Part 16

 Cordelia and Spike returned early Monday morning, while Angel and Willow were asleep. They headed to Spike's bedroom, which was directly across from Willow's and they could see that she had not spent the night there. The two smiled as they realized that they had not been the only ones to discover a new aspect of their relationship that weekend.

 "Well, pet, what do you think of that development," Spike asked as he enveloped Cordelia in his arms, where she happily snuggled against him.

 "I hope that they have at least one half of the happiness that I have,' Cordelia replied, wrapping her arms around Spike's waist. "That's more than enough to sustain any relationship." Spike smiled as he placed a tender kiss on the top of the brunette's head. He didn't know what he did to deserve this girl, but he thanked a god he no longer believed in for giving him the gift of her love. He chuckled as he felt a yawn escape her. He looked at the clock and realized how late it really was.

 "Come on, Cordy," he encouraged her, "let's get you to bed. You have school in the morning." Cordelia nodded her agreement and was surprised when she felt Spike pick her up. He carried her to his bed, gently resting her there. He removed her shoes before taking his off also. He quickly joined her on the bed, wrapping her in his body. Cordelia snuggled closer to him, placing kisses up and down his throat making Spike growl softly.

 "Pet, if you keep doing that, I don't how much sleep you'll truly be getting," he warned her, his voice turning husky. Cordelia looked over at him.

 "Who said that I was tired," her words were betrayed by the yawn that again came from her mouth. Spike chuckled as he kissed her deeply.

 "I believe that should answer your question,' he teased her. "Don't worry, luv, there is plenty of time to do that. I'm not going anywhere."

 "Good," she murmured as the sleep that she had been fighting began to overtake her.

 Spike listened as her heart beat began to become slow and regular, knowing when sleep had finally come to claim his princess. He stroked her hair, reveling in it's softness. He had never felt so complete as he did when she was with him and he hated that he couldn't share everything with her. He knew that school was going to be unbearable for her, as he was sure the slayer and her little friends would be more than hostile towards her. Spike knew that Cordelia projected this image of someone who was strong and didn't care about anything or anyone, but he knew differently. In many ways, she was still a little girl, wanting to be liked for who she was and hating that others were hurting. That was one of the reasons she had become involved with the slayerettes in the first place. Sure, she let the others think it was because she felt she had to do it but, in reality, she had wanted to. He felt her move in his arms, and he pulled her closer to him.

"I love you, princess," he whispered to the girl who had stolen his heart and finally given his what he had always wanted. Acceptance.

 Monday morning came much to early to the four people who occupied the house. Everyone had woken up late, all having been exhausted from the weekend's activities and late nights that they kept. Angel and Spike toasted a couple of bagels while the girls were getting ready for school. With all the hustling to get ready, there wasn't time to talk about what had happened Friday night or the changes that had apparently taken place over the weekend. The two vampires stood by the door, safely out of the line of sunlight and kissed their lovers good-bye. As soon as the girls were gone they turned to each other, not sure what to say. Finally Spike couldn't help himself and grinned at his sire.

 "I take it you and Red had fun this weekend," he replied, smirking at the sheepish grin that suddenly appeared on Angel's face.

 "About as much fun as you and Cordy," Angel returned. Spike's grin got wider.

 "And yet, we are both still able to stand." Angel finally laughed at the audacity his childe had. "I never knew that being in love with a mortal could be so tiring. And here I thought I was the one who had the better stamina." Angel clapped Spike's back before heading back into the kitchen to get something to eat.

 "Tell me about it," Angel joked before turning serious. "But I wouldn't trade it in for anything. I love her Spike."

 Spike nodded his head, "I know. Just like I love Cordelia. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for her, including taking a walk in the sunlight if she asked."

 "And you always thought I was the sentimental one," Angel grinned over his mug. Spike just glared over at him, but he returned the grin.

 "Yeah, well color me sentimental." The men grew silent as they thought about the two girls that just left their arms.

 "Spike, Willow and I were talking. She's going to be staying. Permanently." Spike was surprised by Angel's revelation. Spike knew that Willow's parents had allowed the girl to stay with Angel while they were away, but he didn't think that they would allow her to stay for good. Especially since they didn't know Angel.

 "How did you manage that one?" Spike asked, curious at how Angel had managed to get the women he loved to stay with him so that he could do that with Cordelia. Angel knew exactly what Spike was thinking.

 "It was surprisingly easy. Willow's parents never have been too concerned with her and the fact that there was someone who was willing to open their home to her made them extremely happy. It meant that they didn't have to worry about coming back to Sunnydale unless absolutely necessary." Spike heard the hint of anger in Angel's voice at the thought of Willow's parents caring so little for her. It was an anger that Spike shared.

 "Bloody morons," he cursed. "How did Red take it?"

 "She wasn't happy about it, but she wasn't exactly surprised either?" Angel remembered how Willow had cried in his arms when she realized that her parents thought of her as nothing but a burden. He had rocked her to sleep, whispering words of comfort to her.

 "So, what happens next?" Spike wanted to know.

"I'm thinking of moving her things into my room while she's at school," Angel explained. "That way she has everything she needs without having to leave. Also, I was thinking of making her room like a study. You know computer, books the whole thing. Someplace that she could call her own."

 "I think she would love it," Spike agreed, thinking of his own brunette. "So you think Cordy would like it if I moved her things into my room? I want to take advantage of whatever time we have left." Angel smiled over at the blonde, happy for him. Spike deserved whatever happiness he could get after everything that had happened with Drusilla.

 "I think she would love it," he told him. Spike smiled as he thought of how his princess would be surprised by his actions and hoped that she would not be upset. The two vampires sat at the kitchen table, planning out the move and what would be needed to make the dreams of the two girls that they loved come true.

 While Angel and Spike were sitting in the kitchen, Cordelia and Willow were comparing notes from the weekend, giggling. Neither one of them could believe what had happened to them, never expecting that they would become the consorts of two of the most feared vampires in history. As they entered the school, heads turned at the two girls, many of the students had been at the Bronze Friday night and remembered the scene that the two had caused with Angel and Spike. Willow and Cordelia just ignored them.

 "I just never imagined that Spike could be so gentle," Cordelia gushed. "I mean, he was so considerate, not wanting to do anything that I wasn't willing to do. I think he was surprised at some of my actions." Cordelia actually found herself blushing at the memories of those actions.

 "Same with Angel," Willow mentioned, also remembering that weekend's events. " 'Who would have though shy little Willow would be a tiger in bed' were his exact words." Cordelia laughed out loud, causing some students to stare at the two as they stood by Willow's locker.

 "And now you're staying with him for good huh?" Willow nodded, a smile crossing her face.

 "Oh yeah. As much as I hate my parents for caring so little about me, I gotta say, I love the outcome of it." Willow beamed at the thought of spending her nights with Angel, no threat of her parents coming between them. "What about you and Spike?"

 Cordelia shrugged, "I don't know. I mean, I'm pretty sure that he wants me to stay but he hasn't said anything."

 "Well, have you asked your parents if you could stay for good?" Willow asked.

 "Yeah, right before we left for the Bronze," Cordelia sighed. "They had no problem with it. They actually seemed happy about the fact that I wasn't going to be home. They've been going through a lot." Willow felt bad for the brunette. She knew what it was like to have inattentive parents. Willow figured that was one of the reasons that she and Cordelia got along so well. Just then, Willow noticed something on Cordelia's neck.

 "Cordy, is that what I think it is?" Willow asked, pointed the set of bite marks on her neck. Cordelia blushed again, her hand instantly going to the marks.

 "Yeah, well, Spike couldn't quite control himself and I didn't really want to make him try, " Cordelia explained. She was surprised to see the knowing grin on Willow's face. Willow pulled aside her hair, showing Cordelia the marks on her neck.

 "Oh, yeah, tell me about it," the girls broke into giggles again.

"Goddess, it was the most erotic thing I had ever felt," Willow sighed.

 "Definitely," Cordelia agreed. Neither girl noticed Buffy come from behind them.

 "Cordelia, Willow I think we need to talk," Buffy said, trying to keep her voice and emotions under control. The two girls looked over, surprised to see Buffy actually remaining calm.

 "What about?" Willow asked as she got her Calculus book out of her locker. "I figured we said everything that needed to be said on Friday."

 Buffy looked down at the floor, "Well, it's about what happened." Buffy raised her head so that she could look at the red head. "I know why you did what you did and I understand it."

 Willow was confused, "Understand what, Buffy? Not making much sense, slayer." Cordelia hid a laugh behind her hand.

 "Well, about the need for revenge. Faith explained it to us." Willow looked over at Cordelia. (Faith? How would Faith know?) Cordelia shrugged her shoulders. "She figured it out after you two left and explained it to me, Xander and Oz. Oz and I weren't happy that you and Angel felt the need to take things as far as you did, but we can understand why you did it."

 "Oh, gee, Buff, thanks," Willow said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "That means so much to me."

 "Come on, you have to understand what happened between me and Oz," Buffy's voice had gotten louder and she tried to lower it. "We did it because of how much we loved you and Angel." Willow was outraged.

 "Out of love. Oh that makes sense. How do you figure that?" she cried.

 "Well, Oz didn't want to pressure you for something that you weren't ready for," Willow had to fight back the giggle that was forming. "And, well, since I couldn't do anything with Angel, I needed a release."

 "Oh, well, I guess that should make things so much better,' Willow said.

 "So, you can see that we did it for all of us. So you and Angel don't have to pretend anymore," Buffy explained.

 This time Willow and Cordelia didn't bother hiding their mirth at the slayer's ignorance. "Buffy, I hate to break the news to you, but Angel and I aren't pretending anything. We are together." As Buffy's confused look, Willow elaborated. "As in a couple. In love."

 "But...but....but Angel loves me," Buffy stammered.

 "Loved. Angel loved you," Cordelia amended, finally deciding that she wanted to have some fun with the blonde. "He loves Willow now." Buffy turned on Cordelia.

 "This is your doing, isn't it," she huffed at the cheerleader. "You turned them against us. You and Spike."

 "Oh please," Cordelia replied, "Spike and I didn't do anything other than be there for our friends when they needed it. You and Oz are the ones that did this, but I must say, I am grateful for it. I won't lie. Angel is happier than I have ever seen him with Willow. Willow has finally gotten past her shyness and stupid desire to be what everyone else wants her to be. And Spike, well, what can I say?" Cordelia's eyes got dreamy at the thought of the blonde vampire. "Let's just Spike can give me a lot that I never thought possible."

 "What, by feeding from you?" Buffy seethed as she pointed to the bite marks that Willow had previously noticed.

 "Those are not bites caused by a vampire looking for a meal," Willow explained. "They would be from a vampire in heat. I should know." Willow said, showing Buffy the set on her neck. Buffy's eyes grew wide.

 "But, that's not possible. I mean, even if it were, Angel would never have bitten you," she tried to rationalize what she was seeing.

 "Why not," Willow asked, knowing the reason for Buffy's discomfort. Angel had told her that he hadn't bitten Buffy when he made love to her because he didn't feel comfortable doing so.

 "Because he never even bit me," Buffy explained. "Even if Angel had given you those, then that means you must not have made him happy because he would be Angelus now," Buffy pointed out, happy with herself for being able to point out what should have been obvious. (Gotcha Willow. I know that Angel and you would never be like that because he wouldn't risk losing his soul again.) Willow could see what Buffy was thinking and took pride as she whispered the words that caused Buffy's world to shatter.

 "Oh, didn't Angel tell you? His soul is permanent. No more happiness clause." Willow and Cordelia headed to class, leaving a stunned Slayer behind.
 
 
 

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