Title: Another Girl
Author: Luckylyn
Posted: 04-07-2005
Email:
Rating: R
Category: Time Travel, Cross-over
Content:
Summary: A spell goes wrong and the Fang Gang must deal with the consequences. This begins at the end of Provider.
Spoilers: Season 3 Buffy and Season 3 Angel
Disclaimer: The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
Distribution: Stranger Things and Angel Oasis
Notes: I know I haven’t finished “Somebody To Love” yet but I couldn’t concentrate on that story when I got the idea for this one. I have an outline in my head for how STL should end. It’s just a matter of appeasing my muse with this fic so I can get some focus and go back to writing STL.
Feedback: Hell Yeah
Thanks/Dedication:Part 14
“I thought Willow would be the first to arrive,” Buffy said grabbing a doughnut from Xander.
“You know how Willow is with Magic Shops,” Xander said. “She’d move in there if she could.”
Buffy nodded, “She once stood me up because they got this knew Wicca Manual, and she had to run over there and buy it.”
“I’m not really seeing the attraction to a store with a bunch of stinky herbs and out of date texts but whatever,” Cordelia said re-entering the living room.
“How’s Cordy?” Gus asked.
“Pissed,” Cordelia said. She didn’t add that Cordy was also terrified.
Cordelia turned and noted the way Angel rigidly stood at the window watching Cordy sit alone in the Courtyard. Cordelia locked eyes with Gus who was standing beside Angel at the window. She knew that she and Gus were thinking the same thing. Angel shouldn’t be there when Cordy was ready to return to the living room.
“We should train,” Gus said hoping to get Angel down to the basement.
Angel just stood there like a stone.
Cordelia placed a hand on Angel’s shoulder and said, “This has been hard on her. She needs a break.”
Angel wavered and looked at Cordelia. Not saying a word he followed Gus down to the basement. Cordelia sighed in relief.
Cordy was prepared for a fight when she walked back into the mansion, but Angel wasn’t in sight.
“He and Gus decided to train,” Wesley explained.
“Good,” Cordy said even though she felt a little disappointed. She’d been so ready to fight it out with Angel. Fighting with him was easier than focusing on the danger she was in.
“I need to talk to you,” Wesley said, taking her aside.
Cordy tensed, “I don’t want to fight.”
“I won’t fight you,” Wesley agreed. “I realize this is what you have to do.”
“Could you make him understand that?” Cordy pleaded.
“I’ll try,” Wesley promised. Then he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “But first I’m going to make you breakfast. I don’t think you’ve eaten anything all day.”
“Breakfast?” Cordy repeated amused. “Have we forgotten the burnt toast incident of 2001?”
“Don’t exaggerate, Cordy,” Wesley ordered.
“Wes, we had to call the fire department,” Cordy replied. “You couldn’t go back to your apartment for two weeks because of all the smoke damage.”
“It wasn’t my fault the toaster was faulty,” Wes said, guiding her towards the kitchen. “And you’re one to talk. How many times have you nearly burned down Angel’s home in your cooking attempts?”
“Nobody ever had to call the fire department when I cooked. Let’s just hope there aren’t any faulty toasters in Gus’ kitchen,” Cordy replied feeling good about just teasing and relaxing for a while.
Angel left the punching bag in pieces as Gus watched. He knew it wasn’t a time for words. Gus didn’t doubt that Angel was going to fight for Cordy regardless of the risk.
“You need to trust her, Angel,” Wesley said as he walked down the stairs.
Angel’s eyes flashed at him, “This is her life Wes. Not some petty argument.”
“Her Life. Her decision. I’m no happier about it than you are,” Wesley said.
Gus stealthily walked up the stairs and out of the basement leaving Wesley and Angel alone.
“You expect me to just accept it,” Angel asked.
“I expect you to take Cordy’s frame of mind into consideration. She’s got a big battle ahead of her. Her focus can’t be divided worrying over you and Jacob Smith,” Wesley said. “Do you want to be the reason she loses this battle?”
In frustration, Angel punched the wall. He hated admitting that Wesley was right.
“I’ll stop fighting her on this,” Angel said. “But I won’t sit on the sidelines.”
“I know,” Wesley replied.
“How do we protect her without putting ourselves in danger?” Angel asked resigned.
“Giles and I are working on it,” he replied. “Right now you should maybe focus on saving Cordy’s peace of mind.”
Angel nodded and they headed upstairs but Angel paused and said, “If I have to die saving her I will.”
“And if she has to die saving you she will,” Wesley said, noting the way Angel flinched at that. “Let’s do what we can so it doesn’t come to that.”
“We have to save her,” Angel said.
“We will,” Wesley said. “You could start by rescuing Cordy from the omelette I just made for her.”
“You cooked,” Angel said shaking his head. “Poor Cordy. Remember the burnt toast incident...”
“Why does everyone have to keep exaggerating that,” Wes complained.
“We had to call the fire department,” Angel pointed out.
Wesley shook his head and lead Angel to the kitchen door. Angel walked into the kitchen and saw Cordy just sitting there moving her food around her plate with her fork. She looked up when she saw Angel enter the kitchen.
“I’m trying to figure out how he managed to make this both watery and dry at the same time,” Cordy said content to pretend there was no conflict between them.
She’d already made up her mind to go around Angel if she had to. Cordy didn’t see the point in arguing over it.
“I can make you something better than that,” Angel said his thought’s mirroring Cordy’s. He would go around her if he had to.
Cordy smiled at him. She got up from the table and hugged him just because she had to. She didn’t know why. Angel gripped her in his arms hoping he wouldn’t have to let her go.
***************
2002
“What is that?” Spike asked incredulously. He stared at the baby Buffy held in her arms as she stood in the kitchen.
“It’s a baby,” Buffy replied and then added. “You shouldn’t be here.”
She hated that she was relieved to see him. He’d been staying away lately and her pride kept her from going after him this time.
“I’m not here for you,” Spike said smiling when she looked at him in disbelieve. “The little Nibblet invited me over.”
“She shouldn’t have,” Buffy said.
“You’re glad she did,” Spike said confidently walking towards her.
“I’ll be glad when I don’t have to deal with you all the time,” Buffy said.
Spike just smiled and walked so that he stood directly in front her and the baby. Buffy stood her ground and was determined not to let him get to her. He leaned towards her and Buffy braced herself for the inevitable kiss. But it didn’t happen. He just reached behind her and grabbed a rag from the kitchen counter.
“You’ve got some drool on your shoulder,” Spike said innocently even though he knew Buffy was disappointed with him for not kissing her and that she was disappointed with herself because she wanted him too.
He began to rub the rag against her shoulder. Buffy got angry and snatched the rag away from him. Without saying another word she stormed out of the kitchen. Spike just smiled to himself. He prided himself on always being able to at least get a reaction out of her even if it isn’t exactly the response he wanted. He affected her whether or not she wanted him to. That’s what counted as far as he was concerned.
“Hey Spike,” Dawn said when he entered the living room. “Did you see Angel’s baby?”
Spike was dumbfounded, “Peaches adopted a kid.”
“No, he’s Angel’s son,” Dawn explained. “There’s some prophecy I think. I heard Angel’s friend Lorne fill Willow in on some of the details. I wonder if you could have a baby.”
Spike had thoughts of Buffy pregnant with his child. He didn’t know what to make of it or how he felt about it. It was overwhelming. And then he had another thought.
“So where is my grandsire?” Spike said itching for a fight. “It wouldn’t be polite if I stopped by and didn’t say hello to the bastard.”
“He’s not here,” Dawn said. “He should be back in a few days. We’re just baby sitting.”
“So it’s temporary?” Spike wondered. “He’s not moving back to the hellmouth.”
“I don’t know,” Dawn said. “The baby might change things between Angel and Buffy.”
Spike had been so confident that he nearly had Buffy where he wanted her. It wasn’t enough that she was occasionally in his bed. He was after her heart. It was within this grasp, but Angel could ruin it all.
“It doesn’t have to change things though,” Dawn said looking at Spike intently. “You could fight for her.”
“Who says I want her?” Spike said.
“Despite what everyone things I’m not an idiot. It’s obvious that there’s something going on between you and my sister,” Dawn said.
“Big sister better not here you say anything like that,” Spike said.
“She won’t,” Dawn said.
“You didn’t invite me here to hang out with you did you?” Spike realized.
“Go talk to Buffy,” Dawn said.
Spike took an unneeded breath, “There’s nothing to talk about. Buffy knows everything she needs to about my side of things. She’s the one who has to do the talking this time around. I’ll be seeing you,”
Spike walked out the front door leaving Dawn alone in the living room.
**************
1999
Buffy frowned at the kitchen door trying to give herself the courage to walk in. Her Angel was in there with Wesley, Cordelia, Cordy, and the other Angel. Apparently they were having a good time too. Buffy had heard some laughter. She couldn’t walk through the doors. She was so lost in thought that when Cordelia walked through the doors she walked right into Buffy.
“Sounds like you guys were having fun,” Buffy said.
“Everybody’s trying to relax Cordy,” Cordelia said. “You might want to take a cue from that.”
“The last few days have been intense,” Buffy said, suddenly at a loss for words.
She looked at Cordelia and thought about their futures. Cordelia was going to be in LA with Angel, and Buffy was going to be left behind in Sunnydale. Buffy wouldn’t have believed it if she hadn’t seen the evidence of it. Not just the pictures in Angel wallet but in the way he was with Cordy. She mattered to him more than she should. Buffy wondered if Gus was longing for that future or dreading like she was. Buffy turned with Cordelia and reentered the living room to sit with Giles and Xander. Giles checked his watch and again and frowned at Buffy.
“I’m starting to worry about Willow,” Giles said. “She’s over an hour late.”
“I thought you said she was in a magic shop haze,” Cordelia said. “I get the same way when I shop.”
“Cordy, likes to shop! Yeah that’s a real shocker,” Xander couldn’t resist saying. “But this is Willow, and she’s not going to ditch an emergency Scooby meeting.”
“Exactly, she might be late but never this late,” Buffy said looking at Giles.
“Do you think it’s possible Jacob got to her?” Giles asked the question they were all thinking but not saying.
Then the door opened and they all felt relieved until they saw Faith instead of Willow enter the room. Faith noticed the looks of disappointment on their faces.
“It’s just great seeing you guys too,” Faith replied sarcastically.
“We were just hoping to see Willow,” Giles explained.
Normally Faith didn’t come join the group until the big battle. She wasn’t usually invited to the regular Scooby meetings.
“Angel invited me over.” Faith said. “What have we got so far?”
Giles began to explain while Buffy and Xander exchanged lookes. Where was Willow?
Part 15
February 6, 1999
Jacob Smith watched Willow at the bus stop and considered his options. He could grab her and use her as collateral but that might not get him what he wanted. He doubted the slayer would just hand him back his daughter even if he used her friend as bait. It’s possible that if he made the wrong move Anna could leave town and be entirely out of his grasp. He still planned to grab Willow at some point. It was just a question of when.
Jacob sat back and smiled as Willow boarded the bus. First, he’d let Willow lead him to Anna and then he’d get to work on stealing Anna back from the slayers. Once Anna returned to him, he’d punish her. He’d find a way to keep her this time. Make escape impossible. She would pay for the trouble she caused him.
****************
“I”m here,” Willow said, walking through Angel’s door. “The bus took forever.”
“Did you find the book you were looking for?” Xander asked.
“Yeah,” she said, handing it to Wes. “Is this the book Anna used?”
Wesley quickly skimmed through the pages and then hugged Willow.
He asked, “How did you find this?”
“A friend at the magic shop recognized the sketch I showed her of Anna,” Willow said. “She told me the name of the book Anna purchased and got me a copy.”
“Great thinking, Will,” Xander said.
“Actually, it was Angel’s idea,” Willow said smiling at him.
“We can get you back to your body without getting the book from Jacob,” Angel said. He had spoken to Willow that morning when Cordy had left him alone in the room to take a shower. He’d been determined to find a way to get the book at a minimum of danger to everyone.
“So I guess the PI stuff comes in handy,” Cordelia said amused at the way Cordy was practically dancing around the room.
Buffy noted to way Angel’s eyes followed Cordy wherever she stood and the way Gus was smiling. She’d never seen that smile before.
“You guys rock,” Cordy exclaimed.
Cordy hugged both Willow and Angel. She was so thrilled that going home was finally in her grasp.
Giles looked over the book, “We need to get some supplies for the spell. We can get them from the library.”
“I can help with that,” Willow offered.
Giles left the house with the book under his arm and Willow at his side. There was a feeling of optimism in the room that hadn’t existed in days. Even Faith was smiling slightly.
“So this means we can scrap the Cordy goes badass on Jacob plan?” Xander said smiling at Cordy.
“No, we still have Anna to think of,” Cordy said, frowning at the way Angel was glaring at her.
“We can take care of Anna,” Angel said. “You can go home.”
“I can’t let Anna back in her body now,” Cordy said. “She has no fight training at all. If she goes head to head against Jacob, it’ll go bad. It isn’t safe for Anna to return until Jacob Smith is no longer a threat.”
Seeing the argument coming Wesely quickly said, “But now there isn’t the same urgency as before. We can take our time and come up with a plan.”
“There’s still research to be done to figure out how to weaken Jacob,” Buffy said.
They all knew there was a deadline. There was that obituary in Angel’s pocket stating that Anna Smith was going to die tomorrow.
“It has to be tonight,” Cordy said.
“Why can’t you just get on a plane and get out of town for a few days?” Cordelia said.
“That might be a good plan,” Buffy said.
“A vacation has to sound good,” Xander said.
“We can leave at sunset,” Angel said.
Cordy wavered. She had nixed Angel’s earlier plan to leave town but now she was tempted.
“Jacob is going to be a problem no matter where I go,” Cordy said.
“But who says you have to face him tonight or tomorrow,” Wesley said. “You can go after Jacob on the 8th instead of the 7th.”
“Do you really think that will change anything?” Cordy said.
“We have to try,” Angel said.
“I can put the plane tickets on Daddy’s credit card,” Cordelia added.
“If you can make it past the deadline it would change everything,” Xander said confidently.
Cordy turned to Cordelia, “Book the flight.”
“Oh thank God,” Cordelia said finally feeling a little relaxed. She was afraid Cordy might get herself killed. Gus gave her an understanding arm squeeze as he passed by her.
Angel hugged Cordy in relief. Buffy watched and then meet Gus’ eyes. They shared an uncomfortable stare.
“We have to talk,” Buffy said.
“I know but not now,” Gus replied.
“I guess I have some packing to do,” Cordy said and turned to Faith. “I could use a hand.”
“I’ll help you,” Faith said realizing that Cordy was up to something.
“Wes, should I be booking a plane ticket for you too?” Cordelia asked.
“I’m not certain yet,” Wesley said. “Giles might need me to help with the research on Jacob.”
“Wes,” Angel said, taking him aside. “If things go bad we might have to choose between saving Cordy or saving Anna.”
Wesley looked at Angel and said, “We’ll save Cordy.”
Angel nodded feeling better that he and Wesley agreed on that point. He didn’t feel good about sacrificing Anna though. He wanted to save her if it was possible. He hoped they wouldn’t have to choose between her and Cordy.
Upstairs Faith watched Cordy fold some clothes and stuff them in Angel’s duffel bag. Faith had no intention of helping Cordy pack. She just assumed Cordy was up to something.
“I need a favor,” Cordy said.
“I figured,” Faith said. “So?”
Cordy began. “I can’t ask Wes or Cordelia because they’re too close. I can’t ask Angel because he’s way too stubborn.”
“What is it?” Faith asked.
“I’m not getting on that plane,” Cordy said.
“He’ll go ballistic when he finds out,” Faith said, almost looking forward to the inevitable scene.
“That’s where you come in,” Cordy said. “Keep them busy while I track down Jacob.”
“Why don’t you just leave for a while?” Faith said. “You’ve started packing.”
“I’m only packing because they’ll get suspicious if I don’t,” Cordy said. “I have to do this. I can’t keep running. I can’t let Angel risk his life to stand between me and Jacob. It has to be this way.”
“I’ll help you,” Faith said. “It’ll be fun stirring things up.”
Cordy smiled at Faith in gratitude.
“If things go bad, you guys might have to choose between saving me or saving Anna,” Cordy said. “Save Anna.”
Faith stared at her for a few seconds and then answered, “Fine. I’ll keep the vamp and the watcher in line.”
“Good,” Cordy said. “I knew I could trust you.”
“Whatever,” Faith said.
First, Angel had attempted to befriend her while they were on patrol and now Cordy was suddenly trusting her with her life. Faith didn’t trust either of them. She could tell there were things about the future they knew about her. She could tell that they wanted something from her. Cordy watched the conflicting emotions wash over Faith’s face.
“Look, I could have asked Willow or Giles or Gus. But I’m asking you because I know you have it in you to do the right thing despite consequences. You are a good person. I know you don’t see that in yourself, and I know you’ll have to go through a lot to truly believe it. I am putting my life and Anna’s in your hands. I know you can get through to Angel and Wes. I know you are strong enough to go head to head with Angel if you have to. He’ll listen. You understand him better than you realize. If you have to, you can ask Gus for help. He’ll do what has to be done. And if I can’t even save myself in this, I want to save you at least.”
“I don’t need saving!” Faith said annoyed.
“Yeah, you’re doing just fine on your own,” Cordy replied sarcastically.
“What’s going to happen to me in the future?” Faith demanded. She hated that Cordy seemed to see into her. “What do you and Angel know about me?”
“I can only tell you that you aren’t alone, Faith,” Cordy said.
“I’m not one of them. And I never will be,” Faith said with pride but Cordy knew there was an undercurrent of hurt there.
“Well that’s something we have in common,” Cordy said. “When things get bad talk to Gus. He’ll get it. I promise you.”
“I don’t need anybody,” Faith said. “Let’s drop all this Oprah bonding crap.”
Cordy took a letter she’d hidden beneath the bed and handed it to Faith, “I wrote this last night when I was waiting up for Angel. Give it to him if I don’t make it.”
Faith took the letter and said, “You’ll make it. You’re too bitchy to die.”
Cordy smiled and said, “That’s another thing we have in common.”
“You’re really ready to die?” Faith asked suddenly concerned in spite of herself.
“I’ll never be ready,” Cordy sighed. “I just really hope nothing goes wrong with Jacob, but we’re never that lucky.”
“Fate can be a real bitch,” Faith agreed.
“Yeah well luckily so can I,” Cordy replied.
Wesley and Xander left the mansion and went to the library to help Giles with the research. Cordelia went to grab some extra clothes for Cordy. She hoped that Angel would convince Cordy to stay away for a while. So that the others could have a chance to come up with a plan that wouldn’t put Cordy in too much danger. Faith left saying something vague about an errand. Cordy stayed at the mansion with Angel, Gus, and Buffy waiting for the sun to set. They were an uncomfortable quartet. Buffy and Gus avoided looking at each other and the pair sitting on the couch in front of them. Angel sat with Cordy sitting beside him, her head resting on his shoulder. She yawned and closed her eyes. All the tension had exhausted her.
“Cordy, Maybe you should get a nap before the drive to the airport,” Buffy said. “It’s going to be a long trip.”
“She’s already asleep,” Angel noted. He stood up carefully trying not to wake her. Then he picked Cordy up and carried her upstairs. Buffy watched them with a pained expression.
Angel laid Cordy on the bed and silently thanked Willow. She’d given him some herbs that he’d slipped in Cordy’s drink. By the time she wakes, up they’ll already be on a plane. He pulled up a chair and sat by the bed waiting for sunset.
*********************************
Downstairs Buffy looked at Gus and asked, “What’s going to happen to us?”
“I don’t know,” Gus replied. Last week the idea of leaving Buffy was impossible and now he was beginning to long for a future and a family that might not include her.
“Nothing’s written in stone,” Buffy began. “Now that we know what could happen we could stop it.”
Gus just looked at her. He didn’t know if trying to change their future was the right thing. He wasn’t even sure if he wanted to change it. Now in Sunnydale he had Buffy but he felt adrift and without purpose. He didn’t know how to be happy. Gus thought about his future self who had a family, a business, and some contentment. It was more than Gus thought was possible. Could he find all those things without the heartbreak of leaving Buffy. Could Sunnydale be his true home?
“We can change our lives,” Buffy pleaded.
“It wouldn’t just be our lives that got changed,” Gus said. “There a bunch of people in the future who would be affected.”
“You want it don’t you,” Buffy realized. “That future in LA without me.”
“I want...” Gus began.
“You want Cordelia,” Buffy accused.
“Don’t accuse me of something that hasn’t even happened yet,” Gus said.
“So it’s not my imagination then. You see it too,” Buffy said softly as if that would make it hurt less. “He cares for her beyond just friendship.”
Suddenly feeling guilty Gus said, “Angel and I haven’t talked about it.”
“Is that what you want? To be in LA with strangers than back here in Sunnydale with me and your friends?”
“What friends?” Gus said. “I saw that look in your eyes before when you saw me laughing with the others.”
“I didn’t like being on the outside,” Buffy admitted.
“That’s how I feel every day,” Gus replied. “There’s a chance for me to have something more than that.”
“Why can’t you have that here?” Buffy said. “We could try.”
Gus thought about it. He loved Buffy. He longed for the future in LA. Gus felt it owed it to Buffy to at least try.
“We can try,” Liam said.
Buffy sighed in relief and hugged him. Gus couldn’t shake the feeling this could be a mistake.
Both of them were too pre-occupied to notice Jacob watching in the window.
Part 16
February 6, 1999
Cordelia rushed into Angel’s mansion carrying a duffel bag. It was awkward when she found Gus and Buffy on the couch making out. Gus jumped away from Buffy making her feel rejected.
“Can’t you knock instead of just barging into Angel’s home?” Buffy snapped.
“Well since everyone has been barging into Angel’s house, I don’t see why I have to knock,” Cordelia said defiantly.
Cordelia frowned, and Gus noticed that she looked upset.
Cordelia looked at him and said, “We need to talk.”
“What’s wrong?” he asked instantly concerned.
“Were the airlines booked up?” Buffy asked.
“Something like that,” Cordelia said looking at Gus intently. “I really need to talk to you.”
“So talk,” Buffy said annoyed. She could tell Cordelia wanted to speak with Gus privately, and she couldn’t let that happen.
Cordelia sighed and said, “Bufffy, it won’t take long. Just give us a moment.”
Cordelia turned and walked into the kitchen as if she were confident Gus would follow. She wasn’t confident, but she wouldn’t lower her guard around Buffy.
Gus turned to Buffy and said, “Something wrong. I’ve got to talk to her.”
“Angel,” Buffy said nearly pleading.
“I’ll be back in a minute,” he said walking into the kitchen.
When he entered the kitchen, he found Cordelia pacing while on her cell phone. She angrily hung up when she noticed Gus.
“I couldn’t book the flights,” Cordelia said. “I need your help.”
“If the airlines are booked up, there isn’t much I could do,” Gus said clearly confused. “We could put them on a train or bus out of Sunnydale. Or they could just drive.”
Cordelia took a deep breath as if what she was going to say was difficult for her. “It’s not that the airline is booked. It’s just my credit card wasn’t accepted. None of my cards worked.”
“Did you go over your balance?” Gus asked.
“No, I’m always careful about that,” Cordelia said. “I have some cash, but it’s not nearly enough. I was hoping you’d cover paying for the tickets.”
“I’ll take care of that,” Gus said. “Cordelia...”
“Thanks,” Cordelia interrupted, “I’ll just get these clothes to Cordy. Is she upstairs?”
“Yes, but wait. Tell me what’s going on.”
“I wish I knew, but we don’t need to talk about that,” Cordelia said. “I’m going to get these clothes to Cordy and then when I get downstairs you’ll have the money. Then I’ll drive over to the airport and pick up the tickets.”
She tried to pass him and exit the kitchen, but he blocked her path.
“Angel,” She said with warning.
The fact that she called him Angel instead of the horrible nickname told him how upset she was.
“Cordelia, we’re going to talk about this,” he said.
“There’s no time for that,” Cordelia said desperate to avoid the conversation. “Buffy’s waiting for you, right?”
Gus took her hand gently and lead her to the kitchen table. She frowned at him but sat down.
“You said the credit cards were refused?” Gus began.
“Why are we talking about this?” Cordy said her eyes pleading with him to stop.
But he continued, “I assume your parents arranged a bank account for you. Why couldn’t you draw some cash from that?”
Cordy let out a long sigh. She desperately wanted to discuss her situation with someone but at the same time she wanted to pretend there wasn’t a problem. She wanted to pretend she wasn’t terrified.
“When I tried the bank, I was told that my account was frozen,” Cordelia said then hesitated. “I gave them a hard time at the bank, but no one would give me a straight answer.”
“Your parents?” Gus prompted.
“Out of town,” Cordelia said. “I haven’t been able to get them on the phone. The desk clerk told me they checked out of their hotel yesterday.”
“And they haven’t contacted you,” Gus said.
“No,” she said. To her surprise tears were coming out of her eyes.
She wiped them away angrily and said, “That’s not unusual. My parents and I don’t usual keep in contact when they’re away. I don’t always know where they are.”
Gus reached over and took her hand and asked, “What do you think is going on?”
“I tried to track down my dad’s assistant at the office, but the number was disconnected,” she said. “I called her at home and she told me...”
Cordy hesitated a moment and said, “My dad’s being investigated by the IRS. She wouldn’t give me any details beyond that, but it doesn’t really look good for my dad.”
“How much cash do you have on hand?” Gus asked.
“$150,” she said and then stood up. “Just let me go upstairs to Cordy.”
Gus realized it wasn’t just about loaning Cordy clothes for the journey. Cordelia and Cordy needed to talk.
“Cordelia...” Gus began.
Anticipating his question Cordy answered, “I don’t think my parents are coming back, but they might send for me.”
She doubted they would send for her, but she didn’t want to admit that. Gus went towards her and took her in his arms.
“I’m here for whatever you need,” he said.
“No, you’re not,” she said pulling out of his arms. “I don’t think it’d be good for either of us if I got used to leaning on you.”
Before he could reply, she left him alone in the kitchen. He followed behind her into the living room, but he didn’t try to stop her from walking away from him. He watched her run up the stairs. Buffy watched him and saw his distress.
“What’s going on?” Buffy asked.
“Problem with the plane tickets, but we worked something out,” Gus said feeling guilty. He reassured himself that it wasn’t lying even if he didn’t tell her everything.
“Something more than that is going on, Angel,” Buffy said. “She looked really angry, and you look worried.”
“You would never tell me Xander’s secrets,” Gus said. “Don’t ask me for Cordelia’s.”
“You can’t compare my relationship with Xander to you and Cordelia,” Buffy said angrily.
“She’s my friend,” Gus said simply.
He could tell that those words hurt Buffy, and he couldn’t quite understand why.
“You’ve gotten close to her because of everything that’s happened?” Buffy asked. She cursed herself because she hadn’t realized it before. Knowing what she did about the future, the idea of her Angel and Cordelia being friends terrified her. “Is this how it’s going to happen, Angel? You’re already choosing her over me.”
“This isn’t me choosing Cordelia over you. This is me being a friend,” Angel said. “This doesn’t have to be you versus Cordelia.”
“There’s too much at stake for it not to be,” Buffy said.
The phone rang making both Gus and Buffy feel relieved at the interruption.
“I’ll get it,” Buffy said and Angel nodded.
“There’s something I need to check on,” he said, leaving her alone in the room. He went into his study. He had a safe in there with cash.
“Hello,” Buffy answered the phone.
‘It’s Giles. We have a major problem,” he began.
***************
February 6, 2002
Lorne watched as Anna paced back and forth holding Connor in her arms. She was going to sing to the baby, but she hesitated. It was important to her that Lorne not read her aura again. Anna thought it was better not to know what might happen next.
“You’re good with him,” Lorne told her.
She smiled at him and said, “I think it soothes him that I look like his mother.”
“His mother?” Buffy asked walking into the room. “Cordelia doesn’t look anything like Darla.”
“But Cordy...” Anna began but stopped when Lorne gave her a warning look.
Lorne knew it was up to Angel to tell Buffy what Cordy was to him.
“I never knew Darla,” Anna said instead.
She placed Connor in his basinet.
“He’s already asleep?” Buffy asked disappointed. She’s been hoping for some baby snuggle time.
“Yeah, he’s at that age when sleeping is his favorite pastime,” Lorne said softly.
“It’s hard to imagine Angel with a baby,” Buffy began. “Is he happy?”
Lorne nodded, “Connor has been a gift.”
Buffy had wanted to ask Lorne to give her reading but standing there with him she couldn’t go through with it.
“I’ll check on him later,” Buffy said leaving the room.
“She has no idea about Angel and Cordy?” Anna asked.
“No, Buffy and Angel are going to have one hell of a talk when he gets back,” Lorne said.
Anna smiled at Lorne and said, “You know you’d make a great dad.”
Lorne smiled back and said, “I always thought I was more of a favorite Uncle type.”
“No, you’d be a Dad with flare,” Anna said. “I can imagine it.”
“You know when you come visit me in the future,” Lorne began. “I think I just might have to greet you with a more than friendly kiss. That is if you don’t mind.”
She blushed and said, “I wouldn’t mind at all.”
She hesitated and blushed some more before she said, “If I weren’t still in Cordelia’s body, I probably would have kissed you by now.”
“Really?” Lorne said stepping towards her.
Anna nodded and Lorne took her hand and kissed it.
“Oh Lorne...” Anna began, but she didn’t finish the sentence. She fell to the ground.
“Anna!” Lorne sat beside her on the ground. “Willow, Buffy I need help!”
*****************
1999
Cordelia knocked and let herself into Cordy’s room. She saw Cordy asleep on the bed and Angel sitting by her waiting.
“I’ve got some clothes for Cordy,” she whispered.
“She’ll appreciate it,” Angel said, taking the duffel bag from Cordelia.
“I know a lot’s going on, but I really need some girl talk time with Cordy,” she said walking towards the bed.
“I um...Now’s not a great time,” Angel said.
Cordelia lightly tapped Cordy on the shoulder and realized how deeply she was sleeping.
“What did you do?” Cordelia asked narrowing her eyes.
“She gave in too easily about getting out of town,” Angel began and then fumbled. “Willow gave me some herbs.”
“You knew she might be up to something?” Cordelia said smiling at him. “You really do know her.”
“I had to make sure she’d be safe,” Angel said.
“She’s going to raise all kinds of hell when she wakes up on that plane, Angel,” Cordelia warned him. “But I bet you knew that. She isn’t going to thank you for this, but I will.”
She hugged him, and he hugged her back.
“Thank you for saving her life, my life,” she said pulling away.
She started walking out of the bedroom when Angel called her name.
“You wanted to talk to Cordy?” he said. “Something’s wrong isn’t it.”
“There was, but it’s okay now,” she said and meant it. It was a relief to see that whatever trouble she was in now that in the future she would turn out all right. She would have a man willing to risk everything to make sure she was okay. She was going to be a mother. She was going to have true friends. She was going to have a family. And knowing all that Cordelia didn’t need to talk to Cordy for reassurance. And she realized whatever happened now was probably going to lead her to this amazing future.
“Are you really okay?” Angel asked concerned.
Cordy smiled at him brightly and said, “Yeah, I know she probably makes it difficult to take care of her. But we never had anyone really love and take care of us before. Even if she doesn’t show it, it means everything to her to have people who love her and will be there for her. I don’t know if she’d ever admit it, but I had to tell you for her.”
He smiled at her then as she walked out of the bedroom. As she walked down the stairs, she could feel the tension in the living room coming from Gus and Buffy.
“Giles called,” Buffy said. “Someone broke into the library and stole Anna’s book and all of Giles notes.”
“We’ve got to get Cordy out of here as soon as possible,” Gus said handing Cordy an envelope with the money.
Cordelia took the envelope and gave Gus’ hand a little squeeze.
“Thanks,” Cordlia said walking towards the door. “I’ll get them on the first flight after sunset.”
Gus wanted to go after her and make her talk, but it wasn’t the right time. Plus she was out in the sunlight where he couldn’t follow. Buffy watched him as he frowned at Cordelia’s exit.
“The others should be here soon,” Buffy said.
Gus nodded and said, “I’ll go fill Angel in.”
He walked into the bedroom and found Angel sitting by Cordy’s bed brushing some hair away from her face.
Angel noted the grim expression on Gus’s face and asked, “What’s gone wrong?”
“The book Willow found has been stolen,” Gus said.
“Jacob Smith?” Angel asked spitting out the name.
Gus nodded and said, “Most likely.”
“We have to get her out of here,” Angel said. “If he knew enough to go after that book, he may already know where Cordy is.”
“Cordelia’s gone ahead to get the plane tickets,” Gus said. “We’ll get you on the first plane out of here.”
“I have to call Willow,” Angel said. “ I a....”
“You drugged her,” Gus said. “I figured. It’s what I would have done.”
“I can’t leave her vulnerable with Jacob somewhere around,” Angel said reaching for the phone. “Willow has to have something I can give her to wake her.”
But then she stirred on the bed and opened her eyes.
“Cordy,” Gus said relieved.
Angel locked eyes with the waking girl and shook his head, “She isn’t Cordy.”
“Angel?” Anna said, sitting up.
Part 17
Anna looked around the unfamiliar room, “What year is it?”
“1999,” Gus said.
“So I’m back and Cordy’s back in her right time,” Anna said with a smile. “Thank goodness. The others will be so happy.”
“How’s Connor?” Angel asked concerned.
“Good. He misses his Mom and Dad though. At least Cordy’s with him now until you get back,” Anna said.
Gus looked at Angel in shock. Did Anna just refer to Angel as the father of Cordy’s son?
Angel ignored Gus’ pointed look and said, “And the others?”
“Lorne’s doing fine,” Anna said, missing her first true friend already. “I spoke with Fred this morning and things have been okay in LA. Everyone in Sunnydale’s been great. They were worried about you guys though. My father?”
Angel frowned and said, “Still a problem, but we’re getting you out of town.”
“I’m beginning to think waiting for sunset is too risky,” Gus said.
Angel nodded, “I think a change of plan is necessary now.”
Someone had knew enough about what was going on to switch Anna and Cordy. Whether this person was an enemy or friend wasn’t clear. Either way Anna was more vulnerable now.
**********************
February 6, 2002
“What happened?” Buffy asked running into the room.
She knelt on the floor in front of an unconscious Cordelia.
“I don’t know,” Lorne said panicking. “We were talking, and she just fell to the floor.”
Willow ran into the room just as Cordy’s eyes opened.
“Anna?” Buffy said.
“Cordy,” she corrected and sat up.
Lorne hugged her and said, “It’s good to have you back.”
He felt a pang at the loss of Anna in spite of his great joy at seeing Cordy return. He helped Cordy stand up on her own.
“Connor?” Cordy asked and then spotted the basinet.
She took the baby in her arms and kissed his forehead.
“Hey kiddo, Momma’s home,” Cordy said thrilled to be holding her son again. Things had gotten so tense that she’d started to believe she was never going to see him again.
“Momma?” Buffy repeated looking at Cordy.
Cordy didn’t notice as she held Conner. She gently rocked the little one in her arms.
“Fuck!” Cordy muttered to herself. It suddenly hit her that something had to have gone wrong if she was back in 2002.
“Are you okay?” Willow asked.
“I’m going to kill him,” Cordy told Lorne.
“Who?” Buffy asked.
“He couldn’t just let me handle things my way. He had to go behind my back,” Cordy said pacing and running through the scenario in her mind. She paused for a moment remembering that she’d planned to go behind his back. Angel must have known what she was up to. But maybe it wasn’t Angel. He or any of the others might have stepped in to make the switch.
“Cordy!” Lorne snapped to get her attention.
“Did you guys do the switch?” Cordy had to ask.
“No. We were clueless about how the fix the spell,” Willow said.
“So it was someone from the past,” Cordy said. “It wasn’t supposed to happen this way. I was supposed to get rid of Jacob and make it safe for Anna to return.”
“Why not just report Anna’s father to the police for the abuse?” Lorne asked. “Why would you have to get rid of Jacob yourself?”
“There some things about Jacob that you don’t know about,” Cordy began.
**************
February 6, 1999
Cordelia walked into the mansion and said, “So I’m standing on line at the airport and I get this SOS from Buffy to come right back here. What’s up?”
She noted that everyone had gathered in Angel’s leaving room. She wasn’t the only one who’d been asked to return. The only ones missing from the bunch were Faith and Xander.
“There’s been a change in plans,” Angel said.
“Someone switched Cordy and Anna again,” Gus explained.
Cordelia looked at Anna and said, “So you’re Anna?”
Anna nodded and Cordelia said, “Getting out of town still sounds like the best bet.”
“She’s right,” Willow said. “Anna’s even more vulnerable now that Cordy’s gone back home.”
“Someone who knew about us stole that book and my notes,” Giles said. “Who’s to say they don’t know about the airport plan?”
“Who’s to say they don’t know we’re all here and are just waiting for an opportunity to attack?” Wesley countered. “Staying here longer is not an option.”
“Exactly,” Cordelia agreed.
“Maybe we won’t do the plane thing anymore,” Buffy said. “But there’s the bus or you can just use the car.”
“We considered that,” Angel said. “But Gus had an idea.”
“Why not just take Anna back to the future with Wes and Angel,” Gus said.
“That could do considerable damage to the time line,” Giles warned.
“Us being here is already changing the time line,” Angel said.
“If we truly wanted to preserve the time line, we’d just hand Anna over to Jacob and let that obituary come true,” Wesley said. “Taking Anna out of Jacob’s grasp may be the best solution.”
“But what will Jacob do with Anna gone?” Willow asked.
“He’s not just going to stop hunting for her,” Buffy said.
“So we still have to find a way to eliminate Jacob,” Giles said, thinking it over.
“No, you don’t,” Anna said. “From what you’ve told me, I’m the only one who can hurt him. Jacob is a bigger threat to you than to me. I should face him.”
“We already went through this with Cordy,” Buffy said. “Running is a better option than risking your life.”
“But isn’t that what all of you do? What Cordy does in LA? You risk your lives,” Anna said. “Jacob is going to hurt people if he doesn’t get his way.”
Angel stared at Anna hard. She was different. The Anna he knew never would have offered to face Jacob. She would have run away.
“Are you trying to kill yourself?” Angel asked harshly. He knew that about Anna. That there was a part of her that wanted things to be over more than anything else. Even if that meant her death.
Gus watched the way Angel looked at Anna. There was anger there. Anger he didn’t understand. What had Anna done to make Angel nearly hate her?
“I can’t let you risk your life for me,” Anna said staring back at Angel. He’d given her a look that made her want to flinch, but she kept staring him down. “I owe you. I owe Cordy. I won’t be responsible for her losing you in a battle with my father. Cordy was willing to face Jacob. Why not me?”
“Cordy knows how to fight,” Gus pointed out. “There’s no time to train you.”
Anna said, “As long as he’s around, I will never have peace. I want this over. I want to fight. I’ve earned that right.”
“We don’t want you to die,” Angel said.
It meant a lot to Anna that after everything that happened, Angel didn’t hate her enough to want her gone. He would risk his life for her. As terrified as she was of Jacob she couldn’t continue to hide. The waiting and the fear for the lives of others around her was too much for her.
“Jacob wasn’t a threat to anyone but me until I did a spell and brought all of you into the middle of my problem,” Anna said.
“How do we know that Jacob is only a threat to you?” Wes pointed out.
“Anna, you don’t really know what he’s been up to all these years,” Giles agreed. “He’s amassed a great deal of power. I can’t imagine he hasn’t been using it all this time.”
Anna had to admit she didn’t know what her father was up to. Up until today she’d thought he was just an ordinary human who was a monster to her. Now she knew he had powers. That he was almost invincible. But it gave her strength to discover she was his weakness.
“What has Jacob Smith been doing in Sunnydale all these years?” Angel asked all of them.
“That’s what we have to find out,” Buffy said looking at Willow.
“It’s like I said before when I did a background check on Jacob he just came off as this ordinary man,” Willow said.
Giles sighed and said, “We must continue researching but until we do agree on a solution I think we can all agree that we can’t stay here any longer.”
*********************************
Jacob entered his house and wasn’t entirely surprised to find the pair sitting in his living room as if it were their house and he the guest.
“Look, I don’t need your input. I know where she is. I’m handling the situation,” Jacob said. He just had to figure out how to get Anna off her guard. The friends she surrounded herself with weren’t a problem. They were like flies he could swat whenever he wished, but Anna had somehow learned to fight back. Jacob had to correct Anna’s false idea that she had to right to defy him. She would have to pay. It was just a question of when and how.
“You’re handling of the situation has just been fantastic so far,” Lilah said sarcastically.
“The Senior Partners aren’t happy, Jacob,” Lindsey said and then he smiled. “Lucky for you we’re here to fix your mistakes.”
Part 18
Jacob wasn’t used to feeling fear. But these people gave him his power. Could they take it away? He shook off the fear. They told him the spell that bonded him to his daughter could not be reversed.
“You’ve got nerve barging into my house and claiming you’ll fix my mistakes,” Jacob stated stubbornly.
“Under your watch, she’s gone missing and apparently she’s learned your weakness,” Lilah pointed out.
Jacob looked at them in surprise and said quickly, “She hasn’t learned anything.”
Lindsey took a sheet out of his briefcase and said, “You’ve been to the emergency room twice in the last few days. Why would an invincible man need medical care?”
“That doesn’t mean she knows anything,” Jacob said realizing they had him cornered. “Those were accidents. She hasn’t figured out a thing.”
“Well, how do you intend to resolve your screw up,” Lindsey asked clearly not believing that Jacob knew what he was doing.
“Where is Anna, Jacob?” Lilah said in a darkly confident tone.
“Look, all I have to do is corner her friends, and she’ll give in to save them. She won’t be able to help it. I don’t need your inference with my daughter,” Jacob replied irritated that he was close to pleading.
“What friends?” Lindsey asked.
“It doesn’t matter,” Jacob said. “They’ll be eliminated when this is done.”
“If you’re so certain you have things in hand than you won’t mind our sticking around and making sure things go smoothly,” Lilah said.
Jacob forced himself to appear confident and said, “I’m more powerful than anything you’ve see before. You can’t touch me.”
Lindsey smiled and said, “Maybe not, but the Senior Partners...”
He didn’t bother finishing the sentence. They all knew how powerful and how far the Partners reach could be.
********************************
Nothing had been resolved. Anna still insisted on fighting and the others had refused to allow it. The only thing they could agree on was that leaving the mansion was the right idea. It was settled that they would all head to Cordelia’s house. They were waiting until sunset to allow both Angels to come along in the transfer. If Jacob came on them while they were in transit, they would need all the help they could get.
Tired of all the tension the group broke up. Wesley sat in the living room debating various texts with Giles. Anna had gone upstairs with Willow. Angel had gone down to the basement to train. And Cordelia had taken the moment of quiet to go outside and try calling her parents’ lawyer.
Gus watched Cordelia from the window. She paced outside while talking to someone on the cell phone. She was clearly unhappy and Gus had to assume she still hadn’t gotten through to her parents yet. It amazed him that they could just leave Cordelia to be blind sided by the news that the IRS was closing in on everything. How could they just flee without a word to her? Gus realized that although he and Cordelia had become friends over the past few days he knew too little about her. Like the others he’d assumed she had a charmed life.
“Angel,” Buffy said coming to stand beside Gus at the window.
She’d noticed they way he seemed to be watching Cordelia, and it worried her. Gus turned to look at Buffy and asked, “Any word from Faith and Xander?”
She nodded her head and replied, “Xander called and said he and Faith were on their way.”
Gus was distracted by Cordelia re-entering the room and going to sit with Wesley on the couch. He didn’t like the way she frowned. He returned his attention to Buffy who looked at him hard. Gus could see she was worried and wrapped his arm around her.
Things between them were far from perfect but now Buffy knew it was worse than she thought. She knew now that if things got bad enough he would leave her. Seeing the future version of Angel taught her that her belief that Angel would always be there was a false one. She wondered if Cordelia ending up in LA was some sort of coincidence or if Cordelia and Angel left together. Was this friendship with Cordelia the beginning of the end for them?
“What’s going on with Cordelia?” Buffy asked.
“We already talked about this, Buffy,” Gus said.
“And you didn’t tell me anything,” Buffy said. “Maybe it’s stuff like this that sends you to LA and leaves me in Sunnydale. You don’t tell me things Angel. I always have to guess.”
“You could just ask me,” Gus replied.
“I just did,” Buffy said.
“Not about Cordelia but about anything else you want to know,” Gus said.
Buffy opened her mouth to speak but hesitated. She and Gus exchanged a look, but he couldn’t read her expression. There were a lot of things she wanted ask him but the possible answers terrified her.
“Are you going to leave me, Angel?” she asked.
His first instinct was to say that he would never leave, but they both knew that wasn’t true.
“I don’t want to leave you, Buffy,” Gus said instead.
“That isn’t a promise to stay,” Buffy pointed out.
“I don’t want to lie to you,” Gus replied.
“So no lies?” Buffy asked pulling away from him. “Is there more than friendship between you and Cordy?”
“No,” Gus answered honestly. He knew his future self was most likely in love with Cordy but now what he felt for Cordelia was friendship and a growing need to protect her. He knew that could be the beginning of something more, but he wasn’t ready to deal with that.
Buffy wanted to believe him but couldn’t. She knew that there was too much left unsaid.
The tense moment between them was broken by the sound of Cordelia laughing with Wesley. He’d been filling her in on stories about the future. Giles frowned at him, but Wesley knew the pact to keep the future a secret had already been broken.
“So you actually fooled them into thinking you were Angel?” Cordelia laughed. “You’d probably look hot in the duster.”
“That’s what Virginia though,” Wesley replied. “But that’s all I can tell you.”
“You, Cordy, and Angel are such teases about the future,” Cordelia replied. Hearing about the future soothed her worry a bit. It reminded her that she was going to be all right.
Cordelia looked over her shoulder at Gus and Buffy as if to share the joke with them. Gus returned the smile, but Buffy just watched Gus.
“I should get out of here,” Cordelia said needing to just get some space from everyone.
“It isn’t sunset,” Gus said not wanting her to go.
“I’ve got to get my house ready for when guys come over,” Cordelia said walking towards the front doors. She couldn’t help noting the way Angel frowned at her.
“Call when you get to the house,” Gus said.
Cordy nodded and said, “I’ll be fine.”
“We’ll see you after sunset,” Giles promised.
“Well duh, Gus. That’s kinda the whole point,” Cordelia said.
“Be careful,” Gus warned. “Jacob could be anywhere right now.”
Cordelia said, “Yes Dad, see you guys later.”
Gus watched Cordelia walk out the doors. He wanted to help her with her parents gone, but he knew she’d resist it. He noticed that she’d left the envelope with money on his coffee table. How was she going to get by if she wasn’t willing to take a loan?
Sensing Buffy’s eyes on him and needing to avoid more of their conversation, Gus said, “I’m going to see if Angel needs a sparring partner.”
It made Buffy sad when she realized she was relieved to see him walk down to the basement. She promised herself that she wouldn’t discuss the future with Gus again. She would simply do everything she could to prevent it. Frustrated Buffy went upstairs to talk to Willow.
********************************
Faith and Xander stood outside the mansion doors.
“They’re not going to be happy we did this,” Xander said.
“We didn’t do anything,” Faith said stubbornly. “You spotted me grabbing the text and kept Giles occupied. I’m the one who pulled the switch.”
“Yeah well, I let you do it. I could have ratted you out to Giles and the others,” Xander pointed out. “I just wanted to tell you that I think it was the right thing to do even if they rake us over the coals for it.”
“Us?” Faith said derisively. She figured she was the one people were going to be mad at.
“Don’t hog the blame,” Xander said walking ahead of her.
Faith’s mouth twitched as she fought a smile.
“It might not have even worked,” Xander continued.
Faith followed Xander towards the mansion doors holding the stolen texts in her hands. It was a surprise when they bumped into Giles as he was about to exit the mansion. Faith dropped the texts.
As Giles bent down to help her pick them up, he said, “You got here just in time we’re getting ready to move to a safer location. Someone...”
He stopped speaking when he realized the books he picked up were his stolen texts and notes. He looked at Faith and Xander and said, “You did this. You switched Anna and Cordy.”
“So it worked?” Xander said sounding relieved.
“Cordy was planning to get herself killed,” Faith said.
Xander quickly added, “This way Anna can just go on the run. Leave Sunnyhell.”
“You’ve made a bad situation worse,” Giles said.
“What is it?” Buffy said noticing the brewing argument.
“Faith and Xander are responsible for switching Cordy and Anna,” Giles explained.
“Go ahead and burn us for it,” Faith said defiantly. She had no regrets and was used to being the outsider among them.
Wesley stared at Faith and Xander for a moment and said, “I can’t be angry at you for saving Cordy’s life. I know she would’ve put herself in danger if we’d let her. So thank you for that but...”
Faith was unprepared for gratitude and snapped, “Yeah well she had too much nerve for her own good.”
“So when are you taking Anna and getting out of Sunnydale?” Xander asked.
Giles and Wesley frowned and exchanged a look.
“Unfortunately, Cordy and Anna came to the same conclusion,” Giles said.
“Anna can’t be thinking of fighting Jacob?” Xander said. “That’s crazy.”
“She’s insisting on it,” Wesley said.
Faith realized she made an error. Even though Cordy facing Jacob was a serious risk, at least Cordy knew what she was doing. Anna was a complete novice.
“She’ll never defeat him,” Faith concluded realizing she might be the one responsible for getting Anna killed.
Wesley saw the horror in Faith eyes and said, “We won’t let her die.”
“What’s the plan?” Faith asked.
“First, we’re changing locations,” Giles said.
“We’re still going now that we know Jacob isn’t responsible for the switch?” Wesley asked surprised.
“I think it’s better to just keep moving,” Giles advised.
************************************
2002
Buffy watched as Cordy spoke on the phone to Fred and Gunn. She held the phone between her head and shoulder which allowed her to have her hands free to hold and feed Connor.
“It’s so weird,” Buffy said turning to Willow.
She shook her head and said, “I never really pictured Cordy as the mothering type.”
“But she adores Connor. He adores her right back,” Buffy observed and frowned. “She referred to herself as Connor’s mother earlier.”
“Well, with Darla gone Cordy’s probably the woman who spends the most time with him,” Willow said.
They’d been pretty much taking turns taking care of Connor in shifts since Angel left but once Cordy returned she’d taken over. It was amazing the way Cordy just took charge of the baby. Buffy was surprised that Lorne seemed to expect Cordy’s take over. It must be the routine in LA.
“Cordy’s a mommy,” Buffy said. “I never thought I’d see it.”
“She isn’t his mother though,” Willow reassured Buffy.
“Neither am I,” Buffy pointed out.
“But that could change,” Willow said. “It’s up to you and Angel.”
“It’s not that simple,” Buffy said.
“No, it isn’t,” Willow said. “But Connor existing is proof that things with you and Angel aren’t as impossible as you thought. You just have to make up your mind over what you want to do about it.”
As Buffy watched Cordy rock Connor to sleep in her arms, Buffy considered her options. She and Angel were going to have a long talk when he returned whether they liked it or not.
Cordy finished her call with Gunn feeling a little better to know that everyone was fine in LA. She couldn’t believe Groo had returned, but she couldn’t really spare him much thought at the moment. As much as she’d wanted to be back in her own body, she hated being on the sidelines. She had no idea what was going on with Angel, Wesley, and the others. The fact that Angel and Wesley still hadn’t returned from the past meant that things were not going smoothly and all Cordy could do was sit in Buffy’s living room and wait filled with worry.
Looking at Connor, Cordy said, “I promise that if your Daddy and Uncle Wes return okay I’ll won’t kick there asses too hard for making me wait and worry like this.”
Upstairs Lorne sat on his bed worrying not just about Angel and Wesley but Anna as well.
“You better keep your promise,” Lorne muttered to himself. He hoped Anna really would come and visit him like she said she would. He didn’t want to consider that she might not survive, but he knew something was seriously wrong because Angel and Wesley still hadn’t returned.
TBC