Angel's Are Watching Over Me
© Alexis
Cordelia tossed and turned on her bed, in the throes of a nightmare.
They had become a nightly occurrence. The visions Vocah had opened her mind to had haunted her since she left hospital. The first few nights hadn't been to bad. She was so tired she had slept all the night through. She got the first one the night they had discovered that Angel might become human if he completes his destiny. The one she was seeing now was one of the worst. She dreamed of it three nights in a row.
A group of people hid behind a plasterboard wall. They were muttering prayers, to protect themselves from what was going to happen. A shout in some foreign language rang out and the people shook with fear. The sound of bullet fire and then the smell of blood surrounded her, wrapping her in a blanket of death. The gun's had beenf ired through the wall. They knew people were hiding there and they still shot. She saw the people slump over in agony. An old woman let out a keening wail and a baby cried. She heard cruel laughter before the woman was dragged out, a gun held to her head and a single bullet was lodged in her skull.
She woke, her skin damp with sweat. She sat up shakily, using her arms to support her. She felt Dennis breeze past to cool her down but it didn't help. After taking a few deep breaths she stood and left her room. She was sure a drink of water would help calm her down. Padding through the lounge she saw Angel fast asleep on the sofa. The blanket he had been using was gathered at his waist exposing a small cut on his shoulder.
Must have been a rough night, she thought. She filled a tumbler with water and took a couple of sips. She already felt calmer. Dennis flew buy, this time blowing a tissue into her hands. "Thanks Dennis," she whispered. Although his mother had been an evil bitch, he was a real sweetie helping her out whenever she needed it.
But what a horrible way to die, she thought as she passed his wall. She stopped dead in her tracks. Those people has hidden behind a wall and died. Dennis had been buried alive behind a wall. Her knees went weak and the tears started again. She muffled a sob with her hand and groped her way towards her bedroom door. She didn't get very far before Angel had his arms around her. She let herself cry in his arms. His vampire hearing wouldn't leave her to cry in room now.
Vaguely she felt him move back to the couch, taking her with him and sit down. He pulled her down with him, and she fell next to him, her body facing him. As he whispered soothing words he pulled her legs up onto the couch.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"I-I had a nightmare. I know it's silly but.." She said attempting to control her tears but failing dismally.
"It's not silly, you were bound to have nightmares after what you went through. Most people would be a wreck. Shh, its OK." He knew something had been going on with her. She was always tired and could never find the energy to do anything. But he hadn't guessed how deep it went.
She was burning up, her skin pink from the exertion of crying. He moved her down so her cheek was pressed against his bare chest, cooling her down.
Her body stilled as sleep began to claim her again. "Thank you," she whispered, feeling safer in his arms.
"Anytime," he replied with a slight smile. He reached down and covered her fragile body with the blanket he usually slept under. She was about to say something else, but he shushed her with his finger on her lips. "Shhh. Everything's fine. Get some sleep. I know I offered before but this time I'm not taking no for an answer. I'll sit in your room at night," she was about to protest again. "No. It'll make me feel better. Now sleep," he ordered.
She smiled at him sleepily before falling into a deep slumber. He watched her for a good while. She was beautiful that was for sure. Even he, souled vampire with a crush on the slayer, noticed it. Hell even a blind man would notice it. But she still retained an innocent look while she slept. You'd never believe all the horror she had seen. Angel was determined he was going to prevent any more harm coming to her. He wrapped the blanket tighter around her and laid a gentle kiss on her forehead. He curled himself around her and watched her until his eyelids became too heavy for him to keep them open.
And that's exactly how Wesley found them the next morning.