Title: Is It Love?
Author: Shamz_khan
Posted: 11-18-2003
Email: Soniarulez@hotmail.com
Rating: PG 13
Category:
Content: B/A, C/A, B/S, C/S friendship
Summary: What if instead of Groosalug, Buffy had came instead.
Spoilers: After Waiting In The Wings.
Disclaimer: The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
Distribution:
Notes: What if it was Cordelia who had feeling for Angel, rather than the other way round. The only people to know about this are Lorne and Fred. Cordelia is not a demon, still having visions.
Feedback: Yes please!
Thanks/Dedication:Part 5
"Angel!"
"Cordy." Angel replied without any emotion. He was beyond pissed off, mostly of himself. Angel tried to come into the room but was blocked by an invisible barrier.
"What you doing here? Is everything okay? Conner's okay right?" Cordelia stammered the first words that came out of her mouth.
"Everything is fine."
"What you doing here then?"
"What not pleased to see me?" Angel tried again to enter the room. "Cordy invite me in."
"Huh?"
"I can't enter the room. Invite me it."
"What? First tell why you here."
"I spoke to Skip......."
"Skip?!" Cordelia eyes widened. 'Oh god he knows!" Cordelia suddenly shut the door on Angel's face.
'Okay, I wasn't expecting that!" Angel looked confused. "Dammit Cordy open up!"
Cordelia, on the other side of the room was praying that this was nothing but a nightmare. She hoped that she would wake up any minute. The banging continued. Cordelia breathed in and made her way to the door. 'Dam Skip, I am so going to kill him.'
Slowly Cordelia opened the door. "Come in Angel."
Angel barely heard her, and made his way into the motel. He looked around the room. It was small, cramped barely enough for one person. Their was mess everywhere and empty boxes on the side. "Nice place," Angel spoke sarcastically.
"Funny."
"So how's your family?" Angel knew the truth, but wanted to know what she says.
'Maybe Angel doesn't know', Cordelia sighed in relief. "Oh there great. I just came back from their place, Sheila's looking much better."
"So your coming home soon?"
"I don't know, its too soon, she might need me."
"But you said that's she's getting better."
"I know but she needs me, I can't desert her."
"Like you deserted me."
"What?"
"Cordelia, I know the truth. You don't have any family."
"I do."
"Stop lying! I spoke to Willow."
"Oh."
"Why did you lie. I know the truth. So I'm asking why."
"You won't understand."
"Try me. Cause I sure as don't know what you were thinking, you gave away your chance of happiness for me, why?"
"Where are the others?"
"Their at the mansion, and stop avoiding the question."
"Fine! You want the truth, the truth is that I couldn't see you in pain."
"So what you decided you know what the best remedy is?"
"So your saying that your not happy!?, cause you could have fooled me."
"I'm not saying that. I just wanted to know why."
"When I see you Angel I see my future and as much as I want that possible, I know I can't because your heart belongs to Buffy, and I can never replace her, not as a lover and neither has a mothers."
"You love me?!" Angel asked, astonished.
"I thought you knew that already. Didn't Skip tell you that."
"He told me that you can never find happiness, but he didn't tell me that you loved me."
'And I thought it couldn't get worse.' "Listen Angel it isn't such a big thing."
"Oh yeah sure, cause you just sacrificed yourself."
"What do you want from me? That's why I ran away, I was scared of how I was feeling.
"Running away isn't the answer."
"Then what is?"
"I don't know. I never loved anyone apart from Buffy. I need to get away from here. I can't deal with this."
"But Angel........" Cordelia spoke but it was too late as Angel walked away. Cordelia shut the door and looked at her room and slowly made her way into her bed and cried herself to sleep.
Next day
Fred opened her eyes and greeted by Gunn. "Morning."
"Hey sleepy head, how did you sleep?"
"Like a baby, you."
"Same ere."
"Is Angel here?"
"No."
"Maybe he and Cordelia finally admitted their love and spending time together." Fred smiled at that thought..
"I hope so, I had enough drama to last me life time."
"Come one we should get up." Fred helped her boyfriend to his feet.
Summers residence
Buffy woke up and was greeted by Angel. "Hey, I didn't hear you come in."
"I came couple of hours ago."
"So did you speak to Cordelia?"
"Yeah."
"So what happened?"
"Nothing, we talked and we decided that it would be best that if we stayed away from each other," Angel lied. "We're going back to LA tonight."
Buffy knew there was more to this but decided to drop it. "Okay, I guess its a good thing I haven't packed yet."
"Yeah," Angel replied and made his way to the shower.
***
Fred, Gunn, Wesley and Lorne made their way to the Summers residence. They had gotten a call from Angel to meet them there. Fred and Lorne were very anxious to meet Cordelia, 'Things are finally getting better, wonder what Buffy is going to do now.' Fred thought.
Fred knocked on the door, Xander opened the door. "Hi I'm Fred, is Angel and Cordelia in."
"Angel is but Cordy isn't."
Fred frowned. "Where is she?"
"Don't know," Xander shrugged. "Come in."
Fred looked at Lorne is confusion, as they made their into the room. Dawn, Buffy and Willow were inside. Angel was no where to be seen. "Where's Angel?"
"Here," Angel replied from the stairs carrying Conner. "We're leaving tonight."
"Tonight? Is Cordelia coming?" Wesley asked.
"No."
"Why not," Gunn asked.
"We talked and she's not ready to come back yet and I'm not going to push her either."
The Fang Gang looked at each other in confusion.
***
Buffy looked at her watch it was turning 8. They were going to leave in couple of hours. She thought it was good idea to go for a patrol for old time sakes. Buffy had been patrolling in the cemetery for about 10 minutes and was getting bored.
"Well look has returned," a voice came from behind her. 'God please don't let it be him'. Buffy groaned. She slowly turned around and saw the person who spoke to her.
"Spike."
"What no hug? Not pleased to see me?"
"I'm never pleased to see you. What you doing here?"
"Me, nothing just going back to my crypt. So why you back? Miss me?"
"Not on your un-life. Just patrolling. Don't get your hopes up I'm leaving for LA in couple of hours."
"Just a flying visit, does grumpy know your here?"
"Angel does."
"So do you still think about me when you make love to Angel?"
"You are disgusting," Buffy looked at him disgustingly. She had been thinking of Spike a lot for the past few weeks, but she wasn't going to admit. "I love Angel, not you."
"Yeah keep saying that until you've convinced yourself."
"I don't need you Spike, I never did."
"Sure, and Slayer?"
"What?"
"There couple of vamps behind you."
Buffy turned around and saw four vamps making their way to her. "You gonna help me or what?" She looked at Spike.
"Thought you don't need me."
"Urgggghh," Buffy kicked the first vamp that approached her. "I don't," she spike to Spike.
"Then you don't mind me sitting this one out."
Buffy took out the first vamp with her stake. The second one soon followed. The remaining two vamps looked at each other and ran away from the slayer.
"That was pathetic."
"Tell me about it."
"Speaking of pathetic, don't you have somewhere to be."
"Just leaving Pet, don't miss me too much I'll be seeing you sooner than you think," with that he disappeared into the darkness.
Buffy looked at him in puzzlement, and was disappointed that he didn't put too much fight for leaving.
***
Fred knocked on the Sunnydale Motel door marked 104. Cordelia opened the door and greeted her friend with a smile. "Come in."
Fred made her way into the room and surveyed the room and was not pleased. "Hi, how can you run away. I thought we were friends."
"We are, but I just couldn't deal with this at the moment. I'm sorry."
"It's okay," Fred smiled, but then quickly disappeared. "What happened? Did you and Angel speak?"
"Yeah."
"What happened?"
"I told him that I loved him."
"And...."
"He didn't take it well."
"How?"
"He said that he couldn't deal with it and that he only loved Buffy."
"Oh Cordy, I'm so sorry."
"Hey its not your fault."
"Are you staying in Sunnydale?"
"No, I decided just because Angel doesn't want me doesn't mean I can't continue with my life."
"So you're coming back to LA."
"Of course."
Fred hugged Cordelia tightly. "I'm so happy Cordy. What you going to do about Angel?"
"Show him what's he missing out on."
"Huh."
"I love Angel and I just have to show him."
"How?"
"By making him jealous."
Fred clamped a hand on her mouth to stop the scream. "Oh my god Cordy, I'm up for it. Do you think it will work?"
"Only one way to find out?"
"Just one problem, you took away your chance for being happy."
"Fred I'm only planning to flirt, not have sex with anyone."
Fred blushed slightly. "Oh right, of course, wait what about the others? Do I tell them?"
"No its too soon, I want to make sure if it works first. Don't tell them please, I know I'm asking allot, but please."
"You got my word. Do you want me to help you with the packing."
"Yeah, can you come with me all the to LA?"
"Sure, I'll just let Charles know."
Cordelia grinned slightly. She hoped that he plan worked, otherwise things were going to get very messy. What Cordelia Chase wants, she always gets.
Part 6
Fred examined the lonely lobby wondering how it could be so quiet with so many people around. She looked across from where she was sitting and saw Wesley in his office studying on some next case. She really did feel bad for him, to love someone who would never feel the same way. ‘I just had to find someone for him,’ she thought.
With that thought she looked over to Gunn who was sitting on the couch playing his gameboy. The thought of Gunn made her smile; she had such strong feeling for him and didn’t think she could feel that way again. ‘We are made for each other.’
A bang on the floor broke her concentration and frowned. She looked at her watch, it was turning 9pm. ‘How long are they going to be there?’
She really wanted to stay with Cordelia and help her pack but Cordy changed her mind, insisting that she went with the others. She didn’t understand why? She was her friend and she trusted her so why didn’t she want her to help?
She frowned again as the second bang came from the basement. Fred looked at the door intensively like she could open it with her eyes. She had kept her promise and told no one what Cordelia was up to, not even Gunn. She still felt guilty about that, but she knew it was for a good cause.
As another bang came, she was getting frustrated. ‘For goodness sake how long are they going to “train”?’ Fred thought about going and calling them.
“I wouldn’t think that is such a good idea?”
Startled, Fred looked at her boyfriend who was still playing his game, but had a smirk. “What?”
“You were going to call them, not such a good idea,” he looked at her.
Fred wriggled under his gaze. “I wasn’t going to do that?” Gunn raised his eyebrow, Fred laughed at that expression, ‘and he knows me so well.’ “So maybe I was, they been down there for hours.”
“Fred, remember the last time you went there?” Wesley said, joining the conversation as he came out of office. Fred cringed at that memory.
“So they were doing it, but that is not right.”
“What do you mean? Gunn said, finally putting his game down.
“I mean that is Cordelia’s and Angel training area. How would she feel if she found out what they were doing?” Fred asked to both the men.
“She isn’t coming back,” Wesley tried to tell her gently.
“Remember she told us that she can’t be around Angel anymore.” Gunn said, moving closer to Fred.
Fred wanted to scream out that she was coming back, but then she had to explain the whole story. “I miss her,” she sighed.
Gunn hugged her, and responded. “We miss her too, but she thought it was for the best.”
Wesley stood there awkwardly, watching the intimate scene between his two friends. How he wished it was him who was comforting Fred instead of Gunn. “I’m sure she’ll be fine,” shaking his thoughts.
Fred let go off Gunn and looked at Wesley. “Angel hasn’t been the same since he spoke to Cordy.”
“Man’s a fool for rejecting Barbie for that stick insect,” Gunn remarked.
“That’s not what I meant,” Fred spoke to both of them. “He hardly spends anytime with us, if he does it usually involves Conner, not that I don’t love him, what not to love, he’s a great baby and…..”
“Fred you’re rambling,” Wesley said taking his glasses off.
“Oh sorry,” Fred blushed.
“I think you look well cute,” Gunn smiled.
“Anyway what I was saying we have to deal with the clients and Cordy’s visions. It’s just too much.”
“Well he and Buffy are patrolling every night.” Wesley spoke.
“It’s not the same and you know it,”
“Yes well it the best we can do.”
“Gunn why can’t you speak to him?” Fred asked.
“You must be crazy, the last time I did that he nearly bit my head off.”
“Well someone needs to,” Fred said in exhaustion
“Someone needs to what?”
The trio turned around and saw Cordelia standing near the lobby door, beaming at her family.
“CORDY!”
The three of them ran towards her and tackled her down.
“Guys you’re squashing me,” Cordelia laughed, trying to get up.
“Your back!” Fred shrieked out.
“Yep, back in one piece,” Cordy said trying to catch her breath, “well nearly in one piece.”
“Where have you been?” Wesley asked, picking his glasses from the floor.
“Where else? Sunnydale of course, just catching up with the Scooby gang.”
“So you’re back for good?” Gunn said excitedly.
“Yeah, I’ve just got one question, what happened to my apartment?”
“Well we couldn’t pay for the rent, so they sold it onwards.” Fred explained.
“What about Dennis?” Cordelia asked in concern.
“He’s still there,” Wesley explained. “He wasn’t happy in the beginning but he had no choice.”
“I’m glad he’s happy!”
The basement door opened and in came two half dressed people. “What happened?” Angel asked, but stopped when he saw Cordy. “What are you doing here?
“Well hello to you two,” Cordelia said sarcastically. “You know the amount of time it took you to get up here, I could have killed them if was evil. Some champion you are.”
“Just answer the question,” Angel said in frustration.
“This is my home, my family is here,” Cordy said in disbelieve.
“Um, where are you staying?” Wesley asked trying to break the tension.
“Here.”
There was a silence for a minute.
“I’m sorry, did you say here?” Buffy asked as if she was crazy.
“Since I’ve been evicted I have no choice.”
“I don’t think so,” Angel said in determination.
“Is that a matter of fact,” Cordy narrowed her eyes. “I’m sure the government would disagree.”
“Huh?”
“You have such a crappy memory. Remember when you bought this hotel, you put in under my name so according to the contract, this hotel belongs to me.”
“You got to be kidding. That was only because I couldn’t do it.”
“Sorry I don’t make the rules. So if you want to stay here you better treat me with a little bit of respect.”
Angel looked at her gob smacked. He heard a little giggle coming from Fred. “You find this funny?”
“No! It’s just the idea of you leaving your own hotel.”
“Buffy, we’re going patrolling,” with that he stormed out as Buffy followed him.
They waited until the coast was clear; the four friends looked at each other and laughed.
“I can’t believe you did that?” Gunn said in disbelief.
“Yes well I am the owner of the hotel.” Cordelia smirked.
“What about your visions?” Wesley asked.
“Oh yeah thank for reminding me.” Cordy walked her way towards the ball, she picked it up and smirked at the other who looked in confusion. In one movement she threw the ball on the floor.
“Cordelia, your visions?” Gunn asked.
“What its sorted, I’ve got my visions back.”
“Just like that?”
“Yeah, where’s Conner?”
“He’s upstairs with Lorne.” Fred said.
“I’m going up there; I’ll be back in a minute.”
“Found any vamps?” Gunn asked as the vampire and the vampire slayer finally came back.
“Found a nest.”
Angel looked at Cordelia. “I think we should talk?”
“Yeah,” Cordelia followed Angel into Wesley’s office.
There was a moment of silence. “I’m sorry.”
Cordelia looked at Angel in shock. She wasn’t expected that. “You what?”
“I’m sorry, while patrolling I got thinking, you’re my friend and I really want that back. The way I behaved earlier was inexcusable.”
“I’m sorry as well.” Cordy approach to Angel and hugged him. He returned the hug, and then looked at her in confusion.
“What are you sorry about?”
“For what I said back in Sunnydale,” Angel wriggled uncomfortably.
“I’m sorry for the way I reacted.”
“It’s okay, I would have reacted the same, probably even worse. What I said, about me being in love with you, I just got confused. Me and you, we’ve been through a lot so when Buffy came back in you life, I felt over-protected because you’re my champ, and I didn’t want to share you with anyone, so I thought it was love but it was just a seer – champion relationship. We are good friends and that’s all I want.”
“Good,” Angel smiled, but a part of him felt disappointed.
Cordelia gave him a 100-watt smile and walked out of the door leaving Angel alone. Buffy looked at her in disgust and walked into the room, closing it behind her.
“What happened?” Wesley asked.
“I said I want to be friends and that’s all.” Cordelia said walking towards the couch.
The three off them shot a look at Cordy who was casually reading some magazine. Fred looked at the two of them. “Leave it to me.”
The guys nodded and went back to the case. Fred walked to Cordelia. “You just want to be friends?”
Cordelia smirked at her friends. “I told him exactly what he wanted to hear. Now to Plan B,” as she watched the champions coming out of the office.
“Plan B?”
“Yep, remember what we talked about?”
“You found someone? Who is he? Is he here? Is coming here?”
“Oh, you can ask him yourself,” Cordelia smirked as her eyes went the main door.
Fred turned around and looked in confusion.
“Well isn’t this a nice home welcome,” smirked the stranger.
The whole group turned around to greet the stranger.
“Spike,” Angel said in disgust.
“Spike?” Buffy stuttered.
“Spike,” Wesley sighed.
“Who’s Spike?” Gunn replied.
“Spike?” Fred said in confusion, looking at Cordelia.
“Spike,” Cordelia smirked.
TBC