Title: Fallen Angels
Author: Frazi
Posted: 01-16-2003
Rating: NC17
Email: storm_fn@hotmail.com
Content:
Summary: When Cordy can't find Angel telling her about her lost memory, she finds something that can help on her doorstep.
Spoilers: Season three.
Disclaimer: The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
Distribution: Just Fic is fine with me anywhere else just ask.
Notes: Okay I have a really bad case of writers block and its worse than being bloody constipated. I don't think this is one of my best fics but I just needed to get something out before I went completely insane! Don't hate me if this sucks! Please and if it does be gentle. Thanks.
Feedback: Pweeeze?
Part 3
SPIKE
If this was hell, I wanted a recount.
With a groan I tried to lift the dead weight on my eyes.
Shitty thing about hangovers, they make you want to die. Of course that would be hard for a bloke who's already dead.
I groaned. The tremendous headache and the dull ache in my chest were making me weak. Not to mention I was hearing voices. I tried to raise my hand to touch my temple where I could feel the throbbing pain. It was as if someone was drilling a bloody stake through my head. With a muffled curse I lift my head and forced my eyes to open. The dark walls swam into focus as I took in the unfamiliar surroundings. Where the hell did I walk this time?
Then the smell of cinnamon and fresh blood floated up my nostrils and my eyes cleared. Bloody hell I was hungry.
"Sleep well?"
I turned my head a little too quickly and everything spun out of focus. Losing what little hold I had had on my body I tumbled down onto the floor tangled in the sheet that had been covering me. "FUCK!"
Two creamy feet stood before my face as I groaned into the carpet. The devil had pretty pick toenails. I followed the toes up soft ankles, a silver chain linked around the left and up shapely legs, my prospects of being in hell already looking up, and followed the line of the knee-length black skirt and a soft gray blouse stretched over ample breasts, a long column of bitable throat and a wide mouth before I met the hazel pools. "Oh bloody hell." Cordelia Chase. Even in my half fogged up brain I knew Cordelia Chase equaled LA and LA eventually computed to my poof sire. "Say it ain't so."
An eyebrow arched and she squatted down to my level a mug of blood thrust under my nose and I almost gagged. "Drink this; I don't want vampire puke on my rug."
Sitting as upright as I could manage I squinted at her and took the mug from her. "I'm in Hell A?"
"Good guess." She smiled wide, and I winced at the brightness. Now I knew what the poof meant about sunshine. "I didn't know vampire hangovers were this bad."
"It takes a while." I took a sip of the blood and recoiled. "GAH! Wot the bloody hell is in this!?"
She sat down beside me her legs curled under her and smirked. "Blood, tomato juice, Jack Daniels and a spike of cinnamon."
"You spiked my blood." Weird didn't being to explain this girl.
"It's a vampire bloody-Mary, I think. I don't know how I knew how to make it. I guess I've made it for Angel on a previous account which isn't very encouraging by the way." She frowned. "That would mean I've seen him either drunk or hung over, neither of which I think is appealing." And this explanation was supposed to make me drink this concoction. "Are you going to stare at me all day or drink it already?"
I took an unnecessary breath before pouring the liquid down my throat. Even without tasting it I could feel my insides quiver, but the drink packed enough punch to shake the haze from my head. What was I supposed to do? Thank her?
I looked up to see her watching me hopefully. Ah hell. "Thanks," I mumbled, hoping she wouldn't hear me.
"No problem Spark." She patted my shoulder and I suddenly felt like a little school boy.
Then I frowned at her. "Spark?"
"That's your name right?" She got up and took the empty mug from me.
My frown deepened. "Spark?" Was she implying something?
She rinsed the mug as I stood slowly my hand pressed against my temple. What a really wanted to do was ask her if she could help me get off the bleedin' rollercoaster, but she was wiping her hands and looking at me with a sheepish smile. "Spook?"
My mouth dropped open slightly. "Spook! You forgot my bloody name!?"
She gave me a weak laugh. "Well. Among other things."
"What bloody other things!? You forgot my NAME!"
She glared suddenly. "Hey! Stop with the pressure. You weren't the only one."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean! A bloke gets a bloody soul and suddenly nobody knows who he is!"
She sighed. "Look, I'm assuming you haven't been around here a while. You're Angel's little boy..."
"CHILDE!"
"That's what I said..."
"NO! It is NOT the bloody same thing."
She put her hands on her waist and glared at me. "Will you stop yelling; you're upsetting my ghost."
I fell into the couch my head falling into my hands. Maybe I'd walked into a portal and landed in an alternate dimension because suddenly nothing was making sense. I had the distinct memory of coming to the cheerleader, banging on her door and begging her to kill me a slayer. Everything before and beyond that was a jumble of voices that my mind couldn't process in my current state. The couch dipped and I smelled the fresh soap from her shower.
"Look. It's been a difficult time here. I can't remember a lot past the last few weeks and don't ask me why because I don't have answers, only questions and the only reason you're here is so you can help me answer some." I looked up to see the warm hazel of her eyes glitter with confusion.
"You got amnesia?"
She nodded. "Freaky huh?"
"Is this a bloody joke?"
She glared. "Does it LOOK like I'm Chris Rock?"
I couldn't help smile slightly. "You're built better."
"Of course, but that's not that point. The point is I can't remember much and what I do remember is mostly from my journal, which is very pretty and incoherent, or from Angel who doesn't go past, 'you're a great person Cordy'. So help me out here okay. I nursed you back to health. I deserve a little payback."
"I was drunk not dying."
"Close enough." She shrugged and leaned back in her couch.
I ran a hand through my already disheveled hair and leaned back next to her. "I'll tell you yours if you listen to mine."
"Deal."
A hand was thrust under my nose and I almost jumped. This girl was bloody scary. Taking her hand I gave it a firm squeeze then pushed it away. "Shoot."
"That's your name?"
My head fell back against the back of the couch and I closed my eyes. Stake me now.
*
ANGEL
My childe was loose in LA.
I shook my head at the double meaning there as I walked out into the backyard as the sun disappeared. Connor didn't like the idea of living in the same hotel, but in a world he knew nothing about, he was smart to stick close to the only place that he could call home. I knew the only reason he was still here was Cordy. I snorted softly. Him and everyone else. If it hadn't been for Cordelia, he'd have lost all of them a long time ago. I took a deep breath, letting the crispness of the night enter my body and replace the stale air in my lungs. Everything had gone so horribly wrong. It had been almost normal and then it seemed to crumble. We never seemed to get a break. From losing Connor, almost killing Wesley and losing Cordelia in way that I'd never get her back were enough to make me reconsider the merits of fighting the good fight. But then that was never my choice was it. Faith was right. Atonement really was a bitch.
Spike probably felt just as lost. I've had my soul for a while and it still doesn't become any easier with each dawn or dusk. I could only imagine how hard it was for Spike right now.
"Angel?"
Can't a vampire get a moment of peace? I suddenly realized why Cordelia had moved out. With a tolerant expression I looked up at Wesley as he stood a few feet away in the clearing. That was when I realized. I had invaded his solitude. I should say something. "Wesley."
The man stood there, his hands by his sides, the new moon casting shadows across his face.
What the hell do you say to man that took your son from you. "Nice night."
"Yes." He looked away as if unable to hold my gaze.
"Cordelia didn't call?"
"No."
"Oh."
"I should go..." "I should go."
Our eyes met.
"No you stay." "You stay."
He took a deep breath. "I better get back to work." He started to walk past me to enter the hotel.
"What is it that you do now Wesley?"
He froze, his head not lifting. "Pardon?"
"Now that you're back. What do you do here?"
I saw his Adam's apple bob slightly as he swallowed. "What I always did Angel. Research."
"Maybe you should try something else. That's not really your strong suit."
He looked up sharply and I felt a stab in my chest at the panic in his blue eyes. I understood then how scared he was. Not that I would hurt him physically, but that I would throw him out and I part of me wanted nothing more than to toss his English ass on the sidewalk. But Lord only knows I'd done unspeakably things and I was familiar with what he was feeling at that moment. If I judged him enough to die then I judged myself the same way. I knew what it was like to not have anyone to believe in you. I averted my eyes, a frown marrying my forehead as I tried to explain. "Maybe you should train Faith." His eyes widened slightly his mouth parting in surprise. "Be her watcher." I shoved my hands in my pockets. "She needs guidance and we don't have anything catastrophic happening. You should help her."
"Angel, I don't think..."
"You want redemption?" My voice was a little harder than I had intended.
His eyes didn't waver this time.
"Help her. She's more lost that you think and I'm no watcher."
Sometimes a little push is all they need. With a nod, Wesley walked out of the courtyard and into the hotel, but the rigid tension had left his spine.
Vampire or human. We all had our demons.
~Some are luckier than others.~
I sighed. Woe is me.
~Call Cordelia.~
No.
~You want to.~
No.
~A call to say hi.~
No.
~She's probably sitting in her frillies.~
NO! I growled my hands gripping the back of my office chair. I blinked. Oh hell. I'd already crossed the courtyard into the hotel and into my office. No Angelus, I will not call her.
~You want her.~
Yes.
~You miss her.~
Yes.
~Call her!~
I reached for the phone.
Part 4
CORDELIA
The shriek of laughter reverberated through the apartment as I held onto my stomach almost collapsing back onto the couch and spilling the glass of juice over my t-shirt. The picture of Angel in an orange leisure suit just wouldn't leave. With green stripes no less! I remember watching Tom dressed like that in one of the cartoons of Tom and Jerry! Spike sat there nursing his mug of blood between his hands, his legs sprawled straight ahead of him on my table as we watched the rest of 'Someone like You'. During the course of the night I had come to the conclusion that Spike hadn't inherited much from his sire. He was not only funny, but he had a crude cuteness to him that I hadn't noticed before...or remembered.
"I'm not crude and I sure as hell am not bloody cute." He grumbled in his best 'big bad' accent.
"Save it spock..."
"Spike."
"Whatever. You just don't scare me anymore." I snickered and took a handful of popcorn between us before throwing one up in the air and opening my mouth. That was when a pair of cold hands wrapped around my midriff and I screeched as he tackled me across the couch, his fangs drawn. Another peal of laughter left me as I looked up into his morphed face. The laughing blue eyes and the twitching eyebrows just didn't strike fear if they were supposed to.
"You think this is funny Vixen?" He tried his best to glare down at me but his mouth was turning up in a smile I knew was there.
I nodded helpless, my hands braced on his chest to push him away when the phone rang. "Spike! Get of me!"
"I'm not done looking down your shirt yet." He wiggled his eyebrows at me suggestively looking less and less like the drunken sack of potatoes that had collapsed on my door.
While one had reached for the phone the other smacked the vampire upside the head and he let out an undignified grunt, his game face melting away into a frown. I winked as I hit 'receive'. "Now I know how to make you stop being all 'grrr'." I snickered as he stuck out a childish tongue. "Hello?"
"Cordy?"
What is it with Fate? I mean here I as enjoying a nice platonic interlude and suddenly I'm holding my breath again, which by the way isn't necessary just happens come about when a certain someone I'm not even supposed to remember says my name. "Broody." I let out my held breath when Spike raised an eyebrow at me.
"You okay?"
I sighed and looked up into Spike's amused blue eyes while he remained looking down at me, his arms braced on the arm of the couch under my head as he hovered there. "I'm not dead. I'm not dying. I'm not getting visiony and I am NOT wearing red underwear."
The vampire on the other line was silent and I wondered if he had always been such a dork. Adorable little creep.
The vampire leaning over me, although broke into a spurt of masculine laughter that seemed to jolt my boss into replying. "Who is that?"
"No one. Just Spark."
"SPIKE! It's Spike you bloody chit! How hard is that to remember!!!" The bleach blonde vampire glared down at me with as much menace as he could muster in his current state.
"SPIKE! Spike is with you! What the hell is he doing there!!?!? Are you crazy Cordelia! Where is he now!"
I held back a smile as Spo...er...Spike proceeded to try and glare me to death. "Right this instant?"
"YES!"
"On top of me."
At the moment I was gloating in 'I am so evil, I rock.'
CLICK. The other line went dead.
Spike blinked in surprise as I stared at the phone. "Wot?"
"He hung up on me."
I was so dead.
*
WILLOW
The flowers smelled fresh. Like morning dew and snow cones. Then the ground began to quake and the heavens started screaming.
"WILLOW!!!"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" Jumping out of my bed I scrambled off the side nearly tumbling in my sheets as the rocking stopped. I looked up panting, my breath wild and my heart hammering against my ribs. "Angel?"
The vampire had the decency to look slightly sheepish. "Sorry."
Placing a hand on my chest I gasped. "Oh goddess! You scared me! I thought we were all dying and the earth was shaking and I was going to be sucked into the ground without shoes on or something!"
Angel's brow drew together in a confused frown before he shook it off. "I'm sorry I scared you but there's something you need to help me with."
Heart had calmed slightly. At least it wasn't fluttering madly in my ribs like a caged bird anymore. Oh eww. I think I just managed to gross myself out. Ewwie. "Um...right. In the middle of the night and my nice dream."
"I.." His eyebrow shot up. "Dream?"
I blushed slightly at the question I knew was there. "Fluffy one."
"Oh." He seemed to accept that without further inquiries. "I found Spike."
I blinked slightly at the irritated growl underneath the icy declaration before I realized what he had declared. "Spike! You found him!" I grinned happily. "Really! Where?"
"On top of Cordelia."
My mouth slammed shut as I stared at him, my eyes as wide as saucers. He didn't mean that. Did he? It wasn't possible. He loved Buffy! He wasn't supposed to move on! At least not with Cordelia. No. No. No. No. No. It just did not compute.
"What does not compute?"
I bit my lip with a small smile. "Did I say that out loud?"
Angel held back a smile. "Oh yeah."
I ran a hand through my tousled hair and rubbed my eyes. "Well I always thought he'd like Buffy. You know. Always. Aren't vampire's obsessive that way?"
The vampire in front of me suddenly looked ill at ease and I saw him shuffle his feet.
Oh goddess.
I stared at him for the second time in the past five minutes my eyes wide as saucers. "Oh dear."
He cleared his throat. "So, you coming?"
I nodded quickly as I grabbed my skirt and sweater off the chair and ran into the bathroom. "I'll just be a minute. Don't go away."
Part 5
WESLEY
Sleep sure as hell wasn't coming. With a kick at my covers I sat up in the darkness of my room. How the bloody hell could he ask me that question? Isn't redemption all that I'd been working for, being here every day and night, trying to find odd monster lore through dusty books, putting up with watching Fred and Gunn coo at each other, Faith scoff and twist everything thing inside my gut with presenting myself like the sacrificial lamb to Angel, just so I could redeem myself of the sin. A sin that I had committed under false pretense with the best of intentions. Nobody remembers that!
I suddenly could identify with the vampire need to kill.
Sitting up, I grabbed my t-shirt off the chair and headed out of my room. Maybe Angel wouldn't through a hissy fit if I used the basement for letting out some steam. It worked for the vampire and even Cordelia on some occasion. Maybe it would do me some good.
Luck though it seems is not on my side.
Before I could stop myself, I'd stocked into the basement purposefully and inadvertently welcomed myself to the sight that beheld me.
There, in the middle of the room, stood faith, wearing nothing but her leather pants and a brassier chugging down a bottle of water with one hand and the other wrapped around a wooden staff, with fine beads of sweat rolling down her skin.
Sweet mother of mercy.
There goes working off frustrations.
Already aware of my arrival the slayer turned to me deliberately recapping the bottle before speaking. "Are you just going to stand there or step up Englishboy?"
I reached for the other staff hung on the wall.
ANGEL
"WATCH THE STOP SIGN! CAREFUL WITH THE TURN! YOU JUST PASSED A RED LIGHT!"
"Willow!" I half turned to glare at her as the car hurtled down the street picking up rolling garbage along the way.
"Don't WILLOW me! I don't want to die!"
For the witch’s sake I eased off the gas slightly with a collected sigh. Besides, her fingernails were digging into the upholstery. "Sorry. I just...he's not...and she's..." I couldn't begin to voice what the implications were of Cordelia being under Spike meant and my mind tended to go off lovely tangents and the warning Angelus was screaming in my head along with the need to pummel Spike, I didn't want to start imagining what Spike as doing to MY seer! That's it! MINE! I saw her first!...as a seer I mean.
"Not gona want human pancakes for visitors Angel!"
The knuckles of my hands gripping the steering wheel turned white with effort as I brought the car back under survivable speed limit.
"It's just that he's with her."
"He can't bite."
Insane jealousy ate away at my undead insides. "No. But she can."
Willow blinked at me with wide green eyes, before speaking, "Floor it."
SPIKE
Cordelia Fucking Chase.
I sigh.
The human blur.
In the total of ten minutes that it has taken for her to dive off the couch and start gathering things off her floor and couch, she'd only managed to rearrange the mess in her little living room rather than fix much. What really threw me off was why she was cleaning the bloody place, just because Peachwuss was coming over to kick my arse. How's that for poetic justice. I wonder if I'm ever going to get these birds. "Vix..."
"Shut up, shut up! There are STILL too many signs!!!"
My bloody neck was aching with the among to twisting it was doing while I tried to keep in touch with the blur that was her. "What effin signs!"
"Uffff!" She waved an soft cotton garment in my face. "This! This is a sign!"
I fixed her with a compelling leer. "Frillies? You're right, I'd have pegged you for the silk stringy type."
She let out another exasperated snort and stuck her hands on her hips. "Don't question me. It's a sign! It's a sign that I'm a slob! I’m never a slob! And do you KNOW what being a slob means? It means that Angel, knowing I'm never a slob, is going to see that I'm a slob and naturally assume that something's wrong and when he thinks that he broods thinking he's done something, and then he tries to fix it with his mumbling and his muttering about every damned thing he's ever done to upset me before he OFFERS to FIX it!"
I stared at her as she panted at the end of tirade. Would it be highly traitorous of me to think the vixen looks bloody appealing when she's all hot with frustration and looking panicked? "Drives you nuts don'it?" I tried to look sympathetic.
With a deep breath she sagged, letting her arms fall around her sides. "Oh yeah."
Why do I have to bloody do this all time for Angelboy's chits! With a tortured sigh I dragged the girl to the couch, my hands on her shoulders to make her sit for a spot. At least she'd breathe better. "Look Luv, just calm down. You don't have to clean anything just so Peaches doesn't go all up in your face like he always does, with everybody. All you have to do is tell him to back off."
She let out a spurt of breath as she whined low under her breath. "Thus my sad attempt to hide in my apartment. He's just so..." Her
hands touched her forehead before her eyes darkened with anger. "And I'm just so..." When words eluded her, which I'm starting to think is rare for this beautiful creature, she fell back dejected against the back of the couch. "I'm so tired of not knowing ya know. I bet I spent years building immunity to his broodish ways. Now look at me." Her arms crossed against her chest grumpily. "I'm a Cordelia Wanabe!"
I let out a snicker before her flashing hazel eyes shut me up and I cleared my throat. Oh yeah, Angel had been right. Deathglare perfected. "Ahem, look Vix. You haven't lost all of it. Just some of it and there are some things you don't forget."
"Like what?"
"Like...your first kill!"
An eyebrow shot up.
Maybe I should have thought this through. With another embarrassed clear of my throat I thought quickly. "Like...uh..." What was it that humans liked when it came to first times? "Sex?"
Her brow drew together. "Now I'm really depressed."
I blinked. "You DON'T remember?"
She threw up her hands in frustration. "Spark!"
"SPIKE!" I literally wanted to grab her by the shoulder and shake her. What was so hard to remember about my bleedin' name! "SPIKE SPIKE SPIKE!" Okay I'd like to mention that by the time I was done I was jumping in front of the couch in frustration and she looked at me like I'd sprung a tail. Which might have been handy to choke myself right about now. Bloody hell.
"Spike?"
I looked at her calmly. "Wot?"
"Are you done?"
I blinked, my eyes darting left and right almost to assure myself that I wasn't still jumping. "Yeh."
"Good." She pointed to herself, looking deliciously peeved. "Back to me. Still having a semi-nervous breakdown. I’d like to finish before he actually gets here. So if you have some more words of wisdom I suggest you utter them now before the old lady downstairs comes up with a shotgun and shoots you in the ass."
"Roight..." I blinked. "Old lady?"
"Prune-y."
"Ahem. Moving on." I sat back down on my hunches and faced her. "Okay so there has got to be lots of little details you remember. I mean what about the whole walking bit. And I bet you haven't forgotten HOW to shag, just don't remember who with." I leaned a little closer for emphasis. "Want to check Vix?"
"Neutered blonde Billy Iidol look-alike. I can NEVER get that drunk."
"Oh that hurt Luv." I clutched my heart for emphasis. "That stabbed. You've quite a tongue on you." I smirked. "Want a tangle with mine?"
"SPIKE!!!"
"Eh! You got my name right." I smiled happily
"SPiiiike." Yes the warning is bloody potent.
Alrighty. Back to comfort mode them. Putting both my hands on her knees I sigh. "Look Cordelia, I'm sure you remember all the important stuff. Do you remember what you like about waking up in the morning?"
Her mouth twisted in a sensual pout as she contemplated my question. I was beginning to understand Angelboy's attraction. When he'd given me a bell he'd said something about 'she makes me want to be a better man'. I kind of figured the bloody hormones weren't the only thing talking.
"I like the warmth of the sun as it slants through the curtains on my windows."
I started at her answer. This bloody chit packed quite a wallop. Who'd have thought she had substance. Not me anyway. "Good." I smiled back slightly. "Why do you fancy the night?"
"The peace and the quiet." Her own face calmed as if reliving the memories as I spoke them.
"The way you fancy your coffee?"
"Decaf with chocolate sprinkles."
"Lavender or Vanilla?"
"Vanilla. French."
"Tom or Jerry?"
"Duh! Jerry."
"Your work?"
"Fulfilling." She shrugged.
"Your vampire?"
"Angel."
Try as I might I couldn't stop the smug grin that spread across my mouth as she threw back the matter of fact answer without so much as a single thought. Then I saw the irises of her hazel eyes widen with the realization of what she'd admitted to herself and me. The grin exploded into a triumphant cackle. Yes. I was evil.
Although, I've got to tell you. If Cordelia was a vampire, I'd be drained. The chit has a wicked lunge! "YOU HORRIBLE MONSTER!"
"Good come back chit." Laughing uncontrollably at my own double meaning, I fell back with her wrists held firmly in my hands while she tried to inflict bodily damage.
As her legs straddled my waist and her eyes sparked with embarrassed anger the door swung open with a slap and everything stilled. My head tilted backwards and I saw the upside down visage of my very pissed of sire snarling down at me. Fuckity Fuck.
Above me Cordelia had gone deathly still. "Crap."
Willow cleared her throat. "Well, at least it's not him on top of her."
Part 6
CORDELIA
If I'd been Rachel, I'd be screaming OH. MY. GOD. But this wasn't a television series and I wasn't a very good actress so while I tried to scramble of the vampire under me, I tried my utmost to look as innocent as possible, considering I WAS innocent, but tell that to the insistent growling above me while I tried to gracefully rise to my feet.
No such luck.
Spike let out a whoosh of knocked out air as I nearly stepped into his chest before stumbling off his body and falling into my side table, but I grabbed the lamp before it fell. Too bad, with my foot caught in Spark's knee and the other wedged under the said table and my hands full with falling lamp, I couldn't do much besides stare in horror as Angel deduced the obvious. It’s amazing how the mind computes the scene of ‘Man on Woman = Sex’.
And Spark didn't help. "Knocking is a custom mate."
Before I could open my mouth, or Spike could rise to his feet, Angel had grabbed the English vampire and slapped him against the wall with a sickening crack and proceeded to snarl in his face like psycho vamp. What the hell happened to all the mumbling and the dorkiness? Suffice to say it was Willow who dived at Angel, grabbed his big arm and proceeded to bean him with her tiny fists while Angel held Spike off his feet and plastered against the wall. And then the screaming began.
In a long line of bad situations. I'd say this was a twelve.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING WITH CORDELIA!!!"
"Put him down! Put him down! Put him down!"
"If you haven't noticed AngelPUSS, SHE was on top of ME!"
"Put him down! Put him down! Put him down!"
"How DARE you MAKE her get on top of YOU!"
"Put him down! Put him down! Put him down!"
And did I mention funny? Because if I hadn't been paralyzed with shock I'd be cracking up. These people were crazy! How ever did I keep sane around them?
You have amnesia Chase. Go figure.
Oh right. Of course I should stop the snarling vampire and the screaming witch and of course the victim in this is me! Even if it's Spike being pinned to my wall. "HEY!"
The clamor suddenly died as I steadied the lamp and rose to my full height. Angel turned his head to look at me with gold rimmed eyes and I tried to give him my best, 'I'm in charge here' pose. Although, I don't think it worked.
"WHAT!?"
I nearly jumped at the tone of his voice. Okay, this tone I hadn't heard before. The usual, sorry, and helpful Angel was a far cry from the vampire glaring at me now. I had lost my memory, or I'd have the decency to look scared, but it seemed my body knew not to look scared, even if the rest of me didn't. That was my first mistake of the evening. "Put him down this instant you self flagellating, self appointed savior of me!”
The snarl disappeared from his face to be replaced with another very pissed of but rather possessive rumble that seemed to build in his chest and surround every standing nerve ending on my body. I saw the irises of his golden eyes dilate, the shoulders hitch a little higher inside the leather coat as he tilted his head distinctly sideways as if marveling at my stupidity. Oh my. Angel has large hands, and I don’t mean big burly, but expansive and I mean the kind that could hold your entire waist in one grip or your skull. Depending on the occasion. Currently, those large hands curled tighter into Spike’s collar and for an insane second I didn’t know whether to feel cowed or turned on.
The silence was palpable until Willow fell back to her feet with a resounding ‘thump’ from her previous position of hanging from Angel’s bicep. “Oh oh,” she whispered and even Spike winced as Angel moved.
Cowed most definitely.
The rumble only got more prominent as Angel’s grip on Spike’s collar dropped and the rest of his body twisted towards me before I realized my mistake. Oh dear. Mental note. Never pick a bout with an already enraged vampire without proper protection. I stumbled back and I didn’t know at the time I was only heading towards my bedroom and helping him in his cause, but you try staying still while there’s a very rumble-y vampire stalking you! Besides, how the hell was I supposed to remember! I don’t even remember my first sex! If I had any…
“ANGEL! PUT ME DOWN!” Of course I would have sounded more threatening had I not been hanging upside down over his shoulder staring at his ass. Which by the way, is just fiiiine!!!
Before my bedroom door was kicked shut I saw Spike wrap one arm around the witch’s shoulder. “Want a drink Red?”
I met the sympathy in her eye as she sighed. “No but she’s gona need some.”
And the door slammed closed.
I only become conscious of the fact after I’d been tossed onto the bed. Looking up into the glow of Angel’s golden eyes, the taught jaw and rippling forehead, I swallowed.
I’m in trouble.
Part 7
FAITH
The slippery weasel found a way out! We'd been sparing for nearly a full twenty minutes now and I was confused why he didn't seem to tire. When the staff flew out of my hand I ducked behind the punching bag and landed a roundhouse kick to the bag, making it fly towards him.
Wesley dropped his own staff and caught the bag in his hands with a startled blink. He raised an eyebrow. "Change of weapon?"
My legs were aching for mercy after my previous work out and the rapid spar with my ex-watcher. He had me at a disadvantage, so I took another tactic. "Change of heart. But then you know a lot about that don't you Wesley?" I dropped my stance and smirked when the blue of his eyes flashed with anger. "Whoa!" I ducked as he swung the bag towards me with enough strength to knock me out. Straightening I glared at him. "What the fuck are you..." But it didn't last long. The bag swung back and hit me smack in the back. The heavy bag nearly lifted me up in the air a little before toppling me forward into him. "Oof!" The wind was knocked out of me as I collided with his firm body, his arms binding around me before I could move.
"You have to watch your back. First rule of Slaying. Did I not teach you anything Faith?"
Fucking bastard! I looked up angrily at the sound of his voice and lost my own for a second. His blue eyes were swept low and he smiled slightly, the corners of his mouth lifting almost mockingly. My arms were trapped between us as his stayed around my upper body. Jesus Christ. For a second I remembered a previous time when the smell of sweat the blood had drugged me. The weight in my legs gave way and I sank a little lower, but he didn't let me fall. Get a hold of yourself Faith!!!
He smiled slightly and leaned down closing his eyes. I guess it was more reflex than it was intentional. Fuckign hell, he's going to kiss me! Without wondering about consequences of the rabid acceleration of my heartbeat, my leg hooked his and pulled it out from under him. I'd like to think I've saved myself the embarrassment of trembling at the proximity of his mouth, but I was full of shit. I was just scared.
He cried out in surprise as I pinned him on the mat, both panting harshly. Staring down into his eyes I noticed the look I'd seen a few seconds ago had disappeared and he only glared back at me with the familiar loathing that I was more used to. Damn straight; this was acceptable at least. Safe. Unable to help it, I grinned down at him cockily. "Never let your guard down watcherboy. Did experience not teach you anything?"
Without warning, he growled and shifted his weight under me. My eyes widened at the uncharacteristic sound before he and wrapped an arm around my waist and in one firm twist, my back was slammed onto the mat hard enough to knock the wind out of me. His knees landed beside my waist as he straddled my body and I gasped at the weight of his torso while he braced the rest of his weight on his hands next to my head. "You taught me to never count on small favors Faith."
My eyes flashed with fury before I retracted my knee between us and flipped him over my head. Who the hell did this English bumpkin think he was! I quickly rolled and rose to my feet to see him land firmly on his. I was slightly thrown at his confidence and technique. This was a side of my ex-watcher I hadn't seen very often.
His mouth twisted into a leer that could only be termed wicked and unlike the Wesley I knew, but then I didn't know him that well, except what made him bleed and cry out in pain. "Quick, but not quick enough." He charged me and I turned my body to the side, my lungs dragging in air in gulps as I shifted stance. He had missed me completely, but that hadn't troubled him. "Tired Slayer?" He observed the rapid rise and fall of my shoulders.
"No!" I growled and he raised an eyebrow. "I'm exhausted," I admitted with a deep intake of breath and dropped my fists by my side.
For an instant he watched me before straightening out and pushing up his glasses firmly on the bridge of his nose. "That's understandable. Listen Faith, I've been thinking..."
My face spread into a smirk. "But not that exhausted Wesley." Without warning I slammed into him and he fell on his back with me on his stomach, my knees catching his hip firmly as I held him down with my elbows locking his arms beside his head.
"Awo! Bloody Hell Faith!"
"What's the matter watcher? You can dish out the heat, but you can't take it?" I nearly snarled down into his face. "Don't think I don't know what you've been thinking."
He grit his teeth. "Remind me then, since you know me so much better." His eyes were resolute and almost daring me to take the next step.
Slightly out of my element I frowned still leaning over him, not letting him move. "You tried to kill me, then you almost kissed me. What the fuck is your game this time?"
"I'm not surprised both bothered you Faith. I've played a similar game not too long ago."
Ouch. Strike me where it bleeds most. The stab in my chest was potent enough to make me wince. "Well fuck Wes. Angel's not the only one who goes beige on people." I slowly pushed myself off him and offered him my hand. It was, in my own way, a silent offering. One I considered him refusing but hoped he'd take.
Watching me with dark eyes hooded with confusion and hesitation, he extended his hand and took mine. My mouth curled up slightly when his grip tightened. There was a flicker of mischief over his face before he yanked hard on my hand trying to pull me back down, but I dug my heals into the mat and used his own force, pulling him up to his feet instead. Duh! I was winded, not dead.
Standing slightly on unsteady feet he watched me with a bemused expression.
"Still the slayer Wes." Walking over I grabbed my shirt and looked over my shoulder before taking the stairs out of the basement. "And I didn't forget everything you taught me."
And I left him standing there.
*
CORDELIA
Yes, I’ve seen my vampire furious on many occasions. But I don’t exactly every remember him directing the full beam of his yellow-demon eyed glare on me before. Could be the amnesia, but it just feels…well…WRONG! How dare he glower at me and GROWL! What the hell does he think he is! This caveman routine was not going to work on Cordelia Chase!
There was another rumble from the seething man standing on the foot of my bed.
At least I don’t think so.
“You’ve got three words Cordelia. Explain yourself.”
PFFT! The gall! Demon or no demon! Scrambling to my feet I stood on the bed, now a good two feet above his head and at my suddenly change of stance one eyebrow arched up. Planting my hands on my hips I proceeded to give him my patented death glare. “How dare you!”
The muscle in his jaw worked. “You know for someone wearing thin on a vampire’s patience, I’d have picked different words.”
“I am CORDELIA!”
He frowned for a second. “You’re right, these are better.”
“Shut up!” Walking across to the edge of the bed I leaned over his face. “First of all. I don’t need to explain anything to you! The only thing you’ve done in the past few weeks is tie me up in bigger knots with not telling me a thing about how things were with you and me. What with your forlorn looks and your son’s wandering hands, I’ve not known WHAT to think! And further more, I had had just about enough of you stammering and stuttering for a reaction. And NOW suddenly you decide to spring up the growly face and flashy eyes because I’m finally getting some straight answers! Well not today bucko, I am Cordelia CHASE!”
“Bucko?”
I blinked down into his amused brown eyes. “What??!”
He took an unneeded breath as the gold in his eyes seeped away. “Look Cordy, what would you expect from me considering I found Spike…”
“He’s got a soul!”
“Which is NOT the point!”
“YOU have a soul!”
“This is Spike!”
“HAH! Funny how YOU’RE the one throwing me around rather than him then huh? At least he’s taken the time to explain some things to me.”
“Oh really?” His arms crossed across his chest and the slant of his eyes was not only humoring me, but slowly making me want to lean over for a closer look. “Well then, what pray tell did he tell you.”
“Are you mocking me?”
“Duh. I bet he explained a lot while you were sitting on him.”
I stared at him. Did he just? The fury bubbled in my stomach and slowly started to rise up my throat. He did NOT just throw back my own words in my face! “You arrogant butthole! No, you arrogant opinionated butthole! You spent two weeks tippy-toeing around the whole issue of you and me and NOW suddenly you have the audacity to act JEALOUS!”
“Tippy-what?”
“Well you know what Angel? You can just kiss my tushi!” With a stamp of my foot I jumped off the bed and yanked my bedroom door open. “Spark!”
“Bloody hell, she’s doing it on purpose!” The blond man let out a pained grown and dropped his head on the witches shoulder who looked catatonic with one vampire so close to her neck.
“You’re taking me shopping!” I grabbed the sleeve of his jacket.
“It’s two in the bleedin’ morning Vix!” He stumbled after me careful not to bring my coffee table with him.
I snatched up my wallet the car keys I’d found in his pocket. “This is LA Sparky. When Cordelia says shopping. She gets shopping. Don’t mosey; Walk it!”
Angel had just stepped on my last nerve, and memory or no memory; he couldn’t play spilt personalities with me.
Continue on...