Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon and Angel the series.

Synopsis: This is the third story in the Soul series I am working on. In order the stories are The Price of a Soul, The Judging of a Soul, and now The Weight of a Soul. The Council is having it's own inner-struggles but have been forced to stop their pursuit of Faith. Just as they are breathing a sigh of relief, once member of Council is killed and sends a package to the team that has caught them all by surprise.

Chapter One

Spike huffed out a breath and tossed the paper onto the table. Wesley raised his head and gave him a look, then went back to his book. Spike glared and crossed his arms as he slunk back into the couch. Faith came up from the basement, a frown on her face and soaked with sweat. She glared at Spike.

"Your turn."

"Th' poof still beatin' on things?"

"Well now that I'm not there, yeah."

She caught Wesley's look and shook her head.

"I'm fine, he's not."

She thrust a thumb back towards the basement and headed to the kitchen for a drink. Spike was debating going back down but Angel came pounding up the steps and tossed aside his sword then went past Wesley to grab his jacket. Faith walked back in with a bottle of water and frowned.

"Where are you going?"

"You know where."

Angel bit off. Spike was up and grinning.

"All right! 'bout time, mate, let's do this!"

Wesley got up as well and moved to block his way.

"Angel, we've discussed this. She said she was taking a few days off."

"It's been almost a week!"

"Too right! Poof's right, you don' tell us she's dyin' then say forget abou' it."

Wesley sighed, the same fight, over and over. He ran a hand through his hair.

"I didn't say we forget about it."

Angel crossed his arms over his chest and stared at him.

"Then what are we doing? She shouldn't be alone. She sure as hell shouldn't have hidden it. You shouldn't have hidden it."

"I didn't know!"

Angel tilted his head and Wesley threw up his hands.

"I knew, it was taking a toll, believe me, I had no idea how much of a toll. Do you think I would have just done nothing if I'd known?"

"Great, well now we know. So now we do something."

Faith shrugged and walked up to stand by Wesley.

"Well I'm all for that. So what do we do?"

Angel stopped, he didnt' have a plan. Spike, of course, didn't need one.

"We go get 'er back 'ere!"

"And then what?"

Spike growled and Faith shook her head.

"Look, I don't like this any more than you do, but right now, there's nothing we can do. Wes is looking into the magic stuff, but for us, there's nothing for us to do. We're the fighters, and really, what the hell do we fight here?"

She wasn't glaring, she was frustrated. She didn't know what to do either, and it bothered her, but she didn't think yelling was going to help. Angel sighed.

"She should have told us."

Wesley nodded and shoved his hands into his pockets.

"I'm not sure she knew. Oh she knew it was a problem, but, I don't think, she knew she was dying."

Faith tilted her head at him.

"How d'you figure?"

His voice was unsure, as if he was still figuring it out himself.

"She seemed, upset, shocked, but only partially at me reading the letter. Why else would she need the time?"

Everyone sighed and Angel raised his eyes.

"She's got one more day, then I'm going over there."

"Agreed."

AA

Cordelia had suspected, but hadn't wanted to believe it. She saw doctors. She got meds, got CT scans, and then moved on to another doctor. After all, she couldn't honestly tell them what was causing her 'migraines'. Robertson had put all the information together and found the pattern that she couldn't, because she didn't know how. Because she never saw the same doctor twice. Because she wasn't looking. Mostly, because she didn't want to see it. She spent the first day depressed, crying, eating ice cream. All the typical signs. The second and third were spent going over the information meticulously. Looking for any other option, any other explanation. When she didn't find it, she went back to the ice cream. She was aware there was that whole stages of grief thing, she even looked them up. Then she decided they were crap. She wasn't going to wallow, or cry, or whine to the Powers. She was sure as hell not going to try and bargain with them! Like some pathetic little, well, cry-Buffy. This was her deal in life. Crying and complaining wasn't going to change it, better to just deal with it.

So she called the last doctor she'd seen, asked to see him right away and brought the file in. She didn't let him take copies, and she left with it afterwards, but he went over everything with her. He apologized, sincerely, as if he was worried that he had missed it. She let him know it was fine, that she hadn't been honest so couldn't blame him. He saw no way to reverse the damage, or stop it if they couldn't stop the migraines. She refused preventatives. She wasn't sure they would stop the visions or not so wasn't chancing it. She did accept some higher medications and he was careful explaining the dosages. Enough so that she had the feeling he'd 'assisted' those in pain before. In the only way he legally could.

It was five days, five days and she went over, skipped much of, and moved from that stages of grief thing. She wasn't going to waste any more time, certainly not five more days.

AA

She was prepared the next morning, she knew that there would be arguments, so she was going to make sure she had every argument taken care of. She dressed to look her best and her make up was flawless. No one would look at her and think anything other than a healthy, hopefully attractive, young woman. Satisfied she headed into work, early actually. She was here at 9:30 on the dot. No one else was up, or in yet, so she had the office to herself. She set the files aside on her desk, straightened and then hung up her jacket. By the time Wesley came in she had coffee ready and was looking over the messages. He walked into the office and she handed him his coffee on the way to her desk. He took it with a nod and sipped at it. He had moved all the way to his chair before he realized she was back. He stopped and looked over.

Cordelia smiled and rolled her eyes.

"Okay so I said a few days, and it was a bit longer. I'm back now, no cases while I was gone?"

He stuttered and shook his head.

"Er, well no not really, just, well we were worried, and, are you feeling well?"

Her smile softened.

"Wes I'm fine. Honestly, I'd just rather wait for everyone to discuss it because I know you guys are going to want to discuss it and I am not having the same arguments over and over."

"Arguments?"

"Wes."

He held his hands up in defense and sat down.

"All right, all right."

He did give her a smile, glad she was back. She shook her head and muttered something about being surrounded by dorks before going through the messages.

The rest of the morning went much the same. Faith came down and was surprised, Wesley shook his head in warning and Cordelia was acting as if it were just another day. So Faith shrugged and went with it. Spike and Angel rose within minutes of each other. Heading down into the lobby as they went for their coats. Faith was sitting on the counter and glanced up.

"What's up?"

"We're 'eadin' out. It's been a day already."

"We discussed this yesterday, Faith."

Angel added, his voice stiff as he pulled on his coat. Cordelia came out of the kitchen with mugs and handed them over.

"Here, you'll want to eat before you go."

She breezed past them to the office and Angel took the mug. Spike stared. Angel continued pulling on his coat and sipped at it.

"We'll be back."

Faith was trying not to laugh and Spike rolled his eyes, elbowing Angel who just glared at him.

"What?"

"Cheerleader jus' went inta th' office, you poof!"

Angel's brow furrowed then he glanced to the blood and then to the office heading right inside. Spike shook his head and Faith shrugged before hopping down and following.

"Well I'm not missing the show."

Wesley was at his desk and Cordelia was leaned over as they looked at a book. Angel stood there for a moment then finally crossed his arms.

"Cordelia."

She raised her head and smiled.

"Morning!"

Going back to the book, Wesley stared at Angel waiting for it. Cordelia went right back to work. Angel narrowed his eyes.

"Morning? That's it?"

She looked at him and blinked innocently, much to the amusement of Spike and Faith, Wesley was too smart to show amusement right now.

"Good morning?"

"Cordelia."

She sighed and shook her head, walked over and patted at his arm.

"Calm down Angel. I'm sure you are just itching to brood about it, but there will be no brooding."

She headed to her desk and he stopped her grabbing her arm.

"Cordelia, we want to know what's going on. No more lying."

She stopped and then stared at him.

"Excuse me? I am not a liar and if you want to discuss it, you will ask nicely. Otherwise, it's none of your business."

"None of my business! You got the visions because of me, and it's none of my business?"

She pulled her arm away and put hands on her hips ready to yell at him.

"Look here, you, you -"

He tilted his head and crossed his arms, the two facing off just daring the other to continue. Instead she groaned and tossed her hands up.

"It's not worth it."

"Cor you do not get to-"

"Ooooooh yes I do! Now if we are going to get any work done we are getting this over with. So everyone out to the lobby."

Wesley stood and headed for the door, he nodded to the others and Faith headed out, Spike frowned but turned. Angel was the last to turn and only after she gave him a pointed look and then literally pointed to the lobby.

Cordelia grabbed her papers and files from the desk then headed out after them. Wesley and Faith sat on a couch next to each other, Spike slouched on the other and Angel just stood there. She sighed, since he wasn't going to relax she pulled out the file and handed it to Wes.

"Right, so if the half threatening phone calls are any indication, Wes told you all what the letter said."

Wesley frowned and took the file but looked around. All three of the others glanced down. He sighed and looked back at Cordelia.

"I'm sorry, I hadn't expected -"

She waved it off.

"No big Wes. Honestly, I hadn't expected it eitehr."

Angel scoffed.

"You expect us to believe that?"

Cordelia just looked at him.

"Call me a liar, one more time Angel. I have never done anything but be honest with you, work with you and put the visions and your work first. Which is more than you can say."

Wesley had looked over the file, and seeing a chance to stop an argument from getting worse, interrupted.

"These are all under different names, and with different doctors."

Cordelia turned towards Wesley, effectively ignoring Angel.

"Right. Well, I couldn't see the same doctor over and over. They all thought it was migraines. I didn't know what else to tell them really, but they all had the same information. Intensity of pain, frequency, family history, blah blah. Anyway, that's why I didn't, well, see what he did."

"That, you're dying."

She shrugged.

"Basically."

Spike glared at her now and grabbed the file from Wesley.

"An' you're all nice an' calm about it? If you didn' know before you do now, we do now."

Cordelia smiled.

"I know, and that's what I want to talk to you guys about. It's okay."

Faith frowned.

"What's okay?"

She gestured with a hand to the files.

"This. I mean, I'm not happy about it of course, but, it's the way things are, and I'm okay with it."

Wesley stood up and shook his head.

"How? How can you simply say you are 'okay' with it? Cordelia, you are dying."

"Yeah, I got that. I cried, I had some ice cream and it's not fair. Got it. I took all the files to the last doctor I saw, he confirmed it. No way to fix the damage, without stopping the 'migraines', no way to stop the descent. Thing is, how many times do you guys go out to fight something and think that you might not make it? Let's be honest, none of us are looking at a retirement plan and nursing home in our futures."

Faith shook her head.

"That's different. I mean, they're vampires and I'm a slayer. They don't get old and well, neither do slayers."

"We do a lot of good because of the visions. I wouldn't give them up if you asked. I need you to understand that. So they will probably shorten my life. Not liking that part but you take the good with the bad."

Angel just stared, and his voice finally came out soft and stiff.

"You didn't ask for this."

She looked at him.

"And you did? Faith did? I get it, it sucks. It makes you angry, or sad, or whatever. I took a few days, I'm done. You each get one day, that's it. After that, no more crying, or complaining or getting angry, or brooding."

She gave Angel a pointed look. He narrowed his eyes, and Wesley stepped towards her, Faith stood and shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest.

"So give up?"

Cordelia rolled her eyes.

"No, not just give up. That's the point! I dont' want whatever time I have left to be whining and crying and complaining how unfair things are. I'm not a cry-Bu- baby. That would be giving up. If you were told you had one day left. If we got the call apocalypse tomorrow and nothing you could do to stop it, what would you want to do with your day? Well I'd want to be here. I'd want to be helping people. So that's what I'm going to do."

Faith lowered her eyes and Wesley removed his glasses. Spike put the papers aside and stood up to look at her. Cordelia's shoulders slumped, she couldn't discuss this all day she just couldn't. She looked at her friends and her eyes softened.

"Please you guys. I need you to understand."

Spike nodded.

"Got it, yeah? Wanna keep fightin' the good fight. We all got an expiration date, you jus' know yours is comin' up."

She relaxed and he walked over to her, took her chin and looked her in the eye.

"Don' mean we're jus' gonna sit back an' wait it out. Gotta let us try an' find somethin' else, pet."

She pursed her lips and looked passed him to Wes who nodded.

"I'm, looking into magical solutions now, if I can use your files. . . "

She closed her eyes for a moment and sighed.

"Fine, but, this isn't a priority. Our cases, the visions, those are still the priority. And, I, don't want to hear about every little lead. I can't take the - "

Wesley jumped in.

"Of course, I'll make sure any option I find is completely researched before I mention it."

Spike smiled.

"That a deal then, luv?"

She narrowed her eyes at him and reached up to take his hand from her chin.

"Fine, but you cut your brooding time in half now I hope you know."

"Not th' broodin' type. Waste o' time."

Faith felt a bit out of place, she had no research she could help with and she wasn't the hugging type, which was exactly what Wesley was heading over to do. He lowered his face to Cordelia's ear as he hugged her.

"I understand, I do, but we aren't ready to lose you yet."

Cordelia just closed her eyes, tears threatening again when she promised herself she was not going to cry. She wanted to tell him to get ready but couldn't.

"Thanks."

Faith cleared her throat.

"Well, while boring paper work is being done, I can take Cordy downstairs for training."

Cordelia kept an arm around Wesley as he pulled back and turned to stand at her side. She looked at Faith confused.

"Training?"

"Well yeah, I know shit about magic and less about doctors, but i know if you're in shape, you feel better. Supposed to keep you healthy and all, so figure I can teach you to kick some ass and worse case. . . "

Cordelia grinned.

"Worse case I'm a hot looking corpse?"

Faith shrugged. It might be inappropriate humor but it helped.

Wesley nodded and Spike shrugged.

"Righ' then. You two gonna train an' watcher boy will do the studyin'. I'll even give a hand or two. Know a li'l bit abou' languages. Particular demons. Sound like a plan?"

Everyone was moving, thinking this might work when Angel stopped them.

"No."

They all stopped moving and looked at Cordelia. Her face was a study in worry and she swallowed.

"Angel, please -"

He lowered his arms and sighed.

"You should eat first. You, skip breakfast too much. I'll, make eggs."

Her mouth twitched into a relieved smile.

"Okay."

Angel tilted his head and she looked at Faith who just grinned.

"Hey I'm all about food if someone else is cooking."

They headed to the kitchen and Angel turned to follow. He stopped and turned back to Wes and Spike.

"Find something."

They looked at each other.

"I'm looking Angel."

"Doin' what we can, yeah?"

Angel nodded and headed into the kitchen. For now, he'd do what he could. Make it seem like everything was normal, make each day a little better. Hope that there were no visions, and every minute he could would be busy with research. He'd check with The Host, he'd check with the Powers if he had to. There had to be something and he'd find it.