.
So Cordelia had gone to bed with sword prominently near her reach, but not before she had spent that evening, alone, trying to compare the reflection of her sun tattoo to the engraved design. She had to concede after a few jerking jumps and turns that it was damn close if not better, while it didn’t have the color of her tattoo, it was able to catch the lights with its sharp lines and give the illusion of a burst of color that put rainbows to shame and paled the copied sun on her lower back to barely nothing. Antonio was a genius and damn observant. She had no idea when the man had an opportunity to see her tattoo long enough to duplicate it.
The next the training had began. And that’s when Cordelia decided that the handsome, polite, teasing, generous Scottish Immortal was a sadist at heart. He may have smiled and told her not to worry about how much the sword cost or how she was going to pay him back, which was cool, Duncan must have been much better at getting and maintaining an investment portfolio than Angel had in his long life, but that didn’t change the fact, Duncan was torturing her and enjoyed it.
***
Three months later, Cordelia had come to the conclusion that Duncan wasn’t trying to torture her but teach her. Teach her for what? That question still haunted her, no matter her denials as to the destiny that Duncan and Methos spoke of. She was beginning to believe that someday she would actually have to take a head, no matter how ridiculous it sounded.
The training went on, but where did that leave her, getting pretty effective with sword but still no purpose to speak of and no Angel to help her figure it out.
Cordelia took a deep breath pulling the shirt tail up. Who was she kidding, she couldn’t smell Angel, hell, she was even having a hard time picturing him anymore. Dark hair, dark eyes, great build, leather- every time she tried- Duncan’s face popped up.
Cordelia hit the bed again finally figuring out what was keeping her up. Duncan was who she pictured when thinking about her unknown future. Her mind was battling with her past life and her future one and Duncan was winning. Cordelia didn’t want him to, not really, but, she wasn’t Angel’s seer anymore and as soon as he came back he could fight the demons in Gabriel’s visions- Wesley and Gunn, wouldn’t need the Immortals’ skills. Not one of her old family would need her.
Small tears ran down Cordelia’s cheeks. She was now wishing for the vampire not to return because once he did then no one would need her. She punched the mattress. Cordelia should just accept that her place was with Duncan and Methos. She was an Immortal, she had no part of the Powers’ mission, they proved that when they took her visions away.
Part 10
Angel led his head back against the hard wall of the cargo hold. He scratched off the last mark on the make shift calendar. He would have to stay hidden for a few more hours than he could move around. He could handle it because every mark was evidence of his going home.
He should have risked an airplane. But habits were hard to give up. Airplanes had windows and really were people meant to fly? They didn’t have wings. Still ships took way too long especially when he had somewhere to be and Angel did- he had a home to get to.
Leaning his head up against the solid surface, he wondered why he had even left. Home was where the comfort was. It sure wasn’t in the monastery, even before he was almost killed by the monk-demons. All he had wanted was a moment of peace, so he could think, remember and feel sorrow. Gunn was right, he should have gone to Vegas, then at least it wouldn’t have been so far to get back to where he should have stayed in the first place.
Angel guessed he could try to find the thoughts that were scattered and hard to grasp when he first left- it was quiet now, dark, smelly and gross. He smiled as he pictured Cordelia pacing and ewwing and complaining about his accommodations. She would hate it but in the end, she also would accept it because of his needs. She would’ve bitched but never would she have left him to the dark by himself. Angel drew out a long unneeded breath being alone was a feeling that he was long accustomed to and one he slowly realized over the years he hated with a passion. For the last three years he hadn’t been alone. Angel shuffled trying to make himself the least bit comfortable.
Angle had tried to be alone but Doyle and Cordelia hadn’t let him and when Doyle was gone, Cordy had forced herself on him even more. Angel smiled a very small grin. Cordelia. She never let him be. When she wasn’t pushing her way in she was in his thoughts. Cordelia, the friend that was always there, Angel almost had to force himself to remember she hadn’t been in his life always or that when she was she wasn’t special to him. Thank god she understood that he wasn’t leaving her again. She had. She had to have. He told her….no. Angel cringed. And remembered more accurately.
Willow had been there and told them about Buffy. Angel saw in slow motion as Cordelia’s hand reached for his, he saw just as slowly his hand knocking her away. He watched himself go up the stairs alone. He heard her knock and beg to help him. He saw himself tell her that he needed to be alone. He saw himself tell her that she couldn’t help him. Angel saw himself leaving her.
Angel saw all of that just has he realized why he had done it. Why did his epiphanies always come too late? But, he hadn’t known then, later alone in the monastery before the monks turned into demon-killers, he realized that he didn’t want to be alone, he wanted someone too talk to, someone to understand that a part of his life had ended he wanted someone to hold his hand and tell him that it would be alright, he wanted someone to tell him that it was okay that he could live without Buffy……he wanted someone to tell him that it was okay that he loved another.
That’s what Angel learned- he had loved Buffy, she had died and he felt pain…that wasn’t unexpected… deep down he had known that as a vampire he would most likely out live the slayer, it was a hurt that he had accepted when he decided to leave Sunnydale or at least he thought he had. But with Willow’s words it hit him straight in the gut harder than any demon could’ve struck, Buffy was gone. The pain was harsh but the guilt was even more. It was the pain, the immense feeling of guilt and the accompanying surprise at the kernel of understanding that fueled the guilt that made Angel run to places far and unknown.
The sorrow had filled his body as Willow's slow words told the tale of Buffy’s heroic death, but joy had still beat rapid in his body as he looked to Cordy in her Plyean princess finery. He had saved her. Cordelia was safe and home. He wanted to shout and grab her in his arms but then he remembered as Willow’s choked voice told more about Buffy’s death. Then he felt the weight of more guilt than he ever imagined.
Angel sat straighter and said out loud the unimaginable question- if he had known there was a choice- try to save Buffy or try to save Cordy, only one choice, only one chance- what would he have done- his first reaction would be Buffy, after all she was the love of his long life...yet, she was the slayer, supernaturally strong, Cordy wasn't. He would've chosen to go after Cordy - she would've needed him to save her, she had. Angel wished with all of his being that Buffy had survived. But Cordelia didn't have the strength of a slayer and Angel couldn't have let Cordy be alone in some hell dimension, he couldn't let her try to fight without him. Cordy didn't know how to fight, not really. Angel laughed sadly asking Buffy's memory for forgiveness.
Angel wished the ship faster. He wanted to be home. He wanted Cordy to tell him that everything would be alright.
Part 11
Methos slumped further in the leather chair his feet propped up on Wesley’s desk, the Baba Yaga’s book of spells in his lap.
“Wesley doesn’t like it when you put your feet on his desk.” Fred squirmed a bit. “Not yours specifically, I mean, but anybody’s. I heard him yell at Charles just the other day.”
“Ah, but Wesley and Gunn have gone to investigate the new case. So, Wesley just won’t ever know now will he or are you going to tell on me.” Methos lifted his head from the flipping pages.
Fred concentrated brow cleared as she heard Methos’ teasing tone. She gave a small smile in return. “I won’t tell.”
“Thank you.”
“So.” Fred perched on the edge of the facing chair. It had taken a month but Fred’s natural curiosity had overcome her nervousness around the old Immortal. It also helped that Methos had become a lot nicer once he finally accepted that Duncan wouldn’t be leaving Cordelia until the Highlander felt confident in the progress of her training. Methos even trained with them sometimes. Fred had to admit that was best time to watch. Wow. Duncan and Methos were so good they were pretty, dancing around and swords sparking. It was amazing. Cordy was becoming really good too.
“So.” Methos leaned up bringing his feet to the floor and depositing the book on the desk.
“So, is your friend a witch as well as an Immortal?” Fred pointed a finger at the discarded spell book.
Methos’ gaze followed Fred’s gesture then traveled back to the young woman. “Tell me, did you really come in here to find out the answer to that question or to protect Wesley’s desk OR were you just looking for a place to hide from the blonde all seeing bombshell that hasn’t stopped exploding since she arrived.”
Fred fidgeted a bit under Methos’ knowing eyes and dry tone. Okay. Fred chewed on her bottom lip. So, she wasn’t exactly all downy comfort comfortable with the old Immortal. Her gaze twitched to the closed door of the office.
A small giggle threatened to let loose at the picture of Gabriel blowing up and popping like that poor blue gluttony obnoxious girl in Willy Wonka. Fred had to admit she wouldn’t be opposed at all to seeing the blonde go BLAM or at least POOF. Fred let out an embarrassed chuckle at Methos’ insight and her own not nice thoughts. Fred quickly turned her unease into a shrug. Pfft.
She really didn’t care much for Gabriel, it wasn’t just that the strange interloper blonde hadn’t stopped going on and on about Angel and what a champion he was, how he was her champion- Geez, Gabriel didn’t even know Angel, so how could she say how great he was, he hadn’t even saved her, not once-, or how she would widen those abnormally large green eyes of hers and bat her unnecessarily long eyelashes-how did she see with those entangling bits of stuff- at any male in the vicinity - sure Fred knew Gabriel was half demon but still the woman wasn’t normal even for that mixture- Fred would have to do some more research now that she was more comfortable with using a computer again, or that all the men seemed to fall for her ooh you’re so wonderful routine- okay, Fred hadn’t really picked up on that until Cordy explained that it was an old trick- let a man think he was oh so fascinating and they were putty- again, like many of the words of wisdom Cordyp imparted, Fred wasn’t so sure she understood- why would a woman want a man to be a lump of play clay, but Fred trusted Cordelia and she did see how Wesley and Gunn seemed to puff out their chests when ever Gabby spoke or whined for them to do something for her.
No, Fred decided it wasn’t any of those things. Gabriel represented a change in the dynamics of Angel Investigations and Fred didn’t like it. Sure, Cordy being an Immortal and the presence of Duncan and Methos could be considered a change. But Duncan and Methos were just temporary until Angel got back. Then Angel would train Cordy and Cordy. Fred sighed at her broken thought.
Until Gabriel showed up, Fred believed that nothing would really change. Fred realized that she hadn’t been a part of Angel Investigations for…well since she was able to stop hiding in her room or under tables and actually started to help a little, which happened to be not that long ago, but still she felt a connection with Cordy, Wesley, Gunn and of course Angel, after all it was because of them she was able to be free from Plyea- but Gabriel, she felt nothing for except dread.
“Fred?”
“Oh.” Fred blinked at Methos. Geez, she had to stop wandering in her thoughts broken or otherwise. At least, she was getting better at not just unconsciously babbling out loud about whatever was on her mind. “Well, I’m hoping she went up to her room. She doesn’t like to be alone, no audience to create drama for,” Fred rolled her eyes. “And she won’t come in here, she doesn’t like you. You and Duncan don’t seem to fall down at her drippy every word.” Fred blinked as she sort of heard what she said. Okay, so she wasn’t completely cured of the talking too much habit. Thought, mouth open and words emerging without really thinking. Bad.
Methos laughed. “I can’t speak for Duncan, actually I think I can. We’re old. Seen a lot of beautiful woman in both our days. And since neither of us are full fledged members of the ‘awe’ Powers team, she’s nothing special, just well put together.”
“You think she’s beautiful, more beautiful than Cordy? She’s so…so not normal and Cordy is….” Fred nudged at her glasses.
“Actually, demon notwithstanding, Gabriel is very normal, especially for this region and time, could be interchanged with any of the wanna be actresses that hit the TV waves, where as Cordelia and you,” Methos smiled, “ are not only lovely to look at, you’re both are interesting to talk to, well, in Cordelia’s case listen to would probably be the more appropriate. She can talk.” Methos’ brows rose in exaggeration.
Fred double blinked, nudged her glasses and turned bright red. Methos had said she was interesting and….lovely? He included her with Cordy? Sure, everyone knew Cordy was beautiful and interesting and….well, special…but, her? She wasn’t any of those things, not even close. Okay, now Fred was fighting an urge to go run up to her room or dive under the desk. Fred refused to budge, running and hiding wasn’t interesting that was just pathetic. She tried to focus on another topic that would dim the heat in her cheeks and keep her feet still. “Um, you were saying about your friend Cassandra.” She gulped.
“I don’t think I was,” Methos gave the blushing girl mercy,” but, Cassandra isn’t a witch, though she could be a vindictive bitch.” He mumbled the last part under his breath.
“Uh.” Fred inquired, glad that the subject was off her even if it was just on her briefly as a tangent to a conversation.
Methos sat up and tried to answer the young woman seriously. “No, Cassandra isn’t a witch, though I imagine that she had been labeled one many times over the centuries. She has the gift of sight. She foresees things. Not a real healthy gift for a woman during certain ages, where such oddities could get a woman burned at the stake.” Methos shoved aside the conflicting emotions that arose within him anytime the female Immortal was mentioned. Methos wasn’t the guilt filled sort, but what he and his companions did do to her and to her village during their reign of terror as the Four Horsemen did entitle her to be just a little bitchy to him. Though, Methos thought a few thousand years was a pretty long time not to get over it. He’d of thought that at some time during that period she would’ve gotten therapy or just learn that things change, people change and taking oneself too seriously wasn’t a plus in a personality. Then again, he had raped her and kept her as a slave, like he said she had the right to be miffed.
“She’s a seer, like Cordy?”
“No. Her talent is natural and not manipulated by your Powers. It’s a gift, not a mission.”
“So, she wants that,” Fred pointed to the book again. “For research?”
Methos nodded, then frowned. “You’d think that if it was so damn important that Duncan and I had to come to California to get it, she’d at least send a thank you or something for the copy we sent. She hasn’t even acknowledged that she’s received it or that she’s even still in Russia.” He waived at the text.
“You don’t know where she is?”
Methos shrugged.
“You don’t seem that worried that you haven’t heard from her,” Fred wrinkled up her nose, “just irritated.”
“She could let us know ‘mission accomplished’, but no. And I’m not worried about her. Cassandra can take of herself.”
“You’re not worried that someone, another Immortal, may have chopped off her head?”
Methos shrugged. “Honestly, I would sleep better at night.”
“Uh?” Sometimes, Fred really didn’t understand the Immortal.
Methos shook his head. “If someone did then at least neither Duncan nor I would have to fight her.”
“You’d fight your friend?”
“The Gathering has no friends. And ‘friend’ is not really an accurate label for my relationship with Cassandra, but she is Duncan’s. He doesn’t take fighting and killing his friends well so it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing if someone else did it for him.”
“You would be okay with killing a friend?”
“I don’t have that many friends so it’s not really a issue with me.”
“You’d fight Duncan?”
“If I had too, just as he would fight me.” Methos said straightforwardly.
“What about Cordy?” Fred’s eyes widened automatically turning in the direction towards the courtyard where Duncan and Cordelia were training.
Methos shrugged. “If all live to the Gathering, then yes. But, you don’t have to worry until that happens- IF that happens,” he emphasized at the young woman’s worried expression. “I don’t look for Immortals to challenge and neither does Mac and, well, Duncan cares for her. She’s safe with him.”
“He does like her, doesn’t he? Of course he does. Everyone does. I’ve only known her for several months, but I can tell. Angel, Wesley and Charles would do anything for her.” Fred paused.
“What?” Methos leaned in closer taking in the far away look of the young woman.
“Nothing” Fred flinched as Methos’ unwavering stare challenged her. “Well. I used to think of Angel as my prince, you know saving me from Plyea but it wasn’t me that he came to Plyea for, it was Cordy. And she was a Princess. I land in Plyea and become a slave, she lands in Plyea and gets crowned.” Fred blew out a breath, shrugged and shook her head.
“Fred, are you jealous?”
“Jealous?” Fred blinked. “Of Cordy?” Fred shook her head quickly with sincerity once she figured out what Methos was asking. “I couldn’t be jealous of Cordy, she’s my friend and I told you I figured it out. Cordy’s special. It just clicked one day, she’s the heart of…” Fred waved her hands around, only stopping to push at her glasses. “The mission…she’s Angel’s seer.”
“Not anymore.” Methos cocked his head.
“Pfft.” Fred rolled her eyes, no longer nervous talking about a subject she was sure about. “Angel won’t like it. Cordy’s an Immortal, she won’t die from the visions anymore, he’ll figure out a way to fix it, make it back to normal. Get her out of here.” Fred shot a glance to the door.
“You’re jealous of Gabriel?” Methos caught her last low words and look.
“Of her,” Fred looked up in indignation. “No way. She's a blonde bimbo ‘ho’ that we have to put up with because of the visions. Please.” Fred rolled her eyes.
“Tell me, how much time have you been spending with Cordelia?” Methos asked recognizing Cordy's expression and repeated not too discreet descriptions of the blonde seer on Fred’s face and in her words.
“What? Cordy likes to take me shopping, it’s fun.”
“Right.” Methos leaned back. “So, you think everything will change to normal when Angel gets back.”
“Of course.” Fred nudged at her glasses. “Cordy being Immortal isn’t really the way things were but it will be close of enough when Angel gets back. And Angel will be happy that Cordy won't die. He worries about her and likes to make sure she's safe.” Fred said firmly.
“It’s been over three months.” Methos questioned gently.
Fred scooted up. “He’ll be back. Wesley and Cordy said so. Everything will be fine.” She said emphatically.
"I haven't heard Cordy say that much anymore."
"She's just been busy with Duncan and stuff."
“Of course.”
***
Angel paused stilling his urge to burst through the basement door. He would see her soon enough, he would see all of his family. He took a deep unneeded breath. It smelled like home. Scents of humans floated in the air. Humans that he recognized and needed, Angel concentrated on the one that he needed the most. It was faint. Of course, he was still in the basement; Cordelia wouldn’t have had much reason to spend a lot of time down there. But he could smell hints of her unique fragrance. He paused in his push at the door. There was also other beings’ smells, unfamiliar ones. Angel calmed himself. Clients, he reasoned when he didn't sense any danger. Good, the business had been up and operating. He had had moments of guilt that without him the agency would falter.
Angel stood in the lobby, placing his duffle bag down. It was empty. Where was everyone? Where was Cordy? Angel peered at Wesley’s office. He heard voices. He concentrated. Not hers, but Fred’s and someone he didn’t recognize. Maybe the client. Angel walked slowly towards the closed door.
He listened for a moment. Angel was glad to hear that Fred and Cordelia seemed to be getting along but he didn’t really understand all of what Fred was saying and who was with her? And why was Cordy busy with someone named Duncan. Maybe he was another client.
Cordelia -he needed to see her. He opened the door.
“Fred?” Angel stood in the doorway.
Fred jerked and jumped to her feet, blinking all the while. “Angel.” She blinked even faster. “It’s Angel.” She twirled to face Methos. “He’s…” she twirled again. “You’re back.” She twirled again. “Angel’s back. I told you."
“Yes.” Methos stood.
“You’re back,” she twirled and bounced happily in front of Angel. She blinked again.
“Fred,” Angel reached out his hand to halt the beginning of another twirl. “Where’s Cordy?”
“Cordy?” Fred asked then smiled. “Cordy, right, Cordy’s outside with Duncan. She’s going to be so surprised. Wow. You’re back.” Fred bobbed and smiled wider. “Ah, I wish Wesley and Gunn were here, but they’re out solving a case - a case that I took the information on. I’ve been helping.” She nodded. “I’ve been receptionist girl.” Fred paused. “And I helped research the Lexias demon, didn’t I.” She managed to twirl her nodding head towards Methos.
“Yes you did. Without you, Wesley wouldn’t have found the way to vanquish the Lexias in time before its boiled drippy self soaked us to death.”
Fred smiled at the Immortal, and then pursed her lips. “Duncan killed it.”
“Yes, but if he hadn’t Wesley would’ve because he had the potion you found- Wesley would’ve coated it with the potion if Duncan hadn’t taken the demon’s squishy head first.”
“It was squishy wasn’t it? I can’t believe it came here. Cordy was so mad at the mess.”
Angel tugged at Fred. “Cordy?”
“Outside with Duncan, didn’t I say that already?” she looked back to Methos questioningly.
“You did.”
Angel stared at the man. “Who are you? Who is Duncan?”
Methos had been thinking quickly since the demon disguised as man showed up in the doorway. Fast or slow? Just say it. Methos’ hand inched towards his sword. The vampire had a soul, but Methos had read about both the vampire with and without a soul. Not a demon that you met unarmed and…the observer he was…Methos had come to the conclusion while watching the mortal mix of Angel Investigations that the non-mortal part-Angel wouldn’t be quite so accepting of Duncan and Cordelia’s friendship. Actually, Methos admitted, he had seen similar worries in Wesley’s eyes as the days passed and Duncan and Cordelia got closer.
“I’m Methos, an Immortal, Duncan, Duncan MacLeod is too. Why we’re here, which had to be your next question, is because Cordelia is also an Immortal, we’re here helping her adjust.”
Angel took a step back as the words processed through his mind. Well, actually they hadn’t at all processed. He just heard them. Angel blinked towards Fred.
“It’s true.” Fred started her rapid nodding again or had she even stopped. Her resolve to think before speaking completely gone at her excitement at seeing Angel, “Cordy died. It was horrible. She went with Charles and Wesley to fight the Gorgon babies. One hatched and ripped her stomach and chest wide.” Fred made a dramatic hand motion to demonstrate not noticing Angel’s even paler skin tone or the increased tension in his strong frame.
“Blood was every where. I saw it. Well. I didn’t see the actual bloodletting but I saw her at the hospital- dead. Blood was everywhere. Cordy was so mad that her shirt had been ruined. It was a new one. Really pretty, gold with a deep neck and this flimsy sheer type material for sleeves. She got it at Target.” Fred’s eyes widened and her hand flew to her mouth. “Whoops, shoot, that was a secret. She didn’t get it at Target but at that boutique on Fifth Street. I never mentioned Target, don’t even know what that store is neither does Cordy, never been there, don’t know anything. I’m talking too much again, aren’t I? Shoot. ” Fred gave a tentative smile hopeful that no one would question her further on that tidbit she swore to secrecy and death and just let slip. If it got out Cordy would never take her shopping again. Fred chewed on her thumbnail, worried.
Angel’s mind spun. Fred said that Cordy was killed but she also said that Cordy was outside with this Duncan person, which was it. “Cordy?”
“What?” Fred blinked at the vampire. “I told you she’s outside.”
“YOU also told me that she was killed.” Angel tried very hard not to shake the young woman.
“She was.” Fred looked puzzled.
“Fred,” Methos pulled the young woman away from the vampire. “You’ve been a bit round about in your explanation.”
“I have?” Fred scrunched up her nose. “I told him…”
“That Cordy was dead.” Methos said softly.
Fred’s eyes widened, as she comprehended the Immortal’s words. She shot back to the way too still vampire. “Cordy’s alive, She’s an Immortal. She died, but she lived, she’s alive, just outside, she’s alive and fine, not dead, not at all, I'll show you.” Fred started to pull at the vampire.
Angel didn’t resist. He let Fred pull him out of Wesley’s office with one last look at the strange man standing comfortably behind it.
“Holy shit.” Gunn lopped in, stopping at the sight of the vampire. “Angel.” The black man moved quickly. “Man, you’re back.” He looked over his shoulder. “Hey, Wes, Angel’s back.”
“What?” Wesley hurried in.
Angel stopped as Fred tugged in the opposite direction that she had been heading.
“Angel.” Wesley ran up. “When did you get back? How are you?” Wesley dropped his surprised happy tone to a sad understanding one. Angel had left to grieve. One must always remember that.
“I’m fine. Fred,” Angel jerked the young woman back to his side, “was taking me to Cordy”
“Oh, Cordy. What did you tell him?” Wesley shot to the young woman and then Methos.
“Only that Duncan and I are Immortals and so is Cordy and she and Duncan are outside.” Methos finished quickly.
“Yes, well, um, Angel, maybe we should go in my office first before you see Cordy.” Wesley beckoned towards the room.
“Wes, Fred said that Cordelia was dead, that she went with you to fight a Gorgon that her chest was ripped open. A Gorgon, Wesley?” Angel asked in soft tone. A tone that left Wesley with no doubt that the vampire’s puzzled expression was cloaking a rising anger.
Wesley gulped and tried to clear his throat.
Gunn gazed intently at the floor, hoping beyond hope that the vampire’s cold eyes didn’t land on him questioning his part in that particular mess.
“ You allowed Cordelia to go with you to fight a Gorgon- a Gorgon, those are the very large deadly Demons that have not only three heads with gapping razor sharp teeth, but claws and spiked lethal tails-aren’t they? Please, tell me I misunderstood Fred and that you didn’t let Cordelia fight a Gorgon, that she never received any type of injury that she didn't die as a result of battle she should've never been near."
“You didn’t misunderstand me…I said..” Fred started.
“Girl.” Gunn furiously shushed.
“What?…But, they were baby Gorgons and Cordy….”
Angel swung fixing his gaze on the young woman. “There is no such thing as a baby Gorgon-they’re either slimy eggs or full-grown beast,” trying to keep his anger in check for Fred’s benefit.
Fred’s eyes widened and scooted closer to Methos, finally recognizing the anger in the vampire’s posture. “Cordy’s alive, just outside, she’s with Duncan.” Fred squeaked, and moved further behind Methos. “Now what did I say? I need to remember to keep quiet,” she whispered biting her lip.
“I think it may be the Duncan part?” Methos whispered back. The old Immortal resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Things were going to get messy; he could just feel it in his bones. Methos really should have dragged Duncan away from this place as soon as he realized about the vampire. Jealous vampires weren’t fun.
“Angel, I really think we should talk.” Wesley beckoned again towards his office in a steady voice.
“Don’t worry, Wesley, we WILL talk AFTER I see Cordelia- outside, WHERE?”
“Garden.” Wesley took a deep breath. “Angel, it’s daylight.” He called after the moving vampire.
“OH, MY CHAMPION IS BACK.”
Angel turned his anger completely supplanted by bafflement as a blonde strange woman dashed down the stairs and flung herself at him.
Angel hesitantly jerked his hands up trying to pry the woman’s hands off of him. “Wesley?” Angel was totally confused.
“Yes. Like, I suggested, my office.” Wesley pointed once again to the room.
“Let him go,” Fred snapped at Gabriel. “Angel wants to see Cordy.”
Angel snatched on to Fred’s words. “Cordy, I need to see her.”
“But why?” Gabriel prettily pouted. “She means nothing to you or our mission now. I’m your seer.”
Angel stared at the unknown blonde, his mind numbing at her words. Angel turned towards the garden. Angel’s homecoming was nothing like he expected. Cordelia would explain it. Angel opened his mouth to call for her and shut it just as quickly as he stared out into the sunlit garden from the shadows. WHAT THE HELL.
The group followed each taking turns trying to gauge the vampire’s reaction and looking at the couple outside engaged in a sword battle. Except for Gabriel, she just pouted. Fred shushed her before the blonde could start to speak again.
Angel stood transfixed in the shadows of the doorway. It was Cordy. He knew it was Cordelia. Her body, her scent was as familiar as was the sound of her heartbeat. What he didn't recognize was the scene. His urge to rush out a stop the man's sword from striking at Cordelia was curbed only by the fact that he could see that the man wasn't attacking Cordelia but sparring with her. He watched as Cordelia met each blow, holding her sword confidently and effectively.
"Come on, Cordy." Duncan beckoned changing his former tactics becoming more aggressive.
Cordelia dodged, swinging her sword trying to press forward against the Immortal.
"What are you doing, Cordelia?"
"Fighting, dumb ass." Cordelia grunted as the force of Duncan’s blows pushed her back.
"You're losing." Duncan corrected, turning and swinging, knocking Cordelia's sword from her hands. "Now what are you going to do."
Cordelia stood still her narrowed gaze studying Duncan's advancement.
"Come on Cordelia react don't think. Until you live a few more years you will always be the less experienced of your opponent." Duncan swung.
Cordelia jerked avoiding his blow as she jumped landing on the stone bench behind her.
"Good know your surroundings, but you're still taking too much time you aren't going to have. Where's your sword?"
"On the ground, you idiot."
"Not going to do you much good there." Duncan swung.
This time Cordelia jumped high somersaulting over Duncan, rolling as she landed, her hand grasping for her fallen sword.
Duncan turned quickly still on the offensive pressing in on Cordelia. Cordelia jerked her sword up shakily warding off his blow.
"I'm stronger and you are down."
"Cocky, old guy." Cordelia grumbled, striking out with her leg as she kept her sword in front of her protecting her neck and chest. She grunted in satisfaction as her kick pushed Duncan back. Swiftly, she rolled again coming to her feet. She charged raising her sword in her left hand.
"Cordy, not smart." Duncan's sword rose in challenge.
Cordy dropped suddenly, bracing her body with her right hand as both her legs swung out sideswiping Duncan's knees. She quickly bounced up as Duncan lost his balance, her sword, held in both hands over the other Immortal's neck. "Was too smart. You're dead." Cordelia jerked her sword high in the air. "You're so dead, so very dead." she sang. "I won. I won. I won. I beat the great warrior Duncan Macleod from the clan Macleod, blah, blah. Ah." Cordelia lowered her sword to the ground, smiling a great smug grin.
"You're a brat." Duncan laughed getting to his feet. "Not bad."
"Not bad." Cordelia huffed. "You're so dead."
"And you were dead three minutes ago. Cordelia, you need to trust your reactions. An Immortal after your head is not going to give you time to think." Duncan said seriously. "But, you did do well,” he added with a smile.
"Hmmph." Cordelia's pouting halted as her gaze turned to the doorway of lobby sensing Methos' presence. Quickly, she bypassed Metho's knowing look, Fred’s expression of awe, Wesley and Gunn’s expression of pride and sadness, completely ignoring the blonde standing in foreground. Cordelia narrowed her eyes on the unfamiliar figure, and then opened them with a surprised gasp, her sword falling to the ground. "Angel?" she whispered, taking a small step forward. "Angel," she cried, finally confident at the imagine of the vampire. "Angel." she yelled again running towards the still figure cloaked in the shadows.
Angel still didn't have any idea what was going on, but he did know that the body hurdling towards him was his Cordelia. He caught her easily as she jumped and hugged him tightly. "You’re home." she mumbled into his neck. She looked up quickly into his dark eyes. "You're home." She gave a radiant smile squeezing him tighter.
"I'm home.” he whispered, tightening his own embrace.
Part 12
Whimpering cries caused Cordelia to jerk out of Angel's arms. She rolled her eyes as Gabriel held her head and moaned.
"Please tell me I wasn't like this drama queen?" she snorted.
"Actually, Cordy, you mostly fell on your ass unless Angel caught you." Gunn coughed.
"Sure, but did I WHINE?"
Gabriel sniffled blinking her eyes. "It hurts."
"Get over it. You're half demon." Cordelia backed away from Angel her eyes still shooting daggers at the other woman.
"You're mean." Gabriel held the back of her hand to her forehead.
Wesley stood in front of Cordelia blocking her merging retort. "Gabby, the vision?"
Gabriel sniffled and blinked her wide eyes towards Angel. "A Nexial Demon is about to attack a play ground. Angel you have to go."
Angel's confused expression returned. He looked from the blonde to Wesley finally resting on the angry countenance of Cordelia.
"It's daylight, not quite getting the whole Angel is a vampire thing are you?" Cordelia huffed.
"It's in a daycare, inside." Gabriela shot back.
"Then it’s not a playground. It's a day care. Say what you saw. Geez. Or were you planning to get Angel killed too."
"It wasn't my fault. Tell her to stop blaming me." Gabriel scooted to Wesley's side.
"Now Cordy, you know it was just a mistake."
"Right, Wesley. Laval Demon, the blob with the squishy head and harmless flippers for hands" Cordelia flapped her hands in the air. " Vs. Lexial, the blob with the squishy head and 10 inch razor blades for hands." Cordelia make a quick karate chop in the air. "A common mistake, just like her failing to mention that she saw it show up in my room."
"I didn't see it in the hotel. And it was mistake." Gabriel defended. "Any way, it was killed."
"Not before it killed me."
"Big Deal, you're alive aren't you."
"It HURT."
"You shouldn't have gotten in its way."
"It attacked me, you ….you…” Cordelia slammed her jaws shut cutting off her retort.
"It wasn't my fault." Gabriel returned her expression to her pretty pout.
"Then whose was it? Can't answer that can you? Pfft." Cordelia crossed her arms against her chest and glared. Cordelia had been willing to let her retorts stay silent but that was too much to stay quiet on. Hmmph. Gabby ho. She'd say it out loud but then she would have to listen to Wesley’s lectures out being nice to the ‘poor’ GABBY HO. Cordelia hmmphed again. When exactly did she let other people shut her up. Oh, right when she started to care about them and they returned the favor. Some day, Wesley would owe her big.
"Yoa, the big bad, day care maybe we should go?” Gunn hunched over trying as he had for the last few months to stay out of the arguments that erupted whenever Gabby had a vision, but at the same time hoping to bring focus to the fact that there was a demon or such to kill.
Wesley nodded and looked around his gaze resting on Angel. The vampire after one stunned look at Gabriel having a vision was now staring at Cordelia, his expression unreadable. “Gunn and I will go.”
“It’s Angel’s vision.” Gabriel insisted.
“Yes, of course, but, I'm sure Gunn and I can handle it and Angel I think needs to say here a talk to Cordy, which means Cordelia you’re staying put. Possibly, Duncan may..."
“Wesley, we’ve had this ‘discussion’ before.” Cordelia glared, her tone biting.
“Yes, but then Angel wasn’t here, you aren’t going.” Wesley countered confidently.
“What difference does that make, I haven't suddenly become helpless." Cordelia retorted.
"No, but you need to talk to Angel about what has happened. He needs to know."
Cordelia perked up. "I know, Wesley, you stay and talk, that’s what you’re good at. I’ll go. I better at the fighting thing than you now."
"Cordelia.” Wesley said sternly.
"Cordelia," Duncan stood off to the side studying the vampire watching Cordelia.
Cordelia looked up to the Immortal. “I hate it when Wesley uses that voice, he should’ve been a schoolmarm, all ancient, condescending and disapproving. Yuk.”
"Stay,” Duncan chuckled. “I’ll go with them. Methos?"
"What? No way. I'm not a hero, don't want to be one. Not going."
"Get your sword. I'll be down in a minute. Cordy," Duncan held out her sword.
"Oh, thanks." She scrunched up her nose at the Immortal. "Duncan, are you sure?"
Duncan gently placed a hand on her shoulder giving a soft caress. "I'm sure."
"Okay, but duck."
Duncan chuckled and went upstairs.
"What kinda of demon is this again?"
“Nexial”
"Great. You'll are going to me killed." Methos sighed and went back into Wesley's office to get his jacket and sword.
"Fred, would you..." Wesley called over his shoulder as he and Gunn headed for the weapons cabinet.
"I'll pull it up on the computer." She turned towards Gabriel, "You're coming with me," tugging at the blonde.
"I want to stay here." Gabby dug her heels in.
"Well, you're not." Fred pulled harder.
"Angel should be going on my vision, he's the champion."
"He just got home and he has to talk to Cordy so come on." Fred yanked more.
"Ow." Gabriel pouted. "Angel," the blonde woman called.
"Who is she?" Angel's gaze became confused again.
"What? You missed the part where she whined about getting a vision for her champion- you. Oh right. You’re dense. " Cordelia grumbled smacking the point of her sword to the ground.
The sound of the metal hitting the tile brought Angel's eyes back to Cordelia. He’d worry about his supposed new seer later. What mattered was in front him. Angel's hand shot out taking the sword from Cordelia. "Why," he started, then stopped, examining the weapon closer. "Where did you get this?"
Cordelia snatched the sword back. "So, how was trip your trip? Was...Are you all right? You look good."
Angel took the sword again. "Cordelia."
"Angel, the trip. You went who knows where to...well, grieve for Buffy. You're now back does that mean you're okay. I mean, of course you're not okay okay, but are you sort of okay." Cordelia made another attempt to get her sword but the vampire moved it away too quickly from her reach.
"I was okay until I entered the lobby and fell into the Twilight Zone. What's going on? Why do all these strangers seem to be very familiar with my hotel?"
Cordelia sighed and then huffed. "Because they been living here pretty much since you left. Three months and twenty-eight days ago. Duncan and Methos moved in about a week or so afterward. Gabby bounced in a couple weeks later."
"Okay, lets start there. Who are Duncan and Methos and why did they move in, why were you sparring with Duncan and where did you get this sword?"
"I'll tell you about me," Gabriel darted out from behind the counter. "I'm..."
Fred shot up from her computer, grabbing at the blonde. "I told you to stay over here."
"But, Angel has questions." The blonde tried squirming out of Fred's tightening grip. "Ow. You're hurting me."
"Did you hear him ask you any questions? No. So shut up." Cordelia shot over Angel's shoulder.
"You heard Cordy," Fred tugged.
"But I work for the Powers, she doesn't I should be answering his questions. He's my CHAMPION."
"Arggh." Cordy scrunched up her face in distaste. "I'm SO sick of that word."
Angel caught Cordelia by the forearm. "We're going upstairs and YOU are going to answer my questions.
"Told you." Fred whispered harshly. "Sit down and stay put. Wesley wants me to call him when I finish categorizing the demon's weakness, I can't do that if you keep talking." Fred glared and returned to her computer.
***
Cordelia held back as Angel pushed her up the stairs. "Upstairs? Like, upstairs as in your room?" Cordelia chewed on her lip, turning to face the vampire standing on the lower step.
"Yes."
"How about the basement instead." Cordelia suggested hopefully.
"Cordy," Angel pushed at the young woman.
"Oh, all right, but don't get mad." Cordelia walked backwards up the stairs. "I didn't know you were coming back today." She slightly slapped at the vampire as Angel kept urging her upward. "You should've called, sent a telegram, gave me some warning, something. But, no, you couldn't do that could you? You just had to show up. You should’ve called."
"Cordelia." Angel pushed her to the doorway of his suite.
"Okay, but don't get mad, you should've called and warned me." Cordelia repeated biting her lower lip and opened the door. "You would've never known."
Angel stopped in the entrance. Clothes were everywhere. Not his clothes, his gaze narrowed as Cordelia moved and quickly threw the comforter over something black. Angel moved flinging the blanket back. His shirt. His black silk shirt saturated with Cordelia's scent, like the whole room.
Cordelia stood beside the bed, her eyes searching the air at all points expect where the vampire was standing. "It's comfortable." She shrugged in explanation.
Angel turned taking in more of his room. Shoes littered the floor and Angel knew with out a doubt, none of the heels were his just as he knew that the make up and brushes, lotions and perfumes that cluttered up every inch of his dresser weren't his either.
Angel moved to the bathroom.
"Angel, um, you don't want to go in there."
Angel looked down at the dirty towel he stepped on, then at the ones thrown over the toilet with his robe. A hair dryer was plugged into the socket over the sink. The sink was full of more lotions, cotton balls and hair thingies. He turned to the bathtub. The shower curtain was scrunched up against the wall allowing him to see the oils, shampoos, and more lotions scattered on the porcelain edge. Angel blinked, at the lacy garments hanging up on the shower rod.
Cordelia darted past the motionless vampire, pulling her bras down hiding them behind her back. "Drying in them in machine ruins them." she shrugged.
Angel stepped out of the bathroom and looked again at his main room. He'd lived with Cordelia before and he never saw her apartment look like this.
Cordy cleared her throat. "Dennis picks up at my place." She answered Angel’s unspoken thought.
"Oh." Angel dropped to his bed, only to jump back up. He pulled the blanket some more to reveal a shoe.
Cordy snatched the shoe. "I was looking for that. Thanks." she tossed in the pile of shoes already jumbled up around Angel's closet. "You've should've called."
"From the beginning, please." Angel sat back down on the bed.
"You sure you don't want to talk about your trip? Or how about go downstairs and get some blood. You hungry? Oops, we don't have any fresh. I know, you could go get some. You should've called. This will all be gone when you get back." Cordy pulled at the vampire.
"It's too late. I've already seen it. From the beginning."
"Oh, all right. You're not too mad are you?"
Angel just looked up at the young woman. Honestly, he didn't know what he thought or felt. Everything was too bizarre. Fred saying Cordelia had died, but was alive, which Angel had to agree with, Cordelia was definitely alive and in front of him and obviously spending most if not all her time in his room, the strangers in the lobby who seem to be living in the hotel, one that claimed to be his seer and another that seemed to be teaching Cordelia how to fight with a sword and going on his visions. Angel looked down at the sword in his hand.
"Where did you get this?"
"That's not really the beginning." Cordelia sat down next to the vampire.
Angel nodded for her to continue. He needed somehow to understand how everything changed so much.
"Well, quick version. I died. Gorgons. But I lived. I do that now. Live when I die, I mean. Because I’m an Immortal. Heal fast too faster than you. Duncan and Methos came because they wanted a book that Wesley bought and because they knew when they saw me in the magic shop, before I got acquainted with the Gorgon, I mean, that I was pre-immortal. Actually, Methos was the only one that sensed it. Duncan and Methos are also Immortal but a lot older. Duncan's 450 and Methos is 5000. Anyway, I lived they told everyone and me why I lived. I staying here,” she waved around the room” because it's the most comfortable in the hotel and Wesley and Gunn wouldn't let me go with Duncan to Paris, and well, I didn't want to go and they wouldn't let me stay in my apartment alone with Duncan because they didn't trust him at first. So, we all are staying here. Of course, they trust him now and Methos too, but it just seemed easier to all stay here and Fred likes all the company. Duncan wouldn't leave because he wanted to make sure that I knew the rules and how to use a sword, Methos....I'm not sure why he stayed except he won't leave. I mean he's helped and all but reluctantly. Though, he and Wesley seem to get along really well talking books and old stuff. Anyway, I wasn't getting the visions, I thought it was because you were gone and the Powers decided to give me a break, Wesley thought it was because the neutron damage that the visions caused cured, Methos thought it was because the Powers and Immortals don’t mix, Gabriel said when she showed up that it was because I died and the visions went to her because she was supposed to get them from Doyle in the first place." Cordelia peered at Angel. "She said she and her family were part of the group that Doyle saved from the Scrounge, that he was supposed to pass them to her then, but didn't. That me getting them was a mistake and shouldn't have happened that human's weren't meant to get them. Whatever. She's your seer, I'm not."
"What neutron damage?"
"It's not important. I'm perfectly healthy now." Cordelia amazed that out all she rambled that was the one thing the vampire focused on, the one thing she hadn't wanted to get into.
"But you weren't before you 'died'"
Cordelia shrugged. "Like I said not important, not an issue."
"You were dying because of the visions and were saved because you did die?"
"I guess. Yeah."
"When did you know this?"
"That I was Immortal? I told you."
"No that you were dying because of the visions."
"It doesn't matter, Angel. I'm not dying now; I don't have the visions anymore. Though, I don't see why I couldn't have kept them. Any coldness stuff would have been cured before my head exploded and even if it did, as long as it didn't blow my head off my shoulders, I'd be fine."
"Head....you...." Angel took a deep breath. "How long have you known?"
"I told you it doesn't...."
"Cordelia."
Cordelia glanced up not at all deceived by the softness of Angel's tone. "I first went to the doctors about 8-9 months ago."
"You didn't..."
"Angel, you weren't around remember, beigey stuff and all. Not real communicative with your vengeance and blonde obsessing going on."
"You could've....later…"
"I....Plyea, Buffy, there wasn't really a good time. It doesn't matter, Angel, it's over. I'm fine."
"It does too matter. I thought you trusted me, that we were friends. You should've told me as soon as you knew."
"Again, you weren't around."
"I would've..."
"Yeah, right." Cordelia rolled her eyes.
"Cordy, I would've..."
"How quickly they forget." Cordelia got up from the bed. "You weren't listening to anyone much less being the concerned friend type that I would want to confide in. Just drop it."
Angel stared after the young woman. His guilt merged into his anger taking over. "Did you tell Wesley?" He asked in a sudden thought ready to be angry again if she had- no matter how unreasonable that made him sound.
"No. I didn't tell anybody. Can we drop it now? It’s a non-issue."
Angel slowly nodded. Angel glanced down noticing the tightness of his grip on Cordelia's sword. He was surprised that he hadn't broken it. "Where did you get this, it's well made." Studying the weapon closer, his eyes narrowing on the sun design embedded in the hilt.
"Duncan. He had it made for me. Said the one I was going to use was too heavy and short for me."
"Why?"
"I don't know, he said it just was. Antonio, he made the sword, said so too. He measured me and everything."
"Why, do you need a sword specially made for you and why did Macleod get one for you."
"Well, he knew Antonio and one that fit's your grip and arm-length is better. Geez."
"Why do you need a sword?"
"It's hard to fight with one if you don't have one."
"Cordelia, you're being obtuse on purpose."
"I'm answering your questions, I told you everything. Geez. I told you I wanted to learn to defend myself."
"Yes. But you didn't wait for me to train you, what's the hurry now, why won't Macleod leave before you learn to use a sword, why the special sword. I saw you and you're learning more than just to defend yourself, you're learning to kill."
"I AM NOT learning to kill. I'm not killing anyone. I'm not, I'm just learning to defend myself in case..."
"In case of what, Cordelia? You said something about rules. What does being an Immortal mean other than the obvious so don't bother the most those answers."
Strike her earlier thought. This was the discussion she really didn't want to have with the vampire. Cordelia blew out a deep breath and sat back down. "Immortals are beings, not demons not mortals, just I don't know, but the only way we can be killed permanently is chopping off our heads and...Well, it sounds stupid, and I'm not playing the game, BUT there supposedly is this game, the Gathering where the last Immortal alive gets the power from all of the others. But to get to that point where there is only one left you have to kill all the other Immortals. Duncan and Methos say that not Immortals want to wait until the Gathering creates a big old cosmic free for all, that they hunt other Immortals to challenge and kill before then. The rules are the rules on how to do that and how to survive."
Angel got up. "Other Immortals are going to come hunting for your head?"
"So far none have. I think maybe Methos and Duncan are exaggerating."
"No one going to challenge you or take your head."
"Well, I hope not." Cordelia agreed.
"I won't let that happen."
Cordelia studied the vampire and his tense stance. "If it does you won't have a choice in the matter. It's in the rules. If I'm challenged I- me- no one else," she pointed to her chest.” Have two choices run or fight and no one can fight for me or interfere."
"Bull shit."
"Angel, you can't. It's in the rules."
"I don't care I about your asinine rules. Anybody that comes for your head is dead.”
"Well I do care." Cordelia faced the vampire.
"You said the game was stupid that you weren't going to play."
"I know and I will try to avoid it, but I won't break the rules. If I do, then I'll really be screwed because the other Immortals won't have to follow them with me and I’ll die."
"Anybody comes here for your head, I'll kill them. It's that simple and that's MY rule."
Cordelia shook her head. "I'll leave then."
"What?"
"There's no reason for me to stay in LA. Duncan wanted me to go to Paris with him. Hell, Methos been dying to get out of here from day one. I don't have the visions, so you don't need me for you mission, you have Gabriel. And I can't stay here and worry about you interfering."
"You're not leaving."
"You don't need me to stay."
"This isn't about the damn visions. You can't go. You're....we're your family. You can't leave ...us. You promised."
"I promised YOU when I had the visions, when I was a part of your mission, when you needed me. You don't anymore. I haven't decided anything yet. But, I won't consider staying if you don't promise NOT to interfere if I do get challenged." Cordelia's angry gaze held Angel's.
"Fine. Let's go." He threw the sword.
Cordelia caught it easily. "Where?"
"Basement. I won't interfere but I'm training you not Duncan. You’re an Immortal fine. You’ve got a Game to play- Fine. I will make sure that you know what to do with this fancy sword."
"I do. Duncan's one of the best swordsman. He..."
"Are you coming?" Angel strode for the door.
"Sure." Cordelia slowly followed.
Angel turned quickly causing Cordelia to bounce into him. "Whose idea was it to put your tattoo on the sword."
"Uh."
"The sun." he pointed to the sword in her hand.
"Oh you recognized it. I didn't think the thing was so noticeable." Cordelia turned to look down at her tattoo. “ It was Antonio. He said it made it unique to me. He did a pretty good job don't you think." Cordelia swiveled her backside pulling up her shirt to give Angel a better view.
Angel stared at the sun, his dark gaze traveled down the curve of Cordelia’s spine stopping on where the elastic of her workout pants hid the swell of her bottom, barely noticing the ink drawn lines.
"Yes." he said tightly.
Cordelia turned and dropped her shirt. "Wesley said he was a genius."
Part 13
Cordelia dragged her feet down the stairs. She wasn’t particularly enthused about sparing with Angel. She didn’t like the fact that after only seeing her with Duncan for a few minutes Angel had come to the conclusion that she was learning how to kill.
Duncan had said that it would happen but Cordelia had continued to convince herself that her training with the sword was defensive not offensive. It made her uneasy that Duncan had been right about Angel’s perception. What would Angel think after really fighting with her? Would it just confirm his earlier opinion? Cordelia didn’t want to be a killer and she definitely didn’t want Angel to label her as one.
But no matter her desires, Cordelia couldn’t help but remember standing over Duncan’s form her sword at the Immortal’s neck and her proud words ‘you are so dead’. No. It was just training for a ‘what if’ scenario that she would do anything to avoid. She wasn’t a killer. Cordelia was just learning to defend herself just in case.
Angel looked over his shoulder to make sure that Cordelia was still behind him. He strode to the weapon’s cabinet to get his sword. Angel wasn’t sure what his impulsive decision to see exactly what MacLeod had taught Cordelia would prove. All he knew was that when Cordelia explained the Gathering, he felt a burst of anger and a sudden need to do this. Angel had felt his life spiraling out of control with all of the changes within his family since he left. Angel needed to regain control. And this was the first step.
Fred pushed her way in front of Gabriel as the woman headed straight for the vampire. Fred’s normal soft-spoken manner became aggressive jumping over the other woman’s attempt to utter Angel’s name in that cloyingly annoying voice of hers.
“Wesley called- Duncan killed the Nexial and nobody was hurt. They should be back soon.”
“It should’ve been you, Angel” Gabriel darted around Fred. “You’re the Champion not Duncan. He’s an Immortal. Immortals aren’t supposed to work for the Powers. Just like she’s not supposed to be here. You don’t need her,” the blonde pointed at Cordelia.
Fred grabbed at the woman’s arm wishing she had gone with her first instinct and shoved the blonde in a closet. Gosh. Fred was beginning to agree with Cordelia, the word champion was getting way irritating especially coming from the blonde’s mouth. Fred was going to have to remind herself never to call Angel that again. Fred didn’t want to abuse the word like Gabriel was prone to.
Angel paused at the door of the cabinet his head shifted to the blonde. “What’s your name again?”
Gabriel shot a smug smile at Fred and yanked away from the brunette. She hurried over to Angel her smile turning coquettish. “Gabriel, but you can call me Gabby. I’m your new seer. We should get know each other we’re going to be each other’s team, family from now on.”
Angel just stared. “Gabriel, it seems to be the consensus that you are my seer but I don’t know you AND never tell me who is or isn’t my family or who I need.” Angel turned back into the cabinet pulling out his sword. “Cordy.” Angel headed towards the basement.
Cordelia had been tempted to retort when Gabriel started her ‘Cordy isn’t supposed to be here’ spiel. But Angel’s statement had floored her into silence. It wasn’t quite the ‘shut your flapping trap’ she wanted to yell or the ‘I need Cordy even if she isn’t my seer anymore’ reassurance Cordelia wanted but it was kind of close and it did shut the blonde up.
Cordelia had to admit she was a little surprised at Angel’s indifference to the blonde woman. Gabriel was just his type-blonde, petite, and whiny. Cordelia mentally asked Buffy for forgiveness for her not so nice thoughts of the dead, but the slayer had been whiny at times and Darla, come on, she was the whine queen of the world. Cordelia hmmphed, maybe it wasn’t just the blonde thing that fueled Angel’s obsessions with both women. Cordelia admitted that both had been strong- Buffy in the save the world type of way and Darla in the really evil type of way. Gabbyho, on the other hand, was just whiny.
“Cordelia” Angel called again.
“Right.” Cordelia shook away her thoughts and followed the vampire.
“You’re going to train?” Fred was still sporting the bright smile that emerged when Angel had ignored Gabriel’s coyness and batting big eyes.
“Angel wants to see what I’ve learned.” Cordelia shrugged.
“Oh,” Fred nodded. “Cordy’s really good. Duncan’s been teaching her every day. He’s great with a sword. Methos says that Duncan is one of the best swordsmen ever and he should know he’s really old.”
Angel’s fist tightened on the doorknob. He was getting really tired of hearing that name. The Immortal killed demons, was training Cordelia, Angel was beginning to feel Duncan’s encroachment on his life and he really didn’t like it.
“Are you going to move your fat ass or what?” Cordelia resigned herself to having to train with Angel. Now she just wanted to get it over with. She wasn’t a killer and she would convince Angel of that just like she’d convince him to tell her about his trip. She hadn’t forgotten what had driven the vampire away in the first place. Though, why she should expect Angel to be more forthcoming about his feelings than before he left, she didn’t know- Angel hadn’t wanted to talk to her then why should he now. Just because she wanted to be there for Angel didn’t mean that he wanted or needed her.
Angel jerked a nod, almost happy to hear Cordelia’s insult. It seemed normal amongst of all the strangeness that he had been experiencing since he first opened the basement door. It was like when he first held Cordelia in his arms and felt the warm brush of her breath against his skin telling him he was home. In that one moment just like now he knew all was right in his world. He was home.
Continue on...