SERIES: Passing Time (#4)
AUTHOR: Tisienne Blue
E-MAIL: tisatko@msn.com
DISCLAIMER: Joss owns everyone, and I am not he.
RATING: R-ish for this part, but NC-17 soon!!! (I swear... I just need to figure out how to get it there...)
PAIRING: A/W/Liam
DISTRIBUTION: Charity, of course... and Jen:)... anyone else I've said yes to, and list archives. Others??? Ask, and receive.
FEEDBACK: tells me whether I should continue this one.
DEDICATIONS: to Di (for the challenge that started it). Also to: Kat, Kitti, Caroline, and Sabeth... thanks for the lovely feedback, all of you!!!*VBG*
NOTES: Takes place in 2007... * *= emphasis.
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He almost laughed as the dark-haired girl pawed through Angel's closet. "Doesn't he have anything that isn't..." He shrugged.
"What? Black?" Cordelia sniggered softly. "Not likely. I think he might have had a cream coloured sweater once, but I haven't seen it in ages. Here." She pulled a pair of slacks and a button down shirt from their hangers and passed them to him. "Those'll do for now." She crossed her arms and cocked a brow at him in expectation. "Well?" she demanded when he didn't move, "Go change!"
Liam smiled slightly, amazed by how different this Cordelia was from the Queen C of his world. "Yes, ma'am..." he said, still smiling as he turned away and headed towards his room to do just that. He stopped in the hall, however, when she called out to him.
"Hey, Liam?" Cordy said curiously from Angel's doorway, "What was I?" Her gaze grew a bit sad when he shook his head and refused to meet her eyes. "Ahhh... vampire, then..." she said softly before giggling slightly.
He stared at her, horrified. "You think it's funny?" he demanded, taking a step towards her, "You think it's some big joke?"
The brunette shook her head, a slight smile on her lips none the less. "No," she explained, "I just think it's odd.... I mean, in your world, I'm the vampire and you're human, but in *mine*?"
Liam met her eyes and realized, of a sudden, that this girl-- the one who got visions from the Powers-- had seen more than her fair share of terror and ugliness, and... he understood. Finding the humour, or at least the irony, in the situations going on around her allowed her to distance herself a bit from it all. Not so much that she didn't feel, or care, but... just enough so that she could sleep at night, and... he envied her that. "Yeah," he answered her after a moment, "I suppose it *is* a little bit... strange. But the vampire-me... Angel... he works for the Powers, too? I mean, he'd *have* to if the *Oracles* want to see him..."
Cordelia nodded slowly. "He's their Warrior. I'm his Seer. It's the way we do things in *this* world... Long story."
"And... and Willow?" he asked, trying to keep the blatant interest from his tone, "What's *she*?"
The brunette grinned on the inside. She'd wondered how long it would take him to bring her up again. "She's our friend... our partner. She helps with the computer stuff, and the demon-killing, but she was never 'called' so to speak."
He smiled at her then, sure that she was joking-- about the demon-killing part, anyway-- and turned back to his room. "I'll meet you girls downstairs in a few minutes, okay?" he called over his shoulder, relieved that she hadn't asked him about what he was up to with the redhead, seeing as he wasn't entirely sure himself. Oh, he *wanted* her all right, but... He shut his door and began to change in to the things she'd given him. He had been sure that she'd figured out his attraction to her friend, and her little comment in the lobby had only made him certain of it... He grinned broadly as he remembered... 'Share' with Angel, indeed!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Willow was still standing in the same spot when Cordy walked back down the steps, and from the looks of her, she was deep in thought. Not so deep that she didn't notice the brunette returning alone, though. "Liam?" she inquired, her eyes going to the stairs.
Cordelia smirked to herself, wondering if the redhead had any idea of what she was getting into. "He's getting dressed," she explained, "And I'd give him a little while if I were you... After all, *this* one has a reflection, so I'm sure he'll spend at least a *few* minutes primping!"
The girl frowned slightly then. "Why would he do that?" Willow asked softly, "I mean, we're just going shopping..."
"No, Will," Cordy sighed, realizing that-- regardless of that kiss earlier-- her friend had no clue as to just how... interested Liam was in her. "He's going shopping with *you*. As in: he's going to let you pick out anything you want to see him in, and it won't matter at all what it is, as long as you like it!" She sighed again when the redhead just looked perplexed, and she moved over until she was directly in front of her. "Liam," she said slowly, meeting Willow's eyes, "*Wants* you, Will... and he'd probably let you dress him in purple polka dots if he thought you liked it!"
Willow really wanted to believe that Cordelia was delusional, but... Angel had said the same thing-- about Liam wanting her; not the polka dots. Still... "I don't think so, Cord. He... he wants *his* Willow, and... I just *look* like her. That's why he wanted me to sleep with him last night..."
Cordelia's eyes widened at that. "And did you?" she demanded, "Oh, never mind, I know you didn't."
The redhead frowned slightly. "Of *course* I did, Cordelia. In the *literal* sense." Her lips twitched into a dreamy smile without her even being aware of it.
"Wait..." the Seer said then, replaying what the girl had said a moment earlier, "*His* Willow? And you *look*... Ohhh...." Her smirk deepened just a touch as she figured out just what that would have to mean. "Boy, a *lot's* happened around here since last night, huh?"
Willow nodded, completely distracted by the sight of Liam-- looking exactly like Angel in the borrowed clothes-- coming down the stairs. "Tell you later," she murmured.
Cordelia leaned forward and spoke very quietly in to the girl's ear. "Test it, Will... with the clothes. See if I'm right."
Willow rolled her eyes and stepped away from her friend. "Fine, Cordy," she said quietly, her eyes still locked on Liam's long, strong form, "But only to prove just how wrong you are." She moved forward, meeting the non-vampire at the foot of the grand staircase. "Just let me grab my bag," she told him, "And we can go..."
He smiled as she retrieved what looked like a small backpack from beneath one of the desks. "Well," he said, meeting her in the middle of the lobby and taking her hand with a smile, "You know I'll follow you anywhere..." he cringed almost imperceptibly when she shot him a sharp glance, "This being your world and all." He smiled softly then as she relaxed and led him out into the late-afternoon sunshine.
Cordelia Chase rolled her eyes at his hasty last comment. "Geez," she muttered to herself, sitting down at her desk and flipping through the files she hadn't gotten to yet, "In over two hundred years, you'd think that at least *one* of them would have mastered 'smooth'..."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Angel was feeling a bit pensive and thoughtful as he trudged back to the hotel through the tunnels. So this Liam was also a Warrior for the Powers, but in *his* world things had ended badly. That certainly explained his presence in *this* one, but... why exactly had he been sent *here*? No one, not even the Oracles, seemed to know. In fact, they said they *wouldn't* know until the man went before them, and that it wasn't time for him to do that yet.
Basically what it came down to-- the thing that had him feeling so... unsettled-- was that this Liam was supposed to stay at the hotel, with him and *Willow*, until he *was* called before the representatives of the Powers, and that would be... whenever, they'd said. Whenever they deemed it time had been their exact words, and he wasn't sure that he liked that, especially considering the interest the human was showing in his redhead.
And that was the rest of the problem. He didn't know quite how to deal with this stranger who wore his face. Obviously, their lives had gone very differently, because... not a *vampire*. But who really knew exactly what Liam was? Not Angel, that was for *damned* sure. And, okay, he couldn't be evil, seeing as he worked for the Powers, but... that didn't necessarily mean he was *good*, did it?
He knew, deep inside, that he should try to get to know the other man, but he wasn't sure that he could get past his animosity for long enough to do so... after all, Liam wanted Willow, and... damn it, *he* had first rights of refusal, by virtue of having known her longer, and... he didn't plan on *ever* saying no to her! But what he couldn't figure out-- still!-- was how to broach the subject. Oh, sure, he'd kissed her on the cheek as he was leaving the hotel, but... he was sure that she hadn't even noticed it after the way Liam had kissed her just a few minutes before that, and... The human could take her out into the sun, and maybe even give her children!
He was growling deep in his chest without even realizing it. *No*! he decided, his eyes flashing golden for just a moment before returning to their usual deep brown, He *wasn't* going to *think* that way! If she really *wanted* those things, she'd have found them by now... or she would've at least been looking! And she hadn't. No, she'd seemed content to be his friend, standing by his side throughout all the danger and pain, and... That *had* to mean *something*! Whether it meant what he wanted it to or not, he didn't know, but... he was for damned sure going to find out.
Which brought him right back to his original problem: What to do about Liam?
He continued to puzzle through that one even as he stopped off at the underground access to the butcher's; then made his way home, a small smile quirking the corners of his lips as he finally made a decision.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Cordelia looked up from her work in shock as Angel came up the stairs from the basement... *whistling*!... and looking... pleased? "A... Angel?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly, "A... are you... alright?"
The usually somewhat broody vampire smiled broadly at his erstwhile assistant and laughed. "I'm *great*, Cordy! I mean, what could possibly be wrong? *Look* out there!" he exclaimed, gesturing towards the glass doors, "The sun's shining, the little birdies are singing, and... okay, so I can't actually go outside and enjoy it, but... All's right with the world, isn't it?"
The brunette jumped up from her chair, wishing she had a stake... or at least a cross handy. "Oooo...kay..." she said slowly, while backing towards the door as subtly as she could, "Yeah... uh-huh... birds shining, sun singing... whatever you say, *Angel*..."
Angel laughed again when she made a break for it, and caught her in less than a second. "Relax, Cordy!" he said jovially, carrying her across the lobby and plunking her back down in her chair, "The soul's permanent, *remember*? I'm just... in a good mood for once, okay?"
"Uh... huh." she answered, still looking at him askance. "And what brought *this* on? 'Cause I gotta tell ya-- Not really sure that I *like* it!"
He smiled even more brightly, the blood singing in his veins. "I don't know exactly. I just feel... *good*, you know? Like... everything's going to work out however it's meant to, and... that's all right!" He turned away then, heading to his office. "Oh, and Cordy?" he said, stopping in the doorway and glancing back at his still-confused friend, "Where's Liam?"
The girl stared at him for a moment. "Will took him out shopping," she finally said, and closed her eyes tightly, waiting for the explosion she just *knew* was coming.
"Ah," Angel said, barely keeping himself from laughing again, "Well, that would explain the credit card, wouldn't it? Huh." He shrugged slightly, still grinning. "When they get back, tell him I'd like to see him in my office, okay?... *Just* him." He waited until she opened her eyes and nodded at him before continuing on to his desk and sitting down as he picked up the big, dusty book he'd been glancing through the day before. He didn't even notice that he was humming while he read.
Cordelia stared at his open doorway, hating the way she was feeling. She had zero concept of what was going on, and she just knew it was going to drive her crazy. She was his *Seer* for fuck's sake! So... why the hell didn't she know what was wrong with the Warrior she was supposed to be seeing *for*? She groaned softly as the energetic humming of the tone-deaf vampire filled her ears, and cursed herself for ever wishing that he'd lighten up, because... *this* was *torture*!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Willow smiled widely at Liam's latest little story. She'd been afraid, when they'd left the hotel, that he would try to kiss her again, and even more afraid that if he did, she wouldn't have the strength to stop him. There was just something about him that... called to her. Of course, she could say the same thing about Angel, too, but... Apart from that little peck on the cheek earlier, he'd never really touched her in anything resembling an intimate fashion. The proof of that being, of course, that she was actually thinking about that peck as intimate... whereas *Liam* had kissed her full and hard on the lips, but... Maybe it was because she'd seen him naked, but... it didn't seem anywhere *near* as... No, she told herself, still smiling, she was *not* going to go there... or not right then, anyway.
He gazed down into her jade green eyes, wanting more than anything to kiss her again, hold her tight, take her back to the hotel, to his bed, and... He forced his mind away from the thought. He didn't want to scare her, after all, and... he'd promised himself that he'd move slowly with her, and most of that was for *her* benefit, but... part of it was for his own. She *wasn't* his Willow. Sure, they looked exactly the same, but... this Willow had seen different things; had grown in different ways, and... he needed to be sure. Not only of his own feelings, but of hers. No, when he finally had her for his own, it was going to be because they knew each other, and wanted each other completely, without either of them worrying that they were a substitute for the one they so resembled. He smiled back at her, loving the sound of her laughter, and hoisted the bags they'd acquired on their shopping expedition. "So," he said as they walked out of the last store, "You're sure about that last shirt? Because you said you liked it at first, but..."
She glanced shyly at him from the corner of her eye. "So I changed my mind. I mean, those big green and orange lightning bolts didn't really suit you after all."
Liam sighed silently in relief. He hadn't really thought that her taste ran to circus clothes, but she'd had him wondering for a minute there. "Uh," he said as they left the mall, "*Where* are we parked again?"
Willow grinned and tossed out a small spell, following the glowing dot that was only visible to her. "This way," she giggled. She helped him put the bags in the boot of her car, and climbed into the driver's seat. "Buckle up," she reminded him as she pulled out of their parking space and started for home.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Cordelia was going stir-crazy. Not that she didn't have plenty of work to do, but... she couldn't concentrate, what with Angel still humming merrily-- but tunelessly-- away. She was pacing the lobby, trying to think of something to do elsewhere until Willow got back when that same particular redhead strolled through the front doors of the lobby. "Willow!" she cried, relieved, "Come get coffee with me!"
The witch frowned a bit, her brow wrinkling slightly. "But we have coffee *here*, Cordy..." Her frown became just a touch deeper, "And *what* is that Gods-awful *noise*?"
The brunette rolled her eyes wildly. "*That*," she informed her friend, "Is *Angel*!" She pulled the redhead to the side, allowing a laden-down-with-packages Liam to enter. "I don't know what his deal is, Will, but... he went to see the Oracles, and *that's*," she said, sneering just the tiniest bit, "The way he was when he got back. I don't know if they told him something really *good*, or really *bad*, but... I've *got* to get *out* of here!" She relaxed slightly, relieved when the other girl nodded her understanding. "So let's *go*, already!" she demanded.
Willow laughed. "Fine, Cordy, we'll go for coffee. Just let Liam put those bags in his room, and..."
"No!" Cordelia almost shouted, "Angel wants to see him! Alone. Now, come *on*!"
"Cordelia!" the redhead said, just as loudly, "I can't just *leave* him, especially with Angel acting all..." Her voice faded out when she felt the large, warm hand on her arm.
"It's all right, Willow," Liam told her quietly, setting his parcels on the floor, "He probably just wants to check out whatever the Oracles told him about me... Go with Cordelia, I'll be fine."
She searched his eyes intently with her own, not sure that she liked the resignation she saw in his gaze. "Well... if you're *sure*..."
"He's sure, Will!" Cordelia cried, dragging her friend out the door as Angel began yet another rendition of what she *thought* was supposed to be 'Hotel California'. "Let's *hurry*!"
Liam stared after them for a moment before squaring his shoulders in the new blue silk button down shirt, and striding to the door of his vampiric self's office. "Angel," he said, his expression serious, "I understand you wanted to see me?"
Angel stared at the man for a moment, his humming stopping. "Come in," he finally said, "And shut the door." He waited until Liam had done just that before waving him to a chair and continuing. "We need to talk... about Willow."