Armadillos & SalsaBy Syn
Chapter Five: Gone Fishin' and Other Tales"What in the world happened to you?" Trish Burkle exclaimed as everyone trooped into her house. Her gaze was on Cordelia, who was still holding the Sprite can to her eye, a dark green bruise spreading across her skin. Connor bolted out of his chair at the kitchen table and grabbed her elbow, a look of deep concern on his face.
"I had a little disagreement with someone. No biggie." Cordelia said, shrugging off Connor's touch and sinking down at the table as Trish leaned down to examine her.
"No biggie? Oh sweetie, it looks like you've been kicked by a horse! Here...let me get you something..."
"Are you okay?" Connor asked, his voice tight with worry as Trish went to get her an ice pack. Cordy glanced up at him and nodded her head. She did a double take a second later, looking him up and down.
"Nice apron." Everyone's attention was suddenly on Connor as he hastily pulled a frilly pink apron off, his face flushing a brilliant crimson.
"Oh...I...Mrs. Burkle was showing me how to, um...bake." He gestured to a chocolate cake cooling on the kitchen counter and Cordelia fought a smile.
"Just like your father." She said, wincing again as her muscles twinged. Trish suddenly bustled up out of nowhere, pressing an ice pack wrapped in a dishcloth to her bruise.
"Keep that on there, honey. You're gonna be bruised, but it won't swell." She said and then glanced around at the others cluttering her kitchen. She noted the absence of Fred, Gunn, Wesley and Faith. "So, did everyone have fun?"
Angel spoke up for the first time, his arms crossed over his chest and his shoulder leaning against the doorway. "Some of us did."
Trish glanced around, her eyes meeting Lorne's gaze. He grinned and winked as she fought the urge to squeal like a little girl. Things were actually working out. She couldn't believe it!
"Are you sure you're okay?" Connor insisted, crouching before her and touching her hand. Cordelia smiled tight-lipped at him and moved her hand away from his.
"I'm fine, sweetie. Really." Cordelia caught Angel's gaze across the kitchen as he eyed her for a moment, then turned on his heel and stalked out of the room. She watched him go, frowning deeply, her face throbbing with pain. She stood quickly, startling Connor.
"Cordy?"
"I gotta...get some air." She mumbled, heading out the back door. Connor watched her go for a moment and then followed her. Trish turned to Lorne, a worried expression on her face.
"What's going on?"
"More angst on the fire. Don't worry. I'm still working on it." The demon answered with a shrug of his shoulders and deep sigh. He moved to sit down at the table and winced, grabbing his thigh.
"Did you get in a fight too?"
"Yeah, but I kicked his ass." At the questioning look on her face, he went on, smiling as he sank into the chair Cordy had abandoned. "Mechanical bull. Nasty sucker."
"Ah." Trish said, letting the matter drop. "So...everything went well?"
"Better than I expected. Fred and Charles are back together."
"They are? They made up?"
"In a big way!" Lorne said with a dirty chuckle. He cut it off as Trish stared at him.
"How big?" She asked sharply, her hands on her hips.
"Uhh...not that big. A teensy-weensy biggish way that's not so big after all and..." Lorne said, blushing a deeper green as Trish managed to smile.
"She's a big girl. I don't need to know the details." She said, as if to convince herself. "Besides, we had the talk yesterday and she knows how I feel on the subject. I can be a cool mom. I really can."
"I wasn't implying you weren't." Lorne said, smiling at her. Roger walked in and looked at the two of them, a bemused smile on his face.
"So where are they right now?" He asked, as if he'd been listening the entire time. He knew about their little plan and hadn't said anything so far, instead leaving it up to his wife and their green houseguest to their games. Now he felt the need to get involved.
"On the front porch, saying goodnight." Lorne said, glancing worriedly at Trish, who just smiled at her husband.
"Oh." Roger turning around back toward the living room.
"Roger, give them a few minutes, okay?" Trish called after him, knowing full well what he was going to do. He nodded seriously and disappeared into the next room, leaving Lorne confused.
"What's he going to do?"
"What my father used to do to him. Don't ask. It's harmless." Lorne shrugged and ran a hand through his hair, hoping it didn't blow his plans.
****
"What's the matter, Cordy?" Connor asked as he sat down next to her on the back porch steps. A shaft of light from the kitchen shined on them, bathing her features in a bright yellow glow.
"It's just a black eye, Connor. Not the end of the world." She said, glancing at him, the ice pack still pressed to her face.
"I didn't...I didn't mean the bruise. I meant...what's wrong with you and Dad?"
Cordelia glanced sharply at him, her eyebrows drawn up. "What do you mean?"
"I mean...I know that you two are...are in love and everything." He said, squirming in his seat and running a flour-smudged hand through his long hair. "And...why aren't you together?"
"It's complicated. You wouldn't understand."
"Why wouldn't I? It's not like my life isn't complicated too." Connor exclaimed, glancing sharply at her.
"How is your life complicated?" She shot back wryly, glancing at his sharp profile. The stars glittered above them and she was once again taken by the beauty of the countryside. That's what she missed most about living in Los Angeles--the stars.
"I'm in love with the wrong person, for one." He said lightly, turning his toward her, his blue eyes glistening in the light from the kitchen.
Cordelia immediately went still, guilt surging through her body. She took a deep breath and touched Connor's arm. "Connor...you know that I don't...that wasn't me...and..."
"I know." He said immediately, taking her hand in his own. "She was evil and using me and I was too stupid to realize it. But that doesn't mean my feelings can just go away. I tried to make them and they won't..."
"You're in love with someone who doesn't exist. I can't be what you want and you know that." Cordelia said firmly, pulling her hand away again. Her heart hurt to watch the pain flickering across his face, but she had to put her foot down. It was time they had this talk anyway.
"I do know. I know you don't love me and I'm trying really hard to get over it but...it's not getting any easier."
"It will. You just have to give it time."
"Believe me, I'm trying." He said, thinking of the way he'd been helping Lorne out.
"Connor, one day you're going to find a pretty young girl who's gonna love you like you hung the moon. Then you'll forget about what happened because you'll be happy. I want you to be happy. I really do. But...it's hard for me too."
"Why?"
"Because, I...I'm in love with your father and you have feelings for me... And Angel and I...we're not exactly getting along right now and everything sucks like a recycled soap opera storyline! And I'm getting a black eye!" She whined, pointing to her face.
Connor was silent a moment, thinking as he chewed on his lip. "You know...it wouldn't be so hard if you'd give him a break."
"What?"
"You're being all mean to him."
"I am not!" Cordelia's mouth flew open and she glared at Connor.
"Yes you are! You're mad at him for some stupid reason and then you make him jealous with that blonde guy and he doesn't deserve it."
"Am I hearing this right? Are you actually taking Angel's side?"
Connor drew himself up straight and stared stoically at her. "Maybe I am."
"Well...that's something." She said, fighting a grin. "So, Mr. Male Solidarity, what do you think I should do?"
"Just tell him how you feel. He needs to know it. And if things don't work out you can always--"
"--Never date again?" Cordelia interrupted quickly before Connor could suggest what she knew he was going to suggest.
"Yeah, I guess that could work too." He said as he grinned widely at her. Cordelia reached out, drawing his hair behind his ears, a kind smile on her face.
"I do love you though, you know that right?"
"I know...like a mother..." Connor said, rolling his eyes and shaking his hair back out from behind his ears.
"More like an aunt. Mother's just too creepy. Besides, you had one of those and I'm way too young and attractive to have a kid. Well...demon babies aside..."
Connor gave a small chuckle and looked back up at the stars, his arms crossed over his knees. Cordelia looked back up at them too, her mouth drawn up into a tight bow.
"So...about that girl I'm gonna meet...what does she look like?" Connor asked slyly, glancing at her from the corner of his eyes. She gave a small laugh and clutched her head.
"Oh wait...I'm having a vision! She's...blonde...and cute...with...blue eyes and..."
"A large chest?" Connor said hopefully as Cordelia's mouth flew open. She smacked him on the arm, laughter bubbling up out of her throat.
"Pervert!"
"I think I get it from my dad..." Connor said so seriously that Cordy started laughing harder. Connor joined in and their laughter rang across the dark, empty backyard. Or at least it looked empty. He helped her up and walked her into the house, where they stopped as Fred rushed by them, her face red with embarrassment.
"Mom! I'm not sixteen anymore! Tell Daddy not to flick the porch light at me!" She exclaimed, throwing up her hands. "Charles and I were just talking!"
"So says the hickey on your neck." Cordelia said, nodding at her. Fred groped her neck, color draining out of her face. Her mother's eyes widened a bit and Fred gave a small yelp and hurried out of the room, leaving them all staring after her. Roger came in after her, looking rather proud.
"That was so mean, honey."
"Yeah, but you should have seen 'em scatter." Roger said with a grin as he looked around. "Where's the other two?"
"Faith and Wesley? Uh...I saw them...uh...stumble out into the barn when we got back." Lorne said, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "They were kinda, um..."
"All over each other? And drunk?" Cordelia offered as Lorne nodded and glanced up at Roger. Fred's father blew out a breath and threw up his hands.
"I am not walking into the middle of that." There was a chorus of agreement as Cordelia suddenly felt a shiver go up her spine. She turned around and stared out the window. The backyard was dark and empty, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched.
Cordelia looked back as Trish asked in a loud voice, suddenly realizing something. "Where's Grayson?"
Lorne burst out laughing as Cordelia sheepishly grinned.
Behind one of the trees out in the yard, Angel had watched them talking, his hands clenched into fists and anger clouding his vision. He'd watched as Connor helped Cordelia up, touching her face gingerly and then leading her into the house. They looked so close and happy. Memories flashed across the inside of his eyelids for a moment. He lashed out in his anger, pain wrenching up through his arm and threading around his heart.
His eyes opened and he slowly pulled his fist out of the tree trunk, splinters buried in his skin. His gaze remained on the house, watching the shadows moving inside, his heart aching and jealousy flaring through his system.
****
Morning came, bringing with it a blistering sun and a beautiful blue sky. Roger Burkle pumped water into a bucket and carried it as quietly as he could up the ladder to the hayloft. He peered cautiously at the two sleeping figures in the hay, surprised to see them both fully clothed.
Wesley was lying on his back with Faith curled up against him, her leg thrown over his crotch and her head resting on his shoulder. Both of them were snoring quite loudly. Roger took a deep breath and poured the ice-cold water all over them.
Faith came up swinging. Roger jumped back, surprised. Wesley gasped, shook his head and then realized what was happening and grabbed Faith by the shoulders.
"Faith! Calm down!"
"Jesus fucking Christ! What's your damage?" Faith exclaimed, pushing her wet hair off her forehead with an impatient hand. She glanced around in anger and then sobered up a second later. She looked at the hay and Wesley holding her shoulders. Her mouth slammed shut and she took a deep breath.
"Mr. Burkle...I don't know what to say..." Wesley started, running a hand through his wet hair and trying not to look at Faith.
"Don't mention it. I do it for Grayson at least once a week. Breakfast is in a half-hour if you're up to eating." He said with a shrug and then promptly turned on his heel and disappeared down the ladder.
"Fred has the coolest parents ever." Faith said with admiration. She felt kind of bad about nearly knocking his head off now. She looked over at Wesley and saw him watching her.
Wesley looked her over, his eyes going wide. "Did we...?"
"You mean you don't remember?" Faith exclaimed through gritted teeth. Wesley was stunned and he groped for a good response that wouldn't get him clocked.
"Do...do you?"
Faith thought for a moment, her lip tucked between her teeth. "Well...no."
"And we're both, thankfully, fully clothed...so I think it's safe to say we didn't." Wesley said, heaving a sigh of relief as he collapsed back into the hay. "Oh thank God."
Faith glared at him for a minute and then stood. He looked up at her as she said in a soft voice, "Fuck you, Wes."
Wesley stared at her for a moment, stunned at the hurt in her voice. He blinked in the light and called after her as she started down the ladder. "Faith! Faith...I..."
But she was gone. He winced and rubbed his temples, his head pounding almost as much as his heart. He wanted to run after her and tell her didn't mean it. The only problem was, he wasn't sure what he'd meant. He groaned and closed his eyes. Life just got more and more complicated.
In the house, Fred sat down at the breakfast table next to Gunn, their eyes locked and their hands linked as her mother made breakfast. Cordelia appeared, sitting down next to Gunn and grabbing his orange juice.
"Hey, that's mine! Give it back!" Gunn exclaimed as Cordelia smiled over the rim of the glass, then spat the orange juice back into the glass and handed it to him. "Dude, that's just not right!"
"What's not right?" Connor asked as he walked in and sat down at the table next to Fred.
"Cordy backwashed into my O.J." Gunn grumbled, staring at the glass in disgust. Connor made a face as he poured his own glass, making sure to keep it out of her reach.
"The pancakes are done." Trish said, setting a huge platter of fluffy, golden brown pancakes in front of Cordelia. "Connor, wanna help me with the toast?"
"Sure." Connor said, setting down his glass and jumping up to help her. Cordy watched him with a smile. She really wasn't used to seeing him so helpful. While his back was turned, she nabbed his abandoned orange juice and took a sip. The side of her face hurt as she swallowed and she winced.
"I love you." Cordy turned her head to look at Gunn, who was still staring at Fred, a goofy smile on his face.
"I love you more." Fred said, cutting out a square of her pancake and holding it up to his mouth. "Pancake kiss!" Gunn took the pancake into his mouth and then promptly kissed Fred on the lips.
"Oh God...I'm gonna vomit." Faith said as she stumbled into the kitchen, her voice huskier than usual, and a pair of sunglasses on her face. Connor smiled knowingly at her from his post at the toaster.
"That's what you get for drinking. I'm not surprised you have a hangover." Cordy said, watching the Slayer sit down in Connor's empty chair. Faith winced at the light coming in from the kitchen window.
"It's not the hangover. It's watching those two acting so damned sweet."
"Oh...well that would make anyone vomit." Cordy said, spearing two pancakes and plopping them on her plate. Faith looked at the food with a look of profound disgust on her face. "Pancake, Faith?"
"No thanks. I just want a little orange juice to calm my stomach..." She said as she reached across the table and grabbed Gunn's glass. She brought it to her lips before Gunn could stop her. "Mmm...that tastes good. Is it fresh?"
Gunn fought the urge to laugh as Cordelia snorted over her pancakes. "Well, it was."
"Huh?"
"Nevermind."
"So...did you and Wes have fun last night?" Cordy ventured, wiping the smile off her face and regarding Faith with a sober glance. She jumped as Faith slammed the glass down on the table and glared at her over the rim of her sunglasses.
"Nothing happened."
"Riiiigght...and you two just slept all night. Together. In a sexy hayloft. Drunk."
"You know, Cor, if I weren't ready to spew all over Trish's lovely table setting I would completely knock your head off your shoulders for you. As it is, I'm just going to tell you to mind your own damned business and keep your nose out of mine." With that she jumped up from the table and left the room. Cordelia watched her go with a frown, feeling slightly guilty for provoking her.
"Oh, who put the bur under Jail Bird's saddle? She about knocked me down!" Lorne asked as he walked into the kitchen and looked around. Gunn shrugged as he poured himself another glass of juice.
"She's testy about her and Wes, I think." Fred said, taking a huge bite of her pancakes, syrup dripping down her chin. She wiped it off with a napkin as Lorne sat down next to her.
"Great. More drama...I so don't need it. And I'm a drama queen!" Lorne said, nabbing Gunn's freshly poured glass and taking a deep drink.
"Hey!" Gunn exclaimed in dismay. "Why can't y'all respect my O.J., huh? Damn."
"Here ya go, sweetie." Trish said as she set a freshly poured glass in front of him and landed a kiss on the top of his head. Gunn blushed deeply and picked it up before anyone could get their mitts on it.
"Thank you Mrs. Burkle."
"Call me Mom." Trish said over her shoulder as she went back to helping Connor with the toast. Fred grinned widely at her mother's back and squeezed Gunn's hand. "So...you all ready for today?"
"Today? What's today?" Cordy asked around a mouthful of pancake.
"Roger's taking you fishing down at the stream. I'm making a picnic lunch and everything."
"Sounds like fun. I haven't been fishing since I was little." Gunn said as Cordelia wrinkled her nose.
"We're going after breakfast, so you all might want to get ready if you're going. Oh! Grayson! There you are!" Trish exclaimed as Grayson walked through the back door and stopped short, his gaze landing on Cordelia sitting at the breakfast table.
"Oh...uh...hi." He looked scared to death as Cordelia waved at him.
"Roger said as soon as you slunk home he wanted you to fix that fence down in the south pasture. He's afraid some of the cattle will get out if you don't pound that weak post back into the ground." Trish said, stuffing a slice of buttered toast into his hand along with a glass of juice.
"Right now?"
"Yes, right now."
"Oh thank God..." He said as he escaped through the back door again, casting one terrified look back at Cordy.
"Did he seem kinda jumpy to you?" Lorne asked, looking at Cordelia.
"More like terrified I'd kick his ass too." Cordy said with a chuckle as she pushed her plate away. "I've traumatized him. Great. At least I'm consistently driving men away."
"You don't want him anyway, Princess."
"Why's that?"
"He didn't sleep alone last night, if you catch my drift." Cordelia's mouth flew open as Lorne stared pointedly at her black eye.
"Oh. Ewww..."
****
An hour or so later they were all down by the tiny stream that ran across the edge of the Burkle's property. The stream was tree lined, deep and full of rocks. Roger's special fishing spot opened up to a wide, grassy expanse that was nicely shaded and peaceful-looking. Fred and Trish spread out a big gingham blanket on the soft grass while Gunn and Connor carried the fishing tackle and poles across the field with them.
Faith looked around in disgust, not believing that she'd let them drag her down here. She'd never been fishing a day in her life and she wasn't about to start now. She glanced at Fred and Gunn as they baited their hooks, shooting glances at each other every two seconds. Faith felt bitterness spread over her tongue as she slid her sunglasses on and moved off away from everybody else.
She was, by nature, a solitary creature and right now she felt like doing just that. Of course, that's the exact reason why, when Wesley saw her wandering off down the riverbank, he put down his pole and followed her. He hadn't gotten a chance to talk to her since the incident in the barn and he wasn't quite sure what to say.
"Go away Wesley." She said, stooping to pick up a rock. She tossed it into the water with a splash and watched as the rushing waters sucked up the ripples immediately.
"No."
"Fine. Whatever." Faith said, shrugging his presence away and walking swiftly down the riverbank. He jogged to keep up with her as she rounded a bend and disappeared into the trees.
"Faith!"
"Go away!"
"Not until you talk to me!"
"I have nothing to say to you."
"You're being a brat." He pointed out as she wheeled to face him, her hands fisted to her side.
"Yeah? And you're being a stuffy, pretentious, asshole, dickhead, fuckwad!"
"What? That makes no sense!" He said as he threw up his hands and moved toward her. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong with me. Why would something be wrong with me? I'm just peachy-fucking-keen!" Faith shouted as he reached out to touch her. She pushed him away from her in her anger. Her eyes widened as he stumbled backward, tripping over a rock and falling into the stream. "Wesley!"
She jumped after him immediately, fearful images of him with a bloody skull or a broken limb flashing through her mind. She hit the water, rocks underfoot and water up to her waist. She grabbed Wesley up as he sputtered to the surface, his clothing completely soaked for the second time that day.
"Are you okay?" Faith asked as she fisted her hands in the front of his shirt. He shook his head and took a mental check of himself.
"I'm fine...just surprised."
"Sorry about that. I forgot that you're a big weenie Watcher-boy."
"I am not!" Wesley exclaimed indignantly, pushing her away from him with a splash. Faith laughed and splashed him back. That resulted in a water fight. Wesley sputtered through the waves of frothy white spray she was tossing at him. He opened his eyes enough to see and leapt forward, tackling her around the middle. They sunk into the water as Faith grabbed him, hauling him with her to the bank of the stream.
Faith lay back on the muddy, sandy bank, her hair plastered to her face and Wesley on top of her. She looked up at him, seeing the smile on his face. He was studying her with his dark blue eyes.
"What are you doing?"
"Trying to figure you out." He said softly as he cupped her face in his hands. She blinked at him and took a deep breath, water trickling off his nose and hitting her lips. She darted her tongue out lick it off as he watched her. "Like, why you came back."
A shadow passed over her face. "I told you I don't want to talk about that."
"Faith...please. What happened in Sunnydale?"
"I'm just not ready yet, okay?"
"Fine. I won't push. I'm just worried you'll keep it all bottled up inside like you did before."
"You talk like you know me."
"You said it yourself before you left. We're a lot alike. I've been inside your skin...I know you don't want me to end up like you. That's why you're pushing me to have fun, right?"
"That and I hate stuffy assholes. But yeah...I want us both to have fun."
"I had fun last night." He said pointedly, looking into her eyes again. She sucked in a breath, her eyes following the trail of his lips.
"But, thankfully, not too much fun. Right?" She said, biting her tongue to keep from saying what she really wanted to say.
"About that...I was...confused." Wesley said, pushing a wet strand of her hair behind her ears.
"No shit?"
"No shit." Wesley said seriously, his eyes huge. "I just..." His voice trailed off as he saw her wrinkle her nose and peer at his neck. "What?"
Faith reached up a hand, her eyes squinting at him. She touched something on his neck and made a face. "It's nothing. Just a leech."
"A WHAT?!?!"
"A leech. Calm down. I'll get it right off." Faith said with a shrug as Wesley started slapping at his neck. He jumped up out of the water, landing on the bank with a wet thump. Faith followed him with huge eyes as he yelped and pulled the leech off his neck. "Dude, it's off!"
But Wesley was already busy pulling his wet shirt off and slapping at his skin. There were two more leeches on his chest and one on his lower back. He slapped them off and grabbed the belt of his pants. Faith's eyes widened as he pulled his pants down, kicking frantically to get the sodden denim off his legs. Faith, of course, noticed two things.
One, there were five more leeches on his legs. And two, Wesley didn't have any underwear on.
As he slapped the rest of the leeches off his body, Faith got a pretty damned good view of <i>everything</i> Wes had to offer and the man did not come up wanting. She barely had time to register that she was getting the Full Monty before he turned on her and tore her shirt off.
****
"Yeah, you got it. That's a big 'un, Charles. Just reel it in nice and slow so it don't get free." Roger said as Gunn slowly reeled his line in, a big bass dangling from his hook. It wriggled up onto the bank, flopping on the grass a moment before Gunn reeled the line completely in.
Roger grabbed the slippery fish in his hands and gently tugged the hook out of it's lip. It attempted to squirm out of his grip, its gills heaving up and down as it tried to breathe. Roger pulled it completely free and dumped it into to a bucket of water near the picnic blanket Trish had laid out.
"Hey Lorne, mine's bigger than yours!" Gunn called at the demon as he compared his big bass to the tiny one that Lorne had caught. The demon, who was across the tiny clearing with Fred and Trish, flipped his middle finger at Gunn from behind Trish's back. Fred caught the gesture and smacked him in the arm. Gunn laughed and turned to Roger, who was baiting his hook again.
"I'm tired of this. I'm going for a walk." Connor said sulkily as he laid down his fishing rod. The poor boy hadn't caught anything all day. Gunn watched him walk away in the direction Faith and Wesley had gone, chewing on his lower lip.
He took a deep breath, noticing he was alone with Fred's dad for the first time all morning. He opened his mouth to speak, but Roger cut him off.
"So...you're dating my daughter. Again." Roger said casually, not looking up from his task of impaling the worm on his hook.
Gunn was taken aback. "Uh...yeah. I guess I am."
"Good."
"Good?" Gunn said in surprise. "I thought..."
"Thought what? I wouldn't approve?"
"Well, after last night..."
"The porch light trick? Trish's father used to do that to her and me all the time. And I did it to Winifred's dates when they took her home. Just me having a bit of fun. Used to drive Fred crazy though."
"So...you approve? Of me?"
Roger looked up at him, squinting as a beam of sunlight made it through the heavily shaded trees and hit him in the eyes. He looked Gunn over, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Yes I do."
"Can I...can I ask why?"
"Sure. You love my daughter and I can see that when I look at you two. You're tough and you seem like you got a good head on them shoulders. I've been watching you the last couple of days and I gotta say I'm glad she ended up with you. What with Angel being a vampire and all and Wesley hanging around that convict and <i>don't</i> get me started on the green guy! Nope...you're the most stable of the bunch and I couldn't want any better for my daughter." Roger said seriously, glancing at Fred, casting her line far out into the stream, a smile on her face.
Gunn followed his gaze and smiled. He grew serious a moment later and asked, "And my being black doesn't bother you?"
Roger looked sharply at him and countered, "Does it look like I raised my daughter like that?"
"No, sir."
"Then there's your answer. I wouldn't give a crap if you were green like your friend over there. As long as you love my daughter and treat her with the respect she deserves, I don't have a bit of a problem."
"I'm really glad to hear you say that, sir, because I have something to ask you." Gunn said nervously, lowering his voice as he glanced across the clearing.
"Go ahead."
"May I have your permission to ask Fred to marry me?" Gunn said the words in a rush, afraid that if he didn't get them out, his insides would freeze and he wouldn't ever get them out.
Roger looked him over, his expression blank and the worm in his fingers wriggling to get free. Very slowly a smile spread across his features and he clapped his hand on Gunn's shoulder. "You have my blessing, son."
Gunn smiled and looked over at Fred, who had an arm slung over Trish's shoulder, laughing at something someone had said. His stomach felt like it had bats in it as he watched her. He took another deep breath that was meant to steady him, but it only made the bats grow into vultures that pecked away at his self-confidence. Still, he couldn't help but smile.
The smile quickly faded though, as screams filled the air. He wheeled around, his battle-ready nerves making him grab up his fishing pole and hold it up to ward off an attack. He lowered it slightly as Connor came tearing up out of the woods along the riverbank, white as a sheet and shaken.
"Connor! What is it?"
"It was horrible!"
"What?"
"Faith and Wesley...they were all...and...and..."
"Connor!" Faith screeched as she tore out of the woods, her shirt on backward and her jeans unzipped. She was soaking wet and pissed.
"What the hell is going on?" Roger demanded, looking back and forth between Faith and Connor.
"Someone needs to put a bell on that little shit or I'm gonna strangle him!"
"What happened?" Lorne demanded as everyone else tore across the clearing toward them.
"I was just walking along and they were standing there...naked and clawing at each other! I thought he was killing her for a second! She had blood on her!"
"Whoa! Whoa! Back it up a sec...why were you naked and...bloody? And why are you wet?"
"The short version--we took an unplanned swim and found a nest of leeches."
"Leeches?" Gunn exclaimed with shudder. "That's a whole world of gross."
"Ya think? Wes was getting them off me when Mighty Mouse comes to the rescue and knocks him into a bush! Ahh...shit! Wesley!" Faith exclaimed as her eyes widened and she turned on heel, running back down the riverbank in the direction she'd come from.
Everyone turned to look at Connor.
"I didn't know!" Connor said, throwing up his hands, his face still white as he hid behind Gunn, who chuckled and shook his head.
"Damn...I wish I'd seen that."
"No you don't. Trust me!" Connor said as he shook his head emphatically. Gunn just smiled and turned back to his fishing pole as Roger grabbed his up.
"Damn kids thinking my house is a freakin' nudist colony..." Roger mumbled as Gunn chuckled again and looked around the clearing. Wesley and Faith limped back to the group, Wesley looking drained and dirty, a scratch across his forehead. Everyone else grouped around him, laughing and talking. For the first time that morning, he noticed that Cordelia wasn't there. And it being daylight neither was Angel. In fact, he hadn't seen Angel since last night.
Gunn sighed deeply, hoping they were having as good a time as he was and that things were okay.
****
Angel stared gloomily at the television before him, his eyes flicking back and forth, the remote control in his hand and his feet propped up on the recliner. He was sitting in the Burkles living room, the drapes drawn tightly closed and the Golf Channel on the TV.
Normally he wasn't a big television guy, but he didn't feel like thinking and watching Tiger Woods promote the hell out of himself was as good a mind-number as any. He was glad to have everyone gone from the house too. He wanted a little peace and quiet and of course, that's why Cordelia was hovering in the den and driving him nuts.
He could feel her. He could even sense her heartbeat through the walls, her scent filling his nose and making his head swim. He tilted his face toward the ceiling, ignoring Tiger's new commercial and trying to concentrate on not concentrating on Cordelia. But every time she moved, her footsteps thumping through the floor, he moved with her.
Finally, he heard the door open and felt her moving toward the kitchen. He almost smiled at the domestic sounds she was making as she opened cabinets, glasses clinking and her footsteps shuffling across the floor.
She peeked her head into the living room before he was ready for her. She looked him over, her hair falling across her cheeks a moment before she pushed it behind her ear, her black eye visible and splendid.
"Hey."
"Hi." Angel responded as she walked into the room, her hands behind her back. He noticed she wasn't wearing any makeup, which was odd for Cordelia, but he didn't mind. He'd always thought she was the most beautiful when she didn't even try.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing. Watching the TV. Did you know they have a whole channel just for golf? Weird."
"Wow. I must have missed that 'Hell has frozen over' memo, huh?" Cordelia said with a laugh, eyeing him as she walked a bit closer. Angel looked at her for a moment and then turned back toward the television screen.
"What do you want, Cordy? Why aren't you fishing with everyone else?"
"I needed to talk to you." She said bluntly, sitting down on the arm of the chair and staring at him with a sober expression on her face.
Angel refused to look at her. "About?"
"Us. Or the lack thereof."
"What do you mean?"
"I know you were watching me and Connor last night. I could feel you."
"So?"
"So...I know that look! I know how you're all avoid-y about the subject and I can see it in your eyes, Angel!" Cordelia said, waving a hand in front of his face. He looked at her and scowled.
"See what?"
"What you're thinking. I thought we were clear on this--I'm not that thing. I'm me; Cordelia Chase and I do not love Connor. I did not have sex with him and I would not. He knows that. I know that. Why can't you get it through your thick skull?"
"I wasn't thinking that..."
"Yes you were."
"Fine, I was. Are you happy?" Angel snapped, clicking off the television and looking up at her from her perch on the arm of the chair. "I hate seeing you two together and he touches you and I just want to rip his fingers off--and I love him. He's my son and we're finally getting along....but I'm terrified that one day you'll look at him like you..."
"Like I what?"
"Like you look at me."
"That would never happen, Angel, and you know it. This all goes back to that fear of yours doesn't it?"
"No..."
"Yes it does. Things aren't going to suck if we're happy. I won't let them and I won't let all this emotional baggage of yours come between us again."
"What? My emotional baggage? You're the one that got mad at me for...I'm still not sure, actually. You're the one that went out with Grayson just to make me jealous and you're the one that made me make you jealous and you're the one who beat the hell of that girl at the bar! Aren't you still supposed to be mad at me anyway?"
Cordelia sighed and waved him away. "Details, details. I can change my mind on a dime and you know it. Besides, Connor told me to stop giving you such a hard time and, despite his dubious motives, I think he's right."
"So you're not mad at me anymore?"
"No. I never was, really. Just...kinda shocked and scared."
"Why?"
"It doesn't matter." Cordy said quickly, licking her lips and averting her eyes. Angel frowned and touched her arm lightly. She jumped and looked back down at him, letting a smile slide along her lips. The house suddenly rattled and a loud boom shot through the air. Cordy jumped and fell off the arm of the chair and into Angel's lap.
"God! I hate that thing stupid flyby crap!" She exclaimed, getting comfortable in his lap as the sound faded off into the distance.
Angel's eyebrows rose and he looked her up and down as she slung her legs over his, one arm going around his neck. "What are you doing?"
"Moving the story forward." She said nonchalantly, looking up into his eyes.
"What story?"
"Our story. The one that will get a happy ending."
"You can't guarantee a happy ending, Cor. Things happen and it's not our fault..." Angel's voice trailed off as he realized what he said. Cordelia smiled at him.
"See? Deep down you knew I was right all along. You can't let the bad stuff get to you. Life isn't roses all the time and that's just the way it goes. That's why you've got to fill all the in-between times with all the good stuff that life has to offer. Got it?"
"Got it."
"Good, cuz if I had to spout that Hallmark crap one more time I was gonna barf." She made a face as he laughed and cupped her face in his hands, careful to avoid her black eye.
"So...are we...?"
"Depends. Are you going to stop that jealousy crap?"
"As long as you stop getting mad at me for no reason."
"Pffftt...there's always a reason to get mad at you and yo--"
Cordelia's tirade was cut off as Angel kissed her, drawing her up against his chest, her arms around his neck. His mouth slid hungrily over hers, fingers threading back through the short curtain of her hair.
The front door suddenly opened and Grayson spilled inside. They broke apart, looking up at him as he stood near the door, a stunned expression on his face. He looked them over, seeing their position in the recliner and glancing back and forth between them.
"Oh...so you guys are like, a couple?" Grayson asked, taking off his hat and scratching his head. Angel and Cordelia glanced at each other and busted out laughing. Grayson looked confusedly at them and then hightailed it out of Dodge, afraid they were both going to get out of the chair and do something to him.
"Box. Of. Rocks. I swear...he's as clueless as you are."
"You think I'm dumb?" Angel asked, hurt in his tone. Cordelia laughed again and landed a quick kiss on his lips.
"Shut up, you big dork."
"Got it."
Their mouths met again and this time there was no one to interrupt them and nothing to say. The Burkle's house settled around them and, outside the safety of the walls, the sun shone mercilessly down on Texas. But, far in the distance, clouds gathered and the sky turned dark as pitch.
They didn't notice. But soon they would.
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