Got Yourself A Gunn
Author's Note: What's up all? This is Dale and I'm about to venture onto my first Angel fanfiction and quite frankly I honestly don't know where I'm going with this. I have seasons 2-4 on DVD and I've seen all 5 on t.v. Basically I got fed up with the dearth of Cordelia/Gunn stories anywhere. I think they're awesome and even better together. I wanna see what I can do with it. This is just me kinda of feeling it out but if there's enough people who want me to go somewhere with this, I'll try to make something happen with it. I own none of the Angel characters just this story.
Other stuff: As much as I despise AU's this is set in an alternative Season 3 to get rid of the drama that's in canon. Basically Groo doesn't return, Connor's still born and Angel's trying his damnedest to be a good father, Holtz doesn't return so none of that happens. Fred doesn't get with Gunn obviously. And Wesley is able to warn Angel about the prophecy about Connor with Cordelia by his side. Leading us to a somewhat calm premise for this set of events to unfold.
Chapter 1- The Protector and the Protectee
It all started with a radio alarm.
"Good Morning Los Angeles! It's gonna be another soaker today as that weather system from the Pacific makes it way……"
That was the last thing Charles Gunn heard as he slammed his hand down on the cheap ass radio he managed to score a few years back courtesy of some vamps. Wiping the sleep from his eyes he sighed deeply as he glanced around the room. Although the blinds where closed he could tell that the jackass weatheman who was 95 wrong most of the time was on the money today. Kicking his legs over the side of the bed he glanced at the pictures he had arranged on his nightpost.
He had started keeping one there the night he staked Alonna. Hell, even all this time he couldn't even talk about it. Not that that situation with Gio in Caritas a few weeks ago helped any. As if the thought was directing his next move, his eyes wandered over to the next few pictures. There was a picture of him and the crew. His Crew. Rondell, George, everybody. Then there was his picture with the 'two lackeys' of Angel Investigations as he liked to call them. Cordy and Wes. He had more pictures of them than he had of his own crew. Well, former crew that is. He didn't have picture of Angel for obvious reason with him being a vampire and whatnot and Fred was….. well Fred. She needed some more time. His smile grew as he thought about his life with his 'new crew'.
One word summed up his whole relationship with Angel. Respect. This vamp, despite what he is, souled or not, managed to prove to him that this mission to do what's right crosses many boundaries. He, Charles Gunn, sworn hunter of vampires, and now various demons, had now grown to the point where he would trust one with his life. Talk about a complete 180. Of course, Angel wouldn't be who he is today without his people.
Wesley was just some Brit with books shoved so far up his ass, big words couldn't help but come out of his mouth. Well that was what Gunn's first impression of him was. Now, Wes would be the Best Man if he ever decided to get married hands down. He took a bullet for him. They spent many anight playing board games or shooting pool. He showed Gunn new strategies for combat. Gunn showed him how to shoot a basketball and not look like a "no game-having White Guy". Yep, even with Angel and Fred around, he knew Wes and Cordelia would be friends for life.
A smirked ran across Gunn's face as he focused on Cordelia beaming on the picture. Stick figure Barbie.
His self proclaimed protector she was. Every since that night with Deevak, Gunn's admiration for Cordelia only seemed to grow. She, Wes, and himself had spent many nights in that smelly office with nothing to do but pass the time by talking about each other's past and hopeful future. Not to mention all of the post-vision/demon slaying moviethons at her apartment. What was it about this girl that intrigued him? The only thing that they had in common besides work was a sharp tongue and a short fuse. And of course being single. Of course playing Aunt Cordy to Connor and being Angel support would put a damper on her dating scene. Gunn couldn't help but wonder though, what would Cordy think if he asked her out. Even if it was just to give her a chance to enjoy herself stress free. He could hear her reply in his head.
"You're asking Me Out. On A date? That'd be great Gunn except we work at Angel Investigations and our names were tossed into the Daters Anonymous bin the moment we signed up for the gig." Then she would crack a grin and smirk at him saying.
"You serious? You and me. Going out. I suppose I can give you a shot since I'm your protector and all. We gotta spend a lot of time together right? At that he would beam at her and nod. "But wherever you taking me to eat you're paying, Got it buster?"
The thunderclap awoke him from his Cordelia-oriented fantasy. Placing the picture back down Gunn glanced back at it before smiling. She was still saving his life everyday. They were a team. Maybe they could be more too.
"Me and Cordelia. A couple? Nah that won't happen. But a night out with her doesn't sound bad at all." He told himself as he flicked on the bathroom light and started to get dressed. The idea of treating her out to a night on the town didn't sound bad at all.
Later
"Damn it's coming down out there! What's up ya'll?" Fred was holding Connor on the sofa reading a gigantic Quantum Physics book to him. She looked up and smiled shyly as she greeted Gunn. Wes and Cordelia simply muttered a good morning. Fred of course was the morning person thus she was bit more polite.
"Hey Charles. Where's your Umbrella?" She asked with her Texan accent dripping on every syllable. Wesley simply grinned as he looked up from the dagger he was polishing. Cordelia, who was reading her coveted InStyle magazine simply smiled at Fred before giving Gunn a smirk.
"Gunn's just too stubborn to buy one. I offered him an old one I had in my closet but he wouldn't take it." Taking off his wet jacket and setting it on the stair case Gunn walked over to Cordelia's desk and threw some excess water her way before gathering papers concerning their pending cases. She jumped back and shrieked before getting out her chair and slapping him on the arm.
"I don't take hand-me-downs from wannabe actresses who can't decide on hairsyels. And no way in Hell am I using your purple umbrella Cordy. Do I look like a teletubbie to you." He said not looking up from the paper. Cordelia snorted.
"Speaking as one of the only two females in here I think I speak for the whole population when I say.. you are not cute Gunn. At least the teletubbie-thingy is. Even if it is kinda gay. Right Fred?" She asked grinning. Fred looked at Wesley as if he was going to judge her response before replying hesitantly..
"I think Charles is cute. He's like a big ol sweet bear that you can hug. Or atleast that's what I think. Especially after ya'll kill some nasty demon from one of Cordy's visions cause then you have to shower and…and I think I should shut up now because of the looks of surprise you three are giving me." She finished lamely before blushing. Cordelia's jaw had dropped. Gunn was trying not to burst into tears and Wes was turning red, partly due to embarrassment, part jealousy.
"Alright then, I believe I shall continue my research in the comfort and safety of my office and save myself from the images of Fred's fantasies and Gunn nude." Wesley stated once the initial shocked washed over. With that he gathered his books and headed into his office. Gunn chuckled. Wes was so into Fred it wasn't even funny.
"Thank you Fred. Atleast somebody sees the Fineness that is Gunn. I'm gonna go holla at Angel for a sec." Gunn told her with a smile and a rolling of the eyes to Cordelia before making his way up the stairs. Cordelia unsuccessfully tried to make a comeback and instead bit on her bottom lip as she watched him make her way up the stairs. Her eyes followed him the whole way. Fred looked on but didn't say anything. She already knew Cordy was starting to see Gunn in a whole new light. And she was falling hard. She had been for some time now. Pulling Connor close she started back into her book but not before hearing Cordelia mutter under her breath.
"Oh I know you are buddy." Fred grinned even harder.
Upstairs-Angel's Room
Knock Knock
"Yo Angel, you up yet?" Gunn shouted. One time was enough because soon Angel was at his door and giving Gunn his pattened brooding face.
"Do you ever stop brooding cause I didn't know you could brood while sleeping?" Angel's mouth twitched a bit before he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"Shut up Gunn." At that, the demon hunter laughed.
"Yeah Yeah, anyway just wanted to ask you something?" Angel lifted his eyebrow and encouraged him to go on. Gunn sighed deeply. Why was asking Angel this like asking an overprotective father if you could marry his daughter.
"You and Cordy don't have a thing going on do you?"
'What the hell?' was all Angel could muster in his head. Gunn shook his head trying to explain himself.
"I'm just saying, you guys have like this bond or something. It's different than the one she has with Wes or me. It's like you two are…."
"Meant to be." Angel finished for him. Gunn nodded. Angel put a hand on his shoulder trying to give Gunn hope.
"We are. She's my seer. She's my best friend. And she's also my link to humanity. She's made me who I am now. I wouldn't be here without her. But one thing she's not is mine. Never has been, never will be. But I am worried about her. She's too good a woman not to be enjoying her life." He paused a bit before squinting his eyes. "Are you trying to date her?" Angel asked defensively. Gunn moved up to him. He wasn't one to be intimidated.
"And what if I am?" At that Angel did smile. "I say go for it. With all that's happening with Connor and Wolfram and Hart constantly on our asses, Cordy needs some normalcy. But remember she's still vulnerable. She may not be ready a relationship yet. But I'd rather she be with someone I can trust than some stranger." Gunn nodded in understanding.
"Yeah dog, you can count on me." Angel nodded.
"Good, get out of here and let me get dressed. I gotta keep up my reputation as a 24-7 brooding vamp."
Walking back down the hallway towards the stairs Gunn felt the muscles in his stomach tighten as he thought about what he was going to do. This was wasn't just any old girl out the hood or some chick from Pasadena. This was Cordelia Chase. Cordy, Angel's Seer, Wes' surrogate sister, and his protector. He could do this. Cordelia was his friend. They could have a friendly night out. They had many before but this would be the first time without Wesley. Hell, she was his friend too. They could do friend things and not have strong feelings attached. Yeah he was attracted to her but what guy with balls wasn't. Taking in a deep breath he made his way down stairs planning his strategy in his head.
"I can do this. This is just me and Cordy spending time together. Alone. A date that's it. It's not 'That' serious."
Like Hell it wasn't.
Author's note: My God, this was hard. I've never written these characters before so I'm feeling them out. For the most part I think I did okay. I hope to see what responses I get from this. Hopefully you guys will give me some feedback. Reviews inspire me to write more. Eventually I'll figure out where this is going but this chapter was pretty much a trial run. Read and Review. Until next time. Hell Yeah!