[A/N: This is the scene that many people who read "The Child" would want to have seen. This is completely separate from that fic though.
The characters are not mine, I'm just borrowing them.]
Angel looked up from his newspaper as Cordelia seemed to float into the lobby of the Hyperion.
"You're happy," he said, watching her go to the coffee machine. She turned to him and her face broke into a huge smile.
"I've got a date!" she almost squealed. Angel stared at her.
"A what?"
"A date, you know," she rolled her eyes, "picks me up at 8, dinner, flowers, goodnight kiss."
"I know what a date is Cordelia. Who is he?"
"His name is Eric Jacobs and he's a journalist. I bet he's got an article in that paper you're reading." Angel looked at the newspaper in his hands with a look of disgust and tossed it onto the ground.
"I was kind of hoping you'd be around tonight. Wesley, Gunn and I have to go check out some stuff for the case we've been working on and I was counting on you to watch Connor."
"Can't you ask Fred?" Angel shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"Yeahbut-"
"If she's around, she'll watch him." Angel opened his mouth to protest, but before any words could come out, Cordelia jumped in.
"Angel! Ever since Connor was born I've been at home, every night watching him. In fact, this has been happening even before he was born! Do you even remember the last time I went out anywhere because I sure can't!"
"What if he's a vampire though? Or some other demon?"
"He's not a vampire since I met him during the day, but even if he was, I've got enough training under my belt to hold my own in a fight."
"How do you know? You haven't tried yet." Cordelia threw her arms in the air.
"I'll be fine Angel!"
"You don't know that!"
"Yes, I do. I can take care of myself. Why can't you see that?"
"I just don't think it's a good idea right now."
"So when will it be a good idea? Once somebody stakes you? Or when I'm old and wrinkly and retire?"
"Cordelia-"
"No, don't you Cordelia' me," she walked closer to him, her eyes almost red with anger, "I have put my entire life on hold for you and I'm sick of it! So unless you have a really good, sincere reason why I shouldn't go out with Eric tonight then tell me because otherwise, when 8 o'clock comes, I'm gone."
There was a pause and silence filled the lobby. The only sound Angel could hear was Cordelia breathing hard, and Connor starting to cry in another room.
"You want a good reason why you shouldn't go?" Angel asked finally.
"Yes!" Cordelia said, ready to wring his neck.
"I'm in love with you, that's why." He stood up from his chair and left the lobby. Cordelia stayed where she was, her mouth open in silent shock. When she had finally processed what had just happened, she turned around slowly. Angel stood by Connors crib, soothing him back to sleep.
"Youyou love me?" Without looking up, Angel nodded. He was in almost as much shock as she was. He had been playing with the thought a few weeks ago before Darla showed up, but he thought it was just something that would pass.
He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he almost didn't hear Cordelia walk up behind him. When he did, he turned and without a word, she placed her hands on his face and kissed him. Angel felt as if every nerve in his body had suddenly come alive.
"I guess I'm going to have to cancel on Eric," she said when they had separated, "it's too bad though, I went through all that trouble of making him up."
