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~~~Part One~~~

�So this whole Faith on parole thing doesn�t bother you?� Willow whispered to Cordelia as they waited for the microwave popcorn to finish popping. �I mean we *know* someone on parole. Even after all we�ve been through it seems so wrong to *know* someone who has a parole officer.�

Cordelia looked over her shoulder to the living room where Faith and Amy were sitting staring at one another, neither girl knowing what to say. �I promised Angel that I�d give her a chance.�

�Really?� Willow took a bag of popcorn out of the microwave. Looking at her friend in disbelief.

�Yes, really.� Cordelia scrunched her nose back at Willow. �The newer kinder me knows that Faith has changed and deserves a second chance.�

�So where�s that crystal vase your Grandmother sent to you?� Willow smiled at Cordelia knowingly, the redhead�s eyes sparkling with mischief.

�Okay so the kinder gentler me is still no fool.� Taking the popcorn from the redhead they joined Amy and Faith in the living room. �Who�s up for some Sandra Bullock?� Cordelia waved Miss Congeniality for the others to see.

�Anything is good.� Amy answered shyly, still not believing that she was in Cordelia Chase�s living room. The last time Amy had been human Cordelia wasn�t the first person she�d ever have dreamt about spending time with willingly. So much had changed in just a few years. �Seeing that anything that has been made in the last three years would be new to me.�

Cordelia paused a moment and wondered for the umpteenth time what say to the witch that had just recently returned to her human form. �Gee bet your glad your not eating pellets anymore.� or �Bet it�s great not having all that fur.�

Instead of saying anything Cordelia popped the DVD into the player, she could practically taste the awkwardness in the air. Perhaps they should have gone out to some noisy bar like she first suggested. But nooo, Angel thought that perhaps a quiet night in would be better for Faith. Who was he kidding, Angel didn�t want them going out because it would mean he would feel obligated to follow them in the shadows, making sure that the four of them stayed out of harms way. Thinking about it, Cordelia admitted that Angel was acting rather odd, ever since she had announced that Willow and Amy were making a trip to LA. Anytime the two Sunnydale-ites showed up at the hotel Angel made excuses and made a quick departure. Cordelia made a mental note to speak to her broody boss, tell him that if he didn�t stop acting so strangely around Willow, she may pick up on his abnormal behavior and have hurt feelings.

�So what�s this movie supposed to be about anyways.� Faith grabbed a handful of popcorn, most of it spilling out of her fist on to the floor before ever making it to her mouth. Cordelia raised her eyebrow at the mess the rogue slayer made.

�You should really relate. It�s about a sloppy, uncultured rough girl who is incapable of expressing herself except through force.� Faith made a face at the seer and sat back to watch the movie.

Willow took a seat between Amy and Cordelia on the couch, catching the blonde witch�s ill at ease expression giving the other witch an encouraging smile Willow settled back against the couch. They were all engrossed with watching an ugly duckling turn into a beauty on the screen. .

When the movie was over, Cordelia stood to get the DVD out of the player, not sure what they were going to do now until it was time to go to sleep. It was supposed to be a fun filled girl�s night. Movie, gossip and sleepover. But when one of the girls was an ex-con, and the other just returning to human form after being a rat for the last couple of years really put a damper on the whole �let�s have a bonding moment� thing.

�That could never happen.� Faith rolled her eyes, receiving the attention from the three other girls.

�What ? The fact that a complete social deviant learned to behave like someone that could almost pass as socially acceptable? Or the fact that anyone would ever consider wearing such a cheap knockoff in a beauty pageant?� Cordelia raised a brow in question.

Faith sat back; face void of any expression as she tried to process what little Miss Perfect had said.

�All of it. Put aside the fact that someone like that would ever make it to the point that she�d be able to step foot on stage, no matter how good looking she was. But the entire get the guy in the end and see the world as a better place thing.� Sitting forward Faith rested her arms on her knees waiting for Cordelia to respond.

�It�s just a movie.� Cordelia shrugged off the urge to debate the issue with Faith. She had to keep reminding herself that she was supposed to be giving Faith a second chance, not arguing with everything the other girl said.

�But wouldn�t it be nice?� Amy�s voice sounded wistful. Faith was slightly relieved the attention was off her, and now on the blonde witch. �I mean to be able to take one moment in your life and make a drastic change that everyone around you views you differently.� Cordelia, Willow and Faith looked away a moment with slight smiles tugging on their lips. Amy realized her slip and smiled herself. �A change that doesn�t get you shoved into your very own habitat trail, you smartasses.� Amy let herself shift through her memories of that one moment that she would change if she could.

�That whole rat thing huh?� Faith gave a lop sided smile at the strange blonde.

�Huh?� Amy looked over at Faith confused.

�You�d change that day you turned yourself into a rat wouldn�t you?� Willow clarified, a little interested in what her friend would chose as the on moment to change.

�No.�

�No?� The other girls sat in shock, all thinking that had they been the blonde they would�ve chosen that moment to change. Amy smiled knowingly at the others. Sure the day that she and Willow were tied to those wooden stakes, fire at their feet ranked pretty high on her days never to repeat list. But there was another moment that Amy felt if she could change would�ve made her life turn out incredibly different.

�The moment I think I�d change is when I caved into my psycho mother and agreed to try out for cheerleading. I knew there was something off with my mother.� Amy shook her head sadly at the memory. Willow patted Amy�s shoulder, also remembering that awful experience.

�Yeah I can see that, that sucked in the big My Mother�s off her rocker kind of way.� Cordelia snorted.

�What about you princess?� Cordelia glared at the slayer. �Let me guess you�d change that day you wore the wrong shade of lip-gloss.�

�No.� Cordelia�s answer was short and to the point but dripped with sarcasm. �The moment I would change would be... the moment that I realized that I was in charge of that heard of pathetic sheep in High School.� Cordelia�s eyes looked distant as though she could envision one particular moment. �I would�ve been able to help the slayerettes more then I had. I was so concerned what �my friends� might think of me hanging with the rest of you.�

�You helped.� Willow saw the disbelief in Cordelia�s eyes. �Well you did. I mean sure you may have complained a lot, but when it came down to it you were always there.�

Cordelia smiled at Willow in thanks. �What about you red? We all know what day I�d change.� Faith stopped when she saw the question in the others eyes, as though they really wanted to know but didn�t want to ask. �My first day in Sunnyhell. I was such an asshole, strutting around like I was something special. If I could�ve just been normal, not so in your face perhaps everyone would�ve liked my better.�

�Faith we never disliked you when you first came to Sunnydale. It was after that we...well...�

�Hated the every fiber of your being?� Cordelia finished for the redhead.

�No! We never hated... perhaps strong dislike...or knee shaking fear...okay so maybe for a little while there hate, but not until the end.� Willow bit her lip.

�That�s okay Red, I was a bitch. I did some really horrid things that no matter what I do now I can never take back. Now as I was saying, what moment would you change?�

Willow thought on it. �I really don�t think there�s a moment, just a few little things. Like warn Jenny that Angelus knew about her and the curse. I think she was on to a way to anchor Angel�s soul, but I guess we�ll never know. I mean think about it, Angel all souled. He and Buffy would be still happily in love now.�

�First off that�s not a moment in your life to change. There were so many things that lead up to that moment, stuff that was out of your control. Second may I say that praise be that that heart wrenching relationship is over. I know that Buffy has pulled stakes, no pun intended, and moved on.� Cordelia rolled her eyes at Willow�s extremely Willowy response. �Have you ever done anything that was selfish?�

Willow�s face turned beet red and she looked away from Cordelia. �Well once and that turned out very...very badly. In fact someone I consider a close friend now was hurt. Not just their feelings, but like metal poking through her body kind of hurt.�

�Oh Willow that�s water under the bridge, forgotten and forgiven. I think that my pride was injured more than anything. I was stuck up snot that thought she was better than everybody else. What�s sad is that�s the only time I think you�ve ever done anything selfish.�

�That is sad.� Faith smirked. �Come on Red there has to be one thing. Perhaps not a moment to change, but one thing from our pasts that you wanted but never got.�

Willow�s eyes widened. �Nope no one I wanted but never got. No sirie I�m content girl.�

�Fine keep it to yourself, it�s a long night, and there are still facials to give and alcohol to consume. We�ll know his name yet.� Cordelia�s confident smile sent shivers down Willow�s spine. She was going to need to stay on her toes, or they�d all find out about her pathetic crush.

�I could use the alcohol, but I�ll pass on the facial crap.� Faith stubbornly announced.

�No mudd, no booze. House rule.� Cordelia fluttered her lashes in mock innocence at Faith�s low growl. �Plus your hair is just screaming deep condition.�

�I�ll make the drinks.� Amy volunteered, feeling a little more at ease around Faith and Cordelia.

�I�ll help her.� Willow followed Amy to the kitchen, knowing it would buy her some time form Cordelia�s tortuous beauty techniques.

Faith saw the calculating look in Cordelia�s eyes. �Crap.�

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cordelia stood back and took a drink from the margarita Amy and Willow had whipped up, making a face at the strong taste of the tequila. �Stop touching your face.� Cordelia slapped Faith�s hand from touching the green mask the ex-cheerleader had just applied to her face.

�It itches.� Faith nearly whined.

�Cry me a river.� Cordelia rolled her eyes and turned to Willow. �Your turn.�

Willow looked over the rim of her glass and gulped down another healthy amount. �Naha, Amy first.�

Amy was slouched back on the couch, relishing in the way every muscle in her body was relaxed and that her head felt all whooshie. �Nope I was drink girl. You just watched. I win you lose.� Willow groaned.

�Stop your belly aching.� Cordelia advanced on her, and Willow braced herself for the wet goop to hit her face. Cordelia was just inches away when the sound of the phone. �Don�t you move an inch missy; you are defiantly not saved by the bell. Hello? Angel wow I thought for sure you would�ve checked in on us at least an hour ago.�

Willow leaned forward to get her drink. She felt Cordelia�s hand on her shoulder and pull her back. �Don�t mess with me Red; you aren�t going to escape so easily.� Willow pointed at her drink and Cordelia grinned sheepishly.

�Anyways Angel all is fine here. No hair pulling or bite marks.�

�I�m more worried about broken bones and concussions.� Angel answered back dryly.

�If you�re so worried why don�t you stop by?� Cordelia rubbed the green goop on Willow�s face while the witch�s attention was caught by the television. The redhead yelped as the cool mixture touched her face.

�What was that?� Angel�s voice broke through the girl�s peal of laughter.

�Calm down oh boring one, it was just Willow acting like a baby.� Cordelia took a sip of her drink, not noticing the sticky green smudges she got on her glass. �If you�re so worried why don�t you come over? We�re plying margaritas to Willow to see if she�ll spill how her secret crush is.�

Angel sighed deeply into the phone. �I thought we agreed that it wasn�t the best idea for you girls to drink.�

�No Daddy, I think it was *you* that said that it wouldn�t be the best idea if we went bar hopping. *We* never said anything about drinking.� Cordelia made a face into the phone, as she tried to even out the green mass of goo on the witch�s face.

�Just as long as you all stay put. I�m going, remember I need you in the office early tomorrow.�

�Yay, aren�t you a barrel of monkey�s tonight.�

�Cordelia...�

�Fine, bright and early, lucky me.� Cordelia hung up the phone, disgusted at the green fingerprints that her messy hand had left. �Drink up girls some of us have years to make up for.� Everyone giggled, giving a salute to Cordelia.

~~~*~~~

Cordelia could feel the headache way before she opened her eyes. Her stomach threatened to heave what ever was left from the night before. Slitting one eye open she gasped to find herself sprawled on the floor in front of the couch.

�Oh no what time is it?� Trying to stand she found that to be a big mistake. Instead she crawled into the kitchen, having to climb over Willow and Amy on her way. Taking a look at the clock she cursed. �Denis the least you could do was wake me up. Angel is going to kill me. It�s after one.� Forcing herself to her feet she staggered to the bathroom, wishing she could take a long steamy shower, but she was late as it was, and if she didn�t want to get an ear full from Wesley and Angel she had to hurry.

After she was dressed and had located her sunglasses she reentered the living room to see everyone still asleep. Sticking her tongue out at her lazy friends she felt a little better, but not much. The two and a half walk to the hotel was going to be murder, and what Cordelia really wanted was a nice hot cup of Joe. Walking past a small cafe she gave into the nee for caffeine and made a sharp turn into the shop.

If she had been looking she would have seen two people emerging from the shop, and probably wouldn�t have slammed right into them. �Oomph.�

�Jesus I just got this dry-cleaned. Do you even know how expensive it is to dry clean now a day?� A female�s voice gasped as she vainly tried to clean the coffee from her rip off designer dress suite.

�I�m so sorry-.� Cordelia�s mouth hung open as she watched Lilah lift her head. �Okay I lied, I�m not sorry at all.� Her words dripped of sarcasm.

�Excuse me do I know you?� Lilah looked over at her companion. Cordelia looked at the other person, to find the one and only Mr. Sold my Soul for a six-figure salary.

�Oh lucky me, look its Lindsey McDonald. Have you had any earth shattering attacks of a conscious, or does the four bedroom penthouse with a view helping to numb that nagging feeling?�

Lindsey scrunched up his face, and looked thoughtfully at Cordelia. �I�m sorry have we met?�

Cordelia smirked, knowing that she would�ve enjoyed this little run in if her head weren�t in such searing pain. �Uh only in the you used us to help you, then double crossed us, only to try to kill me later kind of know.�

Lilah and Lindsey shared a look that clearly said that they thought the brunette in front of them was completely out of her gourd. �Us?�

Cordelia had nagging feeling that something was going on. �You know *Angel* us.�

�OHHH, you have an Angel for a friend, yes well tell your *friend* hello for me.� Lindsey snickered and stepped past her, Lilah laughed and followed.

�What was that?� Cordelia walked into the cafe, feeling a little confused. �I really need to stop drinking.�
~~~*~~~

Ten minutes later she was standing outside the hotel, carrying a coffee for each of her co-workers. A kind of peace offering for being late. Waling up the steps she noticed how run down the place looked. Angel really needed to step up his plans for renovating the place. Reaching a well-manicured hand out to open the door she nearly lost her balance when the door refused to budge. �Ha ha you guys, real funny. Look I�m sorry that I�m late.� She waited a moment for one of the guys to let her in. After a minute she banged on the door, only to still have no one come and unlock the door.

�I swear when I get my hands on those guys they are going to beg for mercy.� Walking around back she stopped at the sight of the courtyard. This was wrong. She had just hired some guys to clean out the over grown mess. What she was staring at didn�t look as though it had seen the sharp side of a hedge clipper.

Quickly making her way to the door she find this one locked as well, and started to panic. First Lindsey and Lilah didn�t know who she was, now this. She hadn�t grown up on the Hellmouth not to *know* this wasn�t good.

Dropping the coffees as she ran back out of the courtyard she ran as fast as she could home.