DISCLAIMER: Not Joss.
SUMMARY: It's April first at the Hyperion. Cordelia and Gunn have a plan.
RATING: G
WORDCOUNT: 904
DEDICATION: to Aaronlisa, in her birthday. *g*
Dating A Nun Award at The Potential Awards
APRIL'S FOOL
by Leni
Cordelia was whistling happily when she entered the Hyperion, a very uncommon fact that
left Fred looking after her in askance. Her curiosity escalated as the brunette went
directly to Gunn's room and barely knocked when the older guy opened the door and let her
inside with a smile plastered to his face. Fred's eyes narrowed in unwelcome suspicion.
But she relaxed when five minutes later Cordelia strode out of the room, smile turned into
an angry scowl. She didn't even notice Fred as she walked by, instead huffing angrily when
Gunn's laughter rang out of his room.
Fred looked right, then left. Then she shrugged, chalking it up to the everyday weirdness
that was life at the Hyperion.
---
Her watch said it was time already. Cordelia sighed, staring at her newest challenge. For
how long had she stood in front of Angel's bedroom door already? She should trust Gunn.
He'd sworn that he'd taken precautions and oiled the fringes just the night before.
But you never were too careful around a sleeping vampire. She was so dead! But she was
Cordelia Chase, and a Chase never backed away from a challenge. Never.
Her hand went to the knob, turning it painfully slowly. It clicked open, and the sound was
enough to almost make her jump into the air. She waited for several seconds, expecting
Angel to open his door and glower, you know, in that disapproving way that made her
feel sixteen again. Her breath gradually returned back to normal, the hand on her chest
still registered her heart jumping in fright. But nothing happened.
Cordelia schooled herself into a serene state of mind and pushed the door, her legs
unconsciously poised to sprint away if the room's owner so much as moved in his sleep.
Nothing.
The door opened a crack, enough for her to peek inside.
Angel laid on the bed, unaware of the evils of the world. Or, in this case, of his
secretary/sidekick-wannabe tiptoeing into his room. She had even left her high heels
behind for good measure, God forbid that the sound of them against the floor woke him up.
Cordelia stopped with every step, glancing behind her at the still figure and breathing in
relief when he still hadn't moved. Another step. Then another three. She was almost there.
Angel turned around, covers drifting down.
Cordelia bit back a yelp at the noise and covered the scarce feet to the other door,
pushing past it and crouching, knees almost touching the cold tile, as soon as she was
inside the smaller room. She tried to detect any sound from the bedroom, a tight knot in
her stomach telling her that it was useless. Angel could walk to her and she'd never be
able to tell. She worried her lower lip between her teeth, damning that smug smile in
Gunn's lips when he drew the larger stick. So unfair. Gunn was more used to hiding from
vampires than her! Besides, it was obvious that Cordelia was the indicated to charm Wesley
out of his most prized possession. She pouted. Fate was so unkind with her. Why should she
be here at all? Angel would find her and... and...
That was when she noticed that there was no movement in the next room. No furious boss
berating her for her childish behaviour. She smiled a bit. Maybe Fate wasn't so bad after
all.
Cordelia stood up and straightened her skirt. She was safe. Safe and right where she
needed to be. She looked around and almost laughed, barely reminding herself on the
current situation. Hah! And Angel said she bought too much 'hair stuff'? Oh, but she'd put
him in his place next time he dared be such an hypocrite! She opened her bag, praising
herself for having dealt with the noisy zipper before beginning her little adventure.
She quickly shoved the many bottles into the bag, amazed when it was filled to the brim.
She even had to stuff the last bottle of gel in her jacket's front pocket. One eyebrow
lifted when she recognised the brand, oh, Angel would learn to share very soon. She
smiled, that confident smile that had made her the most dangerous girl in high school.
With one last glance around the bathroom, Cordelia shouldered her bag and opened the door
again. Angel was still sleeping. Thank God for that Luith he'd found in patrol before
dawn. That bulky demon had obviously tired him. This time she went quickly across the
room, not daring to look behind her as she went through the door (She left it open; she
wasn't risking being heard now that her mission was over) and ran back to Gunn's room,
leaving her precious cargo on the bed next to Wesley's glasses.
Gunn welcomed her with a hand against his forehead, a mock-salute to her appearance. But
he sounded really impressed when he realised she'd succeeded.
One hour later, Angel's scream reverberated through the hotel. Cordelia lifted her coffee
cup and shook it against Gunn's, both grinning winningly to Fred's confusion and Wesley's
glasses-less suspicious glare.
Angel stomped down the stairs, cursing his way into the lobby loud enough for her cheeks
to redden slightly. Wow, guess two centuries can really help add to one's vocabulary.
Then she saw him trying to tame his hair into anything but the mess it was.
Even Wesley laughed at the sight.
The End
07/11/04
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