Part 7
Cordelia and Spike entered Angel’s house carrying lots of bags and arguing. Cordelia had her suitcase and over night bag in her hands, while Spike’s were full of groceries.
"Look, I wasn’t the one who decided to that they had to have ice cream on the way to the store," Cordelia told Spike.
"Yeah, well, you were the one who had to bleeding hit the brakes when we past Robinsons," he bit back, heading into the kitchen to deposit the bags.
"Hey, I wanted to see what was on sale," Cordelia shouted to the vampire as she headed into the living room, only to find Angel grinning at her and Spike’s antics. "What are you laughing at deadboy?"
"Nothing," Angel chuckled. "Nothing at all." Cordelia huffed at Angel.
"So where can I put my stuff?"
"I’ll show you," Angel replied, standing up. He grabbed one of Cordelia’s bags and led her to a room upstairs. He left her there to unpack and went back down to join Spike in the kitchen. When he arrived he was surprise to see that Spike was actually already unpacking the groceries.
"So, did you have fun?" Angel teased.
"Oh, don’t you start Peaches," Spike growled. "That girl is bloody infuriating." Angel couldn’t help but start to laugh again at his childe’s reaction to Cordelia. He knew what it meant and he found it extremely funny.
"Yup, and you have a thing for her," Angel laughed again. Spike turned on his sire, a dangerous gleam in his eye.
"Don’t even think that, mate," Spike threatened. Angel continued to chuckle. "Stop that cackling, Peaches."
"Oh, admit it Spike. You have a thing for Cordelia," Angel continued to goad the blonde.
"Bloody hell. Maybe I do," Spike admitted, guiltily as he finished putting the food away. He grabbed a cigarette from his jacket and lit it. "What of it? I know you still don’t trust me, and it’s not like we’ve been the best of mates lately."
Angel shrugged, "I don’t know. You’re right, I still don’t trust you but I can tell that there is something about you that is different," Angel continued. "I can’t exactly put my finger on it, yet, but I think that it’s a good thing. As for Cordelia, granted I wasn’t around to see their relationship start, but from what I remember, her and Xander always fought before they got together, and even after."
Spike took that information in. He wasn’t sure what he was feeling toward the brunette teen just yet, but there was something about her that made him want to know her better, She had that dark beauty that had attracted him to Dru the moment her had seen her. The fact that she gave as well as she took, just made her more attractive. (Maybe me coming back to Sunnyhell will be beneficial in more ways than one. Get revenge against that damn slayer, help the red-head and maybe, get someone to share his life with.) Angel watched Spike thinking and knew what he was contemplating.
"Just remember one thing, Spike." Spike looked over at the dark vampire. "Hurt her and I will kill you."
"Hey guys, are you still here?" came a voice from the hallway. Both vampires went to the living room, to see Cordelia and Willow standing there. Cordelia had her arm around Willow’s shoulders, making sure that the other girl was okay. Willow smiled when she saw the concern in everyone’s faces and was touched that they cared so much about her. (Even Spike.) Angel came over and took Willow into his arms.
"Are you okay?"
"Better," she mumbled. "It was just the stress of everything happening all at once. Got the better of me." Willow gave a small smile to the vampire and was glad to see him return it. When he started to lead her over to the couch, she stopped him.
"No, I want to go to the other room." Angel looked at her for a moment and then realized which room she had meant. He took her hand and the two of them headed out to the moon room, Spike and Cordelia following at a little distance. The two newest members of the household looked around when they saw where they were.
"This is breathtaking," Cordelia said in awe, looking around.
"Always did have a romantic side to you, didn’t you Peaches?" Spike said. He had a feeling why Angel had this room and, for once, felt sorry for his sire because that reason no longer existed.
"So, what’s been going on since my little breakdown." Willow could tell that the atmosphere in the room was threatening to become morose and she didn’t think she could handle that.
"Well, Cordelia and Spike are going to stay here,’ Angel told her. Willow looked over at the other couple(hmm, Spike’s sitting pretty close to her. Wonder what’s up there. Especially if they are going to be staying here.) And, there is now plenty of food here for you to eat. Cordelia did some shopping while she was out."
"Thanks Cordy," Willow said.
"And, I’ve come up with an idea how to get back at Buffy and Oz," Cordelia stated proudly. Willow and Angel looked over at her. Neither one had thought about getting back at the people who had betrayed them, only about the anger they had felt at the betrayal. The thought of actually doing something about it intrigued them.
"What do you have in mind, pet?"
Cordelia started to outline her plan. Spike interrupted every now and then, offering suggestions. Willow and Angel found themselves being drawn into the planning stages, actually enjoying the fun of making the others pay for what they had done. Finally the beginning stages were set and the four people sat back and smiled.
"So, what do you think?" Cordelia asked everyone.
"Do you really think we can pull it off?" Willow asked hesitantly. She liked the idea of getting back at Buffy and Oz for everything, but she wasn’t sure if she would be able to manage keeping her emotions in check.
"Yeah, it’ll be tough, but I’ll help ya," Cordelia answered. "First thing, though, is to go shopping. Have to get the wardrobe that is going to be appropriate for this."
"I’ll give you some money," Willow looked over at Angel, about to protest. He silenced her by placing his fingers over her mouth. "No arguments. You’re the one that has to do most of the work. The least I can do is supply the money to do it." Cordelia clapped her hands together.
"Great. Okay, Willow, you and I will head over to the mall tomorrow to get you outfitted. I don’t think we’ll have to worry about running into anyone that we know."
Willow suddenly thought of something. "Umm, guys, how are we going to explain the fact that we are all living together."
"Easy, luv. You tell the others that you and Cordelia have decided to head out somewhere for the holidays since your folks are all out of town," Spike explained. "That way they won’t think it’s strange that you aren’t home. Also, may make them a little more secure in thinking that they are getting away with everything."
Willow nodded her agreement, "But what about Angel?"
"I’ll just call Giles and tell him that I have to go out of town again. More research," Angel offered. The others liked the idea.
Now that the first phase of their plan was about to be set in motion,
the four new friends relaxed and got to know each other, including Spike.
By the time the sun began to rise, the four of them knew more about the
people they were sharing a house with, then about anyone else they had
ever met. They also realized that, if nothing else good came from what
had happened, they had discovered something that they had all been missing
in their lives. A family.