Armadillos & Salsa

By Syn

Chapter Six: The Things We Fear

"I think I'm getting sunburned." Lorne said, prodding his hooked nose with his index finger. Fred looked over her shoulder as she helped her mother fold the picnic blanket, wrinkling her nose at him. She squinted in the full sunlight and tried to see what he was talking about.

"You look as green as ever."

"That's not the point. It's skin damage, Freddikins. I don't want premature wrinkles!" Lorne exclaimed pulling his fingers to either side of his face. Fred laughed as he pulled the skin on his temples tight, making his whole face stretch. "What do you think? Should I get a lift? Or some Botox?"

Gunn walked by and lifted an eyebrow. "Sure. If you wanna look like Joan Rivers."

"Don't diss Joan!" Lorne said indignantly, letting go of his temples and glaring at Gunn. "The woman knows fashion!"

"This coming from the guy who wears gold lamè." Faith said, handing the now- empty picnic basket to Wesley, who was still soaking wet. Wesley stared at the basket a moment before passing it over to Gunn, who shot him a dirty look, but took it anyway.

"At least I have a colorful wardrobe. Do you even own pastels?" Lorne shot at her, gesturing to her dark blue jean shorts and the red tank top she was wearing--both still soaking wet.

"Pastels are for pussies. No offense Fred."

"None taken." Fred chirped, slinging the folded blanket over her shoulder and slipping her flip-flops on. There was suddenly a hot gust of wind out of the northeast that blew her long brown hair across her face and tugged on the blanket. She lifted a hand to hold it on her shoulder as she turned her face into the wind, peering into the distance.

Roger looked up from his work putting the tackle box back in order, his brow furrowed as he felt the hot wind on his face. The sky was overly bright and the sun beat down on them, turning the grass a golden brown.

"Temperature's rising. Might storm later." He said gruffly, closing the tackle box and getting wearily to his feet. He handed the tackle box to Connor, who was still avoiding looking at Faith and Wesley, and grabbed up the bucket full of fish. They'd caught enough for a good meal, at least.

"A storm? Like in The Wizard of Oz?" Lorne asked, his eyes going wide. Trish patted him on the arm and smiled.

"Probably just a summer shower. I wouldn't worry, hon." Trish said as she started back toward the house, the rest of them in tow. Faith took a running leap and jumped on Wesley's back, nearly toppling him to the ground.

"Faith! What are you doing?"

"It's been awhile since I've ridden anybody...cut me some slack."

Wesley immediately blushed and hoisted her up on his back. They wobbled for a moment before Wesley caught himself and started down the trail, Faith securely on his back.

Fred lagged behind, squinting in the distance as another gust of wind tugged at her hair, lifting it from her face and tangling it in the air. She swallowed hard and closed her eyes, praying with all her might that her mother was right. When she opened her eyes, Charles was waiting for her down the path a little ways, the picnic basket in his hands and a confident smile on his face.

She couldn't help but smile, all her fears melting away as she hurried up to him, her hand slipping into his with ease. Things were so right now. What could possibly go wrong?

****

Angel shifted in the armchair a little as Cordy sagged on his shoulder. Her eyelids fluttered as a dream took her to a place his imagination couldn't penetrate. She curled up against him, her arms around his neck, fingers unconsciously rubbing the hollow below his ear and her legs tangled with his.

She'd fallen asleep about an hour ago, much to his amusement; she told him she hadn't gotten a lot of sleep the night before because she was too worried about him. It didn't bother him though; just being here, in her arms was enough for him. Even if he couldn't reach the remote control for fear of waking her.

She took a deep, shuddering breath, her lips parted slightly, breath swirling over the skin on his neck. A strand of her hair fell across her bruised cheek and he lifted his free hand to swipe it away, fingertips sweeping gently across her temple and curving around the shell of her ear. He followed her ear and swept his caress down to her jaw line, tracing each delicate curve of her face like she was Venus come to life.

Her eyes fluttered open and he was immediately lost in the deep, hazel depths. The soft swell of her lips curved upward at the corners and she drew in a sharp breath, consciousness flooding her system.

"Afternoon, sleepy head."

"Did I fall asleep?" She asked, an embarrassed flush creeping up her cheeks as she lifted her head off his shoulder and stretched her arms out.

"Yeah, but the snoring was cute."

"What? I don't snore!" Cordelia exclaimed, glaring at him as a grin spread slowly across his face. That softened her and she collapsed against him again, her arms going back around his neck. "So, what did I miss while I was napping and not snoring?"

"Nothing. I was just...watching you."

"As creeped out as that should make me, I'm feeling strangely warm and fuzzy right now."

"Me too. But that could be because it's sweltering in here." He said as Cordy's nose wrinkled and she noticed the stifling warmth of the air, especially where their bodies touched. She shifted more, cooler air swirling between them.

"Gross. A cold shower sounds like a good idea, suddenly." Angel's eyebrow lifted and he let his grin grow wider. Cordy noticed his expression and laughed, "You wish."

"What? I didn't say anything."

"I know that look."

"What look?" Angel asked innocently, threading his fingers through her hair and tugging her mouth toward his. She resisted, her fingers curled up in the front of his shirt

"That one. That big puppy dog eyes look that makes me all gooey and don't think it'll work because there is no way that we're going to do that at Fred's parent's house!"

"Wouldn't dream of it." Angel murmured as Cordelia slowly gave in and dropped her mouth to his. Their lips met, melting together as she leaned into him, her head tilting at a more comfortable angle, the tip of her tongue sliding across his lower lip.

Angel opened his mouth and invited her in with a swirl of his tongue over hers. Her taste washed over his senses as he suckled her tongue into his mouth, his fingers massaging her sweaty scalp as she shifted against him again. A moan ripped through him as her leg rubbed across his crotch, sending shivers of pleasure through his body.

Cordelia gave a throaty sigh as his fingers slid down her neck and over her shoulders, palms cupping her breasts as she held onto him tightly. His hands started to slip beneath the light yellow cotton of her tank top, thumbs skimming her tanned stomach, when she suddenly pulled back and sucked in a lungful of air. "Cor?"

"Sorry...just...I'm really hot. I gotta..." She stammered as she untangled her limbs from his and stumbled out of the chair. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she couldn't understand why. All she wanted to do was run. Angel sat up, reaching for her wrist. She saw the move and took a step backward, stuffing her hands into the pockets of her shorts.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing!" She said, grinning widely and shrugging her shoulders.

"Cordy..." Angel started, just as the front door opened and everyone spilled inside.

"I'm telling you, Connor, a nice young boy like you should have a shorter haircut. You look like a hippie." Trish said as she stepped inside, her hand on the crown of Connor's head. Connor ducked her hand, a scowl on his face.

"What's a hippie?" He asked, swinging around to face her as Fred brushed by him. Trish stopped dead in her tracks and put her hands on her hips.

"You don't know what a hippie is?" She asked, her eyebrows rising as Gunn scooted by her, heading for the kitchen.

"No! Is it like that clitoris thing?"

Angel immediately jumped out of the recliner, crossing the room and clamping his hand over Connor's mouth. Connor struggled to get away, but Angel pinched his arm, shooting a smile in Trish's direction. "Remember what we talked about?"

Connor's eyes widened as he pried Angel's hand off his mouth and sullenly said, "No 'c' word in front of the ladies. Sorry."

"That's a...good boy." Trish smiled and walked away with a disturbed look on her face.

Connor struggled out of his father's grip and smoothed one hand over his mussed hair. "Ow. You pinched me!"

"I'd call child welfare if I were you." Faith said as she hopped off of Wesley's back. Wes righted himself, stretching, a grimace of pain crossing his face.

"I'm not a child." Connor said, standing up straight and attempting to puff out his chest.

"Oh yeah, you're a manly man." Faith said, rolling her eyes as she kicked off her muddy shoes. "I get dibs on the shower!"

"Which reminds me...why are you wet and muddy?" Angel asked, looking both Wesley and Faith over. Wesley shuddered and so did Connor--for completely different reasons though.

"Ran into a nest of leeches. You should have seen Wesley screamin'." Faith said, clapping a hand on Wesley's lower back. He winced again and she frowned. "You okay?"

"Yes of course. Why wouldn't I be okay after carrying you all the way home?" He shot at her as she slapped him on the back again.

"Hey! I don't weigh that much! And you weren't complaining!"

"Complain? Me? Not with you on my back. Do I look like I have a death wish?"

"Yes."

"Shut up."

"You shut up."

"How 'bout you both shut up and give us all a little peace? Damn." Gunn interjected as he peaked his head around the doorway of the kitchen. Faith flipped him off and started toward the stairs. Wesley watched her go a moment before turning around and walking out the front door.

Connor shook his head, flinging his hair out of his face with a sigh. "Those two are driving me nuts."

"They do seem to be...fighting a lot. And touching. And...other stuff." Angel said, running a hand over the back his neck. He was slightly cramped from sitting in the chair with Cordelia for the past couple of hours. He turned around immediately at the thought of Cordelia, but she was gone. He hadn't even noticed that she'd slipped out of the room.

"They're not the only ones." Connor said, sitting down in the recliner last occupied by Angel and Cordelia. He sniffed the air. "Cordy was here. Where did she go?"

"She had to...go. I guess."

"Oh." Connor was silent a moment before he looked up at his father, his brow furrowed in a familiar manner. He looked very much Darla when he did that and it spooked Angel sometimes. "Did you two make up?"

Angel was stunned. He shifted uncomfortably in place and stared at his son, who was looking at him expectantly. "Yes. We did."

"Good."

"Good?"

"Yeah. Why? Isn't it good?"

"It is...but I...how?"

"It's about time things got back to normal and that's a good thing." Connor smirked at his father's flustered appearance and curled his thin legs up under him in the chair.

"So you're...okay, with this?" Angel asked, towering over him, his lips pressed together in a thin line.

"No. But I'm getting better." Connor said, grabbing the remote control and flipping the TV on. The Golf Channel was still on and he wrinkled his nose, flipping the channel immediately.

"Connor?" Angel asked, trying to get his attention as he flipped through the channels as quickly as he could. He stopped on the Cartoon Network, a small smile on his face.

"Yeah, Dad?"

"We should probably talk about this...I know it's hard..."

"She doesn't love me, blah, blah, blah...I was misled. Yeah, I know. Cordy and I talked about it last night and we're cool. Why don't you go bother her about it okay? I'm trying to watch this." Connor said, gesturing to the TV with the remote. Angel watched him for a moment and then shook his head, moving off into the house and trying to avoid the bright sunlight streaming in through the windows.

He couldn't help but think that things were changing for the better. The thought made him uneasy.

****

Later that day, as Angel entered the kitchen, Trish immediately swooped down on him, pressing a glass of blood into his hands. "Drink this. You're looking so pale."

"Mom, he's a vampire. They always look pale." Fred said as she looked up from gutting a fish, a knife in her hands.

"Because they don't get enough vitamins." Trish said matter-of-factly, turning away from Angel and going to the refrigerator. She opened it and sorted through the contents as Angel sat down at the table, taking a tentative sip of the blood.

"Plus, tanning? Not really a healthy activity." Gunn said, hovering behind Fred, his hands around her waist. Fred leaned into him, tilting her head as he landed a kiss on the column of her neck.

"Where's Cordy? I haven't seen her since this morning." Lorne said, sitting down next to Angel and swallowing the last remnants of a glass of milk. He watched the vampire with narrowed eyes, hoping he wasn't wrong about what had happened while he was gone. He'd gotten a good look at Cordy's flushed face earlier that day, before she tore out of the room.

Angel choked down a mouthful of blood and looked over at him. "I'm sure she's around. I mean, where would she go? We weren't fighting or anything."

Angel got up from the table, moving into the dining room, his shoulders hunched in agitation. He hadn't been able to find Cordelia all day and it was starting to worry him. Things had been so good and then...nothing. He couldn't understand it.

"Didn't say you were." Lorne said, throwing up his hands as he stood up and followed him. "Angel?"

"It's none of your business Lorne."

Lorne sighed and turned his back on the stubborn vampire. He stopped at the big picture window, pushing the curtain aside a crack. The setting sun was dying the horizon a dark red. It would be completely gone in a few minutes, but he could still see the backyard, the leaves of the trees a blaze of dark green. Standing beside one of the trees, he just made out a familiar shape staring into the sunset. "You know, Angel-pie, I think someone needs her Prince Charming."

"What?"

"The damsel in distress. She's waiting for you." Lorne said, gesturing to the window. Angel got up and crossed the room to stare out the window, careful to avoid the dying sunlight. He peered through the curtains and frowned as he watched Cordy walk across the yard, passing the barn and heading off toward the woods. He could read her so well and he knew that the hunch of her shoulders meant she was troubled.

"Cordy's no damsel in distress." Angel said as he swallowed and closed the curtains. He couldn't imagine why she would be troubled. Everything was fine. She'd said so herself.

"Too true, Pooh Bear. But sometimes a girl just needs a white knight on a horse to sweep her off her feet. If you catch my drift."

Angel stared back out the window at Cordelia's fading form, his jaw set.

****

"You know, you're not half bad. As far as big animals go."

The horse snorted into her hair, rubbing its soft nose against Faith's cheek. She smiled and scratched it between the ears as she settled her weight more evenly on the fence.

The air was still very warm, a sweltering breeze rushing over the hills surrounding the Burkle's ranch. It lifted Faith's hair off her neck, but it did little to relieve the sweat forming on her skin. As she watched, the sun went down, bathing the landscape in the eerie purple glow of twilight. Faith sighed and moved to jump down from the fence.

"There you are." She turned her head to stare at Wesley's dark form walking across the field toward her. He crept closer, his hands jammed into his pants and his head cocked to the side. Faith took a deep breath as he stopped at the fence, reaching over her to pet the horse. "I haven't seen you since this afternoon."

"Sorry I wasn't up your ass there for a while. Next time I decide to take a breather, I'll be sure to let you know."

"Was that sarcasm?"

"I don't even know anymore." Faith shrugged, trying to keep the smile off her face. "So what are you doing out here?"

"Looking for you."

"And now you've found me. Mission accomplished. What did you want?"

"You." Faith stared at Wesley in the darkness, eyebrows raised. Wesley blushed and stumbled to say something else. "What I mean is that I wanted to talk to you...not...well, you know."

"So...?"

"Well, I...promise not to hit me?" Wesley asked, wincing away from her. She crossed her arms over her chest and nodded her head. "Okay, so I've been thinking. Mostly about you and me and what we're...doing."

"We're not doing anything." Faith said, tossing her hair over her shoulder. Wesley sighed and looked at her hard.

"Yes, we bloody well are and you know it. We're dancing around each other, testing each other and it's...we shouldn't."

Faith was quiet a moment, her stomach churning in knots. She took a deep breath and stared up at the stars blossoming in the night sky. A gray cloud scudded across her vision as another sharp wind tugged at her hair. "Why the fuck not, Wes? Why shouldn't we do whatever the hell we want, huh?"

"Because..."

"Because what? Give me a reason."

"Things are complicated. I lost someone I truly cared for, despite what I tried to tell myself. Not to mention my feelings for Fred. And you walk in; preaching to me about darkness and not following in your footsteps and completely turn my world upside down. I don't know what to think about you. Half of the time I can't forget what you did to me and the other half all I can think about is where you are and what you're doing. I can't do this. There's too much here and you know it."

"So it's all about you, huh?" Faith said after a moment, drawing in a lungful of the warm air.

"What?"

"You wanted to know what happened in Sunnydale? Well Sunnydale is gone. Zip, finito, no more. And we lost some people along the way. I failed some of those potential Slayers and they died. I never had anyone depend on me like that. They just...followed me. Blindly, and that got them killed. I got them killed."

"Is that why you came back?"

"That, and the fact that I couldn't get you out of my head. What you did to that girl...I had a dream about it, only you killed her. I saw the path you were walking and I couldn't let you do that to yourself. I thought, I can't save those girls, but maybe I can save Wes. Maybe I can do something good with my life."

Wesley was silent, standing so close to her that she could smell his cologne on the wind. He sighed and looked up at her, his mouth a grim line. "You are doing something good. You've done so much for me in such a short time."

"Yeah, so why are you still an asshole?"

"Why are you still a bitch?"

"Don't even start with me." Faith said, moving to hop of the fence. Wesley immediately grabbed her hips, keeping her in place. "What?"

"But."

"Huh?"

"There's always a but." Wesley said as he reached for her. Faith was too stunned to say anything as he kissed her full on the lips, one hand tangled in her hair and the other splayed against her hips. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest as he tugged insistently on her lips, pulling the air out of her lungs. She drew back a moment later, sucking in another lungful of air.

"I thought you said we shouldn't..."

"I'm completely right. We shouldn't. But we are. If want to, that is."

"You think I would shamelessly throw myself at you if I didn't want to? I was dropping anvils all over the place."

"I'll admit, you have been terribly unsubtle about it."

"Hey, when I want something, I get it. Especially my men."

"I'm your man?"

"Until I find somebody better."

"That's bloody unlikely. I'm quite the catch." Wesley said, nodding his head matter-of-factly, making Faith laugh. He moved in for another kiss as she hopped off the fence, pushing him back a step. "What are you doing?"

"What's Angel doing?"

Wesley turned to look where she was pointing and spotted a dark hump against the twilight sky. "He's riding a horse, obviously."

"Yeah smartass, but where is he going?"

"I saw Cordelia walk out this way earlier. Perhaps he's going to find her?"

"I hope so. But anyway...back to you and me and getting naked." Faith said, turning her attention back on Wesley.

"Pardon me?" Wesley's eyebrows rose as Faith curled her fingers in the collar of his shirt and pressed herself against him. "You're shameless; you realize this, right?"

"You love it."

"A little." Wesley said with a smile as Faith lifted her mouth to his once more. Her tongue darted into his mouth, making his stomach clench with anticipation. He kissed her back hungrily, aware that he was throwing good sense away and not caring one bit.

When Faith pulled away, a smoldering look on her face, he knew what was going to happen and he didn't want to wait until they were alone. It took all his strength just to follow her numbly, the smile still on his face.

He was very glad there was always a 'but'.

****

Cordelia kicked at rock imbedded in the dirt path, the toe of her tennis shoes scuffed and dusty. The rock rolled down the path, clattering against other stones and disappearing into a tangle of coarse grass. A swirl of wind tugged at her shirt and she folded her arms over her chest, head down, hair blowing out behind her.

She glanced up at the sky, noting the clouds rolling in from the northeast, carrying with it the faint rumble of thunder far, far in the distance. She shot one quick glance behind her at the distant lights of the Burkle farmstead. If a storm was coming, she should probably get back soon.

The fact was, she just felt like being alone. There was something weighing heavily on her mind and she couldn't make it go away. Her stomach tore up into knots whenever she thought about it and no matter how hard she tried to tell herself it didn't matter--she knew it did.

She'd been avoiding Angel since this afternoon. Even the thought of Angel made her breathless and she had to lean on something to steady herself against thrill of excitement that rushed through her system. She loved him. He loved her.

Then what was the matter with her?

With a frustrated sigh, she turned around and then stopped dead in her tracks as a shadow appeared out of nowhere, blocking her path. She jumped back, startled and scared, as the huge shadow bore down on her.

****

"Where did everyone go?" Fred asked as she set the table for dinner. The smell of cooked fish permeated the house, making her mouth water. It had been a long time since she'd had fresh fish and she couldn't wait. Gunn looked up from his work laying out the silverware and shrugged.

"I think I saw Angel go outside a little bit ago. Maybe he went to find Cordy?"

"And where's Wesley?" Fred asked, biting down on her lip. Gunn looked up sharply and saw her staring out the window behind him. A strong gust of wind rattled the glass in it's frame and she frowned again. "I hope he's with Faith."

Gunn let out a sigh of relief and felt his throat open up again. He wasn't quite sure what he thought she was going to say, but he was glad it wasn't anything more than a curious question on her part.

"Probably. They are kind of attached at the hip these days."

"Funny how that is." Fred said, a glint of mischief in her eyes as she met Gunn's gaze over the table. He moved toward her immediately, but was blindsided as Connor tore through the house, a shaggy lock of wet hair over his eyes.

"Whoa! The hell?" Gunn exclaimed, grabbing Connor's arm. The teen frantically tugged his arm out of Gunn's grip as Lorne leapt out of the kitchen after him. Connor jumped behind Gunn, ducking behind the taller man to avoid Lorne's questing hands.

"What's going on?" Fred asked, putting the plates down and pushing Lorne back a step. The demon sighed impatiently and tried reaching for Connor again.

"They're gonna to cut my hair!"

"Just a trim!"

"No!"

"Come on, puh-leeaase? Just a small snip to get it out of your eyes? Bangs are not a good look for you." Lorne protested, ripping a pair of scissors out of his pocket and brandishing them like a sword.

"Whoa! Put the pointy object away! Someone's gonna get hurt and I prefer it not be me!" Gunn said, throwing his hands.

"Or my hair!" Connor said, peaking over Gunn's shoulder as Lorne lowered the scissors, a dismayed look on his face.

"Lorne?" Fred asked forcefully, glaring at the demon.

"Fine. No haircut." Lorne said, his shoulders sagging as Gunn stepped away from Connor, leaving him unprotected. "Sorry, Con, but you look like a girl with that long hair. I figure a shorter coif will get rid of the gender confusion. Unless you like looking like Rachel from Friends..."

Connor stopped dead in his tracks, water dripping down his nose. Slowly he turned around to face Lorne, a worried expression on his face. "Do I really look like a girl?" Fred and Gunn glanced at each other and then nodded their head apologetically. Connor took a deep breath, fingering the long, ends of his wet hair for a moment before squaring his shoulders. "Okay. You can cut it. Just don't make it look like Dad's hair!"

"Oh honey, I wouldn't wish that on anyone! Into the kitchen, guinea pig."

Fred watched Lorne and Connor troop into the kitchen with a smile on her face. She turned back to Gunn and opened her mouth to say something when a rumble of thunder cut through the air. She jumped and grabbed for Gunn's arm. He steadied her with a hand on her lower back, a frown crossing his features.

"You okay, Fred?"

"Yeah. Just...storms make me nervous." Fred said with a laugh, running her hands through her hair.

"Really? I never knew that. I never saw you act nervous back in L.A."

"Well, there we didn't have--"

"Fred?" Her father's voice interrupted her, making her jump again. She whirled around to face him as he stood in the doorway to the living room.

"Yeah Daddy?"

"Do me a favor and go out to the barn and get Grayson." Roger said, a dark expression on his face.

"Why?"

"Well, I need him to clean out the storm cellar. The whole area is under a Tornado Watch. There's already been one near Lubbock and they say it's headin' this way." Roger said grimly as he pulled on his jacket.

Fred went pale, her insides turning cold as lead. "Heading this way? Like, coming here?"

"Half the state is under the Watch, including the San Antonio and Austin area. It could get bad."

"So...we're talking, a real tornado? Like in Twister?" Gunn asked, his hand descending on Fred's shoulder. She jumped at his touch and moved away from him, her eyes on the sky outside the dining room window. "Do you get a lot of those here?"

"Enough to know how to prepare for one. We have a storm cellar just past the barn that we use. I got it packed full of grain and some other stuff though and if we want to fit everyone into it, I need Grayson to clean it out."

"You think we'll need it?"

"Better to be prepared than to sit around on our asses and wait for something to happen. Fred, honey?" Fred jumped as her father walked forward, touching her arm. "You okay?"

"I'm okay, Daddy. I'll go get Grayson." Fred said, trying to put a brave face on as her father kissed her on the forehead.

"That's my girl. See if you can find everyone else too. I want everyone together just in case."

"I'll help her." Gunn said, taking Fred's hand and pulling her toward the door as Roger disappeared into the kitchen. As he opened the door, the wind gusted around them, warm and with a hint of ozone on the edge of their senses. The humidity was oppressive and the wind didn't help at all.

In the barn, they found Grayson cleaning out one of the stalls with a pitchfork. He looked up when they entered, a tired smile on his face.

"Hey Winnie!" He said, gracing Fred with that charming smile again. His smile darkened as he looked at Gunn. "Chuck."

"Mr. Burkle wants you to clean out the storm cellar."

"Tornado?"

"I guess so."

"Shit. How close is the storm?" Grayson asked, slinging his pitchfork down with a clang as a rumble of thunder shot through the air. "Oh...well I guess that's close enough. Winnie, why don't you go get some more flashlights from the house? Chuck, you can help me." He said as he took out a handkerchief from his back pocket and wiped the sweat off his brow with a sigh.

Fred nodded and let go of Gunn's hand reluctantly, then hurried off in the direction of the house.

"You seen everyone else?" Gunn asked as he watched Grayson grab a flashlight from a hook on the wall. He followed him outside, another low rumble of thunder sounding overhead once more.

"Well, the English guy and that one gal were out near the fence earlier and I saw Angel come in and saddle up a horse a while ago."

"Did he say where he was going?" Gunn asked as another gust of wind howled against the barn walls. Grayson stopped at pair of doors sunk into the ground a little ways behind the barn.

"Didn't ask. I kinda hid 'til he went away." Grayson said with a shrug, a blush rising on his sweaty, dirt-streaked face. Gunn snorted, trying not to laugh as Grayson pushed past him. "Maybe you should go find em, huh, Chuck?"

"They're big kids. They'll come home if it starts to rain." Gunn said, pushing back with his shoulder. Grayson stumbled backward as Gunn glowered at him. "I wouldn't push me if I were you."

"You know, you been up in my face since you got here, amigo. What's your deal?" Grayson said, glaring at Gunn as he got up in his face.

"Maybe if you didn't get in my face, amigo, I wouldn't get into yours. Now why don't you back off, Slim, before I have to put you down."

"You threatenin' me?"

"More like promisin'."

"I think we need to have an old-fashioned ass whoopin'. I knew you was trouble when you showed up with Winnie."

"FRED! Her name is Fred! What is this Winnie crap?" Gunn exclaimed in anger, annoyed beyond belief.

"She don't seem to mind. 'Fraid I'm gonna steal your girl?"

"That's it. I'm kicking your country ass!" Gunn growled and leapt at Grayson. He almost reached him when something small and gangly collided with him, sending him sprawling into the darkness. Twin beams of light illuminated the darkened field as he looked up from his position in the rough grass.

"What the hell are you two doing? This is no time to fight!" Fred's face was barely visible over the beam of the flashlight in her hand. Her face was deathly pale, her lips were pressed into a tight white line and her eyes were huge inky pools full of fear and panic. Beside her on the ground, he could make out Grayson getting to his feet, his flashlight lying on the ground where he'd dropped it. "I don't know what's going on, but I want a truce!"

"But he started it--" They both began to protest immediately, but she cut them off, shining the light into both their eyes in turn.

"Truce. Now."

"Truce." Gunn and Grayson mumbled as they climbed to their feet.

"Good. Now let's clean this cellar out before the storm gets here." Fred said pulling the double doors open and shining her flashlight into the dark interior. All three of them started hauling huge sacks of grain out of it and depositing them inside the barn. It didn't take long before it was empty. Without a word, Grayson took off for the house, leaving them alone.

Fred stepped down inside the wide, re-enforced concrete room. There were shelves lining the wall with bottles of water and some canned goods stacked together, plus blankets and some lanterns and more flashlights. Gunn whistled as he really looked at it.

"Damn. This is kind of freaky. I can't believe people really have these things. Have you ever been in a torn--" He was cut off as Fred turned around and buried her head against his chest, her shoulders shuddering and a low sob ripping through her throat. Gunn's arms immediately went around her and he held her close. "Fred? Baby...what's wrong?"

"They're just like portals, Charles. You can't stop them and they just swirl all around you and you can't think or breathe or even move." Fred sobbed against him as he held her close. Realization dawned on him and he caressed her cheek with his thumb.

"You're afraid of tornadoes?"

"Yes."

"So you've been in one before?"

"Well...sorta. When I was twelve, an F4 ripped through the Dishman's house. They're the next ranch over. Some of our roof was ripped off and we never found one of the pigs."

"But...you were fine?"

"Yeah."

Gunn smiled and tilted her chin upward, his gaze meeting hers. "Then why are you scared? You survived before. And it's not like a portal, baby. You're not Dorothy and I won't let it get you."

"But I have this whole theory that L. Frank Baum based his book on a real portal that took you to a different dimension and figured no one would believe him so he decided to turn the portal into a tornado, thus making it more acceptable for the people of the times. I mean, really? Who just thinks up a whole land full of little people and anthropomorphic tin men without a little pan-dimensional help?"

Gunn just blinked at her and then shook his head. "Baby, I love your mind...but I think you're over-exaggerating. We may not even get a tornado. It could just rain and that'll be it. And if one does come, I'll be here and I'll make sure nothing happens to you. Portals or tornadoes. I don't know about you, but I've had enough portals to last me a lifetime anyway."

Fred managed a small smile at that and snuggled against him again. She was quiet for a moment and then she said, "Sorry for flipping my lid there for a minute. Things just got good again and I was afraid..."

"Afraid of what?"

"Of losing you among other scary things."

"Not gonna happen."

"How do you know?" Fred asked, pulling away from him, her eyes huge again. "Things could happen. Tornadoes and portals and...people could rip us apart! I don't want that to happen. Again."

"So don't let it."

"But...things happen. Love is not an exact science. Lord knows I've tried to think of it that way, but it's too big and there's no control group to look at and compare and whenever I look at you all I can think is, 'What if this all went away? What if Charles doesn't love me? What if he left?'"

"I wouldn't leave you, Fred. I couldn't. You're my other half and you know it."

"But..."

"Listen, calm down. I'm not going anywhere. After last night...I don't know why you'd think that I would. I love you. You are my world." Gunn said as he took her shoulders in his hands and stared deep into her eyes. She smiled and let out a deep sigh.

"I love you too. I'm just...frazzled. The storm and you fighting with Grayson--"

"Asshole."

"Charles, cut him some slack, okay. He's a good guy."

"Sorry, but I don't like him."

"Why not?"

"I don't know...my uber-jealous side kicks in whenever he's around. It's the Alpha male in me, I guess."

Fred sighed and stared at him. "You're jealous of Grayson? Why?"

"He's known you so long...I mean, you two have a history together. I'm not sure what to think about that." Gunn said, twitching in place as Fred shook her head.

"Our history consists of me having a giant-sized crush on him all throughout junior high and him going out with Alice Miller. We were just friends and that's all we ever were. And he doesn't know me. He knows the me I was before I got sucked into Pylea. You know the real me."

"I do?"

"Yeah, stupid head. You know me better than anyone on the planet." Fred said with a smile as Gunn wrapped his arms around her again.

"Oh well...that's...Grayson who?" Gunn said as Fred stood up on tiptoe and kissed him full on the lips. The chaste kiss melted into something deeper and she wrapped her arms around his neck as he lifted her against him. They came up for air a minute later, warm and aching.

"I love you." Fred said, drawing in a shuddering lungful of air as Gunn rubbed her back with his wide, strong hands. Gunn smiled at her and opened his mouth to reply. He definitely didn't expect what came tumbling out, unbidden.

"Will you marry me?"

Both of them went still. Fred's eyes widened as Gunn clamped his mouth shut, the desire to beat his head against the concrete walls overwhelming.

"What?" Fred asked in a soft whisper as she let go of Gunn and took a step back.

"I...asked if you would...marry me?"

"I thought that's what you said."

Silence stretched between them and Gunn shifted uncomfortably in place. This definitely wasn't a good sign. "Fred?"

"Huh?" Fred asked, snapping out of her startled reverie.

"Are you...okay?"

"Yeah. I was just imagining white picket fences and yippie lap dogs and all the kids I want to have...I kind of spaced."

"What?" Gunn asked, confused all to hell. Fred grinned at him and leaned up to kiss him on the nose.

"That's a yes."

"Yes?" Gunn exclaimed, his mouth flying open. Fred nodded her head as Gunn's grin grew until it took over his face. "So...we're going to get married? You'll marry me? Its...you and me?"

"Uh-huh."

"Whoo-hoo!" Gunn leapt away from her and bounced around the small shelter, then turned on her and picked her up around the waist, twirling her around in the air as she laughed. He set her down and kissed her deeply, his heart ready to burst. When he pulled away, he took a deep breath and just stared at her. "It's a good thing I'm not Angel, or I'd definitely be turning into Gunngelus right now."

"Gunngelus? What?"

"You know...my evil alter ego. It's all about word play." Gunn said, puffing out his chest with pride.

"I see two things wrong with that...and other than the obvious, it's the fact that Angel doesn't have that clause any more. He can be happy."

Gunn just grinned at her and nodded as he leaned in for another kiss. "Well...I hope he uses it. Everyone deserves to be as happy as we are."

Fred just kissed him, closing her eyes and letting her own happiness sweep her off her feet. Overhead, another rumble of thunder cracked the sky and the wind howled over the ranch.

****

Cordy stifled a scream and scrambled backward, nearly tripping over her own two feet as she went. Another rumble of thunder split the sky, making her jump again as the shadow moved toward her.

"Cordy?"

She stopped dead in place and sucked in a lungful of air, peering through the darkness at the shadow. "Angel?" She asked as she finally made out his face in the darkness. He was sitting atop a beautiful black horse, the reins in his hands and a smile on his face. "What are you doing?"

"Rescuing you."

Cordy looked all around, as if she expected danger to come at her from every direction. "From?"

"Whatever's bothering you. Milady?" Angel said, leaning down toward her, his hand outstretched. Cordelia looked at his hand and let a smile caress her face. She took his hand and he lifted her into the saddle in front of him.

She settled snugly against his chest, her legs slung to either side of the horse. Angel's arms went around her as he grabbed the reins again and she sank into his embrace immediately, her body shuddering at his nearness.

Angel nudged the horse into a slow walk--away from the farmhouse. The forest drank them in as they melted into the shadows beneath the trees. The wind tossed the leaves, giving them a moaning voice of their own that made Cordelia shudder again. When she'd been walking alone, she'd avoided the trees because of these dark shadows, but with Angel sitting behind her, his muscular body a shield from the wind, she felt safe.

"So."

"So."

"I missed you today." Angel said in her ear, his voice vibrating through her back. "Where were you?"

"Uh...around. I just needed some air."

"So you hid in the sun where I couldn't get you." Angel said in a soft voice. She felt guilt rip through her system and swallowed hard. "What's the matter, Cordy? Did I do something?"

"No. You were perfect today."

"Then what's the matter? I thought you wanted..." His voice trailed off and he listened to the wind howling through the trees around them.

"I...I do."

"Then what's the matter?"

Cordelia lowered her head, looking at Angel's hands clutching reins in front of her. She put on hand over his and closed her eyes. She just wanted to feel him around her, telling her she was here and he was here. Just the two of them. And nothing to stop them from....

Fear struck her dead in the chest and she clutched at his hand hard.

"I'm scared." She said softly, knowing he'd catch it on the wind. He leaned forward, his cheek brushing hers, the coldness of his skin a shock to her mind.

"Of what? You can tell me. I'll understand."

"This is going to sound so stupid though."

"Try me."

Cordy took a deep breath as the horse walked along the forest path slowly, picking its way across the gravel strewn path with ease. It was so peaceful, despite the darkness and wind and the fear throbbing in her chest. Nothing could hurt her here if Angel was with her and she knew it. Still...

"I'm afraid of you." She said bluntly. Angel went still against her immediately.

"Why?" He asked after a moment of apprehension.

"Because...you're safe. You're everything I ever wanted and I can have everything with you. No happiness clause. No Angelus beneath the surface. Safe. But there's nothing to keep me safe."

"Safe? Safe from what?" Angel's voice was full of shocked incredulity as she turned her head to stare into his face. At this angle, his eyes were dark jewels in his face, his skin nearly glowing in the darkness.

"From everything! I'm completely terrified of...well, you know."

"Sex?"

"And people call me blunt." Cordy said with a small smile. It faded immediately as she turned her head to stare at the horse's ears as they flicked back and forth, listening to them. "Yeah...I'm afraid of it and I can't figure out why. That's pretty pathetic, isn't it?"

"Not really. Considering what's been done to you...I feel like an evil, lecherous hump for trying to push you into it, actually." Angel said thoughtfully, brushing a strand of her hair away from his face. The realization hit him in the gut and he felt guilt flood his chest.

"What?" Cordelia asked in surprise, turning her head to look at him again.

"Your body was raped and so was your soul. You weren't exactly at home for it, but you know it happened and you know what your body was used for. You had something evil inside you and it left a stain. I don't blame you for being afraid."

"Is that why I'm completely panicking whenever...? I was...raped?"

"Well, it was consensual so far as the evil thing was concerned, but technically your body was used without your permission, so it's rape." Angel said quietly, anger simmering in his mind as he thought about what had happened.

Cordy grew quiet as she too thought about what he was saying. She hadn't thought about it before, even though she knew what had happened. It was finally hitting home and she didn't like where it hit. She didn't want anything to come between her and Angel. It didn't seem fair. "God. I swear...my life is one big soap opera. Why can't I get all the good storylines?" She mused out loud as Angel shifted against her, peering into her face.

"I'm sorry I pushed you. I didn't...I didn't think about it."

"Why would you? I didn't even think about it. It just ate away at me after I found out that you could...we could...you know."

"Is that why you got mad at me?"

"Maybe."

"So you thought I was safe. I could never hurt you like that if I couldn't make love to you and when you found out you--"

"Hid my fear with anger. Yeah, sorry about that." Cordy shrugged and sighed. "Wow, we're all reveal-y tonight. Kind of depressing."

"A little. But as long as you're all right, I'm not going to complain. <i>Are</i> you going to be all right?" Angel asked, putting one hand over hers. She smiled and turned her head to the side.

"As long as you're here with me I will be." Cordy said and then she deliberately kissed him on the lips, her neck craned to the side in order to reach his lips. When she pulled away, Angel smiled at her.

"I'm sorry for what was done to you and I won't push you. You don't have to be scared of me. I would never hurt you like that." Angel said seriously, the smile falling away from his features. Cordelia looked at him, studying his face. The unfairness of the situation hit her square in the face again and she took a deep breath.

She lifted the hand holding hers up in front of her and studied the marble white flesh. Slowly she sucked one fingertip into her mouth, her tongue swirling over the soft, cold tip.

"Cor?" Angel asked, confused. She tilted her head toward him again and smiled, sucking another fingertip into her mouth. "What are you doing?"

"Overcoming my fears."

"I...are you sure?"

She wanted to say no, because inside she was trembling and she wanted nothing more than crawl inside of herself and hide from the dirty feeling at the back of her mind, but she just kissed him, pressing his hand against her breasts. She wanted the fear to go away and she wanted Angel. She'd always wanted Angel.

The horse walked on as Angel kissed her, cradling her in his arms as she held his hands on her breasts. His fingers had a life of their own and they kneaded her skin and slowly worked their way under her clothing. Her nipples were hard against his palm and he pinched them with eager fingertips, eliciting a sharp moan from her throat.

Her whole body was on fire and so was her mind. She was fighting with herself and she knew it. Her lip quivered as he landed kiss after kiss on her throat. She cocked her head to the side, pleasure rippling through her limbs. She wanted him so much and yet that dirty feeling kept growing.

Biting her lip in determination, she pulled his hand out from under her shirt and pressed it to her belly, surging against him. He took the hint and pulled the zipper on her shorts down. Air swirled over her skin and she shivered, but didn't move away. It took a little bit of work, but he managed to slide his fingers into the front of her shorts, past her panties and into the heat between her legs.

She jumped at the tight, intimate contact and bit down on her lip hard enough to draw blood. His fingers brushed roughly against her clit and she gave a short moan, lifting herself up, inviting him further in. He slid inside hard, making her clutch at his arm.

"I love you." She whispered as his fingers moved inside her, making her wet.

"I love you Cordelia. I love you so much." Angel murmured into her neck as he nibbled at her earlobe.

Thunder screamed overhead and the wind picked up again, startling them both, but he kept moving his fingers inside of her. She shifted against him and felt his erection pressing into her ass. Her breath caught in her throat and she jerked away. Her mind was flooded with terror and she felt like her body and her heart were betraying her.

"Wait...stop. Please."

"Cordy?"

"Please."

Angel immediately stopped, pulling away from her in confusion. He reined in the horse as she swung her leg off and jumped down. "What's the matter?" He asked, jumping down after her. She stopped, leaning against a tree. He came up behind her, settling his hands on her shoulders.

"I can't." Tears sprang to her eyes and she sagged against him. "I want to...but I can't..."

Angel closed his eyes, his heart aching for her. He wanted her--he couldn't deny that and the fact that he made her scared just angered him. But he wasn't mad at her. He was mad at the Powers That Be for doing this to her in the first place.

"I told you that you didn't have to do anything you didn't want to. I don't want to pressure you into anything."

"You're not. I'm pressuring me. It's just...it's been so long and when you touch me I'm about to melt away. And then I get this feeling and...I want to run."

"All you need is time, Cordy. I'm not going anywhere, you know."

Cordelia smiled and turned around, looking into his eyes. "I know. I just need to think about some stuff alone."

"I understand." Angel said grimly as he caressed her cheek. She stared at him expectantly. "What?"

"Now would be nice."

"Oh! But...now? It looks like it's going to storm..."

"I'm a big girl. I'll get home."

"I don't know..."

"It's okay, Angel. Just go. I can't look at you right now." Angel looked hurt for a moment before she smiled. "If you keep standing there, I'm going throw myself at you again. Now scoot."

"Fine. Just...get home sooner rather than later. That thunder's going to have some lightning attached soon."

"Who are you? The son of a weatherman?" Cordy said with a laugh as Angel swung back up onto the horse's back. He smiled at her and turned the horse's head back toward the house.

"I love you Cordelia Chase. Remember that." Angel said softly and then he kicked the horse in the flank, setting it down the path with a start. Cordelia watched him go, her arms wrapped around her chest and her and her whole body quivering.

"I love you too." She whispered as the shadows swallowed him whole, leaving her alone on the path. Another rumble of thunder boomed in the sky and she jumped.

The smell of ozone was heavy on the breeze, clouds rolling across the dark surface of the sky in waves. She glanced up at the sky, praying the rain would hold off until she found her way back to the house. Slowly, she started home, keeping one eye on the sky and the other on her heart, prodding her fears with anger. The unfairness struck her again and again as she mused over what had happened.

She didn't want to feel this way and she was determined to get over her fear and break its hold over her. It wouldn't take as long she thought, though.

Not long at all.

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