Group Therapy

Author's Note: So I'm back with more story concerning our favorite duo Cordelia and Gunn. For those who don't know, this is a sequel to my previous story Got Yourself A Gunn, which basically took place in an alternative Season 3 where some things didn't happened and some other things did and they got together. This continues from that timeline. There's no major apocalypse this time either but you can still expect a bumpy road ahead for these two. I've had this idea spinning around in my head for a while so I hope I can do it justice. I'm shooting for realism here so by all means if you have feedback let me know. This is purely for my enjoyment and hopefully yours so I don't own a thing. There. Read now.

Chapter One: In the Case of Charles Gunn

Three years.

It had been three years since Gunn and Cordelia made it official and began dating. It had been three years since they allowed themselves to be more than just friends and became lovers. Now three years later, Gunn was driving on his way to Venice Boulevard reflecting on his life thusfar and could only come to one conclusion.

Cordelia Chase, his girlfriend and the current love of his life, was a crazy bitch.

Well, bitch seems like such a strong term. More like… she'd been a bitch as of late. Ever since he had moved in with her last year, Gunn realized that two strongminded people probably shouldn't stay under the same roof. Now, he loved Cordelia and she loved him but things weren't the way they used to be. Rather it be him staying out with the crew and not coming home or Cordelia getting caught up playing Angel support and being gone all day, it seemed like the only time the two of them saw each other now was at work and before they went to bed. They had been arguing about it for a couple of weeks now and to top that off Cordelia had come down with some stomach sickness and had been blowing chunks for the last few days so she was even more bitchy than usual. But atleast she wasn't dying from the visions, so yeah that was a plus.

Earlier That Morning

"What the hell do you mean you gotta hit the streets? I thought you were taking me to my appointment?"

Gunn looked up from tying his shoes to see the beautiful yet scary form of his girlfriend glaring down at him. She was just about dressed with the exception of being shirtless in a bra and a towel around her head. He almost didn't want to look up. He sighed and ventured on.

"I already told you Cordy, I already had plans to help Rondell train some of the new guys today. You knew that I had priorities." Cordelia looked at him increduoulsy and scoffed.

"Priorities? Are you kidding me? I'm your girlfriend Charles, I should be your goddamn number one priority!" Aw shit, here she goes again. Why couldn't they just make up and have a quickie like they used to. Cordelia's eye was twitching which meant she was royally pissed.

"Cordy you are my number one priority. You come first before anything or anybody trust me. But I can't just abandon my people again. They need me." Gunn told her sternly as he stood to his full height causing Cordelia to look up to him. She knew how important his crew was to him. Ever since the whole Beast thing Gunn had gone back to helping out his crew on a part time basis and in turn they helped out Angel when he needed it. Saving the world tends to help you win some respect points and protecting one's child does as well. A lot can go down in three years.

"But I need you today." Cordelia stressed. "It's pretty obvious that the two of us are having some issues and as pissed off as I am, I don't want us to get to the point where all we do is fight until we can't make up anymore…" Gunn cut her off.

"Don't say that shit Cordelia."

"No, I'm going there. Seriously we've been through too much Gunn; I don't want to make things worse. Because I don't want to go back to just being friends and sure as hell don't go back to just being your co-worker. I couldn't do it. But at the same time, you better start realizing that we have some problems. What are we going to do about them?" Gunn stared down at her. She was right, they were having some problem. Hell they hadn't even been having sex like they used to which was just about every 2 to 3 days because of their stressful lives; but for the last few weeks or so Cordelia been super tired and Gunn was as well from all of the work they were doing. That wasn't exactly helping the situation.

"I don't know Cordelia. The last couple of months have been rough and you feeling like crap hasn't helped either. Shit, what we probably need is a night out and a good fuck after the fact." Gunn muttered loudly. Cordelia chuckled at him.

"Ain't that the truth. I sure could use some maintenance. Go on and help Rondell. I'll be alright at the doctor by myself." She relented as she stepped closer to him and allowed him to envelop her in a hug. He bent down to kiss her on the forehead and she just nodded in understanding. She had just gotten finished blowing chunks a few minutes ago.

"You sure?" She was probably still kinda pissed at him but he wanted to make sure before he left because if not he'd never here the end of it or end up staying over at Wes's again. The first time that happened Cordelia had gotten so mad at him about something he couldn't even remember Dennis had to stop her from breaking a couple of vases. Gunn just decided to leave. Of course Angel found out and chewed him out about it. Cordelia eventually calmed him down and told him it was her fault. Wes tried to mediate and Fred was distraught for a couple of days over the possibility of them breaking up. Not to mention that there was a demon that was eating people on the loose that they had to go kill after the fact. That was a fun weekend.

"Yeah, its probably just food poisoning from that Italian we had a couple of days ago. Go. Just don't do anything stupid like last week."

"What do you mean?" Gunn asked feigning dumb remember him and Rondell almost getting killed during a nest raid. Cordelia narrowed her eyes at him as her brow twitched.

"Don't play with me."

Putting his hands up Gunn smirked before reaching down for his duffle back and smiling back at her. Even when she was pissed off at him, he couldn't resist her. At the same time, he needed to get out of here. She'd be okay, right?

"Later Cordelia." He tossed as he headed towards the door. He didn't miss the narrowing of her eyes or the huge sigh from her as he slammed the door to his truck and drove off. Dennis floated a cup of water and some pills next to her. She thanked him silently. It wasn't anything vision related but the ghost knew Gunn had the ability to give her a headache.

Back to the present

"What up G?"

Gunn nodded his head as he clasped hands with Rondell before surveying the new kids on the block. The crew had come a long way since he was playing general. Ever since the whole Beast incident Gunn had slowly worked his way back into their good graces. And as repayment for protecting Connor, Angel got in touch with that Nabbit guy and he pulled some favors. Now the crew didn't have to worry about going hungry due or shelter. Instead of accepting the building offered to them however, the crew chose to stay in the abandoned warehouse and just renovated it a bit to where it was more comfortable. It was more of shelter now than a last resort. Plus it had become an underground organization that could provide for itself . Those who choose to stay stayed and those who wanted to find a place to live usually stayed with Annie until they could get on their feet. Gunn helped out when it came to training and backup but he made sure to let Rondell know that this was his side gig now.

"I'm cool. You ready to get these guys in the mix? I don't want to stay all day. I got into it with Cordy before I left. She had to go to the doctor." Rondell looked at him with a surprised look before chuckling.

"And you still came anyway? Man you got some major cajones. Probably not for long though." Gunn rolled his eyes.

"Whatever man. Let's do this." With that Rondell clasped him on the back and led him back to the training grounds. Gunn was greeted with a whole room full of faces some old and a lot of new ones. It was kind of overwhelming that something he started almost 15 years ago had grown into a well oiled machine. One of the new faces walked up to him.

"You Gunn?" Aw shit, this was familiar. Gio had approached him in a similar fashion and look how that turned out.

"Yeah."

"Is it true you took out a whole nest by yourself before?"

"Yeah, more than once. What's your name bro?" Gunn asked. This boy couldn't have been any older than 19 or 20. He looked like he had seen some things though and he wasn't new to this.

"Tapp. Man, everybody knows about you. You're a legend." Gunn smirked. Damn he was traitor and a sell out a few years ago now he's a legend.

"Nah man, I ain't no legend. This thing here, this crew. What they do is legendary."

"Why did you leave then? Rondell said you left to work with that Angel guy?" Gunn overlooked the young man. He seemed to be genuinely curious and didn't seem to be harboring any animosity. Gunn figure it be best just to tell him the truth.

"I didn't leave. I just did what I felt was right. After my sister died I needed a mission bro. He had it. That's what you guys are here for. When there's no one out there for you, we protect our own. And despite how you feel about em, all demons ain't bad just like all of us ain't thugs or gangsters. We protect whoever needs protecting. That's the mission. Helping the helpless. So Tapp, why are you here?"

"Ain't nowhere else for me to go. My mom got turned and sired my dad. She tried to turn me too. Rondell found me after I had to dust them." At that Gunn looked towards his friend and was met with a confirming nod. The story was so familiar to him. Taking a deep breath Gunn clasped his hands together to signal everybody's attention.

"Aight listen up. There's a lot of stuff out there that won't need nothing but a couple of bullets to put down. Vamps ain't one of them so ya'll gonna need to learn some hand to hand combat before we get to the weapons. Rondell you got something?" At the shake of his head, Gunn acknowledged him before getting everyone to split into groups with him, Rondell, and a few of the veteran fighters respectively. As the youth began to disperse Gunn got Rondell's attention.

"Shit looks awfully familiar don't it?" He said as he put his cell phone into his duffle bag.

"Yeah, looks like the vamps are moving back in. Not to mention there's word some big players are settin up shop down the street in Venice Heights. Might get rough around here in the next couple of months I'm thinking. Me and the boys thinking about seeing what's up down there. You in?" Gunn thought it over. Part of him was ready to jump at the sound of a problem. But he wasn't the reckless man he used to be. He had good thing going with his new outlook on life and a beautiful woman to share it with. Thinking better of it, he probably should just play the sidelines for the time being.

"Nah, I don't think it'll get that serious. But if I'm wrong you know where to find me. Aight, let's get these guys into something." With that he clasped hands with Rondell before the two went to their separate groups and went to sparring and instruction.

Gunn didn't hear the sound of his phone going off in his bag.

A Couple of Hours Later

"Damn!"

The shout from the crowd was unanimous as Omar, who Gunn was sparing, hit the ground with an ominous thud and his axe landed next to him. Gunn walked over and reached out a hand. The younger man grudgingly accepted as he got up.

"You ain't had to do him like that G?" Rondell chuckled as Gunn smirked. Gunn figured that he had to use him as an example of how being cocky can get you on the losing side of things.

"Yeah I did. See, when you get to cocky you get reckless. This allows the enemy to get the upper hand. Remember that. Aight Omar, let's try it again. Now ya'll pay attention to how he fights. It's all about patience and confidence that you have when it comes to handling your business. Check it."

Picking up his axe Gunn motioned for Omar to engage him. Ducking his swipe with ease, he began to get into the groove of things and seconds later the two were going to blows. The boy had learned quickly. Now he had to defend himself.

As the two of them were fighting, the door opened and one of the boys came to whisper something in Rondell's ear. Waving him off, Rondell went to try and get Gunn's attention but he was still engaged. Watching how focused the two of them were he just relented and kept quiet. Gunn would find out soon enough.

"Gunn!"

Hearing the sound of his voice Gunn paused a second giving Omar a chance to land a blow knocking him to the ground. Shit, that had hurt. The boy wanted payback and he got it. Gunn looked up to see the irate form of his girlfriend coming through the door. Apparent she had been crying. Oh shit.

"Gunn, why the hell didn't you answer your phone? I called you like a gazillion times!" Okay what was going on? Cordy had taken the time to drive from across town to come yell at him. What was wrong? Gunn noticed Rondell and the others grinning at the two of them. Omar had a confused look on his face. He didn't know who Cordelia was.

"I put my phone in the bag while I was sparring Cordelia."

"To what do we have the honor Ms. Gunn?" Rondell joked making Gunn roll his eys. Cordelia flashed him an irritated look.

"Not now Rondell." He put his hand up in mock surrender.

"What's wrong Cordy?" Gunn asked as he rubbed the back of his head. Cordelia took a deep deep breath before continuing. She looked like she was contemplating and it was starting to worry him.

"Well… I just came back from the doctor. I don't even know where to begin. So I'm just going to come out and say it."

"Just tell me Cordy." Gunn pleading fearing for the worse. Whatever it was the two of them would face it together. But waiting in the dark about it wasn't making him feel any better.

"You're going to be a daddy." Gunn's entire thought process came to a grinding halt as he processed the words. Rondell's mouth dropped. Everyone else remained silent. Did she really just say she was pregnant? Wasn't she on birth control? What the fuck?

"Come again?"

'Don't fuck with me right now Gunn, you heard me. Just found out I'm about 8 weeks. All of the fatigue, mood swings, throwing up, that's the hormones. I'm pregnant." Cordelia told him levelly as the tears threatened to flow from her eyes. At that the lightheadness Gunn felt was starting to increase. Omar looked between the two before speaking.

"Okay, let me get this straight. The crazy white girl is your wife who came all the way down here by herself to tell you she's having your baby. And you're spending your time sparring with us?" Gunn shot him look that could have made Omar piss himself. The boy was straight to the point and it kind of reminded him of himself. No one people used to get annoyed with his one track attitude.

"We ain't married and I didn't know. I need to sit down." Gunn said as he abruptly passed out onto the floor making Cordelia start crying even harder. Omar threw his hands up confused with the whole thing and went to help pick up Gunn as did some other members of the crew. Rondell went to console Cordelia who didn't even have the energy to try and help Gunn at the moment.

"It'll be aight Ms. Gunn." He told her softly as he went to pull her into a tentative hug. Cordelia latched onto him and vented.

"Damn it Rondell, I come all the way here to tell him this and what does he do? He passes out! I am so done with Gunn right now. I'm not ready to be a mom."

"I don't think Gunn was expecting to be a baby daddy either." She shot him a narrow glance but decided against hitting him. She'd save all of the hitting for Gunn when he came to. Now what was she supposed to do? She and Gunn were not ready for kids. They were having issues already and the two of them had all but decided to bypass marriage. It wasn't privy to their dangerous lifestyle. But apparently their lives were about to change. Looking over to see the rest of the crew carrying Gunn into the adjoining room Cordelia sighed and followed. She was expecting, she and Gunn were having problems, and to top it all off she was bloated. This was just turning into a great day.

"My boy's gonna be a daddy." Rondell said from next to her with a smile. Cordelia gave him a look.

"Shut up." With that Cordelia stepped into the room and went to go help revive her boyfriend. He just chuckled as he followed behind her.

Author's Note: Okay, so there it is. I gather the inspiration for this fic from the obligatory pregnancy scare that most men eventually go through sometime before they're actually ready for a kid. I just went from there. How exactly would these two handle it considering their lives? Makes for a lot drama eh? I think so. I just had such a blast writing these characters I had to continue their story and I hope that you enjoy reading it as much as I do writing it. Reviews wouldn't hurt either. Hint Hint. Until next time. Hell Yeah!