Title: Rearranged
Author: rousedower
Posted: 01-03-2002
Rating- PG-16
Disclaimer- I don't own these characters. Joss Whedon and friends do.
Summary- My take on the little discussion on the AtS forum, where Angel is faced with the reality of Buffy/Spike and the possibility of Cordy/Spike.
Notes- I'm not exactly a S/Ber. I will try to be fair to them though.
Distribution- If anyone wants this, just PM me.
Spoilers- BTVS S6, Smashed and Wrecked particularly. ATS S2&3.
Part 1 (of 3)
"Well, well, well. If it isn't pretty little Cordelia Chase."
She grabbed at her chest in fear. "Spike! What are you doing here outside of Buffy's house?"
"I think the question is, what are YOU doing here?" He looked around and noticed someone missing. "And without your guard dog?"
"Huh?", she raised her eyebrows in confusion.
"The Poof.", said the vampire as he rolled his eyes.
"Oh. Angel. He's back in LA."
"And he let you come to Sunnyhell ALONE?", Spike drawled.
"Well, he doesn't exactly KNOW I'm here.", Cordelia nervously tucked her hair behind her ear.
"How about that! Lying to Peaches. I knew there was a reason why I always liked you." He sounded impressed, and lit up a cigarette. "Why are you here?"
"It's none of your business.", she stated bluntly.
Spike took a drag of his cigarette. "Ahh but it is. This is MY town now, and you're trespassing. So spill it."
She sighed. "I had a vision."
"A vision, eh? When did you become psychic?", he asked with slight amusement.
"Long story there. I need to see Buffy."
He started, "Why?"
"She's losing it."
"Ah Hell, I could've told you that."
--
"When's Cordy getting back from visiting her Mom in San Fransisco?"
Wesley looked up from his morning paper for the third time in less than an hour, which he hadn't had the chance to finish once Cordelia left and Angel kept bothering him by asking the same question over and over. "I believe she said it'd be a few days Angel, and she's only been gone a few hours."
"I just can't believe that after all this time and not one word from her mother, Cordy wants to see her."
"Well she is her mother.", the ex-Watcher attempted to inconspicuously continue the Word Jumble.
"I guess. But didn't it seem like Cordy was acting weird?"
"You mean weirder than usual?"
"She's not weird. OK maybe she is a little, but that's what I like about her."
"Apparently, there are quite a few things you like about her."
Angel looked at Wesley with a guilty expression. "Uhh-"
Wesley smirked.
"Ok. I get it. I'm annoying you, so you're annoying me. I'll let you get back to your Word Jumble."
"I'm not doing the Word Jumble. I'm trying to read.", Wesley adamantly denied.
"Sure.", he chuckled. Angel made his way out of Wesley's office and over to Cordelia's desk. He lifted her coffee mug which she had left on her desk, without rinsing it out, and studied the lip stick ring on it.
He gently brushed his thumb over her mark. She'd only been gone a few hours and he already missed her. He was also worried. He didn't exactly know what kind of a relationship Cordy has with her parents, but since she almost never spoke of them and they hardly ever called to check on her, he figured it wasn't a very good one.
Maybe there was a family emergency. Cordy had been very tight lipped about the whole thing. She was usually very private when it came to matters like that, but something was still eating at him.
He reached over to the company's answering machine. He wanted to hear her voice, even if it was only through the greeting message.
He fumbled with the machine a bit, trying to figure out which was the right button to push, when he finally settled on one.
"Buffy? This is Cordelia. Are you there? I have to speak to you it's really important. Buffy? Listen, I'm on my way. I have to see you. If you get this message before I arrive, don't call back looking for me. I don't want Angel finding out. Ok? Bye."
Angel stared at the machine with a wrinkled brow. "What the Hell was that about?", he asked to himself out loud.
"Wesley?!"
--
Cordelia rang the door bell to Buffy's house. A few seconds later, a young girl opened the door.
"Hi.", she chirped.
Cordelia blinked in confusion. "Hi. Is Buffy home?"
"Yeah, but she doesn't really want any visitors. Spike, you already knew that."
"I know, Niblet."
"Who's your friend?", the little one asked.
"I'm NOT his friend. I'm Cordelia."
"Oh Cordelia Chase? I've heard about you. I'm Dawn."
"Oh! I've heard about you too. I see you've got the looks in the family."
She blushed. "I'm sorry, but Buffy really doesn't want to see anyone. Especially you Spike. I'm not allowed to let anyone in."
"Yeah, the uninvite spell sort of tipped me off.", Spike slightly frowned.
"Well, this is just too important. You have to let me in."
"I can't Cordelia."
"Please. Trust me. I'm here to help your sister."
Dawn bit her lip in contemplation. She knew she really shouldn't, but Buffy has been acting crazy these last few weeks. She was scared. And this Cordelia seemed pretty confident she could help. Reluctantly, Dawn conceded.
"Ok. Come in."
Cordelia entered and Spike stopped short.
"Spike..."
"It's alright, Niblet."
"Come in."
Spike's eyes widened in surprise, and he slowly stepped inside.
"Where is she?", Cordy asked.
"In her room."
Cordelia and Spike made their way up the stairs to her room. Pausing outside of her door, Cordelia turned to Spike, "I think you should wait out here."
"I have more of a right to be here than you do."
"Why is that?"
Spike didn't want to tell anyone about how Buffy used him. It was too embarassing. And hurtful.
"I've put up with the Slayer's crap for the last three years, while you and Peaches were off shacking up in LA."
"We weren't, and are not, shacking up."
"Whatever. I'm not going anywhere."
"Fine. But if she takes it upon herself to stake you, I'm not gonna try and stop her."
She knocked on the door and was met with silence. "Buffy? It's Cordy."
"Go away."
"Open the door."
"No."
"I'm warning you, I've gotten stronger since the old days and I could probably kick this door down."
She heard a soft click. When the door didn't open, she took the initiative and opened it herself.
What she saw made her gasp. The room was dark and messy, and Buffy was huddled in a corner with a string of garlic and a cross hanging around her neck, plus a stake in her hand.
"Oh boy", the Seer muttered.
Spike stepped in beside Cordelia.
The Slayer recoiled in fear, "Keep him away from me!"
Part 2 (of 3)
"Keep him away!"
Spike jerked back and averted his eyes from the cross. "That's not a problem, Pet."
"Don't call me that! Call me Slayer or... Bitch."
Cordelia looked from Buffy to Spike in confusion. "Buffy, this is Spike. Since when are you afraid of him? How many times have you kicked his ass?"
"He's evil. He turns everything he touches into evil."
"Ok." Cordy turned to Spike. "You. Out. Now." She gave him no room to argue. She roughly shoved him out and then locked the door.
She regarded Buffy and noticed she was shaking. "What's up with you?"
"Cordy, what are you doing here?", she whispered.
"I had a vision. What happened?"
She lowered her head. "I don't- I don't want to talk about it."
"Is it Giles?"
"Giles?" Buffy's head snapped up in attention.
"Yeah. We heard he went to England. Do you miss him or something?"
"Yes."
"That's what this is all about?"
"Yes. No. I don't know. I don't know what's wrong with me." She curled up into a ball.
--
"Wesley?!"
"What the bloody Hell is it Angel?", he came running into the lobby.
"Cordelia..."
Wesley sighed, "How many times do I have to tell you, she'll be back in a few days."
"No not that. This."
Angel replayed the message for Wesley.
"So?"
"So? She lied. She didn't go see her mother. She went to Sunnydale!" Angel threw the machine across the room in anger.
Wesley flinched, then pushed up his glasses. "I think you should calm down."
"I knew something was wrong. Cordy was too nervous.", he paced as he ran his hand through his hair in frustration.
"But why would she lie?"
"Knowing her, it was to protect me.", the vampire roughly grabbed his duster and stalked towards the door.
"Angel, where are you going?"
"Where do you think? Sunnydale."
--
"Buffy, try and relax."
"I'm not human.", she blurted out.
Cordy stilled. "What do you mean?"
"I came back wrong."
"You're scaring me here."
"Spike said so himself."
She rolled her eyes. "Oh Spike said so. The guy's a first class liar. You know you can't believe anything he says."
"We had sex."
Cordy's complexion paled. "OK. So wasn't expecting that."
"It was dirty and disgusting and I hated it." Buffy kept mumbling to herself, thinking she was alone.
"There isn't enough bleach in the world to wash my eyes out if I had seen that in my vision." She crouched down next to Buffy on the floor. "So you hated the sex? I gotta admit, Spike seems like he would be a good lover. Very attentive to a woman's needs and all."
"I hated it, because I liked it." Buffy admitted in slight shame.
"Oh."
"Yeah."
"What brought it on?"
"We were fighting, as always. And then I just kissed him, and..."
"OK!" Cordy held up her hand cutting her off. "You don't have to elaborate. So this was about passion?"
"I think it was about... desperation."
Cordelia scrunched up her forehead. "When did you and Spike become so complicated?"
"It's been a very long three years, Cordelia."
Cordelia blew out a breath. "I know what you mean."
--
Spike sat on the hallway floor, leaning against Buffy's door for the last two hours with a smirk. He didn't want to eavesdrop, well he did, he was just trying not to. His vampiric hearing made that a little impossible though.
--
"You made a mistake. It could've happened to anyone."
"Would you ever have sex with Spike?", Buffy asked hopefully.
"Oh God no."
"You see.", the Slayer sighed.
"But it's not like I haven't made a mistake or two in my time. There was this guy, awhile back in LA. I really liked him and I thought he liked me. Turns out he was just using me so he could impregnate me with his demon seed."
"Wow. What happened?"
"Angel kicked his ass.", the Seer said pointedly.
"I've been there before myself. Freshman year."
"And?"
"Riley kicked his ass."
"See. It does happen. You can't keep hiding in your room. You have to talk to Spike."
"NO! What if... it happens again?"
"He's right outside. Do you think the two of you can hold out for a few minutes?"
Buffy shook her head. "I don't want to see him. I can't do this now."
"You're not gonna feel any better until you confront him."
"You don't know what he said to me the morning after. He's so cocky, he thinks it was that good."
Cordelia raised an eyebrow, "Don't you? Isn't that what this is about?"
Their attention was diverted by a car screeching to a halt outside, and Cordelia and Buffy went to the window.
"Oh my God, it's Angel! He's gonna be so pissed at me."
Cordy ran out of the room, and Buffy stared after her with a confused expression.
--
Angel rang the doorbell a few times impatiently, when it was suddenly pulled open in aggravation.
"May I help you?"
"Spike?!" Angel was taken aback. "What the Hell..?"
"Came looking for your little treat, eh?", Spike leered. "I was wondering when you'd show up, acting like a mad man."
"Where is she?", Angel slightly growled.
"She's right here. Hi, Angel." Cordelia peeked over Spike's shoulder with a little wave.
"Cordy...", the ensouled vampire breathed a sigh of relief as he gazed upon his Seer's face.
"I know, I know. I should've told you the truth. But... wait a sec! How'd you even know I was here?"
"I heard the message you left for Buffy on the answering machine in the Hyperion."
"You did? Damn. I must've accidentally hit the record button while I was calling. I was trying to do it fast, before you guys got back from killing that Matta demon, and I guess I got too distracted."
"Why did you lie?"
"I thought I could handle this on my own. I didn't want to upset you, what with Buffy dying and then miraculously coming back from the dead."
"Cordy, I appreciate you wanting to look out for me. But coming here alone, without letting any of us know, was very dangerous."
"Golly gee, Sir. Cordelia and I can still play together, can't we?", Spike asked in a mocking tone.
Angel narrowed his eyes at Spike. "Shut up."
"I'm sorry, but this is too funny. When did you become the Chit's father?"
"I'm not-"
"He's not-"
"Angel?"
They all slowly turned their eyes to find Buffy. She looked a fright.
"Oh my God! She came out of her room!", her little sister exclaimed.
"Dawn, you are in big trouble. Angel, come in."
He roughly pushed past Spike, and headed straight to Cordelia. He gently placed his hands on her shoulders, "Are you OK?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Buffy's the one who needed help."
Angel then turned his focus to the Slayer. "Are *you* OK?"
"I will be.", she spoke softly as she stared at Spike.
Angel noticed the look that passed between them. He also noticed two familiar scents. He could smell Buffy on Spike, and Spike on Buffy. His eyes flickered yellow and he pulled Buffy into the other room.
"Hmmm. I guess he figured it out."
"Figured what out, Love?", Spike asked with feigned ignorance.
"That you and Buffy bumped uglies."
"Oh! That's just great! She told you?!"
--
Angel let Buffy go, and tried to reign in his demon. She noticed the conflict on his face and tried to reassure him. "Angel. Please calm down. It's over."
"You had sex with Spike. God. And I thought it hurt when you were with that Riley guy."
"It was a one time thing, Angel. I can guarantee that it won't happen again."
"It shouldn't have happened in the first place!", an angry Angel suddenly yelled.
"You're right. But it did, and I have to deal with the consequences."
Angel stilled as that word ran through his mind. Consequences. He's been there.
"Besides, who are you to throw stones? Did you or did you not, sleep with that bitch Darla?"
He froze. "She told you." It wasn't a question.
"Oh yeah. She was pretty pissed about it too."
"I know. She wouldn't even let me near her when she found out. I hate it when Cordy's mad at me.", he slumped into a nearby chair.
Buffy raised an eyebrow at that. "So are *you* still mad?"
"I hate Spike."
"I know. So do I."
"He's always gotten his way, you know. Everything was always so simple for him. I used to secretly envy that. I still kind of do. He can be with you in the one way that I can't."
"Yeah, but what I did with Spike, is something I would never do with you. Because it wasn't like when I was with you. With Spike it was... well, I won't say it was meaningless, but it wasn't exactly meaningful either. There's just no comparison."
He briefly smiled.
"But you're wrong about everything being simple for Spike." She sat down next to him. "Brace yourself. He says he's in love with me."
"You've got to be kidding me!"
--
"What's the big deal?"
"The big deal, you stupid Bint, is that I didn't want anyone knowing how low I had sunk!"
"How low *you'd* sunk? Who was the one having a nervous breakdown over this?"
"And you think it's been easy for me?"
"I really don't care what it's been for you, Spike."
"Of course, no one ever cares about Spike. Spike doesn't have any feelings.", he ranted to himself.
Cordelia watched him pace with slight amusement. "Why are you referring to yourself in the third person?"
Spike stopped and turned his gaze to Cordelia. "Have you ever been in love with someone that didn't love you back?"
"Yes." She replied immediately.
"And it didn't make you love them any less. Did it?"
"No, it didn't.", she sadly agreed.
"The Poof would have to be out of his mind to not notice you."
Cordelia's pulse started to race. "I- I wasn't talking about Angel." She cleared her throat. "I was talking about... Xander. Xander."
"Right.", he smirked knowingly.
"You're talking about Buffy.", she accused.
"Ding, ding, ding! Give the Lady a prize!"
"No wonder she's freaking. You creeped her out."
"Creeped her out?" He took a few small steps towards her. "I always thought I was a good lover. Very attentive to a woman's needs."
Cordelia flushed. "You heard that?"
"Vamp hearing." He tapped at his ear's.
"Being around Angel for the last three years, you'd think I'd remember that and be more careful." She noticed Spike moving closer and closer to her. She backed up until she realized she was already up against the wall. "Spike, what are you doing?", she managed to squeak out.
"Getting back at her."
"What-", his lips were on her before she could get the rest of her query out. Whimpering, she attempted to shove him off of her. She heard Angel's growl and the next thing she knew Spike went flying across the room.
"Get off of her!"
Part 3 (of 3)
Buffy came running into the room at the ruckus, and saw the two vampires beating each other to a pulp. "What the Hell are you doing?!"
"Spike was attacking Cordy!"
Buffy took a look at Cordelia and noticed the disheveled hair and bruised lips. She seemed fine. A little dazed, but fine. Walking over to her, admist the thrashing Angel was giving Spike, she asked, "Are you OK?"
Cordelia mutely nodded as she watched Angel pummel Spike. "Angel. Angel!"
He finally paused as his name was called for the second time. Taking deep breaths, forcing his demon face to recede, he turned towards her.
"I think that's enough."
Angel had to fight the urge to rip Spike's head off. No one touched Cordelia. He left Spike a muddled mess on the floor. As Angel approached his Seer, he lifted his hand and gently brushed her lips with his thumb. It was as if he wanted to get rid of all traces of Spike. "Did he hurt you?"
"No. He was just trying to piss off Buffy. Too bad it backfired on him.", she mused. "He wound up pissing you off, instead."
Buffy glared at the fallen vampire. Walking up to him, she grabbed him by the ear and pulled him up off the floor and into the other room.
--
"Ow. Ow. Ow! Bloody Hell!"
"What do you think you're doing? Did you really think I'd be jealous or something?"
"Let go of me ear, you stupid Bitch!"
She shoved him away and watched him slide down the wall nursing his ear. Her lip curled up in disgust, "You're pathetic. Do you know that?"
"Yes."
She huffed, "Don't agree with me."
"What the Hell do you want from me?" Spike stumbled up against the wall. "We shag, then you lock yourself up in your room for the next two weeks. You won't speak to me, you won't let me come near you. Was it really that bad? And before you say 'yes', I overheard your conversation with the Cheerleader. You liked it. You liked it as much as I did."
"Yes, I did. But it *was* bad, Spike." Buffy licked her suddenly dry lips. "We were both in a pretty low place that night, and we both sort of took advantage of each other. Maybe you normally do things like that, but I don't. And the fact that you *don't* understand that, is why I've been avoiding you."
The vampire went still and narrowed his eyes. "You think I don't understand that you used me? I get that more than anyone else does, Pet. But there's a difference, I don't care."
"That's the problem, you should." She swallowed. "God Spike, I don't love you. I'm not even sure I like you all that much."
"Then why does what we did bother you?", he whispered.
--
"I'm gonna kill him. That's understood, right?"
"Angel, stop pacing."
"First, he sleeps with Buffy. Then he kisses you. Who does he think he is? Oh he's dead, he's so dead.", Angel unconsciously clenched and unclenched his fists.
"Buffy and Spike will sort things out. She'll be fine."
"He's not getting away with it."
"Not to be a stickler or anything, but Buffy's sex life is none of your business anymore."
"It's not fair.", Angel continued to rant to himself.
"I know. You can't be with Buffy because of the curse, and Spike doesn't have that problem."
"Huh?", he suddenly stopped his pacing.
"But maybe when you shanshu, you and Buffy can-"
"Cordy, what are you talking about?", the confused vampire interrupted.
"I understand you're angry about Buffy and Spike-"
"I'm not."
"You're not?"
"No. Well, I'm not thrilled about it. But, seeing him kiss YOU, that felt like being sucker punched, right in the gut." But when he said gut, he placed his hand over his heart.
"It's not like there were fireworks or anything.", she shyly mumbled.
"Good. Because at least then, I'll be the first for that."
"The first? It bothers you that he got to kiss me first?", she giggled.
He nodded.
"Gee Angel, all you had to do was maul me." She gave him a saucy grin, and he leaned forward to meet her full, sultry lips.
"Ahem.." A throat being cleared froze their actions. They both looked towards the sound, embarassed. "Are we interrupting?", Buffy asked with a slight grin.
"Yes."
"Angel!", Cordelia hissed and lightly smacked the back of his head. "Buffy, you OK?"
The blonde Slayer looked over her shoulder and locked eyes with Spike. "I'm getting there." Fixing her gaze on Angel, "Is there something you'd like to tell me?"
Looking down and shuffling his feet, he replied, "Buffy-"
"Another time."
Angel nodded at her in quiet agreement.
"Cheerleader, Poof... you know, sorry and everythin'."
Angel growled and took a step towards Spike, until he felt a warm hand enclose in his own cold one. Looking down at their joined hands, then at her beautiful smiling face, he continued, "Leave Buffy alone, Spike." The vampires continued to glare at each other and seemed to speak to one another with their eyes.
Buffy could sense the growing tension. "I appreciate you guys coming down here to help, but maybe you should be getting back."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, Cordelia."
"OK. Angel, come on." She tugged on his arm, and Buffy led them to the door.
Angel's eyes never left Spike's. "Buffy.."
"What?"
"Just remember... Spike's a killer."
"I know.", she whispered as she closed the door.
--
Outside, Angel and Cordelia walked to the car holding hands.
"Things have changed, huh?"
"Definitely."
"Would you ever have thought that Buffy and Spike would end up sleeping together?"
"No."
"Or that you and I would...", Cordelia trailed off.
"Would what?", they stopped once they reached the Plymouth.
"Would... I don't know."
"Me either. But it feels good, doesn't it?"
"Very good."
They smiled into each other's eyes, and kissed.
Fireworks.
END.