Part 8

 "So where are we headed?" Willow asked the brunette next to her. "What do you have in mind for the new me?" Cordelia didn’t answer her at first because she was making a right turn without slowing down.

 "Well, I thought we would start from the inside out," Cordelia replied. Willow looked over at her, not sure what Cordelia meant by that. "Begin with Victoria’s Secret and then head to the Leather Boutique. After that I figured we would go into Neiman’s and Nordstroms. Finish it off at the Wild Pair. How’s that sound?" Willow could hear the excitement in Cordelia’s voice at the prospect of spending the day at the mall shopping on someone else’s money.

"I don’t know," Willow said as they pulled into the parking lot of the mall. "I mean that seems a bit much." Willow knew that Angel wanted her to treat herself to things that she normally wouldn’t buy, but she still felt guilty spending his money on herself. "We don’t really need to do all of that, do we?"

 Cordelia braked hard as she pulled into an available parking space, upsetting the other driver who had been waiting for the spot. Cordelia looked over at the red head like she was crazy. "Too much. There is no such thing as too much. There is only more than needed at that moment in time."

With that said, Cordelia and Willow got out of the car. They walked into the crowded mall and fought their way through all the holiday shoppers to get to their first destination. When they entered Victoria’s Secret, Cordelia headed right over to the satin bras and matching panties. Willow could feel herself start to blush at the thought of her even wearing anything like that. (I’m more of the cotton panties and bras type.)

 "Okay, I think this would look good on you." Willow gaped at what Cordelia was holding up. Willow looked at the green bra and panty set and almost died of embarrassment. (No way can I wear that, even if no one will see it but me.)

"I…I don’t think that’s me, Cordelia." Cordelia just looked at Willow and handed her the set. Very soon, Willow’s arms were full, with her holding bras, panties, corsets and various other undergarments. Cordelia then directed her to the fitting rooms.

 "I want you to try these on while I go look for a few things for myself." Cordelia said, leaving Willow alone. Angel had told Cordelia that she could also buy some things and Spike had even given her his credit card so that she could have some fun. Cordelia’s thoughts turned toward the blonde vampire and the way he made her feel. (I think this revenge thing is definitely going to have some extra benefits.) Cordelia grinned as she went over to look at the nightgowns.

 In the fitting room, Willow decided to try on the body suit that Cordelia insisted she get. It was black, with some red trim, and was very low cut.(Goddess, not leaving much to the imagination are we?) Willow slipped out of her clothes and put it own, surprised at how soft it felt. She looked at herself in the mirror and was surprised to see that she liked the way the bodysuit hugged her form. (Okay, this is something I would never had considered wearing, but I think I can get used to it.) Willow took off the body suit and picked up a bustier and garter set, also liking the way it looked on her. She continued doing this for fifteen minutes, surprising herself with the fact that she felt very comfortable in the satin and silk. Eventually she was done and went out to find Cordelia looking over some bath supplies. The brunette turned toward her and smiled.

 "So, did you like?" Willow couldn’t help but return the grin with one of her own.

 "Oh yeah, I like a lot."

 "Cool, let’s go pay for this stuff and hit the clothes stores," Cordelia replied excitedly. "The night is young and so are we." Cordelia picked up the things that she had decided to purchase and headed toward the cash register. Once the items had been paid for, Cordelia and Willow headed out into the mall, and Willow finally had the nerve to ask her new friend something that had been on her mind, especially after she had seen what Cordelia had purchased.

 "So, Cordy, what exactly is going on between you and Spike?"

"What do you mean," Cordelia sputtered loudly, drawing the attention of a few passer-byes. Cordelia realized how loud she was and lowered her voice. "What makes you think anything is going on between me and Spike?"

 Willow shrugged, "Oh I don’t know. They way you looked at him all last night. Or maybe the way he held your hand whenever he thought no one was looking. Or even the fact that the two of you argue exactly the same way you and Xander did before you headed to the nearest utility closet." Willow couldn’t help the giggle that escaped her mouth as she watch Cordelia look at everything except for her.

 "So, come on, admit it. You have a thing for Spike."

 "Oh, okay, maybe I do," Cordelia admitted finally, turning to face Willow. "I mean, he’s been, I don’t know," Cordelia shrugged her shoulders, "so unlike the Spike that terrorized us all last year. He’s been sweet and all." Willow noticed Cordelia blush.

 "And what," Willow encouraged. "Spill. I want to hear all the juicy details."

 "He’s cute. I mean in that obnoxious, blood-sucking fiend way," Cordelia finally said. "And you have to admit, that accent of his is just way to sexy,’ she sighed. "I mean, I could just spend all day listening to him talk." Willow smiled at the dreamy expression that crossed the cheerleader’s face at the thought of the blonde vampire. "Is that sick or what. I mean, he doesn’t even have a soul, although that whole ultimate happiness thing could be a real bitch." This time it was Willow’s turn to blush.

 "Actually, there is no more happiness clause." Cordelia stop, grabbing Willow’s arm and almost making her drop the bags in her hands.

 "What? What are you talking about?"

 "Ummm, the clause. It isn’t there anymore," Willow explained. "It was one of the reasons Angel was going over to Buffy’s that night. To let her know." Cordelia’s mouth dropped open at the news. (Oh my god, and he caught her with Oz. Oh yeah, revenge is definitely called for now.)

 "How many people know about the whole clause not being there thing?" Cordelia queried.

Willow thought a moment, "Well, Angel, of course, and me. The friend who double-checked the spell for him. Then you. That’s it as far as I know."

 "Well, what about Giles?" Willow shrugged her shoulders.

 "Don’t know. I’m pretty sure that he doesn’t. I mean, he would have told Buffy," Willow spat out the name of her former best friend, "if he had known."

 "Yeah, probably," Cordelia agreed. "Okay, so Angel has his soul and it’s a permanent thing. This puts a whole new spin on things."

 Willow was apprehensive as she saw Cordelia in thought. "What do you mean, Cordy? What’s going on in that head of yours?"

 "Just thinking of how we can use the knowledge of Angel’s soul to our advantage," Cordelia replied cryptically. "Come on." Cordelia grabbed Willow’s arm, dragging her towards Wet Seal. "We have some shopping to do."

 Willow allowed herself to be dragged around by Cordelia. They stopped in almost every clothing store in the mall, including a few that Willow never even thought of going into. Luckily the mall stayed open longer then usual to accommodate the holiday shoppers, allowing Willow and Cordelia to find everything that they were searching for, Willow finally giving up on protesting Cordelia’s choice in clothes. Finally, after many trips to the car to drop off their purchases, Cordelia and Willow had finished and were enjoying a cup of cappuccino in the food court.

 "So, are you happy with everything that we have?" Cordelia asked, suddenly nervous that Willow would change her mind about what they were attempting to do.

 Willow thought a moment, "Actually, yes. I never thought that I could have so much fun shopping. And the thought that none of it is what I would normally wear is appealing to the inner Willow."

 "Well, who knew the inner Willow would like leather so much," Cordelia grinned, cocking her eyebrow at Willow, doing her best Spike impersonation. Willow laughed at her friend, as she took a sip out of her cup.

 "Yeah, well, just wait until tomorrow," Willow laughed. "There’s this place that specializes in Ren Fairre garb and chain maille. I was thinking maybe we could go and get some things."

 Hmmm, chain maille? Something you’re not telling me?"

 Willow blushed, "Well, I want to check out a few peasant tops. Also, I think some of the chain accessories would look very interesting with some of the outfits that we picked. And, ya gotta admit, it is majorly not of the net girl variety of choices in apparel."

 Cordelia nodded her head, "So true. Well then, tomorrow we hit another store. Good thing Angel and Spike have lots of money."

 "That’s the truth." With that said, the two girls finished their drinks and left the mall. Getting into the now packed car, Willow and Cordelia headed home to two very attractive vampires that were waiting for them.
 
 
 

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