Title: Untouchable.

Disclaimer: Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy & 20th Century Fox own the show Angel, not me.

Author: Lorna J. Dominey.

Summary: Cordelia has been kidnapped and Angel must save her, under rather odd terms.

Spoilers: I guess what we have seen so far.

Rating: PG 14.

Pairing: A/C.

Distribution: It stays here.

Author's Note: Feedback please.

Email: [email protected]

.................................................................

Part 1

Cordelia groaned and opened her eyes. She blinked several times until she could focus on her surroundings. Cordelia gasped, she was in a cave. Water dripped down the side of the wall opposite her. She could hear noises off in the distance. She just hoped they stayed distant. Cordelia got to her knees. She frowned as she brushed sand off her black velvet pants,

Cordelia muttered, "Yuk, these will never be the same and I have only worn them one time."

Cordelia shook her head as she stood up on shaky legs.

She sighed, "And my blouse is a total loss." she groaned at the water stains on her maroon silk blouse.........

Meanwhile back at the hotel Angel woke up from a dream about Cordelia. He groaned and turned over. He could sense that the sun was setting and it was time to be getting up. As Angel showered he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong with Cordelia. He felt rather uneasy. Angel quickly dressed and went downstairs. He dialed Cordelia's number, after several rings, Dennis answered.

Angel groaned, at the sounds of the phone being banged against the table by the ghost. They did seem more frantic than usual. Angel hung up and headed out. He was going to go check out her place. As soon as Angel reached Cordelia's front door it flew open with a bang. He looked inside the place was a mess. Furniture was toppled over and several lamps were laying on the floor broken.

Angel stepped inside he glanced down at the sound of crunching glass. One of Cordelia's glass figurines that she loved.

Angel sensed Dennis' distress the room reeked of it, "Ok what happened"

A piece of paper floated over to Angel. The ghost waving it frantically. Angel grabbed the paper and read the note, "If you want your seer back follow these instructions, go to the Santa Monica pier and wait next to the phone booth near the carousel."

Angel turned and quickly left the apartment and headed for the pier.

..........................................................

Part 2

Angel stood near the phone booth watching the crowd around him. People, he thought what fools they can be.

The phone rang and Angel grabbed it, "Angel speaking, where's Cordelia?"

Voice, "Be patient, and listen to my instructions, take a walk north on the beach until you see the red scarf you gave Miss Chase last week, you will be met."

The caller disconnected the call.

Angel stood there a few seconds before heading down to the beach. He looked up at the almost full moon as he headed north. Angel pulled his coat closer. He hoped that Cordelia was ok. He'd kill anyone who hurt her. He growled deep in his chest at the thought of her laying somewhere hurt and vulnerable.

Angel spotted something fluttering in the breeze. He recognized the red silk scarf he'd bought just a few days before, and how much Cordelia had thanked him for it. Angel took the scarf in his hands and held it to his nose. Her perfume clung to the silky material.

"Cordelia where are you?" Angel whispered out loud.

A soft crunch of footsteps on the sand made Angel turn around. A rather tall portly man dressed in a dark green suit stood there.

"Angel, you have come good, now if you want your little seer back you must earn her."

Angel growled and stepped forward, "You tell me where she is and she had not better be hurt."

The man held up his hand, "Now none of that or you will never see Miss Chase again, the two of you are to be tested to see just how much the two of trust each other and how much you really care for her. You have bought her some rather nice gifts trying to atone for the way you treated her in recent history, but still are you sincere when it comes to her and your feelings about the young lady?"

Angel glared at the man, "I care deeply for her and she is the one person I can say I trust completely."

The man gave Angel a evil half smile, "We shall see how true that statement is, now come I will take you to her."

The man turned and headed for a nearby pile of rocks and sand. Angel followed. The man stopped and smiled, he waved his hands and a door appeared.

.......................................................

Part 3 The man turned and smiled at Angel, "This way and be quick."

Angel frowned and stepped into the door. He looked around and spotted Cordelia standing nearby with a pissed off look on her face.

Angel with a frown, "Cordelia, are you ok?"

Cordelia rushed over to Angel, "Thank goodness you're here, wherever here is."

Angel wrapped his arms around her, "What happened, how did you get here?"

Cordelia hugged Angel, "Not sure of anything, I heard a noise then everything went black."

The man cleared his throat, "We need to get down to business, time is running short."

Angel and Cordelia turned and stared at the man, Angel spoke up, "So why are we here?"

The man smiled, "To determine if Miss Chase here should live or die. You see Miss Chase here was strangled to death in her apartment tonight by an unknown assailant."

Cordelia gasped, "What, no way hey I am here and very much alive."

He smiled at her, "Yes, well you see there was no one there to pass along your gift of inner sight and Angel needs that guidance. When Doyle died it was passed on to you seeing as how you were the last person he had contact with. Your last contact was your killer and since he has a dark heart he could not be given the gift."

Angel frowned, "So what is this about exactly?"

The man placed his fingers against his lips, "Hmm, this is a test to see just how much the two of you need and trust each other. To see if she is still worthy of her gift, she does seem to complain about it quite a bit."

Cordelia glared at him, "Hey those visions come with some pretty painful headaches."

He smiled, "All gifts come with a price, now let me explain this test. First there will be absolutely no touching each other once the tests begins. That means no flesh can touch flesh even an accidental brushing of finger tips. You have until one hour before sunrise to complete the tests. that gives you approximately eight hours. You will have to rely on each others judgement. There will be tests that will determine your strengths and weaknesses. Now have one last hug before the tests begins. Remember fail this test and she will remain dead and her gift of inner sight will be passed on to someone else. Succeed and she will live, time will turn back and she will not be attacked."

Angel took Cordelia in his arms and held her tightly, "We will succeed, I can't lose you."

Cordelia clung to Angel, "I know, I don't want to die, you need me."

The man cleared his throat, "Enough, now the test begins and remember absolutely no touching. When you see me next it will be the end of the test."

The man waved his hands and a portion of the cave opened up to an even darker cave. Angel stepped away from Cordelia and entered the darkness. Cordelia took a deep breath and followed.

.........................................

part 4.

Angel carefully stepped into the next room and let his vampire sight adjust to the darkness. He could see a faint glow from around the corner.

He hesitated briefly, "Cordelia, be careful the ground is a bit rocky, I see a glow up ahead."

Angel kept creeping forward listening to Cordelia's heartbeat. It was the only way he could keep track of her. Angel rounded the corner and found several lit torches in sconces on the walls. he took one and held it out enough for Cordelia to see how to get to where he was located.

Cordelia was taking one step at a time she'd heard Angel's warning and was being careful. She sighed when she saw the light from up ahead. She followed the glow and quickly found Angel holding a lit torch.

Cordelia grumbled, "Wow, so far not liking this."

Angel nodded and looked around. There was three openings leading from the cave they were now standing in.

Angel sighed, "Take a torch, and let's see where door number one leads."

Cordelia gulped slightly, "Yeah sure, ah so which door is number one?"

Angel frowned as he watched Cordelia take a torch and hold it out.

Angel pointed, "I guess this one will be it."

Angel stepped through the narrow doorway and held out his torch. It was a long narrow tunnel he sighed and went forward. The tunnel had several twists and turns. It was also getting narrower as he went along. He could hear Cordelia's heartbeat. She was close behind him. Angel turned the corner and ran into a dead end.

He quickly called out, "Stop Cordelia don't come any closer it's a dead end turn around and head back the way we came."

Cordelia was startled by Angel's voice she almost didn't stop in time, "Ah god Angel I almost ran into you, yeah sure I'll turn around."

Angel waited a bit and listened to her heartbeat. As she retreated back the way they had come before turning and following her. Angel could make out the dim form of Cordelia as she crept forward with her torch held out in front of her. She hesitated then stopped.

Angel paused, "What's wrong Cordy?"

Cordelia sighed, "The tunnel has changed it branches off now in two different directions so right or left?"

Angel growled, "Go right I guess honestly I wonder if it matters?"

Cordelia nodded her head, "You are probably so right, so ok right it will be."

Angel watched as she turned right and disappeared from sight. He hurried up and followed her to the right. He could barely make her out in the dimness.

...........................................................

Part 5

Angel was carefully following Cordelia when she went around the corner. A few moments later she screamed out, "ANGEL!!"

Angel rushed forward and discovered Cordelia struggling in a giant spider web. He looked up and saw the largest spider ever all black with red glowing eyes and fangs dripping thick saliva.

Angel gulped, "Cordelia stop moving you're attracting the owner of that web."

Cordelia looked up and screamed. She tried to stay still but the web was making her itch.

Cordelia frantically, "Angel help please the web is hurting me."

Angel looked around he briefly touched the web with his torch. It burned slightly but the smoke even made him choke from the smell. The spider started towards the burned area clicking it's eight legs on the web making it shake.

Cordelia whimpered, "Angel what are we going to do I can't free myself?"

Angel stood there thinking. He reached into his coat pocket and took out a wooden stake he had. Watching the spider he threw it as hard as he could striking the spider in it's left eye. It crawled backwards into a hidden area screeching at the same time.

Angel then picked up the torch that Cordelia had dropped when she encountered the web. the fire had died when she'd dropped it. Angel began puling at the web around Cordelia until she was able to free herself from the sticky web.

Angel stared at Cordelia making sure she was free and no harm had come to her. He so wanted to reach over and help her as she tried to get the web off her skin.

Angel sighed, "Are you going to be ok?"

Cordelia looked up and nodded, "Yeah but I sure could use a bath this stuff is itchy."

Angel sighed and turned towards the only way out of the spider's cave, "I guess we go this way for now."

Cordelia grumbled but followed Angel as he stepped into the tunnel before them wondering where it would lead.

......................................................

Part 6.

Angel slowly crept forward. His keen vampire hearing picked up on some loud squeaking noises up ahead. He stepped silently into the cavern before him. Cordelia followed Angel she watched him carefully wondering what he was sensing. As Angel went further into the cave he held up his torch trying to find the noises. Cordelia looked up and gasped.

Suddenly the cave erupted into hundreds of black flapping wings and high pitched squeaks. Hundreds of bats took off disturbed by the light of the torch. Cordelia shrieked and fell to her knees. Putting her hands over her head trying to fend off the bats. Angel quickly took off his long black coat and tossed it over her. She clutched it around her huddling under the protection it provided.

Angel swatted at the bats with the torch. Knocking several dead, he wondered how long the onslaught would last. After what seemed like hours but was only a few minutes the bat cave was clear. Only a few were flapping around on the floor of the cave from injuries sustained from Angel defending himself and Cordelia.

The torch had gone out at one point leaving them in the dark. Angel searched through his pockets and found his lighter after several tries he had the torch lit again. Cordelia crawled out from under Angel's coat and glanced around the cave. She shuddered a few times before standing up.

Angel looked her over, "You ok? any cuts or bites?"

Cordelia rubbed her arms, "No, I think I am ok, just shook up, thanks for the coat."

Angel nodded and went over to where the coat lay.He picked it up. He shook it out before putting it on.

Angel growled, "Damn, this is not needed, I know how I feel about you."

Cordelia smiled, "Yeah same here but for some damn reason the Powers have doubts, so I guess for now we just go along with this craziness."

Angel smiled sightly and turned to the only way out of the bat cave, "This way then, lets see what's around the corner for us."

Cordelia sighed and only nodded as she followed Angel. She glanced around the bat cave one last time. Shivers of fear shook her body she was so going to have nightmares after this.

.................................................

Part 7

Angel followed the tunnel wondering where it led. He paused as he came to the end. He groaned as he looked out over the deep chasm that yawned before him.

Cordelia heard the groan, "Angel what's wrong?"

Angel only shook his head as he approached the only way across the gorge. A narrow rickety swinging bridge.

Angel turned to Cordelia, "This is not good, I don't like this one bit."

Cordelia walked over to the bridge, "I'm going first and no arguments."

Angel stared at her then shook his head in agreement, "Be careful and try not to look down except at your feet."

Cordelia nodded and took a deep breath. She stepped out onto the bridge it swayed she hesitated then went on. Angel watched as Cordelia slowly inched her way across the bridge. Cordelia would stop every now and then when the bridge would sway. Angel gulped when one of her feet slipped through a broken slat of the bridge. He stood frozen as he watched her struggle to get her foot free. He sighed when she finally stood back up and continued across the bridge.

Cordelia finally got to the other side. She turned and gave Angel a thumbs up. He waved at her briefly, before he carefully stepped out onto the bridge. The bridge sank under his weight and swayed. He took a deep unneeded breath and continued on. Angel would glance up at Cordelia every now and then.

When Angel was more that half way across the bridge gave a groan and broke away from the side behind him. The bridge plunged downward taking Angel with it. He hung on to the bridge waiting for the momentum of the swing to end. Cordelia screamed out his name and ran to the edge of the gorge. The bridge was barely hanging to her side. She sobbed hoping that Angel was ok.

Cordelia stood there looking down into the darkness. Fear etched on her face. The bridge was swaying slightly she held her breath.She saw a slight movement just below where she stood.

Cordelia leaned over, "Angel please say something."

Cordelia held her breath then sighed when Angel faintly called out, "I'm ok I am climbing your way."

Cordelia stepped back a little and watched the edge of the gorge. When she finally saw the top of Angel's head she sank to the ground and sobbed in relief. Angel struggled as he edged his way over the rim of the wall of the gorge. He lay sprawled out on his back. He was shaking from his near fall into what seemed to be a bottomless pit.

Cordelia watched him closely, "You umm ok?"

Angel nodded, "Yeah, I'll be ok just need to get my bearings."

Angel lay there staring up into the darkness. Cordelia watched him she sighed and sank back against the wall behind her.

......................................................

Part 8.

Angel lay there staring into the darkness. He growled slightly before yelling out into the darkness.

"This is fucking ridiculous, I know how I feel about Cordelia, she's my seer, friend and one the prettiest girls I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Life without her would be dull, she is my light at the end of the tunnel, I need my Cordelia."

Cordelia sat there stunned as she listened to Angel. She had no idea that was how he felt about her.

Cordelia smiled slightly, "Angel it's gonna be ok, we have made it so far and I care deeply about you too. You saved me from myself when we met here in L.A. I can't imagine my life without you."

Angel sighed and sat up, "I still think this is beyond reason putting you at risk like this, to what purpose to prove to me something I already know?"

Cordelia sighed, "You got me, hmm...guess we should go on."

Angel stood up, "Yes, lets get this over with so we can go home."

Cordelia stood, "Well since we have lost our torches it's up to you to lead the way."

Angel growled and reached for his lighter, "I'll flick this every now and then, I can hear your heartbeat that will help me keep track of you."

Cordelia sighed, "Fine, which way, right, left or what?"

Angel walked over to the only way out that he could see. He flicked the lighter.

"This way and careful it has a upward slope."

Cordelia followed Angel as best she could. With him flickering the lighter and giving directions. She held her hands out to the side of her feeling the damp walls of the cave's tunnel. She shuddered at the sliminess.

Angel stepped into a large open area. Angel sighed, "Cordelia another large room, careful."

Cordelia stepped into the room. As she did so a bright light appeared and the man who had started all of this appeared.

Angel glared at the man, "Is it over have we passed the test?"

Cordelia stood there arms folded waiting for his answer. He looked the two of them over and smiled.

"You have more test then it will be over, and so far the two of you have done excellently."

Angel balled his hands up into fists, "One more then it's over, fine get on with it."

The man smiled at Angel. He held out his hands and the cave went dark.

...........................................................

Part 9

Angel blinked several times it was totally dark. Even with his vampire sight couldn't see a thing.

Angel growled, "Cordelia don't move it's too dark even I can't see."

Cordelia gasped, "Angel it isn't dark, there is a faint light shimmering through the cave."

Angel growled, "Then why is everything so dark for me?"

Cordelia walked over to Angel her eyes went wide, "They have a black veil over them or something like that all I see is two black orbs no whites or anything."

Angel took a deep unneeded breath, "Cordelia it is up to you now until we get out of here."

Cordelia whimpered slightly, "Yeah and no touching how am I going to lead you?"

Angel stood there he placed his hands into his coat pocket. He smiled and pulled out the red scarf.

Angel sighed, "Here I will tie one end to my wrist and you hold the other end and gently pull me along."

Cordelia stood there and watched as Angel tied the scarf around his wrist. He held up his arm letting the scarf dangle. Cordelia carefully took the end and tugged on it.

Cordelia sighed, "Guess this will work, well we are going to the right."

Cordelia turned and slowly went towards the cave's exit. Angel waited until she tugged on the scarf before carefully following her. Angel listened to Cordelia's heartbeat. He could tell she was nervous.

Angel whispered, "Cordelia, it's ok just calm down you are doing good."

Cordelia slowed as she rounded a corner, "Listening to my heartbeat are you, I am scared this is so unreal."

Angel chuckled slightly, "You have a lovely heartbeat, I would know it any where, I am scared too but we will get through this."

Cordelia carefully followed the tunnel. She would tug on the scarf making sure Angel was still there. The tunnel grew darker and narrower. Angel could sense the walls of the tunnel getting closer. He growled softly cursing the ones behind this little game.

Cordelia groaned slightly when she went around yet another turn. She had to bend down in order to go through the opening.

Cordelia turned to Angel, "Angel you'll have to get on your knees, the opening is small and low."

Angel could feel the scarf tug as Cordelia bent down and slowly began inching her way forward. Angel sighed and knelt down. He held out the hand that was free and felt around. He soon found the opening and crawled forward.

Cordelia scooted away from the opening. Waiting she sighed when Angel's head came through the small entranceway followed by his body.

Cordelia sighed, "Good I am right in front of you this room has a low ceiling so don't stand."

Angel nodded, "Sure, which way now?"

He could almost sense where Cordelia was sitting. He stayed as far away as possible.

Cordelia sighed, "We have to crawl forward and the exit is the same size as the entrance."

Cordelia turned and began crawling through the exit. The scarf was strained tight but she held on. She didn't want to loose Angel. Angel slowly crept forward. All his senses alert for anything ahead especially Cordelia. Cordelia kept crawling slowly. She finally came to another turn and found a high barrier that they would have to climb over.

Angel could tell that she had stopped, "What's wrong now?"

Cordelia groaned, "Well we now get to do some climbing."

Angel frowned, "Drop the scarf and go over I'll follow and don't argue with me."

Cordelia reluctantly let go of her end of the scarf. She struggled over the barrier slightly bumping her head on the ceiling. She dropped down and was startled to find herself sitting on the beach with the ocean only a few feet away.

Angel crept forward feeling his way. He quickly found the barrier and climbed to the top hitting his own head before squeezing through the narrow opening. He dropped to his knees and gasped as suddenly he could see again.

Angel smiled when he saw the ocean and Cordelia, "Do you think it's over?"

Cordelia shrugged her shoulders, "It has to be."

Clapping from nearby got their attention, "Bravo you two, you passed the test, now go on and remember what you have learned from all of this."

Angel and Cordelia stared at the man as he slowly disappeared from view. Angel went and took Cordelia in his arms and hugged her tight. She clung to him never wanting to let him go.

...........................................................

Part 10

Angel stopped hugging Cordelia. He smiled at her.

"Come on let's get you home, my car is over near the pier."

Cordelia smiled up at Angel, "Sounds good, I so need a shower."

Angel put his arm around Cordelia's waist and led her to his car. The night was beautiful. The moon was full and just a hint of a breeze blew off the ocean.

Cordelia leaned against Angel feeling safe and loved. She breathed deep enjoying the night air and smell of the fresh ocean breeze.

Angel opened up the car door for her when they got to his car.

Angel smiled "Are you hungry by any chance?"

Cordelia laughed, "Yep I am, but I look a fright so no restaurant."

Angel smiled and went to his side and got in, "Ok, drive thru then, which one?"

Cordelia shrugged her shoulders, "A hamburger and milk shake sound good."

Angel nodded and drove off. He went to the nearest place to get a hamburger and milk shake before heading for Cordelia's apartment. She chowed down on the food as he drove. She was glad to be alive to eat.

Angel walked Cordelia to her door, "Want me to come in or just go home?"

Cordelia smiled, "Stay with me, I need you here."

Angel smiled and followed her inside. Dennis flowed around the pair happy they were safe. Angel picked up some of the mess as Cordelia showered. He smiled at her when she finally came out, "Feel better?"

Cordelia nodded, "Yes much, if you want to shower there is still some of your clothes in the hall closet."

Angel grinned, "Yeah a shower would be nice."

Angel quickly showered and pulled on the sweats and t-shirt that he'd left at her place. He went into her bedroom and found her sitting up filing her nails, "Thought you'd be asleep by now."

Cordelia shook her head, "No was waiting for you, come lay down next to me I need to touch you and be sure we are ok."

Angel walked over to the bed and crawled in next to her. She turned off the light and scooted down next to him and curled up in his arms. Angel held her close listening to her heartbeat as she slowly drifted off to sleep. He never realized how wonderful it was just to be able to touch someone.

The End