The Return

Author: Nicole Lane

Summary: Cordelia performs a spell to bring Doyle back from the dead. How will the gang react to his arrival and how will they fare when a new big bad makes his presence known? Set in season four. Cordelia/Doyle.

Chapter one: Anniversary

It took a great deal of effort for Cordelia Chase to pull herself off of the hotel room floor and onto the bed. She took a deep, calming breath before stumbling over to an antique vanity that stood against the wall. She was completely exhausted, both physically as well as mentally, and Cordelia was disgusted to find that it showed in her reflection. Brown hair was matted in places where it had escaped from its braid and her eyes were red rimmed and lifeless. The actress was an emotional wreck and had lost her unique glimmer of fire.

Cordelia sighed and rested her head against the vanity table. She studied the room listlessly as she thought about the events that caused her current emotional state. Doyle, the good natured half demon that had given his visions to her the night that he died. Angel was unaware of her ongoing grief, and Cordelia liked it that way. Grief was something private. Her undead boss would be shocked to learn how often she still mourned the Irishman. Still, the memory would remain with her always. Nothing could erase the image of his flesh searing away as Doyle gave up his life for the good of humanity three years ago to the day.

"Too bad we'll never know," he had said, a sad and humourless smile curling the blue lips of his demon visage. At the time Cordelia had looked at him in dazed confusion as he shook his head and continued, "if this is a face you could learn to love."

She pressed her eyes closed as the memory washed over her, bringing a new batch of searing tears. It was all she could do to stifle the sobs that threatened to consume her. That was a lifetime ago, and although she was not aware of the love she felt for him at the time, she was now, and it was growing steadily as the years passed by. It was a dull ache in her heart that kept her from pursuing any other relationships. Now here she was, with Angel and his son both fawning over her, and the entire AI team facing a gloomy and unbearably miserable future.

A soft, uncertain knock echoed through the room. Cordelia turned her head, which still rested on the vanity, and met the concerned gaze of her co-worker and friend, Fred Burkle. The tiny Texan bit her lip and smiled shyly, as she quietly asked, "Cordy?"

Cordelia was aware of her unkempt appearance. She felt the tear tracks across her cheeks and another glance in the mirror showed eyes that were puffier than they were a few minutes before. She tried to smile reassuringly, but it came out as a faint grimace.

"Cordy?" Fred asked again as she took a few steps toward her distraught friend, "are you alright?"

Cordy looked at the waif of a girl and smiled slightly, a true smile. Fred was always sweet to Cordelia and they had a special bond as the only female members of the AI team. Keeping that in mind, Cordelia was quick to reassure her with a brighter smile. "Just a bit of emotion I needed to release. No worries."

Cordelia was pleased to see that Fred had bought the story, at least enough to leave her alone again. "Dinner is downstairs for you, when you want it."

"Thanks," said Cordelia as she threw a wrinkled bathrobe over her lacy negligee. "I'll be down in a minute, I swear." Fred gave her one more uncertain glance, accompanied by a quick hug, before exiting the room.

Cordelia made a half-hearted effort to brighten her appearance before she stumbled, none too gracefully, down the stairs and into the hotel lobby. Wes and Fred looked up from the couch they were sharing, an uncomfortable distance between the two. Both Angel and Gunn were missing from the group, Angel on patrol and Gunn most likely off visiting his old crew as he did from time to time.

Fred smiled when she saw the seer and Cordelia smiled back as brightly as she could muster. The Texan ignored the fact that Cordelia was making an unsuccessful attempt to hide her despair and gestured to a take out back on the counter. "We ordered Chinese."

Cordelia smiled genuinely this time. "Thank you, Fred." She walked toward the kitchen and grabbed a plate and fork to serve herself dinner. When she re-entered the lobby the phone was ringing shrilly and Fred made a movement to answer the call. Cordelia held up her hand and shook her head slightly. "Don't bother. We should take the night off, at least until Angel or Connor get here."

Fred nodded and sat back down. Wesley glanced at her awkwardly and Cordelia had to physically restrain herself from rolling her eyes at his behaviour. It was a big surprise to everyone when Fred and Gunn had started dating, but sometimes the seer wished Wesley could just get over the feelings he had for the slight girl. It would make life in the hotel easier. Cordelia also wished that Angel would discard his feelings for her, because she felt uncomfortable around the rest of the team who were obviously thinking that they would eventually get together.

The phone rang a few more times before the answering machine picked it up. The voice on the recording was strained and raspy. "Angel? Cordelia?" Her interest piqued, Cordelia set her fork down and gave her full attention to the answering machine. "Is anyone there? Okay...I thought I should tell you…there is a spell I have, one I was hoping you would perform. This is pertaining to my ex-husband..." Cordelia barely noticed as Connor and Gunn entered the hotel side by side, returning from a rather strenuous patrol. She was captivated by the voice on the machine, it was so familiar to her, yet she had trouble placing it. "In recent months I have discovered a bit more about that…device…that killed him. There was a spell, I guess, that forced anyone who touched it to, well, to go to…hell." At this point the woman paused, obviously distraught. "He meant a lot to me, and I know that, despite his faults, he deserves better than that. I think you meant a lot to you, too." Cordelia inhaled sharply and grasped the desk to balance herself as recognition racked her body. "Please, please, get back to me as soon as you can. There is a spell, but it can only be done tonight." The seer stared at the message machine, urging it to continue. "Uh...this is Harry." This time Cordelia gasped and lunged for the phone. "You can, and I hope you will, contact me at 455-67...."

"Harry?" Cordelia found herself out of breath and dizzy from the thoughts racing through her mind. "Is that you, Harry?" She pressed a button on the answering machine that ended the message and lowered her voice so the rest of the curious team would be unable to hear her conversation. "Hello…yes…of course…Harry, this spell, will it bring him back? Oh. Still, any chance is a good chance…right." Cordelia glanced at the clock. "Twenty minutes. Thanks, Harry." Cordelia hung up the phone and jogged back up the stairs, leaving the remainder of the team in the lobby, dazed and confused.

tbc...

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