He was sitting on the bed when she entered, his hands pressing against the sheets, on his face a concerned look.
"What's up with you?" she asked, moving toward the dresser, pulling the scrunchy out of her hair and sliding a comb through the long brown locks.
"Did you eat chocolate in the bed again?"
She rolled her eyes and looked back at him. "I never ate chocolate in the bed the FIRST time. YOU however, have been taking food to bed ever since you discovered you could. And if you got chocolate on the bed YOU are going to clean it."
He growled at her, but she merely stuck her tongue out at him and kept combing.
He came up behind her, watching her expression in the mirror. "How's Kate?"
"Dazed, dizzy and rambling." She took a shaky breath, and put the brush down, turning to face him, crossing her arms. "Angel she got kicked off the force."
"What? Why?"
"I don't know... she kinda wouldn't say anything else, but... I think... When you were in trouble I went to her, asked her to pull some strings..." Cordelia sighed, closing her eyes as she massaged at her temple. "Damn, Angel. I can't help thinking that we ruined her life."
"We didn't..." he cut himself off, and instead gently placed his palm into hers, intertwining their fingers. "We're going to fix this. We're going to help her, and we going to find out what's going on with you, and we're going to get married. Don't worry."
"Angel I worry. It's my thing, okay? I worry and I bitch. It's what I do."
Something about the statement made him smile, and without another word, he gently pulled her toward him, pressing her chest to his, his mouth suddenly on a the spot on her neck that he knew always made her gasp.
It was no different now, and Angel felt himself smile as her arms automatically wound around him , hands slipping up his neck and entwining around the nape, fingers sliding through the short hair, massaging, making him shiver as she trembled against him, her forehead resting against his shoulder as he gently moved over her slender throat.
His tongue gently lapped at her neck, leaving a wet trail as his lips settled on her chin. She smiled, and moved her face, her own lips capturing his.
"Tease," she muttered, and he chuckled, lips settling into hers deeper, forcing her to stop her chatter and return the caress. Her mouth parted and his tongue plunged in, meeting hers as if to say hello, and then moving deeper still. She moaned softly, smothered, and suddenly her hands were slipping down, playing with his pectorals, moving gently over his chest and further down.
His own hands pulled her closer still to his hardening body, and when she moved against him, grinding her hips against his own, and growled, making her laugh. Moving up, his hands slipped under her shirt, sliding up her soft skin, pulling the shirt with him.
Feeling the movement, she grinned, a saucy, lust filled twinkle in her eyes as she raised her hands up, letting him pull the black tanktop over her shoulders and off her body.
The bra was black lace. Damn... how on earth did he get so lucky? She was... God, she was so perfect... and she was HIS. She was HIS for eternity. Angel felt himself gasping for an unneeded breath of air, his chest slick with sweat as his eyes roved down her body, his hands moving to cup her bosom gently, feeling her suck in her breath at the contact.
"Take a picture, hon, it last's longer," At the statement, his gaze returned to her face, torn away from her heaving breasts.
He narrowed his eyes, and smiled devilishly. "Don't tempt me, Cordelia." She laughed, and then settled her mouth at his lips again, wrapping her legs around his waist when he lifted her up against him, falling back on the bed, and feeling him grunt as he fell on top of her. She wrapped her arms around him, pinning him to her, and with her newfound strength, rolled him over, straddling him.
"HA!" she cried, smiling when she took in his surprised face. "I knew that was good for something." She leaned over him, her satin covered breasts skimming his chest as she nuzzled at his neck, suckling gently.
"God, Cordelia," he gasped, his voice barely above a growl.
She smiled against his skin. "I love you too, Angel," she remarked, and then yelped when suddenly she was flipped over and he was back on top.
"Round One," he whispered, and Cordelia grinned, her body shuddering at the implication.
"I'm game," she breathed huskily, and reached for the buckle of his pants.
~*~
God, he was so warm.
She found herself smiling lazily, closing her eyes as she felt the tips of his fingers skimming her back, barely touching, every caress like a kiss.
She smiled, pressing her lips against his chest and settled her cheek against his chest, feeling her eyes heavy with sleep.
With his beautiful words of love, she found herself succumbing to the dreams of Morpheus, her eyes closing and her mind drifting away.
A haze invaded her mind, and the chill made her wrap her arms around her naked body. A black coat was next to her, and she reached for it, covering her body with it, feeling the black material seep into her, and she was thankful for it. It seemed to mold to her, even if it was a bit big. Everywhere around her was darkness, and she didn't seem to mind, not in the slightest.
It fit her now. She was a part of it... it was who she was.
"Who you are?" There was laughter from behind her, and turning, she found the body of her lover standing behind her.
"Hey, lover."
Her eyes widened, and Cordelia's breath caught, only to find she didn't need to breathe. "Angel?"
"No."
Her chest rose and fell, and drawing the trenchcoat around her, Cordelia moved back a bit, knowing immediately who had risen from her lover.
"Angelus."
"Hey babe. yeah, it's me, that guy you've been screwing." He looked toward the bed where Angel slept soundly, and grimaced. "This guy is such a PRICK! You've outgrown him you know." He laughed, and jumped on the bed, his arms waving as he jumped all around the sleeping Angel. Cordelia could so nothing but stare. "Angel, Angel, dancing daisy, give him a happy and he'll go crazy!"
Angelus hopped off, and stood in front of her, grabbing her by the neck and jerking her head back. She cried out in pain, and grabbed his arm, throwing him off with surprising strength.
"WOW! What a grip!"
"What are you doing here?" she whispered.
"What am I doing HERE?" He smiled, and winked, the demon visage looking grotesquely human and he put his hands behind his back and whistled. "Don't you get it?" He came forward, and his hands were so gentle, so seductive that Cordelia did nothing as the animal slid his arms around her, tilting her chin back and looking into her eyes. In his held pure evil, everything they fought against, everything she had tried to save Angel from.
But she felt no fear when he held her, when he took her and turned her around, leading her to the dresser.
His breath fell on her neck as he stared at her through the mirror, and he whispered, "I'm a part of you now. Welcome to his hell."
Her eyes widened when suddenly her face transformed into that of a demon.
She woke up screaming.
"Cordelia!" Angel was awake beside her, drawing her into his arms. She trembled, her eyes slamming open. "What's wrong?"
Turning her head, she looked up to see her lover staring at her wide eyes of worried concern, his humanity and love staring into her eyes.
"Angel," she whispered, moisture filling her eyes. She felt her stomach suddenly revolt, and suddenly she jerked away from him, running out of the room.
"CORDELIA?!"
Angel slid out of the bed, pulling on his boxers, grabbing her robe and running after her, barely seeing as Kate jolted upright in the sofabed.
He found her in the bathroom, hunched over the toilet, her body retching.
God.
Angel felt a lump form into his throat, and gently, he came forward, gently slid the robe over her shoulders, and then carefully taking Cordelia's hair and pulling it back into a makeshift ponytail, he held it away from her face.
"Is she okay?" Kate's face was one of worried confusion, her hair disheveled, but her eyes wide as she leaned into the doorway, her hands fidgeting.
"I... uh... I think so," Angel rasped. "I just... I think she wants to-"
"Oh... right." Kate blushed, but obediently moved away from the door. "If you need anything..."
"Thank you Kate." Angel turned his attention back to his girlfriend, rubbing her back with his free hand, waiting silently.
Cordelia stilled, and just breathed, trying to recover, before she got up on shaky knees, and turning to the sink, turning the water, still not looking at him. Angel didn't say a word, merely flushed the toilet, and gave her a towel.
She wiped her face, running her hands through her hair, and then without a word, she turned, burying herself into his arms.
Her quiet sobbing wrenched through him, and Angel found himself fighting tears as he held tightly to her.
"Cordelia," he whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "You're calling Sammis tomorrow. First thing."
She shuddered, but looked up, and quietly nodded. "I'm okay now," she said, wrapping the robe around her. "Thank you."
He pressed his lips against his forehead and held her closer, cursing the changes that were raging through her body.
"I love you, Cordelia," he whispered, his eyes shut tight.
~*~
The aura in the air was somber.
Doyle stopped outside of the office, sniffing the air, and taking out the key, he inserted it in the lock, opening it quickly, surprised to find the office closed at this hour.
"'Ello?" he called out. There was no answer, and puzzled, he stepped inside, closing the door of Angel Investigations behind him, looking around.
A smile floated on his face as he thought that maybe Angel and Cordelia had stayed in, and despite the irritation he liked to show around them in their puppy love phases, truth was that he would have much rather had them sucking face in front of him the rest of his life instead of the three of them being all separated like it was a few months ago.
They were all together now, and it was destiny that made that way. He smiled slowly, shaking his head. No wonder they fit so well together. Now all he needed was a little nooky and it'd be perfect.
He had said it before, and he'd say it again. Being with Angel and Cordelia was like bein' married with none of the benefits.
Walking into Angel's office, he was surpised to see the blonde haired detective staring outside the window, dressed in one of Angel's white shirts, and what looked like a pair of Cordelia's black pants.
He flipped on the light, and her head quickly swerved and saw him.
"Hey, Doyle," she said, her voice that soft, sexy rasp.
"Hey yerself," he answered, shrugging off his trademark leather jacket and depositing it on a chair. "Shouldn't you be in bed? You were all shot up when I last saw you."
"Flesh wound, " she remarked, parting the blinds again to look out into the street. "And I can't really just lie in bed. It's not me. Especially knowing there are guys out to kill me."
Doyle nodded, sighing. He knew what that was like. Back in his younger, wilder days, he had hidden from many the collecting fiends.
"You owe them money?"
Kate smirked and shook her head. "Nope." There was a pause, and she straightened, motioning toward the elevator. "If you're looking for Angel and Cordelia, they're downstairs, making a phone call to some guy called Sammis."
"Sammis?" Doyle's attention was immediately piqued, and the Irishman slid into a chair, staring up at the blue eyed detective. "Did something happen?"
"Last night?" Doyle nodded, but Kate seemed to hesitate, looking away.
Hmmm... the little blond beauty knew something.
"You know they tell me everything, right?"
Kate nodded stiffly. "I remember."
He nodded, remembering her own affiliation with them long ago. She turned, slowly, every aware of her injury, and slipped into the chair beside him, curiosity and concern flecked into her eyes.
"What happened to Cordelia?" she asked immediately. "She's going through something, said she was some sort of hybrid."
"Oh." Doyle let the air go out of his lungs and slumped back, staring at her curiously. "She told you?"
"It slipped. And then... in the night..." Kate drifted off, and leaned forward. "Something's happening to her. Angel's better but -"
"Look..." Doyle sighed heavily, feeling a sudden headache come on. Kate had the right to know. They had never kept secrets from her. Angel had broken off the relationship because he thought he was getting too close to her.
But still... it was Cordelia and Angel's situation.
"It's like this. Turns out Cordelia's Angel's "bound". Kinda like a soulmate."
At this of information, Kate leaned back, her shoulder's slumped slightly, but she continued to listen.
"And in order to save him, they had to exchange blood. She had to give him hers to help fight for his humanity. Anyways, we did this in this druid convergence up in Angeles National Forest-"
Kate sucked in her breath, and then closed her eyes.
Doyle looked at her, concern making him stop. "What? What is it?"
Kate chuckled, a grim chuckled as she placed her forehead on her palm, shaking slightly. "Nothing," she finally said. "I'll tell you later. When they get up here. Keep going."
The Irishman nodded slowly, "And the mysticism, well it gave Angel back his soul, and some other stuff, like, tastebuds, warm blood."
"He's warm?'
"Yeah, like in, not cold. And well, it changed Cordelia too. 'Ceptin, we don't know what it's changed her to."
Kate's eyes were dark, boring into Doyle's. "So you're saying that Cordelia could have suddenly taken any characteristic of a vampire, and you don't know how far that goes?"
Doyle shrugged, crossing his arms. "That's the gist."
"Well, shit." Kate sighed, leaning her head back against the head of the chair. "And Sammis is the guy that knows about it?"
"Yeah... he like their local expert. 'Cept he lives in England."
"Oh." Kate pursed her lips. "No wonder."
"No wonder what?"
Kate didn't answer, instead just got up, gently, wincing at her wound and walking to the coffee machine. "How does this turn on?"
"Cordy always does it."
"Okay, I think I can figure it out." Reaching for the filters, Kate looked mildly distracted as she leaned on the counter, her eyes focused on nothing in particular.
"What?" Doyle asked curiously.
"Nothing. Just... if it was me... I'd be freaking out."
Doyle felt a soft smile converge on his face. "You don't seem the type to 'freak out', Kate."
She gave him an even stare. "I do on the inside."
~*~
It took Cordelia three tries to get the code to London right. Apparently the number that Sammis had given them had come up unlisted, so Cordelia got a hold of Giles' number, and then the code was even harder to get.
It took a search on the net and three trips to the yellow pages.
Finally, the phone began to ring, and Cordelia sighed, slumping back into her chair. Angel in his nervousness, walked into the kitchen, and she could hear him rummaging through the kitchen.
"Do we have peanut butter?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Peanut Butter?!"
"Hullo?"
"Giles?!" Cordelia asked, and then immediately groaned inwardly. Of course it wasn't Giles. A woman answered. Duh.
"Umm.. No. This Olivia, Rupert's wife."
"He answered?" There was a clatter in the kitchen as Angel dropped something, and then kicked across the linoleum as he tried to get to the living room.
Cordelia covered her ear in an effort to keep the racket from getting to the British woman on the other line, and glared at Angel.
"Hi, um. Sorry about that. This is Cordelia Chase. I'm looking for Gil- I mean... Rupert. Is he there?"
There was a pause, and, and suddenly the woman's voice became much more affectionate. "Cordelia?! Of course, hold on. He's asleep."
"Oh well if he's asleep then-"
"No, no, no! Hold on," the woman put the phone down, and Cordelia could hear some distinctly British rumblings, and a sleepy version of a familiar voice mumbled into the phone.
"Hullo."
"Giles?"
"Cordelia, Bloody hell where are my glasses!" There was a bit more thrashing and as Angel settled across from her, curious concern in his eyes, Giles voice came back on, a little steadier and a bit less cranky. "Hello? Sorry about that. Bloody cat had my glasses. How are you?"
"I'm... well, that was actually why I was calling you. I'm kinda acting like a freak, and I was hoping you could get me in touch with Sammis, since he would probably know WHY."
There was a long pause on the phone, and suddenly Giles asked quietly, "Cordelia, what exactly is going on? Tell me exactly."
The urgency, the worry in his voice made Cordelia's heart skip a beat, and coloring quickly, she bit her lip, trying to sound as non chalant as possible. "Let's just say I make Winona Ryder in Dracula look NICE."
"I see. Perhaps a bit more specific?"
Angel seemed to hear the exasperation in Giles' voice and grabbed the phone, yanking it from his fiancé.
"HEY!"
He ignored her. "Giles, it's Angel."
"Angel," came the civil tone. "How are you?"
"Worried." Angel swallowed, looking toward Cordelia's form on the couch, and turning away from her. "Look, Giles, I know you don't like me, and I'm fine with that. But I love Cordelia, and what's happening to her is scaring me."
"I understand that Angel, but I need specific symptoms."
"Right." He licked his lips, and then began to speak, his voice slightly hoarser. "She's a lot stronger. And she's got my night vision."
"But thank God not your penchant for pigging out," muttered his girlfriend. She rose, and took the phone from Angel. When he didn't want to let go, she raised an eyebrow, and pinched him.
He relinquished it with a sigh.
"Hold on, Giles," she said, and then put her hand over the receiver. "Angel, go upstairs."
His eyes widened, but Cordelia merely kept her face passive. "I want to talk to him alone, Angel. Please."
"Cordelia, I-"
"Please."
He swallowed, but the conviction in her eyes won over his reluctance, and he crossed his arms, a signal of defeat. "You're telling me what this is all about soon."
"When I can. I will."
The sentence didn't seem to comfort him any more, and the vampire clenched his jaw, but retreated up the stairs. Cordelia waited, and then turned back to the phone, settling into the chair.
Stopping for a moment to take a breath, Cordelia stilled, her mind suddenly reflecting on a scene from long ago that should have meant nothing and yet meant so much.
“Ewwwwww. What does this one do?”
Giles looked up, his face a mask of distraction as he looked at where the long, perfectly shaped fingernail pointed. “It extracts vital organs to replenish it’s own mutating cells.”
“Wow!” Cordelia breathed in fascination, and leaned forward further, looking onto his page. “What does this one do?”
Giles narrowed his eyes, but answered in the same harried manner. “It elongates it’s mouth to engulf it’s victim’s head with it’s incisors.”
“OUCH!” Cordelia’s eyes widened, and her eyes kept roaming. “Wait, what does this one do?”
“It asks endless questions of those with whom it’s supposed to be working so that nothing is getting done.”
Cordelia’s mouth pursed, and she breathed, “Boy, there’s a demon for everything.”
A sad smile crossed her lips, and Cordelia leaned her head back, remembering the days of Sunnydale High.
“Wow. Giles. We were so young.”
“Cordelia?”
“Sorry. Doing the flashback thing.” The brunette took a breath, and swallowed. “Giles, I… things are happening inside of me.”
“Tell me what they are, Cordelia, and don’t hide anything from me.”
The urgent tone, the beautiful concern made Cordelia smile, feeling the soothing voice calm her somewhat, return some of the warmth.
Taking an unsteady breath, she began. “I’ve been having dreams, Giles.”
~*~