Disclaimer: Angel, Cordelia, Doyle, and Wesley don't belong to me, they are the 'brain-child' of Joss and David, while being owned by WB, Fox, and Mutant (Grr, Arr) Enemy Inc. Oh yeah and no offence to Hallmark!
It's amazing what 12 red roses can do a person!!! I should know! Happy Valentines Day
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12 Red Roses @--}
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Cordelia slumped on her desk, empty of files and loose photos having been filed away in boredom. Valentines Day had been a sore point this year. Her date from the night before last hadn't phoned her back and she was no where as near stooping as low as to phone him. She sat as the A.I door opened. Wesley strode boldly into the office carrying a large bouquet of flowers in his arms.
"Oh are those for me?" Cordelia chirped hopefully.
"No these are for my date, Amanda, tonight. We're going to 'La Medels' that posh new restaurant down the street." Wesley answered proudly.
"You have a date?" Cordelia scoffed. "I can't believe it, your lying. Your not going on a date?"
Angel walked into the blackened office to see Wesley sticking his tongue out at Cordelia.
"Wesley don't let the wind change." he looked at the roses in Wesley hands. "Oh for me, you shouldn't have, really."
"Oh he didn't, they're for his Valentine date tonight. Some people have all the luck. Cordelia huffed to herself.
Wesley placed his roses tentatively in the sink and filled it with water. He mused slightly before turning his gaze back to the office. Angel was sitting at his desk, the latest detective novel in his hands, his brow wrinkled in and his face stern as the concentration over took his features. Cordelia had abandoned her disgruntled look and instead wore an unreadable expression signalling that she was in deep thought as she filed her nails. Wesley and Angel both looked up as Cordelia slammed the nail file down on the wooden desk.
"Ah, I can't stand this anymore. Did anyone ever tell you this office is too....dark? I'm going out to get lunch."
Wesley tried to shout to her retreating back that It was only 10:30am but was harshly cut off by the slamming of the door.
"It's really got to her hasn't it. The first Valentines Day that she doesn't have the whole male population of Sunnydale sending her cards or giving her chocolates." Wesley said as the silence in the office settled again.
"Huh? I guess but there is little we can do about it unless..." Angel slowly rose from his chair and headed downstairs to his apartment.
Angel pulled out the think directory that lay in his bottom drawer. He flicked through the alphabetically arranged pages till he found the 'F' section. A brightly coloured ad' caught his eye, he picked up the phone and began to dial. A cheery voice answered the tone at the other end.
"Good morning, Flower Delights, how can I help you?"
"Um, yes I would like to send 12 red roses please." The girl on the other end let out an exaggerated sigh. "I am aware you must be very busy today but it is very important."
"OK sir, what is the name of the person you are sending them to and the address that you wish to send them to as well."
"They're being sent to Cordelia Chase at Angel Investigations, 23rd Street, LA. number 3.1.2. When will they be delivered?"
"Um say about 2pm. Would you like to put a card in there as well sir?"
"Yeah. Put 'To Cora, From Me.' on it" Angel muttered thoughtfully.
The girl giggled on the other line. "A bit cryptic isn't it?" She stopped laughing as she heard Angels growl on the other end. "Right so that is 12 red roses to arrive at 2pm. Have a nice day sir."
Angel put the phone back on it's cradle and smiled. He could pictured Cordelias face as she received them and the frustration as she tried to figure out who they were from. He chuckled quietly but was disturbed by the clicking of heels down the wooden stairwell. Cordelias sullen face and her lunch rounded the corner to find Angel sitting in the dark.
"God Angel, I know your allergic to sunlight but would it kill you to use a lightbulb? Oh, I'm sorry, I guess I'm just fed up. I hate Valentines Day. I think it was just a con made up by the florists and Hallmark in order to get us to part with even more money than they do already. Anyway I got lunch, ham sandwich for me with low-fat mayo, a cheese and ham bagel for Wesley, ehh all that fat, and a bag of blood for you.. So are you going patrolling tonight?"
"No, I have the night off. I think I will just sit here and um...em...brood." He hesitated, a plan forming in his mind. "I think I'll go help Wesley up stairs, you stay here and have your lunch."
Cordelia stared randomly around the now lit apartment. Her blobby picture still hung above the fireplace, pride of place. She noticed the yellow directory sitting on the table as she glanced her eye over it.
'Um flower shops, what is Angel up to? Oh he must like somebody, either that or he's playing cupid with Buffy again. Bad move!' Cordelia thought to herself.
She sat down at the table and pulled the lunch items out of the bag. She placed Wesley's bagel on a plate while Angels blood nuked in the microwave. Wesley drifted downstairs with the smell of the melting cheese and ham. He found Cordelia sitting with the same unreadable expression on her face.
Mid Afternoon:
Cordelia sat reading a beauty article on the Internet while Angel sat in the next office, the same wrinkled forehead and stern features as before, breaking the concentration to glance at the clock every few minutes. It read 2:15pm. Their only client had been a woman who wanted to find her daughter that her ex-husband had kidnapped. Cordelia had sent her to Kate at LAPD. Wesley was down stairs catching up on the sleep he missed from last nights Hunt 'n' Slay. He wanted to be fully awake for his date tonight.
Angels lifted nervously in his seat as a firm knock resounded around the offices. Angel opened it to find a spotty teenager, wearing a green baseball hat with 'Flower Delights' emblazed across the front.
"Hello are you Cordelia Chase?" The boy asked the imposing figure before him.
Angel cocked his eyebrow at the delivery boy. "Do I look like Cordelia Chase, No, she in there." The boy struggled through the narrow doorway, Angel smugly standing by watching. "Cordelia, flowers for you." Angel shouted through to the other office, keeping his voice low, trying not wake Wesley.
"Oh goody, flowers for me." She stopped in her tracks, her eyes open in amazement, "Are all those for me? Wow they're gorgeous." She carefully levered them out of the delivery boys hands and placed them tenderly on her desk.
The delivery boy still stood and glared at Angel, waiting for his tip. Angel grudgingly slipped him a $20, it was worth it to see the delighted look on Cordelias face as she fussed over them. He placed a vase on her desk leaving her to arrange them till her heart was content. She plucked the card from the stems of the thorny roses and read it aloud.
'To Cora,
From Me.'
She trailed off at the end a look of confusion on her face. Angel watched in interest but startled by the expression on her face, not the one he had been looking so forward to. She glanced in his direction, and he quickly turned away.
Early Evening:
Cordelia turned off her computer, a let out a long exasperated sigh. "Well I'm going home now." She walked up to Angel and put her arms around his neck. "Thank-you!"
Angel felt the warmth of her body next to his and smiled, he should have pulled away but her found the experience more enjoyable than he thought possible.
"Thank-you? What for?"
Cordelia drew back and looked at him straight in the eyes. "For the roses. They are wonderful. Thank-you for cheering me up, for making me feel special again."
Angel looked back at her in confusion. "How did you know they were from me? I told the florist not to write my name at the bottom."
"She didn't. Your the only one who ever calls me Cora, everyone else calls me Cordy. You called me Cora when we had to drug you with sleeping pills, the little incident with Angelus. You said 'Cora don't leave me, not now.' It's OK, you don't remember." She muttered seeing even more confusion in his eyes.
"No it wasn't that. It was the fact that you remembered what I said to you. Anyway, your not going out tonight are you?"
"Nope, it's just me, Dennis, a soppy film and a box of tissues. I'll have my cell phone on if a vision hits home OK. Well I better go before it gets dark."
"No your going home, then you are coming out with me. We're going to dinner, then we're going to a club. What do you say?"
Cordelia just stared at him in shock. "You don't do people so what is this all about? In fact I don't want to know, you might change your mind. Pick me up in an hour and wear something other than black." She turned, her scent bellowing into Angels head, and she was gone.
Angel busied himself downstairs, the hot shower had done nothing to stop Cordelias scent swirling around his mind. He didn't know why, she was just his annoying seer who needed cheering up. He pulled his aubergine shirt out of the closet along with his black trousers. 'She won't mind black trousers will she?' he thought as he ran his gelled hand through his hair, then splashing on a little aftershave. He had ten minutes be fore he had to pick up Cordelia as he shrugged on his leather duster. He grabbed the black velvet box that lay on his bedside table and headed out of the door.
Cordelia frantically ran around the apartment searching for her silver glitter nail varnish.
"Dennis, have you seen my nail varnish? Help me find me. Hold on, have you hid it? I'll kill you, if I could, this is because I'm going out. Well it's only with Angel so hand it over!"
Out of thin air a mini bottle of silver glitter nail varnish appeared. Cordelia picked up the bottom of her long ruby dress and ran towards the bedroom. The doorbell rang and Cordelia let out an exasperated scream. She shouted through to Dennis.
"Dennis, get the door. It's your fault I'm running late."
Angel stood patiently at the door, knowing full well that Cordelia still wouldn't be ready. The door floated open, an invisible hand inviting him in. Angel had seen the outside of building many a time as he staked her, just like he had to Buffy. He felt the need to protect Cordelia as he had to Buffy, after all Cordelia had a gift that she didn't ask for and had it because of him. The inside of the apartment was bright and airy, pictures of her parents and family were on the mantle place while a picture of Doyle, taken off the video camera, sat hidden in the corner where only Cordelia would see it. He heard a slight cough behind him and he turned to greet it's source. Cordelia stood before him dressed in a long, velvet, ruby-coloured dress. It was amazing on her, hugging every curve in a flattering way. He stood not saying anything out of shock.
"Oh you don't like it, I'll go change." Cordelia said, unable to hide the disappointment in her voice. She turned back towards her bedroom.
Angel grabbed her arm softly and whirled her back around. "No, don't you look fantastic, call it shock. There's one thing missing though."
Angel pulled open the black box he had guarded closely since leaving AI. He revealed a gold necklace with a diamond encrusted heart pendant. Cordelia gasped in delight.
"This is for you, it's over 300 years old. Do you like it?" Angel asked apprehensively.
"I can't wear that, I might break it or lose it. Oh Angel I means too much to you for me to wear." Cordelia ran her fingers down the gold chain.
"Turn around and I'll put it."
Cordelia swivelled on her heels to face the mirror and watched, engrossed, as Angel clasped the necklace just below her hair line. She shivered at his cold touch. "See it's perfect for you. Now come on, the car is waiting." He helped her put on her wrap and headed out of the door. Cordelia squealed at the large black limo waiting for them. They headed off to the restaurant after Cordelia had stopped saying wow and Oh my god. They pulled up to the Victorian building where they were dining that night. The driver opened the door and let Angel out as he calmly walked to the other side and held Cordelias hand as she got out of the limo, in awe at the scene before her. They sat and ate dinner, staring at each other and looking away just as quickly when they gazes met. The restaurant was full of St. Valentines Day lovers. Roses and candles adorned every table. When they had finished coffee they headed back into the limo to go to the club.
"So Angel where is this club?"
"It's the Blue Stick, have you heard of it? A demon I helped owed me a favour so he got me tickets to the VIP lounge."
"The Blue Stick, of course I've heard of it, who hasn't. A demon owns it, Oh my god, I never realised. More demons must own clubs here than humans. Why are you doing this?" Cordelia asked.
"You needed cheering up and I need to work on my people skills with someone I trust, plus it's Valentines Day, you can't spend it home with a soppy movie on your own. Right we're here." He said looking out of the window at the crowd waiting to get in. He took her hand and whispered in her ear.
"Hold on tight and follow me."
Cordelia shivered again as she slipped her hand in his cold lifeless one, their fingers intertwining. Angel walked straight up to the bouncer and whispered in ear, the rail was undone and they walked straight in. The club was decorated in a stylish honour of St. Valentines. The candles were all lit and red hearts displayed on every wall. The band were already on stage and playing a soft rock tune as couple swayed in time to the fast beat of the
music.
"This place is amazing Angel, thank-you so much. Where is the lounge then? I've got to see if the rumours are true."
Angel, still holding her hand, lead her the clear glass door that lead to the solitude of the VIP lounge. He showed the passes to the bouncer, he smiled as Cordelia glided passed him.
"Come on Angel you have to dance. Please for me."
"Come Cordelia, you know I can't dance, I don't do the 'move your body thing.' You go ahead, you're here to enjoy yourself. I'll gets the drinks in. Blue Lagoon right."
Cordelia left her bag at their table and exited back through the glass doors through which they had just come. Angel watched Cordelia sway onto the dance floor, her low cut back revealing the top of her little angel tattoo. As soon as she stepped foot on the dance floor men were drawn to her confident ora. Angel felt something stir in him and his mind turned to jealousy. 'How dare they dance with my Cora, Cordelia. They don't deserve her.' He abandoned the bar and followed Cordelias path through the glass doors. He stepped out towards Cordelia and tapped the man she was dancing with shoulder.
"Excuse me but can I cut in?" Angel ordered sarcastically.
Cordelia simply giggled at the Vampires vain attempts at politeness. "I thought you didn't dance." She raised her eyebrow at him.
"Lets just call it a change in heart. You'll have to help me out here."
She nodded and took his hands, moving his body in sync with hers. The beat filled his head as it mixed with Cordelias new scent of her perfume. Nothing else mattered accept this moment, this night. The beat changed as the band slow ballad. He wrapped his arms instinctually around her waist, pulling her close to him, burying his head in her hair.
Cordelia felt his arms snake around her velvet coated waist, she could do nothing as he dragged her in close, feeling the silk of his shirt on her cheek and the brush of his nose has he smothered himself in her hair. She placed her head on his chest, unsurprised not to hear a heartbeat or the sound of a breath filling her lungs, the silence filling her with peace. She felt his head shift from her hair. She slowly looked up, finding his eyes staring right into her soul. He lowered his head finding her lips waiting for his. Angel felt fireworks as their
lips met in a slow and heart felt kiss. The warmth he felt his head and his soul called out for more. He took in an unneeded breath as his tongue plundered the depths of Cordelias mouth, revelling in her warmth. Life surged through him as Cordelia returned his affection. The world fell away, there were no more demons, no more vampires, no broken hearts, living for the moment, that one moment of perfect happiness. NO! his conscience screamed while Angelus screamed just as loud for more.
Angel pulled away abruptly holding Cordelia at arms length.
"What? What did I do wrong? Angel what's going on? ANGEL TALK TO ME!"
Angel stood in the middle of the dance floor till he felt the pulling, from Cordelia, towards the VIP lounge. She flung in down in the soft chair before lowering herself next to him.
"Angel what happened out there? One moment I was having the most explosive kiss of my life the next I'm standing in the middle of the dance floor, you looking at me like I've just grown two heads."
"I felt Angelus screaming inside me. He wanted me to have one moment of perfect happiness, to take you there and then. I didn't know what to do. I need your help."
"Angel you have to fight it. I won't let that happen. Do you honestly think I have no self control? I know the limits and where the DANGER sign is. Trust me." She drew his face to hers searching his gaze. She saw it. She saw his trust in her, and that was enough. She pulled him close as the met in a passionate embrace, each giving all they had to give. Except his soul.
The ride back home in the limo was filled with stolen glances and eventually sensual kisses. The limo pulled up at Cordelias apartment and they both climbed out. Angel spent the night at Cordelias, feeling the need and the passion boiling between them but the self-control and respect for each other over-wrapped the feelings and the need. They both awoke in each others arms, Angel wearing his black trousers yet shirtless as Cordelias head rested on his chest, she was dressed in her tank top and shorts safely applied last night as the final condition Angel had demanded. They both went into the office together, though Angel went through the sewers as not to arouse suspicion with Wesley. Angel, showered and dressed in new clothes went upstairs to start a new days business. He found Cordelia and Wesley chattering about Wesley date with Amanda, which was 'rather successful' in Wesley's words.
"So Cordelia what did you do last night?" Wesley asked
Angels head shoot up in surprise, silent begging Cordelia to keep quiet about their wonderful night together.
"Oh last night was...just me, Dennis, a soppy movie and a box of tissues." She threw a mischievous wink in Angels direction and continued flicking through a nearby magazine.
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Why, everytime I try to write a friendship fic, it always ends in romance? Tell me what you think?
Nuttyginger
It's amazing what 12 red roses can do a person!!! I should know! Happy Valentines Day
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12 Red Roses @--}
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Cordelia slumped on her desk, empty of files and loose photos having been filed away in boredom. Valentines Day had been a sore point this year. Her date from the night before last hadn't phoned her back and she was no where as near stooping as low as to phone him. She sat as the A.I door opened. Wesley strode boldly into the office carrying a large bouquet of flowers in his arms.
"Oh are those for me?" Cordelia chirped hopefully.
"No these are for my date, Amanda, tonight. We're going to 'La Medels' that posh new restaurant down the street." Wesley answered proudly.
"You have a date?" Cordelia scoffed. "I can't believe it, your lying. Your not going on a date?"
Angel walked into the blackened office to see Wesley sticking his tongue out at Cordelia.
"Wesley don't let the wind change." he looked at the roses in Wesley hands. "Oh for me, you shouldn't have, really."
"Oh he didn't, they're for his Valentine date tonight. Some people have all the luck. Cordelia huffed to herself.
Wesley placed his roses tentatively in the sink and filled it with water. He mused slightly before turning his gaze back to the office. Angel was sitting at his desk, the latest detective novel in his hands, his brow wrinkled in and his face stern as the concentration over took his features. Cordelia had abandoned her disgruntled look and instead wore an unreadable expression signalling that she was in deep thought as she filed her nails. Wesley and Angel both looked up as Cordelia slammed the nail file down on the wooden desk.
"Ah, I can't stand this anymore. Did anyone ever tell you this office is too....dark? I'm going out to get lunch."
Wesley tried to shout to her retreating back that It was only 10:30am but was harshly cut off by the slamming of the door.
"It's really got to her hasn't it. The first Valentines Day that she doesn't have the whole male population of Sunnydale sending her cards or giving her chocolates." Wesley said as the silence in the office settled again.
"Huh? I guess but there is little we can do about it unless..." Angel slowly rose from his chair and headed downstairs to his apartment.
Angel pulled out the think directory that lay in his bottom drawer. He flicked through the alphabetically arranged pages till he found the 'F' section. A brightly coloured ad' caught his eye, he picked up the phone and began to dial. A cheery voice answered the tone at the other end.
"Good morning, Flower Delights, how can I help you?"
"Um, yes I would like to send 12 red roses please." The girl on the other end let out an exaggerated sigh. "I am aware you must be very busy today but it is very important."
"OK sir, what is the name of the person you are sending them to and the address that you wish to send them to as well."
"They're being sent to Cordelia Chase at Angel Investigations, 23rd Street, LA. number 3.1.2. When will they be delivered?"
"Um say about 2pm. Would you like to put a card in there as well sir?"
"Yeah. Put 'To Cora, From Me.' on it" Angel muttered thoughtfully.
The girl giggled on the other line. "A bit cryptic isn't it?" She stopped laughing as she heard Angels growl on the other end. "Right so that is 12 red roses to arrive at 2pm. Have a nice day sir."
Angel put the phone back on it's cradle and smiled. He could pictured Cordelias face as she received them and the frustration as she tried to figure out who they were from. He chuckled quietly but was disturbed by the clicking of heels down the wooden stairwell. Cordelias sullen face and her lunch rounded the corner to find Angel sitting in the dark.
"God Angel, I know your allergic to sunlight but would it kill you to use a lightbulb? Oh, I'm sorry, I guess I'm just fed up. I hate Valentines Day. I think it was just a con made up by the florists and Hallmark in order to get us to part with even more money than they do already. Anyway I got lunch, ham sandwich for me with low-fat mayo, a cheese and ham bagel for Wesley, ehh all that fat, and a bag of blood for you.. So are you going patrolling tonight?"
"No, I have the night off. I think I will just sit here and um...em...brood." He hesitated, a plan forming in his mind. "I think I'll go help Wesley up stairs, you stay here and have your lunch."
Cordelia stared randomly around the now lit apartment. Her blobby picture still hung above the fireplace, pride of place. She noticed the yellow directory sitting on the table as she glanced her eye over it.
'Um flower shops, what is Angel up to? Oh he must like somebody, either that or he's playing cupid with Buffy again. Bad move!' Cordelia thought to herself.
She sat down at the table and pulled the lunch items out of the bag. She placed Wesley's bagel on a plate while Angels blood nuked in the microwave. Wesley drifted downstairs with the smell of the melting cheese and ham. He found Cordelia sitting with the same unreadable expression on her face.
Mid Afternoon:
Cordelia sat reading a beauty article on the Internet while Angel sat in the next office, the same wrinkled forehead and stern features as before, breaking the concentration to glance at the clock every few minutes. It read 2:15pm. Their only client had been a woman who wanted to find her daughter that her ex-husband had kidnapped. Cordelia had sent her to Kate at LAPD. Wesley was down stairs catching up on the sleep he missed from last nights Hunt 'n' Slay. He wanted to be fully awake for his date tonight.
Angels lifted nervously in his seat as a firm knock resounded around the offices. Angel opened it to find a spotty teenager, wearing a green baseball hat with 'Flower Delights' emblazed across the front.
"Hello are you Cordelia Chase?" The boy asked the imposing figure before him.
Angel cocked his eyebrow at the delivery boy. "Do I look like Cordelia Chase, No, she in there." The boy struggled through the narrow doorway, Angel smugly standing by watching. "Cordelia, flowers for you." Angel shouted through to the other office, keeping his voice low, trying not wake Wesley.
"Oh goody, flowers for me." She stopped in her tracks, her eyes open in amazement, "Are all those for me? Wow they're gorgeous." She carefully levered them out of the delivery boys hands and placed them tenderly on her desk.
The delivery boy still stood and glared at Angel, waiting for his tip. Angel grudgingly slipped him a $20, it was worth it to see the delighted look on Cordelias face as she fussed over them. He placed a vase on her desk leaving her to arrange them till her heart was content. She plucked the card from the stems of the thorny roses and read it aloud.
'To Cora,
From Me.'
She trailed off at the end a look of confusion on her face. Angel watched in interest but startled by the expression on her face, not the one he had been looking so forward to. She glanced in his direction, and he quickly turned away.
Early Evening:
Cordelia turned off her computer, a let out a long exasperated sigh. "Well I'm going home now." She walked up to Angel and put her arms around his neck. "Thank-you!"
Angel felt the warmth of her body next to his and smiled, he should have pulled away but her found the experience more enjoyable than he thought possible.
"Thank-you? What for?"
Cordelia drew back and looked at him straight in the eyes. "For the roses. They are wonderful. Thank-you for cheering me up, for making me feel special again."
Angel looked back at her in confusion. "How did you know they were from me? I told the florist not to write my name at the bottom."
"She didn't. Your the only one who ever calls me Cora, everyone else calls me Cordy. You called me Cora when we had to drug you with sleeping pills, the little incident with Angelus. You said 'Cora don't leave me, not now.' It's OK, you don't remember." She muttered seeing even more confusion in his eyes.
"No it wasn't that. It was the fact that you remembered what I said to you. Anyway, your not going out tonight are you?"
"Nope, it's just me, Dennis, a soppy film and a box of tissues. I'll have my cell phone on if a vision hits home OK. Well I better go before it gets dark."
"No your going home, then you are coming out with me. We're going to dinner, then we're going to a club. What do you say?"
Cordelia just stared at him in shock. "You don't do people so what is this all about? In fact I don't want to know, you might change your mind. Pick me up in an hour and wear something other than black." She turned, her scent bellowing into Angels head, and she was gone.
Angel busied himself downstairs, the hot shower had done nothing to stop Cordelias scent swirling around his mind. He didn't know why, she was just his annoying seer who needed cheering up. He pulled his aubergine shirt out of the closet along with his black trousers. 'She won't mind black trousers will she?' he thought as he ran his gelled hand through his hair, then splashing on a little aftershave. He had ten minutes be fore he had to pick up Cordelia as he shrugged on his leather duster. He grabbed the black velvet box that lay on his bedside table and headed out of the door.
Cordelia frantically ran around the apartment searching for her silver glitter nail varnish.
"Dennis, have you seen my nail varnish? Help me find me. Hold on, have you hid it? I'll kill you, if I could, this is because I'm going out. Well it's only with Angel so hand it over!"
Out of thin air a mini bottle of silver glitter nail varnish appeared. Cordelia picked up the bottom of her long ruby dress and ran towards the bedroom. The doorbell rang and Cordelia let out an exasperated scream. She shouted through to Dennis.
"Dennis, get the door. It's your fault I'm running late."
Angel stood patiently at the door, knowing full well that Cordelia still wouldn't be ready. The door floated open, an invisible hand inviting him in. Angel had seen the outside of building many a time as he staked her, just like he had to Buffy. He felt the need to protect Cordelia as he had to Buffy, after all Cordelia had a gift that she didn't ask for and had it because of him. The inside of the apartment was bright and airy, pictures of her parents and family were on the mantle place while a picture of Doyle, taken off the video camera, sat hidden in the corner where only Cordelia would see it. He heard a slight cough behind him and he turned to greet it's source. Cordelia stood before him dressed in a long, velvet, ruby-coloured dress. It was amazing on her, hugging every curve in a flattering way. He stood not saying anything out of shock.
"Oh you don't like it, I'll go change." Cordelia said, unable to hide the disappointment in her voice. She turned back towards her bedroom.
Angel grabbed her arm softly and whirled her back around. "No, don't you look fantastic, call it shock. There's one thing missing though."
Angel pulled open the black box he had guarded closely since leaving AI. He revealed a gold necklace with a diamond encrusted heart pendant. Cordelia gasped in delight.
"This is for you, it's over 300 years old. Do you like it?" Angel asked apprehensively.
"I can't wear that, I might break it or lose it. Oh Angel I means too much to you for me to wear." Cordelia ran her fingers down the gold chain.
"Turn around and I'll put it."
Cordelia swivelled on her heels to face the mirror and watched, engrossed, as Angel clasped the necklace just below her hair line. She shivered at his cold touch. "See it's perfect for you. Now come on, the car is waiting." He helped her put on her wrap and headed out of the door. Cordelia squealed at the large black limo waiting for them. They headed off to the restaurant after Cordelia had stopped saying wow and Oh my god. They pulled up to the Victorian building where they were dining that night. The driver opened the door and let Angel out as he calmly walked to the other side and held Cordelias hand as she got out of the limo, in awe at the scene before her. They sat and ate dinner, staring at each other and looking away just as quickly when they gazes met. The restaurant was full of St. Valentines Day lovers. Roses and candles adorned every table. When they had finished coffee they headed back into the limo to go to the club.
"So Angel where is this club?"
"It's the Blue Stick, have you heard of it? A demon I helped owed me a favour so he got me tickets to the VIP lounge."
"The Blue Stick, of course I've heard of it, who hasn't. A demon owns it, Oh my god, I never realised. More demons must own clubs here than humans. Why are you doing this?" Cordelia asked.
"You needed cheering up and I need to work on my people skills with someone I trust, plus it's Valentines Day, you can't spend it home with a soppy movie on your own. Right we're here." He said looking out of the window at the crowd waiting to get in. He took her hand and whispered in her ear.
"Hold on tight and follow me."
Cordelia shivered again as she slipped her hand in his cold lifeless one, their fingers intertwining. Angel walked straight up to the bouncer and whispered in ear, the rail was undone and they walked straight in. The club was decorated in a stylish honour of St. Valentines. The candles were all lit and red hearts displayed on every wall. The band were already on stage and playing a soft rock tune as couple swayed in time to the fast beat of the
music.
"This place is amazing Angel, thank-you so much. Where is the lounge then? I've got to see if the rumours are true."
Angel, still holding her hand, lead her the clear glass door that lead to the solitude of the VIP lounge. He showed the passes to the bouncer, he smiled as Cordelia glided passed him.
"Come on Angel you have to dance. Please for me."
"Come Cordelia, you know I can't dance, I don't do the 'move your body thing.' You go ahead, you're here to enjoy yourself. I'll gets the drinks in. Blue Lagoon right."
Cordelia left her bag at their table and exited back through the glass doors through which they had just come. Angel watched Cordelia sway onto the dance floor, her low cut back revealing the top of her little angel tattoo. As soon as she stepped foot on the dance floor men were drawn to her confident ora. Angel felt something stir in him and his mind turned to jealousy. 'How dare they dance with my Cora, Cordelia. They don't deserve her.' He abandoned the bar and followed Cordelias path through the glass doors. He stepped out towards Cordelia and tapped the man she was dancing with shoulder.
"Excuse me but can I cut in?" Angel ordered sarcastically.
Cordelia simply giggled at the Vampires vain attempts at politeness. "I thought you didn't dance." She raised her eyebrow at him.
"Lets just call it a change in heart. You'll have to help me out here."
She nodded and took his hands, moving his body in sync with hers. The beat filled his head as it mixed with Cordelias new scent of her perfume. Nothing else mattered accept this moment, this night. The beat changed as the band slow ballad. He wrapped his arms instinctually around her waist, pulling her close to him, burying his head in her hair.
Cordelia felt his arms snake around her velvet coated waist, she could do nothing as he dragged her in close, feeling the silk of his shirt on her cheek and the brush of his nose has he smothered himself in her hair. She placed her head on his chest, unsurprised not to hear a heartbeat or the sound of a breath filling her lungs, the silence filling her with peace. She felt his head shift from her hair. She slowly looked up, finding his eyes staring right into her soul. He lowered his head finding her lips waiting for his. Angel felt fireworks as their
lips met in a slow and heart felt kiss. The warmth he felt his head and his soul called out for more. He took in an unneeded breath as his tongue plundered the depths of Cordelias mouth, revelling in her warmth. Life surged through him as Cordelia returned his affection. The world fell away, there were no more demons, no more vampires, no broken hearts, living for the moment, that one moment of perfect happiness. NO! his conscience screamed while Angelus screamed just as loud for more.
Angel pulled away abruptly holding Cordelia at arms length.
"What? What did I do wrong? Angel what's going on? ANGEL TALK TO ME!"
Angel stood in the middle of the dance floor till he felt the pulling, from Cordelia, towards the VIP lounge. She flung in down in the soft chair before lowering herself next to him.
"Angel what happened out there? One moment I was having the most explosive kiss of my life the next I'm standing in the middle of the dance floor, you looking at me like I've just grown two heads."
"I felt Angelus screaming inside me. He wanted me to have one moment of perfect happiness, to take you there and then. I didn't know what to do. I need your help."
"Angel you have to fight it. I won't let that happen. Do you honestly think I have no self control? I know the limits and where the DANGER sign is. Trust me." She drew his face to hers searching his gaze. She saw it. She saw his trust in her, and that was enough. She pulled him close as the met in a passionate embrace, each giving all they had to give. Except his soul.
The ride back home in the limo was filled with stolen glances and eventually sensual kisses. The limo pulled up at Cordelias apartment and they both climbed out. Angel spent the night at Cordelias, feeling the need and the passion boiling between them but the self-control and respect for each other over-wrapped the feelings and the need. They both awoke in each others arms, Angel wearing his black trousers yet shirtless as Cordelias head rested on his chest, she was dressed in her tank top and shorts safely applied last night as the final condition Angel had demanded. They both went into the office together, though Angel went through the sewers as not to arouse suspicion with Wesley. Angel, showered and dressed in new clothes went upstairs to start a new days business. He found Cordelia and Wesley chattering about Wesley date with Amanda, which was 'rather successful' in Wesley's words.
"So Cordelia what did you do last night?" Wesley asked
Angels head shoot up in surprise, silent begging Cordelia to keep quiet about their wonderful night together.
"Oh last night was...just me, Dennis, a soppy movie and a box of tissues." She threw a mischievous wink in Angels direction and continued flicking through a nearby magazine.
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Why, everytime I try to write a friendship fic, it always ends in romance? Tell me what you think?
Nuttyginger