Title: Make Sure You Call Next Time
Author: CCecil
Posted: 04-11-2002
Disclaimer: Nope last time I looked I didn't own Angel, and I'm sure if I looked again I still don't.
Summary: The Scooby gang stops by for a visit, only to find out thing have changed, and they don't like what they see.
Spoiler: None.
Feedback: Yes, I would love some.. .....
Part 1
LA, July 18, 2004
"So, this is it?" Xander asked as he stood out side of the Hyperion Hotel.
"Yup, this is it." Willow said taking her boyfriends hand.
She and Xander had now been dating happily for the bast 6months.
"Wow deadboy must be doing pretty good for himself." Xander said still looking at the huge hotel.
"So are we just going to stand out here or are we going to go in?" Buffy asked ignoring Xanders last comment.
"Can someone first tell me again why we are here?" Xander asked.
He wasn't looking forward to seeing everyone again, most of all Cordelia.
"We're here because we are in town, and it would be nice to see them again, well at least most of them." Buffy said. She to wasn't thrilled about seeing Cordelia again after all this time, but she did want to see Angel.
"So what after 4 1/2 years we're just going to drop by and say hi remember us." Xander said sarcastically.
"Yup, that's the plan." Buffy said as she started to walk in to the hotel.
They had fought demons, vampires , and just about anything else you can think of, but what they saw we walked in to the hotel they were not prepared for.
"Conner Chase you get back here right now." Cordelia yelled as the naked 2 1/2 year
old ran across the lobby laughing.
"OK, now you don't see that every day." Xander said as he watch the little boy run around the lobby laughing being chased after by Cordelia.
"Gotcha." Cordelia said scooping up the toddler.
"No no no." Conner cried
"Yes yes yes." Cordelia replied as she tried to get Conner's clothes back on.
"Mean mommy no dress." Conner pouted as he tried to wiggle out of Cordelias arms.
"Did he just call Cordelia mommy?" Xander asked as he Willow and Buffy still stood unnoticed in the door way.
"I think so." Willow replied just as shocked.
"No mean mommy. You need to get dressed." Cordelia said as Conner wiggled free, only to be caught by Angel as he came in to the lobby.
"I give up." Cordelia said handing Angel Conner's clothes. "It's your turn. This is the third time today Conner has taken off his clothes.
"Now let's see if daddy can get you to keep your clothes on." Cordelia said in her cute baby voice that always made Conner laugh.
Angel was about to respond when he heard someone say "Daddy!"
Angel and Cordelia turned around to see Buffy, Willow and Xander all standing in the door looking like they had just been ran over by a truck.
"Buffy!" Angel and Cordelia said at the same time
"Hi." Buffy managed to say as she kept her eyes on the little boy in Angel's arms
"What are you doing here?" Angel asked as he handed Conner to Cordelia.
"Dawn is spending the weekend with dad, and since I was in town dropping her off, I thought I would stop by and say hi." Buffy said as she watched Angel step closer to Cordelia.
"Did he just call you daddy?" Xander asked still trying to comprehend every thing he had just saw.
"Yes." Angel replied simply.
"But he didn't mean dad, as like in I'm legally responsible for you till your 18. He ment it
as in I'm a little guy, and I don't know the difference so I call every guy I see dad?".
"He ment dad, as in I'm his father." Angel said with a low growl that only Cordelia heard.
"But he called Cordelia mom." Xander said more as question.
"That's because I am Xander." Cordelia said with a smile as she looked at the toddler she was holding.
"Oh, so that means you two.. Oh." Xander said not even finishing what he was about to say.
"How could you?" Buffy said after every thing had sunk in. "How could you sleep with Cordelia out of all people and not lose your soul? What did she not make you happy enough?" Buffy said as her anger began to rise.
"Hey!" Cordelia shouted. "I may not be the slayer, but I know how to make a guy happy
"Make what guy happy?" Gunn asked as he walked into the lobby with lunch, stopping
as he noticed the three strangers and a very pissed off Cordelia.
"Angel is what guy." Cordelia said to Gunn.
"You make Angel happy all time, although sometimes I wish you wouldn't." Gunn said
thinking back to the other day when he had walked in on Angel an Cordelia in the back
office having a major grope fest.
"Besides who cares if you make Angel happy?"
"I do!" Buffy snapped
"What's it to you if Barbie makes Angel happy?" Gunn asked the blond girl who was
starting to piss him off.
"Did you guys just seem to forget what happens when Angel gets happy?" Buffy asked
as if she was talk to a bunch of 5 year olds. "Soul goes bye bye, Hello Angelus. Been
there done that don't care to do it again."
"Buffy my soul is permeate. I can't lose it no matter how happy I get." Angel said
running his hand through is hair trying to calm down.
"What!" Buffy, Willow, and Xander all said at the same time.
"Your Souls is permeate, and you chose to be with Cordelia?" Buffy said with disgust.
"That's enough Buffy." Angel growled. "I love Cordy, and I will not sit by and have
someone I haven't seen or talk to in over four years talk that way about her."
Buffy was about to comment when Cordelia suddenly shoved Conner in Angel arms.
Cordelia held her head as she began to flout.
"What did you see?" Angel asked as Cordelia vision ended and she came back down.
"What in the name of all things holly was that!" Xander yelped
"Cordelia had a vision." Gunn replied simply.
"Vision?" Willow asked
"Ya, Cordelia get visions from The Powers that Be, so that she can tell Angel who
needs help." Gunn said trying to ignore the three strangers and find out what the
vision was.
"That doesn't sound to bad. It sounds like you guys have a nice gig going on here."
Xander said annoying the young black man that stood beside him.
"Ya right a nice gig. I wouldn't say that to Cordelia if I were you."
"Why not?" Xander asked
"Because up in till a couple months ago they were painful as hell, and slowly killing
her." Gunn said in disgust.
"So what happened?" Willow asked quietly.
"They gave her a choice. She could keep them and die or she could give them up and
have a life of her dreams. She didn't want to have to give up the life she had here so
she told the PTB to find another way and they did." Gunn said thinking back to the
day when they had all found out she was going to die.
"Your telling us Cordelia didn't choose to have a life of her dreams?" Buffy said with a
laugh.
"You know nothing about Cordelia." Gunn said sharply. The only way to keep the vision
is for her to give up apart of herself, and you know what she did." Gunn said as he
thought about the sacrifice Cordelia had made.
"So what did she do? Give up shopping?" Buffy said snaky.
"No she gave up her humanity, and became part demon." Gunn said trying not to kill
the blond standing in front of him.
"Part What!" Buffy, Willow, and Xander said in unison.
Part 3
“Cordelia what did you see?” Angel asked as Cordelia settled back to the grown.
“A big ugly demon in the warehouse district. It looked like it was doing some kind of
spell.” Cordelia aid as she focused on what she saw in her vision. “You need to go
now Angel or there’s going to be trouble. Take Gunn with you, you can use the
sewers to get there.”
“Are you sure your all right?” Angel asked even though the visions weren’t killing
her any more he still worried about her.
“I’m fine Angel don’t worry. Besides Wesley, and Fred will be back soon.” Cordelia
said reassuring Angel.
Angel quickly kissed Cordelia and Conner and good bye and started to leave when
he turned around to look at Buffy.
“You are welcome to stay if you want to or leave, but if you hurt Cordelia while I’m
gone you’ll be sorry.” With that said Angel and Gunn quickly disappeared
“Well, if you’ll excuse me I have to put Conner down for his nap. Make yourselves at
home I shouldn't be gone long.” Cordelia smile at them, and walked up the stairs
Cordelia sat quietly thinking as she rocked Conner to sleep. She knew that Angel
loved her, and she loved him more then she thought she could possible ever love
some one. Now that Buffy had walked back into their lives would her love for him be
enough. Or did he still love Buffy.
Mean while down stairs Buffy was talking with Willow and Xander.
“I can’t believe he loves her. Cordelia out all people how can he love Cordelia.”
Buffy said still in disbelief.
“He dumped me because he couldn’t give me a normal life, and here he is in LA in
love with Cordelia with a son.”
“I know it’s hard to see him with Cordelia Buffy.” Willow said trying to think of
something to comfort her best friend.
“I don’t think hard is the right word.” Buffy spat. “Don’t get me wrong I’m happy
with my life in Sunnydale, and I do care about Spike allot, but I always thought that
when Angel’s soul was permeate we would finely be back together.”
“Maybe he doesn’t really love her?” Xander finely spoke up “Maybe he never ment
for it to happen, but she got pregnant and now he’s stuck with her. Why else would
anyone want to be with Cordelia?” Xander asked.
“Xanders right Buffy. Do we really even know if the baby is Angels? I didn’t think it
was possible for Vampires to have kids?” Willow asked
“I didn’t think it was either.” Buffy said as she and the others continued to talk not
realizing that Cordelia has started to come back down and could hear everything
that they were saying.
“I feel bad for the little guy.” Xander said. “I mean think about it Cordelia as a
mother, now that’s scarier then any demon I know, and since she is a demon now
that’s one scary demon.”
“I know what’s the May Queen going to do now?.” Buffy laughed “The only thing she
can do is bitch and shop. Were is she going to shop now Demons R Us.”
Cordelia could only quietly listen as they ripped apart her life. A life that finely
made her happy. What took her four years to build they managed to destroy in
seconds. Cordelia was strong. She wasn’t going to let them she her broken by their
words. She whipped away her tears and put a big smile on her face and walked into
the room.
“Sorry it took me so long, but Conner didn’t want to go down. Can I get you guys
anything to drink?” Cordelia offered still keeping the fake smile on her face, and
who said she couldn’t act.
They had all replied that they were fine, so Cordelia sat down trying to think about
some thing to talk about till Wes, and Fred got back.
“So how are thing’s in Sunnydale?” Cordelia asked
“Same as always.” Buffy replied with a smile “Once a hellmouth always a hellmouth,
nothing much changes in Sunnydale you should know that Cordelia.”
Cordelia wasn’t sure how much longer she could sit there and keep it all together.
Thankfully the PTB took pity on her and Wes, an Fred walked in.
“Wesley, Fred your back.” Cordelia jumped up to great them. Happy for a friendly
face.
“Why Cordelia did you actually miss us?” Wesley teased.
“No I just felt sorry for Fred being stuck with you all day.” Cordelia teased back
“Oh I don’t mind.” Fred spoke up.
“I know you don’t Fred, I just like giving stuffy old Wesley here a hard time.”
Cordelia smiled.
Wesley was about to comment when he noticed the three people sitting on the
lobby couch.
“Good lord.” was all Wesley could manage to say.
“It’s nice to see you to Wesley.” Buffy said not sounding at all really thrilled.
“I’m sorry Buffy, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just surprised to see you that’s all.”
Wesley said taking off his glasses.
“Your Buffy?” Fred asked. “Cordelia’s told me lots about you.”
“I bet she has.” Buffy mumbled.
“Hi I’m Willow, and this is Xander.” Willow said introducing them to the young
women.
“Your not the Xander who cheated on Cordelia are you? Does Angel know your here?
Cause you know he doesn’t really like you. He loves Cordelia and doesn’t like
anyone that hurts her, and you hurt her allot.” Fred rambled.
“Yup that would be me.” Xander said putting his hand in his pockets.
“Speaking of Angel were is he?” Wesley asked.
“He should be back soon. I had a vision while you were gone, and he and Gunn
went to take care of it.” Cordelia said hoping she was right and that Angel would be
back soon.
“Nothing to serious I hope?” Wesley asked
“Nope just your typical big ugly demon.” Cordelia replied.
Cordelia was starting to go crazy. It had been 20min since Wesley and Fred came
back, and she still didn’t feel better. She couldn’t get the thing out of her head that
Buffy, Willow and Xander had said about her. As much as she wanted to be here
when Angel got back, she needed to get some air and clear her head, and she knew
only one person that could help her, Lorne.
“Fred could you do me a favor, and watch Conner for a little while?” Cordelia asked.
“Sure I’ll watch him. I just love that little guy.” Fred said with a big smile.
“Thanks Fred. I just have a couple things I need to do. I wont be gone long.”
Cordelia said as she hugged her, then turned and ran out the front door.
Part 4
It was about 5:30pm when Cordelia entered the newly remodeled Caritas. Thankfully the place wasn’t busy yet. Cordelia quickly made her way over to Lorne.
“Lorne I have to talk to you.” Cordelia said in a huff.
“Princess what brings you here tonight?” Lorne asked even though he didn’t need to. Her aura was so strong tonight it could be seen from the moon.
“Buffy, Willow ,and Xander that’s what.” Cordelia said. “Why can’t they see that I’m a different person. I’m not the same girl they knew in high school.”
“Well, sweetchecks sometimes people get scared of change. They get so used to having something one way, and then when it’s gone they don’t know what to do.” Lorne said trying to explain to Cordelia.
“They didn’t even give me a chance to show them I’ve changed. They just said and did what ever they could to hurt me.” Cordelia said as her eyes began to fill with tears again.
“Princess I’m sure they could tell you have changed. Their just not ready to admit it yet, because if they do that means they have to do some changing themselves, and their just not ready for that yet.” Lorne said. “They just need a push in the right direction.”
Lorne and Cordelia had talked for a while longer when Cordelia noticed how late it had gotten.
“Oh crap the time Angels going to kill me” Cordelia said looking at her watch.
It was already past 9:30, she had been gone for a little over four hours. Before Lorne could even respond Cordelia was gone.
Mean while back at the Hyperion.
“Damn it where is she! Angel said getting more upset by the minuet.
“Angel I’m sure she’ll be back any moment now.” Wesley said trying to calm his friend down.
“Are you sure she didn’t say about where she was going?” Angel asked Fred again.
“No I don’ think so, she just said she had a couple things to do and asked if I would watch Conner, and I told her I would cause I just love that little guy. Then she just left like she was in a big hurry. Fred managed to say with out taking a breath.
“It’s not like her to be out this late. She knows Conner can’t go to sleep with out her.” Angel said thinking back to Conners bed time. He had felt helpless trying to comfort his son. Conner had cried for 45 minuets before he has finely cried himself to sleep.
“Well, I can see some things never change.” Buffy said. “Cordelia still putting her needs first even over her own son.”
“Buffy don’t talk about things you have no idea about.” Angel said as he tried to control his anger over Buffy harsh words about Cordelia.
“Angel don’t tell me you are going to stand here and defend her still? Because you know I’m right.” Buffy said angrily.
“No your not Buffy. She has changed more then you’ll ever know.” Angel said with a low crawl.
“Ya that’s why she’s out doing her own things instead of here with her son where she belongs.” Buffy said ferrous that Angel was still defending Cordelia.
“She’s not Conner’s mother.” Angel shouted at Buffy.
“What?” Buffy asked in shock
“I said she isn’t Conner’s mother. Darla is.” Angel said running his hand through his hair.
“What do you mean Darla his mother? Didn’t you kill her?” Buffy asked while the rest of the scooby gang stood quiet.
“It’s a long story.” Angel said taking a unneeded breath. “She was brought back to life, and came to me when I was at a real low point in my life. I wanted to die, so I slept with her.
That’s when I realized I had things in my life worth living for.” Angel said looking at Wesley, Gunn and Fred. “My family.”
“But I didn’t think you could have children?” Buffy asked
“Neither did I till Darla showed up on my door step ready to give birth any day. Needless to say Cordelia was a little upset.” Angel said with a smile on his face thinking about how mad she had been at him.
“A little mad that’s an understatement. I thought she was going to stake you.” Gunn laughed.
“You see Buffy after Darla died too save Conner, Cordelia became his new mom. She didn’t have to but she did.” Angel said. “Conner got really sick when he was one and had to go to the hospital. Cordelia never left his side. Not to eat not to sleep not for anything.
She loves him more then anything in this world.
While Angel and the other were talking Cordelia was still trying to make her way home.
“You would think in LA I could get at least one cab but no.” Cordelia said to herself
Cordelia had been walking for what seemed like forever when one of her heals suddenly broke.
“Damn it!” Cordelia cried. “I loved these shoes.” Cordelia bent over and took her other shoe off and went to brake the heal off when
someone came up behind.
“Didn’t anyone tell you it isn’t safe to be out alone at night.” The stranger said scaring Cordelia.
“Oh my god! I didn’t hear you come up behind me.” Cordelia said turning around.
“A pretty girl like you out here by yourself. You never know what you might bump into.” The stranger said coming closer.
“Don’t worry I can’t take care of myself.” Cordelia said taking a step back.
“Are you sure about that?” The stranger asked as he vamped out in front of her.
“You have got to be kidding me.” Cordelia thought as the Vampire jumped towards her.
“Oh god what I would give for a stake right now.” Cordelia said as she moved out of the way.
The vampire was about to attack again when Cordelia looked down in her hand.
“Well, I guess this is going to have to do.” Cordelia said as she shoved the heal of her shoe into the vampires chest, and watching him turn to dust.
“Wow guess these were killer shoes after all.”
Cordelia now barefoot began to walk slowly back home. “Well, at least it can’t get any worse.” Cordelia said as it started to rain.
“Oh great me in my big mouth.”
After walking in the pouring rain for 20 minuets Cordelia was soaking wet and her feet were killing her.
“Thank god.” Cordelia said as she stopped to cross the street in front of the hotel.
Before she could move a car came flying by her covering her with mud. “Ahhhh!” Cordelia screamed whipping the mud from her face getting angrier by the minuet.
“It’s 10:30 she should have been back by now I’m going to look for her.” Angel said as a very wet, muddy, and pist off Cordelia walked through the front doors.
“Good lord are you all right Cordelia.” Wesley asked seeing the poor girl.
“Cordelia where have you been? Are you all right?” Angel asked quickly by her side
Cordelia ignored him and walked straight past him over to Buffy, and punched her in the face. Sending a surprised Buffy flat on her butt.
“Damn remind me never to piss Barbie off.” Gunn whispered to Wesley.
“Your right Buffy I still am a bitch, but I’m a bitch that can now kick your ass.” Cordelia said prepared to fight Buffy. Who was still sitting on the floor in shock.
“Cordelia what’s gotten into you?” Angel asked pulling Cordelia off Buffy.
“Buffy that’s what.” Cordelia shouted. “Her and her stupid friends think they can just walk into my life after 4 years and say what ever they like, not even caring if they hurt someone in the process.” Cordelia as tears began to fill her eyes once again.
“Cordelia calm down. Why don’t I take you up stairs and get you cleaned up and we can talk?” Angel said really not asking taking her over to the stairs.
“Cordelia where are your shoes?” Fred asked as she noticed Cordelia barefoot.
“Oh they turned out to be really killer heals.” Cordelia said with a smile as she turned around to walk up stairs leaving everyone puzzled.
“Why don’t you go take a shower we can talk when you get out.” Angel said as they got to their room.
“Good cause I feel really ewwww right now, and want nothing more then to take a hot shower.” Cordelia said as she walked over to the bath room.
After about 20 minuets Cordelia walked out of the bathroom feeling like a new person.
“Angel before we talk I need to do something first.” Cordelia said walking towards Conners room
“He really missed you tonight.” Angel said as he saw Cordelia give Conner a kiss goodnight.
“I missed him to. I hated not being here.” Cordelia brushing the hair from Conners face.
“I missed you to.” Angel said putting his arm around Cordelia’s waist. “Where did you go tonight?” Angel asked.
“To talk to someone.” Cordelia said looking at Angel. “Conner needs his sleep. lets go back to our room and I’ll tell you.
Cordelia explained every thing to Angel. About what she has over heard and how it made her feel, and that’s why she had went and talk to Lorne.
“Cordelia look at me.” Angel said as Cordelia had finished talking. “They were wrong about you. You a wonderful person demon and all.” Angel said as he creased her face.
“You are a great mother to Conner. I couldn't ask for a better mother for him.”
Cordelia started to cry as she listened to Angel talk.
“Most of all Cordelia I love you no matter what.” Angel said whipping away her tears. “You are the most beautiful, thoughtful, caring girlfriend a man could ever ask for.” Angel said gently kissing Cordelias lips.
Their kiss was interrupted by a soft knock at the door.
“I hate to bother you, but can I talk to Cordelia alone for a minuet? Buffy asked.
Angel looked at Cordelia, and she smiled. “It’s ok Angel. I’ll be all right.”
“Ok, but I’ll be right down stairs if you need me.” Angel said as he kissed Cordelia one more time and walked out of the room.
“Where alone now so what do you want to talk about?” Cordelia asked
“I wanted to tell you I was sorry. I had no right to treat you the way I did.” Buffy said looking at Cordelia.
“Your right you didn’t.” Cordelia said. “I know I was not the nicest person to you in high school, but I’ve changed.
“I know you have Cordelia. I guess I just wasn’t ready to see that before, but I am now if you’ll let me?” Buffy asked
“You know what I think I would really like that.” Cordelia said honestly.
“Good me to.” Buffy smiled back. “So next time I’m in LA, maybe you, Angel Spike and I can go out.”
“Spike?” Cordelia questioned.
“Oh I guess with everything going on I for got to tell you that Spike, and I are dating.” Buffy said looking at the shock look on Cordelia’s face.
“Wow Angel will never believe this.” Cordelia said still not believing it her self.
“Ya about that. I was hopping you could tell him after I left?” Buffy asked. “I’m sure Spike would like it better if I came back to Sunnydale alive.”
Cordelia just laughed “One thing first before you bring Spike. Make sure you call next time.”
“You have a deal.” Buffy said as the two girls laughed, and went to join their friends.
End.