PAIRING: A/W-- for now-- Aus/W/S later on.
RATING: PG, I guess-- also for now
SPOILERS: BtVS season 4; A:tS season 1
DISTRIBUTION: BBA, Angelus Witch, Fire & Ice, Vampyr Slayerette Passions, Spellbound Vampire, Willow Vampires.
FEEDBACK: Sure-- but please don't be TOO mean--- like I said, my first one EVER!!!
DEDICATION: To Kylia for encouraging me!!! Thanks, girl!!!
NOTES: * * indicates emphasis, ( ) denotes thought
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~Part: 1~
I remember everything about that time... the smell of her, the feel of her ther inmy arms, her intoxicaying struggles, pressed tightly to me, my fangs at her neck... I so desperately wanted to taste her. I wanted nothing more than to feel her rich, fruity blood (like peaches and apples) flowing into my parched mouth, soothing my endless thirst, filling my body with everything that was she.
I remember the way I felt torn apart inside when I thrust her at her friend in order to make my escape; the way I could think of nothing but *her*, for months--- the *dreams*. Her hands, her mouth, the sparkle in her emerald eyes, the deep subtle glow of her crimson hair... always here in my mind, as I slept the long, bright days away. She was always *there*, in the back of my thoughts. *She* was the reason I never killed the damned slayer. The idiot boy and the slutty little cheerleader, too.
Then she went and gave me my soul back.
I should have forgotten all those feelings when she caged up my demon again. Forgotten how badly I wanted... no, *needed* her beside me. Forgotten how she called to me deep inside of what I call my heart. But I didn't.
Maybe I *needed* my demon to come out in order to see what had been before me the entire time I'd been in Sunnydale. Maybe...
Oh, I tried to ignore what my heart was telling me, I tried to go back to the lifr I'd had before. I put all of my efforts into trying to repair my relationship with the slayer, trying to make it all up to her and her little scooby gang, but I couldn't forget, I just couldn't forget... *her*.
So things went badly, as they so often do, what with the slayer not wanting to let go and all. I wanted to tell her that it was over between us, but she would never have understood how being *evil* again could make me more appreciate the purity and goodness of my *true* true love.
I knew then that it was time to leave, and when the silly chit assumed that it was because of her, well, I just let her go on thinking that. From the day that I regained control of my body, I began to see just how self-absorbed Buffy truly was. *Everything* had to be about her, and anything that wasn't just didn't matter. It was so much easier to leave her to her delusions.
I really didn't *want* to leave my sweet love, but I knew that she wasn't ready to accept what I had to offer her. I knew it would take time... months, at least... maybe even years...
But that's all right, tim is something I've got plenty of... I can wait... I can wait... after all, I've got eternity.
~Part: 2~
One year later...
"Cordelia!" Angel said, looking toward his assistant's desk. He frowned. He thought he'd seen her there just a moment ago,but she didn't appear to be there now. "Cordelia?" he said again, the question apparent in his tone.
"Here, Angel," came her muffled voice from behind the desk.
"What? Dropped something?" He sounded amused.
"No... vision." she said curtly, groaning softly as she pulled herself up from the floor.
He crossed the room in three broad strides and helped her into her chair. "What was it?" he demanded.
"I don't know..." she said, sounding puzzled, "there wasn't any real uber-evil... all I saw was a woman singing at a bar. The C-note Lounge. And there was his strong feelng that we need to go there *tonight*."
"No demons, no vampires, *nothing*?" Angel asked, sounding just as confused as Cordelia looked.
"Just a woman at a bar?"
"Singing, Angel. A *singing* woman at a bar." she said, rolling her eyes at his attention to detail. (Sheesh! You'd think after I suffer one these gut-wrenching mind-numbing visions, he'd at *least* listen!)
"OK, Cordy, a *singing* woman. The question is, why would the Powers send you a vision of someone who's in no apparent danger." he mused.
"*I* don't know, Angel... maybe the danger comes later... or maybe she *is* the danger... but she *seemed* human enough."
"Yeah, well, things aren't always what they appear to be. You should know that better thn most, Cordelia," Angel said as he started pacing, taking care to avoid the bright patch of sunlight near the window. "OK," he said, having suddenly come to a decision, "I'll go to this C-note Lounge tonight and check it out. There's got to be something we're just not seeing."
"True. But we're *both* going."
"No, Cordelia. It could be dangerous. I don't want you getting hurt." he said commandingly.
"Angel. I'm *going*. There's a reason that the PTBs gave me these visions after Doyle died, and *I* think it was so that I could help you. So, don't argue. I'm going!" she exclaimed, staring at him intently.
Angel sighed deeply. "All right, Cordelia. You're going. Just don't blame *me* if something happens."
"No, you'll be too busy blaming your*self*," she said happily, grabbing her bag. "I'm going home... meet you here at sunset?"
"Yeah, yeah," Angel spoke to her retreating back. He went back into his office, wondering exactly *how* she always managed to get her own way.
* * * * *
Willow buried her head deeper in the pillow, sighing in relief as the machine *finally* pcked up.
"Hi!" she heard her own voice saying, "I can't come to the phone right now, but please leave a message? I'll call you back, I promise!" (Damn. *Way* too perky... gotta change that one of these days.)
She sighed again as she heard the caller's voice. (Buffy... again.) "Hi, Will," said the voice talking to her machine,"It's me... look, I'm sorry about last night, I didn't know he would be such a jerk." (Yeah, sure youdidn't, Buff!) "I mean, he's a friend of Riley's... I just thought it would be good for you to get out for once... I guess I thought you could use a change. Anyway, I'm sorry. Call me back, OK? I have an idea for tonight... um, OK... talk to you soon." The machine clicked off as Buffy hung up. (Yeah, sure, Buff. I'm *really* gonna call you back. After that fiasco last night, you'll be lucky if I even *talk* to you again!)
Willow sat up in her bed, rubbing the last remnants of sleep from her emerald eyes and pushing the sleep-tangled red hair back from her face. (I *could* have gone away for the summer. I could be laying on a beach with a margarita right abou now. But nooooo, I had to stay to help the slayer,) she grumbled to herself as she made her way to the shower, still thinking furiously as she alowed the steaming hot water to wake her up completely. (Well, to be fair, she *did* need my help at first, what with Xander and Anya going off on that road trip, and Giles back in England until September. But if I had known that she was gonna use the time as an excuse to set me up with every one of Riley's lame friends that was willing, I would have said "Hell with that!", and I'd be laying on that beach *right now*.)
She sighed as she dried off and began getting dressed in her usual jeans and T-shirt.
Brushing her hair in the mirror, she looked at herself long and hard. (OK, so Buffy may not be *entirely* wrong... it *is* time for a change. Maybe not a new man, but perhaps...) her eyes again took in the figure in the mirror, (perhaps a new image??? Yes! And I know *just* who can help me with that!)
Willow smiled brightly, decision made, as she crossed to the telephone and dialed a now familiar number in L,A.
~Part: 3~
Cordelia could hear the phone ringing from all the way down the hall. She ran, as best she could (damned bargain basement shoes!), knowing that the damned machine wasn't working right. Hell, it might be her agent calling with an audition, or better yet, a *part*! She slid to a halt outside her door, in such a hurry that her keys slipped from her grasp, clattering to the floor. (Typical! Every time I'm in a hurry!) "Dennis!" she cried out desperately,"Dennis, let me in! That could be an *important* call!"
Cordelia smiled as she heard the deadbolt quickly turn and the door swung open. "Oh, God, thank you, Dennis!" She plucked the receiver out of thin air, and shouted "Hello! Hello!!! Cordelia Chase!! Hello!!!".
Her face fell for a moment when she heard the voice on the other end of the line. "Oh, hi, Willow...." "No, I just thought you might be... " No, no, of *course* I'm glad to hear from you..." "Oh, nothing much, just the usual... brain-splitting visions, demons, despair, yada, yada, yada. So, what's up with you?" "Really... really... no, I think I could do that... Why not?... She did *what*???... No, I don't blame you a bit, she always was a bit... Yeah, I know she's your friend, but... No, OK, whatever... Alright, I'll see you then...Angel will be... Oh, OK, well,bye then." She hung up the phone. (That was strange. Willow's coming here, but she doesn't want anyone to know. I mean, I can understand not telling Buffy, but why doesn't she want *Angel* to know?... Hmm.)
* * * * *
The C-note Lounge was nothing like Angel had expected. The name had called to mind some kind of dark, dreary hole-in-the-wall, filled with the scent of dreams and lives wasted without notice. In actuality, it was quite a nice little place, he had to admit. There was a large-ish dance floor in front of a three foot high stage, and a decent number of tables scattered around. He and Cordela had actually been lucky enough to get one of the better tables near the stage. (If I'm supposed to do something about this woman...I mean, this*singing* woman, then I'd better be able to keep an ye on her.)
Their waiter, Bob, had just brought them their drinks, a coffee for him, a bottled water for Cordelia, when the lights dmmed and the crowd quietted in anticipation.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," came the voice over the PA system, "please welcome back to our stage... appearing *nowhere* else in all of L.A. county..." the crowd began to clap and stomp their feet wildly," Miss... Lucinda... Darke!!!"
The crowd became wilder for a moment; then an anticipatory hush settled over the room.
"Angel," Cordelia whispered, leaning in towards him,"does this seem strange to you? I mean, if this woman is *that* good of a singer, why haven't we ever heard of her?" Cordelia thought for a moment. "Oh, well, I mean I know why *you* haven' heard of her, Mr. I-just-want-to-sit-alone-in-the-dark, but why haven't *I*? I go out! I party!"
"Shhhh." Angel whispered back as a spotlight revealed the woman standing in the center of the stage. "I think we're about to find out."
She was stunning. Tall... probably close to six feet, with long, riotous dark red curls reaching almost to the waistband of her plum colored snake print leather pants , and large bright green eyes that were almost startling in their intensity. Her dark red lips against her almost too pale skin called to mind images of rose petals against white silk sheets. (OK,) Angel thought,(defnitely *not* a demon or a vampire. Have to get closer to find out if she's human, though... yeah, keep telling yourself that *that's* the reason you want to get closer... oh, god...) Lucinda stepped up to the mike, inhaling deeply.Ever eye was glued to the rise and fall of her chest beneath the black silk shirt she wore. She opened her mouth and began to sing.
* * * * * * * *
The band was taking a break after their second set of the night, having played for almos an hour straight. Cordelia looked over at her boss and friend. "Angel?" she said, "Angel?"
"Hmm?"
"You OK? You haven't said a word all night."
Angel started, as if just waking up. "Yeah... yeah, I'm fine... she's really... *good*, isn't she? I wonder what she's doing playing a little club lke this..." he trailed off, eyes drifting back towards the stage.
"Oh, no, you don't Mister!" Cordelia cried, slapping him hard on the arm. "Don't you *dare* even *think* about it! *I* remember what happened the last time you looked at a woman that way, and I *won't* allow it!"
Angel recoiled from her sap, more out of surprise than hurt. "Cordelia, you do realize that I have *no* idea what you're talking abot."
(Yeah, sure I don't.) "You were lookng at her the same way you used to look at Buffy before you two got all groiny with one another and you went all Grr, and I won't *allow* it to happen again!" she said angrily.
"No, Cordy, tht's not it."
(Yeah,sure.)
"I think I know her from somewhere, but I'm damned if I can remember where."
"Oh, sure, Angel, I'm sure she's never heard *that* one before. Geez... two hundred and forty some-odd years, and that's the best line you could come up with?" she sighed, "That is *truly* pathetic."
"No, really," Angel said, "I really *do* think I've seen her before... oh, well, it'll come to me evetually... you want another drink?"
"No. I want you to promise me that you're tellng me the truth. That you're not going to go losing your sol again!" Cordelia said quietly, staring intently at him.
"No, no losing my soul. Twice was enough." he replied, just as seriously.
"Good!" Cordelia smiled. "Now that *that's* settled, I guess I *will* have another drnk!"
Angel laughed and rolled his eyes at her before signaling to Waiter Bob for another round of coffee and water.
* * * * * * * *
The show had ended about twenty minutes earlier. Angel and Cordelia were surprised to see that the majority of the audience were remaining right where they'd been for most of the evening. Angel motioned Waiter Bob over.
"I'm sorry... I thought the show was over?" he said.
"Yes, yes, it is." Waiter Bob replied.
"So," Cordelia broke in, "what's the deal?" Waiter Bob just looked at her in obvious confusion. She sighed exasperatedly. "Why's everyone just stading around?"
"Oh!" Waiter Bob exclaimed. "they're waiting for Lucinda. She always makes the rounds of the room, saying hi, signing autographs, things like that. She say it's just her way of showing appreciation for her fans."
"She does that?" Angel said curiously. "And she's never had problems? I mean with over-eager fans or anything?"
"No." was the reply, "No one would ever want to upset her. She might not come back."
"Thanks," said Angel, turning to Cordelia as the waiter took himself off to the bar. "So no one want her to be upset, no one wants to hurt her, everyone loves her." Angel sounded puzzled.
"Yep. Which kind of begs the question: why are we here? I mean *vision*... *hello*."
Angel thought furiously, his brow wrinkling. "There must be something we're not seeing. Something that's gong to happen." He stood up, saying "Right. I'll just have to stay close to this Lucinda Darke until I know what's going on."
"Oh, no, Angel," Cordelia said sternly, "we already *had* this conversation. You are not going anywhere *near* that woman!"
She continued to rant, ignoring Angel's increasingly more frantic gestures to stop. "Sure, you *say* that you think you know her, but it is *so* obvious that you really just want to *get* to know her, and I mean in th Biblical sense. You me! Always being led around by the..." Cordelia broke off at the sound of an amused chuckle coming from directly behind her.
She stared, panic stricken at Angel. "Oh, please, tell me that's not who I think it is..." She blanched as Angel nodded.
"I tried to warn you, Cordy, but..."
"Oh, god..." She spun around, plastering a big, fake smile across her face, trying not to cry. "Hi, I'm so happy to meet you..." Her eyes went to the amused face of Lucinda Darke and were immediately drawn away to the man behind her "and *you*!" Now her smile was real. (My god! He's gorgeous! Those lips, those eyes... yummy!)
Lucinda laughed again, seeing Cordelia's expression. "Matthias," she said, over her shoulder to the man, "behave." She turned back to Angel and sighed, still smilng. "I can't take him anywhere."
"No, I guess not." Angel replied.
Cordelia hadn't heard a word they'd said. She was too busy taking in this beautiful man. He was taller than Lucinda by a good two or three inches, with almost black hair, and deep brown eyes. (I've never seen such long lashes before.) Cordelia thought reverently, (I could just *lose* myself in his eyes for hours... days, even.) He was gazing at her questioningly as she started back to reality. "Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to stare," she babbled at him. "It's just..." she trailed off, not knowing what to say next. (I don't beleve it... I'm speechless... *me*, Cordelia Chase... I'm *never* speechless... I *cause* the condition, I *don't* suffer from it!) For the first time, Cordelia realized tht both Angel and the singer were watching her, apparently waiting for her to respond. "I'm sorry... What?" she said.
Lucinda smiled. "I said, don't feel bad. He has that effect on women. Always has,probably always will, the bastard." she said affectionately. Matthias glared at Lucinda before sticking his tongue out and blowing her a loud raspberry; it was so silly that they all burst out laughing and realized that the proverbial ice had been broken. They chatted for a few more minutes before they all agreed to sit down at Angel and Cordelia's table, and when it became obvious that Lucinda Darke was settled in for the evening with her new friends, the people still in the club began to slowly make their way out.
* * * * * * * *
"So I'm guessing that if you saw the show, then you know who I am, but may I enquire as to who *you* are? Lucinda asked, with a slight smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
"I'm sorry... where are my manners?" Angel said ina self- mocking tone. "I'm Angel. This is my friend, Cordelia."
"Well, I'm Lucinda, but please, call me Luce, and this is my... brother.... Matthias. Matthias, say hello to our new friends."
Matthias spoke for the first time. "Did you enjoy the show? I thought it was a good one," he glanced over at Lucinda, "the best in a long while, by my reckoning."
(My god,) thought Cordelia, (that *voice*! I could listen to him talk all night long... OK, Chase, stop it!!! He's just a guy. An incredibly hot, beautiful guy, with what looks to be a *killer* bod, but still, just agut. Get a hold of yourself, girl!!!)
It was then that what Lucinda (Luce, she said to call her Luce) had just said hit her. "Oh, he's your*brother*. Cordelia's smile became evn wider. "So nice to eet you both!"
Angel looked at his erstwhile assistant and shook his head ruefully. (Sublte she's *no*. But then again, if she were subtle, she wouldn't be Cordelia.)
* * * * * * * *
Lucinda and Matthias watched from the doorway of the C-not Lounge as Angel and Cordelia waled down the street towards the big black car. "Luce," Matthias began.
"Shhh. Not yet." They watched as the car pulled away from the curb. "Yes, Matthias?"
Lucinda turned to him, and he put his arm around her sholder. "Is he the one?"
"Yes."
"You're sure." It was more a statement than a question. Lucinda sighed, and rested her head against his shoulder.
"I'm positive."
"Then why doesn't he remember?" Lucinda looked at Matthias with sorrow and acceptance in her eyes.
"Because, Matthias, his demon won't let him.
~Part: 4~
Cordelia slowly woke from a very comfortable hazy dream. She felt all cozy and warm, snuggled down in her blankets with the chill of the air conditioning countering the heat of LA in the summertime. She slowly sat up and stretched her arms up over her head, feeling the smooth play of muscles in her back, as she looked over at the clock on her bedside table. The clock that had failed to go off an hour and a half earlier. (Oh, *shit*! I was supposed to pick up Willow at the bus station half an hour ago... shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, *shit*!!!)
She leapt from the bed in a frenzy, the pleasant languidness of the last few minutes completely forgotten. She was running to the bathroom to brush her teeth and at least run a comb through her hair when she heard the loud rapping at her front door. "Cordelia!" she heard, "Cordelia, are you in there?"
She grabbed her robe, throwing it around herself as she ran to the door and flung it open. "Oh, god, Willow! I am *so* sorry... I was out late with Angel, and then I couldn't get to sleep, and *then* my alarm didn't go off..." she trailed off at the look Willow was giving her. "What?"
"Um, can I come in?" Willow asked.
"Oh, god, of *course* come in, I'm sorry, I'm just..."
"Not awake?" Willow supplied.
" Exactly!" Cordelia replied, sounding relieved. She ushered her friend into the apartment and began to make coffee.
The two sat at the kitchen table in companionable silence until the automatic drip had dripped its last. "So, Cordelia. What did you mean that you were out late with Angel? Are you two, like..."
"Oh, *god*, no, nothing like that! It was business... or at least I *think* it ws business..." Cordelia said, not quite missing the look of relief on Willow's face. (So Willow's got a little crush on Angel! Can't say as I blame her, he is awfully handsome, and damned cuddly for a vampire.) "There was this vision, and we went to this club to check it out, but fffttt--- no danger. First time one of my visions wasn't right on the money."
Willow looked interested. "So what do you think happened, Cord?"
"Oh, who knows... crossed wire, wrong address, I accidentally intercepted a broadcast for the *fun vision* girl?"
"Cordelia!" Willow said, allowing her tolerance for her flippant friend to show, "Come on! It may be important!"
"Yeah, I know," Cordy replied, "but Angel said he'd take care of it." She didn't miss the slight flush that grew on Willow's cheeks at the mere mention of the tall vampire's name. (Hmmm. Something going on there.... I wonder what... and I wonder if Angel knows about it!... no, probably not...)
"Cordelia?" Willow said curiously, "Where did you go just then?"
"Hmm? Oh, nothing... nowhere, just not quite all the way awake."
"Uh- huh. Well, do you think that you could maybe get dressed so that we can go do that shopping thing?"
"Shopping! Oh, yeah, I'm awake *now*!" She ran into the bedroom and began dressing at a frenzied pace, while Willow just sat at the kitchen table laughing so hard that the coffee almost came out of her nose. (Now *that's* the Cordelia Chase I've come to know and love!)
* * * * * * *
Angel made his sixth circuit around the office (desk, coffee machine, poor dying potted plant, copier...) before trying once again to sit down and get some work done. (Who am I kidding?) he asked himself. (Cordelia was right... now *there's* something I don't say every day... but she was... I can't keep myself from thinking about her... Lucinda Darke... Luce... what is it? Why does she affect me this way?) He crossed his arms as he thought more intently. (She really does seem familiar, though... I'd swear that I've met her before... No. I'd remember... I couldn't forget a woman like *that*. Not a chance in Hell.) He chuckled. (Or out of it, for that matter.)
He stood and began making his rounds again before suddenly realizing what he was doing. (No. Enough. I've *got* to get some work done.) He sighed, (Maybe if Cordelia hadn't needed today off for that audition... hell, I'd even welcome Wesley as a distraction. But no, he's off at that convention in San Francisco... although what he thinks he's going to learn about demon hunting at a Dungeons and Dragons convention is beyond me.) (OK,) he sat back down and opened the folder that had been in front of himall morning, (time to *work*.)
* * * * * * * *
Matthias rolled over and looked sleepily at an almost fully dressed Lucinda. "Luce?"
"Luce, where are you going?"
"Shhhh. Go back to sleep, love."
"You know I can't do that, Luce. If I let you go anywhere without me, it'll mean my head," he sat up, the silken sheets falling to his waist.
"Not this time, Matthias... I'm going to see the cousins." Lucinda said quietly.
"*What*?... You *can't*," he leapt from the bed, completely oblivious to the fact that he was completely naked, "You know what'll happen, don't you?" he cried. "They'll make you go *back*! You'll never get out again!"
"Not necessarily," she said calmly, "I think they'll keep quiet about this... after all, it really wouldn't serve their purposes for me to be taken home right now... I've got too much on them."
Matthias thought about it for a moment, then reached down to grab his pants from where they lay on the floor. "Fine," he said, pulling them on and fastening them, "but I'm coming with you." He cut off her attempted protest. "If this *does* get out, and I wasn't with you, how long do you think I'll be allwoed to live?"
"Matthias," Lucinda sighed, "do you really think that I'd let that happen?"
"And how exactly would you stop it?..." he heard only silence. "I'm sticking with you, just like I'm supposed to. I *like* my life. I'm in *no* hurry to lose it."
"Well, shit... OK... but if you're coming with me, you might as well be useful." Lucinda said, not liking the feeling of defeat. "Where is that damned crystal duck?"
~Part: 5~
Angel sighed wearily as he rubbed his eyes. He had been trying to research his latest case for at *least* a couple of hours, but so far the computer was just not cooperating. (Damn. I must be doing something wrong,) he thought, brow furrowed in concentration, ( I keep hitting all the same dead ends... Maybe I should call Willow? *She'd* know how to make this thing work!) His lips turned up at the thought of the slight redhead. (No.) he told himself, (that wouldn't be fair... to either of us.) He frowned. (I know what I feel... or at least I thought I did... I never stopped thinking about her... wanting her... but... Luce... I need to find out what's going on there. Besides,) his eyes widened as it suddenly occurred to him, (Willow's never thought of me that way. Even if I wanted o go to her right now, well, it's daylight... and she's in Sunnydale... and how could I tell her, completely out of the blue, that if my heart could beat it would beat only for her?) he asked himself, ( Especially when I'm not even sure that that's still true?...) (Of course,) he thought, after a minute,(I could always go *see* her... see if that settles the confusion... No... I'd probably end up running into Buffy...) he suppressed an involuntary shiver, (and I *sure* don't want that!!) (Oh, hell,) he thought, covering his face with his hands, ( how am I supposed to figure this one out?... I could ask Cordelia to call her... no, she'd want to know why, and I wouldn't know what to tell her... I don't even know what to tell myself.) He sighed again, looking back to the computer. (OK, lets see if I can make this thing work.)
* * * * * * * *
Cordelia stared in awe at the pile of bags and boxes filling up a large prtion of her livng room. "Boy, Will, when you say *shopping*, you really mean *shopping*!" She didn't think that she'd even done that much damage to her father's credit balance back when she'd still been Queen C of Sunnydale High.
"Well, I told you I was going for a new image," Willow said defensively, "it's not like you didn't know."
"Hey, I'm not *complaining*,I'm just surprised, that's all. I mean, I think we must have bought out every store with a silk, velvet or leather department." She looked at Willow curiously. "Are you sure you know what you're doing? With the new clothes, I mean. I know you think it's time for a change, and who could blame you, but *none* of this stuff," she said, gesturing towards the cornucopia of designer goods, "really screams Willow at me."
"Well, that's kind of the *point*, Cordelia," Willow said, sounding exasperated. Are you saying that you don't *like* the things I bought? Because I seem to remember a former cheerleader helping me to pick them out!"
"No, no, Willow, I *love* what you got; it all looks *fantastic* on you... I'm just not sure why you want to make such a radical change."
"Oh," Willow replied, "that's easy... Buffy."
"Buffy?" Cordela was surprised. She had expected to hear that it was because of a new guy, or to show Oz what he'd given up... but *Buffy*?
"Yeah, *Buffy*." Willow spat the name out as if afraid that it would leave a bad taste in her mouth. "Ever since the whole Tara thing ended, she has spent every waking moment trying to fix me up with any guy she could find, tellng me things like 'Oh, I knew that was just a phase' and 'You just need to find the right man'. I mean, OK, so Tara and I ended badly, but that's still a part of me. It's not that I'm *gay*, it's just that... I loved her... and I don't see why Buffy cares that she's a her... if it had been Tyrone instead of Tara, she'd be trying to help me through it, not throwing me at every guy with a pulse and a spare evening..." she trailed off sheepishly. "Sorry... *my* issues."
"So, this is to prove to *Buffy* that... what?" Cordeia asked, thoroughly confused.
"That I don't need her help! That I can find a guy, or whatever, on my own. That I'm not the same old, pathetic, can't-get-a-date-to-save-her-life Willow that I was back in high school!... I want her, and everyone else, to realize that I've changed... I've grown... I can find my *own* dates!" Willow ranted, "*And* that I can attract whoever I want to." She looked imporingly at Cordelia. "Or am I just deluding myself?" she finally asked in a very small, timid voice.
"*No*!" Cordelia said forcefully, "You're absolutely right! I mean, *look* at you! You're beautiful! I would *kill* to have that wonderful red hair, and your eyes are terrific! Add on to that the fact that you're smarter than, oh, anyone else I've *ever* met, and funny, and I don't see why you can't have your pick of guys," she glanced at Willow and quickly ammended her statement, "or... or whoever... now that we've taken care of your little 'packaging' problem!" She stared at Willow,waiting for a reaction, and was pleasantly surprised when her friend started laughing hysterically. "What?... What's so funny?" she demanded.
"Oh, Cordy..." Willow wheezed between bouts of laughter, "if only I could get you to do my PR!" The two girls looked at each other for a moment before they both went off into peals of laughter.
* * * * * * * *
Matthias reached out an arm to support Lucinda as they were unceremoniously tossed from the light-filled portal diractly into their rooms.
"Luce? Are you OK?" he asked, deeply concerned. He'd never seen her this weak or passive before.
"I'll be fine, love. The journey always takes it out of me." she replied tiredly. "Just give me a few minutes; I'll be right as rain in no time."
He helped her to the bed, watching closely as she laid herself down, head on her pillow, one forearm covering her eyes. She sighed in relief at finally being able to relax. "So, was it worth it, Luce? Did you find out what you wanted to know?"
"You didn't hear?" she asked quietly.
"No. You know the cousins don't acknowledge me... not pure enough for them, I guess."
"That's right... I'd forgotten. It's been so long since the last time..."
"So what did they say, Luce? What happened?" Matthias asked softly, laying down beside her and curling his arm over her rib cage.
"They said that they don't know... they didn't send the vision to his seer... 'What happens is as it's meant to be'... you know how they are..."
"And what do you think?"
" I don't know, Matthias... maybe this happened because someone wants to hurt me... I can't think of any better way to do it... letting me see him, knowing that he doesn't remember... I can't think of another reason." she said in a choked voice,as her tears began soaking through the arm of her shirt.
"Hush, Luce," Matthias crooned, pulling her to him, rubbing his hand in small, slow circle on her back. "It'll be OK... it'll be OK..."
She sighed into his collar bone, "No, Matthias, it won't be OK... it'll never be OK... not until this is finally over, and we're all where we belong."
He hugged her tightly, and kissed her softly on the temple. "You're tired, and you're not thinkng straight... do you want to cancel the show tonight? You could use the rest."
"No... *he'll* be there."
"Luce, are you sure that it's a good idea to see him again? I mean..."
She cut him off. "Yes. I *need* to see him again... talk to him... feel him near me."
"OK, Luce, you're the boss... but can I ask you one question?..." At her silent nod against his chest, he continued. "Why did you tell himthat I was your *brother*?"
Lucinda smiled against his skin. "Well, I could hardly tell him the *truth*, now could I?"
Matthias sighed, and settled himself firmly against Lucinda's warm body, slowly following her into a light sleep.
~Part: 6~
Willow spun around in front of the full length mirror, craning her neck to see every aspect of the new outfit she had chosen to wear. She liked the way the black leather pants clung to curve of her ass, and the high heeled ankle boots with the silver chain seemed to give her an authority that was usually missing from her posture. (Yesss,) she thought, (this was *such* a good idea! No one would *ever* mistake me for mousy little Willw Rosenberg in *this* outfit!) She sighed happily, pulling the green velvet bodice over her long sleeved black silk shirt and lacing it tightly. (Wow... back support!)
Cordelia tapped sharply on the door. "Come on, Will! You've bee in there for over halfan hour!" Her eyes widened as her friend opened the door, "And now I see why! Willow! You look *great*!"
"Thanks, Cordy, so do you."
Cordelia looked down at the new red silk sheath dress that she was wearing with black stockings and strappy high heeled shoes and laughed. "What, this old thing?" The two girls shared a moment of mirth. "But, really, Will, thanks for the dress... it's so..." Cordelia trailed off, at a loss fo words.
"Perfect for you?" Willow said sweetly, glad that she'd been able to do something in return for all of Cordelia's help.
"Yeah... exactly." Cordeli smiled her sheepish smile.
Willow rolled her eyes before looking back at her friend. "So what's the plan? I'm guessing that we're not all dressed up just to stay in and play cards with Dennis!"
"No, we are *definitely* going out!" Cordelia stated with a smile. "We look to damed good to wase it on a ghost!" She looked around the room, "No offense, Dennis, but I think tonight we're going to want to be around guys who are actually... well... alive!"
Willow smiled, he red lips curing mischievously. "So what are we waiting for, Cord?" "Nothing," the brunette replied, "let's go *party*!" Willow cleared her throat nervously, seeing the look in Cordelia's eyes. "What exactly do you have in mind?"
"There's this show at a little club downtown... I thought we could check it out."
"Oh, the singer you saw the other night? You wouldn't be thinking about meeting up with her brother, now wuld you?" Willow asked slyly, chuckling to herself at the flush that appeared on her friend's cheeks.
Coredlia relied, all innocense, "I don't know *what* you're talking about!"
"Yeah, sure you don't Cordy... but don't worry, your secret's safe with me." The two girls continued chatting as the grabbed their wraps and headed out to the C-note Lounge.
* * * * * * * * *
<meanwhile, back in Sunnydale...>
Spike was getting worried. He hadn't seen or heard from the red headed witch in almost two days. He'd looked for her just about everywhere he could think of, but so far, no luck. (Great. Bloody marvelous. I guess I'll have to check the watcher's place, worse luck... Have to make nice with Slutty and her little Slut-ettes.) he scowled, pondering his options. (Nope. There's nothing else for it.) he thought, as he changed direction, walking towards Giles' house. (Damn it, Red, I hope you appreciate what I put myself through for you.) He grimaced slightly and lit another cigarette, knowing that she didn't.
* * * * * * * *
Angel rubbed his eyes for what felt like the thousandth time, but once again, it didn't help. The hand written words in the old book still refused to come into focus. He glanced at the clock. (No wonder,) he thought, (I've been trying to read that thing for *hours*... anything to keep from thinking about what to do next... it was bad enough having *one* redhead constantly on my mind... and now I have *two*.)
He stood, running his fingers through his short, dark hair and sighed heavily. (I just can't handle this... I mean, I've wanted Willow for *years*... I thought that that would never change... and it hasn't, but... what about Lucinda... Luce... there's something there, too... I never thought of myself as the fickle type, but if I'm this obsessed, after just meeting her once... well, what does that say about me?... and for that matter, why would *either* of them want *me*, when I don't even know what I'm feeling...)
He looked at the clock again, suddenly realizing that he had only an hour in which to shower, change, and feed if he wanted to make it to the C-note in enough time to get a table for the show.
* * * * * * * *
Lucinda smiled as Matthias slowly ran the brush through her long red hair. He'd always been so good at this. "You really want to do this?" he asked, concerned.
"Yes, Matthias, I really want to do this... and could you please stop asking me that?... I'm not going to change my mind. This is important to me." shesaid, her resolve apparent in her voice.
"I'm just worried about you, Luce. I'm afraid of what this is going to do to you... to *us*."
Lucinda sighed, leaning back against the comforting heat of his body. "It'll be all right, love," she said softly. "I know that he doesn't remember... I don't expect him to. I just need to be near him, just for a little while. We're leaving LA soon... I won't be seeing him again for a long time... I just want this... especially if it's all I can have..." she smiled gently as she felt his arms go around her. "You *do* understand, love, don't you?"
"I understand that you're setting yourself up for a world of heartache," he said quietly, "and I'll be the one who has to pick up the pieces."
"Will you mind?" she asked curiously, "I mean, maybe it won't happen like that. Maybe I'll be able to just walk away."
He laughed softly into her hair. "I know you better than that, Luce... you'll *never* be able to just walk away... not from *him*..." He sighed sadly, "but it'll be all right... I'll pick you up, and dust you off, and bring you back to life... again..." he closed his eyes, just enjoying the smell of her, "I always do."
"Thank you, Matthias."
"You're welcome, love." They sat together lie that for a few more minutes, just leaning on eac other, each taking comfort in the other's presense. "Luce?..." he said gently.
"Hmm?"
"It's almost showtime." She sat up slowly, sorry to let the moment pass. "I know, love... and the show must go on."
~Part: 7~
<Sunnydale>
Spike hesitated just outside the watcher's door. He could hear the soldier boy inside, making yet another stupid comment. (Well, I can deal with him,) he thought smugly. He placed his hand on the doorknob, about to turn it. Just as he was about to enter, he heard the grating voice that he had been dreading. "But, Giles," the slayer whined, "if I patrol tonight, I won't be able to go to that movie with Riley!" Spike winced as the sound of her voice lanced through his skull. (Like nails on a chalkboard.) He cringed. (Bloody hell, I was hoping to miss little Slutty.) He turned and almost walked away. (No, much as the little bitch irritates me, there's always a chance that she knows where Red's been hiding herself.)
Spike took a last drag of his cigarette and steeled himself to her presence as he finally turned the knob and entered the watcher's apartment. The three of them were so busy, what with Giles reminding the slayer of her duty that no one even noticed Spike's entrance. He gritted his teeth. (Red would have noticed... she'd probably even have smiled and said 'Hi'... not that I care... oh, hell... I care... too much probably, but she's the only one of the lot that's worth a toss...) he thought for a moment, (OK, maybe the demon girl, too, but she's off seeing the 'world' with that idiot child...) Spike shook his head to dislodge the extraneous thoughts and loudly cleared his throat. "HM-HM."
The watcher broke off his lecturing of the petulant slayer, and looked toward the sound. "What?.. oh, yes, Spike... what brings you here?"
Spike nearly growled at the ineffectual watcher. "Red." he said demandingly. "Have you seen her?"
"What?.. Why?" Giles asked, sounding confused.
"Because," Spike said through clenched teeth, "The little chit has bloody well dropped off the face of the bloody earth."
"No... Buffy?" the watcher asked impatiently of his pouting charge.
"Willow?... No, not since the night before last... and before you ask, I haven't talked to her, either. She's mad at me." Buffy complained. "Just because that date didn't work out... I mean, she could have at least *tried*, but *nooo*, she had to be all 'don't touch me, don't kiss me'... no *wonder* she doesn't have a boyfriend."
Spike wasn't sure why the very thought of Slutty setting Red up on a date made him so angry, but it did. And then to criticize her for not putting out...
"Well, maybe Red has better taste than to just go for whoever'll have her." (You sodding twit.)
"But, she,"
"Very well, Buffy," Giles cut her off, "go to the movies with Riley, but tomorrow night..."
"Patroling. I know. Thanks, Giles!" Buffy jumped up off the couch with a big smile, pulling Riley with her. "Bye, Giles... neutered one." Buffy jumped as Spike growled at her, then turned bright pink as she realized, once again, that he *still* couldn't hurt her. She grabbed Riley's arm, looking daggers at the blond vampire as they left. Spike chuckled deep in his throat. (I never get tired of doing that.)
He turned to the watcher. "OK... where is she?"
* * * * * * * *
The two girls were waiting impatiently outside the club, hoping that the doorman would start letting people in soon, when Cordelia spied a familiar pair of heads ducking down the alleyway adjascent to it. "Luce... Matthias!" she cried out, waving wildly at them.
Lucinda looked around, having heard someone calling. She saw the brunette standing on line. "Matthias, why don't you go bring our friend in the back?"
"OK, LUCE," he said, sounding amused. "And, Matthias... none of your usual tricks... this one is precious to the Warrior."
"Aww, Luce, you never let me have any *fun*." he said, teasingly.
Cordelia couldn't believe it when Matthias started towars them. "Oh, god," she whispered to Willow, "that's the guy I was tellng you about... her brother..."
Willow took a long, clandestine look at the man approaching them, whispering back, "Oh, yeah,*definitely* a hottie!" She grinned at the flush spreading over Cordelia's cheeks.
Matthias approached and stood before them. "Cordelia," he said, taking her hand and lightly brushing a kiss across her knuckles, "and who is your lovely friend?" He smiled down into Willow's eyes, and was completely surprised when she burst out laughing. He dropped Cordelia's hand, a hurt expression crossing his handsome features. "Oh, gods," Willow was laughing so hard that she could barely speak, "I'm so sorry..." She was actually doubled over, she was laughing so hard. Cordelia was aghast. Here she was trying to make time with this perfect specimen, and Willow had to go and *laugh* at him. (I'll *kill* her!) she thought furiously. (How *dare* she. And right when he was holding my hand, too!) She glared at her friend, wishing that they'd never come here. Willow finally caught her breath, and looked up into the eyes of a stunned Matthias. "I really *am* sorry," she said, smiling, "but you just had such a 'wolf amongst the sheep' thing going on there that I just couldn't help myself..."
Matthias couldn't help but smile back at the small redhead. "It's OK," he said, finally laughing as well, "I suppose I *did* come on a little bit strong." Cordelia sighed in relief. (OK, Will... I guess I *won't* have to kill you." She proceeded to make the introductions, and a few minutes later, the girls followed Matthias to the mouth of the alley where Lucinda had stood the whole time, watching to goings on with something akin to wonder... it wasn't evey day that a woman laughed at Matthias... she wondered if she'd ever let him live it down.
* * * * * * * *
Angel knew that he was going to be late. First, the shower wouldn't work,so he'd settled on a bath. Then he couldn't find the shirt he'd wanted to wear, and spent almost twenty minutes looking for it before finding it wadded up under a chair. Then the car wouldn't start. the upshot of it all was that when he finally arrived at the C-note, he'd missed the first fifteen minutes of the show. (Great. No chance of getting a table *now*... oh, well, maybe if I circulate I'll figure out what Cordelia's vision meant... I'm pretty sure that the Powers didn't just think I needed a night on the town.)
He began to make his way through the crowd, heading towards the bar when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around. "Waiter Bob." he said completely nonplussed.
"You're Lucinda's friend, right? The one from last night." Waiter Bob said.
"Yeah, I'm Angel."
"Will you come with me, please?" he said, leading the tall, handsome vampire around the worst of the congestion. Angel followed, confused as to what exactly was going on. Waiter Bob led him to an open area at the other end of the bar where he left Angel and had a hurred discussion with the bartender, gesturing towards him. (What the hell is going on?) Angel wondered.
Just then, a voice came over the PA. "Ladies and Gentlemen, we apologize for the delay. The technical problems have been repaired. The C- note Lounge is proud to present..." (Oh, god,) Angel thought, forgetting the entire encounter with the waiter, (there she is...) he began to move towards the stage when he suddenly smelled someone familiar.
He inhaled deeply, trying to track the elusive scent. (Willow?... Here?...) his eyes took in every corner of the room before he finally saw her standing by one of the tables near the stage. (My god... it's Willow... she looks so good... smells even better...) Suddenly, he noticed what he hadn't initially seen. There were men... lots of men, flocking around her and (...Cordelia?) He took a closer look at his redheaded witch, and almost growled. (What in the *hell* is she wearing?)
~Part: 8~
<at the C-note Lounge>
Angel couldn't believe his eyes. Willow was right there, in front of him, wearing an outfit that he could never have imagined... not even in his wildest dreams. (Oh, hell, who am I kidding?... I've pictured her in...) he broke off the thought, cursing the tingling it was causing in his groin. (No, this is *definitely* not the place to be thinking about *that*...) he told himself sternly, (but she looks *amazing*! Whatever's been going on in her life back in Sunnydale has obviously been good for her in the long run...)
He came dangerously close to growling again, watching the men trying to get to his witch. (*My* witch?,) he asked himself, (when did *that* happen?) He looked closely at her for a few moments before making a decision. (Right,) he told himself, ( if she doesn't know what coming to a bar looking like *that* is going to do to the men here, well, I'll just have to protect her from herself... *and* them.) He grinned wickedly. (Yeah, Angel, and who's going to protect her from you?)
* * * * * * * *
Spike was well and truly pissed off. He couldnt believe that the little witch had run off to LA without telling him. (Oh, sure, she tells the *watcher*, but not a single thought in her lovely little head for dear old Spike... you'd almost think she didn't care,) he told himsef angrly. (Yeah, well that's 'cause she doesn't, you bloody wanker... Shit, Spike, you're getting to be as bad as nancy-boy, going and getting all googly eyed over a mere slip of a mortal,) he berated himself. (I mean, sure Red's nice to look at... even nicer to smell... and touch... Damn it!!! Stop it, Spike, you're the big bad... even if you've still got that sodding chip in your head... don't go geting all drippy over the girl...) His internal dialogue with himself continued even as he got in his car and pointed it towards LA.
* * * * * * * *
Something was going to happen... Willow could feel it. It was like a not unpleasant tightening in the pit of her stomach. She felt on edge... and expectant.. she didn't know what was coming, but she knew that whatever it was, she wanted it. (Maybe I'm just tired of living in Buffy's shadow,) she thought, while chatting aimlessly with the guys who kept stopping by to talk to Cordelia, (or maybe I just need an adventure without all the death and demons surrounding it... I don't know... but I am having fun, that's got to mean something.)
She was jolted out of her reverie by the feel of a strange hand on her leather covered ass. She swung around, intending to slap the offender, but suddnly stopped, hand frozen in mid-air. (Oh, gods...) She swallowed once, hard; then again. "A-Angel." she stammered, shocked.
"Willow," He nearly purred.
(Oh, gods,) she thought, (he looks so good... how can he look so good without a mirror... did he *always* look this good?... Yes, she decided, he had.) "Wh-what are you doing here?" she asked shakily, trying to calm her heartbeat... (Oh gods, I shouldn't have come here... should've stayed in Sunnydale... stayed meek little WIllow... why is he looking at me that way?) She felt... hunted, she decided. He had that look in his eyes, like he was a cat, about to pounce upona particularly tasty mouse. (Eeep! And I'm that mouse!) She wasn't sure whether to feel excited or scared. (Maybe a little of both...)
Angel looked at the redhead in front of him. He saw the emotions chasing each other in her eyes and smiled a sexy little smile. "Relax, Willow, I'm just here to keep those guys away from you." He allowed his disdain for the common rabble persuing his witch to color his voice as he took her arm, preparing to lead her away.
Willow thought about that for a moment, and began to become terribly angry. "So you're here to protect me." she spat. "Well what if I don't want to *be* protected? What if Idon't *want* those guys kept away? I'm a grown woman, Angel! Maybe I want to be *desired* for once! And maybe, just maybe, I don't *care* if it's by a room full of strange men!" She panted lightly, slightly out of breath from her outburst.
Cordelia was shocked silent by everyhing that had just happened. One minute, she and Will had been having a blast, flirting with all the guys coming over to them with offers to dance with them or buy them drinks, and the next thing she knew, Angel was there, and Willow... sweet, calm Willow... was yelling at him at the top of her lungs. (What the *hell* is going on?) Cordlia wondered. "Angel..." she said, standing up.
"No." He said harshly, not even looking at her. "You lied to me, Cordelia... there was no audition... no commercial. You deliberately lied to me."
"Don't blame *her*," Willow said hotly, "I asked her to lie. I didn't want you to know I was here."
Angel froze. He could swear that he felt his heart turning to ash within his chest. "You didn't want to see me?" he asked quietly, all of his hurt visible in his eyes.
"No." Willow said, just as quietly. "I didn't."
He dropped her arm and slowly stepped back, nodding sadly. "Then I guess there's nothing left to say... Good-bye, Willow." he said, turning towards the club's door.
"No, I guess there isn't." she replied, turning back to the table.
Cordelia looked at her friend, more confused than she'd ever been in her life. "Will?... What just happened here?" she asked softly. Willow looked up, the tears ready to spill from her luminous green eyes.
"He didn't want me, Cordy... he just wanted to make sure that no one else did either..." she choked out as her tears began to fall in earnest. She sobbed, looking at her friend. "He didn't want me..." she repeated in a voice barely above a whisper.
Cordelia felt her heart going out to this petite rehead whom she called 'friend'. She couldn't understand how this had happened. She'd seen the desire in Angel's eyes, she *knew* that he wanted Willow. (Somehow, they must've got their wires crossed... they're *definitely* misunderstanding each other... but maybe it's for the best. I know that she'd make him happy, but a happy Angel means Grrr all over again, and *that* would be so not good...) She sighed, taking Willow's arm in hers. "Come on... lets get you home." she said gently, pullng her friend outside to hail a cab.
~Part: 9~
It had only taken Spike an hour and a half to reach the address that the watcher had given him in LA. He'd knocked on the door, but had gotten no response. (I bloody well know someone's in there...) he thought angrily, (I can hear the telly going... *and* changing channels...) He started pounding on the door, shouting, "Red!... Red!... I know you're in there... Red!... damn it, open up!" He could feel the wall shaking with the force of his blows, which only caused him to pound harder. (Little chit's ignoring me... *me*!) He was insensed. (Here I drive all this way just to find out what's going on, and she's ignoring me! Can't stand for *that*, and still keep my dignity!)
Spike was about to start pounding again, when he heard a familiar voice coming up the stairs. (...Cordelia.) Cordelia thought that she'd never seen anyone quite so heartbroken as her friend was at that moment. Not that she blamed her. (Here's poor Willow, nursing this *major* jones for the King of Brood, and he somehow manages to screw things up... even makes her think he's immune to her...) she thought, mind racing a mile a minute, ( And I *know* he's *not*... what was that... that... Deadboy!... thinking?... Or was he?) She helped her sobbing friend up the last flight of stairs, noticing, out of the coner of her eye, the figre standing by her door. (Oh, good,) she thought for a moment, (he's come to apologize...) She took a closer look and realized that this was not her brooding boss... in fact it looked a lot like...
"*Spike*?"
Willow looked up in surprise at the sound of his name. Her tear- swollen eyes brightened imperceptibly at the sight of her friend. "Spike!" she cried, throwing herself into his arms, "Spike..." she murmure against his hard chest, as she felt his arms close about her, "I'm so glad you're here!" She felt his hand begin rubbing up and down her back as she began sobbing once more.
"Here, pet," he crooned into the small girl's hair, "what's all this, then?" Getting no answer from the crying girl, Spike looked at Cordelia. "Cordelia... what is it? What's happened to her?" he asked softly, so as not to disturb the weeping redhead.
Cordela looked at him, weighing in her mind just how much she should tell him. Finally, she replied. "Angel." she said flatly. "Angel happened to her." She sighed, running a weary hand over her eyes. "You'd better come in."
Spike looked at her through the anger caused by her response, then glanced down at the girl still in his arms. He bent slightly to pick up the redhead, replying, "Yeah, I guess I'd better," as he carried the slight fom over the threshold.
* * * * * * * *
Matthias leaned back against the far wall, watching appreciatively as Lucinda cut a broad swath of destruction through their rooms. He knew that he should stop her, but it was so rare to see her lose her temper, and she was just so damned *good* at it. As he watched her about to trash the bed, he realized that enough was enough, and decided to step in. "Luce... Luce!..." he said, loudly, "Luce, that's *enough*!"
"Is it?" she cried out, sounding angry, and hurt. "Is it, Matthias? Because it doesn't *feel* like enough... I've lost him... I've lost the *little bit* that I was allowed to have... I'm not sure that even destroying the whole *world* would be enough!" She sank to the floor, her face in her hands. "I don't even know what happened," she said, in a much quieter tone. "One minute, I could feel him there, watching me, and the next... the next minute, he was gone."
Matthias crossed the room, getting down on the floor behind her and wrapping her in his arms. "It was the redhead," he sighed into her hair. "You know... Cordelia's friend... he loves her."
"Ah..." she said, suddenly calm, "of course. It stand to reason, what with her being one of ours..."
"Is she really?" Matthias asked curiously, glad to see that the storm of emotions had passed.
Lucinda sighed deeply, leaning further back into him. "Of *course* she is, love... didn't you smell it on her?"
Matthias thought back to his brief meeting with the lovely girl. "Now that you mention it, I suppose I did." He said, wonderingly.
* * * * * * * *
Angel had been pacing around his apartment for the better part of an hour, trying to figure out exactly *what* had gone wrong. (She told Cordelia to *lie* to me... she didn't even want to *see* me... but I saw her eyes when she first turned around... she *wanted* me, I *know* she did... but then why...) He flung himself onto the coch, only to rise and begin pacing again. (Maybe I'm wrong... I mean, I always knew she thought I was attractive, but that doesn't necessarily mean that she wants me... maybe it's just the outside she likes... she knows all about the things I've done... Hell, she lived through some of them.) He sighed, flinging himself once more onto the couch. "I'm surprised that she didn't run away screaming... but still, I recognized that look... No,) he decided, sitting bolt upright, (she does want me... I just have to figure out what happened tonight. We should have had a great time, watching Luce's show... Oh, god... Luce... I forgot all about her..)
~Part: 10~
Cordelia's mind was still reeling from the shock of Spike's appearance on her doorstep. Even as she got ready for bed, she still couldn't believe what she had seen. (He *loves* her,) she thought, completely flabbergasted, (I never would have believed it... *Spike*!... loves *Willow*!) She wasn't sure whether to be happy or sad for her now sleeping friend. (OK, on the one hand, that means that at least *he'll* never hurt her, at least not with that chip in his head, but...) she sighed, and then suddenly smiled. (I'd hate to be Angel right now... the only thing keeping Spike from going over there and kicking his sorry ass is the fact that Willow needs him... oh, boy, is Angel ever gonna be *punished*!) She smiled even more widely as she slipped in beneath her sheets. (Brood boy is *sure* gonna regret whatever it was he said tonight!) Her smile dimmed, ever so slightly, as she drifted off to sleep.
"Oh, bloody hell!" Spike exclaimed, trying to be quiet, so as not to awaken either of the two sleeping girls. "Damn it, how can I be losing to a bloody ghost?" he growled as Dennis once again pulled an inside straight, beating his two pair handily. (Bloody ghost *must* be cheating!) He started, and turned at the sound of a soft moan, coming from the couch in the living room. (Red...) He stood and left the kitchen, crouching down beside the tiny redhead asleep on the couch. "Red?," he whispered softly, brushing the tangled strands of loose hair back from her face with a gentleness that surprised even *him*. "It's OK, baby... Spike's here..." He heard her softly mumbling under her breath, and leaned down closer , finally hearing, in a tone that he only *wished* was directed at him, "Angel..." (I'm going to *stake* the bloody poof!) he thought, before the blinding fury overtook him, and he stormed out into the night.
* * * * * * * *
Matthias sat watching Lucinda sleep. The thoughts were chasing each other through his head. (I don't get it... I just *don't*... how could she be so angry one minute, and then so *calm* the next?... She was almost ready to *kill* something because he left her, and then... just because it was the redhead...,) he stared off, a puzzled look on his face, ( All of a sudden, it's all better?...) He rubbed his eyes before deciding, (No, I just don't get it...) Lucinda slowly woke. Glancing around for a moment, she saw Matthias on the other side of the room looking confused.
She smiled. "Penny for them, love." He looked up, surprised. "Your thoughts, love," she said patiently,"Penny for your thoughts."
Matthias stood, and made his way back over to the bed. He sat down beside her, looking into her green, shining eyes. "I don't get it," he stated baldly.
"Ah... you don't understand why I'm not angry..." She looked around the tossed room, smiling slightly at the evidence of her earlier ire. "Anymore, I mean."
He nodded almost imperceptibly, hoping that she might actually solve this mystery. He'd never seen such an abrupt mood swing, and he'd known her *forever*. It worried him. "It's the girl... Willow..." she said softly, gazing at him. "I didn't understand at the time, but the cousins mentioned her... a twig of our tree, removed in time... to bring the Warrior peace... *something* like that...) She looked questioningly at Matthias, "You know how they are... always talking in riddles..."
Matthias nodded, remembering how they'd been years ago, when he was still admitted to their counsel... before they'd decided to ignore him... before they'd shut him out. "So what does it mean?" he asked quietly.
"Well, love, it means that I'll see him again... *soon*... most likely with the redhead."
"And that won't bother you?" he asked,reaching over and pulling her into his arms. Lucinda rested her head against his chest before replying, "
No. I'll still have what I said I wanted." She sighed. "I'll be able to see him, and talk to him... he still won't remember, but if he really loves the girl, then that's all for the best."
Metthias just tightened his arms around her, saying nothing.
* * * * * * * * *
Cordela was dreming. She *knew* she was dreaming. Had known since she had first heard the voice.
"Doyle?" she said, not quite believing her ears.
"In the flesh, Princess. Well, OK, the dream-flesh to be precise." She could hear the amusement in the voice of her dead friend.
"Doyle!" she said again, looking around the hazy dreamscape. "Doyle, where are you?" she cried frantically. She almost jumped out of her skin when she felt the hand on her shoulder. "Doyle!," she cried, relieved, throwing herself into his arms, "Doyle... I never thought I'd see you again!"
"Well, technically, you're not, Princess... much as I hate to admit it, this *is* just a dream."
Cordelia held him even more tightly for a moment, before abruptly letting go and slapping him hard on the cheek. "Oww, Cordelia! What was that for?"
She looked at the apparition before her, rubbing his cheek as if it actually hurt him. "You know *exactly* what that was for!" She exclaimed hotly. "You left me! I mean, I know that you had to go and be the hero, and everything, but you *left* me... and then you had to go and give me these stupid *visions* on top of everything else... Doyle, how *could* you?"
"I'm sorry, Cordelia.. the Powers gave you the visions... it wasn't my idea."
"No, stupid... how could you... leave me?" she choked out on a sob, the first of many.
"Oh, hell, Princess... it's a long story..."
"Well, this is a dream. So I have time." Cordelia said sternly, choking back the last of her tears. "Start talking, Mister."
* * * * * * * *
(Damn, I'm tired,) Angel thought. He had been trying to get to sleep for the last hour, but every time he closed his eyes, all he could see was Willow, saying that she hadn't wanted to see him. (I must have done something... said something... but I'll be damned if I know what...) He searched his mind, trying to remember every word, every nuance of what had been said between them. (No, all Isaid was that I wanted her away from all those guys... leering at her, wanting to *touch* her...) he growled aloud at the memory. (I don't know what made her react that way...)
He broke off his train of thought as he heard the sound of footsteps rapidly approaching his door. (Good. Maybe that's Cordelia... maybe *she* can tell me what I'm missing here.) He was so caught up in his confusion, that he didn't even hear the part of his mind that was trying to tell him that Cordelia had *never* walked with that kind of anger apparent in her stride. He flung open the door, intent on getting some answers out of his assistant, only to be met with a large fist impacting upon the point of his chin. As he felt the darkness rise up to claim him, he had only enough time for one very important realization. (Spike!... and he smells like... *Willow*!)