nothing fancy - just fic

Title: Altruism In the Face of ‘Eww…’
Author: SamLuvsHarrison
Posted: 01-17-2002
Summary: This is my obligatory post Birthday fic. Lyrics are from ‘Vida Blue’ by All.
Feedback: is my drug of choice.


****
Take me down the road
To a place I’ve never been before
Open up my eyes
Show me colors that I’ve never seen
Open up your mouth
Give me perfect words I’ve never heard


****

“Wait, I don’t understand”

Fred raised her hand slowly, causing Cordelia to stop. She had spent the past twenty minutes telling the very attentive group around her the story of her astral journey sans disturbance until then. She let out an audible sigh of frustration at Fred’s interruption.

“What?” She asked.

“How did you get the visions back from Angel?” Fred asked, now somewhat embarrassed for interrupting.

Cordelia gave Angel a quick look before turning back to Fred.

“Oh, I um, sorta kissed him. It was a thing. You had to be there” She shrugged.

“So Cordy’s a demon now…” Gunn mused, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair.

“Part demon” Cordelia corrected.

Angel shifted awkwardly in his seat.

“You kissed me?”

His question went ignored by all.

“Same thing” Gunn scoffed.

“No its not…I’m sure there is a very big difference. God I hope there is a very big difference” Cordelia shuddered. Fred gave her a supportive pat on the back.

“So was it like a peck…?” Angel continued, this time gaining the attention of Cordelia.

“No” She stated simply, before turning back to Wesley. Angel smirked slightly, but quickly reverted to his heavy contemplation face.

“You mentioned that this process is gradual…do you know what it will entail?” Wesley asked.

Gunn grabbed a pencil off the desk in front of him, wiggling it in front of his eyes.

“I hope its not more floating…that gets creepy damn fast” He said, his eyes still fixed on his bobbing writing utensil.

“So then it was like…” Angel said, motioning with his hands, signaling something of a grander scale. He continued to motion, as if someone was actually watching.

“I have no idea. Skip said something about making the vision pain look like a ‘stroll down Candyland’…”

“Hey! I used to play Candyland when I was little.” Fred interrupted, “ Well, there was that one time but the molasses swamp gave me nightmares and my mom had to sell it at a yard sale…” She trailed off, noticing everyone’s blank stares. “Sorry.”

“Anyway…there was something about me never being able to lead a normal human life again…its really a non issue” Cordelia stated nonchalantly.

Her contention caused Angel to finally snap back into reality.

“Whoa, hold up here. I think that is a major issue.” He said. Cordelia shook her head.

“No, its not”

“Cordelia, you’re going to be in more pain than ever before…” He argued.

“Yeah well, contrary to popular belief, I am not just some rich girl from Sunnydale…” She said, pushing herself off the wall she had been leaning against. “ You’re not the only one who gets the big purpose, Angel”

Cordelia stormed off, leaving a very confused Angel behind.

****
He stood for a moment in the doorway, watching her on the bench in the courtyard. She was looking up at the sky, her hands fumbling with something Angel couldn’t make out. He walked up to the bench and took a seat next to her.

“Can we talk?”

“Sure” She said, still playing with what Angel now recognized as a necklace.

He smiled, motioning to it.

“You opened my gift”

“Ya, Fred found it when she was cleaning up the glass from the weapons cabinet. Its beautiful, Angel. I love it” She said. He took it from her and carefully fastened it around her neck.

“Its… an Irish Wolfhound pendent.” He began, pointing to the design, “ They’re ancient Celtic symbols of loyalty, courage, and unconditional love. See how its a double band?”

She nodded.

“Well, that is supposed to represent the number 4…the elements, the seasons, the directions on a compass. It means wherever or whenever you are, whatever you’re facing…you’re connected to the person who gave it to you”

Cordelia leaned in closer.

“Can I let you in on a little secret?”

Angel nodded.

“Its my favorite present…” She whispered. Angel broke into a wide grin.

“But don’t tell Gunn. He’s really proud of that Ronco Showtime Rotisserie he got me” She chuckled.

“I’m sorry about earlier. I had no right to yell at you”

“No you didn’t”

“Its just…when you had that vision, and you were laying unconscious on my bed and there was nothing I could do about it…I was petrified”

“Angel…” Cordelia began. He motioned for her to stop.

“I know I should be furious that you didn’t keep your perfect life…but I can’t help but be incredibly thankful that you didn’t. I know that’s insanely selfish…”

“Its not. This is where I want to be”

She grabbed his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

“I mean, you gave up your dream for me”

“It’s not always about you, Angel…”

He shot her a knowing look.

“…Ok, so this time it was about you…but its not always”

Angel sighed, looking down at her hand. It still held his tightly.

“Are you scared?”

“Yeah…yeah I am” Cordelia replied honestly. She gave him a brave smile.

“Part demon…” He shook his head, incredulously.

“Yeah, well aren’t you the one always saying we should have more in common?”

Angel laughed.

“You know I didn’t mean the rich girl thing…there’s no one I respect more than you”

Cordelia patted his thigh and got up from the bench.

“Just remember that when my hair turns into snakes” She said as she made her way back into the Hyperion. Angel tagged behind.

“That could be kind of cute…” He said with a smirk. She stopped and faced him, folding her arms across her chest.

“Har har”

“Now about that kiss…” Angel began with a mischievous smile. Cordelia rolled her eyes.

“Cordelia? Angel? I thought I was the only one here” Wesley said, walking into the room.

“Where are Gunn and Fred?” Cordelia asked. Wesley shrugged.

“I’m not sure. They left in quite a hurry. Something about a 12 pound turkey and being able to ‘set it and forget it’”

End.