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 31
"Angel apologized to Duncan?" Wesley had to repeat it again just to be sure he heard Cordelia's announcement correctly.
"Geez, Wes, how many times do I have to repeat it."
Wesley thought better of retorting 'until he believed it'.
Gunn waved his hand to get Cordy's attention. “The vamp's paying? And we have free reign to order as much of anything we want? Say that part again.” He nodded at Cordelia’s exasperated repetition. “Cool and pretty damn amazing." Gunn looked up suddenly worried. "We’re not going have to listen to a running a commentary about how cheap everything was in 'the day'."
“Can’t guarantee that.” Cordelia shrugged.
“Damn. Who cares how much hookers cost in the ‘day’. It came up in conversation.” Gunn explained quickly at Cordelia’s sharp glances his way.
"So, you don't believe Angel did it on purpose, I knew it." Fred said happily.
"Who said I did?” Cordelia glared around at the other occupants of the room.
"You did." Fred blinked.
"I did not." Cordelia answered clearly offended.
"You.."
"Fred.” Wesley cleared his throat.
"But, she did," Fred looked up at Wesley, then back at Cordelia. "You did.” Fred insisted. “You said that Angel tried to kill Duncan and that you were going to take Angel's testi..."
"Please, girl, stop, I'm still hurting from that." Gunn looked pained.
Cordelia cocked her head and patted the young woman on the shoulder. "Don't be silly, I didn't say that. Of course, Angel wouldn't try to kill Duncan. It was an accident."
"But..."
Wesley cleared his voice again, this time louder. That time Fred listened and didn't finish her recitation of exactly everything Cordelia had said when she stormed into the lobby with a wounded Duncan.
Cordelia smiled at the young woman's silence. "Okay, what do we have here?" She turned to the dresses. "Ooh, Fred, this one." Cordelia picked up a spaghetti strapped knee-length brown cotton dress with tiny black beads designed in intricate pattern on the bodice and dangling black beads along the mid-thigh slits and hem-line.
Fred's confusion at Cordelia's seemingly inability to remember all that she had yelled earlier was diverted as Cordy held the dress up to Fred's slim form. "Are you sure? I kind of like the flowered one."
Cordelia shook her head. "You are one of the few people that actually looks wonderful in brown and it's simple with enough ump not to be plain. The flowers are too busy. You’ve got that whole sweet cute prettiness going for you, don't want it to get lost in a bunch of flowers." Cordelia scrunched her nose at the floral dress. "I helped you pick this out? What was I thinking? That's grandma material.” Cordelia shook her head. "I was still on the Seltrax wasn't I? I tell you that stuff- thinking back on some of my outfits then- it should’ve come with a warning- don't go shopping while under the influence. Hmmph." She tossed the offending dress down.
Fred vowed then that she would never wear flowers again. Fred's earlier confusion was no longer diverted but completely tossed in 'the who cares' bin. Cordelia said she was cute AND pretty AND looked wonderful in brown. Fred nervously looked around at the men, the brown dress still up against her.
"Very lovely," Wesley said.
"Whoa, momma.” Gunn winked.
"I agree with both.” Methos smiled.
Cordelia smiled, pleased that men actually said the right things to the shy pretty brunette.
Part 32
"Are you done yet?" Cordelia yelled. "It's not like you can see yourself or anything.” She pounded on the door.
Cordelia jumped back as the connecting door between the bathroom and her room swung open revealing a dripping wet vampire dressed only in towel.
"Can I please finish my shower without you beating and yelling at the door every five minutes.”
Cordelia blinked and stared. Oh My. Cordelia blinked again, trying to get the image of a wet gorgeous vampire out of her head. Which was pretty much impossible since the said vampire was half-naked right in front of her. Did she know that Angel's stomach was quite so...and his chest so...damn yummy. Cordelia couldn't help smile that she found the right adjective. Damn yummy. She had to have known that she patched Angel up before-tons of times. Did she forget? She couldn't have or..."Hey, did you loose weight?"
This time Angel blinked. "Did I...What?"
"Loose weight, go on a Tibetan fad diet or something, low fat blood?" She pointed to Angel's flat stomach.
Angel's eyes jerked to his waist. "You thought I was fat?"
"Well, you're not now. Hey, hurry up. My hair dryer is in there and so is my make up and you're dripping water all over.” She pulled at the vampire pushing him around back in the direction of the bathroom.
Oh lord. Cordelia blinked. She did remember the ass, though it was better in a towel, if that was possible. She closed the door on Angel's mutterings protests about his weight.
Angel stood in the middle of the bathroom, running his hands over his stomach. It was the same. Cordy called him fat. He glared at the door
Cordelia jumped as her hair dryer and makeup pouch flew into the room. "Hey." She yelled but the door was already slammed shut.
Cordelia thought about it a moment, tightened Angel's robe picked up the strewn items and barged in the bathroom.
"What?" Angel jerked his head around the shower curtain.
Cordelia ignored him as she plugged in the appliance and placed her makeup back on the shelf.
"I'm in the shower."
"Yes, you are." Cordelia gave an appraising glance up and down the vampire.
Angel followed the gaze. Nope. The shower curtain was opaque. What was she looking at? "Get out."
"No, I have to get ready and the light is better in here. Geez, don't be such a baby. I would've thought vampires weren't the modest type. Anyway, I can't see anything."
"Not so much modest but privacy."
"It was your idea to share a bathroom. I'm sharing."
"This is my time."
"My time? Geez, Angel your time for what? What exactly are you doing in there?"
"Cordelia, get out."
"I can't hear you." She flipped the switch on her hair dryer.
What had he been doing? He had been trying to enjoy his shower and maintain the image of the wet naked Cordelia that popped in his head as soon as he had heard her turn the water on for her shower. But the infuriating girl wasn't letting him enjoy his fantasy. Hey, had Angel heard a tad bit of disappointment when she said she couldn't see anything.
Angel peeked out at the young woman. That was interesting. Angel's head turned as he leaned further and further downward trying to see into the gape of the robe that Cordelia's bent over body created as she dried her hair upside down.
"Shit.” Angel yelled as he fell, his hand ripping the shower curtain tumbling in an undignified heap out of the bathtub.
"What the?" Cordelia dropped her hairdryer. Giggles, then laughter erupted from the young woman as Angel tried to untangle his limps from the wrapped around plastic and get to his feet.
"Hey, Grace that was amazing." Cordelia brought her hand to her mouth to stop her laugher.
"Shut up." Angel struggled with the curtain.
"Here." she giggled, leaning down to help.
Angel glared up at the young woman. Cordelia was too busy trying to stifle her giggles to notice when the vampire's expression turned from embarrassed anger to contemplation. If she had she would've never reached out her hand.
In an instant, Cordelia was on her back in the bathtub, soaked wet by the shower’s steady stream.
She sputtered and yelled. "You could've killed me. What if I had hit my head?"
"Immortal, duh?" Angel smiled evilly.
"I..."
"Shut up, Cordy. Like I would've let you get hurt." He tugged a bit.
Cordelia looked down, noticing Angle's strong arm holding her and cushioning her body against the porcelain.
"Hmmph.” She pushed at his arm, "Let me up."
Angel leaned and gently removed his arm.
"Thank you." She spit out as she gave off a lethal glare.
In response, Angel pushed her back down under the spray of water. "That's for calling me fat."
"I didn't call...” She struggled to get up as Angel pushed her down again. "That's for interrupting my shower."
"I...” She tried again.
"And that's for laughing at me." He pushed one more time. "I'm done.” He stood up turning off the shower and holding out his hand.
Cordelia looked suspiciously at the offering for a long moment before grabbing at the hand. "I'm all wet again.” She whined.
"Yes, you are." Angel admired his handy work. The sopping robe clung to Cordelia's every lovely curve and the gap had now opened wide to become a vision of two enticing plumb breast. Enough. Angel couldn't look anymore or he'd have to take another shower, this time cold. Angel quickly pulled a towel off the rack and wrapped it around Cordelia covering her exposed chest.
"Hmmph. Don't expect another thank you.” She glared then squeezed her eyes closed, yanking the towel from around her shoulders. "You're naked," she squeaked throwing him the covering. The protection of the shower curtain had been disposed of in a torn heap at the vampire’s feet.
Angel caught the towel. "I was taking a shower, Cordelia, not real effective if wearing clothes. And I think you need this more than I do." He offered the towel back to her.
"I'm not naked,” she said looking down at where Angel's gaze had fastened. "Eek.” She clutched at the wet robe pulling the sides tightly together. "You get out and stay out until I'm done." She raised her head in mustered dignity.
"Hurry up, don't want to be late." Angel walked out of the room, the towel dragging behind him.
Cordelia just watched as Angel left. Okay. Deep breath. The towel-less view was a much better view than the toweled. Learn something new every day, vampires DIDN’T have any modesty and wow it was confirmed every part of Angel was gorgeous.
Part 33
“You look lovely, Fred.” Wesley came up to the young woman.
Fred nodded distractedly.
“Fred?”
She bit her lip. “I heard yelling and a crash.” She indicated the close doors to Angel and Cordy’s rooms. “You don’t think they’re fighting again do you. We’re still going out, aren’t we?”
“Fred, we’ll go even if they don’t. Okay?”
“It won’t be the same.” She said worriedly.
“Come on,” Wesley led the girl to Angel’s door and knocked.
“Yeah, oh, hi.” Angel glanced up once and returned to buttoning up his shirt. “I’ll be ready in a minute. Cordelia hogged the bathroom.”
“Oh, then no fighting.”
Angel glanced back up, puzzled. “You wanted to fight?” He looked questioningly at Fred and Wesley. “You’re kind of dressed up for that.”
“Not us, you, and Cordelia.” Wesley sighed.
“We’re going out, no time to practice.”
“Angel, Fred heard yelling and sounds of destruction.” Wesley wondered at the denseness of the vampire sometimes.
“Cordy was hogging the bathroom,” Angel repeated.
“Oh, well, that explains it. Come on Fred, let’s let Angel finish dressing.” Wesley shook his head. What in the world was he going to with his two closest friends?
“Be down in a minute.” Angel shut the door.
***
“Angel.” Cordelia’s voice floated into his room.
A small smile settled over Angel’s countenance as he heard her footsteps accompany the sound. It hadn’t been that long there was a good chance that Cordy was still in his robe. He liked that robe. It refused to stay tied.
“Angel.”
Angel's first reaction was disappointment then silent appreciation. Cordelia was dressed in form fitting low cut butter leather pants with a white draped t-shirt that hugged her amazing chest and danced above her belly button. Her hair had been quickly dried, leaving the ends to curl in waves around her face and shoulders.
Angel refused to let his jaw drop. “Yes.”
“I can’t find my lipstick.”
“Cordy, there is a least fifty little tubes cluttering up the bathroom.”
“Pfft. Here we go, Mr. Exaggeration spouts off. I need my ‘toasted almond ’ it goes with the outfit. The last time I wore it I was sleeping in here.” Her eyes darted quickly over Angel’s dresser as her hands pushed and shoved at his neatly lined items. “Pfft, 50 lipsticks, more like 50 hair products.” She knocked over a bottle of hair gel.
“Hey, be careful.” Angel quickly righted his gel. “I’ve only,” he scanned the shoved aside products. “Three.”
“Four.”
Angel grabbed the tube from her hand. “That doesn’t count. I don’t like it.”
“Hmmph. Girlie girl,” she mumbled under her breath. “Ahh.” She triumphantly held up a gold tube. Cordelia placed herself in front of the mirror and proceeded with great precision to color her lips a golden bronze.
For the first time since he reclaimed his room, Angel saw the benefit of the new mirror. He could watch unobserved the delicate operation. Each stroke of the colored waxy stuff brought Cordelia’s lips into immediate focus. Soft, full and so sweet. Angel wetted his own as she popped hers.
He was so intent on the picture in the mirror that he had to jump back as Cordelia twirled around.
“See,” she smiled. She frowned popping her lips again. Cordelia grabbed at Angel’s arm planting a kiss on the exposed skin of his wrist. She smiled again as a perfect lip print was left.
“Cordy?” Angel blinked at the woman and the mark on his arm.
“Too much, gets the excess off can’t leave lip prints on everything can I? That’s just tacky.”
“Oh.” Angel wetted his lips again.
Cordy stepped back, her finger to her jaw. “I like.” She fingered the purple silk shirt Angel was wearing.
“You bought it”
“I’ve great taste.” She nodded and searched the dresser again. She dove into the second drawer. “Planning to leave this behind? Don’t think so.” She held his wallet out. “A deal’s a deal.”
Angel grabbed the wallet in lieu of the woman standing before him, shoving the billfold in his pocket. Good lord, it had been a joke but she could really smell cash.
“Ready,” Cordelia said as she finished buttoning Angel’s shirt, leaving a respectable few unbuttoned at the top.
Angel looked at the nimble fingers wishing that they were going down rather than up. “Yeah.”
“Good.” She smiled. “Let’s go party,” she tugged at the vampire’s hand.
Damn. Angel let her pull him along as he watched a sun tattoo dance in front of him. This view was as good as the front.
Part 34
“What’s taking her so long?” Fred whined.
“The gallon of make up she has to put on.” Cordelia rolled her eyes.
“Can’t we just leave her? She knows where we’re going.” Fred tapped her foot.
“I’m with you sister.” Cordelia glanced again at the stairs. “I know lets change the plans and just go, serves her right for making us wait.”
“Cordelia” Wesley chastised.
The brunette rolled her eyes and turned to Fred. “That dress looks better than I thought. You look great.” She beamed.
Fred plucked at the cotton and leaned in closer to Cordelia. “Everyone said so, even Angel. Thank you, Cordy.”
“No problem,” Cordelia smiled. She’d have to remember to praise Angel for remembering her last order. The vampire could be so clueless. Geez, he hadn’t said anything about Cordelia’s outfit. But, Cordy wasn’t going to let him get all-oblivious with Fred. She did look pretty and deserved to be told.
“Cordelia.”
Cordy turned towards Duncan.
“Haven’t you forgotten something?”
Angel swiveled at the Immortal’s question.
“No.” She pointed to the couch.
“Good.” Duncan went to pick up a tailored yellow overcoat. “Here.” He held it up for her to put on.
“Thanks.” She smiled.
“And.” He held out her sword.
“I didn’t forget.” She huffed and in a flash the weapon vanished behind her back hidden in the confines of the coat.
Angel blinked and stepped forward. He glanced questioningly at his friends but none of them seemed to question Duncan or Cordy’s actions. He looked around finally noticing Methos dark heavy cotton jacket and Duncan’s leather duster and realizing what the coats must conceal. “Lorne doesn’t like weapons in Caritas.”
“Made an exception for Cordy and gang,” Gunn looked up from his handheld game. “Immortals aren’t bound by the ‘no violence’ spell, had to be sure Cordy wasn’t weaponless if she got challenged. He just made them promise to take it outside.”
Cordelia turned sensing Angel’s growl rather than hearing it, “Just a precaution, so far no problem, and it’s not like you don’t have stakes and sharp things hidden on you.”
“Cordelia.” Angel ignored the press of his ankle holster equipped with a knife and the slight weight of the stakes conveniently tucked in the inside of his leather jacket.
“Can’t leave home without it,” Cordelia shrugged. “But at least it doesn’t ruin the line of my jacket, though wearing a jacket all the time can be a pain, especially in California. Can we say way hot? The days of cute little numbers are gone. Nope, always to be covered up by a coat.” She tugged at her overcoat.
Angel’s next words were cut off by a squealed yell, which was fortunate because Angel wasn’t at all sure that he could trust what would’ve come out of his mouth. There was just something so wrong with Cordy having to carry a weapon with her for the rest of her life. Cordelia never backed away from a fight when the helpless or a friend needed to be saved but violence wasn’t in her nature. The death symbolized by the sword was in direct contrast to the joy and love of life that was inherent to her being. Angel wanted it gone. He wanted none of that darkness to ever touch his Cordelia.
“Would you look at that,” Cordelia rolled her eyes in disgust at the blonde woman that had squealed that she was finally ready.
Fred blinked up at the bouncing Gabriel her ample attributes barely contained in the short tight red leather dress and then back down at her own small chest. “Cordy?” Fred whispered.
Cordelia jerked her head. “Fred, look at her. She should be welcoming the soldiers home rather than going to you’re neighborhood demon karaoke bar. You look wonderful. She looks like trash. Why doesn’t she just spread her legs at Angel, why the ‘dress up’ charade. Hmmph. Hasn’t she even heard of the curse?”
Fred didn’t know much about human social dynamics, a lot of that particular knowledge had been lost in Plyea, but she did know this. “Um, Cordy, Angel hasn’t stopped staring at you. I don’t even think he sees her.”
Cordy turned. Sure enough, the vampire’s dark eyes were glued on her. Cordelia sighed. It wasn’t a dark gaze of appreciation. She walked over and laid a hand on Angel's chest. “Stop. I don’t want to face a challenge but I do have to prepared.”
“Cordy,”
Cordelia blinked at the emotion vibrating in Angel's one word. “Angel…I…”
Angel covered the smaller hand on his chest leaning down to rest his forehead against her. “I don’t want to lose you. I don’t want you ever to be challenged. I don’t want you to ever have to wear that sword so efficiently. I don’t…”
Cordelia leaned back lifting her hand gently against the vampire’s lips stopping his words. “No choice, not really. But, won’t go looking for it believe me. But, I promised to stay with you and I can’t break that promise by being careless. I need my sword; I need you to train me. Killing Duncan wouldn't have made it go away, Angel. There is nothing you can do to fix this, so stop trying. I need you to accept it.” She said softly.
Angel pulled her back as she attempted to move away. “You didn’t believe me.”
“I did-do believe you. But, Angel, I also know you. I know that you didn’t give a damn that your ‘practice’ stroke could’ve beheaded Duncan. Angel, you can’t. He is my friend. It’s not his fault that I’m Immortal. He’s just trying to help that’s all.”
At that moment, all Angel wanted to do was to kiss the young woman, lay claim on her, and be done with it, but he’s intentions were jerked away by another squeal and another small hand pulling at his jacket. Irritated, Angel looked around. He lurched back as a blonde made up face sprung up close to his. “I’m ready.”
“Good.” Angel jerked a couple of steps back. The blonde followed.
Cordelia crossed her arms and glared.
Angel shot a frantic look towards the brunette.
Cordelia rolled her eyes. She walked up and yanked the blonde from climbing up on the vampire. “If you’re finally ready, then its time to go. And for your information, Doyle, me, never tried to bondwith Angel by humping his leg in the middle of a crowded room.”
Wesley stifled his snort of laughter. After all, he did feel sorry for Gabriel- she tried so hard to fit in.
Gunn didn’t even bother. He didn’t know the Doyle character but the image was just too funny not to laugh at.
Fred blinked and started to giggle. She grew up on a ranch. She knew what Cordy meant.
Methos leaned over to Duncan a small smile teetering on his lips. “This is going to be an interesting evening.”
Duncan frowned. He was beginning to realize that the past few months had been unreal. Then, Cordelia’s attention had been on him. But, two days later at the vampire’s return, Duncan had to be injured or force himself into Cordelia's ‘Angel only’ sphere to be noticed. “She loves him.”
Methos held his sigh. “Yes.”
“Does she even know it?”
Methos shruged. "From what I could gather, he doesn’t either.”
Duncan gave a long hard look at his friend.
Methos expanded his answer. “Well, from what I could gather from Wesley allusions, Angel’s instant attentions have been a bit more blatant than in the past, but previously Angel had been as universally blind as Cordy. Actions galore, but no idea why they both were ready and willing to sacrifice anything and everything for each other. It seems that your presence may have helped trigger Angel’s comprehension which is probably the basis for his desire to kill you.”
Duncan stood silent for a brief moment. “I don’t trust him.” He finally said.
“Mac is that because you don’t want to or do you have a specific reason other than he's a vampire.”
Duncan shot a look at his friend. “Do you really think a vampire could make her happy, an eternity without sun.”
“She already made that decision when she was mortal.”
“Yeah,” Duncan sighed.
Methos turned suddenly. “You fell in love?”
“I could’ve. After I killed Ritchie, I got so tired of living. She…Cordelia reminds me why I love life- joys, pitfalls, and all. She’s so exuberant, strong, fun and caring.”
“In a great body.”
Duncan shot another hard look at his friend and then softened. “That too.”
“All of what she projects is still true. Life is worth living. Friends, not lovers are the best reminder of that fact. Lovers have a more frequent tendency to come and go.” Methos commented lowly. “What are you going to do?”
“You say that my presence got Angel to acknowledge his feelings. And, you agree that she loves him.”
“It helped from what I have observed and yeah, blind but yeah, she loves him.” Methos said cautiously.
“Well, by the end of the night, if he doesn’t fully realize it, then it’s his loss.” Duncan moved forward leaving his friend behind. “Cordy,” the Immortal slid up to the young woman. “We can’t all fit in one car. I’ll drive,” taking her by the hand leading her way from the vampire and the blonde seer.”
“I’ll go with you.” Gabriel jumped up excitedly to Angel.
Angel blinked but Cordy was being escorted out of the hotel by MacLeod. Did the Immortal really want to die?
Part 35
“Did you see her? Could she have glued her blondself any more closely to Angel? She’s a tarty creeping clinging dye job.” Cordelia squinted out the window back towards Angel’s car. “She’s practically in his lap. Can we say slutorama?”
Methos wasn’t sure what Duncan’s last comment had meant. But if it was a plan to separate Angel and Cordelia, it wasn’t working. The vampire may not be in the car with them but his presence was abundantly felt. Cordelia hadn’t stopped complaining about Angel and the dangers of blonde bimbos since she slid into the front seat.
“Hey, Why’s he going so fast? Hurry up.” She urged Duncan to catch up with the Plymouth convertible that passed Duncan’s black convertible.
***
Angel couldn’t stop his eyes from twitching. His anger at Duncan for swooping Cordy up from out under his nose was being pushed away by grabbing hands and an irritating voice. “Gabriel, don’t do that. It’s distracting.” He plucked her hand from his thigh repressing a deep grumbling growl.
“Oops,” the blonde coyly giggled.
Angel groaned.
Fred rolled her eyes burying herself further in the backseat between Wesley and Gunn. “Cordy’s right she’s skanky.” She mumbled nodding her head towards the blonde
“Fred, shush,” Wesley shook his head. “She just tries too hard. She’s young.”
“She’s trying to get into Angel’s pants. That ain’t young that’s skanky. Well, not necessarily trying to getting into Angel‘s….I mean…it’s just forward. That’s what Mama called girls like that- forward.“ Fred crossed her arms.
“The girl does seem a little looser than the norm.” Gunn peered over the front seat at Gabby’s red dress. “Haven’t seen that get-up anywhere but the streets. Wild.”
“You like it? Cordy said she looked like trash, like she should be welcoming the soldiers home.”
“Damn, those soldier boys get all the fun.”
“Eww.”
Angel tried to ignore the whispers coming from the backseat as well as the chirping of the woman sitting next to him and concentrate on the plan that had been forming ever since he recognized Cordelia’s departing glare at Gabriel as the blonde smashed her body against him once Cordelia had moved away with Duncan.
Angel grimaced when Gabriel’s hand was back on his thigh. He pressed his foot on the gas. The plan didn’t call for Gabriel to touch so much, not when the needed audience wasn’t present. He needed to get to Caritas. Once there he could hide from the woman until Cordy showed up. Angel pressed harder on the gas, breaking every traffic law known to man, looking over at the chatting woman with the voice that could put chalk on blackboard to shame. It was all MacLeod’s fault that he was forced to resort too this. He wished he could just kill the Immortal.
Part 36
“Angel cakes, welcome back, you big lug.” Lorne greeted Angel at the door. “Kiddies, why the desperate combination of fear and relief on your pretty faces?” Lorne studied Gabby, Fred, Wesley, and Gunn’s slightly disheveled appearances.
“Fear that Angel would kill us all and relief that we made it all in one piece.” Wesley shot a look at vampire.
“What?” Angel questioned.
“Um, Angel,” Fred gulped her fingers still clenched on Gunn’s forearm. “You were going kind of fast.”
“You were anxious to get here and we were late.”
“The more reason to make it here alive. I need a drink and to kiss the ground in gratitude.” Gunn shot back, his legs still shaky.
“Well for the drinkypoo you came to the right place, plenty of liquid delights are at your disposal.” Lorne looked behind the group. “I thought the trio of the Immortally beautiful were coming.”
“Angel passed them going a hundred miles a second. You said something about a drink. I agree with Gunn my nerves need settling.”
“It wasn’t that fast.” Angel insisted.
“My hair is a mess.” Gabby whined. Her hand patting at the wind tangled blond locks as she headed towards the rest rooms in the back.
Fred twirled her fingers through her own tangles. She’d live. Fred had no desire to share a comb and a mirror with the blonde.
“Your table awaits. You look adorable, Kitten, all wind blown and sparking” Lorne leaned into Fred before he weaved a path through the various demons patrons.
Angel groaned. “Champagne.” He focused on the two bottles nestled in ice displayed on the table. His wallet was feeling lighter by the second.
“The Princess called said not to scrimp, only the best tonight, crumb cake.” Lorne cheerfully patted Angel on the back. “Don’t look so glum, I’ve got more in the back chilling.”
“Ooh, champagne. I had champagne once at my cousin Myrtle’s wedding. She was wearing such a pretty white dress, though Aunt Betty said it would be more appropriate red. My cousin Billy, he was twelve so was I- he snuck some champagne from the table. It made my nose tingle and then I threw up.”
“Fred, honey, I’m sure I can find you something else.” Lorne quickly said.
“Oh no, I liked it.” Fred eagerly grabbed a glass.
“Well, then let the party begin.” Lorne popped the cork of the first bottle.
***
Cordelia pushed her way into the bar, shoving at a bumpy spiky demon. “What the hell’s wrong with you?” She planted her fist on her hips once she got to the table.
Angel looked up from his flute of champagne. “What did I do?”
“Geez,” Cordelia rolled her eyes. “Mr. Speed Racer. You ran three red lights, a stop sign and almost hit an old woman and her shopping cart. If you had a license I demand you’d give it up.” Cordelia moved to the empty seat next to vampire.
Angel waved her away. “I’m saving that for Gabby, she’s fixing her hair. Don’t you think she has nice hair?” He smiled innocently, enjoying the flush of anger and dismay on Cordelia’s face.
His desire to laugh at Cordelia’s speechlessness dimmed as the approaching blonde over heard his compliment and giggled as she plopped in the chair, scooting it even closer to Angel.
His desire plummeted when MacLeod offered Cordy the chair next to the Immortal, guiding the stunned woman into it. Angel realized then that there would be a price to pay for his plan. It was going to be a long night. He draped his arm over Gabby’s chair. “Champagne?” He offered to the giggling blonde.
Cordelia gritted her teeth. What game was that damn vampire playing? He wasn’t attracted to the Gabby Ho. Angel hadn’t shown any interested in the woman before. Except, he had said at one point that maybe he should get to know her better. Cordelia’s eyes widened. Angel was actually touching Gabriel’s hair. Her BLONDE hair. Cordelia grabbed the glass Duncan was holding out, downing the champagne in one gulp.
“Cordy?” Duncan leaned in whispering.
“More.” She thrust her glass back at him.
Success was bitter sweet. Angel looked with a hooded gaze as the handsome Immortal leaned in brushing Cordelia’s arm as he poured her another glass.
Wesley could feel the tension tightening his shirt collar. What in gods name was Angel doing?
“Wesley.” Methos tapped a finger on the table to get the watcher’s attention.
“Yes.”
“Did you have a chance to translate the spell?”
“Why are you so anxious?”
“I’m just interested.”
Wesley sighed at the non-answer. “I’ve managed to get through most of it. However, the structure and form requires more study.”
“Well, let me know.”
Wesley nodded sipping at his glass, determined to ferret out the Immortal’s concern.
Lorne nudged at Gunn, his head cocking towards Angel, Gabby, Duncan, and Cordelia. “Did I miss an episode of ‘All My Vampire’?”
Gunn shrugged. “The vamp is jealous. Cordy clueless. Duncan’s still here and as result, Angel must have gone bonkers.” He rolled his eyes towards the vampire who was whispering something in the blonde’s ear.
“Ahh,” Lorne nodded. “I better go get more of the bubbly. This night is going to need it.”
Angel’s head jerked up at the sound of Cordelia’s laughter. He resisted the urge to brush his face to get rid of the artificial chemical smell of Gabriel’s hair. What in the hell kind of hair products did the woman use. It smothered any natural smell of the woman. His fleeting question fled as Cordy laughed again.
“What’s so funny?” He had to ask.
“Inside joke.” Cordy patted Duncan’s hand, sharing a smile with the Immortal. “You had to be there.”
“What the good are inside jokes- jokes are only good if shared.” Angel insisted, bristling at the idea that Cordy had a secret with MacLeod.
“Geez.” Cordelia rested her chin on her on her palm. “Okay, well, the last time Duncan and I were in San Francisco, we saw a couple at the table next to us. They had champagne, the same type,” she lifted her glass. “They went from being in love to hating each other in the course of a bottle. We were just hoping that this wouldn’t have the same uplifting effect. I should’ve checked with Lorne about what type his most expensive was.”
“I don’t get it. That’s not funny.”
“I told you- you had to be there.” Cordy rolled her eyes.
Angel narrowed his. “Why were you in San Francisco?”
“Dinner, duh”
“What’s wrong with the restaurants in LA? And since when has San Francisco been your Mecca?”
“It’s different, nice, fun. I like different, nice and fun.”
“You’ve never even mentioned San Francisco before.”
“Pfft. You don’t know everything about me, Angel.”
Angel let Gabriel’s reaching hands drag him back towards her, he was too staggered to resist. He knew Cordelia, it took two years, but he did. The process of knowing her, really knowing her was the one thing that had kept him grounded over the years. But here she was smiling, sharing inside jokes with another man and declaring to the world that Angel didn’t know her.
Angel did know her and he would prove it. A quick glance made sure that Cordelia’s attention was still on him. He ignored her and fastened his eyes back on the blonde. His eyes were drawn to the seer’s most obvious attributes.
Angel resisted his need to shudder. There was something unnatural about those two pushed up pounds of flesh glaring back over the top of red leather. Gabby’s breast seemed to resist gravity, looking like two beach balls that were ready to take flight. Angel couldn’t help but compare the sight to the picture of Cordelia standing in his shower, her breast exposed. Firm globes, working with gravity to create soft pillows resting against sweet skin, making his hands itch to lift the weight to feel it in his palms, the malleable flesh moving with his fingers’ manipulation bringing the tanned erect nipple to his lips. Breast made by the gods to bring comfort and pleasure. Gabriel’s on the other hand, looked like too much work just keep them from leaping and attacking.
Cordelia curled a bronzed painted lip. First she had been subjected to the sight of Gabby Ho’s grabby hands. What happened to her plan to get as far far away as she could from the blonde? Instead evil fate gave Cordelia a front and center seat. And now, Cordy wanted to scream and claw out the woman’s eyes. No wait she wanted to claw out Angel’s. That damn vampire had been staring at the blonde’s ample chest for minutes that seemed like hours. Did he’s eyes just darken? What was that smile for? What was Angel thinking about? Cordelia was going to scream….she would not scream she had a better idea.
Cordelia leaned in and not to subtly knocked her glass. “Whoops,” she sat back and watched the champagne travel across the table to finally puddle in and down Gabby’s chest that was conveniently displayed and pressed against the surface. Cordelia couldn’t help her warm fuzzy feeling of satisfaction as the blonde shrieked grabbing at her wet breast and Angel jumped up wiping at the drops that splattered his pants.
Fred had to brace her arms on the table to stop her shaking body from slipping under the table in a fit of giggles.
Gunn spurted out a laugh spraying Wesley and Methos with Champagne.
Wesley and Methos’ eyes met, their sighs and the brushing of their jackets identical.
“What happened here?” Lorne materialized suddenly, soaking up the spilt champagne with a cloth napkin.
“I had a little accident. Sorry.” Cordelia smiled, her smug expression followed the blonde’s squealing retreat to the bathrooms.
“Give me that.” Angel grabbed at the napkin Lorne had started to pat against his crotch. “I can do it.”
Lorne shrugged. “Just trying to be helpful.”
“Well, don’t.” Angel looked up at Cordelia. “Nice shot.”
“I don’t know what you’re taking about, Angel. It was an accident. I said I was sorry.”
“Right.”
“Hmmph, serves you right, you shouldn’t had you’re nose buried in her boobs. Good thing you don’t have to breathe, you would’ve been smothered. Ooh, Ang…e..l,” Cordelia whined in a high voice. “Look at my really big breast.” She leaned over her arms pressing at the sides of her breast pushing her cleavage out on the table. “Prev.” She sat back up crossing her arms.
“Yes, well, I need a drink.” Wesley got up from the table, not wanting to see the start of what had to be an argument.
“We have champagne here.” Fred pointed.
“I need something stronger.” Wesley hurried to the bar.
“I think I’ll join him.” Methos got up.
“Wow, look at the time,” Lorne looked at this bare wrist. “Time for me to sing. See ya from the stage kiddies and no yelling, please, unless its screams of adoration for me.”
Angel sat back down. He wasn’t mad. A wet crotch was worth it. He did know Cordelia. Accident his ass.
Part 37
Methos leaned up from the bar as Duncan took the stool next to him. “I thought you were committed to being at the ring side of that little show.” He indicated the table Duncan just came from.
“I was. But there is no point.”
“Really?”
“It seems that Angel’s plan trumped mine.”
“What was your plan, exactly?”
“Make him jealous. Make him acknowledge his feelings. Give him that chance before…”
“Before what?”
“If he wasn’t smart enough to figure it out then he didn’t deserve Cordelia.”
“That plan could’ve gotten you killed.”
Duncan shrugged, turning to look back at the table. “It’s little difficult to make him jealous when Cordy is practically ignoring me to fume every five minutes at the game he’s playing with Gabriel.”
“You noticed that did you?”
“I’d be blind not too.” Duncan shook his head. “Cordelia’s too mad to even see that it is a game. It be funny if it wasn’t so sad.”
“So what’s your plan now?”
“Enjoy the evening as best as I can, keep Cordy from killing Gabby, confirm once more that Cordy wants to stay and then tomorrow leave.”
“Leave? I don’t think that a good idea.” Methos couldn’t believe what he was saying.
From the look on Duncan’s face, the highlander didn’t either. “You want to stay?”
“Wesley’s in the middle of translating a spell that I’m interested in, I want to wait until he’s done.”
“A spell? Since when…this is about the book Cassandra asked for. What’s your interest?”
“I…I just think we should stay for the time being. Has Joe heard from Cassandra’s watcher?”
“He hasn’t called.”
Part 38
“Can you believe it? I can’t.” Cordelia looked in the mirror to see Fred’s answer.
“It is a little strange.”
“A little?” Cordelia swung around. “Angel’s acting weird, more than weird, scary weird.”
Fred looked up from her attempt to copy Cordelia’s action of redoing her lipstick. “Scary weird?”
“Yeah,” Cordelia waved her hands as she started to pace the tiles of the Ladies’ Restroom. “Leering, smirking, touching, he’s letting that woman crawl over him. It’s Angelus scary weird.”
“Angelus, but doesn’t he have to…”
“She’s blonde, that may be joy enough for him. Blondes’ always make him weird. Pfft. You should’ve seen him during Darla’s resurrection. She was blonde.”
Fred didn’t know what to say. Angel WAS acting strangely. “Wouldn’t Angelus kill everybody?”
Cordelia shrugged her concession. “Okay, so he’s not Angelus. I hate her. She’s so…”
“Trashy?”
“Yeah.”
“Whiny?”
“Yeah.”
“Forward.”
“Yeah.”
“Trying to get into Angel’s pants?”
“Over my dead body.” Cordelia huffed crossing her arms. “No one is getting in Angel’s pants except me…I mean when I’m here. Angel, sex, Angelus nope, not happening.”
Fred blinked at the slip. Ah. She knew it. Cordelia was jealous. Fred wondered if Angel knew that as well. Fred had to think he did. He always seemed to wait until Cordelia was looking before he whispered into Gabriel’s ear. Why would Angel want Cordelia to be jealous? Fred knew she was close to an answer.
“That woman is such a exhibitionist. I’m shocked she turned down Lorne’s invitation for someone to sing. She could’ve done a strip tease for Angel.”
“Maybe she can’t sing.” Fred wrinkled her nose. “You’ve heard her, right? When she sang for Lorne- what did he read, by the way?”
“He didn’t.”
“I thought….didn’t he read her when he read you.”
Cordelia closed her eyes at the memory. Wesley had taken both Cordelia and Gabriel straight to Caritas when Gabriel had showed up claiming to be Angel’s seer. Lorne had read Cordelia and said that he couldn’t sense a connection to the Powers anymore. He had cushioned his words with a soft smile saying it didn’t really mean anything since he had never read an Immortal before, maybe the link was still there. Cordelia had thought it was sweet, but she had known that Lorne was just saying it for her benefit.
“She had a vision. No reason for Lorne to read her. She was taking forever in picking out her song when it hit. Confirmation from the Powers- no reading necessary.”
“Oh.” Fred wanted to hug the brunette. Cordelia looked so sad. “It’s okay, Cordy.” She gently laid a hand on the young woman’s arm too unsure of Cordelia’s reaction to a hug. Fred liked to believe that they were friends, but Cordy didn’t always like people in her personal space. Fred scrunched up her face, except for Angel. A slow light bulb formed into a click her mind. It just wasn’t that Angel and Cordelia were best friends or jealous of Duncan and Gabriel, they loved each other.
Cordelia gave Fred’s hand a small squeeze. “Thanks.” She smiled. “You’ve been a good friend.”
Fred blinked up. “You too.” She smiled.
Cordelia looked back at the mirror, studying her reflection. “Ready for the second act of the slutorama show.”
“I guess.” Fred had to figure out a way to separate Angel and Gabriel. The blonde was an unwanted obstacle to her friends’ happiness.
Part 39
Wesley sighed. The only thing that had been enjoyable about the evening had been Fred’s bubbly enthusiasm at being out. But, now that seemed to be gone. The young woman had returned from the restroom with Cordelia in a contemplative mood - no longer excited but glaring at Gabriel and Angel with a furrowed brow.
Wesley had to admit he wanted to glare, also. It took him a few moments after the shock of seeing Angel’s arm around the blonde to figure out what the vampire was up to. Wesley wasn’t confident about Angel’s plan. Making Cordelia jealous was akin to making her mad. And a mad Cordelia wasn’t a fun thing to be around. Angel was playing with fire. He had to know that.
Angel was getting very tired of listening to Gabby twitter and her touching him. And any satisfaction at making Cordy mad was waning. Angel wasn’t so sure anymore what he had hoped to accomplish. Granted, his actions had diverted Cordelia’s intention from MacLeod’s presence for the most part, but she was still sitting next to him, still allowing him to fill her glass with more champagne, still allowing him to scoot into her personal space, still laughing and smiling at the Immortal.
Angel was beginning to think that Cordelia was just getting mad because she didn’t like Gabriel not because of any jealousy for the woman.
He tuned out Gabriel’s voice and concentrated on Duncan and Cordelia’s low conversation.
“I wish we had gone to San Francisco.”
“That was my idea.” Duncan whispered.
“I know, I should’ve listened. This has been just horrible. At least in San Francisco, I wouldn’t have been witness to Grabby Gabby’s tactics and Angel- what’s wrong with him. He’s like all over her.”
“Maybe he likes her?” Duncan suggested softly.
“Likes her?” She shot back her voice still low. “Hmmph.” Her indignant tone changed to resignation. “Wouldn’t surprise me any. He can’t see past blondeness.”
“Cordy, are you jealous?”
Angel leaned in discreetly needing to hear Cordelia’s answer.
“Pfft. Jealous of her, yeah right. I’m just worried. What the hell is Angel thinking? It’s not like he can have sex or anything. He’s a eunuch and he’s just acting stupid. I tell you I’m going to be really pissed if I have to stake his ass, just because Gabriel’s a slut and he’s horny. He can’t have sex. I told you about the curse.”
Duncan nodded. “The vampire isn’t really good relationship material is he?”
Okay, Angel was officially mad. “I can have sex.”
Coincidence, fate, bad luck, whatever but Angel’s angry statement sounded at the exact time a lull had descended in the table’s conversation. All head’s jerked towards Angel.
Cordelia blinked. “Excuse me.”
“I can to have sex. I can have sex with anybody I want, Gabriel, her,” he pointed to a woman at the next table. “Anybody.”
“You can not, you wouldn’t, you couldn’t, you can’t.” Cordelia eye’s flashed.
“Yes I can.” Angel leaned in ignoring the blonde’s giggles and the gasps and groans of the others, his focus completely on Cordelia.
“No, you can’t.” Cordelia repeated.
“I always could, Cordelia. Did you really think that I didn’t have sex before Buffy? I’m 250 years old and have never been a eunuch. I could give you a list if you want.”
Gunn’s head knocked on the table. “Is the vamp trying to make her go ballistic?” He groaned to Wesley.
Wesley was tempted to follow Gunn’s example, or rather knock Angel’s head against the hard surface.
“The curse,” Cordelia stuttered. “Angelus…”
“The curse isn’t just about sex, it’s about a moment of pure contentment.” Angel did believe that after all he had had sex with a soul before Sunnydale, not as much as he had when he was Angelus, the isolation of his guilt with a soul wasn’t exactly an aphrodisiac, but he had but it wasn’t until Buffy that the curse came into play-the contentment of real love that had to be the reason, forgetting who he was and the evil he had committed because Buffy had loved him in return despite his past. However, believing that and being willing to test his belief was another thing after Angelus’ appearance in Sunnydale. By Cordelia’s definition, he had been a eunuch since then. But Angel was too mad and frustrated at Cordy and MacLeod’s comments to explain more fully.
“The risk…or what Buffy was the only one that could give you that?” Cordelia glared.
“There’s no risk.”
“Right because she’s dead.” Cordelia shot a looked at the grinning blonde. God, the blonde was panting to jump on the table and strip for Angel. “Don’t be so happy.” Cordelia snapped. “Didn’t you hear- you can’t give him a moment of pure contentment only Buffy could do that.”
“Angel,” Wesley coughed. “The curse isn’t an exact science, I don’t recommend that you…”
“There’s no risk.” Angel’s eyes remained on Cordelia.
“Angel…”
Angel slowly turned to his friend. “I told you about the demon monks, aren’t you curious as why they showed up?”
“Angel?”
“They came to kill a Tibetan shaman, a shaman that was very powerful, powerful enough to do a spell, taking out the curse. I’ve a permanent soul.”
Wesley leaned back. “Oh.”
“YOU WHAT?” Cordelia jumped up from the table. “You, Me, outside, right now.” She ordered.
“Angel.” Gabriel attempted grab at the vampire.
Angel pushed her hand away and otherwise ignored her along with everyone else except the angry brunette. “After you, Cordy,” he made a sweeping gesture with his arm.
Cordelia glared and stomped off to the back of the bar.
Gunn turned to Wesley. “Should we’ve taken Cordy’s sword?”
Part 40
Angel leaned up against the alley wall contemplating the woman moving in jerky steps around the alley. He finally figured it out. Cordelia had been jealous. But, he was going to have to make her madder before a dent was made in her denial. And he needed a crack in her armor if he was going to get what he wanted.
Cordelia stomped around kicking at the ground, finally stopping to face the vampire. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It wasn’t any of your business.” Angel lied.
“NOT my business? It…” Cordelia started to wave her arms around. Of course it was her business. It…Cordelia stopped. Why was it her business? When there was threat of Angelus, it damn well was her business if Angel got groiny with anyone. But now, what was her reason? Angelus, right.
“The fact that I don’t have to worry about Angelus ever appearing is too my business.”
Angel pushed up from the wall. “Well now you know, no worry, so can I go back to Gabby?”
Cordelia’s eyes widened as a rush of panic and rage flooded from her head to her toes. Did Angel just say what she thought he said? “NO you can’t.”
“I thought I cleared up that issue.”
“YOU WILL NOT have sex with that blonde slut.”
Angel moved until he was inches away from Cordelia. “Why not?”
Cordelia blinked, trying to think of any rational reason. The Gabby is a Ho didn’t seem to bother the vampire. “Sex in the workplace, not a good thing, she’s you’re seer.”
“I think I could handle having sex with my seer. I’ve always wanted to.”
Cordelia stepped back. Doyle and Angel, eww.
Angel chuckled at her expression, stepping forward again. “Not Doyle, ” He brushed at an angry strain of hair, tucking it behind Cordelia’s ear, dropping his finger to trace along the young woman’s neck resting lightly on her pulse point. It was vibrating. God, she was so alive. “Doyle hasn’t been my only seer, Cordelia, and the thought of making love to my very beautiful seer has kept me up many nights.”
Cordelia felt Angel’s low words ripple across her body, creating goose bumps and tremors along her panicky nerves. “ I’m not your seer, Gabriel is.” She whispered wishing that she could drag her eyes away from Angel’s deep brown ones. The intensity was scaring her. Cordelia bit her lip as she felt the breaking down of her defenses as his words caressed her.
Angel brushed a wide thumb across Cordy’s lips soothing their trembling. “I told you that the visions weren’t why I needed you, that they were just an after market extra. Nothing’s changed except now it’s the thought making love to a very beautiful Immortal that keeps me up nights.”
Cordelia stepped away from Angel’s touch. Her mind flying, her heart hurting as it pounded against her chest, a warm liquid pooling in her belly. She could no longer run from the question. “Why?” Her tongue wetting her lips nervously scared of the answer but needing to hear it.
“Because, I love you…I’m in love with you.” Angel corrected not wanting any misunderstandings.
“You love me? IN LOVE? Since when?” She choked out her whisper.
Angel chuckled. “I’m not really sure. I knew that I needed you when you were suffering from Vocah’s curse. I knew that you were my best friend when I actually went shopping and bought all those clothes for you just to get you to smile at me again. I knew that I could never loose you when you disappeared into Plyea, I knew that I loved you when the sadness and pain of Buffy’s death was tempered with the knowledge that I had saved you- that I could move on because of you- that I wanted to- that you were who I thought about when I thought of home. The ‘in love’ part I knew because of jealousy. It took me wanting to kill Duncan to realize that all of the above was screaming that I was in love with you that I needed to be the only one to protect you, love you,” Angel brought his hand up to caress her cheek. “The only one to touch you.”
Cordelia’s lips worked double time. She was right to be scared of Angel’s answer just like she knew it was the only answer she wanted, needed to hear. Angel was in love with her. Wow. Which she guessed made things a little bit easier now that she had realized while struggling to listen to Angel’s words that she was in love with him, too.
Cordelia scrunched up her face and smacked the vampire.
“What was that for? I just told you that I loved you.” Angel grumbled.
“Yeah, after you told me that you wanted to have sex with that blonde bimbo and spent the whole evening staring down her dress.”
“I never said I wanted to have sex with her, I said I could if I wanted to. I don’t want to.” Angel defended.
“Oh, so what- you were staring at her breast for what reason?”
“Merely a precaution, I was scared that they would jump out and attack me. Had to be ready to duck.” Angel shivered.
Cordelia narrowed her eyes but couldn’t stop her giggles at the comical expression of fear on Angel’s face.
“Cordy,” Angel reached out for the young woman. “You haven’t said how you feel about me loving you. You were jealous of Gabriel, does that mean you love me too.”
“Hmmph. I wasn’t jealous.” Cordelia let Angel encircle her waist. Her hands reaching up to rest on his chest, “but if you so much as glance at her boobs again, I’ll stake you.”
“Jesus, Cordy, that’s all you can see of her. There out to there and up to there.” His hands leaving Cordelia to make wild exaggerated motions in the air.
Cordelia laughed. “So, you’re not a breast man.”
“Oh, I am, just very selective. I’m limited to appreciating only one beautiful pair that look so tempting peeking out of my robe.” Angel reclaimed her waist with one strong arm pulling her flush against him, while his other hand moved under her jacket to gently traced the side of Cordelia’s breast, palming at the delicious weight. “Those, I could see and taste all night.” He whispered lowly. Angel wanted to cry out as Cordelia pressed the weight further into his palm. He told her that he loved her, he was touching her, and she wasn’t running.
“Oh,” Cordelia gasped as Angel’s thumb started to slowly rub and circle her straining nipple through the cotton material. Her hands gripped Angel’s shoulders as Angel leaned in brushing his lips against her neck. “You haven’t answered my question.” Angel nipped into her throat.
“Uh, oh,” Cordelia wiggled her hips closer. “I.. mmm.” She bit her lips as Angel’s fingers found there way under her blouse and his mouth sucked on the tender flesh of her ear. She gasped as his fingers lightly pinched at her nipple. “love…you…too.” She struggled with the words, her breath raspy from the heat taking over her belly and spreading down to her toes.
Cordelia moaned the loss of Angel’s lips and hands. She blinked as his face loomed over hers a beautiful smile overcoming his face. Angel cradled her chin in his hands lifting her lips to his. Cordelia sunk into the kiss, her hands traveling up to scratch at the short hairs on Angel’s neck. She mimicked Angel’s movements, savoring the cool pressure sucking and pressing against her, she welcomed his exploring tongue, her own skating around his tasting a hint of champagne and all of the vampire. There was nothing in her world but the sensations of the kiss. It felt so right and as amazing as the heat spreading through out her body.
Angel savored the return of the warm soft silk of Cordelia’s mouth, his tongue searched for more of the flavor of Cordy. This was bliss, this was pleasure, this was coming home, all magnified by the words bouncing around his mind. Cordy said she loved him. She was his. He growled drawing the kiss deeper, claiming Cordelia with every touch of his lips.
Cordelia drew her hands from the back of his head, tracing her fingers to his jaw, pressing her thumbs to where there lips were joined, moving her head slightly away, taking a deep breath. Angel smiled. “Sorry,” he nipped at the thumb that was on his lips, his tongue swirling around the digit, bringing into his mouth.
Cordelia chuckled. “Suffocation by kiss wouldn’t be so bad, and sure I’d live again, but in between I’d miss all the fun.”
Angel heard the desire coating her words; it rang in his ears triggering a distinct need to get out of the alley before he had her against the wall.
Angel caressed her hair back resting his forehead on hers. “Can we call it night?”
“We can go home, but I don’t think we should call it night just yet.” She smiled.
Angel grinned at the seductive smirk, leaning back in for another taste of her smile. “I know we won’t.”
Part 41
Wesley met the couple at the back door. “Good, I was looking for you both.”
“Wesley, Cordy and I are leaving now. Here,” Angel pulled out his wallet. “Take care of it, get a ride back with the Immortals.” Angel moved to push Cordelia past.
Wesley looked at the wallet and then at Angel’s hands possessively on Cordelia’s back. “Angel, no, you can’t go yet.”
Angel paused to look over his shoulder. “We are.”
“Angel, you can’t.” Wesley waved Lorne over.
“You beckoned so sweetly.” Lorne appeared at Wesley’s side.
“Angel needs to get up there,” Wesley pointed to the stage.
“Love bug, you know I’d do anything for the boss of Angel’s Investigation without question, except that. I need a really good reason to subject my paying customers to the big guys particular renditions.”
“Angel says that a spell was done while he was away, one that made his soul permanent. We need to know.”
Lorne’s red eyes widened as he took in Cordelia’s swollen lips and the vampire’s impatience fidgeting, “Amore is always a good reason.”
“Wait.” Cordelia called.
“Cordy, we need to have Lorne read Angel.”
“I’m not arguing, I’m just offering the option of him doing it here- you know without a microphone.”
Wesley nodded. “I see your point no reason to for everyone to have to hear Angel.”
“Doesn’t change the fact that I do.” Lorne shivered, “but, hey, for love, I’m all ears. Pick a tune Angel cakes.”
Angel glared at all of them. “It wasn’t that bad.”
“It was pretty bad. Come on, Angel. Wesley’s right, we should have your new soul status verified before…unless you aren’t concerned because you don’t think I can give you a moment of pure contentment.” She cocked a brow.
“Rain drops keeping falling on my head but that doesn’t mean my eyes will still be turning red, cryings not for me…” Angel began to immediately sing.
“Enough,” Lorne held up his hand. “Okie dokie and all a go on the love front. Soul secure, looking pretty happy, right now.”
“See ya later, much later.” Angel pulled Cordelia with him. He stopped.
“What?” Cordelia asked.
“Second thought lets go out the back. Wes, will tell them we’ve gone, no reason to stop and waste time with goodnights.”
***
“Where’s Angel and Cordy?” Fred asked.
Wesley sat down tossing Angel’s wallet on the table. “They decided to make it an early night. Angel said to stay and enjoy.”
“She didn’t stake him.” Gunn raised his brows.
“They seemed to have made up.” Wesley poured himself a drink.
“Angel’s gone, he can’t go he said we could have sex.” Gabriel looked around for the dark vampire.
“I’m sorry, Gabby, but he has.”
“But…” tears pooled in her large blue eyes.
“Oh, shut up, would you.” Fred shook her head. “Angel doesn’t want to have sex with you, he loves Cordy and she loves him. Geez, if anybody is having sex, they are.”
Gunn coughed. “Are we sure about this spell?”
“All confirmed.” Lorne held up a glass.
Gunn shook his head. “Well, they’ll be busy for awhile. I want more food, who wants more food.” Gunn picked up Angel’s wallet. “It’s on the vamp.”
“Duncan?” Methos leaned over to his friend.
“The vampire was smarter than I thought.” A slight sad smile appeared on the handsome Immortal’s face. “It would’ve been nice, hell, it was nice.”
“It’s not really over, Mac. Cordelia considers you family and from what I’ve gathered from them,” he nodded to the Wesley, Gunn, Fred and Lorne,” that means a helluva lot and something very much to value.”
“Family,” Duncan gave a soft chuckle. “It’s been awhile since I’ve had a one.”
“You’re thinking of Tess and Ritchie aren’t you?”
Duncan’s eyes clouded over. “I miss her still,” thinking about the mortal lover he had cherished with all his heart. The beautiful woman who died in the same burst of bullets that brought Ritchie his first death. Two people he had loved, two more that had died while he still lived. God it could be tiring.
Methos patted Duncan’s shoulder. “Life is series of missed loved ones. But you can’t let that stop you from living. Remember what Cordelia taught you- you love life pitfalls and all.”
“That I do, but the pitfalls- they really suck some times.” Duncan gave a wry grin.
Continue on...