Back to L.A.
© Dontia
In the Sunnydale Pizza Parlor, Cordelia’s sitting by herself at a table for two. “What the hell am I doing back here? That’s right, Angel convinced me I’d be better off here with him than alone in big, bad Los Angeles.”
What Cordelia can’t figure out is why she gave in. Oh yeah, she’s in love with him. This again begs the question of why she’s here. When Angel’s soul became permanent a month ago, he hightailed it to Sunnydale and Buffy. They’re together now, in every way. It makes Cordelia sick just thinking about it.
“It’s your own fault,” she whispers as she tries not to cry in her soda. “You should’ve jumped him. But noooo. You want him to be with you because he loves you, just you.”
So here she is. Alone. Miserable. In love with someone who doesn’t love her back. The worst of it is, she can’t talk about it with her best friend because he’s the cause.
“And you’d think that with a Hellmouth, there’d be more people in this town willing to pay to have their lives saved.”
Cordelia thinks back to her time in Los Angeles. She remembers the people they helped, the lives she and Angel and Wesley made better. Mostly, she remembers the never-ending vision she went through two years ago.
She comes to a decision. There are people out there she’s meant to help. She may be no Slayer or souled vampire, but she’s still a Seer, and that’s gotta mean something.
She’s going back to Los Angeles.
She’ll help those in need the best way she can. If she has to, she’ll do it with her wits and holy-water squirt guns. She remembers too many souls crying out in pain to ignore her need to help any longer.
As for Angel, well, he’ll either understand or he won’t. He’s allowing his hormones to overrule what he knows is right. He’s not doing any good in Sunnydale, but his desire to be with Buffy is causing him to ignore it. But that’s fine. If he cares more about getting laid than he does about his redemption, that’s his business.
Cordelia Chase can save the world all by herself if she has to.
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Spike walks through the streets smoking a cigarette. He wonders for the millionth time why he’s still in this pathetic excuse of a town.
Yeah, there’s the chip stuck in his head and he still can’t feed from or hurt humans. But over the last couple years, he’s learned to get around that.
What worries Spike is, lately, he hasn’t been peeved at helping the brats protect the Happy Meals on legs. He’s actually getting into this good-guy thing, though he won’t admit it.
This isn’t the problem. Spike can fake hating being a good guy ‘til the cows come home. The problem is, there’s not enough to do anymore. With his Sire back, the second Slayer here, and all the little urchins helping out, there’s not enough bad guys to go around. Consequently, Spike’s bored out of his mind.
Spike walks by the pizza parlor and sees the Cheerleader through the window. Deciding she’s always good for a rousing argument, Spike goes inside.
“Hey Cheerleader.”
Cordelia looks up from her checkbook. “Spike.”
“Whatcha doin?”
“I’m trying to figure out if I can afford to move back to L.A.”
“Leavin us already pet?”
“In case you haven’t noticed, there’s nothin to do in this town. I wanna help people, but the very few people who need it are reserved for Angel and Buffy.”
Spike nods slowly. “The pickins have been slim. Heck, they were slim before Peaches came back.”
They’re both quiet for a minute as Cordelia goes back to balancing her checkbook.
“You know pet, I have some money saved up.”
Cordelia looks up. “You do? Cause in the last month, all I’ve heard from you is how broke you are. And I’ve had to listen to Buffy whine about you bumming blood off Angel.”
“He’s my Sire pet, it’s his job to take care of me. But I’ve put some away over the years.”
“What’s that got to do with me? You offerin me a loan?”
“More like a partnership.”
“A partnership?”
“Yeah,” nods Spike excitedly as the idea takes hold. “You have the contacts in L.A., and you know what’s what there. I provide the money to get us set up, and my fighting skills.”
Cordelia looks at Spike thoughtfully. “I thought you only help out cause you have to.”
“I help cause I need the violence to keep me sane. Plus, I don’t intend to let some freak destroy the world. Like it fine as it is.”
“What if you get the chip out, or it malfunctions?”
“Oh, I’ll go back to killin humans right away. But I’m sure if it happens, you’ll do your best to stake me.”
“As long as we’re clear,” says Cordelia with a laugh.
Spike sticks out his hand. “You in pet?”
Cordelia takes his hand and shakes it. “I’m in.”
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Faith’s sitting in the cemetery on a headstone bored out of her mind. She’s seen one vamp all night and he ran the other way when he saw her.
Course, Faith thinks it’s better to be bored out here than stuck at Angel’s mansion watching Buffy and Angel suck face all night.
Faith shakes her head. Angel and Buffy are in love, great for them. But you’d think Angel would have the decency to hide it a little better under the circumstances.
After all, he’d have to be pretty dense not to see Cordelia’s in love with him.
If Angel looked past Buffy, he’d realize he could be happy, truly happy, with Cordelia. But he doesn’t look around. He’s stuck on B, and watching them together is like watching a really bad car wreck. It’s tragic, but you can’t look away.
Faith wants Angel to be happy. He’s the only person who never gave up on her, even when she gave up on herself. She wants what’s best for him, even if that’s Buffy. The thing is, he looks more open, more relaxed, when he’s with Cordelia.
But it doesn’t matter. B has Angel, and she doesn’t intend to let him go.
Just then, Faith hears voices coming toward her and senses a vampiric presence. She jumps to her feet with stake in hand. Just then, Spike and Cordelia come into view talking excitedly.
“Hey guys, what’s shakin?” asks Faith.
“Hey Faith,” says Cordelia. “We’re making plans to blow this town.”
“You coming back?”
“Not if we can help it ducks,” says Spike. “We’re gonna find us some action.”
Faith grins. “Where you headed? Can I come?”
Cordelia laughs. “You’re bored too, huh?”
“More than I can say. I’m supposed to be making up for what I’ve done, but there’s no evil around here to do it with.”
“The Cheerleader tells me there’s plenty of evil lurking on the streets of L.A. We’re gonna move there and find some.”
“Can you do that Cordelia?” asks Faith. “I mean, aren’t you supposed to stay close to Angel, you being his Seer and all?”
“Probably,” shrugs Cordelia. “But Angel hasn’t been into fighting the good fight lately, and I bet the PTBs are pissed. I figure we go to L.A., I introduce them to Spike, and now you, and tell them we wanna help. Even if they turn us down, you can find demons around every corner in that town.”
“That mean I’m invited?” asks Faith.
Spike slings one arm around her and the other around Cordelia. “The more the merrier. We leave tomorrow night.”
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The next evening, Giles calls a meeting to discuss a prophecy he and Wesley uncovered. Cordelia, Spike, and Faith don’t really wanna go but figure they can say their good-byes.
After they go over the prophecy and what it might mean, Giles begins dividing up research duties. When he gets to Cordelia, she stops him.
“Love to help Giles,” says Cordelia. “Unfortunately, I have a pressing engagement with Spike and Faith. We can’t put it off.”
“Hey, if they get to party tonight, why do we have to do the research thing?” asks Xander.
“Cordelia, this prophecy is really very important,” says Wesley.
“I’m sure it is Watcher,” says Spike. “But you’ll have to learn to get along without us sometime, might as well start now.”
“What do you mean?” asks Willow.
“Well Red, it’s like this,” says Faith. “It’s been swell, but the three of us are hittin the road.”
“Your redemption too much for you Faith?” asks Buffy bitingly.
“I can’t find redemption if I can’t find evil to vanquish.”
Angel looks at no one but Cordelia. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Cordelia shrugs. “We just decided last night. I was gonna tell you today but I was busy packing.”
“Where are you three headed?” asks Giles.
“Hollywoodland,” says Spike. “I hear the demons are plentiful.”
“Do you need anything?” asks Angel, his focus on Cordelia.
“Nope.” Cordelia grins. “Apparently Spike’s been sittin on a stack of cash all these years.”
“Has he?” says Giles with a glare at Spike. “Then perhaps he can repay the hundred dollars he owes me.”
“Afraid not Watcher. Gotta make sure the girls have plenty to eat. And Delia already said she refuses to sleep in a crypt.”
Angel’s eyes flicker at Spike’s use of his pet name for Cordelia though he doesn’t say anything.
“Can I come?” asks Anya, who’s been quiet the entire meeting.
“You wanna leave too?” asks Xander.
“No reason to stay. We broke up, I’m not getting my powers back, and watching Angel and Buffy have the orgasms I should be having is depressing. Besides, I bet those three’ll be wreaking a lot of vengeance.”
Spike looks at Cordelia and Faith, who shrug. He turns back to Anya. “How long will it take you to pack?”
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After some hugs and promises to keep in touch, Spike, Cordelia, Faith, and Anya leave. Willow and Buffy do their best to soothe Xander. He’d been hoping to eventually get back with Anya.
Angel’s outside staring up at the stars when Wesley joins him.
After a moment of silence, Wesley speaks. “It’s hard to believe she’s gone.”
“Yeah, I’d really gotten used to having her around.”
“Although, I’m really not surprised she left. Her or Faith.”
“Why do you say that?” asks Angel.
“Faith’s trying to redeem herself. Buffy’s seen as the Hellmouth protector, so anything that comes up is given to her. Consequently, Faith has nothing to do. As for Cordelia, she changed after her never-ending vision.”
“Yeah, she became much more concerned about our fight.”
“Yes she did. You have to admit Angel, since we returned to Sunnydale there hasn’t been anything for her to do except research. That stopped satisfying her need to help long ago.”
Angel’s silent for a moment. “Faith’s right.”
“About what?”
“Not enough here to fight to call it seeking redemption.”
“Yes, it does seem the Hellmouth’s dying down, no pun intended.”
“I’m starting to think I need to head back to L.A. too,” says Angel quietly. “Back to where I can do some good.”
“If that’s what you feel is best,” says Wesley gently. “You do realize that Buffy can’t go with you? Although the Hellmouth’s calmer, it’s by no means safe to leave it unguarded.”
“I know that Wesley. I know.”
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Spike, Cordelia, Faith, and Anya are in Spike’s DeSoto heading out of Sunnydale. When Spike passes the “Welcome to Sunnydale” sign, he does a quick U-turn.
“Hang on,” yells Spike as he races toward the sign.
The three women scream in delight as they knock the sign over.
“May we never step foot in this stupid town again,” says Faith.
“Here, here.”
Spike turns the car around and they drive toward the lights of Los Angeles.
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Two days after leaving Sunnydale, Cordelia, Spike, Faith, and Anya are sitting on the floor of the warehouse that’ll be their new offices/place to live. They’re having lunch, pizza for the women and blood for Spike, while waiting for their furniture to be delivered.
“I can’t believe we got so much done,” says Faith.
“I can’t believe I have any money left,” says Spike.
“Hey, we needed everything we bought,” protests Cordelia. “Besides, we got this building for free, so stop complaining.”
It was true. On their arrival in L.A., Cordelia took her friends to meet David Nabbit, a computer software billionaire Angel had helped. She wanted to let him know she was back and see if he knew any rental properties in their price range that had vampire requirements. When David found out they were going to take over where Angel Investigations left off, he gave them the warehouse. When she tried to protest, he asked them to consider it a retainer in case he needed any otherworldly help.
“We’re going to the Oracles tonight?” asks Anya.
Cordelia nods. “Yeah. I got the herbs and know the chant. We just need to wait ‘til it’s dark and decide on an offering.”
“Can we go patrolling after that?” asks Faith. “I wanna open up a can of whup-ass on some vamps and demons.”
“Sure,” laughs Cordelia. “First I need to introduce you guys to Gunn. Gotta make sure he and his crew leave Spike alone.”
“They’re that group of Slayerette wannabe’s, right?” asks Spike.
“If you mean teen vamp slayers, yeah. Try to control yourself around them. They’ve barely gotten used to the idea that some demons are good, you’ll set back their progress.”
Just then, there’s a knock on the door. Anya goes to open it while the others stand and palm weapons. When they see that it’s the furniture delivery, they circumspectly return the weapons to their hiding places.
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Back in Sunnydale, Angel’s at his mansion doing tai chi trying to relax. Delia hasn’t called him since she left for L.A. If it were up to her, he’d still be wondering if she were dead or alive.
The only reason he knows she’s all right is because David Nabbit called him. He told Angel about giving Cordelia the warehouse and meeting the others.
Angel admits to himself that he’s worried about Delia. She’s taken on this enormous responsibility of helping others. He knows how hard it is on her, how hard it is for her to see others suffering or in pain.
That’s why he talked her into coming to Sunnydale when he went back to Buffy. He knew she couldn’t give up her quest to help and he wanted to continue to be there to comfort her when she confronted life’s underbelly.
Angel can see the move to Sunnydale was a mistake, in more ways than one. When they came back, Cordelia closed herself off, shutting him out of her life. What made it even harder was the agony he saw behind Delia’s eyes. Something painful was going on with her, but she refused to share it with him, or to let him make it go away.
Then there’s his relationship with Buffy. When his soul became permanent, all he could think about was getting back to her, back to the love they shared. And that’s exactly what he has. He and Buffy have the relationship they had before he left town, except it now includes sex.
Angel thought when they tore down the sex barrier their relationship would be what it should’ve been, what it would’ve been, if he hadn’t lost his soul on her seventeenth birthday. Instead, it lacks trust and openness. The only difference is, instead of hiding from their problems using the saving the world thing, they now hide from them using sex.
Then there’s his redemption. When the Oracles told him his soul was permanent, he instantly knew he wanted to return to Buffy.
Yet when he asked the Oracles if it was all right to move back to Sunnydale, they gave him an odd reply. They told him he’d take a detour along his path but he’d eventually get where he was meant to be. At the time, Angel didn’t know what they meant. Frankly, he was too happy to care. Now that he’s had time to reflect, he’s beginning to understand.
His path, his redemption, lies in helping to save the world, but he hasn’t helped anyone except himself in the last month. Sure, he’s taken out a couple demons and saved a few innocents along the way. However, the little he’s accomplished wouldn’t have constituted a week’s worth of work in L.A.
Angel knows it’s again time to leave Sunnydale. Coming back here was the detour the Oracles were talking about, but his path is clear. He can do the most good in L.A.
Now he just has to figure out how to tell Buffy he’s leaving.
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At the UC Sunnydale Campus Java Café, Buffy’s waiting for Willow to get out of class and Xander to show up. Since the end of her freshman year, it’s become a ritual for them to meet for coffee once a week. This way, they don’t lose touch and all their meetings aren’t about the current evil threatening the town.
When Willow and Xander show up, they all order coffee and pastries then sit in a booth. Willow and Xander exchange a concerned glance at Buffy’s unusual quietness.
“Hey Buffster, wanna talk about it?” asks Xander.
“Whatever it is, we can help. At least, we can listen and be all sympathetic,” says Willow.
Buffy worries her lower lip with her teeth. “It’s just…I don’t even know how to explain it. I finally have everything I ever wanted, everything I dreamed of, but I’m unhappy.”
Willow nods understandingly. “It’s Angel, isn’t it?”
“Don’t get me wrong, I love him and I know he loves me.”
“Did something specific happen, or is this general unhappiness?” asks Xander.
“Before Angel left we avoided talking about a future together, too much stood in our way. Now that our biggest obstacle is gone, we talk about it. But it’s like we’re not on the same page, we don’t fit anymore.”
“That’s probably because-” Willow stops as she realizes what she’s thinking will hurt her friend.
“Tell me,” says Buffy.
“Xander and I were talking about it, you know, when Angel moved back,” says Willow. “I was telling him how much I thought Angel changed, and Xander told me what he thinks caused it.”
“It’s Cordelia,” says Xander when Buffy turns to him. “You and Willow never really got to know her, she rarely lets anyone close, even now. The thing is, Cordy has a big heart and she can’t stand to see anyone she cares about depressed. Her motto is ‘Don’t be sad, get mad and get even’.”
“That sounds like our Queen C,” says Willow with a smile.
“Anyway, I figure the reason Deadboy’s not so broody and Wesley’s not so Wesley is because she made them get over themselves. Cordy’s not into self-pity.”
“Angel does brood a lot less,” says Buffy. “I just thought it was because he had the whole human thing to look forward to.”
“It’s probably part of it,” concedes Willow. “But Cordy makes Angel step out in the world and enjoy it. She makes him want to be part of life instead of hiding from it.”
Buffy glances between her friends’ sympathetic gazes. “Tell me you’re not saying what I think you’re saying.”
“Didn’t you notice Angel and Cordy used to spend time together every day?” asks Xander. “Haven’t you noticed that in the entire month he’s been back he’s only brooded in the last couple days when he hasn’t seen or talked to her?”
“That, that doesn’t mean anything,” stammers Buffy.
Willow puts her hand over Buffy’s. “Didn’t you notice whenever you and Angel kissed or touched each other Cordy’d get a sick look on her face and make an excuse to leave the room?”
“You think they’re in love with each other,” says Buffy.
“If it helps, I don’t think Deadboy realizes it,” says Xander. “He probably only sees Cordy as his best friend.”
“That’s what they are, best friends, nothing more. You guys are reading way too much into this.”
“Maybe,” says Willow. “But I think you should ask Angel. Even if we’re wrong, you should still find out where the disconnect is so you can fix things.”
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In L.A. Cordelia says the chant, and in a flash of light she, Spike, Anya, and Faith step into the Oracles’ Chamber.
“Lower being, this is not a public forum but a sacred place,” says the female. “Why have you come before us, and why have you brought these others?”
“I came to talk about my status as your Seer,” says Cordelia. “I brought them because they wanted to volunteer for the cause.”
“A castrated vampire, a fallen Slayer, and a powerless demon,” says the male. “What could they possibly have to offer us?”
“I offer to let you direct my redemption,” says Faith. “Whatever needs to be done to fight the evil I once helped, I’ll do it. Even if it means sacrificing my life.”
“I offer my ability to wreak havoc,” says Anya. “I was a vengeance demon for a millennium, I know how to make someone rethink their actions. Even without demonic powers I’m still a witch and a force to be reckoned with when I choose.”
“What about you vampire,” says the female. “Why should we accept your offer of help?”
“Actually, don’t know why you would,” says Spike. “You probably know that if I didn’t have this chip in my head, I’d be the evil you were sending your soldiers after. Personally, I don’t wanna be your errand boy but I promised the ladies I’d let you send me where you think we’re most needed.”
“That is supposed to convince us?” asks the male.
Spike shrugs. “Don’t really care if you believe me. I’m gonna cut a bloody path through this city’s evil demon population, kinda like the violence. Up to you if I go where you want.”
The female Oracle gives Spike a slight smile. “While we’re unhappy with your motives we’re impressed with your honesty. We accept the three of you as warriors, leave us to talk to the Seer.”
With a wave of her hand and a flash of light, Spike, Anya, and Faith are ejected from the chamber and thrown against the wall opposite the entrance.
Anya stands and rubs her bruised shoulder. “If that’s how they treat their warriors, I’d hate to see how they act when they don’t like you.”
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In the chamber, the female Oracle looks at Cordelia. “What about your status did you wish to discuss?”
“The part where I’m Angel’s Seer,” says Cordelia. “Don’t get me wrong, he’s still fighting the good fight and all, but now he’s doing it in a different place. I was thinking that I could be a seer for Spike and Faith and Anya.”
“We assign seers where we do for a reason,” says the male.
“What reason is that?” asks Cordelia.
The male Oracle glares at her. “None of your business, lower being. You are our tool, ours to command.”
Cordelia glares right back. “I’m your tool cause I allow myself to be.”
The female Oracle steps between them. “Enough. Seer, there is a greater plan, and that plan says you must be the souled vampire’s seer.”
“I’m not movin back to Sunnydale,” says Cordelia as she crosses her arms over her chest. “And I’m not staying in any place where Angel’s with Crybuffy. Not gonna happen.”
The female touches her counterparts arm and stops him from speaking. “How about a compromise? We will assign the new warriors you brought us to you in addition to Angel. You will receive visions for all four, and will assign them according to the location of the warrior.”
“So if I get a vision about Sunnydale or one with Angel in it, I just hafta call him?” asks Cordelia. At the female’s nod, Cordelia uncrosses her arms and smiles. “I can live with that.”
“Be warned,” says the male. “Four warriors means you’ll have more visions than you do now.”
Cordelia shrugs. “I’ve given up on having a life outside this saving the world business. Not like it’s gonna interfere with anything.”
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Once Cordelia leaves the chamber, the Oracles confer.
“She’s insolent,” says the male.
“She has courage, and a backbone,” replies the female. “She’ll need both for what’s coming.”
“Four warriors will drain her strength,” says the male.
“Another seer has been chosen,” says the female. “The new seer will arrive soon and ease her burden.”
“Concentrating so many of our warriors in one place will be dangerous,” says the male. “If we lose too many our side will be severely weakened.”
“Yes,” concedes the female. “But it’s a necessary risk to combat the coming evil.
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In Sunnydale, Buffy slowly walks to Angel’s mansion. Once Willow and Xander roused her suspicions, she’s able to look back on dozens of times Cordelia and Angel seemed closer than people who are ‘just friends’ should be.
Like the movie marathon she interrupted one night after patrol. When she’d come in, Angel was laughing like she’d never seen as he tickled Cordelia. Ten minutes after she showed up, Cordelia made an excuse and left. Buffy and Angel finished watching the movie, but Angel wasn’t with her, not completely.
Then there were the times Cordelia would get a vision. Angel would hold her while she was having one, which Buffy can understand, they look painful. When it was over and Cordelia threatened to hurt the Powers, Angel would tell jokes to make her laugh. When Buffy’s sad or hurt Angel holds her but never goes out of his way to lighten her mood.
Buffy takes a deep breath when she reaches the mansion. She loves Angel, and her dream of having a future with him is finally coming true. She’s suddenly afraid life’s going to take him away from her. That Cordelia Chase of all people’s going to take him from her.
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Willow reaches her house and opens the door. Soft music greets her. She looks around and sees the person in her life standing beside a candlelit table.
“You’re just what I needed right now,” says Willow.
“Bad day?”
“No, except the part where I talked to Buffy.”
Wesley turns away to hide his smile. Not quickly enough, because Willow sees it and pops him on the arm.
“Hey, none of that. Buffy’s my friend. I think you hung out with Spike too much when he was here.”
“He definitely has an interesting take on life. What’s wrong with Buffy this week?”
Willow frowns. “You make it sound like there’s always something wrong with Buffy.” Wesley gives her a look. “Fine, to Buffy everything’s a big deal. But this time she has good reason.”
“Sit down and tell me what’s wrong with her,” says Wesley.
“It’s Angel.”
“Is he all right?”
“He’s fine, I think. I mean, he was the last time I talked to him. Why, did you hear something?”
Wesley smiles. “You were going to tell me why Angel’s what’s wrong with Buffy.”
“Oh. Well, me and Xander met with her and she was bummed because Angel’s been so broody. We kinda told her we thought it’s because Angel’s secretly in love with Cordy.”
“I see.”
“You don’t sound surprised by that,” says Willow.
“I’m not. Remember, I worked with them two years before we returned to Sunnydale. I watched them fall in love.”
“Why didn’t you say somethin to Angel?”
“That would’ve been the worst thing I could do,” says Wesley. “Angel’s held onto the idea of Buffy for a long time. I knew he needed to play this out, Buffy too, so they could finally move on with their separate lives.”
Willow nods. “I guess so. Buffy told me once she compares every guy she dates to Angel.”
Wesley takes Willow into his arms. “It’ll work out like it’s supposed to, trust me.”
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Back at the mansion, Buffy goes inside and finds Angel reading in front of the fireplace. He doesn’t notice her presence until she drops her bookbag on the floor with a loud thump.
“If I’d been out to get you, you’d be dust,” says Buffy with a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” asks Angel quietly as he puts his book down.
Buffy sits on the sofa next to him. “We need to talk.”
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In L.A., Faith and Spike finish their training session. In an act of generosity, the Powers altered Spike’s chip enough so he can defend himself against human attacks. Spike complained about them not just removing it until Cordelia reminded him that when it came out it was open season on him.
Spike showers, then goes to the kitchen for some blood. Anya’s sitting at the table going over a spell book.
“Come across a way to get this chip outta my head?” asks Spike.
“No. You know Cordelia said we get to stake you if it comes out, right?”
Spike grins. “You get to try. Bet I drain you dry first.”
“We’ll see,” says Anya before writing something on the piece of paper next to her spell book.
Spike pours the bag of blood into a cup and pops it in the microwave. “Find anything interesting?”
“A couple protection spells for the warehouse, and a few other things that might be handy in a fight.”
Spike leans over her shoulder. “Like what?”
Anya turns to him, their lips inches apart. Neither the type to put the brakes on an impulse, they kiss, a vigorous pressing of lips. The ping of the microwave pulls them apart.
“I should get my blood,” says Spike.
“I need to finish the list of supplies I need,” says Anya.
Spike gives her another light kiss. “We’ll finish this later pet.”
Anya turns back to her book and list smiling.
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In Sunnydale, Angel waits for Buffy to start talking.
“I had an interesting conversation with Willow and Xander today,” says Buffy. “It gave me a lot to think about.”
“What’d you talk about?”
“You. Actually, we talked about you and Cordy. They gave me an opinion on why you’ve been so depressed since she left.”
Angel runs a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, I miss her. We were a daily part of each other’s lives for three years and she hasn’t bothered to call and let me know she’s all right.”
Buffy nods. “Angel, what makes you happy? What would your one perfect day of happiness be?”
Angel thinks a minute. “I guess it would be coming home to the smile of the woman I love after a night of saving the innocent. I’d spend the day with people I care about, sharing stories, talking about the future. Maybe do a few sketches. That night I’d start the same cycle over.”
Angel’s words cause something in Buffy to break. “Your happiest, most perfect day doesn’t include me. You were sharing a memory, not a hope, and we haven’t shared anything like that, not ever.”
He realizes she’s right. “Buffy…”
“You said coming home to the woman you love. You love Cordelia, don’t you?”
“What? No. Delia and I are just friends, the best of friends. I’m not in love with her, I’m in love with you.”
Buffy stands. “If you’re saying that to make me feel better, save it.”
“Cordelia and I are friends Buffy, that’s all.”
Buffy picks up her bookbag and opens the door. “I love you, always have, that’s why I’m gonna tell you somethin. The reason Cordelia left, the reason you haven’t heard from her, is because she’s in love with you. You were with me and she couldn’t watch it anymore. I suggest you search your heart, cause Cordy isn’t the type to wait forever for any man.”
Buffy quietly shuts the door of the mansion behind her before she allows tears to fall. Inside, she leaves a stunned Angel. He’s replaying memories of Cordy’s actions since his soul became permanent and he told her he was returning to Buffy.
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Her face tearstained, Buffy goes to Xander’s apartment. Xander opens the door with a beer in hand.
“Buff, are you all right?”
“No,” says Buffy as she throws herself in Xander’s arms.
****************************************************************
Just before dawn the next morning, Wesley answers his banging front door. He opens it to find Angel.
“Is something wrong?” asks Wesley.
“Do you think Cordelia’s in love with me?” says Angel as he steps inside.
“Why do you ask?”
“Buffy said Delia left town because she’s in love with me.”
“I’d say Buffy hit the mark.”
“You think she’s right?”
“You’d have to be blind not to see it. Cordelia’s been in love with you awhile but didn’t want you to feel burdened by her feelings. She was going to tell you when your soul became permanent but you returned from the Oracles ready to see Buffy.”
Angel slumps down on Wesley’s sofa. “I’m an idiot.”
“Yes, you are.”
****************************************************************
Willow wakes up and looks at the roses on her nightstand. They’re beautiful and cheery but they depress her. She wishes they’d been a gift from Giles instead of Wesley.
She can’t pinpoint the moment she fell in love with Giles. It wasn’t in high school, though she had a huge crush on him. It wasn’t when she started college, she’d been busy exploring her sexuality. Sometime in the last year her feelings changed. Just the thought of being near him or hearing his voice fills her with excitement.
Wesley isn’t who she wants, the one she dreams of at night. On a spur of the moment visit to Giles on a few weeks ago, she found him with Olivia, his friend from England. Wesley had been there to ease her pain, make her feel beautiful and wanted.
She’d feel guilty about using Wesley except she knows he’s using her too. She’s seen how he watches Faith when he thinks no one’s looking. His face has the same expression hers does when she looks in the mirror and thinks of Giles.
She’s tired of loving the one she’s with; she wants to love the one she wants. She sniffs her roses and makes a vow to herself. She’s going to break up with Wesley and go after Giles. If it doesn’t work out, at least she’ll know she tried.
****************************************************************
Buffy wakes up and looks down at Xander’s sleeping face.
She never expected this. One minute Xander had been comforting her, telling her that everything would be all right. The next, they were kissing and clothes were coming off.
It was more than comfort sex. Last night had been about the way Xander made her feel.
The list of guys that she’s given herself to isn’t long but none of them ever made her feel…safe. That’s what Xander does. She can tell him anything, really be herself instead of who she’s expected to be.
Xander opens his eyes and looks up at Buffy warily. “Hi.”
“Good morning.”
“Are you all right?”
“Yeah.”
“Look Buff, I’m sorry about last night.”
“You are?”
“You were vulnerable and I took advantage of you.”
Buffy smiles and gives Xander a light kiss on the lips. “Can you do it again?”
****************************************************************
Angel’s about to leave Wesley’s apartment when Wesley grabs his head and falls to the floor shaking. After a minute he stops.
“Are you all right?” asks Angel.
“Cordelia wasn’t exaggerating, those are very painful.”
“You had a vision?”
“Yes, it was of Cordelia and the others fighting a Makara demon in Los Angeles.”
“I have to get to them,” says Angel.
“Can’t you just call?” asks Wesley as he gets some aspirin. “After all, Faith’s a slayer and Spike’s very strong.”
“Delia hasn’t contacted me, has Faith called you with their new number?”
“No. How are we supposed to find them?”
“David Nabbit gave me the address of their warehouse. I’ll go home and pack.”
“So will I. I need to ask the Oracles why I’m getting visions.”
****************************************************************
A couple hours later, Willow makes her way to Wesley’s apartment after he calls asking her to come over.
“What’s goin on?” she asks when he lets her inside.
“Angel and I are headed back to L.A.” He quickly explains about the visions. “Do you want to come with us?”
“Going with you would mess things up.”
“How so?”
“You’re in love with Faith. How’re you gonna get her if we continue to see each other?”
“I’m not, that is, what makes you think I’m in love with Faith?”
“Might have somethin to do with the way you look at her. You should go for it.”
“Are you going to be all right?” asks Wesley.
“Yeah. I care about you but I’m not in love with you. Let me help you pack.”
****************************************************************
“We need to get outta bed sometime today,” says Xander.
“We already did,” says Buffy. “You made me breakfast then we came back to bed.”
“My mistake. What’re we doing?”
“Exploring each other. If you wanna stop-”
“You just broke up with Angel. Until three days ago I thought Anya and I would get back together.”
“You think this is a rebound thing.”
“Don’t you?”
“No, maybe, I don’t know. I just want it to continue.”
“We probably shouldn’t tell anyone,” says Xander.
“You’re ashamed now?”
“We should know where this is going before letting anyone else know about us.”
Buffy nods. “We’ll keep it a secret.”
****************************************************************
Two hours before sunset Angel and Wesley reach the Los Angeles City limits. Angel’s in the back seat of the car covered up while Wesley drives.
“Where to first?” asks Wesley.
“The Oracles. We should find out why you got a vision.”
They arrive at the Oracle’s chamber and say the chant.
“What do you want lower beings?” asks the male.
“Answers,” says Angel.
“I received a vision,” says Wesley. “I want to know what it means.”
“You’ve been chosen, you’re our new seer,” says the female.
“Wait just a minute. You can’t arbitrarily make me a seer.”
“Your friend, the other seer, was having a vision,” says the male. “You wished you could take some of the burden from her. Your wish has been granted, you’ve been assigned two of her four warriors.”
“You were spying on us,” accuses Wesley.
“Spying implies it was none of our concern,” says the female. “Everything that happens with our warriors and seers is our business.”
“You said Wesley’s assigned two of Delia’s warriors,” says Angel. “Which two?”
“He will have the other vampire and the slayer,” says the male. “She will keep you and the ex-demoness.”
“Begone,” says the female. “You have work to do.”
With these words, Angel and Wesley are ejected from the chamber.
“They can’t just do that, can they?” asks Wesley. “They can’t make me a seer without my permission, right?”
“That’s how Delia got dragged into this,” says Angel. “Let’s go.”
****************************************************************
There’s a banging on the warehouse door. Spike opens it and immediately swings it shut. “We don’t want any.”
“Open the door, now,” says Angel menacingly.
“No comprende.”
“Spike…”
“No Spike aqui.”
“What’s goin on?” asks Faith as she walks up.
“It’s vagrants,” says Spike with a smirk. “They won’t go away.”
“You’re gonna be a pile of dust,” says Angel through the door.
Faith moves to open it. “Wesley, Angel, what’re you doin here?”
“Can we come in?” asks Wesley.
“Don’t do it pet,” says Spike. “If you feed the big broody one he’ll never go away.”
“Come in you two,” says Faith with a laugh.
Angel stalks toward Spike. “I think it’s time I give my childe a lesson in respect.”
“Hello Wesley, Angel,” says Cordelia from across the room. Angel stops mid-stride and they stare at each other. Cordelia looks away and focuses on Wesley. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m a seer now,” says Wesley. “The Powers told me I’ll be getting visions for two of your four warriors.”
“Which two?” asks Faith.
“You and Spike. Cordelia keeps Angel and Anya.”
“Lucky me,” says Cordelia. “Thanks for the info, we’ll be seein you.”
“We’re not leaving,” says Angel. “We’re back in L.A. for good.”
“Isn’t that nice, you and Buffy movin to the big city. Spike, could you escort me to the Oracles please? I’d like to trade Angel for you.”
“Didn’t you already try to dump him pet? Those mystical blokes refused to take him back, not that I blame em.”
Angel refuses to let his hurt at this new information show. “Can we talk in private Delia?”
“Go back to Sunnydale,” says Cordelia. “If I receive a vision for you I’ll call.”
“Buffy and I broke up, I’m here to stay.”
“I’m sure it’s just temporary, it always is. Since we can’t depend on you not to abandon the fight, you’re not in charge. This is a team. You can be a member but not the leader. If you don’t like it, leave.”
Angel meets her eyes without flinching. “I’m here to stay.”
****************************************************************
In the warehouse’s training room, Angel pounds on the punching bag. In the two weeks he’s been back in L.A., Cordelia’s been avoiding him. Not that he doesn’t see or talk to her; she has to relay her visions to him. She just refuses to speak to him about anything else.
He’s starting to think Buffy and Wesley were wrong. Cordelia acts like they’re barely acquaintances. There’s no way she has romantic feelings for him. He should be relieved but he isn’t. He doesn’t know what to feel.
Adding to his confusion is Cordelia’s relationship with Spike. Cordelia now turns to Spike in her time of need. Spike’s the one she talks to. Spike’s the one who holds her when she has a vision. Spike’s the one who coaxes smiles and laughs from her, something Angel can’t seem to do no matter how hard he tries.
If he hears Spike call Cordelia by Angel’s pet name for her one more time, they’ll be sweeping Spike’s dust off the floor.
Angel continues to pound on the bag in front of him. In his mind’s eye, it’s not a punching bag but Spike’s face.
****************************************************************
Cordelia, Anya, and Faith are at the magic shop picking up supplies.
“What’re you doing Cordelia?” asks Faith.
Cordelia looks up from the jar in her hand. “I wasn’t gonna buy it, I just wanna see what ingredients come in itching powder.”
“I’m talkin about Angel.”
“Don’t know what you mean.”
“She wants to know why you’re making Angel jealous with Spike,” says Anya.
“Angel’d have to be interested in me to be jealous,” says Cordelia.
“What do you call the way he growled last night when you patched up Spike’s wounds?” asks Faith.
“He’s just being…protective. I’m his friend and he doesn’t trust Spike. He’s not jealous.”
“You should jump him,” says Anya.
“What?”
“She’s right,” says Faith. “He and Buffy broke up, this is your chance.”
“They’re gonna get back together, they always do.”
“I still say you should go for it,” says Anya. “Get him while his defenses are down. Eventually he’s gonna catch on that I’m the one Spike’s givin orgasms to.”
Faith laughs. “How’re you and Blondie workin out?”
“He has a lot of stamina.”
“I’d have never pictured you and Spike,” says Faith.
“It makes perfect sense to me,” says Cordelia. “They’re both into vengeance.”
Anya smiles. “Shoulda dumped Xander for Spike years ago.”
****************************************************************
The women arrive back at the warehouse. Angel, Wesley, and Spike come to greet them and look over their purchases.
“I need to talk to you Delia,” says Angel.
“We’re supposed to have a strategy session right now,” says Cordelia. “We’ll talk later.”
“You’ve been sayin that and avoiding me for two weeks. We’ll talk now.” He grabs her arm and pulls her towards the stairs.
“Looks like they’re finally gonna have it out,” says Faith.
“Thank God,” says Wesley. “It’s like walking on eggshells around here.”
****************************************************************
“What’s your deal?” asks Cordelia when they reach the upper level.
Angel levels an angry look at her. “That’s what I wanted to ask you. What’s goin on between you and Spike?”
“I don’t think that’s any of your business.”
“Yes, it is. Spike’s my childe and you’re my friend. Tell me what’s goin on.”
Cordelia shrugs and turns away from Angel. “We’ve been getting closer since the night Spike and I decided to move to L.A.”
“You mean since you, FAITH, and Spike.”
“No, we ran into Faith later and she asked if she could come too.”
Angel doesn’t realize his human mask has slipped. All he feels is burning rage. “You planned to move with Spike, alone?”
“Yes.” She turns around. “There a reason your game face is showin?”
Angel gives an unholy grin. “The better to beat Spike with. He knew better than to touch you.”
“Leave Spike alone. I don’t care that we’re friends Angel, what happens between Spike and me is none of your business.”
“I warned him to stay away from you when we moved to Sunnydale. He should’ve listened.”
Cordelia moves quickly and jumps in front of Angel as he starts toward the stairs. “I won’t let you beat up on Spike.”
Angel grabs Cordelia’s chin and forces her to hold his gaze. “Are you in love with him?”
“What do you care?”
“Answer the damn question.”
“It’s none of your business.”
Angel sees red and backs her against the wall. He kisses her in full vampire mode. She stays still for a moment then whimpers and begins kissing him back.
****************************************************************
“I don’t hear anymore yelling,” says Anya.
Spike grins. “That’s cause the wanker finally went for it.”
“They’re havin sex?” asks Faith.
“Not yet but my sire’s workin up to it.”
“How can you stand to hear them?” asks Wesley.
“It’s hearing them or Peaches takin his frustration out on my hide.”
****************************************************************
After a minute, Angel pulls away. Satisfied with the desire he sees on her face, he softens and his human mask slips on. He kisses her again, this time tenderly. Trailing kisses down the side of her neck, he says “Delia, I wanna ask you somethin.”
“What?”
“It’s somethin Buffy told me.”
Cordelia pulls herself out of the seductive haze at his mention of Buffy. She puts her hands on Angel’s chest and pushes him away. “What did Buffy have to say?”
Angel takes an unneeded breath. As he opens his mouth to ask if she’s in love with him, she starts to have a vision. Angel holds her as it grips her, wishing he could do more.
“What’d you see?” asks Angel when the vision ends.
“Demon army. They’re gathering here before going to Sunnydale; they wanna open the Hellmouth. We need to tell the others.”
They get downstairs and see Wesley lying on the floor with his head in Faith’s lap.
“He had a vision,” says Faith at the speculative look Cordelia sends her.
“You’re right Cordelia, the Powers need to be beaten senseless,” says Wesley. “I can see getting my attention but it doesn’t have to hurt this much.”
“You eventually learn to manage the pain,” says Cordelia as she kneels beside him and pulls out a bottle of Excedrin Migraine. He pops a few and so does she.
“You have a vision too?” asks Anya.
“Yep. It’s time for the bad guys to try to end the world again.”
“You saw demon army marching on Sunnydale too?” asks Wesley.
“Both the seers have the same vision at the same time?” says Spike as he drinks whiskey straight from the bottle. “This might be a good time to switch sides.”
“At sunset we’ll visit the Oracles, find out more information,” says Angel.
****************************************************************
That evening, they enter the Oracles chamber. The six of them are confronted by two very annoyed beings.
“What is it you don’t understand about ‘sacred place’?” asks the male. “This is not a town meeting hall.”
“It’s also supposed to be a ‘secret’ place,” says the female. “How secret will it remain if you keep tramping through here in a group?”
“We apologize,” says Angel. “Delia and Wesley were sent the same vision tonight. We wanted to know why.”
“You are not to question the visions but to act upon them,” says the male.
“Speaking of visions,” says Wesley, “must they be so painful?”
“If they weren’t, you might mistake them for a hallucination or daydream,” says the female.
“So we’re supposed to go back to Sunnydale, gather our forces, and wait for the army to come?” asks Cordelia.
“You must stop them here,” says the male. “They must not get near the Hellmouth or all will be lost.”
“Other warriors are being sent to help,” says the female. “They will be directed to your warehouse. Prepare for what’s coming.”
The six are ejected from the chamber.
“They don’t need to keep throwing us out,” says Anya as she rubs her shoulder. “They could open a door and we could walk out.”
“Next time, jump when you’re thrown,” says Spike.
“Anyone else get chills in there?” asks Faith.
Cordelia nods. “It’s never a good sign when powerful beings are scared.”
****************************************************************
A few nights later, Angel and Spike are walking the streets of L.A. to calm their adrenaline rush after a nasty battle.
“You’d think those other warrior blokes would be more help,” says Spike.
“They did seem to get in the way,” acknowledges Angel.
“Are you sure they’re who the bloody Powers meant to send?”
“Unfortunately.”
“Maybe we should go see em again, just to be sure.”
“Anya already did, when the Vicamara demon questioned her spell. He said he could do better, then made the kitchen catch on fire. But you knew that.”
“So what? If we can’t get any peace until we send our worthless allies home, don’t see why we should let the Powers have any. It’s their fault we have to deal with those dunderheads.”
“Didn’t I teach you not to antagonize all-powerful beings?”
“No, you taught me not to antagonize you. You weren’t afraid of anything until that gypsy curse. How’re things with Delia?”
“Don’t call her that.”
“It’s her name.”
“Her name is CORdelia. Delia is a special pet name for her, MY pet name.”
“She doesn’t mind when I use it.”
“I mind.”
“Well that makes ALL the difference. If you wanna claim her, I’m not the one you should tell.”
“She won’t let me within five feet of her.”
“I knew this day would come. The great Angelus needs my help gettin’ a woman.”
“I don’t need your help, not unless I want lessons in getting a woman to leave me. The name Drusilla ring any bells?”
“That’s a low blow, soul boy. At least DELIA doesn’t make excuses to get away from me.”
“You’re gonna make me dust you.”
“You could try. Even if you get lucky, it would haunt you.”
“I doubt it.”
“I’ve become DELIA’S friend, someone she can talk to. You dust me, she’ll never forgive you. What, no comeback? You admit that I’m right.”
“The only thing I admit is that you’re a waste of space.”
“And? I wanna hear you say it.”
Angel’s gaze is full of loathing as he glares at his childe. “And I’d appreciate it if you’d help me with Delia.”
“Why sire, you only had to ask. First you hafta get her alone.”
“You have a way of stating the obvious.”
“Only with those who are intellectually challenged. Now, once you get her alone you tell her…”
****************************************************************
Cordelia, Faith, and Anya are at the local magic shop for supplies.
“It’s a relief to get out of there for a while,” says Faith.
“You know, you add more people and the warehouse gets really small,” says Cordelia.
“You add temperamental demons and it’s claustrophobic. They’re bombarding my slayer sense. I’m having trouble distinguishing friend and foe.”
“Maybe we could put them up at hotel,” says Anya. “Just until we need them to help.”
Cordelia smiles. “Don’t worry about it. We only have two days to go. On the first night of the next full moon the demon army will gather and begin their march on Sunnydale.”
“If they’re marching, won’t it take them a few days to get there? After all, they can only travel by night, unless they don’t care who sees them.”
“I don’t think Cordelia means march as in walk there,” says Faith. “I think they’ll meet and get in trucks.”
“Makes sense. How are things going with Wesley?”
“For the last time you two, Wesley and I are only friends.”
“Okay, fine, you’re not interested,” says Cordelia. “It’s just sad, cause I know he’s interested in you.”
“You do?”
“Yep. I can tell he wants you.”
“How come you can tell Wesley wants Faith but you can’t see that Angel wants you?” questions Anya.
“Angel doesn’t want me like that. Our friendship ended and he wants back what we used to have. If I gave him that, he’d leave me alone and concentrate on fixing things with Buffy.”
“Is that why you don’t cut him any slack?” asks Faith. “You’re afraid he’ll go back to B if he thinks everything’s all right between the two of you?”
“Angel and I can’t be close anymore because I’m in love with him. I can’t handle being just friends anymore.”
“That’s not what Angel wants from you,” says Anya. “He wants to give you orgasms like Spike gives me.”
Cordelia and Faith laugh.
Anya grins at them. “It’s true.”
“I wish it were, but it’s not,” says Cordelia.
“What would it take for you to give Angel a chance?” asks Faith.
“I don’t know. He’d have to show me he’s through with Buffy for good. Just saying the words doesn’t cut it.”
“Then you have to stop avoiding him and tell him how you feel, give him a chance to tell you how he feels.”
“I’ll think about it. What would it take for you to give Wesley a chance?”
“There’s the difference between Angel and Wesley. Wesley doesn’t want a chance with me.”
“Do you want a chance with him?” asks Anya.
Faith hesitates. “I…I don’t know.”
“Maybe you should find out.”
****************************************************************
At Xander’s apartment in Sunnydale, Willow watches Buffy and Xander start making out again and groans. “I’m going home.”
Buffy pulls away from Xander. “Don’t go, we’re supposed to be spending serious bonding time before we fight the next evil.”
“You two wanna be alone. I’ll see you later.”
“Xander, could you give me and Willow a minute?”
Xander gives Buffy a quick kiss. “I’ll be in the kitchen.”
Once Xander leaves, Buffy turns to Willow. “I’m not letting you go home and mope.”
“I won’t. I’m gonna organize my spell books.”
“You did that last night.”
“Then I’ll alphabetize the ingredients I use in spells.”
“Night before last.”
“Then I’ll-”
“Will, what’s goin on?”
“You know how you told me to go for it with Giles?”
“Yeah?”
“I did, the night he told us about the prophecy.”
“And?”
“I kissed him. He looked horrified, so I left. I haven’t seen him since.”
“Maybe he’s just been really busy.”
“I work for him at the magic shop. He’s avoiding me.”
“Then don’t let him. Go see him and ask how he feels.”
“You think so?”
“You’re still not sure sure he’s not interested. Until you are, you can’t have a good cry and move on.”
“All right, I’ll do it. See you later Buffy.”
Xander comes out as the front door shuts behind Willow. “Did you find out what’s wrong with her?”
“She showed the guy she wants how she feels and he wasn’t receptive.”
“Who is it?”
“Giles.”
Xander’s mouth opens and closes, but no words come out.
****************************************************************
When the girls get back to the warehouse in L.A., they’re surprised to find it empty of the twenty demons the Powers sent.
“Where are they?” asks Cordelia.
Faith feels around with her slayer sense. “They’re not here.”
“I don’t sense any magic,” says Anya. “I wonder what happened.”
Faith turns around with stake in hand as she senses vampires approach. She lowers it when she spots Wesley, Spike, and Angel. “What happened, where’d all the demons go?”
“I couldn’t take it anymore,” says Wesley. “While you were gone they actually…you know what, I won’t think about it. Suffice it to say, it was them or me, and it wasn’t going to be me.”
“Did you beat them up?” asks Anya. “Starting with that stupid Vicamara demon?”
“I’m afraid not. I called David Nabbit and arranged for alternate lodging.”
“Were the demons upset you kicked them out?” asks Cordelia.
“Actually, they were relieved. Said something about not having to put up with live humans.”
“Some blokes do better with corpses,” says Spike. He goes to Anya and picks her up, throwing her over his shoulder. “Come along pet. I have to make up for the orgasms you missed the last few days.”
Anya laughs and lets Spike carry her to the basement.
Angel turns to Cordelia. “Can we talk? Please?”
Cordelia nods reluctantly. “Sure. Let’s go upstairs.”
“It looks like everything’s gonna work out for our friends,” says Faith after Cordelia and Angel leave.
“I hope so,” says Wesley. “They deserve to be happy.”
“Do we deserve the same thing?”
“Of course Faith. I hope you find happiness one day.”
“That’s not what I mean. Ever since I got community service, there’s been this…vibe between us. I thought it was hate at first, because of our past. But lately, it’s more.”
“What are you saying Faith?”
“I’m attracted to you Wesley, I wanna be with you. If you don’t feel the same, it’s cool. I like having you as my friend.”
“What if I do feel the same?”
“Then you should be over here kissing me.”
Wesley walks over and pulls Faith in his arms. “I’m a little slow at times.”
“The right situation and slow’s a good thing.”
****************************************************************
In Sunnydale, Willow takes a deep breath and knocks on Giles’ door. He opens it with a glass of brandy in hand.
“Hello Willow.”
“Hi Giles. Can I come in?”
“Of course.”
Once inside, Willow removes her jacket and sits on the sofa fidgeting. “We haven’t talked in a few days.”
“I’ve been really busy,” says Giles as he sits in the chair next to the sofa.
“So Buffy said.”
“You talked to Buffy about what happened?”
“Uh huh, she’s my best friend.”
“I suppose Xander knows as well.”
“He will soon, he and Buffy don’t keep secrets from each other any more. You know, because they’re together now.”
“No, I didn’t know. It seems things are changing all around.”
“That’s not necessarily a bad thing.”
“I’m old enough to be your father.”
“So? I’m really mature for my age. Growing up on the Hellmouth does that.”
“It would never work.”
Willow suddenly smiles. “But you thought about it.”
“That’s not, it’s hardly the point.”
“That’s exactly the point. Are interested in me Giles?”
“I’m an older man in the middle of my life. You’re a woman in her twenties. Naturally I’m flattered. That doesn’t mean this is a good idea.”
“No it doesn’t. There’s only one way to know for sure.”
Giles watches as Willow stands and begins unbuttoning her shirt. “What are you doing?”
“Seeing if my age is all that’s stopping us.”
“How does getting undressed show you that?”
“We already know our lives are on similar paths. We have the same friends, similar life goals, and similar beliefs. The only thing we’re not sure of is if we’re sexually compatible. Why don’t we see, then you make a decision about us.”
Willow, now clad in only her bra and panties, sits on Giles’ lap. “Give me one night to show you how good it could be. If you’re not convinced, we’ll put this night down to the mystical influence of the Hellmouth and forget it.”
“Willow, this really isn’t a good…where did you learn to do that?”
****************************************************************
In L.A., Cordelia moves to the window on the third floor of the warehouse. “I’m listening Angel.”
“I wanna be with you.”
“Why should I believe that?”
“It’s the truth. Over the years, I fell in love with you.”
“That’s funny, I remember you dropping everything, including me, and going to Sunnydale to be with Buffy.”
“I didn’t realize what I felt then.”
“But I’m supposed to believe you now know how you feel, that you have romantic feelings for me?”
“You know me better than anyone Delia, you know I’m telling you the truth.”
“For two years I believed fighting the good fight in this city was our truth. I found out the hard way you were just killin’ time until you could get back to Buffy. Now I’m supposed to believe your new truth isn’t gonna change?”
“I can’t offer you any guarantees Delia, life and love doesn’t have em. I can offer you this. I didn’t break up with Buffy, she broke up with me.”
“Now that just makes me feel all warm and squishy.”
“She broke up with me because she realized how unhappy I was when you left. I never brood anymore, but I did when you left. I brooded from the last time I saw you in Sunnydale to the first time I saw you again in L.A. You make me happy Delia. Although I don’t have access to the sun, I feel like I do whenever I’m near you. I love you Cordelia Chase. Please believe me.”
Cordelia’s face and heart softens. “I believe you.”
“Thank you. I’ll spend our life together trying to make you happy.”
“You better. Well, why are you still standing over there? Come kiss me.”
****************************************************************
Three months later in Las Vegas…
“I can’t believe I’m actually doing this,” says Buffy as she nervously plays with her veil.
Willow smiles at her friend. “I can’t believe it took you guys this long.”
“I’m so happy for you honey,” says Joyce Summers, wiping away tears.
“Thanks Mom. I’m sorry it’s not the wedding you always dreamed of giving me.”
“As long as you’re happy and love Xander, I don’t care. I’m just glad Xander convinced you to do it before the baby’s born.”
There’s a knock on the door. Joyce cracks it open and finds Angel standing there. “What can I do for you?”
“I’d like a minute alone with Buffy,” says Angel.
At a nod from Buffy, Joyce reluctantly lets him inside. Willow smiles at Angel and pats his arm before they leave.
“I haven’t seen much of you lately,” says Buffy.
“It’s demon-heavy in L.A. Lots to do.”
“Are you happy Angel? Does Cordelia make you happy?”
“Yes. I have you to thank for that.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. Without you, I’d have been blind to my feelings for Delia. So thank you.”
“No, thank you. If you hadn’t had feelings for Cordelia, I’d have never given Xander a chance.”
“I’ll always love you Buffy. If you ever need a friend…”
“It goes both ways. Be happy Angel.”
They share a long hug, each remembering their love. After a light kiss on the lips, Angel leaves.
Willow comes back in. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah, just letting go.”
****************************************************************
“Sit down,” says Anya. “Do you need me to get you anything?”
“It’s been three months since we fought the demon army pet,” says Spike. “I’m completely healed.”
“You were unconscious for two days. I’ll decide when you’re healed.”
“This is getting ridiculous.”
“Please let her have her way Spike,” says Wesley. “If you don’t she’ll nag you throughout the ceremony.”
Anya glares at Wesley. “I don’t nag.”
Spike pulls Anya onto his lap. “Yes you do pet, but I like you anyway.” They begin kissing.
“Are they at it again?” asks Faith as she joins them.
Wesley smiles as he puts his arm around her waist and rubs the slight pregnant swell of her stomach. “Where’d you go?”
“Angel decided he had to talk to B before the ceremony. I was distracting Cordy with the slot machines.”
“Does Cordelia know Angel went to talk to Buffy?”
“Yeah, she heard Joyce and Red discussing it.”
“Oh dear.”
****************************************************************
Angel steps outside the chapel and looks around the casino for Cordelia. He spots her in front of a slot machine. “I was wondering where you went.”
“I wasn’t. Wondering where you went that is. You went to see Buffy.”
“Delia…”
“There’s still time to stop the wedding. Xander’d be crushed, but he’ll hate you breaking up his marriage a lot more.”
“I have no intention of stopping their wedding. Buffy and Xander love each other, they belong together. Just like we do.”
“Then why’d you see Buffy?”
“To thank her for helping me realizing how much you mean to me.”
“Really?”
“Really. Buffy’s my past, but you’re my present and future. When are you gonna believe that?”
“I believe it. It’s just hard sometimes, convincing myself you want me more than Buffy. You guys had this great tragic love.”
“But our love is so much better because it’s not tragic. We get to live happily ever after.”
“Given our everyday life, you really think so?”
“Absolutely. I love you Delia.”
“I love you too Angel.”
****************************************************************
In the groomsman room, Xander fiddles with his tie. “Is it straight?”
“It was until you messed with it,” says Giles. “Let me.”
“Do you think this is the right thing to do?”
“Are you having doubts?”
“Not really. I love Buffy, but she loved Angel a long time. Maybe this isn’t really what she wants.”
“Have you ever known Buffy to do anything she didn’t want to do? Relax Xander, Buffy loves you as much as you love her.”
“So our getting together isn’t surprising?”
“No. You’ve cared deeply for Buffy since you met her. It just took her a little longer to get there.”
“Yeah, what’s a few years. Like the years between you and Wills.”
“Xander…”
“You are gonna make an honest woman of my best friend aren’t you? People are starting to talk.”
“Be quiet Xander. Let’s go, it’s time to start.”
****************************************************************
The minister beams at them. “And I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Xander smiles at Buffy. “And you were worried some disaster would happen to ruin it.”
“Let’s not press our luck,” says Buffy. “Kiss me.”
They kiss to the whoops and catcalls of their friends.
*THE END*