Rating: NC-17
Category: Comedy, angst, romance, smut, all wrapped up in a pretty A/C package.
Content: A/other, Not much B/A, Eventual C/A romance, friendship, AI family
Summary: The Sunnydale crew comes to LA for Conner's wedding. When they arrive, they find an Angel that would put Liam to shame.
Spoilers: Up to the end of Season 3
Disclaimer: Not mine. Wish they were. No point in suing me 'cause I have nothing for you to take.
Distribution: You want it? Take it. Just let me know, though, all right?
Notes: Cordelia never went to the higher plane. Conner found out Justine killed Holtz so he and Angel have no issues.Wes is back and dating Fred, Gunn is dating Faith. I know this may seem kind of weird or stupid right now, butit'll get better once we get into the story more.
Thanks/Dedication: To all the people who actually read my stories. Thanks for all the support. Sorry it took me so long to post. lol
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PRELUDE
Angel wasn't sure how he knew, but he did. His soul was safe. It felt like a huge weight was lifted from his heart, like he was free.
"Wesley. I can't thank you enough."
"I told you one of these days your soul wouldn't be an issue."
"I know. And if anyone could do it, I knew it would be you Wes. Thank you." The phone rang and Angel smiled. "That must be Cordy." He picked up the phone. "Hello?
"Angel. I got your message. Are you all right?"
"Cordy. Get over here as soon as you can."
"Um, okay."
"Okay. I'll see you soon." Angel turned a smiling face to Wesley.
"Want me to leave?" The ex-watcher asked with a smirk. A few moments passed as Angel seemed to contemplate it. "Oh. Okay. Sorry. I-"
"I'm messing around Wes. I need you to stay."
"You do? Why?"
"Somebody's got to explain everything to her."
"Explain what?" Cordelia asked from the door.
"That was fast."
"Well, you said I should get here quick, so, I did." Angel wanted to tell her. But as soon as he saw her face, his words caught in his throat. He couldn't speak. He walked to her and wrapped his arms around her. She returned the hug. "Angel, are you all right?"
"I'm perfect Cordelia."
"You sure?" He pulled away slightly.
"I'm positive." Angel lowered his lips to her's and kissed her. Cordelia froze, then pulled her lips from his and stared at him.
"What's going on?" She asked. He was acting strange. He knew this couldn't work. "Angel. You know that you and I...it can't happen." He looked at her.
"What? Why?"
"Angel, your sou-"
"Princess? Is everything all right?" Groo asked, coming in.
"You brought him?" Angel asked Cordelia through gritted teeth, arms still around her.
"Yeah. He is my boyfriend, remember?" She said quietly and gently, needing him to understand. Then she turned her attention to Groo. "Everything's fine. Angel and I were just talking."
"Hey guys, what's...are we interrupting something?" Gunn asked, walking in holding Faith's hand. Conner and Fred walked in behind them.
"You're not interrupting anything." Angel said, moving away from Cordelia. "We're going out to celebrate."
"Celebrate what?" Conner asked. Angel shot a look in Cordelia's direction.
"Wesley giving me a permanate soul."
"What? Angel, that's incredible. Baby!" Fred said, turning her attention to Wesley. " I, I'm so amazed, and proud, and, how on earth did you do it?" She asked, the scientist in her needing to know every detail. Then, she turned to Angel again and gave him a huge hug, as did everyone else. Except Cordelia, who just stared as they all left, Angel casting a hurt look over his shoulder at her and her demon lover.
"Oh crap."
"Princess, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm just surprised. And happy. For Angel. Come on. Let's go celebrate." She said, as they exited the door they had entered earlier. They followed the convertible as it made it's way out into LA.
An hour, and several bottles of champagne later, the group sat at a table at a local club Angel had heard Cordelia and Faith talk about before.
"A toast." Faith said, holding up her nearly empty glass. "To Angel. And his new shoul. May you finally get shh, shh...may you finally get laid."
"I'll drink to that." Angel said, as they all raised their glasses to the center in unison.
"So, what are you going to do first?" Cordelia asked, the earlier mishap obviously out of Angel's mind. She couldn't help but be glad. She didn't want any awkwardness between them.
"I don't know. I think I'm..." he trailed off as a woman in a short red dress, with long blond hair, and hazel eyes sent him a beautiful smile. "I don't know if it's the champagne going to my head or what, but I think I'm going to go talk to her."
"Don't lie. You're terrible with words. What are you gonna say?" Faith said, her slayer resistance sobering her up quickly.
"I..."
"I bet you twenty bucks you won't be able to talk to her." She said, putting a twenty on the table. Angel raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"I'll talk that bet." He said, snatching the twenty.
"Hey! I said-"
"Just making sure I get my money after I win." He said, then stalked off towards the bar.
"Holy shit. He's gonna do it."
"English, what have you created? An Angel who's not afraid of the women in our group? What will Cordelia do?" Gunn asked, turning to the Seer, who watched Angel with a blank look.
"He wouldn't." She muttered.
"He is. Go dad!" Conner cheered on.
Angel took the stool next to the young woman.
"Excuse me?" She turned to him.
"Yes?"
"Do you see my friends over there?" He asked, pointing to the group at the table. All of them stared, all smiling except Cordelia.
"Yeah."
"Well, they bet me that I couldn't start a conversation with the most beautiful girl at the bar." He turned his gaze to hers and smiled. "You wanna buy some drinks with their money?"
"Does that pick up line work?"
"I don't know. Does it." She smiled back.
"I'll take a-"
"White wine spritzer?"
"How'd you know?" He shrugged.
"Lucky, I guess."
"Keep this up and you might be." Angel raised an eyebrow and was about to respond when, out of the corner of his eyes, he noticed everyone crowding on Cordelia.
"Angel!" Gunn called from the table. "We gotta jet man. Cordy had...she's um, she's having a seisure."
"Listen," Angel started, "I have to go help my friend. I'm sorry."
"Here's my number." She said, scrawling it on a napkin. "Call me. We'll get together." He looked down at it, smiled, then followed his retreating friends out the door.
"How'd you do man?" Gunn asked, excited for his friend.
"I got her number." He siad, then turned his attention to Cordelia. "What am I doing?"
"A girl. She couldn't be more than seventeen, eighteen years old. She's being attacked by three vamps."
"Where?" A loud scream echoed through the night. "Never mind. Conner. Let's go. We'll meet you guys back at the hotel." Angel and Conner took off running in the direction they heard the scream and came upon an alley. Angel sighed. "When will girls learn not to go in alleys alone?" He thought aloud as they found the young girl up against the wall, at the brink of tears.
"Hold 'em off, I'll get the girl?"
"Yeah." Conner jumped on to the fire escape, out of the three vamps' view. "Hey!" Angel called out, gaining their attention. Two turned to attack, leaving the other to the girl. Conner waited until Angel's eyes shifted up for a second, then back, before the other two vampires could notice. Conner dropped down quietly and staked the vampire before he knew what was happeneing.
Before the girl could say anything, Conner put a finger to her lips to silence her. He noticed the bite mark on her neck and stayed close. Angel dusted the second vamp, then turned to them.
"You okay?" He asked his son.
"You're the one fighting. You all right?"
"Second guy had a good left hook, but I'll live." Angel came up to the girl and went to touch her. She flinched away and he gave her a reassuring smile. "It's okay. We're the good guys." He said and ran a finger over the puncture wound. "Do you have a place to stay?"
"My parents are in Sicily. I was supposed to stay at my cousin's. She took of wit some guy. The people I'm staying wit thought I was at her place. They 'ont know I'm out here." Angel raised an eyebrow at her accent. It wasn't that strong, but it snuck in when she said certain words.
"What are you?"
"Excuse me?"
"Race. What are you?"
"Half Mick, half Guinea. Why?"
"Thought so."
"Is that like a new demon species, or what?" Conner asked.
"Wat are ya, dense?" She asked, gaining a glare from Conner. Angel snorted in amusement.
"She's half Italian, half Irish."
"Why couldn't she just say that?"
"I like my way better." The girl said, defensively. She had attitude, Angel noted.
"Well, I'm half Irish too." Conner said defensively.
"What else?"
"I don't know." He said, then started to think about it. What else was he?
"How's it split?" Angel asked, curious.
"My mom's full Irish, my dad's full Italian."
"What's your name?" Angel asked the girl.
"Ysabelle."
"All right. We're going to take you back with us to the hotel, okay? Get you cleaned up and give you a place to stay for tonight. That all right?"
"I have a choice?"
"Yes." She looked at Angel, then at Conner and shrugged.
"Sure. Let's go." They took off to the car and Conner watched Ysabelle with fascination. She had on a short leather skirt that hugged her hips and thighs, a black leather bustier and tall spikey heels. Her hair was up and perfect, not a strand out of place.
"I hate leather." Conner muttered as he sat in the front seat. Angel glanced at him and smirked. "Shut up Dad." He said as they sped off towards the hotel.
The next morning, everyone was settled around the living room when Ysabelle emerged in a pair of Conner's pants and one of his t-shirts. Her hair was down and it made her look more her age.
"You feeling better?" Cordelia asked the teenager.
"Yeah. A good night's sleep can fix anything."
"So, what's up?" Angel asked her.
"My parents got back in town last night. My dad's comin' to get me. He won't forget this Angel. You need anything..."
"Nah. This is what I do."
"All right." She turned her attention to where Conner was playing his playstation. "Ya want some real competition?" She asked him.
"Think you can hang?"
"I could kick your ass."
"Pah-leese! You are so going down!"
"He's been hanging around you too much." Angel told Cordelia. She stuck her tongue out at him and smiled, the events of the previous night forgotten.
They were all hanging around when the lobby door opened. Two guys with their hair slicked back, clad in leather jackets, black jeans and black shirts came in the lobby, followed by an older looking man who seemed to carry an air of power about him.
"Papa." Ysabelle ran to her dad and gave him a big hug. Conner turned off the game and came to the lobby, watching the interaction. "How was the trip?" He shrugged.
"It went...well. What had to be done, was done." He turned to Angel. "Are you the man who saved my daughter?"
"Me and my son, Conner."
"I owe you both, and your entire family, gratitude. If you ever need anything, let me know. Anything. And it is done."
"We could use some cash."
"Cordy!" Angel said in a scolding tone.
"We could."
"That's what we do here. We save people."
"For a fee." She mumbled to herself.
"We don't need anything in return."
"Well, I thank you again. You ever need to take me up on dat offer, I'll be 'round." He turned to the two men with him and they walked to the door. "Ysabelle."
"Be right there." She said, waiting for them to leave. "Angel?"
"Yeah?"
"Il vostro figlio caldo" She winked and Angel smiled as she walked out. Conner watched her go, then turned to Angel.
"That girl is going to be mine."
"You inherited your father's possessiveness, that's for sure." Cordelia said with a smile.
"Dad. I think I'm in love."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"How can you be sure?"
"At first, I thought it was just because the leather, and she looked really hot. But I talked to her last night, we hung out and...I'm in love."
"Well, it's a good thing then."
"What?"
"She told me she thinks your hot."
"Really?" Angel nodded in response and Conner smiled. "She thinks I'm hot. She is so mine!" He said, already celebrating his victory. He returned to his video game as Angel sat in the lobby with his friends.
"That was so like The Godfather." Gunn said to Faith.
"I'm gonna have to go with Goodfellas on this one babe."
"You're both wrong." Wesley interrupted. "Donnie Brasco."
"Mmm...Johnny Depp." Cordelia said, gaining a look from both Angel and Groo. "Hello. He's hot."
"Who is this...Johnny Depp?" Groo asked and Angel snorted, gaining a look from the people at the table.
"So, Angel? What do you think?" Gunn asked. "You've been around since, like, the mob was created. You think that chick's father...?"
"Would it honestly surprise you?"
"Man! This town kicks ass! We've got demons, we've got vampires, actors, karaoke, and now mobsters!"
"Who's a monster?" Conner asked, coming into the area. Angel sighed.
"Mobster." Gunn corrected.
"Son, you might want to sit down." Angel said, gaining a weird look from Conner as he did what he was told.
~Part: 1~
Six months later...
Dawn brought in the Summer's mail and leafed through it with no real enthusiasm. Buffy, Willow, Xander, Anya, Tara and Spike were seated in the living room, discussing the latest big bad.
"Bill, bill, bill, ooh sweepstakes." She said, pocketing that particular piece of mail. "Bill, bill, invi...tation? Buffy!"
"Yeah?"
"You got something. Not a bill something, but something something." Buffy gave her younger sister a look.
"Weird. I understood that." She said, shaking her head. "What did I get?"
"Looks like an invitation." Dawn said, handing Buffy the fancy envelope. She opened it and read aloud.
"'The following are cordially invited to the matrimonial union of Conner O'Callaghan and Ysabelle Montallo: Buffy Summers and guest, Dawn Summers and guest, Willow Reosenburg and Tara Maclay, Alexander Harris and Anya Jenkins, William Breton and guest. Come celebrate,' blah, blah blah. Okay. So, we're invited to a wedding."
"Of who?" Xander asked
"Conner O'Callaghan and Ysabelle Montallo."
"Who's that?"
"I don't know."
"Didn't you say Peaches had a kid?" Spike asked Buffy. She glared at him.
"Yeah. And his name is Angel."
"If he don't mind me calling him that, you can't say nothing. Anyway, wasn't that kid's name Conner?"
"Yeah. But he'd only be, like, a year or two old."
"Maybe he's not. That's him."
"How do you know?" Buffy asked suspisciously.
"Angelus wasn't one to get all touchy feely about his past, but get a couple pints in him and the bloke would talk your ear off."
"Which has what to do with this?"
"Let me finish, Love. So, we got to talking and he told me that his human name was Liam O'Callaghan. So, Junior needed a last name. And let's face it, Conner Angel is pretty lame, even for a cream puff like Angel."
"It makes sense. But isn't that stretching it a little?" Willow asked.
"I just want to know who William Breton is." Anya said. "I mean, what kinda stupid name is that?"
"Better than Anya Christina Emmanuella Jenkins." Spike said, defensively.
"Hah! It's you? What a stupid name." Anya said, finding too much humor in Spike's name for the vampire's comfort.
"Your last name's Breton?" Dawn asked. "Is that how you really knew it was from Angel?"
"Bastard. He had to put that. Couldn't put Spike, could he? Oh no. Had to bring up the name."
"Okay." Buffy said, drawing the attention away from the side conversations. "Angel's one year old son, Conner, is obviously older now, and is getting married. We're all invited, and Spike has a funny last name."
"Says the woman with a name that rhymes with fluffy. Are you fluffy, Love?" He asked mischeviously. Buffy glared.
"So, we're going?" Willow asked, interrupting. Silence fell upon the group as they all thought about it.
"I guess. It'll be fun, right?" Buffy asked the group, waiting for their affirmating nods. "We haven't seen Angel or Cordelia for years. Wesley either. It could be interesting."
"Yeah. Plus, I mean, they sent us an invite. It'd be kind of rude to not go." Willow added.
"So, it's settled then. We're going to LA."
"Um, Slayer?" Buffy turned to Spike as everyone got back to their previous conversations. "Now, I may not know much about your relationship with Peaches, well, maybe I do, but-"
"What's your point, Spike?"
"Since when does Angel offer to let you bring a date to a party he's throwing?"
"I...um, he just, he wants me to know that it's okay that I've moved on."
"Uh-huh. You don't think it has anything to do with, maybe, him moving on?"
"Angel? Please. He loves me, always will. He told me so."
"That was over a year ago. I mean, he wasn't really one to wait around for a woman for a long time-"
"Spike! Stop. Angel is not with someone else, okay? Now, this conversation, it's over. I'm going upstairs to pack." She said, then walked up stairs. Spike glared. Damn Angel. He wasn't even around and he still had Buffy's heart.
* * * * * * * * * *
The Sunnydale crew stood in front of the hotel and stared, Spike under a thick blanket, shielding him from the sun barely peeking out of the clouds. It was December and the weather was definately proving it.
"It's huge." Dawn said in awe. "It's probably got a thousand rooms."
"Dawn, don't exaggerate. It's creepy looking." Buffy said. "Well, let's go in. It's cold out here." They walked inside and were amazed by the difference of the inside from the outside.
"Can I help you?" A young, thin brunette with a big smile walked out of one of the offices. She had on glasses and set a book down on the counter.
"Yeah, um, we're here for the wedding." Buffy said. She didn't know why, but seeing the young woman working here made her nervous.
"Oh. Well, it ain't for another four days."
"We know. We're here to visit."
"Okay. But, who are ya?"
"Buffy?" Everyone turned towards the voice and the Scoobies looked on with wonder as he entered the lobby.
"Wesley?" She asked incredulously.
"Oh my God." Willow said. "You're...hot."
"Hey!" Fred said defensively. "He's off limits. Wait, I've seen you before."
"Fred. This is Willow."
"Oh yeah. You came to tell Angel that Buffy was dead."
"Yeah. That's her. That's Buffy, Xander, Anya, Dawn, Tara, and Spike."
"Spike? William the Bloddy, Spike?"
"You've heard of me." Spike said, his ego flaming at the recognition.
"Yeah. You're Drusilla's pet?"
"What?!"
"Well, not anymore. Since she dumped you. That's what Angel said-"
"I'll kill him."
"He's already dead so, kind of pointless."
"What's going on?" Gunn asked, coming up the stairs with Faith behind him. Buffy's mouth dropped and her eyes widened.
"How'd the case go."
"Great. We got to kick some serious demon ass. Then my baby took me out for a quick bite to eat." Faith said, grabbing Gunn's hand and giving him a smile. "You shoulda been there. Here we are, covered in demon blood, weapons on hand, and sitting there, eating like it's nothing."
"Can this girl be any more like me?" Gunn asked, then noticed the other people in the room. "What are they doin here? Did someone die again?" He asked, noticing Willow.
"No. They're here for the wedding."
"Oh. Hey."
"Um, this is Gunn. And I believe you all already know Faith."
"Yeah. We know her. What the hell are you doing out? I thought first degree murder sent you away for twenty five to life."
"Wesley broke me out." Buffy turned a surprised look to Wesley. "Besides. It wasn't first degree."
"It was."
"No, it wasn't. It wasn't premediataed. I didn't even know the guy. I stabbed him and took his money. So it wasn't first degree, go it?"
"What going on in here?" Cordelia asked, coming into the building.
"Cordelia?"
"Whoa. What'd I miss?" She asked, looking at the group. "You guys know the wedding isn't for-"
"Yeah, we know."
"So, um, where's Angel?" Buffy asked. Wesley glanced somewhat nervously towards the stairs and gave her a weird look.
"He should be down soon."
"He's still asleep?" Cordelia asked surprised. He usually had at least two cups of coffee and a mug of blood by this time.
"After you two left last night he met up with," Wesley glanced at Buffy. "I mean, he had, um, a case so, he got in late." Cordelia raised an eyebrow.
"In other words, don't go up there?"
"Precisely."
"Cordy, who's that?" Xander asked, eyes on the guy who was standing possessively close to Cordelia.
"Oh, guys. I'm sorry. This is Groo, my boyfriend. Groo, honey, that's Willow, Xander, Dawn, Anya, Spike, Tara and Buffy."
"Buffy? Angel's ex-girlfriend?" He asked hopefully.
"Yeah. Why?"
"No reason." She eyes him suspisciously. There had been a lot of tension between Angel and Groo, most of which was triggered by Angel. She had to admit, he had been way less stand off-ish with her. He used every opportunity available to touch her, the training sessions became more frequent with way less clothes, she couldn't even remember the last time her and Angel trained when he actually kept his shirt on.
She couldn't say she didn't enjoy it. A part of her longed for their training sessions. In fact, she had been the one to suggest they make them daily. Cordelia knew it was wrong, but she got a secret pleasure out of being around a shirtless, sweaty Angel, his arms wrapped around her, showing her the techniques. Even though they both knew she could learn through just watching him.
Things had just been weird between the three of them. Angel and Groo never really got along. Especially after the incident six months ago on the day Angel announced his permanent soul. She had drifted from Groo as well. She would use excuses to stay out later, making herself seem tired so she wouldn't go through having to explain why she didn't want to have sex with him. It was hard to make love to someone when you weren't even sure you loved them.
"Cordelia!" She blinked, thoughts disappearing. She looked up to the expecting faces of the Scoobies.
"Sorry, zoned out."
"So, how long have you two been dating?"
"Dating who?"
"You and Groo."
"A little over a year."
"You know, I can kind of see how you'd be attracted to him. He looks like me." Xander said teasingly.
"Oh please, Xander. Don't flatter yourself." She said, laughing.
"Really, just look at him. We're practically twins." The noise in the lobby grew with their amusement. "I'm serious!"
"I think he looks more like Angel." Dawn said, looking at Groo. "Except for his eyes are blue and kind of bigger than usual."
"Dawn!" Buffy scolded at Groo's glare.
"What the hell's going on down here?" Everyone looked up to the stair case as Angel came down. Buffy stared. He wore a white muscle tank and a pair of black sweat pants. She grinned slightly. She didn't know vampires could get more fit, but he did. His hair was longer, like when he first moved to LA. Even though it wasn't spiked yet because he just woke up, he still looked good. "Can't a guy sleep in around here?"
"Angel, it's noon." Faith said. He blinked a few times, not completely awake.
"Are you serious?"
"Yup. Me and Gunn already took out a nest while you were sleeping off last night's events." She said mischeviously. He glared. "Aw. What's wrong? Were there some malfunctions?"
"Yeah right. This is me we're talking about."
"Cocky, aren't we?"
"Interesting choice of words." The Sunnydale crew watched with confusion. What were they talking about?
"Well, considering that's the only thing you think with."
"Hey. Easy there. You can't talk to me like that, even if you are my favorite ex slayer."
"Oh, she is, is she?"
"Yeah, why?" He turned around and was shocked to see Buffy standing there, hands on her hips. "Buffy?"
"Um, yeah." A slow, lazy grin spread across his face as he walked to her and gave her a hug.
"It's good to see you." He said as he pulled away. "All of you. Willow." He said and extended her arms. She smiled and gave him the hug. "You look great. What happened to the teenaged Willow who blushed every time I gave her a compliment?"
"She finally got laid." Angel snorted in amusement and let her go. "You guys do know you're a few days early, right?"
"We've heard." Buffy said.
"So, you're visting? Cool. We've got plenty of rooms."
"I recommend the third floor so you don't hear-"
"Hush, puppy." Angel said, holding his hand up to shut Faith up.
"Don't make me kick your ass Angel." He smiled, then turned to the door as he sensed Conner and Ysabelle enter.
"You're awake." Conner said, surprised.
"Kind of. Buffy. This is my son, Conner. And that's his fiance, Ysabelle." Buffy stared at Conner.
"You guys have the same brow."
"Yeah. That's what everyone says. He has my hair too, his head's just too big to wear it spiked."
"I get it from you."
"No. You get your eyes and your big head from your mother."
"Darla." Buffy said. Angel looked at her and gave her a sad look.
"I know that this is probably weird for you."
"To say the least."
"But I can't apoligize for what happened. Not when I got a son as the outcome. It was the best mistake I ever made."
"I guess I can understand that." She turned to the engaged couple. "It's good to meet both of you." Angel introduced everyone else, then turned to the bags Conner held.
"I come bearing McDonalds. You weren't awake, but since we like the same things, I got you what I got me."
"Quarter Pounder?"
"With cheese, no mayonaise, no tomato, extra pickles."
"That's my burger." Angel took the burger, and turned back to Buffy.
"Why are you eating?" She asked.
"Just because I'm a vampire, doesn't mean I don't get a craving for McDonalds every now and then."
"That's not the only craving he gets." Gunn muttered. Angel rolled his eyes.
"It's just a good thing the happiness thing isn't a problem anymore. Otherwise I'd have to stake you." Conner said, then saw Angel's head fall. "Oops. That's one of those things I'm not supposed to mention, isn't it? Sorry."
"What's he talking about?"
"Uh..."
"Angel." She said, giving him a hard look. He sighed. He didn't want to tell her like this. In fact, he never planned on telling her.
"Buffy, my soul's secured. Thanks to Wesley." She quickly embraced the vampire in a tight hug.
"Angel. That's wonderful. I'm so happy for you. For us." Spike held in the growl at Buffy's statement, then watched curiously as Angel pulled away from Buffy.
"Us?"
"Yeah. We can be together."
"Buffy, I..." He looked back to Cordelia for help. She raised and eyebrow and held her hands up in a, 'You're on your own,' way. "I've had my soul secured for over six months."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because, I knew you'd want to get back together."
"Don't you? Angel? This is that miracle we've been waiting for."
"Buffy, I"m happy with how my life is right now. I've got the best friends that ever existed, I've got a son who I never thought I'd have and we're closer than I ever thought possible, he's marrying an amazing young woman. I don't want a relationship right now Buffy."
"Why not?"
"I want to have fun. I realize it sounds juvinielle, but it's been years since I could just go out and not have to worry about getting too close to someone."
"So, what? You just go around and be like the third wheel to all your friends relationships?"
"Not exactly."
"Angel?" Once again, everyone's attention was directed at the staircase as the pretty brunette descended the stairs. She was dressed in a pair of black slacks and a white dress shirt that made her look professional, but her beauty wasn't lost on any of the men in the room.
"Hey. I didn't want to wake you."
"You should have."
"But you looked so cute, just laying there..."
"Well, I have a client I have to meet. But maybe we can get together this weekend or something. You'll call me?" He smiled and walked to her, taking her hands in his.
"I'll call you." He promised.
"Okay. I have to go. We'll talk later." She leaned up and kissed him. He kissed her back for a few moments, then she pulled away. "Bye."
"Bye." With another peck, she turned around and left. Angel tilted his head and watched her go, as did every other guy. "All those curves, and me with no brakes. Cordy!"
"Yeah?"
"Don't erase her number. I'm gonna keep it on file for...future reference."
"Whatever."
"Peaches? Who was that?" Spike asked, speaking for the first time. Angel smiled.
"That, that was Lizette."
"What was she doing here?" Buffy asked, angrily.
"Angel's finally gettin' some. Good for you mate." Spike said, and Angel turned a sheepish smile to Buffy's glare.
"What happened to not wanting a relationship?"
"It's not a relationship. It's just a night."
"Are you insane? So, what? You're just sleeping around with a bunch of loose women."
"Hey! They are not loose. Trust me. That girl was harder to open than a cd. And, it's not a bunch. Just the select few."
"Why? What do you get out of that?"
"What are you blind, slayer?" Spike asked. "Hell, if I had a girl like that-"
"Shut up Spike. Angel, why?"
"Why not? Play the field because you can Buffy. There's no strings, no responsibilty. It's just a night of no regrets." She looked at him for a long time, trying to find a hint of the guy she used to know.
"I used to be what made you happiest Angel."
"Things change Buffy."
"No! They don't!"
"Why are you riding me!"
"She's not, that's the problem." Cordelia muttered, gaining a glare from Buffy. "Oooh. The big bad slayer's glaring at me. I'm soooo scared now."
"Listen, Buffy. What I do, it isn't your buisness anymore. We're through. You made that perfectly clear. And I am not one to stay in at night and play the five finger knuckle shuffle game, okay? I've been around for over two and a half centuries. Every other man does it. Why am I so bad?"
"Because...because you're Angel. Willow, help me out here."
"Nah-ah Buffy. This one's between you two. I'm neutral, I'm Switzerland, I have no opinion."
"Buffy. You don't have to agree with it and you don't have to like it. It's my life. And you're no longer a part of it. That's what you wanted. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a shower to take." He said, then walked up stairs, leaving an angry and hurt slayer behind.
~Part: 2~
Buffy sat on the couch, frozen in shock. She just didn't get it. Angel. Her Angel. The one she was with for three years, who promised to always love her, didn't want her. He could finally be with her completely, and he didn't want to. The thought made her eyes fill with a fresh set of tears.
Cordelia sighed and walked over to where the blond slayer sat, having watched every emotion play over her face.
"Buffy?" The slayer sniffed and looked up at Cordelia. "Do you want to talk?"
"What's there to talk about? He doesn't love me anymore."
"Buffy. It's not that he doesn't love you, it's just he doesn't love you in the same way. You guys have drifted apart. You had a boyfriend-"
"But I didn't love him. Not like I love Angel."
"Well, I'm sorry, but this isn't the ninties anymore. You're not in highschool, and you're not having the big angsty romance with Angel. You both know it's been over for a while." Buffy sent Cordelia a glare. The brunette just rolled her eyes. CryBuffy was still here. "You can say I'm a bitch, Buffy, you be mad at me, you can hate me, but you need this. Your friends aren't gonna tell you how it is. But I will, because you need to know this has been over for a while."
"How do you know so much about what he feels and what he wants?"
"I'm his best friend. We talk. So you can sit here and mope over something you can't change, or you can deal with it. Because either way, Angel is Angel. And he's not changing. Especially not for you." Cordelia got up and walked away.
"Don't listen to her Slayer." Spike said, trying to comfort the woman he loved.
"She's right. He's not going to change just because I want him to. After all the drama we had, I can't blame him for not wanting to be with me. I said, and did, some really screwed up things to him. I just have to show him that I've changed." Spike stared at her.
"You're unbelievable." He muttered to himself. Angel came down the stairs dressed in a familiar black on black ensemble. Yet, there was still something about him Buffy didn't recognize. He had a sense of confidence about him that was never there, but not in an arrogant, smug way. In fact, she found it kind of sexy.
"Oh God." She mumbled, and buried her head in her hands. "I'm hopeless."
"I could've told you that." Spike said, then elbowed Buffy. "Cheer up slayer.We're here to have fun, remember?"
"Yeah. Sure." She looked around and saw her friends making conversation with the group Angel seemed so close to. She felt like she didn't belong. Her eyes fell upon Cordelia. She watched as the young woman talk with Angel. They seemed so in tune and comfortable with each other. Cordelia came over and stood a little too close to him for Buffy's comfort, handing him a cup with some red liq-
Oh God! It's blood! She thought, covering her mouth. He was drinking it like it was no big deal. She blinked. And Conner and Ysabelle are right there! Angel, stop! They're going to freak. I'm freaking. Just, stop! Buffy realized they didn't seem to care. He threw the cup in the sink like it was nothing, then the four started to discuss the wedding. Until Cordelia closed her eyes and started to float, creating a few inch distance between her feet and the floor
"Oh. Okay, um..." Angel was right by her side. And with her levitation, they appeared to be the same height. Buffy and her friends made their way to Cordelia, curiosity getting the better of them.
"What do you see?"
"I, I don't know. It's blurry. People. Lots of people. They're trapped, no, they're...demons."
"The people are demons?"
"No. Demons. They're every where. The people are huddled together, I think it's a sacrifice."
"Where?"
"Um, off of Avalon and...Verona. It's underground. Lots of pillars, dark."
"How many deomns?"
"A lot. About forty." Angel looked at all the people in his lobby.
"And there's sixteen of us. I like our odds." He said, gaining a concerned look from his Seer. "Let's go."
"What's the plan?" Xander asked. He didn't like the odds.
"We go in, we fight, kill the demons, come home, then take it from there." He handed his car keys to Conner. "Pick me up in the shade in back. And put the top up this time." Angel said the last sentence scoldingly.
"Okay." Conner said with a smirk, leaving the hotel.
"All right. Buffy, you guys take your car. Wes, Gunn, Fred and Faith, you guys take Gunn's truck."
"You want all the tricks Angel?"
"Nah. I really don't think they're coming out in the light." He heard the horn of his car. He slipped on his coat and walked towards the exit. "The rest of you, come with me. Keep your phones on and I'll call you with the plan once I scope the place out."
* * * * * * * * * *
Angel was grateful for the underground parking lot. Although he couldn't figure out why it was there.
"They only have one guard at the entrance." Angel told the group as they all gathered in the parking lot.
"Those odds I like. Hit him and get in." Xander said.
"No." Angel looked at the guard. "He'll call in for back up. We need the element of surprise. Besides, I think I know him. Cordy, Faith, come with me."
"Why?" Faith asked him, eyes narrowing.
"Just go with it. The rest of you go around the cars and meet us by the door. Stay out of sight." He put an arm around each girl and walked towards the guard. Faith and Cordelia exchanged a look and shrugged. There were worse things than having a guy like Angel hanging on you.
Besides wanting his arm around Cordelia to piss Groo off, Angel did have a purpose for two of the women he cared most about. When he had first met the guy, he had still been in his womanizing phase. Sometime around when he met the furies. And he had never been seen without a woman or two with him.
Groo watched and was about to say something when Gunn stopped him.
"Leave it man. Angel knows what he's doin'. I trust him with my girl. Now let's go."
Angel walked up to the vampire guard.
"Hey Frankie. How's it hangin'?" The guy turned to him, surprised. The last time he had seen Angel was some time in Sunnydale a good seven years ago. The last he had heard of him after that had all been tales of him being killed.
"Angel?"
"The one and only."
"Look at this pimp. When did you get out of hell?"
"Over six years ago man. How ya doin'?"
"All right, man. Could be better, ya know? Things kinda tight right now." Frankie said. He was a constant bundle of energy, he couldn't seem to hold still. Angel wondered why a guy like that was standing guard.
"Yeah. I know what you mean. So, what's with door duty?"
"Trying to make a few bucks."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah. You know. Gotta get the bills paid man. Apartments don't pay for themselves." Angel stared at him for a while.
"What's going on inside?"
"I dunno. You know me, Angel. I just hit stuff."
"Come on. You can tell me. What's the what?" Frankie eyed Angel suspisciously.
"Why you so interested?" Angel removed his arms from Cordelia and Faith and walked towards Frankie.
"Okay. I'm gonna level with you Frankie. You got about five seconds to tell me what's going on."
"Or what?"
"Or I'm gonna show you how much I don't like your nose straight."
"I thought you were the better man Angel."
"Yeah, well, the bigger, badder man," Angel said, pointing to himself. "is about to beat the better man," pointing to Frankie. "to oblivion."
"Is this about that girl way back when in Sunnydale? 'Cause, really man, she wasn't that great. A waste of a night. Or is it because I told those vamps who were looking for you your address? I'm sorry, but-"
"Frankie. The only words I want to hear out of your mouth are about what's going on inside that building."
"You gonna make me?"
"If I have to."
"I ain't scared of you soul boy."
"You're about about to catch and eye jamming."
"I can take you." Angel grabbed the guy's arm, twisted it and held it to his back, then turned him around so his chest was pressed against the wall.
"Now, tell me what I want to know before I beat you like you stole something." He said, pulling the arm back more, stopping just before the bones broke.
"All right, all right. I dunno a lot about a lot. I just know a little about a little."
"Which is..."
"Some kind of raising or something. A sacrifice. I dunno what to."
"How many are in there?"
"I don't know."
"How many?" Angel asked, pulling hte arm a little more, making the guy cry out.
"I swear man. I don't know. I'm just the muscle."
"Fine. Go."
"I can't. You may kill me Angel, but they'll do worse."
"How much cash are they giving you for this?" Frankie lowered his head.
"Five g's man."
"All right. You leave right now, I'll double it and I'll let you keep your arm."
"I dunno..."
"Let's make this easier on both of us. 'Cause I'm really not looking forward to ripping your spine out. But I'll do it if I have to, Frankie. You know I will."
"All right. My cash?"
"Come by my place tomorrow. Ask around. You'll find it. Now get out of here." The other vampire didn't hesitate in stepping away from Angel.
"By the way. There's a motion detector in there. As soon as you go in, an alarm's gonna go off. Just to give ya the head's up."
"Thanks." Angel said. Frankie nodded, then took off. Buffy stared at Angel until the heat of her gaze made him turn around. "What?"
"Angel. You just let a vampire go, told him to come by your home tomorrow and offered to pay him. You should've staked him!"
"What good is a pile of dust gonna do me? Now, I have another resource if I need some information. If I would've killed him, he wouldn't have been able to tell me there's an alarm. You can't stake them all Buffy. You'll have no leads."
"But he's evil. And what girl in Sunnydale?"
"Yeah, well, Spike's evil, but I'm not staking him, am I?"
"And the girl?"
"So not your buisness." She raised an eyebrow. Angel turned to his friends, ignoring Buffy's criticizing look. "All right. Here's the plan."
"We have a plan?" Cordelia asked, surprised. They never thought of plans before.
"Yeah. We know there are people in there. So Anya and Dawn are going to stay out here with Buffy's car. Ysabelle and Fred, I want you guys out here too. When we bring the people out, you guys get out of here and take the ones who need it to the hospital. From the details Cordy gave me on the way up, you'll need both vehicles. Fred, I also need you to break through that motion sensor for as long as you can so we can get through without any . The rest of us'll go in. Buffy, Conner, Spike, Faith, Gunn, Wes and I'll hold off the demons. Groo, Tara, Will and Cordelia will get the people out."
"Angel, I can fight." Cordelia said. "Hello. Half demon now. You can use me." Angel was momentarily destracted by her word use. He shook it off and paid attention to the matter at hand.
"I'd feel better with you guys safe. Everyone know what they're doing?"
"Angel-"
"Cordy, I'm the boss, okay? I know what I'm doing."
"Fine. Let's just get in there before they perform the sacrifice, okay boss?"
"Fred, you got it?" He asked, hands on the door knob.
"Yeah Angel. You have to get through the entry way and down the first stair case.You guys got sixty seconds max, haul ass."
"Let's go."
* * * * * * * * * *
The group hurried through the entry way and down the stairs. They stopped when they saw the demons down another level.
"Damn." Angel whispered. "I thought you said forty, Cor."
"I was wrong?"
'Yeah. Really wrong. There's at least eighty down there." Angel glanced around. "Okay. Change of plans. We can't hold them all off. There going to come after you guys when you try to get the people out. Gunn, Wes, Faith, you guys go with the others to get everyone out."
"That only leaves four of you." Cordelia argued.
"It's all right. They're mostly going to go after you guys. So we'll handle as many as we can."
"But-"
"It'll work."
"Does it always have to be the hard way with you?"
"You know me Cor. Everyone ready?"
"Yeah." Everyone else said in unison. "All right. Cordy?" Cordelia pulled to trigger to the crossbow and hit the head demon leading the ceremony with deadly accuracy. He fell to the floor, dead. Everyone one looked up to where the shot had come and started to charge. "Good luck." Angel whispered to Cordelia.
"Be careful."
"Always." Then he, Buffy, Spike and Conner dropped down to the lower level.
The others fought their way to the hostages. Willow, Tara and Xander were incharge of getting the people on their feet and out. Cordelia, Groo, Gunn, Wes and Faith fought their way back to the exit, keeping the demons from the injured captives.
The task was harder than they anticipated and they finally reached the exit, where Angel, Conner, Spike and Buffy were.
"Go." Angel told them.
"There's too many. You can't take them all Angel."
"Cordelia, go."
"No."
"Cordy-"
"Angel, I'm staying." Before he could argue, a demon came up to Cordelia. She kicked the unsuspecting demon, grabbed his sword and killed him. She gave Angel a smile. Angel sighed, defeated, and turned to the rest of the group Cordelia refused to go with.
"Get those people out of here, now." Angel ordered the others. Groo took one last look at Cordelia, who insisted on staying by Angel's side, then turned and went with the others.
The fight continued. They all felt themselves tiring, and it seemed to Cordelia, Conner, Buffy and Spike that the attacking demons were losing thier fight as well. In fact, there seemed to be a lot less of them.
"Anyone notice the lack of things to kill?" Conner asked.
"Yeah. Angel?" Cordelia asked. When they heard nothing, they all turned to find the dark vampire. "Angel!" Cordelia yelled when she saw all the remaining demons circling Angel.
"Oh God. Dad." Conner ran to his father, Cordelia right behind him. Buffy and Spike followed, ready to help.
Angel didn't know why all the demons started attacking him. He usually didn't mind keeping the danger from his friends and son, but this was a little much. He concentrated on trying to fight them off. But the pain of hard blows from scale covered fists connecting with his body, and cold steel slashing through his flesh made staying alive difficult. He cried out as he felt one of the swords slash his thigh. He fell forward, jaming his own weapon into the demon and killing him. He hit the floor hard and rolled, dodging another deadly blow.
"This sucks." He murmered, trying to get himself back up. When he finally got on his feet, he noticed the other four taking care of some of the demons. But that didn't stop the other from charging him. He felt his body weakening and knew that, even with his super strength and advanced fighting skill, he was still taking a beating.
Finally all the demons were killed and everyone, save Spike and Angel, tried to catch their creath. Angel closed his eyes and sank down to the floor, feeling the extent of his wounds.
"Angel, you okay?" Cordelia asked concerned, sitting nest to him.
"I feel like I just got my ass kicked."
"You did." He let out a soft groan. "Conner. Help me get your dad up." Conner came over and used his strength to help Angel stand. Cordelia was on his other side.
The five made their way outside and to the car.
"Spike."
"Yeah?"
"You wanna drive?" Spike turned to Angel.
"You serious?" Angel tossed him the keys in response. "Be careful with her." Spike smiled and hoped in the front seat. Angel sat in the middle of the back seat, between Cordelia and Conner.
Buffy sat in the front, staring back at the three, envy writen all over her face. Angel had told her he could never have kids. He couldn't make love to her because of the perfect happiness clause. And yet, here he was, with a son. It wasn't fair. She felt cheated.
"Peaches, I love this car." Buffy turned to Spike, upset that he interrupted her train of moping. She looked back to Angel as he laughed at Spike's enthusiasm. He used to be able to tell when she was upset. Now, Buffy wasn't sure if he couldn't tell, or if he didn't care.
"How you feel?" Buffy asked Angel, concerned with the bruises and blood she could see.
"I'm great." He said with a smile.
"Great?" Conner gave his father a skeptical look. "You got your ass kicked. How are you great?"
"Conner, there's an old Irish saying." Conner rolled his eyes, expecting another one of his father's flashbacks. "If you expect to get kicked in the balls, and get slapped in the face instead, it's a victory." Spike snorted, Conner smirked and gave an understanding nod, and Cordelia buried her face in her hands, laughing.
"You're an idiot Angel." She said, teasingly.
"Shut up. It's true. Spike gets it, don't you Spike?"
"I'm right there with you peaches." Buffy eyes Angel, confused. She didn't understand him.
They pulled up to the hotel and into the shaded parking lot. The five made their way into the hotel and froze.
"What the..." Angel trailed off. The hotel was thrashed, furniture scattered everywhere, papers and files thrown and torn. The rest of the AI's and Scoobies walked in.
"Oh my God." They all said in unison.
"My hotel." Angel groaned. "Fuckin' great." He sat on a couch, then hissed as he pulled one of the recent injuries.
"I'm going to go find get the first aid kit." Cordelia said, exiting the lobby. She came back a while later and went to Angel, everyone else still staring at the hotel's damage. "Shirt." She said and Angel obeyed, catching Buffy's attention.
"Who do you think it was?" Fred asked Angel. Buffy watched as they had a normal discussion while Cordelia tended to Angel's wounds.
"Who else?"
"Wolfram and Hart?"
"Yup."
"How do you figure?" The seer asked, while patching Angel up.
"Remember when you and Wes rescued me from that demon fight club thing?"
"Yeah."
"That building we just got back from was the same place. It took me a while to remember it, but it is the same place. Then, all the demons came after me. That had to be planned."
"But why would I get a visions of a Wolfram and Hart setup?"
"Because people were still in danger. It's them, Cordy. Their building, filled with demons who have weapons. How often do demons with claws have swords too? And while we're gopne, the hotel's broken into? It fits."
"How'd you figure all that out?" Xander asked Angel with a look.
"I'm a detective. Duh."
"It makes sense." Cordelia agreed.
"Wouldn't put it past them." Wesley added. "Especially not Lilah."
"You should know. You screwed her."
"You screwed Xander."
"At least he's not an evil lawyer trying to kill your friends."
"No. He's a whiney, snively weasel who is responsible for the scar on Cordelia's stomach."
"Hey! I'm right here!" Xander yelled, glaring at Wesley.
"So, what do we do?" Fred asked, interrupting the arguement. The two fought like brother and sister.
Angel looked around the lobby with a tried look.
"Well, I don't even want to see the mess upstairs. I think we should go out."
"And do what?" Cordelia asked, standing up.
"Get tanked like the whole Irish nation."
"Sounds good."
"Not for us." Conner said, holding Ysabelle's hand.
"We have to meet with a few people tomorrow. Make sure everything's ready."
"All right. Good night." Angel said, watching his son and future daughter-in-law.
"Night." They both said in unison and walked upstairs. Cordelia turned to Angel, who had a sad smile on his face.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Ne said, quickly removing the look. Cordelia raised an eyebrow, then let it go. She'd get it out of him later. "So, Caritas? It's free drinks night."
~Part: 3~
The Scoobies watched in a state of surprise as the AI's talked to a green demon with red eyes, horns, and a loud yellow suit. The demon, who they called Lorne, flashed a bright smile to each of them, and had an arm around both Cordelia and Angel.
"That is a demon, right?" Xander asked.
"Uh huh." Buffy responded. Did they not kill them any more?
"So, why are they hugging?"
"Don't know."
"Okay Cupcake, I got a table all set up for you." Lorne said, addressing Angel.
"Cupcake? Ha! The green guy called you cupcake, Peaches." Angel glared at Spike.
"At least I wasn't neutered." Spike quit laughing. "By the stage?"
"Please say Angel's not singing."
"Cordelia. I wouldn't be tlaking. I've heard your rendition of 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow'-" Cordelia clasped her hand over Angel's mouth.
"You will never speak of that again. Ever." Angel gave her a wicked look and licked the hand that covered his face. "Ewww. Angel. Gross much?"
"Come on Cordy." He said in a low, teasing tone so only she would hear him. "You know you liked it."
"I heard you were a little on the freaky side, but come on."
"Kinky's my middle name, baby." Buffy's eyes widened, as did Willow's and Xander's. Angel never would have said something like that five years ago. He would have turned into a quiet brooding statue if it was mentioned. Buffy frowned at her willingness to find out how true Angel's statement was.
"You...are a dirty little man slut."
"Hey." Angel's tone was offended. "Look around, Cordy. It's free drinks night, no karaoke, which mean that there are no demons here, except the staff and Lorne. This place is filled wiht women just waiting for a guy like me. I'm at hoochie van hoochie and I'm not having any fun yet. That, my love, is pregress."
"Just sit down, Angel." Cordelia said, but couldn't stop her laughing. "You get dorkier with each day that passes."
"You don't even know." Everyone sat at the large table as the conversations picked up. The drinks were ordered and delivered. The other couples got up and went to the dance floor, leaving Cordelia, Angel, Groo and Buffy at the table.
"Princess. Would you like to dance as well?" Cordelia glanced at Angel.
"You gonna be okay by yourself with Buffy?" She whispered so low he had to strain to hear. He nodded.
"Have fun." He watched her go with an undeniable pain in his heart. He wanted her so bad he couldn't stand it. Anger slowly boiled up. It was like a daily torture and he needed to take his mind off of it.
"Where's Dawn?" He asked, suddenly remembering the teenager.
"She's with Spike. I think they're playing darts."
"You trust her with Spike. I thought you said she had a crush."
"She does. But Spike isn't into her. She's too young."
"That didn't stop me." Angel said, lowering his gaze. Buffy did the same.
"I know. But he looks at her more as a sister than, anything else." Angel nodded.
"It makes sense. Spike's family life isn't a real pleasant memory for him. But you didn't hear that from me." She nodded and the two just sat there for a while. Angel stared out at the dance floor and glared at Groo. "Buffy, you want to dance?" The blond looked up and blinked, surprised. Angel swore to her he didn't dance. She figured it was all part of the new Angel she'd have to get to know.
"Um, sure." The song was on the slower side, which made Angel wonder if asking Buffy was such a good ideal. He didn't want to give her the wrong idea. He took her hands in his and was careful not to get to close. She noticed and gave him a teasing smile. "Angel. I'm not gonna bite."
"I know. I just...I don't want any awkwardness-"
"There's always awkwardness between us." Seeing his look. "But it's not unbareable. It's an ex thing."
"So, we're friends then?" She was silent for a moment. Her and Angel had never been friends. Never tried to be. But now, that he said nothing romantic could happen between them, he wanted to be friends?
"I guess so." He smiled and she couldn't help but smile back. It seemed to work, because he finally got close enough to her for them to actually dance.
The song ended and Angel looked back to the table. Spike and Dawn were back, sitting down. Everyone else was making their way back to join them. Angel and Buffy did the same.
"Where did you two go?" Dawn asked with raised eyebrows.
"Just to dance."
"Yeah right." Gunn and Faith both muttered at the same time. Angel glared and the two stopped laughing. Faith put on a pout, something she had become accustomed to doing since she started dating Gunn.
"Don't do that." Angel whined, stopping his glare. "I hate it when you do that."
"I learned it from Cordy."
"Well, Cordelia's got an incredible pout."
"It's a gift."
"It ain't that effective." Gunn said. Cordelia looked at him.
"Yeah. That's why you took me shopping for four hours when Conner was a baby, huh?"
"It had nothing to do with you. Besides, Angel's the one that's Cordy whipped." Groo glared at Angel, who didn't notice.
"She's my best friend, what do you expe...hel-lo?"
"What?" Gunn and Wesley asked, looking in the same direction Angel was looking in. He had that look. The look that said he saw someone worth talking to.
"Wow. I'm gonna...go over there." Angel walked to the table the young woman was sitting at. On his way, he passed a waitress with a few drinks on her tray. He grabbed two drinks without her noticing and walked to the table. "This seat taken?" The young woman looked around for someone, then back at the handsome man standing in front of her. Her resolve melted.
"No."
"Great. I'm Angel."
"Amber."
"So, Amber...how does it feel to be the best looking person here?" She had heard the line before. But the sincerity he put behind it had her blushing.
"I don't know. You tell me."
"Hey Peaches! She got a sister? Or maybe a distant cousin?" Spike yelled from the table. Angel gave a sheepish smile and turned his chair, blocking Amber's view of Spike.
"I'd like to apoligize for my friend. He has a wooden plate in his head and just found out he has termites." He said with an amused smile. She laughed.
"He looks a little wasted."
"Yeah. He always looks like that. It's kind of crowded in here. You want to go somewhere?"
"Like where?" She asked, suspisciously.
"Where ever you want. I was thinking Starbucks."
"I didn't know Deadboy had a thing for red heads." Willow blushed at Xander's teasing glance.
"Angel doesn't have a type, really." Wesley explained. "As long as a woman has legs-"
"And cleavage" Gunn threw in with a smile, recieving a punch in the arm from Faith.
"Then he's happy." Buffy frowned and looked down at her petite figure.
"I could go for a frappachino." Amber said and looked around once more. "Sounds good." Angel smiled and the two mad their way to where the AI's and Scoobs sat.
"I just have to say bye to my friends real quick."
"All right."
"Guys, me and Amber are going to take off. It's a little to crowded in here. I'll see you later."
"Any warnings for when we get home?" Cordelia asked. Angel smiled mischeviously at his seer.
"If the room be bopping, don't be knocking."
"My words, man." Gunn said and smiled, then exchanged the secret handshake with him.
"Angel? You ready?" Amber asked, far enough from the table that she didn't hear the conversation.
"Yeah. Let's go. Bye guys." With his hand on the small of her back, Angel led Amber outside. Cordelia looked back to the table they had been sitting at and groaned.
"Dammit Angel." Everyone turned to her and she pointed to the young man with two drinks in his hands, searching for the woman he came in with.
"He didn't." Buffy said.
"He so did. Guess it really was too crowded for her." They all sat in silence for a while.
"We should head back. Figure out what Wolfram & Hart were looking for and what they're up to." Wesley said. They all agreed.
When they got back to the hotel, they noticed Angel's coat hung neatly on the coat rack he insisted on buying.
"He came back?" Faith looked around. "But not with her."
"How do you know?"
"The coat's hung up. If she was with him, it'd be thrown on the floor along with a few other pieces of clothing. Plus, I hear no noises." Gunn snorted and Cordelia's brow furrowed.
"He was acting really weird lately."
"You would notice." Groo muttered, recieving a look from Cordelia.
"He's got that brood brow ready. I'll talk to him about it later on."
* * * * * * * * * *
Buffy heard a noise downstairs and went to check it out. She couldn't sleep. As she made her way down the hall, she ran into Spike.
"Oh God! Spike! Give a girl a heart attack, why don't you!"
"What are you doing up, Slayer?"
"I heard a noise down stairs. That why you're up?"
"Um, yeah." He lied. He wouldn't tell her he couldn't sleep because he was up thinking about her. They made their way to the stairs, when they saw Angel sitting in the dark.
"Shadows don't flatter you. You can come out now." Buffy and Spike exchanged a glance and were about to go downstairs, when Cordelia appeared.
"Hey." She said when he glanced at her. "When did you figure out I was down here? I was very stealthy about it."
"I've known you were here since you came down the stairs. I caught you scent."
"You saying I smell, mister?"
"Well, now that you brought it up." Cordelia rolled her eyes and gave Angel the finger. He sent her a wicked grin.
"Not a bad idea." He had her pinned to the floor in a second.
"Angel! Get off!" She said, in between a laugh and a scream.
"You offered."
"Get off!" She said, trying to control her laughter. "I know where your ticklish." She threatened.
"Well, let's go upstairs and you can make me laugh."
"Why not here?" Her hands moved to his sides and started to work their torture. Angel roled off of Cordelia, trying to get away from her. She moved and straddled him, hands pulling his shirt up, exposing smooth, pale skin. Buffy's anger flared. Neither Cordelia, no Angel, seemed to mind her hands on his bare flesh.
"Cordy. Cordy. Please. Stop. Please." She didn't.
"You offered." Cordelia said, throwing his own words back at him. Angel's only response was an inability to stop laughing. A sound that made Buffy flinch, it was so foreign to her. He squirmed under Cordelia, trying to get loose, but he couldn't focus.
"You're so dead." He siad in a not so threatening tone.
"Wrong answer." She said, trying to avoid the fact that Angel's hips were moving constantly beneath her.
Her hands seemed to be everywhere at once. His torso, his sides, where ever they could reach. Normally, Angel would be happy to have Cordelia's hands on his skin, but considering the circumstances, he wasn't enjoying it much. He could think of better things to be doing without clothes.
"Cordy! Okay! Okay! I give up! I surrender! Just, stop!"
"Say I win."
"You win!"
"Say I'm the best."
"You're the best Cor! Now stop! I can't breathe!"
"Angel, you're a vampire. You don't breathe."
"It usually works." She smacked his abdomen and got off him.
Angel got up and sat on the couch. Cordelia came and sat next to him. He wrapped an arm around her and the two sat in silence, exhausted.
"My ribs hurt."
"You'll survive."
"So, what are you doing down here anyway, Cor?"
"Well, we all decided to stay the night so we could get an early start on the case. I woke up and Groo was gone, so I came down here to look for him."
"Oh." Angel said, removing his arm. "I guess you should get back to that then."
"No. He's been in this city for a while now. He can survive. Probably went on a patrol. Besides, I wanted to talk to you. I knew you were here alone when we got back, but-"
"How'd you know I was alone?"
"Faith said she didn't hear any noises."
"She listens?"
"You sound surprised. She's Faith, Angel."
"Weird. So, what did you want to talk about?"
"You." Seeing his confused look. "What's up with you? You've been weird lately. Weirder than usual. Do you need counceling or something?"
"Counceling? Why? Spend five grand so I can have two women call me stupid?"
"I haven't called you stupid in a while, so hush. But really Angel. I've noticed you get these really sad looks. And it's always when you're around Conner and Ysabelle."
"You're crazy."
"Come on Angel. I know you better than anyone here. What's going on?" There were a few moments of silence. The question hung in the air and Angel sighed, looking at her with a depressed look that made her move closer to him.
"I feel cheated Cor."
"How?"
"I just got Conner back. I finally got my son back, and now, it feels like I'm losing him."
"How are you losing him?"
"I don't know. It's just, he's getting married. he's going to be moving out. He's eighteen years old and I've only had him with me for two years."
"I understand what you're talking about Angel, but you're not losing Conner. You're just sharing him, you know?"
"We both know I don't like to share. I'm selfish Cor, and I know it but, he's my son. And I'm losing him."
"You're not selfish Angel. You love your son and you want to spend time with him. There's nothing wrong with that."
"No?"
"No. Of course not. And you're not losing your son. If anything, you're gaining a daughter...in law.".
"I'm just nervous."
"You shouldn't be more nervous than the groom." He chuckled.
"You're right. You're always right, Cor." He paused. "Conner's getting married." Then he smiled. A big, bright smile that made warmth spread throughout her. "My son's getting married."
"Surreal, isn't it?"
"You have no idea."
"So, you gonna tell me what happened between you and the super tramp you left with?"
"Ouch. That was a little harsh. Jealous?"
"No. Just figured you guys would've been off doing to horizontal monster mash."
"You're not cute when I'm going through a brooding session, Cor."
"Don't lie Angel. I'm always cute. But really. What happened with your little chipie?"
"Not my type."
"She looked like a girl to me." Off his look, "Or did you find out about her boyfriend?"
"I knew about him before we left."
"Angel."
"Don't even start, you've done the same thing."
"Whatever. So, what was the issue? And how'd you get that bruise?" She said, finally bring up the purple mark on his face.
"Well, that's a funny story. See, we were leaving when her boyfriend came out."
"Oh no."
"Yeah. So, there was a confrontation. And I was avoiding saying anything to him, but he was in serious need of a beat down Cor. So, I told him to leave before I was forced to kick his ass. He said he could take me out, I laughed. He said he couldn't think of a thing I could do better than him."
"Angel."
"Cor, keep in mind, this guy doesn't even know me. So, I said, why don't you ask your girlfriend about that. Thus, the bruise."
"I can't take you anywhere. So, then you beat him up?"
"No. I roughed him up a bit, not enough to cause any permanent damage, but enough to get the point across. He had it coming, Cor."
"So, that's why you didn't..."
"No. She was too self absorbed."
"Huh?"
"Wouldn't stop talking about herself and her life. Like the world revolved around her or something. Very unappealing."
"Didn't stop you from dating Buffy." Buffy was about to make her way down the stairs when Spike stopped her, holding her back.
"Cordy." Angel started in a defensive tone that settled Buffy down and gave her just a bit of hope.
"You're right. That was mean. I shouldn't talk about the love of your life like that."
"Cordelia, you and I both know how false that statement is." Buffy sank back into Spike's arms, defeated, then retreated back to her room. Spike watched as the two downstairs sat in silence. He almost felt sorry for Angel.
"Angel..."
"No Cor, um, I think I'm going to go upstairs to bed. I'll see you tomorrow, okay? Go find Groo." He walked upstairs and into his room, locking the door. Cordelia sighed. She thought things were getting simpler.
* * * * * * * * * *
Ysabelle walked downstairs. It was eight in the morning, but the hotel showed no sign of the daytime. The lobby had more light. She sat down on the couch, a 7-UP can in her hand.
"Nervous?" Ysabelle screamed, startled by the intruder. It echoed through the hotel. "Shh. Ysa, it's just me." She didn't stop. "marrone." He said, his accent heavy. "Shut da lungs, girl." She recognized the voice and looked up, surprised.
"Jaquie?"
"What cha tryin to do, girl? Break my friggin' ear drums?"
"What are you doing here?" She asked, moving up to hug him.
"I can't visit? Tony told me where you wuz."
"Were." She corrected.
"Were what?"
"Never mind."
"Chu know we got and audiance, right?" She turned and looked into the faces of everyone who stayed the night.
"Ysabelle? Who's this?" Conner asked, coming down stairs, Angel behind him.
"Hey man, I'm-"
"About to lose your arm if you don't take it off my girl."
"Conner!" Ysabelle snapped. He was about to argue, but she continued. "Conner. This is Jaquie, my cousin." Conner's attitude changed.
"Corry. I just have to watch out for my fiancee." Jaquie nodded.
"I got chu."
"You." Ysabelle corrected again.
"Chu what?" She rolled her eyes.
"Your hopeless."
"Hey."
"So what's up?" She asked.
"I gots a favor."
"Jaquie."
"Listen couz, I gots some problems. Nutitn' I can't handle, but I ain't got no place right now."
"You always have problems."
"I'm just doin' what I've been told." He said. The two stared at each other for a while, a battle of wills. Conner snorted. It was a war he never won.
"Fine. Continue." Conner raised an eyebrow. He'd have to learn to do that.
"The Castellano brothers came after me. Chu know how they are. Once chu piss 'em off, don't plan on makin future plans. They 'on't let no one live for long. Wadda my s'pose to do? I ain't even got a piece on me. So, I was wonderin', maybe I could stay wit you's guys." Conner looked at Angel.
"You understand a word he just said?" Angel smacked his son in the back of his head. "What?"
"Angel?" Ysabelle asked in a pleading voice. "Can my cousin stay? Please? He's got no place to go." Angel smiled at his future daughter in law as Cordelia's words ran through his head. You're not losing your son, Angel. You're gaining a daughter....
"We've got plenty of rooms."
"Thank you Angel."
"Yeah, man, thanks." He looked around the hotel. "Fancy place. Crystal, china figures, a book."
"You haven't seen a book before? What school did you go to?" Buffy asked.
"School? I don't bother it, and it don't bother me."
"So what do you do when you have to work?"
"Pray."
"Pray?"
"Yeah. That if there's anything like work near my heart, that it please be removed."
"So what do you do for a living?" Dawn asked.
"What the hell is dis? Fifty questions?" Seeing her upset look. "Buisness. Family buisness."
"How old are you?"
"Seventeen." Dawn smiled. He wasn't that much older than her.
Ysabelle, Conner and Jaquie sat at the couch. Dawn's gaze was fixated on Jaquie.
"Think he's cute?" Angel asked the teenager. She blushed. "Come on Dawn. You can tell me. I dealt with Conner, I deal with anyone."
"He's a little follicly challenged, but he's hot."
"That's the same hair style Johnny Depp had in Donnie Brasco." She raised an eyebrow. "One of the only mob movies Cordy'll watch."
"I see."
"So, why odn't you go over there and talk to him. Or at least hang for a while. He's kind of third wheeling it." She nodded and joined the three.
"Always something, huh?" Cordelia asked.
"You know it."
"Are we okay?"
"Why wouldn't we be?"
"Because of last night."
"Did you find Groo?" Angel asked, pointedly changing the subject.
"He thought he heard something outside. Went to check it out. Dusted a few vamps."
"Good. Good for him." He said and went to walk away.
"Angel?"
"Yeah?"
"You htink we can have a training session? I could use a workout." Angel smiled.
"Yeah. Little later?"
"Sounds good."
"Angel. Angel, sweetie, I need to talk to you!" Lorne said in a sing song voice, soming inside.
"Holy shit. What the hell is dat?" Jaquie asked, seeing the green demon.
"Ysabelle?"
"I'm on it, Angel." She said, starting the explanation to her cousin.
"What do you need Lorne?"
"All right. I have a solution to your little beaking and entering problem."
"Really?"
"Yes. Ladies." The three women came floating in. One with blond hair and light skin, the other with medium skin and dark brown hair, the other with dark skin and black hair.
"Oh God." Cordelia , Fred, Gunn and Wesley all groaned. the others stared.
"Hi Angel." The three said in unison.
"Ladies. Hi. How are you?"
"We are"
"Doing just"
"Fine. How"
"Are you?"
"What the hell?" Buffy asked, looking at the three women.
"Furies. They're Angel groupies." Gunn said. Buffy blinked. She wasn't used to her ex dating yet. Let alone having groupies.
"I'm great." Angel answered. The three looked him up and down.
"You look"
"Great too."
"Mmmm...Angel." The three said in unison. Buffy just gawked. Faith burst out laughing and Conner shivered at the mental image. The others didn't know what to make of it.
"You have"
"Yet to"
"Repay the"
"Debt you"
"Owe us"
"Angel. We"
"Informed your"
"Seer that"
"You were"
"The only"
"One equipped"
"To repay."
"What do they mean by equipped?" Willow asked.
"What do you think?"
"Oh Go." Buffy said.
"Well, how about this. Why don't you and Lorne work out this idea you have for my hotel and I'll repay you for both favors later on." The three considered, then smiled.
"Agreed." They said and went to Lorne to discuss how to keep the hotel from being broken into again.
"Cordy. You want to have that training session now?" Angel whispered as he walked past her and into the basement. She shrugged and followed. She wasn't worried about Groo. Gunn was trying to teach him how to play Mortal Combat again. They'd be at it for at least another half an hour.
Cordelia walked down the stairs just in time to seen Angel pull his sweater over his head. She watched the muscles in his back tighten at the movement, then relax when he lowered his arms. She licked her lips.
"Ready?" He asked turning around. He smirked as her heart beat sped up. She could do the same to him. She slowly unbuttoned her shirt, making sure his eyes were on her hands, and exposed the sports bra beneath. His gaze on her showed lust and she had to turn her gaze from his. "You came prepared."
"I've been wanting to train."
"Let's get to it then." She smiled and threw the first punch.
Cordelia was exhausted.
"Times." She said. Angel gave her a lok.
"There's no 'time' in fighting."
"Fine. Time out. Better?"
"No."
"I need a break. I'm tired, I'm sweaty and I think I smell." He smiled as she scrunched up her face.
"A demon won't let you call a time out, Cor."
"No. But my favorite vampire will. Pass me that water by your foot." She said, sitting down. He tossed it to her, then sat down as well. "Thanks."
"Uh-huh." They sat in silence for a while, Cordelia thinking.
"Angel. Can I ask you something?"
"Mmmm-hmmm."
"Okay. You've known the furies for a long time."
"Yeah."
"And you obviously have some kind of history. But they're not saying, 'Mmmm Angelus', Angel."
"Cordy."
"Well."
"What do you want me to say?"
"Did you sleep with them?"
"Yes."
"Your soul wasn't permanent!"
"But-"
"You could've lost your soul! I can't believe you were that stupid!"
"Cor."
"No! I don't want to talk to you." She said, quickly putting her shirt on and going upstairs. Angel rushed after, not a bit concerned with his clothing.
"Cordy." They all stared at the shirtless vampire and the pissed woman he was following.
"No, Angel."
"What do you think?" His voice raised to match hers.
"I didn't know you were dumb enough-"
"Do you honestly think I went one hunderd years without getting laid?" The room was silent, except for the laughing Spike.
"I don't know! I just thought...because you lost it with Buffy and-"
"Cordy. I was miserable back then. Perfect happiness wasn't a possibility. But that doesn't mean I didn't have a few good times."
"You're an ass."
"Why do you care so much? It's not your buisness what I do."
"I'm your best friend and your link to the PTB. It is my buisness."
"Maybe so. But you don't get to lecture me Cordelia. You lost that right when you chose him over me." Cordelia stood, shocked by what he said.
"Oh shit." The AI's all said in unison. They all knew, but it wasn't a topic discussed among them. Ever. Especially not by Angel. Willow and Xander stood awe struck, glad Buffy was upstairs having a talk with Dawn about Jaquie.
"Angel-" Cordelia tried.
"No. I'm sick of your sympathetic looks Cordelia. I'm sick of the reasons. You don't want me, fine." He walked back down stairs and locked the door. Cordelia took in a deep breath and locked herself in the bathroom. Several minutes passed, then Groo knocked on the door.
"Princess?" No answer. "Princess?" Cordelia opened the door. Her eyes were red and puffy and her voice was strained. Everyone was surprised by her state.
"Groo, not now. Please?" She closed the door again. Groo watched, sighed, then left the hotel. It was hard to love someone. But it was even harder to love someone who didn't love you in return.
Fifteen minutes of silence passed, everyone in their own thoughts. Angel emerged, hands swollen and knuckles bloody. He walked into the office where the Furies and Lorne were. Another five minuted later and Angel walked out with the furies. The four left the hotel. Faith groaned.
"I'll go order the new punching bag."
"I don't get it. Angel and Cordy-" Xander asked confused.
"No." Wesley said.
"But he said-"
"She rejected him."
"What? Why?"
"We're still trying to figure it out." Fred said, sighing. "That's when this whole thing with Angel started. Things get really tense every now and then."
"What's going on?" Buffy asked, coming down stairs.
"Nothing." Cordelia said, coming out of the bathroom. Her make up was fixed and her composure was back to Queen C status. "Where's Angel?"
"Left with the furies." Fred said, quietly.
"Figures."
"He left with those three?"
"Don't sound so surprised Buffy." Cordelia looked around. "Groo?"
"Took off too." She nodded.
"All right. I had a vision. Same place, same time, and since we all know there's no such thing as a coincidence, I think we should get some research on it before we go in."
"There's not much to research Cordelia. It's like busy work." Fred said.
"Better than thinking about what happened. You really want this mood around all day?"
"The mood's gonna be here regardless Cordelia. You know this isn't just gonna go away."
"Can you just find out what type of demons we're dealing with, please?" She asked her friend in a pleading tone. Fred sighed and stared at the door Angel had just exited, willing him to come back. Wesley came up to her and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. She relaxed and did as her friend asked.
"What are we talking about?" Dawn asked Buffy.
"I wish I knew." Dawn shrugged and walked over to where Jaquie, Ysabelle and Conner were sitting. Buffy looked and Willow and Xander.
"You guys want to tell me what's going on?"
"Inside conversation." Xander lied. "We have no clue."
"Willow?"
"He's telling the truth Buffy." The Slayer shrugged and dismissed it. She wouldn't put it past the group. She hadn't understood most their conversations since she'd been here.
"What are we doing?"
"Reseach. Finding out what demon attacked us the other night. That way we go in with the upper hand tonight."
"Busy work." Fred said. Cordelia glared at her. "It's true."
"I'll be back. I'm all sweaty and gross from training. I need to take a shower." Cordelia said and walked upstairs. She needed to be away form these people right now. She knew they were her friend, most of them anyway, but she knew they were probably on Angel's side with this one. She couldn't blame them. She went into the room her and Groo had shared and took a shower.
* * * * * * * * * *
Cordelia had purposely taken a longer shower than normal. She stared at herself in the mirror for a while, then took a deep breath and walked down stairs. Everyone was hanging out, none of them really doing anything. Wesley and Gunn were locked in a video game, both their girlfriends watching. At that moment, Angel came through the door. Any anger or hurt he had felt before, was well hidden.
"What are we up to, guys?"
"Cordy had a vision." Fred said. Angel raised an eyebrow.
"You okay?"
"Yeah."
"What'd you see?"
"Almost identical to last night, except different people."
"Hmmm. Okay. Now we know."
"Know what?"
"Not to leave the hotel vacant."
"There were less demons too."
"All right. Conner, Ysabelle, and I'll hit it. You guys stay here."
"You think that's wise, Angel? Just the three of you?" Wesley asked, turning his attention away from the game.
"Spike'll come too."
"I will?"
"Yes."
"I'll go too." Faith said. "I need to get out. Work out some aggression."
"All right. We're good. When are we going Cor?"
"Half an hour."
"Might as well get there early." He said. He exchanged a look with the others. They got up and followed him out.
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