Title: Married with Children...Pfft
Author: nc2224
Posted: 09-11-2003
Email:
Rating: NC17
Category: AU
Content: C/A
Summary: Cordelia’s parents force her into a situation that hopefully Angel can get her out of before it’s too late. But will their relationship actually save her, or inadvertently give her parents just what they want?
Spoilers: Post B/A breakup. Other than that, none.
Disclaimer: The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
Distribution: JF, anywhere else…just ask
Notes:
Feedback:
Thanks/Dedication:Part 1
Cordelia downed another glass of chardonnay under the disapproving glare of both her parents. What the fuck?! If she was going to be a married woman tomorrow, then dammit she deserved to be well and truly plastered tonight. Underage…pfft.
Her future husband sat across from her, his tan a little too George Hamilton making his teeth appear too white. His slightly graying hair and strong European accent would have struck most as dignified and sexy, but to Cordelia it was just old and gross.
Her mother prattled on about the upcoming nuptials as if she had waited all of Cordelia’s life for this. Cold bitch.
Giavanni took her hand and squeezed possessively, pinning her with his lascivious smile. Her stomach lurched as a whiff of his overpowering cologne wafted around her. She had to get out of here. Get out of this. She felt like a trapped animal or perhaps just a girl forced into a marriage with an older man she didn’t love, who didn’t love her. Oh wait…that’s exactly what she was.
As her eyes darted around the posh restaurant, looking for a means of escape, finally landing on cold eyes the color of her own staring back at her – her father. Quietly telling her there was no hope for escape. He had told her as much two nights ago when he dropped the bombshell that would change her life…
***
Two nights ago.
"I won’t. You can’t force me!" Crossing her arms defiantly, Cordelia looked her father in the eye.
"It’s the only way." There was no remorse in Bill Chase’s voice. He had gone through all his assets, and whether she liked it or not, Cordelia was his last.
"I’m not your employee, daddy. I’m your daughter. You would just sell me to the highest bidder?!" Uselessly Cordelia looked to her mother sipping her martini, hoping for once she would stand up to this bastard that posed as her father. It should have been no surprise when her mother wouldn’t meet her gaze, but dammit it still hurt like hell.
"Cordelia, you will do this!" The ice in his voice, left no room for argument.
She was fighting a losing battle. This was what she had been raised for…to marry a man with money and live the country club lifestyle. Then why did it hurt so much? She had always hoped that when the time came she would have a choice. And no matter what, it would be for love.
"Why, daddy? I’m seventeen years old. Please don’t make me do this" it came out a choked sob, wrapping her arms around her body as if to shield herself from anymore pain. She couldn’t stop the tears that slipped from her eyes. But they did nothing to soften the exterior of the man in front of her.
"Cordelia, you know why." His voice softened as he walked the length of the living room, brushing away her tears, he raised her eyes to his. "Princess, its the only way to get the funds from your trust."
Her trust? That’s what this was all about.
"Your grandfather put stipulations on the funds when he set it up…" He began to explain, oblivious to the pain of the shaking girl in front of him.
"My trust?" Cordelia interrupted. "I don’t get that until I’m 25". Her grandfather had made that abundantly clear in his will.
"Or, until your married…" His eyes locked with hers and all the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.
Looking back and forth between her parents, Cordelia did the last thing she could do. She begged. "Please, I’ll give it all to you then. If that’s what you want. You can have it all. Please just don’t make me do this."
Her pleas fell on deaf ears.
"Stop it Cordelia. Get control of yourself". Her mother’s cold voice finally penetrated the fog that had clouded her mind. "Chases don’t behave in such a manner".
Anger replaced her fear. "You bitch! You call yourself my mother? Just because you’re nothing more than some man’s arm piece, doesn’t mean I’m going to be!"
With a speed she didn’t know her mother possessed, she had risen from her spot on the sofa and delivered a stinging slap to her daughter’s face, leaving Cordelia stunned into silence. "You spoiled, selfish, ungrateful child. We have given you everything, and all we ask is one thing in return…"
"Don’t you see you’re asking for my life! I’m seventeen and you want the rest of my life!" Queen C had never begged, never pleaded. If the Cordettes could see her now. There was no fight left in her. Only tears to mourn a future that would never be--a future of her choosing. It didn’t matter that she was still in high school, that she didn’t love this man, God, she hadn’t even met him. Her parents looked at her and saw money. Money that would get them out of debt and keep them in the lifestyle that had been accustomed to.
"You will do as we say, Cordelia. We can’t wait for you to turn twenty-five. We need this now. There is no where left to turn." She could feel her father’s fingers dig into her upper arms, forcing her to face him. "The consent papers are signed, so you have our permission to marry and you will be willing. Do you understand me?" His eyes bore down on her.
When he didn’t receive an immediate answer from the broken girl in front of him, his anger rose. "Do you understand me?!" his grip tightened and he shook Cordelia forcefully, her brown tresses plastered to her face, clinging to the tears that wouldn’t stop coming.
"Yes" her answer was nothing more than a whisper, but they heard it. Her father stormed from the room with out a backwards glance.
With the cold grin of a Cheshire cat, her mother turned to leave as well, leaving her emotionally broken daughter slumped on the sofa. But there was one more piece of good news she had to give, and she reveled in it. It was time to bring "daddy’s little princess" down a notch.
"Oh, Cordelia honey. One more thing…" Cordelia’s forced her head from her knees, her red eyes meeting her mothers. "…before the trust can be broken, you have to be married…and pregnant."
The sharp intake of air into her daughter’s lungs as the shock of her mother’s words struck her like a sledgehammer, brought a satisfied smirk to Cecil Chase’s face. "So on your wedding night, make things easy on yourself and go with the flow and give him what he wants…" her mother continued, as the bile began to rise in Cordelia’s throat. "…because if you don’t, your father’s given him permission to take it, if necessary."
"Mom, please." The sobs wracked her body, but the pain in her chest was unbearable.
"We need you married and pregnant, honey. The sooner the better." And with that Cecil left her shaken daughter alone.
No longer able to hold it down, Cordelia rushed to the bathroom and emptied the contents of her stomach.
***
She still wasn’t sure how she had managed it, but Cordelia was running as fast and as far away from the restaurant and the horrible future it held. Maybe it had been the alcohol or the fear coursing through her at what lay ahead if she stayed and did what her parent’s requested, but somehow she had managed to excuse herself to the ladies room. Once alone, Cordelia had climbed out the small window, oblivious to the cuts and scratches caused by the tight fit. Once her feet hit the pavement she ran. Unfazed by the chilly night air whipping against her and penetrating the flimsy material of her slim fitting dress, she ran as quickly as her heels would take her.
When the burning in her lungs got to be too much, Cordelia slowed her pace, looking over her shoulder once again in fear. Rounding the corner into a dark alley, Cordelia gasped as she ran into a tall firm body. Hands gripping her arms tightly to steady her.
"Let me go!" The panic clear in her voice.
"Cordelia?" the soft voice questioned, sensing the undeniable fear radiating from the girl clutched in his grasp. Startled, Cordelia slowly raised her eyes to look into dark pools of the vampire with a soul.
"Angel?" relief flooded her system, as she allowed her body to slump into his strong embrace.
Angel didn’t question his immediate response, or his strong desire to protect the trembling girl in his arms, he merely wrapped her tighter. They had never been friends, barely aquantences, two people on the periphery who never took time to know each other. But in this moment, Cordelia felt safe. Clutching tightly to the vampire’s leather coat, she looked up at him once again.
Angel’s soul lurched at the pain he saw in the cheerleader’s hazel eyes glistening with unshed tears. Instinctively, he cupped her soft cheek, wanting to comfort her from…from…
"Cordelia, what is it?"
"Please help me" she whispered. There was no one else, no where left to turn.
"Whatever you need." Angel swore with everything in him.
Pinning him with her eyes, she clutched the lapels of his coat, pulling him closer. Her voice was barely a whisper laced with pure desperation, but he heard her nonetheless, "Marry me?"
Part 2
Draining yet another glass of scotch on the rocks, Angel shuddered, allowing the cold liquid to soothe the headache that was forming. Jeez, he was getting headaches now. What the hell was that about? Looking into Cordelia’s expectant face sitting across from him, he said the only thing that came to mind.
"What?"
Cordelia rolled her eyes at the vampire. For the last thirty minutes, as he dragged her to this dingy little demon bar, he had asked the same dumbfounded question. It would have been cute, if her life wasn’t hanging in the freakin’ balance. Now she was just getting annoyed.
"Christ, Angel is that all you’re going to say? I asked for a favor, not for a rousing game of twenty questions---or in your case, the same dumb one over and over." She had already told him the horrible story that was currently the hell of her life. She knew she was being snippy and mean, but she was scared. And fear definitely brought out the worst in the cheerleader.
Angel remained quiet, not allowing his rising anger at her bitchy attitude get the best of him. It was obvious she was frightened and from her previous question, extremely desperate. He looked at her, really looked at her. This was the not the in control Queen C that ruled the halls of Sunnydale high. Her spirit was broken, he could see it in her eyes. He knew she was trying desperately to keep up the calm cool exterior, as he watched her flip her hair non-chalantly. Too non-chalantly.
Cordelia was becoming uncomfortable under his intense gaze. She shifted her eyes around the room. Taking in the varying types that were present from human to every color and shape of demon. This is what her life was reduced to—hanging with demons, and more depressing actually wanting to marry one.
"Why, Cordelia?" Angel’s soft question brought her thoughts back to the conversation at hand. "Why not just say no?" he continued to question.
"Say no? Why hadn’t I thought of that?!" her voice rose sharply in direct proportion to her rising anger. Her eyes shot daggers into his. "Don’t you think I did? Don’t you think I begged and pleaded? They own me. Don’t you get it?" she shouted, drawing attention from several of the other customers in the bar. Grabbing her purse, Cordelia began to rise. She would not beg she told herself. She had done too much of that in the last few days.
Lowering her voice and with as much dignity as she could muster, she gave Angel the out she knew he wanted. "Forget it Angel. Thanks for…for…whatever. Just forget it".
Before he could think, his hand snapped out seizing her wrist before she could walk away from him. "Stay."
The sincerity in his voice stopped her, but the feel of his strong fingers roughened by battles made her skin tingle unexpectedly. Sliding back into her seat, her eyes met his.
"What?" there was no emotion in her voice. Once again she was guarded.
Finally releasing her slender wrist, Angel asked a question of his own. "Why me?" He truly wanted to know. Granted he and Cordelia had been a part of the same group for a while, fighting the good fight right alongside the slayer. But of all the men that were surely clamoring to be a part of her life, why him?
A million answers raced through her head. Because he was her last hope. Because her friends were truly just sheep who wouldn’t help her, but see this as an opportunity to overthrow the queen. Because Xander, the only boy who had meant something to her, had broken her trust. Because there was no danger of her falling in love with a vampire, even one with a soul. And there was certainly no danger of him falling out of love with Buffy. He was safe. But most of all because he was still there. Even after everything she had told him, he hadn’t run for the hills. He was still sitting across from her looking like he actually cared.
But none of those answers passed her lips. Hazel eyes met brown ones and she gave the answer that encompassed it all. "Because you know what it’s like to be terrified and alone." Her voice was little more than a whisper, as she hastily brushed away an escaping tear.
The decision became crystal clear in that moment. There was no choice to be made. Reaching across the expanse of the small table, he grasped her fingers, and finally answered her proposal. "Yes".
***
There was no time for grand gestures or beautiful bouquets and music selections. This wasn’t going to be a wedding built on undying love and trust, but rather a hastily thrown together affair with a crusty old justice of the peace and his equally old wife as the witness. There was only time to stop at his home for a change of clothes because as Cordelia had adamantly stated as they left the bar, "Jeez Angel, this is my wedding day. And while the dark cape may be appropriate for all the nefarious activities of your kind, it is in no way suitable for this occasion " looking at him as if he was completely ignorant to the proper etiquette for the forced marriage. Angel could do nothing but roll his eyes and stay silent as he drove his place and then to hers. Because God forbid Cordelia Chase didn’t wear a white dress when she got married. Life altering crisis or not, Vera Wang would not be denied.
Angel had to smile at her tenacity as he watched her descend the trellis from her house laden with an overnight bag and a garment bag. She was a fighter. How could he not help her? For the first time since he returned from hell, he felt useful. Since he had been back, his relationship with Buffy…no he couldn’t think of her now.
***
Angel took an unnecessary breath and ran his hand through his spiky hair as he stood next to the man who would marry him. Marry him?! Holy shit, what had he gotten himself into?
"I know the feeling son…" the old man began, patting Angel reassuringly on the shoulder. "…when I married my gal all those years ago, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, I was so scared."
Cry. Definitely cry.
"But when I saw Bess in that white dress, the world could have been ending, and I would have stayed because I knew I found heaven."
Angel couldn’t help but smile slightly at his words. But this was different. This was something neither of them wanted. This wasn’t heaven, this was going to be…
And then he saw her. If Angel had breath, it would have been knocked out of him when Cordelia entered the room. He had never seen anyone so stunning. The simple strapless dress hugged every curve and fanned out slightly at her feet. The white of the dress contrasted her smooth tan skin, the chocolate waves of her hair fell lovingly down her back.
"Beautiful." The word escaped his lips before he could stop himself. His body and mind were reacting in unexpected ways to this beautiful girl walking slowly towards him. It was as though with each step she took closer to him, this seemed more right. Looking into her eyes, he gave a reassuring smile.
Whoa doggie. Angel looked damn good. His black on black ensemble made the butterflies in Cordelia’s stomach take flight. And did he just say ‘beautiful’? And was that a smile? With each step she took, there seemed to be a tug, a forming connection, pulling her closer.
Finally they stood face to face. His hand slipped into hers. And the fear was gone.
The words swirled around them, but the world seemed to shrink into this moment and there was nothing but the two of them. It was as if something powerful…mystical was happening.
They exchanged vows without prompting, the words flowing from their lips as if they had always known the words. As if this was meant to be. Cordelia’s fingers instinctively laced with his.
"With this ring, I thee wed…" there was no nerves, no shaking, as Cordelia slid the platinum ring – courtesy of her heartless parents—on to Angel’s left hand. There was a feeling of losing herself in his eyes…of falling. Angel definitely wasn’t "safe" at this moment.
Angel repeated the vow, slipping the multi-carat diamond on her slender finger. Raising his eyebrow, he silently questioned its acquisition, with a slight smirk. "They owed me", she whispered to him conspirationally.
With a tenderness that caught her off guard, Angel raised her fingers to his lips, brushing a soft kiss along the sparkling diamond.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife." Looking from the bride to the groom, the justice noticed that all traces of uncertainty gone. The young man did look like he wanted to run, but like he wanted to devour the young woman. "You may kiss…"
Before the justice finished the words, Angel moved in. The need to taste her was overwhelming, rising in the pit of his stomach and taking over his soul. Angel groaned lightly, as he watched her tongue dart out to lick her lips. And then he kissed her.
Cool lips pressed against soft smooth ones. Jesus, she tastes like peaches. Clutching Angel’s back, she pulled him closer. His tongue slipped through her parted lips, allowing him to taste all of her.
An intense energy consumed the couple, taking over their beings, infusing their bodies and their minds. With each moment that passed, the connection seemed to grow deeper, the bond further cemented.
Pulling apart Angel gazed down at his wife. Her cheeks were flushed and her chest was rising and falling rapidly with each breath. God, she was beautiful. Something just happened. Something big. And looking into Cordelia’s wide hazel eyes, there was no denying she felt it to.
"A..Angel?" Cordelia asked hesitantly.
"I’m not sure." Angel answered her unasked question…what the hell was that?
Part 3
"Angel"
No answer.
"Angel?!"
No answer. The vampire at her side drove in silence, ignoring her attempt at conversation and finding out just where they were going.
After the ceremony he had gotten an intense look on his face and for a moment had become still as he stood facing her. And then as if he made some silent decision, he had grabbed her hand and pulled her along to the car. Now Cordelia sat next to her new husband, feeling shut out and annoyed by his lack of recognition. Yup, she was definitely married.
Dammit, she would not be ignored. Cordelia Elizabeth …wait, what was her last name now? Oh well, she would deal with that later, right now she wanted to know what the hell was going on with her husband.
"Ow" Angel started and glared at his new wife. She pinched him. And it hurt. "What the hell is your problem, Cordelia?"
"I want to know where the hell you’re taking me. Because let me tell you, if you’re getting any ideas of taking me to some vamp motel and consummating this little marriage, you can just…"
Angel couldn’t take any more, he had to stop this little diatribe. "Would you shut up." He cut her off. If looks could kill, he would be dust right now. "We need to figure out what happened back there."
"Pfft. Don’t be paranoid Angel. Nothing happened." Off his incredulous look, she amended. "Ok, ok, maybe a little something happened. But who wouldn’t get a little swept away while kissing me?"
"Cordelia, it was more than that. It felt…it felt as if…." He couldn’t put it into words. But it was as if his new bride had touched his soul.
Resigned, Cordelia slumped against the seat. "I know" she whispered. She knew all too well what could not be described. The feeling that had consumed her for that moment as his mouth devoured hers. At that moment it was all she could do not to give herself to him right there and then.
She shuddered at the thought. This was Angel. Buffy’s Angel. That was a fact. And he was doing her a favor, plain and simple. He was a vampire, for christ’s sake. All grr, and brooding, and dark…and tall, and devilishly handsome, and god, his lips…Cordelia stopped herself. Angel was right, something was definitely wrong and they needed to figure this out. Now.
"Giles’" he answered, glancing over at the now quiet young woman.
"What?"
"We’re going to Giles’."
"Angel, I don’t know about that." She was wary of telling anyone about their situation. It wouldn’t bode well for her health. And having the slayer rip her a new one, wasn’t high on Cordelia’s list of things to do.
"It’s the only way. He’s the only one who will know…I don’t know…something." Angel had to figure this out. Because Cordelia was affecting him. Just the scent of her, and the warmth of her body next to his, the feel of her nipples pressed against his chest when he held her, and the taste of her lips….
"Did you just growl?" pressing herself further against the passenger door, Cordelia eyed the vampire suspiciously.
"What?! No." He lied. They had to see Giles immediately. "Giles is the only one who may have some answers." Angel added, changing the subject.
"Well what do you plan on telling him?" she questioned sarcastically. "Giles, even though you’re my girlfriend’s father figure, I was hoping you could tell me why my new wife and I couldn’t keep our hands off eachother."
Cordelia was right, it was ridiculous. But she was also wrong about one thing, "She’s not my girlfriend. Not anymore" Angel felt the need to make that point clear.
"Pfft, whatever." With a roll of her eyes, Cordelia dismissed Angel’s words. She knew that if given the opportunity, he would still be with the slayer.
"Cordelia…" he warned. Anger flashed in his eyes. But Cordelia continued, despite his glare.
"Oh please Angel. Like you want miss likes to fight to find out about our little arrangement. Lie to yourself, but do me a favor and don’t lie to me."
He had no response. He didn’t want Buffy to find out about this. But at the same time, he was on an emotional rollercoster with Buffy. And more and more, he just wanted off the ride.
Pulling his eyes away from the defiant brunette at his side, he pressed his foot on the gas and sped toward Giles’ place…toward an answer.
***
"What the bloody hell…" It was nearly four a.m. Who on God’s green earth would be pounding on his door at this hour. Shaking off the last vestiges of sleep and tightening the knot on his robe, Giles’ made his way to the front door.
"Cordelia" needless to say, Giles was more than a little surprised to see the young brunette standing in his doorwary, wearing…His thoughts were interrupted by the dark figure that stepped out of the shadows and stood by the girl’s side. "What the hell are you doing here?" Giles snapped. His anger could not be contained. How dare this bastard darken his door.
Angel looked away, shame and guilt filling his features as they always did when he had to face this man. A man whose life he had ruined by killing his love. Cordelia looked from one man to the next. This was going to be difficult, but it had to be done.
"Giles, please." Her voice was pleading. "Invite us in."
Pulling his glare away from the vampire, he fixed his eyes on Cordelia. He had sworn that he would never invite that murderer into his home again, but the tone of the girl’s voice…it was so desperate. After a few moments Giles relented.
"Come in" he invited cautiously, stepping aside to allow Cordelia and then Angel to enter his home. His untrusting eyes followed the vampire as he went to stand next to the brunette. Tension consumed the room. Cordelia sympathized with Giles’ anger, but the guilt on Angel’s face was tearing at her heart.
"Sorry for disturbing you, but we need your help". Cordelia always cut to the chase.
Giles looked at the couple before him. His eyes questioning their sudden appearance, and well…their appearance. Angel in a suit and Cordelia in a…
"Cordelia, are you wearing a …"
"Wedding dress? Yes." She continued past his shocked expression. "Angel and I…" looking to her husband and then back at the confused watcher, she sighed and hurried to get the words out, "…we got married."
"You what?! Are you insane?" What had they done.
"It’s a long story." Angel spoke for the first time. Pushing past his feelings of guilt, he continued facing Giles and looking him in the eye for the first time. "We came because something happened during the ceremony…"
"You bastard. How could you?" not waiting for an explanation, Giles let his carefully surpressed anger at the vampire boil over. "How could you do this to this girl? She’s a child, have you absolutely no shame."
"Giles, its not like that…" Cordelia tried to explain. But Giles would not be deterred.
"You murder you maim, and all the while you continue to profess your *love* for Buffy and yet here you stand married to this girl. You never loved Buffy. And all this time you were going behind her back..."
"Giles, stop it!" Cordelia had heard enough. She knew Giles had a right to his anger, but not now. Right now they needed his help. Silence enveloped the room once again. "Giles…" Cordelia began with a sigh, walking over to the incensed watcher. "Giles, Angel is doing this because I asked him to…" glancing over her shoulder, she exchanged glances with the silent vampire.
"Cordelia, how could you?"
A sardonic laugh escaped her lips. If only Giles knew the whole story. But they didn’t have time for that now.
"Be angry at us tomorrow. Right now you need to know two things. One, Angel and I are married…" ignoring his attempt to interrupt and his angry glare, she continued, "…and two, something happened during the ceremony. It was like an energy. Like…" her voice trailed off, at a loss for words just as Angel had been earlier.
Giles slumped against the sofa. Oh, God what had he done. He had wanted to protect Buffy, but…
"When the words are spoken and the bond is made, the curse will be forever permanent, bound to the keeper of the vampire’s vow. And emotions once felt will run deeper with each passing day." Giles finished on a whisper. He couldn’t look at either of them, as they absorbed the information. He found the prophecy months ago, and his decided to keep silent. He had reasoned that if Angel and Buffy truly loved one another they would find their way back to eachother, without the prophecy. And if not…then it wasn’t meant to be.
Angel stood immobile his soul swelling with joy and just as quickly, filled with despair and anger. As he replayed Giles words, words that he had fucking *memorized*, there was nothing left but pain.
"Giles, what are you talking about. What do you mean?" Cordelia was confused. Giles was spouting off some prophecy from some musty old scroll. What did that have to do with what they felt at the ceremony…"Oh my God."
Realization dawned on her. That feeling when they kissed, that was his soul being bound. A radiant smile lit up her face as she turned to the silent vampire. "Angel, your soul is permanent." Without a second thought she threw her arms around him, pressing her cheek to the soft material of his shirt. This was so amazing, he could finally be happy. Wait. Why wasn’t he hugging her back?
"Angel, didn’t your hear what Giles said? Your soul is bound. No Angelus." Pulling away to look into his eyes, Cordelia shivered at dark emotions swirling in the amber orbs. Looking from one man to the next, trying to read the silent battle that was being fought. Turning back to Giles, she continued,
"Giles, how did you know? I mean usually you have to research for days…" she began with a smile on her face, but as understanding fell upon her like a ton of bricks, the smile slipped from her face. "You knew?" Walking over to the silent watcher who refused to answer her question. "That’s it right? You knew this whole time that Angel’s soul could be bound and you didn’t say anything? How could you?"
"Buffy." Angel began with bitterness, his cold eyes pinning the watcher in place. "Because he couldn’t take the chance that we would be together. That Buffy and I would make that commitment." There was a sadness in his voice that went straight to Cordelia’s heart.
"So you kept this from him. From them both." Cordelia was stunned and disappointed in Giles. She never thought he would do something like that.
"I did what was best for Buffy." Giles insisted. He would not feel guilty about this. The vampire deserved no happiness.
"What was best for Buffy, or what was best for you?" Angel questioned as he faced the watcher. "You wanted vengeance and you got it." He had killed Ms. Calendar, and Giles had withheld the means to any happiness. "It’s a fair trade I suppose, my soul for her life."
There was nothing left to be said. Cordelia turned from Giles and approached her husband. For now, he was her husband and she would be there for him.
Angel felt her small warm hand on his face. The soft caress and the softness in her eyes pulled him away from his thoughts of Giles and back to the present.
"Angel, lets go" Taking his hand and twining their finger, they walked out without a backward glance, leaving the Giles alone to deal with what he had done.
Part 4
The silence was deafening and swallowing the atmosphere in the car whole. Cordy spared a cautious glance at the vampire sitting next to her. The tension in his body rolled off of him in waves, and even with his stare steadfastly glued to the road ahead of him, Cordelia could still see the intense anger and sadness in his eyes. She couldn't control the shiver that rippled through her body.
"Are you cold?" Noticing her shiver, he quickly shuttered his emotions, wanting to quash any fear. "Do you want me to put the top up?"
His voice betrayed nothing of what they had just learned from Giles. Like flipping a switch, Angel had concealed all traces of the obvious pain he must be feeling. But Cordelia knew better.
"No, Angel. I'm fine". She searched his face, for something, anything. She almost wished he would yell, scream, vamp out...just something. But the total lack of emotion was scaring her.
"Angel..." her voice was beseeching.
Sensing the oncoming topic of conversation, Angel instantly tensed. "I don't want to talk about it Cordelia."
"Angel, you can't pretend that nothing happened."
"Cordelia..." there was a definite warning in his voice and it said loud and clear that she should back off.
"Look, you have to deal with this..."
"..."
Turning to face the tense figure beside her, Cordelia took a deep breath, summoning up her courage and silencing the internal voice that said not the push an angry vampire too far.
"I know what Giles did to you was...well, there are no words. But you have to do something! You have to tell Buffy." *Wow, that hurt to say*
"Tell her what exactly Cordelia?" The withering glare sent her way, had Cordelia rethinking her statement.
He was right-- tell her what exactly? That they were married. That his soul was bound. But oops...it's only bound to her, his wife. Nope that wouldn't go over well at all. Slumping against the leather seat, Cordelia was overwhelmed with guilt for getting Angel into this in the first place. *God, how selfish can I be?* Tears pricked her eyes.
Angel could smell the salt from her unshed tears, and his anger deflated immediately.
"Cordelia..." Instinctively, his hand reached out to grasp her slender fingers.
The gentle touch of his fingers on hers and the softness of his voice, only compounded her guilt. Hastily brushing away the tears from her eyes, the young bride continued to stare out the passenger window. She couldn't look at him and the see the pain that she had caused by dragging him into the nightmare of a life that she was living.
"Please, look at me." Angel entwined their fingers and squeezed her smaller hand with his. Something in his soul urged him to reach out to her, wanting desperately to comfort her.
Slowly she turned, and his unneeded breath caught in his throat. The light from the moon bathed her silhouette. Her skin glowed and her hazel eyes glistened. *Damn, she was beautiful.* But he saw more in those eyes that stared back at him beneath the long lashes. It was filled with something he knew his own eyes held on display for all those who took time to notice -- guilt.
"I'm sorry, Angel." Her simple whispered words tore at his heart.
"Baby, it's okay", the endearment slipped naturally from his lips and wrapped around her heart like a warm blanket. "This is not your fault. You have nothing to be sorry for."
Cordelia shook her head in denial. How could he say it wasn't her fault? This whole fucked up situation was her fault.
"Listen to me." Resolutely, he continued. "We'll make it through this, okay? We're in this together, and we'll make it through." A whisper of a small soothed her burdened conscience.
"Okay." Cordelia finally whispered, squeezing his hand that still clasped her own.
A soft smile graced her face, and for the first time, she actually believed that she -- no they would be fine.
***
The night seemed to last forever. There was only a couple of hours ‘til dawn, but Angel and Cordelia, had one last task to conquer before they could call it a night-- packing Cordelia's things. And, geez, what a task it was. Angel looked at the growing pile of designer clothes on the bed that had yet to be folded and placed in the suitcase. Sighing, he continued the task at hand, trying to diminish the pile, as Cordelia did her part by making continuous trips to the walk in closet only to return with enough items to clothes a small village.
Dropping another armload of clothing on the bed, the cheerleader exhaled in exhaustion. "That's it" she whispered to the still vampire, who was for some reason glaring at the clothes as if the look alone could cause them to combust.
"What?" she questioned, when the glare was turned in her direction.
"Is all this stuff really necessary Cordelia?" Angel whispered harshly, his hands grabbing several items and tossing them to the bed once again, indicating just how useless he thought this all was.
"Geez, Angel its not *that* much." His look told her he wasn't convinced. "I know that you with your vast array of black and...well, more black attire, can't understand the concept of variety. But trust me, each piece is absolutely necessary."
Angel was tired and fed up. "We are not taking all of this, Cordelia. There is no way to get it all out of your window without waking the dead."
"Well..." she began, a witty comment on the tip of her tongue.
"Don't even." With a wave of his hand, he silenced her sarcastic reply.
Cordelia knew he was right. But there had to be a way. "This is it Angel..." the sadness of the situation coated her voice. "This is all I have left."
The vampire watched her move around the bed, running her hands over the silks and cashmeres, as if remembering what her life had been like before tonight, before her parents had turned her world upside down. There was a nostalgic look in her hazel eyes and she finally stood across from him.
"I know it's silly..." shrugging her shoulders, but hoping for understanding, "...but this all that's left of my life here. I...I just...I just want to take something with me." She beseeched him with her eyes.
Angel crumbled. "Fine." Angel got the distinct feeling that giving into his wife's wishes was something he should plan on getting used to. Denying her was quickly becoming less and less of an option.
A sincere smile consumed her features and consumed Angel's soul. Walking quickly over the silent vampire, Cordelia quickly brushed a kiss against his cheek. "Thank you, Angel."
Before he had time to process what happened, Cordelia had grabbed a couple pieces from the bed and retreated into the bathroom. Angel touched his cheek with the tips of his fingers, still able to feel the warmth from where her soft lips had pressed, oh so briefly against his skin.
Finally, able to move from his spot, Angel walked over to her dresser intending to begin packing all the small items. Perfume...jewelry...makeup...passion fruit lipgloss. Wait. Angel read the label on the small tube once again. Passion fruit. In his minds eye he could picture soft shiny lips, covered in the sweet taste of passion, parted slightly, begging to be devoured. His burgeoning arousal had the vampire shifting slightly. Quickly dropping the item back on the dresser, Angel turned and was stunned into stillness.
There she stood, the slightly ajar bathroom door, giving the vampire a tantalizing view of the girl he now called his wife. His mind told him this wasn't right, but his demon and soul were in agreement -- not even an apocalypse could drag him away from this spot. As if in slow motion, her slender fingers dipped past her waist, completing the task of unzipping the satin gown. Her smooth skin of her back, completely exposed to his gaze. His breath caught as the dress began to fall, revealing scraps of scarlet lace covering assets that his fingers itched to touch. *Wasn't it traditional for a bride to be completely bathed in white?* Allowing his eyes to soak in her glowing skin, the chocolate waves of her long hair kissing her shoulders, and the soft blood red lace hugging her curves, he came to the realization that Cordelia Chase was anything but traditional.
Angel swore his heart began to beat when the astonishing beauty reached behind her to open the delicate clasp. He waited what seemed like an eternity, and then...
"Cordelia? Are you in there? Open this door right now!" Her father's angry voice permeated the room.
Her rapid heart beat and increased breathing thundered through Angel's ears. The sound was almost deafening.
"Oh God, oh God." Cordelia scrambled to pull her clothes on. Stepping out of the bathroom, she caught the vampire's eyes. She had to get Angel out of here before her father found him. There would be hell to pay.
Angel could actually see the trembling in her limbs. Cordy was beyond scared; she was terrified of the man on the other side of the door. And that just pissed Angel off.
Trying to force the door open, the voice was heard again, "Dammit Cordelia. Open up, now!" It was as if the devil himself was after the girl, her eyes darted, looking for an escape.
"Angel...the bathroom." She pushed futily against the solid wall of the vampire's chest in an attempt to hide him the other room. Steely cold eyes looked down at her. Arms crossed, feet planted slightly apart, Angel told her without words that he was not moving.
"Please." Hazel eyes begged, her hands wrung together, the fear marring her beautiful features.
The beseeching tone of her voice, the tremble of her lips and the wet glaze in her eyes tore at his soul. Angel decided in that moment that he would do anything for her. Anything, but this.
The vampire's gentle fingers tipped Cordelia's chin, forcing her eyes to his. "I'm not leaving you." The soft voice and softer caress, instantly penetrated her fear and calmed the girl. Angel would not leave her to face this heartless creature alone. His demon demanded he confront the man who would sell his own daughter...no, *his* wife, to the highest bidder. And everything in him agreed.
A tentative smile of thanks spread across her face. Taking a deep breath, Cordelia turned and opened her bedroom door...
Continue on...