Title: Offspring: Missing Scene

Author: SLMurphy

:Disclaimer: Not mine! My fevered little mind just had to fill in the blank. Sorry, Joss.

Rating: G

Takes place from the point where Angel interrupted Darla's snack on... you'll recognize where it ends.

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Offspring: Missing Scene

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"I'll kill her for this." Angel pressed the cloth to Cordelia's neck.

She whisper, still stunned by the attack. "You're gonna to find her first."

Angel looked to the doorway he threw Darla into. She was gone.

He picked his seer up in his arms, careful to keep the cloth to the twin puncture wounds and carried her from the Host's bedroom.

They entered to find the others sprawled on the floor of Caritas.

"She bit Cordy."

The host pulled himself upright using a nearby stool. "Oh sweetie, are you alright?-"

"No." Angel replied quickly. "Where is she?"

"She got away."

"We tried to stop her by hitting her fists and feet with our faces." Gunn said with his usual sarcasm, but the concern was evident in his eyes as he looked at the seer.

"Lets get Cordy to a safe place then we'll take care of Darla."

He nodded at Wesley as the ex-watcher held open the door for Angel and his precious burden. They approached the dark, classic convertible parked at the curb.

Cordelia plucked at Angel's shirt collar to get his attention. "Angel," her voice weak. "Put me down, Angel. I'm okay. Let me get into the car, then I'll be fine."

He looked down into her dark, pained eyes and saw the usual spark stubbornness there. Not up to a fight on the issue, he lowered her, but held on while she swayed.

Wesley came to her side as she moaned, "Why am I so dizzy?"

He carefully took a wrist and checked her pulse, then laid a cool hand to her pale face. "I believe you lost a fair amount of blood, Cordelia. We'll get you something sweet when we get back to the Hyperion."

She smiled her thanks at Wesley, then looked to the anguished eyes of the vampire still holding her steady. "I'll be alright, Angel."

He nodded, then gently guided her into the backseat of the convertible. He stood, hesitantly, and watched as she settled, leaning back against to seat, eyes closed and breathing ragged. A thin line of red trickled from under the hastily grabbed bandage. Her trembling fingers rose to wipe it away.

Decision made in that instant, he tossed the keys to Gunn and climbed into the back with his best friend.

While Gunn started the car and pulled away from the curb, Angel reached over to pull Cordelia's head onto his chest and into his protective embrace. Her breathing evened out, trembling quieted as he gently stroked her hair, whispering a stream of promises and apologies into her ear. She sighed and relaxed completely into him, feeling safe and treasured.

Before either were ready, the car arrived at the Hyperion's doors. Angel released the seer and helped her to sit upright while he climbed out of the backseat. Reaching back in, he assisted her to the sidewalk, where her legs promptly gave out from under her.

Wordlessly, he picked her up and carried her into the lobby.

Her softly whispered, "thanks" had him clutching her tighter.

Wesley immediately called for Fred, who was staring in complete shock at Cordelia and Angel, to get warm water and clothes. Gunn went for the first aid kit.

Angel set Cordelia down gently on the circle couch, then crouched in front of her. He accepted the bowl of warmed water and the cloth from Fred. Slowly he pulled Cordelia's fingers from the make-shift bandage and peeled it back from the bites. A low, dark growl started in his throat at the sight of the tearing Darla inflected when she bit into tender flesh.

Cordelia closed her eyes and whimpered faintly at the touch of the warm cleansing, and Angel stroked her hair with his other hand.

He took a tube of antibiotic cream from Gunn, applied it to each wound, then covered them gently with a soft gauze patch.

She reopened her tear dampened eyes and smiled her best at her worried friends. "Thank you, guys..." Her gaze softened when she looked at the man still kneeling before her, the concern evident in his entire body. "and thank you, Angel."

He smiled, stood, then bent over to pick her back up. "We're going to bed, Cordy."

She snorted lightly, then buried her face in his chest. "Whatever you say, Angel"

He carrier her effortlessly up the stairs to his bedroom, where he laid her on the feather down comforter. Then took a seat next to her.

Gunn and Wesley, who followed, waited in the doorway. Wesley approached with a glass of water and a prescription bottle.

Angel helped her raise her head to take the pills, then he settled her back on his pillows. With a low, "I'll be right back" he walked towards Wesley and Gunn.

"Gunn, I want you to stay with her. Wes, meet me downstairs."

Wesley turned to leave, Gunn returned with his crossbow, primed and ready, then took post in the shadow of the doorway.

Angel returned to Cordelia's side. She smiled up at him. "You feeling any better?"

"Yeah... you don't have to stay with me."

Angel looked to Gunn, Cordelia following his glance. "Gunn's gonna be right here."

She gave the Gunn a ghost of her usual bright smile and said "Thanks." He nodded, almost indiscernible from the darkness.

Cordelia looked back at Angel. His eyes dark and purposeful he promised her, "I'm not gonna keep telling you how sorry I am. I'm gonna tell you she'll never do it again."

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End

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