I had finished patrol early.  The rainy streets kept the people inside,
not necessarily safe, but inside. I was walking along when it felt as though
my head had split in two. I saw Delia. She looked terrified. I heard her
voice. "I'm sorry." Then as quick as it came, it was gone. The image had
gone, but left a bitter headache in its place.

    I ran to Delia's apartment. "It's just me Dennis." I called out. I knew
how protective he had been of Delia. I was too. She wasn't home. She should
have been here by now.  I was about to leave when I heard the knock on the
door. "Delia?" I called. I opened the door. One of her friends, Laura, I
think was looking strangely at me. "You're not Delia."

    "No, I am Sara." She said. She was tall. I would say around 5'7". She had
long black hair and green eyes. She was staring at me.

    "Cordy never mentioned a roommate." Sara said.

    "No, I am her boss."

    "Angel? The name does fit." I smile at her. "Sara, have you seen Cordy?"

    "No, I was going to see if she wanted to go out, but I can tell she has
plans. Take care Angel." Sara said and left. This was bad. I called Wesley.
He said she left the office hours ago. I knew she wasn't shopping, the malls
were closed.  I went home, thinking she might be there.

    Delia has not shown up for work yet. Wesley and I both know that she
should have called, yet none of us want to jinx things. It was the ringing of
the phone that stopped me.  "Angel Investigations." I say. It's Kate. She
sounds upset. She is trying to play cool but I hear her heartbeat, and it is
going fast. "I see. I can't know. I will send Wesley." I told her.  Wesley
looks at me. "They found Delia. They need. Someone to..."  I just can't say
the words.

    "I will take care of it Angel." I thank Wesley. I also thank so deity
that the sun is out. I pace while Wesley is gone. The grim look on his face
tells me what I really didn't want to hear. I embrace him at once. "It was
awful Angel."

    After we calm ourselves down, I dial the numbers. This is the second time
I have mourned someone n this room. I had closed my eyes.  Part of me wanted
no one to answer the phone. I still yet to speak the words.  To speak meant I
would have to accept the fact that she was never going to walk into his
office again.  She had only been gone for 15 hours, yet it seemed much
longer.  The voice had picked up on the fourth ring.

    "Hello?"
 

    "Giles?" I said not recognizing my own voice.

    "Something very bad has happened.  It's Cordelia, she is dead. "
 

Chapter 1 The Call
 

              (Giles POV)

                   I had just poured myself a healthy glass of Bourbon and settled onto my
              couch. The hellmouth had been quiet this week. Judging from past experiences,
              however, that can be deceptive.  I was reading a text when the phone call
              came.
              "Hello?" I asked.

                   I could barely recognize Angel's voice. "Angel? What's happened?"  I
              asked him.  I was stunned when I heard the news. Cordelia was dead. I quickly
              reflected on all of the things that Angel had lost recently. Granted some
              things he had given up, but needless to say they were still lost. I
              remembered when his friend Doyle died. He had told me when he gave me
              information about the Scourge that he had felt I may need.  Part of me felt
              bad for Angel. I offered to help with the arrangements. Angel said Wesley had
              taken care of it with the help a lady named Kate. I offered my condolences. I
              rubbed my tired eyes and remembered the tactless teenager that used to sit in
              my library. While I admit she came off a bit crass, I did find her lack of
              finesse refreshing; to a degree.  She had had her heart in the right place,
              just not her mouth. As I hung up the phone, I debated how to tell the "Scooby
              Gang".  Why they called themselves that I will never know.

                   I called Xander first. I did not have the heart to break the news to him
              over the phone. While he might not admit it, he cared for her in the past and
              might quite possibly still care now.  I only told him that something was up
              and he needed to come over. I then called Willow and Buffy and had told them
              the same.  I had hoped to tell the original Scooby gang, unfortunately, I
              ended up with a larger crowd.  Xander had brought Anya, Willow had come with
              Tara, and Buffy had come with Riley and some character named Graham. Tara I
              welcomed.  She was respectful and always ready to help out. Anya and Riley I
              could tolerate, but Graham, he irked me. There was something about him that I
              did not like.

                   "What's the what?" Buffy asked me, while looking directly at Riley. That
              irritated me.

                   "I have some rather bad news." I said. I noticed the color drain from
              Willow's face. "Delia?" She asked. I looked at her. How could she have known?

                   "Who's Delia?" Anya asked.

                   "Cordelia Chase." Xander said. "What happened?"

                   "She was found murdered. No one is sure as to the nature of the
              .....um.....killer. Angel and Wesley are taking care of the arrangements. I
              will be leaving for LA."

                   "That's the big news?" Buffy said annoyed.

                   "Buffy, may I remind you that Cordelia helped us in the past. She was
              under no obligation to help you. I was the only one with that obligation. She
              died far too young, as you did once." I stated coldly.  While I wanted say a
              lot worse, I restrained.

                   "I'll go to LA with you." Willow spoke. I nodded.

                   "Me too." Xander said.

                   "Cordelia was my last act. I'll go to." Anya said.

                   "I'll go." Buffy said softly. "I might be needed."

                   "Why? Are you going to see Angel?" Riley asked.

                   "Riley, please. He lost a friend. Believe me, Angel doesn't have many
              friends. I'll be coming back." Buffy pleaded.

                   "I'll go too." Riley said.

                   Great, a lover's quarrel! Then to top it off that was when Spike felt
              the need to stumble in. "What's with the tears?" Spike asked.

                   "Delia's dead." Willow said.

                   "That chit working for the gel loving poof?" Spike chuckled.

                   "Yes, Spike. Angel's assistant."  Willow corrected him.

                   "Bummer! She was a screamer." Spike said.  He grinned when Buffy glared
              at him.

                   I looked at the group. "I am leaving come sunrise. I have room for two
              others in my car." I spoke.

                   "My parents left the old car. It should get me there." Willow spoke.

                   "Do you have directions Giles? I can give Buffy a ride. Willow, if you
              want you can ride with us." Riley offered.

                  After the transportation issues were settled, I informed the occupants of
              the room that I was retiring to bed.  I was glad when they left. As much as I
              was happy to have them, they drove me nuts. What bothered me though was how
              Willow knew about Cordelia. Why did she refer to her as Delia? None of us had
              ever called her that.  The other thing I need to ask her is about her
              necklace,  it seems so familiar.  I could only hope that things would go
              better when we get to LA.
 

Chapter 2 Nightmares

Willow POV

Tonight was so surreal. I can't believe the news.  Granted, I was a
co-founder of the I-hate-Cordelia-Chase fan club, I am sad that she died.  I
had hated her, I envied her and to an extent I really liked her. Ok, I might
have even been attracted to her. Giles was right she died too early. I am
looking forward to going to LA. I need to get away from the hellmouth.
Things with Tara have been complicated.  Tara has not said much to me today.
I do care for her, but I am so confused. She picked up on the choker and I
told her about the Oracles.  She took it rather calmly.   Tara just sat
quietly in the corner. Then Giles dropped the bomb.  Cordy was dead. The
Queen C, is no more.  I just close my eyes and the dream replays in my head.
 

I find myself in this strange room. I can feel the power that this
chamber holds. I gaze into the reflecting pool. The water glows a pale
lavender color. Could it be? I see the symbol of the Oracles of Delphi.
That's strange because The Oracles do not deal with the lesser beings.  I
recognize the Oracles when I see them.  "Come forth child."  The female
Oracle chimes. She is truly amazing. Her skin glows with a bluish silvery
color while the male Oracle glows with tones of blue and gold. Then I
remember, silver means heart while gold means mind.

"I apologize, I have no offering to give."

The male Oracle laughs. "Silence, her offering has been taken." She is
looking at him. "Gifts come in different shapes and sizes.  You have been
chosen."

"I am confused. Chosen for." I am totally confused. At least I am not
rambling at the Oracles. That would be bad. I see her point to the reflecting
pool. The images flash. I see myself in that hospital bed, re-cursing Angel.
I then see him, alone in a dark office. He's brooding, big shock there. I can
feel his sadness tugging at my soul.

"Powers higher than us have spoken. A destiny has been written for you.
You are now elevated, a mortal you were, a messenger you are now."

I am even more confused and it must show. "Messenger, you are smart,
think hard.  An exchange is to be made. If we can, we will accommodate.  What
is it that you desire?"

"I am afraid I don't understand."  I hate this talking in riddles.

"When a door is closed, a window opens. You are the window to his soul.
You are now linked. Destiny smiles upon you. His seer has fallen, without the
visions he will too. You are the key to his redemption." The female says.

"Accept your fate now, child. I grow bored with this meaningless
exchange." The male Oracle says. The female Oracle walks over to me. She dips
her long fingers into the reflecting pool and then touches my face. The water
feels like silk against my skin. Her smile is both sweet and serene. Around
my neck she places a choker. I see the black opal stone. "It will protect
you. Wear it and nothing shall harm you. Go now." The male Oracle then holds
his hand up and blows some kind of powder into my face.

I wake up instantly and notice that my room is cold.  I place my hand
around my neck and feel the choker. I feel strange. Tears began to flow. I
know of Cordy's death. Angel, that is why he was mourning. He loved Delia.
Delia? No one ever called her that. Angel did, so did Doyle. Doyle gave her
that nickname.  She giggled at his Irish brogue. I remember it clear as day,
I can still see Doyle laughing. I've never met Doyle. I close my eyes as more
images flood my brain. I see Angelus and the things he did. I watch, as Dru
is reborn. I see him break her. I see him feed off the gypsy child. I also
see myself. I see when the evil watcher nearly killed me. I feel his rush of
panic when he thinks that something may happen to me. I see him smile at me.
Then the picture shows stops and I open my eyes. I watch the clock for a
while before sleep comes.
 

Part 3 Willow POV

    I walked to my dorm and was glad to be alone in the room. Riley decided
that Buffy and him needed to talk, so they went to his dorm. I was glad for
the silence.  Last nights dreams really freaked me out. I feel this need to
call Angel, god he must he hurting. I dialed the numbers. I hoped he was
home. "Hello." Said the rough voice.

    "Angel, its me. How are you?"

    "Drained.  I have been trying to finds Delia's killer.  I have never been
so scared Will. Delia died because of me."

    "Angel, you can't be sure."

    "Let's say I have pissed some people off."

    "Angel, can I ask you something?"

    "Sure."

    "It's about your past.  Something's happened.  I had a strange dream last
night. It was like I saw parts of your life. Was Dru's last word Amen?"  The
silence on the other end told me the answer.

    "Who told you?"

    "Angel, I saw it in my head. It is complicated. I can explain when I get
there. Do you mind if the expanded Scooby gang comes along?"

    "Expanded?" Angel asked surprised.  I hear faint traces of his irish
accent coming through his voice.

    "Yeah, Giles, Xander wants to come, and where Xander goes, evil-girl goes
with him.  Then there is Buffy, when you are involved, Riley and Graham are
involved and Tara wants to come. She's my girlfriend. Does that freak you
out?"

    "No, Willow, many vampires are bisexual.  I knew when I saw your evil
twin." Angel said.

    "Thanks." I said sarcastically.  Angel chuckled. "Do you have room for
us?"

    "Well, Delia apartment has a ghost, I could give up my place and stay
there, Dennis knows me. I have a guest room and a couch, I can probably hold
some people."

    "Thanks Angel. Do you need anything?"

    "Shot of holy water with a garlic chaser."

    "Angel, that's gross. I meant, are you set with blood?"

    "Lethal, well to me.  I am just coping, with the help of Captain Morgan.
I am stocked up for tonight, but will probably get some tomorrow." Angel
said.

    "Angel, We are leaving at sunrise.  I will see you soon." We said
goodnight.  I hung up the phone feeling better.  I don't know what will
happen over the next few days, but I can only assume that a lot of things are
going to change.  I close my eyes and hope tonight brings peaceful dreams. It
didn't.  I found myself in what I think was the gypsy camp.  I saw the old
woman looking at me.  I could see the hatred burning in her eyes. "Wicked
girl!" She spat.

    I couldn't move. "I am sorry, but what is wrong?" I am really freaked
out. I can feel the power seeping out of the small old woman.

    "You help him. He has spilt the blood of the Caldarash.  He poisons you,
and you allow it. You have halted vengeance."

    "I recursed him, returning his soul. I have not halted your vengeance." I
said.

    "Liar, devil-child.  You adhered his soul."

    "Adhered?"

    "Yes, fool girl. It can never leave him, he may be allowed happiness.
Vengeance does not allow happiness."

    "With his soul, he helps people. He has saved lives. Without out his
soul, he killed freely and spilt even more Caldarash blood."

    "Fool girl, you have played with fire, pray that your soul does not
burn." The woman said and then disappeared. I shot up in bed. Buffy looked at
me. "Willow, what happened?"

    My mouth opened, but no sound came out. Eventually, I spoke. "Nightmare.
Even worse then the naked one."

    "Naked dreams? Willow! I am shocked." Buffy said teasing me.

    I smiled at her. "How was Riley talk?"

    "It was Riley talk, soothing of the male ego. He and Angel don't exactly
get along. Ok, they really don't get along.  Riley is freaking out that I
will do something that will make Angel evil. No way, no Angelus for me. Been
there, stabbed that."

    I giggle at her joke.  I know it was really Angel she stabbed, but I let
it slide. "What else did Riley say?"

    "Well, there is the slight Tara thing, which Riley is going to have to
accept. Honestly, Riley is ok with it, but Graham is really freaked out by
it.  Graham really likes you, a lot. But we are going to stay at Dad's.  It
could get crowded at Angel's and I really don't want to play referee. Where
will you stay Will?"

    "Not sure yet, possibly Cordelia's or Angel's.  I just want a comfortable
bed."

    Buffy and I joked for a while.  She was nervous about seeing Angel, and
when I mentioned that I might be staying there, I knew Buffy was jealous.  I
didn't tell Buffy about the dreams, the Oracles or my conversation with
Angel. Giles, on the other hand, picked up on the necklace and he wondered
how I knew about Delia.  I told him about my nightmare while Buffy took her
after-Riley shower. He is going into research mode for me.  I then decide
what to pack for LA. Tara had called off.  She said that I need to work this
out.
 

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